One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 35

Vol 4

Issue 35

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

CHANGE OF COMMAND. The incoming 3ID Commander, MGEN REY LEONARDO B GUERRERO AFP (center) receives the unit colors from Army Chief, LTGEN HERNANDO DCA IRIBERRI AFP the presiding General Officer during the change of command ceremony last September 4, 2014 at Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz. Also in photo is outgoing 3ID commander MGEN AURELIO B BALADAD AFP (right).(3ID-DPAO photo)

September 1 - 7, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Samar-wide Nutrition Summit due BY: SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 4 (PIA) --- The Provincial Health Office of Eastern Samar in partnership with the Health Organization Mindanao (HOM) with the support of United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) International will be conducting a Samar-wide Nutrition Summit this coming October at Serenada, Baybay Boulevard this city.

Provincial Nutrition Action Officer Ms. Sallie Jabinal added that this summit is also anchored on the belief that preventing malnutrition must include various multi-sectoral initiatives, such as poverty reduction, improvements in basic health care, infrastructure, and sanitation, food insecurity reduction, better response during and after emergencies, and many others.

She further said that the campaign on the "Zero Malnutrition Now" is up which sends a strong statement that we need to speak out together for a more just and fair society, highlighting on the power of coming together and making the case public for strong action of leaders.

"If malnutrition will not be addressed within the first two years of life, it affects in long term on the over-all human productivity and economic development", Jabinal said.

The participants of this summit are Provincial Governors of the three provinces, City/Municipal May ors an d p olicy makers/p lann ers are th e primary target of this Summit.

The advocacy should bring them to support the nutrition initiative by creating ordinances and allocating adequate budget for the program to be implemented.

Also invited are Nutrition Champions who will be speaking out about the campaign's aim and the need to tackle malnutrition such as young advocate, an expert or activist on the issue, religious leaders, academe, local celebrity or performers and media.

About 100 participants are expected to attend the said summit. This summit is also in partnership with Plan international, Bukidnon Resource Management Foundation Incorporated (BRMFI), Save the Children and Teres de Hommes. (PIA8-ESamar)

HAP winners „man and women of courage‟, says Commisioner Osorio

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA6) – Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Nieves L. Osorio called the regional winners of CSC‟s 2014 Honor Awards Program from Western Visayas as “man and women of courage” for doing a CENTRAL VISAYAS not-so-easy-task, for being stronger persons, and getting power equal to their tasks.

The CSC official said that doing their work was no miracle, but the honorees themselves, for having the qualities she mentioned, have become the miracles.

Osorio was the guest of honor during the Recognition Rites of the Honor Awards Program for the regional winners held Sept. 4 at the SM City Iloilo Activity Center here.

This year‟s regional winners are: Maricel M. Bechayda, Local Government Operations Officer VI-Cluster Head, DILG Bohol Student writers joining the PIA-DENR Aklan Provincial Office and Copncepcion T. Tababa, Master Student Writers Congress showed their Teacher II, Tubungan Central Elementary School, Department personal commitment for Insuring of Education-Division of Iloilo – CSC PAGASA Category; Atty.

Climate-change Adaptive and Resilient Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Regional Director, Philippine Information Environment (I-CARE) in Bohol by planting Agency, Region VI ; Alicia B. Rebuelta, Agricultural trees as their part of the task of insulating Technologist, Municipal Government of Kalibo; and, SPO3 Rhia B. Sotomil, Deputy OIC/WCPO PNCO, Pavia Police Municipal communities from the effects of climate Station, PNP Regional Office6 – Dangal Ng Bayan Category; change. Meanwhile, pupils from Ubay Central and, J/CInsp. Gilbert D. Peremne, Regional Chief of Staff, Elem School Drum Corps played and sustained Bureau of Jail Management and Penology RO6 – Presidential the beat for 30 minutes to urge student Lingkod Bayan Category. volunteers to keep up the spirit of tree She also told the honorees that after receiving their planting and dent on the problem. (PIA7) recognition as HAP regional winners, there is more for them to do and the best is yet to come for them.

In her message, the lady Commissioner also challenged More on Region 7, pages 4-5. other government workers to “outdo your own selves, compete with your own self, not with anyone” as they exhorted them to perform their tasks well.

EASTERN VISAYAS And just like the honorees, the best is yet to come also for the others, said Osorio.

The accomplishments of the HAP regional winners were

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

also presented during the recognition program.

