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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Pilar, Korean firm team up to establish sanitary land fill and material recovery facility

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY , September 10 (PIA) -- A memorandum of agreement (MOA) is now on the process of review and consultation, submitted by the Local Government of Pilar to the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) V on the proposed integrated sanitary landfill (ISL) and material recovery facility (MRF) with a Korean firm, the Pilar Jeong Sol Green Technology Limited (PJSGTL). In a dialogue with Mayor Dennis Reyes of Pilar town, during the 3rd quarterly meeting of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board last week, along with Vice Mayor Celso Lao Jr. and several members of the Sanggunian Bayan, the desire to push through this project , according to them is borne out of the requirement of the DENR that each local government unit must have a sanitary landfill and material recovery facility under the RA 9003 of 2000 otherwise known as Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. “For a local government like Pilar, whose internal revenue allotment is not enough to finance the establishment of a sanitary landfill since it is very expensive and like us with our budget so meager, it will be very difficult to comply with this RA 9003,” Reyes said. “In consultation with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan we have to look for alternative source on who can assist us finance this kind of requirement and at the same time generate jobs and add on income for Pilar,” he said. The proponent, PJSGTL will undertake the design, finance construction and management of the ISL and MRF according to Mayor Reyes. According to Reyes, a 30 ha lot will be purchased by the proponent for the establishment of the ISL. In the MOA all stipulated agreements between PILAR LGU and the proponent will be reviewed by DENR. The ISL and MRF as Pilar LGU intends to pursue will also provide the proponent shipment of scrap materials that can be processed within the MRF and will again be shipped for export to other countries. Some issues on the agreement where already raised to the several persons concerned during the meeting with Mayor Reyes. A very clear provision on the MOA is that no prohibited wastes as stated in article 5 of the MOA be allowed especially pathological wastes, wastes and by products from clinics, laboratories, hospital and other similar sources. It was also stipulated in the MOA that industrial waste especially those that are toxic and containing hazardous substances will not be allowed and there will be strict inspection on what kind of wastes will be brought to the ISL. The materials to be processed in the MRF were well identified in Article 4 of the MOA and according to Mayor Dennis all provisions of the DENR will be strictly followed. In the Moa the MRF will only be operating on the following: as paper bailing press that will serve as the scraps paper bonding press, pelletizer of the recyclables plastics, injection molding machines, can compactor for beer, soft drink cans and other similar items, food waste composting facility, enactor and sanitary landfill. According to Mayor Reyes the agreement will be valid within 25 years and the economic benefit will have a 15% of the gross income for the LGU and the continuous development within the area including employment and infrastructure development that will ensure environmental protection. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)




Sorsogon City mainstreams disaster risk reduction mechanisms in local planning and urban management

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 8 (PIA) -- Utilizing the strategy of bottoms up approach, the city government of Sorsogon has conducted a series of inter-sectoral consultation to mainstream the interventions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, and institute disaster risk reduction initiatives. “Inputs of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC), together with other members of the community have provided the office on the current situations, conditions and identifying problem areas , provide necessary actions steps and harmonizing it with development plans were the mechanism initiated already by the city government to mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation, and institute disaster risk reduction, Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda usually expressed whenever he is invited to share the best practices of the city” Tito D. Fortes said in an interview done by the Philippine Information Agency Office here last Monday. “We were tasked to share the best practices of the city government here on DRR in Baguio City only two weeks ago since Mayor Dioneda was in another commitment sharing again the best practices in Solid Waste Management implementation” Fortes said. Fortes, as the newly installed officer in charge of programs and projects under the CCMA provided several persons visiting the city, a tour of the office where emboldened hazard maps were posted showing their areas of vulnerabilities and vulnerabilities of neighboring municipalities that also poses a bearing on certain climatic conditions in the city. Fortes said that the maps generated through the assistance of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provided personnel working in the DRR a very comprehensive presentation of certain types of vulnerabilities of the city. “This office has created awareness within the basic sectors in the community to look at disasters with preparedness and with a committed responsibility of what should be done collectively in addressing the concerns,” Fortes said. ”The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) together with the Sorsogon City Development Planning Office (CPDO) have harmonized their Physical Framework Development Plan,” he said. Reformulation and the enhancement of the city PFDP in compliance with the CCMA and DRR will now serve as the basic operating guidelines and legal policies to be followed for the expedient implementation of programs and projects under the infrastructure development landscape of the city,” Fortes further explained. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

