Vol 6
In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS
DTI-LGU partnership: Engr. Lynna Joy Cardinal of DTI Antique encourages local officials to advocate for Business Name Registration among local entrepreneurs before the issuance of Mayor's permit to operate to allow them to use the name in their licenses and other transactions during the advocacy orientation on BN registration and Fair Trade Laws in the town of Laua-an. The activity was also facilitated by Glen Fernando of DTI and Municipal Treasurer Julieta Sevigan. (DTI/PIA6Antique)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
August 15 - 21, 2016
Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8
Issue 33
Federalism pushed in Central Visayas CEBU CITY (PIA)— The federal system of government, which is one of the priority thrusts of President Duterte’s administration, is getting a forward push in Central Visayas. Recently, the Constitutional Reformers to Federalism held a forum on federalism in Bohol at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City. The event was spearheaded by Atty. Raul Lambino, lead convenor of PDU30-CoRe in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The PDU30-CORE team is also composed of Atty. Emmanuel Tumanda, Atty. Mike Planas and Dennis Ancheta. Lambino explained that under a federal form of government, each state or region has its own discretion in managing its economy, natural resources, and law. The federalism forum kicks off the information and education campaign for the province attended by provincial, municipal, and barangay officials, national government agencies, the business sector, the religious sector, and the academe. On the other hand, a group of people from all walks of life who are supporting President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s (PRRD) advocacy on federal system of government will launch its movement in Cebu on August 22. Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines (HFMP) - Visayas Region vice chair Erwin Tindoc said Cebu is a critical area to get mass-based support for PRRD’s advocacy on federalism. Tindoc said President Duterte won a landslide victory in Cebu with over a million votes which is hoped to translate to avid support to his advocacy to change the current system of government to federalism. The HFMP-Visayas has already started its advocacy in
Negros Island Region (NIR) led by Professor Reynaldo Llena, the NIR regional director of the HFMP-Visayas while pockets of advocacies were already done in some parts of the Visayas like in Iloilo and Leyte. Bohol governor Edgar Chatto expressed support for the initiatives to inform and educate the people on federalism as he himself is a supporter of local autonomy and decentralization as effective in directly responding to the needs of the people. It will be recalled that President Duterte has expressed the importance of federalism to address real development in the countryside and end the decades of conflict in Mindanao giving state or local governments more autonomy to decide. This is considered as a strategy to introduce real reforms and genuine change in our country for the good and benefit of our people and citizens. (mbcn/fcr/ecb/PIA7)
Atty. Raul Lambino: Federalism gives regions discretion to manage their own economy and resources. (PIA File photo)
ESSU to host 3rd Int’l Integrative DRRM Conference Kapihan sa PIA on "Disaster Preparedness vs. La Nina Phenomenon." PAGASA Chief Neptune Catarata said a weak La Nina is forecasted to occur starting September until the early months of 2017. DRRM officers Adrian Sedillo of NegOr & Engr. Jose Chiu of Dumaguete City urged the community's support & cooperation in disaster preparedness. Bernard Limbaga of the Dept. of Agriculture however, assured of the province's food security in times of disaster. (PIA-NegOr) #LagingHanda
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EASTERN VISAYAS
Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 15 (PIA) ---The Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) main campus will host the 3rd International Conference on Integrative Disaster Risk Reduction Management on September 1-3, 2016 at the ESSU Multi-Purpose Hall, this city. The theme for this conference is ―Reducing Risks, Developing Quick Response to Disasters". According to Mr. Vicente Agda, Director for Extension, the conference will bring together government officials, non-government experts, students and faculty researchers and other specialists from public and private agencies to discuss and present papers and posters on reducing risk and developing quick response to disasters. Agda disclosed the fact that vulnerability and exposure to disasters are increasing particularly in the Philippines as more people and resources are located in areas of high risk. Among the highlights of the three-day conference
are paper and poster presentations from various institutions particularly local government units, higher educational institutions and public and private secondary and elementary school involved in incorporating disaster risk reduction, and developing quick response through differentiated strategies and planning for development growth. The panel of distinguished speakers are: De. C. Emhdad Haque, Professor, University of Manitoba, Canada, Honorable ThomasOssowshi, German Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of Project NOAH of Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Dr. Dennis S. Irasga, Professor, De La Salle University, and Robert Dorgan, US Peace Corps Volunteers, among others. The Welcome Address will be delivered by ESSU president, Dr. Edmundo A. Campoto. Registration fee is P 4,600.00 inclusive of meals, snacks, conference materials, certificate and tour to selected resettlement sites in Eastern Samar. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)
