One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 43

Vol 3

Issue 43

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Focal Person for Child Labor Carmela Abellar discusses the country’s program against child labor during an activity on “Strengthening DILG Capacity and CSO Participation in the Implementation and Monitoring of the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC)” held in Iloilo City, October 22, 2013.

(LAF/PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

October 21 - 27, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Pres. Aquino visits, assures quake victims LOON, Bohol, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- President Benigno Simeon Aquino III distributed family food packs to about 170 families in Loon, Bohol temporarily evacuated at the Loon Elementary School and to inspect the extent of damage to the town’s infrastructure.

In his visit to the area Oct. 23, President Aquino assured the evacuees that there is no reason to fear another earthquake and to prove this he slept in Loon.

Aquino said that regarding sinkholes, the government has an ongoing program using ground penetrating radar to determine if there is danger beneath the ground of Bohol.

The underground mapping will be completed by first quarter of 2014. Original schedule was for the fourth quarter, Aquino said.

From the distribution of relief goods at the evacuation center at Loon elementary school, President Aquino proceeded to inspect the town’s badly damaged public market and the Cong. Natalio P. Castillo Memorial Hospital.

Electricity has not been back yet in Loon which was one of the most affected towns by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol on Tuesday morning on October 15.

In a briefing for the President in a makeshift tent fronting the Loon town hall Loon mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez reported that there were 60 earthquake casualties from the 64 of 67 barangays of the town.

Mayor Lopez added 18 government buildings including all built heritage structures were badly damaged.

DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman added that families of 55 casualties were already given financial aids while the two missing persons are still being retrieved.

Soliman added that as of 9 a.m. today (Oct. 23), DSWD has distributed 186,901 food packs and 137,906 bottled water distributed throughout Bohol.

Department of Energy secretary Jericho Petilla also reported that all quake-hit towns in Bohol have power but down to household level in barangays is what they are working on right now as he promised the President that by October 30, all households in barangays will have power.

Aquino said the urgent task now is how to get the affected families back to their homes since the “BER” months are here and the weather is getting colder.

Aquino then urged the local government units and the nongovernment organizations to focus their efforts in getting people back to their respective homes to achieve normalcy in their lives as early as possible. (mbcn/ with reports from PIA7 writers)

P-Noy arrived in Bohol Wednesday (Oct. 23) afternoon to inspect the evacuation centers and some of the devastated barangays in the town of Loon. He also led the distribution of relief goods. (RTVM)

P-Noy exhorts Filipinos to live with integrity, do what’s right BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU PALO, Leyte, Oct. 21 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III exhorted each and every Filipino to live with integrity and to do what is right in order to ensure a Philippines that is worth living in.

“It is by looking back, by living with integrity and by doing what is right by our countrymen can we then ensure that the the Phils we pass on to later generations will be a Philippines PNoy assures Bohol earthquake victims that worth living in,” the President said in his message read to him there's no immediate danger and that there's by Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac during the enough food aids available, during his visit in commemorative program for the 69th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 20.

Sagbayan on Wednesday (Oct. 23). (DSWD) This, the President said is the very mission that guides his administration as “we work to pursue our reform agenda.”

His administration’s goal, the President said, is to build a society where fairness, inclusiveness and justice reign.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

The President called on every Filipino to work harder to Also CLICK Here… ensure that the invaluable lessons of the past are bequeathed to and cherished by the future generations.

It is not enough, the President said, to commemorate this anniversary.

“The task for us today is to remain committed as one people in preserving and nurturing the nation in which not only democracy but the fruits of democracy can be realized to the fullest,” the President underscored.

He added that the task is to ensure the Philippines as the wellspring of freedom, hope and opportunity for all Filipinos.

The President also stressed the importance of working harder and building closer ties and goodwill with other countries. He said that countries must engage one another in a positive manner to achieve shared vision of peace, prosperity and freedom.

Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla said the President couldn’t make it to this year’s celebration but he expressed optimism that next year, which is the 70th Anniversary and a bigger celebration, the President will already be able to attend.

(PIA 8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

DOST sees brighter prospects for the ICT sector in Visayas

Undersecretary Eduardo Batac (in barong) salutes the colors during the arrival honors as guest of honor of the 69th Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary at MacArthur Landing Memorial Shrine in Palo, Leyte, October 20. At left is 8ID commander BGen Jet Velarmino. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) --- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that brighter prospects can be seen for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the Visayas.

