One Visayas Vol. 2 Issue 12

Vol 2

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 12

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Korean Ambassador Lee Hye Min (right); Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor and Pototan Mayor Pablo S. Perez inspect the pack of new milled rice which was the product of the state -of-the-art Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Rice Processing Complex in Barangay Amamaros, Pototan, Iloilo during the turn-over ceremony, recently. (TVillavert/ PIA)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

COASTAL CLEANUP.The Savers of Cebu, together with the Philippine Coastguard Central-Eastern Visayas Officials from Barangay Suba and Pasil, joined forces to conduct a massive coastal cleanup drive last March 4, 2012. The activity was spearheaded by the Abante Barangay Movement headed by former Department of Transportastion and Communications (DOCT) Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan. The goal of the activity is to uplift the level of awareness of those living in urban coastal areas of the impact of climate change and the importance of looking after the environment.(PIA-7/HFG)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

March 19—25, 2012

DENR adopts electronic records management system

By Hazel F. Gloria

C

EBU CITY, March 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR7) in Central Visayas will soon adopt a computerized land records management system to improve its land information and services in the region.

Last year, DENR-7 adopted the land administration and management system (LAMS), said regional executive director Maximo Dichoso. This was aimed at providing a uniform system in the computerization and linking of land information pertaining to cadastral maps, approved land survey, public land applications, and titles.

“It also identifies correction of missing, erroneous and conflicting land records; and provides an effective management through database and imaging technology by computerized inspection, verification and approval of survey returns,” Dichoso added.

The establishment of an integrated land information system will support effective land titling activities, and any future collaboration with other sectors of DENR and other agencies and the

dissemination of electronic land information to local government units and other users.

Dichoso stated that DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje stressed the importance of managing land information for accurate and complete access by stakeholders including government, private, and public sectors.

More than 100 units of computers and scanners are due for delivery this week for distribution to the 12 field offices of DENR for this project.

“We want to ensure the integrity of land information through continuous effort of cleansing the land records of inconsistencies, duplication, errors and fraud,” he said.

He also articulated that this will improve the reliability of records and will add further value to the efficiency obtained through computer assisted land records.

For 2012, about P3.862 million was allocated for the computerization of some 512,577 lands-related documents under the land records management system in Central Visayas. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)

DOLE introduces ‘EntrepreNurse’ to graduating nursing students

T

ACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 17 (PIA) -The surge of nursing graduates amid declining demand for them here and abroad led the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to come up a project dubbed EntrepreNurse project.

“EntrepreNurse is an initiative of DOLE, in collaboration with Professional Regulations Commission – Board of Nursing, Philippine Nurses Association, and other government agencies and academic institutions to promote nurse entrepreneurship by introducing a home health care industry in the country,” DOLE region director Director Sarcauga said.

Sarcauga introduced the EntrepreNurse project of DOLE to graduating nursing students of Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation, during a symposium organized by the College of Nursing on March 15, 2012 at the RTRMF Campus, Tacloban City.

Dubbed as “Project EntrepreNurse: Saving Lives, Creating Jobs, Adding Value”, the project will bring self -employment opportunities for the country’s

unemployed nurses who will engage themselves in the delivery of public health services and the achievement of the country’s millennium development goal on maternal and child health.

Through this scheme, the DOLE will assist nurses organize themselves either as cooperatives or associations and register themselves with appropriate government agencies. Thereafter, DOLE can provide financial grants as start-up capital to said group.

Sarcauga said that that project is envisioned to reduce the cost of health care for the country’s indigent population by bringing primary health care services to poor rural communities.

Meanwhile, Virgilio Doroja, DOLE’s information officer designate said that utilizing the country’s unemployed human resources for health for the delivery of public health services, would help bring about the achievement of the country’s Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health, consistent with the Fourmula One for Health framework of the Department of Health. (PIA-8)

Kalibo airport readies for additional international flights

By Venus G. Villanueva

EASTERN VISAYAS

DSWD undersecretary Mateo Montaño (left) signs the Memorandum of Agreement with Catarman, Northern Samar mayor Rolando Carpio (right) during the ceremonial signing at Oriental Leyte Hotel, Palo, Leyte. (PIA-8/ Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

K

ALIBO, Aklan, March 19 (PIA6) -- More international airlines are coming to Kalibo International Airport.

