One Visayas Vol 3 Issue 42

Vol 3

Issue 42

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Michael Seig, chairman of the ThomasLloyd Group, a leading European based asset management and project finance group points out to the vast area in Brgy. Punao in San Carlos City, the site of the first commercial solar farm.*(EAD-PIA6 photo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

October 14 - 20, 2013

PNoy assures aid to quake-hit Cebu, Bohol BY: FAYETTE C. RINEN CEBU, Oct. 17 (PIA7) -- Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III assured Cebuanos and Boholanos of assistance from the National Government and that there is funding for it during his Oct. 16 visit to Cebu and Bohol which were hardest hit by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred last Oct. 15.

In his message at Cebu City, Pres. Aquino said that they are “just waiting for complete data” of total worth of damages incurred in both provinces from the local governments of the two provinces..

Prior to Cebu, Aquino visited Bohol in the morning to personally check on the situation and likewise committed financial aid to help and repair structures as roads, bridges, school buildings and even public hospitals suffered major destruction.

He instructed Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson to immediately come up with an assessment of devastation inflicted on major roads and bridges and to rehabilitate critical infrastructures as soon as possible.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) Regional Dir. Ador Canlas, on the other hand, said in a news report that 13 bridges in Bohol were impassable and damage estimates to public infrastructure in the province was pegged at P75 million.

After a private lunch with his presidential party and some local officials led by Gov. Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, he immediately conducted an ocular inspection of damages inside the Capitol Building, the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino and the Mandaue City Public Market.

From Mandaue City, he motored to Mactan Airport for a briefing by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chaired by Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and Gov. Davide for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Data from NDRRMC as of Oct. 18 showed 171 people died with Bohol suffering the worst fatalities at 159 and Cebu with 11 and one dead in Siquijor.

Davide expressed gratitude to the President for immediately visiting Cebu and Bohol to personally assess the situation including the plight of affected families. (FCR/ PIA-7)

Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau

GSIS now uses eCard, UMID to pay members’ benefits claims President Benigno Aquino III being briefed by Bohol local officials and Cabinet members at the People’s Mansion regarding the initial report of damage sustained by the province from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol on Oct. 15. The President tells his Cabinet members and local officials that the task of government is to lead at this point. He said power in Bohol will return to 100% within 2-3 days. (PIA Central Visayas)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Oct. 14 (PIA) – Starting October 14, 2013, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is using the eCard or UMID Card in paying GSIS benefits such as retirement, life insurance, survivorship and pre-need claims.

GSIS’ Joy Pumanes in a statement said that with the new system, GSIS members will no longer wait for their claim checks to be printed, deposited and cleared before encashing them in the bank because the claim proceeds will now be electronically credited to the account of the members.

According to Pumanes, no less than GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara made the announcement on the new system saying that the electronic crediting of GSIS claims is yet another move to provide responsive service to its members.

The new system will make the make the process twice as fast than the traditional check issuance and substantially cut down administrative costs.

It was learned that this is the third time GSIS is e-crediting payments to members and pensioners.

The first to be released via e-crediting is the proceeds of GSIS loans - Consolidated loan, emergency loan, pension loan and policy loans which have long been released through the eCard of GSIS members and pensioners.

The second set of benefits to be electronically released was the monthly old age, disability and survivorship pension. The e-crediting of GSIS pensions solved the long standing problem of lost checks.

To be e-credited starting October 14 are the proceeds of the following claims: retirement, cash surrender value, maturity, pre-need, survivorship, death claim, funeral claim, disability claim, accidental benefit.

The GSIS, however, emphasized that check payment will be processed for claimants who are neither members nor pensioners and have no eCard.

For more information, interested parties may call the GSIS Office nearest them. (PIA 8)

PhilHealth requirements for informal sector made easy

The statue of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary on board a motorboat during the fluvial procession held on the vesper day of Naval town recently. In photo on board (L-R) Monsignor Hipolito Remandaban of the Diocese of Naval, former Naval Vice-Mayor Vicente Curso, Jr. and Mario Robenta (4th), general manager of the Naval Water District. (rvictoria/PIA-8 Biliran)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA6) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has shortened the eligibility requirement for the informal sector.

PhilHealth-6 Regional Vice-President/Manager Dr. Dennis Mas said with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the National Health Insurance Act of 2013, amending RA 7875, PhilHealth members are now able to avail of benefits through the liberalized eligibility rules.

The law provides that informal sector members and their qualified dependents (Individually Paying Members) shall now be required three months instead of nine months contributions to avail of certain benefits.

Dr. Mas said that previously, benefits for elective surgical procedures and Maternity care benefits of individual paying members require nine months premium contribution.

