One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 20

Vol 5

Issue 20

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Hon. Mario G. Montejo (extreme left) of the Department of Science and Technology delivers his welcome remarks during the APEC Meeting on Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) held recently in Boracay Crown Regency, Boracay, Malay, Aklan. #pia6

May 18 - 24, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

BFAR-7 to prioritize ―poorest‖ fishermen in CV for livelihood programs Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, May 19 (PIA) -- Over 5,000 fisherfolk-household beneficiaries in Central Visayas stand to gain from the livelihood programs rolled out by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) this year.

BFAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos said the move is part of the government‟s thrust to reduce poverty incidence by capacitating the “poorest of the poor” and uplift their quality of life.

“There are 5,190 fisherfolk-household beneficiaries that will be given priority for identified livelihood programs” that will be rolled out this year for them, said Bojos during the weekly forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) that tackled the celebration of May as Fisherfolks Month.

Bojos said the 5,190 recipients represent five percent of the “poorest of the poor” among the fisherfolk sector in the region and chosen based on the cross-match of their fisherfolk registration system and the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction used

by Department of Social Welfare and Development.

According to Bojos, BFAR-7‟s registration data on fisherfolk population is currently at 107,000 but still counting as they are dependent on the local government units to give them the list of legitimate fishermen in their area.

Livelihood projects to be rolled out for the intended beneficiaries include „guso‟ making, mangrove planting, fish farming, and crab farming.

BFAR-7 Assistant Director Allan Poquita in the same forum said a P34-M budget has been allocated for the purchase of fishing materials to help the intended beneficiaries.

We are given a timeline between September to October to complete the projects for the identified fisherfolks, said Poquita.

Several activities are being undertaken by BFAR-7 until the end of the month in celebration of Fisherfolks Month including various capacity-building trainings to fish wardens and fisherfolks. (rmn/fcr/PIA-7)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

RDRRMC-7 #APEC2015 Contingency Planning Workshop at Crown Regency, Cebu City. The activity led by Office of Civil Defense-7 is part of the emergency preparedness measures for Cebu's hosting of APEC 2015.

Multi-million worth septage facility to be constructed in Tanauan, Leyte CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 20 (PIA) – A multi-million worth septage facility is set to be constructed in the Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte soon.

Tanauan Vice Mayor Ronald Flores, who is the main proponent of the project said, he is now in the process of finalizing the ordinance establishing a septage management system that will benefit the entire territorial jurisdiction of the municipality.

However, Flores said he is open for modifications in the future where nearby municipalities such as Sta. Fe, Pastrana, Tabon-Tabon and Tolosa will also benefit as each local government unit (LGU) is mandated to have a septage facility.

“Said facility will supplement provisions of the existing laws related to solid waste management,” Flores said.

In the recent WASH and Wins Annual Operational

Workshop for Tanauan, Leyte, Flores emphasized the importance of passing the ordinance as it will enhance ecological balance in the locality through sustainable septage facility.

“Once approved all households, public and commercial establishments should have a septage management system that would enhance ecological balance in the municipality through sustainable septage facility,” Flores added.

The project will be patterned after the septage treatment facility in Dumaguete where the official inspected sometime in April.

The national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and some international non-government organizations such as Oxfam and Samaritan‟s Purse are more than willing to help in order to materialize the project. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Innovations, key to surviving in Manufacturing More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas turns over funds for Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) Batch 2 amounting to 155.9 million pesos to the local treasurer of Tacloban City . Also in photo are LMP President Sandy Javier and DILG City Director Atty. Darwin Bibar.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Easter Anne Doza BORACAY, Aklan, May 18 (PIA6) - - Innovate or die.

Inventec Corporation chairman Richard Lee‟s strong opening statement in a special session on Innovation and Manufacturing at a Public-Private Dialogue on Services during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation 2015 being held in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Province until the 24th this month.

“Companies must continue to innovate to survive. The only thing that does not change is change itself. Change faster, change all the time,” Lee said.

Among the top 10 most valuable company in 1995, only three sustained, Inventec included while the other seven are new internet companies.

According to Lee, about a third of the companies included in the 1970 Fortune 500 vanished before 1983 either through acquisition, merger or they just broke into pieces.

Industry 4.0, a new trend in the manufacturing industry which when merged with smart automation is the new mainstream of manufacturing for greater efficiency and productivity, Lee said.

Lee added that Industry 4.0 is capable to become smart, green and urban – smart for superior quality, green for clean, efficient and sustainable while urban for moving practically in cities.

In 2008 when cloud computing starts to boom Inventec became the largest company with cloud infrastructure which they started to further diversify in developing and manufacturing storage network in 1998.

