One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 21

Vol 4

Issue 21

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

C A R A V A N O F S E R VI C E S. A cti n g Ombudsman Region VI Director Philip C. Camiguing emphasizes that the 13th Caravan of Government Services scheduled May 28 and 29 in Maayon town is a manifestation that "there is a government working for the good of his people" during an executives‟ forum as part of the caravan. (PIA Capiz photo/Alex.

Lumaque)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Officials from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Cebu and Cebu Bankers Club showing samples of unfit and mutilated notes during a presscon this morning. BSP-Cebu Regional Dir. Atty.

Ma. Lux T. Berciles (center) has clarified that all banks are mandated to exchange or accept for deposits any unfit bills from the public. BSP made the clarification amidst reports that banks will no longer accept unfit bills. Photo also shows Cebu Bankers Club incoming president Gino Gonzales (L), and Cebu Bankers Club outgoing president Joey Umerez (R). (vvv/PIA-Cebu)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino shared the PGS (Public Governance System) journey of Calbayog City around hundreds of participants during the first ever Partnership Summit on HR Reforms and Good Governance conducted by Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. 8 held in Visayas State University Convention Center, Baybay City, Leyte, May 26. (LGU Calbayog/Aimee A. Catalan)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

May 26 - June 1, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

1.5M students expected in WV public schools By: Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, May 27 (PIA6) - - The Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas is expecting around 1.5 million students to troop to over four thousand public schools across the region when the new school year 2014-2015 begins on Monday, June 2.

DepEd 6 Assistant Regional Director John Arnold Siena said in a radio interview on Sunday that of the expected number of enrollees, 1.1 million are in the elementary level and 400,000 in the secondary.

With barely a week before the opening of classes, Siena reminded parents especially those who have not enrolled their children yet to visit school and ensure that their children are listed when they report during the first day of school.

He also reiterated the no collection policy being imposed by the department during enrollment.

“This opening, let not the nonpayment of voluntary contributions last year be a basis for non-admission of

students,” said Siena.

DepEd 6 Regional Office has also reactivated its Oplan Balik Eskwela Information and Action Center Task Force tasked to address queries, concerns, complaints and problems encountered during enrollment and opening of classes.

“The Task Force will look into that students are properly enrolled and attended the first day of classes,” said Dr. Eden Deriada, DepEd 6 OBE IAC Task Force Chairperson.

Aside from Deriada, the OBE Information and Action Center is manned by 5 Senior Action Officers and a support staff, all from DepEd 6. The action center is situated at the DepEd Regional Office in Duran St., Iloilo City and will be open until June 2.

“Students, parents and other concerned can also bring their queries to the nearest DepEd division offices as they were also directed to set up their own OBE Task Force,” said Deriada. (JSC/LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)

Gov’t IOs told: Be ‘news junkies’ BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, May 27 (PIA) – Government information officers (GIOs) are told to be “news junkies” to stock their knowledge base on what is happening in their surroundings for them to be effective in anchoring radio and TV programs.

Veteran broadcaster Leo Lastimosa, station manager of radio station DYAB-AM of ABS-CBN who anchors a daily local news program on TV and radio, bared that a crucial part of the preparations before hosting a broadcast program is to know what issues and concerns are circulating in the national and local scene.

“It is important to know the news and to organize the information to be able to have a language mastery of the message the anchor will discuss to the listeners and viewers,” said Lastimosa during the recent training-workshop on „Enhancing Communication Skills in Effective Hosting, Digital Photography and Social Media” for GIOs from the different line agencies that was also participated by other government personnel.

Lastimosa who has been in the broadcast industry for almost 30 years told GIOs that preparation is a key to be effective as communicators.

“We need to master the message and substance always prevails. We must have something relevant to say and not just deliver any kind of information,” said Lastimosa.

The broadcast journalist who also teaches a subject on mass communications at a local college in Cebu said nervousness can never be avoided.

“Even if I am in the industry for almost three decades, I still get nervous when facing a crowd. But we can overcome such feelings if we prepare,” disclosed Lastimosa.

“If there is opposition to the information you are pushing as part of your programs then tackle the strongest contrary arguments,” advised Lastimosa, adding that one must treat opponents as allies because in persistence with your mindset, opponents in the end could be swayed by your advocacies.

