One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 14

Vol 3

Issue 14

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Members of the Inter-agency Oplan Red Plate Task Force to include representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, Land Transportation Office, Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Information Agency flag down vehicles bearing red plates during the conduct of the region-wide simultaneous operation where check points are set up in parts of the province of Negros Occidental as well as inspections in parking lots of malls in Bacolod City are conducted.* (EAD-PIA6 photo)

April 1 - 7, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

DSWD pilots door-to-door delivery of social pension in E. Visayas TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is piloting the door-to-door delivery of social pension for indigent senior citizens of ten remote municipalities of the region, using the services of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHILPOST).

The pilot-testing for three months will be undertaken for timely delivery of the cash grants, and efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the door-to-door delivery, DSWD Region 8 Director Remia Tapispisan informed.

A total of 1, 180 senior citizens from Limasawa in Southern Leyte province, San Jose de Buan, Almagro, and Tagapul-an of Samar, Jipapad in Eastern Samar, and Silvino Lobos, Lapining, Gamay, San Vicente, and Capul of Northern Samar, will receive the quarterly stipend of Php 1,500.00 right in their own homes.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed recently between the DSWD Field Office 8 and the Philippine Postal Corporation for the pilot project.

When the Social Pension Program started in 2011,

the DSWD Field Office Eight conducted the distribution at the municipal plaza, and in other areas, the agency transferred the funds to the local government units for the latter to handle the giving out of cash grants.

This time, there will be three modes of cash distribution: through the transfer of funds to the Local Government Units, PHILPOST Door-to-Door payout and the Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs) who will go to the municipalities to give out the stipend of the Social pensioners.

According to Rose Fe Valeriano, Social Welfare Officer II of the Social Pension Program, the ten identified municipalities for the door-to-door delivery of social pension are the most hard-to-reach areas by the SDOs. The DSWD hopes that with the new mode of payment, the implementation of the Social Pension Program will be improved and fast tracked.

The government is always finding ways and systems to improve the delivery of social services to the needy public, the DSWD director said. (PIA-8)

DBM to pursue digitization of budget processes

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 3 (PIA6) -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is pursuing the digitization of budget processes in support to public More on Region 6, pages 2-3. financial management reforms.

Also CLICK Here…

This was conveyed by DBM Secretary Florencio S. Abad in his keynote address during the 1st Quarterly CENTRAL VISAYAS Membership Meeting and Seminar of the Philippine Association for Government Budget Administration (PAGBA), Inc. held at the Sarabia Manor Hotel here.

Abad said that starting 2014, all budget submissions will be done electronically or digitally and no longer manually, thus saving seven days of work for the DBM. “We are currently installing a government integrated financial management information system to enable real-time information on financial transactions,” said Abad.

The DBM Secretary also said that they are also Builders and volunteers of the house build expanding the Philippine government electronic segment of Bayani Challenge 2013 in San procurement system towards online bidding.

Remigio, Cebu, shake their bodies to the unity “In fact, next year, what we will do is that we will dance. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu) issue agencies vouchers so that all procurement of common-used supplies can be traced in the More on Region 7, pages 4-5. procurement system,” said Abad.

Also CLICK Here…

Abad also shared that recently, the DBM launched for the first time in the history of this country an electronic payment facility.

“This will allow us to pay online when we procure supplies thru the Landbank of the Philippines,” Abad also said.

The DBM expressed its hope that this will be the beginning of the use of online payment for other services that the government provides including birth certificates, passports and licenses, among others. (JCM/ LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad recognizes the importance of budget officers in the success of government agencies, local government units and corporations in his keynote speech during the 1st Quarterly Membership Meeting and Seminar of the Philippine Association for Government Budget Administration (PAGBA), Inc., held on April 3, 2013 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel here. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

TESDA strengthens job bridging programs

EASTERN VISAYAS

District Engineer Lino Francisco C. Gonzalez of the 4th Leyte Engineering District (right) inspects the ongoing Ormoc-Lake Imelda road upgrading project with a local citizen. Lake Imelda is a tourist spot in Ormoc City which is eyed to contribute spur economic development in the city. (PIA-8/DPWH-4th LED)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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By Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Technical Education Skills and Development Administration (TESDA) will strengthen its Job Bridging program for this year to produce more “TESDA Specialistas” with jobs.

Nila Fidellaga, TESDA-7 Information Officer, said they are pushing for more job bridging this year aside from conducting a job fair.

This is in compliance with the directive of TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva to produce and hire more than one million TESDA Specialistas for 2013.

As part of this move, Fidellaga said TESDA will conduct the first job bridging for Central Visayas on April 29 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

She said that a job bridging activity is an expanded form of a job fair.

“In job bridging we don’t just have companies that has posting of vacancies but we also have institutions that offer short courses and workshops as well as services needed for employment,” Fidellaga said.