Capiz takes first step in rehab of drug surrenderees By Jemin B. Guillermo
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar- MAJ. GEN. JET B VELARMINO, AFP ,Commander 8ID, receives the contingent from the Philippine Military Academy headed by Major Guillermo T Mabute that will officiate the PMA Cadet-ship Qualifying Test on 21 August 2016 to be held at Samar State University, Mercedes Campus, Catbalogan, Samar. (PIA8)
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ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 16 (PIA6) – Health authorities have already started to take steps in the rehabilitation of drug surrenderees in Capiz. Information Officer Ayr Altavas of the Provincial Health Office disclosed that in partnership with the Department of Health, an orientation on drug dependents' assessment was already done last week. Present during said orientation were the Municipal and City Health Physicians in the province, Chiefs of hospitals, provincial, city and municipal social welfare and development officers and officials from the Philippine National Police here. The activity focused on the importance and procedures in assessing drug abusers and the effective treatment and rehabilitation for them. ―With the assessment based on the drug
dependence category, the concerned health authority can now recommend whether drug dependents will undergo community -based rehabilitation for minor and moderate category or treatment and rehabilitation in a drug rehabilitation facility,‖ Altavas said. The only DOH-run Drug Rehabilitation facility in Pototan, Iloilo for Western Visayas can only accommodate 100 patients, however records from the PNP showed that so far there were more than 5,000 surrenderees in Capiz due to the government’s ―Double Barrel‖ project. Capiz Police Provincial Director Samuel Nacion said that they are also coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government as well as other agencies such as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority other rehabilitation-component programs. (JCM/JBG/ PIA6-Capiz)
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WESTERN VISAYAS
Student writers get briefing on federalism By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA6) --- Over 200 high school student writers and editors from Panay and Guimaras were provided with basic information on federalism as a form of government.
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awyer Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 Regional Director, said that federalism is among the top priorities of the new administration under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Mesa spoke during the fourth leg of the campus journalism-seminar workshop spearheaded by the PIA-6 which kicked off August 17. ―Federalism refers to that principle that governmental powers and responsibilities may be divided between the federal (national) government and the state (regional/local) governments,‖ she said.
Currently, the Philippines employs a unitary Presidential form of government with power, decisions, policies, and programs emerging from the central government. Mesa said that federal governments help address the wide variety of needs of a geographically large country. She pointed out that countries that employ a federal system of government include United States, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Australia, Brazil, among others. Powers that are delegated to the national government include declaration of war, creation and maintaining of armed forces, establishment of foreign policies, regulation of
interstate and foreign trade, formulation of copyright and patent law, establishment of postal offices, and coinage of money. Meanwhile, power that states can have are: establishment of local governments, establishment and maintenance of schools, regulation of trade within states, conduct elections, and provide for public safety. The power to raise taxes, provide for the public welfare, borrow money, charter banks, set up courts, and build and maintain roads, are shared by the national government and the local state government, according to Director Mesa.(JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)
MANa to boost rice sufficiency By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA6) — The Department of Agriculture is launching a six-month initiative to boost rice production of rainfed areas in the region.
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ubbed as Maunlad na Agrikultura sa Nayon (MANa), the initiative seeks to lay down the foundation for rice self-sufficiency program of the Duterte Administration. DA-6 Regional Director Remelyn Recoter said through MANa, the department will use science-based tools to facilitate gathering of accurate information by direct observation in the farms. ―The data will ultimately serve as a foundation for reliable programs and interventions for the agriculture sector,‖ Recoter said. MANa will also enhance production of hybrid rice to all irrigated rice farmers by giving all seeds, fertilizers and insurance coverage to ensure 10-14 percent increase in
production and income in a cycle of five cropping seasons. ―With the initiative, there will be an expansion of one million hectares nationwide for irrigated areas,‖ Recoter said. She added that the areas will come from rainfed and unutilized lands, which will be provided with small scale irrigation projects, in coordination with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM). The bureau will validate potential irrigable areas and will produce color-coded agriculture guide map. This guide map will determine a particular commodity or agricultural activity best suited in an area based on geography, climate and soil conditions.
