One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 10

Vol 3

Issue 10

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

UPV Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Emilia Santos- Yap, assisted by Vice Chancellor Dr. Evelyn Belleza, unties the ceremonial ribbon during the opening of an exhibit in line with the Women’s Month celebration. The one-day activity that showcased the various activities on women’s wellness and GAD of some government agencies was held at the GDP Building in UPV Iloilo City campus, March 6. (LAF/PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

March 4 - 10, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

P134-M anti-poverty programs in NegOr up DUMAGUETE CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region7 announced the start of the implementation of the P134 million worth of community projects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) this March in Negros Oriental.

DSWD 7 Social Marketing Officer Simeon Remata III said 56 Kalahi projects in the province are identified through a bottom-up planning process which involves the barangays to critically analyze their respective situations and address their needs.

Remata said most of the projects are being implemented thru a “bayanihan” scheme wherein the communities will help construct their projects and use local aggregates such as wood, stones, sand, gravel and other materials found in their area.

On March 13, a group of DSWD and provincial officials together with some local media will conduct project site visits in the municipalities of Dauin and Zamboanguita .

Remata said on-site activities will include a brief orientation and updates of the poverty alleviation program, visits to the project sites with actual imple-

mentation activities thru ‘bayanihan’ scheme and sit-down discussions with the community volunteers and other people in the barangays.

DSWD 7 Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat will lead the group to the project site visits with Provincial Administrator Jose Arnel Francisco and Provincial Social Welfare Officer of Negros Oriental Alicia Lagarde.

Meanwhile, the DSWD 7 recently called on its partners in the Provincial Inter-Agency Committee (PIAC) for a coordination meeting in Dumaguete City to identify and assess the local expertise and resources for effective implementation of the poverty reduction programs.

Remata in a conference said, the participants laid out their share of responsibilities in the provision of educational facilities, health centres, road and bridge constructions, technical assistance on individual and family development trainings and opportunities for sustainable livelihood.

Director Jabagat thanked the department heads for their support to the implementation of social welfare programs and reminded them that the success of poverty alleviation initiatives or any other undertaking can be attained thru a collaborative effort by all its stakeholders.(FCR/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

PHL compliance with ICAO to impact on tourism, other industries

Cebu Provincial Board Member Miguel Magpale (far left) with Public Information Office Consultant on Administration Perla Agudo (center) during the mass for the inauguration of new Cebu PIO Building. The building also houses the capitol-run Cebu TV and Cebu Monthly which will cater to all sectors and to all municipalities and cities of Cebu. (VVV/PIA-CEBU)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

US Ambassador Harry Thomas (5th from left) poses with young legislators from Leyte led by Leyte Vice Governor Florante Cayunda Jr., Tacloban City legislators led by councilor Cristina Romualdez and Palo legislators at the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, Palo, Leyte on March 1. (PIA 8/Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

By Alicia E. Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 2 (PIA) -- The country was recently declared compliant with the International Safety Standards of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and tourism and investments and other industries in the country are expected to increase.

A report from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) says that ICAO–ICVM (Coordinated Validation Missions) will recommend to the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) it previously issued to the Philippines.

With this, Congressman Ben Evardone, vice chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Communication, reported that their efforts paid off, as they closely coordinated with DOTC and Civil

Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

According to him, this recent news is a major development that will further “Unlock the country’s destinations and havens for investments”.

He further said that this development in the aviation sector is one of the continuing reforms that President Aquino had been instituting at various levels of the bureaucracy.

It can be recalled that per report, the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2008 downgraded the Philippines' safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2 on ICAO's recommendation.

Evardone believes, however, that this time, players in tourism and other related industries will soon create a dramatic impact. (PIA-Eastern Samar/aen)

Six WVisayas towns bag Rice Achievers Awards

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- Six municipalities in Western Visayas will be honored in the 2nd Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards as among the country’s top rice producers for 2012.

The towns of Pototan and San Miguel in Iloilo, Dumalag in Capiz, Kabankalan in Negros Occidental, Sibalom in Antique and Kalibo, Aklan will each be receiving P1 million prize grant in the form of projects and incentives.

The Rice Achievers Awards, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its national rice program, was initiated to encourage local government units (LGUs), irrigators’ associations (IAs) and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) to contribute their share in increasing farmers’ harvest and incomes, and subsequently attain national rice sufficiency.