Topics for the short courses include Orientation to Call Center Jobs, Personality Development, Basic Personal Accounting, Business Basics while the services

that can be availed in a scheduled job bridging day include those from PhilHealth, Social Security System, National Bureau of Investigation, National Statistics Office, and many others.

Schedules for job other bridging activities for Cebu and Bohol will be finalized in May. She said TESDA is hoping that other than the provincial capitals, the same activity will also be held in bigger municipalities and cities in Region7.

Through the conduct of jobs bridging, TESDA aims to fill the gap between graduation to employment by providing a convergence opportunity.

In recent news report, Director General Villanueva admitted it was not enough to graduate and certify tech-voc specialists, saying Tesda also has to exert efforts to connect their graduates to the right job here or abroad.

“We will tap our offices in the provinces to organize similar jobs fairs for Tesda specialists. The goal is to fill the void from graduation to employment so as not to waste time and opportunity,” he said. TESDA specialistas are those that undergo skills training and were already given accreditation. (rmn/FCC/PIA7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

CSC to enhance skills of supervisors

Cabin Reef Marine Sanctuary, Sagay City

ILOILO CITY, April 1 (PIA6) -- Supervisors in government service will have a chance to improve their management skills with the Training on Supervisory Development Course (SDC) offered by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

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he training aims to enhance the April 16-19, 2013, with a registration fee quality of supervisors to ensure of P4,000 per participant. sustainability efforts directed SDC Track 2 includes modules on toward employee empowerment in the How to spark exceptional performance service. and making meetings productive, which is This is in line with the CSC’s strategic proposed to be held May 7-9, live-out, objective of developing competent and also in Iloilo City. Registration fee is credible civil servants, by conducting PP3,100. programs to enhance the capabilities of Track 3 covers modules on Making a public servants in their areas of work.

Difference through leadership and Making The Supervisory Development Powerful Winning Presentations, slated Course consists of three tracks.

June 5-7, live-out with a registration of Track I of the SDC training will P3,100, still in Iloilo City. feature modules on Personnel The CSC also offers other training E f f e c t i v e n e s s , S u p e r v i s i o n a n d programs that can be availed upon request Organization Communication. The for a maximum of 40 participants, like: live-out four-day training will run from Values orientation workshop; Public

service ethics and accountability; Basic customer service skills; Seminar-workshop on Improvement of Frontline Transactions; Seminar on Public Accountability; Seminar on Personnel Mechanisms; Basic Effective Supervision Training; Anti-Sexual Harassment Training and Work Ethics in the Bureaucracy.

The CSC which is the central personnel agency of the government is responsible for the recruitment, building, maintenance and retention of a competent, professional and highly motivated government workforce responsive to the needs of the public. (csc/jcm/pia6)

Oplan Red Plate ‘surprise inspection’ nets 106 gov’t vehicles ILOILO City, April 4 (PIA6) -- A total of 106 government vehicles was flagged down and inspected by Oplan Red Plate task forces during the simultaneous inter-agency operation held in Western Visayas recently as the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas intensified its campaign against the improper use of government vehicles. f the number, 39 were subjected Each task force was composed of adjudication. to the “surprise inspection” in partner agencies , namely OMB-Visayas, It also noted that the convergence of Iloilo, 24 in Negros Occ, 16 in Commission on Audit, Civil Service efforts of the inter-agency task force has Capiz, 14 in Aklan, 7 in Antique, and 4 in Commission, Land Transportation Office, generated a positive response from Guimaras, according to records from the Philippine National Police, and Philippine concerned government agencies which OMB Visayas-Region VI. Information Agency. now use Trip Tickets properly during The vehicles were inspected based on The Office of the Ombudsman said their travels. Their vehicles also bear the l a w s g o v e r n i n g t h e u s e o f several government officials using office name or logo and “For Official Use government transport Commission on government vehicles for unofficial purpose Only” signs. It attributed the success of Audit (COA) Circulars, sections of the have already been penalized, while other The Oplan Red Plate program to the Government Accounting and Auditing cases are still pending fact-finding I active support of the people of the region.

Manual, and other executive issuances. n v e sti g at i on a n d a dm ini st r at i ve (Ombudsman Visayas/PIA-6)

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GSIS opens educ loan for NegOcc active members

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 2 (PIA) - - Around 14,000 active members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) may avail of the Educational Assistance Loan (EAL) of P4,000 this year after 24,202 active members availed of the loan in 2012.

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he application for loan is open for one-time availment on April 1 until December 27, 2013 for those who were not able to avail of the loan last year.

GSIS said that the application forms, which may be downloaded from www.gsis.gov.ph, may be filed by the member or through the liaison officer while transactions will be made over-the-counter.

The approval of the loan does not require certification from the Agency Authorized Officer or the endorsement of the agency.

EAL is payable in five years with interest computed at six percent per annum.

