ONE VISAYAS E-NEWSLETTER ISSUE 6

Vol I

October 3 – 9, 2011

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 6

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

by Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal (2nd from Right) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Region 6 enjoins the public to actively participate and support activities for the National Statistics Month celebration which is observed in the month of October, during a recent PIA-Cable TV program. With Director Bacal are Rebecca P. Geamala, Social Welfare Officer IV of DSWD; OIC-Head Nelida Losare of the National Statistical Coordination Board, and the program host Totei Villavert. (PIA6/TV)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

EASY TASK. PSSupt Homobono Sayon and his men set themselves as the leading examples in the observance of the helmet law, which the deputized traffic agents implemented starting Oct. 3. (contributed photo/PIA)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) regional head Evangeline Paran (with microphone) emphasizes the importance of statistics in development planning during a media interaction Harampang ha PIA, Tacloban City, October 6. Other guests are (l-r) Yvonne Abonales (DSWD), PIA 8 regional director Olive Tiu, moderator, Alejandrito Yman (DepEd) and Dr. Nicolas Bautista (DOH). (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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LOILO CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has earmarked P347.2 million to upgrade ports and related facilities in Western Visayas this year, according to Assistant Secretary Ildefonso Patdu, Jr. The appropriation would be hiked to P1.04 billion in 2012.

Speaking for DOTC Secretary Manuel A. Roxas II at the recent quarterly meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) chaired by Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. here, Patdu said the upgrading projects will cover the airports in Iloilo, Bacolod-Silay in Negros Occ., Roxas City in Capiz and Kalibo in Aklan, as well as seaports in these areas and in other provinces of the region.

Part of the funds allocated for projects this year will go to the upgrading and construction of buildings of the Land Transportation Office LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In particular, the facilities of the Iloilo Airport that will be improved are the check-in and arrival areas and cargo terminal, as part of the preparations for any international flight entitlements for the airport in line with the “open skies policy” of the government.

The government has air service agreements with foreign airlines which have separate entitlements for points outside of Manila including Iloilo.

These outside points are intended for the use of foreign carriers from at least 15 countries and regions.

Patdu said that foreign carriers can be liberally granted access to Iloilo Airport with the issuance of Executive Order No. 29 on the “open skies policy” which is expected to boost Philippine tourism and international trade. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)

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ACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- For the third consecutive year, the Province of Leyte has been judged as the Most Business-Friendly Province of the Philippines.

The annual search for the Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit (LGU) is a project of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) designed to encourage transparency and good governance among LGUs nationwide.

Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla will personally accept the award from President Benigno S. Aquino III on October 14 in a ceremony to be held during the Philippine Business Conference of the PCCI at the historic Manila Hotel.

Businessman Willy Julio, president of the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the Province of Leyte was nominated in 2009 and in 2010, to the Search for the Most Business-Friendly LGUs, provincial level. In both occasions, Leyte bagged the award.

PCCI, the award giving body, has recognized the efforts of the local government in promoting Leyte as a business destination and the viability of industry and investments.

PCCI also recognized the province's leadership in promoting trade, investment and tourism in the locality as

DOTC Asst. Secretary Ildefonso Patdu, Jr. (inset) bared at recent RDC 6 meeting that the department will pour in more than P1 billion to Western Visayas until 2012 to improve its airports, seaports and other facilities including the new Iloilo Airport to boost tourism and trade. (PIA6/NEDA6)

by Fayette C. Riñen

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EBU CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- Security has been reinforced and vigilance has been heightened in the ports of Cebu by the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) to curb human trafficking after the province was identified as transport hub for trafficked children and women.

CPA Legal Officer Atty. Yusop Uckung said the arrests made by police of suspected human traffickers in three separate occasions in August alone were proof that they are doing their job. CPA commended the police for their successful operation.

To strengthen the fight against human trafficking, Uckung said the CPA recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Cebu Province, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Children’s Legal Bureau.

Cebu is considered a transshipment point in bringing trafficked girls, mostly minors, to various areas in the country including Manila in the guise of providing jobs to them as housemaids or restaurant workers.

The Maritime Industry Authority Region 7 is also supporting the campaign by way of a MOA it has signed with the Cebu Provincial Government.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale previously said tipsters including pier porters who relay information to help rescue minors from suspected human traffickers or cyber porn operators will be justly rewarded.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Kabataan – Cebu Federation has already stepped up its advocacy drive against human trafficking down to the barangay level in the province. (PIA7-Cebu)

well as fostering close relationship among the private sector and local government units within the province.

