One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 3

Vol 4

Issue 3

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Best PDRRMC. Provincial Administrator Alex Araneta (3rd from R) receives from RDRRMC chair and OCD Regional Director Rosario Cabrera the Kalasag award won by Guimaras for having the Best PDRRMC in Western Visayas for 2013, a citation the province also won in 2012, during the awarding rites held Jan. 21. At the national level, the island province placed second. (LAF-PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Thousands of devotees attend the re-enactment of the first mass at the Basilica de Minore de Sto Nino on January 18 during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City. (vvv/PIA

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

Jan. 20 - 26, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

PA says books can be tools for peace by: Margie L. Gadian San Jose, Antique, Jan. 22 (PIA) - The Philippine Army's role is not only to keep peace in the hinterlands by being combatants but also by initiating programs to 'revolutionize' the hearts and minds of people.

This shift is very reflective in the various programs they undertake like conducting civil-military activities in their area of responsibility to bring the government closer to the people like lectures on responsible parenthood, climate change, disaster management, and more recently the "Books for Peace."

They also aim to make the people understand that everybody has a stake in the effort to give peace a chance.

Recently, another 'Books for Peace' distribution was conducted in Brgy. Tubudan, Remigio, Antique. A school, the Gov. Evelio B. Javier Memorial National High School (GEBJMNHS) in an upland barangay about 22 kms. from the poblacion was the beneficiary of boxes of books donated by the Rotary Club of Miag-ao and Iloilo West, UP Visayas, and Circulo Esclavo.

The Philippine Army, Alpha Co of the 82nd Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. Franz Bauzon based in Brgy. Aningalan, San Remigio was responsible for identifying the beneficiary school.

The Philippine Information Agency in Antique also gave information support to the project.

In a message given by Rotarian Bruce Hall, Past President of Rotary Club Iloilo West, he emphasized the importance of books as a source of information and knowledge.

He encouraged the students to give premium to their studies and in reading books as this is their gateway to better opportunities in a very challenging world.

On behalf of the school, Mr. Ramon G. Fadrigo, school head, thanked the donors and the Philippine Army for selecting their school as beneficiary of the project.

With a population of about 400 plus students, coming from

nearby upland barangays, the books would be a great source of information aside from their textbooks to further enhance their knowledge and make them better prepared for higher education.

The students could also help educate their own parents, especially those who are unschooled to make better decisions and be part of a community effort to bring development to the hinterlands. (JCM/MLG/PIA6-Antique)

Books for Peace. Mr. Bruce Hall (3rd from left), past President of the Rotary Club-Iloilo West, facilitator of the donated books from various institutions presents a bunch of books to a student representing the Gov. Evelio B. Javier Memorial National High School, Barangay Tubudan, San Remigio, Antique during the Book for Peace program held recently. The activity aims to reach more schools in far-flung areas to help inspire more students to gain knowledge through books. With Mr. Hall are: (from left) SPOI Rodel Canja of the Antique Provincial Police Office and member of the Circulo Esclavo; UPV University Librarian Ana Mones; 1LT Conrad Franz M. Bauzon of the Philippine Army’s Alpha Resilient Company, 82nd Infantry Battalion based in Aningalan, San Remigio; UPV PIO Lyncen Fernandez; PIA Antique Infocen Manager Margie L. Gadian; Tubudan Barangay Captain Jimmy Baleña; and School Head Ramon G. Fadrigo.(T.Villavert/PIA6)

AusAID pours more road projects to Bohol BOHOL, Jan. 19 (PIA) --The Australian Government is pouring the biggest financial aid of its kind to Bohol.

The P275-million emergency response project is implemented through the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) for the repair and rehabilitation of earthquake-affected provincial roads.

A Special Bids and Awards Committee headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government has declared the 14 prioritized road sections with 124.614 kms in total length for emergency procurement in early March this year.

As early as November, the Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) had begun generating technical data required for the procurement. A 30-man team from the PEO underwent a coaching and mentoring workshop from the engineering design experts from the PRMF led by Physical Works Manager Graham Jones.

Bohol Provincial OIC-Engr. Gabino Redulla and three project management division heads, with the planning and programming and materials quality control division finalized simplified engineering road designs of the first batch of six roads under the emergency response project.

Technical documents were completed for the six road sections of Catigbian-Balilihan via Alegria-Baang-Jagbuaya-Hanopol; Tubigon-San Isidro via Cahayag-Cabanugan; Inabanga-Sagbayan via Lapacan-Magtangtang; Inabanga Poblacion-Lawis;

Loay-Loboc-Sikatuna via Hinawanan-Concepcion- Jct. (Loboc – Sikatuna); and Sikatuna-Sevilla via Camboac.

Bohol governor Edgar Chatto extended his gratitude in behalf of the people of Bohol to the Australian Government through PRMF’s Jones and Bohol Provincial Coordinator Rosalinda Paredes for the valuable contribution to Bohol’s rehabilitation plan.

