Dengue cases dip in 2006
The Department of Health (DOH) here reported a decrease in the number of dengue cases recorded in Oriental Negros in 2006.
Data collected by the DOH here shows that dengue cases in the province dipped to 978 last year from 1,203 cases recorded in 2005.
The mosquito-borne disease, however, left a more deadly trail in 2006 with 8 deaths recorded compared to six victims who died in 2005.
According to Suzy Sayre, Provincial Mosquit-Borne Disease Program Coordinator of DOH here, the casualties in 2006 were from Bacong,
The dengue victims who died in 2005 were from
Sayre said the areas most affected by the killer disease are mostly urban areas such as the cities of Tanjay, Bais and Dumaguete. “Dengue is known as an urban disease,” said Sayre.
The DOH surveillance team here is now monitoring dengue cases as of January 2007.
Sayre said she is unable to divulge just yet the exact number of dengue cases for January this year as surveillance work is still being done.
She said the DOH here continues to conduct intervention measures such as regular health information drive, environmental sanitation and container management in all areas and Rural Health Units in the province.
Local officials of San Pedro, Laguna have earlier declared a dengue outbreak in their municipality following the death of a person and the hospitalization of some 20 persons.
The DOH is seriously monitoring the condition of the victims while the Laguna Health Office is currently conducting fogging operations to contain the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Dengue outbreak has also been declared in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur where three persons died and 18 persons were hospitalized.
DOH said that the numbers of dengue victims in Bayugan continues to rise but assures the public that the DOH remains at the forefront in making sure that all the victims receive immediate medical attention. (PIA/RMN)
E-Campaigning approved by Comelec
The Comelec has given its nod to electronic campaigning or E-campaigning that would allow candidates to campaign through the Internet and short messaging service (SMS).
This move is to adjust with the evolving trend in electronic and communication.
With the use of the Internet and SMS, it is expected that it will help ensure a peaceful and orderly campaign process during the upcoming polls.
Candidates, voters and the electronic and communication industry are seen to benefit from E-campaigning.
Candidates will be spared from the cost of printing and travel expenses usually incurred during the campaign period.
Voters, on the other hand, will no longer have to endure the sight of posters on public walls after which there’s no worry over who will clean up after election.
Meanwhile, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula sees E-campaigning as not as effective a tool as rallies wherein the public can see and personally listen to the candidates.
Aside from its economical advantages, Advincula does not see any more benefits from the e-campaign compared to posters and flyers where the public can always see the face of the candidate.
“People use the Internet mostly for chats and text messages sent containing campaign agenda are more likely irritating to the subscriber,” he said.
So far, the Provincial Comelec has not received any memorandum or notice from its national office pertaining to E-campaigning.
The administration has earlier urged all Filipinos to join hands to temper the heat of partisanship and strengthen democracy, as this is part of the Government’s grand vision for the future and a legacy to the generations to come.
The Administration has already fielded initiatives to bring the poll summit to fruition.
The summit will involve all concerned agencies, institutions and sectors as President Gloria Arroyo wants that the youth, millions of whom are coming into the voting stream, to play an active role in clean and peaceful polls.
The Comelec is ready for the poll summit called for by the President. Aside from the Comelec, the PNP, the CBCP, and other election watchdogs will also attend the summit which will be held after the last day of filing of certificate of candidacies.
Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo has been designated by the President to lead the poll summit.Unity behind clean and peaceful polls must be done to complement the country’s political and economic stability. (PIA/Donna Christine T. Ucang)
OFW remittances hit an all time high of $11.44B
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are urged to transact with the the more reliable banking system when sending money back home.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is currently conducting an information drive discouraging OFWs from sending remittances through informal channels.
The move follows the result of a recent survey that showed that 20% of OFW money remittances in 2005 were done outside of the banking system and flowing instead through informal channels.
OFWs have been reported to send money through friends, acquaintances or other travelers, which is very risky, according to local BSP Manager Paulita C. Enrile.
She said these informal channels are unlicensed or unregulated operations.
She urged OFWs to send remittances through the banking system even if they have to pay for additional charges. “Using banks is safer than sending it to friends who might “lose” the money along the way,” said Enrile.
Central Bank has recently noted an increase of 17.6% on the remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the 11-month period compared to 2005.
It reported that the 11-month remittance hit an all time high of $11.4B.
According to Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, this overwhelming increase in the remittances posed a strong possibility that the year 2006 will exceed the Central Bank’s estimated $12.3B.
Tetangco added, “The strength of remittances during the 11-month period may be attributed to the continued preference for Filipino workers by host countries and improved financial services made available by banks and other non-bank remittance channels.”
