One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 47

Vol 3

Issue 47

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Land Bank of the Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda E. Pico (middle) and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. (right) sign the P300-M Omnibus Term Loan Facility for hospital rehabilitation/enhancement during the ceremonial loan signing held recently at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol here.

Nov. 18 - 24, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

PH, China set aside row amid humanitarian crisis BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU, Nov. 20 (PIA) – No solution may be near in sight to the territorial row between the Philippines and China , but the dispute is currently being set aside amid the humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the Yolanda tragedy.

Economic and Commercial Counsellor Wu Zhenping of the Chinese Embassy said that despite the territorial dispute “China is willing to help and very much willing to render assistance to the Filipino people” in light of the humanitarian crisis faced by typhoon-stricken communities particularly in Leyte Province .

The Philippines and China have a long-standing conflict over claims to the West Philippine Sea or the South China Sea .

Arbitration proceedings have been filed by the Philippine Government before the arbitral tribunal of the International Permanent Court of Arbitration pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Zhenping announced in a recent Cebu press briefing about China’s cash assistance of US $200,000 on top of the relief materials it is donating worth 10Million RMB for typhoon victims.

The relief materials consisted of 2,600 tents and 10,000 blankets which arrived yesterday at almost 2:00 p.m. at the Mactan Air Base via a Chinese cargo plane.

On hand to receive the relief materials was Zhenping which he turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD 7) through its Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat and witnessed by Visayas Philippine Air Force 2nd Air Division Commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz.

“China is following closely the situation here, in typhoon-hit areas in the Central Philippines,” said Zhenping adding that apart from its cash aid and donation of relief materials, the Chinese Government is willing to deploy medical and rescue teams as well as its government hospital ship.

The medical and rescue teams would comprise of slightly over a hundred Chinese personnel while their government hospital ship can accommodate hundreds of patients, disclosed Zhenping.

“We have already signified our intent to the Department of Foreign Affairs. We are just waiting for a go signal from the Philippine Government so we could immediately deploy the teams and the ship as well,” said Zhenping.

Zhenping on the other hand, claimed he is “very impressed” with the fast and efficient sorting or processing of relief goods at the one-stop-shop with the Bureau of Customs on top along with other government agencies. (mbcn/FCR/ PIA7)

Intervention for Yolanda-hit East Visayas farmers set - DA More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, November 22 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture has set in place interventions to support the Yolanda-hit farmers and fisher folk sector in CENTRAL VISAYAS Eastern Visayas.

These interventions are intended to stabilize markets, provide seeds for early recovery of crops and support the municipal fishery sector in the Eastern Visayas Region, DA8 Information Officer Francis Rosaroso said.

According to Rosaroso, in order address the immediate needs of the local residents and consumers, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has instructed concerned DA officials to deploy foodstuff like frozen chicken, potatoes and other vegetables from Manila and Baguio to Tacloban City using three refrigerated van from the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Three more vans from the Philippine Fisheries and Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) works Development Authority will load and deliver food items from with Red Cross Cebu to transport relief Albay in Region 5 to Tacloban City and neighboring areas. goods for typhoon Yolanda victims in Other food products such as eggs and dry food items will also be sent to Tacloban City and other Yolanda stricken areas in Northern Cebu islands. (TeamAFP) Region 8.

BFAR Director Asis Perez to deploy a 1,200-tonner vessel anchored in Cagayan de Oro to deliver food items to Eastern Visayas. It was learned that smaller ships will ferry food items to smaller islands in the region.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

The Department is also set to implement market

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EASTERN VISAYAS

President Benigno S. Aquino III visits the Australian Aid mobile hospital tent on Monday, November 18, 2013, set up in Tacloban City. The president is going around Leyte and Samar to inspect and give support to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

mechanisms to move food items from the production areas to affected communities via the Barangay Food Terminal and local government food trading centers. Functional food warehouses will also be utilized for food stocking.

Meanwhile, the National Food Authority in Region VII will begin to supply rice to parts of the region in an effort to augment rice stocks in areas severely damaged by the super typhoon.

On the other hand, the Philippine Coconut Authority has committed 300 chains saw to be used for clearing operations.

Each equipment will require two operators to be paid P300 each per day. A portable saw-mill will also be moved to the PCA yard in Leyte.

Furthermore, aside from the intercessions set to address the immediate needs of the local residents, DA will be distributing rice, corn and vegetable seeds such as pechay, mustasa, upland kangkong, and okra seeds under the Early Recovery Program of the government to enable a lasting livelihood in the future.

One thousand three hundred fishing boats, equipped with 5-horse power engine 4000 fishing nets will be constructed and divided to affected families.

