One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 7

Vol 3

Issue 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Dancers of the Iloilo City National High School perform to samba beat during the "Sinamba sa Paraw Regatta Mardi Gras Competition" held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on February 12. The event is part of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2013. (LAF/PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

February 11 - 17, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

DILG-NegOr implements 'Bottom-up planning and budgeting'

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Negros Oriental gathered local governments and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the province recently to draw priority projects dubbed, “Bottom-up Planning and Budgeting (BuPB)”.

DILG-NegOr OIC provincial director Farah Gentuya said the assemblies are an offshoot of the regional orientation of BuPB held in Iloilo City and participated in by 25 field officers of the province.

Initially, during the assembly in each 25 LGU, some 50 CSOs have identified and agreed a set of priority poverty reduction projects and measures that reflect grassroots community issues and demands, said Gentuya.

She added, these projects include provision of basic social services and attainment of the millennium development goals to incorporate poverty reduction, hunger mitigation and, job generation and inclusive local economic development, climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness.

The local DILG also conducted the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) planning on February 4 to 15 with all the mayors, CSO representatives, and its department heads in its respective LGUs. The DILG program aims to ensure the inclusion of the funding requirements for the development need of

focus cities and municipalities in the budget proposals of participating agencies.

In the pursuit of taking the “straight path”, President Aquino’s administration embarks on the concept of a more participatory process in local governance particularly on poverty alleviation, Gentuya said.

The local DILG officer said this concept provides a perspective of allowing the civil society organizations and basic sector full participation in planning and budgeting to strengthen the delivery of basic services in the communities. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Negros Oriental gathered local government units and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the province recently to draw priority projects dubbed “Bottom-up Planning and Budgeting” (BuPB) in the municipalities of Valencia and Amlan. (PIA7/NegOr)

Eastern Visayas marks 9 straight years as ‘strike-free’ region Visayan Electric Company (VECO) Communications Manager Theresa Sederosia (center) sharing the contingency measures undertaken by VECO to ensure stable power supply in Central Visayas for the automated May 2013 elections during the regular Kapihan sa PIA Forum at PIA Cebu. Photo also shows: Cebeco Resident Manager Lowell Belcina (left) and Department of Energy -Visayas Regional Director Antonio Labios (right). (VVV/PIA CEBU)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 13 (PIA) -- For nine straight years now, 2003- 2012, there has been "zero strike" in Eastern Visayas.

Labor Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that the nine successive years of zero strike in the region may be attributed to establishment of industrial peace councils, promotion of social accord, labor education, litigation of cases, and enforcement of labor standards.

Sarcauga said DOLE’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board has prevented five possible strikes of labor unions in Eastern Visayas in 2012.

According to the report of NCMB regional conciliator-mediator Tomas Biboso, the collective bargaining agreement deadlock prompted five labor unions to file notices of strike last year, he said.

However, the disagreements were settled through conciliation and mediation, thus preventing labor strikes from occurring last year.

It was learned that notices were filed by labor unions, with corresponding amount of demand of Leyte II Electric Cooperative in Tacloban City (P3.01 million);

Specialty Pulp Manufacturing, Inc. in Baybay City (P5.6 million); Pulp Specialties Philippines, Inc. in Albuera, Leyte (P2 million); Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative in Tolosa, Leyte (P17.28 million); and New Hideco Sugar Milling Corporation (Hisumco) in Kananga, Leyte (P4 million).

The last notice of strike filed last year was in November 21 by Hisumco resulting to CBA deadlock.

The case was resolved on January 23, 2013 benefiting 50 workers.

“The strike was about to happen. We were instructed by the Office of the Department of Labor and Employment Secretary to go back to the plant level and negotiate again. Out of the 18 issues during the initial conference, we were able to reduce that to eight,” the labor director said.

Per record of the DOLE-NSCB-8, the last strike in the region was on February 24, 2003 when several employees of the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative in Borongan, Eastern Samar staged a protest over a collective bargaining agreement deadlock. (PIA-8)

DENR intensifies re-greening efforts in NegOcc Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez (back to camera) acts as the solemnizing officer during the wedding of 94 couples dubbed “I do, I do Araw ng Pag-IBIG” sponsored by the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) held at Kyles Restaurant and Wine Bar, Tacloban City, February 14. The activity was simultaneously conducted nationwide on Valentine’s Day. (Raul S. Tiozon/PIA-8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. NEGROS OCC., Feb 14 (PIA6) -- Buoyed up by its tree planting output last year, accomplished before its target date, DENR Negros Occ. will further intensify its re-greening efforts this 2013 with a goal to plant more than 1.4 million seedlings, Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Officer Valentin Talavero said.

