Vol 4 Issue 17 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 28 - May 4, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PIA DG urges graduates to be new Filipino leaders

Visayas Ombudsman seeks public involvement vs corruption

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Japan grants US$20-M for rehab projects in EVisayas

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 28 (PIA) – The Japanese Government through the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) is providing some US$20-million grant for

the rehabilitation effort in Eastern Visayas. The said fund will benefit about 1.2 million individuals

from 74 municipalities in the region that was hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda.

It was learned that of this amount, about US$3 million will be used for rehabilitation projects to be

implemented through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa

Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), one of the three core poverty alleviation programs of the national government

being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Kalahi-CIDSS targets the speedy rehabilitation of 220

small-scale municipal and community infrastructures in 13 municipalities using the community-driven development (CDD) strategy.

The implementation of the funding started earlier this month, with the groundbreaking of the construction of a two-classroom building within the compound of Bislig Elementary School in Barangay Bislig,

Tanauan, Leyte.

Aside from the construction of the new classrooms, 10 old classrooms will also be repaired with a budget of P7.08 million.

During the groundbreaking activity, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman cited the good Kalahi-CIDSS implementation of this town as the reason why it was chosen as one of the municipalities that will

benefit from the JFPR grant. She disclosed that Asian Development Bank

(ADB) President Takehiko Nakao visited Bislig

Elementary School sometime in February during which he committed to help in the rehabilitation of the campus.

It was learned that the ADB is the administrator of

the JFPR grant. Meanwhile, in the same activity, Mr. James A.

Nugent, Director-General of the ADB Southeast Asia

Department, said that the reason why ADB is highly active in the post-„Yolanda‟ rehabilitation efforts is because the Philippines is “ADB‟s home”.

Moreover, it was learned that some US$8 million from the JFPR grant will be allotted by DSWD for the Sustainable Livelihood Program, another poverty alleviation program of the national government. (PIA 8)

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, April 28 (PIA) --- Philippine Information Agency Director-General Jose Mari Oquiñena challenged the 2014 graduates of the University of the

Philippines Visayas to step up and contribute to the new brand of Filipino leadership.

In the 35th Commencement Exercises of UP Visayas held Friday, Oquiñena said that this brand of Filipino

leadership is about care, compassion, and servant-leadership and not about competition of who is better or who is not.

“It is about „walang iwanan‟ (leaving no one behind), about „bayanihan‟, because this is who we are and what we are,” he said.

He said that leadership is not about the family name or position we have. It is about the inspiration and value

given to other people wherever they come from.

He also said that Filipinos are so consumed with brands and branding that there is a need to change this culture.

“We have to be competitive by the merit of what we have become and not because of where we came from,” he said.

“What we need in the future are leaders who can

deliver promises, who can make it happen in each community, and who can make sure that no poor will be left behind,” he also said.

He said that as these graduates are moving forward in life with all the learning, becoming the best that they can

be, he expressed hope that they will also give the best for

others making their lives meaningful and joyful. “Volunteerism is taking one step forward without

counting any cost and without thinking what is in store for

you,” he said. He also advised the graduates to always have the

hunger for learning and never lose that. “What‟s the point of living and waking up every day if

not to learn things in life and be able to share it to others,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of not forgetting

the people behind them – their parents. “The most important thing that each one of us can

inherit aside from education in school is the value you get

from your parents,” he added. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan delivers her

speech during the opening of the 3-day youth

leadership camp, gathering nearly 150 youth

leaders both in-school and out-of-school to be

immersed in skills enhancement, values

formation and character building held at

Camp Lukban, Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan

City, April 28. (PIA Catbalogan)

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio

Apostol (with mic) says no full

development will happen when corruption

exists as he calls on all Filipinos to rally behind

the government‟s anti-corruption drive.

Apostol was one of the speakers during the

AGIO-7 Forum on „The Continuing Battle

Against Graft and Corruption in the

Bureaucracy‟ at PIA-7 Office. Other panelists

were Associate Graft Investigator Officer III

Irene Pintor. (AYS/FCR/PIA 7)

A number of job applicants queue for

employment interviews during the May 1

Labor Day Jobs Fair held Thursday at SM

Events Center . (PIA 6-Iloilo)

BY: AMORGANDA Y. SALUDAR

Central Visayas, April 29 (PIA) --- The office of the Ombudsman Visayas is calling for unity in the fight against corruption.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol

stressed during the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO 7) forum that this is the right time for all Filipinos to protest against corruption.

"Kung lahat ng mga tao lalo na dito sa Visayas magprotest against corruption matitigil ang corruption (If everybody, specifically here in the Visayas, will protest

against corruption, then corruption can be stopped). Apostol said the reason why there are cases that

seem to be slow in progress and unknown to everybody is

that nobody is willing to expose what they know about corruption taking place in their offices.

He stressed that one of the simplest formulas against

corruption is unity and action in one.