“Information Technology industry is a fast changing market. Customers demand the newest of products. Must find innovative ways to survive,” Lee added.

The special session on innovation and manufacturing underscores the critical role of innovation, information technology and research and development, to help firms adapt to global competitive pressures. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Innovate or die. Inventec Corporation chairman Richard Lee urges companies to continue to innovate to survive during the special session on Innovation and Manufacturing during the APEC 2015 Public-Private Dialogue on Services held at the Sagana Hall, Shangrila Hotel in Boracay Island. *(EAD-PIA6 photo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Asia-Pacific region seen as ‗inclusive, empowering‘

Orchids

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan (May 20) – Foreign affairs Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario set the tone of the 2nd APEC 2015 Senior Officials‘ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM2) which starts today here as she unveiled an image of the Asia-Pacific as a region working towards inclusive growth to help uplift the lives of ordinary people.

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Here (in APEC) we fearlessly tackle issues which would have direct contributions to uplift the lives of our people”, said Del Rosario in her welcome remarks.

“We see economic growth thru the lens of inclusiveness taking into consideration the varying contexts that characterize the Asia-Pacific region and promote areas of cooperation not only through chain and business facilitation but also on issues that affect the man on the street,” she said.

“We talk of connectivity with the end in view of an integrated economic and human system built on sound economic policies which are truly inclusive and empowering,” said the SOM chair.

She also said Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) should fully participate in

creating the value of chains in the region‟s economy.

Underscoring the importance of human capital, Del Rosario said our children and future generations should be educated and equipped with the knowledge and skills that will sustain them through the changing economic and technological landscape.

Del Rosario also mentioned: The full harnessing of the advances in technology towards the improvement in the quality of life of the people and in sustaining our way of life rather than extinguish the resources on which people‟s sustenance depends.

Embedding governance and regulatory regimes in all economic systems.

She told her fellow senior APEC officials that they work with the future in mind and

chart it towards inclusive growth through the different initiatives and programs set and must be fulfilled. She cited the spirit of industry and entrepreneurship of the Tirol couple and later the people that transformed Boracay Island from a farming area into a leading tourist destination that it is now as the same kind of spirit that drives the work of APEC to open the highways to new frontiers and address next generation issues with a forward-looking approach to economic policy.

She expressed hope that Boracay and its transformation is a good backdrop “of what we want to achieve” and “where the earth, sea and sky are one”.

She also hoped that the visiting officials would find time to enjoy what the island has to offer and realize that “it is indeed more fun in the Philippines”. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)

Tax policies should benefit travel, tourism industry Leonard T. Pineda I BORACAY, AKLAN, May 20 (PIA) --- The Aklan provincial government is open to best practices and benefits of taxation and policies that will impact the further growth of tourism in the province.

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n his message during the conference on enhancing tourism competitiveness in the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Conference) region held Tuesday, Governor Joeben Miraflores said that there is a need to raise awareness on the latest tourism trends and respond on issues and development relevant to the industry.

“We a need to have a shared vision to assess impact of current taxation measures in our respective economies and provide a comparative analysis of taxation levels in the travel and tourism industry,” he

said.

He said Boracay Island has become one of the most important tourism destinations not only in the province but in the country as a whole.

“We targeted 1.5 million tourist arrivals for 2014 and reached 1,472,353.

Our take on to the statistic is not that we fell short but we triumphed despite man-made and natural adversities,” he stressed.

The visitor arrivals in 2014 as per Department of Tourism-6 was able to reach a

total provincial income of P1.09-billion as translated into tourism receipts.

The local chief executive said that tourism stakeholders enabled the province to be recognized due to its highest contribution to locally-sourced income among the country‟s 81 provinces.

He said that Boracay is also considered the country‟s cruise haven having received nine cruise ship visits last year.

For 2015, 12 cruise ships are scheduled to visit the island resort. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Capiz NFA facilities, rice supply meet inspection check Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 20 (PIA) – National Food Authority Administrator Renan Dalisay was in Capiz recently to conduct an inspection of the various facilities of the NFA in the province, according to Information Officer Mary Christie Hari-on.

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acilities inspected were the NFA warehouse in Santa Cruz, Dumalag town and the two warehouses in Bolo, Roxas City, which were repaired by the World Food Programme, after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda that damaged said facilities.

Hari-on said that Dalisay likewise checked on the ongoing repair of the damaged Warehouse B also in Roxas City, which funding from the NFA reached more than P2-million.

“The other post harvest facilities such as the rice mills and driers were also inspected, she said.

