One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 32 by piaamo6 Western Visayas

Vol 5

Issue 32

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

DFA Spokesperson Charles Jose answers queries from a student of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) regarding the West Philippine Sea Issue during the university forum held August 12 at the university's Educational Technology Center. Also in photo are PIA-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa and ISAT-U President Dr. Raul Muyong. (PIA 6 Iloilo)

August 10 - 16, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

PRO-7 Best PRO in drive vs organized groups Fayette C. Rinen CEBU, Aug. 11 (PIA) – Pres. Benigno Aquino III awarded the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) here for its outstanding achievements especially in the campaign against organized groups. The awarding was done during the 114th Police Service Anniversary held at the Philippine National Police National Headquarters recently. C/Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, regional director of PRO-7, personally received the award and streamer as the „Best PRO in the Campaign Against Organized Groups.‟ PRO-7 was the only regional office that was conferred with an award during the anniversary celebration. Bañas dedicated the accomplishment to the men and women of the Central Visayas police force for their unified efforts in intensifying the campaign against all forms of

criminalities in the region. He also cited some of the notable accomplishments that led to the recognition. PRO-7 fearlessly launched an all-out campaign against illegal drugs in the region and intensified its efforts to combat the problem through the 5-Point Anti-Illegal Drug Strategy. The strategy involved the Supply Reduction Strategy, Demand Reduction, Internal Cleansing Strategy, Legal Offensive Strategy, and the Domestic and International Cooperation Strategy. With the recognition, the police regional office here is optimistic that this will be the source of inspiration for every policeman to work harder in addressing issues concerning peace and order and to be more efficient and more effective enforcement of law. (rmn/fcr/PIA-7/PRO-7)

DOH-8 intensifies advocacy on Hospital Hi-5 More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

AGIO 7 Forum on Pest Occurrences After Long Drought with Mr. Bienvenido Acabal Jr., Agricultural Center Chief III of the Regional Crop Protection Center of Department of Agriculture -7. (PIA 7)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 11 (PIA) – In its effort to attain the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 8 formally launched on Monday Hospital Hi -5 at the Schistosomiasis Hospital, Palo, Leyte. The purpose of the activity was to intensify advocacy of the four major initiatives of the Hospital Hi-5 namely branding, kapit-bisig para sa Kalusugan pangkalahatan, improving access to available drugs and strengthening the service delivery network. DOH regional director Minerva Molon said branding is a strategy aimed at improving the experience and perceptions of patients in DOH hospitals where it puts first the care for patients that would eventually increase the satisfaction of patients and their families. Kapit-bisig Para sa Kalusugan Pangkalahatan is a medical-surgical caravan that will be done simultaneously on October 23, 2015 by DOH Hospitals in collaboration with the LGU hospitals in the priority poverty areas in the country.

As to improving patients‟ access to available drugs means hospitals run by DOH must ensure the availability of drugs and medicines in support to the No Balance Billing Policy of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). Meanwhile, more participation from DOH hospitals is also expected with the strengthening of the Service Delivery Network to ensure that patients are matched within their SDN, or a network of health facilities and providers within a province or city that offers a core package of health care services in an integrated and coordinated matter which includes services for maternal and infant care, HIV/AIDS and blood services. The Hospital Hi5 is a strategy being undertaken by all DOH hospitals to complement and support the efforts of the DOH regional office to achieve the Universal Health Care focusing on maternal health, infant health, child health, prevention of the transmission of HIV/AIDS and improvement of the Service Delivery Network. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

PH-China economic ties remain strong More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Department of Social Welfare and Development assistant secretary JV Jimenez clarifies an issue during the press conference in Tacloban that the 4Ps funds being distributed by the agency comes from the national government and not from any local political leader. The ASEC‟s clarification emanated from reports received by their central office. (PIA8)

