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Various international aid groups donate medical supplies to Leyte

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TACLOBAN CITY- Christian health organization MAP International, Medshare, Ayuda Foundation, community organization in Guam, telecommunication giant Smart Communications Inc., and Guam Telephone Authority recently joined hands to provide critical medical supplies to Leyte province through the Ormoc District Hospital in Ormoc City.
The medical supplies will come in a 40-feet container van which will be turn over to the Ormoc District Hospital through its chief of hospital Ma. Lourdes De Lara-Banquesio.
MAP International provided the pallets of medical supplies, while Medshare provided the 40-feet container van.
MAP International is a global Christian health organization that partners with people living in conditions of poverty to save lives and develop healthier families and communities.
It responds to the needs of those they serve by providing medicines, preventing disease, and promoting health to create real hope and lasting change. It works in partnership programs with over 300 organizations, agencies and medical missions around the world.
MedShare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare and the environment through the efficient recovery and redistribution of the surplus of medical supplies and equipment. It collects surplus medical supplies and equipment from hospitals, distributors and manufacturers, and then redistributes it to qualified healthcare facilities in the developing world.
Ayuda Foundation is a Guam-based non-profit organization applied for the medical supplies donations, while the Filipino Community of Guam and the Guam Medical City raised the funds for the Medshare container van.
Other groups that put in their help were Smart Communications Inc which paid for all the expenses to transport the container; and Guam Telephone Authority for shouldering the first shipment.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla welcomed this donation of medical supplies saying that with the huge devastation wrought by supertyphoon Yolanda to the hospitals in the province, the provincial government alone would not be able to fund the rehabilitation of facilities and re-stocking of medical supplies.
“I am pleased that private organizations and groups from other countries help us rebuild our hospitals. We alone cannot do the rebuilding of our hospitals. Even with the support from the national government, we can only do so much. Thus, help from the private sector, both here and abroad is always welcome here in the province of Leyte,” Gov. Petilla said in his message.

By: AHLETTE C. REYES

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PNoy leads groundbreaking of new EVRMC

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President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino visited the town of Tanauan on February 25 as he lead in the groundbreaking of the town’s memorial park to give honor and remember those who died during Yolanda in said town. He was joined by the town mayor, Pelagio Tecson and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. Photo by Totex Arcueno
President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino visited the town of Tanauan  on February 25 as he lead in the groundbreaking of the town’s memorial park to give honor and remember those who died during Yolanda in said town. He was joined by the town mayor, Pelagio Tecson and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla.  Photo by Totex Arcueno
President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino visited the town of Tanauan on February 25 as he lead in the groundbreaking of the town’s memorial park to give honor and remember those who died during Yolanda in said town. He was joined by the town mayor, Pelagio Tecson and Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. Photo by Totex Arcueno

TACLOBAN CITY- A new, bigger and modern Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) is soon to rise in a northern part of this city.
This after President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino led groundbreaking ceremonies on February 25 signaling for the construction of the new regional medical center that would cater to the medical needs of the people of the region.
The President was joined by several of his Cabinet members who included his rehabilitation czar, former senator Panfilo Lacson and Health Secretary Enrique Ona who announced that the construction of the new EVRMC would be in partnership with different private institutions and the national government through the Department of Health.
Also present during the groundbreaking ceremonies of the new EVRMC, located at Barangay Cabalawan, were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.
The new EVRMC will sit on a 25-hectare lot owned by the DOH and will be constructed initially at the amount of P500 million. It will have a 500-bed capacity.
“It is designed to be the best medical center outside Metro Manila equipped with state of the art medical equipment,” Doctor Cirilo Galindez, EVRMC chief of hospital, said.
According to Galindez, the construction of the new EVRMC would start “soon” and is expected to be finished by 2016.
The current EVRMC, which is to celebrate its 100 centennial anniversary in two years time, would be transferred back to the provincial government who owns the lot where it is located along Magsaysay Boulevard.
During the supertyphoon Yolanda, the hospital was reached by the storm surge as it is located just at the back of the Cancabato Bay.
Sec. Ona had earlier said that there is now a need to relocate the biggest government-run hospital in the region to accommodate a bigger number of clients.
At present, the said hospital could only accommodate around 300 inpatients and almost similar number of out-patients.
EVRMC is being manned by 115 doctors and close to 200 nurses.
Mr. Aquino also visited Tanauan town, here in Leyte, to also ground break the town’s memorial park to remember the 1,370 people who perished during the supertyphoon.
He also lead in the groundbreaking of permanent resettlement site located in Barangay Pago which could accommodate 366 families who came from the six no-build zone villages of said town.
The President, in his speech, underscored his purpose why he chose to celebrate EDSA People Power I in Yolanda-hit areas like Tanauan and Tacloban instead in Metro Manila.
“Lagpas sa pagtitipun sa isang kalsada ang kinakatawan ng EDSA.Ang EDSA ay pagdiriwang ng kakayahan ng Pilipino bumangon mula sa anumang pagsubok at daingin ang anumang madilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan,” the President said.
His visit to Tanauan, however, was met with protest from the People Surge, a coalition of different organizations, demanding of P40,000 for each family affected, abolish the no build zone policy and to continue the giving of food packs contrary to the March 31,2014 deadline of the government.
“This is to show our disgust to his opposition to our demands,” Jun Berino of the said group said.

