Eastern Visayas kicks off vaccination using OPAV’s VVOC Manual

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) kicked off its Visayas-wide vaccination campaign with the sharing of the COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC) Manual in Eastern Visayas during the ceremonial rollout in Catarman town, Northern Samar on May 3.

OPAV Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales assured the various local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas of the National Government’s commitment to fast track the rollout of vaccination.

The COVID-19 VVOC Manual will enhance the capabilities of LGUs in the Visayas region in the implementation of their vaccination programs to boost the government’s vaccination information drive to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated, Gonzales said.

“This VVOC Manual ensures that we will be able to achieve an efficient implementation of vaccination. Hopefully, with your support you will be able to tell your constituents to get vaccinated,” he said.

Gonzales also assured LGUs in the Visayas that they are getting their fair share of doses of the COVID-19 vaccines procured by the national government emphasizing the important role of LGUs in the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The success of COVID response in the communities lie within the mayors, the LGUs and not the national government.  Gonzales bared that the national government is there to help capacitate the LGUs and provide the necessary technical and logistical support and expertise.

During the meeting, Eastern Visayas mayors also raised the need for LGU chiefs to be included in the inoculation priority list. Gonzales has assured the mayors that this concern has been relayed to Senator Christopher Lawrence Go who chairs the Senate Committee on Health.

“Our mayors are at the forefront in the fight against COVID. Our mayors are frontliners too. So, karapatdapat lang na mabakunahan ang mga mayors natin,” he added.

The mayors lauded Gonzales’ assurance who pointed out that the vaccination of local government heads is an effective way to encourage the citizens to trust the vaccines.

Meanwhile, OPAV is visiting five more provinces in Eastern Visayas after the first leg of the rollout in Catarman town.  On May 4, OPAV is rolling out the VVOC Manual in Borongan City, Eastern Visayas.  At the Catarman rollout, 13 mayors of Northern Samar and provincial Vice Governor Gary Lavin attended to ceremonial turnover of the VVOC Manual.

The VVOC, which is based in Mandaue City, Cebu, is spearheaded by OPAV secretary Michael Dino, who sent a 20-man team, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOG-7) and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)-Visayas for the region-wide rollout in Eastern Visayas. (Photos: OPAV)

UNICEF calls on gov’t for sustained investments in immunization of children

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – UNICEF-Philippines Chief of Health and Nutrition Dr. Malalay Ahmadzai called on the government for a more sustained investments in routine immunization, invest in cold chain facilities, data, training and management, fair and efficient COVID-19 vaccinations, and strengthening vaccine trust and confidence.

Ahmadzai said that younger children in the Philippines are beset with yet another challenge: being unprotected from diseases that are preventable through vaccines that are safe, effective and most of all, free.

Only 62 per cent of children In the country today are fully immunized data from January-November 2020, far from the target 95 per cent, she said.

Ahmadzai added that in 2019, the Philippines was among the top nine countries with babies that had not received a single vaccine against preventable disease, together with Nigeria, India, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Brazil, Indonesia and Angola.

“We call on civil society, local government officials, parents, teachers, social workers, influencers, children and youth to become vaccine champions,” she added.

The UNICEF official bared that more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, many are suffering from the effects of the pandemic, especially children and immunization is everyone’s responsibility.

Ahmadzai went on that today is a historic opportunity to both end this pandemic and set out a pathway for the eradication of preventable disease among children and adolescents.

Not being able to go to school, lacking access to essential health and nutrition services, and being at increased risk of abuse and mental health issues, the effect of this pandemic will be felt by children until they grow up to become adults, she stated.

This puts children under increased risk of infections that can cause paralysis or even death, such as polio and measles, Ahmadzai added that as the world commemorate immunization week on April 24-30, UNICEF look to children and their families who need support for vaccinations.

She added that although fewer children are dying now than 30 years ago, one quarter of all deaths among children under five are from pneumonia, diarrhea and measles – a majority could have been prevented through vaccination. 

“We need to redouble our efforts by investing in essential services that reach all children and reimagine an efficient health system that works for everyone,” Ahmadzai concluded. (Photos: Unicef/Google Images)

 

EDC gives additional RT-PCR kits worth P5.6M to Negros Oriental

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

NEGROS ORIENTAL – The Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the leading geothermal power provider in the country gave Negros Oriental additional RT-PCR Detection and Extraction Test Kits and other consumables worth P5.6 million last April 28 for the province’s molecular laboratory located at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo received the kits from Norreen Bautista, EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Head. Degamo thanked EDC for its continued support and assistance to the province.

"I am very grateful to EDC for its continuous support and assistance to the Province of Negros Oriental, most particularly this period wherein we are combating COVID19. EDC is a partner in so many instances, and until today they are helping us,” Degamo said.

EDC said that the latest donation was in addition to the state-of-the-art RT-PCR machines and peripherals that the company has provided to help the province put up its own molecular laboratory, which is crucial to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bautista bared that with the two RT-PCR machines that can process up to 200 swab tests per day, the laboratory is now able to expedite the processing of COVID-19 swab samples with results released within the day.

