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Stricter No Smoking rules starting Monday

Roy — Sun, 29 May 2011 02:26:46 +0000

A stricter “No Smoking” policy in public places will be implemented in Metro Manila starting Monday and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will see to it that it will be imposed.

The MMDA will be arresting smokers on and secondary roads starting Monday, especially those inside public utility jeepneys and buses. This crackdown against smoking in public places is enforced by the MMDA in partnership with health and environmental officers of Metro Manila’s 17 localities.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino invoked Section 5 of Republic Act 9211 of 2003 or An Act Regulating the Packaging, Use, Sale, Distribution and Advertisement of Tobacco Produces and For Other Purposes, and also the anti-smoking drive of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board in the implementation of the No Smoking policy.

Those who will be caught will be fined P500 for the first offense, or will be required to render an eight-hour community service if they cannot afford to pay the fine.

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DOH wants medicine, support accessible to poor women with breast cancer

Roy — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:46:32 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) joined hands to launch a program that will allow poor women diagnosed with early stage of breast cancer to have access to medicines and other forms of support. The program hopes to increase the survival rates of breast cancer victims in the Philippines.

Department of Health Secretary Ona said that an awareness campaign should be made to make women realize that breast cancer is a curable disease when detected, treated and managed early. “Cancer is a costly disease, with the cost of medicines and treatment way out of reach for our many countrymen,” he said.

Ona added, “Women must have regular breast examination and never hesitate to go on a medical check-up especially those with lump in the breast before it is too late.”

The health secretary called on women with early stage of breast cancer to enroll in any of the four participating hospitals in Metro Manila. These are: East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMC), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and Rizal Medical Center (RMC).

Ona explained further that through a patient navigation scheme, targeted indigent Filipino women should be provided free medicine entitlement and other forms of support. The DOH and PCS partnership will provide P50 million for a year covering 800 patients and will target an initial 1,000 breast cancer patients. He also said that the there was an estimated 12,262 new cases of breast cancer in 2010 and 4,371 died of the said ailment.

The Philippines is among the countries with high incidence of breast cancer cases. Survival rate for breast cancer in the Philippines is below 40 percent compared to the high survival rates of 80 to 98 percent in developed countries.

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New reimbursement payment scheme to be adopted by Philhealth

Roy — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:27:19 +0000

A new payment system that will replace the present “fee for service” scheme in reimbursing hospitals will be adopted by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) and hopes to implement it next month.

The Philhealth plans to adopt a new system called the “case payment” system which will have fixed rates for medical services and surgical procedures to reimburse hospitals for treatment of Philhealth members.

Senior manager of benefits and development and research department of Philhealth Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas said the case payment system will cover both medical and surgical procedures. He said the board discussion on the new scheme is almost over.

Pargas presented a draft during the recent annual convention of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), of the proposed amounts that can be reimbursed by hospitals on specified surgical and medical cases.

Among the fixed rates for service and procedures are: hemodialysis, P4,000; radiotherapy, P3,000; caesarian section, P15,000; Medical Care Plan (MCP), P8,000; appendectomy, P26,000; hysterectomy, P30,000; cholecystectomy, P31,000; dilation and curettage, P11,000; mastectomy, P22,000; herniorrhaphy, P21,000; and thyroidectomy, P31,000. For other diseases, reimbursement for essential hypertension case will be P9,000 and typhoid fever is P14,000.

Pargas said, “The new case rates shall be the new reimbursement for all the specified cases. It will apply to all claims by eligible Philhealth members and dependents admitted in accredited facilities.” He noted that the new scheme will moderate the financial risk to Philhealth and will provide high financial protection to beneficiaries and members and would mean less administrative cost for hospitals and Philhealth because it will not need any itemization.

According to Pargas, under the current reimbursement scheme which is the fee-for-service method, there is a high risk to payors, Philhealth and members and is also incentive for fraud. The present system also results in high administrative cost for hospitals.

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DOH says dengue cases may reach 20,000

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:15:14 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the number of dengue cases in the country is almost reaching the 20,000 mark. The report reflected in the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) shows that from January 1 to April 12, the figure reached 17,228 for individuals who have contacted dengue. Said figure is 0.33 percent than the 17,172 cases recorded during the same period in 2010.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH program manager for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, however said that the number of dengue cases by week in on the decline. “If you look at the figure, it’s going down. That can be expected because it is summer. But the total figure in general is high.”

Lee Suy said the labor department expects that the public may take advantage of the summer time to prepare for expected further increase in dengue cases during the rainy days. He said the public should start getting rid of used tires, empty cans and bottle caps that can hold water, which can become breeding sites of dengue-causing mosquitoes.

The record for this year’s death toll from dengue stands at 12 thus far. For 2010, the total casualties were 36. The highest number of dengue cases this year was from Metro Manila, with a notable increase of 124.93 percent, as it doubles last year’s figure.

Quezon City posted the highest most number of cases, among the cities within Metro Manila, with 815, followed by Manila with 635 and Caloocan City with 584. The most number of deaths from dengue was registered in Valenzuela City with eight, marking the highest in terms of death count in the region.

The highest percentage of increase was posted by Muntinlupa at 745.45 percent, with 93 cases compared to 11 in previous year. Taguig follows with 409.09 percent increase. Central Luzon and Calabarzon posted 3,250 and 3,016 cases respectively.

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House Bill requires hospitals to post price list of medical services

Roy — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:23:54 +0000

The House of Representatives approved last week on third and final reading a bill requiring all hospitals and clinics to post price list of all their series, incidental expenses and medical supplies in a conspicuous place in their premises to ensure accessible, transparent, and reliable delivery of services.

House Bill 4308 author Pasig Representative Roman Romulo hopes that the bill would also gain the approval of their counterpart in the Senate. “Through the passage of this measure, the public is empowered to choose the healthcare facility where they would avail themselves of medical services, especially during times of economic downturns and ultimately, achieve the national goal of establishing a responsible and efficient healthcare delivery,” he said.

Also known as the Healthcare Services Price Disclosure Act of 2011, House Bill 4308 requires all healthcare facilities to make their price list available to any patient or their representative so that patients could adequately exercise their option to choose a healthcare facility.

With HB 4308, Romulo seeks to provide transparent, accessible and reliable information on the prices of healthcare services, including incidental expenses and all items that can be found in the medical bill of a patient. Any increase in their prices should take effect only after proper posting as required in this measure and shall not affect patients admitted prior to posting increase in price.

Failure to post a price list, or posting outdated, inaccurate, and inadequate price list could result to the healthcare facility being slapped with stiff penalties. HB 4308 provides that any juridical person who violates shall be subject to an administrative fine of not more than P50,000 per instance of violation without prejudice to suspension or revocation of license to operate such healthcare facility for a period not exceeding 60 days.

The personnel directly responsible for the violation shall also be subject to an administrative fine of not more than P25,000 per instance of violation without prejudice to suspension or revocation to practice profession for period not exceeding 60 days according to the bill.

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Geneva Cruz strips anew for PETA

Roy — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:30:48 +0000

Filipina singer and actress Geneva Cruz once again has gone naked for a cause. Cruz went nude in the latest ad campaign of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia dubbed, “Go Natural, Go Vegan.”

In the latest ad, Cruz was stripped in her birthday suit and was only clutching an armful of tomatoes to cover her bosom in her bid to catch the public’s attention to stop eating meat.

