One Visayas Vol 2 Issue 4

Vol 2

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 4

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Thousands gather at the grounds of the New Government Center for the culmination activities on Jan. 23 which included a grand fireworks display of the 7th BacoLaodiat Festival, which was the biggest crowd ever that gathered at the NGC. (PIA/ EAD/CMO photo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

January 23—29, 2012

Construction, repair of 62 bridges part of $214M MCC Samar road project

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ACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 24 (PIA) -The construction and rehabilitation of 62 bridges in Samar and Eastern Samar are part of the Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) under the Philippine Compact with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Rene Galapon, project engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 8, said that of the 62 bridges, 17 are for total replacement, 42 are for rehabilitation and repair, and three are for completion.

Under package A of the project, 28 bridges are involved: 12 bridges are for minor rehabilitation; three bridges are due for super structural replacement; six will undergo sub-structural repair, pier retrofit, and pier replacement; and seven bridges are due for total replacement.

Package B includes 34 bridges: 16 of which will undergo minor rehabilitation, four are due for pier retrofit, and 14 are due for total replacement.

The SNRDP involves not only the construction and rehabilitation of a 220-kilometer of existing roads and bridges covering two

DPWH-8 Director Rolando Asis (left) during his routinary inspection of the repair/rehab of Bao Bridge together with District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez of the Leyte 4th Engineering District. Bao bridge is one of the vital bridges of the 4th District of Leyte. The Regional director is monitoring the status of the project, the accomplishment and other issues affecting the implementation of the project. (DPWH8/4th LED/PIA-8)

provinces in Samar Island but also involves road widening, drainage installation, and other road safety improvements, Engr. Galapon said.

The roads project is expected to accrue to economic benefits by lowering vehicle operating costs, enabling people to have greater access to commercial activities as well as to their basic needs, Galapon added. (PIA-8)

Search for best public sector projects in WV launched

by Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. INSPIRATION: Inspired by the spirit of St. Francis, these Franciscan Youths (YOUFRA) of Enrique Villanueva (Talingting), Siquijor can also be the inspiration to all. A two day gathering and formation was recently made where they reflected on the life and works of St. Francis through lectures and community works such as clean-up drive and tree planting activity. (Rizalie A. Calibo/ PIA-Siquijor)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

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LOILO CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA6) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) chaired by Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. has officially launched the 4th Best Public Sector Projects Awards in Western Visayas.

Tanco said the awards is a search for outstanding public sector projects which aims to recognize good practices among government institutions in Region 6 that can be replicated by similar institutions in the region and in other parts of the country.

The focus of the awards this year will be on projects that effectively contributed to the realization of the goals of the Regional Development Plan for 2011-2016 and to President

Aquino’s “Social Contract with the Filipino People”, said the RDC chair.

The awards will cover development programs and projects of the following institutional categories: National Government Agencies – all regional offices or affiliate offices of national agencies, government corporations and financial institutions operating in Region VI; State Universities and Colleges – all 12 SUCs in the region; and Local Government Units – all 6 provinces, 2 highly urbanized cities (Iloilo and Bacolod), all component cities and provincial capitals.

Participants have until March 15, 2012 to prepare and submit their entries to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office in Iloilo City. (JSC/PIA6)

'Suroy-suroy' program boosts Cebu's tourism economy in 2011

PIA 8 regional director Olive Tiu and DSWD 8 assistant regional director Nestor Ramos during the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the photo exhibit and SEA-K Products Trade Fair in connection with the department’s 61stanniversary held at the DSWD regional office compound, Tacloban City, January 24. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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EBU CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Cebu’s tourism economy rose 13 percent higher in 2011 compared to 2010, the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) reported.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale attributed this positive development to the intensified efforts of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “Suroy- Suroy sa Sugbo.”

“Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” is a program of the Cebu Provincial Government, wherein foreign and domestic tourists are treated to the various local tourism and heritage sites, as well as the unique culture of the Cebuanos by visiting the towns and cities of the province.

Tourists are joined by the governor herself to personally conduct the tour and show off the various tourist destinations to the group of visitors.