“Now, benefits can be availed of even if the members have only paid three months within the preceding six

months prior to confinement,” Mas said in a press release.

With this liberation of eligibility requirements, membership has also been made easier under the new policy on enrolment.

In this, principal members regardless of category will only be required to submit a filled-up PhilHealth Member Registration Form, serving as a sole requirement for coverage in the health insurance.

Dr. Mas said that PhilHealth continues to devise mechanisms so that no member shall be deprived of the benefits due them, as part of government’s thrust on Kalusugang Pangkalahatan.

He added that PhilHealth members should religiously pay their premium contributions for them to continuously avail of in-patient hospital care, including the case rate packages, catastrophic illnesses in the Case Type Z benefits packages, out-patient coverage and other special benefit packages under the National Health Insurance Program.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Boracay Island's 9-month visitor arrivals generate P19-B receipts BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

Singer from R6

Jose Mari Chan

KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 17 (PIA6) -- Boracay Island’s tourist arrivals for 9 months have already breached the 1 million mark and generated a total of P19,739,911,086.00 in tourism receipts, records from the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office (APTO) showed.

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PTO records also revealed that the first 8 months of the year had more than a hundred thousand tourist arrivals each from January to August while the month of September had the lowest with 86,404. Months with highest arrivals include April, with

162,370; May, 151,017; March, with 128,627; February, 115,717 and January, 112,881.

On the other hand, June registered 104,302 arrivals, July, 106,450 and August, 102,022. Last year for the same period, the first 5 months each

surpassed the 100,000 mark in arrivals while the rest had lower figures.

Last year’s total arrivals, which reached 1,206,252, generated a total of P22,175,013,016.80. (JSC/VGVPIA6 Aklan)

DAP Loans to farmers sustain Land Reform goals BY: LORENZO O. LAMBATIN JR. NEGROS OCC., Oct. 16 (PIA6) -- Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program beneficiaries need financial support tems to carry out a sustainable use of their land and realize the very purpose of land reform.

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ccording to DAR Negros Occ. 1 OIC- Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Milagros Flores, without the credit line, CARP organizations could disintegrate and the piece of land they received from the government would probably be offered to someone with money through a lease agreement.

Some beneficiaries claim the practice could perpetually tie other beneficiaries to the financer for long years and end up buying the land.

As part of the present administration’s promise for inclusive growth and success of the Land Reform program, the government allocated P300 million to the Department of Agrarian Reform’s Agrarian Production Credit

Program, APCP, for the province from the Disbursement Allocation Program.

From the budget of P1 Billion intended for DAR nationwide, the province got almost one –third of the entire amount.

DAR records show 30 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations this year are lined-up to receive financial assistance, mostly newly installed. From the figure, 10 organizations have already received their loans.

In addition to that, 13 more Agrarian Reform Organizations are currently packaged to benefit from the APCP. By the end of the year, about P80 million should have been released to farmer-beneficiaries benefitting about 600 farmers.

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One of the latest beneficiaries to receive their loan is Marietta Claridad, 43 years-old, president of an agrarian reform organization in Hda. Dolores, Brgy.

Guinbalaon Silay City having 19 farmer-beneficiaries.

In an interview, she expressed elation the government opened a credit line through Land Bank payable at a low interest of 8.5 percent per annum.

They availed of a P2. 2 million loan last month to engage in sugar production in their combined 36 hectares of land. If the harvest is good, the group can earn as much as P30, 000 for every hectare.

“We want to rise from poverty, become financially independent and pay what is due to the government,” she told PIA (PIA6-LOL)

GJFP School to represent Antique in Regional Stats Quiz BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 18 (PIA6) - - The Governor Julian Fullon Pacificador (GJFP) National School in Hamtic, Antique topped the recent Provincial Statistical Quiz conducted in line with the observance of the National Statistics Month.

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ccording to Ms Placida Lomugdang of the Provincial Planning and Development Office the GJFP National School will represent the province in the forthcoming Regional Statistical Quiz Contest for High School on October 25 at the Regional Office of the National Economic and Development Authority, Regional Office, Iloilo City.

The Antique National School in San Jose was adjudged second; and the third place went to Saint Anthony’s College High School Department.

Lumugdang said that there were twelve high schools in the province which participated in the provincial level competition.

These schools were St. Anthony’s High School in Barbaza; Gov. Julio Macuja Memorial Comprehensive High School in

Hamtic; Sibalom National High School, Sibalom; Antique Vocational School, Bugasong; San Pedro National High School, San Jose; Antique National School, San Jose; Gov. Julian Fullon Pacificador National School, Hamtic; St. Anthony’s College High School Department, San Jose; Guintas National High School, Hamtic; Gen. Leandro Fullon National School, Hamtic; Egana National High School, Sibalom; Pangpang National High School, Sibalom.