Mr. Injemar Bautista, Chief-Management Support Staff, Regional Operations Group-DA-6, said that aside from the six towns, 58 AEWs in the region will also be

recipients of the top rice achievers award. Five are from Negros Occidental and the rest are from Iloilo.

Each will be receiving P20,000 incentive.

The awardees were chosen based on the following: incremental rice harvest and average yield per hectare over 2011 levels, increase if any over 2012 target, amount of budget devoted to rice projects and initiatives, number of farmers benefited, and degree of rice seed utilization, among other criteria.

President Benigno S. Aquino III has been invited by DA as the main guest and speaker, and to personally hand over the awards and prizes to the 2012 rice achievers, in ceremonies to be held on March 15, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The DA said that the contest will be conducted annually to give due recognition to the hard work and support extended by farmers, local leaders, and farm technicians to increase rice production. (JCM/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

Conditional Cash Transfer program on track

San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod City

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO, March 6 (PIA6) -- The government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), is succeeding in meeting health and education needs of children.

“

This, on top of the fact that it has provided for the immediate financial support to poor families,” said Alma Jornadal, 4Ps Information Officer.

The results of recent assessment of the 4Ps was presented in a public forum by the World Bank on March 4, in Quezon City.

The study, titled “Philippines’ conditional Cash Transfer Program, Impact Evaluation 2012,” surveyed selected Pantawid barangays in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental and Occidental Mindoro, covering 3,742 households.

The survey results in general, revealed that in Pantawid barangays, 76 percent of preschoolers were enrolled in daycare, while among school children aged 6-11, 98 percent are in school.

Those aged 6-14 were also found out to have high (95-96%) school attendance.

As to health impact, the study found that 64 percent of pregnant mothers had antenatal care, 85 percent of children aged 6-14 have undergone de-worming, and 81 percent of the 0-5 have taken Vitamin A supplements.

World Bank’s Social Protection Specialist Junko Onishi said Pantawid Pamilya has contributed to the reduction in the severe stunting among poor children 6-36 months of age in the Pantawid barangays.

Onishi said that stunting in the first two years of life is known to cause irreversible damage in life, including lower educational attainment, reduced adult income and decreased offspring birth weight.

“Reduction in severe stunting among poor children at this age will have long term benefits, and for CCT having enabled families to better care for their children, will have long term benefits,” he added.

“More parents in the Pantawid barangays are feeding their children with high protein food including eggs and fish, leading to improved nutritional status,” Onishi further said, during the public forum.

Meanwhile, Nazmul Chaudhury, WB’s country sector coordinator for human development, said poor households under the program, spend 38 percent more in education per capita and 34 percent more on medical expenses per capita than their non-Pantawid counterparts.

“This trend indicates a shift in the spending pattern among CCT beneficiaries, towards greater investments on health and education of their children,” Chaudhury said.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon soliman said she was pleased to know that the children of poor families are indeed enjoying better access to education and better health services, the Pantawid.

DSWD said that currently, there are more than three million poor families with more than six million children benefitting from the program.

The study recommended a stronger coordination among health service providers to ensure access and continuity of the services needed, and improvement of school facilities and services, as far as education is concerned.

It further recommended for exploring the possibility of extending coverage in years and increasing the grant amount for older children.

The impact evaluation was funded by the World Bank and the Australian Agency for International Development, aiming at presenting some empirical evidence on the key outcomes of the CCT. (DSWD6/ESS/JCM/PIA-Iloilo)

Aklan reports more collections, visitors in first 2 months

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, March 5 (PIA6) -- The two jetty ports operated by the provincial government here – one in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan and the other one at Cagban in Boracay Island registered a 121.39 percent increase in collections for the first two months of 2013.

T

he combined collections of January and February for 2013 had a total of P53,193,717.58, while collections for the same period last year netted a total of P24,027,236.66 – showing an increase of P29,166.480.92.

As to tourist arrivals in Boracay Island, 228,598 domestic and foreign tourists visited the island in the first two months of the year.

January had 112,881 arrivals and February, 115,717. Last year, January arrivals reached 110,518, while February had 95,559.

Based on the figures, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, who reported this news during his monthly “Report to the People,”

said the arrivals registered an increase of 10.93 percent.

