DOH chief: No official results yet on MERS virus test conducted on OFW

 News
Apr 182014
 
DOH chief: No official results yet on MERS virus test conducted on OFW

Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Friday denied reports that the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was earlier diagnosed as having the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus is now negative for the virus. In a phone interview, Ona said the official results of the tests conducted by the DOH on the Filipino male nurse from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not yet been released. “Wala pa pong official results. I hope it is [negative]. Hinihintay pa po natin. Siguro by tomorrow, or later tonight, ine-expect natin ang results,” Ona said Friday. Earlier in the day, various news outlets quoted a supposed Department of Health (DOH) statement as saying that the OFW earlier tested positive for the MERS coronavirus no longer has the virus. Ona said the DOH has not issued any such statements. “Narinig ko nga lang ‘yung balita. Huwag muna kayong maglabas kasi mali iyon,” the DOH chief said. On Wednesday, the DOH confirmed that the Filipino male nurse from UAE as the first reported case of the MERS virus in the Philippines. The OFW underwent laboratory exams in UAE after being exposed to the Filipino paramedic who died from MERS last week, but immediately left for Manila. The DOH decided to quarantine the OFW and test him every five days to see if he still has the virus. The MERS coronavirus has a 10- to 14-day incubation period. On Thursday, the department requested all passengers of an Etihad flight which brought the OFW from the UAE to Read More …

WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions

 News
Apr 182014
 
WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions

Saudi medical staff leave the emergency department at a hospital in the center of the Saudi capital Riyadh on April 8, 2014. The health ministry reported four more MERS cases in Jeddah, two of them among health workers, prompting authorities to close the emergency department at the city’s King Fahd Hospital. AFP MANILA, Philippines – With the recent death of a Filipino health worker in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) and the arrival of another infected OFW here, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged healthcare facilities and the general public to take precautions to prevent the virus from spreading further. “Health-care facilities that provide for patients suspected or confirmed to be infected with MERS-CoV should take appropriate measures to decrease the risk of transmission of the virus from an infected patient to other patients, health-care, workers and visitors,” WHO said in its advisory posted on its website Friday. “It is not always possible to identify patients with MERS-CoV early because some have mild or unusual symptoms. For this reason, it is important that health-care workers apply standard precautions consistently with all patients – regardless of their diagnosis – in all work practices all the time,” it said. An OFW who arrived in the country Wednesday from UAE was found to have tested positive for MERS-CoV and was immediately placed in quarantine along with members of his family who picked him up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The male health worker Read More …

Last call for nominations to ’14 Presidential Awards

 News
Apr 172014
 
Last call for nominations to ’14 Presidential Awards

SAN FRANCISCO, California — Nominations for the 2014 Gawad ng Pangulo (Presidential Awards) are still being accepted. The Awards seek to recognize and honor overseas Filipinos and organizations that best exemplify the time-honored Filipino values of pakikipagkapwa (empathy), pagtutulungan (cooperation) and pagkakaisa (unity). To date, more than 300 overseas Filipino individuals, organizations and foreign partners have been recognized through the Gawad ng Pangulo Awards. There are four categories for which an individual or organization may be nominated, namely: ▪     Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award is conferred on Filipino associations or individuals for their exceptional or significant contributions to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines; ▪     Kaanib ng Bayan Award is conferred on foreign individuals or organizations for their exceptional or significant contributions to Philippine reconstruction, progress and development, or have significantly benefited a sector or community in the Philippines, or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities; ▪     Banaag Award is conferred on Filipino individuals or associations for their significant contributions to advancing the cause or promoting the interests of overseas Filipino communities; and ▪     Pamana ng Pilipino Award is conferred on Overseas Filipino individuals who, in exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession. The CFO Awards were institutionalized in 1991 under E.O. 498, issued by former President Corazon Aquino, to help identify and recognize those who have selflessly supported relief, rehabilitation and/or development programs in the Philippines. Read More …

