One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 20

Vol 3

Issue 20

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Paul Eclar (left), psychologist of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-6 (DSWD-6), gives a definition of Child in Conflict with the Law during an episode of the Hangpanay Program of the Community Communications Network of the Philippine Information Agency-6. Also in photo is June Tercena (center), Social Welfare Officer of RRCY of DSWD-6. The program is hosted by Elsa Subong, Iloilo Information Center manager, PIA-6. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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May 13 - 19, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Cyclists take ‘Freedom Ride’ vs. human trafficking

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, May 10 (PIA) -- Over 300 cyclists in Negros Oriental rode around Dumaguete City recently to promote the 1343 anti-trafficking hotline for emergency use, and stop modern slavery and traffic congestion.

The "Freedom Ride" is part of the Stop Look Listen Campaign of Dakila, a civic group creatively inspiring involvement in social transformation, in partnership with the Manila Fixed Gear and WeFXD, a group of urban cyclists who has incorporated cycling in their lifestyle.

Dakila head Kimberly Limpahan said the activity empowers advocates and citizens to become watchdogs in their own communities by driving them into action through grassroots involvement and augmented action through mainstream and digital media.

“So many cyclists have been involved all throughout our campaign against human trafficking and in promoting the 1343 hotline number. We are happy to receive the same enthusiasm from the cyclists of Dumaguete as we have received in other areas," said musician, advocate, and cycling enthusiast Nityalila Saulo.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of cycling community, civil society and the local governments who have supported the campaign.

This goes to show the growing concern of Filipinos to fight human trafficking,” added Nityalila.

Last week, the Philippines played host to the third ASEAN Experts Working Group against human trafficking.

Dakila, which has organized Freedom Rides for a Human Trafficking Free Philippines, urged the ASEAN Experts Working Group to come up with a regional comprehensive approach to fight trafficking.

The Dumaguete Freedom Ride was spearheaded by the Negros Oriental Bikers Association (NOBA), Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), Visayan Forum, One Rescue, Philippine National Police, Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative, Character First Bayawanihan, and City Governments of Bayawan and Dumaguete. (with Jela Mae R. Tuales-PIA Intern/rmn-PIA7 Negros Oriental)

Over 300 cyclists rode around Dumaguete City to promote the 1343 anti-trafficking hotline and called on government to stop the traffic, dubbed “Freedom Ride.” (JTR/PIA7-NegOr)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

P127-M farm-to-market road projects being constructed in Samar

Officers and members of the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID) and PIA-Siquijor listen to the orientation on the Kasambahay Law shared by the Department of Labor and Employment, Provincial Extension office. (RACalibo/PIASiquijor)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 15 (PIA) -- The Samar first district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now constructing P127.8 farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in several areas.

The projects, funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA), are the following: Concreting of FMR projects in San Agustin-Gandara Samar-Pagsanghan, Samar; Dinabongan-Cabicahan, Calbayog City, Samar; Cagsumje-Calvary, Sta. Margarita, Samar; Tagnao-Samuyao, Gandara, Samar; Balud-Nabulo, Sta. Margarita, Samar; Mancol-Blanca Aurora, San Jorge, Samar; Cagsumje-Curry, Sta. Margarita, Samar and Looc-Jimautan-Roxas, Calbayog City, Samar.

The major scope of these projects include the concreting of unpaved roads, construction of grouted ripraps and drainage lined canal ripraps.

They have a total length of 12.40 kilometers scattered within the jurisdiction of DPWH Samar I. The rehabilitation of barangays San Agustin, Gandara, Samar-Pagsanghan and Samar FMR was already completed within 120 calendar days.

The seven FMR projects mentioned above are ongoing with August 2013 as the given date of completion.

These FMRs aim to help farmers increase economic growth in these areas.

The residents have long waited for these projects for easy transport of farm products from the barangays to the market.

The district office is also doing FMR projects identification through surveys in areas where roads do not exist to bring about economic development and facilitate mobility. It is also trying to link these areas to other municipalities to improve their way of life. (PIA-Samar)

CCC, UPV partner in disaster risk management

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has identified the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) as partner in the management of disaster risks and adaptation to the impact of climate change towards sustainable development.

In a media statement, the CCC recognized UPV as a leading academic institution that will collaborate with the Commission to raise the capacity of key local actors in the cities and municipalities within the Jalaur River Basin in Photos show the peaceful and orderly Iloilo for disaster risks reduction and climate change conduct of the 2013 National and Local adaptation.

The UPV said that as part of this collaboration, five Elections in Barangays Licod and San Miguel in representatives from the university participated in the Tanauan, Leyte. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA-8) training of trainers on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for local partners in Cagayan and Jalaur River Basins held recently in Tagaytay City.