Cruz, who stopped eating meat at the age of 15, said “For me, being vegan is not about the diet. It’s really about my love for all creatures. In addition to saving countless animals every year, the health benefits of a vegan diet are countless, whereas the consumption of animal-derived foods has been linked not only to heart disease and cancer but also multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis.”

In the latest ad, shot by renowned photographer Niccolo Cosme, PETA once again hit at the meat industry. The group said the industry employs “immeasurable cruelty” to animals raised and killed for meat, dairy products and eggs, adding that meat and dairy production can take a toll on a person’s health as well as on the environment.

“Animal grazing has been responsible for loss of topsoil and eventual desertification in many parts of the world. The animals destroy the land’s protective vegetation. Then wind removes the soil and converts formerly productive rangeland into desert. Forest lands in China and South America are being destroyed to clear space for grazing or to grow food for farmed animals,” PETA said.

Cruz said she became vegetarian after shooting a shampoo commercial in Palawan years ago. She recalled, “All the animals were just roaming free. All I had to do was feed one of them and say, ‘Natural!’ We kept doing that, take after take… I couldn’t support the meat industry anymore. Not after that.”

The singer-actress was also declared as the Philippines’ Sexiest Vegetarian in 2009. Other local famous vegans are Chin-chin Gutierrez, Yasmien Kurdi, and Alicia Mayer.

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PRC released list of new Medical Technologists

Roy — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:10:02 +0000

A total of 489 out of 806 passed the Medical Technologist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medical Technology in the cities of Manila, Baguio and Cebu this March 2011. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results in three (3) working days from the last day of examination.

The PRC issued the guidelines for the registration of the new professionals for the issuance of their Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration which will start on Thursday, March 31, 2011 but not later than Friday, April 8, 2011. They are required to bring the following:

•   Duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal
•   Current Community Tax Certificate (cedula)
•   2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete name tag)
•   1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete name tag)
•   2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2011-2014.

The registration should be done personally by the successful examinees so they can sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The successful examinees in the recent examination, as well as those previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional, will have their oath-taking ceremony on Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 8:00 o’clock in the morning at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, One Rizal Park Manila. The deadline for the buying of ticket for the oath-taking is April 13, 2011.

The registration for membership with the Philipine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET) will start on March 31, 2011.