On March 23, 2012, Cebu Pacific will launch the Hongkong to Kalibo route, according to Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez.

Marquez announced over radio that initially there will be 3 flights a week.

Marquez said that Air Asia is also considering offering flights to Kalibo via Subic either from Taiwan or Hongkong.

These new direct international flights are seen by provincial officials here to bring in more tourists to Aklan particularly to Boracay Island this year.

Recently, Governor Marquez aired optimism that tourist arrivals this year could already reach the 1 million mark or more.

During past interviews, the province projected that the 1 million arrivals would be achieved in 2013 yet.

Photo by: BOY RYAN ZABAL/Aklanforum.blogspot.com

From January to February of this year alone, the governor revealed that tourists, foreign and local, reached a total of 205,804, which is 50 percent higher than last year which had 137,137 arrivals.

These tourist arrivals, as reported by the governor, generated P24.2 million in collections – 19.6 percent higher than last year’s collection for the same period which had P20,234,133.43.

Presently, KIA is receiving international flights from mainland China, Taiwan and South Korea. (JCM/ VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo holds women's forum

By Lilibeth A. French

BACOLOD CITY CATHEDRAL, NEGROS OCC.

ILOILO CITY, March 19 (PIA6) -- More than 200 women from the different municipalities of the province of Iloilo met and took part in a Provincial Women’s Forum that was conducted at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby on March 20.

P

r o v i n c i a l C a p i t o l Hu m a n Resource Management and Development Office Officer-in-Charge Alma Ravena said the event centered on the theme of this year’s National Women’s Month celebration “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility”.

Among the resource speakers were Philippine Commission on Women Chaiperson Remedios Rikken and

representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 and Office of Civil Defense 6.

They talked on Women’s Empowerment, climate change and disaster preparedness, respectively.

Representatives from the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina and other sectors in the province were invited to the forum Organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, KALIPI intends to assist women through various activities

and programs to further harness their potentials and abilities.

To date, there are now 26 municipalities in the province that have organized their KALIPI based on the record of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

The one-day forum was organized by the Iloilo provincial government and spearheaded by the PSWDO. (JCM/LAF/ PIA6)

Silay City offers summer tourism packages

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 20 (PIA 6) - - “Duaw sa Tingadlaw” (summer visit), a tourism package for summer vacation, is being launched by the Silay Tourism Office for tourists who may want to have their sojourn in the "seat of arts, culture and ecotourism in Western Visayas”.

V

er Pacete, tourism officer of Silay, said that there are many activities in Silay City that could be enjoyed by environmentalists, culture enthusiasts, pilgrims, food aficionados, organic farm producers, and nature lovers.

Cultural heritage includes museum and ancestral house tour, food trip, folklore village exploration and organized groups may invite Silaynon speakers to give lecture on arts, culture, history, protocol and social grace.

Silay Tourism Office and IKAW-AKO Japan-Negros Partnership for Environmental Protection also have packages for mangrove tour, Patag tour, watershed showcase, and outdoor camps.

Silay Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism Area in Patag is hosting this summer the Carmelite Monastery’s Youth National Summer Camp, Word of Life Summer Youth Camp and Evangelical Church Summer Camp.

Farm tour could be arranged for visits to the orchard, organic vegetables and herb farm, fishpond and hacienda tour, which include carabao-caro ride, local games, and familiarization with domestic animals.

The Association of Silay Delicacy Makers is offering a daily delicacy trade at the side of public market or an arrangement for kitchen hopping could be made for the tasting of family

recipes.

Local attractions are complemented by vagoneta ride, a visit at local Girl Scout community projects, viewing of products prepared by the sisters at Talleres de Nazareth, immersion program at Fiat Gawad-Kalinga Village or stargazing at the foot of Mandalagan Mountain Ranges.

