One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 1

Vol 4

Issue 1

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna (2nd from right) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa (2nd from left) show the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of a campaign on climate change mitigation during the MOA signing held Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 at the DENR Regional Office here. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Yhuk welcomed the 300 men who are mostly soldier-engineers ready to help in the rehabilitation of typhoon Yolanda ravaged areas. (FRC/PIA 7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

Biliran provincial vice-governor Eriberto D. Tubis,Jr. (seated left) and Esteban Masagca (seated right) executive director of the People's Disaster Risk Reduction Network Incorporated (PDRN) sign the memorandum of agreement which formally starts the collaborative undertaking of extending humanitarian assistance to Typhoon Yolanda affected families in Bliran province held on December 17 at the office of the provincial governor. Also in photo are Caibiran Mayor Eulalio Maderazo (standing third from left), Cabucgayan Mayor Gemma G. Adobo, Flordeliza Trani, Biliran provincial social welfare and development officer and Emmeline U. Managbanag of CWS-Asia Pacific. (standing 3rd, 2nd and extreme right), some barangay captains and some representatives coming from the foreign non-government organizations joining the undertaking. (rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Jan. 6 - 12, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

NEDA-7 says CV inflation rate in 2013 within target By: Minerva BC. Newman CENTRAL VISAYAS, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Central Visayas' annual average inflation rate for all items in 2013 slowed down to 4.7 percent from 5.1 percent in 2012 which is within target, says the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7) in the region.

NEDA-7 says inflation rate is the percent increase in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by households, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The sum of monthly inflation rates from January to December divided by 12 months is the average inflation rate for the full year, NEDA explained.

NEDA-7 OIC-regional director Efren Carreon said, in the updated Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2014-2016, we followed the inflation rate target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) which is between 3.0 to 5.0 percent.

“Central Visayas' inflation rate of 4.7% although the highe st annual average inflation among the regions in the country, is still within the target range,” Carreon said.

Inflation rate for all items posted at 4.6% in December 2013, accelerating from the 3.9% rate in November, Carreon added.

Contributing to the uptrend, according to the NEDA-7 report, were higher annual increases in the indices of food and non-alcoholic beverages; clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas, other fuels; health, transport, recreation and culture; restaurants, miscellaneous goods and services.

Higher prices of LPG and kerosene pushed the index for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels to 3.6% in December 2013 from 3.1% in November, NEDA-7 report reads.

The transport index went up by 0.5 percentage points due to the general upward price adjustments in gasoline and diesel in December.

Among the food items, double-digit inflation rates were noted for rice from 9.4% in November 2013 to 12.2% in December 2013; fruits from 7.8% to 11.2% and vegetables from 6.6% to 11.3 percent.

Prices of banana, papaya and mango increased.

Among the vegetables that were priced higher were potatoes, cabbage, carrots, okra, onions and garlic.

“Food prices usually go up during the Christmas season.

This, and the effect of Typhoon Yolanda, raised prices of basic commodities,” Carreon explained.

Nevertheless, Central Visayas' full year 2013 inflation rate managed to stay within the DBCC target, Carreon said.

Data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that inflation rates for the other commodity groups either slowed down or stayed the same.

Inflation rates of the commodity groups on alcoholic beverages, tobacco and communication slowed down in November and December year-on year, Carreon reported.

Year-on-year inflation rates for the furnishing, household equipment, routine maintenance of the house and education stayed the same, Carreon concluded. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from KMD/NEDA-7)

Norway’s Foreign Minister visits Yolanda-hit Leyte and Samar BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende said their government will provide “faster assistance” to areas affected by typhoon “Yolanda” even as he expressed his sympathy to Filipinos who were hard-hit by the catastrophe.

The Norwegian diplomatic official arrived here January 8 to see for himself Norwegian humanitarian operations in Leyte and Basey, Samar, two of the areas devastated by the super typhoon.

Norway is the third largest contributor to the United Nations Emergency Fund that is now providing assistance to the typhoon victims. The department also said that it is has now agreed to assist the UN by sending its experts and resources.

So far, the total funding from Norway is $43 million to help the Philippines in this serious humanitarian crisis.

The fund was channeled through the UN, Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations that have access to the affected areas, Foreign Minister Brende said.

During the visit at Barangay Tingib, Basey, Samar, some 1,914 farmers received certified rice from the Department of Agriculture, World Food Programme and the Government of Norway.

This is part of the thrust to speed up the rehabilitation of the farmers who were affected by the super typhoon Yolanda.

"I want to express my sympathy with the Filipino people who had been hard-hit by this catastrophe.

We are closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in the Philippines and will provide faster assistance hen as soon as we get a better overview what the needs are," Foreign Minister Brende said.

Aside from his visit in Leyte, Brende met with the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario in Manila "to take stock of bilateral relations and find new ways of expanding areas for cooperation in the fields of trade, investments and maritime cooperation."

In the bilateral consultations, the improvement in trade and investment flows between the Philippines and Norway was also discussed.

According to DFA, the Philippines’ good economic performance has been noted as positive factor for trade and investments opportunities.

Norway is the Philippines' 61st export market in 2012 and Norwegian investments are mostly in maritime and power sectors.

Norwegian ship owners employ more than 20,000 Filipino seafarers. Norway actively supports and provides technical assistance to the Philippines' compliance with international maritime standards.

The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Norway were established in 1948.