In an interview, he disclosed the project entails a budget of P 34.5 million involving 2,824 hectares of land in the province that they also hope to accomplish before year-end.

DENR will intensify public-private partnership to mobilize the biggest volunteers possible and surpass goals set for the agency, he told PIA.

By November 2013, they hope to complete the requirement quota for the National Greening Project while efforts are in place to work for the elimination of timber poaching or illegal cutting of trees.

He said the NGP program aims to plant 1.5 billion trees on 1.5 million has. across the country for a period of six years starting 2010 to 2016.

Talavero noted that people in Negros Occ. have a high degree of awareness on tree planting and tree growing.

Coordination with various sectors continues particularly the Negros Occ. Environment Forest Protection Council, PNP, NGOs, People’s Organizations, students, the Army, other government entities and the church, he added. (PIA6-JCM/LOL)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

‘Profile of the Poor’ in WV available for LGUs use in planning

By Elsa S. Subong

WV RDC Chair and Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco

ILOILO CITY, Feb 13 (PIA6) -- The municipal profile of the poor in Western Visayas is now available for use by the local government units for their planning and prioritized delivery of services.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas has already completed the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) survey and consolidation.

Trinidad Lopez, NHTS-PR focal person, said during the orientation with Information Officers that they have already informed the local governments of the availability of the data and to use this to make local planning more responsive.

“The LGUs just have to send DSWD-6 a letter request, with a resolution from their local Sangguniang councils,” Lopez said.

DSWD-6 Assistant Regional Director Joel Galicia said the NHTS-PR data are valuable for inter-agency projects where the poor are the intended direct beneficiaries, especially of livelihood and social services.

“Further, with the ‘Bottom-Up’ planning engaged now by agencies, the data on the poor become more indispensable, as budget should be appropriately allocated,” Galicia said.

Lopez, on the other hand, said they are also monitoring the utilization of the data as they are interested on how useful the data are especially for local government units.

“We also are interested on the experiences of the users as they work on the data in their planning and project implementation,” Lopez said.

“This is also where the Information Officers of the LGUs can help us gather feedbacks,” she said.

To date, as per NHTS-PR office records, there are still three provinces who have not requested for the profile, namely Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.

For the towns, the following have not yet availed: New Washington in Aklan; the towns of Culasi, Libertad, Patnongon, san Jose and Tibiao for Antique.

The towns of Dumarao, Pontevedra and Roxas City have not yet made the request, so too the towns of Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in Guimaras.

Thirteen LGUs in Iloilo have not yet availed of the profile, namely, Anilao, Balasan, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Carles, Estancia, Leganes, Pavia, Passi City, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique and Zarraga.

In Negros Occidental, there are the towns of Binalbagan, Calatrava, EB magalona, Escalante, Sagay, San Enrique, Silay City and Sipalay.

Lopez reiterates that the NHTS-PR team is ready to accommodate requests submitted anytime to the DSWD. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Women's group supports 'One Billion Rising' vs. VAW

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Feb 13 (PIA6) -- The Regional Ugsad Gender Resource Center in Western Visayas urged member agencies, other government agencies and private organizations to join the “One Billion Rising” tomorrow, February 14.

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One Billion Rising” is a call for one billion women around the world to walk out, dance, rise and demand to end violence against women. It was launched in early 2012

by V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls founded by Eve Ensler, Tony Award winning author of the “Vagina Monologues”.

“We are encouraging everyone to participate in the activity as part of their support for the call to end violence against women and children, said Ugsad Coordinator Dr. Diana Aure during a recent Ugsad GRC coordinating committee meeting.

She also asked Ugsad GRC representatives to bring posters or tarpaulins

which express their support for the advocacy and to wear their EVAW shirt colored purple or in shades of pink during the activity as part of the campaign.

The “One Billion Rising” will take place at the University of the Philippines Visayas city campus from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to be participated in by UPV GAD focal point persons, gender advocates and students.

Aure said the “One Billion Rising” activity at UPV will be documented and become part of the international campaign.

The municipality of Oton, Iloilo will likewise take part in the campaign to show their solidarity.

More than 700 participants composed of municipal hall employees and representatives of women’s groups and other sectors in the town are expected to gather at 7:30 a.m. at their town plaza for the activity tomorrow.

Iloilo Provincial Capitol GAD Focal Person Alma Ravena said that they will hold the same activity at a later date to kick off their Women’s Month celebration. V-Day said that according to the United Nations, one in three women on the planet is raped or beaten in her lifetime. (JCM/LAF/PIA)

4,402 run to save lives in Roxas City

By Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb 13 (PIA6) -- A sea of runners clad in red t-shirts filled a single lane of Arnaldo Boulevard here Feb. 10 in line with the simultaneous nationwide second Million Volunteer Run.

