| The Department of Health-Center for Health Development recently conducted an orientation among municipal and city health workers, veterinarians and other stakeholders on Rabies-Free Visayas Project which aims to eliminate rabies by 2015, a Philippine Information Agency press release said.
The Visayas group of islands is the pilot area for the 5-year project which started late last year, that the DOH-CHD is conducting together with the World Health Organization.
This project wants to reduce the incidence of human rabies by 50 percent per year, make all the local government units enforce rabies-free ordinances, provide them with technical assistance and logistical augmentation, maintain and sustain 100 percent Animal Bite Centers, in terms of logistics and to increase dog vaccination coverage to 70 percent of the total dog population.
Based on the DOH records, the estimated total dog population in Western Visayas in 2009 is 807,197 and at the end of the project, its vaccination target is 70 percent or an estimated total of 565,042 dogs vaccinated, the press release said.
Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, chief of the Local Health Support Division of the DOH-CHD for Western Visayas said that as March is being celebrated as the Rabies Awareness Month, rabies control and prevention is being highlighted by the project.
Pulmones said their major task is to implement the project and declare Negros Occidental and the whole Western Visayas rabies-free.
In 2009, Negros Occidental scored 86.67 in terms of the enforcement of the rabies control ordinance of the province following Guimaras with 100 percent enforcement of its ordinance.
Human rabies cases in Negros Occidental in 2009 numbered to three while there are six cases in 2008. In both 2008 and 2009, Bacolod City reported no incidence of human rabies case, the press release said.
DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the incidence of rabies has gone down from years before when lots of people contracted rabies leading to death. Incidence of rabies as reported and treated in hospitals has also gone down.
For Western Visayas, since 2006 when there are 20 cases of human rabies the figure has gone down to 15 in 2007, 14 in 2008 and 13 in 2009 as reported by DOH, the press release added.*
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PhilHealth
recognizes DPOTMH
The Department of Tourism, through the Office of Tourism Development Planning, led by director Rolando Cañizal presented the Tourism Development Plan of Sipalay City at the City Mayor’s Office yesterday, a press release from the tourism office said.
The plan aims to develop tourism anchored on sustainable tourism development while generating revenue and creating employment for its residents, the press release said.
Priority tourism attractions included in the plan are Poblacion Beach, Mamara Cave, Campomanes Bay, Tinagong Dagat, Punta Ballo Beach and Malinab Lagoon.
Dr. Erwin Balane, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of the Regional Development Planning Division, highlighted the activities that will promote longer stay of guests in the city and the required tourism-support facilities for a more tourist-friendly destination.
The presentation was attended by the city officials and concerned heads of offices in the City as well as a representative from the Department of Trade and Industry-Negros Occidental since tourism is the city’s One Town One Product, the press release said.*
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RAFI triennial
award nominations on
Nominations are now open for the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Triennial Award that is aimed at giving recognition to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the advancement of their fellowmen, a press release from organizers said.
A non-stock and non-profit organization, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Triennial Award is conferred every three years so extensive screening and validation process of nominees can be made.
Dr. Chelsea Cacaldo, a rural health worker, who works at the Inapoy Community Hospital in the boundary of Mabinay in Negros Oriental and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, and the Luz-Sikatuna Community Hospital in the boundary of Isabela and Guihulngan, was among the RAFI Triennial Awardees in 2009.
The Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual is open to Filipinos, at least 30 years old of good moral character, whose dedication to their profession has made significant contributions to the advancement of the well-being of their fellowmen, the press release said.
The Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution is open to all organizations established for at least three years with functional programs and services, and dedicated partnership with other groups in bringing about comprehensive and responsible development.
Each award category offers P400,000 in cash prizes, a trophy and the opportunity to travel in Visayas and Mindanao to share their expertise to various groups, the press release said.
The deadline for submission of nominees is July 16 this year. Information and nomination forms may be acquired through website at www.rafi.org.ph/triennials, or by contacting the secretariat at (032) 418-7234 and (032) 418-7234, the press release added.*
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Bacolod mall
cinema goes digital
The SM Digital Theater, the first digital cinema in Bacolod City, which will show “How To Train Your Dragon” on Friday, will open at SM Cinema 2, a press release from the mall said.
It will deliver crystal clear, razor-sharp, and lifelike images for the ultimate in picture quality, and give a true digital picture with incredible clarity and vibrant colors every show, it also said.
The theater also offers a consistent image with no degradation over time. Moviegoers can see a movie in its original pristine condition, and that, the Dolby digital sound system magnificently creates an unsurpassed total movie experience.
The theater is a set of equipment consisting of a digital camera projector, sound system, server, storage, delivery mechanism, and security processes as defined by the Digital Cinema Initiatives, an organization established in March 2002 as a joint venture of the biggest names in the movie industry, the press release added.*
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PhilHealth recognizes DPOTMH