BUTUAN CITY – Parents have now a partner in taking care of the health of their children after an agreement was made in assisting the health needs of more than 30,000 children in 36 public schools in this city.

Under the agreement, the children will receive toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deworming tablets, and other health requirements.

The targeted children will also receive guidance in proper hand-washing, proper tooth-brushing and other health care that will protect them from various diseases.

The program, between the city government, Aboitiz Power, and the Department of Education, is an essential health care package for Filipino children. (Mike Crismundo)

Mass registration

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Bukidnon will conduct a mass registration for self-employed who are non-PhilHealth members.

Romulo Lapuz Jr., PhilHealth Bukidnon Service Office chief, said the massive registration aims to bring into the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) new registrants and ensure their access to quality health care services.

“The activity primarily aims to enlist those who are self-employed but are not yet members so they could get Philhealth coverage,” he said.

PhilHealth said that from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. of June 21 up to 24, they will serve local residents in several areas.

Under treatment

Four people were injured after an improvised explosive device exploded at a videoke bar in Tacurong City on Saturday night.

Police Director Felicisimo Khu, director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Western Mindanao (DIPO-WM), said no group claimed responsibility on the attack although an intelligence report revealed that a special operations group of a rebel group in Mindanao was allegedly monitored to be planning such attack in the area.

Khu said the explosion occurred at around 8:30 p.m. at the Starlight Videoke Bar along the national highway in Barangay Buenaflor. (Aaron Recuenco)

Dengue prevention

DAVAO CITY (PIA) – A city councilor here lauded Barangay Dumoy for creating an ordinance providing a program for the prevention and control against the mosquito-borne dengue viral disease.

Councilor Bernie Al-ag, who heads the committee on health, congratulated the village officials headed by village chieftain Jesse Mar Culaste for initiating the program in their area.

Al-ag tossed up the village as a model in implementing a policy to prevent and reduce dengue incidence, during the ASEAN Dengue Day celebration held recently at the Jose Bastida Elementary School in Barangay Dumoy.

Recognition drive

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) starts its search for the country’s outstanding entrepreneurs in recognition of the valuable contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to national economic development.

DTI Region 3 Director Nazrullah Manzur said the program is seen as an important component in SME development and promotion, as it recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who have shown remarkable achievements in growing their businesses to become competitive enterprises.

The program forms part of the administration’s drive to strengthen and support micro, small, and medium enterprises. (Nonoy Lacson)