Vol 7
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
Division of Iloilo City Schools Superintendent Clarissa Zamora provides details to local media on the holding of 'Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika' on January 20, 2017 during a presscon held Jan. 4 at the Dinagyang Lounge at the Freedom Grandstand here. The drum, lyre, and bugle competition is one of the major activities of the 2017 Dinagyang Festival.
Jan. 2 - 8, 2017
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
Issue 1
4T SSS members apply for loan restructuring Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Jan.5 (PIA6) - - The Social Security System – Iloilo Branch has already received some 4,526 applications from its members for its Loan Restructuring Program (LRP). The applications were filed from April 28 to December 29, 2016, according to Asia Lopez, Adhoc Communications Officer of SSS-Iloilo Branch. Lopez reminded members who have overdue loans and interested to avail of the program to file their applications now to avoid the last minute filing rush. SSS will accept LRP applications until April 27 this year. LRP covers short-term SSS loan programs that include Calamity Loan, Salary Loan, Emergency Loan, Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Voc-Tech Loan, Y2K Loan,
Investments Incentive Loan, Study Now Pay Later Plan, and the previously-offered Educational Loan. Under the LRP, Lopez said the agency condones loan penalties and grants qualified loan-borrowers two options to settle their overdue loan principal and interest. They can either pay their arrears in full or by installment depending on their capacity to pay. She said once delinquent member-borrowers shall have fully paid their overdue loans, they can again enjoy the benefits and privileges afforded to a SSS member. Members in Iloilo City can visit the SSS offices in JM Basa St. and in Molo for more information about the program. Or they can call the SSS toll free number, 1800-10-2255-777 which is available from Monday to Friday. (JCM/laf/PIA6 Iloilo)
RE firm implements dev't projects in Valencia More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Camaraderie and unity among OFWS, which DOLE's Gerry Guidablen says accounts for the region's gathering of foreign workers set this year in Dumaguete. Bohol, arguably with most number of OFWs in the region would be sending out only 100 representatives, so hurry if you wish to join. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Roi Lomotan VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, Dec. 29 (PIA) – Renewable energy firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has implemented seven new development projects here. These include the awarding of high school scholarships grants for 435 students for school year 2016 to 2017, completion of the Cambucad-Sagbang Foot Bridge, putting up of bleachers inside Barangay Malaunay Gymnasium, establishment of the Puhagan waterline system, granting of Balili concreting project, road concreting project in Barangay Dobdob, and awarding of winners for EDC’s ―Gulayan sa Paaralan‖. These development projects are implemented under EDC’s HELEN program, the umbrella of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. EDC Corporate Communications Officer France Ariola said that EDC has turned over P2.175 million to San Pedro Academy – Recoletos , Balugo National High School, Pulang Bato Naitonal High School, and Valencia National High School benefiting 374 junior and 61 senior high schools students. On the other hand, EDC also gave recognition to four schools for their outstanding implementation of Gulayan sa Paaralan project in cooperation with the company. These schools are Malaunay Elementary School, Dungga Primary
School, Puhagan Elementary School, and Nasuji Elementary School. Meanwhile, the infrastructure projects are expected to help improve transportation and bring development to residents of barangays Malaunay, Sagbang, Balili, Puhagan and Dobdob. "These seven projects reaffirm our commitment to assist Valencia in its development efforts. The clean, renewable, sustainable geothermal energy that we provide to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is also here to power infinite possibilities for the people Valencia and the rest of Negros Island," said Norreen Bautista, Head of EDC's Community Partnerships, External Relations, and Watershed Management Group. Puhagan Barangay Captain Leonarda T. Sarita, Malaunay Barangay Captain Los Santos Russel, Sagbang Barangay Captain Cenon A. Dagoy, Balili Barangay Captain Cefriano Ferrer, and Dobdob Barangay Captain Gilberto Darias were also present to express their sincerest gratitude to EDC for its infrastructure projects in their communities. EDC operates a 222.5 geothermal facility in Valencia, Negros Oriental. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports from Frances Ariola, EDC Corporate Communications)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CASH FOR WORK. Lucia Bruces (standing right), 76 years old from Barangay Libertad in Higatangan Island, Naval, Biliran, receives her cash assistance out of the Cash For Work program from DSWD personnel of LGU- Naval, Naval town hall ground, Naval, Biliran, January 4, 2017.(rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran) #PartnerForChange
More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here...