The Department is also set to position a total of 200 payaos, fishing device used for catching high value fish species a amounting to P40 million, to aid affected municipal fishermen.

(PIA 8)

No to selective distribution of relief goods BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA6) - - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday warned local officials, particularly Barangay Captains, who were reported to be selective in the distribution of relief goods that those found guilty will face appropriate administrative sanctions.

“We take this opportunity to warn Barangay Captains who are engaging in politicking to discontinue for one of these days we will catch up with them and it might be too late,” said DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero amidst reports that there are typhoon victims who were deprived of relief goods because of political intervention of some Barangay Captains especially in Northern Iloilo.

Panadero said Local Government Operations Officers in the municipalities were already given strict instructions to closely monitor the distribution of relief goods.

“The objective of the monitoring, so that proper administrative actions can be made,” said Panadero.

He advised those who have complaints to touch base with the LGOOs in their towns so that they can make appropriate action.

On the other hand, to keep the services of government facilities and local government units running in areas not energized yet in the region, DILG 6 Director Evelyn Trompeta said some 80 units of generator sets were delivered to Western Visayas which were facilitated by Secretary Mar Roxas.

The generator sets provided by the Department of Energy

and the Commission on Elections were deployed to the different PNP stations, local government units in Northern Iloilo and district hospitals.

Panadero who was here in Iloilo City joined Trompeta and the other Regional Directors in a press conference of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6, November 18. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

USEC Austere Panadero of DILG answers questions from media during the RDRRMC Presscon. Others at the head table are Directors Janet Mesa of PIA, Rose Cabrera of OCD, also RDRRMC chair, Evelyn Macapobre of DSWD and Evelyn Trompeta of DILG.

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Families of dead victims to get financial aid

Bugtong Bato falls in Tibiao, Antique

BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA6) - - Families who lost their loved ones to typhoon ‘Yolanda’ will get a P10,000 financial assistance from the government.

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his was confirmed by Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 Chair and Office of Civil Defense 6 Director Rosario Cabrera during a recent press conference.

Cabrera said the family or relatives of the fatalities will receive the financial aid after they have complied with the neces-

sary requirements.

The requirements include death certificate, police report and barangay certificate, according to OCD 6.

Cabrera said the number of people killed in the region by the super typhoon is now at 197 as of Thursday, November 21.

Among the provinces in the region,

Iloilo reported the highest fatalities with 111. The province of Capiz reported 60 fatalities; Aklan, 12; Antique, 12; and Negros Occidental, 2. There was no report of death in the province of Guimaras.

Nineteen persons remain missing while 412 others were injured, said Cabrera. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road now accessible BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 18 (PIA6) -- The Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road (BSAAR) traversing the cities of Silay, Talisay and Bacolod is now accessible for the public to use after its inaugural drive-through.

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he inaugural drive through was led

by Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, Representatives Evelio Leonardia and Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of the Lone District and Third District, respectively, and Keximbank representative Korean Tae Ik Park.

The access road traverses what used to be sugarcane plantations in the three cities starting from the Bacolod Circumferential road going north to Talisay and further north to Barangauy Bagtic in Silay City.

The 10.12 kilometer, two-lane stretch is expected to cut travel time of 30-45 minutes to about 15 minutes from Bacolod to the airport.

Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries

and Construction Company Limited did the construction work under the Korean-Economic Development Cooperation Fund loan agreement as funding source.

Construction of the road that is composed of six bridges and five road intersections started in February 2012 and was completed on November 7, 2013.

Park, a representative of the Keximbank and Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Korean Government, in his message said the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road Project will become a milestone for development of Negros Occidental.

“This project is a symbol of sound decision-making by the government of the Philippines for the greater good of the

people.

This project will be a shining symbol of cooperation and friendship between the two countries,” Park said.

To date, EDCF has supported 18 projects in the Philippines including “Laguindingan Airport", "Puerto Princesa Airport" and "Jalaur River Multipurpose Project", with a total amount of 741 million US dollars.

DPWH installed traffic lights in the five intersections as well as hydro-seeding for slope protection on vital sections of the road project.

Benitez also said that the budget for the street lighting facilities along the roadside is already in the pipeline.*(JSC/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Land Bank to fund P 300M for Iloilo Hospitals' rehab/enhancement BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA ILOILO CITY, November 19 (PIA) --- A ceremonial signing between the Iloilo provincial government and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for the P300-million omnibus term loan facility for hospital rehabilitation/enhancement was held recently at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

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he Iloilo provincial government has secured the P300-million loan from LBP for the upgrading of four catchment hospitals in the province.

LBP president and chief executive officer Gilda E. Pico said that LBP is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the goal of promoting and enhancing hospital care and delivery to the constituents in Iloilo.

