One Visayas Vol 2 Issue 7

Vol 2

Issue 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

(R-L) Capiz 2nd District Rep. Jane Tan-Castro with Governor Victor Tanco and Cuartero Mayor Roger Flores and Land Bank of the Philippines representative ready the amount for distribution to the Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) beneficiaries.

(Hallares/PIA-JBG)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Feb. 13—19, 2012

DENR-6 ready to conduct cadastral survey

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA6) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here said it is fully prepared to conduct the 2012 cadastral survey in selected municipalities in the region.

DENR-6 Executive Director Julian Amador said a cadastral survey is a type of land survey to determine the administrative boundary of a town or a city including its barangays, iand that of lots in alienable and disposable lands of public domain for land titling purposes.

Amador said they would like to hasten the cadastral survey to resolve or avoid conflicts in political boundaries among local officials.

The survey will cover an area of 146,617 hectares of public lands, which includes 30,713 for Iloilo, covering the towns of Anilao, banate, leon, and Iloilo City.

The DENR has targeted to survey 23,374 hectares covering the towns of Buenavista, Sibunag and San Lorenzo in the province of Guimaras; and 8,850 hectares in Buruanga in Aklan.

Some 47,483 hectares are covered in Antique, involving the towns of Caluya, Pandan and Valderrama, and some 45,031 hectares in Negros Occidental

covering the towns of Sipalay, Kabankalan, Pulupandan and Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, Regional Technical Director for Land Management Services Maximo F. Soriano, Jr. said that DENR has blacklisted two cadastral survey contractors who abandoned their survey projects and failed to correct survey defects.

As a priority project, Soriano said, the cadastral survey is being monitored by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and he has instructed to sanction contractors that hinder accomplishment of it.

Earlier, President Aquino has allotted P3.56 billion for the cadastral survey project, showing government’s seriousness in pursuing the program. (ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

DENR-6 Executive Director Julian Amador (photo by Isa Lorenzo)

GSIS allocates P164M emergency loans for NegOr quake victims

OIL SPILL PROBE TEAM. The Bohol Coastal Resource Management Task Force led by PENRO Nestor Canda and BEMO, represented by Jose Garcia sends a probe team to see truth behind the allegations that a merchant vessel dumped oil into the Danajon Bank, which has already affected hectares of mangrove plantations and tideflats. (PIABohol/ RAC)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

A PhilHealth Tiangge in connection with the agency’s 17th anniversary celebration is now on-going in front of its office at Burgos St., Tacloban City, February 1315. The proceeds of this 3-day event will be for the PhilHealth enrolment of orphans and inmates. (PIA-8/Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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By: Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is allocating P164 million for emergency loans to government employees affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Oriental the hardest.

GSIS Dumaguete City Branch Manager Cecile Tenaja said the new emergency loan (EML) offer is in response to the urgent needs of members in times of calamities and is part of its agency’s corporate social responsibility.

“We requested for the reopening of the EML grant for qualified employees who have not yet availed of the previous emergency loan offer especially those coming from the quake-affected areas,” said Tenaja.

Tenaja said this is an extension of the EML previously granted but was stopped on January 20due to typhoon Sendong.

However, those who have already availed of the previous EML as Sendong victims may no longer be eligible to loan.

The insurance agency, on the other hand, has already disbursed more than P220 million in emergency loans to 11,866 members in the province affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.

Qualified members can avail of the P20,000 emergency loan from Feb. 8 to March 9 in any of the 11 GSIS kiosks deployed throughout Negros Oriental using either their Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID card or temporary card.

Tenaja said the interest rate for emergency loan is only six percent per annum payable in three years.

There are still more than 8,000 GSIS members who have yet to avail of the EML as Tenaja called on them to avail of the new calamity loan offer. (FCR/ JCT/PIA-NegOr)

Lighting up of Javier’s 28 villages part of PNoy’s social contract, mayor says TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 12 (PIA) – All the barangays and sitios of Javier, Leyte are now lighted, thanks to the President who is really fulfilling his social contract with the Filipino people, Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier told local media recently.

Javier, who accompanied Budget Secretary Florencio Abad in his recent visit to the region, said that the 28 villages in his municipality have now access to electricity with the completion of the P6 million rural electrification project of the National Electrification Administration in partnership with a local electric cooperative.