The PRMF supported by the Australian Government has sealed a stronger partnership with the province through the new batch of road projects, the Australian Government having been a consistent and one of the biggest international partners of the province, Chatto said.

A partnership between Australia and the Philippines, the PRMF seeks to use road maintenance funding to encourage 10 provinces in Southern Philippines to improve public administration systems associated with road sector planning and management and help increase local economic activity.

Eight more road sections comprise the emergency response project which include Catigbian-San Isidro via Kagawasan-Rizal; Dimiao-Oac-Bilar; Antequera-Balilihan via Dorol; Loon Tajang-Sandingan; Calape-Pangangan; Maribojoc-Abatan-AgahayBusao-Toril-Aghao; Tubigon-San Isidro via Candumayao-Cabanugan; and Loboc (Quinoguitan) Sevilla-Balilihan via Hanopol. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from Leah/EDCOM-Bohol)

Gov’t to fund repair, restoration of LGU halls, civic centers, markets

Thousands of job seekers flock at the Leyte Normal University gym in Tacloban City for the Jobs Fair prioritizing those displaced due to super typhoon Yolanda when most businesses in Eastern Visayas closed. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 20 (PIA) – The National Government will fund the repair and restoration of municipal halls, civic centers and markets in Local Government Units devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

This good news was pronounced by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas during his dialogue with the Leyte Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council headed by Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla on January 19 at the Leyte Provincial Capitol.

Roxas got a big round of applause from the local chief executives present when he said, “This is not a loan by the LGUs. The President decided that this will be a grant to the ­hit LGUs”.

The DILG Secretary said that on the 4th week after the typhoon, the Municipal Local Government Operations Officers gathered the rough estimates of the damage to government buildings in every municipality.

This time, the LGUs concerned are enjoined to make a program of work signed by the municipal engineer and the mayor which they will submit to DILG which in turn will submit the same to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The DPWH will review the program of work to make sure that it will conform with the directive of the President that the

rebuilding should make sure that the government building will be more sturdy and will withstand Yolanda-like disasters which are now considered as the new normal.

If the DPWH will certify the LGU as capable, the LGUs and the DILG will sign a Memorandum of Agreement and the funding will be downloaded to the LGUs. The faster the LGUs will be in the processing of the program of work¸ the faster the funding will be downloaded to them, Roxas said.

During the meeting which was also attended by DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman and NDRRMC Executive Director USec Eduardo del Rosario, Secretary Roxas said this is Phase I in the rehabilitation and restoration of government buildings. The second Phase he said will be the reconstruction of barangay halls.

Secretary Roxas assured the Local Chief Executives of the funding saying, “Ito ay malinaw na, may okay ni P-Noy, may pera na.”

On the reconstruction of schools and health centers and other government infrastructures, Roxas said that certain government agencies are making the assessments like the Department of Education which is taking care of the assessment of destroyed schools while the Department of Health is in charge of assessing the damage to health centers and government hospitals.

(PIA 8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

UNDP provides work, livelihood support to typhoon survivors

ATTY. MA JANET C. MESA PIA PIA--6 Regional Director

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. SARA, Iloilo, Jan. 23 (PIA6) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has lined up a livelihood support program to help typhoon “Yolanda” survivors get back on their feet after losing their work or means of livelihood – and their homes.

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NDP Area Coordinator Jose Ongkiko said the intervention will be on top of the cash-for-work initiative being implemented by the organization in areas in Panay Island that were badly hit by the super typhoon.

“Hindi dito (cash-for-work) nagtatapos ang programa ng UNDP (The program of UNDP does not end here),” said Ongkiko. at.

He said at the program launching the payout or cash transfer for the cash-for-work beneficiaries held Jan. 21 here, that they have lined up a cash-for-boat project, also for Iloilo, to help fishermen repair or build their boats that were badly damaged during the typhoon’s onslaught.

Earlier, Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor said that up to 80 percent of fishing boats in the area were destroyed.

They have cash-for-timber readied for Capiz, wherein 40 percent of the timber cut will go to groups or agencies building houses for affected families and 60 percent to be sold to agencies at reasonable or low prices.

UNDP will also help revive the poultry industry in Iloilo and Capiz to help stabilize supply and prices, said Ongkiko.

He added that they could also introduce programs to improve transportation and cold storage facilities for the fishing industry as well as livelihood programs for women.

The one-time payout for the wages of the program beneficiaries was held at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) branch in this municipality located some 96 kilometers from Iloilo City.

The beneficiaries numbering 630 from the 42 barangays of the municipality rendered work such as clearing of debris and cleaning up of public infrastructures and facilities for 15 days at the rate of P287 per day within the period December 21-27, 2013 and January 2-15, 2014.

Right there, the beneficiaries registered themselves, were given LANDBANK cash cards and drew their wages from two ATM Mobile Cars brought in from Tacloban City where a similar program was rolled out in December of last year, also for typhoon victims who worked under the UNDP program.

