One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 52

Vol 3

Issue 52

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Thinking it twice. Kids are reading the message quite clearly whether to use firecrackers or not in PIA Negros Occ.'s community poster board. They choose horn “torotot" rather than explosives for obvious reasons.

(PIA6-LOL)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Dec. 23 - 29, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

PNoy bares Build Back Better strategy for Leyte BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU CANDAHUG, PALO, Leyte, Dec. 22 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III bared the next steps in the rehabilitation of the Yolanda hit areas in the Visayas under the Build Back Better strategy which means that the government will ensure recovery and reconstruction will be done in cumulative, overlapping phases to meet immediate needs, and to make the transition not just towards full normalcy, but to an improved state.

The strategy the President said is divided into three phases. The first is the emergency response which includes provision of basic needs and service, repair and rehabilitation of destroyed houses and infrastructure and the return of LGU and national government services.

The President said during his second visit here, Dec. 22 that the government has already spent P2.6 billion in relief assistance; 3 million food packs have been distributed to various communities; 281,00 families have been assisted and 2,500 medical personnel and nurses have been deployed.

The Department of Labor and Employment has employed thousands in the emergency employment and cash for work programs to help displaced workers.

Meanwhile, he said that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla has promised that electric services will be back before Christmas.

Today, the President said that the Energy Secretary can bring back power supply on December 24.

The President also said that 48 Palon-ons will receive their certificates of occupancy during the event.

He said these are temporary houses because the government would like to ensure the safety of the residents.

The second phase which is hoped to be completed next year is the construction of government structures and

facilities that could withstand disasters and are more resilient to climate change.

The third phase is the completion of Resettlement Program from the No Build Zones and the revitalization of economic enterprises.

Clad in his familiar yellow T-shirt, President Benigno S. Aquino III was warmly welcomed by the crowd composed of beneficiaries, government officials and media practitioners both local and national as he walked through the improvised stage just beside the Bunkhouses built for the displaced families from three barangays of Palo.

The President just came from Compostela Valley and Zamboanga before he came to Leyte arriving at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. (PIA 8)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ongoing construction of bunkhouse units in Bliss Kalanipawan during his visit in Tacloban City, December 22. (ldlopido/PIA-8)

National Scientist Award goes to another Sillimanian Gov. Edgar Chatto leads the inauguration of 1-unit 2-classroom buildings in Tu-an Elementary School in Montesuerte, Carmen, Bohol. The buildings were implemented under the Bayanihan or Long Term Partnership for Education Program of the Provincial Government of Bohol, the DepEd, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (mbcn/Photo contributed: Edcom Bohol)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

PNP-8 director Chief Superintendent Henry Losanes (left) assured the public of a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the region during the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting, December 23. (ldlopido/pia8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) – Silliman University Professor Emeritus Dr. Angel Alcala was named national scientist by The National Academy of Science and Technology, the highest recognition given to a Filipino scientist.

The new national scientist is known for his expertise in marine ecosystem conservation.

Alcala pioneered the concept of Community-based Coastal Resource Management and the use of artificial reefs as models of fisheries development in the Philippines, according to Silliman University Information Officer Mark Raygan Garcia.

Aside from these, Alcala also authored more than 200 books and publications that are references for topics on community ecology, biogeography and systematic of Philippine amphibians and reptiles.

Alcala obtained his bachelor’s degree on Biology in Silliman University in 1951 with magna cum laude honors.

He then went to Stanford University in California to pursue graduate studies. Alcala finished his Master in Arts in Biological Sciences on 1960 and in 1966 he completed his doctor of philosophy studies also in the same field of study in the same university.

Dr. Alcala was a also a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1992 for his extensive research works in his field of study. His research works also obtained awards within the country and abroad.

Meanwhile, Alcala also served as the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during the 1990s.

Alcala, a current trustee of the university, is the second Sillimanian to be conferred with the National Scientist award, the first one was the late Dr. Clara Y. Lim-Syliangco whose area of expertise was in chemistry. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

DSWD's 'Listahan' to determine who really are poor BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Dec. 23 (PIA6) - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD 6) targets to assess 1,323,778 poor households in Western Visayas during the second round of the household assessment now called ‘Listahanan’ which will be conducted in the first quarter of 2014.

From the total target households, 515,016 households will be assessed in Negros Occidental, 419,608 in Iloilo, 135,938 in Capiz, 113,063 in Antique, 106,266 in Aklan, and 33,886 in Guimaras.

Listahanan or formerly known as the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction assessment is an information management system that identifies who and where poor households are in the country.

As of July 1, 2011, based on the result of the first assessment, out of the 957, 128 households assessed in the region, some 385, 518 were identified as poor.

DSWD 6 Regional Focal Person for Listahanan Lucita Villanueva said rural areas will be saturated during the assessment that is why the target number of households to be assessed in the region was increased from 957, 128 to 1,323, 778 households.

She said there were enhancements made to further improve and hasten the conduct of the second round

assessment.

Among these enhancements are the inclusion of more criteria and variables in the Household Assessment Form that will clearly describe the typical Filipino poor family; enumerators in urban areas will be using Android tablets to skip the encoding procedure and facilitate easy transmission of data collected; and enumerators will post stickers on assessed households to avoid duplication, time and expenses.