Mayor Javier disclosed that the rural electrification project which was completed the week before February 6 has benefitted 2,200 households mostly located in remote barangays of the municipality.

The beneficiaries of this rural electrification project could not believe that they will live to see their barangays benefitting from the power supply, the Mayor said.

He said that children now need not go to barangay centers to do their homework at night

because they can do this at the safety of their own homes.

The lighting up of the remote villages will also bring in more investments and livelihood, Mayor Javier added.

NEA and Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative deployed crews to erect poles and install power lines to connect villages to the main grid located in Javier’s town center.

On the last quarter of 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III has given priority to the Sitio Electrification and Barangay Line Enhancement Programs in compliance to his administration’s social contract with the Filipino people.

By 2017, it is envisioned that 100 percent of rural barangays and 90 percent of rural households nationwide will enjoy access to electricity services. The government doubled its budget this year to P5 billion for rural electrification to attain “inclusive” growth, or economic development that starts from the bottom going up, and countryside investments going to the main population centers. (PIA-8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo, WV's top corn producer

ILOILO AIRPORT

by Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA6) – The province of Iloilo is Western Visayas top corn producer in 2011. It has produced 164,733 metric tons of corn last year, according to Ricardo Saltin, Agri-Pinoy regional corn coordinator.

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he province of Negros Occidental comes second with 90,126 metric tons, followed by Capiz, 47,150; Antique, 4,752; Aklan, 2,850; and, Guimaras, 717.

Saltin said in a media release, that Negros Occidental has the largest area harvested, with 59,810 hectares, followed

by Iloilo, with 43,984; Capiz, 14,823; Antique, 1,899; Aklan,1,082; and, Guimaras, 662, giving a total of 122,240 hectares harvested.

In Western Visayas, a total of 310,328 metric tons of yellow and white corn were produced by farmers, where 242,627 metric tons were used for livestock and poultry feeds, while 67,701 were for used as alternative staple food of

humans.

Saltin said, by and large, with the production figures, there is still comparatively low sufficiency level at 26 per cent, for 2011.

“But with our early planting this year, we hope to raise our sufficiency level this year,” Saltin said.

He added that poultry and livestock sector in the region need a demand of 660,273 metric tons.

Saltin said they are encouraging the farmers to plant corn as early as possible, because of the mild La Niña, which is favorable to corn production.

For 2012, Saltin said they are targeting 325,025 metric tons in corn production with an area of 125,221

harvested all over the region.

Meanwhile, James Earl Ogatis of the DA Regional Information Division, said there are factors affecting increase in corn production, like support interventions in the form of farmers’ field school, utilization of research results, pest surveillance, “tipid abono” techno demonstration, soil fertility mapping, trichogramma cards and tractor pool.

He added the DA has provided post harvest development facilities, like two corn mills, one hammer mill, one village type corn dryer, six Hermetic cocoon, 20,750 trichogramma cards and seven four -wheel tractor to local government units and farmers organizations. (JCM/ESS/PIAIloilo)

Fishermen plant mangroves in exchange for motor engines

by Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 14 (PIA6) - - Motor engines for mangroves.

This is how the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental envisioned a mangrove reforestation in the municipality of Valladolid.

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overnor Alfredo Marañon Jr. recently turned over six units of motor engines to the fishermen who are members of different associations in Valladolid.

The beneficiaries, in return, are required to plant mangroves in designated coastal areas in the town.

The distribution of motor engines is

also part of the livelihood program of the provincial government through the Provincial Environment Management Office headed by Atty. Aleta Nuñez.

Valladolid Mayor Romel P. Yogore accompanied the project beneficiaries and witnessed by Municipal Agriculturist Giovanni Robles, in receiving the 6.0 horsepower motor engine which costs

P14,500 each.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Program under PEMO also turned over 18 sets of waste containers for the segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials in the Provincial Jail in Bago City.

Peace council approves Capiz public safety plan

by Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 13 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Peace and Order Council of Capiz has approved its public safety plan for this year.

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n a meeting presided over by PPOC chair Governor Victor Tanco, the members unanimously approved the 2012 Integrated Area Community Public Safety Plan (IACPSP).

Included in the plan are the various programs and activities to counter insurgency, crime prevention, law enforcement, civil defense and disaster risk reduction and management, campaign against use of prohibited drugs, prosecution of cases, community participation, social reform agenda, environmental protection, education, health and sanitation , food security, and

moral and spiritual recovery.