Pico assured that Land Bank will be a partner in the rebuilding and rehabilitation

efforts of the provincial government citing the recent onslaught of typhoon Yolanda which damaged hospital facilities here.

The loan acquired by the provincial government is allocated for the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, which will get the biggest share of about P100 million.

The rest of the fund will be utilized for the rehabilitation and enhancement of facilities in Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Cabatuan, Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital in

Guimbal, and Sara District Hospital in Sara town that has been damaged by typhoon Yolanda with its roof blown off.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., said that the P300-million loan will be a big boost in improving the facilities and the rehabilitation of the hospitals.

He also said that with the fund, the hospitals could be able to truly serve the poor residents of the province who no longer have to be brought to Iloilo City for their medical needs. (JCM/LTP/PIA -Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Mag Mag--aso falls in Kabankalan, Neg. Occidental

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PCA suspends payment of fees to cut coco trees BY: ALEX A. LUMAQUE

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 19 (PIA6) – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) – 6 Management Committee has agreed to temporarily suspend Permit To Cut (PTC) fees on coconut trees in Yolanda-hit areas in the region during its meeting last week in Iloilo.

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CA – Capiz head Jeffrey Delos Reyes said the initiative is aimed to help residents lessen the expenses in rebuilding their homes after the typhoon.

PTC is at P25.00 per coconut tree.

Aside from PTC, other requirements set by PCA in the cutting of coconut trees are application, seedling replacement and transport fees.

However, Delos Reyes added that those planning to process coconut trees to lumber for monetary return must secure barangay certification to avail of the PTC fee exemption.

The PCA official also added matured

nuts will be bought at P5.00 each from the coconut farmers provincewide as part of the immediate rehabilitation plan of the local coconut industry.

“We will buy about P50,000 matured nuts,” he noted.

The devastation of typhoon Yolanda in the province has left 668,429 totally damaged, 974,261 heavily damaged, 739,725 moderately damaged and 175,032 slightly damaged coconut trees based on PCA – Capiz report as of Nov. 12.

The report explained that totally damaged trees are crownless or have fallen down or broken while heavily damaged trees have broken bunches,

twisted/broken fronds, least 50% of immature nuts have fallen and may take about two to three years to recover production.

It also added that moderately damaged coco trees have twisted or broken fronds, matured nuts have fallen, may take six months to recover and 10% of the harvest nut for the year is lost.

Slightly damaged trees have only disarrayed and bowed leaves in the fronds and five percent of the annual nut production is lost.

The province has about 2.5 million coconut trees. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

NFA Antique confident to meet rice procurement target BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Nov. 19 (PIA6) - - The National Food Authority (NFA) in Antique expressed confidence that they can meet their procurement target for 2013 despite the damages wrought by typhoon Yolanda to the rice crop in the province.

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Hopefully our rice farmers can recover,” NFA Antique Manager Hedy G. Jardeleza said as she referred to the report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

Jardeleza said in a PIA interview that even before ‘Yolanda’ battered the country “we have conducted a dialogue with Provincial Farmers’ Action Council and they have committed to share us part of their produce”.

According to Jardeleza their 2013 procurement target is 187,000

bags and only 52 percent was achieved but despite the ‘Yolanda’ damages to rice crop she is still hopeful to meet their target by the end of the year.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Agricultural Technician Sonie Guanco and focal person on disaster said that before typhoon Yolanda entered the country, the province’s total standing crop was recorded at 22,104.91 hectares.

Of that figure, only 3,340.17 hectares were affected.

Of the reported 3,340.17 hectares, only 61.96 hectares were totally damaged while and partially damaged was recorded at 3,278.22 hectares, Guanco said referring to their progress report dated November 15.

Guanco said that the partially damaged rice has still a chance to recover.

(JCM/VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

Estimated damage of TY Yolanda still increasing BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, November 22 (PIA6) -- The latest figure listed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRMC) as to the total damage of Typhoon Yolanda in Aklan as of November 21 is now at P2,678,759,988.57.

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amage to agriculture as reported

by Aklan’s 17 towns is now at P1,023,491,091.57 while infrastructure damage is at P1,613,969,647.00.

For lifelines, Kalibo reported P3,000,000 damage while Nabas reported P2,404,250.00, or a total of P5,404,250.00.

For public utilities,the municipality of Buruanga reported P590,000.00 damage, Kalibo, P35,000,000.00 and Nabas,

P305,000.00.

Death toll in Aklan reached 13 with 526 injured.

Totally destroyed houses are now 33,626 while partially destroyed are 52,278.

Affected families, on the other handm reached 94,000 and affected persons, 423,314.