The governor also said that in February 2013, foreign visitors outnumbered the locals – there were 65,815 foreign visitors while domestic reached 46,656 and overseas Filipino workers, 3,246.

Tourism receipts for January 2013 reached P2,075,136,575.50, an increase of 2.14 percent from the P2,031,696,601.20 generated for the same month last year, while from February 1-27, 2013, tourism receipts generated P2,058,775,349.40 – with an increase of 17.20 percent compared to February 2012 which had P17,756,669,320.60.

Just recently, Boracay Island was visited by another cruise ship, the MS Columbus, whose passengers, numbering around 700, toured the island for more or less eight hours.

These tourists, according to Marquez, were all Europeans, whose visit will have good advertising value and would make a big impact on world tourism.

Russian tourists under the Khabarouskakaremont-Montajnaya Kompanya also visited the island February 25 and were welcomed through Ati-atihan and Lei Reception by provincial officials and personnel of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office. (JCM/ VGV-PIA 6, Aklan)

Anti-Red tape campaign gains ground in WV

By Sheila Q. Patoza ILOILO CITY, March 5 (PIA6) -- The anti-red tape campaign of government agencies has made a dent in Western Visayas as can be gleaned from the result of the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey (ARTA RCS) of the Civil Service Commission.

D

onna Baldeviso-de la Torre, PS II/Office Correspondent-Designate of CSCRO6 said that out of 41government agencies in the region that were rated in 2012, eight got an excellent rating, 20 offices received a Good Rating, three obtained an Acceptable rating; and 10 agencies failed.

The eight government agencies that received an Excellent rating were the (1)Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office (RDO)-No. 76, Victorias City, Negros Occidental; (2) BIR RDO No. 77-Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; (3) Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)–Iloilo City; (4) DTI–Roxas City, Capiz; (5) DTI-Bacolod City; (6) Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth)Bacolod City; (7) Philhealth-Passi City; and (8)

Philhealth-Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

At the national level, CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III said in a statement that 598 government offices nationwide were monitored for compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.

Duque revealed that 50 offices obtained an Excellent rating, 308 agencies got a Good rating, 90 agencies received an Acceptable rating and 150 failed.

The ARTA of 2007 requires agencies to post their Citizen’s Charter which lists the frontline services offered, step-by-step procedures, time needed to complete the transaction, requirements, amount of fees, among others. It also covers the observance of the “No Noon Break” policy, presence of a public assistance desk/center,

availability of basic facilities such as comfortable waiting areas and comfort rooms, and special lane for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Meanwhile, a joint production of the CSC and the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS), Serbisyo Todo-Todo, a newest interactive radio program is airing live every Wednesday from 11 am to 12 noon via DZRB Radyo ng Bayan, 738 KHS STT caters to all sectors of society as it tackles issues of public concern, the bureaucracy and its citizens.

The program gives details on how the government works and how they can avail of the services of various government agencies and matters relating to government agencies compliance with the ARTA of 2007. (JCM/SQP-PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, Iloilo City

3

Information officers reminded of PNoy’s dev’t thrusts

By Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 6 (PIA6) -- Public information officers were reminded of their important role in achieving the government’s five development thrusts.

W

estern Visayas Regional Director lawyer Ma. Janet C. Mesa of the Philippine Information Agency, during the induction of new set of officers and board of director of the Capiz Association of Government Public Information Officers (CAGPIO), March 5, stressed that public information officers should not only be advocates of the programs of their respective agencies but of the entire government bureaucracy.

Mesa said that everyone in the government should be information officers , who are to advocate to the public what the government is all about, what it is trying to do and what it is trying to achieve.

She also reiterated that all the efforts of President Benigno S. Aquino III administration is focused on the development thrusts, namely good

governance, economic development, human development, climate change and justice, pace and security.

“It is the role of the information officers to inform, educate, communicate and inspire people who have lost hope that their life will be better and that a brighter future awaits them,” Mesa stressed.

She also urged members of the CAGPIO to be the motivating spark to their co-employees and intensify advocacy efforts in letting the people to be aware, understand and accept the government’s direction for the development of the country.

Mesa likewise emphasized that the government has been trying to put everything in place so that everyone is attended to and served.

