One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 15 by piaamo6 Western Visayas

Vol 5

Issue 15

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Regional Development Council. NEDA VI Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal, CESO III, explains the gains that the country stands to get once the ASEAN integration comes in full circle during the RDC meeting at Business Inn, Bacolod City. (Lljr-PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

New Infrastructure. Mayor Jacinto Naraga (center) Vice Mayor Eudoxio Asoy and Barangay Chairman Crispin Ompoy help lay the capsule by shoveling dirt into the hole for the +P70 M Cansague Sur Barangay Trading post. (rac/PIA-7Bohol)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…

April 13 - 19, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

More protected areas rise in SoLeyte MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 14 (PIA) -- In less than two years, the number of marine protected areas (MPAs) all over this province has increased to more than 60 sites, up from 40 barely a year ago. Eva Abad, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO), disclosed in a cable TV program last week that seven (7) more are expected to be added to the existing sites, and these new locations are all in the coastal barangays of this city. The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) or city council was deep in the process of deliberating in its regular session the approval of the 7 new MPA sites, Abad said. Fishing is strictly prohibited in areas tagged as MPAs, with designated buoys as perimeter boundaries clearly visible for fishermen to understand it is not allowed to get

in. MPAs serve as breeding ground for many kinds of fishes, and when these fishes do populate the surroundings the mature ones go out into the open, beyond the buoy-lined zones, and that’s the time local fishermen can catch them, Abad explained. Most MPAs in the province covered large areas of mangrove forests, which also served as natural barriers against storm surges during stormy weather, Abad also said. PENRMO is the provincial counterpart of a national agency, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as mandated by the local government code of 1991. In Southern Leyte province, PENRMO began to exist as a separate office in 1998 with the passage of the informed. (ajc/esg/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

WV provinces step up NGP efforts By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 15 (PIA6) --- The different provinces in Western Visayas have intensified their efforts in implementing programs and projects in support of the National Greening Program (NGP). The Iloilo provincial government, through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), will develop 10 hectares of beach and 55 hectares of mangrove forests in four selected coastal towns, citing the importance of the ecosystem. The beach forest will be situated in 11 barangays in the municipality of Miagao while the mangrove forests will be located in the towns of Barotac Viejo, Dumangas, and Ajuy. This P2.68-million project is part of Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.’s Action for Re-Greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA). The Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) of Negros Occidental reported that provincial capitol employees have been actively participating on various LGU initiatives on NGP including tree planting activities since 2011. A total of 9,220 propagules and 3,300 tree seedlings was planted both in coastal and upland areas in the province for the year 2011 and 2012. The province is also strengthening its mangrove reforestation program and urban greening participated in by different local government units. Antique province allotted a funding of P8-million last year for establishment and development of agro-forest farms, seedling production, and establishment of bamboo

plantation, among others. The provincial government of Aklan also allocated P1.4-million for its forest resource management and protection program. This is to promote and value the benefits of biodiversity and empower people in the community in preserving the environment. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Aside from its beach forest project, the provincial government of Iloilo also has embarked on regular upland tree planting activities as part of the Action for Re-Greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) of Gov. Arthur Defensor (shown in this PIA6 file photo with Iloilo first lady Cossette Defensor). ART for CCA supports the National Greening Program (NGP) of the national government. (EJB/PIA6)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Siquijor province bags national excellence award

PIA-8 OIC Regional Director Alicia E. Nicart orients Community Development Information Officers (CDIO) on the basics of newswriting during the CDIO Orientation and Workshop held on April 14, 2015 at ESADEF in Borongan City. (Photo by Raul Tiozon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here...

Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, April 15 (PIA) -- The province of Siquijor has bagged the first prize for 2014 excellence in Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Award. Known to be the highest award a local government unit (LGU) can get, Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Award is based on the achieved performance level out of the 2016 National Objectives for Health (2016 NOH) targets. The recognition was judged through scorecard indicators set by the Harmonization of Awards Technical Working Group of the Department of Health (DOH). Health Secretary Janette L. Garin and assistant regional director Dr. Laksmi Legaspi handed the award to provincial administrator Peter Samson and Provincial Health Officer Redempta Cortes during the Gawad Kalusugan Convention at the SMX convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.

