Tag Archives: Health

[From the web] EcoWaste Coalition Appeals to Government of Pakistan to Stop Export of Banned Cosmetics with Mercury

EcoWaste Coalition Appeals to Government of Pakistan to Stop Export of Banned Cosmetics with Mercury

(Published on 16 February 2023 by EcoWaste Coalition)

In its latest bid to stop the proliferation of banned mercury-added cosmetics in the local market, including e-commerce sites, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition has sought the help of the Government of Pakistan.

Through a letter sent today via e-mail, the group requested the Government of Pakistan to help solve a public health problem involving the unlawful export to the Philippines of 17 “made in Pakistan” beauty creams with high levels of mercury in violation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The letter was addressed to Federal Minister Sherry Rehman of the Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC) and Mr. Syed Mujtaba Hussain, the country’s National Focal Point for the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

The mercury treaty, which includes Pakistan and the Philippines among the state parties, has set a phase-out date for cosmetics such as skin lightening products with mercury content above one ppm. The treaty stipulated 2020 as the date after which the manufacture, import or export of such mercury-added cosmetics shall not be allowed.

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[Statement] 10 years of the RH Law in the Philippines: A victory? | Roots of Health

STATEMENT: 10 years of the Reproductive Health Law in the Philippines: A victory?

Getting the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RH) enacted in the Philippines a decade ago was a hard-won battle.

The passage of the RH bill faced gargantuan opposition from powerful sectors and getting it passed seemed all but impossible. But realizing the law’s implementation has been tougher.

Maternal mortality has decreased slightly, but it’s still far above the Sustainable Development Goals target. It took ten years, but the Department of Education has finally disseminated a Comprehensive Sexuality Education curriculum. They are now training teachers to implement it. We are working with local schools to do just that.

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[From the web] Environmental group pushes for stricter regulation as illicit trade of mercury-added skin lighteners prevails | BAN Toxics

Environmental group pushes for stricter regulation as illicit trade of mercury-added skin lighteners prevails

BAN Toxics calls the attention of local authorities in Manila City after the group discovered the continued selling of Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene and Goree Day & Night Beauty Cream despite a public health warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA advised the public against the purchase and the use of Goree products which were tested and found to contain toxic mercury (Hg) levels beyond the 1 part per million (ppm) limit. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9711, the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising or sponsorship of health products without proper authorization from FDA is prohibited.

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[From the web] Groups Back Phase-Out of Toxic “Forever Chemicals” to Protect Women and Other Vulnerable Sectors | EcoWaste Coalition

Groups Back Phase-Out of Toxic “Forever Chemicals” to Protect Women and Other Vulnerable Sectors

Various civil society groups have joined forces to call for a global ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ahead of the World Environment Day. Also known as the “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not break down in the environment and build up in the bodies of humans and wildlife over time, resulting in adverse health effects.

At a webinar co-organized by the EcoWaste Coalition with the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Taiwan Watch Institute (TWI) and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), the groups pressed for a ban on PFAS as a class while conveying support for PFAS-free clothing, food packaging, cookware and other applications.

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[Statement] Teachers call for academic health break | TDC

Teachers call for academic health break

Field offices of the Department of Education (DepEd) are now intensifying the physical reporting of teaching personnel despite the fact that there are no essential tasks to be done in schools. This is a clear violation of DepEd’s own rule that says work-from-home (WFH) is the default set-up for classroom teachers. At the time of this writing, these DepEd offices are imposing physical reporting, while the country is experiencing record high COVID-19 infection.

At a time when these leaders should be focusing on the psychosocial well-being of teachers and students, it appears that to some offices, “normalcy of operation” outweighs the well-being, even the very lives of Filipinos. It is incomprehensible how oblivious DepEd officials can be of the danger of their choices.

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[From the web] EcoWaste Coalition Pushes for LGU Inspection of Ice and Cold Storage Plants Following Ammonia Gas Leaks in Two Facilities

#HumanRights #Safety #Health

EcoWaste Coalition Pushes for LGU Inspection of Ice and Cold Storage Plants Following Ammonia Gas Leaks in Two Facilities

The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate for chemical safety and environmental health, pressed local government units (LGUs) to immediately conduct inspections of ice and cold storage plants following ammonia gas leak incidents in Metro Manila and Batangas province last Wednesday.

On February 3, an ammonia gas leak from an ice plant in Navotas City led to the death of two workers, the hospitalization of close to 100 people, and the evacuation of some 3,000 nearby residents. Leakage from an ice plant in Lian Batangas on the same day caused the plants at an adjacent creek to wither and the fish to die.

