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Bong Go assists ‘sakadas’ in Antique
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team visited Sibalom, Antique on Friday, 25 August, to provide assistance to sugar migrant workers, or sakadas. The said relief activity not only highlighted his dedication to public service but also underscored the importance of strengthening the agricultural sector in the country. Recognizing the important role of farmers in upholding food security, Senator Go, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has consistently championed the reinforcement of agricultural support systems. He stood as one of the authors behind Republic Act No. 11901, which broadened the scope of the financing system for agriculture, fisheries, and rural development. Go also co-sponsored and co-authored in the Senate the measure that became RA 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. The law condones loans incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries, including interests, penalties, and surcharges. Furthermore, the senator also filed SBN 2117, which aims to provide full crop insurance coverage for agrarian reform beneficiaries, as well as SBN 2118 which aims to provide better insurance coverage and services to farmers and help mitigate the impact of natural disasters on the agricultural sector, if enacted into law. "Nais kong hikayatin ang lahat ng mga lingkod-bayan na makiisa sa pagtulong sa ating mga magsasaka. Ang kanilang mahalagang papel sa ating pagkain at ekonomiya ay di-matatawaran. Suportahan natin sila sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas ng kanilang sektor at pagpapalaganap ng mga programa na tutugon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan. Sa pagkakaisa, makakamit natin ang mas maunlad at masaganang buhay para sa ating mga magsasaka,” Go urged in his video message. Go’s team, together with the team of Governor Rhodora Cadiao, held the distribution at the University of Antique, where 1,000 sakadas received masks and shirts from Go while select recipients received shoes, mobile phones, and balls for basketball. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also provided financial assistance. Continuing his message, Go expressed his concern that access to medical assistance programs remains a pressing issue in many regions, especially in rural areas. It is for this reason that the senator mentioned that there is a Malasakit Center at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista if they may need medical assistance from the government. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support poor and indigent patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. Go is the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. According to DOH, the Malasakit Centers program has already benefitted over seven million Filipinos, with 158 Malasakit Centers established all over the country. The senator then mentioned that there will also be a Super Health Center set to be established in the town. Super Health Centers offer basic health services, including database management, outpatient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and an ambulatory surgical unit. Other services available include eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) care, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers, and telemedicine, which enables remote diagnosis and treatment of patients. DOH has identified more locations in Antique to build Super Health Centers, in addition to Sibalom. These include Culasi and San Jose de Buenavista. Acknowledging the necessity for specialized care, Go has championed the establishment of Regional Specialty Centers. These centers focus on specific medical fields, ensuring that patients receive expert care without the need to travel long distances to urban centers. In the Senate, Go served as a principal sponsor and co-author of the Regional Specialty Centers Act. This legislation has been recently approved into law by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, also supported the acquisition of a motor vehicle in Sibalom, multi cabs in Laua-an, and an ambulance unit in San Jose. The senator likewise supported the expansion of a water system in Libertad, improvement of the Tobias Fornier Municipal Hall, flood control projects in Hamtic, San Jose and Laua-an, construction of solar streetlights in various barangays in Barbaza, improvement of a public park in Belison, construction of a covered court in San Remigio, construction of a bridge in Patnongon, and road improvements in Laua-an, San Remigio, Sebaste, Sibalom, and Valderrama. On 23 August, Go’s team was in Tobias Fornier, where they provided assistance to the beneficiaries of the medical and dental mission held in the town. The post Bong Go assists ‘sakadas’ in Antique appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda eyes expanded TESDA mandate in future
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda today shared her vision for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as it nears its third decade of existence. Legarda, a staunch supporter of the state agency, shared her desires for the agency, which has helped countless lives for almost three decades. “I want to envision TESDA expanding even further — where every Filipino has the opportunity to acquire the skills and tools they need to pursue their dreams and contribute to national progress,” said Legarda during her keynote address at TESDA’s anniversary celebration at SM Megamall. “Upskilling and reskilling must be an option that is available to all,” she added. “We must transform lives beyond the limitations of social and economic boundaries. TESDA has a large role to play in answering the demands of the labor sector and in shaping a labor force that is responsive, fit, and adaptive.” For her role in promoting various livelihood programs in her home province of Antique, Legarda was bestowed the National TESDA Kabalikat Award in 2021. Among the programs pushed were the Barangay Kabuhayan Skills Training Program (BKSTP), Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), and Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), which has benefitted over 18,000 Antiqueño trainees since 2016. During the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Legarda ensured that access to tertiary education included those in the technical-vocational sector. As one of her first pieces of legislation to open her fourth term in the Senate, Legarda pushed for the passage of Senate Bill No. 6, a proposed measure that seeks to create the Department of Technical Education, Training and Certification. Once passed, it will strengthen the role of the TESDA to serve as a leading partner in the development of the Filipino workforce. She also praised the agency for being at the forefront of web-based education through the TESDA Online Program, which has produced 3,220,912 course completions in 2022 alone. “The world is changing at a rapid pace — technology, automation, and digitalization are reshaping industries and demanding new skill sets,” remarked Legarda. “TESDA must be at the center of this. Our businesses and industries must connect with our educational institutions to assess, plan, and strategize our approach to providing quality technical-vocational education,” she continued. The post Legarda eyes expanded TESDA mandate in future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Dinagat eyes state of calamity amid ASF rise
BUTUAN CITY — The local government of Libjo in Dinagat Islands is recommended to be placed under a state of calamity as a consequence of the continued increase of African swine fever cases. The recommendation was pushed by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led by Libjo Mayor Melody Llamera Compasivo to the Sangguniang Bayan a day earlier. “The people in the municipality are alarmed by the rising cases of ASF. A solution to deter the further spread of the ASF is necessary,” said the MDRRMC’s statement. The state of calamity proposal was approved by both the MDRRMC members and the 16 barangay chairpersons of the town. “Based on the data provided by the Municipal Agriculture Office, six barangays in the town are already affected by the ASF,” the statement said. As of 7 August, some 163 heads of hogs were already culled in the affected barangays as a measure to stop the spread of the disease to other villages. The MDRRMC has suggested the installation of footbath checkpoints at the entry points of barangays that have not yet been impacted by ASF. Also, the council proposed that the sale of live hogs and pork by-products should only be permitted in barangays that have not yet been impacted by the disease. The Libjo SB is expected to make the declaration during its regular session this week. In other developments, the ASF has also invaded the Antique Swine Production and Artificial Insemination Center in Sibalom town. Public Health Division of the Provincial Veterinarian chief Dr. Marco Rafael Ardamil explained that the ASPAIC is the source of the piglets being dispersed by the provincial government for the sugar migrant workers and other Antiqueños requesting livelihood projects. ASPAIC in Barangay Pangpang used to have 62 hogs but one boar died on 26 July, while 61 others, including eight sows, eight gilts, two boars, 19 weanling pigs and 24 piglets, were depopulated on 2 August. Ardamil said he immediately did a necropsy and submitted a blood sample for testing to the Department of Agriculture Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory after the incident on 26 July. The post Dinagat eyes state of calamity amid ASF rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Celebrating independence, overcoming challenges