Moreover , the National Food Consumption Quantification Survey will be conducted to determine what food and the volume of food commodities a certain area consumes to better determine the region’s food requirement. Director Recoter also said that there will be intensified dissemination of agricultural technology, continuing financing programs like the Sikat Saka, ACPC programs, Agriculture and fisheries Financing Programs and agrarian reform financing. ―Along with these are the provision of marketing activities, collaboration for the protection of watershed areas and enforcement of agri-fishery laws,‖ Recoter said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
DOLE notes industrial peace in Antique By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique Aug. 18 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment here said that the labor situation in the province is peaceful.
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We observed that the province has lesser labor cases if compared to other provinces in Western Visayas,‖ said OIC Provincial Director Lorraine Villegas during the PIA Radio program. When asked about the employment situation of Antique, Villegas said that she was assigned to head DOLE Antique only on July this year and they will try to come up with a
profile of employment/unemployment situation in the province in order to help and guide them also in their policy formulation. However, Villegas said that they are only using for now the regional statistics as to the labor situation recorded at 93.4 percent, whereas the unemployment rate is 6.6 percent and the underemployment rate as of April 2016 is 20.1 percent.
As to the Duterte administration’s thrust on end of contractualization, Villegas said that DOLE is working to reduce cases of contractualization by 50 percent by the end of 2016. Recently, the DOLE Antique head met with the business sectors to discuss the present administration’s drive to end contractualization. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)
WESTERN VISAYAS
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DAR: No to land transfer, lease of beneficiaries By Carlson B. Alelis NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 19 (PIA6) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Negros Occidental 2 has strengthened its campaign in fighting the transfer or leasing of land that are awarded to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
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AR posted tarpaulins warning ARBS against transferring or leasing their land, adding that there are penalties for offenders, a release from the provincial office here said. The issues on the rampant ―ariendohanay,‖ particularly in southern portion of Negros Occidental, prompted DAR to take action, according to Lucrecia
Taberna provincial agrarian reform program officer II. She said DAR does not tolerate illegal sale, transfer, lease or any other form of conveyance by a beneficiary of the right of ownership, right to use, or any usufructuary right over the land acquired by virtue of being such beneficiary under Administrative Order No. 7, series of 2011 as amended.
Under the law, engaging in such illegal activities can be a ground for the disqualification of a farmer to become a beneficiary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The tarpaulins were posted in various barangays, cities and municipalities under Negros Occidental 2. (JCM/CBA/PIA6 – Negros Occidental)
CSC6 completes maturity level assessment of agencies By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA6) - - The Civil Service Commission 6 (CSC 6) has already completed the assessment of the maturity level of the human resource of all the 206 government agencies under its jurisdiction.
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h i s w a s d i s c l o s e d by C S C Chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa Bala during her recent visit in this city. The assessment is the first phase of the CSC’s Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management or PRIME-HRM where government agencies are assessed through the following four processes: recruitment, selection and placement; learning and development; performance management; and rewards and recognition. After assessing the agencies’ HR maturity level, CSC assist them in their areas of improvement in aiming for a higher maturity level. To date, CSC 6 has assisted 60 agencies in the region. As of June this year, out of the 60
agencies, 29 including the 19 offices of the Department of Education have already met the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level 2. Aside from Region 6, all the government agencies in Regions 7 and 8 in the Visayas Region have already been assessed by their respective CSC regional offices. Bala said a total of 645 government agencies comprising national government agencies, local government units, state universities and colleges and government owned and controlled corporations were already assessed in the Visayas Region. Of the 645 agencies, 14.42 percent or 93 agencies were already assisted and 52 agencies have already reached the maturity level. ―What do these mean to us? I think, we are now embracing the culture of Strategic
Human Resource and Organization Development,‖ said Bala during the 6th Visayas Congress of Human Resource Management Practitioners. According to Bala, PRIME-HRM is very important because this is a mechanism to alleviate the HR in the Philippines at par with the international standard at least in the four core processes. In 2014, the CSC adopted the Investors in People (liP) standards in a move to enhance the PRIME-HRM. The liP Framework is used by 60,000 organizations in more than 75,000 countries. Through CSC Memorandum Circular No. 3 Series of 2012, government agencies are mandated to implement the PRIME-HRM. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
Aklan broadcasters turn into tree planters By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 18 (PIA6) – Aklanon broadcasters recently traded their microphones, tape recorders and other communication gadgets for a day for tree seedlings and digging tools and did their share of further greening the mountainous areas of Aklan by joining ―Oplan Broadcastreeing 2016‖.
