Vol 6
Issue 14
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN. Roxas City Veterinarian Dr. Dante Corros calls on city residents to be responsible dog owners in view of the campaign to eliminate rabies cases and road accidents due to stray dogs during a recent media interaction March 28 as part of the activities of the Roxas City Rabies Control Committee for the Rabies Awareness Month celebration. (PIA Capiz photo/A. Lumaque)
More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…
CENTRAL VISAYAS
The 4th part of Candidates' Forum for 1st district Provincial Board candidates (l-r) Jessica Villanueva, Rizaldy Gumba, Georgita Martinez, forum host Jenny Catan-Tilos of PIA, Reynaldo Tuanda Jr., Lorenzo Dy, and Napoleon Villegas aired live over Fil-Pro cable TV & radyo Bandilyo DYWC. (PIA7-NEGOR)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
Cong. Damian G. Mercado and Gov. Roger G. Mercado during DA Secretary Proceso Alcala's visit in Maasin City for the turnover of farm i m p l e m e n t s to f a r m e r s /f i s h e r f o l k s organizations in Southern Leyte, among other commitments to boost agri-sector. (PIA8)
More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here...
April 4 - 10, 2016
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
Coloma tells ESSU grads: Be proud of selves, school TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, April 7(PIA) – It‟s the singer, not the song…be proud of who you are and where you came from, ipagmalaki ninyo na kayo ay graduate ng ESSU. These were part of Secretary Sonny Coloma‟s message to the graduates of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Borongan main campus, during their 53rd Commencement Exercises, April 6. The head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was in town recently, to share some inspirational thoughts to the new sets of degree holders. He shared, that his Lolo Sixto was a farmer who did not make it to high school, but he worked hard and insisted that his father and his four siblings would finish college. “If my father had not been able to obtain a university degree, what kind of future would have been in store for him - and for his children as well?” said Sec. Sonny. In an apparent reverence therefore to the parents and guardians seated in the side bleachers of the hall , Sec. Coloma requested the graduates to rise and give them a resounding applause, “for without them, you wouldn‟t be here,” he said. He stressed, that a college diploma is more than just a passport; it is also a key for opening many doors of opportunity. He also pointed out to the graduates that they are luckier because of today‟s robust economy. For the future, the Presidential Spokesman offered some tips. First, he said, they must be aware of what they are good at, that they must capitalize on their skill-sets, reminding however, that it is not only the degree they earned, for, the first impression they create could probably be more important than their curriculum vitae or their transcript of records. Then, Sec. Coloma stressed on hard work in whatever they do, and be willing to start from the bottom, then work their way up, patiently and cheerfully. “There is no magic formula for success. There is no substitute for hard work. It is only in the dictionary where success, comes ahead of work,” he added. He likewise reminded the graduates of the opportunities in Samar and Eastern Visayas as a whole which according to him has an abundant natural resources, particularly the Samar Island Natural Park(SINP) where abound and need protection, some 38 species of mammals, 215 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles, 26 species of amphibians and over 1,000 species of plants. He urged, that the SNIP‟‟s vast natural resources needs vigilance and protection as it significantly contributes to protection
against the ravages of climate change. Eco-Tourism and Information and Communication Technology, which is now in Palo, Leyte, he said could be another job opportunity. “All you have to do is look up, because there, you will see a sky of boundless possibilities,” Sec. Coloma quipped. He then, shared to the graduates a wisdom from other person‟s wisdom: There were two fish swimming, when they happen to meet an older fish, swimming the other way and nods at them and says “Good morning boys. How‟s the water?”. And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other, and asked, “Hey, by the way, what the hell is water?” This, he said is a reminder that some people often forget or take for granted the most obvious things around them, especially when they are too busy dealing with so many thoughts streaming inside their heads. In closing, Sec. Coloma reminded again the graduates “to be true to themselves and everything will be fine.” He further shared, that Nelson Mandela, the great world leader from South Africa endured more than 40years in prison by believing in the invincibility of his will power. Mandela‟s timeless philosophy, he said, is enshrined in the poem “Invictus,” he then asked the graduates to recite the poem of William Ernest Henley, with the last two striking lines: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”(PIA-08)
Graduates of Eastern Samar State University should be proud of themselves and their school, said PCOO Secretary Coloma in his message at the recent commencement exercises of ESSU. He said there is no substitute for hard work to achieve success. (PIA8)
PRDP livelihood projects benefit farmers, fisher folks By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PIA6) --- Around 15,000 farmers and fisher folks in Western Visayas benefitted from the small livelihood projects (SLP) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA). This is under the enterprise development component (I-REAP) of PRDP which aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery based enterprises. DA-6 Regional Director Engr. Roy Abaya said that 8,000 males and 7,000 females have benefitted from the 31 SLPs in the region. “The small livelihood projects which amounted to P122.5-million are mostly into farming and fishing,” he said.
The sub-projects are demand-driven and commodity -driven and depend on the proposal of local government units (LGUs). To date, about 79 SLPs worth P88 million were already approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board for the Visayas cluster. The Visayas cluster was given special attention in 2014 to support areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol earthquake through the SLPs. The PRDP is a six-year national project of DA supported by the World Bank which aims to increase agriculture and fisheries productivity and income. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo).