There are an estimated 17,400 Filipinos in Norway as of June 2013, working as nurses, nursing aides, caregivers, engineers and housekeepers. (PIA 8)

Boracay's 2013 tourist arrivals up 13% BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 6 (PIA6) -- Despite missing its targeted 1.5 tourists arrivals in 2013, Boracay Island in Aklan still managed to generate an increase in visitors last year by 13% as shown by the Comparative Boracay Statistics from the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) here.

Based on PTOO records, last year’s (2013) tourist arrivals reached a total of 1,363,601 composed of foreign and domestic tourists, still way higher than the 1,206,252 arrivals listed in 2012.

Except for November, the month when Typhoon Yolanda devastated the Visayas including Aklan, all the other monts registered positive growth rate in arrivals, with the months of July, August and September registering the highest growth with 34%, 33% and 23% respectively.

The month of November, on the other hand, registered a negative 11% growth, as its total number of arrivals only reached 77,027, while in 2012, arrivals reached 86,090.

In 2013, 10 months registered more than 100,000 arrivals while September and November both had lower numbers.

The month of April had the biggest number of arrivals with 162,237, followed by May with 151,017; March with 128,627; February, 115,717; January, 112, 881; December, 111,949; July, 106,450; August, 106,022; June, 104,302 and October, 100,968.

Photo Courtesy of : For 2013, total number of foreign tourists who visited Boracay reached 615,508 and domestic tourists, 748,093.

Last year’s foreign arrivals were bolstered by cruise ship visits in the island. Tourists arrivals in 2013 generated a total of P25,067,622,623.40 in tourism receipts, as computed by the PTOO. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Business Education courses still top choices – CHED

ATTY. MA JANET C. MESA PIA PIA--6 Regional Director

BY: ELSA S. SUBONG

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA6) – It is still the Business Education courses which are popular among students, their top choices according to the 2013 records of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Western Visayas.

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HED-6 Supervising Education Specialist Dr. Rex Casiple said Business Education is followed by Teacher Education and Information Technology.

Casiple said the latest survey among tertiary schools in the region showed that Maritime Education, Medical related courses and Engineering related courses lag behind Business Education.

He also said that studies in the past three years showed there was a glut in the oversubscribed academic programs offered in schools, where the programs

needed for the country’s development remained unpopular.

CHED-6 noted that Fisheries and Agriculture remained in the lowest rank among all disciplines in higher education, with only three percent of the total enrolment in the region.

“Somehow, this has affected our status being an agricultural region,” Casiple said.

He said that food supply and demand is affected by the continuing increase in population as well as impact of disasters.

“It may be safe to say that agriculture

or food production, which is an undersubscribed course now, should be a good prospect for incoming college students,” Casiple said.

He said CHED has been holding orientations and dialogues with higher education institutions and education sector stakeholders to address the issue.

Casiple said these dialogues must be institutionalized for the labor industry and the education sector to map out competency roadmap to match the needs of labor with the course offerings. (ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

‘Listahanan’ to assess 1.3M poor families BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 9 (PIA6) - - The recently launched Listahanan program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) targets to visit and to assess one by one some 1,323,778 poor families.

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istahanan, a rebranding of the National Household Targeting System-for Poverty Reduction or NHTS-PR is the second round of the household assessment of DSWD to give a human face to the poor families in the country.

Regional Focal Person Lucita J. Villanueva said that one improvement of Listahanan is that this time around they will not just enumerate households but families.

Enumerators will try to learn from previous mistakes like double entries and

non-inclusion of names for households that don’t have occupants at that time of visit or enumeration.

Villanueva said, they will be issuing stickers for households to avoid double entries and will require enumerators to go back to unoccupied households three times to make sure that families are included in the enumeration.

Philippine Standards Occupational Tool (PSOT) with 46 indicators to describe the kind of occupation the family has compared to the 34 indicators used during the last national household

targeting.

“If there are complaints and clarifications, we can do on-demand application for poor families that were not visited during the regular assessment.

We will give them a chance to apply for assessment, no poor families will be left behind,” Villanueva assured.

Listahanan is coined from the terms “listahan” or list and “tahanan” or house.

This is a list of poor families in need of assistance from the government’s social protection programs.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Iloilo gets biggest slice in DPWH-6 2014 budget BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA6) – It is P4.4 billion for Iloilo out of the P11.8 billion budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas.

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PWH-6 Director Edilberto Tayao said in a radio interview that the agency is now running against time to finish different infrastructure projects for the proposed holding of some ministerial meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit here in Iloilo.

Tayao said the major focus of their task now is to oversee the completion of the Iloilo Convention Center.

This P800-million convention center is targeted to be completed in October this year, at the 1.7-hectare lot where the

Iloilo airport used to be.

This property at the Mandurriao district was donated by the Megaworld Corporation, which now owns the 54-hectare old airport site.

The convention center was designed

by Ilonggo architect Willie Coscolluela, with its architecture inspired by Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival and the Paraw Regatta. Tayao said the center has a total floor area of 6,400 square meters, where the main hall on the ground will have a seating capacity of 3,700 and 500 seat-function rooms on the second floor.

Meanwhile, Tayao said complementing the convention center is the road widening of the General Luna Street and the Diversion Road until the town of Sta. Barbara, with additional overpasses and underpasses.

He added that some on-going and completed projects include bridges and circumferential roads in Iloilo City.

His office is also set to complete the concreting of access road to Bucari, known as the “Little Baguio” located in the municipality of Leon. (JSC/ ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

ATTY. MA JANET C. MESA PIA PIA--6 Regional Director

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4Ps provides more opportunities to IPs

basic,

livelihood

BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA6) - - The government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program has helped ensure that basic services and livelihood opportunities are accessible to indigenous people households in Western Visayas.

