One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 46

Vol 2

Issue 46

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

LAUNCHING OF YEAR OF FAITH. Jaro Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo gives Iloilo Media a background on the celebration of the Year of Faith which will be launched in the archdiocese on November 17. Lagdameo said the Church is inviting all the faithful to join in the joyful celebration of the gift of Faith, which it seeks to revive and strengthen (ESS/ EJB/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

November 12 — 18, 2012

Stricter implementation of Visayan Sea closed season urged

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Nov 12 (PIA6) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has called for tighter collaboration among agencies to ensure effective implementation of the closed season for sardines and mackerel in the Visayan Sea. BFAR-6 Information Officer Janice Ragus said in a statement that the three-month closed season starts on November 15 this year and will end March 15, 2013, during which the fishing, gathering, possession, buying and, or selling of sardines and mackerel are not allowed.

The closed season applies to sardines belonging to the family of Sardinella Fimbrata which includes tunsoy, lao-lao, tabagak, liryan; S. Perferata, which includes deep-bodied herrings, nalobaybay, tamban, lapad, tamban lison, lapa; S. longiceps, Indian sardines, tamban tunsoy, haul -haul; and Dusumiena acuta which are the round dwarf herring, tulis, balantyong and hilos-hilos.

Mackerels belonging to the family Scombridae known under the local names Rastrelliger brachysoma (short-bodied mackerels, hasa-hasa and R.Chrysozonus (striped mackerels, alumanan and bulao are also covered.

BFAR Chief Atty. Asis G. Perez said the closed season provides these species a time to spawn to enable them to recoup.

BFAR studies have shown that sardines have a high fecundity which means that a female can yield as much as 700,000 eggs and sardines can reach full maturity in a year.

A number of scientific studies, including that of BFAR have shown the commonality of the spawning period of these species.

It was found out that the biomass of the number of fish in the Visayan Sea has significantly declined more than three-folds over the last six decades, from an average of 6.03 metric tons per square kilometre in the late 1940’s, to only 1.80 metric tons per square kilometer at present, due mainly to overfishing.

The area covered by the closed season spans from the mouth of Danao River on the northeastern tip of the Bantayan Island to Madridejos, through the lighthouse on Gigantes Island to Ulutaya Island to Culasi Point in Capiz province, eastward slong the northern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo, southward along the eastern coast of Iloilo to the mouth of Talisay river, eastward across the Guimaras Strait to Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental, eastward along the northern Coast of the Island of Negros back to the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Occidental. (JCM/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

Main photo courtesy of Arthur Santos in go7107.com

Central Visayas exceeds 2012 NGP target by 7% PCOO Usec. Atty. Lesley Jeanne Cordero (center) with PIA-Bohol Infocen Manager Rey Anthony Chiu (left) and PIA-7 Regional Director Minerva BC Newman during the press conference with the Bohol media at the Governor's Mansion last Nov. 5. Usec Cordero was the keynote speaker of the 20th RADIO-7 Consultative Conference in Bohol.

(PIA-Bohol/ECBongosia)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) -- Central Visayas exceeded its mark in seedling production under the national greening program (NGP) by seven percent or equivalent to 6,087,255 seedlings produced against its target of 5,693,770 this year.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) Executive Director Isabelo Montejo revealed that they were also able to meet their objective ahead of schedule, courtesy of almost 111 functional nurseries in the region.

The province of Cebu has produced a total of 1,720,226 seedlings or 89 percent of its target of 2,009,100 while Bohol with 1,053,785 seedlings or 102 percent of its aim of 1,034,721.

Negros Oriental also exceeded its seedling production to 3,115,931 seedlings or 128 percent of its target at 2,440,359 and Siquijor with 197,313 seedlings or 94 percent of its target at 209,600.

Based on the consolidated report as of October 30 this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) grew

504,655 seedlings or 81 percent of its goal of 624,500 and the DENR produced 6,087,255 available seedlings now.

Established by President Aquino by virtue of EO 26 he issued on February 24, 2011, NGP targets to green some 1.5 million hectares of degraded forest lands with 1.5 billion trees.