DOST Assistant Secretary for Strategic Plans and Programs Engr. Robert Dizon said that the ICT sector has emerged as one of the high-impact industries in the country and the sprouting of information technology business process management hubs has been witnessed not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country including the Visayas.

Dizon said that Visayas region takes pride in Iloilo City and Dumaguete City as part of the Next Wave Cities program.

The Next Wave Cities program identifies ICT hubs beyond Manila, based on criteria such as worker supply, telecom infrastructure and other factors necessary to sustain a local business processing outsourcing (BPO) industry.

Metro Cebu and Bacolod City are already major ICT hubs in the country and are considered center of excellence for ICT management.

The DOST official is optimistic that Iloilo City will be

elevated to the ICT center of excellence loop sooner than expected.

The ICT sector is expected to earn $25 to $27.5 billion by 2015, employing 1.3 million professionals, and is expected to be valued at $50 billion by 2015.

Dizon assured that the government is working hard to sustain the growth in the field of ICT and is addressing various development constraints.

At present, DOST is focused on technology-intensive non-voice services, which include the creative industries like the games, animation, health care information management, outsourcing of Information Technology and engineering services, and corporate services like human resources.

DOST also came up with interventions including English learning modules such as LEAP (Learning English Application for Pinoys) in order for more people to qualify to work in the industry and to support the existing voice sector.

Dizon added that there are endless possibilities for our local economy to grow with the continuous development in the booming ICT industry in the Visayas. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

Core Shelter program brings families to safer homes BY: ELSA S. SUBONG

Singer from R6

Jose Mari Chan

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA6) – They used to be awakened in the middle of the night by seawater overflowing inside their houses and their children would scamper for drier portions in the house.

“

But we would end up evacuating to a relative’s house,” Carmelita Oliva said in the local dialect.

Today, Oliva already owns a unit in Bgy. Lanjagan, Ajuy, Iloilo, far from the coastal area they used to live and the years of agony.

She is among the 200 beneficiaries of the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the town of Ajuy.

The beneficiaries recently received their certificates of completion and acceptance of the shelter unit, a signal that they can already occupy their houses, from DSWD-6 Director Evelyn Macapobre and Ajuy Mayor Juan Alvarez.

DSWD Regional Information Officer May Castillo said the agency has released P14 million at P70,000 per housing unit, where to date, 120 units have been completed, while the remaining 80 are still under construction.

CSAP is a rehabilitation program which

aims to provide structurally strong shelter units that can withstand 180-220 kilometer-per -hour wind velocity.

“The program gives preference to families whose houses were totally destroyed by natural and man-made calamities and who have no capacity to build or construct their own units,” Castillo said.

Castillo added that the program aims to reduce the number of homeless families every year while helping these families become self-reliant in the long run.

The DSWD releases funds to LGUs with available lots and cerified safe by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

In the case of Ajuy, Mayor Alvarez donated the lots. while the LGU gave a counterpart of P40,000 for each unit.

“This is some kind of legacy I will leave for my town,” Mayor Alvarez said.

Director Macapobre told beneficiaries during the turn over that they should maintain

the houses well.

“We will be happy to see the shelters well kept, for if you do this, your children and grandchildren will be able to still use the units,” she said.

For Carmelita Oliva, she said her family feels safer now with sturdy houses that the waves cannot hit anymore.

For 40-year-old Analyn Badon, the program has spared her children from getting flu often because they used to have a roof made of dried coconut leaves.

“My children would feel rain droplets on their faces while sleeping. Now they can sleep well,” Badon said.

On the other hand, Casilda Ringo said CSAP is a blessing to her family for the money they earn is just enough for food, and they can never afford to build a house.

“I am thankful that we now have a house where I and my eight children can stay and feel safe,” Ringo said. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo).

NegOcc top organic agri performer NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 21 (PIA6) - - Negros Occidental was given the Top Performing Province in Organic Agriculture Program Implementation Award, recently as a highlight of the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress held Oct. 17-19 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, a press release from the Capitol said.

N

egros Occidental, was cited as the top performer in organic agriculture for the Visayas cluster, shared centerstage with the rice-producing province, Nueva Ecija, the awardee for Luzon, and the diversified Agusan del Sur in Mindanao.