A long trek to Tinagong Dagat and sulfur valleys could be arranged with local trekkers and mountain guides and those who want to reflect for the Lenten Season could just coordinate with San Diego Parish. (EAD/JCM-PIA 6 Silay Negros Occidental)

DOLE gives aid to parents of child laborers

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, March 21 (PIA6) -- Parents of child laborers in the town of San Enrique received more than P397,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment-6 (DOLE) for livelihood projects.

D

OLE-6 Director Ponciano M. Ligutom said about 52 parents from Barangays Mapili and Dumiles, in San Enrique will benefit from the assistance which is DOLE’s initiative to help eliminate child labor.

DOLE-Iloilo/Guimaras Field Office has joined hands with the Iloilo State College of Fisheries-San Enrique Campus and the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation in the campaign to curb child labor.

ERDA has chosen the two above-mentioned barangays because of the high incidence of child labor in the communities.

Ligutom said in a press release, the assistance given is intended to help the parents undertake livelihood projects such as organic fertilizer production and food processing, to increase their income, hence, remove their children from hazardous work in sugarcane plantations.

He said ISCOF-San Enrique is DOLE’s accredited partner that will see to it that technical knowledge and skills are provided the beneficiaries and projects are implemented, through its extension program.

ISCOF President Dr. Ma. Rosario Panes said she assured the DOLE of her

full support and commitment in providing the right knowledge and skills to the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Jenalyn Patubo, a parent-beneficiary, said DOLE’s assistance is a challenge for them to send their children back to school and finish their studies.

DOLE said that child laborers in the sugar industry proliferate because parents have no work, so they force their children to work in sugarcane plantations, doing weeding, planting, application of fertilizers and “cut and load” during planting and harvesting of the canes. (JCM/ESS/PIAIloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

Center for youth, migrants opens in Antique

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, March 21 (PIA6) -- The Province of Antique has launched the Youth and Migrant Center (AYMC) at the 3rd Floor of Antique Development Center in San Jose to cater to concerns of the youth, overseas Filipinos and their families and the Antiquenos in general.

MIAG-AO CHURCH, ILOILO

A

ccording to Ricardo Casco, National Program Officer of International Organization on Migration, the objective of putting up AYMC is primarily not only to promote migration overseas but importantly to help OFWs become better prepared if they opt to work overseas and attain stability in case they make a decision of returning home for good.

In a memorandum of understanding duly signed by participating government agencies, private organizations and the Provincial Government of Antique, they collectively manifest to share resources and personnel to make the facility functional.

AYMC hopes to implement programs to address problems on unemployment/ underemployment, forced internal and external migration and the growing social

cost or consequences of migration.

Casco further stated that the center endeavors to create opportunities to empower the youth, migrants and their families and to address their issues and concerns.

Vice Governor Rosie A. Dimamay assured that the Provincial Government will ensure continuous operation of the center. In fact, she said the ordinance to that effect is already on its second reading at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

On the other hand, Juliana Cepe, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator who is the overseer of the operation of the center reported that agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will send

personnel to AYMC on a scheduled basis so that Antiquenos need not go to Iloilo to avail of their services.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will also assist in the frontline work at the center by doing programs on job matching, pre-employment orientation seminars and anti-illegal recruitment campaign.

AYMC is housed in the building owned by the Provincial Government while the renovation, furnishings and facilities of the center are provided by the IOM under the Youth Employment and Migration Programme funded by the Spanish Government. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

K to 12 puts PHL at par with other nations

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 20 (PIA6) -- Implementing the enhanced K to 12 basic education program will put the country’s education system on equal footing with those of other Asian nations.

A

lliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) Party-list Representative Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay, who was the guest of honor during the Philippines-Korean Cultural Exchange held at the Capiz State University (CapSU) last week, disclosed that the K to 12 is a good program in education.

“I think K to 12 is a good program because we’re behind compared to our neighboring nations in Asia in terms of number of school years for children, Magsaysay said in Filipino, stressing that other countries have 12 years elementary basic education program while there is only 10 years in the Philippines.

He added that with the enhanced basic education program, the Philippines will now have an equal footing with other countries.

Magsaysay said that while most of kindergarten teachers are hired on a contractual basis during the initial stage of

the K to 12 program implementation, he revealed that there is already a move in the Congress to address the problem in order to give a permanent position for the teachers concerned.