PAGASA: P51M for cloud seeding program amid El Niño Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, April 6 (PIA) -- A budget allocation of P51 million has been set aside by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) this year for cloud seeding operations nationwide to respond to a hurting agricultural sector that continues to bore the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. Engr. Oscar Tabada, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) - Visayas said the country will continue to experience abnormal rainfall levels with hotter and more humid climate as the El Niño is expected to peak by May. “Provinces across the country especially in Mindanao are already affected by the dry spell as next month, El Niño‟s impact will cover more provinces,” said Tabada. The severe drought is largely affecting the farmers as harvest of rice and crops yield negative, said the PAGASA-Visayas chief. In order to help the agricultural sector, the government through the DOST has earmarked a budget for cloud seeding operations to induce rain for the irrigation systems vital for the starving rice fields and crops. Tabada said their agency is helping in the cloud seeding operations on when would be the appropriate time based on weather projections to conduct the cloud seeding activity.
According to Tabada, cloud seeding operations have been done in Mindanao and that Western Visayas and Cebu have scheduled cloud seeding activities sometime this month. “The problem in Cebu is that this month, the projection is clear skies. Without clouds, it would be difficult to seed the atmosphere with chemicals to induce rain,” said Tabada adding that another problem is Cebu‟s geographical shape characterized with narrow coastlines risking the induced rains to fall into the sea. The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) meanwhile, is also conducting separate cloud seeding operations in Bohol as water dams have reached critical water levels. Marina Hermoso, regional technical director for operations of DA-7, said among the dams that have benefited from the cloud seeding activities are the Malinao Dam in Pilar town and Bayongan Dam in the municipality of San Miguel. Malinao Dam is an irrigation project covering 3,500 hectares of riceland areas serving five towns while Bayongan Dam covers 2,858 hectares augmenting existing water supply for farmlands of three municipalities, said Hermoso. Cloud seeding operations are costly with one procedure alone estimated to cost up to one million pesos due to the rental of a helicopter, said Hermoso. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
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WESTERN VISAYAS
2 cruise ships slate Boracay visit By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 5 (PIA6) --- Two cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan this April, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.
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S Seabourn Sojourn with 450 passengers and 350 crews will dock in Boracay on April 8 while MS Insignia will make its maiden call on April 18. DOT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said Boracay Island is always prepared to accommodate cruise ships and their passengers. “We already have the list of cruise ship arrivals for 2016 up to 2018,” she said. Personnel augmentation, welcome streamers, welcome lei receptions, send-off rondalla music, brochures and plaque of
recognition for maiden call are among the assistance provided by DOT-6. “Through proper coordination and partnership with the local government units of Malay and Aklan, we ensure organized reception and guarantee the safety of the passengers as they leave their ship to experience the island even for a few hours,” she added. The DOT official declared these arrivals for April as the 6th and 7th cruise ship arrivals in Boracay Island, respectively, for 2016. She also said that Region 6 is expecting 6 to
7 more cruise ship arrivals this year but the number has the possibility to increase. “DOT Region 6 is looking for other possible tourist spots in Aklan to be included on the list of destinations cruise ship passengers would like to add on their shore excursions,” she said. She said that there are other developing and growing tourist spots in Aklan that can also be promoted to our visitors. Northern Iloilo and Guimaras are also eyed to become ports of call for cruise ships in Western Visayas. (JCM/LTP/DOT/PIA-Iloilo)
BIR:Taxpayers should file tax returns early By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 5 (PIA6) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue called on taxpayers to file their income tax returns early and not wait for the deadline.
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evenue District Office 72 Officer-In -Charge Leticia Arabit urges those who will be filing either on-line or manually not to wait for the deadline on April 15. She said that for easy filing, tax payers could access the e-BIR form and do the filing online. “However, they have also the option to file manually,” she said, adding that they have established help desks in their office to assist their clients on the filing. The deadline for filing of Income Tax Returns has been set on April 15, however, because it is a special non-working holiday in the entire province of Capiz, the deadline for the manual filers in Capiz will be extended on the next working day which is April 18, Arabit said.
Republic Act 9217 declares April 15 as President Manuel A. Roxas Memorial Day and assigns the nearest Friday to it as special nonworking holiday in the entire province of Capiz and Roxas City in commemoration of the death anniversary of the late president. Records from the Bureau of Internal Revenue disclosed that there are 75,109 registered taxpayers in the province in 2015, of which 51,227 are individual taxpayers and 1,604 are corporate accounts. Other registered taxpayers include the one-time taxpayers, marginal income earners, estate and taxpayers under Executive Order No. 98. Information campaign has been intensified
such as the conduct of “Pulong-Pulong” or fora in the different towns to reach many taxpayers in the province. For this year, the BIR targets to collect more than P1.4-billion taxes in the province. Last year‟s tax collection of RDO 72 reached more than P1.016-billion which is higher than the more than P898.318-million tax collection in 2014. Arabit revealed that in February this year, they were given certificate of recognition by their BIR Regional Office for their exemplary collection performance having collected more than P100.4-million and overshooting their monthly goal by 5.99-percent. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
Barangays to get P1M subsidy By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, April 6 (PIA6) - - Each barangay in the country will receive a P1-million subsidy to fund the implementation of the priority projects that they have identified under the Barangay Bottom-Up Budgeting (BBuB) program.
