The real status of NCMH and its program to counteract ECQ-Driven Depression and Anxiety

NCMH Chief, Dr. Roland Cortez during the media forum held last April 28, 2020 

Aside from physical health, protection, security, financial, and economic stabilty problems that we all are facing because they are all correlated with the dreadful CoVid-19 virus Pandemic, what do you think is the next important aspect that we should not ignore and must take care of very seriously? 

Your guess is as good as mine. It's mental health. Because of the growing speculations and ignorance of the others, the NCMH (National Center for Mental Health) Chief, Dr. Roland Cortez has finally decided to have a media forum the other day to inform the public of their real status in a lockdown situation caused by CoVid-19. 

I was fortunate enough to join him and other media outfits in a panel via Zoom video conference. 

The media forum with Dr. Roland Cortez and other media people 
(photo credit to my good blogger/friend www.raindeocampo.com) 

At first, Dr. Cortez had informed everyone that the hospital has a record of 60 employees positive with CoVid-19, and 11 of them, had recovered while for the 16 patients that were tested positive with the said virus, one has recovered. It can be a great deal for them and for all of us, right? Knowing their statistics, it only means that a lot of people in the institution are at risk and they are taking a great leap out of it. 

Good thing, Dr. Cortez also mentioned that, they had transformed one of their pavillions (Pavillion 7) into an isolation center, with a 100-bed capacity wherein CoVid-19 positive patients are being treated here. 

Since the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) has been extended, we could expect a relevant number of people suffering from Pandemic or lockdown-driven depression, anxiety and nervousness. According to Dr. Cortez, “Depression is on the rise because of the feeling of uncertainty. Those who are affected by it are asking: When will I go back to work? Do I still have work after the ECQ? How do I feed my family? When will we stop depending on government aid? When will COVID-19 be totally eradicated?”

All these worries, all those queries and fear could possibly lead to anxieties then later on depression. This is expected in our type of community lockdown set-up, that is why this elevated stat on depression could be counteracted if our government has clear guidelines to help the people. Dr. Cortez also mentioned that, since the outbreak, they are now only accepting patients who are suicidal and who are capable of hurting other people. 

Dr. Cortez said, about 200 people call the 24-hour hotline numbers (0917-898-8727 and 989-8727) of the hospital everyday since the ECQ was implemented in Luzon last month. 

He also discussed about the probabilty of the senior citizens and the young ones being affected emotionally because of the lockdown. He suggested that “Parents should reassure their kids that the ECQ is temporary; that when it is lifted, they can play again outside the house or with their friends." 

His over-all suggested program for everyone in an ECQ mode, most especially for the ones who are starting to lose hope, to feel helpless, sad, and depress about our situation, he said that to have a healthy and positive outlook in life like watching feel-good movies, listen to your fave songs, clean the house or read inspiring books.

Refrain from watching bad or negative news, do not entertain negative ideas, sleep at least eight hours daily but do not oversleep, drink eight glasses of water to hydrate ourselves most especially this summer season. Have time to exercise regularly, we can also have a brisk walk inside our houses ( like I do too) , eat and drink healthy. Do deep breathing exercises to strengthen our lungs. Do not smoke, no alcohol drinking ( it's really prohibited, fyi) and don't do drugs.  Dr. Cortez also highly recommends that we should explore other things like we channel the artists within us, like engage ourselves to painting, poetry, or learn to play an instrument. 

Part having a healthy lifestyle is being open-minded and engaging ourselves meditation. practice mindfulness and the most important thing, PRAY. 

If you can relate to this article or if you know anyone who's suffering from this mental state, please do your part in heeding these suggestions and much better if will share to to those you think could also benefit from what Dr. Cortez had suggested. 



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Frozen Jollibee Chickenjoy now available in Alfamart stores



Everyone’s favorite Jollibee Chickenjoy just got closer to home!
  
Jollibee’s Marinated Frozen Chicken Cut-Ups is now available in select Alfamart stores. 

The pre-marinated Chickenjoy cut-ups are seasoned with Jollibee’s signature spices, so all you need to do is thaw, coat in egg and flour, and deep fry.  

Alfamart is the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines with over 800 branches throughout north, central, and south Luzon. 

Now you won't have to worry about travel restrictions or facing long lines at the check-out counter to get your Chickenjoy fix. Just waltz over to the nearest Alfamart in your neighborhood to know more. 

Jollibee’s Marinated Frozen Chicken Cut-Ups are available while supplies last.

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SJDM Congresswoman Rida Robes discusses 3-point framework in response to COVID-19 crisis

SJDM Congresswoman Rida Robes 

Being a mother to your children is a very noble and very rewarding job. It doesn't require a degree and too much technicalities to be able to become a full-pledged mother. Congresswoman Rida Robes is not just a mother to her daughter but the "mother" to her SJDM family. Sometimes we really need to make our own sacrifices for their own sake. As a mother, the welfare, security and protection of her "family" is of utmost importance.

