Some 500 city health workers are on track to living a cancer-free life.

This is through the cervical cancer vaccination drive in line with the observance of women’s week celebration in this city.

“With this vaccine, we are giving our beloved health front liners the best protection they can get against this disease,” said Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez

Everyday, according to studies, 12 Filipinas suffer from cervical cancer, making it a cause of concern not just to women, but to their loved ones as well.

Mayor Rodriguez also noted that such action is considered as gift that the city government of San Fernando to their women employees so that they need not worry of this fatal disease.

“Next to education, health program is the priority agenda of the city,” Rodriguez said noting that aside from the cervical cancer vaccination, different health programs are implemented.

Cervical cancer is caused by a chronic and persistent cancer-causing type of Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) infection.

It puts more than 27 million Filipina women at risk, however, according to studies, a vaccine provides significant protection for women against the two most common cancer-causing HPVs which account for more than half of the cases in the country.

With the vaccination, women will get protection against 12 other cancer-causing HPV types which include HPV strain 45, a strain which prevalently causes a more severe form of cervical cancer among Filipinas.

Earlier, the city has launched free shots of anti-seasonal flu vaccine to its city hall employees aside from the regular free medical services that include free pap smear to every Fernandina. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photos by Ron Rowell Dabu)

In line with his commitment of empowering the city’s manpower, Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez led Tuesday (September 3) the natal celebration program for the employees of the local government unit here.

The program is dubbed as “Masayang Kebaitan keka, Ocaluguran.” It aims to recognize the effort of all employees regardless of their employment status.

This is also one project of the city’s human resource office under the personnel enhancement program.

“This is a simple but meaningful program for our employees. The city aims to inculcate a sense of pride on work place among our employees,” said Frida Caballa, city human resource officer.

“This will also strengthen the teamwork of our skeletal force especially those in front-line services,” she added.

Also a highlight of the program was the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake and the awarding of 500 cash gift among the birthday celebrators.

For his part, Mayor Rodriguez said that the efforts of every city hall employees are indispensable on the various awards the city has garnered.

“Every recognition na nare-receive ng city is a collective effort. Kayo ang totoong gumagawa nyan. Sa pamamagitan man lang nito ay maibaba namin ang rekognisyon sa inyo,” Rodriguez said. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photos by Ron Rowell Dabu)

The City Government of San Fernando will host the entrance examination for the Philippine Military Academy cadetship at the Heroes Hall park on Sunday (August 29).

All applicants are requested to report at exactly 7:00 AM on the examination day and must bring their examination permits, two proofs of identification, photocopy of NSO birth certificate, Form 137 for high school graduates, and College transcript of records for those in tertiary level.

To qualify, applicants must be a natural born Filipino citizen, must also be a person of good moral character, must have never been married, and physically fit for cadetship.

In addition, male applicants must be at least 5’4” in height, while female applicants must be at least 5’2” in height.

Applicants must not be a day older than 21 years and not a day younger than 17 years on April 1 of this year and must be at least high school graduate with a GPA of 85% or higher.

Walk-in applicants will also be entertained on Saturday (August 28) at the Heroes Hall, at exactly 8:00 am. (Story by Bong Ortaliz)

Authorities here bared some of the most infamous “modus operandi” of criminals to forewarn the public and to intensify the city’s campaign on peace and order.

Although low on the number of reported incidents, Superintendent Eden Ugale, the city chief of police, said this does not mean that the public should be lax in securing their hard-earned valuables and neglect their security.

“The best way to fight crime is by preventing it to happen, hence we are disclosing all the modus operandi of these criminals to make Fernandinos aware,” said Ugale.

Some of these criminal groups include the Akyat Bahay gang, Bolt Cutter gang, Salisi gang, Budol-budol gang, Agaw-cellphone gang, Kalapati or Tuta gang, Bastos gang, and Dugo-dugo gang.

“Halos kapareho ng Akyat Bahay ang Bolt Cutter gang maliban sa binubuksan ng huli ang mga gate o pinto sa pamamagitan ng sapilitang pagsira sa mga ito.”

“Samantala, ang Dugo-dugo gang naman ay ang pagkukunwari ng mga perpetrator bilang mga may-ari ng bahay upang lokohin ang mga kasambahay at limasin ang mga ari-arian ng mga biktima,” he explained stressing that everyone must be vigilant particularly when strangers approached them.

He added that one modus operandi uncovered these past weeks is the riding in tandem who snatches gold necklace from bystanders.

With this, Ugale appeals to everyone not to display their valuables openly in public.