NPA landmine misses Army troops in Sorsogon'

by PhilSTAR.com


MANILA, Philippines - An Army Battalion commander and 10 of his men escaped unhurt a landmine explosion that suspected communist rebels planted this morning along a road in the in Irosin town in Sorsogon.

Army Col. Epimaco Makalisang, commander of the 49th Infantry Battalion based in Sorsogon, together with his team on board a KM450 military truck were on their way back to their headquarters when the landmine planted on a road linking barangays Magdagunson and Buenavista exploded at about 8:30 a.m.

Superintendent Wilson Asueta, Bicol regional police spokesperson, said a landmine exploded while Makalisang's group were negotiating a road in the named barangays on their way back to their camp in Sorsogon City from an Army company detachment in Irosin.

Asueta quoting reports said the landmine, which failed to hit its target, exploded hastily a few meters from where the military truck was approaching.

The report said Makalisang and his men visited an Army camp in Irosin and awarded medals and citations to a number of soldiers there.

Army patrols have been dispatch in the area to track down New People’s Army (NPA) rebels behind the landmine attack.

OPAPP orients Sorsogon PPOC members on the revised Philippine Reintegration Program

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, SEPTEMBER 6 (PIA) ..... The Office of the Presidential Advisory on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through its Southern Luzon representative Cristopher Azucena oriented the members of the Sorsogon Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the revised Philippine Reintegration Program (PRP) in a meeting held here last week at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO).

Members were provided a copy of the Framework for the Reintegration and Development of Former Combatants incorporated in the revised PRP.

According to Azucena the PRP first program implementation was contained in the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR) which was conducted from 1950-1954.

This was followed by the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP) implemented from 1986-1991. Then it was reviewed and revised so from 1992-1993 what was implemented under the PRP was the New National Reconciliation and Development Program.

In 1994 under the PRP the National Program for Unification and Development was implemented from 1994-2000 followed by Expanded Balik Loob which was in effect from 2000-2003 and another name was coined to implement the PRP, implemented from 2007-2010 which was the Social Integration Program (SIP)

Azucena said that based from the findings from past experiences and records , the implementation of the program since 1986, around 275,147 former rebels and their families have benefited from the government reintegration activities and a total of P1, 835 Billion have been spent.

Under the NDRP/ NNRDP P1.28 M was provided to 233,996 beneficiaries, While under the NPUD a total of P385.55 M was distributed to 40,396 beneficiaries. In the SIP, P253 M was provided to 982 beneficiaries.

Now under the Aquino administration Prospects for Peace , the OPAPP has released the Framework for the Reintegration and Development of Former Combatants (FCs) now contained in the revised Philippine Reintegration Program.

It is anchored on four guiding principles and policies.

These four guiding principles and policies are : first, it should be locally driven and owned and nationally led ; second, built on broad partnership; third, time bound with clear exit strategy ; and fourth, subject sensitive and flexible.

Azucena also explained that under the locally driven strategy, provincial Local government units whenever practicable are focal points of authority, assistance and management. OPAPP and other national agencies will act or perform as oversight functions, monitoring and evaluation, provide policy direction, capacity building support and assist in resource mobilization.

Under the broad partnership strategy, government and non-government organizations are converged to assist and provide support programs and services.

Former combatants (FCs) , their families, communities of settlement, LGUs and other stakeholders should be involved in planning and implementation of the PRP.

