PERSONAL MINISTRY CARES EPISODES

 

SCLC PRESIDENT PASTOR JASPER FLORES MESSAGES

 

SOUTH CENTRAL LUZON CONFERENCE IMPLEMENTS A GRANT FROM UNITED STATES BLOOMBERG INITIATIVE - INTERNATIONAL UNION AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASES

 

Project: Support to Tobacco Control Policy Implementation in Calabarzon and Mimaropa Regions

PART I

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

1.1. Problem Statement 

Smoking tobacco and other related-smoking products is one of the primary causes of preventable deaths, and this vice presents a critical public health concern in the Philippines. Apparently, it is an expected problem as the country is dubbed as “the strongest tobacco lobby in Asia” and has the highest per capita levels of cigarette consumption among its peer countries in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, 17.3 million or 28.3% of adult Filipinos currently smokes, 29.8 million or 48.8% Filipinos permits smoking in their respective homes, and 36.9% Filipino workers revealed exposure to tobacco smoke at their workplace. Despite efforts in addressing this alarming problem such as implementation of tobacco control and the passing of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 or the RA 9211, the Philippines currently faces an average death rate of 321 people per day due to tobacco-related diseases. In a showcase of statistics compiled back in 2020, around 110,000 Filipinos die yearly for the same reasons. Tobacco smoke contributes to around 21.8% of male deaths and 9.7% of female deaths (18.6% overall) while tobacco itself contributes to more than 23% of deaths in males and 12% in females (16.6% overall). 1.2 Project Summary The project is designed to detail the tobacco control activities of the North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC) of the Seventh Day Adventist in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Laguna, covered by South-Central Luzon Conference (SCLC), to provide evidence to the Local Government Units (P/M LGUs) ondemand reduction strategies to significantly reduce prevalence and effects of smoking among youth, adults and vulnerable groups. PART II PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

2.1 Context 

2.1a Target Gaps for Proposed Intervention: 

 Despite absolute smoking ban covered by RA 9211, settings on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) ban and access restrictions are not comprehensive and poorly implemented at the national level, contributing to the country being one of the top 15 countries with tobacco-related health burden. To lessen this major public health issue, the project shall focus and tackle four components or Key Result Areas (KRA) of MPOWER—Monitor Use/Policy/Tobacco Industry Activities, Protect, Warn and Enforce TAPS ban by providing evidence based recommendations on tobacco usedrelated ordinances such as smoke-free zones and total smoking ban in public areas effectively and efficiently. To successfully employ these approaches, the project shall concentrate on facilitating the expansion of the local unit affiliates of Regional Tobacco Control Networks (RTCNs),rebuild the coalition and pledge of local chiefs or city mayors to tobacco control and the health burden it brings to Filipino people. This is crucial as local chiefs serve as implementation managers of all national policies, have the authority in their respective cities, and share the values as their constituents. 

2.1b Political Environment & Advocacy Window: 

 Oriental Mindoro Province (with one lone City of Calapan) enjoys strong collaboration with related smoke-free campaign and advocacy of South-Central Luzon Conference (SCLC) of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. SCLC serves as a strong ally of the Department of Health (DOH), and the Oriental Mindoro Anti-Smoking Task Force. 

In 2017, SCLC was given recognition of the National Government through the Philippine National Police in staging activities against harmful drugs and facilitated support to the activities of the Barangay Drug Council. SCLC, in Laguna, also partnered with different organizations, government agencies like the DOH, and LGUs to combat and prevent drug abuse, tobacco-use, and alcohol abuse among thousands of students and out of school youth. SCLC will increase avenues wherein other organizations and key persons may contribute to the achievement of combatting smoking and other tobacco-related burdens through meetings, dialogues, trainings, campaigns, communication plans, social media, stakeholder engagements, webinars, and summits. 

2.1c Stakeholders:

 National Department of Health (DOH), Regional Health Office of CALABARZON and MIMAROPA, City Government of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, City Government of Biñan, Laguna, Provincial Health Board, Provincial DOH office, Regional Tobacco Network, and local Medical Societies. 

2.2 Project Goal and Objectives

Goal: 

The primary goal of this project is to decrease, if not eradicate, tobacco-use in at least 1 city in Region IV-A (Biñan) and 1 city in Region IV-B (Calapan) through the increasing and strengthening of the LGUs’ commitment on promotion and implementation of smoke-free ordinances with TAPS ban and ENDS/ENNDS and HTPs use prohibition provision

Specific Objectives:

One smoke-free ordinance per city. By 2023, ordinances are crafted, funded, and integrated to the implementation/action plan of the LGUs. By 2023, city ordinances regulating the sale and distribution of tobacco products are crafted, funded. In 2023, 1 smoking cessation task force (1 for Calapan, OM and 1 for Biñan, Laguna) is established with at least 20 members. By 2023, then annually for 5 years, a total of 4 structured sessions are conducted for seminars and lectures on smoke-free measures with at least 75% participation rate.

The Members of the Project Team are:

Professor Richard Javier - University of the Philippines Educator in Public Health, Head of Project

Dr. Rogelio Ilagan - Technical Lead

Mr. Roland Pascua - Finance Specialist

Mr. Bryan Veraque - Communications Specialist

Calapan City SDA Church Through The Years

 CALAPAN CITY SDA CHURCH THROUGH THE YEARS

Gifted by many talented and supportive brethrens, Calapan City SDA Church in Tibag, Calapan City Oriental Mindoro continue to push for God's work through regular church activities like mobilization of Care Groups and Youth participation.

Ever since the recent year of capacity and skills building for functional care groups held in the scenic Kanyonero Resort in Puerto Galera Oriental Mindoro, the 4 care groups facilitated activity plans on missionary work and active participation among members and youth during camping and other outreach ministry activities. Today, the youth care group had conducted series of outreach activity meetings in the communities, winning the hearts of young and adult members of the church and the community folks as well.

Vacation bible school, to start with the small cluster of youth is an efficient entry to brethren-participation and the community folks as well. Our church continues to rebuild, enhance and make in-reach and out-reach collaboration with the use of peer groups, small group meetings, sundown worships, seranades, worship singspirations and the use of social media.