We all wish for the good health of our loved ones. It would pain anyone to see their family members, friends or partners suffering through disease, more so if they cannot receive adequate medical attention due to financial constraints or inaccessible health services. Unfortunately, many poor Filipinos and those living in remote areas face precisely this dilemma. As we go around the country, I have personally witnessed the dire need to make medical assistance and health services — both basic and specialized — more accessible to Filipinos. That is why as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I continue to push for initiatives to improve healthcare access, including the establishment of more Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers and Regional Specialty Centers. Just last on Friday, 9 June, I was honored to lead the inauguration of the 158th Malasakit Center at the Diosdado P. Macapagal Memorial Hospital in Guagua, Pampanga, together with our new Health Secretary, Teodoro Herbosa, as well as local leaders led by Governor Dennis Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, among others. The Malasakit Center aims to streamline and expedite the delivery of medical assistance particularly to poor patients by consolidating the programs of various government agencies under one roof. Launched in 2018, it was later institutionalized under the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which I principally authored and sponsored in the Senate. According to the DOH, over seven million Filipinos nationwide have benefited from the program so far. During the inauguration, my team and I also aided 120 in-patients, 174 out-patients, and 378 front liners at the hospital. Additionally, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended assistance to qualified patients. On the same day, we visited Bulacan to assist 1,000 students in Guiguinto town with Mayor Agay Cruz and Congressman Boy Cruz, as well as 1,465 struggling Bulakeños in Meycauayan City. We also attended the ribbon-cutting and blessing of the city’s Super Health Center together with Mayor Henry Villarica. I have also long been advocating for the establishment of more Super Health Centers throughout the country. Through the efforts of our fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, as the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. While our Super Health Centers bring basic health services closer to Filipinos, especially in remote areas, I am hopeful that we could also soon provide our kababayans improved access to specialized medical services following the recent ratification of the Bicameral Conference Report on the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which I authored and principally sponsored. If enacted, it will bring key medical services closer to the people by establishing specialty centers that cater to specific medical needs in different regions. Meanwhile, we have also continued distributing aid to many indigent Filipinos in various regions. On 5 June, I was in Digos City, Davao del Sur, with Mayor Josef Cagas and other local leaders to aid 1,500 indigents and witness the groundbreaking of its Super Health Center. We were in Agusan del Norte with Governor Angel Amante-Matba the following day, where we attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Las Nieves and inspected the ongoing construction of the Las Nieves Bridge. We then added 1,500 indigents in the town before visiting the Butuan City Super Health Center. We likewise assisted 2,000 residents in the city. Following this, I attended the annual general assembly of the Philippine League of Secretaries to Sanggunian Inc. in Davao City. Iloilo was our next destination where we attended the groundbreaking of the Barotac Viejo Super Health Center on 7 June and provided aid to 1,000 indigents in the town. I was also invited by Congressman Boboy Tupas and Mayor Bongbong Tupas to inspect the town’s new fire station. That day, we assisted 1,897 typhoon victims in Banate. We then made our way to Silay City in Negros Occidental, where we participated in the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center, dropped by the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital where I was instrumental in funding the construction of its new building, and extended aid to 2,000 underprivileged residents. Additionally, we joined in the commemoration of Silay City’s Charter Anniversary led by Mayor Joedith Gallego as we attended the PWD Sitting Volleyball event where I highlighted our efforts for more inclusive sports development programs as Chair of the Senate Sports Committee. On 8 June, we helped 1,493 beneficiaries in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, in partnership with Governor Oyie Umali, Mayor Vianne Cuevas, Congressman GP Padiernos, and other local leaders. That same day, we aided 1,160 indigents in Quezon City with Cong. Marivic Pilar-Co. On 9 June, together with Senator Robin Padilla and in partnership with Governor Luigi Villafuerte, Congressman Lray Villafuerte, and Congressman Migz Villafuerte, we distributed aid to 2,699 indigents in Pili, Camarines Sur. That day, we attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Talisay, Camarines Norte, with Mayor Dondon Mancenido, where we likewise assisted 1,500 residents. Together with Governor Dong Padilla, I conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital in Daet, Camarines Norte, where we aided 262 patients and 811 front liners. Finally, I headed back to Davao City to attend the 2023 Mindanao League of Municipalities of the Philippines Convention. Meanwhile, my office separately aided 186 fire victims in Quezon City, 41 in Caloocan City, 76 in Parañaque City, and 10 in Baguio City. Likewise helped were 1,015 indigents in Alitagtag, Batangas; 1,500 in Cabanatuan City and 1,040 in General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija; 500 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte; 360 in Culasi, Antique; 150 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; 53 in Iba and 13 in Botolan, Zambales; 1,620 in San Vicente, Camarines Norte; 380 Tesda graduates in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and 90 indigent couples in Baroy, Lanao del Norte. My team likewise witnessed the groundbreaking of the Super Health Centers in Barangay Talon-talon, Zamboanga City on 6 June, and Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay on 8 June. As we commemorate Philippine Independence Day this Monday and celebrate the heroism and sacrifices of our forefathers to gain the liberties we enjoy today, I hope we can take this time to come together and exert efforts to help free more Filipinos from disease, poverty, and other challenges that beset our society today. The post Celebrating independence, overcoming challenges appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Chedeng’ accelerates away from Phl landmass
Typhoon Chedeng picked up speed as it moved further away from the Philippine landmass, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Sunday morning. However, ‘Chedeng’ still enhanced the southwest monsoon or habagat as the state weather bureau forecast Zambales and Bataan to experience "almost non-stop rainfall" today. Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, Abra, Benguet, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, and the rest of Central Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. ‘Chedeng’ was last located at 990 kilometer east of extreme Northern Luzon moving north-northeastward at 20 km/h and packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 160 km/h. No tropical cyclone wind signal hoisted. Pagasa said ‘Chedeng’ is estimated to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility Sunday night or early Monday. Gusty conditions will still continue over most of Luzon from Tuesday onwards as the southwest monsoon continues to be mainly enhanced by another weather system. The post ‘Chedeng’ accelerates away from Phl landmass appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Public service without break
I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants The Senate adjourned sine die last 31 May 31 its First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. Our first such session under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., I am proud of the hard work that we have all put into advancing legislative measures with the common goal of providing a safer and better life for Filipinos. Six of the proposed measures that hurdled the Senate are now laws, including several of my co-authored and co-sponsored bills, such as the SIM Registration Act, postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and SK Elections, and naturalization of our national basketball team key player, Justin Brownlee. Senate Bill 1849, which I co-sponsored, has also been enacted, amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 11709 to establish a fixed term and retirement age for some officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that would hopefully better promote their welfare. I likewise co-sponsored RA 11938, converting the municipality of Carmona, Cavite into a city. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I am also particularly happy that the Bicameral Conference Report on our proposed Regional Specialty Centers Act has already been ratified, marking a significant milestone towards improving access to specialized healthcare across the country. As the principal sponsor of the measure, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of establishing more specialty centers in various regions to ensure that our Filipinos have better access to the specialized medical services they require. This measure is a steadfast commitment, and a collective vision to improve our healthcare system. It is our people’s experiences and stories that have driven us to aim for a healthcare system that is compassionate, accessible, and designed to meet the needs of Filipinos. Likewise approved on third and final reading in the Senate are several bills that I co-authored and co-sponsored, such as: (1) the proposed Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act which seeks to establish safe routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and slow vehicles across the entire country; (2) Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers; (3) No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act which seeks to protect students from preventing them in taking exams due to outstanding financial obligations; (4) New Agrarian Emancipation Act which seeks to condone almost P58 billion worth of loans that agrarian reform beneficiaries incurred in owning lands under the government’s agrarian reform programs; (5) Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act which aims to stimulate economic growth for decent job generation; and (6) Senate Bill No. 2021 which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by granting them access to shared facilities and services, technology, and skills training. The proposed National Day for Awareness on the Hijab and Other Traditional Garments and Attire Act, and the Cultural Mapping Act, which I both co-authored, have also hurdled the Senate. Meanwhile, I likewise filed several other measures in a bid to bring services closer to our people, especially the needy, the hopeless, and the helpless. These include bills establishing Mental Health Offices in higher educational institutions, mandating financial literacy and entrepreneurship as core subjects in the junior and senior high school curricula, and institutionalizing a technical-vocational program specifically for rehabilitated drug dependents. To improve the resilience of the agricultural sector, I also filed a bill seeking to provide immediate financial assistance to ARBs in the event of natural calamities and another measure that proposes to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. Among others, I also filed bills seeking to institutionalize the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), a flagship housing program of President Marcos, Jr.; establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate infrastructure flagship programs; strengthen our coast guard; better protect our kasambahays, freelance and media workers; and provide equitable incentives to our para-athletes. After a hectic yet fruitful legislative year, I continue to personally visit our kababayans in need to provide the necessary aid. On June 1, I was in Samal, Bataan with my team to witness the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center and distribute aid to 500 of its struggling residents. We also visited Balanga City to provide similar assistance to 1,008 indigents. Batangas was our destination the following day where I inspected the Super Health Center and a multipurpose building which will be the new municipal hall in Ibaan. I also led relief operations for 1,000 of my fellow Batanguenos in Ibaan and 1,086 in Sta. Teresita. Meanwhile, I was in Naga City, Camarines Sur on June 3 where I attended the 1st Bicol Social Media Summit and assisted 1,500 indigent residents. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Bicol Medical Center in the city and likewise aided 824 patients and 2,702 frontliners. The DSWD also committed to providing financial assistance to qualified beneficiaries. Thereafter, I inspected a bypass road in the city, a project I also supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Across the country, my outreach teams aided 5,102 Typhoon Agaton victims in Banate, Iloilo; 170 fire-hit families in Parañaque City; five fire-hit families in Cotabato City and three more in Catbalogan City, Samar. Indigent families were also aided, including 420 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; 598 in Socorro, Surigao del Norte; 1,000 in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; 40 in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte; 520 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; 180 in Sibalom, Antique; 518 in Kalibo, Aklan; 83 TESDA graduates in Carcar City, Cebu; and 408 barangay health workers in Sariaya, Quezon. My staff likewise attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. While we are now on our session break, I believe that there can be no pause in our duties as public servants. As we have always done and as we are mandated to do, we should continue spending the days ahead trying to help uplift the lives of our Filipino people. The post Public service without break appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go lauds medical, dental missions in Pandan, Antique
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his appreciation to the local government of Antique, particularly Vice Governor Edgar “Ed” Denosta, for spearheading medical and dental missions aimed at providing vital healthcare services to various communities in the province. A medical and dental mission in Pandan town, which took place on 23 March, at the municipal gymnasium, brought together a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, dentists, and volunteers who offered their expertise and services to indigent residents. Similar medical and dental missions were also held in the towns of Sibalom last 23 February and in Belison last 17 May, where Go’s team extended additional assistance to indigents. Last April, Go personally attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Centers in Sibalom and San Jose de Buenavista where he also aided indigent residents in both towns. He also conducted a monitoring visit of the Malasakit Center at the ASMGH. Another medical mission was held that month of April in Sibalom Public Plaza Covered Court. In his video message, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said, "I am deeply grateful to the local government of Pandan and to Vice Governor Denosta for their initiative in organizing this medical and dental mission. Their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people is truly commendable. By working together, we can achieve significant positive changes in our healthcare system.” On 26 May, Go’s office coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development which provided additional financial assistance to 150 qualified individuals who also benefitted from the medical mission in Pandan town months ago. Go’s team previously provided masks, snacks, and shirts to the med mission beneficiaries. They also gave away cellular phones, shoes, and basketballs to select recipients. The senator then highlighted the importance of preventative care and encouraged the residents of Pandan to prioritize their health and to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose de Buenavista should they need medical assistance from the government. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital bills to the least possible amount. “Mayroon na ho tayong 157 na Malasakit Center sa buong Pilipinas kasama na po ang Antique. Mayroon kayong Malasakit Center dito po sa Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital, lapitan n’yo lang po ang Malasakit Center diyan,” encouraged Go, who is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act. According to the DOH, the Malasakit Centers program has already assisted over seven million Filipinos nationwide. In line with his commitment to boost the development in the province, Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, likewise supported several projects, such as the purchase of multicabs in Laua-an, improvement of a public park in Belison, expansion of the water system in Libertad, construction of a bridge in Patnongon, purchase of an ambulance and construction of a flood control structure in San Jose, and construction of a covered court in San Remigio, among others. The post Go lauds medical, dental missions in Pandan, Antique appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Disaster resiliency must be prioritized
Typhoons occur very often in our country. Located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the Philippines is visited by 20 typhoons on average yearly. Some have been more devastating than most — ravaging lands, destroying properties, and claiming the lives of our affected Filipinos. And because of climate change, in addition to our geographical location in the Pacific, the Philippines is exposed to natural calamities that are getting more often and more severe. While we can’t prevent the entry of typhoons, we could very well stay one step ahead to minimize the damage brought by these natural disasters and hopefully save more lives through a more prepared and proactive approach, better coordination among concerned government agencies, and stronger cooperation from the public. As super typhoon “Betty” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, I pray for the safety of all our affected kababayans and hope for an efficient restoration of normalcy once the typhoon passes. I commend our frontline government agencies and local authorities who, days before the typhoon’s entry, so far have reportedly already made necessary preparations to deal with this and its aftermath. These preparations and more go a long way in securing the lives and property of our affected Filipinos. Nevertheless, considering our country’s vulnerability to natural calamities, we must continue instituting measures that will ensure more proactive and effective disaster preparedness and response. Thus, I continue advocating for several disaster resilience measures, including the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience through my proposed Senate Bill No. 188. If the bill is enacted into law, the DDR shall serve as an empowered and highly-specialized cabinet level-department with a clear unity of command, responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. It shall lead the crafting and implementation of programs and activities to reduce the risk of all types of natural hazards and effects of climate change and manage the impact of disasters. I have also filed SBN 193, or the proposed Mandatory Evacuation Centers Act, which seeks to require the establishment of evacuation centers in every province, city, and municipality throughout the country that shall provide basic needs and assistance to all evacuees. Also, I have introduced SBN 192, also known as the Rental Housing Subsidy Act, in a bid to provide disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through the provision of rental subsidies by the government. Finally, SBN 1709 proposes to amend the provisions of the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” to mandate the grant of hazard pay to the personnel of respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Committees, as well as all accredited community disaster volunteers enlisted to their respective territorial jurisdictions during the State of Calamity declared by the President. Under the proposed measure, all personnel of the LDRRMOs in all provinces, cities, and municipalities and all accredited community disaster volunteers, regardless of their employment status, shall be granted a hazard pay of P3,000 every month if it is enacted into law. This is in recognition of their invaluable sacrifices and contributions in looking after the safety of our people in the face of disasters and even at the risk of their own lives. Similarly, our dedication to public service never ceases. From Monday to Sunday, our work inside and outside the hallowed halls of the Senate continues. On top of our Senate sessions, I led the distribution of aid to 1,663 indigents from Gapan City, municipalities of Cabiao and Peñaranda in Nueva Ecija; 1,000 in Pasig City, as well as 1,201 fire victims in Sta. Cruz, Manila last week. On 25 May, I also visited Davao de Oro for the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center, inspect a two-story multi-purpose building, and led a relief activity for 1,000 residents in Maco town. We attended the groundbreaking of Super Health Centers in Libertad town and Barangay Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City, and spearheaded three relief operations for 1,000 indigents in Libertad, and 2,000 in Barangay Balubal, and another 300 in the city on 26 May. Apart from the groundbreaking of the Escalante City Super Health Center in Negros Occidental on 27 May, I aided 2,000 residents of the city composed of fisherfolks, tricycle drivers, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. I joined the 25th Manlambus Festival where I was able to watch a carabao race and provided aid to 200 carabao owners. On 28 May, I inspected the Sariaya Super Health Center in Quezon province and helped 1,000 indigents in the town. In Lucena City, 1,500 residents received aid. I also joined the Pasayahan Festival and inspected the Lucena City Promenade, whose funding I supported. My outreach teams extended aid to 400 barangay health workers and nutritionists in Macalelon, Quezon; 373 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority graduates in Argao, Cebu; and 1,200 tricycle drivers in San Luis, Pampanga. Indigents, including 81 in Llanera, Nueva Ecija; 500 in Binuangan, Misamis Oriental; 250 in Dipaculao and 233 in San Luis, Aurora. Also, our office joined the dental and medical mission of 150 indigents in Pandan, Antique. In the face of inevitable natural hazards, we all must exert efforts to build a more disaster-resilient nation. Through effective measures, preparations, proper coordination, and widespread cooperation, we can all save lives, help each other recover, and rise again even stronger. The post Disaster resiliency must be prioritized appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Legarda backs IPOPHL move to boost, safeguard local geographical indications
