One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 38

Vol 4

Issue 38

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa prods the student participants of the on-the-spot essay writing contest on climate change mitigation and adaptation to do their best during the competition's opening program held Friday at the Mansion Garden here. (LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

September 22 - 28, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

DPWH implements nat’l road, health facilities projects CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) - New projects on national roadwork and health facilities are being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The first project on roadwork will benefit the traveling public and motorists plying the national road from Northern Samar to Calbayog City will now experience comfort and convenient travel.

This is according to Information Officer Marianette Gomez of the DPWH-Samar First Engineering Office based in Calbayog City headed by District Engr Virgilio Eduarte.

Preventive Maintenance fund amounting to P24.2 Million has been released under the agency‟s Regular Infrastructure Program.

The asphalt overlay project covers three road sections with a total length of 1.2 km in the coastal areas of Barangays Bugtong, Malayog and Baay.

Another project implemented by the same district is the construction of nine Barangay Health Stations (BHS) in selected localities identified by the Department of Health (DOH) with a total amount of P 9.6 Million under the 2014 Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP).

HFEP seeks to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities in the Samar areas targeting rural health units, health stations, and district hospitals.

For 2014, barangays in need of the basic medical services will be provided like those in the island towns of Almagro, Sto. Niño, Tagapul-an, Matuguinao and Sta. Margarita in Samar.

The health structures amount to P 1 M to P 1.2 M according to the DPWH-Samar 1. (jrc/PIA 8-Samar with Marianette Gomez-DPWH Samar First District Eng‟g Office)

RDC 6 launches WV migration and dev’t project More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman citing the Climate Change Advocacy Promise during the PIA-DENR climate change school caravan at Junob National High School in Negros Oriental last Sept. 25. It is a pledge she made to encourage young people to change their bad habits and become responsible stewards of the environment.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

Barangay officials and residents, students, government employees, the academe and stakeholders join the International Coastal Clean Up Day along Cancabato Bay in Tacloban City, September 20. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA6) -- The Regional Development Council, Region VI launched the Western Visayas-Migration and Development Initiative (WV-MDI) Project during its 3rd Quarter Regular Meeting for 2014 today.

During the meeting at the RDC VI Conference Hall at NEDA 6, Negros Occ. Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., also assumed his post as the new RDC VI Chairperson. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor administered his oath of office.

The WV-MDI project, supported by the Swiss Development Cooperation, will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the Regional Development Council VI, through its Secretariat, the National Economic and Development Authority, Region VI. The Western Visayas League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators, Signpost Philippines, Inc. and the 6 provinces of Western Visayas are the project partners.

A total budget of US$230,000 (P10 million) is provided for the project from July 2014 to April 2016.

The project seeks to prepare a local migration situationer for Western Visayas, increase awareness and strengthen the capacity of local government authorities in linking migration and development, and pool collective remittances and private support in strengthening the region‟s disaster risk response and reduction operations, especially for women

and children.

The project aims to strengthen the contribution of migration to development considering the fact that Western Visayas is the sixth top sending region of Filipinos abroad with more than 200,000 migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

It also aims to capacitate local chief executives and planners in consciously considering the contributions of migrant workers to communities and local government units in Western Visayas.

Maranon was appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III to a two-year term from September 2014 to June 2016. (NEDA/cmp/PIA6)

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr. takes his oath as the new Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Chairperson, administered by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor during the 3rd Quarter Regular Meeting of the council held at NEDA VI Office, Iloilo City, September 26, 2014. (LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

5,000 4P's families to share stories on conquering poverty By: Ferliza Calizar-Contratista CEBU CITY, September 23 (PIA)--- It‟s the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program beneficiaries time to shine this Sunday, as 5,000 of them are expected to gather in Cebu City to celebrate Family Week.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) information officer Lea Quintana announced in today‟s Kapihan sa PIA that families from all over the region will gather on September 28, Sunday at Plaza Independencia in Cebu City for a Convergence Caravan.

“They will be sharing success stories and how the Filipino families survived the various calamities,” Quintana said.

The gathering is done simultaneously in all regions nationwide celebrating Family Week with the theme, “Celebrating the Filipino Families: Resilient and Caring”.

“It will give recognition to Filipino families‟ indomitable spirit and compassion, to which the Philippines is globally known for,” Quintana said.

Included among the 5,000 are the 4Ps beneficiary families who were victims of the typhoon and the earthquake last year.

