One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol3 Issue 6

Vol 3

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 6

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the inauguration of the new Capitol Media Lounge held on Feb. 7. It is situated at the Provincial Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. According to PICAO, the Capitol Media Lounge is the first of its kind in Western Visayas. (LTP/PIA6 Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

February 4 - 10, 2013

PhilHealth pays P3.5-B hospital claims in Region 6

By Shiela Q. Patoza

and seven days for fee-for-service.

This huge improvement in the claims processing under the leadership of Mas was lauded by many hospitals in Western Visayas.

Jo Marie Crisix Muyco, administrator of Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital, said that PhilHealth refund is the life of the hospital.

“Reducing the time in claims processing gives us no complaints, money is coming in,” Muyco added.

(PhilHealth6/JSC/SQP-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Feb 7 (PIA6) -- A total of P3, 526,838,430.34 hospital claims of members and their dependents had been reimbursed by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation 6 (PhilHealth 6) in 2012.

The 2012 reimbursement showed a relatively 10 percent increase from its paid claims in 2011 of only P3,156,322,235.50, according to a report from PhilHealth 6.

The Corporation also said that in 2012, it received an average of 1,677 daily claims while in 2011, it was 1,221.

Meanwhile, PHIC Regional Vice President for Western Visayas Dr. Dennis S. Mas said the increase in hospital claims is a clear indication of expansion of membership.

He also said that the highest expenditure of PhilHealth 6 was during third quarter of 2012, where dengue victims was at its height; the corporation reimbursed a total of P989, 632,350.04 to hospitals.

Mas added that the Corporation is also gearing up towards the enhancement of its benefits and the improvement of the turnaround time for claims processing.

From 60- to 90-days claims processing, it had remarkably been reduced to six days for new case rates PHIC Regional Vice President for WV Dr. Dennis S. Mas

DENR-7 to stabilize Central Visayas watershed areas

By Hazel F. Gloria

The guests during the Discernment Recollection for Candidates and Electoral Stakeholder forum on Kapihan sa PIA discussing their goals for gathering candidates, election stakeholders, and voters alike on Feb. 15 in Cebu. Photo shows: Dilaab Project Coordinator Jenny Tan (center), CFC Provincial area Director Arnel Sacris (lower-left) and Dilaab Volunteer Atty. Carlo Fortuna (lower-right). Cebu Information Center Manager Rachelle M. Nessia (upper right) and Wen Celen of Radyo ng Bayan (upper left) as moderators. (VVV-PIA CEBU)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Kids show their newly distributed toothbrushes and toothpastes which they will use in a toothbrush drill at Barangay 3 Day Care Center, Catbalogan City. The toothbrushing drill was one of the activities of the health and education department dentists to usher in Oral Health Month in Samar, Feb. 6 .(PIA 8-Samar with JunArceno)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

CEBU CITY, Feb 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) allocated P9.501-million budget to further stabilize banks and streams of nine identified watershed areas in Central Visayas in 2013.

The nine pre-determined watersheds which are up for bank stabilization are those from Buhisan, Argao, Asturias, and Luyang in Carmen in Cebu province.

It also includes the Wahig and Acar Watersheds in Carmen, Bohol province; Hilabagan and Bayawan Watersheds in Negros Oriental and Bandilaan Watershed Siquijor province.

DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo said this is in line with the soil conservation and watershed management programs of the department to arrest soil erosion through the adoption of soil and water conservation measures.

He added that this project aims to maintain or improve the hydrologic integrity of the watershed areas,

thus, avoiding any depreciation of the downstream benefits of the irrigation systems to identified watersheds in the country.

“We have to maintain and protect our watersheds because these are mostly source of domestic water use, irrigation, power, agriculture and other purposes,” Montejo said.

Based on a report released by the Forest Management Services (FMS), Cebu gets the biggest amount of P4.413 million; Bohol with P2.232 million; Negros Oriental with P2.296 million, and P.560 million for Siquijor province.

“Basically, our watersheds are our life supporting systems and we must as a community endeavor to sustain its purpose and not to degrade or destroy them,” he concluded.

Aside from bank stabilization, DENR-7 will also conduct a vulnerability assessment to Combado Watershed, Cebu; and Okoy or Banica Watershed in Negros Oriental. (mbcn/HFG-PIA 7/DENR-7)

East Visayas gears up to host 2 big national events TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Feb 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Education in Eastern Visayas is preparing to host two big national events which are the National Talent Festival on April 6-11 and the National School Press Conference on April 7-12, 2013.