The complete list of successful examinees:
1. ABAD, MARY CLAUDETTE MAGNO
2. ABANSI, ABEGAIL DAPNISAN
3. ABANTE, LERIE FE LUNGAY
4. ABELLA, LESLIE GRACE MOLO
5. ABELLERA, AUDWIN BAI LACSAMANA
6. ABENDAN, RAYNA KARIYA
7. ABINGOSA, CECILIA MANIDLANGAN
8. ACEBEDO, ANDREA NICOLE ARENAS
9. ACEÑA, LORLIN CARBONERA
10. ADASA, SHAANA RECAMARA
11. ADAYA, CATHERINE GRACE SANTOS
12. ADRALES, MARIA THERESA CABELLO
13. ADVENTO, VINA MARIE CASTRO
14. ADVIENTO, JOHN RALPH COLLADO
15. AFABLE, ALLEN ANGELO ARANILLA
16. AGOSTO, HYGEIA GRACE CERENCE
17. AGUA, MARY JOY BAID
18. AGURO, AIMEN JOY GRONIFILLO
19. ALBA, MARY CARMELLE REVICENCIO
20. ALCOBER, MARINA PALMIANO
21. ALFONSO, SARAH ZAID
22. ALIMAGNO, KARRIZ FERLAINE CARAGAY
23. AMANCIA, ALGERICO QUIMSON
24. AMIL, SITTIE ASMIN HADJI USOPH
25. AMIRUL, MARENA ABUBAKAR
26. ANCAYA, ANNE MARISSE MANGOHIG
27. ANDAYA, GARRY NAVARRO
28. ANDRADE, JAN BENEDICT CRUZ
29. ANOOS, REYNELYN BRUNIE BAYOT
30. ANUSENCION, JULLIUS DIMATULAC
31. APAREJADO, MYLA MAGPILI
32. APOSTOL, ANNA MAY MENDOLA
33. APUYAN, RICHELLE ANNE AGUIRRE
34. ARANGCON, CECILLE OMEGA
35. ARAULLO, CECILIA ISRAEL
36. ARIENTE, STARLENE TOBIAS
37. ARIPIN, FAIZA HAMISAIN
38. ARRABIS, GLEEN PULES
39. ASAN, SHEENA CALINGAYAN
40. ASAURO, ANNABELLE GLORY LUNA
41. ASISTOL, ADELAIDA BARIO
42. ASUNCION, AUBREY GLAIZA BALLESTEROS
43. ATIENZA, NIÑA MYRA SALCEDO
44. AZORES, ORLANDO GUTIERREZ
45. BACALLA, ANGELICA LLOREN
46. BACERDO, MARY ROSELYN LABUTAP
47. BACULNA, FLOR ALBAYTAR
48. BADILLO, AMIEL JOHN TUAZON
49. BAGACAY, JULIUS YVES DULFO
50. BAGSAO, APPLE GAY BALITNANG
51. BAJADA, LIZLIN NOEMI CIMENI
52. BALCITA, AGNES BALIDO
53. BALDERAS, JOSEPH LYNDON GUERRERO
54. BALMES, EBETH RACHEL ALPUERTO
55. BALOTE, SAYURI YOLLIE MAQUIÑANA
56. BAMA, MARIA NIÑA NAGAC
57. BANCURE, JANE GUIAMBANGAN
58. BANGNGO, NORA LIZA TUNDAGUI
59. BANIQUED, JENINA MARTINEZ
60. BARING, CATHERINE GERODIAS
61. BARROCA, MARK JOSEPH MENDOZA
62. BARROGA, JOANNE MARIE GONZALES
63. BATILO, CHRISTYL JOY ABECENDARIO
64. BAUTISTA, R-JAY SUBAHANI
65. BAUTISTA, ROSARIO CRISTINA VALDEZ
66. BAYLAS, JUVYLEN PAGLINAWAN
67. BEANIZA, ADONIS LAVILLA
68. BELARMINO, RHONA CALIBA
69. BELLO, MARIA HANNAH PATRICIA PACIA
70. BENANING, SHAHANIE MACACUA
71. BERMACHEA, MEL PATRICK ARZADON
72. BERNABE, ISA LORENA MALLADA
73. BERNARDO, JORELYN FALLARNA
74. BERNHARDT, SVEN AGRAVANTE
75. BIASURA, ANTHONY AGUINALDO
76. BISQUERA, AIKO INOCENCIO
77. BO, MELODY CORNELIO
78. BOHOL, MICHELLE SUPILANAS
79. BOTE, BAYANI II JAPZON
80. BRAVO, ANA LORENA GABOT
81. BUGAWAN, MELISSA CUNANAN
82. BUMANGLAG, JENNIFFER GASPAR
83. BUNYI, JOSE LORENZO CAMIA
84. BURGOS, FERNAN CALUMNO
85. BUSA, KEN ANTOFINA
86. CABARDO, MIGHTY JOY VILLARIN
87. CABASOY, JOENA LUMIKED
88. CABBAB, JAN-KRIZZELA CABOTE
89. CABONEGRO, MARK GEE VILLA
90. CABRAL, MEDJIEH ENRIQUEZ
91. CABUYADAO, CHARISSA JOYCE REMOQUIN
92. CAHUTAY, GENELYN BOSQUE
93. CAINTIC, ELVIN ARSENIUS TORREGOSA
94. CALANZA, ROSE LAURENTE
95. CALBITAZA, VIVIANE OMOY
96. CALIGUIRAN, MIXIEANN SORIANO
97. CAMAT, AILEEN SHELL BALDONADO
98. CAMBALIZA, JOAN MANGAOANG
99. CAMITAN, RAFFAELA ANDEHL BIADO
100. CANONIGO, MARIKIT LAYA PORTUGAL
101. CAOILE, NICANOR III MANALIGOD
102. CAPITO, MARIA FATIMA DEL ROSARIO
103. CAPPAL, JUNE MACABUNTOC
104. CARANDANG, LALAINE ANGELICA HERRADURA
105. CARIAGA, GLENN MOLINA
106. CARLOS, ERICA JANE ALCANTARA
107. CARPESANO, ANALYN MORENO
108. CARRILLO, MARIA CRIS ALICE LAGRADA
109. CASIMO, GRETCHIN DOBLON
110. CASIPIT, BRYAN LLOYD CALULUT
111. CASTILLO, LIWANAG MENDENILLA
112. CASTILLON, VANESSA YASAY
113. CASTRO, AUBREY TACDOL
114. CATUBAY, MA KRISTY ANGELIC ABRENICA
115. CAUMERAN, BERNADETTE SUCUANO
116. CAYONG, ROMALITA VICTOR
117. CELOS, KATHERINE ABRECEA
118. CERENA, ELLEN MAE BASAÑES
119. CHAN, DANYA PALAROAN
120. CHENG, CZARINA ALEXANDRA BRACIA
121. CHENG, RONA-CIONA SIMBULAN
122. CHUA, JULIAN EDUARDO JOSON
123. CINCO, MARIA REINA MABAGO
124. CLARIDAD, MARGOT UMALI
125. CLAUD, CATHERINE BEDAÑO
126. COLAMBOT, JEMAR NUEVA
127. CONZAGA, EMYLYN PETALVERO
128. COOP, MARNELLE JOYCE PALINGPING
129. COQUILLA, MARK ANTHONY CAPUCAO
130. CORRE, MA CLARITA NAVIDAD
131. CORTEZ, APPLE JOY CURA
132. CORTUNA, IAN GRACE DELA VEGA
133. COTE, MARK ANTHONY VENZON
134. CRUZ, DIANNE LORENZO
135. CRUZ, JOSEPH REUEL BILLETE
136. CUECACO, GRETCHEN JULIAN
137. CULBENGAN, MARITES MASMILA
138. DAA, JORDAN MARGALLO
139. DAJAO, DIANNE VILLAFLORES
140. DAKAY, DARYL ROSALITA
141. DALES, SHERRYL MARIE TRONO
142. DALINGDING, FREDERICK FANUGAO
143. DAMASCO, JOHN MARTIN RIVERA
144. DAPNISAN, DIDA LAWANGEN
145. DAVID, GEEVIE LAGMAN
146. DE CASTRO, JULIUS DE CASTRO
147. DE JESUS, PAUL ROTHWEL CONDINO
148. DE VERA, CHRISTIAN FERNANDO
149. DEL PRADO, FRANCIS MICHAEL VIGILLA
150. DEL ROSARIO, ELENA CHARMAINE CLAUD
151. DEL ROSARIO, GELLI ANNE ARGAL
152. DELA CRUZ, VANNEZA GAIL SINO CRUZ
153. DELA JUSTA, SHANE LUZANO
154. DELFIN, ANTHONY ALIP
155. DELIMOS, KAREEN SEDENIO
156. DELOS SANTOS, JAY VINCENT REYES
157. DEMAFELIS, JOJEMARIE FAYE BARIT
158. DEMAFILES, WILBUR JAN ROBERT ANCHETA
159. DIAGO, MITCHELLE DELEGERO
160. DIDELES, ROSE ANN BUGO
161. DIMAAMPAO, JINAN BATUAMPAR
162. DIONGCO, KAREN CELINE LESTER BALAIS
163. DIZON, ELAINE CHRISTY SALAS
