By Kit Bagaipo
Inquirer Visayas
TAGBILARAN CITY -- Actor-director Cesar Montano announced on Tuesday that he declined the position of film czar so that he could focus on his bid to run for governor in Bohol in the 2010 elections.
Montano has long been rumored to be eyeing the province’s top position but has not confirmed his political plans until Tuesday.
Montano, whose real name is Cesar Manhilot and a registered voter in the town of Baclayon, said he and his family felt honored by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointment of him as Presidential Special Envoy for Film and Digital Cinema.
“I am grateful … but I regret to say I could not accept it since this will sidetrack my preparations for a gubernatorial bid in May 2010,” Montano said in a telephone interview aired on radio station dyRD Tagbilaran.
Montano, who initiated the interview, said he wanted to bring in “change in Bohol politics,” which he said was being “used by politicians for business interests.”
The actor-director disclosed that he has the support of his family. Wife and actress Sunshine Cruz is actively involved in promoting tourism in this island-province.
Cruz, who talked briefly during the interview, said she fully supported her husband’s political plans.
Montano’s appointment, which was signed by Ms Arroyo on May 19, would have accorded Montano diplomatic status.
When asked if he would seek the support of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Montano only said that he did not “need the blessings” of the governor.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bohol solon defends Con-Ass
Brushing aside strong public objections against the move of the House of Representatives of setting up a constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution, Third District Rep. Adam Relson Jala crushed criticisms pointing out that changes in the Charter is “needed for progress”.
The solon engaged in a two-hour debate over Station dyRD’s top-rated programs “Inyong Alagad” and “Pulso” yesterday with bar topnotcher and 1971 Constitutional Convention delegate former OIC governor Victor Dela Serna.
Dela Serna is one of the vocal critics of Charter Change who sounded off warnings that administration congressmen are in cahoots with President Arroyo to use constitutional amendments as a cover to stay in power beyond 2010.
Jala however lambasted this argument saying “extending term limits of the president or other elected officials is out of the picture” in the passage of House Resolution 1109.
The controversial measure empowers Congress to convene itself into a Constituent Assembly in which members of the House and the Senate would vote jointly – not separately – to amend the 1987 Constitution.
The neophyte solon stressed “the noble intentions” of House Resolution 1109 which is just the “initial step to deal with defects of the 22-year old Constitution”.
“I could not speak for my colleagues in the House who voted for the measure but I can assure you that I am against extending the term of the president beyond 2010,” the lawmaker said.
Jala added that he will be “the first one to stand against any move to include the lifting of term limits”.
The solon explained that the process of amending the Charter could not be rushed to be used as “a charade”, as perceived by its critics, allowing Pres. Arroyo to perpetuate in power.
“While I am also in favor of the shift to parliamentary form of government, I likewise agree that this should be done after 2010 to remove any doubts that Malacañang is behind the move to revise the Charter”, the solon said.
“Amending the Constitution is necessary to make it responsive to much needed reforms such as social, political and economic ills”, he stressed.
In House Resolution 1109, the provisions to be deliberated for amendments are not yet even stated yet, according to Jala.
“We are still on the stage of convening a Con-ass, and this has yet to be considered by the Supreme Court due to contradictory interpretations of this mode of amending the Charter,” the solon explained.
P20-M BRIBE?
Dela Serna cited reports that each of the congressmen who voted for House Resolution 1109 received P20-million from Malacañang.
Jala dismissed the allegations saying the report came from unnamed sources published by the national dailies.
The congressman in turn challenged Dela Serna to file a petition with him at the Supreme Court to resolve the debates on the legality of HR 1109.
According to Jala, even if majority of the congressmen approved the resolution, the amendments will still pass deliberations of the Con-ass which will eventually be submitted for approval of the electorate in a plebiscite.
Jala countered Dela Serna’s statement that about 80-percent of the country’s populace are opposed to Cha-cha as shown by nationwide independent surveys.