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

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 13 (PIA6) - - Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said on Wednesday that the economic cooperation between the Philippines and China remains strong despite the West Philippine Sea issue. “We are happy to note that despite of the West Philippine Sea issue, our other areas of cooperation with China are still going on. In fact, they are going strong,” said Jose in a press conference here. Jose cited that the country‟s bilateral trade with China grew by 17 percent in 2014 as compared to 2013. He also pointed out that China remains a major contributor in the country‟s tourism industry, a key driver of the economy, as it supplied the fourth largest source of tourist arrival to the Philippines. Further, he said there are many Philippine companies still investing in China. In fact, there are more Philippine investments in China than Chinese investments in the Philippines. Jose reiterated that the Philippine government has nothing against the Chinese people and its difference is on the official policy of China on the West Philippine Sea dispute. “We are against the policy of the Chinese government but we have nothing against Chinese people and especially dito sa mga Chinese Filipinos. Hindi naman natin intention to stir up things, gawing isyu ito and sila rin ang nagsasabi na Filipino na sila and many of them really

don‟t agree with what China is doing dahil nga in violation of international law and total disregard of international public opinion,” said Jose. Jose was in Iloilo City until August 14 for various information dissemination activities such as university fora, multi-sectoral forum, focused group discussions and media interviews as part of a nationwide communication campaign that aims to level up the awareness and understanding of Filipinos on the core issues on the South China Sea – West Philippine Sea dispute. The Philippine government has already brought its case against China on its illegal claims to the arbitral tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague Netherlands last month. Jose hopes the international court would come up with its ruling before the year ends. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

DFA Asst. Secretary and Spokesperson Charles C. Jose (PIA 6/EJB)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo Teen Centers help curb teen vice

President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Aug. 11(PIA6) — The Iloilo Teen Centers based in public schools in the province of Iloilo have been found effective in helping curb vices common among teens.

he 2014 survey of the Iloilo Provincial Population Office, revealed a significant decrease in teenage risky behaviours based on the 2012 benchmark data, said Population Officer Ramon Yee. Surveyed were the 2,938 users of the pilot teen centers as to their risky sexual and non-sexual behaviours. The survey showed that cigarette smoking decreased by 3.93 percent for males and 4.98 percent for females, while drinking alcoholic beverages decreased by 9.29 percent for females and 4.33 percent for males.

On the other hand, use of prohibited drugs decreased by 1.11 percent for males and less than 1 percent for females. The survey also showed a drop by 2.97 percent for males and 1.05 percent for females, as far as pre-marital sex is concerned. The teen centers, as designed by the provincial government, serve as venues where skills and personality development of youth can be developed through various activities, and where they can find a place for recreational activities. “Likewise, trained peer counsellors and facilitators help teeners deal with

their personal problems through counselling services,” Yee said in media interviews. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. said in the same media interviews that the establishment of the teen centers is a strategy to achieve the objectives of the Adolescent Health and Development Program of the government. By end of the year, according to the provincial government, about 50 teen centers are expected be up in the 43 towns in the province. (JCM/ESS/ PIA-Iloilo)

DILG wants a strengthened DRRMO By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Aug. 11 (PIA6) --- The Department of the Interior and Local Government here plans to organize the 18 Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (DRRMOs) into an association in order to institutionalize disaster preparedness in the province.

ILG Provincial Director Victorio Pagapulan said that he will call on the 18 DRRMOs for a meeting this week to discuss plans and programs to further strengthen their roles in disaster preparedness, response prevention an d mitigation an d rehabilitation in coordination with the DILG, and their respective local chief executives.

Pagapulan said in a PIA interview that once “our DRRMOs are organized into an association then we can expect a better coordination between the DILG, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer and Municipal Mayors.” The DILG Antique head said that they have successfully launched earlier this year the Operation Listo program in the province.

Operation Listo is a campaign for local government units to formulate disaster preparedness plans, and to ensure that the LGUs are taking the correct steps in responding to the typhoon and its aftermath and to fill in the gaps to meet the minimum levels of readiness to disasters. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

Free immunization for 29,000 school kids up By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 10 (PIA6) – Nearly 29,000 students in Capiz will be given free immunization this month.