164. DIZON, JINKY CONDEZA
165. DIZON, ROXANNE ANGELIE VINOYA
166. DIZON, WAYLYN DE GUZMAN
167. DOLAR, CLARABEL TOMESA
168. DOMINGO, GEORGETTE ESPARES
169. DUGMOC, EPHRAIM ALMENDAREZ
170. DUMAYAS, LITO JAY GUTIERREZ
171. DUQUE, GABRIELA ANGELA MARTINEZ
172. DY, JENNIFER SOLEDAD
173. EBBA, KATHRINE ARCALA
174. EDROZO, NATHANIEL SOLIVEN
175. EDURIA, EDSEL EDWARD LAGLIVA
176. EGAR, JOIE ANGELI SABANPAN
177. EGUIA, MA LUISA FANTILAGAN
178. ENRIQUEZ, ERLA GABRERA
179. ERMITA, JOEYLENE ESTRELLA
180. ESGUERRA, REGINALD BENEDICT CATAPIA
181. ESGUERRA, SELAH JOY SALVADOR
182. ESGUERRA, WINSTON LANDICHO
183. ESPINA, CHARMIN URIARTE
184. ESPINO, RONNEL MARCELO
185. ESPOS, ANDREW PAOLO MARQUEZ
186. ESQUIERDO, ANNA ROSE NADONGA
187. ETOM, APRIL JANE DACILLO
188. EVANGELIO, OLIVER DULLA
189. EVANGELISTA, EDWARDSON GUARIN
190. FABELLON, MARIA LOURDES MORALES
191. FALALES, HENEDINE BEDAÑA
192. FAO-WA, RHAY-LEEN DAWN AWICHEN
193. FAUSTO, TRIXY MARIE MONDOÑEDO
194. FERRER, KRISTEL DELA CRUZ
195. FLARES, MARIA KRISTINA MACASERO
196. FLORENDO, FAME MONSALUD
197. FORTE, RACHEL CAGUD
198. FORTUNA, CHRISTINE FAITH BASE
199. FRIAS, ANGELI JOANA MALICDEM
200. FRIAS, CLINT EDEL BORINAGA
201. FUERTE, GLEE GRACE ADVINCULA
202. GABAS, FRETCHIE GORDONCILLO
203. GABO, JASON RADOC
204. GABUNADA, ADRIAN JAYME
205. GACAYAN, VENECIA DELA CRUZ
206. GACAYAN, VENUS DELA CRUZ
207. GALAGAR, MELODY PLATILLA
208. GALAGATAN, ANGELIQUE PAULINE LABUCA
209. GALANG, JOANNE GARCIA
210. GALVEZ, PRECIOUS JOY SANCHEZ
211. GAMBOA, GRACE DIANNE PANGANIBAN
212. GAMIDO, MICHAEL VENTURA
213. GANTALA, ROSANNE QUEJADA
214. GATUZ, DIANA MEI LACANLALE
215. GEPITULAN, MARIPIN YONGCO
216. GO, PAMELA JUNE FABUGAIS
217. GOICO, CRESTRIA LYSA SAR-ANG
218. GONZALES, ANNALYN PALMA
219. GONZALES, JOSE MARCO LOS BAÑEZ
220. GOSUDAN, KRISTINE MAE MONTA
221. GRANDE, KRISTAL CAREL KHAY DE LEON
222. GREGORIO, CHRISTIARINE ESTODILLO
223. GUALBERTO, EMELINE DELEN
224. GUERRA, DARYL DUKA
225. GUIANG, AUBREY GILLIAN MACABULOS
226. GUICO, LIZA COZ
227. GUILLERMO, BEVERLY ATHEA BANGUD
228. GUILOREZA, NEPO DANTE JED SIMBRE
229. GULMATICO, MARK RYAN REJUSO
230. GUMBAN, KC JACINTOS
231. GURION, LEANA MARRE FABRO
232. GUZMAN, VIRGIE CHRISTIANE AVANCE
233. H GAFFOR, SOBAIRA SERAD
234. HAMPUY, NANCY BUTTICON
235. HERNANDEZ, GOLDIE DE TORRES
236. HERRERA, JOVENER JABANAG
237. HIPONIA, KRISNA MOQUERA
238. HIZON, JIMPIE REGALA
239. IBARRA, IRENE ESPHER VALENCIA
240. IMPERIAL, WINIELYN GOZA
241. INTIA, CRISSEDA OPEL COLICO
242. JAMON, GERALD JERESANO
243. JARA, LYN MARGARETTE SERRANO
244. JARDINICO, CHERIE JUNE ESTAMPADOR
245. JAYME, JENNIFER ACOSTA
246. JERUSALEM, RACHEL LOPEZ
247. JOVELLANO, MARY JOY MATAS
248. KADIL, NELSA JUMDANI
249. KAMPITAN, GLENDA OBLIGADO
250. KHOSHBOOIE, BENAZIR AMARIE ABALOS
251. KUNGO, RICHIE PAUL GO
252. LA ROSA, CASTOR IV LABAJO
253. LABRADOR, ANALYN NIMO
254. LAGERA, LESLIE ANN TENORIO
255. LAGTO, RHEAMAY OYA-AN
256. LAGUNDINO, WILMA BAUTISTA
257. LAMARCA, ANGELICA CASTRO
258. LAMAYRA, MYLENE MAE CORTEZ
259. LANANTE, MARY JANE TOUANDO
260. LANDICHO, MARK ANDREW TOGONAN
261. LANDINGIN, JHERALYN ARADANAS
262. LAPE, JENINA SUPERINO
263. LARON, LEA-GWEN DE GUZMAN
264. LAXAMANA, PHOEBE TIMBOL
265. LAYSON, AL NICO LIMIAC
266. LECHONSITO, STEPHANIE CECILLE SANDOVAL
267. LEE, TERRENCE EDWARD CHUA
268. LEGASPI, KIM SARMIENTO
269. LEONARDO, ANNALEA ISON
270. LISING, JENNIFER GUILLERMINA JUSTINIANO
271. LISING, JENNY GUEVARRA
272. LLORONG, CHERRY BELEVER
273. LOPEZ, CRISTINA RIZZA LA-ANAN
274. LUCENIO, JOSEPH JAMES PINASO
275. LUMASAC, GUIA THERESA BELLA
276. MACABANGKIT, SITTIE AKERAH LIMBAO
277. MACALINO, PRINCESS EILEEN DOMINGO
278. MACALINTAL, JESSAMINE KALAW
279. MACANDOG, MARJORIE DELORIA
280. MACARAEG, KRISTINE BADUA
281. MAGAN, KIMBERLY CORDOVA
282. MAGCELO, PAULA DAWAWA
283. MAHINAY, MICHELLE BELTRAN
284. MALACASTE, LYNEL ANTONI RAMOS
285. MALICIA, EDMAR JOHN GALERA
286. MALLA-AO, ANGELO TOPAGUEN
287. MALLORCA, DONNA MAE SAMILLANO
288. MANALANSAN, MA THERESA NADAL
289. MANANSALA, MARIAN CAMERINO
290. MANCHING, JENES PAYO
291. MANINGAS, ANNE CELERINA VIRAY
292. MAPALO, MARIA LOREN GABUTAN
293. MAPANAO, VERLYN POTENCIANDO
294. MARAAT, LOUELLA PALOMAR
295. MARAON, SHEIRA DIANA UNA ABUDA
296. MARCELINO, ROS JOACHIM SALCEDO
297. MARCELO, ABIGAILE ASINAS
298. MARCELO, FRANCINE ANNE AMOLO
299. MARQUEZ, ROWENA MENDOZA
300. MARTE, RONLU EARL BESAR
301. MARTINEZ, LILETH BELLOS
302. MAÑAGO, MARILYN LAGUNDINO
303. MELECIO, MELFA OPALLA
304. MENDOZA, GLORIA UNTAL
305. MENDOZA, KARA ANTIGUA
306. MERCADO, CHINNY ROSE MANILA
307. MERCADO, MA YVETTE JOY DERAMAS
308. MIRANDA, ELAINE AMURAO
309. MIRANDA, MARY ANN NOVENO
310. MOCSIR, BOLAWAN ANGGO
311. MOLINA, JEMIMAH SALIDO
312. MOLINA, JENNIFER AUBREY LOTEYRO
313. MONDRAGON, CHARLENE RODRIGUEZ
314. MONTALBO, GENALYN GEÑORGA
315. MONTECILLO, MELODY MARQUEZ
316. MONTERO, ANGELA MAE BUNAO
317. MONTERUBIO, ROVICSON RICO
318. MONZON, KRISTINE BALAN
319. MORALES, RODNEY LADEZA
320. MORIAS, CHARLENE GRACE FAJARDO
321. MORON, MARIE KRIS COVERO
322. MOSQUERA, KRISTIN GRACE TABERNILLA
323. MOSURA, AIZA FAJARILLO
324. MUNAR, CHARLENE MAE DINGLE
325. MUNSAYAC, REYNALDO JR PADILLA
326. NABLE, KARLA VICTORIA PULGADO
327. NAGPALA, CLARISA ANGELLI LOY-OD