Osorio handed in the awards to the honorees together with CSC6 Regional Director lawyer Rodolfo Encajonado and Assistant Regional Director lawyer Raymundo F. Gonzales and the heads and other officers of offices represented by the honorees, and members of their families.

The Honor Awards program is an annual undertaking of the Civil Service Commission that recognizes government officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance.

The conferment of honor awards aims to motivate or inspire government employees to improve the quality of their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service.

The search culminates with the recognition and conferment of awards to deserving public servants during the celebration of the anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service in September. (JSC-PIA6)

The 2014 HAP regional winners with CSC Commissioner Nieves Osorio and Regional Director Rodolfo Encajonado (2nd and extreme left ) during the recognition rites of the Honor Awards Program held September 4 at SM City Iloilo Activity Center. At extreme right is CSC Iloilo Field Office HEAD Evelyn Ejar. Osorio called the honorees as “man and women of courage”. (LAF-PIA6)

BOC-Cebu says foreign used clothing donations banned SM Investments Corp. vice-chair Teresita Sy-Coson, Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation & Recovery Secretary Panfilo Lacson assisted by Tacloban City mayor Alfred Romualdez unveil the marker during the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the Tacloban City Hospital in Brgy. Marasbaras on August 27. Also in photo are Tacloban City chief of hospital Dr. Joedina Gumagay (left) and OPARR undersecretary Danny Antonio.

(Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- Aroun d 150 balikbayan boxes of foreign donations that included used clothing for Yolanda survivors are stockpiled at the Cebu International Port as the Bureau of Customs (BOC-Cebu) awaits an order from their head office to dispose of said items.

BOC-Cebu chief of staff, Atty. Kenneth Kern Sesante said under RA 4653, foreign donations or importations of used clothing are prohibited entry into Philippine shores to safeguard the health of the people. RA 4653 enacted in June 17, 1966 is an Act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags.

Sesante said that by the end of the year, the used clothing will be condemned either by burying or burning them, although there is a guideline that exempts the condemnation of the foreign donations of used clothing if given to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“But there is a standing order from DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman not to accept donations of used clothing abroad,” said Sesante adding that they have no choice but to dispose of said items.

The BOC-Cebu chief of staff said detailed guidelines that have recently been released covering foreign donations, customs duties and claims on international donations among other related matters can now be accessed at their website customs.gov.ph.

Meanwhile, Sesante clarified that it is not their agency that caused the delayed release of foreign donations to Yolanda survivors resulting to the expiration of some perishable goods leaving them unfit to be given.

According to Sesante, the release of foreign shipments is delayed due to demurrage and storage fees which are just waived for five days. Oftentimes, shipments are not released due to incomplete documents so the consignee cannot get the foreign donated goods unless necessary documents are in order. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

Boracay's tourist arrivals breach 1M mark By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 3 (PIA6) – Tourist arrivals in Boracay Island for this year‟s first eight (8) months has breached the 1 million mark already.

B

ased on the latest records furnished by the Provincial Tourism Operations Office here, a total of 1,065,748 foreign and domestic tourists visited the island from January to August of this year, which generated a total of P19,592,071,783.20.

Foreign tourists who visited the island for the period reached 487,453 while the

domestic group reached 545,913.

On the other hand, there were 32,482 Overseas Filipinos who visited the island during the same period.

The month of April remains to have the highest number of visitor arrivals with 184,078 followed by May with 167,506 and March with 142,751. All the monthly arrivals from January 2014 breached the

100,000 mark, with the lowest counted during the month of July, which had 106,665 arrivals.

This year, the province of Aklan targets to attain 1.5 million tourist arrivals.

Last year, arrivals reached 1,363,601 which generated a total of P25,067,622,623.40 in tourism receipts.

(JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

GSIS Antique bags CSC Seal of Excellence By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - The Civil Service Commission (CSC) awarded the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Antique Field Office the Seal of Excellence in public service as provided for under Republic Act 9485 or Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.

I

n a ceremony held on Friday at GSIS Office in San Jose, Vizur Gaitano, Provincial Director, CSC – Antique said that GSIS-Antique is the first government agency in the province to receive the Seal of Excellence .

He also commended the Municipality of San Jose for also garnering the award, the first among the local government units in Antique last year.

“I commend GSIS Antique for the job well done.

They went through difficult times before, and their first rating was low but they continue to give their best.

Now they reap what they have sown,” said Gaitano.

If all government agencies Gaitano said are doing their best and be rated excellent, there‟s no reason that we could not give a good, fast and reliable public service to the people wherein President Benigno Aquino III always referred to as our „boss."

