Palace to launch online commemoration activities marking 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace

Malacanang will launch on Tuesday an online commemorative effort marking the 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Malacanang, Lacierda read from a prepared statement by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office outlining the various activities lined up for the occasion.

Among these include: the posting of the “timeline on the history of Malacañan Palace from both an institutional and architectural perspective,” the “posting of colorized archival photographs of Palace vistas and significant events such as the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales,” and the uploading of an “animated architectural evolution of the Palace.

Lacierda said the online marker will be made available at the Presidential Museum and Library (PML) website.

He called on the public to visit the website and join Filipino people in commemorating the sesquicentennial of Malacanang Palace.

“We enjoin the public to take part in this commemoration by visiting the PML website and its other social media sites (tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph & facebook.com/malacanang) or by booking a visit to experience firsthand the history and heritage of this great house which belongs to the Filipino people,” Lacierda said.

PNoy to conduct Laguindingan Airport final inspection

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 11 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino III is at Misamis Oriental today to conduct a final inspection of the Laguindingan Airport and view the airport’s marker prior to its grand opening on June 15.

The President is set to view the Laguindingan Airport Marker before he proceeds with the inspection. In the inspection of the airport facilities, PNoy will check out the x-ray machine, walk through metal detector, CCTV room, baggage handling carousel area and check-in counters.

A program will also be held which will be graced in by Misamis Oriental Governor, Mayor-Elect Cagayan de Oro City Oscar Moreno, Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General and Joseph E.A. “Jun” Abaya, Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary.

The expected crowd is 500 which will be composed of national and local government officials, officers and representative from Embassy of South Korea to the Philippines, representatives from business and private sector, project contractor and consultant, local residents and other invited guests.

Laguindingan Airport Development Project, with a total project cost of P7.853 billion, envisages the development of a new major trunk line airport of international standards. The project components entail civil works and buildings air navigation system and support facilities consulting services construction of access road right-of-way (ROW) acquisition resettlement. (RTPaculba/PIA 10)

DENR conducts Biodiversity Tour

By Lina D. Calvez

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 11 (PIA) -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Region 10 conducted a Biodiversity Tour for Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Persons on May 22, at Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape (ILPLS).

The activity aims to heighten awareness on biodiversity conservation.

OIC-Chief Florenda Lamason-Yap of Legal Division represented the Regional Executive Director (RED) Ruth M. Tawantawan in the event. She challenged the participants to take part in the biodiversity conservation to mitigate further effects of climate change.

The tour includes lecture on Biodiversity of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) by Forester Ranoray Love Noro. The event was centered on the role of women in biodiversity conservation. The participants toured around ILPLS to observe and learn on biodiversity conservation.

ILPLS is situated in the municipalities of Initao and Libertad, Misamis Oriental with a land area of 1,300.78 hectares. The area has 1,250.20 hectares seascape and 50.58 hectares landscape with high biodiversity value and a venue for field trips and recreational activities.

There are 37 tree species in the Recreation Zone of ILPLS and 25 species also in the Strict Protection Zone. There are a total of 45 avian species seen in the area. Other activities within the Protected Area (PA) include cave exploration, bird watching, boating, snorkeling and diving.

The Biodiversity Tour was part of the celebration for International Day for Biodiversity which aims to increase the understanding and awareness of people on biodiversity issues. The theme was “Water and Biodiversity.”

The Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS) sponsored the Biodiversity Tour. 06-154-2013 (Lina D. Calvez/DENR-PIA 10)

DepEd-ARMM partners with MSU on K to 12 implementation

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, June 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepED-ARMM) has partnered with the Mindanao State University (MSU) System in conducting a five-day training on K to 12 implementation.

Dr. Mariam LM. Diron, MSU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said the training aims to prepare high school teachers under the MSU system for the implementation of the K to 12 program.

She said around 600 high schools teachers under the MSU system and from private schools in the city participated in the training which will end today, June 7.