Ammonia, particularly anhydrous ammonia, is a common refrigerant used in commercial and industrial facilities such as those involved in ice making, dairy products manufacturing and cold storage.

According to material safety data sheets, exposure to ammonia, a colorless, corrosive and highly irritating gas with suffocating smell, can irritate or burn the nose, throat and respiratory tract, eyes and skin, and cause dizziness and nausea among victims. Exposure to a high concentration of ammonia can be fatal.

“We call upon LGUs to conduct immediate inspection of ice and cold storage facilities in their areas of jurisdiction to prevent the possibility of chemical accidents in the future, as well as to reduce harm on workers, residents and the environment,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

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[Press Release] Toxics Watchdog Group Exposes Online Sale of Liquid Mercury and Mercury-Added Products -EcoWaste Coalition

#HumanRights #Health [Press Release] Toxics Watchdog Group Exposes Online Sale of Liquid Mercury and Mercury-Added Products

It’s not only mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics that are being sold online.

The EcoWaste Coalition made the shocking discovery after finding mercury thermometers, which are used to measure body temperature, and sphygmomanometers, which are used to measure blood pressure, as well as liquid mercury in flask containers, being sold illegally by third-party dealers in e-commerce marketplaces.

The group had previously aired its concern over the sale on popular online shopping platforms of skin whitening products banned by health authorities for containing mercury compounds, which are forbidden in cosmetic formulations.

The group’s latest toxic alert coincided with the 7th anniversary of the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury on October 10, 2013, by the government of the Philippines at the Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in Kumamoto, Japan. It also coincided with the 10.10 super sale today in some online shopping sites.

“We remind consumers to be cautious and alert to the dangers of buying and using mercury and mercury-added products that are illegally being offered for sale by online dealers,” said Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Mercury is highly toxic,” he emphasized, “so we advise consumers to seek out mercury-free products,” stressing that the enforcement of mercury-related policies and regulations, including the environmentally sound management of mercury wastes, should be actively supported.

The group had already notified lead regulatory agencies, particularly the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about the alarming use of digital commerce to vend mercury and banned mercury-added products in direct contravention of the country’s mercury policies and regulations.

The group had reported to the FDA Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health and Research (FDA-CDRRHR) the online sale of mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers in non-compliance with DOH A.O. 2008-0021 titled “Gradual Phase-Out of Mercury in All Philippine Health Care Facilities and Institutions,” which phased out mercury-containing medical devices in September 2010.

“As civil society representative to the interagency committee that developed the National Action Plan for the Phase-Out of Mercury Added Products and the Management of the Associated Mercury-Containing Wastes, we are concerned that the unchecked online sale of mercury-containing medical devices goes against the government’s policy of preventing and controlling mercury emissions and releases pursuant to the Minamata Convention,” wrote the group.

To address the problem, the group requested the FDA to make a policy issuance reiterating the ban on mercury medical devices. In response, the FDA-CDRRHR confirmed they will “facilitate the development of the requested policy banning or prohibiting the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of thermometers and sphygmomanometers with mercury.”

In a separate letter to the EMB, which was co-signed by Ban Toxics and Health Care Without Harm, the EcoWaste Coalition requested the bureau to get to the bottom of the illegal online sale of liquid mercury, which may be diverted to uses prohibited by law such as mineral processing.

DENR A.O. 2019-20, or the Revised Chemical Control Order (CCO) for Mercury and Mercury Compounds, “prohibits the use of mercury and mercury compounds and mercury-added products for artisanal and small-scale gold mining and any other related mining activities” in line with Executive Order 79.

EMB had informed the EcoWaste Coalition that it had prepared a memorandum to the bureau’s legal division.

EcoWaste Coalition
78-A Masigla Extension, Barangay Central, 1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Phone: +632-82944807 E-Mail: info@ecowastecoalition.org
Website: http://www.ecowastecoalition.org, http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com

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[Press Release] Matapos mahawaan ang 11 Guro sa Ilagan City, TDC nais ilinaw ang trabaho ng mga guro sa DEPED

#HumanRights #Teachers #COVID19ph [Press Release] Matapos mahawaan ang 11 Guro sa Ilagan City, TDC nais ilinaw ang trabaho ng mga guro sa DEPED

Benjo Basas, National Chairperson, Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC). File Photo by Arnel Tuazon

“Ano ang tulong na maaasahan ng labing-isang guro sa Ilagan City na nahawaan ng COVID-19?” Ito ang tanong ni Benjo Basas, Tagapangulo ng Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) kasunod ng mga ulat na may labing-isang guro mula sa Ilagan City, Isabela ang nagpositibo sa COVID-19 matapos umano silang mamamahgi ng modules sa kanilang mga mag-aaral.