328. NAMBONG, FEBIE JEN AGORDE
329. NAVA, MARY GRACE MADURAMENTE
330. NEJAL, ROBIN ENCINARES
331. NEPOMUCENO, AIKO HECALI
332. NG, MADELENE JEAN LEGASPI
333. NGO, MELANIE GRACE JAPONE
334. OBEJAS, MA CECILIA IMMACULADA ACOBA
335. OBNAMIA, AILEEN PINEDA
336. OBOGNE, RUSHELLE ASUNCION
337. OCHONDRA, LESLIE ARAN PALMA
338. OCSIO, MELANIE GALLINERA
339. OGAGANG, ABDEL AZIZ RIGOR
340. OLARTE, GERALDINE GARCIA
341. OLAYVAR, JAMES MENARD LIBAG
342. OPALLA, CANDY RETCHIE VALLEDOR
343. OREJANA, JOSEPH BANZON
344. ORPILLA, JONATHAN DELA RAMA
345. ORRICA, FRANCIS DE VERA
346. ORTIZ, JOHNALYN RONCESVALLES
347. PABUSTAN, CZARINA MARIE POLICARPIO
348. PADILLA, JAY-AR LAROYA
349. PAGARAGAN, CRISTINE MAE CASTRO
350. PAGULAYAN, CINDY MAPPATAO
351. PAJARIT, ARIANNE DE JUCOS
352. PAJULIO, ERIC QUIEL SAYSON
353. PALERMO, JANINE JACINTOS
354. PAMA, NATHALLA VILLAS
355. PANDAPATAN, FATIMA HAFFZA MAROHOMSALIC
356. PANGAN, MOHAN SANTOS
357. PANGANIBAN, MARY ROSE JARABATA
358. PANGILINAN, NIÑA BALTAZAR
359. PAROHINOG, IRIS FREA ACA-AC
360. PARTISALA, MAE ANN GREGAS
361. PASCUA, CANDY RICEL DELA TORRE
362. PASCUA, HIDELIZ MARIE GALIZA
363. PASTRANA, EDMART CARIASO
364. PELAGIO, VENEYRA BARIUAN
365. PERERAS, ALVIN OCAMPO
366. PEREZ, AJAN BARRY REPIL
367. PEREZ, ELENITA REYES
368. PEROCHO, MARY JANE TUBBAN
369. PESEDAS, CHRISTIEBELLE DACATIMBANG
370. PLAGATA, KARLA MARFEL TATO
371. PLAZA, CYD OLIVETTE GILLES
372. PONO, RAYMUND NUÑEZ
373. POSADAS, JENNIFER CASTOR
374. PUA, VIRGILIO JR AGUILA
375. PUNONGBAYAN, ANDREW DOMINGO
376. PUNTUAL, NICOLE KATHLEEN CRUZ
377. QUINESIO, KEN ARVIN REYES
378. RAMONES, RICHARD ALBERT JIZ DE ORTEGA
379. RAMOS, ERWIN MARK BAQUIGO
380. RAMOS, NIEL ORVEN MAYO
381. RAMOS, PAOLO DESPABILADERAS
382. RAS, JHUDIEL KATHLEEN BENALAYO
383. RAYMUNDO, JOSEPHINE ROSE NICOLAS
384. REA, RACHELLE EXPECTACION
385. REAL, JOHN CHRISTOPHER MATOLA
386. REAL, REANUDY GAMMAD
387. REBUTE, EDROLL ORO
388. REMOTIGUE, JOSE LOUIE DELA CERNA
389. REYES, IVEY GALLARDO
390. REYES, JOHN CARLO PRINCIPE
391. RICO, JOAN LALOG
392. RIVERA, PHAULYNE KATHLEEN WHARTON
393. ROCHA, DINNESE DIANNE ENGUERRA
394. RODRIGUEZ, AEDRIAN CLIFFORD
395. RODRIGUEZ, ANGEL GIDEON BASCONCILLO
396. RUBIO, HELEN GRACE REYES
397. RUIZ, KATRINA GRACE TORRES
398. SABIO, MELWIN LEONARD GATEB
399. SAGGE, FRENA NAINGUE
400. SALCEDO, IRENE MARIE VAILOCES
401. SALCEDO, MAGIE ALVENDIA
402. SALIBAY, JAYSON URQUIA
403. SALVADOR, FRANCESS CARL FELIPE
404. SAMANTE, MARIA ROSALIE SECULLES
405. SAMIN, RAODZIA IBRAHIM
406. SANCHEZ, PRECY JAVELLANA
407. SANCHEZ, SIENNA GRACE LUGTU
408. SANDOVAL, YHSMAEL LATO
409. SANOY, CHARIZE FRITZ ALICANTE
410. SANTISTEBAN, DEBBIE KATES ROBLES
411. SANTOS, DESI DARIA
412. SANTOS, KATHRINA TUAZON
413. SANTOS, VIRGILIO JR TOLENTINO
414. SAPIGAO, JAN MONALISA BANZON
415. SEDILLO, BONARD SATORE
416. SEGOVIA, MARGARETTE CARIÑO
417. SENO, HARVEY YAMOMO
418. SERANTES, MA LELA-ANN JAGUNAP
419. SERRANO, MA CECILIA VANESSA MANLANGIT
420. SIA, VINCENT BENEDICT SOLORIA
421. SIAO, JOAN ALBERO
422. SIBUNGA, ARNOLD ESCLAVOSA
423. SILVERI, ROBERT FRANCIS FERNANDEZ
424. SINGH SANDHU, LAKHVIR MANERO
425. SINGWEY, CLAIRE BOGAWIT
426. SIY, SUNLY-MAE BANGAYAN CHUA
427. SOLANO, JEANNIE BEE PETILLA
428. SOLEDAD, DIANNE APPLE BUNDANG
429. SOLIVEN, BABY JOY BRIONES
430. SOMBRETO, ANACLETA CABATO
431. SONGCUAN, KRISTINE ROSE ANN GOMEZ
432. SUBALDO, NOVEE GRACE SAGUAN
433. SUELLO, CHERYL DATINGUINOO
434. SUS, KRIZELBELLE LLABRES
435. SY, MARYJOY DE LEON
436. TABIEN, LIALETTE RAGUDO
437. TABIOS, JOANNA MARIE HONORIO
438. TABUGO, TESSA ROSE HOFILEÑA
439. TABUNIAG, CASEY MANDAWE
440. TADEO, DEBORAH FAITH AMBAKED
441. TAEZA, APRILJAN VENTURA
442. TAGIMACRUZ, GERHARD GESELL VILLANUEVA
443. TALAUE, AMYL DEMETRIO TALOSIG
444. TAMAYO, ROMAR MARAMBA
445. TAN, JEFFREY MACAYANAN
446. TAN, MARY ANN LIZAH RIVAS
447. TANTAMCO, MARY JOY HO
448. TAPIA, JEZZEL CAMARISTA
449. TARUC, MARIA CRISTINA SUNGA
450. TAY, JHERICK JOHNSON GO
451. TAYCO, REYO KRISTOF CAVA
452. TAÑEDO, JERRY ANTHONY JR SALUDSOD
453. TAÑO, JOJIE UGAY
454. TERRADO, CINDY AUSTRIA
455. TOLENTINO, JOSEPH DEAN BALISNOMO
456. TOLENTINO, MARIA FELISA MAMARIL
457. TOLENTINO, RANIER CUEVAS
458. TOLENTINO, RUSSELL PINEDA
459. TOMOY, FERRAN BRYDER CAINTA
460. TORRECAMPO, KRIZTI LITA SANTOS
461. TOSAY, ALDRIN DIEGO
462. TRINIDAD, KATHERINE DIANNE SENDICO
463. TROCINO, GERBERT ARQUILOS
464. TUBO, GORDON CHRISTOPHER CABANAG
465. TUMBOCON, ELAINE MANIPON
466. TUTING, JOHN MARK DENIEGA
467. URBIZTONDO, MAY VARY LIGAYA
468. USON, SHERYL VALDEZ
469. UY, ANDREW BONIFACIO
470. VALDERAMA, JEROME NADERA
471. VASQUEZ, STACEY KATE GENOVES
472. VERDIDA, HANNAH NAVARRO
473. VERDILLO, JUAN ANGELO PAYUMO
474. VERON, VERONICA CADIZ
475. VICTORIA, WENDY TIGLAO
476. VILLA, KRISTIAN JEZER CANALIJA
477. VILLANUEVA, GENEL ILAGAN
478. VILLANUEVA, LEIGH NUQUE
479. VILLASEÑOR, KRISTIN MAE-JEAN MENDONIS
480. VINDUA, FAYE KRISTINE ROLDAN
481. VISCA, PHILVIE NAZARITA
482. WANASEN, HILARIO ACE DIRECTO
483. WONG, SHIRLEY JANE GUTIERREZ
484. YAM, FRANCIS EDIZON BRIONES
485. YAMBAO, MARK ANTHONY SAHAGUN
486. YUCHONGCO, JOSE LADISLAO LANTA
487. ZALAVARRIA, APRIL MAE REANDINO
488. ZAMORAS, SHIRLYN CARCEDO
489. ZARAGOSA, SHERYL CALLANGA