The payout or cash transfer is a partnership endeavor among UNDP, LANDBANK, Smart Communications, Inc., Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The cash cards given to the beneficiaries are linked to the telecommunication company’s mobile money platform.

Ongkiko said they have identified 39 typhoon-hit municipalities in Panay Island for the cash-for-work program with the towns of Estancia and Concepcion, Iloilo and Pontevedra and Panay, Capiz as pilot areas.

The UNDP was one of the international aid organizations that answered the call for help in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas where thousands of human lives and billions of pesos in crops and properties were lost.

Ongkiko called the cash-for-work beneficiaries as “new heroes” for their role in the clean-up activities in the aftermath of one of the strongest typhoons to occur in the world.

The grantees are also beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) being implemented by DSWD. Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Dr. Neneth Q. Pador, who also represented Gov. Defensor, thanked the beneficiaries for cooperating with the UNDP program. Sara mayor Neptali Salcedo was represented by municipal legal officer James G. Balsomo II. (JSC-PIA6)

Kasadyahan showcases WV best festivals By: Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA6) - - Local and foreign visitors had a glimpse of some of the best festivals in Western Visayas when they converged in Iloilo City on Saturday, January 25 during the Kasadyahan Regional Fiesta of the 2014 Dinagyang Festival.

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leven contingents participated to showcase in the four designated judging areas here the local culture, customs and traditions of the region through colorful and graceful dancing.

Of the 11 participating groups, seven are from the other parts of the region and four are from the city and province of Iloilo.

The seven visiting contingents are: Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan; Banigan

Festival of Libertad, Antique; Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City, Capiz; Manggahan Festival of Guimaras; and MassKara Festival of Bacolod City, Hugyaw of Silay City and Busilak Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City, all in Negros Occidental.

The four coming from Iloilo are: Saad Festival of Leganes; Tribu Panubli-on of Professional Electronics Institute; Hugyaw of St. Therese; and Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Iloilo

City.

For this year, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. has decided to award one best performing group with P120,000.

The regional cultural event on Saturday started at around 8 AM. It was preceded by a mass at the San Jose Parish Church as this city’s annual premier and acclaimed cultural and religious Dinagyang Festival is held in honor of Sr. Sto Nino. (JCM/ LAF/PIA6)

Palay program for LGUs takes off BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, Jan 24 (PIA6) – The National Food Authority-Iloilo and the town of Barotac Viejo had entered into a marketing agreement under the Palay Marketing Assistance for Legislators and Local Government Units (PALLGU) program.

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arotac Viejo is the first in the province to adopt the program, allocating some P300,000 or P1 for every kilo of palay on top of the support price of P17 given for rice purchase by the NFA. Barotac Viejo Mayor Niel C. Tupas III said the amount of P300,000 is equivalent to 6,000 bags of palay for the NFA to buy from the municipality through mobile procurement.

Tupas said the LGU allocation under the program will be used by the NFA to buy palay at a price higher than that offered by the commercial traders.

“This is expected to increase the income of our farmers,” Tupas said.

NFA-Iloilo Manager Marianito B. Bejemino said he was grateful to the LGU of Barotac Viejo for entering in such agreement.

“The PALLGU Program is very

advantageous to the farmers, as the additional premium will encourage the farmers to plant more,” Bejemino said.

He asked the farmers, local leaders and officials to support the program to ensure its success.

The event in Barotac Viejo held on January 21, was set as the launching of the PALLGU Program in the province of Iloilo. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

ATTY. MA JANET C. MESA PIA PIA--6 Regional Director

Negros First coverage

crop

3 insurance

expands

BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 22 (PIA6) - - The pioneering Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program (NFUCIP) of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) expanded to cover losses and damages due to pest, disease infestation and the impact of weather and climate change.

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he expansion was launched at Barangay Codcod in San Carlos City that aims to provide insurance protection to all agricultural and fishery programs of the government.

During the launch, PCIC Region VII officially turned over Negros Occidental District I municipalities and cities, which were originally under region VII to PCIC Region VI Regional Manager Charlito Brilleta.

Brilleta assured that they will continue the services given by PCIC Region VII to District 1 which includes the cities of San Carlos and Escalante, and the municipalities of Calatrava, Toboso, and Salavador Benedicto.

Meanwhile, NFUCIP coordinator Anthony Penuela presented the implementing guidelines

of the expansion during the launch.

During the launch, 134 farmers also received insurance claims from NFUCIP and the Department of Agriculture-Weather Adverse Rice Areas amounting to P337,634.50 for NFUCIP and P103,057.63 for DA WARA. The Province of Negros Occidental recently downloaded P5 million funds to PCIC for the implementation of the project entitled “Provision of Insurance Coverage for all Agri-Fishery Projects/Programs under the Negros First Food Security Program through Premium Subsidy Scheme for Crop Year 2013 Onward”.

The project will insure rice, corn, high value commercial crops such as banana

(lakatan), sugarcane and vegetables, tilapia (fishpond), motorized fishing boat and non-motorized fishing boat.

