ONE VISAYAS E-NEWSLETTER ISSUE 7

Vol I

Issue 7

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

October 10 – 16, 2011

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! A Reflexology expert demonstrates correct body massage to Overseas Filipino Workers who are under training with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for gainful self-employment. The trainees are OFWs who have returned to the country and are being assisted by OWWA to start up livelihood. (PIA 6/ESS)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

by Jaime S. Cabag Jr.

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ct. 12 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III unveiled on Oct. 12 a P72-billion stimulus package designed to protect the country from the “economic turbulence” being experienced by the United States and European economies.

Implementation of projects funded by the package is expected to pump-prime the economy which will eventually have benefits for the people.

The stimulus package includes funding for relocation settlement for informal settlers in hazardous areas, P10 billion; support fund for local government units, P6.5 billion; government infrastructure projects, P5.5 billion; and MRT and LRT systems in Metro Manila, P4.5 billion and P1.868 billion, respectively.

“The great thing is this: we’re not borrowing any additional money to fund these projects,” Aquino said.

He added that the funds will come from government savings, and "from the existing borrowing program".

The president said the government adopted the stimulus package to promote economic growth and to see

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

ACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Oct. 8 (PIA) – The Province of Leyte, Ormoc City in Leyte and Naval town in Biliran are the winners of the Eastern Visayas Regional Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award in the provincial, city and municipal categories.

DILG Region 8 Director Francisco Jose said that the three regional awardees represented the Eastern Visayas Region in the National Search. .

The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi by the DILG is a mechanism to motivate local governments in the provincial, city and municipal levels nationwide, to continuously foster and strive for good and effective local governance and further scale-up the value of accountability, transparency and inclusivity in local administration and development.

DTI-Leyte Provincial Director Desiderio Belas (left) delivers his opening remarks during the National Competitiveness Council Roadshow held at Ritz Tower de Leyte, Tacloban City, October 11. Also in photo are (seated l-r) NCC program officer Sarah Casicas Lope, Leyte board member Roque Tiu and businessman Robert Yu. (Vino R.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

The Gawad is conferred to LGUs for reasons of exemplary performance in administrative governance, social, economic and environmental governance, drawn from the database of the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), Seal of Good Housekeeping, International Organization or National Gover n m en t Agen cy-b estowed aw ar ds an d acknowledged innovations.

The Awarding Ceremony was held October 11, 2011 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Manila to coincide with the 3-day celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Local Government Code of 1991.

(PIA-8)

Seismic survey for oil deposits in Cebu 'very encouraging', says DOE

by Fayette C. Riñen

EASTERN VISAYAS

to it that its effects would be felt by as many Filipinos as possible amid economic uncertainties abroad.

Aquino spoke before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City.

(JCM/JSC/PIA6)

Leyte province, Ormoc City and Naval town win Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award

T Tayasan Mayor Santiago Sameon (3rd from left) cheers up the school kids of Pinalubngan Elementary School as they try on the free raincoats and umbrellas from Unicef during the recent distribution of free educational materials and supplies from the Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC-6) Technical Working Group in Negros Oriental. Tayasan is one of the 8 towns identified to receive the free school materials this year. (LJD/RMN/PIA NegOr)

GN/Malacañang Photo Bureau

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EBU CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) – A top energy department official said the ongoing seismic survey of five service contracts in Cebu for oil exploration is “very encouraging".

Department of Energy - Energy Resource Development Bureau (DOE-ERDB) Director Ismael Ocampo said the prospects of the ongoing seismic survey for oil deposits in Cebu looks positive but drilling has still to be done to ascertain that these are in commercial quantity.

Ocampo cannot give a timeline as to when such service contract operations can tell whether the oil deposits are commercially viable for production.

“You know this takes time and before drilling operations can be done, the service contractor needs to conduct test, usually seismic survey, to make sure that the area can yield a commercial volume of oil deposits,” Ocampo said during the recent weekly Kapihan sa PIA that tackled the status updates on energy projects in Cebu

including oil exploration activities.

Just recently, Chinese firm China International Mining Petroleum Company Ltd., one of the service contractors, bared it would start the remote sensing study, shore seismic data acquisition and drilling in the town of Alegria in southern Cebu.

In some areas in Alegria including the mountain barangay of Monteller and the coastal barangay of Madridejos, black liquid reportedly bubbled out from the soil and locals used the soaked dirt to build fire for cooking and light. There are also known oil or natural gas deposits in Aloguinsan town and City of Bogo.

