ONE VISAYAS issue 4

Vol I

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 4

September 19– 25, 2011

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

A member of the Panay Bukidnon Community in the Central part of Iloilo, welcomes Senator Loren Legarda, Senate Committee Chair on Cultural Communities and Climate Change with a tribal dance, at the start of the Indigenous Peoples' Regional Assembly for Visayas, Sept. 23. at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Lobby. With Legarda are (L) Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor (PIA 6/ESS/EJB)

♦ 3 WV LGUs vie for child friendly municipalities, cities awards

♦ DSWD expands anti-poverty program in Negros Occidental

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -– Some 3,050 poor households from the 54 barangays of Alangalang, Leyte are the latest addition to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the national government.

No less than P1.526 million was released to the beneficiaries during the launching of the Pantawid Pamilya at the Alangalang Auditorium recently.

The amount covers the April allotment of the beneficiaries, Ms. Virginia Edano, 4Ps Regional Project Coordinator, said during the launching of the Conditional Cash Transfer which was attended by the beneficiaries, municipal officials of Alangalang led by SP Member Sheila Tante who represented Mayor Loreto Yu, LandBank officials led by Ms. Lilian Pabello, Board .Member Roque Tiu who

DOH-7 links with NGO to boost advocacy on mental health

by Fayette C. Riñen

♦ 2 Aklan towns to get P22,050M

KALAHI-CIDSS projects ♦ School-On-Air invites enrollees P.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

SIQUIJOR RUBY JUBILEE AGRO/TRADE/FOOD DAIR: The six-day Trade, Agro and Food Fair showcased the best of the province's industries, resources and craftsmanship. Products in focus are home furnishings such as Furniture, Novelty Items, Gifts and Housewares, Woodcraft, Quilted Textile Items and Paintings. (PIA-Siquijor/mbcn/ rac)

♦ Bohol Guv calls for unity vs. cyber, other crimes

♦ DTI, partners hold knowledge management training to Siquijor MSMEDC ♦ Campus writers invited to join EU feature writing contest ♦ DOST develops sensor tool as warning device for impending P. landslides

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EASTERN VISAYAS

As barangay residents, private citizens, civic organizations, students, government employees and the LGUs joined the International Coastal Cleanup Day last Saturday, September 17 (left photo) one of the esteros (right photo) in Tacloban City is made as a dumpsite by residents living near the area. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA-8)

represented the honorable Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, and Congressman Ferdinand Martin.Romualdez.

The cash grant covers the month of April when the children beneficiaries were on vacation, thus each household beneficiary was given P500. A beneficiary with three children in school aged 14 years old and below received a maximum of P1,400 per month.

The conditional cash grants provided to the beneficiaries are means to help them ensure that their children are healthy and they could regularly attend school. The compliance of the beneficiaries is closely monitored by the DSWD in coordination.

DOH, DEPed, DILG, NNC. (PIA 8)

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EBU CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- Forging partnership to strengthen the prevention and control of mental illness is the objective of the Department of Health (DOH)-7 as it partners with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)-Cebu Chapter, in time for the celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week every second week of October.

DOH-7 public information officer Suzette Limbaga said the DOH is now trying to incorporate mental illness prevention programs into the universal health care under the Philippine Health Agenda.

“President Aquino is fully supporting the mainstreaming of the mental health prevention program under the Philippine Health Agenda,” according to Limbaga during the PIA Kapihan on (that tackled) the coming observance of Mental Health Awareness Week next month.

Dr. Glenda Basubas, PMHA-Cebu chair, agreed with Limbaga’s statement. She claimed in the same forum that

Alcala confident Iloilo could again be no. 1 rice province

By TWVillavert

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LOILO CITY, Sept 23 (PIA) -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala expressed confidence that province of Iloilo can regain its reputation as the number one rice producing province in the country.

This was disclosed by Alcala during the Visayas Agricultural Machinery and Equipment (AGRIMACH) Road Show, citing the Jalaur River Irrigation System which when rehabilitated will irrigate some 34,000 hectares of rice land in the province.

Alcala noted that even if the province needs more efficient services yet it still ranks between number 3 to 4 in the country.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. lauded Secretary Alcala for his effort to strengthen the government’s road map to attain rice-self sufficiency program, as he reminded him “the need for the rehabilitation and repair of our irrigation systems in Iloilo so that we can be number one

government and the private sector should have a strong collaboration in order to be effective in any advocacy campaign especially in the area of promoting mental health which is an important indicator of a country’s health status.

