Dengue outbreak
AN official of the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) said they might declare a dengue outbreak in the city as the number of cases is "abnormally high."
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DOST develops mosquito trap in fight vs dengue
The trap has successfully passed laboratory tests and will be subjected to field tests in 500 households in Quezon City and 500 households in Marikina City next week, Science Secretary Mario Montejo said at a press briefing in Malacañang Wednesday.
"If we get positive results which we expect, we can roll them out all over (the country)," Montejo said. "We have to be careful that what we're claiming is really validated, including implementation details."
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, has so far afflicted more than 50,000 people, killing 500 of them.
Montejo presented to reporters the mosquito trap, a small plastic black containerwith a black "organic" solution developed by epidemiologists and a piece of wood.
"Mosquitoes are attracted by the color, as well as the solution, which has fumes," he said.
The insects gather inside the container and lay their eggs, but the larvae end up being killed there, Montejo said. Laboratory tests showed the solution killing "100 percent" of the larvae, he added.
The secretary said he hoped the mosquito trap could be made available in a month.
The container and solution cost P30 or less, he said. People can just come up with their own plastic container and buy the solution, which, in turn, will cost only P5 a pack, he added.
Montejo said he expected the trap to last for two months as he noted that the life span of a mosquito was only one month. A female mosquito lays as many as 400 eggs four times in its life, and 80 percent of the eggs turn out to be female.
The science official said the device was not a new thing because as early as 12 years ago, it was used mainly to attract mosquitoes and monitor their number.
What is new is the development of the solution, and thus the trap is the first one to kill mosquito larva, according to Montejo.
A household may need between five and 10 mosquito traps, depending on where family members want to place them, he said.
Montejo also disclosed the DOST and the Department of Health would come out "in the near future" with diagnostic kits to help doctors determine if their patientshave contracted the disease.
In North Cotabato, dengue fever has killed 16 people from January to Sept. 14, health officials said.
Dr. Hansel Amoguis, the provincial epidemiologist, described this year's dengue incidence as alarming, noting that a total of 3,809 cases had been reported or more than double the 2009 figure of 1,608.
"Most of the fatalities were children and those who have weak immune system," Amoguis said. The deaths were recorded in Kidapawan City and the towns of Banisilan, Arakan, Libungan, Makilala, Pigcawayan and Tulunan.
In Iligan City, residents were relying on juice extracted from "tawa-tawa" and papaya leaves to help patients survive, officials said.
The residents believe the concoction could increase blood platelet count although this has not been validated by medical studies, said Councilor Chonilo Ruiz, chair of Kidapawan's health committee.
Iligan has recorded nearly 1,000 cases, including nine deaths since January.
In Davao City, Army soldiers were deployed to remote villages to help patients suffering from dengue and other diseases.
Lt. Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the 10th Infantry Division, said the latest medical mission was conducted by members of the 84th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Baracatan in Toril District on Sept. 13.
"With the cooperation of the city health office and the local officials, the military will assist in providing aid and medical care to residents in remote areas, who cannot easily avail of such services due to the distance and road conditions," Aguilar said.
In Negros Occidental, the acting head of the provincial health office said there was no need to declare a state of calamity even if the number of dengue cases recorded this year was the highest in five years.
Ernell Tumimbang said the cases were reported only in specific areas and were still manageable, and the number had been dropping in the last three weeks.
Deaths, however, have reached 28, Tumimbang said.
Negros Occidental had 1,466 dengue fever cases in 2005, 572 in 2006, 3,745 in 2007, 1,192 in 2008 and 1,430 in 2009. This year, Tumimbang said the highest number was 608. With reports from Williamor Magbanua and Richel Umel, Inquirer Mindanao; and Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas
PB member denies forcing Talisay to accept chemicals
Cebu provincial board member Sergio Restauro yesterday denied allegations that the province forced the Talisay C
Restauro, head of Task Force Dengue in the province, said the allegation was false since Talisay City health officer Dr. Lino Alansado requested for chemicals.
"I denied that, they even asked the province, particularly the Integrated Provincial Health Office, for chemicals for their barangays," he told The Freeman.