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he ―Oplan Broadcastreeing‖ is a project of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with the aim of helping protect the environment against climate change and global warming by planting trees. For the activity, broadcasters from KBP-member stations, personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Army, and volunteers from various government and non-government offices, who plodded along mountainous trails from the highway to the planting site, were able to plant 1,666 tree seedlings in one hectare of
land in the hinterland barangay of Cabugao in Ibajay, Aklan. The tree planting activitity in the barangay was even made more significant and relevant as the planting area is a National Greening Program (NGP) site of the government, as identified by the DENR. The NGP is a government program which aims to plant 1.5 billion seedlings in 1.5 million hectares of land throughout the country from 2011 to 2016. DENR-Aklan provided the indigenous tree seedlings composed of narra and badlan. KBP-Aklan Chapter Chairman Alan C. Palma of YES FM Boracay estimated the participants to reach more or less 300.
Palma said participants for this year’s activity were bigger in number compared to previous ―Broadcastreeing‖ the past years. ―We are glad many volunteers joined us this year, who helped plant trees for the benefit of the next generations,‖ Palma said. For his part, Lt. Col. Leomar Doctolero, Commanding Officer of the 12th IB based in Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan who led his men in the tree planting activity, said the Philippine Army, besides being the defender of the people, is also a partner of the community in protecting the environment. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
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CENTRAL VISAYAS
Disaster preparedness needs 6-months food buffer stock Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) – The government should at least keep a buffer stock of food good for six months to ensure that the country will have enough food reserves in times of calamities.
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epartment of Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Piñol pointed this out during the Green Convergence State of the Convergence State of Nature Assessment (Green SONA) event held at Silliman University recently which was attended by representatives of various sectors in the province. Piñol’s topic was Philippine agriculture amid climate change wherein he shared to his audience some of the climate change adaptation measures which his department will implement. The agricultural secretary also stressed that ―Self-reliance and self-sufficiency are the battle cries of the day.‖ To achieve this, the country must attain food sufficiency in rice, corn, livestock and poultry and then maintain a buffer stock of food. Piñol disclosed he told President Rodrigo Duterte on this and he assured the latter that it will be his priority to make sure that there is a full supply
of food for six months to assure the people that there will be enough food during disasters. ―Today, our rice buffer stock is only good for three months. Our problem is, what will happen if an eight-month El Niño would hit the country?,‖ Piñol said. To address this, the DA official proposed a Rice Productivity Enhancement program, part of which is the review of the country’s irrigation and water management policies. Piñol said he aims to have irrigation systems that will not harm the mountains and would be operational within six months to one year so that the target for food production will be realized. Another measure is the conduct of nationwide soil analysis. ―We would like to guide the Filipino farmer by telling him what kind of soil he has in his backyard so that he will be fully guided in planting what kind of crop,‖ he stressed.
Aside from this he also proposed that there should be effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization program, extensive program to improve rice farming technologies through sharing of farmers best practices. Piñol also shared the challenge of the Department of Agriculture under the current administration is more on food production particularly in the readiness and preparedness to face the unpredictability of climate. He noted that climate change and its negative effects El Niño and La Niña are real challenges and the country must adjust in order to survive. ―There are fundamental policy changes which the DA will have to adopt. The DA is staking a proactive stance, unlike before, we no longer ignore the warnings,‖ he said. ―La Niña preparedness is a must, it’s no longer a choice,‖ Piñol pointed out. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
2 MSMEs get P1.9M from DOST Siquijor Rizalie Anding Calibo & Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing SIQUIJOR, Aug. 16 (PIA) - - DOST Siquijor turned over P1,974,000 worth of funds to Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) beneficiaries in the province.
