Philippines News

ONLY 22 out of the 3,003 barangays in the Central Visayas have been recommended to the Commission on Election (Comelec) to declare these as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS) based on the incidents in the last election as reflected in the data of the Police Regional Office 7.

However, Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO 7) Director Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, did not give the names of the barangays subject to validation by the Comelec and the military and police personnel.

Police Major Mariejin Encio, the information officer of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, stated during the Openline Forum at a mall in downtown Cebu City that only two barangays have been placed in the Comelec's yellow category as a result of election-related incidents in the previous election, namely Barangay South Poblacion in San Fernando town and Barangay Linao in Talisay City, which will be used as the basis for the deployment of additional government troops.

An area will be under code yellow if it has a history of political unrest. (AYB, TPT)

Poa said that DepEd wants to remove the “stigma” associated with students joining remedial or additional classes offered at the end of regular school years.

The United Nations Population Fund on Tuesday called on governments to invest in gender equality, emphasizing its critical role in building a resilient global population.

"After four months, things have gotten worse for safety. ALI rejected the community's  proposed safety interventions. ALI even removed protected bike lanes in their neighboring development Bonifacio Global City while the [Technical Working Group] was still meeting," Make It Safer Movement said.

IN CELEBRATION of this year’s National Infection Prevention and Control Week, the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) Health Facility Development Section invited medical experts to speak about preventive measures against infections on July 11, 2023.

Co-presented by Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, the week-long celebration is done as part of the advocacy for the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program.

Vice Chairman of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Dr. Daisy Marie Mendoza-Garbo, emphasized the importance of being informed about health care associated infections (HCAIs).

HCAIs are infections that occur while receiving health care, developed in a hospital or other health care facility that first appear 48 hours or more after hospital admission, or within 30 days after having received health care.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common type of HCAIs.

Garbo said catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) make up most of the reported UTIs when being admitted.

“Among UTIs acquired in the hospital, approximately 75 percent are associated with a urinary catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain the urine,” she said.

Antiobic treatments are provided as treatment for CAUTIs.

Hospitals should follow the recommendations in the 2009 CDC Guideline for Prevention of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections, as stated by Garbo.

The guideline emphasized the proper use, insertion and maintenance of urinary catheters in different healthcare settings.

Dr. Gerard Garcia, vice chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine, talked about ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

VAP develops 48 hours or longer after mechanical ventilation is given by means of an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy.

“VAP and hospital-associated pneumonia (HAP) comprises 22 percent of hospital acquired infections. Now, 22 percent is already a lot, all things considered, so it is concerning,” Garcia said.

The infection has a 10 to 50 percent mortality rate.

Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections not related to another site that develops 48 hours of central-line placement.

Complications may include prolonged hospital stay, increased morbidity and mortality.

Prevention can be done through skin antiseptics, dressing changed and proper catheter care.

“We can’t eliminate hospital-acquired infections altogether, but we can make a significant difference in reducing their incidence. Let’s work together to make our hospitals safe for everyone,” Garcia said in his closing remarks.

AC Karl Tañedo, nurse manager for Prevention and Control of Infection Department at Chong Hua Hospital, talked about best practices of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) prevention.

Tañedo shared about Chong Hua Hospital’s 4 strategies on HAI prevention: infection control team, education, surveillance and monitoring and bundles of care.

DOH 7 also promoted during the event its KonsulTayo, a bi-monthly forum to discuss health concerns and provide right and correct information from the right sources to counter fake news. (Miguel Angelu Lumen, CNU Intern)

THE dentist who was stabbed in the eye inside his clinic in Cebu City on July 5, 2023 is now in stable condition, a police official said.

In a press conference on Monday, July 10, 2023, Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Cebu City Police Office, said that the victim can see with his uninjured eye, but the other part remains swollen and has fuzzy vision.

The dentist, identified as Dr. Charles Sia, 41, is still under observation in a private hospital in Mandaue City.

SunStar Cebu tried to reach out to the secretary of the dentist who was present during the crime to ask for more updates on the victim’s condition, but she has yet to answer back as of this posting Tuesday afternoon, July 11.

Meanwhile, the two suspects who attacked the victim inside his clinic in Barangay Kamputhaw have been identified and the criminal cases against them were filed on Saturday, July 7, 2023, said Pelare.

He said that upon investigation, personal grudge was seen as the motive in the crime, as one of the suspects has a lover who has a huge debt to the dentist.

READ: Group condemns attack on dentist inside his clinic

Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, head of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), did not name the two suspects and the woman.

The victim and the secretary were the ones who identified the suspects.

The woman, who owed the doctor money, was not included in the charges filed since she was not involved in the crime.

Dalogdog said the suspects have not yet left the city, and he assured that they have tightened security for the victim.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the police are waiting for the arrest warrant against the two suspects.

Dalogdog said that since the charges had been filed, the case was already considered solved. (Judie Liza Alantoson, CNU Intern)

THE Toledo City Government and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) have agreed to implement the National Housing for the Filipino (4PH) program.