As defined by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, geographical indications are any indication that identifies a good as originating in a territory, region or locality, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristics of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin and/or human factors. The identified potential GIs in the country include the Cordillera heirloom rice, Guimaras mangoes, Benguet cacao, Batangas kapeng barako, Davao pummelo and the Bagtason loom weave of Antique, among other local products. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who is from Antique, lauded the move by the IPOPHL to reinforce rules and regulations safeguarding GIs in the country, which can potentially give Filipino-made products a significant advantage toward economic and social development through responsible use of the intellectual property system. "These new regulations issued by the Intellectual Property Office are a welcome development. While it cannot be expected to resolve past controversies or halt attempts at cultural appropriation, it is a very good step toward this end," Legarda said. "An indication of origin does a great deal more than increase market awareness and ensure sales," according to Legarda. "People developing GIs are demonstrating nature-based solutions, and we must pay attention as they do. When people enhance their local products, like native plants and animals grown there, they enhance the capacity of their communities to address problems within their specific context." The four-term senator also emphasized the importance of ensuring the integration of efforts with those of the government and other communities that will inspire further developments and an upswing of collective pride that benefits traditional and indigenous Filipino products. In 2019, Legarda authored and enacted the Innovation Act, which requires the government to put innovation at the center of its development policies considering regional and global economic opportunities. "Opportunity is a great motivator. And I have no doubt that take together, along with the ingenuity of the Filipino, will usher in a new era of production that takes into consideration our awesome natural gifts and biodiversity," she said. Last May 22, Legarda was the keynote speaker at the 2023 National Geographical Indications Forum. The discussions, according to her, are timely given the country has "done too little for too long" in protecting GIs. In partnership with the IPOPHL and the Design Center of the Philippines, Legarda's office also set up an exhibit at the Senate on the potential geographical indications in the Philippines that runs from 24 to 25 May 2023, featuring distinct and indigenous products from all over the country. The post Legarda backs IPOPHL move to boost, safeguard local geographical indications appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bridging healthcare gap
While the government has consistently strived to improve medical access, the reality remains that access to hospitals providing specialized healthcare services is still limited. Almost all specialty hospitals are located in Metro Manila. We have here the Philippine Heart Center, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, among others. As these specialty hospitals are some of the best in our country, many of our Filipinos from the provinces who suffer from serious diseases are constrained to travel to Manila just to ensure that they receive quality, affordable and specialized healthcare services necessary for their conditions. Having to worry over transportation and accommodation expenses on top of the already burdensome medical costs is simply too much, especially for our poor Filipinos who can barely earn enough for their daily needs. As I visited many disadvantaged communities nationwide, scores of our kababayans sought me out not only for medical assistance but also for help with their transportation expenses going to Manila, where the only hospitals that can address their health needs are located. The glaring need to bring these specialized medical services closer to our people in the provinces encourages me to continue advocating for a measure that will mandate the establishment of regional specialty centers nationwide. It is high time that we unburden our fellow Filipinos of unnecessary long travels and additional expenses just to get these services needed to save their lives. On 17 May, I sponsored Senate Bill 2212, which seeks to mandate the Department of Health to establish specialty centers in existing DoH hospitals in different regions within five years, rather than constructing entirely new specialty hospitals — a cost-efficient, faster and practical solution to address the issue. The proposal also aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which includes the establishment of specialty centers as part of the health-related legislative agenda of the administration. Moreover, if enacted into law, the DoH will be required to allocate capital outlay investments and work closely with the Department of Budget and Management to develop staffing patterns and standards for the specialty centers, securing positions for healthcare workers serving in these facilities. Particular emphasis will be placed on establishing heart, lung, and kidney centers that replicate the capabilities of the National Specialty Centers in Metro Manila. This is also a way to decongest our existing specialty hospitals. For instance, the establishment of mental health centers in various DoH hospitals would help decongest the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City. As chair of the Senate Committee on Health, I believe that physical, emotional, and mental health are all equally important, and I will continue to support measures that would protect and promote the different aspects of health as a whole. Thus, on the same day, I also co-sponsored the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act filed by Senator Win Gatchalian. If said bill is passed into law, a Care Center in basic education schools will be established. This will not only benefit the students but also the teaching and non-teaching personnel. Previously, I likewise filed SBN 1786 which aims to mandate Public Higher Education Institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Cagayan on 18 May to join in the Sarakat Festival, attend the inauguration of the Super Health Center, and provide aid to 1,500 indigents in the town of Santa Praxedes, where I was honored to be its adopted son. We then headed to Lal-lo town where I witnessed the groundbreaking of another Super Health Center and also led another relief operation for 1,500 more struggling residents in the town. The following day, I visited Jordan, Guimaras, where I attended a volleyball tournament as part of the Manggahan Festival of the province and personally checked on the operations of the Malasakit Center at Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital. We also aided 217 patients and 512 frontliners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development assisted 118 qualified patients. Later that day, we visited Buenavista, Guimaras where I led the groundbreaking of the town’s Super Health Center, spearheaded a relief operation for 1,462 indigents, and visited local infrastructure initiatives we earlier supported during the Duterte administration such as the Buenavista Wharf and seawall. Last week, my outreach teams also helped many of our fellow Filipinos in need, including 50 indigents in Libertad, 50 in Salay, and 1,735 in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; 153 in Agusan del Norte; 255 in Belison, Antique; 419 in Laurel, Batangas; 150 in Quezon City; 1,550 in Manila City; 666 in Limay, Bataan; 108 in Malolos City, Bulacan; 233 in Maria Aurora in Aurora; 366 in Kalawit and 333 in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte; and 1,912 families affected by armed conflict in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. Fire-hit households, including 21 in Lapu-Lapu City, 99 in Mandaue City, and 171 in Cebu City in the province of Cebu; and six in Angeles City, Pampanga were also assisted. Aside from pushing for the establishment of regional specialty centers, I continue to support our Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers to provide more accessible medical assistance programs and basic health services, respectively, to more of our fellow Filipinos. It is my hope that, with the support of our fellow workers in the government, we can continue bringing medical services closer to the people, particularly the economically disadvantaged and those residing in far-flung areas, to help address the urgent need to bridge the healthcare gap across the country. After all, it is enshrined in our Constitution, as a matter of state policy, that “the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people” and that “the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” As elected representatives of the Filipino people, it is our solemn duty to realize these state policies. These programs and measures will not only protect and promote such rights but will make this a living testament to our collective desire to help provide a more comfortable life for Filipinos. The post Bridging healthcare gap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go, go, go for the gold!
