The Philippine Cancer Control Program (PCCP) of the Department of Health (DoH) leads in the observance of Colon and Rectal Cancer Awareness Month this March which aims to increase public awareness on the life-threatening ailment.

Also known as colorectal cancer, the colon and the rectum are the fourth leading cancer sites in the country next to the stomach, lungs, and breast and the third most common type of cancer in the world.

This year’s observance seeks "to decrease mortality and morbidity of cancer cases, increase and improve survival rate and quality of life of patients, and integrate hospital and public health interventions," the PCCP said.

"Focus of the month-long observance will be on primary prevention, early detection with effective therapy, definitive diagnosis and management, supportive care, and research."

Experts said the risk of colorectal cancer increases by age 40 and that 93 percent of reported cases involve persons 50 years old and above.

The PCCP said colorectal cancer in its early stages is treatable and recommended regular screening for individuals 40 years old and above like the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year and the sigmoidoscopy every three to five years. (Christina I. Hermoso)

The National Food Authority (NFA) reported yesterday that in Kidapawan City, 48,964 bags of palay amounting to R28.3 million have been sold to the agency by nine farmers’ cooperatives, farmers’ organizations, and irrigators as of January this year under the agency’s Farmers’ Option to Buy Back (FOBB) program.

The program allows individual farmers and farmers’ organizations to deliver and sell their palay stocks at NFA-designated warehouses with the option to buy it back within six months or within one cropping season, giving them the opportunity to avail themselves of their stocks as the need arises.

The minimum deposit is 100 bags for individual farmers and 500 bags for farmers’ organizations or cooperatives.

NFA provincial manager Fernando Nuñez said that this scheme will enable palay farmers to maximize their earnings by withdrawing and selling their stocks when the buying price in the market is higher.

Among the farmers’ organizations that availed themselves of the food agency’s FOBB program are Maharlika Farmers MPC; Central Mlang Upland/Lowland FMPC; Barangay Langkong Integrated FA Inc. of Mlang, North Cotabato; Christ the King MPC; Lower Paatan Integrated Cooperative Inc. of Kabacan, North Cotabato; Sta. Catalina MPC; Hervilla Memorial Community Irrigators System Inc. of President Roxas, North Cotabato; North Cotabato Free Farmers Cooperative Inc. (NCFFCI); and LIBRIS Div. 1CATUBU Irrigators Association of Pigkawayan, North Cotabato. (Edgard Hilario)

Children International (CI), a worldwide humanitarian organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, recently donated ,000 (R521,000) to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for the relief and rehabilitation of the landslide victims in Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

PNRC Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon received the donation at the turnover last Feb. 23 at the PNRC headquarters on Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.

The PNRC is at the helm of the fund drive for the relief and rehabilitation of Southern Leyte landslide victims.

Children International Quezon City Agency Director Lei Orioste turned over the donation to Gordon. The turonover was witnessed by PNRC Director for Fund Generation Gwen Pang, CI-QC Chief of Operations Lester Quijano, CI Manila Agency Director Cynthia Tiutuyco, and CI Philippine Housing Foundation Inc. Program Manager Divina Ramirez.