One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 39

Vol 3

Issue 39

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

National PR Congress Keynote Speaker.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma, Jr. (center) poses with Charmaine Canillas, Chairperson of the 20th National PR Congress (left) and Yoly C. Crisano, President, Public Relations Society of the Philippines, after receiving his plaque of appreciation as Keynote Speaker during the 2013 National PR Congress held at the Paradise Garden Resort Hotel in Boracay Island from September 27-28, 2013.

(PIA-Aklan)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Hundreds of bikers join the "Bike for Peace" activity recently. The event aims to promote peace initiatives between law enforcement agencies and civilians through biking activities.

(Photos contributed by 302nd Brigade/mbcn/ ral/PIA7-NegOr)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

September 23 - 29, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Iloilo sets premium on education BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA6) -- Education will continue to be one of the topmost priorities for the programs and projects of the provincial government here.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., in his state of the province address delivered recently, said that every centavo that the government spends on education is money invested for the future.

Defensor said that the provincial government has increased the number of scholars under the “Iskolar ng Iloilo” program from 75 last year to 85 scholars this year.

“Our scholars have always done us proud with many of them presenting hard-earned and well-deserved academic honors year after year,” said Defensor.

He also said that the provincial government has repaired and rehabilitated school buildings and other school facilities here with the amount of some P74.5 million from the Provincial School Board funds.

He further said that 60 more teachers were deployed as addition to the 320 Provincial School Board

(PSB)-funded teachers in order to augment the educators of the Department of Education.

On one hand, Defensor reported that the provincial government has already established 12 school -based Multi-Purpose Teen Centers and three more will be opened soon to complete the target of three Teen Centers per district.

The Teen Centers, which are implemented by the Provincial Population Office, serve as venues for adolescent health and youth development activities.

(JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. delivers his state of the province address (SOPA) during a session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) held Tuesday at the SP Session, Iloilo Provincial Capitol. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

DOLE-7 launches KAPATIRAN project BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA CEBU (PIA) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) and the Makati Development Corporation (MDC) formally launched the 2013 KAPATIRAN project at the City Sports Club, Cebu City recently with the theme “Kapatiran Para sa Mas Ligtas, Produktibo atMalusognamgaManggagawa”.

The program which was first advocated by the Bureau of Working Condition features the “Big Brother” - “Small Brother” concept.

According to DOLE-7 information officer Emmanuel Ferrer, large companies (Big Brothers) as part of their corporate social responsibility, using their own resources and expertise help and assist the small companies (Small Brothers) to be compliant with labor standards including safety and health in the workplace.

In her message during the launching, DOLE-7 regional director Chona Mantilla thanked the MDC for its voluntary involvement and for choosing to enroll under the DOLE KAPATIRAN project.

“We hope the companies under this program would see this undertaking as an investment rather an expense, Mantilla said.

She also described how robust the construction industry in Cebu is with 145 percent year-on-year

growth and the multiplier effect to other industries e.g. transport, food, grocery, hotel, others.

The highlight of the program was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the stakeholders of the KAPATIRAN program.

Signatories to the landmark document were DOLE–7 Dir. Chona Mantilla, FerdieMangali representing the Makati Development Corporation, Chairman of the Board (ITC for construction) Benjamin Alfred Jose and its members.

Companies were recognized as well, during the event for adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Standards compliance, namely: 1016 Residences for reporting 2.005,989 safe man-hours; ACC PLB project site - 4,480,123 safe man-hours; AVIDA Tower 1 – 3,456,614 safe man-hours; AVIDA Tower 2 – 1,550,247 safe man-hours.

AMARA North Expansion project site for having no loss time accident within the duration of the project and Certificate of Recognition to Makati Development Corporation for being the Champion of the Cause of Construction Safety through its enrollment in the KAPATIRAN Program. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 with Emmanuel Ferrer /DOLE-7)

East Visayas PPA to implement P483-M projects in 2014

Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Water Engineering Specialty Division Chairman Danilo Terante (standing) discusses the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Solid Waste Management during the PICE 6th Region VIII Technical Conference held at the DPWH Multi-purpose Hall, Candahug, Palo, Leyte, September 20. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority in Eastern Visayas is set to implement P483 million worth of capital outlay projects in 2014.

This is in line with the thrust to provide reliable and responsive services in PPA ports, sustain development of port communities and the environment and to be a model corporate agency of the government, Manager Dominado Licayan of PPA-Tacloban said.

Manager Dominador Licayan informed the Philippine Information Agency that among the projects which are to be implanted is the Tacloban Port Improvement Phase II worth P380 million.