The DOE official said their agency is gearing for an aggressive campaign on energy-related projects including oil explorations within domestic shores, exploiting renewable energy sources and alternative fuels with the end-goal of attaining energy self-sufficiency and stability.

“We need to increase our oil production with the rising cost of fuel in the global market which we are helpless because we are totally dependent on imported fuel,” Ocampo declared.

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Positive outlook for WV shelter program seen

by TWVillavert

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 11 (PIA) -- Undersecretary Cecilia S. Alba of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council(HUDCC) lauded both the shelter agencies and the people here for establishing the right attitude towards the government’s shelter program.

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sec Alba who was guest of the Western Visayas Housing Fair 2011, noted that “there are new housing units being offered other than the acquired assets.”

“I would like to look at this as a positive sign for us shelter agencies, and we would like to think that the few housing units or acquired assets are an indication that the people of Western Visayas are very good in paying their monthly amortization, at hindi na dadagdagan pa ng marami yung acquired assets ng mga shelter agencies,” Usec Alba said.

Alba noted the fast accumulation of acquired assets, in some areas in the country “at ito ay dahil sa hindi na nakakayanan ng ating mga kababayan ang pagbabayad ng monthly amortization.

Alba did not immediately make available the figure on the acquired assets of the

government’s shelter agencies, but she congratulated the shelter agencies and the people in Western Visayas “for taking their responsibility very seriously”.

She said that the Home Development and Mutual Fund or the Pag-Ibig Fund has allocated this year some P50 billion in funding for the housing needs of their members.

She also mentioned other shelter agencies which also have programs on housing.

These agencies are the National Housing Authority, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, National Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation, Social Housing Finance Corporation, among others.

Alba also congratulated the various shelter agencies and private developers for a sustained yearly conduct of housing fair activity.

She said that there is a need to

institutionalize the conduct of housing fair, for reasons that “we are looking at how to liquefy the acquired assets of our shelter agencies, and we want. to ensure that these are liquefied, so that it could help more people,” Alba said as she emphasized that a low-cost housing program can likewise be extended to those who are in need.

The Western Visayas Housing Fair 2011 which is currently being held at Amigo Plaza Mall, Iloilo City highlights the exhibition and promotion of the newly-built housing units and the private developers, as well as the disposition of acquired assets of the key shelter agencies and other government financial institutions.Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog delivered his opening remarks and lauded the government’s shelter agencies and private developers for the conduct of the activity.

(JCM/TWV/PIA6-Iloilo)

Boracay records P14.3 B tourism receipts

by Venus G. Villanueva

KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 12 (PIA) –- Boracay Island’s tourist arrivals from January to September of this year recorded a total of 669,477 and generated some P14.3 billion in tourism receipts.

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he data was reported by the Provincial Tourism Operations Office to Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.

Marquez said a slight decrease in the number of arrivals in September of this year was noted due to bad weather. This caused the province to have alternating entry and exit points at the Caticlan Jetty Port and Tabon Point.

This year’s September arrivals totaled 41,865, lower compared to the same period last year which reached 45,046.

Overall however, this year’s record is still

higher, as the total tourist arrivals last year for the same 9-month period only reached 606,451, or a difference of 63,026 which is equivalent to an increase of 10 percent.

Of the nine-month period this year, April registered the highest number of tourist arrivals with 121,301, followed by May with 98,279; March, with 73,666; January, 69,603; June, 68,359; February, 67,534; July, 65,431 and August, 439.

The month of September registered the lowest, with the figures gathered from Sept.

1-26 only.

Meanwhile, the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports, the entries and exits to and from the island, recorded a total receipts of P87.188,560 for the nine-month period.

This year’s collection is slightly higher compared to last year’s, which netted a total of P87,127,686. The decrease was also attributed to the bad weather.

The September figures however do not include collections from Tabon Point, an alternative jump-off area to Boracay Island during the Habagat season. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Talisay aims for balanced growth in 2040

by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ., Oct. 13 (PIA) -- The year 2040 may be a long way off, but it is not stopping the local executives from dreaming and targeting Talisay City to become “The Village City: A Model of Balanced Development by 2040” initiated by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia where interested LGUs adopt the Performance Governance System (PGS).