That is why, Congresswoman Rida Robes has to do all this sacrifices (she quarantined herself) and now she has come up with a 3-point framework in response to CoVid-19 crisis. 


Amid ongoing relief operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Congresswoman Rida Robes of the lone district of San Jose del Monte (SJDM) City, Bulacan touched base with her constituents in a 5-minute talk with members of the media on April 2. The congresswoman had just finished doing self-quarantine — something she chose to do after she was exposed to some public servants and politicians who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Robes used a very personal approach to encourage people to be responsible enough to automatically undergo self-quarantine and practice physical distancing. "Alam n'yo nung panahon na ako ay nasa loob lang ng kwarto, sobrang lungkot ako. My daughter was asking me, 'Mom, when can I hug you? When can I kiss you?' I told her, 'On Thursday, anak. And that's today, my 21st day of self-quarantine. Bakit ko ito ginawa? Kasi I love my family most and, of course, I love my family here in the district of the city of San Jose del Monte. Ayaw ko 'yung na-expose na nga ako, tapos lalabas pa ako. It's very irresponsible if I do that. Dahil mahal ko kayo, tiniis ko na nakikita ko lang si Mayor [Arthur Robes] outside, nakikita ko lang ang aking mga kapamilya combatting this kind of calamity."

The congresswoman went on to discuss SJDM's efforts during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). She explained that she and her husband SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes (who went into self-quarantine about a week after she did) and their respective teams worked using a three-point framework that was based on one principle: "Pagyamanin mo kung ano ang meron ka." This involved the following:

1. Seeking a resolution to enable the use of the calamity fund.

2. Coordinated with frontlines, which included the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) about setting up of checkpoints according to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the implementation of the ECQ.

3. Implementing rehabilitation programs to address the needs of the people, especially the micro and small business owners.

In line with the Robes couple's mission of inclusive progress, Congresswoman Robes explained that they made sure to cater to nearly 69,000 indigent people in SJDM. Indeed, in the first wave of the distribution of relief packs, 10,910 indigent people were served. In the second wave, 58,060 people were reached. Congresswoman Robes stated that there would be a third wave of relief pack distribution. "Ideally, we could go to all the 145,000 households in SJDM," she added.

Robes mentioned that they were also waiting for the full implementation of the "Bayanihan Heal as One" (BAHO) Act so that more help could be extended to the people of SJDM.

When asked how she felt about the bashers who criticized her and Mayor Robes' efforts, Congresswoman Robes said, "Nakikiusuap po ako na huwag na po nating isali ang pamumulitika rito. Your criticisms are welcome, but if you cannot contribute anything then please just pray for our city." The congresswoman asked everyone to just unite so that the whole district could get through the crisis.


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Netizens all praise to Super Minimart Frontliners



When the inevitable news of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), startled the whole of Luzon last March 16, 2020 to inhibit the further spread of Corona Virus Disease (CoVid-19) that's been infecting a lot of people, causing so much damage and even lives of men from different walks of life. 

Amidst these waries, lockdowns and limitations caused by the global "pandemic," there will always be someone or somebody that will rise up, stand up the fight, and who are brave to help us and conquer their fear to be able to perform and fulfill their duties and fulfill what they have sworn in order to assist their beloved fellowmen. 

In life we really have to make our own sacrifices, and this time,  we should all be thanking and give due recognition to all the frontliners like the doctors, nurses, medical team, hospital staff, the police force, baranggay officials and staff, the factory workers who continue to supply us with food, the people working in the medical laboratories, the farmers, the salespersons in the groceries, supermarkets and in the convenient stores. 

In line with this, I would like to commend Alfamart, one of the leading super mini-markets in the country. Been reading a lot of good commendations and praises about them here are some of those: 


Like what this particular netizen somewhere in Cavite. He posted several photos of Alfamart employees/ staff there because he felt that he should do his part by thanking and praising them in hardest times like this. In his caption, he indicated that the Alfamart peeps keep on working and fighting to continue to serve the people. 



In this particular post from another netizen, I guess this was really written from his heart. You can see and feel how much thankful he is and even tagged Alfamart as their oasis that's keeping them sane and giving them hope that there will always be an always "ready to serve" mini-market in their community that will somehow will help them get through with this. 


One netizen also had taken a snap of this Alfamart van parked outside the employee's entrance. I can see that the safety and protection of their employees are also of utmost importance to Alfamart. And kudos to all of you guys!!! 

Alfamart management said that part of its mandate is to keep the working environment safe and comfortable, so it also works hard to supply disinfectant, sanitizers, and PPEs to their staff. In this time of crisis, anyone who is still reporting to work, whether it be medical or any other service, deserves support from everyone. So don’t forget to thank the ones that serve to meet our day-to-day needs despite the looming threat of disease. Let us make sure that all our frontliners know that their service is greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for doing such great job guys! Your valued efforts and dedication are highly appreciated!!! Keep it up guys and God bless!





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