One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 50

Vol 2

Issue 50

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Philippine Information Agency (PIA-6) Director Ma. Janet C. Mesa (Left) awards a banner to the staff of “The Lead” publication of St. La Salle Communications Department, Bacolod City for garnering the Best Magazine award during the recent College Press Conference attended by 359 college editors and writers from various universities and colleges in Region 6. Director Mesa is assisted

by PIA-6 operations Officer Jaime S. Cabag Jr. (TVillavert-PIA 6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

NGCP Corporate Affairs Head Nelson Cabangon shares NGCP’s new mission as Tubigon Mayor William R. Jao signs the agreements which binds the local government and the power corporation to set up the necessary water system infrastructure along the four mountain barangays of Tubigon, namely: Bunacan, Cawayanan, Libertad and Buenos Aires. (PIA7 Bohol)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

December 10 - 16, 2012

Victor: Towards a Visayas global ICT cluster

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec 12 (PIA)--Information and communications technology (ICT) stakeholders in the Visayas regions have signed a manifesto of commitment to actively work together to sustain and improve the readiness and competitiveness in ICT during the 1st Visasyas ICT Organization (Victor) Conference in Iloilo City recently.

ICT Association of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental executive director Dannah Fortunato said ICT stakeholders agreed to collaborate and participate in the national and local development to generate more jobs, revenues, investments and opportunities drive by ICT and ICT-enabled sector.

Fortunato said Victor prompted to organize a joint effort to ensure that programs and projects are effectively implemented and develop a unified stand on issues affecting the ICT industry in the Visayas.

Lead convenor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, chair of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) said the unanimous sentiment was to submit the manifesto to their respective regional development councils in regions 6, 7 and 8 urging them to support the same.

In his welcome message, RDC 6 Chair and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco said bringing ICT to the local government units (LGUS) should be among the strategic directions of our leaders.

He believes that the proper use of ICT promises not only a better social life and can also transform them into better managed communities where people can have peaceful and productive lives, Fortunato said.

As part of the manifesto, the stakeholders committed to explore solutions that will reduce electricity rates and ensure efficient infrastructure to enhance and sustain the positive business ecosystem for all the Visayas regions.

The ICT group agreed to request the Department of Energy (DOE) through Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla to seriously look into the matter of the increasing electricity rates in the Visayas and explore solutions to reduce said rates in order to sustain and support the competitiveness of Visayas in ICT or ICT- enabled industries.

With respect to talent development, the signatories committed to improve the quality and quantity of human resource of the Visayas regions.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will increase the allocation of bridging courses for call center training, software development, creative outsourcing, financial and accounting, train-the-teacher (T3). Tesda will also develop programs that are responsive to the needs of countryside so that public funds intended for skills development are equitably distributed. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

Ormoc opens P55.506-M Eco-waste Center with sanitary landfill facility ORMOC CITY, Leyte, December 11 (PIA) – The Local government of Ormoc City is set to inaugurate its P55.506 million integrated waste management facility at Barangay Green Valley on December 12.

Dubbed the “Ormoc City Eco-waste Center (CEC),” the 32-hectare facility features a recycling, composting, and sanitary landfill in a single site serves as the local government’s strategic response to address solid waste management within its jurisdiction.

The inauguration of the CEC at 9 a.m. is the culmination of years of joint development work of the GIZ and Ormoc City headed by Mayor Eric C. Codilla.

The event’s formal program will be at the Multipurpose Hall, New Ormoc City Hall from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

The said facility is the first and only one of its kind in Eastern Visayas that fulfills the conditions set with the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR. The newly constructed 1.8-hectare first landfill cell is estimated to accommodate the city’s residual wastes for a period of 10 years.

The Waste Collection Data of Ormoc City reveal that the wastes collected are predominantly domestic household wastes with addition of commercial and institutional waste collected from 61 barangays.

The schedule of biowaste collection for 29 district barangays is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays and the collection is done by seven compactors.

