DOH-7 warns anew against dengue, leptospirosis amid frequent rains
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 17 (PIA) -- Dengue, leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases are the critical reminders the Department of Health (DOH) here placed emphasis to the public amid the frequent downpour of rains due to the La Niña phenomenon which PAGASA warns will continue to drop heavy rains until early next year.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta urged the public to always cover water containers and to destroy any containers such as opened cans, tires or caps that could be possible breeding sites for the dengue-carrier virus Aedes Egypti Mosquitoes.
During the rainy season, it has become a habit for Filipinos to store rain water for washing clothes and other household purposes, Madarieta said but added that though this might be practical because we can save on water bills but we must not always forget to always cover our water containers because this is a common breeding site for mosquitoes.
In Cebu City, Incidence of dengue cases registered a drop of 36 percent from January to September 15, this year as reported from 1,659 cases and 13 deaths of the same period last year down to 1,061 cases and nine deaths. Cebu City always tops the list of dengue cases in the whole region.
The health department credited the decline of dengue incidence to its strengthened education drive along with health educator partners.
DOH-7 is continuing its advocacy on the four “S” campaign which involves search and destroy possible breeding sites, donning long-sleeved shirts, seeking treatment from health professionals for fever that lasts two days or more and say no to fogging.
Meanwhile, the DOH-7 also urged the public not to wade in floodwaters because of the high risk of contracting leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is spread through contact with the urine of infected animals.
Leptospirosis if left untreated will lead to kidney damage, meningitis or inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, liver failure, respiratory distress and even death, this is learned.
A total of 58 cases of leptospirosis had been recorded by the DOH 7 Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit since the start of the year until October 8 with the highest number of cases from Cebu City with 20.
With flooding a perennial woe especially in some sections in Cebu City, the DOH-7 again reminded the public not to wade in floodwaters as it fears that frequent heavy rains might cause an outbreak.
The DOH-7 also warned that coughs and colds are common during the rainy season as health officials advised to wear protective clothing, eat right and take vitamins that boost the immune system such as Vitamin C and eat foods rich in vitamins and nutrients such as vegetables. (PIA-Cebu)
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Over 1,000 fisherfolks, farmers in Cebu
receive insurance card from Cebu Prov’l LGU
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY October 18 (PIA) – Over 1,163 fisher folks and farmers from seven municipalities in southern Cebu recently received their insurance card from Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as part of her program to provide security to both marginalized sectors that covers not only their crops but also their lives as well.
The insurance cards were given to the mayors of the seven towns of Argao, Alcoy, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Oslob, Samboan and Santander who were tasked to distribute the cards to the identified fishermen and farmers in their respective areas.
Garcia said the purpose of the program is to provide the beneficiaries the assurance of their security on their lives including the land they cultivate in farming or the tools and apparatuses they utilized in fishing particularly in times of bad weather occurrences.
In case of natural calamities, the fishermen and farmers can be assured that they have life insurance in case something happens to them and that the insurance card also grants security for the crops and animals used for farm production and the fishing boats and fishnets.
The turn-over ceremony of the insurance cards for the said beneficiaries was held in the southern town of Argao and attended by Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. Pesident Jovy Bernabe, Speaker and 2nd District Congressman Pablo Garcia, Department of Agriculture-7 Executive Director Leo Caneda and the town mayors from the 2nd district and members of the provincial board.
Last August 26, 1,137 farmers and fishermen that comprised the first batch of beneficiaries of the Cebu Provincial Government’s Insurance Program received their insurance cards from Garcia and Bernabe.
The beneficiaries were from the municipalities of San Remegio, Borbon, Tabuelan, Asturias, Sogod, Medellin, Balamban, DaanBantayan, Madridejos, Bantayan, Tabogon, Dalaguete, Catmon,Alcantara, and the cities of Bogo and Naga, this was reported.
Garcia previously said that governments of first world nations insure their farmers and fishermen and that Cebu can also provide the same. (FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)
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Bohol receives P2.8M worth of scholarship from TESDA
BOHOL, Oct 17 (PIA) – Bohol province received recently some P2.8M worth of scholarship from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“I am very happy with the progress we are making here in Bohol. The Php2.8M is just the beginning,” TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said as he assured the provincial leadership that he intends to put more resources in Bohol.
In the luncheon with the TESDA top official with TESDA regional director Rosanna Urdaneta and Provincial OIC Dr. Francisca Opog, Bohol governor Edgar Chatto and the members of the Provincial Board accepted the trophies for being the most outstanding LGU partner at the regional and national 2011 Kabalikat Awards of TESDA.
“When we are in public service, we aim to provide our best, quality service,” said Chatto as he generously thanked TESDA for the honors.
The key to success is excellence in whatever field we choose, the governor said. There are many opportunities for Tech-Voc graduates, may it be in eco-tourism, agro-industry and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), all development directions that the provincial government is pursuing, Chatto added.
With TESDA at the helm to continue to guide, inspire and motivate, the local government units and private partners will be as inspired to support the implementation of the programs of the agency, Chatto assured TESDA.
Villanueva for his part said TESDA aims to reach new frontiers in training the workforce through out-of-the-box programs.
He related recent undertakings of the department in the areas of furniture making out of confiscated illegal logs, livelihood production from water hyacinths, and electronic vehicles, among others.
Villanueva revealed that Pres. Noynoy Aquino had just given him instructions to focus more on creating employment and has guaranteed more funding for scholarships under the agency.
He also disclosed that TESDA is currently concentrating on four industries: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Agri-business, Semi-Conductors, and Tourism.
“With Bohol on the agenda for tourism, we at TESDA are very happy to be part of this direction,” he said.
Villanueva admitted he was not surprised at Bohol’s latest achievement as best governed province in the country, and shared that according to a study conducted by the Ateneo De Manila University, the number one problem in the country is hopelessness.
“But this afternoon, Bohol made me realize that indeed there is hope for this nation. If we all continue to work hard and press on towards the goal of bringing this nation back on its right track, we’ll be able to achieve our dreams and our goals for our country”, Villanueva added. (PIA-7/mbcn & Bohol LGU/EDCom-Leah)