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epartment of Social Welfare and Development 6 Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Beverly Salazar reported that there are now 7, 341 IP households in the region benefiting from 4Ps where their children are required to attend school and keep healthy as part of the conditions to be able to receive their cash grants.

Household beneficiaries with a maximum of three children receive P1,400 a month under the program. They are paid P300 for every child who complies with the 85% required school attendance and P500 for complying with health and nutrition conditions of the program.

As of November 25, 2013, Iloilo province has the most IP beneficiaries with 2,826, followed by Aklan with 1,746,

Capiz with 1, 456, Antique with 1,037, Negros Occidental with 229, and Guimaras with 29.

To further help eradicate malnutrition in the program’s IPs covered areas, Salazar said the DSWD have forged partnerships with Department of Education and private sector for the implementation of a regular supplementary feeding project in Lambunao and San Enrique towns in Iloilo, Anini-y, Antique and Madalag, Aklan.

For the first quarter of 2013, some 1,317 IP pupil-beneficiaries in 8 schools were provided hot meals under the project which was also expanded to cover more or less 600 malnourished school schildren in the district schools of San Enrique, Anini-y and Madalag.

Salazar said through the agency’s

Sustainable Livelihood Program, 25 Ati household grantees in Malay, Aklan were given access to livelihood. In Barangay Ubang, Pototan, 7 Pantawid grantees were included in the livestock dispersal project of DSWD and Glaxo Smith Pharmaceutical.

Efforts were also undertaken for the proposed establishment of an annex school facility in one Geographically Isolated and Displaced Area (GIDA) in Madalag, Aklan which would eventually accommodate more or less 60 IP enrollees. The ethnic group classifications in the region are Akeanon-Bukidnon, Ati, Iraynon-Bukidnon, Panayanon-Bukidnon, Halawodnon-Bukidnon, Magahat-Bukidnon, and Karul-an Bukidnon. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

GSIS H.E.L.P now available in Capiz BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 9 (PIA6) – The more than 11,200 members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Capiz can now avail of the agency’s Home Emergency Loan Program (H.E.L.P).

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apiz GSIS Manager Glorietta Dublas disclosed that starting January 2, they have been accepting over-the-counter application for the grant of HELP to their members who were affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Dublas stressed that this is the first time that their office has granted the said loan program to their members, citing that the same is a special loan program that is made available to GSIS active members who are working or residing in the worst hit calamity area.

“This is the GSIS response to the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III to extend necessary support to the areas who were hardly hit by supertyphoon Yolanda, which the entire

province of Capiz was among those who greatly suffered losses particularly on properties,” she said.

Dublas likewise said that through the new loan program, the GSIS members here could start rebuilding their homes and livelihood.

She said that members whose length of service are 10 years or over could avail the loan up to P200,000 while members who have rendered government service for five years but below 10 years could avail P100,000.00 loan.

“For members whose length of service is less than five years, the maximum loanable amount is P30,000.00,” she said, adding that the monthly amortization under said loan will start on July

2014.

Earlier, the GSIS also granted an emergency loan of P20,000 for its members who have no existing emergency loan and P40,000 for those with existing emergency loan with the agency.

It has likewise effected a six-month moratorium on loan amortizations to GSIS members and pensioners who are residing or working in the worst hit calamity areas as a result of typhoon Yolanda.

On the other hand, Dublas clarified that in case of reloan by a member in any GSIS loanable program within the period of moratorium, the said moratorium benefit will be forfeited.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

DTI – Guimaras sustains ties with consumer organizations GUIMARAS, Jan. 7 (PIA6) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Guimaras Provincial Office believes in sustaining partnerships with consumer organizations to ensure protection of consumers in the countryside.

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TI recognizes these organizations as partners in consumer policy advocacy and in monitoring the implementation of consumer-related laws, rules, and regulations in the countryside.

To date, DTI Guimaras has organized twelve (12) consumer organizations in the province of which one is provincial, five

municipal and six school-based.

During the year-end meeting of the Guimaras Provincial Consumer Organization last month, several activities were planned for 2014, namely information drive in the barangays, conduct of the Roving Diskwento and Pamaskong Diskwento Caravans, inspection of weighing scales, and

maintenance of the Consumer Welfare Information Boards in public markets.

DTI Guimaras Officer-in-Charge Ma. Carmen Iturralde said that the conduct of these activities this year will ensure sustainability of partnerships between DTI and consumer organizations in the province of Guimaras. (DTI Guimaras/ MUP/JSC-PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Pres. Aquino convenes Cabinet Secretaries to speed up post-Yolanda rehab program

MINERVA BC NEWMAN PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

MANILA, Jan. 10 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III convened on Thursday the members of the Cabinet to ensure that the post-‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation program is on track and to speed up its implementation, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said.

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t will be recalled that among the areas hard-hit by the super typhoon were Leyte, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan.

Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang that the Cabinet Secretaries had updated the Chief Executive of the progress of the work of their respective departments.

Presidential Adviser for Rehabilitation and Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson had pointed out during the Cabinet meeting the need for speeding up the clearing of debris in Tacloban City, so that rebuilding efforts can proceed unimpeded, and to minimize citizen’s exposure to health and safety hazards, Coloma said.

"Environment Secretary (Ramon) Paje said that there are 30 shredders available for immediate shipment to the calamity area. This will be used to crush the debris for proper disposal and possible recycling.

