Iwas Dengue report from the City Agriculture Office

The Iwas Dengue Days Program of the City Government was launched about two weeks ago. The LGU offices were each given a barangay or area of assignment. The City Agriculture Office was among the few offices which provided the Office of the City Mayor their Iwas Dengue report.

On July 23, 2010, the 24 City Agriculture Office personnel met with the Barangay Officials headed by Brgy.Chairman Genaro Luaton. Also present in the said meeting were some 4P’s beneficiaries. After the meeting, sites inspection was done. The team found some problems which contributed to the increase of the population of mosquito.

An interview with Tinambacan Norte Brgy. Kagawad Rachel Lerio revealed that fifteen (15) dengue-cases were reported in the barangay from January to July 2010. The victims’ ages ranged from 5 to 9 years old. There was one (1) reported casualty - the five (5) year old granddaughter of Brgy. Kagawad Jaime Castante who died on May 2010. About a week ago, a son of a nurse in a local hospital was diagnosed to have been infected with dengue. It should be noted that as of this report, Tinambacan Norte ranked 3^rd among the barangays of Calbayog with the most dengue-related cases.

Here are some of the issues and concerns which the CA personnel identified:

1. A good number of open canals were clogged due to the trash (plastics, leaves, sand, etc) being thrown into it.
2. Most of the canals were allegedly “erroneously designed”, with some having floor elevation of the exit much higher than the entry point.
3. Some of the canals encroach private / fenced properties, which made the cleaning of clogged canals hard for the kamineros.
4. A of piggery owned by on Mr. Lentejas does not have septic tank.
5. Littering is a big issue that needed to be addressed. Despite the Barangay's Anti-Littering Ordinance, the populace continue to throw their trash anywhere.
6. It was learned that the collection of garbage was done only once a week (Wednesday), and that could be reason why some residents just throw their garbage in an open field or any area for that matter.

The City Agriculture Office personnel will be doing follow-ups on their findings in the forthcoming Iwas Dengue days activity.

(Photos courtesy of Ivy Petilla/CAO)

Calbayog City celebrates Nutrition Month 2010

Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino as he delivered his message during the launching of Nutrition Month 2010.

The LGU through the City Nutrition Council launched Nutrition Month 2010 today. The opening program was held during the flag-raising ceremony in front the City Hall. Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino led the City Officials during the program. He delivered a message on behalf of Mayor Reynaldo Uy. Also on hand were City Agricuturist Adela Ocenar, Dr. Ginalee Romano and DepEd's Nora Capetillo and Mercy Garcia.

The month-long celebration will include the following activities:

• July 5 - 30: Thematic Seminars (GPTCE) to be conducted by the DepEd.
• July 6 & 9: Radio Guesting by Dr. Sylvia De Guzman, Adela Ocenar and Proserfina Bingayen at DYOG and Radyo Natin.
• July 13: Supplementary Feeding in 106 barangays under the 4P's Program. This will be spearheaded by the CSWDO.
• July 13: Promotion of good Nutrition through "Pabasa sa Nutrisyun" by the City Health Office.
• July 19-23: Thematic Seminars on "Nutritionally-depressed Barangays" to be spearheaded by the DA, CSWDO, CHO and CNC members.
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Nutri-games & prizes
• Promotion of Good Nutrition Training to barangay implementors to be conducted by the the City Health Office.
• July 21: Launching of Nutrition Darama series by the City Nutrition Council in cooperation with DYOG
• July30: Closing Program and Launching of Barangay Bagsakan.

This year's Nutrition Month celebration is anchored on the theme: "Sa pagkaing sapat, wastong timbang ni baby ang katapat!"

Calbayog celebrates Farmers' and Fisherfolks Week

The City Government of Calbayog officially launched the Farmers' and Fisherfolks Week during this morning's flag-raising Ceremony. The event is being undertaken by the LGU through the City Agriculture Office, in coordination with the City Agriculture and Fisheries Council (CAFC), the City Agricultural Resources Management Council (CFARMC) and the Regional Fishermen's Training Center (RFTC).

The staff of the City Agriculture Office led by Mrs. Adela Ocenar was on hand together with the members of the CAFC and the CFARMC. Messages were delivered by CFARMC Chairperson Nick Balili and CAFC Vice Chairperson Mike Pedrozo. They both called on all concerned to do their share to combat climate change which is one great factor that will affect the human food chain.

The day's events include the Opening Program, the regular tabo at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza, the motorcade and the cooking demo courtesy of RFTC-Catbalogan.

Other events will include "Tagisan ng Lakas at Diskarte" at Pantai Pingkit (Manguino-o); and the culminating activity on Friday which will include a showing of a video on Climate Change and the demo on the composting facility at the SOS Children's Village.

CFARMC Chairperson Nick Balili delivering his welcome message.

CAFC Vice Chair Mike Pedrozo.

City Agriculture Office personnel as they prepared for the motorcade.

Some of the vendors at the tabo. The tabo is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Cardinal Rosales Plaza.

DOST Secretary in Calbayog

DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro was in Calbayog City yesterday. She made a brief stop in the city on her way to Leyte for her various engagements.

On hand to welcome the Secretary at the Calbayog Techno Gabay Center was the staff of the City Agriculture Office headed by City Agriculturist Adela Ocenar. Also on hand were some member of the CAFC led by its president Mr. Esteban Conchas.

Secretary Alabastro was given a briefing on the Techno Gabay project and other related programs of the City of Calbayog.