TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) in the region launched the PuroKalusugan program in Southern Leyte, benefiting residents of Barangay Kahupian, Sogod town.

PuroKalusugan is the agency’s newest primary care program, designed to bring healthcare services closer to communities.

It offers a wide range of services, including immunization, oral health, maternal health, tuberculosis control, nutrition, non-communicable disease prevention and control, as well as environmental and sanitation services, directly within puroks or subvillages.

The DOH-8 partnered with the Southern Leyte Provincial Health Services Office and the local government of Sogod to deliver these healthcare services to the community.

More than 283 residents of Brgy. Kahupian and its neighboring village benefited from the program. The services provided included the HEEADSSS (Home, Education/Employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide Ideation, and Safety) assessment, Human Papillomavirus vaccination, HIV screening, dental and medical consultations, general health assessments, and health education.

Other services offered included cervical cancer screening, medical consultations, distribution of medicines, nutrition commodities, assistive devices, health assessments, prenatal services, ultrasound, and laboratory examinations for pregnant women.

A “Truckabataan” Adolescent Health Medical Mission was also conducted as part of the Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP), led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), Korean Organization for International Cooperation Agency, Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), and Y-Peer Philippines.

The health event was graced by several officials including Vice Governor Rosa Emilia Mercado, Sogod Vice Mayor Jose Ramil Golo, Department of Education Regional Director Evelyn R. Fetalvero, UNFPA Adolescent and Youth Specialist Yoon Young Lee, WHO Philippines Data Management Officer Jericho Bajador, and Provincial Health Services Officer II Dr. Feliciano John Matibag.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 2,321 farmers from various parts of Eastern Samar province have received assistance from the government through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) programs.

The beneficiaries come from several towns, including Quinapondan, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan, Salcedo, Guiuan, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Hernani, and Gen. MacArthur in the southern part of the province, as well as Dolores, Can-avid, Sulat, Maslog, Arteche, Jipapad, San Policarpo, and Oras in the northern part, according to a statement from the Eastern Samar Provincial Information Office.

Each farmer received P5,000, with the assistance targeting those who own two hectares or less of rice fields. Eligibility for the program was based on the farmers’ registration in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Among the recipients was Gleceria Pecenio of Barangay Carayacay, Maslog town.
Despite being a rice farmer, she and her husband rarely eat rice, relying instead on root crops like sweet potatoes as their main food source.

“I am happy because this will really help. I can now buy a little rice since it’s just me and my grandchild who goes to school; there are only two of us left at home,” Pecencio said in the vernacular.

“Our situation is difficult. We can only eat rice when we sell our sweet potatoes. That’s all we have. We endure it because we are poor,” she added.

Board member RV Evardone, representing his father, Governor Ben Evardone, noted that Eastern Samar was initially excluded from the program, as it was one of the 54 provinces that did not meet the eligibility criteria. The province’s rice production level of 60 percent fell short of the required 70 to 75 percent.

However, Gov. Evardone lobbied for the province’s inclusion in the national government’s assistance program, as it plays a crucial role in supporting local farmers and improving rice production in the area, the young Evardone said.

During the payout, beneficiaries also received a Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC) card, which will serve as an ATM card to streamline future cash distributions.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – San Jose Central School in Tacloban City and Cathedral School of La Naval in Naval, Biliran province, emerged as the top winners in this year’s Banda Rayhak Competition, organized by the Pintados Foundation Inc.

San Jose Central School was crowned grand champion in the junior category, besting five other entries, while the Cathedral School of La Naval took the top spot in the senior division, outshining eight other competitors in the regional inter-school marching band competition.

The San Jose Central School marching band also swept several special awards, including Best Conductor, Best Mallet Section, and Best Pit Section.

Caibaan Elementary School secured second place and received the Best in Uniform award, while Kapangian Central School finished third, winning three special awards: Best Drumline, Best Baton Section, and Best Majorette.

In fourth place was Cogon Elementary School, while Ridgeview Elementary School finished fifth and won the Best Pintados Theme award.

In the senior division, Cathedral School of La Naval not only claimed the championship title but also received the Best Conductor and Best Drumline awards.

Samar National School, which placed second, also received the Best Mallet Section award, while Calbayog National High School, the third-place winner, bagged the Best Color Guards Section, Best Baton Section, and Best Band Majorette awards.

Biliran Province State University (BIPSU) Naval ranked fourth and won the Best Pit Section award, while Tolosa National High School placed fifth and took home the Best in Uniform award. Dulag National High School received the Best Pintados Theme award.

The Banda Rayhak Competition, held at the MacArthur National Park,is an annual inter-school marching band competition held every October 20, as part of the commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landing.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)