The possible redeployment of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority rescue battalion to Tacloban will also be considered," he said.

Coloma said the President directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson to implement the rebuilding program for destroyed local government facilities including town halls, public markets, and civic centers.

The rebuilding program which was approved last December is estimated to cost P4-billion pesos, Coloma said.

According to Singson 832 school sites have already been cleared for rebuilding of destroyed school buildings, Coloma said.

"The Department of Public Works and Highways is awaiting Japan International Cooperation Agency the

proposed design for upgraded school facilities that will be disaster-resilient. He said that the design is being expected before the end of this month," Coloma stressed.

"Health Secretary (Enrique) Ona reported on efforts of the Department of Health to monitor and check the spread of “chikungunya,” a mosquito-borne disease resulting in body pains, but is considered less dangerous than dengue. Massive fogging operations are being conducted in ‘Yolanda’-affected areas," he said.

Coloma said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima presented to the Chief Executive the National Bureau of Investigation’s report on the identification and burial of typhoon victims in Tacloban City.

"This is for Tacloban City alone. A total of 2,249 bodies were recovered.

Out of this number, 448 have been processed and buried in permanent burial sites, one of the memorial parks, while 1,801 have been buried in temporary burial sites in Barangay Vasper and at Sitio Suhi in Tacloban City—Sitio Suhi, Barangay San Isidro, Tacloban City—and will be exhumed for further identification processes," he said.

The President directed Department Budget and Management to provide additional funds to complete the cadaver identification and burial process at the soonest possible time.

"Science Secretary Mario Montejo reported that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is nearing completion of simulation studies on effects of possible storm surge occurrences similar to those that were brought about by typhoon ‘Yolanda’," he said.

He said Montejo was directed by the President to submit the report by end of January.

The DOST will also submit a report on simulation studies of flood-prone areas along the country’s 18 major river systems.

Coloma said Paje reported that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has completed the mapping of ‘Yolanda’-affected areas where the government would implement a 40-meter no-build zone.

The President directed the DENR and the DILG to coordinate with the Department of Tourism in addressing specific concerns pertaining to the rebuilding of tourism facilities along the coastlines such as the Jetty port in Palompon, Leyte, which generates significant tourism revenues, Coloma stressed.

"Secretary (Joseph Emilio) Abaya reported that Department of Transportation’s and Communications is awaiting submission of a JICA study by the end of this month on the renovation of Tacloban Airport which was completely destroyed by typhoon Yolanda.

The President directed the DBM to submit recommendations on the possibility of extending financial assistance to national government employees affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’ similar to assistance given to those affected by typhoons Pablo and Sendong.

"Budget Secretary (Florencio) Abad also asked Cabinet members to submit recommendations on realignment of department and agency budgets for the purpose of addressing the effects of typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and other natural calamities that arose during the last quarter of the year and were not considered in the preparation of the 2014 budget," he said. (www.pcoo.gov.ph/PND (js)

New tech promises better news, info viewing to Dumagueteños By: Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Dumagueteños are now able to stream news and information in a better digital viewing format.

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his is one of the main goals of cable television (TV) provider Skycable as it unveiled its latest services under digital cable TV for the residents of Dumaguete City.

“Digitization has proven to be crucial in delivering relevant products and services that address the various growing information needs of our customers,” Skycable Visayas and Mindanao Business Unit Head Jude Pambid said in a media briefing earlier at the Bethel Guesthouse.

Through digitization, Pambid promised that Dumagueteños will be able to watch their favorite channels in unsurpassed clarity and high definition content.

Digitization also offers genre-based channel line-up that clusters all channels in one channel range based on their genre. This gives consumers convenient channel surfing. This technology also allows viewers to pause and record important TV shows and rewind and play afterwards.

Aside from this, the cable network also

has its online viewing portal where viewers can replay past episodes and stream new episodes of their favorite shows including news programs.

Skycable’s digital cable TV offering comes in different packages suited for every consumer’s needs. For more inquiries on this TV technology and cable packages contact Skycable Dumaguete through their hotline 225-1010.

These are part of the cable network’s improved services for Dumagueteños. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

Biz group holds Cebu Business Month Song Competition CEBU CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) ---- The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is holding a songwriting contest to mark the celebration of Cebu Business Month in June this year.

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he competition hopes to draw out a song piece that will creatively express the brand values of Cebu Business Month 2014 with the theme: “ASEAN 2015 and Beyond!”.

Judges for the contest are some of Cebu music industry’s most influential names who will consider the entries based on originality, lyrics, melody, and commercial appeal.

Copyright to the song entries must be owned exclusively by the songwriter-contestant who should warrant that his or her entry is not contracted by any

third party.

The contest is open to everyone, including non-Filipino citizens.

Only members of the screening committee are disqualified from joining the contest.

Contestants can also collaborate with friends, family or with more than one songwriter for their entries.

Entry song must not exceed four minutes and thirty seconds, including the intro and extro.

English lyrics are preferred, but Cebuano

or Filipino terms may also be used if it contributes to the overall charm and effect of the song.

Deadline for submission of entries is on Jan. 16, 2014.

More details on contest rules and mechanics, as well as entry forms, are available on www.cebuchamber.org.

Cebu Business Month is an institutionalized month-long jubilee of the business community aimed at sustaining business growth and development of Cebu and neighboring islands. (CCCI/PIA Cebu)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Feast of Sto. Nino Cebu kicks off

MINERVA BC NEWMAN PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

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BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA

CEBU CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA)--- The religious activities for this year’s celebration of the feast of the Sto. Nino kicked off January 9 with the start of the nine day novena.

