Vol 6
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
PLDT/SMART Vice President Fenena Gorrez during the launching of free WiFi internet service at the Roxas City Airport, August 12.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
August 8 - 14, 2016
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
Issue 32
PIA: Use campus pubs to fight corruption, criminality By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA6) --- Over 375 high school student journalists were encouraged to help in the government’s campaign to fight corruption and criminality through their respective campus publications. Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Regional Director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6, said that student writers can show their support to the various thrusts of the new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte through school paper articles. Mesa spoke during the third leg of the campus journalism seminar-workshop spearheaded by PIA-6. ―Initial communication messages under the Duterte administration include campaign against corruption, campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, federalism, and freedom of information,‖ she said. Mesa said that campus publications can focus on articles leaning on development themes and issues to mobilize their audiences and persuade them to join in the development efforts. She also shared that the new administration has launched the nationwide government hotline 8888 for citizen complaint and
hotline 911 for emergency. The emergency hotline numbers are in line with President Duterte’s directive to fight crimes and illegal drugs as well as eliminate corruption and red tape in the government bureaucracy. She also briefed the student writers on the executive order mandating Freedom of Information (FOI) in the executive branch signed recently by the president. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)
Over 375 high school student journalists from Capiz and Antique take part in the third leg of the PIA-6 campus journalism seminar workshop. (PIA-Iloilo)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
DA aims for rice sufficiency, strong fishery sector Leandria P. Pagunsan
A Kapihan sa PIA was held August 10 at DOH -7 Narra Conference Room, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City with guests from DOH -7 (l-r) Senior Health Program Officer Aeshtriedley Cabinatan, Medical Officer III Dr. Emmelie P. Silao, Medical Officer IV Dr. Sharon Laurel and Medical Officer III Dr. Shelby Blanco to talk on the observation of National TB Awareness and Adolescent Immunization Month.
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Aug. 11 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol aims for rice sufficiency instead on relying on rice importation. In his recent visit to Dumaguete City, Secretary Piñol said the department aims to increase the country’s average rice production from 3.9 million metric tons to 4.7 by pushing farmers to achieve maximum production. To achieve his vision on food security, Piñol requested from President Duterte the amount of P63 billion to give free hybrid seeds and fertilizers to increase farmers' rice production in the next 3 cropping seasons. Piñol added the department is also targeting rice buffer stock to last for six months after the President finishes his term. The buffer stock will not be used until the next harvest season especially now that times are uncertain due to climate change. ―We have to achieve rice sufficiency because we do not know when the next El Niño will strike back,‖ Piñol said. The country should not rely on importing rice from Vietnam which is currently experiencing shortage in their rice production due to the damming of the Mekong River by China, according to Piñol. "There might come a time when Vietnam will no longer export rice, hence we must strive hard to be rice sufficient," reiterated Piñol.
He also vowed to uplift the fishery sector by giving one million fishing boats to fishermen all over the country in a period of 5 years. Furthermore, the Secretary informed that in two months time, the department was able to distribute 1,000 fishing boats already. In improving the fishery sector, the DA with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will enforce closed fishing season for small fishes and fingerlings for three months every year and implement measures against illegal fishing During the closed season, when fishermen only have a few catch, the department will assist and give livelihood opportunities to augment their daily needs. Piñol said the Department of Agriculture aims high in promoting anti-poverty program to poor farmers and fisher folks by not relying only on farming and fishing as their means of living but also trained and equipped them with ideas on how to become entrepreneurs. In closing, the Secretary assured there will be no corruption in the agriculture department and challenged co-workers in government to feel the change and aspiration of President Duterte for all Filipino people to become self-sufficient and productive. (lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)
PRRD visits Samar army camp Ninfa B. Quirante MAJOR GENERAL JET B VELARMINO AFP, Commander 8ID represented by Brig. Gen. Cesar M Idio AFP, Assistant Division Commander 8ID,gave honors together with Hon. Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos Governor of Samar Province during the ceremonial flag raising and wreath laying ceremony on "Samar Day 2016" dubbed as SAMAR: "TUNA NGA AKON NATAWHAN" held at Provincial capitol ground, Catbalogan City on 11 August 2016.
More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here...
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 10 (PIA)—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chose to talk to the army Stormtroopers in his first ever presidential visit to Samar. On August 8, some 500 army elements and officers of the 8th Infantry (Storm troopers) Division assembled early morning to meet with their commander-in-chief. It was late in the afternoon when PRRD arrived as he had to fulfill commitments to army camps in Cebu and Davao on the same day. But the gallant soldiers stayed on waiting for their new President. Private John Abelgas was one of those who patiently waited for PRRD. ―I wanted to know if he has delivered his campaign promises, to stop corruption and illegal drugs,‖ the soldier said to PIA-Samar. ―I think he is acting on illegal drugs,‖ he added. As PRRD was ushered to the hall, the soldiers were hushed, he told them what they wanted to hear.