Gawad Kalusugan is a harmonized awarding ceremony to selected LGUs for various categories in recognition of their exemplary and good practices in health related activities, initiatives and projects. Earlier, during the regional health summit at Dumaguete City, the province was awarded as Top Performing Province in facility-based delivery, access to safe water and primary care benefit package (PCB) based on the 2013 LGU-scorecard nationwide. All municipalities were likewise awarded as Top Performing Municipality in various health programs. The awards were received by provincial governor Zaldy S. Villa with the provincial health officer and the municipal mayors and municipal health officers. Siquijor province has topped among the 80 provinces in the archipelago. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor with reports from IPHO)

WESTERN VISAYAS

16 WV LGUs eligible for 2014 PCF

The Bataan Memorial Cross

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, April 15 (PIA6) - - Some 16 local government units in Western Visayas were included in the list of the 248 LGUs nationwide eligible to access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) 2014.

he list is contained in the Memorandum Circular No. 2015-37 issued by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas dated April 7, 2015. The incentive, according to Roxas, is for the sustained performance of these LGUs on good financial housekeeping. DILG has conducted a revalidation of the remaining 273 Seal of Good Housekeeping 2012 passers which have not received the PCF using the 2014 Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) results in sustaining good financial management standards at the local level. Based on the revalidation exercise, a total of 248 LGUs

composed of 28 provinces, 27 cities and 193 municipalities are consistent GFH passers for two consecutive assesessment years - 2012 and 2014. In Western Visayas, the eligible beneficiaries for the 2014 PCF are Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental for the provinces and Iloilo, Bacolod and Kabankalan for the cities. For the municipalities, the beneficiaries are San Jose de Buenavista in Antique province; Miag-ao and Oton in Iloilo province; and Hinigaran, Murcia, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Cauayan, Hinobaan and La Castellana in Negros Occidental. The beneficiaries are qualified to access

the 2014 PCF in the amount of P7 million per province, P3 million per city, and P1 million per municipality. DILG started implementing the PCF for LGUs in 2010 with the aim among others to recognize the good performance of LGUs in good housekeeping particularly in the areas of transparency and accountability, planning, budgeting, financial management and resource mobilization. Last year, DILG scaled-up its performance metrics through the Seal of Good Local Governance where GFH, known before as Seal of Good Housekeeping, remains one of the Core Assessment Areas of SGLG. (JCM/ LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

Antique gets P1.2B for 4Ps By Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - The Province of Antique got a total of P1,275,304,800 from the national government through the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.

effrey Gabucay, Program Officer of Pantawid Pamilya said the amount represents the total release since the program started in 2008. Pantawid Pamilya started to cover five towns in 2008 supporting only 7,477 poor families. As the government intensifies its poverty alleviation program, the coverage expanded to 590 barangays, 18 towns in the province with 29,028 poor families as of March 2015. During the start of the program the Department of Social Welfare and Development has only released P24,415,000

but as the membership increases the assistance also builds up every year. In 2014, the government has released a total of P331, 825,200. Gabucay said the support now covers the high school expansion program, children 0-18 years old and pregnant women are given assistance to ensure that the children of the household stay healthy, attend school and receive basic services provided by the government. The cash assistance, Gabucay said represents only the cash payments to family beneficiaries released through their ATMs or over the counter payment.

The government has also released livelihood projects and other social development projects through other programs such as KALAHI-CIDSS, Sustainable Livelihood, Bottoms Up Budgeting among others, he said. With the successful implementation of the program, the country hopes to fulfill its commitment to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

Guimaras invests P16M in tourism infra projects By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, April 14 (PIA6) — The province of Guimaras sees investments on infrastructures to boost its tourism industry.

uimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin, said in a media interview, that tourism is among the major economic drivers in the province, hence, the local government has to fill in the gaps in its infrastructure development. Gumarin said the local government has allotted some P16 million for various tourism-related infrastructures, like observation areas, signages, coffee shops, souvenir shops where tourists can get their famous delicacies and handicrafts through the Community-based Rural

Tourism Program. “There is also the need to develop our road networks leading to our tourist destinations,” Gumarin said. “The influx of tourists must go beyond our Manggahan Festival,” he added. He said that the towns of Buenavista and Nueva Valencia have become tourism centers in the province, while Sibunag and San Lorenzo are the food baskets and Jordan is the economic center. He added that Jordan has to fill in the gaps for connectivity to further develop the economy of the whole province.