The K to 12 program implemented by the Department of Education means Kindergarten and the 12 years of elementary and secondary education, where a child must be enrolled in kindergarten, six years elementary education, four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

The two years of senior high school intend to provide time for students to consolidate the acquired academic skills and competencies.

Through the K to 12 program, it is hoped that graduates of the enhanced education program will acquire mastery of basic competencies, be more emotionally

mature, be socially aware, pro-active, involved in public and civic affairs, be adequately prepared for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education, be legally employable with potential for better earnings and be globally competitive.

Every graduate of the enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program is expected to be an empowered individual who has learned, through a program that is rooted on sound educational principles and geared towards excellence, the foundations for learning throughout life, the competence to engage in work and be productive, the ability to coexist in fruitful harmony with local and global communities, the capability to engage in autonomous critical thinking, and the capacity to transform others and one’s self, the Department of Education officials said.

(JCM/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)

Int'l NGO offers training on farm technology

By Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, March 21 (PIA6) -- An international non-government organization is in need of workers to train on technology farming in Japan.

W

orkers will be trained at Okinawa Prefecture for three years and will also be paid while on training, said Michiyasu Arayashiki, managing director of the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA)International.

Arayashiki was in the province recently and made this remark during a courtesy call on Negros Occidental

Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. at the Capitol.

OISCA International is a multi-cultural “spirit-in-action” international non-government organization based in Japan and founded in 1961 which seeks to impact all corners of the world through advocacy, building on its effective field work at grassroots levels.

The organization needs workers who

have completed their secondary education and at the same time have experience in farming.

Marañon, who is also president of OISCA – Philippines, welcomed Arayashiki in the province and thanked him for bringing employment opportunities for Negrenses to improve their quality of life. (EAD/JCM-PIA6/ Capitol News Negros Occidental)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Cebu enercon seminar raises awareness vs. climate change

BASILICA BASILICA MINORE MINORE DEL DEL STO. STO. NIÑO NIÑO DE DE CEBU CEBU

By Fayette C. Rinen CEBU CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- Around 300 participants with multi-sectoral representation from the academe, households, non-government organizations, local government units, and business and industry gathered in Cebu City, March 23 for a half-day seminar on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program.

T

he activity, a prelude to the Earth Hour 2012 Global Campaign, aims to raise public awareness to combat climate change through energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate adaptation.

Officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) 7 and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines were the resource speakers for the activity at the social hall of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD).

The topics discussed included Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation, Earth House 2012, Household Enercon Tips,

and Know Your Electric Bill and How to Read Your Electric Meter.

The activity was undertaken by the Philippine Information Agency 7 in partnership with the DOE and the WWF-Philippines.

Cebu, meanwhile, is one of the three identified sites for the simultaneous WWF Earth Hour switch-off ceremonies on March 31.

The Cebu ceremony will be held at the Fort San Pedro where a short program will be held prior to the conduct of the actual one-hour switch-off.

Earth Hour 2012 is a worldwide

campaign that calls for action in the continuing battle against global warming by switching off lights for one hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 31.

The Earth Hour campaign initiated by the WWF started six years ago in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The Philippines joined the global drive the year after and has been implementing the one-hour switch-off ever since.

Last year, around 18 million Filipinos switched off their lights in support of the campaign while over one billion joined the drive worldwide. (FCR-PIA7 Cebu)

DOST turns over P1.4-M check to Siquijor SME

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, March 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), recently released P 1,423,600 to GL Motors and Industries owned and operated by Gerry Sumagang in Siquijor.

I

n an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, provincial science and technology (PSTC) director Mario de la Pena said the move is in line with DOST's continuing support to the SETUP beneficiaries to make sure that the metals and engineering sector are assisted.

The upgrading of equipment and machineries for GL Motors will be for the acquisition of sandblasting machine, plasma

cutting machine, lathe machine and TIG welding machine.

The DOST assistance for the upgrading of their metal working capability is seen to benefit not only the metals industry in the province but as well as the transport industry, particularly sea transport.

