by anyajulia | Nov 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TWO and a half years after implementing a program in 2007 to make Bohol rabies free in 2010, authorities have seen very significant achievements.
“But that is not where it ends”, hints Provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.
“We can not claim yet that we are rabies free,” underscoring that a lot of work needs to be done.
The aim to eradicate rabies in Bohol seemed impossible especially when the province topped the national rabies watch-list in 2007, dragging the entire region with it, points Dr. Lapiz.
Wanting to plant the tourism destination flag in the country just does not go well with the reports that a widely preventable rabies with its teeth bared lurking in the corner, reiterates a member of the multi-sectoral Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC), in a separate talk.
“We have accomplished the target of vaccinating 70% of our dog population during our second round of inoculations, but we still have to see the results” Dr, Lapiz explains during the weekly The Governor Reports.
70% of dog population vaccinated is a universally pegged safe standard, but it is not acceptable for Bohol authorities who want a full assurance that rabies has become a non-threat.
Thanking the popular support of local governments, animal and livestock technicians and barangay livestock workers, pet owners and international funding agencies, Dr. Lapiz reported that the concerted efforts has made Bohol without a rabies case to worry to date.
Dr. Lapiz said Bohol has tested negative despite the 49 dog head samples sent to the regional laboratories for rabies examination.
There has never been reported human rabies too, she added despite biting incidents here.
Over the development, the diminutive veterinarian asked people to report to the municipal monitors any case of sudden dog deaths to quickly isolate cases, if there are.
BRPEC council appoints Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAO) as contact persons authorized to forward reports of possible rabies-related incidents.
The MAO reports would be basis for the BRPEC to send in trained people who could properly harvest and collect dog head samples for laboratory testing. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Nov 20, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
THREE Bohol towns would be piloted for a focused approach on mal-nutrition mitigation, the Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) said recently.
The underweight children of Cortes, Dagohoy and Anda towns now get to benefit from government assisted activities targeted to drastically address the problem.
The PNC selected the towns; one per congressional district based on the number of underweight children from preschool to elementary ages, explained Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot.
Data from the council showed that the same towns own the most number of underweight children in their respective districts.
PNC vice chairman Dr. Cabagnot stressed that if the problem is not addressed as soon, the problem of children suffering from malnutrition may regress to poor scholastic performance, low body resistance leading to decreased productivity.
Cortes has 262, Dagohoy; 478 and Anda has 268 children needing immediate nutrition supplementation efforts.
With the issue, PNC Chairman Governor Erico Aumentado vowed he would put in more funds in 2010, this coming from the Provincial Development Funds upon seeing the dire need to augment logistical support for the agenda.
For the three towns, the council has identified a program of enhanced rehabilitation of indentified underweight children through organized community efforts.
The program also engages communities, government agencies concerned and sectors to zoom in on nutrition education programs through a unique system anchored at the schools through the Department of Education called pabasa sa Nutrisyon.
The Department of Agriculture would also be engaging communities through food production program via its popular “Food Always In The Home” coupled with enhanced food supplementation through Feeding activities in children, says Dr. Cabagnot.
Moreover, the PNC envisioned program also involves micro-nutrition supplementation through Garantisadong Pambata as well as programmed livelihood assistance to concerned families of the focused children. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Nov 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Presdent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed on Tuesday, Republic Act 9775 or dubbed as the Anti-Child Pronography Act of 2009.
The Anti-Child Pronography Act defines that, “any represenations, be in visual, audio or written, combination thereof, by electronic, mechanical, digital, optical, magnetic or other means, of a child engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities.”
Any person who produces, distributes, publishes and commits other related acts would also be subject to penalties. Violators may include internet service providers and internet content hosts.
Under the law, the child victim of these acts is recognized as victim of violent crime and may claim compensation and protection. It also provides mandatory services for victims such as emery shelter, counseling, free legal, medical and psychological services and educational assistance.
Perpetrators may be penalized with fines ranging from P50,000 to P5 million and reclusion perpetua as the highest penalty. (Inquirer)
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by anyajulia | Nov 19, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation targets new cash offering and a bond exchange offer as part of its efforts to efficiently manage the liabilities of the National Power Corporation (“NPC”).
The bond exchange offer will help extend the maturity of the existing loans incurred by NPC and which were transferred to PSALM as mandated by Republic Act No. 9136, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.
Eligible for the bond exchange offer are NPC loans that will mature in 2010 and 2011.
PSALM’s new cash offering, on the other hand, consists of an offering of 2024 Bonds for cash in a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed USD600 million. The proceeds will be used for general corporate funding requirements, including servicing payments arising from debt and independent power producer contracts.
The Global Bond Offering commenced on 16 November 2009 and will expire on 24 November 2009. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Nov 19, 2009 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) holds its annual Entrepreneurs’ Fair from November 19-21, 2009.
Close to 100 entrepreneurs are selling quality products and export items ranging from clothes and accessories, toys, houseware, arts and crafts and novelty items to Christmas décor, ornamental plants, linen products, plastic products, leather products, household and office items, food and fruits at manufacturers’ prices during the three-day fair.
The Fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. (PIA)
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