The concreting of the national and provincial roads has a budget of over P1 billion, and all the projects will be completed before the end of 2016. Gumarin said the towns have also been embarking on their own to improve the barangays and national roads, to complement the tourism sector. “All this have the support of the national government to provide connectivity and accessibility to all parts of the province,” Gumarin said. (JCM/ESS/ PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

NEDA to review study of Negros-Panay bridge Mt. Samat National Shrine

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, April 17 (PIA6) -- The recent crafting of the Visayan Development Framework included the much awaited desire of many Negrenses to connect the island of Negros to the island of Panay through a bridge.

ccording to NEDA 6 Regional Director Ro-ann Bacal, they will soon be reviewing the feasibility study of the project and efforts to build the bridge are moving forward. She said a thorough review is needed because the documents they now have is a proposal made several years ago.

After reviewing, the NEDA will figure out how the project will be built through official development assistance, foreign assistance, General Appropriation Act or Public-Private Partnership. She said they will choose the mode that will quickly realize the project. As to the cost, the actual amount will be known

in the review that they will be doing, she told PIA. “I have already instructions from no less than Economic Planning Sec. Arsenio Balisacan to make sure the feasibility study is updated. Therefore, this is where we are going. (Lljr-PIA6)

1st Negosyo Center up in Aklan By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, April 14 (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan will be launching its first Negosyo Center in Aklan on April 24 and will be among the 100 Negosyo Centers to be set up nationwide this year, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

TI-Aklan Provincial Director Engr. Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. said the Negosyo Center, which will be located at the DTI-Aklan Office, is in partnership with the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, Provincial Government of Aklan, Municipal Government of Kalibo, Aklan Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (PMSMED) Council and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Aklan Chapter. The establishment of the Negosyo Center in Aklan is one of the major features of the “Go Negosyo Act.” The “Go Negosyo Act” or Republic Act No. 10644, authored by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, is an act promoting job generation and inclusive growth through the development of Micro,

Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In Section 2 of the “Go Negosyo Act”, MSMEs are being acknowledged in increasing income for poor households and in building both business equity and personal assets over a period of time. Under the Act, Negosyo Centers shall promote ease of doing business and access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction; coordinate and facilitate processes of government related to the set-up and management of MSMEs, accept and facilitate all registration application of MSMEs, and coordinate with the respective local government units (LGUs) and liaise with concerned government agencies to process the duly accomplished forms submitted by the MSMEs. At the Go Negosyo launching here, invited to give the Keynote Message is

Senator Bam Aquino while DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo will be delivering a special message. Others invited to grace the event are Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco of the Lone District of Aklan and Kalibo Mayor William S. Lachica who will give their expression of support. John Guidon dela Cruz, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Aklan will also give his expression of support. Asst. Director Jerry T. Clavecillas, Officer-In-Charge of the Bureau of SME Development, DTI will be giving the opening remarks and overview of the Negosyo Center while DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Cadena will welcome and acknowledge guests and participants. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

‗Yolanda‘ victims personally thank ‗Dinky‘ By Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 14 (PIA6) – ―The P30,000 Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) has not only built back our home but also our hope to start a new life.‖

his was personally conveyed by a beneficiary of ESA to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman during the opening ceremonies of Capiztahan Celebration 2015 last April 10. Another ESA beneficiary, who also received P30,000 for a destroyed house due to super typhoon Yolanda, hugged Sec. Soliman after conveying her gratefulness in Hiligaynon to the celebration’s guest and speaker. A Plaque of Appreciation was also given by Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan Celino to the DSWD top official in recognition of and gratitude for her sincere commitment and dedication to the welfare

of city residents in times of calamity and disaster. The national government thru the DSWD has also provided affected families of super typhoon in the province with 25-kilogram of rice as part of the last tranche of rice assistance for Capicenos early this year. Aside from ESA, rice and food packs, the DSWD has also partnered with UN Habitat for the construction of core shelter units to identified beneficiaries in Roxas City in some towns of the province and employed typhoon victims in its Cash-For-Work program, among others. During the program, a copy of a Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution

conveying the profoundest appreciation and gratitude to Sec. Soliman for her invaluable assistance to the province in the aftermath of Yolanda was presented by Capiz Vice-Governor Esteban Evan Contreras II to the cabinet secretary. “These citations give us strength and inspiration to continue with our work,” Soliman responded, adding that DSWD will be of help even to their critics “who are also Filipinos that need their service.” The country’s top social worker stressed that she has directed its field workers that no one must be left behind and discriminated in the government’s sustained assistance to uplift the quality of life of the Filipinos. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bais City vows to improve malnutrition rate The Bataan Memorial Cross

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS BAIS CITY, Negros Oriental, April 12 (PIA) -- Bais City government accepted the challenge to improve its nutritional status having the highest prevalence of malnutrition rate of 11.46 percent in Central Visayas.

ais City Mayor Mercedes Goñi said the administration should be more firm now on the drive to improve the implementation of the city’s nutrition program. “I need to be more strict,” declared Goni on the problem about Bais as the most nutritionally-depressed city in Central Visayas during the Media Caravan today in Bais City. The malnutrition rate is based on last year’s Operation Timbang Plus results with Bais having the highest in undernourished and overweight children in region 7 with the prevalence rate of more than 11 percent and 3.21 percent, respectively. With this double burden of malnutrition, the city government has showed commitment to intensify its nutrition intervention programs in the

barangay level. However, the mayor lamented on the results saying that maybe because of the acquisition of weighing scales that the quality data ihas been collected and determined properly. Quality data captures the collection of data through quality-standard weighing scales and height boards from barangay level which will be checked mechanically to minimize human error that will be inputted in the computers for the situation status. Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Parolita Mission emphasized that all local government units (LGUs) are true to their data since the Nutrition Council’s Quality Data Management was not just properly imposed to a

specific LGU but to all the LGUs in the region. Mission stressed that the presence of the National Nutrition Council (NNC-7) and Media in Nutrition Development (MIND-7) intend to support the local’s nutrition programs and analyze the situation on what would be the action point that the city needs to do in addressing the malnutrition problem. To help mitigate hunger and malnutrition, Mission said the activities should be implemented in the local level include exclusive breastfeeding for more than six months, establish community, school and home gardens to increase food availability, micronutrient supplementation, food fortification among others. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports from Sheena Mae Diongco, intern)

DENR-7: Help us prevent forest fires Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, April 15 (PIA) --- The sweltering Philippine summer, made even hotter by the reported heat wave caused by a mild El Nino, has put forests at risk of succumbing to fires.

ince January this year, two incidents of bush fires have already hit two plantations covered by the government’s National Greening Program (NGP), one in Oslob, Cebu and another in Bohol island. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo said it’s harder to control the spread of fire during summer due to the extreme heat. Montejo appealed to the community residents living near NGP sites to help the department in protecting the woodlands by avoiding practices that will cause bush fires. “They should help us in the protection of these areas. They shouldn’t just burn farm areas without making the necessary protection measures to protect the plantation sites,” said Montejo in a recent press conference.

The DENR regional director is referring to kaingin, a technique practiced by farmers in clearing lands by cutting down and burning plant growths. He urged those living in the hinterland areas to get involved in the measures implemented by DENR-7 in protecting forest fires. DENR-7 earlier kicked off its NGP implementation in Central Visayas with a budget of more than P404-M for this year. Meanwhile, a group of former combatants from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Maguindanao is among the final nominees for the 6th Triennial Awards of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) this year. Kadtabanga for Peace and Development executive director Mokaleden Kido was in Cebu City recently to represent the organization which is among the five finalists of the Institution

Category of the 6th Triennial Awards. Kido said they were formed in 2000 when hundreds of them turned over their arms after the successful peace process involving ARMM head Nur Misuari. He said they were able to transform 28 conflict areas into zones of peace and development communities (PDC’s) in Maguindanao. In the PDC’s the combatants turned to farming, fishing and other livelihood programs. He said their assets and performance are documented. “Kaya masaya kami at may nakakita sa amin, we have the track record to show that there is still a space for peace in Maguindanao,” Kido said. They are also full force in advocating the benefits of having the Bangsamoro government in Mindanao. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu with FCC report)