We have nothing but admiration and best wishes for our national athletes who are currently competing at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Together with my colleagues, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Francis Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chair Dickie Bachmann and Commissioner Matthew Gaston, among other officials, we took the time last weekend to personally cheer on our representatives in the regional biennial sports meet in Cambodia. There, we witnessed once again the never-say-die attitude and spirit of all our Filipino athletes. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports and a firm advocate of long-term and grassroots sports development in the country, I was particularly filled with pride after seeing the dedication, discipline and undeniable talent of our athletes. That is why I remain committed to helping strengthen the development of sports in our communities. Sports keep our young people away from vices and criminality. As I always say, “Get into sports, stay away from drugs!” Last year, I sponsored and defended additional funding for the PSC during its 2023 budget deliberation, particularly for grassroots sports development and in support of athletes joining international competitions. What was supposedly just more or less P200 million proposed annual budget for PSC was increased by P1 billion through our efforts and with the support of my colleagues in the Senate. Particularly, the increase in the PSC’s 2023 budget is intended to support the Filipino athletes in international competitions, such as the Asian Games, SEA Games, Summer Olympics in Paris, ASEAN Para Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, World Combat Games, World Beach Games, and Asian Beach Games, among others. Portions of the funds were also allotted for the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 2023 as well as for grassroots sports programs, such as Batang Pinoy, the Philippine National Games, and those under the Sports Development Council. Moreover, funding was allocated for the development of sports infrastructure across the country, as well as for advanced research and development in sports sciences and sports technology. The provision of other financial assistance to Filipino athletes was also funded. I have also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports in 2020 to help ensure that our promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. More recently, I filed Senate Bill 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, with the aim of institutionalizing and providing a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. Meanwhile, together with my team, I was in Batangas province on 8 May where I personally led a series of relief operations for 1,109 indigents in Batangas City and 1,000 more in San Pascual town. As an adopted son of CALABARZON and a fellow Batangueño, I am thankful for being able to serve them to the best of my capacity as a public servant. I likewise visited the newly renovated San Pascual Super Health Center and met with some health workers to listen to their concerns and discuss ways to improve the delivery of healthcare services in their communities. The Super Health Center is an improved version of a polyclinic, which seeks to provide our fellow Filipinos, especially those in remote areas, easier access to basic health services. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers and the Department of Health, 307 SHCs were funded in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. Last Tuesday, we conducted a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Health on mental health. As the committee’s chair, I reiterated that the state of our National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all Filipinos to healthcare. Meanwhile, on 10 May, I led a relief effort for 672 fire victims from Pritil Public Market in Tondo, Manila. This was followed by a visit to Nueva Ecija last 11 May, where I personally inspected the Talavera bridge — a project I had earlier supported as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. I then conducted a monitoring visit to the Malasakit Center at the Talavera General Hospital to personally assess its operations and ensure that indigent patients are given the assistance they need. In line with this, we extended relief to 79 patients and 406 front liners in the hospital while the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial aid to the qualified patients. On the same day, my team and I visited the town of Llanera to inspect its Super Health Center and attend the inauguration of the public wet market there, both of which I had advocated and supported. We then assisted 1,000 indigents in the town. As an adopted son of Nueva Ecija, I continue to support the province and help its people as much as I can. Separately, my outreach teams mounted several relief operations last week that benefitted 100 indigents in Veruela, 100 in Sta. Josefa, 40 in Esperanza, and 40 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; 227 in Botolan and 163 in Iba, Zambales; 520 Kibawe, Dangcagan, Cabanglasan and Malitbog, Bukidnon; 141 in General Natividad, Nueva Ecija; 2,199 in Gingoog City, 50 in Naawan, and 50 in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; 332 in Minalin, Pampanga; 129 in Hamtic, Antique; 233 in Casiguran, and 166 in Dilasag, Aurora; and 44 in Sta. Maria and 45 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Fire victims, including 205 in Taytay, Rizal; 58 in Caloocan City; and 12 families in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan were likewise supported through our efforts. In the same way that our athletes remain unyielding in the face of tough competition, I hope that we can all remain resilient in the face of challenges. Through our support for one another and our unbeatable pusong Pilipino, let us all go for the gold and continue bringing honor to our country and our people. The post Go, go, go for the gold! appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go attends groundbreaking of Antique Super Health Center
Sen. Bong Go attended the groundbreaking of a Super Health Center in Sibalom, Antique on Tuesday as part of his efforts to improve the country’s healthcare system and bring public health services closer to the people......»»
First Panambal Festival promotes Siquijor’s folk healing practices
[caption id="attachment_123658" align="aligncenter" width="558"] Photographs by Roel Hoang Manipon for the daily tribune | Common healing oils, concoctions, haplas and tambal used in Siquijor.[/caption] At the junction of Tañon Strait, Cebu Strait and Bohol Sea, in Central Visayas, the island of Siquijor has been inspiring fascination and curiosity mainly because of its reputation of being a home to many practitioners of sorcery, witchcraft and folk medicine, and its often being described as “mystic.” Whenever I was in Dumaguete City, in the neighboring province of Negros Oriental, I could see the island from the coastal boulevard, a fuzzy landscape floating on the sea, shrouded in mystery. My only images about it were culled from television shows featuring sorcery practices, particularly of a man who made paper dolls dance. Last Holy Week, through the very first Panambal Festival, I was able to step foot on the island province, which is about an hour’s ferry ride from Dumaguete City, and know more about the culture, particularly the folk and traditional healing practices, of one of the smallest provinces of the Philippines. [caption id="attachment_123661" align="aligncenter" width="747"] photographs by Roel Hoang Manipon for the daily tribune | Olang Arts Park in Maria was the venue for the first Panambal Festival.[/caption] We arrived at night in the town of Maria, in the southeast portion of the island, and during late dinner, we heard the story of Maria Nico, the resident engkanto of the town, together with his sisters Maria Nica and Maria Luisa, told by the town’s tourism officer, the loquacious and always flamboyantly dressed Aldrin “Aldrina Braxton” Daguman. Said to be tall, handsome and fair-complexioned, Maria Nico seemed to be a benevolent character, often granting wishes of people. Aldrina said that once millions of pesos worth of furniture was delivered to Maria but the recipient was unknown. People attributed this to Maria Nico. Stories about him bear some similar details to stories of Maria Kakaw of Cebu, Olayra of Antique and other engkanto characters in other parts of the Visayas. Local lore of mystical beings before we got to see the island was a very apt introduction. [caption id="attachment_123664" align="aligncenter" width="742"] The opening of the Panambal Festival led by Maria mayor Roselyn Asok.[/caption] The folk and traditional practices are what many people in Siquijor want to highlight and promote, and a cultural and touristic festival was created for that. Using the Cebuano word for “to heal” or “healing,” “tambal,” the Panambal Festival was held in the town of Maria, spearheaded by the local government, led by its mayor Roselyn Tancio Asok and co-organized with Eufemia “Minnie” Solomon Crouse and Anna Lacpao Tabujara Cornelia of the Olang Arts Park, the main venue of the festival in the barangay of Olang. The festival was conceptualized by veteran events organizer and tourism planner Nilo Agustin, who lives in Metro Manila but considers Siquijor a home, with the crucial help of 43-year-old folk healer and visual artist Junel Tomaroy. [caption id="attachment_123660" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Junel Tomaroy, one Siquijor’s traditional healers.