Healing the Nation, One Wound at a Time

SP pushes for strict implementation of ambulance use policy

LINGAYEN– The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here urged all private hospitals and local government units (LGU) operating ambulances to strictly implement the national policy on ambulance use and services of the Department of Health (DOH).

Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario

Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, author of the resolution, said relevant to the recent road accidents involving ambulances in Pangasinan, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan strongly urges all medical care providers to strictly implement the existing administrative order of DOH regarding the National Policy on Ambulance Use and Services issued on January 7, 2010.

“We need to re-echo this national order to avoid future accidents involving ambulance from which the drivers are not fully aware and informed about the proper ambulance use as well as trainings that they must underwent before driving an ambulance,” he said.

DTI confers Bagwis seal to 129 establishments

DAGUPAN CITY  – Some 129 business establishments in Pangasinan were recently conferred with theBagwis Seal of Excellence awards by the Department of  Trade and Industry as a recognition of their commitment to provide good products and services to consumers.

Regional Director Florante Leal of DTI said the activity aims to recognize business people  who follow the rules and regulations of fair trade and at the same time promote the welfare of the consuming public.

“May mga criteria na sinusunod ang DTI at kapag Bagwis awardee ka, ibig sabihin, ikaw ay isang negosyante na dumaan sa isang masusing pagsusuri  na hindi ka nandadaya at ang mga kagamitan mo ay maayos at wala kang nilalabag na batas tungkol sa pagnenegosyo ng maayos,” Leal said during the provincial awarding ceremony in Mangaldan town.

Leal said there are many businessmen who are abusive but there are still many who do not  only think about what they can put in their pockets and coffers but also think about the welfare of the consumers.

He said DTI’s mandate is two-pronged. One is to help the businessmen earn better and the second is to look after the welfare of the consumers. The Bagwis awards multiply the people who help DTI ensure the mandate, he said.

This year alone, there are more than 700 awardees in the region placing Region I in the top three regions in the country with the most number of awardees, Leal said.

CSC to state workers: ‘Act for the environment now’

LINGAYEN -The Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged state workers and the public to take action and manifest their concern for the environment before it is too late. 

“When will we start giving our own little way in preserving the environment? It should be now, not tomorrow,” Director Flordeliza Bugtong of CSC-Lingayen field office told civil servants who participated in the mangrove planting activity held recently at Barangay Malimpuec here.

The greening event was spearheaded by the CSC in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mark the culmination of the monthlong celebration of the 116th Philippine Civil Service anniversary in September.

Some 2,500 mangrove propagules or bakawan were planted by officials and employees of various national government agencies, local water districts, local government units and members of the academe to fortify the watershed in the area. 

For the part of DENR, Leduina Co, provincial environment and natural resources officer, said she was grateful to all state employees who attended and spent their time to plant mangroves that would help sustain the environment.

“Yong ginawa ninyo ay isang pagmamalasakit at pag-aalay para sa ating kalikasan at sa bayan,” Co said as she encouraged people to plant in their respective homes as their share to preserve the environment that will later have a positive ripple effect.

To ensure that the mangroves are grown and not just planted, a covenant was signed by all the participants committing themselves to visit the mangrove site to help in monitoring the trees’ survival rate. (PIA-1, Pangasinan)

CLEARING OPERATIONS

CLEARING OPERATIONS – Personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office cut branches of a fallen tree in one of the clearing operations undertaken by them at Bonuan Gueset near the DENR office at Tondaligan Park during the onslaught of typhoon “Karen” in the city. (CIO photo by Arriz P. Fruelda)  

Dagupan's elderly to undergo free cataract operation

Dagupan's elderly to undergo free cataract operation

DAGUPAN CITY – At least 80 indigent elder citizens, who stand to benefit from the free cataract operation of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Medical Mission Foundation, underwent free medical checkup and screening on October 17 at the city museum under the auspices of the City Health Office.

Dr. Shiela Sabado, City Health Office officer-in-charge, said the candidates for cataract operation were checked by no less than the doctors of the UST Medical Mission Foundation to find out whether they are fit to undergo operation.

The team brought with it a mobile laboratory for fasting and random blood sugar check, complete blood count (CBC), chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiopulmonary (CP) clearance.

The medical team, which is extending free health care services to the underprivileged Filipinos in various communities, is led by Dr. Gina Ang, Internal Medicine and Adriene Elizabeth Lim, optometrist, of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Medical Mission Foundation.

The project jibes with the pro-poor program under Mayor Belen T. Fernandez’ Alagang Balon Dagupan for the elderly who will be scheduled for free cataract operations at UST Hospital.

"Since its inception several years ago, around 275 Dagupeños have already benefitted from this health care program," Sabado said.

Dubai-based oil firm invests in multi-billion dollar project in Sual

 

LINGAYEN – Kampac Group, a Dubai-based oil and gas company will invest in Pangasinan by putting up an Energy City project in Sual town due to its strategic location along the Lingayen Gulf.

Governor Amado Espino III has confirmed this on Monday during his 100-day report before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here.

Espino disclosed that the Kampac Group has formally presented to the provincial government on September 19 its proposal to build a world class refinery and petrochemical complex with a first class commercial port and ultra-modern city.

Espino said the project, which will greatly provide more economic and employment opportunities in the province, is capable of producing one million barrels of oil a day.

The Kampac Group, which was formed in 1988 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is an international company that is engaged in oil and gas exploration, oil trading, oil infrastructure development, environmental and oil services.

“The company plans to invest a multi-billion dollar capital for the said project,” said Espino adding that once it materialized, the project will be the single biggest foreign investment in the country for a long time.

Espino added that prior to process of the project development, the Kampac Group, through its Chairman Charles Ampofo, sought the permission of the provincial government and the provincial board to use the Eco-Tourism Zone in this town as the contractor’s settlement and workshop sites.