“There is a clear need to revise our Constitution, and if it is indeed true that so many people are against it, then there is only one way of confirming that – a plebiscite,” Jala said.
“We are going through changes in our electoral process to make it more efficient. Hence, I trust doubts that a plebiscite can be railroaded to serve the interest of a few is baseless”, Jala concluded.
The solon engaged in a two-hour debate over Station dyRD’s top-rated programs “Inyong Alagad” and “Pulso” yesterday with bar topnotcher and 1971 Constitutional Convention delegate former OIC governor Victor Dela Serna.
Dela Serna is one of the vocal critics of Charter Change who sounded off warnings that administration congressmen are in cahoots with President Arroyo to use constitutional amendments as a cover to stay in power beyond 2010.
Jala however lambasted this argument saying “extending term limits of the president or other elected officials is out of the picture” in the passage of House Resolution 1109.
The controversial measure empowers Congress to convene itself into a Constituent Assembly in which members of the House and the Senate would vote jointly – not separately – to amend the 1987 Constitution.
The neophyte solon stressed “the noble intentions” of House Resolution 1109 which is just the “initial step to deal with defects of the 22-year old Constitution”.
“I could not speak for my colleagues in the House who voted for the measure but I can assure you that I am against extending the term of the president beyond 2010,” the lawmaker said.
Jala added that he will be “the first one to stand against any move to include the lifting of term limits”.
The solon explained that the process of amending the Charter could not be rushed to be used as “a charade”, as perceived by its critics, allowing Pres. Arroyo to perpetuate in power.
“While I am also in favor of the shift to parliamentary form of government, I likewise agree that this should be done after 2010 to remove any doubts that Malacañang is behind the move to revise the Charter”, the solon said.
“Amending the Constitution is necessary to make it responsive to much needed reforms such as social, political and economic ills”, he stressed.
In House Resolution 1109, the provisions to be deliberated for amendments are not yet even stated yet, according to Jala.
“We are still on the stage of convening a Con-ass, and this has yet to be considered by the Supreme Court due to contradictory interpretations of this mode of amending the Charter,” the solon explained.
P20-M BRIBE?
Dela Serna cited reports that each of the congressmen who voted for House Resolution 1109 received P20-million from Malacañang.
Jala dismissed the allegations saying the report came from unnamed sources published by the national dailies.
The congressman in turn challenged Dela Serna to file a petition with him at the Supreme Court to resolve the debates on the legality of HR 1109.
According to Jala, even if majority of the congressmen approved the resolution, the amendments will still pass deliberations of the Con-ass which will eventually be submitted for approval of the electorate in a plebiscite.
Jala countered Dela Serna’s statement that about 80-percent of the country’s populace are opposed to Cha-cha as shown by nationwide independent surveys.
“There is a clear need to revise our Constitution, and if it is indeed true that so many people are against it, then there is only one way of confirming that – a plebiscite,” Jala said.
“We are going through changes in our electoral process to make it more efficient. Hence, I trust doubts that a plebiscite can be railroaded to serve the interest of a few is baseless”, Jala concluded.
Pregnant ‘swine flu’ victim recovers
• 6 private schools defer class opening
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol –
The 33-year old pregnant woman who tested positive of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus is now into full recovery, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7.
Renan Cimafranca, of the DOH-7 Regional Epidemiology Services Unit (RESU) bared that result of the second swab sample taken from the woman rendered negative.
The second test was taken from the 2-month pregnant woman last June 4, the same day the Regional Institute of Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City confirmed she was afflicted with the A(H1N1) virus based on the first swab sample taken on May 28.
But due to her pregnancy, the DOH-7 advised the woman to still look after her health and continue her self-quarantine at her residence for the next few days.
Cimafranca said health officials are still monitoring the persons who came into contact with the woman since May 23 up to June 4.
“Based on our tracing so far, nobody has exhibited symptoms of flu or developed influenza-like illness,” he said.
The monitoring of those who came into contact with the woman will be done for a period of 10 days, Cimafranca said. Those who had contact with her on June 4 will be monitored until June 14, he added.