The Office of Provincial Agriculture’s (OPA’s) Armigencia Benedicto, agricultureal

center head and concurrent research and development laboratory in-charge, also took the Best Focal Person in Organic Agriculture medal, while Melba Banares fo the Barangay Daan Banwa organic village in Kabankalan City, was adjudged Best Agricultural Extension Worker in the implementation of organic agriculture. Each won P30,000 as cash reward.

Fourth district Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Victor Javellana, chair of the SP Committee on Agriculture, and Engr. Igmedio Tabianan, chief of the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, received the award and the P3 million cash prize on behalf of Gov. Alfredo Marañon, Jr.*(Capitol News/JCM/CD/PIA6)

4 Capiz rebels choose peace, abandon armed struggle BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 21 (PIA6) - Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Capiz have abandoned the armed struggle and chose to live a life in peace after turning themselves over to the government authorities.

P

ublic Affair Office head Maj. Ray Tiongson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division disclosed that the government has given financial assistance to the four former rebels to opted to live in peace with their families.

Tiongson said that in a simple ceremony at the Capiz Provincial Capitol, Governor Victor Tanco, Maricel Bantilo of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Violeta Silva turned over the financial assistance to the said former rebels, October 18.

The said former rebels include Celso G Francisco alias Cielo/Celo, Joey O Francisco alias Palos, Jimmy S Jacinto alias Gimo and Rodelio Delia, all residents who received P50,000 livelihood assistance from the government in their desire to start a new life

with their families and loved ones.

According to him, 301st Infantry Brigade Commander Arnold Quiapo, whose area covers the whole Island of Panay, stressed that the four rebels have decided to go down because they believe that armed struggle and fighting is not the solution to the issues of insurgency and that there are peaceful means to resolve the issues.

He added that 11 NPA members within the 3ID area of responsibility have abandoned the armed struggle in third quarter of this year; eight of them came from Panay Island.

In July 2013, four high ranking NPA rebels also from Capiz have traded their guns as they thought about the future of their families, and abandoned the armed struggle in the name of peace.

The former rebels said the armed struggle have only brought sufferings, senseless deaths

and miseries to the people, noting that the military, local government units, other government agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders are working together in the spirit of Bayanihan, in resolving the issues of insurgency, he said On the other hand, 3ID Commander Aurelio Baladad, pointed out that the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan has been gaining momentum as more rebels in the region have opted to return to the mainstream society, he said.

Baladad, he said, reiterates the call to other NPA rebels to go down and trade their guns in the name of peace, abandon the armed violence and join the mainstream society and the government will assist them to start a new life and give their families and children a better future. (3ID/JCM/JBG/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

ART is commitment, says Gov. Art Singer from R6

Kuh Ledesma

BY: JAIME S. CABAG, JR.

AJUY, ILOILO, Oct. 21 (PIA6) – Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. thanked and commended the participants in this year’s provincial government-initiated tree planting activity by summing up their participation as a commitment, a believing, and an honorable act.

A

t the opening program of the activity in Ajuy last Saturday morning, Defensor addressed the multi-sectoral participants, saying they came to Ajuy for more than just a break from their regular activities but more than that, to show that they are a part of the people who are committed to help address the effects of climate change Likewise, Defensor said that by embarking on a massive reforestation project under his Action for Re-greening and Transformation (ART) for Climate Change Adaptation program, Ilonggos are leading and believing that “what we are doing is an honorable act for the benefit of the people”.

The chief provincial executive said the tree planting activity at a mangrove area in Barangay Malayu-an, Ajuy underscores the

importance of the need to preserve and conserve marine resources.

The planting activity shifted to the forest area of Barangay Managopaya in Banate town in the afternoon, where the governor also led the inauguration of the Banate Poblacion-De la Paz-Garrita Road Concreting Project that had financial assistance from the provincial government.

The three-year old project was launched to enhance the cover of the province’s vital forest, watershed and mangrove areas through the planting of 1 million various tree species every year.

More than 2 million trees have been planted since the program was reactivated in 2011.

This year, the provincial government hopes to plant 1.5 million trees. As of date, more than 600,000 seedlings have

been planted.

The participants in the tree planting activity came from various national government agencies, local government units, schools, civil society organizations, and offices of the provincial government.

Defensor also stressed the value of planting trees as they help cleanse the air of harmful. carbon dioxide.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) added that by planting trees especially in watersheds, potable water supply is improved.