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GS is a policy governance framework consisting of comprehensive long-term goals, action plans, and quantifiable measures to track the city’s progress according to a briefer provided to PIA. On October 13, Mayor Eric Saratan faced a 14-men panel in a Public Revalida (validation) in Manila as a candidate for completion of the compliance stage of the PGS. Twelve of them will come from ISA and three from the municipality representing identified sectors.

Saratan, was accompanied by Dr. Remia Tipon, Dr. Joy Vingno, and Laarni Aguilar, who presented the city’s developmental plan outputs that included cascading philosophy,

second level scorecards and strategic initiatives, Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition, communication plan, and the plan to set-up a full-time functional office for strategy management.

It will be recalled that Talisay City signed a MOA with the ISA last year to embark on crafting its own PGS and went through a series of developmental planning that will guide the LGU in achieving a balanced development.

The city leadership has shown resolve in meeting the ISA requirements by going through several stages of planning and formulation of landmark policies.

The mayor also expressed enthusiasm in pursuing the ISA project, its principles, and

philosophies believing that, eventually, the city will achieve its dream of a progressive Talisay.

“When we dream, we do not just dream.

We dream big. We laid out our vision- “The Village City: A Model of Balanced Development by 2040” and set out strategies on how to deliver a growth that is balanced and comprehensive and a high standard of living for Talisaynons by year 2040,” Saratan said.

According to him, the inclusion of the city in the ISA provides a “road map to good and effective governance. We are more determined and fired up to take every step of this journey with pride and unity.”(JCM/LOLPIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Former OFWs learn new trade

by Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- Former office clerk Flor Decolongon of Dumangas served as a domestic helper in Saudi for 10 years. And while employed, she sent her children to school.

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ow she is back in the Philippines and wants to learn new skills to keep her productive and help others who opted to return after some years abroad.

“We would like to help our families as well as the families of the OFWs, so we want to learn new trades,” Flor said in the dialect.

She and 16 other former OFWs are now undergoing a week-long skills training on reflexology under the project Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Decolongon said they are being trained by the Early Divine School Forever, Inc. on body and foot massage and the techniques of reflexology, where each participant is required to demonstrate massage skills learned under

the supervision of trainer Alma Bernadette E. Agor.

All the trainees were given start-up kits by OWWA consisting of towels, lotion, massage oils and other supplies.

Rizza Joy Mapa, OWWA-6 Information Officer, said Balik Pinay!Balik Hanapbuhay! project is a skills training intervention intended to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of returning women OFWs in cooperation with TESDA, Department of Trade and Industry, the Technology Resource Center and the Agricultural Training institute.

Preferred beneficiaries under this program are returning women displaced by hostilities and conflicts in the Middle East,

and who have experienced other distressed situations like maltreatment or abuse.

“OWWA has allocated the amount of P300,000.00 for the region-wide training of women OFWs, so that they can start a gainful employment, while waiting for opportunities to engage in competitive entrepreneurship,” Mapa said.

Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! was established through Department of Labor and Employment Adminsitrative Order No. 77, series of 2011, to respond to the threats of displacements among female OFWs in Arab countries, according to OWWA. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Capiz P1.46 B investment program gets council nod

by Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- The Provincial Development Council of Capiz has approved the Provincial Annual Investment Program (AIP) for 2012 last Oct.11.

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n a meeting which was attended by majority of the 38 members, the AIP of Capiz amounting to more than P1.46 billion was unanimously approved.

Next year’s investment has been appropriated for the various programs and services of the province namely general public services as well as social, economic and other services.

Included in the general public services with a funding of more than P303.51 million, are services on executive, legislative, development and planning, treasury, accounting, auditing, investigation and legal services, rehabilitation and safekeeping of social offenders, and personnel management, among others.

The investment under the social services

programs reached more than P823.62 million which covers education and manpower development, health, nutrition and population control, and social security, social services and welfare.

The economic services with more than P266.80 million in investment include programs on agricultural and fishery, veterinary, natural resources, infrastructure development and livelihood services as well as tourism development.

The province’s aid to barangays and calamity fund appropriation for next year was set at more than P39.08 million.

Of the total amount, more than P649.25 million was sourced-out from the General Fund, P134.47 from the Development Fund, P8 million from the Special Education Fund and

P641.29 million from external sources In addition to the AIP, the Council likewise approved the proposed programs and projects which will be funded by 20 percent of the 2011 unappropriated Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and savings from the 2010 20-percent Development Fund of the province.