She also extended her thanks and appreciation

to Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan Celino and the provincial government of Capiz headed by Governor Victor Tanco for the untiring support and assistance to the CAGPIO and the PIA that had helped so much in attainting the set goals. On the other hand, Mayor Celino acknowledged the role and responsibility of the public information officers in bringing the truth and correct information to the citizenry.

He likewise assured the CAGPIO and the PIA for the city government’s support to the various programs, projects and activities that are geared towards the development of the people. Celino was the inducting officer and guest speaker and of the 2013 CAGPIO officials led by SPO1 Donna Asmod of the Capiz Police Provincial Office. (JCM/JBG/PIA6Capiz)

NegOcc posts 23% hike in rice output in 2011-2012

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 6 (PIA6) -- Negros Occidental is well on its way in realizing its goal of becoming a rice self-sufficient province with a 23 percent increase in its production of the staple for 2011 -2012.

“

No province, no region in the country has this increase in rice production,” Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. said, crediting this accomplishment to the efforts of the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Officer.

Marañon said because of the province’s program on crop insurance, the

national government is increasing the coverage of the insurance from 4,000 hectares (ha) rice land in Negros Occidental to 12,000 ha.

The Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP) is an initiative of the provincial government geared towards Marañon's food security program.

Meanwhile, President Aquino has declared 2013 as the National Year of Rice through Proclamation 494.

It directs the Department of Agriculture to lead the celebration and to intensify efforts to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2013. (JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Army calls on NPA to end violence and criminality

By Margie L. Gadian SAN JOSE, Antique, March 5 (PIA6) -- The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, said in a wired report sent to the media that the CPP-NPA-NDFP (CNN) has continuously committed crimes against life and property in Negros and Panay islands. From 2010 to 2012, a total of P23 million or almost P1 million a month worth of properties have been damaged as a result of 16 NPA initiated violent incidents against business establishments and government projects.

A

trocious attacks such as burning of s u g ar c a ne p la n ta tio n s , h e a v y equipment, trucks, farm tractors and facilities, and telecom cell sites were continuously perpetrated by the NPA in Negros and Panay islands in the last 2 years.

While attack against civilians which left 46 people killed since 2010, the most horrible of which is the La Castellana massacre in January 27, 2013 that claimed the lives of 8 innocent civilians and a police officer.

Major General Jose Mabanta Jr, 3rd Infantry Division Commander said “these are part of desperate attempts of the CNN to counter the government’s efforts in bringing long and lasting peace to our country for a sustained development. We are now having a good economy and yet, the NPA are continuously disregarding the law and are the ones who do not want progress in our country.”

Among the significant violent incidents recorded include the burning of 5 hectares sugar cane plantation, a farm tractor and a

cargo truck in Brgy Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental in February10, 2010.

As a punitive action to the farm owner, the NPA burned a farm tractor in Poblacion, Lemery, Iloilo in February 18, 2010 due to the failure of the owner to give in to their extortion demand amounting to P50, 000.00 every harvest season.

They are also responsible in blazing of electric transformer of Malogo pump house in Brgy 20, Victorias City in October 5, 2010 and the burning of dump truck of a business owner in Brgy Cordova Norte, Tigbauan, Iloilo in January 6, 2011.

Because of the companies’ resistance to pay the so called “revolutionary taxes”, the NPA attacked the Philex Mining Corporation mining site in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental in July 6, 2011 where they burned a bunkhouse and a utility vehicle. While in January 9, 2012, they bombed a telecom cell site in Brgy Hilaitan, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental which damaged the powerhouse of the said installation.

MGen Mabanta further stressed that “their leaders are the ones tolerating these violent attacks which are apparently anti-people and against the sustainable development of our country. They (CNN) perpetrated these atrocities in order to step-up their extortion campaign and carry out their criminal activities.

These criminal activities further show that the CNN is not putting importance to human rights. ” “Big majority of our peace-loving citizens did not give in to the extortion demands of the NPA. We ask the citizenry to cooperate with the proper authorities and report such criminal activities by the NPA so that we can respond at once and put these violence and criminalities to stop.”

