2009 WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATION IN OLONGAPO

Thousands of Olongapenos joined the successful commemoration of the World AIDS Day Celebration on December 1, 2009 held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

Red shirts and red ribbons were worn in the celebration, also known as the symbol of the fight against the disease that is AIDS or Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome brought about by Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV).

The highlight of the event was the ‘candle lighting ceremony’ led by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. This was when the mayor lit up the big ceremonial candle, where the flame from that candle was to used to light up the second candle and so on, until every single candle were all lit up. This symbolizes Olongapo’s being one with the world in remembrance of the people who died because of the disease.

Pastors Albert Anciano and Francis Mercado of the Olongapo City Christian Ministers Association (OCCMA) and Buklod ng Kababaihan President Alma Bulawan were there to give their messages to the people.

The event was spearheaded by Olongapo City AIDS Council (OCAC) through City Health Officer and OCAC Chairman Dr. Arnildo Tamayo and the United Nations Population Fund through UNFPA city coordinator Dr. Angel Umali.

According to a study conducted by the United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) Report, over 33 Million people worldwide are victims of HIV/AIDS, 90% of those are from developing countries.

The study also showed that 15 million women and 2 million children are infected with HIV, while every year, 2 million people die because of the disease.

Pao/Jordan

AIDS HOTLINE: ‘’JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY’’

The Olongapo City Government thru the Olongapo City AIDS Council (OCAC) is continuously providing an information dissemination campaign to increase public awareness on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, (STD), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

“We initiated this kind of project to educate our people regarding STDs, including HIV-AIDS, minimize if not eliminate it, and prevent its proliferation,” said City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr.

This is the objective of the creation of the AIDS Hotline 224-2437 (224-AIDS), the seven (7) digit hotline that is directly connected to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office, City Health Office, Olongapo City Hall. It is manned by trained City Health Office personnel from 8AM to 5PM, Mondays thru Fridays.

The hotline is an inter-agency and multi-sectoral project of OCAC to enable the people to be aware of and understand the plight and right of HIV and AIDS victims, thereby, easing the effects of stigma and discrimination.

The hotline enables the people to be aware of the cause of the disease, modes of transmission and methods of prevention and envisioned community participation.

Rule of ‘confidentiality’ is strictly observed between the caller and the CHO personnel unless voluntarily chosen otherwise by the patient following the Philippine AIDS Law as stated under the Article VI, Section 30 of the Republic Act 8504.

It can be recalled that on October 8, 2007, the AIDS Hotline was launched with the unveiling of the AIDS Hotline poster stating, “NANGANGAMBA KA BA? NAG-AALALA KA BA? Kaibigan… USAP TAYO… TAWAG NA! AIDS HOTLINE 224-AIDS (2437)”.

According to health statistics, there are already more that 40 million HIV and AIDS cases worldwide.

Pao/rem

SEMINAR/ORIENTATION SA SOCIAL RELATED DISEASES

Patuloy na isinasagawa ang orientation/seminar hinggil sa kaalaman sa mga tinaguriang social related diseases tulad ng STI (sexually transmitted infections), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) at AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) mula ika-05 hanggang ika-08 ng Agosto sa 2nd Floor, Conference Room, Annex Building Olongapo City Hall.

Kasama ang mga seminar/orientation regarding health sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa ni Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga Olongapeño.

Ang naturang seminar/orientation ay base sa Ordinance No. 37 series of 2005 na may titulong “An Ordinance Promulgating Policies and Measures for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS/STD in Olongapo City, creating the Olongapo City AIDS Council and Providing for its Powers and Functions and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof and for other Purposes.

Nakapaloob sa Artivle VII ng ordinansa na maitaas ang antas ng kaalaman ng lahat ng Aplikante ng Health Permits tungkol sa STI, HIV at AIDS sa pamamagitan ng orientation seminar, advocacy para sa 100% Condom Use Practice (CUP) at maging available ang condom sa mismong establishment.

Tatanggapin ng mga nakapagseminar ang health certificate bilang patunay ng kanilang pag-attend

Magagamit bilang requirement ng mga business establishment owners sa pagkuha ng business permit at work permit naman para sa nag-aapply ng trabaho tulad ng mga waitresses at dishwashers ang naturang health certificates.

Kabilang sa mga speakers ay sina Dra. Nilda Montoya na Head ng Reproductive Health and Wellness Center at Remia Sagaran, Nurse ng City health.
“Required mag-attend ‘yung mga indibiduwal na magtatayo ng businesses tulad ng videoke bars at disco houses at mga gustong mag-work bilang waitresses, service crews at mga kahalintulad na trabaho,” pahayag ng Dra. Montoya.

Bilang bahagi ng pagtalima sa Ordinance No. 37 (series of 2005), patuloy na isinasagawa ang orientation/seminar ng mga social related diseases tulad ng STI (sexually transmitted infections), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) at AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) mula ika-05 hanggang ika-08 ng Agosto sa 2nd Floor, Conference Room, Annex Building Olongapo City Hall ng mga speakers/lecturer mula sa City Health Office (CHO).

PAO/melai