Laoag City, Ilocos Norte— The province of Ilocos Norte has intensified its efforts to safeguard young girls against cervical cancer by becoming the first province in the country to launch a school-based immunization program.

The initiative, dubbed “Bakuna Eskwela,” is a joint effort between the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd). It aims to immunize 15,000 Grade 4 female students across Region 1, aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The school-based campaign follows the success of Banna, a town in Ilocos Norte, which reached a 90% HPV vaccination rate in March 2024.

At the launch, the province hopes to vaccinate over 1,000 girls aged 9-14 against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer. Additionally, some students will receive vaccines against measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.

Rising Cases Highlight Urgency for Immunization

HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which ranks as the second most frequent cancer among Filipino women, with around 12 women dying daily from the disease. It particularly affects those between the ages of 15 and 44. With an estimated 37.8 million women at risk of the disease, early prevention remains essential to reduce mortality rates. However, the disease is preventable through primary prevention, such as HPV vaccination, and secondary measures like regular screening.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rickson Balalio expressed concern that women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer at younger ages. “When cervical cancer is detected, it is often already in an advanced stage, making treatment less effective,” Balaliowarned.

With this, the medical expert hopes that more local government units will replicate this health initiative to ensure that all Filipinos have access to vaccinations and eliminate cervical cancer at once.

“I could say that this activity is excellent and beneficial to our constituents. This showcases that in our province, vaccine hesitancy among parents regarding vaccinating their children has been eliminated. Hopefully, neighboring provinces will follow our example.” said Balalio.

Provincial and Regional Commitment to Eliminate Cervical Cancer

John Paul Aquino, regional immunization coordinator of DOH Region 1, emphasized the need for local governments to support these efforts. “Our government has only purchased 750,000 doses for this year, which is roughly 30 percent of our target. That’s why it’s crucial to have our local chief executives involved, as they can help augment and provide support in the effort to eliminate cervical cancer.”

Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos lauded the school-based vaccination program, highlighting its significance in protecting the province’s youth. “This vaccine has been available and tested for 12 years. We should give our children a better chance because this vaccine will help prevent cervical cancer in their future,” she said.

The vice governor announced that discussions have taken place with Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat, chair of the health committee in Ilocos Norte, and lawyer Pancho Jose, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc’s chief of staff, to strengthen the provincial government’s commitment to improving health access for Ilokanos, particularly in expanding vaccination efforts.

In response, Gaoat said the provincial board has recently passed a resolution committing to the 100 percent vaccination rate in Ilocos Norte, replicating Banna town’s achievement on this program.

“That’s why the province of Ilocos Norte is aiming to achieve the number one spot in the entire Philippines for our vaccination rate. We are committed to this goal. We are also in discussions on how to procure this type of vaccine, as we understand it can be expensive. This is one of the challenges that hinders people from getting vaccinated. However, with the commitment of the provincial government, we are hopeful that we can secure vaccines through the DOH and MSD, making them more affordable for everyone,” said Gaoat.

Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon also expressed his full support for the Bakuna Eskwela program, underscoring the importance of healthcare initiatives for his constituents. “Ensuring the overall well-being of Laoag’s residents is a top priority, and I am proud to host this significant event,” he said.

The school-based immunization program will continue throughout October, with the goal of protecting as many girls as possible from HPV and cervical cancer.

MAAARING gamitin ang ‘unprogrammed funds’ kapag kinapos ang available disaster funds na inilaan para sa ‘response efforts’ sa naging pananalasa ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

“Assuming we need more funding, we can tap the unprogrammed appropriations,” ang sinabi ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa isang situation briefing sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang, araw ng Biyernes, Oktubre 25.

“Rest assured, Mr. President and members of the Cabinet, that the DBM remains unwavering in the commitment to provide funds to the agencies that require support or programs focused on immediate disaster response and rehabilitation,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Kalihim.

“As of October 2024,’ ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) ay mayroong kabuuang available balance na P1,983,059,181, ayon sa data na inilabas ng DBM.

Aniya pa, mayroong pending request para sa DBM na ipalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) para ilaan bilang available NDRRMF funds para sa replenishment o muling pagdaragdag sa Quick Response Fund (QRF).

Winika pa nito na humihirit ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ng P1 billion, habang ang hirit naman ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ay P25 milyong piso habang ang Office of Civil Defense ay humihirit ng P37.5 milyong piso.

“The available balance of the NDRRMF after the issuance of SARO for these QRF augmentation requests will be PHP921.4 million,” ayon pa rin sa Kalihim.

Sa kabilang dako, nagbigay din si Pangandaman ng update sa status ng QRF, sabay sabing ang PNP ang tanging ahensiya na may kakayahan na ‘fully obligate’ ang QRF nito na nagkakahalaga ng P58 million.

Ang Department of Education (DepEd), nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na QRF allocation na P3.5 billion, naitala ang pangalawang pinakamababang utilization rate, may 7.3% lamang.

Ang DepEd aniya ay mayroon pa ring mahigit sa P3 billion na maaaring gamitin para kumpunihin ang mga school buildings na nasira sa panahon ng pananalasa ng bagyong Kristine.

Ang Department of Agriculture ay mayroon pa rin namang mahigit na P1.5 bilyong halaga ng WRF na maaaring gamitin para sa disaster response kasunod ng pananalasa ng bagyong Kristine.

“the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) could also be used to support disaster risk management activities, including pre-disaster preparedness programs, and post-disaster activities,” ayon kay Pangandaman.