“We also urge the CNN to end these atrocities and instead, lay down their arms and abandon the armed struggle and help the government in peace and development programs for the benefit of our countrymen,” Mabanta added. (DPAO/PIA6-Antique)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Army, police, U.S. Air Force conduct joint exercise in NegOr

Cebu Metopolitan Cathedral, Cebu Sity

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, March 5 (PIA) -- Eighteen military men and 15 police personnel in Negros Oriental took part in a civil disturbance management (CDM) exercise with the United States (US) Air Force Pacific Command at the Sibulan Police headquarters. he subject matter expert The CDM exercise aims to enhance Capt Gargar said the practical exchanges (SMEES) exercise is the inter-operability of the Philippine exercise was closely supervised by PCI part of the Armed Forces of the National Police (PNP) and AFP in dealing Lomente of the PNP, the Operations Philippines (AFP)-US joint and combined with mass protest and crowd control.

Officer of NOPPO with Sgt. Anthony humanitarian civic action or civil military After the discussion, the troops Johnson of the US Air Force who operation dubbed “Pacific Angel 13-1”. equipped with shields, helmet and batons demonstrated several techniques on how The activity is being conducted from rehearsed the series of CDM formations to use the telescopic baton - a vital CDM March 4 until March 9 in Negros Oriental, in front of the Negros Oriental Provincial equipment. (FCR/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriensaid Army’s Acting Information Officer, Police Office (NOPPO) headquarters. tal) Capt. Cresencio Gargar.

T

DSWD urges public to observe Women’s Month

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, March 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) urges the public to observe Women’s Month celebration this March.

T

his year’s theme is “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” underscores the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance .

This theme further highlights the importance of strengthening the mechanisms and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation.

It is also aligned with Section 11 (Participation and Representation) and

Section 29 (Peace and Development) of the Magna Carta for Women.

DSWD 7 with the members of the Regional Technical Working Group had lined up the activities for the celebration.

These include hanging of streamers in public and private offices and holding of Young Women leaders Forum.

There will also awarding events that honor top women leaders highlighting the specific accomplishments/contribution to women empowerment and exposure trips of women associations to various facilities

and projects which have best practices of successful women.

Partner government and non-government agencies/institutions, Local Government Units (LGUs), private sectors and civil society groups are enjoined to initiate local activities such as fora, seminars on women empowerment, trade fairs, exhibits, parades/motorcades, radio and TV guestings and the like to make this month long celebration memorable and more colorful, DSWD-7 said. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7/DSWD-7)

3 countries replicate Bohol’s rabies control program

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 7 (PIA) -- Three countries are now replicating the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Program (BRPEP) and using it in addressing rising rabies cases in their respective homelands. ohol Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Provincial Veterinary Office is Dr. Lapiz told rabies program Stella Marie Lapiz said an spearheading the implementation of the stakeholders in a recent gathering at the international non-stock non-profit BRPEP, said Lapiz.

Bohol Tropics. organization called Global Alliance for Bohol Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Because of the BRPEP success, Ilocos Rabies Control (GARC) is currently Cabagnot said that in 2006, Bohol ranked Norte, Sorsogon and El Nido in Palawan generating more funds to help implement first in the region in the most number of are currently implementing the Bohol the BRPEP in Morogoro, Tanzania; Chad, rabies cases and was in third spot program’s template.

South Africa; and Nias, Indonesia. nationwide in the volume of human rabies Lapiz said they are also presenting the The effectiveness of the BRPEP banks cases. . program to local governments keen on on community mobilization particularly Lapiz said this gave birth to the starting their localized implementation of the help provided by the barangay rabies BRPEP where organizing the municipal and the national law on rabies. watch teams to initiate rabies prevention barangay based anti-rabies teams was Bohol rabies program and its details activities and immediately respond to critical as people realized community have been presented to San Pedro, rabies cases and arrest its spread, said involvement is the best way to monitor Laguna; Cavite Province; Ilocos Norte; Lapiz. and put up surveillance systems against the C a r a g a R e g i o n ; L i g a n g m g a B a r an ga y - Ma n i l a ; L i ga n g m g a Apart from active community potential spread of the disease. involvement, the program also requires The success catapulted the BRPEP Barangay-Iloilo City and the DILG extensive dog vaccination to achieve into the country’s best innovations with evaluation for Pamana ng Lahi, Lapiz zero-rabies in the province. The Bohol the Gawad Galing Pook awarded in 2012, declared. (FCR/RAHC-PIA 7, Bohol).