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OST-Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña handed over to Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corporation through its president Elvie Villaver the cheque worth P1,490,000 while Danilo Claridades of Danny's General Merchandise received the P484,000 check in a separate event. Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corporation availed the funding through the project "Upgrading the Information and Communications Technology of Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corporation in Pangi, Siquijor, Siquijor" that aims to strengthen the ICT capabilities of the firm through technology upgrading. The fund will be used to procure upgraded ICT
equipment in support to the cable TV operations of the firm. On the other hand, Danny's General Merchandise sought for DOST’s assistance to upgrade the meat processing technology of the firm and thus the project was approved and the funding released. The fund will be used to procure meat processing equipment for increased production output, laboratory analysis of processed meat and enhanced product packaging and labeling. The beneficiaries thanked the agency for the assistance it has given to them. Both beneficiaries look forward at the great possibilities ahead especially in terms of increased productivity and
enhanced competitiveness. Prior to the turnover of funds, DOST briefed the beneficiaries on the proper use of funds and reminded that funds should only be purchased for equipment stipulated in the line item budget of the approved MOA. They were also asked to submit 37 post-dated checks (PDCs) for the monthly rental of equipment. Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of DOST is a nationwide strategy to encourage MSMEs to upgrade their technologies, implement innovations at their level, and as a result, strengthen the country's innovation system. (mbcn/ rac/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing, DOST Siquijor PSTC)
LCEs’ help sought in campaign vs. colorum bancas Ferliza Calizar-Contratista CEBU CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) --- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) calls on local chief executives to be on guard against illegally operating motor bancas or colorums.
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n a press briefing, Coast Guard District Central Visayas Commander Commodore George Ursabia said the whole agency is going full force in coming up with a series of activities to call on the public not to resort to these colorum motor bancas. These illegally operating motor bancas are present in majority of the populated municipal and island ports. The PCG Auxiliary District headed by Commodore James Porter, with six squadrons all over Central Visayas, is augmenting PCG in this campaign and other programs. However Ursabia said, even if they are going out full force, the campaign is expected to succeed when it is already the LCE or the mayors of the towns and cities who will dip their fingers into the problem.
―We would appreciate it very much if the Mayor will have a directive or maybe under the disaster management offices or task force, to watch out and prevent the proliferation of these colorum bancas because they know the locality better,‖ Ursabia said. He said they had difficulty in getting the support of the Mayors during election season but now that its over, they hope they will include sea safety in their priorities. PCG had prepared several posters and flyers to be distributed regionwide with glaring warning, ―Pahibalo sa Publiko: Ayaw Kamo Sakay sa mga Colorum na Bangka‖ (Notice to Public: Do Not Ride Unregistered Banca). It bears a list in knowing whether the bancas are registered which include complete life saving gears, life insurance benefits, complete credentials of
the crew, well trained crew and authorized to sail at night. Sea passengers resort to unregistered bancas when there are bad weather conditions and because they pay a cheaper price. Ursabia said they also would want to get the sentiments of the operators on why some are not registering their bancas. ―Next time we will be having a consultation in the municipalities and ports bringing with us the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) that is in charge in the registration,‖ he said. There are 24 Coast Guard stations and substations covering the islands Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental with about 103 ports. The project is jointly done by PCG and PCGA. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
CENTRAL VISAYAS
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Bello thanks Saudi King for OFWs’ welfare assistance Juju M. Empuerto CEBU CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) --- Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III thanked Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for instructing his Ministry of Labor to facilitate the giving of welfare assistance to OFWs in Saudi Arabia in the ongoing repatriation assistance to Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
