One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 15

Vol 3

Issue 15

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

President Benigno S. Aquino III says that the Roxas City Airport Development Project will further boost the tourism industry as well as the economic growth of Roxas City and the province of Capiz. Also in photo are Capiz 1st District Rep. Antonio Del Rosario and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas. (PIA6/JBGuillermo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

April 8 - 14, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

PNoy groundbreaks P215-M Roxas City airport project

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 10 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led the ceremonial groundbreaking, April 10 of the P215-million Roxas City airport development project. Here.

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General William Hotchkiss III assisted President Aquino in the groundbreaking ceremony.

The project will cover the asphalt overlay and extension of the runway, installation of night landing facilities, acquisition of new fire trucks, and improvement of the passenger terminal building.

The President said that after the completion of said development project, more passengers will be accommodated here, expectedly from 419 passengers to 797 passengers a day.

The President said the project will further boost the tourism industry as well as the economic growth of Roxas City and the province of Capiz.

The Roxas City Airport Development Project, particularly on the expansion and improvement of the passenger terminal building and the extension of the runway has a combined approved budget from contract of P48.1 million.

According to CAAP officials, the passenger terminal building expansion project will increase the existing 875 square meter terminal’s area by 626 square meters that will bring up the total floor area to 1,501 square meters that will also bump up its design capacity from 153,000 to 291,000 passengers per year.

The runway extension project will lengthen the runway from 1,890 to 2,010 meters, the CAAP said, pointing out that the additional 120 meters will improve the safety of the Airbus A30

aircraft operating in the airport.

The realization of the city’s airport project was made possible during the incumbency of Roxas when he was still the secretary of DOTC. The project is in line with the mission of the DOTC to support the initiatives and programs of the Aquino administration by providing effective, efficient and secure infrastructure in the transportation and communications sectors. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

President Benigno S. Aquino III lowers the time capsule while being assisted by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General William Hotchkisss III (right in blue) and Department of Transportation and Communications Sec. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya during the groundbreaking ceremony of the multi-million Roxas City Airport Development Project on April 10 in Roxas City, (PIA Capiz photo/A. Lumaque)

‘Novel mega’ candidates fora kick off in Cebu

PRO-7 Regional Operations and Plans Division Chief Senior Supt. Erson Digal (at the rostrum) gives election security updates during the forum between the Cebu media and the PRO-7 police officers at the Police Regional Office - 7 (PRO-7) on April 11, 2013.

Top Police officers of Region-7 are the guest speakers headed by Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Supt. Marcelo P. Garbo Jr (seated 3rd from left). The forum was moderated by Cebu Media Legal Aid Member Atty Eddie Barrita (seated 1st from left). (VVV -PIA7 Cebu)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro (l-r), Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla, PIA Director-General Jose Marie Oquiñena and Philippine Information Agency 8 Director Olive Tiu grace the opening ceremony of the 2013 National Schools Press Conference at Ormoc Superdome, Ormoc City, April 8. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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By Ferliza C. Contratista and Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) –An unconventional candidates fora series which is not the debate type but which lets aspirants to present clearly their stand on issues in efforts to make Mega Cebu more progressive has kicked off in this Central Visayas city.

“It has a different format; it’s not the conventional debate, not sabong. It is a more productive way of getting their platforms,” clarified Cebu Daily News (CDN) pulisher, Eileen Mangubat during the press conference of the Mega Cebu Candidates Fora 2013 which started its first series April 10.

CDN is one of the partner initiator of the Candidates Fora 2013 along with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI), Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Cebu Business Club (CBC), Movement for a Liveable Cebu and Alcordo Advertising.

RAFI communication and stakeholders relationship manager for Mega Cebu, Carol Go-Ballesteros said there are three schedules for the fora, April 10 will cover the first district of the province; April 19 will accommodate the fifth and sixth districts and April 25 will have Cebu City and Cebu Province.

Only the congressional and the mayoral candidates are invited to present their specific action plans on five points; 1. infrastructure, urban planning, zoning and land use, traffic, transportation, 2. poverty alleviation, housing 3. environment,

waste management, health, education, 4. culture and heritage, tourism.

During the forum, netizens can ask their questions using Twitter hashtag #mcebuforum or post questions at the Facebook Account Mega Cebu MCDCB. Tickets for the fora are released at the Philippine Information Agency Office Region VII in Machay Building and at RAFI. The electoral aspirants answered questions from a five-member panel that included Emeritus Prof. Felisa Etemadi of UP Cebu for the academe, Atty. Frank Malilong Jr. of TV 5 for the media sector, Joel Lee of the Movement for a Livable Cebu for civil society, Antonio Chiu of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Jenny Lea Tan of the Young Minds Academy and Dilaab for the youth sector, and Aina Hubahib of National Economic Development Authority-7 for the government.

The next forum will be on April 19 for the mayoralty and congressional candidates from the 5th and 6th districts and of Lapu-Lapu City. On April 25, it will be the turn of Cebu City candidates, as well as the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race.