“Our vision is for the customers doing business in our ports to experience full and sustained, productivity, efficiency, comfort, connectivity, safety and security,” Manager Licayan said.

Another project is the P56 million construction of

Back-up Area, RoRo Ramp and two (2) Units Breasting Dolphins at the Port of San Ricardo in Southern Leyte.

The third project is the P47 million Manguino-o Port Improvement Project Phase II at Calbayog City.

These are all in line with the thrust of making PPA ports safe for all stakeholders, Manager Licayan said.

Meanwhile, there are at least three repair and maintenance projects and one capital outlay project for calendar year 2013, Manager Licayan disclosed.

These include the repair of port facilities at the Port of Catbalogan with funding of P16.759 million; the repair of port facilities at the Port of Borongan with P11.895 funding; and the repair of Dolores Port in Dolores Eastern Samar with P3 Million funding.

The capital outlay project for this year is the construction of Ro-Ro Ramp at Port of San Jose, Northern Samar with a P15 million funding. (PIA-8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

TERESA MAGBANUA - The sole Filipino woman ev er do cu ment e d in Philippine history to have led soldiers in the Visayas .

DSWD: P1.1- B spent for Kalahi-CIDSS in WV BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA6) -- In a span of ten years, from 2003-2013, government has already released P1.1 billion for the implementation of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

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n her first-ever State of the Region Address (SORA), Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre said that some 348,458 households have benefited from the sub-projects in 32 municipalities and one city in Western Visayas, as of July 2013.

For January to July 2013, the regional data showed a total of P523,225,557.13 involving 334 sub projects broken down in the different provinces.

The province of Antique has the highest with P227,700,000 in eight LGUs for 101 sub-projects with 14,875 beneficiaries while the province of Aklan came next with P137,700,000 for 88 sub-projects in seven LGUs benefitting 24,783 households.

On the other hand, Capiz has the lowest release with P12,189,059 for 11 sub-projects in two LGUs benefitting 3,138 households while Guimaras has P12,600,000 for one LGU for

five sub-projects with 1,615 households benefitting from them.

Meanwhile, Iloilo province has a total of P77,289,193.37 for 80 sub-projects benefitting 19,656, while the province of Negros Occidental has P55,747,304.76 in six LGUs for 49 sub-projects with 18,078 households as beneficiaries.

Director Macapobre said that as a community-driven poverty-alleviation approach of the government, the Kalahi-CIDSS has taught the people to decide and work together for the projects which they have identified as needed after analyzing their situation.

“The people have learned to put the resources of government into transparent use through community effort and vigilance,” Macapobre said.

She also cited the awards and recognitions which the Kalahi-CIDSS has garnered through the years.

The project was winners of the Silver Remi Award for the “Power through Participation” documentary conferred by Houston Worldfest International Film Festival (Social Economic Issues Category) in April 2010.

It was also recipient of the Presidential Citation conferred to DSWD with Kalahi-CIDDS being its “core program in community empowerment” on June 2, 2010 in Malacañang Palace.

Further, it was recognized for safety and health practice in the implementation of Australian Agency for International Development projects in Western Visayas.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a finalist in the Best Public Sector Awards of the Regional Development Council-WV for 2013, with the entry, “Ang Banas Padulong sa Kauswagan” (Pathway to Progress) implemented in Pan de Azucar in Concepcion, Iloilo. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Antique expects more rice as harvest season peaks BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - The Antique Provincial Agriculture Office expects an increased rice sufficiency level as the harvest season peaks this month.

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rovincial Agriculturist Nicolasito Calawag said that the farmers here are harvesting rice planted during the first cropping or from the period covering the months of May to September depending on the variety of rice planted.

Calawag said that this year they are expecting a 200 percent self-sufficiency in rice because of an expected good crop yields.

Calawag did not give a figure to support his claim because it is the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics that would release the official statistics of area’s production output,

however he said that the rice are cultivated well and in good condition.

He said that farmers’ trainings and the good variety of seeds planted to their farms have contributed to the good health and condition of rice in the farmlands.

He said that the province’s sufficiency level last year was 198 percent.

Calawag said that the formula for rice self-sufficiently level is based on the interplay of rice production, per capita consumption and population.

Last year, the province’s rice production output was recorded at 240,449 metric tons.

This year the province targets to achieve the goal of 250,000 metric tons of rice production.

Calawag also said that the “habagat” or southwest monsoon rain which heavily affected several places in the country has not affected the province’s rice crop instead it provided sufficient water to the province’s rain-fed and irrigated farmlands.