By: JOEY A. GABIETA

DOH allocates P85 M for repair of hospitals

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Health Secretary Enrique Ona (center) and Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier (right) together with two foreign donors during the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the repair of health facilities in the region damaged due to Yolanda. (RYAN GABRIEL “RANI” LLOSA ARCENAS)
Health Secretary Enrique Ona (center) and  Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier (right) together with two foreign donors during the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the repair of health facilities in the region damaged due to Yolanda.(RYAN GABRIEL “RANI” LLOSA ARCENAS)
Health Secretary Enrique Ona (center) and Javier, Leyte Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier (right) together with two foreign donors during the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the repair of health facilities in the region damaged due to Yolanda. (RYAN GABRIEL “RANI” LLOSA ARCENAS)

TACLOBAN CITY – The national government has set aside P85 million for the emergency repair of hospitals and rural health units damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda in the region.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said their priorities are not just hospitals, but health facilities established in local government units.
“This is just an initial allocation. We have enough funds to rebuild all aspects of health programs affected by the storm,” Ona told reporters.
The Department of Health is now reviewing all needs, taking into account financial aids from the private sector and international humanitarian organizations.
Health Regional Director Jose Llacuna dubbed the project as “quick fix” where their main concern is the repair of partially damaged state-owned hospitals and health centers.
“We just have to make it functional by putting roofings, fixing windows and doors, and re-install vital equipments,” Llacuna said.
On February 18, the DOH signed an agreement with mayors of recipient local government units. The national government did not ask cash-strapped municipalities to put up their counterparts in the emergency repair initiative.
“This is a very welcome development for us since local governments have no budget to repair health centers damaged by the typhoon. Our priority now is to provide food and shelter to displaced families,” said Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Pelagio Tecson.
The “quick fix” initiative will benefit 34 towns in Leyte, nine towns in Eastern Samar, three towns in Samar and two towns in Biliran.
The P85 million is on top of the P1.2 billion budget approved for rehabilitation of destroyed health facilities in the three Visayas regions.
“By 2015, we hope to complete the construction of bigger, better and safer health facilities,” Llacuna added.
The official said international groups have committed to build hospitals and health centers in Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, and Dulag Mayorga, all in Leyte and Lawaan, Eastern Samar.
The DOH has reported that about P1.2 billion of health facilities and equipment were destroyed by the massive typhoon. Of this, P702.76 million was recorded for health facilities and P274.86 million for equipment.
The DOH reported that 1,229 facilities were destroyed by fierce winds and storm surges. About 219 are not functional and 233 are completely damaged.
Of the 1,229 damaged facilities, 991 are barangay health stations, 153 rural health units, 68 locally-managed hospitals, seven city or district health centers, six retained hospitals, three private hospitals and a municipal health office. (SARWELL Q MENIANO)

