TACLOBAN CITY- A total of 55 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value of P374, 000 were confiscated from two alleged female drug personalities during a buy-bust in Calbayog City on March 8.
Joint operatives from Calbayog City Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Samar arrested Corazon Cabajog, 57, and Jennylyn Magbutay, 30, both single, jobless, and residents of the city.
They were nabbed at around 11:00 a.m. of that day at Purok 2, Barangay Capoocan.
Purchased from the suspect was one piece heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu, subject of sale.
Also confiscated from their possession and control were 13 pieces of suspected shabu, three units of cellphones, and cash money amounting to P1,180 in different denominations.
The suspects will be facing charges in violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Dangerous Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. (RONALD O. REYES)
2 women yield P374k ‘shabu’ in Calbayog City
Tacloban health office enjoins village workers fight on virus spread
TACLOBAN CITY- The city government here is engaging barangay health workers as part of its measures on the fight of possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).
On Wednesday, about 450 barangay health workers of the city attended a meeting with the City Health Office (CHO) lead by Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, city health officer, setting the guidelines for this undertaking.
“Although we have no case yet of the COVID-19, the city government continues its preparation for a possible case of the COVID-19 through congregating the barangay health workers to discuss the plan on strengthening the surveillance in the community,” Fabrigas said.
As one of the members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), the barangay health workers will help in the surveillance and monitoring on the prevention of disease in their respective community.
BHERTs are responsible for tracing of persons with history of foreign travel, identification of persons under monitoring (PUMs) and persons under investigation (PUIs), informing the CHO of suspected person after identification as PUM, monitoring them on a daily basis, and taking of their vital signs and taking their temperature three times a day.
Other members of BHERTs include the barangay captain as chair, the barangay kagawad who chairs the committee on health as vice with the barangay midwife or nurse, and barangay tanods.
Above all, the CHO advices the community that the best prevention for this disease is to observe proper and frequent hand washing, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as well as stay away from crowded areas. (MERY AN RELI, ANGELO BALDESCO and LOIJEAN TOBIAS,EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERNS)
Tacloban local price council to monitor prices on prime and medical items amidst COVID-19 scare
TACLOBAN CITY- Members of the Tacloban City Local Price Council Committee (LPCC) had its meeting on Friday, March 13, presided by Executive Assistant Atty. Christian De Dios to discuss the updates on the price monitoring of prime commodities and medical supplies in view of Proclamation No. 22 “State of Public Health Emergency” due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
According to the Department of Trade (DTI)-Leyte Acting Provincial Director Ma. Delia Corsiga, prices of basic necessities and medical supplies remain stable in Tacloban, and there will be a normal supply of goods, as the agency has conducted daily monitoring since last March 8.
Also discussed was the implementation of a price freeze for 60 days on all basic necessities pursuant to the Price Act or Republic Act No. 7581.
Among the basic goods under the jurisdiction of the DTI, covered by the price freeze are canned fish and other marine products, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap and detergent, and salt, while essential drugs are under the Department of Health.
On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will monitor prices of basic agricultural goods such as rice, corn, cooking oil, marine products, fresh eggs, fresh meat (pork, beef, and poultry), fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, and fresh fruits.
Meanwhile, DTI- Leyte also encouraged consumers to buy only what they need and refrain from hoarding, be vigilant in purchasing goods at its prevailing prices and avoid patronizing retailers selling overpriced medical supplies such as alcohol and masks.
As the retailers are not allowed to raise prices of basic necessities, consumers are likewise enjoined to report business establishments that sell goods beyond the price freeze by calling One-DTI (1-384) or reporting to the office of DTI- Leyte, Negosyo Center and other concerned agencies.
(K.E.NAPALA/CIO)
4Ps helps mobilize people against COVID-19
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Eastern Visayas Region takes part in the worldwide health measures, suppression, and provision of information related to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) which was recently declared a pandemic, a threat beyond the global health emergency, by the World Health Organization (WHO).
4Ps Regional Program Coordinator Paula Unay instructed its regional, provincial and municipal operations offices to immediately coordinate with various stakeholders including the local government units, schools, and health facilities, and incorporate the advocacy on COVID-19 during the regular conduct of the program’s Family Development Sessions (FDS).
This is to help mobilize public health teams and to educate primarily the beneficiaries on how to protect themselves and others, and to avoid COVID-19 by taking preventive measures such as proper and regular hand washing and proper coughing and sneezing.