Basubas said that in observance of the Mental Health Awareness Week, PMHA-Cebu will hold its 2nd annual convention on Oct. with the theme, “Forging Links and Bridging Gaps: Transforming Mental Health Through Leadership, Advocacy and Collaboration.”

Although Basubas could not cite figures on whether the incidence of mental disorders in Cebu is on the rise due to lack of baseline data, she cited newspaper reports on (local) suicide and parricide cases.

Basubas was optimistic that the real picture of mental disorder incidence in the province can soon be obtained.

“I agree with the DOH that there is a need to strengthen information and education on mental health rather than go for medication because prevention is always better than cure,” Basubas stressed. (PIA-Cebu) again”.

Defensor said Iloilo used to be no. 1 in rice production .

“We lost the distinction as the number one rice producer in the entire country, and we are now ranked number 3,” Governor Defensor said.

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board, Iloilo’s production from both the irrigated and rainfed areas in 2008 was recorded at 942,286 Metric Tons (MT); 944,050 MT in year 2009; and in 2010, the production dropped to 659,970 MT. The provincial governor supports the rice mechanization program of the government aimed at enabling the farmers to increase their access and use of appropriate production and postproduction systems as mitigation for climate change.

Secretary Alcala was in Iloilo to lead to the AGRI MACH Road Show to jumpstart the Aquino government’s farm mechanization program and post-harvest program.

Exhibited during the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Road show were four-wheel tractors, hand tractors, drum seeders, rice combine threshers, dryers, reapers, among others. (JCM/TWV-PIA6)

♦ Eastern Visayas media say yes to microinsurance

♦ Anti-smoking drive in Maasin City boosts tourism, says Mayor

♦ “Dugo mo, Kinabuhi ko” produces 30 bags of blood

♦ 3,050 poor households in

Alangalang latest addition to P. 4Ps in Leyte

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Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala emphasizes the Aquino administration’s thrust to achieve self-sufficiency in rice and major staples through the farm mechanization program, during the Agricultural Machinery and Equipments Road show held September 22-23, 2011 in Punta Villa, Iloilo City and participated in by the various farmers’ organizations from Region 6, 7, and 8. Secretary Alcala also conducted a dialogue with the participants on issues concerning farm-to-market roads, crop insurance, irrigation, among others.(PIA6/TVillavert)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

3 WV LGUs vie for child friendly municipalities, cities awards

by Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- Three local government units in Western Visayas were included in the shortlist of nominees for the Presidential Award for Child Friendly Municipalities and Cities this year.

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his was confirmed by Asuncion Santiago, Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 Focal Person for Children and Family with the Philippine Information Agency.

Asuncion said the region’s contenders to the national awards are Bacolod City for Highly Urbanized City Category; Guimbal, Iloilo for 4th to 6th class municipalities; and Jordan, Guimaras for 1st to 3rd class municipalities category.

According to Santiago, the National Award Committee is scheduled to conduct its validation visits in Bacolod City on

September 20 to 23; Guimbal, September 21 to 23; and Jordan, October 4 to 6.

The Presidential Award is conferred on deserving LGUs in recognition of their vital role in promoting children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation as well as in ensuring child-friendly governance.

National winners will receive the Presidential Trophy plus P300,000 while the Hall of Fame Awardee will also receive the Presidential Trophy plus P500,000.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) which initiates the project has set the

giving of the Presidential Award in October in time for the celebration of the 19th Children’s Month in the country with the theme: “Local Council for the Protection of Children Para sa Bright Child: Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin!”

Asuncion said as winners in the region, Bacolod City, Guimbal, and Jordan plus San Carlos City for the component cities category will receive the regional seal and P50, 000 during the Regional Awarding on a date that has to be set yet. (JCM/LAF/PIAIloilo)

DSWD expands anti-poverty program in Negros Occidental

by Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- The government's flagship anti-poverty program will be expanded to cover more beneficiaries in Negros Occidental.

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epartment of Social We lfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Minda Brigoli said the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be expanded to cover 45,922 more beneficiaries in the province, with four new expansion areas.

Included in the expansion coverage are the municipalities of Binalbagan, Hinobaan, Ilog, La Castellana, Murcia;

and the cities of Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan and Sagay. The new expansion areas are Talisay, Victorias, La Carlota and Silay.

To date, Region 6 has already covered 173,669 households in 86 cities and municipalities including Negros Occidental with a total of 49,880 validated beneficiaries.

In a message read for her by Rosario San Agustin, Head of the DSWD6 Community Based Services Unit, Brigoli

said that 4Ps is the backbone of the social protection framework.