Dalisay also conducted an on-the-spot inspection in the public markets here, particularly in Ivisan and Sigma towns to check on the presence of NFA rice in the markets and the compliance of grains businessmen with the agency‟s requirements for rice retailers.

“Our NFA administrator was impressed with the compliance of rice retailers especially

in Ivisan town when, during his inspection, the NFA rice stock was available and placed in a rice box with the rice price tag and NFA sign board,” she said.

Dalisay also commended the cleanliness and orderliness of the market by putting a section for rice retailers only, Hari-on said.

A c c or d in g t o h e r , t he N F A administrator reminded them to make government rice available to the public so they would have access to quality and affordable staple food. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

APEC-NOC committed tourism in Boracay

3 to

responsible

By Venus G. Villanueva Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, May 18 (PIA6) -- The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation – National Organizing Committee (APEC-NOC) remains firmly committed in encouraging responsible tourism in the wake of the influx of visitors in Boracay Island with the holding of the Second Senior Officials‘ Meeting and Related Meetings from May 10-21 and the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting from May 23-24.

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his assurance was issued by APEC spokesperson Asec Charles Jose at the press briefing held May 18 at the International Media Center at the EcoVillage Resort and Convention Center here.

Asec Jose said this commitment had been initially shown through the conduct of clean-up drives along the shores of the island led by the APEC NOC together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND, Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine Coast

Guard (PCG). He disclosed that a beach clean-up with these groups was held early morning of May 18 while the previous ones were conducted on May 13 and 15.

“This forms part of our overall effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Since last year, we have been advocating for the use of less paper throughout the Philippine hosting of APEC, encouraging agencies and local government units to instead circulate information through email and social media”, Asec Jose told members of the international, national and local media attending the briefing.

The APEC spokesperson and DFA Asec also revealed the partnership with EMotors Incorporated, a F i l ip in o - ow n e d c om p a n y a n d t h e APEC 2015 green electric mobility partner, to set up an e-trike system to transport delegates between venues in Boracay.

He also revealed that as of this time, over 1,500 delegates from all 21 APEC member economies have registered for the meetings. Theme of the 2015 APEC is “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World”. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Guimarasnons now proud land owners Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, May 19 (PIA6) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 (DENR 6) and the local government unit of Guimaras distributed on Tuesday 500 land patents to qualified beneficiaries from the five municipalities of the province.

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ENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio Ignacio led the distribution held at the Provincial Covered Gym. He was assisted by Governor Samuel Gumarin, Dr. Lucille Nava, wife and Chief of Staff of Congressman JC Rahman Nava, DENR 6 Director Jim Sampulna and Guimaras OIC Registrar of Deeds Mara Ausan.

Ignacio congratulated the new land owners and urged them to take care of their lands as this will help improve their lives and later, they have something to pass on to their children.

He also cited the efforts of the local government units in helping fasttrack the processing and distribution of the titles to qualified occupants of public agricultural lands

under the „Handog Titulo‟ program of the department.

Qualified beneficiaries of the land patents are Filipino citizens who have occupied the public land for 30 years.

Among the beneficiaries is sixty-three year old Isidro Cabaling of Igcawayan, San Lorenzo who expressed his gratitude to the government for facilitating the titling of the agricultural land he farms and owned by his late Uncle under his name.

Cabaling said he will continue to till the land. He has 12 children, four are still single and hopes that the two who are in school last school year - a high school and a college taking up agriculture, will pursue their studies this opening.

For Estelita Gallarde of Brgy. Maabay,

Sibunag, the land title symbolizes that they now own the lot her family has stayed for a long time and she is very happy about it. She also lauded the effort of the government to process the titling of the lands which was divided and now registered to the names of her three children.

Ignacio said the processing of the 500 land titles started last year and another 500 will be processed and distributed next year to qualified beneficiaries in the province.

He said under the administration of President Benigno Aquino close to 500,000 titles were already distributed nationwide including some 27,000 in Western Visayas. For 2015-2016, another 8,000 titles more will be processed for distribution in the region including the 500 in Guimaras. (LAF/PIA6)

GSIS reminds new members of UMID enrolment deadline Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, May 17 (PIA6) – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) here reminded its new members and pensioners that the deadline for the UMID eCard enrollment is set next month.

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We only have until June 15, 2015 to enroll all our members here in the province,” said GSIS Antique Satellite Office head Leo F. Frigillano in an interview during the PIA radio program, recently.

Frigillano said that UMID stands for Unified Multi-Purpose ID, and it is required for all GSIS members in all government agencies and for newly hired government employees and teachers.

“The UMID card functions as an ATM card when the members transact for their

loans, policy loans, claims, retirement benefits, among others.