The same NSCB report stated that 75 percent of the tourists’ pocket money was really spent in Cebu during their vacation stay in the various tourist destinations of the province.

Magpale said the program has tremendously contributed to uplifting the economic status of the province due to the increasing volume of tourists that also boosted the income of Cebu.

(FCR/AS/PIA-Cebu)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Aklan confronted with ‘good’ problem, says governor

ILOILO PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

by Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 23 (PIA6) -- Aklan is confronted with a problem, but a good one, according to Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez.

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he “good” problem is in the form of thousands of tourists arriving daily at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) which the airport can’t handle well because of limited space and infrastructure, the governor related during his “Governor’s Report to the People” aired over Kalibo Cable here.

“We have the tourists the airport can’t handle”, Marquez told program anchorman Gus Tolentino in the program.

This predicament, according to the governor, was brought to his attention by no less than a Korean ambassador, who complained that processing of papers at the departure area could take more or less 2 hours due to shortage of facilities.

During processing, lines formed by departing tourists extend even outside the airport terminal, Marquez said.

Presently, domestic and foreign passengers are sharing the use of the new airport terminal building, which becomes crowded when domestic and international flights arrive or take off at the same time.

The governor said there is a need to build another terminal building for domestic tourists, and called on the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to look into the problem.

For her part, Carina Ruiz, Provincial Tourism Operations Officer, said the

influx of tourists was caused by numerous international flights coming from mainland China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

This March, Cebu Pacific would also have direct flights from Taipei, Taiwan to KIA, while another route, this time from North Incheong, Korea, would also be forthcoming.

Ruiz also revealed that in 2011, Boracay’s tourist arrivals generated more than P16 billion in tourism receipts, compared to 2010 which had more than P14 billion.

Ruiz said the figures show that the influx of tourists to Aklan is on an increasing trend. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

PESO, DOLE & Jobstreet to conduct career seminar

by Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA6 ) -- A half-day Career Summit will gather graduating college students from various colleges and universities here on Feb. 7, 2012 at the Central Philippine University.

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rganized by the Public Employment Service Office of the Iloilo City government in partnership with the Jobstreet.com, the activity primarily intends to guide graduating college students in their employment journey.

“Graduation is fast approaching and this is one of those appropriate times to provide our graduates, our next jobseekers, key information on labor market so that they will be guided and well-informed when they start to look for employment,” said PESO Manager Alan Zaldivar.

The gathering, which is for free, will also give the PESO an opportunity to collect and gather information on graduating students for their data bank.

Speakers from the Department of Labor and Employment and Jobstreet.Com will discuss relevant information on labor market and employment during the summit.

The conduct of the career and employment guidance is in consonance with the overarching goal of President Benigno S. Aquino III in his 22-point labor and employment agenda, to invest in the country’s no. 1 resource which is the

human resource.

Zaldivar said the city government is also expected to enter into an agreement with Jobstreet.com, a job search site where jobseekers can find jobs and employers, at the same time, can advertise their job vacancies during the day.

“We are hoping that our partnership with Jobstreet.com will further strengthen that with our local and overseas employment agencies,” said Zaldivar. (LAF/PIA6)

PPOC approves P50-M for peace and order

by Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) during its first regular meeting for the year has approved a P50-million peace and order budget for 2012.

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egros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr, who also chairs the Council, was also given by the body the authority to prioritize projects for implementation.

Provincial Planning and Development Officer (PPDO) Ma. Lina Sanogal said that of the P50 million, P10 million will be used to fund projects accompanied by detailed proposals to the local government.

Marañon urged members to strive

hard to improve the peace and order situation in the province to usher in progress.

“The economic activities and their momentum can only be maintained if there is continued peace,” Marañon said.

The governor congratulated both the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police for the good performance in 2011 and in the first month of the year for having no violent encounters with the

rebels.

303rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Oscar Lactao in his presentation proposed the creation of the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Office that will implement peace and development work in identified areas affected by insurgency.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Iloilo to host 1st International River Summit NEW GOVERNMENT CENTER—BACOLOD CITY

by Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA6) -- Iloilo City’s initiatives in cleaning its river have earned for it the recognition to be the host of the 1st International River Summit on March 22-23 this year.

