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Bong Go urges DOH to bolster gov’t health services initiatives
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, urged Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro "Ted" Herbosa during a Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Tuesday, 26 September, to bolster its initiatives towards providing better health services, especially in the grassroots and particularly for poor and indigent patients needing government support. Among those mentioned by Go are the continuing operations of Malasakit Centers in accordance with the law, the establishment of more Super Health Centers in strategic locations nationwide, and the proper implementation of the recently enacted Regional Specialty Centers Act. "Sa inyong palagay, nakakatulong ba ang Malasakit Centers sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan? At hindi ba napapabayaan ang mga pasyente?" Go said during the Commission on Appointments hearing on the ad interim appointment of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa which Go presided on that day. As a response, Herbosa highlighted the significant number of patients served by the centers. "Ang pinakamarami dito sa NCR, almost 607,000 at more than 200,000 sa iba't ibang region. Almost every region is over 100,000 to 200,000 patients served," Herbosa answered. The senator also appealed to the DOH to ensure that poor and indigent patients are given the utmost attention in public hospitals. Go cited a recent department memorandum signed by Herbosa instructing medical center chiefs to ensure that all patients must be accorded with the available services in Malasakit Centers. "Ang mga social workers doon sa loob ng Malasakit Centers — at ako mismo pagpupunta ako doon — sinasabihan ko talaga ang mga social workers, ‘Isa lang ang pakiusap ko sa inyo, as chairman ng Committee on Health, huwag niyo pabayaan ang mga mahihirap na pasyente’," Go said. The Malasakit Centers consist of various agencies offering medical assistance programs including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). These centers were institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, principally authored and sponsored by Go. According to DOH, more than seven million indigent patients have already benefitted from the 159 Malasakit Centers established nationwide. Go also discussed the importance of Super Health Centers, which serve as primary care facilities offering a range of services including consultations, laboratory tests, and minor treatments. These health facilities in communities aim to provide early detection of diseases and also decongest hospitals by providing immediate medical care. "Kung nandiyan ang primary care, (magkakaroon ng) early detection… meaning… hindi lumala ang sakit at maagapan ito. It will also help decongest the hospitals," Go explained. Go also said free consultations handled by municipal health offices, LGUs, and PhilHealth through its Konsulta program can be facilitated in Super Health Centers. Services offered in Super Health Centers include 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 centers, and telemedicine. Go was instrumental in pushing for adequate funding to ensure that more Super Health Centers are established across the country. Some 307 Super Health Centers were funded in 2022 through Go’s initiative and with the help of LGUs, DOH, and fellow lawmakers, and 322 more Super Health Centers in 2023. Herbosa supported this initiative, stating that Super Health Centers are partnerships between the national and local governments. Go then questioned Herbosa on whether there would be sufficient funding for the continuous operation of Malasakit Centers and Super Health Centers. "Can you assure us that there is and there will be sufficient funding for the continuous operation of Malasakit Centers?" Go asked. "We will assure the Commission na talagang tutulungan natin ang mga mahirap at nangangailangan using all the funds given by the Department of Health," Herbosa responded. Finally, Go also highlighted RA 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, a new law he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate, which mandates the establishment of specialized medical centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. Echoing President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country, Go reminded DOH that sufficient funding must be allocated for the proper implementation of the law. “Ipagpatuloy natin na ilapit ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa ating mga kababayang mahihirap na walang ibang matakbuhan. The more we should support their health needs, the more na mag-invest po tayo sa ating healthcare system,” Go said. "Huwag po natin silang pahirapan. Marami po sa mga kababayan natin sa iba’t ibang sulok ng Pilipinas na wala silang sariling health facility. Kaya importante na mailapit natin ang serbisyong medikal mula gobyerno sa mga taong nangangailangan nito," he concluded. The CA has suspended the confirmation of Herbosa as Health Secretary due to "lack of material time”, since Congress is set to go on break and will reconvene in November. The post Bong Go urges DOH to bolster gov’t health services initiatives appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom
The government and private sector need to collaboratively launch a nationwide effort to push for the adoption of science-backed artificial intelligence or AI to help communities and businesses keep up with the rapid technological advancement. In an interview with reporters last Friday, Dr. Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president, and dean of the Asia School of Business or ASB, reiterated that AI is developing at an unprecedented pace and will be everywhere soon. “AI can potentially replace jobs so let’s accept that. The Philippines should become the country that leads the world in how to use AI, in call centers, for instance,” Sarma told reporters. “Here in the Philippines, it has to be a national effort. The government needs to be cognizant that this is an epic moment. It's like, you know, climate change is going to damage the environment, it will hurt a lot of people. This is technology change is just like climate change,” he said. Unlike other technologies such as automated teller machines or ATMs, which took about 15 years to be widely accepted, AI is a development that needs urgent adoption. Like ATMs, which previously raised concerns about replacing the job of bank tellers, AI will help industries develop further. “Bank tellers did not lose their jobs. Bank tellers did something more advanced, which is selling mortgages and things like that. The job changed because of technology,” he explained. Thus, in blending in with the changes brought about by AI, Sarma proposed that local industries like the business process outsourcing sector should upgrade more into becoming a technology space. “At this level, you have to go up because the attack comes from below. It's like a tiger, you know, it's chasing you, You climb a tree, and the tiger learns to climb the first 10 feet, well, you have to climb higher. So you have to go higher up in the cognitive stock to go higher,” he said. To complement the benefits of AI, Sarma noted that the local service industry workers, for instance, have to do the things that technology cannot. “For example, this Chat GPT cannot negotiate with you, can't do any planning, can't do dispute resolution. It can't calm an angry customer. So you have to figure out what the technology can do and what humans can do, that the technology can't. And you're to develop human capital in those directions.” Sarma is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a leading authority in AI, the Internet of Things, and Education. ASB, established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management, aims to be a premier business school that develops transformative and principled leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the emerging world, particularly in Asia. Last July, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked the Congress and Palace to consider creating an agency that will oversee responsible AI use in the country. Barbers cited that at least 520,000 employees across different industries may be affected by the integration of AI. In March, he filed a bill eyeing to create the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority, which will serve as an AI monitoring body tasked to supervise the “development and deployment of AI technologies.” Primarily, it will ensure compliance with AI ethics principles and guidelines and protect the “rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.” The post Gov’t, businesses told to adopt AI boom appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go boosts fire victims’ recovery in Cebu City
