One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 46

Vol 4

Issue 46

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)-6 Regional Director Atty. Jonathan Bulos keynotes the seminar/ workshop on safe closure rehabilitation plan of open/controlled dump facilities and ecological so li d w a ste ma na ge me n t ( ESWM) implementation in markets and malls held Wednesday at the Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Tree Growing to Address Climate Change.

PIA-7 & VECO along with masscom students from UPCC, USJR & CNU hold a 'tree growing' activity within the grounds of the AFP-Central Command after the forum on climate change.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Pupils of the Sabang Central Elem School in Borongan City pledged to do their share to care Mother Earth led by PIA-OIC RD Alice Nicart during the Climate Change Advocacy Campaign dubbed Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan.

(PIA 8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

November 17 - 23, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Israeli delegation meets with Cebu bizmen By: Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) --- Officials from leading Israeli companies involved in water and agro-technology sectors met with Cebu businessmen yesterday to explore possible partnerships.

Representatives from seven Israeli companies pitched their technology, products, and services before local businessmen during a one-day economic mission in Cebu City held by the Economic and Trade Mission of the Israeli Embassy in Manila.

The Israeli delegation was led by Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau, who said that Israel itself is a successful business model.

“Israel is an enterprise of innovation and entrepreneurship. If you look at it from the business point of view, Israel is one of the most successful businesses, born from scratch, from nothing... and it is now one of the leading countries in the field of innovation and technology,” Ambassador Matityau said.

The companies included in the Israeli business delegation were chosen because they can give a “qualitative edge” to the local water and agri-technology industry.

Doron Hemo, head of Israel Economic and Trade Office at the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, said that bringing Israel‟s innovations and technological know-how bodes well to the Philippine agriculture Medium Strategic Plan for 2020 which stresses technological investments.

“This two-day business event is a concrete step towards a fruitful collaboration between Israel and the Philippines in the area of agriculture,” said Hemo.

Another batch of agriculture and water delegation will be coming to the Philippines for another round of economic mission next year, said Hemo.

He added that the Israeli companies can provide solutions that Filipino companies can implement and integrate so they can become more efficient.

Hemo cited in particular Israel‟s desalination technology which turns saltwater into potable water. “Seventy percent of our potable water now comes from the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.

Aside from this, 80% of Israel‟s used water is being treated and then recycled for agricultural use.

With 60% of Israel composed of arid desert, “we had to find solutions to all of our challenges,” Hemo stressed.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Ma. Teresa Chan, in her speech, said that the trade event will give local businesses the opportunity to harness and acquire technology that will contribute much to the economic growth in Cebu and the Visayas.

The Israeli business delegation discussed irrigation know-how, dairy production, turnkey projects for livestock, post-harvest treatment, crop protection, agronomy, greenhouse technology, water system control, and water management. (rmn/PIA Cebu)

Archdiocese of Palo announces itinerary of Pope‘s visit

By Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 17 (PIA) – The Archdiocese of Palo has announced the itinerary of Papal visit in Leyte next year.

In a press conference held Friday at the Palo Chancery, Palo, Leyte, Fr. Amadeo Alvero, Social Communications Coordinator of the Archdiocese confirmed the coming of the Pope‟s visit in Tacloban, City and Palo, Leyte on January 17.

Fr. Alvero said, Pope Francis will arrive Tacloban City at 9:30 in the morning where he is scheduled to hold Mass near

Tacloban airport at 10:00 in the morning,, share lunch with some Yolanda survivors at the Archbishop's Residence in Palo Leyte at 12:45 noon on that same day.

Afterwards, the Pope will lead the blessing of Pope Francis Center for the Poor followed by a meeting with the priests, religious men and women, seminarians and families of the survivors at Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, in Palo, Leyte.

Millions of faithful not only from the region but also from other places are expected to attend the mass and excited to see the Pope in person. (ajc/cba/pia8)

Secretaries assess rehab efforts in Panay

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 17 (PIA) – Local chief executives in Panay Island expressed their thanks and gratitude to the national government for helping them in the repair of their damaged infrastructures due to supertyphoon Yolanda.

During the consultative meeting with the Cabinet Secretaries on Yolanda Rehabilitation Efforts, Nov. 12 here, the governors from Iloilo, Antique, Aklan and Capiz as well as mayors from the said provinces expressed their gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino .

They also thanked the Cabinet Secretaries led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas for the immediate release of the funds under the DILG-Recovery Assistance for Yolanda (RAY).

In April this year, Roxas personally turned over to the local chief executives the funds for the immediate repair of damaged municipal, city or provincial halls, civic centers and public markets which were damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda.

