TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)here in the region has stepped up its monitoring of harvesting and trading of shellfish from bays affected by red tide phenomenon.
The BFAR’s Fisheries Protection Law Enforcement Group confiscated on Thursday (August 31)P900 worth of mussels reportedly gathered from red tide affected Maqueda Bay in Samar province during an inspection at the public market in this city.
“We will be burying the seized mussels at the Coastal Resource Management Center BFAR in Diit village to avoid future harm,” said FPLEG head Reynato Galan.
The team also inspected landing areas and markets in Babatngon, Leyte, and Villarreal, Samar to prevent the selling of shellfish from affected bays. The fisheries bureau had set up FPLEG stations to monitor compliance with shellfish ban.
Identified as red tide positive are Matarinao Bay in Quinapondan, Salcedo, General McArthur, and Hernani, Eastern Samar; Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan, Samar; Maqueda Bay in Jiabong, Samar; Villareal Bay in Villareal, Samar; Carigara Bay in San Miguel, Barugo, Carigara, Capoocan, and Babatngon in Leyte; and coastal waters of Daram, Samar.
BFAR has tied up with the maritime police, Philippine Ports Authority, police public safety battalion, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, and local government units to carry out an intensified fisheries checkpoint in the region.
The bureau reiterates its public advisory to refrain from eating, harvesting, marketing, and buying shellfishes and Acetes sp. from affected bays until such time that the shellfish toxicity level has gone down below the regulatory level.
Fish, squid, shrimp, and crab are safe to eat “provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” according to BFAR.
Red tide is a term used to describe all phenomena which the water is discolored by high algal biomass or the concentration of algae. The discoloration may not necessarily be red in color, but it may also appear yellow, brown, green, blue or milky, depending on the organisms involved. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO/PNA)
BFAR steps up watch vs. red tide
Popcom aims for full implementation of RPRH Law
TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Population (Popcom) held a regional family planning summit to galvanize actions and commitment into a more innovative implementation of the family planning program in the region.
Different concerned agencies and stakeholders converged last Thursday (August 31) for a collaborative information in accelerating the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH) underlining the political commitment of local government units in the region in ensuring that women and their families can have access to life-saving family planning information, services, and supplies.
RPPH Law explicitly provides for family planning which is central to reducing poverty, gender equality and women empowerment consistent with the national development goals.
Popcom Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez said that despite having RPRH Law, it has been faced with legal challenges falling short of its envisioned outcomes.
Perez said that family planning is “dependent on supplies” and addressing these needs for supplies can help accelerate the implementation of the RPRH Law. The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order on the certification of certain contraceptives.
While concerned government agencies have pitched its share in terms of administrative issuances and memorandum circular, Perez called on their commitment, particularly the LGU’s in assessing RPRH’s progress, review how family planning can contribute to new and critical global development goals and recommit to enabling every woman to realize her right to choose whether and when to have children.
Popcom maintains that family planning saves lives. It enables couples to choose whether and when to have children. It preserves women’s and girls’ health and empowers them to pursue education and work. It boosts their ability to save, contribute to the economy, and invest in the health and education of their children. In sum, family planning enriches communities and strengthens economies.
Meanwhile, Popcom Regional Director Elnora Pulma called for more access to family planning services for women and men to reduce poverty in the region saying poor families should be given family planning services as couples from the poor tend to have more children because of lack of knowledge on family planning.
In the Philippines, there are currently 101 million Filipinos, 60 percent of whom belong to the poor and middle classes.
With a growth rate of about 1.7 percent a year, the population is expected to reach 104 million by the yearend.
Pulma said poor couples have an average of five children, unlike rich couples who usually only have two. She added this is “alarming” that poor families register more births.
“We should address the needs of poor families,” she added.
The country’s population includes 23 million women of reproductive age, which will grow to 30 million by 2020. Seventy percent of these women need services on reproductive health, family planning and couples need to be made aware of the principles of responsible parenthood. Currently, RH services are reaching 46% of the population. Services need to keep pace with the increasing number of women reaching reproductive capacity every year.
(AHLETTE C. REYES)
‘Barangayan’ serves villages in Sagkahan District
TACLOBAN CITY-Scores of residents from 7 barangays in the city were recipients of the frontline services being offered by the Barangay Outreach Program of the City Government held last Tuesday (August 29).
Starting at 8 am in Brgy. 64 Sagkahan, the Barangayan served residents of Barangays 62, 62-A, 62-B, 63, 64 75 and 76.
According to Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, MASA and special projects for health head, the Barangayan is a regular project of Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez which bring much needed health and frontline services directly to the communities.
Doctors and medical personnel from the City Health Office held medical consultations and likewise administered free tooth extraction and dispensed free medicines during the half-day activity.