The amount of cover for the insured crops are Php17,680.00/ha, Php10,000.00/ha, Php30,000.00/plant, Php90.00/plant, Php10,000.00/500 m2, Php15,000.00/500 m2, Php10,000.00/unit, and Php6,000.00/unit, respectively.

NFUCIP was first introduced on August 5, 2011 in Negros Occidental in order to insure crops of 10,000 rice farmer-beneficiaries by providing P5 million initial budget to fund Php500/hectare of the premium.

For inquiries about NFUCIP, you may call telephone number (034) 4348324.*(JCM/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Capiz has sufficient rice stocks

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 22 (PIA6) – Rice supply for the province of Capiz is still sufficient, the National Food Authority assured.

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apiz NFA Assistant Manager Mike Aguirre said that there is nothing for Capiceños to worry about rice supply as there is enough staple to address the daily consumption requirement here.

Despite the recent calamity that hit Capiz, destroying among others the palay plantation of farmers due to flooding, the government has enough rice stock, he said.

Aguirre revealed that based on their latest inventory, the NFA here has more than 25,000 bags of rice buffer, of which 3,197 bags are local rice with 2,446 bags of imported rice and 31,226 bags of palay.

“In instances where the rice supply here will be depleted, there is sufficient rice stock in our NFA Regional office which we can easily

request and access,” he said He also stressed that the imported rice stocks that they have in their warehouse came from Vietnam which are also the same rice that is being used for relief operation by the World Food Program.

According to him, the price of government rice remains the same at P1,250 per bag or P25.00 per kilogram.

He added that their NFA accredited rice retailers selling the said government rice through the Institutionalized Bigasan sa Palengke and Barangay-Based Outlets are selling it at P27.00 per kilogram.

He said that so far there are 28 Institutionalized Bigasan sa Palengke and 67 Barangay-Based Outlets in the entire province

of Capiz.

Aguirre said that the NFA has a continuing procurement program for palay produce, with the government support price of P17.00 per kilogram plus the 70-centavo additional incentives aside from the giving of incentive programs to farmers and farmer’s cooperatives especially during the lean-month season.

To ensure that the NFA accredited rice retailers are compliant with the rules and regulations set by the food agency, such as in the selling of grains at the recommended price, the Grains Retailers Confederation (GRECON) per town is being tapped by the NFA for monitoring aside from the agency’s monitoring, he said. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Aklan Capitol employees plant 5,000 mangrove propagules BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 24 (PIA6) -- In a bid to help mitigate climate change, employees of the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) of the Provincial Government here planted a total of 5,000 bakhawan propagules at the mudflat beach area of Barangay Pook in Kalibo.

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he propagules were planted by more or less 200 tree planting participants composed of EEDD staff and nursing students of the Provincial Academic Center (PA), Administrative Support Services, Agri-Aqua Production Services, Tourism Operation, Construction Development and Quarrying Services, Public Employment Service Office, Port Operations and other volunteers.

The target number of propagules was supposedly 8,000 but because of the rain, the group only managed to plant 5,000 propagules in more than a hectare of

mudflats in the area.

The propagules were planted alongside a thriving mangrove plantation in the area which is now the home of wild birds, crabs and crablets, egg-laying fish, shellfish and other forms of marine life.

The conduct of the tree-planting activity in the area has long been programmed by the EEDD since the late part of 2013 but only came to fruition January 22 with the full support of the provincial government under Governor Florencio T. Miraflfores and the Congressional District Office under Rep. Teodorico Haresco,

said EEDD Department Head Dr. Michael Terencio.

The propagules were provided by the Kalibo Save the Mangrove Association (KASAMA), the partner in the tree planting activity.

The KASAMA will also be the one to monitor the growth of the mangrove propagules, according to Dr. Terencio.

The EEDD is optimistic that the planted propagules will have a high percentage of survival as the seedlings are already sporting leaves and already more than a foot long. (JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bohol allots P30M for PhilHealth coverage for indigents

MINERVA BC NEWMAN PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

BOHOL, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- Bohol provincial government set aside some P30 million for the health care program of its indigents through the PhilHealth new coverage system on its Individually Paying Program (IPP).

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We need to know exactly how we dispense of the funds and be clarified about the new system,” Bohol governor Edgar Chatto said.

Chatto met with PhilHealth president, Alex Padilla and Department of Health (DOH) secretary Enrique Ona recently to clarify issues on developing and expanding PHIC membership in Bohol.

This is to make sure that Boholanos have easy access to proper health care despite shortage of funds in individual households, Chatto added.

The new Individually Paying Program (IPP) became effective on January 1, 2014. It means the annual contribution rate of Individually Paying Members (IPMs) with an income of P25,000.00 and below is now P2,400.00 while members earning above P25,000.00 shall continue paying the old premium rate of P3,600.00.