On the same occasion the “Pantawid Pamilya para sa Pagbabago” campaign will be launched with the “Kaya ko ang Pagbabago” dance to be performed by the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

Local government units are also encouraged to celebrate the National Family Week with other similar activities related to unifying the families.

Meanwhile Region VII bet for the Model Pantawid Pamilya Search, Ewican family of Carmen, Bohol, landed in the top 5 of the annual contest.

Final announcement of winners will also be done on the same day in Manila.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation program of the Philippines which now covers all barangays in the entire country. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

DOST promotes Pinggang Pinoy By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA6) — The Pinggang Pinoy is the healthy food plate for Filipino adults, which the Department of Science and Technology has developed, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council.

T

his is an easy-to-understand food guide that uses the familiar food plate model to convey the right food group proportions on a per meal basis to meet the energy and nutrient needs of the adult body.

“The plate is divided into imaginary four sections to indicate proportions of food following the Go, Grow and Glow food groups,” said Nona Tad-y, NNC-6 Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator.

According to the DOST food plate, a bigger fourth section of the plate should be for rice and alternatives, a choice from 1 cup of rice, 4 pieces of pandesal, 17g each, 4 slices of loaf bread, 17g each, 1 cup cooked macaroni or spaghetti

noodles, or a small piece of root crop like kamoteng kahoy, gabi, or ubi.

Another bigger fourth portion is for vegetables, which is from ¾ to 1 cup of cooked or raw vegetables.

A smaller fourth portion consists of fish and alternatives, which may consist of two servings of any of 1 pc of small size fish, 1 pc of small chicken leg or a matchbox size of chicken breast, 1 matchbox size of meat (pork, beef) or 1 pc of small chicken egg.

Still another smaller fourth portion consists of fruits, a choice from 1 medium size fruit, like banana, dalanghita, or kaymito, or 1 slice of big fruit like papaya or water melon.

In addition, the DOST and its partners, prescribe eight or more glasses of water daily.

Tad-y said that there is also the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) which should be observed by the people in choosing and preparing their daily meals, as they consider the needs of each member of the family.

She added that much more that the NGF and the Pinggang Pinoy be promoted and practiced in these times when disasters and emergency situations just come unexpectedly which consequently may lower resistance and create malnutrition. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

Aklan bats for responsible pet ownership By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 24 (PIA6) -- The celebration of the World Rabies Day here in Aklan on September 26 puts emphasis on Responsible Pet Ownership

A

ccording to the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here headed by Dr. Cyrosa Leen Mabel Sinel, this dog-friendly and responsible pet ownership-encouraging activities include Doggy Day Parade and Pet Blessings, Oplan Kapon, PetCare Day, Information Caravan, Dog Deworming, Rabies Vaccination, and Consultation and Basic Treatment.

OPLAN Kapon, according to OPVET, involves providing free dog castration which will be conducted at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park, while the PetCare Day

will involve the provision of free consultation, free treatment and dog vaccination against rabies.

Besides promoting responsible pet ownership, the activity also aims to create public awareness on the danger caused by rabies to humans and to other animals.

Recently during the meeting of the Provincial Rabies Coordinating Committee of the Rabies Prevention and Control Program, Debbie Villaflor of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) revealed that early this year, an Aklanon has died from rabies. Based on OPVET records, Aklan

has currently 47,787 dog population and only 26.36% of these dogs are vaccinated.

The province has currently more than 2,500 anti-rabies dog vaccines provided by the Department of Health (DOH) and the provincial government of Aklan. It is seen that with the dog vaccination activities in the province in observance of World Rabies Day, thousands of dogs will be vaccinated, increasing the percentage of rabies-free dogs here.

According to OPVET-Aklan, the province aims to vaccinate 70% of the dog population here. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Antique LGUs urged to update disaster plans By: Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - The Department of the Interior and Local Government here urged the various Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) to update their respective strategic plans in order to be prepared for stronger typhoons that induce flash floods and landslides.

P

rovincial Director Victorio S. Pagapulan said that the local government units in the province are exerting best efforts to upgrade the capability of their respective Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. “It is important that the people should know what kind of disaster and risk their areas are prone to, so that they could effectively respond and likewise protect themselves from the effects of the

disaster,” Pagapulan said in a PIA interview. Pagapulan said that the RDRMCC together with Office of Civil Defense recently conducted a planning workshop in order to upgrade/revise the strategic plans of the region in order for us to be able to respond to the challenge of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

Climate change adaptation and mitigation is one of the pillars of the Philippine Development Plan

2011-2016. Meanwhile, a Malacanang press report said that President Aquino in his recent Cabinet meeting noted the need for a broad awareness on the use of geo -hazard maps th at indicate landslide-and flood-prone areas in each province, municipality or city so that the local disaster risk reduction and management councils can respond in a timely and appropriate manner. (JCM/ VWV/PIA Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

P-TRACE to ensure safe, quality products By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA6) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo provincial office conducted a seminar on the Philippine Traceability for Revitalized Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement or P-TRACE to boost competitiveness of food producers here.

