One visayas vol 3 issue 23

Vol 3

Issue 23

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

The 82nd Infantry Battalion of the Phil. Army based in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Iloilo and Peace and Development members cap their 3-day 'Youth Leadership Summit' with a feeding program for elementary pupils of Bucari Elementary School, Brgy. Bucari, Leon, Iloilo recently. Shown in photo is Lt. John Paul L. Belleza, Civil Military Officer of 82nd IB leading the team of volunteers in feeding the children. (82nd IB/MLG/PIA6-Antique)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

A member of the Siquijor Women’s Association for a Better Environment (SWABE) extracts oil from locally available herbs during the training on herbal oil extraction and massage oil formulation conducted by the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center last June 3, 2013 at San Antonio, Siquijor. (RAC/MEP-DOST Siquijor)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

The 2013 Gawad Saka regional winners (front row) pose with DA RFU 8 officials and guests (l-r) RTD Wilson Cerbito, RTD Rufino Ayaso, RED Antonio Gerundio, governor, PCCI Eastern Visayas Chapter Roy Bernard Fiel and RAFC chair Edgardo Codilla (back row) at the DA 8 Multipurpose Hall Kanhuraw Hill Tacloban City, Recently. (Raul S. Tiozon/PIA8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

June 3 — 9, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Central Visayas schools ready for K to 12

By Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Schools in the entire Central Visayas are now ready for the full-swing implementation of the K to 12 program.

Dr. Luz Jandayan, Department of Education 7 Curriculum and Learning Management Division Chief, said recently that all the schools under the 19 school divisions in Central Visayas are ready for the K to 12 flagship strategy.

Jandayan was among the guests of the recent Mindshare session conducted by Cebu Coalition for Better Education (CBE) at the Cebu Normal University (CNU) participated in by more than 50 education stakeholders.

“When the first batch of K to 12 will graduate in the year 2018, they will already have an option to pursue a college degree or practice and earn for a while from the learned skills,” Jandayan said.

She said that instructional materials are already distributed in all schools under the 19 divisions of Region 7 for grades 1 and 7 while for grades 2 and 8, the materials are already in its Pre-Bid stage as of May 20.

She said they had also conducted sufficient training to all public school teachers and are still scheduling several more on a “per-need” basis or as the implementation flows through.

For this year, they had just concluded the trainings of 4,807 grade 2 public school teachers and 6,878 grade 8

teachers. It added up to the 5,139 grade 1 teachers and 2,619 from grade 7.

Jandayan said they are scheduled to have another training, this time for grades 2 and 8 teachers from the private schools.

Other than DepEd, there were also guests from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).

Mindshare is a mini fora for CBE members to be updated on the recent techniques and advances in line with education. It is under the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation. (rmn/ FCC/PIA-CEBU)

DepEd Chief of Curriculum & Learning Management Division Dr. Luz C. Jandayan (w/mic) presenting the K-12 Basic Education Program during the CBE'S general membership meeting at Cebu Normal University (CNU). (VVV/PIA Cebu)

EV 2013 Gawad Saka Search winners honored

By Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) for Eastern Visayas has conferred the 2013 Regional Gawad Saka Awards to eight outstanding farmers and three fishery councils/ organizations in the region.

DA Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio said at the regional awarding rites held recently at the multi-purpose hall of the DA regional office here that the achievers were recognized for their invaluable contribution to the national economy.

Gerundio identified the outstanding farmers as Arturo D. Pasacas of Calbayog City as outstanding farmer on rice-based integrated farming system category; Eleuterio C. Indic of Tacloban City as outstanding high value crops farmer; Dr. Erlinda A. Vasquez and Dr. Algerico M. Mariscal as outstanding agricultural scientists for 2012 and 2011, both from Visayas State University in Baybay City

and Noel P. Abayan as outstanding sugarcane farmer and Luis M. Fran as outstanding coconut farmer, both from Ormoc City.

The City Agriculture and Fishery Council of Baybay City was also awarded as Outstanding City Agricultural and Fishery Council; Independent Component City Agricultural and Fishery Council of Ormoc City as Outstanding Provincial/Independent Agricultural and Fishery Council/ Highly Urbanized City and Holy Child Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Bato, Leyte as Outstanding Small Farmer and Fisherfolk Organization.