He emphasized that mediocrity has no place in public service.

Government workers are bound to perform as required under Republic Act 9485 to achieve a better quality public service.

Likewise, Regional Director Eleanor Gregorio of GSIS 6 also lauded the working force behind GSIS Antique under the leadership of Leo Frigillano for doing their best in serving the Antiquenos.

However, Gregorio challenged them to do more and maintain the excellent rating not just for the sake of the award but for giving the best to their client.

She also expressed gratitude to Mayor Rony Molina of San Jose and other local officials and supporters of GSIS Antique in helping them achieve the excellent performance. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

Immunization can prevent childhood diseases By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 3 (PIA6) – Health officials call on the public and other stakeholders to join hands together for all children to be fully immunized against common childhood illnesses and diseases.

D

r. Sofia Pulmones of the Department of Health Regional Office 6, during the grand launching of the vaccine mass immunization campaign in Capiz, stressed that common childhood illnesses such as measles, rubella and polio can be prevented through immunization.

She said that vaccines for such immunization are available and free in all health stations and health centers for the target children.

Pulmones said that like measles, children infected of the measles virus are at risk of complications which could put their lives in danger.

“The under five-year old children are the most vulnerable age group for said childhood illnesses, the reason why they are the target for mass immunization by

the DOH,” she said.

While immunization is free and available, Dr. Leah Del Rosario of the Provincial Health Office here cited the lack of appreciation by parents and other caregivers on the importance of immunization, lack of time or prioritization to bring their children to the health facility as well as some cultural or religious belief are only among the reasons why there are still “missed children.”

Del Rosario explained that missed children are those who have not received the immunization either through a routine or special immunization activity.

To ensure that the target children are given immunization in this campaign, the

PHO is doing a rapid coverage assessment every after an immunization activity is done in a purok or barangay and is done every day, she added.

On the other hand, PHO Information Officer Antonio Ynigo Rafael Altavas disclosed that as of September 2, a total of 9,230 or 10.7% of the target children were given measles and rubella vaccine, while 10,291 children or 10.2% of the target population were given oral polio vaccine.

Altavas revealed that the population target for measles and rubella immunization in Capiz reached 86,037 nine month old to below five years old children while the 101,000 children age zero to five years old are the target population for the oral polio vaccine.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

ITOA to launch „Pretty Plaza Contest‟ BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo Tourism Officers Association, Inc. (ITOA) is gearing up for the launch of the “Pretty Plaza Contest” in the province.

S

usan Jovero, Tourism Officer of Pavia town and ITOA past President said they are now finalizing the criteria for the contest which will be launched on September 21, 2014 as part of the offerings for the National Tourism Month this September.

The contest has two categories Small Plaza and Big Plaza. Local government units with plazas with an area of less than half a hectare can join the Small Plaza category while those LGUs with plazas more than half a hectare in size can participate in the Big Plaza category.

Jovero said the contest aims to revive

the plazas in the different municipalities of the province as the center of public realm.

It will also re-emphasize the significance of plaza in the community.

“There are plazas that help townfolks remember the history and important people in their community,” said Jovero.

Official communication and entry forms will be sent to the local chief executives, however, interested LGUs may also download the entry form at the ITOA Facebook account at iloilotourismoa@yahoo.com. Jovero said the judging process will involve three evaluations which will start this December. On the other hand, ITOA

President Jerry Anas said they have also lined up for this year‟s Tourism Month celebration the following activities: Lagaw ta sa Iloilo Exhibit at Robinsons Place Iloilo on September 12-20; Tumandok Fair of the Iloilo Provincial Tourism Office at Robinson‟s Place Iloilo on September 18-20; Tourism Expo at Robinson‟s Place Roxas City on September 19-21; Miss Iloilo Tourism Festival Costume Contest at Robinson‟s Place Iloilo on September 20; Lagaw ta sa Iloilo Exhibit at SM City Iloilo on September 24-28; Ms. Iloilo Tourism Beauty Pageant at SM City Iloilo on September 28; and Fam Tour . (JSC/ LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)

Group addresses biodiversity situation in Central Panay By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA6) -- Members of the Iloilo Biodiversity Partnerships Project Local Project Site Committee recently met to discuss solutions to the worsening condition of the natural resources and biodiversity in Central Panay Mountain Ranges (CPMR).