The construction of farm-to-market roads, implementation of social integration program, barangay empowerment, organization of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, continuous campaigns and advocacies, and institutionalization of police integrated patrol systems are among the measures towards crime prevention and insurgency.

Strict enforcement of law and initiatives against illegal activities such as logging, fishing, mining, and gambling are likewise included in the plan.

The plan also covers activities that

focus on address disaster-related incidents through the activation of the province’s crisis management committee, promotion of safety of lives and properties at sea, identification and mapping of geo-hazard areas.

Earlier, Tanco also said that the PPOC’s plans aim to put an end to the violation of human rights by the lawless elements of the society for the nation to move ahead as well as for the government to bring livelihood and infrastructure development programs and projects to remote areas. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

NEW BACOLOD-SILAY AIRPORT

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NSO stresses importance of registering

by Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA6) -- The National Statistics Office 6 has reminded Ilonggos about the importance of registering civil registry documents, as the country celebrates the Civil Registration Month this February.

“

It is important to register civil registry documents because each one of us is entitled to such identity and that it is our obligation as well as right to have vital events in our lives recorded,” said NSO 6 Information Officer Arleen Bagoning.

Bagoning added that the registration is also an assurance that such document will be recorded in the NSO database for future request.

Civil registry documents include Birth, Marriage and Death certificates and the CENOMAR. In the country these documents are all kept, preserved and provided by the NSO. Bagoning said the civil registry documents are in demand as to almost every transaction that the public has and that the need to further inform them of the importance of civil registration is always considered by the office.

With February of each year declared as Civil Registration Month nationwide by

then President Corazon Aquino by virtue of Proclamation No. 882, the NSO uses the celebration to further intensify the conduct of information dissemination on civil registration.

This year a variety of activities had been planned by the different provincial offices as well as the regional office of the NSO in Region 6 throughout February.

NSO 6 Administrative Officer William Jaro said that in Iloilo City, there will be seminars on civil registration that will be conducted in secondary schools and universities including some barangays where participants, especially parents will be briefed on the proper procedure in securing civil registry documents and steps on how to have their documents corrected.

A rekorida will also roam around the city playing the civil registration jingle and some NSO Regional Office 6 personnel employees were tasked to guest in radio and television programs to further raise

the awareness of the public on civil registration.

On February 25, NSO 6 employees will conduct a tree planting activity in compliance with the National Greening Program of President Benigno C. Aquino III. Government employees and students are mandated to plant 10 trees each year under the NGP signed by President Aquino last February 24, 2011 in line with the priority programs of the national government on food security poverty reduction, resource conservation and protection, productivity enhancement, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Jaro said they will also pursue their feeding activity which they have already started involving the city’s streetchildren under the care of the Iloilo City Social Welfare Development Office tentatively set on February 22.

(LAF/PIA6)

Ambulant vendors to get nego-kart from DOLE by: Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique Feb 13 (PIA) – Ambulant vendors in the town of Patnongon is set to receive nego-karts from the Department of Labor and Employment.

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ccording to Provincial Director Laura Villarico of DOLE Antique, a total of P182,000 will be released to 13 beneficiaries at P14,000 each.

The beneficiaries are ambulant vendors in the town, which needs assistance to hasten their mobility so that they can travel from different locations to vend their goods.

Villarico said this will be a big help to these families who need support to

enhance their retail business.

The support will come in the form of cart with wheels which they can use to move goods and some amount for additional capital.

Nego-kart assistance hopes to augment the family income of beneficiaries where eventually they can become self-reliant entrepreneurs and help their families and communities get out of poverty, said Villarico.

The beneficiaries is set to get their check in time of the municipal and religious fiesta of the town of Patnongon on the last week of February.

Negocart project is one of DOLE’s priority projects intended to provide decent livelihood mainly for the benefit of marginal workers in the country’s informal sector, specifically the ambulant workers.

(JCM//PSM/PIA6 Antique)

BIR-Aklan collects P768.5 M taxes in 2011

by Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, February 13 (PIA6) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Aklan collected a total of P768.5 million taxes in 2011. his feat, according to Aklan was attained in 2010 by the government’s increase in income of taxpayers thus their governor Carlito S. Marquez, tax collection agency which was P664 prompt payment of their taxes. indicates that Aklan’s economy is million.