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go has remained steadfast in his dedication to assisting disaster victims as shown by his team’s relief operations on Monday, 14 August, to communities affected by fires in Cebu City. Go’s team, in coordination with Mayor Mike Rama, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), assisted 103 recovering fire victims gathered at the Atillo Gymnasium in Barangay Punta Princesa. DTI provided livelihood assistance through its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) program which Go pushed for during the Duterte administration and continues to support its implementation in order to boost livelihood recovery of those affected by various crises. In addition to the livelihood support, Go’s team provided shirts and masks to all beneficiaries, and a pair of shoes, a watch, a cellular phone, and balls for basketball to select recipients. “Sa panahon ng kahirapan at pagsubok dulot ng iba't-ibang sakuna, nais namin sa inyo'y magbigay ng pag-asa at tulong na magbibigay daan sa inyong mga pangarap. Ang programa na ito ay hindi lamang simpleng tulong kundi isang oportunidad upang makabangon at makamtan ang mas magandang kinabukasan,” stressed Go. Go underscored the crucial role of DTI’s PPG program in providing opportunities for sustainable income generation and the agency’s dedication to assisting affected communities in their journey toward recovery and rebuilding their lives. “Palaguin niyo ang inyong negosyo. Kapag lumago ang inyong negosyo, dalhin niyo po ang mga kita sa inyong mga pamilya... mas masarap sa pakiramdam kapag pinagpawisan at pinaghirapan niyo po ang inyong pagnenegosyo,” he added. In a video message, Go highlighted his other efforts to enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery strategies on a broader scale. He also asked for support for the passage of Senate Bill No. 188, which aims to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). The proposed legislation envisions a new government department led by a cabinet secretary, focusing on comprehensive approaches to strengthen disaster preparedness across the country. The DDR's core areas of concentration include disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and the advancement of resilience. “Mayro’n rin po ako nai-file na Department of Disaster Resilience, ito pong departamento na ito, a cabinet-secretary level na siya po ang makikipag-coordinate bago pa dumating ‘yung bagyo at ilikas po ang mga kababayan natin sa ligtas na lugar at preposition of goods,” Go explained. “Part rin po ito ng trabaho nila ang disaster-related tulad ng sunog. Kapag may lindol, sunog, bagyo at itong pagputok ng bulkan, ilikas na kaagad sa mga ligtas na lugar. Iyan po ang Department of Disaster Resilience at restoration of normalcy kaagad,” he added. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go initiated the Malasakit Centers program in 2018 in Cebu City after he personally witnessed the struggles of financially incapacitated Filipinos in getting medical assistance from the government. It was later institutionalized under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored. To date, there are 158 Malasakit Centers, including those at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Cebu City Medical Center, and St. Anthony Mother & Child Hospital, that have helped over seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Other Malasakit Centers in the province are located at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Carcar City, Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital, Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital in Mandaue City, and Talisay District Hospital in Talisay City. Moreover, Go said DOH has identified areas to construct Super Health Centers (SHCs) in the province. SHCs were funded to be established in the cities of Bogo, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue; and in the towns of Borbon, Cordova, Moalboal, Samboan, and San Francisco in 2022. This year, more Super Health Centers were funded in the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Talisay, and Toledo; and in the towns of Carmen, Consolacion, Liloan, Medellin, and San Nicolas. An additional SHC will also be established in Danao City. “Ang isang malaking bagay dito ay ang early detection kung may sakit ang isang pasyente. Dahil nasa kanilang komunidad ang SHC, madali na para sa kanya ang magpakonsulta. At kung malalaman agad ang sakit ng isang pasyente, mabibigyan siya ng primary care, malalapatan ng lunas, at lalaki ang tsansa na maka-recover siya sa kanyang sakit,” he explained. SHCs 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. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the funding of various projects in the province, including the construction of multipurpose buildings in Barili, Cordova, Ginatilan, Pilar, Tabogon, and Talisay City; improvement of existing roads in Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Asturias, Balamban, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Madrilejos, Malabuyoc, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Pinamungajan, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Carcar City and Naga City; improvement of flood mitigation structures in Catmon and Tuburan; installation of street lights in Asturias, Compostela, and Daanbantayan; and acquisition of ambulance units for Madridejos and Naga City. The post Bong Go boosts fire victims’ recovery in Cebu City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the country's fight against the illegal drug problem continues under his helm. "The campaign against illegal drugs continues—but it has taken on a new face. It is now geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among our affected citizenry," said Marcos during his second State of the Nation Address. Marcos mentioned that the government has effectively launched the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" or BIDA Program, and established additional 102 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers nationwide. The government, he added, will relentlessly continue its fight against drug syndicates by "shutting down their illegal activities and dismantling their network of operations." "Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations," the President said. Marcos vowed to install individuals with unquestionable integrity, and who will be effective and trustworthy in handling the task of eliminating the drug problem--which he described as a "dreaded and corrosive social curse." "We cannot tolerate corruption or incompetence in government," he added. Shortly before Marcos delivered his SONA, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed hope that Marcos will pay attention to the illegal drug problem in the country during the remainder of his term. “Konting pansin lang. Sana mapansin lang ‘yung drug situation (Just a little attention. I hope the drug situation will be taken care of),” Dela Rosa said in an interview with reporters. Asked if the government is lacking the courage to fight the drug problem, Del Rosa said: “Iba talaga ‘yung manggaling sa pinaka-chief executive ‘yung pagpansin sa drug problem (It is really different if the chief executive himself will pay attention to the drug problem).” On the other hand, Dela Rosa said he believes Marcos will continue supporting the push for the mandatory revival of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps in the Philippines. “He already mentioned the ROTC [program] during his first SONA. The ROTC bill is still pending, but I will continue pushing for it,” he added. Newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen Romeo Brawner Jr. has expressed his full support for the revival of the mandatory ROTC. Brawner earlier vowed that ROTC will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers should it becomes legally mandatory. The military chief said the AFP will make sure that the cases of hazing, as well as physical and verbal abuse and other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past, won’t happen again in the future. “The AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future,” said Brawner. The post Marcos: War on drugs to continue — but with ‘new face’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoH’s thrust: Delivering quality healthcare for the very poor
Teodoro Javier Herbosa received a call from the Office of the President about a year after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed the Presidency. The caller from the Palace said the President would like to see him in Malacañang, but it was not made clear what the former would like to meet with him about. The night before his meeting with the President, Herbosa wrote an 8-point agenda about what he’d like to do in the department, just in case he’d be asked to be Health Secretary. [caption id="attachment_161645" align="aligncenter" width="1057"] DoH Secretary addresses officers and members of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club’s Third Weekly Membership Meeting (Rotary Year 2022-2023) at the Manila Polo Club last Thursday, 20 July. At the presidential table are (from left) Dr. John Cenica, Dr. Brix Pujalte, RC Manila President Rafael Mm Alunan III, Past District Governor Obet Pagdaganan, Dr. Paul Kho and Carlos Buendia. Secretary Herbosa spoke about his priority agenda which includes the delivery of quality primary and universal health care services to the people, giving attention to health care worker issues, modernizing health care through telemedicine and new technologies, and taking care of Filipinos’ mental health, among various other urgent concerns[/caption] On the day of his meeting, he and Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who was then DoH OIC, were asked to go inside one of the rooms in the Palace. The President entered, sat them down, thanked Vergerie and told her, “You can finally rest Undersecretary Vergeire, I’ve found my DoH Secretary.” “It was as simple as that. The President turned his attention to me and said these are what I’d like you to do in; he started giving me instructions, he didn’t even asked me if I wanted the job,” Herbosa, recalled before officers and members of the Rotary Club of Manila in its meeting at the Polo Club last Thursday. All it probably took for the President to decide Herbosa was his man for the DoH was to take one look at Herbosa’s impressive curriculum vitae. The pandemic national task force adviser in the previous administration, Herbosa brings to his job at the DoH vast experience and expertise in healthcare systems, public health, hospital administration, emergency and disaster medicine Recounting his first meeting with the President, Herbosa said his first instruction, among others, was to take care of the very poor and indigenous peoples in isolated and disadvantaged areas. “That’s something that you and other Rotary Clubs do around the country — providing primary care in your missions,” he said. Other immediate tasks he was given was to exit from Covid-19; cure tuberculosis, and address HIV which, Herbosa said there’s about 50 new cases daily, with some victims as young as 15-years-old. In terms of Covid, the President has just officially lifted the state of public