For Capiz alone, the DILG was able to release more than P66.053-million for all the local government units here based on their submitted damage on said government infrastructures in their respective areas.

In his statement, Roxas said that they are conducting the consultative meeting with the Yolanda-affected local chief executives to assess the progress, status and problems in the rehabilitation efforts in their respective areas based on the released funds and to ensure that everything is put in place.

Roxas, who was with Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Pama, also assured that the national government will continue and will always be there to help in building back better, and for the public to become

more

resilient and happier.

Roxas likewise directed the immediate liquidation of the released funds so that the Batch 2 funds intended for the repair of damaged government infrastructures in the barangays will be immediately released.

He stressed that the second batch of RAY funds for the repair of damaged public barangay infrastructures will be downloaded to their respective municipal or city governments.

On the other hand, Roxas revealed that the DILG will be purchasing 2,000 patrol cars for use by the Philippine National Police in the different police stations.

In addition, the DILG is also on the post qualification phase for the purchase of additional fire trucks for the Bureau of Fire Protection, he said. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

The Cabinet Secretaries on Yolanda Rehabilitation Efforts led by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas recently held a consultative dialogue in Roxas City to assess the progress, status and problems in the rehabilitation efforts under the Recovery Assistance for Yolanda (RAY) in Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo. (PIA Capiz)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Boracay's tourist arrivals generate nearly P23 B

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 18 (PIA6) -- The 10-month tourist arrivals in Boracay Island in 2014 generated a total of P22,994,085,403.80 in tourism receipts, based on the latest records of the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) here.

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h e to u ri s m r e c e ip ts w e r e generated by 579,329 foreign tourists, 637,301 domestic tourists and 36,177 overseas Filipinos who visited the island from January to October of this year.

The combined visitor arrivals reached 1,250,807, just more than 200,000 short of attaining the 1.5 million target this year of tourist visiting the island.

In several radio interviews here, Caticlan Jetty Port Niven Maquirang said the

province is hopeful that this target will be met as there are still two months before yearend – November and December.

Last year, the December tourist arrivals reached 111,949, the month after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the province, but November tourists were clipped down with only 77,027 visitors.

Of the monthly arrivals last year, only one other month registered less than a hundred thousand – September, which had only 86,404.

For this year‟s monthly arrivals too, September listed the lowest, with 81,633.

Based on records of the PTOO, tourist arrivals from 2006 to 2013 registered positive growth – with the highest listed in 2012 with 33%, followed by 2010 with 20% and 2011 with 17%; while the lowest growth rate was listed in 2009 with only 2%.

In 2013, growth rate was listed at 13%, while it attained P25,067,622,623.40 in tourism re c e ip ts w ith 1 ,20 6 ,25 2 to u rist arrivals. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Negros Occidental wetlands host to thousands of migratory birds By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 21 (PIA6) - - Thousands of migratory birds from Siberia, China and Australia pass by, feed and even breed in the wetlands of the province particularly the Bago up to Ilog area.

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irector for Field Operations of the Philippine Biodiversity Con servat ion Fou n dat i on Incorporated Lisa J. Paguntalan approximates there are about 109,000 of migratory shorebirds in the area for the month of January alone, a count more than that the whole of Manila Bay, the highest concentration for these migratory birds.

“Bago-Ilog coastal wetlands host the most number of migratory shorebirds passing through its flyway.

About 73 species of migratory shorebirds passes this way every year and these birds stay within these wetlands for about six months before they back to Siberia or China to breed,” Paguntalan said.

According to Paguntalan, Olango

Island in Cebu is most popular when it comes to migratory shorebirds where they have 20,000-30,000 birds passing its flyway every year although lesser in number compared to that of the province.

Rare greenshank, an endangered species and rarely sighted in the Philippines was also recorded to be found only in Tibsoc wetland in San Enrique and Pontevedra towns since 2012.

Joy M. Navarro, Ecosystem Management Specialist of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said wetlands regulate ecosystem services like filtration of pollution going to the sea especially in Negros where you have a lot of tidal or mud flats that not only serve the migratory birds for food but it is also the womb of the sea where fishes spawn.

“Wetlands are very import in terms of ecosystem services because these absorb water. So whenever there are flooding, when you have wetlands that are in a sense “protected” they absorb so much water that it actually controls flooding. Many of these wetlands are also protection against storm surges like mangroves, mud flats, coral reefs and sea grass beds protection and safety against climate change,” Paguntalan explained.

