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Asian Study Reveals Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals Found in Personal Care Products from the Philippines
In a press briefing in time for the observance of World Consumer Rights Month, BAN Toxics, a chemical and waste management NGO, discloses the findings of recent laboratory testing indicating the presence of parabens, triclosan, and triclocarban, classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), in personal care products sold in the country. The result underscores potential health risks for.....»»
Bong Go helps fire victims in Sultan Kudarat
Senator Bong Go’s outreach team, in coordination with local officials, provided assistance to fire-affected households in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday, 24 October. Go’s staff extended financial assistance, grocery packs, water containers, shirts, snacks, and balls for basketball and volleyball to six families. “Sa mga nasunugan, huwag ho kayong mag-alala. Sabi ko nga sa inyo noon, ang gamit ay nabibili. Ang pera ay kikitain, subalit ‘yung perang kikitain ay hindi po nabibili ang buhay. A lost life is a lost life forever,” said Go in a video message. Go also cited that the Bureau of Fire Protection is currently undergoing a modernization program following the enactment of Republic Act No. 11589, also known as the BFP Modernization Act of 2021, which he primarily authored and co-sponsored. The Act shall enable the agency to respond faster and more effectively to fire-related incidents in the country by procuring new fire equipment, expanding manpower, and conducting specialized training for firefighters, among others. Furthermore, it also mandates the BFP to conduct monthly fire prevention campaigns and information drives in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local government units. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography also offered to help those with health issues. The senator encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Center located at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan town if they require medical assistance. Malasakit Centers function as one-stop shops that provide convenient access to medical assistance programs for poor and indigent patients. These programs are offered by various agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. At present, there are 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide. According to DOH, these centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos. The senator, who is also an adopted son of Sultan Kudarat, also pushed for adequate funding to construct Super Health Centers across the province. In 2022 alone, 307 Super Health Centers were funded nationwide which Go advocated for, in collaboration with DOH, LGUs, and fellow lawmakers. An additional 322 more Super Health Centers were funded for 2023. Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection of diseases, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in rural communities. It will also help decongest hospitals, Go added. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance has supported a variety of projects in multiple municipalities within the province. These projects include the concreting of roads in Esperanza, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, Lutayan, and Tacurong City. Additionally, he supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Columbio and Isulan, as well as the procurement of ambulance units for other towns. Last 9 October, Go conducted on-site inspections of several projects he supported in the province, including the road concreting initiative in Esperanza, which extends from the junction of National Highway-Barangay Saliao to Purok Masagana Farm-to-Market Road. He also attended the groundbreaking of the Super Health Center in Esperanza. The post Bong Go helps fire victims in Sultan Kudarat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P7.43-B Covid meds wasted
While the government scrounges for funds to make healthcare and medicines accessible to all Filipinos, the Commission on Audit, or CoA, found that more than P7.43 billion worth of drugs, medicines, and vaccines were wasted after the Department of Health failed to distribute them in 2022. The DoH was then under Secretary Francisco Duque III, covering the period when the pandemic was on the wane. The Universal Health Care law took effect in 2019, but PhilHealth members still have to pay for more than half of their medical needs due to the lack of funds to implement the measure fully, according to state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, or PIDS. “Despite modest improvements in health outcomes, inequities continue to exist due to unresolved challenges in access to healthcare,” according to PIDS. State auditors said the overstocking and the slow-moving inventory indicated “excessive spending” as the procured items exceeded the current requirements of the Centers for Health Development. “These deficiencies were also caused by a breakdown in the inventory/supply management system, such as inadequate procurement planning; laxity in creating adequate monitoring and reporting system; absence of periodic assessment of inventory movements; identified weakness in internal controls; acceptance of drugs and medicines not in accordance with the standard requirement pertaining to shelf life; and failure to formulate and take necessary corrective measures and poor distribution system,” CoA said. In the DoH’s annual report, state auditors discovered that the department had P7.43 billion worth of drugs, medicines, and vaccines that were expired, damaged, excessive, overstocked, understocked, slow-moving, undistributed, distributed