VOL. 2 l NO.3s l January 19 2012
3.8M people join in Cebu's Sinulog, biggest turnout in 32 years By Fayette C. Rinen CEBU CITY, January 16 (PIA) -The Sinulog Mardi Gras here gathered at the height of festivities an estimated 3.8 to 4 million people a record turnout in the last 32 years. Cebu City Police Director Ramon Melvin Buenafe said there were no major untoward incidents reported. Last year's crowd was estimated to be over 2 million. This year, there were also more contingents that joined the grand parade at 135 while the program at the Cebu City Sports Complex (CCSC) ended
close to 9:00 p.m. that was capped with a spectacular fireworks display. Vice President Jejomar Binay briefly greeted the crowd at the CCSC “Pit Senyor” before leaving to walk and mingle with the people outside along the carousel route. Politicians also seen during the event were Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Sen. Teddy Casiño, and former senators Francisco Tatad and Miguel Zubiri. Yesterday’s grand parade drew appreciation from first-time tourists who watched the event. One was Kristin
Kidd, a Canadian actress who said that the Cebu’s festival was more fun compared with other festivals in other countries. It was also very unique and very cultural, she added. Kidd, who was dressed in comical costume, said they were shooting a film to be posted in the internet channel ‘Channelfix’ which was part of a reality gag show. Another was 911 hero Rebecca Canalija, a Cebuana nurse in her 50s now based in New York but came here to watch the Sinulog for the first time. According to Canalija, she has
SR. STO. NIÑO. People in different walks of life carry various images of Sr. Sto. Niño during the solemn procession held on January 14, 2012 in Cebu City as part of the Sinulog celebration or Feast of Sto. Niño.(PIA-7/hfg)
heard good things about the event from her friends in the US who have experienced the Sinulog in previous years. Canalija was given recognition for her help in tending to the needs of the wounded and the dying at the hospital during the 911 tragedy. Her services extended until the rescue operations were completed which earned her a recognition as one of the 9/11 heroes in a book about them, this is reported. Because of the huge crowd along the carousel route especially in identified chokepoint areas such as Fuente Osmeña, crowd control was the common problem as revelers tried to push cordons to be able to watch the performances of the contingents, Buenafe said. The Department of Tourism (DOT) meanwhile, just last week launched the homecoming “hospitality’ counter for balikbayans at the Mactan Cebu International Airport. The counter will address the travel needs of the balikbayans and other tourists providing them a list of guided tours with special discount rates. It was the sixth counter established by the DOT nationwide. The other tourist counters were installed at the NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Davao City International Airport and the DiosdadoMacapagal International Airport. (PIA-Cebu)
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US Embassy officials visit Gov. Garcia
Crime volume in Cebu dips by 18 percent in 2011 By Fayette C. Rinen CEBU CITY, January 17 (PIA) -- Cebu’s total crime volume dropped by 18 percent to 6,916 last year from 8,429 cases in 2010. Cebu Provincial Police Director S/Supt. PatrocinioCommendador attributed the decrease in crime volume to their consistent implementation of anti-crime programs and interventions. “Index crimes or crimes against properties and persons also registered a drop from 5,776 cases in 2010 down to 4,750 cases last year,” Commendador said. Cebu, however, had the most number of cases of physical injury, homicide, rape, murder and car-napping in the Central Visayas region. Cebu City had the highest number of theft and robbery cases in Central Visayas, according to a report from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7. Non-index crimes or violations of special laws on illegal drugs, illegal fishing and illegal gambling among others also registered a decrease from 2,653 cases in 2010 down to 2,166 cases in 2011, Commendador said. “We were able to conduct 447 anti-drug operations last year and arrested 533 people with 405 cases now filed in court,” he added. On illegal gambling, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) apprehended 461 people based on the 260 operations conducted. Two hundred twenty-six cases are now filed in the proper courts, Commendador added. Commendador said that this year, they will continue their campaign in pursuing wanted persons, sustain the implementation of existing programs and conduct more aggressive patrolling to further reduce crime volume in the province. (PIA-Cebu)
