Dgte delivers rice subsidy to all households

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

The Dumaguete City government is set to distribute the next round of 25 kilos rice subsidy through house-to-house delivery starting first week of December.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said the rice subsidy is intended to provide assistance to the households amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This would be the fifth round of rice distribution.

The Punong Barangays are asked to submit the list of qualified recipients with Identification Cards per household in their respective barangays.

For this particular round of rice distribution, Remollo provided the following guidelines:

1. Every household in Dumaguete City (SAP or non-SAP) is entitled to one sack (25 kilos) of rice from the City Government. 
2. Both registered or non-registered voters are qualified to receive the rice subsidy provided that they belong to an actual household in Dumaguete City. 
3. Both registered or non-registered voters are qualified to receive the rice subsidy provided that they are currently actual residents in Dumaguete City. 
4. The concerned barangay captains will submit a list of certified recipients with attached copies of IDs to the Office of Mayor Remollo ASAP. 
5. The City Mayor’s Office will provide a distribution schedule per Barangay and Purok. 
6. A Task Force to include of members of the Barangay Council will conduct the house-to-house delivery of rice subsidy. 

Remollo said the objective of the new rice distribution scheme is to ensure that qualified households will receive the assistance in a more orderly manner, avoid mass gathering, and prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Households are advised to wait for the schedule of rice distribution of their barangay.

Dgte City Health Chief warns public on risks of drug abuse

By Roi Lomotan

Dumaguete City Health Officer Dr. Sarah Talla (L) explains the ill-effects of substance abuse during a City Anti-Drug Abuse Council forum held Nov. 19, 2020 at the Dumaguete City Hall. (KAT/PIA7-NegOr)

 In line with the local observance of National Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) Week this November, the city chief health officer once again reminded the public about the ill effects of substance abuse on a person’s overall well-being.

Speaking in a forum organized by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) last week which was also aired via livestream at the PIA Negros Oriental Facebook page, City Health Officer Dr. Sarah Talla reiterated that substance abuse can damage the physical, mental, and socio-economic aspects of an individual.

Talla explained a person’s physical appearance can change when when he or she is involved in substance abuse.

Common signs include reddening of the eyes or injection marks in the arms which the person hides by wearing shades and long sleeved-shirts.

A person may also develop weight loss or weight gain depending on which type of drug that individual is addicted to.

Stimulants may cause a person to drop weight while hallucinogens may cause a person to eat more and gain weight.

Talla added that a person who is into substance abuse may also develop paranoia or psychosis or sometimes behaviour change. 

Ssubstance abuse or drug addiction may also affect the livelihood of an individual.

“Kung nagtratrabaho pwede pirmi absent. Dili na kakumpleto sa number of hours sa trabaho (The person may be absent from work frequently, and could no longer complete the required hours of work),” she explained.

Talla also pointed out that in some cases, drug addiction is linked to sexual abuse.

“Katong among mga kilyenteng (na) mga sexually abused, naay certain percentage na sa forensic interview makaingon sila na nanggamit or gagamit (There is a certain percentage among our clients who are victims of sexual abuse, and during the forensic interview they say that those who assaulted them were into substance abuse),” she disclosed.

The Dumaguete City Health Office (CHO) has been raising public awareness on the dangers of substance abuse by conducting symposia in barangay and schools, but had to temporarily stop it this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Meanwhile in response to the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign, the CHO also led the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program or the Matrix Intensive Outpatient Program (MIOP) for drug surrendurees who wish to recover from their addiction.

The program covers 13 sessions with a module on community exposure which lasts three to four months.

Part of the sessions include early recovery skills and measures to avoid internal or external triggers.

Talla also highlighted the important role of the family in the recovery of an individual.

“Basin sa family naa problema di niya makaya or sa environment. Sa recovery kinahanglan dako ang role ng family (Maybe there are problems in the family that has greatly affected an individual. The role of the family is important when it comes to recovery),” Talla stressed.

Dgte City mayor bares dev’t projects for the city

By Roi Lomotan

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo being interviewed by the media during the city’s charter day celebration held last Nov. 24, 2020 at the Dumguete Presidencia. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)

 In line with the celebration of the city’s 72nd Charter Anniversary, Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo announced upcoming development projects that will further boost the city’s tourism potential.

Part of this is the conversion of the Dumaguete Presidencia inside the City Hall compound as a museum of local historical artifacts.

“We are really about to start and open this museum but tungod sa Covid, ang mga taga-National Museum nahangayo pa ug time na maka-coordinate ta. Hopefully, if not this year, first quarter of next year ready na ang artifacts. Madala na dire sa Dumaguete para himoon officially as museum (We are really about to start and open this museum but because of Covid, representatives from the National Museum asked for more time for coordination. Hopefully, if not this year, the artifacts will be ready by first quarter next year so that we can officially open this as a museum),” Remollo said.

Another project which the city government will embark on is the construction of an 18-storey obelisk inside the Quezon Park which will be another tourist attraction in the city.

Relative to this, Remollo announced that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the site of the obelisk on Nov. 27.

“(This will) make our city more attractive to tourists and to people kay within 1 kilometer radius naa naman ang belfry, ang Catholic Church, ang Quezon Park, ang Burgos St. paingon sa Pantawan 3,” Remollo disclosed.

The local chief executive also revealed that the upcoming Pantawan 3 along Rizal Boulevard will become a multi-purpose park with areas assigned for beach sports, fountain and picnic ground, stage and amphitheater to provide an avenue for local talents to showcase their performances, and wide walkway.

Remollo cited that the city government is focusing its efforts on preventing the spread of COVID-19, while at the same time making sure completion of infrastructure projects are unhampered to ensure that progress is not delayed in the city.

Yesterday, the city government marked the observance of its 72nd Charter Day anniversary with the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Dumaguete Presidencia in the morning which was presided by Diocese of Dumaguete Bishop Most Rev. Julito Cortes.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Resilience in midst of the Pandemic” which pays tribute to the efforts of the health workers, civic organizations, and authorities to keep the COVID-19 pandemic under control and ensure public safety through the unity and cooperation of the people.

On the other hand, Remollo also reiterated his call to his constituents to observe the annual city fiesta in a modest way.

Remollo discouraged city residents from inviting people who are not direct members of the family in their homes today, noting fiesta gatherings in households should be limited to the immediate members of the family.

The city mayor expects cooperation from the public to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.