one visayas e-newsletter vol 5 issue 39
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 5 Issue 39 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 September 28 - October4, 2015
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PIA official tells students: Believe in the good in APEC
RDC pushes studies on new Bohol bridges
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Eastern Samar names 'bridging leaders' TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 1 (PIA) – For their
improved health outcomes resulting from health system reforms in their respective municipalities, at least nine Eastern
Samar mayors were recognized recently by Zuellig Family Foundation, Department of Health (DOH) and University of
the Philippines-Manila, School of Health Sciences as ―bridging leaders‖.
Mayors Viscuso De Lira (Balangiga), Allan Contado(Balangkayan), Jaime Uy (Gen. McArthur), Mark Biong
(Giporlos), Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Guiuan), Edgar Boco(Hernani), Enrique Cabos (Mercedes), Nedito Campo
(Quinapondan), Melchor Melgar(Salcedo) were named bridging leaders for completing as well, the Municipal Leadership and
Governance Program (MLGP), a leadership capacity program which helps local health leaders in becoming better health
stewards of their constituents. Modular in approach, MLGP contributed in curbing
specifically the rate of maternal and infant deaths in ―Yolanda‖ affected areas that considerably had some health challenges
after the November 8, 2013 calamity. Despite the worn-out health facilities, the mayors with
their doctors advocated for facility-based deliveries, where
pregnant mothers had to give birth only in the presence of a
professional health worker who are posted in lying and birthing clinics or rural health units (RHUs).
In addition, with the MLGP, which they took side by side with their official duties, the local chief executives became fully
aware of their people‘s poor health indicators and thus, felt the urgent need to improve them, and build back better and more
resilient communities. As DOH-08 Regional Director Minerva Molon put it,
after completing the program, they, together with the other partners expect, that these municipalities would be able to
sustain better health programs that are not only responsive to the needs of the poor but also resilient to disasters.
For Dean Salvador Destura, UP-MSHS, he feels elated that his institution has contributed to the transformation of
local chief executives as well as the municipal health officers into becoming ―bridging leaders‖, as desired outcomes of the
MLGP. The United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) was also a
partner in the MLGP program. The Colloquium Ceremony was done at the SMX Aura
Taguig, with the presence of Tacloban media. (PIA-08)
By Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA6)—When people come together, possibilities happen and believe that it is for the good,
like when experts come together for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Jose Mari Oquinena, director general of the Philippine Information Agency, guest in the on-going APEC dialogues with
young people in Iloilo City, said that it is important to get into the APEC and understand it to see the good in it.
‗There are some basic things we have to embrace in order to understand and that is believe that humanity is
basically good,‖ Oquinena said. ―When the world experts and leaders come together and
talk, believe that it is for good,‖ he added. The PIA official said that hosting the APEC is an
affirmation that the Philippines is important to the world, that its value as a country is recognized.
―The Filipinos should be the first to like APEC,‖ Oquinena said, adding that today‘s young are the leaders
bringing forward the benefits of the APEC. Oquinena brought the inspiration for the creation of the
APEC Activity Center in Iloilo City so that the various sectors, especially the young, who are not able to get direct information
and knowledge on the events in Iloilo, will have the chance to interact with agencies involved.
The PIA-6, leading the operation of the Activity Center,
located at the ground floor of the Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol, has so far catered to some 260 students, campus paper writers
and walk-in participants. ―Our efforts may be small contributions to make the
young appreciate Iloilo City‘s hosting of the APEC, but at least, we are reaching out to the long-term beneficiaries of the
outcomes,‖ PIA-6 Director Janet Mesa said. The Activity Center gives the audiences an overview of
the APEC, brief history, a glimpse of the Iloilo Convention Center, some activities and the meetings, and first hand
experiences of personalities and agencies directly involved in the APEC activities. (JSC/ESS-PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA) — Three bridges which would be crucial to Bohol's integrated development are now
being endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) for feasibility study by the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH). This as the Provincial Development Council in Bohol,
through its executive committee meeting on June 15, passed resolutions 38, 39 and 42 endorsing to RDC and
DPWH the conduct of feasibility studies for the construction of Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island bridge, President Carlos P.
Garcia to Ubay bridge and Bien Unido to Talibon bridge. Panglao, a major tourist destination in Bohol and the site
of the new and still being constructed Bohol Airport, can be accessed by land transport now via its two bridges: Borja
bridge in Junction Mansasa and Castil linking Poblacion Ubos to Totolan Dauis.
A recent DPWH traffic survey showed that the annual average daily traffic along Panglao and Dauis junction increased
by 50% from 2,455 vehicles in 2008 to 11,897 in 2012. At this rate, the existing bridges in Panglao to Tagbilaran
will be rendered inadequate to accommodate the projected increase in traffic volume to and from Panglao to Tagbilaran.
For this, the construction of a new bridge is now considered a viable option to improve traffic inter-connectivity between Panglao Island to Tagbilaran City,
according to RDC.
