One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 16

Vol 4

Issue 16

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Working from the ground. Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge volunteers, some of whom came all the way from Singapore, dig the ground for the foundation of houses to be built in Barangay Fatima, New Washington, Aklan for victims of Typhoon Yolanda. The layout digging was conducted right after the launching of Bayani Challenge in the municipality April 12. At least 60 houses are to be built on this approximately 1.3 hectare lot, donated by the philantropic family of Ines Bautista Consemino. (PIA/VGVillanueva)

April 21 - 27, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

LMP Leyte thanks PNoy for help to Yolanda-stricken areas TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 24 (PIA) - The League of the Municipalities of the Philippines Leyte Chapter, in its recent meeting, passed and approved a resolution thanking the president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, for his efforts to help Leyte especially all the municipalities stricken by typhoon Yolanda.

The resolution was suggested by LMP national president and Leyte Chapter President Leonardo Javier of Javier, Leyte and seconded by more than twenty mayors present in the recently concluded LMP Leyte meeting held Tuesday.

“We will present it through Governor Dominic Petilla when the President comes,” said Javier.

Javier said that the President’s visit is in conjunction with his plans related to jobs, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

It was also revealed by Mayor Remedios Petilla that one of the reasons that the President is tentatively coming is the Mega Jobs Fair to be held in St. Paul School of Business and law gym in Palo.

The resolution of appreciation said Javier is fitting because the government has always been

there to support Leyte.

Almost all government agencies like DSWD, DA, DENR, DPWH and others came to help, the LMP president said.

Javier also shared the frustration of the majority of the mayors present in the meeting that some organizations come to their municipalities to ask for needs assessment but few came back to really give the much needed assistance.

It was revealed that out of 10 organizations who came to ask for needs assessment only one or two organizations actually came back to give help.

However, Javier lauded the many other organizations that came and really helped Leyte, mentioning the Korean Government, Tzu Chi Foundation, UNCHR and other humanitarian organizations.

Javier said that with the calamity that struck Leyte and with all the help coming from the government, it is a manifestation that in times of disaster you can count on your own government. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

P30M crop insurance up for WV farmers CENTRAL VISAYAS

Presscon w/ CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III, Australian Embassy Minister David Dutton and Counsellor for Development Cooperation Geoff King on the 2nd HR Symposium with the theme: "Gearing Toward ASEAN Integration through Strategic HR" at Aegean Rm, Waterfront Lahug on April 24, 2014

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

Basey Info Officer Mercy Caboboy shows to PIA 8 staff the new egg-laying machine post-Yolanda livelihood project of Barangay Iba Women’s Association . (PIA 8-Catbalogan)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

BY: ELSA S. SUBONG ILOILO CITY, April 24 (PIA) – Some P30 million crop and livelihood insurance was allotted for farmers and fisherfolk Yolanda survivors in the region, according to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

The amount, according to the Department of Agriculture, is part of the P80 million intended for the beneficiaries in the provinces heavily damaged by Yolanda.

The 30 million will be for farmers and fisherfolk in Aklan, Iloilo, Antique, Capiz and Guimaras.

This insurance program was set to be launched on April 25 at Hotel del Rio in Iloilo, PCIC Regional Manager Charlito Brilleta said.

Brilleta said the premium subsidy program covers insurance coverage for rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, fisheries, non-crop agricultural asset and term-accident and dismemberment security scheme.

Department of Agriculture records showed that damage to agriculture and fisheries is P7.48 billion including crops, fish production, facilities, structures and equipment. At hand during the launching to discuss their various credit programs are representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines, People’s Credit Finance Corporation, Agricultural Credit and Productivity Program, and the DAR Agrarian Production Credit Program. (DA/ JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Southeast Asia HR officers attend 2nd symposium BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Hundreds of participants from all over Southeast Asia attended the 2nd Human Resource Symposium held April 24-25 at Watefront Hotel in this city.

Civil Service Commission 7 information officer Prolaine Daclan said the national and international speakers for the two-day event were all experts in the field of human relations.

Their talks focused on best practices and initiatives on strategic HR of organizations and the challenges in moving forward ASEAN integration.

The learning sessions covered strategic HR, employee competencies, coaching as a powerful tool in developing the global leader, change management, knowledge management, human capital factor in transforming public organizations, talent management, and building personal effectiveness through neuro-linguistic programming.

Part of the affair was a press conference with no less than CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III, Commissioner Robert Martinez and Australian Embassy Minister and Deputy Head of Mission David Button. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Fight against corruption should start with the young

Typhoon Yolanda damages in the province of Capiz

BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 24 (PIA6) - - Start with the youth of today, the only hope of our country.