PCCI’s criteria for giving the award include leadership and dynamism of the LGU and its contribution to business growth and development in the community; its efforts to provide a suitable environment for the growth and expansion of commerce and industry; and the LGU's programs on trade and investments. (PIA 8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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DOLE 6 says unemployed nurses can go into private practice by: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- Unemployed nurses need not take on unrelated jobs but can practice their profession through "self-practice", a Department of Labor and Employment official said.

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The registered nurses can self-practice by getting a business permit, put up signages and obtain official receipts, then get standard fees from the Philippine Nurses Association,” DOLE-6 asst. regional director Crispin Dannug said, in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency.

Nurses who are not employed by institutions can explore this option so they can put into practice their knowledge and skills.

Dannug also said this may be a solution to the oversupply of nursing graduates who are forced to take on any job just to earn money.

There is a set fee for health services such as minor surgeries, prescribing medicines that do not need a doctor’s prescription, taking blood pressures and other nursing

management tasks, he added.

This may also be done by a group of nurses who may form a partnership, which will give them an opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 nursing graduates have been employed under the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN-HEALS) project of the government in different localities in Western Visayas. Under the said program, nurses receive compensation while undergoing on-the -job training.

RN-HEALS is a joint project of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Professional Regulatory commission, and the Department of

Labor and Employment.

Dannug said these nurses are employed for a year in un-served and underserved communities and in identified areas under the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

He said the RN-HEALS is a continuing program, not just to provide jobless nurses with means of livelihood, but to put them in community service for half a year. The other half is devoted to clinical practice to enhance their qualifications upon graduation.

Dannug said that while Filipino nurses have set their sights on overseas work, they must strive to upgrade their skills in a highly competitive profession. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

W. Visayas PhilHealth beneficiaries now at 6M

by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) --The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth Region VI) has now reached an enrolment rate of 79.73 percent with a total beneficiary of 6.209 million in Western Visayas, according to Negros Occ. PhilHealth Manager Vicel Bracamonte.

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his is somehow close to the corporation’s thrust of achieving universal coverage by enrolling at least 85 percent of the Filipino population,” he said during the launching of the 22nd National Statistics Month with the theme “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting”.

Negros Occ. has 766,060 members with more than 2.3 million beneficiaries. The province has a population of P2.9 million as of 2007.

Last month, Bracamonte said, the office adopted a new payment mechanism - the case rates - which he said is an internationally accepted payment mechanism that serves to package payment for health intervention.

“It is basically beneficial for members since they can now predict how much PhilHealth will be paying for each of the services provided,”he

said.

“Case rates also improve turn-around time for claim processing which means faster reimbursement,” he added.

The top 11 medical cases and 11 procedures that make up 49 percent of total claims from preceding years were prioritized to be packaged as case rates.

Medical case includes dengue I and II, pneumonia I and II, hypertension, cerebral infarction I and II, acute gastroenteritis, asthma, typhoid fever and new born care.

Surgical procedures include: radiotheraphy, chemotherapy, cataract, caesarean deliveries, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, d and c, thyroidectomy, herniorrhaphy, mastectomy and normal spontaneous delivery.

Recently, the office has also adopted the

“No Balance Billing Policy” wherein sponsored members including their qualified dependents can avail of free hospitalization when admitted in government hospitals and other facilities.

It has also just launched the program “One Dream, One Card” intended for non-PhilHealth members who have the means to pay for their own premium contributions.

Those who enrol in this program will be issued a new PhilHealth ID card that they can use as discount card on top of their PhilHealth benefits.

The discounts can be availed of from any of partner establishments like Watsons, Rose Pharmacy, South Star Drug and Sarabia Optical.

One can apply for new PhilHealth ID card at any participating SM branches and Bayad Centers nationwide. (JCM/LOL-PIA6)

Two Capiz LGUs win exemplary performance award

by Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 4 (PIA) -- The Capiz provincial government and the municipal government of Panay won in this year’s exemplary performance competition of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

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apiz DILG Provincial Director Helen Mestidio revealed that both the municipal government of Panay and the provincial government of Capiz won third place in the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi in Western Visayas.

Capiz and the municipal government of Panay were among the local governments in Region VI that were recently validated by a team for the competition.

Mestidio explained that the Award aims to recognize local government units because of their exemplary performance, particularly focusing on the LGU’s valuing of accountability, transparency and inclusivity in local

administration and development.