Hilongos blast victims grateful for PD30 visit Marcelo M. Pedalino HILONGOS, LEYTE, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- At least six (6) persons confined at the Hilongos District Hospital here got the surprise of their lives when President Rodrigo Duterte dropped by Friday, December 30, and spent an hour with them, hearing their stories, sharing their pain and suffering. The six were among the 32 wounded by bits of shrapnel from two improvised explosive devices when these exploded Wednesday night December 28, one after the other, in the town’s plaza at the height of an amateur boxing competition as part of fiesta activities. Luckily there was no fatality, and police were able to pinpoint suspects, reports said, including possible motives of the incident. A relative of one of the wounded told PIA they were very happy to see the president in person and so concerned of the victims’ plight. His sentiment was shared by all the five others, and the other victims whose treatment were treated as outpatient. Of the six patients still recuperating for their injuries in various parts of the body, three were teen-agers, two middle-aged, and a pregnant woman in her 30s. The 5-month pregnant woman, who suffered cuts in her buttocks, told PIA she was fine, her pregnancy not physically affected, except perhaps the trauma she experienced.
President Duterte personally handed P 10,000 cash assistance, in addition to food packs from a cartoon marked DSWD, assorted goods from a cartoon marked Korean Red Cross, and cellular phones for the young victims to while their time away. On leaving the hospital for his next engagement, President Duterte rallied the people to keep on going with their daily lives, even as he hinted something deeper behind the twin blasts. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)
Pres. Duterte visits Hilongos Dist. Hospital where the victims of Hilongos twin-bombing incident, (evening of Dec. 28, town plaza) are confined and recovering. Among them is a pregnant woman, who was hit on her buttocks, and two minors.
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WESTERN VISAYAS
MGB-6 geologist gets sediment-related disasters
training
on Sinulog Festival
By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA6) — Mines and Geosciences Bureau-6 Geologist Dr. Leilani Suerte said the training she has just attended has strengthened the participants‘ capability in planning countermeasures for sediment-related disasters.
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n MGB-6 release said the training was the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Knowledge Co-Creation Program on Disaster Management for Landslide and Sediment-Related Disasters. Dr. Suerte joined 13 other countries in Japan for the more than two months training starting October till December 10 last year. Suerte, who was with a representative from the Department of Public Works and Highways, said she interacted with technology-based
government officials such as civil engineers and geologists of other countries, like Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, St. Vincent, Grenadines and Turkey. The participants were engaged in the development of countermeasures to prevent or mitigate natural hazards, triggered by rainfall, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Th e p rog ra m c on sist ed of components, namely, general knowledge on administration and
activity of disaster prevention and mitigation; basic and applied technology on countermeasures of sediment-related disasters; field study of disasters and their countermeasures induced by heavy rain, earthquake and volcanic activity and exercise on issues related to sediment-related disaster prevention and mitigation. Dr. Suerte has been active in information dissemination on natural hazards and on application of hazard maps among landslide and flood-prone barangays in Iloilo. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Surplus appliances not power efficient Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr. NEGROS OCC., Jan. 6 (PIA6) -- Lawyer Patrick Aquino of the Department of Energy urged the public not to buy surplus appliances because they are not energy efficient.
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n a recent meeting of PIA managers, he said second hand appliances coming from other countries consume a lot of energy. There is a market for it because it is cheap, he added. The fact that they are sold here means these products are already being phased out in the country of origin and therefore, not a good choice to use, he
said.
Also, the appliances contain hazardous materials that are difficult to dispose and selling it to countries like ours would be less costly for them. He urged the public to invest in energy efficient home, office and industrial appliances that have high rating or label of energy from the DOE. The higher the rating, the better for
consumers, he said. Gadgets, appliances that have the inverted technology although costly but they save a lot of energy, he said. He said the top five energy consumers in the country include: the transport, industries, residential buildings, commercial buildings and cross-sectoral power consumers. (JCM/Lljr-PIA6)
DTI6 to boost cacao production in 2017 Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA6) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 will intensify its efforts to upgrade the cacao industry in Western Visayas in 2017.