health emergency in the country due to Covid-19. On the delivery of quality health services, Herbosa said his thoughts on the matter are aligned with the President’s vision which has just been made manifest in the multispecialty medical center project soon to rise within the Clark Freeport Zone. It will be built by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Clark Development Corporation, the Department of Health, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Enrique Razon’s Bloomberry Cultural Foundation. The center, with pediatric, renal, cardiovascular and oncology units, will be the first of several similar facilities to be built on some 17 sites across the country. Expected to be completed before the President ends his term in 2028, the DoH will run the centers. Visiting the site at Clark last 17 July, the President said, “We will establish rural healthcare units, barangay centers, botika de barangay… We will go back to that idea. All of these things we are putting together so that when it comes to fundamental healthcare for our countrymen, we can say that such is readily available to them.” “That’s exactly what we will rebuild, that’s what we will be spending for,” Herbosa told Rotarians at the RC Manila Meeting at the Polo Club last week. “That’s the thrust of the current administration in terms of healthcare in this country - making quality health services accessible to as many Filipinos as possible.” Based on his track record, there is little — if any — doubt of Herbosa’s accomplishing what he’s been tasked to do by the President, and in an exemplary manner that would be of substantial benefit to country, and the people. The post DoH’s thrust: Delivering quality healthcare for the very poor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Oppressive’ heat wave scorches US West and South
Swaths of the United States home to more than 80 million people were under heat warnings or advisories Sunday, as relentless, record-breaking temperatures continued to bake western and southern states. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of "a widespread and oppressive heat wave" in parts of the Southwest, western Gulf Coast and southern Florida, with sizzling temperatures carrying into the coming week raising health risks for millions. Southern Californians, who saw thermometers peak at 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit (41-43 Celsius) on Saturday, faced a second day of similarly brutal temperatures Sunday, with the mercury expected to top 115F (46C) in parts of California, Nevada and Arizona, the NWS said. By Sunday afternoon, California's famous Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, had reached the near-record temperature of 126F (52C). Tourists visited the national park to get a glimpse of what the NWS warned would be "life-threatening daytime heat" set to last until Tuesday night. Visitor Eliana Luna told broadcaster MSNBC on Sunday the heat felt like a "burning sensation" on her body. "The heat, you can feel it dripping through the back, all the way down," she said. The NWS has said heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States and urged Americans to take the risk seriously. "In total, from South Florida and the Gulf Coast to the Southwest, over 80 million people remain under either an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory as of early this morning," the NWS said in a Sunday morning bulletin. The day before, the town of Idyllwild, east of Los Angeles and some 5,400 feet (1,645 meters) above sea level, blew past its previous record to reach 100F. - 'It's hell' - Authorities have been sounding the alarm for days, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to avoid dehydration, which can quickly become fatal in such temperatures. In Arizona, the state capital Phoenix has recorded 17 straight days above 109F, as temperatures hit 113F (45C) on Sunday afternoon. The city, home to over 1.6 million people, is under an Excessive Heat Warning until Wednesday evening, according to the NWS, which said the record seven-day average was likely to be broken. Volunteers have been organized to direct Phoenix residents to cooling centers and distribute bottles of water and hats, but program head David Hondula told the local ABC station that its three-days-per-week schedule is "clearly... not enough." In Miami, the NWS on Sunday issued its first-ever Excessive Heat Warning for the region, in effect until 7:00 pm, as heat and humidity mixed to create a "feels-like" temperature expected to hit 112F. "It's hell, it's hot, it's crazy hot," Miami visitor Lola Cee told AFP along the famed Ocean Boulevard. "I've never experienced this heat before," she added. Residents of the sprawling Texas city of Houston have been asked to conserve electricity from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday through Monday, in an attempt to mitigate pressure on the electricity grid. - 'Not typical' - Heat waves are occurring more often and more intensely in major US cities, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, with a frequency of six per year during the 2010s and 2020s compared to two per year during the 1960s. "This heat wave is NOT typical desert heat," the NWS's Las Vegas office tweeted Thursday, specifying that "its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, & warm nights" were unusual. In Canada, which is suffering from warm temperatures combined with months of below-average rainfall, the amount of land burned by devastating wildfires so far in 2023 climbed to an-all time high of 24.7 million acres (10 million hectares) on Saturday. "We find ourselves this year with figures that are worse than our most pessimistic scenarios," Yan Boulanger, a researcher at Canada's natural resources ministry, told AFP. On Sunday, a firefighter died while working in Canada's Northwest Territories, authorities announced, only days after a 19-year-old woman lost her life working to extinguish a fire in nearby British Columbia. While it can be hard to attribute a particular weather event to climate change, scientists insist human-linked global warming is responsible for the multiplication and intensification of heat waves. Flooding has also ravaged parts of the northeastern US in recent weeks. Officials in eastern Pennsylvania's Bucks County reported on Sunday that five people had died and two children were missing after a storm the day before unleashed up to seven inches (18 centimeters) of rain in one hour, causing flash flooding that swept away vehicles. bur-mlm/des/caw © Agence France-Presse The post ‘Oppressive’ heat wave scorches US West and South appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Hot and dangerous weekend’: US bakes under relentless heat dome
Tens of millions of Americans braced for more sweltering temperatures Sunday as brutal conditions threatened to break records due to a relentless heat dome that has baked parts of the country all week. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of an "extremely hot and dangerous weekend," with daytime highs routinely ranging between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in the US West. Residents of central and southern California saw thermometers peaking at 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (41 to 43 degrees Celsius) on Saturday, it said. By Saturday afternoon, California's famous Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, had reached a sizzling 124F (51C), with Sunday's peak predicted to soar as high as 129F (54C). Even overnight lows there could exceed 100F (38C). The heat is forecast to remain anchored over the west for the weekend, "growing hotter in the South by early next week," according to the NWS. Authorities have been sounding the alarm for days, advising people to avoid outdoor activities in the daytime and to avoid dehydration, which can quickly become fatal in such temperatures. In Arizona, the state capital of Phoenix has recorded 16 straight days above 109F (43C), as temperatures hit 117F (47C) Saturday afternoon and are expected to stay above 90F (32C) overnight. The NWS said Phoenix is "likely to register its hottest week on record by 7-day temperature average." The city has organized volunteers to direct residents to cooling centers and distribute bottles of water and hats, but program head David Hondula told the local ABC station that its three-days-per-week schedule is "clearly... not enough" as the heat intensifies. The NWS has said that "heat is the leading weather-related killer in the US" and to take the risk "seriously." At a construction site outside Houston, a 28-year-old worker who gave his name only as Juan helped complete a wall in the blazing heat. "Just when I take a drink of water, I get dizzy, I want to vomit because of the heat," he told AFP. "I need something else, a Coca-Cola, a Gatorade -- and cold -- just to be able to keep going." Residents of the Texas metropolis have been asked to conserve energy from 2:00 to 10:00 pm Saturday through Monday by provider Reliant Energy, in an attempt to mitigate high demand. Further west, the Texas border city of El Paso marked its 30th consecutive day of temperatures reaching or topping 100F (38C) Saturday, though it had dipped slightly to 89F by the evening. 'Not typical' Heat waves are occurring more often and more intensely in major cities across the United States, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, with a frequency of six per year during the 2010s and 2020s compared to two per year during the 1960s. "This heat wave is NOT typical desert heat," the NWS's Las Vegas branch tweeted, specifying that "its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, & warm nights" were unusual. In Canada, which is suffering from warm temperatures combined with months of below-average rainfall, the amount of land burned by devastating wildfires climbed to an all time high of 24.7 million acres (10 million hectares) so far this year on Saturday. "We find ourselves this year with figures that are worse than our most pessimistic scenarios," Yan Boulanger, a researcher at Canada's natural resources ministry, told AFP. Smoke from the wildfires was creating unhealthy air quality conditions in upper-central parts of the United States, similar to episodes in June when Canadian blazes cloaked the US East Coast in a noxious haze. While it can be hard to attribute a particular weather event to climate change, scientists insist that global warming -- linked to humanity's dependence on fossil fuels -- is responsible for the multiplication and intensification of heat waves around the world. The US heat wave comes after the EU's climate-monitoring service said the planet saw its hottest June on record last month. The post ‘Hot and dangerous weekend’: US bakes under relentless heat dome appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kudos, Dr. Eric Olivarez (2)