Meanwhile, northeast of Bohol sits another island town
President Carlos P. Garcia, in which the main mode of transportation is motorized banca to Ubay, its nearest town.
Not only is the existing transport system expensive, it is also risky and the erratic schedules result in huge business
losses, leaving the island underdeveloped and its residents left behind in Bohol‘s growth.
On the other hand, second district towns Talibon and Bien Unido are separated from each other by Talibon Bay.
Talibon, notably the district‘s commercial hub, is about a few kilometers of air distance from Bien Unido. But
with the bay, residents have to go through a network of national and provincial roads with a combined length of 18.70
kilometers. The proposed bridge would effectively shorten the
distance, cut travel time and boost economic activities in the regions of San Isidro Talibon to Nueva Estrella in Bien Unido,
where the proposed bridge would jump off. The proposed construction of the three mentioned
bridges requires the conduct of feasibility studies to include engineering design, traffic study, comparative alignment study,
exploration of alternative routes and transport analysis among others, according to the RDC endorsement to the public
infrastructure agency. Along this line, the RDC, headed by Bohol Governor
Edgar Chatto, pushed for the conduct of the feasibility studies
on said bridges. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)
NMP Executive Director Manuel Roldan and
PIA-8 OIC Director Alice Nicart lead the
launching of the Filipiniana Culture and Arts
Section of the NMP Learning Resource Center
with a grant from The National Commission
for Culture and the Arts, September 25. The
library is open to the public. (PIA6)
Kapihan sa PIA forum held in observance of
National Family Week discussed important
issues on gender equality, children's rights and
the role of church in promoting gender
sensitivity. Speakers during the forum were:
Cecilia Hoffman of G-WAVE, Fiscal May Flor
Duka from the City Prosecutor's Office and
Pastor Ted Picardal of Maranatha Full Gospel
Church-AG.
WESTERN VISAYAS
PIA Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena ―inspires‖ participants composed
mostly of college students to see and believe in the good in APEC at a forum at
the APEC Activity Center in Iloilo City. (LTPI/PIA6)
DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya discusses
to members of the media how micro, small
and medium enterprises can benefit from the
"Iloilo Initiative" during the press conference
for the 22nd SME Ministerial Meeting held
Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at the Iloilo Convention
Center. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA6) --- The city of Iloilo is ready to accommodate more investments and more industries, said the
Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.
Iloilo City ready for more investments
By Leonard T. Pineda I
D OT-6 Regional Director Helen
Catalbas said that the major
impression of a number of delegates
and guests to the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meetings here
is that Iloilo City has become so progressive
that it can cater to more investments and
more industries can be put up here.
―The impact of hosting APEC in the long
term is the influx of more investments
particularly for SMEs because they have seen
the potential of Iloilo and Guimaras that
we are ready to cater to these enterprises,‖
she said.
She said that if there are more businesses,
there will be more jobs available to people and
the standard of living will be elevated.
―Raw materials available in the region can
also be used for production of processed
goods and crafts‖, she said.
Last week, I loilo City hosted
the 9th Senior Disaster Management
Officials‘ Forum and the 22nd Small
a n d M e d i u m E n t e r p r i s e s
M in i s t e r i a l Mee t i n g and r e l a t ed
activities.
The High Level Policy Dialogue
on Food Security and the Blue Economy is
slated here from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6. (JCM/LTP/
PIA-Iloilo)
PhilRice advocates planting of drought-resistant rice varieties
By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.
NEGROS OCC., Sept. 30 (PIA6) -- The Philippine Rice Research Institute-Negros Occ. is urging rice farmers to use
drought-resistant variety seeds that will stand the expected heat of the El Niño Phenomenon.
P h i l R i c e S c i e n c e R e s e a r c h
Specialist Jose Arnel Cordova
said 18 tons of Rc10 is now available
in their office at Cansilayan, Murcia at P42.50
per kilo.
A 20 kg of the seed, he said, is good for
one-half to one hectare of rice land.
Another 78 tons of Rc 222 and Rc 284
will be made available anytime this October, he
added.
Cordova said the varieties need only a
little water and is good across eco-systems
whether rain-fed or irrigated.
―From preparation to harvest, a one
square meter needs around 4,000 liters of
water to yield ½ kilo to 1 kilo of rice. Given
proper management, Rc 222 can reduce that
water requirement to only 1,733 liters,‖ he
said in an interview over Radyo Kumando
103.1 FM.
He gave eight key check guides for
farmers to get better yield even during
prolonged drought.
First is to use high quality seeds of a
recommended variety, there should be
no high and low soil spot during
levelling, synchronous planting after fallow
period and sufficient number of healthy
seedlings, approximately 250,000 hills per
hectare.
Also, rice plants should have sufficient
nutrients, pest managed well and harvest and
thresh crop at right time.