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TI Iloilo provincial director Diosdado Cadena, Jr. said that the agency is working closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 to improve the production of cacao in the region and encourage more farmers to venture in cacao production. ―The demand for cacao products and chocolate products is really substantial,‖ he said. He said that DA is overseeing the production and plantation aspect while DTI is in-charge of the processing and the marketing. ―There will also be joint activities in plantation to ensure that there will be
supply,‖ he said. He said that DA’s target for 2017 is to distribute 500,000 seedlings of cacao in Panay Island. ―Currently, we are conducting an inventory of farmers, processors, and buyers to quantify existing and potential capacity to produce cacao,‖ he said. DTI-6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon said Region 6 is part of the National Cacao Industry Cluster spearheaded by DTI-11 Assistant Regional Director Edwin Banquerigo and the agency here has established the Regional Cacao Council. ―We have conducted activities including benchmarking which allowed
farmers here to go to Davao and see how cacao is grown and harvested,‖ she said. She said the world market puts premium to Philippine chocolate but the country supplies a small percentage to world demand. The Philippines is an ideal location for cacao growing, since cacao is an equatorial plant that grows only within 20 degrees from the equator. Cacao, also known as the ―tree of love‖ and food of the Gods, produces dried and fermented fatty seed, which is used to make chocolates. Today, cacao is now often applied in food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
Dinagyang Festival
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DOLE steps up to end contractualization Pilar S. Mabaquiao
SAN JOSE, Antique, Jan. 4 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment is bent on implementing the agency‘s major thrust to end contractualization (ENDO) at the beginning of the year.
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Our major targets for the first quarter of the year are malls and big companies that are employing a lot of workers,‖ said Benjie Requintina of DOLE Antique. In Antique, he said that at least five big companies have manifested their compliance with ENDO by regularizing their workers. However, they need to monitor them closely to ensure they comply with the Labor Advisory No. 10 which hopes to put an end to labor only contracting. DOLE reported that two big
establishments have agreed to voluntary compliance with ENDO namely the Antique Electric Cooperative and Antique Medical Center involving the initial number of 22 workers. Regional Director Salome Siaton of DOLE 6 said during her visit in the province that an augmentation team of Labor Compliance Officers will be deployed in Antique in addition to existing workforce to facilitate the monitoring of establishments. ENDO is one of the major thrusts of Duterte Administration that aims to stop
the unlawful practice of labor only contracting which is disadvantageous to the workers. Siaton early on said that the government is serious in the implementation of ENDO upon the order of the President. She likewise echoed the directive of Secretary Silvestre Bello III to end contractualization to uphold the rights of workers to security of tenure as well ensure their social coverage such as Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)
Capiz Holiday celebration peaceful Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 4 (PIA6) – No major incident occurred in Capiz during the Yuletide celebration.
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apiz Police Provincial Director Samuel Nacion said that the Ch ristmas an d New Year celebration in Capiz were generally peaceful as no major incident was recorded so far. Except for some firecracker-related injuries, there is a zero stray bullet-related injuries or reported case of illegal discharge of firearms, he said. Nacion added that most of the
incidents during the said celebration here included vehicular accidents and commotions mostly involving family members due to drunkenness. There was also no recorded fire incident related to firecrackers during the Yuletide celebration in Capiz, said Roxas City Fire Station Information Officer Marlon Garbo. On the other hand, Lt. Col. Leonardo Peña, commanding officer of the Philippine
Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion, said that no complaint against any Army personnel in said battalion was reported for illegal discharge of firearms or indiscriminate firing in welcoming the New Year. Records from the Provincial Health Office from December 21, 2016 to January 3, 2017 showed that there were 51firecracker-related injuries here with piccolo causing most of the injuries. (JCM/ JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
APIOA ends the year with community outreach Sheila Q. Patoza KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 29 (PIA6) – The Aklan Public Information Officers Association, an organization of government Information Officers here, marked the year with a community outreach program dubbed ―Adopt a Barangay Project‖, in Barangay Bagong Barrio, Makato, Aklan recently.