oxas City Department of Education Superintendent Roel Bermejo disclosed that a total of 4,812 students in his Division will be covered by the free immunization against communicable but preventable diseases. Of the total number, some 3,005 are Grade 1 and 1,807 are in Grade 7, Bermejo said. The launching of the school-based immunization program in the city is set at President Manuel Roxas Memorial School-South, August 11, while that at the provincial level was done in Tapaz town

during the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan Road Show led by the Department of Health last month. For the Capiz schools division, a total of 23,935 students in said two grade levels will be covered by said program, of which 11,962are in Grade I and 11,973 are in Grade 7. The Provincial Health Office in partnership with the DOH, Department of Education and Rural Health Units in the 17 local government units in Capiz will conduct the said immunization activity in the public schools here. The target children will be given

booster dozes of measles, rubella, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine which will protect them from many diseases, said PHO Expanded Program for Immunization Coordinator Julius Vicson de la Cruz. De la Cruz said that for the target children to avail of said vaccines, the parents should have a letter of consent to be presented during their immunization. He also urged the parents to submit their children to said program for the protection of their kids against preventable diseases. (JCM/JBG/ PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Nutri scholars urged to engage in fruit, vegetable production By Carlson B. Alelis NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 11 (PIA6) – The Barangay Nutrition Scholars of the various municipalities in the province were urged by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here to have gardens, where they can plant their own food such as fruits and vegetables.

rovincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said part of the nutrition scholars‟ pledge during the culminating program of the Nutrition Month held recently, was to have gardens at home to promote production of their own food. He said that having a garden would produce healthy plants that would serve as healthy food, adding that the most important thing to come out of this is that the food produced are safe and nutritious.

He said this is one way to make sure that the cases of malnutrition in the province are reduced. He reiterated the body‟s need to consume calories daily, of which 2000 are needed by women and 2500 are needed by men. As people who implement and promote nutrition to the people of Negros Occidental, nutrition scholars are expected to share and spread information that are useful to the public, especially to women and children, he said.

I am not telling you this for your benefit only, but for your constituents as well, he said, adding they want this to happen not only here, but to the entire nation. Meanwhile, outstanding nutrition scholars and municipal nutrition action officers were awarded and given recognition for their contribution in reducing malnutrition, during the Nutrition Month culminating program. (JCM/CBA-PIA Negros Occ.)

Boracay earns more than P26B By Sheila Q. Patoza KALIBO, AKLAN, Aug. 14 (PIA6) – The island of Boracay generated P26,510,421,592.80 in tourism receipts from January to July this year.

ccording to the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office (APTO), of the total amount, P17,357,304,556.80 came from foreign and overseas Filipinos tourists while P9,153,117,036.00 was earned from domestic or local tourists. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals as of July reached 973,373 of which foreign tourists listed were 431,008, while domestic tourists reached 512, 840 and overseas Filipinos were 29,525.

APTO record also shows that the month of April registered 178,595 tourists, the highest number of tourist arrivals so far. However, the month of July is on top of the list in terms of growth rate, which recorded 121,266 tourist arrivals showing a 14% increase compared to last year of the same month with 106,665 visitors. The Provincial Government and the Tourism Office of Aklan are still

optimistic that the target of 1.5 million tourist arrivals in Boracay will be achieved this year. As reported, docking of cruise ships, Environment Summit and other national and international activities will be held in the island in the last six months of the year. MS Legend of the Seas, a Carribean cruise ship will dock in Boracay on August 21, carrying 2,070 passengers. (JCM/ SQP-PIA6 Aklan)

DepEd feeding program improves nutri status of kids By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA6) - - The Department of Education Division of Iloilo has noted an improvement in the nutritional status of some 18,102 severely wasted school children in public schools in the province as a result of the feeding intervention conducted last year.

aria Liberty Mabunay, Nurse-in -Charge of DepEd-Iloilo said the program beneficiaries were fed with nutritious lunch for 120 days under the School-Based Feeding Program of the department that aims to address the undernutrition problem and short-term hunger among public school children. “At the end of 120 days, the children were weighed and showed an improvement of about 80 percent in their nutritional status,” said Mabunay. Another significant component of the program is the involvement of parents who are provided with orientation about the program and trainings on food

preparation. Parents prepare the food of their children as their counterpart to the program. Mabunay said they are now preparing the list of the number of actual schoolchildren who are classified under severely wasted based on the nutritional status report of SY 2015-2016 to be included in the program this school year. “If funds are still available we will include pupils who are classified under wasted,” said Mabunay. A child whose weight is low for his/ her height or thin for his/her height is considered wasted. The SBFP also got the support of private organizations like the Busog,

