Information is our business.
INFOBYTES THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 20 September 6, 2013
TOPSTORIES
Public, private partnership to fight hunger
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) inks a memorandum of agreement with Julie’s Franchise Corporation in an effort to fight hunger and assist the government’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). DSWD7 information officer, Kerwin Macopia said Julie’s Franchise Corporation will donate to DSWD P2. For every loaf of ‘Bayan’ sliced bread sold from January to December 2013. The generated funds will be given to DSWD Central Office which will then be
shared to the regional offices to buy growth monitoring tools such as weighing scales and height boards. “These are needed to monitor the beneficiaries’ nutritional status in all day care centers and supervised neighborhood play groups nationwide,” said Macopia. DSWD7 regional director Mercidita Jabagay said, the agency is pleased to have this partnership with Julie’s Bakeshop and hopes that more customers of Julie’s will support this endeavor and contribute to the government’s efforts in fighting malnutrition in the country. The supplemental feeding started
in 2011. It is a major anti-hunger program of DSWD that provides food supplementation in the form of hot meals to be served during snack and meal times to children aged 3-5 years old, five days in a week for 120 days, according to Macopia. Julie’s Bakeshop is founded by owner Julie Gandionco in 1981 and is one of the largest bakeshop chains in the country. Last year, Julie’s Franchise Corporation has made partnership with World Fund Program (WFP) in launching ‘Bayan’ sliced bread to support WFP’s School Feeding Program. (mbcn/JSME/ PIA7-Cebu & DSWD7) Officials from Department of Health Region -7 led by Regional D i r e c t o r D r. Jaime S. B e r n a d a s ( u p p e r left) answer questions from Cebu media during the press conference on the observance and awareness of Generics Law or Republic Act 6675 at the Narra Conference Hall, DOH, Cebu City on September 4, 2013. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
DENR-7 urges LCEs to construct water catchments in their LGUs
By Juju Manubag- empuertu
CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo urged local chief executives (LCE) to construct water catchments in upstreams and or uplands within their area of responsibility (AOR). Montejo made this call amidst the devastating impacts of flooding in order to serve as one of the solution to contain and catch the rainwater moving downwards. “The establishment of additional catchments or small water impounding dams or SWIDs is part of the physical development
plan which the Cabinet cluster on climate change is proposing, not only to guide physical expansions but also to help improve the country’s resilience to global warming and climate-related disasters,” added Montejo. He said the mountain tops have gone bald due to indiscriminate cutting of trees so water rushes faster down the mountain slopes carrying mountain soil that chokes the rivers and streams with silt, while causing flashfloods in the plains. "Rainwater harvesting facilities like SWIDs are effective for managing rainwater, which can be used as a supplemental source of water for irrigation," said Montejo.
FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com
“Trees moderate water flows by absorbing large amounts of water during heavy rainfall and releasing it gradually during dry season,” he added. He explained that trees provide a lasting solution to climate change as trees not only store carbon in their trunks and branches, but gives out oxygen from its leaves to sustain life on earth during the process of photosynthesis. The DENR-7 official stressed that “this is actually the objective why the Aquino administration is embarking on a massive reforestation through the national greening program not just to address the poverty situation but at the same time mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
INFOBYTESTOPSTORIES
NEGROS ORIENTAL
In times of calamities, media should be anchors of stability By roi Lomotan
CEBU CITY (PIA) – “In times of calamities, media should be anchors of stability,” a speaker said in a 3-day seminar workshop on weather patterns, climate change, weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction management and other programs and services of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA-7) at the Sarrosa International Hotel, Cebu City recently. PAGASA information office chief, Venus Valdemoro said, the seminar-workshop is one of the key programs of the weather bureau in information dissemination of their services to the public and to strengthen ties with the local media. Some 25 Media practitioners in Central Visayas attended the workshop. “We recognize the partnership we have with the media because they are our link to the public,” Valdemoro added. She noted that it is important to inform the members of the media on the developments on their products and services so that they can also share these to the public. Weather specialists from PAGASA, Sharon Arruejo discussed the agency’s services such as rainfall warning and decision