Malacañang assures Aquino government's commitment to prevent proliferation of HIV cases in the country
Malacañang assured the Aquino government’s commitment to prevent the proliferation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases in the country through effective information dissemination programs that aim to educate the people on the various ways to avoid being infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes the dreaded disease.
In a regular press briefing at the New Executive Building in Malacañang on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Health (DoH) remains continuously focused on implementing informative programs to teach the people the facts concerning the fatal infection and the possible ways to protect them from the illness.
Lacierda also noted the importance of decision-making especially to those who are engaged in activities that may pose threat of being infected by HIV.
“The emphasis of the Department of Health is to ensure that the preventive measures to prevent AIDS are being undertaken however this is a social… a personal decision on the part of the people who are engaged in those activities… we continue to promote educational information on the prevention of HIV-AIDS in the country,” Lacierda stressed.
“We find it alarming, and that is the reason why we have asked Health Secretary Enrique Ona to ensure that further information measures be conducted in the prevention of AIDS,” he added.
Recent reports revealed that a 41-year-old man succumbed to AIDS last month which was confirmed by the health department.
The DOH also disclosed 274 newly-confirmed HIV cases in the country last month, the highest recorded in the Philippine HIV and AIDS registry.
The number is 72 per cent higher than that of the record in the same period last year, which saw 159 new HIV cases in February of 2011. The report also bared that 235 cases were transmitted through sexual contact where 87 per cent are males having sex with other males as the predominant type of transmission.
The DOH report said that 24 or 9 percent of the 274 cases were OFWs, including 22 males and two females, from 22-57 years old.
AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by HIV. The illness interferes with the immune system, making patients much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not affect people with working immune systems.
Apart from sexual intercourse, HIV may be transmitted through blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles and exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. (PCOO)
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Malacañang says trade department is closely monitoring prices of basic commodities
Malacañang allayed fears on the possible unreasonable increase in the prices of basic commodities due to the rising fuel prices in the world market saying that the trade department is closely monitoring the price movements.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacañang on Monday that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is strictly monitoring the prices of basic commodities to prevent unnecessary movement in prices of basic commodities.
"Basically, we have weekly surveys on the market prices. There is substantial increase on some commodities. We have agriculture and market products na medyo tumaas. But over all, the prices have remained constant," Lacierda said.
Lacierda also said the economic managers remain optimistic that the inflation rate will likely remain within target, averaging about 3 percent in 2012. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has set a goal to keep the average inflation for this year within 3 to 5 percent.
"The inflation remains at 3%, and we continue addressing the concerns for the oil prices. Bangko Sentral is looking at a higher rate per barrel before inflation will be changed. It should be around 160 dollars per barrel. Right now, the price per barrel is around 120 dollars," he said. (PCOO)
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Malacañang remains concerned on the effects of spiraling prices on Filipinos
President Benigno S. Aquino III remains concerned and continues to act on the effect of the spiraling cost of goods and services on Filipinos, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.
In a briefing, Lacierda said that despite the criticisms, the President is doing everything he can to ease the burden caused by the skyrocketing prices.
“The concerns of the ordinary person reach the President on a daily basis. We know their concerns, we know their problems and I can tell you very frankly that this is a concern that the President deals with and is very concerned with, and that’s why he has issued instructions to his Cabinet to address the situation,” Lacierda said.
“So it is not true that we do not listen to the needs of the people. In fact, we hear their pleas and are addressing their concerns,” he added.
He pointed out that among the social programs implemented by the Aquino administration to help Filipinos cope with the rising prices include providing low cost housing to law enforcement members, healthcare for all and the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.
”We continue to provide services to the country. We have already mentioned that we’ve provided housing for many of our soldiers and policemen… we have set up RN HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) which has deployed 30,000 nurses all over the country, and we have the CCT with over three-million beneficiaries,” Lacierda said.
He pointed out that despite being criticized, the President will continue with his program of government.
“Marami po tayong ginagawa. Kung ayaw nilang maniwala, patuloy pa rin kaming magpapaliwanag dahil yun ang trabaho ni Pangulong Aquino at tuloy tuloy pa ang aming ginagawa rito,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
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Administration pushes use of electric tricycles to lessen dependence on petroleum
The Aquino administration continues to push for the use of electric-powered tricycles or e-Trikes as part of the efforts to lessen the country's dependence on petroleum, a Palace official said on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the use of e-Trikes will not only address the impact of the rising fuel prices in the world market but also the pollution problem in the country.
The use of e-Trikes also aims to increase the profits of the drivers and operators.
"The e-Trike is now subject to the approval of the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). So hopefully, ‘pag naayos na po ‘yan, we can roll it out. Right now, it’s ongoing in Mandaluyong," Lacierda said.
In its effort to support alternative sources of energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) is partnering with local government units to formulate a program to help cities and municipalities acquire e-Trikes.
A loan facility will be provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for industry market transformation through the introduction and adoption of energy efficient e-Trikes. The program aims to deploy 100,000 e-Trikes with lithium ion batteries in various key cities and provinces.
In April 2011, the DOE handed over 20 units of electric tricycles to the City of Mandaluyong and the commercial run of the e-Trikes started in May 2011.
