Childlink mounts Puppet Show on Healthy Habits at Cebu City Public Library

LOOK: Puppet Show on Healthy Habits.  Members of the Zonta Club of Cebu II performed a puppet show for young school children  of 4-5 years old in support to its Read Aloud Program at the Cebu City Public Library.  

The puppet show taught and reinforced to young children the importance of proper handwashing and toothbrushing.  These are health practices which are very important in keeping to personal hygiene and necessary health protocols.

Zonta Club II reading advocacy program has always been the primary advocacy of the Zonta Club of Childlink Cebu since this club was formally organized. 

 

Government’s Malasakit program marks 3rd anniversary

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

 CEBU CITY – The government’s “Malasakit Center Program” launched three years ago has reached its 100^th center that opened its services at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, Tuesday, February 2 in time for its 3^rd year anniversary.

According to Senator Lawrence Go that the program is a one-stop service shop of government services that focused on healthcare and medical financial assistance.

The Malasakit Center (MC) at the RITM is the 54^th for Luzon while the Visayas has 22 and Mindanao has 24 MCs. Over the last three years, Go bared that the program has served more than 2,000,000 Filipinos nationwide majority of those experienced a zer0-balance billing in the hospital bills.

The first-ever Malasakit Center was launched in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City last February 12, 2018 that was attended by President Duterte and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas secretary Michael Dino.

Go said that the Malasakit Center is inspired by the “Pagkalinga sa Bayan” project of Mayor Sara Duterte in Davao City which was established in 2017. 

Back in 2001, then-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte initiated the “Lingap para sa Mahirap” to provide medical and financial assistance to its constituents.  It was located inside Pagkalinga sa Bayan Center with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)

The program is an inter-agency synergy to facilitate speedy processes of availing government’s assistance in public hospitals.

The hospital where the Malasakit Center is located also receives a monthly funding from the Office of the President ranging from P3 million to P30 million depending on the capacity and level of the hospital. This fund comes from the Office of the President’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund or OP-SCPF.

At present, there is a Malasakit Center in all major cities and provinces in the Philippines. This enabled the government to provide medical and financial assistance to more people.

In December 2019, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act, which institutionalizes the center and make it available to DOH-run hospitals in the Philippines. OPAV is part of The Working Group or TWG Committee who drafted the key operations guidelines of the Malasakit Center.

The Malasakit Center is a project initiated by Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) and is implemented in cooperation with the provincial or city Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Health (DOH), or LGU-operated hospitals in selected regions, Philhealth, PCSO, DSWD, and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV). (Photos: OPAV)

 

Dumaguete is 3rd most competitive component city in Visayas

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY— The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2020 Rankings has tagged Dumaguete City as the third Most Competitive Component City in the Visayas.

Dumaguete City mayor Felipe Remollo was elated to receive the recognition during the 8th Regional Competitiveness Virtual Summit held in City in December last year.  He bared that in 2018 Dumaguete City also received a similar award at the national level for being the seventh Most Improved Component City.

"We try as much as possible to encourage business liaise with business organizations in Dumaguete. We promote small entrepreneurs, build infrastructure that will prepare Dumaguete for the big thing—when this pandemic end and when the vaccines arrive, we can go back to the new normal,” the mayor said in a live PCOO Network Briefing recently.

Remollo bared his plans that focus more on infrastructure projects which include two bridges, leisure parks, and open spaces available for competitive sports for 2021. The City is building two bridges even during the pandemic with the objective to control the movement of people and traffic during this time.

Traffic congestion is a deterrent for business especially now that several business process outsourcing companies have expressed interest in relocating their operations in Dumaguete City. Remollo added.

The mayor is also keen on establishing more parks, leisure parks and open spaces.  He said that these are the heart and soul of every community where people, especially children who have not been able to go out because of the pandemic are able to use these facilities.

Remollo went on that he wants Dumaguete to be acknowledged as the gateway to beautiful spots in Negros Oriental and in Central Visayas such as lakes, forests and beaches. 

He also wants to open the city to local divers and enthusiasts and said that the city Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is working with the national IATF to set and approve guidelines for incoming local tourists.

In terms of jobs and livelihood opportunities, the City has donated a land area to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the construction of its facility which will be the first technological facility in Negros Oriental to cater to out-of-school youths and other skilled workers.