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awyer Romulo B. Macalintal, law expert and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines appointed coordinator for government sector in the 2014 Year of the Laity said this when asked if there is a solution to graft and corruption in the country.

Macalintal was in Bacolod City to conduct a lecture series on Honesty and Integrity in Public Service with the theme “Tapat na Kawani, Tunay na Bayani” with lay formator Vic Pestaño.

More than a hundred government workers and church people attended the lecture held at the St. John Mary Vianney of the San Sebastian Rectory in Bacolod City.

“Graft and corruption are so embedded in our system and what needs to happen is

to start with the youth,” Macalintal said.

Macalintal added that if our judicial system can be improved, if all these cases can be resolved and if the judicial department can bring back the confidence from our people, I think there will be solution.

“At present it is so hard. These cases before us, these are tests as to whether graft and corruption will be eradicated.

It might not be totally eradicated but at least lessen the effects of graft and corruption which will already be a reward to the Filipino people,” Macalintal said.

Macalintal also urged government employees to start to study how to serve the public with integrity.

“At least now our government sectors

are more concerned with honesty and integrity because the exposes we have heard against all officials involved in the scandals and they are now more cautious in their transactions. They should not only be cautious, but avoid and do not participate in any form of graft and corruption because our country is at the losing end. And to those who do not participate, they should set a good example to the youth to show them honesty and integrity in public service,” Macalintal added.

2014 is declared by the CBCP as the Year of the Laity and has been assigning a theme each year for the next nine years in anticipation of the 500th year anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country.* (JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

15th Pina and Fiber fest reels off BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, April 24 (PIA6) -- The 15th Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival here, one of the major yearly attractions in the celebration of Aklan’s anniversary as a separate province from Capiz, officially opened April 22 with 61 participating exhibitors.

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howcasing indigenous fibers and crafts, gifts, housewares and furnishings, processed food, health and wellness products and horticulture, the exhibit will run up to April 27, 2014, targeting P6.2392 million sales this year, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. Last year, the festival was able to earn P5.0891 million.

For this year’s exhibit, more or less 68 new product designs/prototypes are being launched, as a result of the market-led information sessions and workshops initiated

by DTI-Aklan last month.

Prior to the opening of the exhibits this year, DTI announced earlier that merchandisers and buyers from Manila and Boracay Island will be visiting the festival.

As with the past festivals, this year’s venue is at the Provincial Trade Hall.

The festival opening was graced by Aklan’s major elective officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, who delivered messages respectively.

In their messages, the provincial officials lauded the economic contribution of the fiber industry to the province of Aklan, which was pushed further by the holding of the Pina and Fiber Festival yearly, in time with the anniversary of the province.

“The fiber industry in the province has grown tremendously due to the festival initiated by the DTI and has now gone in hand with Aklan’s tourism industry”, said Governor Miraflores in his message.

He also made special mention of Amelia Rentillo and Anna India Legaspi of Hugod Aklanon Producers Association who initiated the first Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival 15 years ago.

A k l a n is n o w on i t s 5 8 t h year as a separate province after t h en Pr e s id en t R am on M a gs a ys a y signed Republic Act 1414 on April 25, 1956, weaning Aklan from its mother province, Capiz.

The bill which was instrumental for Aklan’s separation from Capiz was filed by then Congressman of the third district, Aklanon Godofredo P. Ramos.

For this historical achievement, Ramos has since been acknowledged the “Father of Aklan”. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Laborers, students doing hazardous jobs get insurance BY: PILAR S. MABAQUIAO SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) – The Department of Labor and Employment has allotted funds to insure laborers and students on summer job.

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rovincial Director Rene Santamena of DOLE Antique said beneficiaries of livelihood programs of DOLE particularly those who are engaged in hazardous labor are now given social protection particularly during the time they are covered by the program.

DOLE, according to Santamena has enrolled the beneficiaries to Philippine National Red Cross Accident Insurance making sure they have the protection in case they meet an accident while engaging in their livelihood

activities.

For youth on summer job or Special Program for the Employment of Students, DOLE has also enrolled them on PNRC’s insurance. They are also covered for one year upon assumption of their employment at any government agency, local government unit or private establishments.

DOLE however, ensures that the students are not exposed to hazardous work or activities.

For the adult laborers, Santamena said,

accident insurance is really a big help to them in case they meet an accident. Without insurance coverage, coping for the hospitalization and other expenses will be an added burden to them.