During the Convergence Meeting held at the DepEd Regional Office on February 5, DepEd 8 Regional Director Dr. Luisa Bautista-Yu encouraged the various government agencies and DepEd officials from all over the region to collaborate with the host in order to showcase the best of the Region.

Director Yu disclosed that about 2,000 participants from all over the country are expected to attend the National Talent Festival which will be conducted in Tacloban City while another 4,000 participants are expected to attend the National School Press Conference which will be held in Ormoc City.

Initially, DepEd 8 has partnered with the PNP, PIA, DOT and LTO. Director Yu said the office will also partner with the DPWH. The National Festival of Talents aims to provide opportunities for student to showcase their talents in the

following subject areas; language, arts, social studies and technology and livelihood education through exhibits and exhibition of their products and performances as evidences of their learning; and to extend parallel learning sessions for teachers and students to enhance their knowledge and skills in their respective field of interest.

The area of skills exhibition are Tagisan ng talino – Filipino; Broadcasting exhibition - English – Journalism; Foreign language – Languages; Population Quiz Araling Panlipunan; Technolympics - Technology and livelihood education; and Sining Pambansa - Music and arts.

The Conference with the theme "Campus Journalists: Championing Ethics in Social Media" aims to promote understanding among campus journalists/participants the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches; sustain advocacy on social consciousness; provide a venue for an enriching learning experience for pupils and students interested in pursuing journalism as a career; promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media; and enhance journalistic competence through healthy and friendly competitions. (PIA 8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

CSC: New form to be used in 2012 SALN

By Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa

WV RDC Chair and Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco

ILOILO CITY, Feb 7 (PIA6) -- The new form of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) will be used in the filing of the 2012 SALN, the top official of the Civil Service Commission 6 said.

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SC-6 Regional Director Rodolfo Encajonado said the CSC has released the new SALN form, after it held a series of consultations with different national and local government agencies and employee groups.

Encajonado said, the new form is simpler compared to the previous form which should have been used in the filing of the 2011 SALN, but its use was deferred due to the request of the different government sectors.

It will be recalled that the CSC issued a revised SALN form and set of guidelines in July 2011. This was supposed to replace the 1994 SALN form.

Among others, it required a listing of other sources of income (derived from the

practice of a profession or business), income taxes paid the previous year, and amounts of one’s personal and family expenses.

In that form, there were many requirements to fill up, but in the new form, it is easier to fill up and one has simply to follow the corresponding guidelines.

Encajonado said, the CSC plans to conduct a series of half-day orientations for national and local government agencies in Region 6, towards the end of February or March to ensure its compliance and the correct filing up of the form.

The Director also emphasized that non-compliance would have administrative sanctions. For the first offense, it would mean suspension from one to six months and for the

second offense, it would mean dismissal from service.

The head of offices, he said, are also enjoined to ensure the compliance with the SALN, to see to it that the employees have complete SALN or for the non-filers, to meet the requirements within 30 days, or the head of office would also face the same administrative sanctions.

Deadline for the filing of the SALN is April 30 but the CSC is encouraging government officials and employees to file before the deadline.

The new SALN form may be downloaded from the CSC website, www.csc.gov.ph, according to Director Encajonado. (jcm/pia6)

DOST 6 okays 47 techno projects worth P37.4-M

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Feb 6 (PIA6) -- The Department of Science and Technology 6 (DOST 6) has approved 47 project proposals amounting to P37,446, 327 in Western Visayas under its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (Set-Up) in 2012.

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OST 6 Director Rowen Gelonga said under Set-Up, micro, small and medium enterprises are given a wide range of assistance to further enhance their productivity and competitiveness both in the local and international markets.

Gelonga said the assistance, which is technology based may come in the form of technology acquisition, science and technology consultancy and trainings, packaging, laboratory and testing services, waste management, and other parameters related to product quality improvement.

Out of the 47 project proposals that DOST approved last year, the food processing sector has submitted the most with 30 followed by the furniture and home furnishing with seven, natural fiber, gifts, décor and

fashion with five, marine and aquatic resources with three, and metal and engineering with two.

Set-Up has five priority sectors that include food processing; furniture; gifts, house wares and decors; marine and aquatic resources; and horticulture.

However, in the region, according to Gelonga, the main focus of the program is the food processing sector.

“We believe that if we could enhance the food processing sector, we will also be strengthening our agri and aqua sectors. Our food processing sector is quite unique because it gives value adding activities to our agri and aqua products and we know that Western Visayas is an agri and aqua culture based economy," said Gelonga.