Some 15,000 mangrove seedlings were planted in Ajuy and 2,000 tree seedlings in Banate. Similar activities were done simultaneously in other areas of the province on the same date. (JCM/JSCPIA6)

DepEd Antique notes improved nutritional status of school kids BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 23 (PIA6) - - The Department of Education in Antique (DepEd Antique) reported that the nutritional status of school children has improved.

D

r. Ma. Rosie G. Autajay, chief, medical and nutrition section of DepEd Antique said that the good nutritional status was monitored through actual weighing of children.

Autajay said that there was a drastic decrease of malnutrition from 32.4 percent in year 2007 to only 16 percent this year (2013), but she emphasized the need to sustain the implementation of the various interventions in order to get a good impact for the health and nutrition of the school-aged children.

Autajay said that among the interventions implemented to address the

nutritional status of the children include the conduct of feeding program, implementation of Gulayan sa Paaralan, Essential Health Care Program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, and the participation of some Non-government organization like the Save the Children, World Vision, and Jollibee’s Busog Lusog Talino Program.

The local government unit program also contributed a lot to the improvement of nutritional status of the children, Autajay said.

The DepEd Antique enrollment figure for school year 2012-2013 for the

elementary level is 86,638; pre-school14,648; and secondary level- 36,153.

These are the only data made available by the DepEd during the Nutricomnet forum conducted recently by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute –Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) attended by local media, and various government agencies.

Nutricomnet is conducted annually by the FNRI-DOST to disseminate information on food and nutrition research and technology concerns. (JSC/ MLG/VWV-PIA6 Antique)

DOT bats for rainbow-colored WVisayas roadsides BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 22 (PIA6) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is batting to make every day in Western Visayas a Flower Festival by making roadsides of the region colorful with planted flowering plants.

D

OT 6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas said the planting of flowering plants could be started first from Kalibo International Airport (KIA) to Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to Boracay Island, and then duplicated all over the region to make

the roadsides colored “like the rainbow”.

Catalbas shared this plan with radio listeners in an interview here recently on the arrival of a cruise ship in Boracay Island.

Catalbas said she plans to take up this matter with Aklan Governor

Florencio T. Miraflores for this project to successfully take off.

She also appealed to barangays folks, the private sector and other entities to help make this project successful. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

DOLE clarifies pay rules, urges workers’ safety in quake-stricken Visayas areas

Singer from R7 Pilita Corales

MANILA, Oct 23 -- In consideration of the occupational risks attendant to the October 15 earthquake which left a wide swath of destruction in Bohol and parts of Cebu and other Visayas provinces, Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Tuesday urged employers to ensure the safety of their work premises and secure clearance from competent authorities before resuming business operation and allowing the re-entry of workers to affected buildings and worksites.

S

he also clarified the pay rules applicable during the days covered by the declaration of state of calamity in areas affected by the October quake.

In Labor Advisory No. 08-A Series of 2013, Baldoz highlighted the importance of the Safety Committee required under the law and which she said should be composed of trained first-aiders, nurses, doctors, and safety officers.

“The members of the Safety Committee in every private business establishment should be physically present in the establishments during the state of calamity,” Baldoz told DOLE regional and DOLE Bohol provincial officials during her visit to this city.

During her visit, she expressed concern for the plight of workers, particularly those in the tourism services sector, in her conversation with Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto and in a meeting with Bohol Vice Governor Concepcion Lim. Baldoz was accompanied in her visit to Bohol by DOLE

Regional Office No. 7 Director Chona Mantilla, Assistant Regional Director Lilia Estillore. ILO Manila Office Director Jeff Lawrence Johnson also joined Baldoz.

“Employers should also provide first aid medicines and ensure that immediate medical attention is rendered to injured workers by coordinating with the nearest hospital to facilitate workers’ access to medical services during emergency situations. They may also provide such other extra incentives or benefits to employees who reported for work during the emergency,” she added.

As to the pay rules for October 15, Baldoz said that since it was a regular holiday in observance of Eidul-Adha, a worker who did not report for work shall be paid 100 percent of his daily wage.

For work done during the regular holiday, the employee is entitled to 200 percent of the amount of his daily wage for eight hours of work, or 100 percent holiday pay, and

proportionate daily wage depending on the number of hours worked.