Although coastal wetlands are all threatened due to development and urban settlers, Negros, according to Paguntalan‟s assessment have better wetlands in terms of species on biodiversity because the number of birds they are actually supporting is an indicator of the richness of these wetlands.*(JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

DSWD urges tourism industry to be PWD-friendly By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA6) --- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre urged tourism stakeholders to ensure barrier-free tourist destinations for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

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n the Regional Forum on Accessible Tourism held Monday at Hotel Del Rio here, Macapobre said that PWDs should also get what‟s due them in tourism areas and establishments.

“They deserve to also enjoy nature‟s beauty. Things like access ramps or elevators for those who are unable to walk and booklets or reading materials that are in Braille for the visually challenged should be available,” she said.

She said that it would be interesting to see tourist spot employees who are able to use the sign language for the hearing and

speech impaired.

She also said that help desks for PWDs, special seats in vehicles, restaurants and other places of interest are things that can make the lives of PWDs easier and more enjoyable.

Likewise, the presence of people who are trained to handle different kinds of PWDs can ease the stress on their end.

The DSWD official called on local government units and the private sector to work together in the implementation of laws for PWDs, which include Republic Act (RA) 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled

Persons; RA 9442 which is an amendment of RA 7277; and the Batas Pambansa (BP) 344 or the Accessibility Law. As per data from DSWD-6, there are 87,519 recorded PWDs in Western Visayas, as of December 2010. Of the figure, 42,990 are males while 44,529 are females.

The Regional Forum on Accessible Tourism was spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations, DOT Central Office, DOT-6 and in partnership with the National Council on Disability Affairs. (JSC/LTP-PIA Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Guimaras LGUs get P3.6M

By Venus G. Villanueva ILOILO CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA6) - - Three municipalities in the province of Guimaras including the provincial government itself received checks totaling P3,642,423.95 through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

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abor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz awarded the checks to the local chief executives of the municipalities and to Governor Samuel Gumarin and Vice Governor Vicente de Asis during a program held in Jordan town for the installation of the marker declaring the province as labor law compliant tourist destination, November 17.

The funds will help materialize the various projects proposed by the LGUs benefiting some 793 Guimarasnons.

This will also ensure the implementation of DILEEP in the province.

Of the total amount of checks, Mayor

Luben Vilchez of Sibunag received P800,000.00 for their Seaweed Processing project; Mayor Jimmy Gajo of San Lorenzo received P649,974.00 for the San Lorenzo Livelihood Project for Fisherfolks Association; and LGU Nueva Valencia got a check of P613,500.00 for their Saba Banana Production Processing.

The provincial government is a recipient of two checks, one worth P736,278.95 for the implementatation of TUPAD Emergency Emeployment project (1st tranch) and another one worth P842,671.00 to fund their native bags production and marketing project.

Baldoz also turned over during the activity productivity toolbox tarps to Gumarin under the Pier to Port (P2P), a convergence program being implemented by DOLE 6 together with the local government, other national government agencies and private sectors that have stakes in the tourism supply chain.

P2P aims to boost employment opportunities of local workers and key players involved in the tourism industry such as through the conduct of service quality and productivity trainings and other capacity-building programs. (JCM/LAF/ PIA-Iloilo)

Right information is key to Ebola prevention - DOH By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, November 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas said that correct and accurate information about Ebola is a crucial weapon against the spread of the disease.

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n a press conference held Monday at Sarabia Manor Hotel here, DOH-6 Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Jesse Glenn Alonsabe said the health department has provided sufficient information so the stakeholders and the general populace have a better understanding of the disease.

“The lack of information became the problem in affected countries in West Africa because people there do not know what kind of disease was Ebola,” he said.

He said that when it comes to information and preparedness, the general public has been saturated with what they need to know about the disease.

“In social media, there are a lot of cynicisms regarding the preparation for Ebola not only in the Philippines but even in other countries such as the United States to the point of over-acting or hysteria,” he stressed.

He said that the health department would like to avoid the public getting into hysteria.

“In our system, it is very hard to manage the hysteria epidemic rather than the true epidemic itself,” he pointed out.

He said, however, that they do not want to develop the culture of complacency among the stakeholders and the general

public.

“The right information in the right time given by the right people is key to preventing the spread of this disease,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DOH appealed to the public not to spread unconfirmed and baseless reports about Ebola for these will be sowing panic and fear that will only put lives in danger.

For correct information about Ebola, please visit the DOH official Facebook page – Department of Health (Philippines) and website – www.doh.gov.ph. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Things go well for coral reefs restoration in Nogas Island

By Vicente W. Villavert NOGAS ISLAND, Anini-y, Antique, Nov. 18 (PIA6) - - Efforts to rehabilitate the coral reefs in Nogas Island in Anini-y are gaining momentum according to an army officer.