Plans to sustain Dumaguete City’s competitiveness ranking are continuously  worked out by the local council and development-oriented private and business sectors to push the City’s edge to its varied potentials in tourism, lifestyle, education and in the digital highway. (Photos: Google files)

 

 

MCIA issues updated protocols for arriving international passengers

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

LAPULAPU CITY – Starting February 01 all international passengers arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) shall observe updated arrival protocols per resolutions 96 and 97 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

For all types of passengers, MCIA reminds travelers to complete the online MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form via https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration within five days before the scheduled arrival date at MCIA.

Take note of the Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN) sent to your email address upon completion of the form.  Passengers must adherence to the mandatory RT-PCR swab testing on the 5th day from the arrival date at MCIA.

For OFWs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall shoulder the cost of quarantine facility and swab test upon arrival. 

For non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, the following required arrangements are shouldered by the passengers:

·         A minimum of seven (7) days hotel booking confirmation at accredited hotels. For the list of accredited hotels, click here or visit https://bit.ly/MCIAAccreditedHotels.

·         RT-PCR swab test cost of P4,100.00 paid upon arrival or pre-paid

·         Step-by-step Arrival Guide

Prior to arrival, fill out the following forms distributed by the airline crew while on flight: Health Declaration Form and Immigration Arrival Card.  Upon arrival passengers must undergo required briefing by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

Once briefing is done, proceed to the Validation Counter and present the following: Barcode/Travel Reference Number (TRN), Passport, Boarding Pass, Health Declaration Form. Keep the printed barcode until the date of your scheduled swab test.

Proceed to thermal scanning by the BOQ and to the Immigration counter for clearance and submit Immigration Arrival Card.

Proceed to the designated counters at the Arrival Reclaim Hall: For OFWs: OWWA Counter for hotel accommodation assignment and for non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals, go to the Cashier counter for payment of swab test, PHP and Visa card are accepted. For other currencies, proceed to the foreign exchange counter at the arrivals area.

Proceed to assigned reclaim belt to claim baggage.

Proceed to the designated waiting area and wait for a representative from the respective agencies for Customs clearance: OWWA for OFWs; Accredited hotel representatives for returning non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals.

Proceed to Customs counter for clearance.

Proceed to the designated vehicle with the respective agency representative for hotel or quarantine accommodation drop-off.

On swab test date scheduled five (5) days from the arrival date, passengers must submit the printed barcode to the medical personnel then undergo swab testing that will be performed at the designated quarantine facility.

Test results are released within 24-48 hours via the email address provided in the online registration form.

If swab test result is positive, BOQ will coordinate with the passenger for specific instructions. The passenger must comply with the mandated health, safety, and treatment protocols of the DOH and BOQ.

If swab test result is negative, the passenger will receive the test result via email from the BOQ.

For inquiries on test result, please contact the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) via boq@gmcac.ph or call (032) 494-7000, 7688 to 7690.

If swab test result is negative, coordinate with the LGU for further instructions on transport and completion of the remainder of the 14-day quarantine.  Passengers may coordinate with the LGUs for pick up or arrange own transportation depending on the instructions of the LGU.

 Pre-payment instructions for swab test

Pre-payment of swab test for non-OFW Filipinos and foreign nationals is encouraged to facilitate smooth process upon arrival.  To pre-pay for the swab testing, follow the steps:

1.     After completing your online registration and once you receive your barcode/TRN, pay at least 48 hours before your scheduled arrival date.

2.    The following are the available payment methods: Bank Transfer or Direct Deposits (Indicate the passenger’s full name and arrival date in the details/notes section)

United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) – SM City Cebu Branch

            Account Name:                     PRIME CARE CEBU

            Account Number:     00-318-1044-220

            Swift Code:                UCPBPHMM

3.    Money Remittance Centers:

Palawan, Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, LBC, Western Union, etc.

Payee: Janna Ragas

4.    Other methods

Prime Care Medical Clinic located at APM Mall, across SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City

Once payment is done, fill out the Prime Care Prepayment Form via bit.ly/PrimeCarePrepayment. Present the prepayment confirmation at the Cashier Counter upon arrival. Cash and credit card are also accepted to process payment.

Passengers are strongly advised to continuously monitor the status of their flights and ensure that they have the necessary documents in compliance with the regulations of the local government of their point of origin and place of destination, the advisory read.

