Vol 5
Issue 42
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
Two agrarian reform beneficiaries cannot contain their excitement as they inspect their new 120-Horsepower Massey Ferguson Tractor with implements, one of the nine units turned over by the Department of Agrarian Reform – North to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations, October 21. *(EAD-PIA6 photo)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
October 19 - 25, 2015
DA, KOICA begin upland development project
By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA6)—The implementation of the Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project (PIU-SRDP) is set to begin. This as the Department of Agriculture and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) gave the signal during a ceremony and blessing of the KOICA Office at the second floor of the DA-6 Operations Office and turn-over of 11 vehicles. Mr. Minhyeon Song, KOICA Philippines Country Director said the PIU-SRDP is the first ever to be implemented in the upland areas in the country. Song said the project will address the need for healthy and nutritious food, increase productivity, sustainability, resiliency and social equity of the upland communities. Upland communities in Alimodian, Iloilo, Patnongon, Antique and Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz are targeted to be covered by the project which was conceptualized in 2012. Director Manuel Olanday, DA-6 Regional Technical Director for Operations, said the upland communities may select and propose project interventions such as community seed banks and nurseries, barangay livestock poultry and aquaculture stock farm, village level pest monitoring team, village level biological centers, small water impounding projects or small water farm reservoir and barangay organic farm support. Olanday said that in the first year of implementation starting 2016, the activities include establishment of
management system and procedures, conduct of baseline survey and participatory rural appraisal, dispatch of Korean experts in the communities, social preparation activities on Saemaul Undong, identification and implementation of small scale projects among the 15 barangays identified. It will also have the installation of market information system and conduct of CY 2016 activities. ―The success of the project will depend on the cooperation of the partner rural based organizations, beneficiaries and other stakeholders,‖ Olanday said. (JCM/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
PIU-SRDP Opening Ceremony. Director Manuel O. Olanday, Regional Technical Director for Operations and Extension gives the overview of the Panay Island Upland Sustainable Rural Development Project during the opening ceremony at DA-6 Crops Building, October 15, 2015. (Photo: RSSoqueño II/RAFIS 6)
Online fraud punishable: DTI A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing was held October 21 at the Plenary Hall, 6/F RAFI Building, 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City with University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) Rev. Fr. Christopher C. Mascara, OAR (left) and Primitive I. Lano and RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz (center). The MOA signing is in line with the Young Minds Academy - National Service Training Program (NSTP) Integration between RAFI and USJR. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
Amorganda Y. Saludar Central Visayas, Oct. 19 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issue an advisory warning the public that under the Cybercrime Prevention Act online fraud is punishable. In a press release, DTI-7 said this warning intends to educate and warn the public and ensure that cyberspace is safeguarded from malicious individuals and corrupt business practice. According to DTI online fraud is punishable under the law, and this includes Fake Websites which mimic a genuine reputable online business by using a very similar website address or that pretend to be a legitimate business with the sole purpose of defrauding unsuspecting shoppers. Online Auction Scams which receive goods that are counterfeit or that significantly differ from the original description and are of lesser value or there are no goods delivered.
Weight Loss Medicine Scams which offer alternative slimming aids or medicines which have not been tested and are harmful; Phishing Emails that purportedly come from legitimate and well-known sources which contain a link to a false but credible-looking website where the victim will be asked to update their personal or account information. With this the department through its provincial offices regularly conducts free seminars to increase the public’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the law. To inquire on the schedule of the FTL seminars, call the nearest DTI Office. In Central Visayas, those interested may call DTI Cebu at (032) 255-7082, DTI Bohol (038) 412-3302, DTI Negros Oriental (035) 255-4781, DTI Siquijor (035) 344-2238. (mbcn/ays/PIA7/with reports from DTI-7)
EASTERN VISAYAS
DepEd, LGU lead groundbreak of reg'l senior hi for arts, design
Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital Medical Center Chief II Dr. Ruben Flores in an interview with Bong Pedalino of PIA-SoLeyte, saying that the Surgical Mission in Southern Leyte (October 19-23, 2015) is a simultaneous activity of the DOH's Kapit Bisig Para Sa Kalusugang Pangkalahatan. (rgc)
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NINFA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct.17 (PIA) Regional Director Luisa Butista-Yu of the Department of Education and Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino led on Tuesday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Regional Science High School for Arts & Design in Barangay Gadgaran, Calbayog City. City and DepEd officials witnessed the simple ceremonies with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the city government and DepEd. The two officials, led the time capsule in a three hectare lot donated by the city government. Aside from the High School complex, a dormitory building will also be constructed for the students as the officials expect that students from different parts of the region will be going to Calbayog City
to enrol. ―The school will secure our place in the region as the center of culture and arts. We should be thankful to some Calbayognons who have brought honor to the city,‖ said Aquino. Yu, on the other hand, thanked Mayor Aquino for his offer to donate the lot. As the Senior High is expected to run next school year, DepEd officials are all agog to pursue construction of the classrooms, workshops, laboratories and other facilities to be used. In related news, some 1,500 Senior High School advocates, supporters and teachers from all over Samar province converged at the Samar State University Gym to express support to the implementation of the Senior High School come school year 2016-2017. (ldl/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)
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WESTERN VISAYAS
Campaign to lessen air pollution in WV on By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA6) --- The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-6, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said that the launching of a campaign against air pollution will highlight the regional celebration of the Clean Air Month this November.