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ccording to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, this recognition should challenge Ilonggos to take care of the Iloilo River which “has given life to our ancestors, to us and to our children and their children”.

The event, he added, will make the Iloilo River Rehabilitation Project as a learning laboratory, highlighting global challenges, issues and best practices in river management.

A press release from the Iloilo City Information Office, said that the areas of interest which will be featured include governance, rehabilitation, protection and restoration and development.

This summit is initiated by the city government and supported by the Rivers of the World (ROW) Foundation, Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR, Japan International Cooperation Agency and Petron Corp.

New Delhi-based ROW Foundation is a global group dedicated to restoring and protecting rivers and streams around the globe.

The group aims to remedy the massive pollution created by the untreated discharges from urban and suburban watersheds of various rivers and creeks.

Iloilo River is a15-kilometer estuarine,

deriving fresh water from rivers and creeks that are connected to it and saline water from the sea that feeds it.

Mabilog said the summit has been inspired by the Gold Award won by the Iloilo River Development Project in the 2010 International A w a r d s f o r L i v a b l e Communities (LivCom), in Chicago, United States.

LivCom has considered the best practices for Iloilo River as an approach to sustainable development.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo).

Capiz to become KAANIB project site

by Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 25 (PIA6) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – Capiz in coordination with various concerned agencies will launch the “Kasaganaan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran sa Bayan” (KAANIB) Project at Barangay Lonoy in Sapi-an town this year.

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CA – Capiz manager Jeffrey Delos Reyes said that the project promotes the development of coconut industry and helps coconut farmers learn new technologies for coconut production as well as other high value crops.

“KAANIB project is geared towards helping the residents to be productive as farmers in order to help uplift the economy of their communities,” he said.

The first KAANIB site in Panay Island was launched in San Joaquin, Iloilo in 2010.

Delos Reyes added that about 120,000 coconut seedlings will be planted in about 1,200 hectares of land provincewide this year.

“This is part of our sustained replanting program in order to further develop the local coconut industry,” said Delos Reyes.

He added that 25,000 bags of fertilizer for second application have also been allocated to Capiz for 2012.

Meanwhile, the province has coconut nurseries in Sapi-an, Jamindan and Ivisan towns aside from the Coconut Breeding Trial Unit (CBTU) at Capiz State University (CapSU) – Buri-as, Mambusao campus and Coconut Germplasm Testing Station (CGTS) in Pontevedra town. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

BIR steps up tax collection campaign

by Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Jan. 25 (PIA6) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is stepping up its tax collection campaign.

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evenue District Officer Ursula Equiña of Revenue District Office 73 for Antique in an interview said the intensified tax collection target for 2012 is P382.644 million.

Thus, she urged consumers to demand an official receipt every time they buy goods or pay for services. This can help government’s revenue collection efforts.

She also bared the BIR’s regular monthly tax mapping and surveillance operations in different towns designed to look into the compliance of business establishments with the issuance of official receipts and other requirements in

operating a business.

Aside from the regular information dissemination activities, Equiña said they are also conducting door-to-door tax campaign.

In addition, BIR is also intensifying the collection of capital gains tax for sale of real properties and estate tax for deceased owners of real properties.

The BIR also has a campaign dubbed “Oplan Kandado” that aims to work for the closure of establishments found violating revenue and tax collection guidelines. This also covers establishments which fail to declare their actual income.

Equiña also said that construction of

infrastructure projects in the province has contributed much in meeting the tax collection target.

She particularly mentioned the millions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects in Antique way back in 2009 that helped push up the tax collection of the province due to withholding taxes taken from suppliers and contractors.

This year, Equina said they are looking forward to more infrastructure projects like school buildings, roads and bridges not just to speed up tax collection but also spur development in the countryside.

(JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DENR to donate confiscated forest products to DepEd

CEBU PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

CEBU CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR7) is set to donate and turn over confiscated forest products without court cases to the Department of Education (DepEd7).