R

achel Nufable, DTI-Iloilo Business Development Division officer-in-charge, said that the seminar and workshop aimed at raising awareness on the importance of traceability system in the manufacture of safe and quality products.

“The program intends to enhance the competitiveness of our agro-industrial products leading to an increase in the country‟s export revenues due to increased export volumes and market entry in some untapped markets,” she said.

Anchored on the Food Safety Act of 2013, traceability is a great risk

management tool that can help identify outbreak and hazard sources, manage safety alerts, and withdraw contaminated or dangerous products efficiently.

“Food businesses will also have the opportunity to further improve their operations and generate more client satisfaction through traceability,” she said.

The seminar modules include: The P-TRACE project; Introduction to Traceability; Why Implement Traceability; Traceability Components; Implementing Traceability; Challenges and Constraints; and Benefits to the Philippine Agro-Industrial Commodities.

Nufable said that the seminar

conducted September 25, 2014 at the DTI Regional Office Conference Room here was already the fourth leg with the first three conducted in Guimaras, Capiz, and Antique.

Over 60 participants composed of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), food manufacturers, producers and other related sectors, national and local government officers and business counselors, non-government organizations took part in the seminar in Iloilo.

She added that this P-TRACE seminar will also be conducted in the provinces of Aklan and Negros Occidental later this year. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Negrense police undergo post-blast course By: Easter Anne. D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - Selected police officers from the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office are undergoing a five-day Post-Blast Investigation Course at the Panaad Park and Stadium.

F

orty seven police officers trained under Daric Manser, Special Agent Bomb Technician of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a release from the provincial information office.

Manser was used to be stationed at Los Angeles, California and investigated

the Boston Marathon in 2013.

The said training was initiated by the Philippine Bomb Data Center of the Philippine National Police and sponsored by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.

It is aimed at providing Negrense-policemen with basic knowledge

and skills in post-blast investigation.

Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. said that the training is timely and relevant as it is a big contribution to the safety of the community, adding that the stable peace and order situation in the province is attracting more investors.*(EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

PSA to survey 102 Capiz business establishments By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 24 (PIA6) - One hundred two establishments in Capiz have been chosen as respondents of the ongoing survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

C

apiz Provincial Statistics Officer Engr. Frankie Dordas disclosed that the 102 establishments were part of the 5,855 establishments in Capiz that are respondents to the on-going 2013 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry H e s a i d th a t t h e s a m p l e establishments here are among the 31,000 sample establishments for the survey nationwide, and of said figure, 31 are also samples for the 2013 Survey on Information and Communication Technology (SICT) which is a rider to the said enumeration.

Dordas revealed that the on-going 2013 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry being conducted by the PSA kicked off last September 15 and will last

for one month.

According to him, the 2013 ASPBI aims to collect and generate information on the levels, structure, performance and trends of economic activities of the formal sector in the entire country.

“Specifically, the survey will gather information on employment, income, expenses, capital expenditures and total assets of the establishments and indicators such as labor productivity, average compensation and other data necessary to evaluate the performance of industries at the national and regional levels,” he said.

On the other hand, Dordas said that the 2013 SICT will collect data on the availability, distribution, access and u t iliz at ion of in form ation an d communication technology among

establishments which are valuable in measuring progress of ICT in the country.

He stressed that included in the data to be generated are the proportion of establishments and employees using computers.

All information to be collected on said surveys will refer to calendar year 2013, he said, adding that the collected date will be used in the updating of the 2014 list of establishments.

Dordas said that personnel of their office here will be the one who will be conducting the enumeration, assuring the public that all information given will be held strictly confidential and will not be used as evidence in any court litigation, taxation, investigation or regulation. (JCM/ JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

PIA-DENR Climate Change School Caravan kicks off By: Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 23 (PIA) – The 8-day School Caravan on Climate Change kicked off at the Hermenegilda F. Gloria Memorial High School, Barangay Banilad in Dumaguete City.

T

his is the first among eight identified public schools in Dumaguete City to participate in a series of climate change school caravan initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Negros Oriental and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office with the Dumaguete City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO).