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eligious organizing head, Fr. Jonas Mejares said the customary nine novena started with a solemn procession “Walk with Jesus” from the Fuente Osmena Circle to the Basilica del Sto. Nino at 4 am.

This year’s Hermano and Hermana were also installed.

Mejares said, the nine day novena masses from January 9-19 will already have an additional 11th mass for devotees to attend.

On the cultural side, the opening parade of the Sinulog festivities begins January 10 with the opening of the Trade Fair at SM City, 10 in the morning and the launching parade at 3pm from the Basilica del Sto. Nino to the Cebu City Sports Complex.

There is a nightly entertainment at the Fuente

Osmena circle beginning that day.

Sinulog sa Kabataan Lalawigan is scheduled on January 11 with 10 contingents and happening the next day 12th, is the Sinulog sa Kabataan-Dakbayan with 12 participants.

Ticket price for the Sinulog sa Kabataan is at P75.

Other activities include Balikbayan Airport Welcome beginning January 15 in the morning and also the coronation of Miss Cebu 2013 in the evening at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

The annual Cebu Pop Music Festival is scheduled on January 17.

The image of the Sto. Nino will be brought to Mandaue City at the National Shrine of St. Joseph for a night on the 17th and it will be returned to

Cebu City thru the customary fluvial parade the next day.

The fluvial parade is also followed by the reenactment of the arrival of Portugese Ferdinand Magellan to the shores of Cebu and welcomed by the leader of the natives Rajah Humabon.

On Sinulog day, January 19, the festival will start at 9 in the morning and will culminate with a display of fireworks after the grand finale.

Police and traffic personnel had already imposed security measures as early as tomorrow and also issued rerouting plans.

The Sinulog Festival is considered as one of the grandest festivals of the Philippines, drawing millions of people from all walks of life and from the different parts of the world. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

Rerouting plan for Sinulog 2014 set BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) --- Cebu City traffic authorities recently released the rerouting plan for the upcoming highlights of the feast day of Patron Sr. Sto. Nino on January 19, the Sinulog Festival Day which is expected to draw a crowd of about five million.

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he Traffic Patrol Group headed by Police Superintendent Rey Tiempo and City Traffic Operations Management Team head by Atty. Rafael Yap released the rerouting plan advisory for January 19 to prepare commuters.

“There will be total closure on the streets included in the Carousel Route effective January 19 at 5 in the morning,” according to the advisory.

There will be Clearing/Towing of vehicles and other obstruction along the carousel route on January 18, 2014 at 10:00 P.M. up to 5:00 A.M. of January 19 following the road closure.

Motorists are advised that from the New Imus Road to go straight to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn left to Gen. Maxilom Ave., proceed to Fuente Osmeña, turn left to Osmeña Blvd., all the way down to Cebu City Sports Complex.

Then from the complex, they are to take the right turn to R.R. Landon St., left turn to the Entrance Gate of the Cebu City Sports Center passing the Sinulog Grandstand and to the Exit Gate at P. del Rosario St. side.

From here, they need to make a right turn to N. Bacalso Ave., then U-turn in front of Citilink Terminal, follow N. Bacalso Ave., proceed to P. del Rosario St., and follow back to New Imus Road.

There are parking spaces for private vehicles for free at South Road Properties (SRP) area near St. Pedro Calungsod Templete.

Public utility jeepneys are available to cater passengers going to and from Maritima Building across City Hall with a minimum fare.

“Motorist, drivers, and other road users are advised to follow the traffic signs installed on the re-routing areas to minimize traffic congestion," according to the advisory.

The religious aspect already kicked off today, January 9 while the cultural aspect, which include the festivities, will start tomorrow, January 10.

Other highlights of the festivities are the Miss Cebu competition, Sinulog Idol, Sinulog sa Kabataan Lalawigan and Dakbayan.

There are also nightly entertainment presentations at the Fuente Osmena Circle.

Below is the specific traffic rerouting plan: 1. Passenger jeep coming from Talamban (13B & 13C) shall follow to Gov. Cuenco Ave., proceed to Arch. Reyes Ave., turn left to Mindanao Ave., to Samar Loop, left turn to Cardinal Rosales Ave., right turn to Gorordo Ave., right turn Arch. Reyes Ave., to Gov. Cuenco Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

2. Passenger jeep coming from Pit-os (62B & 62C) shall follow to Gov. Cuenco Ave., turn left to Juan Luna Ave., right turn to Cardinal Rosales Ave., left turn Samar Loop, proceed to Luzon Ave., right turn to Arch. Reyes Ave., to Ayala Terminal, proceed to Gov. Cuenco Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

3. Passenger jeep coming from Mabolo (03A, 03B, 03G & 03L) while traversing along Juan Luna Ave., turn right to J. de Veyra St., proceed to B. Benedicto St., right turn to T. Padilla St., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., left turn to R. Palma St., left turn to Serging Osmeña Ave., left turn to T. Padilla St., right turn to B. Benedicto St., to J. de Veyra St., left turn to Juan Luna Ave., to their usual route, except for 03L to turn

left to J. Limbong St., right turn to L. Tudtud St., then to their point of origin.