Only right amount of water needed
should be given and it should be free from
drought stress.
―Choosing the right rice variety of seeds
during drought is the foundation of good
farming,‖ he reiterated. (JCM/Lljr#PIA6)
Aklan Tourism Week contest winners get P47,000 in prizes
KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 29 (PIA6) -- The provincial government of Aklan recently awarded a total of P47,000 cash prizes to
winners of various contests spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) as part of the recent Tourism
Week celebration.
T he various contests were participated
in by students from colleges here
mostly taking Tourism and other
related courses like Hotel and Restaurant
Management (HRM) included Tourism Quiz
Bee, T Shirt Printing, Feature Writing and
Sabor Akeanon (a cooking contest).
STI College-Kalibo led the winners of the
Quiz Bee placing first and winning P7,000 cash
prize followed by Aklan State University (ASU)
Banga Campus, second place, with P5,000 cash
prize, and ASU-New Washington Campus,
third place, with P3,000.
Contes t an t s f rom ASU - Iba j ay ,
Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC), and
ASU-CIT (Kalibo) received Consolation Prizes
of P500.00 each.
Meanwhile, the other contests – T-Shirt
Painting, Feature Writing and Sabor Akean
were dominated by students of ASU‘s various campuses who won major places.
For T- Shirt Painting, first place winner
was Mark D. Gumboc of ASU-CIT who
received P3,000.00; Arvin Sabiaga, ASU-CIT,
second, P2,000.00; and Alexis Flores of NVC,
3rd, with P1,000.00, while Mark Leonard
Peren, Ed Rian Casidsid, Angel Grace Panaligan
all from ASU-CIT; Eden Carpio and Jessie Renz
Pelayo, both from ASU-New Washington, Tom
Jones Villariez of NVC and Rowena Nabarte of
Garcia College of Technology received P500.00
each as Consolation Prizes.
For Feature Writing, Jemuel B. Garcia III
of ASU-CIT won first place with P3,000.00
cash prize; Aaron Marc Crisostomo of
ASU-New Washington, 2nd, P2,000.00; and
Roces Jamaela D. Rabuco, ASU-New
Washington, 3rd, P1,000.00. Ten other
contestants – 8 from various ASU campuses
and 2 from NVC got P500.00 as Consolation
Prize.
For Sabor Akean winners – ASU-CIT and
ASU-Ibajay shared the top prize receiving P3,000.00 each while ASU-Banga placed second
getting P2,000.00 cash prize and NVC, 3rd,
P1,000.00.
Contestants from ASU-Ibajay and GCT
received P500.00 each as consolation prize.
The various schools/campuses had 3
group members each.
The week-long Tourism Week in
Ak lan a lso he ld Tinda Tur ismo,
Unveiling of Municipal Tourism Posters,
Tourism Awareness Seminar and Bisikleta
Karera.
The unveiled posters are now on
display at the Kalibo International
Airport (KIA), according to the Provincial
Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) here,
aimed to create awareness among
tourists – domestic and foreign, that besides
Boracay Island, there are other beautiful
attractions that Aklan could offer found in its
17 towns.
―One Billion Tourists, One Billon
Opportunities‖ was the theme of this year‘s Tourism Week celebration, while the province
adopted the tagline ―Feel Alive, Fee Aklan‖.
(JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)
By Venus G. Villanueva
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA6) - - The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has recognized the critical importance of
reducing post harvest losses in the food supply chain in the region by strengthening public-private partnership.
“ These kinds of issues have many policy
implications that cannot be addressed
solely by the private sector nor only by
the government. So we need to work as
partners, and also among the APEC as a
community,‖ said Emily Chin Cheng Chang,
Research Fellow of Chinese Taipei in today‘s
press briefing at the International Media
Center here.
Chang said there are two aspects that
private sectors can work together with the
government in reducing food losses. These are
in terms of loss assessment and loss reduction.
She cited the importance of useful
information provided by the private sector in
helping the government make the right
decision and the needed support given by the
government to the sector to be able to play
their role in addressing the issue.
On the other hand, Executive Director Rex Bingabing of Department of
Agriculture- Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization said APEC
economies have a big role in addressing
challenges in food production that include food
loss and waste, among others, since majority of
total global food production comes from the
region.
―We also recognize that solving the
problem is not solely the responsibility of the
government institutions but also of the private
sector which includes the producers,
processors, service providers and consumers
who are the players of the food supply chain,‖
said Bingabing.
According to him, in some studies, food
loss and food waste account for about
one-third of the total food production.
Chang and Bingabing are among the
delegates who attended the one-day
seminar held on September 27 in this
city under the APEC multi-year project which was carried out this year with the theme
of post harvest losses on livestock and fishery.
The ―2015 APEC Seminar for
Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to
Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain of
Fishery and Livestock‖ was participated in by
some 80 delegates.
Chang said under the limitation of water
and land the activity is a valuable undertaking
stressing the importance of reducing food loss-
es and waste to ensure food security in the
region.