Diron said the training started at the Dimaporo Gymnasium in MSU main campus on Monday, June 3.

After that, the participants were divided into groups namely, Math, English, Science, Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE), Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP), Araling Panlipunan (AP), and Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) and brought to separate venues within the campus for a simultaneous and parallel session, she further said.

According to her, the DepEd-ARMM mobilized the trainers while MSU took charge of the other logistic arrangements.

The K to 12 program aims to raise the country’s basic education and produce high schools graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.

It covers Kindergarten, six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school. (APB/PIA-10)

Army Chief awards 10-door apartments to 4ID personnel

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, June 10 – The Commanding General of the Philippine Army led June 5 the awarding of three (3) ten-door apartments to officers and enlisted personnel here.

The ten-door Apartments are part of the Army’s program in uplifting the living condition of our Army personnel working inside army major camps such as the 4th Division.

The military officers and personnel who availed will pay through an automatic monthly deduction out from their Quarters Allowance depending on their rank. Officers whose actual residence is outside Mindanao and enlisted personnel who are renting outside camp are given priority.

In his short message, Lieutenant General Coballes stressed that the awarding of the apartment units is in line with the present Administration’s housing program which aims to provide a decent and affordable homes to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He also congratulated the recipient soldiers and their family for the opportunity to be the first occupants of the said apartments.

Ten officers and twenty enlisted personnel received the new apartments. (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

Over 1,400 schoolboys get free circumcision services

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, June 10 (PIA)—A total of 1,442 schoolboys ages 7 to 14 availed themselves of free circumcision during the annual ‘Operation Tuli” program offered by Malaybalay City Health Office (CHO).

Dr. Dennis Sangalang, City Health Officer, said the service was provided free to the young boys.

“The CHO also funds the ‘post-operation’ drugs as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) does not cover circumcision fees. PhilHealth funds the foreskin removal only if it is medically necessary like penile infections,” he said.

The average cost of circumcision in private clinics/hospitals in the province is P2,500. The amount is more than enough to help parents who are having trouble scraping up the school fees.

“In these dire economic times, more and more parents opt to avail of the government’s program on free circumcision for their schoolchildren, which is essential to their good health and proper hygiene,” Dr. Sangalang said.

Money saved by parents can go to families’ basic needs as schools open this month, he added. (RLRB-PIA10, Bukidnon)

Iligan host 15th PMAP Mindanao Summit

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, June 10 (PIA) -- Built around the theme “Talent: Acquire, Engage, Accelerate," the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Iligan Chapter, hosted this year’s Mindanao Summit, at the Elena Tower Inn, Iligan City on June 6-7.

On its 15th year, this annual gathering of people managers is a milestone in PMAP-Mindanao, marking a new phase in the deepening and broadening membership of PMAP in every chapter of Socksargen (South Cotabato-Koronadal-Sarangani-General Santos), Davao, Caraga, Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, said Leigh Duhaylungsod-Paylaga, president, PMAP Iligan-the host chapter.

This summit provides an unequalled opportunity in terms of career learning, networking, fellowship and fun for all the participants from different chapters Mindanao-wide, added Paylaga.

Addressing the 145 PMAPers participants, keynote speaker Johnson G. Cañete, regional director, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-10), showed the current employment statistics from a Labor Force Survey where the employment rates and different types of underemployment were highlighted.

Cañete said that today’s skills crisis is due to skills mismatch and the talent acquisition where most of the problems of labor relations start from the wrong recruitment of the wrong people in the wrong position.

He further said that the skills mismatch is prominent or noticeable during job fairs because there were more registered applicants than those hired on the spot which is sometimes less than fifteen percent, thus, the answer to skills mismatch is skills development.

Cañete revealed that the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in each city and municipality is soliciting job vacancies and registering applicants in the skills registry system of DOLE through PhilJobNet.