The two-day training workshop was initiated by the Philippine Information Agency 7 in partnership with the Association of Government Information Officers in Central Visayas with the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health and the National Economic and Development Authority in the region. (rmn/fcr/PIA-7)

Seasoned broadcaster Leo Lastimosa shares tips to Region 7 government information officers on enhancing communication skills for their varied functions. (PIA-7)

Ichon National HS bags Brigada Eskwela Hall of Fame nat’l award MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 19 (PIA) - The Ichon National High School has bagged the Hall of Fame Brigada Eskwela national award in 2013 after three consecutive wins since 2011.

Southern Leyte Division OIC Superintendent Dr. Arturo Isip announced that Ichon National High School bagged the national award in 2013 for winning in three consecutive years, namely 2011, 2012 and 2013, hence the launching of the yearly maintenance and school repair kick off ceremony of the Brigada Eskwela for this year was held here.

According to Education Program Supervisor (EPS) Jaime Leon Cardona, who is also the division coordinator for the Brigada Eskwela, Ichon National High School is the only awardee for last year's implementation of the yearly maintenance and repair of schools program throughout the division.

He reported that in 2012, Southern Leyte Division garnered four national awards in the Brigada Eskwela implementation in four public elementary and highschools,

namely, the San Roque Elementary School in Macrohon and the Malitbog Central School for the large school category.

While the Padre Burgos Central School won the big elementary school category and Ichon National High School for the large secondary school category as first place, Cardona added.

Cardona said their outstanding performance was attributed to the overwhelming participation of stakeholders like the support and coordination with the parents, alumni, local government units to include the municipalities and barangay officials, national offices, among others.

As the voluntary services from the stakeholders poured in cash and in kind contributions to the mentioned schools, it spells out big improvements such as roof repair, repainting, fencing the school premises.

Thus making the schools becoming, attractive, safe and conducive to learning to the children, who will be inspired to study and finish the basic education, he said.

(PIA8 SoLeyte)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

San Carlos City inks MOU with Project I4J University of San Agustin in Iloilo City

By: Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 27 (PIA6) - - The City Government of San Carlos inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Project I4J that would strengthen the mechanism in business and investment procedures of the city.

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he MOU was signed by Mayor Gerardo P. Valmayor, Jr. and Dr. Peter Koeppinger, Project Director of Partnerships for Integrity and Jobs (Project I4J) Consortium at the San Carlos City Hall.

Project I4J which started in January 2014, is co-founded by the European Union and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development thru Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) that would contribute to the reduction of poverty in the Philippines through integrity

and the sustainable creation of jobs.

The MOU further cited the role of the local government units as key players for clean administrative procedures into the Integrity Initiative set up by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club.

It provides a sustainable network for self-obligation and monitoring of transparent and uncorrupt structures and procedures; and, aims to create models of transparent, effective small business and

investment registration and promotion procedures and disseminate them.

City Legal Officer Atty. Chat Delima, the local focal person of Project I4J, said that nine local government units are already part of this project.

There are three in Luzon, three in the Visayas including San Carlos City, and three in the Mindanao area.

The three-year contract for the said MOU took effect last May 21, 2014 and will terminate December 31, 2016.*(JSC/ EAD-PIA6/San Carlos Negros Occidental)

Wind turbines to dot Guimaras town coastline By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, May 27 (PIA6) – Wind turbines will soon dot the coastline of San Lorenzo town in the province of Guimaras.

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uimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin said construction workers and heavy equipment have started streaming to the sites of the wind turbines. San Lorenzo is set to have 27 windmills scheduled to be completed within five years. In a short while, Guma-

rin said, some of these will be functional enough to generate electricity within the year.

The province has an annual energy consumption of only 13 megawatts, comparatively big compared to that of Iloilo City.

“We are not in a way affected by the power red alert recently hoisted in the Visayas,” Gumarin said.

He added that blackouts occur but very few and at far intervals in between.

(JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

39,000 Aklanons might lose right to vote in 2016 By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, May 28 (PIA6) -- If elections were held today, a total of 39,208 Aklanons will not be able to vote, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here.

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he COMELEC disclosed this information here at a gathering of the province‟ government information officers attending a forum on various national government‟s programs, projects and services held at the Conference Hall of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO), Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

According to Elma Cahilig, Election Officer of the municipality of Malay who discussed salient points of several COMELEC resolutions, these Aklanons found on record to be unable to vote are those who failed to vote twice in the last two local and national elections.

The COMELEC however, shared a remedy for this status of thousands of voters here – by availing of the continuing registration services offered by the commission since May 6 of this year and to last up to October 31, 2015 and having their records updated, corrected or reactivated.