Toledo City Mayor Marjorie "Joie" Perales, DHSUD Assistant Secretary Leah Delfinado and DHSUD Regional Director Lyndon Juntilla signed a memorandum of agreement for the project.

The project involves a four-story tenement-style building that will be constructed on a government-owned lot in the city.

Each housing unit has its own toilet and sink.

Juntilla disclosed that the project is on their priority list.

The 4PH program aims to build one million housing units every year until 2028, not only for the poor but also for those who work in the government and private companies so they can own a home.(ANV, TPT)

THE Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has initiated necessary preparations to address the effects of El Niño.

During the OpenLine News Forum on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer III Engr. Wilson Ramos said that there are specific programs and caravans in the province led by various agencies that provide aid to prepare the impacts of such phenomenon.

Ramos said the province has provided trainings for officers and first responders on basic first aid, basic life support, and search and rescue activities.

"Sige nata'g conduct og training sa atong mga responders like basic first aid, basic life support, search and rescue activities," he said.

(We consistently conduct trainings for our responders like basic first aid, basic life support search and rescue activities.)

Ramos also assured that their unit has sufficient equipment to counter the effects of El Niño. He said there should be a collaborative effort between the council in terms of equipment needed for disasters.

He also said that the Province will provide budget depending on the needs of every council for the mitigation measures of El Niño.

Ramos also said that the announcement of suspension of classes during a disaster must be decided on the different local government units (LGUs).

"We leave that up to the discretion of local chief executive, or either sa mga barangay, or sa mga principal kay mas suhito man sila sa unsay epekto kung mokusog ang uwan nga makaapekto sa mga estudyante," he said.

(We leave that up to the discretion of local chief executive, or the barangays and school principals since they are more capable to assess the situation that can affect the students.)

He also urged the public to get updates on weather disturbances by listening to the weather forecast issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (Camille Erika Butas, CNU Intern)

A DECREASE in the number of crimes committed in Cebu Province has been noted by the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) in the first half of the year.

The CPPO said a total of 7,817 crimes were recorded from January 1 to July 9, 2023, way lower than the 7,916 recorded incidents last year.

Police Major Mariejin Encio, spokesperson of CPPO, said on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, that among the most common crimes are theft, physical injuries and rape.

"Three prevalent crimes sa Cebu Province is theft, di gyud na mawala ang physical injuries, and rape. Those mentioned three prevalent crimes nag decrease na siya for this year compared sa last year," she said.

(The three prevalent crimes in Cebu Province are theft, physical injuries and rape. Those mentioned three prevalent crimes have decreased this year compared to last year.)

Encio said the decline of crimes in Cebu Province was the result of their aggressive and honest law enforcement operations, which include beat and motorcycle patrolling, dictated checkpoints on crime-prone areas, intelligence driven operations, and continuous information operations. (Camille Erika Butas, CNU Intern)

SEVERAL infrastructure projects are set to be constructed in Danao City, northern Cebu following the desire of some businessmen to invest in the city.

The Danao City Highland Leisure District, the reconstruction of the city's public market, the construction of a parking building, the upgrading of the transportation sector by private company TransportX, the establishment of a sports complex, and the phase 2 construction of a bulk water project are among the projects that are anticipated, according to Ramon Gorre, officer-in-charge of the city's Planning and Development Office, who made the announcement during the recent Investment Forum.

The highland leisure district will include restaurants, coffee shops, high-rise office buildings, condominium units and road networks. It will be set up in a 200-hectare area.

There will also be two 18-hole golf courses near the leisure district.

The projects also involve the renovation of the Danao City Public Market, the building of the Guinsay Satellite Market, and a parking structure that can accommodate 350 cars and 300 motorbikes.

The parking building is anticipated to generate an income of P25 million annually.

The city administration will also partner with TransitX for the establishment of solar-powered flying pods.

It also plans to undertake Phase 2 of the Bulk Water Project and build a sports center in Barangay Maslog with an Olympic-sized swimming pool that can accommodate sporting occasions like the CVIRAA (Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association) meet and Palarong Pambansa.

The P30 million bulk water project consists of a water treatment facility in Barangay Guinacot that would provide water to the homes via underground pipelines, as well as a water dam with a capacity of 25,000 cubic meters of surface water.

A large mall, a car showroom, a food manufacturing facility, a hospital, residential units, and a waste-to-energy facility are all anticipated to emerge in the city.

Mayor Thomas “Mix” Durano said the city is open and ready to embrace the people who want to invest their money and start businesses there to advance the city's growth. (ANV, TPT)

The Department of Education has finalized its plan to make blended learning a permanent mode of instruction to help address the shortage of classrooms and teachers in public schools.

The Department of Tourism’s Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy on Tuesday confirmed that Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco will be taking a leave this week.