The winners will compete for the 2013 National Gawad Saka Search, the highest and most prestigious award conferred by DA to outstanding farmers and fishermen. The holding of the awarding was timed with the Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ Month Celebration last May. (PIA -8)

DSWD enlists more WV LGUs in fight vs. poverty

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, June 5 (PIA6) - - The participation of people in the government’s poverty reduction program will be further enhanced in Western Visayas with the inclusion of 19 more municipalities in the effort which uses the community-driven development (CDD) approach soon.

DSWD 6 Kalahi-CIDSS Deputy Regional Project Manager Leo Quintilla said the 19 municipalities are part of the 74 municipalities in the region targeted to be covered by the National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) which was approved by President Benigno Aquino III. The program will be implemented for a period of five years, starting this second half of 2013 in 900 municipalities nationwide.

Quintilla said NCDDP is the scaling up of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) as a national strategy to provide poor communities access to services, increase their participation in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and monitoring of projects, reduce poverty, among others that uses the CDD approach “CDD has been tried and proven effective in Kalahi CIDSS. It gives citizens control over decisions and resources so they can undertake localized solutions to

identified community problems,” according to Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Social Marketing Officer Maricar Calubiran.

Quintilla said areas in the region that are now implementing Kalahi-CIDDS and graduates of the Makamasang Tugon will also be included in the program.

Makamasang Tugon is an implementation modality led by the LGU. The municipalities in the provinces of Antique, Aklan and Guimaras that are currently implementing the Kalahi-CIDSS–Millenium Challenge Corporation will continue their implementation until the third cycle and the Makamasang Tugon modality. Their transition into the NCDDP is expected in 2015 in order to continue the process of CDD. Under the NCDDP, the giving of grants will be based on poverty incidence and population of the municipality.

In Kalahi-CIDSS the grant is fixed regardless of the size of the population.

Quintilla said the program will also be an inter-agency undertaking and DSWD has partnered with Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Education and other key government agencies to enhance the municipal and barangay implementation. (JCM/ESS/LAF-PIA6)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Center of Excellence citation means more for Bacolod City

By Easter Anne D. Doza

Graciano Lopez Lopez--Jaena (1856 (1856--1896)

BACOLOD CITY, June 6 (PIA6) - - The recent citation of the Department of Science and Technology – Information and Communication Technology Office to Bacolod City as a Center of Excellence means more investments, more jobs and more efforts to step up.

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he citation is a graduation of sorts in the Top 10 Next Wave Cities in the Philippines making Bacolod City as the latest Center of Excellence in the country following Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Clark.

Bacolod Negros Occidental Federation of Information and Communications Technology or BNEFIT President and Councilor-elect lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said the trophy means that as a location, Bacolod City is above average in comparison with all the other cities in the country today.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia who received the award together with Batapa-Sigue told members of the City Peace and Order Council during its regular meeting that one criterion that

Bacolod is cited was because of its business environment and risk management.

“Over the years, one of the thrust of the administration is to provide a climate conducive for business to grow in Bacolod and that is why peace and order is given the highest priority because it is the foundation and stabilizer of a good economy,” Leonardia said.

According to Batapa-Sigue, Bacolod City is considered as a non-risk area especially that it is not calamity-centered and has no peace and order problem.

Aside from Business Environment and Risk Management, Batapa-Sigue also enumerated talent pool, infrastructure and real estate availability, utilities and power, and cost as other factors being considered

for the award.

Bacolod City ranked 5th in the Top 10 Next Wave Cities in 2009 and in 2010-2011, the city ranked 3rd.

Four more Business Process Outsourcing firms signify their interest to invest in Bacolod City, according to BNEFIT, and this means 18,000 more seats for employment in 2016 for Bacoleños and Negrenses.

Leonardia revealed that BPOs nationwide is seating 772,000 employees and is one of the biggest drivers in Bacolod with an estimated 13,000 employees, earning an average of P15,000 a month that means raking in billions of pesos which changes the economic situation of the city.*(EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

SSS Iloilo to open office on Saturdays of June for ‘kasambahay’ registration By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) Iloilo branch will open for business on four consecutive Saturdays this June to enable household employers and domestic workers or ‘kasambahay’ to register with SSS.