In her talk before Aklan‟s information officers, Cahilig said it has been the practice of COMELEC to hold continuing registration 18 months before elections.

The next national and local elections will be on May 2016.

Based on records of the COMELEC here as of May 20, 2014, of Aklan‟s 17 towns, Kalibo has the highest number of voters who failed to vote twice with 6,789 followed by the town of Malay with 4,414; Ibajay with 2,697; Balete with 2,570; Banga, 2,251; New Washington, 2,383; Buruanga, 2,350; Batan, 2,252; Numancia, 2,061; Libacao, 1,802; Malinao, 1,671; Altavas, 1,604; Nabas, 1,528; Makato, 1,419; Madalag, 1,287;Tangalan, 1,392; and Lezo, 738.

The COMELEC has already a scheduled Election Registration Board (ERB) Hearing for these deactivated voters ranging from July to October 2014.

Cahilig was sent by COMELEC-Aklan Provincial Election Supervisor II

Atty. Ian Lee M. Ananoria along with COMELEC-New Washington Election Officer Chrispin Raymond Gerardo as resource persons to the forum.

The forum with information officers served as the first part of the activities with the Induction of Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA) officers for 2014-2016 as the second part.

Other agencies which imparted latest programs, information and services at the forum were the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which tackled environmental issues with emphasis on Climate Change, the Social Security System (SSS) with emphasis on new contribution schedule and the ALKANSSSYA program, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly National Statistics Office (NSO).(VGV PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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OMB caravan: Serving more is better University of San Agustin in Iloilo City

By: Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. MAAYON, Capiz, May 29 (PIA6) – For the Office of the Ombudsman – Visayas Regional Office No. 6, numbers count a lot particularly when it comes to the Caravan of Government Services they have conducted in Western Visayas.

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he more people served the better.

The ongoing services caravan in Maayon, Capiz is out to prove that.

OMB Graft Investigation Officer and caravan coordinator Evangeline Nunal said they would only be too happy that this 13th caravan would be able to serve more Capicenos.

At the start of the two-day caravan, May 28, throngs of people were flocking at the town‟s civic center.

The caravan was intended for beneficiaries from the host town and four other neighboring municipalities.

The crowd was reminiscent of the

turnout during previous big-number caravans. A total of 10,442 people went to the one held in Carles, Iloilo on August 29, 2013, 10,034 in Jordan, Guimaras on November 15, 2013, and 5,699 in Tubungan, Iloilo on October 19, 2012.

How we wish Maayon would surpass the 8th caravan held in Bugasong, Antique on September 27-28, 2012 which registered 11,821 clients, so far the highest.

Ombudsman-6 is yet to ascertain the total count from the ongoing caravan, according to Nunal, who is also the Public Information Officer of their

agency.

Underscoring the significance of the project, Ombudsman-6 Acting Director Philip C. Camiguing said at the Executives‟ Forum during the caravan that this is a manifestation that “there is a government working for the good of his people”.

And with more people in the know of this would surely be a welcome feedback on government services. Numbers.

Since 2008, the caravan has already served 62, 7649 clients from 12 sites with widely varied government services. Again, it‟s numbers.

(JCM/JSC-PIA6)

'Oplan Katok' still ongoing By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 29 (PIA) – The Capiz police is monitoring and checking possessors of high-powered firearms in the province.

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apiz Police Provincial Director Ulysses Caton disclosed that 40 holders of licensed high-powered firearms were recently monitored as to the status of their firearms as part of the Oplan Katok operation of the Philippine National Police.

The high-powered firearms that were monitored by the Capiz police‟s Firearms Explosives Security Agency Group Services (FESAGS) visiting team include

the 7.62mm and 5.56mm, Caton said.

Included in the high-powered firearms possessors who were checked last April was Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, he said.

According to Capiz PNP Information Officer Donna Asmod, of the total 42 high -powered firearms holders in Capiz, 39 are still in possession of said firearms, one allegedly sold his possessed firearm and

two have declared that the same were put under the custody of their respective parents.

Asmod said that the Oplan Katok is continuous effort of the police as part of its intensive campaign against loose firearms in Capiz.

The Capiz police, she said, is also appreciative of the positive gesture of the gun holders of cooperating with them in the said campaign. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

DepEd’s ‘Abot Alam’ project targets 8,325 OSYs By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - Antiqueño Out-Of-School (OSY) youth will have their chance to complete their basic education or earn some training in order to help them find a job or become entrepreneurs.

