CORTES, Bohol (PIA) — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in Bohol urgently needs a blood components’ separator to address dengue cases. A blood separator is laboratory equipment separating white blood cells from the whole blood pack. Doctors agree the most common first aid for dengue cases is the infusion of blood components particularly white blood cells, which can be obtained from separating these from the whole blood pack said medical technologist Jacinto Quimson who explained that the equipment also allows PRC in Bohol to immediately make available blood plasma or other components needed for transfusion in many diseases.

SAMAR PAMANA  

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — An information and services package component included in Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) projects will bring government services to Gandara and Matuginao towns here. Samar local government unit (LGU) member agencies in a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting here last Monday agreed to bring government closer to people in the area. Philippine Army Lt. Col. Glenn Calambuhay conceptualized the Pamana caravan series, presenting the plan to receptive PPOC members. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)’s Pamana projects include road networks, water systems, and other infrastructure needs benefiting conflict areas.

DISASTER FUND

SIQUIJOR (PIA) — Siquijor province has allocated over R16 million in disaster funds this year. Some 30 percent, R4.809 million will be for quick response activities and 70 percent, R11.222 million for disaster preparedness and mitigation, said Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC) executive officer Arturo Pacatang in a recent meeting. Pacatang said balances from previous years - R15.4 million in 2011 and R4.6 million 2012 - were used for cash assistance to victims of typhoon Pablo. A total of R10,783 million were used for rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure projects and facilities damaged by said typhoon.

BLOOD DONORS

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Capiz Chapter registered a total of 1,949 blood donors in 2012. Some 66 blood-letting activities were conducted by different groups including media, government agencies, schools, local government units, civic and religious-based groups in the province last year. Bombo Radyo station’s “Dugong Bombo” in November, 2012 topped all bloodletting activities with 249 voluntary blood donors in the region. Bombo Radyo was the recipient of regional and provincial awards in August, 2012 for having the highest number of blood donors in the same activity in 2011.

DEPED-6 TARGETS

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd 6) Regional Office is targeting out-of-school youths (OSYs), members of indigenous groups and street children to enlist in the ongoing early registration of learners which started January 26. Dep-Ed 6 Regional Director Dr. Mildred Garay told local media the target program beneficiaries will be provided with their preferred education delivery system. This is part of the initiative to boost universal participation and completion of basic education in line with attaining Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and Education for All (EFA) goals.