One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 51

Vol 3

Issue 51

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Tribu Ilonggo, one of the participating tribes in the Ati-Ati contest, performs in “Pamukaw”, a streetdance parade giving a preview of what audience can expect to see during the Dinagyang festival next month. The event held Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, kicked off the celebration of the 2014 edition of the festival.

(LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Dec. 16 - 22, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

US State Secretary Kerry visits Tacloban City TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 18 (PIA) – US Secretary of State John Kerry and his company visited this city, Dec. 18 and dropped by at the Department of Social Welfare and Development hub which serves as drop-off point of all relief goods for typhoon Yolanda victims in this city.

They were warmly received and welcomed by DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera, DSWD-8 officer-incharge Nestor Ramos, and DSWD ARD for Administration Virginia Edano who also briefed Sec. Kerry regarding the manner of relief distribution.

Sec. Kerry appreciated the working force of DSWD who has managed to work and spend hours repacking the family relief goods.

He inquired about the status of how these items are being controlled in order to get assurance that they are fairly distributed to the recipients. Ramos informed him that they are frequently conducting a close monitoring.

In a quick tour inside the warehouse, he was also able to witness the actual operation of logistics cluster.

According to Cabrera the government is continuously working for the provision of the basic necessities of the community affected by the devastation.

Another humanitarian aid pledge in the amount of $25 million was announced during Sec. Kerry’s visit.

In a latest report, it was learned that DSWD has distributed a total of 3,002,821 food and rice packs, 461,667 water, 88,169 canned goods, 229,644 high energy biscuits, 4,951 (25kg) rice packs to 280,968 displaced families.

Prior to his visit here, Kerry attended a gathering of top Philippine and local American business leaders in Manila

where he thanked members from the private sector for their work in the wake of the super typhoon.

The U.S. official met and thanked Philippine and local U.S. business leaders in Manila Tuesday and welcomed the prospect of the Philippines’ joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, and discussing how to advance the U.S.-Philippine economic relationship.

“We’re really grateful for those kinds of efforts. That is great corporate citizenship, global citizenship, and we’re proud that the United States of America and American citizens that aren’t corporations reached out with not just their hearts and their words, but with their actions,” said Kerry. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

On December 18, following a visit to storm-affected areas in Tacloban, Philippines, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the U.S. Government, through USAID, will provide an additional nearly $25 million in humanitarian aid. (US Department of State)

5 Healthy Places get DOH nod

Massage Training participants on a one-on-one actual application of reflex massage during the Massage Techniques and Application in Siquijor. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor w/ DOST-Siquijor photo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, Dec. 19 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-6 recognized five healthy places in Western Visayas.

This is in line with the Philippine Health Promotion Program Through Healthy Places of the DOH which is a national multi-sectoral health promotion strategy aiming to communicate health messages and build health supportive environment through advocacy, networking and community action.

In the Highly Urbanized City category, Aboy’s Restaurant in Golden Fields, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental was cited as Healthy Eating Place Hall Fame awardee while Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation in Iloilo City garnered the award for Healthy Workplace Hall of Fame.

In the Provincial Category, two were also recognized as Hall of Fame awardees – Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental as Healthy Hospital and Distileria Bago, Incorporated in Bago

City, Negros Occidental as Healthy Workplace.

The Vallacar Transit in Kabankalan Terminal, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental was awarded as regional winner for Healthy Bus Station.

The DOH used the following indicators to evaluate these healthy places: safe and adequate water supply complying with the national standards, adequate sanitation and toilet facilities, adequate and proper waste disposal, food safety, adequate safety and injury prevention, accessibility of basic health services, non-pollution of the environment, health and environment-friendly livelihood program, presence of insect and vermin control program, presence of trees, ornamental plants and gardens, personnel management, and sustainability of projects initiated.

DOH-6 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar said the greatest challenge for these awardees is to translate these awards into an improvement of the health status in their respective communities. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

DA-7 pushes immediate rehab of Cebu’s aggie sector Ten-year old Mark Sigonda of Anibong Elementary School reads the Christmas message given to him by PIA-9 director Noemi Edaga from one of the pupils of Dumalinao Regional Pilot School in Zamboanga del Sur. All the children present were given Christmas cards and candies after which PIA Team conducted a film showing for them and offered free charging for the evacuees in the school. (ldlopido/PIA-8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR Central Visayas, Dec. 18 (PIA) ---- The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) has already formulated and started implementing its plans and measures for the immediate rehabilitation of agriculture in calamity stricken areas.

In a recent media briefing at the MIP Lounge of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) DA -7 Regional Technical Director Marina Hermoso said that short term rehabilitation will last up to May 30, 2014 while the long term plan will immediately follow until 2015 to bring back the agriculture sector in North Cebu to normal and productive phase.

Included in these rehabilitation measures is the distribution of farm tools, crop and vegetables seeds and fruit seedlings to affected farmers and farmlands.

