VOL. 2 l NO. 17 June 27, 2012
PRO7 to form tech'l working group to study impact of Helmet Law By Fayette C. Rinen CEBU CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 is planning to form a technical working group (TWG) that will study the impact of the Helmet Law. “We will first form a technical working group and see what measures could be recommended on the specifications of the helmet that would also address motorcycleriding criminals. The recommendations by the body would then be submitted to Camp Crame for any action,” said S/Supt. Orlando Ualat, chief of the PRO 7 Regional Directorial Staff during the monthly ‘Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis’ (TSIP) Forum this morning. Republic Act 10054 or the Helmet Act will be implemented on August 1. Under the law, motorcycle drivers and their passenger are now strictly required
Soldiers can act, too! Troopers from AFP's 79 Infantry "Masaligan" Battalion show off their flair for role-playing during the intermission number at the regionwide launching of Bantay Bayanihan in Dumaguete City on June 28, 2012. Bantay Bayanihan aims to create a network of civil society and security stakeholders in the implementation of the government's Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP). (RMN/PIA NEGOR)
to wear the standard protective gear which the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said should bear the ICC (import commodity clearance) or the PS (Philippine Standards) mark. The full-faced helmet, intended to
DENR-7 plants thousands of mangroves in Olango
By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, June 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in the region planted more than 2,000 mangrove propagules within the 1,028-hectare Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapu-Lapu City, as part of its environment month celebration. DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the DENR wants to make sure that the coastal areas are maintained by conducting a regular mangrove planting and maintenance, and coastal cleanup by enlisting the assistance of the communities and other stakeholders. “Mangroves are salt-tolerant, woody, seed-bearing plants ranging in size from small shrubs to tall trees, and they exist along sheltered intertidal coastlines and in association with estuaries and lagoons,” Montejo added. In a similar event last June 20, nearly 70 volunteers from DENR, local government
units, and other stakeholders conducted maintenance and monitoring on the planted mangroves by removing tidal debris that included algae and plastics, which were attached to the branches and stems. They also collected around 20 kilos of garbage mostly plastics and other litters. Montejo explained that although mangroves live on saline soils, they have the usual plant requirements of freshwater, nutrients, and oxygen, which is why maintenance is part of ensuring their survival. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Lapulapu City, with a spread area of over 1,028 hectares, is the Philippines' first wetland of international importance for waterfowl and covers vast mangrove forest. Out of 70 mangrove tree species in the world, 34 are in the Philippines, and one hectare of mangrove trees produces up to 3.6 tons of litterfall annually, and one hectare of healthy mangrove ecosystem produces about 1.08 tons of fish per year, Montejo said. (mbcn/ hfg-PIA7/DENR-7)
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promote the safety of the motorcycle driver and passenger, aims to reduce the incidence of motorcycle accidents. However, police officials here said the law could have a slight impact on their anti-criminality drive especially in identifying motorcycle-riding criminals. Although both Mandaue Police Director S/Supt. Noel Gillamac and Cebu Police Director S/Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe admitted that still the most effective solution for identification are scientific means such as ballistic exam or fingerprint and also through their tattoos, height, or the plate number of the motorcycle and the type and kind of helmet used. “There is a need to clarify whether a helmet covering half the face would be acceptable to address the security issue but such a request however, should never compromise the safety of the driver and the passenger,” Napolcom 7 public information officer Zandro Ronnie Oriol said in the same forum. Land Transportation Office 7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos earlier said under the law, local government units can request the kind of helmet that would still allow the face of the driver or passenger be seen, where they can still be easily identified, relative to security concerns. Buenafe welcomed the news and said he would bring it up to the Cebu City Police Coordinating Council. On the other hand, Oriol said since it is a national law, it would be better if the PRO 7 can work on its recommendations and submit it to the national headquarters which the latter can request to the DTI. (FCR-PIA7 Cebu)
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NEGROS ORIENTAL
Dumaguete eyes mechanisms for waste management By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The city government here is eyeing measures to spur local barangays to initiate pollution management in the villages to reinforce the local government’s current waste management system. This was revealed by City Administrator William Ablong during a meeting with representatives from Silliman University’s Dr. Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development (SLCD) held June 14. One of the said measures is the establishment in each barangay of a material recovery facility (MRF) and a composting area. Ablong said the move is borne out of the city government’s efforts to identify a specific location for its planned sanitary landfill. In the same meeting, Lloyd Patrimonio of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Albert Aquino, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) here, both stressed the need for a system of waste characterization and for this to be adopted in the households as well. They pushed for the enhancement of the garbage collection procedure of the city to ensure waste segregation at source continues until the dumpsite. Meanwhile, in the same gathering, a four-point action plan was drafted with the aim of boosting the solid waste management program of Dumaguete City. Silliman University Director for Information and Publications Mark Raygan Garcia said, one of the action plan’s priorities is capacity-building geared towards a more efficient identification of solid waste management opportunities. The four points are: (1) to conduct a workshop on waste streaming (industry analysis) to identify the waste sectors, generators and users involved; (2) to conduct another workshop on waste segregation with the 22 barangays, excluding the poblacion areas; (3) to intensify efforts to locate viable landfill sites for metro Dumaguete and (4) to explore alternative options to landfill. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental, with reports from SU-OIP)
Mayors in Negros Oriental advocating for a smoke-free community show their enthusiasm for the "Sponge" campaign, a tobacco-control drive that intends to warn the public on the dangers of smoking. (L-R) Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Felix Sy, Valencia Mayor Enrique Gonzalez, Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido, Zamboanguita Mayor Kit Marc Adanza, Mabinay Mayor Ernie Uy, Tayasan Mayor Santiago Sameon, and Pamplona Mayor Apollo Arnaiz. (LJD/PIA NEGOR)
Avail of P27M fund without collateral - LandBank By Jennifer C. Tilos By Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, June 28 (PIA) -- The local Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) called on cooperative member-entrepreneurs to avail of the P27 million Credit Surety Fund (CSF) offered to micro, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). LBP officer Gerry Kinilitan encouraged qualified coop members in Negros Oriental to access the funds for any business expansion without collateral. Kinilitan said applicant for CSF loan has to be a cooperative member with initial deposit equivalent to 10 percent of his desired loan amount. The loan application will be submitted by the cooperative representative to any participating banks here such as the LBP, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for approval. Banks that offer CSF loan grant lower interest rates to beneficiaries. Land Bank helped secure the loans of cooperatives and MSMEs by committing P5 million for the CSF program. For the provincial government of Negros Oriental, more than P7 million has been put in as counterpart funds for the Cooperative Surety Fund program to boost up the cooperative movement in the province. Kinilitan said the participation of local government unit is integral to the CSF program because they are mandated by law to help the development of cooperatives and MSMEs. The CSF program derives its funds from the pooled contributions of cooperatives and the counterpart contributions of the provincial government and donor institutions. The CSF program is part of the government's support for MSMEs, according to BSP statement. An initiative of the BSP, CSFs serve as trust funds used to guarantee loans to enhance the credit worthiness and borrowing capability of the MSME borrowers. (JCT/PIA 7, Negros Oriental)
BOHOL
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Over 100 exhibitors from C. Visayas join Sandugo Festival By Fayette C. Rinen
Members of the Cebu Media visit the site of the water treatment facility of the Carmen Copper Copper Corporation (CCC) formerly Atlas Mining Corporaton in Toledo City, Cebu during the recently held Mine and Plant Tour of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – 7 as part of their campaign in celebration of June as Environment Month. (AS/PIA-7, CEBU)
Farmers from Bohol town get carabao, cattle By Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 29 (PIA) -- Three Sikatuna farmer members of local organizations received their dream farm animals, which will be a big help in plowing their farms. Bonifacio Capote (Abucay Sur Farmers Association [FA]), Jimmy Calibugan (Bahaybahay FA), and Victor Timosa (Poblacion II FA), all of Sikatuna town each brought home a carabao as the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) implemented a unique animal dispersal program incorporated in the Livelihood Enhancement Toward Sustainable Human and Environmental Paradigm for Bohol (Lets Help Bohol-LHB) Program. These farmers received a pass-on gift during the ceremony held at the Sikatuna Church grounds from Esperidion Anit, Felix Calibugan, and Alfredo Sembrano, all of Sikatuna town. Farmers Eulalio Silagan, Eliseo Perac, Aberto Al-ag, Imelda Silagan, and Julian Quimpan meanwhile, received a head of cattle each during the 12th Heath Education, Agriculture and Tourism (HEAT) caravan on June 19. This is a form of livelihood enhancement in the province’s poverty alleviation program that has been going on since 1999, said provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz. The OPV, which started the project with 101 carabaos and 31 goats, now boasts of 160 heads of livestock, 122 carabaos, and 38 goats. Since then, OPV had dispersed 122 offspring carabaos, 38 goats to 13 peoples’ organizations, almost 150 individual family recipients, or at a monetized value of of P1.474 million project funds. Known as 'Passing on the Gift' the dispersal program involves a farmer taking care of the livestock and paying back the donors in a form of a calf as soon as the animal sires. He is also to pass on another calf as soon as it gives birth again, while he can keep full ownership pf the dispersed livestock the moment he can pass on. At that time too, he is given a Certificate of Completion for the program. One that certifies that he has “fully paid” the dispersal program. During the activity, five farmer organizations received Certificates of Completion for having fully paid their dispersal responsibilities. Certificate recipients included Regino Jumarito (Bahaybahay FC), Alfredo Sembrano (Poblacion II FA), Amancio Biloy (Libjo FA), Dionisia Ungab (Poblacion 1 FMPC), and Marcelino Lingatong (Cambuac Sur FA). To date, LHB had passed on 102 heads: 88 carabaos and 14 goats for a pass-on value of P1.5 million and had accounted another 34 carabao offspring, and 24 goat kids for an accumulated value of P626,000. Since 1999, the project had owned 122 live offspring at a monetized value of P2.07 million and 38 goats at P76,000 at a total value for the 160 heads at P2.1 million. (MBCN/RAHC-PIA7, Bohol)
