Health expert says herbal supplements not cure for diseases
Cebu City (26 July) — Herbal supplements do not cure diseases as they are not medications as the public is urged to adhere to the complete drug regimen as recommended by the doctor.
Dungog cited herbal products commercially sold in the market that advertises a cure for certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and others.
“If you look at the label, there is a written text that states ?No Therapeutic Claim?,” the medical practitioner stressed.
“Perhaps some herbal supplements are good because of some testimonies by patients. But it should not take to mean that the herbal supplements should take the place of drugs prescribed by the doctor,” according to Dungog.
Dungog also talked about some diabetes herbal supplements that have the ingredient cromium which has a role in diabetes prevention but not as a diabetes remedy.
Taking the herbal supplements should be more on disease prevention because when one has the disease, such supplements are not the medical treatment as only the doctor specializing in such a field can prescribe the appropriate drugs, Dungog said.
Also, taking herbal supplements to combat the disease may have interactions with the other prescribed drugs causing serious complications, this is emphasized.
But a bigger problem poses when a patient would no longer take his or her medications thinking that herbal supplements are better and natural, Dungog disclosed.
The diabetes expert said that diabetes patients take five to 10 medications for the disease depending on the severity.
Dungog also brushed notions that diabetes patients should lessen the intake of carbohydrates.
“Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are the main basic fuel of the body so we really need the three major diets in our body because diabetes is actually a disease of malnutriton. But of course, everything should be eaten in moderation,” Dungog emphasized.
In Cebu, there are four hospital-based diabetes centers where these offer free sugar screening namely the government-run Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Sacred Heart Hospital, Cebu City Medical Center and Perpetual Soccour Hospital as Dungog urged the public to avail of the free blood sugar screening.
“It is better to detect diabetes early so that immediate interventions can be made because serious complications will be more difficult to treat,” Dungog ended. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)
PNP 8 concludes successful PCR Month celebration
Tacloban City (July 26) — The Philippine National Police Region 8 marked on July 26, the culmination of the successful celebration of the 15th Police Community Relations Month.
The program was highlighted with the presentation of citations to outstanding police officers for their significant achievements, by no less than Director Lanada.
Topping the awardees was PSSupt. Manuel Cubillo, chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division for being the keynote speaker and for contributing to the success of said celebration.
The other awardees include PSI Jose Ong Chan III, Information Technology Officer – PRO8, for his dedication and commitment in maintaining the PRO 8 website and updating the information and communication technology that carries all the PNP programs and accomplishments for the information of external stakeholders.
Another awardee was SPO4 Rodolfo D. Silvia, City Executive Senior Police Officer, Tacloban City Police Office for his commendable display of PNP Best Practice in pushing the clean and green program of the PNP which provides livelihood benefits to the community.
Also cited was the PNP Moral and Spiritual Team represented by Pastor Gamaliel Aliposo, for its dedication and commitment in strengthening the moral and spiritual fiber of PNP personnel which immeasurably promoted the value transformation program of Police Regional Office. (PIA 8/PRO8)
PNoy fine tunes speech for first SONA
Tacloban City (July 25) — President Benigno Aquino III has been going over and fine-tuning his speech for his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the opening of the 15th Congress on July 26.
The speech is already on its fourth draft and undergoing double fact-checking by some Cabinet members as well as a review by the President himself, according to a Palace source.
While his inaugural speech sought to inspire, the SONA will be dealing with the “harsh realities” facing the country, and will be more “down to earth,” the source said.
President Aquino will be reporting on the state of the government coffers’ finances, and will spell out the programs he plans to undertake to stamp out corruption and ease poverty, Malacañang officials said.
The 30-minute speech will be delivered mostly in Filipino, interspersed with English.
“While he’s in the Batasang Pambansa, he’ll be addressing the people. So he must use a language understandable to a greater number of people for better understanding,” Secretary Sonny Coloma of the Communications Group said.
As the President pronounced during his Inaugural Address, the true bosses are the Filipino people who chose their leaders, hence it is but fitting that his speech be addressed to them in a language that is understood by all.
President Aquino has been very “methodical” in his preparations for the SONA, the Palace source said.
To help prepare for the SONA, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted a survey among different sectors in all the regions to find out what issues people wanted the President to address in the SONA, according to Secretary Coloma. (PIA 
DOLE 8 brings services closer to people thru its new website
Tacloban City (July 24) — In order to reach out and to bring its services closer to the public, the Department of Labor and Employment in the region has formally launched its new website www.ro8.dole.gov.ph during the DOLE RO8 2010 Nutrition Month Celebration and Launching of the Breastfeeding Room on July 19, 2010.
Director Puguon explained that the public can now easily access to the programs and services of DOLE with the new website.
In going on- line, the DOLE hopes to effectively communicate to the people what the Department is doing to fulfill its mandate to promote gainful employment opportunities, to develop human resources, to protect workers and promote their welfare, and to maintain industrial peace.