Villanueva urged beneficiaries to come out, get invovled in the Listahan project once it starts, speiclaly if they feel that they are for the administration of the household assessment form.

There will be orientation activities that will be conducted to further inform target respondents as part of the preparation phase of the Listahanan project which also intends to make available a pioneer database of poor families that will be used as reference for selecting beneficiaries of social protection programs and services.

Villanueva said the list of poor families can only be obtained through a Memorandum of Agreement with DSWD. As of December 20 this year, more than 100 municipalities and provincial local government units, 3 congressional districts and 1 civic organization have already signed a MOA with DSWD 6 for sharing and use of the NHTS-PR data. (LAF/PIA)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

DILG cites best performing LGUs

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

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, Dec. 23 (PIA6) --- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-6 recognized local government units (LGU) in Western Visayas that have shown remarkable achievements in local governance during the 2013 Regional Search for Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) here.

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he EXCELL Awards is a continuing project of DILG Region 6 which recognizes the best managed local governments in the region that demonstrate best practices, achievements and innovations in governance, administration, social s e r vi c es , ec o n o m i c de v e l o pm e nt , environmental management and local legislation.

The program also aims to advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, positively reinforce good performers, popularize replicable best practices and identify possible interventions to improve the LGU performance.

In the provincial category, Negros Occidental was declared Best Performing

LGU and was also awarded best performing province in Fundamental Governance, Economic Governance and Environmental Governance. The province of Iloilo was declared champion in Administrative Governance and Social Governance.

In the city category, Iloilo City was awarded Best Performing LGU and was declared best performing city for its excellence in Administrative Governance, Economic Governance, and Environmental Governance.

San Carlos City in Negros Occidental was declared champion in Fundamental Governance and Social Governance. In the municipality category (1st to 3rd class), Kalibo in Aklan was declared Best

Performing LGU and was also awarded best performing municipality in Fundamental Governance, Administrative Governance, Social Governance, Economic Governance, and Environmental Governance.

In the municipality category (4th to 6th class), New Lucena, Iloilo was awarded Best Performing LGU and was also declared best performing municipality in Fundamental Governance, Administrative Governance, Economic Governance, and Environmental Governance.

The municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo was declared champion in Social Governance.

The DILG also conferred plaques of sustainability to the municipalities of Anilao and Oton, Iloilo. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

DOH: Instead of fireworks, just donate to Yolanda victims BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Dec. 24 (PIA6) - - Instead of buying fireworks, the Department of Health (DOH) has urged the merry makers for New Year’s eve to just donate the money to disaster victims.

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nformation Officer Irene Dulduco of the Provincial Health Office is echoing the message of the DOH through this year’s Iwas Paputok campaign theme “Maging ligtas ngayong Kapaskuhan, mga biktima ng kalamidad handugan”.

“Our country has experienced several calamities this year, that is why the Iwas Paputok theme is focused to help the disaster victims,” Dulduco said in a PIA interview.

The campaign on Iwas Paputok is a multi-sector drive spearheaded by the DOH for the safe celebration of the Christmas and New Year’s day.

Dulduco called on the public especially parents to help in the campaign in order to

avoid the disaster that the fireworks may inflict to human lives and properties.

Most affected by the fireworks are children aging from 0 to 10 years old.

Dulduco said that based on the 2012 record on fireworks-related injuries in the province of Antique, some nineteen (19) were affected.

Out of the 19 recorded affected, ten children were 0-10 years old bracket; two were under the 11 to 20 years old bracket; three for the 21 to 30 years old bracket; three for 31 to 40 years old; and one for 41 to 50 age bracket.

One stray bullet victim was recorded in San Pedro L. Gindap Hospital in Barbaza, Antique.

The hospitals that attended to the medical needs of the victims were the Delegate Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital in San Jose with four (4) patients; Bugasong Medicare Community Hospital- 2; Culasi District Hospital- 3; President Diosdado Macapagal District Hospital in T. Fornier- 3; Justice Calixto Zaldivar Hospital in Pandan- 1; and Pedro L. Gindap in Barbaza- 4 including the stray bullet victim.

The Iwas Paputok campaign is supported by the DOH Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine National Police, Department of Education, Local Governments, and other sectors.(JCM/ VWV/PIA 6-Antique)

Kalibo tackles rapid earthquake assessment

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 23 (PIA6) -- To ensure that buildings in Kalibo could withstand strong earthquakes, storm surges, tsunamis and floods, the municipality, through the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC), recently briefed the punong barangays of this Ati-atihan town on Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS).

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he briefing, according to Engr.

Marlo Villanueva, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, was held during the Municipal Development Council meeting.

Villanueva told the barangay leaders that the municipality has already obtained an authority to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

(Phivolcs) to conduct mapping of Kalibo’s existing resources particularly buildings.

These buildings, according to him, include schools and barangay halls and through the mapping and assessment, the municipality could find out if these could withstand strong earthquakes, storm surges, tsunamis and floods. The municipality will conduct the mapping activities in coordination with the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources, according to Villanueva, with the use of Global Positioning System (GPS). After the inspection, vulnerable areas could then be identified, including the vulnerable buildings.