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n initial 30 % of the country‟s 42, 036 barangays will be able to avail of the program starting next year since this will be implemented in batches. “Sa unang taon ng implementasyon, humigit-kumulang 12,000 barangay ang makakatanggap ng pinansyal natulong. Ang natitira ay tutulungan upang lumakas ang kakayahan na magpatupad ng mga proyekto sa mga susunod na taon. Lahat ng barangay ay makakasali sa programang ito,” said Secretary Mel Sennen Sarmiento of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in his message read by Director Anthony Nuyda of DILG 6 during the recent Barangay Assembly Day at Brgy.
Buhay, Alimodian. Sarmiento added that “at di tulad ng ibang programa ng gobyerno na dadaan pa sa national agencies ang pera, sa Barangay BUB, diretso po mula sa ating National Treasury patungo sa bank account ng inyong mga barangay ang pondo”. BBuB program was among the topics presented and discussed in the assembly at Brgy. Buhay which was the showcase area in Western Visayas for the 1st semester Barangay Assembly Day this year. The BBuB is an expansion of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) program, which is one of the reform initiatives of the Aquino administration brought about by the Daang Matuwid agenda
where LGUs gets an additional funding support of not less than P15 million to implement projects identified through the help of civil society organizations and concerned line agencies. BuB is being implemented by cities and municipalities since 2012. DILG 6 Focal Person Christian Nagaynay said the implementation of BBuB will ensure that residents in the barangays will benefit from the proposed priority projects that include construction of basic infrastructure facilities and pertaining to disaster risk reduction management. Also, residents will be involved in the planning and implementation of these projects. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
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PROVET Antique intensifies anti-rabies campaign By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, April 5 (PIA6) - - The Provincial Veterinary Office (PROVET)said that they have received 1,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccines, recently from the Department of Agriculture Region 6 needed to intensify the anti-rabies program in the province.
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he vaccines will be distributed to the 18 municipalities of the province according to Provincial Veterian Dr. Romeo S. Magdato. Dr. Magdato said that a vial of anti-rabies vaccine could vaccinate at least 10,000 dogs. “Dogs must be vaccinated to prevent them from acquiring the disease from other animals,” Magdato said as he urged the public to bring their dogs to the different Municipal Agriculture Office for free anti-rabies vaccination. According to a health factsheet, rabies is a viral disease
transmitted to man through the bite of a rabid animals like dogs, cats and many others. Rabies remains as public health problem in the Philippines, where approximately 300 to 600 Filipinos die of rabies every year. It is required under RA No. 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 that all pet owners should regularly vaccinate their dog against rabies, submit their dogs for mandatory registration, be a responsible owner by providing their dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter, and assist the dog bite victim immediately
and shoulder the medical expenses incurred and other incidental expenses relative to the victim‟s injuries. Local government units are mandated to ensure that all dogs are properly immunized, registered and issued a corresponding dog tag for every immunized and registered dog and strictly enforce dog impounding activities and field control to eliminate stray dogs, and allocate funds to augment the implementation of the National Rabies Prevention and Control Program. (JCM/ VWV/PIA Antique)
25 LGUs join Best of Festival Dances Tilt By Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr. NEGROS OCC., April 6 (PIA6)--Twenty five local government units have confirmed participation in the Best of Festival Dances Competition, one of the highlights of the yearly celebration of Panaad sa Negros Festival, a press release from the Capitol said.
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he Best of Festival Dances Competition is scheduled at the opening of the festival on April 15, right after the opening program that is set 4 p.m. at the Panaad Stadium. The competition is open to all towns and cities of the Province of Negros Occidental, from which each LGU shall have only one entry. The participating groups will compete showcasing their very own festivals‟ concept and character Each performance is limited to five minutes only; and will be judged according to the
following: choreography – 30 percent, performance – 30 percent, theme/concept – 20 percent, costume – 10 percent, music - 5 percent, and hand props – 5 percent. The champion will receive P75,000; P60,000 for the 1st runner-up; P45,000 for the 2nd runner -up; P30,000 for the 3rd runner-up, and P20,000 for the 4th runner-up. The participating entries include Pabalhas sa Tablas of Candoni, Udyakan of Kabankalan City, Kisi-kisi Festival of Ilog, Manang Pula Festival of Manapla, Tinabu-ay Festival of
Murcia, Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Pasundayag Festival of Valladolid, Salapan Festival of Pulupandan, Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City, Pagbanaag of Hinobaan, Bulang-bulang of San Enrique, Minulu-an of Talisay City, Pasaway Festival of Sipalay City, Sinigayan of Sagay City, Bailes de Luces of La Castellana, Lubay-lubay Festival of Cauayan, Hinuptanan Festival of Moises Padilla, Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City, Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City, and Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City. (JCM/ Lljr -PIA6/Capitol News)
Women are road workers too in Aklan By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, April 4 (PIA6) -- In Aklan, women are proving that they can also do a certain job that men traditionally were tasked to do.