San Francisco business coalition slams proposed tax on sugary drinks

 News
Apr 172014
 
San Francisco business coalition slams proposed tax on sugary drinks

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 6:38 am | Friday, April 18th, 2014 • City board of supervisors start hearings on proposal • Tax proposed as public health measure • Opponents say it would raise prices on all food and beverages SAN FRANCISCO, California — A local coalition of small business owners declared opposition to a beverage tax as the city’s supervisors held a public hearing April 16 on a proposed ballot measure that would impose a 2¢ per-ounce tax on most sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the city. The Drop the Beverage Tax coalition argued “it is not just a tax on soda. This is a tax on juice drinks, ice teas, powdered drinks, sports drinks, and hundreds of other beverages.” It further claimed that If approved by voters in November, the tax would increase the price of some products by as much as 75 percent. “A proposal to tax hundreds of beverages in San Francisco will have the unintended consequence of raising prices on all foods and beverages at a time when San Franciscans confront a growing affordability gap.” Supervisor Scott Wiener proposed the measure, claiming that the tax would create an estimated $31 million annually that would be used to fund recreation and nutrition programs in schools and elsewhere. Weiner argued that sugary beverages cause an epidemic of health problems including diabetes and obesity among adults, teenagers and even young children. “The last thing we need is to add tens of millions dollars a year to the cost of doing business,” Read More …

A ‘time-travel’ production of ‘Les Miserable’ at Stanford

 News
Apr 172014
 
A ‘time-travel’ production of ‘Les Miserable’ at Stanford

David Lorenzo Lopez and Amy Dubose in “Les Miserable” PHOTO BY FRANK CHEN • Pre-show brings audience back to Victor Hugo’s milieu • Two Filipinos in major roles • Musical runs through April 19 STANFORD, California—The April 11 opening night of the internationally acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical “Les Miserables” at the Stanford University’s Memorial Auditorium had a surprising feature—time travel. “The first thing that really sets this production apart from others is the Opera-Going Experience Project (OGEP) that we have created,” said Kelly Gregg, a junior double majoring in theater and human biology, the show’s producer. OGEP is a pre-show performance created to transport the audience to a 19th century opera house akin to one Victor Hugo, the author of the book Les Misérables, would have attended with his contemporaries. “We accomplish this by having 16 actors meander through the lobby dressed in 19th century clothing, portraying historical figures of the time, gossiping about their fellow patrons, commenting about the politics of the day and critiquing Hugo’s latest work,” explained Gregg. Staged through April 19, the production with a diverse and highly gifted cast is presented by Ram’s Head Theatrical Society. Two members of the cast are of Filipino descent. “TonyBoy Marin and David López have brought so much to this production; both as actors and as all around great people! They have been such a joy to work with and are so professional,” said Gregg. “It’s been really fun seeing TonyBoy grow into his role. David has such an Read More …

Filipina Maryknoll sister honored for years of service

 News
Apr 172014
 
Filipina Maryknoll sister honored for years of service

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 6:29 am | Friday, April 18th, 2014 Sister Margarita Jamias speaking at the centennial celebration of Miriam College. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MARYKNOLL, New York – Maryknoll Sister Margarita Jamias was recently honored for her years of “exemplary service” on the Board of Trustees for Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines. Sister Margarita, who served on the Board from 2010-2013, was honored for her singular efforts in pioneering the college’s Nuvali campus. She was also cited for other unique contributions, including building links between the school and the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, a resource center for organizations, schools, institutions and the general public, seeking to study and appreciate the ecosystems of the Philippines. Since entering Maryknoll Sisters in 1960, Sister Margarita, a Filipina, has served as an educator and administrator on the primary, secondary and college levels in Guatemala and her native Philippines. She has also worked in community development, pastoral ministry, and empowerment of women in Nicaragua. Following several years as Missions Project funding coordinator for her congregation, Sister Margarita moved to Baguio, where she served as advocate for “justice, peace and integrity of creation” and a resource person for the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary and chair of the Association of Women Religious of Baguio-Benguet. She currently conducts “The Journey of the Universe,” a seminar exploring the origins of the cosmos and the challenges facing people today. Founded by Maryknoll Sisters in 1926 as a teacher-training program, Miriam College began as Malabon Normal School, later evolving into Maryknoll College, and finally Read More …

