MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Toddler needs samaritans to help mend hole in heart
By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- Trinalyn Mangisel’s heart condition surfaced just after the toddler turned one last October.

Like any kid, she tried to cope with distress or pain by crying. When her wails became incessant, Lorna, her 26-year old mother, brought her to a hospital to determine what was wrong.

Tests revealed the baby has a hole in her heart, a congenital defect medically known as patent ductus arteriosus.

According to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, “the ductus arteriosus is the temporary blood vessel that allows blood to bypass the baby’s lungs before it is born”.

This is because the baby does not breathe on its own before it is born.

When the baby is born, the lung starts to provide oxygen and the ductus arteriosus closes.

In the case of Trinalyn, it did not, hence the qualifier “patent”, which means “open”. If it remains open, “too much blood may go into the baby’s lungs (and) this could lead to heart failure”, the children’s hospital said in a medical advisory.
Pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Gerry Acosta of the Baguio Heart and Lung Diagnostic Center confirmed the finding.

Early this month, he recommended a repeat 2D Echo (two-dimensional electrocardiography) to determine if heart surgery would be needed.
Because of the costs, neither has been done. A 2D Echo procedure costs about P3,500. If surgery would be required, the family would need about P130,000 to mend Trinalyn’s heart.

Before the diagnosis, Lorna (nee Sagorsor) stayed home, going out only to bring or fetch six-year old Trishalyn, her elder daughter, to and from kindergarten school. Since then, she and the two kids need to get out, to look for support towards Trinalyn’s healing. .

The young family subsists on the pay of Joel, their 27-year old father who issues out bingo cards at the Centermall. They share a house owned by Joel’s parents at 203 Lamen Village, Purok 20, Upper Irisan.

“The family can not afford the needed medical test due to limited income,” social welfare officer Shirley Casallo said in a social case study report issued last week.

Trinalyn’s condition is similar to that of Santy John Tuyan, then nine-year old whose successful surgery for PDA was made possible by internet chat room mates, mostly women, in 2006.

One of the women who calls herself “Princess Lea”, broached an “e-wagwagan,” an on-line auction inspired by e-bay and the “ukay-ukay” hand-me-down dry goods stores here, to raise money for Santy John’s surgery.

One of them “auctioned” herself for a date while another offered to be kissed for a fee to contribute to the fund drive.

Princess Lea, a Baguio girl working as a nurse in the United States, and her two sisters, contributed bulk of the fund.

On her advice, the remaining amount after surgery was used for other patients.
Now it’s one-year-and=five-month old Trinalyn’s turn.

People who want to see her grow up like any normal kid may ring her mother’s cellphone number 09186666303.


City, Uniwide set talks to build burned market
By Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY – City officials comprising the team formed by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. to negotiate on the market development are set to hold a dialogue with Uniwide Sales Realty and Resources Corp. (Uniwide) on March 24.

Acting mayor Daniel Farinas bared this during the Ugnayang Panlungsod press briefing Thursday.

Farinas said the seven-man team chaired by the mayor himself convened last Wednesday and agreed to write the Uniwide president informing of the city’s concerns relative to the development of the market.

Farinas, a member of the team, said they expect the city’s concerns to be addressed by the firm during the dialogue particularly on whether Uniwide is still interested and capable to pursue the long derailed project.

Farinas said the team will also seek to clarify if the city can undertake improvement of certain portions of the market particularly the Blocks 3 and 4, the Rillera building and now the areas gutted by fire in view of the contract which has been declared binding by the courts albeit the decision remains on appeal.

Apart from the mayor and vice mayor, the team is also composed of Councilors Richard Carino, Elaine Sembrano and Antonio Tabora Jr., city treasurer Thelma Manaois, city administrator Peter Fianza, legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes and secretary to the mayor Ronald Perez.

The mayor formed the team in recognition of the immediate need to take action on improving the market following the fire that gutted a section of the trading center amid the Panagbenga celebration last March 2. Last year, another portion was razed in another blaze.

“The recurring fires at said area are unavoidable due to the rapidly deteriorating state of the market exposing market frequenters, mechants and tourists to the risk of being caught in another mishap. Aside from being a fire hazard, it poses danger to health and life as it also has become a health and peace and order risk,” the mayor.

He said the Regional Trial Court has upheld the validity of the contract between the city and the Uniwide, a decision that dissolved the temporary restraining order that prevented the city from pursuing the deal with Uniwide.

Rabanes said that three possible actions can be expected from Uniwide which are either to push through with the development, form a consortium to undertake the project or sell rights over the project.

The mayor had earlier expressed preference for Uniwide to cede the development project to the city government so the city can have the freedom to chart the development on its own.


Displaced workers can enjoy health benefits
By Dexter See
BAGUIO CITY – Displaced overseas Filipino workers and retrenched employees nationwide can still enjoy health benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. provided they maintain their membership even in a different category.

This was bared by Dr. Rey Aquino, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer, who added lack of employment should not be a hindrance for them to enjoy the benefits of regular members of the state-run social health insurance system.