The general guidelines on the granting of educational assistance (EA) is the same as that of last year following the announcement of President Aquino during the Labor Day celebrations.

All active members, regardless of salary, length of service, and status of agency and member accounts (i.e. up-to-date, in arrears or suspended) are entitled to avail of the educational assistance. The amortization for 59 months will be P20 per month (or P240

per year), which represents the 6 percent interest on the principal amount computed annually.

The principal amount of P4,000 will become due only on the 60th month from first due month, plus the monthly interest of P20.

Once the assistance is approved and the proceeds have been eCredited to the borrower’s eCard, the borrower can no longer cancel the transaction, the GSIS statement added.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6, Negros Occidental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan

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BIR tax campaign kicks off in Antique By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 2 (PIA6) -- “I love the Philippines, I pay taxes correctly”, is this year’s theme of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as the tax campaign kicked off in the Province of Antique in a caravan around the major thoroughfares of San Jose, the capital town of the province recently.

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rsula V. Equiña, Revenue District Officer, Revenue District No.73 in an interview said they are all out in their campaign especially since the filing of income tax returns nears.

The theme of this year’s campaign emphasizes the value that paying the correct taxes is a noble act of concern and love of oneself, our children and our country, she explained.

Equiña appealed to all taxpayers, businessmen, self-employed, professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers, other

professionals) to be honest in the declaration of their income and pay their taxes correctly.

Even private organizations, cooperatives and non-government groups who are given exemption, still have to file their annual tax information return, she stated.

“The government is resolute in the campaign against tax evaders, however, we also depend on the honesty of our taxpayers who have genuine concern for the development of our country. The

taxes we collected goes back to the programs and services especially for the poor,” said Equiña Income tax returns in municipalities can also be filed with collection agents stationed in every town. An agent is assigned in two municipalities where he/ she can stay for about two days in a week every town to accept the filing of income tax returns.

Deadline of filing of income tax return is on April 15, 2013. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

Bigger, better CAPIZtahan 2013 seen ROXAS CITY, April 3 (PIA6) -- This year’s CAPIZtahan 2013 Festival, which is set on April 12 to 15 to mark the 112th foundation day of the civil government of Capiz and the 65th death anniversary of President Manuel Acuña Roxas, will definitely be grander and better than those staged in previous years.

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he assurance was made by Melanie Arancillo, executive director of ONE Capiz, which handles what now has become a yearly festivity. Arancillo said they have come up with a number of innovations to make this year’s celebration truly spectacular.

For one, the Parade of Lights, which has become the major attraction the festival, will now have tribes accompanying the 20 or so floats participating in the parade. Tribe members, with their bodies now adorned by lights, will gyrate as they join the parade.

The parade of Lights could possibly be the only of its kind in the country. The three-dimensional floats adorned with tiny Christmas lights are featured in the parade are truly a sight to behold, said Arancillo.

Arancillo said no less than President Benigno S. Aquino and several of his Cabinet

Secretaries will grace the four-day event.

As a tribute to President Roxas on his 65th death anniversary, One Capiz through help of Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, will bring “irreplaceable” memorabilia of the late President from the national museum, Malacañang and Clark.

The memorabilia, to be put on public display at the Roxas City Museum starting April 8, include painting of President Roxas by Fernando Amorsolo and his other portraits painted by Garcia Llamas and other noted artists. Since the theme of the celebration has revolved around the evolution of lights, Arancillo said this year’s CAPIZtahan will, for the first time, feature a Light Show. The activity, which would further enhance the beauty of the Panay River, would require the lighting of at least 1,000 candles and make them afloat in the river.

Another innovation in this year’s affair is the Los Pasos de Capiz at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center. In this activity, the oldest pasos in the city are featured in one roof. The aim is to rekindle the Capiceño’s sense of spirit and appreciation towards their culture and history, said Arancillo.

Also for the first time, the festival will feature a PMA Drill. One hundred cadets from the Philippine Military Academy are coming over to execute the famous PMA drill. Other activities include the Battle of the Bands, Night Run, Fluvial Parade, Cycling Race, Seafood Race, Motocross, National Cock Derby, Pahampang sa Baybay, Regional Trade Fair, Fire Dance Competition, Farmers Day, Baroto Race, Kapamilya Fiesta and photo exhibit. (CAPIZtahan Publicity and Promotion Committee/Gerry T. Pagharion/ PIA)

35 Aklanons hurdle DOST-SEI scholarship exam

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, April 2 (PIA6) -- Thirty-five (35) graduating high school students are now assured of going to college next school year after having successfully passed the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST- SEI) Scholarship for School Year 2013-2014.

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ost of the passers are from public high schools located in various municipalities of the province with only 3 coming from private schools here.