The remittances came mainly from the
Presently there is an increase of 13.8% to 786,687 on land-based workers and 9.8% to 250,447 on sea-based workers citing the preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
The increase in employment, according to Atty. Jose Ogang of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the province, is part of the President’s program to employ locally and in abroad 1 million Filipinos by 2010.
Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye earlier said the administration will do whatever it takes to meet the projected 6% growth over the next three years and drive a new dawn for the Filipino people.
Bunye said the upcoming years of steady growth shall be matched with basic social services aimed at lifting up the threshold 50% of the population who still live below the poverty line. (PIA/Donna Christine T. Ucang)
NFA NegOr welcomes new manager
The National Food Authority in Oriental Negros recently welcomes its new provincial manager, Engr. Gil B. Ibarra who assumed office recently.
Ibarra replaced the former provincial manager, Engr. Marianito Bejemino, who is transferred to NFA in
Ibarra has been with NFA for almost 34 years, starting as milling supervisor in 1973 then as Sr. Cereal Classifier, Sr. Operations Officer and Regional Operations Officer.
By 1984 to 1988, he became Assistant Provincial Manager and from 1989 to 1992 as acting provincial manager.
From 1993 to present, he has been a full-pledged provincial manager assigned in different NFA provincial offices of the country.
Ibarra, 55, was born in Camiling, Tarlac where he spent his elementary and high school years.
In 1968, he finished his Diesel Mechanic degree at
While working with NFA, he never stopped his schooling since he believed that “education is a continuing process.”
He took up law at the
Currently, he has earned 39 units in Masters of Public Administration from Queozn colleges in
He is also a holder of career service executive eligibility.
His wife, Fe Gallera Ibarra, sat as Administrative Officer of NFA in
They have two children, Raymond Gil and Merry Jo.
As manager of the NFA in the province, Ibarra said he will see to it that agency’s programs will continue to be carried out.
He likewise assured the consuming public of the availability of NFA rice at P18.00/kg in different accredited market outlets. (PIA/RMN)
Grain retailers urged to renew license
The National Food Authority (NFA) here has urged all the grain retailers in the province to renew their license starting January 2007.
With this, the retailers will be issued a metal plate as license or registration to be used effectively all throughout and a 10 percent increase of RL fees.
The renewal is due to the approved revision of NFA rules and regulations on grains businessmen by NFA Council on November 23 last year.
Grains businessmen include also operators of rice and corn mills, warehouses or storages of rice and corn/feeds and palay/ corn brans (tahop), palay thresher and corn shellers, mechanical dryers for palay and corn, truck operators or any kind of vehicles hauling rice and corn, restaurants, carinderias, hotels and other business establishments who serve rice and corn.
According to newly installed NFA Provincial Manager Gil Ibarra, all grains businessmen have to renew their licenses to avoid fines and penalties. PM Ibarra warned, those who have no license yet may do so since our enforcement teams are conducting inspections every now and then. He reminded also other grains retailers and operators that what they have paid at their respective city and municipality are just permits.
Moreover, PM Ibarra said, it is necessary that businessmen have to pay their grains license at the office of NFA and those who want to renew their licenses in advance may do so now.
Grain retailers and operators may not start their business without NFA license metal plate even if they have mayor’s permit, Ibarra said. Thus, NFA continuous its inspection and information drive on the renewal of licenses so that businessmen can be guided accordingly.
To give ample time and preparation for the renewal or application of licenses and give access to grain businessmen, the following areas are scheduled and visited by NFA:
For February, Ayungon, Jimalalud, Tayasan,
Meanwhile, the Government recognizes the contribution of the business and labor sectors as vital in keeping the economy ahead of the curve.
The Administration urges broader consultations to ensure reasonable profits for enterprise and enable workers to make both ends meet and enjoy the just returns of the day, as industrial peace reinforces productivity and enterprise in an environment of sharing and caring.
The Government will continue to up the tempo of the pro-poor programs and provide non-wage benefits acceptable to the employers and welcomed by the workers.
Economic analysts expect the peso to breach the 46-peso level against the US dollar if the country would maintain its current fiscal trend and expand further its macroeconomics.
The country is in the final relay of the economic homerun and the Administration urges all stakeholders of the economy to stay on the course and work together in the solidarity of one nation facing a common future. (PIA/JCTilos)
1 comments:
I would like to know if there is a burn ordinance in Dumaguete. There's nothing worse than having a nice sea breeze blowing through the house suddenly turn to thick smoke. If there isn't a burn ordinance, there should be. It would be easy to establish certain days and times for each baranguay trash burning. Cooking fires one can predict, but random leaf and trash burning goes on day and night. How can I recommend a new ordinance and who would I recommend it to?
evrrrdy1
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