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Todays Headlines
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DOH warns public of holiday diseases |
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Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:56 |
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With the holiday season fast approaching, the threat of diseases these cold months and the lifestyle of people could be fatal to the health. Department of Health Regional Director Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said during the weekly Kapihan sa Baguio forum that the cold weather that started in the first week of December causes cough, colds and even flu especially to children. Cases are expected to increase with the continuing cold weather condition caused by climate change. Cabotaje also warned people of the second wave of the AH1N1 virus that is now hitting parts of the United States of America and Canada . Balik Bayans who would be coming home for the holiday season could be carriers of the deadly AH1N1 virus, she said.. It could be recalled that the Cordillera region recorded the highest number of AH1N1 deaths nationwide with eight cases. Although Cabotaje said that the cases recorded here were mild and treatable. Meanwhile, there is a 110 percent increase in dengue cases this year, with 1708 cases this 2009 compared to 801 cases last year. Baguio cases decreased while the province of Ifugao , Kalinga and Apayao increased. The DOH is monitoring the possible outbreak in Luna, Apayao and Lagawe, Ifugao. In connection with the fireworks, Cabotaje said that the smoke produced by fireworks and firecrackers lighted during the Christmas and New Year Eve may cause difficulty in breathing that could lead to asthma. Even allergens could be triggered by this harmful smoke emitted from fireworks and firecrackers. People should also be conscious of food being eaten. Diarrhea could be caused by too much food taken in and the unsanitary habit of not washing hands before and after eating. There are also the lifestyle diseases or the non-communicable diseases (NCD) being monitored by the DOH related to how an individual lives or what lifestyle is being practiced. The major lifestyle-related NCDs among the leading cause of death in the region and the country are cardio-vascular disease caused by too much cholesterol or fat intake, cancers, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by smoking and dirty air in the environment. According to the DOH, lifestyle related diseases can be prevented or alleviated through behavioral and medical interventions. Cabotaje is advising the public to be always vigilant, continue the practice of healthy lifestyles; diet, exercise and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. If people are not feeling well, they should consult a doctor. ** Redjie MElvic Cawis/ PIA-CAR
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City nightspot entertainers join World AIDS Day commemoration |
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Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:55 |
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BAGUIO CITY – Almost 1000 participants including more than 500 male and female entertainers from the different night establishments in the city joined in the commemoration of World AIDS Day last December 1. Spearheaded by the city government of Baguio through the AIDS Watch Council (AWAC), the commemoration started with a parade down Session Road to the Baguio Convention with AWAC member agencies and entertainers, holding balloons and banners . In his keynote address, Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. reminded the participants, particularly those from the entertainment industry, the importance of standing by the celebration’s theme of "Keeping the promise" and following the required city government protocols. Bautista also stressed the importance of following health regulations. In a separate statement, Bautista stressed the alarming fact that of the 35 HIV/AIDS cases recorded in the city since 1992, male cases are more than double the number of the female cases (12 female, 23 male), thus he is calling the city council to enact an ordinance, which would also regulate the activities of male entertainers. City Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda agreed with the mayor that there is indeed a need for a law that will subject male entertainers with similar requirements as those of the women entertainers. As part of the city’s AWAC’s effort to fully eradicate HIV/AIDS in the city, the RHWC also awarded Plaque of recognition to outstanding BARS workers and establishments. RHWC gave plaque of recognition to outstanding Floor Managers; Most Cooperative owner; and most cooperative, diligent, healthiest and cleanest establishments; and outstanding working students, from the city’s entertainment industry. To hype up the fun, a Miss BARS and Gay BARS contest also highlighted the HIV/AIDS Conference program The City Health Services Office’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center also conducted the 4th annual HIV/AIDS Conference (for entertainers) inside the Convention Center. **Lito Dar/PIA
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DOH involves youth in “Iwas Paputok” campaign |
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Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:53 |
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BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) through the Center for Health and Development (CHD-CAR) launched its "Iwas Paputok" campaign in the region, through a kapihan forum held at the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) Auditorium Wednesday. CHD-CAR Regional Director Myrna Cabotaje stressed the importance of involving the youth in the advocacy against the use of illegal firecrackers or fireworks. "Youth involvement is important. Aside from keeping them aware of the danger (post by using such devices), they can also encourage their parents and older siblings against buying or using firecrackers," she said. Based on the data of CHD-CAR, firecracker-related injury last year decreased to 75 cases compared to the 98 cases recorded in 2007. For Baguio City, they have recorded 35 injuries during the usual surveillance period of Dec 21 to January 4, which is a 41% decrease compared to 2007. Despite the decrease, the DOH s is strongly campaigning