TACLOBAN CITY- The city government of Tacloban through the leadership of Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and the City Health Office (CHO) has advised the public not to refuse immunization and keep surroundings clean to prevent the incidence of measles and dengue.
According to City Health Officer Dr. Jaime Opinion, dengue cases were recorded highest in Barangays 109 V&G, 106 Sto. Nino, 91 Abucay, 107 Sta. Elena and 97 Cabalawan.
At least 333 dengue cases with 2 deaths were recorded as of June 30, added the local health office.
“After identifying the threats, we immediately had surveillance and fumigation. We also dispatched additional Health Personnel to conduct monitoring and make sure that the cases will not anymore increase,” explained Opinion.
The CHO however, emphasized that the best prevention is keeping surroundings clean and disposing of anything that may retain water.
Dengue symptoms include high fever that lasts 2 to 7 days a headache, muscle and joint pains, stomachache, nose, and gum bleeding, vomiting and the appearance of rashes, among others. Immediate medical attention is advised of anyone that exhibits these symptoms.
Meanwhile, the Tacloban CHO attributed the cases of Measles to the low rate of immunization last year caused by the Dengvaxia controversy.
It was reported that cases heightened as early as March with 263 confirmed measles cases and 7 deaths, but cases gradually decreased after the massive immunization drive started by the local government.
“Almost 20,000 were vaccinated and this covers 91 percent. I guess that was high enough because we focused on the vaccination which resulted to even have zero cases in one week,” disclosed Dr. Opinion.
“That is how aggressive the City Mayor’s Office and the CHO, of course, the Department of Health. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated because the beauty of this is all for free,” said the Health Official.
Starting July 15 to September, the CHO is set to visit 40 Elementary and High Schools in Tacloban to conduct the free vaccinations. (HJR/CBM/TCIO)
Prevent dengue, measles; get vaccinated, clean surroundings, City Health Office says
Rep. Daza files bill easing adoption process in the country
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Newly-elected Rep. Paul Daza of this province’s first congressional district, has filed making the adoption process become purely an administrative proceeding.
Daza, in an interview, said that his bill, once become a law, will empower the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to issue adoption creeds without the need for judicial procedures thereby saving costs for intending adoptive parents, allowing better chances for children needing adoption and de-clogging the already overburdened courts.
Daza’s bill, filed on July 1, is known as ‘“An act Establishing the Rules and Policies on the Domestic Administrative Adoption of Filipinos and for Other Purposes.’
“Adoption is a statutory mandate of DSWD. It has always been the primordial body that sees to the implementation of adoption rules and procedures, allowing adoptive parents and adopted children to enjoy the fullness of blissful family life,” Daza said.
However, Daza said, that the social and legal processes of adoption in the Philippines is considered by many as tedious and costly.
Thus far, only 177 cases were issued adoption decree of which 60% were finalized within 1 to 3 years, Daza added.
He further added that the current law, Republic Act No. 8552 or Domestic Adoption Act of 1998, requires a set of procedures, while founded on good intents, often lead to emotional and financial strains on parties involved, not to mention clogging of cases in courts.
(RESTITUTO A.CAYUBIT)
Tacloban councilors get chairmanship on various committees
TACLOBAN CITY- Both administration and opposition members of the city council received chairmanships of various committees as the 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod formally opened on Wednesday (July 3).
The election, however, of the various chairmanships appeared to be pre-arranged and agreed before the session started at around 3:38, more than an hour late from the regular 2 pm start of their session.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez was supposed to deliver his inaugural address before the election of new chairmanships but sent a letter to Vice Mayor Jerry ‘Sambo’ Yaokasin, presiding officer of the council, that he could not attend due to a pressing matter.
Elected as floor leader was Councilor Elvira Casal, who topped the council race during the May 13 midterm elections.
Casal was nominated to the post by reelected Councilor Evangeline Esperas who was named as her assistant.
Councilor Eden Pineda, who sits at the council being the president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen, was elected as presiding officer protempore.
However, the council deferred until their next regular session as who will head the following committees: ways and means, retirees, senior citizens, and livelihood and cooperatives and persons with disabilities.
While most of the councilors got several committee chairmanships, Councilor Dalisay Erpe, a returning councilor, and Edmund Edward Chua, a neophyte councilor only got one each.
Erpe got the committee on market and slaughterhouse while Chua got the committee on communication, public information, and information technology development; and
Councilor Casal, aside from elected as floor leader, she was also named as chairperson of the following committees: finance and appropriations; education; health and sanitation; and blue ribbon and ethics committee.