Metro Cebu is composed of the cities of Lapulapu, Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, Danao and towns of San Fernando , Minglanilla, Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela. (mbcn/ rmn/FCC-JSME/PIA7 Cebu)

PIA chief wows future journalists of the country TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 10 (PIA) – Undersecretary Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office set the tone of the National Schools Press Conference in Ormoc City, Leyte by exhorting the future journalists to aspire not only to become good writers, good broadcasters but to become great ones who love their country and its people.

USec Oquiñena, with his wit and contagious humor, kept the audience alive, continuously clapping their hands and bursting into laughter from the time he started to the moment he ended his keynote message on the theme “ Campus Journalists: Championing Ethics in Social Media.”

The Undersecretary who is also the Director General of the Philippine Information Agency, encouraged the campus journalists to use their talents on a higher scale.

“Our country needs to hear good news all the time. Our country needs to be inspired. We need you to write all the good things about the Filipino and the Philippines. We will have to do this because there is a lot of good news about this country,” the youthful Undersecretary said.

Underscoring his salient points through stories or anecdotes, Secretary Mari as he wanted to be called, captivated the young audience numbering about 5,000 in the jampacked Ormoc Super Dome in the early evening of April 8.

The good Undersecretary cautioned the Journalism Advisers and teachers in the use of the social media as a communication tool. The students must have the right preparation, the right values before they are trained on the social media, he said, because the social media has so much power within one’s reach that it can build or destroy people.

“If the Inang Bayan will ask how you will show your love for it, how will you answer,” the USec asked.

“One who is in love is always all praises of his love one, so you write, write with passion and excitement. Never stop writing good things about the Filipino. Do not get tired of writing good about your country,” USec Oquiñena said as he encouraged the future journalists of the country.

The Undersecretary exhorted the participants to have the freedom to express themselves, not to be afraid to write what is in their minds because fear will “only limit us, will not allow us to reach our destiny”.

By the reaction of the young participants in the Facebook saying he was the best speaker ever, by the way they took time to have their pictures taken with the Guest of Honor, and requested for his autograph, the Honorable Undersecretary was able to light up the fire of enthusiasm. The 71stNational Schools Press Conference is up to a good start. (PIA-8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

PNoy: PH’s good governance recognized

By Leonard T. Pineda I

Cabin Reef Marine Sanctuary, Sagay City

ILOILO CITY, April 11 (PIA6) -- The country’s good governance under the present administration’s “Matuwid na Daan” is recognized worldwide.

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his was conveyed by President Benigno Aquino III during his dialogue with the local leaders and the community in Sta. Barbara Gymnasium, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

“Proof to this is the Philippines being granted the investment grade debt rating from Fitch credit agency, a global credit rating firm,” said President Aquino.

President Aquino said this marks the first time in history that our nation has been granted an investment grade status by a major credit ratings agency.

The Fitch group has granted an upgrade of status for the Philippines, from BB+ to BBB-.

“The Fitch rating upgrade would mean a much more than lower interest rates on our debt and more investors buying our securities,” said President Aquino.

President Aquino also said that this would pave way for greater access to low-cost funds giving us more fiscal space to sustain and further improve on social protection, defense, and economic stimulus, among others and more companies in the real economy can now consider us an investment destination.

In an earlier statement, the President said that the investment grade for sovereign debt should also lead to lower

borrowing costs for Philippine companies in the international markets, consequently allowing for higher valuations for their securities. The President further said that this would enable industries to expand and gener ate more j obs for our countrymen - fostering a virtuous cycle of growth, empowerment, and inclusiveness that will redound to the benefit of Filipinos across all sectors of society. President Aquino said that this is an affirmation of the good governance agenda of his administration which serves to encourage greater interests and investments in our country. (JCM/LTP/PIA -Iloilo)

Western Visayas enjoys robust economy ILOILO, April 8 (PIA6) -- The region's economy remains robust with its Gross Regional Domestic Product or GDRP growing at 5.5 percent from 2010 to 2011, higher than the national growth rate of 3.9 during that same period.

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egional Development Council Chair, Gov. Victor Tanco revealed this in his State of the Region Address (SORA) before members of the Regional Development Council 6 members recently.

The RDC Chair said the region remains one of the fastest growing economies in the country, which he attributes to the remarkable growth of the agriculture sector which registered about 14 percent from a negative 6.7 percent in 2009 to 2010 resulting in the huge improvement in rice and corn yields and in banana production.

Tanco also revealed that the region's top employment drivers came from the business process outsourcing and services sector.

He also pointed out to the high tax collection generated, from P5.3 billion in 2011 to P6.5 billion in 2012 due to intensive tax collection efforts.

Several strides have also been accomplished in the health sector. Mortality rate of mothers and children have declined, so too with the prevalence of under nutrition of pre-school children.

However, Tanco said the region still

faces several challenges, some of which are: increase in poverty incidence; decrease in births attended by skilled health personnel; cohort survival rates in both elementary and high schools have not significantly improved; 15th out of 17th in employment growth rate at 0.56 in 2010-2012 and contributed only 0.05 to the national growth rate; high retrenchment rate brought about by economic losses encountered by establishments in wholesale and retail services; and other challenges.