She added that the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi is a total award concept and is conferred on a province, city or municipality for exemplary performance in the areas of administrative social, and economic governance as well as in environmental management and protection.

Mestidio stressed that the exemplary performance information is drawn from the database of the on-line Local Governance Performance Management System, Seal of Good Housekeeping, International Organization or National Government Agency-bestowed Awards, and acknowledged innovations.

Earlier, Capiz and Panay were among the 13 LGUs in Capiz that won the Seal of Good Housekeeping Awards by the DILG which entitled said local governments to access the P7-million and P1-million performance challenge fund, respectively.

On the other hand, Mestidio is optimistic that more LGUs in Capiz will win in the various performance competitions of their agency because all the local governments here are working double time to provide the best service to their constituents. (JCM/JBG/PIA6Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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PCA steps up campaign against brontispa in Antique

by Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique Oct. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority is stepping up its campaign against brontispa, one of the most damaging pests of coconut and other palms, to prevent its further spread in Antique.

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CA Provincial Manager Merlyn S. Teodoro urged farmers to be vigilant in monitoring their coconuts because brontispa can spread easily. It feeds on the young leaves of the coconut.

Anyone can be an insect carrier without even knowing it, she said. It is so tiny that it can slip into any baggage, animal or human being.

It is even more aggravated by the ease of transportation where one can easily go from one place to another, given the fact that the neighbouring provinces have reported infestation in some of their farms.

The northernmost towns of Libertad and Pandan, the source said is doubling their efforts in having Tetrastichus culture, a family of wasp

proven in research that kills the larvae of brontispa. It is being done with the supervision of the Municipal Agriculturist of the said towns.

PCA reported brontispa infestations in these towns since they are adjacent to Buruanga and other towns in Aklan which are already affected by the pest.

The towns are among the major producers of copra in the province. Pandan and Libertad rank second and third respectively as to areas planted with coconuts. The town of Caluya is on top of the list.

PCA is also monitoring the possible spread of the coco killer pest in the town of Hamtic. In coordination with the local government of Hamtic, PCA has already

conducted inspection of reported brontispa cases in barangays near San Joaquin, Iloilo which also has reported cases of infestation.

Aside from Tetrasticus culture, an indigenous way of terminating brontispa, Teodoro urged famers to cut and burn affected coconut in case infestation occurs. This is to prevent further spread of the brontispa.

In addition, Teodoro, urged farmers to report suspected cases of infestation to local agricultural office or to PCA. Further spread of brontispa can harm the promising coconut industry in the country, she said. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

DOLE to implement skills registry in 5 WV towns

by Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) -- Five more local government units in Western Visayas are being considered for the 2nd wave implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Skills Registry System, a listing of available skills and qualifications of workers in an area that will give employers easy access to prospective manpower.

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OLE 6 Information Officer Amalia Judicpa said the SRS will soon be implemented in Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, Miag-ao, Iloilo, Roxas City, Capiz, San Jose, Antique, and Kalibo, Aklan.

“We have already started the implementation of the SRS (first wave) in the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod, our pilot areas for the project in the region,” said Judicpa.

In the launching last year, President Benigno Aquino III underscored the importance of SRS in the efforts of the government to address the problem of skills and job mismatch in the country in line with his 22-point labor and employment agenda.

Judicpa said through the SRS, implementing LGUs will have an available “live" registry of their labor force’s skills that will be easily accessed by local and foreign employers as this will be connected to the PhilJobnet, an online job portal of the government. It will also contain the list of establishments/employers in the locality.

“Having available manpower database is another step for LGUs to attract investors to establish business endeavors in their areas since there is already an available information on the skills of workers in the city or town,” said Judicpa.

DOLE partners with the Public

Employment Services Offices of the LGUs in the implementation of the project. PESO is the implementing arm of the LGUs for their employment programs and services such as the SRS. Recently, to further capacitate the PESO Managers from the five provinces in the region, the DOLE conducted a Seminar on Basic Management and Employment Services for them.

“The seminar aims to increase the participants’ capacity to manage the technical and administrative aspects of their offices, thereby improving the delivery of government’s employment facilitation services at the local level,” said Judicpa. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

Aklan bats for stronger efforts vs. illegal recruitment, trafficking

by Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The harrowing tales related by five Aklanons about their experiences while working under subhuman conditions as fishermen in the Fiji Islands and Cape Town in South Africa have prompted the provincial government here to strengthen the efforts and measures of the Task Force on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Human Trafficking to protect Aklanons from illegal recruitment.