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his job can be likened to that of “camineros”, men who, years and years ago, were hired by the government to do maintenance works along major highways – clearing roadsides of obstructions and garbage, filling potholes with gravel (roads then were not concreted yet), or cutting tall cogon grasses and unsightly vegetation. Now, there is a new group of road cleaners of Aklan‟s provincial highways, and these are women, hired by the provincial government to do road maintenance under the Community Based Maintenance Contracting Program (CBMP), which, according to the provincial governor, is a first of its kind in the whole country. Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores never gets tired of praising the feat of these women whenever opportunity comes. He first mentioned this scheme done by women during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) February of this year, and in March, Women‟s Month, during his “Governor‟s Report to the People” in a local radio station here, he also
cited the performance of these women for all the Aklanons to hear. On March 22 at the signing ceremony of the Revised Gender and Development (GAD) Code of the Province of Aklan at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, he also mentioned the admirable accomplishments of these women, and how they perform much better than their male counterparts in doing road maintenance. What is CBMC and why is the provincial government of Aklan so proud of the women behind it? The CBMC was first tried in 3 road sections pioneered by women‟s groups in Ibajay, Aklan last year. These road sections are in Agbago-Santa Cruz-Batuan-Maloco-Capilijan -Bagacay in Ibajay; Balactasan-Pang-itan-San Jose in Madalag; and Maloco Mabusao in Ibajay. According to the governor, the involved women rendered more efficient, transparent and much better road maintenance work with added womanly touches like weeding and beautification of roadsides.
The scheme was also one way of helping the women in the barangays earn additional income. Some of these women are also Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries. “Women organizations hired for the job were also from the places that are maintained, so that they will feel a sense of ownership to the project”, the governor said. This year, the provincial government will have 9 more CBMC projects to be handled by Aklanon women in various parts of the province. Because of this innovation, Aklan is turning to be a benchmark area which allows communities to participate in road maintenance contracting. According to the governor, the provinces of Bohol and Davao del Norte have already conducted benchmarking activities for this in Aklan. Seen as a model as Aklan is the first ever to do this, he said many other provinces have inquired about this project, which highlighted other capabilities of Aklan women who proved that besides contributing to the economic improvement of their households, showed that they can also render jobs that are traditionally for men only. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
DSWD launches 'Tuloy Ang Pagbabago’ campaign in Tagbilaran Elvira C. Bongosia TAGBILARAN CITY, April 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) will be launching their Tuloy Ang Pagbabago campaign in Tagbilaran City on April 4.
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uloy Ang Pagbabago is a campaign aimed to protect and enhance the awareness of beneficiaries of their rights and duties, especially for the upcoming national elections. Through the campaign, partner-beneficiaries are expected to be more vigilant and more informed especially of their rights as citizens anchored on the Active Citizenship Module of the Family Development Session. Also, the campaign seeks to encourage them to be actively involved in the entire electoral process, capacitating them to speak and stand for their rights.
DSWD-7 is urging its partner-beneficiaries to remain vigilant and active in exercising their rights especially this coming national elections. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman has been reminding partner-beneficiaries that they are free to decide, choose, and express their beliefs and rights on issues concerning their lives and their communities. “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries are empowered individuals and are aware of their rights as citizens of this country. They are free to choose someone whom they believe epitomizes their principles,” Soliman earlier
said. “During the Family Development Sessions, we tell them about active citizenship and voting according to their conscience. But we never impose on them to vote for a certain political personality,” Soliman stressed. Soliman will grace the Tuloy Ang Pagbabago launching this Monday which will kick-off with a parade from Plaza Rizal to Bohol Tropics from 6 to 7 a.m. The program proper will start at 8 a.m. while a press conference is scheduled at 11 a.m. (rmn/ecb/ PIA7-Bohol)
Bayawan fisher folks get new fish processing equipment Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental, April 6 (PIA) – A set of fish processing equipment was recently turned over to fisherfolk -beneficiaries in Brgy. Boyco here by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