[/caption] The Panambal Festival is not Siquijor’s first festival highlighting local pananambal. The province has been holding the Pahi-uli Festival since 2010 in Mount Bandilaan, a 212-hectare forest reserve in Maria. The mountain is the highest point of the island and is an important source of plants used in folk medicine and concoctions. According to Agustin, the event has become too commercialized, and Panambal Festival aims to present more authentic practices and spotlight the traditional healers. Both festivals are held on Holy Week, particularly from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, which is a very important time for local folk healing. During this time, haplas or healing oil, tambal or remedy and other potions are concocted. According to Tomaroy, considered one of the most reputable mananambal or practitioner of folk and traditional medicine, in Siquijor, they start gathering ingredients on Friday after Ash Wednesday and continue only every Friday, culminating on Good Friday. They can only gather ingredients and make concoctions during this time of the year, the Lenten season, on seven Fridays. [caption id="attachment_123665" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Traditional healer Ricardo Oyog doing the haplas.[/caption] Folk healing in Siquijor is a blend of practices that appear old, animistic and of pre-Christianization and Catholic religiosity, with the use primarily of concoctions, prayers and rituals and faith. The people of Siquijor are predominantly of Cebuano ethnicity as much of Central Visayas which includes Cebu, Negros Oriental and Bohol. Catholicism is a strong presence in the island, which has a number of old churches, as in most parts of the country. The neighboring Cebu is where Christianity first gain foothold. But remnants of native Visayan Cebuano culture survive. The Panambal Festival opened on 7 April with a short program at the three-and-half-hectare Olang Arts Park, which was established in 2005 by Crouse, who hails from Pangasinan. According to organizers, the festival aims to feature the arts as well as traditional healing. A visual arts exhibit was also opened, showcasing works, mostly depicting healing practices, by Siquijodnon artists of the Pahiuli Artists Collective—Tomaroy, Joven Y. Ansing, Vicente C. Looc, Jr., Peter G. Agan, Dubonga Jorom, Louie Gabucan, Malvin E. Lomosad and Dondon dela Victoria. Performances of the young Olang Arts Park Orchestra were also featured. The next day, Good Friday, healers demonstrated steps in making concoctions and oils, and conduction healing sessions in a cluster of huts surrounded by mahogany trees. One common healing practice is the tuob or suob, a kind of body fumigation, for a variety of ailments and to drive away general bad vibes or spirits. The minasa, a black dry concoction, is burned inside a dry coconut husk to create palina or healing smoke and is place under the patient who is wrapped with a blanket or malong. [caption id="attachment_123666" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tuob using fumigation is a common healing practice.[/caption] In one corner, Ricardo “Ricky” Oyog doing the haplas, application of healing oil on the feet and legs, massaging them with their version of reflexology. The 55-year-old mananambal, a former radio operator from Caitican, Siquijor, Siquijor, also had common oils and remedies for sale. These concoctions include himughat, a dry mixture of wood chips and bark of different plants believed to be medicinal. At P250 per bag, the himughat is mixed into vino or wine or any alcoholic drink, letting it steep. A shot or a tablespoon or two is recommended for fatigue or general tiredness, for headache, dysmenorrhea and kidney ailments. The haplas sa panuhot is an oil concoction for lamig or bodily aches. It is also used for buntis (pregnancy), pamanhod (numbness), pamaol (muscle ache), and arthritis. The tambal sa hilo ug daot is a treatment for as well as panagang or defense against poisoning and paninira (slander, defamation) and jealousy and envy, which is a kind of poisoning. It is also used to treat pangatol or itching. There were also concoctions in small vials, to be placed in the cash box to bring luck in business, and in amulets, a general charm. Other participating healers were Daniela Sartin, Gibrint Edd D. Reyes, Dodong Amboludto, Jomar Enanor, Dean Mark Enanor, Tessie Calimpon and Delia Bajo. On Good Friday, the mananambals performed the adlip on the gathered woods, stems and branches of different plants and trees, which they have gathered during the season. There were several kinds and the healers know by their local names such as tagnipas, duguan, tabun-hangin, etc. There are kinds they call pahiuli or restoration plants. According to Josel B. Mansueto, a professor at the Siquijor State College who have conducted studies on the island’s folk healing practices, mananambals use 377 varieties or kinds of plants. The forests and mountains are sources of these. Other sources of other ingredients are caves (stalactite, earth, etc.), the sea (anything that causes itching or irritation, bearing toxins, etc.), the church (holy water, flowers offered on funerals, candles, etc.). Pag-aadlip involves chopping the woods and stems into smaller pieces. On this day, they also do the pag-uuling, the burning of collected materials to be used as ingredients in the making of minasa. On Black Saturday, Tomaroy led in pagmamasa, the preparation of the minasa. A large kawali was placed over fire and ingredients were put in, which included beeswax, candles, incense, tawas, kamanyang, tuba, honey, soil from the floor of a langub (cave), lana or coconut oil, pahi-uli wood, uling and many others. [caption id="attachment_123662" align="aligncenter" width="728"] Preparing the minasa to used to make palina for the tuob.[/caption] The black mixture was frequently stirred until the healer deemed it ready. Aside from tuob, the minasa is also used in producing anting-anting or amulet or charm. On Easter Sunday, the paglalana was done. It is the process extracting coconut oil. They scraped off the meat out of coconuts using the kudkuran. The most potent coconut comes from the “bugtong na niyog na nakaharap sa silangan,” or a lone coconut facing the east. Every batch must contain at least one. If more, they must be in odd numbers, such three or five. Lana made with coconuts facing the west and used in even numbers (two, four, etc) is for pangkukulam/pambabarang or witchcraft. They squeezed the milk out of the grated coconut meat. Only kakang-gata, the milk of the first squeezing or extraction, is used. The milk was boiled over fire until the oil came out after about two hours and was then separated from other particles. The lana or coconut oil is an attracting agent as well as a vehicle to deliver the efficacy of the herbs and other ingredients. The popular lumay is also concocted during Easter Sunday. It is also known as gayuma or love potion but lumay gererally is meant to attract positive vibes and good fortune not only in love and romance but also in business, career and even marital and family life. [caption id="attachment_123657" align="aligncenter" width="752"] Flowers, seeds, twigs and other ingredients for making lumay, popularly known as gayuma.[/caption] Lumay is concocted during Easter Sunday because many ingredients are gathered from materials used in salubong and other Easter events and practices of the church such as leaves and flower decors. It can be concocted by anyone if one knows the ingredients. Some of the ingredients in making lumay include tawa-tawa, amorseko, buhok sa hangin, lagay-lagay, makahiya or mimosa, rosary pea seeds, sampinit, kadena de amor, and likup-likup. These are gathered and put in a bottle together with perfume or honey. Dab some perfume on the skin or smear a little honey on the lips, the healer advised. Tawa-tawa is used maybe because the fruits are phallic, and the likup-likup, maybe because they cling to the trees. The plants’ perceived characteristics as well as their names indicate what powers they can add to the potion. One ingredient is the curious, bag-shaped plant called lagay-lagay sa amo, the Hydnophytum plant that grows on tree branches and trunks, and is structured like an ant colony, thus it is called the ant plant. The mananambal includes it their healing oil concoctions to treat bukol or swellings or tumor-like symptoms as well as goiter, and certain types of cancer. The name means testicles and it is also included in the concoction of lumay because of its sexual connotation. While the lumay making was going on, an Easter egg hunt was organized for the children, a seemingly incongruent inclusion in the festival. But the hunt is also a practice with old, paganistic roots, with eggs and bunnies as symbols of fertility, like the healing practices, an amalgam of native and Catholic beliefs. Agustin has been planning for the next holding of the Panambal Festival. He has invited the Aralan ng Gamutang Pilipino, led by Dr. Isidro C. Sia, convenor and executive director of Integrative Medicine for Alternative Healthcare Systems Philippines, to hold its national convention during the festival. Organizers also envisioned having traditional healers from different parts of the country, such as mumbaki of the Ifugao and healers of the Ati of Negros Island, as guest participants. An herbarium has been started, with an ambition of growing all the plant ingredients used in pananambal. All these are for the vision of making Siquijor the healing center of the country. The post First Panambal Festival promotes Siquijor’s folk healing practices appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Who says ‘walang iwanan?’