He added, “If we are able to add more value to our local products then we are not only helping the entrepreneurs but we also help the farmers and fishers, that is the reason why of all the sectors, we are focusing most of our attention and resources on the food processing sector.”

The program has gone a long way in the region since it was implemented in 2003. From three companies, the program has already assisted 161 firms with a total funding of P94 million to date.

Gelonga said the number of firms which ask for technological assistance under the program keeps on increasing every year and they have a lot of success stories as to how technology can transform SMEs into successful ventures. (JCM/LAF-PIA6)

Capicenos ready for Million Volunteer Run 2

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb 7 (PIA6) -- Capiceños are now ready for the million volunteer run to save lives.

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apiz Philippine Red Cross Chapter Administrator Nelia Cartujano said that all the local governments in Capiz including some national government agencies, schools, private groups and media had pledged to join the run set on February 10.

The simultaneous nationwide Million Volunteer Run 2 will kick off at 6 a.m. from the City public plaza to the People’s Park in Baybay, Roxas City.

As of February 6, they have already

registered more than 2,000 volunteers who will run during the event, Cartujano said, adding that more are still pledging their participation in said activity.

She said that runners should wear red shirt on that day to show that those from Capiz are concerned and support volunteerism. The red color is meant to create a “sea of red”.

Cartujano pointed out that part of the proceeds will be used for the organization and

training of 143 volunteers in every barangay in the entire province.

The 143 volunteer group is composed of 43 members with one leader and is primarily organized and trained as responders for humanitarian works such as in medical and disaster risk reduction and response, she said.

“The positive response of Capiz residents to this event inspires the PRC and the volunteers to continue their humanitarian work,” Cartujano said. (JCM/JBG-PIA6, Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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KIA provides breastfeeding travelling mothers WV RDC Chair and Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco

room

for

By Venus G. Villanueva

KALIBO, Aklan, Feb 5 (PIA6) -- Traveling mothers can now breastfeed their babies comfortably while waiting for their flights at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) with the provision recently by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) of a breastfeeding room at the New Passenger Terminal Building in the airport.

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he breastfeeding room also provides an area for changing diapers, according to Engr. Percy Malonesio, Kalibo Airport manager, and a playroom, so children will have a place to play and stay in while awaiting flights with their parents.

Malonesio said the fund for the breastfeeding/diaper changing area and

playroom was sourced from CAAP’s Gender and Development (GAD) budget, aimed to provide comfort to women especially mothers who are traveling with their children.

The area, Malonesio added, which is air-conditioned, will be a big help to parents especially when flights get delayed.

Malonesio also acknowledged the help of the provincial government of Aklan and the municipality of Kalibo in the setting up of the room, which he said, has placed KIA at par with other airports in the country that offer the same amenities.

(JCM/VGV-PIA 6, Aklan)

Evelio remembered on his martyrdom's 27th anniversary

By Margie L. Gadian SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb 7 (PIA6) -- The province of Antique and Antiqueños themselves will once again take time out to remember the 27th anniversary of martyrdom of the late Governor Evelio Bellaflor Javier on February 11.

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ay-long activities have been lined up to honor the memories of EBJ and the legacy he has left behind. These activities will lead the Antiqueño back to his noble beginnings and colorful history and recap his rich culture.

Evelio B. Javier remains Antique's best-loved hero up to this day. He awakened the Antiqueño's pride in himself - in what he is and in what he can be. He taught Antiqueño to dream and allow his spirits to soar as high to limits he has never reached before.

Evelio believed in the children of

Antique. He believed they hold the future in their hands. He also believed in education as one of the better tools for progress. He believed educated people will be a progressive people.

Evelio's passing away had ignited a fire in the Filipino spirit to fight and defend the country against the unjust and inhumane ruling of the late President Marcos.

He became a hero in the eyes of many people and his works are appreciated by many. Evelio's contribution to national democracy was marked by his martyrdom that led to the national stand-up of the

Filipinos to fight dictatorship.

He will always be remembered for his "Impossible Dream" not only for the province of Antique but for the whole Philippines as well.

February 11 of every year has been declared as Governor Evelio B. Javier Day, a special non working public holiday in Panay Island per Republic Act No. 7601, as a tribute to the former governor's contributions to democracy in the country.

(JSC/MLG-PIA6 Antique)

DAR, SRA bat for sugarcane block farming

By Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, Feb 6 (PIA6) -- Eight sugarcane block farms in Negros Occidental out of the 29 nationwide will be covered in the Phase II of the agreement inked between the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

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grarian Reform Secretary Virgilio De los Reyes and SRA Administrator Regina Bautista-Martin signed the MOA, witnessed Agriculture regional technical director Dr. Joyce Wendam, Land Bank official Jeffrey Maningo, and DAR 6 regional director Alexis Arsenal.

