PHO slates activities for Garantisadong Pambata Campaign

KALIBO, Aklan — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has slated activities for the enhanced campaign on child health through the strengthened education, promotion and implementation of Garantisadong Pambata (GP) health program in the province of Aklan.

Dr. Emma Cortes, provincial health officer, said the GP campaign aims to ensure that children below five years old are given vitamins and prophylactic intervention to prevent childhood diseases and also improve overall health.

“This bi-annual campaign is launched in April and October. This October, the PHO mounts Garantisadong Pambata that aims to reach the most number of mothers on the importance of having their children provided with vitamins and prophylactic interventions,” she said.

The campaign activities include the launching of the GP event through a children’s party, engagement of private sector to help the PHO ensure sustainability of the program, involvement of day care centers to ensure that children take center stage in this event and PHO’s campaign to stress the importance of fortified foods such as Pan de Lito by the Bread and Butter.

The launching will be held October 8 at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) compound.(PNA)./TE

SP to Prescribe Singing of the Aklan Hymn in All Ceremonies/Functions in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan. In an ordinance he will be introducing during the next regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia of the western district, is proposing to make mandatory the singing of the Aklan Hymn in all flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions and activities of both government and private offices and institutions throughout the Province of Aklan.

Through Resolution No. 2010-043 passed on March 4, 2010, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has officially adopted both the composition of Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, Schools Division Superintendent of Roxas City, the “Among Akean” as the official Aklan Hymn and the “Hala Bira, Akean” as the official Aklan March. The Aklan SP itself has already institutionalized the singing/playing of the Aklan Hymn in all its sessions, ceremonies and programs.

Garcia said he has noted that only few offices, institutions and organizations, including the school system in Aklan, are singing/playing the Aklan Hymn in their flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions, activities and programs.

Hence, his proposed ordinance to be introduced soon is titled, “An Ordinance Making It Mandatory in the Whole Province of Aklan for all Government Offices, Local and National, Schools at all Levels, Public and Private, Institutions, Organizations, and the like, the Singing/Playing of the Aklan Hymn In All Flag Raising Ceremonies, Official and Formal Functions, Activities and Programs Which Also Require the Singing/Playing of the Philippine National Anthem.”

Garcia stressed that patriotism and nationalism do not only signify love and loyalty to the country and flag but is also inclusive of a citizen’s love of his own home province and community of origin, in the case of Aklanons, love and loyalty to Aklan Province.
He added that the Aklan Hymn and the Aklan March project the Aklanon unique identity, its traditions, culture and history, geography and scenic attractions and its singing/playing in official and formal functions, activities and programs will instill the Aklanon brand of nationalism and patriotism in the present and future Aklanon generations.

Garcia is set to introduce his proposed enactment during the 13th Regular Session of the august body on October 6, 2010./TE