late and accepted below 19 months before expiration. CoA attributed the enormous spoilage to deficient procurement planning, poor distribution and monitoring systems, and weaknesses in internal controls. Citing Section 2 of Presidential Decree 1445, the CoA said the DoH should have safeguarded the government resources against loss or wastage through illegal or improper disposition. Under DoH Administrative Order 2016-0008, medicines and drugs beyond their expiration date should be disposed of as these may be unsuitable for use, and there is no guarantee that the quality of the products is maintained. According to the World Health Organization, drugs do not become toxic or ineffective on expiry but may slowly deteriorate over time depending on the product, formulation and storage conditions. Some become toxic, but most simply lose their efficacy. Stale meds in NCR, Ilocos, Tacloban According to CoA, the National Capital Region and Ilocos and Tacloban regions had the highest recorded slow-moving medicines and drugs, totaling P5.6 billion. Expired vaccines were found at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital & Medical Center or MMMMHMC (361 expired vials); Central Luzon (261,138 vials); Easter Visayas (1,671,878 doses); and Caraga (104,962 vials). DoH-Western Visayas had 5,551 vials nearing their expiration date and 6,425 at MMMHMC. Moreover, the CoA said the expirations could be attributed to various factors, including the reluctance of local government units and other implementing agencies to accept vaccines they doubted they would use up. The lack of cold room storage, low demand for vaccination, operational wastage/thawed but not used, and late deliveries from DoH, CoA said, all contributed to the expiry of vaccines. “Overall, the problem exposed an inability to safeguard, manage, and utilize health funds and resources economically and effectively,” CoA said. “Overstocked or slow-moving drugs and medicines are exposed to the risk of possible wastage due to the poor condition of the warehouses, and the maintenance of excessive supplies entails additional costs in terms of manpower and warehouse space, which could have benefited the government’s health programs for the poor,” it added. Nevertheless, the CoA directed the DoH to impose appropriate sanctions and to expedite the issuance and distribution of near-expiry vaccines to stave off future wastage of government funds. The DoH agreed to the CoA’s recommendations and informed auditors that it had initiated the necessary actions. Meanwhile, the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital informed DoH that drugs, particularly Remdesivir, were fully utilized before their expiration date, and the FEFO (first to expire, first out) policy was implemented to avoid wastage of state resources. The post P7.43-B Covid meds wasted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, personally inspected the isolation facility at the Siniloan Infirmary Hospital in Siniloan, Laguna on Friday, 25 August. Go, also the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has supported the said project during the Duterte administration. The senator, an adopted son of CALABARZON, was also joined by Vice Governor Karen Agapay, Mayor Patrick Go, Vice Mayor Carla Valderrama, and Councilors Carl Anthony Puño, Regie De Jesus, and Councilor Ronald Valeroso, among others. "Maraming salamat po Kuya Bong. Ang bayan po ng Siniloan ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagdalaw at kami po ay binibigyan niyo ng suporta. Ang sarili naming Infirmary Hospital ay parang Malasakit Center na rin dahil ang mga kapos nating kababayan na lumalapit doon ay nabibigyan natin ng direktang libreng pag-gagamot. Kaya Kuya Bong, maraming maraming salamat po. Talagang 'Go cares'," Mayor Go expressed. Go’s visit not only underscored his dedication to serving the Filipino people but also highlighted the critical need to bolster the nation's health sector, particularly in the wake of the devastating effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the inspection, the senator engaged in conversations with the local officials and even healthcare workers to gain firsthand insights into the challenges faced by the health sector. “Sinusuportahan naman natin ang inyong Infirmary Hospital dito po sa Siniloan at gaya ng sinabi ko kung ano po ang makakatulong sa Siniloan sa pag-unlad ng inyong bayan at makatulong po sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan dito po sa Siniloan ay handa po akong tumulong sa abot ng aking makakaya ay tutulong po ako dito po sa inyong bayan,” said Go in an interview after his visit. Go has consistently stressed the importance of continuous investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and equipment especially in the community level. He pointed out that the pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities in the health sector and underscored the need for proactive measures to ensure that the country is better equipped to handle future health crises. Through a series of innovative initiatives, including Malasakit Centers, Super Health Centers (SHCs), and Regional Specialty Centers (RSCs), Go underscored his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Filipinos have access to quality medical assistance and services. Malasakit Centers, a brainchild of Senator Go, act as one-stop shops that consolidate the available medical assistance programs of various government agencies, ensuring that poor and indigent patients can readily access the support they need. Since its inception in 2018, Malasakit Centers have provided invaluable assistance to more than seven million patients, alleviating the financial burdens