DOLE RO8 Information Systems Analyst Demmie Jose Uyvico and Labor Information Officer Virgilio A. Doroja, Jr. serving as web administrator and web manager, respectively, said that by just by clicking and browsing, the public can have information on the regular Programs, Services and Projects that the DOLE offers, the News Releases on all the activities of the Department, the latest minimum wage, and downloadable forms to make it easier for the clients to transact official business, the invitation to bid, and others.
A copy of the Labor Code and DOLE Citizen Charter is also posted on line to help researchers, lawyers, labor organization, employers and students.
Director Puguon encourages valued clients and stakeholders in the region to visit the new website and enjoy surfing for information about labor and employment. (PIA 8/DOLE
Samar GSP honors differently-abled Girl Scouts
By Ninfa B Quirante
Catbalogan City (25 July) — The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Samar chapter treated their differently abled peers in a day of fun, games and food treats on Friday.
The activity dubbed as “A Day for Differently Abled Girl Scouts” had them singing, dancing and just having fun through interaction with other girl scouts.
At least some 32 differently abled students from all over Catbalogan city joined the fun with their parents, teachers, guardians and nannies at the GSP Heaquarters in Catbalogan, Samar.
Ms Trinidad Escobar, GSP Council President told PIA that this is their contribution to the nation’s observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDSPR) Week from July 13-23, 2010.
She said that NDSPR aims to stimulate public awareness of disability issues and concerns and also to promote the inherent rights of persons with disabilities.
In a message done by Ms Florfina Daradal, a GSP council board member, she urged the girls scouts not to lose hope for being differently abled.
She told the story of one woman stricken by polio, but was able to study being a teacher and ended up teaching home economics to children.
She then urged the parents, nannies and guardian to continue nurturing them despite the challenge.
To show their talents, visually impaired Mary Jane Cabornay sang a Christian song which she claimed was composed by the blind singer and composer Art Ramasasa. Ronalyn, another visually impaired lass sang Jessa Saragoza’s “Bakit Pa”. Bernard Longasa another visually impaired lad of 12 played on the organ and sang Willie Revillame’s “Ikaw na Nga” the later song had the differently abled kids singing with Bernard.
For the deaf and mute kids, dancing with Jollibee mascot proved to be so enjoyable, it was almost a non-stop dancing showdown.
The kids were also treated to a spaghetti snack given for free by Jolibee Manager Shaun Paul Pondiong.
Gift packs were also distributed to all differently abled girl scouts.
After the dance showdown, kids started taking turns in photo ops with the mascot Jolibee until the batteries of their cameras bleed dry. (PIA-Samar)
PNP 8 recovers 18 more bricks of cocaine
Tacloban City (July 22) — Eighteen more bricks of suspected cocaine were recovered after two days of intensive monitoring and search operations versus illegal drugs conducted by the members of the Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, Regional Intelligence Division, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, K9 Team of the Philippine Coast Guard, Borongan City Police, and Salcedo Municipal Station in the province of Eastern Samar.
Philippine National Police Regionn 8 Director Rey L. Lanada informed that at around 8:30 in the morning of July 21, 2010, at Barangay Divinubo, Borongan, Eastern Samar, 16 cocaine bricks were voluntarily surrendered at the Borongan Police Station.
The PNP Director said that fourteen (14) cocaine bricks were surrendered bt Edwin Doculan, 37 years old; and two other cocaine bricks were turned-over by Edgar Beros, 50 years old.
This was made possible through the efforts of the joint elements of Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office, Borongan Police Station, AIDSOTF, RSOG and RID 8, Director Lanada said.
Meanwhile, at about 11:00 o’clock in the morning of the same day, two bricks of cocaine were surrendered by Victor Gana, of legal age of Barangay Burak; and Antonio Basiides Labay of Barangay San Roque, both of the municipality of Salcedo.
This was made possible through the collective effort of the Salcedo Municipal Police Station led by Police Inspector Gilberto Colima, AIDSOTF, RID PRO 8, K9 Unit of the Philippine Coast Guard and PDEA 8 under the supervision of Eastern Samar Provincial Director Felixberto Castillo.
The surrendered cocaine bricks are now under the custody of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office, Director Lanada said. The same will be subsequently turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory 8 for chemical analysis.
Director Lanada expressed his gratitude for the all-out support of the local residents in Borongan and Salcedo, Eastern Samar, in informing and surrendering the cocaine bricks to the Phiippine National Police.
Director Lanada reiterated his call for the local residents not to sell any illegal drugs they might recover. If they do that and they are arrested, the case that would be filed against them will be non-bailable, the good Director added. (PIA
NSO counts Philippine businesses and industries
San Jose, Antique (22 July) — After a successful conduct of the 2010 National Census on Population and Housing, the National Statistics Office (NSO) will conduct another survey of business and industry in the entire country.
Dubbed as the 2009 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI), the survey hopes to collect and generate information on the structure and trends of economic activities. The result of the survey shall serve as the bases upon the government and the private sector to formulate policies and economic development plans.
Jesus Escote, Jr, Provincial Statistics Officer in an interview said that the reference period of the survey is 2009 but it will be conducted on August 2010.