A

DENR-6 press release said that CPMR which spans the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo, has globally significant biodiversity and the remaining lush forest of the CPMR is a haven of threatened endemic species called the “BIG Five”.

These species are Walden‟s Hornbill (Dulungan), Visayan Warty Pig (Baboy Talunon), Spotted Deer (Usa), Mabitang and Rafflesia.

Conrado B. Marquez, regional technical director for protected areas, said these five species are considered indicator species for the local government unit to declare an area

within their municipality as a Critical habitat.

“The Biodiversity Partnership Project also uses other threatened species both flora and fauna for declaring their conservation status,” Marquez said.

Marquez, who presided the committee meeting, determined the composition, which later identified Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., as chair.

The group created committees to work with the academe, the LGUs of Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog, government agencies, andleaders of tribal and Indigenous Peoples in

Central Panay Mountains. Marquez said that these committees have to be supported and strengthened by the declaration of the CPMR as protected area, establishment of Critical habitats by all 16 local government u n its c ov ere d b y t h e C PMR and the setting of directions and action plans for September until December 2014.

DENR Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna said that the members need to put their acts together to succeed in the conservation efforts for the CPMR, which is host to diverse flora and fauna with interesting endemic species. (DENR/ JCS/JSC/ESS-PIA Iloilo)

NegOcc has 252 more agrarian reform beneficiaries By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Sept. 3 (PIA6) - - About 252 farmers took oath as new agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

T

hese beneficiaries took their oath before Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) Judge Phoebe Gargantiel-Balbin at the Barangay Hall of Barangay Dancalan in Ilog town.

Out of the 252 ARBs, 64 came from Cauayan A, 64 are from Cauayan B, 48 were from Candoni and 78 of which were

from the Municipality of Ilog.

The ARBs divided a total land area of 388.6152 hectares.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Marilou Tubesa told the ARBs of the 3 A‟s in agrarian reform – Acceptance, Accessibility and Accountability to remind them of their responsibilities that comes

with their newly awarded lands.

Dancalan village chief Benigno Gequillana said Gequillana said in his message that he was grateful to the government for implementing the CARP in Ilog town, particularly in his barangay.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6/DAR Negros Occidental)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Teach Filipino solidarity to youths BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) – Teachers should tell more about Filipino solidarity to their students.

P

hilippine Information Agency Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena conveyed this message to hundreds of elementary and high school teachers at the Pintig Pinoy lecture here recently organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) – Negros Oriental.

The activity aims to empower teachers in their role in shaping youth‟s social participation today.

Oquiñena said that the issues of climate change, the dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, poverty and corruption are problems that challenge Filipino solidarity and can be overcome if people would unite to face these “bullies.”

Oquiñena emphasized that the school teachers play a big part in molding every youth‟s well being as they grow up and they should take advantage of this by imparting the value of unity and solidarity to their students.

“You have been given a task, a responsibility and an opportunity to co-create a person especially now that the challenges are very tough, (we have) climate change, poverty, the threat of war, the lack of food, etc.

This is the time we teach a very important lesson, the ability to be a unifying person,” Oquiñena said.

“We can only face climate change and other challenges if we learn how to be one. We cannot address social concerns kapag watak-watak tayo,” he added.

This is part of what he calls the „Filipino‟ brand which young people should learn today.

Oquiñena explained that the Filipino brand connotes excellence, right attitude towards others and the ability to set aside insecurities, biases and self pity in order to work for the good of the nation.

Aside from these, „Filipino‟ brands also

exhibits confidence in facing challenges and compassion to fellow countrymen.

He noted that the country experienced colonization thrice and this led to the perception that Filipinos are treated as second class citizens.

But Oquiñena believes this can still be changed if teachers can inspire students to have the sense of purpose and passion in their lives. “We should make sure that we will raise children that will have an intelligent heart before an intelligent mind, because an intelligent heart is a sure foundation for development,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the Pintig Pinoy lecture was attended by SSG Advisers (Secondary Schools), main high school principals, Araling Panlipunan department heads, district HEKASI coordinator, central school principals, DepEd, Sillimanians and elementary and high school teachers. (mbcn/ral/ PIA7-NegOr)

Over 300T Yolanda-hit north Cebu families benefit from food packs BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) – Over 300,000 Yolanda-affected families in the 16 hardest-hit localities in north Cebu benefitted from the distribution of food packs given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) since last year in the aftermath of the typhoon.

D

SWD-7 Disaster Focal Person Artemia Degamo said under its Food Assistance Program, they distributed the food packs in three rounds.