“Corn seeds are already positioned ready for rainy season, to be distributed to the beneficiaries based on

"withdrawal slip" which will be presented upon claiming the seeds in perfect time for planting.,” Hermoso said.

DA will also provide vegetables seeds to identified farmers in the area to boost the vegetables as short term crop in typhoon devastated areas in North Cebu by.

The agency also encourages farmers to bring back the production of camote as this is one of the good alternatives of rice with Camotes Island as the first area eyed for rehabilitation.

Forty thousand mango seedlings of about 1 meter high are now being positioned in the northern Cebu areas for replanting in areas severely damaged by the typhoon, with the hope that mango plantation can recover immediately.

DA-7 also started the repair and rehabilitation of greenhouses and all other agricultural sectors affected by the typhoon for early and fast recovery by 2014. (mbcn/ AYS/PIA7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Disaster management, preparedness a must during calamities

Oil Spill in Estanci, Iloilo (Photo by Leo Solinap)

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec.19 (PIA6) – “We survived and managed even in the most tragic typhoon or disaster that hit Capiz,” said Capiz Provincial Administrator lawyer Jose O. Villanueva.

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he outpouring concern, support and response of the various local and international agencies, groups and individuals have been very apparent during the hit of supertyphoon Yolanda that claimed the lives and properties of the people.

“Typhoon Yolanda is the worst ever disaster that hit Capiz,”Villanueva revealed, adding that because of the disaster preparedness the local government units from the province down to the barangays, only a few were the number of casualties.

Management system especially during disasters like typhoon must be put in place, such as the early and intensive public advisories, he said.

“As early as Wednesday or two days before Yolanda hardly hit Capiz, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Council had already convened with Governor Victor Tanco himself presided over the said meeting with the Action Officers of the all the Municipal and City DRRMCs,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva explained that the immediate establishment of the Incident Command Post at the Provincial Capitol with the concerned personnel and officials manning has made the system especially in the conduct of rescue and retrieval as well as relief operation activities, including the data management and recording.

“The observance of a system to make everything in its proper perspective made it easier for us especially that there are a lot of international communities that were coming in to the province to help not only here but the other typhoon-hit areas in Panay island,” he said.

He stressed that regular briefing by the various clusters such as health, relief, shelter,

logistics, peace and security, among others, are conducted to give regular update of what everybody is doing on the ground and the next step to help the affected families.

Villanueva said that “if we were able to properly manage all the operations before, during and after the onslaught of supertyphoon Yolanda, there is no reason why we cannot do it the next time a disaster may happen here.

He likewise attributed the success of the disaster management operation by the provincial government because Governor Victor Tanco was a hands-on local chief executive, who was personally on top of the operation. “The support, cooperation and commitment of everybody from the local governments, national agencies, private and civic groups as well as volunteers made easier the tasks,” Villanueva stressed. (JCM/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)

IPPO, PDEA work for a drug-free Iloilo By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) – Theirs is always a tough job and a difficult struggle for now, but they do not intend to give up, said Sr. Supt. Cornelio Salinas, director of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO).

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his, in the midst of challenging media criticisms, that the police here have not been exhausting its resources, to stop proliferation of illegal drugs.

Salinas said the IPPO has been pursuing its “Oplan Walis Druga” an output-driven initiatives on operations, to deter proliferation of illegal drugs.

“I am providing incentives for my men, to keep them upbeat and make them feel that the job is important,” Salinas said.

The incentives are in the form of office improvements and recognitions as appropriate.

The province has a total of 193 affected barangays out of the 1,901 and 411 drug personalities in the drug watch list.

Salinas said they were able to closely monitor the affected barangays through regular

reports rendered by the different local government units.

He said the operations can also be constrained by limitations in the budget.

Per quarterly drug clearing operations of the police costs P10,500, and the IPPO has 48 operating units in the province that need about P1.5 million.

On the other hand, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 Director Paul Ledesma said there is really a proliferation of illegal drugs in the province as the retailers are scattered all over.

“What will help us contain this is the timely information given to us, not just from PDEA agents or the police, but from the public who are at the mass base,” Ledesma told the members of the Provincial Peace and

Order Council (PPOC) during a recent meeting.

By timely information, PDEA meant that the public must continuously feed updates on drug operations in their barangays.

Ledesma said that the most the PPOC can do is urge the local government units to organize and activate their Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

He said he appreciated the pressure and the strong crusade some Iloilo media are exerting on drug users and pushers and on PDEA and the PNP to work double time.

While accepting that the drug situation is really pervasive, he said he was assuring the PPOC that PDEA will bring the drug situation in Iloilo to a level that is less threatening.(JCM/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Peace road breaks ground BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Dec. 19 (PIA6) - - A common ground was set for both forces of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and the government through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

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he farm to market road was the common ground for both parties where the ground breaking was held that covers Sitio Alimatoc Proper to Hiyang-hiyang and Sitio Hiyang-hiyang to Huwebasan, all of Barangay Celestino Villacin in Cadiz City.

