warning to all customers where there are SM owned establishments, SM malls
Based on the information on the registry return receipt for my complaint letter, numbered 0650 and addressed to the SM corporate offices in Pasay City, my said letter was received on April 14, 2009 by an agent of said offices. Said offices were identified as in charge of all SM malls, SM department stores, Save More stores, etc. Said letter concerned short changing to me, by an employee working at SM supermarket at SM Makati, of 100 pesos. Up to May 23, 2009, I have not received any reply to said letter from anyone from said offices. This is the way said offices treated a complaint.
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http://www.doh.gov.ph/
UPDATE NO. 18 - RP's FIRST H1N1 CASE

21 May 2009

The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines.

A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada. A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough.

Today, RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza A (H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).

UPDATE NO. 18 - RP's FIRST H1N1 CASE

21 May 2009

The Department of Health is officially announcing this evening the first confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Philippines.

A female traveler arrived in the Philippines on May 18, Monday, from the United States and Canada. A throat specimen was collected, and was tested at the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) on May 20, Wednesday, after she developed fever, sore throat and cough.

Today, RITM confirmed that the specimen tested positive for the novel Influenza A (H1N1) on PCR using the primers sent by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

She was immediately started on an antiviral, Oseltamivir, and given supportive care. At this time, the patient is continuously being monitored. She no longer has fever or cough, but still has sore throat.

The DOH would like to emphasize that there is no community level outbreak in the country and measures are being done by the government to prevent transmission, starting with the quarantine of household close contacts.

The family of the patient has been informed and advised about the situation. We would like to thank them for their cooperation and willingness to comply with the recommendations of the DOH. They were advised to observe self-monitoring, home quarantine, social distancing, proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette procedures.

We appeal to our media partners and the rest of the nation to respect the privacy and anonymity of the patient and her family. Rest assured that any information vital to protect public health and safety will be appropriately shared to those concerned.

The DOH also stresses that the discovery of this first case of Influenza A(H1N1) in the Philippines is something we have been preparing for and is a result of the collective efforts of both public and private sectors as well as the effective surveillance system which we have put in place.

The DOH has already notified the International Health Regulations (IHR) and will submit its official report in 24 hours.

Influenza A (H1N1) is currently affecting 41 other countries with 11,034 cases and 85 deaths. Thus far, the behavior of the virus is to cause generally mild illness and low mortality (<1%) in the affected population.

This development only shows the vulnerability of all countries to the threat of Influenza A (H1N1) which indicates that no nation and no government should be complacent. Thus, we continue to strengthen our systems for surveillance, early detection and management and effective response. We are also closely coordinating with the WHO, other agencies of government and the private sector to effectively combat the virus.

Our stockpiles of Oseltamivir is currently sufficient at 1 million capsules and have been distributed in regional hubs all over the country. We would like to remind the public that Oseltamivir may only be dispensed and taken upon the advice of your doctor. Irrational use can result in drug resistance that causes the drug to become ineffective in the future.

We reiterate to the public that government is on top of the situation and everyone is advised to be vigilant. If you have arrived from an affected country and develop flu-like symptoms (or TRANGKASO) such as fever, sore throat and cough, immediately consult a medical professional or call the DOH Hotline at (02) 711-1001 or 711-1002.

This situation is evolving globally. We will give regular updates to the media and the public as information becomes available.

To know more about Influenza A(H1N1), you may go to the DOH Influenza A(H1N1) Website at www.doh.gov.ph/h1n1

DOH Influenza A(H1N1) Surveillance Progress Report (as of May 22, 2009 )

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web sites with useful information:


CPSC Ptroduct Safety Standards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/regs.aspx

The International Journal of Clinical Practice
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ijcp_enhanced/

BBC Health Healthy Living
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/

HHS HealthBeat (May 22, 2009)
Age and avoiding diabetes
http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2009/05/20090522a.html

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Diabetes is preventable.

Dariush Mozaffarian of Harvard School of Public Health, with collaborators, examined lifestyle and new-onset diabetes risk over 10 years in nearly 5,000 people with an average age of 73 at the start of the study.