Frigillano said that the UMID eCard enrollment started last March at the GSIS Antique Satellite Office at G/F AML Building, corner Dalipe-Atabay, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique,” and there is no need for them to go to Iloilo, because we are bringing the GSIS services nearer to the public.”

He said that some 1,812 number of enrollees are expected to meet the deadline by June 15.

The GSIS Antique Satellite office head said that for Antique there are about 13,000 active members and some 4,000 to 5,000 pensioners.

He said that what the GSIS is doing is for the welfare of its members, and presently there are around seven kiosks established in the province, and these are located at the GSIS office, DepEd Antique Division Office, New Capitol, and at the local government units of Tobias Fornier, Culasi, Pandan and Caluya.(JSC/ VWV-PIA6 Antique

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Brigada Eskwela starts Monday to Saturday

Orchids

Rey Anthony H. Chiu BOHOL, May 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) spearheads the National School Maintenance Week and rolls out the Brigada Eskwela 2015 on May 18 to 22.

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hrough Memorandum 41, series of 2015, the DepED adopts "Tayo para sa Kalinisan, Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng ating mga Paaralan," while engaging all stakeholders to contribute time, effort and resources in ensuring that public schools and their facilities are ready for the opening of school year 2015-2016 At the recent Kapihan sa PIA, DepEDs Adopt-a-School focal person sIvory Garces said, apart from ensuring clean and accident-free schools, the DepEd intends to mainstream disaster preparedness principles in schools.

This is while maintaining school preparedness and disaster safety guides to transform schools into safe learning facilities, Garces explained the meaning of annual Brigada Eskwela.

Brigada Eskwela enlivens the spirit of

volunteerism from all education stakeholders-Government and non government organizations, teachers, parents and concerned organizations to take part in the repair and maintenance activities.

Following this, it also presupposes that Brigada Eskwela does not make non participation a requisite for a kid's enrolment, and even collecting fees for the activity is never allowed, the DepED clarified.

We render voluntary work for the Brigada, because we care for our kids and their comfort while getting public education, we know they are in a safe building, one parent who said he will render service shared to PIA. This Monday, Bohol Division would be opening the week with a caravan from the Division office to Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Maribojoc, where the launching

program is.

At the same school site, the DepEd would be recognizing elementary and secondary schools which have shown good examples in the implementation of the school maintenance activities last year.

Cited and made Bohol entries to the regional fest of best Brigada implementers are two Bohol high schools and two elementary schools.

In the afternoon, Garces said the DepED is doing a massive volunteer work at the Sta. Cruz Elementary School.

The same school, which sits on the loose reclaimed land on top of a hill at the church complex, was massively hit by the earthquake, buildings blown off by Yolanda and the succeeding storms while a fire gutted three of its classrooms at the height of storm Seniang. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

PPDO says tourist arrivals in Siquijor Island soars Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, May 20 (PIA) - - With Siquijor island becoming a haven for tourists, foreign and domestic arrivals continue to soar with France, USA, Germany, United Kingdom and China nationals topped the list of staying foreign tourists.

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iquijor Provincial Planning and Development Officer Gladys Estrellada reported this during the Green Economic Development Sensitization and Business Matching for Tourism Enterprises in the island.

Estrellada presented the island‟s tourism trend showing a good leap in the last six years. Staying and walk-in tourists soared in 2014 with 209,819 from 71,178 in 2008; 104,474 in 2009; 112,658 in 2010; 123,864 in 2011; 126,172 in 2012 and 150,889

in 2013.

Domestic and foreign staying tourists were registered at 23,345 and 17,140, respectively or a total of 40,485 in 2014 from 33,431 in 2013.

Tourism data also shows 88% of the tourists come to the island for pleasure and vacation; 8% come to visit friends and relatives while 4% come for business professional work and other activities.

Thirty five percent of those tourists indulged in marine activities such as diving,

snorkeling and paddle boating; 31% mainly come for relaxation and resting; 22% went to mountains and nature activities like biking, trekking, spelunking and swimming; while 11% of the tourists wanted to experience Siquijor culture with visits to the old churches and convent, folk healing and festivals.

Siquijor island has now a total of 108 accommodations establishments with 678 rooms including resorts, inns, hotels and homestay. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

CV PESO managers converge for collaboration, practice sharing Amor Y. Saludar CENTRAL VISAYAS, May 19 (PIA) --- The Regional Association of PESO Managers in Central Visayas (REPESOM 7) recently gathered for better collaboration and sharing of concepts and practices.

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he event held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental is a convergence of Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers particularly from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental.