The eight-day public high school caravan banners the theme “Nagbabago na ang panahon, panahon na para magbago” which encourages young people to be proactive in mitigating and adapting to the negative effects of this climate crisis.

With this disastrous phenomenon happening, PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman stressed that young people should now consider strong typhoons like the recent Typhoon “Yolanda” a new normal in this generation and therefore initiate efforts that will protect the environment to avoid such adverse impacts.

Newman challenged students of the said high

school to plant trees since they help absorb carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and prevent the earth from heating up.

According to DENR-Negros Oriental planning officer Sabina Silva, “Deforestation reduces the ability of ecosystems to absorb greenhouse gases.”

That is why the DENR is implementing the National Greening Program (NGP) as a response to climate change. NGP aims to reforest over 1.5 million of denuded/denuded land and targets 1.5 billion trees to be planted within six years, Silva added.

The students also learned that In Negros Oriental, the NGP has covered 27, 355 hectares of land since 2011.

Aside from tree planting, students are also encouraged to practice proper waste segregation and recycling to lessen the garbage pollution in Dumaguete City. A short documentary on waste management produced by the PIA-Negros Oriental will also be shown in the school caravans to inform

students on how garbage pollution and improper waste management contribute to climate change.

Towards the end of the event, students recited the “Nagbago na ako” promise to renew their commitment to protect the environment and pledge to change their "bad environmental habits".

Hermenegilda F. Gloria High School was also recognized as a „Maka-Kalikasan‟ School by PIA, DENR and Dumaguete City ENRO for implementing solid waste management programs within the campus.

The next climate change school caravan will be on Sept. 24 at Dumaguete City High School, followed by Junob National High School on Sept.

25, Camanjac National High School on Sept. 26, Ta clo bo H i gh Sc hoo l o n Se pt. 29, RTPM-Dumaguete City Science High School on Sept. 30, Piapi High School on October 1 and Negros Oriental on October 2. (mbcn/ral/ PIA7-NegOr)

Gov’t workers avail mall discounts on PCS anniv BY: AMORGANDA Y. SALUDAR Central Visayas, Sept. 19 (PIA) --- The 114th Philippine Civil Service (PCS) Anniversary paved way for government workers to enjoy of the PCS Anniversary of SM Stores on September 15-17 and 19-21, 2014.

T

his SM special sale or promos for government workers include SM Department Stores, SM Supermarkets, and SM Hypermarkets.

For the promotion duration and scope nationwide SM Department Stores set its special sale for government workers on September 15-17 while SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarkets started on September 19 until September 21.

SM Department Stores‟ granted promo and discounts to government workers include 10% discount on regular price items for a minimum purchase of P500.00 who presented proof of eligibility.

Standard exclusion applied for this promo covered purchases at Snack Exchange, Camera Shop, Customer Service Counters and items such as chemical, toiletries, diapers, pharmacy, small, appliances, business machines and other promo items.

SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket offer free mug of about (11 oz) with a minimum single receipt

purchase of P500 for civil servants upon presenting their proof of eligibility.

Excluded in this terms are items purchased from food and shop tenants, service counters, such as bills payment and foreign exchange.

Other considerations set is that SM reserves the right to provide a list of exempted items from the 5%/100% discount during the Civil Service Anniversary Sale.

SM only requires eligible government workers to present their official government office ID /or GSIS ID and SM Advantage Card (SMAC), SM Prestige Card, MOM Card or BDO Rewards Card.

Physical elements of government office ID should have plastic or laminated and should contained the name of government office; government office address; name of civil service personnel; picture of civil service personnel; government office emblem/logo; position in government office (optional) authorized signatory;

employee number (optional); validity (e.g expiry date) / (optional).

Name of government, office ID and on SMAC, SM Prestige, BDO Rewards or MOM Card must be the same.

For queries, comments and concerns regarding the conduct of the 2014 PCSA Sale of SM, please call or contact Mr. Sam V. Manglicmot, Chief Administrative Officer, and General Service Division (GSD) of the Office for Financial and Assets Management (OFAM), Civil Service Commission- Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City at telephone numbers 931-79-84 or 931-79 -90.

For queries regarding the application for the SM Advantage Card and or other SM Department Store, Supermarket and Hypermarket concerns, please contact any of the concerned SM Stores nationwide. (mbcn/ays/ with reports from the Civil Service Commission)

PNP-Siquijor heightens fight vs illegal drugs By: Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, Sept. 25 (PIA) — The Philippine National Police-Siquijor Provincial Pollice Office (PNP-SPPO) recently declared an all-out war against illegal drugs in Siquijor province.

