Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080704.htm&no=84
2008/07/04
OCD-DA commends Molave for hosting contingency planning workshop on avian influenza
Pagadian City (4 July) -- The Local Government of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur elicited the admiration of heads of National Government Agencies (NGAs) for holding a three (3) day live-in Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop on Avian Influenza (AI) on July 2-4, at Eriberta Springs and Mountain Resort, Tuburan, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur It was one of the major activities in celebration of National Disaster Consciousness Month with the theme, "Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro".
Regional Director Adriano D. Fuego of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-IX) was very much impressed by the initiatives of the LGU under the leadership of Mayor Flavio Saniel Jr. for undertaking the said activity to prevent the possible entry of AI in the area.
Fuego proudly informed the participants that Molave is "the very first municipality in the country" who sponsored a Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop on AI thus, he congratulated them for their efforts.
"If you're the first, you make history," Fuego enthused, adding that it is always great to be the first.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) thru Director Oscar Parawan also commended Mayor Saniel because AI pandemic will not occur in their area through proper information dissemination.
Dr. Meriam C. Lopez-Vito, the Regional AI Coordinator shared the same observation. She said a contingency plan had laid out by Task Force AI to prevent possible outbreak.
Lopez-Vito said that our country has already established preventive measures against the AI virus. An outbreak occurred in some Asian countries and only Singapore, Brunei and Philippines are said to be AI-free.
"Those countries affected by AI are half a world away and while it's unfortunate for them, it doesn't affect us here. But we must be prepared," Lopez-Vito stressed.
In a related development, Mayor Flavio Saniel Jr. was glad that the Contingency Planning was implemented in their municipality to prepare and equip them if ever it occurs in the future.
"Now is the right time to act. Sometimes, we Filipinos only act if we are already victims of unexpected events. We must be prepared for all eventualities," Saniel stressed.
He also said that pandemics have occurred intermittently over centuries and have killed millions of people worldwide. Although the timing cannot be predicted, but history and science suggest that we will face one or more pandemics if we will not act on it.
He acknowledged that Molave and its neighboring municipalities have poultry raisers/growers thus, there is a need for them to undertake contingency measures, and relevant information on AI will be widely disseminated to the public.
At the end of the seminar, a contingency plan had been laid out and details have been discussed in providing prophylaxis and treatment for any person who will be affected by the said virus. They also crafted disaster management and continuity plans to address this fast moving and mutating virus.
The said workshop was attended by municipal officials, punong barangays, poultry raisers/growers and chiefs of offices. (RO9 Pagadian City) [
2008/07/04
OCD-DA commends Molave for hosting contingency planning workshop on avian influenza
Pagadian City (4 July) -- The Local Government of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur elicited the admiration of heads of National Government Agencies (NGAs) for holding a three (3) day live-in Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop on Avian Influenza (AI) on July 2-4, at Eriberta Springs and Mountain Resort, Tuburan, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur It was one of the major activities in celebration of National Disaster Consciousness Month with the theme, "Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro".
Regional Director Adriano D. Fuego of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-IX) was very much impressed by the initiatives of the LGU under the leadership of Mayor Flavio Saniel Jr. for undertaking the said activity to prevent the possible entry of AI in the area.
Fuego proudly informed the participants that Molave is "the very first municipality in the country" who sponsored a Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop on AI thus, he congratulated them for their efforts.
"If you're the first, you make history," Fuego enthused, adding that it is always great to be the first.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) thru Director Oscar Parawan also commended Mayor Saniel because AI pandemic will not occur in their area through proper information dissemination.
Dr. Meriam C. Lopez-Vito, the Regional AI Coordinator shared the same observation. She said a contingency plan had laid out by Task Force AI to prevent possible outbreak.
Lopez-Vito said that our country has already established preventive measures against the AI virus. An outbreak occurred in some Asian countries and only Singapore, Brunei and Philippines are said to be AI-free.
"Those countries affected by AI are half a world away and while it's unfortunate for them, it doesn't affect us here. But we must be prepared," Lopez-Vito stressed.
In a related development, Mayor Flavio Saniel Jr. was glad that the Contingency Planning was implemented in their municipality to prepare and equip them if ever it occurs in the future.
"Now is the right time to act. Sometimes, we Filipinos only act if we are already victims of unexpected events. We must be prepared for all eventualities," Saniel stressed.
He also said that pandemics have occurred intermittently over centuries and have killed millions of people worldwide. Although the timing cannot be predicted, but history and science suggest that we will face one or more pandemics if we will not act on it.
He acknowledged that Molave and its neighboring municipalities have poultry raisers/growers thus, there is a need for them to undertake contingency measures, and relevant information on AI will be widely disseminated to the public.
At the end of the seminar, a contingency plan had been laid out and details have been discussed in providing prophylaxis and treatment for any person who will be affected by the said virus. They also crafted disaster management and continuity plans to address this fast moving and mutating virus.
The said workshop was attended by municipal officials, punong barangays, poultry raisers/growers and chiefs of offices. (RO9 Pagadian City) [