“Huwag na po tayong magsuot ng mga alahas kung wala naman importanteng okasyon. Parang ini-invite na lang po natin ang mga masasamang loob,” he said.

He also noted that the city has intensified its police visibility by establishing six visibility points at strategic areas.

“Patuloy pa rin ang mga check points natin at ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga bantay bayan,” he ended. (Story by Bong Ortaliz)

Some 35 registered nurses received yesterday (August 24) their community health nurse certificates under the Outreach Community Advocate Nurses Assigned in Rural Service or OCA-NARS program.

This is in line with the city’s advocacy of delivering basic health care services to its constituents by producing competent health personnel, particularly nurses with honed skills.

This is also part of the city government eight point agenda for health dubbed “Beinte Kwatro Oras, sa Sakit Walang Atras”.

“Dahil sa ‘certificate’ na inyong tinanggap, magiging madali ang humanap ng trabaho para sa ating mga nurses outside the city government,” said City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

The certificate may be used when applying in private hospitals for employment opportunities abroad.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa ating mayor [Oscar Rodriguez] para sa kaniyang OCANARS project. Bukod sa employment opportunity para sa aming mga bagong nurses, malaking tulong pa ang certificate na aming tinanggap,” said Shiela Laquindanum, an OCANARS graduate.

Nurses under this program are given the opportunity to serve the Fernandino community for six months as contractual nurse employees.

Earlier, the city government hired additional 135 members of OCANARS to be deployed in the city’s 35 barangays to lead in the local government’s health projects that include free medical and dental mission and vaccination, among others. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photos by Ron Rowell Dabu)

The City Government of San Fernando hosted Tuesday (Aug 24) the 12th Regional Development Council III assembly and fellowship program for newly elected local chief executives in the region.

Highlight of the program was the awarding of certificates of appreciation to private sector representatives (PSR) who have contributed to the growth of the region in their respective categories such as environment, fisheries, health, infrastructure, labor, livestock, small and medium enterprises, and ,tourism, among others.

City Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez was also given recognition for his pro-active support to the RDC and for being the chairman of the Section Committee on Development Administration.

Offering a toast to the many successes of RDC in its endeavors, Rodriguez vowed to help the council in strengthening the economy here in Central Luzon.

“Kailangan natin palakasin ang grupo (RDC III) upang lalo pang lumago ang industriya sa Central Luzon,” he said.

Rodriguez also noted that the presence of the Subic Seaport and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, has made the region the best place for investment and tourism.

“Tayo lang ang mayroong ganitong facilities sa Pilipinas,” he added.

Also present in the program were the regional directors and assistant regional directors of various government agencies in Central Luzon. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photo by Ron Rowell Dabu)

The City Government of San Fernando commemorated the 157th birth anniversary of the first Kapampangan revolutionary governor and the city’s local hero, Don Tiburcio Hilario y Tuazon, at the Heroes Park on Tuesday (August 11).

City officials, multi-sectoral groups which include members of free masonry, and descendants of late hero, led the wreath laying ceremony at Don Tiburcio’s monument at the park.

Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez said that this is a way to rekindle the flames of nationalism and patriotism among the public, particularly the youth.

Rodriguez also compared the life of Don Tiburcio to the life of the late senator, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. He said that both shared the same principles in life. Also, they came from a well-off family but still chose to dedicate their lives for the country.

“Nanggaling sila sa isang mayaman na pamilya and yet mas pinili nilang iwanan ang marangyang buhay upang pagsilbihan ang ating bayan,” he said.

“Nararapat lang natin silang bigyan ng pagkilala, dahil kung hindi sa kabayanihang kanilang ginawa, wala tayo sa ating kinatatayuan ngayon,” added Rodriguez.

He also encouraged everyone to emulate the life advocacies of the two heroes.

“Hindi na natin kailangan magbuwis ng buhay upang maging bayani, sa pamamagitan ng mga simpleng gawain tulad ng pagsunod sa mga batas at paglilingkod sa kapwa, maaari na nating ipakita ang ating pagka-makabayan.”

Don Tiburcio Hilario played a very significant part in the course of Philippine Revolution. He was a lawyer then and became the first Kapampangan and Fernandino revolutionary governor.

On some occasion, Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal stayed at Hilario’s ancestral house to discuss the La Liga Filipina, which became the country’s revolutionary newspaper later on. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photo by Potpot Orejas)

Some 98 registered nurses attended Monday (August 9) their orientation to become part of the city’s health force under the Outreach Community Advocate Nurses Assigned in Rural Service or OCA-Nars program.