The capacity-building training ensures that people, More on Region 8, pages 6-7. institutions, structures and government are better prepared to prevent and cope with disasters in the future, Also CLICK Here...

while at the same time working towards reducing risks and building resilience.

The group was led by Prof. Nestor Yunque, UPV's Vice Chancellor for Administration, along with two faculty members, a university research associate, and the chief of the campus and maintenance development office.

The implementation of the partnership is part of the project dubbed as “Resilience Capacity Building for Cities and Municipalities to Reduce Disaster Risks from Climate Change and Natural Hazards” on its first phase, supported by the United Nations Development Program.

The three-year project is also being funded by the Government of New Zealand through the New Zealand Aid Program.

The CCC, under the Office of the President, is the lead policy-making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change. (JCM/ LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

4Ps beneficiaries attend farmers training program Isla Naburot, Sinapsapan, Jordan, Guimaras

By Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 16 (PIA6) -- Fifty beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Murcia, this province, availed themselves of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) farmers training program of the SM Foundation Inc. unicipal Link Grace Barsabal said her vegetable garden and for maintaining a Officers under the Self-Employment Assistance the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries perfect attendance during the training.

-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) provided entrepreneurial were part of the 124 farmers and SM Foundation Inc.’s Assistant Vice workshops. agriculture students who underwent a President Cristie Angeles said the Kabalikat sa During the graduation program, the three-month training on farming at the Lux Kabuhayan farmers training program was graduates sold their vegetable produce such as Mundi Farm School in Hacienda Binitin in conceived by SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr. lettuce, squash, eggplant and bottle gourds.

Murcia since January. who thought of a sustainable project that will The DSWD has been collaborating with “The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) uplift the living standards of small Filipino other government and non-governmental program of SM Foundation Inc. has been going farmers. organizations for the provision of on since 2006 but this is the first time they Its objective is to develop small farmers complementary social services for Pantawid partnered with the Department of Social into self-sustaining families, earning a living Pamilya beneficiaries.

Welfare and Development (DSWD), allocating from the vegetables and fruits they produce Under DSWD’s convergence strategy, 50 slots for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries for where a number of trained farmers in the past beneficiaries are prioritized for gainful the training program,” Barsabal said. have indirectly become regular suppliers of employment and sustainable livelihood Jenny Espares, 46, of Brgy. Blumentritt, SM. opportunities.

Murcia, one of the Pantawid Pamilya The program is supported by Harbest This aims to uplift the economic beneficiaries completed the training program.

Agri Corp. which provided the students with conditions of Pantawid Pamilya for them to A mother of four, Espares received top the seedlings; the Department of Agriculture ultimately become self-sufficient.*(JCM/ honors during the graduation ceremony held (DA) which trained them on the propagation EAD-PIA6/DSWD Negros Occidental) recently at the Activity Center of SM of high value vegetables and commercial crops; City-Bacolod for her bountiful produce from and the DSWD whose Project Development

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NFA Antique exceeds Q1 palay procurement target

By Margie L. Gadian SAN JOSE, Antique, May 16 (PIA) – The National Food Authority (NFA) has exceeded its palay procurement target for the first semester of 2013.

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he agency bought 47,532 bags of palay, almost double its target of 25,000 bags for the period.

In 2012, NFA’s target was 175,000 bags, but also exceeded this when it procured 185,643 bags of palay.

NFA Antique Provincial Manager Hedy G. Jardeleza attributed this to the efforts of the NFA team and farmer's organizations in the province, the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies. Through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the NFA was

able to access with the "Kaligunan ng mga Irrigadores kang Antique" (KIA) or the Federation of Irrigators Associations in the province, the Agrarian Reform Communities through DAR linkage and with farmer-leaders of the municipalities through active participation in DA's advocacy activities and its Provincial Agricultural & Fishery Council meetings.

The palay procurement volume from the accredited farmer organizations constituted 50 percent of the total palay procurement.

Better rice procurement will increase the country's rice reserve to meet the increasing demand during harvest gap and in times of calamities, the NFA said.

While the Department of Agriculture is trying to increase rice production through better technology and enhancing irrigation facilities, the NFA is finding ways to reduce if not totally eliminate waste of food and spoilage from farm to the dining table through implementation of the Food Conservation Program. (NFA/MLG/JCM/PIA6-Antique)

DOLE 6 initiates crafting of OJT manual

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, May 17 (PIA6) – The problem of job skills mismatch and relatively poor on-the-job training, which has been a problem for a long time, was tackled in the recent consultation workshop for the purpose of crafting the first ever government-initiated OJT Manual.