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his is the objective of the „Abot Alam‟ program of the Department of Education which aims to reach out to one million OSY in the country, said Perla Loriega, „Abot Alam‟ Program Coordinator, Division of Antique.

In Antique , Loriega said, we are targeting to reach out to 8,325 out of school youth age 15 to 30 years old.

Even those below 14 will be included particularly if they have enrolled in Grade

7 and dropped out, she said.

Support of partner agencies in this program is very crucial, the source said.

Aside from basic education which is the main responsibility of DepEd, provision of skills and entrepreneurship training can be taken by other agencies and private sector like Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Departments of Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, Agriculture, among others.

Local government units, from the barangay, municipal and provincial levels also play an important role in mapping out to ensure that no OSY is left out in every community.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said “ang ating pangarap ay siguraduhing walang maiwang out-of-school youth sa bawat barangay”. He added that DepEd will bring the school to the learners. (www.deped.gov.ph) [JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DA starts preparations for El Nino Silliman University in Dumaguete City

By Rizalie A. Calibo

LARENA, Siquijor, May 27 (PIA) --- Although the state-run weather agency PAGASA has not yet released an official announcement on the onset of El Nino in the country, preparations are already undertaken in the farming sector to brace the farmers from the possible effects of the current heat wave.

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epartment of Agriculture (DA-7) Regional Technical Director for research and regulatory Joel Elumba in a Kapihan sa PIA held Monday said the El Niño occurrence is still not clear for now, whether it is slow, mild, or severe or when and for how long it will occur.

Elumba said DA has already implemented the necessary preparations since since the last quarter of last year with a series of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns region wide, buffer stocking, monitoring and validation of agricultural facilities and even allocation of standby funds for cloud

seeding.

He said the agriculture sector is the most affected by El Niño and the climate change so that so the government and the public should come up with some adaptation measures to counter their effects.

These would include the use of adaptive crops and cropping system, indigenous forage, and good animal husbandry practices, among others.

Elumba also strongly campaigned for the conservation of water and called for the strong support to the government‟s Natioal Greening Program (NGP).

Farmers should already start preparing with or without El Niño, he said, as

he urged them to plant crops suitable to their lands and make sure that they are taking good care of their livestock.

He said that if climate change becomes severe, production volume and quality are greatly affected.

Surface water dries up, significantly affecting production volume and quality that consequently reduces farmers‟ income, he said.

Elumba however said he is confident that Siquijor farmers are intelligent and resilient as seen by how they produce good crops, raise and export good amount of quality livestock given the size of the island and the limited resources. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Banks continue to accept unfit notes - BSP BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA CEBU CITY, May 27 (PIA) --- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in Cebu assured the public that all banks continue to accept unfit notes for deposit or exchanged with new ones.

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fficials from BSP Cebu and the Cebu Bankers Club made the assurance in a press conference amid reports that some banks are no longer accepting unfit bills.

BSP Cebu received several calls from the public raising concern over speculations that banks have stopped accepting unfit bills.

“Last week, we received reports that dili na daw mudawat ang mga banko ug dunot ug daan nga kwarta (banks are reportedly no onger accepting unfit bills),” said BSP Cebu Regional Director Atty. Ma. Lux Berciles during the

presscon.

Berciles said this is not true as all banks are obligated to accept unfit bills under the Clean Note policy of BSP. “The policy of BSP is to provide the public with good, clean notes. So it is our mandate as well as that of the banks which are agents of Bangko Sentral to accept these unfit notes,” stressed Berciles.

According to BSP, bills that are considered unfit are those that contain heavy creases which break the fiber of the paper, badly soiled/

contaminated and/or with writings or presents a limp or rag-like appearance.

Joey Umerez, Cebu Bankers Club outgoing president, said that after learning of the circulating reports claiming that banks are rejecting unfit bills, they immediately sent advisories to their member banks that they are to continue accepting unfit bills either for deposits or exchange.

“That is the advisory we sent last week.

Most definitely, banks are accepting unfit bills,” he assured. (rmn/PIA-Cebu)

Dumaguete City ranks 3rd as LGU tourism destination in CV BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City continues to be a popular destination for tourists ranks now as 3rd top local government destinations in Central Visayas (CV).

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he Department of Tourism (DOT-7) reported that Dumaguete came next after Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The tourism industry in the city showed a positive growth in tourist arrivals last year with 183.9% with some 393,718 local and foreign tourists visiting the city.