Apostol is also calling for the joint and synchronized efforts of the public and private sectors in the quest against corruption.

“Efforts of the public sector should be complimented by that of the private sectors.”

Apostol then recognized the importance of media in

revealing the truth, be it legal or illegal. (rmn/AYS/PIA 7)

Philippine Information Agency Director-General Jose Mari

Oquiñena imparts valuable life lessons to the graduates of the

University of the Philippines Visayas during its 35th commencement

exercises held Friday at the Miagao Campus Parade Grounds. (LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 28 (PIA6) – A local entrepreneur in Capiz has accessed a loan to restore it back to business.

C apiz Trade and Industry Director

Ermelinda Pollentes disclosed that

the Small Business Corporation

(SBC) has already approved the P3-million

loan to a Hercules Foods and Distribution

(HFD), a food processor in the province

here.

Pollentes revealed that of the

approved loan, P1-million was already

released to the said enterprise,

representing the first tranche of the

approved loan.

She added the said food corporation

was the first micro, small and medium

enterprise (MSME) that had accessed to

the spec i a l w indow for the

Yolanda-affected enterprises from the

SBC, which is a DTI financing arm.

“The HFD is a producer of premium

meat products based in Pontevedra with

various mass merchants and grocery

store outlets in Metro Manila and Davao,

with its owner being in the meat

industry for more than 20 years now

employing 30 direct and 16 indirect

workers,” she said.

Pollentes pointed out that the said

food processor was not able to operate

since after most of its equipment were

damaged due to supertyphoon Yolanda,

the reason they have strongly endorsed

the application for loan of said MSME.

She added that the said food

processor is one of the MSMEs in the

industry and trade sector that suffered

severe damages and losses as a result of

supertyphoon Yolanda.

According to her, the DTI is currently

assisting six other MSMEs with their loan

applications with the SB Corporation as

part of its post-Yolanda rehabilitation and

recovery program.

“With the funds infused to the

business, we are optimistic that the

MSMEs here will be able to continue to

bounce back again and have their

expansion program,” she said. (JCM/JBG/

PIA6-Capiz)

Capiz food processor avails P3M SBC loan By: Jemin B. Guillermo

PRC to set up satellite offices in Bacolod and Roxas

ILOILO CITY, May 1 (PIA6) - - The Professional Regulation Commission will soon open its satellite offices in the cities of

Bacolod and Roxas, Capiz.

P RC-Iloilo Supervising Professional

Regulation Officer and Officer-in

-Charge Blesilda Masangcay said

the location for the PRC satellite office in

Bacolod will be at the Masskara Hall of

Bacolod Government Center while the

possible site for the Roxas City satellite

office is in Pueblo de Panay.

Masangcay also reported during a

recent press briefing in line with the Labor

Day celebration here in Western Visayas

that the Commission is set to bring its

Mobile Service dubbed “PRC-Iloilo On-the

-Road” Program to Bacolod City on May

13, 14 and 15 at the Masskara Hall of the

New Government Center.

She said the establishment of the

satellite offices and the mobile service are

part of the efforts of the commission to

bring its frontline services closer and

accessible to clients in the region.

Renewal of professional identification

cards, initial registration and application

for examinations can be accommodated at

the mobile service.

The next stop of the mobile

service will be the province of Antique on

May 20, 21, and 22 at the premises of

Antique Provincial Capitol and in Roxas

City on June 4, 5 and 6 at the Provincial

Capitol.

Since February to April this year,

according to Masangcay, the PRC team

through the "On-the-Road” Program has

already served 1, 717 clients and

generated over P1.3 million.

She urged those who have plans to

take the Nurses Licensure Examination

(NLE) and the Licensure Examination for

Teachers (LET) from Bacolod City and

neighboring municipalities to file their

applications at the mobile service.

Bacolod City is one of the venues for

the NLE on May 25 and 26 and LET on

July 27. (JCM/LAF-PIA6)

By: Lilibeth A. French

NGP provides livelihood to upland folks

NEGROS OCC., April 29 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office here has paid various People’s

Organizations (POs) more than P3.8 million for their services in the National Greening Program for the last three years.

I n an interview over PIA‟s program

Radyo Kumando 103.1 FM, PENRO

Administrative Officer Emerita

Balinario said POs produce, plant and

maintain trees through a contract scheme

with DENR.

POs are support groups that take

over the growth of trees planted by

volunteers from the different parts of the

province.

The figure, she said, cover the years

2011 with a release of P1.3 million, 2012

P11 million and 2013 P26 million.

Organizations are given 15 per cent

mobilization fund once contract is

awarded and from there it submits

progress reports to the DENR.

The NGP, Balinario said, has provided

the much needed livelihood for poor

families in the upland and lowland POs

that enable them to send their kids to

school and provide for their daily needs.

