Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Philippine November Holidays 2009

If you are thinking for a vacation this coming November, here are the scheduled public holidays as declared by the President.

October 31 to November 2 - In observance of All Saints' day and All Souls' day.
November 27 to November 28 - Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.
November 30 - Bonifacio Day.

I hope you enjoy your long weekends. SPEND - it drives the economy.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Leptospirosis Philippines Outbreak - Death Toll at 89

The Department Of Health have declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in three barangays in Marikina as the death toll hit 89 cases. The three barangays are Tumana, Concepcion and Malanday. Secretary of Health, Francisco Duque III said the number of leptospirosis cases in public hospitals rose tremendously from 140 to 1027 between October 12 to 15.

The death toll from leptospirosis reached 89 as cases of the flood-borne disease in Metro Manila and flooded provinces rose tenfold in the past three days, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

“Cases of leptospirosis have really shot up these past few days. In fact, the Metro Manila figure even exceeded the 812 nationwide admissions in government hospitals for the whole of last year,” Duque further added.

“As we start to see in the National Capital Region (NCR), we also expect a lot of cases in the communities in Rizal, which make up the biggest number of barangays still under water at this time,” Duque noted.

“Although fewer than five cases were recorded in each barangay, we declared an outbreak because those areas had zero incidence of the infection last year,” Duque said.

According to Secretary Duque, at least 1.7 million people are at risk of acquiring leptospirosis since many areas in Metro Manila and CALABARZON are still submerged. He further believed that at least 3000 cases will be infected by the disease.

“We expect 3,800 people to get the infection and of this number, 3,040 will suffer uncomplicated symptoms while the rest will manifest complicated symptoms that would require them to undergo dialysis or face eventual death,” Duque said.

In response of the DOH to prevent the increase of leptospirosis, the department is giving 100 mg prophylaxis capsule to people at risk. “For the next three weeks, we will be giving 100 mg. prophylaxis capsule once a week to those at risk of acquiring the infection,”.

Medical experts clarified that the prophylaxis would only protect the people for a week, thus they are encouraged to avoid wading in floodwaters, especially if they have an open wound.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Increase in Leptospirosis Disease in Flood Stricken Area

The Department of Health told the press that there is a total of almost 400 cases of leptospirosis in Metro Manila after two weeks that Ondoy has devasted the country

As of October 12, the Department of Health has recorded 383 cases in nine hospitals in Metro Manila.

These are the East Avenue Medical Center (69 cases), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (1), Manila Doctor’s Hospital (10), The Medical City (70), National Kidney and Transplant Institute (28), Quirino Memorial Medical Center (18), Philippine General Hospital (17), Rizal Medical Center (13) and San Lazaro Hospital (157).

“We strongly advise anyone who has a history of wading in the recent floods and who has the symptoms of the disease to consult at once at the nearest doctor or health facility for treatment,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in an interview.

“This is a cause for concern since this surge in the number of cases reported by only nine Metro Manila hospitals already represents about half of last year’s annual figures,” the Secretary further added.

For the information of the general public here are some facts about leptospirosis from DHPE.org

Leptospirosis [lep-to-spy-RO-sis] is a potentially serious bacterial illness that is most common in the tropics. Leptospirosis can affect many parts of the body.
Infected wild and domestic animals pass leptospirosis-causing bacteria in their urine.

People get leptospirosis by contact with fresh water, wet soil, or vegetation that has been contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics.
To prevent leptospirosis, minimize contact with fresh water and mud that might be contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a potentially serious illness that can affect many parts of the body.

What is the infectious agent that causes leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans, a corkscrew-shaped bacterium (spirochete).

Where is leptospirosis found?

Leptospirosis-causing bacteria are common worldwide, especially in tropical countries with heavy rainfall. Infected rodents and other wild and domestic animals pass the bacteria in their urine. The bacteria can live for a long time in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation, and mud. Flooding after heavy rainfall helps spread the bacteria in the environment.

How is leptospirosis spread?

People get leptospirosis by contact with fresh water, damp soil, or vegetation contaminated by the urine of infected animals. People who canoe, raft, wade, or swim in contaminated lakes, rivers, and streams can get leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is also a problem for people who work in contaminated flood plains or wet agricultural settings.

Leptospirosis bacteria can enter the body through broken skin and mucous membranes. The bacteria can also enter the body when a person swallows contaminated food or water, including water swallowed during water sports. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can reach all parts of the body and cause signs and symptoms of illness.

What are the signs and symptoms of leptospirosis?