The region also needs to improve its standing especially in the fields of tourism, information technology, agriculture, business and logistics.

According to Tanco, these are the sectors where potentials, if fully maximized will generate more employment and more money circulation that will induce a more vibrant local economy.

While the region has traveled a long way in the highway of national and regional development, but according to the RDC Chair, greater distance still remains untravelled. In a related development, the Regional Development Council 6

unanimously passed Executive Committee Resolution No 5 in its recent meeting, endorsing the School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) II for public private partnership.

This is expected to address the incremental classroom requirements of the Public school system, where the Department of Education (DepED) has adopted a public-private partnership (PPP) framework as a strategy to supplement the provision of educational facilities, consistent with the ten-Point Agenda for Basic Education and the other approaches contained in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan.

DepED estimates that the classroom shortage is expected to grow to about 150,000 units by 2016 with the increases in enrolment and with the implementation of the K to 12 program and the Education for All (EFA) initiatives.

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the School Intrastructure Project (PSIP) seeks to supplement the current initiatives and programs of DepED on classroom construction nationwide. (neda/jcm/pia6)

DTI announces investment opportunity for local entreps

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 8 (PIA6) -- The Department of Trade and Industry – Negros Occidental seeks local entrepreneurs interested to partner with a US-based group for a US$1 million project.

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he US-based group plans to set up and operate a manufacturing facility for biodegradable plastic bags in Bacolod City, the DTI press statement said.

The products will be made out of 100 percent non-poisonous earth friendly bio-based polymers made from biological

sources which could be used as shopping bags, disposal bags, and food containers.

A Term Sheet which will establish the bases of the proposed relationship between the parties will be provided for those who are interested, engineer Engiemar Tupas, DTI acting division chief of Business Development Division, said.

Interested individuals may coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry – Negros Occidental Provincial Office engineer Tupas at telephone Numbers (034) 433-0250 or 434-7920.* (JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan

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PNoy lauds increase in Iloilo’s sugarcane, rice production

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, April 11 (PIA6) -- President Benigno Aquino lauded the increase in sugarcane and rice production in the province of Iloilo.

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n his message to local leaders and the community in Passi City, where President Aquino proceeded after his first stop in Capiz, the President said sugarcane production in the province increased from over 600,000 metric tons in 2010 to more than 1,200,000 metric tons in 2011 based on data from the Department of Agriculture.

“Doble po ang produksyon niyo, congratulations po talaga. Di ba mapalaki lang ninyo ng 10 % okay na yan, 20% ba maganda yan, 50% ba ang galing mo, pag 100% increase paano ko kaya dapat sabihin to, sabitan na natin ng medalya lahat ng gumawa nito ” said President Aquino.

President Aquino also congratulated Ilonggos for the sustained increases in corn and rice production for the past three years where palay production reached not less than 1

million metric tons every year. The President said the completion of the Jalaur River Multi Purpose project II in Calinog, Iloilo will further increase the rice production in the province.

“Pag nabuo na ho yong Jalaur lalo pang dadagdag yan siguro ho pag natapos yan, ang irereklamo ninyo sa akin kulang ng warehouse para sa bigas na iproproduce niyo,” said President Aquino as he reiterated his assurance to Ilonggos that the project will be finished before his term ends in 2016.

The JRMP II worth over P11 billion is the first large scale reservoir dam outside Luzon, expected to provide irrigation to 32,000 hectares of farmlands.

On the other hand, President Aquino also hailed Ilonggos as they are now known in the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing all over the world.

Tholons, an advisory firm for Global outsourcing and investment, has included Iloilo City among the top 100 outsourcing destinations in the world for 2013.

He said the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing industry has provided new jobs to more than 5,600 Ilonggos.

“Sa kalahati pa lamang po ng ating termino pero napipitas na natin ang mga positibong bunga ng ating pagsusumikap,” said the President.

To further sustain the gains achieved, President Aquino urged some 3,000 participants in the meeting held at Passi City Gymnasium to watch and to take care of these gains by choosing leaders who also tread his “ matuwid na daan” governance . (JCM/LAFPIA6)

Drowning prevention program gets support of multi-sectors in Antique

By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, April 8 (PIA6) -- Different sectors in Antique province are working together to heighten public awareness on drowning situation.

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Community education on drowning awareness and risks associated with drowning must be given focus in order to instill the culture of safety to our constituents,” said Broderick Train, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer.

Last year, there were about five drowning victims in the province and with that “we should also find measures to prevent this type of emergency by gathering the multi-sectors in the province and came up with the launching of the Culture on Drowning Prevention Plan," Train said.

The activity is in collaboration with the Philippine Drowning Prevention Council through its member organization Philippine Life Saving Society represented by Director Edmund Santos, and the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council.

The launching of the Culture on Drowning Prevention Plan received a positive response from the participants with discussions on water safety education to prevent drowning, and the demonstration and ceremonial wearing of the lifejackets, according to Train.