B

CENTRAL VISAYAS

St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral, Tagbilaran, Bohol

5

DPWH launches drive vs illegal billboards, ad signs in CV

By Ferliza C. Contratista

CEBU CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- Anytime soon, authorities will be in the streets to tear down illegally installed billboards within public road right-of-ways including political advertisements. arie Nillama, information officer Singson, in a Circular, said that campaign materials enforcing a resolution of the Department of Public DPWH staff should prevent and regulate of the Commission on Elections Works and Highways 7 (DPWH), the unauthorized display of commercial (COMELEC). said that their officials and staff all over the advertising signs such as streamers, These campaign materials include region will launch an operation against billboards, banners and stickers within the those posted in areas which are not billboards, commercial and advertising road right of way of national and officially designated areas as well as those signs including campaign materials that are secondary roads. posted in DPWH projects. placed within the road right of ways of He said DPWH must strictly enforce DPWH said there will be no charges national and secondary roads. the provision of the National Building filed from their office against this violators Nilama said this after DPWH Code regulating the display and installation other than the tearing down the illegal Secretary Rogelio Singson issued two of billboards. materials. (rmn/FCC/PIA7) similar circulars for all district engineers to In the same manner another directive comply. issued early this year also include

M

CV Advocates campaign for sustainable safe water, air

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU, March 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR7-EMB) through the Regional Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Environmental Education (RIASCEE-7) in Central Visayas plans to initiate an advocacy campaign on how to secure sustainability of safe water and air in the region.

D

ENR 7 regional executive director Isabelo Montejo said the EMB-7 and the RIASCEE-7 are tasked to develop strategies and action implementation plans integrating into school curriculum educational materials and advocacy campaigns on safe water and air.

Montejo added that RIASCEE-7 can extend its advocacy in barangays, daycare, pre-school, non-formal, technical, vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out of school youth program or courses.

Montejo said that environmental advocacies are best done with links with the academe where mostly the youths are found.

In a committee meeting recently, the RIASCEE-7 reported that in 2012, it focused its concerns on the realization of the National Environmental Education Action Plan (NEEAP).

It also initiated the information campaign in schools the importance of having a sustainable safe and clean air and water via mini-lectures on the importance of rivers, clean environment and

implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Aquino administration.

EMB 7 regional director Fernando Quilian said RIASCEE will serve as the advocacy arm of the DENR-EMB in Central Visayas to implement actions that include maintenance of common resources and facility for environmental information, education and communication exchange.(mbcn/AYS/PIA7)

New Cebu biz chamber head to continue promoting PPP

By Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, March 7 (PIA) -- The new leadership of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is expected to continue the chamber’s mission of enhancing private-public partnerships (PPP).

P

rudencia Gesta, CCCI immediate past president, is enthusiastic that the new set of officers will continue to promote PPP in Cebu.

Gesta, in a statement, also said that he is confident that the new leadership will pursue “trade development and economic advocacy for the welfare of Cebu’s business community and its people in general”.

CCCI elected on Feb. 22, its new set of trustees and officers who will take over the chamber’s helm of leadership from 2013 until 2014 under the sectors of trade, industry, service, and sectoral

The newly-elected officers are, namely: Lito Maderazo, President; Bonifacio Sia, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Antonio Chiu, Vice President for External Affairs and Relations; Mario Panganiban, Vice President for Business Development; Melanie Ng, Vice President for Membership Development; Joelix Ng, Treasurer; Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon, Board Secretary; Felix Taguiam, Assistant Treasurer (appointed); and Lilu Aliño, Assistant Board Secretary (appointed).

This month, CCCI is hosting the 27th Conference of the Confederation of

Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) on March 14 to 15 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

The event is expected to gather around close to 1,000 delegates from various national chambers of commerce from 27 nations under CACCI. Theme is: “Asia Pacific: Catalyst to Global Recovery.”

The conference will help the Philippines and the Asian region as a whole to achieve sustained growth and be an important contributor to world economic recovery. (RMN/PIA-Cebu)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Classroom shortage can be addressed through TEN Moves

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Our Lady of Assumption Parish Parish--Cathedral, Maasin City

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 3 (PIA) -- The Entire Nation (TEN) Moves or TEN moves, a campaign to address shortage of classrooms, now estimated to about 66,000 in the country, was recently launched in Eastern Visayas.