―I am happy with your achievements here, I will be beside at sa likod niyo, protektado kayo sa lahat ng panahon,‖ said the President. PRRD talked about how some millionaires cheat on their taxes and asked them, ―Lahat ng mayayaman, pay your taxes.‖ He added his plan to convert the President’s plane to air ambulance, and also promised the troops medical equipment, and prodded them to always follow the law. He was scheduled to visit the Heroes Ward of the Camp Lukban Army Hospital, but his security hied him off to the waiting presidential chopper. Four wounded soldiers, wearing crutches contented themselves with waving to the President as he passed their way, they did not mind that his scheduled visit to them did not take place. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan also met with the President before he faced the army stormtroopers led by Major General Jet Velarmino. (PIA8-Samar)
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WESTERN VISAYAS
New equipment, better services coming up for CLMMRH Carlson B. Alelis BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) – The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) has vowed to continue helping the people of Negros Island with the improvement of its facilities, equipment and services.
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We assure you that the quality of our services could be compared to world standard of practice,‖ said Julius Drilon, CLMMRH chief, during a press conference for the regional hospital’s 90th year. CLMMRH will introduce the renal kidney transplant, wherein a state-of-the-art camera will be used, according to Dr. Marlon Tabligan, medical professional staff chief. Likewise, lithotripsy, a non-abrasive method in detecting kidney stones, is set to be available in two weeks, after the Department of Health
(DOH) gives the license to operate. Tabligan said there was a soft opening of the P 40-million lithotripsy facility two weeks ago, with about 12 patients availing of the service. Tabligan added that the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) will have state-of-the-art beds that can determine the weight and other health statistics of the patient. CLMMRH is also preparing its nurses to become competent based on the standards set by the DOH, said Chief Nurse Maribeth Marcial.
―The DOH assessors will be coming over to start assessing the competencies of our staff nurses and our vision is that within five years, all of our staff nurses will become DOH-certified nurses based on specialty areas, she added. CLMMRH is also set to digitize its medical records for easier retrieval of records and for the convenience of its patients. It is also looking at the possibility of designating an area for the releasing of medical records, laboratory and x-ray results, among others. (JCM/CBA/PIA6-Negros Occidental)
‗Oplan Broadcastreeing‘ marks 6th year in Capiz Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 10 (PIA6) – Local broadcasters led an early morning planting of about 300 mangrove saplings in view of the ―Oplan Broadcastreeing 2016‖ Aug. 6 at the wetlands of Brgy. Agustin Navarra in Ivisan town.
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he yearly greening initiative has been a pet project of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) – Capiz chapter since 2011. More than 15,000 fruit bearing and mahogany trees as well as various mangrove species have been planted in five upland and mangrove planting sites, said KBP – Western Visayas coordinator and RMN – Roxas City station manager Ely Abarra.
These planting sites were at Cadimahan River in Barangay Tanque and Palina River Ecopark in Barangay Cagay, both in Roxas City, Intongcan wetlands in Pontevedra town, Catao Dam Watershed as well as Brgy. Agustin Navarra wetlands in Ivisan town. Agustin Navarra Punong Barangay Romulo Loberes, Jr. thanked mediamen and other participants who joined the planting of propagules at one of the suitable site for migratory birds
watching in the province. Ivisan town mayor Jose Noel Yap also welcomed and thanked the mediamen at the tree planting site. Broadcastreeing is a tie-up project of KBP with other concerned government agencies to help realize the greening efforts in public domain and fight global warming by offsetting carbon emissions. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)
President Digong according to a friend Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) - - Sincere, simple and ―marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob sa mga kaibigan at malilit na tao‖, was how a friend described President Rodrigo "Digong" Roa Duterte.
