Combes couple from Amlan town survives pandemic via gov’t grants

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

AMLAN, Negros Oriental – Jeffrey and Miraflor Combes, a couple from Barangay Bio-os, Amlan in Negros Oriental survived the pandemic through government assistance specifically from the Sustainable Livelihood program (SLP) under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"Walay gisantos ang pandemya.” (The pandemic spared no one.) Miraflor uttered and this has been the common phrase among poor families in the rural setting.

 “Lisod kaayo ang kinabuhi, paet gyud, makahunahuna gyud ta bisan unsa para lang manginabuhi.” (Life is really hard with the pandemic and we have to think of anything to do to earn just to survive our daily needs.) Miraflor added as her family is one of the many victims of the lockdown conditions at the height of the pandemic.

Miraflor, 34, is a mother of two, ages 16 and 3 who tended a small sari-sari store and her husband Jeffrey is a fisherman. When lockdown took effect in 2019, the family’s income and livelihood were greatly affected. They live simply in Bio-os, Amlan where fishing is the dominant livelihood of Jeffrey and most of the husbands in the area.

With the lockdown, Jeffrey could no longer fish. The family’s income dwindled greatly.  “Ang lockdown nahimong sukdanan kung unsaon namo pag diskarte sa kinabuhi, pero hinay-hinay na pud nga nahurot ang among puhonan, tungod kay wala na usab ka panagat akong bana.” (The lockdown has become a measure of how we approach life, but our investment is slowly running out because my husband can no longer fish.) Miraflor said.

But they have to strive.  With a bit of savings, she upgraded her sari-sari store and added some spices and vegetables, so neighbors do not need to go far for their daily cooking needs.  Miraflor bared that that survival is undoubtedly testing the family’s strength and creativity.

As life simply goes by with the Combes, the government through the local DSWD continued to extend its livelihood assistance grant and timely indeed for the Combes.  Miraflor said, it came unexpectedly.

“I did not expect it because I had already received the 6,000.00 from the Social Amelioration Program (SAP). The assistance helped us with our daily consumption, but the Php 15, 000.00 livelihood grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) came as a blessing in 2021,” Miraflor said in the vernacular.

She used the seed money to augment her stocks at her sari-sari store. Her neighbors, she added need not go to the market anymore because her store has all their needs.

Six months after she received the grant, Miraflor saved P18,500. The couple decided to get a motorcycle worth P79,000.00 on an installment basis. They deposited P2,000 from their savings as a down payment. The Combes took the 36-month instalment scheme.

"As soon as the motorcycle was released, we converted it into a tricycle, which will increase our income," Miraflor explained in dialect.

Her husband drives the tricycle now to ferry their neighbors from their barangay to other places. The tricycle became the substitute income whenever his husband cannot go fishing, Miraflor said.

Jessie Jan Plaza, project development officer of DSWD7 saw how motivated Miraflor is now to manage her sari-sari store and the family’s income from Jeffrey’s tricycle services.  Plaza said Miraflor’s success in life can be seen through how the couple strived and valued the grant they received from the government.

Indeed, the pandemic has been a threat to everyone and tested everyone's survival instinct. Because of it, she was able to receive grants from the government and she upgraded her livelihood and stretched all means to survive.   

Miraflor and Jeffrey showcase the products of their hard work to inspire other neighbors to go on, not to give up and pursue livelihood and business with utter grit and determination to manage life. (Photos: DSWD7)

Alegria town, DSWD7 unveil the P18.9M isolation facility from KALAHI program

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

ALEGRIA, Cebu – The local government unit of Alegria, Cebu and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) under its Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program, unveiled on May 18 one of the biggest isolation facilities in Cebu province worth P18.9M  including the town's counterpart contribution to put up this 13-room facility complete with amenities, medical equipment, PPEs, and disinfectants in response to the pandemic.

The project was fully supported by nine barangays that unanimously decided to have a sustainable and operational facility despite the meager amount of resources and the limited number of health workers.

Alegria Municipal Mayor Verna Magallon assured the people that the new administration led by mayor-elect Gilberto Magallon, LGU Alegria he town continues to work on the operationalization of this facility, particularly its conversion to an infirmary and laboratory for other medical needs as soon as local funds are available.

DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag led the ribbon cutting and turnover of the facility to the local officials and the rural health unit of Alegria.  He expressed his appreciation to KALAHI-CIDSS for putting up a project that signifies the people’s trust in the government and for working hand-in-hand in the pursuit of development.

Pamonag believed that the message of KALAHI-CIDSS is the kind of governance the country needs. “Sinisimbolo ng isang mahusay at nagkakaisang pamayanan ang kulturang gusto natin makamtan upang magkaroon ng totoo at makabuluhang pagbabago,” he added.

