ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — Thousands of Ilonggo families in barangays located along the Iloilo City coast line including Barangays Libertad in Lapuz, Lapaz district, Pala-Pala along Rizal St., City Proper, and San Juan, Molo district celebrated Sunday their fiestas in time with the St. John the Baptist feast. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) elements were on hand, along with barangay tanods (village security officers), to ensure the safety and security of revelers. Life guards, volunteer rescue groups and Philippine Red Cross (PRC) teams were on hand for any emergency. This year’s St. John the Baptist feast fell on a weekend and was blest with fair and sunny weather in this city.
L.T.O. ADVISORY
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) District Office of Bais City, Negros Oriental will soon enforce a law mandating public and private 4-wheeled vehicle drivers to bring a pair prescribed standard early warning devices (EWD) in their vehicles. While a timeline has not yet been set by LTO central office for EWD law implementation, LTO-Bais district office chief Alberta Janine Lawas is asking owners of four-wheeled vehicles to already purchase the prescribed yellow and red triangles to be used as (EWDs). Tricycles and motorcycles are exempt from the law.
ANTI-SMOKING DRIVE
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA6) — Capiz provincial health officials continue efforts to save more Capiceños, especially the youth, from the ills of smoking. Provincial Health Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Program Coordinator June Regalado said various initiatives are in place, such as the passing and strict enforcement of the smoke-free ordinance by local government units in Capiz. For the second year now, Roxas City has been recognized by the Department of Health for its no-nonsense drive and initiatives against smoking, thus complying with the agency’s requirements.
D.O.H.-DEPED COORDINATION
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — Two government offices are coordinating for a clean environment and for healthy bodies in elementary public and private schools in Tacloban City. Not only will school perimeters be cleaned up but also rivers adjacent to these. Mary Phoebe Quiban, head of the health and nutrition unit of the Department of Education (DepEd) City Division said the city education division has tied up with the Department of Health (DOH) City Health Office (CHO) on the advocacy for maintaining low rate of dengue cases in the city of Tacloban through the said activities. Aside from the clean-ups which will be done on a quarterly basis, the city health office will also be involved in a filariasis awareness campaign.
MEDICAL MISSION
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — The Philippine Army’s 43rd Infantry Battalion stationed in Matuguinao, Samar participated in the town’s 47th founding anniversary on June 19 through a medical and dental mission. Dr. Rochelyn Pagpagitan, Municipal Health Officer (MHO) led the team of six doctors who attended to the patients. The medical mission offered check-ups, tooth extraction, circumcision, and even haircuts. The local government unit and the Army contributed medicines for the mission. Mayor Melissa dela Cruz said the dental and medical mission exceeded their target.