Police partners with Cardinal Santos Medical Center for medical services, training assistance
THE Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) recently signed an agreement with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide medical services to members of the force. In a statement on Wednesday, the private tertiary hospital said the partnership “will allow members of the PNP to have access to CSMC for their hospitalization and other diagnostic and therapeutic medical needs.” Further, CSMC will give training and skills development exercises to PNP medical professional personnel. The memorandum of agreement was signed Nov. 9 in Camp Crame by CSMC President and Chief Executive Officer Raul C. Pagdanganan and Gen. Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan, who retired from the PNP on Nov. 10. CSMC is a 269-bed hospital located in Greenhills, San Juan.
Bislig Bay now also red tide positive; previous areas still contaminated
THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has warned consumers from eating shellfish harvested in Bislig Bay in Surigao del Sur after the area tested positive for red tide contamination. In its 25th shellfish bulletin, BFAR said Bislig Bay adds to the long list of red tide positive regions. These are: Bataan, particularly the areas of Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay, and Samal; Honda and Puerto Princesa bays and Inner Malampaya Sound in Palawan; Milagros in Masbate; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; and Tambobo Bay in Negros Oriental; Daram Island, Zumarraga, Irong-irong, San Pedro, Maqueda, and Villareal Bays in Western Samar; Cancabato Bay and Carigara Bay in Leyte; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Balite Bay in Davao Oriental; Lianga Bay and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur; and Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur. All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang harvested from these areas are not safe for human consumption. Other marine species, however, can be eaten with proper handling. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
Typhoon Ulysses halts power restoration in areas hit by previous storm
POWER restoration work in areas hit by typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni), the world’s strongest tropical cyclone so far this year, had to be halted Wednesday as another typhoon swept through the same parts of the country. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that as of Nov. 11, about 25% of the more than two million affected households remain without power. NEA said supply has been restored to 74.31% or around 1.55 million households in the Bicol region and other areas. Meanwhile, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said they are aiming to have power fully restored “before Christmas” in the island province of Catanduanes, one of the hardest hit areas. “We are targeting 100% of Catanduanes before Christmas. We are targeting the sentro (the capital town of Virac) by Nov. 13,” Mr. Fuentabella said during a House committee briefing on Wednesday. He said equipment and some personnel “are already on the ground.” Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua earlier said 90% of power poles around the island were toppled by typhoon Rolly, which made landfall in the province while under a super typhoon category. — Angelica Y. Yang and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