Among the speakers in the two-day event were Atty. Josephus Jimenez, chairperson, PMAP National-Labor Policy Reforms and Industrial Relations, who has solid corporate experience in leading, teaching and managing human capital. He discussed the ‘Ten Cardinal Sins of Human Relations (HR), and the Ten Saving Graces of Human Relations in Talent Acquisition.’

Jimenez emphasized that in recruitment, HR should not only consider the competence of the applicant but the character as well and to make an honest to goodness background check. He said, HR should be careful in hiring because an error in recruitment is the original sin that could lead to problems in employee relations and company discipline.

Other topics discussed were on Employee Engagement, Involvement, and Participation, by Dr. Genaro Japos, director, Research and Publication Office of the Liceo de Cagayan University; The High Yield-High Relationship Corporate Culture: Balancing People Relations with Productivity, by Dr. Carsten Evers, plant manager, STEAG State Power, Inc.; Coaching and Mentoring for Success, by Vicente Kilayko, managing director of Lee Hecht Harrison; and Roles of Leaders in Accelerating Employee’s Potentials, by Leo Gellor, Vice President-Human Resource and Chief Operating Officer of Baltek Group of Companies.

PMAP National President Evelyn Grace Sorongon, who is also the Vice President-Managing Director, Professional Staffers, John Clements Assessment and Development Center, shared her expertise in discussing ‘Attracting Talent: Cost Effective Employer Branding.’

She shared that talent management is simply a matter of anticipating the need for human capital and then setting out a plan to meet it.

She added that employers can reach out to their target market using technology and social networking sites. These sites should be taken in the context of marketing and building employer brand.

The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) is strictly a professional, non-stock, not-for-profit organization of over 1,800 member companies and individual management executives engaged or interested in Human Resource Management (HRM) and Industrial Relations (IR) work.

As a professional association, PMAP helps institutions mold an enlightened, competent, socially responsible, and influential sector of people managers who can effectively participate in nation-building. PMAP also helps its members become more effective on the job by teaching the human aspect of management via numerous career development forums and training programs. (lvgabule/PIA-10 LDN)

DTI-Misamis Oriental kicks off Diskwento Caravan 2013 in CdeO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental Provincial office (DTI-MOR), in cooperation with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), and the local government, is conducting a Diskwento Caravan called “Diskwento - Presyong Panalo para sa Mamimiling Pilipino” here on June 14-15, 2013, at Magsaysay Park (Park Café) in time with the city’s Charter Day.

The DTI coordinates with manufacturers and local distributors to ensure that enough products are available to consumers during the caravan. Over 20 companies are to participate in the event offering a variety of basic goods and assorted-for-sale-products at discounted rates and prices.

The public may enjoy unique premium offers on grocery items (buy one take one, freebie or give-away items) or deep discount slashes ranging from 10-50% off for dry goods and other basic and prime commodities such as rice, mineral water, cooking oil, bread, canned goods, processed meat, detergent bars, soaps and shampoos, school supplies, school bag, shoes and uniforms.

This flagship project of DTI is conducted in the different regions across the country to provide very affordable and quality goods and products to Filipino consumers.

The consuming public are urged to avail themselves of the affordable quality items at the Diskwento Caravan.

The Diskwento Caravan launched by DTI in 2008 started as a non-wage benefit for minimum wage earners and employees at the start of classes. Later on, several other editions of the DISKWENTO such as Food, Balik Eskwela and Holiday Caravans have evolved to cater to the needs of consumers and ease their financial burdens. (DTI-MisOr/PIA10)

Erratum on the MultiDrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) story

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

We wish to correct an error in our story entitled "MultiDrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a growing public health concern - DOH," posted May 21, 2013 on the PIA website (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2611369114367).