Visayas Earth Hour load down 34.67 MW Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- The Earth Hour campaign, or roughly 60 minutes plus of action to mitigate carbon emissions and give the earth its much needed rest from unsustainable energy resources, caused a noted load drop all over the Visayas.

art of the Earth Hour campaign asked people to voluntarily join the one-hour switch off as the campaign states go dim for the environment. During the simultaneous switch-off activities between 8:30-9:30 PM March 28, 2015 Engr. Jose Rey Maleza, a Department of Energy official in the Visayas noted 34.67 megawatts of load drop. Maleza, citing National Grid Corporation of the Philippines' Systems Operation said Earth Hour 2015 tracked the 34.67MW load drop in the Visayas. Through his facebook post, Engr Maleza, DOE Visayas Supervising Science Research Specialist, who monitored NGCP systems on that

night put Samar Leyte topping Visayas load drop at 11.61 mega watts, during the switch-off. The same load drop was noted in Negros where load dropped to 8.69 MW. Cebu meanwhile has a maximum load dropped to 6.68MW, he shared. Panay Island on the other hand experienced a maximum load drop of 6.39MW while Bohol had 1.3MW load drop, the least in the region. The move to popularize Earth Hour came as its main convenor World Wildlife Fund started calling for action against the increasing global average temperature caused by building concentrations of greenhouse gases in the

atmosphere. Scientists have posited that the fast increase in greenhouse gas accumulation is largely due to burning of fossil fuels used in energy production. The move to switch-off in an hour at least allows communities to rethink about their priorities for the environment, Bohol Earth Hour participants said. In Bohol, other than committing to switch off their lights and go off grid, Bohol bikers pedaled around Tagbilaran City and Dauis, using their bikes' blinkers in an Earth Hour Ride. In Tagbilaran however, only very few joined the switch off, riders noted. (mbcn/rahc/ PIA7-Bohol)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Mt. Samat National Shrine

7 Bohol towns signify for Bayani Challenge 2015 Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 13 (PIA) – Seven towns in Bohol have signified to pick up the habit of building communities from bottom up, to end poverty as the 2015 Bayani Challenge (BC) reopens from April 9 to June 12, 2015.

he towns of Carmen, Loboc, Loon, Sagbayan, Tagbilaran, Tubigon, and Ubay signified their participation in the annual event, according to the Gawad Kalinga website. Of the towns which have signified as early as April 5, only Tagbilaran City is not significantly damaged by the earthquake that rocked Bohol October 15, 2013. On the sites in Bohol, volunteers would take on the job of homebuilding, play therapies for kids, care kitchen, environment care, health missions, sports programs and disaster preparedness activities and mitigation. Coordinated nationwide by Gawad Kalinga (GK), BC picks up a tenet: walang iwanan, which commits to leaving no one behind in development, by challenging the impossible,

working in solidarity with others. As our country experiences rapid economic growth, there is a great need for us to reflect on the realities that confront the least amongst us―the poor landless, homeless and hungry at the “base of the pyramid,” Gawad Kalinga said. For over a decade of volunteer work, Gawad Kalinga professed they have uncovered the secrets of ending poverty of at least five million Filipinos by 2024. Winning the fight however starts with the poverty mindset, millions of Bayani Challenge Volunteers said. What is revolutionary in the GK approach is that it means flipping the pyramid where the rich and the moneyed "will have to do the heavy lifting to stabilize the nation".