For the success of the program, Villanueva sought the cooperation of the barangay leaders in order to prepare measures before the strike of calamities. (VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Roxas City, Capiz (Photo by PIA Capiz)

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AFP confers ‘Bayanihan’ award on Capiz Gov BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec. 23 (PIA6) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines has recognized Capiz Governor Victor Tanco for taking an active role in the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan-Bayanihan.

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ublic Affairs Chief Maj. Ray Tiongson of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division disclosed that Tanco is a recipient of the Peace and Bayanihan Award of the AFP which was recently conferred at the AFP General Headquarters in Quezon City during the AFP Thanksgiving Day. Tiongson said that Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP Chief General Emmanuel Bautista conferred the said award to the governor to honor the latter’s remarkable efforts and partnership in the implementation of the Bayanihan plan.

He added that Governor Tanco was likewise recognized for his leadership in spearheading a comprehensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) activities involving multi-sectoral organizations under the United Nations (UN), Local

Government Units and Agencies, Private organizations and the AFP in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda which affected 145,211 families or 690,270 persons in the Province of Capiz.

The governor’s display of leadership and acceptance of responsibility launched the wide-ranging intervention on minimizing and preventing loss of life, damage to properties, securing and ameliorating the conditions of the affected individuals, most marginalized and exposed communities, Tiongson said.

He added that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) under the leadership of the governor served as the center of all the efforts, which started the initial rapid assessment of affected areas thru the joint efforts of various sectors of the society, the different clusters of United Nations Organizations and

the AFP. For his part, General Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the 3ID, acknowledged the “of the Governor Tanco for displaying the true essence of Bayanihan during the difficult times where a lot of people were in dire need of the necessary services and assistance.

He said that because of the collaborative efforts and partnership of the provincial government with other agencies to include the AFP had effectively implemented a more focused humanitarian mission.

He likewise pointed out that working together in the spirit of Bayanihan has proven to generate excellent results regardless of the organization or race.

With Bayanihan spirit in the Filipinos, Baladad is optimistic that the people here will rise up again and live in a peaceful society.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Standardized permit and licensing up in Bacolod BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Dec. 23 (PIA6) - - Businessmen and entrepreneurs were gathered in a symposium on the new permit and licensing system to be adopted by Bacolod City come 2014.

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he Implementation of the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) Standards is an offsoot after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a joint memorandum circular last August 6, 2010 that aims to “speed up” and streamline the issuance of business permits and licenses on all LGUs in compliance with Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

Executive Assistant Manuel Garcia said that the new protocol will be faster, easier and will do away with the old procedure when applying and renewing of their licenses.

“We will try to avoid the problems that we have encountered in the past,” Garcia said setting Silay City as the “model” of this new

system.

Garcia added that licenses in Silay City are “easier to renew” as they were able to implement the new practice shortly after the joint memorandum was released.

By 2014, the standard procedure on the application of business permits will be trimmed down to 5 steps as compared to the previous 24 stages.

A 2-page unified form will be used by the LGU for assessment.

“Notarization will no longer be required, but the business owner should sign the form to make everything legal.

It is also important for the applicant to have a valid email address as the city will relay important updates, news and notifications via electronic mail,” Garcia said.

Along with Garcia, Secretary to the Mayor Ramonito Lastima and Supervising Administrative Officer Roger Dullano were appointed by Mayor Monico Puentevella as signatories in case he is unavailable.

The MKK Annex Hall will also be converted into a Business One-Stop Shop (B.O.S.S.) by January to cater those who are applying for new permits or renewing their old licenses with the Bureau of Fire Protection representatives occupying a space in the area for accessibility.

Business owners are requested to prepare their necessary documents, including Barangay and zoning clearances, occupancy permit, health certificate, and other clearances as early as possible to avoid the rush next year. *(PIA/JCM/ EAD/CMO Negros Occidental)

10 Iloilo LGUs get P1.1-M for emergency employment BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) – Some P1,192,485 have already been released in checks on various dates to 10 local government units in the province to pay for workers under the emergency employment program.

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he amount was used to pay for the salaries of 277 workers in Iloilo at the rate of P287 for a maximum of 15 days.

D e p a r t m e n t o f L ab o r a n d Employment-6 said the amount released was part of the more than P7 million allocated from its Integrated Livelihood Program and the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The workers, according to DOLE-6 Director Ponciano Ligutom, compose the

first batch of workers under the program.

DOLE-6 report showed that 41 worst -hit LGUs in Western Visayas are covered by the emergency employment program.

It can be recalled that right after Typhoon Yolanda, Director Liguton had set aside more than P5 million to provide bridging employment to 1,257 affected workers in worst-hit areas in Western Visayas.

Seeing the enormous destruction, DOLE-6 requested the national

government to grant supplementary budget of P18 million to provide emergency employment to additional 4,351 workers in 2014.

“This completes the target of giving bridging employment to 5,563 affected workers in Western Visayas,” Director Ligutom said.