Yesterday I was asked how sure I was that the resident auditor was true and correct in his conclusions about the accounts and results of the financial operations of Parañaque City as of 31 December 2022. As sure as the rising sun, I said. I explained that the audit covered areas by the instructions of the Assistant Commissioner and the Director of the National Capital Region, both Local Government Sector of the Commission on Audit through the memoranda they issue, in addition to the areas identified during the risk assessment for the audit of the accounts and transactions during the year. The observations presented and discussed in the report are residual issues and addressed after the issuance of the Audit Observation Memorandum together with the recommended courses of action, management’s comments, and the auditor’s rejoinder, where appropriate. It is very clear, therefore, that the audit report is not the product of the audit team alone but of the Commission on Audit and the management. Dr. Eric continues to reap the rewards of his toil, the following significant accomplishments: Major projects completed: Construction of Fisherman’s Wharf; Construction of various school buildings; Construction of various multi-purpose halls; Construction of various child development centers; Construction of daycare centers. Various awards and recognitions the city received: Good Financial Housekeeping Passer for CY 2022; Sixth Place in Top 10 Highest Locally Sourced Revenues among Cities during the National Top Performing Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities in Local Revenue Generation for Fiscal Year 2021; Gawad Kalasag Seal of Excellence for being Beyond Compliant for garnering a rating of 2.66 in the Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices Category for CY 2022; Certificate of Recognition for outstanding performance during the Vax Baby Vax Campaign (Routine Catch Up Immunization Activity) by achieving 122.16 percent vaccination coverage of the targeted eligible population; Green Banner Seal of Compliance Award; Special Award for Best Local Government Unit in Nutrition Governance; Special Award on Best Local Government Unit in the Implementation of National Dietary Supplementation Program; Special Award for Best Local Government Unit in the Performance of Nutrition Management Functions; Special Award on Best Local Government Unit in the Implementation of Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition Program; Special Award on Best Local Government Unit in the Implementation of Nutrition Promotion Program for Behavior Change in CY 2022 Regional Nutrition Awards; Certificate of Recognition 1st Place — Most Exemplary in Disaster Response Operations Reporting (Pinakamahusay na Pag-uulat ng mga Operasyong Pangsakuna); Certificate of Recognition 2nd Place in the Most Exemplary in Yearly Accomplishment (Pinakamahusay sa Taonang Pagsasakatuparan) Response Operations Category; Certificate of Recognition 1st Place in Most Exemplary in Advocacy Campaigns (Pinakamahusay sa Adbokasiya); and Certificate of Appreciation for invaluable support during the conduct of Listahan 3rd Round National Household Assessment. There are still 302 lots with Transfer Certificates of Title or TCTs that have not been transferred in the name of the city casting doubt on the existence and ownership by the city. The International Public Sector Accounting Standard or IPSAS 17 on Property, Plant and Equipment provides the guidelines for the measurement of recognition of PPE. With little more hard work on research and dedication by the City Accounting Office and the continued guidance on the enabling law and jurisprudence as bases for transferring land titles in the name of the city, who knows, by next year, there might be another ten billion pesos added to the city’s assets and equity. Section 39 (2) of PD No. 1445 states that in the case of deeds to property purchased by any government agency, the Commission shall require a certificate of title entered in favor of the government or other evidence satisfactory to it that the title is in the government. (To be continued) The post Kudos, Dr. Eric Olivarez (2) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lucky to come home: Growing up trans in Brazil can be deadly
Wearing a pink dress that matches the bow in her hair, eight-year-old Agatha flashes a smile that belies all she has been through as a trans child growing up in Brazil. Agatha's mother, Thamirys Nunes, says she vividly remembers the day her daughter, then almost four, asked the question that has changed both of their lives. "Mommy, can I die today and come back tomorrow as a girl?" Nunes, 33, who lives in Sao Paulo, says she knew then they both had a hard road ahead, in a country where the discrimination and dangers facing trans people run deep. Gender dysphoria among children, a sensitive subject in many places, is especially fraught in Brazil, the deadliest country in the world for trans people. There were 118 trans people murdered in Brazil last year, 29 percent of the world total, according to the National Network of Trans People of Brazil. Polarizing politics have only made things worse, in a country where far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) made attacking "gender ideology" a central issue in elections last year, and conservative parties hold a strong majority in Congress. Nunes says she worries every time Agatha leaves the house. "I'm afraid people will call her a freak, hit her or mistreat her," she says. "I feel lucky every time she comes home." Activist mom It was not easy for her to accept Agatha for who she is, admits Nunes. "It wasn't my dream to have a little trans girl. I had lots of doubts," she says. She remembers Agatha playing with dolls and wearing earrings from the time she was small. "She had always been uncomfortable with the gender she was given at birth," she says. A psychologist told Nunes she needed to "reinforce" her child's masculine side, she says. But "trying to reaffirm her masculinity just hurt her," she told AFP. So, overcoming her own prejudices and fears of what people would think, Nunes decided to let Agatha change her name and live as a girl. It has been a transformative experience for Nunes, too. Today, she is an activist for the rights of trans children and teens. Last year, she founded an organization called My Trans Child, which has nearly 600 members. 'Abandoned to their fate' Although Bolsonaro lost last October's elections, replaced by the more tolerant administration of veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, activists say the situation for trans people remains alarming. Aline Melo, a member of Nunes's organization, says things have only gotten worse in recent years. Her son, 14-year-old Luiz Guilherme, is trans. "He's proud of who he is. But he knows he can't always be himself when he leaves the house," she says. Nunes says the lack of government protections to combat rapes and violence against trans youths is "absurd." "We want public policies to protect (this group) that is abandoned to their fate," she says. Forced to leave home Celeste Armbrust still remembers how she felt when she embraced her own gender identity, her eyes lighting up beneath her new pink bangs. "I felt like myself. I felt free," says the 17-year-old trans girl, who began hormone therapy at 16 -- the age authorized under a 2020 decision by Brazil's Federal Council of Medicine. She was brave enough to unveil her new identity at school. But she is afraid to leave the house alone. "She's fearful of being singled out and suffering for it," says her mother, Claudia Armbrust. Brazil, a sprawling country of 214 million people, has just five public centers to assist children and teens on gender identity issues. There is a long waiting list at Sao Paulo University Clinical Hospital, which is helping around 400 such minors. "We help them feel understood," says psychologist Larissa Todorov. But few in Brazil have access to such programs, which struggle with insufficient funding. Carolina Iara, 30, a trailblazing state legislator who is Brazil's first intersex lawmaker, says the country has made progress since her childhood. But not nearly enough, she adds. "There are still trans kids who get kicked out of the house at 13 and have to turn to prostitution," she says. The post Lucky to come home: Growing up trans in Brazil can be deadly appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go checks on evacuees affected by Mayon’s unrest