The World Health Organization said the Deluge, the chemical used in misting, is the world's safest pesticide.
Restauro said the province provides chemicals to barangays which have mist blower machines.
"We give the chemicals to barangays which have mist blower machines but not all barangays naay machines so magpaabot mi og request gikan sa mga barangay kung magpa-misting sila, mao to among adtoon," he said.
He also confirmed that they gave Talisay City eight liters of chemicals, four liters during the first misting and another four liters after it sent a request through the IPHO.
He said there should be strict implementation of DOH programs and policies, including the synchronization of LGU programs to those of DOH.
Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said that representation of PB Restauro proves that the chemical used is effective since it will not only drive mosquitoes away but also kill the larvae.
Aside of being the head of Task Force Dengue in the province, Restauro as former city councilor of Talisay City is also the head of a task force against dengue in Talisay City.
Home pesticides harmful to unborn babies, says expert
Dr. Enrique Ostrea, a visiting neonatologist and professor of pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan, said popular insecticides such as Baygon and Katol (mosquito coils) contain toxic compounds such as propoxur and pyrethroids which are harmful to humans, especially to the unborn and children.
Instead of relying on pesticides, Ostrea recommended proactive measures to reduce the problems of mosquitos, flies and roaches at home such as the clearing of insect breeding grounds, general cleanliness and the use of screens.
"There should be judicious use of pesticides, particularly home pesticides. And spraying of pesticides should not be done by pregnant women and children," he said, citing local studies that showed that high exposure to pesticides could be detected in the hair, stool and blood of newborns.
The study, entitled "Fetal Exposure to Environmental Toxicants and Infant Outcome," was was initiated by Ostrea and associates in 2003 among 936 pregnant women at the Bulacan Provincial Hospital in Malolos who had reported the common use of pesticides in their homes and farms.
Ostrea, a visiting professor of the University of the Philippines-College of Medicine, said the study showed that "the higher the exposure to propoxur, which is a component of Baygon, the more significant the effects on the motor development of the child."
Ostrea spoke at a weekly health forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians in Quezon City.
According to Ostrea, Baygon Mosquito Roach Killer, for example, contains the toxic ingredients cyfluthrin (73 percent) and propoxur, while mosquito coil Katol has bioallethrin (26 percent).
"Pesticides are toxic to the brain and the nervous system, and the fetal brain is highly vulnerable to these," Ostrea said.
He said that the development quotient was significantly lower for children who were exposed to pesticides and insecticides while inside the womb. Among the possible adverse effects of pesticides on children are autism, hearing loss, and abnormality in chromosomes that could lead to leukemia (chromosonal biomarkers).
Philippines developing low-cost computer for students
The computer will cost around P3,000 pesos (US$70 US), according to science and technology secretary Mario Montejo.
"This is education in the future: no more heavy textbooks for our hapless school kids. Basically, we really should replace the books," he told reporters.
He also said the move would make Filipinos more competitive in science and technology.
However Montejo said the planned tablet would lack many features common to other such devices in order to make it cheaper.
"Every additional feature will add to the cost," he warned.
He did not say when the proposed tablet would be launched.
No bidding of voter list materials -- Comelec
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Joavan's ex-bodyguard seeks police protection
A woman who claims to be Joavan Fernandez' former bodyguard came to Pardo Police Station yesterday to seek for protection after she and her family have been har-assed by people identified with the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez.
Gillermina Barrido, 34, arrived at the police station trembling with fear past 4:00 p.m. yesterday to report that if anything happens to her and her family it is Joavan that should be made responsible.
SPO4 Gomersendo Mandawe, investigating officer, however, said Barrido did not file a complaint against Joavan nor have her statements entered into the blotter.
According to Mandawe, Barrido only came to inform them that should anything happen to her and her family the police should make Joavan answerable. Barrido told the police that she had been hiding from Joavan since she quit as the latter's bodyguard two weeks ago.