The emergency employment was part of DOLE’s rehabilitation efforts to help workers and LGUs get back on their feet.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PIA-7 cites 10 LGU info offices for use of social media

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

BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY, Dec. 19 (PIA) --- The Philippine Information Agency-Cebu Infocen recognized 10 local government units in Cebu for making use of social media and other digital tools to promote their respective thrusts in good governance.

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n a Post Disaster Communication Seminar and Year End Gathering of the Cebu Association of City/Municipal Information Officers (CAOCAMPIO), PIA-Cebu Infocen manager Rachelle Nessia commended these information officers for their effective and efficient use of the digital media for development communication.

“These tools include the various social media sites, including the use of SMS before, during and after emergency situations,” Nessia said.

Social and digital media utilization is already the trend of government in relaying developmental communication side by side with the usage of mainstream and other forms of media.

The information offices that received the recognition include Cebu Province, Mandaue City, Lapulapu City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Naga

City; the towns of San Remegio, Asturias, Dalaguete and Medellin.

Their online presence was highlighted during the occurrence of the 7.2 magnitude and super typhoon Yolanda in the last two months.

Information through them for media use included actual on site damages, casualties, necessities and assistance received using their cellular phones and social media accounts depending on the availability of communication signal.

Nessia opined that it was very timely considering that the (CAOCAMPIO) is already a working system for early warning and disaster communication/information management.

According to CAOCAMPIO president Florito Dugaduga, who is also the Cebu City PIO, “Government information officers play a vital role in

disaster management. People buy radio transistors along with food and other necessities in times of disaster because there is a hunger for information, people need to know.

The recognition was given to the LGUs for successfully integrating social media into their communication strategies and actively engaging with the community through online information management.

“They have effectively maximized digital media to promote their communication goals, making their social media strategy an inspiration for other local government units,” the recognition reads.

PIA-7 will go full blast in educating and assisting CAOCAMPIO members on their needs to develop and maintain social media presence for the coming years. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

Bohol guv shares ‘purok power’ at reg’l forum on anti-terrorism BY: MINERVA BC NEWMAN CENTRAL VISAYAS, Dec. 21 (PIA) – The massive devastation brought by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas regions tested the mettle of local governance in the country.

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ne such local government unit that has bounced back quickly is the Province of Bohol under the leadership of governor Edgar Chatto.

The devastations left by these calamities that hit Bohol undoubtedly proved Chatto’s cool and grace under pressure to lead the Boholanos to rise from the ashes and rubbles of destruction.

In a recent regional forum on anti-terrorism dubbed “Advocacy Campagn and Trainers’ Training on Target Hardening” for Region 7, governor Chatto was chosen to keynote the event based on Bohol’s Countrywide Development Program Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM).

The regional forum aimed to come up with an operational ‘whole-of-nation’ systems approach against terrorism.

The organizers considered Governor Chatto the best keynote resource because of his strong political will and good governance as he tightly held the reins of government and maintained peace and security in Bohol during those twin tragedies, despite massive propaganda and mass desolation.

“Very vital in our networking role is information,” Chatto informed participants at the forum.

We expand whatever we’re doing at the Regional Peace and Order Ccouncil (RPOC) on aspects of collaborative undertakings from the regional down to the barangay level with the existence of Peace and Order Councils, nationwide, Chatto added.

The Bohol governor is also the chairman of the RPOC-7 and the RDC-7.

Chatto then shared Bohol’s brainchild which can be adopted nationwide—the Countrywide Development Program Purok Power Movement widely known nationwide as CDP-PPM. According to the governor this program has largely helped the provincial government in identifying the people’s needs in a holistic, integrated, collaborative and comprehensive approach.

He said, the CDP-PPM is anchored on human basic needs and various sectoral concerns in community development.

It is designed to empower people, making them

aware that there is much more they could do for themselves than what the government could do for them, Chatto added.

“If only people could learn to fend for themselves rather than wait for government dole outs,” he smiled.

Chatto pointed out strongly that poverty is recognized as a very important and critical factor in fighting insurgency so people must learn basic skills to rise above any community situation or problem.

Chatto then said that poverty must be addressed properly down at the grass roots, rather than attempting to circumvent the problem by putting up artificial and short-term solutions to it.

“This makes it considerably hard for bad elements, and also calamities, whether natural or man-made, to destroy the spirit of Bayanihan and camaraderie that apparently, all these years, have kept the people going and moving forward to greater and sustainable development,” Chatto concluded his speech. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from Bohol Provl EDCOM/jlv)

Graders in Carmen, Alicia towns get classrooms as Christmas presents BY: MINERVA BC. NEWMAN BOHOL, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- Schoolchildren of Sitio Tuan in Brgy. Montesuerte, Carmen and Sitio La Union of Brgy.

Katipunan, Alicia towns in Bohol got early Christmas presents when governor Edgar Chatto inaugurated the 1-unit/ 2-classroom buildings in Tuan Elementary School in Montesuerte, Carmen and in Katipunan High School in Katipunan, Alicia recently.

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Grade school and high school students can now hold classes in comfortable classrooms,” the governor said.

Both school buildings were implemented under the Bayanihan or Long Term Partnership for Education Program of the Provincial Government of Bohol, the Department of Education, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chatto added.