PCG: 2 coast guards implicated in Taiwan fisherman’s death have lawyered up

 News
Apr 172014
 
PCG: 2 coast guards implicated in Taiwan fisherman’s death have lawyered up

The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday revealed that two PCG members ordered arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman last year have consulted their lawyers. “They have their private lawyers already,” PCG spokesman Lt. Cdr. Armand Balilo told GMA News Online in a text message. The two, Coast Guard Commanding Officer Arnold Dela Cruz and Seaman First Class Mhelvin Bendo, have lawyered up after a Cagayan court ordered their arrest for obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Hung Shih-cheng in disputed waters in May 2013. The warrants were issued by the Municipal Trial Court Branch 11 in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. The judge set the bail at P12,000 each, which can be posted in any trial court in the Philippines, Navera said. However, when asked if the two have posted bail, Balilo said he was not aware of Dela Cruz and Bendo’s current status with the law. “I have no information of their whereabouts,” he said. The charges against the two stemmed from the alleged falsification of Dela Cruz’s unit’s monthly gunnery reports “in order to reflect a smaller amount of ammunition used during the shooting incident,” according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which investigated the case. Charged along with the two were SN1 Marvin Ramirez and LTJG Martin Bernabe. Apart from obstruction of justice charges, separate cases of homicide have also been lodged against Dela Cruz, Bendo and six other PCG men. Hung, 65, was killed on May 9, 2013 in the Read More …

Gloria, Dato Arroyo propose training academies for teachers

 News
Apr 172014
 
Gloria, Dato Arroyo propose training academies for teachers

For former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her son, Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, teachers should not stop learning after they graduate from college. The Arroyos have proposed the creation of national teacher academies all over the country to train teachers how to teach subjects areas such as math, science and history, which are commonly taught in elementary and secondary schools. House Bill 3042, also known as the Teaching Profession Act of 2013, mandates the establishment of national teacher academies by qualified recipients which have been awarded grants by the Department of Education on the basis of a competitive bidding process. Each grant authorizes a five-year operation of the national teacher academy, renewable after the period. Higher education institutions, a private non-profit educational organization or a combination of these two will be eligible to apply for the grants. The academies will hone teachers’ skills in subject areas such as basic skills and literacy instruction, civics and government, national writing project, mathematics, foreign languages, history, geography and sociology, economics, life sciences, physical sciences, and the arts, including art, music and the performing arts. Under the proposal, academy staff should be selected from the most accomplished and prominent scholars in the relevant fields of study and in the methodologies. In the bill’s explanatory note, the Arroyos said that teachers in the Philippines have become demoralized in recent years due to the decline in the quality of the teaching profession. “The government must not only toil to address Read More …

DOH wants all Etihad EY 0424 passengers tested for MERS virus

 News
Apr 172014
 
DOH wants all Etihad EY 0424 passengers tested for MERS virus

All passengers of an Etihad flight that arrived in Manila on April 15 must immediately contact The Department of Health because it was the same carrier taken by a Filipino male nurse, who was diagnosed as having the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus, to fly back to the Philippines.   “To rule out the possibility that they may have been similarly exposed to the MCV, the DOH is directing all those who traveled with this worker on Etihad Flight Number EY 0424 that arrived at the NAIA on 15 April, to call up DOH,” the department said in a press statement.   The DOH is now conducting an intensive search for people who may have had possible contact with the male nurse.   Passengers may call the DOH through telephone numbers 711-1001; 711-1002; 0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419; 0915-772-5621.   Following the death of a Malaysian national on April 13, who went on a pilgrimage to Mecca, DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said Filipinos who traveled to Mecca for umrah should also report any illness when they return to the Philippines.   The Malaysian national is said to be the first MERS-related death in Asia and outside the Middle East.   A report by The Star said the man developed respiratory complications after returning from Mecca.   First reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, MERS is a novel virus often referred to as the Middle East version of the severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS. Signs of MERS may constitute Read More …

NDRRMC: Yolanda death toll hits 6,300 mark nearly 6 months after typhoon

 News
Apr 172014
 
NDRRMC: Yolanda death toll hits 6,300 mark nearly 6 months after typhoon

Nearly six months after super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) devastated the Visayas area, the death toll continued to rise and reached 6,300 as of Thursday. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said seven more, all from Tacloban City, were added to the list of fatalities. “Seven people in Tacloban City were added to the list… to which the total of dead individuals increased to 6,300,” it said in its update. It also said 1,061 remain missing while 28,689 were injured. Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said the damage to property caused by Yolanda now stands at P89,598,068,634.88. A breakdown of the damage includes: – Infrastructure: P9,584,596,305.69– Productive: P21,833,622,975.09– Social: P55,110,825,740.69– Cross-sectoral: P3,069,023,613.41 — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News 

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