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ello expressed his gratitude to King Salman for his concern to the OFWs, as he relayed the update from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud instructions to his Ministry of Labor consists of waiving of immigration penalties due to expired working visa, plane fare to OFWs returning to the country, food aid, re-employment assistance to those who wish to work in other companies and legal assistance to money claims. The King guarantees and protects the rights of foreign workers in Saudi Oger and other companies affected by oil crisis, Bello said. ―This is a welcome development and, indeed, a big help in our ongoing efforts to secure the welfare of our OFWs,‖ added the DOLE Secretary. Filipino workers stranded in Saudi Arabia can now return to the country as King Salman has waived the penalties for foreign workers hit by a massive layoff and retrenchment. The Saudi government will shoulder their plane fare and to provide food to workers in all
company camps, and the Ministry of Labor will send its lawyers to camps to gather money claims and other related complaints for filing at appropriate venues. ―We were also informed that their Ministry of Labor will allow the transfer of workers to other companies should they wish to continue working in KSA. The workers may look for new employers, and the good thing is that the Ministry of Labor will mobilize the Mega Manpower Companies to offer jobs to these OFWs,‖ Secretary Bello said. According to Bello, the KSA’s Ministry of Labor Director General Mohammed Al Sharekh has informed the POLO in Riyadh that the Saudi Labor Officers will officially receive cases at the camps instead of requiring thousands of workers to file the case at the Saudi Labor Office building. It will be recalled that one of the setbacks encountered by OFWs was when their work permits expired after they were retrenched by companies that went bankrupt because of oil crisis in the Middle East.
An inter-agency emergency relief assistance mission, composed of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Public Attorney’s Office, has been organized by the Philippine Government to support the ongoing operations of the three Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in KSA. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina Paz Lopez appointed the regional director for Central Visayas Isabelo Montejo as the new DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations for Luzon and Visayas areas. This developed after Secretary Lopez issued Special Order Number 2016 - 471 on August 3 designating Montejo, a forester and the DENR 7 regional director for four years, as the new USEC for Field Operations for Luzon and Visayas. (mbcn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ with reports from DOLE7)
Grades 1, 7 public school studes get immunization Ferliza Calizar-Contratista CEBU CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH-7) is set to give immunization vaccines worth P10,000 to Grades 1 and 7 students in public schools this month.
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OH7 medical officer Dr. Sharon Laurel said all grades 1 & 7 students in all public schools nationwide will be given four immunizations in the observance of Mass Immunization Program the whole of August. She said there are 172,700 grade 1 pupils in Central Visayas and 100,704 grades 7 or first year high school students. The students will be given shots of measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria.
According to Laurel, each shot ranges from P800 to P1,500 when availed from private clinics and hospitals. ―What we just need is for the parents to give their consent for the conduct of the immunization,‖ Laurel said. She said there are some parents who do not allow their children possibly fearing of any discomfort or side effects. However, Laurel said, there are only normal
discomforts felt by the immunized. The private schools who would want their grades 1 and 7 to be immunized may submit a letter of intent to DOH7 or their local health department. Meanwhile DOH is also conducting tuberculosis screening on August 22 at San Roque, Talisay City. This time it will be among school children for early detection of the said illness. (mbcn/ fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
NegOr guv thanks 11th IB for province's peace & order Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) – Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo conveyed his warmest gratitude to the soldiers of 11th Infantry ―Lapu-Lapu‖ Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army for helping maintain the peace and order in the northern part of the province.
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n his speech at the send-off ceremony for the 11th IB held over the weekend at Freedom Park, Dumaguete City, Gov. Degamo thanked the officers of the 11th IB led by its commander Lt. Col. Eugene Badua for helping the province achieve a Conflict Manageable and Development Ready (CMDR) status in terms of security. Gov. Degamo emphasized that projects undertaken by the battalion have very beneficial to the people, especially in those far-flung areas as they were able to avail the different services of the government. The governor further said that since 2008, the 11th IB has strengthened and improved its operational capability in order to perform their
duties well. The 11th IB has their headquarters in Guihulngan City during their stay in the province and now it will be assigned in Sulu as part of the anti-terrorism directive of President Rodrigo Duterte in Sulu. Gov. Degamo also shared that he hopes to see them again in Negros Oriental and if possibly with still complete staff once they have accomplished their mission in Mindanao. On the other hand, Major General Harold Cabreros, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) which covers Negros Island expressed this confidence that the 11th IB will be able to perform its duty of maintaining peace in the war-torn province.