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lma "Bing" Juaneza, who is the convenor of the Friends of Rodrigo Duterte (FORD) in Western Visayas, was among those who welcomed President Duterte when he visited the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division's headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz on August 5. FORD served as a campaign team of President Duterte and is now working closely with the PDP Laban, the political party of the President. Juaneza, who traces her roots in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, is now based in Davao City where she owns a restaurant. She said President Duterte would always tell her that ―kung may utang ka na pera mabayaran mo okay na, but kapag utang na loob, habang buhay 'yan . Yon ang pangaral ni Nanay Soling sa kanya which he passes on to his friends and to those who know him personally, even when he was still a Mayor‖. To prove her point, she recalled one incident with President Duterte that really touched her. When her Mother died, she did not tell the President about it, but being the Mayor of Davao City then, President Duterte knew about the
death of her mother and even though it was stormy and flooding the President went to her Mother’s wake at 2 A.M. Another incident, according to Juaneza, that showed what kind of a person and leader President Duterte is, was when he implemented the Smoking Ban in Davao City. She used to have a resto bar and she complained to President Duterte that her income was affected because of the ban. ―Bing, magkaibigan tayo, wala akong pakialam kung malugi ka as long as you follow the law‖ was the answer of President Duterte to her, recalled Juaneza whose family decided to move to Davao City from abroad in 1996. Juaneza said she had seen how people supported President Duterte even when he was a mayor because of the kind of leader that he is. Another incident related to this was the big march participated in by people from various sectors after the bombings of the Davao airport and Sasa Wharf in 2003 in order to give their support to President Duterte. Juaneza also joined the march and asked fellow marchers, many from affluent families why they lined the march and she was answered
that they are lucky they arrived in Davao when it was peaceful and it was starting to be progressive unlike during their times when it was like a killing field. That was the start, according to Juaneza, of how she appreciated the leadership of the President. ―He is the kind of person wherein what you see is what you get, noon marami ang nagrereklamo na nagmumura siya but the Mayor has a very, very soft heart. He is a strong leader but he has a soft heart, yon ang talagang maasahan natin as citizens,‖ said Juaneza. She said their advocacy when they supported President Duterte is not because they are friends but because they really believe in him as a leader. Now, she said, we are starting to see the change that President Duterte has promised. Since 2001, Juaneza has been occasionally cooking for President Duterte for his family or friends. Paksiw na yellow fin tuna, seafood, native chicken cooked in any way and nilagang saging with bagoong are just some of the President’s favourite dishes, said Juaneza. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
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Better connectivity now at Iloilo Airport By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) — The Iloilo Airport now promises better digital connectivity for travelers with the upgrade provided by PLDT and Smart Communications, a wireless subsidiary.
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press release from Smart said that this firing up of Smart Wifi will significantly improve the digital experience of travelers using the airport terminal. With a bandwidth of up to 1 gigabit per second, Wifi users will have the best customer experience whether surfing the web or keeping connected with home or office while on travel. ―in this digital age, data connectivity is important. Especially when one is on the go,‖ said Eric r. Alberto, EVP for PLDT/Smart and President and CEO, ePLDT, ―with Smart Wifi, travelers get to enjoy a seamless digital experience for more productive and meaningful journeys,‖ Alberto added.
The installation of Smart Wifi in the Iloilo Airport came in the heels of similar events in Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, Misamis Oriental’s Laguindingan Airport and Bacolod City’s Silay International Airport. The Iloilo, Bacolod, Laguindingan and Davao airports are among the key transport hubs identified for the installation of Smart Wifi to bring the internet into the hands of more Filipinos all over the country. ―A tourist’s impression of a country is largely based on the first and last experience of his destination,‖ said Department of Transportation Undersecretary Roberto Lim during the deployment in Davao City’s airport.
He added that Smart Wifi contributes to improving this experience and the success of having them come and visit again. The Iloilo airport is the country’s fourth busiest airport and is regarded as one of the most beautiful airports, serving the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras as well as the general area of Panay Island, and is an alternative gateway to the Manila-NAIA and Mactan-Cebu International Airports. Smart Wifi will also be expanded to cover more public areas, like city halls, schools, hospitals, and establishments such as malls, restaurants, and coffee shops, amidst the increasing demand for more wifi hotspots in the country. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Antique exports muscovado sugar to Korea Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Aug. 9 (PIA6) - - The Province of Antique now exports Muscovado sugar to Korea, a product of Laua-an Multi-purpose Cooperative in the town of Laua-an central part of the province.
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rnesto Espanola Jr. General Manager of the coop said that they have been exporting muscovado sugar, sediment free to Korea since 2013 as indirect exporter however, in 2016 the coop started to process its own export permit and sell muscovado sugar to Korea as direct exporter. Regional Director Rebecca Rascon, Department of Trade and Industry during her recent trip to Antique visited the Muscovado Sugar Processing Enterprise of Laua-an Multi- purpose Cooperative. She assured the members of the coop and sugar planters of DTI’s continued support in terms of marketing promotion and linkages.
DTI Antique under the leadership of Mercy Young also provided technical assistance and consultancy services on food safety and packaging and labeling said Engr. Ma. Arlene Galopo, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist. The demand of muscovado sugar from Korea has been increasing every year. It started with 10 tons in 2013, then 20 tons and 40 tons for the succeeding two years respectively. For this year, the initial shipment was 10 tons and it is expected to increase before the year ends. The Coop is strict on the quality of the sugar in terms of food safety, moisture content and aroma making sure it passes the standard.