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PIOA’s Vice-President Lt. Col. Antonio Tumnog of the 12th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the major proponent of the project said that the success of the event was due to the desire of each member to do a community cause for the less privileged Aklanons. ―This project, considered as a second major activity of the organization this 2016, had further enhanced the close working relationship among the members of APIOA while enabling to touch the lives of the residents of Bagong Barrio,‖ Lt. Col. Tumnog added. The one-day community outreach
project was a venue for giving free medical and dental services to indigent residents of the said barangay, gift giving, information drive, and tree planting activities. About 70 households and 140 children were able to receive Noche Buena packs and bags with school supplies, respectively. In the same day, two of the residents of the barangay, pre-identified by the council, were given wheelchairs. Meanwhile, information officers were given the opportunities to cascade the programs and projects, as well as the services of their agencies to the people of
Bagong Barrio. Free haircut and massage were also offered during the event. A tree planting activity ended the one day community outreach which were participated in by the information officers. Aside from the proceeds of the Color Fun Run held in November, the Adopt a Barangay Project of APIOA was funded with the major sponsorship from the GMA Kapuso Foundation, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc., and the contributions of each APIOA member and their agencies. (JSC/SQP/PIA6 Aklan)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
Siquijor solon calls for police support for change
Sinulog Festival
Rizalie Anding-Calibo SIQUIJOR, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- Siquijor Rep. Ramon Vicente Antonio ―Rav‖ Rocamora said he believes in President Rodrigo Duterte‘s sincerity as he urged the police to also make sincere efforts in helping the President .
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You are in a special position to help him in his quest to make a change,‖ Rocamora said during the ―Pasko sa Kampo‖ held December 28 at the Siquijor Police Provincial Office Parade Ground in Caipilan, Siquijor. Citing the dramatic drop in crime as claimed to be the result of the government’s intensified anti-drug operations, Rocamora said this is the special time for the law enforcers to make use of their potential because ―you have a President who support you and who has the political will to really
support the law. ―We have a president who is radical in his way but I believe in his sincerity. We want him to succeed for the sake of the Filipino people,‖ he said. He said if the president could pursue based on his commitment to make a change with a little moderation, he will succeed. In a press release earlier, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said President Duterte was elated over his six-month
accomplishments and expressed optimism for this year. President Rodrigo Duterte said he wished for a peaceful and progressive Philippines this new year as he sat down for one-on-one interviews for several media organizations this week. Six months after assuming the presidency, President Duterte discussed during the interviews wide range of issues such as his administration's accomplishments in the past few months and the prospects of the coming year. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)
IPs receive support from DSWD‘s modified CCT Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan 3 (PIA) – Giving special protection to Indigenous People is now made possible through the cash for work program under the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT).
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arilyn Ambo, a mother of three and a Tribong Magahat member of the municipality of Basay in the province received P4,640 for her involvement in the latest government projects. ―I am too grateful of DSWD’s MCCT because through the cash for work I was able to buy medicines for my sick child. Aside from that, school supplies needed for my six-year old student, I was able to provide,‖ related Ambo. Ambo has participated in the coastal clean-up and reforestation, assisted in the construction and improvement of farm to market roads, and improvement of community basic social services facilities in her town. The project lasted for 20 days and MCCT released a total amount of P1, 373,440 before Christmas Day in 2016. The beneficiary also pointed out that aside from helping her own family, she and her colleagues
who participated in the activities were able to clean the community specifically in the Poblacion area and the coastal barangays. The group of beneficiaries also planted seedlings in Barangay Bongalonan, Basay. The cash for work of MCCT projects served a total of 296 beneficiaries in the municipality. This is part of the 62 Social Support Interventions (SSI) implemented by MCCT program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Negros Island Region. MCCT is a modified program of Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) where Indigenous People serves as their beneficiaries and gives special protection to them. There are six identified MCCT areas in Negros Oriental, namely: Basay, Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, Bais City and Mabinay while there are two in Negros Occidental, Isabela and Himamaylan City.
With a total amount of P62,542,827, all MCCT areas of the region were given project support services for Skills and Management Trainings for Livelihood Enhancement, Cattle Dispersal, Development and Enhancement of Community Infrastructure, Supplementary Labor Supports, Tree Planting and Coastal Cleaning. ―The latest SSI released fund is like a Christmas gift to the beneficiaries in Basay as well as augmenting their income through the trainings and projects implemented by the agency," said DSWD NIR OIC-Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero. MCCT recently conducted a training workshop and evaluation on the enhancement of livelihood projects implemented. Lucero said some 97 Association Officers and Community Facilitators participated in the training which enhanced their skills on leadership, budgeting, and teamwork. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
SU Marina Mission Clinic launches HEALS project Roi Lomotan DAUIN, Negros Oriental, Dec. 28 (PIA) – Silliman University Marina Mission Clinic (SUMMC) recently launched its Health, Emergency, and Life Support (HEALS) Project to boost its emergency assistance services to residents in the barangays under their coverage area.