The statistical quiz is an annual activity designed to promote appreciation of statistics among high school students and its use in development planning activities.

Other activities of the National Statistics Month in Antique with theme “Statistics that Matter to Every Filipino” include a caravan; Radio

guesting with PIA Antique over DYKA; Provincial Statistical Quiz for college level; and October 25-Regional Statistical Quiz Contest for High School at the National Economic and Development Authority, Regional Office, Iloilo City.

The National Statistics Month was first observed in 1990 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No.647 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino declaring the Month of October of every year as the National Statistics Month to promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

(JCM/VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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First Panay-Guimaras IP leaders summit set Singer from R6

Kuh Ledesma

BY: ALEX A. LUMAQUE

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 17 (PIA6) -- One hundred-fifty leaders of the Indigenous Peoples’ group from Panay and Guimaras islands will gather for the First Panay-Guimaras Indigenous Peoples’ Leadership Summit on Oct. 20 to 22 at the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army based at Camp Gen. Macario Peralta, Jr. in Jamindan town.

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he three-day activity aims to educate and empower IP leaders in Panay and Guimaras as advocates for peace and development through appropriate tribal representation.

It was also designed to recognize and preserve the IP’s culture and tradition by empowering the tribal leaders as partners in nation building.

Resource speakers during the assembly include Lone District of Ifugao Representative and Kaya Nation champion Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Philippine Army vice-commander M/Gen. Edsel Soriano, 3ID commanding general Aurelio B. Baladad, 301st Brigade commander B/

Gen. Arnold M. Quiapo, University of the Philippines – Visayas professor emeritus and anthropologist Dr. Alicia P. Magos and Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development chairman Reuben Dasay A. Lingating.

The various topics that will be discussed by the resource persons are about History and Ethnology of Bukidnon Tribe, IP Education, Ethical Leadership and Government Initiatives for the IP, among others.

The gathering also aims to establish a unified voice that will represent the IP’s and include their needs in the current government development and sustainable

programs.

The soldiers also facilitated an almost similar activity that was attended by IP leaders locally known as “manoghusay” last June.

Last year, a lecture on IPs culture and tradition for the platoon and squad leaders of the 61st IB’s Bayanihan Teams was facilitated by the 301st IB at Camp Carreon in Calinog, Iloilo.

Bayanihan teams are 61IB's primary units tasked to look into the concerns of the IPs of Panay, particularly in the municipalities of Tapaz and Jamindan in Capiz and Calinog town in Iloilo. (JCM/ AAL-PIA6 Capiz)

UP Visayas opens first GIS laboratory BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, October 16 (PIA) --- The University of the Philippines Visayas recently launched the first Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory here to assist in providing excellent training and education to local government units (LGUs).

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he modern training facility was a donation from the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) of Frankfurt, Germany through its Environmental Resource Development Program (EnRD).

UPV Chancellor Rommel Espinosa said that the GIS laboratory shall serve as a venue for training, research and consultancy that can boost the planning and training programs of the cities and

municipalities in Western Visayas.

The laboratory will further public service in the area of local government, tax governance and land use planning.

GIS is a system of hardware and software used for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing, and displaying data which are spatially referenced.

Meanwhile, Ubo Pakes, an expert

from the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) and GIZ, said that local government executives and planners will be introduced to the modules on the GIS Training Programs and GIS for Planning.

Pakes said that these training modules will provide the use of GIS as a tool in various aspects of planning local government units. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Ombudsman launches integrity tilt to mark 25th anniversary ILOILO CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA6) -- The Office of the Ombudsman has launched a nationwide Integrity Development Contest (IDC) consisting of essay-writing, poster-making, and short video production competitions as part of year-long Integrity Caravan activities to highlight its 25th year anniversary.

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n an infographics shared online by Ombudsman Visayas-6 Graft Investigation Officer and Public Information Officer Evangeline G. Nunal, the IDC is open to elementary, high school and college students, respectively.

Centered on themes dealing with the fundamentals of good governance and anti-corruption, the contest will give cash prizes to the winners, including a scholarship grant in filmmaking to the top three finalists in the short video production contest.

The schedule for the submission of entries is as follows: Essay Writing Contest – October 1 to December 9,

2013; Poster Design Contest – October 1 to November 15, 2013; and, Video Contest – October 1 to December 31, 2013.

Nunal said the contest was conceived to introduce the fundamentals of good governance and anti-corruption in a way that will emotionally connect with the target public as well as bring to life “integrity” in a manner that is relevant, truthful, and meaningful to the core constituencies via creative contest buckets.