The DSWD also partners with other line agencies of the government, non-government organizations and the private sector to deliver for greater impact of poverty alleviation initiatives.* (JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

2 Aklan towns to get P22.050-M KALAHI-CIDSS projects

by Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- People in the municipalities of Libacao and Madalag in Aklan province are set to avail of P22,050,0000 worth of various projects under the Kapit-Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

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n a press conference held by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 in Kalibo, Leo Quintilla, Deputy Regional Manager said Libacao, which has 24 barangays, will get a total of P10,800,000 worth of projects while Madalag, with 25 barangays, will get P11,250,000.

Under the program, each barangay is granted P450,000 from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), funding institution of the program here.

According to Quintilla, the two municipalities are currently undergoing Social Preparation, done through a series of barangay assemblies and trainings participated in by barangay folks to determine

what projects need to be priotized and implemented in their communities which could benefit the biggest number of constituents.

The social preparation is set to last for 6 months after which implementation of the people’s chosen projects will follow.

In Libacao, road improvements and Farm-to-Market Roads were listed as the top projects much needed by 15 barangays, according to Reynante Lasay, Area Coordinator.

“Other barangays chose Day Care centers, potable water systems, reconstruction of storm-damaged irrigation facilities, and a hanging bridge,” Lasay said.

Mary Grace Centino, Area Coordination of Madalag, also reported on the activities related to the social preparation for the program for Madalag.

Other DSWD 6 personnel who joined the press conference were Elizabeth Ferraris, Community Development Specialist and Manuel Reyes III, Regional Financial Analyst.

Besides Madalag and Libacao, future MMC-assisted areas in Aklan set for the KALAHI program implementation in 2012, are New Washington, with 16 barangays, Ibajay (35 barangays), Tangalan (15 barangays), Makato (18 barangays) and Batan (20 barangays). (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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School-On-Air invites enrollees

by Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- More than 300 slots are available in the next School-On-Air (SOA) broadcast on October 23 over RMN – Roxas radio station here. armers who want to enroll may every Sunday from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

About 2,000 enrollees have already benevisit the Municipal Agriculturists or Resource persons are composed of fited from the past four SOA batches in the Agricultural Technologists in their Agricultural Technologists (ATs) in the province. areas in order to fill up the forms, municipalities as well as experts from A Farmers Field School (FFS) will be also according to SOA anchorperson and Office of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) put up at Tico, Panay as a demonstration site the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) staff and Department of Agriculture who will to actualize the various topics discussed on air.

Teodoro Buenvenida. be the discussants of the various modules.

The SOA is expected to end on Feb. 26, The deadline for filing of applications Every on-air topic will feature best 2012. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz) is October 12. practice testimonials from previous enrollees, Buenvenida said that the program airs Buenvenida said.

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Migrant sugar workers also required to undergo PDOS

by Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique Sept. 20 (PIA) -- To heighten the awareness of sugar migrant workers of their rights and responsibilities while working in the sugar land of Negros Occidental, a Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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ccording to Loraine Villegas, Sr. Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE Antique, PDOS is now a requirement for labor contractors before they can secure their permit with DOLE to hire and transport sugar workers, locally known as “sacadas,” to Negros island and other parts of the country for that matter.

PDOS is a breakthrough in the campaign to protect the rights of sugar cane workers who are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. This approach can help

a lot in eliminating child labor and trafficking said Villegas.

DOLE reported that for this hiring season alone, they are expecting more than 2,000 workers to attend PDOS before they can go to work with their contractors.

During the orientation, workers are informed of the content of their contract their kind/type of work, its corresponding wages/salary, provision of living quarters, among others taking into account the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines and other laws protecting migrant workers.

This is to ensure that these sacadas are aware of their rights and privileges as well as their responsibilities, said Villegas.

The source also emphasized that PDOS hopes to empower sacadas gradually to be assertive of their rights and become responsible in complying with the provisions of the contract.

On the other hand, DOLE Antique will soon release livelihood starter kits for sacadas for them to have alternative source of livelihood. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6 Antique)

DENR-6 pursues ‘matuwid na daan’ in the mining industry

by Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- To contribute to national development, mining firms should also follow the 'tuwid na daan' or straight path being paved by the Aquino administration.

DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Julian Amador said in a press statement that it is sifting through mining permits issued to companies as he gathered reports that some of these have been sold to other companies without generating revenues for the government.

Amador said they will issuing permits again only after the "undesirables" in the mining industry have been delisted.