“

Our campaign against illegal drugs is very serious in nature,” Senior Police Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara said as he spelled out his commitment to put Siquijor in the lists of the handful few among the drug-free provinces in the country.

Tabujara said attaining a drug-free province entails a lot of effort, unity and cooperation among the PNP, the local government and the community.

With this, Tabujara appeals to the six local chief executives to extend their 100% support to the different programs and plans laid out to eradicate illegal drugs in the province.

He announced that PNP-Siquijor plans to conduct series of orientations, seminars and trainings on the various laws pertaining illegal drugs and its preventive measures to the PNP personnel with the different schools and stakeholders.

Reactivation of the Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADAC) of the municipalities and barangays is also called for to plan and develop strategies for the

sustainability of all anti-drug campaigns in the province.

The provincial director stressed that campaigns to the identified barangays where drugs are prevalent and mobilization of barangay ADACs are prioritized.

Tabujara also said that establishment of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office in the island is underway.

Larena Municipal Mayor and president of the mayor‟s league Dean Villa has offered a space at the town‟s new Tourism Center at the pier area to house the PDEA office.

The PNP will also be working with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to strengthen the monitoring of illegal drugs because the island, he said is open 360 degrees to all neighboring island provinces.

Augmentation of PNP personnel that will focus on drug campaign and drug-related operations are also planned, he added. Tabujara thanked provincial governor Zaldy Villa for his support to all the PNP

initiatives.

He said the sincerity of the PNP, local officials and all the people to participate will surely lead to the success of the program.

SPPO Provincial intelligence branch (PIB) and provincial anti-illegal drug special operation task group (PAIDSOTG) chief Marve Bolay-og reported that from January to September this year, 13 individuals were arrested for drug-related cases in the province. PDEA‟s agent Mark Maranag encouraged everyone to help and participate in making Siquijor a drug-free province.

The fight against illegal drugs is not only a problem of the law enforcement, nor the PNP, the NBI or the PDEA, it is everybody‟s concern, Maranag said. Municipal mayors Villa of Larena, Mei Ling Quezon of Siquijor, Gerold Pal-ing of Enrique Villanueva, and Wilfredo Capundag of San Juan all vowed strong support during the Crime Prevention week celebration in Siquijor. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7 -Siquijor)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

PIA partners with KBP for climate change forum By: Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA) --- Over 100 participants from tri-media and students combined gathered September 23 for a forum on climate change as one of the series of activities in celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week that kicked off on September 21.

T

he forum tackled the alarming issue of climate change and its impact on extreme weather patterns and water supply and balancing environment with development amid the construction boom in Cebu.

Resource speakers were Engr. Oscar Tabada, chief meteorologist of Pagasa-Visayas; Engr. Lasaro Salvacion, department manager of the Environment and Water Resources of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) and Dr. Eddie Llamedo, chief of the Regional Public Affairs Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7).

Tabada said since 1950s, climate change already exists but that a continuous increase in temperature will lead to global warming which in turn results to climate change.

Climate change, he added, will experience warmer and drier summer and wetter wet season.

“Because of extreme weather events due to climate change, there will be more disasters,” warned Tabada.

Tabada meanwhile said the current El Niño is weak and that starting November, “we will experience below normal average rainfall.”

Salvacion on the other hand, said that even without climate change, the water utility firm needs to augment its water production to meet the rising population in Metro Cebu and the water demand of a growing business community.

“At present, we are only providing 43 percent of water needs to Metro Cebu as we hope to increase this by over 60 percent in 2020,” said Salvacion.

According to Salvacion, the population in Metro Cebu in 1995 stands at 1.293 million which figure is expected to double by this year.

With the El Niño, Salvacion said they are expecting surface water sources to be affected.

MCWD now adopts measures in case of a dry spell that would affect its water production supply.

The MCWD produces 40,000 cubic meters a day from surface water sources. Salvacion said any loss of production is offsetted by the 18,000

cu.m. of water daily from Carmen; 11,000 cu.m./day from Abejo water and another 2,520 cu. m./day from other water project sources.

Llamedo meanwhile said one major factor before an investor pours in money is to determine the environment as he provided the list of specific areas in Cebu that are prone to landslides and flooding.

The DENR-7 public information chief also said they are now completing the 1:10,000 geohazard map where he urged local government units to maximize its use before planning development structures in their areas.

A commitment signing to take care of the environment followed after the open forum with PIA-7, KBP officials and all the resource panelists and other participants.