In the article, the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) was erroneously identified as principal recipient of the Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB (PMDT) program supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

The principal recipient of the program is the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Thus, the article's 5th paragraph should have read:

"The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), an international funding instrument provides the necessary support for human resource development, physical and equipment outlay in the fight against TB, specifically MDR-TB through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) as the Principal Recipient and the implementing sub-recipient for PMDT in close collaboration with the DOH through its regional health offices or Centers for Health Development (CHDs)."

We sincerely apologize for the inaccuracy and for any inconvenience it caused. [PIA Newsdesk editors]

Maramag PESO announces overseas job hiring

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, June 7 (PIA) -- More than 100 overseas jobs are waiting for jobseekers in Maramag and its neighboring towns as the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) holds special recruitment activity on June 19 to 21.

Oscar S. Navacilla, PESO manager of Maramag local government said the Michael Angelo Manpower Exponent, Inc., a POEA-licensed agency for overseas employment, would be in town to conduct interviews and hire applicants fit to work as domestic helpers for Hongkong and Malaysia.

The job hiring activity will be at the Public Employment Service Office, Municipal Hall, Anahawon, Maramag, Bukidnon from 8 am to 5 pm of the scheduled dates.

Navacilla said applicants must apply personally and submit copies of passport-sized pictures.

“Interested applicants who already had passports should also bring it with them,” he said.

For more details, please contact PESO Manager Oscar S. Navacilla at the Public Employment Service Office, Municipal Hall, Maramag, Bukidnon with telephone number (088) 238-5461 and (088) 238-5465. (Oscar S. Navacilla, PIO, Maramag/RLRB-PIA 10, Bukidnon)

Dairy farming seen to push livelihood & nutrition scheme

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, June 7 (PIA) -- Farmers as well as children will soon benefit from a new dairy farm, expected to open this month in the province.

The first on the island and located in Mt. Campana, the pilot dairy farm will house 25 dairy cows, loaned from the National Dairy Authority (NDA) for P140,000 each.

Dr. Louis S. Bollozos, chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said the cows are already pregnant and in four months will be able to produce milk.

Bollozos estimated each cow can yield at least 10 liters of milk daily.

The NDA also loaned two milking machines and other farm implements needed to the provincial local government unit (PLGU).

Named the "Camiguin Pilot Dairy Production Farm," the facility will be operated and maintained by the PLGU, which will in turn enter into a contract growing agreement with the local farmers to supply food for the herd.

The government will buy 77-day-old chopped corn plants at P2.10 per kilo to serve as feeds for the cows. Cutting may be done manually or by use of machine, which the PLGU is also willing to provide.

Meanwhile, Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo earlier revealed his plan to use the milk collected from farm for its nutrition program.

Priority schools identified with most number of underweight/malnourished children will first benefit from the farm’s fresh harvest. (JCV/PIA)

TIPC Iligan turns over more than 500 school supply kits for the Balik Eskwela Program

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, June 7 (PIA)—The Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) of Iligan City turned over 514 school supply kits to Kalamalamahan Elementary School in Barangay Rogongon, this City.

Dr. Rolly Cuizon, representative of City Mayor Lawrence Cruz, and representing the government sector of TIPC said that the Council gave school supplies not only to the pupils who are mostly Higaonons, but also to the teachers. Teachers were given classroom posters/and

informative devises on health.

Inside the kits are notebooks, paper, pencil and a pen, crayon, and ruler. All these came from the solicited/donated amount during the ‘Lakaw Ta Para Sa Bata’ last May 1-Labor Day celebration. TIPC was able to raise the amount of thirty one thousand five hundred pesos (P20.00 per walker Para sa Bata donation) during the Walk.

Kalamalamahan Elementary School is a 30 kilometer-far away from the city proper which took

the group to travel for almost two hours because of the terrain and its road widening project which caused delay in reaching its destination.

We have crossed this far because we find it a need for the pupils of this school and their parents not to worry anymore, to buy instead something for the stomach, a priority for all members in the family.