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he consultation, initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-6) was attended by some 60 representatives from various public and private colleges and universities in Western Visayas.

DOLE-6 Dir. Ponciano Ligutom said the consultation-workshop was in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

DOLE said the manual, when crafted, will serve as guide in the implementation of more or less standardized OJT or internship program for the students.

DOLE-6 Information Officer Amalia Judicpa said during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency that some institutions and many student interns are not

working together to maximize internship because of the absence of a standard guideline.

For Dir. Ligutom, this might be the hindrance why college graduates cannot easily find jobs after graduation as their skills have not been honed well because of inadequate actual experience during their OJTs. CHED-6 Asst. Regional Dir. Rex Casiple said during the consultation-workshop that quality products and services cannot just happen without quality education and training, without the appropriate OJT, internship, or practicum programs of schools and other institutions.

The break-up sessions tackled issues and concerns and the needed skills among students that can match the needs of various industries.

Director Emervencia Ligutom of the Institute of Service Learning, Siliman University,

said that it is not only knowledge and skills that student trainees should learn, but they should also be able to develop the right attitude at work. The consultation-workshop participants were given the chance to learn from the experiences and best practices on OJT of Silliman University, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, TESDA and the Berpa-Flex Technologies.

Meanwhile, DOLE said the students, with the OJT Manual completed and fully crafted, will benefit the students in the region as they will be provided with the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary for finding a job.

Dir. Ligutom said next to the consultations and final crafting of the manual, will be a series of meetings with each sector or industry to formulate OJT Manual for specific skills. (JCM/ESS/PIA_ILOILO)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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BFP needs 57 new firefighters in WVisayas Isla Higantes, Carles, Iloilo

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA) - - The Bureau of Fire Protection-Western Visayas needs to recruit an additional 57 firefighters.

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The recruitment is part of the bureau’s effort to increase its strength to be able to provide better services in the different municipalities of the region,” BFP 6 Public Information Desk Head Inspector Stephen Jardeleza said.

Jardeleza said BFP 6 has currently more than 1,100 firefighters, far below the number needed to meet the ideal firefighter to population ratio of one fireman for every 2,000 population.

The region has a population of 6,843,643 based on the August 1, 2007 census by the National Statistical Coordination Board.

“The additional force is welcome and a boost to our numbers since we are really undermanned,” said Jardeleza. Interested applicants must be between 21 to 30 years

at the day of the appointment and 1.62 meters (5’4) in height for males and 1.57 meters (5’2) for females.

They must also be a bachelor’s degree holder and with a second level eligibility from the Professional Regulations Commission and Civil Service Commission.

The administrative requirements for appointment to Fire Officer 1 rank to be included in their folder for submission are as follows: Application Letter addressed to the Regional Director, BFP 6; Personal Data Sheet (handwritten, 3 original); Eligibility/ Report of Rating (for board, RA 1080, 3 copies-authenticated by CSC/PRC)); Transcript of Records/Diploma (authenticated by the school); Birth Certificate (authenticated by NSO); Marriage Certificate, if married; Clearances

(original copies); Medical Certificate; Age/ Height Waivers (for those above 30 years old/below height limit).

Clearances to be also included in the folder are barangay clearance, prosecutor’s clearance (fiscal), MTC, PNP and NBI clearances. Applicants can submit their folders for initial screening to the Secretariat, Regional Placement and Selection Board (RPSB) at the BFP Regional Headquarters 6, Admin Division. The application period will end on May 27.

Jardeleza said qualified applicants shall undergo qualifying examination, physical/ agility tests, panel interview and neuro-psychiatric examination among others and pass the battery of tests to be appointed and accepted to the rank of Fire Officer I in the BFP. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

Army commander lauds efforts of 3ID men

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 17 (PIA) – A top official of the Philippine Army lauded the efforts of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) for its efforts in neutralizing communist rebels.

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hilippine Army Commanding General Noel Coballes said that because of the relentless military operations of the men of the 3ID, nine encampments of the New Peoples’Army (NPA) were overrun by the government forces and 130 NPA rebels were neutralized.

During the 3ID’s 39th Foundation Anniversary on May 15, at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, Coballes likewise commended the efforts of the division in pushing the Integrated Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan with the conduct of medical-dental missions, environmental protection and preservation, as well as livelihood and skills development activities.

He said that the different activities being conducted by the division had helped many of the people, especially the less privileged. “Your comprehensive Civil Military Operation

programs also resulted to the surrender of 84 former NPAs, most of whom availed of the local social integration program of the different local government units and national agencies,” Coballes said.

He likewise commended the 3ID being instrumental in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Commission on Indigenous People.

