Campaign vs cyanidefishing gains ground

The campaign to rid Philippine seas of the destructive practice of cyanide fishing has gained ground with the activation of the Sumbungan hotline (0927-4000410 and landline 048-4347200, Puerto Princesa) launched by Cyanide Watch.

This advocacy group was formed by the Industriya sa Dagat Association of Exporters (ISDA-Exporters) in cooperation with government agencies and non-government organizations.

The hotline has received information on the fishing menace from concerned citizens and local officials, which has led to several apprehensions and confiscation of the illegal substance.

For instance, in Rio Tuba, a town in southern Palawan, a Marine patrol team was able to seize 100 kilos of cyanide.

De la Cruz cites reforms in Bulacan hospitals

Bulacan Gov. Josie de la Cruz said improving health care services is one of her administration’s major priorities, adding that hospital reforms are being institutionalized to better serve her constituents.

"Since health service delivery was devolved to local government units, the management of eight government hospitals has been transferred to the provincial government," she said.

With the implementation of the Reinventing Public Service Program, she said hospital services greatly improved during the last three years, noting that for 2002 alone, the total number of patients served totaled 18,665, or 58 percent higher than the 2002 figure of 10,740.

"Occupancy continues to increase and even exceeds the 200-bed capacity of the devolved Bulacan Provincial Hospital," De la Cruz said.

She said outpatients in all hospitals increased from 73,680 in 2000 to 115,516 in 2002 or an increase of 64 percent.

Ambassador Jan de Kok, head of the European Union (EU) Dele-gation to the Philippines, recently paid a visit to CASCADE project areas in Benguet. During his three-day visit, he assured residents of Bokod, Itogon and Kabayan towns that the EU will continue to support the Cordillera region despite the scheduled closing of two EU-assisted projects next year. CASCADE is a rural development project of the Department of Agriculture funded by the Philippine government and the EU. Photo shows De Kok being serenaded by Kabayan elders.