The province of Antique has a total rice land area of 42,038.32 hectares. Of this figure 19,148.12 hectares are irrigated; 18,875.95 hectares are rain fed and 4,011.25 hectares are upland areas.(JCM/VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

Antique DOH beefs up filariasis elimination program SAN CARLOS CITY, NEGROS OCC., Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - The graduation ceremony for nine inmates of the San Carlos City Jail (SCCJ) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, was held by the jail management and the Department of Education Alternative Learning System (ALS) recently, a press release from the SCCJ said.

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ut of the nine passers, seven are from the secondary level and two from elementary level.

Inmates who have passed the secondary level will be able to enroll in any college or university in the country as well as use their certificate to apply for employment when they will be released from jail. Those who have passed the elementary level can enrol in any private or public high schools in the country.

The commencement rite was attended by San Carlos City senior education specialist Winefredo Pueblo, ALS district supervisor Anito Davis, ALS teacher Shiela Ann Castro, who handed the diploma to the graduates.

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System which benefits those

who cannot afford formal schooling and follows whatever is their available schedule.

The program provides a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

ALS students have to attend 10 months of school or 800 hours in the classroom. *(SCCJ/ JC/CD/PIA6)

TERESA MAGBANUA - The sole Filipino woman ever documented in Philippine history to have led soldiers in the Visayas .

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

21 WV trafficking victims get livelihood assistance BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA6) - - A total of 21 victims of human trafficking victims received financial assistance from the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here in Western Visayas, amounting to P210,000, as of September this year.

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SWD 6 Regional Focal Person for Trafficking-in-Person Nelia Surmilla reported during the recent Forum on Campaign Against Human Trafficking held in Passi City that each of the victims received P10,000 assistance for their livelihood projects such as Sari-Sari Store, buy and sell of Ready-to -Wear items, “trisikad” or pedicab, among others, under the agency’s Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons.

Surmilla said the poor economic conditions of the trafficked persons easily lured them of the high-paying jobs promised by recruiters. The livelihood assistance intends to

provide victims a start-up capital for their livelihood ventures that will augment their daily income.

The 21 beneficiaries, 16 males and 5 females, are mostly victims of local labor trafficking.

Thirteen of the males who were trafficked to Sulu to work as fishermen came from Estancia and the five females were rescued working in Palawan bars.

During the same period the agency provided transportation assistance of P22,000 for victims who attended court hearing, skills trainings and in going back to their respective places.

Aside from the livelihood and

transportation assistance, the DSWD also provided educational and medical assistance for victims needing them.

Surmilla said other support services provided include capacity building activities to service providers/LSWDO in local government units, tempprary shelter, counselling to clients and their families.

To further intensify its information campaign against human trafficking, Surmilla said advocacy campaigns and fora are continuously conducted in parnership with schools, local government units and other concerned government agencies such as the one held in Passi City and Calinog. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

Prov’l Metrology Center now open to serve Aklan KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 24 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Metrology Center, housed at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Building at the Provincial Capitol compound is now open and ready to provide quality service to Aklanons.

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he Provincial Metrology Center, according to DOST Provincial Science and Technology Provincial Director Jairus Lachica, provides inspection and sealing of weights and measures for mass and volume as required by the Philippine Metrology Laws on Philippine Commission Act No. 1519.

Lachica said the Provincial Metrology Center here will be the satellite office of National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines under the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), the first and only accredited

laboratory in the Philippines that conducts calibration and testing services to private firms on various measurements through mass, volume, pressure, force, length, density, volume, etc.

To guard against unauthorized adjustments, the center will perform calibration and install seal of all instruments determining weights and measures brought to DOST-Aklan for inspection.

Lachica said this function of the center is stated in the Consumer Act under Republic Act 7394. Among the services include the

mass calibration of 10-60 kg dial type spring scale, mass calibration for 500 kg platform scale and volume calibration for 10 liters calibrating bucket. For calibration of small weighing scales, the metrology center charges from P85.00 – P280.00 while for bigger weighing scales, the client will be charged P770.00 plus P14.00 for additional ton. For calibrating buckets ranging from 5 to 20 liters, the center will be charging P115.00. Calibration for trailer/vehicle/tankers up to 4,000 liters will cost the client P280.00 and for over 4,000 liters – P280.00 plus P35.00 for additional 1,000 liters. (DOST /JCM/VGV PIA 6) Aklan)

Roxas City LTO only CSC excellence awardee in Capiz BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 23 (PIA6) -- The Land Transportation Office in Roxas City is bent on continuing to extend better public service, after bagging one of the excellence awards from the Civil Service Commission.

