INFOB YTES

VOL. 2 l NO.13 l May 30, 2012

DSWD offers college scholarship to Pantawid kids

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 30 (PIA)--The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) in Central Visayas has announced the Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA), which provide college scholarship grants for 282 eligible students in 47 municipalities in region 7 under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

DSWD7 Information Officer Aileen Lariba said the SGP-PA ensures the underprivileged children has a chance of getting a college education that may qualify for high-value added jobs and, thus giving the families a greater chance to cross poverty threshold for good as it supports its’ scholars entry to labor markets through placement assistance.

Of the 609 focus municipalities in the country identified for the SGP-PA implementation, 47 of these are from Central Visayas with 26 municipalities from Cebu, 19 from Negros Oriental and two for Siquijor province.

Eligible for the SGP-PA applicants are: (1) must be a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary; (2) not more than 30 years old at the time of selection; (3) should be physically and mentally fit; (4) should be a high school graduate and/or equivalent; (5) no other higher education scholarship/grant from public institutions; (6) pass the entrance exam and academic requirements set by the SUCs; (7) pass the requirements set MAXIMIZING INCOME POTENTIAL. Bohol Provincial Government by the National SGP-PA Committee; and (8) must enroll/shift/ and the National Dairy Authority partner for a Calf Fattening Program transfer to CHED priority programs preferably in the leading for farmers and increase their income while upgrade the quality of local SUCs most accessible from their residence.

Priority courses that a scholar may enrol include breeds. At the TBTK product showcase, Governor Edgar Chatto turns Information Technology, Agriculture and Related Fields, over the livestock to Balilihan people’s organization members. (rahc/ Teacher Education, Science and Math, Engineering, PIABohol) Health Services such as Pharmacy, Radiology and Medical Technology, Arts and Humanities, Atmospheric and Environmental Science.

Lariba said each student-grantee shall be entitled to a maximum of P 60T scholarship grant per school year wherein P30T per semester covering tuition fee, textbooks

By Hazel F. Gloria and monthly allowance of P3,500.

The selected scholarship grantee shall carry a full load

CEBU CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo led the awarding of certificates of Seal of Good per semester as prescribed in the curriculum and finish within Housekeeping (SGH) to 75 local government units (LGUs) in Region 7, during the required period of the program.

He/she shall also maintain a satisfactory academic the Tapatan on Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation: A Call to Action of DILG-7, last May 25 at the Cebu International Convention Center in performance in accordance with the policies and standards of the SUC and render a return service of 2 years after Mandaue City.

This is recognition to the respective LGUs as SGH awardees in good graduation in the Philippines except for highly critical courses governance through advancing the principles of accountability and transparency determined by local industry and government services.

“On the other hand, the parents have a responsibility in local government management.

Awardee mayors from the different LGUs received the SGH markers, in the implementation of the SGP-PA as well though responsibilities is not new for them since they have already while others sent in their representatives to accept the marks.

The towns of Hagna and Ubay from Bohol province received the been trained to handle such while they were trying to comply Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) worth P1 million from the DILG. The PCF is with set conditions of the 4Ps,” said Lariba.

These conditions include pre and post natal care for an incentive fund to eligible LGUs.

"For those who have not receive the Performance Challenge Fund, the pregnant women, immunization, weighing, monthly health check-up for children and attendance to Family Development President already approved P750 billion for this year," Robredo said.

He added that SGH would soon be a requirement to enable LGUs to Sessions to continue receiving the P500/month health grant and 85% monthly attendance is required to receive the P300/ borrow fund at the Department of Finance.

The other part of the event was to formally introduce the Seal of Disaster month/child education grant but for a maximum of three Preparedness for Floods (SDP) that aims to recognize the performance and efforts children only, she added.

Lariba emphasized, like in Pantawid Pamilya program, of local governments in institutionalizing disaster preparedness for floods in the monitoring and evaluation is of utmost priority taking into local level.