Ang LDRRMF, aniya pa rin ay maaaring ilaan para sa pagbabayad ng premiums sa calamity insurance.

“all government departments, bureaus, and offices are also authorized to use a portion of their appropriations to implement projects designed to address disaster risk-related activities, in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Kalihim.

“Another source could be the Contingent Fund. It has a balance of P10.33 billion to date, Mr. President. The appropriation may be utilized for the funding requirements of new and urgent activities or projects of the national governments, agencies, GOCCs, local government units,” anito.

Samantala, ipinag-utos naman ni Pangulong Marcos kay Pangandaman na bilisan ang pagpapalabas ng lahat ng kinakailangang pondo na gagamitin para sa agarang pagbili ng kakailanganing resources sa mga lugar na binayo ng bagyong Kristine.

Sa situation briefing, ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga kinauukulang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na maging “more creative and be able to maximize our resources.”

“Just keep me informed and whatever problems arise, just raise them up with me. If not, actually, among yourselves, if you can solve it, just do it that way as quickly as possible. Just remember, there are people still in water right now. They are still flooded. They are walking around with water,” ang sinabi ni Pangandaman.

“They have no water supply. They have no food. They have no place to stay. So, if you think you’re tired, think of what their condition is. So, let us always keep that in mind.” ang pahayag ng Kalihim. (Daris Jose)

PINAALALAHANAN ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang lahat ng opisyal ng pamahalaan na ikonsidera ang pakikipaglaban ng mga naging biktima ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine sa panahon na gusto na ng mga ito na sumuko sa mga hamon na dala ng kalamidad.

“Just remember there are people still in water right now, they are still flooded. They’re walking around in water up to their waist. They have no water supply, they have no food, they have no place to stay. So, if you think you are tired, think about what their condition is,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

“So, let’s keep that always in mind,” aniya pa rin.

Inihayag ito ng Pangulo sa isinagawang situation briefing sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang ukol sa epekto ng Severe Tropical Storm Kristine dahilan ng pagkalubog sa tubig-baha ng Bicol at kalapit-lalawigan.

Bago pa ang pagtatapos ng briefing, hiniling ni Pangulong Marcos sa mga miyembro ng kanyang gabinete at opisyal ng lahat na may kaugnay na ahensiya ng pamahalaan na panatilihin siyang i-update hinggil sa epekto ng bagyo.

“And if not, actually amongst yourself, if you can solve it, let’s do it that way as quickly as possible,” ang winika ni Pangulong Marcos.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian kay Pangulong Marcos na nakapagpalabas na sila ng 150,752 family food packs sa mga biktima ng bagyo kasama ang 3,231 non-food items, na may kabuuang halaga na P111,133,601.54.

Ang national stockpile ay may kabuuang 1,905,700 family food packs na nagkakahalaga ng P1,439,033,413.58.
(Daris Jose)

DALA na rin sa panganib na maaaring idulot ng mga nakalundo o nakalawit na kawad at kable na kilala sa tawag na ‘spaghetti wires’ ng mga public utility sa publiko, dapat ayusin o alisin ang mga ito.

Sa House Bill No. 10549 na inihain nina Manila Reps. Rolando Valeriano at Joel Chua, sinabi ng mg ito na nakadaragdag sa heavy load ng mga electrical posts at nagbibigay panganib sa publiko ang mga nakalundong kawad.

Hindi lamang anila istorbo o nakakayot sa paningin ang mga ‘spaghetti’ wires na ito, na kinukunsiderang ‘foreign attachments’ sa poste ng kuryente di posibleng maging sanhi rin ng problema, tulad ng power at service interruptions na maaaring mauwi sa trahedya o aksidente.

Pinaalalahanan ng mga mambabatas ang mga electricity, telephone, cable at iba pang kahalintulad ng public utility providers sa kanilang obligasyon na garantiyahan ang kaligtasan ng publiko.

Gayundin, may pananagutan ang mga public officials, partikular na ang local government upang tugunan at magbigay ng kaukulang solusyon sa mga spaghetti wires na ito sa kani-kanilang lugar sa pamamagitan nang pagsisiguro na maaayos ang pagkakalagay at alisin ang mga non-operational cables.

Inaprubahan ng Metro Manila Council (MMC) ang resolusyon na angreregulate at nagmomonitor sa mga utility lines maging ang pag-alis sa mga nakalundong ‘spaghetti’ cables sa mga kalsada sa
National Capital Region (NCR), at hinikayat din ang mga LGUs sa NCR na magpasa ng ordinansa para sa control at maintenance ng mga naturang utility.

Nakapaloob pa sa panukala na kung maaari ay ilipat o ilagay ang kanilang wires at kable sa ilalim ng lupa o underground. (Vina de Guzman)

PINABULAANAN ni Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman ng House appropriations committee, ang kumakalat sa social media na may bilyun-bilyong pisong pondo umano para sa flood control projects sa Bicol Region.

Ayon sa mambabatas, wala umanong katotohanan at pawang ‘fake news’ ang naturang balita na napakalaki ng pondo sa flood control sa kanyang lugar.

Sa katunayan, isa aniya sa pinakamaliit ang alokasyon ng Bicol para sa national road at flood control projects.

Ayon kay Co, ang prayoridad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon at ni Speaker Martin Romualdez ay ang pagsasama o convergence ng flood control sa water management ng National Irrigation Administration para palakasin ang food security.

Diin ni Co, ang bawat proyekto para sa pagbaha ay konektado sa irrigation facilities ng NIA para matugunan ang pangangailangan sa patubig ng mga sakahan. (Vina de Guzman)