Barrido claimed she had been maltreated, frequently scolded and even pointed a gun at by Joavan forcing her to quit. Joavan and three unidentified companions went to the house of Barrido's brother, Guillermo, Monday looking for her allegedly to collect the money she owed from him.
Since she and her brother were not around, Joavan allegedly threatened a houseboy with a gun. According to the police, two days after that incident the Barridos trans-ferred to the house of their parents because they noticed people identified with Joavan kept on passing by their house in Barangay Cogon.
In fact, Barrido did not want to leave the police station last night because of fear for her safety. As of 8:00 p.m. she remains at the police station.
Meanwhile, the personnel officer of Talisay City now owns Benedict Gabasa as job order employee of the City Hall assigned to assist in the feeding program of Joavan.
Emely Cabrera, human resource management office chief, clarified her earlier statement wherein she disowned Gabasa. She explained that she missed his name when went to check on the list of contractual employees during her interview with the media Tuesday.
Gabasa was allegedly hired from July 16 to December 31 under the quota of Mayor Socrates Fernandez. He was assigned to join his best friend Joavan's feeding pro-gram.
Gabasa was arrested Monday afternoon in Barangay Bulacao after a brief chase with the Mobile Patrol Group and the Pardo Police for driving without license and pos-session of drug paraphernalia.
He was driving the Talisay City-owned Toyota Revo when intercepted by the members of the Pardo Police because of reports that the vehicle is boarded with an armed group led by Joavan from Mango Square Mall.
Joavan, however, was no longer inside the vehicle when the police intercepted it. He was not also included in the charges that were filed against Gabasa.
Chief Inspector George Ylanan of the Investigation and Detective Management Bureau of the Cebu City Police Office said they did not have enough evidence to link Joavan to the drug paraphernalia found inside the vehicle.
The security guard of the Mango Square Mall whom Joavan allegedly threatened did not have the interest to press charges. Gabasa was charged with illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without license and possession of Nubain ampules which is illegal in Cebu City.
The Department of Interior and Local government regional office already issued a memorandum directing the DILG officer of Talisay City to look into the unauthor-ized use of government vehicle.
DILG regional director Pedro Noval earlier said Mayor Socrates Fernandez could be held liable for unauthorized use of vehicle.
City treasurer wants SHS-J book of accounts
Cebu City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva is demanding from the Sacred Heart School-Jesuits to open its book of accounts for examination after the school claims they are ex-empted from paying real property taxes under the Constitution.
Economic managers' meeting: Bizmen urged to pay their taxes correctly
The economic team of President Benigno Aquino III led by Finance secretary Cesar Purisima yesterday urged the business sector to pay their taxes correctly as the new administration made assurance that taxes paid will be used wisely and efficiently.
DOE gives group 3 more mos. to look for oil in Visayan Basin
Cebu asks for P4B
BUSINESS leaders in Cebu asked President Benigno Aquino III to fund P4.404 billion in infrastructure projects and raised six other concerns with him during his first official visit yesterday.
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P. Noy won't return building to BOC
The Bureau of Customs may now kiss goodbye to their hope of recovering the Malacañang sa Sugbo because President Aquino is not keen to granting their request.
The President said he is looking at the possibility of using the MSS as a museum to boost the cultural and historical heritage of Cebu. He also considers making it as his quarter every time he visits Cebu.
Customs District Collector Ronnie Silvestre proposed to recover the MSS, which used to house the Bureau of Customs in Cebu. Silvestre's proposal was backed up by Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez believing that the property rightfully belongs to the agency.
The century old building was taken from the BOC in 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she decided to establish the MSS in gratefulness for the Cebuanos overwhelming support for her during the 2004 presidential elections.
A face lifting was done to make the building looks like what it is today. Arroyo used to stay overnight at the MSS instead of staying in expensive hotels during her vis-its to Cebu.
It also houses the office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.
Aquino, however, said he has no plans of appointing presidential assistants, assistant secretaries and consultants, who only have huge staff but no performance except having their names printed on a calling card.
The building sits within a nine-hectare property including the Plaza Independencia which the BOC claims to own. After the building was taken from the BOC the latter rented a building from the Cebu Port Authority at the Cebu International Port for P50,000 a month.
