Wednesday, August 06, 2008 Escalante City frees captured sea turtle
MAYOR Melecio Yap Jr. ordered Tuesday the freeing of a 6-kilogram sea turtle along the Tañon Strait after being caught in the fish net by Jose Gondinado of sitio Cogon in Barangay Alimango, Escalante City four days ago.
The turtle was caught along the del Pilar shorelines and was put in the fishpond with its body tied by a nylon. It was set free after Yap learned of the incidence through the City Civil Security and Agriculture offices. The 15-inch long and 13 1/2 inches wide turtle has a 10151C Q.C. 1100 tag in the right side of its shell.
Yap also instructed the putting of an 'Escalante City' additional tag on the turtle's shell before its release, which was witnessed by Yap, Chief Insp. Leonardo Angcon, Lawyer Danny Pondevilla, Abner Patigas, a representative from the City Agriculture Office; the City Civil Security Office led by Rolyn Cabus, and VGDH administrative officer Fernando Ughayon.
Meanwhile, Yap and six punong barangays of Escalante received awards during the National Sandugo ceremony at the Manila Hotel last July 30.
The affair conducted was based on the 2007 accomplishments and graced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who challenged the awardees to recruit more blood donors to save more lives. The six punong barangays are Lily Yap of Barangay Alimango, Benigno Malaay of Washington, Vergilio Gamao of Jonobjonob, Niddie Tan of Rizal, Manguilimotan of Pinapugasan and Eduardo Raboy Sr. of Langub.
Yap has also launched an indigent program for the benefit of his constituents living below the poverty line or those low-income earners and malnourished children.
In Executive Order (EO) 10-2008, Yap constituted and mobilized the task force on local indigent program. EO 11-2008, meanwhile, states the implementing policies and guidelines on hospitalization assistance.
Indigent beneficiaries who could qualify for the hospitalization assistance must be bonafide resident of Escalante City for at least six months as certified by the punong barangay or kagawad, not gainfully employed, a registered voter in the city except those incapacitated to register due to physical or mental disabilities, and has a Medicare Para sa Masa number. If the patient-applicant is a minor, his or her parents or guardians must meet the requirements.
Some indigent identification cards were already handed to the barangays of the city through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the barangay nutrition scholars. The bearer of the ID and his/her legal dependents are bonafide beneficiaries and are entitled to all the rights and privileges under the indigent program of the city. The ID must be presented when availing of services from the city government.
The program underscores the importance for government to give priority to health as a strategy for improving the quality of life of its constituency.