With the help of local entrepreneurs, industry players, and technical experts, the DOE will also start piloting innovations in e-Jeepneys, e-Buses, and e-Cars. (PCOO)
Malacañang assured the Aquino government’s commitment to prevent the proliferation of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) cases in the country through effective information dissemination programs that aim to educate the people on the various ways to avoid being infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes the dreaded disease.
In a regular press briefing at the New Executive Building in Malacañang on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Health (DoH) remains continuously focused on implementing informative programs to teach the people the facts concerning the fatal infection and the possible ways to protect them from the illness.
Lacierda also noted the importance of decision-making especially to those who are engaged in activities that may pose threat of being infected by HIV.
“The emphasis of the Department of Health is to ensure that the preventive measures to prevent AIDS are being undertaken however this is a social… a personal decision on the part of the people who are engaged in those activities… we continue to promote educational information on the prevention of HIV-AIDS in the country,” Lacierda stressed.
“We find it alarming, and that is the reason why we have asked Health Secretary Enrique Ona to ensure that further information measures be conducted in the prevention of AIDS,” he added.
Recent reports revealed that a 41-year-old man succumbed to AIDS last month which was confirmed by the health department.
The DOH also disclosed 274 newly-confirmed HIV cases in the country last month, the highest recorded in the Philippine HIV and AIDS registry.
The number is 72 per cent higher than that of the record in the same period last year, which saw 159 new HIV cases in February of 2011. The report also bared that 235 cases were transmitted through sexual contact where 87 per cent are males having sex with other males as the predominant type of transmission.
The DOH report said that 24 or 9 percent of the 274 cases were OFWs, including 22 males and two females, from 22-57 years old.
AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by HIV. The illness interferes with the immune system, making patients much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not affect people with working immune systems.
Apart from sexual intercourse, HIV may be transmitted through blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles and exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. (PCOO)
.
Malacañang says trade department is closely monitoring prices of basic commodities
Malacañang allayed fears on the possible unreasonable increase in the prices of basic commodities due to the rising fuel prices in the world market saying that the trade department is closely monitoring the price movements.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacañang on Monday that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is strictly monitoring the prices of basic commodities to prevent unnecessary movement in prices of basic commodities.
"Basically, we have weekly surveys on the market prices. There is substantial increase on some commodities. We have agriculture and market products na medyo tumaas. But over all, the prices have remained constant," Lacierda said.
Lacierda also said the economic managers remain optimistic that the inflation rate will likely remain within target, averaging about 3 percent in 2012. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has set a goal to keep the average inflation for this year within 3 to 5 percent.
"The inflation remains at 3%, and we continue addressing the concerns for the oil prices. Bangko Sentral is looking at a higher rate per barrel before inflation will be changed. It should be around 160 dollars per barrel. Right now, the price per barrel is around 120 dollars," he said. (PCOO)
.
Malacañang remains concerned on the effects of spiraling prices on Filipinos
President Benigno S. Aquino III remains concerned and continues to act on the effect of the spiraling cost of goods and services on Filipinos, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday.
In a briefing, Lacierda said that despite the criticisms, the President is doing everything he can to ease the burden caused by the skyrocketing prices.
“The concerns of the ordinary person reach the President on a daily basis. We know their concerns, we know their problems and I can tell you very frankly that this is a concern that the President deals with and is very concerned with, and that’s why he has issued instructions to his Cabinet to address the situation,” Lacierda said.
“So it is not true that we do not listen to the needs of the people. In fact, we hear their pleas and are addressing their concerns,” he added.
He pointed out that among the social programs implemented by the Aquino administration to help Filipinos cope with the rising prices include providing low cost housing to law enforcement members, healthcare for all and the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.
”We continue to provide services to the country. We have already mentioned that we’ve provided housing for many of our soldiers and policemen… we have set up RN HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) which has deployed 30,000 nurses all over the country, and we have the CCT with over three-million beneficiaries,” Lacierda said.
He pointed out that despite being criticized, the President will continue with his program of government.
“Marami po tayong ginagawa. Kung ayaw nilang maniwala, patuloy pa rin kaming magpapaliwanag dahil yun ang trabaho ni Pangulong Aquino at tuloy tuloy pa ang aming ginagawa rito,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)
.
Administration pushes use of electric tricycles to lessen dependence on petroleum
The Aquino administration continues to push for the use of electric-powered tricycles or e-Trikes as part of the efforts to lessen the country's dependence on petroleum, a Palace official said on Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday that the use of e-Trikes will not only address the impact of the rising fuel prices in the world market but also the pollution problem in the country.
The use of e-Trikes also aims to increase the profits of the drivers and operators.
"The e-Trike is now subject to the approval of the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). So hopefully, ‘pag naayos na po ‘yan, we can roll it out. Right now, it’s ongoing in Mandaluyong," Lacierda said.
In its effort to support alternative sources of energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) is partnering with local government units to formulate a program to help cities and municipalities acquire e-Trikes.
A loan facility will be provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for industry market transformation through the introduction and adoption of energy efficient e-Trikes. The program aims to deploy 100,000 e-Trikes with lithium ion batteries in various key cities and provinces.
In April 2011, the DOE handed over 20 units of electric tricycles to the City of Mandaluyong and the commercial run of the e-Trikes started in May 2011.
With the help of local entrepreneurs, industry players, and technical experts, the DOE will also start piloting innovations in e-Jeepneys, e-Buses, and e-Cars. (PCOO)