Project in Brgy Baldosa, Hindang, Leyte

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Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L.Petilla lead the cutting of ribbon during the turn over and inaguaration of the 0.264 km road concreting under the Kalahi-CIDSS project in Brgy Baldosa, Hindang,Leyte. He was joined by Mayor Elpedio Cabal and barangay chairman Elenito Abne and his council. (GINA .GEREZ)
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L.Petilla lead the cutting of ribbon during the turn over and inaguaration of the 0.264 km road concreting under the Kalahi-CIDSS project in  Brgy Baldosa, Hindang,Leyte. He was joined by Mayor Elpedio Cabal and barangay chairman Elenito Abne and his council.(GINA .GEREZ)
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L.Petilla lead the cutting of ribbon during the turn over and inaguaration of the 0.264 km road concreting under the Kalahi-CIDSS project in Brgy Baldosa, Hindang,Leyte. He was joined by Mayor Elpedio Cabal and barangay chairman Elenito Abne and his council. (GINA .GEREZ)

Mayor Alfred inspires Tacloban “Yolanda” victims

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cart22Some 2,000 people attended the 100th day gathering for remembrance to scores of victims of the strongest-ever Yolanda typhoon that hit Tacloban and other areas of Eastern Visayas, November 8, 2013. They felt so elated by the inspiring message of Mayor Alfred Romualdez at the Tacloban astrodome, Sunday the 9th day of February 2014.
The mayor pledged to create a “better Tacloban,” now effectively undergoing massive rehabilitation efforts. He revealed that he has come up with a master plan to make this happen.
While he revealed that vast local resources have been and will be employed to realize the “better Tacloban” objective, he expressed optimism that the national government will come up with its share to make this happen.
The occasion was attended by evacuees, other typhoon victims and a host of humanitarian groups of other nations who have been part of the rehabilitation activities. These groups have expressed their desire to continue helping Tacloban as articulated by one speaker from the United Nations.
All hands are on deck for the rebuilding activities, but Taclobanons, the immediate beneficiaries should not simply watch with folded arms and does nothing but should actively join in the activities.

Grateful heart

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eileenFrom the fullness of one’s heart the mouth speaks, says a proverb in the Holy Bible, a precept repeatedly enunciated in the pulpit by homilists and repeatedly heard in retreats and recollections. This is a dictum that is not simply taken as bible truth, but an experience that cannot be naysaid by human experience. The lips utters what wells from within one’s innermost thoughts and deepest emotion.
In the manifold crises that humans encounter day by day, one’s resilience and endurance are put to test. Patience is another virtue that is stretched to its limit. Prudence and determination are likewise weighed in the balance. Though these qualities of a person said to be tough and feisty are determinants in his survival, there is one attribute that should not be discounted, that is his gratefulness.
No man is an island, another maxim states. Just as it was in the recent situation in Leyte and Samar islands battered by supertyphoon Yolanda on November 8 last year, the survivors ably stood up and endeavoured to move on as a matter of human instinct in defying death. They struggle to overcome the tribulations that beset them following a worst encounter with nature. Such sweet conquest would not have been possible sans the help of other persons.
Here in this turf, international humanitarian groups primarily the United Nations through its commissions and funds, did not waste time to extend help to the survivors, including the government. The UN bodies were adeptly assisted by other private typhoon emergency response groups. There are those who did their relief operations distinctly, such as the church-based organizations. Cash donations and relief goods flowed where they are and were of course delivered.
The contributions of private individuals and civic groups in the country and abroad, in cash or in kind, regardless of quantity are likewise worth a million thanks from those who directly and even indirectly benefitted from these help. Foundations and societies, like the Child Fund International, are also deserving for the effort in conducting psycho-social anti-trauma and stress debriefing sessions on survivors, including children of school age in and out-of-school.
Medical teams are equally commendable. Religious institutions, such as the local Roman Catholic Church, which conduct prayer and spiritual counselling sessions with the survivors, are praiseworthy, as well. They supply the most important factor that make a survivor capable of recovering fast – faith in their abilities and trust in their Supreme Creator, God the Father, or any other religious divinity their venerate.
Truly, above all these, though, is one unseen heavenly might on whom all good things rest and who deserves the gratitude of an appreciative soul – God Almighty. If there is one being who should be thanked more than any of the persons, institutions and groups who have extended help to the labouring fighter it is God, the Almighty, the ultimate source of all help and strength.

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