Other delegates were representatives from the academe, Local Chief Executives and/or their counterparts, and representatives f r om Ov ers e as W or ke rs W e lf ar e Adm ini stra ti on (OW WA ) , Nat i onal Reintegration Center of OFWs (NRCO), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Bureau of Local Employment

(BLE).

In a press release, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga noted in his message before the delegates that PESO managers play a vital role in bringing to the public the services of the department.

“I thank all PESO managers for helping the government deliver its programs.

They are a big help to DOLE in terms of making the people see and value the importance of the services it implements,” Sarcauga said.

Part of the three-day event was the first hand services and program updates

brought to the doorstep of REPESOM while representatives of OWWA, NRCO, POEA, TESDA and BLE equipped the PESO Managers with the latest developments, information, and trends to help them serve the public more efficiently.

REPESOM 7 President Dr. Bonifacio N. Mercado, Jr. also presided the annual General Assembly that paved way for PESO retirees to be given tribute for their valuable contributions in their respective PESOs. Participants to the Search for Best PESO and the institutionalized PESOs were also given plaques of appreciation. (rmn/ays/PIA-7/Luchel Taniza, DOLE-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

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APEC 2015 hosting to boost Cebu economy Rachelle M. Nessia

CEBU, May 19 (PIA) -- Cebu‘s hosting of this year‘s APEC meetings is expected to drive local trade and tourism.

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mbassador Marciano A. Paynor, Jr., APEC 2015 National Organizing Committee (NOC) Director General, said that Cebu, being a manufacturing center and an export center, will benefit from hosting some of the ministerial meetings.

“Our total trade with APEC member economies is 80 percent, and because Cebu is a manufacturing and an export center, then definitely Cebu is affected

by APEC policies and improvements,” said Paynor in a press conference after his first meeting on May 14 with Cebu‟s

local organizing committee members at the Capitol.

Statistics released by APEC NOC show that 80.7% of total trade and 80.81% of the total tourist arrivals in the Philippines are from APEC member countries.

Total external trade for 2013 with APEC member countries amounted to $96.104 -B. Cebu will be hosting a series of meetings from August 24 to September 11, with more than 3,000 international delegates expected to be coming in and out of Cebu

during said period.

Cebu was also designated as the de facto alternate venue for any meeting that will not be held in its assigned area due to weather issues.

“In the event that any meeting elsewhere cannot be held where they are due to weather disturbances or natural calamities, we will transfer it here,” said Paynor.

Cebu was chosen as the alternate venue due to the number of facilities for conference services and hotels and the presence of an international airport here. (rmn/ PIA7-Cebu)

DOH appeals to widen the graphic warning on cigarette packs Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, May 19 (PIA) -- Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that an average of 10 people die every hour due to smoking. This is equivalent to 90 million deaths a year.

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he Department of Health (DOH) smokers will still continue their habits because pursues to widen the use of graphic some of these people are illiterates and health warnings (GHW‟s) on cigarette having such big GHWs will be helpful for their packs. awareness” Navarro stated.

In a Kapihan sa PIA -Cebu A smoker from Tejero, Maria (not her recently, DOH7 Tobacco Control Officer real name) said such warnings are quite Josette Navarro said bolder and bigger GHWs ineffective. will be a great help for the smokers to notice “I can't even see the warnings placed in the warning and will be discourage to continue the cigarette packs most of the time,” Mayang the habit. said.

“These GHW will include images On the other hand, Jho from Danao of a diseased mouth, and suffering City, who admits being an occasional smoker lung cancer patient and more of said the warnings might be helpful to smokers the ill-effects of dangerous smoking,” Navarro and non-smokers. However he said it depends said. on the person if he really wants to quit DOH7 pushes for the 70 percent smoking. of the total cigarette pack printing on “Even if the cigarettes were made the cover however only 40 percent is expensive for the consumers but still being used. Navarro said it is placed on there are a lot of buyers, perhaps the the half lower back portion of the cigarette government should focus on formulating packs. something that would really “If we compromise these warnings, awaken the public on the dangers of smoking,”

Jho said.

Republic Act. 10643 [or An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Warning on Tobacco Products] that mandated the display of graphic health warnings on tobacco products.

Commonly used is the graphic image of a man exhaling smoke through a hole in his throat as a warning was an adaptation of the one used by the Food and Drug Authority of the United States.

The law requires cigarette manufacturers to use half of a cigarette pack‟s display area for pictures showing ill-effects of smoking.

The graphic health warnings should appear on the lower portion of the front and back panels of cigarette packs.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/with reports from Caren P. Gabisay, CNU Devcom Intern)

CV reforestation now 84 percent accomplished Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, May 21(PIA)— Reforested areas in Central Visayas is now at 84 percent of the targeted area for reforestation.

