by Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News, 23 Sep 2019
MANILA—The Department of Health (DOH) is calling on local government units (LGUs) to intensify efforts toward zero open defecation amid the resurgence of the poliovirus in the country.
Some 3.5 million Filipinos have no sanitary toilets, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said Monday.
“One of the reasons na tinitingnan natin kung bakit bumabalik ‘yung polio, hindi lang naman ‘yung low immunization rate, kundi kasama talaga ‘yung poor environmental sanitation,” he said.
An additional 700,000 toilets need to be constructed nationwide until 2030, or around 70,000 toilets annually for the next 10 years.
The health department’s proposed 2020 budget allocates only P2 million for the construction of toilets.
“Kahit sabihin nating P1,000 ang cost ng isang toilet, ang P2 million, eh 2,000 lang ‘yun. Hindi talaga kakayanin ng DOH lang. Kailangan ito magiging concerted effort natin,” Domingo said.
The DOH confirmed the re-emergence of the crippling disease in the Philippines, 19 years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the country polio-free.
One polio case has been confirmed in a 3-year-old girl from Lanao del Sur, while the virus has also been detected in water sewage samples in Manila and Davao.
The country also recorded its second case of polio in Laguna province. Polio can cause paralysis and even death and has no cure.
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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