The forum was a joint undertaking of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas – Cebu Chapter in cooperation with the MCWD and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC -7). (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

DTI issues price freeze on basic goods in Cebu CEBU, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- Following a declaration of state of calamity by the city council due to heavy flooding caused by Typhoon Mario, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has implemented a price freeze on basic goods in Cebu City.

D

TI Central Visayas (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte explained that with “the declaration of a state of calamity by a local government unit (LGU) in a particular area the prices on basic goods shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices.”

Caberte said a price control is in effect for the duration of the condition that brought it about but not more than 60 days.

Section 6 of RA 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act, a price freeze is automatically implemented as a preventive measure in order to

thwart overpricing of goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread during times of calamities, Caberte added.

The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI are canned fish and other marine products, pro-cessed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent and bread.

Assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) include: rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other

marine products.

Assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are firewood and charcoal; and the Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH. The DTI, as chair of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) coordinates with members from government and private sectors to cooperate with one another during natural disasters and emergencies. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from DTI 7)

U.S. Embassy calls for applicants for Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute on Religious CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy-Manila announces the call for applications for the Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute on Religious Pluralism.

T

he Institute will take place from January 10- February 14, 2015 at Temple University in Philadelphia, United States. Deadline for nominations is October 10, 2014.

All nominations must be electronic and addressed to Ej Bautista, Cultural Affairs Assistant, at philippinesyseali@gmail.com The purpose of this intensive academic program is to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States, while enhancing their leadership skills.

The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will consist of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures.

Educational travel, local site visits, and volunteer opportunities will complement coursework and classroom activities.

The Institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic travel component of approximately one week, to include a 2-3 day closing program in Washington, DC. The Institute will explore U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.

Participants will meet with U.S. community leaders

of different faiths that advocate for collaboration and tolerance among religious groups.

They will also examine the leadership role that religious officials play in their own societies and develop ideas for positive social change.

During their four-day study tour, participants will travel to Florida where they will have the opportunity to visit historical and cultural sites and discuss topics related to immigration and the Native-American experience.

The United States Embassy will cover all participant costs, including: international airfare; insurance coverage; program administration; domestic travel and ground transportation; incidental allowances; housing and subsistence; and per diem for meals.

Participants will be expected to share a room with another student of the same gender.

Care will be taken to ensure that any special requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing and medical care are respected.

Candidates for this program should: Have a strong interest in religious pluralism; represent diverse ethnic and religious groups; be fluent in English; be between 18 and 25 years of age; be willing to share their U.S.

experience with peers, community groups and other relevant organizations upon their return home, as local circumstances allow.

They must also be willing to join the broader YSEALI network; have at least one semester remaining in their university studies and be committed to returning home to complete their degree; demonstrate strong leadership qualities; indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States.

They must have a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher recommendations; have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities; have had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere.

Candidates must be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful and inquisitive; be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service and educational travel; and, be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home communities. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from the Public Affairs/U.S.Embassy)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Rural folks in Samar hinterlands say goodbye to ‘Lampara’ By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept 23 (PIA) - Some 267 families located in the hinterlands of Samar can now bid goodbye to the ‘lampara’ they use at nighttime.

O

n Monday, three Punong Barangays from the Seven Hills area in Calbayog City joined Mayor Ronald Aquino received the solar panel, bulbs and solar charger from the Department of Energy- Affiliation of Renewable Energy Center (DOE-AREC) engineers based in the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), Catarman, Northern Samar.

Engineers Lidany Cornilles and Simon Tan demonstrated to the three Punong Barangays of Mabini, San Antonio and Olera how the system works.

“Lampara gud la an amon gamit pagsuga,”(We use kerosene lamp as source of light) PB Sixto Vicentino of San Antonio told PIA.

He added that the price of kerosene is too heavy for his people.

His 600 households easily accepted that they have to shell out some P 200.00 a month for the project‟s sustainability.

“The money they shared is their stake, so that, they can claim ownership of the program,” said Simon Tan. The money is deposited in a rural bank and will be used to purchase damaged gears in the future.

The Household Electrification Project of the energy department can provide each household with four bulbs, one charger that can also be used to charge cellphones, MP3 player and even a DVD player.

While the punong barangays acknowledge that they might need the new gadgets for entertainment and information, the provision of the light is giving them more excitement.

“Of course, we will not discard the „lampara‟ just in case, but we can give it some rest,” Rodrigo Wahingon of Barangay Olera said in jest.

The project targets rural barangays that are not yet in the list of the electric cooperative that services other barangays in Calbayog.