“Ito po ang paulit-ulit naming sinasabi noon pa, sana matiyak ng DepEd na mabantayan ang kausugan at kaligtasan ng mga guro, kawani at mga magulang at mag-aaral sa pagsisimula ng school year na ito. Bago pa man magbukas ang klase ay napakarami nang guro ang nahawaan at marami sa mga ito ay nakuha nila dahil sa kanilang mga gawaing may kinalaman sa kanilang trabaho,” dagdag pa ni Basas.

Ayon sa grupo ay hindi umano nakapaghanda ang DepEd sapagkat hindi naging malinaw ang mga paraan kung paano makaiwas sa hawaan ang mga guro, “Ngayong nangyari ito, sino ang mananagot? Sino ang nag-utos sa mga guro na magpunta sa mga komunidad? At sino ang gagastos para sa kanilang pagpapagamot?” Tanong ni Basas. Dagdag pa niya, “Kung tutuusin ay hindi trabaho ng mga guro ang mag-print, mag-sort at mag-distribute ng modules na ito. Sapagkat maliban sa naglaan ng 9 bilyong badyet ay paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng DepEd na nakahanda umano sila, pero ang mga guro pala ang ipapain nila sa virus.”

Samantala, nauna nang sinabi ng DepEd na wala umano itong inilaang badyet para sa pagpapagamot sa mga guro kung sakaling mahawaan sila ng COVID-19.

“Malinaw ang sinasabi ng Magna Carta for Public School Teachers na dapat ay alagaan ng gobyerno ang kalusugan ng mga guro. Dapat bigyan ng libreng medical check-up taun-taon at ipagamot ang mga guro sakaling magkaroon ng sakit, may pandemya man o wala dahil ang batas ay 1966 pa ginawa,” paliwanag ni Basas.

Ayon sa TDC, mas kailangan umano ng mga guro ngayon na mabigyan ng katiyakan sa pangangalang medikal dahil na rin sa pagbubukas ng klase kasabay ng pandemya. Kaya muling nanawagan ang TDC sa DepEd na istriktong ipatupad ang mga helath protocol at ang mismong kautusan nito hinggil naman sa alternative work arrangement o AWA sa ilalim ng DepEd Order No. 11, s. 2020.

“Sabin ng DepEd mismo ay work-from-home ang default work arrangement ng mga guro, eh bakit parang hindi ganun ang nangyayari sa field? Bakit parang mas marami pa rin ang pinapapasok sa kani-kanilang mga paaralan at pinagagawa ng mga gawaing puwede namang gawin sa bahay. O kaya’y pinagagawa ng mga trabahong hindi naman dapat sa kanila,” ayon muli kay Basas.

Hiniling ng TDC sa DepEd na ilinaw ang kanyang mga patakaran at sabihin kung ang reproduction, sorting at distribution ba ng modules ay dapat lamang na mga guro pa rin ang gagawa.

“Ano yung sinasabing tagumpay ang pagbubukas ng klase? Nasaan na yung ipinagmamalaki ng DepEd na kahandaan? Hindi ba’t ayon sa DepEd ay handa sila kahit noong Agosto 24 pa? Bakit hanggang ngayon ay araw-araw pa ring pinapupunta ang mga guro sa paaralan para mag-ayos ng modules?” Pagtatapos ni Basas.

Ayon sa TDC dapat umanong maging bukas ang DepEd sa pakikipag-usap sa mga guro kasabay na maging makatothanan ang mga ipinalalabas nilang impormasyon sa madla.

Para sa detalye:
Benjo Basas, 09273356375

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[From the web] More quarantine violations logged than individuals tested for COVID-19 -CPRH

More quarantine violations logged than individuals tested for COVID-19; increased health capacity, testing, and social amelioration needed over victim-blaming in a pandemic setting

Three days since the end of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, comparable data and statistics were released by different government authorities regarding the situation. Law enforcement authorities revealed today that from 17 March to 2 May, there were a total of 158,353 quarantine violators, with 42,138 arrests made. The rest were either warned or fined for disobeying protocols and curfew.

On the other hand, the DOH reported that it has tested just 106,520 unique individuals and 120,736 conducted overall, in the same time period. Currently, testing capacity is over 5,264/day, missing the eight-thousand target for April’s end. These developments are concerning since the numbers point out the priorities of ECQ implementation. Apart from the shortcomings in testing, it seems that peace-and-order concerns take precedence over health interventions.