Maj. Gen. Cabreros explained that the deployment is part of the marching orders of the president who is the commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). ―He wants to finish the problem on terrorism,‖ Cabreros adds. Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Badua believes that the current security status of the province will be maintained even if they are deployed in another province. The battalion formally left Negros Oriental on Sunday, August 14. Once the entire personnel 11th IB is deployed in Sulu, the 79th IB will take over in the former area of operation said Badua. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
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EASTERN VISAYAS
BCC supports dumpsite plans of Borongan City government Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 4 (PIA) --- The Borongan City Councilors (BCC) assured their support to the plan of the Borongan City Government — led by Borongan City Mayor Maria Fe Abunda — to implement the safe closure and rehabilitation of its open controlled dumpsite located in Brgy. Camada, together with ensuring that this is in accordance with the mandate of the law under Republic Act 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
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his has been given emphasis by the Borongan City Councilors during their regular session last July 22, 2016 as the Borongan City Planning and Development Office (BCPDO) and the Borongan City Solid Waste Management Office (BCSWMO) presented the said plan of the City Government. CPD Officer Engineer Nida Baris disclosed that there has been an official
from the Environment Management Bureau-Regional Office 08 (EMB-R-8) assigned to Eastern Samar to focus on assisting the measures of the City Government and other Local Government Units of the province as well as to ensure that the City Government will be able to follow what is mandated by RA 9003. CSWM Officer Engineer Joseph Lagdaan and Engineer Baris explained that the purpose of the said plan is to establish
doable strategies for the proper closure and rehabilitation of the said dumpsite and to ensure the requirements in the closure of the schedule of the rehabilitation activities and to know the needed funds for the safe closure and rehabilitation of the said dumpsite. Lagdaan added that through this modern technology, the EMB-R-8 is now able to monitor the activities of the said dumpsite. (SDC-PIA/E. Samar)
DPWH-SoLeyte proposes P3.26B outlay for 2017 Ma. Rebeccca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 11(PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) is proposing a P3.26-billion worth of infrastructure projects for the province in 2017 .
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he said amount, more than double from its current allotment this year will include the P970.14 million maintenance and rehabilitation of arterial roads; another P454.03-M for the widening of national highways; P590.74-M for off carriageway improvement; and another P195.5-M for repair of bridges, District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia reported. The total amount also includes the construction and maintenance of flood control systems worth P659.03-M; the P298-M worth for the construction of
roads leading to airport and seaports, among other tourist destinations; and the improvement of various infrastructures including local projects in the amount of P96.5 milion. While waiting for the final approval of the proposed 2017 projects, SLDEO conducts pre-detailed engineering activities such as survey, preparation of the design plans and technical specifications, coming up with the construction schedule, road right of way acquisition plans, among the few.
Though DPWH-SLDEO does not expect that all projects will be approved based on experience in the past years, ―we want to have a considerable share of the budget pie especially that funding for infrastructure increases every year,‖ DE Junia noted. The local engineering district had already submitted their list of 76 projects to the regional and central offices for inclusion in the 2017 DPWH Infrastructure Program under the General Appropriations Act. (rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)
PNP-ESPPO receives 25 PNP Patrol Motorcycles Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 15 (PIA) ----- Patrolling Is the backbone of Philippine National Police (PNP) operations. It includes several methods such as Beat Patrol, Vehicle Patrol (Mobile and Motorcycle), Foot Patrol, Air Patrol, etc. Each method plays a great vital role in upholding the police officer’s mandated task.