The DENR has stopped accepting mining applications nationwide since February this year because of speculations that these are being traded to other companies for a price.

Amador said the mining sector will review the mining permits issued to check if they are still complying with the terms and conditions of the Philippine Mining Act.

Records of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Western Visayas said that there is a total of 80, 346.69 hectares being used for the mining industry.

As of date the status of mining applications filed in the region showed 132 for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), and 99 of which were rejected and 5 pending, while 13 were endorsed to the DENR Secretary.

As to financial Technical Assistance Agreement, 11 were filed, 9 were withdrawn and 2 were endorsed.

For the Exploration Permit Application (EXPA), 142 were filed, 85 returned/rejected, 3 pending, 30 endorsed and 10 approved.

For the Industrial Permit Application, 28 were filed, 20 withdrawn, 3 pending and 5

approved, while the Mining Lease Contract registered 7 applications filed, 5 withdrawn and 2 approved.

For Mineral Processing Permit Application (MPPA), 22 were filed, 1 withdrawn, 6 pending, 5 approved.

In previous interviews with the Philippine Information Agency-6, MGB-6 director Leo Van Juguan said the effort at cleansing the list of mining applications has been intensified under “Use it or Lose It Policy.”

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said he has recommended to President Aquino a new approach of awarding the mining tenement to prevent corruption, and that is, by tendering or bidding, instead of the old ”first come, first served” basis. Paje said this is an

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bohol guv calls for unity vs. cyber, other crimes Bohol Governor and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chair Edgar M. Chatto called for unity among member-provinces and enforcement agencies of the Council in combating the pressing concerns of the region.

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his will be our guiding principle for peace and security, business and commerce, food security and tourism in the region," Chatto stressed at his first meeting as RPOC chair of Central Visayas.

He also made it clear that though we are separated by bodies of water, we are one as a region and together with our partners in the national government agencies, we can achieve a peaceful region.

The meeting was held at the Cebu Capitol Social Hall, along with PNP Regional Director Ager Ontog, DILG Regional Director Pedro Nuval and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.

Among pressing matters discussed were insurgency, illegal drugs and numbers, financial status of the council, and, taking the lion’s share in the discussion, the deep concern against human trafficking and cyber crimes.

With the use of technology, human trafficking and cyber crimes in general have already victimized a growing number of women and minors, who are being used by international crime syndicates for pornography and other forms of exploitation.

The recent incident reported was the one from the municipality of Getafe, where they were about to be victims of sexual exploitation.

Without haste, Chatto called on a coordinated approached to combat this menace, which with the onset of computer-related crimes are now getting world-wide attention, especially from the United Nations (UN).

Asian countries like Singapore and Thailand, and even the United Nations Human Rights Council, are now waging their respective battles against crimes which are using modern technology as a means to their end.

In a presentation during the meeting, cyber crimes have been making use of computer technology either as an instrument of the crime or as an object of a criminal act. It has the ability to generate immense profits at almost no risk for with the help of modern technology, victims are relatively easy to find with a very low risk of apprehension of the perpetrators.

According to the United Nations, global human trafficking, whether it be for sex or labor, is worth US$36.2B, and is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world.

As part of these coordinated effort, the RPOC Chairman proposed to enlist the help of the youth, like the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in the region to form their own network to spread awareness against the ills of cyber sex and to help those who have become victims of the crime.

"Unity and cooperation are the pillars and strength of the RPOC and we will be needing the partnership of all sectors to put a stop to this global menace which is now encroaching in the region and are enslaving our women and children", Chatto challenged.

In Bohol, the governor has given confidence and support to the Provincial Youth Development Council which recently had "The youth needs to be part of governance and have a great responsibility for shaping up development in their areas", Chatto added. (jlv/EDCom)

DTI, partners hold knowledge management training to Siquijor MSMEDC

by Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, September 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the GIZ-Private Sector Promotion -Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (GIZ-PSP SMEDSEP) conducted a two-day Capacity Works and Knowledge Management Training for members and secretariat of the Siquijor Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) recently.

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he training aims to capacitate the members to efficiently and effectively deliver its mandate for the promotion, growth and development of MSMEs in the province.

Specifically, it seeks to help the participants acquire “tried and tested management model and tools that they can readily apply in managing the Provincial MSMED Council, according to Dr. Lorenzo

Templonuevo, trainer from GIZ PSP in his course overview.

He said PMSMEDC is the vehicle of all agencies in carrying out its contribution for MSME development according to each mandate.