For the succeeding days covered by the declaration of state of calamity, the following rules shall apply: 1. If the employee did not work, the ‘no-work, no-pay’ principle shall apply, unless there is favorable company policy, practice, or collective baragaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on the said day; 2. If the employee has accrued leave credits, he may be allowed to utilize such leave so that he will have compensation on said days; and 3. If the employee worked, he shall be paid 100 percent of his daily wage.

“I urge private sector employers to voluntarily comply with the holiday pay rules,” she said, reiterating that “proper observance of these pay rules is decent and moral and encourages productive and proficient workers. (www.dole.gov.ph)

GSIS offers P20-T emergency loan for quake-affected state workers BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY, Oct. 22 (PIA) --- To ease the burden of government employees in earthquake-affected areas, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced that they are offering emergency loan amounting to P20,000.

G

SIS Regional Manager Fatima Alvarez announced Monday that their office is now accepting enhanced Emergency Loan in the amount of P20,000 to all government workers who are within the earthquake-affected areas.

Alvarez said that they have also adjusted the requirements for the government workers to avail of said loan.

“Those who have been disqualified before for having balances in 2012, have not paid 12 monthly contributions, and

applied before anniversary date are now qualified to apply,” Alvarez said.

Other government agencies, Pag-ibig and Social Security System, are also extending calamity loans. (rmn/FCC/PIACebu)

Negros PNP closely monitors brgys under poll watch list BY: ROI LOMOTAN NEGROS ORIENTAL, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) is closely monitoring the situation in 27 barangays in four towns of the province which are under the Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS).

N

OPPO officer-in-charge PSSupt. Aleth Virtucio said of the 27 barangays, 17 are in Guihulngan City, six are in Sta. Catalina town, three in Siaton and one in Valencia town.

Virtucio added that these barangays were put under EWAS because of the presence of members of the rebel Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in their vicinity.

These barangays are Dubdob in Valencia, Talalak, Nagbinlod, Nagbalye, Milagrosa, San Pedro and San Francisco in Sta. Catalina town, Bunawon, Apoloy and Mantiquil in Siaton town and barangays Trinidad, Hinakpan, Tacpao, Banwaque, Sandayao, Binobohan, Humayhumay, Imelda, Villegas, Linantuyan, Luz,

Planas Magsaysay, Nagsaha and two other barangays in Guihulngan City.

Virtucio added that the Provincial Police will prioritize giving security to these barangays.

He said two police personnel will be deployed in each mentioned barangay to provide security during elections. A group of soldiers from the Philippine Army based in Negros Oriental will also be deployed in these areas to augment the security forces given by the police.

All in all, there will be 1, 270 police personnel ready to be deployed in all barangays in Negros Oriental during the conduct of barangay elections. Part of it is the augment force sent by the Philippine National Police

Regional Office 7.

Meanwhile, Virtucio also disclosed that 576 military personnel from the Philippine Army will aid the police in securing peaceful and orderly barangay elections.

“The NOPPO is prepared for the barangay elections. We have finalized our deployment plan,” Virtucio said.

He also added that as early as Sept. 28 they have been strictly implementing gun ban and five persons have been apprehended for violating the said order.

Aside from EWAS and gun ban violations, the NOPPO is also monitoring the intense political rivalry issue on Brgy. Sto. Niño in Tanjay City. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Singer from R7 Yoyoy Villame

5

Don’t believe hoax messages, guv appeals to Cebuanos BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

CEBU, Oct. 23 (PIA) -- “Don’t believe the text messages predicting another earthquake.”

T

his was the appeal made by Gov. Hilario Davide III Monday in the midst of circulating text messages predicting another strong earthquake to hit central Philippines.

“Ayaw kamo pagtuo anang mga text messages nga madawat ninyo nga adunay na poy linog muabot aning orasaha. Dili na tinuod.

(Do not believe the text messages you receive that say there will be another earthquake at this certain day. That’s not true),” said Davide in an interview.

The hoax messages that have been going around thru text and social media allege that a magnitude 8- earthquake will rock Cebu and

Bohol on a certain day.

Davide stressed that this claim is false as nobody can predict an earthquake.

“Let’s all remain calm and continue to pray,” the governor said.

Neil Angelo Sanchez, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here also urged Cebuanos to ignore such messages in a post on the official Facebook page of the Cebu provincial government.