Together with the group were the teachers and students of MSU-IIT College of Education specifically the Department of Industrial Technology Education (DITE) Department who gave classroom posters.

Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation (MVC) gave gallons of paint to beautify their classrooms and flags of the Republic of the Philippines. Also, MVC donated receptacles for waste segregation marked ‘Malata’ and ‘Di Malata’ (biodegradable and non-biodegradable).

The Iligan Integrated Manufacturers Multi Purpose Cooperative (IIMMC) gave gallons of paint as well.

 Division Schools Superintendent Randolph Tortola, Department of Education, Iligan City Division office, joined the group.

The army truck of the 41st Mechanized Infantry, Philippine Army, was used in going to the area, bringing in the TIPC members with the donation.

School-in-charge Avemar Gonzaga of Kalamalamahan Elementary School deeply expressed his gratitude to TIPC and other groups who came over despite difficulty in going to the school, in his message during a short program before the distribution of these items.

TIPC, spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is a group of Labor and Management of industries in Iligan City and the third party is the government which is represented by the City Mayor's Office, DOLE and other government line agencies.

It can be recalled that TIPC Iligan is recognized as one of the active councils in the country which serves as a communication channel and a mechanism for undertaking joint programs among government, workers, employers and their organizations toward enhancing labor-management relations.

TIPC was created based on Article 275 of the Labor Code which institutionalizes tripartism as a labor relations policy, established through Executive Order No. 403, series of 1990, and later reorganized through EO No. 25, series of 1992, and through Executive Order No. 49, series of 1996, reconstituting and expanding the membership of the TIPC. (lvgabule/PIA10-LDN/TIPC Iligan)

DSWD clarifies issues on distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance

By Charmaine P. Tadlas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- The Emergency Shelter Assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development can only be availed of the families who are not recipients of any other housing assistance from any other agency.

A DSWD personnel clarified this for Typhoon Sendong survivors of Barangay Consolacion here.

The program is mandated under DSWD Administrative Order No. 17, Series of 2010 entitled Omnibus Guideline on Shelter Assistance.

“Based on our assessment and validation through the families’ access cards in Barangay Consolacion, a number of them have already received housing assistance from other sources such as International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Red Cross, thus, are not qualified for the ESA,” Daisy Ramos of DSWD said.

Among the qualifications to receive ESA as well include families that have limited resources that prevent them from repairing or reconstructing their permanent shelter units. The monthly income of a family of six in an urban area, which is in this case – Cagayan de Oro – should also be below P10,000.00, depending on the National Statistics Coordination Board’s statistic report on food threshold.

Moreover, the Omnibus Guideline also highlights that the families who can benefit from the assistance are those with or without land ownership property but situated in safe areas, and those who are not willing to be resettled and opt to stay in the same location but compliant with the safety requirements.

The amount of the ESA can only be determined upon the assessment of the DSWD social workers. They base their assessment on the qualifications and their living conditions.

Only a maximum of P5,000 shall be given to those families whose houses were assessed as partially damaged, and a maximum of P10,000.00 for families whose houses were assessed as totally damaged.

Some may receive an amount lesser than P5,000 or P10,000 depending on the need and living condition of the families.

“As much as we want to accommodate all the communities’ demands, we are still bound by the policies and guidelines of the ESA. Rest assured, there are still other DSWD social services and social protection programs available to the communities of which they can avail,” Ramos said. (Charmaine Tadlas/RTP/PIA 10)

Resherr Code of Practice complements DOLE’s safety standards – DOE

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 6 (PIA) – The crafting of the Code of Practice for the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (Resherr) complements the safety standards set forth by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This was clarified by Andresito Ulgado of the Department of Energy Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB) during the breakout session of the Resherr Code of Practice Public Consultation held on Monday in Dynasty Court Hotel, this city.

Ulgado, who presented the Code of Practice for Hydropower Technology, said the DOE is complementing what DOLE is doing right now because DOLE cannot make safety standards and practices specific for each technology in the energy sector.