Particularly vulnerable are those engaged in construction of houses and rehabilitation of water control projects or protection dikes in northern Antique where DOLE has release livelihood support to families affected by Typhoon Yolanda, he said. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Northern Iloilo

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Coffee table book features WV protected areas BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

ILOILO CITY, April 23 (PIA6) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Western Visayas launched a coffee table book featuring the region’s 10 identified protected areas during the celebration of Earth Day on April 22.

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n a statement, the DENR-6 Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) said that the coffee table book is the first of its kind produced in Western Visayas.

RPAO said the book aims to provide information to the readers especially the nature lovers and the local government units as well as to enable them to appreciate the beauty of the protected areas and the importance of biodiversity in the life cycle of man.

Protected areas are identified portions

of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance which are managed to enhance biological diversity and are protected against human exploitation.

In Western Visayas, 10 protected areas were identified and prioritized for protection, conservation and sustainable management. Two of these protected areas were already proclaimed by Congress as components of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of

1992.

The NIPAS Act of 1992 is considered a milestone being one of the various laws enacted towards the continued protection, conservation, and sustainable management of the country’s rich and unique biological resources.

The DENR said that the coffee table book shall also be a come-on for investors who wanted to develop these protected areas into an eco-tourism site for nature enthusiasts. (JCM/LTP/DENR/PIA-Iloilo)

Summer time is family bonding time BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, April 23 (PIA6) --- Parents can make their children’s summer vacation meaningful and worthwhile by giving more time for family bonding.

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rof. Regie Palmos, Center for Peace Education Coordinator and Guidance Counselor at West Visayas State University Integrated Laboratory School, said that parents should take advantage of the vacation time to allow their kids to know their respective families either in the maternal or paternal side.

“Family bonding can pave way for children to know the origin of their families with deep respect and deep conviction,” he said.

He said that bonding with the family nowadays has become rare due to the generational gap.

“At present, we would only get to know our relatives in fiestas, burials, baptisms, weddings but these are not enough to really sink in a deeper lesson of valuing each other especially for the kids,” he said.

Palmos also advised parents to refrain from enrolling their children in full academic load this summer.

“Children are children so we should not take away the time for them to enjoy,” he stressed.

He said that parents should not allow their kids to miss their childhood or it becomes a developmental lag for them.

He advised that children should be

engaged in activities such as swimming, biking, camping, or any other that could equip them with survival skills and that they would enjoy.

“Parents should also make sure that kids are not occupied with just playing the computer, Internet, or Ipad because these are solitary in nature,” he said.

He said that kids should be exposed to games such as “piko”, “ins”, “tumbang preso”, among others, which could pave way for interaction.

He added that these games would not only develop their skills and potentials but also improve their social interaction with people. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Power back for 14,000 households by May 15 BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 21 (PIA6) – The remaining 14,000 households who are not yet served by Capiz Electric Cooperative can expect to have their power supply back by May 15.

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ccording to CAPELCO General Manager Edgar Diaz, they are targeting to restore the power supply to 14,359 households by May 15.

He said that there is an ongoing construction and power restoration, particularly in the 351 sitios and 21 other off-grid barangays in Capiz.

Diaz disclosed that as of April 3, the 16 towns and city in the province including the 452 on-grid barangays and 611 sitios were already energized with 95,171 households connected with power supply.

He stressed that the 452 on-grid barangays in Capiz were restored with power supply in March 28, which is three days ahead of their target date.

On the other hand, Diaz expressed appreciation to President Benigno S. Aquino III

for helping them in the rehabilitation and restoration of power supply in Capiz after the wrath of supertyphoon Yolanda.

“We had experienced many typhoon devastation before that paralyzed also the power supply of CAPELCO but it is only the Aquino administration that provided us a grant or funding assistance,” he said.

Diaz revealed that the Aquino administration has granted to CAPELCO through the National Electrification Administration P478-million rehabilitation and restoration assistance.

He pointed out that the financial help of the Aquino administration was given on the conditions that CAPELCO will restore power to all households that are ready to receive power after wrath by supertyphoon Yolanda and that member-consumers have no

obligation to pay the grant in the form of rate increase.

He said that as of April 3, NEA was able to release to the cooperative here P301-million already and the remaining P177-M is expected to be released soon for use in the fixing of temporary posts in Roxas City.

“We are very thankful to the NEA Deputy Administrator who personally oversee the rehabilitation and restoration efforts here and provided us with all the necessary assistance we needed,” he said, citing also the help of the Task Force Kapatid in the said effort.