Laua-an Multi-Purpose Cooperative has 1,600 members with about 100 sugarcane farmers and 70 hectares of farmlands are planted with sugarcane. The Coop also sourced some of its raw materials from the town of Patnongon. The town of Laua-an has coined its annual festival ―Pahinis Festival‖ which derived its significance from the Muscovado sugar as a promising industry in the town.. "Pahinis" is a local term for cleaning and preparing equipment, tools, paraphernalia and materials before the production of brown sugar. The brand name of muscovado sugar of Laua-an Multi-purpose Cooperative is ―Pahinis.‖ (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)
News Feature: Blood donors save lives too By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, 11 Aug. (PIA6) – You don‘t have to be a physician to be able to save lives – you can also do so by being a blood donor, as shown by Rudy Rimano, a watch repairman from New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan who, at the age of 61, was able to donate 18,900 cc of blood to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in a span of 16 years.
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imano started donating blood regularly since 2000 and for this, the PRC, together with the provincial government of Aklan through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) awarded him recently with a Silver Medal for reaching this milestone during the 2016 Aklan Blood Donor Awarding Ceremony held in Kalibo. It all started, according to Rimano, when a close friend badly needed blood during an emergency in 2000. ―Because it was my first time to donate blood, I also felt nervous,‖ Rimano said. But three months after donating blood, Rimano, on his own, came back to the Philippine Red Cross to again donate blood, and up to this day, he continues to do so, regularly, setting a specific date for the noble deed. Every schedule, a unit of blood, or 450 cc, is extracted from Rimano.
A unit of blood, according to Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Provincial Health Officer I of the PHO who was also at the awarding, can save at least 3 lives. Rimano said throughout his blood donation years, he had no idea on the personalities or patients who availed of his donated blood. Sometimes however, after knowing that he is a regular donor, some people come up to him to thank him for being a blood donor. When asked why he continues to donate blood, Rimano said he feels good and happy, knowing that through this act, he was able to save lives. ―I am happy to help my fellow human beings because serving them is also serving God‖, Rimano said. In his short response as an awardee, Rimano also called on his fellow Aklanons to donate
blood, because besides helping save lives, there are also positive effects in one’s body when he or she donates blood. For now, his nephews have started to respond to his call by being blood donors themselves. Rimano said it is normal for one to feel apprehensive if he or she is a first time donor, or feel some uneasiness after donating blood even if already a regular one. To feel better after donating blood, he gave these tips: refrain from lifting heavy objects right after blood extraction; refrain from playing basketball and other games; and eat enough food to regain strength. Along with him, also recognized for donating blood voluntarily were 16 ―galloners‖ – those who were able to donate 4,000 cc of blood. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
Gov‘t needs more soldiers, elite forces, quality equipment vs. terrorism Ferliza Calizar-Contratista CEBU CITY, Aug. 11 (PIA) – The Philippine government is bent on adding elite forces and soldiers and to purchase quality combat tools to strengthen the country‘s defense against terrorism.
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n his first visit as head of the country in the Province of Cebu, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said terrorism will be the leading problem of the country in the coming years. ―But I am warning you that five to 10 years from now the biggest problem will be terrorism, ― Duterte said. He said he will have to prepare the Philippines for that scenario saying he is not getting there without setting up the defenses. Duterte said Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for 20,000 for next year but it may not be possible yet. ―I’d be happy if we have about five battalions of SAF (Special Action Forces) and produce another 10,000 more soldiers next year, okay na tayo, okay na ang Pilipinas ,‖ Duterte said. He is also bent on purchasing the best quality firearms for the country saying is not agreeable with lowest bids. ―That is also a source of corruption. Yung lowest bid, you come up with the lowest quality,‖ he said. Duterte said the country may buy from Israel and through negotiated purchase.
―If there’s a question of quality then that is an issue for me. Para sa akin issue ang quality lalo na sa (hand gesture of a firearm) buhay kasi ang pinag-uusapan dito eh,(for me, quality is an issue specially when it comes to firearms, we are talking about lives here),‖ Duterte said. The President assured the country will purchase intelligence apparatus like drones at the right time. In the early part of his speech, he made mention of improvements of health services for the military. These include purchase of new life saving and other medical equipment, rehabilitation of the old building and construction of an additional building. Duterte said there will also be concrete alternative employment plans for those who were injured in the line of work. The President was talking with the confined soldiers at V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City recently. He cited one who lost his eyesight in battle saying he will be enrolled to learn the brail system ―Do not worry I will take care of you, bilhan ng natural eye, you will learn brail and then land a call center job,‖ he said.