The program will focus essentially at developing a sustainable forest resource base to accelerate the national greening campaign and help rejuvenate rural economies in parts of the nation’s most chronically poor areas in the uplands as well as help improve water quality in rivers and irrigation for farm lands, reduce the potential for flooding, soak up carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and lay the foundation for an expanded wood-products economy.

The program is also supported by the DA and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

“We have been very happy that more well-meaning organizations or institutions are partnering with us in terms of seedling production to allow adequate supply of several tree species to be planted in the coming months,” Montejo said. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7/DNR-7)

DOE calls for safe, fair practices in LPG industry Palo mayor Remedios Petilla (left) welcomes participants from the different LGUs of Leyte, Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO), the media and guests and visitors to the multi-sectoral advocacy campaign on the Downstream Oil Industry at the Leyte Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte, October 8. The activity was sponsored by the Department of Energy in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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PALO, Leyte, Nov 13 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy appealed to the business sector and the consuming public to uphold safe and fair practices in the sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Engineer Alex Rayos of the DOE-Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division, made the appeal during the multi-sectoral advocacy on the Downstream Oil Industry held recently at the Leyte Oriental Hotel at Palo, Leyte.

In order to uphold consumer safety, there is a need to take immediate action against illegal and unsafe practices, Rayos said.

Rayos identified several of the most rampant illegal practices: illegal refilling, cylinder tampering, uncertified and illegally manufactured cylinders, use of scrap and dilapidated cylinders, underfilled cylinders and pilferage.

In his presentation, Rayos showed the audience, comprising of dealers and retailers of liquified petroleum products (LPP) and LPG, a picture of LPG tank. He then

asked the participants to identify fake from the genuine tank.

Rayos said that scrapped and dilapidated LPG cylinders usually have leaking valves, dents, rust improper painting, corroded footring and bottom cap. All these put public safety at risk, he said.

Penalties for these illegal practices range from P1,000 - P10,000 including closure for the establishments, he said as he appealed to the public for a strong opposition to illegal activities in the LPG sector.

He called on the public to coordinate with their respective local government units on the authority of DOE on the industry and the authority of the LGUs on the business.

Rayos also encouraged those engaged in the business to work towards self-regulation. It was noted that while the demand for the liquid petroleum products decreased, the demand for liquefied petroleum gas continued to increase. (PIA-8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

2 Capiceños displaced temporary employment

by

calamity

get

By Jemin B. Guillermo

Sec. Mar Roxas of Region VI

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov 13 (PIA6) -- Some 1,596 internally displaced Capiceños have already started to get temporary employment from the national government.

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epartment of Social Welfare and Development-Capiz Field Office head Josephine Degala said that beneficiaries of the agency’s Cash for Work program have started to work as planned by the identified local government units.

The Cash for Work Program is an assistance for the internally displaced persons (IDP) in the different towns in Capiz.

Degala said 11 local government units in Capiz, namely Panitan, Pilar, Maayon, Mambusao, Dumarao, Panay, Dao, Jamindan, Pontevedra, Sigma and Roxas City with 2,715 IDPs, have been identified to avail of the program after said towns were affected by the recent calamities such as flooding and fire, among others.

The first six towns, however, with 1,596 beneficiaries, will be released with funds for the Cash for Work program implementation, after they have submitted their proposal as required by the DSWD Regional Office 6.

“The budget for the remaining five towns is ready and will be immediately released if they can comply with the requirements, such as the program proposal,” she said.

Degala said the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be given priority to avail of said program. Wenna Berondo of DSWD Regional Office revealed that their Regional Office is set to release P3.625million for the said program for the seven towns in Western Visayas.

Berondo explained that the amount will benefit 1,726 internally displaced persons in the region who were affected by calamities such as flooding, typhoon and landslides, among others.

She added that under the program, each program beneficiary is required to render 10 days of work and will receive P208 per day as their salary or a total of P2,080.

The cash-for work is a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to distressed/displaced individuals by participating in or undertaking preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities or in evacuation centers.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Kalahi-CIDSS’ projects in La Castellana get boost

By Carolina A. Dionela NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov 14 (PIA6) -- Neg.Occ. Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr. led officials during the inauguration and turnover of Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) projects in La Castellana , where he committed Php 1 million to further boost the Kalahi-CIDSS initiatives in the town, a press release from Capitol said.

