PDRRMC: 34 dead, 83 missing in quake
By Jennifer C. Tilos
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Feb. 10 (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster Risks Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that as of 2:30 p.m. today, 34 persons were confirmed dead in the earthquake and landslide that hit the province this week.
The number of casualties was based on the actual body count. The PDRRMC also said that 83 persons are still missing, while 117 were injured.
The said casualties were from Guihulngan City, 13; La Libertad, 6; Jimalalud, 8; Tayasan, 3; Ayungon,2; and Manjuyod and Bindoy with one each.
About 11,576 families were affected; 34 houses totally damaged and 89 houses partially damaged. It is estimated that the quake’s cost of damage to infrastructure amounted to almost P637 million.
The army troopers of the Philippine Army’s search and rescue team has retrieved the body of a 21-year old girl, at Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad yesterday from the rubbles of the landslide covered houses.
Meanwhile, Brigade Commander Col. Patrimonio said that soldiers including reservists and CAFGUs have been deployed in the severely affected areas with landslide to continue conducting search, rescue and retrieval operations for the missing persons.
The rescue team brought three backhoes to Barangay Solonggon for the retrieval operations, while at least 20 soldiers still conducting clearing operations in the landslide area in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City despite of the suspension of the retrieval operations because of the risky situation, said Capt. Naz.
Likewise the Army’s 302 Brigade transported 100 sacks of relief goods donated by the Dumaguete City Press Club and were distributed to the victims in the municipalities of Ayungon, Tayasan and La Libertad in an ongoing relief operation.
Another 50 sacks of rice from the GMA Kapuso Foundation were also distributed to the people in the isolated affected areas for their basic survival needs to alleviate the living conditions of the victims.
Helicopters from the Philippine Air Force also extricated 15 survivors in the landslide areas and were evacuated safely.
Thirty boxes of drinking water were also airlifted to the affected areas in Guihulngan and La Libertad, today. (mbcn/jct/PIA-NegOr)
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Groups observe Intellectual Disability Month
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- To generate awareness on intellectual disability, the Differently-Abled Children’s Parents Association (DACPA) and the Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. (GPRehab) have lined up activities to observe the National Intellectual Disability month.
A symposium on “Making the Rights Real for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities” will be held at the College of Education of Silliman University, St. Paul University Dumaguete, Negros Oriental State University, and Foundation University.
Other activities include graphics design (with slogan) and essay writing contests; exhibit on Intellectual Disability at Robinsons Place Main Atrium on February 20-24; and buddy walk 2012 for Intellectual Disability on February 24.
Special education teachers and parents of children with intellectual disabilities will also do the rounds of radio stations to talk on the issue, said GPRehab referral program coordinator Rolando Villamero Jr.
Under Presidential Proclamation 157, February has been declared as National Intellectual Disability month.
Intellectual disability is a broad concept encompassing various intellectual deficits, including mental retardation, various specific conditions (such as specific learning disability), Down Syndrome, and problems acquired later in life through acquired brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.
“Let’s end discrimination and make our society more welcoming to persons with intellectual disabilities,” expressed Romy Catada, DACPA President and a guardian of a child with Down Syndrome. (mbcn/jct/PIA-Negros Oriental)
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TESDA sets up 'Specialista' info center for disaster victims in NegOr
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will set up a TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) information center at Robinson’s Place in Dumaguete City.
The center, according to TESDA Information Officer Geraldine Delos Reyes opens on February 11 to 25 to respond to queries from the public primarily Typhoon Sendong and earthquake victims who want to avail of the services of the TESDA ‘Specialistas.’
The Robinsons Place allows the establishment of the information center as part of its social responsibility programs in support to the government’s rehabilitation efforts for the calamity victims in Negros Oriental.
The TSTP aimed at organizing TESDA -trained and certified (NC II) graduates into small entrepreneurial groups to carry out their trade in the community with a reasonable fee.
These graduates form a group that TESDA will nurture in partnership with the local government units until such time that they can do business on their own, said Delos Reyes.
Delos Reyes said ten groups were already organized in the province and four community-based service groups in Dumaguete City of TESDA -trained and certified workers.
These are the trainees of Computer Hardware Servicing at Barangay Buñao; Automotive Servicing; Appliance Repair; and Building House/ Repair and Maintenance in barangay Batinguel.
In Sibulan town, Welding and Metal Fabrication Services; Computer Hardware Servicing; Bldg./House Repair & Maintenance and Appliance Repair were also formed.
For the cities of Bayawan and Tanjay, groups were organized on Building/ House Repair & Maintenance and Welding Metal Fabrication respectively.
Meanwhile, TESDA Provincial Director Toni June Tamayo made arrangements to put up two groupings in Building/House Repair and Maintenance and Welding & Metal Fabrication in Guihulngan City where there is a great need for these services considering that Guihulngan and the neighboring municipalities were badly hit by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on February 6, said Delos Reyes. (mbcn/jct/PIA-NegOr)