POs are partner of the DENR in the

rehabilitation of denuded forest land

through contract and coordination,

providing them technical and financial

support to maintain regular coordination

and ensure success of the National

Greening Program.

She said monitoring the forest of the

province is a challenge to the department

as the office has one forest ranger for

every 10,000 hectares.

Folks in the uplands and shorelines

experience the effects of climate change

first hand as felt by dwindling water and

lesser animal productivity as she called on

Negrenses to act to protect the

environment.

“If you love yourself and your family, I

challenge you to also love the

environment,” she said. (JCM/lljr-PIA6)

By: Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) - - Ten (10) towns of Antique hit by Typhoon Yolanda last year received financial assistance from

the government through the Department of Interior and Local Government in the amount of P24,877,150.

Gov't structures get P24.7M Yolanda rehab fund

T he said amount is intended for

the rehabilitation of municipal

buildings, public markets and civic

centers damaged by the super typhoon

said Raymund Palanog , Cluster Head of

DILG Antique.

The towns of Barbaza and Sebaste,

among the hardly hit towns in northern

Antique got the highest allocation of

P7,800,000 and P6,500,000 respectively.

Other towns affected are San Remigio

– P3 million; Bugasong – P2,700,000;

Laua-an – P1,850,000; Tibiao- P1,170,000;

Culasi – P835,000; Libertad – P600,000;

Pandan – P282,150 and Valderrama –

P140,000.

The check according to Palanog was

turned over last April 11, 2014 and the

local government units concerned are in

the process of procurement of materials

and other pre-construction preparation so

that work could start soonest.

Completion of the rehab of said

government structure is expected before

the end of the year, the source said.

DILG likewise urged the people in

their respective towns to take part in the

rehabilitation process undertaken not only

by government agencies but by the private

sectors as well. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

Aklan gov't assures judicious use of taxes

KALIBO, Aklan, April 29 (PIA6) -- Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores assured Aklan’s top taxpayers here that the taxes

they pay are put into good use by the provincial government.

M iraflores gave this assurance at

the awarding ceremony of the

2014 Outstanding Taxpayers

and Outstanding Municipal Treasurers

held April 24 at the Provincial Capitol

Lobby. The awarding of Aklan‟s top

taxpayers and municipal treasurers was

one of the major highlights of Aklan‟s

celebration of its 58th anniversary as a

separate province from Capiz.

In the same activity, the province‟s

outstanding revenue generation task force

composed of Philippine National Police

(PNP) officers and employees from the

Provincial Treasurer‟s Office were also

awarded. Noting the cool comfort offered

by the spacious lobby of the new

Provincial Capitol Building which served as

the venue of the awarding, Miraflores said

the building is a manifestation that the

provincial administration was very

selective and judicious in spending the

people‟s money. For her part, Aklan Vice

Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, who

joined Governor Miraflores in the

awarding rites, told the awardees and

others present that all Aklanons have the

responsibility to pay taxes in order to get

the right services and infrastructures.

Awarded as Aklan‟s top taxpayers for

2014 were Mary Luz P. Leong of Altavas;

Emerald Dela Rosa of Balete; Smart

Communications Incorporated, Banga;

Jayner L. Demeterio, Batan; Alma C.

Morland, Buruanga; Petron Corporation,

Ibajay; Royal Four Seasons Corporations,

Kalibo; Anita G. Rescate, Lezo; Ulysses E.

Ruiz, Libacao; Loreto N. Gonzales, Jr.,

Madalag; Heirs of Asuncion Maravilla,

Makato; DMCI-PDI Hotel Inc., Malay;

Caluda I. Jayme, Malinao; Panay Power

Corporat ion, Nabas and New

Washington; Ramas Uypitching & Sons,

Inc.,Numancia; and Mr. Aristotle Tirol,

Tangalan.

The top taxpayers hall of famers who

were also cited were Mayor Teodoro V.

Calizo Jr. of Balete; former Aklan

governor Carlito S. Marquez, Banga, and

HEVA Management and Development

Corporat ion , Ka l ibo . Awarded

Outstanding Municipal Treasurers were

Dediosa C. Dioso of Malay, who ranked

1st; Elsa M. Tabuena of Kalibo, 2nd;

Froilan N. Redison of Banga, 3rd; Angelyn

A. Rubias of Tangalan, 4th; and Shirley T.

Timbas of Makato, 5th.

On the other hand, awarded

Outstanding Revenue Generation Task

Force were P/C Inspector Pedro H.

Enriquez; SPO3 Greg F. Ginoy, SPO1

Arman I. Ibea, and PO3 Clemente B.

Magtanum from the PNP; and Jethro

Laserna, Donald Marquez and Roderick

Urbano of the Provincial Treasurer‟s

Office. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

By: Venus G. Villanueva

ILOILO CITY, May 1 (PIA6) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas said that the annual

May 1 jobs fair is more than just providing employment but a life changer for individuals who would be fortunate to land a job.