In the agreement, SRA will provide technical assistance, seminars on productive farming and organic farming, and facilitate technical needs of the farmers.

De los Reyes said that block farming program is a result of the DA-DAR-DENR convergence where it makes sure that agencies of government are able to help the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) so that CARP will not fail.

One major requirement for the block farming program is for the ARBs to be organized but this is not just for sugar but for rice, coconut, and corn, delos Reyes added.

“The program is to strengthen the organizations of the ARBs. We are not giving them inputs; we are giving these organizations the technical help and credit as part of our support services program, which is a shared responsibility of the DAR-DA and even the LGUs,” delos Reyes said.

Freddie Salgon, chair of the General Malvar ARB-Multi-Purpose Cooperative and one of the beneficiaries of the 22-hectare block farming in the province said they are now able to manage their land with proper soil sampling, nursery, and technical assistance.

According to Martin, the coverage of the sugarcane block farming in the province is about 250 hectares where small farm lands of the ARBs will be grouped together into plantation size land of about 20-30 hectares to ensure productivity.

“This is the first request of the President from me, to help small sugarcane farmers, in order to bring back progress in the sugar industry,” Martin said.

The MOA covers the implementation of 29 new block farms with a funding of P41.4 million where P29 million will come from DAR and the P12.4 from the DA and the SRA.*(jcm/ ead/pia6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Cebu bets urged to help voters choose wisely

By Rachelle M. Nessia

Central Visayas RDC Chair and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

CEBU CITY, Feb 7 (PIA) -- A non-government organization in Cebu is appealing to local candidates to provide vital information that will help voters vote wisely during the May national and local elections.

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ilaab Foundation Inc. urged candidates to answer a questionnaire called the LASER Test, or the Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct, Reputation Test, and send this back to the group for posting on its website.

LASER Test is a tool developed by Dilaab Foundation Executive Director Fr. Carmelo Diola to guide voters in understanding and discerning their candidates.

The foundation has already disseminated the LASER questionnaires to candidates in

Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, and Lapu-Lapu City, said Jenny Tan, project coordinator for Dilaab Foundation’s Circles of Discernment for Empowerment (CIDE).

However, only 16 percent of the candidates answered the test.

“We are hopeful that we can get more than 50 percent because this is added exposure on their part and this can help start a dialogue between the voters and the candidates,” said Tan. Answers to the test will be posted on the

Dilaab Foundation website, www.dilaab.net, to be launched on Feb. 15, 2013.

Cebu voters can read the answers of the candidates in their areas on the website.

Atty. Carlo Fortuna, Dilaab Foundation volunteer, said that when the test was first released in 2007, one of the first candidates to answer the questionnaire was the late Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo who was then a mayoral candidate in Naga City. (RMN/PIA-7 CEBU)

Guv pushes peace council to firm up regional anti-drug group

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 5 (PIA) -- Gov. Edgar Chatto is pushing the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) into seeking areas for cooperation to firm up a regional inter-agency Anti-Drug Enforcement Group.

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he move is consistent with reports from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bohol which pointed to the lack of coordination among government enforcement agencies and allies in their anti-drug operations.

According to police operatives, their roles in anti-drug operations are only to lend support to the PDEA. Beyond the two agencies, coordination among other anti-drug trafficking interest groups is done on “as the need arises” basis.

At an earlier Bohol peace council meeting weeks ago, Bohol PDEA chief Ma. Chona Egam hinted at the lack of coordination among port authorities and law enforcement agencies which hinder their work.

The new policy to tackle the problem on drugs in a manner of an inter-agency cooperation assures PDEA of coordination among government and specific interest sectors.

At the RPOC meeting, PDEA Regional director Julius Navales said the supply of illegal drugs in Region 7 comes from Manila and Mindanao with Cebu and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental as transshipment points to other provinces.

He said the availability of ships and airplanes coming from Manila and Mindanao to Cebu makes Cebu rank first in drug proliferation due to its central location in the region.

From Cebu, drugs are easily offloaded and hand-carried or shipped for distribution to the provinces.

PDEA sources said they received reports that illegal drugs are being transported through small bancas that dock in some coastal barangays in Cebu.

They said their interdiction units are monitoring the docks in Barangay Pasil in Cebu City and Barangay Tangke in Talisay City, as well as other coastal barangays where drugs are shipped out.