Based on damage assessment, CAPELCO has incurred some P670-million losses to infrastructure due to supertyphoon Yolanda in November last year to include the more than 30,000 electric posts that were toppled down, Diaz said. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DA 7 to conduct CCA info campaign adaptation to farmers in NegOr BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Bantayan Island, Cebu

DUMAGUETE CITY, Apr. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 7 will conduct information campaigns on climate change adaptation (CCA) in agriculture to farmers and livestock raisers in Negros Oriental.

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he move aims to help farmers become also feature tips and methods in mitigating the bad prepared for the mild El Niño effects of prolonged dry season on irrigation areas. phenomenon which is expected to happen On the other hand, livestock raisers are soon. reminded to come up with short term and long During a Kapihan Forum today, Jhun Acabal term preparedness measures to protect their of the DA Region 7’s Crop Protection Center said animals from the harmful effects of the mild El DA is now finalizing schedules on when they will Niño. visit municipalities in the province for the Dr. Raul Migriño, Quarantine Office of the information drive.

But Acabal said these DA explained that short term preparedness means information caravans would probably start by May. providing sheds to animals especially to cattles, Part of the information drive is to encourage goats, and carabaos so that they won’t be affected farmers to plant crops that can adapt to prolonged by too much heat while long term preparedness is dry weather season like corn, garlic, onions, supplying them with enough food during prolonged winged beans, munggo beans and pigeon peas and very dry season. other varieties of sweet potatoes. Farmers are aslo Migriño notes that during extreme dry advised to plant “drought-tolerant” varieties of climate, animals don’t eat normally because of rice. shortage on grasses which farm animals usually eat.

“For them to be able to earn income, they The mild El Niño is expected to happen by should shift to crops that are not so water late May to early June this year and the areas that dependent,” Acabal said. are seen to be affected by the prolonged dry The climate change adaptation campaign will season are the towns of Basay, Siaton and Bayawan

City in the south and the Vallehermoso, Canlaon City and Guihulngan City in the north.

However, the two officials dismissed thoughts that people should highly fear the expected dry spell but it would be better if they are prepared to mitigate its effects.

Acabal further said that the mild dry spell may incur damages in crop and livestock farms but they are expecting it to be at low level. He said that since it is a mild El Niño the damages are still manageable. “This is mild compared to what we have experienced before which is a longer period of drought. Farmers should not fear it if they are prepared,” Acabal said.

“The effect is not very dramatic if talk about large scale animal production like big piggeries or people with enough financial capacity to invest on sheds and food for animals.

But to those marginalized (livestock) farmers, their livelihood may be affected,” Migrinio added. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

DOST Siquijor inks MOA with 2 entreps BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, April 24 (PIA)—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here, through its Provincial Director, Engr.

Mario de la Pena signed on April 22 the Memoranda of Agreement with two entrepreneurs--Oyhop Welding Shop through its proprietor, Crecencio Oyhop and Gemma’s Homemade Food Products through its proprietor Gemma Flores.

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he MOA aims to seal the technical support and assistance to be extended by the Department of Science and Technology – Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP) to improve their respective products, says DOST-Siquijor project assistant Reinhold Jek Abing in a press release submitted to the PIA. The proponents/project beneficiaries in return, pledged to extend their full cooperation for the effective and efficient implementation of the said projects, Abing said.

Engr. Mario De la Pena, in an interview, also said that this event is one of the first steps in the

project implementation.

He further said that, following the signing of the MOA, funds will be released to the beneficiaries to facilitate the acquisition/ fabrication of all the equipment/materials they need as stipulated in their respective approved project proposals.

“I’m looking forward to the project implementation. It will be of great help in upgrading the metal products fabrication and services of my welding shop”, said Crecencio Oyhop, one of the beneficiaries.

Another beneficiary Gemma Flores said she is very optimistic about the project.

She said that she can’t wait to improve her production facilities.

SETUP is a nationwide strategy of the DOST encouraging and assisting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technological innovations to improve th eir p rodu ct s, servi ces, operation s and increase their productivity and competitiveness.

The MOA signing was witnessed by the DOST personnel and staff at its Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC). (mbcn/RAC/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing/DOST-Squijor)

Camotes Island farmers receive agri inputs BY: JUJU M. EMPUERTO CEBU CITY, April 22 (PIA) --- In a recent visit of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala to Camotes Island, around 600 farmers and fisherfolk from San Francisco, Poro, Tudela, and Pilar received agricultural inputs.

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he effort was part of DA’s rehabilitation and reconstruction project for the victims of typhoon Yolanda in the island.