They found diabetes risk was nearly 90 percent lower among people who were physically active, ate more fiber and polyunsaturated fats and less sugars, starches, and trans fat, didn’t smoke, used alcohol moderately, and kept a healthy weight. Even following a few healthier habits had significant risk reductions.

Mozaffarian says:

[Dariush Mozaffarian speaks] "There was dramatic relationships between lifestyle and diabetes. So it suggests that it’s never too late to reduce your risk of diabetes."

The Archives of Internal Medicine study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

CPSC Product Safety Standards
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/regs.aspx

Fun Express Expands Nationwide Recall of Water-Based Face Paint
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/funexpress05_09.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --May 22, 2009 --- Fun Express, Inc. has expanded its May 12, 2009 recall of face paint items to include two additional face paint colors. The face paints may cause skin irritation, rashes and itchiness. The additional two face paint items are being removed from the marketplace as a precautionary measure.

The face paints were manufactured by Shanghai Color Art Stationery Company Limited, Shanghai, China. Unopened packages of the face paint can be identified as a tube printed with the words Water-Based Face Paint Net Weight 1 oz. (28.3gm) Non-Toxic Made in China. The tube is on a cardboard backing with the words “Face Paint” on the front of the package and an item number in the upper right-hand corner of the backing. Directions for use, ingredients and “Distributed by Oriental Trading Co., Omaha, NE 68127” are also printed on the backing.

The following are the two additional face paint items. The item number is located on the back of the packaging.

85/2338 (White face paint)
85/2339 (Yellow face paint)

The products were distributed primarily to retail stores nationwide between April 2008 and April 2009.

If consumers have any of the recalled products remaining in their possession, they should immediately discard them.

Consumers can contact Fun Express, Inc. by calling (888) 999-0442 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm CST, Monday through Friday.

This recall is being conducted in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration

Fun Express, Inc. is committed to the safety of its products and strives to lead the industry in product safety.

#

FDA Press Release (May 12, 2009)


poolsafety gov web site
http://www.poolsafety.gov/

Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Starts with You!

Recreational time at public and residential swimming pools and spas is a favorite activity for children and adults all over the country. Whether enjoying pool time with family and friends, exercising, playing water sports, or learning to swim, everyone needs to be mindful of the potential for incidents and drownings in pools and spas.

Each year, nearly 300 children under the age of five drown in residential and public pools and spas. Submersion incidents requiring emergency-room treatment or hospitalization number in the thousands and many victims experience permanent disability, including brain damage.

Few people know of the hidden dangers from drain or suction entrapments. Drains with broken, missing, or faulty covers can entrap hair, the body, limbs, jewelry and clothing, or cause disembowelment/evisceration.

On December 17, 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SSAct) was signed into law. This important child safety law became effective in December 2008 and strives to:

* Enhance the safety of public and private pools and spas
* Encourage the use of layers of protection
* Reduce child drownings in pools and spas (295 each year involving children younger than 5)
* Reduce the number of suction entrapment incidents, injuries and deaths
* Educate the public on the importance of constant supervision of children in and around water

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is the lead agency in implementing and enforcing the P&SSAct. CPSC is working with other safety groups in the pool and spa safety community to encourage the use of layers of protection--such as fencing around pools, constant supervision, and requiring anti-entrapment drain covers and other safety devices.


CPSC's Pool and Spa Safety Data
Pool/Spa Hazards

* 2009 Pool and Spa Submersion Memorandum (Released May 2009) [PDF]
o 2008 Memorandum (Released May 2008) [PDF]
o 2007 Memorandum (Released June 2007) [PDF]
o 2006 Memorandum (Released May 2006) [PDF]
* 1999-2008 Reported Circulation/Suction Entrapments Associated with Pools, Hot Tubs, Spas, and Whirlpools (Released May 2009) [PDF]
o 1999-2007 Report (Released March 2008) [PDF]
* Study on Pool Alarm Reliability (Released May 2000) [PDF]

Other Drowning Hazards

* 2008 Submersions Related to Non-Pool and Non-Spa Products (Released November 2008) [PDF]
o 2007 report (Released August 2007) [PDF]
* 1999-2006 Reported Submersions and Other Hazards Associated with Liquids/Chemicals in Buckets/Pails, July 2008 (released September 2008) [PDF]



Drowning Prevention

Picture of Backyard Pool with Fence Picture of Person Tugging at Ball Stuck on Drain Picture of Boy in Pool

Backyard and community pools are popular with children and adults of all ages but owning or operating one is a major responsibility. Take every step possible to prevent unintended injuries in and around pools and spas.