The food packs consist of rice, canned goods, noodles among others, said Degamo during the Post-Yolanda Press Briefing: Rehabilitation and Rebuilding Phase held at the Public Information Office of the AFP-Central Command yesterday.

The first round, just immediately after the typhoon, benefitted 117,975 families with a total cost of P39.493 million. The second round of food packs was distributed this year to 136,604

recipients with total worth of P45.625 million, bared Degamo.

“The third round is ongoing but so far, we have distributed the food packs to 69,147 families worth P82.976 million,” said Degamo.

Degamo said the remaining areas that are still for distribution are the City of Bogo and the towns of Pilar and Madridejos. “Bogo City has 11,000 beneficiaries and 2,340 for Pilar and around 2,000 in Madridejos,” claimed the DSWD-7 disaster point person.

According to Degamo, DSWD-7 will continue to provide food packs for affected families who have not fully recovered yet based

on the request of the local government unit concerned.

Meanwhile, Rosario Bacong, coordinator of the DSWD-7 Food and Non-Food Cluster said the last foreign relief donation that arrived in the port of Cebu just this month came from Japan‟s Triumph International which consisted of underwear.

“Another shipment from Thailand consisting of food and non-food items has arrived but is still under process,” said Bacong.

Cebu on the other hand, remains to be the relief operations hub of foreign donations for Region 8, said Bacong. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

Dumaguete City celebrates Philippine Civil Service Month DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City has enjoined state workers to actively participate in this year‟s 114th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary month-long activities celebration in September with the theme, “Tapat na Serbisyo Alay Ko, Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako.”

T

he city kicked off the celebration yesterday with the first Monday flag-raising ceremony at City Hall led by Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, with guest speaker CSC Provincial Director Merlinda Quillano.

In a short program, City Administrator William Ablong, in his welcome message to city employees said "Being in government is a call to service; it's a vocation, a special calling to serve God's people".

For her part, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Dir. Quillano called on government employees to live their lives as public servant heroes.

Quillano said that one way of being a public servant hero is prioritizing work and working beyond office hours to meet deadlines without any expectation of a higher salary or promotion.

She said “It is high time that we should celebrate the ordinary things that we do for our agency or the office that we serve.”

The CSC anniversary celebration aims to promote, showcase, and celebrate heroism in public service.

The program ended up with the "Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno" led by City Sports Officer Ike Villaflores, while the City Treasurers Office choir rendered the praising song during opening program.

Activities that highlighted the anniversary include sports competition, city hall got talent, quiz bee and among others.

Dumaguete City through the City Health Office is now starting the massive immunization against measles and oral polio in 30 barangays in the city to children ages zero to five years old.

City health officer, Dr. Sarah Talla said the target for the vaccination campaign for measles/ rubella is set at 14,586 children, while for the oral polio is at 17,123 children.

The Measles vaccines are given to children aged nine months to 59 months old, while polio vaccines to children aged zero to 59 months old or 5 years old below.

Dr. Talla urged parents in their respective barangay to visit the barangay health center to avail of the free immunization in line with the National Immunization Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

Talla assigned nurses with the help of barangay health workers in different barangays for the vaccination campaign.

This year‟s immunization campaign carries the theme: Ligtas sa Tigdas, Magkaisa, Magpabakuna.” (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

DENR-Siquijor moves for sustainable dev‟t BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, Aug 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with Siquijor provincial government conducted a workshop on Sustainable Development: Convergence Initiative and Local Governance recently at the Infinity Heights Resort, Pili, Siquijor. ttendees were included department heads ince.

Villa in visualizing and realizing the and representatives from government line Tagra highlights DENR‟s accomplishments department‟s mission as he vows to push agencies from the Department of Trade in providing sustainable livelihood projects to economic enterprise and promote job and and Industry (DTI), Department of various qualified People‟s Organization (PO). employment.

Science and Technology (DOST), Department He said Integrated Coastal Resource “It is just proper for us to keep and take of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department Management Program (ICRMP) and Sustainable good care of our natural resources”, said Gov. of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Coral Reef Ecosystems Management Program Villa during the event.

Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine (SCREMP) are some of DENR‟s organized “It is not too late to start anew. We Information Agency (PIA) the Office of the program to increase awareness and information cannot wait for some other time and we cannot Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and local chief towards being sensitive to our marine and wait for anybody else to work for us. Protection executives. coastal resources. and rehabilitation is everybody‟s concern”, he Municipal mayors Dean Villa of LGU To realize its mission, he said, one of the added.