This is in answer to the popular clamor of expanding PHIC coverage to accommodate more indigents, according to PHIC. However, though aimed to improve the compulsory nature of membership to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and

leakages in the identification and enrolment of the poor in said program, it has not yet pointedly answered problems regarding health care of the poor due to lack of proper information dissemination to all concerned parties, especially government-owned hospitals and local government units. In order to expound on this new coverage system, governor Chatto brought together PHIC Healthcare Delivery Management Division Chief Dr. Francis Javier, PHIC Bohol staff and the province’s Chiefs of Hospitals and Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital Chief Dr. Jose Teofilo Arcay, to discuss among themselves the program’s mechanisms.

Although most of the concerns were academic, one issue stood out--who or what agency would pay for or shoulder a patient’s hospital bills if ever the latter does not have the capacity to do so.

According to PHIC, if a non-member individual is confined in a Point of Care, meaning a hospital or a health care facility, and is incapable of paying his bills, the concerned facility will have to pay the premium of P2,400.00, turning such individual into a full member with full benefits

according to his category as mandated by law.

Subsequently, if the same individual becomes ill again, he is still eligible for confinement even in other health care facilities, and not necessarily in his original place of confinement. Chatto said that the law mandates all LGUs to enroll their Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), public officials and all other personnel as mentioned in PHIC rules.

Covered under this scheme are non-members who were assessed and classified as Class C3 or D by a medical social worker and members not covered due to lack of qualifying contribution and classified as Class C3 or D. Patients availing of out-patient services are excluded in this enrolment scheme.

However, HSM may avail of these services in their succeeding confinements. If patients do not qualify for the point of care program, they are encouraged to enrol in the informal sector. Class D patients are those incapable of paying any amount whatsoever. Those classified as C3 are those who are capable of paying only 25% of his hospital bills. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from jlv/ EDCom-Bohol)

Community hospital in NegOr receives medical supplies from Germany BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- The Bindoy District Hospital in Negros Oriental received medical supplies and hospital equipment donated by German Ministry of Defense through a German non-government organization Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippines Club e.V. n NGO led by a Filipina, Araceli consisting of German-made superior quality hospital,” the governor said.

Bejar Heimann turned-over the medical equipment such as Aesculap The turn-over ceremony is witnessed by medical-surgical equipment to Chief of opthalmoscopes and othoscopes for the supporting officer-designate of Sampaguita Hospital of Bindoy, Dr. Trifony Luchana with province and Dumaguete City.

Nanette Campion and former Chief of Hospital provincial governor Roel Degamo.

In his message, Governor Degamo said Dr. Quintin Bascos with confirmation of the Heiman said the health and laboratory the province is grateful for the medical governor at the Bindoy District Hospital. supplies worth P3million offered by the supply-donations and the generosity of the Heimann promised to continue German government hopefully would help German Ministry of Defense as well as to Ms. soliciting more needed medical donations improve the capability of rural hospitals in the Heimann’s NGO. from Germany to help the community Negros Oriental.

“These would help equip the Bindoy hospitals so that poor families could avail The NGO of Heimann is instrumental in District Hospital for better delivery of health better health services in the area. (mbcn/JCT/ securing donations from Deutschland services in the area of coverage of the PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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Pag-IBIG to hold free civil mass wedding on Valentine's day in Cebu BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Pag-IBIG Fund invites all unwed couples to join its free civil mass wedding on Hearts Day, February 14, at Fort San Pedro, Cebu City.

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ag-big North Branch Supervising Marketing Specialist, Dale Mark Antonio said this is the third time that the office will undertake the project “Libreng Kasalan, I Do, I Do”.

Antonio said this is open to all Pag-IBIG Fund members and potential members with complete documents for the civil rites.

This year, we are gathering and ready to assist 100 couples from Mandaue City, Lapulapu City and Cities & Municipalities of Cebu Province on a first-come, first-served basis, said Antonio.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Pag-IBIG President & CEO Atty Darlene Marie Berberabe will stand as wedding sponsors

while Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will solemnize the civil marriage rites.

The new couples need to submit seminar certificates from the local civil registrar, NSO-certified birth certificate and certificate of no marriage (Cenomar), cedula, barangay clearance and valid IDs. New couples who are 18 to 24 years old may present their parents.

For live-in partners, they have to present an Affidavit of Cohabitation, birth certificate, Cenomar, cedula and a valid ID. The deadline for submission of documents is on or before January 31at the Marketing and Enforcement Division of Pag-IBIG Fund Cebu North Branch located at the 3rd Floor of

Pag-IBIG Fund-WT Corporate Tower, Mindanao Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

For more details, contact telephone n um b e rs 5 05 - 9 7 59 / 0 93 2 - 8 70 01 5 5 / 0922-8555329 and look for Ms. Sara Eloisa G. Javier or Mr. Roel Bellita or Mr. Dale Mark F.Antonio. As for interested couples at Lapulapu City and Cordova, they may contact tel. no. 492-7886 or email at aaanongos@pagibigfund.gov.ph and look for Ms. Ma. Salve P. Ceniza or Mr. Alain A. Anongos or visit their office at the lower ground floor of Gaisano Mactan Island Mall, Pusok, Lapulapu City. (mbcn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/ Pag-IBIG)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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DENR-7 convenes anti-illegal logging task force MINERVA BC NEWMAN PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) convened the regional anti-illegal logging task force for a meeting and action planning workshop on Jan. 24 at Castle Peak Hotel, Cabahug St., Cebu City.