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oxas City LTO Chief Ma. Nanette De Ocampo said that as one of the five government agencies in Western Visayas who received the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence Award from the CSC, is an inspiration to do better.

She said that LTO Roxas City is the only government office in the province of Capiz that was conferred the CSC’s Seal of Excellence Award this year.

She said that aside from the honor, recognition and inspiration to the officials and employees of the LTO, the award is also a challenge to for them to commit to a responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service as advocated by the CSC. The Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence Award is in line with the

implementation of Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.

De Ocampo revealed that aside from the plaque of recognition, they also received P100,000 cash incentive that will be used to further improve their services to their clients.

“We will use the amount to purchase additional office equipment and air-condition sets to make our clients more comfortable while transacting business with our office,” she said.

According to her, the cash award was also timely since they have also received P1 million for infrastructure development, particularly for the rehabilitation of their building.

“We have received these blessings because we also performed our tasks well,” De

Ocampo said, stressing that LTO Roxas City has been a consistent top three performer in Western Visayas and was cited as outstanding LTO District Office in the Philippines for three consecutive years starting from 2010 to 2012.

Other awardees were the Department of Tourism (DOT) Boracay Field, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Bacolod City Branch, National Statistics Office (NSO) Aklan Provincial Office and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Bacolod City Branch.

The grant of the Seal of Excellence Award aims to promote the morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy in the civil service and recognize government agencies with excellent performance based on the result of the Report Card Survey (RCS). (JCM/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Cebuanos celebrate September Consciousness Month'

as

'Water

BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO WITH REPORTS FROM DENR-7

Hen. Arcadio Maxilom y Molero - is best remembered for stubbornly refusing to surrender to the American occupying forces even as his fellow rev o lu t ionaries in Manila and Cebu were starting to capitulate or collaborate with the new colonial power.

CEBU (PIA) --- The people’s low regard in managing the country’s water resources is something that should be looked into by government agencies, private sectors and various stakeholders.

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his was the message of the regional executive director of DENR-7, Dr.IsabeloMontejo during the launching of the Cebu Water Conservation Month 2013 celebration with the theme “Water Security for a Sustainable Cebu" for the whole of September.

Montejo said, the country at any given time has 146 billion cubic meters of water available, however, it is being treated like a free resource.

"We are throwing water away every second, and we fail or ignore to manage it properly,” Montejo added.

Montejo said that despite the abundance of water in the Philippines, not much of it is available for public consumption because of problems in “catching” and “keeping” the water such as through water impounding systems; lack of infrastructure especially for irrigation; and pollution of water bodies.

Everyday people are adding more pressures to the water bodies, polluting them due to rapidly growing population resulting to increased economic activities, he noted.

“These things should move us to action amid a scarcity of freshwater,” Montejo suggested.

According to DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo this is the reason the agency through the Central Cebu River Basin Management Council (CCRBMC) with the Provincial Government of Cebu and other private institutions organized a Cebu Water Conservation Month 2013 celebration.

Llamedo said more than 70 participants from the national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs) and the private sectors attended the activity that was formally launched on September 20 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall.

During the event, DENR-7 shared five water saving tips that the public may do or practice at home and these are; checking of plumbing leaks and reporting pipe leaks to the water concessionaires; using water sparingly such as when brushing teeth, washing hands, washing dishes and washing clothes.

Use pail and dipper instead of shower when bathing or the hose when washing vehicles and gardening during cooler times of the day.

Reduce the frequency of doing the laundry, as well as hanging clothes to dry instead of prolonging the washing machine’s spin cycle.

Re-use 'used water' for dousing garden plants. Water used in food preparation and soapy laundry water can also be used for washing vehicles. (mbcn/JSME/PIA7-Cebu with reports from DENR-7)

DOST to host workshop on green schools, eco-efficient water infra BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR BOHOL (PIA) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) recently extends support to the HEAT (Health, Education, Agriculture, Tourism) – IT (Information Technology) Caravan program of Bohol.

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OLE-Bohol Field Office (BFO) Chief Leo Wilson Cenas spearheaded its consultation for labor related problems, evaluation of workers association registration and career guidance counseling.

DOLE – BFO Engr. Eleuteria Salas also conducted the Career Guidance Counseling that was participated by 4th year high school students of San Pascual Agricultural National High School, Barangay San Pascual, Ubay town.

Cenas assisted by John Paul Nistal, turned -over two (2) livelihood grants amounting to P220, 000 during the HEAT-IT event.