I n the opening ceremonies of the

Labor Day Jobs Fair at SM City

Events Center here, DOLE-6

Assistant Regional Director Salome Siaton

said that the jobs fair is an opportunity for

people to uplift their lives and economic

condition.

“We would like to see people who

will change their lives in a year or two

with uplifted economic conditions so they

could send their children or siblings to

school,” she said.

She said that the jobs fair at SM City

Events Center is participated in by 42 local

employers and companies and five

recruitment agencies for jobs abroad.

“We are convincing the employers

and companies to hire more applicants on

the spot because we would want more

people to be employed,” she said.

She also said that the jobs fair also

recognized workers in the informal

economy with the awarding of the city

government some starter kits to

beneficiaries from the Technical Institute

of Iloilo City (TIIC).

She said that the city government

under the leadership of Mayor Jed Patrick

Mabilog has provided the beneficiaries the

necessary trainings and skills required for

them to be self-employed.

“They were also given tools that

would enable them to start their

livelihood,” she also said. The May 1 Jobs

and Livelihood Fair is the highlight activity

for this year‟s Labor Day celebration with

theme “Sa Sipag, Tiyaga, at Talino, Buong

Mundo Saludo sa Manggagawang

Pilipino.” (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

DOLE: Jobs fair is more than just recruitment

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, April 28 (PIA) --- About 1,500 public and private human resource (HR) and organizational development (OD)

experts from the Philippines and all over South East Asia gathered recently in Cebu for the Second HR Symposium.

PH, Aussie partners to strengthen human resource for 2015 ASEAN integration

T he event was a joint undertaking of

the Civil Service Commission (CSC)

and the Australian Government

though the Philippines Australia Human

Resource and Organisational Development

facility (PAHRODF).

With the theme "Gearing Towards

ASEAN Integration though Strategic HR," this

year's symposium highlighted the vital role of

strategic human resource in the coming

economic integration of ASEAN member

states, including the Philippines.

The symposium also served as a venue for

human resource and organizational

development practitioners from the

government and private sector to exchange

strategic HR applications, solutions, and best

practices that will help the country move

toward ASEAN integration by 2015.

CSC Chairman Francisco Duque said that

economic advancement relies on human

resources.

"Unless people have equal access to

education, training and capacity building, the

country may be deprived of a large pool of

creative thinkers and entrepreneurs.

The Commission‟s task as the central

human resource development is to ensure that

the government‟s human resource is to achieve

the development and societal goals of the

country," he said.

Duque added that human resource

development and capacity building is one of the

areas of cooperation that have been identified

in the ASEAN integration in 2015.

This means investing in human resource

development to have the right structures,

business processes, systems, people, and

competencies to support the ASEAN

integration.

The Australian Government has been a

committed partner of the Philippine

Government in building human resource

management and development.

The PAHRODF is the Australian

Government‟s flagship program on HR and OD

and it has been helping its partner government

agencies improve their processes, structures,

skills set and behaviour to enable change and

continuous improvement

Australian Deputy Head of Mission David

Button along with Counsellor for Development

Cooperation Geoff King also attended the HR

Symposium. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/CSC-7).

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 30 (PIA) – Research specialists from the Department of Energy (DOE) encouraged the transport

sector here to shift from conventional to alternative sources of energy to fuel their vehicles.

DOE to transport operators: 'Shift to alternative fuels'

D OE senior research special ists

conducted an Information, Education

and Communication (IEC) Campaign

yesterday in the city to promote the use of

alternative fuels for transport since it is safe,

efficient, environment-friendly and can help

increase income of transport operators.

DOE representatives persuaded transport

operators to go for Auto-LPG or

electricity-operated vehicles like the Electric

Tricycles (E-Trike) which is better and cleaner

than the conventional fuels.

But for Dumaguete City, DOE Senior

Research Specialist Federico Domingo believes

E-trikes are more feasible than Auto-LPG vehicles

since most people use tricycles as main mode of

transportation.

E-trikes can run for 80km per day with only

7kwh needed and electricity charging costs only

P11.50/KWH.

This is more efficient compared to

motorcycles consuming 5 liters of gasoline, which

is expensive to drivers who pay P55/liter of

gasoline.

The shift to E-trikes mean that tricycle

drivers can earn a daily net cash flow of P415,

which is higher compared to P295 daily net cash

flow earned by drivers who use regular gasoline,

according to George Vincent Bitoon, also a Senior

Research Specialist of DOE.

Bitoon explained to tricycle drivers during

the symposium that if a tricycle driver who uses

gasoline has a daily cash inflow P720 and has P425

cash outflow due to boundary (P150) and

re-fueling (P275), his daily cash net flow will be at

P295 a day.

However, if a tricycle driver uses an e-trike,

P305 (boundary, P225 and charging P80) will be

taken away from his daily cash inflow of P720

leaving him with P415 as his daily net cash flow.