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arañon together with some local officials and land donor Anita Feria with her daughter Mary Ann Feria-Colmenares, cut the ribbon for the new two-classroom building at La Castellana National High School-Cabagna-an Annex to bring to four the number of rooms for the extension campus.

Funded under the Kalahi-CIDSS Cycle 2, a project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in synergy with

the LGU, the Php 1.2 million building houses Grade VII pupils enrolled when the DepEd’s K+12 program and two freshmen sections.

After the Cabagna-an ceremonies, Marañon also led the turnover of the new Day Car Center for kinder pupils at Brgy.

Mansalanao Elementary School which also got an allocation of Php 58,232 from Kalahi-CIDSS. Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development project

that aims to empower communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty.

Community grants are used to support the building of low-cost, productive infrastructure such as roads, water systems, clinics, and schools. * (Capitol News/JSC/CD-PIA6 Negros Occ.)

RDC 6 conducts forum on ODA

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Nov 15 (PIA6) -- The Regional Development Council-6 conducted a forum on Bilateral and Multilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) with development stakeholders in Western Visayas, November 15.

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he one-day activity aimed to orient and update local government units, regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, government corporations and financial institutions, including selected private sector organizations accredited by the RDC 6 on the various foreign funding sources that may be tapped for projects included in the local investment programs. The forum also sought to

provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interact and confer with ODA partners on specific projects for possible technical assistance or direct funding for project implementation.

Presentors included NEDA 6 and RDC 6 Vice-Chairperson Ro-Ann Bacal; Asian Development Bank Principal Country Specialist Claudia Buentjen; and Japan International Cooperation Agency Administration Coordination Section

Chief Ms. Misa Kemmiya. There were speakers from the United States and Australian Agencies for International Development. They are USAID General Development Officer Kevin Sharp and AUSAID Portfolio Manager Rod Ervin Sollesta.

RDC 6 Chairperson and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco also attended the event at Smallville 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. (JSC/LAF-PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS Iloilo soon to convention center Sec. Mar Roxas of Region VI

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have

state-of-the-art

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Nov 13 (PIA6) -- Iloilo will soon have its own state-of-the-art convention center following the signing of the deed of donation between the Megaworld Corporation and Department of Tourism at the Marriot Hotel in Manila last November 13.

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he multi-million peso Iloilo Convention Center designed by Architect Willy Coscoluella will be funded out of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon who envisioned the construction of this two-storey edifice.

The convention center will rise on the 1.7 hectare lot donated by Megaworld Corporation at the Old Airport site in Mandurriao district of this city.

A statement from the Office of Senator Drilon said the construction of the project is expected to begin early next year and will be finished by the end of 2014. “This is a realization of a lifelong dream of the residents

of Panay Island to have their own highly impressive and sophisticated convention center at par with those of Cebu and Davao’s that will be capable to hold the best and the most glamorous of the conferences, exhibitions, among others,” Drilon said.

The construction of the convention center would put Iloilo a step closer to becoming a conference hub of Western Visayas and nearby regions.

The convention center designed to attract and accommodate large sized conferences, summits, fairs, and trade shows and exhibit will also boost Iloilo’s capability to host the Asia Pacific Economic Council meeting in the first quarter of 2015, said Drilon. Drilon also said

that the establishment of a convention center in Western Visayas will extend support to the country’s rapidly growing tourism industry especially that the present government has been continuously embarking on various efforts and campaign strategies to advance tourism in the country.

The Ilonggo Senator was joined by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Megaworld Corporation President Andrew Tan, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid during the signing of the deed of donation. Iloilo City Representative Jerry Trenas and Iloilo City Mayor Patrick Mabilog were also present at the event. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

Antique NGOs launch PPP project on local governance

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Nov 14 (PIA6) -- The Antique Federation of Non-government Organizations (AFON) has launched the project dubbed “Strengthening Social Accountability Mechanisms in Local Governance” at Adelaide Tourist and Travelers’ Inn Function Hall, this town.