According to the governor, this is a ‘winning partnership unique to Bohol’ wherein the school buildings were built through funds from the Provincial Government and then constructed by the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the AFP. For every classroom that is built under this arrangement, DepEd funds another classroom building together with the AFP. The classrooms come with blackboards, bulletin boards, chairs, teacher's tables, electrical

wiring, grills, and its own comfort room. Through private donors, the school also receives add-ons such as reference books, sports equipment, and other school materials.

The AFP led by Lt. Col. Julius Tomines of the 2nd Special Forces and local officials led by Mayor Jun Toribio and Mayor Marnilou Ayuban were present during separate turnover ceremonies in Carmen and Alicia, respectively.

An ongoing program, the Bayanihan is implemented along side the school building program of the DepEd and has turned over some 44 2-classroom buildings since it was launched in 2010.

While DepEd has constructed temporary school buildings in areas severely affected by the earthquake, the agency has alloted funds for the repair and construction of partially and totally damaged school buildings, which target completion is

the opening of School Year 2014-2015 in June, DepEd reported.

Meanwhile, the education sector continues to rally for quality education for all as the Division of Bohol opened its new Schools Division Office at the New Capitol Site, this is learned.

Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos recognized contributors who made the local DepEd dream of a new home come true, including Chatto who as then representative of the First District of Bohol allocated P5M for the construction of the new building.

Chatto, as governor now and chair of the Provincial School Board also put in another P5M, in addition to funds from the DepEd, Cong. Rene Relampagos, and the late Cong. and Gov. Erico Aumentado to complete the building. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from Leah of Bohol Provl EDCOM)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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

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‘Help plan’ for fishers, sunken Tubigon islets BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU

TUBIGON, Bohol (PIA) – Tubigon authorities are now finding ways to help residents of at least four island barangays who are threatened by rising waters following the October 15 earthquake.

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hen high tides reached as high as 1.7 meters then, it only submerged small portions of the islet. Not anymore after the quake.

Town agricultural officer Yolanda Labella named the four island barangays as Batasan, Bilangbilangan, Ubay and Panggapasan, which are of immediate risk of being swept by high seas.

Residents from these barangays noted the rise in tides after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol, causing the islands off Tubigon town to sink by at least 50 centimeters.

Geologists often ascribe the phenomenon into subsidence.

While the local government mulls on evacuating the people from the islets, another problem is how to keep their livelihood-fishing.

The earthquake did not just sink portions of

the town, it also caused tension cracks and collapsed the usually good coral cover that attracts fish in the town’s municipal waters.

At a dialogue with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officials led by Washington-based Gregory Beck and USAid Philippines Program Director Gloria Steele, town planning officer Engr. Noel Mendaña explained this as a sudden drop in elevation due to the earth’s movement.

The USAid funds a project in Tubigon town called Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (EcoFISH) to help sustain and conserve the world rare Danajon Double Barrier Reef.

Incidentally, all those quake-sunken islets are home to EcoFISH project beneficiaries, many of which are subsistence fishermen whose livelihood is also severely affected by the tremor.

Rolando Caba, Macaas Fisherfolks

Association reported that they noticed tension cracks underwater, table coral reefs collapsed and seagrass areas dying due to deprived sunlight caused by deepening waters due to subsidence.

Tubigon has identified 26 households needing new homes, from the 128 households that have evacuated due to the quake devastation to their homes.

On the other hand, alternative livelihood like offshore fish cages are mulled for fishermen’s organization who have temporarily lost their livlelihood, the planning officer and town administrator added.

Meanwhile, as the catastrophic tremor killed about 280 persons and caused billions of lost of public and private infrastructure and sunk Tubigon islets, it also caused the upliftment of Maribojoc and Loon shorelines, depriving locals of income from gleaning. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

Yolanda evacuees reconnect with families thru telco's free calls, Internet services CENTRAL VISAYAS, Dec. 21 (PIA) -- Homeless, hungry, and concerned for her daughter who was then about to give birth, 47-year-old Marina Arias left Tacloban for Cebu on a government plane two days after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed her home and thousands of other houses in Eastern Visayas.

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he took her husband, pregnant daughter, son, and grandson but had to leave another child and several grandchildren behind.

Arias and her family found shelter at the Barangay Tinago gym in Cebu City, an evacuation center here where they always have food, water, and even clothes.

At the start of their stay in Tinago, Arias said she couldn't help but worry over the son, with his wife and three kids, she left behind.

Her daughter, who had given birth to a son in a Cebu City hospital, kept sending text messages to her brother until, several days after, they finally received a reply.

Five days after the super typhoon, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) through its brand Sun Cellular were able to restore their mobile networks in most cities and municipalities of Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Bohol, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Biliran.

In areas where network restoration was still ongoing in the days following the typhoon, Smart immediately deployed satellite phones for libreng tawag services and to help expedite humanitarian

efforts.

These satellite phones are powered by Smart Satellite Services in partnership with Thuraya Satellite. Smart and Vodafone Foundation also set up the portable cell site, Instant Network, in Borongan and Guiuan in Eastern Samar, and Palo in Leyte to provide emergency communications while network services are still being restored.