There is a tendency to view the population in black and white—those who follow quarantine procedures and those who allegedly spread COVID-19 due to their misdeeds. However, the Coalition for People’s Right to Health insists that victim-blaming only worsens the inequities already present, both in class and in health access. Just like the drug war, the situation must first be seen as a health issue.

Quarantine violators do not simply choose to disobey, facing hunger and anxieties amidst a society with an uneven terrain of opportunity. The social amelioration program must meet its targets, even though it may be insufficient to meet daily needs under quarantine. The need for a more humane standard of living that addresses the social determinants of health must be addressed: nutritious food, potable water, lost income, decent housing, and ultimately, human dignity and rights.

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[Statement] Stop endangering migrant workers health and lives -KANLUNGAN

Stop endangering migrant workers health and lives

By now most of the world living with the pandemic is familiar with the concept of physical distancing as a key intervention to prevent the spread of the highly infectious virus and deadly COVID-19 disease.

People can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick – World Health Organisation (WHO).

Despite this, there are numerous pictures of low-wage migrant workers being rounded up in immigration raids or crammed into transport, queues, accommodation, or detention – at dangerous risk to their health and others.

The dangerous politics of immigration control and social exclusion are laid bare. States have produced a context where migrant workers are rendered vulnerable.

There appears to be little effort by some authorities to even attempt to safeguard these workers by introducing physical distancing (including by reducing numbers of people) to minimize the person – person transmission of highly infectious COVID-19. This callous attitude and discriminatory action towards their health, safety, and lives is truly a low point for everyone in these societies.

Many low-wage migrant workers are anxious about becoming unwell, especially because they fear for their future economic security in the global recession.

All tools to reduce disease transmission must be employed to keep migrant workers safe including the urgent provision of quality accessible health information about how to stay safe and protect others, a sanitary environment, provision of free soap for frequent handwashing to prevent the spread of the disease; sufficient healthy food to boost their immune system; access to free voluntary COVID-19 tests and treatment. (Healthcare should have a firewall from immigration authorities).Physical distancing must not be neglected in the response.

During the global spread of a disease, a pandemic – governments are obligated to ensure the protection of human health and the fundamental right to human life.

Governments that are negligent in their duty to protect migrant workers’ health and dignity must be condemned. Stop the xenophobic scapegoating of migrant workers to deflect from government lapses in pandemic responses. Stop the technocratic obsession over COVID-19 statistics when politically motivated by a nationalist competition with other countries. Behind the numbers are the lives of people and their families – concentrate on that during the public health crisis.

State obligations under the fundamental right to health extend to all inhabitants and are not limited to citizens and residents. Migrant workers deserve and have a right to be fully included and protected in national pandemic preparation plans and responses.

An effective and just public health crisis response should be compassionate, guarantee health, safety and dignity for all and save lives

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[Announcement] Serbisyong pangkalusugan sa panahon ng COVID-19 -PMPI

Sa mga mahal po naming mga kababayan,

Ang PMPI (Philippine-Misereor Partnesrship, Inc), isang network ng mga 250 CSO (civil society organization) ay magbibigay po ng serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga komunidad na sakop ng ating network.

Dahil sa katangian ng kinakaharap nating situwasyon, ang serbisyo po ay sa pamamagitan ng cell phone at ibang paraang online gamit ang social media (katulad ng Messenger, Facebook, Viber, o website).

Katuwang po natin sa serbisyong ito ang dalawa nating CSO – INAM Philippines (Integrative Medicine for Alternative Healthcare Systems [INAM] Philippines, Inc) at MAG (Medical Action Group, Inc).

INAM PHILIPPINES
Ang INAM Philippines po, sa pamamagitan ng ilang boluntaryong doktor at integrative medicine practitioner ay magbibigay ng direktang konsultasyon online o sa cell phone. Nasa ibaba po ang mga pangalan ng mga boluntaryo, at ng serbisyong puede nilang ibigay, iskedyul ng konsultasyon, at paraan ng pagkontak sa kanila.

May ilang datos lang po na hihingin ang mga boluntaryong manggagamot para sa ating rekord. Dito po ay hinihingi na namin ang inyong pahintulot na maisama ang mga datos ninyo sa aming rekord (Ito po ay bilang pagsunod sa ating Data Privacy Law). Wala naman pong problema kung hindi kayo magbigay ng datos (o ilang datos) kung hindi kayo sang-ayong magbigay. Patuloy pa rin po kayong pagsisilbihan ng mga boluntaryong manggagamot. Ang ilan pong mga datos ay gagamitin para sa statistics (o sa pagbibilang ng mga pasyente, edad nila, diagnosis, at iba pa) sa ating dokumentasyon at report.