Train emphasized that concerned local government units must strengthen the institution of the drowning prevention plan in their respective areas considering that “there are several people or tourists going to various resorts, swimming pools, rivers, to beat the summer heat.”

“As part of our prevention, it is necessary that our LGUs establish some measures to prevent the occurrence of this type of emergency,” Train said. When asked how would the drowning prevention program be

strengthened here, Train was quick to reply that some 60 participants have completed last Friday the five-day training on Water Search and Rescue conducted here by the Special Operations Group of the Philippine Coast Guard, Region 6. “The activity is in relation to the enhancement of our capabilities, especially our local government units, and government and non-government agencies whom we call first responders to save lives,” Train concluded. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7 percent of all injury related deaths.There are an estimated 388, 000 annual drowning deaths worldwide.

Children, males and individuals with increased access to water are most at risk of drowning.

(JSC/MLG/VWV-PIA6 Antique)

Manggahan 2013 organizers expect to surpass last year’s visitors, tourists

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, April 10 (PIA6) -- Guimaras Tourism Officer Atty. Sharon Billones said they aim to surpass the 30,000 tourists and visitors in last year’s Manggahan Festival.

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We expect to gather about 50, 000 tourists and visitors for this year’s event,” Billones said.

The 2013 Manggahan Festival will officially open on April 15, at the Guimaras Capitol Grounds, in Jordan.

Billones said they have set aside about 10 tons of mangoes for the weeklong event, primarily for the “Mango Eat-All-You-Can” events which they expect to draw enthusiasts who are fascinated by the distinct taste of Guimaras mangoes.

She added that the “Mango Eat-All-You-Can” has always been an attraction in the festival.

Meanwhile, Billones also said that the province has launched its tourism circuit to promote the island not only as the home for sweet mangoes but also as an adventure and pilgrimage destination.

The tour circuit, according tp Billones complement the province’s tagline, which is “the island that fits your taste.”

The tour package include church visit, island and beach hopping, visit to where

Guimaras products are made,.

It also includes Religious and Pilgrimage Tours, with a visit to Balaan-Bukid, known for its panoramic view and the 14 stations of the Cross, visit to the Trappist Monastery, the only men”s Monk Monastery in the Philippines.

The educational tours and seminars include Laklbay Aral, and other community-based, rural tourism based activities, group dynamics, and sports-themed activities among others.

(JCM/ESS-PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

GSIS grants memorial planholder refund

Mactan Island Beach Resort

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has announced that its memorial planholders may convert their plans into cash until August this year. n its press statement, GSIS said, the Genesis Plan and Genesis Special Plan, 100 different parishes in Negros Oriental and planholder will get the same amount in percent.

Siquijor have undergone trainors training the contract price when he/she decides Atty. Enriquez said interested planholders recently on monitoring and safeguarding the to withdraw. in Negros Oriental and Siquijor must bring the May 13 polls.

Dubbed 'GSIS Enhanced Optional Exit fully accomplished application form; original Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB)-led Mechanism' (EOEM), the program allows and photocopy of the memorial plan training discussed with volunteers the process planholders to refund their cash payments agreement or affidavit of loss; original and of voting, contingency planning which include depending on the type of their memorial plan. photocopy of the planholder’s two valid the testing and sealing of Precinct Count The GSIS said EOEM is being implemented government-issued IDs; and certificate of full Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, recruitment of to protect the planholders from memorial payment, if any, to GSIS Dumaguete branch different kinds of volunteers among others. servicing problems that may arise in the future, office, Daro, Dumaguete City .

DEB convenor, Rev. Msgr. Julius Heruela adding that the cash refund will enable the It is said, once planholders avail of EOEM, said the testing and sealing of the machines will planholders to pay for their other expenses. their memorial plans will be automatically be conducted at the municipal level three days Negros Oriental branch manager, Atty. terminated. before the elections, thus volunteers assigned Mercedes VPE Enriquez said holders of the Application forms are available at any GSIS have to be present to observe the accuracy of GSIS Genesis Flexi Plan may refund 150 branch office or may be downloaded at the the machines including the configuration of percent of the plan’s contract price; those of GSIS website: www.gsis.gov.ph. flash cards. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental) Genesis Plus Plan may refund 125 percent; and Meanwhile, over 50 volunteers from

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NGCP issues sked for maintenance of Cebu, Bohol facilities

By Amorganda A. Saludar Cebu City (PIA) -- The National Grid Power Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) issued a notice of a tentative scheduled shutdown of some transmission facilities in Cebu, Bohol and a little portion of Leyte on April 19 from 6 a.m.

-6 p.m. h i s c o v e r s a l o n g t h e 1 3 8 k V on the maintenance activity along the 69kV changes.

Ormoc-Maasin-Ubay transmission lines Compostela-Consolacion transmission line on The agency further noted that the specific that will affect the areas of BLCI, April 28 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. cities and municipalities to be affected by the BOHECO I and BOHECO II. The May 5 maintenance activity along the power interruption are determined by the The maintenance activities along the 69kV 69kV Tagbilaran-Tubigon transmission line will abovementioned Distribution Utility (DU), Ubay-Alicia transmission line on April 21, 2013, affect portions of BOHECO I franchise area unless the activity affects the entire franchise 8a.m. - 5 p.m. will then affect the portions of and portions of BLCI franchise area. area. The DU allots the available power within BOHECO II franchise areas in Bohol .

