Vol I
Issue 9
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
October 24– 30, 2011
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
NEDA 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal (inset) asks media practitioners and government information officers to help impart information to the public a b o u t e ffo rts b e i n g m a d e b y government to address priority issues and concerns in Western Visayas as laid down in the Regional Development Plan for 2011-2016, which was the main subject of the roundtable discussion held Oct. 25 in Iloilo City. (JSC/PIA6)
More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…
CENTRAL VISAYAS
What's in your bag? Pupils of the hinterland school Tayawan Elementary School in Bayawan City compare the school supplies stuffed inside their backpacks which were distributed to them recently for free, from the Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC -6) and the provincial government of Negros Oriental. (LJD/RMN/PIA)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
USec. Benito T. Ramos (L) receives the five inflatable rescue boats, donated by World Food Program (WFP), from WFP Philippines Deputy Country Dir. Mr. Asaka Nyangara (R) intended for the 8ID during the turn-over ceremony held Oct 27 at the Office of Civil Defense, Palo, Leyte. Looking on are (from L) MGen. Mario F. Chan of the 8ID, PA and OCD 8 Regional Director Rey Gozon. (PIA 8)
More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here...
CEBU CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas and UNICEF-Philippines agreed to hire more licensed social workers who will focus on its "de-institutionalization" project. The project aims to link the children back to their families and communities. It also will develop a strategy whereby responsibility of caring for children will be shifted from the institution, such as DSWD, to the community. It will also establish comprehensive programs and services to empower the family and improve children's access to basic services. Almost 1,000 victims of human trafficking (247 minors and 751 adults) had been rescued and
referred to the DSWD. At least 50 percent of the children are targeted to be re-integrated with their families. DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said that using the premise “there is no place like home,” innovative interventions were developed by the Field Office-7 for children from the Haven and Home for Girls (HFG) and their families. Since 2007, the Home for Girls (HFG) had already served 637 children (below 18 years old) who were abused and neglected, including children in conflict with the law and victims of trafficking. (PIA-7/HFG/DSWD-7)
HS stude invents alternative to charcoal NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- A young Saraviahanon has found a solution to the problems of timber poaching and charcoal making within the North Negros Forest Reserve. Ydzan Franz Dongon, a senior student of Negros Occidental Science High School (NONSHS), was recently cited by both the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 6 for his creative research and invention of manually operated extruder machine, a medium he uses in producing leaf briquettes that will soon serve as charcoal alternatives. The invention won for Dongon first place in the Physical Sciences Cluster 2A-Individual Category during the 15th Regional Science and Technology Fair by the DepEd held in La Paz, Iloilo City on October 13-14, 2011. The DOST Region 6 also named him as a recipient of the “Sibol Award” for high school in the creative research category, also in the same fair.
Dongon’s winning extruder machine invention Dongon, a consistent honor student since elementary and among the 16 Ugyonan scholars of the Municipality of E.B. Magalona, said the well-publicized environmental destruction around the world, including the rampant timber poaching and charcoal making in Barangay Canlusong inspired him to invent this extruder machine and leaf briquettes. Leaf briquettes, he explained, are only made of dried leaves, water and starch. Dongon said these leaf briquettes can really replace charcoal made of trees being cut in the forest.(JCM/EADPIA6/EB Magalona
NDRRMC turns over 5 rescue boats to 8ID
TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Oct. 27 (PIA) – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator, Undersecretary Benito T. Ramos acknowledged, on October 27, five inflatable rescue boats donated by the World Food Programme (WFP) to NDRRMC and handed them over to the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas for use in disaster response and rescue operations in the Region. USec Ramos, in his message during the simple turn-over ceremony, acknowledged the World Food Programme of the United Nations’ deputy country director to the Philippines Mr. Asaka Nyangara and the WFP’s head of logistics, Mr. Dragoslav Djuraskovic who facilitated the local procurement of the inflatable rescue boats with paddles. The NDRRMC executive director said that he
immediately thought of turning over the rescue boats for Eastern Visayas to the Philippine Army, knowing that the army and the PNP are always the first to respond in any disaster situation not only in Leyte but also in the island of Samar. In his response, Major General Mario F. Chan, commander of the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said this is a “dream come true” and a “promise fulfilled”. He said this is the fulfillment of his dream to have more equipment to enhance the capability of the army rescue team to save more people of Eastern Visayas from the hazards that calamities bring to the Region which is disaster-prone. He added that he is still praying that the promise for two helicopters to be given to the Army in Eastern Visayas will come true in the near future. (PIA-8)
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WESTERN VISAYAS
PPA seeks to join ranks of world’s best managed ports by Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA) – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Iloilo aims to be among the world’s best managed ports with the launch of its Port Safety, Health Environmental Management System.