Ormoc City’s daily waste generation within collection area is 38 tons/day the composition of which is 42 percent residuals; 10 percent recyclables; and 48 percent biodegradable. (PIA-8)

The Ormoc City Eco-waste Center (CEC) features composting and material recovery components (Above) and the newly constructed 1.8-hectare sanitary landfill

More foreign investors expected in Western Visayas

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. ILOILO CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA6) -- Iloilo Business Club (IBC) Executive Director Maria Lea Victoria Lara said more global companies are expected to invest in the Western Visayas region in the next 2 to 3 years, including those that will locate at the Megaworld center at the Old Thousands join the “Lakad Kontra Katiwalian” Iloilo Airport.

The business sector, she said, would like also to see an integrity parade in connection with the Anti-Corruption Day celebration in Tacloban in the region more manufacturing firms, which perform value-adding processes.

City, December 9. (Neil Lopido) “Value-adding in the manufacturing sector will have a big impact on the Western Visayas economy,” said Lara.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Improving the research and development sector will positively impact on value-adding in the Also CLICK Here...

manufacturing, entrepreneurship and efforts towards innovations, she said.

She added that the academe will play a crucial role in coming up with technological solutions and innovations.

Lara said the region’s workforce is made up of globally competitive people.

She added that one of the standards for measuring the impact of progress in the region is the extent to which it will improve the quality of life of families.

Lara said that owing to Iloilo’s agriculture and service-based economy, the province and its capital city will do well to build its competencies and become competitive in agriculture, tourism and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). (JCM/JSC-PIA6)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

BOI pushes for massive investments in RP

PIA PIA— —Western Visayas

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA6) -- The Board of Investment is pushing for long-term and sustainable investments in the country that will ensure a strong Philippine economy, a top official of the BOI said.

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OI Governor Oliver B. Butalid, during a recent BOI Investment Road Show here identified 13 areas in the Investment Priorities Plan that local and foreign investors can engage in because these are the industries that have market and potential for growth.

Quoting President Benigno S. Aquino III, Butalid said the over-all aim of the investment program is to create jobs, increase competitiveness, respond to social services needs and address issues on climate change.

These 13 preferred activities are in the fields of agriculture, creative industries/knowledge based services,

shipbuilding, mass housing, iron and steel, energy, infrastructure, research and development, green projects, motor vehicles, strategic projects, hospital / medical services, disasters prevention, mitigation and recovery projects.

All investment deals registered with BOI come with tax holiday packages and incentives to entice more businessmen and big companies to put their money in the country.

The BOI governor also called on LGUs in Negros Occidental to showcase positive investment climate in their areas and give investors ‘amazing experience’ in doing business with them.

A challenge was also raised to turn ‘red tape into red carpet’ welcome to investors.

Gains of good governance have recently put the Philippines among the list of breakaway countries in the world that have been posting strong economic performance.

Addressing more than a hundred participants at the Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel, Butalid urged local government units to establish their respective Local Investment Promotions Board that will manage its investment programs.(PIA6/ JCM/LOL)

Iloilo’s upland towns gear for ecotourism accreditation

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Dec 11 (PIA6) -- The upland municipalities in the Tigum-Aganan Watershed (TAW) area are now gearing up for ecotourism accreditation.

T

he Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) does not have an eco-tourism project yet and Iloilo can be the first province to be accredited, according to TIEZA officer Atty. Niño Ruperto Aquino.

Aquino recently gave an orientation on the guidelines for accreditation, designation and supervision of ecotourism enterprise zones, attended by the local government units and community-based organizations from the towns of Cabatuan, Leon, Maasin and Alimodian.

Aquino said they discussed with the LGUs the latter’s current efforts in

formulating the Forest Land Use Plan and their Tourism Master Plan.

Likewise, priority infrastructure and investment opportunities within the TAW were also identified.

The municipalities of Leon, Cabatuan, Alimodian and Maasin are now stepping up efforts at formulating their eco-tourism plans for immediate submission to the TIEZA, after a planning orientation with the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

CUI Project Manager Benjamin Luz said they are continuously encouraging and helping the TAW municipalities in enhancing local development while protecting the watersheds through

ecotourism initiatives. Meanwhile, the Municipal Tourism Officers and other LGU officials of these towns said they have become aware of their ecotourism constraints and potentials.

DENR Forester Apolinario Corbal said they are now into aligning of ecotourism sites in the municipalities, developing specific activities and services to make an ecotourism circuit, then make one master plan for all.

“We hope to be the first ecotourism site accredited by TIEZA,” Corbal said.