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ased on the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Capiz chapter records, 4,402 participants had registered for the three-kilometer run from the public plaza through Arnaldo Boulevard to the People’s Park in Barangay Baybay.

The event dubbed, “Run to Save Lives,” was highlighted by an exercise at the park where a dance exercise instructor led the exercises.

PRC – Capiz Blood Service representative Ray Martinez said P312,960 was generated from the activity.

Part of the proceeds of the Run will be used to fund the training program of the 143 volunteers.

PRC has organized Red Cross 143 volunteers, a flagship volunteer program that recruits and trains 44 volunteers in every barangay – one leader and 43 members - on disaster management including disaster risk reduction and disaster response.

A short program to recognize top 10 runners who reached the finish line,

sponsors and participants ended the early morning initiative.

Among the participants of the run here were LGUs, schools, media organizations, civic clubs as well as private groups and hospitals.

MVR is way to promote the spirit of volunteerism among participating runners from various cities in the country. (JCM/ AAL-PIA 6, Capiz)

WV RDC Chair and Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco

WESTERN VISAYAS

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LGU, NHTS sponsored members PhilHealth Antique enrolees

top

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb 14 (PIA) -- The LGU-sponsored members and National Household Targeting System (NHTS) covered families top the list of PhilHealth enrollees in Antique.

To fully implement the new thrust of unie Sabusap, chief, PhilHealth Health Agenda where indigent families are Antique in an interview said that given access to quality health care services PhilHealth on Case Rate Payment, Sabusap members sponsored by the local through sponsorship program, Sabusap enjoins local officials to find ways and means to upgrade their hospitals, birthing government units (both provincial and said.

Third on the list in terms of clinics and other health facilities to pass the municipal governments) have summed up to 36,887 members while NHTS covered membership is the employed sector with accreditation of Philhealth so that members 36,004. Employed in the private sector need not shell out money from their families totaled to 36,608. up to 2 3 , 6 2 9 , pockets when confined or undergoing NHTS covered families are paid by the s u m m e d national government under ‘Kalusugan government - 12,268 and household consultation.

The hospitals should have adequate employment or kasambahay members Pangkalahatan’ Program. supply of medicines, laboratory facilities Sabusap revealed that as of December totaled to 107.

There are 15,749 Individually Paying and other services so that members could 31, 2012 Antique has a total of 137,799 members and 53 percent are covered members (IPP), 3,837 – non-paying fully avail of the Case Rate Payment, concluded.

(JCM/PSM/ members or retirees, 7,864 are Overseas Sabusap under sponsored program.

This only shows that the government Filipino Workers and 850 are Kasapi PIA6Antique) is resolute in its efforts to implement members.

‘Kalusugan Pangkalahatan’ or the Aquino

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Soldiers find Aklan a desirable, peaceful place

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Feb 13 (PIA6) -- For many soldiers, Aklan is one of the country’s most desirable, peaceful place to live in.

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ecause of this, many soldiers who have retired have opted to stay for good in Aklan, according to LTC Eduardo B. Gubat, Commanding Officer of the 12th IB, 3ID Philippine Army based at Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan.

Gubat shared this information during a lull in the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held at the GCLC Tourism and Training Center in Old Buswang Kalibo February 13, the first to be held so in 2013.

“Aklan is good for settling down because the climate is good, and it is also very peaceful here,” Gubat said.

He attributed the good climate in Aklan to the vast forest cover in Aklan, especially in areas near the camp.

Gubat stressed however, that despite of the declaration in 2011 that Aklan is already an insurgency-province, the Philippine Army is not letting its guard down government units to maintain the province’ peaceful status.

Presently, the Philippine Army sees no big problems on peace and order, with the presence all over the province of 10 army detachments including one in Boracay Island.

In its report on Internal Security Operation, the Philippine Army earlier in the meeting bared that Boracay Island is “relatively peaceful but as a major tourist destination, the threat of any terroristic attack on any opportunity cannot be discounted”, thus, the presence of the Task Force Boracay detachment in the island is very crucial.

Meanwhile, as one of its concerns, the Philippine Army revealed during the meeting that it needs help in the rehabilitation of its Multi-Purpose Building at Camp Jizmundo.

LTC Gubat said once rehabilitated, the building could serve as venue for various meetings or conferences of the Philippine Army, national government agencies and other partner organizations.