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LT Conrad Franz M. Bauzon, Commanding Officer of the Alpha Company, 82IB, 3ID, Philippine Army said that some 30,000 coral fragments have already been transplanted in the area surrounding the island.

Bauzon said that the restoration activity was conducted last year under the program dubbed Filipinnovation with the support of Senator Loren Legarda, Department of Science and Technology -Philippine Council for Agricultural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD), and the Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division.

Coral reefs serve as shelter and breeding ground of different species of fish.

The Army soldiers were trained to do the transplantation of coral fragments.

Bauzon lectured on Coral Reef Restoration during the PIA-DENR Youth Camp held in Nogas Island and participated in by some 60 high school students, advisers, local government of Tobias Fornier and Aniniy, the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and Likas Tama of St. Anthony‟s College.

The conduct of the youth camp is one of the activities of the Philippine Information Agency-Department of Environment and Natural Resources p a rtn e rsh ip on C lim a te C h an g e Preparedness, Adaptation and Mitigation advocacy, aimed to increase the level of awareness of students so that at an early

age, environmental protection will become part of their daily life.

Bauzon also urged the youth to get involve on issues concerning environmental protection.

He said that the good intentions for the coral reefs‟ restoration have also gained community support, and they are now helping protect the environment from any form of destruction.

The participants to the PIA-DENR Youth Camp were shown a video presentation as to how the coral reefs restoration was conducted.

Nogas Island is a 24 hectare island off the coast of the Municipality of Anini-y, and its about 15 minute-ride from Barangay Nato.(JSC/MLG/VWV-PIA Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Documentation of folk launched in Siquijor Island

healing

practices

By: Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR, Nov. 15 (PIA) — Researchers, academicians and other stakeholders officially launched a research/documentation entitled, ―Folk Healing Practices of Siquijor Island: Documentation of Philippine Traditional Knowledge and Practices on Health and Development of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on Health at Cantabon Barangay Social Center.

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niversity of the Philippines Manila and project consultant Dr. Isidro Sia, also a professor of pharmacology in his rationale of the research said the endeavor will assist the communities in documenting and upholding their healing traditions.

Provincial science and technology director Engr. Mario de la Peña also stressed the need for the protection of the island‟s traditional health practices against piracy

through the Intellectual Property Rights (IPO) with the help of Atty. Gilbert Arbon of DOST Negros Oriental.

He said that the program would succeed with the support of all cooperating institutions such as Siquijor State College headed by its president, Dr. Ma. Imogen Quilicot; Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) with Dr. Virginia Lacuesta; the DOST and the local government units that committed to support the program.

Siquijor town mayor Mei Ling Quezon and Siquijor provincial governor Zaldy Villa were happy that such undertaking was initiated. Both leaders gave their commitment and full support to the project.

Barangay captains of San Antonio, Ibabao, Cantabon and Cangmatnog also gave their consent and support in the conduct of the research. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/ with reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing & Engr. Mario E. de la Peña/DOST-Siquijor)

CSOs join call for continuous implementation of Bottom-Up Budgeting DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 17 (PIA) --- Close to 400 leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs) and different local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental and Siquijor joined the launching of ―Milyong Mga Pirma Alang sa Bottom-up Budgeting‖ campaign last week to express support to the budget reform initiative of the Aquino Administration.

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he civil society group Kilos Mamamayan (KM) led the launching of the campaign during the Local Poverty Reduction Action Teams (LPRAT) orientation organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-7) on November 13.

The campaign aims to gather million signatures from different CSOs and LGUs to ensure the continuous implementation of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) process that involves stakeholders from the grassroots level.

KM national secretary Marco Polo Ferrer explained these signature campaign documents will be presented to DILG Sec. Mar Roxas and to some members of the House of Representatives who vowed to lobby for the institutionalization of BUB. “We want to convince our lawmakers that the people support the move to institutionalize the BUB. This way, the program will be implemented by the country‟s next president who we are looking forward to be reform-oriented and has a solid track record

for good and honest service," Ferrer said.

The highlight of the campaign was the symbolic signing on the wall of commitment by the participants.

Copies of the “Milyong Lagda” signature campaign documents will be spread by the group through its network of CSOs based in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

“We must take action to ensure that this reform measure will be sustained beyond the Aquino administration,” he adds.

The BUB was introduced in 2011 by the late Sec. Jesse Robredo during his stint at DILG. The BUB process focuses on engaging for 300 to 400 of the poorest municipalities identified by the Cabinet‟s Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) cluster.

Local-level engagement will be facilitated via relevant government agencies, local community leaders, LGUs, and partner civic organizations.