"We all need to keep working together and give what we can to manage the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases. This is crucial for the province and for each one of us to thrive and not just survive this economic and health crisis,” Bautista added.

The turnover of additional donations was also witnessed by Dr. Liland Zoila Bustamante - Estacion, Negros Oriental Provincial IATF Ground Commander & Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Dr. Rafael Duhaylungsod, EDC-CSR for Negros External & Stakeholder Relations Officer. (Photos: EDC/NegOr.)

 

 

Marcos calls on DOH, FDA to consider preventive treatments while waiting for vaccines

CEBU CITY -- Senator Imee Marcos renewed her call on the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider preventive treatments for Covid-19 and grant wider emergency use approval of repurposed drugs like Ivermectin while waiting for vaccines.

Marcos issued the statement after the expected arrival of Russia’s Sputnik vaccine last week was delayed, adding that earlier delays have taken place even from the COVAX facility of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Let’s use preventive treatments and repurposed drugs while waiting for the vaccines. Setbacks in delivery timelines are taking place worldwide, not just in the Philippines,” Marcos said.

India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, has cut back on its vaccine exports as it faces an overwhelming surge in cases, while the EU and the UK continue to bicker over production and delivery delays, Marcos explained.

Marcos also cited the drawback in vaccine shipments of Moderna to rich countries like Canada and Britain, adding that safety reviews have also delayed the roll-out of AstraZeneca and the J&J vaccine in other countries.

“We need a back-up plan to ease the burden on our healthcare system. The global vaccine supply will remain uncertain for months to come, so what’s the back-up plan to stop infection and transmission, especially of these Covid variants?” Marcos asked.

Repurposing drugs to treat Covid-19 has been undergoing further studies worldwide, following testimonials of relief from patients and doctors alike, particularly in the use of Ivermectin, originally an anti-parasitic that has been used in humans to treat diseases such as elephantiasis and onchocersiasis or “river blindness.”

“The FDA has granted emergency use of Ivermectin but only to certain hospitals. I hope the hesitation is not because it is beholden to the interests of big pharma, since the drug costs only 35 pesos,” Marcos said.

Marcos also cited recent results of a study by infectious disease experts in Singapore that showed the likelihood of Covid-19 infection was reduced with the use of hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, and a povidone-iodine throat spray among some 3,000 trial participants after the May 2020 outbreak in the dorms of migrant workers.

Only 201,521 Filipinos have received complete vaccination since the government’s roll-out started in March, with 1,205,697 having received their first dose, according to the April 21 report of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The government’s yearend goal is to administer 148 million jabs of single-dose and double-dose vaccines to cover 78 million Filipinos, or more than two-thirds of the country’s population of about 108 million, as recommended by the WHO to achieve herd immunity.

“That means the government needs to achieve a daily vaccination rate of about 313,446 people every single day starting May until the end of the year,” Marcos pointed out, adding that the latest IATF report said the fastest vaccination rate in a day has only been 93,849 people. (Photos: Google Images)

 

DSWD-7 holds first 4Ps graduation from poverty of 152 families in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) held its first graduation ceremony of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Central Visayas on April 21 with 152 families from Daanbantayan, Cebu with 103 families having already reached level three of well-being or have risen from poverty to self-sufficiency while 49 have no eligible children.

DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Shalaine Marie Lucero told graduates that their slots in the program would be replaced with new eligible families, who will be granted the same benefits, services, and opportunities.

“Tungod sa inyong pag-graduate, aduna nay mga pamilyang mga tabangonon ang adunay tyansa nga makaapil ug makatagamtam sa benepisyo sa Pantawid Pamilya,” said Lucero. (Now that you have graduated from 4Ps, your slots from the program are given to new families who are given the benefits from 4Ps.)

Lucero explained that under Republic Act 11310 or 4Ps Act, the new beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya would avail of and enjoy the benefits under the program in 7 years.  There were already identified families, through the Listahanan, that are poor and needed to be part of the program.

“These families will undergo validation for their eligibility,” Lucero said.  To be eligible for the program, the identified poor and near-poor families must have children 18 years and below, have a pregnant woman at the time of the registration, and have to be interested and willing to comply with the requirements set by the program, she added.

There are 8,744 active Pantawid beneficiaries in Daanbantayan. Among these are 1,176 households that have reached level three of the program.

Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura told the graduates not to feel bad because they are no longer part of the program, for this will give other families in need the chance to be part of the program, and the town has programs and services for them.

"The local government of Daanbantayan will always be here to support and help you," Shimura said.

Shimura went on that the LGU has programs that would cater to their needs, such as scholarship, technical vocational training, health and entrepreneurship programs. Other national government agencies also implemented some programs and services for them too.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Rebecca Geamala emphasized that graduates can still avail themselves of the programs and services that exist in their areas and those implemented by other government agencies to sustain the development of their families.

“Graduating from 4Ps is a stepping stone for you to have more access in many opportunities,” Geamala said. (Photos: DSWD7 FB)

Maribojoc fishers earn P117K from floating fish cage project in Bohol

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

BOHOL Province—Members of the Maribojoc Coastal Barangay Law Enforcers association in Bohol earned more than P117,000 from its fish harvest on April 29 from the marine floating fish cage project that was earlier granted in 2020 through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in Central Visayas.