The approved amount of P28.665 million will cover programs on education and manpower development, cultural services, social security, social service and welfare as well as infrastructure development services.

On the other hand, Gov. Tanco stressed that the AIP of the province excludes those that were promised by other national agencies for various development projects in Capiz.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Antique barangay assemblies tackle development programs, financial reports

by Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- Development programs, financial reports and other priority thrusts of the local administration were tackled during the barangay assembly day held Oct. 9 here.

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rovincial Dir. Victorio Pagapulan of the Department of Interior and Local Government said over the radio program of the Philippine Information Agency that 87 percent of the 590 barangays in Antique held a Barangay Assembly.

The figure will still increase when reports from municipalities are completed, according to Pagapulan, who added that there were also some who decided to reset their assembly day for some valid reasons and will be monitored

by DILG. President Benigno S. Aquino III on September 30 issued Presidential Proclamation No. 260 declaring the last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October as Barangay Assembly Days amending the Proclamation No. 342 issued in 2003 declaring the last Saturday of March and third Saturday of October as

Barangay Assembly Day. The holding of the barangay assemblies in Antique, according to Pagapulan, gained wide support among the local folks.

Reports of the Local government Operations Officers of DILG showed that local residents were interested in the discussions that dealt with development programs like poverty alleviation, fighting malnutrition, livelihood/enterprise development, e n v i ro n m e n t al p ro t e c t i o n, d i s as t e r preparedness, among others The endeavor also provided a venue for barangay officials to show their being accountable and transparent to their constituents by reporting their accomplishments and priority thrusts including utilization of funds so that the people will be well-informed of the undertakings of the local government.

Likewise, the DILG reiterated the call to local officials to strengthen the functionality of the local councils, among which are the local council for the protection of children, disaster risk and reduction and management council, peace and order council, which are essential to the development of the barangay.

Moreover, the said proclamation stated that this nationwide undertaking is one of the major components of “Biyaheng Pinoy: Tapat na Palakad, Bayang maunlad” program launched in October 10 by the DILG. It is also meant to drumbeat the 20th year of local autonomy in the Philippines (20th anniversary of the signing of the Local Government Code) and to institutionalize the norms of transparency, responsiveness, accountability and participation at the barangay level. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Over 70 Cebu barangays flood and landslide-prone

by Amor Saludar

CEBU CITY October 12 (PIA) -- Over 70 barangays in Cebu Province have been identified as prone to landslides and flooding according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

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f the 12 barangays most prone to flooding, seven are found in Mandaue City and the remaining five are in Cebu City.

The seven barangays in Mandaue City are Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang -alang, Guizo and Paknaan and the five barangays in Cebu City are

Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo and Bonbon.

Other areas prone to landslides and flooding are : 19 barangays in Cebu City, six barangays in Naga City, five barangays in Toledo City, all mountain barangays of Talisay City and 31 barangays from the different towns in the province.

The DENR-7 has provided local government units a list of the disaster prone areas for them to draft proactive measures to reduce the risk of any calamity and to conduct close monitoring on these identified risk areas as more typhoons are expected to enter the country based on the PAGASA report. (FCR/ AS/PIA-Cebu)

Pantawid Caravan serves a thousand TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 9 (PIA) -– Over a thousand Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries availed of the services from different government agencies in the recently conducted Pantawid Convergence Caravan at Ramon Magsaysay Gymnasium October 1, 2011.

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ccording to Ubay Information Officer Virgie Dupa, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 7 initiated the program which highlights the different services offered by the National, Provincial and Local offices offered at a one-stop shop for Pantawid beneficiaries picked from the selection of the six barangays was said to be a way to minimize their fare expenses.

Dupa, also the designated town media liaison, said the event started early morning, as a huge but disciplined crowd-participants milled at the gymnasium and quickly occupied the bleachers according to the paged instructions of Aileen P. Lariba, Pantawid Information Officer.

The event was a perfect venue to remind Pantawid beneficiaries of the conditions they

have to comply with to continue getting the benefits.

The event also gathered the four pillars of a successful program implementation in Bohol.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, 2nd District Congressman Erico Aumentado, Ubay Mayor Eutiquio Bernales and Shalaine Marie Lucero Regional Deputy Project Manager of DSWD R7 representing RD Evelyn Macapobre were at times been seen huddling to discuss some details and possibly hone the program implementation to perfection.