Meanwhile, with the granting by the Government Insurance System and the PAGIBIG emergency loans, long lines of

Aklan government workers are now ensuing at Kalibo banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to withdraw their loan proceeds.

According to the PDRRMC, hardest hit municipalities in Aklan are Batan, New Washington, Altavas, Banga, Libacao, Madalag, Balete and Kalibo – which were along the path of Typhoon Yolanda and near the province of Capiz where it made its landfall. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DTI NegOr warns businesses on price freeze BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu

DUMAGUETE CITY , Nov 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Oriental reminded business retailers and traders here to follow the price freeze on basic commodities as part of President Aquino’s declaration of a State of National Calamity .

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ccording to DTI provincial director Javier Fortunato Jr. any retailer found selling more than the listed prevailing prices shall be imposed with an administrative fine of up to P1 million and/or a maximum of ten-year imprisonment under RA 7581 or the Price Act. DTI region 7 has mobilized price monitoring teams to check the prices of basic goods in the supermarkets and wetmarkets that are frozen at the prevailing prices prior to typhoon Yolanda.

However, Fortunato said a price freeze or automatic price control takes effect upon declaration of the state of national calamity.

Basic necessities collectively refers to canned goods including sardines, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, bread, sugar, oil, salt are under DTI’s monitoring.

The Department of Agriculture will monitor prices of agricultural products such pork, rice, beef, poultry meat, eggs, vegetables, marine products, among others and drugs classified as essential will be monitored by the

Department of Health.

The DTI said the lists would discourage overpricing and encourage consumers to report price manipulation to the authorities.

DTI Negros Oriental has the list of basic goods with updated prevailing prices. Fortunato enjoins consumers to report retailers that sell basic necessities more than the specified prices to the nearest DTI Provincial office in area or call 4225509 local 812. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Smart restores mobile network in Guiuan, offers Libreng Tawag BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov 19 (PIA) -- The Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has restored its mobile network coverage in Guiuan, Eastern Samar , the first town where Super Typhoon Yolanda made landfall. Engineers expedite network restorations in the hardest hit areas in the Visayas.

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he Smart expedite its network restorations in support to the relief operations and to provide vital communication services in the hardest areas in the Visayas, according to Nora Navarro of Smart.

Navarro said using an ultra-portable Instant Network setup, Smart and Vodafone engineers were able to restore cellular services yesterday at the town’s center, allowing residents to contact their family and loved ones outside after being isolated for several days.

To directly aid in the communications requirements of humanitarian efforts for immediate relief and rehabilitation, a Multi-Equipment-On-Wheels (MEOW) was immediately fired up to cover the airport and seaport areas, allowing not only voice call and text but also data, Navarro explained.

As of November 17, Smart and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) have restored 85 percent of the affected networks in the Visayas.

Smart and DMPI are now focusing on fast tracking network restoration in the most affected parts especially in Leyte and Eastern Samar.

Navarro cited working with Vodafone Foundation,

Smart was able to quickly deploy Instant Network setups that provided immediate restoration of cellular services in Palo, Leyte and in Borongan, Eastern Samar last week.

Aside from Borongan and Guiuan, the towns of Jipapad, Maslog, and Arteche in Eastern Samar also have network signal restored. Smart Satellite Services are also powering Libreng Tawag stations in Borongan, Dolores, Guiuan and Hernani.

In Leyte, network coverage has already been restored in Albuera, Babatngon, Bato, Calubian, Baybay, Dulag, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Kananga , McArthur, Mahaplag, Matag-ob, Matalom, Merida , Ormoc, Palo, Palompon, San Miguel, Santa Fe , Tabango, Tacloban, and Villaba.

In Tacloban City alone, Smart has been able to fire up five celllsites that cover the main downtown and airport areas. An Instant Network was fired up in Palo last November 15.

A MEOW is also serving residents in Ormoc City to augment network coverage in the area. More than just a cellsite-on-wheels, a MEOW has equipment on board to serve higher speed data connectivity for mobile

Internet services.

The Smart has restored mobile coverage at 100 percent in Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, Negros Oriental and Southern Leyte, 95 percent for Northern Samar, 94 percent for Negros Occidental, 93% for Iloilo, 89% for Aklan, 86% for Samar, 78% for Antique, 71% for Capiz, 56% for Leyte, 38% for Biliran and 24% for Eastern Samar.

In the aftermath of the typhoon, network coverage remained running at 100% in Mindanao and Luzon except for Northern Palawan , but which was also restored fully last week.

Meanwhile, Smart and DMPI through its brand Sun Cellular continue to provide Libreng Tawag free call and text services in areas still heavily affected.