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UMMC-HEALS project aims to provide 24/7 emergency assistance through trained call-takers who will convey guidance over the phone on what to do immediately while emergency assistance is coming. ―The HEALS project came to be conceived as a way of trying to connect people of the community to Marina Clinic through mobile assistance. It allows the family of the patient through the barangay health worker or barangay health volunteer to try to take instructions while the ambulance or health assistance is coming,‖ Prof. Emervencia Ligutom, Director for Extension, said during the launching. ―That way we believe we will be able to save lives. This is an affirmation of SU’s service mission through the years,‖ Ligutom added Silliman University President Dr. Ben Malayang III, who was present in the launching, said this idea of connectivity was conceived to ensure the healing hands of the clinic can extend to the other health professionals in Dauin and surrounding communities.
Dr. Malayang also cited that electronic communication has a potential power to get people engaged and involved. ―This is the first stage, we will want to secure a good connectivity to our barangay health and family health care volunteers. Maybe through this, they can actually deliver more services in their community if they have the assistance of the professional from Marina,‖ Dr. Malayang said. In support to this, telecommunications company Smart Communications turned over 30 units of mobile phones to SUMMC officials. These will be handed over to different barangay health workers to be used as a communication tool for the emergency assistance and advice line services. Smart Communications Senior Manager for Public Affairs – Visayas and Mindanao Atty. Maria Jane Paredes spearheaded the turnover of the mobile phones. In her message, Atty. Paredes diclosed that
Smart Communications is happy to support the program and explained that the mobile phones distributed are 2G phones that can do text and call services. Atty. Paredes noted that health programs are one of the pillars of the outreach projects of the telecommunications company. Aside from emergency assistance, SUMMC HEALS project also aims to provide quick referrals to necessary emergency responders such as police, fire department, and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) in case there are other emergencies. SUMMC HEALS Project Development Coordinator Novee Mestrecampo explained that call -takers are trained to identify if the case reported to them are medical or non-medical concerns. For non-medical concerns, the call takers will forward it to the local government unit or to the concerned responding agencies. (rmn/ral/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Dinagyang Festival
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TESDA-NIR updates tech-voc institutions on training regulations Jennifer C. Tilos
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Some 33 of the total 97 registered Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) in Negros Island Region (NIR) have successfully participated in the recent zonal orientation of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
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nformation Officer Georgette Malagar of TESDA said the orientation on Deployment of Promulgated Amended Training Regulations and Competency Assessment Tools is intended to TVIs offering such qualifications. Malagar has called on remaining registered TVIs under the Unified TVET Program Registration Accreditation System (UTPRAS) to join the orientation. ―TESDA -NIR in coordination with other private and public partners have successfully facilitated the realization of echoing the deployment of new promulgated amended Training Regulations and Competency Assessment Tools,‖ said Malagar. Training Regulation serves as basis for which the competency – based curriculum, instructional materials and competency assessment tools are developed. This document represents a specific qualification. It defines the competency standards for a national qualification and how such qualification can be gained, assessed, and be given recognition. About nine qualifications with promulgated amended or modified training regulations and competency assessment tools were deployed as follows: Animal Production (Swine) NC II, Animal Production (Poultry) NC II, Animal Production
(Ruminants) NC II, Mechatronics NC II, Mechatronics NC III, Mechatronics NC IV, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III, and Motorcycle / Small Engine Servicing NC II. Participants in the activity include registered TVIs from (Negros Occidental) North Negros College, Quality Education and Skills Training (QUEST), Capitol Institute of Technology (CIT), Sagay Computer Institute (SCI), Philippine Organized Workforce for Economic Recovery Foundation (POWER Foundation), RMD Agri-tourism Industries and Training Center, First Academy of Skills and Technology (FAST Academy); La Salle College Victorias, Universal School of Applied Technology of Sagay City(USAT), Kabankalan Catholic College, PTC – Cadiz, PTC – Kabankalan, RTC – Talisay, (Negros Oriental) Dumaguete Christian Technical Skills Inc. (DCTSI), Negros Island Training and Assessment Center (NITAC) Inc., Teamskills School for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (TSCAHM), La Consolation College of Bais City, STI College Dumaguete, Inc., Cuttin’ Loose Beauty Culture (CLBC) Inc., Fitz – Gibbon Academy of Skills and Trades (FAST), Inc., Global Tech Manpower Institute