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he equipment that was handed over to the fisher folk-beneficiaries under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project which aims to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) owners. The turnover ceremony was held April 1 at Brgy. Boyco Gymnasium. DTI-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Asteria Caberte spearheaded the turnover ceremony and opening of the fish processing center located beside the Boyco Gymnasium along with DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato Jr. and DTI -Negros Oriental staff. The SSF project, pegged at P1 million, is composed of a multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer, mechanical multi-purpose dryer, two stainless steel working table with sink, stainless steel marinating basin (drawer mounted type), stainless steel shelves, vacuum packaging machine, chest freezer, heavy duty electric meat grinder, industrial pressure cooker, and stainless industrial stove. The equipment can help produce lamayo (low
salt, marinated, half dried fish), fish balls, dried fish, bottled fish and fish crackers in good quality. DTI-NIR director Asteria Caberte explained the purpose of the equipment is to ensure that the process of preparing lamayo and other fish products is clean and safe. It also hopes to increase the volume of production, improve the quality, and expand the market of processed fish products. With the help of the fish processing equipment, the volume of production of dried fish and lamayo is expected to increase from 50 to 100 kgs. per month to 150 to 200 kgs per month. Caberte said that fish processors will also have better products and can charge a higher price if necessary. The direct beneficiaries of the SSF fish processing project are the members of the Villareal-Tinago-Boyco Fisherfolks Associatio (VITIFOBA). “I hope that this lamayo project will be maximized. Use It! I hope this will bring additional
income to all of you,” Caberte said. On the other hand, Bayawan City Councilor Luis Sumalpong thanked DTI the SSF project. In his message, he said that this would help solve the problem in drying fish. “This would make the processing of lamayo and dried fish faster. This is one of the necessary projects in Bayawan. We are looking for other avenues to increase the income of Bayawanons,” he said. City Agriculturist Cornelio Muralla also expressed the commitment to help fisherfolks in maximing and optimizing the use of the fish processing equipment provided by DTI. Meanwhile, other government officials who graced the event were Assistant Regional Director for Finance and Administration of Department of Science and Technology (DOST-NIR) Engr. Gilbert Arbon, Provincial Planning and Development Office head Sophie Arevalo, and ICT - Dumaguete Executive Director Danah Fortunato together with representatives from TESDA and DENR. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
DOH-7 supports Hemophilia advocacy Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, 6 April (PIA) – Department of Health (DOH-7) is now supporting the advocacy for Hemophilia cases.
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OH-7 Section Head for Non-Communicable Disease Dr. Dino Caing told media during the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) -Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) Forum that their department is now in partnership with the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines, Inc. (HAPI) to raise public awareness on Hemophilia disease. Caing explained that hemophilia is a rare but congenital bleeding disorder. "It is a life-long bleeding disorder of the blood clotting mechanism. Hemophilia is usually inherited from parent to child," he said. It is the deficiency of a particular clotting factor resulting in the excessive bleeding from injury or without obvious reason at all. The only saving factor is the blood donation program of DOH, said Caing. Caing also said that the patients to be treated need only a small amount of blood to manufacture concentrate blood.
The most common symptom of hemophilia is bleeding in the joints, muscles and even in bruises found in the body. It is seen when there is pain, swelling, and limited movement especially the elbows, knees and ankles. Navasquez said the ideal treatment for bleeding episodes is factor concentrate. Factor VIII and IX concentrate infused to the blood to temporarily increase the factor level and aid recovery from a bleed. Based on records, as of 2015, there are 149 identified hemophilia cases in Cebu and 1,200 cases nationwide, said Navasquez. It was also recorded that for 2015 up to the present, there were three deaths of hemophilia cases. Hemophilia treatment is expensive, costing P5,000 per vial for children while P20,000 per vial for adults good for 8 to 12 hours but it depends also with the severity of the cases. Currently, there is no cure for
hemophilia, however, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can help cope with this and also help avoid bleeds, said Navarquez. Hemophilia patients are prevented from playing contact sports such as basketball, soccer and boxing because of the danger of injury. Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 1478 declared the month of April as the “National Hemophilia Awareness Month” and enjoined national government agencies in coordination with private organizations to extend their support and cooperation in the commemoration of this event. In Cebu, HAPI tied up with DOH in the awareness and advocacy campaign on Hemophilia such as installing streamers and they are also open for any invitation to talk about Hemophilia as part of their campaign. On April 17, hemophilia patients together with their families will have a one-day event at the Perpetual Succor Gymnasium. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/ AGIO-7)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
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BUB funds 5 Tagbilaran City projects Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) — Tagbilaran City implemented a total of P11.08 million in five projects funded under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) for 2014, which it completed in the last days.