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omeo Baldevia, Executive Director of AFON, in a briefing said the project hopes to strengthen partnership among agencies of government, local governments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and community people in general in the implementation of programs that could lead to poverty reduction and improve capacities of LGUs in the delivery of their services.

A three-year project supported by European Union Delegation to the Philippines, the project, Baldevia explained,

aims to help marginalized sectors in nine poor communities to have improved access to public services like health and nutrition, livelihood, security and environmental protection.

The nine towns involved in this project are San Remigio, Laua-an, Valderrama, Barbaza, Bugasong, Patnongon, Tibiao, Culasi and Hamtic.

Mayor Rony Molina of San Jose at the same time President of the League of Municipalities-Antique Chapter assured CSOs of their support recognizing their vital role in the development of

marginalized communities. “This endeavor is PPP at work”, said Molina. He also recalled that AFON has been an active partner of government and local government units in the implementation of programs for marginalized communities in Antique way back in the ‘90s.

Vice Governor Rosie A. Dimamay, echoed the commitment of the provincial government to this project and likewise with the nine mayors and their representatives who were present during the project launching. (JSC/MLG/PSM-PIA6 Antique)

Dengue cases in Aklan on the downtrend, but...

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Nov 13 (PIA6) -- A downtrend in dengue cases in Aklan has been noted for the month of October, based on records of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here, which recorded a total of 54 Aklanons afflicted.

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engue deaths in the province from January to October, however, already reached 13, with Malay town having the highest number with four; while Kalibo, Numancia, and Ibajay had two each; and one each from Banga, Libacao, and New Washington.

For the 10-month period from January to October, July listed the highest number of cases with 213, followed by August with 156, and September 109, while the rest of the months had two-digit

number of cases. Eight hundred cases had been listed for the 10-month period, with Kalibo, the capital town, having the highest with 190, followed by Malay with 174, and Libacao, a hinterland municipality, with 65.

The same period last year had a total of 250 cases, which show an increase of 220 percent as noted by PHO-Aklan.

During prior interviews, Victor Santamaria of the PHO here, explained that dengue cases increase during rainy months due to rain-created breeding

places for dengue-carrying mosquitoes, but cases also decrease once the rains become infrequent.

He warned, however, that dengue is now year-round and there is already a night-biting dengue-carrying mosquito so everybody should clean their surroundings, cover their stored water, and destroy possible breeding places of mosquitoes like empty cans, bottles, tires, coconut shells, and other receptacles that could store rainwater. (JCM/VGV-PIA 6, Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DOE asks LGUs to help curb illegal acts in petrol industry

Sec. Jose Rene Almendras of Region VII

By Jennifer Catan-Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) in the Visayas urged local government units (LGUs) of Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces to regularly calibrate and seal the pumps of gasoline stations to protect consumers from illegal fuel price hikes.

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OE-Visayas Senior Science Research Specialist, Engr. Octavio Belarmino said the LGUs are the primary agency mandated to calibrate every dispensing pumps in 60 days. Belarmino shared this during the campaign-briefing on the Downstream Oil Industry (DOI) on November 7 in Dumaguete City.

Belarmino explained that for technical reasons, the LGUs are reluctant and incapable to calibrate, but they can ask an authorized calibrator or the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to do the calibration.

The calibration process, according to Belarmino, requires an LGU to have a calibration bucket which can be obtained from a duly licensed company recognized by DOE and a leaded seal normally being placed on

weight and measures that can be placed in the pumps after calibration.

The DOE also calls on the LGUs to help implement government’s rules and regulations in the retailing of liquid petroleum products (LPP) to ensure the safety and promote fair trade practices in the fuel industry.

Belarmino said the common practices that are punishable under the LPP retail regulations are illegal trading, hoarding, and use of pumps with broken seal, or uncalibrated and unsealed pumps.

It is required for the LPP dealers to secure certificates on fire safety from Bureau of Fire, DENR’s environmental compliance, and DOE’s compliance certificate, Belarmino informed the participants of the briefing.

DOE may recommend to local

government the suspension and revocation of business permits of retailers found violating the LPP regulations.