 

 

 

 

DENR orders closure of all open dumpsites in PH by March 2021

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY –- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered the officials of the agency’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to step-up all efforts and strictly enforce laws against open dumpsites nationwide as they are prohibited under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. 

“All open dumpsites must be closed by the end of March this year.” Cimatu issued this nationwide directive in his message on January 26 in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of RA-9003.

According to Engr. Cindylyn Pepito, chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of EMB7 that in compliance with Cimatu’s directive, DENR-EMB-7 under the leadership of regional executive director (RED) Paquito Melicor Jr., and regional director (RD) Lormelyn Claudio organized a seminar on “Capacity Development on Environmental Laws and LGUs’ Compliance to RA 9003 For the Local Government Units for Negros Oriental” on January 28-30, 2021.

The event was participated by the three congressmen of the Province of Negros Oriental with all the Municipal Mayors and Department Heads within their respective districts to discuss thoroughly the current state of the province’s solid waste management and proper disposal of garbage.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny Antiporda joined the activity via video conferencing and said in his message that DENR is doing its best to help the LGUs in maintaining good environment in their areas.  “With your cooperation, expect the best from us. We will help you,” Antiporda said.

This is the open dumpsite  located at Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City

The seminar according to Pepito presented financial mechanism schemes for all LGUs to have ideas on how they can comprehensively establish their Solid Waste Management (SWM) facilities. 

Private waste management service providers also presented different technologies to give options for the LGUs on proper SWM with the different types of waste generated in the household level.

Cease-and-Desist or Closure Orders (CDOs) will be issued to all municipalities in Central Visayas that will continue to operate open dumpsites.   

Pepito said that DENR-EMB7 simultaneously padlocked two open dumpsites located at Barangay Luyang in Carmen in Cebu and in Barangay Kamonggayan, Catungawan Sur in Guindulman town in Bohol on January 25.

Pepito added that the issuance of the CDOs meant that the disposal of any type of garbage or waste is no longer allowed at the dumpsite and any person or entity who shall act in contravention of the closure order shall be liable to the law and eventually cases will be filed against them. (Photos: EMB7 & Syril Repe FB post)

 

 

 

Miss Universe Philippines 3rd Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx at Ubi Festival in Bohol

 LOOK: Miss Universe Philippines 3rd Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx urges everyone to eat Bohol's delicious Ubi root crop and help farmers as she graced the opening of the month-long 21st Bohol Ubi Festival at the old Tagbilaran City airport Monday, January 25.

Amelinckx was named the Miss Universe Philippines Ambassador for Tourism, a title that blends with the Ubi festival, promoted as a farm tourism.

The Boholana stunner from Tubigon visited Gov. Arthur Yap at Capitol to thank him for "supporting her before, during and after the pageant."

Amelinckx turned over to the provincial government the Filipiniana gown she wore in the grandest Philippine beauty competition.  She was accompanied to the Capitol by Boholano fashion designer Mikee Andrei and Fr. Val Pinlac, who chairs the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council (BACHC). (Photos: PRIMER/Ven Arigo)

 

Bohol presents its BFP elite marine fire force

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

BOHOL Province—The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bohol presented to governor Arthur Yap on January 27 the newly formed 18-man elite marine firefighters who completed the training and now considered the newly-activated, highly-skilled Bureau of Fire Protection- Marine Fire Search and Rescue Force (BFP-MFSRF) based at the Fire Substation in Lourdes, Panglao in Bohol Province.

BFP Provincial Fire Marshall CInsp. Raul Bustalino said that the group is ready for emergency dispatch as they are trained for highly technical cases; the specialized unit men are skilled in water, underwater, even high angle and mountain searches and rescues, among others.

According to Ven Arigo of the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER) office that during the presentation event, Bustalino also bared to governor Yap the program and plans of the BFP in Bohol including some of its urgent issues and concerns.  He said that the BFP here still needs funds for additional equipment that can better enable the unit.

Bustalino added that there are still four town in the province that have no fire stations namely; Danao, San Miguel, Duero and Lila and additional fire stations in the province that need to be built.

Arigo went on that the BFP-Bohol chief asked the governor to help the bureau in reaching out to the national government to fast track the release of funds for the fire stations which Yap committed to lobby particularly with the highest command of the BFP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Yap congratulated the new elite firefighters during the "new year's call" led by the Provincial Fire Marshall and its unit head, Insp. Ben Lopez. (Photos: PRIMER/Ven Arigo)