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nother five more projects are already funded but its implementation can happen anytime, according to Engr. Estela Margate, officer In Charge for the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO). At the joint meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), City Development Council (CDC) and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) on March 30, Engr. Margate said while some projects have been already benefiting citizens, some of the funded projects are still up for bidding or to be implemented yet this year. Funded projects already implemented include the P6.4 million Tagbilaran Intensified Organic Livestock for Agriculture (TINOLA) and Development program dispersed in Tiptip, Cabawan, Dao and San Isidro. As of March 14, there are 24 organically grown hogs ready for disposal, each weighing an average of 100 kilos. Meanwhile, from the BUB, a P2.8 million Skills Training on Production of Souvenir Bags and Souvenir Items (Production of Recycled Grocery
Bags and Rugs) have been implemented citywide, Margate said. Here, members of the women‟s organization are trained on leaf manipulation and several are now starting to earn gainful income from production of souvenir items from manipulated dried leaves, said Rowena Bernales, a training beneficiary. For aging citizens and their maintenance medicines upkeep, the city government purchased some P1.6 million of assorted medicines solely for indigent senior citizens. As to its distribution mechanism, the CPDO said “medicines were distributed to the senior citizens through conduct of medical missions, and distributed to the different barangay health stations in the city.” Another P120,000 allocation which has been earmarked as financial assistance to persons with disabilities have been given to 120 beneficiary PWDs each getting P1,000, Margate continued. From the BUB Funds, the city local government allocated P160,000 for therapeutic massage training course under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Beneficiaries are now gainfully employed, either in Panglao beaches or in massage clinics and rendering home service for city residents, sources bared. Also, the city reportedly apportioned P750,000 for its Community Based Agriculture Project which it implemented in Barangays Taloto, Ubujan and Manga clusters. From the project, beneficiaries are now set to get their first harvest within the month, the city planning officer shared. Other BUB funded projects that would be implemented anytime are Tagbilaran Project for Upscaling of Organic Production Systems worth P994,500, Construction of a building for Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office at P470,000, Construction of four units restrooms for Dao, Booy, Dampas and Ubujan elementary schools at P375,000 and the capability building on Community Based Waste management Program set at P1.2 million, according to city Local government operations officer Mardonio Roxas. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/ Bohol)
Siquijor local bets pledge for secure, fare 2016 polls Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, April 3 (PIA) — At least 38 local candidates vying for this year’s polls in the province pledged for a secure and fare elections (SAFE) with the signing of a peace covenant on Saturday at the Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor.
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he Peace Covenant Signing sealed an agreement for a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections among the politicians with the Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines‟ (AFP) 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) that compose the Provincial Joint Security Control Council (PJSCC) here. SPPO Provincial Director Erson Digal said that although Siquijor is relatively small, being the third smallest province in the country and the only in Region 7 that is free from CNN (CPP-NPA-NDF) and other threat groups, security measures still have to be in place to protect the candidates and the
whole populace. AFP 3ID commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros said ensuring peaceful conduct of elections is a challenging task but called on everyone to work together in the spirit of “Bayanihan” and continue to cultivate the “culture of peace” among the constituents. He said this as he vowed to remain focused, consistent, and apolitical in sustaining peace and order in the province. Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba led the pledge of commitment and reminded the candidates to be responsible and be guided with the election rules including the posting only in Comelec-designated areas, prompt submission of statement of contributions and expenditures, and
carrying of guns, among others. He particularly appealed to the candidates to monitor posting of election materials and refrain from posting in trees and consider them as human beings. “They, too, have life,” he said. PPCRV Provincial Coordinator Rev. Fr. Leonardo Tan also gave support and committed to work for a free, credible, orderly and peaceful elections as he echoed the message of PPCRV National Chairperson Amb. Henrietta T. de Villa. “It is time to become a more visible and effective force for CHAMP-Clean Honest Accurate Meaningful Peaceful – Elections,” the chairperson said (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
DENR-7 appeals to public to conserve water Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, April 1 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) recently called for households to conserve water in line with World Water Day (WWD) observance on March 22.
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We should take water conservation measures very seriously to make sure that we have enough water supply for domestic use, agriculture, aquaculture and energy,” said DENR -7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo in a press statement. In a Drought or Dry Spell Outlook dated March 2016 released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), at least 68 provinces or 85 percent of the country‟s 81 provinces have been identified to likely experience moderate to severe drought. In the Visayas, the areas are Cebu, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental,
Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Southern Leyte. “We should be more concerned with our water consumption in bathing, toothbrushing, and handwashing. Recycled laundry water could be used for gardening, flushing the toilet and washing of car and floor,” said Montejo. These water conservation measures include checking of plumbing leaks, pipes and joints to be fixed right away to avoid wasting of water. Other water conservation measures include using a pail and dipper instead of the shower when bathing, using hose when washing vehicles and gardening during cooler times of the day,
reducing the frequency of doing the laundry, hanging clothes to dry instead of prolonging the washing machine‟s spin cycle, and utilizing used water for other purposes such as dousing garden plants and using soapy laundry water for vehicles. The Philippines is currently experiencing El Nino which occurs every two to seven years. The country just celebrated this year‟s WWD with a focus on the vital role of water in achieving sustainable development. This year‟s theme, ”Water and Jobs,” seeks to focus on how enough quantity and quality of water can change worker‟s lives and livelihood and even transform societies and economies. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/ AGIO-7)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
Eastern Visayas to host nat’l ICT event Neil D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 5 (PIA) – For the first time, Eastern Visayas has been awarded as the host region for this year’s National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) Summit which will be held in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte on November 10-11, 2016.
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This is our chance to showcase to the world that we have recovered from Yolanda because ever since for the past 3 years, the focus has always been on the rehabilitation and recovery,” Chairman Cam said. Mr. Cam said that they are expecting at least 400 participants who are involved mainly in any ICT companies providing ICT-related services or products as well as government institutions that have implemented or are planning to implement ICT solutions as part of their service delivery. “The venue of the first day will be at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, that‟s where the NICP Summit will be held, and we are expecting roughly around 300 to 400, probably as much as 800 because based on previous summits like the one in Legazpi, about 700 people arrived at the event for that one day summit,” Cam said. Cam further said that keynote speakers will focus more on the theme on “accelerating economy in the region through ICT” which is also the aim of this annual event – to promote the development of ICT throughout the country and specifically for the host regions.