Those who were crippled he said they will be given computers and undergo training on voice, diction and grammar. These he said will enable them to land a job again in the call center industry. ―I will reinvent you as a human being,‖ As promised in his earliest days as President, the increase of their salaries will already take effect this year. ―By December you will have doubled your salaries. This August tingnan nyo ang payslip, andyan nay an, wala kayong problema, lahat ibigay ko,‖ Duterte said. Duterte said he is going around the country visiting camps just to assure the personnel he feel strongly for them ―Wla naman akong kailangan sa inyo, I don’t need your personal loyalty, just love your country, obey the constitution. Period‖ Duterte said. Duterte first visited Camp Macario Peralta headquarters of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division in Jamindan, Capiz before proceeding to Centcom. He had a close door meeting with military and police officials which lasted for three hours. The President garnered six million votes in Cebu in this year's election. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
Chatto rallies Boholanos against illegal drugs Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- Bohol governor Edgar Chatto rallied Boholanos to unite against illegal drugs and not to leave the campaign to police authorities only.
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hatto urged the Boholanos gathered at the CPG Sports Complex following a kilometer long anti-drug campaign march from Camp Dagohoy to the complex recently. Speaking at the gathering organized by the Philippine National Police through the newly installed provincial director PSSupt. Felipe Natividad, Chatto made his statements clear even as critics in the government’s anti-drug campaign continue to hail the human rights of drug personalities who get summarily executed. Police authorities denied connection to the killings except those who fought back and put the operative’s lives in danger.
Our primary duty is to serve and protect, and preserve our safety and security in the face of risks, PSupt Lorenzo Batuan said. Also at the Kapihan sa PIA, Camp Dagohoy through deputy provincial director Ricky Delelis and superintendent Batuan clarified that criminal groups are so organized, they could orchestrate killings. Instead, in his speech before government employees, police officers, members of the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard and the community, the governor, whose second term is marred by proliferation of illegal drugs in Bohol, called everyone to be part of the solutions instead of being part of the problem.
In the same anti-drug rally self-confessed drug user and pusher Robinson Teh urged everyone who has decided to stop to make discipline as their guide. Teh who confessed that as young as he was in high school he has been into marijuana which then graduated to a wide spectrum of substance abuse. He said he has to undergo two rehabilitation programs both of which failed. But with a strong support from his wife, family and a community of supporters Teh, who is a son of a prominent business family in Tagbilaran has successfully survived a life apart from drugs for over a decade now. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
DOST Siquijor turns over PhP3.6M to MSMEs Rizalie Anding Calibo & Engr. Reinhold Jek SIQUIJOR, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here turned over P3.668M to three micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that availed of the agency‘s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
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rovincial Science and Technology (PSTC) Director Engr. Mario de la Peña said various amounts were given to the beneficiaries that included the NR Builders, Jutba General Merchandise and GL Motors and Industries. NR Builders received P993,350 for the project "Upgrading the Wood Forming and Planning Technology of NR Builders to Increase Productivity and Enhance Quality for Competitiveness." Jutba General Merchandise got P375,000.00 for the project "Upgrade the Corn Milling Technology for Quality and Increased Production Capacity of Jutba General Merchandise."
GL Mo tors on the other han d received PhP2,299,700 for its "Upgrading the Blasting and Machining Technology for Ship Building. Prior to the turnover ceremony, the beneficiaries were oriented on the proper utilization of the fund. They were reminded to adhere to the contents of the notarized Memorandums of Agreement which were signed by the agency and their respective enterprises. The beneficiaries were also required to submit 36 post-dated checks for the monthly rental of equipment which is equivalent to the total amount of assistance and one post dated check (PDC) as
payment for option to purchase which is 0.5% of the total Capital Outlay. The assistance is part of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the agency, a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist MSMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and boost their productivity and competitiveness. For CY 2016, DOST Siquijor PSTC has granted more than PhP6.6 million and assisted 8 firms in the sectors of furniture, ICT, food processing, metals & engineering, and agriculture. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST Siquijor PSTC)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
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3 Cabinet secretaries grace Green SONA in Dumaguete City Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 11 (PIA) – Three Cabinet secretaries of the Duterte Administration graced the Green Convergence State of Nature Assessment (Green SONA) event recently at Guy Hall, Silliman University, this city.