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ort Manager Winfred Elizalde said during the recent launching ceremony that the system they are preparing to put into full effect, embraces the entire commitment of PPA operations, which include safety, health and environment. With safety, he said, PPA is putting in place all systems and procedures to prevent accidents.
Likewise, the environment where are working is one that is friendly to stakeholders, employers and dock workers. The program is being supported by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Partnership in Environmental Management for South East Asia (PEMSEA). Program Manager of the PEMSEA Renato Cardinal said they have been
helping the PPA in coming up with the system, which is now on its implementation and monitoring stage. The other phases include initial status review, strategic planning and systems development which are already completed, while the last phases will include PSHEMS audit and continual improvement. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Land Bank 6 releases to priority sectors reach P4.84-B By: Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr. BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- The Land Bank of the Philippines total loans extended to its priority sectors in Region VI has reached P4.84 billion as of September 30, a press release from the bank said.
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B’s priority sectors include small farmers and fisherfolks (SFF) cooperatives, SMEs and microenterprises, livelihood, agri-business, agri-infrastucture projects of LGUs, agri-related projects of government-owned and controlled corporations, agri-and environment related projects, socialized housing, schools and hospitals. Of the P4.84 billion, 28 percent or P1.35 billion went to SFF coops and other financial conduits such as rural banks, irrigators associations and NGO’s, benefiting 90,000 farmer beneficiaries in Region VI. The top five cooperative borrowers in Western Vosayas are Options MPC in Sagay City, Negros Occ.: Teachers Federation of Bacolod City, Bacolod Government Employees MPC of Bacolod City, Leon Small Coconut Farmers MPC of Leon and Iloilo Provincial Employees MPC of Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Iloilo.
Meanwhile, the bank’s total loans to SMEs reached P645 million during the third quarter of 2011. Loans to countryside financial institutions (CFIs) grew by 30 percent to P285 million from P219 million a year ago. Loans to LGUs in the region reached P2.56 billion as of September 30 and financed various agri-infrastructure and development projects. Landbank also released P515 million for palay production from January to September 30, 2011 through cooperatives, rice millers and CFIs. This benefited 8,484 farmers covering more than 16,000 hectares in the region. The bank expects to release an additional P111 million in loans to farmer cooperatives by the end of the year. The bank was also able to finance various LGU projects through the KFW (Germany) facility and has released P72.89 million as of September 2011. Meanwhile, Landbank Region VI
continues to intensify its support to th Food Supply Chain Program in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the DOF. A total of P215 million is expected to be released to finance the projects of two indentified anchor firms in the region which are Alter Trade Foundation in Negros Occ and Capiz Sugar Central in Roxas, Capiz. Land Bank Region VI Vice President Manuel Infante said that the bank is on track of its lending target of P5.378 billion to its priority sectors in the region for 2011. “Our efforts to deliver credit assistance to our development partners particularly the small farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives, micro enterprises and SMEs in Region VI is in line with the overall commitment of Land Bank to spur growth and progress in Western Visayas," Infante said. (LB/LOL/JCM-PIA6)
Agri-fisheries, tourism top growth areas in WV by Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- Agri-fisheries and tourism topped the list of priority industries and services that would serve as economic growth areas in Western Visayas in the next six years.