D

uring the launching, Rey C. Abellanosa, manager, Ayala Foundation Inc., explained that TEN Moves is a campaign that aims to address the classroom backlog of the Philippines.

While government budget for building classrooms increased this year and is being increased again next year, the resources are still not enough to fully address the problem. Thus, the secretary appealed to the private sector for bigger support.

A segment of the private sector decided to take on the challenge and put together an organized campaign to raise the needed resources. That was how Bayanihang Pampaaralan was born, Abellanosa said.

Corporations like the Mitsubishi Corporation may participate in any of these three ways said Abellenosa: by

making outright cash donations, by implementing their own classroom-building programs, and by encouraging their own employees to contribute to the project. Such employee contributions may be made through salary deduction.

The donor community, including the bilaterals and multi-laterals, may also support this campaign by opening funding windows for the building of classrooms or by providing funding support for organized efforts to raise resources for classrooms.

Abellanosa said that overseas Filipinos who have been helping their home country through their remittances, investments, donations and technical expertise, will also be tapped to help.

Partnerships with the US-based Philippine Development Foundation (Phildev) and similar organizations around

the world will be established for purposes of reaching out to the Filipino diaspora.

More importantly, Bayanihang Pampaaralan will also tap the general public, including ordinary Filipinos who have been doing their share in nation-building through their day-to-day activities but are looking for more ways to help in addressing the country’s many needs. The main strategy of TEN Moves! is to look for two million Filipinos who will donate P10 a day for 10 months. This is about P300 per month or P3,000 for the entire 10 months. Two million Filipinos donating P10 a day for 10 months will help raise P6 billion, which is enough to build 10,000 classrooms.

The resources that will be raised will be used to build classrooms in areas identified as priority by the DepEd. (PIA-8)

War hero's memorabilia open to public viewing

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 6 (PIA) -- The personal belongings, rare books and articles that featured a Southern Leyteno national figure during and after World War II now has a home at the city-owned Maasin City College (MCC), this city.

“

The Ruperto Kadava Kangleon memorabilia room in the second floor here at MCC will be accessible to the public,” City Mayor Maloney Samaco told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as he led guests, visitors, and the Kangleon kin on a guided tourinside a small room.

The occasion was the formal acceptance of the city government to permanently house Kangleon’s valuable items following its transfer from a room in Saint Joseph College (SJC).

The formal transfer coincided with the 55th death anniversary of Kangleon, a

guerilla leader who contributed immensely for the success of Gen. Arthur MacArthur’s campaign to liberate the Philippines that began on his landing in Leyte October 20, 1944, fulfilling his “I shall return” promise in 1942.

After the war, Kangleon, who was born March 27, 1890 at San Roque, Macrohon, rose to become a Senator and, afterwards, Defense Secretary.

During the transfer ceremonies held inside the MCC campus, a Board Resolution establishing the permanent location of RK Kangleon memorabilia was read by City Vice-Mayor Ma. Effie

Abiera-Sabandal. Cong. Roger Mercado, in his message, lauded “Lolo Perto” for the many sacrifices he underwent to secure the country’s freedom.

Kangleon became famous for his words “I will not surrender for love of God and country” even if his captive children were threatened for their lives.

The Japanese commander, however, admired Kangleon’s firm stand, and took good care instead of the children.

He was reportedly quoted as saying, “I do the same if I were him.” (PIASouthern Leyte)

DOST to put up innovation center in Eastern Visayas

By Leonilo D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 8 (DOST-8) will be coming up with an innovation center in the region to boost small businesses. his was revealed by John Glenn on food processing as well as packaging For his part, DOST Director Edgardo Ocaña, engineer and DOST-Leyte system facilities. “This will help address Esperancilla praised Sec. Mario Montejo’s director during the soft launch of gaps of our small and medium enterprises plan to create innovation centers that will Smarter Philippines, Smarter Cities Project (SMEs) and of the different industries in develop and improve the quality of the at the Harampang (Kapihan) ha PIA here the countryside,” he said. products of the SMEs or develop new recently.