As of now, Sec. Roxas is currently pursuing implementing various anti-poverty

programs in coordination with different national government agencies covering 1,226 LGUs across the country with a proposed inter-agency budget amounting to P20.1 billion for 2015.

During the LPRAT orientation, heads of participating CSOs and LGUs discussed some proposals that will help strengthen the program.

Meanwhile, KM also did similar activities in other provinces over the past two months.

Last Nov. 10 and 11, the campaign was also launched in Cebu.

Aside from Cebu, the campaign was also launched in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija for Region 3, Naga City, Camarines Sur for Region 5, and Iloilo City in Iloilo for Region 6 to advocate for the institutionalization the program through an act of Congress.

Ferrer emphasized that they are determined to gather a million signatures as proof of a solid support of the people for continuous implementation of the BUB process. (rmn/ral/PIA7-NegOr with reports from KM)

GSIS honours 3 oldest pensioners in Negros Oriental By: Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA) --- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in Negros Oriental recognized three of its pensioners aged 105 as the oldest in Negros Oriental.

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SIS Dumaguete Branch Manager Atty.

Mercedes VPE Enriquez visited the three oldest pensioners in their respective residences who are still enjoying their pension at 105 years old.

The pensioners were retiree Demetria Aldecoa of Dumaguete City who turned 105 years old on June 21, 2014; Valencia Socorro, aged 105 whose birthday was last November 15; and Margarito Init, 104 from Valencia.

Enriquez said Aldecoa retired in 1972 and started receiving her old age pension in December 1977 in the amount of

P254.63.

She has been receiving pension for 37 years and her current pension is P5,054.42 by virtue of Board Resolution 110 dated July 2, 2012 which levelled the basic monthly pension of pensioners receiving below P5,000 to a minimum of P5,000 effective January 2013, GSIS official said.

Pensioner Socorro retired in June 1973 with an initial pension of P256.10.

She is enjoying her pension for 38 years in the amount of P5,054.42 similar to that of Mrs. Aldecoa.

Init, on the other hand, who was born

on October 25, 1910 retired in June 1973 and currently receiving pension in the amount of P5,058.77.

Engriquez said the families of said pensioners were grateful to GSIS for the special recognition and the Board of Trustees, in particular, for coming up with a policy which enables the pensioners to receive higher pension for their needs.

The retirees shared the same secret for living a long life, and that is, to eat green leafy vegetables and fruits everyday. (rmn/jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Actuarians donate P280K to Gawad Kalinga Bohol By: Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 16 (PIA) – A nationwide association of insurance assessors and evaluators handed to Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bohol a sum of P280,000 in check and pledges during their recent convention at the Bellevue in Panglao.

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he money goes to build houses and communities in earthquake affected and poverty haunted Bohol, according to Cresanto Sabanpan, of the Gawad Kalinga Project.

The Actuarial Society of the Philippines (ASP) who just had their 55th convention at the Pavillion of the Bellevue in tourism resort Panglao readied the papers for the donation through a board resolution which the group‟s officers prepared for the Bohol event, according to ASP president Maria Sachiko Pang.

Pang shared this news in front of the delegates gathered who had earlier viewed a video presentation on the GK in the Philippines and its mission.

GK is an organization that started in the Philippine which targets to heave out 5 million

poor Filipinos out of poverty by 2024.

This it does by restoring the poor‟s dignity and build a new nation empowered by people believing and loving the natioh, each one caring and sharing and is bent on working to beat poverty and regaining human dignity, according to Sabanpan, in the presentation attended also by the famed Loboc Children‟s Choir.

While other groups help communities by building houses, GK characterizes itself by making an integrated and self-reliant community of service and making impossible things possible, leaving no one behind.

GK finds its fiscal support from donations in its social justice projects, banking on charity, being brother‟s keepers by heroic response to voluntarism, according to Rey Balatayo, another GK worker in Bohol.

GK communities become active for

testing earth friendly technologies, sustainable livelihood and innovations which could be the community‟s quick way out of poverty.

With this, QK organizers aspire to attain social progress by working on the successes of voluntarism, caring and serving communities as well as sharing, because GK also believes it is not the lack of resources but the apparent tendency to hoard that makes the Philippines a poor nation.

In Bohol, a GK community is now rising in Bayacabac, Maribojoc, with 16 houses now completed at Purok 4, according to Barangay Chairman Jun Aniscal.

Aside from vermiculture, composting, organic farming, the people of this purok have started planting tree guarded fruit trees along the barangay road leading to the municipal demo farm. (rmn/RAC/PIABohol)

San Remegio's ‗Lapyahan‘ By: Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU, Nov. 19 (PIA) --- Cebu‘s longest province. he “LakasLikasan” tagging is part of the climate change advocacy campaign of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in places cited for environmental relevance.