Sen. Bong Go went to Albay on Thursday, 22 June to provide support to evacuees affected by Mt. Mayon’s unrest, aid indigents, and conduct an inspection of the Super Health Center in Tabaco City. Emphasizing the significance of investing in local health facilities, Go underscored the role of Super Health Centers in enhancing the accessibility of vital healthcare services for the local residents. “Ito pong Super Health Center, isa po ito sa pamamaraan para ilapit natin ang serbisyo medikal sa ating mga kababayan at madi-decongest ang mga ospital dahil hindi na kailangan ng mga buntis na pumunta ng ospital, pwede na po diyan ‘yung mga primary care,” he underscored. The Super Health Center that Go inspected is located in the National Housing Authority resettlement area in Brgy. San Vicente. The housing project was part of the Duterte administration’s efforts to provide housing for Typhoon Rolly victims in 2020. The project was approved in 2021 and started construction in 2022. There are 2361 housing units, built on a 20 hectare LGU property. This strategic location for the Super Health Center was made to provide essential medical services to recovering typhoon victims and their community. It will benefit the more than 2000 housing beneficiaries residing in the area. Through the collective efforts of fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. The Department of Health, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. Aside from Tabaco City, the DOH has identified the cities of Legazpi and Ligao; and the town of Camalig, Malilipot, and Pio Duran as locations for the Super Health Centers in Albay. Super Health Centers shall offer basic medical services under one roof, such as database management, out-patient, birthing, isolation, diagnostic (laboratory: x-ray, ultrasound), pharmacy, and ambulatory surgical unit. Other available services in Super Health Centers 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. Go also took the lead in organizing a relief operation at the Barangay San Antonio covered court in the city. The operation assisted 151 evacuees and 250 indigent residents. Go personally oversaw the distribution of essential aid from his office such as grocery packs, snacks, masks, and vitamins to the beneficiaries. Select individuals were also given additional items, including shirts, shoes, mobile phones, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball. Furthermore, a team from the Department of Social Welfare and Development extended financial assistance to all qualified beneficiaries. More indigents will also be provided aid in the coming days through the initiative of the Office of Sen. Go, the LGU, and DSWD. Go, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, also offered to assist those with medical concerns as he encouraged them to seek the services of the Malasakit Center at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City. Currently, there are 158 operational Malasakit Centers that have assisted more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. “Ang Malasakit Center po ay one-stop shop, nasa loob na ho ng hospital ‘yung apat na ahensya ng gobyerno — ‘yung DOH, DSWD, PhilHealth, at PCSO. Tutulungan po kayo na mabayaran ang inyong billing,” said Go, who principally authored and sponsored Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Meanwhile, to help boost development in Albay and as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go has also supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Ligao City, Oas and Polangui; rehabilitation of several roads in Camalig, Daraga, Jovellar, Legazpi City, Ligao City, Pio Duran and Rapu-Rapu; and rehabilitation of flood control systems in Malilipot, Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malinao, Manito, Oas and Polangui. On the same day, Go likewise extended his assistance to evacuees in the town of Malilipot. Amid the continued state of unrest of the Mayon Volcano, Go reiterated his call for the passage of his proposed measures that will establish the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), as well as mandatory evacuation centers throughout the country. Go stressed that his proposed Senate Bill No. 188, which will establish the DDR, would centralize efforts, streamline coordination, and ensure more swift and effective response to emergencies. “It should be a cabinet-level dahil tuwing mayro'ng sakuna, dapat may point person talaga with clear authority and mandate,” added Go. The creation of the said department, if enacted into law, shall concentrate on three key result areas, namely: disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better. The Office of Civil Defense has recently voiced its support for the establishment of the DDR. "Nabanggit nga kanina, paano natin pagbabawalan doon ‘eh coordination lang naman tayo, hindi ho ba? So kailangan po ng mas malakas na kapangyarihan ang Office of Civil Defense, maaaring maging departamento o authority; but it needs legislation," OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said in a recent interview when asked about evacuation efforts in permanent danger zones near active volcanoes. "Things can be better if there will be an independent authority or department, but it’s not that simple – tanggap po namin iyon… We leave it to Congress and we leave it to the Palace, to Malacañang. Meanwhile, kami naman, we are doing our best given the limitations, makakaasa po kayo," the OCD chief said. Meanwhile, Go also highlighted his proposed SBN 193 which seeks to mandate the establishment of permanent, secure, and well-equipped evacuation centers in every municipality, city, and province throughout the Philippines. “Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, hindi rin maaantala ang pag-aaral ng mga bata tuwing ginagamit na pansamantalang tuluyan ang mga eskuwelahan. Mas madali ring makakabangon ang ating mga kababayan kung protektado at komportable sila sa mga dedicated evacuation centers lalo na sa Albay at sa mga malalapit sa aktibong bulkan, pati na rin sa coastlines o ibang danger zones kapag may bagyo o iba pang kalamidad na dumarating,” he said. “Hindi man natin masasabi kung kailan darating ang sakuna, mas mabuti nang laging handa tayo,” he ended. The post Bong Go checks on evacuees affected by Mayon’s unrest appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 33,000 people may be affected if Mayon’s unrest worsens — Lagman
At least 33,000 people may flee their homes if Mayon Volcano's unrest could last for "three months or more," Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said on Wednesday night. Lagman said this as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led a situational briefing on the status of Mayon Volcano and the government's response in Legazpi City, Albay, on 14 June. Lagman said that about 33,326 individuals—or 8,637 families—may be affected if Mayon Volcano's eruption worsens. Lagman also asked the national government for P166.7 million to continue providing help to the thousands of people who have been displaced amid Mayon's unrest. He explained that the money is needed to provide evacuees with food, water, shelter, and other essential services. Lagman added that the money is needed to help the local government of Albay rebuild the infrastructure that the unrest has damaged. However, President Marcos Jr. told his Cabinet to study the proposed budget for Albay, as the province's quick response fund of P30 million can only sustain evacuees for about 14 days. "They can only sustain the continuous support for evacuees for 14 days," Marcos said. "The final figure of P196 million is something that we can dig. I think the numbers the governor has given us are a good guide already. But we have to go into further details," he added. Marcos said the figure needed to be checked to see if it would be sufficient. "Let's go into that in terms of the requirements the evacuees are going to need… Round numbers are never quite right. We have to get it right," Marcos said. Affected individuals OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, said that a total of 9,571 families or 37,231 individuals had been significantly impacted in 26 barangays across Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Ligao, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, and Tabaco as of 14 June. Of this total, 4,417 families, or 15,502 individuals, sought refuge in 22 evacuation centers. The OCD also assisted 185 families, or 659 individuals, outside these centers. The evacuees are from 26 out of the 30 barangays located within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone. The agricultural sector in Albay has also experienced the consequences of Mayon's unrest. A total of 217 livestock, including carabaos, cattle, and goats, were preemptively relocated to Daraga and Malilipot. According to Nepomuceno, the affected residents in various areas of Albay have already received a total of P35 million in assistance from the national government, local government units, and private institutions. In addition, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has pledged to deploy personnel, resources, and equipment to support the ongoing evacuation efforts in Albay. The response assets provided by OCD Region 5 and other government agencies consist of 1,154 responders, 103 rescue teams, and 141 vehicles for mobility purposes. OCD taking steps for long-term response Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is taking steps to prepare for a long-term response to the ongoing unrest at Mayon Volcano. Civil Defense Operations Service Director Cesar Idio, who was present during the situational briefing, said the OCD had identified four strategies to address the ongoing unrest at Mayon. The first approach involves preparing for an extended three months or longer response period. The second strategy is to plan for the logistical requirements of such a lengthy response. The third approach is for local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the permanent relocation of residents residing within the six-kilometer radius of the permanent danger zone (PDZ). Lastly, the fourth measure entails requesting additional evacuation centers to prevent the disruption of classes, as some classrooms are currently being used as temporary shelters for evacuees. Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. mentioned that he had already coordinated with Albay Governor Edcel Lagman, OCD Region 5 Director Claudio Yucot, and Renato Solidum Jr., the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), to ensure more efficient and expedited coordination of logistics. He told Marcos that the coordination aims to avoid redundancy or wastage of resources in anticipation of the expected lengthy response. "We will work on this coordination in order to be the funneling point between and among the LGUs and the national government," Teodoro said. The post Over 33,000 people may be affected if Mayon’s unrest worsens — Lagman appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