Ocaña said that these innovation ones and for these products to conform Ocaña said that the innovation center, centers will be of big help to SMEs which to the requirements of the export market. which will be put up near the DOST-8 cannot afford to get loan or access funds (PIA-8) office, will feature high-end technologies from government.

T

EASTERN VISAYAS

Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, Palo, Leyte

7

DAR to turn over P19-M farm implements to East Visayas ARB groups

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in Eastern Visayas is set to turn over soon, more than P19-million worth of farm implements to over 60 agrarian reform beneficiary-organizations across Eastern Visayas.

T

he multi-million-peso worth of modern farm equipments include 37 hand tractors, 30 threshers, 10 cultivators, eight water pumps, six flat-bed driers, two reapers, two mechanical trans-planters, and two combined harvesters.

With these equipment provided to the ARBOs, Director Eliasem Castillo expects a higher yield from their awarded lots in the succeeding agricultural years and eventually an increased income resulting to a better quality life. This will contribute to poverty reduction and employment generation in the rural areas under President Benigno Aquino’s 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan.

Director Castillo explained that these are the results of the needs assessment conducted last year by the three state universities and colleges (SUCs)

commissioned by the Department to determine the factors that would turn these ARBOs into more viable agri-enterprise farmer organizations under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

ARCCESS, according to Castillo, is DAR’s new strategy which was conceptualized by Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes in order to enhance the delivery of support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries under the Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD) component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Under this new strategy, DAR assists the ARBOs become productive and competitive agri-entrepreneurs by providing the latter with the necessary farm equipment and with the help of

professional service providers. Castillo said that early in 2012, DAR entered into an agreement with the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, Northern Samar; the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte; and the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) in Sogod, Southern Leyte to validate the capabilities of the identified ARBOs in the region to venture such kind of activity and determine the factors that will help improve agricultural production and increase income.

Said project proposals include rice, organic vegetable, sugarcane and cassava production and marketing. The turn-over of the farm equipment to the identified ARBOs will be done after the conditions and specifications of all the 97 assorted machineries delivered last week by the contracted suppliers are checked. (PIA-8)

N. Samar 1st Engineering District recognized for BP 344 accomplishment report

By Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, March 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) first engineering district of the province of Northern Samar was awarded as the first and only one district nationwide to submit accomplishment report on BP 344 (Accessibility Law). n a media forum conducted on institutions, establishments and public No license or permit for the March 1, District Engineer Sandy utilities to install facilities and other construction or repair or renovation of Pua said their office is actively devices. public and private building for public use, monitoring institutions, buildings or The law also mandates to promote educational institutions, airports, sports establishments or public utilities to see to the realization of the rights of disabled and recreation centers and complexes, it that the owner or operator complies persons to participate fully in the social life shopping center shall be granted or issued with the requirements of the law. and the development of the societies in unless the owner or operator complies BP 344 or Accessibility Law is an act which they live and the enjoyment of the with the requirements of the law. (PIAto enhance the mobility of disabled opportunities available to other citizens.

Northern Samar) persons by requiring certain buildings,

I

DPWH use of coco coir provides EVisayans livelihood

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 4 (PIA) -- The use of coco coir in projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) not only has helped in flood control, it has also given livelihood to Eastern Visayans. his is according to Trade and plants and grasses since the fiber has road, in Samar. In 2012, DPWH reported Industry Samar Chief Meilo natural rooting hormones and good water 27 projects throughout the region with Macabare.

-holding capacity. coconet applications with a total of Coco coir, a strong fiber extracted The Lope de Vega farmers association 153,800 square meters and a budget of from discarded coconut husks, is now before, was unable to meet the demand of P20,549,118 which are implemented by used as basic material in making nets, rolls, their client from Bicol but through the their respective engineering districts. and mats as protective covers for soils and production of the Solsogon Farmers DTI fully supports the national slopes.

Association (Solofa) added to theirs, they movement to promote the coconut Macabare revealed that coco coir is can now supply the required order. industry and its by-product as a vehicle to preferred over concrete bricks and peat DPWH regional office is presently provide countryside development and moss because it is cheaper, renewable, implementing 10 projects which may need employment generation. (PIA-Samar with and completely organic. It is also an coco coir, one of this is the road opening Avha Ebalde) excellent growing medium for landscape improvement Calbayog City diversion

T

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.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu 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