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he plight of these people came out in the open when the mother of one of their fishing co-workers appealed for the help of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here to look for the whereabouts of her son, who flew to Singapore to work as a fisherman but was not able to communicate with his family for more than six months.

Worst, the mother told Vivian Solano, PESO -Aklan Manager, that she heard that her son was already dead, and that there are other Aklanons who were working with her son who also had no communication with their respective families.

After various coordination efforts with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by the Provincial Government, the body of Eril Andrade was finally repatriated April of this year.

Andrade reportedly died in the fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal.

After this, the search for the rest of his companions ensued, and they were repatriated one by one starting April up to September of this year with the help of concerned agencies.

One other Aklanon, who was also recruited by the same agency, feeling uneasy with the work condition and reduced salary, escaped earlier and was able to go home during the early part of 2011.

These people related to the Task Force that before going to Manila to process their working papers, they were each asked to pay P10,000.00 to the “recruiter”, also an Aklanon.

They said they paid the amount not in any office but in an area where they agreed to meet, and after paying, they were told to proceed to Manila.

In Manila, the “recruits” were made to pay another Pl5,000.00, each, to be used to purchase their tickets.

The “recruits” also said that most of them were promised to be paid $500 a month, but when they finally signed their contracts, they found out they will only be paid $200.

Finally, when they started working in the fishing boats, the “recruits” said they were made to work 18 hours a day with 5 hours rest.

“We also suffered from beatings, with the ship captain doing the beatings using clubs,” one

of the repatriated Aklanons told the Task Force.

All the five Aklanons were not able to finish their contracts, but were just happy to be home, to be together with their families.

Alarmed by these tales, Governor Marquez emphasized the need for stronger and united efforts to protect Aklanons from being recruited illegally.

These, he pointed out, include massive information dissemination down to the grassroots, which will start by having an information campaign with barangay captains of Aklan’s 327 barangays, and another press conference with the Aklan media to help deter unscrupulous recruiters from victimizing other Aklanons. The activities will be initiated by the Task Force.

He also added that other Aklanons interested to work abroad should pass through the right process to avoid experiencing what the five repatriated Aklanons have gone through.

The Task Force on Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking of the province is chaired by Governor Marquez , created through Executive Order No. 022. (VGV/PIA 6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

NegOr’s Buglasan Festival to bring tourism to ‘greater heights’

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) -- The grand opening of the 6th Buglasan Festival of Negros Oriental grand opening on October 14 is expected to increase tourist influx throughout the two-week celebration.

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rovincial Gov. Roel Degamo has invited chief executives of some neighboring provinces and anticipated thousands of visitors to witness the grandest festival of Negros Oriental.

Festival directorate head, former vice-governor Mariant Villegas said with the series of tourism events, the economic landscape of the province's capital city would be changed with more hotels sprouting, additional flights, establishments of malls to include gas stations and other commercial buildings.

Villegas said this year’s celebration theme is “Working Together to Bring Negros Oriental

Tourism to Greater Heights”.

The first Miss Negros Oriental Tourism candidates representing 15 local government units (LGUs) of the province is one of the added attractions of the celebration and kicks off on October 9 as a prelude presentation at 6:00 p.m. at Robinson’s Place.

On the 14th of the month, a grand city-wide civic-military parade will start with a big bang of sights and sounds at 2:00 p.m. from Rizal Boulevard to the Sidalkan Negros Village.

Expected to participate in the parade are different schools with drum and bugle corps, GMA Kapuso float with celebrities, commercial

floats, local provincial officials to be led by Governor Roel Degamo and department heads at the Capitol.

The festival will formally open with a Ecumenical service at 5:00 p.m. at the Sidlakang Auditorium to be followed by the grand opening of LGU Booths at 6:00 p.m.

Each LGU will display different sights of arts and culture, kinds of local foods and an array of fruits and vegetables as they aspire to grab big prizes for the best booth and best booth activity awards. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

Sto. Niño, Mama Mary 'protect' double reef from blast fishers BIEN UNIDO, Bohol, Oct. 1 (PIA) -- How do you keep blast fishers from further ruining the country’s only double barrier reef? Seek the help of Señor Santo Niño and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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his was the ingenious solution devised by the local government of Bien Unido, a town on the northeast of Bohol some 108 kilometers away from Tagbilaran, a fairly young town with only 5 of its 13 barangays located in mainland Bohol.

