U.S., partners introduce innovations to accelerate
progress in ending HIV epidemic
Manila-The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is working with the Department of Health and other partners to introduce innovations to help end the HIV epidemic in the Philippines.
USAID, through its Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project, and its partners recently launched QuickRes.org, a website that allows clients to easily book health services such as HIV testing and treatment in the Philippines.
The website also helps health facilities manage clinic appointments and HIV-related care. It has already been successfully rolled out in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
USAID also led a series of webinars for people living with HIV and healthcare workers about a highly effective new HIV treatment regimen called TLD (Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir). TLD has fewer side effects than other HIV treatment regimens and is considered the gold standard in HIV treatment.
According to the World Health Organization, HIV infections in the Philippines increased by 200 percent between 2010 and 2018. While there is no available cure for HIV/AIDS, numerous advances have led to stronger prevention and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk for it.
“Both TLD and the QuickRes online booking platform are game changers when it comes to HIV work in the Philippines. Together with existing efforts, these two could help the country meet the global target of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030,” said USAID Philippines Health Office Director Michelle Lang-Alli.
USAID, PEPFAR, and their partners are also planning other community events to reach more people living with HIV to help them stay within their treatment program and safely transition to TLD. USAID will continue to work with key stakeholders, partners, and members of the people living with HIV community to realize the vision of a future free of new HIV infections and improved quality of life for all people living with HIV.
“We want people to know that HIV treatment works. With consistent HIV treatment, people living with HIV can lead full, long, and healthy lives, without being afraid of passing it on to the people they care about,” said Lang-Alli. “Everyone should be able to live freely—free from fear, labels, or hurdles that keep them from being healthy. We should be free to be ourselves. You should be free to be you.” (PR)
Children in Samar town received gifts from JCI Tacloban
TACLOBAN CITY – Over 30 children from Barangay Barruz in Matuguinao town, Samar received gifts from the local police and the Junior Chamber International Tacloban Love, Inc. (JCI).
The gift-giving activity, held last Saturday (March 5) and dubbed as “Barangayanihan Caravan and MaTOYguinao Uyagan Kalipayan” benefited more than 30 day care pupils from Brgy. Barruz.
The children, aside from receiving gifts and foods, also were taught on oral hygiene and handwashing.
The personnel from the Rural Health Office also conducted deworming, measles vaccination, weighing, and giving of vitamins to the participating children.
Barruz barangay chairman Sofriano Guldo expressed his gratitude to the groups, for visiting their village and conducting their gift-giving activity.
JCI president Marielle Valenzona thanked the local officials of Barruz, and to the personnel of the Matuguinao police office, under the leadership of Captain Orlando Cañada, for helping them make the activity successful.
Valenzona added that they hope to return to the village and do a different project for the community.
Also joining the activity were personnel of the 12SAB 123rd SAC PNP Special Action Force, and members of the Sirak Kabataan.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
LPA causes suspension of classes and works in Tacloban
Heavy rains also affected other areas in EV
TACLOBAN CITY- A low pressure area (LPA) has spawned heavy rains in different parts of the region over the weekend and on Monday(March 7), resulting in flooding and cancellation of works and classes.
Here in Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an executive order suspending all classes and work, both in public and private entities, due to the heavy rains.
Romualdez, however, said that offices under the city government like those involved in the peace and order maintenance, risk reduction management, health, sanitation, and traffic management are not included in the work suspension order.
Affected by the executive order of the city mayor were the vaccination campaign and the reopening of face-to-face classes in 46 elementary and secondary schools in Tacloban.
Earlier, the city schools division announced on the readiness for the resumption of in-person classes, more than two years after the face-to-face classes were suspended due to the pandemic caused by coronavirus disease(COVID-19).
Private banks based in the city remained open while the two branches of the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines-Tacloban branch were closed.
The mayors of the nearby towns of Palo, Tanauan, and Alangalang, all in Leyte, and in Caibiran, Biliran province also suspended works and classes in their respective municipalities due to the heavy rains.
In Northern Samar, flooding incidents were reported to have hit the towns of Lope de Vega, Catubig, San Roque, and the provincial capital of Catarman.
Flooding incidents were also reported in Calbayog City, Samar.
The Catarman (Northern Samar)-Calbayog (Samar) Road was rendered not passable due to the flooding.
Rise of flood water was also reported along the Arteche-Jipapad (Eastern Samar)-Las Navas-Rawis (Northern Samar) Road. (with report Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)
Northern Samar’s agri-entrepreneurs attended gathering initiated by DA, PAO
CATARMAN, Northern Samar- The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) together with the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD) conducted recently an enterprise development assessment attended by agri-entrepreneurs.
The activity, held last Feb.23, aimed to help sustain agri-business operations in the province, started with an enterprise assessment where producers were made to identify the issues and concerns in their respective ventures; assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of their enterprise; and develop a three-year capacity development plan. It also sought to assess the organizational structure and administration of the association, including policies implemented and systems of operation; marketing and financial aspect, as well as the sustainability of their enterprise.
Spearheaded by the DA-AMAD under the Republic Act 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, the activity was part of the priority agenda of Governor Edwin Ongchuan dubbed as ‘Sustained PROGRESS,’or ‘Pro-Poor Programs and Agro-Industrial Development.’
(EUGENE M. ENANO)