against the use of firecrackers or fireworks, whether of the legal or illegal kind. Cabotaje emphasized especially to the high school students present during the forum the DOH "FOURmula Kontra paputok," for the Christmas and New Year revelry, namely: Do not fire a gun; be creative and use another way of creating noise like drums and trumpets (torotot); if ever you are injured by a firecracker, immediately wash the wounds with soap and clean water; and do not pick-up unlighted or un-exploded firecrackers on the streets. Cabotaje also warned the public against possible disease, like asthma and similar allergies, that the public may get due to the exposure on the smoke (usok) of firecracker and fireworks. She also stressed that the garbage generated from such devices after January 1 is another big issue. Aside from the health risks it poses, it could also be a contributory factor to the weather pattern changes currently being experienced. The DOH is strongly advising parents not to allow their children to use firecrackers or fireworks. CHD-CAR data shows that 27 percent of the injuries recorded last year was caused by legalized firecrackers. Legal fireworks "Kwitis" and "lusis" were the no.2 and no.4, respectively, cause of injuries in the national level. The DOH also encourages enactment of local legislation that would ban the sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. On the part of the city government of Baguio, pursuant to RA 7183, or the national law governing the sale of firecrackers, the City Council passed an ordinance (no.53) regulating the selling and using of firecrackers. **Lito Dar/PIA
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NGO helps extend DepED’s ALS program to nightspot workers |
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Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:54 |
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Kalinga – Crossover Mission, a non government organization, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepED) and the City Health Services Office’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), are s extending the DepEd’s Alternative Learning System to the nightspot entertainers and workers in the city. In an interview, Kalinga-Crossover Mission Executive Director Marita de Guzman Viloria stressed that they are trying to reach out to the city’s night entertainers hoping that they can change their lives and line of work through education and livelihood. "We are now in the process of enrolling our second batch of ALS learner that we will start teaching in January, in preparation for next year’s ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) examination. Right now we have already about 12 enrollees and there are many more possible prospects," Viloria said. Kalinga Crossover Mission just started its mission in Baguio this year and its maiden batch of 30 ALS learners composed of mixture of entertainers and OSYs mostly barristas, have just taken their ALS A&E Exam last November 15. Viloria explained that they are hiring their own teachers, while DepED-ALS provides the learning materials or modules. The task of reaching out to nightspot entertainers maybe difficult, but we will still do our r best to help even a single person for every million, to have a chance to change their life, Viloria said. , She also lauded the City’s RHWC, through its head Dr. Celiaflor Brillantes, for helping them on reaching out to entertainers through the RHWC clinic. DepED ALS Baguio Supervisor Arthur Chiongan confirmed that the ALS program has long been extended to entertainers, though they have no data of how many of ALS learners were actually entertainers, as they "come and go" and usually shy to admit their line of work. Chiongan also lauded the Kalinga Crossover Mission, for undertaking such a very good program. Kalinga, which means "to care", started as a ministry 10 years ago in Cabanatuan city. The Crossover mission is added in the name, as it has now "crossover" to Baguio, and later on to other parts of Visayas and Mindanao. For those who are interested to seek assistance, the Kalinga Crossover Mission may be contacted at Baguio Aids Watch Council (AWAC) Office at the fourth floor of the City’s Health Services Building at T. Alonzo Street, Baguio City. ** Lito Dar/PIA
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DA assured enough food supply till the end of the year |
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Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:52 |
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BAGUIO CITY – Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Cesar Rodriguez assured the public that there is enough food supply for the whole month of December. "There is no need for alarm," he said during an interview in a Kapihan forum Thursday. Rodriguez said that farmers continuously going into their harvesting and planting process, vegetable supply seems to be sufficient as. He also assured that there is enough rice supply. "If ever there is a rice shortage or price increase this December, it will not be felt much in Cordillera, unlike in urbanize areas like Metro Manila. Rodriguez noted that CAR is very dependent on rice. Other than rice, Cordillerans, especially those in the remote barangays have other source of food like kamote, and ube , he said. As for livestock and meat supply, Rodriguez admitted that there maybe some problem in terms of price and supply, as the demand for such products usually goes up during the Christmas season. But Rodriguez assured that they are working hard, through the quarantines they set-up, to prevent the entry of disease infested livestock and meat products in the region, not only for the security of the consumers but to protect the livestock industry. On the issue of imported and smuggled vegetables, Rodriguez admitted that it is affecting the vegetable growers. He he lauded Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, for his effort of working with the Bureau of Customs, in preventing the entry of smuggled vegetables. Rodriguez explained that legally imported veggies are unavoidable since the Philippines is part of the free-trade organization, which has open market agreement. He stressed that what we need to do now is to find ways to improve the quality of the region’s agricultural products through organic production to make it competitive. ** Lito dar/PIA
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