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hese priorities are listed in the Western Visayas Regional Development Plan for 2011-2016, which the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 presented to members of the media and government information officers during a roundtable discussion held Oct. 25 here. The priority industries and services have also been identified by province as follows: Aklan – tourism and aquaculture; Antique – agriculture, fishery, micro-cottage weaving, tourism and gemstone, silica, marble and calcium
carbonate quarrying; Capiz – cutflower and foliage production; Guimaras – tourism, fruits production and food processing; Iloilo – agriculture, livestock, fishery and tourism; and, Negros Occidental – giftware and holiday décor, business process outsourcing, and tourism. Industries in particular are considered in the Regional Development Plan as the engine of economic growth in the region. During the period from 2004 – 2009, the industry sector grew at an annual average rate of 8.4 percent.
Industries and services, together with other sectors in the region, would need more than P200 billion of investments to realize the goals and objectives of the regional development plan to sustain the socio-economic growth of the region. The roundtable discussion was organized by NEDA6 to enhance the awareness and understanding of media practitioners and government information officers about the development plan and socio-economic situation of the region. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)
WESTERN VISAYAS
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UniGames now official sports for tertiary level by Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The Philippine Sports Commission has adopted the University Games (UniGames) as the official sports competition in the tertiary level.
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uring the opening ceremony of the 2011 UniGames in Capiz, PSC Chair Ricardo Garcia said that the adoption of the games is in line with the national government’s sports promotion and development. Garcia said that the same is also aligned with the PSC grassroots sports program in the country which creates
opportunities for young athletes to show their athletic skills and talents and get discovered. Garcia stressed that they are bringing the UniGames to the provinces so that young athletes in the provinces are given the chance to play and compete with those known players in Metro Manila.
Due to the growing interest of Filipinos in sports, Garcia also revealed that the Batang Pinoy program of PSC has also been revived. He said that the program is open to 13 to 15 year-old kids who intend to showcase their skills and talents in sports. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
NFA posts bigger palay procurement in Aklan by Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) had a bigger volume of procured palay in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
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ased on the NFA figures at the ongoing Statistical Exhibit at the Provincial Trade Hall here, a total of 33,565 bags of palay were procured from January to June of this year from various municipalities of Aklan. The volume of procured palay for the period is bigger than last year for the same period, which had 12,643 bags. According to NFA Aklan Provincial
Manager Procopio B. Trabajo, the bigger volume of procurement this year in the first 6 months was due to the NFA’s aggressive buying campaign. NFA-Aklan is currently in the process of unloading its stored palay in various warehouses in Aklan, in order to create space for the next batch of procured palay in the preceding months. They will be also be sending 10,000
bags of palay to Iloilo for storage in the warehouses there which are much bigger. NFA-Aklan will also be milling some 40,000 bags of palay in Aklan as another means of creating more space in their warehouses for the incoming procured stocks, in anticipation of a bigger procured volume anticipating the bigger rice harvest in Aklan this year. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)
Multi-Purpose Center for PWDs to rise soon by Margie L. Gadian SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- A new multi-purpose center of an "accessibility model" for With Disabilities (PWDs) had its groundbreaking recently in San Jose, Antique.
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he structure, which will serve both as a production and promotion center for persons with disability, was donated by Liliane Foundation, an organization that promotes the development of physically challenged members of our society. The center aims to promote equalization of opportunities, provide several sources of income and enable
PWDs and family members to become producers, service providers and business managers. Aside from being a productivity center, it will also serve as a learning center for accessibility features to encourage and advocate for the public's compliance to the accessibility law. The activity is part of the Developing Opportunity Equalization in Responsible
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and Sustainable Tourism or DOERS Program to be implemented by Persons With Disabilities Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Association of Disabled Persons, Inc.- San Jose, Antique Chapter and supported by the local government of San Jose. A MOA between the LGU and Liliane Foundation was signed during the ceremony. (LGU-SJ/MLG/ PIA6-Antique)
4Ps beneficiaries in WV 173T, P1B disbursed by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps is now serving 173,669 beneficiaries in Western Visayas as of July this year, with more than P1B spent for its projects. SWD 4Ps Program Staff Dionela The disbursed amount for the entire intergenerational poverty cycle through Madrona said the combined region has now reached P1.062B investments in human capital. beneficiaries for the six with Negros Occ. getting a share of The 4Ps also helps fulfill the country’s provinces of Region VI are as follows: P330.3M. commitment to meet the Millennium Aklan-23,322, Antique-20,257, CapizMadrona said the 4Ps is fulfilling a Development Goals of the country. 14,088, Guimaras-3,389, Iloilo-55,015 two-pronged objective. These are to eradicate extreme and Negros Occidental-46,273 The first is social assistance that aims poverty and hunger, achieve universal totaled162,344. For highly urbanized cities, to provide cash assistance to the poor primary education, promote gender Iloilo has 7,718 and Bacolod has 3,607; for to alleviate their immediate needs and equality, reduce child mortality and a total of 11,325. social development aimed at breaking the improve maternal health.(JCM/LOL-PIA6)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
DOE powers four off-grid areas through solar technology by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) is now implementing the solar home system technology to bring light to four off-grid sitios in Visayas and Mindanao.