The road is part of the P500-million intended for various projects that will not only benefit the RPMP/RPA/ABB by the communities in the area as well as part of the peace and development of the northern area of the province.

Allan Gozon, representing the RPMP/RPA/

ABB recounted how both parties finally inked the peace agreement to end the conflict through OPAPP. Gozon said Barangay Celestino and its adjacent barangays used to be called the “sentro de gravidad” or the center of the revolutionary movement due to the slow delivery of basic services from the government.

Meanwhile,OPAPP Undersecretary Atty.

Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval said that the government is listening to the plight of the people, from City Mayor Patrick Escalante to Congressman Leo Rafael Cueva to President Benigno Aquino III.

Sandoval added that this is just one of the peace project agreements between the National Government and the RPA-ABB to provide them and the community with the necessity towards peace and development in a certain place.

At the groundbreaking, a resident expressed his gratitude to the government because at last, long hours of trip will be cut down and he will be able to bring more produces in the market. And by then, he said, they can have access and more opportunities to a decent living.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Roxas City, Capiz (Photo by PIA Capiz)

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WV wage hike on hold BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA6) - - The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Western Visayas on Monday held in abeyance the implementation of its Wage Order No. 21 in areas affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the region.

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irector Ponciano Ligutom of Department of Labor and Employment 6 and Chair of the RTWPB 6 confirmed in a radio interview that the regional wage board has decided to hold in abeyance the implementation of Wage Order No. 21 in areas in the region identified as calamity-stricken by the Office of the Civil Defense and the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for six months.

Under Wage Order No. 21 which took

effect last November 29, minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region get a P10 increase in their daily wages where workers employed in non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers now receive P287 while those employed in establishments employing 10 workers and below, P245.

On the other hand, plantation workers receive a minimum wage of P255 while those in non-plantation get P245. Ligutom said within

the 6-month period, public consultations will be conducted to determine if the implementation of the new wage increase in the affected areas will go on or be cancelled.

The wage board acted after the chambers of commerce and industry in Regions 6, 7, and 8 and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry requested for a moratorium on the wage increase following the effects of typhoon in businesses. (JCM /LAF/ PIA6)

HIV infects 13 Filipinos daily

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 16 (PIA6) – Do you know that daily in 2013, Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) ?

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his information was shared here recently by Dr. Alberto I. Gabriel, Medical Consultant, Infectious Tropical Diseases who was the Keynote Speaker during the 13th Provincial Celebration of World AIDS Day held at Nenette’s Garden in Kalibo, Aklan.

In his talk, Dr. Gabriel said that in 2000, a new case of HIV emerges every 3 days and in 2012, there were 9 cases a day or 1 new case every three hours, according to records of the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health (DOH).

Dr. Gabriel also said that currently, per record from the DOH, mostly males are reported with new HIV infection and the infected gets younger and younger.

HIV causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). With mostly males now being reported to have new HIV infection, Dr. Gabriel centered his lecture on understanding MSM, or Men Having Sex with Men.

13 Filipinos got infected with Human

The increase in more males being infected with HIV, according to Dr. Gabriel, is attributed to “pera, puso at puson”.

Money, according to Dr. Gabriel, is involved for reasons of self-gratification and to fulfill responsibilities to support families; while “puso” is fulfilling prescribed or preferred roles as “real men” or as beautiful women, and h a vi ng a la s ti ng , me an i ng fu l a n d affirming relationship with families and sexual partners.

Meanwhile, the DOH enumerated several behaviors that put Filipinos at risk for HIV, such as the younger age of first sex, unprotected sex with more than 1 sexual partner, more males engaging in anal sex, injecting drug users sharing needles, few voluntarily getting tested for HIV and knowing their HIV status – so many may be spreading HIV and not knowing it.

In Western Visayas this year, records show Iloilo has the highest number of People

Living With HIV (PLHIV) with a total of 144 cases, 20 deaths and 6 new cases followed by Negros with P117 total cases, 17 deaths and 5 new cases, Aklan, 34 total cases with 6 deaths and one new case; Capiz, with 24 cases and one death; Antique, with 6 total cases, 1 death and 1 new case, and Guimaras, 7 total cases with no death and no new case.

The program for the World AIDS Day celebration in Aklan was spearheaded by the Provincial Government through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and was attended by Aklan officials, provincial health officials and workers, members of the Provincial AIDS Council and students from various high schools.

Theme of this year’s celebration is “Getting to Zero”.

The World AIDS Day celebration in the province was capped with a WAD “Sadsad” at the Kalibo Pastrana Park in the afternoon.

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Keep Holidays safe for children

By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Dec. 19 (PIA6) - - The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Antique reminded parents to buy only safe and educational type of toys for their children this yuletide season.