While there are laws that limit a ship charterer’s responsibility in an oil spill, a company mouthing solidarity during the pandemic and beyond appeared to have lost its voice and its sense of community following the oil spill tragedy in Mindoro. Considering the strong proof that San Miguel Corp. is responsible for the toxic cargo of the star-crossed MT Princess Empress, the Asian conglomerate has been amazingly keeping its distance and silence on the disaster that has afflicted the areas around Oriental Mindoro, including the ecological treasure Verde Island Passage. During the pandemic, SMC’s battle cry was “Walang Iwanan,” which residents of the devastated communities are now waiting to be fulfilled. Lately, reports from environmental monitors indicate that the polluting slick has reached the main tourist spot of Puerto Galera. A Philippine Coast Guard report referred to an analysis by French outfit Cedre showing that the oil scooped from the sea off Mindoro is industrial fuel of the same quality found in the tank of the SL Harbor Bulk Terminal operated by a San Miguel subsidiary, San Miguel Lighterage and Shipping Corporation. The oil samples were forwarded to the Center for Documentation, Research, and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution based in France by a French oil spill expert sent to Oriental Mindoro. “Cedre compared the samples collected on the shoreline to two reference oil samples considered representative of the fuel onboard the MT Princess Empress before the accident — the first oil sample collected at sea in the direct vicinity of the wreck, and the second sample gathered from the tank of SL Harbor Bulk Terminal in Limay, Bataan, where the vessel acquired its industrial fuel oil,” the PCG report stated. The sunken MT Princess Empress, owned by RDC Reield Marine Services, was carrying 900,000 liters of industrial fuel oil that leaked and is now spreading in the waters off Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan and Antique. The catastrophe inflicted on nature had Oriental Mindoro bearing the brunt of its effect and the efforts to contain the damage had turned to the Verde Island Passage, a body of water between Batangas and Mindoro which is a global center of marine biodiversity. Local governments in the affected areas reported a total of 37,871 families in 187 barangays in Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan and Antique suffering the effects of the spill as a result of fishing bans and the negative impact on tourism. Humanitarian and ecological groups said efforts to contain the oil spill and hold accountable those responsible for it should be speeded up as Puerto Galera’s waters were recently declared unsafe for swimming. The economic disruption is happening in the middle of the summer peak season for tourists. “Puerto Galera and other areas in the VIP affected by the oil spill are set to lose millions in expected income from tourism. The continued spread of the oil slick will cause more damage unless it is completely contained by the government. Damage already done must be compensated for by those responsible, whom the government must identify,” Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Protect Verde Island Passage convenor, said. The chief ecology advocate in the area said residents rely on income brought by tourists who wish to see the beauty of the Verde Island Passage. In total, Gariguez’s group estimated that communities have foregone P1 billion in income as a result of the spill, which would constitute a reasonable percentage share of the record P4.5-billion group income of the top Philippine corporation. The company had said during the health emergency that it had responded to the challenge of helping the nation in times of need. That promise seems to have lost its fizz like stale beer. The post Who says ‘walang iwanan?’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tropical Cyclone Paeng Tracker
Latest track and intensity forecast of Paeng (PAGASA) 11 p.m., Oct. 29 The state weather bureau, on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, said severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) will likely exit the Luzon landmass within 6 to 12 hours, adding that based on the latest forecast track, it may leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday, Oct. 31. Paeng has crossed the Laguna de Bay and the Metro Manila-Rizal-Bulacan area and is now in the vicinity of Baliuag, Bulacan. It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 160 kph. 8 p.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) is now traversing the northern portion of Cavite. It was last spotted in the vicinity of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, packing maximum winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph. After traversing the Cavite area, the weather disturbance will cross the southern portion of Bataan. Signal No. 3 remained hoisted in the following areas in Luzon: the central and southern portions of Zambales, Bataan, the southern portion of Bulacan, the western portion of Pampanga, Metro Manila, the southwestern portion of Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, the northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and the northwestern portion of Oriental Mindoro. 5 p.m., Oct. 29 Paeng was last seen in the vicinity of San Pablo City, Laguna. Although it already made landfall five times, the state weather bureau said Paeng may “maintain its strength while traversing the Luzon landmass.” Its fifth and latest landfall scenario was recorded in Sariaya, Quezon at 1:40 p.m. Based on PAGASA’s latest forecast track, Paeng will continue to barrel through the Philippine landmass and will traverse the Cavite-Batangas area. 2 p.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) is about to make its 5th landfall, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). It was last spotted over the coastal waters of San Juan, Batangas with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 130 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are still raised as Paeng barrels through the country’s landmass. Signal No. 3 remained hoisted in Metro Manila, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales, Marinduque, the northern and central portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, the northwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, and the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro. 11 a.m., Oct. 29 In less than 24 hours, severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) already made landfall four times. Its most recent landfall scenario was recorded in Santa Cruz, Marinduque at 8:40 a.m. According to PAGASA, it may make another landfall in the vicinity of the southeastern portion of Batangas before traversing the Cavite-Metro Manila-Bataan Peninsula area on Saturday, Oct. 29. Paeng may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday evening, Oct. 31. 8 a.m., Oct. 29 Paeng made its third landfall over Buenavista, Quezon at 6 a.m., said the state weather bureau. Based on the latest forecast track, the center of Paeng is expected to pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Marinduque on Saturday morning, Oct. 29 before traversing the CALABARZON-Metro Manila-Bataan Peninsula area for the remainder of the day. Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted in Camarines Norte, the western portion of Camarines Sur, Marinduque, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Rizal as Paeng barrels through Luzon. Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 include Catanduanes, Albay, the western portion of Sorsogon, the western portion of Masbate including Burias Island, the southern portion of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, the rest of Camarines Sur, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands. Meanwhile, Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Sorsogon, the rest of Masbate including Ticao Island, and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. 5 a.m., Oct. 29 Severe tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was last spotted in the vicinity of Siruma, Camarines Sur. It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. The weather disturbance made its first landfall in Virac, Catanduanes at 1:10 a.m. Its second landfall was recorded in Caramoan, Camarines Sur at 1:40 a.m. 2 a.m., Oct. 29 Cyclone Paeng (international name: Nalgae) intensified into a severe tropical storm. Due to this weather disturbance, heavy to intense rains will persist over Bicol region, Western Visayas, Quezon, Polillo Islands, Marinduque, Romblon, Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro until Saturday morning. Paeng will then begin to drench Metro Manila and nearby areas with intense rains as it further traverses Luzon. “Heavy to intense rains to at times torrential rains possible over Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro [on Saturday morning through evening],” said PAGASA. PAGASA is still not ruling out the possibility of a landfall scenario over the Albay-Catanduanes area in the next 6 hours. Paeng may weaken into a tropical storm after its interaction with the Luzon landmass. 11 p.m., Oct. 28 The center of tropical storm Paeng was already over the coastal waters of Rapu-Rapu, Albay, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Paeng was moving west-northwestward at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. Based on its latest track, the storm may make landfall in Albay-Camarines Sur area or Catanduanes late Friday night, Oct. 28, or early Saturday morning, Oct. 29. After its landfall, PAGASA said the storm may likely to cross the Bicol peninsula until early Saturday afternoon and cross Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Metro Manila until evening. “After emerging over Manila Bay, Paeng will briefly pass very close or over the Bataan peninsula between tomorrow late evening (Oct. 29) and Sunday early morning (Oct. 30),” PAGASA said. 8 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) 100 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar or 165 km east of Juban, Sorsogon. “On the forecast track the center of Paeng may make its initial landfall in the vicinity of Albay or Sorsgon this late evening (Oct. 28) or tomorrow early morning (Oct. 29) and traverse the Bicol Peninsula before emerging over the coastal waters of Quezon. Between tomorrow afternoon and evening (Oct. 29), the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon,” PAGASA said. However, PAGASA has not ruled out a possible change in the landfall scenario due to the southward shift in the forecast track. As of 8 p.m., Paeng was moving at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while it maintained maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. 