She said livestock accounts for
70 percent of global production while
fishery, even higher or about 80 to
85 percent. In terms of trade, it is about 50 to
60 percent.
"The seminar will help member
economies and the producers to
benefit from some of the strategies and also
the practices we are proposing and also to
share the very useful information and also experience in the seminar", said Chang. (LAF/
PIA6-Iloilo)
APEC: Public-private ties could reduce food
losses
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 29 (PIA6) – More than 1,000 Capiceños have volunteered to be food guardians.
Information Officer Mary Christie Hari-on of
the National Food Authority here disclosed
that a total of 1,089 individuals from the
different sectors of the community have
volunteered themselves to be a partner of the
government as food guardians.
She said that the food guardian campaign
was done in time for the observance of the
Grains Industry Week last September 21 to 25.
Hari-on said that the food guardian
campaign was conducted at the Hercor
College, Ivisan public market and at their Rox-
as City Provincial Office.
The ―Food Guardians‖ is a program of the
NFA to protect the consumers against
unscrupulous grains business men as well as
helping in the campaign not to waste rice but
instead ―BeRiceponsible.‖
According to her, by being a food
guardians, they pledge to help ensure that rice
is available, accessible, visible and affordable in
public markets.
―The food guardian, must follow the
correct food handling procedure to make sure
that rice is safe for the consumers,‖ Hari-on
said.
She also said that their celebration of the
NFA‘s 43rd anniversary is anchored on the
theme Seguridad sa Pagkain, Tungkulin Natin,‖
where the food agency has reaffirmed its
commitment to ensure food security especially
in times of natural and man-made disasters or
emergencies. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
Capiz has 1000 food guardians
By Jemin B. Guillermo
Creation of Anti-Illegal Fishing Coordinating Board mulled
SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 1 (PIA6) - - The provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has
undergone initial steps towards the organization of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Coordinating Board.
P rovincial Agriculturist Nicolasito S.
Calawag said that the proposed
Board, with members coming from
the different local government units, national
government agencies and civil society
organizations will formulate plans and
programs to enforce fishery laws, rules and
regulations and ordinances in the province.
―This initiative aims to provide
coordinative mechanism in implementing and
enforcing all fishery laws within the jurisdiction
of the province of Antique to conserve,
regulate and protect our fisheries and aquatic
resources,‖ Calawag said.
Calawag noted that there are
several commercial fishing boats that are
encroaching in municipal waters and the
continued occurrence of illegal fishing
and once this measure is in place, it
will help monitor, control and manage fishing
activities thereby beneficial for small-scale
fishermen.
It will also be the objective of the
taskforce to strengthen the education and
awareness of fisherfolks on biodiversity and
sustainability of resources.
Meanwhile, the Aquino government
amended the Fisheries Code of the Philippines
(RA 8550). The law now has stronger
mechanisms to curb illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing, as mandated by the
European Union (EU) which plays a key role in
the fisheries market.(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)
By Vicente W. Villavert
By Lilibeth A. French
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Hundreds of participants throughout the country particularly in the education sector gathered in Cebu,
September 30 — October 2 for the three-day 2015 National Literacy Conference at the DepEd Ecotech Center in Cebu City.
W ith the theme ―Educational Justice
and New Literacies,‖ the activity
aimed to explore the scope,
definition, and application of new literacies;
provide a venue for the exchange of
experiences using new literacies relevant to
education justice; and promote effective
integration of new literacies in local literacy
programs.
Plenary sessions for the conference
included discussions on digital literacy,
socio-cultural literacy, media literacy, financial
literacy, and political literacy.
The conference also highlighted the
awarding of the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan
to the Hall of Fame Awards for its exemplary
accomplishments in literacy development, and
for being a three-time first place winner for
Outstanding Local Government Unit Municipal
Level Class A in the 2010, 2012, and 2014
National Literacy Awards.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama
delivered the welcome message while DepEd
Usec. Dina Ocampo gave the opening state-
ments including the rationale behind the event.
The undertaking is spearheaded by
DepEd through the Literacy Coordinating
Council and in coordination with other
government organizations, local government
un i t s , p r i v a te org an iza t i ons and
non-government organizations. (rmn/fcr/
PIA-PMD/PIA7)
Cebu hosts 2015 Nat’l Literacy Conference
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA) -- The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Cebu and Dumaguete Chapters
conducted an ―Awareness on Mental Health Act‖ forum recently to generate a signature drive pushing for the Philippine
Mental Health Act of 2015 to be legislated into a law.
PMHA pushes for Philippine Mental Act of 2015
P hilippine Mental Health Act of 2015,
passed by Senator Pia Cayetano,
promotes the mental well-being of
patients, protects those who have mental
illness, and ensures that Filipinos can have a
mental health care.