Each municipality received 100 pcs coconut seedlings, bags of coconut fertilizers, assorted vegetables seeds (mongo, squash, tomato, okra, eggplant & pole sitao), 400 pcs of guyabano seedlings, 150 pcs jackfruit seedlings, 60 bundles of cassava planting materials, 25 units of pump boats and 10 bags of rice seeds to replace the damaged vegetation in the island.

DA Secretary turned over other agricultural inputs to Pilar town that include 10 bags of white corn seeds, 1,000 camote cuttings and 2 knapsacks sprayers.

The Tudela LGU was also given additional 1,000 camote cuttings, 300 duck eggs and 13,500 units of insurance claims while the municipalities of Poro and San Franciso each received additional 10 bags of white corn seeds and 500 camote

cuttings from the DA official.

DA also allocated for raffles for Pilar municipality two knapsacks sprayers, two carabaos, three cattles and six breeder goats while the Tudela LGU was allocated two knapsacks sprayers, two carabaos, two cattles, six breeder goats and ten plastic drums for its raffle.

Alcala also gave Poro town two knapsacks sprayers, three carabaos, three cattles, six breeder goats, ten plastic drums and five bags of yellow-hybrid corn seeds.

Two knapsacks sprayers, two carabaos, three cattles, six breeder goats, ten plastic drums and five 5 bags of yellow-hybrid corn seeds were also raffled in San Francisco town.

Alcala committed to give an additional 1 unit 4-wheeled tractor, a lying-in facility for alimango, two farmalite planters, a set of suyod and araro for San Francisco town.

Secretary also promised Tudela town a unit

of 4-wheeled tractor, corn seeds, two units mechanical planters, two units upland tiller, 1 unit corn mill and farm implements for the carabaos given.

Alcala also committed to Poro town with a unit 4-wheeled tractor, 15 farmalite corn planters, two corn seed planters and the expansion of the sea weeds production while Pilar town will have two corn planters and five mechanical cassava graters with presser.

Secretary Alcala was with Senator Cynthia Villar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food and Edilberto de Luna, DA Undersecretary for Operations.

Senator Villar allocated galvanized irons,organic fertilizers and relief goods for the 100 badly hit families of the four municipalities.

Around 2,000 farmers and fisherfolk from Camotes attended the event. (mbcn/JSME/ PIA7-Cebu/with reports from DA7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Earthquake damages in Bohol

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NegOr PPOC endorses province as ‘insurgency manageable’ BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 21 (PIA) -- The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) has issued recently a resolution endorsing Negros Oriental as ―Conflict Manageable and Development Ready‖ .

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ith the security situation presented during the PPOC meeting, the province is considered as 'at a conflict-manageable level' where insurgency has dwindled in the past years due to the continuous decline of rebel armed movements in the affected areas.

It is said that the communist party or the New People’s Army groups have been reduced that it can no longer pose a serious threat to peace and order in the province.

It is also explained that an area is declared insurgency-free if the strength of rebels within its jurisdiction is too small to influence the livelihood of residents.

Governor Roel Degamo welcomed the development that the province is now at a “conflict-manageable or “insurgency-free”.

However, the governor said, “This brand name does not really matter, what is important is that insurgency now has decreased to its minimum in the province.”

The 302nd Brigade Commander Brigadier General Francisco Patrimonio, presented the latest assessment of the status of the insurgency movement in the province.

The report showed a very manageable insurgency situation as concretized by the dwindling number of insurgents, their mass base, and their areas of concerns in Negros Oriental.

With this, a declaration will be formally signed on May 7 to be witnessed by the high ranking officials of the Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Governor Degamo admitted this is another great accomplishment of the provincial government in relation to its vision of attaining real peace and development in the province.

He thanked all the sectors that serve as his partners namely the AFP, the PNP, the various uniformed services and law enforcement agencies, and most of all the private sector and the public in general.

However, the governor also said that it is at this point where the real challenge starts because he believes that addressing the insurgency problem is one thing but sustaining the peace and development effort is another thing.

He said it is not enough that we have

minimized the problem to a “conflict manageable and development ready level” but we also need to continue to come together so that we will not anymore provide those who push for other ideologies the opportunities to strengthen their movement.

“This is also an opportunity to show to the people the presence of the government especially in addressing their basic needs in or order to uplift their quality of life,” he said.

He also readily accepted the challenge of handling the fight against insurgency in the province as concerns on internal peace and security will be turned over to the LGUs and the PNP. General Patrimonio, on the other hand, said that the AFP will continue to have its presence felt in the province but its role in as far as internal peace and security is concerned will be more of the supervisory level in support to the LGUs and the PNP. In order to sustain this, the governor promised he will continue to bring about aggressive efforts in coordination with the various agencies of government and the private sector. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

GK Village to rise in Valencia town soon BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, April 24 (PIA) -- A new settlement for the victims of Typhoon Sendong will soon rise in Valencia, Negros Oriental. alencia Mayor Edgar Teves said that the help of former Finance Secretary Gary Okoy in Valencia. the GawadKalinga Village will have an Teves.