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total of 233 households IS benefitting from the solar power in offgrid sites located in the following areas: Samal Island, Davao; Pandan, Antique; Makato, Aklan; and Manalo, Palawan. “These areas are not connected to the country’s power grid so they do not have access to electricity,” said Rosalie Joan Sotelo, senior science research specialist of DOE’s Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Division, in an interview during an energy-related forum held recently in Dumaguete City. The off-grid residential lighting is implemented under the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) funded by a loan from the Asian Development Bank. The solar system is composed of a solar panel, a storage battery and three lamps, collectively costing P28,000, said Sotelo.
“DOE also shoulders the installation costs and the maintenance training for the household owners,” she added. The households are equipped with low-wattage light emitting diodes. Households benefiting from said project are also enjoying the benefits of having no power bills to pay.. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
Siquijor PNP launches ‘Coco Trees in All Idle Lots’ within camp, neighboring barangays SIQUIJOR, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- The Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) recently launched the “Coco Trees in All Idle Lots” program with nearly 500 coconut trees planted within the camp at Caipilan, Siquijor.
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PPO provincial director, Police Senior Superintendent Ernesto Fuentes Agas said the project is in line with the PNP Green Police Program and in connection with the 19th Children’s Month Celebration in October. Siquijor P rovin cial Coc onut Development Manager Medel Panzo was the guest of honor and speaker during the activity. Panzo stressed the importance of
the coconut tree as it is called “tree of life”. The SPPO invited elementary, secondary and college students, teachers and barangay officials of the neighboring barangays to participate in the coco tree planting as a way to establish camaraderie among them. Agas said, the project shall be done in four phases. The target is to plant about 400-500 coconut trees around the Camp
in idle lots along the peripheral fence. According to Agas, under Phase I they have planted 100 coco seedlings. This will be replicated in all Municipal Police Stations in close coordination with the barangay captains thru the PNP personnel assigned as conduits in each barangay. With the consent of owner and occupants, all idle private or public lots shall be planted with trees, Agas concluded. (PIA-7 & SPPO)
Bohol opens ‘Adopt a Road’ for local PPP engagements by Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Confronted with the daunting task of maintaining local roads more times as long as the national roads in Bohol, Capitol officials presented an undertaking to promote public involvement in the management of provincial roads.
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he Provincial Capitol launched “Adopt a Road Program as a highlight of the Second Provincial Road Summit recently. The Adopt a Road Program is the latest innovation in convergence and participatory governance while advancing convergence in resources; one of Bohol’s newest key areas now eyed for replication nationwide. With no luxury of funds enough to finance its provincial roads, which are mostly arterial access leading to alternate tourist circuits and destinations, Capitol also is cognizant how these roads links these areas to the flow of economic activity tourism and overall development pond brings about here. With the problem, the Provincial
Government believes promoting public involvement and care of local roads through Adopt a Road could be the solution. PRMF is a five year (2009-2014) institutional reforms and governance program using the road sector as an entry point and is funded by the Australian Aid Program, PPDO said. The program provides an opportunity for the public and private sectors to play part in realizing the provincial road network vision, explains Atty. John Vistal, Bohol Planning and Development Officer. Organizations and groups are encouraged to put in their resources, which may not necessarily be huge funds needed for road repairs buy anything that advances the aim of maintaining 833.77
kilometers of provincial roads. According to Vistal, partnership engagements include maintenance and safety work which could be adopted by local communities. The work scopes include manual road maintenance in the form of vegetation control, road clean-up and re-gravelling as well as the easy enforcement of road safety rules and regulations. Other areas of engagements include information and education where raising public awareness is the primary goal. Ideal engagements are academes which could educate people on road maintenance, road safety and road integrity agenda, he added .(RAC/Bohol PIA)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
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Plans mainstreaming Bohol Creative industry pushed by Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Initiatives to advance and mainstream the creative industry agenda took shape as sector representatives gathered recently at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Conference Hall.