France uncovers major disinformation campaign by Russia
France on Tuesday said it had uncovered a major Russian disinformation campaign which involved posting false news items disguised as articles by prominent media, in a "hybrid" war waged by Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Western states have been acutely concerned about an intensification of Russian-led disinformation campaigns, as Moscow seeks to influence public opinion across the world over the war in Ukraine. "France condemns these actions unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council," Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said. "The French authorities are working closely with their partners to defeat the hybrid warfare led by Russia," she added. France has for several years sounded the alarm over alleged Russian disinformation campaigns in areas of Francophone Africa, particularly those where the Russian mercenary group Wagner has been active. The campaign was carried out by "Russian actors" with "state entities or entities affiliated to the Russian state" then working to amplify its impact, according to Colonna. "This campaign is based in particular on the creation of fake web pages impersonating national media and government sites as well as the creation of false accounts on social networks," she said. - 'Won't deter France' - At least four French daily newspapers -- Le Parisien, Le Figaro, Le Monde and 20 Minutes -- were victims of the operation. Other major media were also targeted, particularly German ones including Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Der Spiegel and Bild. In its article on the campaign, Le Monde confirmed it had been one of the media organisations targeted and published one example of the false news articles. "French minister supports murders of Russian troops in Ukraine," said the false headline, with the masthead and layout identical to that of Le Monde's actual website. Le Monde's director Jerome Fenoglio denounced the "unfair and unacceptable methods" seeking to spread "elements of communication from the Kremlin". The "intolerable" campaign was "aimed at misleading the general public about the reality of the war in Ukraine and the role of the Kremlin in this invasion", he wrote. The French foreign ministry itself foiled an attempt to create a fake reproduction of its own website, Colonna said. She added Russian embassies and cultural centers had "actively" participated in amplifying the campaign. "The campaign is a new illustration of the hybrid strategy that Russia is implementing to undermine the conditions for peaceful democratic debate and therefore undermine our democratic institutions. "No attempt at manipulation will deter France from supporting Ukraine in the face of the Russian war of aggression," she added. - 'Putin waiting' - The campaign involved techniques including producing fake articles on a page identical in all respects to those of the legitimate sites of media organizations, but with different domain names -- for example .ltd instead of .fr. This means that users can be unknowingly led to the false news site by wrongly inputting the domain name. The technique is known as typosquatting. The operation uncovered by the government is "the second phase" of a campaign that had already come to light in 2022 "but with more sophisticated modes of action intended to circumvent countermeasures and be less visible", a security source who asked not to be named told AFP. This so-called "Doppelgaenger" operation had been documented in 2022 by the organization EU DisinfoLab and Meta, the parent company of Facebook. "Meta hoped that its report would put an end to the operation. This was not the case," said the security source. "We found dozens of domain names bought by the Russians for typosquatting," said the source. "We do not know their final objective," they added, while warning the campaign is "very well coordinated and structured". As well as typosquatting, the campaign saw other influence operations, such as the production of cartoons lampooning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or pro-Russian narratives on specific websites. Officials warn Moscow is betting on the disinformation campaign to undermine Western public support for Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin "is waiting for Western societies to get tired", said a senior European official who asked not to be named, warning there could be tensions in Western societies in winter if Russia drives up the price of fuel. fz-dt-sjw/giv/imm © Agence France-Presse The post France uncovers major disinformation campaign by Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NEDA board approves TPLEX extension, other infra projects
The National Economic and Development Authority Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has convened and granted approval to vital projects and guidelines aimed at supporting the Philippines' development objectives outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. In a Malacañang press briefing on Friday, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that one of the significant approvals made by the NEDA Board is the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Extension Project. This 59.4-kilometer, four-lane extension highway, deemed the fastest unsolicited proposal approval according to Investment Coordination Committee guidelines, will connect the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. “This is expected to stimulate economic activity, alleviate road congestion, provide better and safer road access and promote the development of new growth centers in nearby regions," Balisacan said. Asked about the timeline of the project, Balisacan said "the plan is to complete this project within the term of the administration." He added the TPLEX Extension Project will be implemented through a public-private partnership under the Department of Public Works and Highways. Meanwhile, the NEDA Board has also confirmed the "Investment Coordination Committee or ICC Guidelines for LGU PPP Projects." These guidelines outline the procedures and roles of Regional Development Councils and other local development councils in processing public-private partnership proposals from local government units that require ICC action under the Philippine BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) law. "Recognizing the vital role of LGUs in driving economic growth, the guidelines provide a streamlined process for LGUs to pursue PPP projects that require the action by the ICC," Balisacan added. He mentioned that the NEDA Board also reviewed the initial progress report on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects under the Marcos administration's Build-Better-More program. Out of the total 194 IFPs, 68 are currently in progress, 25 have been approved for implementation, 9 are awaiting government approval, while the remaining projects are in the process of project preparation or pre-project preparation. These high-impact infrastructure initiatives, with an estimated cost of P8.3 trillion, aim to address the nation's infrastructure deficit, stimulate sustainable economic growth and prioritize key sectors of the economy. The post NEDA board approves TPLEX extension, other infra projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Digital technology gives Makati easy access to healthcare
The ease of technology has given the public access to more services, with digital tools eliminating and solving inefficiencies to allow positive growth, Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu said. At the formal signing of an agreement between Globe Group and the City of Makati to provide free 24/7 online doctor consultations for free starting May 2023 through the super-app KonsultaMD, Cu said the collaboration is a perfect pairing, with Makati as one of the most digitally advanced local government unit, and Globe, a leader in digital solutions. “With Globe’s reach to create digital solutions, many LGUs will benefit from such synergy if they keep an open mind to it. There will be hesitations at first, but once they adopt the digital system, they (LGUs) will see the benefits,” Cu said when asked how collaborations like the Globe signed with Makati could provide better services to the Filipino public. At the signing, Cu and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said the partnership would pilot among City Hall employees, with the rollout for Makati residents with yellow cards scheduled later this year. This initiative is part of the local government’s efforts to provide better healthcare services to city hall workers and, eventually, residents. It will also help alleviate congestion in health centers and complement local doctors grappling with staff shortages. Through this program, beneficiaries will have 24/7 access to video consultations via the KonsultaMD SuperApp. They can enjoy e-prescriptions, e-laboratory requests, e-medical certificates, general health consultations, proper medical prescriptions, and mental health support. “We are honored to be part of this groundbreaking initiative and work with the City of Makati in improving their healthcare system. As a telehealth company, KonsultaMD is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to every Filipino. Our partnership with the City of Makati is a significant step towards achieving this goal,” said KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay. The Makati City government recognizes the need for improved healthcare services to its constituents and to ease the burden of the Ospital ng Makati and Makati health centers. KonsultaMD is aligned with The Makati Health Department’s requirement to offer alternative online access to licensed doctors for Makatizens anytime, anywhere. Binay thanked Globe and KonsultaMD for getting on board the project. “We understand our citizens’ challenges in accessing healthcare services, especially during these trying times. That is why we have partnered with the Globe Group and KonsultaMD to provide Makatizens with a reliable and convenient way to address their needs,” Binay said. The partnership, coordinated by the Globe Enterprise Group and KonsultaMD teams, took three years to complete and is the first KonsultaMD project with a local government unit (LGU) within the National Capital Region. KonsultaMD’s earlier partnerships involved LGUs outside Metro Manila. “At Globe, we are committed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through digital solutions and connectivity, so we are excited to see the impact this program will have on the healthcare system of Makati. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Makati and other LGUs to build a better, healthier future for the people,” said Cu. The collaboration aims to serve as a model for other LGUs to provide better healthcare services to their constituents. The post Digital technology gives Makati easy access to healthcare appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD’s Malasakit Centers commitment lauded