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SS Iloilo branch will issue household employer identification (ID) numbers on June 8, 15, 22, and 29 to facilitate their mandatory SSS membership as provided under the Kasambahay Law and the Social Security Law, as well as social security (SS) numbers to domestic workers, said Rene Gonzales, OIC-Head Members Services Section.

To get an SSS number, domestic workers must fill out and submit the Personal Record Form (SSS Form E-1) to any SSS branch, along with a photocopy of any of the primary documents such as the

birth or baptismal certificate, driver’s license, passport, Professional Regulation Commission card or seaman’s book.

Those without any primary document can give two secondary documents, both citing their name and at least one indicating their birthdate. SSS branches provide a comprehensive list of accepted secondary documents such as the ATM card, bank passbook, marriage contract, NBI or police clearance, voter’s ID or postal ID card.

Gonzales said that they will submit only the Form E-1 and a photocopy of the supporting documents, but they should

also present the original copy for authentication.

To secure a Household Employer ID Number, the employer only needs to fill out and submit the Employer Registration Form (SSS Form R-1).

Gonzales said that existing household employers who still use their personal SS numbers in paying the contributions of their domestic workers will be given their Household Employer ID Number during their branch visit, via email or mail. (ESS/LTP/PIA-ILOILO)

Silay City receives Boss recognition

By Carolina A. Dionela NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, June 6 (PIA6) -- Wilfredo Sayon, project development manager of the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS), has announced that Silay City was awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Interior and LocaL Government, as the first local government unit in Negros Occ. that satisfactorily complied with the requirements in the Business Permit and Licensing System and passed the national standards of business registration, a press release from the city said.

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he award was given by DTI Neg.Occ.provincial director Rebecca Rascon and DILG Neg.Occ. provincial director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag.

The implementation of the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) contributed to the increase of the revenue of the city. This

year, Silay City government has generated 10% increase of their tax collections.

Sayon said the increase has significance in bringing quality services to our constituents.

The BOSS team called as the Joint Inspection Team (JIT) of 2013 includes the following government offices and divisions namely; Permits and License Division,

Office of the Building Officer, City Planning and Development Office, License and Fees Division, Assessor’s Office, City Health Office, Land Tax Division, Bureau of Fire and Protection and PNP/Traffic Division. *(Silay City/CD/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Villasiga hydro power plant seen to push Antique’s development Founder and First Editor of La Solidaridad

By Vicente W. Villavert

SAN JOSE, Antique, June 7 (PIA 6) -- The 8-megawatt Villasiga Hydropower Plant currently being constructed in Igsoro, Bugasong, Antique is expected to help push the economy of the province.

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The province of Antique needs a stable and sufficient source of energy in order to attract investors and boost the province’s development,” Governor Exequiel B. Javier said during yesterday’s meeting of the Provincial Development Council (PDC).

According to Engr. Erlinda Chui who represented Director Ro Ann Bacal of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Region 6, an ocular inspection was conducted last March 6 by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) together with the Department of Energy and the representatives of the Provincial Project Monitoring Committee.

“At the time of the visit, the project was 85 percent complete,” Engr. Chui said.

Chui explained “it was targeted that the commercial operation of the hydropower project would be on August

2013, but during the ocular inspection, the team foresees that the delivery of electricity from the hydro-power project to the Grid on August 2013 will be delayed due to some concerns on the putting up of the Culasi-San Jose 69 KV Transmission Line.

With this concern, the RPMC called a meeting at NEDA office to find viable solutions with the participation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Department of Energy, Antique Electric Cooperative, Sunwest Water and Electric Co., Inc., and the Provincial Government of Antique.

The NGCP agreed to prioritize Stage 1 of the 69 KV-Culasi-San Jose transmission line by constructing first the Bugasong-San Jose transmission line section. Completion of this section will enable the Villasiga 1 Hydro Power Plan to export its power to the Grid. The NGCP will complete this section before Villasiga

1’s commercial date of operation.