“There is no problem right now and we are in constant communication with the woman and her family to monitor their condition,” Cimafranca assured.
Cimafranca said that while they were not able to give antiviral medication to the woman, since she is in the first trimester of pregnancy, her condition kept improving the past days.
The woman arrived in Bohol from California last May 23 but developed flu symptoms two days later and decided to seek medical treatment.
Showing signs of recovery from fever, the woman was discharged from the hospital even before the DOH could confirm that she is stricken with the dreaded A(H1N1) virus. The confirmation came eight days after the swab sample was taken by a team from the DOH regional office (May 28).
“Their response was so delayed and I had to wait several days for the confirmatory results,” she said.
She said regional health officials were the ones who gave her clearance to leave the hospital on May 25.
The release of the woman from the hospital have been the subject of complaints by the public here as she was the first confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) case in the province.
Meanwhile, at least six private schools here have moved their opening of classes to June 15 due to the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
In separate advisories released to the media Monday morning, the officials of Bohol Wisdom School, Holy Name University, University of Bohol, Bohol Institute of Technology, VDT Learning Center and Holy Spirit School said they postponed the opening of classes as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus in the school’s campuses.
All personnel and enrolled students in these schools were advised of the deferment of class opening through radio announcements.
On the other hand, during Holy Masses yesterday, the Catholic clergy here announced that in order to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) virus, the faithful could only receive communion by the hand while holding of hands during the praying of “Our Father” should not be done in the meantime.
Villar raids Bohol Lakas-Kampi •Herrera denies coalition split up
Political realignment in the province had just begun.
Shortly after the merger of Lakas-CMD and Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) which dominates elective posts here in Bohol, presidential timber Senator Manuel Villar stormed its ranks.
As a result, 25 municipal mayors officially took their oaths under the re-organized Nacionalista Party of Villar during a grand political gathering at the Bohol Tropics Resort last May 31. Several vice mayors and municipal councilors also joined the party.
However, downplaying speculations that the dominant political coalition in the province is disintegrating, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera expressed confidence that a majority of the mayors would still "tow the line" once Gov. Erico Aumentado issues his "marching orders".
The governor is currently out of the country for an official trip with President Arroyo and some members of her Cabinet.
While he did not disregard the possibility that the governor may also join Villar's Nacionalista Party, Herrera said he will stand by Aumentado's decision.
"We respect the decision of the mayors who have decided to join Villar's party but I don't really think our political alliance is splitting up," Herrera stressed.
The vice governor disclosed that he conferred with some of the mayors who joined Nacionalista and most, if not all, of them still believed in a united leadership for the province.
However, he said, each one has to consider what political party could carry them to victory in next year's polls.
According to Herrera, the mayors said that the formula of unity among Bohol's top officials led by Aumentado brought more gains in the province in terms of programs and projects.
Reports reaching the Chronicle revealed that aside from the 25 mayors who coalesced with the Nacionalista Party, there are eight other town executives who have signified their intention of joining Villar's group.
As the Nacionalista Party has admitted that it is on a massive recruitment of incumbent politicians to realize its dream of forming the biggest political party in the country, there is possibility that three other Lakas-Kampi stalwarts would jump ship - First District Rep. Edgar Chatto, Second District Rep. Roberto Cajes and former congressman Eladio Jala who has announced his bid to reclaim the Third District Congressional seat vice his son Rep. Adam Relson Jala.
Political observers see that the exodus of mayors, vice mayors and councilors to Nacionalista also pose a problem over choosing an official candidate for governor if Bohol's Big Five (Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto, Cajes and Jala) will opt to stick together and choose a common candidate for governor be it under the banner of Lakas-Kampi or Nacionalista.
Both Herrera and Chatto are eyeing the position. Herrera earlier declared he is open to talks with Chatto's camp just to keep the unified leadership in the province.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Carmen Mayor Manuel Molina bared that of those who took their oaths under the Nacionalista Party, six town mayors from the First Congressional District, seven from the Second Congressional District, and 12 from the Third Congressional District.
