Super family health center opens in Apas

CEBU, Philippines — The Super Family Health Center in Barangay Apas has finally opened yesterday albeit facing a legal challenge from the homeowners association claiming ownership of the lot.

During the official inauguration and ribbon cutting, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia admitted that they have received a petition filed at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) against the use of the property.

“Ang ilang argument is that, this is an open space kay ako, I will just leave it nalang kay naa naman na sa DHSUD, gi-file naman na nila and we wait nalang for the decision of the DHSUD regarding this particular matter,” Garcia.

He, however, added that the petitioners will see that the use of the property has benefited the majority of the constituents. Garcia also said that it would be up to the DHSUD now to define what open space is all about.

Yesterday, the Cebu City Government alongside the Department of Health (DOH)-7, Cebu City Health Department, among others, officially opened the first Super Family Health Center in Central Visayas.

Starting yesterday, the facility has also begun admitting patients considering that there are already medical practitioners deployed to begin the operation. Garcia said that the project is a partnership between the DOH and the Local Government of Cebu City-- DOH provided the funds while Cebu City will take charge of the operations.

As for the equipment in the facility, Garcia said most of which were coming from various donations while the others are from the Cebu City Government. DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas said that overall, the facility costs almost P15 million including their share of the equipment under the Health Facility Enhancement Program.

“Ang role lang nato (DOH, is the technical assistance, or advisory, or regulations side or support in terms of unsay pwedeng mahatag,” said Bernadas.

In his speech during the program yesterday, Bernadas also urged local health units to upgrade into Super Health Centers to attain a “complete package” of primary health care facilities.

He added that all Rural Health Units (RHUs) in the region must be converted to Super Family Health Units following the mandate of DOH to boost universal health care and to decongest hospitals through its distinct components.

“Tanan na karong mga RHUs (kay) i-convert nato na kumpleto o gitawag nga Super Health Center aron makumpleto ang primary care benefits sa mga ka-igsoonan,” Bernadas said.

“We are mandated to upgrade into an RHU or a health center that would be licensed by the Department of Health in a manner that would be completely complemented with the different services that are necessary for a complete primary care package, (such as) consultation, wellness (and) prevention advocacy, ug uban pang health promotion activities nga makita diha sulod sa health center,” Bernadas added.

Bernadas also said the distinct components of Super Health Centers complement the services of an outpatient department, emphasizing that the community can now benefit from a complete primary care package as doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and pharmacists are also integrated to provide the services they need. — Nicholas Jon Mallaga, CNU Intern (FREEMAN)

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Public schools enrolment kicks off Wednesday, July 3

Caecent No-ot Magsumbol

CEBU, Philippines — Enrollment for the new school year will officially begin tomorrow, July 3, 2024, until July 26 or three days before the opening of classes on July 29, 2024. This is contained in an order issued by Department of Education Undersecretary Nolasco Mempin.

The enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, including Community Learning Centers, can be conducted through in-person, remote or thru dropbox. Private schools, state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs), and Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) offering basic education, on the other hand, may adopt their own enrollment procedures consistent with their charters/school manuals and applicable DepEd policies.

Private schools and the rest, however, are expected to submit their official enrollment through their respective school division offices on or before July 22, 2024. In the case of PSOs, their official enrollment will be submitted to the Private Education Office (PEO).

All public elementary and secondary schools for incoming kindergarten, grades 1, 7, and 11 enrollees, and transferees are required to fill up the Basic Education Enrollment Form while a Confirmation Slip will be required for grades 2-6, grades 8-10,and grade 12 enrollees to confirm their enrollment.

The Modified Alterative Learning System (ALS) Enrollment Form is required for all ALS enrollees. On the other hand, those that cannot submit a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate, the birth certificate (late registration) from the local civil registrar or a barangay certification containing the basic information of the child such as (a) name of the child (first name, middle name, last name); (b) name of parents; (c) date of birth; and (d) sex, may be submitted.

DepEd also reminds everyone that no payment collections will be made as pre-requisite for the enrollment of learners particularly in the public schools. Aside from the enrollment, DepEd is also busy with the start of the National Learning Camp (NLC) yesterday until the 19th of this month.

The NLC is aimed to improve learning outcomes by focusing on specific subjects: Reading and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 3, and English, Science, and Mathematics for Grades 7 to 10. There are three different formats on this, the Enhancement, Consolidation, and Intervention. Additionally, DepEd-VII also gears up for the National Brigada Eskwela.

DepEd-VII Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said they will kick off the said event in Carmen on July 17. Volunteers from various sectors, including parents, teachers, students, community members, local government units, and private organizations are expected to join forces in cleaning, repair, and prepare public schools for the upcoming academic year.  — (FREEMAN)