PMHA Chair Dr. Glenda Basubas, a speak-
er in the forum, said that 6% to 15% of Filipi-
nos are likely have depression.
"Everyone also has one percent possibility
of breaking down," said Basubas.
Children, overseas Filipino workers,
people with chronic illnesses, are
some of those who are vulnerable to mental
illnesses.
The signature campaign‘s website is
MHactnow.org. Once a supporter registers, it
will be counted as a petition.
One of PMHA‘s ways of spreading
awareness on mental health is to visit different
universities in the country.
Some universities they have visited are
Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors
University, Negros Oriental State University,
and Silliman University. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros
Oriental with reports from Andrea Lim, SU
intern)
Jennifer C. Tilos
Fayette C. Riñen
SAN JUAN, Siquijor, Sept. 28 (PIA) -- If you happen to be among the people inconvenienced by the far-from-seamless airport
to port transfer in Mactan Cebu to Bohol, then here is a good news: the Regional Development Council 7 (RDC-7) is now laying
the ground works for a High Quality Public Transport System (HQPTS) as an airport-to-port seamless travel connectivity that
will make the long nagging hassle of airport transfer a thing of the past.
RDC gears for seamless travel from Mactan
airport to Bohol
H QPTS would deploy high quality
buses that could interface with the
existing Cebu traffic and the
proposed Cebu Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) System. It was already franchised for 77
bus units to ply identified routes.
HQPTS would accordingly be a precursor
of a BRT System complete with bus stops and
stations, electronic card-based fare collection
system using modern air-conditioned and low
platform design friendly for persons with
disabilities, using state of the art Euro-5
emission compliant diesel engines, which is also
hoped top jumpstart the adoption of Euro-4
emission compliant engines and fuels in the
country. Earlier, Panglao resort-owners have been
apprehensive because catering to international
guests appear to be a challenge to them,
especially now that the dream of Panglao Airport appears too far to be hoped for.
David Baile, a Briton owner of Alona
Citadel in Panglao, said his guests tell him it is
tough to book to Bohol.
Apart from no online booking for ferries
in Bohol which would have facilitated a
tourist‘s seamless travel, he would see that he
could be left fending for himself and his family
scouring for a transport that could bring him
to the pier to Bohol. Baile has aired apprehensions of Cebu
getting a taxi and the inconveniences it could
offer: overcharging, luggage loss, and limited
shuttle space for large groups.
The problem is even complicated by the
fact that as he is dropped at the port terminal
building, he has to take the queue of regular
passengers to Bohol to obtain a ticket. Ferry ticket booths also happen to be
outside the port, which leaves him leaving his
luggage, risking untoward incidents. Through RDC resolution 36 series of
series of 2014, the RDC requested
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to allow shuttle service operators to
provide land transfer service from the airport
to Cebu seaports for seamless travel
connectivity.
RDC Economic Development Committee
worked on the proposed airport-port
seamless travel connectivity with the
HQPTS and met with MCIAA, Cebu Port
Authority to discuss the details of the
land transfer concern and looked into
the cooperation of SM Prime Holdings
which earlier planned to field buses taking
the Mactan International Airport. On this, the RDC has reviewed
LGU traff ic synchronization and
bus stations and stops while SM
Prime Holdings has secured permits
for moving trees that would be
affected in identified bus stations, and the use
of certain road right of way sections as
terminals. RDC then passed Resolution No.
27 (2015) requesting the Department
o f E n v i r o n m e n t a n d N a t u r a l Resources Central Office to speed
up the issuance of tree permit relocations for
those affected by the HQPTS. (rmn/rac/
PIA7-Bohol)
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region-7 (DAR-7) recently turned over P12.3
million worth of heavy tractors to some agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in the province to help them
increase their farm production.
T he farm equipment are composed of
four 90 horse power, four-wheel
drive tractors.
This is part of DAR‘s Agrarian Reform
Community Connectivity and Economic
Support Services (ARCCESS) project. ―The farm tractors, implemented under
the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity
and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS)
project of the DAR will help develop farmers‘
organizations and ultimately increase their farm
yield,‖ DAR-7 regional director Alejandro
Otacan said. ARCESS is an alternative rural
development approach of the department
where support interventions are directly given
to selected ARBOs. DAR officials who witnessed the turnover
were assistant Regional Director and
concurrent PARPO II Antonio del Socorro and
Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer
(PARPO) II Grace Fua. Atty. Louie Naranjo, DAR-Negros
Oriental PARPO, signed the acceptance of
farm facilities.
Naranjo disclosed that the equipment will
also help ease burden in land preparation.
(rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports
from Dir. Erlinda M. Manluctao, DAR Public
Assistance and Media Relations Service)
DAR turns over farm tractors to ARBOs in
NegOr
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
CEBU, Sept. 29 (PIA) --- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here urged the public to undergo biometric regis-
tration to help the advocacy of a clean elections in 2016.