Coballes said that through the said MOU, the issue on the ancestral domain of the IPs will finally be resolved.

The Army Commander also recognized the partnership efforts of the division with different government agencies in addressing the issue of land distribution under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program that leads to the distribution of titles to qualified farmers. “The successful handover of the two

provinces, namely Aklan and Antique, to the local government unit is a concrete manifestation of the effectiveness of your internal peace and security campaign,” Coballes stressed.

In addition, he likewise gives emphasis on the 3ID’s accomplishment on the areas of administration and management, training activities, and maintenance programs.

Coballes attributed the accomplishments to the leadership of 3ID Commanding General Jose Mabanta Jr., including the support and cooperation of the military personnel in the division as well as the partnership efforts of the other stakeholders.

As he expects the division to continue its rapid pace to completely fulfill its mission towards excellence and transformation of the army, Coballes also pledged his support to attain said mission. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

PHO advocates healthy lifestyle to fight lifestyle diseases

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, May 16 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here is advocating healthy lifestyle practices to beat Aklan’s top 10 killer diseases.

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o keep Aklanons from being afflicted by these lifestyle diseases, Dr. Luces is advocating for the practice of healthy lifestyle – proper nutrition, exercise, and early detection of diseases through regular check-ups.

For working people, Dr. Luces also advised them against bringing their work home, so they could have enough rest.

“Not bringing your work home will keep you from stress,” Dr. Luces said.

Stress, according to her, can cause lifestyle diseases.

Based on PHO records, the province top ten 2012 killer diseases include pneumonia, Cardio-Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, Cancer, Hypertension, Myocardial Infarction, Diabetes Mellitus, Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Sysdrome and Renal Failure.

The recent KP/CHT meeting was the first one to be held this year, spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office and

attended by task force members coming from the different national and provincial offices and non-government organizations in the province.

In the meeting, taken up were the province’s Health Accomplishment for 2012, updates on Community Health Team Mobilization and updates on Health Facility Enhancement Programs (HFEP).

(JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

4 Negros Oriental church official

elections

successful,

says Bantayan Island, Cebu

By Roi Lomotan NEGROS ORIENTAL, May 15 (PIA) -- The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) said the province had a peaceful and honest May 13 elections.

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EB convenor Rev. Msgr. Julius Heruela said that all stakeholders were committed to make the elections successful.

He noted that the teachers were very much prepared to serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were ready to provide the necessary security last Election Day. Heruela also said that he was satisfied with the success of the Final Testing and Sealing of Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines throughout the province.

Meanwhile, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPRCV) Negros Oriental Chairman Fred Magallano said there had been improvements in the election system in the province. “I think we are progressing,” Magallano said. To recall, the DEB started its series of candidates’ forum on April 5 which featured local candidates from different towns in Negros Oriental seeking an electoral post.

The forum aimed to educate voters on the platforms and programs of their soon-to-be elected leaders. The final session of DEB’s candidates’ forum featured Heruela and Magallano.

They said issues on food sufficiency, employment and city progress are the ones needed to be addressed by the future leaders of Negros Oriental.

PPCRV Chairman Fred Magallano meanwhile advised the winning candidates “Don’t be very proud, you should be more humble.”

He also added that the people would be watching the candidates’ behavior after they win the elections.

“We should accept (the results) and pray for God’s will,” Msgr. Heruela concluded. (mbcn/rabl/PIA7-NegOr)

Bohol accounting office adopts new tech for transparency

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 15 (PIA) -- The Bohol Provincial Accounting Office (PAccO) has adopted new trends in IT-technology for fast-tracking paper processes and making transparent accounting of public funds.

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AccO chief, Joseth Celocia told employees gathered during the monthly convocation that the office uses a Commission on Audit (COA)-provided software that eases up preparation and generation of Journal Entry Vouchers (JEV) that also hooks up with the COA for easy and updated financial reports submission.

The Electronic-New Government Accounting System (E-NGAS) software has made life and computing easier for them, said Celodia.

The province processed some 46,076 JEVs or a bookkeeping monthly average of 3,840 entries of all funds at their keeping, Celodia added.

Aside from E-NGAS, the PAccO also uses an upgraded Financial Transaction Tracking System (FiTTSys) which is now on version 3, she proudly shared.

In its efforts to relentlessly pound for innovation, PAccO is now using a highly improved Version 3 which now includes

indexing of claims and the remittance module.

In coordination with the Bohol Information Communication and Technology Unit (BICTU) under Bobong Bojos, the system can now be accessed on the web and with the FiTTSys, clients tracking the whereabouts of their claims can do so, in the comfort of their offices.