Recipients of the livelihood grants were: Lomangog Women’s Association with P146, 000 and Camambugan Farmer’s Association with P74, 000.

Engr. Salas informed the students the present trending in the labor market to properly guide them on what course to take by the time they graduate.

The caravan also caters to other services available to the public that included free dental and medical check-up, advocacy, seminars, consultation and agri-business exhibits.

An estimated 1,000 individuals coming from Ubay and nearby municipalities benefited

from the outreach program.

The HEAT - IT Caravan is one of the flagship programs of Governor Chatto aimed to enrich Bohol ’s social, economic, cultural, political and environmental resources through good governance and effective partnerships with stakeholders to increase global competitiveness.

Other participating agencies were the LGU of Tagbilaran City, various national government agencies such as DAR, Deped, DTI, AFP, PNP and non-government organizations. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7 with reports from DOLE-7)

Officials urge barangays to join upcoming ICC Sept. 21 BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO CEBU (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) in Central Visayas urged non-government organizations (NGOs) to register and get a certificate and license to operate as a welfare agency first to be a legitimate organization.

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SWD-7 regional director MerceditaJabagat revealed that the region is the second highest in the number of registered NGOs nationwide, second to the National Capital Region (NCR) and all have complied with the necessary requirements to operate.

DSWD-7 information officer KerwinMacopia said there are 165 NGOs in CV that are currently recognized by DSWD of which 114 are in Cebu, 26 are in Negros Oriental while the remaining 25 are in Bohol.

DSWD requires NGOs to secure Certificate of Registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and/or from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

Organizations who are already in

operation should submit their annual accomplishment reports and audited financial statements for the last two years to determine their capability to sustain operations, Jabagat said.

“We have an organized monitoring system to check the veracity and legitimacy of the applicant NGO and that includes visiting their office addresses and interacting with its board of directors,” Jabagat added.

The department has stringent processes because we don’t want to have bogus and fly by night NGOs, she added.

After recognizing the organization through registration and licensing, DSWD conducts accreditation of the programs and services of the NGO six months after the issuance of its registration certificates and licenses to operate.

The agency also conducts quarterly meetings with the NGOs through the Area-Based Standard Network (ABS-Net), an organization of DSWD registered and licensed NGOs. The meeting serves as a venue to share new guidelines, discuss updates on various programs and services, share good practices and resolve issues and concerns.

DSWD is not alone in fighting poverty in the country and it is but important to build stronger partnership with them especially in the implementation of the core poverty alleviation programs.

Jabagat underscored the importance of partnerships between DSWD and NGOs. (mbcn/JSME/PIA7-Cebu with reports from DSWD-7)

Hen. Arcadio Maxilom y Molero - is best remembered for stubbornly refusing to surrender to the American occupying forces even as his fellow rev o lu t ionaries in Manila and Cebu were starting to capitulate or collaborate with the new colonial power.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

DENR allots P80M to establish 1st mechanized seedling nursery facility in CV BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO

CEBU (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) earmarked nearly P80M to establish the first-ever mechanized seedling nursery facility in Central Visayas.

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ENR-7 regional executive director Dr.IsabeloMontejo said, this is the largest among the five nurseries in the country when it comes to producing or generating superior quality seedlings under the national greening program (NGP).

"The facility uses series of equipment for bagging, seeding, hardening and other related activities. This is something different from the conventional manner of growing seedlings considering the magnitude of seedlings to be generated in a year to address the tree planting and growing activity.” Montejo added.

The nursery will be put up within the 9.3-hectare lot in Barangay Banban, Ayungon,

Negros Oriental that will start in October.

Owing to the huge volume of seedlings to be produced, DENR-7 and Ayungon LGU signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on September 3.

“We are very proud that Central Visayas particularly Negros Oriental, was chosen to be one of the pilot areas in the country to have this kind of mechanized nursery and with this, we can be assured of faster and quality production of our seedlings,” Montejo said.

The mechanized nursery is set to produce and accommodate 15 to 20 million seedlings every six months which guarantees at least 40 million seedlings in a year.

Other pilot areas in the country chosen for mechanized nursery establishment include the National Capital Region, regions 5 and 13, and the DENR Central Office.

Under the Executive Order No. 26, the NGP is to be carried out in the following lands of the public domain: forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban areas, and abandoned mine.

Montejo concluded that this is a government’s blueprint for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, environmental stability and climate mitigation and adaptation. (mbcn/JSME/PIA7-Cebu with reports from DENR-7)

POEA launches e-registration service in NegOr BY: ROI LOMOTAN NEGROS ORIENTAL (PIA) -- Thousands of jobseekers flocked at the launching of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)’s e-registration service for Negros Oriental held at the Provincial Convention Center recently.