Smart Satellite Services are being used in cities and municipalities without cellular coverage. The companies have also beefed up its free call and wifi stations in Mactan Air Base and Villamor Air Base to serve the needs of arrivals from Leyte and Samar .

Today, there are 34 Libreng Tawag Stations serving the public. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Special court judge pushes skills training to abate illegal drugs BY: ROI LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 20 (PIA) – Dumaguete City Special Drug Court branch 36 Judge Joseph Elmaco pushes for more skills training programs for better livelihood and to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.

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lmaco stressed in a recent Kapihan Forum here that based on his assessment, unemployed residents of the city turn to selling illegal drugs as means of livelihood.

He explained that for 0.3 grams of shabu which they buy at P200 can be sold to couriers at P500 and if a drug pusher has three 0.3 grams of illegal drugs then he can earn P1, 500 within a day.

Elmaco suggests to the city government that there should be more skills training activities so that people can find a better alternative for their livelihood and encourage them to stop selling illegal drugs.

Elmaco said skills training on plumbing, electrical management; carpentry and mason can help find people better sources of living so that they won’t be forced to sell illegal drugs like shabu.

In response, Leo Macalipay of the Dumaguete City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (DCADAC) said that Elmaco’s suggestion will become part of the DCADAC’s Parent, Community Empowerment Program (PCEP) and Children and Youth Care Action Plan (CYCAP) which is the city government’s

new program in eliminating illegal drugs in the City.

Part of PCEP’s outline initiatives is implementing Elmaco’s suggestion and augmenting every barangay initiated livelihood program.

PCEP also aims to identify parents with problems on children using drugs and engage them in counseling sessions with their barangay officials.

On the other hand, CYCAP aims to engage young people, especially the out-of-school youths in different activities that will boost their skills and potentials on sports, academics and livelihood and will put their attention in doing meaningful things than using drugs.

Macalipay also enjoins everyone to participate and cooperate with the local government programs on drug prevention.

Meanwhile, Dumaguete City Police operations against illegal drugs go on with 58 cases already filed in courts.

Capt. Zosimo Habas of the Dumaguete City Police disclosed that since January 2013, tthe City Police had conducted 55 drug operations in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“We have already neutralized four drug personalities and arrested 75 persons involved with illegal drugs, 34 of them are drug pushers while 41 are drug users,” Habas said.

Elmaco added that for 2013, six persons involved with drugs were convicted by the court.

Habas also said that as of now, the police has confiscated 284.12 grams of shabu since January.

Habas said shabu is the top sold illegal drug in Dumaguete City since it is cheaper than cocaine.

The Dumaguete City Police also identified five barangays which seriously affected by illegal drugs and these are Looc, Calindagan, Cadawinonan, Bagacay and Bajumpandan.

These are based on the number of drug targets, drug personalities and drug accused in a barangay, the police said.

Habas assured the public that the police will continue to do is job in preventing the spread of illegal drugs in Dumaguete City .

Habas, Macalipay and Elmaco were the speakers in a kapihan forum here earlier marking the celebration of Drug Abuse and Prevention Week. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Casaroro Falls in Valencia, Negros Oriental

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Israeli army restoring storm-hit buildings in NCebu BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA

CEBU, Nov. 18 (PIA) --- The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) based in Bogo City is Yolanda-stricken places in the northern part of Cebu province. n a press release sent by the Embassy of in Cebu, the 150-strong Israeli delegation Israel, part of the IDF’s humanitarian was able to put up a field hospital in Bogo City mission in Cebu is civil engineering and and treated thousands of patients with various community building. ailments.

Israeli's trained officials connect to On the first day of operations, Israeli schools, clinics, and other commonly-used physician Dr. Reven Keidar delivered a healthy buildings using innovative engineering solutions baby boy of a woman from San Vicente, Bogo. to restore the structures back to safe, working They also restored the sight of a 70-year condition. old man whose eye was struck by a nail while “The schools are still damaged but now finding safety during the typhoon. they are safe and usable and some of the There were also wheelchairs, ultrasound classes definitely resumed today,” according to machines, free diapers, medications, and Israeli Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Adame refrigerators deployed in the area.

Levene.

This week, the IDF will be expanding There is also a senior psychologist who is further their operations in other areas of working with local education leaders, sharing northern Cebu in order to assist as many with them techniques on how to deal with Filipinos as they can. mental trauma in children.

On Nov. 19, IDF Major Gen. Eyal In the last four days since the IDF's arrival Eizenberg and Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar

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also rendering engineering services to -on will turn over approximately $500,000 worth of medicines to the Cebu Provincial Government.

The Israeli humanitarian mission is seen to last for two more weeks in Cebu .