Free Optometric services, such as the distribution of reading glasses, were also made available to residents.
Among the other services delivered during the Barangayan were free haircut by staff from the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program (CLEP) and the free live birth processing of the City Civil Registrar.
Barangay residents also availed of employment services from the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and were also assessed for eligibility to services of the City Social Welfare and Development Office like assistance to persons with disabilities and PhilHealth coverage.
The City Veterinary Office also conducted house to house anti-rabies dog vaccinations and deworming.
A feeding program for children also highlighted the activity. (HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO, Photos by Mario Papuran)
ESSU to host 4th international conference on disaster risk reduction management
BORONGAN CITY- All systems go for the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), based here, is hosting the 4th International Conference on Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction Management – considered as one of the major events in the field of DRRM – on Sept. 4-6 at the ESSU Multi-purpose Hall.
This year’s theme is “Managing our future by managing disasters” aims to find innovative ideas in dealing with complexities and change associated with man-made and natural disasters that have become the currency of the times.
ESSU is mandated to look for avenues and platforms in a form of scholarly endeavors that will lend an explanation, information or if not a possible solution associated with climatic and environmental forces including acts of terrorism that threaten human existence.
A total of 250 participants coming from various public and private elementary, secondary and tertiary institutions particularly those designated as DRRM officers in each school, provincial/city/municipal DRRM officers, researchers and representatives from INGAs are expected to attend the 3-day event.
One of the highlights of the conference is the paper and poster presentation focusing on two thematic areas, namely: risk assessment, risk reduction and management including conflict management; disaster response and sustainable development that are anchored on the National Climate Change Action Plan.
A parallel session will also be held exclusively for delegates coming from local government units and INGAs with the following subject matter experts: Dante Eleuterio and Xyla Ortinero of Save the Children organization; Mayor Richard Gomez of Ormoc City or his representative; Atty. Bonifacio Uy, NEDA 8 regional director; Engr. Arnaldo Villanon, director, alternative renewable energy center; and Forester Edgar Peque, director, Center for Eco-Governance and Climate Change Adaptation.
The welcome address will be delivered by Edmundo Campoto, president of ESSU.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Mel Capistrano, country manager of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
Former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez will also give a message concerning her advocacy on environmental protection and management.
Six distinguished plenary speakers will deliver lectures during the first day of the conference which includes, Atty. Antonio La Viña, executive director of Manila Observatory and former dean, School of Governance, Ateneo de Manila University; Dr. Gideon Lasco, a PhD graduate from the University of the Amsterdam and columnist of the Phil. Daily Inquirer; Dr. Fibon Tan, an associate professor of the Mapua Institute of Technology and an awardee during an international congress of scientists in Moscow, Russia held this year; Dr. Melvin Jabar who obtained his PhD in Japan; Dr. Teofredo Esguerra, the unit lead of the energy development corporation; and Dr. Arnolfo Monleon of the Marinduque State College.(PR)
Construction of access road going to Lulugayan Falls projected to boost income among locals
CALBAYOG CITY- The construction of a road access to Lulugayan Falls will pave the way to boost the tourism in Barangay San Joaquin, this city, as it will provide livelihood and job opportunity to the said barangay.
The construction of 1,200 meters road, having a width of 6 meters and a concrete shoulder 1 meter on both sides of the road has an appropriation of P50 million and will result in an easy access to one of 20 famous waterfalls around the city.
Lulugayan Falls is such a majestic falls but remained unexplored by tourists due to road difficulty.
Normally, travelers and residents alike need to traverse around 1 kilometer just on foot.
According to the locals, the name “Lulugayan” came from their vernacular “lugay” which means to lay down one’s hair just like the streams of falling water that resembles the flowing hairs of a lady.
The falls is also the source of water supply of approximately 7,000 population and at least 250 households.
Once the access road is implemented, tourism activities in the area will develop, improve the community economically and have an access way to the management of the water supply. (PR)
Depressed woman rescued from drowning in Ormoc City
ORMOC CITY- An 18-year old woman was rescued from drowning at the Ormoc Bay by members of the Coast Guard based here Thursday (August 31) morning.
The victim, Marvy Ventura of Barangay Montebello of this city, was seen by witnessed as crying and plunged herself into the sea at about 9:56 am, said Pat Belarmino of the Coast Guard station here.
Ventura, who was also seen to have thrown her mobile phone before he dived herself to the waters, was rescued by eight Coast Guard personnel 250 meters away from the shoreline, Belarmino added.
The woman was turned over by the Coast Guard to the members of the Ormoc City Rescue Group which gave her first aid treatment.
She was turned over to her family who disclosed that the victim earlier attempted to kill herself due to a problem. (PR)