Lejan L. Lugtu-Ponteres, MD Pediatric Clinic

25/09/2025

Ingat po ang lahat 🙏

The tides are already rising in Pampanga. In Macabebe and Masantol, families know the daily struggle when floodwater climbs into the streets. In San Fernando, drains and rivers feel the pressure of constant rain.

Now comes another layer of challenge. GMA Integrated News reports that tropical depression Opong has strengthened into a tropical storm. PAGASA warns that heavy rains may start falling by September 25, fueled by the Southwest Monsoon. And while the storm is less likely to make a direct landfall here, its rains will not spare Central Luzon. Pampanga is on the list.

The danger is not just in the skies—it’s in the timing. What happens when Opong’s rains arrive on the same days as high tide? For places like Macabebe and Masantol, the water has nowhere else to go but up.

PAGASA has also noted that Wind Signals may rise up to Signal No. 3 as Opong strengthens further. This means stronger winds, more rain, and more reason to be alert.

If you live in flood-prone parts of Pampanga, this is the time to prepare. Secure your homes, check evacuation routes, and look out for your neighbors. The storm may pass, but the flooding it brings can stay longer than we expect.

🌧️ Based on storm updates cited from the article in the comments.

04/09/2025

Tahimik na sinisira ng obesidad ang iyong bato.
Maaaring mauwi ito sa sakit sa bato, diabetes, at alta-presyon.

Pero may magagawa ka!
kumain ng tama, mag-ehersisyo, at kontrolin ang asukal at presyon.

Malusog na pagpili ngayon, protektadong bato bukas.

02/09/2025

24/08/2025

The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Inc invites lay people to a webinar on “Leptospirosis: Paano Maiiwasan, Paano Mapoprotekthan ang Sarili” on Sept 6, 2025 2:00pm via Zoom and Facebook live.

To register, scan the QR code or click the link: https://tinyurl.com/23z4uns3

See you!

05/08/2025

📈 Higit walong libong kababaihan, naitalang may cervical cancer noong 2022. Nananatiling pangatlong nangungunang uri ng kanser ang cervical cancer sa mga kababaihan.

✅ Maaari itong maiwasan sa pamamagitan ng HPV vaccination. Kaya habang maaga, magpabakuna na.

🏥 Bumisita sa health center para sa schedule ng pagbabakuna.

Isang paalala ngayong National Adolescent Immunization Month.

26/07/2025

Using smartphones before age 13 could damage kids’ mental health, according to a new study based on self-reports in a survey of nearly 2 million people in 163 countries.

22/07/2025

22/07/2025

🚨DOH: PANATILIHING LIGTAS SA KONTAMINASYON ANG INUMING TUBIG LALO NA NGAYONG MAULAN🚨

Sa panahon ng matinding pag-ulan, posibleng may kontaminasyon ang inuming tubig mula sa mga nasirang water at sewage pipes na nalubog sa baha.

Mahalagang tiyaking safe ang iniinom na tubig sa bahay man o sa evacuation center upang makaiwas sa sakit tulad ng cholera, diarrhea, at leptospirosis.

Ayon sa DOH Health Emergency Alert Reporting System, umabot sa 28,114 ang bilang ng mga evacuees sa 370 evacuation centers sa mga rehiyon ng‭ NCR,‬‭ I,‬‭ II,‬‭ III,‬‭ CALABARZON,‬‭ MIMAROPA,‬‭ V,‬‭ VI,‬‭ VII,‬‭ VIII,‬ IX,‬‭ X,‬‭ XI,‬‭ XII,‬‭ Caraga‬‭ at‬‭ CAR dahil sa Bagyong Crising at Southwest Monsoon. Kaya nakahanda na ang mga chlorine tablets bilang isa sa mga emergency commodities ng DOH para may malinis na inuming tubig ang mga lumikas.

Maaari ring pakuluan ang tubig sa loob ng 2 minuto bago inumin bukod sa paggamit ng chlorine tablets.