It was learned that during the launching ceremonies in Metro Manila, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales stated that “the youth must be initiated to the fundamentals of civic duty and good

governance at the earliest possible opportunity”.

The institutional and development partners of the Office of the Ombudsman in the contest include the United Nations Development Programme, Asian Development Bank, SM Prime Holdings, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and UP Film Institute.

For details and contest mechanics, interested parties may visit the O m b u d s m a n w e b s i t e (www.ombudsman.gov.ph) or check published posters in various locations of partner institutions and sponsoring establishments. (Ombudsman/JCM/JSCPIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

PNoy leads distribution of relief packs to displaced families in Bohol Singer from R7 Pilita Corales

BY: ELVIRA BONGOSIA

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 17 (PIA) -- Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III led the distribution of relief goods here Wednesday for earthquake victims who have sought shelter at Tagbilaran Sports Complex following the deadly earthquake that rocked Bohol on Oct. 15.

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he sports complex was packed with around 500 families as Pres. Aquino personally handed over relief packs to the evacuees.

The families fled their homes after a destructive 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol on Tuesday.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), more than 5,000 families were affected by the deadly quake, which left more than 100 dead in Bohol.

Bohol island was the hardest hit in central Philippines as the quake’s epicenter was located 2 kilometers southeast of Carmen town here.

Prior to visiting the evacuees, Pres. Aquino made an aerial tour of the quake-hit areas in the province.

DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman assured that the social welfare department has already dispatched

food and tents for the displaced families, adding that they will also bring in the unused tents that were brought to Zamboanga.

A C-130 cargo plane of the Philippine Air Force flew in a total of 2,000 food packs from DSWD in coordination with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in Bohol.

Aside from the food packs, 38 tents were likewise brought in for the quake-hit families.

Sec. Soliman added that the Department of Health will also send not only medicines but also medical tools needed to treat the injured victims who are admitted in hospitals in the province.

Pres. Aquino assured that his administration is ready to assist and respond to the needs of calamity-hit local government units.

From the sports complex, the President also

checked on the damage caused by the earthquake on Tagbilaran Port.

Port officials estimate that around P500 million is needed to fund the repairs on the damaged port.

The port have resumed operations but big cargo ships are not yet allowed to use the port as of this writing.

Aside from Soliman, other cabinet members with the President in his Cebu and Bohol visits were Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Governments Sec. Mar Roxas, DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson, Cabinet Sec. Rene Almendras, Transportation and Communications Sec. Jun Abaya, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr., and Sec. Ricky Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. (rmn/ ECB/PIA7-Bohol with FCR report)

NegOr Gov orders infra check after strong quake BY: ROI LOMOTAN NEGROS ORIENTAL, Oct. 17 (PIA) – Gov. Roel Degamo has called for a safety check on infrastructure facilities in the province following the strong earthquake that rocked Negros Oriental and neighboring provinces Tuesday morning.

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ov. Degamo ordered the General Services Office to inspect the structural integrity of various sports, entertainment, and other facilities of the provincial government especially in view of the ongoing Buglasan Festival.

Negros Oriental is in the midst of its annual Buglasan Festival which kicked off on Oct. 11 when the deadly earthquake rocked central Philippines on Oct. 15 and was felt in the province at Intensity range of 4-6 based on PHIVOLCS data.

The governor ordered the immediate safety check on infrastructure especially since the festival features activities like showdown competitions that will be held in sports and entertainment facilities owned by the provincial

government.

As of Tuesday, no major damages resulting from the earthquake have been reported in the province and the Provincial Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said all national highways throughout province are passable to vehicles.

In Dumaguete City, patients from the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and Silliman University Medical Center were rushed outside after the quake.

There were sporadic power outages in some parts of Dumaguete after an electric post of Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2) fell due to the ground movement. Power was, however, fully restored by 8:00 pm.

The Philippine Coast Guard has started to lift the suspension of the operations of fast crafts, ships and barges from the province to other ports in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Dapitan.

The municipal government of Sibulan disclosed that they found small cracks in the river control system of the Okoy River but apart from this, there are no major damages on bridges.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) here announced the suspension of classes in public elementary and high schools Wednesday to give way for the inspection on the conditions of classrooms after the earthquake. (rmn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

Cebu digital media experts challenge PIA to be ‘digital IO’ BY: MINERVA BC. NEWMAN CEBU, Oct. 14 (PIA) – “Embrace technology and be an information officer in the digital age!”

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ourn.ph lecturer, Nica Tejada said that technology is rapidly evolving in many aspects of life including news, information and content in agriculture, media, economy and in almost all fields of study.