“Ignore this text. Do not pass it forward.

Let’s just be prepared amidst the ongoing aftershocks,” said Sanchez in the Facebook post. Circulating such messages will not help

and only cause panic, he said.

He added that the public should only get their information from official agencies like the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Cebu and Bohol are still reeling from the 7.2-magnitue quake struck Cebu and Bohol provinces, killing more than a hundred people and toppling down churches, hospitals, houses, and other key infrastructure in the two provinces.

In Bohol , major road networks collapsed from the quake, isolating for days the towns of Loon and Maribojoc, where the quake’s epicenter was located. (rmn/PIA Cebu )

PNP, PPCRV hold covenant signing, warn bets vs. dirty politics BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO

SIQUIJOR, Oct. 22 (PIA)—The Philippine National Police and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of Enrique Villanueva town in Siquijor province held the Covenant Signing on October 22 for all candidates of the barangay election on October 28.

P

olice Inspector Felicisimo Aranas Jr, officer-in-charge of the PNP-Enrique Villanueva in his message said covenant signing is held to remind all candidates not to engage in dirty politics, black propaganda and coercion “just to ensure victory”.

“Let the people decide according to their free will,” said Aranas.

Election, he said, is a game of chance.

“Dunay makadaug, dunay mapildi (there are winners, there are also losers). Let’s play the game with honor, justice and dignity. Let us make them feel our sincerity to help improve our place, let us make them feel the true essence of this election, he said.

Aranas said peace covenant signing is not only for areas considered “hotspot” but in all areas. It is the most effective way of preventing violence during campaign period and on election day and it encourages candidates to peacefully abide by the Comelec regulations to attain a peaceful conduct of barangay election.

Based on Commission on Elections (COMELEC) resolution 9749, the campaign period for the 2013 barangay elections will last for nine days, starting October 18, until October 26.

The COMELEC reminded all candidates in the country to strictly follow campaign rules to avoid disqualification.

COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said aspiring barangay leaders should obey the regulations on the size of campaign posters.

He added that they should not put them in prohibited areas.

Brillantes added that they should also abide by the regulations on motorcades to avoid causing inconvenience to motorists.

The peace covenant signing in Enrique Villanueva town was also attended by PPCRV Chair Rev. Fr. Norberto Macion, the parish priest of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and municipal election officer Gladys Balucan. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)

Siquijor only province with complete ARGs - DOST BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, Oct. 19 (PIA) -- Siquijor is the only province in the country having complete Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) for its six municipalities, says provincial director Mario de la Pena of the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) during the Mitigation and Prevention Committee meeting recently.

T

his he reported as part of the Committee’s commitment in its 2013 disaster risk reduction management plan to help prevent and mitigate the impact of hazards during extreme weather condition.

Earlier this year, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Siquijor through the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) distributed Automated Rain Gauges (ARGs) in the Province of Siquijor.

De la Pena said the DOST has successfully installed four ARGs in the municipalites of Larena, Enrique Villanueva, Maria and San Juan in addition to the two ARGs in Lazi and Siquijor installed in 2012.

Aside from ARGs, DOST also installed one Water Level Monitoring System (WLMS) in Seniora River, Lazi.

This device will determine the water level of the river by sound wave and ultrasonic sensor and transmit the data to the central server.

There are now six sites of ARGs in the province which can monitor weather conditions and assists the PAGASA weather forecast.

ARGs’ deployment is part of Development of

Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and Production of Weather and Rain Automated Stations Project which measures how much rainfall falls in a given time.

The rainfall data are sent wireless through the cellular network as text and are collected on a central database server and further analyzed. The processed data and possible warnings can be accessed by the public over the internet.

Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA), DOST will provide and install one ARG at agreed site, provide technical orientation and training for the caretakers to be assigned by LGUs referred as Lot Sponsor.

The Lot Sponsor likewise provide space for the ARG, provide materials and civil works needed for the installation and undertake the provision and installation of a fencing based on the design prepared by the DOST-7.

Meanwhile, Siquijor, the smallest island province in Central Visayas, is thankful that it incurred only slight damages from the 7.2 magnitude quake that hit Visayas and parts of Mindanao on October 15.

Siquijor island is located just across badly-hit Bohol province, where the epicenter of the major quake was recorded but report on damage was very minimal compared to Bohol and Cebu.