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ENR-7 information officer, Dr. Eddie Llamedo said workshop was attended by close to 40 participants to include the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Naval Forces Central, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority,

and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Llamedo said, DENR 7’s Forest Management Services (FMS) organized the activity to strengthen coordinative mechanisms with various partners and other stakeholders for better networking and surveillance, actively monitor hotspots areas, and update the members of the task

force on the existing forestry laws, rules and regulations.

It can be recalled that President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order No. 23 declaring a moratorium in the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests nationwide, and creating an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force. (mbcn/ JSME/PIA7-Cebu)

Dutch Aid helps San Remegio BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA CEBU, Jan. 20 (PIA) --- Over 1000 residents from San Remegio town in northern Cebu benefited from the medical mission conducted by A Dutch non-government organization recently.

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an Remegio Municipal Information Officer, Nino Ybanez said, the Dutch Aid Team conducted a week long medical mission in their Rural Health Center from January 8 to 15, 2014.

Ybanez said that the Dutch Aid Team is an NGO based in the Netherlands between the rivers Waal and Maas in the municipality of Maasdriel.

“Their core activities are medical emergency help and medical aid,” he said.

Involved in the group are doctors and

nurses daily working in hospitals, ambulance units, military service and emergency in Netherlands.

Their destinations are disaster areas, tsunami sites, war zones and epidemic spots.

“If necessary they’ll arrange follow-up activities to improve the living conditions of the poor population in close cooperation with local government and other ngo’s,” he said.

Ybanez added that most of San Remegio health centers were destroyed including

those in the barangays and schools.

After typhoon Yolanda, most of the residents were sick with fever because most of their houses were destroyed and bad weather conditions.

Recently San Remegio received P200,000 aid from the Department of Health (DOH).

The municipality hopes DOH will increase the amount considering the damage brought to the town's health facilities. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

Korean company sets int’l choir festival in Bohol BOHOL, Jan. 19 (PIA) – Bohol is clearly back on its feet after just a few months from a devastating 7.2 magnitude quake.

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South Korean-based company, Understanding and Communication Corp. through its adviser, Cool Jae Huh is currently on a high-level coordination with the Bohol provincial government to hold its country’s yearly international choir competition in Bohol.

Set on March 18-22 this year, the Bohol International Choir Festival and Competition (BICFC) will bring together international choir groups from all over the world showcasing each country-participant’s style and showmanship.

Bohol governor Edgar Chatto said the international choral festival would manifest to the world that Bohol’s beauty is still very much intact despite the huge devastation that plunged it into total darkness for a week right after the earthquake.

Chatto viewed this gesture as a big help from the South Korean community to the Boholanos.

“Like a brother giving us a helping hand and pulling us out of the muck that we are in,” Chatto gratefully added.

The governor said that with the province now treading the path to complete

recovery; this international event would greatly benefit Bohol’s business and tourism.

No doubt, after this, more countries will give Bohol a second glance, a third even, feeling that they would want a slice of what its people are enjoying, the governor smiled.

“In Bohol, we are not cry babies. We may get boxed, hacked and chucked but we sure know how to get back on our feet faster than the speed of light,” Chatto said in jest, but clearly making a point.

With the international choral festival happening before the quarter ends, the Bohol Provincial Government and the City of Tagbilaran are working closely to ensure that this great event would surely happen here without any hitches.

The Provincial Government has tapped well-known Boholano artist Lutgardo Labad and Marianito Luspo, Holy Name University’s Cultural Affairs Director, both of the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Council to guide and assist both the province and the City Governments in ironing out loose ends.

Gov. Chatto has assigned SEEM Cluster Head Liza Quirog as the event’s overall chairperson, with selected department heads as coordinators in-charge with select functions according to each office’s role in the Provincial Government.

Liza Flores of the Special Projects Section is Deputy Chair, tasked with coordinating with all units to make sure that all parts of the competition would be in place during this international affair.

According to Chatto, this early, several chief executives of other provinces have already expressed their interest to visit Bohol as part of their activities this year.

“They are aching to know the ‘Boholano magic’ that enabled the people to rise swiftly and fight back despite stumbling blocks along the way,” Chatto said.

Preparations are now well underway and with everybody helping out in sending invitations, preparing flight and arrival schedules, receptions and other technicalities for a huge event like this, Bohol is excited to host this much-anticipated affair. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from jlv/EDCom-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Over 3000 applicants troop to Jobs Fair in Tacloban with 128 HOTS

OLIVE P. TIU PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 23 (PIA) – Some 128 applicants were hired on the spot for local and overseas employment as more than 3,000 applicants trooped to the Jobs Fair conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on January 22, 2014.

