ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — The Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) here, along with other government agencies and private partners will hold a summit for persons with disabilities (PWDs) as part of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, July 17-23. The summit highlights the need to implement Memorandum Circular 2010-103 issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo reminding local government units to set aside part of their budget for the PDAO and similar organizations. Some 200 PWD participants and supporters from Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, Aklan, Antique and Negros Occidental are expected in the summit.
FEEDING PROGRAM
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — Rep. (3rd district, Negros Oriental) Pryde Henry Teves is seeking President Benigno S. Aquino III in securing financial aid for the continuance of a national “free noon feeding program.” Teves said if the World Bank could extend a loan to the Philippines of R40 billion every year for the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), there was no reason why the country could not avail of the same for the free noon meal program. The project, which was the brainchild of Teves’ grandfather, former Rep. Herminio Teves, originally only for Negros Oriental’s 3rd district, had been adopted in the national level in the past administration but was discontinued by the present Aquino administration.
RABIES WARNING
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) — Private veterinarian, Dr. Dante Nick Ortiz is offering free dog and cat vaccination on July 14 as his contribution to a rabies-free Bacolod, even as he warns that while rabies is a fatal disease, it is very much preventable. A dog-bitten person must immediately seek medical consultation because if the rabies virus crosses blood and brain barriers, the patient is doomed. A person can also be infected if he has an open wound that is licked by a dog as the saliva caries the virus.
“This is why dogs should receive anti-rabies vaccine once a year,“ Ortiz stressed.
MICRONUTRIENT PRODUCT
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (PIA) — A micronutrient powder developed by the Department of Health could help Samar’s malnourished children. Samar nutritionist Felecita Borata said a single dose sachet of this powder has 15 micronutrients including iron among other vitamins and minerals needed by a growing child in powder form that can be sprinkled on food. The sprinkled powder can increase the micronutrient content in the infant’s diet without changing his usual dietary habits. Samar provincial nutrition action officer (PNAO) Alva Gadin said Samar province ranks number one with the most number of malnourished children.
EARTHQUAKE ADVISORY
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 is reminding the public not to panic and stay calm during earthquakes. OCD-8 director Rey Gozon, who also chairs the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Eastern Visayas said panicking affects one’s decision-making. Instead, “remain calm, look for a safe place like under a table and take a “Dock, Cover and Hold” position to protect from falling debris,” he said.