By Amor Saludar CEBU CITY January 17 (PIA) -- Officials of the Anti-Terrorist Assistance Program of the US Embassy paid a courtesy call to the office of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia in relation to the local executive's program against cyber crime. Accompanied by the top officials of Criminal Intelligence and Detection Group (CIDG) 7, program manager Ed Schlachter and program specialist Ronald Dizon expressed appreciation for Garcia's program to combat cyber crime in Cebu. Schlachter also announced that they have turned over to CIDG-7 the second set of equipment and apparatuses for use in the fight against cyber crimes. The donated equipment will be placed at the new cyber crime laboratory in Cebu so that operations against cyber pornography will be strengthened, it was said. Garcia, on the other hand, said that the CIDG building that will house the cyber laboratory will be inaugurated this week. The said building was donated by the provincial government of Cebu. She also added that the opening of the cyber crime laboratory will help advance efforts in the fight against cyber crime and other related cases. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
PROCESSION: Almost two million people join the solemn procession of the miraculous image of Santo Niño on January 14, 2012 in Cebu City. Devotees do not mind the threats of terrorism and longer route of the procession which started at the Basilica del Santo Niño around 1:30 pm.(PIA-7/hfg)
NEGROS ORIENTAL
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NegOr vice-guv promotes bicycles as transport mode of barangays By Jennifer Catan-Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental vice-governor ApolonioArnaiz wants to promote the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation of all barangay personnel in the province to save
EDC to hand over P20-M Rural Health building to Valencia DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The newly constructed Rural Health Building will be formally turned-over from Energy Development Corporation (EDC) to the local government unit of Valencia on January 19 at 9:00 a.m. in Valencia town. EDC Chairman Emeritus Oscar Lopez will lead the unveiling of the building together with President and COO Richard Tantoco and Vice-President of Southern Negros Geothermal Power (SNGP) Dwight Maxino of EDC; and Valencia Mayor Enrique Gonzalez. Valencia residents expect to benefit from a modern Rural Health building that provides better health services delivery. Mayor Enrique Gonzales said barangay residents can have access to proper health care services with the completion of the health building. The building lies on a 742 square meter floor area that costs not less than P20 million. Valencia LGU manages and maintains the building operation as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by the two parties. Under its corporate social responsibility program, the EDC constructed the building to improve local health infrastructure and access to quality health and medical services in the rural communities. Valencia which hosts the geothermal facility of EDC receives royalty taxes from the company. EDC is also engaged in various projects such as education, livelihood development, infrastructure and the environment to benefit the host communities and Valencia town. Some of the design features of the new rural health unit include recovery room, emergency land pad, among others. (PIA NegOr/JCT)
gasoline and promote the use of nonmotorized vehicles. Arnaiz allocated P500 thousand to buy surplus mountain bikes as transportation of all barangay personnel and turned-over 24 units of bicycles to the village chiefs Tuesday at the Dumaguete City hall grounds. "The use of bicycle is an alternative and sustainable mode of transportation for a healthier environment," Arnaiz said. The turneover ceremony was witnessed by Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, City Administrator William Ablong and city hall employees.