With the GK handling the initial of 50 houses which will be A m on g th ose inv ite d in th e c om mu n ity or g an iz in g , p r osp ec t iv e located in a one-hectare lot owned by the local groundbreaking ceremony are former recipients will have to provide a sweat government in Sitio Jamali, Barangay Liptong, Finance Secretary Teves, and Gawad equity which is based on the concept of Valencia Kalinga provincial head Bonifacio Pilas. bayanihan.

The housing project will have its San Miguel Corporation has pledged 100 The community will be organized through groundbreaking rites on April 26 and is being houses for Sendong victims and those living in formation and livelihood programs. (mbcn/JCT/ funded by the San Miguel Corporation with critical areas along the rivers of Banica and PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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DENR to link with local state university for NGP monitoring in NegOr BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY, Apr. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental plans to tie up with a local state university to monitor the implementation of National Greening Program (NGP) in the province.

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rovincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Charlie Fabre disclosed that there are talks with Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) President Dr. Vicente Real about a possible three-year partnership with the institution.

If the plan pushes through, Fabre explained that for the first year of the tie up, NORSU students will participate in the tree-planting activity in sites identified by the DENR. On the second year, another set of students will go to these sites and check on the survival of these plants. On the third year, another set of students will again go to these sites to monitor and ensure the growth of these plants.

Aside from these, NORSU students will also monitor how the department implements the NGP and the impact of NGP in the environment and in nearby communities.

For its part, the DENR will provide the

technical and financial support in the conduct of their study.

Fabre hopes that they could enter an agreement with NORSU by May this year.

Fabre disclosed this in an interview after an Earth Day Forum held in NORSU earlier today where one of the key points discussed was the status of the implementation of the National Greening Program in Negros Oriental.

Fabre noted that for the past three years 24,000 hectares of land in the province has been covered by the NGP. The overall land target to be covered by the NGP in Negros Oriental is at 42, 500 hectares. For this year, about 12,000 hectares of land are aimed to be included in the NGP. “This year, our target initially is 7,000 hectares but it increased to 12, 000 hectares because the regional office learned that the local government officials here are supportive to the program so they thought that it would be good to

expand (the land areas),” Fabre said.

With this, Fabre said his agency expects that there will be an increase in the total land coverage of the NGP in the province up to 50,000 hectares. Still, Fabre remains positive that DENR will still be able to reach the target by 2016.

Most of the identified sites for the NGP in Negros Oriental are in Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Ayungon and Tayasan towns.

Meanwhile, the Earth Day Forum in NORSU also focused on campaigning environmental conservation to students of the university. There was a lecture on climate change given by other DENR representative.

“What I want from them is to absorb the message about situation of planet Earth so they can also be agent to other sector and bring information so that they should make contribution in preserving the environment,” Fabre challenged the NORSU students. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DSWD gears up for NCDDP Typhoon Yolanda damages in Tacloban, Leyte

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 23 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Eastern Visayas is now getting ready for the scaling up of the community driven development program known as Kalahi-CIDSS to the so-called National Community Driven Development Program.

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SWD Region 8 Director Nestor Ramos said that currently, the Kalahi -CIDSS Program Management Office of Region VIII has been conducting an orientation on the process of enrolment of Local Government Units for NCDDP. As the NCDDP is set to be officially launched in the midyear of 2014, the regional office now doubles the time and effort as it will cover 136 municipalities which is the largest coverage in the whole Philippines by region for NCDDP, Director Ramos said.

The 136 municipalities are categorized into two: (1) the “177”, which are non-poor and Yolanda-affected municipalities; and (2) the “377”, or the poor and Yolanda affected municipalities.

In the region, there are 21 municipalities

belonging to “117” category and 115 municipalities under the “377” category, the Regional Director said.

The large coverage also means massive hiring of staff to implement NCDDP in the 136 areas.

In a nutshell, the Field Office VIII needs to hire and/or re-hire 45 Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) staff, 68 Sub- RPMO Staff and 1, 763 Area Coordinating Team staff. Each municipality needs one Area Coordinator; every 25 barangays of each municipality need one Deputy Area Coordinator and one Municipal Financial Analyst; and every three barangays, one Community Facilitator.

The NCDDP is the scaling up of the Kalahi-CIDSS, one of the national government’s

flagship programs for poverty reduction.