The Culasi-San Jose 69 KV Transmisison Line Project is expected to provide a more reliable, secured and efficient power delivery system by completing the 69 KV loop in the western part of Panay Island. This aims to improve the power quality which has been below prescribed range set by the Grid Code.

The RPMC under the Regional Development Council is looking forward to the full completion and implementation of the Villasiga Hydropower project with the help of the transmission lines of the NGCP to the Southern Panay backbone project and 69 kV San Jose-Culasi transmission line, said Engr. Chui.

The PDC meeting was capped by the passage of a Resolution for Commitment of Support for the full operation of the Villasiga 1 Hydro Power Plant Project and Energization.(JCM//VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

Environment Month photo exhibit set June 10 – 28

By Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 5 (PIA) -- A photo exhibit will be staged by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) – Capiz from June 10 to 28 at Gaisano City Mall here in view of the Environment Month celebration.

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The exhibit will showcase environmental status of Capiz and other information related to Environment Month,” said PENRO–Capiz Forest Management Section chief Edwin Borja.

He added that a short program will open the 19-day snapshots display.

Some individuals, agencies and organizations supportive of the environmental protection efforts in the province will be given certificates of

recognition as among the highlights of the exhibit’s opening day.

The same citation will also be given to outstanding PENRO employees on June 28 during the culminating program of the month-long celebration.

Other activities highlighting the celebration in the province include Environmental Education Forum, launching of “Araw ni Bossing” and Barangay Forest Program, signing of Memorandum of Agreement of member-agencies of the

Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee as well as Memorandum of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) on issuance of residential patents between PENRO and local government unit of Panay, and lectures on geo-hazard, ecological solid waste management and ecological biodiversity.

A motorcade along the major streets here kicked off the celebration last June 3.

(JBG/AAL-PIA6 Capiz)

DENR to honor environmental partners in Aklan

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, June 6 (PIA) -- Personalities from the government and the private sectors in Aklan will be awarded certificates of recognition as Environmental Partners by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on June 10. his is one of the major highlights As awardees, these personalities On the same date, DENR will also be in the celebration of Environment initiated, contributed or helped in the giving certificates of recognition to 3 Month this June in the province. promotion and conduct of activities seen retiring DENR employees; 11 employees These personalities, according to OIC to enhance or protect the environment, with 35 years and above service;and to the Provincial Environment and Natural Reyes said.

Best Land Investigator/Deputy Public Land Resources Officer Ivene D. For this project, the province Inspector.

Reyes of D E N R - A k l a n , provided cash prizes to winning Other noteworthy activities will be Reyes said recognition of the awardees municipalities, which is held every year conducted by DENR Aklan. (VGV PIA 6 including Gov. Carlito Marquez will be since 2008. Winners are recognized Aklan) held in time with the DENR’s 26th during the Aklan Day celebration. anniversary celebration.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DILG NegOr directs local chief create transition teams

executives to Lapu Lapu--Lapu (1491 (1491--1592)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Negros Oriental has directed local government units to create their respective local governance transition teams to guarantee a smooth turnover of newly-elected or re-elected local officials.

ILG provincial director Farah DILG representative, Commission on officials and conduct briefings for those Diba Gentuya said this is in Appointments (COA) representative, elected for the first time on their duties c o m p l i a n c e w i t h D I L G NGO/PO representative, heads of all and responsibilities, provisions of the Memorandum Circular No. 2013-33 departments and chaired by the LCE. Local Government Code, status and signed by Secretary Mar Roxas on April It is mandated to conduct an programs of the LGUs, along with 18, 2013. inventory of movable assets like vehicles, re-orientation of returning officials.

Gentuya said: “Our field officers are office equipment, furniture and supplies "The office will be here to assist you fully prepared to work with their local and immovable properties such as land, and guide you most especially in your first chief executives (LCEs) and other buildings, and infrastructure facilities, said 100 days in office. We should all work members of the transition team in Gentuya. together, regardless of political affiliation ensuring orderly turnover of “Aside from this, they are tasked to because at the end of your term you must accountabilities and in conducting assemble all documents and records and leave a legacy to your constituents. Your comprehensive briefing to newly-elected organize a turn-over ceremony," she success or failure will ultimately affect or officials.” added. impact the people,” said Gentuya. (rmn/ The team will be composed of the DILG pledged to support the local JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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DepEd-NegOr assures classrooms ready as classes open

By Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) in Negros Oriental said that all local stakeholders have shown their commitment in repairing school buildings in time for the opening of classes.