They were: Albur Mayor Cirilo Jalad, Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy, Calape Mayor Simplicio Yu Jr., Corella Mayor Vito Rapal, Cortes Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy, Sikatuna Mayor Ireneo Calimpusan, Buenavista Mayor Elsa Tirol, Clarin Mayor Hermogenes Diezon, Dagohoy Mayor Herminio Relampagos, Getafe Mayor Theresa Camacho, San Isidro Mayor Apolinar Gumanid, San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bonior, Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, Sierra Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado, Pilar Mayor Wilson Pajo, Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora Jr., Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances, Alicia Mayor Pedro Miasco, Anda Mayor Paulino Amper, Batuan Mayor Gregoria Pepito, Bilar Mayor Fanuel Cadelina, Duero Mayor Manuel Tan, Guindulman Mayor Ma. Fe Piezas and Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren.
Mayors Jose Jono Jumamoy (Inabanga), Juanario Item (Talibon) and Ceferino Digal (Sevilla) also expressed intent to join the group but failed to attend the meeting while Sagbayan Mayor Jimmy Torrefranca, a last termer, chose to stay with Lakas while allowing his daughter and Vice Mayor Valerie Ann Narona to join the Nacionalista group.
Molina, who is an original member of Nacionalista, added that he is confident other town mayors, vice mayors and councilors will join them in the next few months.
Although he cannot say that Gov. Aumentado will also support Villar, Molina said "it is likely [the governor] will support him".
Molina recalled that Aumentado has close ties with Villar, as the former served as Deputy Speaker for the Visayas at the House of Representatives when Villar was House Speaker. The governor was also chairman of the powerful House committee on appropriations under Villar's Speakership.
"Governor Aumentado is also originally a member of the Nacionalista Party," he said.
Speaking before his new party mates, Villar recalled "that Bohol has produced a president who was also a Nacionalista" referring to former President Carlos P. Garcia.
Five other Philippine presidents came from the Nacionalista Party, Villar said.
Shortly after the merger of Lakas-CMD and Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) which dominates elective posts here in Bohol, presidential timber Senator Manuel Villar stormed its ranks.
As a result, 25 municipal mayors officially took their oaths under the re-organized Nacionalista Party of Villar during a grand political gathering at the Bohol Tropics Resort last May 31. Several vice mayors and municipal councilors also joined the party.
However, downplaying speculations that the dominant political coalition in the province is disintegrating, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera expressed confidence that a majority of the mayors would still "tow the line" once Gov. Erico Aumentado issues his "marching orders".
The governor is currently out of the country for an official trip with President Arroyo and some members of her Cabinet.
While he did not disregard the possibility that the governor may also join Villar's Nacionalista Party, Herrera said he will stand by Aumentado's decision.
"We respect the decision of the mayors who have decided to join Villar's party but I don't really think our political alliance is splitting up," Herrera stressed.
The vice governor disclosed that he conferred with some of the mayors who joined Nacionalista and most, if not all, of them still believed in a united leadership for the province.
However, he said, each one has to consider what political party could carry them to victory in next year's polls.
According to Herrera, the mayors said that the formula of unity among Bohol's top officials led by Aumentado brought more gains in the province in terms of programs and projects.
Reports reaching the Chronicle revealed that aside from the 25 mayors who coalesced with the Nacionalista Party, there are eight other town executives who have signified their intention of joining Villar's group.
As the Nacionalista Party has admitted that it is on a massive recruitment of incumbent politicians to realize its dream of forming the biggest political party in the country, there is possibility that three other Lakas-Kampi stalwarts would jump ship - First District Rep. Edgar Chatto, Second District Rep. Roberto Cajes and former congressman Eladio Jala who has announced his bid to reclaim the Third District Congressional seat vice his son Rep. Adam Relson Jala.