CEBU CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- Many may not realize it but the simple regional fairs had become part of the “part of the calendar of the foreign buyers,” disclosed DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte. On July 25 - 29, over 100 exhibitors from Central Visayas will feature their products in the five-day regional Sandugo Festival in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Some, if not most, of the products to be highlighted belong to the "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) items that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 is pushing hard for marketing and promotion. Caberte bared that regional and international trade fairs significantly contribute to the marketing opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “Our agency is pushing really hard in promoting the products of micro, small, and medium enterprises because these are the driving force of the country’s economy, as 99 percent of the business sector is composed of MSMEs,” said Caberte. Caberte cited that the Regional Sandugo Festival, in the past, was just a simple provincial trade fair, but it has evolved to become a much-awaited big regional event. “There are some exhibitors coming from Region 6 and we welcome them to the Sandugo Festival as this is one way of promoting the products of our MSMEs,” disclosed Caberte. But the good news that awaits exhibitors is that the annual regional trade fair event is also much awaited by buyers from abroad. “I received confirmation that there are foreign buyers that will visit the event in Bohol. In fact, there are some foreign exporters that are willingly to drop their appointments just for the trade fair. This is an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products as foreign buyers are always looking for sources for their raw materials or subcontractors for that matter,” revealed Caberte. Meanwhile, the "Tindahang Pinoy" in Cebu, which also displays a number of OTOP products, will be joining the Regional Sandugo Festival. (PIA 7, Cebu)
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SIQUIJOR
Siquijor PNP launches e-blotter system By Rizalie A. Calibo MARIA, Siquijor, June 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Siquijor province has launched the electronic blotter system, a faster and reliable mode of transmitting crime information. In a report from the PNP here, six new computer sets were specially designed for the e-blotter system.
Each municipality will have one of the new computers programmed for the system, but all municipalities have to be internet-connected to access the new system. E-blotter is the fastest and most efficient means of mapping out crimes, said Provincial Director Ernesto F. Agas in the same report. He added that it is also vital in mapping out strategies for quick response
and crime prevention, and noted the need to pursue the development of the system for recording crime incidents across the country as the old system using blotter books only provide reports that do not allow automatic cross-referencing of data. In the event of no glitches, the system will become fully operational in the province, he said. (RMN/RAC/PIA 7-Siquijor)
Little Hands of Asia book donation: As its continuing project and commitment to the schoolchildren of Siquijor island, the Little Hands of Asia (LH of A), thru its Chief Executive Officer Theresa Ruch, has once again donated on June 8 at least 13 boxes of educational books and school supplies to all elementary schools in San Juan, Siquijor. Sent thru LBC-USA, the books are also donations the LH of A gathered from different donors based in the USA for the schools in the island. The same activities were made in the previous years where about 75 schools all over the province have benefited. (RACalibo/ PIA7,Siquijor)
Lubi festival depicts Mariajanons humble livelihood By Rizalie A. Calibo MARIA, Siquijor, June 26 (PIA) -- The town fiesta of Maria in Siquijor province was highlighted with a “Lubi (coconut) Festival" which Maria town mayor Rebecca Padayhag said is a joyful expression of thanksgiving in honor of the patron saint, Our Lady of Divine Providence for a bountiful harvest and blessings received from the tree of life locally known as “Lubi” (coconut). In its last month’s celebration, a total of 154 participants in the Festival dance showdown from the seven clusters including each cluster’s festival King and Queen performed successfully onstage. The dances portrayed the
importance of a coconut tree, a tree of life that needs to be protected. They also depict the humble ways of living of the Maria folks. Claiming coconut as its main product, the local government through the Lubi Festival hopes to encourage people to plant more trees. “Coconut tree and their products have made our elders educate their children,” said Padayhag, noting that most of the families in the town get most of their income from the coconut tree industry. Meanwhile, the crowned Festival King Philip Bradford Fernndo and Queen Irene Rose Catain are expected to promote Maria’s beautiful spots to mke it one of the
island’s best tourist destinations. Winners in the festival showdown are cluster B as the best in choreoghraphy, best in costumes annd the chamption; Cluster A, first runner up; and cluster E, 2nd runner up. Barangays composing the clusters are Calunasan, Poblacion Sur and Pisong A for cluster E, Sagting, Sawangg and Cataroc A for cluster A; and Lilo-an, Bonga, Cabal-asan and Pisong B for Cluster B. Other fiesta activities include inter-baranggay basketball tournament, bangkete sa tyangge and fireworks display. (RACalibo/PIA-7, Siquijor)