Energy Industry Management Division supervisor Jose Rey Maleza told the local treasurers and business licensing officers of various LGUs to encourage the legislative and executive bodies to pass a local ordinance as part of its revenue code requiring the collection of calibration fees.

Maleza said calibration fees could be a source of revenue for LGUs as several gasoline stations are sprouting.

To stop the proliferation of unsafe practices, Maleza also called on the LGUs to monitor and inspect illegal operation of roadside stores selling gasoline and diesel in bottles. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)

Report any land title fixing - DENR 7

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU, Nov 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) urged the public to report immediately any abuses or illegal transactions committed by its personnel particularly on land titling fixing.

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nder Republic Act 10023, or the New Free Patent Act, DENR-7 will process a patent title application of any Filipino citizen who is an actual applicant of a residential land.

We do not close our eyes when we receive reports that our personnel are soliciting a certain amount outside of the required or legal fees in favor of facilitating the processing and issuance of land titles, clarified DENR 7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo.

Montejo said land applicants need only pay a minimal amount of P50 for each application for free patent, residential patent and all other land applications after all mandatory requirements have been complied with.

“They can call the office of the Regional Executive Director at 346 0661 or the regional public affairs office at 345 3959 or file a letter

complaint to us if they want to report something so that we can initiate the investigation,” Montejo said.

“I have been instructing our provincial and community environment and natural resources officers in Region 7 to keep a close watch and be very vigilant and sensitive on this issue,” he added.

When asked how serious the DENR is in looking into this, Montejo replied, “Our legal division is tasked to take on the job and we don’t hesitate to crack the whip and file the necessary administrative charges on erring employees.”

Residential lands are lands that have been identified and zoned as residential through the appropriate ordinance by a local government unit (LGU) having jurisdiction over the area.

A free patent on residential land covers untitled residential lands in public alienable and

disposable lands that are zoned by local government units as residential areas, including townsites, public schools, municipal halls, public plazas or parks, delisted and abandoned military camps or reservations.

Any Filipino citizen who is an actual occupant of a residential land for at least 10 years may apply for a free patent title.

“This law directs our Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenro) to process the application within 120 days to include compliance with the required notices and other legal requirements,” Montejo said.

He added that within 125 days, the free patent will be issued or returned as the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) has five days to approve or disapprove the patent.(mbcn/HFG-PIA 7/DENR -7)

Dumaguete city government cracks down on illegal vendors

By Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) -- The Dumaguete City government is intent on pursuing its campaign against illegal vendors who have been reportedly sprouting in various areas within the city.

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he city’s Task Force SAGARR (Special Action Group Advocating Rapid Reform), a team earlier formed to serve as special action group in Dumaguete, have received complaints from legal vendors inside the city’s public market complex over the increasing number of illegal vendors here.

Joey Abella of Task Force SAGARR disclosed that the public market vendors have alleged that their sales went down due to the illegal vendors plying their trade in several areas in the city.

Abella said the task force is conducting surprise “visits” to arrest the illegal vendors, most of whom sell their

wares along the Perdices Street and have also caused a disturbance to the foot traffic.

He said the Task Fore SAGGAR enforcers have continuously warned against the illegal selling of goods in busy areas in the city. (RMN/FMGM/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Cebu to adopt tourism economy on mango, high value crops Sec. Jose Rene Almendras of Region VII

By Amorganda A. Saludar

CEBU CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMIFI) proposes infrastructure innovation to help the mango growers in the province and to boost the mango industry and other crop production in Cebu.

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he plan is to put up tramline in areas where mango and high value crops production are abundant, PMIFI President Virgie de la Fuente said during the Kapihan sa PIA. De la Fuente said a tramline will cross areas where the plantations of mango and other crops are located and it is also intended for loading people and products.

This will boost the tourism economy in the mountain areas where tramlines are established. Through the tramlines, "We will bring buyers, specifically tourist buyers to the plantation areas of mango and other crops that are mostly seen in the market and malls,” de la Fuente added.

By this the tourist will experience the beauty of the farms and plantation here in

Cebu, they will also have an opportunity to see how mangoes and other native crops are produced, maintained, and harvested, she said.