Underscored by Azucena is that the program should be time bound with clear exit strategy. Meaning, the local reintegration plan are with clear outputs and timelines. 

For this he said, "There should be effective monitoring and evaluation system installed at the start of the program to track progress of FCs and how the program will help them to be mainstreamed.

The last guiding principle he said for the PRP to be successful is that it should be subject sensitive.

"It should be a flexible packaging and provision of assistance that is context-specific , and needs and capacity based.It should utilize case work approach for each FC , allows for flexibility in implementation arrangement based on capacity to deliver", he stressed.

"Most importantly respect for privacy of FCs and their family and need for confidentiality of some process be observed", he said."These guidelines on the revised PRP are of utmost importance so that as members of the PPOC, each one can really assist in the implementation and success of the program.

The delivery of the program according to Azucena to new surfacing rebels shall be done as need arises through local government and non-government partners as seen as appropriate.

The purpose of the orientation is also to organize the local reintegration team. (PIA-SORSOGON)

Sorsogon Peace Council briefed on revised Philippine Reintegration Program'

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY , September 5 (PIA) -- The Office of the Presidential Advisory on the Peace Process (OPAPP), through its Southern Luzon representative Cristopher Azucena, oriented the members of the Sorsogon Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of the revised Philippine Reintegration Program (PRP) in a meeting held here last week at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO). According to Azucena the PRP first program implementation was contained in the Economic Development Corps (EDCOR) which was conducted from 1950-1954. This was followed by the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP) implemented from 1986-1991. Then it was reviewed and revised so from 1992-1993 what was implemented under the PRP was the New National Reconciliation and Development Program. In 1994 under the PRP the National Program for Unification and Development was implemented from 1994-2000 followed by Expanded Balik Loob which was in effect from 2000-2003 and another name was coined to implement the PRP, implemented from 2007-2010 which was the Social Integration Program (SIP) Azucena said that based from the findings from past experiences and records , the implementation of the program since 1986, around 275,147 former rebels and their families have benefited from the government reintegration activities and a total of P1, 835 Billion have been spent. Under the NDRP/ NNRDP P1.28 M was provided to 233,996 beneficiaries, While under the NPUD a total of P385.55 M was distributed to 40,396 beneficiaries. In the SIP, P253 M was provided to 982 beneficiaries. Now under the Aquino administration Prospects for Peace , the OPAPP has released the Framework for the Reintegration and Development of Former Combatants (FCs) now contained in the revised Philippine Reintegration Program. It is anchored on four guiding principles and policies. These four guiding principles and policies are : first, it should be locally driven and owned and nationally led ; second, built on broad partnership; third, time bound with clear exit strategy ; and fourth, subject sensitive and flexible. Azucena also explained that under the locally driven strategy, provincial Local government units whenever practicable are focal points of authority, assistance and management. OPAPP and other national agencies will act or perform as oversight functions, monitoring and evaluation, provide policy direction, capacity building support and assist in resource mobilization. Under the broad partnership strategy, government and non-government organizations are converged to assist and provide support programs and services. Former combatants (FCs) , their families, communities of settlement, LGUs and other stakeholders should be involved in planning and implementation of the PRP. Underscored by Azucena is that the program should be time bound with clear exit strategy. Meaning, the local reintegration plan are with clear outputs and timelines. For this he said, "There should be effective monitoring and evaluation system installed at the start of the program to track progress of FCs and how the program will help them to be mainstreamed. The last guiding principle he said for the PRP to be successful is that it should be subject sensitive. "It should be a flexible packaging and provision of assistance that is context-specific , and needs and capacity based.It should utilize case work approach for each FC , allows for flexibility in implementation arrangement based on capacity to deliver", he stressed. "Most importantly respect for privacy of FCs and their family and need for confidentiality of some process be observed", he said."These guidelines on the revised PRP are of utmost importance so that as members of the PPOC, each one can really assist in the implementation and success of the program. The delivery of the program according to Azucena to new surfacing rebels shall be done as need arises through local government and non-government partners as seen as appropriate. The purpose of the orientation is also to organize the local reintegration team. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon reaps 9 major awards in the 2nd Salud Bicolnon Awards 2011n