Lusog, Talino (BLT) School Feeding Program of the Jollibee Foundation that intends to help eradicate hunger among Grades 1 and 2 pupils in public schools. Here in Iloilo, the BLT School Feeding Program is successfully implemented in Agboy Elementary School in Leon, Iloilo. In fact, the school won the BLT Excellence Awards this year. Mabunay is hoping that the budget alloted for the implementation of the SBFP this year will cover all schools in the province so that more malnourished children will be reached and benefit from the program. (JCM/LAF/PIA/Iloilo)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

PPOC Bohol asks PNP to extend PD Agustin's

President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 12 (PIA) — The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in Bohol has requested top Philippine National Police leaders to grant an extension of the service of Bohol Provincial Commander who would be clocking two years of highly effective tour of duty here this month.

he resolution requesting for the extension of service of Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin came amidst rumors that the sitting top cop in Bohol is due for a transfer following a mandatory two years of duty call. PSSupt. Agustin, who had a highly decorated service as anti-organized crime buster in Metro Manila, came to Bohol in August of 2013, to replace PSSupt. Constantino Barot, who was promoted to head the Regional Aviation Security Group. A few weeks after Col. Agustin assumed office in Bohol‟s Camp Dagohoy, PNP Regional

Director Prudencio “Tom” Banas, who was on official visit to Bohol, challenged Col. Agustin to make Bohol as the first drug-free province. Immediately after making command conferences, Col. Agustin started making successes with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team leading the pack in sniffing out drug personalities. The constant news of police anti-drug operations and the successes have netted high profile drug personalities, recovered for the government drugs and paraphernalia while the operations become training ground for unit commanders who shall be key in the organization

of the town units. After two years of unblemished record in Bohol, one highlighted by successful anti-drugs operations, rumors of Col. Agustin‟s transfer started leaking since last month. Several quarters have assumed that the rumors of Agustin‟s transfer are linked to the anti-drugs operations and the closed opportunities for people to raise funds for the upcoming elections. For former provincial commanders ahead of Agustin, the PPOC had also issued requests for extension of service after the police commanders have satisfactorily served their terms. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

Cebu exporters attend PECP info session Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU, Aug. 12 (PIA) --- More than 50 exporters and representatives from concerned government agencies in Cebu attended an information session on the exporting business held by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here.

he one-day session is in line with a seminar series that intends to address the current issues and concerns identified by exporters and also promote exporting business under the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP).

DTI Cebu brought in speakers from Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Bureau of Customs (BoC) Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR), and Inter Commerce Network Services. The topics tackled were: Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) Services, how to do business

in free trade areas, introduction to the Philippine ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), electronic certificate of Origin Implementation Guidelines, overview of the self-Certificate Scheme, and the Philippine accreditation process for “Certified Exporters.” (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)

LGUs are major partners in Pantawid Pamilya Juju M. Empuerto CEBU CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) – Local government untis (LGUs) are among the major partners in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program by providing the supply-side support, including monitoring and grievance resolution.

his was stressed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) Regional Information Officer and Head Social Marketing Unit Leah Quintana. However, she said that DSWD's engagement with LGUs does not include the identification of beneficiaries in order to maintain impartiality and to avoid the perception of possible political influence. This developed as Senator Ferdinand „Bongbong‟ Marcos raised that the Pantawid Pamilya would have been less prone to leakage if the DSWD tapped LGUs as partners instead of exclusively implementing it. Quintana said the entry of the program to an LGU starts with the conduct of the Pre-Supply Side Activity where a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)is drawn between DSWD and the LGU to formalize partnership regarding program implementation. Under the MOA, the LGU will commit to provide infrastructure like health stations and educational facilities to enable the beneficiaries

to comply with the health and education requirements said Quintana. Apart from this, advisory committees at the provincial and municipal levels are organized headed by the governor and the town mayor, respectively to oversee the over-all implementation of PantawidPamilya in the Provincial and City/ Municipal. DSWD emphasized that the beneficiaries were taken from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or Listahanan, a database of poor families which explains further why LGUs are not involved in the selection of beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya, Quintana said DSWD is now winding up the second assessment of poor families which will update the 2009 database, which will become the basis for the identification of government social protection programs and services including the PantawidPamilya. For the second assessment, DSWD has enhanced the targeting system and is now implementing quality control measures such as