All these leaders also resounded their calls for responsible citizenship and judicious use of the assistance as this was not to last forever.

Chatto also urged the people to avail of the programs his office launched for livelihood,

backyard gardening highlighting vegetables, herbal medicines and free range native chicken production, to help augment their pay-out benefits every month.

For his part, former Governor and Congressman Erico Aumentado put up the challenge “Kaya Natong Taga Ubay, Ipadayon Ang Kalamboan while asking the .people the support and commitment needed for a sustainable development for Ubay.

Bernales, meanwhile expressed his sincerest thanks to all partner agencies who were very supportive of the Caravan.

Services offered during the day were vegetable seeds and seedlings distribution and farm technology demonstration.

These were done in coordination with MAO Ubay Nena Alangilan. (RAC with UBAYmpio/ PIA-Bohol)

DA-APC says Bohol rice yield increased by 10%

by Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 7 (PIA) – Take it from the local experts.

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ational data may rate Bohol’s average rice yield low, but local authorities have actually seen a 9.5 to 10 percent increase in its recorded average yield per hectare from January to June this year.

The data is compared to the previous cropping.

According to the records from the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Promotion Center (DA-APC) in comparison to January to June in 2010, authorities have noted the promising increase to 2.58 tons per hectare over-all Bohol average yield.

This pegs an over-all rice sufficiency level of 112-115 percent for Bohol.

This means that the total rice production here is more than enough for Boholanos even if we have groups in the private sector who involve themselves in rice trading outside Bohol, says Liza Quirog, Provincial agriculturist.

Citing data from the DA, the provincial

agriculturist also added that almost 70% of the total production of Central Visayas is from Bohol.

The problem however is that there is still a considerably low average harvest yield on a per hectare computation in Bohol compared to other provinces, she said.

To that, the office of the Provincial Agriculture, through its assistant provincial agriculturist accounts the larger rain-fed areas which are much dependent on the rain and spring sources than those which are irrigated.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry Pamugas cited that only around 47% or our total rice area is irrigated while he 53% are rainfed.

Data shows that Bohol has 22,098 hectares of irrigated lands under National Irrigation Authority (NIA) control while 25, 280 hectares are rainfed.

Sources also disclosed that while irrigated

farms are assured of a year round cropping, rain-fed lots would be dependent on the rains that come so that some of these farms would only get a single cropping on a year.

Over this, NIA has recommended that the general direction on irrigation in Bohol would focus on Small Farm Reservoir systems, small water impounding, pump irrigations and small concrete diversion dams, which are targeted for rain-fed areas.

Accessed through grants, these smaller reservoir projects are more economical and effective, costs much less and has a high impact as it reaches far flung areas, explains DA-APC Project manager Engr. Eugene Cahiles.

The agriculture authorities here however said much could still be done to hit a 2.74 tons per hectare target within the next few croppings. (30)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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727 families in Siquijor get 4Ps cash grants

by Rizalie A. Calibo

ENRIQUE VILLANUEVA, Siquijor, Oct 10 (PIA) -- At least 727 families from the municipalities of Enrique Villanueva and Maria received last week their cash grants from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through the Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 (DSWD-7).

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total amount of P1,146,400 were handed to some 535 out of 595 registered 4Ps beneficiaries from Maria town and another P405,000 to 192 out of 208 registered beneficiaries from Enrique Villanueva town.

In a ceremonial giving of cash grants to the two towns at the Social Center here, DSWD-7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn

Macapobre said the 4Ps program has already disbursed some P14.6 million to Siquijor province from January to September this year.

The said poverty alleviation program is being implemented in three (3) municipalities in Siquijor, with Lazi town having the biggest number of beneficiaries.

The towns are identified based on their

poverty incidence ranking with extremely poor households as beneficiaries to receive cash grant based on the number of children attending school.

The cash pay-outs were released through the G-Cash Remit services of the Sta. Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative, Inc. (SBKCCI) of Enrique Villanueva town. (PIA-Siquijor/RACalibo)

NegOr PDRRMC warns flood prone barangays

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Negros Oriental on Wednesday warned residents living in disaster prone areas to be on

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ith the onset of rainy season, Civil Defense Officer Allen Cabaron of PDRRMC disclosed that at least 220 barangays have been identified as highly susceptible to flooding based on the risk assessment by the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB).