Templonuevo started with a review of the MSMEDC’s key functions: Policy Formulation, Program Advocacy, and Program Coordination and integration as the basis in coming up with

plans, strategies and activities to make a really “learning” and working council.

Inputs on the five success factors and several other levels of learning and experiences, processes with different models are thoroughly discussed.

The training was held at the Siquijor State College (SSC) Cafeteria. (PIA-Siquijor/ RACalibo)

Campus writers invited to join EU feature writing contest

by Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- The European Union (EU) in the Philippines is inviting Filipino campus writers and college students to join a feature writing contest about the EU in the Philippines.

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pen to campus journalists and college students, the contest grand winner will get the chance to see his or her work published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer and receive €500, trophy and a medal as prizes.

The winner’s school, college or institution will also receive a certificate of merit.

Entries must be typewritten in feature format and in English with a minimum of 700 words and a maximum of 1,000 words on A4 size bondpaper, using MS Word, font size 12, Times New Roman font and double-spaced with 3/4th-inch margins top and bottom and half-inch margins left and right.

The submitted article must adhere to the

general theme: “The European Union and Its Impact in the Philippines” and may focus on the EU and its bilateral relations (political, economic, trade, and cultural relations) with the Philippines and on any of the EU’s programmes in the country. Information sources and interviews must be cited in the article.

Contestants may visit the following website for reference: http:// www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/philippines.

Entries must be written anytime from June to October 2011.

Entries should be placed in a letter-envelope addressed and sent via registered mail, or personally delivered with

signed receipts to: Press and Information, The European Union Delegation to the Philippines, 30th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Tower II, Makati City.

All entries must be received on or before October 14, 2011.

The chosen six finalists shall be required to attend the awarding ceremonies to be held in October 2011 at the University of the Philippines, Dilliman, Quezon City.

For more information, contact Thelma Gecolea, Public Affairs Officers, at (02)859-5124 or via email at DELEGATION-Philippines@eeas.europa.eu.

(RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from SU-OIP and EU)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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DOST develops sensor tool as warning device for impending landslides

by Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- A sensor equipment that indicates an impending landslide is currently being developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to serve as early warning device for communities in upland or landslide-prone areas.

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AGASA-Mactan Chief Meteorological Officer Engr. Oscar Tabada said the sensor equipment will be made available by the first quarter of next year.

“We have already the list of landslide-prone areas, including areas in Cebu, furnished by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources," said to Tabada. She said that the next step is finding a strategic area in a landslide-prone barangay in which to place the sensor devise.

Tabada said the device, which will transmit data to their main satellite, will be buried two feet into the ground. Data will be

transmitted when tremors occur--a precursor to a landslide--due to heavy rains.

In Cebu City alone, there are 19 barangays that are classified as moderately to highly susceptible landslide-prone areas, the DENR-Environment Management Bureau 7 said.

Tabada said Cebu averages an annual rainfall of 1,570 millimeters but since August this year alone, “we have exceeded 163 percent with the usual 145 millimeters which recorded 240 millimeters.”

Central Visayas in general recorded an above average of rainfall in the months of July

and August.

The senior meteorological officer said that even in the absence of typhoons, incidents of landslides, flashfloods and flooding will always be a risk factor in critical areas due to effects of climate change.

“We all need to be vigilant and be prepared in case of natural calamities.

Residents in critical areas should not wait for government to tell them to evacuate but should always be ready to leave their houses in cases of landslides and flashfloods to prevent unnecessary casualties,” Tabada stressed. (PIACebu)

DENR 7 urges LGUs to form solid waste management board

by Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- Local government units (LGUs) are urged to form or reactivate their solid waste management board (SWMB) to address their garbage and improve solid waste management and resource conservation.

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ngr. Amancio Dongcoy, regional solid waste program coordinator of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 7 said it is high time for LGUs to take the necessary actions in addressing the worsening solid waste problem in compliance with RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Dongcoy said local chief executives need to address a lot of concerns and the most practical thing to do is for mayors to form their respective SWMB to ensure that something is being done to address their garbage.

“There should be a solid waste management board in every local government unit. These boards will be responsible in recommending or instituting measures to manage their solid waste problem,” Dongcoy disclosed.

Eleven years have passed since RA 9003

was enacted but most LGUs still have to comply with the law particularly on the establishment of a sanitary landfill as open dumpsites are strictly not allowed effective in 2006, according to Dongcoy.

Although Dongcoy admitted that construction of a sanitary landfill is very expensive at P10M per hectare, the next best thing to do is for LGUs to build their own residual storage facility. Non-biodegradable wastes can be placed inside sacks and stored inside the facility while biodegradable should undergo composting or recycling, this is said.