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umaguete City Education Program Supervisor Jose Miraflor Jr. said their city schools superintendents, parents, and volunteers participated in the DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela Program and gave their time in repairing classrooms to ensure the smooth opening of classes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, Provincial Schools Division Supt. in Negros Oriental, introduced the Brigada Eskwela Plus.

“It doesn’t mean that after June 3

there will be no more (classroom clean-up activities). It is called Brigada Eskwela Plus because it’s whole year round,” Miraflor said.

The Provincial Schools Superintendent announced that some people have donated window sills and paintings to public schools.

Both officials were guest speakers on the recent Kapihan sa PIA Forum where they presented to the media documentation pictures that showed improvement of classrooms after the

conduct of Brigada Eskwela.

Jimenez assured the parents that “We are doing our best that our children will be comfortable in the schools they are enrolled in.”

Miraflor also emphasized that DepEd is doing its part in teaching the students the value of care over repair. “We teach children not to destroy school things but to care for it,” Miraflor said. [FCR/RAL/ PIANEGOR]

DOLE Siquijor conducts capability building seminars to workers' assns.

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment – Siquijor Field Office conducted a series of capability building training-seminars to workers’ associations coming from the informal sectors in the town of Lazi.

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he activity aimed to improve the capability of the associations to undertake administrative and financial aspect of the organizational works as well as to enhance the leadership capacity and commitment of the members of the associations.

The various associations that took part in the seminars were Campalanas Women’s Associations, Lazi Farmers and Fisher Folks’ Association, Cangomantong Women’s Associations and Talayong Farmers’ Associations conducted respectively in their barangays last May 17, 18, 21 and 22, 2013.

During the organizational assessments, participants actively took part in the discussions facilitated by

Jerome Alam of DOLE Siquijor.

Insufficient skills in organizational management, lack of commitment of both members and officers, lack of proper documentation, limited resources, competing demands on the time of members and financial constraints were among the weaknesses of the associations identified by the participants.

On the other hand, sectoral livelihood programs of the National Government Agencies, participation of people’s organization in the decision-making and consultative bodies (participation in Bottom-Up Planning and Budgeting), innovative and open to adopting interventions to more effectively respond to their need were considered as

their strengths.

Topics on Teambuilding, Leadership, Communication and Networking were discussed by Nole Torres, also of DOLE. DOLE programs and services, livelihood availment, liquidation and responsibilities of beneficiaries, writing an eligible project proposal and livelihood sustainability were also introduced to the participants and handled by Alam.

In a nutshell, the four associations had identified the most crucial economic challenges they are facing and forwarded to DOLE Siquijor Field Office the concrete project proposals to address them. (FCR/RAC with Nole R. Torres/ DOLE-Siquijor)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Blogging workshop for heritage held in Cebu Led the first successful Filipino armed resistance against Spanish aggression

By Amorganda A. Saludar

Cebu City (PIA) -- Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in partnership with Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. (CBSI), recently organized a seminar-workshop geared towards heritage promotion. ubbed "Reporting Heritage for museums and heritage sites every last information.

B l o g g e r s , " t h e Friday of May. Costas cited examples of topics for seminar-workshop held May 25 Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director heritage blogging, including natural trained Cebuano bloggers how to report of RAFI's Culture and Heritage unit, heritage - such as rivers, flora, protected and blog about heritage subjects. stressed that information, particularly on areas, and historical landmarks - and The activity also aimed at encouraging history and culture, should not be cultural heritage subjects, such as Cebuano bloggers to post more about hoarded in educational institutions alone. architecture, food, artifacts, archeological Cebu ’s cultural scene.