random re-interviews and spot checks, to ensure that the assessment will produce accurate and reliable results. The issue of the alleged leakage stemmed from an article published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) using 2009 data which has been used to incorrectly calculate that P19 billion of current program funds did not go to intended beneficiaries. The ADB has already clarified this and expressed that it continues to support the DSWD on the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya. DSWD maintains that it continues to address leakages in the program through the Beneficiary Updating System (BUS) and the Grievance Redress System (GRS). The GRS also sanitizes the database of beneficiaries by removing cases of double entry or duplication, fraud, missing beneficiaries, waived membership, t o t h e p rogram , an d u n regi st ered beneficiaries, among others. (jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ DSWD-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

LTO to Cebu commuters: Keep up with traffic advisories for APEC meetings Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- Keep yourself updated on the schedules and advisories related to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 meetings in Cebu.

his is one tip given by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) here to lessen the inconvenience of the riding public from traffic congestion as a result of the 80 APEC meetings set to be hosted in Cebu from August to October this year. Cebuanos can also stay at home or go out of Metro Cebu during holidays and weekends, according to LTO Director Arnel Tancinco. LTO in Central Visayas is coordinating with traffic enforcement agencies in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu to come up with a comprehensive traffic plan for the duration of the meetings. Tancinco said the traffic scheme will involve rerouting vehicles, implementing one-way routes on some streets, and closing roads at certain periods of the day. “Keep up-to-date with traffic

announcements as we can mostly determine ahead of time when to close the roads to clear the way for APEC delegates,” he added. There are five areas identified as meeting venues for APEC 2015, including Radisson Blu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, and Shangri-La‟s Mactan Resort and Spa. The Cebu Provincial Government releases regular advisories on APEC developments at www.cebu.gov.ph, its official FB page at facebook.com/cebugovph, and on Twitter @cebugovph. Many of the 3,200 delegates expected to be here in Cebu for the Third Senior Officials‟ Meeting (SOM 3) and related sessions from August 20 to September 6, 2015 will be moving between their hotels and meeting venues with VIP

guests expected to have vehicle escorts. Ministerial meetings on finance, structural reforms, transportation and energy are spread out from September 7 to October 14 and will have around 90 to 700 participants. In cases when closures and other changes cannot be announced beforehand, Tancinco said the best thing commuters and motorists can do is to be patient and follow traffic rules. “This (APEC) is a good thing for Cebu. It gives us a chance to showcase the province,” he pointed out. Former Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president and local organizing committee consultant Lito Maderazo earlier said the meetings give Cebu the “golden opportunity” to showcase itself as an investment and tourism destination. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu/Cebu PIO)

DSWD7 hands out cash aid to SAF families BY JENNIFER C. TILOS CENTRAL VISAYAS, Aug. 8 (PIA) – Each of the three immediate family members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who died in a bloody clash in Mamasapano, Maguindanao recently received the cash donations of P21,993.09 in Cebu City.

antawid Pamilya information officer Phoebe Jen Indino said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) regional director handed over the cash aid to families of PO3 Junrel Kibete, PO1 Windel Candano and PO1 Romeo Cempron. It can be recalled that DSWD has opened a bank account to receive cash donations for the

families of the 44 policemen killed on January 25. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in an earlier press briefing pointed out that part of DSWD's mandate is to look after the welfare of families of military and police personnel killed in action. Indino said the three police officials are from Cebu Province. Kibete‟s common law wife Irene with their children Princess, Antoniette and

Althea received the financial aid while Christine Cempron and Michelle Candano also received their respective cash donations. “I‟m happy to accept this donation because this is for my children,” said Irene. DSWD was able to generate P967, 695.96 worth of cash donations for the SAF 44 immediate kin. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

DTI regional chief lauds MSMEs in Siquijor Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Aug. 8 (PIA) — Pleased with the outcome of the recent Sandugo Trade Expo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Aster Caberte lauded Siquijor Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) participants and the local DTI staff during the blessing and unveiling of the Negosyo Center here.