that often accompany medical treatments. There are currently 158 operational centers nationwide, including those at Laguna Medical Center in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City General Hospital in San Pablo City. Go is the principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Meanwhile, Go’s vision of a more improved healthcare sector extends to the establishment of SHCs, which aim to offer comprehensive healthcare services to communities, especially in underserved areas. Such centers are set to be established in cities such as Calamba, Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, San Pablo, and Biñan, as well as in the towns of Alaminos, Mabitac, Calauan, Los Baños, and Sta. Maria. The SHCs will offer a wide range of services, including database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray and ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service, oncology centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation center, and telemedicine, through which remote diagnosis and treatment of patients are made possible. Through the concerted efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) and lawmakers, adequate funding has been allocated in the national budget for the establishment of 307 SHCs in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. “Ang maganda po diyan early detection, primary care, checkup, konsulta. Diyan ho kayo magpakonsulta sa Super Health Center na itinatayo sa inyong lugar. Early detection (para) hindi lumala ang sakit. It will help decongest sa hospitals, madi-decongest po ang mga hospitals dahil diyan na po gagamutin sa mga Super Health Center,’ Go said. Recognizing the need for specialized care, Go has also 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 principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2212, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was recently approved and signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. into law. “Pangatlong prayoridad ko po bilang chairman ng Committee on Health ito pong establishing regional specialty center. Maglalagay po ng mga specialty center sa mga DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas. It’s a multiyear plan po. Halimbawa, (kung may problema sa) heart, kidney, lung, neonatal, mental, ito pong mga ortho sa mga may karamdaman sa buto, cancer. Ilalagay na po sa lahat ng DOH regional hospital sa buong Pilipinas para ilapit po natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan,” explained Go. “Ako po ang (isa sa mga) author at (principal) sponsor niyan sa Senado at pasado na ‘yan, napirmahan na po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos dahil priority po ito ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Establishing specialty center in every DOH regional hospital all over the country,” he added. On the same day, Go personally inspected the town’s Sports Complex and provided assistance to 500 struggling residents. The post Bong Go inspects Siniloan isolation facility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kuya Bong bats for improved BHW compensations
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has renewed his call to prioritize and elevate the status of Barangay Health Workers during a public hearing conducted by the Health Subcommittee on the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers. The lawmaker who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health stressed the critical need to harmonize benefits for barangay personnel to align with the principles of the Local Government Code. The code delegates the provision of essential services, including health and social welfare, to local government units and, by extension, to the barangay level. He also underlined the vital role of BHWs in driving the primary health care approach towards health empowerment as he acknowledged the BHWs’ sacrifices, especially during the pandemic, and underscored their continued service to both the elderly and youth in the community. Go also highlighted the BHWs’ indispensable role in providing health services in remote areas where doctors are either scarce or unavailable and to recognize this, the senator filed Senate Bill 427, also known as the Barangay Health Workers Compensation Act, which if enacted, will offer a monthly honorarium of P3,000 for BHWs. Once passed, the bill would ensure that BHWs will be entitled to allowances, benefits, privileges, security of tenure, Christmas bonus, annual training and skills upgrading, and civil service eligibility. The proposed measure will also entitle BHWs to the Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and Pag-IBIG Fund benefits as it reinforces the benefits and privileges under Republic Act 7883, or “The Barangay Health Workers’ Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995,” which includes free legal services and preferential access to loans. Go also pointed out the necessity for continuous improvements in compensation for health workers. “It is an indisputable fact that many have been working long hours, often without adequate protection and compensation. Hence, there is still more to be done to ensure that our health workers are properly compensated and protected,” Go said. He also urged relevant government departments, particularly the Department of Health and the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that the rights and benefits of BHWs are protected and fulfilled, especially after the lifting of the state of public health emergency due to Covid-19. The post Kuya Bong bats for improved BHW compensations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go lauds Super Health Center groundbreaking in Zamboanga City