The survey shall cover corporations, cooperatives and foundations and single proprietorship. The statistical unit to be used in ASPBI is establishment. Ambulant peddlers and hawkers are not considered in the survey because they don’t have fixed business locations.
Sectors included in the survey according to Escote are agriculture, hunting and forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply and construction. Also included are wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods, hotels and restaurants and transport, storage and communications.
The survey also covers financial institutions operating in the area, real estate, education, health and social work and other community social and personal service activities.
ASPBI has two rider surveys namely, Survey on Information and Communication Technology that shall gather information on the availability distribution and access/utilization of information and communication technology in businesses and industries in the country and Survey of Tourism Establishment in the Philippines that will generate data on the supply and capacity, inventory of facilities and services, employment, revenue and information on indicators for future plans of tourism establishments.
PSO Escote enjoins the business sector, local government units (municipalities and barangays) and concerned agencies of government to support the said undertaking so that they can gather accurate data on business and industry in the province. (PIA/psm)
OWWA starts search for Model OFW Family
Iloilo City (21 July) — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Western Visayas is currently in search for two outstanding Overseas Filipino Worker families in the region.
OWWA 6 Family Welfare Officer Rizza Joy Mapa said the two families, representing the land based and sea-based sectors will be the region’s bets in the national level search.
MOFYA is an award-giving program designed to give recognition to outstanding OFW families, and promote best practices in achieving optimal success in all aspects of life in the face of overseas migration of one or more members of the household.
It aims to honor the sacrifices and contributions of Filipino migrants abroad to the Philippine economy. It further seeks to promote success stories about OFW families’ endurance over the challenges on their family relations and uplift the image of OFW families in the community as well as to highlight the role of the OFW family acting as a group/unit in the attainment of socio civic, educational, professional and material success.
Mapa said nominations for the search must come from any non-governmental organizations, people’s organizations, religious organizations or associations, community-based socio civic organizations/associations and local government units.
“No individual nominations will be accepted,” said Mapa.
Some 50% of the criteria in the selection process will focus on wholesome OFW family which exudes constancy of positive communication leading to emotional connection, support and maintenance, sharing of responsibilities among OFW family members and psycho-social maturity of children.
Other criteria in the selection of the regional winners include Civic/Community Involvement of OFW and Family ? 20%; Success in OFW and/or Family member/s education or profession ? 20% and Success in Managing Family Finances ? 10%.
Mapa said interested groups and organizations can visit the OWWA Regional office at AJL Building, Room 206 General Luna Street, Iloilo or contact telephone number 337-4484. (LAFrench/PIA)
PNRC Capiz conducts 5 mass blood lettings in June
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (21 July) — About 140 blood donors from a total of five mass blood letting activities have been served by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) ? Capiz Chapter last month.
The mass blood donations were sponsored by the local government units of Pilar and Pontevedra, Twin Hearts Realty Corporation, Capiz State University (CapSU) ? Bailan campus in Pontevedra town and Seventh Day Adventist.
PNRC Capiz administrator Nelia Cartujano said that the Chapter has also conducted orientations on voluntary blood donation to seek for more voluntary donors and encourage regular donors to do the blood letting more often.
A person may become a blood donor four times in a year, as long as he qualifies in the pre-screening laboratory tests requirement.
Cartujano also noted an increase of “walk-in” blood donors since May due to the increase of dengue cases in the province.
Donating blood is a healthy practice to keep healthy blood cells in the body produced by bone marrow. It also contributes in the steady supply of safe blood for use wherever and whenever it is needed to save lives. (PIA)
PCSO donates new ambulance van to Saint Bernard town
By R.G. Cadavos
Southern Leyte (21 July) — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated to the municipality of Saint Bernard, this province a brand new 2010 Foton View 4×2 ambulance van in cooperation with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), Municipal Tourism Officer Jane Araneta in a press release sent to PIA reported.
Saint Bernard was the third recipient of the said ambulance throughout the Philippines, though Araneta, the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council Public Information Chairman did not mention the two provinces who were also recipients of the same vehicle.
“Through the tireless efforts of St. Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza and his desire to improve the delivery of basic services, eventually, the town was one of the recipients of the ambulance from PCSO,” Araneta disclosed.
Meanwhile, another donated service vehicle, a multi-cab van was also received through Mayor Rentuza, intended for the municipality’s Land-Use Based Barangay Development Planning project. The funding of the vehicle was made possible through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), a German-government organization here, Araneta further reported.
The PCSO, in adherence to its main thrust of providing funds for health programs and other charities is engage in various social welfare and development programs. One of which is the ambulance donation program, not to mention other assistance such as the health care program, individual medical assistance program, community outreach program, national calamity and disaster program, hospital renovation and improvement of health care facilities, to name a few.
A joint blessing of the two vehicles transpired, Monday at Saint Isidore Parish grounds, in Saint Bernard, officiated by Fr. Eufemio Gohetia and attended by Mayor Rentuza, Sangguniang Bayan members and the public. (PIA-soleyte)