GL Shipping will push through with its plan of fabricating/assembling RORO type vessels to cater to cargo trucks for

Dumaguete-Siquijor and Oslob-Siquijor routes and the acquisition of newly refurbished fast craft to augment its existing vessels plying Siquijor-Dumaguete and vice versa.

This development would mean expanded market for GL Motors and Industries, de la Pena said. (rmn/rac/PIASiquijor/MEP/DOST)

Bohol crime reporting system goes electronic in April

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu BOHOL, March 19 (PIA) – Bohol crime reporting system will go electronic in April, says Bohol Police chief PSSupt. Constantino Barot.

A

t the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) on March 14 in Jagna town, PSSUpt Barot said the e-Blotter System is a priority program of PNP Chief Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome.

The system is designed to “enhance the crime reporting system for effective law enforcement, public safety and efficient administration of justice” using modern technology such as computers and the Internet.

Barot added that the daily logs in the station are encoded for easy transmission and sharing, in the hope that these blotter entries can be checked by authorities in

nearby towns, before the criminal could slip out.

The system links all police stations in the province through internet connectivity and uses a common program that allows inter-station access to relevant information in real time.

Also at the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting, Barot revealed the plan not only to put up the e-blotter but also e–warrants and e-rogues.

Similarly the police will also set up e-rogues, an internet-based online electronic gallery of suspected persons,

for easy reference by criminal investigators.

Set in a Bohol milieu, the e-blotter, warrants and rogues gallery could have technical problems in areas where internet connectivity is slow or nil.

Barot said Governor Edgar Chatto has committed the help of Bohol Info-Communications Technology Unit based at the Capitol to work out the details of assuring province-wide connectivity through wireless network coverage. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-Bohol)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

Dumaguete eyes buying plastic shredder BACLAYON CHURCH, BOHOL

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, March 19 (PIA) – The city government will strictly enforce the plastic ordinance in August, even as it has already started the bidding process for the procurement of plastic shredder, said City Administrator William Ablong in a recent forum here. he plastic ordinance was enacted as packaging at all, but are instead plastic materials. The resulting powder can to regulate and reduce the use of expected to bring their own bag when then be converted into other plastic items, plastic in Dumaguete City, which they shop. floorwax, tiles and other construction has been blamed for aggravating floods Overused and worn out plastic bags materials, said Ablong. during the recent typhoons that hit the will be shredded and converted into Paper and carton can also be fed into city. usable plastic items, said Ablong. the shredder. “The powdered form can be The ordinance bans vendors from Residents will have to bring their converted into charcoal and provide us providing shoppers with a second plastic plastic items to their barangay’s material with an alternative source to firewood and bag as secondary packaging material for recovery facility, where the plastic will be gas,” he added. (RMN/PIA Negros wet goods. For purchased dry goods, segregated for shredding.

Oriental) customers will not be given a plastic bag The shredder works by pulverizing

T

Siquijor rice farmers most productive in CV – Gov. Fua

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, March 21 (PIA)—Siquijor farmers are the most productive in Central Visayas, claimed provincial governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) recently.

C

iting government statistics, Fua said that while Siquijor has only 619 hectares of rice farm compared to Bohol’s 185,000 hectares and Negros Oriental’s 145,000 hectares, the province is harvesting 73 cavans per hectare compared to 61 cavans in Bohol and 57 cavans in Negros Oriental.

He said Siquijor rice farmers harvested 38,860 cavans of rice in 2009, 40,800 in 2010, and 45, 340 in 2011 so that despite the increase in population at an annual growth rate of 1%, commercial rice imports steadily decreased by an average of 13,737 cavans in the past three years.

“Tungod ni kay nag-anam kadaghan ang ani sa atong mga rice farmers by an

averge of 7.5 per cent per year or 3,240 ka bakid kada tuig,” said Fua. (This is because rice yield steadily increases by an average of 7.5 per cent or 3,240 cavans per year.)

As such, Fua said the province has become more self-sufficient in food production, as evidenced by the lowered level of rice importation.

From 73,044 cavans imported by commercial rice traders in 2009, it lowered to 60,082 in 2010, and further to 45,570 cavans in 2011.