Responding to their concern, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, PPOC Chairperson told LTC Gubat to submit to the province a proposal/request for funding and program of works, so the province could also extend financial assistance based on the project proposal. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Quick response in times of disaster vital, says DSWD-6 head

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. ILOILO CITY, Feb 12 (PIA6) -- Responding expeditiously to situations arising from disasters is the primary goal of the Committee on Disaster Response of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 said.

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SWD-6Regional Director Evelyn B. Macapobre during the first quarterly meeting of the committee held recently at Iloilo Grand Hotel here said that this is to provide immediate relief assistance and emergency services to families and individuals affected by a disaster.

Macapobre made the statement as the committee set out to tackle issues and concerns related to disaster response activities during the previous year and to lay down future courses of action.

An example of an emergency situation wherein the committee demonstrated its

resolve for quick response was during tropical storm “Quinta” when it was able to provide immediate relief assistance to affected families in the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occ. in Western Visayas hit by the typhoon.

DSWD as committee chair tapped its own resources intended for disaster response operations and by coordinating with the national and regional disaster risk reduction and management councils, members of the committee, and concerned local government units.

Judith Tanate, head of the Disaster Management/Crisis Intervention Unit of

DSWD 6, said they were able to provide P8.7 million worth of assistance including family food packs, bottled water, plastic mats and blankets to thousands of families in evacuation centers.

Tanate said they also provided financial assistance of P10, 000 for every casualty of the typhoon. There were 24 reported casualties.

Macapobre told representatives of member-agencies that the committee should be able to anticipate areas that need response in times of disaster so that actions could be done immediately. (JCM/ JSC-PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Siquijor urges towns to adopt organic agri law

By Rizalie A. Calibo

Central Visayas RDC Chair and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

SIQUIJOR, Feb 11 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Siquijor through the Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) urged its six municipalities to adopt Republic Act 10068 otherwise known as Organic Agriculture Act.

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his is in line with the provincial government’s thrust to boost “agri-eco-tourism” and its farmers’ productivity and income, according to the POAB. Members of POAB and its technical working committee said as they unanimously agreed to request all municipalities to support the law through its adoption and creation of the Municipal Organic Agriculture Committees (MOACs) and Technical Working Groups (TWGs).

The Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and its Technical Working Committee have been created early last year along with the formulation of the Organic Agriculture Roadmap for the province and a development plan for this year.

As one its activities for this year, the POAB has scheduled the whole month of February this year for a series of meetings with the members of the municipal councils and March for the orientation on RA 10078 and the importance of the creation of MOAC and TWGs. This, the PPOAB said will provide for the development of a comprehensive organic agriculture for the province and its municipalities.

Meanwhile, the province of Siquijor is supportive of the 2013 National Year of Rice thrust towards achieving rice self-sufficiency and minimizing, if not totally stopping, rice importation.

Among the highlights of the launching of Rice Year in the province was the signing of commitment

by all stakeholders and program implementers and the joint recitation of the rice pledge. , said Gay Therese Bucol of the Department of Agriculture.

The rice year advocacy campaign aims to promote the need for everyone’s help through intensified information campaign and social marketing - from the producers, policy-makers down to the general public/consumers. NYR2013 is part of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program of the country and has for its theme, "Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas (Rice sufficiency can be achieved by Pinas)". (mbcn/rac-PIA 7 Siquijor/Gay Therese M. Bucol/ OPA)

P1-M sawmill processing plant to rise in NegOr

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- A sawmill processing plant with a proposed P1 million budget will soon rise in Bindoy, Negros Oriental. epartment of Environment and to serve processing orders not only in (CBFMMP), this is in partnership with the Natural Resources (DENR-7) Bindoy but also from other cities and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo and municipalities in the province while f u n d e d by the KfW, a Bindoy Mayor Valente Yap recently led achieving a zero-waste generation,” he German-government owned bank.

Meanwhile, Yap said the facility is a the ground breaking rites for the added. Sawmill facility is a wood proposed sawmill project which is processing plant used for the conversion realization of what he had started 22 years considered the first to be installed in the of logs or timber into lumber, or the ago when he was a contractor and signed first district of Negros Oriental. re-sizing or ripping of lumber, slabs and up a Community Based Contract In a message during the ceremony, other wood wastes into desired Reforestation (CBCR) project with DENR. Montejo said the project aims to dimensions and forms.