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ith the intense patrolling conducted by the police officers in the field, the PNP higher command observed a downtrend of crimes as reported from the field. In this connection, logistical support particularly for the mobile and motorcycle patrol is needed. In response to this need, the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) recently received 25 units of Kawasaki
Rouser Patrol Motorcycles from Acting Regional Director, Police Chief Superintendent Elmer C. Beltejar at Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte. The 22 Municipal Police Stations (MPS) and one City Police Station (CPS), Police Public Safety Command and the ESPPO received one motorcycle each. With these police motorcycles, the police can now quickly respond to any accident or incident that needs police
assistance and response. This will also boost the police community relations in the locality. This can also be readily used as escorts in any civilian activity. Its diversity and adaptability to current social trends certainly make the motorcycle unit an indispensable and relevant part of any modern law enforcement agency today. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)
EASTERN VISAYAS
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8thID accepts applicants for Candidate Soldier Course Ninfa B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 15 (PIA) — The Philippine Army here at the 8th Infantry Division, Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar is now accepting applicants for Candidate Soldier Course, Calendar Year 2016 and 2017 starting today, August 15 to September 26, 2016 .
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nterested applicants may proceed to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1 and must bring along with them the original copy of their birth certificate from the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) with official receipt, Form 137 or Transcript of Records. Also needed are High School or College diploma, one (1) 2x2 picture with name tag and valid identification cards. This quota is intended only for regular enlistment, no quota for special enlistment and composed of 5% Indigenous People
(IP), 10% female applicants and the rest is for male applicants. The convening date of 1st training cycle will be on November 2016 while the 2nd training cycle is on March 2017. ―If you are 18-26 years of age, single, never been married, never been borne or sired a child, emotionally, physically and mentally fit, at least 5 feet in height (male & female), with no pending cases in court, have passed the AFP Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) examination with a strong desire to serve the country and have all
the needed documents for processing, you are all welcome to apply for the Candidate Soldier Course and join the Philippine Army,‖ said Lt. Col. Leonardo C. Dacumos, Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1 of 8ID. For further clarifications and inquiries, contact Major Maximino P Maduli, 8th ID Recruitment Officer at telephone number 256-2199, local-3611 or call the office for personnel, G1, with mobile Globe-09778033918/ Smart-0998882134. (PIA8-Samar with 8thID DPAO)
RDRRMC okays Nona rehab and recovery plan Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Aug. 12 (PIA) – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) approved lately the Northern Samar Nona Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (NRRP) for 2016-2019 at Hotel Alejandro in Tacloban City.
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ngr. Romeo M. Cardenas, the provincial planning and development coordinator said NRRP is a framework document on the rehabilitation and recovery intervention for all the 24 municipalities of the province affected by Typhoon Nona. Nona was the strongest typhoon that hit Northern Samar in 34 years with a reported intensity of 10-minute maximum sustained winds at 175km/h (110mph) and a central pressure of 935 hPa (27.61 in Hg) on December 14, 2015. He said NRRP was prepared through the conduct of a comprehensive disaster
assessment and needs analysis led by OCD and the conduct of the inter-agency and inter LGU rehabilitation and recovery planning workshop spearheaded by PPDO with the technical assistance from NEDA region 8. He explained the plan will help the province get back to its feet, and eventually rebuild itself better and safer as economic recovery is reliant upon the influx of assistance from the national government. Cardenas revealed Nona’s investment program reaches 15,661 billion. The biggest bulk of the rehabilitation and recovery and investment program are
on reconstruction programs and projects intended to hasten social sector services at 7.294 billion, followed by the infrastructure sector at 6.508 billion, while productive sector is pegged at 1.039 billion and 818 million for the cross sector. Among the four sectors, social sector takes the lion share at 47%. Interventions intended to reconstruct government building and facilities get the second at 41% followed by the productive sector at 7% while the remaining chunks or the lowest share goes to the cross sector at 5%. (tbc-pia8northernsamar)
801st army camp to become rehab center Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 16 (PIA) — The 801st army camp in Samar may become a rehabilitation center for drug dependents, says Brig Gen Cesar Idio in a press conference, recently.
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dio is the Deputy Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, the army camp that President Rodrigo Duterte visited on August 8. He said that this was one of the things the army officers talked with the President in his visit to Samar.
The camp is big and there is no signal there, he told media that covered Samar Day. The 801st Brigade Camp lies on a hilly part of Samar province close to the boundary of Eastern Samar and can accommodate many patients, if ever,
added the army officer. It is found in Barangay Fatima, Hinabangan, Samar. Idio said that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked the army to I dentify army camps that can become possible sites for rehabilitation centers. (PIA8-Samar)
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
Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8
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