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he initial report of the DOLE 8 was 111 but later, the final report was 128 with 90 applicants landing local positions while 38 applicants were lucky to have landed overseas employments in the Jobs Fair which was participated in by 17 local employers and 36 recruitment agencies for overseas employment.

This is 23% hired on the spot (HOTS), DOLE told the Philippine Information Agency.

The local employers made available 2,587 jobs while the 36 recruitment agencies, 31 of

which are offering land-based while 5 are sea-based jobs.

Combined, there were 11,800 overseas employments which were available but the applicants must be able to meet the requirements.

The queue of the applicants was very long, starting from outside the gate of the LNU up to the venue at the LNU Gym. The applicants were from the various areas in Eastern Visayas. When interviewed, many of them said they did not know yet what

jobs they will apply because there so many jobs to choose from.

Most of those interviewed by PIA said they were looking for local jobs as they did not want to leave their families at this time after the Yolanda typhoon devastated their respective areas.

What was common among the participants was their enthusiasm to find a job according to their skills as they would rather work than continue to live on relief from generous entities. (PIA 8)

PCA pushes intercropping for coconut farms CATBALOGAN CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is pushing for intercropping coconuts with other crops in the coconut farm lots in Marabut, Samar and other Yolanda affected towns.

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n an interview with Meinard Montano, Samar Provincial Coconut Development Manager, he said that this is now the strategy being pushed by their agency.

Farmers can plant corn, camote, gabi whose yield can help them while waiting for the newly planted coconut trees to yield.

Montano said that they have linked with the biggest agricultural school in Leyte province to provide them with planting materials for the intercropping project.

PCA has its eyes focused on Marabut where the devastation was intense.

It estimated that 98% of the coconut

trees were felled by Yolanda.

Montano said that the national government has alloted some Php 2.6 billion for the recovery program in areas reeling from destructive typhoons Pablo and Yolanda.

Presently though, the agency is still busy clearing the coconut trees felled by Yolanda in the towns of Marabut, Basey, Pinabacdao and Sta Rita in Samar severely damaged by Yolanda.

“There are more than two thousand hectares of coconut trees damaged in varying degrees,” Montano told PIA. He said that PCA has also asked the

help of private individuals in clearing the areas, adding that the devastation was so massive, and the government alone cannot just clear them.

Montano, though frustrated by what Yolanda has brought to the industry that provided Samarnons their livelihood, urged the coconut farmers to hope while praying, and that the national government will support them in these trying times.

“But the speed of the recovery of the coconut industry will also depend on their diligence as the PCA vows to support them in their needs,” the PCA official said. (NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)

Maasinhon swims solo from Maasin port to Ichon, Macrohon

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- Saying he was doing the feat to inspire others to exercise, any exercise, not just swimming for that matter, Urbano Baculanta, 50 years old, became the first resident here to cross the sea-distance between this city and the first barangay of the next town, Ichon, Macrohon.

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If a person my age can still be physically fit and active, how much more the younger ones,” Baculanta told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bisaya shortly before he embarked on his record-breaking swim, at least in this city’s history. “I just want people to exercise regularly, that’s the message I want to impart.”

With the city rescue speed boat manned by five rescuers keeping watch, and two relatives on a “sakayan” paddling close by, Baculanta let go of the bouy tag in the seawaters off Maasin port to signal the start of his quest. The time: 8:02 in the morning, Saturday, January 18.

Incessant rains caused by tropical depression “Agaton” literally sent off Baculanta from the pier.

“This activity was almost cancelled due to the bad weather, as we are under signal number one now, but this has been scheduled, so the decision was a go,” said Milko Samaco of the City Rescue Unit who was among those who sent Baculanta off, along with his close relatives.

Earlier, when asked how much time it will take to reach Ichon, Baculanta said he would try to be there in four hours.

He finished it in two hours, 20 minutes, 15 seconds, well under his self-imposed limit of four hours, the distance covered estimated at about six kilometers.

He was doing well and fine throughout the swim, even as his arms were scarred for having been brushed by jellyfishes along the way, but this was already treated upon

reaching shore, said Jonas, one of the rescuers who kept tab of the time that lapsed.

Baculanta, a farm worker, married with 4 children, has long been known as an athletic enthusiast, having joined triathlon contests in the city.

A triathlon race involves three punishing stages of running, biking, and swimming, all in long distances.

But he chose swimming for his bid to have a mark, at least for now, saying it was his cherished dream since the age of 38 to cross the deep sea as he had successfully done recently.

Why the age 38? “That was the time I first learned how to swim,” he replied.

Twelve years later, the dream was realized. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

OLIVE P. TIU PIA PIA--8 Regional Director

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Pre-screening for free surgery at Northern Samar Provincial Hospital ongoing Ailene N. Diaz

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Jan. 22 (PIA) – Ongoing at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital is the pre-screening for those who want to avail of free-surgery specifically for cleft lip and palate, goiter, organ surgeries, tumor and other general and reconstruction surgeries.