(GTMI), Silliman University – SAITE, Professional Career Online Institute (PCOI), Foundation University (FU), Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT), Metro Dumaguete College (MDC), Provincial Integrated Skills Training Center (PISTC), Villaflores College, St. Pauls University Dumaguete (SPUD), Cebu Science of Welding and Skills Technology (CSWSTI), Global Driving School and Training Center Inc. (GDSTCI), Crispa Technical Training Center Inc. and Guihulngan Satellite Skills Development Center (GSSDC). Malagar said that in the deployment orientation, discussions emphasized the basis for prioritization of Qualifications as follows: priority needs of the industry sector; nationwide application in terms of public interest/welfare; employment generation and investment opportunities; and the need for standardization and certification. ―The criteria for skills standardization lies on the long period of education and training, performance of the competency affecting and endangering people’s lives and limbs, as well as the competency involving the handling of complex equipment, tools, and supplies,‖ said Malagar. (rmn/ jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Siquijor PNP chief lauds men for support to anti-drug campaign Roi Lomotan SIQUIJOR, Jan. 3 (PIA) — Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) Director Erson lauded his men for their strong support in the government‘s war against illegal drugs.
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n a fun-filled ―Pasko sa Kampo‖ last December 28, Digal reported a total of 896 drug personalities who personally appeared/ surrendered in all six police stations provincewide from July to December 2016. He said 779 of those are drug users while 117 are drug pushers. A total of 6,225 houses have been visited in the same period through Oplan Tokhang wherein police personnel knocked on the houses o f suspected drug personalities and asked them to mend their ways. He especially mentioned and awarded the top
three police stations that were strong in the anti-drug operations. These are the Lazi Police Station headed by its Chief of Police PSInsp. Al J. Pascual, Larena Police Station, by PSInsp. Edgar C.Labe and the Maria Police Station by PSInsp. Antonio R. Detuya. Also lauded are the personnel of the three other police stations of San Juan with PSInsp Daniel C. Tarucan as the chief of police (COP), Siquijor Police Station with the COP PSInsp. Mark Edward B. Barrios, and Enrique Villanueva with its Officer In-Charge, SPO2 Aidene Lloyd L. Paculba. Meanwhile, a press release from the
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) reported that the number of drug surrenderers nationwide has breached the one million mark. This figure alone makes the President’s anti-drug war a ―success,‖ says Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. ―It is evident we are hitting the mark in our campaign against illegal drugs. But more than the statistics, the real score in the government’s intensified anti-drug operations is that it has pulled down the country’s crime rate by 32%,‖ Secretary Andanar pointed out, citing the latest report from the PNP. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Bihar police station tops ‗Double Barrel‘ accomplishment Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 29 (PIA) -- Pilar Police Station topped the local accomplishments of Operation Plan Double Barrel Alpha which started 50 days ago.
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n its campaign beginning October 26 to December 15, Pilar Police Station accounted 209 illegal drugs personalities who surrendered and showed goodwill. This is despite a police station target of only 51 drug characters, a report from Camp Dagohoy bared. Bearing a card rating of 410 percent Tokhang accomplishment, Pilar exceeded that of Bilar town's accomplishment at 280 percent with only 51 drug personalities targeted but accounting for 143 drug characters who surrendered. After Bilar is Carmen Police Station which had 102 drug personalities on target and garnering a 262 percent accomplishment. Carmen Police Station delivered 267 personalities neutralized by surrender, Police
Superintendent Lorenzo Batuan shared. After Carmen is Getafe which had 51 drug personalities for its target accomplishment. Getafe Police station, however, walked the extra mile and arrested seven drug personalities while causing the surrender of 117 more, to earn it the fourth top slot with 243 percent compliance accomplishment. Running in fifth but not after scoring 211 percent accomplishment is Guindulman which had 215 drug personalities who surrendered after 50 days, the same report indicates. On the other hand, among the least compliance accomplishment were Corella Police Station at 6 percent accounting only three of its 51 personalities in its target and Mabini Police Station with 13 percent getting only 13 of the 102 personalities in its
list. Next is Alicia Police Station with 7 of 51 persons in its list. This is 14 percent compliance accomplishment. Sikatuna Police Station also delivered low with only 18 percent accomplishment allowing for the surrender of nine personalities in its 51 name target list. In that same span of time, too, Bohol Provincial Police Office counted 3,867 drug personalities in its monitoring list. Some 3,796 of these surrendered to police stations, 69 arrested, and two were killed in the Tokhang operations. For a target of 3,621 for the first 50 days, Camp Dagohoy attained a compliance accomplishment of 107 percent, according to Batuan during the PPOC. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/BOhol)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
DOLE-SoLeyte presents 8-point agenda of Duterte administration
Sinulog Festival
Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Southern Leyte Office presented the 8-point agenda of the Duterte Administration in a forum held with tripartite constitued bodies in the province recently.
