Opening of polls generally peaceful amid adverse
incidents in Caraga
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – The Philippine National
Police (PNP) Regional Office-13 disclosed that the opening of today’s elections
and conduct of polls are generally peaceful despite reports of two shooting
incidents in different provinces of the region.
“There were no violations on gun ban being
reported and the situation is commonly peaceful region-wide as around 3,000
personnel police personnel were deployed. Our troops have also intensified the
checkpoints operations,” stated PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt Rolando
Felix in an interview via Philippine Information Agency Caraga’s 107.8MHz Power
FM held this city.
However, PCSupt Felix confirmed that unfavorable
shooting incident transpired in Purok 2, Brgy. San Antonio, RTR, Agusan del
Norte, on the election day at about 2:00 p.m., victimizing Guillermo Egbot
Antong, 43 years old, married perpetrated by Primo Constancia, married and of
legal age, Brgy. Councilor of Brgy. San Antonio, RTR, Agusan del Norte and Jojo
Cabatsiti, legal age and married, with the use of .9mm pistol.
Investigation disclosed that the victim together
with other passengers were on board travelling a Starex van and upon reaching
the place of incident, the suspects on board motorcycles shot them several
times hitting the left ankle of the victim and was immediately brought to the
Cabadbaran District Hospital for medical treatment. The suspects remain at
large but recovered from the crime scene were one red SYM Wolf motorcycle for
registration, one black Keeway CS110 motorcycle bearing plate number LC91221
and four fired cartridge cases of caliber .9mm pistol.
In addition, day before the conduct of elections
at about 9:15 a.m. in Purok Camia, Brgy. San Pedro, Alegria, Surigao del Sur,
Sherwin Odvina Solis, 37 years old, single and a resident of aforesaid location
was shot by unidentified suspect with the use of firearm of unknown caliber.
Recovered from the victim’s pocket was one sachet
of suspected shabu with estimated weight of 0.5 gram and dangerous drugs board
value of P 5,900.00. Accordingly, the victim is listed as number 9 Drug Watch
List Personality in the municipal level.
With these adverse incidents, RTR and Alegria
municipal police stations, respectively, are conducting thorough investigations
for the possible arrest of the suspects, said PCSupt Felix.
Also, PCSupt Felix assured that the police forces,
together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commission of
Election (COMELEC) will be on the lookout for a peaceful, clean and honest
elections. He further encouraged everyone to be more responsible and vigilant,
and to report any violations especially on election-related crimes to the
nearest authorities. (VLG,PIA-Caraga/PNP-13)
All is set & manageable in AgSur, says Comelec
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, May 9 (PIA)
– “All is set and manageable for today's election.”
This was the statement of Atty. Alvin Canta, Agusan
del Sur provincial election supervisor during his live radio interview over
107.8 MHz Power FM/ Advanced Froward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS)
Network of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, this city.
Atty. Canta emphasized that the Vote Counting
Machines (VCMs) that were distributed and installed in the 13 municipalities of
the province and one city were all functional after the conduct of final
testing and sealing. He also stressed that the Comelec is doing its best to
make today's election credible, honest, peaceful, and successful.
Canta added that they have also prioritized lanes
for the senior citizens, persons with disability, lactating and pregnant women
in all the polling centers of the said province. It was also learned that the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recently issued a
memorandum mandating the different public kindergarten schools to help the
parents take care or look after their children as parents will cast their votes
in their respective polling centers.
Canta further encouraged the general public
especially those who will cast their votes to avoid committing any election
offense such as taking pictures of the VCM or LCD screen of the machine, and
ballot receipt. The commission will not tolerate any election offense that
voters might be committing in today's election.
The Comelec is operating 24-hours to ensure a
secure and fair election today. For any election-related complaints, Atty.
Canta reiterated that it should be in writing and submitted to concerned
Comelec office, and appropriate action shall be taken by the authorities.
(JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
COMELEC Caraga requests immediate shipment of
additional VCMs due to defective units
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – Commission on Elections
(Comelec) Caraga regional director Atty Renato Magbutay bared that their office
has requested for an additional units of Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) as
several units were reportedly malfunctioned.
“An additional VCMs have been requested for
immediate shipment from Central Office Manila to replace the malfunctioned
units encountered during Monday’s conduct of national and local elections in
Caraga region,” said Atty. Magbutay in a live interview over Philippine
Information Agency’s (PIAs) 107.8 MHz Power FM.
As of 11:00 a.m., several defective VCMs have been
reported and needed to be replaced but Atty. Magbutay emphasized that whether
the machine is functioning or not, there shall be no suspension in casting the
votes thus, the electoral process must go on.
In Surigao del Sur alone, more than 56 VCMs
reportedly broke down hours after polling precincts opened.
Meanwhile, the provincial election supervisors in
the different provinces revealed that there had been no related incidents
reported aside from minor malfunction of several VCMs in various polling
precincts in the region. (NCLM/JPG, PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Rich family plus with working mom
equals less exclusive breastfeeding
By Mildred O. Guirindola
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This is
regardless of the child’s race or social and economic standing.
Related to this, the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) determined
the characteristics of children and their families who are exclusively
breastfed through a study based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey.
Results of the study showed that children
belonging to the richest quintile have only 0.1 times as likely to be breastfed
exclusively compared with children from the poorest quintile. On the other
hand, mothers who were not working had 2.0 times greater chances of practicing
exclusive breastfeeding compared to their counterparts who were working.
The study further cited that 17.3% of mothers did
not even try to give any breastmilk to their children because of work.