Most infected persons have a mild to moderate illness that is like many other tropical diseases. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea and vomiting, eye inflammation, and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), kidney failure, and internal bleeding. People who are seriously ill with leptospirosis often need to be hospitalized.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms usually begin about 10 days after infection.

How is leptospirosis diagnosed?

Leptospirosis is diagnosed by a special blood test that is available through state health departments.

Who is at risk for leptospirosis?
People who take part in freshwater recreational activities in areas where leptospirosis is common, especially during the rainy season or in times of flooding
Farmers, workers in rice fields, sewer workers, and others whose jobs involve contact with water or mud that is contaminated by animal urine, especially the urine of rodents Veterinarians and others in contact with leptospirosis-affected animals

What complications can result from leptospirosis?

Severe or untreated leptospirosis can lead to organ system damage and, in rare cases, death.

What is the treatment for leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics. Treatment should be started as soon as possible. Severely ill persons might need intravenous antibiotic treatment and other supportive care.

How common is leptospirosis?

Mild leptospirosis is common in tropical countries where people have regular contact with fresh water and animals. The disease is under-diagnosed in the United States. The 50 to 150 cases reported each year are probably only a fraction of the total number of infections.

Is leptospirosis an emerging infectious disease?

Yes. Increased awareness of the disease has led to increased recognition. In 1995, after widespread flooding in Nicaragua, a leptospirosis epidemic killed at least 13 persons and made more than 2,000 others sick. In 1997, nine whitewater rafters from the United States were infected during a river trip in Costa Rica. Leptospirosis is also a problem in deteriorating inner cities that are infested with rats.

How can leptospirosis be prevented?

Minimize contact with fresh water, mud, and vegetation that might be contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents.
Wear protective clothing, such as waterproof boots or waders, when participating in recreational or work activities that might result in contact with contaminated water.

source: http://www.dhpe.org/infect/Lepto.html

Friday, October 9, 2009

Imelda Marcos Shoe Collection Survived Ondoy

During the destruction of typhoon Ondoy, a museum guard’s acting quickly saved part of former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos’s infamous shoe collection when huge floods devastated the nation’s capital.

In a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the staffs said that they moved the 200-pair of shoes displayed to the second floor before the flood waters started to enter into the ground floor of the Marikina Shoe Museum.

“A guard was able to take most of the pairs to the second floor. We will account for them in due time, but our priority right now is still the affected families,” it cited Mayor Marides Fernando of Marikina City during the interview.

Marikina City is the Philippines’ shoe production capital, was among the worst hit areas when Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) plunged record rains in and around Manila on Sept. 26, killing almost 300 people and thousands homeless.

Marcos’s shoe collection has become one of the most infamous symbols of the life of lavishness Imelda Marcos enjoyed during the 20-year reign of her husband, Ferdinand Marcos.

Picture Credits : Ramon Lopez at Flickr - visit ramonlopez for more photos.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Blackhouts Hits Metro Manila

As the country struggles to rise from the devastation of storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” Metro Manila and Rizal province are facing long power outages after a fire forced the shutdown of a power transformer in Taytay last Wednesday.

The rotating blackouts that the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) had hoped to end today are expected to drag on after three of its substations tripped “due to critical loading and in its attempt to shift load” to compensate for the shutdown of the Dolores substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

Meralco said the development “will result in longer duration of power outages in affected areas.”

Meralco, in a statement, said the three substations that conked out were Mandaluyong, Hillcrest and SM-Shangri-La.

“Both the NGCP and Meralco are doing everything to restore normal state of power,” the Meralco statement read. “We beg your indulgence for this inconvenience.”

Eleven cities and towns in eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province were subjected to rotating blackouts yesterday. Meralco had targeted to restore normal power today but its substations tripped.

The blackouts yesterday lasted three to four hours each twice a day in Makati, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and parts of Quezon City, and Binangonan, Taytay, Angono, Cainta, and Antipolo City in Rizal.

Read the full story at Yahoo News.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Emergency Hotline Numbers

Below are the list of telephone numbers and website links that are useful during emergency situations like typhoon and earthquake.

click here for the updated list -> EMERGENCY HOTLINE NUMBERS

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)
0917-7334256
912-5296
912-5668

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAG-ASA)

433-8526

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
304-3713

Department Of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
925-0343

Bureau of Fire Protection, National Capital Region
729-5166
410-6254
431-8859
407-1230

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
136
896-6000

Red Cross
143
911-1876

MERALCO
16220
0917-5592824

MWSS
888-8244

Department Of Education (DEPED)
638-4108

DSWD
852-8081
951-7119

Department Of Trade and Industry (DTI) Price Monitoring
751-3330

Philippine National Police (PNP)
117

Armed Forces of the Philippines
911-6001

Department Of Health (DOH)
743-8301

Philippine Coast Guard
527-3877

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)
580-8911

South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)
824-1924

Bookmark this page, you may need this in emergency cases.