The NGCP clarified that the stated its franchise area and implements the power Portions of the VECO franchise areas and schedules are all tentative and assures public interruption schedule among the end-users.

CEBECO II franchise area will also be affected for a separate notice in case of any sudden (mbcn/AYS/PIA7 with reports from NGCP)

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Building stories to inspire others to build lives

By Rachelle M. Nessia Cebu City (PIA) -- The description "long and winding road" took on a new meaning for me when I covered the Bayani Challenge event in Brgy. San Miguel in the town of San Remigio, Cebu . Several things will actually take on a new meaning for me later on that day.

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ut let's start with the road to San Miguel.

San Miguel is a small, upland village spread out in the mountains of San Remigio. To get there, we had to navigate roads that looked more like forgotten trails. Our vehicle kicked up dry, hot dust as it delicately and bumpily navigated the narrow, rocky, and serpentine road.

At one point, there was nothing on both sides of the road but steep ravine. I closed my eyes, held on tight, and prayed for the best. The road, if it can qualify as one, is an experience in patience, faith, and knowing how many bumps your backside can take before you reach your tolerance level.

My nearly sore behind was forgotten, though, when we reached San Miguel. The village, according to San Remigio Municipal Information Officer Venicio "Dodong" Dajuya, San Miguel is dubbed the "Little Baguio." The village is dotted with charming houses. Colored roofs crept up the green slopes. Set against a backdrop of clear, deep blue skies, the scene took my breath away.

Up ahead, we were met by a beehive of activity at the build site of Bayani Challenge as people were in various stages of construction. Before I go on, let me make one thing clear - the summer heat was punishing that day. The world felt like one big oven and we were all baking in it.

But the volunteers didn't seem to mind the torrid heat. I saw Gawad Kalinga (GK) Executive Director Jose Luis Oquinena punching holes on the ground using an iron bar.

Behind him was a group of men mixing cement on the ground. Two adolescent boys hobbled past me, hauling buckets of splashing water. I saw women, young and old, shoveling dirt as kids scurried about carrying "ice water" for thirsty volunteers.

Up ahead, I saw a woman seeking shade under a tree, carrying a boy on one arm. Beside her stood another little boy, a bigger replica of the one she was holding. I walked

over, pen and notebook ready, hoping to get a story out of her.

She was hesitant at first, and embarrassed to have been singled out for this interview. She instinctively placed a hand on her head, smoothing out her tangled hair that was put up in a careless bun. "Oh no, this is not for a video. No cameras, see?" I assured her, showing her my pen and notebook.

I had to coax out her story from her. She spoke in a small hushed voice, like she was afraid that others would overhear. Her name is Judith de la Pena and she is among those chosen by Gawad Kalinga to benefit from the free houses that were being built.

Judith is a 44-year old single mother who was caring for her four children, the youngest of whom was the 5-year old in her arms. She became a widow last year when her husband died of a lingering ailment.

"Where do you live right now?" I asked her, and she pointed to a tiny hut in the distance made of dried coconut palm leaves. She said she's been living there way back when she still only had two children and she doesn't know who owns the lot.

Judith doesn't make much. Since her husband died, she's become the sole provider for her family, tending to their corn farm and raising other people's livestock.

But for all her toils, what she earns in a day is still a pittance. "Most of the time, it's less than P200 a day. With that, I can barely send my three kids to school and feed us all at the same time," Judith said.

At this point, I stopped writing. Sweat trickled down my back. At the construction site, laughter erupted from a group of young volunteers. "How do you feel about all this, then?" I asked, sweeping my hand to indicate the construction work unfolding around us.

She was silent for a while. Judith looked down at the

sleepy little boy on her arm. When she looked up, I saw two liquid pools staring back at me. "I'm so happy because this will solve half of my problems," she said in a quivering voice.

"Look at my house," she said, and raised her free arm to point to the lopsided hut in the distance. "The roof is almost falling out. It used to be my husband who handled the repairs but I can't do that. I can't climb up to fix the roof," she said.

"So what they're doing here now..." her voice trailed off as her gaze took in the volunteers sweating under the mid-day sun. "I’m very grateful," Judith said and clutched her youngest boy tighter in her arms.

As I looked back at the volunteers, I remembered a line by Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This is what they’re doing, these volunteers, I realized. They all literally took the extra mile so they can make other people’s dreams come true, even if that extra mile turned out to be one lengthy, rockbound road.

At that moment, I wanted to pick up a shovel or a hammer and join the volunteers. I felt a stab of guilt for not having either in my hands. But the pen and notebook I was holding reminded me that I was already doing just that. I was losing myself in the stories and lives of other people. I was wading through their thoughts and emotions so I can build from it stories that will inspire others to build lives.