Meanwhile, Yolanda casualties in Cebu province have reached 424, as of the Nov. 19 report of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRMMC) with Bogo City having the highest number of injured persons at 243.

RDRMMC reported that of the 424 casualties, 74 were recorded dead; 345 were injured and five (5) persons are still missing.

Bantayan Island registered the most number of fatalities at 17 while San Remegio had 15 deaths. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

DSWD-7 continues to assist typhoon victims coming to Cebu from Tacloban CEBU CITY , November 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII continues to assist victims of Typhoon Yolanda who are moving out from the typhoon-ravaged Tacloban City . ersonnel from the Department are As soon as these evacuees arrive at the to Tacloban airport dragging her injured foot. deployed at the Mactan Air Base to airport, DSWD personnel interview them to “Makalabas lang kami ng Leyte, may mga meet these people who arrived in the assess their needs and to provide initial kamag-anak ako sa Cavite na tutulong sa amin. city via C130. debriefing.

Mabubuhay ang mga anak ko (If we can “Tiniis naming maglakad mula 10:00 [ng They were also given hot meals and just get out of Leyte, I have relatives in Cavite gabi] hanggang 3:30 [ng umaga] para makaabot provided a warm place to sleep in. Medical who will help us. My children will live),” she s a a i r p o r t … A t a n g t a t a y k o , help was also arranged for the elderly and shared. naka-wheelchair (We walked from 10:00 pm wounded.

Violeta’s husband chose to stay behind to until 3:30 am just to reach the airport… And Violeta Tangson recalled her ordeal. take care of his aging mother, and this saddens my father is wheelchair-bound),” said Kevin “Nagtago kami ng mga anak ko sa ilalim ng her, but knowing that her children are already Talbo, 24, from San Jose , Tacloban City . lababo kasama ang 15 pang mga bata. Nawalis safe is enough reason to look forward to a new To date, more than 300 individuals ang dingding at nawala ang mga bata sa paligid. life in a different town. needing temporary shelter and waiting to be Kami nalang ng asawa at mga anak ko [ang DSWD Secretary Corazon Julianoreunited with their families and loved ones natira] (My children and me hid under the sink Soliman has instructed DSWD Field Offices V, have been helped. with 15 other kids. The walls started to VII, X and CARAGA to reinforce relief opera“My grandson David let me stand on his crumble and the children got washed away. tions in Eastern Visayas . lap and held me above water for hours and The only ones who survived are me, my These field offices are now repacking when the weather calmed down, he placed me husband and our children.).” relief items. They have also deployed personnel safely on a tree branch, left me with a shirt and A mother of three, Violeta started to to help in relief distribution and to conduct told me not to move. I was so cold but I have worry for her family more when dead bodies initial critical incident stress debriefing (mbcn/ to survive for my children and grandchildren,” started to smell. That is when she decided to PIA7/ & with reports from Aileen Lariba/CISD/ said 84-year old Pilar Ferreras. take the four-hour walk from the town of Palo DSWD7).

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EDC sends more than 130 tons of relief goods to Ormoc BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY , Nov 19 (PIA) -- The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) delivered donations containing 130 tons of relief goods, generator sets and other survival necessities recently shipped in a marine landing craft to Ormoc City .

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DC public relations officer Frances Ariola said the craft contains 500 sacks of rice, 30,000 liters of water, 3 units of 250 KVA generator sets, 800 units of solar flashlights cum phone chargers, medicines, and 40 solar street lamps.

“The generator sets will be donated to the Ormoc City Hall , Ormoc City Hospital, and Divine Mercy Hospital which badly need power,” said Ariola.

According to the energy firm, the solar street lamps will be donated to the barangays to illuminate the streets at night to prevent crimes.

Ariola said, last week, nearly 40 tons of relief goods were distributed in Ormoc City and

Kananga town in Leyte after EDC was able to charter 2 helicopters and 2 planes.

The company also arranged for cargo space from Cebu Pacific to support relief efforts. EDC continues to airlift 10 tons of food on a daily basis.

EDC is coordina ting with and complementing efforts of the national and local government particularly Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla, Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla, and Kananga Municipality Mayor Elmer Codilla in helping communities recover and rebuild the areas.

The packing of relief goods is being done in EDC’s head office in Manila and in its geothermal

project site in Negros Oriental as well as in the Cebu office of First Gen Corp.

Ariola said as early as Saturday or November 9, EDC and First Gen employees in Negros Oriental and Cebu already packed relief goods.

Meanwhile, EDC’s employees from the Bacman Geothermal Production Field (BGPF) continue to be part of the “search and extraction” team to locate and relocate our affected employees and their relatives as well as other residents who need help. Those rescued were transported to Bicol via land travel.