4. Passenger jeep coming from Mandaue City with Route Nos. 21A, 21G, 22A and 22G shall follow F. Urot St., right turn to Cabahug St., to A. Soriano Ave., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to Serging Osmeña Ave., right turn to R. Palma St., right turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to V. Sotto St., left turn to S. Osmeña Ave., left turn to 13th Avenue, right turn to Benedicto St., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to A. Soriano Ave., proceed to Cabahug St., left turn to F. Urot St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin. PUJ Route Nos. 21D and 22D shall follow M.J. Cuenco Ave., left turn to Juan Luna Ave., right turn to A. Soriano Ave., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn S. Osmeña Ave., right turn Palma St., right turn M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn V. Sotto St., left turn S. Osmeña Ave., left turn 13th Ave., right turn Benedicto St., left turn Gen. Maxilom Ave., right turn to A. Soriano Ave., proceed to Cabahug St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

5. Passenger jeep with Route No. 06H coming from Ayala, while traversing along Arch. Reyes Ave., shall turn right to Gorordo Ave., left turn to N. Escario St., right turn to M. Velez St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

PUJ Route No. 12L going to Ayala, while traversing along R. Duterte St., shall proceed to M. Velez St., right turn to Don Gil Garcia St., left turn to J. Avila St., left turn to Osmeña Blvd., right turn to N. Escario St., then to Ayala, in going back to point of origin, follow the usual route.

6. Passenger jeep coming from Lahug/Apas with Route Nos. 04C, 04I and 17C while traversing along Gorordo Ave. shall turn left to N. Escario St., right turn to Acacia St., right turn Arch. Reyes Ave., right turn to Gorordo Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

7. Passenger jeep coming from Lahug/Apas with Route Nos. 04B, 04D, 04H, 17B and 17D while traversing along N. Escario St., turn left to Osmeña Blvd. Make a U-turn to Ma. Cristina St., follow to Osmeña Blvd., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

8. Passenger jeep coming from Labangon and Bulacao with Route Nos. 12E, 12I, 12G, 12J, 10H, 10J and 10J while traversing along N. Bacalso Ave., right turn V. Rama Extn., left turn to Tres de Abril St., riht turn to T. Abella St./Lakandula St., left turn to B. Aranas St., to C. Padilla St., follow to Colon St., right turn to Leon Kilat St., left turn to Magallanes St., right turn to Escaño St., to M.C. Briones St., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to Legaspi Extn., left turn to Serging Osmeña Ave., then to SM. From SM, PUJ’s going to Labangon shall pass S. Osmeña Ave., right turn to T. Padilla Extn., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to Bonifacio St., left turn to Sikatuna St., right turn to Colon St., to C. Padilla St., right turn to Carlock St., to Tres de Abril St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave., then to their usual route, then back to their point of origin. From SM, PUJ’s going to Bulacao shall pass A. Soriano Ave., left turn to Gen. Maxilom Extn., right turn to Benedicto St., right turn to T. Padilla Extn., left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to V. Gullas St., right turn to Borromeo St., right turn to Colon St., to C. Padilla St., right turn to R. Padilla St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave., then to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

9. Passenger jeep with Route Nos. 09E, 09K, 10E, 10F, and 11G while traversing along N. Bacalso Ave., shall turn left

to F. Llamas St., right turn to Katipunan St., right turn to Salvador Extn., left turn to Tres de Abril St., right turn to N. Bacalso Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

10. Passenger jeep with Route No. 09C, 09F, 10C, 10D, 10O, 11D and PUJ’s bound for SM/NRA while traversing along N. Bacalso St., shall turn right to V. Rama Extn., right turn to Tres de Abril St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

11. Passenger jeep coming from Urgello and USC Girls High (Private) shall follow to Alcantara St., left turn V. Rama Ave., left turn to Tres de Abril St., right turn to Lakandula St., right turn to C. Padilla St., straight to Colon St., left turn to Mabini St. right turn to Zulueta St., follow to V. Sotto St., left turn to Serging Osmeña Ave., to their usual route up to Colon St., then to their point of destination.

12. Passenger jeep with Route No. 02B from Pier Area shall follow to Sanciangko St., left turn to Panganiban St., left turn to Colon St., to their usual route, then to their point of destination.

13. Passenger jeep coming from Labangon with Route Nos. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12F and 12M shall follow to Tres de Abril St., let turn N. Bacalso Ave., right turn V. Rama Extn., left turn to T. Abella St./Lakandula St., left turn to B. Aranas St., to C. Padilla St, proceed to Colon St., right turn to D. Jakosalem St, right turn to V. Gullas St., right turn to Legaspi St., left turn to Colon St., follow C. Padilla St., right turn to Carlock St., left turn to Tres de Abril St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave, to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

14. Vans, Trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the South going to SM or to North Area shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., right turn to Mambaling Trunk Road to SRP, left turn to SRP Coastal Road, passing the tunnel, then to exit at Serging Osmeña Blvd., then to the North Reclamation Area.

15. Trucks, Vans, Trailers and other motor vehicles coming from the North Reclamation Area going to the South are advised to pass along S. Osmeña Blvd., passing the tunnel, to SRP, then to their point of destination.

16. All motor vehicles coming from Tabunok, Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando and Carcar going to go the North Reclamation Area are advised to pass at SRP Coastal Road, passing the tunnel, then to their destination.

17. Private vehicles coming from the South going to Capitol, Lahug and Uptown area shall follow to N. Bacalso Ave., left turn to F. Llamas St., right turn to Katipunan St., left turn to Duterte St., then to their point of destination.

18. Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJ’s) with Route Nos. 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., take under the Mambaling flyover and make a U-turn, to their usual route, then back to their point of origin 19. Public Utility Vehicles such as Buses/Mini-buses, and GT Express coming from the South shall follow N. Bacalso Ave., right turn to Mambaling Trunk Road going to SRP, then to the space provided as Temporary Terminal at SRP near St. Pedro Calungsod Templete. From SRP Terminal, take an exit to South Coastal Road, to Talisay, then to their destination.

20. Private vehicles coming from the North going to Capitol/Uptown while traversing along M.J. Cuenco Ave, may turn right to Juan Luna Ave., left turn to Gorordo Ave., right turn to M. Gaisano St. or N. Escario St., then to their point of destination. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Foreign NGO donations fuel Tacloban economy

OLIVE P. TIU PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 7 (PIA) – Huge cash donations from foreign non-government organizations for survivors of typhoon Yolanda have been creating economic activities for the local economy of Tacloban City, the capital of the province of Leyte.

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ecause of the generosity of these private groups and individuals, the economy of Tacloban is starting to bounce back because people have money to buy, thus creating demand for manufacturers One of such organizations is the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation which to date has already poured in over P2 billion in cash donations.

Since Tzu Chi Foundation’s arrival in Tacloban on November 15, the organization has achieved success with its Cash-for-Work program starting on November 20th.

In less than a month, 280,000 people have regained strength and cleaned their homes.

Through the relief fund from Cash-for-Work with a high pay of P500 per day, the participants could face rising inflation and purchase materials for rebuilding.

Already, 30,000 families have benefitted from the cash for work program. Tzu Chi was giving out P15 million a day which indeed, fuelling the local economy.

The foundation was paying people to repair

their houses and to help in the clean-up operations.

After Typhoon Haiyan has devastated nearly all the houses by the seashore, Tzu Chi’s Cash-for-Work program covered areas from Anibong Elementary School to San Jose Barangay. Tzu Chi volunteers worked hand-in-hand with local residents on cleaning the streets of 70 barangays (districts).

In working with Tacloban’s waste management plan, 40 trucks, several loaders, excavators and other heavy equipment were arranged to remove post-disaster debris in order to prevent pandemic diseases and rejuvenate the city’s vitality.

Starting December 14, there were three days of large-scale aid distributions to conclude the emergency stage of relief work, with families receiving cash assistance of P15,000.

Besides Cash-for-Work program, Tzu Chi International Medical Association and medical staff from Tzu Chi hospitals (from Taiwan) have carried out 4 large-scale medical services.

In the form of mobile free clinic, the medical service is available to resident on-site.

The free clinic has served more than 4,000 people accumulated.

Moreover, the instant rice developed by Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association has come to great use in the afflicted areas without supply of water and electricity; a total number of 190,000 portions hot meals have been provided. The nutritious instant rice has flavors of corn and vegetables.

Since December 11th, Tzu Chi Foundation has built pre-fabricated classrooms in Tunga Central School and Sacred Heart School. An estimate of over 50 classrooms will be built.

The pre-fabricated classroom can be used for 5 years. Good ventilation and safety measures are the design features.

The classrooms projects hope for students to return to school and study in a safe space.

To date, Tzu Chi Foundation has become the favorite and the byword of Yolanda victims in Tacloban. (PIA 8)

Secretary Singson urges LGUs in typhoon affected areas to follow shelter program BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has urged the local government units (LGUs) in typhoon-affected areas in Eastern Visayas to follow the shelter program of the government in a bid to construct housing units for Yolanda survivors.

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n a the recently concluded meeting of the Shelter Cluster held at Leyte Sports Development Center, in this city, shas emphasized that under the socialized housing program of the government houses shall be constructed under the range of 24 to 30 square meters per family in contrary to the ones being built in Aceh which has the size of 42 to 84 square meters.

Singson has reminded the officials, residents and the donor communities that in

constructing permanent shelter it must be sustainable by the Philippine Government so no problem will arise in the future.

He likewise asked the shelter cluster to lay down the specifications, density and sizes of the houses to be built in areas identified by the local government units.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been tasked to prepare the sites for the temporary shelter while the construction of permanent houses are being undertaken.

It may be recalled that immediately after the typhoon the Philippine government has intervened in providing emergency temporary shelter like bunkhouses and other material assistance such as galvanized iron (GI) sheets, hammer, nails, among others which were distributed to the beneficiaries identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

By the end of January, it is expected that all bunkhouses constructed by the DPWH will be turned over to the beneficiaries. (PIA-8)

Samar now enjoys stable power supply from Tongonan geothermal plant BY: NINFA QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 8 (PIA) — Samar province is now enjoying a stable electric power supply from the Tongonan geothermal plant in Leyte.

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his was announced today by Dixon Bernales, Information Officer of the Samar Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO 2) in his radio program aired at DYMS, “Kaupod han Pag-gios, Samelco Dos”.

It will be recalled that electric power supply in Samar was cut off due to the devastation caused by Super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013.

From November 8 to November 28, Samarnons went on their daily lives without electricity and internet. Cell phone signals were restored after two days of having no communication at all.

Yolanda destroyed power lines,

transformers in Leyte, and in Samar where the coastal towns of Marabut, Basey and Sta Rita were hardly hit. Yolanda also flooded and whipped the Samelco 2 office in Basey, Samar where office equipment and some vehicles were damaged.

Presently, only five barangays in Basey have restored power lines. The Marabut town center is now enjoying electricity and most of its barangays in the highway.

Samelco 2 acknowledged that with the combined efforts of Samelco 1 and guests Dagupan (Pangasinan) Electric Coop,and Nueva Ecija Electric Coop, they were able to source out electric power from Cebu on November

28, some 20 days after typhoon Yolanda toppled several power lines.