(CUI/JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Most GSIS members in Antique not eligible for Calamity Loan

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Dec 12 (PIA6) -- Despite the declaration of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the opening of Calamity Loan to members affected by Typhoon Pablo, most government employees in Antique are no longer allowed to apply for such loan.

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eo Frigillano, Provincial Manager of GSIS Antique, said those who have availed of Calamity Loan last September, when Antique was declared under the state of calamity during the occurrence of Typhoon Gener, are no longer allowed to apply for the second time.

It is just a matter of two months when the first application was made and payment of loan or first deduction has just

started, Frigilano stated. Related to this, GSIS enjoined the support of all government agencies and instrumentalities to promptly and regularly collect and remit premium payments and loan amortization so that GSIS could extend timely assistance to members when needed.

Likewise, Frigillano reported that with the increasing number and strategically located GWAPs kiosk in the province,

application for GSIS loans is much easier as compared in the previous years.

Antique has a total of six GWAPs machines.

Frigillano said putting up of GWAPS machines in the cluster of municipalities and agencies is part of the agency’s campaign to bring the services of GSIS closer to its members. (JCM//PSM/ PIA6Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA PIA— —Western Visayas

PIA-6 recognizes Officers for 2012

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Best

Performing

Info

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Dec 10 (PIA6) -- The Philippine information Agency-6 recognized the performance of 10 information officers in the region, who have come up with excellent achievements in their information and education work.

T

he awardees came from the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Iloilo.

Salvacion Villasis, of Aklan State University, in Banga campus again won Best Performing Information Officer Award.

This is her third consecutive win.

Ms. Villasis was also given the “Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas medal” for the Hall of Fame Award.

The province of Capiz had three Best Performing Information Officers, namely: Fire Officer 2 Marlon Garbo, Sr. Police Officer 1 Donna Asmod, and Eduardo

Basilonia, the latter being Head of the Capiz Provincial Press Bureau.

The three, said PI A-C apiz Officer-in-charge Jemin Guillermo, have been actively engaging themselves in massive information and education campaigns to serve their clients best.

Iloilo has four Best Performing IOs, all regional Information Officers, handling major programs in their respective offices.

For Negros Occidental, two Best Performing Information Officers shared the limelight.

The information officers were evaluated according to their actual accomplishments for the last two years, and higher points were given to two documented impact projects and the feedbacks or testimonials of direct beneficiaries.

The awarding was done during the I n f o r m a t i o n Of f i c e r s ’ Y e a r - e n d Conference in Talisay City, December 7, where each awardee receivced a certificate of recognition and PIA trophy, (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Capiz product expo, garden show net P877,000

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec 12 (PIA6) -- The product expo and garden show of the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs as well as cutflower growers in Capiz were able to net nearly P900,000.

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nformation Officer Ken Queenie Cuñada of the Capiz Department of Trade and Industry said the recent four-day Capiz Product Expo posted a gross sales of P642,356.50, with furniture and other crafts accounting for 66 percent of the total sales.

In addition, she said the week-long Capiz Multi-Purpose Cooperative Garden Show was able to generate P234,927 sales.

She added that the food and wellness group products had 44 percent of the

total gross sales during the event.

Among this year’s top earners are Kreyativo Handicraft, Grace 88 Shellcraft, Giner Pottery, Akoni Food Products, and Asia-Pacific Aqua Marine, Inc. (APAMI), she said The expo was an explosion of palate and palette as 130 new products, product lines and designs were launched to the market for the first time.

Aside from the product expo, Cuñada said that there was also a garden show for the cutflower and ornamental plant

growers with 13 exhibitors participated in said show.

The Capiz Product Expo and Garden Show with a theme “Unity in Diversity” were among this year’s activities for the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival in Capiz.

The event highlighted the province’s rich and diverse local resources as well as its creative, skillful and resourceful entrepreneurs. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Aklan town, barangay scholar receive award from nutrition council

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Dec 10 (PIA6) -- The town of Lezo, located in the western side of Aklan, has been conferred the Green Banner Award by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) 6 for its commendable implementation of the government’s nutrition programs and projects in the area which made a difference in the nutritional status of its children.