Cabaron said of the total 557 barangays in Negros Oriental, more than 186 barangays are also found out to be highly susceptible to landslide.

As such, Cabaron advised the local government units (LGUs) especially at the barangay level to establish local early warning systems so that any weather and flood forecast

or advisory from PAGASA can be sent off at once to the Municipal Action Officer then to the barangay.

“This is where the information should be disseminated to alert the barangay residents and monitor the rainfall and water level situation for the alert level 1,” said Cabaron.

At alert level 2, the flood is imminent, residents are asked to pack up their personal or important belongings ready for evacuation; alert level 3 is for evacuation status.

PDRRMC Executive Officer Angelo Tiongson called on the public particularly those

residents near the riverbanks to be vigilant and monitor the water level in case it overflows as well as the coastal areas.

Meantime, the PDDRMC has started conducting a series of seminars and workshops on disaster management in the municipalities of Pamplona, Vallehermoso, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Ayungon, and Mabinay.

Tiongson said the council also conducted on-site surveys and risk assessment areas susceptible to landslide at barangays Catipon, Bonawon, Apoloy, and Apoloy all in Siaton town and Pinocawan in Vallehermoso. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

RADIO7 holds 19th regional consultative conference

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) -- The Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) together with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is hosting the 19th annual Regional Convention of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) on October 19-21, this year at South Sea Resort Hotel, this city.

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bout a hundred Information Officers in Region VII are expected to participate in the RADIO regional consultative conference with the theme: “Communicating Clean, Sustainable Energy”.

The three-day convention aims to equip government communicators with information and knowledge on the promotion of energy efficiency and conservation and renewable energy and disseminate in their respective areas of responsibility.

The RADIO-7 will hold an election of officers and Board of Directors (BOD) on the first day of the event.

RADIO-7 is a federation of all government

information officers in the towns, cities and provinces of of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor in Central Visayas sets to hold an .

Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria and Governor Roel Degamo will deliver welcome messages and join the welcome dinner and fellowship.

On the second day, PIA Director General, Atty. Jose Fabia will offer an inspirational message to the participants, afterwhich the convention theme will be explained by Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras as keynote speaker.

The RADIO-7 helps the DOE in

communicating its thrust on the environment specifically, Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism. The DOE is the lead agency in the implementation of the national energy efficiency and conservation program.

RADIO-7 is composed of the Cebu Association of City and Municipal Public Information Officers (CAOCAMPIO) of Cebu; Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) of Bohol; Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) of Negros Oriental; and the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID). (PIA NegOr/JCT)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

3 East Visayas farmers to get Presidential awards TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 12 (PIA) –- Three outstanding farmers in Eastern Visayas were chosen to receive the Presidential awards of Gawad Saka 2011 Outstanding Achievers in Agriculture and Fisheries.

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his good news was learned from Mr. Francis Rosaroso, the regional information chief of the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas.

The three national awardees were identified as Alfredo Roble of Ormoc City who won as the Outstanding Hybrid Farmer; the Cabacungan 4H Club from Barangay Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar for being the Outstanding Young Farmer/ Fisherfolk Organization (OYFFO) through its president Leo Ombrog; and Dr. Carlos Dela Cruz from Balinsasayao, Abuyog, Leyte for being the Outstanding Agricultural Scientist.

As the Outstanding Hybrid Farmer, Mr. Roble who is from Barangay Santa Cruz, Ormoc City, will receive P100,000, a presidential trophy and citation.

The Cabacungan 4H Club from Barangay Cabacungan, Allen, Northern Samar for being the Outstanding Young Farmer/ Fisherfolk Organization (OYFFO) through its president Leo Ombrog, will receive a P 150,000 project grant coming from the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council, a presidential trophy and citation.

On the other hand, Dr. Dela Cruz from Balinsasayao, Abuyog, Leyte, as Outstanding

Agricultural Scientist, will receive P1 million project grant coming from the Bureau of Agricultural Research, a presidential trophy and citation.

The prizes that they will receive will be used as an additional capital for their agricultural activities.