From 48, 245 cavans of rice imported in 2009 and 84,915 in 2010, the National Food Authority has imported only 36,770 in 2011, the Governor noted.

Areas planted to rice also increases

by 6% every year. This means that 19 hectares is added to the acreage that Siquijor farmers till. If the trend continues, it is not possible that 20 years from now, Siquijor will become fully self-sufficient in food production, he said.

“Our farmers are helping map the country for us,” he said, also attributing the province’s higher production to outstanding Siquijodnon farmers like, among others, Elnard Ympal of Candura, San Juan, Siquijor as the country’s most outstanding farmer for 2010, and Martina Inapan, also from the same town as third in the last year’s nationwide search for outstanding rural women farmer. (/mbcn/ rac/PIA-Siquijor)

GK challenges volunteers to build 120 houses for Sendong victims in NegOr in 5 days

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, March 19 (PIA) -- Some 120 houses are expected to be built during the Kalinga (GK) Bayani Challenge from April 9-14 in Amlan, Negros Oriental.

G

K Bayani Challenge event head Roslyn Tambago said priority beneficiaries of the GK houses are victims of Tropical Storm Sendong victims in barangay Tambuhangin and other riverside barangays in Amlan.

The organizer expects 2,000 volunteers from the locals and other areas overseas such as USA, Australia, Singapore, and Cambodia to register with the program.

The GK Bayani Challenge is a five-day test of courage, endurance and love for country that Gawad Kalinga has staged annually since 2006.

Teams of 15 people go on an adventure to plant hope on ground by building sustainable communities, fostering friendships, and transforming lives that are critical to nation building, said Tambago.

Anchored on the theme “Pilipinas, Ngayon Na!”, this year’s GK Bayani Challenge is expected to gather about 10,000 volunteers from various parts of the country and the world for the provinces of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental and Negros Oriental.

The activity will not only focus on building houses, but also on preserving the

Gawad

environment through coastal cleanup, and mangrove and tree planting.

During this weeklong challenge in building houses for flood victims, simultaneous activities will be held that include feeding program, story-telling sessions, games, and sports clinic for children aged six to ten years old in the area.

The public schools in the area will also be refurbished; some volunteers will paint walls, landscaped gardens, and repair tables and chairs to make schools conducive to learning, Tambago said. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

DPWH allocates P750-M for 7 major infra projects in East Visayas

STO. NIÑO CHURCH, TACLOBAN

PALO, Leyte, March 18 (PIA) -- The national government has allotted P750 million to finance seven major infrastructure projects which are scheduled to be implemented in Eastern Visayas starting this month.

D

epartment of Public Works and Highways Region 8 Director Rolando Asis said that the amount is part of the additional P1.9 billion allocation intended for 2011 but was not released last year.

The DPWH in the Region had completed the survey of all the seven projects. In fact, several of them were already bid out on the first week of March, Director Asis said. Based on contract time, the projects will be completed in August of 2012, Director Asis added.

Director Asis identified the seven major projects as the San Isidro – Lope de Vega Road construction, which got the highest budget allocation with P247.26 million; the P130.95-million

Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig Road; P75 million upgrading of inter-barangay road in Catarman, Northern Samar; and P87.3 million extension of flood control system also in Catarman town; P130.85 million reconstruction of Carigara Bridge; P99 million rehabilitation of road connecting some villages in the towns of Matag-ob and Palompon, both in Leyte.

Director Asis said these projects are considered priority by the DPWH since these are categorized as carry-over projects.These projects particularly in Northern Samar will benefit many barangays that have no access to road networks, Asis added.

The DPWH monitoring reports revealed that out of the 4,996 projects

programmed from 2008 to 2011 with a total cost of P24.30 billion, about 4,748 have been completed, 214 are ongoing, and 34 projects have yet to start.

Of the 248 carry-over projects, two were programmed in 2008, one in 2009, 182 in 2010, and 63 in 2011.

Director Asis attributed the delays to bad weather, late funding releases last year, and realignments in 2010.

The DPWH Director further said that for 2012, the DPWH has programmed 144 projects with a total funding of P3.78 billion wherein 124 projects are already on-going with 6 percent overall accomplishment as of mid - February.