With the implementation of the Community-Driven Development of KALAHI-CIDSS, Pamonag hopes to see more volunteers stay committed to the program’s guiding principles of public servants that advocate for good governance. (Photos: DSWD-7)

Imee lauds ERC chair’s advice to remove VAT on power generation

CEBU CITY— Senator Imee Marcos lauds Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Agnes Devanadera for her advice to the next administration that the value-added tax (VAT) be removed on power generation and maintained only for power distribution.

Marcos said that her clear solution for lowering electricity costs is long overdue and echoes one of her proposals in Senate Bill 219, filed during her first month as senator in July 2019, that seeks to exempt not only the sale of electricity from VAT but also the sale or importation of machines and equipment to be directly used in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

Removing the VAT on electricity charges will not only benefit household and commercial end-users. It will also make the Philippines more attractive to foreign investors who balk at the country’s high power rates, arguably the highest in Asia, Marcos added.

“We need to mitigate the inevitable increase in the cost of power generation dependent on oil and gas, as global prices and supply of these commodities will continue to be volatile due to the Russia-Ukraine war,” she stated.

Marcos said, the transition teams of both the present government and presumptive president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should seriously consider ERC chairman Agnes Devanadera as the next chief of the Department of Energy (DOE). 

mWell launches most affordable health plan, continues its fully- integrated health care services

CEBU CITY – mWell continues to provide online doctor consultations to Filipinos nationwide as a fully integrated health and wellness mobile app by launching its most affordable health savers plan, the P399 for 2 online consults.

Fresh from its win as Best Initiative in Technological Innovation in The Asset ESG Corporate Awards, Singapore, mWell PH by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI) introduces the Healthsavers Plan, allowing users to pay less for online doctor consultations 24/7.

Only P399 for 2 online consults with Healthsavers Plan is an innovative mobile app responsive to the need for affordable healthcare.  For as low as P399, users can avail of two online doctor consultations with free e-prescription, medical certificate, or doctor referral.

Healthsavers Plan is transferable so it can be used by any member of the family and booking fee is waived for mWell’s best value deal.  MPIC President, Chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan said that this is part of mWell’s mission to bring healthcare closer to more Filipinos.

“Through a collaboration with trusted health experts, mWell has developed an ecosystem to provide integrated digital healthcare, even beyond the pandemic. In just a few taps on the mobile phone, our countrymen may access affordable online doctor consultation 24/7, empowering them to be in control of their health with just one app,” Pangilinan said.

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer of MPIC highlights mWell’s role as the family’s digital healthcare ally designed to respond to the health and wellness needs of every family, while keeping each member safe.

The app is a fully integrated health and wellness expert that can be called on, any time of day, wherever they may be.  mWell’s Healthsavers Plan makes it possible for more Filipinos to receive the expert medical advice they deserve at a price they can afford, Revilla bared.

Supporting Cabal-Revilla in the mWell leadership team are Gary Dujali, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer and Dr. Michael Muin, Chief Technical Officer. These doctors said that Savvy moms can easily reach a doctor for a consultation on the app, adding more quality time for the whole family.

With mWell, everyone can consult online with a doctor on call 24/7 without leaving home. Users may also book an appointment on their chosen date. They may consult with a wide range of Primary Care and Specialized doctors—Internal Medicine Specialists, Obstetrician and Gynecologists, Pediatricians, Ophthalmologists, and more.

To provide a fully integrated experience, mWell has partnered with leading names in healthcare, wellness, and tech industries, including CareSpan, Aktivo, Active8me, Highly Succeed and runs on fast secure payments via Maya.

Available on the app are doctors from top hospitals such as Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, De Los Santos Medical Center, Manila Doctors Hospital, and Marikina Valley Medical Center. It has also teamed up with PhilCare to increase the number of partner-doctors nationwide.

Beyond telemedicine services, mWell also offers users a guide to achieving a healthy physical lifestyle for long-term health, a PH first and exclusive which was developed in partnership with an award-winning team of doctors and data scientists from Aktivo, the mWellness Score functions as a free daily health tracker.

Without having to spend on extra gadgets or wearables, mWell users can easily generate their daily mWellness Score by simply clicking on the mWellness Score icon on the app.

Aside from the mWellness Score, mWell has also made available customized fitness and nutrition programs developed by Olympians and exercise physiologists. Users may also try out calorie-controlled recipes created by dietitians and nutritionists. (Photos: mWell/FB)

CDC opens new country office in PH, commemorates MOU with DOH

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

MANILA-- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially opened its new country office in Manila this month to strengthen and expand its existing cooperation with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) for a broad range of shared health priorities, including increased health security in Asia.

The DOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also commemorated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Health and Medical Sciences for increased collaboration between the United States and the Philippines on public health emergency preparedness and response; the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable and communicable diseases and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.

HHS Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs Loyce Pace said that Dr. Romel Lacson serves as CDC’s first Country Director for the Philippines.  In collaboration with partners, relationship with the DOH to address shared health priorities.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava said partnering on health issues is not new to the countries’ 75-year history of diplomatic relations, but the opening of a CDC Philippine office and signing this MOU strengthen this key aspect of the bilateral relationship.

Pace added that with the opening of the U.S. CDC Philippines country office, “we are further reinforcing the long-standing HHS partnership between our two countries and our work together to build a healthier world.”

Lacson, on the other hand noted that in this new era, partnership is more essential than ever. “We must be willing to take on challenges together and create opportunities together.  This is why the launch of this office and our work together is so important,” he added.

The launch of the CDC Philippines Country Office illustrates CDC’s and DOH’s commitment to continue to work together to prevent and control diseases, strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response, and expand health security capacity, Lacson shared.

CDC is the United States’ public health agency and lead implementer of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  Through its new office, CDC also provides DOH with critical technical assistance and support services to intensify the country’s HIV and tuberculosis prevention, treatment, and care efforts, and to slow the twin epidemics.

In the last four years, the Philippines experienced the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Southeast Asia/Pacific region, with a sevenfold increase in newly diagnosed cases from 2010 to 2018.  

Due to this increased HIV burden, the Office of the United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy included the Philippines in the 2020 PEPFAR Asia region program.

 

 

 

Yangco first Filipino recipient of JFK Service Award

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- U.S. Peace Corps Philippines Youth Program Manager Roberto “Ambet” Yangco received the John F Kennedy Service Award as the first Filipino recipient given by U.S. Peace Corps CEO Carol Spahn on May 19 at the iconic U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

The award is given only once every five years to two staff and two American volunteers across more than 60 countries.  Yangco received the award for his exceptional lifelong service and leadership supporting the Philippines’ most vulnerable youth. 

Among other achievements, he has inspired Filipino at-risk youth to volunteer and later become social workers in their communities, and leads one of the U.S. Peace Corps’ top-ranked volunteer programs globally.

“It is time for us to lead not by the example of our power but by the power of our example,” said CEO Spahn, quoting U.S. President Joe Biden.  He added that Ambet brings this to life in so many ways.  He is described as an inspiration to all who know him, having dedicated his life to service.

As head of the U.S. volunteer organization’s Youth Program in the Philippines, Yangco has deployed over 300 American volunteers in orphanages, shelters, and youth centers across the country.  Throughout his 22-year career with the Peace Corps, he has protected thousands of Filipino at-risk youth from homelessness, trafficking, violence, and drugs by helping provide them with education, job opportunities, and life skills development.

According to Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Jenner Edelman, Ambet embodies the best of the U.S. Peace Corps and Peace Corps Philippines.  He has answered President Kennedy’s call to lifelong service, and is universally loved and respected by our Philippine partners, former volunteers, and staff for the passion and commitment he brings to his work and for positively impacting the lives of so many youths.

Yangco grew up as a street child in Olongapo City, scavenging for food and sleeping on sidewalks.  At 11, he was taken in by a local Catholic nongovernment organization supporting abandoned and underprivileged children.  Ever since he has been “paying it forward” by dedicating his life to serving the Filipino youth.

A social worker by training, Yangco has served as an HIV/AIDS outreach worker, an educator for street children, a community development officer, and rose through the ranks in the U.S. Peace Corps.

The JFK Service Award is named after former U.S. President and U.S. Peace Corps founder John F. Kennedy.  It is highly competitive and given only to those who demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to service, as well as a lifelong commitment to the Peace Corps’ mission of world peace and friendship. (Photos: Peace Corps FB/Google Images)

 

 

 

RAFI calls for proposals on early childhood dev’t programs

CEBU CITY -- the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-DACF) is now open for project proposals from May 13 to June 13, 2022 for early childhood education programs that emphasize community play-based learning approach for children ages 1-8 years old in Cebu.

RAFI DACF continues to provide funding opportunities to projects and programs of organizations, agencies, and academic institutions based in Cebu whose focus is on Early Childhood Education.