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OEA provincial director Jocelyn Sanchez disclosed that Negros Oriental is the fourth province that conducted the e-registration service. The other provinces are Cebu ,Ilocos and Pampanga.

The POEA’s e-registration service aims to make employment abroad easier to aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

“We will bring the opportunity of working abroad to Negros Oriental with the help of the governor and the Provincial Public Employment Service System (PESO),” Sanchez said.

Aspiring OFWs who want to avail of the government-to-government job placement must log in to www.eregister.poea.gov.ph and fill out the electronic form with their personal information.

After this, the system will generate an online biodata account for the applicant which will be saved in the agency’s database.

Sanchez explained when governments from

other countries partnering with the POEA would have a job opening they will just look on applicants online biodata for their hiring.

She also added that it’s the international governments who will decide what job will they give the applicants and where will they be assigned.

However, applicants are reminded to open their biodata accounts at the POEA website every six months to avoid deactivation.

She also reminded them that passports and active e-mail addresses are additional requirements or the e-registration service.

The launching of the e-registration service is also coupled with a job opening for South Korea .

Sanchez cited that Koreans are good employers because they pay P50, 000 to their employees and they don’t require placement fees.

However, applicants must pass the Korean Language Test to become more qualified for the

job posts there.

Meanwhile the launching of POEA’s e-registration system and job fair is a kick-off activity in celebration of the second year anniversary of the Provincial PESO. Negros Oriental Gov. RoelDegamo expressed his gratitude for the POEA and to the South Korean government for partnering with them in job generation.

Meanwhile, hundreds of bikers joined the “Bike for Peace” activity organized by the Negros Oriental Bikers Association (NOBA) recently that aimed to promote goodwill, unity and awareness of peace initiatives among law enforcers and the civilians through biking events.

“The biking community of Negros Oriental is part of peace movement. We would like to let the people know that we are not just cycling but we also take part in the commitment in building peace,” said event organizer Dondee Señeris. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Telco sets disaster preparedness caravan in Dumaguete City BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA)--Over 400 barangay residents in Dumaguete City are expected to participate in disaster preparedness caravan on September 28 at the Dumaguete City High School , Multipurpose Gym, Dumaguete City .

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mart Communications in cooperation with the Dumaguete City government initiated this project to bring the message on disaster preparedness down to the family and individual levels through the “ Pamilyang Ready, PamilyangPanalo” caravan.

The number of participants come from the 12 flood-prone barangays which include Cadawinonan, Junob, Bagacay, Tabuctubig, Buñao, Balugo, Camanjac, Candauay, Mangnao, Banilad and Calindagan in Dumaguete City .

Smart Communications' Joyce Ann Panaligan said the event complements the Noah’s Ark program by communicating with

the barangay residents.

Dumaguete City is the last leg of the five cities that the Telco is conducting disaster preparedness contingency planning workshop and flood warning evacuation drill in its Corporate Network for Disaster Response through the Noah’s Ark project.

The others areas include Marikina ,Malabon, Cagayan de Oro, and Bacolod City .

Panaligan said Noah’s Ark empowers local government units (LGUs ) into effectively mobilizing the community in times of disaster.

Smart on its part has been actively supporting initiatives that aim to

improve the capacities of high-risk areas to prepare for and deal with disasters, she added.

Activities in the caravan include disaster preparedness fair which the Smart will bring in business partners to sell disaster-preparedness products with exclusive discounts such as Eveready batteries, RiteMed, Talk ‘n Text and PruLifeUK .

Panaligan said a day before the caravan, there will be a vehicle with built-in PA system with promodisers that will go around the selected barangays to inform the residents of the caravan and give out flyers. (mbcn/JCT/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Biliran animal b i te Philhealth-accredited

center

now

EUGENIO DAZA Y SALAZAR ‐ He joined the revolutionary forces in Samar during the second phase of the Revolution.

He was assigned by Vicente Lukban to lead the Balangiga attack on September 28, 1901.

NAVAL, Biliran, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- Good news for members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in Biliran — the provincial animal bite center at the Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) is now PhilHealth-accredited. t was learned from PhilHealth office pigs, wild animals like monkey and bats and professional fee. here in Biliran province that the rabid persons, she said.