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he award was conferred to Lezo during the Nutrition Congress held recently at the Punta Villa Resort in Arevalo, Iloilo City, according to Crescini Roxas, Provincial Nutrition Coordinator of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here.

In the same activity, Roxas said Cherill Reyes of Barangay Dongon in

Numancia, Aklan, was also awarded as a regional and provincial Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS).

Reyes received the award from NNC along with other outstanding BNSes from the provinces of Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Lezo, on the other hand, received the Green Banner Award along with the

towns of Bugasong in Antique and Jordan in Guimaras.

Some 200 participants from Aklan joined the Nutrition Congress coming from the towns of Banga, Buruanga, Kalibo, Lezo, Malinao, Numancia and Tangalan, according to Roxas. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

PNoy declares San Pedro Calungsod, good model for Filipinos

PIA PIA— —Central Visayas

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino III said the life and sainthood of Calungsod embodies the Filipino pride and great gratitude to the Catholic faith and to God. The sacred youth is really a Filipino aspects of human life specifically in dealing during the National Thanksgiving Mass for being raised in the Visayas Island with other people, loved ones and to the Saint Pedro Calungsod. specifically here in Cebu," Aquino said faith in God. Visayan Saint Pedro Calungsod during the National Thanksgiving Mass for “Saint Pedro Calungsod reflects the canonized in Rome along with six other Saint Pedro Calungsod at SRP Cebu. kindness of the Visayas.” The President saints last Oct. 21 of which the National The President said Filipinos should continued that “ the gathering for the Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated here in also offer gratitude to God for the National Thanksgiving Mass marks the Cebu on November 29, 2012. canonization of the second Filipino Saint testament of being an outward for oneself, Prior to Saint Pedro Calungsod other serving as model to the Filipinos and the for others and to God.” Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila was youth.

“The challenge is to put together and also declared Saint by the Roman Catholic He added that Saint Pedro Calungsod play our part for betterment, may the life Church. (mbcn/AYS/PIA-Cebu) portrayed such character of the Visayan of the Saint be our guide,” the President people that all Filipinos should reflect in all said in front of about one million crowd

"

PCOO head encourages media to be government’s ally

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Herminio “Sonny" Coloma" encouraged the media to be the government’s partner for development.

W e e n c o u r a g e t h e m e d i a the capability of media as government’s “In practice ay ginagawa na lahat na practitioners in the country to be the partner in shaping development. hinihiling doon sa Bill (Freedom of government's allies in promulgating The secretary also believed in the Information), ang Pangulo ay pumayag at the good news for development,” Coloma power of networking to achieve handang magtatag ng sariling version ng said. development in the country as he urged FOI sa Malacanan,” Sec. Coloma said.

He added that media could be the for the continuous networking among all The secretary said this during the best partner of the government in fulfilling sectors. recent yearend assembly of government the principle, aim and goal in practicing “Never before we see the national information officers from Regions 6 and 7 “Matuwid na Daan.” government agencies setting up their own initiated by the Philippine Information Coloma said that in all public events, website,” Coloma stressed.

Agency from said regions with the theme: President Aquino always made it a point He also said that even in Malacanang, “Realizing the Matuwid na Daan through to communicate with the members of the the President is pushing for networking Responsible Social Networking.” (rmn/ media as the President has high regard to and transparency of information to the AYS/PIA-7, Cebu) public and to the media.

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Over 300 call center agent-applicants join career expo of PCCI, TESDA

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- More than 300 job applicants participated in the career expo recently organized by the Philippine Call Center Institute (PCCI) in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

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usiness development officer Victor Evangelista of PCCI said some 50 job applicants were hired on the spot.

The expo was the first-anniversary celebration of PCCI participated in by business processing outsourcing (BPOs), the Transcom, Sitel, Qualfon, Teletech, SPI Global and Aegis held in Dumaguete City.

The PCCI is one of the training institutions in Dumaguete whose program, Finishing Course for all Call Center Agent is registered with Tesda, said information officer Geraldine Delos Reyes of Tesda.

Tesda distributed flyers on the showcased programs and services, the Tesda Online Program (TOP), the Tesda Specialista Technopreneurship Program (TSTP) and scholarships, Delos Reyes said.

The online program is offered for free for computer hardware servicing NC II, room attendant servicing, guestroom attendant servicing NC II, bus boy servicing and cell phone servicing qualifications.