The municipality of Bindoy was empower the local government unit The soon to rise sawmill processing (LGU) of Bindoy in managing their forest facility convert logs into lumber and other recently awarded by the DENR for its and mangrove areas to promote knocked down products which could be strong commitment to the national sustainable development while getting into marketed within and outside the greening program (NGP) as the only an enterprise to advance livelihood municipality. Supported under the DENR’s municipality in the country to plant, grow opportunities on their communities. infrastructure and livelihood component and maintain more than 1,000 hectare “Once the sawmill becomes fully of the Community based Forest and plantations within a forest land.(mbcn/ functional and operational, it is expected M a n g r o v e M a n a g e m e n t p r o j e c t HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)

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Comelec needs more ‘Its’ to operate PCOS machines

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced the need to hire information technology specialists to operate the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines in Negros Oriental for the May 13 elections.

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umaguete City Acting Election Officer, Atty. Jerome Brillantes of Comelec said during the Kapihan sa PIA recently that the teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd) or the Board of Elections Inspectors in 2010 election are not enough to serve as PCOS technicians, thus, the office is recruiting technicians from the private sector.

However he assured voters that teachers and IT experts will be properly trained to handle automated election system by Comelec and Smartmatic.

By then, he added the technician already know how to operate the PCOS machine-readable form, as this is very sensitive to any marks.

To ensure that the votes on election day is counted, the Comelec officer warned the voters not to make any markings but to properly shade the election ballots that would be fed into the voting machines.

Brillantes noted that overvoting, or voting for more than the specified number of candidates,

renders that particular portion of the ballot invalid and the vote will not be counted.

He observed in 2010 election that there’s a low turned out of results in the hinterland barangays than those in the poblacion intelligent participants who know how to use the modern ballot.

In the same Kapihan forum, Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) convenor, Reverend Monsignor Julius Heruela said to ensure that things go smoothly on May 13, he asked the voters to check ahead their precinct number to make sure the voter is actually registered in their respective areas Msgr. Heruela said the Cathedral Parish will put up a voter’s information area right in front of the church where churchgoers can verify their precinct number or double check other pertinent info after the Mass.

The monsignor said the DEB has lined-up activities on voters’ education campaign to achieve clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful (Champ) orderly elections in the province.

He hopes that this year’s elections is truly reflective to the sentiments and will of the Negrense.

The diocesan poll board has also called on civic-minded individuals specially the youth sector to volunteer as poll watchers for the more than 3,000 precincts in Oriental Negros in the forthcoming national and local elections on May 13.

DEB Convenor Reverend Monsignor Julius Heruela said, 5,000 volunteers are needed for various precinct assignments in the province while 1,500 poll watchers for more than 600 precincts in Siquijor province.

A volunteer should exercise non-partisanship with voting age from 18 years old and above.

He or she should not be publicly supporting any candidate in the coming elections.

The DEB is composed of private sectors, government and non-government organizations (NGOs), and the church which include the Comelec, PPCRV, NAMFREL,PNP, AFP, PIA, DepEd, AAGoGo, Social Action, BBC, LENTE and KBP. (mbcn/JCT/PIA -Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Central Visayas RDC Chair and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

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Capturing Siquijor color, Siquijor feel

By Rizalie A. Calibo

Siquijor, Feb 12 (PIA) -- Culture, heritage, tradition and environment. These make Siquijor.

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apturing Siquijor color and Siquijor feel for tourists to see and experience is a perfect design strategy to sell the island, says design consultant and amateur photography-hobbyist Rey Luciano Soliven during the Product Development Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for Siquijor recently.

Soliven likened the island to a pizza pie but with a unique shape, divided into six slices (six towns), each equally gifted with beaches, mountains, land areas, friendly people, and other spectacular natural beauties.

All these, he said, he found out during his photo documentation tour around the province’s key cultural heritage sites, tourist spots, market areas, traditional market centers, still life, rural life, human element, etc. a day before his lecture and workshop to tourism stakeholders in the province. “ ’Siquijor is a pizza pie,’ can even be a good tagline,” he said citing that a good strategy should start with a good tagline.

He said that product development is a necessary investment.

“If you want to sell Siquijor, think of a good program,” he said noting Siquijor as a tourist island that calls for a more complex strategy.

“You have to incorporate products with tourism, ecology, people, heritage and culture. You have to develop an activity that is geared towards business,” he advises during the lecture.

Product development program includes workshop on Creative-Basic Photography which covers on basic principles and creative compositions such as framing, rule of thirds, patterns, textures, etc. and basic camera settings.

Another was the assessment, information gathering and SWOT analysis, SME industry profiling where participants were also given a two-hour lecture/seminar on Design and product Development Process to ensure understanding of the project, know the business costs involved in product development as well as update participants of the new products and colors in the market.

Then, there was a workshop on visual miniature models of exhibition-trade fair style booth design. Themes story boards were given that served as guide. Group presentation, critiquing and selection of best designs, miniatures and window display followed.

“It’s really a good program, one that would help boost Siquijor tourism,” says one of the participants.