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ubbed ―Perwisyong Usok! Pigilan,‖ the campaign aims to encourage individuals to help lessen air pollution in Western Visayas. EMB-6 information officer Rabbie Chris Carvajal said the program launching is slated on November 9, 2015 at the SM Activity Center here. ―This will also include the oath-taking of the new set of officers for the Metro Iloilo
Airshed (MIA) for Calendar Years 2015 to 2018‖, he said. Prior to the campaign launching, an extemporaneous speaking contest will take place to be participated in by students from public secondary schools in the Division of Iloilo City and other member local government units of MIA. ―A musical show about the environment will also be staged featuring performers from
the Iloilo Prima Galaw,‖ he said. He said that a mangrove tree planting activity is also scheduled on November 13 in Bgy. Bigki, Leganes, Iloilo. ―A signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Metro Iloilo Airshed and the municipality of Leganes will also take place for the adoption of a one-hectare area in the said barangay,‖ he added. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo).
NFA tells farmers: Sell to us, we buy higher By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 20 (PIA6) – Selling palay to the National Food Authority remains a better option for farmers.
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he very low farm buying price of palay by private businessmen this harvest season should be a reason for farmers to sell their produce to the government, said Capiz NFA Information Officer Mary Christie Hari-on. She said that the prevailing buying price of palay in the farm ranges from P11.50 to P12.50 per kilogram, however, NFA buys clean and dry palay at P17.00 per kilogram aside from the various incentives. Hari-on said that the additional incentives
given include the P0.20 to P0.50 per kilogram delivery fee depending on the distance from the buying station, drying incentive fee of P0.20 per kilogram for palay with 14-percent or lower moisture content, and a P0.30 per kilogram cooperative development incentive fee. Selling of palay produce could either be done by the farmer’s cooperative or by individual farmers, she said. She added that walk-in farmers are likewise allowed to deliver their palay harvest up to 200 bags, bringing with them, however, a certification from the
barangay captain stating the area cultivated and its yield. On the other hand, NFA Provincial Manager Benilda Fidel urges the farmers to secure their farmer’s passbook with the NFA Office here by submitting personally or through his or her authorized representative a 1x1 picture. According to her, their NFA buying stations in Bolo, Roxas City, Sigma and Dumalag warehouses are ready to accommodate the farmer’s palay produce as the government has enough fund for palay procurement. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
DOST cites Buruanga town for health care efforts By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 20 (PIA6) -- The Department of Science and Technology Research he citation/recognition was given last month to the the LGU during the Visayas Cluster Science and Technology Fair at Ormoc Villa Hotel, Ormoc City, Leyte. The certificate was received in behalf of the LGU by Jairus Lachica, DOST-Aklan Provincial Director who participated in the Ormoc event. The RxBox program is designed to provide better access to life-saving health care service in isolated and disadvantaged communities nationwide. It is one among the DOST’s efforts for a ―Smarter Philippines‖. In 2007, RxBox played a very important role in the development of the National Telehealth Service Program (NTSP), one of the Department of Health’s efforts towards Universal Health Care. According to the DOST, the RxBox
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municipality of Buruanga, the farthest town in Aklan, was recently cited by the (DOST) for its outstanding overall collaborative effort extended to the RxBox allows diagnosis of patients’ conditions within the health facility through the medical sensors inside the box. The box has a blood press monitor that measures the patient’s blood pressure and detect heart and blood vessels problems, especially hypertension, a disease which can also worsen other chronic lifestyle disease conditions; a pulse oxymeter that assesses the level of oxygen in the patient’s blood and can help detect lung and heart problems, the leading cause of death of Filipinos; and an Electrocardiogram (ECG) that monitors the heart’s movement to pump blood throughout the body, helpful for those with acute and chronic heart problems, including pregnant mothers with heart disease. The box has other features including: fetal monitor that can measure the baby’s heart rate while in the womb, and can help detect the baby’s difficulty at critical times of the
pregnancy and deleivery; a maternal tacometer that can assess the strength of contraction of the mother’s uterus especially during delivery and can detect problems that can lead to distress to both the mother and her baby; and temperature sensor that measures a patient’s body temperature. The RxBox program consists of a biomedical device and builds capacities of frontline health workers on telemedicine, the use of electronic medical records and the RxBox telemedicine device. The program was conceptualized by the government due to study results that showed that 60% of Filipinos die without seeing a doctor as well as ensuing lack of medicines and other life-saving technologies; maldistribution of health workers, geographic isolation, and commercialized medicine which are expensive and out of reach of the poor Filipino. (JCM/ VGV PIA6 Aklan)