To keep dynamite fishers from further destroying the Danajon Double Barrier Reef, local officials led by Mayor Rey Nino Boniel submerged religious images of the Holy Child (Santo Nino) and the Virgin of Fatima in the said reef.

The town is known for its devotion to the two religious patrons and has fishing as the primary source of livelihood for its 32,000 residents.

The Danajon Double Barrier Reef, extending from Tubigon to Bien Unido, is host to most of the inner and outer reef system of shoals, islets and shallow waters provides sanctuary to fish and other marine life in the region.

Blast fishing has, however, endangered the lives of marine life and adventure divers, who want to experience Danajon’s deep sea caves, caverns and walls, says Alfie Fernandez, a

marine protection and conservation advocate member of the Sea Knights (or Knight-Stewards of the Sea).

“We recorded at least 20 blasts a day then,” said Mayor Boniel, who has sought an end to blast fishing to make the towns attractive to divers and promote local tourism.

“There have been strict coastal laws implementation but it did very little to discourage illegal fishers who hide in islands and islets (to evade arrest during government’s anti-illegal fishing operations),” he pointed out.

That’s when they took the idea of using people’s devotion to the Santo Nino and Virgin Mary as a way to protect Mother Earth.

“Knowing our people and their fear of the sacred, we submerged religious images in the reefs creating an underwater grotto of the Fatima and an underwater coral garden guarded by a 14 feet-4 tons Santo Nino,” shared Mayor Boniel.

Apart from this, the Sea Knights helped Bien Unido reclaim its treasure by educating people of the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources through responsible communities.

The ultimate aim is to empower coastal communities and assist local government units in adopting environment friendly practices, building and strengthening linkages and relationships, promoting and ing volunteerism and participation, said Fernandez.

So they would not feel deprived of their livelihood, SeaKnights and the local government of Bien Unido introduced alternative sources of livelihood to the communities such as seaweed farming, he added.

This has reduced the tension in the fishing town, he said.

Today, Bien Unido has been declared the sea weed capital of the country, with an annual harvest of 73 tons, Boniel said.

As a way forward, a series of trainings has been done to equip the people with the basics in dive guiding and tourism.

Recently, Bien Unido was launched as the home of the Bohol Yacht Club, another brilliant move to bring the right people to help protect the reef.

Bohol raffia bags biggest sales at Nat’l OTOP Fair

by Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 1(PIA) -- A woven raffia products producer comes home to Bohol with P21M in cash and booked sales, bagging the biggest sales generated in the five-day national crafts fair held last week.

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or that feat, P1 Handicraft, from Inabanga, Bohol won the Top Seller Award for Non-Food Category during the recently concluded 2011 National One Town-One Product (OTOP) Fair held at Mega Trade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol.

P1 Handicrafts manufactures loom-woven raffia rolls, placemats, table runners and coasters, wall frames, hanging curtains, buntals, nito and wickersbaskets as well as other indigenous-material made souvenir items and novelties.

Over the achievement, DTI-Bohol Provincial Office said its is more than happy

with the results of the National OTOP Fair.

“Our loom-wovens, gift items, home decors, fashion accessories and souvenir items gained interest from both local buyers and exporters”, said Marisol Balistoy, chief of DTI Bohol Business Development Division here.

Negotiations on the possible supply of the said products especially the loom-wovens are now on-going, she said, hinting the realization of the project goals.

This project aims to promote entrepreneurship and job creation, DTI said.

The Fair aimed to bring to local and international buyers the country’s provinces showcasing their best Philippine-made products, according to sources from the DTI.

The fair also brought to the taste buds and fashion senses of Filipinos and internationals various delicacies, fresh and processed foods, health and wellness products, fashionable bags, unique handcraft, accessories, all given the shelves to officially display them as the best in their towns, according to DTI. Products under the OTOP banner went through skills, knowledge, and labor of local folk in creative use of easily available indigenous materials, DTI said.

