Health office  declares Dengue

outbreak for Zamboanga City

 

By  Letty Militante

 

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (ZCDRRMC)has declared dengue outbreak following city exceeded dengue epidemic threshold for four (4) consecutive weeks in this city.

 

Records showed that from January 1 to April 2,2022, total dengue cases climbed to 893 with 11 mortalities .

 

Chief Dr. Ivy Iturralde of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit during the CDRRMC meeting held last Friday reported that 85 dengue cases were reported for morbidity week 13 which is 963% higher compared to the same period in 2021 when dengue outbreak was also declared, and 257% higher from the 5-year average (2017-2021) of 24 cases, same time period.

 

Iturralde further revealed that Dengue incidence rate per 100k population in the city is peg at  99.64 .

 

From the total 98 barangays from the  East and West Coast of the city the  barangays with the highest incidence rate per 10k population are Boalan, Divisoria, Mercedes, Pasobolong and Culianan.

 

This also include  Zambowood, Sta. Barbara, Putik, Sta. Maria and San Roque.

 

According Iturralde , there is a dengue epidemic in Zamboanga City based on the analysis of threshold levels of dengue cases and confirmatory laboratory results.

 

“The city already exceeded epidemic thresholds for four consecutive morbidity weeks,” Iturrlade said .

 

Iturrlade said that thespecimens sent for confirmatory test in RITM revealed 15 were positive results for dengue serotype 1 and 1  for dengue serotype 4.

 

It will be recalled that the  city has previously experienced 2 dengue epidemics within the last ten years

And the  latest was 3 years ago wherein it was also a nationwide outbreak.

 

As this developed, the CDRRMC resolution will be forwarded to the City Council for appropriate action.(Letty M.Militante)

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DOH-9 alarmed over 60% vax rate among seniors

 

An official of the Department of Health in the Zamboanga Peninsula (DOH-9) is alarmed over the 60 percent vaccination of senior citizens in the region, saying the figure should be higher considering they are a vulnerable population.

Dr. Lenny Joy Johnson-Rivera, DOH-9 assistant director, said Wednesday at least 196,891 senior citizens in the region are fully vaccinated, comprising 60 percent of the target for the age group.

Rivera said DOH-9 has ramped up its vaccination program through the house-to-house inoculation with focus on the senior citizens, who are vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection.

“We are alarmed that the full vaccination of senior citizens, who are a vulnerable population since they can easily get infected with any kind of sickness, have not yet reached 70 percent,” Rivera said during the “Kapihan sa Zamboanga.”

She underscored the importance of making it easier for senior citizens to avail of the vaccines, noting that some of them might not be able to go out of the house.

Overall, Rivera said the 2,072,396 fully vaccinated individuals in the region represent 66.9 percent of the target population.

She also encouraged residents to get the booster shot as only 257,933 of the total fully vaccinated individuals from different priority groups, including children, have received their booster dose.

The DOH-19 official said the region posted 95.7 percent recovery or 57,572 individuals who recovered from Covid-19 since the start of the health pandemic in March 2020.

Rivera said the region currently has 59 active cases, and 2,485 deaths since March 2020. 

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2 Zambo Norte villages get ELCAC projects

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Two Zamboanga del Norte barangays have received two infrastructure projects funded under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Barangays Pange and Macasing in Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, received early this week a seven-kilometer, farm-to-market-road and a PHP3 million hanging bridge, respectively, said Josecor Gepolongca, chairperson of MTF-ELCAC.

In an interview Wednesday, Gepolongcas said the projects are part of the Barangay Development Project (BDP), a hallmark program of NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former New People’s Army (NPA)-influenced communities.

Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, the Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, noted the importance of sustaining ELCAC projects to prevent the resurgence of NPA rebels in the barangays.

“Sustainment is crucial now that we eradicated the CPP-NPA in these far-flung barangays,” Herrera said in a statement. “These infrastructure projects are necessary to bring government services to the people of these geographically isolated and disadvantaged barangays.

Herrera said Barangays Macasing and Pange were “cleared” of CPP-NPA influence in December 2020 through the Army's Community Support Program (CSP).

Meanwhile, Gepolongca thanked government forces for restoring peace and order in Siayan, making the construction of the two infrastructure projects possible.

“We express our utmost gratitude to the Army for these infrastructure projects. These will be of great help to our people in hinterland barangays,” he said.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. 

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1ID deploys new soldiers for poll duties in western Mindanao

 

 

The 1st Infantry Division (1ID) is deploying an additional 176 new soldiers to help secure the May 9 national and local elections in its area of operations.

The area of operations of 1ID consists of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and parts of Lanao del Sur.

Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander, said Tuesday the 176 new soldiers completed an eight-week infantry training Monday at the 1st Division Training School (1DTS).

Ponio assured the 1ID fully supports the peaceful and orderly local and national election.

He also reminded the new soldiers to continue their personal development as they go on with their military careers.

“Put your best effort in everything you do. Remember, service comes first before family, but never abandon or take your family for granted,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, three of the 176 news soldiers received academic and special awards for their excellent performance in the infantry training.

The Certificates of Merit were awarded to Pvt. Ronne Fe Artiaga, Top 1; Pvt. Ronil Tepanero, Top 2; Pvt. Jelly Sacote, Top 3.

Tepanero also received the Physical Proficiency Award for obtaining the highest rating in the Physical Fitness Test with an average of 96 percent, and the Leadership Award for his abilities displayed as class president. 

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Marine soldiers rescue 9 passengers after boat capsized off Sulu

 

Troops belonging to the 4th Marine Brigade rescued nine passengers of a capsized boat off the waters of Barangay Tandu Bato, Luuk, Sulu, over the weekend.

Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Joint Task Force-Sulu commander, said in a statement Monday the nine passengers -- two adults and seven minors -- were rescued Sunday from an “overloaded” boat that capsized after being battered by big waves and strong wind.

“Based on the report submitted by Col. Vincent Mark Anthony Blanco, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, they deployed immediately their rescue unit following an information from a concerned fisherman of the capsized boat," Patrimonio said.

Blanco said the Marines brought the rescued individuals for first aid treatment at the Luuk District Hospital.

"The rescued passengers are in good condition, and we turned them over to the Municipal Disasters Rescue Management Office of Luuk, Sulu,” he added. 

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 Be informed: How to cast votes in ‘22 polls amid a pandemic

 

 

More than 65.7 million Filipinos will be eligible to cast their ballots in the May 2022 national and local elections, aside from the 1.697 million Filipinos overseas.

It may seem easy, but health risks posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have resulted in some changes in the step-by-step voting process to ensure the health and safety of people within the vicinity of voting centers.

Based on the official Commission on Elections (Comelec) website, the voting hours are set from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., which can be extended depending on the number of voters.

Standard health and safety protocols must also be followed, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks, the voluntary wearing of face shields in areas under Alert Level 3 or lower, frequent washing or sanitizing of hands, and physical distancing.

The Comelec’s step-by-step voting process is as follows:

• Have your temperature checked before entering the voting center.

• Proceed to the Voters' Assistance Desk to secure your precinct and sequence numbers and assigned room or clustered precinct.

• Go to your assigned room and introduce yourself to the Electoral Board by stating your name, precinct, and sequence numbers.

• Get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen and fill up the ballot at the voting area.

• Accomplish the ballot by fully shading the oval appearing before the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Do not overvote.

• Feed the ballot into the Vote Counting Machine (VCM).

• Check your voter's receipt and then deposit it in the receptacle.

• Have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.

Aside from these, it is also necessary to observe provisions under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), also known as the 1985 Batas Pambansa 881.

Under Section 195 of the OEC, voters are prohibited from entering a booth occupied by another and entering accompanied by somebody, except those who are illiterate or disabled.

Voters are also prohibited from spending longer time in the booth than necessary or speaking with anyone while inside the polling place.

Preparing the ballot outside the voting booth, exhibiting its contents to any person, erasing any printing from the ballot, and intentionally tearing, defacing, or putting any distinguishing mark are unlawful.

Also unlawful are making a copy of the contents of the ballot and making use of any other means to identify the vote of the voter.

Voters must use only the official marking pens or markers given by the Board of Inspectors (BEI).

They must also keep in mind that smudges or blots might affect the capability of VCMs to read the ballots.

After completing the ballot and feeding it into the VCM, voters may check their voting receipts to see if it correctly reflects the names of candidates they voted for.

If there are no problems with the receipt, voters may drop it in the voting receipt box once done.

If the receipt does not match the names voted, voters may bring it to the BEI to register a complaint.

Voters are not allowed to leave precincts with their voting receipt to protect the sanctity and security of the ballot and deter vote-buying.

Unvaccinated Filipinos would be allowed to cast their votes.

However, voters experiencing Covid-19 symptoms after arriving at the polling precincts would be taken to an isolated area to vote.

Before election day, voters may consider preparing a list of who to vote for to avoid making accidental markings on ballots.

Comelec has a list of candidates available on its official website: https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=2022NLE/ListsofCandidates/TentativeListsofCandidates

Voters must also know the location of their assigned voting precincts beforehand. 

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NTF-ELCAC ‘best thing that happened’ to PH

 

 

The creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is “the best thing” that happened to the Philippines, Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano said Wednesday.

Yano, who also heads the NTF-ELCAC’s peace, law enforcement and development support cluster, said fighting the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and their impact was best done through the government’s whole-of-nation approach wherein all government agencies are working hand-in-hand to provide sustainable interventions to conflict-cleared areas and former combatants.

“We were in Caraga yesterday. The governors themselves have said: For the first in history, this NTF-ELCAC is the best thing that happen to our country,” Yano said.

Yano, a retired military general, said the biggest defense of the CTGs is their firearms as well as their capability to harass people to follow their steps and sowing fears to companies so that they can extort more.

He said communist terrorism has brought so much suffering to the country and its people for more than 53 years.

The continuity of development efforts pushed by the anti-insurgency is needed, he added.

“Tapusin na natin ito. Hayaan na natin na magreklamo ng magreklamo sila (Let’s end this. Don’t worry about them keep on complaining), anyway we have the support of the entire nation,” Yano added, pertaining to members of leftist militant organizations hitting the NTF-ELCAC over “red-tagging” issues.

The same left-leaning groups also called for the abolition and defunding of NTF-ELCAC.

Under his cluster, Yano said the government is determined to end the communist armed struggle and their recruitment schemes.

“Maganda ‘yung samahan namin. Bakit bubuwagin pa namin ito. Ituloy natin ito (We have a good team. Why would dismantle it. Let’s continue this),” Yano said.

The NTF-ELCAC pushed almost 24,000 members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to return to the fold of the law.

A proof that the "whole-of-nation approach" of the Duterte administration to address communist insurgency “really works.”

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. 

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 Palace hopes Comelec infighting won’t affect ‘22 polls integrity

 

 

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed optimism that the supposed conflict among top officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not affect the integrity of the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

This, after Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting on Tuesday resigned as head of the poll body’s gun ban committee.

Inting’s resignation was an act of “protest” to an amendment that gives Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan the power to grant gun ban exemptions and place election areas of concern under the poll body’s control.

“We respect the independence of the Commission on Elections as a constitutional body,” acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement.

Andanar hoped the issues surrounding Comelec would be addressed “amicably and professionally.”

“We further believe that any internal disagreement among its commissioners will be resolved amicably and professionally and will not affect the integrity of the May 2022 elections,” he said.

The seeming discord among Comelec officials came just less than a month before the conduct of this year’s elections.

Pangarungan, along with Comelec Commissioners George Garcia, Rey Bulay, and Aimee Neri, approved Comelec Resolution 10777 recalibrating the rules and regulations on the election gun ban.

Inting, as well as Comelec Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Aimee Ferolino, voted against the resolution.

Under the Comelec resolution, top government officials are exempted from the gun ban.

Malacañang has repeatedly said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will ensure that May 9, 2022 elections will be "clean, fair, and honest". 

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 No campaigning on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday: Comelec

 

 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday reminded candidates in the May 9 national and local polls as well as their supporters that campaigning is prohibited on April 14 (Maundy Thursday) and April 15 (Good Friday).

In an interview, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia urged aspirants and their supporters to take a two-day break from campaigning. He also asked them to reflect and observe the solemnity of the occasion.

“The Holy Week is a time of reflection, a moment of high spirituality. Other than being prohibited, campaigning will leave a bad taste in our electorate,” the poll body official said.

“Let’s pause for a while and in solemnity, cherish that which unites us and forget that which divides,” Garcia added.

At the same time, the Comelec official warned them of the consequences if they go out on the said days to campaign.

“What awaits them, more importantly, is disqualification and imprisonment,” he said.

Comelec Resolution No. 10695 prohibits the campaigning during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Campaign activities will resume on Saturday (April 16).

Meanwhile, Garcia denied the supposed conflict between members of the seven-man panel of the poll body.

"There is no such thing. It's more imagined than real," he said.

"No such rift, I assure you that, not even misunderstanding," the poll body commissioner added.

The alleged rift started after the resignation of Commissioner Socorro Inting as head of the gun ban committee.

But, he said the senior poll body official remains as the chair of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC), as the Commission en banc has not acted on her resignation during the meeting on Wednesday.

Inting resigned as head of the gun ban committee amid the approval of the seven-man panel, with a vote of 4-3, of a new resolution after conducting amendments on two resolutions.

"On account of the promulgation on 6 April 2022 of Comelec Resolution No. 10777, which amended Comelec Resolution Nos. 10728 and 10757, the CBFSC has essentially been rendered functus officio," Inting said in her Memorandum.

"I cannot in good conscience continue to remain as CBFSC Chairperson when this same position has already been made inutile due to the enactment of Comelec Resolution No. 10777," she added.

In the new resolution, automatic gun ban exemptions were granted to top government officials.

Those who approved the resolution are Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan, Commissioners Garcia, Rey Bulay, and Aimee Neri.

On the other hand, Inting, Commissioners Marlon Casquejo, and Aimee Ferolino dissented. 

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 Groups remain relentless in unmasking Reds-linked groups

 

 

Groups of parents and other anti-communist organizations have again vowed to be more relentless in “unmasking” all legal front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines (LPP) or the Liga ng mga Magulang, Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng mga Magulang Movement, staged a protest rally in front of the Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Wednesday to denounce the deceptive schemes of the militant organizations that use of “red-tagging” issues to “strategically invite sympathizers.”

LPP chairperson Remy Rosadio said progressive organizations like Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Act Teachers, and Gabriela were only busy overthrowing the government instead of providing solutions to the long-standing violence and atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDF, mostly affecting the countryside.

Rosadio lamented many youths were still missing while others were found dead in the mountains, “but never did these progressive organizations have denounced it.”

In a joint statement, the LPP, LIPI, Sulong Maralita, and Yakap ng mga Magulang Movement, said they are determined to fight back against the “deceptive schemes” of the communist front organizations.

“Kasaysayan na ang nagsabi sa atin na may malawak n ugnayan ang militanteng grupo ng BAYAN MUNA, ACT, ANAKPAWIS,KABATAAN, GABRIELA, at ilan pang organisasyan sa TERORISTANG ORGANO NG CPP-NPA-NDF (The history speaks itself about the wide connection of the militant groups Bayan Muna, Act, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Gabriela and other organizations to the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF),” they said, adding that the CPP Founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison himself has described the crucial roles of these progressive organizations in pushing communist operations.

The groups said progressive organizations are only using the “red-tagging” issues to collect solaces “while moving the underground mass recruitment” to expand their memberships for the armed revolution.

LIPI spokesperson Nolan Tiongco said Sison himself has disclosed to the public everything about their allied sectoral organizations.

Tiongco said it is enough to say that “red-tagging” is not an issue.

“Nakakalungkot lang isipin na itong pondo ng gobyerno ay ginagamit ng mga organisasyon na ito sa recruitment ng mga kabataan at upang palakasin ang kanilang armadong grupo (The saddening part of this is that these organizations are using the government funds to recruit the youths and to strengthen their armed groups),” Tiongco said, pertaining to the incumbent party-lists belonging to the Makabayan bloc.

For a long-time seating in the government branch, Tiongco said "these party lists have done nothing but overthrow the government."

Tiongco said communists, through their legal fronts, have already infiltrated many sectoral organizations of the society.

During the rally, the groups also expressed support to several government officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) who are currently facing criminal charges over “red-tagging”—one of them is NTF-ELCAC spokesperson for sectoral concerns and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.

Filed against Badoy were several criminal complaints on alleged red-tagging, and violation of the Anti-Graft Law and the code of conduct for public officials.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. 

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