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oys play a vital role as stimulus for mental growth and development of children, therefore “parents and all consumers should include on their gift lists the safest and most appropriate gifts for their children,” PHO Information Officer Irene Dulduco said in a PIA interview.

Dulduco said that some toys can be harmful and cause accidents when misused and unsuitable for the children’s age.

Per Department of Health and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory, the consumers/parents are enjoined to check the labels on the packaging

especially the chemical ingredients used in the manufacture of the toys.

The warning is issued in view of the concerns raised regarding the children’s toys with heavy metals as these have been found to leach out from the toys when they are sucked or chewed as commonly practiced by children especially the infants.

For children under age of three, do not buy the following: balls with diameter of 1.75 inches or less so as to prevent choking; toys that easily breaks into small parts or pieces which could become lodged in the throat; toys

with sharp points and edges; toys with electrical parts that could pinch or entrap fingers, toes, or hair; and toys with parts put together by straight pins, sharp wires or nails that are exposed and easily detached.

The FDA assured the public that they conduct regular compliance monitoring of establishments and market surveillance of toy products, and that samples collected are tested for the presence of heavy metals.

Non-compliant toys are subjected to recall and disposal.(JCM//VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PESO-NegOr assists over 2,000 Negrenses for employment

Bantayan Island, Cebu (Image credit: Bibi delos Reyes/www.rappler.com)

BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 18 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has assisted over 2,000 Negrenses in 2013 that were employed in overseas and local private companies through its Special and Local Recruitment Activities.

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ob applicants that were hired to different companies which include Cebu Mitsumi, Robinsons, Qualfon, Island Merchant, Simons, and TeleTech.

According to PESO manager Jose Ramon Benedicto a total of 10,467 overseas and local job vacancies was offered during the Buglasan Jobs Fair in October, however, some applicants dealt with the problem of jobs and skills mismatch in the labor market.

Benedicto said the PESO, a multi-service employment facility under the “Magdegamo Equals Trabaho” program does not only help find jobs to the unemployed in the province but also conducts career coaching, Anti-Illegal Recruitment (AIR) campaign, labor market information and pre-employment seminar among others.

Before the graduation for secondary and tertiary schools, the PESO said Benedicto conducted career coaching to some 1,080 graduating students from Macias National High School, Guihulngan National High School, and Negros Oriental State University.

This would help high school students discover their strengths and guide them in making informed decisions on career choice.

The province has also joined the campaign on anti-illegal recruitment in the Visayas to assist in information drive to reach in the community level on the modus operandi of illegal recruiters under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) and Anti-Illegal Recruitment (AIR) Information Campaign program.

With this, Benedicto said in a meeting with the

League of the Municipal Mayors in the Philippines (LMP) NegOr chapter led by Governor Roel Degamo signed recently a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POEA deputy administrator Amuerfina Reyes protecting the Overseas Filipino Workers from illegal recruiter.

This MOU on AIR Free LGU (local government unit) campaign agreed that the POEA shall provide the PESO a list of agencies and recruitment entities on a regular basis.

The PESO province also assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs during its mobile passporting in November and facilitated 1,216 new applicants and renewal of passports especially those planning to work abroad. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

15 Cebu City organizations receive seed money BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA)---Cebu City indigents and Persons with Disabilities can now avail of livelihood loans from the government.

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ccording to the Cebu City Public Information Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) turned over some P2.5 million to the Cebu City Division of Social Welfare and Services recently.

This will be given as seed money for a loan facility for Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) that aims to create profitable and sustainable entrepreneurship among beneficiaries.

The 15 organizations that will receive the seed money are SNP Livelihod SKA from barangay Carreta with Php170,000 with 17 beneficiaries; Paglaum SKA from Buhisan receiving Php240, 000 with 24 beneficiaries; Buot Livelihood SKA from receives Php110, 000 with 11 beneficiaries; Luz Livelihood SKA from Brgy. Luz receives Php50,000 with 5 beneficiaries.

Also included are Adlaon Livelihood SKA from Adlaon receives Php170, 000 with 17 beneficiaries; Kasambagan Livelihood SKA from Kasambagan receives Php300,000 with 30 beneficiaries; Lusaran Pundok SKA from Lusaran

receives Php250,000 with 25 beneficiaries and Talamban Livelihood SKA from Talamaban receives Php100,000 with 10 beneficiaries.

Mauswagong Tagbalay sa Babag from Brgy.

Babag receives Php180,000 with 18 recipients; Kasaligan Group in Kalunasan SKA from Kalunasan receives Php160, 000 with 16 recipients and Kauswagan sa Cabancalan from Cabancalan SKA receives Php200,000 with 20 recipients are also recipients of the loan facility.

Mauswagnon SKA from Labangon receives Php220, 000 with 22 beneficiaries; Maayo na SKA from Guba receives Php113, 000 with 17 recipients and Mabolo Creek SKA from Mabolo receives 180,000 with 18 beneficiaries completed the list.