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, emphasized the significance of investing in health infrastructure, particularly the establishment of Super Health Centers nationwide to bring basic medical services from the government closer to communities. In his video message during the groundbreaking ceremony of Zamboanga City Super Health Center in Barangay Manicahan on Friday, June 30, Senator Go highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that focuses on bolstering the nation's healthcare system. Through such efforts, the country can better address healthcare challenges and ensure the well-being of its citizens, especially at the grassroots. “The more we should invest sa ating health care. The more na laanan natin ng pondo dahil hindi po natin alam kung ito na ba ang pinakahuling pandemya na darating sa ating buhay. Huwag na po sanang dumating. Sana po’y bumalik na tayo sa normal nating pamumuhay,” Go cited. Senator Go pointed out that Super Health Centers serve as hubs for basic healthcare delivery, providing a wide range of medical services to communities. Super Health Centers offer database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services are eye, ear, nose, and throat (EENT) service; oncology centers; physical therapy and rehabilitation center; and telemedicine, where remote diagnosis and treatment of patients will be done. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had were allocated under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The senator emphasized that these Super Health Centers would cater to the needs of underserved areas, especially those lacking adequate healthcare infrastructure. By ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, the government can take significant strides towards achieving universal healthcare coverage, Go expressed. “Ngayon tatayuan na kayo ng inyong Super Health Center. Pwede diyan ang dental, laboratory, x-ray, at birthing, panganganak. Ang mga buntis pwede nang manganak diyan. Iyan ang Super Health Center,” the senator said. “Iyan ang pamamaraan na ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan. Iyan ang Super Health Center,” he highlighted. In line with his priority of protecting the well-being of Filipinos, Go then offered to help any resident who may need medical attention. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, and Labuan General Hospital. The Malasakit Centers program has successfully established 158 centers so far and helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide. It brings together relevant agencies, including DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to help reduce a patient’s hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount. He also continues to take significant steps in his commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for Filipinos by principally sponsoring Senate Bill No. 2212, otherwise known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The bill was passed before the session break and is now awaiting the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. If the measure is enacted, in Mindanao, specialty centers will be established at Zamboanga City Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Ozamis City, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center in Cotabato City, Caraga Regional Hospital Surigao City, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center in Tandag City, and Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. The post Bong Go lauds Super Health Center groundbreaking in Zamboanga City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tender, loving care
Our daughter, who is about to attend review classes for the nursing board exams, doesn’t know whether to be glad or sad about the state of the healthcare system in the country. With only the licensure exams standing in the way of her becoming a full-fledged nurse, she knows fully well that the career she has chosen is very much in demand in both Europe and the United States. We had always told her when she was younger that given the opportunity, she should opt to work abroad not only for the better pay but also because of the better working conditions. At the same time, she’s quite sad and disappointed that the country is losing its best assets to foreign employment, leaving the healthcare system bereft of quality professionals. The situation is so bad that newly designated Health Secretary Ted Herbosa fears the country could totally lose its nurses in five to six years. Such is the severity of the situation that Herbosa had gone to the extent of suggesting the hiring of board flunkers who would be given temporary licenses to augment the hospital workforce. For a while, it sounded like the best solution to the brain drain until the Professional Regulations Commission got in the way, reminding the Health Secretary that it would be illegal to do so. Other solutions have been offered but it seems the brain drain phenomenon, characterized by the emigration of highly skilled professionals, remains a critical challenge. This shortage has severe implications for the delivery of healthcare services and poses a threat to the overall well-being of the population. It is a well-known fact that one of the primary reasons nurses leave the country is the lack of adequate compensation and the unfavorable working conditions. To address this, experts are one in saying that the government should collaborate with healthcare institutions and policymakers to establish fair and competitive wages that align with global standards. Additionally, efforts must be made to improve working conditions, including providing a supportive work environment, reasonable workload, and access to continuing education and