NCDDP will use CDD approach to address poverty. Using this strategy will empower ordinary citizens to actively and directly participate in local governance by identifying their own community needs, planning, implementing, and monitoring projects to address local poverty issues collectively.

The CDD strategy was used and proven effective by the Kalahi-CIDSS in its past 11 years of implementation. It puts power back in the hands the people by giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions on locally identified options for development, and manage resources to implement sub-projects that address the needs identified by the communities themselves. (PIA 8)

DA allots P1.3B for agri reconstruction aid in EV By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 22 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the region has allocated a total of P1.3 billion funds for the rehabilitation of the agricultural sector in Eastern Visayas.

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uring the Harampang ha PIA held recently at Leyte Sports Development Center, this city, Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 8 Director Bernadette San Juan said, this includes the P800 million allotted for government facilities destroyed by the strong typhoon such as laboratories and other equipments, among others.

“Sa region po meron tayo P1.3 billion sa reconstruction assistance kasama po ang 800 million para sa government facilities po natin and in terms of grants to farmers meron po

P500 million,” San Juan explained.

The DA official said the government is committed to address the problems of farmers in Yolanda affected areas to help the farming communities fully recover from the calamity.

Among the farmers in the whole region, the coco farmers were the ones who suffered most during Yolanda’s devastation in November last year and such was a great loss to the farming sector knowing that coconut farming comprises 70% of the agriculture in Eastern Visayas.

Despite DA’s assurance for more

rehabilitation and intervention programs for the benefit of typhoon-affected farmers like bringing in more help through seeds, farm implements and other equipments to revive the agriculture sector in the region, farmers particularly coco farmers are being urged to shift to other alternative crops while their coconut farms are still being rehabilitated.

As reported, millions of coconut trees in region 8 were destroyed by typhoon Yolanda and it will take six to eight years before it will be fully productive again. (PIA-8)

OCD 8 has new chief By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 24 (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas has a new regional director in the person of Dr. Blanche Gobenciong who replaced Director Rey M. Gozon following the formal turnover ceremony conducted Wednesday at Ritz tower de Leyte, this city.

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ursuant to the office order dated April 14, 2014 and signed by Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Eduardo T. Del Rosario, the transfer and reassignment of Gobenciong has been approved. Hence, effective April 23, 2014 she has assumed her new designation as the Regional Director of Office of Civil Defense and Chairperson of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region. Dr. Gobenciong who is from Eastern Visayas is a native of Tanauan Leyte. She was assigned in Central Office before her transfer to the region. In her acceptance speech, Dr. Gobenciong humbly accepted her new responsibilities, obligations and authority as Regional Director for OCD in the region.

Likewise, Director Gozon who has been

serving the office for three years, three months and six days in acting capacity as regional director relinquished his post and now designated as new Assistant Regional Director.

In his speech, Gozon expressed his heartfelt thanks to his superiors for the chance and confidence given to him to lead a team who has given so much more than themselves.

“It has been an honor in my life to be appointed as officer in charge of the OCD region 8 because I was given the chance to lead a team that is not only able and capable but a team who has given so much more than themselves.” Gozon said.

Gozon was also very appreciative of the support and cooperation of his staff, local government units through the DRRM officers, various non-government organizations and

people’s organizations, members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the region and other stakeholders.

He was also very appreciative of the strength shown by the stakeholders when Yolanda tested not only his capacity as a leader but also the relationships of the stakeholders to its maximum level.

Gozon promised support and cooperation to the new chief in their quest of building back better of the region.

The turnover of command was made in the presence of OCD Deputy Administrator Director Romeo F. Fajardo, PNP and AFP officials in the region, local government executives and other members and representatives of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in region 8. (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Tacloban, Leyte

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PH achieves 96% rice sufficiency despite Yolanda By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

PALO, Leyte, April 24 (PIA) – The Philippines has achieved 96 percent rice sufficiency despite the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

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his was revealed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who was in Leyte on April 23 to distribute some P459 million worth of farm implement to various municipalities in the province.

The Secretary called for the understanding of those present in the activity for his failure to deliver his promise to reach 100 percent rice sufficiency in the year 2013.

The Philippines has achieved 96% rice sufficiency a 4% short of his promise.

However, he is happy with the achievement because three years ago the Philippines only achieved 86% rice sufficiency.

The Secretary said he does not blame anyone for the non-achievement of the 100 percent rice sufficiency.

He said the main culprit is the effects of typhoon Yolanda.

Moreover, the Secretary revealed that last year, the Philippines posted the highest percentage of rice harvest in the history of farming, having reached 18.44 million metric tons of rice.