At the Capitol, for more than a year now, PACCO has provided a viewing station where clients can easily browse and track their transactions from an electronic kiosk in a conspicuous place at the Capitol.

For Capitol employees also, PACCo has fully implemented the improved and enhanced Remittance Information Tracking System (RITS), this one has the import and export features which facilitate the recording and tracking of GSIS, HDMF and BIR remittances, she pointed out.

Since the Office takes charge of Accounting and Audit of Disbursement Services of the Provincial Government, Celodia also said they had sent demand letters to those

with outstanding Cash Advances. She immediately followed the information with, “although we do these periodically, the issuance of COA Circular 2012-004 issued Nov. 2012, the Commission on Audit is really getting serious,” she said.

The COA circular urges the PACCo to elevate to higher authority demands for collection.

This means, un-worked out demands which remain unanswered are elevated to the Ombudsman, she threatened.

She then reminded everyone who have unliquidated cash advances to settle them the soonest possible time, or else succeeding salaries or benefits per will be withheld, she warned.

Celocia named and recognized PPDO, OPV, OPA, OPSWD (BCIC) and Maribojoc Hospital as the most PAAS Compliant among the different offices of the provincial government of Bohol. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

54 PWDs graduate from Vocational Training Center

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- Fifty four (54) persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Visayas and Mindanao have received their diplomas for completing training at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center 11 (AVRC) in Labangon, Cebu City. The rites were held during the school's 35th Graduation Exercises.

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f these number, 24 finished Therapeutic Massage, 1 in Consumer Electronics, 13 in Computer Technology, 2 in Commercial Arts and Crafts, 5 in Basic Cosmetology, 10 in Commercial Cooking, 2 in Basic Sewing and 2 in Furniture and Cabinet Making.

Aside from their certificates, six (6) model students received training tools that would help them develop their skills donated by Ms. Liza Yap, President of the Cebu Centennial Lions Club.

Among the outstanding graduates given special awards were: Rosalinda Camus and

Phoebe Francisco for Basic Cosmetology, Gilbert Betonio for Computer Technology, John Vincent Parma for Furniture and Cabinet Making, Alvin Duhaylung and Darwin Mantaces for Commercial Cooking and Rime Fabe for Therapeutic Massage.

AVRC Training Center Superintendent Herminia Cabahug of AVRC reported that 88% of their graduates last year are now placed for jobs and gainfully employed.

AVRC is a vocational training center operated and maintained by the DSWD since l974 which serves persons with physical and social disabilities like the visually impaired,

physically handicapped, negative hansenites, mentally challenge, released prisoners and other disadvantaged sector.

The center aims to maximize the residual capacities of PWDs through assessment and guidance, social adjustment, medical, vocational training and placement services as well as bring maximum functioning of PWDs for their eventual integration into the community.

Interested persons with disability (PWD) who wish to study/enroll in AVRC may approach their municipal or city social welfare office or call 2620001 or 2628107.(mbcn/HFG/ PIA-7/DSWD-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Dumaguete City retains incumbent mayor Panglao Island, Bohol

By Roi Lomotan

NEGROS ORIENTAL, May 16 (PIA) – It’s victory for re-electionist Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria and running mate Woodrow Maquiling Sr. as the City Board of Canvassers proclaimed them duly elected mayor and vice mayor of Dumaguete City, respectively.

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he proclamation was made yesterday at 1:30 p.m.

Both candidates ran under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) party Sagarbarria, the incumbent mayor of Dumaguete, thanked the people for once again putting their trust in him in governing the city.

He said he is honored that the people gave him another chance to serve the city.

The mayor said that he will continue to bring progress in Dumaguete and he will carry

on the development projects his administration had started.

Sagarbarria vied for the mayoralty position in Dumaguete against Liberal Party (LP) candidate Alan Gel Cordova.

Final election results counted 35,285 in favor of Sagarbarria while Cordova got 19, 745.

Dumaguete City has 30 barangays with 73,270 registered voters.

Meanwhile, the City Board of Canvassers also proclaimed seven duly elected councilors

namely Jose Victor “JV” Imbo, Franklin Esmeña Jr. Nilo Sayson and Peter Catan, Saleto Erames, Tony Remollo and Manuel Arbon. Imbo, Esmeña, Sayson, Catan and Erames were also members of NPC while Remolo and Arbon were from LP. The City Board of Canvassers who proclaimed the winners in the elections were Atty. Jerome Brillantes, City Election Officer, DepEd City Schools Supt. Ramir Uytico and City Prosecutor Eliezer Escorial. (FCR/RL/PIA7 -NegOr)

Bohol opens bloggers’ seminar May 24

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 15 (PIA) -- Members of the Bohol Information Communication Technology Council (BICT), Bohol Bloggers Society (BBS) and Cebu Bloggers Society (CBS) now attempt to mainstream internet-based communication through a blogging seminar workshop on May 24 at Bohol Tropics Resort.