“

We are reaping what we have sown,” Caberte said, citing the 16.7 million sale for Central Visayas and the “big promise” the trade expo brought to Siqujor after having sold out all of their products and having finalized negotiations with the Island City Mall (ICM) and other establishments for Siquijor province. Caberte stressed that it is not about cash sales, but about negotiations that were finalized amidst all the efforts. She disclosed that Bohol‟s ICM will carry Siquijor‟s food products. "Siquijor will have a permanent outlet in Bohol province," she said. DTI is serious in its endeavor to put a friendly and enabling environment for business, she added. In an earlier report, Caberte said the 10th Sandugo trade expo is one of the largest trade shows in the region where exporters from

different parts of the country converge to display their world-class products, while the export market has yet to hit the recovery state. "We are zooming in now to attract the tourists. This is a different tweak from the traditional Sandugo Trade Show, because we are closely working with the tourism sector to attract tourists and institutional buyers to the fair," said Caberte in the report. Meanwhile, Caberte in her Negosyo Center Launch message said she was inspired with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. “I can very well recall the president during his first SONA, he was talking about inclusive growth, 'whatever growth we will get should be felt by everyone.' It was a difficult marching order, but this year he gave an inspiring SONA to us who really worked to make that inclusive growth

dream come true," she recalled. All of these efforts towards MSME development is a big step to decrease the unemployment rate in the country while inspiring small businesses to have contributed much in the development, said Caberte. She also cited DTI‟s Share Service Facilities (SSF) project for Siquijor that is hoped to address production gap of the MSMEs and encouraged beneficiaries to take their share of the challenge. She said it is inspiring to note that the Philippines for a period of 15 years, among all countries, has maintained a 5% GDP growth rate. She added that in Region 7, despite the twin calamities to hit the area, tourism traffic has increased, a development strongly felt in Siquijor province with its visible increase in tourist influx. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

EASTERN VISAYAS

PRDP to start in Southern Leyte soon President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 13 (PIA) – The Province of Southern Leyte will soon start the Rehabilitation/ Improvement of Mahayahay-Manalog Farm-to-Market Road under the Philippine Rural Development Project, Gov. Roger G. Mercado informed in a procurement conference held August 12 at the Provincial Capitol here.

he said project, coursed through the Department of Agriculture (DA), is one of the most priority projects of the province, Gov. Mercado said in his opening message to the participants composed of the Bids and Awards committee members, the DA team and the Philippine Information Agency.among, other observers. “The project will support the province‟ vision, that is self-reliance and empowerment of our people,” Mercado said adding that the said project will fully support the agriculture development of the province. He further said that “as a coconut province the said project where farm-to-market road will support our coconut industry through

delivering the products, among other planting materials to processing plants, will be convenient and with better time management in terms of travel using the new farm-to-market roads.” The PRDP farm-to-market road project under the Government of the Philippines Loan #PRDP-1B-R008-SOL-002 through World Bank cost P188,390,000.00 or $501,250.000.00. It is a partnership with the DA and the local government of Southern Leyte as the implementing partner. The whole amount will be counter-parted by the DA with 10% share and another 10% from the provincial government unit and the 80% will be funded by the World Bank.

For the province of Southern Leyte, the 10% contribution or P18.390-M will be sourced from the 20% Economic Development Fund (EDF), Provincial Accountant Crispin Arong Jr., a BAC member revealed. The Provincial BAC is setting a pre-bid conference on September 18, 2015 at the Jose Rizal Hall, Provincial Capitol and as part of the transparency measures being instituted by the agriculture department. The DA team led by Executive Secretary to Regional Director Leo Caṅeda, Onisimo Paduano informed that bidders for the said project can visit their office or website at www.daprdp.net for the requirements of BAC. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Pinabacdao safari is Samar’s newest eco-tour destination NINFA ILUMINADA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 13 (PIA) - Spark Samar - Samar’s tourism package enlists its newest find, Pinabacdao Mangrove Safari.