Tomas vows to send allies to jail for misuse of funds
REP. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) vowed to send his allied barangay captains to jail if they are proven to have pocketed funds for government projects.
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The Philippine Long Distance Company has asked the city government to settle its outstanding telephone bill equivalent to at least three months of consumption.
Unauthorized incentives, honorarium at BFAR 7
The Commission on Audit has ordered the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 to require its employees to refund the incentives and honorarium they received in 2009, which were found to be disbursed illegally.
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Joker confident media can agree on common guidelines
A day after grilling ABS-CBN, GMA-7, TV5 and RMN radio station executives at a Senate committee hearing, Arroyo said on Wednesday that he sees no need to create a new law that will control media.
"The new bill will only take place if media is unable to craft good, effective guidelines in crisis situations," he stressed.
He believes that the problem lies with the perceived inability of media company executives to meet and discuss common standards.
Arroyo, meanwhile, praised ABS-CBN for what he called as its objective reportage of the Senate hearing on Tuesday even if one of its top officials, News and Current Affairs chief Maria Ressa, was among those quizzed during the affair.
The veteran senator has drawn flak for accusing journalists of placing the country in a "bad light" abroad due to its extensive coverage of the botched rescue of Hong Kong tourists in Manila on August 23.
Do not blame media
Journalists and watchdog groups lashed out at the Senate after watching the hearing.
University of the Philippines journalism professor Luis Teodoro of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said the government should not blame the media for the botched rescue of hostage victims.
"Sabi nila kung hindi daw pinakita ng media sa TV hindi nalaman ng mundo iyong kapalpakang nangyari… Eh, kung ganoon talaga ang nangyari nandoon lang naman ang media para i-report iyon," he said. "Hindi trabaho ng media na protektahan ang image ng bansa. Ang trabaho ng media mag-report."
"(They said that if the media did not air the incident on TV, the world will not see the fiasco that happened. However, the botched rescue happened and the media was only there to report it. It is not the media's job to protect the country's image. The media's job is to report.)"
He also warned that the August 23 incident could be used by government officials to control media.
"Nakakatakot dito e, baka mag-legislate sila ng mga batas na magko-kontrol sa media. Pag nangyari iyon ay hihina ang ating demokrasya," he said.
Former Sen. Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. echoed Teodoro's statements.
He said senators are just looking for a scapegoat.
"They are shooting the messenger. Kung may proper liaison naman iyan, I'm sure susunod ang media sa instructions nila (If police had a proper liaison, I'm sure the media will follow their instructions)," he added.
New PNP chief a jueteng coddler, says whistleblower
In an interview on ANC's Headstart, former jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam claimed that Bacalzo was one of the police officials identified as a jueteng coddler during a Senate inquiry on the illegal numbers game in 2005.
Bacalzo has denied the charge and said he does not know Cam.
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GOCCs to get 40% of 2011 budget
Mapupunta sa mga korporasyon ng gobyerno ang halos 40% ng P1.6-trillion budget ng bansa sa darating na taon. Pero nababahala ang ilang mambabatas dahil exempted ang mga naturang ahensya sa budget review ng Kongreso kaya may pangambang maabuso ang pondo.
CA powerless on presidential appointees in acting capacity—Enrile
Aquino risking impeachment in appointing acting secretaries, Enrile says
Palace cures defective Romulo appointment
Romulo, a holdover from the Arroyo administration, took his oath and had been functioning as foreign secretary in the first 40 days of the Aquino administration without an appointment, documents showed.
Romulo took his oath of office on July 1 in Malacañang together with the other Cabinet members. But while the appointment papers of the other secretaries were signed by President Aquino that same day, Romulo's wasn't. His original appointment papers were dated Aug. 10.
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Malacañang sent the copy of Romulo's Aug. 10 appointment to the CA third week of August. It said, "Pursuant to the provision of existing laws, you are hereby appointed ad interim Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs."