"We are very thankful we are spared from the major damages," says Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC) executive officer Rebecca Padayhag in an Assessment Meeting recently.

PDRRMC initial report on estimated amount of damages is placed at P18,730,000 from all six municipalities as of October 16 with Siquijor and San Juan towns getting most of the damage at an estimated cost of P5 million each to damaged structures.

Enrique Villanueva is placed a t P4,950,000 ; Larena, P3,100,000; while Maria and Lazi, P10,000 each.

The Department of Education also reported some 49 cracked classrooms, 20 of which are unsafe for classes, says DepEd disaster focal person Earl Aso. Siquijor provincial governor Zaldy Villa said he almost placed Siquijor under state of calamity considering the extent of damage it got and the island’s proximity to Bohol. But thank God, it happened on a holiday, otherwise there may have been more damage on lives and properties, he said.

Villa, however calls on the government agencies to fast track monitoring and assessment of some unreported damage to come up with the most accurate report. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor with MDPDOST)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

DOE promotes gov’t energy management program in EVisayas

Singer from R8 Enrico Saboren

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Energy Visayas Field Office conducted a seminar on government energy management program, October 22 as part of its aggressive campaign to promote energy conservation.

D

OE Visayas Field Office Director Antonio Labios said that the seminar had participants coming from the different national government agencies and state colleges and universities in Eastern Visayas.

It is the declared policy of the government to promote the judicious conservation and efficient utilization of energy resources, Director Labios said.

This is done through the adoption of cost effective options toward the efficient

use of energy to minimize environmental impact, he added.

The DOE implements the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), and the National Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP), among other initiatives that encourage energy efficiency, Director Labios said.

One of the strategies being used by the DOE is the aggressive promotion of energy conservation and energy

efficient technology to effect higher energy savings both for the consumers and the producers, through information, education and communications campaign.

The GEMP mandates all government institutions to reduce their electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10% while the NEECP aims to make energy conservation a way of life among Filipinos to achieve energy savings.

The seminar was free of charge. (PIA 8)

Price levels of goods, services in Leyte remain at 2.6 percent in August BY: LEONILO D. LOPIDO TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 25 (PIA) – The general price levels of goods and services in Leyte was maintained at 2.6 percent from July to August this year, the Leyte Provincial Statistics Officer here said.

A

ccording to the report, the price levels were higher by 2.6 percent compared to the price levels during the same period last year wherein alcoholic beverages and tobacco and education contributed significantly to the provincial inflation rate at 23.8 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

While most of the major commodity groups maintained its inflation rate, the following exhibited a minimal changes: housing, water, electricity, gas and other

fuels at 0.4 percentage point and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services at 0.1 percentage point.

On the other hand, a decline of 0.4 percentage point was recorded on the inflation rate of furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house and 0.1 percentage point on food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Inflation rate refers to the annual rate of change or year-on-year change in the average retail prices of goods and services

commonly purchased by a particular group of people in a particular area.

Meanwhile, the purchasing power of the peso was maintained at 71 centavos for the past seven months from February to August 2013.

This indicates that the same basket of goods and services worth 71 pesos in 2006 (base year) will be bought at 100 pesos during the reference period. (PIA-8)

DA-8 intensifies training on corn husk-based craft- making, utilization BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 23 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture – 8 (DA-8) through its Corn Program has stepped up its effort in conducting a series of training on corn husk utilization in the region.

“

Corn husk has many potentials,” DA Region 8 Executive Director Antonio Gerundio said. It can be made into twine, corn Mache, dolls, artificial flowers, home and Christmas decors, apparel, bags, slippers, table organizers, wedding giveaways, placemats, baskets, and fashion accessories.

In Region 8, the participants are taught with the skills on how to make corn husks into handicrafts and novelty items like flower designs or arrangements, dolls, wallets and Christmas decorations.

RED Gerundio said the training will help the community maximize the utilization of by-products into profitable end-products as one source of livelihood opportunity thus, in a way, augmenting the income of farm families.

The DA regional office, together with the local government units and its partner-agencies continuously provide technical assistance and inputs as well as the facilitation of the said training.

So far, such training has been conducted in Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar, and

just recently in Catbalogan City, Samar.

Within the month of November the DA training staff will visit Biliran in response to the clamor of some farmers who are interested to undergo the said training.

