DepEd provides Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Masbate schools

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




The Department of Education (DepEd) has conducted Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for over 1000 learners, and 100 teaching and non-teaching personnel across the Schools Division of Masbate affected by armed conflict.

Spearheaded by the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Service (DRRMS), together with the Learners Rights and Protection Office (LRPO), the Department held Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities from April 25 to 27, in Villahermosa Elementary School and Villahermosa National High School in Cawayan, Masbate, and Locso-an Elementary School and Arriesgado-Sevilleno National High School in Placer, Masbate.

“This is the reality that we need to respond to, and there is an urgency to react to these situations. Anchored on the MATATAG Agenda, our response is to provide a safe environment for our teachers and learners,” Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) Director Atty. Christian E. Rivero noted.

Atty. Rivero likewise highlighted the role of the Psychological First Aid (PFA) providers in responding to the needs of the learners and school personnel, especially in challenging times.

On the other hand, the DepEd Regional Office V Lead Representative Ms. Maria Cristina G. Baroso said that the conduct of PFA establishes human connections in a non-intrusive yet compassionate manner with the affected learners and teachers. She added that aside from normalizing and validating feelings, it is an opportunity to share the multiple sources of strengths which can be accessed in the school and community.

Together with 85 PFA providers from SDO Masbate, DepEd-DRRMS and the RO V provided MHPSS to the conflict-affected personnel and learners.

Implementing partners, including Ms. Florina Padilla-Santiago, a psychologist from Psychological Association of the Philippines’ (PAP) MHPSS-Special Interest Group (SIG), and Mr. Kurt Essa Rastrullo, a Registered Guidance Counselor from SDO Legazpi, served as experts and resource persons during the PFA provision and orientation.

Meanwhile, School Governance and Operations Division Chief Education Supervisor Mark Anthony H. Rupa pointed out in the activity that the top priority is the safety of the learners, teachers, and the PFA team. He also reminded the PFA providers to stay calm and remain focused during the deployment of PFA regardless of the adversity of the situation.

According to DepEd-DRRMS, SDO Masbate plans to strengthen capacity of schools to respond to similar situations with the support of the Central Office and Regional Office.

MIAA is accountable for terminal 3 power outage

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The country’s air traffic once again suffered a jolt in operation as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 experienced a more than seven hours of power outage causing the cancellation of more than 40 flights. Based on initial reports, the recent outage at NAIA Terminal 3 was due to fault current caused by dilapidated and old electrical wirings prompting Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Department of Transportation to order for an over-all audit of the airport and the procurement of additional generators to ensure that sufficient electricity inside the airport.

Roland Vibal, National Coordinator of Kuryente.org, said:

“There is negligence on the part the MIAA, whose mandate is to upgrade and provide safe, efficient and reliable airport facilities for international and domestic air travel. It seems the incidents in NAIA proves the agency’s failure in its duties. Its pronouncement regarding the incident cannot cover for the agency’s culpability to the current state of our airport. The electricity outage created tensions and dismay between airport personnel and passengers caught stranded and forced to rebook their flights. Apologies are not enough. Heads must roll in the agency and a formal investigation and reforms to its operation is needed.”

MOU Contract Signing between PIA and IA to formalize partnership to promote Walled City

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Intramuros Administration (IA) officials signed on Friday, April 28, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes their partnership in promotion of the cultural significance of the walled city, Intramuros.

Director-General Ramon Lee Cualoping III signed for PIA, while Atty. Joan M. Padilla signed for Intramuros Administartion.

During the signing ceremony, Atty. Padilla highlighted the importance of the media in the any promotional campaign and advocacy.

“The media has become an indispensable instrument in our daily lives with increasing need for a platform to express our thoughts and showcase our interest especially in promoting and accelerating the public’s enthusiasm in exploring potential tourist attractions like Intramuros,” Padilla said.

“There is no doubt that the media plays a crucial role that is why today is truly a momentous occasion and I am thrilled to see the culmination of our partnership between the IA and PIA,” she added.

DG Cualoping for his part emphasized the need to promote Intramuros not only on-ground but also online through interesting and inspiring stories shared across the country.

“The people in Mindanao and Visayas, in the farthest areas of Luzon, must know about Intramuros, we must rekindle that kind of relationship that we all have with Intramuros,” DG Cualoping said

Witnessing the ceremonial signing are PIA Program Management Division Head Darell Winthrop Torres, PIA-NCR Regional Head Emver P. Cortez, IA Head Executive Assistant Vanessa Rodriguez, and IA Tourism Promotion Division Chief Sandra Martinez.

Under the MOU, PIA shall plan, develop, create communication strategies and publicity campaigns to raise awareness on IA’s various promotional activities and programs, cross-post IA’s social media, craft and develop Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and provide event support.

On the other hand, IA shall send PIA event invitations on the promotional activities and programs of IA for media coverage, provide necessary information and updates, and provide complementary and exclusive access to a venue inside the Intramuros.

IA is a National Government Agency attached to the Department of Tourism of the Philippines.

It was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1616, and is responsible for the orderly restoration and development of Intramuros as a monument to the Hispanic period of Philippine history.