ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PIA) – In his speech during Iloilo City’s Independence Day celebration at historic Plaza Libertad Monday, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilo asked Ilonggos to constantly be ready to battle modern society’s challenges to achieve enduring peace and progress.

“We’re fighting challenges in an effort to attain sustainable development and we need heroes today which in fact we have found among ourselves,” he said, referring to, among others, “city hall employees here in Iloilo to whom I dedicate this message.” Mabilog said such employees “have already proven they could be professionals, hardworking, sincere, and honest government people working for the best interest of the people of Iloilo City.”

Kalamdag launched

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PNA) – Kalamdag, an organization of fishermen and residents in Panglao, Bohol, has received assurances of full support from Coop-NATCCO and ANAD party-lists in their efforts to promote balanced community-based development anchored on the tagline “Aiming for a better life.”

Kalamdag stands for KaLihukan Alang sa Maayong Dagan sa kinaiyahan, kalamboan ug kabuhian sa lungsod sa Panglao (movement geared towards positive trend of nature, development and livelihood in the town of Panglao). Launched at the Panglao Island Convention Center Saturday, Kalamdag was advised to form a cooperative to improve the group’s effectivity.

Anti-dengue trap system research

TACLOBAN CITY Leyte (PIA) – The Department of Health (DoH) will conduct research on the effect of the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System intended to reduce dengue cases in Tacloban City. The project intends to incorporate new intervention into DoH’s Prevention and Control Program.

Aside from barangay households, O/L traps will also be set up in classrooms to protect school kids from dengue. One O/L trap kit has three components - a black tumbler, a lawanit board and pellets which attract dengue-carrying mosquitoes then trap their larvae.

VSMMC screening till June 15

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – Free cervical cancer screening at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), marking Cervical Cancer Awareness last month, is extended until June 15.

Dr. Juditha Tawatao, Department of Health (DoH)-7’s Non-Communicable Disease Section said she received a memorandum from their Central Office extending the free screening of cervical cancer until Wednesday.

It will be done daily at VSMMC’s Cervical Cancer Prevention (CECAP), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday to Friday.

Tribu Pan-ay in Washington

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said Monday the city’s pride, Tribu Pan-ay of the world-renowned Dinagyang Festival, represented Iloilo City during the flag-raising ceremony marking the 113th Philippine Independence Day at the Philippine Embassy, in Washington D.C.

During the city’s own Independence Day celebration, Mabilog, along with Police Regional Office 6 Director Cipriano Querol Al-Haj and Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa led the raising of the Philippine flag followed by wreath-laying ceremonies at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, in Iloilo City’s Plaza Libertad.