But the CA secretariat informed Malacañang that Romulo's appointment was illegal because "ad interim" (Latin word for "in or for the meantime") appointments are done only while Congress is not in session. The 15th Congress convened only on July 26.
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An Aug. 10 appointment would have created legal complications as it would open Romulo to charges of usurpation of authority and misrepresentation for his acts from July 1 to Aug. 9, said a foreign affairs official who is also a lawyer.
On Aug. 31, Malacanang submitted another appointment of Romulo to the CA. This time, it was dated July 1.
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The foreign affairs official said, "July 1 should be correct. Issuing two appointments shows the Palace is sloppy doing something and withdrawing it after being found to be wrong."
Another lawyer said antedating appointments undermines Malacañang cases against Gloria Arroyo's midnight appointments, many of them antedated before March 10 to circumvent the election ban on presidential appointments.
Palace sources said Aquino was reluctant to sign and submit Romulo's appointment, which was an accommodation to his sisters and the Iglesia ni Cristo, as Aquino doesn't plan to keep him for long.
Romulo, however, is accompanying the President to the United States next week to attend 65th United Nations General Assembly, and to Hanoi for the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in October. It would create diplomatic and legal problems if the foreign secretary, the point man in foreign visits, had no official cover.
Romulo's lack of official appointment had prevented him from attending the 43rd meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Hanoi on July 20.
Romulo's appointment was opposed by the Union of Foreign Service Officers on grounds of incompetence. UNIFORS also questioned the legality of the extension of appointments, from June 30 to Sept. 30, of 21 political ambassadors whose terms were supposed to end when Arroyo finished hers.
Upon Romulo's recommendation, Aquino extended the service of noncareer ambassadors appointed by Arroyo "in a holdover capacity for a period of three months."
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa earlier said in a press statement, "Everybody stays until they are replaced or until the agreed period (Sept 30), whichever comes first." He justified the extension, saying it would adversely affect relations with countries political ambassadors were posted.
But in a letter to Aquino last July, UNIFORS said, "There is no basis for claiming that the failure to grant the three-month extension would create a vacuum of power in our missions abroad."
They cited Sections 26 and 293 of Department of Foreign Affairs Regulations authorizing the next ranking officer, as charge d'affaires, "to take over the affairs of our embassies and consular offices upon the expiration of the term of noncareer ambassadors."
UNIFORS also cited Article 19 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which states, "If the post of head of the mission is vacant, or if the head of the mission is unable to perform his functions, a chargé d'affaires ad interim shall act provisionally as head of the mission."
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According to the Arab News online, the victim was identified as Romilyn Eroy-Ibanez, 22, of North Cotabato.
The report said Labor Attache David Des Dicang of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern Region Operations identified the victim.
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| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | RATING (%) |
| | | | |
| 1 | CHRISTIAN TIGLAO PASCUAL | UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS (BAGUIO COLL. FNDTN.) | 89.85 |
| 2 | JOHN ROMER LAGAN VENTURILLO | PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY | 89.10 |
| 3 | RAE MARC TABAMO ALIMURONG | ARAULLO UNIVERSITY | 88.85 |
| 4 | ARIEL MATEO LIOAD | INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ASIA & THE PACIFIC | 88.50 |
| | JANICE JOY GANO PAIT | UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS (BAGUIO COLL. FNDTN.) | 88.50 |
| 5 | MAY CLAIRE SALOMES DURAN | CAPITOL UNIVERSITY (CAGAYAN CAPITOL COLL.) | 88.40 |
| 6 | JASON RYAN MONSION PONLAROCHE | PAGADIAN COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY & SCIENCES | 88.20 |
| 7 | RUBY ANN LEE ESPINELI | DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-DASMARIÑAS | 88.00 |
| | RYAN CASAO GABIA | PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY | 88.00 |
| 8 | KIRK FERNANDEZ MAIGNES | UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO-TAGUM | 87.95 |
| 9 | DENIEBELL JABALLA BORBON | UNIVERSITY OF CEBU-BANILAD | 87.90 |
| 10 | JEFFREY ANANAYO BINWAG | SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY | 87.85 |
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