Tagbilaran Media Bureau reports city’s events and information

City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II is shown with the infographic post regarding the free flu vaccines for indigent children. Photo courtesy of the City Media Bureau

LGU-Tagb provides free flu jabs for indigent kids

As part of the precautionary measures against the threat of Coronavirus disease (Covid), free flu vaccines are being provided by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran to the indigent children aged 1 to 17 years old, a report from the City Media Bureau says. 

City Health Officer Jeia Pondoc, with her team from the City Health Office (CHO), will administer the flu shots to the eligible kids.

City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II said vaccines can at least provide additional protection against the Covid virus.
“Although no vaccination nor medicine has been discovered yet to cure COVID-19, the methods that we all observe like social distancing, staying home, and washing of hands are proven ways in reducing our chances of catching the virus and spreading it to our loved ones and within our community. According to studies, flu vaccination can help improve our immune response which puts us in a better position to protect ourselves from getting infected with the virus”, Yap said. 
Pondoc reiterated that the flu shot is just a reinforcement of the City Government’s preventive measures against Covid.
Flu vaccines are designed to prevent infections with influenza viruses, it cannot prevent you from getting Covid, the CHO head reiterated.
She emphasized that the flu vaccine can help officials respond better to the outbreak of Covid.

“The effect is indirect. If health care workers are not burdened with flu patients, it can relieve the pressure in hospitals in treating patients with Covid-19. And since the symptoms of flu and Covid are kind of similar with flu, the detection of a Covid case would be easier”, Dr. Pondoc said. 
The City Media Bureau says that those who are interested to get the flu jab are advised to coordinate with their Barangay Health Centers.

CHO nurse Robin Reyes Culpa said the initiative will prioritize the marginalized sector, or kids belonging to low-income families. 

Culpa also reiterated that basic health protocols like the wearing of face masks and face shields will be implemented during the immunization, with strict physical distancing. 

The venue for the vaccination will be the respective barangay’s covered courts to maintain ventilation.
Health declarations forms should also be filled out as part of the mandated health protocols.

One of the beneficiaries, Antonietta Aporan from Barangay Taloto doing a sewing demonstration during the turn-over of tools and equipment to the Bangon ug Abante sa Bag-ong Asenso (BABA) Livelihood Project on April 15, 2021 at barangay Tiptip. Photo courtesy of City Media Bureau
BABA livelihood project turns over tools, equip’t to beneficiaries

The Bangon ug Abante sa Bag-ong Asenso (BABA) Livelihood Project turned over the tools, equipment, and sewing kits to the livelihood training center located in barangay Tiptip on April 15, 2021, according to a report from the City Media Bureau.

City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II together with Tagbilaran City’s First Lady Jane Yap led the turn-over ceremony.
Mayor Yap thanked all the partners, beneficiaries, and staff for this momentous event.
“We are optimistic with this project and we are excited in the endless possibilities which could open to our recipients.We have provided the groundwork, both the skills and financial assistance, for our beneficiaries to succeed”, Yap said. 
City Livelihood and Community Development Unit (CLCDU) Head Adelfa Salutan shared that the tools and equipment that were turned over include 25 units of single stitch hi-speed sewing machines, 5 units 5-threads  high speed sewing machines, 5 units 4-threads sewing machine, 5 units 3-threads sewing machine, 10 units mannequins, 2 units button-sew machines, 1 unit button-holer machines, 10 units ironing boards, 5 units steam press, 10 units flat irons, 2 units heavy duty cutter machines, 2 units piping machines, 25 sets of sewing kits, cloths, and other training paraphernalia.
Salutan said that CLCDU also concluded the final screening of applicants coming from the city’s 15 barangays.
Twenty-five beneficiaries representing the 15 barangays of the city were already identified, according to a report.
Social preparatory trainings on Values Formation, Responsible Parenting, Reproductive Health, Gender Sensitivity and Development, and Financial Literacy and Management were already provided the same report from the City Media Bureau said.
Mentors from partner institution, University of Bohol, conducted the series of trainings. 
The second batch of trainings were also scheduled by the CLDCU in Values Orientation on Oct 15, 2021, Responsible Parenting on Oct 20, 2021, Reproductive Health on Oct. 22, 2021, Gender Sensitivity on Oct. 27, 2021, and Financial Marketing on Oct. 29, 2021.
The skills training on Dressmaking and Tailoring were scheduled on April 16, 2021 but due to the safety health protocols mandated by the LGU, the trainings were postponed. 
The skills training will be handled by institutional partners, Bohol Island State University (BISU) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).
The aim of the livelihood project is to organize the trained beneficiaries to manage the Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturing Cooperative, a 3-year project in partnership with First Consolidated Bank (FCB) Foundation, TESDA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), UB, BISU, and GUGMA Tagbilaran. 
Salutan said once the trained beneficiaries are equipped and empowered, they will take the lead in managing the enterprise.
There are plans to expand the business into the manufacturing of bags and shoes.
“With God’s favor, we plan of marketing their products not only here in our province, but nationally and even abroad with the Tatak Tagbilaran brand”, Salutan emphasized.