WESTERN VISAYAS
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19 Go Negosyo Centers up in Antique By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 22 (PIA6) - - The establishment of ‗Go Negosyo Centers‘ will help strengthen the support system to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs according to the provincial official of the Department of Trade and Industry Antique Provincial Office. The first Negosyo Center will be by the Republic Act 10644 otherwise She said that the Center established in the Municipality of San known as the Go Negosyo Act to bring will establish and maintain databank Jose, Antique on October 28, 2015 the government services closer to micro, which will support business information at the second floor of the Business Park,‖ small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the requirements of micro, small, medium said DTI Antique Provincial Director Lea province. enterprises (MSMEs). Gonzales. ―Next year, we will target to establish It w ill a ls o c oor d in at e w ith Gonzales said that San Jose is first seven (7) more Negosyo Centers and schools and related organizations on on schedule for the Center because it coordination with the local government units is t h e development of youth is the Capital town of the Province and it still ongoing,‖ Gonzales said. entrepreneurship program, as well has several number of entrepreneurs and The functions of the Go Negosyo as encourage women entrepreneurship businesses. Centers, among others, include Business t h r o u g h access to information, Around 19 Go Negrosyo Centers Registration Assistance; Business Advisory t r a i n i n g s and other forms of will be established in the province, as these will Services; Business Information and Advocacy; assistance. be implemented by phases in the 18 Municipali- and Monitoring and evaluation. The DTI Antique head ties of Antique, and one Center at the Provin―The San Jose Go Negosyo Center e n c o u r a g e d MSMEs to venture cial Capitol, according to Gonzales. will have a training room for our m o r e o n m a n u f a c t u r i n g b e c a u s e The Center will help improve entrepreneurs, and all services are free,‖ Antique has a lot of raw materials the business climate and promote Gonzales said. that could be produced into high economic development as envisioned value products. (JCM/VWV/Antique)
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Guimaras eyes 30-km road pavement By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Oct. 19 (PIA6) — The provincial government of Guimaras is upbeat it will be able to finish the concreting of more than 30 kilometers of road through provincial and national funding.
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uimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin said they hope to add more concrete roads, as about 40 percent of the 107 kilometers of road network are concreted now. ―Road network improvement and rehabilitation are funded through the 20 percent development fund and the support of Australian Aid,‖ Gumarin said. With the ending of the AusAid this year, Gumarin said they are having the Philippine Rural Development Plan (PRDP) to continue the improvements of road networks. PRDP is a joint project od the Philippines and the World Bank which implements a 90-10 percent counterpart scheme.
In this scheme, the local government shoulders the 10 percent of the Project while the World Bank shoulders the 10 percent. ―We need at least P1.2 billion for all our roads ro be paved and concretized,‖ Gumarin said. The PRDP is a three-year project which can help much in realizing the goal, according to Gumarin. The governor said road concreting and other infrastructure projects are needed to make the province the ―Agri-Ecotourism‖ capital of the country. ―In three to five years we hope to open our roads and other inaccessible areas to transport,‖ the governor said.
He added that roads will make social services more accessible and make it easier for them to reach markets, schools, and health centers. Meanwhile, a priority of his administration, according to Gumarin, is to open coastal roads in areas facing Iloilo City, traversing Hoskyn, Jordan, to Nueva Valencia passing through Balcon Maravilla to Lawi, Jordan and Sibunag to Nueva Valencia, along the Sta. Ana Bay. Currently, road concreting is being done at San Miguel, Jordan-Sebaste, Sibunag Road; Suclaran, San Lorenzo to Pina, Buenavista and Oracon to San Antonio, Nueva Valencia. (JCM/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
DAR boosts support services, programs By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 20 (PIA6) - - Hundreds of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and their agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) and cooperatives are set to receive common service facilities and capability enhancement programs from the Department of Agrarian Reform.