Driven with the goal to increase percentage of school-ready children aged 1-8 years old, RAFI disadvantaged children.  The grant implementation hopes to realize improvements in the early childhood development status and achieve the following interventions and activities with the grantees: construction of playgrounds, supervised neighborhood plays groups for far-flung areas, conduct of activity sessions and home-based program for early childhood development, RAFI said.

RAFI DACF Junior Executive Director Jenny Lea Menchavez said that through this grant system, the foundation wants to assist financially and support technically these organizations as they help children unfold and grow with their individual skills and talents.

DACF wants to fuel these organizations to continue to mold and uphold Cebuano children. “We at DACF remain constant with our overall vision of enabling communities to champion their children by protecting their rights, welfare and development for them to achieve their full potential," Menchavez said.

Menchavez hopes that this long running program of providing funding opportunities to early childhood projects continue to touch and reach more communities and create a space for their children to grow into becoming responsible and active members of the community in the future.

Eligible programs or projects will be granted one-year assistance with a support of P500,000.00 to one million pesos P1,000,000.000 per project or program per year through DACF’s Development Fund.

Interested applicants are subject to the application and evaluation processes. Applicants are required to submit and qualify for the following: Submission of Full Long-term implementation plan of at least 2-3 years; Direct beneficiaries should be 1-8 years old children with target number of children benefitted should be at least 100 per year.

Filled out of forms and applicants may visit this link: https://bit.ly/3l4U9JB to see guidelines and download the forms; Submission of requirements to DACF’s email: dacf.grants@rafi.ph.

After the end of submission dates, the DACF Screening and Review Team will conduct stringent screening, documentation, and validation processes for all proposals. All interested applicants will also be trained to use the Grants Management System (GMS) website – a new online platform designed for grants application, monitoring, and evaluation. 

For more information and inquiries, applicants can reach RAFI-DACF through their number:  0969 394 7141.

Beneficiary programs and projects selected are notified via email or letter and be invited for a grants conference to discuss the ways forward and completion of the orientation. Interested applicants may connect with the foundation through its social media pages to know more about the program.

 

 

Childlink Summer Classes now includes Coding for Kids

CEBU CITY – Childlink Learning Center and High School Inc. now has something new included in its summer school. The newest offering is the Coding classes and open and it include Reading classes for Nursery and Kindergarten as well as reinforcement classes intended for students who want to learn in advance different subjects.

Childlink summer classes will start on June 6 until June 29 and these can only accommodate limited number of students hence, she encourages parent to enroll as early as now. She explained that having their children attend classes will ensure continuity and helps prepare the child establish a routine for schooling.

“They will not be idle and their time will be channeled to positive activities,” Tio added.  The hour-long Reading Classes will help preschoolers’ transition and prepare them for the next grade level while the Reinforcement Classes also aims to help students who did not do well in the 2021-2022 school year.

The school has also partnered with Algorithmics to have online classes for Junior and Senior Coding for the Summer Class, Childlink founder and school directress, Maria Theresa Tio said.

Tio added that according to Computer Science Degree Hub website, coding is basically the computer language used to develop apps, websites and software. For example, most popular technology such as Facebook, smartphones and browsers all run on code.

Tio explained the school decided to offer Coding classes so students can acquire technological skills. “This is the direction of the future. They (Algorithmics) will be teaching students on how to do game development and website making.”

She added that this training is beneficial for students since learning how to code will help them in their entrepreneurial endeavor and teach them to become creative at an early age and in a well-directed manner.

An article posted on the Getting Smart website noted that coding nurtures creativity, develops problem-solving skills and promotes learning by doing among children.  Tio then recalled that a girl who learned coding at an early age and went on to establish her own company. She was referring to 18-year-old Stanford University student Isabel Sieh, who learned coding at the age of 10.

Sieh then established the Girls Will Code, which aims to encourage young girls to become interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, and co-founded, with her mother Ronna Reyes Sieh, The Coding School that offers classes to children, young adults and professionals in coding, data science, robotics and engineering, Tio shared.

The Junior and Senior Coding Camps which will start on June 1, offer two-hour classes for children from age 6 to 14 and for those who are older but does not have any basic coding knowledge could also join the Coding Camp, which are conducted online.

Meanwhile, Childlink is now preparing for blended learning, a combination of face-to-face and online classes.  The Department of Education (DepEd) disclosed that more than 10,000 schools have been approved to have limited face-to-face classes.

Tio said the school will conduct class simulation, which is part of the requirement for a school to be allowed to hold in-person classes. If approved by DepEd, Childlink students will attend in-person classes on some days and online classes on other days, she added.