The BIR’s accomplishment, the good, as he cited the gains of the BIR here The increase in tax collection, governor said, is one indication that in his recent 8th State of the Province according to the governor, also shows the Aklan’s economy is steadily progressing.

Address. industry of the BIR people in collecting (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan) BIR’ collections in 2011, according to taxes; as well as the increase in Marquez, is 15.7 percent higher than what investments in the province and the

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

RDC 7 urges its members to extend aid to quake-affected LGUs in NegOr

CEBU AIRPORT

by Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY February 16 (PIA) -- Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 Chairman Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama urged RDC members to extend assistance to the cities and municipalities of Negros Oriental severely affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on February 6.

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ama issued RDC Memorandum Circular No. 02-2012 enjoining all members of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council to provide aid to local government units (LGUs) of Negros Oriental whose areas were badly damaged by the quake.

The strong quake damaged several infrastructures in Negros Oriental including roads and bridges, according to

the memo. The province also had the most number of casualties, of which majority of the victims were from Gihulngan City where landslides occurred.

Based on the memo guidelines, the RDC secretariat shall coordinate with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of the concerned LGUs to determine

the type of assistance required by their constituents.

The RDC secretariat will then disseminate to the RDC members the specific type of assistance needed by the concerned LGUs. Donations will be coursed through the RDC secretariat who will then handle the distribution to LGUs not later than February 29. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)

PA offers relief goods to quake-affected areas in NegOr

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) turned-over P2 million worth of relief goods at Bulado Port, Guihulngan City to benefit the most heavily-affected areas of the recent strong earthquake that hit Negros Oriental Province.

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A 3rd Infantry Division Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) handed over the relief goods to Social Welfare and Development Officers and local officials from the municipalities of Jimalalud, La Libertad, Tayasan, Ayungon and Guihulngan City.

Two helicopters from the Philippine Air Force also delivered relief goods in Barangay Owakan, Jimalalud and distributed the packed items to neighboring isolated barangays in the area to address the shortage of basic survival

needs of affected families.

At present, army troopers of the 302 Brigade are still continuing their retrieval and relief operations in areas most affected by the earthquake in the 1st congressional district of Negros Oriental, this is said.

The army team is still exerting efforts in retrieving the remaining bodies buried yesterday at the two landslides sites at Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City and Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad.

Undersecretary Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (NDRRMC) and memb er s o f the Inte rnati ona l Humanitarian Country Team were transported by the Philippine Air Force helicopters to La Libertad and Guihulngan City to conduct damage and needs assessment in the affected areas.

The team of 302 Brigade Commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio also conducted ocular inspection in the municipalities of Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Guihulngan City and in the two landslide areas. (FCR/JCT/PIA NegOr)

Bohol group offers P50K reward for info on oil-spill culprit

by Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 16 (PIA) – The Bohol Coastal Resource Management Task Force (BCRMTF) proposed to the Bohol Provincial Capitol its offer of a P50,000 reward for anyone who can lead authorities into identifying the culprit behind the reported oil spill into the waters off Danajon Double Barrier Reef.

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he offer came amid continuing investigation on the oil spill in the said reef located off the northern part of the province.

Gov. Edgar Chatto already called for an investigation on the reported oil-spill as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sent an environmental disaster assessment and probe team to the affected area last Thursday.

According to the probe team which consolidated their post-mission findings earlier this week, they believed the culprits dumped around 600 liters of used

oil in the affected area.

The team also said they documented the oil spill to be affecting around 1.450 kilometers, despite the fact that the area is exposed to inter-island currents and strong winds.

Beyond circumstantial evidence of a vessel allegedly dumping the oil, not one in the area could positively identify the culprit as yet, according to probe team members.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Nestor Canda expressed firm belief that there could be somebody who could have seen the vessel

dumping used oil on that fateful night.

“We only noticed the oil on the shorelines of Bilangbilangan Dako early morning of January 7, so it had been dumped the evening before,” he said in Cebuano.

According to Canda, anyone helping the probe team and the council would be recommended for witness protection to ensure his safety.