Joselity Costas, one of the resource sites, shipwrecks, tradition, rituals, and The event also prepared bloggers on speakers of the seminar-workshop and at genealogy. how to blog about events that showcased the same time president of Hambin, a As an output, participants of the Cebu ’s heritage like the ‘Gabii sa Kabilin’ Cebuano heritage advocacy group, Reporting Heritage for Bloggers created a or Night of Heritage last May 31. observed that only a few local blogs tackle crowdsourcing site online that will contain Gabii sa Kabilin (Night of Heritage) is or specialize in heritage since such niche credible and reliable information on Cebu an annual program of RAFI executed in requires time and effort, especially ’s culture and heritage. (rmn/AYS/PIA 7/ coordination with RAFI’s partner in obtaining credible and reliable RAFI)

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Food processing in Siquijor gets DOST-SETUP funding

By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Peryang’s Food Products in Barangay Tongo, Siquijor, Siquijor has received P179,000 funding assistance from the Department of Science and Techonology (DOST) to improve its "peanut turon" processing technology. nder the agency’s Small the project as stipulated in the herbal tea.

E n t e r p r i s e T e c h n o l o g y Memorandum of Agreement.

The barangay of San Antonio , noted Upgrading Program (Set-up), The MOA signing and funding release for the presence of endemic herbs funding aims to increase productivity of were done at the Provincial Science and species, can be more productive by Peryang’s Food Products which is owned Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor, introducing income-generating projects and managed by Porferia Tangcay.

Siquijor. (RCalibo/PIA-Siquijor) utilizing the locally available herbs in the Science and Techhnology Meanwhile, the Department of surroundings, he said. interventions include introduction of Science and Technology (DOST) Siquijor Results of the project will also peanut turon processing technology and conducted a training on herbal oil enhance the tourism development in the assistance in complying with food safety extraction and massage oil formulation on area because the association plans to set and GMP requirements Provincial Science June 3, 2013 at San Antonio , Siquijor. up a massage and spa center utilizing and Technology Director Mario de la Pena Participants were the Siquijor locally formulated massage oil and scents. said Peryang’s Food Products has pledged Womens Association for a Better (rmn/MEP/DOST-Siquijor & RACalibo-PIA to extend their full cooperation for Environment (SWABE), a women’s -Siquijor) effective and efficient implementation of association engaged in the production of

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Beyond ideal environment lies perfect happiness

By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY (PIA) -- In a forum on “Social Implications of Climate Change” at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center Eduardo Aboitiz Hall, environmental lawyer and advocate Antonio Oposa said that there are only three sources of genuine happiness.

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posa quoted the Oxford Clinical Psychologist Survey that there are only three sources of genuine happiness―"relationships, work, and leisure.”

Money, which oftentimes associated with most people to happiness, was not even mentioned by the expert.

For Oposa money is not vital to be happy. Instead, he emphasize that having a simple life, good relationship with the people around you, loving your work, and having time for relaxation can give authentic happiness.

Having time for relaxation, of course really needs perfect environment for it

thus, a healthy relationship with your environment is a factor for happiness, he added.

Professor Nicholas Robinson, an environmental advocate and professor of Pace University School of Law, pointed out markers showing that we have already left the Holocene period, the name given to the last 11,700 years of the Earth’s history.

Earth now is very different from what it was years before. Trees that took hundred or more years to grow have already vanished, each cut down into logs in minutes. Coal and oil that took many years to form are also extracted and used

up fast.

He said overconsumption of resources has turned our planet uninhabitable. Laws are already there to protect the Earth; people just have to be literate about them.

In the same forum, environment advocate lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos asked everyone to act now.

“Stop complaining and do something,” Ramos urged.

One way to achieving happiness is to reflect on how people in the past lived―a life made of simple things, a healthier and cleaner environment. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7/ RAFI)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Maritime school holds special classes for in-demand courses Agustin Sumuroy ( - 1650)

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 6 (PIA) -- The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) will hold special classes for high demand courses such as Proficiency in Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch (RFPNW) and Ratings Forming Part of Engineering Watch (RFPEW).

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xecutive Director Forter Puguon said this is in fulfillment of its mandate to provide quality training to seafarers and serve a greater number of clients.

Puguon said for April and May, reservations for these courses consistently surpassed the maximum class intake which made the NMP management open special classes accordingly.