Some of the municipalities including Culaba in the province of Biliran, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Francisco, and Limasawa in the province of Southern Leyte, have already started the said FDS initiative.
4Ps under RA 11310 is a human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfer to poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education. Its currently serves around 279,106 household beneficiaries in the Eastern Visayas Region. (DSWDFO8|mcSabandal|VPAquino)
Mayor Romualdez cancels classes for a week to avoid spread of virus
TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Alfred Romualdez has issued an order suspending classes in all levels, both in public and private, amidst the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).
The suspension of classes started on Friday (March 13) which is to end on March 20,a measure aim to ensure the safety of the students and contain any possible spread of the virus, he said.
“Whereas, as a precautionary measure and in anticipation of any development that may arise out of this public health emergency, a localized cancellation or suspension of classes should be implemented,” Romualdez said on his order issued Thursday (March 12).
And in a hastily called press conference, Mayor Romualdez said that he has decided to cancel the classes in the city to ensure the safety of the students.
The suspension of classes in Tacloban, by Romualdez account, could affect at least 100,000 students.
“It might too risky for classes to continue considering that we have 100,000 students here. Most of our (college) students come from various provinces. So I would recommend that they go home first to their provinces and stay home until this will come to pass,” Romualdez said.
According to the city mayor, this measure could at least avoid possible spread of the virus, adding that these students takes public utility vehicles for a ride and also go to different places within the city that could prove difficult to conduct contact tracing if the case arises.
At present, Tacloban remains to be COVID-19 free.
Dr. Gloria Fabrigas, city health officer, however, said that they are monitoring the condition of a 35-year old woman, considered to be person under investigation for a possible carrier of the virus.
The woman, said to be a teacher, was now confined at the regional referral hospital on Wednesday (March 11) where was quarantine.
The woman’s husband worked in Europe who came home sometimes February and just returned ‘recently.’
Mayor Romualdez, meantime, asked the public not to panic saying he would do within his ‘power’ to ensure that no panic would ensued in Tacloban City.
He also said that he would also come up appropriate measures according to the situation.
Meantime, the city mayor said that employees of the city government are now to report for work from 7 am up to 6 pm with a free day on Friday.
The new work schedule is also part of the measures to ensure on the fight against spread of COVID-19.
(JOEY A. GABIETA with LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
Samar prelate asks faithful to follow DOH guidelines amidst COVID-19 scare
TACLOBAN CITY – Follow the guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH).
This was the appeal of Bishop Isabelo Abarquez of the Calbayog Diocese amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).
In a pastoral letter, Bishop Abarquez called on the faithful for a “greater preparedness” if the spread of the corona virus continue that could affect big number of people.
“As Catholics, we believe that God uses material instruments to bring to us His blessings and presence. This is the reason why we use material elements in our sacraments and sacramentals,” the prelate said reading his pastoral letter through a video message.
He added that in the face of this worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19, even Church people are demanded to exercise vigilance to avoid becoming a source in the transmission of the disease.
“I continue to appeal to my brother-priests and the faithful to follow the hygiene protocol that the DOH has consistently requested for everyone, namely, the proper washing and sanitation of hands and avoidance of body contacts,” Abarquez said.
As guidance to the priests, laymen, and worshippers, the prelate enumerated a guidance that each must do or observe to ensure they and their families would remain safe.
These includes from refraining from attending liturgical assemblies for those who are not feeling well physically.
“Taking the basic steps of wellness is not only sensible but wise and considerate of others. In truth, it is an expression of genuine charity,” he said.
Liturgical spaces should be sanitized after every liturgical services and cleaning of statues and vessels.
He also urged for the putting up of hand sanitizers in every church doors for the churchgoers.
He also advises to empty Holy Water fonts at the door of churches and for churchgoers to stop the practice of dipping their hands at the fonts.
Abarquez also cautioned on no holding of hands when praying or singing the Our Father and no shaking of hands when making the sign of peace.
He also advised communion ministers both priests and lay to sanitize their hands and use face masks before and after giving the Holy Communion.
Churchgoers are also advice to refrain from kissing and touching sacred images and statues.
Confessions are to be done in the confessionals with a protective cloth installed at the grill and protective cloth should be frequently sanitized.
He added that On Good Friday, during the veneration of the Cross, churchgoers must refrain from kissing and touching the cross, “just respectfully genuflect or make a profound bow.”
The prelate also asks Catholic faithful to continue praying the Oratio Imperata.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)