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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 31| October 03 2012
TOPSTORIES
PNoy says P7.4-B airport to rise in Bohol by 2016
BOHOL
By Fayette C. Rinen
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, (PIA) -Speaking before an estimated crowd of 6,000 barangay officials during the 1st Barangayan Day celebration of the province of Bohol, Wednesday, President Aquino revealed that his administration is bent on fulfilling its promise to build a new, modern airport facility for the province before his term ends in 2016. Aquino told the good news as he led the awarding ceremonies of the “The Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year" provincial winners for 2011 at the Bohol Wisdom School. Clad in casual jeans and polo shirt, the President was met with loud cheers upon his arrival despite being late for over an hour due to two engagements in nearby Leyte province. In his 20-minute speech, Aquino said that during the September 4 meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board where he is chairman, an allocation of P7.4 billion has been set aside for the construction of the airport on Panglao Island, a premier tourist destination. “Construction will start November 2013,” as Aquino promised that the new airport will be completed before he steps down from office four years from now. The news was received enthusiastically by Bohol’s top officials led by Gov. Edgar Chato. Gov. Chato in his welcome message voiced his gratitude to the President for including in his 2012 SONA the Panglao Airport as one of his priority projects. The airport facility is needed to support Bohol’s growing tourism industry as more and more tourists, foreign and domestic, flock to the province to savor its rich eco-tourism wonders. Since the groundbreaking of the Panglao Airport sometime in 2008, Boholanos have long awaited for the project to materialize. “We thank you for your full support in the development and progress of Bohol,” said a grateful Chato. Aquino also stated that he has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to work on the road rehabilitation in the northern part of Bohol from Sagbayan town going to the town of Danao, popular for its extreme sports adventure. Cabinet secretaries that formed part of the Presidential Party were Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Energy Sec. Rene Some 6,000 barangay officials from the 1,109 barangays all over Bohol province Almendras and Presidential Spokesperson and other invited guests welcomed Pres. Aquino September 26 at the Bohol Sec. Edwin Lacierda whose roots come from Wisdom School Gymnasium for the 1st Bohol Barangay Day celebration. (Elvie Bohol. Aquino stayed for an hour before Bongosia) departing for his second engagement which the mass oath taking of new Liberal Party FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia7news.blogspot.com was (LP) members from the province. (PIA 7)
NEGROS ORIENTAL
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Run for Peace for Nat'l Peace Consciousness By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) --Sixty runners in two groups from the Negros Oriental Sports Development Center participated in the 'Run for Peace' on September 22 in observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month of September. Each group was composed of 30 running enthusiasts that started the 120-kilometer run from the northern part of
Negros Oriental in Guihulngan City and the other group from southern-town of Basay and converged at Dumaguete City. According to Capt. Anacito Naz of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, both groups of runners started to run at 5 a.m. those that came from Guihulngan arrived in Dumaguete at 7:30 a.m. while those from Basay town made it at 6 a.m. Naz said the runners coming from
Students in Mati City, Davao Oriental pose in front of their 87-meter long mural painting depicting their city's threatened marine mammals in line with the biodiversity conservation advocacy campaign of the Regional Integrated Coastal Resources Management Center (RIC) - 11 hosted by the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST). Silliman University assisted in carrying out the project as the identified assisting institution in partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and the City Government of Mati. (RMN/SU-OIP Photo/ Mark Raygan Garcia)
Guihulngan City arrived late since the weather in the northern part of Negros Oriental was hot while it was rainy in the southern part of the province. The run culminated with a short program in front of the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol in Dumaguete City, where the finishers were given certificates of participation and medals by Army’s 302 Brigade Commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio, ONCAN President Marietta Jambora, and Paultom Paras of the Negros Oriental Sports Development Program (NOSDEP). Dumaguete City Vice Mayor, Alan Cordova was also present during the culmination program as one of the participating runners from Basay. Meanwhile, Colonel Francisco M. Patrimonio, 302 Brigade Commander said that the different stakeholders converged efforts to meet a common goal to promote culture of peace based on non-violence, respect for fundamental rights and freedom, tolerance, understanding and solidarity. This multi-sectoral group initiated activity in the province aimed to create unity among the people which banner “I am for Peace” run for peace and humanity for safer Negros Oriental. The group includes the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, City Government of Dumaguete, Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network, Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, the 302 Brigade and the Philippine National Police. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7, Negros Oriental)
Forum speakers express differing opinions over divorce bill