According to BFAR-Bohol Provincial Fishery Officer Candido Samijon that that the association members harvested 936 kilograms of bangus from the fish cage installed off Barangay Poblacion, Maribojoc shores.  They sold their harvest at an affordable market price between Php120 and Php130 per kilo, logging in P117,000 income from the first harvest of its second fish cage.

The 28-member association has two existing fish cages; the first one was a SAAD-aided project funded in 2019 while the other was earmarked on the succeeding year.  Part of the fish cage project, which cost over P210,000 are the 5,500 milkfish or “bangus” fingerlings and the 120 bags of fish feeds allotted for the first cropping, Samijon said.

The offshore fish cages served as livelihood intervention to the association which was tagged as among the marginalized fisherfolk group in Maribojoc town.  The local government unit of Maribojoc was quick to recognize the group because aside from its poverty status, the members shared a noble cause in protecting and conserving the marine resources, Samijon added.

According to BFAR-7 the project has given the association modern fishing technologies on top of its use of traditional fishing methods.  The floating-designed fish cage boosts their productivity and income.

Based on the association’s income records in 2019, the association tallied a Php222,600 profit from two separate harvests. The first harvest that year yielded 905 kilograms of bangus that gathered some Php108,600 revenues while the second harvest yielded 950 kilograms of bangus that recorded Php114,000 in sales.

BFAR-7 on the other hand continued to give the fisher/members various training on how to operate, manage and sustain the fish cage project in 2019 and 2020. For the third year of the project implementation, BFAR-7 will continue to guide the association with trainings on fishery enterprise and the like, Samijon aid.

The goal of the SAAD program is to develop a scheme within three years for the association to eventually manage its own fishery business enterprise. (Photos: BFAR7)

 

 

LTO-7, TESDA ink MOA to integrate driving course to NC courses

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY -- Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-7) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in March this year to harmonize the driver's training, education, and transformation of both agencies and to integrate its driving course to TESDA’s National Certificate (NC) courses to give the public more options in getting their driver's license without spending more.

LTO-7 regional director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said that both agencies are just waiting for the implementing guidelines to formally implement the partnership.  He added that they’re working to activate the TESDA NCII, NCIII program for its accreditation with LTO.

Under the MOA, TESDA Driving NC II will be equivalent to PDC for Non-professional Driver's License with restriction code 2 while TESDA Driving NC III will be equivalent to PDC for Professional Driver's License and/or additional restriction code of 3/8.

The MOA read that it "will empower TESDA and its training centers to offer Theoretical Driving Course and Practical Driving Course (PDC) equivalent to that being offered by the LTO Driver's Education Center."

Currently, LTO-7 is offering Technical Driving Courses (TDC) thru its DEC to the public who cannot afford a private driving school.

"This is still on top of the Malasakit Program of LTO where we're giving out free scholarships on Theoretical Driving Course in collaborations with local government units," Caindec said.

Caindec bared that as of April 30, LTO-7 has accredited 36 private driving schools around Central Visayas.

In Cebu City, the accredited driving schools are AZB88 Driving School, TL Mabuhay Driving Lesson Academy Inc., in Mambaling and Pahina Central, CTS-Cebu, and Smart Driving School in Mabolo.

Mandaue City has 4 available driving schools which include TL Mabuhay, AZB88 Driving School, NC Tiger Driving School, and P5 iDrive Driving School.

TL Mabuhay, AZB88 Driving School, and MJM Lapu-Lapu are also accredited in Lapu-Lapu City while in Talisay City both TL Mabuhay and Garnet Driving School are the public's option.

In Consolacion, TL Mabuhay and St. Raphael Driving & Technical School Inc. are accredited. TL Mabuhay, Primetech Skill Institute, and NC Tiger Driving School for Danao City residents.

Twin Driving Institute and TL Mabuhay for Medellin; and TL Mabuhay in both Bantayan Island and Camotes Island.

Balamban has two accredited driving schools which include TL Mabuhay and P5 iDrive Driving School; TL Mabuhay in Toledo City; TL Mabuhay and AZB88 Driving School in Carcar City; and P5 iDrive Driving School in Ronda.

There are three accredited schools in Bohol which are located at Tagbilaran City, Talibon, and Garcia Hernadez, all operated by TL Mabuhay.

In Negros Oriental, three TL Mabuhay schools in Bayawan, Dumaguete City, and Bais City are options, as well as Sto. Nińo Skills Training & Assessment Center. Inc., in Damaguete City.

Caindec added that the more driving schools, the fair level of course pricing, the more schools that are operating with the government also competing, pricing will level up.

Caindec revealed that one of their challenges in LTO 7's DEC is the no-show of the applicants. He said that LTO-7 has limited classroom capacity due to the 50 percent protocol requirement of the Inter-Agency Task Force due to the pandemic.

"If wala'y significant changes sa 50% capacity that is being implemented this year, with 25 per week, we are actually full for 2021," Caindec said. (Photos: Google Images/LTO7)