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ith an estimated value of P613,944.24, a total of 36,593.76 board feet of Mahogany, Gmelina, Bagalunga, Makaasim, Molave, Narra, Teak, Sangilo and Acacia lumber pieces, were found to be free from all liens and encumbrances with no cases filed in court, according to the DENR. DENR-7 regional director Maximo Dichoso said DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje instructed them to exhaust all means possible to hasten adjudication of cases of illegally sourced and transported forest products in line with the present direction to donate them to the DepEd.

Most of these forest products were seized due to lack of necessary documents and requirements during transport, Dichoso explained.

The logs were deposited at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, in Pamplona and in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

The DepEd will use these donated lumber for the construction of various public school buildings or the manufacture of office fixtures, desks and tables.

According to the Deed of Donation, a certificate of completion of any DepEd

project, signed by the Project Engineer supported with photographs and an itemization of forest products used in the project will be submitted to DENR. A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor will be invited to witness the turnover for documentation and proper accounting purposes.

“A continuous inventory of seized forest products has been conducted to determine which are up for donation so that these could be used as construction materials for school buildings, desks and tables,” Dichoso concluded. (mbcn/hfg/ DENR/PIA7)

Dumaguete City forestry program improves forest cover by 30%

By Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City now has more forest cover than it had ten years ago, thanks to the Urban Forestry Management and Development (UFMD) program that the city government started in 2002.

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he city government reported that its forest cover increased from only 28 percent in 2009 to 30% this year, or an equivalent of 1,100 hectares more of land area planted with trees.

Officials from the city’s Environment and Natural Resource Office (ENRO) attribute the increased greenery to UFMD, that the LGU continues to undertake to address the sustainability issues besetting Dumaguete City’s aquifer and groundwater resources.

The Dumaguete City Information Office, in a report, explained that UFMD is an “innovative” city government program designed to rehabilitate, conserve, preserve, develop and manage the city’s urban forest resources.

It is implemented pursuant to City Resolution No. 130, Ordinance No. 20 enacted in 2002.

“The big challenge of the UFMD program today is global warming of which the only total remedy is by planting more trees,” said UFMD Coordinator Arestio

Encabo.

Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria is also regulating the cutting of trees in the city, a move that saved more than ten century-old Acacia trees from being cut down.

This year, the City Information Office reported that more than 3,000 forest tree seedlings were planted in the city’s different barangays under the UFMD program. (mbcn/RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

LRED San Juan, Siquijor attend session on Strategies for Investment Promotion

By Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- At least five members of the Technical Working Group from the local government unit of San Juan with two others from the provincial government of Siquijor and one from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will attend the second training module under the Capacity Development Program on January 30-31 at Marriott Hotel, Cebu City.

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he training is part of the continued support of the GTZ Private Sector Promotion Program and DTI to the LGUs that have adopted the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED)TWG Learning Session: Strategies for Investment Promotion.

The module primarily aims to assist the LGUs in formulating an investment promotion strategy that outlines specific interventions to support the development of the three target groups of locally based enterprises, potential business start-ups

and external investors.

It also seeks to enhance understanding of the types of enterprise and the difference among them and demonstrate strategies for expansion of locally-based enterprise, entrepreneurship development and promotion of external investors and to formulate action plans on all three.

Finally, the seminar aims to assist the LRED LGUs in complying with DILG Memorandumm Circular 2010-113 on the designation of Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer, and discuss

progress of implementation as well as results, indicators for measuring them and some methodologies for collecting and documenting them.

Target participants for the activity are the members of the TWG, including the municipal planning and development officer (MPDO), provincial planning and development officer (PPDO), local economic investment promotion officer, municipal local government operation officer (MLGOO) and the provincial tourism officer. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

CEBU CITY HALL

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DSWD-7 distributes P8.4-M SEA-K funds to graduating ‘Pantawid’ beneficiaries

by Minerva B.C. Newman

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 23 (PIA) -- Some P8.4 million budget allocation from the DSWD’s Self Employment Assistance - Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program was distributed recently to the 1,224 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of the first district in Negros Oriental that are to graduate from the program in 2013.

SWD-7 regional director Ma. continually receive the P500/month cash their proposal until they would finish Evelyn Macapobre explained grant for health and P300/month/child paying up their loans while making their that the SEA-K funds are inter- allocation for education for a maximum of business work. est-free loans that give each beneficiary a three children only.