When we later left San Miguel, I was tired, hot, and hungry. But I also walked away from that experience with a warm heart, knowing that I was part of something greater than myself.

Of course, it also doesn’t hurt to realize that my backside does have a high tolerance level when it comes to long, rocky roads. (RMN/PIA Cebu )

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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DENR-7 holds budget consultation meetings Panglao, Bohol Resorts

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) held a consultation meeting on its next year’s proposed budget of P588 million that was participated in by over 70 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Cebu.

ENR-7 regional executive director Aquino’s thrust of empowering the poor and Meanwhile, the Department of Social Dr. Isabelo Montejo said this public the vulnerable sectors of the society by Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) has consultation dialogue with the various promoting participatory planning and budgeting conducted leadership training to 20 stakeholders is pursued to ensure transparency as well as forging constructive partnerships victim-survivors of trafficking from Cebu and accountability in the budget process and with the CSOs,” said Montejo. province to organize peer groups to serve as implementation of the agency’s budget In a related development, around 20 support system of other beneficiaries. proposal for 2014.

CSOs attended the dialogue in Tagbilaran City DSWD’s focal person on Family and The “big ticket” or flagship programs coordinated by the Provincial Environment and Women Welfare Program Rosemarie Salazar were highlighted in the consultative assembly Natural Resources Office (PENRO)- Bohol said, since the implemented the program two namely; national greening program (NGP), balik with the Planning and Management Division years ago, they saw the need to organize peer probinsya program (BPP), anti-illegal logging (PMD). groups among the beneficiaries of the program. campaign, cadastral survey, clean air and water, Aside from this, Montejo said the DENR Members of the group are identified based and geohazard mapping and assessment. is preparing a 2014 budget proposal through on their potential to be a leader and Montejo added this exercise is in the bottoms-up budgeting (BuB) approach. determination to change, she continued. compliance with the direction of the Aquino Montejo said it will take into “Considering the different dynamics of administration and the Department of Budget consideration the development needs of poor these survivors, they need the support of each and Management (DBM) for an enhanced cities or municipalities as identified in their other to sustain their reintegration plans and participatory governance and transparency in respective local poverty reduction action plans ensure that they will not be re-victimized," the planning and budgeting among government that shall be formulated with the strong Salazar added. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 with reports offices. participation of basic sector organizations and from DENR-7) “This is also consistent with the President other CSOs.

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Rice processing complex to rise in Bohol

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Around 26,000 farmers await the benefits that the new Rice Processing Complex (RPC) in Pilar, Bohol can offer them.

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his was revealed by Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto during the recent inauguration of the RPC which was attended by Korean Ambassador Lee Hyuk, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Puyat, and other high-ranking government officials.

A statement from the Department of Agriculture-7 said the RPC targets an area of 30,000 hectares or more.

The complex will service Bohol's 18 municipalities, namely: Alicia, Batuan, Bilar, Candijay, Carmen, Catigbian, Dagohoy, Duero, Guindulman, Jagna, Pilar, Sagbayan, San Miguel, Sierra Bullones, Trinidad, Tubigon, Ubay and Valencia .

The RPC also targets a reduction of postharvest losses from 15 percent to 8 percent, or about .74 million metric tons of rice a year.

“The P150M Korean-grant project is capable of drying 40 tons and milling three tons per hour with a net recovery of 60-65 percent," said USec Puyat.

Other benefits of RPC include the utilization of waste products such as bran for livestock feed, rice hull as biomass for furnace or stoves, and the burnt rice hull which can be used as soil conditioner, the official added.

The RPC business management team will be buying the palay from the irrigators associations at a higher price or a P1 mark-up of the current buying price.

Ines Quiachon, chairman of one of the turn-out service areas of the irrigators association in Talibon, Bohol , was pleased to hear the news because she averages 1,000 kilos of palay per harvest.

Next harvest time, Quiachon will sell her

palay to the RPC knowing that they will buy it for P1 higher per kilo.

Angel Enriquez, director of DA Rural Field Unit-7, said the dream for the establishment of the RPC has finally become a reality.

He is hopeful that the complex will change the agricultural landscape of Bohol and farmers’ income would increase.

A memorandum of agreement on the RPC operation was forged during the turn-over ceremony between the DA represented by USec Puyat, the Provincial Government of Bohol represented by Gov. Chatto, the local government of Pilar represented by Mayor Wilson Pajo and the Nati o nal Agri bus i ne s s Co rpo rati o n represented by its President, Honesto Baniqued. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/DA RFU7)

Regional winners of Gulayan sa Paaralan contest awarded

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit 7 (DA here for the different categories of the Gulayan sa Paaralan. round 1,100 schools from Cebu City Liloan, Lamintak North Elementary School and and Cebu province joined the contest, Tindog Elementary Schools of Medellin were said regional coordinator of the High the top three winners in the Elementary Value Crops Development Program Nenita School category.

Seno.

Top three winners for the Small Barrio The top three winners for the National category went to Palanas Elementary School of High School category are Camotes National Ginatilan, Tabla Elementary School of Liloan, High School in Camotes Island, Arcelo and Calamante Elementary School of Tudela.

