DOH assures informal sector of inclusion in government's health program
The Department of Health has renewed its thrust to include the informal sector in its universal health program to make sure that poor Filipinos get easy access to health care.
In a nationally broadcast Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Friday, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said one of the biggest problems in the country’s health system is that poor people were left behind when the PhilHealth Law was enacted 15 years ago.
“Kaya mayroon tayong programang tinatawag na Kalusugang Pangkalahatan. Ang nangyari nang maitatag yung PhilHealth Law noon 1995 ang ibig sanang sabihin noon ay tayong lahat na Pilipino ay magkaroon na ng health insurance in 15 years. Nineteen ninety-five yun so dapat noong 2010,” Ona said.
“Kaya itong ating programang Kalusugang Pangkalahatan ay targeted talaga na maisali natin sa ating PhilHealth ngayon yung mga informal sectors.”
But based on their assessment, Ona said they found out that barely 50 percent of the population have health insurance and the focus of the Aquino administration is to increase by including the informal sector.
Widening the health insurance coverage is very important so that the poor will not rely on their pockets whenever they need medical assistance or hospitalization, Ona said.
According to Ona, convergence with other government agencies makes the program implementation easier, especially with the conditional cash transfer (CCT) of the social welfare department.
Through the national targeting system of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the DOH can identify the people that need to be enrolled in the program that Ona said is now around five million.
At the same time, the DOH also intensifies its information dissemination campaign to educate the people about the benefits of being included in the program. It’s surprising that according to a study, a lot of people didn’t know about the universal health program, Ona said.
The DOH is also strengthening the system by improving the country’s hospitals, health centers, and rural health units in poor communities so that the people will know where to go when they need help.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Dinky Soliman, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Ona were panelists in the Cabinet Forum.
This is the second forum under the Pilipinas Natin government program to involve the citizenry in nation-building, particularly in implementing the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016. (PCOO)
Baldoz says ‘Saudization’ has no immediate effect
The labor department assured Friday that the new labor policy of Saudi Arabia will not affect Filipinos working in the kingdom.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil wala po kaming nakikitang immediate na banta na nagtatrabaho doon ay pauuwiin. Unang-una po yung Saudization ay challenge po iyun sa kanilang mga kabataan kung ready sila to take up the jobs that for so many decades ang nagtatrabaho po ay migrant workers,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a Cabinet forum aired over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Baldoz was asked by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista about the government response and assessment about the impending implementation of Saudi Arabia of “Saudization,” a policy that prioritizes the hiring of Saudi citizens over foreigners.
Baldoz said it depends on Saudi Arabia nationals if they are ready for such policy and the Philippines should respect that policy.
But the labor chief clarified that Saudization could only affect the so-called “dirty, difficult dangerous jobs” and not those that require special skills. Low-skilled jobs include watchman, gardeners as well as manual construction works.
“Pero sa ngayon po ang karamihan sa ating mga manggagawa doon ay nasa high-skilled and professional level. Yan po ay halos hindi itatapon ng Saudization. Dun po sila magsisimula sa low-skilled and un-skilled. Yun low-skilled po ay up to six years pa bago po sabihin na hindi na sila mag-i-issue ng visa sa foreign workers,” she said.
And in case the new policy affects low-skilled Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, Baldoz assured the public that the local job market can absorb displaced workers.
For instance, Baldoz said the country’s service sector is the second major job generating sector in the country that can accommodate returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“May mga alternative employment po kung sila ay maapektuhan. Pero hindi ko po nakikita even in the immediate term na yun pong kinatatakutan ng mga manggagawa sa Saudi Arabia ay makakaapekto sa atin,” she said.
Saudization refers to the national policy of Saudi Arabia to encourage employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector, that was largely dominated by expatriate workers from Asia and other parts of the world.
Baldoz joined Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, and Health Secretary Enrique Ona in a nationally broadcast Cabinet Forum in a run up to the President’s state-of-the-nation address (SONA) this month.
Friday’s forum featured the Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction chaired by Soliman. (PCOO)
Domingo says economy looks bright under Aquino
Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said the economy looks bright as he cited foreign investment confidence.