ITO PO ANG MGA DATOS PARA SA ATING DOKUMENTASYON:

1. Pangalan ng pasyente

2. Edad

3. Kasarian

4. Tirahan [hindi po eksakto, puede na po ang bayan o distrito; halimbawa Taytay o Tondo)

5. Kontak (cell phone o email address; mahalaga po para sa follow-up)

6. Paano nalaman ang ating serbisyo (PMPI, organisasyon ninyo, Facebook, kaibigan, kapitbahay, o iba pa)

7. Diagnosis (manggagamot po ang magtutukoy, ayon sa kanyang pagsusuri)

8. Action (manggagamot din po ang magdedetermina; halimbawa po ay counselling, payo, reseta, referral, o iba pa) Mananatili pong kumpidensiyal ang mga datos; hindi tutukuyin ang inyong pangalan o anumang pagkakakilanlan sa anumang report.

MAG
Ang MAG ay nagbibigay din po ng serbisyo ng kanilang mga volunteer na doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, internist, pediatrician, at iba pang espesyalistang doktor.

Kontakin po si DR AMY NG-ABCEDE kung nais ninyong magpakonsulta.
CP: 09982369934; 09658907715
Website: https://www.facebook.com/medicalactiongroup

PMPI
Ang PMPI po ay may mga boluntaryo rin, na karamihan ay mga psychosocial counsellor (nagbibigay ng payo sa inyong mga alalahanin). Katulad po ng sa INAM (sa itaas) ang pagtrato natin sa mga datos. Nasa ibaba rin po ang lista ng mga boluntaryo ng PMPI, at ng serbisyong pwede nilang ibigay, iskedyul ng konsultasyon, at paraan ng pagkontak sa kanila.

Sana po ay mapangibabawan natin ang COVID sa lalong madaling panahon. Patuloy po nating payo sa ating lahat ang physical distancing (1 dipa ang layo sa ibang tao), handwashing, disinfection ng mga doorknob at ibang parating hinahawakan, at pagpapalakas ng resistensiya (8 oras na tulog, libangan, masustansiyang pagkain).

May mga detalyado rin pong impormasyon na inihanda ang INAM Philippines tungkol sa pag-iingat sa COVID-19. Ipagtanong po sa inyong samahan o bumisita sa facebook ng INAM: Integratib Medisin.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat tuwina.

Padayon!

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[From the web] I was COVID-19 Patient No. 4 -GMAnews

I was COVID-19 Patient No. 4

“The only way to battle this is through faith and belief that you will be better.”

Ito ang mensahe ni Atty. Carlo Navarro, isang COVID-19 survivor.

Siya si Patient number 4, ang kauna-unahang Pilipino na nagkaroon ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas. Ngayong patuloy ang kanyang paggaling, ibinahagi niya ang kanyang mga karanasan sa paglaban sa sakit. Panoorin ang video na ito.

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/39h1ca2

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[Video] Public health experts discuss the rights-based approach to COVID19 emergency response -iDEFEND

.

# DISCUSSANTS:

Dr. Nemuel Fajutagana MD, MHPED
Dr. Nymia Pimentel Simbulan Doctor of Public Heatlh
Dr. Yvonne Eligado Entico MD, SE Practioner
Moderator: Rose Trajano

COVID-19 Human Rights Violation Reporting
https://idefend.ph/covid19-hrv-reporting

# Websites
iDEFEND https://idefend.ph/
PAHRA https://philippinehumanrights.org/

# Social Media
iDEFEND https://www.facebook.com/iDEFENDoffic…
PAHRA https://www.facebook.com/philippinehu…

iDEFEND https://twitter.com/iDEFENDhr

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[In the news] Duterte tells PhilHealth execs: Resign -PhilStar.com

Resignation or termination.

These were the two options President Duterte gave officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which has been rocked by a multibillion-peso fraudulent scam involving dead kidney patients.

Duterte was to meet last night with the PhilHealth board, including ex-officio members, at Malacañang to hear the full report of the agency on the scam and announce the start of a top-to-bottom revamp, senator-elect Christopher Go told reporters.

Go said he spoke with the President on Sunday night. He was told that Duterte would ask for the resignation of PhilHealth officials, including regional vice presidents who reportedly have been bickering, to the detriment of the delivery of services.

“The President told me he was very dismayed by what happened. The President won’t allow this, so there must be accountability and the issue of command responsibility. The President really wants a revamp,” he revealed.