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY , Sept. 4 (PIA) -- Sorsogon provincial health workers went home last week proud and elated after the just concluded 2nd Salud Bicolnon Awards 2011 bagging nine major awards for health and the major cash incentive award of P100.000. Held at the Concourse Hotel, Legaspi City, Sept 1, the 2nd Salud Bicolnon Award distributed trophies and cash incentives to health workers and LGUs for their accomplishment and contribution in the efficient and effective delivery of health programs and projects spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH). These programs are being implemented in provincial , district, and municipal hospitals and also in barangay health centers with the local government units supporting health efficiency delivery as part of good governance. Sorsogon is the sole regional awardee for the Outstanding Interlocal Health Zone (ILHZ) implementer by the cluster of Bulan, Irosin, Matnog, and Sta Magdalena (BIMS) carting the major cash incentive award. In the category of Mother Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative for two years, it was the Gubat District Hospital and the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Service Cooperative that got the regional major award. Also, six hospitals here in the province were awarded the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding hospital implementers namely : Vicenta Peralta Memorial District Hospital in Castilla, Irosin District Hospital, Pantaleon G. Gotladera Memorial Hospital of the municipality of Bulan, Prieto Diaz Municipal Hospital, Matnog Medicare Community Hospital, and the Dr. Fernando B. Duran Sr Memorial Hospital or the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital. For the Outstanding Kidney Disease Prevention and Control implementer, Sorsogon Provincial Hospital shared the limelight with two other awardees, the Center for Health Office of Legaspi City and Intervida, a non-governmental organization assisting in renal disease prevention. Meanwhile, the municipal government of Magallanes was given the Regional Red Orchid Award for the passage of an ordinance on anti-smoking. This award was also given to the city government of Ligao and Guinobatan , Albay. The Sorsogon Provincial Health Office or the Fernando B. Duran Sr. Memorial Hospital was chosen as the regional best implementer on TB Control Program for Public-Private Mix DOTS together with Center for Health Office, Masbate. For the award in the Taking the Challenge as Treatment Center for Multiple Drug Resistant TB, the sole awardee was the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Service Cooperative. Sorsogon province also capped the Invaluable Contribution Commitment to the Success of the Measles Rubella Campaign shared with three other awardees, the local government of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Naga. For the regional Best Performing Barangay Nutrition Barangay Scholar, the Barangay Health Workers of Sta Ana ,Gubat shared the same award with six other awardees. "We are indeed very happy with the accolade given to the best performing health workers and local government implementers of health services here in our province," Dr. Edgar Garcia expressed during the event. "We shared this award with former governor Sally A. Lee who inspired us to work better and who has been instrumental in the rehabilitation, provision of additional facilities and equipments provided during her term as governor and now also being well sustained by current governor, Raul R.Lee," Garcia said. "In fact all local government hospitals have ambulances and the hospital has been enhanced and improved for a better workplace," Garcia added. Former governor Sally A. Lee said, "In Sorsogon, we are trying to provide the best health service we can afford to the constituency. In behalf of the province of Sorsogon, I congratulate all our health workers here present doing their duty to make the Bicol Region achieve the required standard for health service delivery and doing their share in making health an agenda to serve best." "To all the awardees, let's not just think of the awards, let us feel proud and good that we are doing this for humanity," Dr. Ferchito L. Avelino, assitant regional director, DOH RO V said as he closed the one day program of the DOH . (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Intervida launches Children First : A Call for Convergence program for Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA) -- Newly installed country delegate for Intervida Philippines Restituto Ramos led the program launch of the Children First : A Call for Convergence program for the province of Sorsogon last week at Hotel Ellis , Legaspi City. Former governor Sally Ante Lee who attended the program launch representing governor Raul R. Lee said Intervida's expanded program will focus on two pilot municipalities in the province of Sorsogon, Donsol and Castilla. She said it will complement the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and enhance the public-private partnership initiatives intensified in Aquino administration as a holistic strategy in poverty alleviation. In the program launch, Ramos underscored the goal of their organization in providing development and cooperation to defend children's rights and promote sustainable social change by improving the living conditions of vulnerable communities, especially children and by acting upon the causes of poverty and inequality. "The Intervida Philippines New Strategic Plan program is anchored on respect for equality, equity and sustainability as guiding principles for the new program for children," Ramos said during the presentation of their program. Ramos explained that Children First :A Call for Convergence is the core of their program so that families can access basic things such as adequate nutrition, education and health which aims for promoting dignity and improving the living conditions of children in basic identified communities were poverty is visually observed and felt. Ramos elaborated the other situations of children all over the world who are victims of forced labor, sexual exploitation, gender violence or separation from families. "These situations are in violation of their right to live in peace, be respected and lead a dignified life.We, at Intervida Philippines can not remain indifferent to this and so the Children First : A Call for Convergence program was developed', he said. "In Sorsogon, our presence in assisting communities and municipalities has been almost 5 years now and hopefully partnering with local government units who show involvement and same passion for the program, we can pursue our goals", he addedd. This new program adhered to by Intervida is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the strategic guidelines have been elaborated within the framework of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals organized around eight areas of action: Education, Health, Food Security, Economic Development, Environment Gender,Citizens Participation and children's Rights.(MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Trail Run places back Bulusan into the world eco-tourism map