Times are changing and our target audience are mostly in the digital space who are always there surfing, looking for new applications and are embracing technology as part of their growth, development and habits, Tejada said.

She introduced the SMART’s blogging platform called “Journ.ph” that brings campus journalism online and also encourages the information officers of the PIA-Visayas cluster to use the blog as their platform for local best practices stories.

A Cebu journalist, award-winning blogger and a digital media practitioner, Max Limpag also encouraged the PIA-Visayas cluster information officers to be open to change, a mind-shift to digital media because this “allows us to write and tell better stories,” he added.

“Think digital first when you have a story or news and change the way you think to be relevant, or you will be left behind,” Limpag said.

An INFOGRAPHICS expert and a social media practitioner, Elvin Luciano gave tips in creating and simplifying academic, technical, and the many data for easy access to information among digital users.

Luciano said, for the ‘digital natives’ who are the target audience of information, who are on the net and mobile 24/7, information must be interesting, interactive and easy to understand.

INFOGRAPHICS provides that platform, Luciano added. INFOGRAPHICS can simplify huge data into simple materials, quick guides and are practical to use.

It is now being widely used in digital media to present ideas, a process; to give instructions; to show ranking; to compare opposites side, timelines and more, Luciano told the participants.

INFOGRAPHICS is quick, clear, easy to process and visual. It can also be used in newspapers, posters, magazines, flyers, murals and exhibits.

Another resource speaker was Ruben Licera, president of Cebu Bloggers Society and consultants to many social media organizations and an avid social media practitioner himself, also challenged the PIA-information officers to position their news/ content through the social media.

“You can get more eyeballs when you are online. The introduction of social media made a difference in information dissemination and sharing. If you have an event or news that doesn’t trend online, it is nothing,” Licera said.

Social media can maximize information, content, news, or issue dissemination, sharing,

discussion and immediate feedback, he added.

Licera cited some statistics to convince the participants to go high into social media for disseminating information.

He said, 2012 data showed over 30M people are logged in Facebook and 22M of these are young people ages 18-22.

He added that Filipinos spend 8-11 hours per day online using social media with 277T logs per day on Facebook.

“Do you know why people engaged in social media?” Licera asked.

He cited a study that hormones produced when cuddling or having sex are the same hormones when doing social media. “That is why, pornography sites are no longer the top sites being visited by young people,” he jokingly said.

According to Licera, traditional media helps to disseminate information and content but it is a one-way process.

Sharing information/content through social media “gives you immediate feedbacks and are mass produced and consumed by the public,” Licera added.

He urged the information officers to diversify content/information, ask for help from experts and in social media you always engage the public. (mbcn/ PIA7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Singer from R7 Yoyoy Villame

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Gov't to tap private sector in helping repair damaged churches BY: ELVIRA BONGOSIA

BOHOL, Oct. 17 (PIA) -- The Aquino administration will seek ways to tap the private sector in helping repair the historic churches in the province damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol on Tuesday.

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uring his visit here Wednesday, Pres.

Benigno S. Aquino III admitted that he cannot commit government resources as of now but promised to get the help of the private sector.

Photos of heavily damaged churches in Bohol resulting from the deadly earthquake went viral in social media sites.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Board earlier released a statement expressing their commitment to help rescue and rehabilitate the damaged churches

as majority of those hit by the quake have been declared National Cultural Treasures, National Historic Landmarks, and Important Cultural Properties, all of which are protected by the Heritage Law. The NCCA Board said majority of the churches hit by the quake have been declared National Cultural Treasures, National Historic Landmarks, and Important Cultural Properties, all of which are protected by the Heritage Law. Authorities pegged the number of affected persons at more than 2 million in Visayas.

During the briefing Wednesday at the People’s Mansion in Tagbilaran City, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said they are strictly enforcing a price freeze in areas hit by the earthquake following the local government’s declaration of state of calamity.

On the other hand, Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson admitted that it will take around one month for normal operations to resume in the transportation sector here following the heavy devastation of some vital road networks and bridges. (rmn/ECB/PIA Bohol)

DSWD gives aid to quake-stricken, isolated Bohol town CENTRAL VISAYAS, Oct. 17 (PIA) --- As aftershocks continued to jolt Bohol and Cebu islands days after the 7.2 magnitude that devastated central Philippines Tuesday, government agencies strove to respond to the needs of quake-affected communities.

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team from social welfare department was able to reach Wednesday one of the hardest-hit areas in Bohol, Maribojoc town, which became isolated after the quake.

The team from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) immediately distributed 1,100 sacks of family food packs and 300 pieces of bottled water to affected families in the area.

The social welfare officers had to board a river boat or banding to navigate the Abatan river to reach the isolated town.