Local government units that demonstrate an acceptable level of disaster consideration that this is a pilot project. Therefore, the preparedness and disaster preparedness response before and during floods will National SGP-PA Committee compose of implementing agencies shall conduct a spot check in the implementation accept this SDP mark. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & Mayette Baring/CNU Intern) of the program in accordance with the guidelines FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com develop for its purposes. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

Secretary awards seal of good housekeeping to 75 LGUs in Reg 7

INFOBYTES TOPSTORIES

DAR 7 to complete CARP target by June 2014

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-7) in Central Visayas gave the assurance that will be able to complete its land acquisition and distribution target under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program by June 2014. The regional office said that it has a balance of 19,613-hectares of land for acquisition and distribution, which will benefit an estimated 16,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

AR-7 regional director Rodolfo Inson said in a press conference that in 2011, DAR-7 distributed 11,758 hectares of agricultural areas to 8,828 ARBs. He said that 4,458 hectares of these were for Cebu province with 3,805 ARBs.

For Bohol, DAR-7 distributed 2,905 hectares of agricultural lands to 1,693 ARBs while for Negros Oriental, some 2,649 hectares were given to 3,270 ARBs; and 53 hectares for Siquijor province with 60 ARBs.

Inson added that the DAR had distributed more than 178,079 agricultural areas benefiting 137,104 ARBs from October 21,1972 up to March 31, 2012.

From the 197,692 hectare CARP Land Acquisition and Distribution scope of the region, the DAR has a balance of 19,613 hectares which will be completely distributed to the intended beneficiaries

by June 2014, Inson said.

"The office is trying hard to accomplish and distribute the LAD balance on or before June 2014. The LAD balance of 19,613 hectares will approximately benefit 14,000-16,000 ARBs," Inson told the media.

For 2012, Inson said DAR-7 has targeted 5,876 hectares to be acquired and distributed to 5,805 qualified

Members of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Brigade and CAFGUs from Alpha Company of the 12th Cadre Battalion assisting in the clean-up drive and repair of school facilities at Barangay Malalangsi Elementary School in Pamplona, Negros Oriental on May 22, 2012. The activity was part of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela project in preparation for the opening classes this June. (PIA NEGOR/302IB PHOTO)

beneficiaries with 1478 hectares from Cebu province; 1391 hectares from Bohol; and 1391 hectares from Negros Orriental.

DAR-7 Legal Division chief, Atty.

Esther Nadela said that unawareness of the farmers rights and responsibilities is one of the challenges that the department has been facing.

However, she added that the empowerment of farmers through education and massive information campaign, and protecting their rights are solutions to solve this problem.

The DAR is ready to face whatever challenges that will come along the implementation of its projects.

Although DAR received criticisms and negative comments, Nadela added that the projects will still be pursued and DAR will find ways to solve the challenges in the delivery of agrarian justice.

"DAR officials are always looking forward for the welfare of the people," Inson concluded.(mbcn/hfg/ PIA-RO7 & Nino Jesryl Maglasang/CNU Intern)

71 PWDs finishes vocational courses of DSWD

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- Seventy-one persons with disabilities (PWDs) from the different regions in the Visayas and Mindanao recently received their diplomas as graduates of the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center 11 (AVRC), a facility of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) based in Labangon, Cebu City, during their 36th graduation exercises.

DSWD-7 information officer, Jaybee Binghay said that of the total number of PWDs, 14 finished therapeutic massage; nine in consumer electronics; two in electronic motor repair ; 14 in computer technology; seven, commercial arts and crafts; nine , basic cosmetology; eight, commercial cooking; five, basic sewing; one, food

processing, and two in furniture and cabinet making.

During the graduation rites, Training Center Superintendent Herminia Cabahug of the AVRC 11 challenged the graduates to enhance their skills and capabilities and explore the bigger working world by availing of the wide variety of services and trainings designed by DSWD made available for them to compete with the growing demands and opportunities in the market.

Aside from their graduation certificates, nine outstanding trainees received training tools that would help them develop their skills, namely Olymer Adiva for massage, Renen Naason for consumer electronics, Glicerio Escuadro for electronic motor repair, Melvin Rule for commercial arts and crafts, Cherrylyn Linao for computer technology, Evelyn Taboada for basic cosmetology, Ryan Joseph Orrilaneda for commercial cooking, Roselo Dejan and Jesus Eyana for furniture and cabinet making.