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epartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Gina Lopez, Department of Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Piñol and Department of Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi shared their insights on various topics which will be discussed during the event. The Green SONA, is organized by the Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, an environmental coalition of networks, organizations and individuals committed to build a synergy of the green movement in the Philippines, in cooperation with Silliman University. According to the group’s President Angelina Galang, Green SONA aims to tackle the state of
carbon sinks and sources of climate change as well as to gather recommendations to address related issues, listen to the reaction of newly appointed officials and create a productive dialogue between various stakeholders, and to continue developing a critical mass of citizens in Dumaguete to decrease carbon sources and increase carbon sinks as well as to influence decision makers towards policies that promote socio-economic development balanced by environmental protection. Some of the important discussion topics set in GREEN SONA included: Philippine carbon sources and sinks, status of the implementation of Solid Waste Management Law, Philippine forests and carbon sinks, status of Philippine agriculture and
energy sources, utilization and scenarios. Galang added that the event gathered representatives from various sectors such as academe, business, grassroots communities, religious, indigenous people and from the local government. Meanwhile, Negros Oriental Roel Degamo, Silliman University President Ben Malayang III, and DENR- Negros Occidental PEMO Head Atty. Wilfred Ramon Peñalosa also gave some messages during the whole-day event. (ral/ PIA7-Negros Oriental/With reports from Angelina Galang, president of Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy)
Bohol establishments slowly becoming PWD barrier-free Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Aug. 11 (PIA) -- Bohol business establishments are slowly becoming barrier-free for persons with disablities.
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ohol Federation of Disabled Persons Incorporated (BFDPI) president Mateo Quilas said the province has implemented the national vision for enhanced accessibility for the differently-abled, in public areas. At the Kapihan sa PIA specifically allotted to drumbeat the advocacies for the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPRW) in July, Quilas said Bohol has slowly become increasingly compliant with the accessibility law. The law requires buildings, institutions and establishments as well as public utilities to install facilities and other devices to facilitate access for PWDs on canes, wheel-chairs and walkers. The law applies to public and private buildings and related structures designed for public use, streets, highways and public utilities including passenger buses and jeepneys, passenger trains, including public trains, domestic inter-island vessels
and sea carriers, aircraft and public telephone booths. While there is a provision that no law would be passed with retroactive effect, authorities make sure no permit for the construction, repair or renovation of public and private buildings and related structures for public use is granted or issued, unless the owner shall have provided in the specifications for approval, barrier-free facilities and accessibility features. The law requires owners to make their establishments accessible to PWDs especially where the primary function is served and where facilities’ entrance and exits are. Government resorts, pensions and overnight accommodations shall apportion 10% of their total number of rooms as accessible units fully usable by the PWDs with entrance and exits accessible to the street and accessible slots in parking areas close to entrances and exits. This means sloped access ramps with grab bars,
restrooms with spaces enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Quilas noted that Bohol Capitol, Pilar Municipal Hall, Island City Mall, Bohol Tropics Resort and some small establishments in Panglao have passed accessibility test, but not all have complied yet. Recently,Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto has issued an executive order setting up the provincial accessibility monitoring team and then followed it up with EO No. 12 series of 2016 providing additional membership to the created provincial accessibility monitoring team to check into the advancement of accessibility law. The Provincial Accessibility Monitoring Team sets up and checks standards of accessibility or infrastructure, conducts periodic evaluation and assessment as well as recommends for more accessible facilities, advises owners on standards of accessibility and sets up regular accessibility audits on public infrastructures.(rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Hiked power capacities in Visayas good signal for investors Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, Aug. 10 (PIA) – In just a year, the registered capacities of power generating units in the Visayas grid increased by 29 percent which indicates a ―good signal‖ for investors to come in with an assurance of adequate power supply.
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hilippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) president Melinda Ocampo said the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) reflected a considerable growth in the registered capacities of generating units in the Visayas grid from 2,213.11 megawatts on July 31, 2015 to 2,854.2 megawatts as of July 31, this year. ―The increase is a good signal for investors to come in‖ and put their money in the Visayas where ample supply of power is adequate to meet the requirements of the business industry, said Ocampo during a recent press conference in Cebu. The WESM record showed the rise in registered capacities is due to the influx of emerging renewable energy resources (RE) such as solar, wind and biomass generating facilities.