Bitoon noted that the boundary increased

because of the new technology, but he stressed

that e-trikes can still yield higher income for

drivers.

DOE's E-trikes are on a lease-to-own

arrangement.

Bitoon said the P225 boundary fees can be

added to the daily net flow of drivers once

they have already finished paying their unit of

E-trike.

Bitoon explained that local government unit

(LGUs) interested to make the shift need to

submit a letter of undertaking to DOE citing its

plan to implement E-trike in their locality and a

specific number of E-trikes needed.

On the other hand, when asked about the

status of Auto-LPG users in Dumaguete,

Domingo said based on the information they

gathered, vehicles here do not use Auto-LPG.

But Domingo clarified if there would be a

group of transport operators who will decide to

shift to using Auto-LPG, DOE can refer them to

Auto-LPG, thus paving the way for investors to

create facilities for Auto-LPG in the city or in the

province.

According to studies, Auto-LPG is 15%

lower in greenhouse gas emission and 80% less

toxic than regular gasoline. (rmn/RAL/

PIA7-NEGOR)

BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City

CEBU CITY, May 1 (PIA) --- The Coalition for Better Education (CBE) awarded eight outstanding students from various

universities in Cebu with Medal of Excellence awards.

Eight Cebu studes receive leadership awards BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

T he awardees are education students

who have contributed to the

creation of empowered learning

communities and met CBE‟s standards of

being self-sustaining, socially responsible,

nationalistic, and globally competitive, among

others.

The awardees were recognized during a

presentation and ceremony held April 30 in

Cebu City.

Said students all come from

member-universities of CBE.

The awardees are, namely: Jhon Mark

Aroa of University of Visayas;

Gu ian Pau lo Godof redo , Cebu

Institute of Technology; Joe Mari

Ferolino, University of San Jose

Recoletos; Chiedezberg Jaca of

University of San Carlos; Ronald

Ryan Macabinguil of University of Cebu;

B r i g e l l a Q u e r u b i n o f D r .

Caridad C. Labe Educational Center, Inc.;

Luvi Alexa Saceda, Three H Childhood

Academy; and Nhikie Del Socorro,

Southwestern University.

CBE grants the award to currently

enrolled graduating students in the university

taking up education courses and high school

students who displayed outstanding

leadership.

Application period for the awards

begins every first week of March and

October during the Grade Consultation

Day.

Awardees are entitled to receive the

CBE Leadership Medal and a certificate of

recognition, plus a one-year free

membership in the coalition. (RMN/PIA Ce-

bu)

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, May 1 (PIA) --- Thousands of job seekers flocked to the four jobs fairs in Cebu City today marking the annual

Labor Day celebration.

A total of 17,500 job vacancies are

open for job applicants in all four

jobs fairs held in Cebu, with a total

of 165 participating employers.

Of the total, 11,000 vacancies are for

overseas while 6,000 are for local

employment.

The four jobs fairs were held at SM

Cebu City, SM Consolacion, Abellana

Sports Complex, and Capitol.

The jobs fairs are important in helping

address the unemployment problem

especially in a booming city such as Cebu,

according to Cebu City Councilor Sisinio

Andales.

“Cebu City has a progressive and

booming economy with many sprouting

condos and hotels…nakahatag ni ug

dakong importansya nato sa pagsulbad sa

unemployment problem (this is an

important help to us in solving the

unemployment problem),” said Andales

during a presscon held earlier this week.

High school graduate Marvin

Masayon, 30, is one of those who showed

up early at Capitol to try his luck in

seeking employment.

A high school graduate, Marvin hopes

to find a job in the production sector.

“This is my second jobs fair already,

and I hope to get a job after this,” he said.

This is his second time to join a jobs

fair undertaken by DOLE and he is grateful

for the opportunity that it offers job

seekers.

In Abellana Sports Center, job

seekers Karen Roqueno, 29, and Madelin

Arinas, 34, are both hoping to secure

work abroad as massage therapists.

Karen and Madelin are no strangers

to jobs fairs as they have joined jobs fairs

in the past years.

They both agree that the jobs

fairs are ideal for job applicants as it

serves as a one-stop that makes job

hunting easier.

Karen advised applicants not to

give up easily when participating in jobs

fairs.

“Pasensya lang gyud na taas ug pila ug

bisan init (Have patience because the lines

are long and it‟s very hot,” she said.

The Labor Day celebration here

kicked off with a Thanksgiving Mass and

opening program at SM Cebu City

attended by members of the local labor

groups and Tripartite Industrial Peace

Councils here.

Cebu City government is the host of

this year‟s Labor Day celebration here,

saidDepartment of Labor and Employment

(DOLE-7) Regional Director Chona

Mantilla.(RMN/PIA Cebu)

BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

CEBU CITY, April 30 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has released the list of 52

municipalities in Central Visayas identified as most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

T he result is based on the

assessment conducted by the

Protected Areas, Wildlife and

Coastal Zone Management Services

(PAWCZMS).