Regional Science High School (RSHS) based in Old Buswang, Kalibo emerged with the biggest number of passers with 7, while the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) with campuses in Western Visayas and Diliman Quezon City had 4 and Numancia Integrated School, 4.

Three private schools – Northwestern Visayan Colleges, Infant Jesus School and Monfort Technical Institute had one passer each, while the rest came from national high

schools, mostly based in barangays, from as far as Alfonso XII of Libacao, a hinterland municipality, and Buruanga, the last town of Aklan in the western side bordering the province of Antique.

As DOST-SEI scholars, these incoming freshmen students will be enjoying scholarship privileges on tuition and other school fees, book allowance, MS/PE uniform (1st semester of First Year only); transportation allowance (for those studying outside of home province) and stipend for BS Physics/Physics Teaching/ Geology/Mining Engineering and other DOST-SEI priority courses. As scholarship awardees, they can enroll at any state

universities and colleges in the country, any tertiary institution identified as Center of Excellence or Center of Development by CHED for the priority courses and other DOST-SEI identified Network Institutions.

Awardees should also maintain the grade requirements of the scholarship, and most importantly – upon completion of their respective courses, they must serve in the country, preferably in their home regions on full-time basis along with their field of training for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time they enjoyed the scholarship. (JSC/VGV -PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Mabinay gets award for highest number of Bayani Challenge volunteers

Mactan Island Beach Resort

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Municipality of Mabinay in Negros Oriental received an award for successfully gathering the biggest number of volunteers nationwide with over 7,000 in the recent Bayani Challenge 2013 held last March 23 to 27.

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abinay was one of the 43 sites from 34 provinces throughout the country that joined the Bayani Challenge event.

The army’s 302nd Brigade formed part of the strong army of volunteers that provided 2,000 town residents with free medical and dental services in a Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bayani Challenge event in Mabinay.

Capt. Cresencio Gargar, designated information officer of the army, said the military medical team together with the rural health unit of Mabinay conducted tooth extractions with free medicines, circumcisions, haircut, and massage to the poor residents in the area.

Brigade commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio said the activity is part of the brigade’s civil military operation activities in delivering basic social services to the

poorest among the poor residents in the area of responsibility.

“We are committed to support any activities of various stakeholders in the province for the welfare of the people that we serve,” said Patrimonio.

Dr. Ernest Uy of the Mabinay Rural Health Unit added that thousands of patients are also served with free vitamins and deworming in the Poblacion and adjacent barangays.

Mabinay Mayor Jango Uy on the other hand, voluntarily donated a six-hectare lot for the Gawad Kalinga site where 35 two-storey-row houses will be constructed for the homeless victims of typhoon Pablo in December 2012.

Uy said he was convinced and challenged to do their part to promote the essence of volunteerism for community development.

About 50 farm-volunteers readied and cleaned-up the 2000 square meter farm lot for the 35 family- beneficiaries’ agricultural food sustenance.

In the last day of the event, Negros Oriental 2nd District Representative George Arnaiz thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for making the Bayani Challenge in Mabinay a big success.

Congressman Arnaiz inspired everyone to continue the spirit of volunteerism even after the Bayani Challenge.

Arnaiz said with Mabinay’s success, he expects that next year more LGUs in Negros Oriental will join and benefit from the GK Bayani Challenge.

The Bayani Challenge 2013 carried the theme “Isang Bayani, Isang Bayanihan.” (FCR/ JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Pag-IBIG to implement new procedures for faster services

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) is set to implement procedural reforms on some transactions effective May 2013 to grant faster services to the public.

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hese include the use of their Membership Identification (MID) or Registration Tracking Number (RTN) to be indicated upon the submission of the following forms: Members’ Contribution Remittance Form (MCRF); Short Term Loan/ Multi-Purpose Loan Applications; and Monthly Remittance Schedule for Multi-Purpose Loan.

Pag-IBIG Cebu South Information Officer Van Pepito said that employees without MID are advised to secure a Registration Tracking Number (RTN) at Pag-IBIG Branches or via internet through e-services found at www.pagibigfund.gov.ph.

Pepito also clarified that RTN can be used in place of the MID.

In order to ensure updated employee ledgers and timely posting of payments, Pag-IBIG implemented the Electronic Remittance Mode of Payment that allows all Members’ Collection Remittance Form (MCRF) be saved in soft copy stored in USB. Also part of the procedural reforms is the payment schedule intended to get rid of the long waiting at the counter.

Pag-IBIG members then are advised to follow the set payment schedules. For employers with A to D as first letter of names, the due date of payment (following the period covered) is every 10th to the 14th of the month; first letter of names E to L is from the 15th to the 19th of the month; M to Q is every

20th to the 24th of the month; and R to Z ,Numeral is scheduled every 25th to the end of the month.

In a statement, Pag-IBIG Cebu South Department Manager III Rio Teves expects the full compliance of the set procedures.

