WFP to extend assistance to Lanao del Sur until 2014

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 3 (PIA) -- The province will continue to receive assistance from the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) until 2014. 

This was announced by UN-WFP Deputy Country Director Asaka A. Nyangara during the ceremonial launching of the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations (PRRO) at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall Monday, July 2. 

Nyangara said the two-year program aims to support government in recovery activities in food-insecure and conflict-affected communities in Central Mindanao. 

He said it is also expected to contribute to the government’s peace-building initiatives by increasing resilience of affected communities to shocks. 

According to him, more than 900,000 beneficiaries in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Zamboanga peninsula, and the two Lanao provinces are set to benefit from the program.

The PRRO launching, as well as the symbolic turn-over of UN-WFP Food Support to the provincial government, was one of the many activities highlighting the 53rd Araw ng Lanao del Sur celebration. 

In his keynote message, Nyangara mentioned some of the assistance extended to the province by the WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. 

He said the WFP has supported efforts to improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children, aging between six to 23 months with ready-to-use food supplements. 

With the hope that schoolchildren in the province will be encouraged to return to school and in the process help establish a sense of normalcy in their lives, Nyangara said the WFP also extended support to schoolchildren through its emergency school-feeding activities. 

WFP likewise supported local government units and communities in various livelihood initiatives with the end goal of empowering and achieving self-sufficiency in the communities, he added. 

Provincial Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. expressed his appreciation to the UN-WFP Deputy Country Director for gracing the anniversary celebration of the province and thanked the UN-WFP for the numerous interventions extended to the province. (APB-PIA10)

Line agencies showcase programs, projects

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, July 3 (PIA) – Various line agencies in the province showcased their respective programs and projects Sunday, declared by the provincial government as Line Agencies Day as part of its 53rd founding anniversary. 

A "hataw" exercise session, which is part of the healthy lifestyle program of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), kicked-off the day’s activities. Various agencies also showcased their booth displays at the provincial capitol grounds. 

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) officer-in-charge governor Mujiv Hataman, graced the occasion and responded to the concerns of some of the agencies during the Line Agencies Reportorial Show held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol. 

Agencies that presented their accomplishments were the IPHO, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways Districts I and II, Department of Education Divisions Lanao Sur IA, IB, IIA, and IIB, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). 

Other agencies present at the event were the Department of Social Welfare and Development Lanao Sur-A and Lanao Sur-B, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, National Statistics Office (NSO), Provincial Prosecutors Office, and Public Attorney’s Office. 

In his message, Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. expressed appreciation to all the agencies who participated in the celebration. 

He also thanked them for supporting and cooperating with the provincial government in bringing programs and services that respond to the needs of the community specifically mentioning existing strong partnerships with NSO and National Bureau of Investigation on the mobile passporting program with DFA, IPHO on health and nutrition, TESDA on livelihood and manpower development, DAF on agricultural projects and DPWH on infrastructure support, among others. 

He also emphasized that the provincial government is committed to support consistency and transparency in all government actions and the core part of this will be achieve through strong collaboration with line agencies and other sectors of the society. 

The Line Agencies Day was also busy with people seeking free services like in mass registration of live birth, legal assistance, and application of business permit, as well as a medical and dental mission. 

The day was capped with a concert featuring the Freestyle band, and lantern lighting at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. (APB/PIA-10) 

Kidney program to go beyond the renal disease prevention month

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 3 (PIA) -- The City Health Office (CHO) will continue the advocacy of the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) even beyond the National Kidney Month of June. 

This assurance came from Dr. Daniel Medina, CHO Officer, who said the conduct of daily consultations and urinary screening tests (USTs) will go on at the health office for the rest of the year. 

Medina said that the theme: ”Ikaw at Ako Ay Panalo sa Malusog Na Bato (With Healthy Kidneys, You and I are Winners)" will remain the focus of the intensified campaign to heighten awareness of residents on how to take care of one’s kidneys. 

In fact, the information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign that REDCOP did last month will still be discussed during the mothers’ classes and group health teachings in the barangays year-round, and not only during the month of June, Medina said. 

He said a total of 770 patients were recommended to undergo USTs at the CHO, from January to June, this year. 

Only 64 patients or 0.08 percent, were found to have abnormal results in their urine and diagnosed with renal disease, Medina said. Of this figure, 61 were diagnosed with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while one each was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis, nephrolithiasis, and severe UTI R/O pyelonephritis. 

REDCOP coordinator Myrle Silva said the highest number of patients, who were made to undergo the UST, was during the month of May with 203 patients. 

This was followed by the month of June, 154 patients; January, 148 patients; February, 101 patients; March, 100 patients; and April, 64 patients. (PIA10, Mis. Occ.)