The advice of the DA is not to throw away corn husks. Instead make big money of this corn husk which is usually regarded as farm waste.

Don’t throw away corn husks.

Instead, make big money out of this usually regarded farm waste. (PIA 8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Singer from

Regine Velasquez

7

Almost 28k aspirants in Leyte file COC’s for brgy. polls BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 25 (PIA) – Almost twenty eight thousand candidates in the Province of Leyte have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC’s) for the October 28 barangay elections.

B

ased on the consolidated report on the total number of candidates released by the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor in Leyte, around 24, 414 individuals have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC’s) for the

“Punong Barangay” position while 3, 478 aspirants have filed for barangay councilors in the whole province.

Of the 40 municipalities and three cities in the province, Tacloban City has the most number of aspirants which is

totaled to 334 hopefuls for barangay chairmen and 2, 389 for barangay councilors.

As of this writing, Leyte has no record of any untoward incidents relative to the coming barangay elections. (PIA-8)

Most jail boarders commit crimes in use, peddling of illegal drugs – BJMP BY: ERNA GORNE MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 25 (PIA) - The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)- Southern Leyte provincial office and the Southern Leyte Provincial Jail (SLPJ) both noted the dominance of illegal drugs crime committed by the jail boarders.

B

JMP Provincial Administrator Jail Senior Inspector Arlene Barraca, who is also the City Jail Wardress, reported during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA today at Provincial Capitol, “throughout the country, it has been observed that the crime on using, peddling illegal drugs dominates at least 80% of the total crime committed among the jail boarders.”

She noted that the mentioned crime committed also prevails among the jail boarders detained at Maasin City Jail.

While, Southern Leyte Provincial Jail Warden-OIC Joselito Magallanes reported that 19 out of 78 jail boarders were committed by illegal drugs offenders at the current countdown at the Provincial Jail

residents. “ Being a correctional officer is very satisfying job as it involves in the rehabilitation of the behavior of one person breaking the law.

One of the challenges of the correctional officers is to inculcate obedience among the jail boarders so that when they go back to their normal lives they have become obedient person,” Barraca noted.

She also said, “Correction is everyone's concern, not only for the jail officers.”

OIC Provincial Warden Magallanes reported that several livelihood trainings such as acupressure and massage, hair cutting, small engine mechanic trainings

were being conducted among the jail boarders to prepare them find livelihood as soon as they go home while another livelihood training on t-shirt printing will follow soon by November this year.

Through the initiatives of the BJMP- SoLeyte, the Maasin City Jail and the Southern Leyte Provincial Jail both joined in the observance of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW) from October 21-25, 2013 with series of activities lined up for the celebration.

BJMP Southern Leyte is supervising the Maasin City Jail, Sogod District Jail and San Juan District Jail while the SLPJ is under the provincial government of Southern Leyte. (esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

MCC assures rehab of street lights along road projects - ESAMELCO BY: ALICIA E. NICART BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Oct. 22 (PIA) – The office of the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO) allayed the possible anxiety of their consumers on the affected street lights as a result of the construction of the Secondary Road Project of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

SMELCO’s public assurance was and provided with needed street lights. authorized personnel here to inspect reported over Radyo ng Bayan “In fact, there are even portions of the on-going project after the 7.2 DYES informing the customers of the road stretches where rehabilitation of magnitude earthquake hit Bohol and the electric facility that MCC has actually the electric posts and lightings are being Cebu. allocated some P66 million for the System done at the same time with the road This is so, she said, because they were Rehabilitation Fund, however about P4 works,” Pomida quoted MCC. aware that the strong quake somehow million had been initially released.

She added that MCC urges those jolted likewise the province, and it was DYES’ Pen Pomida further said that affected ESAMELCO consumers to necessary to check on the construction MCC Consultants, Engr. Rudy Arias and facilitate the Road-Right-of-Way that work.

Marivic A?onuevo, in an earlier forum would be asked for by the road project in The MCC Secondary Road Project, made the assurance, that all the 220 order to speed up the completion of the which involves millions of pesos is kilometer of the road being rehabilitated MCC-assisted road construction. expected to be completed before and constructed from Paranas, Samar to It was also learned that MCC Central President Benigno Aquino finishes his Guiuan, Eastern Samar will be repaired Office in Manila ordered immediately their term of office. (PIA-Eastern Samar/aen)

E

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

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

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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

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