For the GK way, people can simply volunteer, donate, be on call, be a mission partner and actively lead community events. "We can’t expect the poor to play catch up, they will never be able to, GK said as they call for more volunteers to help the poor catch up with the development," states Jose Luis Oquinena, GK executive Director. Meanwhile, On May 23-24, Anda Bohol hosts a Hope Conference, one of the seven locations in the country to host such an event. Other places hosting Hope Conferences are Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon, Jamboree Site at the UPLB in Laguna, Tarlac State University in Tarlac, Cotabato City, Roxas City in Capiz, Jesse Robredo Coliseum in Camarines Sur. (mbcn/rac/PIABohol)

EU urges media to join Peace Journalism Awards Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, April 14 (PIA) -- The European Union (EU) announces the opening of the Peace Journalism Awards urging journalists from print and broadcast media to join and submit their entries on the theme about ―Peace.‖

mong the objectives of the Awards is to raise awareness about the impact and value of peace and the peace process in general and to generate information and a deeper understanding of the Bangsamoro peace process in particular. It also acknowledges the role of Filipino journalists as agents of peaceful social transformation through balanced, responsible, culturally and conflict-sensitive reporting on peace and conflicting stories. Such Awards also aims to generate awareness, interest and appreciation for EU-supported activities in Mindanao in the context of the peace process. Entries should adhere to the theme of “Peace” that could include reportage about the peace process at the level of political negotiations, about peace champions and how they were able to advocate or initiate or develop actions that build peace in their communities. Entries could also be about peace linked to

development and other cross-cutting socio-political issues or about peace in the perspective of local communities, and their unique ways of harnessing peace. All entries must have been published or uploaded in bona fide media outlets from August 1 2014 until May 31, 2015. Proof of publication whether in print, broadcast or in online media must be attached together with the entry form which can be downloaded from the EU website. Detailed guidelines are available in the EU website europa.eu. There are seven categories of the Awards including Written Text Published in Print Media; Online Media; Broadcast Media; Photo Journalism; Campus Journalism (written text and multi-media sub categories) and Special Citation for Government Communicators. For the Journalism Awards, only Philippine-based media representatives are qualified to join. For Campus Journalism Awards, participants

must be bona fide Filipino students currently enrolled in a duly-recognized Philippines’ University or College. Selection of winners will be based on the following criteria: relevance to the topic (30 percent), news value/impact (30 percent), investigative depth (25 percent) and professional quality and style (15 percent). Entries must be submitted to DELEGATION -PHILIPPINES-PPI@eeas.europa.eu on or before May 31. The first prize winner or finalist for each of the category will receive special tokens, gadgets, trophies and certificates. The grand winner on the other hand, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Brussels, Belgium to meet with peace-building institutions and fellow journalists. The EU Journalism Awards was launched in October 2014 in Cotabato City for the first time in the Philippines. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7/with reports from Paulynne Joyce R. dela Cruz, intern)

NGCP campaigns for safe transmission lines Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, April 15 (PIA) --- To prevent unscheduled power interruptions, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is campaigning for the safety of power lines.

aul Galano, head of NGCP Visayas Operations, said they are pushing for line safety because power lines “can harm people, animals, and properties due to high voltage. The following are safety tips issued by NGCP for the public, especially for communities situated around transmission lines and structures: • Do not fly kites near transmission lines or climb transmission structures. • Do not build grass fires near or under transmission structures. Fires may cause power

interruptions in your area. • Do not plant trees near transmission structures. Report any incident of tangled branches to NGCP. • Do not carry long sticks or any object that might reach or come in contact with the power transmission lines. • Do not put up antennas near or under transmission lines. • Do not park your vehicles near or under transmission lines. • Do not build houses or any structures

under transmission lines. Galano also stressed that farmers should avoid kaingin or slash-and-burn farming as it can cause bush fires and affect transmission lines especially during summertime. NGCP recently held a briefing on power system operations for Cebu media as part of its efforts to disseminate public safety information, anti-pilferage and anti-electrocution initiatives. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)

EASTERN VISAYAS

DENR-8 to conduct massive tree planting on Earth Day

The Bataan Memorial Cross

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 13 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Eastern Visayas enjoins the public to participate in their efforts towards a safe environment as the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, 2015.