By Danny O. Calleja


BULUSAN, Sorsogon, Sept 1 (PNA) -– They ran through rugged forest trails, climbed and descended stiff ravines, crossed rivers and then plant trees to complete the 21-kilometer 2011 National Bulusan Eco Trail Run staged here last week for the International Year of the Forest celebration and in support to the government’s National Greening Program (NGP).

At least 187 local, national and international runners joined the fun, thrill and adventure-filled event to become the first “trail king and queen” named into the National Bulusan Eco Trail Running Cup organized by the local government and an environmental group calling itself Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection of Bulusan (AGAP-Bulusan) Inc.

“It’s awesome. The trail is overpowering. The place is cool and exciting. The people are lovely and friendly,” Kenyan Susan Janutai who came all the way from Narok, Kenya to be part of the squad that ruled the team division of the event said, as she emerged into the finish line at the Bulusan Lake Ecological Park here after negotiating the rugged course for nearly two hours.

The 21-kilometer route covered the Bulusan town portion of the 3,670-hectare government-protected Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) whose whole area is shared by its neighboring municipalities of Juban, Casiguran, Irosin, Barcelona and Gubat, all localities that sits near the foot of Mt. Bulusan.

“The Bulusan forest looks like our very own Mau Forest. The only difference is that ours is beset by loggers and informal settlers while yours is serene, healthy and undisturbed. I love this place and I will tell my friends to come and love it for themselves, too,” Janutai said.

Informed before leaving home that a tree planting activity would be part of the event, the lady Kenyan runner said she slipped into his luggage a dozen of tree seedlings gathered from Mau Forest which she planted after the race on a vacant space at the Park. She dug the pits for the plants with her bare hands to make it more symbolic.

“This kind of tree grows enormously in our forest and I want it to grow here too to become the symbol of my love to your forest,” she added amid cheers and hugs from fellow runners and Bulusan officials led by Mayor Michael Guysayco who awarded her group P50,000 and trophies for winning the team championship.

She also lauded the NGP which she said is a very ambitious program of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III in an effort to restore the country’s lost forests and protect the existing. The program launched by the President this year seeks to grow billion of trees in over a million hectares of land across the country in five years.

