TACLOBAN CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) has reported clustering cases of dengue fever in 11 barangays across the city.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, August 14, the CHO revealed that based on the surveillance conducted by the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) over the past four weeks, 11 barangays have been identified as having clusters of dengue cases.
Clustering of dengue cases occurs when a barangay has three or more reported cases of the disease.

At present, these barangays have 36 combined cases of dengue fever.

According to the CHO, the barangays with clustering of dengue cases are as follows: Barangay 95 with 4 cases, Barangay 83-C with 4 cases, Barangay 99 with 4 cases, Barangay 109 with 4 cases, Barangay 110 with 3 cases, Barangay 71 with 4 cases, Barangay 106 with 4 cases, Barangay 77 with 3 cases, Barangay 97 with 3 cases, Barangay 83 with 3 cases, and Barangay 79 with 3 cases.

The CHO once again reminded the public to practice the “5S” strategy and the “4 o’clock habit” to prevent dengue.

Meantime, the Department of Health (DOH) in the region has asked all health facilities, both public and private, to establish dengue fast lanes.

This directive is in light of the increasing cases of dengue fever in the region.

In the same directive, health facilities must arrange for the retraining of medical personnel involved in the management of dengue cases, focusing on prompt detection, appropriate triage, and treatment in accordance with established guidelines.

Also, they must ensure an adequate supply of intravenous fluids, diagnostic tools such as Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), and essential medications are readily available for patient care.

As of this week, there are now 6,058 cases of dengue fever across the region, higher by 154 percent compared to the same figure at 2,386 cases.

The DOH also reported 15 deaths in the same period.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

The Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office recently completed its Internal Quality Audit (IQA) for Calendar Year 2024, an essential step in maintaining high standards of operational excellence and transparency. Conducted from July 30 to August 1, 2024, the audit was led by auditors Ms. Mary Ann Anecito and Engr. Jayson G. Espeso
The audit kicked off with an opening meeting on Day 1, where the auditors outlined the objectives and scope of the audit. This initial meeting set the tone for a thorough review of the office’s practices and procedures.
Following the opening session, the focus shifted to document management. The auditors meticulously examined how documents and records were handled and safeguarded, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and confidentiality in managing sensitive information. The auditors’ commitment to these principles ensured a rigorous and respectful evaluation process.

On Day 2, the spotlight was on Process Awareness. This phase of the audit assessed how well staff members understood and implemented the established processes within the office. The audit team engaged in discussions with personnel to gauge their awareness and adherence to the processes, which are vital to the smooth functioning of the office’s operations.

Day 3 saw the audit team debriefed and reviewed their observations. Before the final closing meeting, the auditors discussed their observations and came to preliminary conclusions. They informed the auditees that these initial findings would undergo further scrutiny in deliberations with other regional auditors and the Overall Quality Management System (QMS) Secretariat.

In the closing meeting, Ma’am Mary Ann Anecito expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the cooperation and professionalism displayed by everyone involved. She highlighted that the commitment to transparency, accuracy, and support was instrumental in the audit’s success and in ensuring a smooth process.

The Internal Quality Audit is a cornerstone of DPWH’s commitment to quality improvement and accountability. The insights gained from this year’s audit will help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office, contributing to its ongoing mission of delivering exceptional public works services.(PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Information staff from the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO), including PIO Designate Engr. Kimberly O. Dacurro, PIO Alternate Ian Yves G. De Paz, and Photo Journalist Jomer Lino A. Daang, participated in training on news writing, social media management, and media relations.

The event took place on July 25-26, 2024, at the DPWH Region VIII Multi-purpose Hall.
The training sessions began with Ms. Mariel Ratani C. Balitao, Assistant Division Chief of the Public Information Division-SRS, and Ms. Jusine F. Estuye, Section Chief of the Media Relations Section of the Public Information Division-SRS, serving as the main speakers from the DPWH Central Office.

Ms. Balitao delivered an overview of the department orders that established the Public Information Office and outlined the critical roles and responsibilities of public information officers.

Ms. Estuye then led a workshop focusing on the essentials of news and photo release writing, providing participants with hands-on experience in crafting effective communication materials.

The afternoon sessions addressed the development of Information-Education-Communication (IEC) materials and the management of social media platforms.
Participants engaged in a practical workshop designed to apply the concepts and techniques discussed during the training.

The final segment of the training covered the reportorial requirements under the SRS-Public Information Unit, equipping attendees with the knowledge to meet reporting standards.

TCDEO PIO Designate, Engr. Kimberly O. Dacurro expressed her gratitude for the event, stating, “We extend our sincere appreciation to the Leyte 5th District Engineering Office and DPWH Region VIII for organizing this training. It provides us with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively deliver accurate and authentic news to the public, enhancing the transparency and reliability of our communications.”
(PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT)