Maniolas

One in four deaths worldwide are due to environmental factors like air, water and soil pollution, as well as unsafe roads and workplace stress, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday. Air pollution is a factor in millions of deaths, according to a new WHO report.© agophoto/shutterstock.com An estimated 12.6 million people died in 2012 as a result of living and working in unhealthy environments, 23 percent of all deaths reported globally, according to the new study. “If countries do not take actions to make environments where people live and work healthy, millions will continue to become ill and die too young,” warned WHO chief Margaret Chan in a statement. The report defines environmental causes broadly, drawing links between a long line of environmental risk factors like pollution, chemical exposure, climate change and ultraviolet radiation, as well as access to firearms and more than 100 diseases and injuries. As many as 8.2 million of the deaths could be blamed on air pollution, including exposure to second-hand smoke, which is responsible for heart disease, cancers and chronic respiratory disease, the report said. Among the deaths attributed to environmental factors were 1.7 million caused by “unintentional injuries”, including road accidents. The report also counted 846,000 diarrhoeal disease deaths among environmental mortalities, adding that many were linked to pollution and unsafe drinking water. – Road accidents, suicides – The WHO reported 246,000 deaths due to intentional injuries, including suicides, which it linked to the unsafe storage and access to firearms, as well as Read More …

Health Secretary Janette Garin (right) talks to the media along with toxicologists from government hospitals, Dr. Visitacion Antonio (center) and Dr. Benjamin Yson, on Monday. The officials assured the public on the safety of milk teas and that the poisoning incident is an isolated case. (MNS photo) MANILA, Mar 14 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Health on Monday dismissed rumors about an alleged rise in the incidence of infants with microcephaly in the Philippines. The assurance comes amid concerns about the threat posed by the mosquito-borne Zika virus raging in Latin America. There is nothing alarming about the statistics regarding babies who have an abnormally small head compared to their bodies, said Health Secretary Janette Garin. “Kung meron mang microcephaly na nandito sa Pilipinas, hindi ito alarming at hindi ito biglaang nagbago as of the current moment in the parts of Luzon,” she said in a press conference. Garin is trying to dispelling reports that cases of microcephaly have doubled and even tripled in the country, particularly at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila and other government hospitals in Luzon. Although microcephaly has been linked to Zika virus, the Health secretary said the birth defect has several potential causes, many of which remain unknown. Among the common causes of microcephaly are: infections in the womb, including Zika virus; consumption of undercooked meat by pregnant women; rubella; herpes; Cytomegalovirus; HIV infection; genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome; severe malnutrition during fetal life; and extreme stress experienced by the expectant Read More …

Anne Curtis (MNS Photo) Anne Curtis approves of surfer Jeff Ortega, who has been seeing her younger sister Jasmine. “Plus factor kasi sa akin ‘yung nagre-reach out sa family and hindi lang sa akin, [tsaka] sa mommy at sa daddy,” the “It’s Showtime” host said. Curtis, however, was quick to add that she doesn’t have a problem with anyone who makes her sister happy. “Basta kung saan masaya ang baby girl ko. Ayaw kong mag-confirm or mag-deny anything for her. Siya naman ‘yun eh. Basta ako anything, I’m so happy for her,” she said. Jasmine shared how she and Ortega came to know each other. Jasmine Curtis-Smith (MNS Photo) “It just so happens na I started frequenting the beach with my group of friends and that’s where he’s living. So he’d take care of me and my friends. Doon na [nag-start], ‘yun na iyon,” she said. Ortega is a champion surfer from La Union, who comes from the Ortega political clan. When asked about the current state of her heart, Jasmine just smiled and said: “So far, so good. Ako happy lang ako.” Jasmine’s last relationship was with singer-actor Sam Concepcion. (MNS)

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Philippine Air Force Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony at the Air Education and Training Command Grandstand, Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas on Wednesday (March 09). (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP |   – Manila will lease five military planes from Japan to patrol Philippine-claimed waters and outcrops in the disputed South China Sea, President Benigno Aquino announced Wednesday. He said the leasing the TC-90 aircraft was part of government efforts to protect Philippine territory, which also included previously stated plans to acquire fighter jets and transport aircraft. “Also lined up this year… is the lease of five of Japan’s TC-90 training aircraft that would help our navy patrol our territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a speech at an air force base near Manila. “All of these additional equipment are part of our (Philippine Air Force) Flight Plan 2028, aimed at improving the capability of our air force to defend our territory,” Aquino added. The West Philippine Sea is the  government’s term for areas of the South China Sea that it claims as part of Philippine territory, including islands and reefs in the Spratly island group that it occupies. Tensions in the South China Sea – through which one-third of the world’s oil passes – have mounted in recent months since China transformed contested Spratly reefs into artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities. China claims all of the Spratly islands, including those currently occupied by the Philippines. Aquino has ramped Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during United Nationalist Alliance proclamation rally in Mandaluyong on Tuesday. The 90-day campaign period for the May 2016 election officially started Tuesday, with candidates organizing their respective campaign sorties around the country.(MNS photo) ANGELES CITY  (Mabuhay) – Answering the calls of local officials, Vice President Jejomar Binay has vowed to maximize the Clark International Airport. “Dito hindi masyadong nagagamit ang airport. Nasa tabi ko (dati) si Vice Gov, sabi niya Vice (President) pwede ba pakibigyan mo kami maski 10 porsyento lamang ng mga lumilipad at magamit itong aming Clark (Airport),” Binay told supporters at Angeles City Hall Monday night. “Sabi ko 10 porsyento lang e ang laki ng potensyal nito. Sabi ko bakit? Bakit hindi ibigay sa inyo ang inyong pakiusap?” he added. Binay believed the airport was not being used much because of its link to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “E ito ho kasi ang pangalan ng airport niyo dito ay Diosdado Macapagal (International Airport),” he said, referring to the 9th Philippine president and father of Mrs. Arroyo. Clark International Airport was named DMIA during the time of Mrs. Arroyo but it was reverted to CIA during the term of President Benigno Aquino III. Binay believed the airport was not maximized because the Aquino administration is angry with the former Philippine leader. “Malungkot po ito e. Sa parte ng pamamahala , dapat yung pamamahala e isasantabi mo yung galit, isasantabi mo yung emosyon,” he said. Binay said such is not a good Read More …