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eading artists, industry managers and sector “gate keepers” huddled at the DTI with key authorities and its partner, School of Design and Arts of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde to tackle and discuss the plan of pushing forth the ambitious mainstreaming of creative industries and carving sustainability steps, said DTI’s Ma. Elena Arbon. During the focus group discussion,
DTI shared the plan to get the creative industry at pace with Bohol’s progressive leaps and bounds in a vision of mainstreamed industry that has since been rarely presented amidst Bohol’s tourism successes. While doing this, DTI has joined hands with De la Salle – College of Saint Benilde which also came to Bohol with a track record of initiating creative industries in Cebu.
La Salle School of Design and Arts did a project on research mapping of Cebu’s creative industries and worked to set up a council for creative industries while along the way, sought for sector champions and picked them up in an organization that would generally ensure sustainability, Arbon said. (RAC/ PIA Bohol)
PCA steps up drive vs. coco pest by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has intensified its campaign to undertake emergency measures to wipe out the coconut leaf beetle scientifically known as the Brontispa longgissima, from spreading to more than 80,518 hectares of coconut farms in Negros Oriental.
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he destructive pest infested more than 11,550 fruit and non-bearing coconut trees planted on more than 113 hectares of coconut farms in six areas in Bayawan City. PCA Provincial Manager Brendan Trasmonte said areas that were heavily infested were Barangays Tabuan, Villareal, Tinago, Boyco, Suba and Tabuan, all in Bayawan. Infestation has spread to nearby barangays, and particularly in the boulevard of Bayawan. Treatment is being done on 6,493 coconut trees. This includes spraying with
“karate” chemicals, pruning, and cut-and-burn to contain the spread of the invasive pests, said Trasmonte. This invasive pest is a new malady of the coconut, which is presumed to have entered the country thru importation of ornamental palms. It causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees as well as ornamental palms by destroying the young spears and eventually the whole palm. It spreads rapidly and if not properly controlled and eradicated, it could severely affect, if not wipe out, our coconut industry to the detriment of
coconut farmers and farm workers, PCA official cited. Scientists from the Davao Research Center were invited to conduct a week-long training to coconut farmers, for the culture of parasitoids to combat the Brontispa. Trasmonte also called on barangay officials especially the coconut farmers and farm workers in the province to report to PCA if they have detected any signs of damage to coconut trees in their areas, and to ask for technical assistance. (PIA/JCT)
Free Generic drugs free for poor Siquijor families by Rizalie A. Calibo
SIQUIJOR, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Free generic medicines will be given to poor families in Siquijor along with those in other provinces like Tawi-tawi, Oriental Mindoro, and Surigao del Norte.
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ccording to a report, the Department of Health (DOH) will also distribute free generic medicines to beneficiaries of the government’s poverty reduction program. Some P200 million has been earmarked initially by the agency for the campaign dubbed “DOH Complete Treatment Pack Program (DOH ComPack)," the report said. The program, which was launched recently was initially available in these
provinces and will be rolled out to 1,021 municipalities this month. Families under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program of the government will be receiving free supplies of medicine from the DOH for their chronic illnesses and other infections, aside from the P1,400 monthly allowance they get from the CCT program. The beneficiaries would be given complete packs of generic medicine good
for one month and even beyond, provided they are still under the program, the report also said. The package will contain tablets and capsules for diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, pneumonia and other common infections. Beneficiaries, however, are required to consult with local health units before they can claim their medicines. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
3 EV schools in nationwide search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- Three schools in Eastern Visayas are among the finalists in the National Search for Sustainable and Friendly Schools organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Smart Communications.