Political observers see that the exodus of mayors, vice mayors and councilors to Nacionalista also pose a problem over choosing an official candidate for governor if Bohol's Big Five (Aumentado, Herrera, Chatto, Cajes and Jala) will opt to stick together and choose a common candidate for governor be it under the banner of Lakas-Kampi or Nacionalista.
Both Herrera and Chatto are eyeing the position. Herrera earlier declared he is open to talks with Chatto's camp just to keep the unified leadership in the province.
In an interview with the Chronicle, Carmen Mayor Manuel Molina bared that of those who took their oaths under the Nacionalista Party, six town mayors from the First Congressional District, seven from the Second Congressional District, and 12 from the Third Congressional District.
They were: Albur Mayor Cirilo Jalad, Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy, Calape Mayor Simplicio Yu Jr., Corella Mayor Vito Rapal, Cortes Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy, Sikatuna Mayor Ireneo Calimpusan, Buenavista Mayor Elsa Tirol, Clarin Mayor Hermogenes Diezon, Dagohoy Mayor Herminio Relampagos, Getafe Mayor Theresa Camacho, San Isidro Mayor Apolinar Gumanid, San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bonior, Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, Sierra Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado, Pilar Mayor Wilson Pajo, Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora Jr., Mabini Mayor Stephen Rances, Alicia Mayor Pedro Miasco, Anda Mayor Paulino Amper, Batuan Mayor Gregoria Pepito, Bilar Mayor Fanuel Cadelina, Duero Mayor Manuel Tan, Guindulman Mayor Ma. Fe Piezas and Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren.
Mayors Jose Jono Jumamoy (Inabanga), Juanario Item (Talibon) and Ceferino Digal (Sevilla) also expressed intent to join the group but failed to attend the meeting while Sagbayan Mayor Jimmy Torrefranca, a last termer, chose to stay with Lakas while allowing his daughter and Vice Mayor Valerie Ann Narona to join the Nacionalista group.
Molina, who is an original member of Nacionalista, added that he is confident other town mayors, vice mayors and councilors will join them in the next few months.
Although he cannot say that Gov. Aumentado will also support Villar, Molina said "it is likely [the governor] will support him".
Molina recalled that Aumentado has close ties with Villar, as the former served as Deputy Speaker for the Visayas at the House of Representatives when Villar was House Speaker. The governor was also chairman of the powerful House committee on appropriations under Villar's Speakership.
"Governor Aumentado is also originally a member of the Nacionalista Party," he said.
Speaking before his new party mates, Villar recalled "that Bohol has produced a president who was also a Nacionalista" referring to former President Carlos P. Garcia.
Five other Philippine presidents came from the Nacionalista Party, Villar said.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
‘Swine flu’ victim hits health officials
The slow and confusing response of health authorities literally put in a dilemma a 33-year old pregnant woman, who is the first confirmed case of the Influenza A(H1N1) in the province.
Meanwhile, health officials are now closely monitoring a second possible case in one of the coastal towns but assured that the person suspected to be afflicted of the virus has submitted to self-quarantine procedures.
The woman arrived in Bohol from California last May 23 but developed fever after she went swimming. She decided to seek medical treatment at a city hospital taking extra care as she is in her second month of pregnancy.
However, the balikbayan criticized the "lousy" response of health workers to her case.
She was admitted to a private hospital on May 25 but the Department of Health (DOH) regional office took respiratory swab samples from her only three days later (May 28).
The hospital management immediately informed the Provincial Health Office and the City health office on the day the balibayan-patient was admitted at the hospital.
The woman was discharged from the hospital at noontime of June 1 after the regional DOH representative authorized him to check out from the hospital even if she was not given the findings on whether she got inflicted with the virus. The patient recuperated from the fever when the DOH-7 representative, identified as Reinan Cimafranca issued her the clearance to checkout from the hospital on June 1 even if there was no result yet on the swab lab test.
The confirmation came eight days after the swab sample was taken by a team from the DOH regional office.
"Their response was so delayed and I had to wait several days for the confirmatory results," she said.
Although the fatality rate of this particular influenza virus is below one percent of recorded cases, the victim felt her life and that of her unborn child were unnecessarily put in danger.