For a start, SWMBs can recommend to the mayors to pass local ordinances related on addressing solid waste problem such as anti-littering or strict implementation on household segregation of wastes with corresponding penalties, Dongcoy said.

The DENR-7 official however noted that most LGUs have started the implementation of household wastes segregation and even

enforced the “No segregation, no collection policy,” while others have passed an anti-littering ordinance, Dongcoy further said.

In Cebu however, Dongcoy reported two cities and two municipalities that are not strictly enforcing the anti-littering law namely the City of Naga and Bogo City as well as the towns of Balamban and Minglanilla.

“I am calling out to these LGUs to please address the littered wastes in your area,” Dongcoy appealed.

Dongcoy also said the SWMBs could check whether barangays have established their own material recovery facility (MRF) as mandated under the law. Household wastes that can still be used are brought to the MRF for recycling and others for composting.

“The law encourages barangays to form a cluster and establish their own common compost area to address the lack of composting site in some barangays,” Dongcoy advised. (PIA-Cebu)

NegOr community hospitals to get P6-M each for maternal care facility

by Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- The Negros Oriental provincial government has allotted P6 million for each of the seven community primary hospitals (CPH) in the province.

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he funds will be used to set up a Basic Emergency Maternal and Obstetrical Neonatal Care (BEMONC) in said hospitals.

The community primary hospitals in Negros Oriental are Pacuan in La Libertad, Kalomboyan in Bayawan City, Amio in Sta. Catalina, Nabilog in Tayasan, Inapoy in Mabinay, Luz in Guihulngan City and Dawis in Bayawan City, which will be integrated next month, according to Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

Of the P6 million, P5 million is allotted for the construction of the BEMONC facility and P1 million for the purchase of the needed equipment, said Sedillo.

The move is in line with efforts initiated

by Gov. Roel Degamo to not only boost the delivery of health services in Negros Oriental but also to address maternal and child mortality incidence in the province.

"Negros Oriental continues to register maternal and child mortality cases every year," said Sedillo.

Bringing down the cases of infant and maternal deaths is one of the targets underlined by the Millennium Development Goals, which the Philippines signed up to achieve before the 2015 deadline.

Records show there were 29 women in the province who died during childbirth in 2009 and 23 in 2010 while health officials pegged at 12 the number of maternal mortality cases this year. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Eastern Visayas media say yes to micro-insurance TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, September 22 (PIA) – The members of the Eastern Visayas media who were present during the press conference held in line with the Financial Literary on Micro-insurance Roadshow which is currently parked at the Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban City, were one is giving their thumbs up to the Micro-insurance program of the National Government.

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uring the press conference held on September 22, the media representatives did not only believe in the program but also gave their commitment to help educate the people of the Region on Micro-insurance, through their write-ups or their radio and television programs.

Coming from the tri-media in Tacloban, the local media practitioners showed interest in the program as manifested by the questions they raised during the interaction.

The resource persons who were able to clearly and expertly expound on the issues raised by the media were the top-notch officials involved in the Roadshow, Department of Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran, Director Jose Almario of the DOF National Credit Council, Mr. Rey Vergara of the Insurance Commission, Ms. Maria Piedad Geron of the Asian Development Bank, and Mr. Dante Portula of GIZ. The Department of Finance-National Credit Council (DOF-NCC) together with its partners, is embarking on a Financial Literacy Roadshow on Micro insurance in 16 regions of the country from September 2011 to July 2012.

Each roadshow will be a five-day event that seeks to develop regional microinsurance advocates and enhance public awareness among government units, private social entities, civil society and the general public.

Together with its partners, the Insurance Commission, the German International Cooperation – Micro insurance Innovations Program for Social Security (GIZ-MIPSS) and the Asian Development Bank-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (ADB-JFPR), the DOF-National Credit Council is currently implementing an initiative on Financial Literacy on Micro insurance.

Aligned with the National Strategy on Micro insurance and the Regulatory Framework on Micro insurance, the initiative hopes to promote increased awareness and a strong insurance culture among Filipinos to provide adequate risk protection particularly for the low –income and vulnerable sectors.

The roadshow begins with three-day Training on Micro-insurance Advocacy (TOMA) where future advocates will learn about the importance of risk protection and

how micro-insurance can help in mitigating the effects of these risks in a low-income person’s life. Basic presentation skills were likewise taught during the training.