Read more @www.philstar.com

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[In the news] WHO recognizes ‘burn-out’ as medical condition -GMAnews

The World Health Organization has for the first time recognized “burn-out” in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which is widely used as a benchmark for diagnosis and health insurers.

The decision, reached during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, which wraps up on Tuesday, could help put to rest decades of debate among experts over how to define burnout, and whether it should be considered a medical condition.

In the latest update of its catalogue of diseases and injuries around the world, WHO defines burn-out as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

Read more @www.gmanetwork.com

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[In the news] Bishop backs anti-coal campaign in central Philippines -UCAN news

Bishop backs anti-coal campaign in central Philippines

A Catholic bishop in the central Philippines has expressed support for a campaign against the building of a coal-fired power plant in Negros Occidental province.

Bishop Gerry Alminaza of San Carlos said local church leaders are giving their full backing for the move, initiated by a youth group.

“As our youth said, we will stand against this because this is about our future,” said the prelate on Ash Wednesday.

The group Youth for Climate Hope staged an anti-coal demonstration outside the provincial capitol building on March 6 as part of activities to observe the Church’s Year of the Youth.

The provincial government has also expressed its commitment to fight global warming by pursuing “clean and renewable energy projects” by opposing the establishment of coal-fired power plants.

Read full article @www.ucanews.com

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[Press Release] Teachers Remind DepEd: Annual Medical Check-up for Teacher Should be Free -TDC

Teachers Remind DepEd: Annual Medical Check-up for Teacher Should be Free

In time for teachers’ accomplishment of the required annual medical clearance the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) again asserted that the expenses for such should be provided by the government.

“We appeal to the good secretary to immediately issue an order to halt the on-going medical check-up and laboratory tests in DepEd field offices.” Said Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson.

Basas said that the DepEd or its local offices may be violating the law for not providing such tests for free. “It is clear that medical examination for teachers should be done annually and it is compulsory, however, the same provision of the law also says that it should also be free. In fact, the law also mandates that the government should pay for teachers’ hospitalization and treatment if found necessary. Then why teachers should be burdened by this regulation?”

Based on TDC’s informal survey, teachers’ expenses for medical tests range from P200 to P1000 which is contrary to the letters and intent of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670). Sec. 22 of said law says, “Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up teaching, and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher’s professional life. Where medical examination shows that medical treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the teachers.”

“We appeal to Sec. Briones to enjoin the entire DepEd system to observe the law and provide the medical examinations, which are on-going in some areas, for free.” Basas reiterated.

The group offered their help thru a dialogue to discuss the issue and come up with a solution acceptable both for teachers and DepEd management.

“As far as the law is concerned, expenses for annual and compulsory medical check-up should be included in DepEd budget, a provision from LGU’s or government health facilities may be an alternative.” Basas ended.

This matter along with other Magna Carta related issues are included in the TDC’s main advocacy line for 2019. Others are the immediate granting of an across-the-board salary increase for teachers and DepEd personnel and the fixing of GSIS policies or creating a separate insurance system for teachers.

Late last year, the TDC lead a series of protest that culminated to a 12-day picket in front of the DepEd Office in Pasig to demand the full implementation of Magna Carta. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas
09273356375

For other details:
Emmalyn Policarpio
Secretary-General
09984865628

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[Press Release] Universal healthcare pushed on World Health Day -NTSP

Universal healthcare pushed on World Health Day

On the occasion of World Health Day in April 7, members of the Working Group on Social ASEAN pushed for the immediate realization of universal healthcare as they decried the highly insufficient state provision for healthcare and the capitalists’ excessive profiting from health services and medicines.

The group composed of networks of civil society organizations, trade unions, migrant workers, and parliamentarians pointed out that healthcare is increasingly treated as a commodity instead of an individual entitlement. The members reiterated that health care is a fundamental right and governments have a responsibility to realize this right. “However, a large percentage of population in our countries are not treated of their health needs.”

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that at least half of the world’s 7.3 billion people still do not have access to essential health services, such as having a skilled birth attendant, vaccinations for children or treatment for HIV. Every day, more than 800 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. And nearly 20 million infants, who do not receive immunizations they need, run the risk of dying from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and measles.

“It is deplorable that instead of increasing national budgets for health, improving health services and facilities, and providing universal healthcare, ASEAN countries are going in the opposite direction of further liberalising healthcare and opting for public-private sector partnerships (PPP) for health services. This is unacceptable because privatizing healthcare results in people being held captive by the profit-driven schemes of corporations and companies,” said the Network for Transformative Social Protection (NTSP).

“As hospitals and medical services, including diagnostic tests, are being privatized, a large number of the population risk the loss of their lives and their health,” said Charles Santiago, a member of Parliament in Malaysia and chairperson of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).