n its recent launch in Pinabacdao town, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan announced that tourists are now enthralled with unexplored places of natural wonders. With the mangrove safari, tourists will learn the significant contribution of a contiguous mangrove to marine life. Mangroves are spawning grounds of fish and other marine life, Pinabacdao Mayor Mario Quijano added. “Pinabacdao mangrove boosts of 575 hectares of untouched mangroves that is home to 19 mangrove tree-species, where two of which are endemic only to Pinabacdao.” Quijano

claimed. The mangrove 700 or more hectares in totality is also home to wild ducks, kingfisher, orioles, saliksik and many others. “These mangrove species are being protected by Pinabacdao folks as they know these give them sustainable livelihood.” As a proof, the guests led by DOT 8-Regional Director Karen Tiopes and DENR RD Leonardo Sibalucca were treated to marine eatables like crabs, shrimps, fish and mussels readily available in the rich coastal waters of Pinabacdao. The town of Pinabacdao lies at the

southwest central coast of Samar, it is three-kilometers from the Maharlika Highway. Spark Samar, meanwhile is the grand and ambitious tourism package of the Samar provincial government tied with DOT where guests are entertained in the pristine beaches of Marabut, lush forests that line the Golden River towards the natural wonders of Sohoton Cave in Basey and Olot River Torpedo ride in Paranas. With the newest mangrove safari destination, Tiopes is confident that more and more tourists will be enticed to Samar, whom officials call, the ultimate frontier in the country. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Police steps up firearms registration renewal drive RODRIGO S. VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, Aug. 13 (PIA) – With 83 percent of the registered firearms in Biliran already expired based on the report of the Biliran Police Provincial Office (BPPO) from January to June 2015, an intensified campaign on firearms registration and renewal are set this month.

“

There are 942 registered firearms in Biliran province, of the number, 782 are already expired”, Police Superintendent Mateo B. Macale, BPPO deputy provincial director for administration and operation reported during the PIA Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan over Radyo Natin-Naval recently. Macale informed that BPPO has already scheduled the conduct of a two-day caravan for the license to own and possess (LTOP) firearms this month of August, however, the schedule is still subject for approval from the regional office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Palo, Leyte. As of reporting time, Macale said, there are already additional 160 firearms renewed, 366 gun

owners advised to renew their firearms and 54 registration renewal which is still on process based on the BPPO record. He also reported that based on record, there were 49 firearms sold, 10 denied ownership, 79 were lost, 93 gun owners no longer residing in the province, 66 surrendered and deposited, 66 gun owners already dead and one exhibited in court. “All the chiefs of police in the eight police stations in the province are also ordered to conduct “Oplan Katok” or the conduct of personal visit to firearm holders in Biliran province”, Macale further said to ensure the renewal or registration of their firearms for purposes of proper accounting.

He likewise urged firearms holders in the province to register and renew their firearms to avoid facing penal sanctions as provided by law. “Though the processing is a little bit tedious because of the several requirements needed for the renewal and registration of firearms, yet it is the most appropriate way to do as a law-abiding citizen” Macale emphasized. He also said that BPPO, lately, has conducted a gun safety and responsible gun ownership program seminar to some 40 firearm owners in Biliran province and this will be a continuing program of the BPPO. (ajc/fj/rsv/ PIA 8 Biliran)

EASTERN VISAYAS

DOE sets massive inspection of LPG products MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 13 (PIA) – The Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office will spearhead a focused inspection and monitoring of the downstream oil industry establishments in the province of Southern Leyte as well as in Leyte province.

OE Director Antonio E. Labios informed that the main objective of the activity is to conduct massive inspection of liquid petroleum products (LPP) retail outlets and LPG establishments to ensure compliance with the existing rules and regulations governing the business of petroleum products. He said that a simultaneous information, education and communication campaign will be conducted in the said area to provide venue for discussion to be participated by different stakeholders, concerned local government units,

among other concerned government agencies on issues relative to the business of retailing petroleum products. Labios further said that the energy department will be tapping the expertise of some partner agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Department of Science and Technology to enhance public awareness and to encourage LGU participation in the implementation of the rules and regulations of DOE pertaining to the downstream oil

industry. Director Labios informed that a half-day coordination meeting is set on the 18th of August, 2015 at Maasin Country Lodge to be participated by concerned agencies, He said that details of the said activities will be discussed to include the roles of each agency. Inp ut s on th e p rocedures an d mechanics surrounding the planned focused inspection and monitoring from the participants will also be solicited, Labios added. (ajc/rgc/PIA8 -SoLeyte)