The SEAK allocation was distributed chance to engage in small business venture To mark this challenging phase, to the following towns: Municipality of such as hog and livestock raising, addi- DSWD-7 conducted a ceremonial Ayungo received approximately P1.6M for tional capital for existing sari-sari stores, a turn-over of checks at the Municipality of 240 beneficiaries; Bindoy with P1.5M for barbecue stand, and the like.

La Libertad where the recipient its 230 beneficiaries.

According to DSWD-7 Pantawid municipalities led by their respective Some P588T was also given for Pamilya program coordinator and Mayors and Municipal Social Welfare Jimalalud for its 85 beneficiaries; P1.7M for information officer Aileen Lariba, these Officers attended the event.

La Libertad that had the biggest number of 1,224 Pantawid beneficiaries were At the program, Macapobre pointed recipients at 269. enrolled in 2008 and are to bow out of out the importance of transparency as she Tayasan also received P954T for the program in 2013. acknowledged the presence of the mayors its140 beneficiaries and Vallehermoso that Lariba said, these families have been from the recipient municipalities. received the biggest number of loan at consistent in complying with the Speaking in behalf of the district’s P2M for its 260 beneficiaries. conditions of the program that included legislative representative, Board Member By 2013 these families may not be pre-natal and post natal care, Lilan Estacion emphasized the huge millionaires but they are definitely the immunization, weighing and attendance to responsibility the beneficiaries voluntarily start of a better generation, Macapobre family development sessions for them to undertook from the time they submitted concluded. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman)

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Erring buses in Bohol to face sanctions

by Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office in Bohol said bus companies may face sanctions such as cancellation of their franchises if they continue to ignore the law against over speeding.

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concerned citizen has recently filed a complaint against over speeding drivers to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) PPOC member and Land Transportation Officer Joel Maloloy-on said that the complaints have sufficient basis based on the investigation that the agency has conducted. Bus units found to

be over speeding have been tagged, he said.

At the PPOC meeting during the HEAT Caravan in Antequera, the LTO said that it has already warned operators and threatened to suspend their franchises if they are found to have violated the speed limits.

Although it is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that has direct authority to suspend or cancel land transportation franchises, the LTO has the recommending power that compels the LTFRB to act, sources said. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-Bohol)

UN distributes hygiene kits for storm-hit lactating, pregnant mothers in Negros Oriental

by Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) -- Some 335 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who were affected by Tropical storm Sendong received Thursday, hygiene kits from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

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egros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo led the distribution of the kits held at the Dumaguete City Session Hall today together with UNFPA Program Officer Dyezebel Dado and Dumaguete City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova.

The governor earlier requested the UNFPA for relief assistance after Tropical storm Sendong, which struck the province on Dec. 17, 2011, left thousands of families displaced after their houses were either swept away or damaged by the

raging floods.

Each hygiene kit, which comes in the form of a bucket, contains underwear, toiletries, batteries, and a malong which can be used either as a blanket or a bag, said Dado.

The kits distributed in Dumaguete City form part of the total 1,585 kits that are distributed to identified mothers in Negros Oriental.

“We will also be distributing these kits in Sibulan, Valencia and Tanjay City,” said Dado.

UNFPA provided the kits to address the urgent needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women especially in evacuation centers.

UNFPA identified the mothers who will receive the kits based on records provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the health offices in said local government units.

(RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern Visayas bags two 2012 DSWD 'Panata Ko sa Bayan' awards

LEYTE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 23 (PIA) -- Two Eastern Visayas entities are among this year’s “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan” or “Panata ko sa Bayan” awardees who will be cited during the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) anniversary culmination rites at the said department's central office on January 26.

SWD Region 8 Director Leticia SOS Children’s Village in Calbayog effective social technology deemed as best Diokno identified the awardees City is a non-government organization practice based on the standards set. as the SOS Children’s Village of committed to long term family care and The “GAPAS Awards is a Calbayog City as Best NGO under the education to orphaned, abandoned and commendation given to a Local Salamat Po Award and LGU Calbiga in the neglected children.