These skills will equip the participants with the ability to effectively deliver key m e s s a g e s f o r t h e p ro m o t i o n o f micro-insurance to the general public.

The last two days of the roadshow are devoted to advocacy seminars, where representatives from the public and the private sectors were invited to learn about micro-insurance.

The Financial Literacy Roadshow on Micro insurance will start in Region 8 particularly in Tacloban City on September 19 to 23. In October, the roadshow will be in Region 13 and in November, it will be at the National Capital Region.

In January 2012, the Roadshow will be at CAR; February in Region 4 and Region 6; March in Region 7 and Region 11; April in Regions 1 and 10; May in Regions 9 and 2; June in Regions 5 and 3 and July in Koronadal and Cotabato. (PIA-8)

Anti-smoking drive in Maasin City boosts tourism, says Mayor

by Bong Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- Prohibiting smokers in public places began as a program to keep the people healthy but it turned out to be a magnet for visitors to come into this city, to learn and study on how it was done.

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t has become one of our tourism come-on, a tourist’s attraction,” said City Mayor Maloney Samaco in the bi-weekly radio program “Maasin City In Action” today.

Samaco reported that right after the dyDM program he will be meeting a group of visitors coming from Butuan City, the Caraga Region composed of Doctors, Department of Health (DOH) personnel, and from the local government unit (LGU) who are scheduled to pay a courtesy call to him this morning at his office.

He said last week, students from Dumaguete City doing theses on anti-smoking were also here for a deeper study on the subject, adding that their leader was a

confessed chain smoker who wanted to quit smoking at least for the time being that they were in the city.

The smoke-free advocacy has become a cause worth pursuing, not just for compliance so that the city can garner awards, Samaco said, stressing that his fulfillment has always been to see a smoker, either a visitor or a Maasinhon, change such an unhealthy lifestyle by quitting the habit, with the city anti-smoking program serving as the friendly inspiration.

Samaco claimed the city has been known by other local government units across the country for its strict implementation of smoking ban as many LGUs had come already, and many are still wanting to come in

the near or far future, a scenario that undoubtedly helped the tourism-related sectors in the city.

Asked by host Zaldy Olita that the Butuan visitors will soon become Maasin’s rival in the coveted Red Orchid award of the DOH, Samaco said he would not mind if the visitors, upon learning in the city, would eventually be part of the competitors in a stiff competition for the DOH recognition.

“The more important thing is that we can share with them, teach them just the same” the ways and strategies on how to implement a successful anti-smoking campaign, Samaco replied. (PIA-Southern Leyte/Bong)

“Dugo mo, Kinabuhi ko” produces 30 bags of blood

by Ninfa B Quirante BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- A bloodletting activity held at the Capitol Lobby, September 21, dubbed as “Dugo mo, Kinabuhi ko” netted 30 bags of blood.

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he project is a joint acitivity of the Civil Service Commission on the occasion of their 111th anniversary, the Provincial Health Office and the Provincial government led by Gov. Conrado Nicart.

The capitol lobby was swarmed by men in uniform, notably from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Eastern Samar Provincial Police Office and the Bureau of Jail Management and

Penology (BJMP).

PO1 Michael Bagaindoc, a PNP member from Mercedes town, a donor said that this is his second time to donate blood this year.

“I learned from my college professors about donating blood in college,” said Bagaindoc while lying down and his blood pouring into the blood bag.

Jail Officer Preciosa Asio, a mother of two

donated blood for the first time.

The lady jail officer was smiling all throught the ten-minute blood letting.

“God loves a cheerful giver,’ she said.

According to a medical technologist, the blood collected from this half day activity will be stored at the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital. (NBQ/PIA 8- E Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

CCT investment for children's future ALANGALANG, Leyte, Sept. 19 (PIA) -– Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla underscored that the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of the national government is an investment to ensure the future of children who are the country’s human resources and tomorrow’s leaders.

“Do everything you can to take full advantage of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program – send your kids to school, feed them right, seek medical care for them. This is exactly what the program is for” Governor Petilla said.

Governor Petilla also called on the 4Ps beneficiaries to always remember to comply with the conditions of the Program in order to ensure the availment of the benefits.

In his speech which was read for him by First District of Leyte Board Member Roque A.

Tiu, during the launching of the CCT program at the municipality of Alangalang on September 17, Governor Petilla assured the beneficiaries of the support of the national and provincial governments.

The Leyte Provincial Government will continue to be strong partners of the DSWD and the other national government agencies in insuring that the people enjoy better lives through better social services.