According to Brando Canonizado of City Tourism Office that Dumaguete is not just being recognized as a “The City of the Gentle People,” but recently, Dumaguete City earned its way on the list of “Most affordable places to retire in the World” in an article released by Yahoo! Finance, Dumaguete ranked 4th.

In a DOT Regional Tourism Officers Forum held recently, Dumaguete City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr., is the first Negrense to be elected as Regional President of the Central Visayas Tourism Officers Association (CVTOA).

Maquiling has been chosen to showcase the Dumaguete experience on the topic Tourism Best

Practices of LGUs during the DOT Regional Tourism Officers Forum attended by over 80 tourism officers in Central Visayas.

Canonizado said landmark program of the city tourism is the localization of the national law Republic Act 9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009. With this, a city ordinance passed which deals with the implementation of the Mandatory Accreditation of Primary Tourism Enterprises operating the city.

Thus, it is said the city is indeed ready to be globally competitive for a robust tourism industry as an engine of investment, employment, growth and community development. “The Dumaguete experience was far from perfect but was made possible because of the collaborative effort from all the stakeholders and team at the city tourism office under the leadership mayor Manuel Sagarbarria,” said Canonizado.

Meanwhile, the DOT held an election of officers for CVTOA facilitated by regional

director Rowena Lu Montecillo. Montecillo committed to support the association as partner of DOT to strengthen the tourism industry and achieve successfully the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan in the region. With that, the following officers elected include Woodrow Maquiling Jr of Dumaguete City Tourism Office as regional president; vice-president for Bohol - Ardissa R. Estavilla, Catigbian Municipal Tourism Officer; vice-president for Cebu - Jocelyn Tan, Bogo City Tourism Officer; vice-president for Negros Oriental - Eliseo Manlangit, Bayawan City Tourism Officer; vice-president for Siquijor - Josette Armirola, Siquijor Provincial Tourism Officer; secretary - Grace Paulino, Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer; treasurer - Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer; auditor - Myla Mae B. Abellana, Negros Oriental Provincial Tourism Officer. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Silliman University in Dumaguete City

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NegOr acquires more rescue equipment worth P2M BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 24 (PIA) --The Negros Oriental Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recently acquired more rescue equipment worth P2 million from the70% disaster fund.

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he latest acquisition of the brand new rescue vehicle and two rubber boats with outboard engines is part of its continuing effort to strengthen disaster preparedness in the province.

According to executive officer Adrian Sedillo of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) the new rescue vehicle, modified to suit the need for rescue operations, amounted to P1.2 million while the two additional rubber boats with outboard engines cost some P650,000.

Governor Roel Ragay Degamo personally

oversees the on-going effort to enhance the equipage of the provincial government to augment the present capacity of various cities and municipalities of the province.

Gov. Degamo said it is one of the main thrusts of the provincial government through the PDRRMC to acquire more rescue and heavy equipment as it recognizes the difficulty of some cities and municipalities to acquire them due to limited funds.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) Dumaguete City division has gathered stakeholders in a national school clean-up this

week, Brigada Eskwela, focuses safety and disaster-preparedness in the community. The school officials, education stakeholders, parents, teachers and community residents trooped to different public schools in preparation for the opening of classes on June 2 for school year 2014 -2015. Nelson Caday, DepEd educational program supervisor said that for this year‟s brigada the school is not only focusing on the sweeping or cleaning-up the grounds and classrooms but it see to it how strong the classrooms must be, said Caday. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Ina Isabelle A. Taburaza, intern))

Siquijor eyes water program for PRDP funding BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO LARENA, Siquijor May 25 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Siquijor eyes for an efficient water system for the whole island as its priority project under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), a 6-year national government platform for an inclusive, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

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rovincial administrator Peter Samson, in an orientation-briefing last week, said that the province‟s most and real need is water that have not been given so much focus and/or effective solution since long, long time ago so that local folks continue to suffer and grumble.

“Siquijor has a very poor water system,‟ says Samson noting the need to focus on it above all other concerns such as infra development, hospital, electricity, and employment.

Agriculture, he added cannot prosper without enough supply of water. Water is more important than fertilizers or good seeds or technology. We can live without electricity, but water? It‟s simply indispensable, he said.

He said that as early as June, the provincial government have identified Canggomantong as the biggest and the strongest source of surface water. The other is in Sitio Tag-ibo of San Antonio.

We want a provincial water system that is professionally run by either government or private operators that will cater the whole island

of Siquijor, he said.