She advised PhilHealth members who said animal bite center was Jadulco added that the services have been victims in any of these cases to just accredited by PhilHealth in April this year. included under category 3 are rabies visit the animal bite center for treatment and Lorna C. Jadulco, Biliran provincial rabies vaccination, rabies immunoglobin, local wound to know further on how to avail of the benefits control program coordinator who is also care, tetox, antibiotics and supplies like covered by PhilHealth in these cases. manning the center, said that the animal bite syringes.

She also informed the public that the center in the province is classified by Excluded in the package is the Biliran animal bite center at the BPH has PhilHealth under category 3. in-patient treatment of animal bites amounting already been extending rabies treatment PhilHealth coverage under category 3 to P 3,000 which include P2,700 for services to the constituents of Biliran for free includes bites from dog and cats, livestock like vaccines, drugs and supplies and P300 for the for several years now. (PIA-Biliran)

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Maasin hosts ‘Batang Pinoy’ Visayas leg

By Rodrigo Victoria MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- This city formally opened its doors to visiting players coming from about two dozen local government units in the entire Visayas who will see action in 21 sports events for the qualifying rounds of the Philippine Youth Games, the Batang Pinoy Visayas leg.

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ity Mayor Maloney Samaco declared open the 5-day sports hostilities yesterday at the crowded city gym to the wild cheers of over 1000 athletes from the three Visayas regions, in fitting opening ceremonies spruced with surprising fireworks.

In his welcome message, Samaco said he was only informed of the city’s hosting right after this year’s elections, but he accepted it as a challenge inasmuch as one of his key agenda focused on putting the city in the map for sports excellence.

He also said the games offered an

opportunity to promote the city through sports tourism. “You can visit our city zoo and our many pilgrimage sites,” Samaco said, addressing the visiting contingents.

Gov. Roger Mercado, for his part, said he was grateful to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for choosing the province and the city as the venue of the Visayas round of the national sportsfest.

Among the guests who graced the opening ceremonies were Romeo Maga, POC representative and Atty. Jose Luis Gomez, PSC Commissioner.

Commissioner Gomez, in his keynote speech, emphasized on the sports for all program of the commission that aimed to develop the potential talents of young people who are enrolled in schools and those out of schools aged 15 years old and below.

He said this year’s Batang Pinoy games was already in its third edition, and thus far it had already sent promising athletes in international competitions.

A colourful rendition of a local, cultural show called “Ajonay festival” performed by students of Maasin City College capped the dazzling opening rites. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

BFAR mobile registration, licensing in EVisayas starts TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and its partner agencies have started conducting Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing of commercial fishing vessels in Eastern Visayas.

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his was disclosed by MARINA Director Manuel Portus during the Harampang Ha PIA at the Philippine Ports Authority held on September 24 to highlight the National Maritime Week celebration.

Director Portus said that the JMRL was conducted at the coastal municipalities of Saint Bernard and Macrohon in the province of Southern Leyte, recently.

This is in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) entered into by the four government agencies, namely, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), together with the Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Telecommunications Commission, which mandates the enforcement of maritime law and the conservation and protection of the country’s fisheries resources by conducting a Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing (JMRL)

of commercial fishing vessels nationwide.

Director Portus said the licensing and registration will cover commercial fishing vessels measuring 3.1 gross tonnage (GT) and above to ensure that they are all licensed to operate in the different coastal areas of Eastern Visayas.

Together with the registration and licensing, a three-day Sea Safety Training for fishing vessel workers was also conducted with BFAR shouldering the training cost and needs before the registration and issuance of license.

A regional team has been created in Eastern Visayas which will go to areas where the vessels could be accessible for inspection as one of the requirements needed for the registration and licensing. This is one way of making the process easier for the vessel owners.

Director Portus added that the owners will be paying a discounted price of only P750.

He also called on the owners of fishing vessels

to avail of the mobile registration and licensing, as he observed that only 20 fishing vessel owners registered in the two municipalities of Southern Leyte.

Aside from Southern Leyte, the JMRL will also be conducted Biliran on October 18-20; in Samar on November 15-18; in Northern Samar on January 17-19, 2014; in North Leyte Districts 1 and 2 in February of 2014; in Western Leyte Districts 3, 4 and 5 in March and in Eastern Samar in April of 2014.

Earlier, BFAR Region 8 Director Juan Albaladejo said that the data such as the number and measurement of vessels which will be collected during the nationwide JMRL is crucial for the implementation of programs and projects by the government for the commercial fisheries sector in the country. It will also be essential for the management and protection of the aquatic resources and to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the county’s coastal areas. (PIA 8)

EUGENIO DAZA Y SALAZAR ‐ He joined the revolutionary forces in Samar during the second phase of the Revolution.