The Product development program, DTI-Siquijor provincial director NimfaVirtucio said is designed to make use of what is innate in Siquijodnons and what the island is all about.

It aims to develop more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) producing crafts and other non-food pasalubong items in support of Tourism which is the One Town One Product (OTOP) of the province and the anchor industry of all our SME intervention, said Virtucio. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA -Siquijor)

91 elem students in CV qualify for PSHS-DOST scholarship

By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced that 91 elementary pupil-examinees in Central Visayas qualify for the scholarships in the Philippine Science High School (PSHS-DOST).

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OST Negros Oriental assistant provincial director Roslyn Tambago said of the 91 passers, 11 students from Negros Oriental are qualified to be admitted as freshmen in the PSHS-DOST scholars for school year 2013-2014.

The pupils now will be accepted at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Central Visayas Campus in Talaytay, Argao, Cebu for this year’s opening of classes after passing the 2013 National Competitive Examination

held on September 29, 2012 at Silliman University.

Tambago said the system has also identified 18 passers for the PSHS Main Campus located in Diliman, Quezon City, six of those are from Central Visayas; two from Negros Oriental.

The scholars from the province include Sean Dominic Abella, TG Giles Geonzon, Joshua Rey Lasola, Joshua Martin Navarro, Szharandrei Nocete, Alexis Sumugat, all from Dumaguete City; John Edrin Buenavista and Alyssa

Emmanuelle Salazar of Bacong; James Dean Cafino, Zambaonguita; Noreen Feb Nave of Valencia; and Abby Gaile Rodriguez, Sibulan.

The PSHS System, as mandated under Section 2 of Republic Act 3661, aims to offer free scholarship for secondary course with special emphasis to subjects pertaining to the Sciences with the end view of preparing its students for a future Science career. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

Bohol supplies 70% rice requirement of C. Visayas

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 12 (PIA) -- Only the province of Bohol posted a significant increase in rice production in Central Visayas as it now supplies 70 percent of the rice requirement in the entire region.

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ata from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in Bohol showed that the yield increased from 231,569 metric tons (MT) in 2011 to 237,836 MT in 2012.

Larry Pamugas, assistant provincial agriculturist, said that if you compare the yield increment from 2010 of 191,000 MT to 2012, it posted 24 percent growth which by far is the highest.

The annual increase this year translates to 2.71 percent, Pamugas added as he also compared the data with other rice producing provinces in the region.

According to Pamugas, all other provinces in the region experienced negative changes in average harvests.

In Cebu, rice harvest is .02 percent while Negros Oriental had -2.19 percent and worse-hit was Siquijor which posted a -14.32 decrease in yield from 2011, said Pamugas.

It may be recalled that sometime between July to September last year, farmers started seeking Bohol Capitol’s intervention to break the long dry

spell which had threatened to ruin agricultural production here.

The dry season sucked the usual 138 millimeter rainfall to 6.8 mm, cracking most of the farms and threatening to dry-up irrigation facilities.

Focused on its mission of supplying the rice requirement for Central Visayas, Bohol farmers and local officials agreed that a cloud seeding operation is needed to induce rainfall and save the farms.

Governor Edgar Chatto, who said that saving then the cropping season from the deleterious effect of the rain deficiency is urgent, immediately sought the Department of Agriculture’s help and through its Bureau of Soils and Water Management conducted sorties for cloud seeding operations.

The rains, albeit induced came in mid-August, just at the right time when plants have shown signs of distress.

Pamugas said had the cloud seeding been delayed by a few days, it would have been disastrous and Bohol may not be able to register positive growth in rice harvest.

Aside from the timely rain-induced intervention, Pamugas also cited other interventions such as the Rice Assistance Program for Institutional Development (RAPID) to farmers which puts in good quality seeds, technical support, inputs and fertilizers as well as other hands-on interventions from DA and the National Irrigation Administration.

He also cited the farmers’ efforts in taking care of their farms and the quick response that was available in terms of pest and diseases control.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Jagna has the best nutrition program as it topped the Provincial Search for the Best Nutrition Programs of 2012; its second consecutive achievement that could lead to a citation as among Nutrition Honor Awardees.

Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and town nutrition officer Anita Ocmeja received the plaque and cash award during the Nutrition Awarding ceremonies at the Jjs Seafoods Restaurant last February 7. (FCR/RAHC/PIA Bohol)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

DA urges Samarnons to raise goats to beat poverty

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

Eastern Visayas RDC Chair and DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb 13 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 8 has urged Samarnons to raise goats to beat poverty.