15/07/2025

15/07/2025

Ang iyong donasyong dugo ay makakatulong sa mga taong may sakit tulad ng leukemia, iba pang uri ng cancer, anemia, dengue, pati na din sa mga naaksidente o naoperahan.

📍 Mag-donate ng dugo sa pinakamalapit na DOH hospital, Blood Service Facilities, Philippine Red Cross chapter, o sa mga mobile blood donation drives sa inyong barangay o workplace:
http:tinyurl.com/BloodServiceFacilitiesPH

👉 Maging Bayaning Totoo, Magbigay ng Dugo

08/06/2025

💉“Nurses and midwives are NOT ALLOWED to VACCINATE, post offers online...”
➡️ constitutes ILLEGAL PRACTICE of MEDICINE
➡️will be held CRIMINALLY LIABLE for such an act
- Atty Rebosa, MD (Physician-Lawyer)

EXCERPTS from the CME (Continuing Medical Education) WEBINAR WITH THE VACCINE EXPERTS LAST MAY 27,2020)- Administration, Safe Handling , Procurement

1) VACCINATION is an art in the practice of medicine (esp for Pediatricians)

2) VACCINE HANDLING is a serious matter. Proper temperature maintenance for different vaccines cited.

3) Nurses and midwives can vaccinate under the law LIMITED to the vaccines in the EPI (Expanded Program of Immunization) Program of the government, meaning THOSE ONLY BEING GIVEN for FREE AT THE HEALTH CENTERS.

4) It is UNETHICAL & ILLEGAL for nurses, midwives to vaccinate without the proper supervision from the doctors, aside from those included in the EPI.

3) VACCINE COMPANIES are not liable should there be a problem with the vaccines administered by NON-MDs because they are not directly distributing them.

4) VACCINE DISTRIBUTORS will be LIABLE FOR DISPENSING VACCINES for NON-MDs including NURSES, MIDWIVES and non medical people who vaccinates WITHOUT MDs SUPERVISION. The distributors will be liable if something happens to the patient during and after vaccinations if they dispense vaccines to NON-MDs.

5) It is illegal to post lower prices of vaccines ON SOCIAL MEDIA to entice patients to go to them instead of going to the doctors. Many nurses and midwives and even non-medical people are doing this online (Screen shot the offers made and REPORT).
VACCINES are not shoes and bags that can be sold online.
⚠️UPDATE: You can take screenshots of those who are still doing this and send them to FDA thru report@fda.gov.ph Already reported few people to them and they do reply.

5) MEDICOLEGAL EXPERT OPINION cited these as UNETHICAL /ILLEGAL PRACTICE.

6) Administering vaccines brought by patients is not advised because the risk of adverse reactions is high, if cold chain is not properly observed.

NOTE:
Doctors , most esp Pediatricians are regularly updated on Vaccines by EXPERTS IN THE FIELD - it is not a one time thing. We have Vaccine Seminars, Conferences, RTDs, Congress, Webinars.
IT IS A CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION that NON-MDs may not fully understand.
IT GOES BEYOND INJECTION.
(📑Dr Garry Romero Maghinang Jr)

Addendum (post fr Dr Jo March)
Never answer a question / consult via SMS because patients can save it.

If it is necessary, ask the patient to CALL or ask the patient to make a face to face consult or proceed to ER.

Covid or no covid, text consults must not be answered by text also.
Once you answer the patient’s query, it is already an implied consent and a “relationship” starts.

BOTTOM LINE
The “new normal” exposes the MD to many nuisances of medical malpractice.

RAPPORT is the best counter action to malpractice suit. Yet is is not a security blanket. Even a good patient whom we treated as family can turn his back on the MD when despair sets in.

My fellow pediatricians: APPROACH the NEW NORMAL with PRUDENCE.

Credits to a dear friend and Mentor, who wish to remain anonymous, for diligently summarizing the important points from the Webinar.