All EDC employees in Leyte are alive and accounted for. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

PNB-Naval opens for business Ban Ban--awan falls in Lawaan, E. Samar

BY: MA. LAILANI TUPAZ

NAVAL, Biliran, November 21 (PIA) – Philippine National Bank in Naval opened for business last Thursday, November 15, after it ceased to operate as an aftermath of the Typhoon Yolanda.

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ince it is the only financial institution where people can draw money after the typhoon, its manager, Gaudioso Ypanto, personally assisted in the control of entry in their bank to maintain order in their operation.

PNB-Naval only accepts deposits and

withdrawals for passbook transactions.

I t al so e n t e r t ai n s over-the- counter transactions for ATM accounts opened with their branch.

The bank limits its transaction in the morning only to give time for the transport of all their transactions for

update in Ormoc City where internet signal is available and their branch provides normal operation.

Regular bank transactions will be back to normal once internet signal becomes available. Power supply is provided by their standby generator. # (PIA 8 Biliran)

Biliran has enough supply of rice, NFA BY: MARIA LAILANI TUPAZ NAVAL, Biliran, November 21 (PIA) – NFA Biliran Provincial Economist Milagros Caneja disclosed that Biliran province, the municipalities of Calubian and Leyte of the province of Leyte are assured of enough supply of rice from their office.

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s of Nov. 15, 2013, NFA-Biliran has 1,605 bags of local rice; 28,468 bags of imported rice; and 17,004 bags of local palay to a total rice equivalent of 41,126 bags which is expected to last for 19 days.

Biliran province, the municipalities of Calubian and Leyte of the province of Leyte have daily consumption requirement of 2,120 bags.

Immediately after the devastating Typhoon Yolanda, NFA-Biliran was able to release 800 bags in credit sales and 2,469 bags in cash sales to local government units for their relief operations.

The rice releases cater to all municipalities in Biliran, Calubian, and Leyte, Leyte. Caneja added that some 30,000 bags of rice from Cebu are ready for shipment to Biliran.

The province of Biliran particularly the towns of Naval and Caibiran are the highest rice producing municipalities.

However, most of the rice ready for harvesting this time were greatly affected by the rage of Typhoon Yolanda.

Thus, supply for local rice becomes insufficient and businessmen take advantage of the demand. (PIA 8 Biliran)

LGU-Naval acts on complaints over exorbitant oil price hike BY: RODRIGO VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, November 21 (PIA) – With two complaints from motorists over exorbitant oil price hike sold by a gas station and that of small stores selling fuel in this town have already reached the attention of the top official of the local government unit of Naval, immediate action have been taken by the LGU officials to solve the situation. aval Mayor Susan V. Parilla said that exorbitant oil price hike from small stores in The school administration is now she came across a complaint on some barangays in Naval coming from a top contemplating of giving modular lessons to the November 14, 2013 coming from a official of a secondary school also in this town students with the present situation where priest who requested not to be named has reached the attention of the local chief students can no longer report to classes due complaining against a gasoline station in Naval executive of Naval early morning of Tuesday, to high transportation cost, the OIC of NSF selling above the regular price of a certain November 19. said. gasoline product.

A certain Leo N. Dela Cruz, However, he added that it would cost The priest was surprised that the price of officer-in-charge (OIC) of Naval School of much to the school if they will implement the the gasoline product increased at P5 per liter Fisheries (NSF) located in Barangay modular system to their students living far after only three hours had passed at the time Caray-Caray this town, personally forwarded away from the school and may even create he first bought the gasoline product from the his letter complaint originally addressed to the complaint from the remaining 20 percent of gasoline station to be used for the vehicles of chief of police of the Naval police station then the students living near the school who will not the other priests of the diocese of Naval, to the provincial office of DTI-Biliran for be given the modular system that is why they Mayor Parilla recounted based on the appropriate action. immediately reported the situation to the complaint of the priest..

In the letter-complaint dated November concerned local officials and agencies in this She immediately called up the attention of 19, 2013 bearing the name of a certain Ronico town. the provincial office of the Department of Y. Amistoso, principal II of NSF which For her part, Mayor Parilla immediately Trade and Industry (DTI) through Director Dela Cruz affixed his signature above the dispatched on Tuesday, November 19, Celerina T. Bato to monitor the price of name of the school’s principal being the OIC in LGU personnel to check and monitor on the fuel of the four gasoline stations in Naval town the absence of the former, sought the report of small stores selling exorbitant oil though it is not a concern of the trade unwavering support of the concerned local price in some barangays south of Naval for department but that of the Department of officials and agencies against exorbitant oil appropriate actions to be made later that will Energy (DOE). price hike in small stores in barangays where solve the dwindling attendance of students of “As of now the prices of gasoline most of their students are residing which now NSF. products are back to its regular prices since greatly affected the attendance of their It can be observed at present that long DTI-Biliran has started the daily monitoring in students. queue of motorists can be seen in the gasoline the prices of gasoline products in gasoline “Eighty percent of the NSF students are stations in this town waiting for the next stations in Naval since last week until present”, living in barangays far from the school and high deliveries of available fuel products. (PIA 8 Parilla disclosed. cost of transportation nowadays has affected Biliran).