5 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was last spotted 180 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. It was moving west-northwestward at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph), while packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph. “Tropical storm Paeng is forecast to continue moving west-northwestward through Sunday (Oct. 30). On the forecast track the center of Paeng may make landfall or pass close to Northern Samar tonight (Oct. 28),” PAGASA said. “Afterwards, this tropical cyclone will traverse the Bicol Region this late evening (Oct. 28) through tomorrow morning (Oct. 29). Between tomorrow afternoon and evening, the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon, including Polillo Islands,” it added. Paeng is also expected to intensify into a severe tropical storm in 12 hours. 2 p.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 155 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar or 245 km east-southeast of Catarman, Northern Samar. It was moving westward at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour (kph), while it maintained maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. Based on the latest analysis, a possible close approach or landfall in Eastern Samar or Northern Samar this afternoon or evening is “not ruled out.” “Afterwards, Paeng will move generally west-northwestward and may traverse the Bicol Region tonight (Oct. 28) through tomorrow morning (Oct. 29). Between tomorrow afternoon and evening, the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the east coast of Quezon, including Polillo Islands, or Aurora,” PAGASA said. 11 a.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) was estimated 220 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, or 305 km of Catarman, Northern Samar. The movement of the storm accelerated to a speed of 25 kilometers per hour (kph) west-northwest toward the Bicol Region. After its landfall in Catanduanes early Saturday morning, Oct. 29, Paeng may pass the northern part of Camarines Sur, then the eastern part of Camarines Norte. By Sunday morning, Oct. 30, PAGASA said the center of Paeng may make another landfall over the coastal area of eastern Quezon, including Polillo Islands, or Aurora. Meanwhile, Paeng has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. “Paeng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea and may reach the severe tropical storm category within 24 hours,” PAGASA said. However, it pointed out that because of a landfall scenario in Bicol Region, Paeng is now less likely to intensify into a typhoon and there is an “increasing likelihood” that Paeng may remain a severe tropical storm. “Per latest track and intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will likely be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 3 in anticipation of storm-force conditions associated with Paeng,” PAGASA said. 5 a.m., Oct. 28 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 410 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and it was moving westward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph). It said Paeng may move west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea until Sunday, Oct. 30, while moving toward the central or southern portion of Luzon. Paeng is still expected to make landfall in or pass very close to Catanduanes by Saturday morning, Oct. 29. Meanwhile, another landfall scenario is likely over Aurora or the coastal areas of eastern Quezon, including Polillo Islands on Sunday morning. “Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time,” PAGASA pointed out. PAGASA said Paeng slightly intensified packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph. 11 p.m., Oct. 27 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last spotted tropical storm Paeng 485 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and it was slowly moving westward. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph. “On the forecast track, Paeng may make landfall or pass very close to Catanduanes on Saturday. Another landfall scenario is possible on Sunday (Oct. 30) over Aurora or the east coast of Quezon,” PAGASA said. “Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time,” it added. 5 p.m., Oct. 27 Tropical storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) maintained its strength while traversing the Philippine Sea. Last spotted 510 kilometers (km) east of Borongan City, eastern Samar, the weather disturbance was packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. “Paeng is forecast to further intensify while moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and may intensify into a typhoon by Saturday, [Oct. 29]. The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” said the state weather bureau. Meanwhile, the following areas were placed under Wind Signal No. 1 as of 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27: the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island, eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte. 11 a.m., Oct. 27 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical storm Paeng was estimated 540 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m., and is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph. “Tropical storm Paeng is forecast to track generally west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea through Sunday (Oct. 30), while moving towards the central or northern portion of Luzon,” PAGASA said. “On the forecast track, Paeng may pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday (Oct. 29), and a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley,” it added. However, PAGASA has not ruled out a possible southward shift in the forecast landfall, which could be over the eastern portion of Southern Luzon, due to the recent shift in Paeng’s track. 5 a.m., Oct. 27 The center of tropical depression Paeng was last spotted 660 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. “Tropical depression Paeng is forecast to track generally west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea through Sunday (Oct. 30), while moving towards the northern or central portion of Luzon. On the forecast track, a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portions of Central Luzon or mainland Cagayan Valley,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. It pointed out that with the recent shift in the forecast track, “a possible southward shift in the possible area of landfall—i.e. towards the eastern portions of Central or Southern Luzon—is not ruled out at this time.” As of Wednesday, the weather disturbance has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph. “Paeng may further intensify while moving over warm waters of the Philippine Sea. It is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 24 hours and may become a typhoon by Saturday (Oct. 29). The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” PAGASA said. 11 p.m., Oct. 26 Tropical depression Paeng was last spotted 725 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it is likely to move west until Thursday morning or noon, Oct. 27, before turning west-northwest or northwest the rest of Thursday until Sunday afternoon, Oct. 30, while approaching Northern Luzon. “On the forecast track, a landfall scenario is possible within any of the coastal areas along the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan Valley or the northern portion of Aurora on Sunday,” PAGASA said. As of Wednesday, tropical depression Paeng maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. “Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region tomorrow morning (Oct. 27) at the earliest,” it added. 5 p.m., Oct. 26 Tropical depression Paeng was estimated to be 945 kilometers (km) east of Eastern Visayas, and was moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour. “On the forecast track, this tropical cyclone is forecast to maintain this heading until it makes landfall on the eastern coast of Isabela or Cagayan,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. “Paeng is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow (Oct. 27) [while] further intensification is likely while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach the typhoon category prior to its landfall,” PAGASA said. A typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 118 kph to 184 kph. 11 a.m., Oct. 26 The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical depression Paeng was estimated at 965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas and was moving slowly west-northwestward. “Tropical depression Paeng is forecast to track generally westward until tomorrow afternoon (Oct. 27), then it will turn west-northwestward for the remainder of tomorrow through Saturday morning (Oct. 29). Afterwards, Paeng will begin to move northwestward on Saturday afternoon or evening and may pass close to Northern Luzon on Sunday (Oct. 30) or Monday (Oct. 31),” PAGASA said. It added that a landfall scenario in Northern Luzon is not ruled out. Paeng has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. “Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region tomorrow morning (Oct. 27) at the earliest,” PAGASA said. “Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” it added. 8 a.m., Oct. 26 The low pressure area (LPA) east of Visayas became a tropical depression. The tropical depression, which will be locally known as “Paeng,” is the country’s 15th tropical cyclone for 2022 and the fourth for October......»»
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