Influenza A (H1N1) contained – Golez

Malacañang today said that the influenza A (H1N1) has been contained.

In a radio interview this morning, Dr. Anthony Golez, deputy presidential
spokesperson also called on the people not to resort to panic-buying of
medicines amid the flu scare as the country has adequate stock of
anti-viral drugs.

He said the Department of Health (DOH) has one million pieces of anti-viral
drugs -- a stockpile that can be easily augmented through new procurements.

Golez, who is also deputy administrator of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council (NDCC), said the vigilance of the (DOH) in monitoring
and tracing those afflicted by the A (H1N1) has enabled the government to
control the spread of the virus.

He said the DOH’s aggressive contact-tracing of the first victim, who came
from the United States and those she came in contact with, made it possible
for health authorities to properly contain the virus from spreading.

“Based on its experience with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)
before, the DOH was able to adopt this contact-tracing procedure more
systematically and more aggressively with this new flu virus which, thanks
God, has not reached a pandemic or human-to-human transmission stage yet,”
Golez said.

The best thing that people can do is observe proper personal
hygiene—frequent and thorough hand-washing—and proper respiratory etiquette
in sneezing and coughing, he added.

Golez said he witnessed first-hand how contact-tracing was being used by
DOH with SARS cases. With its experience in reacting to SARS, including the
quarantining of actual and possible carrier of the virus, has helped the
health department contain the spread of influenza A (H1NI1).

But he pointed out that he sees no rest for the DOH and its workers
nationwide in the next few weeks as the country continues to raise the
ramparts against the spread of the virus.

He reiterated, however, that the supply of anti-viral drugs would not be a
problem. But he explained that when it comes to epidemics or pandemics, the
government handles the drugs and dispenses it only to those who have been
afflicted so as not to create artificial shortages of the needed medicines.

No need to panic because the AH1N1 is contained, Golez said.

Guimba, Nueva Ecija: New Vice Mayor installed

GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija - The vice mayor of this town, after serving for two years, was unseated.

This after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc dismissed the petition of the incumbent vice mayor in favor of the ruling of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 31 Judge Napoleon Sta. Romana.

Sta. Romana has declared Roseller De Guzman as the real winner over the initially proclaimed vice mayor Angelina Dela Cruz in the May 14, 2007 elections.

De Guzman took his oath of office before Gov. Aurelio Umali at the provincial Capitol before formally assuming his post as "duly elected vice mayor" of Guimba on Wednesday.

In his Nov. 26, 2007 decision, Sta. Romana ruled that De Guzman won over his rival, Angelina Dela Cruz.

"Wherefore, judgment is hereby rendered declaring the protestant, Roseller T. De Guzman, as the winner for the vice mayoralty position with plurality of 776 votes," part of the court's decision reads.

Dela Cruz was proclaimed winner by the municipal board of canvasser after the May 2007 voting.

But De Guzman filed the election protest before the RTC which in turn managed to issue a decision, consisting of 689 pages, within the six months regulatory period.

After the recount ot votes from numerous precincts, the court found De Guzman to have garnered 11,373 votes as against dela Cruz's 10,597 votes.

Dela Cruz appealed the Court decision to the Comelec. However, an order signed by Comelec Chairman Jose Melo and six other commissioners dismissed Dela Cruz's petition in an en banc resolution dated April 23, 2007.

De Guzman said the Comelec resolution prompted the RTC to issue a writ of execution on May 19, 2009.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) implemented the writ with Sheriff IV Inocencio Garampil III, said de Guzman.

7TH ID conducted awarding ceremony on Physical Fitness Test Challenge

Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija - The 7^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army conducted the awarding ceremony on its just concluded Physical Fitness Test Challenge on the flag raising ceremony on May 25, 2009 at infront Hqs, 7ID. The Physical Fitness Test Challenge at the 7ID was conducted to determine the physical ability and stamina of one soldier on the performance of his duty and responsibilities. PFT includes test on running and physical exercises (push up and sit up event).

As a result of the FT Challenge following individual are the best performer according to their age category:

Pfc Victoriano A Dimas (Inf) PA - 17 – 25 yrs old 71IB

Pfc Manuel I Pascual (Inf) PA - 26 – 30 yrs old 71IB

Cpl Manolo G Marquez (Inf) PA - 31 – 35 yrs old 71IB

Cpl Shane S Gregorio (Inf) PA - 41 – 44 yrs old 7MIBn

Msg Crispin A Dela Cruz (Inf) PA - 45 – 48 yrs old HHSBn

SMS Ignacio O Morales (Inf) PA - 49 – 52 yrs old 7MIBn

Tsg Precillano A Rica ((nf) PA - 53 yrs old 701Bde

Letter of recognition and monetary award were given to the deserving unit and individual by the Assistant Division Commander, COL RESTITUTO L AGUILAR (CAV) GSC PA.

“The conduct of PFT Challenge at 7ID is indeed a rewarding kind of activity for our soldiers. To regain our physical stamina and mental alertness were the good things brought by this challenge. As a physical fitness enthusiast, I encourage our soldier to participate with the physical fitness test every now and then and immerse himself with this kind of activity. A sound mind and body is a significant tool to performed well our task that is to serve our country and our fellowmen” said MGEN RALPH A VILLANUEVA, Commander, 7ID, PA.