“As our partner in our continuing efforts to build a better and stronger Pag-IBIG Fund by delivering faster and more efficient services to you, we shall be expecting your full compliance with the above procedures as doing otherwise may result to delays or non-processing of your transactions such as multi-purpose loan availment and posting of contributions,” Teves said. (rmn/AYS/PIA 7 with Pag-IBIG PR)

Public, NGAs urged to continue support for NGP

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU, April 1 (PIA) -- The Forest Management Service of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 urged the public and the national government agencies (NGAs) particularly the students for continued support to the National Greening Program (NGP).

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n a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) 7 forum, Ambrosio Wenceslao of the Forest Management Services called for maintenance of the trees planted under the NGP. “Dapat ang tawo makasabot unsa ka importante ang kahoy ug naay sense of belonging unsay gitanom (The people should understand the importance of trees and there should be sense of belongingness to what is being planted),” Wenceslao said.

He added that the people should develop a habit of proper maintenance of the trees planted after three months. “Kung motanom,

dapat i-maintain (If someone planted trees, they should maintain it),” he said.

He also pointed out the part of the local government unit (LGUs) in the advocacy of NGP in their respective areas.

“The LGUs should also initiate move in the maintenance of the tress and the advocacy of NGP in their areas,” Wenceslao said.

He also cited that NGAs and the students play a vital role for the success of the NGP. “Tanan na mga ahensya sa gobyerno naay role for the NGP to be successful and the students play a vital role in NGP (All government agencies have a role for the NGP

to be successful and the students play a vital role in NGP),” he added.

At present, Wenceslao disclosed that Central Visayas is one of the regions in the country which has the highest survival of trees planted under NGP that reached into 80% survival rate of the trees planted.

The DENR 7 already started the process of seedlings production, but temporarily stops the planting of it since the start of the summer season this year.

“At the start of rainy season by June, tree planting will immediately start,” Wenceslao concluded. (rmn/AYS/PIA 7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Panglao, Bohol Resorts

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Over 3,500 students pass 2013 Undergraduate Scholarship Exam

S&T

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office 7 said 3,597 high school students nationwide qualified for the S&T Undergraduate Scholarship. he Science Education Institute's with their parents or legal guardians on P100.00; Notarized affidavit of ( S E I ) 2 0 1 3 S c i e n c e a n d April 19, 2013 at the DOST 7 Conference guardianship or special power of attorney Technology (S&T) Undergraduate Hall, S&T Complex, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu (if legal guardian); Photocopy of 2 valid Scholarship Examination was held on City . There will be a scholarship ID’s (back and front); 1 pc. 2” X 2” and 2 November 18, 2012 for School Year 2013 orientation and signing of the Scholarship pcs. 1” X 1” colored picture (with white -2014.

Agreement which will be done in two background wearing semi-formal attire); The complete list of qualifiers is now batches, morning and afternoon sessions. and black ballpen. The passers are posted at the DOST website: http:// The qualifiers are required to bring requested to call the DOST Regional www.science-scholarships.ph. during the orientation the following Office at (032) 4189055 or email The number of passers is 7.1 percent requirements: 2013 Community Tax avpdost7@yahoo.com.ph for the their higher than the 3,359 number of qualifiers Certificate or current passport of Parent/ schedules of the orientation. (rmn/JSME/ last year. Qualifiers are advised to report Legal Guardian; Notarization fee of PIA-Cebu/DOST-7)

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Election security workshop for Cebu police, military held

By Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office-7 (PRO7) initiated a series of Election Security Workshops among law enforcement members here to generate action plans on “unforeseen” events.

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he workshop was participated in by more than 100 policemen from the entire Cebu province and embers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines .

P/Supt. Clifford Gairanod, PRO7 information officer, said the main purpose of the workshop is to gather information from the police stations on the issues and concerns they experienced during the past elections, the action taken, and lessons learned.

He said the workshop is a convergence of specific issues encountered in the past so that other stations can also learn from it with several inputs from the PRO7 chiefs.

“But what is important is the generation of 'unforeseen' events, or events which are not man-made but maybe brought on by nature or

unexpected happening,” Gairanod said.

P/SSupt. Erson Digal, Regional Operations and Plans head, said the “unforeseen” events include fire, landslide, typhoon and other incidents that are out of the ordinary.

“It is not just assassination or grenade throwing, it can be food poisoning or sudden explosion of the PCOS machine,” Digal said.

Speakers during the workshop include lawyer Clarence Paul Oaminal who briefed them about possible incidences of vote buying; P/Supt. Julian Entoma who was the chief of Police of Bogo City in the 2010 stand-off incident; and P/Supt. George Ylanan of the Regional Intelligence Division for his talk on "How Goons and Guns Work."

The workshop will cover Siquijor and

Negros Oriental as well as the province of Bohol in the next days.

