ILOILO CITY – The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) is urging elected youth officials, particularly Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders, to invest in reproductive health education to help address the alarming rise in adolescent pregnancies.

“Basketball leagues and beauty contests are fine, but SK funds should also support reproductive health programs,” said CPD official Mylin Mirasol Quiray during a media conference organized by the Department of Health, this city.

CPD data shows pregnancies among girls aged 10–14 have steadily increased—from 2,113 cases in 2020 to 3,343 in 2023. Eastern Visayas remains among the regions with the highest adolescent birth rates at 11.1%.

Quiray also called on policymakers to include parents in awareness efforts and to ensure sustainable funding. She urged media to report not only on reproductive health but also on youth mental health to help prevent suicide among adolescents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. (PTSI) is eyeing the island province of Biliran in Eastern Visayas as one of the first provinces in the country to be declared tuberculosis-free.

This was disclosed by PTSI Executive Director Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial during the “Engaging Media for Health Literacy” conference organized by the Department of Health (DOH), which brought together journalists from the Visayas.

Ubial, a former health secretary, said Biliran was selected due to its manageable size, supportive local government, and island geography—factors that make wide-scale health interventions easier to implement. Similar provinces like Guimaras and Siquijor are also part of the campaign’s rollout, with Guimaras set as the pilot site.

“These areas don’t necessarily have high TB prevalence,” Ubial clarified. “But because of their size and governance, we can cover them fully and hopefully eliminate TB in a contained setting.”

Biliran, the smallest province in Eastern Visayas with only eight towns and a population of about 184,000, is seen as an ideal candidate for full-scale TB elimination. Seven of its towns are located on the main island, while the eighth, Maripipi, is a separate island municipality.

Ubial said the initiative was initially set to receive funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but after the Trump administration defunded the agency’s humanitarian programs, the project will now rely on local funding from PTSI, DOH, and the concerned LGUs.

Testing and treatment will be free of charge, and efforts will center on mobile mass screening using ultraportable X-ray machines enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI).
“With just one battery, we can do 200 chest X-rays a day—far more than what traditional fixed X-ray machines can handle,” Ubial said.

Individuals diagnosed with TB will receive free treatment, and their close contacts—including household members and co-workers—will also undergo screening and receive TB preventive treatment (TPT) if needed.

Ubial emphasized the importance of TPT to stop latent TB—where the bacteria is present in the body but not causing active illness—from progressing into active disease.

“Latent TB can activate when a person’s immune system weakens,” she warned, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered TB flare-ups among people unknowingly carrying the bacteria.
The TB-free campaign reflects a strategic shift toward elimination in high-potential provinces, with hopes that success in Biliran, Guimaras, and Siquijor can serve as a model for other areas in the country.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The municipal government of Pinabacdao, Samar has activated strict measures to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) after a hog from Barangay Obayan of said town tested positive for the virus.

Mayor Viannery Mabag issued an executive order enforcing the BaBay ASF Program, citing the disease’s serious threat to swine raisers, food security, and the local economy.

ASF checkpoints have been set up in all entry and exit points, with restrictions on hog transport, especially from infected zones. Breeding swine movement from infected to buffer zones is prohibited.

Surveillance, pig census, and sample collection are also being intensified. Hog owners must report swine deaths, submit to inspections, and secure permits for animal movement.
Violators face a P2,500 fine and possible non-renewal of business permits.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Eastern Visayas is urging the public to stay vigilant against suspicious investment schemes following reports of an alleged scam in Can-avid, Eastern Samar.

SEC-8 Regional Director Atty. Desiree Cuenco said over 100 individuals, possibly more, were duped by a 52-year-old student of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) who allegedly promised high returns without any legitimate product or service.

“So far, no formal complaints have been filed with our office, but reports on social media and information from police suggest the suspect may have collected around P11 million,” Cuenco said.

She reminded the public to verify if companies offering investments are registered and licensed by checking the SEC’s online portal: https://checkwithsec.sec.gov.ph.

Cuenco added the agency will intensify grassroots education and information campaigns, especially in schools, to help people recognize and avoid scams.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)