PHO promotes Goiter Awareness Week

LINGAYEN–The Provincial Health Office gears up for the information and communications campaign for the promotion of the salt iodization program as it spearheads this year’s celebration of the Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) on January 23 to 29.

In line with the theme, “Iwas Goiter ni Mommy, Lusog Isip ni Baby,” provincial health officer Ana de Guzman said the campaign focuses on pregnant and lactating women who should be informed on the benefits of using iodized salt, knowing the possible iodine deficiency disorder that may occur and the negative effect of the deficiency on their babies.

De Guzman said iron deficiency is the number one cause of preventable mental retardation in the Philippines and the most visible effect of this deficiency is goiter or an enlarged thyroid gland.

She noted that the most serious effect is on brain formation and mental development and the deficiency is most critical when it occurs in the child growing in the womb of a pregnant woman which may result to severe and irreversible neurological disorders, deafness, still birth or abortion, muteness and mild to moderate mental retardation (reduced IQ points).

“Serious lack of iodine can even lead to death in young children,” the PHO chief stressed.

As this developed, the provincial health officer has instructed all chiefs of hospitals of the provincial government to intensify their information campaign to create greater awareness among all pregnant women and lactating mothers.

She also enjoined the participation of all the rural health units and community hospitals in the province in the conduct of the various activities relative to the wider observance of the GAW celebration.

Towards this end, Dr. De Guzman disclosed that the district hospital and rural health units will conduct the 1st Quarter Patak sa Asin sa Market & Warehouses on January 24 to 28 as part of the celebration as she urged all pregnant women and lactating mothers to use iodized salt everyday and serve their families with iodine-rich foods like salt water fish, seashells, seaweed and other sea foods.

Iodized salt is used to prevent iodine deficiency while iodine is a natural element essential to human life for the normal growth, development and functioning of the body. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)

Pangasinan history comes alive thru the lens of US Navy officer

Lingayen–Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has expressed appreciation to former Governor and Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado F. Estrella, Sr. and to Charles DeMay, an American Navy Officer during the World War II, for their generosity and for their countless effort to establish a more accurate account of Pangasinan’s history.

This was contained in the testimonial message of the governor which was read by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Amadeo T. Espino during the celebration of the 66th Lingayen Gulf Landings and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day on January 10.

“We are genuinely grateful for their generosity and sense of loyalty to the shared history of selfless service of freedom fighters and veterans worldwide,” Espino read.

Estrella confirmed in his speech during the occasion that General Douglas MacArthur first landed on the shore of Lingayen. This, he said, is based on the late general’s words during his “sentimental visit” to the province on July 6, 1961 where he had the chance to personally escort and receive him, being the top official of Pangasinan that time.

According to him, Gen. MacArthur pinpointed the exact place where he first set foot in Lingayen.

Meanwhile, an actual glimpse of Pangasinan history came alive through the priceless photographs taken by DeMay, which were presented in an exhibit last January 10 and are now mounted at the Veterans’ Park here for public viewing.

DeMay belongs to the 302nd Naval Construction Battalion that time and participated in the Leyte and Lingayen Gulf Landings during World War II. He was then assigned to distribute cargo and supplies for both military forces and the civilian population. While on duty, he used his small Brownie camera to capture the aftermath of the bombardment of Lingayen and other coastal towns nearby.

DeMay’s son Jeffrey visited Pangasinan last February 2010 to fulfill his ageing father’s wish that he see the sites he photographed then and take new photos of the sceneries.

The young DeMay, who is married to a Filipina from Leyte, entrusted the priceless photographs of taken by his father to the Pangasinan Heritage Society headed by Arabella Arcinue and the Pangasinan Tourism Office.

Among DeMay’s photographs include actual shots of Gen. MacArthur walking along the main street of Dagupan City, where he established his headquarters at the West Central Elementary School, and vintage edifices like the Capitol and Sison Auditorium. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

DFA grants special ePassport processing for Pangasinenses

LINGAYEN–The Department Of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Region 1 will extend a special ePassport service to Pangasinenses in response to a request from Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr.

According to the Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO)  the DFA has allotted 350 slots to the province. Each city or municipality in turn can avail of seven slots on a first-come-first-served basis.

Applicants are required to first submit the  required documents to their respective Municipal or City Employment Services Officer before January 26 for initial processing.

PESO Chief Alex Ferrer said the provincial government will transport all validated applicants  to the DFA regional office on February 5 on board its  buses. The two pick-up points will be  in front of the old City Hall in Urdaneta City and in front of Magic Mall in Lingayen. Departure time is 5 a.m.

The service is open to applicants who are at least 18 years old. First time applicants will be given priority.

The qualified  applicant will be required to pay P1,200 plus shipping fee of P120 for the delivery of their passport via LBC to their respective addresses after 15 days of processing period.

The governor requested the special service following clamor from Pangasinenpass to facilitate the submission and processing of their applications for a  passport.

Interested applicants are advised to see the Municipal Employment Services Officer in their respective towns or cities for further details. (PIO)

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