Manila-On September 11, the World Health Organization (WHO), European Union (EU), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated three solar panels for rural health units frequently affected by power outages in Romblon.

WHO Philippines Technical Officer Engineer Bonifacio Magtibay, Cajidiocan Municipal Health Officer Dr. Patricia Denise Ancheta, Magdiwang Mayor Arthur Tansiongco, San Fernando Vice Mayor Domingo Marin, and Romblon Provincial Health Officer Dr. Winston Palasi attended the handover ceremony.

“A reliable electricity supply is not just a convenience—it is essential for health security,” said USAID Philippines Health Office Director Andrea Halverson in a recorded message of support. “It’s about ensuring that vital services remain uninterrupted, especially in times of crisis.”

The rural health units receiving the solar panels collectively serve up to 480 patients every month. Access to a consistent power supply will ensure the safe storage of vaccines and other life-saving medicines, safer childbirth at night and during disasters, powered and better sterilized medical equipment, availability of hot water, and less risk of damage to medical devices.

“With our support and commitment of the local government units, the operation, expansion, and maintenance of these facilities are now in good hands,” said Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines.

This donation is part of a partnership among USAID, EU, and WHO to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has paid P632.6 million to workers in Eastern Visayas under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program this year.

DOLE regional mediator-arbiter, lawyer Cecilio Baleña, said the emergency employment program has benefited 269,788 displaced workers in the region from January to August 2024.

“We expect more beneficiaries towards the end of the year since the total budget for TUPAD for the region is PHP1.88 billion this year,” Baleña told reporters during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing on Tuesday,Sept. 17.

The labor department has yet to disburse the remaining P1.25 billion outlay for the program intended for this year.

Each of the beneficiaries received a daily pay of P405, the region’s existing daily minimum wage.

The program provides temporary employment to Filipinos for a minimum period of 10 days to a maximum of 90 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

All disadvantaged workers aged 18 and older are qualified as program beneficiaries.

Senior citizens are also eligible for the program if they are fit to work and would not engage in hazardous work, according to guidelines.

The number of recipients has been increasing every year from 184,035 two years ago, 235,853 last year, and 269,788 in the past eight months.

Launched in 2020, TUPAD is a community-based program designed to offer temporary jobs to those affected by pandemic movement restrictions and other crisis situations.

Target beneficiaries are underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers without a source of income due to crisis. (PNA)

ORMOC CITY-The lifeless body of a 4-year-old boy was found floating in a river around 12:18 pm on Tuesday, September 17, in Barangay Tambangan, Palapag, Northern Samar.
Police identified the victim as “Atan,” a 4-year-old resident of F. Monica Street, Barangay Laniwan of the said town.

The discovery was reported by Jeremy Alexandre Evardone, team leader of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, along with the Palapag Coast Guard, who informed local police of the boy’s recovery from the river.

According to the police investigation, Atan was last seen playing with friends near a river control construction site in Barangay Laniwan. It is believed that he may have accidentally fallen into the river, leading to his drowning.

The boy was found wearing a green t-shirt and gray shorts. His body was taken to Palapag rural health unit (RHU) for a post-mortem examination. (ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-A farmer was found lifeless by his son in their farmland around 4 pm on Tuesday, September 17, in Barangay Gigoso, Giporlos, Eastern Samar, after failing to return home for lunch.

The police identified the victim as “Dinio,” 64, a married resident of Brgy. Gigoso.
Authorities responded to a report about the discovery of a body in the barangay.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim had a history of hypertension and was last seen heading to his farm to harvest root crops earlier that day.

When he did not return home for lunch, his son grew concerned and began searching for him around 3 pm.He eventually found his father lying on his back in a grassy area of the farm.

The victim was rushed to the rural health unit of Giporlos, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician. (ROBERT DEJON)