Government Unit implementing DSWD province of Samar for its model SEA-K The Salamat Po Award is a programs and services such as Day Care KABAYAN or the Self-Employment commendation of donors or resource Services, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Assistance – Kaunlaran Level II livelihood agencies and volunteers who provided Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of program implementation, under the assistance in the Department’s delivery of S o c i a l Services, the Model GAPAS award. services as well as a recognition to Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran/ C a l b i g a ’ s A n g a t K a b u h a y a n non-government organizations (NGOs) Kabayan, and the best People’s Organization like the PAG-ASA Youth SEA-Kabayan, Inc. of Calbiga, Samar, with best practices. awardee of the Panata Ko Sa Bayan On the other hand, the “ Gawad sa Association, Kapisanan ng mga Liping Awards under the Model SEA-Kabayan or Makabagong Teknolohiyang Panlipunan is Pilipina Nasyonal, National Day Care SEA-K Level II category, is a merger of five an award given to either a local Workers Federation, Inc., Federation of SEA – K associations that have successfully government unit (LGU), NGO, or DSWD Senior Citizens Association of the graduated SEA-K level I. Field Office that has introduced a new and Philippines. (PIA-8)

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Four public elementary schools now use DPWH’s rainwater collection project

by Bong Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Four barangays of this city, each one with an elementary school, stood as living beneficiaries of an innovative water impounding project built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) provincial engineering district here.

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These rainwater collection structures were already finished in the first quarter last year, and since then it has been used by the school children, faculty and other personnel for their washing needs,” said District Engr.

Carlos Veloso of the Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED) in a press conference at his office on Tuesday.

Veloso identified the recipient schools as Batu an Elementa ry Scho ol, Tomoy-Tomoy Elementary School,

Bilibol Elementary School, and Panan-awan Elementary School, all of Maasin City.

Except for Barangay Panan-awan, which is located along the national highway, barangays Batuan and Tomoy-Tomoy are located in the interior, upland section of the city, while barangay Bilibol lies along the coast near the boundary with Matalom.

Veloso said the four rainwater collection system projects have an appro-

priation of P191,065, and were put up by the contractor in 60 days.

Of the entire engineering district in Region 8, it was only SLED which finished the project in time for President Benigno Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July last year. It was also referred to as a SONA project, while all the other districts completed the same by the last quarter of the year, Veloso also said. (PIA-8)

Samar tourism plan includes 35 development areas

By Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Samar’s tourism plan now includes 35 tourism development areas, which aims to increase the tourist arrivals in Samar by 50% of the 2012 figures.

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his was the recommendation of Dr. Evelyn Pantig and her group at Berkman International Incorporated presented to Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and the provincial tourism council during a meeting at the capitol, Catbalogan City on January 26, 2012.

Proposed tourism circuits include Calbayog City for its network of waterfalls, Bangon falls, Techno Demo Farm Barangay Pilar-Proposed Jibatang River cruise-Cathedral Sts. Peter and Paul-City Tourism & Information Office-LGU SOS Organic Farm-Ciriaco

Hotel.

Catbalogan City proposed tourism destinations include Rizal Plaza-Buri Islet and Buri Causeway-Munoz Residence Barangay Estaca-Unfinished Airport-Viewing Deck at Executive Heights.

Also included are Daram’s Agutay Island-7 Diving Island Stations, while in San Jorge it is the Blanca Aurora Falls.

For Paranas town, there is the Town Plaza-Samar Island Natural Park (SINP)-Ulot Watershed Ulot Torpedo Boat Extreme Ride-SINP Headquarters.

In Calbiga town, there is Lulugayan

Falls-SINP/ Calbiga Caves, and in the town of Basey, there is a Sohoton River-Sohoton Natural Bridge-Sohoton Caves.

Finally in Marabut town, there is the Lighthouse in an islet-Caluwayan Beach Resort-Jasmine Beach Resort.

Target markets of Samar’s tourism are the free spirits, cultural explorers, authentic experiencers, cultural hi st or y buf fs, su rf ers , ca v er s, mountaineers, college students, yuppies, and backpackers. (PIA-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

TACLOBAN CITY HALL

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Importance of CSOs participation in the budget process stressed

PALO, Leyte, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- The importance of civil society organizations’ participation in the process of budget preparation was emphasized during the FY 2013 Regional Budget Forum conducted on Jan.20 at the DPWH Multi-Purpose Hall in Palo, Leyte.