Loans will depend on the members' needs and are payable for two years.

DSWD-7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat and the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) Head, Dr. Ester Concha turned over the checks to the organizations recently.

The beneficiaries of the said program are those

PWD’S endorsed by DSWS and indigent families who are mostly identified as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pampamilya Pilipino Program.

SLP is a “community-based capacity building program seeking to improve the beneficiaries’ socio-economic status” and participants undergo social preparation and capacity-building workshops before deciding what livelihood to venture into.

Agriculture, hog raising, handcrafting, food processing, and sari-sari stores are among those where most of the beneficiaries have ventured into.

“We are promoting sustainable livelihood especially among Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries because we see it as a complementary program from receiving cash grants to earning their own income, so that they will become a more sustaining and self-reliant families,” Jabagat said.

The government allotted P1.3 billion as seed capital for the 300,000 families who are part of the program. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

Gov’t. trains, pays north Cebu beneficiaries to repair houses BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA LAPULAPU CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA)--- The government is training and paying typhoon-affected individuals in northern towns here to repair houses damaged by typhoon Yolanda.

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his was announced by Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA-7) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-Cebu) during the press briefing held at MIP Lounge in Mactan Cebu International Airport here.

According to Rosana Urdaneta of TESDA-7, they are training selected individuals from northern towns here with various skills needed in the repair and rehabilitation of structures such as houses and buildings.

“This is the thrust of the government, convergence of agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector.

TESDA will do the training, DOLE will give them the pay and then they will be hired to do some jobs while repairing their homes at the same time,” Urdaneta said.

These skills include carpentry, masonry, electrical, and plumbing.

During training, they will receive salaries called as the Training Cum Employment Production.

DOLE-Cebu Director Grace Diaz said they had enlisted 480 beneficiaries from the three beneficiaries in Bantayan Island, Pilar, San Remegio and Daanbantayan who will be trained by TESDA. “They will receive daily minimum wage of P307 for those from the mainland and P282 from the island for 15 days,” Diaz said.

She said the funding is from a program of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Diaz said they will be receiving complete social welfare benefits good for three months even if the work is only for 15 days with uniform and tools.

TESDA and DOLE were the guests in said press briefing along with WaterStep, an international

non-profit organization that is donating 60 units of portable water sanitizer to groups doing rehabilitation and relief operations in disaster-affected areas.

Mark Hogg , founder and chief executive officer of Water Step, said that through the process of electrolysis, with simple grains of salt and battery, the portable equipment can already sanitize voluminous amount of water in any area devastated by any disaster.

“Water is one of the essential factors that need to be kept safe immediately after a disaster in order to prevent diseases and epidemics,” Hogg said.

Water Step is conducting seminars to interested individuals, groups, local government units and other agencies starting Dec. 12 until 16 to orient them with the portable water sanitizer. (rmn/FCC/ PIA-Cebu)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Malapascua Island, Cebu (Image credit: www.facebook.com/helpmalapascua)

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Israeli medical clown cheers up kids in storm-hit Bogo City BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

CEBU, Dec. 13 (PIA) --- With his gargantuan shoes, red nose, and bag of tricks, Moshe “Tito” Twito went from room to room at Severo Verallo Memorial District Hospital in Bogo City yesterday making children laugh with his wacky antics.

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ito is a medical clown brought in to the Philippines by the Israeli Embassy to provide therapeutic services for children of typhoon-affected families in Bogo City, one of the badly-hit areas in northern Cebu.

For a few minutes, the children confined at the Bogo hospital was entertained as Tito whipped out colorful balloons, twisting them into animal shapes while making funny, popping noises.

From the hospital, Tito went to Bogo Central School 1 where more than 1,000 pupils crowded inside a school hall to watch and laugh at his tricks. A professional clown, Tito is a senior member of the Dream Doctors Project – an Israeli organization specializing in Clowning Therapy.

Israeli Deputy Ambassador Adam Levene said Tito was brought in to show medical doctors in the Philippines the benefits of medical clowning.

“The medical clowning program in Israel hospitals have been running for about ten years now, where we bring clowns into hospitals to work together with children,” said Levene.

He said research has shown that clowns help children relax before and after operations, accelerating their recovery rate by up to 30%.

Levene explained that medical clowns are now part of the payroll of all Israeli hospitals where the clowns work in children’s departments, intensive care, cancer wards, etc.

The deputy ambassador said he hopes to see Philippine hospitals make medical clowning part of the health system.

The Israeli Embassy have earlier conducted two short training courses on medical clowning for staff of some public hospitals in Manila.

“At some point we hope the hospitals will say that this is something which they want to do and they will start hiring people to work in this profession on a fulltime basis,” he said.

He admitted though that when the clown doctors first started in Israel, it was met with suspicion.

“But this is, at the moment, the first step of a long journey,” he said.

Clowning therapy has gained ground in Israel and expanded now to 90 medical clowns in over 29 hospitals across Israel.