Engr Rafaelito Serrano, assistant city engineer who is in charge of overseeing the project said that some ten more remote barangays have yet to enjoy the same solar energy project. (jrc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

DA teaches rice technology thru radio By: Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 22 (PIA) - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture has recently rolled out an information campaign dubbed as "School in the Air".

T

he course of the said program is PALAYAMANAN (Rice Based Farming System).

In an interview with PIA, Teodoro Apura, the Focal Person and Agriculturist II of OPAS, said that the purpose of this program is to increase awareness and adoption on the latest technologies on rice, other crops and livestocks and increase the yeild and income of a greater mass of farmers.

Apura further said that farmers who are interested to know the modern technologies of farming and want to increase their income are invited to enroll in this program.

After listening to the program, there is an examination, the Mid-term and the Finals "on Air." Two weeks after "on Air" examinations, the results will be released "on Air".

After this examination, there is also a Comprehensive Examination (Oral Exam.) to be held at DA, OPAS, Provincial Office.

For this batch, their oral examination was conducted last September 12. Those who got the highest results will be awarded.

For this school year, from June 9 to September 5, out of the 12 achievers, seven took the oral exam and passed.

The following are the achievers: Valedictorian-Roman Beros of Brgy. Canluterio, Maydolong, E. Samar and Salutatorian-Maricel Apura of Brgy. Cabong, Borongan City.

The runner-ups are: Maria Ethel Beros of Brgy. Canluterio, Maydolong, Clarita Agda of Brgy. San Pablo, Borongan, Jennifer Denos of Brgy. San Jose, Borongan, Norma Dalina of Brgy.

Siha, Borongan and Noriel Ben Dalina of Brgy.

Siha, Borongan City.

The achievers will receive the non-cash benefits: continuous food supply, higher farm income and productivity, reduced production risks such as pest damage and price fluctuation, savings and healthy diet from eating home-grown crops and savings from converting biomass wast-

ed into fertilizers and animal feed supplement.

There are more or less 100 candidates expected to graduate out of more than 200 enrolees this coming September 24 depending then results of their final examination. The final examination is on September 22.

This program is implemented by the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) and anchored

by Mrs. Amie Abella, the Office Farmcaster.

The topics discussed and anchored for this school year program "on Air" are: For Crops: Rice by Teodoro Apura, Corn by Bernadette Capada and Vegetables and Fruit trees by Lope Caliba. For Livestock by Melanie Osita. For Aqua-culture by Jaime Salazar and for Biomass Waste Recycling by Danilo Anosa.

The "School in the Air" is aired every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (MWF) at 5:00 - 5:30 am at DYES, Radyo ng Bayan. (jrc/ sdc//PI8A-E. Samar)

New project envisions zero out-of-school youth in the country By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- Abot-Alam, a new government convergence program envisions zero out-of-school youth (OSY) in the Philippines, according to DepEd Samar Division Superintendent Thelma Quitalig during the initial meeting of the program in Catbalogan City.

T

he program will look for OSYs in the their existing programs parallel to the goal of whole province and they will be given DepEd - to involve the OSYs inproductive opportunities to be more productive activities. citizens.

The Labor Department, offers job placement "They will be asked whether they want assistance and group loans for small businesses. employment, education or entrepreneurship," DTI on the other hand offers entrepreneur Quitalig told the department heads of national assistance-market linkages and product and provincial agencies. development.

The education department through the TESDA is assigned to provide skills training existing Alternative Learning System (ALS) chosen by the OSY. Agrarian Reform will also vounteer teachers has conducted a survey and has give the OSYs skills training in agrarian reform so far enlisted some 25,288 OSYs. communities while the army will provide mobile Other government agencies commit to offer teachers in conflict affected areas.

Abot-Alam project is of nationwide in scope that targets one million OSYs to be given the choice of education, employment and skills training.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan who was present during the initial meeting vowed to support the program for her constituents.

"I strongly support the program so that Samar will be given a new image of productive citizens," Tan promised.

The program will be officially launched in Catbalogan come September 26, 2014. (jrc/nbq/ PIA 8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

DENR, PIA hold Climate Change advocacy drive in Maasin City By: Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY , Southern Leyte, Sept. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-CENRO/ PENRO and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted a Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City, September 18.

T

he activity held in the evening of Thursday is in coordination with the city government of Maasin and the provincial government of Southern Leyte.

It was participated by Asuncion Barangay Officials, Purok Presidents, among other concerned individuals led by Barangay Chairman Narciso Montalbo, Jr, who welcomed the participants during the opening program.