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his was learned from Ms. Sylma Lutao, Provincial Information Officer of PGNS. The pre-screening is being conducted for the scheduled medical and surgical mission on February 2-7 at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital through the Philippine-Minnesota Medical Association (PMMA) and Hope for the City based in Minnesota USA in coordination with the

Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Jun Ong. Aside from the free medical services, medicines will also be available for those who will come for consultation set on the same dates at Catarman covered court.

The PMMA is composed of 84 doctors, dentists, nurses and paramedical volunteers of which 4 are plastic surgeons, 2 ENT specialists, 2 OB Gynecologist surgeons, said Dr. Timoteo

Lao, Chief of NSPH. According to Dr. Lao, the pre-screening is on-going until January 30 at the Provincial Hospital and those pre-screened patients are informed to go back to NSPH on February 1 for the pre-operation evaluation to be done by PMMA. The medical and surgical services, is in line with the flagship program of the administration called CHANGE. (PIA8-Northern Samar)

NZ ambassador vows to invest in disaster mgt, agriculture in Biliran by: Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 22 (PIA) – The ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines made a promising statement in his first visit to Biliran province – that is to invest in the areas of disaster management and agriculture.

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mbassador Reuben Levermore of New Zealand made the statement when asked by a local reporter of what other areas his country will extend to Biliran province in a press conference held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall on Wednesday, January 22.

Levermore assured the local officials that his country will invest in the areas of disaster management and agriculture aside from being “very pleased to contribute something

important to the province” in the field of geothermal development.

The New Zealand ambassador, who admitted he was awed by the natural beauty of the island province, told reporters that he sees “more jobs and the energy needs will be met” with the Biliran geothermal project.

He has in mind investing in disaster management since his country also experienced natural disasters like earthquake.

He likewise expressed his “deep

sympathy” to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda that hit Eastern Visayas including Biliran province.

The New Zealand ambassador also points to investing in agriculture in Biliran province upon his initial assessment that the province is an agricultural area.

Levermore disclosed that his country has already extended technical assistance to the Philippines in 1970 in the areas of hydro and geothermal development. (PIA8-Biliran)

Hernani LGU-ZOA ink MOU for better shelters By: Sammy D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 23 (PIA) – The Hernani Local Government Unit (LGU)and Zuid - Oost Azie (ZOA), a humanitarian organization based in Apeldoorn, Netherlands inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 20, 2014 at Hernani, Eastern Samar, one of the areas that were hardest hit by "Typhoon Yolanda”.

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ernani Mayor Edgar C. Boco signed the MOU and on the part of ZOA, Mr. Jeff Cosico, the ZOA Country Representative.

According to Mr. Jeff Cosico in a brief interview, their purpose is to bring people from tent to a more secured shelter at the soonest possible time.

In particular, the project will construct 200 units of one-room shelter for the families affected by the super typhoon Yolanda.

It is also stipulated in the MOU that the Hernani LGU and ZOA mutually agree to implement the construction of 200 units wherein 120-130 units will be in Barangay Batang and the remaining units will be in another identified community where there are still families who are in need for housing.

The housing project will follow the agreed design made by the Municipal Engineer of Hernani and ZOA Shelter Technical Adviser where each unit has the following physical features: floor area is 3.6m x 4.2m or 15.12 sq. m., four concrete footing,

wooden posts are bolted in metal straps that are attached to concrete footing, hurricane straps from truss to post, marine plywood (Sta. Clara brand) will be used for wall, floor is 3/4 inch thick plywood, and coco lumber will be used but if the beneficiary has available lumber, they can be used if they are in good quality or even stronger than coconut lumber.

As agreed upon, Hernani LGU is to help identify and recruit chainsaw operators and skilled carpenters, identify possible depot for construction materials in the location, to assign a representative to co-manage the project together with the ZOA Project Manager or technical adviser, to facilitate conflict resolution intervention in the community when needed, to inform interested institutions or organizations who will be doing shelter program the presence of ZOA in Barangay Batang to avoid overlapping or duplication since ZOA is committed to construct 120-130 units in that community plus other housing repair, if necessary, and to assist ZOA in identifying future community who are still in

need of shelter.

Meanwhile, ZOA will formulate a criteria for beneficiary selection, conduct house to house interview and identify deserving families who will benefit from this shelter project; finance and construct a total of 200 one-room shelters and to provide an update to the Hernani LGU regarding the development of the shelter project regularly, at least every two weeks.

The timeframe of the project is from January to June 2014, this can either be shortened or extended depending on the availability of skilled carpenters but both ZOA and Hernani LGU will work together so that the families who were affected by Yolanda can be transferred to a stronger house to be permanently their’s as soon as possible.

Other ZOA representatives who witnessed the signing of MOU were: Geke Keift, Communication Officer, Gerard Schoemaker, Shelter Technical Adviser and Tito Revereal, Project Manager. ZOA is also committed to help the Hernani LGU with livelihood and education. (PIA-E. Samar)

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com