Part of the event also is the holding of exhibits and job fair on the second day, still at the Leyte Academic Center. “We will invite IT-BPO companies to set up exhibits for their services and their products, and also, to conduct jobs fair,” he said. Meanwhile, the eGovernance Award, which will be held at the Tacloban City Convention Center (Astrodome), will recognize Local Government Units in the country who are role models and has implemented any form of ICT solutions as part of their efficient service delivery. “We are aiming that by the end of this month (April) , we will be able to send out the formal invitations with the mechanics on the criteria in joining the eGovernance Awards,” Cam added. A registration fee of P2,500.00 for the two-day event will be inclusive of lunch, snacks and a small give-away. “In terms of the budget, we are looking at around P1.5 million for the cost of the entire event and we will be sending out solicitation letters, sponsorship letters for any company or govt agency to actually help us in sponsoring the cost of the event,” Cam said.
For his part, DOST-Leyte Director John Glenn Ocaña said that the idea of hosting this national event is to help Region 8 get back into the mainstream of the ICT industry. “These are strong statements that Region 8 has already bounced back and is now back in business after almost 3 years from the devastation of Yolanda,” he said. Ocaña disclosed that based on the study that they have conducted, Eastern Visayas already have locally-funded or locally invested IT-BPM companies within Region 8 but most of these are in Leyte. “The hosting would really like to have that kind of impact that the IT-BPM industry at the national level would look at us again as a potential location for IT-BPM companies,” he said. EVFIT is a private sector organization composed of local ICT companies and stakeholders in Eastern Visayas. It is a creation of the Regional ICT Committee of Eastern Visayas – Regional Development Council (RDC) as a public-private sector partnership and member of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) as a major ICT council serving the Eastern Visayas. (aen/PIA-8)
Borongan City ground breaks semi-dome evacuation center Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 7 (PIA) - The ground breaking of the construction of the ₱ 20 M evacuation center in Brgy. Campesao, Borongan City, Eastern Samar is slated on April 27, 2016, said Borongan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Engr. Jaime Voces said.
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oces disclosed that the two-storey semi-dome evacuation center is designed to withstand 350 kilometer per hour of maximum sustained winds of a typhoon and 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
It can accommodate 350 evacuees as well. He also said that the evacuation will be constructed in the lot of the LGU Borongan in Brgy. Campesao. Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda expressed happiness and thanked the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) for choosing the city of Borongan as the site of the evacuation center. The IOM also said that the city government may use the evacuation center as well for its social activities. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)
‘Lambat Sibat’ reduces crime in EV Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 7 (PIA) - Lambat Sibat operations in the region have significantly reduced crime in the region.
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hese were the words of Police Chief Supt Jose Erwin Toledo Villacorte as he faced the media after Lambat Sibat was launched in Calbayog City, today with no less than Secretary Mel Sarmiento of DILG in attendance. Though this oplan has just cascaded to the region, „a downtrend in criminality‟ has been observed, the police official said. He compared the years 2014, 2015, 2016 of the months Jan-March to show how the crimes declined. In 2014, crimes went up to 2, 521; in 2015, crimes went down to 2, 069 and this year 2016,
crime continued to drop to 1, 243, Villacorte showed this report to the media that swarmed him after his closed door meeting with the security forces in the region. As the venue was in Calbayog City, the media asked if the three recent crimes in the region were politically motivated. The top policeman in the region said that the killing of a PWD in Albuera was the only one tainted with politics. “Hindi namin maidugtong yung dalawa,” Villacorte said referring to the killing in Catbalogan and the other violent incident in Calbayog City.
Crimes will always be part of the lives of ordinary people because some bad elements are present, he added, but it is now in the police operations where the difference lies, he added. As to their performance, Villacorte said that even the secretary of DILG is satisfied with their performance. He added that Sarmiento urged them to carry on and continue operating under the Lambat Sibat program that has brought criminals to jail. Along with this, the police shall continue to do check points, serve search warrants and run after Most Wanted Persons. (PIA 8-Samar/nbq with Jun Arceno)
EASTERN VISAYAS
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Nature at its best at San Juan By the Bay! Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 7 (PIA) - How would you like to view the mountains while swimming in the blue waters of the bay?
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ou can do just that and get the bonus of a local tourists. magnificent view of San Juanico Bridge in a After paying the dues, you get to walk the new tourist haven called San Juan by the bamboo pathwalk some 400 meters heading to a Bay. breathtaking view by the bay. Located some 14 kilometers north of Tacloban Clear, cool blue waters beckons the tourist for City, one can reach this serene paradise through an a refreshing dip while feasting on the green and lush access road from the Maharlika Highway, barely mountains and the verdant mangrove that the rural some 200 meters from the foot of the famous San folks maintain. Juanico Bridge. The tourist can rest in a floating cottage for a If coming from Tacloban City, one then does a minimal fee and again swim and swim again with the left turn to the barangay access road of San Juan, balmy sea breeze wafting through one's skin. (part of the municipalty of Sta Rita, Samar)and on to Yonder is an islet that you can sail to using the the mangrove entrance, the tourist then calls on the boats for rent by the bay. rural women who have grouped into an association The islet is said to be the graveyard of San that manages the place now being frequented by Juan‟s barangay folks in the 18th century.