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he eight-point agenda of the Duterte Administration is anchored on the promotion of employment and human resource development; ensuring workers’ protection and welfare; and the promotion of sound, stable and dynamic industrial peace as a shared responsibility of social partners, DOLE Senior LEO and Labor Laws Compliance Officer Mario Sible informed. He said that the previous administration tackled 22 labor agenda while the current administration has only 8. Number one labor and employment agenda is to continuously enhance
and transform DOLE into an efficient, responsive, purposeful and accountable institution, followed by addressing the persistent problems of unemployment and underemployment, Sible added. Other agenda include the following: to ensure full respect of labor standards and the fundamental principles and the rights at work; to continuously strengthen protection and security of OFWs; to bring more focus and accessibility in workers’ protection and welfare programs; to achieve a sound, dynamic, and stable industrial peace between workers and employers; to have a labor dispute resolution system that ensures just, simplified and expeditious
resolution of all labor disputes; and to have a responsive, enabling and equitable labor policies, laws and regulations. The undertaking held recently in Maasin City was participated by around 45 owners and /or representatives from food and hotel establishments, resorts, among other selected stores throughout the province. The undertkaing also reactivated the Provincial Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (PTIPC), Hotel , Restaurant and Tourism Industrial Tripartite Council (HRT-ITC) and the Provincial Occupational Safety and Health Network (POSHNet). (ajc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)
PRO8 chief lauds men for good performance during holidays Consuelo B. Alarcon CAMP KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte, Jan 3 (PIA) – PNP personnel in Eastern Visayas were commended by Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Elmer C. Beltejar for a peaceful celebration of the Christmas season and the New Year.
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he commendation was issued particularly to all chiefs of police after the Director received a text from PNP chief Ronaldo dela Rosa congratulating the whole PNP organization of the successful implementation of ―Ligtas Paskuhan‖ and the ―Project Tokhang‖. In a press statement released by Police Community Relations Chief Police
Senior Superintendent Elizar P Egloso, Director Beltejar lauds all PNP personnel for a good performance not only during the holidays but the whole year of 2016. As of 12:00 PM, January 1, 2017, there were no reported deaths due to firecracker-related incidents but six persons were injured and one indiscriminate firing incident was perpetrated by a civilian.
Likewise, no reported victim of stray bullet was recorded by police authorities. As to project Tokhang, a total of 8, 104 surrenderers were recorded from December 9 to 31, 2016. With this, Director Beltejar thanked the people of region VIII for the support, cooperation and assistance provided to the police which made their work effective and efficient. (ajc/PRO8/PIA8/cba)
Firecracker-related injuries in EV drop 33% Consuelo B. Alarcon CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte, Jan. 4 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas reported a 33 percent decrease of firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season as compared from last year‘s data which was 39.