Included among the participants are representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The activity was initiated by PRO7 head PCSupt. Marcelo Garbo Jr. Also present in yesterday’s workshop was Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director P/SSupt. Patrocinio Comendador and Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director P/SSupt. Mariano Natuel.

In the 2010 elections, there were 4.68 million registered voters in Cebu province. (rmn/FCC/PIA7)

4Ps a partner in strength for single mothers

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) -- An African proverb says that it takes a village to raise a child.

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ut for some Filipino families, it took a government program to help them raise their children.

Nieves Labrado, 38, of Orlandao, Basay, Cebu found it hard to move on with her life after her husband of 13 years left her for another woman. Nieves was left alone to care for her three children ages 13, 9, and 7 years old.

But Nieves did move on, thanks to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilino Program (4Ps), the government’s core poverty reduction program that gives conditional cash grants to its beneficiaries. Nieves was able to become a useful member of the society as the 4Ps empowered her because, as was emphasized during the 4Ps Family Development Sessions, she was capable.

Emboldened by what she learned during the sessions, Labrador looked for a job and with her skills in the kitchen it was not long before people in the community sought her out for her culinary skills. In between her stint as a cook-for-hire, she sought a SEA-K Loan with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program with zero interest loan.

With her loan money, Nieves bought kitchen utensils and tools to make native delicacies like puto cheese, maja blanca, and other

“kakanin” which she sells in schools and during fiestas and special occasions in her community.

4Ps is a human development program of the national government that provides a monthly conditional cash grant to the identified poor household amounting to P500 for health and P300 per child for a maximum of 3 children, aged 0 to14 years old. The cash grant will be given to the household in the next five years.

The households will have to comply with the conditions set by DSWD, among which are: (1) pregnant mothers should get pre-natal and post-natal care and must be attended by a qualified health professional during childbirth (2) 0 -5 years old must be immunized and given preventive health check-ups (3) children ages 3-14 years old must attend at least 85% of the time of the classes whether it’s day-care, pre-school, elementary or high-school (4) mothers must attend community assemblies, motherhood classes, family planning, etc. and (5) children must be given de-wormed at least twice a year.

Another woman helped by 4Ps is Rhodora Elbanbuena of Carmen, Cebu whose husband left her and their five children ages 12, 11, 9, 3 and 1 month. Rhodoroa witnessed how the breakup in her marriage has shaken her children’s world.

She thought she wouldn’t be able to continue providing for her children but with Pantawid Pamilya’s help, Rhodora was able to pull through.

As one of the Parent Leaders of Pantawid Pamilya, Elbanbuena has set an example to her members. She started by cooking “kakanin” to be sold in schools while taking care of livestocks for other people. In the midst of all these, she never missed any of her children’s activities in school.

Rhodora has not only taken over as the family provider, she even enhanced her motherhood by being consistently compliant with the Pantawid Pamilya program’s conditions.

Rhodora’s and Nieves’ stories are among those highlighted by DSWD in Region 7 to serve as inspiration for single mothers in the region.

These women, from different municipalities and different cultures have one thing in common: they are mothers who have been empowered with love and guided by a program’s education to withstand one of life’s greatest challenges – to be a single mother for their children. (rmn/JSME/PIACebu/DSWD)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Ensuring ECC compliance in implementing $214.44-M Samar road project

Leyte Park Resort

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas is closely monitoring the construction of the $214.44 million Secondary National Road Project in Samar Island municipalities to ensure adherence to the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR Environmental Management Bureau.

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ENR Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub said that a Multi-partite Monitoring Team (MMT) has been organized to monitor compliance to the ECC. The team is led by Environmental Management Bureau Director Leticia Maceda as chairperson.

The ongoing road development project, which is being undertaken by the Millennium Challenge Corporation in coordination with the DPWH, covers 222 kilometers (km) stretch in 15 municipalities in two Samar provinces.

These are Paranas and Hinabangan in Samar; Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan, maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Hernani, MacArthur, Mercedes, Quinapondan, Salcedo and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

The project also traverses 134 villages with 23 km crossing the Samar Island Natural Park which hosts 1,267 globally significant species of plants and animals.

Ragub said that it is the mandate of the DENR to ensure that the environment and ecological safety of human population will not be sacrificed in the course of development.

“Although the completion of the Samar road project will bring in more benefits to the people, impacts of air and water pollution as well as cutting of trees and protection of biodiversity resources should be addressed and mitigated during the implementation process,” Ragub underscored.

Major parameters included in the ECC are air and water pollution mitigation and replacement of planted and naturally grown trees that will be affected in the road widening.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo Barra, engineer and chief of the Environmental Quality Division, said the MMT regularly conducts air and water quality monitoring in areas affected by the project.

With regards to the cutting of trees along roadsides traversing the SINP, no cutting is being

done unless clearance is secured from the DENR through the Protected Area Management Board, the policy-making and governing body of the SINP, Barra said.