Two weeks ago, environmental advocates in Bohol expressed alarm over reports that an oil spill was fast spreading near Jao and Bilang-bilangan Dako islets off Bien Unido Bohol. (fcr/rahc/PIA-Bohol)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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MGB-7 bares six priority programs for 2012 TAGBILARAN AIRPORT

by Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, February 16 (PIA) – Six priority or flagship programs are the primary focus of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) for this year following a directive from Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje and MGB Acting Director Leo L. Jasareno. ines and Geosciences Bureau geohazards assessment and mapping is environment, and social development (MGB)-7 Regional Director made available to authorities for physical among the minerals industry is being Loreto B. Alburo said the framework, land use planning, land use done by the MGB 7. priority programs include geohazard classification and allocation, project The MGB is a primary government assessment and mapping for land and development and disaster preparedness, agency under the Department of coastal areas; groundwater resources as well as management and mitigation.

Environment and Natural Resources assessment; mining industry development In order to ensure the availability of responsible for the conservation, program for responsible mining; national water, the assessment of groundwater management, development and proper use mineral reservation; mine rehabilitation; resources is also a priority program of the of the country’s mineral resources and communication plan for minerals MGB, Alburo declared. including those in reservations and lands development.

Regular conduct of monitoring of of public domains. (fcr/hfg/PIA-7/DENR-7) Alburo said results of the continuing work programs, safety, health,

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ASEAN journalists visit India under Media Exchange Programme

by Rachelle M. Nessia NEW DELHI, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- Twenty (20) journalists from member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the writer, are currently in New Delhi, India for a one-week visit that aims to promote better understanding of ASEAN-India relations while improving connectivity between India and its Asian neighbors.

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he journalists kicked-off their seven-day visit with a tour of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely 363-year old Taj Mahal and its sister monument, Agra Fort, in Agra City on Feb. 12, 2012.

With the journalists’ visit coinciding with the Delhi Dialogue IV on Feb. 13 to 14, 2012 in New Delhi, they paid a courtesy call yesterday on India’s External Affairs Minister Shri Khrishna at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

During his brief interaction with the visiting journalists, Khrishna said that the ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme has been institutionalized with ASEAN member-countries expected host 40 Indian journalists over 3 years.

Khrishna said the Indian media is also keenly looking forward to visiting the ASEAN countries.

After the courtesy call, the ASEAN journalists met with some of their Indian counterparts during a lunch interaction.

The two-day dialogue will focus on its theme: “India and Asean: Partners for Peace, Progress and Stability” during four thematic sessions addressing economic integration, regional security, non-traditional security challenges, and building networks of science and knowledge in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs is organizing the Delhi Dialogue IV in partnership with the Indian Council for

World Affairs (ICWA), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICC), Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS), Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and SAEA Research Group.

Following the dialogue, the ASEAN journalists will travel to Bangalore on Feb. 15 to 17, 2012 for visits in India’s knowledge centers such as the Indian Institute of Science, Infosys, Biocon and India Space Research Organization.

The 20 visiting journalists are from Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (RMN/ PIA)

Brushing teeth helps prevent heart disease

by Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, February 15 (PIA) -- Never break the habit of regularly brushing your teeth, at the very least twice a day, because such practice actually prevents the development of heart disease.

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his is the advice of Dr. Philip Yray of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 during a PIA Kapihan in observance of the Dental Health Awareness Month every February.

“If one does not brush his or her teeth regularly and tooth decay develops, this will lead to tooth abscess if left untreated. Meaning, there is already an infection and the bacteria can go down to your organs like in the heart. This can result to bacterial endocarditis,” Yray said.

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart called the

endocardium. If left untreated, bacterial endocarditis can damage one’s heart valves and can be life-threatening, this is learned.

Dr. Rodivick Docor, past president of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) – Cebu Chapter in the same forum said bad oral hygiene practices can also lead to lung and kidney disease because the germs can lodge in these organs aside from the heart.

Docor advised the public to brush their teeth especially before going to bed.

“When we sleep, we do not produce

saliva which has a cleansing action. And in such case, bacteria can feast orally and starts to gradually damage your teeth without you knowing it until such time that pain develops from tooth decay or infection,” Docor bared.

Docor also advised that it is ideal to visit the dentist every six months or at the very least once a year.