Citing statistics from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Bureau of Investment (BoI), Domingo said investments rose by 189 percent from January to May 2011 during the first five months, from P90 billion last year to almost P300 billion (this year).
“Napakalaking statement po ng mga foreign investors yan sa atin, na malaki ang kumpiyansa nila sa ating ekonomiya, sa ating Pangulo, at saka sa pagpapalakad po ng ating gobyerno,” Domingo said during Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Economic Cluster forum on the First Philippine Development Plan Overview aired on Wednesday over NBN 4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Domingo urged the Filipino people to continue to support the administration of President Aquino until such time that all his reform measures through good governance are completely implemented.
“Ang masasabi ko lang ay magtiwala po kayo sa kasalukuyang gobyerno na pinamumunuan ni Presidente Aquino dahil napakaganda po ng nakikita ko sa hinaharap natin,” Domingo said adding that business confidence are pouring in, the gross domestic product (GDP), foreign investment figures and export figures are continuously increasing.
Domingo noted that investment pledges at the BoI hit P191.35 billion in the January-May period this year -- a 338-percent surge from the previous year's P43.65 billion while investment commitments at the PEZA rose 48 percent as of May, to P68.59 billion from the P46.35 billion reported in the same period last year.
He noted that a total of 390 projects were approved by the two investment promotion agencies since May. Once fully operational, the projects are expected to generate 74,266 jobs.
Of the foreign investors, the Netherlands has registered its investments in the first five months with P7.44 billion, American investors contributed another P7.13 billion in investment pledges, while Japanese firms added P6.45 billion.
Domingo also said that the BoI and the PEZA also had P3.79 billion in investment commitments from South Korean investors, P1.3 billion from Singaporean firms, and P1.12 billion from British groups.
At present, Domingo stressed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now expanding and strengthening its thrust to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to provide job opportunities to unskilled potential workers in rural areas.
He likewise said DTI also provides free seminars on how to run small businesses, what type of businesses to be established, and conducts technical skills training. (PCOO)
Aquino government assures investors of viable and productive working climate
The Labor and Employment Department assured potential local and foreign investors of a viable and productive working climate in the country, citing the readiness and technical efficiency of the people emanating from diverse trainings offered by the government.
During the Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Aquino government aired over government-run television and radio stations, National Broadcasting Network (NBN) Channel 4 and dzRB “Radyo ng Bayan” on Friday, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that Filipinos are ready and equipped with skills to take up the challenges considering their technical know-how.
“Hindi na po problema ng mga investors na gustong pumasok sa Pilipinas ang ating labor relations climate, mayron tayong stable industrial peace at ang ating mga manggagawa ay ready to take up jobs… educational trainings po equipped them with the right skills, tayo ay mayrong ready, accurate and timely labor market information na lagi po nating sinasabi doon po sa papasok ng karera at magte-take up ng courses,” Baldoz said.
“We have 101 career guides for our four-year courses, in demand pa rin yung jobs na naghihintay sa kanila kung pag-aaralan nila yung mga career guides…”she added.
Baldoz also said that the government has prepared various assistance packages to help the members of the labor force cope with the effects of natural and man-made calamities.
These packages include adjustment programs in the form of self-employment or entrepreneurial projects and starter kits that are available for those who are interested in putting up their own businesses.
The Human Development Cluster is part of the five different working groups tasked to focus and formulate solutions on specific issues assigned them.
The other Cabinet clusters include the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster; Security, Justice and Peace Cluster; Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster and the Economic Cluster. (PCOO)
Aquino gov’t urges participation of Filipinos in mitigating poverty
The Aquino government called for the involvement of the Filipino citizenry in several measures being implemented to mitigate poverty in the country.
During the cabinet forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Aquino government aired over government-run television and radio stations, National Broadcasting Network (NBN) channel 4 and DzRB “Radyo ng Bayan”, on Friday, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman urged the whole nation to cooperate in the projects of the government to ensure success not only in alleviating poverty but also in uplifting the lives of the people.
