PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – In an effort to help monitor all the programs of the government, especially on governance, food, livelihood, and infrastructure programs, the province of Agusan del Sur is set to launch the so-called “Tingog 2015” (Voice 2015).

Communications equipment for the “Tingog 2015” project will be installed at the Provincial Capitol here with the capacity to receive feedback from the people through text messages.

In this manner, the provincial government will know if the government’s programs and projects that deal with the youth and migration really reached the right beneficiaries.

This project materialized after communicators gathered at this capital town for an orientation/seminar on how to properly handle the information as effective communication to the people, and how to effectively assist the government program.

“Tingog 2015” is a citizen’s action for governance and also designed for people to directly send their concerns and feedback to national and local officials on the effects of government programs that also focus on the youth and migration through text messages.

“With the implementation of the Medium Term Development Goal (MTDG), we are expecting people’s participation through their feedback in the process, in order that the government can deliver their real needs that have great impact in their lives,” said Ruth Honculada, national youth program coordinator of the joint program on youth and migration.

According to Millennium Development Goal (MDG) campaign and advocacy specialist Dulce Marie Saret, only two areas in the entire country were chosen to implement the program, and Agusan del Sur is one, while the other is Tabaco in Albay.

The MDG is a government program designed to reduce poverty, environmental protection, malnutrition, protection on the rights of women, and many others, where the Philippines is one of the signatories among 189 countries that aims to fulfill the dream for a better life.

Saret said Agusan del Sur was chosen because the province is an MDG champion.

It has also a complete and updated community-based monitoring system data and a United Nations priority area.

In another development, an official of the Department of Health (DoH) has called on the Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) in Region-11 to practice their profession within the scope of the law to ensure public safety.

Dr. Josephine Hipolito, of the DoH-Manila, told the newly sworn LMTs to take care of their profession and the industry, following a strengthened advocacy in professionalizing the massage therapy as a career and as an industry.

“Our purpose is for the public to be safe in your hands,” stated Hipolito who administered the oath-taking of 40 LMTs from across Davao Region at a hotel in Davao City recently.

In a bid to professionalize the massage therapy industry in the country, the DoH has intensified its information and dissemination campaign on DoH Administrative Order No. 2010-0034, Series of 2010, stipulating the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the operations of massage clinics.

Under the revised IRR, Hipolito said all massage clinics and sauna bath establishments are required to have their therapists take and pass the Licensure Examination within three years.

“So that by 2014, all massage therapists in spa establishments must be licensed,” she said.

For her part, Ma. Corazon Mendez of the DoH in Region-11 explained the need to regulate the industry following the proliferation of massage establishments that made massage services as front to prostitution or the offer of “extra service.” (With a report from PIA)