As of December 6, 98 percent of affected towns and municipalities already have network coverage as the engineers from the wireless units of the PLDT group worked round the clock to restore cellular services.

Another evacuee staying at the gym, Deorico Cabuello Jr., is from Samar but had been working at a restaurant in Tacloban for two years when Yolanda devastated the city center.

Cabuello said he barely survived Yolanda and was given priority on a flight out of Tacloban because of a deep gash above his left eye caused by a GI sheet.

Immediately after Tinago took in evacuees from Leyte, Smart provided free calls and Internet connection to provide those sheltered at the barangay gym the means to assure their families back in Tacloban and other areas of the country or even

abroad that they are OK. Similar Libreng Tawag services were put in place in the military bases of Mactan in Cebu and Villamor in Metro Manila to help evacuees get in touch with their loved ones.

Like Tacloban, Bantayan in Cebu took the full brunt of Yolanda's super strong winds. The island is made up of the municipalities of Sta. Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan.

Councilor Edgardo Layese of Bantayan town said he remembered that the last message he sent before Yolanda battered the island was to inform his child in Cebu City that the winds had gotten very strong. It was 8:30 a.m. on the Friday that Yolanda hit.

On Saturday night, Layese added, they were able to correct misleading information posted on Facebook saying the gym had been destroyed and that 400 people who took shelter there had died. They were able to send their messages from an area at the Sta. Fe port reached by Smart's mobile coverage in the nearby towns of Tabuelan and Tuburan.

"We were able to relay the correct updates to people waiting for news about Bantayan," he cited. (mbcn/PIA7 & with reports from SMART)

Storyteller, singer, wife are some of DSWD partners for healing of calamity victims CENTRAL VISAYAS, Dec. 21(PIA) -- Storytelling is how she earns a living in Manila. Bringing life to each character in a book, embedding childhood values of love, faith, hope and incorporating story arts and crafts is how Mary Melody Remorca relates to every child.

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pon learning of the children in evacuation center, she packed a bag and headed to Cebu. There she spends an afternoon doing what she does best, interactive storytelling.

Both young and old were enthralled with the sounds, actions and words as each character comes to life.

Arts and crafts using cut-outs, colored pens, coloring books and most of all face painting were among the fun things, both children and adults participated. She never did once ask about the traumatic experience but their drawings say it all.

She is known as the “Philippine Queen of Bossa Nova” but on her natal day, she shed of make-up and stardom, got down on all four and played with the children in the evacuation center.

She is Sitti Navarrio, She did not just render a song but sang with them like they were school mates.

The children in a matter-of-fact manner talked about classmates and cousins they left behind, how they lost their homes, and most of all how happy they are to have a warm bed, a bath and most of all food to eat.

The most touching part is that they talked about going home, of being aware that they have nothing left yet still look forward to spending Christmas together.

A city councilor during office hours and a congressman’s wife, Margot Osmena, is none of that when she steps in at the evacuation center of Guadalupe before going home.

She is the friend of the wives, who want to talk about the husbands they left behind, the confidant of an 88-year old who wants someone to listen about the good old days before tragedy struck and most of all, the benefactor who sees to it that going home to be reunited with their loved ones are facilitated.

These are partners of DSWD, who in their own little way became healers themselves.

Melody, Sitti and Councilor Margot Osmena come from different walks of life but in one afternoon, status quo was left by the doorway of Guadalupe Evacuation Center to give an afternoon of friendship and hope to the survivors of Eastern Visayas where their wounds are carried in their souls for a long time to come. (mbcn/PIA-7 & Aileen Lariba/DSWD7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

UN Sec-Gen's visit touches lives of hardly-hit barangay residents

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

BY: AVHA HILARIO

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 25 (PIA) - The visit of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon will not be forgotten by the residents of Barangay 75 in Tacloban City.

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he residents were one in saying that The dignitary asked the Taclobanon to his visit has touched them and that he never be despaired and he promised that UN is has given them renewed hope to keep always behind them. going on as the eyes of the entire world is on He also expressed solidarity to the affected them. communities and the Filipino people.

United Nations Secretary General Ban The UN Sec Gen greeted “Magandang Ki-moon visited the hardly hit barangay in Hapon, Maupay nga kulop” (Good afternoon) Tacloban City on December 21, Saturday, to two native language in Ph. assess personally the devastation caused by “I am deeply saddened that I have Typhoon Haiyan or known in the Philippines as seen most loss of lives and total destruction, it Yolanda. is beyond description,” UN Secretary He visited the communities in Manlurip expressed.

Elementary School in Barangay San Jose and According to him, UN is trying to mobilize Barangay 75 Tent City at Sagkahan Fatima at least 800 Million dollars for twelve months, where the ship of DPWH was grounded; all this is just to compliment with the people and these were in Tacloban City. the Philippine government will do.

During his visit at barangay 75 he said that He added that he will try to provide life he admired the resiliency of the Filipino, the saving support, water, sanitation, food, shelter people in Tacloban who always wear smiles and long term development strategy. despite of what has happened in the area.

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and

Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson said that we are very much fortunate for having in our midst the UN Secretary General.

“UN Secretary General took time to visit Tacloban just to make us feel that his heart feels everything for the people of Tacloban,” Secretary Lacson ended.

Ban Ki-moon arrived at DZR Airport in Tacloban City yesterday along with him were the Cabinet secretaries; Department of National Defense (DND) Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Dinky Soliman, Depatment of Health (DOH) Enrique Ona and Lacson.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Petilla led the local officials and welcomed the UN Secretary General during the first time visit of the dignitary in the region. (PIA 8- Avha H. Ebalde)

Mobile cash transfer system rolls out in Tacloban BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 24 (PIA) – Mobile cash transfer system is now underway in the Yolanda-ravaged Tacloban City with the launching made possible on December 23 through the partnership of the United Nations Development Program, the Land Bank of the Philippines and mobile phone operator Smart Communications.

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aid money transfer system will be used for those who are employed in emergency clean-up schemes in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

Eligible participants include those who are enrolled in one of the cash-for-work projects operated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), civil society or United Nations agencies in the areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Many of them are helping to clear rubble and municipal waste from roads, public buildings, schools and hospitals.

The initial beneficiaries from Barangay 64 on December 23 at the launching held at the Tacloban City Branch of Land Bank at Sagkahan, Tacloban City, were each provided with a new Samsung mobile phone, a SIM with initial P30.00 airtime load, and a LANDBANK ATM cash card loaded with P1,400 as the first payment for the five days of work.

The first phase will reach 5,000 beneficiaries, and expand over time to reach a target group of 50,000 people, it was learned.

“This is a cash transfer system through cell phones that will make cash-for-work payments safer and faster,” said Rebeca Grynspan, UNDP Associate Administrator.

“This mobile cash transfer system provides access to financial services among the poor and vulnerable who have not been using banks at all,” said Luiza Carvalho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative.

“The mobile cash transfers will speed up the recovery effort as it will align emergency employment cash-for-work programmes with the national DSWD activities.” Earlier, the Philippine regulator, the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted the LANDBANK and Smart a special approval “relaxing” the know-your-customer (KYC) requirements of the intended beneficiaries.

“The active role of UNDP and other international humanitarian organizations have hastened the relief and recovery efforts of the government. With the use of the massive payout network of the Land Bank of the Philippines coupled

with Smart’s extensive telecommunications infrastructure and mobile money platform capability, we are confident that we can deliver what is expected of us in terms of service reliability,” said Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO Gilda Pico. “This use of technology is an important contribution to disaster relief and recovery programs because of its direct benefit to those who survived this recent calamity,” said Smart Communications and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan who was represented by Mr. Mon Isberto.

The Philippines, dubbed as the “texting capital” of the world, with a high penetration rate, is undoubtedly able to stand by this moniker, as we see the use of mobile phones is fully optimized to help those in need,” according to Lito Villanueva, Smart Communication’s head of e-money innovation, payment ecosystem build and global alliances. It was learned that the phone payment plan will expand to areas such as Roxas City, Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Ormoc City, Leyte in the coming year. (PIA 8)

Samar PAMANA practices replicated in other areas BY: NINFA QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 25 (PIA) - The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) practices done in Samar province are now being replicated in other PAMANA areas.

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here are PAMANA areas in Luzon,other parts ofthe Visayas and in Mindanao.

This, Emy Bonifacio, Samar PAMANA Area Manager said during a recent chat with PIA. She said that so far, the PAMANA practices like peace caravans brought to the remote areas have received rave reviews from the local chief executives and their constituents especially in conflict areas in Samar.

Under the Samar Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), the PAMANA technical working group is mobilized and works with

the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to achieve desired results.

The peace caravans that bear medical/dental services, feeding to children, health and hygiene classes, provision of seedlings and coconut with fertilizers, pangkabuhayan lectures and sometimes TESDA scholarship grants scour the remote places of Matuginao and Gandara towns in Samar to serve barangays, serving more than 500 Samarnon folks in one such event.

In one instance, Samar Governor Sharee Ann

Tan joined the group of government workers to deliver the peace caravan.

There is also an information that PAMANA has expanded to the Yolanda stricken areas to reach more Samarmons.

“Services will be done more than the previous peace and development caravans in Gandara and Matuginao towns, original PAMANA areas,” said Emy Bonifacio.

Bonifacio added that he has been meeting local chief executives in Samar to solicit the needed services for the expansion program. (PIA 8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Tacloban City, Eastern Visayas

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WHO leads campaign vs. dengue in East Visayas

(Photo by PIA 8)

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 25 (PIA) – The World Health Organization cautioned the public on the likelihood of a dengue outbreak in the Yolanda affected areas in the country.

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s. Aphaluck Bhatiasevi of the WHO Communication Team said the possibility is due to several factors such as containers of water and debris accumulating rain water which may become breeding grounds for dengue-causing mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti that breed in clear stagnant waters.

Another factor is that the people displaced by Haiyan/Yolanda would be more vulnerable because their homes have been destroyed and they are living in tents and temporary shelters, with less protection from mosquito bites.

Moreover, the public health infrastructure has been compromised with destruction of many health care facilities and sub-optimal access to water, electricity, internet, etc.

