NUTRITION MONTH FOR 2013 AIMS TO STOP STARVATION AND MALNUTRITION

July 2013 Nutrition Month theme has finally posted.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) Nutritionist/ Dietician II, Crescini S. Roxas, said that the theme for July's 2013 Nutrition Month is "GUTOM at Malnutrition, Sama-Sama Nating Wakasan".

According to Roxas, this is in response to United Nations Millennium Development goal: To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

Based on the Memorandum NO.67, series 2013 of the DepED, every year in the month of July, The National Nutrition Council (NNC) heads the whole nation in the celebration of 2013 Nutrition Month in order to disseminate nutrition messages to all Filipinos through a focal theme.

The objective of this celebration aims to increase the awareness on hunger issues and actions to diminish hunger.

It intends to encourage government, agencies, non- government organizations, private sector, civil society organizations and communications to participate, contribute in addressing hunger issues and advocate for stronger political action to end starvation.

This celebration will be participated by all schools, barangays, and local government units.

The said participants will held a culminating activity that will highlight the importance of good health and nutrition.

Contributed by: Kate Panaligan

DOLE’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board tackled salary rates in Boracay

The Salary Rate in Boracay and in the province of Aklan has been a hot topic recently.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VI of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a public consultation on Wage Issues.

The program was held at a Resort’s convention center in Station 3, Boracay yesterday.

Present were employees and management groups of different hotels and establishments in Boracay and the province of Aklan.

Two groups were formed, one for employees and another for those in the management sector.

Each was given an opportunity to raise their concerns to the members of the RTWPB through their spokespersons.

According to CESO III - RTWPB VI Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom, if the employees wanted a wage increase, they must carefully think and decide on the exact amount of the increase, if approved.

Meanwhile, an RTWPB member said that the discussion during yesterday’s Wage Issues consultation will be brought up to a Board Hearing as this is not an easy subject and reasonable basis are required to prove the need for a salary increase particularly in the island of Boracay.

BIDDING RESULT BY BORACAY TO HOST THE APEC 2015 SUMMIT, BEING AWAITED

The result of Boracay’s bid to host the APEC 2015 Summit will be declared next week.

During an interview with Municipal Tourism Officer (MTO) Felix De Los Santos on Wednesday, June 26 by Easy Rock 93.5, he said the result of the bidding will be known by next week and that the Apec Secretariat is also scheduled to visit Boracay by next week.

Prior to this development, according to the MTO, for the bidding process a Pre-evaluation, and then a Presentation were conducted.

Currently the process is on the Post Evaluation period.

During the interview, De Los Santos explained that Apec is coordinating with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6, and DOT 6 is also coordinating with the Municipal Tourism Office of Malay.

De Los Santos hopes that Boracay will be chosen for the venue.

He further hopes that if Boracay is chosen, it will be successful with the cooperation of the National Government, DOT 6, the Provincial Government, LGU of Malay, stakeholders and the community.

Written and Contributed by: Rodel J. Abalus

Municipal Health Office advices the public not to be complacent when it comes to preventable diseases

Municipal Health Office of Malay exercises 70% prevention and 30% cure. This is according to Malay Municipal Health Officer Adrian Salaver, who said the public must not be too complacent, and to always bear in mind the preventive measures, more so that the mentioned infirmities can be avoided. He added that as much as the Municipal Health wants to deliver free vaccinations and medicines to those who need it, they are pushing more on the preventive side. It always comes back to the community he said, and the best preventive measure is to maintain a clean surrounding. Meanwhile, the MHO offers free flu vaccination to senior citizens only, and not for the general public.  The vaccines were from the DOH and have already been distributed while other flu vaccines are available for purchase in other private clinics and drug stores. Salaver added that they have no records of liptospirosis since his appointment as Municipal Health Officer, but this doesn't mean that the public should not worry, noting that flooding, and standing water is prevalent on the island and there could be rats everywhere. And as with dengue, Salaver said that the people should not wait for news of its increasing cases before acting responsibly. He is further appealing for the cooperation of the general public and the corresponding offices to act on the problems of floods and waste disposal to avoid the spread of diseases that are closely related to the rainy season.

 Contibuted by: Shelah Casiano

Taiwanese Tourists, seen to go back to Boracay

It is being expected that Taiwanese vacationers’ travel to the Philippines, particularly to the tourists’ spots such as Boracay, will go back to normal.

This is after the month-long investigation on the shooting incident that cost the life of a Taiwanese fisherman on May 9 and as the Philippine Coast Guard member responsible has already been charged.

Department of Tourism Officer-in-Charge Tim Ticar has previously said that the number of Taiwanese tourists has dropped, as many flights and hotel bookings have been canceled.

These followed after Taiwan raised a travel ban due to the said incident.

Although the DOT hasn't received any official information on Taiwanese tourists’ return to the island yet, Ticar is optimistic that their flow of travel to Boracay will soon be revived.