The Ilocos Times

In theory , price controls have no place in a free market economy. The idea is simple: let supply and demand determine market prices, and let healthy competition do the rest. In such an ideal world, the government would play referee, not participant. Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs), for instance, should logically be set by manufacturers or distributors—not by government agencies. And yet, as with many things, theory doesn’t always line up with reality. In the Philippines, the concept of the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) appears to be something of a local innovation. It’s not widely seen—or even recognized—in other countries. While the term “suggested” implies a degree of flexibility, the inclusion of “maximum” adds a controlling tone that veers uncomfortably close to a mandated ceiling. This duality conflicts with the principles of a free market economy, where private businesses ideally have the autonomy to price their products based on value, cost, and demand. This raises a...

Surgical setup at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. The surgeon is performing total hip replacement and is assisted by a surgical resident and a scrub nurse. The hospital can cater up to 5 cases per day, a testament to its mission of being a premiere center of excellence in healthcare in Ilocos region. By Michael Sylvestre A. Saturnino City of Batac —The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Ilocos Norte is a beacon of hope for patients suffering from the effects of severe knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis or fractures. Through the invaluable leadership of Dr. Maria Lourdes K. Otayza, medical center chief, and Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, chief of medical professional staff and the financial support from the office of Ilocos Norte first district Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the hospital conducted a life-changing hip and knee replacement mission, providing essential surgical care to those who otherwise may no...

In response to disasters like severe tropical storm Kristine [international name Trami], Sen. Imee Marcos filed Senate Bill No. 186, which aims to create the National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority. The said agency will focus on preparing, giving warnings, responding to and helping communities after calamities. “If we have a centralized authority for disaster management, we would be able to identify the most vulnerable zones and prepare properly against disasters,” Marcos said, calling for an agency that focuses on leading anything disaster-related. Marcos emphasized the lack of preparedness and coordination among provinces frequently affected by calamities, particularly in Bicol. “Bicol faces the Pacific, has an active volcano, and is subject to numerous accompanying threats, why hasn't a synchronized national response been established?” the senator questioned. The victims of severe tropical storm Kristine complained about the power outage, inadequate genset i...

By Noralyn Onto Dudt If you think dieting will make you lose weight, think again. You need to consider what metabolism is and how it works. Metabolism is the process through which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. This complex process powers everything you do, from breathing, to growing, to providing your brain with the energy to think. Whether your body is active or at rest, it's constantly burning calories (a measure of energy) non-stop. Even when you're resting or sleeping, your body needs energy to keep vital functions going, like breathing, circulating blood, and repairing cells. This energy use is called basal metabolic rate (BMR)). Daily activities such as walking,   talking, and doing everyday tasks also burn calories.   Physical activities like running, swimming, or lifting weights increase the number of calories your body uses. Metabolism is largely influenced by genetics. However, there are some lifestyle modifications you can make ...

City of Batac —The provincial government of Ilocos Norte, in partnership with the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC), conducted a medical mission in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, from Sept. 19 to 21, 2024. SGH is the largest acute care tertiary hospital in Singapore, with over 50 clinical specialties, emphasizing patient-centered care and comprehensive healthcare services, and is a leader in medical education and research. The medical team from Singapore was comprised of renown orthopedic, hand, and plastic surgeons, as well as senior nursing and allied healthcare staff. Surgeries performed included hip and knee replacements, arthroscopic procedures for both the shoulder and knee, as well as complex upper limb and facial reconstructive surgeries. Over the years, PGIN, under the leadership of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, has continued to focus on improving the province's health system by part...

Bangui , Ilocos Norte—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in partnership with the Dept. of Health (DOH), conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a four-storey annex building at the Bangui District Hospital in this town on Aug. 18, 2024. Bangui District Hospital, currently a 25-bed secondary hospital under the management of PGIN, stands as the primary healthcare provider in the northern part of Ilocos Norte. A budget amounting to PHP74 million from the General Appropriations Act of 2023-2024, through the DOH hospital enhancement project, has been allocated to upgrade the hospital from Level 1 to Level 2. The provincial government, under the leadership of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, continues to develop projects that aim to strengthen the healthcare system of the province to cater to the increasing medical demands of every Ilokano. "Today is another milestone in achieving the Level 2 status na gusto natin for Bangui Dis...

By Noralyn Onto Dudt CORTISOL,   the body's primary stress hormone, is a key part of the fight-or-flight response, a natural reaction to perceived threats. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone that your adrenal glands located at the top of the kidneys produce and release. Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. If the brain perceives something dangerous, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) which travels to the pituitary gland, triggering the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone travels to the adrenal glands, prompting them to release cortisol. Glucocorticoid s are a type of steroid hormone. They suppress inflammation in all of your bodily tissues and control metabolism in your muscles, fat, liver and bones. Glucocorticoid s also affect sleep-w...

By Noralyn Onto Dudt SEVERAL research studied have found an association between ultra-processed foods and all causes of mortality: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, adverse sleep outcomes, adverse anxiety outcomes,   asthma, hypertension, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, obesity,   metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The latest study published just a few weeks ago in the journal Lancet Regional Health-Europe, had just shed more light on the risks. The researchers found that eating plant-derived foods that are ultra-processed—such as meat substitutes,   fruit juices and pastries—increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, when plant foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts are only minimally processed,   meaning they are cleaned,   cut and packaged but served largely as they are found in nature, they have protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Food processing takes many forms: from gr...

By Noralyn O. Dudt The question of how to live a long, healthy life is increasingly at the forefront of medical research. While centuries ago some may have turned to finding mythical immortality-granting items like the Holy Grail, scientists now say that achieving longevity may rely on eating the right food, adopting healthy habits, and remaining socially active. Reaching your hundredth birthday means you become a member of a "special club" of centenarians.   While researchers believe the number of centenarians was very low before 1900, today many more people are able to reach this ripe old age. In 2005, National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner identified five regions in the world—dubbed “Blue Zones”, after the blue circles drawn on maps by demographic researchers—where people have consistently lived to be more than 100. While other studies indicate skepticism of records in some of the Blue Zones,   using the Blue Zones as a source of inspiration to adopt its principl...

By Aileen Tangonan MacAndrew and Noralyn Onto Dudt Clinical trials are research studies with the goal of   testing   a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention in people. These trials are the primary means   for researchers to determine if a new form of treatment   or prevention, such as a new drug, diet, or medical device   ( for example, a pacemaker) is safe and effective in people. The trials   study   new tests and treatments and then evaluates their effects on human health outcomes. The importance of clinical trials in cancer care is evident in patients' overall survival.   Most patients with advanced malignancies are heavily pretreated with standard-of-care treatments. Thus, clinical trials in the practice of evidence-based medicine are important options for them. As clinical trials could   take as long as ten years, its application   involves dedication, patience, and great camaraderie among the entire research team: Pri...

The law requires municipalities, cities and provinces to appoint representatives of Indigenous Cultural Minorities (ICMs) to the municipal, city and provincial councils if there are enough of them who are living within their jurisdictions. This is a wonderful provision in the law, but it seems that its implementation is not uniformly or consistently done all over the country. At the outset, I would say that the Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are the agencies that should take the lead in implementing these laws, but it seems difficult to gather compliance data about which jurisdictions are abiding with the laws and which ones are not. Aside from the two NGAs and the three levels of LGUs, I believe that the role of NGOs in the overall implementation should also be recognized, including the many churches-based organizations (CBOs) that are helping the ICMs everywhere. Counting everyone, there should be a three-w...