He was assigned by Vicente Lukban to lead the Balangiga attack on September 28, 1901.

EASTERN VISAYAS

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PNOY’s local electrification in ESamar continues

program

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino’s program to energize far-flung barangays continues here.

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his was confirmed by Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO) through Information Officer, Ms. Marilyn Reyes in a phone interview.

Ms. Reyes said that targeted to be completed in December this year is the energization of 76 sitios and six barangays.

These 76 sitios under the Sitio Electrification Program(SEP) include 19 from Borongan city, 2 from San Julian, 4 from Giporlos and 2 from Guiuan.

Other sitios that are set to benefit from SEP are from: Sulat(11), Taft(5), Dolores(1), Can-avid(3), Salcedo(2), Oras(4), San Policarpo(4), Quinapondan(4), Arteche(4),

Maydolong(6), Balangkayan(3), Hernani(2).

Sitios are settlements or a group of households situated apart from a nearby barangay but with political and social reference to it.

Reyes added that 60 households from each sitio are set to avail of free Electric Meters, Housewiring Materials, installation services and free 30-meter Drop Wire.

“However the households will have to shoulder on the consumption bills”, Ms. Reyes said.

Asked what happens to the households outside the 60-targeted ones but are interested of the electrification

program, the ESAMELCO officer said that the barangay and ESAMELCO officials will discuss as to who of the residents will be prioritized with focus on the least fortunate ones.

Meanwhile, from the Barangay Electrification Program(BLEP), six more barangays are likewise subject to be energized by the end of 2013. These come from Oras(4-Cagpili, Batang, Patag and Japay); from Borongan city(2-Pinanag-an and Baras).

Ms. Reyes said that funding of the SEP and BLEP are being released by National Electrification Administration (NEA).

(PIA-Eastern Samar)

BSP conducts financial education course in Catarman

By Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Sept. 24 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral of the Philippines (BSP) successfully conducted a financial education course in Catarman on September 16-20, 2013.

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he course aimed to evaluate, and financial decisions and choices were fully assess and determine the most explained. appropriate approach you may Booth 1 featured the Philippines choose to apply in handling your financial financial system and BSP wherein their role concerns. as financial regulators was discussed; booth BSP prepares five booths where 2 discussed about personal finance wherein participants were advised to tour and steps in financial planning was intellectually listened to the series of learning sessions expounded by the speaker; booth 3 and activities which aims to promote greater enlightened the audience with finance public awareness and understanding of key product; booth 4 lectured on financial sector economic and financial issues. forum and booth 5 the primer hub where Likewise, the concepts to help the participants were asked to answer five public acquire knowledge and develop skills questions related to the financial system of needed to make well-informed economic the Philippines and BSP.

The weeklong activities were: conduct of press conference on Monday at Café Eusebio, information campaign on the role of the BSP in the economy for the students on Tuesday, financial learning campaign for overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries on Wednesday, financial education expo for students and members of the academe on Thursday, and financial education expo for the working sector on the last day.

The outreach activities in Catarman was the fourth leg of its economic and financial learning program for the calendar year 2013.

(PIA-Northern Samar)

NFA Samar beefs up monitoring of rice dealers CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- As rice prices these days shoot up, the National Food Authority (NFA)-Samar beefed up its monitoring of licensed rice traders to ensure that they do not violate their creed and cheap NFA rice reaches target households.

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n an interview, Francisca Mercado, NFA-Samar manager told PIA that they have apprehended one rice retailer for charges of diversion, mislabeling and overpricing.

Diversion is when a rice retailer delivers rice purchased from NFA to another area.

“His people in the area where he is a licensed rice retailer are waiting for a cheaper price and selling them in another area is a violation of the trust given by the government,” said an NFA investigation

officer.

This case is being resolved now though the violator has admitted to the offense.

The NFA issued a stern warning to licensed grains retailers to stick to their mandate as rice retailers, lest they be subjected to the so called ‘one strike’ policy.

This means that only one misdeed, their license will be revoked.

Meanwhile, Mercado assured once more that there is enough NFA rice in Samar.

She added that it is almost harvest time

and she is hopeful that rice price will be back to its usual price that the poor can easily afford.

“NFA price remains at Php 27.00 though we allow a minimum extra charge for handling and transportation to non carline municipalities, but charging Php 35 to Php 38 per kilo is way too much,” said Mercado.

She advised consumers to be vigilant and report any unscrupulous rice trader to them for proper sanction. (PIA-Samar/ NBQ)

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

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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

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