Also, Bohol anti-narcotic operatives busted a drug trafficking modus operandi which uses a legal cargo forwarding service to get the contraband into destinations.

On this, PDEA Bohol recommended port interdiction as the best counter measure in reducing the supply that gets to the region. “…port interdiction is seen as the best counter measure, yet it is not being optimized due to constraints of manpower and logistics

and the lack of coordination between the port authority and law enforcement agencies,” Egam reported during the PPOC in January in Bohol.

Again, in Bohol, observers also pointed out that the anti-drug drive barely scratched the surface as the problem has put the province in category 2, which PDEA defines as moderately affected.

Category 2, according to the PDEA is characterized by the presence of at least one pusher or trafficker.

Other than port interdiction operations, the PDEA, along with other counter-part law enforcement units in the region conducts regular anti-narcotic operations which resulted to the arrest of 970 persons with 1,040 cases filed and are now pending in various drug courts, Dir. Navales reported.

Also, in its effort to drastically reduce the demand for drugs, the agency initiates lectures and various activities in schools and universities, and in local government units in collaboration with different sectors of the society to spread the word against the social menace. (RAHC-PIA 7, Bohol)

Largest human peace sign bats for Guinness Book of World Records

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb 6 (PIA) -- About 5,000 multi-sectoral representatives and students participated in a light up for peace formation recently held at the Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City to attain and be the largest Human Peace Sign for the Guinness Book of World Records.

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hilippine Army’s 302nd Brigade Information Officer, Capt. Anacito Naz, said the mass movement for peace promotion centers on the formation of a human peace sign to help raise awareness and empathy for peace into action.

The formation, dubbed “Light Up for Peace,” gathered students from different universities of Dumaguete City including the ROTC and CWTS, members of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Brigade and 79th IB, high school students and faculty members from Negros Oriental High School, St La Salle University in

Bacolod City, NGOs and POs, local government units and other peace advocates in the province.

The event was spearheaded by the Renaissance Youth Leaders Forum (RYLF) of Silliman University in partnership with the University Spiritual Life Council (USLC), Smart Telecommunication, Oriental Negros Children Advocacy network (ONCAN) and Philippine Army.

Capt. Naz said the massive participation of the event became a congregation of Filipinos uniting for peace, standing together in the

formation of the greatest and largest human peace sign in the world.

Before the formation, the participants started a parade at Quezon Park going around the city towards to the coliseum.

The activity gave the participants an occasion to celebrate and appreciate the importance of unity and peace and made them a pioneer of positive change in our community, said Capt Naz. (FCR/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Central Visayas RDC Chair and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

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Siquijor receives bags of rice, relief goods from LandBank

By Rizalie A. Calibo

LARENA, Feb 6 (PIA) -- At least 350 bags of rice and relief goods were distributed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to Siquijor province recently as calamity assistance to the victims of typhoon Pablo that hit the province early December last year.

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n a report, Siquijor branch manager Joferdine Y. Cui turned over the donation of 50 bags of rice for each municipality.

The LBP, according to its report, has raised a total P12 million in assistance fund.

The P2 million comes from the bank employees nationwide donation of at least an hour of their salary.

Other typhoon Pablo-hit areas like the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and del Norte, Misamis Oriental,

Surigao del Sur, Bukidnon and Agusan del Sur were also recipients of the LBP assistance totaling 4,000 sacks of rice and 14,000 bags of relief goods.

LBP, the report also said, undertakes other assistance measures by calling its alumni, subsidiaries, and attached agencies for donation and postponing its Family Day activities for the year to use a portion of the funds for relief efforts.

Meanwhile, a rehabilitation program for Cavendish banana growers gravely affected by

the typhoon is also made available at the LBP. Earlier, LBP has partnered with the Habitat for Humanity for a project geared towards providing livelihood opportunities for victims of last year’s typhoon Sendong.

Land Bank, according to the report, hopes to widen the coverage of the program and possibly echo this to the typhoon victims to give them the skills and opportunities to start rebuilding their lives. (FCR/RAC-PIA7, Siquijor)

DA-7 appeals for proper rice preparation, consumption

By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) -- The agriculture department is appealing to the public to stop wasting rice, a major staple food for most Filipinos.

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epartment of Agriculture in Central Visayas Regional Field Unit-7 (DA RFU 7) Regional Executive Director Angel C. Enriquez made the appeal during the recent launching of the National Year of Rice (NYR) in Bohol Province at the Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

Around 400 farmers from the different towns in Bohol along with agriculture students from different parts of the country attended the launching.