professional development opportunities. Enhanced working conditions and compensation packages, we believe, will incentivize nurses to stay in the country and attract back those who migrated. A supportive professional environment is vital for retaining healthcare professionals. Measures such as establishing mentoring programs, providing emotional and psychological support, and promoting a culture of recognition and appreciation can significantly contribute to job satisfaction and retention. Add to these strategies that may include sign-on bonuses, housing or relocation assistance, flexible work schedules, and career advancement opportunities and you have a gamut of come-ons that may be hard to resist for those torn between going or staying. Additionally, establishing professional networks and platforms that connect Filipino nurses working abroad to their homeland can help maintain a sense of connection and encourage them to contribute to the local healthcare system. Indeed, the brain drain in the Philippines’ healthcare system is a complex challenge that requires multi-faceted solutions. By improving working conditions, enhancing education and training opportunities, implementing supportive policies, strengthening the healthcare system, fostering a supportive professional environment, and adopting strategic recruitment and retention strategies, the Philippines can begin to address the brain drain issue and build a sustainable healthcare workforce. The government, healthcare institutions, and relevant stakeholders must work together to ensure that the healthcare needs of the Filipino population are met and that the country retains its skilled healthcare professionals. Whatever solutions our government comes up with to make our healthcare professionals stay, it will always pay to bear in mind that nurses, too, deserve tender, loving care. e-mail: mannyangeles27@gmail.com The post Tender, loving care appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sta. Ana Hospital opens own blood bank
The Sta. Ana Hospital has opened its own state-of-the-art blood bank under the auspices of the Jaime Ongpin Foundation which sponsored the construction of a new two-story building exclusive to blood bank processing and other purposes. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Sta. Ana Hospital director Dr. Grace Padilla led the inauguration of the facility that would provide free blood to indigent Manila patients with certain medical conditions. Before that, Lacuna led the rollout of the bivalent vaccines in the same hospital, where she herself administered the vaccines to the health workers, led by Padilla. Lacuna, who is also a doctor, said the new blood bank, located in a two-story building on the said hospital’s grounds, is the answer to the everyday problem of the city as to where to source blood for their poor patients, particularly those who have undergone operation or delivery, or have certain conditions that require blood such as anemia. Present at the inauguration were Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan, hospital directors among them Dr. Ted Martin and Dr. Merle Sacdalan-Faustino of Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center and Justice Abad Santos General Hospital, respectively, SAH chief of staff Midas Capinig, city councilors and several department heads. The lady mayor thanked the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, inc. for having sponsored the blood bank, which can assure Manila’s patients of a safe source of blood, in line with the blood program of the Department of Health and the city’s emergency preparedness as well. High blood cost “Halos araw-araw ay problema kung saan makakahanap ng dugo,” Lacuna said, noting that even if a resident has a certificate of indigency, he will still have to spend P1,200 for a bag of blood which, most of the time, is not even readily available. Citing the collaborative efforts of the city government and the private sector in establishing the blood bank, Lacuna called on Manilans to do their share, stressing the blood bank will be useless if no one will donate blood. Padilla, for her part, said that the establishment of a blood bank at the SAH serves multiple crucial purposes, among them achieving a Level 3 accreditation which signifies a commitment to maintaining high standards of healthcare and demonstrates the hospital’s dedication to providing comprehensive medical services to the community. By having an in-house blood bank, the hospital ensures immediate access to a safe and adequate supply of blood products, which is vital for emergencies, surgeries, and the treatment of various medical conditions. “Establishing a blood bank aligns with the DoH’s National Voluntary Blood Donation Program, which emphasizes the importance of voluntary blood donation and aims to ensure the availability of blood and blood products across the country. By actively participating in this program, the City of Manila contributes to the national effort to meet the demand for blood transfusions and support patients in need,” Padilla said. She added: “Moreover, having a self-reliant hospital is a crucial aspect of providing comprehensive healthcare services. The blood bank within the hospital’s premises ensures that patients receive timely transfusions without relying on external sources, reducing the risk of shortages or delays. This self-sufficiency enables the hospital to maintain control over the quality and safety of the blood products, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. All of this forms part Patient Blood management program which we envision establishing as our service delivery framework.” Foundation representative Reynaldo Bautista said that the blood bank can operate 16 blood donations a day through its six high-tech blood service offices located within the building. The post Sta. Ana Hospital opens own blood bank appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zero hunger is possible