San Remigio‟s “Lapyahan” is known to be the longest white beach shoreline in Cebu and its seas, according to information officer Nino Ybanez, gives fishermen an average of five to ten kilos of good variety fish everyday.

“All residents here are cooperating in the protection of the lapyahan and the seas, we do coastal clean up once in awhile,” Ybanez said.

More than 300 students from three schools made a Pledge of Commitment to take

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shoreline ―Lapyahan‖ was recently tagged as the first ―LakasLikasan‖ area in the care of the environment which include their seas during a recent Multi-Schools Campus Caravan held by PIA Cebu and DENR-7.

The students from San Remigio National High School, Hagnaya Elementary School, and San Remigio Central School were all ears as they listened to DENRO Provincial Officer Jose Cleo Cary Colis who discussed Environmental Stewardship.

Colis narrated several “small” things most people do not know are causing harm to the environment, including the fact that plastic takes several years to decompose.

“Bottle used in mineral water will take 450 years to decompose; styrofoams unfortunately will not decompose,” Colis said.

On the other hand, Philippine Information

Agency Central Visayas Regional Director Minerva Newman engaged the students in an interactive story telling session.

Newman, after narrating the creation of the universe and its destruction by man made activities, asked the students to cite ways to mitigate climate change.

“Plant trees, don‟t use plastic, save water,” were some of the answers of the students.

San Remigio Vice Mayor Alfonso Pestolante welcomed the participants in behalf of Mayor Mariano Martinez who was out of the country.

Pestolante urged the students to put the lessons at heart since there is only one world that humanity can live in. (rmn/fcc/PIA-Cebu)

Bohol tourism human resource devt plan up By : Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 15 (PIA) – A group attempting to finally match the quality of Philippine higher education graduates to the stringent requirements of the globally competitive tourism industry is now ready to turn over to Bohol its finding and recommendations for a more effective industry here.

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he Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines, has indulged Boholanos and tourism industry stakeholders and higher education key workers, technical and vocational experts as well as local government key movers and support industries in interviews, surveys, focused group discussions to come up with a win-win solution to the problem.

Tourism frontline operations demand the most proper attitude, and its support industries should at least be able to handle basic languages confidently, accomplish demanding mental tasks, for the industry to pick up the pace and really become globally at par with other nations.

The school curriculum which is crafted could still be enhanced into a more responsive mill if industry stakeholders and school administrators

collaborate in shaping up a design which approximates the needs, tourism industry observers have shared.

On the other hand, if the Tourism Act provides for a system of rating tourism establishments, it must also be applicable to frontline workers so that accredited tour guides would be professionally paid on a performance based system, and not on the length of service which tends to make older guides stagnate in the old stock of spiels, an unpublished research from a leading tourism institute stated.

"PBEd has been implementing the Higher Education and Productivity Project.

Our m ain goal i s to address concerns over the mismatch between the quality of the Philippines‟ higher education graduates and the needs of its industries through greater industry participation in curriculum design,

quality assurance and accreditation," according to Justine Eleonor Raagas, PBEd Sr. Program Manager.

"In line with this, we have crafted a Human Resource Development Plan for the Tourism Industry of Bohol through the technical assistance of Asia Pacific Projects, Inc. (APPI), with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development -Philippines," he added.

Just in time when Bohol picks up the tourism pieces which shattered during the earthquake, PBEd is now ready to present and officially turn over the Human Resource Development Plan for the Tourism Industry of Bohol to the provincial government.

The event is set for Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Governor‟s Mansion, Tagbilaran City. (rm/rac/PIABohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Christmas comes in November for 1000 kids in remote Samar town CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Nov. 17 (PIA) -- Christmas came early for more than a thousand kids in this remote Matuginao town as Anne Turla of the Soldiers‘ Wives and Girlfriends (SWAG) brought cheers and goodies.

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s the convoy of army officials and elements travelled to the heart of Samar where Matuginao town is located, the convoy meet the children and their parents from nearby Barangay Barruz hiking towards the town to get their „gift‟.

It was proverbially raining cats and dogs, but the kids did not mind and used even banana leaves to shield them from the heavy downpour.

“This is a promise fulfilled, the kids are so excited!” said the visibly happy Mayor Melissa dela Cruz.

It was not much for an urban kid, the little bag containing a pad paper, crayons, pencil and one notebook, but to Jazel Jean Ostano it was an early Christmas gift and it was hers, she held on tightly to her new

possession as her mother joined the line for mothers to get shampoo and conditioners.

Leoberto, 5, did not budge from where he stood ogling at the PAMANA driver putting air to the balloons.