"We at DA are very confident that we will achieve the rice self-sufficiency if we have the right management of consumption," Enriquez said.

Enriquez said the greater volume of rice produce in the region is contributed by Bohol Province.

The DA official said that in order to help attain rice and other staples sufficiency, one must be responsible consumer.

The rice consumers, she said, should take care to prepare and serve only enough food on the plate.

Enriquez also advised that excess food should not be put to waste but must be recycled.

She is optimistic that the country will attain food staples sufficiency during the year to support the growing population.

She also added that the government has put up rice processing facilities and technical inputs to farmers that will help them increase their production.

In a related development, the DA RFU 7 led by Enriquez and Technical Directors

Tomasita Cadungog and Joel Elumba unveiled the NYR logo, simultaneous with other regions of the country who also had their unveiling of the logo.

Picking the blue, red and yellow colors of the Philippine flag, the logo is an artist’s representation of the rice plant incorporating the producers, consumers, and policy makers who are involved in rice productivity and efforts to reduce rice wastage.

President Simeon Benigno Aquino III declared 2013 as the National Year of Rice under Proclamation No. 494.

The NYR’s advocacy theme this year is "Sapat na Bigas Kaya ng Pinas". (rmn/JSME/PIA-7 Cebu/DA-RFU-7)

International artists in Bohol for NAM ‘Likha Asya’

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 5 (PIA) -- International artists from at least four countries in Asia will be in Bohol on February 26-30, to take part in the Likha Asya, a highlight of the National Arts Month (NAM) 2013.

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ational Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chair of the Drama Committee and Bohol Festival chairman Lutgardo Labad said that Bohol would host at least four major national and international events in line with the NAM in February.

Labad, during the first coordination meeting for the event, said artist performers, resource persons and craftsmen from Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and Japan and Filipino counterparts will be in Bohol to share regional experiences, best practices and innovations in a bid to strengthen consciousness during the Likha Asya.

According to the NCCA, Likha Asya is the First Asian Festival and Conference on Community Theater, Creative Industries and Community-Based Tourism for Sustainable Livelihoods.

Likha Asya will take off in Bohol on Feb.

26 to 28, where majority of the activities are set at the Bohol Cultural Center and the Abatan Ecological Theater in Cortes, said Labad.

Labad said that aside from sharing sessions, Likha Asya also brings in regional arts performances, arts flea markets, fora and conventions.

It is envisioned to be a venue for a cross-cultural exchange of practice and imagination in the artistic industries and in informative tourism, Labad said.

Sharing for the Philippines is a network of theater workers in the Visayas composed of thespians from communities and school-anchored theater organizations doing a collaborative effort for theater as a tool for empowering communities through cultural education in a movement called Lihok Bisaya, he explained.

Lihok Bisaya is an informative organization

of seven community-based informative groups in the Visayas region that will interact with identical groups in Asia, where each group details an essay of how each has made livelihood in their respective regions using the creative arts.

Labad also explained that Likha Asya convenes most of its activities at the Bohol Cultural Center but moves to some locations for performances including the Abatan Ecological Theater in Cortes, Punta Cruz Watch Tower and possibly Dauis Church Complex.

During the coordination meeting attended by local artists and cultural workers including tourism workers, Bohol Center for Culture and Arts Development Head Enriquita Butalid said Capitol is also joining the flurry of activities for the Arts Month with their Art Icons exhibit as well as its Arts Bazaar. (FCR/ RAHC/PIA Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern Samar has 19 new nurses

By Alicia E. Nicart

Eastern Visayas RDC Chair and DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb 5 (PIA) -- Nineteen new registered nurses were added to the list of successful Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE) examinees at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU).

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ean Ruth G. Aguilar of the university’s College of Nursing reported to media that of the 21 ESSU takers, 19 made it to the Philippine Regulatory Commission’s (PRC) list. They will be joining the 16,908 others listed as successful examinees nationwide.

The PRC qualifiers from ESSU are notably increasing in number, and this March, 23 graduating students are expected to meet their requirements, said Aguilar.

Asked as to what factors they could attribute the good standing of their nursing graduates, Aguilar said that during enrolment

time, they scrutinize the grades of applicants.

“An applicant to the college should not have a grade lower than 85 percent,” she emphasized. “Specifically, grades in English and Mathematics should be acceptable to the screening committee,” she added.

Aguilar further said that they hold review classes in preparation for the pre-board exam, and the pre-board exam determines if the student needs additional instruction or not.

She was eight of the nine faculty members are holders of masters degrees, which could be a big help in preparing their students to become competitive in the field of nursing.