Maribojoc and Loon towns in Bohol were isolated after damaged roads and bridges cut off the towns from the capital, Tagbilaran City.

The two towns could only be reached by sea, according to a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The DSWD team also delivered 300 relief goods to the island barangay of Cabawan, according to Kerwin Mongcopia of DSWD-7 in a press statement.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat urged the private sector to assist them in helping the families in affected areas.

“The people there are having difficulty in sending text message since they don’t have electricity right now,” said Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

“We are requesting the private and business sector if they can lend power generator to Maribojoc as well as to the nearby affected towns,” added Jabagat.

A team from DSWD-7 was set to arrive in Loon town this week to distribute 1,850 family food packs and 5,000 bottles of 5.6 liters bottled water.

Meanwhile, Bohol governor Edgar Chatto issued a flash appeal to all that water, ready-to-eat meals, transportation are the immediate needs of Boholanos, especially in areas that sustained massive damages from the 7.2 earthquake.

This is in addition to the urgent call of people from the towns of Maribojoc, Loon and Loboc that needed water, food and other

assistance, Chatto added.

The governor assured Boholanos that the local government is on top of the situation and that rescue teams are working continuously to open up routes, links to reach those towns and areas that are left isolated because of the earthquake.

Chato also said that aside from Loboc, Loon and Maribojoc other towns such as Antequera, Calape, Tubigon, Sagbayan, San Isidro, Clarin, Inabanga and others had been badly damaged by the quake.

Bohol local officials profusely thanked the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its immediate response to assist in the province’s search, rescue and retrieval (SAR) operations. MMDA also brought K9 dogs for fast and easy SAR operations.

Presently, the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City is being used as the receiving area for the collection of relief goods and other concerns.(RMN/PIA-Cebu with ECB report)

NegOr allots P6-M for calamity-hit LGUs By: Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Oct. 18 (PIA) -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here alloted P6 million as aid for local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas affected by recent calamities.

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DRRMC passed a resolution Wednesday extending financial assistance to the following calamity -hit areas: P2 million for Bayawan City, and P1 million each for Basay town, and Cebu and Bohol provinces. The province also set aside P1 million for Zamboanga City, Bayawan City suffered heavy flooding for two days from Oct. 6 to 7, brought on by flashfloods triggered by the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and habagat with heavy downpour.

It was reported during a PDRRMC meeting that seven people died from the flash floods in Bayawan City, with 3,824 families affected.

There were 29 totally damaged houses and P1.5 million worth of livestock

and poultry affected.

Damage to roads, bridges, and infrastructure is pegged to be more than P32 million.

For Basay town, a total of 2,587 families were affected, with 63 totally damaged houses and 574 partially damaged houses.

About P215,000 worth of livestock and poultry were also affected by the unexpected floods.

Authorities estimate the damage on roads and bridges in the town to be over P6 million.

On the other hand, the death toll from a deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the provinces of Cebu and Bohol continued to rise days after the quake hit the two provinces on Tuesday

morning.

During the Zamboanga crisis, hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters laid siege on Zamboanga City, resulting to the deaths of six people.

PDRRMC offered the financial assistance for said five LGUs after each declared a state of calamity as basis for the release of the funding aid.

The financial assistance was taken from the Quick Response Fund (QRF).

Under the new Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, only 30 percent of the local calamity fund shall be allocated as QRF, or stand-by fund, for relief and recovery programs. (rmn/JCT/PIA7Negros Oriental)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration starts Oct. 18

Singer from R8 Enrico Saboren

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TOLOSA, Leyte, Oct. 18 (PIA) -- The annual commemoration of the Leyte Gulf Landings starts with the first landing in Tolosa, Leyte, dubbed as Signal Day at Tolosa on October 18.

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his year's Signal Day commemoration started with a Walk for Peace at 6 a.m., from the town proper of Tolosa to the Scout Abello Market site in Barangay Telegrafo, Mayor Erwin Ocaña said.

A mass, a commemorative program, and wreath-laying rites followed with the top provincial officials of Leyte and the municipal officials in attendance.

Leyte and the municipal government of Tolosa jointly sponsored this activity.

Signal Day commemorates the heroic acts of young scouts Valeriano Abello, Antero Junia Sr., and Vicente Tiston.

These young scouts who were at the hilltops of Barangay Telegrafo in Tolosa used the scouts signs to request the incoming Allied

Forces on October 18, 1944, not to bomb the shorelines from Abuyog to Tacloban City because thousands of local residents were inhabiting the area.

"Don't bomb the beaches, there are civilians. If possible let me direct the shelling."