One can also choose kayaking, snorkeling and just plain swimming. One can never fear the deep sea as all around you is land- Samar and Leyte and the picturesque San Juanico Bridge very visible from the bay. The place is relatively new, as it just emerged from the rubbles of Typhoon Yolanda, the rural folks with the help of a giant network thought of turning this hidden paradise into a tourist haven. Need to commune with nature, pack the basics and head to San Juan by the Bay! And since it is just some 20 minutes away from Tacloban City, one may return to a hotel in the city in a jiffy! (PIA 8-Samar/ nbq)
DA turns over implements to SoLeyte farmers, fisherfolks Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 7 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over farm implements to the different farmer/fisherfolks organizations throughout the province of Southern Leyte in a turnover ceremony graced by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.
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he day activity held April 5, 2016 at the city‟s gymnasium was participated by different stakeholders spearheaded by DA Regional Office 8 through Regional Director Leo Caṅeda and DA 8 personnel. The farm implements was distributed during the Technical Consultations with Agri-Pinoy Stakeholders in Eastern Visayas to include as follows: farm tractor, cassava grater, corn mill, hand tractor, cassava granulator, rice thresher, corn shelter, floating tiller, among others. The undertaking also presented commitments of agricultural interventions such as the rehabilitation and improvement of Mahayag-Manalog Farm to Market Roads, Expanded Agri-business Activities like banana plantation, rehabilitation and vegetable production, animal re-stocking and infusion project, rehab/concreting
of Suba-Kamagkaan-San Vicente-San Juan Farm to Market Roads, the construction of FMR with footbridge component concreting at La Purisima Concepcion to Zone V in Sogod town and organic fertilizer production, to name a few. Secretary Alcala in his inspirational message responded to the call of the farmers‟ testimonies who urged the agriculture department to help the agri sector particularly the farmers to help them learn on how to u s e th e o r ga n i c ag ri cu l tu r e , an additional abaca seeds for plantation, among other short, medium and long term farm inputs and projects. The secretary also announced that there are 15 slots available for scholarships in agriculture courses, with free school tuition fees, book allowance and a monthly stipend. He did not elabo-
rate the details. He further said that the agriculture sector is very important in every one‟s life, saying “kung maganda ang ani, maganda ang buhay,,,,,at maganda ang buhay, kung maganda ang ani.” A farmer or a fisherman should not be left alone, we should support them in all their efforts which can be benefitted by all. At lunch time, a raffle draw was conducted based on the registration numbers of the participants with prizes prepared such as fiber glass paddleboats, assorted seedlings, corn seeds, fish nets, among the few. The whole day activity was attended by Cong. Damian G. Mercado, Gov. Roger G. Mercado in behalf of the provincial government, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco, among other guests and visitors. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)
PhilHealth 8 bags ARTA Caravan best booth award TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - The PhilHealth Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) won the best Booth Award during the Anti Red Tape Caravan-Visayas organized recently by the Civil Service Commission here.
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he activity held at the Leyte Normal University in Tacloban City was designed to showcase the services of participating government agencies. The primary audience was the university students of Tacloban City to instil in them the “consciousness and sense of involvement on good governance and anti corruption initiatives of the government.” The importance of the youth in improving the government service was also underscored in this year‟s theme which is“#KontraRedTape: Kabataan, Kaakibat sa Mahusay na Pamamahala”. The Best Booth Award was based on the following criteria: (1) compliance to the ARTA provisions (40%) and, (2) peoples‟ choice (60%), which was the rating of the clients served during the exhibit.
Other winners include Pag-IBIG Fund (2nd place), Land Bank of the Philippines (3rd place), Commission on Higher Education (4th place) and GSIS (5th place). PhilHealth 8‟s Regional Vice President Walter Bacareza said that the award “validated the efforts of Team PhilHealth to provide the best service to the clients.” “At the onset, we already planned to ensure client satisfaction by providing the best booth set up with complete array of services and additional perks for their enjoyment,” Bacareza added. PhilHealth booth also provided a special lounge and fast lane for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. Among the services offered by PhilHealth during the one-stop-shop caravan include ID and MDR printing, member registration, acceptance of
premium payments, updating of membership records, and information dissemination. The students and staff of participating agencies took the opportunity to avail of the PhilHealth services as well as joined in the raffle promos. PhilHealth‟s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ramon Aristoza Jr. , who graced the occasion, lauded the team for a job well done and said that the latest win, PhilHealth became the grand slam winner in all three ARTA caravans. It has been noted that PhilHealth booths were chosen best in the first two ARTA Caravans held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City and in the Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Cagayan de Oro City held last January 25-26 and February 10, 2016, respectively. (MPZ/ GTT/Philhealth-8/PIA-8Miramar Zabala)
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