“The race was extraordinary and the trail was indeed overpowering but the place is magnificent with its lush vegetation, crystal-clear water flowing its rivers, rare plants and animals and pollution-free atmosphere. This place is really a remarkable attraction,” according to Fritz Handig, a Canadian runner who ruled the men’s individual championship division.

During the race, Handig said the runners hurdled natural trail barriers such as small trees and other growing plants while seeing to it that they do not tread on any living thing on the ground. “That was to protect and preserve the rich ecology of the place,” he explained.

“It was very punishing but the environment is so fascinating. I want to be here more often to enjoy the scenery, freshness of the cool air blowing smoothly and the beauty of its flora and fauna,” Luisa Raterta of Albay who was the women’s division champion.

Guysayco said the Trail Run was a successful undertaking of the municipal government and the AGAP-Bulusan. This will lead us to regularly ushering in more similar events and other tourism-related activities. “We know that with this undertaking, our town is back into the world map of eco-tourism,” he added.

“From now on, this town, with its active Bulusan Volcano, ecologically-gifted Bulusan Lake, long and clean beaches offering the panorama of the Pacific Ocean, good foods and friendly and hospitable people, would be expecting once again influxes of tourists,” according to Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol regional director Maria Ong-Ravanilla who graced the affair.

Ravanilla said this remote town that could be reached by land from Sorsogon City, the provincial capital through an elevated road winding along hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean used to be the top tourist attraction of Sorsogon province.

It lost such reputation to the peace and order situation that deteriorated at the height of insurgency way back in the 1970s.

Municipal Tourism Officer and AGAP president Philip Bartilet said Bulusan will now be well known not only because of its tourism attractions but also of this reality activity which is more thrilling, adventurous and environmentally focused in a call to save our forest. (PNA) DCT/LAM/LQ/DOC/cbd

Sorsogon dengue cases remain low, thanks to authorities' campaign,residents' awareness and support


SORSOGON CITY, August 28 (PIA) -- The number of dengue cases in Sorsogon remain low as health authorities credited intesified campaign and residents' high awareness and full support yo prevent and control the dreaded disease from spreading among communities. Cleanliness of surroundings and following the 4 S against dengue has helped a lot." Dr Maricel Fajardo explained in an interview conducted by the Philippine Information Agency office here Friday. Fajardo explained that the "advocacy of fear" has become a very significant strategy of the Department of Health (DOH) V and Provincial Health Office (PHO), barangay officials and health workers "People have been very afraid of what dengue can cause to a one's health that can even claim one's life. With the very high incidence of dengue last year, we have really intensified our efforts to inform the public on how to combat collaboratively this incidence" she said. She also thanked the support provided by the media community in heightening the awareness of the public against dengue through the constant messages or reminders provided to them. She said the information dissemination campaign provided to the public through radio and print has created in them the right attitude to do what is needed specially in locating and destroying breeding places of mosquitoes For the past seven months, PHO has recorded only 12 dengue cases as against the recorded 101 cases last 2010 which also reported one death. "It is very significant that the awareness of the public in the campaign against dengue has been very high.In fact, our medical team and barangay health workers have started the awareness campaign, monitoring and surveillance since the start of the rainy season since dengue is a water borne based illness caused by a mosquito identified as "aedis egypti". "The dramatic drop in dengue cases is very commendable and hopefully no more cases be added to the current record " she said. "There is no let up still in our campaign against dengue since we are still on the rainy months. What we would really hope to achieve is that the public should have a change in behaviour which is self protection and cleanliness, these are what we hope the public should really do: Fajardo stressed. "Proper coordination with the Philippine Red Cross has also been done so that the public can also be assured of blood supply in case patients need blood transfusion", she said. "We have also intensified our coordination with the Department of Education, the barangay officials and almost all stakeholders in the communities so that all efforts to combat dengue be well implemented", she said. "With the collaborative effort of all agencies and all stakeholders, hopefully we can really minimize the incidence of dengue cases here in the province", Fajardo expressed. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

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