By Rachelle Nessia D U M A G U E T E C I T Y, N e g r o s Oriental (PIA) -- A local discussion on the issues confronting the Filipino family inevitably turned towards the controversial house bill introducing divorce in the Philippines with the panel of speakers divided over whether the bill should be passed or not. “It’s hard for us to accept this because we talk of the sacredness of married life. Marriage is universally accepted as an exclusive one-man-one-woman relationship,” said Dr. Sylvia Flores, director of the Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative (DCCCO), a Roman Catholic-initiated organization. Dr. Flores said divorce will strongly impact the Filipino family life particularly the children, and it will not be in a positive way. “What will happen to the children if their parents find other spouses?” she asked. Echoing Dr. Flores’ sentiments on divorce was George Gilvero who represented the Couples for Christ (CFC) organization during the forum. “If this will be passed into law, it will destroy the family. It’s good for other
countries but not for the Philippines,” he said. He added: “We at the CFC are praying that this divorce bill will not be passed.” Both Flores and Gilvero were among the speakers in Wednesday’s Kapihan forum held to mark this month’s Family Week celebration. The bill authored by Party List Rep. Luz Ilagan and Rep. Emmie de Jesus to be named “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines,” provides the divorce option for those who have been separated for five years and legally separated for two years. Psychologist and local chapter executive manager of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Aurora Flores said the bill should be passed as it is a better alternative than annulment which is granted in the Philippines. “In my understanding, the only difference between divorce and annulment is alimony. In divorce, the man is obligated to give financial support for the children while in annulment, there is none. This is ironic,”
she said. The PMHA manager’s stand on the issue is drawn from years of conducting psychological evaluation for couples seeking annulment, which is one of the services offered by PMHA. “We evaluate them to determine if these two persons are really incompatible psychologically and emotionally. Our report will be the basis for the court to grant the annulment or not,” she explained. Flores said that for married couples who fight regularly, divorce or annulment is the last recourse. “To me personally, I prefer divorce because it offers alimony while with annulment, you get nothing,” she said. (RMN/ PIA Negros Oriental)
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CEBU
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GSIS is now more member-friendly, accessible & service-responsive
Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, Sept 27 (PIA) -“Your Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pension fund is now more member-friendly, more accessible and service-responsive”. This was the statement of GSIS Trustees Mario “Mayong” Aguja and Karina Constantino-David before the Public Sector Union Officers press conference held September 26 at the Diamond Hotel, Cebu City.
David enumerated the initiatives of the current GSIS leadership to provide greater convenience and more accessible service to its 1.7M members and pensioners. David said the expanded partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) as an alternative servicing bank with almost 1000 ATMs all over the country and the deployment of 500 additional GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks
More shipping firms follow maritime safety rules, PCG-7 By Amorganda A. Saludar CEBU CITY, October 1 (PIA) -- More shipping companies are now instituting safety measures to prevent overloading of passengers. There is no much problem now on overloading and excess of passengers because shipping companies and operators are now doing something in controlling the number of passengers their vessel can accommodate,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) -7 Commander Commodore William Melad said In a press conference marking the 2012 National Maritime Week (NMW) celebration, Melad added that the coast guard has the responsibility of inspecting passenger vessels to make certain that
BOHOL
their passenger manifest only carried the required number of passengers their vessel can accommodate, this is learned. This year’s NMW celebration carried the theme “100 Years After Titanic: Lessons From Past Maritime Disasters.” Melad said overloading has always been an issue in past maritime disasters in the country. The official also emphasized that the capability and performance of seafarers today have also improved due to the numerous training they are mandated to take in order to be globally competitive. Melad credited the improvement in the maritime industry to the other mandating agencies who have been implementing the appropriate rules and guidelines to improve maritime safety. (FCR/AYS/PIA-7, Cebu)
in key cities and municipalities, all Department of Education (DepEd) divisions & congressional districts give more access to members. The cancellation of the local pensioners’ annual renewal of active status (ARAS) partnering with National Statistics Office (NSO) to provide reports of the pensioners' status is another easy access strategy specifically for the elderly. Easing the entitlement qualifications for survivorship pensions whereby GSIS survivors-members are gainfully employed and receiving income or pension from other institutions can now receive their monthly pension benefits also was a positive relief from survivor pensioners. Empowerment of retirees in choosing the repayment scheme of their outstanding service loans under the Choice of Loan Amortization Schedule for Pensioners (CLASP) and the liberalizing the terms of the Emergency Loan Program and providing options to members who are beyond the mandatory age of 65 to continue their membership with GSIS are some of the programs it put in place for their members. By January 2013, David emphasized that all old age and disability pensioners will receive a minimum monthly pension of P5T while those receiving over P5T but less than P8T will receive a P200 increase in their monthly pension. There are 57,000 pensioners that will enjoy the new minimum pension and 50,000 will qualify for the P200 increment.(mbcn/JSME/PIA-Cebu)
