NegOr beauties vie for Tourism Ambassadors
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos with reports from Liam Vrent Lumogdang
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) Ten candidates vie for the title Mr. and Miss Tourism Ambassadors Negros Oriental on September 23 at 7:00 p.m. Sidlakang Negros Village, Piapi, Dumaguete City.
The activity is part of the Tourism Month celebration, which kicked off last Sunday with the press launching of the candidates for “Media Choice” at Robinson’s Place Dumaguete.
The Provincial Tourism Office introduced the aspirants to the press after which they were asked on relevant tourism issues in relation this year’s theme, “Tourism: Linking Cultures.”
“The importance of linking cultures is it unites the people in a society which will promote good values to all especially the children,” said Mark Anthony Jones of Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT), one of the official candidates for the search for Mr. and Miss Tourism Ambassadors in the province.
Mr Tourism Ambassador aspirant from St. Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD) described Negros Oriental as simple yet extraordinary with wonderful tourist destinations and attraction that can offer to visitors.
On the other hand, when asked his plans if he wins the competition, Mr. Antonio Bendal of Foundation University (FU) said, “ to promote the tourism industry of the province such as create tour packages for the tourist because one of the problems is lack of transportation for easy access and enjoy the attractions .”
In the end, the two candidates shined with wit and personality and awarded as the “Media Choice” are Mr. Audison Aranas (SPUD) and Ms. Sheen Diaz (NORSU).
The following candidates include Ivy Condes Clemente and Mark Anthony Jones, both from ACSAT; Jonabel Pacolanang and Dominic Jason Ada of Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria (COSCA); Salamatu Yushawu and Mr. Antonio Bendal Jr. from Foundation University (FU); Sheen Diaz and Jonathan Suico from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU); and Seana Roxanne Park and Audison Aranas Jr. from St. Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD).
This event, sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Negros Oriental Tourism Office and the Tourism Educators Council of Negros Oriental in observance also the World Tourism Day celebration on September 27. (PIA NegOr/JCT/lvl)
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NegOr Gov moves to decongest provincial hospital
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) --- Gov. Roel Degamo has urged the chiefs of government hospitals in Negros Oriental to strengthen the referral system to address the growing congestion problem at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) in Dumaguete City.
In a meeting with the hospital chiefs held Sept. 20, the governor instructed the chiefs of the seven district hospitals here to refrain from referring patients to NOPH if they can handle the needed medical procedure in their hospital.
The move is aimed at reducing the volume of patients flocking to the overcrowded NOPH in Dumaguete City.
“It has been observed that one of the reasons for the congestion problem at NOPH is the influx of patients from other towns and cities seeking medical services which the district hospital in their area can handle,” said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo in an interview with Philippine Information Agency.
District hospitals are capable of handling secondary and primary health services such as caesarean and normal birth delivery or appendectomy, said Sedillo.
Gov. Degamo, however, clarified during the meeting that NOPH would not turn away any patient seeking medical care, even if they come from an area where there is a district hospital that can treat them.
NOPH is a Tertiary Level 1 government-run hospital located in Dumaguete City, the capital city of Negros Oriental, with a 250-bed capacity.
However, in the past years, the hospital has been treating patients more than its capacity. Quoting figures given by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Felix Sy, in-charge of NOPH operations, Sedillo said NOPH handles an average of up to 350 patients per day.
“This is based on their admission records. Dr. Sy said that it can even go up to 500 patients at one given time,” he said.
The congestion problem has worsened recently with the ongoing construction work for the new Central Block section, which has affected some portions of the NOPH main building.
The doctors also agreed during said meeting to rotate the four anesthesiologists of NOPH among the seven district hospitals in Bayawan City, Siaton, Bindoy, Guihulngan, Canlaon City, Bais City and Mabinay.
Private consultants at NOPH was also advised to refrain from bringing their patients to the hospital especially for cases requiring surgeries.
Sedillo said the governor also instructed Dr. Sy to closely monitor the daily influx of patients at NOPH to check if the improved referral system has led to their desired result of decongesting said hospital’s patient admissions.
Hospital records show that around 40% of the patients admitted at NOPH come from Dumaguete City, 10% from other provinces and the rest from other towns and cities in Negros Oriental.
Gov. Degamo also sought the cooperation of local chief executives who, Sedillo said, are directly involved in the management of the district hospitals in the province under the district health system. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Campus writers invited to join EU feature writing contest
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) --- The European Union (EU) in the Philippines is inviting Filipino campus writers and college students to join this year’s Feature Writing Contest about the EU in the Philippines.
Open to campus journalists and college students, the contest grand winner will get the chance to see his or her work published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer and receive €500, trophy and a medal as prizes.
The winner’s school, college or institution will also receive a certificate of merit.
Entries must be typewritten in feature format and in English with a minimum of 700 words and a maximum of 1,000 words on A4 size bondpaper, using MS Word, font size 12, Times New Roman font and double-spaced with 3/4th-inch margins top and bottom and half-inch margins left and right.
The submitted article must adhere to the general theme: “The European Union and Its Impact in the Philippines” and may focus on the EU and its bilateral relations (political, economic, trade, and cultural relations) with the Philippines and on any of the EU’s programmes in the country. Information sources and interviews must be cited in the article.
Contestants may visit the following website for reference:http://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines.
Entries must be written anytime from June to October 2011.
Entries should be placed in a letter-envelope addressed and sent via registered mail, or personally delivered with signed receipts to: Press and Information, The European Union Delegation to the Philippines, 30th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Tower II, Makati City.
All entries must be received on or before October 14, 2011.
The chosen six finalists shall be required to attend the awarding ceremonies to be held in October 2011 at the University of the Philippines, Dilliman, Quezon City.