Among the RE facilities being established in the Visayas included the 30 megawatts solar-power farm in Toledo City in Cebu and other solar farms in Negros Occidental and the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte. According to the PEMC, the entry of a coal power plant in Iloilo City, this year also contributed to the supply in the Panay Island. As of June 2016, coal power source still tops the electricity market at 46.70 percent followed by natural gas at 28.60 percent and geothermal at 11.92 percent, claimed PEMC Vice President for Corporate Planning and Communications Robinson Descanzo although more and more RE facilities are now being established towards the direction of clean energy. The PMEC data further showed that customers
in the Visayas sourced about 17 percent of their energy requirements from the WESM and 83 percent were obtained through power supply agreements during the first semester this year. ―We see the WESM’s role in the increased supply in the Visayas grid as the resulting market prices provide signals for investors on pricing of electricity taking into account transmission network constraints,‖ said Ocampo. The PMEC is the governance arm of the WESM which started its operations in Luzon and the Visayas in December 2010. The WESM is a centralized venue for buyers and sellers to trade electricity as a commodity where its prices are based on actual use (demand) and availability (supply). (fcr/PIA7)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
Cacao farmers urged technologies, apps
to
avail
new
Erna S. Gorne SOGOD, Southern Leyte Aug. 3 (PIA) – With the vast market opportunities in the global cacao industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-8 urged the cacao farmers based in Eastern Visayas to avail of new technologies and applications in cacao production.
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OST8 Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla said during the first regional cacao summit held at Southern Leyte State University, Tuesday, that the department is willing to up scale from "tableya" a traditional cacao product to chocolate products for export. As he noted that chocolate production can be produced locally with the abundance of primary ingredients such as carabao milk, sugar and cacao. He also urged cacao farmers to make use of the new technologies of DOST to include in
the harvesting and post-harvest processing, among others. Some 200 cacao farmers, traders and other cacao industry stakeholders participants were encouraged to organize into clusters and come up with action plans to enhance the regional map of cacao industry within the two-day summit. Meanwhile, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) President, Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes will also present its research findings on the distribution of cacao producing areas in the province with Geographic Information Systems
technology. The first cacao industry regional summit was convened by Southern Leyte State University and the University of Eastern Philippines with the participation and full support of various government line agencies, it was learned. It aims to bring together regional partners, cacao farmers and processors and other potential stakeholders from region 8 and other cacao-producing regions, she added. (esgorne/ PIA8 SoLeyte)
NSamar enlists PWDs to avail gov't incentives, privileges Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Aug. 2 (PIA) – Republic Act 9442, amending RA 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, and for other purposes specifically Chapter 8, stipulates privileges and incentives a person with disability is entitled to.
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n Northern Samar, Mr. Mike Galit, Northern Samar Provincial Social Welfare and Development PWD’s Coordinator disclosed that there are 3,849 PWDs in Northern Samar and this number may increase as they are going to intensify their survey and listing. In a radio interview in line with the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, Mr. Galit said, the law was passed in 2007, and yet, this has not been fully availed of by PWDs because some are not
aware of it, and the worst is, there are still some families who keep and prevent their relatives with disability to go out and mingle in the community. In response, however, PSWDO through the PWDs coordinator, has already organized the PDWs in 15 towns and will continue to lobby for the remaining 9 municipalities for them to be oriented and be aware of the incentives and privileges the government has in store for them and all benefits they could avail of as provided
for in the law. Recently, some towns has already distributed Identification Cards and members’ purchase booklets for them to avail of the benefits. As the law states, disabled persons are part of Philippine society, and the state shall give support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society. (ajc/ADiaz/ PIA8-Northern Samar)
PNP troops who neutralized armed men promised promotion Consuelo B. Alarcon PALO, Leyte, Aug. 4 (PIA) --- Police authorities in Eastern Visayas who were involved in the successful neutralization of six fully armed men on Wednesday at Sitio Tinago, Brgy. Binulho, Albuera Leyte could be promoted to a higher rank.
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n a press briefing held Thursday at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Campetic Palo Leyte, PNP acting regional director police chief superintendent Elmer Cruz Beltejar lauded the joint elements of the regional public safety batallion 8 and Albuera police led by police chief inspector Jovy Espinido, chief of police of Albuera PNP. ―I would like to congratulate our teams under the leadership of the provincial director especially the chief of police of Albuera and all those who were involved in the success of the operation. Lahat ng involved diyan we will
recommend the appropriate awards and the appropriate promotion,‖ Beltejar said. The official made it clear that when Albuera PNP received an information regarding an armed group in said area, policemen immediately responded and proceeded to the area. While the PNP troops were approaching the area, the group suddenly fired against the PNP men that resulted to a gun battle between the PNP and the armed men allegedly members of the a drug group operating in the region.
The encounter resulted to the killing of six suspects believed to be members of an alleged Espinosa Drug group and the seizure of 21 long firearms and 16 short firearms. Relative to this, Beltejar urged the public to continue supporting the campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs by providing them r e lev an t an d c or re c t in f or m at ion r e la t e d t o d ru g - re la t e d a c t iv it ie s through their facebook page-Pulis ha Rehiyon Otso or through cellphone numbers 09173114794 or 09478907155. (PIA-8)
EASTERN VISAYAS
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Samar Day celebration collects 30 bags of blood donations Ninfa B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 2 (PIA) — Samar Day celebration collected some 13,500 cc of safe blood during the blood-letting today at the Samar Provincial Hospital (SPH).