De la Fuente then said that the main goal of using this tramline in the farms and other crop plantation areas is to attract tourists because they are usually delighted to visit farms and ride in a tramline.

This will also serve as an adventure for the tourist-friends because they are given the chance to tour farms and plantations. We will let them experience harvesting crops on their own if they want, De la Fuente further added.

She pledged to implement this measure as soon as the PMFI acquires the budget and personnel to handle the facility

since they have already spotted the upland barangays of Cebu City where these tramlines are to be established.

These will include Barangay Busay and other neighboring barangays, De la Fuente said.

Department of Agriculture (DA-7), Regional High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator Nenita Seno also committed to support fully any measures to boost the status of mango and other high value crops not only in the province of Cebu but also in the entire region.

“As of now we are making roadmaps and program interventions target to benefit the small beneficiaries,” Seno concluded. (mbcn/AYS-PIA7 Cebu)

PCA distributes salt fertilizers to Siquijor coco farmers

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, Nov 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Siquijor distributed 6,207 bags of salt fertilizers to 2,909 coconut farmers which would increase their production and income, and therefore, encourage them to plant more.

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CA encourages coconut farmers to raise quality coconut seedlings and get paid P14/seedling; and another P16/seedling when these are planted and grown said Ma. Glemma Gallardo, PCA-Siquijor information officer in a press statement.

Gallardo added this is under the agency's ongoing participatory coconut planting programs (PCPP). At present,

PCA-Siquijor is implementing the Kasaganaan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (Kaanib) project at Camplamanas, Lazi, Siquijor.

Under the project, a group of coco farmers are gathered to establish and maintain a nursery and to take care of the coconut seedlings that the PCA offers to pay at P14/seedling to augment the farmers’ income.

Positive responses are so far seen, she said and hopes that Kaanib will be fully implemented before the year ends.

Records from the PCA say that Siquijor has 6,808 hectares of coconut farms, 6,401.2 hectares of which are owner operated and 406.8 are tenanted. (mbcn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor/ MGGallardo-PCA)

Local college supports organic farming in Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, Nov 12 (PIA) -- The Siquijor State College (SSC) expressed its support to the province’s advocacy on organic farming.

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he school, with its 400 students in an information caravan held at the SSC, declared their proactive response to organic farming in the island, said SSC Vice President for Extension and Research Steven Sumaylo.

As an institution of higher learning, SSC is mandated and expected to be actively involved in extension programs that embraces the concept of people empowerment and human resource development, said Sumaylo.

This mandate hopefully can boost the mobilization of knowledge and technology

towards productivity enhancement, employment alleviation, and poverty reduction, Sumaylo said in his opening remarks.

He said the SSC continuously conducts research and extension programs that emphasize science and technology interventions and its contribution to the country’s development agenda.

Sumaylo assures that the SSC administration and its students will give its support to the undertaking of the provincial organic agriculture board and its

technical working committee in toiling the minds through instruction and information dissemination.

He said that SSC has revised its vision and mission towards becoming an effective agent of change in making Siquijor province and its nearby areas progressive and prosperous.

He believed that through this, SSC and its students, as well as their parents will become organic farming advocates if not, organic farmers themselves. (mbcn/ RAC-PIA7, Siquijor)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DOST inaugurates new office in Biliran Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla of Region VIII

By Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran, Nov 10 (PIA) -- Now, a new building in Biliran will be helping students, the academe, entrepreneurs, and others with their endeavors.

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he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inaugurated the P3 million-worth Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) located beside the gymnasium of the Naval State University (NSU), Thursday.

The Center will serve as resource center where other services such as those in research, training, library will be offered to residents in the area, said DOST-8 regional director Edgardo M. Esperancilla.

He added that the center will also serve as a venue for technology transfer

especially in the research and extension services of NSU. The new office building will also meet the needs of small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in Biliran in their pursuit for innovations and introduction of ideas associated in the development of SMEs of the province, the DOST-8 chief said.

It was learned that a usufruct agreement for 25 years was signed between DOST and NSU officials in the establishment of the new PSTC building within the property of NSU.