The agency also pointed out that the OTOP national expo is a convergence of the OTOP Island fairs conducted during the last three years in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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P-Noy wants 90% of households nationwide electrified by 2015

by Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- Having 90 percent of all households throughout the country electrified by 2015 is the tall order of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III to the Department of Energy (DOE). nergy Sec. Rene Almendras bared this also decided to allocate P2.5 Billion per year access to power,” Almendras declared. during the recent Visayas Energy Forum until 2017 to be poured into rural “I believe that only 65 percent of the total in Cebu, as he added that a P2.8B electrification. households in the country are electrified which budget has been allocated for this year to go “Never in the history of the Philippines has is why the Aquino Administration wants the high on the DOE’s Household Electrification there been such a huge allocation for DOE to go on an aggressive campaign mode in Program. electrification,” Almendras said. the Household Electrification Program down to Almendras said that originally, the timeline Almendras questioned the accomplishment the sitio level,” Almendras said. for at least 90 percent of all households to have of the previous administration which claimed The DOE secretary also informed access to power is by 2017 but the deadline has that over 90 percent of all barangays in the stakeholders who attended the Visayas IEC been moved earlier by the President knowing Philippines having been electrified under a Forum that they have already coordinated with that electricity is a very basic necessity. program dubbed “Barangay Electrification Congress to provide a list of sitios that still need “Another P2.5B is again allocated for next Program”. to be electrified. He also mentioned in the said year in order to meet the deadline of the “I cannot believe that 90 percent of forum that the representatives of the Samar I Household Electrification Program,” according barangays throughout the country are electrified Electric Cooperative who attended the forum to Almendras. because when I came in, I found out that there can expect P3.5 million for its five sitios. (PIAAccording to DOE, the Government has were still some households that do not have Cebu with DOE release)

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DENR-7 conducts survey on occupants of protected areas

by Hazel Gloria CEBU CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) is conducting a on the occupants of protected areas within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).

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ENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said the census and registration of protected area occupants covers 22 out of 55 barangays with a budget of P442,000.

“The activity is undertaken to provide the DENR with basic data as basis for establishing management zones and buffer zones and for the preparation of programs including the identification of alternative livelihood opportunities for the occupants,” Dichoso said.

The survey also aims to determine the actual number of occupants within the protected areas and to establish the exact location and approximate size of homelots or farmlots. It also aims to check the period of occupancy over

certain portions of the protected areas.

Dichoso explained that a household head shall be considered a tenured migrant if proven to have actually and continuously occupied a portion of the protected area for five years before its designation as protected area and solely dependent therein for subsistence.

Solely dependent for subsistence means food, clothing, shelter and health comes only from the utilization of resources from the protected area, Dichoso said.

“We will be issuing an official list of tenured migrants which is not a tenurial instrument that would grant security of tenure over the areas they occupy. It merely recognizes that they are qualified as tenured migrants of protected area,”

survey

he explained.

The survey includes a detailed demographic study, assessment of socio-economic conditions and validation of proofs of occupancy. The survey team is composed of the local government units, non-government organization and technical personnel from the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services.

Meanwhile, the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano released P1 million for the maintenance and other operating expenses for the development and rehabilitation of Central Cebu National Park. It is one of the consolidated protected areas of CCPL. (PIA-7/HFG/DENR-7)

Ubay starts helmet law implementation

by Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 1 (PIA) -– Beginning Monday, October 3, the Ubay police started implementing the Mandatory Helmet Act of 2009, requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets. xactly a week before the full market day, to pass the word about the full administrative order on the penalties of implementation of the law in the town, implementation. violators has been issued, anybody who fails to the newly installed police chief led an According to Land Transportation Office wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle will be information caravan to increase the Ubayanon's Information Officer Aloy Balazuela, several road fined according to the order plus awareness about the law. accidents leading to death are caused by administrative fees, which would total to P1,776.

PSInspector Homobono Sayon and his men non- wearing of helmets. (with reports of Virgie DUPA/MPIO) roamed around the Ubay market vicinity on a He also explained that since a department

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Dumaguete, NegOr governments hold triple celebration for animals

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- The local governments of Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental conducted triple celebration to mark World Rabies Day, World Animal Day and the Animal Welfare Week from September 26 to October 7 this year. he activities for said celebration were 28. mass celebration of the World Animal Day and implemented through the office of the A dog walk and breakfast get-together Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of pets, C i t y V e t e r i n a r i a n , P r o v i n c i a l among local dog owners were also held on the at St. Joseph Seminary in Agan-An, Sibulan town.

Veterinary Office and the Integrated Provincial same day at the Dumaguete City Quezon Park Gabriel explained that rabies infection Health Office (IPHO), according to Dumaguete along with the first Negros Oriental Dog Show among humans is preventable through prompt City Information Officer Steve Gabriel.