As grade school students back in the day, one of the more important lessons drilled in our young minds was to know the basic needs of man. In the relatively simple and peaceful universe we lived in then, we were told these were food (and water), clothing, and shelter. Years later, a more sophisticated, technologically advanced, and complex environment exposed men to new challenges and corresponding changes. To that simple three-item list were added — apart from the basic physical needs — emotional, mental, and spiritual necessities, and a host of others, including, and most especially now, communication facilities or an Internet connection. Within the Philippine setting, Undersecretary Dennis Mapa, our National Statistician and economist, appended health, education, and personal care as essentials. High on the list is food, and rightly so, for the nutrients we get from it make our bodies strong and healthy as these replace cells worn out from wear and tear. Yet a United Nations Sustainable Development Report released last year revealed alarming news: between 720 million and 811 million persons were suffering from hunger, roughly 161 million more than in 2021. And in the same year, a staggering 2.4 billion people, or above 30 percent of the world’s population, were moderately or severely food insecure, lacking regular access to adequate food. On the home front, despite our vaunted natural resources and seemingly inexhaustible bounty from the land and seas around us, a survey has shown that one out of 10 households in the Philippines suffer from “food insecurity.” The survey also cited the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Region VIII (the six provinces and seven cities in Eastern Visayas), and Region XII (the Mindanao provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat) as the three most “food insecure” regions of the country. It may not be a coincidence that these three areas are among the country’s poorest regions. Admitting this is a national concern, the government has said it considers food security a top priority. Late last year, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said they were watching out for surges in the prices of goods and services due primarily to recent typhoons that hit the country, affecting workers who complained their wages were barely enough to buy or pay for their basic needs, especially food. He added that the administration was bent on ensuring consumers an adequate and affordable food supply. Food security has been defined as “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” according to the 1996 World Food Summit. At the same time, food should be readily available, easily accessible, prepared and eaten the right way (nutrition-wise), and procured regularly, the world body added. In the Philippines, the most common food security problems are poor or inadequate agricultural harvests attributed to practices or methods that have either been discarded or have not been adopted or kept pace with the times. Suggestions have been floated as possible solutions to food security like introducing more diversified crops, improving infrastructure, building new road networks linking farms to markets, enhancing or restructuring current trade practices and policies, working on programs and advocacies to combat the adverse effects of climate change and maintain sustainable green economies. Boosting agricultural production would mean “more investments in the food value chain and research and development to enhance farm productivity and improve the efficiency of post-harvest processes,” Balisacan said. “Getting the government to facilitate private investments in marketing infrastructure including storage, transport, and logistics, and continuing to provide cash transfers and fuel discounts are crucial to achieving durable food security.” Is zero hunger attainable? The optimist (and farmer) in me believe it is possible, but only when we aggressively push for renewable agricultural practices and work hard at growing more crops on every piece of land available. Then, we can say that we will never be hungry again. The post Zero hunger is possible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go wants Filipino seafarers’ protection
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go delivered a co-sponsorship speech on the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act during the Senate plenary session last Monday, 22 May. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers. In his speech, Go, as one of the authors of the bill, emphasized the importance of passing the legislation to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers, who he referred to as the “unsung heroes” of the maritime industry. One of the key concerns raised by Go was the long working hours and limited rest periods experienced by seafarers. To address this issue, the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act includes clear guidelines on maximum working hours and adequate rest periods. “With this, we can address the issue of fatigue and enhance the safety and well-being of our seafarers,” he said. Additionally, the proposed legislation recognizes the importance of seafarers’ medical care and access to healthcare services, including mental health support. The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act also places emphasis on training and skills development. The bill promotes quality training programs that enable seafarers to acquire essential