OCA-Nars aims to improve the delivery of health care services to the city by assigning nurses in rural service and deploying them in the city’s 35 barangays.

It is also part of the city government health agenda dubbed “Beinte Kwatro Oras, sa Sakit Walang Atras”.

The program is an offshoot of a 2009 mitigation measure against Influenza A(H1N1) wherein registered nurses were deployed to help contain the spread of the virus. But the city, after learning that some hospitals charge “training fees” to newly registered nurses for their practicum, launched the OCA-Nars as a six-month employment opportunity and training avenue for community heath nursing.

“Mahirap maghanap ng trabaho ngayon, kahit graduate ka at may lisensya. Kailangan mo pang magbayad ng fees sa mga ospital para makapagtraining ka. Kaya thankful kami sa city government para sa opportunity ito,” said John Saenz, an OCA-Nars.

The orientation for the OCA-Nars also included Civil Service Rules, rules and regulations of the local government and employees’ benefits.

Nurses under the program will help in the city’s health advocacies including vaccination, monitoring ailments and common and seasonal diseases.

They are also expected to help poor families in their application for PhilHealth cards.

To date, the city has 135 OCA-Nars members. (Story by Bong Ortaliz, Photos by Ron Rowell Dabu)

Some 80 housewives were taught how to make rags out of old clothes as part of the livelihood project launched by the Barangay Quebiawan council and the city government on August 5, 2010.

According to Dr. Eloisa Aquino, city health officer, the project is an example of the “holistic services” given by the city to its constituents.

She said that the beneficiaries were originally intended to undergo seminar on good parenthood but when the city government found out that majority of them are unemployed, the rag-making seminar was instead introduced.

“Magsisilbi itong source of extra income sa mga mommies natin, kahit nasa bahay lang sila at habang nag-aalaga ng bata, maari silang kumita,” said Aquino.

“Gusto kasi ni Mayor [Oscar Rodriguez] na lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga Fernandino ay maibigay--magmula sa edukasyon, kalusugan hanggang sa hanap buhay” she added.

All raw materials and equipment will be provided by the city and Barangay Quebiawan.

“Mayroon na tayong market para sa magagawang rags. Nakipag-tie-up na tayo sa mga big companies like malls, so siguradong kikita ang mga kababayan natin,” said Barangay Quebiawan chairman Nestor Reyes.

For a minimum capital of P900, a rag-making business can be started. Each rag can be sold as high as P70 in the market.

Aside from the livelihood program, the beneficiaries also received lectures on health awareness including proper nutrition, importance of breast feeding, responsible parenthood, and family planning.(Story by Bong Ortaliz)

The City Government of San Fernando convened Wednesday a meeting with drugstore owners in the component city to discuss the implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Around 40 members of the Drugstore Association of Pampanga, mostly coming from the city, attended the meeting presided by City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao.

Caylao said non-compliance by drugstores to this Republic Act has been a lingering problem among all local government units, San Fernando included.

He noted that it is difficult for a drugstore to abide by the Act, especially among small ones who only get five percent as their mark-up.

``Nahihirapan ang lahat na magbigay ng 20 percent discount sa mga senior citizen lalo na yung maliliit na drugstores,``Caylao pointed out.

The amended Act exempts senior citizens from the 12-percent value added tax (VAT), effectively allowing them full 20-percent discount on purchases of goods and services.

Before the new law`s implementation, senior citizens were only able to enjoy eight percent of the mandated 20 percent discount due to the imposition of VAT.

Caylao also disclosed that the city has been receiving complaints that some of these stores do not grant discounts to senior citizens.

``Ginawa natin ang meeting na `to para makapag-mediate tayo sa mga owners at mga senior citizen so we can arrive at a win-win solution for both parties,``said Caylao.

He also said that the city is planning to replicate a memorandum of agreement from one local government unit in Zambales which pegged the discount to a minimum of five percent.

``Sa Zambales, nag-agree ang mga senior citizens, drugstore owners, together with the governor na magtalaga ng certain percentage sa mga discount para hindi mahirapan ang lahat,`` added Caylao.

Crispolo Quiambao, chairman of the City’s Office of the Senior Citizen`s Affair, was amenable to the proposal.

``Gusto talaga namin 20 percent. Pero kung hindi kaya ng mga drugstore companies, okay na sa amin yun. Ayaw naman namin silang malugi at ma-penalize, kasi baka magsara sila lahat tayo ay mahihirapan,`` Quiambao said.

The city has more than 14,000 registered senior citizens. (Story by Bong Ortaliz)