In celebration of the Dental Health Awareness Month, the PDA – Cebu Chapter conducted free dental missions to raise public awareness on good oral hygiene. (PIA-Cebu)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Airlines to serve new Eastern and Northern Samar routes TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 11 (PIA) -- Two airline companies in the Island in two weeks’ time. he first commercial flight at the Governor Paul R. Daza told the local Guiuan Airport in Eastern Samar media. will take off on February 20 as Governor Daza said that the the Mid-Sea Express will conduct is introduction of this link will shorten travel maiden flight for the Cebu-Guiuan route time between Cebu and Catarman and the on that day. travel time between Catarman and Meanwhile, Eagle Trans Asia Airways Tacloban.

Corp. (ETA Air) will serve the Currently, travelers from Catarman Catarman-Cebu and Catarman-Tacloban have to go to Tacloban which is five hours routes starting February 22. away by land, or to Manila to get to Cebu.

Northern Samar Governor Paul Daza The aircraft will depart from Cebu for said that ETA Air will field a 29-seater Catarman at 8:00 a.m. and is estimated to aircraft to serve Catarman, capital town of arrive at 8:35 a.m. The plan will leave for Northern Samar.

Tacloban at 9 a.m. and from Tacloban, it "The 29-seater aircraft will both load will leave for Catarman at 9:40 a.m. From passengers and cargo. There will be Catarman, it will fly back to Cebu at 10:20 additional economic trade between a.m.

Tacloban and direct link between The airline added that they will Catarman and Cebu," Northern Samar operate with the route every Mondays,

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ORMOC AIRPORT

country will start to service Samar Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Meanwhile, Guiuan Mayor Analiza Gonzales Kwan confirmed that the launching of the Mid-Sea Express service in Guiuan is on February 20.

Mayor Kwan said the Mid-Sea Express service will greatly help boost tourism in Guiuan, the jump-off point to surfing destination Calicoan Island.

Guiuan is 109 kilometers south of the provincial capital of Borongan City and 154 kilometers from Tacloban City.

On its website, the airline company said its 19-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft will serve the Cebu-Guiuan route at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Mondays, and the Guiuan-Cebu route at 12:00 noon on Saturdays and Mondays. (PIA-8)

Campaign vs. rabies gaining ground

by Alicia F. Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb 15 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here announced that the campaign against rabies is gaining ground, citing favorable accomplishment reports for 2011 which were submitted by the five Inter-Local Health Zones of the province.

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his was confirmed by Edna Tomandao, PHO Anti-Rabies Program coordinator, during the regular conference of the Anti-Rabies Program Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) February 14.

Tomandao claimed there was no rabies case reported in the entire province for 2011 unlike in 2009 up to 2010 when there were five.

This was attributed to the advocacy

campaign of the PTWG in addition to the assistance being sent by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

However, Tomandao still appealed to the PTWG to continue to advocate for responsible pet ownership by submitting their dogs for vaccination, feed them regularly, and bathe them when needed.

She even urges the public to bring the head of the dead dog suspected of having rabies for testing to the only animal

laboratory in Diit, Tacloban city.

As one big accomplishment, Tomandao’s report included her announcement that all of the municipal LGUs have already passed and approved their local ordinances for rabies eradication. The Provincial Ordinance for Rabies Eradication Program was authored

by Board Member Floro Balato Sr. (PIAEastern Samar)

Heart disease ranks 5th in mortality rate in Biliran - HEPO

by Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, Feb 10 (PIA) -- Heart disease ranked fifth among the top 10 causes of mortality here in Biliran province, a health educator revealed during the “Kapihan at Pulong-pulong ng Bayan" live over Radyo Natin-Naval. anessa D. Veloso, Health follow the seven lifestyle habits to avoid She informed that the BPH top Education and Promotions being inflicted with heart disease. management has already drafted a policy Officer (HEPO) of the provincial It was learned that these healthy to enforce a total no smoking ban within health office in Biliran province, said that lifestyle habits are: no smoking, don’t the hospital premises since it was the data was based on the records in drink alcohol, no to illegal drugs, eating observed that there are still people who 2010. the right kind of food, preventing smoke inside the hospital.