The study proves that working mothers need support
in workplaces to continue breastfeeding while working. Establishment of
lactation stations in workplaces and allowing at least 40 minutes lactation
breaks, as mandated Republic Act (RA) 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Law should
be implemented.
All children deserve breastmilk as the sole source
of nourishment from birth until six months. Breastfeeding should continue after
six months until two years and beyond, with the addition of nutritious
complementary foods. The campaign on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding
with focus on the families from the rich sectors and working mothers need to be
intensified.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,
Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter
account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: HIV does not have to be a death
sentence
By Jund Rian A. Doringo
Starting as a mysterious pneumonia-like infection
in the 1980s, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced
stage of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection usually manifested by
the accumulation of diseases rooting from having very low or no immune system
response.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
HIV targets the immune system and weakens people’s defense systems against
infections and certain cancers. It destroys and impairs the functions of the
immune cells while increases the vulnerability of an infected person a wide
range of diseases that a person not infected can normally fight off.
Although a lot of misconceptions about the
transmission of HIV have been circulating for years now, HIV can only be
transmitted through the exchange of certain body fluids specifically the blood,
vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk.
Consequently, saliva or sweat and any other body
fluids can not transfer the virus, not even mosquito bites.
Signs and symptoms of the virus infection may vary
from one person to the other, but the most noticeable are swollen lymph nodes,
weight loss, fever, diarrhea, and cough that can later develop to severe
illnesses such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, lymphoma, Kaposi’s
sarcoma, to name a few, as confirmed by the WHO.
Nevertheless, the only way to know if a person is
HIV positive is through HIV testing.
The WHO revealed that “HIV continues to be a major
global public health issue, having claimed more than 34 million lives so far in
2014, where 1.2 million people died from HIV-related causes globally. Moreover,
there were approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2014
with 2 million people becoming newly infected with HIV in 2014 globally.”
In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH)
revealed that there are over 27,000 cases of reported HIV as of July 2015.
Though the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the country is low, the Philippines
has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world (WHO).
As of this writing, there is no known cure for
HIV. The issue of HIV has imposed a stigma in the society up until today.
However, getting tested positive for HIV is not a death sentence anymore.
There is a continuous development for the
regression and treatment of the virus through effective anti-retroviral (ARV)
drugs to help prevent transmission of the virus and let people living with it
enjoy productive lives.
In line with this, the United Nations (UN) in 2000
has committed and signed time-bound and quantifiable targets to address issues
of extreme poverty, along with its underlying causes known as the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) which are expected to be met by 2015.
The MDG 6 focuses on combating HIV or AIDS,
malaria and other diseases by reversing the spread of HIV or AIDS, malaria and
other diseases by 2015.
The battle against HIV or AIDS is achievable by
limiting exposure to risk factors and observing HIV preventions like using
condom and sterile injecting equipment, and early detection of the virus via
HIV testing.
If found positive, don’t lose hope. With
continuous ARV treatment, regular check-up and counseling coupled with healthy
lifestyle, eating properly, having the right mind and attitude, and regular
exercise, people living with the virus can live longer and stronger.
For more information on food and nutrition,
contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,
Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos:
837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local
2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST
website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.
Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter
account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Comelec Caraga pinabulaanang may
dayaan sa vote counting machines
Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 9 (PIA) - Pinabulaanan ni
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Caraga regional director Attorney Renato
Magbutay na may dayaan sa vote counting machines (VCMs) na syang gagamitin
ngayong eleksyon sa araw na ito.
Sa ginanap na pagtitipon ng mga opisyales ng Armed
forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at local
media kamakailan lang, binigyang-diin ni Atty. Magbutay na walang katotohanan
ang napabalitang may magaganap na dayaan gamit ang mga vote counting machines
sa eleksyon.
Anya, ito ay isa lamang black propaganda ng mga
taong gustong manggulo sa halalan at maimpluwesyahan ang pag-iisip ng mga
botante.
Dagdag pa ni Attorney Magbutay, handang-handa na
ang kanilang hanay kasama ang ibat-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa anumang
posibleng mangyari sa eleksyon lalung-lalo na anya na may mga taong nagbabalak
na guluhin ito.
“Handang-handa na tayo para sa eleksyon at lahat
po ng ating mga vote counting machines ay gumagana at wala pong madadaya rito,”
diin ni Atty. Magbutay.
Napag-alaman din na sa Libertad Elementary School,
isa sa mga barangay sa lungsod ng Butuan na may pinakamalaking botante ay
handang-handa na sa mga kinakailang preparasyon pati na ang seguridad ng mga
board of election inspectors at supervisors at mga botante.
Ayon kay Nenita Mejica-Diolata, principal II ng
nasabing skwelahan, handang-handa na ang kompletong listahan ng kanilang mga
polling precincts at siniguradong functional ang lahat ng mga vote counting
machines matapos ang final testing and sealing ng mga ito. May mga technical
team din anya na handang umayos sakaling may technical problem na ma-eencounter
saan mang polling centers.
“Naka-set up na lahat ng ating mga VCMs sa
ibat-ibang polling centers pati na rin ang mga kinakailangang election
paraphernalia. Handang-handa na rin ang ating deputized teachers na
magsisilbing board of election inspectors,” sabi ni Diolata.
Samantala, ipinahayag din ni regional director
Abner Caga ng PIA Caraga na ang designated media center ay sa Sandigan Hall na
nasa loob ng Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga
regional office.
Dagdag pa ni director Caga, ang nasabing media
center ay magiging bukas at accessible sa mga media sa anumang oras sa araw na
ito. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