Larena and Mei Ling Quezon of LGU Siquijor livelihood programs is supporting qualified With the DENR‟s effort and the were also part of the convergence.

POs sustain its objective to become support of the provincial government and DENR-Siquijor Provincial Environment and macro-enterprises in the future. stakeholders, “we must protect, conserve and Natural Resources Officer Moreno Tagra said Issues concerning the province‟s natural retain the beauty of our natural and marine the workshop aims to protect, conserve and resources were discussed and some of these are resources.” rehabilitate the province‟s natural resources. re-conceptualizing recipients of the livelihood Let our next generation see how The convergence will also assess and eval- project and finding solutions for the extracted wonderful our island was, is and will be, Tagra uate the different project implementations in all sands along port of Siquijor. concluded. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports areas of concern in all municipalities of the provPENRO Tagra gets support from Governor from Kay Abo/DENR - Siquijor)

A

NegOr PHO, hospitals ink MOU for TB-DOTS BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the 16 hospitals in the province signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently to intensify its implementation of Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (TB-DOTS) by increasing this year‟s 1,492 TB case detection.

W

ith this, the hospitals will be involved in the TB DOTS implementation to prevent and control the increasing TB cases especially to identified 12 local government units which have low TB detection rate.

According to assistant provincial health officer Dr. Edgardo Barredo TB is the sixth leading cause of death in the country, thus, he appealed to the 43 percent TB patients and suspects to seek consultation in the hospitals.

The TB patients will be provided free TB medicines to increase treatment compliance, said Dr. Barredo.

Thru hospital involvement now in TB-DOTS, TB patients are provided with quality services and properly referred to DOTS facilities.

Barredo said to prevent further development of multiple drug resistant TB cases, the patients should complete their medicines or continuous treatment and the public should be aware of the importance of

early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

The program is in line with the global plan and the goal of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) of sustainably reducing the TB prevalence and death rates by 50 percent in 2015 and hopefully eliminating it by 2050.

Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo called on health practitioners and institutions to work together in eradicating this killer disease.

The governor is pleased to note the involvement of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital along with Inapoy Community Primary Hospital and Mabinay Rural Health Unit as partners of Department of Health‟s TB-DOTS to control TB cases in the province.

He emphasized that health is one of his administration‟s priority concerns under its flagship program HELP – Health, Education, and Livelihood Programs and projects for peace and development.

In support of the TB control program,

provincial board member Dr. Liland Estacion said the province has allocated P600,000 for this year aside from the free x-ray using the mobile X-ray van.

Dr. Estacion said the challenge now is the emergence of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is difficult and expensive to treat as the bacteria has developed resistance to first-line drugs.

The TB strain results from patients not adhering to their drug regimen, meaning they do not take their medicines religiously for six months.

TB is a curable disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis that affects the lungs, and is transmitted through airborne or person-to -person spread of droplets from the throat and lungs of people with the respiratory disease.

TB prevalence is high among high-risk groups such as the elderly, the urban poor, smokers, and those with weak immune systems. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7 -Negros Oriental)

„Food Trip sa Valencia‟ up BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, Sept. 2 (PIA) – The municipal government of Valencia promotes its top culinary products and delicacies through a „Food Trip sa Chada Valencia‟ event on September 28 which is part of the activities in observance of the annual town fiesta.

V

alencia Sanguniang Bayan member and tourism officer designate Elsie Dagoy said the event will not just be a display of the town‟s famous dishes but will also exhibit Valencianon culinary expertise.

Dagoy said the best version of kalderetang kambing, paklay na kambing, bibingka and torta are found in Valencia. Apart from these, other food products like buko pie, bodbod and balanghoy will also be featured during the event.

The venue of the food festival is at the municipal gymnasium and plaza where there will

be areas designated for those selling barbeques, kaldereta and other local dishes.

The „Food trip‟ is made in partnership with Foundation University.

“We are inviting our provincial tourism officer and the president of the tourism officers (association) in the region so that they can personally document how we promote our food tourism,” Dagoy said.

Meanwhile on October 4-5, Valencia LGU will host 'Tabo sa Banay' wherein torta and bibingka makers will demonstrate to the public how they cook these

two town favorites and its inviting the public to join the town fiesta's merriment and festivity The activities begun Aug. 13 with the launching of „Chada Valencia, Protects the Environment and Tree Planting‟ which stepped up the municipal government‟s campaign on environmental protection.