The national achievement will serve as a great morale booster to the farmers in Region 8. It will inspire the farmers to support and adopt the new technologies which will help increase their income and enhance their productivity, Mr. Rosaroso said. (PIA-8)

‘Buntis Congress’ marks opening of Paranas lying-in clinic

by Alice Nicart

CATBALOGAN, Samar, Oct. 10 (PIA) -– Paranas Rural Health Unit (RHU), which is 35 minutes ride from capital town of Catbalogan, has now a birthing facility which is expected to promote maternal and child health care in the municipality.

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ith the holding of the “First Buntis Congress”, the Lying-in Clinic was inaugurated recently by the municipal health officers led by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Francis Langi, Jr. and their local leaders.

About 75 pregnant women from the eight barangay health stations joined the event which aims to increase awareness among pregnant mothers about some key health practices during pregnancy and childbirth. They also availed of the basic prenatal services such as vital signs and weight taking and immunization against tetanus, blood typing, Hepa B, Urinalysis, and CBC examinations.

It is said that some pregnant women

would die due to bleeding, infections and hypertension, but the primary cause of these deaths are often rooted in women’s limited access to health care and education.

Dr. Langi in his message stressed that every pregnancy and birth must be safe but this would only occur in a health facility where the mothers and newborns receive quality health care from trained and professional health workers.

He added that life-threatening complications could develop during pregnancy and delivery that is why, not only should mothers gain access to quality health care services and emergency obstetric care but also adequate information and preparation for the

birth events through health education and promotion activities which should be supported by their partners and communities.

Dr. Norleta Pajares-Arcamo of UP-Manila School of Health Sciences shared inputs on the benefits of breastfeeding, child nutrition and maternal care while Dr. Langi spoke on “Tatlong Taong Agwat, Dapat” wherein he pointed out the importance of giving 3-year space before the next pregnancy.

The 1st Buntis Congress with the theme, Buhay Mo, Buhay Ko, Reponsabilidad Nating Lahat was likewise supported by the Paranas municipality and the provincial government of Catbalogan. (PIA-Samar)

SmartCom to turn over repaired Saint Bernard school

by R.G. Cadavos

SOUTHERN LEYTE, Oct.13 (PIA) -– The Smart Communications Public Affairs Group, in partnership with the local government and the Parents-Teachers Association of Himbangan Elementary School in Saint Bernard, will turn over the repaired 4 classrooms of said school on October 17, 2011.

K

ae Vicedo of Smart Communications, in her invitation, disclosed that “It has been established in the risk assessment of the said school that there is a need to repair to ensure a safe school that will provide a learning environment where children’s education, health, safety and security are assured in both normal times and during disasters.”

The school repair is also intended to ensure that the school consists of infrastructures that are structurally sound and facilities that do not harm the students, teachers and the staff as well, especially in times of disasters.

The said project is under the Advancing Safer Communities and Environment against Disasters (ASCEND) project, a 15-month

disaster risk reduction project which aims to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability of communities, schools and local government units in high-risk areas through consolidating and scaling up of gains in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation, Vicedo bared.

The project areas are piloted in the municipalities of Calabanga in Camarines Sur, Maragusan, Compostela Valley and in Saint Bernard, the source said.

Other activities of the said project include community trainings on community-based disaster risk management, community-based early warning system, community drills and implementation of small-scale mitigation projects that focus on natural resource management such as mangrove reforestation

and mainstreaming DRR in local development planning, among others.

In a short program, the turn-over ceremony will be welcomed by Mayor Rico Rentuza and have messages from the Department of Education (DepEd) District Supervisor and Himbangan Elementary School Principal. Atty. Maria Jane Paredes, Smart Communications Senior Manager in Visayas-Mindanao will also give her inspirational message.

After the turn-over of the 4-classrooms, a Klite, audio-visual equipment that include TV, DVD player and a desktop, will also be handed to the recipient, while medicine kits will also be distributed to ASCEND-covered schools in Saint Bernard.

(PIA-Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

Consumer education now in high school curricula TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 10 (PIA) – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 8 Director Cynthia Nierras said that starting this school year, 2011-2012, high school students all over the country will be taught about their rights as consumers.

A

ddressing the crowd at the three-day Consumers Info Fair at Robinsons Place on October 10, Director Nierras said that the Department of Education has introduced consumer education and basic lessons on trade and business in the secondary education last year by pilot-testing it in 115 high schools.

Now on its full implementation, DepEd's latest policy, dubbed the Integrated Consumer Education Program (ICEP), is pursuant to the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394), which states: “The State shall implement provision of information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the consumer”, Director Nierras said.