Tesda developed the online program to make technical-vocational education and training (TVET) accessible anytime and anywhere.

While TSTP are trained certified skilled workers on call formed into groups to render their services to the public with a reasonable fee, said Delos Reyes.

Tesda joined the career fair to assist the applicants whose skills do not match the jobs available and those who need to enhance their skills.

Job seekers eyeing work abroad were interested about the requirements in undergoing Tesda’s assessment procedure to be able to get a certification, which is now a requirement by some companies for hiring. (mbcn/JCT/PIA- Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

PIA PIA— —Central Visayas

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Tubigon taps NGCP for villages’ water project

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TUBIGON, Bohol (PIA) -- Tubigon town in Bohol has tapped the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to bring tap water to the households of its four "waterless" mountain barangays.

T

ubigon mayor William Jao and NGCP’s head of corporate affairs Nelson Cabangon siged the memorandum of agreement to co-fund the P1.8 million project that brings 24 hour water service to barangays Bunacan, Cawayanan, Libertad and Buenos Aires.

In simple ceremonies held at the guest’s lounge of the mayor’s office, Vice Mayor Virgilio Fortich thanked the NGCP's offer to bring water to the remote barangays as part of its corporate social responsibility program.

Mayor Jao said the project is part of the town’s second phase project of a P50 million overhaul plus expansion activities of the local waterworks.

According to the MOA, NGCP shall donate

P250 for the project in consideration of the local government’s effort to secure the transmission lines of the NGCP which traverse through the beneficiary barangays concerned.

To complete the project, Mayor Jao explained that the it allocates some P.5 million while DIWA partylist, through Representative Emmyline Aglipay has accordingly put in P1 million for the project.

The mayor told Cabangon that the project utilizes springs and underground sources to store water in reservoirs before its distribution to the households.

Earlier, Tubigon earned a similar water project through the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government as

well as the National Anti-Poverty Commission in the SalinTubig.

Similar projects were also implemented as the town put up the lines from its source at Bunacan and supplying highway barangays towards Barangay Pinayagan, funded by the P50 million loan.

Tubigon, a town whose name evokes water, has many barangays thirsting for reliable potable water supply until recently.

Its dire need for water was punctuated when a fire hit the town years ago. The fire razed to the ground the town market as the local fire-trucks allegedly could not replenish their water supply for lack of such. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-Bohol)

DSWD 7 turns over NHTS-PR data sets to Bohol province

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-Field Office 7) has formally turned over the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) data sets to the Provincial Government of Bohol at Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City on November 29, 2012.

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ohol governor Edgardo Chatto received the electronic copy of the NHTS-PR Proxy Means Test (PMT) results and statistics covering the selected demographic profile of poor households in the Province of Bohol.

The sharing of data sets was made possible after DSWD FO-VII and Bohol Provincial Government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the sharing and use of the NHTS-PR data of the poor households in Bohol.

The data sets contained the magnitude of poor households per municipality and barangay, list of poor households with family members, date of birth, age, and type of toilet facilities used.

Governor Chatto also asked the list of poor households without electricity,

households with type of main water source and those with and without PhilHealth coverage.

So far, the Province of Bohol is the first and only provincial government in the region that signed a MOA with the DSWD-7.

NHTS-PR has identified 70,028 poor households in Bohol based on its first assessment in 2009.

NHTS-PR is an information management system that identifies who and where poor households are in the country. The project aimed for the government and civil society to establish objective targeting system on the social protection programs and services to the poor.

The project also helps reduce leakage and exclusion of the poor in availing the services.

On the same event, 24 local government

units (LGUs) in the region signed the memorandum of agreement with DSWD FO-VII as co-partners in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Set 6.

Of the 24 identified LGUs, 17 are from Bohol, five (5) from Cebu and two (2) from Siquijor.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a conditional cash transfer program of DSWD providing health and educational cash grants to household with children 0-14 years of age.

The pre-set conditions for health includes pre and post natal care, immunization, weighing and attendance to family development sessions while that of education is simply 85% monthly attendance of children in school starting day-care to be able to receive such grant monthly.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7/DSWD-7)

Gov’t calls for tech savvy disaster communicators

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) -- Tough times call for desperate solutions.