Voters urged to undergo biometric registration for clean elections
D uring the forum on ‗Do‘s and Don‘t‘s
for Political Ads in Media for the 2016
Election,' Cebu Provincial Election
Supervisor Atty. Marco Lionel Castillano said that
the commission is now intensifying moves for all
voters to be biometric registrants.
Castillano added that the objective of
biometrics registration is to eliminate multiple
registrants and to achieve clean and honest
elections as biometric registration will
help cleanse voters‘ lists.
He noted that biometric registration prevent
multiple registrants as every voter has a unique
biometrics.
Castillano said that Comelec has exerted
measures to make sure that voters are aware of
the need for biometric registration.
The commission posted on their website
the voters who do not have biometric
registration, followed by sending written notices
to them.
Comelec has likewise conducted registration
in malls, far-flung barangays, jails, islands, and
islets.
Castillano noted that after October 31 this
year, Comelec will cleanse the voters‘ lists and
there will be no multiple registrants or voters.
―Voters without biometrics will be taken
from the official voters lists and cannot vote in
the 2016 elections,‖ Castillano stressed.
He called for the public participation in the
advocacy for a clean and just election by being a
biometric registrant and for voters to practice
their right to vote this coming elections.
―It is not the election of the COMELEC, it is
the election of everybody,‖ Castillano said.
The forum is a joint effort of KBP-Cebu and
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) that
aims to inform the youth and the public on the
prohibitions of media on elections and the ethics
media should practice during elections. (rmn/ays/
PIA7)
Amor Saludar
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 28 (PIA) – Four former rebels received P65,000 cash assistance from the provincial government
and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP)
livelihood package.
Former NegOr rebels receive aid from government
I n a simple ceremony held at the
Governor‘s Office, Negros Oriental
Gov . Roe l Degamo persona l ly
handed over the checks to the four
rebel returnees together with Lt. Col.
Pascua of the 79th Infantry Battalion
(IB) of Philippine Army, 302nd Infantry
Brigade executive officer John Oliver
Gabun, DILG provincial director Dennis
Q u i ñ o n e s , a n d A l i c i a L a g a r d e ,
CLIP facilitator from the provincial
government From said amount, P15,000 is allocated
for immediate assistance while P50, 000 is
allocated for livelihood assistance. Gov. Roel Degamo also disclosed that
apart from this, the four rebel returnees will
be trained on carabao-cattle raising to provide
them with a sustainable livelihood. ―What we handed over to them
today is a start-up for their livelihood
and we will guide them to ensure that the
money given to them is not misused,‖ he said.
On the other hand, Lt. Col. Harold
Pascua, commander of the 79th IB, reported
that the CLIP committee rolled out 33
livelihood packages and the recipients of the
package are benefitting from the program
based on the regular monitoring conducted by
the committee. ―We can see that their livelihood is really
improving,‖ Pascua noted.
Pascua also reported that the CLIP
committee was able to facilitate the availment
of the livelihood package for the four former
rebels within two months. This is attributed to the joint efforts made
by the Philippine Army, provincial government
along with some national government
agencies and civil society organizations, Pascua
said. With this, he hopes that more rebel in the
hinterlands will be convinced to avail of the
CLIP livelihood package. Lt. Col. Pascua continues to appeal to
other rebel to abandon armed struggle and
return to mainstream society. ―We appeal to the remaining rebels, we
don‘t have to fight. The program of the
government is good. Let us help each other,‖
he said. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Joint CPOC-RPOC meeting tackles disposal of accumulated prohibited
drugs
ORMOC CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- What happened to the confiscated drugs held by authorities?
T he Regional Peace and Order
Council (RPOC) wants to know,
and in a meeting held at the city
hall here Monday, September 28, jointly with
the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), no
less than the RPOC Chairman, Calbayog City
Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, posed the question.
M a y o r A q u i n o ‘ s i n t e r e s t i n g ,
attention-grabbing query came about after the
presentation of the peace and order situation
in the region by Police Sr. Supt. Ramil Ramirez,
but well before the topic on the regional drug
situation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA) Region 8 office.
Apparently, it was addressed to PDEA,
and Mayor Aquino premised it on widely-read
reports , though unconf irmed and
unsubstantiated, alleging that deposited banned
drugs found its way sooner into the
user-pusher underground community in a
recycled manner.
PDEA Regional Director Morfel Navales
declared that the Courts order his agency to
destroy these prohibited drugs, adding that the
law invests in them the mandate to carry out
such type of destruction.
―The process of destruction is the same
as that of apprehension, wherein there
will be witnesses, such as the media
and barangay officials,‖ among other
stakeholders, Navales explained, implying the
impossibility of such talks as market re-sale or
re-use.
Navales said he hoped to carry out such
act of destruction one day following a Court
order, and he will invite all RPOC members to
attend.
Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla
opened the joint CPOC-RPOC meeting with
words full of gratitude for the privilege of
hosting the event.