Memorial High School of Liloan, and Kal-anan All top three winners received certificates National High School of Tabogon. of appreciation.

The top three winners for the Central Cash amounting to P10,000, P7,000, and School category are Borbon Central School in P5,000 were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Borbob, Bantayan Central School of Bantayan, prize winners. and Santander Central School of Santander.

DA RFU7 partnered with Department of Simeon Ayuda Elementary School of Education (DepEd) in providing seeds for the

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RFU 7) has awarded top three schools Gulayan sa Paaralan project in the region.

Tomasita Cadungog, OIC-Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations, said the competition for the Gulayan sa Paaralan contest intend to reduce the incidence of malnutrition among school kids and to explore possibilities to improve food production.

The Cebu Division Superintendent Ardin Monisit bared that the Gulayan sa Paaralan winners were also top academic performers in the province.

He lauded the partnership with DA RFU7 and hopes the program will be sustained as it taught the students how to feed themselves. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/DA RFU7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Samar entrepreneurs learn from big time entreps

Leyte Park Resort

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with partners from the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) conducted a one-day Micro Small and Medium Enterprises forum and caravan in Villa Josefa, Ubanon, Catbalogan City, Wednesday.

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cting Deputy Executive Director DTI-PTTC Elizabeth Manuel shared her own success story in the business and other success stories of famous businessmen in the country today.

The director said the entrepreneurial mindset seeks opportunities, screens opportunities, and seizes opportunities.

Instead of seeing the danger in a crisis, an entrepreneur sees opportunities, she added.

Manuel said that the entrepreneur’s only need to have is to be a master of himself, the happiness to do things, has the interest and experience (education, previous job, and training), and the knowledge and passion of the product or

service he wants to promote. “Business is hard work, do not trust your luck.

Small ideas can bring you big results.

This is not about getting rich but rather trying to make a better life for yourselves.”

PINO Resto and Bar Marketing and Operation Manager John Paul Lanot also shared his secret of success and the 10 factors that make entrepreneurs really successful.

He said that the first important factor is the location, next is time, the physical self (energy, age, youth), one needs to maximize the time he has. He said that continuous learning is important; the fourth factor, “Kapag tapos na kayo

matuto tapos na ang buhay nyo (Once you cease learning, you cease to exist)," he said in Filipino.

Other key factors are experience, technology, network (friends, relatives, etc); the most important is passion and last is money.

One of the participants from Calbiga Women’s Producers Association, sesame seeds seller Victoria Sablan, said she learned a lot from the forum.

“Yana maaram na ako kun ano an dapat buhaton para maging successful han akon negosyo.” (Now I know what to do to improve my business.) (PIA-Samar with Avha Hilario)

3 ESNCHS studes to compete in US Science investigatory project

By Alicia E. Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 9 (PIA) -- Three high school girls from the Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School (ESNCHS), this city is set to fly to Houston, Texas, USA, to join in the Investigatory Project Competition.

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imberly Badocdoc, Nenalyn Cesista and Gel Ann Dacoro, all senior students of ESNCHS will be leaving by the end of this month together with their teacher-coach Mrs. Sandra Sagaoinit Parena, in order to present to the world a new discovery.

School Principal, Mrs. Teresa Siguan informed that these girls submitted their entry to the website of the sponsoring international group.

She said however that the contest was sanctioned by DepEd, adding that the students defense was done during last year’s Festival of Talents at the Regional Office in Tacloban city, Leyte, where they emerged winner.

The Investigatory Project is all about an indigenous raw material, which when processed becomes an important substance in producing a Battery Solution. The so-called battery starts up a car and other motorized engines.

Principal Siguan proudly informed that in the recent past, one girl (Ms. Coles) also from the same school has qualified for a US scholarship program, has graduated from college and is now gainfully employed.

ESNCHS, being the mother secondary school of the province has the biggest number of student population. It was established in 1965. There are now 29 passers to the UP entrance college entrance with another four DOST scholars. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

Most Eastern Visayas LGUs recipients of SGH seal TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 (PIA) -- Most of the 149 local government units comprising of six provinces, 7 cities and 136 municipalities in Eastern Visayas are recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping as of January 16, 2013, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the region said.

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ILG Region 8 Director Pedro Noval, Jr. bared that several LGUs could have been upgraded to the Silver categories but they still lack documents like the bid results for the first quarter of 2013 and have no Philgeps, ARTA survey forms, COA report or Full Disclosure Policy posting pictures.

At least two cities and eight municipalities are non-recipients of the Seal of Good Housekeeping because of adverse reasons, non compliance to Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG, and all disclaimer COA opinion for Calendar Year 2011.

Director Noval last week went around the Region to encourage the concerned local government units to comply with the full disclosure policy so that they too will receive the seal of good housekeeping. Moreover, Director Noval reiterated that the Seal has

already three levels and the LGUs must aspire for the higher level. Most of the LGUs in the province are holders of the Bronze seal.