Trainees for these in-demand courses mostly come from maritime schools in the

region as well as in the Mindanao area, Puguon said. Aside from Basic Safety Training, these courses contribute a major share in the NMP enrolment with peak periods during the months of April, May, October and November.

Records show that special classes were conducted for PSCRB on April 3-6, 10-13, 24-27, May 8-11 and May 22-25; RFPNW on April 22-25, May 6-9 and May 20-23; RFPEW on April 22-26, May 6-10 and May 20-24.

An ISO certificated training center, NMP strictly observes the maximum class intake policy in the conduct of training even for courses with high demand.

PSCRB, RFPNW and RFPNW courses have maximum class intakes of 24 trainees to ensure the quality of training.

For June, NMP is set to also open special classes June 3 – 8 for PSCRB, RFPNW (two sections) and RFPEW (two sections) to accommodate requests from clients, Puguon said. (PIA-8)

New provincial hospital to be finished by 2014

By Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 6 (PIA) -- The new Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital worth P260 million is targeted to be completed by 2014, Project Engineer Pastor Maitem Jr. said during an ocular visit conducted by the local media yesterday.

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ocated at a 3-hectare lot in Barangay Dongon, this city, the on -going construction of the provincial hospital is now on its 3rd Phase, with an allocated P110-million budget.

Phase 1 costs P100 million while Phase 2 costs P50 million, totaling to P260 million, Maitem said.

“From the total budget, P50 million of it came from the Department of Health,” he added.

The provincial hospital has 5,800 square meters for the ground floor; 3,450 square meters for the 2nd floor; a

306- square meter viewing deck at the 3rd floor and a roof deck where the water tank is placed on a 76 square meter area, Maitem said.

He added that Phase 1 included the structural frame creation and masonry at the ground floor and front area of the new health edifice, while Phase 2 was mainly for the ground floor and front portion of the hospital and Phase 3 is composed of the completion of the building which includes masonry, electrical, plumbing, roofing and fire protection, among others.

He added that a separate building is also being constructed for the laundry room, power house and the water treatment facility.

The new hospital has 220 beds, 100 beds are meant for private rooms while 110 beds are for the ward, while other rooms are intended for the doctors’ quarters, nurses’ quarters, delivery room, recovery room, labor room, operating rooms, four Intensive Care Units, emergency room, canteen and the staff dining area, among others. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

PDIC holds forum for depositors, borrowers of closed rural bank

By Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, June 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) held a forum for the depositors and borrowers of the Rural Bank of Naval (RBN) Inc. which closed on May 30 to answer queries relative to their accounts with the bank. he forum was held recently at the Only a mailing address update form up to P500,000 by the last week of June IT and Multimedia Center of the available at RBN is required from a this year.

Naval State University. depositor to fill-up to ensure that the He further said that the excess of the Nathanael A. Tombokon, information postal money order of the insured deposit P500,000 deposit called “uninsured officer of PDIC, said in a phone interview will reach the depositor. deposit” can still be claimed by a deposithat RBN was officially closed by virtue of “For depositors who have deposit in tor depending on the rehabilitation plan to Resolution 866-A of the Monetary Board the bank from P15,000 up to P500,000, be submitted by the RBN management to of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on the depositor will just fill-up a claim form BSP. May 30 and was placed under PDIC which will be distributed during the forum, “Uninsured deposits can still be receivership on May 31. submit two valid identification cards and claimed against the asset or after He assured the public that PDIC will present the depositor’s bank passbook,” liquidation of all the bank’s assets which will take a longer period,” Tombokon said. start releasing through postal money Tombokon said. order the insured deposits of bank PDIC will start releasing the insured (PIA-Biliran) depositors who have deposits ranging deposit through postal money order to from P15,000 and below by the second depositors who have deposits of P15,000 week of June 2013.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

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DepEd East Samar launches K to 12 model high schools Led the very first organized armed resistance against the Spanish colonizers

By Alicia E. Nicart

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, June 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd), Eastern Samar Division has identified schools in the province that will pilot-test certain courses in its launch recently of the K to 12 High School Modeling.