He urged all the members and visitors
present to continue striving for peace and nev-
er lose hope for peace to be achieved, (ajc/
PIA8-Southern Leyte)
MARCELO M. PEDALINO
So Leyte barangay is 2014 Lupon national winner
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- Brgy. Hingatungan, Silago, Southern Leyte is the national champion for barangays
in 4th – 6th class municipalities in the 2014 Lupong Tagamapayapa Incentives Award (LTIA) held at Marriott Hotel,
Pasay City on September 28, 2015.
O n behalf of the Hingatungan Lupong
Tagapamayapa (HILUTA), Punong
Barangay Alberto M. Orias received
the cash prize of Php300,000 and a trophy.
This is HILUTA's 4th grip at the national
awards - having won in 2001, 2007, 2012, and
2014.
The National Awards Committee
composed of officials from the DILG, Depart-
ment of Justice (DOJ), Supreme Court (SC),
National Police Commission (Napolcom) and
Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) chose the winners
from lupons nationwide based on the following
criteria: a) Efficiency in Operations b)
Effectiveness in Securing the Objectives of the
KP Program; and c) Creativity and
Resourcefulness of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
"The Lupong Tagapamayapa is a big help
not just in the speedy administration of justice
in the barangays. It has also been a big aid to
unclog our courts and allowed the government
to save billions," DILG Secretary Mel Senen
Sarmiento said.
The LTIA aims to provide recognition
to performing Lupons, which are
barangay conflict-resolution bodies under
the Katarungang Pambarangay Law in
1978 and strengthened by the Local
Government Code of 1991. (DILG8-Southern
Leyte)
CSC-8 announces winners of photography, 'siday' contest
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Eastern Visayas has announced the winners of
the Lingkod Bayani: In Focus (A Photography Contest) and the Siday/Poetry Competition held recently during the Service Fair
at the Robinson’s Place, this city.
C SC regional director Victoria F. Esber
said, the purpose of the activity is to
showcase the talents of the government
employees in the region.
Of the 15 photography entries submitted
by government employees from various
government agencies in the region, the ―CAAP
Firefighters: The Prompt Responder‖ emerged
as 1st place and ―The Modern Bayanihan‖ as
2nd place, both by Antonio B. Alfonso of the
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines while
― A Policewoman Helping School Kids Cross
the Road‖ by Jansenn A. Juntilla of the Mines
and Geosciences Bureau as 3rd place.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Siday/
Poetry Competition were ―Padayon..Bayani‖
by Hudson H. Dasal of LGU-Bontoc,
Southern Leyte as 1st place; ―Isabuhay
and Kawaning Bayani‖ by Vicente T.
Belena Jr. of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) as
2nd place and ―Serbisyo Gobyerno
Hin Empleyado‖ and ―Kayang Kaya
Mo, Lingkod Bayani tied for the 3rd
place which were written by Noemi A.
Eclipse of the Philippine Science High
School and Cyrill Apurillo Chu of the
Jaro PNP Station, respectively.
The judges of the Siday/Poetry
Competition were Professor Evelyn A. Lanuza
of Leyte Normal University, Professor
Liezel Fabrigas of Eastern Visayas State
University. Director III Rowin P. Rinos
of the Civil Service Commission Regional
Office 8 while that of the Lingkod
Bayani: In Focus (A Photography
Contest) were Elmer T. Eclipse of the Bureau
of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Sharon
Cerro-Fontanar of the Civil Service
Commission.
Said activities were part of the month-long
celebration of the 115th Philippine Civil
Service Anniversary this September which is
anchored on the theme ―Kayang Kaya Mo,
Lingkod Bayani‖. (ajc/cba/PIA8)
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
NMP joins Maritime Week Celebration
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 29 (PIA) –The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a government-owned maritime training
and research institution located at Brgy. Cabalawan, this city, joined the country’s maritime week celebration, September 20-
27, and the World Maritime Day last September 25.
S eries of activities were conducted
such as the beach clean-up drive
along the coastal shoreline of the
NMP premises participated in by the
employees and trainees of the training center,
the Research Forum on Completed
Researches, the NMP-Media Partnership
Forum, the Demonstration of Advanced
Firefighting Techniques, Safety and Water
Borne Survival Techniques to selected
trainees and the Launching of the
Filipiniana Section at the NMP Learning
Resource Center.
During the NMP Media Partnership
Forum, NMP OIC Executive Director Manuel
C. Roldan emphasized the importance of
extensive training for the seafarers to prepare
them to become more productive in the
seafaring industry.
―It is only through safe seafaring that the
economy of the nation will prosper. Pag hindi
safe ang seafaring, goods and people cannot be
well transported, baka hindi makaabot sa
destinasyon. So, it is very important that the
basic component of maritime which is the
manpower must be well-prepared,‖ Roldan
said.