support system program and the comprehensive flood mitigation management which are useful in disaster mitigation during calamities. Arruejo said the agency always announces thunderstorm advisories and rainfall alerts through the website, social media accounts and through media as part of its rainfall warning measures. In its anti-criminality campaign, Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office has Another Weather Specialist, tightened security measures in the seaports and airport after a daytime robbery Rosalie Pagulayan said PAGASA also of a pawnshop in Dumaguete City involving at least 10 suspects, said Col. Aleth creates flood hazard maps as part of its flood mitigation program. Virtucio of NOPPO. (PIA7-NegOr) She said the agency closely monitors 18 major river basins throughout the country for possible overflow during typhoons. Most of these river basins are in Luzon and in Mindanao. However, Central Visayas, by Jennifer C. Tilos Center, two basketballs and volley balls were specifically Cebu is not inclined to handed over to the school teacher-in-charge. NEGROS ORIENTAL (PIA ) --Some experience severe flooding like in Metro 39 pupils of Bonbon Elementary School in a 1Lt Gomez said “The excitement did not stop Manila and other provinces in Luzon here for the children visited Eco Kalan Felipa hinterland village of Hinakpan, Guihulngan City, and Mindanao due to lack of river basins participated in an educational tour to the urban- Beach resort at Brgy Mangnao, where they were that could overflow during typhoons, treated to lunch followed by the demonstration in Pagulayan added. city of Dumaguete over the weekend. The army brought the children with using the Eco Kalan.” Aside from PAGASA services, the Their amazement continued as they seminar-workshop also stressed their teachers, parents and barangay officials to Dumaguete City over the weekend to show them toured at Robinsons Mall, Played Electronic media’s role in disaster risk reduction the city life as a tool towards a new horizon apart Games at the World of Fun, snacked at Jollibee management. and danced with the mascot, 1Lt Gomez said. Veteran broadcaster Mario from their life in the hinterlands. The 11th Infantry (Lapu-Lapu) Battalion Before the children returned home, they received Garcia, one of the speakers emphasized in collaboration with Oriental Negros Children’s assorted schools supplies, umbrellas, slippers, to the participants that media should be Advocacy Network (ONCAN), Department of toothbrush, toothpaste, nutri packs and a book accurate and simple in reporting disaster incidents during calamities. Education (DepEd), Negros Oriental Provincial of hope from ONCAN sponsors. He also said that the roles of Police Office (NOPPO) and the Local Government Moreover, the school also was the recipient of media during disaster incidents are to two sets of Encyclopedia. Unit of Guihulngan City, launched this educational The tour culminated with the traditional give inspiration and motivation to people tour dubbed “Bayanihan para sa Kabataan, Lakbay boodle fight at the 11th IB’s home in Brgy and challenge them especially the Aral para sa Karunungan” for the elementary local leaders to do steps in preventing Mckinley, Guihulngan City. students to have a learning experience in the city, Coleen Teves of ONCAN stressed that damages once another calamity strikes said civil military officer, 1Lt Von Ryan Gomez of the organization will continue with the advocacy in their areas. 11th IB. Participants were also briefed The first stop of the tour, as the to help children especially those from hinterland on the services offered by the Project Barangays. Domestic Airport where the kids had a glimpse NOAH of the Department of Science and Teacher-in-charge Renaldo Campasas Technology (DOST). of real airplanes which they only see on books of Bonbon Elementary School expressed his and drawings. Project NOAH Officer Mary For the next destination the kids had heartfelt gratitude for all the gifts given to the Joy Gonzales explained the features of the NOAH website which exhibits the breakfast and played with the Mascot Ronald schoolchildren. For 11IB Commander, Lt Col. Wilfredo topography and the natural hazard a McDonald at Mc Donald, Dumaguete Branch. On its trip, the Visayan Forum V Isaac expressed the soldiers’ commitment to certain part of the country may experience. Foundation provided a lecture on child labor secure the youth from negative influences and These include flooding and landslides. NOAH website also displays actual and recruitment and Anti Human Trafficking guide them to a brighter future. typhoon track and the rainfall amount in Isaac added that the launching of Lakbay to the participants, after which the group proceeded to Quezon Park, Cathedral, Bellfry Aral continues to promote education among the the country. She also said that the data Tower, Rizal Boulevard, Siliman University and youth as the key in attaining true peace, security in the NOAH website comes from the and development in the community, which will Provincial Capitol. data generated by the Doppler radars of At the Sports Complex and Convention greatly lessen the insurgency in the area. (mbcn/ PAGASA.