“After five days of importing electric power from Cebu, the power plant in Tongonan, Leyte suddenly became alive,” Bernales announced on air.

Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant generates and supplies electricity in Leyte and Samar. The company is based in Kananga, Leyte. Samelco 2 meanwhile admitted that it is still in the process of restoring electricity in some parts of Sta Rita town and in remote barangays in Basey and Marabut, but vowed that the restoration effort will continue. (PIA 8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

OLIVE P. TIU PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

7

High turn-out of pupils during school reopening in typhoon-affected areas impresses INTERSOS BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Two humanitarian workers from an International Non-Government Organization were impressed of the numerous number of children/pupils who report for class during the reopening of classes in typhoon-ravaged areas in Eastern Visayas.

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ennifer Budden and Taka Nakahara, both working for Intersos, have expressed their appreciation of the pupils who were deemed eager to get back to school despite being traumatized by the strongest storm ever recorded in world history. Intersos is a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that works to bring assistance to people who are in danger,

victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Although crowding in makeshift classrooms built from tarpaulins and plywood, a high percentage of pupils/students in public schools get back into learning particularly in Tacloban City, the center of region 8, where giant tsunami-like waves triggered by super typhoon “yolanda” wiped out many classrooms, houses, buildings and

villages.

Earlier, the Department of Education, UNICEF and the Philippine Information Agency have joined together in encouraging pupils to get back to school. Although the fate of other children remained unknown, officials of Deped, the UNICEF and Intersos are still awaiting for their return to school up to this time. (PIA-8)

Gov. Mercado re-invents health services to be pro-poor BY: MARCELINO PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- Provincial Governor Roger Mercado emphasized that he has instituted a number of measures so quality health services can be more accessible to poor people in the province, in order to reduce their out-of-pocket costs of medical and hospital services.

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The poor are unable to earn wages and generate income if they are sick or of poor health because their main capital is their labor.

In the truest sense, and particularly for the poor, health is indeed wealth,” Mercado said last month during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on his first 100 days in office.

The sweeping changes he instituted focused more on the system of administering health services, re-activation of the blood bank to ensure adequate supply of uncontaminated blood during emergencies, decentralization of procurement processes, and hiring of more wellness workers.

He stressed that payment of hospital fees will take precedence over payment of other fees, particularly physician’s professional fees.

“Discharge of patients from the hospital

can no longer be delayed due to their inability to pay the doctor’s professional fees,” Mercado declared.

He pointed out that the private practice of provincial government physicians and paramedical personnel in public hospitals is prohibited, in order to concentrate on the delivery of needed and timely health and medical services to the less privileged.

“The procurement process is now decentralized such that each provincial hospital can now buy their medical, office, or equipment supplies without the approval of the Provincial Capitol,” Mercado also said.

Meanwhile, true to its campaign to plant hold tree planting on a monthly basis throughout the province this year, the provincial government of Southern Leyte kicks off mangrove tree planting along the shorelines of Barangay Pasay, Maasin City, January 8.

Together with the barangay officials of Barangay Pasay, Maasin City Agriculture staff, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Officer (PENRMO) Dr. Eva Abad planted 325 mangrove trees to an existing mangrove area of the said barangay.

PENRMO Dr. Abad disclosed earlier in an interview during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA last December 2013, “Gov. Roger Mercado has signed an executive order designating November 8 as Arbor Day in the province.

The PENRMO will make every 8th of the month next year, not just November 8, as the date for a massive tree planting involving the community.”

It was learned that the group planted yesterday 25 Talisay seedlings, a beach tree and 300 seedlings of Bungalon and Bakhaw mangrove trees, as well. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Biliran DPWH to start road widening projects BY: RODRIGO S.VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 9 (PIA) – The public works department here in Biliran province will start implementing the road widening projects lined-up for 2014, said the information officer-designate of the department in an interview.

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oad widening project was mentioned as priority project for 2014 by Engr.

David P. Adongay, Jr., district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways - Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH –BDEO, in his guesting recently in the Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Biliran provincial office held every Thursday from 11:00 am until 12 noon at Radyo Natin-Naval.

“The road widening project of the indentified national road in the province will cover five meters from the center on both sides of the existing road” revealed Engr.

Rosario B. Rosete, also the assistant chief of the planning and design section of DPWH-BDEO. Rosete said the road widening projects to

be implemented for 2014 include the following areas: Naval-Almeria section starting from corners Castin and P.I Garcia Sts. (1.8 kilometers); San Juan-Puro Kobe section (2.1 kilometers); Burabod-Mapuyo section (300 meters); Almeria-Bagongbong bridge section (300 meters); and Virginia-Culaba proper section (1.6 kilometers).

She further said that the road widening projects will be implemented either late February or early part of March this year.

Ocular surveys were already conducted by the road right of way agents and some concerned personnel of the DPWH-BDEO last year to ensure that the owners of structures that will be affected by the road widening projects to be implemented this year will be given enough information regarding the

project, Rosete added.

She also disclosed that the department will only pay the existing structures and improvements that will be affected by the road widening projects and will no longer pay on the lot that will be affected.

However, Rosete informed in advance that the DPWH-BDEO will not pay damages to owners of the structures or improvements who did not heed the notices sent by the department informing them not to construct any structures or improvements within the area prohibited by law.

She added that the DPWH-BDEO will call the owners of the structures that will be affected by the road widening projects in the province this month of January 2014 before the implementation of the project. (PIA 8 Biliran)

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