For information on the schedule of Childlink Summer Classes, they can be reached through email at linkersguidance@gmail.com or through telephone at 0933 812 2911. (Photos: Childlink/Robby Alugar)

 

 

BHWs empowerment, Siquijor remain priority for KALAHI-CIDSS projects in C.Visayas

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pushed for the development and empowerment of the Barangay Health Workers as the link to basic medical care at the grassroots while it continues to make Siquijor a priority for its projects, specifically Enrique Villanueva town.

 

According to DSWD-7 regional information officer Leah Quintana, with additional financing being implemented from 2021 until 2023, the program continues to provide adequate support not only to local government units (LGUs) but also to capacity-building for volunteers and sectoral groups whose roles are crucial in addressing poverty that resulted from the pandemic.

In Aloguinsan, Cebu, KALAHI-CIDSS under Phase 1 of its Additional Financing turned over four barangay health stations and one isolation facility with amenities, medical and disinfectant tools, equipment, and communication devices necessary for the operationalization of the facilities.

These facilities house the LGU’s basic health services and augment the available resources provided by other agencies. Barangay health workers (BHWs) will soon be deployed to operate these facilities and were given training programs appropriate to them, like community building and environmental safeguards, Quintana bared.

Punong Barangay of Bonbon, Owen Manguilimotan shared his experiences how KALAHI-CIDSS program helped them over the years with projects that were suited to their needs. Their participation in KALAHI-CIDSS not only enhanced their capabilities but also developed interpersonal and behavioral skills to prepare them for more challenges ahead.

“Despite the many areas where medical care is most needed, DSWD continues to capacitate our people with the right training, and it is an added value for our BHWs as they voluntarily render their time and efforts in the delivery of health care services,” Manguilimotan said.

Helen Ybañez, program Community Development Officer of Aloguinsan said the LGU encouraged that these projects be sustained and be used for many generations to come. She hopes that KALAHI-CIDSS of DSWD will carry the vision of Aloguinsan for a better and inclusive society.

Meanwhile, KALAHI-CIDSS continues to make Siquijor a priority for its projects, specifically in Enrique Villanueva town, one of the poorest municipalities in the country.  Since 2003, the program has provided several projects to Enrique Villanueva including rehabilitation of water systems, electrification of street lights through the installation of solar panels, construction of training and daycare centers, and access roads.

With the pandemic, DSWD-7 committed to support the small province of Siquijor, with 4 out of 6 towns engaged with the program. Various projects were implemented to help local communities proactively respond to health emergencies, such as the construction of isolation facilities, purchase of equipment and PPE sets, communication devices, medical tools, and rehabilitation of water systems.

DSWD-7 has poured in P35 million to fund these projects, while P11 million was provided by partner local government units (LGUs) in Siquijor as contribution to the implementation of projects with 1,636 volunteers mobilized to do various activities.

Barangay Development Council-Technical Working Group (BDC-TWG) Head and Community Volunteer Lynn Maria Magsayo shared her insights how the program transformed her to become an active citizen. “KALAHI did not promise us infrastructure projects but people’s empowerment and equal opportunity for all,” she said.

Volunteers suggest solutions to the problems that their community faces thus becoming the change they want to see in their own respective communities.

“With these projects, Barangay LGUs are ready to face the crisis now that they have received help from DSWD. And even if the pandemic ends, they plan to use these facilities as infirmary or birthing centers that will cater the needs of those poor individuals who cannot afford basic medical care,” KALAHI-CIDSS Community Development Officer Allan Quitoriano said.

 

 

Cebu Carbon market opens new Sunday hangout

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Cebu City Government and the Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W) launched on May 22 the Sunday Night Market on ML Quezon Boulevard, one of the areas being modernized in the Carbon Public Market that aims to provide the Carbon community a space to display Cebu's local products and cuisine for locals and tourists to enjoy.

The weekly Carbon Sunday Market opens from 4:00-10:00 p.m. and it features a lively food street; a colorful array of general merchandise, souvenirs, fruits and trinkets; a charming display of flowers and greens for plantitos and plantitas; and even services like massage and tarot card reading.

 LAMBO Carbon headed by Pastor Zosimo Potot, expressed their gratitude for this recent development. “We are glad this happened and that we are the first to witness its contribution to the Carbon community,” he said.

LAMBO Carbon is a multi-sectoral people’s organization that aims to improve livelihood, sustain welfare, and unite the members of the Carbon community.

"We owe it to these children in the Carbon community. Soon, they will grow up to see a much better Carbon. Five, 10, 15 years down the line, I wish for these children to see a different Carbon and eventually operate this project themselves," C2W operations director Lydwena Eco said in a welcome message.

Carbon Market is also holding a “Sugbo Sugba” barbecue strip at the viaduct area from 4:00-10:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.