“The best way to ensure that our consumers’ rights and responsibilities are well-protected is through education,” Director Nierras underscored.

She explained that the ICEP will be integrated in eight subjects in the high school curriculum, which include English, Mathematics, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), Values, Science, Technology and Livelihood Education, and Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH).

“Through this partnership with DepEd, we hope that the students make wise choices, get value for their money as well as influence their families in becoming informed and smart consumers,” said DTI Director Nierras.

Aside from consumers' rights, the ICEP will also included basic lessons on the Price Act and Standards Law in order for students to comprehend how prices of goods are set. It will also include basic lessons on the stock market and the finance economy through the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Module Development Project.

"In the face of a global financial

downturn, the collaboration between the DepEd and the PSE to introduce capital markets education in secondary schools comes at a no better time," the good Director said.

The ICEP was drafted two years ago. The trade and education departments have conducted a consumer education workshop for master teachers, chiefs of secondary divisions and regional education supervisors from Regions 1, 8, 10, 11 and the National Capital Region.

The write-shop participants likewise integrated savings consciousness in teachers guides and product standards and concepts in teachers lesson plans for the different subject areas in compliance with the education department-trade and industry department tie-up. (PIA-8)

P14.8-M Potable Water Supply Project up for Hernani town

by Samuel D. Candido

Borongan, Eastern Samar, Oct. 12 (PIA) --- Hernani, Eastern Samar, a 5th class municipality some 52 kilometers from the capital town of the province, may soon enjoy continuous supply of potable water with a project cost of P14.8-Million.

T

he said project cost is a grant from Department of Health (DOH -Central Office, Manila), in the amount of P8-M and a loan from Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA-Central Office, Manila) in the amount of P6.8-M. In an interview with PIA, Ms. Ermellinda A. Go, Actg. General Manager of Hernani Water District (HWD), disclosed that

the source is from Bangon Falls, Brgy.

San Isidro just two kilometers away from the poblacion.

She hopes that this project will increase the level of consciousness of consumers regarding the use of potable water, which can be availed of at a price.

“Water is free,” she agrees, “but for convenience one has to pay.”

In the past, water supply during summer

months was not reliable as the water source could not meet the demand.

The project is on-going and covers six barangays of Hernani, Poblacion 1, 2, 3, & 4, Brgys. Carmen and San-Isidro.

Upon the completion of this project, the HWD will collect the installation fee of P2,500 per household and will charge P200.00 for a minimum of 10 cubic meters used. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

North Samar receives P24-M for PAMANA Roadmap Pillar 3 Project

by Teresita B. Cardenas

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Oct. 11 (PIA) -– The province of Northern Samar has received P24 million from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) through its Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Resilient Communities Program for the construction of Cagpanit’an to Cabatilisan- Barangay Sulong, Silvino, Lubos Road.

P

rovincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Romeo M. Cardenas said that this is a nationwide convergence peace-building program focused on the development of conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities.

Cardenas revealed that the project seeks to provide a road network that would connect the municipality of Silvino Lubos via Mondragon to the rest of the municipalities and cities of the country. With a concrete and paved road network, it is hoped that the said area will help the province in attaining its vegetable sufficiency and in promoting its many tourism destinations in the next three years, he stressed.

Cardenas explained that the road network

will enhance the mobility of the town’s goods and services, improve linkages among municipalities, provide access to markets and activity centers, as well as support its agri-economy.

The road construction will start at Barangay Mirador up to Barangay San Antonio (Cagpanit’an) of Mondragon traversing Sitio Cabatilisan which is the boundary of the two municipalities of Mondragon and Silvino Lubos and end at Sitio Lubos Poblacion, Cardenas said.

The proposed road network has an estimated length of 21.318 kilometers with three bridges and a total length of 250 linear meters having a total cost of P60.36 million.

The initial amount worth P30 million will contribute to about 5% of the total proposed

project cost and would realize 2. 469 kilometers of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) starting from the end of Asphalt Road located at Barangay Nenita and ending at a certain portion of Sitio Canawa of Barangay Mirador, he added.

Moreover, he said that the remaining 14.068 kilometers of road project and three (3) proposed bridges with a total of 2,150 linear meters will be divided between two national government agencies namely: the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DA).

The 24-M from OPPAP is the first trance release representing 80% of the total P30-M allotted for the road project, he said.

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