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ICT council president Leah Tirol-Magno said, it is billed as “Blog@Talks Seminar-Workshop.”

Bohol is advocating for a strong information technology to boost its regional bid, and having been picked among new wave cities in the future, “We are preparing for it,” Magno added.

Founder of Bohol Bloggers group, Dalareich Polot said, professional and influential bloggers from all over the region and the country will share their blogging tools of the trade, experiences and tips to promote businesses, tourism spots, opinions and other web-sold commodities.

This is a perfect opportunity for Boholanos to promote tourism, business and money making interest which the open

business policy of the internet now provides, she adds.

Polot explains that a blog can be a personal opinion of an incident, or any matter which evokes strong feeling for a reaction and could go to a professional view sharing, be it a narrow topic or a wide field of subjects.

With Bohol picking up eco-cultural tourism and the option for web-promotion arguably cheaper, blogging to promote tourism sites and come-ons is the most logical choice, Bohol tour guide and tourism office front liner Cristopher Boncales said.

On the other hand, “blogging can be effective in promoting products,” stressed Polot, who has been getting world-wide orders for a chocolate-tablets business in Bohol. Polot, a Boholano who also leads the National Alope-

cia Philippine Support Group has been blogging on alopecia, spreading information and understanding for people who have problems with loss of hair. Bloggers are also into making money through blogging, as a blogsite that draws many readers become a target for internet-advertisers, who also pay bloggers to maintain their sites.

Polot also said the seminar workshop caps with the soft launching of the Bohol Bloggers Society which will be organized after the seminar.

Registration is pegged at P200 for students and P500 for professionals, according to organizers. For more information, contact Bohol ICT Council, BICTU on the ground floor of the Capitol or Dalareich at 411-0584. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

Eggplant farmers see hope in organic farming

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto Carcar is a thriving city in Cebu south, largely agricultural with around 200 farmers growing eggplants.

For these farmers, exposing their eggplants to chemicals has become an accepted practice.

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hat farmers do is dip the eggplants in strong chemicals before it is harvested to make it look healthy.

This practice is prevalent among eggplant producers who opt for high income.

One of these eggplant farmers is Marino Quisa-ot, who has been growing eggplants for 20 years now.

He has, however, realized that he has to be freed somehow from the use of these chemicals because he had to shell out more money for it, eating up much of his income from farming.

Sometime in May 2012, the Department of Agriculture (DARFU-7) held a technology demonstration on organic eggplant production in Villadolid, Carcar City.

Quisa-ot was one of the 100 farmers invited to witness the demonstration and to be a “cooperator” at the demo farm.

Little did he know at that time, that by attending the demonstration, he has taken the

first step in finding a solution to his dream of chemical-free farming.

During the demo, DA RFU-7 presented to the farmers with vermi-compost, probiotic liquid fertilizer, and vermi-tea packages which will help farmers produce healthy eggplants the natural way without having to resort to chemical dipping.

This will also help boost their income without having to shell out more money to buy chemicals.

With the use of the organic fertilizers, an area sized 2,500 square meters yielded 2,064 kilos of eggplants, bringing a farmer’s gross income to a total of P30,182.25 during the cropping season, said Roland Magos, project leader of the demo farm and a staff of DA-7.

A farmer like Quisa-ot can earn a net income of P7,632.25 or a 33% return of his investment from chemical-free farming, said Magos.

Aside from the commercial viability, organic farming is needed among the eggplant farmers considering that the soil in Valladolid, Carcar City has already been exposed excessively to chemical use in the past, he added.

Quisa-ot and 24 other farmers in his area are now adopting organic farming after they attended the demo farm last year.

They make up 12% of the total farming population in Carcar City.

City Agriculturist Ricardo Oca is determined to continue planting the seed of hope in the hearts of farmers by establishing more demo farms on organic eggplants for farmers to witness in other barangays.

Oca said the pilot area in Valladolid has brought about a positive change in the barangay and he envisions to bring about a similar change in the lives of eggplant farmers in other barangays in Carcar City. (rmn/JSME/ PIA Cebu/DA-7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Plan International to hold climate change youth camp San Vicente, Northern Samar

By Samuel D. Candido

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, May 15 (PIA) -- The Hernani field office of Plan International Inc. will conduct a three-day Climate Change Adaptation Youth Summer Camp on May 27-29 in Hernani, Eastern Samar.