On the same occasion, the

Department of Education also released the certificates of 29 trainees who have successfully passed the examination for the Alternative Learning System, both for elementary and secondary. Of this number, 15 of them are blinds, said Binghay.

AVRC is a vocational training center operated and maintained by the DSWD since l974 which serves persons with physical and social disabilities like the visually impaired, physically handicapped, negative hansenites, mentally challenge, released prisoners, and other disadvantaged sector.

The center aims to maximize the residual capacities of PWDs through assessment and guidance, social adjustment, medical, vocational training and placement services as well as bring maximum functioning of PWDs for their eventual integration into the community.

Interested PWDs who wish to study or enroll in AVRC may approach their municipal or city social welfare office. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

BOHOL

INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS

NBB: 20% bio-diesel blend possible by 2030

By Rey Anthony Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – Members of the National Biofuel Board (NBB) is optimistic that by 2030, the country will attain a 20 percent biofuel mix for its diesel fuel.

During its recent five day planning workshop at the Bohol Tropics Resort on May 21-25, representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) agreed that this can only be possible if NBB member agencies and institutions stick to their commitments and aggressively pursue the plans and programs of the board.

The PCA, DA and the SRA had been into expansion of the country’s plantations to support the biofuel industry needs.

Coconut is a main source of coco-methyl ester (CME), a component for biodiesel; and sugarcane bagasse is a major source of biomass, from which biofuel is extracted, according to the PCA and SRA.

To date, the country’s liquid fuel contains 2 percent biofuel for diesel and 10% bio-ethanol, as mandated by law, the National Biofuel Board (NBB) said the over-all plan is increasing it to 20 percent by 2030.

Biofuel as defined refers to bioethanol and biodiesel, or other fuels made from biomass and primarily used for motive, thermal and power generation, with quality specifications in accordance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS).

A clean fuel source, Biofuel is being developed as part of the country’s effort to wean away from expensive

imported fossil fuel by using indigenous, sustainably-sourced out indigenous and renewable energy.

Since the Biofuel Act of 2006 took effect, all liquid fuels sold for motors and engines in the country have contained increasing amounts of locally sourced bio-fuel blends, DOE’s Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) director Mario Marasigan said.

At the recently concluded NBB workshop at the Bohol Tropics, Marasigan said all liquid fuels in the country today have 1 percent to 2 percent bio-fuel blend in biodiesel.

Also, there is already some 10 percent bioethanol blended in gasoline, and as planned, it would hit the 85 percent target by 2030 as stated in the National Renewable Energy Plan. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-Bohol)

WORKSHOP. Karina Hernandez of MRK and Associates facilitates the teambuilding activity on the on-going Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Planning Workshop of the National Biofuel held at the Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City. (PIA-7/HFG)

Bikers raise funds for BRUMM rescue kits

By Rey Anthony Chiu

The local government unit of Bohol through its Socio-Economic and Environment Management (SEEM) cluster pushed for an agreement with the island stakeholders to keep Balicasag Island as pristine and as ideal as it was promised when it was declared a naval reservation.

Balicasag Island, lying 10 kilometers southwest of Panglao has world class seascapes, which have been internationally recognized, making it a premier dive site.

Since 1907, the American Governor General James Smith declared the island a naval reservation for lighthouse purposes.

This allowed the navy and the Coast Guard to put up detachments for lighthouse operations and island security.

During the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, a presidential decree put the island under the Philippine Tourism Authority.

Under a memorandum of agreement (MOA), it established the Balicasag Island Dive Resort in 1987 allowing it to have builtbilleting quarters and tourist amenities, to promote underwater sports which the island boasts of.

The same MOA largely aims to protect

the marine life sanctuary that was to showcase a model for marine environmental conservation, ecological preservation and tourism.

But like all success stories, Balicasag did not only lure tourists, it also drew people to live within the 25 hectare island which sits amid Bohol’s most productive seas.

Capitol’s SEEM head, Liza Quirog and marine conservationists shared the same observation that the island’s ecological sustainability is seriously threatened from population pressures, unhampered inward migration and expanding tourist arrivals.