Alcala, however, called on the stakeholders not to rest on these laurels. He said that the continuous help of the department is also a commitment of the President to better the lives of the farmers especially in the Yolanda stricken areas.

Alcala exhorted the farmers and the LGU leaders present to continue the interventions they have done to revive farming in their respective places and to expand their farming and not focus on rice alone.

The distribution of farm implements was held at the newly renovated municipal hall of

Palo, in the presence of the host municipality mayor Remedios Petilla, Gov. Jericho Petilla of Leyte, congressman Jose Carlos Cari of the fifth district of Leyte and the different mayors coming from the 5 district of Leyte.

Mayor Remedios Petilla thanked Secretary Alcala for the visit and the farm implements distributed to several towns in Leyte, she revealed that just after typhoon Yolanda the Department of Agriculture immediately heed their call for assistance in their agriculture sector.

The mayor said that with the support coming from the national government “the bottomline is at the end of the it’s still the government that will work very hard for the local government”. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)

8ID gains significant score vs. NPA rebels in 1st quarter 2014 CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 23 (PIA) – As the timeline of the 8th Infantry Division to accomplish its mission to create an environment conducive to peace and development for the whole of Eastern Visayas is nearing, the troops expect strong resistance from the rebels to defend their dwindling strongholds.

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But the rebels will not be able to stop the inevitable,” 8th Infantry Division (ID) During the first quarter, 8ID also handed over Commander Maj Gen Jet B. Velarmino five of the twenty six towns of Samar Province said. and ten of the twenty four towns of Northern The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Samar Province to their Local Government gained against the New People’s Army (NPA) Units as Manageable Conflict-Affected and rebels operating in Eastern Visayas during the Development-Ready areas (MCADR).

1st quarter of 2014.

This is only a manifestation that the NPA Based from 8ID accomplishment record rebels have lost their influence in these 15 for the 1st quarter 2014, the NPA rebels towns that were handed over, said an army suffered blows in all fronts. official.

On manpower, twenty six rebels The provinces of Samar and Northern surrendered, seven were arrested and one was Samar in their entirety are scheduled to be killed during an encounter, a total of 34 rebels handed over by 8ID to their respective neutralized. provincial peace and order councils in June On the part of the 8ID, one soldier was 2014 and December 2014 as MCADR areas. killed in action, while two were wounded in In their desperate attempt to offset their action. setbacks and woes the rebels resorted to On firearms, troops recovered five high killing innocent people compounding their powered firearms and fourteen low powered violations against people’s rights, the army firearms. Government forces incurred no loss observed. during the period.

According to 8ID Division Public Affairs

Chief Amado Gutierrez, during the period, the rebels perpetrated murders against four innocent and hapless civilians.

The NPA murdered one former rebel, one civilian, one Active Auxiliary (Cafgu ) and one Army reservist.

These commissions of heinous crimes by the NPA rebels will further alienate them from the people who already resent their extortion activities.

“In the coming months, we will press on with the fight but we welcome peaceful resolution to this armed conflict being waged by the NPA rebels,” Velarmino expressed.

The commanding officer also invite all stakeholders to get involved in winning the peace by pressuring the rebels to return to the mainstream and to abandon armed struggle to pre-empt violence. “We all need peace for the security and well-being of our people and sustainable development in the region,” he added. (PIA 8 Samar with Avha H. Ebalde)

DOST presents P270K assistance to Haiyan-affected scholars GOVERNMENT CENTER, Palo, Leyte, April 22 (PIA) - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently presented more than P270,000 financial assistance to 34 DOST scholars who were affected by the November 8 Yolanda onslaught in the Region.

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ngr. Ramil T. Uy, DOST Senior Engr. Uy clarified that not all Science Research Specialist, revealed scholars were given the assistance, only those that each scholar received some that were badly affected by the typhoon were P8,000. selected.

According to Engr. Uy, the The scholar-recipients are students beneficiaries were identified by the Central from Eastern Visayas State University Office and most of them are residing in the –ORMOC Campus ,University of the Yolanda stricken areas such of Sta. Fe, Philippines in the Visayas Tacloban College, Alang-Alang, Ormoc, in the province of Leyte Samar State University, all scholars of DOST. and Basey in Samar.

The amount according to Uy will not be

liquidated so the recipient has the leeway as to what to do the with the financial assistance.

However, Engr. Uy is hoping that it will be able to augment the family’s fund for the repair of their houses.

Uy informed that DOST in Region 8 submitted a petition for an additional number of student who may be qualified for the same assistance. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann Abella)

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. 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, 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