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AR North and South will be turning over tractors with implements, rice threshers, and shredders to identified ARBOs on October 21 while DAR South through its Provincial Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PPBDD) will sign a memorandum of agreement on sugar block-farming with the then highly contested Hacienda Malaga Cuenca, La Castellana town on October 23. More than 200 ARBs are expected to
attend the Consultative Forum on Extreme Poverty Reduction on October 22 at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel as part of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty celebrated on October 17-23 this year. During the forum, DAR will also present the Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty (ASAP) program that will enhance the productivity and competitiveness of sugarcane farms in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Sugar Regulatory
Administration. DAR officials will also lead the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership and Awards as well as awarding of Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) checks to beneficiaries. DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes and National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Jose Eliseo Rocamora are expected to grace the forum with ARBs.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
Siquijodnons urged to ‗landscape‘, diversify against El Niño Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Oct. 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture in Region 7 (DA-7) called on all Siquijodnons to prepare for El Niño which started since October 2014 and will continue to affect the country until the first quarter of next year.
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egional Technical Director for research and regulatory Joel T. Elumba said the Philippines has experienced El Niño before, but based on historical data, this year’s episode is said to be the worst since 1998 so that the government has coordinated efforts of the different agencies to acquire technology and extend support to affected sectors as mitigation and adaptation measures. El Niño, he said, has great implications on food security so that everyone has to take part in the preparation, mitigation, and adaptation efforts of the government. Elumba said possible water shortage in the coming months due to El Niño is possible as it
significantly affects the vegetables and crops production. Food security is highly dependent on climate, he said. ―Ang pagpan gandam, pagp ananom, pagpamuhi ug hayop dili lamang katungdanan sa mag-uuma (preparation, planting and livestock raising is not just the farmers’ resp onsibility), " said Elu mba as he urged Siquijodnons to practice ―edible landscaping‖ and ―diversified farming‖ to prepare for El Niño. Instead of growing flowers and other ornamental plants, Elumba encouraged planting of vegetables and other food crops especially during
drought. He also encouraged farmers to adopt diversified farming system to become resilient, citing studies that farmers who are into monocropping are not resilient to calamities. LGUs are also told to prepare localized El Niño mitigation plans. Elumba tackled the DA Programs/Projects Implementing Guidelines 2016; Agri-Fishery Development Framework 2010-2016; and Municipal Agriculturual Development Plan during the El Niño Mitigation Information Campaign and Farmers’ Forum held recently at the Siquijor State College in Larena, Siquijor. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)
DSWD urges communities to check Bohol‘s Listahan Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had already posted the results of the 'Listahan' project in every barangay hall in Bohol and it urges Boholanos to check and validate these records to get people who are really in need economically to be in the list.
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t the Kapihan sa PIA recently, Ruben Boybanting of DSWD said the community is given some ten days to take a look at the list, check on the names and see if those listed are really those needing help. Simultaneously, area coordinators shall make all the efforts to announce the list and their posting, do recoreda or bandillo and posts notices in public gatherings to sufficiently inform the people of the list for verification, Boybanting added. DSWD information officer Kerwin Macopia explains that this is formerly known as the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). It is an information management system that keeps data on the country's poverty and is the basis for the identification of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PS). Putting a face to whom the National Statistical Data Board picked as among the country's needing the most immediate help, the
NHTS-PR now morphs into the "Listahanan," or the updated NHTS-PR verified by field enumerators that scoured the country's poor, Macopia added. Learning lessons from exclusion and inclusion errors of the previous enumerations, the DSWD now attempts and ask the people to help in verifying and cleaning up the list. Macopia added, we have just done saturation drives in the rural areas while for urban barangays, seeking out pockets poverty is the mandate. He means enumerators personally visit houses and see for themselves the conditions to get to the 232,625 households which the government eyes to reach. Those who are not in the list and think they must be there must come out, DSWD through Macopia called. The DSWD has ready area supervisors to assist the real poor to be in the list, he added enumerating that exclusion might happen when the enumerators could not find a right source
during enumeration. Now that the list is there, "we wish people to help us identify those included and those excluded so the area supervisors can fill up inclusion or exclusion forms for determination by the local committee," Macopia added. The local verification committee is composed of the mayor, municipal social welfare and development officer, planning and development officer as well as two designated representatives by the LGU that sit and try to answer complains as well as weight on those needing to get into the list, the DSWD added. The DSWD hopes the LVC would complete the remaining 12,000 families which need to be in the list but were not seen by the enumerators. There is still a remaining 5% of target which the LVC can get to. We still need to get to 5% of the target families to be able to get to the poorest and guide them out of poverty, adds Ruben Boybanting of the DSWD. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)
DTI launches Negosyo Center in Dumaguete By Leandria P. Pagunsan DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA)—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental recently launched Negosyo Center at the second floor of Dumaguete City hall.