From being an exclusive agricultural in 1960, the college has evolved into a university and by virtue of Batasan Pambansa 394, the college was converted into a state college on May 18, 1993 which, “paved to the rapid expansion in program offerings with courses in teacher education, vocational post-secondary education, business and commerce, engineering and law.”

In a short interview with University President, Dr. Ed Campoto, the College of Nursing was opened seven years ago, making three batches of graduates since then. (PIA-8)

North Samar as testing center for Licensure Examination for Teachers on March

By Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb 5 (PIA) -- The province of Northern Samar is now one of the testing centers nationwide of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) on March 10, 2013. This was learned from Regional Director German Palabyab of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

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egional Director German Palabyab of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), in his letter informed the governor that Commissioner Teresita Manzala of PRC central office approved his request to hold the examination in Catarman.

PRC’s approval to hold the LET examination in Catarman is a big help to some 1,831 examinees because this will lessen their expenses for fare, food and lodging just to take the examination in Tacloban City, Palabyab said.

In line with PRCs regulation, the province

is responsible to prepare 90 examination rooms, the security of the PRC personnel who will administer the examinations, the security of the test papers as well as the examinees.

This is the second time that Catarman conducted the LET examination, the first time was in September, 2012. (PIA-8)

Greening 17,714 hectares of East Visayas in 2013 TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 5 (PIA) -- Eastern Visayas targets to cover 17,714 hectares of land with various trees in 2013 in line with the National Greening Program of the Aquino Administration, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources informed.

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ENR-8 Regional Executive Director Manolito D. Ragub said that various trees include indigenous and premium species, fruit trees, as well as mangrove and other non-timber forest products.

In pursuit of this endeavor, the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar which comprise the Eastern Visayas region have their own individual targets to be achieved.

Ragub disclosed that for this year, the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Eastern Samar has the biggest share of the pie.

Under supervision by the DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS), the different PENRO areas in the region will cover the following areas: PENRO Eastern Samar will plant 4,400 hectares for 2013; PENRO Leyte, 4,290 hectares; PENRO Northern Samar, 3,100 hectares; PENRO Samar, 3,464 hectares; PENRO Southern Leyte, 1,600 hectares; and PENRO Biliran, 850 hectares.

As gathered from the DENR Region 8 Focal Unit for NGP, the target sites in Eastern Samar are in Borongan City and Dolores; Palo, Albuera and Baybay City for the province of Leyte; Catarman and Pambujan in Northern Samar; Catbalogan City and Santa Rita in Samar; Maasin City and San Juan in Southern Leyte; and Naval in Biliran.

RED Ragub expressed his optimism that this seemingly impossible mission will become possible with the positive response and enthusiasm of the government and private partners and the general public as a whole.

“Their participation and involvement in the National Greening Program in Eastern Visayas is indeed commendable,” RED Ragub said.

Ragub’s optimism springs from the successful NGP implementation in 2011 and 2012. For 2011, Eastern Visayas reported an accomplishment of over 5.6M seedlings planted out of its target of 4,816,500 seedlings. An aggregate of 10,869.41 hectares were planted surpassing its target of 9,840 hectares for the year.

By mid-December 2012, a total of 9,247.98 hectares have been planted throughout the Eastern Visayas region.

The concerted effort of the Eastern Visayans has resulted in the planting of 5,394,450 seedlings of various species.

Likewise, a total of 5,665,950 seedlings have been produced by people’s organizations who have been engaged by the DENR for the National Greening Program.

Ragub said that social mobilization which proved to be a successful strategy, from nursery establishment to seedling production, actual tree planting activities and maintenance of tree plantations, will again be utilized this year.

Students from both public and private schools, employees of National Government Agencies as well as Local Government Units and from the private sector will again be joined by the church, private media, non-government organizations and socio-civic organizations and community residents in the effort to achieve the goals of the NGP in Region 8, the Regional Executive Director added. (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern Visayas RDC Chair and DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla

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Mayor to new police chief: Maintain image of Maasin as peaceful city

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- On day one of his assumption as the new chief of police in this city, Police Supt. Erwin Fernandez’s marching order from the city mayor was clearly spelled out: to preserve the reputation of Maasin as the most peaceful city in Region 8.

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There are no kidnappers, no terrorists in Maasin, only petty crimes,” Mayor Maloney Samaco reminded the new official during the turn-over rites Monday.