Samson said initial steps has been taken with some private consultants such as the identification and evaluation of water sources and coming up with a comprehensive development plan to address not only water problem but other concerns on power, hospital and employment.

He said the cost of the proposed water project alone has an initial rough estimate of P250 million but will benefit the whole island, farmers and non-farmers alike.

PRDP, according to Reneirio Zeta, DA-RO7 administrative officer is the upscale version of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) where new innovations are introduced to address the present demand of times especially climate change to make rural development more effective.

It is one of the tools of the country‟s Millenium Development Goal (MDG) that hopes to trickle down economic gains to at least reduce poverty to a minimum level in the rural areas.

The Program, he said is jointly funded by

the World Bank, National Government and the Local Government Units with the objective of increasing farmers‟ income in agri-fishery sector in program areas and developing a more market-oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fishery sector developed in program areas.Implementation of the projects has four major components.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Techology (DOST) in Siquijor province recently conducted an orientation seminar and signing of scholarship contracts for the new batch of scholars at the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC). The orientation program aims to inform the scholars of their existing responsibilities alongside their privileges.

The new batch of scholars was accompanied by their proud parents during the momentous event.

Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing who was a DOST SEI scholar under RA 7687 and now a project assistant at the DOST-PSTC Siquijor facilitated the event. (RAC/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports Engr.

Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST-Siquijor)

Reg’l Child Labor Committee holds 1st planning session BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO CEBU CITY, May 26 (PIA) --- The Regional Child Labor Committee (RCLC) held its quarterly meeting and planning session recently at Diamond Suites Hotel, this city.

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he gathering was in line with the mandate of eliminating „Child Labor in Central Visayas‟ since Region 7 is besieged with calamities, natural or man-made, RCLC members vowed to serve and deliver the best service to their clients.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) Regional Director Chona Mantilla presided the meeting and planning session wherein the group came up with year-round projects and programs under the concept of H.E.L.P. Me or Health, Education, Livelihood, and Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution, Monitoring and Evaluation.

One project is the conduct of Children‟s month in October, advocacy drive and other

related activities in eliminating child labor in Central Visayas, said Emmanuel Y. Ferrer, Regional Labor Communication Officer of DOLE-7.

Mantilla bared that there will be simultaneous celebration of Global March relative to the observance of World Day Against Child Labor in five field offices of DOLE -7 in Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and the tri-cities covering the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu on June 12.

Each field office will have its own set of activities for said commemoration, Mantilla added..

RCLC also conducted on the same day a

Refresher Orientation on Handling Complaints Against Child Labor, Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking In Persons purposely to orient the member-agency representatives who are new to the Committee to attain the goal of delivering the best and appropriate service to the clientele, said Ferrer.

Ferrer said that the meeting was well attended by the 40 members from different government agencies (GA) and non-government organizations (NGOs).

He added that this is just the first of a series of capacity-building activities for RCLC-7 members‟ empowerment and enhancement and there will be more to come. (rmn/jsme/PIA -Cebu/DOLE-7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

SoLeyte Children and Youth Summit focuses on disaster mgt., environment protection Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban City

By: Rebecca S. Cadavos

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) -- The provincial government of Southern Leyte hosted a Children and Youth Summit on May 28-30, 2014 at Cacao Mountain Resort, Barangay Combado here in coordination with the city government of Maasin, Philippine National Red Cross and Plan International.

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articipants on the said three-day activity were composed of youth and children from 15-35 years old, the source informed.

According to the organizers, first day of activities included a Summit Orientation and Preliminaries and levelling of expectations and Team Building, while a Structured Learning Sessions with simulations on Water Safety Basic Course, Basic First Aid Course and Fire Safety was conducted.

The ceremonial opening was at the Maasin Public Plaza with invited guests such as Cong.

Damian G. Mercado, Gov. Roger G. Mercado, Maasin City officials and different heads of national line agencies and provincial/city

government.

A film showing featuring disaster-related and protection of the environment was also lined up.

Activities for the children and Youth Summit included Inputs on Ridge to Reef Ecosystem by Regional Climate Change Center from the Visayas State University; DRR unlocking of terms and other reminders of key messages for clean air; sharing of local initiatives on DRR, among other best practices from the Municipal Mayor of San Francisco, Camotes in Cebu, a United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) Champion.