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go commended the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the agency’s assurance that it will continue to support and help strengthen the Malasakit Centers program, among other initiatives that can uplift the lives of the poor. Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that provide particularly poor and indigent patients with more convenient access to medical assistance programs from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 157 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DoH. At the Commission on Appointments confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, the lawmaker — who also chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography — asked DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on the status of the deployment of DSWD personnel in Malasakit Centers as mandated by law. “The department… always makes it a point to support all laws that are mandated on us to be the lead agency or the support agency. We have full deployment of social workers and case managers in the Malasakit Centers,” said Gatchalian, whose ad interim appointment was supported by Go and consequently confirmed in the CA plenary that day. The post DSWD’s Malasakit Centers commitment lauded appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DSWD support important to Malasakit Center program — Sen. Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go commended the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the agency’s assurance that it will continue to support and help strengthen the Malasakit Centers program, among other initiatives that can uplift the lives of the poor. Malasakit Centers are one-stop shops that provide particularly poor and indigent patients with more convenient access to medical assistance programs from the DSWD, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. To date, 157 operational centers have helped more than seven million Filipinos nationwide, according to the DOH. At the Commission on Appointments confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, 16 May, Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, asked DSWD Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian on the status of the deployment of DSWD personnel in Malasakit Centers as mandated by law. “The department… always makes it a point to support all laws that are mandated on us to be the lead agency or the support agency. We have full deployment of social workers and case managers in the Malasakit Centers,” Gatchalian replied, whose ad interim appointment was supported by Go before he was eventually confirmed in the CA plenary that day. Go also inquired about efforts to streamline and harmonize requirements in availing medical and financial assistance from the government. The Senator highlighted the concept of a ‘one-stop shop’ as envisioned in Malasakit Centers where poor and indigent patients will not need to go outside of the hospital and visit other offices just to avail of medical assistance. “Mr. Senator, you have our assurance that we will make sure to work with your office because you’re the (principal) author (and sponsor) of (the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019) … there are provisions there that we can further streamline so that ‘yung mga tao, hindi na ho sila pabalik-balik sa social worker, punta sa Malasakit Center, but rather, everything should be processed inside the Malasakit Center the way you envisioned it,” the secretary answered. Sec. Gatchalian assured that the DSWD continues to prioritize the Malasakit Centers program, as mandated under Republic Act No. 11463, sharing his plans for the agency to digitalize the process of providing other forms of assistance to Filipinos. Recognizing the need for more efficient and accessible services, Gatchalian assured, “moving forward, … yung digitalization plan natin is to see to it na dapat pagpasok ng pasyente sa loob ng hospital, and this applies to our guarantee letters po, and, hopefully, later on, the DOH can also probably adopt the same platform, dapat end-to-end na ho siya.” For his part, Go expressed his gratitude for Gatchalian’s shared vision for the Malasakit Centers program, saying, “Alam n’yo, ‘yung pamasahe, malaking bagay rin po ‘yon sa mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan. Makakatipid po sila sa pamasahe, panahon na po na hindi na sila kailangan pang pabalik-balik. Tulungan po natin sila. …Yung mga mahihirap, sila po ‘yung pumupunta sa mga government hospitals po.” Expressing his support for Gatchalian, Go looks forward to continuing working with the DSWD in helping particularly poor and indigent Filipinos, adding “Secretary Rex, we are honored to have you as the Secretary of the DSWD, and I have no doubt that you will exceed our expectations. Siguraduhin natin ang mabilis at tapat na serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan sa inyong pamumuno. Let us continue to serve and protect our underprivileged kababayans. Together, let us build a better country for them and the generations to come.” “Isa lamang po ang hinihiling ko sa inyo, Secretary Rex, huwag po natin kalimutan yung mga poor… kababayans, yung mga hopeless and helpless na wala pong matakbuhan kundi tayo dito sa gobyerno, tulungan po natin sila. Sana po maipagpatuloy natin ang mga magagandang nasimulan ng Duterte administration at galingan pa po natin ngayon, sa panahon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” Go added. “Alam kong gusto ninyo pong tulungan rin ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap. I know that your heart is for the poor, at kaisa po ninyo ako as you fulfill the mandate of your agency… I am confident that the DSWD is in good hands,” the senator concluded. The post DSWD support important to Malasakit Center program — Sen. Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Transport group blasts LTMS
The National Public Transport Coalition on Sunday slammed the new foreign-made information technology platform of the Land Transportation Office — the Land Transportation Management System — for allegedly charging “enormous service fees” to the motoring public transacting with the agency. In a media interview, NPTC national convenor Ariel Lim revealed that the LTO charges drivers, vehicle owners, auto dealers and operators a minimum of P75 per transaction when paying through the LTMS and the service fees are allocated for the online portal’s accredited payment gateway, Paynamics. Instead of providing convenience, Lim lamented that the LTMS became an added financial burden to the motoring public, especially to the low-income public utility vehicle drivers, adding that since the government already owns the LTMS, the public should not be charged these additional fees. He also alleged that with the move, the system is being used by some as a “money-making” scheme and a vehicle for corruption. Lim also questioned the selection process of the payment gateway partner as to whether it underwent proper bidding and accreditation, and the basis of such a price for a service fee as it is higher than the usual rate of P25 to P45. He disclosed that aside from the P75 service charge, some motorists resort to paying P100 to P200 to “fixers” just to open an LTMS account. To recall, the NPTC revived its call to the Senate and Congress to investigate the alleged system glitches and irregularities of the LTMS project due to the failure of LTO’s foreign IT provider – Dermalog -- to deliver its output on time despite receiving full payment amounting to P3.19 billion. Based on reports of the Commission on Audit, the LTMS project has been extended at least 14 times, and yet the government did not impose any penalties. Previously, the NPTC and other local transport groups in Davao filed a case against the Department of Transportation and LTO officials for the continued operations of Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers which they alleged as unconstitutional. The Davao Oriental Regional Trial Court is expected to act on the groups’ call for a temporary restraining order soon. Meanwhile, during a hearing of the House Committee on Transportation held on 11 May, committee chairman and Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop questioned the capability of Dermalog to deliver the IT needs of the LTO, since in a letter dated 29 March 2023, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Jose Arturo Tugade asked its long-time IT provider – Stradcom -- to continue its operations until the LTMS is fully operational. It is also unclear if this presumably requires another contract extension for LTMS. The LTO chief explained that he only requested Stradcom to stay until the migration of data from the old system to LTMS has been completed. He has earlier committed that the LTO will be fully utilizing the LTMS by 31 August 2023, despite