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his was the message of Philippine Information Agency regional director Minerva Newman in her lecture before information officers from all over Central Visayas who attended the 20th Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO) consultative forum held at the Bohol Tropics recently.

Newman talked about an end-to-end early-warning communication system, even as she challenged information officers from local government units and national government agencies to use the digital and mobile technology now available to do the roles of first end of the early communications warning system in the event of disasters and disaster preparedness or mitigation.

Calling on information officers to help in the daunting task of keeping communities informed about climate change-spawned disasters, Newman impressed upon the participants the new image of

information officers: aside from the usual packaging, information officers have to be technology savvy to be able to efficiently and effectively function.

While traditional information dissemination medium remains reliable, new trends in science and technology have opened up countless opportunities for communication solutions, making info-dissemination work less cumbersome and more effective with so little effort.

Recent developments in digital communications, internet and mobile phone technology have dumped into the info-worker’s lap the possibilities for making information readily available for communities. With almost everyone in the country owning a cellphone, the chances of getting the correct information spreading rapidly through the mobile phone technology is heightened, information officers agree.

Newman also urged information officers to learn how to read maps and decode relevant

information embedded in such sources of information. Knowing which areas are prone to disaster from maps will most likely be helpful in communicating to specific communities the risks involved. Moreover, she said communicating early warnings for disasters, for example, should not just be relevant but timely as well.

Effective early-warning disaster communication is done in real time, she pointed out.

For this, she urged information officers to refer to the government weather bureau and related sites to get their updates for dissemination to communities.

She capped her message by saying that while information from government authorities are already available in countless websites, passing these relevant information to communities by people like communicators can complete the end-to-end system which the country desperately needs to fill. (mbcn/ rahc/PIA-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

PIA PIA— —Eastern Visayas

East Visayas bags 3 awards at DOLE’s Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 8 (PIA) -- Eastern Visayas bagged three national awards in the 8th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan held December 5 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City.

We are happy that once again Region Distinction, Institutional Category; Petron and individuals in terms of responding to 8 has produced national winners at Corporation Tacloban Depot received the the safety and health needs of workers, of the GKK. We take pride of our DOLE Secretary’s Award of Honor in the workplaces and community. winners for exhibiting exemplary Institutional Category; while Petron He added that the award aims to performance that contributed to the C o r p o r a t i o n T a c l o b a n D e p o t ’ s encourage institutions or companies to promotion of the health and safety of our Mr. Joey P. Ortega won the DOLE implement own safety, health and workers, " Department of Labor and Secretary’s Award of Honor for the environment programs and in the process Employment Region 8 Director Exequiel Individual Category. achieve productivity and zero accident in Sarcauga said.

Sarcauga said GKK is a national award the workplace. (PIA-8) Energy Development Corporation given by DOLE in recognition of won the DOLE Secretary’s Award of outstanding achievement of establishments

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2,762 more EVisayas senior citizens to receive social pension in 2013 TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 8 (PIA) -- Starting next year, an additional 2,762 senior citizens in Eastern Visayas will start receiving a monthly five hundred peso – stipend as lifetime financial assistance from the national government.

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SWD Region 8 Director Leticia Diokno said this is part of the Social Pension Program being implemented by the government thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Given priority under the program are 77 – year old senior citizens who are without a monthly social pension from any government or private institution, or who don’t have a regular

support from family or relatives, or are frail and sickly.

As of December, this year, there are some 14, 870 elderly citizens eligible for social pension who are considered “waitlisted.”

Ms. Rose Valeriano, social worker for the program, revealed that those in the list have been assessed and validated by their local social welfare and development

officers, and chairmen of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) as qualified. However, the social worker added, they were lined – up according to those who are needing the most.

Presently, there are some 13, 882 senior citizens benefiting of the program. The number represents 98 % of the total target of 14, 294 would – be beneficiaries.

(PIA-8)

CSOs in LDRRMC crucial, says OCD chief TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec 12 (PIA) – The top official of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas has reminded local government units (LGUs) in the region to follow the mandate stated in Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The law states that LGUs should ensure the membership of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC).

R

ey Gozon, OCD regional director, said the role of CSOs is crucial for a more disaster resilient communities.