All-Breed Fun Match and Dress-Up and Canina medical care. “Elimination of rabies through The activities involved a tri-media Couture Competitions at the Valencia Sports vaccination is one of our primary objectives,” he information campaign on responsible pet owners Complex in Valencia town, said Gabriel. said, adding that the activities hope to promote carried out by personnel from the Department of A free clinic offering free rabies vaccination, responsible pet ownership in the local Education and the Department of Interior and deworming, consultation and treatment, and dog community. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with Local Government, and an “Operation Kapon” castration were done on October 4 from 1:00 to reports from Syril Repe) or male dog castration which was held on Sept. 4:00 in the afternoon. This was followed by a

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DSWD recognizes role of statistics in social protection programs

by Neil D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recognizes the value and role of statistics in implementing effective and efficient social protection programs geared towards uplifting the lives of the Filipino people especially the poor and other vulnerable members of society.

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vangeline M. Paran, regional head of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) read Secretary Soliman’s message during the opening ceremonies of the 22nd National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration in Eastern Visayas held at the Robinsons Place, October 5.

With this year’s theme, “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives”, DSWD’s social protection and anti-poverty programs are being highlighted such as programs on health, retirement and other benefits from the government, food for work programs, subsidies, pension plans, emergency employment, among others.

Social protection is defined as a set of

interventions aimed at supporting the poor and other vulnerable members of society in managing risks affecting the lives of the Filipino people especially the poor.

Secretary Soliman observed that official poverty statistics of 2009 showed that poverty in the country and even in the regions continues to increase despite implementation of social protection programs.

To address this, she said, the DSWD developed the National Household Targeting System – Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), an information management system established in 2009 that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide as it aimed to create an objective and transparent database of poor households which will serve as a guide in identifying beneficiaries of the

government’s social protection programs.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the government uses the NHTS-PR in identifying the poor household beneficiaries.

“Quality social protection statistics is indeed vital for the department to ensure the accuracy and integrity of this targeting system,” Soliman said.

With quality social protection statistics and targeting system, the delivery of social protection programs and services is more focused and yields better results and reaches those who are really in need of government services. (PIA8 with NSCB-8)

2011 MOFYA awardees in Eastern Visayas named

by Rodrigo S. Victoria TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) -– The regional awardees for this year’s search of the Model Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) were named in an awarding ceremony held in Patio Victoria, Baluarte, San Jose this city, October 5.

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he 2011 MOFYA awardees are Captain Teddy V. Abrea of Almeria, Biliran for the sea-based category and Cesario G. De Dios, Jr of Ormoc City for the land -based category.

This year’s MOFYA awardees based on the two categories were chosen from among the list of regional nominees coming from the different parts of Region 8.

The list includes Jose T. Genson of Naval, Biliran and Panfilo Abanilla of Tacloban City for the sea-based category and Nilo T. Cabantac of Basey, Samar, Jaime C.

Orzales of Isabel, Leyte, Jaime C. Sapeda of Abuyog, Leyte and Romeo O. Navidad of San Policarpo, Eastern Samar for the land-based category.

The 2011 MOFYA regional winners in Eastern Visayas who received an award of P20, 000 each will still compete in the national search for the 2011 MOFYA which will be held sometime in December this year in Metro Manila.

The annual search spearheaded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has the following

criteria a) wholesome family-50% b) civic/ community involvement of OFW-20% c) success in children’s or family member/s education-20% and d) success in managing family finances-10% totaling 100%.

This year’s MOFYA search was chaired

by Atty. Forter G. Puguon, regional director, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Eastern Visayas.

The annual search is in partnership with Globe Telecommunications and Banco De Oro. (PIA 8)

Calbayog-Catarman road improvement continues

by Alice Nicart CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 5 (PIA) –- The long wait will soon be over. Motorists plying Calbayog-Catarman could enjoy the long land trip once the road improvement along this stretch is completed.

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his was contained in the report of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Samar First Engineering District of Calbayog city.

Ms. Ma. Nenita Gomez, PIO-Designate, reported that the road sections connecting the First District of Samar and Northern Samar 1 used to cover some critical sections and thus posed danger to the traveling public.

Recently, however, some 5.4-kilometer

length from Calbayog had been rehabilitated with the P10-M funding from the motor vehicle users charge (MVUC).

She said that the project aims to upgrade the national road network of the province so as to spur more economic activity and growth in this part of Region 8.

Among others, the road improvement includes removal of the existing deteriorated pavements, laying and compaction of aggregate

base course, concreting of road, application of reflective pavement markings and construction of slope protection.

Local residents whose main source of income is farming, motorists and other land travelers stand to benefit the most from the improved road, four-hour travel (more or less) from Calbayog to Catarman, the report added.