Other members of the MMT include the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers of Samar and Eastern Samar; Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers of Catbalogan City, Dolores and Borongan in Eastern Samar; DENR SINP Protected Area Superintendent; Department of Public Works and Highways Region 8; Millennium Challenge Corporation Project Management Office; Millennium Challenge Account- Philippines and its Project Management Consultant; the Provincial Governments of Eastern Samar and Samar; the Mayors of the 15 concerned municipalities; and the non-government organization Road Watch (Bantay Lansangan).

(PIA-8)

DENR partners with ESSU to protect ecologically rich islets in Guiuan TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Eastern Samar State University have inked a memorandum of agreement in a bid to protect and develop the ecologically rich Monbon and Batan Islets in Barangay Bungtod, Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

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n a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed last March 18, the DENR grants rights to ESSU for the special use of the 21.8 hectares Monbon/Batan Islets and pursue the implementation of activities related to sustainable management of coastal and marine resources in said islets.

The MOA provides that the management of the said islets shall now be jointly undertaken by the two parties, DENR Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub informed.

Monbon/Batan Islets forms part of the total 60,448 hectares Guiuan Marine Reserve Protected Landscape and Seascape (GMRPLS), a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 or Republic Act No.7586. Under the agreement, the ESSU represented by its Administrator, Andres Pagatpatan, Jr., adhere to prescribed environmental protection measures as it makes use of the Monbon/Batan Islets and its vicinities.

Sustainable activities to be pursued include among others: resource and habitat conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and introduction of ecotourism projects for educational and research purposes.

On the other hand, the DENR through its Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub, shall delineate and demarcate the exact boundaries of the islets and provide ESSU the map of the area which could be used in planning and implementing project activities.

Being inside the GMRPLS, the activities of ESSU in the Monbon/Batan islets shall be duly indorsed by the GMRPLS Protected Area Management Board, the governing Board of GMRPLS which has a multi- sectoral membership, RED Ragub said.

GMRPLS PAMB endorsed the approval and issuance of a Special Use Agreement within Protected Area (SAPA) per PAMB resolution No. 004 dated October 2009.

However, meantime that the SAPA issuance is still suspended, operation of the ESSU is legally based on the Special Land Use Permit, this MOA, and the provisions in the Local Government Code of 1991, Ragub added.

The DENR Director said the agreement shall cover a period of three years renewable for another three years, until a SAPA is in place.

ESSU is a duly recognized government academic institution mandated by law to provide quality advanced education, research and extension services particularly in the province of Eastern Samar where Monbon/Batan Islets are located.

The DENR recognizes the need to involve various stakeholders such as ESSU and other agencies particularly the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, non-government organizations in the management and protection of areas like Monbon/Batan Islets, Ragub said. (PIA-8)

E Samar declared manageable conflict-affected area

By Alicia E. Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 28 (PIA) -- Governor Conrado B. Nicart, Jr. and Major General Garardo T. Layug, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army jointly declared the entire province as manageable conflict-affected area in a simple ceremonial signing that took place at the Capitol lobby.

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en. Layug said, the declaration followed after the municipal local government units were successively declared as development ready. But this does not exactly mean that the areas are totally free of the presence of the New Peoples Army (NPA), instead, it had been recorded that the areas, now have lesser atrocities.

“Except perhaps for the NPA’s extortion activities, ambushes or encounter with the military had been observed to be lesser these

days, which has been considered the measure in determining the manageable conflict-affected area," Layug said.

The Division Commander thanked the communities and stakeholders for supporting the Internal Security Plan-BAYANIHAN (ISP) program of the military which seeks the support of the civilian communities and local leaders in order to win peace.

Gov. Nicart, thanked the local chief executives and the military for working with

him in achieving peace. He said that, since his first day of assumption as governor, it has been his platform of governance to maintain peace because by nature, every leader and every man in the community wants peace, for without it, there can be no progress.

Eastern Samar came third to had been declared, next to the two Leyte provinces.

(PIA-Eastern Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Caluwayan Beach Resort, Marabut, Samar

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5 Samar barangays get P130,000 for tree park maintenance

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 1 (PIA) -- Five Motiong (Samar) barangays received P130,000 from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Catbalogan to maintain a tree nursery, and plant 10,000 seedlings for a total of 20 hectares of forest/ timberland.

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his is part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Barangay Forestry Program, in which Motiong LGU, barangay and DENR signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on March 27.

This is the result of the talk between DENR officials and Motiong Mayor Francisco Langi during the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinating Council (MPDC) meeting recently.

Langi agreed to shell out P50,000 assistance in each barangay.

The officials of the five barangays also agreed in maintaining the timberland areas by re-planting trees.

Mayor said that this is for sustainability, he said that in three years, they can harvest the timber in the four hectares and plant again.