The memorandum circular of the Department of National Defense issued last February, 2012 directed national and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Councils (DRRMCs) for the inclusion of four CSOs representing the academe, religious group, non-government organization and people’s organizations and professional group.

Gozon said data revealed that while 70 percent of LGUs have formed their

own LDRRMC, their functionality and CSO composition need looking into.

It was learned that CSOs seating in the LDRRMC are expected to participate in all disaster risk reduction and management activities in their areas.

(PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

PIA PIA— —Eastern Visayas

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NSO-Southern Leyte bags Most Improved Province for 2012

By Rebecca S. Cadavos

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO)-Southern Leyte Provincial Office was awarded the Most Improved Province in the 2012 Field Awards, Statistical Coordination Officer I Elissa P. Carbonilla said in a statement.

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he said that in addition to the said award, NSO-Southern Leyte also ranked 3rd in the Statistical Operations (Provincial Category) and 7th in the Overall Performance (Provincial Level).

The Field Awards are an incentive system for the NSO regional and provincial offices outputs in its mandated activities, Carbonilla said.

The categories for the regional level covers six areas while the provincial level has five categories, such as Statistical

Operations, Civil Registration, General Administration, Partnership and Linkages and Information Dissemination.

The Field Awards aim to increase NSO visibility not only among sub-national and local government agencies but also among the private sectors through the conduct of seminars and fora.

For these accomplishments, NSO Southern Leyte received plaques and certificates of recognition and cash prize, though the report did not mention how much the cash prize received.

Carbonilla bared that Provincial Statistics Officer Mae R. Almonte has committed to improve the office’s rating when she assumed the post in January, this year.

“This is just the beginning, we at the NSO provincial office still need to improve our performance in the next rating period,” Carbonilla quoted PSO Almonte when asked about the future plans of NSO Southern Leyte relative to the Field Awards.(PIA-Southern Leyte)

Salcedo town implements farm-to-market road project

By Samuel D. Candido Borongan City, Eastern Samar, Dec. 12 (PIA) - - The Local Government Unit of Salcedo is now implementing the Department of Agrarian Reform- Asian Development Bank (DAR-ADB) sub-project which is the rehabilitation of 4.30 kilometer Casili-on-Tagbacan- Tacla-on -Sta Cruz Farm to Market (FMR) road.

T

he construction of an all weather farm to market road in Salcedo started in September 17, 2012 and will be finished within 8 months.

This 4.30 kilometer road project with an appropriation of P11.4 million was funded by DAR-ADB in the amount of P5,701,855.66 while the counterpart of LGU Salcedo was also of the same amount.

According to Ms. Isabel Abella, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, prior to its implementation, people from this remote barangays depended largely on motorcycle and tricycle for their transportation services, with high fare rates, to transport their farm products to the market through existing narrow and very rough trail.

But Ms. Abella said, with the realization of this project it will give positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the four barangays. The health problems will decrease and transport of agricultural and other farm products would become easier. This project is under the contract of AL’s Construction.

(PIA-E. Samar)

DAR brings P500-M rural infra projects to Samar

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- By the end of year 2012, over P500 M worth of farm to market road projects and potable water system had been worked out by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the province of Samar under the auspices of the Agrarian Reform Community Project, Phase 2.

W

ith a total 122,665 kilometers, the projects are spread in 22 agrarian reform communities in the municipalities of Samar, namely, Almagro, Sta. Margarita, Tarangnan, Pagsanghan, Daram, Jiabong, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Sta.Rita, Marabut, Villareal and Basey.

Projects in Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Daram, Villareal, Pagsanghan and Tarangnan are nearing completion this

year. Potable water system in Calbiga ARC and the two road projects in Daram and Pinabacdao are subject for approval by the National Sub-Project Approval Committee (NSAC).

More rural infra projects are coming to Samar before the ARCP 2 2014.

For ARCP2 implementing LGUs who meet and satisfy the qualifications set on ARCP’s Performance Based Grant System, a rebate of 20% of the total project cost

shall be earned by the LGU in the form of another rural infra-project.

The LGU of Daram, Pagsanghan and Calbiga are most likely to qualify in good governance of project implementation.

ARCP projects are jointly financed by the Philippine National Government and the Asian Development Bank.

(PIA–Samar with Teresa Tijol, IO-DAR Samar)

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

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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