(PIA-Samar/Alice Nicart)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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DOST installs high-tech weather monitoring stations in E Samar

by Ninfa B. Quirante BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Oct. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recently installed automated weather monitoring stations in Salcedo and Can-avid and another weather station, which will be installed in Borongan City soon, said DOST provincial director Arnaldo Amosco.

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hese stations are part of the 180 weather stations that are being deployed all over the country to complement DOST-PAG-ASA’s weather monitoring facilities,” Amosco said.

He added that “these stations are stand alone devices that measure weather-related parameters every 15 minutes and automatically transmit the data to DOST servers on real-time basis”.

DOST E Samar, in coordination with DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and PAG-ASA installed these

weather stations.

The stations in Salcedo and Borongan City are called Automated Weather Stations (AWS) and are capable of real time measurement of wind direction and speed, air temperature, humidity, air pressure, rain amount, rain intensity and duration, according to the Science and Technology Director.

On the other hand, the Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) installed in Can-avid can only measure air pressure and rain amount in the area, he added.

The deployment of the state-of-the-art weather tracking system is expected to eliminate subjectivity in manual weather observations a n d de l a y s i n da t a t ra n s m i s s i o n through real-time monitoring of weather observations.

It also aims to prepare the public in times of disaster especially during typhoons and floods to lower rates of casualties and lessen the number of damaged properties and agricultural products. (NBQ/ PIA8-E Samar)

LTO holds deputation seminar in North Samar

by Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Oct. 6 (PIA) -- A two-day deputation seminar was conducted by Land Transportation Office regional and provincial regulations offices for identified and selected members of Philippine National Police representing different municipalities and local traffic enforcers, October 5-6, 2011.

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he venture is a partnership between the Land Transportation Office and the provincial government of Northern Samar to enhance traffic management in the area considering the road incidence rate as reported by the Philippine National Police.

According to LTO Assistant Regional D i r e c t o r E d g a r C a t a ro n g a n , t h e y conceptualized the activity during the meeting with Governor Paul Daza and PNP Provincial Director Police Supt. Brigido

Unay.

This is part of the strategy to prevent if not eliminate crimes in the area as well as assist the LTO in the implementation of laws and rules covering the basic regulations on driving and licensing.

Topics in the seminar included the basic information on motor vehicle (MV) registration, licensing, RA 4136 and other related laws and rules; basic road rules and MV roadside inspection, manner of apprehending traffic violators, new

memorandum circulars on violations committed by vehicle owners, among others.

The discussions were followed by practical details. Participants were expected to undergo practicum, validation and examination.

Speakers of the seminar came all the way from LTO Regional office with Philippine Information Agency as master of ceremony.

(AND/PIA-Northern Samar)

Limasawa garners Nutrition Honor Award, a first in Region 8

by Bong Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 6 (PIA) -- For consistently getting recognized in its nutrition program for the past six consecutive years, the historic island-municipality of Limasawa, this province, shines once again for the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), the first local government unit (LGU) in Region 8 to reap such distinction, according to Nilda Rich, the Assistant Provincial Nutrition Action Officer.

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n a phone interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Tuesday, Rich said Limasawa was a Green Banner Awardee for nutrition in the years 2005, 2006, and 2007, while for the next three years, from 2008, 2009, and 2010, the LGU garnered the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award.

In this year’s nutrition performance evaluation, which was based on the 2010 assessment, Limasawa made history again for landing in the top spot, this time the NHA. For this outstanding effort it stands to receive

P 500,000.00 from the National Nutrition Council (NNC), an agency under the Department of Health (DOH), Rich informed.

Awarding ceremony was slated to be held on October 25, 2011, in Manila, it was learned.

Rich cited a decreasing trend of malnourished population in Limasawa, attributing this to the many nutrition-oriented activities initiated or supported by Mayor Melchor Petracorta.

Among the many nutrition-based activities, she noted a constant monitoring of children in great dangers to be malnourished.

And before getting into the borderline, these

target children will be the focus of Limasawa’s concentrated feeding program.

Meanwhile, Maasin City will also be a CROWN awardee for its nutrition program during the October 25 awarding rites, with P 250,000.00 cash incentive, said Dr. Francilisa Tan, Head of City Health Unit I. The members of the City Nutrition Committee, along with Mayor Maloney Samaco, will be the ones to receive the citation and the financial reward, said Dr. Tan. (PIA-Southern Leyte/bong)

This week in pictures

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