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n a Kapihan sa PIA recently, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) information officer Eddie Llamedo said the agency has reforested 66,000 hectares in the four provinces since the start of the National Greening Program (NGP) in 2011.

Llamedo added DENR-7 aimed to reforest some 75,000 hectares In its six year of implementation involving 207 people's organizations in the region.

According to Llamedo NGP budget in the region already reached billions since each

reforested hectare costs more or less P18,000 each with a minimum of 575 trees.

Each tree costs P27.24.

In terms of seedling production, the agency recorded 3% excess for seedling production in this year‟s National Greening Program (NGP) target.

DENR-7 managed to produce 11,890,701 seedlings for 2015; 3% higher for the year‟s target of 11,557,500.

According to DENR's latest data, Negros Oriental recorded the highest with 6,918,185 seedlings followed

by Bohol with 2,859,500 while Cebu produced 1,987,659 and Siquijor with 125,357 seedlings.

The NGP is a massive rehabilitation program of the government established by virtue of Executive no. 26 issued on February 24, 2011 by President Benigno C. Aquino III. It seeks to grow 1.5 million trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of six years from 2011 to 2016. (mbcn/fcc/ PIA7-Cebu/ with reports from Joshua Cabonilla, CNU Devcom Intern)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DAR gives out P49.5M worth of shredders

Phalaenopsis x intermedia Orchid variety also known as Star of Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 19 – As a prelude to a livelihood being worked out by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in ―Yolanda‖-ravaged agrarian reform communities (ARCs), the former had started orienting the latter before giving away the 100 shedders now available at the DAR Regional office compound.

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egional Director Sheila Enciso disclosed that 100 ARBOs who are going to receive the 100 shredder machines were meticulously screened making sure this project won‟t fail.

Enciso explained that this project intends to turn biodegradable debris into income generating activities using the shredders.

According to her, this project will teach the ARBOs to produce community-based organic fertilizer. However, she added that they have the option which of the three business models to venture in collective production and marketing of African night crawlers, organic fertilizers, and/or naturally grown crops.

Aside from the shredder machines which cost P49.5-million or at P495,000 per unit, DAR has likewise earmarked P5-million for the inputs such as African night crawlers, compost tea brewer,

preparation of vermi-beds and for the training.

Enciso further disclosed that this activity is funded under the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS).

Though these are not among the recommended common service facilities (CSFs) for the ARCCESS project, she explained that these are given by the agency in addition to typhoon affected areas to provide farmers livelihood and recover from losses.

Nonoy Moraca, technical consultant of the RU Foundry, the manufacturer of the shredder machine, assured DAR and the ARBOs that they will extend the necessary assistance in order to achieve success in this project.

To immediately proceed with the project, RU Foudry committed to provide the complete package to 15 ARBOs consisting of 30 kilos of African night

crawlers, two units of compost tea brewer and six units of vermi-beds, comprising as starter kit.

Meanwhile, DAR Assistant Regional Director for Program Beneficiaries Development Ismael Aya-ay also revealed that some 10,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries and ordinary farmers will be benefited by this project.

More than half of the ARBOs identified come from Leyte being the most affected province, he added.

According to him, 54 are from Leyte, 16 from Eastern Samar, 10 from Biliran, 9 from Samar, 7 from Southern Leyte, and 4 from Northern Samar.

Though this activity is DAR‟s contribution to the Rehabilitation After Yolanda (RAY) project, Aya-ay explained that the province of Northern Samar was included for it was also devastated by typhoons Ruby and Senyang in December last year. (DAR-8/PIA-8)

DILG 8 allots P253.6-M for rehab of brgy structures BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, May 18 (PIA) - After inaugurating town structures in Gen. Mac Arthur town repaired under the first phase of the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Mar Roxas announced that DILG has allocated another P253.6 million for RAY‘s second phase.

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oxas visited Eastern Samar to inaugurate Gen. Mac Arthur‟s public market, covered court and town hall and Llorente‟s Brgy. San Miguel Salin Tubig Project.

According to the secretary, the funds will be used for the repair of 178 barangay halls, 61 day care centers and 118 civic centers in 206 barangays in the entire province.

DILG through the secretary distributed certificates authorizing town mayors to disburse the

funds. For the town of Guiuan, Mayor Christopher Sheen P. Gonzales received P152.9M for the repair of 89 barangay structures damaged by typhoon Yolanda.

Mayor Edgar Boco of Hernani received P26.5M for eight day care centers and seven civic centers.

Balangkayan and Salcedo LGUs received P11.8M and P11M respectively while Quinapondan and Gen. Mac Arthur received P7M each.