the reported glitches and incomplete system functionalities. The LTO revealed it is already working closely with the Office of the Solicitor General to compel Dermalog to fulfill its contractual obligations. The post Transport group blasts LTMS appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted the urgent need to improve the National Center for Mental Health and to ensure that all Filipinos have access to proper healthcare. During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on mental health on Tuesday, 9 May, Go, who chairs the committee, raised concerns regarding the need for decongestion of the NCMH. “The state of the National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all Filipinos to health care,” said Go. “How can we decongest NCMH in order to improve its current state? Where can we transfer recovered patients who have nowhere to go?” he added. The senator also emphasized the need to provide appropriate intervention and care for admitted patients while also looking into the cases of those who are already considered ‘fit’ to be discharged but have nowhere to go or no family to go back home to. “Is the DSWD capable to accommodate them in halfway houses? Kawawa naman. Alam niyo masarap mabuhay sa mundong ito, isang beses lang tayo dadaan, bigyan po natin sila ng halaga, yung buhay nila. Ma-enjoy naman nila after being committed doon sa mga hospital facilities,” Go said. Go also asked concerned authorities to look into the present referral system for patients with pending cases. He cited that some patients admitted to the mental health hospital who are facing cases in court must be properly assessed to determine whether they should remain in NCMH or be tranferred to other facilities. “What should be the proper referral system for patients with pending cases? Dahil nababalitaan ko marami pong mga may kaso na nandodoon pa sa mental health (hospital),” said Go. “Bakit sila nako-commit doon? Ngayon, kung pwede na silang lumabas, magaling na sila, maaari bang ibalik na po doon sa kulungan para ma-decongest naman po itong mga mental health facilities natin?,” he added. Health authorities during the hearing responded to Go’s concerns, highlighting the protocols in place to determine whether someone has a mental illness, including a neuropsychiatric screening test. Patients who are committed to mental hospitals with a court order are already considered to need psychiatric treatment, and mental health professionals assess their fitness for trial or the need for further treatment. Those deemed mentally competent will face trial for their actions. In a separate interview at the Senate after the said hearing, Go addressed the allegations of corruption at NCMH, stating that if there are reports of wrongdoing, an inquiry can be done and referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meanwhile, the senator also emphasized the importance of providing proper care to patients in the NCMH, including providing them with the necessary medication and nutrition. “Ibigay po sa kanila what is due to them. Tao po itong mga pasyente, kahit na may problema sila sa mental health. Paano gagaling kung ‘di ibibigay sa kanila ‘yung nararapat na gamot at pagkain na naayon po sa kanila. Tulungan po natin, mahalin po natin ang mga pasyente natin,” he said. Go, an advocate of improved mental healthcare, has filed Senate Bill No. 1321, or the proposed “Specialty Centers in Every Region Act of 2022”. The bill aims to establish specialty centers in select DOH-hospitals across the country, with mental health services as one of the specialties offered. Additionally, Go has filed SBN 1786, which would require public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices on their campuses. He also serves as co-author of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s SBN 379, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level. Meanwhile, one of the key initiatives he pushed for in the 2023 budget is the improvement of benefit packages of the PhilHealth. According to Go, the 2023 budget includes a special provision for the improvement of benefit packages of PhilHealth including mental health packages. This provision is crucial given the sharp increase in mental health issues and the inaccessibility of mental health services. “Mayroon pong P1.86 billion ang DOH for mental health medicines, under the 2023 national budget. Mayroon din pong P12 million budget for mental health awareness and hotline,” Go shared. “We have consistently advocated for increased funding for medical (mental) health programs. For example, in 2021, the DOH was granted an additional P384 million for its mental health program, while in 2022, an additional P200 million was allocated for the same purpose,” he cited. The post Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines rescues over 1,000 trafficking victims
Philippine authorities have rescued over a thousand people from several Asian nations who were trafficked into the country, held captive, and forced to run online scams, an official said Saturday. International alarm has grown in recent months over internet scams in the region often staffed by trafficking victims tricked or coerced into promoting bogus crypto investments. Michelle Sabino, a spokeswoman for the Philippine national police force's anti-cybercrime group, said officers raided a cluster of buildings Thursday in Mabalacat City, about 90 kilometers north of Manila. A total of 1,090 people were rescued who had been recruited to run online scams. Sabino said the victims were forced to target unsuspecting people in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Their passports were confiscated and they were made to work up to 18 hours a day, with salary deductions for interacting with colleagues or taking extended breaks. "You're like a prisoner without a cell. You're not even allowed to talk to your roommates," Sabino told AFP. "They're not allowed to leave outside the bounds of the gate. After 18 hours of work, they're brought to their dormitory." The victims were mostly Chinese nationals, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and Indonesians, police said in a separate statement. Authorities also rescued people from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and Nepal. Sabino said the workers were trained to entice strangers into buying cryptocurrency or depositing money into bogus bank accounts after establishing fake romantic relationships. "They will build up a promise of a good future together. Let's buy a house, buy a car, let's invest money, or let's do business together," she said. At least 12 suspected ringleaders of the scheme have been arrested and are set to be charged with human trafficking. They include seven Chinese nationals, four Indonesians and a Malaysian, Sabino said. Sabino also said the police operation was the result of a plea by the Indonesian ambassador in Manila for help locating distressed nationals. A Philippine immigration official also warned on Saturday against trafficking risks while international events are underway. "In the past, we have recorded victims who claimed they were set to join beauty pageants, and shows, only to find out that they were being trafficked abroad," immigration commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement. The warning comes as Cambodia hosts the Southeast Asian Games, which began on Friday and runs until 17 May. The immigration bureau said Philippine sports officials were asked to warn Filipino athletes of the "risks of trafficking" in the country. An AFP report last year found people from around Asia have been pulled into cryptocurrency scams in Cambodia, some trafficked and beaten by scam operators. Last month, Philippine senator Risa Hontiveros warned that "scam call centers" were operating in the Philippines and employing foreigners trafficked into the country. The post Philippines rescues over 1,000 trafficking victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fight against fentanyl needs global plan, US envoy says
Combating fentanyl, a deadly opioid that has killed tens of thousands of Americans, requires a global strategy similar to the one undertaken against covid-19, US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on Saturday. Salazar spoke two days after US and Mexican security officials met in Washington to hash out disagreements over how to combat drug and weapons trafficking. "The world has to unite, this is not just about the United States and Mexico. The governments of Europe are seeing what is happening with fentanyl. We know that other countries in Latin America are now looking at it with much more interest because it is a poison," Salazar said. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times more powerful than heroin, has become a major source of tension between the two governments since most of the drug arrives in the United States from China through Mexican ports. "Five years ago there was not much talk about fentanyl. Now it is being talked about all over the world," Salazar added. On Friday, the US Justice Department indicted 28 people for fentanyl trafficking, including four sons of imprisoned US drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, as well as precursor chemical suppliers in China, among others. One of Guzman's sons, Ovidio, was arrested on January 5 in Culiacan, in Mexico's northwest Sinaloa state, in an operation that left 10 military personnel and 19 suspected criminals dead. The United States asked Mexico to extradite him last February. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 107,735 Americans died from drug overdoses between August 2021 and August 2022, and two-thirds of them from synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl. A handful of Republican lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden's administration to declare Mexican cartels as terrorist groups to open the door to US armed intervention to combat them. The post Fight against fentanyl needs global plan, US envoy says appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»