Of the total, Cebu province got the

highest number with 20 municipalities,

followed by Bohol province with 18,

Negros Oriental has eight, and Siquijor

province with six.

DENR 7 Regional executive director

Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said these areas

should give priority for mangrove

rehabilitation and reforestation to mitigate

and reduce various hazards associated

with climate change.

“We are releasing this list to

encourage the local government units

(LGUs) in these areas to be one with us in

implementing environmental programs in

their localities to lessen the hazards that

climate change can bring to their

constituents,” Montejo added.

Hazards caused by climate change

may include increasing air and sea surface

temperatures, storm surges, sea-level rise,

more intense and frequent typhoons,

changes in amount and pattern of rainfall,

and ocean acidification.

For Cebu province, areas include

Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, San Francisco,

Catmon, Carmen, Compostela, Lapu-lapu

City, Cordova, Naga, San Francisco,

Minglanilla, Carcar, Sibonga, Argao,

Dalaguete, Alcoy, Oslob, Boljoon and

Santander.

For Bohol province, listed are

Panglao, Baclayon, Albur, Loay, Lila,

Dimiao, Valencia, Guindulman, Anda,

Duero, Candijay, Mabini, Loon, Maribojoc,

Calape, Talibon and Bien Unido.

For Negros Oriental province include

Sibulan, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita,

Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan and Basay.

Lastly for Siquijor province, the

municipalities of Enrique Villanueva, Maria,

Lazi, San Juan, Siquijor and Larena were

identified. (rmn/HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)

52 CV towns vulnerable to climate change BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA

Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City Thousands flock to Labor Day jobs fairs in Cebu

SIQUIJOR, April 28 (PIA) — Parolees and probationers here were briefed on the significance of RA 9262 or the Violence

Against Women and Children (VAWC) Law.

Siquijor Lawyer briefs parolees, probationers on VAWC

A tty. Ramon Y. Cinco, head of the

Public Attorney Office (PAO)

here, discussed the law that

protects women and warns men to be

cautious because violating them is

considered a criminal offense.

Cinco cited that in Siquijor, VAWC

cases mostly pertain to the husband‟s or

father‟s neglect of financial support to the

wives and children.

Only a few concerning physical

violence were raised, he said.

Cinco also warned that drunkenness

is not an excuse for committing the crime.

Husband or ex-husband, live-in

partner or ex-live-in partner, boyfriend or

ex-boyfriend, dating partner or ex-dating

partner can be charged with violence

against women under this law.

Physical abuse, physical violence,

sexual and phychological violence and

economic are the four types of violations

against RA 9262. (rmn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor

w/ reports from IAAbatayo)

BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

DOT consultation tackles development of Filipino Brand of Service

D epartment of Tourism Regional

director Karina Rosa Tiopes said

that a consultation workshop on the

Filipino Brand of Service was conducted with

the Filipino culture expert Professor Eric

Zerrudo as resource speaker.

Through lecture and theater workshops,

he conduc ted the consu l t a t ions ,

synthesized the regional brands of service and

develop a distinct national Filipino brand of

service.

Director Tiopes disclosed that the activity

was made possible through the Office of

Tourism Standards and Regulation of the

Department of Tourism.

Said office is undertaking the

development of the “Filipino Brand of

Service” which represents the rich Philippine

Culture as well as the Filipino Quality Values to

be at par with international standards of

service.

This service brand is envisioned to

represent everything that is good and

positive about Filipino hospitality that can be

used by all tourism stakeholders in dealing

with domestic and international tourists,

Director Tiopes said. (PIA 8)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 27 (PIA) – A cultural learning experience was held at the Governor’s Hall of the Leyte

Provincial Capitol from 9:00 o’clock to 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon of April 25-26, 2014.

DPWH earmarks P126.5M for 15 infra projects in North Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, April 29 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways, Northern Samar Second

District Engineering Office (DPWH-NSSDEO) will implement 15 infrastructure projects with a programmed amount of

P126,566,000.00 for the Calendar Year 2014.

T his was learned from Mr. Rey Orsua,

PIO Unit of said office.

OIC-District Engineer Ferdinand

Briones disclosed that out of these 15 projects,

6 are under the DPWH Regular Projects

amounting to P 36, 566, 000.00 whereas 9 are

labelled by fund source as Other Slips/

Emergencies/Protection Works (OSPW)

amounting to P 90, 000,000.00.

The six (6) identified DPWH regular

projects are as follows: (1) Construction/

Rehabilitation of Slope Protection of Bantayan

River Control, San Roque, N. Samar, at P

14,250,000.00, (2) Road Upgrading (Gravel to

Paved) of San Roque-Cababtoan Old Road, San

Roque, N. Samar, at P 14,291,000.00, (3) Road

Upgrading (Gravel to Paved) of San

Roque-Cababtoan Old Road, San Roque, N.