Soliman chairs the Human Development Cluster that is tasked to implement programs on poverty reduction and enriching the living conditions of the people. The members include Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
“Nais ko pong anyayahan kayo, ang amin pong cluster ay magiging matagumpay lamang kung maghahawak kamay tayong lahat sapagkat ang problema po ng kahirapan at problema po ng pinaka-nangangailangan nating mga kababayan hindo po natin mabibigyan ng solusyon kung ang pamahalaan lamang po ang kikilos,” she said.
Soliman noted that as President Aquino had stated, the country now has a brighter future noting the essential reforms being implemented in the various government agencies and the entire bureaucracy.
She also emphasized the importance of concerted efforts towards progress and development saying that every effort from every Filipino makes an impact to national growth.
“Sabi nga po ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino, ngayon po mayron tayong pag-asa, yang pag-asang yan maisasabuhay lang natin at magiging totoo para sa mga buhay ng ating mga pinaka-nangangailangang kababayan kung tayo ay magtutulong-tulong, at ang amin pong cluster ay nagre-reach out sa inyong lahat… pagtulungan po natin, bawat isa may maibibigay na ambag para ang kahirapan ay mapuksa,” Soliman noted.
The Human Development Cluster is part of the five different working groups tasked to focus and formulate solutions on specific issues assigned them.
The other Cabinet clusters include the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster; Security, Justice and Peace Cluster; Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster and the Economic Cluster. (PCOO)
DOH intensifies fight against HIV/AIDS
The Department of Health (DOH) is intensifying its campaign against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to the increasing incidence of infection in the country.
The infection rate is alarming although it is small in percentage, according to Health Secretary Enrique Ona. He noted that since 1983, the total number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is 6,000.
“Tumaas nang konti…pero in percentage nakakatakot,” Ona said in a Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster on Friday broadcast live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Despite the current infection incidents, Ona assured that his department is prepared to handle those cases.
“We can manage these cases meron na po tayong nailunsad na information campaign lalo na sa mga tinatawag nating mga vulnerable populations, yung mga nagtatrabaho ngayon sa mga call centers,” he said.
He noted that based on their studies, they found out that more people working in the call center industry are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection.
“Hindi po sa sinasabi kong marami, in the sense na based on maliit na simula. Kaya it is something na dapat nating bigyan ng tingin eh ginagawa po natin ang lahat ng paraan para po hindi kumalat itong sakit na ito,” Ona said.
The campaign to inform the public is national in scope, and Ona said they are particularly focusing on young adults who are more and more becoming sexually active even at an early age. The DOH also pays attention to drug addicts that share needles in using drugs that quickly spread the virus.
Ona revealed that they monitored two or three barangays in Cebu that post rising number of infected individuals especially among drug users.
“Mayroong pong lumalabas ngayon na mukha hong lumalaganap ang HIV/AIDS in this particular two or three barangays in Cebu at bibigyan natin ng atensyon iyon,” he said. (PCOO)
Government hopes to implement K+12 Program in June next year
In keeping with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s education reform agenda to bolster international competitiveness of Filipinos, Education Secretary Armin Luistro expressed hope that the K+12 Program will be implemented starting June next year.
During the Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster aired over government-run television and radio stations NBN4 and DzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Friday Luistro said lawmakers informed him that the K+12 Program was among the priority bills being pushed by the Aquino government.
Under the said program, first-time students will be compelled to undergo kindergarten in preparation for a six-year elementary education curriculum that involves students with age ranging from six to 11.
Following the completion of elementary education is four-year Junior High School level comprising Secondary education that includes Grades seven to ten for students with ages ranging from 12 to 15 years old.
Summing up the K+12 program is the two-year Senior High School or Grade 11 to 12.
The enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program aims to give every student the opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced and decongested curriculum and seeks to change public perception that high school education is just a preparation for college.
Luistro said the government needs to align our years of schooling with global standards so that Filipinos can keep up with other countries.
He assured the parents that the K+12 program will not be expensive compared to the present set-up.
Luistro said the rationale behind lengthening the country’s basic education is to ensure that graduates are armed with enough basic knowledge to find a job.
With the new proposed program, DepEd planned to teach vocational and technical-skilled subjects for highschool students.
He also said the government is targeting to build 40,000 classrooms next year. The DepEd is also pushing to hire thousands of teachers next year. (PCOO)
The Department of Health has renewed its thrust to include the informal sector in its universal health program to make sure that poor Filipinos get easy access to health care.