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he Lomonon Elementary School of Palompon, Leyte for the elementary level; the Dr. Geronimo B. Zaldivar Memorial School of Fisheries of Albuera, Leyte for the secondary level; and the University of for the tertiary level, are among the 42 schools in elementary, secondary and tertiary levels that will compete in the National Level with the awarding scheduled to be held sometime in November of 2011.
These schools were cited as regional winners during the fellowship night of the 5th Solid Waste Management Summit held at ARCIVU of Cathedral at Palo, Leyte on October 26. The Search is part of the celebration for the month of November as the National Environment Awareness Month pursuant to the Environmental Awareness and Education Law otherwise known as Republic Act No. 9512. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly schools
may be described as environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension and/or administration, programs which are environment-related. Prizes for the national level include: P50,000 for the 1st Prize; P40,000 for the 2nd Prize; P30,000 for the 3rd Prize and plaques of recognition for elementary, secondary and tertiary education level winners. (PIA-8)
GIZ proud to be part of YISEDA’s success by Bong Pedalino BARANGAY LUNAS, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- A ranking official of a German government organization GIZ, traveled all the way to this highland village October 25 to see the phenomenal accomplishment of a People’s Organization (PO) which GIZ fully supported in terms of technical and financial assistance.
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You have a wonderful nature all around here. GIZ is proud to be part of your development,” Dr. Sebastian Paust, GIZ Managing Director, told officers and members of the Young Innovators for Sustainable Environmental Development Association (YISEDA), in a short interaction held at the PO’s small bunkhouse. GIZ has poured more than P 5 Million in development funds to YISEDA for its efforts on reforesting and regenerating the natural forests of the mountain ranges surrounding barangay Lunas that stretches over 400 hectares said a YIS-
EDA leader. Leo Vanzuela, YISEDA Vice President, said the GIZ funding was coursed through the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) and the Reducing Emission on Degradation and Deforestation (REDD) programs, as well as in Assisting Natural Regeneration (ANR), a result-specific project that seeks to replenish 120 hectares forest cover in the area starting in 2010 up to 2012. YISEDA is composed of 34 men, women, and 420 beneficiaries, Vanzuela said, adding that they deliberately use the word “Young” in their name as their
children, and the children of their children’s children, are expected to carry on what was presently began. The visiting guests, along with personnel from the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the province and region, later proceeded to the actual site where mahogany and other tree species were recently planted, negotiating a steep mountain trail slanted almost 45 degrees in a 30-minute slow walk-climb.(PIA-Southern Leyte)
Catbalogan holds focused group discussion by Alice Nicart CATBALOGAN, Samar, Oct. 26 (PIA) – About 25 women coming from different sectors here joined in a focused group discussion (FGD) that aimed to look into practices for gender inclusion by peace and development organizations. pecifically, the study wanted “to Nario-Galace, Consultant of ISIS system, many do not have access to health contribute in assessing the current international, the data she was able to services, adult education and are politically capabilities on how peace and gather from the group were rich and very victimized in their search for employment, development stakeholders are able to informative and others were even new to which result to: low self-esteem and contribute to an environment conducive her. confidence, family feud, social isolation, for the effective implementation of the Some of her findings were as follows: broken relationships and broken homes. United Nations Security Council several women in Samar are denied of Participants in the forum included two Resolution (UNSCR) 1385 and 1820 their right to participate in governance, from government media, four from private which address women, peace and security some are denied of their economic rights, media, lady vice mayors, lady barangay issues”. some are even ignorant of their rights, chairmen and other women advocates. According to researcher Dr. Jasmin some feel distrust in the country’s justice (PIA-Samar)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
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PIA- N. Samar spearheads info campaign on smoke-free ordinance by Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Oct. 27 (PIA)-- In line with the children’s month celebration, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)- Northern Samar office spearheaded the information campaign on smoke-free ordinance in selected barangays of Las Navas, Catarman, Allen and Victoria on October 20-26, 2011.