This was the message sent to the US Force through semaphore flag signaling which saved the lives of thousands of residents of Leyte that eventually led to the Liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese Imperial Forces.

Thanks to these scouts, thousands of lives have been saved. They even taught the Liberation Forces where the Japanese were situated.

After the Signal Day in Tolosa, October

19 highlights the Commemorative Rites at Dulag Hill 120 where the United States Flag was first raised.

October 20 will also be the 68th Leyte Gulf Landing Commemoration of the landing of Gen. MacArthur and waded through the shores of Red Beach at Palo, Leyte. Activities honoring the war heroes will also take place on the said day.

The Battle for Leyte Gulf is considered, with consensus by Naval historians, as the largest and greatest naval battle ever fought; never to be repeated, this battle covers well over 1,000 square miles of ocean.

The landings at Leyte were equal to those in Normandy. (PIA 8)

Int’l Skimboarding champ from Leyte brings honor to the country BY: CONSUELO ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 18 (PIA)-- A 25-years old lass from Tanauan, Leyte brought honor not only to her province but to the country when she was declared grand champion in the 7th International Skimboarding Competition Women’s Division held in Penang Malaysia this October. is looking forward for more international competitions.

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s. Sheryl C. Pajelleno of Barangay Sto Nino, Tanauan Leyte, who is looking forward to more international competitions, said she was very much elated when she was proclaimed as the champion in said international event as she wasn’t expecting that much.

Inspired by the result in said international competition and becoming the grand winner, she is planning to join another skimboarding competition scheduled in Thailand next year.

Pajelleno started skimboarding when she was 14 years old along the seashores of Tanauan, Leyte. Even if she encountered difficulties at first, it became her favorite pastime until it became her favorite sports.

Pajelleno has already gained titles in four

national skimboarding competitions where she became a grand champion in four competitions.

Aside from Pajelleno, another Leyteno named Niko Cobacha who is only 21 years old from Barangay, San Roque, Tanauan, Leyte won third in said international competition.

Cobacha is currently preparing to go back to Malaysia, not as a competitor but as a trainor in the first skimboarding school in Malaysia.

He will be bringing with him his older brother who is also a skimboarding national champion.

Other competitors in the recently held international skimboarding competition came from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Denmark.

Both skimboarders are determined to

make skimboarding in Tanauan, stronger than ever.

"This is the only way we can show our gratitude to the late former Mayor Tiu who encouraged us to go into this water sports," the two skimriders said.

The Skimboarding Event in Tanauan Leyte was initiated by the late former Tanauan Mayor and First District Board Member Roque Tiu. Tanauan, Leyte is known as the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.

The two riders also expressed their commitment to be role models of the young people in Tanauan and the province of Leyte, to spend their time in sports; to be interested in skimboarding instead of experimenting illegal activities. (PIA-8)

Samar fisherfolks welcome National Payao Program BY: NINFA ILUMINDA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY,Samar, Oct. 17 (PIA) -- As the whole nation marks Linggo ng Pangisdaan, the Samar fisherfolks converged at the Samar State University (SSU) to plot the areas where to deploy the payaos given to them for free by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

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lose to a hundred fisherfolks from Calbayog, Daram, Almagro, Tagapul-an, Sto Nino and even Maripipi in Biliran were called by BFAR for the activity.

On October 17, the fisherfolks sailed on board MV/DA-BFAR until the 21st to personally witness the deployment of the payaos in their municipal waters.

“The payaos should be placed at a certain depth where it is not too shallow nor will it obstruct navigational routes,” said Pierre Velasco of BFAR. A payao is a fish aggregating device (FAD)

where small fish gather, these attracts attract bigger fish, said BFAR Training Director Ronnie Berida.

BFAR estimates that after two or three months, these fisherfolks can now get the fish in the area just using hook and line.

“That way, the smaller fish are also spared and that the supply of fish will be continuous, we need to teach them responsible and sustainable fishing, if they use nets to catch the fish, they won’t be able to catch anymore in the succeeding days,” said Samar BFAR Fishery Officer Rolando Ay-ay.

Noli Montuerto, a fisherman from Losa,Daram said that they have experienced the success of payaos.

“We have arong, the smaller payaos, we just use native materials like bamboo and coconut leaves, the payaos that BFAR give to us can stay longer,” said Noli in the vernacular.

Today, as the MV/DA-BFAR cruises Samar Sea and deploys the 70 payaos- this will usher a new hope for Samar fisherfolks. (PIA 8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Singer from

Regine Velasquez

7

DA underscores vital role of agri- engineers BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 16 (PIA) -- In order to reach high level of competitiveness, advanced and well-structured infrastructures are essential.