Of the 30 barangays in the city, 24 were given bicycles and the other six barangays will follow, according to Vice-Governor Arnaiz. Arnaiz, who is an environmentalist, also announced to the barangay captains that those barangays situated near rivers will also have budget allocations to buy giant bamboo seedlings that will be planted beside the Banica River banks. The Vice Governor explained that bamboos can cover bald mountains quicker than other tree species; protect the side of rivers and also contribute to a long-term effect in mitigating climate change. (mbcn/jct/PIA-NegOr)
A mother in Dumaguete City is all smiles after receiving her hygiene kit, a bucket containing underwear, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, batteries and a malong that can be used as a blanket or bag during a distribution ceremony held Jan. 19, 2012 at the Dumaguete City Session Hall. The kits are donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for pregnant and lactating women who were affected by Typhoon Sendong that hit the province on Dec. 17, 2011. Photo also shows DumagueteVice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova who assisted in the distribution of the kits. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
GIZ, NegOr ink MOA to preserve forestland DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The German Development Corporation (GIZ) and the provincial government of Negros Oriental, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), recently signed a memorandum of agreement to sustain partnership in forestland management. Under the agreement, the GIZ will provide P100 million grant for technical and financial support to the province’s effort to protect and preserve forest cover in its Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP). The LGUs will provide P1 million in counterpart funds. Provincial Governor RoelDegamo said the forestland management program would help prepare the province against floods and landslide. The governor led the signing of the agreement with DENR Regional Technical Director, Dr. IsabeloMontejo; GIZ Country Director Robert Kressirer and their local counterparts. The MOA includes creation of a provincial forest land use assistance team (PFAT) to coordinate forest land use planning (FLUP) and monitor its implementation. Currently, 11 LGUs are implementing FLUPs, and eight more LGUs have requested for technical assistance from DENR to prepare an FLUP.(PIA/JCT)
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SIQUIJOR
DOLE-Siquijor calls on projects sustainability By Rizalie Anding Calibo
SIQUIJOR, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) in Siquijor encourages associations in the province to apply for project grants and urged them to sustain those projects that DOLE-Siquijor has funded through the years. DOLE-Siquijor provincial director Ma. Theresa Tanquiamco recently called for projects sustainability and progress and urged beneficiaries to handle efficiently the responsibilities entrusted to them. Tanquiamco said the DOLE-Siquijor had released P1,821,000 worth of livelihood assistance to at least six organizations here in 2011.
The Basac Women’s Association received P230,000 for its squash noodles production enhancement. Canlambo Multi-Purpose Cooperative got P160,000 for the training and production and skills upgrading on quilted items. The SiquijorPoblacion Women’s Organization received P178,388 for the training and processing of squash food. Tanquiamco added that the Triple M Farmers Association of Lazi town, Lazi Bay Worker’s Association and the Siquijor Association of Food Entrepreneurs also received assistance for their projects. She said opportunities are still open to other interested organizations and
(Above) COASTAL CLEAN-UP: Franciscan Youths (YOUFRA) of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor share their time cleaning the coastal areas in barangay Camogao, Erique Villanueva, Siquijor. It’s their way of showing love to the environment in an effort to follow the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. (Rizalie A. Calibo/PIA-Siquijor) (Below) The Franciscan Youths (YOUFRA) of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor: Feeling triumphant after giving their share to the community. Tree planting and clean up activities are one of the regular activities of these youth to help mtitigate the adverse effect of climate change following their weekly formation at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor.
encouraged them to submit proposals to avail of the programs. For further inquiries, one may visit DOLE Office at Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor. (mbcn/rac/iaaPIA-Siquijor)
DILG Siquijor pushes for creation of prov’l committee By Rizalie A. Calibo
SIQUIJOR, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Siquijor pushes for the creation of the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children (PCAT-VAWC) as issued in a joint Memorandum Circular with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DILG issued the joint Memo Circular to effectively implement Republic Act No. 9208 otherwise known as the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003” and Republic Act No. 9262 also known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children At of 2004.” The provincial government drafted An Executive Order to create the PCAT-VAWC with the governor as chairman and the provincial social welfare and development officer as cochairperson. Members of the committee shall be composed of the provincial planning and development coordinator, provincial health officer, SangguniangPanlalawigan chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children and Family, public employment and services officer (PESO), provincial schools division superintendent, Civil Service Commission field officer/ director, provincial prosecutor, provincial directors of the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP) and non-government organization representatives from the women sector, children sector, overseas Filipino workers and Interfaith representative. In the draft, the PCAT-VAWC shall draft policies and create programs to protect women and children who are victims of trafficking and violence such as formulating local ordinances and resolutions. It shall also create and establish systems on surveillance, investigation and rescue to ensure effective and efficient coordination; and undertake information education and advocacy campaign against trafficking in persons and VAWC. F u r t h e r, i t m o n i t o r s a n d oversees the strict implementation of RA 9208, RA 9262 and other related laws for the protection of women and children and of the Inter-agency Council for Anti-Traffiking (IACAT) Inter-Agency Council for VAWc (IACVAWC). (mbcn/ rac/PIA-Siquijor)