Amid the rising cases of influenza-like illness, the Department of Health in the region is conducting vaccination against flu and pneumococcal.
(DOH-Eastern Visayas)
Ask public to practice health protocol
Amid the rising cases of influenza-like illness, the Department of Health in the region is conducting vaccination against flu and pneumococcal. (DOH-Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY– Cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the region have increased by about 25 percent compared to last year.
The surge of ILI in the region prompted the Department of Health (DOH) to recommend to the public to practice and observe health protocols which include the wearing of face masks.
The DOH reported of 10,186 cases covering January up to December 2 of this year, up by 25 percent compared to the same period of last year, or 8,130 cases.
Covering also the same period, 21 persons died due to the ILI, lower by two compared to last year of the same period.
In Catarman, Northern Samar where a massive flooding was experienced last month, ILI was recorded at 62, covering the months of January to November.
Last year, however, there were no ILI cases were monitored by its rural health unit.
In Tacloban City, about 126 ILI cases were also monitored by the DOH.
With the surge of cases in the region, the DOH is asking the public to take precautions to avoid catching the ailment.
“While there was an increase of cases, we somehow anticipated it as we have experienced heavy rains,” Jelyn Malibago, the regional information officer of the DOH-8, said.
Thus they are advising the public to wear face masks, proper handwashing, proper ventilation, and seek early medical assistance, if needed.
Among the symptoms of the ailment include fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, and headache, among others.
Malibago said that as part of their precautionary measures, they are also conducting flu and pneumococcal vaccinations.
She said that those who are 18 years and above are qualified to receive the flu vaccine while those 45 years old and above are qualified for the pneumococcal inoculation.
She said that they have 150,000 vials of the vaccine which is equivalent to 1,500 persons.
“So we hope our people will take advantage of this vaccination. We also distributed vaccines to rural health units. Let’s protect ourselves,” Malibago said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME! With just two weeks before Christmas, the historic Price Mansion in Tacloban City is aglow with bright and colorful Christmas lights and decors. The place, owned by the Romualdez family, has become a favorite place in the city among its populace and visitors during Christmas season. (SAMAR LEYTE AERIAL)
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME! With just two weeks before Christmas, the historic Price Mansion in Tacloban City is aglow with bright and colorful Christmas lights and decors. The place, owned by the Romualdez family, has become a favorite place in the city among its populace and visitors during Christmas season. (SAMAR LEYTE AERIAL)
On the proposed peace talk
TACLOBAN CITY-The peace agreement that is said to be considered by the Marcos administration with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) has received a lukewarm response from former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and their so-called front organizations.
In a statement released on Monday (Dec.11), the signatories, who dubbed themselves as ‘Group of Former Rebels of the CPP-NDF from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao’ asked the national government to take ‘with keen awareness of the challenges and complexities inherent in the peace process.’
In Eastern Visayas, where the problem of insurgency remains to be its basic security issue, the statement was signed by 13 former NPA rebels and leaders of front groups. Among them were Alma Gabin, who was once the deputy secretary for education of the CPP in the region; Rey Christian Sabado, also a former deputy secretary for education of the CPP- front committee 2; and Napoleon Escalona, former president of Kadamay, an urban organization based in Tacloban City identified by the Army as among the fronts of the CPP-NDF-NPA in the region.
“The recently concluded talks and signed communique between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front is a welcome development. We express our support for the revival of the peace talks, but we would like to raise some crucial reservations,” the statement said.
It added: “While the progress in dialogue is commendable, it is essential to approach this renewed engagement with a keen awareness of the challenges and complexities inherent in the peace process.”
It was signed by 51 individuals who were either rehabilitated NPA members or leaders of groups tagged by the government to be front of the CPP-NDF but have returned to the fold of the law.
The group said that considering of the past experiences by the Philippine government on previous and failed peace talks,” it necessitates a meticulous examination of the new framework and agendas proposed.”
“It is crucial to ensure that the lessons learned from past negotiations inform the shaping of a more effective and inclusive approach,” it said.
“The sincerity and commitment of the CPP-NPA-NDF in ending armed struggle must be a central focus during these talks. There should be a genuine exploration of their potential for transformation and reintegration into mainstream society, ensuring the dignity of their involvement in addressing social, political, and economic issues through peaceful means,” they added.
They also reminded the Philippine government officials that the CPP-NDF-NPA is, at present, has no capacity to set preconditions and demands like the release of political prisoners.
“We stress that no political prisoners should be released, and in the absence of a fully operational NDF peace panel and consultants, the appointment of new consultants becomes a prerequisite for the progress of the peace talks,” they said.
They also stressed that if ever there will be indeed a peace negotiations, the CPP-NDF-NPA should not engage in any activities that could affect the result of the peace agreements.