R

egional Technical Director Wilson Cerbito cited the benefits of raising goats during his presentation on Tuesday for the Samar Island Small Ruminant Enterprise Development Project.

He claimed that some farmers from the same project in Villaba, Leyte have testified earning more through goat raising. The farmers had to provide the goats with proper housing, proper care and even nutritious feeds which they grow themselves.

Cerbito, an advocate of livestock, conceptualized the goat raising project in Villaba where most farmers proved successful.

“Since Samar is poorer, might as well bring the information and technology so they will have equal opportunity that Leyte had,” Cerbito said.

He added that instead of subsistence type of raising goats, farmers should think big and look at goat raising as an enterprise.

DA will share the cost of the program with the local government units. The

municipalities of Basey, Sta Rita, Sto Nino, Tarangnan, Pinabacdao and the City of Calbayog have been included in the program.

Municipal Agriculturist Tessie Agarao of the island municipality of Sto. Niño is happy that her municipality was considered for the project.

Cerbito said goat meat, also called chevon, is healthier than pork. It’s a leaner source of protein than beef, chicken or pork, is low on saturated fat, calories and cholesterol. (PIA-Samar)

DPWH-Biliran to focus on road improvements in 2014

By Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH-BDEO) this early has already allocated the bulk of their agency’s budget in 2014 for road improvement projects in the province of Biliran.

O

ut of the P440 million for proposed projects for 2014, P210 million are allocated for the upgrading/widening of existing concrete road; P120 million for the improvement of road shoulders; P50 million for rehabilitation/reconstruction of drainage canals; and 40 million for the slope protection along the Biliran Circumferential Road.

David P. Adongay Jr., district engineer, in an earlier interview at Radyo Natin-Naval revealed that the focus of his

office for 2014 is primarily for the road improvement of the Biliran Circumferential Road.

“Our national road in the province needs to be widened to address the fast economic growth and progress of the province,” Adongay emphasized.

The DPWH head in the province who assumed office on October 24, 2012 observed that the national road in the province is too narrow to accommodate the expected big volume of vehicles that

will pass the national road of the province as a result of its fast growing economy.

A significant component of the road improvement project for 2014 includes the road opening/concreting of Biliran diversion road in Biliran town that will ease the flow of traffic, Adongay said.

Other important component of the road improvement project for 2014 include the upgrading/widening of the Maripipi Circumferential Road which is seen to further boost the tourism industry of the town. (PIA-Biliran)

Pag-IBIG reiterates call to employers, members to register online

By Neil D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 10 (PIA) -- The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) is once again reminding employers and members who have not registered yet online to do so to fully implement the system, in preparation of its full automation by middle of this year.

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uring the Suruswerte ha PIA Tuesday, Pag-IBIG-8 marketing division chief Leo Larraga said that the program will run once the nationwide online registration will be completed or complied by all the employers and members.

“The ultimate objective of this full automation is for you to be able to view your records online such as loan status, payments/ remittances, membership records and everything and anything about Pag-IBIG,” he said.

As to compliance, Larraga observed that agencies/offices both private and public as well as individual payors in Eastern Visayas responded to their call although only four percent had not complied since they started their campaign in 2011. Larraga explained that registration online is just easy and takes only

10 to 20 minutes by logging on to www.pagibigfund.gov.ph, click e-member services facility then click online membership registration.

However, he suggested that for those who have no internet access, they may do the registration in internet cafes near their area or visit Pagibig offices so they will be assisted.

A member has to register “As New” since this is their first time to register online even though they were already issued a Pagibig Membership ID before, he said.

Asked if a member can edit the data in the system, Larraga said that for now, the editing facility in the program is not yet available, however, he emphasized that every registrant should not commit error in three things – name, birthday and place of birth.

After a successful registration, he said, a tracking number will be given but this is only a temporary number and after the matching process has been verified, a permanent Pag-IBIG Membership ID No. (PMID) will be generated by the system.

Once given a PMID Number, the member may now go to Pag-IBIG office and request for a new transaction card.

Pag-IBIG no longer require submission of printout of the Member Data Form (MDF) to their office, however, a copy of the Employer Data Form is required for submission as evidence that the office has already registered.

Pag-IBIG is the premiere and globally-competitive provident financial institution in the country that endeavors to uplift the quality of life of members through savings. (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern Visayas RDC Chair and DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla

7

N Samar to commemorate centennial of Eladio Balite

By Ailene N. Diaz

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The province of Northern Samar will commemorate the centennial birth anniversary of Eladio T. Balite.

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ladio T. Balite was a former congressman known to be the founder of the province, who authored Republic Act 4221 approved by Congress in 1963. The said law, ratified in a plebiscite on June 1965, divided Samar into three provinces namely, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar.