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Government urges Filipinos to participate in Earth Hour 2011

Roy — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 05:57:12 +0000

Earth Hour 2011 will be celebrated again for the fifth straight year and the Philippines is one of the countries who has many participants for this annual exercise. For this year, the Earth Hour will be on March 26, 2011, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

During Earth Hour, those who are participating in this advocacy would be turning off their lights for one hour. For this year though, the Earth Hour organization is advocating its theme, “This Earth Hour: Go Beyond The Hour.”

In the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso is spearheading the observation of the Earth Hour by asking both government and private offices and establishment to switch off all lights and other non-essential electrical appliances to “relieve Planet Earth and its inhabitants of destructive carbon stress build-up.”

The environment secretary believes that the country will surpass last year’s celebration as the event is seen to be more popular and is getting more support, both from the public and private sectors.

For the past two years, Philippines was said to have recorded the most number of participating towns and cities in this annual global event. Last year, there were some 15 million Filipinos in 1,076 towns and cities voluntarily switching off power for an hour.

But Dichoso stressed that they are not after breaking any record and/or setting a new one. More than the record, he is calling on Filipinos to participate and reduce their carbon footprint by decreasing their electrical consumption for a total 60 minutes, in an effort to cut emissions generated from carbon dioxide and fossil fuel, which substantially contributes to adverse climate change.

Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 which was just then a one-city campaign. Soon the world caught on with the practice and it became an annual campaign for environmental awareness.

The official Earth Hour 2011 campaign video

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Philippines bans chocolate milk from Japan

Roy — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:22:58 +0000

The country temporarily bans chocolate milk products from Japan after the March 11 earthquake, although it was just a verbal order issued by Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Efren Nuestro. Philippines joins other countries like Russia, Canada, Australia and Singapore, among the list of countries which banned Japanese food imports as radioactive steam wafted anew from the Fukushima Dai-chi Nuclear Power Station.

Nuestro said that a formal order is already being drafted canceling a previous clearance for the import of Japanese chocolate milk products. “We will recall the veterinary quarantine clearance for chocolate milk products that were shipped into the Philippines after March 11.”

Together with the BAI, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), would screen animal-based products from Japan for abnormal radiation levels and recommend the suspension of the importation of suspect items. The two agencies are both under the Department of Agriculture.

A random sampling of mackerel from Japan would be conducted to determine if they have a high radioactivity level, said BFAR Director Malcom Sarmiento. According to him, the country imported 4,000 tons of mackerel from Japan last year for food processing.

Quarantine officer Rico Capulong said that the Philippine custom authorities are also keeping a close watch on any imports from areas of Japan that were close to the stricken nuclear plants. “Not all parts of Japan were affected. There are certain areas that we are concentrating on,” he said.

Meanwhile, three United Nations agencies issued a joint statement in Geneva, pledging their commitment to “mobilizing their and expertise” to help Japan, noting that “food safety issues are an additional dimension of the emergency.”

The three agencies, International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization, said Japan was taking the right action. “Food monitoring is being implemented, measurements of radioactivity in food are taking place and the results are being communicated publicly,” the three agencies added.

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DENR ordered closure of sugar mill in Batangas

Roy — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:51:41 +0000

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the closure of a sugar mill in Balayan, Batangas for its violations of Philippine environmental laws. A cease-and-desist order (CDO) has been issued by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje against Batangas Sugar Central Inc. for what he claimed were the company’s repeated violations of the Philippine Clean Water Act and the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Paje said, “I would like to make it clear that the sugar mill is committing two kinds of violations here. One is the violation against environmental laws for its continued emission of smoke and effluents that do not meet the DENR standards, and the other is its blatant disregard of the standing CDO earlier issued against it.”

The environment secretary also ordered the DENR’s office in Region IV-A to serve the CDO and to ensure that it will be implemented. “I have marching order to the regional office of the Environmental Management Bureau to strictly implement the CDO, and make sure that Batangas Sugar Central Incorporated does not operate until its violations are properly addressed,” Paje said.

He also ordered the DENR regional office to conduct air and water samplings before it executes the CDO to determine the extent of pollution that the sugar mill has caused. Likewise, he directed the office to put a billboard in a conspicuous area to notify the public of the violations and the status of the company.

In 2010, three firms were found violating laws to protect the environment and slapped with penalties by the DENR.

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Manila government intensified campaign against use of magic sugar

Roy — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:47:06 +0000

A substance called “magic sugar” which is being widely used as an artificial sweetener is not safe for consumption. Because of this, the government of the City of Manila is taking measures to prohibit the use of this substance.

Dr. Loraine Sanchez of the city health office said that the authorities are closely coordinating with police and barangay officials in monitoring vendors selling or using “magic sugar” in the food or drinks they sell. Aside from the monitoring, they are also conducting an information drive on the substance and the risk it poses to a person’s health.

Sanchez also said that the sanitary officers are conducting lectures in schools as part of their information drive to inform the students in a bid to stop them from patronizing vendors who are suspected of using the illegal substance. “We also encourage parents to just prepare homemade nutritious snacks for their kids to prevent them from buying foods outside the schools,” she said.

In line with their campaign, the city government also intensified its monitoring of sanitary and environmental sanitation permits among hawkers in Manila, added Sanchez.

The police and city officials issued warning to the vendors that whoever is caught using or selling magic sugar may be charged with violation of Republic Act 3720 or the Foods, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act.

A warning had been issued earlier by health secretary Esperanza Cabral cautioning the public against the use of magic sugar which is allegedly being smuggled into the country. According Cabral, the substance known as magic sugar or artificial sugar is also called sodium cyclamate that could cause dizziness, vomiting and stomach ache.

She said it is banned in the United States “because of some studies that show that it increases the incidence of cancer, such as urinary bladder cancer.”

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Two families received Model OFW Family Award

Roy — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:05:30 +0000

Two overseas Filipino workers (OFW) families were recognized for their efforts in helping residents in their community gain employment or livelihood through promotion of entrepreneurship. The first OFW was from Lipa, Batangas, and the second one was from Baleno, Masbate. They were named this year’s Model OFW families.

The Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) 2009 winners are the Lubis family of Lipa, Batangas and the Bello family of Baleno, Masbate.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said, “The Lubis family represent the land-based OFW sector while the Bello family represent the sea-based OFW sector. These exemplify OFWs model families in the country who have demonstrated the best practices of OFWs and their families in overcoming the challenges of migration.”

The recognition was handed to them last Thursday by Vice President Noli de Castro.

In their evaluation of this year’s winners, the DOLE report said that the Lubises, with the initiative of its patriarch, Engr. Rodolfo Pita who had worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years, invested their overseas earnings in various agri-business enterprises where they were able to provide jobs to more than 200 workers.

Aside from their various agri-businesses, the Lubis family also developed their first Gawad Kalinga Reunion Village which allows them to provide more employment opportunities to residents, as well as livelihood capital, and scholarship for their children. They were also able to plant more than 45,000 Narra and mahogany trees as their contribution to the “Greening of the Environment.”

Meanwhile, Captain Bello worked as a seaman for almost 29 years. He started as an ordinary seaman in 1971. His overseas earnings were invested by his family in various agricultural and retail business ventures which also allowed them to provide employment opportunities to the residents in their community.