Tito will continue to make the rounds in Bogo public schools spreading the healing power of humor for children until Dec. 13.

Israel earlier sent a medical and defense team to set up a field hospital in front of Severo Verallo Memorial District Hospital days after typhoon Yolanda struck.

Close to 3,000 people in the affected area were treated by the Israeli medical teams, while troopers from the Israeli Defense Forces repaired damaged schools and helped set up water tanks to provide storm-hit families access to safe, drinking water. (RMN/PIA Cebu)

Biz groups ink anti-corruption drive with Integrity Initiative BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec 11 (PIA)-- Negros Oriental business groups and academe sector signed a pledge of commitment today in Dumaguete City with the Integrity Initiative, a private sector-led campaign aimed at strengthening ethical standards to reduce string of corruption.

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n its launching, under the initiative, according to project officer Maeflor Gabunales of Makati Business Club (MBC) the advocacy aims to eradicate the vicious cycle of corruption in the Philippines and create level of playing field to do business in the country.

Over 10 businessmen or members of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. sign up the pledged are expected to prohibit all forms of bribery and keep all forms of sponsorship transparent so these will not be seen as attempting to influence the recipient, whether government or private, into improper exercise of functions, duties or judgment.

Gabunales challenged the business community in the province its collective moral commitment in advancing the ethical business practices within its rank and file.

To date, Gabunales said some 1,900 companies have signed up Integrity Pledge including 32 heads of government agencies and 120 business organizations.

The Integrity Initiative also aims to get government agencies to commit to accept only bids coming from integrity-certified companies.

This will encourage more companies to sign the Integrity Pledge.

“The Initiative is closely working with the government to create an Integrity Governance

Council, as government is a crucial and necessary partner in building a nation with integrity,” said Gabunales.

She cited DPWH Secretary Babes Singson Education Secretary Armin Luistro declaring that bidders will not be allowed to bid for projects and deal with suppliers if they have not signed the pledge.

The campaign started in Metro Manila and now it expanded in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The initiative was started by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club in 2009. (mbcn/JCT/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Innovative wifi internet finds good use in Bohol BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) – A United States government piloted project in Bohol spewed out more than it was intended for, a testament of endless technological search now put to good use from the land of innovations.

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n internet facility that uses the unutilized white space in your television has been brought for piloting in Bohol, to advance internet connectivity in areas where commercial internet facility is yet unreliable.

Television white space (TVWS) is a range of unused broadcast frequencies allocated for television channels but remain unused, explained Laurence Ang, specialist of the TVWS project which the US government through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is piloting in Bohol.

Envisioned to help the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) attain the National Fisheries Registration through an online facility provided via the DOST Information Communication Technology Office, and Microsoft Corporation, the TVWS becomes a wireless signal internet carrier to facilitate mobile registration of fishers.

Brought to Bohol via a USAID project called Ecosystems Enhanced for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH), the TVWS will provide the necessary

data to fill the fisheries profile of Danajon Bank, of which Tubigon partly hosts, according to Anecita Gulayan, Ecofish Bohol Coordinator.

However in the midst of the piloting term, a calamitous even hit Bohol.

TVWS opened an innovative portal to alleviate the need for fast and reliable communication among calamity stricken Tubigon town, says Ang, who excitedly showed the new technology to visiting USAID Washington Assistant Deputy Administrator for Asia Bureau, Greg Beck.

“Microsoft provides the gadget that identifies the unused channels, and they gave us 20 computer tablets to facilitate the registration,” Ang explained to USAID Philippines Project Director Gloria Steele, who was with Beck and a complimentary staff from USAID in Manila.

Said to be used in emergency situation for the first time, the TVWS in Tubigon connected families, helped local government trace and organize rescue and relief operations and aided the DSWD and DOH in their continuing efforts, added

Betinna Quimson, DOST ICTO expert who updated USAID dignitaries via skype facility using the newly installed Tubigon TVWS 12 mbps wifi internet.

Installed within the Tubigon Government Complex and its hardware hosted by the National Telecommunications Office, the TVWS wireless fidelity (wifi) internet has been a constant refuge for quake-survivors who contact their relatives or vice-versa.

The complex also hosts a cluster World Food Program stockpile of relief goods for Tubigon and its neighboring towns, and the internet eases the dispatch of goods as well as tracking its whereabouts, local MSWDO personnel shared.

“Were still harnessing the system, as were putting up a mechanism to kick out over-users to make sure there is equal opportunity for emergency net-users, noted Ang, who spoke while a cluster of laptop users comfortably settled in the shady nooks of the complex, surfing for relatives and seeking help to earthquake victims. (mbcn/rahc/ PIA7-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

UNFPA opens first ‘hospitainer’ in the country

Guiuan, Eastern Samar (Image Credit; www.facebook.com/ GuiuanEasternSamar)

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

PALO, Leyte, Dec. 14 (PIA) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) opened December 14 here the first of three hospitals in a container in the country, to raise the awareness on the urgent needs of women and girls.