What fueled her distress even more was the announcement of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot over the airlanes last Friday that health authorities have been trying to locate her to prevent the spread of the virus.
In an interview with the Chronicle, the woman said she did not expect she had A(H1N1) until she received the information from Renan Cimafranca of DOH-7 last Thursday.
This was confirmed by Cimafranca in a separate interview by the Chronicle that he received the laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on Thursday morning which showed that the pregnant woman tested positive of A(H1N1).
Cimafranca said he took a second swab sample from the victim on the same day as it is the standard procedure for confirmed cases in order to re-check if the victim is still positive of the virus. He added that the result of the second test will come out two to three days.
The lack of coordination between the regional health team and the provincial health office was noted when Cabagnot announced that the victim's whereabouts was still unknown even as the regional team was already in contact with her.
Even Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera (presently the acting governor), called out for an emergency meeting with provincial health officers, the Bohol Provincial Police Office and municipal mayors to locate the balikbayan.
The victim said that at the onset of a fever, she went out for swimming and thought she just developed a fever out of being exhausted from the summer heat at the beach.
The release of the patient without being declared as H1N1-free became the subject of complaints by the public who were monitoring over dyRD the first confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) case in the province.
CASE NO. 2?
Reports are verified on another suspected case of A(H1N1) who is reportedly residing in one of the eastern coastal towns.
Dr. Cabagnot disclosed that swab samples have been taken from the suspected case but the laboratory findings from RITM is still pending.
The provincial health officer declined to disclose more information about the patient who has exhibited flu-like symptoms but assured it is under control.
DOH APOLOGY
In a press conference last Friday, regional health officials apologized for "the inconvenience we have caused" to the 2-month pregnant suspected to have the virus.
The DOH pointed to the problem with shipping out the swab samples to the RITM in Muntinlupa City and the numerous samples that its laboratory had to test. After samples test positive, the laboratory technicians have still to re-run tests for verification.
Health authorities said they are taking the case "with caution" in order not to compromise pregnancy.
According to Cimafranca, contact tracing of all those who had contact with the pregnant woman is still ongoing and they are given medication.
CONDITION IMPROVING
Cimafranca disclosed that since the woman was admitted last May 25, her condition is constantly improving.
"There is no problem right now and we are in constant communication with her and her family to monitor their condition," Cimafranca assured.
He said they could not give an antiviral medication to the woman since she is in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Cimafranca said it is not necessary to confine her to a hospital. Aside from her improving condition, her residence is ideal for containment of the virus.
In fact, Cimafranca added, the balikbayan agreed for self-quarantine in her home and she is also limiting her visitors.
The DOH is coordinating with the Tagbilaran City Health Office and Dauis Rural Health Unit for the "thorough monitoring" of the woman's contacts since her arrival here last May 23.
"But based on our tracing so far, nobody has exhibited symptoms of flu or developed influenza-like illness," he said.
VOLUNTARY TESTING
Vice Gov. Herrera urged all those who may have come into contact with the woman to voluntarily submit to medical tests.
Asked regarding another suspected case of A(H1N1) in the province, Herrera assured that the person has already submitted to self-quarantine measures.
The acting governor advised Boholanos to take precautions such as frequent hand-washing saying the Influenza A(H1N1) virus could spread easily.
DENGUE MORE DANGEROUS
In trying to allay public fears over the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, Dr. Cabagnot said the public must also be equally vigilant against dengue fever which is more deadly.
Cabagnot said dengue is more fatal and that cases continue to be recorded in the province since January this year.
Although cases are lower than the preceding year, dengue prevention remains a top priority of health officials.
WHAT TO DO
As the Department of Health (DoH) already appropriately handled Bohol's index AH1N1 case, the provincial health officer turned to strengthening public awareness to allay fears and unnecessary panic among the Boholanos who are afraid that they might also catch the infection.