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New tower to provide more patient-friendly facilities

Roy — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:23:39 +0000

A new hospital tower which boast of a more efficient, patient-friendly design and ambiance that would address the needs of its growing clientele for more services and better facilities, is set to begin construction soon by the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Located in the Filinvest Corporate City, the hospital held its groundbreaking ceremony recently for the new tower which is set to start construction next month. The target completion date of the new facility will be on the first quarter of 2011.

Theo Seiler, chief executive officer of Asian Hospital said, “The construction of our new hospital tower will allow us to realize our continuous commitment to quality patient care, in line with our vision to maintain our position as a world-class medical institution. We’ve carefully chosen our partners for this project, making sure that our vision of giving our patients a comfortable, purposely designed healing place will be realized.”

The proposed new hospital tower will have 14 stories, including a two-level basement parking area. The new building will also provide more outpatient and inpatient facilities, and some upgrades on medical equipments, in order to provide expanded services and better facilities to patients.

Asian Hospital has tapped the services of Archion Architects as its architect and lead design consultant. Other service companies included in the construction project are Sinclair Knight Merz (Philippines), Inc. as consultant for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection (MEPF) and medical gas design; Antonio V. Gutierrez and Associates as structural consultant; and SP Castro and Associates, Inc. whose tasked is to oversee the construction of the new hospital tower in its capacity as project manager.

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Modern sanitary landfill opens in Davao City

Roy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:39:48 +0000

The government of Davao City is taking serious steps in its effective solid waste management, and this is more evident with the completions of a 3.8 hectare sanitary landfill project. The P268-million facility which opened last Friday boasts of a highly-engineered solid waste disposal facility which is touted as the first of its kind in Mindanao. Itâ€™s the first landfill which was opened following the closure and rehabilitation of the old open dumpsite in 2007.

The new sanitary dumpsite is complete with leachate retention pond, monitoring wells, drainage system gas vents, said Ogie Ticos of IPM Construction and Development Corp. According to Ticos, the new landfill, which is located in the village of New Carmen in Tugbok district can accommodate the cityâ€™s garbage for the next 8 to 10 years.

Leachate is a â€œgarbage juiceâ€ which is formed when rainwater and chemical wastes mix. Ticos said the leachate that the landfill will produce will just be 16 cubic meters per day or the equivalent of only 16 balikbayan boxes. He said the â€œjuiceâ€ will drain down to the retention pond, which will be closely monitored for leaks.

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte,Â who was proud of the project, said it was the cityâ€™s response to the pressing concern over the proper way of disposing garbage.

According to the data from the city government, garbage collection around the city for the period January to August of this year totaled 272,916 cubic meters. The total wastes collected from household, commercial and industrial sources last year reached 358,572 cubic meters.

Duterte said, â€œOur focus on the environment and natural resources will be principally directed on ecological solid waste management, watershed rehabilitation and coastal resource management. We will continue to pursue the path to sustainable development of our city.â€

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More Filipino now buys generic drugs says DOH

Roy — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:20:35 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that more and more Filipinos are buying generics drugs. The news was reported by DOH secretary Francisco Duque III who said that 6 out of 10 Filipinos are now opting for generic medicines over the more expensive branded counterparts.

The health secretary said that this is paving the way for healthy competition in the local pharmaceutical industry. Some generic medicines are up to 80 percent cheaper that the branded medicines.

A generic drug is a quality copy of original or â€œinnovatorâ€ medicines developed by major pharmaceutical firms. In the Philippines, a company that develops a particular medicine has 20 years of exclusive rights to produce and sell that product. When the 20-years period expires, other companies can make quality copies and sell them at a lower price. This is as stated under Republic Act 6675 or the Generics Act of 1998.

â€œThis emerging generation of wise consumers is growing and has prompted a reduction in prices in medicines such as paracetamol and amoxicillin, among others,â€ Duque said.

The DOH signed an agreement with Cancer Warrior Foundation as part of the Generics Awareness month celebration. The agreement will see the foundation investing P20 million for the purchase of generic anti-cancer medicines for children with leukemia through PITC-Pharma, which offered the drug at a price which is five times cheaper than the innovator counterparts.

There is however a misconception among local consumers that branded medicines are more effective than their generic counterparts. To help educate consumers and remove this misconception, Duque is encouraging physicians to prescribe to patient generics drugs instead of branded medicines.

â€œItâ€™s amazing that many of our countrymen do not know that what they are really using are generic drugs. For example, the generic medicine paracetamol can be bought as Biogesic, Tempra, Calpol or as genericâ€”only the brands and price differ but they have the same quality,â€ said Duque.

â€œIf more doctors prescribe generic medicines and more people use them, these will further drive down medicine prices and make medicine more accessible especially for the poor,â€ Duque added.

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High Court exempts HMOs from documentary stamps tax

Roy — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:23:56 +0000

The Philippinesâ€™ Supreme Court (SC) reversed its earlier decision and said that health care agreements of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are exempt from documentary stamp taxes (DST).

HMOs are the companies that provide various forms of medical insurance. Their health care agreements cover prepaid medical services, including medical check-ups. What they are not are contracts are contracts involving losses and/or damages, the High court said in its 40-page resolution, and therefore they are exempted from the DST.

The recent ruling which was penned by Associate Justice Renato Corona, granted the appeal of petitioner Philippine Health Care Providers Inc. which sought the reversal of the SCâ€™s decision on June of 2008.

In the earlier decision, Health Care Providers was ordered to pay the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) more than P376 million representing DST. Said

According to the BIR ruling, DST is imposed on â€œall policies of insurance or bonds or obligations of the nature of indemnity for loss, damage, or liability made or renewed by any person, association or company or corporation, (except life, marine, inland and fire insurance),â€ said SC, citing section 185 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

As it ruled that â€œHealth care agreements are clearly not within the ambit of Section 185 of the NIRC and there was never any legislative to impose the same on health maintenance organizations (HMOs) like petitioner, the same should not be arbitrarily and unjustly included in its coverage.â€

The SC also recognized that various courts in the United States have ruled that HMOs are not in the insurance business.

The DST charged is equivalent to 12.5 percent of the premium paid.

Imposing the DST on the HMO industry was said to lead to the industryâ€™s death. Currently, there are thirty-six registered HMOs operating in the Philippines.

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House Bill pushes organic farming

Roy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:00:26 +0000

To promote a healthier citizenry and a more empowered sector and an environment-friendly atmosphere, a lawmaker is pushing for organic farming, or a chemical-free agricultural method. A bill called Organic Farming Act of 2008 has been filed by Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala.

The bill seeks to establish a comprehensive organic farming program and designate a dedicated body to provide policy direction towards the promotion of organic farming.

Alcala said farmers should always be the main beneficiaries in the agricultural cycle. â€œA farmer is a farmer. Rain or shine, profitable or not, he will still continue to farms, whatever happens.â€

â€œI have carefully studied the agricultural system which, almost often than not, fertilizer suppliers and resellers stand to gain from. This leaves farmers with profit disproportionate to the amount of backbreaking labor theyâ€™ve provided, from planting to harvesting,â€ Alcala said.

He added, â€œThe methods I am proposing will make sure farmers will have the largest piece of the pie. And most of all, this eco-friendly system will guarantee the restoration of lost nutrients and minerals in the land they till, and will provide a healthy produce for the consumerâ€™s benefit.â€

Included in the proposal of Alcala is for farmers and local government units to be actively involved in propagating and enhancing organic agriculture considering the amount of time farmers consume before fertilizers are produced. â€œOrganic fertilizers should be considered as an alternative in agricultural production since its components are already available to the farmers,â€ he said.