Meanwhile, another complaint on their attendance” Dela Cruz informed.

N

EASTERN VISAYAS

Singer from R8 Bangon Falls in Calbayog City, Samar

Business activities returning to normal

7 in

Tacloban

start

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU LEYTE SPORTS CENTER, Tacloban City, November 19 (PIA) – Business activities in Tacloban in the Yolanda-ravaged City of Tacloban is now returning to normal.

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his was gathered during the November 19 meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Tacloban City presided by Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The Citi Hardware, one of the big hardware and construction stores in the City is reported to open for business very soon, “in a few days.”

It was learned that this is very important because the disaster

management has entered the rehabilitation phase and that many people whose houses were damaged by the super typhoon will also start repairing their abodes.

The banking sector said that LandBank ATM in Catbalogan is already online while the LandBank branch at Real, Sagkahan in Tacloban has started ATM operations on Tuesday, November 19.

Moreover, Development Bank of the Philippines is set to reopen on Thursday November 21 while the East West Bank in Tacloban is set to open ATM and over

the counter services on Friday November 22.

Local groceries in Tacloban are set to open soon. The Robinsons Place at Marasbaras, Tacloban is set to reopen in December while Gaisano Mall is scheduled to open in early 2014.

It was observed that several retail (sari-sari) stores have opened while some enterprising people are now selling their wares along the main streets of Tacloban City. (PIA 8 with Avha Ebalde)

Southern Leyte Dad, mayors send volunteers to fast track relief goods repacking BY: ERNA GORNE MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte November 20 (PIA) - Provincial Governor Roger Mercado together with municipal mayors sent at least 130- volunteers to help fast track repacking of the relief goods for typhoon Yolanda hungry and thirsty survivors in Tacloban City.

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overnor Mercado also enjoined all the municipal mayors in the province to send their respective volunteers to Tacloban Grandstand operation center to help repack relief goods also.

Last week, led by business tycoon, Mr. Lucio Tan Group of Companies, requested Governor Mercado to facilitate in the repacking of their 3- ten wheeler

relief goods scheduled to arrive in Tacloban anytime this week.

On top of the requested massive repacking, the DSWD under the direction of Secretary Dinky Soliman requested Governor Mercado to join in the immediate repacking as massive relief goods kept arriving to Tacloban City for the typhoon victims.

Even before the arrival of Mr. Tan's

relief goods, Gov Mercado dispatched the said volunteers to help in the repacking of relief goods with DSWD. Meanwhile, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco also dispatched city government employees-volunteers this morning to repack the relief goods in Tacloban City led by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) personnel. (PIA8 SoLeyte)

DTI Diskwento Caravan serves Maasin City BY: REBECCA CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 19 (PIA) – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Southern Leyte Provincial Office in coordination with DTI-Region 7 conducted a one-day “Diskwento Caravan” at Maasin City gymnasium, November 18.

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TI Provincial Director Michael Nunez in a short talk yesterday at the venue said that the “diskwento caravan” sells basic commodities to consumers to stabilize the supply and the prices of goods throughout Eastern Visayas Region that are mostly affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Nunez disclosed further that DTI Southern Leyte coordinated with DTI Region 7 in Cebu to facilitate the same through DTI-7 Regional Director Aster Caberte.

“This is the second Diskwento Caravan after typhoon Yolanda hit in

Eastern Visayas,” he told.

The first Diskwento Caravan was held in Ormoc City, and after Maasin City the group will proceed to Baybay City and Tacloban City will follow thereafter, Nunez added.

The products sold are facilitated by the following: Unilever that sells bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry soap, among other Unilever products; Purefoods Corporation which also sells coffee, milk, margarine, among other canned goods; Gardenia food products; Granex Distributors that sells cooking oil, vinegar, biscuits, among other

common goods.

“300 bags of commercial rice at 50 kilos per bag were also available at P1,950/ bag during the one-day diskwento caravan,” Nunez said, adding that retailers can also avail of the said products. “The rice came from Bohol,” he added.

Government employees, local retailers, and the public availed of the services of DTI “Diskwento Caravan,” Nuez revealed with almost all of the available commodities were sold. (PIA8SoLeyte)

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