TACLOBAN CITY – The Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art hemodialysis unit to better serve patients with end-stage renal disease.

The new facility, led by EVMC Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro and hospital stakeholders, features 38 hemodialysis machines capable of treating up to 150 patients daily. It also offers peritoneal dialysis, providing additional support for indigent patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Ma. Alma Eclipse, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and a nephrology specialist, emphasized that the facility operates under the government’s no-balance-billing policy, ensuring free services for qualified patients.

The unit operates through a unique lease-per-treatment arrangement with a private partner, who owns and maintains the equipment, ensuring optimal functionality.

According to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), one Filipino develops renal failure every hour, making kidney disease the seventh leading cause of death nationwide.
This new EVMC facility is a significant step toward addressing the rising demand for kidney care in the region.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

VILLABA, Leyte – The municipality marked Children’s Day on November 14 with a celebration dedicated to fostering safe and nurturing environments for young learners.
Led by Leyte 3rd District Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso-Kabigting, the event underscored the collaborative efforts of the local government unit (LGU) of Villaba and the town’s child development workers in making the initiative a success.

This year’s theme, “Ending the Cycle of Violence to Establish a Safer Community,” set the tone for the day, which included talent showcases by children and the distribution of educational kits to daycare centers.

Empowering Daycare Centers and Teachers

Kabigting, together with Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla, distributed learning materials to 37 daycare centers in Villaba, benefiting 517 children. The initiative is part of a year-round literacy and numeracy program aimed at preparing children aged 3 to 5 for primary education.

The learning tools are designed to promote skills such as name writing, basic numeracy, and phonics. Kabigting emphasized the value of engaging and stress-free learning environments, citing studies that show how such settings optimize brain development.

“These materials are durable, reusable, and tailored to create fun, anxiety-free learning experiences for young children,” she said.

Tackling Learning Poverty

Highlighting the urgency of early education, Kabigting pointed out that 95% of brain development occurs before age seven, stressing the role of literacy and numeracy programs in addressing the country’s learning poverty crisis.

“In the Philippines, 9 out of 10 children struggle with basic reading and comprehension skills, as revealed by international assessments. Initiatives like this provide an essential foundation for lifelong learning,” Kabigting stated.

Advocating for Systemic Reforms

Kabigting called for reforms in early childhood education, advocating for the management of daycare centers to shift from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Private schools often deliver early education with smaller class sizes and better resources. Public schools must replicate this model to ensure equity and quality in education,” she stressed.

Daycare workers currently face challenges such as low salaries—earning only P5,000 per month—and a lack of adequate teaching supplies. Kabigting’s advocacy includes providing resources to ease this burden and pushing for better support for educators.

Expanding the Initiative

The program is also being implemented in other towns within Leyte’s 3rd district, including Tabango, San Isidro, and Calubian. Kabigting has proposed expanding the initiative across the province with the support of Gov. Petilla.

“It’s heartwarming to see children enjoy learning through these interactive materials and to see daycare teachers appreciated for their dedication,” Kabigting shared.
A Celebration with a Vision

The Children’s Day celebration not only highlighted the joy of childhood but also emphasized the pressing need for systemic reforms in early education. By investing in young learners and empowering educators, the program aims to create a brighter future for children in Villaba and beyond. (RG)

TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre has urged the restoration of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) in the 2025 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) budget, emphasizing its critical role in supporting low-income families amid economic challenges.

Acidre criticized the Senate’s decision to remove AKAP funding, highlighting its success in aiding over four million beneficiaries, boosting grassroots purchasing power, and fostering local economic growth.

“If our colleagues in the Senate have concerns regarding the program’s implementation, we encourage them to propose reforms that would strengthen AKAP rather than eliminating its funding entirely. Constructive solutions, not the abandonment of impactful initiatives, should be the way forward,” he emphasized.

Acidre argued that the program addresses inflation and emergencies without fostering dependency, underscoring its value as a safety net for struggling families.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez noted that AKAP has already utilized P20.7 billion of its P26.7 billion allocation, benefiting millions nationwide, including 589,000 families in Metro Manila.

Acidre appealed to the bicameral conference committee to reconsider AKAP’s merits and restore its funding. He called for reforms to enhance its implementation rather than eliminating the program, stressing its importance in fostering inclusivity and economic resilience.

“Tingog party-list will continue to champion initiatives like AKAP that make a tangible difference in the lives of hardworking Filipinos,” Acidre concluded.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)