A book called â€œLikasakaâ€ or Likas na Pagsasaka (organic farming), which discusses a number of farming methods has also been introduced by Alcala. He said, â€œThis can be a guide from the costly and ecologically hazardous chemical-based farming, to the more accessible and can easily be made from oneâ€™s own backyard, inexpensive and eco-friendly method of organic farming.â€

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Online Medical Library for Filipinos

PinoyBusiness — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:54:08 +0000

Filipino scientists can now share their knowledge to the world as the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) invites them to post their publication in the web through a global medical search engine.

Dr. Jose Ma. Avila of Acta Medica Philippina said that the PNHRS new online library will include publication of researches done by Filipinos.

Avila said, pubmed, the online search engine is an online national library for medicine. â€œYou could search on any researched topic or scholarly topic, scientific information (through pubmed),â€ Avila explained in a press briefing.

The WPRO-Global health library portal, a project of the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Regional Office, contains scholarly researched information and several medical journals in different languages. It will serve as a â€œone-stop-shopâ€ for users looking for relevant medical information.

A few of the journals which will be available online are the Medical Research, Journal of Medical Informatics, Medical Heralds and Modern Doctors.

WHO-WPRO technical officer Charles Raby said the website is for all medical scientists and researchers from different countries. He said scientists can submit journals about health and biomedical researches. He added that the journals must have English abstracts and should be published at least annually.

Raby said the topics would be uploaded in the database hosted through the Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Services service and would be fully functional by the end of 2009.

Currently, there are 2,000 journal publishers in China, 700 in Japan, 150 in Korea, and 14 in the Philippines. Raby said they aim to have 4,000 press journals by the end of this year.

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2009 to 2010 Business Trends in the Philippines

PinoyBusiness — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:20:22 +0000

GREEN- it took decade for this market to come up. It has rooted from almost everything from water to energy and to food. Like in the case of water which has fixed amount in our planet but other people think that it is abundant and doesnâ€™t have to be protected. But in reality, with the continuous growth of population, water is becoming scarce. Some of the things that you can give attention to are fuelâ€™s alternatives, reusing of water, services in reclamation, organics, and clean energy.

ECONOMY- the trend now when it comes to the consumers purchasing is trading down, not trading up anymore. This is the result of the downfall of the economy globally. Some of the trade opportunities during this time are fuel alternatives, business coaching and credit and debt management.

HEALTH- with the help of the aging boomers and the web, the younger generation knows more about health. Nowadays, health maintenance doesnâ€™t stop with the daily intake of vitamins rather; people want a round the clock available and convenient access to the information about their health.

MILLENIALS- bridging the generation gap is one of its concerns. This millennial are still among the hottest potential market for this year. For millennial, authenticity is the most important part of advertising.

BOOMERS- the biggest transfer of wealth in history are represented by the boomers who also started the green movement. Entrepreneurs shouldnâ€™t think that boomers age will indicate their place in life because for them age is only a number.

DIGITAL- with the power of the technology nowadays, endless opportunities in business can be found in the web. Also, mobile applications will continue to grow.

ODDS and ENDS- some products, despite having some of disadvantage will continue to be popular. Think about bacon that amidst some cities creating law against trans fats are able to surpass the challenges and continue to be in popular in the market. There is also the so called converting trash into treasure such as recycling plastic soda bottles.

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How to make Glutathione Soap

PinoyBusiness — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:54:45 +0000

Glutathione is substance present in almost all living organisms. It has many known health benefits including its ability to regulate the action of â€œlesser antioxidant.â€ It is also known to give a fairer and whiter skin. That is why, health, beauty and wellness industry use glutathione as agent to achieve this long aspiration of both men and women to have whiter skin.

However, despite glutathioneâ€™s well known health benefits, still a lot of people are hesitant to take glutathione orally, afraid of the adverse reaction that might occur. Rather, they would prefer using it through external use- by applying to skin. With this, the health, beauty and wellness industry found ways to address these concerns. They have come up with different glutathione- containing products that can be used externally like soap.

This circumstance has been considered as a business opportunity by Leng Aveno, a lecturer about soap making at ESF Cakes and Bread House. She stated that making an herbal soap with glutathione can be a home-based start up business for those who are planning to put up their own business.

In making herbal glutathione soap, the following equipment will be needed:

Pail
hand mixer
Spatula
scraper
Hand mixer
small containers
13.2inches x 16.7 inches mold- this mold will be used to make a long bar soap that could be cut into 60 bar soaps.

â€¢ If mold of this size is not available, you can improvise your own mold.

Materials needed:

Titanium dioxide- 60 ml
Sodium silicate- 60 ml
Moisturizer (castor oil)- 60 ml
cocodiethanolamide (CDEA)- 60 ml
kamias extract (Averrhoa bilimbi)- 60 ml
Apple extract- 60 ml
Evaporated milk- 60 ml
Anti-bacterial liquid- 3 ml
Preservative (phenoxy ethanol) 3 ml
Lye solution (caustic soda) -- 3.2 L
Coconut oil (cooking oil) -- 6 kg
Glutathione capsules- 12 pcs (white capsules)
Fragrance- 100 ml
Distilled water- 4L

Procedures:

1. Dissolve 60 grams of titanium dioxide in 1.5L of water and 1 kilo of caustic soda to 2.5 L of water. Distilled water is better used than tap water to avoid contamination.
2. In preparation of the kamias extract, ferment 1 kilo of bilimbi fruit (kamias) in a jar then add 2 tablespoon of salt. Strain it after 24 hours to get the extract.
3. For apple extract, cut and blend one apple. Using cheesecloth, strain to get the extract.
4. Place the coconut oil in a pail.
5. Remove the glutathione powder from the capsule and mix it with the coconut oil until fully dissolved.
6. Put the ingredients into the mix. Make sure you will follow the sequence of placing the ingredients to avoid producing rough soap; sodium silicate, CDEA, moisturizer, kamias extract, apple extract, milk, titanium dioxide, preservative, the anti-bacterial liquid and the fragrance.
7. Using a hand mixer, mix the ingredients properly.
8. While continuously mixing, gradually pour the lye solution into the mixture. Make sure that it will only be mixed in one direction to avoid swirls or cloudy effect on the soap.
9. Continue mixing until the mixture gets finer just like that of a condensed milk.
Note. The soap will feel rough and itchy to the skin if not properly mixed.
10. Place plastic cutouts to the mold to prevent the soup from sticking into the mold
Pour the liquid mixture. Level and smoothen the top portion of the soap with the use of a scraper.
11. Allow five hours to cure once it becomes smooth.
12. Observe for signs of hardening such as change in color and heat released by the soap. If the soap hardens after five hours, wait for it to cool down before removing it to the mold and cutting into smaller pieces. Ensure that the edges of the soap are smooth.
13. Soap can only be used after 24 hours.

The condition of glutathione herbal soaps can last up to 1.5 years. It is better to use soaps which are 8 months old because it has already cured very well. Because no preservatives were used, glutathione herbal soaps will shrink about 5 grams after a year.

Finishing touches on the soap depends on how you would like it to be attractive to other people. It is necessary to include the ingredients in the label of the soap. Prices of glutathione herbal soap range from P100-P130. Marketing strategy will be important in advertising your product. You can use websites as means to promote and sell your product.