Balite was congressman in the second district of the province of Samar for eight years, 1957 to 1965.

In recognition of his significant contribution, the President declared February 18, 2013 as special non-working day in Northern Samar in commemoration of his centennial birth anniversary.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 541 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on January 28, to give the people of Northern Samar the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.

The municipality of Bobon in coordination with the provincial government sets a string of activities and this include thanksgiving mass, parade and wreath laying at the monument of E.T. Balite. An unveiling ceremony of his monument will also be held at the UEP-Catarman, UEP-Laoang, and UEP Catubig.

Perrain Rebadulla, Provincial Culture and the Arts consultant said that aside

from the initiative of Eladio T. Balite in obtaining the provinces’ independence, several of his significant contributions include upgrading of then Samar Institute of Technology (SIT), now the University of Eastern Philippines, establishment of agricultural and trade schools in the province namely, Laoang National Trade (now UEP-Laoang), Catubig PRMAC (now UEP-Catubig) and Bobon School of Fisheries.

It was also his initiative to upgrade the Catarman Integrated Hospital which is now the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and instrumental in the establishment of Allen District Hospital and Gamay District Hospital.

(PIA-Northern Samar)

Regional sanitary inspectors summit held in Borongan

By Alicia E. Nicart BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb 12 (PIA) -- More than 70 municipal and city Sanitary Inspectors coming from Samar and Leyte provinces were in the city recently for their yearly conduct of Sis’ summit.

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epartment of Health Representative (DOHREP), Dr. Jean Egargo said in her lecture, that this year’s conference focused on mitigating the ill-effects of disasters to the victims.

Dr. Egardo added that, victims of disasters who are temporarily settled in evacuation centers, are often times affected by preventable diseases due to mismanagement of water and sanitation facilities. And just like other professional and trained skilled workers, the work of

an SI is equally important in addressing the common illnesses in a community, or victims when disasters hit an area.

Thus, she urged the SIs to, primarily promote hygiene inside and outside evacuation centers. Water which are supplied to them must be safe from contamination to prevent added problems.

She also stressed that SIs should provide their Municipal Health Officers (MHOs) with the correct data after conducting a comprehensive assessment on what happened to a particular

barangay, because this will form part of his proposal to higher leadership for needed resources.

She added that SIs must have a good stock of knowledge on the basic information which are detailed in each of the barangay’s profile.

She advised further that water which are sourced from under the ground must not be lower than 25 meter-distance from a septic tank. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

2-day Paralympics shows what PWDs can do

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb 11 (PIA) -- The lame swam, the blind played table tennis, threw shot puts, threw discuses and javelins, and, yes, they even ran a 50-meter dash; and those in wheelchairs played basketball and painted posters.

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or two straight days, February 7 and 8, men and women with physical problems had fun playing games like any ordinary mortals for the 2013 Regional Paralympics games hosted by this city.

“This was the first time Maasin played host to this kind of games, and this was also the first time persons with disabilities (PWDs) from this city joined the competition,” an officiating official, Domie Rojas, told Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Athletes, either in-school through Special Education (SPED) classes or out-of-school, with ages belonging to the young ones or the young once, from Ormoc, Leyte, Tacloban, Eastern Samar, Calbayog, and the host city, sweated it out as they enjoyed the games.

There were 10 players per participating team, it was learned.

A shot rang to signal the start of a 50-meter sprint for the blind. The blind ran with their guide, and the winner, Raymon Gaspay from Tacloban City, even reached the finish line all by himself, in 8 minutes, 68 seconds, as his guide stumbled just about 10 meters away from the finish line.

Coming in second was Wilson Amonga, from Borongan, Eastern Samar, who clocked 8 minutes, 87 seconds, and third was Bonifacio Fernandez, from Maasin City, at 9 minutes, 10 seconds.

For the wheelchair-bound basketball, Daniel Abreo from Maasin, bested his fellow players from Borongan and Leyte when he was able to shot the ball gaining him two points within their

10-minute game, to the wild cheers of the able onlookers.

Players from Eastern Samar garnered a total of 84 points in swimming to become the champion in that competition, and also in the poster-making contest, while in athletics Maasin players got 179 points to win in this division.

Ormoc won against Eastern Samar in the table tennis for the vision-impaired, but Eastern Samar won against Tacloban and Maasin in chess for men, orthopaedics. For chess in the vision-impaired category, Tacloban beat Maasin.

Overall, however, Maasin players emerged as the champion, Eastern Samar first runner-up, Tacloban second runner-up, and Leyte, third runner-up. Ormoc and Calbayog came in fourth and fifth, respectively. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

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