That is however just part of the problems spawned by a tourist island.

Unlawful buildings using the island’s beach sand, substantial waste-water seepage polluting its reefs, improper waste disposal, harmful fishing practices of island dwellers.

Issues such as unchecked diving and snorkeling activities, unethical tourism service operations and plain disregard for sound environmental policies put the island teetering in its certain crumbling future, Quirog lamented.

After a long delay, the government

has finally looked into these problems in Balicasag. Recently, the local government led by Governor Edgar Chatto formalized the MOA with Balicasag island stakeholders for a project that will unify efforts to respond to the issues long besetting the island reservation

The MOA launched during the Ocean Month celebration on May 2 is called “Coastal Restoration of Amazing Balicasag” (CRAB).

It now seeks to harmonize all government agencies having stakes in the island to jointly pan for the restoration of the island’s lure as Bohol’s marine protected areas showcase, Quirog said.

Signatories of the MOA include Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Department of tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Housing Authority, Congressional office for the First District, Provincial Government of Bohol and the Municipality of Panglao. (mbcn/ rahc/PIA-Bohol)

INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS

SIQUIJOR

ICT course, e-training for agri workers held in Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 30 (PIA) -- A three-day e-learning training and basic ICT course for agricultural extension workers (AEWs) was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in the province.

The training is a component of ATI’s e-extension program that seeks to expose AEWs in the use of computers as tools to facilitate extension works and enhance extension delivery system.

E-extension program coordinator and project officer Merrian Piquero Soliva said the program is their way of bringing farmers closer to ATI.

“We want to give our clientele their needs and be able to answer all their queries in an easier and faster way via online connection,” she said.

She said a farmers’ call center was launched in November 2009 where they programmed answers and solutions to farmers’ and fishers’ possible questions and problems. It is supported

by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, she said.

A total of 23 AEWs from the six municipalities in the province participated in the training that was conducted last May 21-23 at the Siquijor State College (SSC) Computer Laboratory in Larena, Siquijor.

SSC Professors Will Kilat and Christopher Y. Sabado facilitated the training. (rmn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)

Elementary students of Dumaguete City Central School help out in the re-painting of their classroom's chairs during the May 21 kick-off of Brigada Eskwela 2012 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. (LJD PHOTO/PIA NEGOR)

A teacher of Dumaguete City Central School enlists the help of her husband in sprucing up her classroom during the May 21 kick-off of Brigada Eskwela 2012 in Dumaguete City. Brigada Eskwela is an annual program implemented by DepEd enjoining the help of the public and private sectors in cleaning up public school classrooms and facilities in preparation for the school opening in June. (LJD PHOTO/PIA NEGOR)

Training institute holds 1st 4H encampment

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 30 (PIA) -- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) recently held a four-day encampment for the 4H club members in the province at Maite, San Juan, Siquijor.

At least 90 4Hers from 33 4H clubs and Provincial Federation Officers with seven 4H club coordinators and two representatives from the Volunteer Leaders Association of the Philippines (VLAP) attended the encampment.

Agricultural Training Institute MPS II-Support Staff and documentor Merrian Piquero said the 4H encampment is part of the comprehensive program that ATI has developed to harness the youths’ potentials and contribute meaningfully to the rural and agricultural development

of the country.

She said that with the activity, participants are expected to exhibit the importance and principles of indigenous knowledge systems for growth opportunities in agriculture.

They are also expected to explain organic farming, discuss the organic production, post production and marketing, share their life experiences, and explain new principles of their timeliness as youth, she said.

Use of their creativity and potentials are likewise expected through production of souvenirs and other novelty items from local materials, as wells as production of mural paintings and posters.

The 4H encampment is a great avenue for youth to become joyful, responsible, and fruitful citizens as they acquire and learn different social and agricultural technologies that would equip them in their pursuit to “making the best better,” Soliva said.

Elnard Ympal, president of one of the 4H clubs in San Juan town and a Gawad Saka national awardee, said the encampment is full of fun and excitement, citing that every participant is exposed to one another with all positive values being practiced.

The activities made during the encampment prove that, “learning by doing makes the best better,” he said. (rmn/RAC-PIA Siquijor)