He whispered to his mom if he could get the blue one-his favorite color.

Hearing him the Pamana driver obliged and gave him what he wished. The act of kindness brought an endearing toothless smile.

Ronalisa Velarde, a teen-age girl did not get the gift of school supplies anymore, yet she proudly bared her „loot‟ of fashionable earrings and a choker. She said she also lined up for the shampoo.

It was almost a Christmas party, there were food which they also got lining up,

drinks and parlor games-all these lining up and hollering and running while the rains were pouring.

“I am happy to see their smiles which are pure, they seem very grateful,” Anne Turla, guest and gift giver mused.

The SWAG founder also assured the young mayor she will link the town to other charitable NGOs for services and livelihood packages.

Turla was accompanied by Col Erwin Alea of the 8th Infantry Division, Lt Col Siegfreid Tubalado of the 43rd Infantry Battalion, LtCol Edgar Yerro of the 546th Engineering Battalion who is credited for opening the 1.5 kilometer road to the town and Imelda Bonifacio Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) manager and the media. (ajc/PIA 8-Samar/nbq)

Some 293 new defenders of the Philippine Republic graduate CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- Samar community welcomes in its fold some 293 new defenders of the Philippine Republic.

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hese were some of the words uttered by Rep Emil Ong, as guest of honor and speaker in the candidate soldiers‟ graduation on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at the 8th Infantry Division headquarters of the Philippine Army.

In his message, Ong honored the graduates who stood under the heat of the sun while their parents proudly clapped and watched their children who hurdled the rigorous physical and mental training for seven weeks.

Of these graduates, 20 come from Luzon, 64 from Mindanao and 209 of them come from Eastern Visayas.

The youngest is 18 years old while the oldest is 33 with special skills though.

The graduates are a combination of two batches, the first batch 365-14 is led by top one soldier Pvt Jury Lanquino who yielded

an average grade of 95.05; the second batch 366-14 is led by Pvt Rey Marino with 95.85 general average.

As to educational background, 118 are high school graduates, 154 of them are college undergraduates while 21 are college graduates.

“These are the smartest soldiers,” said 8th ID Commanding Officer Jet Velarmino.

As Pvt Noel Palacio ate lunch with his parents after the ceremony, he narrated that he is duty bound to give his parents a better life as his father is a farmer in Jaro, Leyte.

His mom was teary-eyed as she talked of convincing her first born to forget being a soldier as she feared for his life.

“My son was determined and I am just glad he did not complain during the training.

I see him now as a soldier who can defend his country,” Joselita Palacio said.

Pvt Jovy Caluya ate his lunch alone, his

parents from Antique could not make it. But he talked to them on his cellphone the night before which was enough encouragement.

Like Palacio, Caluya is also the eldest son and he wants to assume the responsibility of taking care of his four siblings as his father is also a farmer.

The two young soldiers along with 291 classmates took their oath as dedicated and disciplined defenders of the country and to uphold human rights as they perform their duties.

The soldiers were also given rosaries.

The rosaries are to help keep in memory certain principal events or mysteries in the history of salvation and for God‟s blessings.

As the last part of the program unfolded, the 293 new defenders met their families with the hindsight that challenges await them in the real battlefield. (ajc/nbq/ PIA 8-Samar)

GSIS-Maasin Branch unveils building marker at new office MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Maasin Branch marked the transfer of their new office at R. Kangleon St., Barangay Mantahan, Maasin City with a Holy Mass, ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the Building Marker, November 17, 2014.

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he Holy Mass was solemnized b who also led in the blessing ceremony assisted by City Mayor Maloney Samaco, GSIS Maasin Branch Manager Igmedio Ponay Jr., GSIS Vice President for Operations Salvacion Mate, Rosalyn Ramos and GSIS Pensioner Estrella Castro, Department heads of different agencies, GSIS Family were among the visitors and guests.

The unveiling of building marker signifies the transfer of GSIS Maasin Branch to a bigger and better service area and marks as a symbol of the Pension Fund‟s commitment to provide responsive service to the active and retired members of the GSIS. Manager Ponay in his welcome message was grateful for the support of each government agency.

He committed to serve better for the welfare of the members of GSIS. A consultative meeting with Public Sector Union leaders and their representatives was also included in the day activity that was held after the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremonies.

It was conducted at the Lourdes Convention Center in Maasin City. (ajc/ rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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EMB-8 to conduct lectures in schools on climate change TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov.20 (PIA) -- The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the region will conduct a series of lectures in some schools in Eastern Visayas in order to intensify awareness relative to the celebration of the Climate Change Consciousness Week from November 19-26, 2014.