“The high costs of private healthcare and governments’ low priority for accessible and quality health services are making ordinary people poorer,” Santiago added.

According to WHO, 100 million people are pushed into poverty annually because of health spending. Around 179 million people spend more than a quarter of their household budget on health care – a level that WHO considers to be “catastrophic health spending.”

Workers are clamoring for state intervention to guarantee healthcare for everyone. With low wages and temporary employment, even salaried workers cannot cope with high hospital bills and excessive price of medicines. “ASEAN member states must ensure that access to health care must be kept affordable to all especially when there is a growing army of gig economy workers in the region” said the ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC).

Meanwhile the Migrant Forum in Asia shared that many migrant workers are having serious problems in accessing health services, thus the network is also campaigning for portability of social protection which includes access to health services.

The Working Group underscored that the provisioning of essential services like healthcare must be guaranteed and financed by the state, as they are connected to the survival, dignity, and development of individuals as well as society as a whole.

“It is important for governments to ensure that 7% of GDP is allocated towards healthcare,” said Santiago as he pointed out that the average total healthcare expenditure per capita in the ASEAN is only about 4% of GDP, based on WHO estimates.

Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, lead convener of Dignidad, reiterated that “healthcare is an essential service that guarantees a person’s wellness. It goes beyond merely treating diseases since health is not just about the absence of disease but the total well-being of a person.”

“It is high time for our governments to act on our demand for a universal and comprehensive social protection. States should institutionalize healthcare for all -– regardless of their social, economic, and cultural standing,” added Nemenzo, also a co-convener of NTSP.

Suntaree Saengging, coordinator of the NGO Coalition for Development in Thailand and HomeNet Southeast Asia, also highlighted that part of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by States is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. “Government must therefore provide accessible and quality health care appropriate to individuals’ needs based on gender, age, culture, way of life and abilities.”

“Poverty and limited access to health services contribute to older people’s health conditions. This makes a policy on long-term care, as part of universal healthcare, timely and urgent to help improve the quality of health of all older people in the country,” added Emily Beredico, Executive Director of the Coalition of Services of the Elderly – a member of HelpAge.

NETWORK FOR TRANSFORMATIVE SOCIAL PROTECTION (NTSP)
85-B Masikap Street Extension, Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.socialasean.org/ntsp/
PRESS RELEASE
April 7, 2018
Contact person: Maris dela Cruz (sirmallet@gmail.com; 09173153828)

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[From the web] Waste and Toxic Watch Group Deplores Piles of Garbage in MM Streets -EcoWaste Coalition

Photo from Ecowaste Coalition FB

Waste and Toxic Watch Group Deplores Piles of Garbage in MM Streets

Quezon City. January is observed as the “Zero Waste Month” and the streets of Metro Manila are strewn with garbage following the New Year revelry.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and toxic watch group, drew attention to this ironical situation as piles of “holitrash” (holiday + trash) greet residents of the bustling metropolis on the first day of 2018.

The group took photos of mixed garbage comprised of food waste, beverage and food containers, paper and plastic packaging, remnants of firecrackers and fireworks, and discards from the customary end of year cleaning such as busted lamps and other unwanted stuff left abandoned in the streets and market areas of Caloocan, Makati, Manila, Quezon and Valenzuela Cities.

“The blanket disposal of all sorts of discards from the lively celebrations, including useful materials that should have been reused, recycled or composted, is deplorable. Waste isn’t ‘waste’ until it’s wasted,” commented Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

“Waste becomes a threat to public health and environment if it is not properly sorted out and managed in a safe manner that will not contaminate the surroundings, particularly the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our sources of food, including the rivers and the oceans,” he said.

According to the National Solid Waste Management Commission, Metro Manila generates about 9,213 tons of garbage per day of which 52 percent are biodegradables, 41 percent recyclables and 7 percent residuals. The national waste generation is estimated at 40,087 tons per day.

“Garbage trucks and dumps should not be bursting at the seams if we consume responsibly and if we keep discards separated so that the biodegradable fraction is composted or fed to animals and the non-biodegradable fraction is returned to the factories for recycling,” Alejandre pointed out.

“It is possible to further cut the percentage of residuals if companies will take responsibility for products and packaging materials that are difficult to recycle such as sachet packaging,” he added.

As the Zero Waste Month is commemorated, the EcoWaste Coalition appealed to national and local authorities, factories, commercial establishments and the general public to take action to proactively prevent and reduce the generation of waste in January and throughout 2018.

