Liza Rico

VAPING MUST BE STRICTLY REGULATED — ADVOCATES

Posted by Liza Rico | Mar 6, 2020 |

#Vapenotsafe #Besafedontvape #Vapingkills Vaping is the act of inhaling vapor from an electronic cigarette, as a substitute for the real one. It is now popular among the youth, so popular that it has become a public health concern. Republic Act (RA) 11467 has been enacted, but awaiting implementation, particularly the regulatory provisions for vaping or using e-cigarettes. RA 11467 is a landmark legislation that imposes higher excise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). The key regulatory provisions of RA 11467 includes the mandate for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate e-cigarettes, HTP’s, ban on sale...

SIX LADIES RECEIVE AWARDS FROM DOST-NEWTON SCHOLARSHIP

Posted by Liza Rico | Feb 29, 2020 |

Six lady researchers were granted the prestigious 2019 DOST-Newton PhD Scholarship here at Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City last Friday, last February 26, 2020. Criteria for the choice was not gender-related, but based on the merits of their research proposals. These ladies have excelled in their respective fields, and their Scholarships at renowned universities granted to them would make a difference to our future, and the future of our youth. The enhancement of the molecular surveillance and diagnostics of dengue virus is the expertise of Maria Jowina Galarion, from UP manila. To understand the nature of rabies,...

BETTER HEALTH CARE FOR FILIPINOS THRU PHILHEALTH

Posted by Liza Rico | Feb 27, 2020 |

On its 25th anniversary themed as “Philhealth @25: Panatag na Segurong Pangkalusugan sa Bawa’t Filipino”, Philhealth assures us its continuing commitment to serve the social health insurance needs of Filipinos here and abroad. KONSULTA — Philhealth’s Flagship Program For 2020 KONSULTA is an acronym which stands for Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama. It is a program that prioritizes preventive care services. Because it is by far better and more effective to avoid illness than to deal with it when it comes, KONSULTA will make available for every Filipino, young and old, the standard services. This will include initial and follow-up consultations, laboratory tests, and health risk screening and assessment. KONSULTA will also provide for needy members anti-microbial, anti-asthma, fluid and electrolytes, antipyretics, anti-dislipidemia, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive medicines. A full rollout on this program is anticipated in the second half of this year. Philhealth Response To COVID-19 During the National Health Insurance Program Month, which incidentally coincides with Philhealth’s 25th anniversary, the Board of Directors has tackled the issue of Covid-19. They have approved a benefit package for member-patients under investigation (PUI’s) for possible COVID-19 infection who are admitted in health care facilities for isolation and quarantine as advised by competent doctors. For severe, moderate to high-risk infections, Philhealth will cover the attendant medical costs. Philhealth is now paying P14,000 for COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 can be prevented by observing cleanliness and...

TEEN PREGNANCIES ON THE RISE

Posted by Liza Rico | Feb 23, 2020 |

Children having children — very young adolescents ages 10 – 14 getting pregnant continue to rise, based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). As of 2010, teen pregnancies at ages 10 – 14 were 1,324, and in 2018, rose to 2,250. Teen pregnancies in the 15-19 age bracket was 206,574 in 2010, and 181,717 in 2018. In a recent Senate hearing on various Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Bills, POPCOM chief and Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III pointed out to the lawmakers that there are about 130,000 teen pregnancies who were fathered by men who are 20...

A VALENTINE MESSAGE TO TEENS FROM POPCOM

Posted by Liza Rico | Feb 22, 2020 |

“Piliin ang pangarap, huwag ang panandalian sarap” (Always choose your dreams and aspirations over a moment’s pleasure.) This was POPCOM Usec Juan Antonio Perez III ‘s message to young people, mostly college students, passing by LRT-2 Legarda station as he handed out symbolic roses to them on Valentine’s day. Perez told reporters that staging the event at an LRT train station was apt, as it urged teenagers to heed the warning signs of a railway. Stop — pause, and look beyond the present Look — consider the possible costs and consequenses of their rash actions Listen —...

SEARCH FOR THE VIDEOKE KING & QUEEN

Posted by Liza Rico | Jan 17, 2015 |

In conjunction with the National Time Consciousness Week, PAGASA held a Press Presentation featuring its Major Accomplishments for 2014 and its Priority Plans for 2015. Welcome Remarks were delivered by PAGASA Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente B. Malano, while the Closing Remarks were led by Dr. Flaviana D. Hilario, Acting Deputy Administrator for Research and Development, PAGASA . Ms. Venus R. Valdemoro was the Master of Ceremonies. Towards the end of the program was the most awaited Search for the Videoke King and Queen. Champions for the Search were Mr. Raffy R. Rico of noonbreakbalita.com for the Men’s division, and...

HEALTHY EATING TIPS FOR DIABETICS THIS CHRISTMAS

Posted by Liza Rico | Dec 3, 2014 |

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that leads to high blood sugar level due to the abnormal handling of food and nutrients by the body. It could be Type 1 or Type 2. You (or your doctor) will be able to know you have it if you thirst a lot, pee a lot, lose weight but always hungry, and itch a lot. These are some of the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus. A specific blood test will be required to confirm. Risk factors of Diabetes includes lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, being overweight, and family history of the disease. Now that...

YOU CAN’T GET EBOLA FROM SYMPTOMLESS INDIVIDUALS

Posted by Liza Rico | Nov 29, 2014 |

Humans cannot infect other people until symptoms of Ebola appear. A person must have symptoms to spread the disease to others. This is the assurance given as a public advisory by the PSMID (Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases), who works hand in hand with WHO and DOH in safeguarding the public against the deadly EVD, or Ebola Virus Disease. This advice comes to allay fears looming among local citizens in the wake of the returning Peacekeepers who were quarantined and visited. EVD is contagious, has a fast onset, and is often fatal if untreated. The present outbreak is located in West Africa and has spread between countries starting in Guinea, then to Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Mali. The Philippines remains Ebola-free and to date no case has been identified or confirmed in the country. How does Ebola Spread? Ebola can only be spread from one person to another by direct contact to broken skin, or unprotected mucous membranes like the eyes, ears, and nose. Direct contact includes body fluids and objects from a person who has Ebola and has symptoms. Examples of body fluids are: blood, urine, saliva, vomit, feces, sweat, breast milk, and semen. Objects contaminated with such body fluids may be syringes, needles, beddings, or clothings. The time interval from the point when the virus enters the body to the time when the person develops...

Alfredo Verzosa: A Saint in our Own Time

Posted by Liza Rico | Oct 25, 2014 |

After the canonizations of Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, we have another one due for beatification. This time, he belongs to our era, someone who have rubbed elbows with the contemporaries of our parents and grandparents. Bishop Alfredo Verzosa (born 1877, died 1954) has experienced the atrocities of World War II, and witnessed the miraculous manifestations of the rose petals of Lipa. But that is getting ahead of the story. Alfredo Verzosa was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, on December 9, 1877 from the well-to-do Verzosa clan. The family, being a seedbed for his sanctity, was deeply religious....

Author: Liza Rico