In a nationally broadcast Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster aired live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Friday, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said one of the biggest problems in the country’s health system is that poor people were left behind when the PhilHealth Law was enacted 15 years ago.
“Kaya mayroon tayong programang tinatawag na Kalusugang Pangkalahatan. Ang nangyari nang maitatag yung PhilHealth Law noon 1995 ang ibig sanang sabihin noon ay tayong lahat na Pilipino ay magkaroon na ng health insurance in 15 years. Nineteen ninety-five yun so dapat noong 2010,” Ona said.
“Kaya itong ating programang Kalusugang Pangkalahatan ay targeted talaga na maisali natin sa ating PhilHealth ngayon yung mga informal sectors.”
But based on their assessment, Ona said they found out that barely 50 percent of the population have health insurance and the focus of the Aquino administration is to increase by including the informal sector.
Widening the health insurance coverage is very important so that the poor will not rely on their pockets whenever they need medical assistance or hospitalization, Ona said.
According to Ona, convergence with other government agencies makes the program implementation easier, especially with the conditional cash transfer (CCT) of the social welfare department.
Through the national targeting system of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the DOH can identify the people that need to be enrolled in the program that Ona said is now around five million.
At the same time, the DOH also intensifies its information dissemination campaign to educate the people about the benefits of being included in the program. It’s surprising that according to a study, a lot of people didn’t know about the universal health program, Ona said.
The DOH is also strengthening the system by improving the country’s hospitals, health centers, and rural health units in poor communities so that the people will know where to go when they need help.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Dinky Soliman, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Ona were panelists in the Cabinet Forum.
This is the second forum under the Pilipinas Natin government program to involve the citizenry in nation-building, particularly in implementing the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016. (PCOO)
Baldoz says ‘Saudization’ has no immediate effect
The labor department assured Friday that the new labor policy of Saudi Arabia will not affect Filipinos working in the kingdom.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala dahil wala po kaming nakikitang immediate na banta na nagtatrabaho doon ay pauuwiin. Unang-una po yung Saudization ay challenge po iyun sa kanilang mga kabataan kung ready sila to take up the jobs that for so many decades ang nagtatrabaho po ay migrant workers,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a Cabinet forum aired over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Baldoz was asked by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista about the government response and assessment about the impending implementation of Saudi Arabia of “Saudization,” a policy that prioritizes the hiring of Saudi citizens over foreigners.
Baldoz said it depends on Saudi Arabia nationals if they are ready for such policy and the Philippines should respect that policy.
But the labor chief clarified that Saudization could only affect the so-called “dirty, difficult dangerous jobs” and not those that require special skills. Low-skilled jobs include watchman, gardeners as well as manual construction works.
“Pero sa ngayon po ang karamihan sa ating mga manggagawa doon ay nasa high-skilled and professional level. Yan po ay halos hindi itatapon ng Saudization. Dun po sila magsisimula sa low-skilled and un-skilled. Yun low-skilled po ay up to six years pa bago po sabihin na hindi na sila mag-i-issue ng visa sa foreign workers,” she said.
And in case the new policy affects low-skilled Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, Baldoz assured the public that the local job market can absorb displaced workers.
For instance, Baldoz said the country’s service sector is the second major job generating sector in the country that can accommodate returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“May mga alternative employment po kung sila ay maapektuhan. Pero hindi ko po nakikita even in the immediate term na yun pong kinatatakutan ng mga manggagawa sa Saudi Arabia ay makakaapekto sa atin,” she said.
Saudization refers to the national policy of Saudi Arabia to encourage employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector, that was largely dominated by expatriate workers from Asia and other parts of the world.
Baldoz joined Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, and Health Secretary Enrique Ona in a nationally broadcast Cabinet Forum in a run up to the President’s state-of-the-nation address (SONA) this month.
Friday’s forum featured the Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction chaired by Soliman. (PCOO)
Domingo says economy looks bright under Aquino
Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said the economy looks bright as he cited foreign investment confidence.
Citing statistics from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Bureau of Investment (BoI), Domingo said investments rose by 189 percent from January to May 2011 during the first five months, from P90 billion last year to almost P300 billion (this year).