She also disclosed that heart disease hypertension, doing physical activities and “Smoking is the number one cause is ranked number 1 among the top 10 managing stress. of heart disease,” Veloso stressed causes of mortality in the Philippines based “Right now we also conducted noting that even the third hand smoke on data of the Department of Health information dissemination campaign on or smoke residue that remain in the (DOH). the importance of the seven lifestyle area where smokers smoke likewise Veloso said that DOH has intensified habits to avoid heart disease to poses danger to one’s health, she added. its information dissemination campaign patients in the Biliran Provincial (PIA-Biliran) here in Biliran province for the public to Hospital (BPH)” Veloso said.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

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Solon offers agri scholarship to HS students DANIEL Z. ROMUALDEZ AIRPORT

by Marcelo M. Pedalino

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Graduating high school students here and anywhere in the province who belong to the top five of the graduating class were challenged by the province's representative to avail of his scholarship program for the coming school year, 2012-2013.

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ut one pre-requisite condition should be met, and that is, that the student take up an agriculture course at a government school here in the province, referring to the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) or the Maasin City College (MCC).

So far, however, no one has graduated from this course, as the tendency was to shift to other courses, it was learned.

In a recent meeting with heads of national line agencies, Mercado announced his desire to help graduating students continue college schooling, even as he

singled Agriculture as the preferred course to be taken up.

He appealed on the students to spread the word to those interested to pursue an agriculture degree, especially if he or she belongs to the upper level of the graduating class.

Last month, Mercado rallied concerned stakeholders in his vision of a Southern Leyte province that will become a producer, no longer a consumer, of agriculture products, to reverse the trend nowadays that virtually anything agricultural sold in the market either came from Cebu or Mindanao.

The province should be producing these staples so that it can be self-reliant and can even sell to other places of the country, Mercado said.

During the Agriculture-Tourism summit last month, Mercado had linked up with the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the people’s organizations, and the Mayors of the different local government units in the province to start mapping a roadmap or blueprint for the province’s full-speed agricultural development. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

One-stop-shop for business applications opens in Catarman

by Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) proudly announced to the business sector and all businessmen that the agency has already formally opened the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Catarman, the capital town of Northern Samar on February 3, 2012.

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TI said businessmen can now register their business through NERBAC and they will accept processing of business permits applications every Thursday.

During the launching, Mayor Rolando Carpio of Catarman said this is of big help to businessmen as it will serve as One Stop Shop for business applications.

Here, the five mandatory agencies prerequisite in opening a business will be on hand to help entrepreneurs and businessmen; these are the DTI, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, PhilHealth, and LGU-Catarman.

Elena Wan Uy, president of Northern Samar Chamber of Commerce likewise expressed satisfaction and

support of private sector on this new development.

One of the highlights of the launching was the ribbon cutting and MOA signing between DTI and Catarman. (PIA-Northern Samar)

USNS Mercy to undertake humanitarian mission in Calbayog CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb 14 (PIA) --The United States Navy Hospital Ship (USNS) Mercy, one of America’s premier hospital ships is returning to the country to hold another mission in Calbayog City in June 2012.

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n a press conference at Ciriaco Hotel and Resort held recently, US Navy Lieutenant Commander Sonia Maria Lohmeyer said that the USNS Mercy will serve as the platform for up to 1,000 medical, engineering, technical, and administrative personnel, including several hundred volunteers.

Part of the mission is to conduct medical, engineering, and other humanitarian exercises (i.e. Disaster Response Preparedness) and subject matter exchanges (SME).

“The humanitarian exercise is a capacity building, calculating medications on how to respond during crisis situation,” she said.

LTC Lohmeyer added that there is still a great deal of work to accomplish

before the Mercy sets sail from San Diego at the beginning of May. The visit in Calbayog City was to meet the mayors of different localities in Samar led by Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento.

In this Pacific Partnership PP 12 mission, local doctors and health care providers are also expected to participate, Lohmeyer said.

Bearing the theme “preparing in calm to respond in crisis,” the team of Pacific Partnership 2012 and some 200 participants gathered in San Diego, California, USA on January 30 and 31 for the Mid-Planning Conference (MPC) for the mission. All four host nations -Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia -- sent high-level delegations, as

well as their partner nations, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand.

In 2008, the USNS Mercy Ship also sailed to Calbayog City for Pacific Partnership 2008 where not only Calbayognons benefited from the medical mission but also to adjacent towns of Sta Margarita and Gandara.

Then US Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie Kenny, visited Calbayog City during the closing ceremonies of Pacific Partnersship 2008.

At present, Calbayog City and nearby municipalities stand to benefit from this special mission to the Philippines. (PIASamar with Gina Dean Ragudo)

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:

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