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nown as ―Go Negosyo Act‖ is the 107th Negosyo Center established nationwide and the second in Dumaguete City according to DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato, Jr. Fortunato said that the establishment of Negosyo Center aims to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create more job opportunities and to foster development, promote inclusive growth and reduce poverty through local job creation, production and trade. Provincial Administrator Attorney Froilan Joseph Pinili who gave an inspirational message in behalf of Governor Roel Degamo said that
Republic Act 10644 otherwise known as ―Go Negosyo Act‖ is a good law authored by Senator Paolo Benigno ―Bam‖ Aquino. This will bring government service closer to the people particularly the small businesses through the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide. Atty. Pinili added that the Centers will promote local economic activity in the province especially now that Dumaguete City has been chosen as one of the top 10 best cities in the world. With this development, we expect more investors to come and invest in our city or
province. During the launching, Bagwis Gold Awards were given to Toyota Du m agu et e Cit y, Mi t sub ish i Mot ors NegOr and Hyundai NegOr for their excellent service in the repair shop category while Robinson Supermarket Perdices, Dumaguete City received the award for the Supermarket service category. Another award, the APEC 2015 "Exquisitely Filipino" Special Exhibit Award of Over-all Top Seller was given to NegOr Arts and Heritage (NOAH) owned by Mr. and Mrs. Romulo Yee.(mbcn/lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
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DA turns over P254M for Bohol's WFD event Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 15 (PIA) — Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala gave to Bohol a total of P254 million worth of farm implements, projects, crucial farm roads, inputs, and fishing gears to highlight the government‘s goal of food sufficiency as Bohol commemorated World Food Day on October 14.
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lcala, who was the guest of honor during the event held at the Bohol Cultural Center, symbolically handed over P153-M farm to market roads in Balilihan, Catigbian, Sagbayan and Loboc through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). This comprises more than half of the entire amount the agriculture department handed to Bohol. Other than those, through the government’s Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB), DA also turned over farm to market roads in Dauis, President Carlos P. Garcia, Talibon, Bilar, Carmen, Duero and Sierra Bullones. This, according to Jake Madrio of DA, is a total of P41.27 million. The agriculture department, in its effort to sustain the food supply by supporting new farming technologies in Bohol and the Visayas, handed 4WD 90 HP tractors to Mabini, Maribojoc and Loon, the same tractor and
combined with a harvester to the Ubay Stock Farm and the Provincial Agriculture Office amounting to P6.4 million. Other 45 HP 4WD tractors went to Loon, Calape and Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center, goods worth P2.3 million. For San Miguel Caluasan Farms service provider and the Malingin Irrigation System Farm service providers, DA turned over 35 HP 4WD tractors worth P1.5 million. For smaller farms where tractors are impractical, DA also gave hand tractors with trailer for irrigation system based services to San Jose Mabini IA, San Rafael-Bangi IA in Mabini and the Malingin IA in Ubay, these farm implements costing the government P260K. The DA secretary also handed had tractors with cultivator to Carmen's La Salvacion FA and LGU San Miguel, Madrio said.
Bohol being the only province with high rice sufficiency level, DA also gave rice threshers with blowers for irrigation systems in San Jose Lamak IA Mabini, San Rafael-Bangi IA Mabini, Malingin IA Ubay, San Miguel Caluasan Dagohoy and Malingin IA Ubay worth P1.4M. The DA secretary from Quezon also handed pedal threshers for San Jose-Lamak IA Mabini, San Rafael-Bangi IA Mabini, Malingin IA Ubay and other floating tillers for 14 other farmer organizations worth over P2 million. With Sec. Alcala at the ceremonies were DA Regional Director Angel Enriqiez, BFAR Regional Director Alan Poquita, DA and BFAR-7 support staff, Bohol DA-Agricultural promotion Center manager Engr. Eugene Cahiles, ATI manager Dr Carol Daquio, Gov. Edgar Chatto, BM Cesar Tomas Lopez and ten mayors recipients of agricultural implements. (rmn/rac/ PIA-7/Bohol)
Search for stats wizards in Negros Oriental set Nov. 6 BY JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here has announced the search for the country‘s young statistics wizards for the 24th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ).