Other highlight activities include the opening salvo with Halad Sayaw and presentation of Miss Valencia Candidates on October 3, A night with celebrity Maui Taylor on Oct. 9 and the Mutya ng Valencia pageant on Oct. 10.(mbcn/ral/ PIA7-NegOr)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Private entrepreneurs eye potential food basket hub

SoLeyte

as

BY: ERNA S. GORNE MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 1 (PIA) – The Southern Leyte Business Club, Inc (SLBCI) eyeing the abundance of natural resources in the province strongly believe that Southern Leyte could be a potential food basket hub.

T

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office in partnership with the SLBCI, a group of private-sector entrepreneurs are set to advance small-medium entrepreneurship (SME) advocacy as the key to propel economic development in the province.

According to Lito Calooy, president of the Southern Leyte Business Club, Inc (SLBCI), “one of the best program of the Department of Trade and Industry is the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy which provides “workshop-training sessions” in the improvement of the business operations of those aspiring to be entrepreneurs.”

That their businessmen-organization is willing to mentor would be entrepreneurs the ins and outs of business operations, he said.

Their initial findings include of Southern Leyte as having a potential in agricultural resources and very much viable in the dispersal of poultry, hogs, among others. He shared that SLBCI runs 12- franchises of organic lechon manok based in Leyte and Cebu provinces.

An SLBCI-mentor, Rey Calooy based in Libagon, now produces an organic noodles enriched with malunggay, squash, among others, and supplies supermarkets like Gaisano, and other businesslines.

Another businessman, Lito Arabia, who specializes in dealership encourages those producing local peanut butter to keep on producing and continue to develop an attractive packaging of their product as their line of business is to sell food and non-food products to the different stores in Visayas.

Other business lines of SLBCI include money lending, water refilling, car rentals, Sir Organico (organic Lechon Manok) franchising, poultry dispersal, buying lemon grass bulk and native chicken, he added.

SLBCI has more than 180 business-partners, Calooy concluded.

(PIA8 Southern Leyte)

DSWD awards 2014 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya BY: MARIVIC A. ALCOBER TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office No. 8 headed by Regional Director Nestor B. Ramos thru its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be conducting the Awarding Ceremony for the 2014 Regional Search for the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya.

A

ccording to DSWD the conduct of the awarding ceremony will take place during the conduct of the “Harampang ha PIA” hosted by the Philippine Information Agency 8 on September 16, 2014.

It was bared that during the Awarding Ceremony, the winners will be officially presented to the members of the

private media present during the Harampang and family beneficiaries who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values, and have a positive impact to the community will be given due recognition.

On said occasion, the members of the media will be given a chance to have an

interaction with the awardees.

DSWD will present the criteria used as basis during the search and each of the nominees will also be given a chance to give their Likewise, updates on the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be presented to the members of the media. (PIA-8)

DOST to make formal study on EVisayas ICT situation BY: LEONILO D. LOPIDO TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 31 (PIA) – With the wide destruction brought by super typhoon Yolanda in November last year, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure particularly in Leyte were not spared and has been totally damaged, said provincial director John Glenn Ocana of the Department of Science and Technology during the Harampang (Kapihan) ha PIA recently.

“

Everything has been back to zero.

That is why we will be conducting a formal study on the state of the ICT sector in the region after Yolanda,” director Ocana said.

Ocana said that their office proposed an average of P4.5 million budget per year starting this year until 2016 to rehabilitate and help the ICT sector in the region.

This was included as part of the rehab plan of the province of Leyte.

“The bulk of this will be allocated to support the industry study that is going to be conducted to do a benchmarking again on what was left on the ICT sector in the

region so that we can come up with a more comprehensive ICT rehab plan within the year,” Ocana further said.

DOST proposed also the establishment of an ICT Training Center that would help sustain and boost the IT manpower pool in the region.

Ocana recalled that before Yolanda, we already have an ICT Park in Palo, a call center and several non-voice Business Process Management (BPM) industries employing about 4,000 individuals already.

“Our ICT-BPM industry is one of the industries that keep our economy afloat.

It is almost or more than the

contribution of the Overseas Filipino Workers right now and one of the biggest earning industry at the same time one of the biggest generator of employment in the country,” Ocana added.

“We know that it can be a big boost to the economy of the region so we‟d like this to be rehabilitated because this industry has been affected also by Yolanda,” he said.