NEWSROOMS JOINED the furor on social media over the lackluster slogan to promote Philippine tourism. Extended coverage included criticism of the high price of the PR campaign and reflected the deepening public dismay when a promotional video

CHED is working with the DOH, private hospitals and universities that “have a very good track record in having review classes” to help more nursing graduates pass the licensure exams.

SOME local government units (LGUs) in Cebu have started using their own promotional videos to advertise their delicacies and travel destinations under the Department of Tourism's (DOT) "Love the Philippines" slogan.

On Monday, July 10, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia advised all mayors in the province to utilize the slogan to draw more tourists to their places.

The motto has so far been used on the social media pages of Toledo City and the municipalities of Badian, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Minglanilla, and Tuburan, and it has drawn varied reactions from netizens, including the department’s controversial promotional video.

Last Monday, mayors, congressmen, board members and other officials in Cebu attended the launching of a Tourist Rest Area in Medellin town, northern Cebu, where they showed their support to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.(ANV, TPT)

MANILA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 114,663 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines from January to June this year, according to the data from the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DOT).

The tourism agency data showed South Koreans were the top foreign arrivals during the first semester of 2023, with 673,841 arrivals.

Lawmaker Marvin Rillo, the House of Representatives Committee of Tourism vice chair,

The Department of Justice is filing criminal charges against National Bureau of Investigation detainee Jad Dera and other personnel of the bureau over the high-profile drug suspect’s trips outside his detention facility.

THE deadline for the quarterly payment of business taxes and fees in Cebu City is on July 20, 2023.

This was announced by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) and the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) recently.

Business owners and taxpayers are urged to meet the deadline to avoid fines.

Those who fail to settle their dues on the said date will pay a surcharge of 25 percent and an interest of two percent per month on the unpaid amount.

The satellite offices of the CTO and BPLO, which are situated on the ground floor of Robinson's Galleria in North Reclamation Area will be open on July 15, a Saturday, to receive payments.

For inquiries or assistance, please coordinate with the Cebu City Treasurer's Office or the Business Permit and Licensing Office. (NWSSU Intern Juralyn Beso Baldomaro with TPT)

ALL systems go for the Newtown School of Excellence, Inc. (NSEI) as it welcomes enrollees from Lapu-Lapu City and its surrounding areas this coming school year, 2023 to 2024, which will also mark a return to full face-to-face learning setup after three years of online and hybrid classes due to the pandemic.

NSEI is an educational institution located inside pioneering township developer Megaworld’s 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township. It offers academic programs for Preschool (Nursery and Kindergarten), Elementary (Grades 1 to 6), and Secondary (Grades 7 to 9) levels.

“After three years of holding online and hybrid learning set-ups, we are very excited to welcome new and current students in August as we finally begin holding face-to-face classes following the Department of Education’s guidelines on the resumption of five days of in-person classes. Given this, we continue to implement plans ensuring that everyone’s health and well-being are protected and make our school a safe haven for kids as they learn within our institution,” says Sergio M. Sarza, school principal of NSEI. Holistic education anchored on Christian values and technology NSEI currently has two buildings housing a total of 16 classrooms that can accommodate up to 30 students each. It also hosts a modern library, school clinic, a General Science laboratory, computer laboratory, a Technology and Livelihood Education classroom, playground, and a multipurpose gymnasium.

All these, along with the superior quality education that the school provides to each student, make NSEI an ideal location for families looking for a vibrant learning environment to nurture the full potential of their children.

The school focuses on holistic development with the goal of helping the students develop core values anchored on Christian Living principles. Apart from this, the curricula in different programs offered in the NSEI are also technology-based and geared towards harnessing academic excellence and proficiency among each student.

Families who will be enrolling their children at NSEI this school year can avail special discount rates as follows: 50 percent subsidy on tuition fee for employees of NSEI, for new and existing unit owners of residential projects within The Mactan Newtown, and for employees of business process outsourcing or any office tenants within The Mactan Newtown; and a 20 percent subsidy on tuition fee for children of Megaworld employees, its subsidiaries, and/or affiliates. An institution of choice located within a prime address One of the many important components located inside The Mactan Newtown, NSEI completes this integrated urban township’s live, work, play, and learn experience.

NSEI stands as the best institution of choice for children of the expat community and residents of Lapu-Lapu City, nearby towns and cities, as well as the children of those working in companies and businesses within The Mactan Newtown and the surrounding area.

Being inside The Mactan Newtown, the school will also have access to its own beachfront, allowing the institution to conveniently utilize the beach facilities for school activities.

For more inquiries about the Newtown School of Excellence this coming school year, you may visit https://www.facebook.com/thenewtownschoolofexcellence. You may also call (0917) 606 1377, (032) 238 0039 or (032) 344 1670. You may also email [email protected] or [email protected], or visit the school office located along Newtown Boulevard, The Mactan Newtown, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

According to a Pulse Asia poll conducted last June 19 to 23, three out of five Filipinos or 63% said that controlling inflation is the most urgent concern that the national government must address.