Aquino awards 'Toboy' of Bohol By Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct 2 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino awarded the Ten Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (Toboy) of Bohol during his visit to the province on September 26 in time for the First Bohol Barangay Day that recognized the roles of barangays in governance. The President handed the awards to the 2011 TOBOY winners that included: Barangay Chairman Amado Samijon of Bentig Calape, Bohol (1st to 3rd class towns) and Alan E. Mangmang of Songculan Dauis (4th to 6th class towns). For barangay kagawads (village official), the winners were Leonor N. Samijon of Bentig of Calape and Nicolas G. Gamao of Boyog Proper, Balilihan. Winners for the barangay secretaries were Marie Xanthophyll L. Mirasol of Lajog Clarin and Ignacia O. Bacquial of Bentig, Calape. For barangay treasurers, the winners were Marithel B. Patac of Boctol Balilihan and Esmeralda L. Halawig of Bentig, Calape. For the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council), the winners were Charlene
D. Maliza of Zamora Bilar and Mark Jayson G. Rosales of Bentig Calape. For the Barangay Lupong Tagapamayapa (Village peacekeeping group) , this year’s awardees were Santo Nino, Talibon represented by Chairman Lazaro Artiaga and Sonculan Dauis, represented by Chairman Alan Mangmang. In his speech, President Aquino hailed the winning barangay officials calling them the best personification of what public servants can be. “Today, on this Barangay Day, we recognize the loftiest example of Boholano contribution in lifting our country, to serve with utmost industry and integrity for the benefit of their constituents,” the President said. “ S a a r a w - a r a w, k a y o a n g pangunahing tagapag-ingat ng tiwala ng ating mga mamamayan, kayo ang direktang tumutugon sa kanilang hinanaing at pangangailangan,” (Everyday, you are safe keeper of the people's trust, you are the ones who directly answer to their needs and grievances) the President said. Meanwhile, Bohol Department
of Interior and Local Government Director Louella Lucino said, the Toboy is an innovation in governance that caught DILG’s attention, at least in Region 7 that adopted the national template for the search of the best public officials in the barangays that have shown exemplary performance in the discharge of their functions. Toboy categories include Outstanding Punong Barangays, Barangay Treasurer, Barangay Secretary, Barangay Kagawad and Sangguniang Kabataan, Lucino said. The search for the Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa was also added to give recognition to barangay peace and arbitration council in an effort to decongest the oftenclogged courts, Lucino added. (mbcn/rahcPIA7, Bohol)
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is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
SIQUIJOR
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DOST's "Juan Time" now in Siquijor By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, Oct 1 (PIA) -- “Juan Time,” a campaign that aims to promote time-consciousness among Filipinos is now in the province with the installation of the Philippine Standard Time (PST) at the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor, Siqujor. DOST-Siquijor provincial Director Mario de la Pena said PST was set-up in only two provinces in Region VII. The first was installed in Cebu earlier last month and in Siqujor on September 25, 2012. The PST, he said is set via DOSTPAGASA’s timing system that consists of
rubidium atomic clock, Global Positioning System receiver, time interval counter, distribution amplifier, and a computer. The system automatically calculates its time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view. The PST is available online at the DOSTPAGASA website. In its statement earlier, DOST Sec. Mario Montejo said PST, the country’s official time, sets only one common time in the archipelago’s more than 7,100 islands. Dubbed “Juan Time”, DOST’s campaign aims to promote the nationwide
use of the PST (hence “Juan Time”, a word play on “One Time” and “Juan” being the common name for Filipinos) and sync timepieces with the PST. “Time is a resource that is very important but often overlooked,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. “Other than its social and economic value, time is something that can unite us as Filipinos.” “Juan Time reminds Filipinos that keeping to the PST avoids the difficulties of having confusing, unsynchronized time,” Montejo added. Established decades ago, the PST is set by DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 8. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor with dostpagasa reports)
October 4 is non-working day in Siquijor By Rizalie A. Calibo
In fiesta celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, "Dilaab Festival"
SIQUIJOR, Oct. 1 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III declared October 4, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the municipality of Siquijor, province of Siquijor, in celebration of the “Dilaab Festival”. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 471 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on September 13 to give the people of Siquijor the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. “Dilaab” suggests the distinct hospitality that the Siquijodnons are popularly known for. “Dilaab Festival,” which gives due recognition to the natural assets of Siquijor, also honors the town’s patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his being a lover of nature. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor & w/ reports from president.gov.ph)
Fun and Work in Siquijor: Civil servants led by the Civil Service Commission (CSC)-Siquijor and the Siquijor Council of Administrative and Personnel Officers (SICAPO) in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Siquijor Central (RCSC) and the local government unit of Larena mix fun and work together during the Fun Run and Tree Planting activities to celebrate the 112th Philippine Civil Service and Siquijor’s 41st Founding Anniversary. (RAC w/ CSC photos)