Recently, the Eastern Visayas Federation for Information Technology (EVFIT) gathered ICT stakeholders in the region during the two-day ICT Expo in Leyte with the theme, “Rebuilding a Better Eastern Visayas Through ICT.” (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

DSWD 8 urges vigilance against human traffickers BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 5 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas has urged the public to be vigilant in their own localities against human traffickers.

I

n a a Press conference held Tu es d ay at t h e UN OCH A Headquarters, Liceo del Verbo, this city, Charis Rosal of DSWD stressed the importance of increasing the level of awareness of the people especially in poor communities who are vulnerable to such kind of activity to prevent them from being victimized.

In the region, 44 incidents were reported to the DSWD Regional Office 8 within this year.

Some of the perpetrators were collared in Tacloban City.

The recent incident happened at the

Tacloban Airport where a foreigner and a Filipina attempted to force a minor to board a plane.

Prior to this, a case of child trafficking was also filed by the Tacloban PNP against five adults who were charged for violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 10364 or the Human Trafficking Law for victimizing five minors aged 12 to 15 years old in the municipality of Marabut Western Samar.

The five suspected traffickers who are members of an international non-government organization and a school principal in Marabut Western Samar were

collared by authorities at the Tacloban Abucay New Bus Terminal sometime in the month of April this year.

The group were even detained at the Tacloban City lock up cell for three months but released two weeks ago after the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Rosal further said that the incidents reported in 2014 is more than 50% higher of the 38 cases reported from 2011-2013.

As of this writing, there was no conviction yet based on court records in the region. (PIA-8)

Guv leads mass immunization campaign in Samar BY: NINFA ILUMINDA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 1 (PIA) - No less than Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan led the mass immunization campaign today at the provincial capitol with health authorities.

T

oday, the first day of September, Tan urged the capitol employees to help disseminate information to their neighbors and relatives about the Measles Rubella-Oral Polio Vaccine mass immunization (MR-OPV) campaign.

Health authorities in Samar target some 90 thousand kids aged nine months to 59 months old for the MR (measles rubella) vaccine while some 105 thousand kids aged 0 months to 59 months for OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine).

Dr. Antonio Tirazona of the Health department said that three out of ten Samarnons have yet to know what the campaign is all about.

“It is a challenge for us to reach the three Samarnon out there ,” Tirazona said seeking the help of PIA and capitol employees to inform the „uninformed‟.

Dr. Dulce Cernal, provincial health officer said that measles per se is not deadly, but the complications can be.

Measles is highly infectious but it is preventable if only parents will submit their kids to immunization.

“We need to interrupt the transmission of measles and rubella,” she said told the capitol employees that gathered after the flag ceremony this September morning.

Gov Tan also said that Samarnons need to sustain being a polio-free

province.

Should there be kids unable to get the free immunization and vaccination, the province is willing to reach out to them if only information will be relayed properly, she added.

To the parents reluctant to submit their kids to immunization as they may have fever after the vaccination had this to say.

“I would rather sacrifice my child having fever for a few days than being inflicted with measles and be sick with some complications,” she said.

Those who do not get immunization may suffer complications that can result to death. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

IACAT, IJM and PECOJON hold seminar on Reporting Human Trafficking BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 3 (PIA) – In its effort to intensify advocacy campaign against human trafficking in the region, the National Inter Agency Council against Trafficking in partnership with International Justice Mission and PECOJON conducted a 3-day Seminar on Reporting Human Trafficking at Luxury Suites Hotel, this city.

T

he activity is aimed at capacitating the local media of their roles in reporting cases of human trafficking.

Topics discussed during the seminar include "Understanding the media landscape, the values and challenges in the field of journalism," Conflict analysis tools in writing/reporting" and "tidbits of Republic Act 9208 and 10364 including the expanded penalties and identification of respondents under R.A. 10264 as

discussed by lawyer Darlene Pajarito.

Prosecutor Jed Ng of Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking stressed the importance of the roles of media in disseminating correct information to the public in order to increase the level of awareness of the communities especially in Yolanda-hit areas where people become vulnerable to this crime.

“Media plays a big role in preventing trafficking persons by giving correct information to the public of the modus

operandi of traffickers,” Ng said.

Although the vague situation in Eastern Visayas particularly in this city has already improved, the Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) and IJM continue to remind the public to be vigilant of this kind of activities.

In the whole Eastern Visayas, 44 cases of human trafficking were reported after Yolanda struck last November 2013.

(PIA-8)

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) 3378719/3377301 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. BaĂąares 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, Childrenâ€&#x;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