n a statement, DENR-8 regional director Leonardo Sibbaluca said that a series of activities were lined up to drumbeat this year's celebration which includes information campaigns and a month-long lecture series on the different programs and projects of the DENR. “As we celebrate Earth Month this April and Earth Day on April 22, we enjoin the public to join us in our efforts towards a safe and sound environment, participate

in our activities, be part of the celebrations by sharing your own little ways for Mother Earth,” Siballuca added. Along this development, DENR will also spearhead a massive tree planting activity on said day to be participated in by government agencies, non-government organizations, academe and other sectors of society. According to Maita Reina Sucgang, OIC, DENR-8 Regional Public Affairs Office, such activities are part of the

highlights of the celebration to stir up awareness on current environment concerns particularly on climate change. In the Philippines, Earth Day was launched on April 22, 1990 to mark the global commitment to build a safe, just and sustainable environment after President Corazon Aquino signed Proclamation No.553 in April 1990 in support to Earth Day. This year’s theme is “Earth Day Everyday, Everywhere, for Everyone”. (jrc/ cba/DENR/PIA-8)

Turtle caught, tagged, released MARCELO M. PEDAALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 16 (PIA) -- A local fisherman in barangay Combado here got the surprise of his life when what he thought was a big catch for the day turned out be a turtle, a Green Sea Turtle, according to personnel of the Office of the City Agricultural Services (OCAS) who examined it.

he fisherman, whose name was not immediately known, was quoted as saying the hook in his fishing line found its mark on the left side of the turtle’s shell just below the head, so the animal was not at all harmed or injured when it was hauled to the shore early morning Tuesday. Crowd of curious onlookers easily gathered and watched the “catch” brought ashore, tended by OCAS p erson n el wh o c on t a ct e d t h e

DENR-CENRO for tagging and subsequent release. The shell’s length measured 30 inches from the base of the head to the base of the tail, the width 22 inches, circumference, 90 inches, and its weight was approximately 70 kilos. Comments of facebook users from Ormoc, Luzon, and Australia mostly inquired about its condition when pictures of the turtle was posted on PIA-Southern Leyte’s facebook account.

A very brief video also got "likes" and "shares". In less than two hours since the turtle was brought to shore, DENR personnel released it back to the sea after proper tagging procedures, according to those who saw the “send-off” ceremony. Turtles are known eaters of the deadly crown of thorns, a kind of sea urchin whose massive number can destroy coral reefs, it was learned. (aen/esg/mmp/ PIA-Southern Leyte)

Biliran hosts national mountain bike race Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran,April 16 (PIA) – It‘s more fun in Biliran province this summer as the province will host the national Enduro mountain bike competition on April 26 dubbed as the 1st Governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr. Bike Festival.

ountain bike racing and mountain bike trekking were the emerging sports hubby of Biliranons which started a few years back but now a fad sporting event of mountain bike racing and mountain bike trekking enthusiasts in the province. Sangguniang Bayan member Mario Lydinno Opena of the municipality of Naval, who is also the over-all event coordinator of Mt. Panamao Team Biliran Mountain Bike Club, revealed that the bike festival, one of the activities line-up for the provincehood anniversary celebration of Biliran province this year is composed of four major events.

Opena addded that the national bike event in Biliran province is the first part of the Great Visayan Trilogy which include the City of Catbalogan in Samar province and the town of Calubian in Leyte province. Enduro Pilipinas, organizer of the national bike event that holds the opening of the 1st season of the first leg of Enduro Pilipinas Mountain Bike Race in February of last year in Biliran province is very willing to hold anew the national bike event in the province of Biliran because of its very ideal bike trail, friendliness of the Biliranons, very supportive officials of the local government units and the impressive

promotion of the biking culture of the active group of mountain bikers in the province. Likewise, the national bike event is expected to generate more income for hotels, resorts and restaurants and will augment the income of people in transportation business especially the habal-habal (single motorcycle for hire) drivers, bike porters and trail workers, he added. “The culture of biking, camaraderie and friendship will also be boosted in the province of Biliran with the holding of the national biking event”, Opena said. (aen/fj/ rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

EASTERN VISAYAS

DOLE allots P2.3M for students‘ summer jobs Mt. Samat National Shrine

SAMUEL CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 16 (PIA) - The Department of Labor and Employment in the province of Eastern Samar has allotted P2.3 M Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to benefit 1,253 students from 11 Local Government Units (LGUs), one Province, one City.