Among these activities the communist group should stop engaging while a peace talk is ongoing include any effort to recover their lost bases and party building, and ‘agrarian revolution.’
“(We) advocate for prioritizing localized peace engagement over national peace talks to more directly address burning issues affecting communities. This approach can lead to a more nuanced and responsive resolution to the root causes of conflict,” they said.
The group hopes that their stand would be taken into consideration by the Marcos administration which is leaning toward another peace talk with the hope of ending the more than 50 years of communist armed movement in the country.
“We hope that these reservations are considered thoughtfully and that the negotiations lead to a just, humane, and lasting peace in our country,” they said.
Bishop Emmanuel Trance has tendered his early resignation as the head of the diocese of Catarman, a post he served for 19 years.His resignation was accepted by Pope Francis effective Friday) Dec.8).(Photo Courtesy)
Due to health reason
Bishop Emmanuel Trance has tendered his early resignation as the head of the diocese of Catarman, a post he served for 19 years.His resignation was accepted by Pope Francis effective Friday) Dec.8).(Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY– Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Trance of Catarman Diocese in Northern Samar on Friday (Dec. 8).
Based on the report of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Trance tendered his resignation five years ahead of the mandatory retirement age of 75 due to ‘health reason.’
The Holy Father named Auxiliary Bishop Nolly Buco of Antipolo as the apostolic administrator of the Catarman diocese.
“Due to health reasons, and the need of the diocese to be led by a healthier and stronger bishop, I have asked the Holy Father to relieve me of the pastoral care of the diocese,” Trance, who is a native of Jaro, Iloilo, said during a Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Friday (Dec.8) at the Catarman CAs bishop of the Catarman diocese, Trance joined in the fight against environment destruction in the province and was also active in ending the local insurgency problem in Northern Samar.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan led in expressing their gratitude to Trance for serving the faithful in Northern Samar.
“Let us come together in gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made as our local ordinary here in Northern Samar for nearly two decades, positively impacting numerous lives,” the governor said on his post on his social media account Saturday.
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Jaro in 1978, Trance was appointed coadjutor bishop of Catarman in May 2004. He was ordained to the episcopate on July 22 of the same year.
Trance assumed leadership of the diocese after the retirement of the first bishop of Catarman, the late Angel Hobayan, on March 10, 2005.
Buco, on the other hand, was appointed as the auxiliary bishop of Antipolo in July 2018.
Ordained a priest for Antipolo in 1993, the canon lawyer was consecrated bishop in September 2018. (JOEY A. GABIETA/ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY– A security guard shot to death his fellow security guard assigned in a shopping mall in Calbayog City on Saturday (Dec.9).
A report from the local police said that the two, whose names were withheld, were both on duty at the J&F Department Store at about 7:30 pm when they discussed pertaining the Bible.
However, a witness said, that their discussion turned nasty with the suspect drawing his service firearm and shot to death the victim.
Both were said to be residents of Santa Margarita town, also in Samar.
The suspect, the police said, remains at-large. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Leyte III Electric Cooperative (Leyeco II) was bestowed with a prompt payer award from First Gen Corp., one of its power suppliers.
The recognition was received by Leyeco III accounting section head Ramil Quebec and disconnection section head Manuel Ellaso during a ceremony held at the Marriott Courtyard in Iloilo City last December 7, 2023.
The recognition is not only a testament to the efficiency of Leyeco III but also extends to the commendable commitment of its member-consumer owners (MCOs), the management said.
“Our dear MCOs, it is your consistent and timely payment of your monthly obligations that empowers the electric cooperative to fulfill its responsibilities to power suppliers punctually,” the Leyeco III management said in a statement.
The Leyeco III management has asked its MCOs for them to continue their ‘exemplary practice of paying your obligations on time’ for the utility to maintain its status.
“Your continued dedication ensures the sustained success and reliability of Leyeco III in meeting its monthly commitments,” it said.
Leyeco III covers the towns of Barugo, Carigara, Capoocan, San Miguel, Tunga, Alangalang, Sta. Fe, Jaro, and Pastrana with more than 40,000 MCOs. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
ORMOC CITY– An incumbent barangay leader in Mahaplag, Leyte was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Saturday (Dec.9).
Arrested was identified as Joel Coderas, 47, who just won for his second term as a village councilor in Barangay Polahongon.
Lawyer Gil Pabilona, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said that the suspect was arrested in a sting operation at about 4:48 pm which resulted in the recovery of six sachets containing suspected shabu weighing six grams with an estimated commercial value of P36,000.
The suspect is now detained at the locked-up cell of the Mahaplag municipal police station and was charged with illegal selling and possession of the prohibited drugs. (ROBERT DEJON)