The local government unit of Lawaan through

Mayor Banjo Tolentino received P13.4M for 12 barangay halls and two civic centers.

Other LGU recipients included: Balangiga – P8.7M, Giporlos – P5.5M, Llorente – P1.7M, Maydolong P3.2M, and Mercedes – P3.7M. According to Roxas, the national government through President Benigno Aquino made sure the funds would go to the towns directly to boost local economy after the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. (ajc/Medora Quirante/PIA8-Eastern Samar)

GK Bayanihan Challenge campaigns to end poverty CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 20 (PIA) -- Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bayanihan Challenge 2015 reaches Samar barangays in a campaign to end poverty.

A

s the project reached remote barangays like Barangay Dinagan, Calbayog City the tarp placed on the stage drumbeats „end poverty‟.

During the opening program, a dance number „Unity Dance‟ ushered the introduction of the different volunteers with the beneficiaries and the barangay folks.

Edward Baltazar, Samar Area Coordinator of Gawad Kalinga said that they prepared livelihood training on Bamboo Propagation to help farmers augment their income.

They will join the National Greening Program (NGP) of the DENR where each bamboo is paid a certain sum.

“With the 10 thousand bamboo we will plant, I am sure, it can somehow ease financial worries, they just need hope and determination,” he said.

This early, the GK beneficiaries have prepared the bamboo shoots in plastic containers that will be transferred to a site identified by the DENR. Bamboos are very easy to plant and can give lots of benefits, said Baltazar.

The woven root system of the bamboo acts as

a cohesive for colloidal particles, making the plant a very important species as a soil protector near rivers.

According to him, during rainy season bamboo absorbs large amounts of water, it stores the water both in its rhizomes as in the stems and soil.

This means that bamboo has a high water storage capacity. Later on, due to the effects of concentration, the water is returned to the soil, rivers and streams during the dry season. Baltazar shared some bamboo info to explain why they chose bamboo.

Bamboo is also used as construction materials for homes of the poor, said GK beneficiary Nanay Dengdeng.

Aside from the preparations for the bamboo propagation, Dinagan folks also maintain backyard gardens of vegetables where they plant leafy veggies, legumes and root crops.

GK Bayanihan Challenge 2015 also continues to build houses though the coordinator admits “are being done in a very slow pace.”

“We have few donors,” he added.

The 2-hectare lot allotted the GK project was

donated by the heirs of Tomasing Gomez, a known Calbayognon for his charities.

There are supposedly 52 target houses in House Build but only two have been finished and are ready for occupancy. One is still under construction.

Baltazar further said that they have also restoration of Green Houses, Paraisong Pambata (Feeding Program), Planting Mahogany Tree, Clean Up Drive and School Refurbishing activity.

“Gawad Kalinga Program and the people in it are not only friends but also family for us beneficiaries of Dinagan,” Fe Comedia Masiga said.

Jefferson Jalalon Provincial Management Team of Gawad Kalinga Samar said that they will continue their campaign to really end poverty in this part of Samar.

In the closing program on May 17, the volunteers mostly government army elements, young people from Calbayog City, beneficiaries, GK officials and the barangay folks shared a humble meal through a boodle fight where the veggies were harvested from their own yards. (PIA 8-Samar with reports from Ron Roma)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

7

SoLeyte partners with MSR Health Care for health services ERN S. GORNE

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 18 (PIA) - The provincial government of Southern Leyte is set to deliver improved health services with available modern laboratories and dialysis centers in all provincial, district and community hospitals in the province soon.

G

overnor Roger Mercado led the provincial government officials and health team in the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with MSR Health Care Inc President and CEO Manuel S. Reyes VII at the Provincial Capitol last May 12, 2015 thru the Public -Private Partnership program.

“Thru this private public partnership, MSR Health Care Inc. will pour in investments in the form of modern laboratory medical equipment put up dialysis centers, provides for the re-agents chemicals, maintenance of the medical equipment and if necessary, the needed manpower to operate the medical equipment,” Pres. and CEO Manuel S.

Reyes VII said.

Gov. Mercado noted that aside from the provision of modern facilities of the said company at the Southern Leyte Provincial Hospital, these will also include the district hospitals in Sogod, Anahawan and Pintuyan and community hospitals in Padre Burgos and Lilo-an.

Presently, there is only one dialysis center at the Catholic Healing Center in Maasin City throughout the province but do not honor PhilHealth member- patients, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Atty. Teofisto Rojas noted.

It was noted that payment of their services are coursed thru the PhilHealth benefits and packages of

the Philhealth member-patients.

