AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 10 EYE....FROM P. 6


to the DENR on smuggling, trading or capture of wild birds by individuals.


responded quickly to a call about the death of some native chickens in Bgy. Talay. After conducting initial field investigations, five chickens were found to have died of colds. Chickens are susceptible to getting colds with symptoms including sneezing, nasal discharge difficulty, running or blocked nose. Nevertheless, we needed


At 3pm on Aug. 22, I Latest


to get samples and sent them to the laboratory of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Cebu. The following day I led the


Anti-Bird Flu team composed of representatives from the City Agriculturist’s Office, Office of the City Veterinarian, City Health Office, Provincial


Vice Governor Mark Macias (center) meets his fraternity brothers in the reunion of Mekeram Family Saturday during the Silliman alumni breakfast at the Silliman Hall. (Photo by Alex Pal)


They were led to the basement of a lawyer’s house where they found a sack of rice. Since they did not know how long they would be there, they ate only once a day, and ate rice only. They slept on the cold cement floor with no pillows, blankets, not even banig. They had no water. To


MESSAGE....FROM P. 9


and on the third day, since the chicken meat had crumbled in the broth, they finally had chicken meat with rice. On their tenth day, one


out, single file along the hedges and bushes, amid snipers and fear of being found and shot at. Throughout their ordeal,


avoid dehydration, they would swab with their fingers the morning mist that formed on the cement walls to wet their lips. They also depended on rain.


found a chicken running around which they boiled whole in a big pot as there was no knife around. The whole chicken lasted the 42 people three days: the first two days with chicken broth and rice;


By the seventh day, they


of them bravely went up the house and found bulad and dried shrimps and anchovies which they ate with their steamed rice. They communicated with the outside world through cellphone. They agreed that they will only use one phone to save on battery since there was no electricity. Good thing, one of the m had a power bank. The group was able to communicate with an uncle in the military. They connected with some alumni who updated them with what was happening outside. On the 12th day, they all decided to escape, crawling


Happy 116th


and that some women may be pregnant by now.


they never lost hope, they continued to remain steadfast. They had no water but the rains came and it provided respite from their thirst and hunger. Twice during the 12 days, the Maute came knocking on the doors, going room to room, floor by floor, but they never entered the basement. And wonder of wonders, no one got sick despite the horrible conditions.


Unfortunately, however, several hostages, including the seven teachers abducted on the first day, continue to be held in captivity, and their whereabouts, unknown. There are reports that the hostages are ordered to do some looting,


Founders Day


Silliman University “Celebrating God’s faithfulness”


used Dansalan College as a stronghold, its high structures as machine gun nests, and vantage points for snipers. The remaining structures have been vandalized. Because of their presence in the campus, the buildings became targets of military airstrikes. So far, 18 buildings have been bombed and razed to the ground. The campus has since been liberated by government forces, and is now in the custody of the military. Three years ago, Dansalan started construction of its Iligan campus. Seeing that it’s now virtually impossible to continue operation in Marawi, it has been decided that the Iligan campus will be opened


For a time, the Maute


in response to the plea of parents whose families have since evacuated from Marawi to Iligan.


students are enrolled. Teachers and staff who can be accommodated in the smaller campus have resumed regular classes. In response to the humanitarian crisis in Marawi, particularly in Dansalan College, our own Silliman University through Silliman Church is making an appeal to the wider Silliman community of alumni and friends for help for Dansalan. Initially, the displaced


Right now, some 250


Veterinarian’s Office, and the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture in proceeding to the affected site with City Vet Dr. Lourdes Soccoro and Dr. Alfonso Tundag of BAI administering the collection of blood samples from five affected chickens for laboratory analysis. As of Aug. 23, a total of 15


chickens have died one after the other in few days time from two households. As


Dumaguete is still safe and free of the bird flu flu virus. Hopefully, these are isolated case of atay or Newcastle Disease that affects poultry animals.


of thi s wr i ting,


METROPOST


We have advised the concerned backyard growers to segregate the affected chicken from the unaffected ones as well as maintain cleanliness and sanitation in the surrounding areas.


Edna Orteza, visited Dansalan College-Iligan to personally hand over P1 million (which is still being raised by Silliman Church) as the University’s financial assistance to the displaced faculty and staff. The plan is to rehabilitate


students were accommodated in Silliman. A psycho-social response team was sent to Marawi to provide assistance. The Presbyterian Church donation for calamity response intended for Leyte has been re- directed to Dansalan instead. On Aug. 3, Silliman Trustee


Bishop Labuntog, and myself, together with former Trustee


Dansalan College, restore operation, and enable it to fulfill its ministry in formal education in a multi-faith, multi-cultural context. More importantly, to continue serving an interfaith community in spite of historical conflicts. With God’s enduring faithfulness, Dansalan College remains hopeful, and we are confident they will rise again, like it did 67 years ago. And even as we get on


with our lives, celebrating God’s faithfulness to us here in SUMC and the wider Silliman community, and as we join with Silliman in celebrating its 116th Founders Day, I urge you to also keep our brothers and sisters in Dansalan College in your prayers.


Silliman University Medical Center Foundation Inc.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16