Should a suspected case of dengue be reported, WHO recommends fogging twice a week for at least two weeks in and around the area within a radius of up to 200 meters, where the patient possibly acquired infection which is not always the

residence, and the health center where the patient sought treatment.

Under the current circumstances in the typhoon affected areas, Bhatiasevi said it is extremely difficult to eradicate all the Aedes and other mosquitoes, and their breeding sites.

In order to prevent Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, water containers should be covered or made mosquito proof, WHO said.

Dengue-causing mosquitoes bite predominantly during daytime (morning between 6.30 – 8.30 hours and afternoon between 17.00 – 19.00 hours.

Clean-up campaigns should be promoted to avoid mosquito breeding as much as possible.

Individuals are recommended to use topical and/or spatial repellants for personal protection especially if they are outdoors during the above mentioned times.

Focal fogging around evacuation centers and

health facilities may be done as a preventive measure, in areas where no dengue case has been detected.

The DOH, with assistance from WHO and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has introduced rapid tests for dengue in selected health facilities as part of dengue outbreak surveillance in Region 8. With this proactive surveillance in place, there is a likelihood that more cases will be detected and reported, compared to the routine surveillance.

According to the Department of Health statistics, from January to mid October 2013, more than 154,000 cases, including 545 deaths were reported in the country. WHO noted that out of the Yolanda affected Regions, Region 8 or Eastern Visayas had the lowest number of dengue cases in 2013. PIA is now translating the key messages on dengue at the Yolanda stricken areas in Eastern Visayas in order to make people aware about dengue and how to prevent it. (PIA 8)

5,000 Yolanda survivors benefit from UNDP, Land Bank, Smart job paying scheme BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 26 (PIA) – Some 5,000 initial beneficiaries and up to 50,000 over time as communications facilities are gradually being restored, typhoon survivors enlisted in cash-for-work projects will now be able to receive salary advisories through their mobile phones and get the money through ATM banking services.

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n Monday, at the launching held at the Land Bank of the Philippines Tacloban branch, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched together with its partners the start of a mobile cash transfer system in the emergency employment programs initiated by the government, the UN and civil society organizations.

During the Monday launching activity, some 142 beneficiaries of the UNDP program all from Barangay 64, which has around 2,000 residents, were given cell phones and ATM cards.

Barangay Chairwoman Superable of Barangay 64 said that although there were no casualties in this community, all of its 496 houses were destroyed when seawater from the nearby Cancabato Bay inundated the village. The water level reached more than 10 feet, she said.

Mr. Yuri Afanasiev, the UNDP senior

recovery coordinator, said that providing work for the 142 beneficiaries was just a start. The agency plans to hire at least 5,000 people in Tacloban alone, within the next two to three months.

The additional beneficiaries will come from other barangays in Tacloban and in Ormoc City, also in Leyte; and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Under the system, UNDP will deposit cash-for-work payroll funds to Landbank. Smart would then notify those employed through text that they may now claim their pay via ATM. For some locals, the launch of the phone-based cash transfer system will be their first time to experience any form of banking service, he said.

In the first phase of the program, beneficiaries employed in cash-for-work projects will each receive a mobile phone set with a SIM card and a P30 load, along with a Landbank ATM

cash card with which they could withdraw their salaries.

The program is deemed critical as the government along with UN agencies phase in early recovery efforts in Tacloban City and other Eastern Visayas provinces devastated by the Nov. 8 monster typhoon.

Through the cash-for-work scheme spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, typhoon survivors are hired in clearing debris from roads, public buildings, schools and hospitals.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has tapped private sector partners to provide safety gear to those working in disasterstricken communities.

The organization said workers are provided personal protective equipment including masks, hats, gloves, boots and long-sleeved shirts to ensure their safety while clearing debris. (PIA 8)

Papal Nuncio spends Christmas with Yolanda survivors BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU PALO, Leyte, Dec. 26 (PIA) – Pope Francis, as a sign of personal solidarity, sent his envoy to the Philippines to typhoon-stricken areas of Eastern Visayas this Christmas season.

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apal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto arrived in Tacloban City to visit and spend Christmas with the typhoon survivors in Leyte.

The Papal Nuncio who is the representative of Pope Francis in the Philippines was scheduled to first visit an evacuation center in the city to see first-hand the situation of families affected by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

He is also set to attend a gathering of the clergy before leading the Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration at Palo,

Leyte. The Cathedral was not spared from the wrath of the Super Typhoon.

In a statement, Archbishop of Palo John Du who was recently re-elected as the Treasurer of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said that at first they were worried about where the Papal Nuncio will sleep but the latter was quoted to have said “I will sleep wherever you sleep.”

Thus, it was learned that Pinto will stay at the Palo archbishop’s residence which was also damaged by the typhoon last November 8.

It was also learned that on Christmas Day, the Papal Nuncio presided over a 10:00 o’clock Mass at the Santo Nino Church in Tacloban City.

He left Tacloban for Manila on Christmas Day. Tacloban and Leyte. The United States .

Last Sunday, the President of the Philippines was also in Tacloban and Leyte to see for himself the achievements in the implementation of the rehabilitation program in the Yolanda devastated areas in the province, particularly the temporary shelter program for the displaced families. (PIA 8)

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