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s of yesterday, a total of eighteen (18) law enforcement operations were conducted in line with the implementation of republic act 7183 otherwise known as the regulation or use of firecrackers or pyrotechniques. In said operations, four persons were arrested for illegal possession/sale of firecrackers amounting to P59, 036.00. Police community relations chief
police senior superintendent Elizar P. Egloso informed that of the twenty six recorded incidents, 26 persons were injured. The injured were two from Leyte, 1 from Eastern Samar, 22 from Northern Samar and 1 from Tacloban City. In a press statement, PNP regional director chief superintendent Elmer C. Beltejar said that firecracker-related incidents and indiscriminate firing are
lower compared to last year due to the maximum deployment of PNP personnel during the holidays plus the support and cooperation of the community. With this, Beltejar congratulates all his men in the region for the effective dissemination of the ill effects of firecrackers which resulted to the decrease of the number of firecracker victims in 2017. (ajc/PNP8/PIA8/cba)
EASTERN VISAYAS
Dinagyang Festival
PCA implements moratorium
7 nationwide
PTC
Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 3 (PIA) – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) implements starting Tuesday, January 3, 2017, the nationwide moratorium on the issuance of permit to cut coconut trees.
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CA Administrator Avelino L. Andal issued Memorandum Circular No. 08 dated December 13, 2016, series of 2016 on the Nationwide Moratorium in the Issuance of Permit to Cut (PTC) Coconut Trees. The memorandum is intended to strengthen institutional mechanism in order to effectively and efficiently manage the enforcement of the law with the ultimate goal of protecting the supply base of the country and to safeguard the integrity of the systems and processes involved. However, the memorandum stated
that a PTC may be issued only for scale insect-infested coconut trees which have been duly ascertained to be severely infested and beyond recovery in the provinces of Basilan and Isabela City. Coconut trees in areas covered by land use or conversion orders duly issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) or Department of Agriculture (DA); coconut trees which pose immediate danger to life and property; and those covered by government projects, including those to be affected by the proper exercise of imminent domain. The PCA memorandum also stated that during the transition period, cutting
of coconut trees shall only be allowed when there is and approved PTC, issued prior to the implementation of moratorium and the covered coconut trees have not yet been cut and the Transport Permit (TP) is yet to be issued, hence, all pending applications for PTC shall no longer be processed. The moratorium specified that the nationwide moratorium shall be implemented for a period of three months and shall become effective on January 3, 2017 until sooner revoked or extended by the PCA Governing Board upon the recommendation of the management. (ajc/ FJ/rvictoria/PIA8-Biliran)
Infra dev't is key to poverty reduction in SoLeyte Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 4 (PIA) – Southern Leyte Representative Roger G. Mercado has tagged infrastructure development as the major driver in the reduction of poverty incidence in the province of Southern Leyte over the past decade, Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia bared.
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n a recent gathering held with the employees of DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office, Junia quoted the solon saying, ―the province won’t achieve its status as economically stable in Eastern Visayas without the good roads and bridges.‖ With a poverty incidence of 30.4% based on the 2015 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the province is the second province in the region with the lowest poverty incidence among the six provinces such as Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte.
Poverty incidence dipped by six percent from 36.4% in 2012, according to the source. Junia said that Rep. Mercado lauded the hard work of DPWH-SLDEO employees as working overtime to complete all pre-construction activities and ensure timely completion of the projects. "Farm-to-market roads and good roads and highways complement with tourism and agriculture development,‖ Junia quoted the solon. The contribution of farm-to-market roads under the World Bank-funded
Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) was also cited, and some of these are being implemented by DPWH. As end of November 2016, the SLDEO posted 94.98% with the full completion of 77 out of 84 regular infrastructure projects worth P1 Billion for the whole year of 2016. In 2017, the approved budget is P1.74B or nearly double than its current outlay. The engineering district will also implement 5 major projects following the approval of a special authority by the central office, it was learned. (ajc/rgc/PIA8 -SoLeyte)
Army, ESPPO declare San Julian insurgency-free Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Dec. 29 (PIA) - The Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) both declared the municipality of San Julian, this province, as insurgency-free.
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he declaration was made recently by 801st Brigade Commanding Officer Col. Perfecto Remando and Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) Director Tranquilino Araral III in a program hosted by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Julian at the San Julian Auditorium. The declaration was based on the
recommendation of the 14th Infantry Battalion (14th IB) and the ESPPO — which was strengthened through municipal resolutions — after being assessed that the municipality is already insurgency-free and the internal peace and security is already stable. The declaration was witnessed by San Julian Mayor Dennis Estaron, Lt. Col.
Ronnie Ebarita and San Julian Municipal Police Station (SJMPS) Chief Aldo Mendiola. In line with this, Mayor Estaron expressed confidence that the declaration of San Julian as insurgency-free will be a big help in the progress and development of the said municipality. (SDC-PIA-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. 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