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ris Dacaynos, coordinator said that some 20 policemen were sent by Chief Edwin Barbosa to join the blood donors, some came from the DPWH and PIA. SPH is considered a blood collecting unit and it stocks blood which can be used by Rural Health Units (RHUs), once the need comes in. ―We need blood donors, to save lives,‖ added Dacaynos.
Jake Ribay from Jiabong town, and Jacob Abaigar from San Sebastian town, were two of the first responders to the blood-letting, they are members of the Catbalogan police. Ribay said he has donated blood many times and would not hesitate to do so if his help is needed. Abaigar also said he has donated four times. Local government units have started to realize the need to donate blood, this time, the
island town of Sto. Nino and towns like San Jose de Buan and Gandara have started to hold their own blood-letting campaign. These are stored at the Samar Provincial Hospital. The most recent blood-letting event was held in Calbiga town in June 28, 2016 where again men in uniform like the police and the army led the blood donation event. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-Samar)
Program for helping drug dependents launched in Maasin City Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 8 (PIA) -- The very church where President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was baptized after being born here seven decades ago also served as a venue for the launching a multi-sectoral, community based program for surrendering drug dependents.
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n Saturday, August 6, on the occasion of the first of nine novena Masses for this year’s fiesta, the centuries-old Maasin Cathedral played host to the signing of a document that would seal the collective effort for caring the surrenderees -- 1,022 police-documented personalities so far in this city alone, and still counting. The undertaking was simply called Project RRD, incidentally the initials of the President, but this stands for Renewal and Recovery from Drugs, with the national template on Hopeburst-Gawad Kalinga as its model. Msgr. Oscar Cadayuna, main celebrant of the Mass and Parish Vicar of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish (OLAP), was the first to sign his name on the tarpaulin clipped on a plywood, and he was followed by local officials, Gov. Damian Mercado and City Mayor
Nacional Mercado, for the province and city, respectively. Also affixing his signature was Cong. Roger Mercado, Police Sr. Supt. Warren De Leon, provincial PNP Director, a lady police officer for the city police station, and representatives of government agencies like TESDA, DOH, DTI, as well as the business community, NGOs, the academe, and other private sector and religious groups. Before the signing proper which was done before the final rites of the Holy Mass, Dr. Jerome Paler, GK provincial head, cited statistics on the rising phenomenon of drug users and pushers coming out into the open in just 37 days of the Duterte administration, an unexpected turn of events that needed an equally quick response. Paler challenged the jampacked church goers to contribute in whatever way they can
for Project RRD, to share their time, treasure, and talent for the overwhelming task that required support and cooperation of everybody. During the dydm Kapihan sa PIA live last Friday, Paler explained that after the signing, the document will be presented to the city and provincial councils, apparently for funding support, then the training for caretaker teams will follow. With caretaker teams in place, the tedious work on profiling individual surrenderee will come next to determine the degree of addiction and the corresponding intervention for a period of two years. The old provincial hospital in barangay Mantahan has been agreed in principle as the Community Care Center for Project RRD, Paler disclosed. (mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)
NSPMSA develops strat plan to prevent TB spread Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Aug. 1 (PIA) – In its effort to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, the Northern Samar Provincial Multi Sectoral Alliance (NSPMSA) for Tuberculosis has developed a strategic plan for calendar year 2017-2019.
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he plan pushed for the localized implementation of tuberculosis control and engage both public and private health care provider to scale up and sustain coverage of directly observed treatment short course to ensure a case detection rate of at least 90% ,treatment success rate of 90%, as well as notification rate of MDR TB to 62%.
It was learned that in Northern Samar, tuberculosis ranked third in 2011 and eighth in 2012 for mortality. There was an increased number of sickness from 2011 (424 cases), 2013 (972 cases) and a 3-10 fold increase of deaths from 2011 to 204. According to Provincial Health Office tuberculosis was not included among the top
10 leading causes of morbidity in 2011 and 2015, however, TB mortality ranked 8th in 2012, 10th in 2013, 9th in 2014, and 6th in 2015 in the province. NSPMSA was created under Executive Order No. 003-07 on July 7, 2014 to effectively implement the TB program and as a coordinating body for TB control in the province. (ajc/tbc-pia8northernsamar)
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) 3378719/3377301 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
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Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Baùares 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