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rovincial Statistics Officer Ariel Fortuito of PSA said some 10 tertiary schools in Dumaguete City are expected to participate in the provincial elimination on November 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Dumaguete City. Schools invited to participate include Silliman University (SU), Foundation University (FU), St. Paul University (SPUD), Negros oriental State University (NORSU), COSCA, Maxino College, Science Technology Institute (STI), Metro Dumaguete College, Asian College (ACSAT) and AMA Computer
College. However, Fortuito encouraged first time freshmen students currently enrolled of the school year 2015-2016 in colleges and universities to join the contest. E ach sch ool cou l d sen d th ree contestant-participants and three coaches that must be officially endorsed by the school where the students are enrolled. The top three winners will represent the province during the regional elimination. This annual PSQ primarily aims to assess the competency and skills of students in statistics as
acquired from the secondary education curriculum. It also promotes awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics among the students. At stake for the top five winners in the PSQ national finals shall receive a PSQ trophy and cash prizes. Each of the national finalists shall be given a PSQ medal and a Certificate of Recognition. Their coaches shall likewise be awarded with Certificates of Recognition. (mbcn/jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)
DTI urges consumers to exercise right to info Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan NEGROS ORIENTAL, Oct. 15 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Oriental is reminding consumers to exercise their right to knowledge in buying products.
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he reminder came with the onset of the observance of the National Consumer Welfare Month this October. Speaking in a Kapihan Forum yesterday, DTI-Negros Oriental Consumer Welfare Division Chief Angeline Gonzales spoke on basic consumer rights, one of which is right to information. This refers to the consumer’s right to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling and the right to be given the facts and information needed to make an informed choice. Gonzales highlighted this particular consumer right because of the upcoming full implementation of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community or AEC in 2016. She said that with the implementation of AEC, majority of the products from other ASEAN countries can enter the local market free and without tariff. Exercising the right to information is a way of protecting consumer’s welfare, she noted. Gonzales urged consumers to read the
product’s label carefully, learn more about its manufacturing and the safety of the product before buying it. If it is a food product, consumers should read its ingredients to avoid any allergies and ensure food safety. The DTI official emphasized the public should have a high level of awareness on their rights and duties as consumers especially since the full realization of AEC is getting close. She believes that once AEC is fully established, products from other countries will be cheaper because there is no more tariff and this will make the market more competitive. With the influx of more products coming in the market, Gonzales notes that consumer protection is one the main thrusts of AEC. ―AEC prioritizes the interest and welfare of consumers in the implementation of strategies for achieving integrated economic region,‖ she said. Gonzales disclosed that AEC encourages its members to formulate measures on consumer protection.
The Philippines is lucky since it already has its Consumer Act that serves as the bible for consumer welfare, she added. Aside from this, AEC also promotes notification and information exchange mechanism among its members. Part of this is the website http:// www.aseanconsumer.org/ wherein consumers who have complaints on products coming from other ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam can log in and enter their complaints. Complainants will then be directed to government agencies or bureaus that handle consumer welfare. With this, complainants no longer need to go the country where the product is manufactured to file their complaints. ―The objective with regard to competitive economic region is to ensure the correct information in the market place and protect the interest and welfare of the consumers,‖ she said. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
H.E.A.R.T. to bridge communication during disasters MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 22 (PIA) - When conventional communications in times of disasters or emergencies fail, the MAGMA amateur group volunteers strive to bridge communication needs with self-powered communication facilities.
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ccording to Dr. Jerome Paler, president of the Modulators Action Group in Maasin City (MAGMA) during the launching of its pet project, Ham Emergency Action Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.), the group desires to establish a vital communication connection through the amateur radio before, during and after a disaster. MAGMA, a local amateur group based in the city, has claimed some 170 licensed modulators and 80 amatuer volunteers emerging from the community, neighboring towns and provinces, as well, Paler said.