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o less than the executive director of the UNFPA Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin arrived here for the opening, Ms. Arlene Alano, UNFPA Information Officer said.

The facility will provide emergency obstetric care including caesarian sections, a first in the Philippines.

The formal handover of the facility to local authorities in Palo at the Palo Municipal Hall highlighted the event.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona together with Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla and Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla also graced the occasion.

The UNFPA has pledged to provide

ambulances to four health facilities in Leyte, namely Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Leyte Provincial Hospital, Carigara District Hospital and Baybay District Hospital.

Moreover, UNFPA was also set to conduct a medical mission at Balangiga, Eastern Samar. (PIA 8)

Tacloban City government operations now in full swing BY: AVHA EBALDE TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 18 (PIA) – The Local Government of Tacloban is now fully operational as 595 city personnel or 65.08 percent of employees are now reporting for work.

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espite the devastation brought by typhoon Yolanda, City Government representative Gerald Paragas reported that the city has already collected Php 4.153 million pesos total treasury on December 13.

This report was presented during the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) meeting held at Leyte Sports Complex, Tacloban City on December 16, Monday.

The city collected P 114,119.69 real property tax, P 355,210.00 terminal collection, and P 141,791.50 market

collection.

As part of achieving normalcy, 49 out of 138 barangays here have already electricity.

Forty four percent of households are already energized.

The city representative also reported that as of December 16, there are already 129 operational services business establishments in Tacloban.

Five bakeries, seven grocery stores, seven drug stores, 15 restaurants, 16 banks, 14 gasoline stations, 29 hardware stores, six radio stations, five transport terminals, eight land car parkers, 15 hotels, two salons

and 100 percent of all courier services here were operational.

Meanwhile, during the RDRRMC meeting Paraga announced again that as per local ordinance, residential dwellings are not allowed 15 meters from the shoreline.

The city government asked the full support of the council in terms of the implementation and monitoring of the said ordinance.

The PNP Regional Office 8 representative assured that they will intensify its enforcement to prevent residents from building their houses near the shores. (PIA 8)

Government troops score vs NPA in Samar BY: AVHA EBALDE TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 18 (PIA) - Despite these trying and challenging times and people of the Eastern Visayas reeling from the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda, it is unfortunate and sad to note that New People’s Army (NPA) has not stopped intimidating and extorting money and food from the people.

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t. Col. Antonio B. Dulnuan Jr, Commanding Officer of 87IB made the statement as he reported on the recent encounter that happened in his area.

“We have been receiving complaints from folks living in Barangay Bay-ang and the adjacent barangays in San Jorge town that the NPAs were extorting money and foods intended for their families’ expenses and consumption,” said Dulnuan.

Troops under 87th Infantry Battalion (IB) encountered ten New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in Samar on December 13, 2013 at Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar.

In this connection, 87IB was tasked to conduct pursuit operations and encountered another band of NPA rebels at Barangay Sto Niño, Motiong Samar on December 14, 2013 and recovered one Armalite rifle.

8 Infantry Division Public Affairs Official Chief Amado Gutierrez said that government troops scored against the NPA during the two encounters that left and killed one rebel and recovered two firearms.

Based on the report of 87IB, the troops were tracking the NPAs at Barangay Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar on December 13 when they received a report from a concerned civilian that the NPAs were hiding at Barangay Sto. Niño, six kilometers away.

The troops immediately proceeded to Brgy. Sto Niño and were engaged by the insurgents when they got near the location. A five minute firefight ensued until the NPAs withdrew, leaving behind one Armalite rifle and traces of blood indicating casualties on their side.

There was no casualty on the part of the government soldiers.

On the same day, two NPAs surrendered with firearms on two separate occasions.

At around 2:00 AM, Roberto F. Abunaler aka “Edgar”, NPA member operating in Eastern Samar surrendered to 14th Infantry Battalion bringing along with him one Garand Rifle.

Likewise, at around 9:00 PM, Jeffrey Pajarito Delfin, aka “Jason/Hapon”, NPA member operating in Samar voluntarily surrendered to 20th Infantry Battalion bringing along his caliber 357.

The NPAs that 87IB troops encountered at Brgy. Sto Niño, Motiong, Samar on December 14, 2013 were the same group of NPA that they encountered at Brgy. Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar last December 13, 2013 where one NPA was killed (body count) and troops recovered one caliber 45 pistol. Pursuit operation is still ongoing. (PIA 8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

UNICEF official cites resiliency of communities in calamity areas in EVisayas

people,

Tacloban City, Eastern Visayas (Photo by PIA 8)

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 18 (PIA) – After a four-day visit to the Philippines, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said he was deeply impressed by the spirit of the people and the communities working with the government, United Nations and other partners to rebuild their lives and their future.