“Napakalaking statement po ng mga foreign investors yan sa atin, na malaki ang kumpiyansa nila sa ating ekonomiya, sa ating Pangulo, at saka sa pagpapalakad po ng ating gobyerno,” Domingo said during Pilipinas Natin Cabinet Economic Cluster forum on the First Philippine Development Plan Overview aired on Wednesday over NBN 4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Domingo urged the Filipino people to continue to support the administration of President Aquino until such time that all his reform measures through good governance are completely implemented.
“Ang masasabi ko lang ay magtiwala po kayo sa kasalukuyang gobyerno na pinamumunuan ni Presidente Aquino dahil napakaganda po ng nakikita ko sa hinaharap natin,” Domingo said adding that business confidence are pouring in, the gross domestic product (GDP), foreign investment figures and export figures are continuously increasing.
Domingo noted that investment pledges at the BoI hit P191.35 billion in the January-May period this year -- a 338-percent surge from the previous year's P43.65 billion while investment commitments at the PEZA rose 48 percent as of May, to P68.59 billion from the P46.35 billion reported in the same period last year.
He noted that a total of 390 projects were approved by the two investment promotion agencies since May. Once fully operational, the projects are expected to generate 74,266 jobs.
Of the foreign investors, the Netherlands has registered its investments in the first five months with P7.44 billion, American investors contributed another P7.13 billion in investment pledges, while Japanese firms added P6.45 billion.
Domingo also said that the BoI and the PEZA also had P3.79 billion in investment commitments from South Korean investors, P1.3 billion from Singaporean firms, and P1.12 billion from British groups.
At present, Domingo stressed that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is now expanding and strengthening its thrust to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to provide job opportunities to unskilled potential workers in rural areas.
He likewise said DTI also provides free seminars on how to run small businesses, what type of businesses to be established, and conducts technical skills training. (PCOO)
Aquino government assures investors of viable and productive working climate
The Labor and Employment Department assured potential local and foreign investors of a viable and productive working climate in the country, citing the readiness and technical efficiency of the people emanating from diverse trainings offered by the government.
During the Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Aquino government aired over government-run television and radio stations, National Broadcasting Network (NBN) Channel 4 and dzRB “Radyo ng Bayan” on Friday, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that Filipinos are ready and equipped with skills to take up the challenges considering their technical know-how.
“Hindi na po problema ng mga investors na gustong pumasok sa Pilipinas ang ating labor relations climate, mayron tayong stable industrial peace at ang ating mga manggagawa ay ready to take up jobs… educational trainings po equipped them with the right skills, tayo ay mayrong ready, accurate and timely labor market information na lagi po nating sinasabi doon po sa papasok ng karera at magte-take up ng courses,” Baldoz said.
“We have 101 career guides for our four-year courses, in demand pa rin yung jobs na naghihintay sa kanila kung pag-aaralan nila yung mga career guides…”she added.
Baldoz also said that the government has prepared various assistance packages to help the members of the labor force cope with the effects of natural and man-made calamities.
These packages include adjustment programs in the form of self-employment or entrepreneurial projects and starter kits that are available for those who are interested in putting up their own businesses.
The Human Development Cluster is part of the five different working groups tasked to focus and formulate solutions on specific issues assigned them.
The other Cabinet clusters include the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster; Security, Justice and Peace Cluster; Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster and the Economic Cluster. (PCOO)
Aquino gov’t urges participation of Filipinos in mitigating poverty
The Aquino government called for the involvement of the Filipino citizenry in several measures being implemented to mitigate poverty in the country.
During the cabinet forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Aquino government aired over government-run television and radio stations, National Broadcasting Network (NBN) channel 4 and DzRB “Radyo ng Bayan”, on Friday, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman urged the whole nation to cooperate in the projects of the government to ensure success not only in alleviating poverty but also in uplifting the lives of the people.
Soliman chairs the Human Development Cluster that is tasked to implement programs on poverty reduction and enriching the living conditions of the people. The members include Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
“Nais ko pong anyayahan kayo, ang amin pong cluster ay magiging matagumpay lamang kung maghahawak kamay tayong lahat sapagkat ang problema po ng kahirapan at problema po ng pinaka-nangangailangan nating mga kababayan hindo po natin mabibigyan ng solusyon kung ang pamahalaan lamang po ang kikilos,” she said.