(EOPT-PIA 8)

CSC to spearhead Women’s Desk on Wheels

By Ailene N. Diaz

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, March 20 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Northern Samar Field Office, in partnership with the provincial government, Junior Chamber International Philippines and other line agencies will lead “Women’s Desk on Wheel”, an activity which will provide services particularly for women in observance of Women’s Month.

T

his year’s theme centers on, “Women’s Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility” thereby recognizing the role of women as powerful agents of change in relation to disaster risk reduction (DRR).

According to CSC Dir. Emmanuel Fuentes, aside from the need of empowering women in their role relative to disaster risk reduction, there is also a need to inform women in government about their rights and privileges as stipulated in the Magna Carta of Women, and about the special emergency leave of

government employees affected by natural calamities and or disasters which took effect on February 2012.

The team on wheels will put up a women’s desk, will offer services, and conduct activities such as orientation on VAWC, Magna Carta of Women, and Special emergency leave to government employees. Social Welfare Officer and lawyers will entertain women clients who need assistance. Simultaneously, a medical and dental mission will also be conducted.

Following the national theme, Fuentes said, the celebration will focus on curbing

the negative impacts of climate change and instituting measures at the local level in order to reduce disaster risk and build a resilient communities, thus, inviting women in particular to join in the tsunami, earthquake and fire drill during the said activity.

The activity will be a collaborative effort of the following agencies and organizations: provincial government of Northern Samar, CSC, JCI Catarman Cocoking, DILG, BFP, DepEd, PDRRMC, PIA, PNP, and host LGU. (PIA-Northern Samar)

VP Binay graces 49th ESSU Commencement Exercises

By Alice Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 20 (PIA) - - The heavy rains did not deter Vice President Jejomar Binay from reporting to his pre-scheduled engagements in Eastern Samar Tuesday, March 20. From San Julian town he hurried to the campus of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) where he was welcomed by thousands of students, parents and professors and local officials.

B

inay spoke in the 49th ESSU Commencement Exercises where he expressed elation at being able to join graduation exercises not only at ESSU but also at the Leyte Eastern Visayas State University in Burauen, a day before his Eastern Samar visit.

In his talk, he asked the 713 graduates to have the passion to serve the people

because according to him, there is no greater joy than to serve the country and people.

Vice President Binay was bestowed with the Honorary Degree for Good Governance by University President Reynaldo Lombrio with the other college deans.

He is also scheduled to lead Medical

Missions in five towns of the province: Hernani, Guiuan, Borongan, San Julian and Can-avid.

Binay surprised the Eastern Samarenos when he leaped to the top among other vice-presidential bets, during the 2010 national elections. Can-avid town is Makati’s sister-local government unit. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

Women occupy more top Southern Leyte – NSO SoLeyte GUIUAN CHURCH, E. SAMAR

positions

in

By Erna S. Gorne

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 20 (PIA) -- Seven out of 10 women in Southern Leyte are professionals and occupied top positions, the National Statistics Office in Southern Leyte revealed in a special release entitled “Women in Southern Leyte”.

“

To celebrate the 2012 National Women’s Month this Special Release provides a portrait of the situation of women in Southern Leyte based on data collected in the 2007 Census of Popultion (2007 POPCEN) excluding the Institutional Population,” Southern Leyte Provincial Statistics Officer Mae R. Almonte said.

The 2007 Census of Population (2007 POPCEN) results show that 70.14 percent of women’s usual occupation in the province were professionals compared to men with 29.86 percent. This major occupation group includes Engineering Science Professional, Teaching Professionals, Health Professional and Legal Professionals among others, Almonte said.

The census further reveals that more women (57.21 percent) occupied the top positions in the province like Officials of

Government and Special – Interest Organizations, Corporate Executive, Managers, Managing Proprietors and Supervisors than men (42.79 percent), she added.

Moreover, higher proportion of women’s usual occupation were Clerks and Technicians and Associate Professionals with 63.59 percent and 60.42 percent, respectively, she said.