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epEd officials, teachers and education stakeholders attended the launch held at the Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School Gym. The identified schools to pilot-test courses are the following: Dolores National High School-Electronics and Computer Hardware leading to Engineering; Taft National High School-Commercial Cooking/ Housekeeping leading to Hotel and Restaurant Management; San Policarpo N a t i o n a l S c h o o l o f

Agriculture-Agriculture/Crop and Animal Production leading to Agricultural Engneering; Lawaan National High School-Building Construction; Matarinao School of Fisheries-Aquaculture and Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School-Humanities/ Performing Arts.

As guest of honor and speaker, Melvin Uy from the DepEd central office shared the hopes and expectations of President Aquino that in the future, no child nor young adult will be left behind as the nation progresses.

“With DepEd and with this K to 12 Curriculum, President Aquino has high expectations that the country will achieve inclusive growth, that is, everybody moves forward to progress, because by then, most college graduates would have found gainful employment,” Uy said.

“With K to 12, the problem of jobless professionals or college graduates will decrease dramatically because mismatches between acquired college education and the demand in the labor market would be narrowed down eventually,” he added.

(PIA-Eastern Samar)

DA 8 pushes for formation of organic agriculture committees in S. Leyte

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office held a consultative meeting here last week to urge local government units (LGUs) in the province to form their Local Technical Committees (LTCs) to handle organic agriculture programs (OAP).

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ity, province and municipal agriculture officers and heads of farmers’ organizations attended the meeting held at the Southern Leyte Provincial Research and Extension Center (SLPREC).

Dr. Carlos de la Cruz, DA 8 OAP focal person, discussed Republic Act (RA) 10068, the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 which mandates DA to develop alternative measures to reduce the use of synthetic materials in farming.

He said the national government’s vision crafted out of the law was such that within 2012 to 2016, 5 percent of agricultural farm areas in the country practice organic farming and that domestic and foreign markets would appreciate and support organic products.

To make this happen, he discussed the organizational structure based on the law, from the national down to the provincial and municipal levels, where the pattern for the technical committees consisting of concerned government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), provincial offices, farmer’s groups and the academe should be followed.

The LTCs on organic agriculture is tasked to formulate policies, plans and other related activities that promote the processing, trade and production of organically-grown products and oversee the successful implementation of such programs, de la Cruz said.

In the open forum, Feliciano Ambi, the provincial OAP coordinator said aside

from the province which has already organized a functional LTC, only five municipalities, namely: Malitbog, Macrohon, Hinunangan, Silago and Hinundayan out of the 18 municipalities have formed their LTCs. Ambi added that a province-wide roadmap on organic agriculture promotion cannot take off unless all LGUs have their own LTC. Meanwhile, Mike Nuñez of the Department of Trade and Industry earlier presented a detailed organic agriculture plan for the entire province due for submission for funding at the DA central office for P17 million, but was deferred pending the organization of LTC in all LGUs of the province. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

Army welcomes 144 recruits

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, June 5 (PIA) -- The 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army on Saturday welcomed 144 new army recruits from Samar and neighboring areas.

This batch, whose ages range from 18 Aside from the rigid training hours, really wants to become a soldier.

-26, have surpassed physical and mental these young men will be trained in the art “Nahadlok gad ngani ako, pero pursigido examinations to withstand the rigors of and science of being riflemen, to execute man hiya, waray ko na mahihimo kundi the physical and mental training. squad tactics, perfect survival techniques sumuporta ngan mag ampo ha Ginoo” (I “Their training will start this June until and understand the military justice system. fear for his life but he is so determined, I December where they will specialize in All these skills and knowledge will cannot dissuade him anymore so I will just Jungle Warfare Mountain Operation prepare them to be tactically proficient support him and pray for him), she said in Course,” said Lt. Col. Angel Madarang, while developing the highest professional the dialect.

Division Training Unit commander. standard of being a soldier with Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Virgilio As they train, the recruits transform self-confidence and a high degree of Espenelli welcomed the recruits and asked from their civilian nature to individuals responsibility. them to do their best. (PIA-Samar with embracing the norms and practices of the A mother from Barangay Casandig, reports from Avha Ebalde) military, he added.

Paranas, Samar commented that his son

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