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ake visited Eastern Visayas on December 14 and 15 where he met and spoke with children, teachers and parents at numerous schools, learning spaces, child-friendly tents and vaccination sites in Leyte and Eastern Samar.

He said the massive typhoon disrupted the lives of nearly six million children and destroyed the homes of 1.4 million children and their families.

“While I had followed the reports of progress closely from UNICEF’s New York Headquarters, no statistics can adequately capture the physical and human challenges that remain,” said Lake.

“I came here not only to see the progress first-hand, but also to thank our UNICEF staff who have been here from the start and will continue to support the rebuilding effort for the long term.”

In a press statement sent to the Philippine Information Agency by UNICEF’s Ms. Kathryn Donovan, it was learned that UNICEF has

mobilized experts from all over the world to support the relief effort, increasing the staff on the ground to over 100 people to coordinate a plan for recovery to strengthen services for children.

This will include working with the government and partners in supporting back-to -learning efforts; strengthening the child protection system, working on re-establishing and rehabilitating water systems and the cold chain for delivery of safe vaccines and providing services to children threatened by malnutrition.

Eight days after Yolanda struck, the children’s agency helped restore water to the city and hopes to assist in restoring safe water to more than 60 communities.

The Philippine government re-opened schools in the area on December 2, and principals and educators were already working to help children resume learning even in the absence of books and classrooms. All over the islands, communities are working together to

clean schools; 193 classroom-sized tents have been erected for close to 20,000 students, and over 50,000 children are benefitting from UNICEF school supplies.

UNICEF is providing child-friendly tents for children and mother-baby tents staffed with trained volunteers are there to help children process the pain of their experiences.

UNICEF is also working closely with teachers and administrators to support the challenges of working with children who have suffered great loss.

The children’s agency has trained 44 police and social workers throughout the affected areas to identify children who have been separated from their families and may be in need of special care.

“None of this could have been done without the support UNICEF has received for the Philippines from around the world, especially from individuals and private sector partners through our national committees,” said Lake. (PIA 8)

DPWH continues to adhere to full transparency in bidding process TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 17 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways regional directors and district engineers will continue to strictly adhere to full transparency in the bidding processes.

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t was learned that the DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson recently sent a memorandum order to all regional directors and district engineers reminding them to adhere to the full transparency policy of the Agency in bidding process even as he called on the public to continue to participate in ensuring that all projects being undertaken by the agency are aboveboard.

In said memorandum order, the DPWH Secretary reminded his frontliners of the need to strictly comply with the agency’s bidding procedures, “to ensure that (the) bidding of all DPWH projects, regardless of fund source, are conducted with full transparency.”

The DPWH bidding procedure does not require a Letter of Intent. Projects for bidding must be posted, too, in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and on the DPWH website.

Moreover, it is a policy that observers should be invited, with sufficient advance notice to encourage attendance and; lastly, the rules and procedures on bidding must be in accordance with RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The Bids and Awards Committee [BAC] members should make certain that the public bidding rules and procedures are strictly observed, to ensure that there is no collusion

or favoritism among the participating contractors.

Any RD and DE found not complying with the bidding process will be held liable and sanctioned for their failure to observe the process.

The DPWH chief appealed to the public to be its continued partner in its efforts for good governance by helping monitor that bidding process is observed at all times.

He also appealed to contractors to “conduct themselves in a professional manner as they participate in the DPWH bidding and to avoid the bad practice of collusion.” (PIA 8)

State workers, students join Alay Lakad Para sa Kapayapaan BY: REBECCA CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 17 (PIA) -- Dubbed this year as “Lakad Bayan Para sa Kapayapaan,” the Alay Lakad was conducted Thursday around Maasin City proper participated in by employees of the different national line agencies, Maasin City hall officials and employees, students from different schools, and other private individuals.

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Every year the Alay Lakad Foundation should conduct the “walk for a cause” for the benefit of the youths who wanted to pursue their studies in college,” City Mayor Maloney Samaco said addressing the participants in a short program held after the walk. Funds gathered during the walk will be used for the scholarship program of the said foundation.

“It is aimed at reducing the numbers of non-students most of them is giving scholarship to poor but deserving students,” the city dad said.

They are now studying at the Maasin City College. “A total of 22 scholars studied in the city-run college, some of them already graduate” he disclosed.

The foundation is concentrating on the scholarship program rather than livelihood which is not effective, Samaco noted.

The contribution for the said cause is distributed as follows: Php125.00 for the heads of offices; and Php25.00 for the rank and file employees.

From previous years contributions, a total of Php39,530.00 was contributed by different

concerned agencies including private and government institutions and a total raffle ticket sales of Php29,860.00.

The “Alay Lakad” was participated in by the provincial and city hall officials and employees, Red Cross-Southern Leyte Chapter, students form Maasin City College and Saint Joseph College, national line agencies such as the Department of Education- Maasin City division, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, National Statistics Office, among others concerned.

(PIA8-SoLeyte)

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

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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

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