NegOr, Dgte mark 122nd PHL Civil Service Month

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 6 (PIA) — The province of Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City marked the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration in two separate events to promote excellence and continuity in public service.

In a kick-off ceremony, Gov. Pryde Henry Teves led the traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony on Sept. 5 at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

The governor reminded the provincial government workers to do their work honestly and think of what they can contribute that will eventually support the advancement of the province as a whole.

Meanwhile, over a thousand Dumaguete City government officials and employees also joined the nationwide opening salvo of the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in solemn but festive rites at the Presidencia grounds.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, Vice Mayor Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria, and Civil Service Commission Region 7 Director IV Carlos Evangelista led the flag-raising ceremony while City Chief-of-Police P/Lt. Col. Joeson Parallag recited the Panunumpa sa Watatwat while City Administrator Lilani Ramon, J.D. led the Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan joined by the assembled officials and employees.

The keynote speaker was CSC Chairperson Karlo Alexei whose message was broadcasted live nationwide via Zoom. 

Nograles lauded Remollo and the city government for hosting the annual event. 

He extolled the resilience and dedication of government officials and employees coupled with their enthusiasm to continuously improve their service.

The CSC chairperson shared that “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes” is the ten-year overarching theme of the annual celebration to reflect the path the civil service has to take to build on the gains of last year’s modernization efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of human resources in building a competent and credible workforce in the new normal.

“In 2022, the thematic focus of the PCSA is on resilience, which is part of building smart organizations and a future-ready civil service. Resilience has been shown by the civil service during the pandemic in its readiness to accept challenges and ability to give continued assistance to the public,” explained Nograles.

NegOr health expert cites importance of nutrition to boost immunity

By Roi Lomotan

Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Crisis Management Committee Chair Dr. Kenneth Coo says proper nutrition alone does not guarantee full protection from COVID-19 and the public should still practice health protocols and get vaccinated to boost the body’s resistance against the disease. He was one of the speakers during a Kapihan sa PIA forum held July 7, 2022 at Provincial Convention Center, Dumaguete City. (KAT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 11 (PIA) — A health expert in Negros Oriental emphasized the importance of getting proper nutrients to boost the immune system to help fight COVID-19.  

Dr. Kenneth Coo, national chairperson of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Crisis Management Committee, during the Kapihan sa PIA in line with the observance of National Nutrition Month this July, said that diet and nutrition can help support immune health and keeping the immune system on top shape would mean an added protection against COVID-19. 

Coo said essential vitamins include Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Zinc, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Vitamin C.

He noted that Vitamin D helps protect the lungs during COVID-19 infection by disrupting viral attachment in the body.

Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that may provide powerful protection against infection while Zinc has anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit people with COVID-19.

The Omega 3 Fatty Acids also have anti-inflammatory benefits while Vitamin C supports immune health and is known to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Although these are the essential vitamins and minerals that can help boots immunity to fight the virus, Coo said taking them should be in moderation as some medications can interact with vitamin supplements and cause harm to the body when taken in excess.

He also urged the public to eat fresh fruits every day, drink plenty of water, limit intake of fats and oil and also salt and sugar, consume food with unsaturated fats including white meat, and stay away from processed meats since they are high in fat and salt. 

However, Coo stressed that eating the right food and getting the proper nutrition is not enough to prevent contracting COVID-19.

He said people can still be at risk from getting the virus or spreading it to others, which is why it is still important to adhere to health protocols like wearing of face masks and getting vaccinated. 

“This is an emerging areas of research. These foods won’t prevent you from contracting the novel corona virus or cure the disease but they have been shown to support immune health,” Coo said.

“You have to wear your masks, then social distancing, wash hands, and be vaccinated. Pinaka-importante (the most important) really is vaccination so that we will be really protected. Unfortunately, ang data nato karon (our data) is going up so ang makaluluoy (those who are at risk) really is those who are not vaccinated,” he added.

He also urged the public to take booster shots if they are eligible since it has been proven to increase human antibodies and strengthen the body’s immunity against the disease.

This year’s observance of National Nutrition Month highlights the call for strengthened nutrition interventions and solidarity towards nutrition improvement as the country shifts towards living with the COVID-19 virus through its theme “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon!” 

NegOr to mark Women’s Month in March

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos

Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) Vice-Chair Prof. Phoebe Tan (center) encourages members of the PCW and GAD focal persons in every department of the provincial government to participate in the activities of Women’s Month celebration during a meeting at the Capitol. (PIA7-NegOr)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Feb. 22 (PIA) — The Negros Oriental Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) has lined up activities in celebration of the upcoming National Women’s Month in March.

This year’s Women’s Month will kick off on March 2 with a Kapihan sa PIA to tackle the programs and services for women set by the provincial government and local government units as well as the laws that protect women.

With 2022 as the culminating year for the recurring theme, “We Make Change Work for Women,” the Kapihan will tackle its sub-theme for this year’s celebration, “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran.”

On March 7, there will be a flag raising ceremony where hundreds of employees from the provincial government and national government agencies are expected to attend.

Last year’s “Babayeng Garbo” winner, Archimedes Diputado from Dauin, will be the guest speaker during the ceremony.

Diputado is one of the winners of the outstanding women search who showed her contribution to the empowerment of rural women and promote gender equality in the field of livelihood program.

On March 11, the Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) has set a Gender and Development (GAD) Planning and Budgeting for 2022-2023, while on March 18, a Kapihan sa PIA will be done with Dumaguete City Social Welfare and Development Office  to promote gender equality and empowerment of women in the city.

The annual observance of Women’s Month every March since 2017 aims to inspire and empower women and girls to be agents of change and to contribute in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of all women through its theme “We make change work for women.”

The PCW will also hold a series of Gender Sensitivity Trainings (GST) for local government units and the 302nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army.

The Office of the Governor plans to issue an executive order on “Purple Fridays” for all employees to wear purple or violet shirts every Friday in March to show support for Women’s Month.