Topics discussed include Adapting with a Changing Climate by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office head Dr.Eva Abad; How to make Compost by Benjase Lumen from Maasin City General Services Office; and

Effects of Chlorocarbon on the Ozone Layer by Edilberto Alcarde from DENR-CENRO Maasin.

Abad disclosed in her presentation on how to protect our forests, rivers, lakes, seas and underwater gardens, and the environment as a whole and how we can change to mitigate the effects of climate change, saying “Nagbago na ako.”

Abad urged the participants to help mitigate the ill effects of these actions such as planting of trees and mangroves, adapt an organic farming using organic fertilizer, reuse of products from wastes, recycle papers, proper waste

disposal, to name a few.

The undertaking also launched other support activities of the CCA such as the Inter-Purok Zero Basura and Creativity contest and the Jingle Making Contest, criteria and the contest mechanics presented by Bong Pedalino of PIA. Maasin City mayor Maloney Samaco delivered an inspirational message during the program saying the city government is always supportive of the programs of the national government, while PIA Infocen Manager Erna Gorne delivered her closing remarks. (jrc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

NGCP Visayas intensifies advocacy campaign on R.A. 7832 By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 21 (PIA) – In its effort to protect the assets of the power transmission lines and its structures from any misuse, abuse or theft, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Visayas has intensified its advocacy campaign on the enforcement of Republic Act 7832 otherwise known as the ―Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

D

uring the NGCP press briefing Friday at San Juanico Golf and Country Club, this city, Bernard Domingo of NGCP Visayas said that mere possession of a transmission line material is illegal per se as laid down by section 3 of Republic Act 7832.

Hence, whether the transmission line material is stolen or not by the possessor, it constitutes a violation of the law.

He further emphasized that even buying and or selling of pilfered tower parts are also

punishable by law.

Relative to this, he admitted that after typhoon Yolanda struck in November last year, resulting in the total destruction of its transmission lines particularly in areas heavily damaged by the typhoon, cases for violation of R.A. 7832 were filed against five individuals including an owner of a junk shop in the city who were caught in possession of such material.

If proven by the court, the accused shall be

penalized under the said law which constitutes an imprisonment of 12 to 20 years.

If it is committed in connivance with an officer of the corporation, the term of imprisonment shall be 20 to 40 years or a fine of not less than P50,000 to P100,000 or both as decided by the courts.

Thus, NGCP encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities near the power transmission lines or structures to their hotline number 09369007382. (PIA-8)

Leyte TB patients assured of availability of medicines for By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 24 (PIA) – Persons with tuberculosis can now avail of free services and medicines from TB DOTS facilities in the Province of Leyte.

P

rovincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Teresa Caidic gave this assurance during a Forum on Synergizing Efforts to Combat TB for Leyte at Hotel Alejandro, this city.

Caidic said, although there is only one TB DOTS providing hospital in Leyte which is Leyte Provincial Hospital, all other hospitals are considered TB referring hospitals which can also serve TB patients.

Likewise, rural health units (RHUs) in the province may also offer treatment and services to TB patients.

In 2012, TB was not included in the top ten mortality but included in the top ten causes of morbidity. However, in 2013, it ranked number 9 of the causes of morbidity and number 6 as the causes of death in Leyte.

Hence, health workers expressed fear for the lives of many TB patients especially children who belong to undetected cases which are not

even enrolled in TB DOTS facilities.

It was learned that 70 percent of untreated TB patients will die in five years. Thus, Caidic is urging the public to consult a doctor when suffering a cough for two weeks or more.

In response to this, the Provincial Government of Leyte through the Provincial Health Office forged partnership with other government agencies, non -government organizations and the private sector through a covenant signing during the forum.

The signatories came from various government and private agencies which signify their commitment of support to control tuberculosis in Leyte.

In such activity, Dr. Caidic emphasized the importance of effective collaboration between the public and private sector in implementing various TB control interventions as the success of the program rests not only on the health sector but

everybody‟s concern.

Likewise, the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) will be strengthened in collaboration with the Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnership to achieve control of Tuberculosis (IMPACT) Project of the Philippine Business and Social Progress (PSP-USAID) that will provide a 5-year technical assistance to the other 17 regions will be implemented until September 2017.

Leyte aimed at attaining the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) where TB is no longer one of the top ten leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

“90 percent of those with tuberculosis should start treatment and 90 percent of those who started their treatment should finish the treatment and get cured, “Caidic added.

Today, TB is a second leading cause of deaths from an infectious disease worldwide.

(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