He told the hydropower stakeholders that DOLE has acknowledged the effort of the DOE since it will improve the safety of the workers and the workplace particularly in the energy sector.

The Resherr Code of Practice for Hydropower Technology covers general safety and health practices such as office safety, laboratory safety, personal protective equipment, and housekeeping; workplace monitoring and control; electrical works; machine shop safety; scaffolding safety; hazardous materials, flammable liquids; explosives; warehouse; and fire protection and control.

It also highlights safety rules and regulations for specific hydropower and ocean activities, hydropower and ocean facility maintenance, and hydropower structures.

Meanwhile, hydropower stakeholders suggested that the guideline on waste disposal should include not just electrical wastes but all hazardous wastes while the provision on fire hazards, protection and control should also include safety guidelines on stray animals.

They also recommended additional provisions regarding safety rules on other hydropower structures such as surge tank, fore bays, dams, weir gates, desander, settling basin and fish ladder, among others.

Ulgado said all the recommendations of hydropower stakeholders coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be studied further by the DOE and incorporated in the final Code of Practice. (APB/PIA-10)

CdeO sets double celebration

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 11 (PIA) – The city government of Cagayan de Oro has lined up a weeklong series of activities to highlight joint celebration of the 115th Independence Day on June 12 and the 63rd City Charter Day on June 15.

 Mayor Vicente Emano, through Executive Order No. 063-2013, had created a committee tasked to make preparations for the double celebration, chaired by Councilor Alexander S. Dacer with Councilor Demetilo Acenas, Jr, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) as the vice chair.

 Dacer said Emano will lead the commemorative rites and executive wreath laying activity at the Rizal monument to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the declaration of the Philippine independence.

The activity will start with an ecumenical prayer early morning at the Kiosko Kagawasan in Divisoria to be spearheaded by four religious sectors in the city headed by Ret. Rev. Felixberto Calang of the Philippine Independent Catholic Church with Msgr. Tex Legitimas representing the Catholic sector, Rev. Ricardo Yañez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and Ustadz Aliasa Aling from the Muslim group.

Dacer said the activity will continue with the sounding of sirens by the Cagayan de Oro Fire Department to be followed in by the singing of the National Anthem to mark the momentous raising of the flag.

Top officials and dignitaries from the military, police, national line agencies and socio-civic sectors are expected to join in the mass floral offering at the different monuments of local and national heroes during the commemorative rites.

Immediately after the flag raising, Emano together with 4th Infantry Diamond Division Commander Major General Ricardo R Visaya, AFP, Philippine National Police Regional Director Gil Catalino B Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas and the members of the City Council, will proceed to the Rizal monument for the formal ceremony of the executive wreath laying.

Meanwhile, awarding of lots and houses at barangays Pagatpat and Tablon will highlight the 63rd declaration of Cagayan de Oro as a Chartered City on June 15. (EOR/PIA10)

Lanao del Norte’s Kabarangayan Sigurado Program continues to implement free clinic

By Lorry V. Gabule

TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE, June 11 (PIA) – Re-elected Governor Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte continues to implement the free medical and dental missions which started on the third week of May until May 31, 2013.

The Kabarangayan Sigurado program is coordinated by the Provincial Community Affair’s Office (PCAO) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Participating residents are given priority numbers for a more organized consultation process. After the doctor’s check-up and diagnosis, the patient’s free medicines are then dispensed by a representative from the PHO.

Medicines for headaches, body pains, infections, hypertension, diabetes, allergies, cough, anemia are the most prescribed. Vitamins are also regularly given to children found be underweight or malnourished.

For their part, doctors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines assigned here in the province also perform free circumcision on young boys.

Another round of free clinic is expected to be given for Lanao del Norte Muslim residents on October 2013 during the celebration of the holy month of Ramadhan. (LVG-PIA10/LAR-PIO/LDN)