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u r in g t h e r a di o program “Nagbabag-o na an panahon, Panahon na para magbag-o”aired over a local station, Maribel Munsayac, Solid Waste Management Program Coordinator of the EMB-DENR in the region underscored the importance of disseminating the information to the students to be able to understand what is climate change, what it

cause and its impact to the environment.

Munsayac further stated that aside from lectures, artistic activities like poster/ painting contest will also be conducted to help students appreciate the information given to them through lectures.

It also helps instill in their young minds their respective roles in minimizing the disastrous effects of climate change.

Munsayac pointed some effects of

climate change such as increase in temperature, sea-level rise, melting of glaciers and extreme weather events like super typhoons.

Through the conduct of Poster Making Competition, artistic students are encouraged to join.

The artistic competition will revolve on the theme “Plan, Implement, Act and Achieve”. (ajc/cba/pia-8)

City pushes waste segregation to adapt, mitigate climate change MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- The General Services Office of the city local government unit here intends to revisit its waste segregation scheme that was started several years ago, this time with more focus on its implementation.

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enjase Lumen, a ranking staff of the city‟s GSO, said in a recent interview over Action Center Kapihan sa PIA Cable TV program, that the garbage disposal in the city will soon be transferred to a distance of 15 kilometers from the city proper, in barangay Bactol I. And with this impending transfer, only residual wastes will strictly be collected by the garbage collectors, the compostables retained in designated composting centers in a barangay, or cluster of barangays, while recyclables will be left to households for their disposal to willing buyers or for their re-use, Lumen said.

“We will be enforcing waste segregation by source, or by households, so this early we should start practicing segregation to make it a habit, so

eventually people‟s attitudes toward garbage will change,” explained Lumen.

He said there is a need to change perspectives on garbage as pure filth or plain trash, because about 60 percent of household garbage are good compost materials, 30 percent can be re-used, recycled, or even be sold to scrap buyers, and only 10 percent are due for disposal, such as plastics.

But even plastics and the so-called “tsitsiriya” can be turned into creative products that may command a good price to willing buyers, instead of just throwing them away, as what was done by some individuals in barangay Asuncion, he added.

The PIA and the DENR, with full support from the City and Provincial LGUs, is currently pilot-testing the waste segregation at source in barangay

Asuncion since October and extended until December to give way to their fiesta on November 29.

The activity is part of a nationwide advocacy campaign to mitigate and adapt with changing climate conditions.

The Asuncion campaign also involves a songwriting contest.

Lumen said the Asuncion initiative will be replicated to other six barangays around the city proper, to outskirt barangays, and ultimately the whole 70 barangays of the city, at least on waste segregation drive.

During the cable TV program, Lumen demonstrated how household wastes can be taken care of, like papers, tins of food packages, sando bags, and other items that are usually thrown away but still have uses when kept. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

RDC appoints new sectoral committee chairs, co-chairs Marivic A. Alcober TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA) -- To strengthen government and private sector partnership in understanding the mandates of the Regional Development Council (RDC), and to promote regional development and inclusive growth, Leyte Governor Leopoldo L. Petilla, RDC chairman, in coordination with the regular council members, reorganized its sectoral committee chairpersons.

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ppointed as officers of the various Sectoral Committees with a term of office up to 2016 are: Regional Director (RD) Cynthia R. Nierras of the Department of Trade and Industry, Regional Office No. VIII, as Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, with Atty. Roy Bernard C. Fiel, PSR-CCI/Business Group as Co-Chairperson.

For the Social Development Committee, appointed as Chairperson is RD Edgardo M. Esperancilla of the Department of Science and Technology, with Ms. Elnora C. Quebec, PSR-Health as

Co-Chairperson.

On the other hand, Department of Budget and Management RD Imelda C. Laceras Chairs the Development Administrative Committee, with Dr. Edmundo F. Gariando, PSR-Academe as Co-Chair.

The last Committee which is the Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee is chaired by RD Rolando M. Asis of the Department of Public Works and Highways with Mr. Tiburcio A. Morales, Jr., PSR-Agribusiness/Cooperative as Co-Chairperson.

Meanwhile, Section 7 of Executive

Order No. 325, as amended, partly provides that “To assist the RDC in the performance of its functions, the Council shall create sectoral committees to handle social, economic, infrastructure, and development administration concerns,” while Section J.2 of the Rules and Regulations of the Reorganization of the RDCs Implementing EO No. 325 states that the Council shall create the above mentioned Sectoral Committees which shall be jointly headed by a Chairman and a Co-Chairman who will be appointed either by the RDC Chair or selected by the members among themselves. (ajc/maa/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.

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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