Councilor Esperas was elected as chairpersons on the committees on engineering and infrastructure development; and laws, rules, and privileges.
Councilor Aimee Grafil, meantime, got the chairmanship on the following committees: social services; culture and arts; environment protection; urban poor and housing; and environment protection.
Councilor Jose Mari Bagulaya got the committees on women and children, empowerment and people participation; and gender and development.
Councilor Rachelle Erica Pineda was elected to chair the following committees: tourism and agriculture and fishery.
Councilor Eden Chua Pineda was elected as the chairpersons on the committees on barangay disputes and adjudications and personnel administration and appointments and barangay affairs.
Neophyte Councilors Leo Bahin, Brian Steve Granados, and Nikki Chua also got several committee chairmanships.
Bahin was elected to chair the following committees: transportation, and disaster and risk management while Granados got the committees on labor and employment; games and amusement.
Councilor Nikki Chua got the committees on banks, public utilities and franchises; and justice and human rights.
Councilor Thomas Diaz, who is the city federation president of the Sangguniang Kabataan, was chosen to head the committees on youth and sports development. (JOEY A. GABIETA/LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
Mayor Alfred nixes RDC chairmanship
At least for now
TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez of this city is not too keen to succeed his wife, former mayor Cristina Romualdez, as the next chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC).
However, he was quick to say that if his services will be needed by other local government units, he is ready to lend his hands to them.
The RDC serves as a body where projects of the region that needs funding and support from the national government and its various agencies are being submitted for endorsement.
Mayor Romualdez served as mayor of Tacloban for nine years that ended in 2016 but did not chaired the regional body.
Aside from his wife, his father, Alfredo ‘Bejo’ Romualdez, also served as RDC chairman.
But unlike his wife and father, Mayor Romualdez said that he is not really interested to become the next RDC chair.
The new RDC chair is expected to be nominated by the more than 50 members by August or September this year with the nominees to be forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte who will have the final say.
“I’d rather stay here,” Mayor Romualdez said, when asked if he is interested to become the next RDC chairman.
He, however, said he will not mind to assist other local government units and even congressmen of the region if his cousin, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez will be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“If my services are needed in order to convey the congressmen the needs of the region in terms of budget requirements, then, I will join the RDC,” Romualdez said.
Aside from the Tacloban city mayor, also seen as a possible RDC chairman is Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez who, in an earlier interview, said that he is not also interested to chair the RDC.
But Gomez, who won for a second term during the May 13 midterm elections, said that if he might just accept the chairmanship if no less than Pres. Duterte will ask him.
Both Romualdez and Gomez are allies to the President.
PPI at 55: building better communities
This year marks the 55th anniversary of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), also known as the national association of newspapers. This milestone serves as a testament to the enduring two-pronged vision of PPI: 1) To defend press freedom; and 2) to promote ethical standards within the ranks of its member-publications.
“We do not only celebrate its longevity but remind ourselves of its relevance and mandate,” said Alfonso Pedroche, outgoing PPI chairman-president and retired former editor-in-chief of Pilipino Star Ngayon.
As in previous years, PPI is holding yet another edition of the National Press Forum on July 4 and 5 in Manila, not only in celebration of its founding but, more importantly, to bring together the members in a once-a-year opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on an issue that matters to the public and all of the Philippine media. The publishers and editors from the member-newspapers will be joined by guests from the academe, government, embassies, and civil society organizations.
The theme for this year is “Governance, Media, and Democracy: Building Better Communities”, around which the PPI aims to have a discussion that, among others, will highlight the role of media in both local and national affairs as the fourth estate and watchdog. “Building Better Communities” is the slogan for PPI’s flagship program which is civic journalism.
“We couldn’t stress enough the role of the print media. PPI in fact has been a witness and participant in the evolving media landscapes which also saw the growth of community press since the inception of the organization fifty-five years ago,” said PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino. He also attested that newspapers have survived the tests of time.
Alex Pal, a publisher of a Dumaguete-based community newspaper and PPI vice-chairman said that it is even more challenging for a small paper to sustain its operations despite difficult times. “The last time they said print was dying, we’re still here, active in our role as catalysts for change and a platform for civic engagement.” His weekly newspaper MetroPost is a finalist in this year’s Civic Journalism Community Press Awards.
The PPI Board took note of this year’s conference theme as timely and relevant “as we also try to have an insightful look at a new system of government that has been a subject of discourse for the longest time”.
Senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel, Jr., considered as the father of local government code and a staunch advocate of federalism will share his take on it. Atty. Christian Monsod will discuss the (proposed) Puno Federalism in relation to preserving democracy and promoting press freedom. “Social justice and economy are just two of the major shortcomings of the Puno Constitution,” said Monsod in response to the PPI invitation. Atty. Erwin Caliba will talk about autonomy as a mechanism to address exclusion of minorities. Atty. Cheryl Daytec-Yañgot, a staunch advocate of IP issues, will react to all three presentations.
This year’s event is being supported again by Nickel Asia Corporation as its principal partner for the conference and awards, and in part by Kusog Bikolandia and Hanns Seidel Foundation as major sponsors, SM Investments Corporation as minor sponsor, Smart Communications, PAGCOR, Ayala Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, PAGLAS Group, McDonald’s, PCSO, and Hotel Jen.
PPI’s current program partners, led by Nickel Asia Corporation will take center stage in the Industry Forum as they talk about “engaging communities” in relation to their programs and advocacies in the communities they serve.
The Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, now on its 23nd season will highlight the two-day event. There are six dailies and 7 weeklies vying for five major categories, namely: best in photojournalism, best in environmental reporting, best in business and economic reporting, best editorial page, and best edited paper.
The finalists are: Baguio Chronicle, MetroPost, The Mindanao Cross, The Bohol Chronicle, BusinessWeek Mindanao, Herald Express, and Northern Forum for the weekly category; and Sun.Star Baguio, Cebu Daily News, Sun.Star Davao, Sun.Star Pampanga, Sun.Star Cebu, and Edge Davao for the daily category.
The awards program, the only one of its kind by far, is being managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) and supported by Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC).
Ormoc City Mayor Gomez to pursue big ticket projects for the next 3 years; plastic ban will also be introduced
ORMOC CITY- Mayor Richard Gomez of this city and his wife, Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez led in the swearing in elected officials of the city during the May 13 midterm elections.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the city’s superdome on Sunday (June 30) attended by their supporters, officials of the City Hall, and guests.
Mayor Gomez, elected for a second term, and his wife-Rep.Torres-Gomez said they were “elated” of the new city councilors under the Ormoc Development Team.
“I look forward to working with them and delivering to Ormocanons the projects and programs that I have envisioned for Ormoc in the coming years,” the city mayor said.
“Thank you very much for your confidence and trust in my administration, for giving me a second chance to lead you.I am humbled by your presence, and more so, on the validation that Ormocanons have given to my leadership by giving the Ormoc Development Team a ‘13-0’ win. I was told it was a historic win,” Gomez said during his inaugural address.
Also taking their oath were Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin and Councilors Bennet Pongos, Roiland Villasencio, Tommy Serafica, Nolito Quilang, Gerry Penserga, Jasper Lucero, Perok Rodriguez, Vince Rama, Goito Yrastorza, and Lalaine Marcos.
Following his “Let’s Get Ormoc Moving Ahead” slogan, Gomez hoped to start working on making the Lake Danao Water System a reality as soon as possible.
“Water has always been a contentious issue in this city, but one thing is certain, we cannot continue to solve water issues on a piece meal basis. It is also ironic that six towns and one city are benefiting from Lake Danao, while Ormoc suffers. It’s time for us to harness the lake’s resources for our own use and solve our water problems for the next 25 or more years,” said Gomez.
Next in his agenda is the launching of the modernization program of the city’s transportation system.
His other major projects include solving the “growing need for shelter” in Ormoc, opening up more roads and schools, and increasing their capability to respond to disasters.
“The year 2018 and the first half of 2019 have been kind to Ormoc. There were no life-threatening calamities, but we cannot be complacent. We have to be ready for eventualities. We will be acquiring more ambulances, water trucks and fire trucks. We will put more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in big barangays, and will continue to support programs on disaster prevention,” said Gomez.
Also in line with his programs and projects to be implemented for the next three years include improvement of the city’s slaughter and main market; enhance peace and order programs and upgrade street lights and lights and fans at the superdome; health, education, and social welfare; increase and strengthen livelihood programs; create sustainable tourism products; implement city land use plan and zoning ordinances; and clearing the national highways of illegally parked vehicles.
Also, Gomez said that he will invite industries that could produce energy from waste and trash.
“We must also ban the use of single use plastics by 2021. We have to be decisive in this area if we must save Mother Earth for our children and their children. In response also to the needs of our people, we will be launching more health and wellness programs,” added the actor-turned-mayor. (RONALD O. REYES)