He urged companies intending to layoff workers to first coordinate with their office so they could iron out things to ensure continuity of health benefits of retrenched employees while they are searching for other jobs.

Aquino said the corporation is not affected by the impact of the global financial crisis which is expected to take its toll on developing countries like the Philippines this year, citing they have no investments in international banks as they prefer patronizing government banks and securing their investments.

Earlier, thousands of displaced OFWs and retrenched workers nationwide expressed concern over the expected serious negative effects of the global financial crisis on their health benefits because of their separation from employment.

Aquino allayed the fears of the displaced workers, citing they are doing all possible ways and means within their corporate powers to maintain the health benefits of the affected workers provided they sustain their membership with the firm.

After the expiration of their one year coverage as a result of their regular employment, Aquino said retrenched workers could avail of their program on individually-paying members which is only P1,200 per anum or their sponsored program whichever would be feasible to them.

Once enrolled in any of their programs, he explained the displaced workers will enjoy the health benefits being enjoyed by their regular paying members, particularly the hospitalization benefit and other packages, in case they need it in the future.

Aquino said the provision of health benefits to the Filipinos is their primodial concern, thus, they are making use of their available resources to ensure the universal enrollment of 85 per5cent of the population by the end of this year so that they will be entitled to the social health insurance being implemented by the corporation.


Easter bunny costume contest set at SM City
By Karren Padilla

BAGUIO CITY -- The Awesome Eaterific Adventure here at SM City has been set April 12 and is open to children aged 4-12..

To join, contestants must present a minimum single or accumulated purchase of P300 from any store or establishment at SM City Baguio bought from April 1 to 12.

Participants may get their application forms starting March 20, at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the registration booth at the event center and administration office of SM at the lower basement of the mall.

The submission of application forms will start April 1.

Upon submission of registration, the contestants must purchase one SM Supermalls Green Bag which will be used for the Easter egg hunt

Registered kids are also entitled to free face painting and free twisted balloons. The costume party will be on April 12 at 2:30 p.m. and will have interactive games, magic show and mini=circus show for kids at the event center.

Contestants must dress up as their favorite Easter Bunny in different exciting and creative styles, the wackiest bunny costume, cutest bunny and most colorful bunny.

Each winner per category will receive P5,000 worth of SM goods plus other
prizes.

Join the Easter bunny costume contest at SM City Baguio now!


Civil service tests slated March 29
BAGUIO CITY --- The Civil Service Commission – Cordillera Administrative Region is conducting the initial Career Service Examinations - paper and pencil test (CSE-PPT) for professional (second level) and sub-professional (first level) for the year on March 29, at the Baguio City National High School and Pines City National High School, respectively.

Lorenzo Danipog, regional CSC director bared this saying if notice or permit is not received one week before the examination date, prospective examinees must personally verify their school and room assignments from the CSC-CAR Regional Office or through telephone number (074)443-9282 or from the CSC field office where they filed their application.

Failure to take the examination on the scheduled date will mean forfeiture of the paid examination fees. No request for re-scheduling is allowed, he said.

Applicants should bring the following on examination day: 1) notice of admission or examination permit; 2) application eeceipt; 3) lead pencil and eraser/s; 4) ball pen (blue or black); and 5) same valid ID cards (current office ID, driver’s license, SSS ID, BIR ID, Postal ID and valid passport) presented during the application stage.

Danipog cautioned examinees not to bring cellular phones and materials other than those listed above or these would be confiscated by security officers.

The Commission will not be liable for the loss or damage of said belongings, he said, adding examinees are advised to come early before 7:30.

Any form of examination irregularity such as impersonation, cheating, and collusion shall be dealt with administratively, he said. “Those found guilty of an examination offense shall be meted the penalties of cancellation of examination and/or eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and dismissal from the service, if currently employed in the government. In addition, criminal prosecution will be pursued which may result in imprisonment.”

Two more examination schedules have been set July 26 and Nov. 15 for the CSE-PPT for professional (second level) and subprofessional (first level).

The local scholarship program – masteral degree course would be conducted May 10.


Taxi driver robbed, stabbed
BAGUIO CITY -- Another taxi driver was stabbed on the nape by still unidentified men and robbed of his earnings March 9 around 10:30 p.m. at Scout Barrio, police said.

The 24-year-old victim, whose name was not disclosed for security reasons, said he was driving along Harrison road when two men hailed him and requested that they be brought them to Hillside.

Along hillside rotonda the suspects requested the driver to proceed to Scout Barrio.

But when they got on a dark portion of the place, the man seated at the back strangled his neck, pointed a knife a him, then declared a hold-up while the man seated infront pointed a knife on his chest.

The driver voluntarily gave his wallet but the suspect at the back stabbed the driver's nape.

The culprits reportedly left so the driver went to Baguio General Hospital for treatment.

He later reported the incident to police who said they were still investigating. -- Deborah Dogillo