Governor Petilla, who is the 4Ps focal person for the Visayas, said that he appreciates

and believes in the noble concept behind 4Ps particularly in addressing the root causes of the cycle of poverty in the country among which include low educational achievement, high malnutrition rate¸ high level of maternal and infant mortality rate, and child labor.

“We are one with the National Government in working towards helping the constituents in eradicating poverty and investing for better lives of the “poorest of the poor among us,” Governor Petilla said. (PIA 8)

Samar chief doctor leads CSC-sponsored blood-letting

by Alice Nicart CATBALOGAN City, Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) -– More than campaigning with convincing words, his act to submit for blood transfusion went the strongest message, to convince all other civil servants to share blood for government hospitals and the Red Cross.

D

r. Rudolf Mabulay, Chief, Samar Provincial Hospital was first to take the Red Cross “bleeding bed”, as he offered his right arm for blood transfusion, and 10-minutes thereafter, some 450cc. of type “B” blood was ready to save a patient’s life.

Unknowingly, Mabulay’s strong “punch line” indeed went quite effective as the blood-letting activity produced a total of 46 donors of some 46 bags of assorted types of blood.

Asked how these blood would be stored, the physician replied, “some to the Red Cross, others to the Samar Provincial Hospital, still others to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC)”.

“The local hospital’s storage system is safe enough to keep the donated blood”, he assured the press.

Mabulay was followed with a host of men

in camouflage uniform, who later were known to come from the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) under the baton of Brigade Commander, BG Mario Chan.

Sgt. Edcel Regie Amoto claimed it was his 8th time to donate blood, since 2010, and contrary to anyone’s worry, he said he felt much better after the transfusion.

Like Dr. Mabulay, he just gave 450cc of type “O” blood. Sgt. Amoto was followed by his comrades-in-arm and still another truckload of young soldiers arrived as of press time, all eager to help government in saving lives by donating blood.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nilda Quiero, the Red Cross’ competent and graceful Medical Technician (MedTech), assured the donors that the Card they receive after the transfusion, will entitle them or their family member, to receive blood, in case they will need some in the

future. They were also gifted with Red Cross T -shirts. Ms. Quiro, extracted blood as though she was a young girl in a play-house’s kitchen, enjoying cookery with friends.

Dubbed “Dugo ko, Kinabuhi Mo” [My Blood, Your Life] was part of Civil Service Commission’s month-long program for the 111th Founding Anniversary. The Field Office is headed by Director Cyril-Nathan SM. Eamiguel.

The blood-letting campaign found the following data, as gathered by the Red Cross Team: Type “O” donors-17; Type “A” donors-13; Type “B”-14 and Type “AB”-2. Of the total donors, 24 were Army soldiers, eight policemen and 14 were civilians.

LGU-Province, LGU-Catbalogan, the Provincial Council of Personnel Officer-Samar Chapter and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) co-sponsored the activity. (PIA-Samar/ Alice Nicart)

Naval opens Pueblo Day celebration agro-industrial fair

by Flor Jackson NAVAL, Biliran, September 23, (PIA) – The local government unit (LGU) of Naval formally opened the Agro-Industrial Fair at the Naval municipal grounds on Wednesday, September 21 as kick-off activity to highlight the celebration of the 151st Pueblo Day of the municipality on Sept. 26.

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he fair will run for six days until the day of the celebration.

On display at the booths are low-priced fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, crabs, cutflowers, root crops and other agricultural produce of farmers from the 26 barangays of Naval as well as the best tasting suman called “balintawak” produced by said town.

Private producers from the town were also invited to display their trade at the booths.

Mayor Parilla led the fair opening ribboncutting ceremony with members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), other LGU officials and

employees, department heads, and media.

Mayor Parilla congratulated and thanked the farmer-participants-exhibitors for their cooperation and involvement in the activity.

She said, the fair which is the annual highlight of Peublo Day is a challenge and encouragement to Naval farmers to produce quality agricultural products using the technology of modern farming they learned during trainings.

Likewise, she said, the fair also gives the opportunity for customers to give their suggestions to farmer-participants to improve their own products.

The 51st Pueblo Day on Sept. 26, a special non-working day in the town based on Proclamation No. 229 from the Office of the President signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. starts with a mass and parade around the poblacion and a commemorative program.

A Barangay Night and EWmployees Night will be held in the evening at the town gymnasium. The celebration of the 151st Pueblo Day is anchored on the theme: “NAVAL: Balancing Economic Development with Environmental Protection”.(FEJ/PIA8 Biliran)

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com