The group specifically requested the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the concerned parishes to incorporate waste avoidance and minimization in the observance of the popular feasts of the Black Nazarene and the Santo Niño this January across the country.

“The churches and the faithful should aim for an eco-friendly and litter-free celebration of the feasts of the revered image of the Black Nazarene, particularly in Quiapo, and the grand festivals in honor of the Child Jesus such as the Sinulog in Cebu, Dinagyang in Iloilo, Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Buling-Buling in Pandacan, and Lakbayaw in Tondo,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.

As per Proclamation No. 760 issued by then President Benigno S. Aquino III, every January is observed as Zero Waste Month “to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.”

According to Section 48 of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, “littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same,” is prohibited and punishable.”

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Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/Ecowaste-Coalition-232738115250/

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[Press Release] Teachers seek for Government medical assistance -TDC

Teachers seek for Government medical assistance

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) today revealed that one of the principal factors why teachers borrow money is because the government does not have medical assistance to them despite the mandate of a law.

“Under the law, the government is responsible to maintain teachers’ health thru a compulsory, annual and free medical examination. And if the examination found that a teacher needs to undergo medication or hospitalization, again it should be at the expense of the government.” Said Benjo Basas, TDC national chairperson quoting Section 22 of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670), a law enacted in 1966.

The group argued that teachers, aside from daily expenses for their family and teaching aids are also burdened by expenses for their medical needs and one of them is the annual medical check-up which should be given free for all teachers. However, despite the explicit provision of the law, teachers themselves pay for these tests.

“One of the reasons why teachers borrow money is the emergency medical need for themselves and their family members. They run to loan agencies especially if they have no extra income or savings from their meager salaries. Then, it would be difficult for them to free themselves from chains of debt.” Basas lamented.

Basas added that there are some conditions that would really make things worse like if the teacher needs to be confined in a hospital for weeks or if they have to undergo chemotherapy, dialysis or major operations due to heart or lung conditions or complications due to pregnancy, which according to him cost amount that teachers can never afford.

Basas cited the case of Jennifer Nague De Jesus, a teacher of San Vicente Elementary School in San Pedro City, Laguna since 2007. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in year 2012 and was forced to leave her job for two years to undergo regular hemodialysis from 2013. During the period that she cannot report for work, she has no income and received no assistance from the government, except for quarterly pledge of P3, 000 from her mayor. Presently, she is back to teaching but still needs to undergo dialysis sessions two times a week that costs her not less than P4, 000, because she has consumed her free sessions from Philhealth.

“Where could Teacher Jennifer possibly get that amount if she will not run to loan agencies for fast cash? But at the end of the day, where she will get the money to pay for these loans? Clearly, she borrowed money, literally to live.” Basas added.

Indeed, Jennifer suffered compounded interests of loans from a private bank. In the case of GSIS, she has no record of payment, both for premiums and loans for almost four years, another predicament she will confront in the near future.

Basas actually said that Jennifer may have been more fortunate than others. For instance, he cited the case of a teacher in Caloocan City who died in a private hospital early last year, but because the family lacks money to settle the bills, her body was seemingly made hostage for several weeks. Another teacher from Malabon gave birth to her first baby in a lying-in clinic and had continuous bleeding, then was rushed to a private hospital where she suffered a state of comatose for more than a week. The family, whose income depends mainly on her, solicited funds from politicians and guarantee letters from PCSO to pay for the bills. The poor teacher did not make it, she died few days before Christmas of 2016.

These incidents prompted the TDC to ask the DepEd to establish a support mechanism thru a mutual aid and benefit system that would be readily available to all teachers in need, on top of the immediate implementation of Sections 22 of the Magna Carta.

The TDC is very optimistic though that the DepEd would act favorably on both matters after they have discussed them with Sec. Leoner Briones herself in a dialogue with the TDC leaders held during the National Summit of Teachers in Taguig City last November 17. Briones gave her initial commitment and said that the DepEd will consider increasing the school funds (MOOE) to cover free annual medical check-up for all teachers. As to the mutual benefit system proposal of the TDC, the DepEd said this may be included in the services of the DepEd Provident Fund, which now is limited to loans. The Secretary said they would immediately study legalities to enable them to grant these benefits.

“We appreciate these pronouncements from our Secretary and we would wait for them to be translated in policies.” Basas ended. #

“Sec. 22. Medical Examination and Treatment. Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up teaching, and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher’s professional life. Where medical examination show that medical treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the teachers.” RA 4670

For details:
Benjo Basas, TDC Chair, 0927-3356375
Jennifer Nague De Jesus, 0916-2953761 (she actually had a dialysis session yesterday, November 23 and continuously under strict observation)

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