Pintuyan District Hospital Head Dr. Jude Asperin said it would be more convenient for the people to get dialysis treatment right at their hospitals' doorsteps unlike today where patients have to be transported to other places to get the needed medication which is very difficult and costly on the patients.

Meanwhile, the municipal mayors and health officers, who witnessed the MOA signing, echoed warm welcome of the partnership as these are long overdue solution in the deficiency of the delivery of health services by the public hospitals to the people, they said. (asj/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

2015 EV Search for Outstanding Volunteer on CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 18 (PIA) – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has announced the conduct of the Search for Outstanding Volunteer (SOV) for 2015.

T

he search which is an annual activity of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), together with the National Volunteer Service Month (NVM) Steering Committee and the Search for Outstanding Volunteers Regional Search Committee aims to highlight the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in helping people and communities. It also recognizes the role of volunteerism in development and nation-building.

NEDA Regional Director Bonifacio G. Uy who is the chair of the NVM Regional Steering Committee VIII said, like in the previous years, the 2015 SOV is composed of two award categories namely: the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (VLAA) and the National Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA).

The VLAA is conferred to an individual or organization for consistent and outstanding volunteer service and whose achievement is regarded as a role model in the field of volunteerism while NOVA is conferred to an individual or organization for outstanding volunteer service that has made a

significant contribution to uplifting the lives of the people and communities they served.

NOVA is categorized into Individual and Organization. Individual is further categorized into Youth and Adult while Organization is categorized into Non-Profit and Corporate.

To qualify for the VLAA, the individual or organization must have been engaged in consistent volunteering activities for at least 25 years and must have been a recipient of regional, national or international awards in relation to volunteerism.

On the other hand, to qualify for the NOVA under Individual category, a volunteer must have provided volunteer assistance for three (3) years and for the youth category and at least five years for the adult category at the time of the submission of nomination.

“The search is open to individuals of Filipino citizenship; Filipino or local chapters of foreign/ international non-profit or corporate organizations currently providing volunteer assistance in the Philippines,” Uy said.

Uy added that a special citation in volunteerism

is also conferred to recognize volunteering efforts and/or support to volunteerism by an individual, group or organization that do not qualify under the SOV categories but which are deemed equally meritorious in their accomplishments.

The deadline for the submission of nominations is on June 30, 2015. Nominations forms are available at NEDA Regional Office 8, Government Center, Palo Leyte and can be downloaded from www.pnvsca.gov.ph and at http:// nro8.neda.gov.ph/downloads.

The duly filled out nomination forms must be submitted to NEDA regional office. Screening and validation will be done by an inter-agency Regional Search Committee chaired by NEDA VIII. The awarding for national winners will be in Manila during the national volunteer month celebration in December 2015.

For more information for those interested, you may contact Ms. Ma. Victoria C. Cuayzon, or Ms Resurrection Q. Enage at NEDA Regional Office 8 with telephone numbers (053) 323-2975, 09165959265 or email address at nro8@neda.gov.ph.(ajc/cba/NEDA-8/PIA-8)

Camote hailed as healthy food and typhoon resilient crop CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 18 (PIA) - Farmers are urged to cultivate and plant camote not only because it is healthy but it is also a typhoon resilient crop.

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oard member Alvin Abejuela convinced farmers from Barangays Buenavista, Balente, Roxas, and Dolongan all of Basey to slightly modify their eating habits and switch to camote instead of rice.

Abejuela, being the Chairman on Agriculture for the province of Samar encouraged all the people present to decide and change their eating lifestyle.

Instead of relying on rice which has a high production cost and needs irrigation, rural folks were told that "one bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar.

This does not matter whether it is white, brown or herbal rice."

He advised them to prefer "camote" which is

considered a typhoon resilient crop has has low production cost, yet contains high essential minerals and vitamins needed by our body.

The farmers were taught to establish a calendar for planting camote to ensure a whole-year supply.

For starters, the farmers were asked to produce camote for their immediate community.

In case of surplus, dedicated proponents of this program, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research & Development (PCAARRD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Visayas State University (VSU) and LGU-Basey gave the farmers assurance for potential markets.

This scheme will also prepare our farmers with

the expected implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), they will likewise be equipped with the capacity to do their share in the food security of the province of Samar.

In the course of the meeting, Abejuela himself testified as to the health benefits of camote by making it as a substitute for rice and depended on it as his primary source of carbohydrates.

“It is effective in losing weight and having firmer skin,” the local legislator was quoted saying.

According to the statement of North Athlantic Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, camote (sweet potato) is the world‟s healthiest food. (ajc/ nbq/PIA 8-Samar with BM Abejuela)

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Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

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