As of this writing MAGMA membership has reached to Guindolman, Bohol and Cebu City, he added. H.E.A.R.T. launching highlighted the MAGMA 's 9th anniversary celebration, it was learned. Meanhile, PIA Director General Jose Marie Oquinena, who graced the launching of the H.E.A.R.T. urged the group to level up its commitment and be counted as heroes especially when communications are very vital at any given time in a disaster or emergencies; for the members of the radio
group to be different from the rest of the world, to look after the welfare of others than oneself, he added. ― I think MAGMA is not mere membership to a ham radio club, that MAGMA is composed of people who have different level of commitment to help others,‖ Oquinena encouraged them. Part of the launching was a memorandum of agreement signing between MAGMA, PIA and DEPED to seal said partnership in enhancing communications in times of disaster and emergencies. (mmp/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)
Prov‘l vet bares El Niño preps Erna S. Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 22 (PIA) - There is no need to worry as there are staple food that can be prepared and preserved for the farm animals with or without the El Nino phenomenon.
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ccording to Provincial Veterenarian Dr. Francisco Cabarrubias during the DYSL Kapihan sa PIA last Friday October 16, ―food preparation for the livestock can be easily done with or without El Nino as food ingredients are readily available at the farms with the silage technology.‖ He disclosed that food preparations with silage technology is not tedious and low-cost. Where freshly cut native grasses, legumes, rice straw and husks mixed with corresponding amount of molasses and kept in airtight conditions can be preserved in the next three months. The animal feed becomes more palatable with the mentioned preparations for the live-
stock. When most of the farmers burned the rice straw and husks after harvest, they should start the preservation this time . He also said that while there is still abundance of green leaves of sweet potatoes, cassava stalks, it is high time now to start preserving for food of the farm animals before the onset of the expected dry spell especially by next year. During El Nino, farm animals should not be left under the trees nor directly under the heat of the sun to avoid being dehydrated, instead they should be kept under a shed in the farm, he said He also encouraged that these livestock
should be regularly made to drink water. If there is scarcity of water to drink brought about by the dry spell, farmers could use coconut water as a healthy liquid to satisfy the thirst of these farm animals. Dr Cabarrubias encouraged farmers to avail of the grasses and legume seeds for planting at the established production centers located in five towns like Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Maasin City, Bontoc, Libagon and Lilo-an. He also volunteered to personally demonstrate in the preparation of silage should there be requests from the interested farmers with enough farm lots to brace for El Nino. (esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)
DOLE bares P2.9M livelihood projects for Maasin City Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said another P2.9 million for 2015 is allocated for the livelihood projects in Maasin City, in a Turn-over and Awarding Ceremony of Motocycle Spare Parts and Merchandising held Friday.
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OLE Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman in his message said that the said amount intended for livelihood projects to the beneficiaries in Maasin City is now ready at the regional office provided that the city government will submit completely the liquidation of the Motorcycle Spare Parts project for motorcab drivers. ―DOLE is just waiting for the liquidation of the motorcycle spare parts project, the inventory of items and the submission of terminal reports,‖ Guzman said during the turn -over ceremony participated by drivers from Zone II in Maasin City, some local officials led by Mayor Maloney Samaco, local
social welfare office staff, DILG, among other participants. Earlier, Maasin city received the P989,000 motorcycle spare parts and merchandising project from DOLE with a counterpart from Maasin City in the amount of P510,000. He said that the P2.9-M project’s release will depend on the completion of the liquidation documents and the outcome of the motorcycle spare parts and merchandising project. ―We should be thankful to the able leadership of Mayor Maloney Samaco for conceptualizing this project with the help of the local DILG, the lead agency of the Bottoms
-up Budgeting (BuB) where the funds came from,‖ Guzman revealed further. Meanwhile, DOLE-Southern Leyte Provincial Head Fe Norma Valuis disclosed that the projects lined-up for Maasin City include Coconut Virgin Oil in the amount of P1 million, another P900,000 for the Welding and Vulcanizing and P1 million worth for individual project for starter kits, totaling to P2.9 million. Valuis is hopeful that the motocycle spare parts and merchandising project is not only for the beginning, but rather the first step to uplift each one’s income, saying that ―walang malaki na hindi nag-umpisa sa maliit.‖ (esg/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)
EASTERN VISAYAS PNC-PTWG ordinance
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BORONGAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 20 (PIA) - The Provincial Nutrition Council-Technical Working Group (PNC-TWG) of Eastern Samar with the support from Health Organization of Mindanao (HOM) and various sectors (academe, media, religious, and women) — strongly lobbies in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Eastern Samar for the approval of an ordinance that would institutionalize nutrition programs in the province.