BIR surpasses first semester tax collection goal SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue District Office (RDO-86), Borongan City surpassed its collection target from January to June, 2015 by 10.64%.

ccording to BIR-RDO-86 Officer-in -Charge (OIC) Ms. Jesusa B. Cabello, the target for the period January to June is P 237,582,000.00 but the actual revenue collection was P 262,871,142.07, surpassing by P25,289,142.07. Ms. Cabello disclosed, that of all six (6) Revenue District Offices of Eastern Visayas, RDO 86 - Borongan City leads in the revenue collection

for the first semester. “RDO-86 was able to meet the goal for every month, that is why we are No. 1 in the region in terms of percentage tax collection," Cabello said. She further said, that majority of revenue collections from Eastern Samar are coming from government projects through remittances of Withholding Tax.

“I hope that we can achieve or even surpass this year‟s target goal considering that we have already surpassed the first semester target," she added. The top five Local Government Units in terms of revenue collection are: Borongan City, followed by Guiuan, Dolores, Oras and Llorente. (ajc/ldl/sdc//PIA-E. Samar)

Eastern Samar solon discloses new projects SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 12 (PIA) - Congressman Ben Evardone disclosed the new projects slated for the province due to the serious damage brought to several structures by ―Yolanda‖.

e said this in a recent interview over DYES Radyo Ng Bayan. The Eastern Samar solon is determined to rehabilitate and or reconstruct several government infrastructures. These include new covered courts, a new gymnasium, sea wall constructions, resort restoration, road concreting and renovations, and bridge constructions. Since Eastern Samar is prone to typhoons and could have occurrences of tsunamis and storm surges, Evardone said this gives him much focus on the construction of sea walls as protection from these natural calamities. For instance, there are ongoing sea wall constructions in Hernani, Balangkayan, and Borongan City. Tetra pads had already been constructed in Hernani, while the construction of its sea wall is still in progress. In Barangay Cabay, Balangkayan, tetra pads had already been constructed as well and the sea wall construction is also in progress. The sea wall construction in Barangay, Bato,

Borongan City is almost done and with the arrival of the additional project fund of P50-M. He said that the sea wall will be completed and shall cover Baybay Boulevard to Can-obing Bridge. Phase two of the seawall extension in Baybay Boulevard is done as well. “Yolanda” had greatly affected the tourism industry of the province. In an effort to gradually revive it, there is an ongoing renovation of Minasangay Resort in Balangkayan. Minasangay was an upcoming tourist-destination before super typhoon Yolanda struct in November 8, 2013. Borongan City still has barangays with rough roads. But now, the number of these barangays with such roads will decrease as three interior barangays of the city are undergoing road concreting, namely: Banuyo, San Gregorio, and Surok. A P50-M contract had been awarded also for the road concreting in Can-avid to Barangay Hinolaso, Dolores. But Mayor Emiliana Villacarillo of Dolores and Mayor Septemio Santiago of Maslog requested Congressman Evardone to put

it on hold and instead, prioritize the concreting of the road to Maslog in order to have a much easier access to the municipality. Aside from the ₱50-M contract for the road concreting in Maslog, there is also an additional project fund of P100-M which shall cover the road concreting from Barangay Carolina, Can-avid to Maslog. And in line with these ongoing road concreting, Congressman Evardone hopes that four-wheel vehicles could now travel directly to Maslog this year. There is ongoing road concreting as well in the municipalities of Arteche, General McArthur, and Jipapad with project funds of ₱130-M, ₱20-M, and ₱50 M, respectively. There is also an ongoing construction of Bigo Bridge in Barangay Hinolaso, Dolores and of another bridge in Jipapad with respective project funds of ₱ 30 M and ₱ 80 M. With these new infra developments, Eastern Samar, dubbed as the country‟s third poorest province, can now assume that better days are upcoming. (ajc/sdc/PIA-E. Samar)

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