Samar, at P1,025,000.00.

It also include, (4) Rehabilitation/Retrofitting/Strengthening of Pambujan Bridge,

Pambujan, N. Samar, at P4,000,000.00, (5)

Rehabilitation/Retrofitting/Strengthening of

CamparangaBridge, Pambujan, N. Samar, at

P1,500,000.00, and (6) Rehabilitation/

Retrofitting/Strengthening of Cabacongognan

Bridge, San Roque, N. Samar, at P1,500,000.00.

The nine (9) Other Slips/ Emergencies/

Protection Works (OSPW) Projects are as

follows: (1) Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of

Road Slip along Rawis-Catubig-Las Navas Road,

,Catubig-Las Navas Section, Las Navas, N.

Samar, (2)Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of

Road Slip along Catarman - Laoang Road, San

Roque Section, San Roque, N. Samar, (3)

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Road Slip

along Catarman - Laoang Road, Pambujan

Section, Pambujan, N. Samar, (4)

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Road Slip

along Catarman - Laoang Road, Brgy. Burabod,

Laoang Section, Laoang, N. Samar. Part of the funded projects are also

allotted to: (5) Road Slip along Pang-pang

-Palapag- Mapanas- Gamay- Lapinig, Palapag

Section, (6) Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of

Road Slip along Rawis-Catubig-Las Navas Road,

Catubig-Las Navas Section, Las Navas, N.

Samar, (7) Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of

Road S l ip a long Pangpang-Pa lapag

-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig, Anito-Gamay

Section, (8) Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of

Road Slip along Pangpang-Palapag- Mapanas

-Gamay-Lapinig Road, Lapinig Section, and (9)

Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Road Slip

along Rawis-Catubig-Las Navas Road, Catubig

- Diversion Section, Catubig, N. Samar.

Some of these infra projects were already

launched and expected to finish before the

year ends. Completion of these infra projects

will pave way to a more progressive Northern

Samar more specifically in the 2nd District of

the province, Briones concluded. (ADiaz/ PIA8-Northern Samar)

Summit empowers youth as peace and dev’t advocates, conduits CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 29 (PIA) - The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and officials of the local

government of Catbalogan led by City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan initiated the 2nd Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) 2014 here to

engage the youth in advocating and promoting the army’s peace and development programs.

S ome 89 Catbalogan City scholars are

joining the three day YLS at the 8th ID,

Maulong, Catbalogan City, that started

on April 28 and unti April 30.

The delegates of the said summit will

enjoy various workshops that will truly

make summer more fun and worth

remembering.

This three-day activity aims to strengthen

the spirit of public leadership of the youth.

It also intends to equip the youth in

becoming responsible citizens and epitomes of

true leaders.

“This is my first time to attend YLS, I am

eager to learn how to be a good leader and a

better person after the three day activity

here,” expressed by one second year college

student participant from Samar College.

“Instead of patronizing negative influences

around, this event challenges the youngsters to

be more productive and dynamic this summer

through their involvement in the Bayanihan

activities,” 8th ID Commander Maj Gen Jet

Velarmino said.

He also added that Bayanihan activities

will make the young people realize that their

participation plays a big role in the country's

internal security and progress.

This activity will give them the

opportunity to grow individually, build

relationships, and earn recognition and self

prestige despite their young age.

Division of Public Affairs Chief Amado

Gutierrez said that YLS activities will also make

them realize and perhaps appreciate the efforts

of the government in winning peace.

The 8th ID command highly believes that

because the youth sector comprises the

majority in the country's population, they could

bring a positive "change" to the country

through their active participation in

nation-building and peace development

campaigns, he added.

In his address, Velarmino said, "Young

people, stay in school and be good citizens.”

Also: Contribute to the well-being of your

family, neighbors and community.

Be wary of the machinations of some

groups.

Be wary of those who abuse your youthful

idealism, agitating you with the social problems

of our country and dragging you into the

armed struggle."

Meanwhile, many were amazed during the

speech of the young lady mayor as she ren-

dered the song “Greatest Love of All”.

Mayor Tan supports AFP‟s mission in

molding future leaders as she also believes that

the youth is the hope of tomorrow. (PIA 8-

Samar Avha H. Ebalde)

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

By: Ailene Diaz

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

DSWD receives 5,000 M.T. rice from Thailand thru One ASEAN

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 27 (PIA) - Some 5,000 metric tons of rice from Thailand were received by the

Department of Social Welfare and Development last week through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and

the National Food Authority.

D SWD Region 8 Director Nestor

Ramos who represented Secretary

Corazon Soliman during the turn

over ceremony held at the DSWD Relief Hub

in Barangay Apitong, Tacloban City,

underscored that said donation was a gesture

of the true spirit of being a member of the

ASEAN community.