Esperancilla and Dr. Minerva Sanosa, NSU dean who represented Dr. Edita S. Genson, NSU president, led the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Romeo L. Dignos, DOST officer revealed that it took two decades before the construction of the PSTC office building in Biliran was realized since it was proposed by the former DOST-8 regional director Dr. Redia N. Atienza in 1992.

Dignos credited Esperancilla for his efforts in having the fund released. (PIA-8)

Maasin City gets rescue boat from GIZ

By Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov 13 (PIA) -- Maasin City got a rescue boat from the Deutsche Gsellschaft fúr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in a turn-over ceremony held Monday, November 12 at the city hall grounds.

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ayor Maloney Samaco said during the “Maasin City in Action” radio program, Tuesday, November 13, that the donated rescue boat is worth P900,000 or “almost P1 million which will be used strictly for rescue operations only, specifically during calamities,” Mayor Samaco said. The rubber boat can carry 12 persons at a time, he added.

In any emergency situation especially during disaster, one of the major factors

that measure the effectiveness and efficiency of emergency responses is the presence or availability of rescue equipment, which means that the rescue boat is one of them, the City Disaster Risk Reducation and Management Office proposal to GIZ said.

The donated equipment will strengthen the response capability of the CDRRMC headed by City Engineer Anecito Narit as well as the City

Emergency Response Team with its team leader Ritche Sumalinog.

It was learned that the rubber boat was test-run last Saturday, November 10 at the Maasin City pier area by the members of the CERT. The city mayor revealed that there is still a list of rescue equipments proposed to the GIZ to be approved yet. (PIASouthern Leyte)

Eastern Samar LGU awards farm equipment to farmers' association

By Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Nov 13 (PIA) -- Ninteen farmer-associations who have maintained close working relationships with agricultural technicians have been awarded with 15 hand tractors and 11 rice threshers during the province’s 47th founding anniversary.

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his is in line with the farm mechanization of the province initiatives dubbed Provincial Rice Production Enhancement Program (PRPEP) which aims to achieve rice sufficiency in Eastern Samar.

The hand tractors and rice threshers were handed over by Gov. Nicart Jr. and witnessed by Vice-Gov. Christopher Gonzales; Regalado R. Opena, provincial agriculturist; and Floro A. Balato, Sr., chairman on agriculture in a simple ceremony.

According to Clementa A. Erazo, senior agriculturist and focal person of this program, said this is one of the results of Gov. Nicart’s priority program on agricultural productivity.

Erazo further said with these hand tractors and rice threshers, palay production will increase so there would be no need to import rice from other regions. The farmers association that received these hand tractors

and rice threshers were: Cantubi Farmer’s Association (FA) of Balangkayan – one hand tractor; Tabunan FA, Cagbonga-Bayobay FA, Tagbanwa Producer’s Association – each association received one hand tractor and Pinamalut-an Irrigation’s Association - one rice thresher of Borongan City; Malogo FA/IA – one hand tractor of Can-avid; Paya IA of Giporlos – one rice thresher; Burabod ARB’s Asso. of Hernani - one hand tractor and one rice thresher; Jipapad FA - one hand tractor and one thresher and Brgy. 3 FA one rice thresher of Jipapad; Antipolo MPC – one hand tractor and one thresher of Llorente; Sitio Tugas FA, Lipata FA – each association received one hand tractor and one rice thresher; Alugan FA – one hand tractor of San Policarpo; San Juan Villager’s FA, Sto. Tomas FA – each association received one hand tractor and one rice thresher, SPCFFS FA – one rice thresher of Sulat; and Mantang-Dacul

IA and Del Remedios FA – each association received one hand tractor of Taft. The cost of the 15 hand tractors is P1,779,765 at P118,651.00/unit; and the cost of 11 rice threshers is P1,315,600 at 119,600.00/unit, bringing the over-all total amount to P3,095,365.