expertise and skills, thereby enhancing their competence and effectiveness in their profession. This provision, according to Go, not only benefits individual seafarers but also raises the global competence of the country’s maritime workforce. Go then emphasized that Filipino seafarers have long been in need of comprehensive protection and support. “It is high time that we pass this bill to establish a framework that guarantees their rights, improves their working conditions, and upholds their dignity,” he said. Go also welcomed the Senate approval on third reading of a measure institutionalizing teaching supplies allowance for teachers. Senate Bill No. 1964 or the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” was principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Bong Revilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation. As co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go recognized the importance of supporting and improving the economic situation of teachers through the passage of the bill. “The passage of the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’ is a significant step towards promoting quality education in the country,” Go added. The post Go wants Filipino seafarers’ protection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go aids indigents in Agusan del Sur
The Office of Senator Bong Go conducted separate relief activities for indigent communities in La Paz and Talacogon towns in Agusan del Sur. The distributions are part of the senator's efforts to help address the needs of disadvantaged Filipinos in the country. During the relief activities, Go's outreach staff extended aid to a total of 300 underprivileged residents at the Talacogon municipal gym and La Paz municipal hall. The assistance provided included shirts, masks, vitamins, and snacks. Additionally, select beneficiaries were given caps, shoes, cellular phones, as well as balls for basketball and volleyball. Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development sent a team to provide financial aid to the residents through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then urged the beneficiaries to prioritize their well-being and follow basic health protocols. He encouraged those with health concerns to seek assistance from the government through the Malasakit Center located at Democrito O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad. The Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was principally authored and sponsored by Go in the Senate. These centers are one-stop shops that streamline access to medical assistance programs offered by different government agencies such as the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The senator also highlighted the construction of Super Health Centers in five municipalities in Agusan del Sur. These municipalities include Esperanza, Bayugan, Sibagat, Santa Josefa, and Trento. More Super Health Centers will be strategically located in particularly far-flung communities, as assessed by DOH, to ensure that Filipinos have more convenient access to basic health services, such as database management, out-patient care, birthing facilities, isolation areas, and diagnostic services such as laboratory tests, x-rays, and ultrasound. Through the concerted efforts of lawmakers, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the DOH has adequate funding for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023. Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, has been actively supporting the province of Agusan del Sur. Among his efforts include securing necessary funds for various infrastructure projects in the province, including the construction or concreting of local roads in Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, San Luis, and Veruela; construction of multipurpose buildings in Bayugan City and San Luis; construction of evacuation centers in Loreto and Talacogon; construction of riverbank protection structures for the Ihawan River in Loreto; improvement of the Adlayan Riverbank in San Francisco; installation of reinforced concrete pipe culvert with pavement widening in Trento; and purchase and installation of solar street lights in Esperanza. Other major projects he supported are the construction of a new public market and slaughterhouse in Bunawan, the development of the Sibagat public park, the acquisition of ambulances for the local governments of La Paz and San Luis, and the acquisition of dump trucks for the local governments of San Francisco and San Luis. On 18 April, Go’s team also assisted struggling residents in Santa Josefa and Trento towns. On 19 and 20 April, his office likewise mounted a series of relief activities for underserved communities in Esperanza, Prosperidad, Sibagat, and Bayugan City. The post Bong Go aids indigents in Agusan del Sur appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NEDA greenlights RCEP tariff sked