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his was underscored by Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio during the Orientation on the Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing the Implementation of Agricultural Infrastructure, Farm Mechanization and Postharvest Development Projects which was recently conducted at the DA-8 Conference Room.

With the open market system among and between nations which is set to be implemented in 2015, RED Gerundio, there will be tight competition in the world market.

“We should therefore be prepared based on the three important factors that determine competitiveness,” he explained referring to good quality, lower price and timely delivery products and services.

The DA Regional Director further said that heavy duty and properly positioned infrastructure facilities and equipment will lessen production cost and prolong the shelf life and quality of products.

This is where the crucial role of Agricultural engineers in infrastructure and

mechanization will come in, RED Gerundio told the participants of the meeting who included some municipal and city agriculturists, Agricultural Engineers and DA-8 key personnel.

Regional Director German P. Palabyab of the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), Engr. Joel O. Pilapil, Assistant Regional Manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority-8 and President of the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers-Eastern Visayas Chapter, City Engineer Anecito F. Narit of Maasin, Southern Leyte, and Engr. Jonas R. Buhay served as resource speakers of the activity.

They commonly underscored some of the salient provisions of Republic Act 8559 or the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998.

The law provides that an owner who is issued a building permit is required to engage the services of a duly licensed and registered Agricultural Engineer to undertake full time inspection and supervision of the construction work of agricultural buildings and structures.

The former must also submit a Certificate of Completion of the said project prepared and

signed by the latter stating that the construction of agricultural buildings and structures conforms to approved plans and specifications.

Topics presented in the forum were on the Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular 2008-167 or the Institutionalization of the Agricultural Engineering Positions in the Local Government Units; the Role of the PRC in the Enforcement of RA 8559; and on R.A. 10601 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law. Meanwhile, Engr. Fernando V. Conde of the Engineering Division and Dr. Elvira C. Torres, Chief of the Research Division, both stated that it is necessary to educate not only the Agricultural Engineers but also the DA-8 personnel and other stakeholders on the salient features of said laws and issuances to avoid being penalized by fine, imprisonment or both. The participants of the meeting included some municipal and city agriculturists, Agricultural Engineers and DA-8 key personnel. (PIA 8)

Nortehanon one of 2013 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardees BY: AILENE N. DIAZ CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Oct. 14 (PIA) -- Engr. Reynato P. Dubongco, Provincial Coco Development Manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Northern Samar is a recipient of the prestigious 2013 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award.

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his was announced by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), as administrator of the Honor Awards Program of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan for this year’s Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees as recommended by the 2013 Committee on Presidential Lingkod Bayan and Civil Service Commission PagasaAward and approved by His Excellency President Benigno C. Aquino III. Accordingly, the Presidential Lingkod

Bayan Award is a part of the Philippine Civil Service Commission’s Honor Awards Program (HAP).

The award is bestowed to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional performance and contributions to public service and it goes through a rigid and thorough screening of nominees.

The award aims to motivate and encourage government employees to strive more in their respective fields thereby

improving the quality of public service.

Engr. Dubongco was recognized because of his significant contribution in the upliftment of the lives of the coco farmers particularly on his initiatives in partnership with NGOs, provincial government and other LGUs with the following projects: Family Farm School, Lope de Vega Coco Coir Industry, Enterprise Development, Coconut Industry Development, the formulation of the Provincial Council among others. (ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

TESDA Samar to distribute tool kits for C4TP scholars CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 18 (PIA) -- To help scholars to start training, TESDA Samar provides tool kits for them. ome 249 scholars who completed Director Rolando Juanillo said. and graduated from the Cash for “The graduates, after undergoing Training Program (C4TP) will assessment and certification, will now be receive tool kits from TESDA. ready for employment or to start business C4TP has two components in its of their own,” he said. implementation: training for wage The director said that the TESDA's e m p l o y m e n t a n d t r a i n i n g f o r intervention does not end with the skills self-employment. training.

C4TP is a joint undertaking of TESDA “We help them as they start to run and the Department of Social Welfare and their own business," he added.

Development (DSWD) designed to assist TESDA is set to distribute the tool disadvantaged youth by giving them kits for 107 CFTP scholars in Calbayog training, and helping them to find work or City on October 19, Friday. livelihood TESDA Samar Provincial These 107 scholars are trained in

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their own business right after the different skills for self employment like cooking, computer hardware and motorcycle servicing.

TESDA will dispense tools for cooking, for computer hardware and for motor servicing.

Juanillo assured that the remaining 142 scholars in Catbalogan City and Basey will also receive their tool kits before October ends.

TESDA is expecting that these scholars will apply the skills they gained from the training. (PIA 8- Samar with Avha H. Ebalde)

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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:

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