“Importante ma-preserbar naton an aton forest area, diri la ini para ha aton kundi para ha masunod na henerasyon (It is important to preserve the forest area not only for us but for the coming generations),” Langi said.

“Each barangay should be responsible for the project, sustain them and not to abandon

them like what happened in the past,” he added in Waray.

He also asked the barangay residents living near the timberland to refrain from making charcoal as it slowly depletes the remaining forestland.

According to him, this is also in preparation for “Arbor Day” on June 25 when individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. (PIA-Samar with Avha Ebalde)

DTI creates 1,721 small medium enterprises in North Samar in 2012

By Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, April 3 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Samar has created 1,721 small and medium enterprises in the province in 2012. This was learned from Amelia Roma Trade and Industry Development Specialist.

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oma said that small and medium enterprise grant is a cash grant, made available as an investment incentive to promote the growth of local investment.

The grant is available to new investment as well as expanding operations, and is based

on a number of qualifications and criteria, she added.

Roma revealed that the program is in support of the government’s thrust towards economic development of the countryside through rural industrialization.

DTI was able to provide P4, 013, 200 cash grant to SME beneficiaries and was able to generate 2,621 local employment in the province as food processors, traders and handicraft producers. (PIA-Northern Samar)

3 landmark documents for gender-fair, sensitive portrayal in mass media

By Leonilo D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 29 (PIA) -- The Media and Gender Equality Committee (MGEC), chaired by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) launched on March 22 at the National Telecommunications Office, the three document-outputs, landmarks toward gender-fair mass media.

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his was disclosed by PIA Region 8 Director Olive Tiu during the Media Forum on Gender and Development hosted by PIA on March 27 as the concluding activity for this year’s Women’s Month celebration of the Eastern Visayas Regional Gender and Development Committee of the Regional Development Council.

Director Tiu identified the three documents as the Gender Equality Guidelines, Guidelines to Protect Women against Discrimination in Media and Film, and the Code of Ethics for Media formulated by the MGEC to achieve gender-fair and sensitive portrayal in mass media and art productions.

The MGEC is composed of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Philippine Commission on Women, National Telecommunications Commission, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas, Women’s Feature Service, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Film Academy of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Optical Media Board, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.

The MGEC was created under Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women, which PCOO Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. said during the launching, was also the basis for the creation of the three gender equality guidebooks.

"Sa araw na ito ilulunsad natin ang tatlong dokumento bilang pagtalima sa tadhana ng batas. Ang pangunahing layunin natin ay ang pagkakaroon ng gender fair media," Secretary Coloma said in a video message played at the launch of the documents held at the National Telecommunications Commission in Quezon City, Director Tiu said.

Director Tiu said that as gathered, under the three

guiding documents, media companies and other institutions are encouraged to uphold the dignity of women and highlight their contribution through the mass media.

She added that media companies are also expected to have gender sensitive management, training, production, information dissemination, and programming.

On the other hand, schools of journalism and communication are also expected to develop gender-fair policies and instructional materials to eliminate gender bias and discrimination.

There are existing laws that were used as the basis, so the guidebooks will serve as encouragement and tools to make aware there are existing guidelines that they can use if they want to have self-regulation in their respective media organizations.

The Magna Carta of Women requires the state to formulate policies and programs for the advancement of women in collaboration with the government and non-government media-related organizations.

The law also requires government to raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women in the family, community, and the society through the strategic use of mass media.

Moreover, the Magna Carta of Women encourages government to ensure allocation of space, airtime, and resources, strengthen programming, production and image-making that appropriately presents women needs, issues, and concerns in all forms of media, communication, information dissemination, and advertising.

Section 16 of RA 9710 states that the government the "shall require all media organizations and corporations to integrate into their human resource development components regular training on gender

equality and gender-based discrimination; create and use gender equality guidelines in all aspects of management, training, production, information, dissemination, communication, and programming; and convene a gender equality committee that will promote gender mainstreaming as a framework and affirmative action as a strategy, and monitor and evaluate the implementation of gender equality guidelines."

Moreover, Section 14, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution likewise states that "the State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men."

The Gender Equality Guidelines is also applicable to schools of journalism, communication and information to help prepare students become gender sensitive.

On the issue of media’s self-regulation, the Code of Ethics for Media is offered as a “guide” whom media organizations can use in reviewing existing policies and Code of Ethics.

The Guidelines to Protect Women against Discrimination in Media and Film contains provisions that promote the dignity of women and their roles and contributions in the family, community and society.

The Media Forum on Gender and Development was graced by Director Evangeline Paran of the National Statistical Coordination Board who is the chairperson of the Regional GAD Committee. Director Paran discussed women’s participation in politics and other gender statistics in Eastern Visayas.

The highlight of the Forum was the recognition of the Women and Gender Advocates from the local media who were given roses by the PIA Regional Director. (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.

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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