“We can assure you that you will always

be a part of history, in the recovery and in the

hearts of our internally displaced persons

(IDPs), referring to the 200,000 Yolanda

victims of the 42 hardest hit municipalities in

the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar, and

Samar,” Director Ramos said.

Acting General Manager Nongnooch

Deetae of the ASEAN Plus Three

Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR),

said that the Kingdom of Thailand was

deeply saddened by the many lives lost,

and announced that two more donations are

coming - 350 metric tons of rice from

Malaysia, and 600 metric tons of rice from

Japan.

She added by saying that, “ With the little

donation, I wish that Yolanda victims will be

back on their feet.”

For Leyte, there are more than 150, 523

IDPs in 34 municipalities; there are close to 29,

858 families in 12 towns of Eastern Samar, and

19, 619 in six areas of Samar.

It was learned that the turn-over

rites was also attended by NFA

Administrator Orlando Calayag and

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso

Alcala. (PIA 8)

NLRC-8 Chief commits to solve labor cases in 6 months or less

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 1 (PIA) - Executive Labor Arbiter Atty. Amelia B. Docena of the National Labor Relations

Commission NLRC is committed to solve labor cases within the span of six months or less.

D ocena made the pronouncement

during the recently held press

conference at the Department of

Labor and Employment Regional Office.

She said she believes that justice

delayed is justice denied.

Docena added that the NLRC in

Eastern Visayas is known for being

always up-to-date in deciding cases brought

to its sala.

The National Labor Relations

Commission (NLRC) or Pambansang

Komisyon sa Ugnayang Paggawa, is a

commission organized by the Philippine

government to resolve, investigate and settle

disputes between employees and employers.

The NLRC is a subsequent part

of the Department of Labor and

Employment where its policies and programs

are coordinated.

As member of DOLE family, Docena

said that their agency is one with their

mother agency in celebration of the 2014

Labor Day on May 1.

Since NLRC‟s mandate will not

afford them to put a booth, Docena

said that their commitment in this year‟s

celebration is that as the agency‟s

quasi-judicial authority on illegally dismissed

cases, we see to it that cases filed before the

NLRC will be resolved within the six-month

period.

As of press time there are only 2

arbiters in NLRC office and one is

about to retire from office in July and as a

policy of their office 3 months before

retiring, cases are not to be raffled to the

retiring officer.

All cases are now raffled to the office of

the chief arbiter so there are about 58 cases

now handled by Docena since March 31.

Aside from the 58 cases, Docena is

anticipating a number of additional cases that

were raffled last April 23 because of the

death of two arbiters.

Docena is proud that their office is

able to solve labor cases in less than six

months.

She informed that all the 58 cases she is

handling are to be decided and a number of

cases for execution.

Almost all of the 58 cases Docena said

involve closure of some establishment and

retrenchment from office because of

typhoon Yolanda.

Docena boasted that Region 8 is

current - which means that all labor cases

were given resolution in less than six

months.

“This is the pride of Region 8

when we have our year end assessment,”

Docena added. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann A.

Abella)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City

K to12 provides sufficient time for mastery of concept and skills CATARMAN, Northern Samar, April 28 (PIA) – The K to 12 basic education program provides Filipino students sufficient time

for mastery of concepts and skills so that they are ready for tertiary education when time comes.

T his was the message of Congressman

Emil Ong of the 2nd district of

province during the recently

conducted stakeholder‟s summit at Bulwagan

ng mga Guro in Catarman.

Ong said that the program is a major

overhaul in the education system which will

bring it in line with the education system

worldwide and this change to domestic

education policy is far reaching and is

important for international educational

institutions when looking for potential new

student recruitment markets.

With the new 12-year curriculum in place,

future Filipino students will be ready and better

equipped to join overseas universities at the

undergraduate level and the program therefore

aims to provide every Filipino child with the

education he/she needs to compete in a global

context, he added.

Ong explains however that with the K to

12 program the use of mother tongue language

as the medium of instruction for students in

the basic and lower years to facilitate and

expedite learning proved to be a new problem

area which needs to be threshed out.

For some though, it is a welcome

development.

The difficulty lies with the private schools,

since they use English as the medium of

instruction in practically all subjects except

Filipino since comprehension of some technical

terms became a gray area.

Moreover, along with the program‟s

implementation arose the problems of lack of

classrooms, teachers, textbooks and other

facilities which are necessary to facilitate

learning. The congress has appropriated funds,

although insufficient, to increase the

department‟s budget to accommodate these

needs.

In the province, the challenge remains to

improve the present state of education

through the provision of more classrooms,

teachers and books.

Efforts have been exerted to tie up with

private sector such as Federation of

Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and

Industry so that more classrooms will be

donated for Northern Samar, he concluded.

(PIA8-Northern Samar)

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children‟s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com