TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Department of Health (DoH)yesterday marked National Blood Donation Month in Eastern Visayas through several activities, including a symposium, press conference and blood donation conducted at the Baluyan Convention Center here. DOH Region 8 director Jaime S. Bernadas said July has been designated National Blood Donor’s Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1021, dated July 9, 1997. The observance builds public awareness of the need for quality and safe blood, honor and recognize blood donors, and encourage regular blood donation, Bernadas said.

PNEUMONIA ALERT 

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The National Statistics Office (NSO) reports that for the first quarter of 2012, there were 672 deaths in Southern Leyte with 331 deaths caused by pneumonia  and the remaining 334 caused by other ailments. The NSO data also said all other causes contributed less than two percent of total deaths in Southern Leyte in the first quarter of 2012. Such data was released by the NSO in June 2012.

GAWAD KALASAG

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA6) — After having been assessed and validated by the Regional Validation Team, the Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BCDRRMC) has moved up in the national search for the Gawad KALASAG 2012. The BCDRRMC nomination is under the highly urbanized city category’s Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (DRRMO) acting head, Jose Maria B. Vargas, lauded the city government for “fully supporting the disaster risk reduction and management program enabling Bacolod City to achieve a stronger, safer and resilient community.”

ADDRESSING C.I.C.L. 

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA 6) — Strong collaboration among the community, police and concerned government agencies is essential in addressing issues on children in conflict with the law (CICL), said Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) senior superintendent Marrieto Valerio.  Factors moving children to commit crime include parent’s neglect of their children, social and economic conditions, violent movies and programs on television, and peer pressure. Police records here show that 291 minors were arrested last year. Of the total, 40.20 percent or 117 accounted for children below 15 while 174 or 59.8 percent accounted for children above 15. Valerio asked for more police and community coordination and participation in programs aimed at preventing crime by children.

SCHOLARS’ ASSISTANCE 

CATBALOGAN s, Samar (PIA) — Some 390 scholars from various barangays here were recent recipients of school supplies courtesy of the City Social Welfare and Development Office. Mayor Coefredo Uy, City Councilors Stephany Uy-Tan and Teodoro Ilagan distributed school bags containing notebooks, pad paper, among other supplies to scholars from barangays San Vicente, Old Mahayag, New Mahayag, Silanga, Cabuwaga, San Roque, Iguid, Payao, Pupua, Estaka, Palanyogon, Bangon, Libas, Cagudalo, Cagutian, Albalate, and Cagusipan.