By: Dannilyn B. Enriquez Zamboanga City (PIA) - The Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) has significantly enhanced its healthcare services with the addition of a fully equipped cancer center, capable of accommodating chemotherapy sessions for various types of cancer patients. Moreover, the center offers financial assistance to those who are economically disadvantaged. According to recent reports from ZCMC, breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women in the region, with 20 confirmed cases in the first quarter of this year alone. "We want the public to be aware of our services and updates, as well as to address any concerns," said Dr. Shadrina Q. Tahil-Sarapuddin, Medical Specialist IV of ZCMC, during a recent Kapihan na Zamboanga event. The ZCMC is committed to ensuring high-quality healthcare for everyone, including marginalized sectors of the community. Dr. Sarapuddin emphasized that financially incapable patients could receive assistance if they meet the...

  SSS engages employees during RACE campaign By: Kevin Joey P. Canoy PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) - The Social Security System (SSS) - Pagadian branch engaged employees through the conduct of their monthly Run After Contribution Evaders(RACE) campaign, this city. The SSS-RACE team identified nine delinquent employers, issuing show cause orders to eight and noting that one employer had already achieved initial compliance prior to the campaign. Restaurant employee Ryan Caberti expressed appreciation for the campaign saying, “ Mas maayo gayud nga mianhi mo aron makamata sila [employer] nga naa diay memo ang SSS nga ginahatag.” (It is better that you came so that they [employer] will be aware that there is a notice that SSS is giving.) Caberti is pleased that the SSS had this campaign to remind the employers about their responsibilities. Similarly, cafe employee Virgin Sayago stated “Okay rapod ko ani nga RACE campaign kay ang SSS active gayud kaayo” . (I am okay with this R...

  By: Rommel B. Ignacio Zamboanga Peninsula (PIA) — The Department of Transportation (DOTr)-9's significant milestones over the past years were highlighted in the second episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas by the Philippine Information Agency Region (PIA)-9. Present at the program were the regional directors of DOTr’s attached agencies, including the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). Tommy Macadindang, regional director of LTFRB, emphasized in his message the key factors driving the ongoing enhancements aimed at prioritizing the welfare and convenience of commuters. “Investing in infrastructure development, enhancing public transport, adopting technology, improving accessibility, engaging communities, spurring economic developments, prioritizing safety and secu...

  By: Nilda T. Delos Reyes ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 9 is set to intensify its efforts to clear its backlog of license cards by July this year, aiming to achieve zero backlogs in its service delivery. According to LTO Region 9 Director, Nasser B. Ibrahim, during the Bagong Pilipinas Kapihan with the Philippine Information Agency, their office has been working tirelessly to reduce the backlog, which has been a major concern for motorists in the region.  The Regional Director expressed optimism that their office will be able to clear its backlog of license cards by July this year, citing the significant progress made so far. According to the LTO-9 data, as of May 2024, their office has cleared a total of 118,863 license cards leaving only 110,724 cards yet to be processed. "We aimed to become zero backlogs by July,” Director Ibrahim said. Land Transportation Office-9 hopes that the clearance of backlogs on license cards will bri...

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P5 billion for the Special Development Fund (SDF) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The release of the fund is in accordance with Section 2, Article XIV of Republic Act 11054, that the National Government shall provide the SDF with P5 billion annually, for a period of 10 years, to the BARMM Government “for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of its conflict-affected communities.” "Tulad po ng ipinangako ko, at alinsunod po sa tagubilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, patuloy po ang DBM na aalalay sa BARMM sa abot ng aming makakaya. We will ensure that we will help in its smooth transition process and strengthening its communities," Secretary Pangandaman said. “Umaasa po kami na magagamit ng wasto ang pondong ito para matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga komunidad sa BARMM. We hope that BARMM take...

Dos mil ka mga similya sa klase-klasing kahoy ug kawayan,     ang natanum sa halos kinyentos ka mga partisipante sa nagmalampusong gipahigayon nga nasudnong Bamboo and Tree Planting Activity didto sa Mt. Lab, barangay Sto. Niño dakbayan sa Dapitan kagahapon sa buntag, Setyembre 13.   Si Sto. Niño Brgy. Kapitan Crisologo Jumuad nagpasalamat sa kagamhanang probinsyal sa pagpangulo ni Governor Rosalina “Nanay Nene” Jalosjos uban sa mga kadagkoan niini lakip ang 50ka mga barangay sa dakbayan sa Dapitan.   Dako ang pasalamat ni Jumuad kay ang ilang barangay maoy nahimong gitamnan sa maong 2mil ka mga seedlings, bisan paman sa kabungtod  sa ilang lugar.   Asoy ni Kapitan Jumuad nga mismo ang mga barangay opisyales ang moatiman sa maong gipangtanum tungod kay daku kinig ikatabang ilabinag mudagko na ang mga kahoy.   Gibutyag sa Kapitan nga ang ilang barangay matag ting-init makabsan sila sa tubig sa ilang mga tubod ug nagtuo sila nga kon managko na ang m...

By Clennkei C. Peñalosa ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept 5 (PIA) – In response to the ongoing challenge to our country's health system, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) sets maximum hemodialysis benefit package up to 144 sessions for the year 2022 through PhilHealth Board Resolution No. 2718 s. 2022.   Philhealth-9 Benefit Administration Section Head, Dr. Jacob Maria D.V. Mendoza said the purpose of this Circular is to present the recommendations for outpatient hemodialysis that sets the maximum limit of hemodialysis up to 144 sessions for the year 2022. Before the resolution, only 90 sessions are covered in the hemodialysis benefit package but due to COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, PhilHealth increased its yearly hemodialysis coverage to 144 sessions which costs Php2,600 per session. He stressed this policy covers all PhilHealth members and their usual dependents with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) who are currently enrolled in the PhilHealth Dialysis Database (PDD). Thi...