Among other activities during the summit included Session on Clean Air

with focus on anti-smoking; wellness and fun walk for Smoke-Free environment; and simultaneous environmental activities for conservation and protection such as mangrove planting, coastal clean-up and river clean-up.

Also on line was a presentation of the Provincial Children‟s Code and its legal basis by Provincial Board Member Aileen Estrera, followed by a workshop and presentation of outputs. Election of PCY Council officers.

The three-day activity concluded at the Provincial Garden with the Induction of new PCYC set of officers and a Solidarity Night to be hosted by the provincial government of Southern Leyte. (PIA8-SoLeyte)

Samar needs billions for recovery and reconstruction By: Ninfa Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 28 (PIA) - The province of Samar needs P7.4 billion for recovery and reconstruction.

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uring the Provincial Development Council meeting on Monday, members of the (PDC) approved the proposal to be elevated to the national government.

The meeting presided by the Provincial Planning and Development Officer, Arthur Cuneco had some 14 local chief executives in attendance with the department heads and other members of the council.

In the meeting, Cuenco presented that the total damage from typhoon Yolanda was estimated at P2.944 B which represented the value of destroyed physical assets, losses he added, totals P.342 B which represents the reduction in production, sales and income.

The impact was most heavily felt by the productive and social sectors which sustained 51.94 percent and 26.29 percent respectively, infrastructure meanwhile suffered 21.47 percent of the total damages.

As to figures, infrastructure damages and losses totals Php.863 B, education infra had the biggest damage; as to roads the total damage costs P.315 B. Other damaged infra were day care centers, barangay halls, covered courts,

waiting sheds, power lines, water infrastructure, and other physical structures in the barangays and towns which stood in typhoon Yolanda‟s path.

“This amount though includes provision for enhanced resiliency as part of the reconstruction cost,” said Cuenco.

As to agri and fisheries, damages were estimated at P1.425 B. Yolanda destroyed crops, irrigation systems, fish pens, fishing boats and gears, and livestock. Farmers, fisherfolks and livestock folks were displaced and lost income.

In trade, industry and services, damages in private businesses in small and medium enterprises was pegged at P103 M. This includes the physical structures, equipment/ machinery and stocks.

As to social sector, the PDC reported of 245 deaths, more than 2 thousand injured and 30 missing persons in the towns of Basey and Marabut.

Damages in education were worth P3.11 B which includes classrooms, books,information and technology equipments.

In health and nutrition, damages worth

Php .032 B was reported. Damaged were hospitals, equipments and other health paraphernalia, mostly in Basey and Marabut.

As to the housing sector, the post assessment need analysis revealed that more than 9 thousand houses were totally damaged while more than 12 thousand were partially damaged. It may take some P3.267 B for reconstruction.

The province of Samar provided immediate food relief assistance for months in Basey and Marabut towns and some barangays of Sta Rita town.

It also provided fishing gears and gill nets for the fisher folks whose fishing gears were washed out by the super typhoon.

The province also distributed free rice certified seed and vegetable seeds to the three highly devastated towns.

Governor Sharee Ann Tan in her recent visit to Marabut during the launch of GK Bayani Challenge said she purchased lots for the permanent housing units of some Marabut beneficiaries. (PIA 8-Samar)

CSC North Samar announces result of paper and pencil test By: Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, May 22 (PIA) – The Civil Service Northern Samar Field Office announces the result of the Career Service Examination Paper and Pencil Test conducted on April 6, 2014. This was learned from CSC Director II Ma. Trinidad L. Costibolo.

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ut of 496 professional and 56 sub-professional passers from Eastern Visayas, North Samar accounted 114 new career eligible for professional level and 17 for sub-professionals.

Passing the CSC paper and pencil test is a pre requisite for government employment.

The CSC is the only government institution commissioned to administer the said examination.

Costibolo also announces the scheduled CSE-PPT on October 26, 2014 in Maasin City, Catbalogan City and Tacloban City.

Acceptance of application is now open

and interested applicants may just visit the Civil Service Commission Capitol Site, Brgy. Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar.

For the complete list of passers, you can visit our website at www.csc.gov.ph, Costibolo informed. (PIA8-Northern Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

UN OCHA official visits Tacloban and Palo, Leyte Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban City

By: Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 24 (PIA) – An official of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs visited the city Saturday to assess the humanitarian response and the transition to recovery after six months since Yolanda devastated most areas in Eastern Visayas.

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ssistant Secretary General and Deputy Emergency Rel ief C oord i nator Kyung-Wha Kang of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs met with Yolanda affected communities in worst hit areas in Tacloban like Barangay 88 in San Jose district and Barangay 52, Magallanes District.