Army leads educ tour for school kids from hinterland brgy
BOHOL
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
US envoy reads to Bohol children to promote marine conservation By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) --U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas led recently a reading session to more than 30 public school children in Barangay Taloto, Tagbilaran City to promote marine conservation. Thomas read a story about fish in Mabaw Reef, a marine protected area where children’s parents have been fishing as their main livelihood. Thomas said “The best way to ensure the success of our initiatives is to educate the younger generation about their responsibility to the environment as they will soon be the caretakers of the country’s rich resources.” The school children were also treated to play with three mascots that represent the flagship fish species of different Bohol municipalities. The mascots also represented the 'Pride Campaign' that is the signature program of Resource Assistance for Rural Environment (RARE) aims to inspire people to take pride in the species and habitats that make their communities unique. Pride includes a holistic combination of capacity building in management, enforcement and governance, underpinned by a strong community mobilization and behavior change campaign using social marketing. To date, Rare has partnered with 25 of the Philippines’ 850 coastal municipalities, focusing primarily on building community support and infrastructure for fishery “no-take zones” and local enforcement. USAID supports Rare’s program ‘Coastal Climate Change Adaptation: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)’ which aims to strengthen MPAs as a platform for building community, ecological, and social resilience among coastal municipalities in the Philippines. This four-year program seeks to improve municipal MPA networks, covering 25 focal MPAs that total over 1,500 hectares of MPA. USAID mission director Gloria Steele was with Thomas during the visit was also welcomed by local officials of the province. Country Senior Director Rocky Tirona appreciated the Bohol provincial government as the site of past USAIDsupported coastal and marine management programs. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Launching of the Junior and Kiddie Fire Marshall in line the Bohol Provincial government’s Heat Education Agriculture Tourism Information Technology (HEAT IT) Caravan on September 4, 2013)
PPOc alarms over soliciting groups resurge Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) –The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) here raised an alarm against the resurgence of groups roaming around Bohol, soliciting funds for “noble purposes” but with seemingly some hidden agenda. PPOC meeting at Jj's Seafoods restaurant, provincial social welfare and development dfficer Carmelita Tecson told the council that a group of busriding missionaries soliciting funds, but apparently without the necessary DSWD permits. At the Alona beach in Panglao, another group approaches unsuspecting tourists and hands in solicitation letters for a Young Achiever’s Club in Makati, without similar permits to solicit. Sources also report that groups also knock into houses in the towns to sing carols this early, Christian songs or social awareness songs and await for donations to the groups they represent. Most of them do not have DSWD permits, or barangay certifications, as most Barangay Peace and Order Councils mandate for groups doing businesses in their areas. At the PPOC, Tecson relayed to the council a complaint by concerned citizens of Jagna about a group claiming to be Good Samaritan Missionaries raising funds for their works of charity. This group is composed of missionaries who are "one with all the Christians who love the works of God," the group’s leaflet hand-outs state. The hand-out, signed by a certain Bro. Allan Estorco also said while giving donations, the people help the group do their mission. Despite an apparently noble intentions, concerned citizens from an
eastern town asked the OPSWD the authenticity of such group, specifically asking if the group has the necessary permit to solicit. The group’s modus operandi is for its Tagalog-speaking representatives to ride on passenger buses from IBT in Dao, distribute the leaflets and then collecting them back while declaring the group’s mission, before disembarking and then boarding another bus, according to complainants. While the group does this with apparent tolerance from conductors and drivers, the concerned citizens want this investigated to protect the public from illegal and syndicated crimes. In the past according to Army Major Paolo Baylon, speaking for Col. Julius Tomines, the presence of groups soliciting money with “noble intentions” have been the ploys of scrupulous individuals raising logistics in support of underground groups, as well as mapping areas for possible mass base support, a military intelligence operative admitted. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)
INFOBYTES
is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
LET US KNOW! We welcome questions, clarifications and feedback: infobytes-editorial@gmail.com
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
SIQUIJOR
Agro, Trade and Food Fair highlights 'Araw ng Siquijor' By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR(PIA)--The Provincial G o v e rnment of S i q u i j o r a n d t h e Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) invite everybody to visit the 5-day Araw ng Siquijor with Agro, Trade & Food Fair at the St. Francis of Assisi Church Grounds, Siquijor, Siquijor on September 13-17, 2013.
The opening ceremonies will be on September 13, at 3:00 PM where furniture & other woodcraft items, bayong bags, processed food, paintings, handicraft items, t-shirts, fashion accessories, ornamental plants and agricultural products are for sale. The Food Fair area will serve food and drinks daily. There
will also be live bands every night from 8:00PM to 12:00 Midnight. The activity is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) & the Siquijor Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants & Travel Agencies Society (SHORRETAS). (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor & DTI)
Over 250 join PNP-Siquijor Solidarity Run Rizalie A. Calibo
Beneficiaries of the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilya Program in Camapalanas, Lazi, Siquijor in one of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) conducted by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM) and the PIA-Siquijor.
Members of the Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and Technical Working Committee in its joint meeting to evaluate status of organic agriculture projects implementation in the province and discuss advocacy and other plans for 2013. POAB/PTWC meeting is always started with the recitation of Rice Pledge as shown in the first photo above. (PIA-Siquijor)Thmem
SIQUIJOR (PIA)—Over 250 students, teachers, private and government employees joined the Solidarity Run spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Siquijor recently. Also a fund raising activity, the Solidarity Run was made to support the advocacy efforts of the PNP and the Philippine Red Cross on the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Police Senior Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara Jr, in a briefing said, the activity hopes to raise the people’s consciousness and promote greater awareness on the principles of the IHL as stated in the executive Order No. 134. Executive Order No. 134 declares the month of August as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month. It principally provides that “The Philippines adheres to the principles of human rights and humanitarian laws enshrined in international human rights treaties and instruments to which it is a State Party. This years “International Humanitarian Law Month” is themed “Pagsunod sa IHL, Susi sa Kaunlaran at Katahimikan” which aims to increase awareness on the basic principles of IHL and promote its observance in times of armed conflict. International humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. (mbcn/RACalibo/ PIA7-Siquijor)