Larger proportion of women ( 56.23 percent) were academic degree holders than men (43.77 percent) and 54.62 percent of those who has taken post baccalaureate courses were women while 45.38 percent were men, she said.

She added that fewer women dependents (21 dependents) compared to men (22 dependents) were observed in 2007.

However, a higher old age dependency was reported among women (4 old dependents) than among men (3 old dependents) due to the

fact that women live longer than men. On the other hand, there was a higher young age dependency among men (19 young dependents) compared to women (17 young dependents).

With the results of the 2007 POPCEN, about 2 in 10 households are headed by women. It is obvious that men dominate in the household since 82.93 percent were regarded as head while only 17.01 percent were women, she said.

One in 10 women is an overseas worker, Almonte disclosed. Of the 10 years old and over household population, there were 4.6 thousand overseas workers in the province or 1.56 percent. Three thousand were men and 1.7 thousand were women. This indicator provides additional strength to the stability of the economy through their remittances invested in industries, she added. (PIA-SoLeyte)

RN HEALS program supplements health workers in RHUs CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 20 (PIA) - - The Health Department’s program on Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local Service (RN HEALS) addresses the necessary number of midwives and nurses in the Rural Health Units (RHUs) especially for the families in the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCTs) areas.

T

his was announced in a meeting on March 19, Monday attended by the representatives from the partner agencies of Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Dr. Antonio Tirazona, Provincial Health team leader presided the first meeting this 2012.

The RN HEALS Program has

deployed 224 nurses and nine midwives to different municipalities in the province.

Tirazona said that the provincial government has deployed some 107 nurses with 12 at Basey District Hospital, 59 at the Samar Provincial Hospital, 13 in Gandara District Hospital, five in Tarangnan Community Hospital, and 18 in Calbayog District Hospital.

The other 117 nurses are deployed in RHUs. “The program has created a pool

registered nurses and midwives with enhanced clinical and public health competencies. They have provided quality health care services with focus on maternal and neonatal care in DOH hospitals and far flung areas in the country,” Tirazona added.

Jocelyn Nabong, DOH Catbalogan City representative, said that this program is a convergence of all government agencies. (QBQ/PIA-Samar with A Ebalde)

German group pours P12-M to boost food security in Leyte

By Rodrigo S. Victoria TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 20 (PIA) -- The Deutsche Geseilschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit better known as GIZ has poured in some P12 million for projects of identified local government units (LGUs) in Leyte Island, under the Enhancement of Food Security (EFOS) Project in the Visayas, a component of the Environment and Rural Development Program of GIZ.

I

n a document furnished by GIZ, GIZ though fund sources from the European Union poured in a total of P12, 840,193 worth of EFOS projects in the municipalities of Anahawan and Silago in Southern Leyte, and Kananga in Leyte.

GIZ allocated with a grant from the European Union (EU) the amount of P4.2 million in the rehabilitation of a six-kilometer (km) poor farm-to-market road (FMR) which has not been maintained or developed for 30 years in the municipality of Anahawan, Southern Leyte. An amount of P0.6 million was allocated by Anahawan as counterpart fund.

The rehabilitation of the six-km FMR will pave the way for the increase in trading activities of agricultural products that had been marked by the very slow and time consuming transportation of their agricultural produce on foot or on carabao or cattle-drawn sleds coming from barangays Capacuhan, Kangingkingan, Mainit, and part of Poblacion in Anahawan town during the past decades.

GIZ with a grant from EU also allocated P4.4 million for the rehabilitation of existing FMRs in six barangays in Silago town in Southern Leyte mainly for the construction of side ditches, and compaction and installation

of culverts in strategic locations.

The rehabilitation of the almost 20 km FMR is an intervention in response to the continuing problems on the road especially during heavy and prolonged rains which will pave the way for the provision of better transport of members and farm inputs and products in barangays Sudmon, Mercedes, Balagawan, Tubaon, Laguma, and Salvacion, all in Silago town.

These three EFOS projects implemented

by GIZ has been visited by some Manila-based and local journalists and a representative from the regional office of PIA 8 together with GIZ officials on March 21-22, 2012. (PIA-8)

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) 3378718/3377301 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. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares 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