Erazo said that 85 percent of the total cost of equipment which was P2,631,060.25 was given by the Department of Agriculture through Regional Field Unit -8, Tacloban City while 15 percent of the cost of all the equipment equivalent to P464,304.75 was temporarily shouldered by the provincial government to be paid by the farmers’ association. These equipment were loaned by the farmer’s association and upon pull-out from the DA-provincial office, each claimant association would have paid half of the loan amount and the remaining half will paid on the next cropping season. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla of Region VIII

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2,600 EVisayas HS studes apply for DOST scholarships

GOVERNMENT CENTER, Palo, Leyte, Nov 14 (PIA) -- A total of 2,647 high school students from Eastern Visayas applied and will take the qualifying examinations for the Science Education Institute scholarships of the Department of Science and Technology.

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OST-8 Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla said the date of examination is on November 18, Sunday, at designated test centers.

The test permits were mailed to applicants or school principals, Esperancilla said.

In case applicants do not receive theirs days before the date of examination, they may inquire from the DOST regional office or at any DOST S&T Centers.

Esperancilla said the DOST-SEI Science and Technology examination is an aptitude test to measure the abilities that determine academic and professional success in science, mathematics, and engineering.

The awardees will be selected on the basis of their performance in the S&T Scholarship Examination. The list of successful examinees will be released

by DOST and posted at provincial stations before the end of school year 2012-2013.

This scholarship program is pursuant to RA 7687, otherwise known as the S&T Scholarship Act of 1994 which mandates DOST to provide scholarships to talented students whose family’s socio-economic status does not exceed the set values of certain indicators as approved by the Advisory Committee on S&T Scholarships, and the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarships are awarded to deserving students whose socio-economic income exceeds the said indicators. (PIA-8)

Snorkeling and diving to provide employment in Daram isle

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Nov 12 (PIA) - - Snorkeling and diving are two of the tourist activities that can help provide employment in the island municipality of Daram, Samar.

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his is according to Sangguniang Bayan member Ronnie Casiano in a phone interview with PIA Samar after the snorkeling guide training in Agutay, Daram with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Commission Sports on Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Buhay Dagat Program last week.

Snorkeling is the practice of swimming in shallow waters three to five meters to watch corals and other sea creatures while diving involves 10 to 20 meters deep.

The PCSSD donated ten sets of snorkeling and diving gears while DOT

promised to deliver another ten sets soon, said Casiano.

This is a big help to the local government of Daram which is currently pursuing its tourism projects.

Last November 5-8, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) conducted an economic survey in Daram where it also had an ocular inspection and site validation of proposed diving and snorkeling areas.

Some of them are in Naratara, Rizal; Danau-danauan Islet, Cabiton-an; Rock Formation in Mabini and the Agutay Sea garden in Barangay Tugas.

The visitors agreed that Daram has the potential of becoming a new tourist destination to offer snorkeling, island hopping and extreme water sports.

Casiano said that TIEZA has approved their proposal and that Daram is now doing the site development plan and preparing the program of work.

He added that TIEZA will fund Php 10 M while Daram LGU through Mayor Lucia Astorga will shoulder 30% of the amount.

“We want that the services needed by the prospective tourists be provided by our local folks from boatmen, tour guides and food to generate employment,” said Casiano. (PIA-Samar)

Fuel-pricing dependent on contract price in global market

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov 13 (PIA) -- The decline and increase of gas or fuel prices in the local market depends on the contract price in the global market and the Department of Energy (DOE) cannot and will not regulate its pricing.

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ccording to Antonio E. Labios, DOE director in the Visayas, DOE will not intervene in price adjustment specially if it entails with the increase of gas or fuel prices since their office is not privy in fixing prices but is left to the discretion of independent oil players.

Labios, however, assured the consuming public that the price adjustment or price increase the independent oil players add to the

prevailing selling price are only reasonable and will not result in the increase of prime commodities.

Labios added that, in case it cannot assure or control the increase of prime commodities following price adjustment, government will take necessary preventive measure to mitigate the impacts on the consuming public.

This will be done by providing subsidy to the public utility vehicle or bus to ensure that the prevailing fare will remain.

This will also ensure that there will not be a domino effect on prices.

The Department of Energy is envisioned to ensure energy security, achieve optimal energy pricing, and develop sustainable energy system.

Labios said that with the recent appointment of former Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla as DOE Secretary, Region 8 is assured that energy is sustainable and equitable. (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