In the provincial level, only the provinces of Leyte and Northern Samar are recipients of the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping while in the City level, Tacloban, Maasin and Ormoc are holders of the same. Meanwhile for the municipalities, only 26 out of the 135 municipalities in the Region are Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping holders.

In 2012, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) introduced the bronze, silver and gold standards in its good housekeeping seal program to ensure that local government units really address local issues and become more business-friendly and competitive.

The stepping up of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) program means new

requirements that LGUs should be able to comply with to receive the seal and qualify as recipients of the agency's performance challenge fund.

Aside from compliance to DILG's full disclosure policy and having no adverse reports from the Commission on Audit, the new requirements include compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act, a comprehensive development plan, and an above benchmark performance in the local governance performance management system.

The raising of the standards would eventually translate to more investments, innovation and growth, the DILG said, noting that aside from the improved SGH, it is also expanding its business permits and licensing system program to support LGUs that rely on tourism for local growth and development.

(PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Caluwayan Beach Resort, Marabut, Samar

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40 business establishments in 2 SoLeyte towns undergo labor education

By Erna S. Gorne

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Southern Leyte conducted labor education seminar to 40 business establishments coming from the municipalities of Sogod and Libagon.

Selected business establishments managers of business establishments with He further noted that this bracket of with less than 10 workers were less than 10 workers in addition to several workers has a different minimum wage encouraged to augment labor municipalities which underwent the same rate required by the law in the amount of working conditions to include the labor education.

P227.00 per day while those workers that payment of the minimum wage to its He noted that though this type of belong to 10 workers and above category workers, among others,� Senior Labor business establishments was not among is pegged at P 260.00 minimum wage rate. and Employment Officer Mario Tictic said the priority in their labor inspection The seminar also aims to encourage in an interview. rounds, however, they are still subject to said workers to be more productive so Tictic said the labor department labor inspections initiated by the DOLE that their respective business conducted last week a seminar in the S o L e y t e a m o n g t h e b u s i n e s s establishments will be able to provide them with the minimum wage rate as well, municipalities of Sogod and Libagon on the establishments within the province. he said.(PIA-SoLeyte) proper labor education to owners and

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Seven East Visayans make it to PMA Clas 2017

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 10 (PIA) -- Some seven young men and women from Eastern Visayas are included in 276 newly selected cadets to compose the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 2017.

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ne comes from Catbalogan City, one from Burauen, Leyte, three from Tacloban City, one from Carigara, Leyte and one from Isabel, Leyte.

PMA formally welcomed 276 new cadets, where 192 are males and 84 females, in a Reception and Oath-Taking Rites on April 1, at PMA, Fort General Gregorio del Pilar, Baguio City.

From a total of 14,540 who took the nationwide examination in August 2012 only 1,096 made it to the next phase of the selection process for PMA Cadetship which is the Complete Physical Examination (CPE) conducted at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center.

Office of Cadet Admission (OCA) Director, Major Darren Comia said that the qualified PMAEE passers went through

a rigorous medical, psychological and physical examination to determine their fitness to undergo the four-year military training in the academy.

After the series of examinations, the PMA Cadet Procurement Board deliberated and selected the most qualified candidates to compose PMA Class of 2017, he added.

PMA cadets enjoy a full government scholarship with a monthly salary, allowances and a chance to undergo the rare and unique PMA experience designed to develop a well-rounded officer and a leader.

Cadets will earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.

They are also commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and Ensigns in the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon graduating from the Academy.

PMA Superintendent Lt. General Irineo Espino said that this batch has the highest number of female cadets.

During the PMA orientation at the Military Hospital Auditorium, the Superintendent encouraged the cadets to persevere, to hang on to their beliefs.

Espino also asked the support of the parents, guardians to the cadets and assured them that their children will be in good hands.

Meanwhile, PMA spokesperson Captain Agnes Lynette Flores announced that they are now accepting applicants for PMA entrance examination on August 2013.

Applicants must be at least 17 but not more than 21 years old, with good moral character, high school graduate, at least with 85 average grade and at least 5 feet in height. (PIA-Samar with Avha Hilario)

Road upgrading in Ormoc Lake Imelda ongoing

By Marivic A. Alcover ORMOC CITY, April 4 (PIA) -- The road upgrading project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Leyte (DPWH) leading to Lake Imelda of Ormoc City, which is a tourist attraction, is ongoing. istrict Engr. Lino Francisco C. help in the rise of the economy and the It was learned that said building is already Gonzalez said the road increase of tourists in the area.

20 years old and must undergo general improvement project, which is On the other hand, the maintenance repair. from gravel to paved, took off January 28 building of the DPWH has undergone Aside from the road upgrading and and cost P14,425,000 taken from the general repair. rehabilitation projects, the highways DPWH CY 2013 fund.

The project was handled by the RJIR department is also conducting repainting The project, which is handled by the Enterprises costing P1,499,498.10, taken activities on the pedestrian lane along the MAC Builders and is targeted to be from the DPWH 2012 Repair and Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte Boundary completed by May 27, 2013, is seen to Maintenance of Other Public Building fund. Road. (PIA-8)

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

One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com