Cabagnot clarified that AH1N1 is spread through droplet infection. He said this calls for the covering of the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, frequent washing of the hands, taking a bath once or even twice daily and general personal hygiene.
He also strongly urges for the meantime social distancing - less beso-beso (cheek-to-cheek kisses or smacks), handshakes and bear hugs with relatives and friends coming in from countries with confirmed AH1N1 cases.
He likewise suggests to persons developing flu-like symptoms with diarrhea, especially those who made contacts with relatives and friends from AH1N1 positive countries to submit to medical check ups.
He said the swine flu virus is less fearsome or dreadful than rabies, dengue or pneumonia. Mortality of AH1N1 remains at 0.8 or less than one for every 1,000 population affected.
Just like any other opportunistic disease however AH1N1 is fatal to a person with lowered immune system and those with lesser resistance like the elderly and the very young children.
He asks for the full cooperation of the mayors, local officials and municipal health officers for the widest dissemination of the suggested steps to take to avoid the infection.
"I will also suggest to Gov. Erico Aumentado the issuance of an executive order adopting the national technical guidelines, standards and other interactions for reference in the Pandemic Response to Influenza A(H1N1) that Sec. Duque has released, with modifications to make them more suited to the Bohol situation," he said.
Asked if he will suggest that the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) or the global conference of Boholanos in July ought to be postponed because of the virus threat, Herrera said the task force and the Sandugo festival organizers are in a better position to decide and announce the decision thereafter.
Meanwhile, health officials are now closely monitoring a second possible case in one of the coastal towns but assured that the person suspected to be afflicted of the virus has submitted to self-quarantine procedures.
The woman arrived in Bohol from California last May 23 but developed fever after she went swimming. She decided to seek medical treatment at a city hospital taking extra care as she is in her second month of pregnancy.
However, the balikbayan criticized the "lousy" response of health workers to her case.
She was admitted to a private hospital on May 25 but the Department of Health (DOH) regional office took respiratory swab samples from her only three days later (May 28).
The hospital management immediately informed the Provincial Health Office and the City health office on the day the balibayan-patient was admitted at the hospital.
The woman was discharged from the hospital at noontime of June 1 after the regional DOH representative authorized him to check out from the hospital even if she was not given the findings on whether she got inflicted with the virus. The patient recuperated from the fever when the DOH-7 representative, identified as Reinan Cimafranca issued her the clearance to checkout from the hospital on June 1 even if there was no result yet on the swab lab test.
The confirmation came eight days after the swab sample was taken by a team from the DOH regional office.
"Their response was so delayed and I had to wait several days for the confirmatory results," she said.
Although the fatality rate of this particular influenza virus is below one percent of recorded cases, the victim felt her life and that of her unborn child were unnecessarily put in danger.
What fueled her distress even more was the announcement of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot over the airlanes last Friday that health authorities have been trying to locate her to prevent the spread of the virus.
In an interview with the Chronicle, the woman said she did not expect she had A(H1N1) until she received the information from Renan Cimafranca of DOH-7 last Thursday.
This was confirmed by Cimafranca in a separate interview by the Chronicle that he received the laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on Thursday morning which showed that the pregnant woman tested positive of A(H1N1).
Cimafranca said he took a second swab sample from the victim on the same day as it is the standard procedure for confirmed cases in order to re-check if the victim is still positive of the virus. He added that the result of the second test will come out two to three days.
The lack of coordination between the regional health team and the provincial health office was noted when Cabagnot announced that the victim's whereabouts was still unknown even as the regional team was already in contact with her.
Even Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera (presently the acting governor), called out for an emergency meeting with provincial health officers, the Bohol Provincial Police Office and municipal mayors to locate the balikbayan.
The victim said that at the onset of a fever, she went out for swimming and thought she just developed a fever out of being exhausted from the summer heat at the beach.
The release of the patient without being declared as H1N1-free became the subject of complaints by the public who were monitoring over dyRD the first confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) case in the province.
CASE NO. 2?
Reports are verified on another suspected case of A(H1N1) who is reportedly residing in one of the eastern coastal towns.