Records showed that seafaring industry
has contributed much to the economy of the
country. In 2014, cash remittances of the
sea-based workers were recorded at
US$5,575,722 which was higher compared to
2013 which totaled to US$5,215,378.
Meanwhile, from January to July 2015,
cash remittances totaled US$3,325,657.
To date, around 1,501 seafarers are
undergoing extensive trainings at the
National Maritime Polytechnic. The trainings at
NMP officially started in July after MARINA
gave the accreditation to the NMP.
In 2014, the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration (POEA) has
reported that the total number of Filipino
seafarers was recorded at 401, 826.
This year‘s celebration was spearheaded
by the Philippine Coastguard anchored on the
theme ―Edukasyon at Pagsasanay sa Maritima:
Kabalikat sa Patuloy na Kaunlaran‖. (ajc/PIA-8)
PSHS-EV students champs in 4th ASEAN Science Odyssey
T he awarding ceremony to the Philippine
team composed of PSHS-EV Campus
students was one of the highlights of the
2015 Visayas Cluster Science and Technology Fair
and Science Nation Tour at Ormoc City, Leyte.
The students identified as Johan Castillejos, Ryan
Roi Cayas and Honeylene Trinchera received
their gold medals from Secretary Mario G.
Montejo of DOST.
The students also bagged other awards in
physics laboratory skills assessment, biology skills
assessment, chemistry laboratory skills
assessment, innovation laboratory skills
assessment, field project presentation, poster
presentation and best cultural presentation.
PSHS-Eastern Visayas Campus Director
Reynaldo B. Garnace was very thankful for the
support of the training team headed by Janeth
Morata-Fuentes.
In his message, Secretary Montejo extended
his warm congratulations to the school for having
won in the competition for the 4th time in four
years.
81 participants with 27 teams from fourteen
countries joined in the competition.
The participating countries were Brunei
Darussalam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,
the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam,
Sweden, China, South Korea, Taiwan and
Singapore.
The ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science
Odyssey (APT JSO) is an annual educational event
in the field of science and technology for the
young students aged 13 to 15 years old.
Said event is designed specifically to
develop the gifted and talented young
individuals in the field of science and technology
as well as nurture future scientists and engineers.
(ajc/PIA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 29 (PIA) – Three students from Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus who
emerged as the overall champion of the 4th ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APT JSO) held at Tangerang,
Indonesia were given recognition by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
CONSUELO B. ALARCON
Assistance continues for Yolanda-displaced
workers
EASTERN SAMAR, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 8 released a total of P4,311,121.50
financial assistance to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maydolong, Eastern Samar, as aid for its constituents on the recov-
ery and rehabilitation from Typhoon Yolanda.
T he P4.3-M constitutes for the livelihood
assistance for the 167 beneficiaries for
their individual projects on food vending,
fishing, farming, carpentry and welding, sewing,
grooming and personal care (P1.6M); as well as,
for the employment assistance for the 600 Yolan-
da-displaced workers (P2.7M).
The employment grant will serve as salaries
and wages of another set of beneficiaries, who
assisted their communities on the recovery and
rehabilitation programs and activities, particularly
on declogging of canals and repair of public
utilities.
The grant was formally turned over by
Regional Director Elias A. Cayanong, to LGU
representative, Ms. Delilah A. Tamondong,
Revenue Collection Officer, at the DOLE
Regional Office, Tacloban City.
RD Cayanong said that the grant, which is
primarily intended for the purchase of tools and
equipment, is expected to aid the beneficiaries to
get back on their feet after the typhoon.
―We envision that these beneficiaries
will attain a more productive and decent
employment, as a way to provide a new
horizon for their families from the storm.
We are confident that we are on the right
track. DOLE will continue to assist the
marginalized sectors of our society by
giving them opportunity to live a decent life and
somehow alleviate them from the bondage of
poverty,‖ said the regional chief.
Ms. Tamondong, in return, thanked DOLE
for helping their town recover from the
nightmares of Yolanda.
―Damo an nawarayan pakabuhi han pagsagasa
ni Yolanda, kay dumuroy dama na dumamo
an pobre ha amon. Pero, tungod han
bulig han DOLE, makakasiring ako na dako
it bulig hini ha amon pagpukrat tikang han
bangungot. Salamat madamo!‖ (On the
devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, a lot of the
townsfolks had lost their jobs and
livelihood, thereby increasing the poverty rate in
our town. However, with the help of DOLE, I can
say that this is a huge help for us to be able to
wake up from the nightmare. Thank you so much,
DOLE!).
RD Cayanong and ARD Guzman assured
closer partnership and continuous delivery of
DOLE programs and services to LGU
Maydolongprovided proper implementation and
liquidation of previous assistance granted are
undertaken. (ajc/nc/DOLE-8)
CONSUELO B. ALARCON
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) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail [email protected].
Editorial Consultants
Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart
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: [email protected]/ [email protected]
PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
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: [email protected]/[email protected]