Monday, October 5, 2009

DOLE to activate emergency employment program for Ondoy victims

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will set in place efforts to provide emergency wage employment to marginalized workers in areas hardest hit by Typhoon "Ondoy."

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque ordered the immediate activation of the DOLE's emergency employment assistance program geared at providing short-term and emergency wage employment to severely affected workers, particularly those who lost their income and livelihood due to "Ondoy."

Roque said the emergency employment program intends to initially assist at least 1,450 workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), and Regions 3 (Central Luzon) and 4-A (Calabarzon). He said DOLE personnel in the three regions have been mobilized to identify target beneficiaries in the typhoon-damaged areas in the three regions in coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs).

The program which is usually being activated during trying times, targets to benefit 100 workers each in Marikina, Quezon City, Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig; 50 each in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela in Camanava; and 50 each in Muntinlupa, San Juan, and Mandaluyong all in the NCR.

In Central Luzon, the program aims to assist 200 affected workers in Bulacan and another 100 in Pampanga. In Calabarzon, it seeks to help 150 affected workers in Cavite and another 100 affected workers in Rizal.

Roque said subsistence workers who lost their income and livelihood sources due to the calamity will be prioritized especially those whose properties were totally damaged and those formerly engaged in a particular craft or skill.

He said the program will provide the beneficiaries, through the LGUs, with emergency employment particularly in clearing and de-clogging operations and reconstruction efforts like the repairs of damaged infrastructure such as school buildings, daycare center, drainage, irrigation system, etc.

He added that the LGUs will identify the reconstruction projects where the target beneficiaries will be engaged into, adding they will be paid the minimum daily wage during the program's duration covering at least 15 days.

"It will serve as a bridging mechanism aimed at helping the beneficiaries cope while seeking to recover and regain their livelihood and income sources from the destruction brought about by "Ondoy." Roque said.

source: Information and Publication Service

Friday, October 2, 2009

Over 33,000 people evacuated due to 'Pepeng (PARMA)'

Some 33,230 persons residing in the areas located in the path of Typhoon Pepeng have already been evacuated by the government as of 6 p.m. Friday, National Disaster Coordinating Council spokesman Lt. Col Ernesto Torres said.

Torres said the affected residents, who are from the "risk areas," have been moved to higher grounds to prevent any casualty.

Of the 33,220 persons, more than half or 19,587 are from Region 5 (Bicol region), which has started to experience rains and flooding in some places.

At least 2,497 are from Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); 6,485 are from Region 3 (Central Luzon); and 4,661 are from Region 4a (Calabarzon Region).

Torres said they expect the figure to increase as the pre-emptive evacuations continue.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier ordered a preemptive and forced evacuation in anticipation of the onslaught of Typhoon Pepeng.



Source: PNA

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Collection of Videos during the Ondoy Typhoon

Here is a collection of different videos during the Typhoon Ondoy.

Trap At SM Centerpoint
carbotot
At around 9 am i was suppose to go to work at Sta Cruz Manila. I passed Aurora blvd coming from Broadway centrum. As I noticed tremedous rain and beginning flood, i decided to pull back and stay in SM Centerpoint until the rain stops..But it didn't... Contrary to what they did at Gotesco mall where they tried to let the people not to enter the mall because they said they are closing....The administration of SM allowed us to enter and stay inside the mall...They even allowed one of the moviehouse and the Hall of Bingo Bonanza as a resting place to prevent loittering and looting...Thanks to SM centerpoint.......Savior Mall



Ondoy Flood at UERM. Doctor trapped in SUV.
oddsalmon


Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) Hits Manila
riain
The heaviest rainfall on record. This was taken in front of the lobby of our apartment building in Makati! Elsewhere it's even worst! Comments by approval only. Too much abuse here.



Ondoy At Taytay, Rizal
jAyTriXz


Pamilya, Inanod ng Baha
cheersiya


In a related news from PAG-ASA, as of 4:00 am today, Typhoon "PEPENG" {PARMA} was located based on satellite and surface data at 270 km East of Virac, Catanduanes (14.0°N 127.0°E) with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 19 kph.



Affeted areas are strongly advised to take necessary precautions.
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