Notre Dame, COMELEC Urge Students To Register For 2010 Polls

The Commission on Elections in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato province set up a mobile voter’s registration center at the Notre Dame College. The school and the poll body have urged students who are eligible to vote to register and exercise their rights of suffrage. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato (Mindanao Examiner / August 14, 2009) - The Notre Dame College of Kidapawan and the Commission on Elections have urged students who are eligible to vote next year to register and exercise their rights of suffrage.

The Commission on Elections in Kidapawan City set up a mobile voter’s registration center at the Notre Dame College in an effort to hasten the registration of students.

Civilians were also allowed by the Notre Dame to register with the Commission on Elections.

Filipinos are to elect their local and national officials in next year's polls. (Arlene Solmerano)

Notre Dame College joins emergency drill in Kidapawan City

Hundreds of students joined an emergency drill held Friday, July 17, 2009 at the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College in the southern Filipino city of Kidapawan. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 17, 2009) – Hundreds of students joined an emergency drill held Friday at the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College in the southern Filipino city of Kidapawan.

The drill was also joined by teachers and members of the local Red Cross as part of the city-wide activity that aims to prepare citizens from any emergency responses. Students were briefed on the use of fire extinguishers, first aid among other procedures that could save lives in case of calamities and other emergencies.

Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco earlier issued an executive order enjoining government agencies and private institutions to participate in Friday’s emergency drill. (Arlene Solmerano)

Kidapawan City intensifies campaign on Influenza A(H1N1)

Dr Ted Calica, of the Kidapawan City Hospital, speaks to students of Notre Dame College about the dreaded Influenza A(H1N1) virus. A local woman was said to be infected by the virus. The Philippines has reported its first Influenza A(H1N1)-related death and that hundreds of people are infected with the virus. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 30, 2009) – A Filipino woman returning from a trip in Manila was found infected with the Influenza A (H1N1), making her the first local to have contracted the dreaded virus.

The 38-year old victim who arrived in Kidapawan City with her husband is now being treated. Her husband, who recently returned from a job in Japan, was tested negative for the swine flu virus.

Local Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco also ordered an intensified campaign to prevent the spread of the virus. He also ordered local health officials to assist the woman’s family so they can be tested for the virus in Davao City.

He released funding to help support the campaign against the Influenza A (H1N1).

He urged residents to always wash their hands thoroughly using soap and water to help avoid the H1N1 flu virus. He said keeping the hands away from the face, covering nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, avoiding sick individuals, and staying home when sick are the best ways to prevent contracting and spreading the flu.

The H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu, is a respiratory illness similar to seasonal influenza. (Arlene Solmerano)