Learn about the hazard of drain entrapment and what to look for at pools and spas your family frequents. Individuals in the 5-9 year-old category had the highest frequency of entrapment reports.
Safety Tips

Supervise children at all times around pools and spas. Adults should keep a constant eye on all kids in the water. Emphasize the need for constant supervision to babysitters.

Install a four-sided barrier, such as a fence with self-closing gates completely surrounding the pool. If the house forms the fourth side of the barrier, install alarms on doors leading to the pool area to prevent children from wandering into the pool or spa. Also install safety covers and perimeter or in-water alarms as additional layers of protection.

Learn to Swim and teach your children to swim. Many organizations provide swimming lessons.

Know how to respond:

* Get training in basic water rescue skills, first aid, CPR
* Have rescue and first aid equipment available at the pool
* Keep a phone at the pool



Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Compliant Products

A variety of drain covers in various sizes have already been certified to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard. View a complete listing of drain cover manufacturers who have received certification at www.poolsafety.gov/draincman.html.

The products on this page have been certified by one of the following independent, nationally recognized testing laboratories: Underwriters Laboratories, the National Sanitation Foundation, and IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials).
What to look for when purchasing new drain covers or other P&SSAct devices

The P&SSAct does not require a product marking for approved drain covers. Covers are to display (per ASME standard):

* Use - single or multiple
* Flow rate GPM
* "Life" (number of years)
* Wall and/or floor mount
* Manufacturers name
* Model number

Drain covers made during the summer of 2008 used the ASME symbol and/or the "ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007" mark. Since November 12, 2008, newly made drain covers should have the "VGB 2008" marking. The drain cover manufacturer should provide a certification document with each drain cover stating that it complies with the requirements of the P&SSAct. If there is no mark or you are otherwise in doubt, contact the manufacturer and ask for a copy of the certificate. Also keep a record of where and when you purchased the cover.

All drain covers must be compliant with the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard. If your covers are field fabricated, then a Registered Design Professional or a licensed professional engineer (PE) can specify that your pre-existing grate(s) meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard.
Secondary Layer of Protection

In addition to having a compliant drain cover, public pools and spas with single, blockable main drains or multiple drains less than 3 feet apart must have an additional layer of protection using one of the following systems or devices:

I. SAFETY VACUUM RELEASE SYSTEM - A safety vacuum release system which ceases operation of the pump, reverses the circulation flow, or otherwise provides a vacuum release at a suction outlet when a blockage is detected, that has been tested by an independent third party and found to conform to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387.

II. SUCTION-LIMITING VENT SYSTEM - A suction-limiting vent system with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening.

III. GRAVITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM - A gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank.

IV. AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUT-OFF SYSTEM - An automatic pump shut-off system.

V. DRAIN DISABLEMENT - A device or system that disables the drain.

VI. OTHER SYSTEMS - Any other system determined by the Commission to be equally effective as, or better than, the systems described above at preventing or eliminating the risk of injury or death associated with pool drainage systems.

A list of certified SVRS manufacturers can be found at www.poolsafety.gov/svrsman.html.
INSTALLATION

A pool owner or operator should have documentation that the installed drain covers are compliant. Documentation of the installation is not a requirement of the P&SSAct, but CPSC staff advises checking with your local and state officials to confirm any local/state certification or installation requirements.

CPSC recommends contacting state or local officials to determine who is qualified as a professional engineer or a design professional in your area. Experts should be formally licensed or certified as a business and carry some level of insurance or similar protection.
For More Information:

* Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
* CPSC/CPSC Staff Guidelines
* Presentation on Drowning Prevention, Entrapment Prevention & Pool and Spa Safety Act (pdf)

U. S. National Eye Institute
http://www.nei.nih.gov/

http://www.hhs.gov/safety/index.html
U.S. Department of Health & Human services