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BM Region 8 Director Imelda Laceras said that transparency is an important element of a good budget process. The participation of CSOs will increase the transparency in the budget process and will help increase accountability and use of public funds.

The Lady Director said that the DBM-8 conducted an inventory of CSOs operating in the Region in order to ensure their participation in the budget preparation process.

The 26 CSOs listed were duly invited

to the FY 2013 Regional Budget Forum but although only one CSO was represented, the DBM Director expressed appreciation that CSOs are gradually actively participating in the budget preparation process.

During the Forum, Dr. Socorro S. Gasco representing the Association of Deans of Philippine College of Nursing honestly admitted that she is a stranger to government’s budget processes and budgetary terms and languages. She made comments however, from the point of

view of CSOs, on some budget execution practices that they observed in some government agencies.

Dir. Laceras lauded the presence of CSO representative. She said that, “this is the scenario that we are aspiring for, the convergence of CSOs and government agencies in the budget processes”.

She also expressed hope that more CSOs will be engaged in the near future.

(PIA-8)

Bill pushed for future power rate increases

by Alice Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- A bill is now being introduced in the House of Representatives which is hoped to prevent power players in perpetually increasing power costs in the country.

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ouse Bill 5678, introduced by Eastern Samar Congressman Ben P. Evardone “proposes to amend R.A 9136 so as to address and prevent vertical integration in generation and distribution subsector leading to blatant monopolistic control of the country’s electricity sector. Specifically, the bill seeks to prohibit cross-ownership between generation companies and distribution utilities”.

In its explanatory note, Evardone’s bill says that “Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act

(EPIRA) was passed in 2001 with the intent of guaranteeing reliable and affordable electricity to consumers in the country. The law espoused the deregulation and unbundling of the power sector in order to achieve its goal. This strategy includes the privatization of several government assets in the generation, transmission and distribution sector”.

It added however, that “it has been 10 years since the passage of R.A 9136 and the country has yet to feel the promised outcomes of this law. What

is worse is that, the effects are seemingly in contrast to the very purpose of enacting the EPIRA”.

The author believes further, that “through these amendments, it is anticipated that genuine competition would take place with the possible emergence of small players who will have a fighting chance to survive a de-monopolized industry, avoid a few companies to dictate prices of electricity and more importantly, to avoid soaring electricity prices in the future”. (PIAEastern Samar)

UPV celebrates Arts Month 2012

by Marivic A. Alcover TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- In line with the nationwide celebration of February as Arts Month 2012, the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College through its Division of Humanities will be holding a one-day forum on February 3, 2012, entitled “Kinaadman para han aton Kalibutan ha Kabubuwason” (Knowledge for Our World Tomorrow) which will cover Philippine Culture, Education and Media Directions for the Millennium. o make the discussion during Department of Education (DepEd), and Quezon City. the forum multi-faceted and Commissioner for National Commission Meanwhile, it was learned that interdisciplinary, invited guests for Culture and the Arts will cover topics among the objectives of the activity is to will discuss topics on Eastern Visayan on Culture and Arts Programs and direct the educators and media culture and the vision of the region Policies of the DepEd; while Elmar Ingles, practitioners in the region towards moving towards the future. the director of the Philippine Cultural appropriate approaches in the teaching, Among the resource speakers during Education Program and former learning and dissemination of positive the forum include Felipe M. de Leon, Jr., commissioner for Cultural Dissemination, Philippine cultural values, traditions, chair of the National Commission for National Commission for Culture and the and art; and to strengthen the sense of Culture and the Arts, who will discuss Arts.

Filipino and Eastern Visayas cultural Philippine Culture, Education and Media in Values in Music Education will be identity in the context of cross-cultural the Global Arena. covered by Prof. Alegria Ferrer, the linkages of the digital age. (PIA-8) Atty. Alberto Muyot, Undersecretary artistic director of the College of Music of for Legal and Legislative Affairs, of the the University of the Philippines, Diliman,

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