Dr. Cabagnot disclosed that swab samples have been taken from the suspected case but the laboratory findings from RITM is still pending.
The provincial health officer declined to disclose more information about the patient who has exhibited flu-like symptoms but assured it is under control.
DOH APOLOGY
In a press conference last Friday, regional health officials apologized for "the inconvenience we have caused" to the 2-month pregnant suspected to have the virus.
The DOH pointed to the problem with shipping out the swab samples to the RITM in Muntinlupa City and the numerous samples that its laboratory had to test. After samples test positive, the laboratory technicians have still to re-run tests for verification.
Health authorities said they are taking the case "with caution" in order not to compromise pregnancy.
According to Cimafranca, contact tracing of all those who had contact with the pregnant woman is still ongoing and they are given medication.
CONDITION IMPROVING
Cimafranca disclosed that since the woman was admitted last May 25, her condition is constantly improving.
"There is no problem right now and we are in constant communication with her and her family to monitor their condition," Cimafranca assured.
He said they could not give an antiviral medication to the woman since she is in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Cimafranca said it is not necessary to confine her to a hospital. Aside from her improving condition, her residence is ideal for containment of the virus.
In fact, Cimafranca added, the balikbayan agreed for self-quarantine in her home and she is also limiting her visitors.
The DOH is coordinating with the Tagbilaran City Health Office and Dauis Rural Health Unit for the "thorough monitoring" of the woman's contacts since her arrival here last May 23.
"But based on our tracing so far, nobody has exhibited symptoms of flu or developed influenza-like illness," he said.
VOLUNTARY TESTING
Vice Gov. Herrera urged all those who may have come into contact with the woman to voluntarily submit to medical tests.
Asked regarding another suspected case of A(H1N1) in the province, Herrera assured that the person has already submitted to self-quarantine measures.
The acting governor advised Boholanos to take precautions such as frequent hand-washing saying the Influenza A(H1N1) virus could spread easily.
DENGUE MORE DANGEROUS
In trying to allay public fears over the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, Dr. Cabagnot said the public must also be equally vigilant against dengue fever which is more deadly.
Cabagnot said dengue is more fatal and that cases continue to be recorded in the province since January this year.
Although cases are lower than the preceding year, dengue prevention remains a top priority of health officials.
WHAT TO DO
As the Department of Health (DoH) already appropriately handled Bohol's index AH1N1 case, the provincial health officer turned to strengthening public awareness to allay fears and unnecessary panic among the Boholanos who are afraid that they might also catch the infection.
Cabagnot clarified that AH1N1 is spread through droplet infection. He said this calls for the covering of the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, frequent washing of the hands, taking a bath once or even twice daily and general personal hygiene.
He also strongly urges for the meantime social distancing - less beso-beso (cheek-to-cheek kisses or smacks), handshakes and bear hugs with relatives and friends coming in from countries with confirmed AH1N1 cases.
He likewise suggests to persons developing flu-like symptoms with diarrhea, especially those who made contacts with relatives and friends from AH1N1 positive countries to submit to medical check ups.
He said the swine flu virus is less fearsome or dreadful than rabies, dengue or pneumonia. Mortality of AH1N1 remains at 0.8 or less than one for every 1,000 population affected.
Just like any other opportunistic disease however AH1N1 is fatal to a person with lowered immune system and those with lesser resistance like the elderly and the very young children.
He asks for the full cooperation of the mayors, local officials and municipal health officers for the widest dissemination of the suggested steps to take to avoid the infection.
"I will also suggest to Gov. Erico Aumentado the issuance of an executive order adopting the national technical guidelines, standards and other interactions for reference in the Pandemic Response to Influenza A(H1N1) that Sec. Duque has released, with modifications to make them more suited to the Bohol situation," he said.
Asked if he will suggest that the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) or the global conference of Boholanos in July ought to be postponed because of the virus threat, Herrera said the task force and the Sandugo festival organizers are in a better position to decide and announce the decision thereafter.
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