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he information campaign was part of the activities during the validation of the 13 barangay nominees of the most outstanding barangays council for the protection of children (BCPC) in the province wherein PIA is a member of the validation team. SP ordinance no. 12 series of 2009 prohibits smoking in all public places like government/public buildings, hospitals, medical clinics, health center, laboratories, health facilities and locations in which fire hazards are present, including gas
stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials. The ordinance says it is unlawful for any retailer of tobacco products to sell or distribute tobacco products to children below 18 years of age and likewise prohibits children not to buy and smoke cigarettes and banning smoking cigarette, cigar, or pipe in public conveyances. Penalty for violations of the ordinance are as follows: first offense, a fine of P1,000.00; P2,000.00 for the second
offense and P3,000.00 for the third offense or imprisonment for not less than three (3) days but not more than six days or both of the discretion of the court. The purpose of the ordinance is to safeguard public health and ensure physical well being of all its constituents by minimizing the risk of exposure to second-hand smoke and by discouraging cigarette smoking and tobacco use. (PIANorthern Samar)
Devotees flock to meet Señor Sto. Niño in Naval, Calubian by Lanie Pitao-Tupaz NAVAl, Biliran, Oct. 24, (PIA) –- Aside from the religious people of Naval, devotees from the different parts of he country flocked to meet the original image of Señor Sto. Niño and St. Therese who visited the capital town of Naval and St. Therese Diocesan Shrine of Calubian, Leyte.
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he visit to Naval, Biliran, and Calubian, Leyte, is the second time that the original image of the Señor Sto. Niño of Basilica Minore of Cebu visited the Visayas since Ferdinand Magellan landed in Limasawa in 1521 for the evangelization of the natives of the land. The original image of Señor Sto. Niño went out of the island of Cebu to visit other parts of the country for the first time since its arrival in 1521 in preparation for its quincentanary (500th
year) arrival in the Philippines, thus the evangelization of the natives of the land. The visits dubbed as “Duaw Sto. Niño” is managed and coordinated by Cebu Committee Chairman Rene Mercado with Maritoni Corominas as over -all chairman for communication. As “Lord Admiral of the Sea”, the Philippine Navy ship was the official carrier of the image of Señor Sto. Niño in its “Duaw Sto. Niño” with escorts from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philip-
pine National Police, and Rescue Marshalls. Devotees from Cebu were ferried by M/V Blessed Stars of Roble Shipping free of charge from Cebu to Naval-Calubian and back to Cebu. Fr. Tito Soquiño of Basilica Minore de Sto. Niño said that the “Duaw Sto. Niño” aims at promoting environmental protection and preservation where the province of Biliran is seen to be still abounding in its flora and fauna resources. (PIA-Biliran)
Hernani folks now busy with coco twine weaving by Ninfa B Quirante BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- Coco twine weaving has replaced the hours spent by families in playing tong-its (card game) in San Isidro, Hernani, Eastern Samar.
T
his was revealed by one Elias Gayoso, a store-owner of the said barangay. The storeowner said that the Coco oil mill plant in Hernani town disburses some P50,000.00 to San Isidro residents alone for a period of 15 days. In an interview with the plant manager of Hernani Integrated Coco Oil Mill Rene Ecleo, he confirmed Gayoso's observation. "The plant employs 186 families in the
barangays of San Isidro, Padang, Nagaja, Canciledes and Carmen," said Ecleo. Ecleo said that the oil mill plant delivers the coco fibers, provide them with a machine fabricated for the twine weaving, and all the rural folks do is weave. An average earning per family a day is P200.00. Fe Yabora, a resident of Canciledes also shared that the womenfolk of her barangay are now busier.
"They are now devoted to a more productive venture, and they can easily purchase better food for their children because of their earnings from the coco twine weave These days however, the.order from them has declined as the mining company that they supply with the coco-geotextile has suspended its operations. "But once it restarts operation, we will back in business," Ecleo told PIA. (PIA-Eastern Samar)
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