Accompanying the UN OCHA official was Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Leyte Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who took a look on the initiatives and challenges faced by the survivors particularly the fisherfolks, for them to rise again and build back better.

Thereafter, Kang also visited the bunkhouses at Government Center, Palo Leyte where she got a first-hand understanding of the condition of the families still living there. He was accompanied by Leyte Vice-Governor Lawyer Carlo P. Loreto and Councilor Jonathan Chiquillo who represented Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla.

In a short press briefing, Kang emphasized the progress in the Yolanda-stricken areas more than 6 months ago, adding that the challenges are still present.

“Six months later the place really looks different but if you look closer, the challenges

are still there,” Kang said.

Thus, the International Community is committed to continuously supporting the recovery efforts undertaken by the national and local government. When she was asked as to until when the UN OCHA will stay in the region, Kang said, as long as there is a need a for coordination of the humanitarian efforts for the recovery or rehabilitation of Yolanda-stricken areas.

This is the second visit of Kang, the first of which happened last December 21, 2013, more than a month after super typhoon Yolanda struck the region.(PIA-8)

SMC donates 500 houses to typhoon victims in Palo, Leyte By: Jonnie H. Buenaventura TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 28 (PIA) - San Miguel Corporation thru its President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) Mr. Ramon S. Ang will be donating 500 houses in Barangay Barayong, Palo, Leyte within a three hectare lot owned by Local Government Unit (LGU) of Palo, Leyte. These will serve as permanent shelter of the beneficiaries identified by the LGU concerned.

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ccording to Mr. Ang, these houses will be built by the Habitat for Humanity Philippines and that they ensure that these will be long-lasting and resilient to other forms of calamities.

He also promised that 5,000 more houses will be donated by the San Miguel Corporation in nine other places affected by the typhoon.

Mr. Ang appealed to the beneficiaries that they should take good care of the houses and not sell nor use it for other purposes.

Rehabilitation Czar Sec. Panfilo M. Lacson, who was present during the activity, assured the beneficiaries that the houses soon to be built will conform to the international standards and can withstand to other forms of calamities.

Lacson said that the site undergone multi-hazard mapping in order to make sure that they are safe against floods, storm surges, soil erosions and other forms of calamities.

Lacson also assured the typhoon victims

of continued support from the national government as the rehabilitation will soon start. He likewise revealed that 171 cities and municipalities were tagged as Yolanda corridor, but further stressed that donors will look at Tacloban City first before looking into other areas affected by the typhoon.

Lacson finally appealed to the LGUs to be proactive in handling the recovery and rehabilitation efforts especially in public and private partnerships. (PIA-8)

ChildFund needs Finance Manager By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 26 (PIA) – ChildFund Philippines, a Non-Government Organization is informing the public of a vacant position for Finance Manager under their Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Humanitarian Response Program in the Visayas region.

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s. Rowena D. Cuanico, Human Resource and Administrative Officer of ChildFund said through a press release sent to Philippine Information Agency that the contract period is until December 2014 and the package is commensurate to the applicants‟ experience and qualifications.

The post is based in Tacloban City where ChildFund is implementing various programs aimed at assisting families and children affected by typhoon Yolanda. The Finance Manager will ensure the setting up and maintenance of general accounting system, procedures and controls for the grant project.

Likewise, she will ensure reliability and timeliness of accounting records, financial reports, inventory of consumables and non-consumable office supplies and other materials; review and verify financial documents to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles,

policies and donor reporting requirements as well as prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for the grant project.

The applicant must possess a relevant and progressive work experience preferably in an international non-government organization, strong technical capacity in the required areas of work; in depth knowledge and practical experience on standard humanitarian guidelines; demonstrated high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social and political issues; self-guided, independent with strong facilitation, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time -managem ent skills; supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for self -management and

above-average written and oral communication skills in English.

Other qualifications are: 5 years progressive work experience in accounting including analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, financial software and reporting systems or 3 years experience in the management role; proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs including Excel, Word and Outlook.

Preferably, he/she must have prior experience in financial aspect of Grants Development and Management. Interested applicants are advised to forward their letter of intent together with their resume and contact information for 3 professional references to Ms. Rowena Cuanico at email address rcuanico@philippines.childfund.org.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.

Deadline for submission of letter of intent, resume and other requirements is on May 30, 2014.(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) 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, 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