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ighty students in grade 5 and 23-25, 2013 at the Matarinao School of in fourth year high school Fisheries in Brgy. Matarinao, Salcedo. are expected to attend the He added that he is inviting resource activity. speakers from the Department of the Community Development Facilitator Interior and Local Government (DILG), Arnold D. Peca said the purpose of the the Department of Environment and activity is to engage the youth on climate Natural Resources (DENR) and the change mitigation and adaptation related Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and activities such as: tree growing, coastal Astronomical Services (PAGASA). clean-ups, disaster and adaptation skills The activity is continuously on-going and increase their knowledge about in the provinces of Region 8, Eastern and climate change and disasters.

Northern Samar and Southern Leyte.

Peca said the same activity will be The three provinces are areas conducted by PLAN International on May covered by PLAN International.

There are two municipalities and eight barangays in Eastern Samar that benefit from the project.

The four barangays in Hernani are: Nagaja, Carmen, Garawon and San Miguel while in Salcedo are barangays Alog, San Roque, Burak and Matarinao.

The activity is implemented by PLAN International in coordination with Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation and the local government of Hernani and Salcedo. This year’s theme is “Kabataan Kapit-bisig para sa Kalikasan.” (PIA-Eastern Samar)

Nominations for Model OFW Family of the Year Awards 2013 on

By Aurora J. Casimpan TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 15 (PIA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Eastern Visayas has announced that the search is on for this year’s Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) and that the agency is inviting Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs), Religious Organizations, Community-based Socio Civic Organizations, and Local Government Units (LGUs) to submit nominations for the nationwide search for the awardees.

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he OWWA regional office, through a screening committee composed of the representatives of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OWWA, NGOs and church-based organizations will compose the screening committee.

The MOFYA, now on its ninth year, aims to give due recognition to the valuable efforts and hard work of the OFW and their families in overcoming the challenges of migration.

It also showcases success stories of model OFW and their families who

maintained close family ties and made valuable contributions to the community they belonged, and the family should have established financial stability.

Eastern Visayas had a national awardee in the person of Capt. Manuel Gabornes and family who bagged the National MOFYA Award for the sea-based category in last year’s search.

This year’s tentative screening schedule is on September 24 and regional winners will be named on October 1 while the National Awardees will be on November 15.

The OWWA office stressed that nominations should be done by organizations or associations and that individual nomination will be invalidated.

Interested entities can visit the OWWA website at www.owwa.gov.ph for nomination forms and details on MOFYA or go direct to the OWWA-RW08 Compound, Tacloban City for more details and clarifications.

(PIA-8)

S & T week exhibit to showcase East Visayas products in Manila

By Neil D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 15 (PIA) – Region 8 will be joining this year’s Science and Technology Week celebration on July 21-27 at SMX MOA, Pasay City, DOST-8 information officer Ramil Uy said Friday during the Suruswerte ha PIA radio program.

ACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 15 Visayas.

He added that the exhibit will also (PIA) – Region 8 will be joining DOST-8 is now in the process of showcase “new products developed by t h i s y e a r ’ s S c i e n c e a n d selecting products coming from the region the DOST Research and Development Technology Week celebration on July supported by their office in partnership Institute.”

21-27 at SMX MOA, Pasay City, DOST-8 with the Department of Trade and Meanwhile, Uy is inviting fellow information officer Ramil Uy said Friday Industry and other agencies, Uy said.

Eastern Visayans who are interested to during the Suruswerte ha PIA radio Uy added that they are now collecting see the latest products of Science and program. nominations from the different provincial Technology especially those coming from According to Uy, one of the highlights offices in the region and select which Region 8 that will be showcased in the of the celebration is the Science and products will be included in the exhibit. exhibit.

Technology exhibit which will feature We will be selecting products with This year’s Science and Technology products and inventions from the different export quality that our country will take Week celebration has for its theme, "S&T regions in the country to include Eastern pride of, Uy said. for Smarter Philippines.” (PIA-8)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Digyo Island, Inopacan, Leyte

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DTI reminds contractors to renew PCAB licenses on time

PAWING, Palo, Leyte, May 15 -- The Department of Trade and Industry called on all contractors to follow the schedule of renewing licenses and avoid the rush, delay and penalties.

TI Region 8 Director Cynthia Those licenses ending in 2-3 should that late filers shall be segregated from the Nierras issued the alert to all renew in March. regular filers by PCAB, and imposed the contractors who wish to renew Those ending in 4-5 will renew in appropriate penalties. their Philippine Contractors Accreditation April while those ending in 6-7 must Meanwhile, the DTI Director said the Board (PCAB) license with DTI. renew by May. contractors and the public must deal only She said that PCAB issued the said Those ending in 8-9 must renew by with the Public Assistance and Complaints renewal alert starting February 2013 the June including new applications approved Desk Officer and the Frontline Staff of Board has been accepting renewal from January to June 2013.