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n its special session on October 6, 2015, the SP had a positive response and unanimously accepted the PNC-TWG’s draft ordinance entitled ―Ordinance mandating the implementation of the nutrition program in the province of Eastern Samar and allocating appropriate budget hereto.‖ HOM Executive Director Selahuddin Yu Hashim had said, after thorough study and deliberations at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that there is a great chance that it would be approved into a law before the 2016 elections. It is imperative to have an ordinance that would strengthen nutrition programs and allocate appropriate budget for it due to the enduring problem of malnutrition among children. During the Stakeholders’ Nutrition
Forum last October 07, 2015, Mrs. Sallie Jabinal, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, reported that the number of stunting cases in the province of Eastern Samar is high and ranks second in the Eastern Visayas Region. In the case of wasting, the province of Eastern Samar had a prevalence of 3.3 % among children ages 0-5 while undernutrition had a prevalence of 15.1%. These data were based on the 2013 Food and Nutrition Research Institute survey. Based on HOM’s data for 2014, 9.4% of children in 18 municipalities of Eastern Samar had a case of acute malnutrition. But the good news is that through HOM’s support and intervention and the government’s help, it had been given an appropriate treatment.
For this year, HOM has examined more than 18,000 children in the province wherein 145 were found to be severely malnourished. Ninety two (92) had been admitted in in-patient therapeutic centers and 53 were admitted as out-patients. They had been given ready-to-eat therapeutic food while being treated for malnutrition. Now, 43.7% of these children were already cured. According to Hashim, it is important to cure these children for it could lead to death if they are not cured at once. To eradicate malnutrition and sustain the nutrition programs of the province, the PNC-TWG calls on the SP to take action on their proposed ordinance. (ajc/PIA8-ESamar)
Calbayog investment rises to P1.5B NINFA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino proudly claimed that since his reign as the mayor, investment in the city has reached Php1.5 billion pesos.
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his is one of his statements during his ―Kasayuran‖ address: the mayor’s state of the city address on Monday. Hi speech, delivered 75% in the dialect, would also switch to English sometimes for emphasis. ―This means that every month, we are getting some investments of Php300-M pesos.‖ He cited that the data comes from the Business and Licensing Office that bared the city is getting Php3- a year. With optimism, he said that the figure may still go up the ladder with the opening of some business and commercial centers in the city. He credited the soaring investment
climate to the business friendly atmosphere in the city and the trust that investors have on the local government. Contributory to the brisk economic activity is the simplified business process that his city prescribes. ―We have significantly shortened the processing time of permits and licenses,‖ he told the jampacked Sports Center, filled with Pantawid beneficiaries, Barangay folks the business community, bankers, the religious sector, academe, civic groups and just about any Calbayognon who came to listen to ―An Kasayuran.‖ (roughly translated as the truth) ―We have also instituted Deed of Undertaking for less urgent requirements as prescribed by the Philippine Tax Academy,‖ the
mayor explained. He said that the local government is also refining the Local Investment Code to offer incentives and draw more investors. With the influx of investments, the mayor said that in the next few years, the local government can create an investment office and a stronger investment board. Although the mayor did not include in his speech, some national offices like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, the BIR and Pag-ibig have been lured to establish offices in Calbayog City free of lots provided by the LGU. In turn the offices drew patrons spending their money in the 3rd largest city in the country. (ajc/PIA8-Samar)
DOH ups health services awareness thru TSiSMIS Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 21 (PIA) -- The government has adopted strategies to reach the goal of Universal Health Care, and ―TSiSMiS‖ is one of its advocacy efforts to increase awareness so that the public may know that the Department of Health (DOH) has available health services for the people.
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ilma Estorba from DOH-8 during a recent Pangkalusugan Pangkalahatan caravan roadshow in Maasin City informed that ―TSiSMIS,‖ (Tama, Sigurado, Sapat at Makabuluhang Information System) is one of the health department’s advocacy efforts to inform the public on how to effectively gather data and get proper information on the health services given by the government. ―TSiSMIS is a strategy where community’s communication system will be used to
effectively gather data and relay information within a community on defaulted health services and health activities, particularly on the High Impact Five (Hi5) health programs,‖ Estorba bared to the participants composed of Barangay Chairmen, women & men, youth, students, local officials, among other concerned guests and participants. The Hi5 health services include the Maternal Care, Infant Care, Child Care, HIV/ AIDS and the services Delivery Network, it
was learned. It was learned further that Hi5 health services program seeks to reduce maternal, infant and under 5 mortality, reduce the burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) as well as to establish services delivery networks. The Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Roadshow Caravan carried the theme dubbed as: ―Sa tuwid na daan, kalusugang tuloy-tuloy para sa Pamilyang Pinoy.‖ (ajc/PIA8/SLeyte)
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City. One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.
Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7
Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6
Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8
Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Baùares 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