Following the deposit of the Instrument of Ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP agreement to the Secretary-General of ASEAN last 3 April 2023, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan announced that the National Economic and Development Authority Board has approved the Executive Order operationalizing the Philippines’ tariff commitment under RCEP. Balisacan was joined by Trade Secretary Fred Pascual Balisacan was in a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday with Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual during which the latter said the RCEP agreement will enter into force for the Philippines, 60 days from said deposit of the instrument of ratification and that date of effectivity will be on 2 June 2023. “In the issuance of the EO that we presented to the NEDA Board Meeting this morning, said EO will operationalize the implementation of the Philippines tariff commitments under the RCEP agreement. Once issued, the EO shall be the basis of the Bureau of Customs for the issuance of a Customs Administrative Order which shall be distributed to all ports to allow for the implementation of the preferential tariffs on e-ports from RCEP member countries,” Pascual said. Issuance of the EO implements the Philippines’ schedule of tariff commitments pursuant to a provision in the Republic Act that created the Customs Modern Tariff Act or CMTA. “This section provides that the President shall, upon recommendation of the NEDA Board, modify import duties including any necessary change in classification and other import restrictions as required appropriate to carry out and promote foreign trade with other countries,” the Trade Secretary said. EO draft endorsed Earlier, the Joint Cabinet Committee endorsed the draft of the EO subject to Senate concurrence and the EO presented for endorsement to the NEDA Board on Thursday, which will implement Annexes A to F –the meat of the EO, Annexes A to F of the Philippine schedule of tariff commitments under RCEP agreement. Essentially, Pascual said the EO will maintain current preferential tariffs on about 98.1 percent of the 1,718 agricultural tariff lines and 82.7 percent of the 8,102 industrial tariff lines. Of the 1,685 agricultural tariff lines, retained at current rates 1,426 tariff lines are maintained at zero while 154 tariff lines will remain in their respective most favored nation rates and excluded from any tariff concession. For his part, Balisacan said the NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is also geared to greenlight the recommendation for the Social Protection Floor or SPF endorsed by the Cabinet-level of the Social Development Committee. Improve initiatives “These recommendations aim to institutionalize and improve the government’s current initiatives that cater to the needs of the most vulnerable Filipinos,” Balisacan told reporters. Explaining the SPF, which refers to a nationally defined set of basic social security guarantees that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty vulnerability and social exclusion, Balisacan said it is comprised of four basic guarantees covering the entire life cycle: health (including maternity care), children, active age, and older persons. The SPF for health advocates for the complete implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC) to ensure that all individuals have access to adequate and accessible healthcare services, the NEDA chief said. On the other hand, the SPF for children includes initiatives aimed at providing access to child nutrition, education, and care, while the SPF for active age compromises initiatives that support Filipinos who are unable to earn sufficient income, including those who are part of the informal economy. The SPF for children recommends enhancing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, conducting a supplemental feeding program, addressing teenage pregnancy, providing children special protection, and extending healthcare and mental health support and other services. The SPF for older persons, on the other hand, aims to extend social assistance and social pension programs to senior citizens. The post NEDA greenlights RCEP tariff sked appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines logs 40 pertussis deaths this year
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Forty children have died of whopping cough, a respiratory infection also called pertussis, since this year, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has reported. The DOH said in a statement on Wednesday that cases have continued to increase since the start of this year, recording 568 cases from Jan. 1 to March 16. "The total number of cases for the same period in 2023 was.....»»
Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What.....»»
13 killed in vehicles collision in southern Philippines
MANILA, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen people were killed after a passenger van and a dump truck collided on a highway in Cotabato province in the southern Philippines on Monday, police and local media said. Police said the van, with about 15 passengers aboard, was negotiating a sloping curve when it was hit by the speeding dump truck in the opposite lane. The accident happened after 12 noon local time. In.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
3 suspected rebels killed in clash in Philippines Batangas
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. The troops recovered three rifles, six jungle packs, and some mater.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26
MANILA -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. (Philippines-Clash) - - - - BEIRUT -- Two people were killed and nine other civ.....»»
Philippines declares 'strategic defeat' of NPA rebels
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines declared on Tuesday a "strategic defeat" of the New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who have been fighting against the government since the 1960s, saying there is no more active guerilla fronts in the country. Eduardo Ano, National Security Adviser and former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said "thousands" of NPA insurgents have decided to return t.....»»
DOH, SPMC raise colorectal cancer awareness
THE Department of Health (DOH) and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) collaborated to raise awareness about colorectal cancer causes and symptoms during the Kapihan sa Dabaw at SM Ecoland on Monday morning, March 25, 2024......»»