PCAB to avoid confusion in completing applications for CFY 2013-2014 under the Concerned contractors may file their the requirements in obtaining the license. following schedule. application at the PCAB Office in Makati Contractors in Region 8 may contact Licenses ending in 0-1 should renew City or at the DTI Regional Office at the PCAB Pre-screening officer at tel. in February.

Pawing, Palo, Leyte. Director Nierras said number (053) 524-8972. (PIA-8)

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DOST 8 accepts entries for the Regional Inventions Contest and Exhibits 2013 TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 15 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Eastern Visayas is accepting applications for the Regional Inventions Contest and Exhibits 2013.

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he competition aims to discover more inventions in the region which have economic values and to showcase the inventions at the national level.

DOST Region 8 S&T Promotions Center Manager Ramil Uy said the activity is open to all high school and college students, professionals, private individuals and inventors in the region.

Applications are now available at the

DOST regional office at the Government Center, Brgy. Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

The contest is slated on August 19-21, 2013 at the Robinsons Mall Activity Area in Tacloban City.

Those who have won in the same contest before may still join, provided a new invention or exhibit is presented.

Uy said the categories are the following: Inventions Category, Utiltiy Model Category, Industrial Design,

Creative design, Student Creative Research for College and Student Creative Research for High School.

The competition was first held in 2011 in the region where a student in Samar State University (SSU) in Catbalogan City was adjudged as the winner in the national level when he invented an E-loading machine. (Consuelo B. Alarcon/PIA-8)

Forging partnerships to intensify campaign vs. health care fraud PALO, Leyte, May 15 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) conducted a Regional Multi-Sectoral Anti-Fraud Awareness Forum aimed at promoting awareness among health-care providers and other stakeholders of the significance of its anti-fraud program.

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hilHealth Regional Vice-President Walter Bacareza said the forum, held last month at the Oriental Hotel Leyte, hopes to foster public-private partnership with several stakeholders in the fight against health-care fraud.

Partner health-care providers, government agencies, local government units, nongovernment organizations, civil society organizations, medical societies and accredited collection agencies were invited to the.

From previous data, allegations of fraud arise every now and then in the country’s health insurance system.

Together with abuse and adverse selection, they can potentially compromise the viability and sustainability of social health insurance schemes.

Padilla said there are no hard figures that will show how much was lost from PhilHealth funds, but he assured the members that this will not affect the payments to members and providers.

Lawyer Michael Troy Polintan said that in the old Medicare program, documents and signatures of members were purchased; and/or claims were manufactured and submitted for non-existent admissions. Unfortunately, the “ghost” admissions involved hospitals, he added.

There were instances of family confinements wherein several family members or members of the same barangay were admitted at the same time despite the absence of epidemics.

It was learned that another anomaly is the recycling of patients wherein a “cycle of admission” is observed.

Polintan added that there were “weekend confinements” where at least 50 percent of claims submitted by hospitals are incidentally admitted on Fridays or Saturdays then discharged Sunday or early Monday.

This is contradictory to the usual Filipino confinement preference – being discharged on a Friday and deferring elective admissions until after the weekend.

In addition, there are the routine fraudulent and abusive practices which include declaring non-dependents as dependents; borrowing of identity; confirming eligibility despite being ineligible, up-coding of disease and procedure codes; and falsifying diagnosis and confinement dates.

The National Health Insurance Act of 1995 that created PhilHealth has long stated that membership is mandatory.

However, while this provision has been implemented for most part of the formal sector,

it is not yet fully mandatory for the whole informal sector.

In PhilHealth’s case, eligibility usually takes effect six months after premiums were paid for the first three months.

For elective surgeries of self-paying members, eligibility vests after nine months.

Faced with the challenge to minimize and eventually prevent these practices, PhilHealth set up a Fraud Prevention and Detection Unit, now called the Fact Finding Investigation and Enforcement Department. Together with the legal units in the regional offices, it is working hard to build cases against fraudulent and abusive health care providers.

Moreover, a total of 530 PhilHealth CARES nurses are present on hospital grounds to help ensure that only accurate information on diagnosis and treatment are submitted by providers. PhilHealth is also partnering with Health Information Technology Providers (HITP) to make electronic claims submission possible.

PhilHealth also called for the partnership with the media in the advocacy against fraud in the health care with the theme “Bawat Pilipino miyembro, Bawat miyembro, kalusugan natin segurado,” and with the slogan “Benepisyo Mo, Protektado, Ipaglaban Mo.” (PIA-8)

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

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

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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

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