Soliman noted that as President Aquino had stated, the country now has a brighter future noting the essential reforms being implemented in the various government agencies and the entire bureaucracy.
She also emphasized the importance of concerted efforts towards progress and development saying that every effort from every Filipino makes an impact to national growth.
“Sabi nga po ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino, ngayon po mayron tayong pag-asa, yang pag-asang yan maisasabuhay lang natin at magiging totoo para sa mga buhay ng ating mga pinaka-nangangailangang kababayan kung tayo ay magtutulong-tulong, at ang amin pong cluster ay nagre-reach out sa inyong lahat… pagtulungan po natin, bawat isa may maibibigay na ambag para ang kahirapan ay mapuksa,” Soliman noted.
The Human Development Cluster is part of the five different working groups tasked to focus and formulate solutions on specific issues assigned them.
The other Cabinet clusters include the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Cluster; Security, Justice and Peace Cluster; Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster and the Economic Cluster. (PCOO)
DOH intensifies fight against HIV/AIDS
The Department of Health (DOH) is intensifying its campaign against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to the increasing incidence of infection in the country.
The infection rate is alarming although it is small in percentage, according to Health Secretary Enrique Ona. He noted that since 1983, the total number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is 6,000.
“Tumaas nang konti…pero in percentage nakakatakot,” Ona said in a Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster on Friday broadcast live over NBN4 and dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Despite the current infection incidents, Ona assured that his department is prepared to handle those cases.
“We can manage these cases meron na po tayong nailunsad na information campaign lalo na sa mga tinatawag nating mga vulnerable populations, yung mga nagtatrabaho ngayon sa mga call centers,” he said.
He noted that based on their studies, they found out that more people working in the call center industry are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection.
“Hindi po sa sinasabi kong marami, in the sense na based on maliit na simula. Kaya it is something na dapat nating bigyan ng tingin eh ginagawa po natin ang lahat ng paraan para po hindi kumalat itong sakit na ito,” Ona said.
The campaign to inform the public is national in scope, and Ona said they are particularly focusing on young adults who are more and more becoming sexually active even at an early age. The DOH also pays attention to drug addicts that share needles in using drugs that quickly spread the virus.
Ona revealed that they monitored two or three barangays in Cebu that post rising number of infected individuals especially among drug users.
“Mayroong pong lumalabas ngayon na mukha hong lumalaganap ang HIV/AIDS in this particular two or three barangays in Cebu at bibigyan natin ng atensyon iyon,” he said. (PCOO)
Government hopes to implement K+12 Program in June next year
In keeping with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s education reform agenda to bolster international competitiveness of Filipinos, Education Secretary Armin Luistro expressed hope that the K+12 Program will be implemented starting June next year.
During the Cabinet Forum of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster aired over government-run television and radio stations NBN4 and DzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Friday Luistro said lawmakers informed him that the K+12 Program was among the priority bills being pushed by the Aquino government.
Under the said program, first-time students will be compelled to undergo kindergarten in preparation for a six-year elementary education curriculum that involves students with age ranging from six to 11.
Following the completion of elementary education is four-year Junior High School level comprising Secondary education that includes Grades seven to ten for students with ages ranging from 12 to 15 years old.
Summing up the K+12 program is the two-year Senior High School or Grade 11 to 12.
The enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program aims to give every student the opportunity to receive quality education based on an enhanced and decongested curriculum and seeks to change public perception that high school education is just a preparation for college.
Luistro said the government needs to align our years of schooling with global standards so that Filipinos can keep up with other countries.
He assured the parents that the K+12 program will not be expensive compared to the present set-up.
Luistro said the rationale behind lengthening the country’s basic education is to ensure that graduates are armed with enough basic knowledge to find a job.
With the new proposed program, DepEd planned to teach vocational and technical-skilled subjects for highschool students.
He also said the government is targeting to build 40,000 classrooms next year. The DepEd is also pushing to hire thousands of teachers next year. (PCOO)