ccording to Ms. Mylene C. Pagapos, Labor and Employment Officer of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), under the SPES, any qualified student aging 15-24 years old can apply in any government office or agency in the province that offer job opportunities this summer. She added that to qualify, the applicant needs to submit the following requirements: birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), passing grade or any document as a proof of enrolment; certification from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that their family income is not more than P105,000.00 and poor but deserving students. Pagapos revealed that most high school students are deployed in communities as street cleaners through “Clean and Green Program” of the

government and some college students are assigned in offices, provided that the work assignment is not hazardous. DOLE will shoulder 40 percent of the total allowance to be received by the student and the remaining 60 percent will be shouldered by the employing Local Government Units (LGus), Paganos added. The students will be working for 20 days at a minimum wage rate which is P260.00 - 40% of P260 is P104.00 and the 60% comes from LGUs daily wage rate which P150 and 60% of P150.00 is P90.00. Pagapos further said that the payment for the DOLE is in the form of Educational Voucher. For instance, if the student enrolled is already in College and his/her total fees for the whole semester is amounting to P5,000, DOLE will pay the total allowance of P2,080.00 and the remaining P 2,920

will be paid by the students. LGUs will pay the amount of P1,800.00 through payroll. Each student beneficiary then gets a total allowance of P3,880.00. Pagapos added that as of now, the following LGUs in the province of Eastern Samar have offered jobs under SPES: Provincial Government – 150 slots, City Government of Borongan - 150, Balangiga – 85, Salcedo – 100, Maydolong – 50, Gen. MacArthur – 80, Mercedes – 96, Quinapondan – 30, Giporlos – 85, Llorente – 65, Lawaan – 52, Jipapad – 50, Maslog – 50, San-Julian – 110 and Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Main Campus – 100. SPES is a special program of the government under the labor department to help continuing students pay their school fees and for the Out of School Youth (OSY) to continue school. (aen/ sdc/PIA8-E. Samar)

BIR-8 holds Grand Fiestax CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 16 (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No. 14 has conducted a ―Grand Fiestax‖ Wednesday to mark the last day of filing of Income Tax Returns (ITR).

ot all taxpayers wore long faces as they filed their income tax returns despite the huge crowd at th e Mu lti-Purp ose Buildin g, Government Center, Palo, Leyte as the annual event turned into a feast called “Fiestax”. BIR-8 regional director Diosdado Mendoza said aside from free foods and giveaways, the taxpayers were also entertained with a number of folk dances

and song numbers performed by some personnel of the BIR and the SAMLEYAW dancers. “We conceived this idea because Filipinos especially in Region 8 are fond of fiestas during summer at para hindi sila ma-bore at mainip while waiting for their turn to file,” Mendoza said. “This is also one way of saying thank you to the taxpayers,” Mendoza added. Mendoza further said that for the first quarter of 2015, BIR Eastern Visayas met

its target. In fact, an excess of about P40-million was recorded due to hard work, close monitoring and implementation of the agency’s rules and regulations. With this development, Mendoza is optimistic that better tax collection will continue towards the end of the year in order to meet the target tax collection goal for the region this year which is pegged at P6.4 billion. (aen/cba/PIA-8)

PIA trains CDIOs in E. Samar SAMUEL CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eatern Samar, April 16 (PIA) - In line with the Philippine Information Agency‘s (PIA) thrust of revitalizing government communication, PIA Eastern Samar spearheaded the re-establishment of the network of community development information officers (CDIOs).

IA personnel went to the municipalities in Eastern Samar to ask local chief executives to designate CDIOs in their towns. The Provincial Information Center (PIC) of PIA in Borongan City then con du cted an orien t at ion an d workshop at the Eastern Samar Development Foundation (ESADEF) on

April 14, 2015. PIA hopes to enable the CDIOs to write news releases in their respective municipality through print and broadcast media through the workshop. PIA-OIC, Regional Director Alicia E. Nicart served as resource speaker for the said activity. According to Director Nicart, “the Presidential Communications Operations

Office (PCOO), through Secretary Sonny Coloma, encourages PIA provincial offices to reactivate the CDIOs of every municipality for information enhancement especially in times of disaster.” Some 13 CDIOs attended the said activity from 22 municipalities and one city in the Province of Eastern Samar. (aen/ sdc//PIA8-E. Samar)

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. BaĂąares 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, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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