“There were a series of robberies, but measures were already done like identifying the suspects. With Supt. Fernandez these suspects should be put to jail so Maasin can maintain its image as the most peaceful city in Region 8 -- not only the image but the figures to justify,” Samaco also said.

He said the number one reason why investors keep coming to the city was because of

the stable peace and order situation, wherein one can walk the streets of the city during the night all alone and no harm will be done to him.

Samaco gave outgoing police chief Supt. Rico Tome a passing grade of very satisfactory for his 10-month stint, who managed to put behind bars noted illegal drug traders including a budol-budol group from Cebu.

Supt. Fernandez admitted the shoes of Supt.

Tome was too large for him to fit, but vowed to carry on his fight against illegal drugs and the challenge of Samaco.

“The police cannot do it alone. I need the

cooperation of the media and the community,” Fernandez said in an interview, pledging to be always accessible and open for calls from the public and the local press.

He acknowledged that in a growing city there is always the accompanying problem on petty crimes, especially thief and robbery, but with the support of the concerned sectors the menace can be checked.

Fernandez can expect it, among others, from the local leadership, as Samaco vowed that “the city local government unit throws all support to the new chief of police.” (PIA-8)

BILECO to buy power supply from coal-fired power plant in Bataan

By Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran February 7 (PIA) -- The lone electric cooperative in Biliran province is now working for the approval of the power purchase and sale agreement (PPSA) with a coal-fired power plant in Luzon with the expiration of its contract for the supply of electric with the National Power Corporation-Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (NPC-PSALM) on June 25, 2013.

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he contract for the supply of electric energy (CSEE) with NPC-PSALM has already expired on December 25, 2012 but was able to get an extension up to June 25, 2013.

The Biliran Electric Cooperative Incorporated (BILECO) conducted on Tuesday, (February 6) a jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the PPSA between BILECO and GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant Limited Company (GMCP) at the BILECO main office in Brgy. Caray -Caray,Naval Biliran.

It was learned that GMCP owns and will operate a 2x300MW clean pulverized coal-fired electric power generation facility currently under

construction near Mariveles, Bataan for the purpose of supplying its customers with environmentally clean power commencing in early 2013.

BILECO has already entered into a PPSA with GMCP on November 5, 2012 wherein the latter agreed to provide the power requirements of BILECO starting in early 2013.

Samuel Trinidad, Jr. Institutional Services Department (ISD) Manager of BILECO informed in an interview that the PPSA entered by BILECO with GMPC will enable the consumers of BILECO to enjoy a competitive power rates and avoid being exposed to a bigger risk of the volatility of the rate in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

GMPC and BILECO has entered into a five-year PPSA of three megawatts, Trinidad said.

Trinidad explained that GMPC will be charging a uniform generation rate of P4.20 per kilowatt hour (kwh) since it is capacity-based under the PPSA with GMPC but can go as high as P4.40 per kilowatt hour during peak hours. He said that BILECO is experiencing an unstable generation rate per kilowatt hour due to the volatility of the rates in the WESM at present.

The BILECO ISD manager clarified that the electric cooperative entered the PPSA with GMPC to ensure a long-term power supply contract and to provide a continuous reliable source of power to its member-consumers.

(PIA-Biliran)

Only DSWD can delete or remove 4Ps beneficiaries, no other

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 4 (PIA) -- It is only the Department of Social Welfare and Development that can remove or delete, for a cause, 4Ps beneficiaries from the roster.

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SWD Region 8 Director Remia Tapispisan made the pronouncement during the press conference held at the DSWD Regional Office in the morning of February 4.

With barely four months before the May 2013 mid-term national and local elections, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been the target of some politicians to earn points over their rivals by setting the minds of the 4Ps beneficiaries that they can be removed from the program if they don’t support and vote for them come May 2013 elections, Director Tapispisan said.

This is the reason why the regional office

is conducting a massive information dissemination drive, Tapispisan said, to inform the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries that politicians have no power neither were they given the authority to de-list beneficiaries from the program.

The DSWD director gave assurance to the existing Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries that their rights are well protected and cannot be abused by politicians whose only motive is personal interest at the expense of the government.

Tapispisan added that under the 4Ps, beneficiaries can only be removed from the program once they violate the conditions subject to due process of law and only the

office had the sole authority to implement it and no other.

Every person has the right to know his or her right in order not to be subjected to abuse, intimidation and oppression and whoever violates such right, a specific provision of law are provided to protect and stop further abuse, she said.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a human development program of the national government. It is widely known as the Philippine Conditional Cash Transfer program.

As of December it had served a total of 249,561 household beneficiaries in region 8.

(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.

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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

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