One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 41

Vol 4

Issue 41

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Lucille Sering explains the impacts of climate change to student participants during the Greeneration Summit held Thursday at Sarabia Manor Convention Center here. Greeneration is a gathering for youth empowerment on climate change. (LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Breakfast Meeting with Cebu Media. DILG Sec. Roxas says they will hire 15 engineers to assist quake-affected LGUs in Bohol to help check damaged local engineering structures and assist in coming up with program of works, which has delayed rehab efforts after province suffered from 7.2 magnitude earthquake Oct, 15, 2013.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

PIA 8 OIC regional director Alicia Nicart talks on Family Disaster Preparedness during the student‟s forum on climate change at the Cirilo Roy Montejo National High School, Tacloban City, October 9. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

October 13 - 19, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

DENR-8 launches Leyte Gulf rehab project By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 14 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region has formally launched on Tuesday the Leyte Gulf Rehabilitation Project at Brgy. 89 Payapay, San Jose, Tacloban City.

Maita Reina G. Sucgang, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Public Affairs Office of the DENR-8 said, about 300 beach forest Talisay seedlings were planted by the employees of the DENR and other government agencies, barangay officials and residents, employees from Divine Word Hospital and members of the local media.

The trees planted along the coastlines of San Jose, a coastal barangay in the city which was terribly hit by storm surge, shall form part of the 1.5 mangrove propagules and beach forest seedlings under the Leyte Gulf Rehabilitation Project.

In his message, DENR-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca once again calls for public participation in greening the coastlines.

Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who graced the activity enjoined everyone to act together in protecting nature for the future generations.

The Leyte Gulf Rehabilitation Project is a top priority project of the DENR where the barangays are being tapped through cash- for- work program for the site maintenance and protection activities.

The project to be implemented in three provinces in Eastern Visayas such as Eastern Samar, Samar and Leyte, hope to bring back the lush beach and mangrove forest in these areas which were damaged by typhoon Yolanda last year. (CBA/ AJC/PIA-8)

PNoy calls on youth to ready for global warming ILOILO CITY, Oct. 16 (via PIA6) – President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino youth to be ready to face the various environmental concerns that plague the country and help establish eco-friendly societies.

The President made the call in a statement issued during the launching here today, October 16, of the Visayas -leg of “Greeneration”, a school-based campaign that envisions to create a unified movement of empowered Filipino youth for a climate change resilient Philippines.

“Your sector plays a critical role in preserving the environment and ensuring that we move forward in harmony with the earth,” he said, emphasizing that climate change is a growing global concern that requires responsive mechanisms to raise public awareness and create actionable initiatives.

“May this event inspire you to help raise awareness regarding this vital issue and enable you to become transformative voices in this movement to conserve our resources and establish more progressive eco-friendly societies,” the President said in his statement.

Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Lucille Sering added that Greeneration is a nationwide

campaign designed to raise awareness among the youth on the fundamentals of climate change and make them active partners of the government in its efforts to keep communities safe from the adverse impacts of climate change.

“Since then, we have been going around universities and colleges in Metro Manila to talk before students and encourage them to start projects within their school campuses and communities that are designed to adapt to or mitigate climate change,” Sering said.

She also said that the Commission launched the Mindanao-leg of Greeneration last month in Davao City which was attended by popular TV host and actress and climate change ambassador Bianca Gonzales.

The launching of the Visayas-leg Greeneration was attended by about 800 students from the different universities and colleges here.

It was also graced by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and city councilors Jay Treñas and Jason Gonzales.

Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte also attended the event as one of the climate change ambassadors of the Commission. (CCC/PIA-6)

NegOr guv says organic aggie helps vs climate change BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) --- Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental highlighted the importance of organic agriculture to address climate change and global warming during his message at the this year's Buglasan Organic Farm Family Agri-Fair at the Provincial Nursery Compound, this city.

“This is to protect the environment, provide livelihood and healthy safe food for our people,‟ the provincial chief executive stressed. He added that organic agriculture helps restore the fertility of the soil, increases food production while providing better income for the farmers.

During the two -day Agri-Fair, over 500 delegates from the various local government units will showcase their organic products, demonstrate their skills in organic fertilizer formulation, organic food preparation, and indigenous cultural harvest festival, dance show and attend organic farming lectures.

Provincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca said the move of the governor gives significance to the food security program as organic agriculture is the best avenue to sustainable development.

Paltinca said the P10 Million fund given by Gov. Degamo to the Provincial Agriculturist‟s Office will focus on organic agriculture and livelihood program for informal groups in the province.

He said organic agriculture focuses on increasing rice, corn and vegetable production both in the lowlands and far-flung barangays in the hinterlands.

“We are forming various training teams whose expertise in rice, corn, and vegetable enhancement will be brought to the farmers' level.

An estimated 1,500 farmers will benefit from this program,” Paltinca disclosed.

The Livelihood Program includes organic livestock and fishery production, food processing, bio-organic fertilizer formulation, and human resource development trainings.

This is expected to benefit 1,500 women and farmers in various associations province wide. (rmn/JCT/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. PIA 7 file photo

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Climate change curriculum to pilot in Region 6 By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA6) --- The Climate Change Commission (CCC) said that Western Visayas is a pilot area for the climate change curriculum that will be introduced in 2015.

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n the Greeneration Summit held Thursday at Sarabia Manor Convention Center here, CCC Vice Chairperson Lucille Sering said that three schools in Region 6 particularly in Iloilo will have the climate change curriculum integrated in various subjects.

“The curriculum will be integrated in HELE (Home Economics and Livelihood E du c a tio n ) , C iv ic s, Scie n c e an d Mathematics,” she said.

She said that the target grade levels will

be grades 3, 6, and 9 with one section per grade level.

“Iloilo was picked by the commission because it was well recommended and we have good relations with the Department of Education here,” she shared.

The CCC Secretary also said that the Greeneration Summit is targeting those students who are not taking Science courses/subjects.

“We know that Science subjects in a way already touched topics on greenhouse

effect and what can we do but there are more students who are not taking Science subjects/courses than those who do,” she said.

The Greeneration is a nationwide campaign designed to raise awareness among the youth on the fundamentals of climate change and make them active partners of the government in its efforts to keep communities safe from adverse impacts of climate change. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

WV Crime volume down By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA6) — The crime volume in Western Visayas, as of date, has lowered, according to the Police Regional Office 6.

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RO-6 Information Officer Sheila Sangrines said their records showed that the total crime volume for January to September this year has significantly decreased to 97,043 incidents, from 126,297 incidents during the same period last year.

Sangrines said this is because of the implementation of various crime solution initiatives and best practices by the PRO. These are the flagship programs being consistently implemented by the office, such as the Prevention, Response Operations and Strategy in Crime Suppression (PROSICS,

which is the integration of all anti-crime strategies applicable in Western Visayas.

“There is also the unrelenting effort in the accounting of most wanted persons and implementation of warrant of arrest against them,” Sangrines said.

She added that police operations against loose firearms, illegal drugs, illegal gambling and carnapping and other illegal activities, have been among those persistently pursued by the police all over the region.

Meanwhile, in terms of Crime Solution Efficiency, the PRO has improved, from

15.59 percent from January to September 2013, to 25.58 percent this year.

Crime Clearance Efficiency has also increased by 33.76% for the period January to September this year, from 17.07% for the same period last year.

Police Chief Supt Josephus Angan, PRO-6 Director, said that police community relations should contribute much to the fight against crime.

“Our focus should be in the reduction of crimes and increase in crime solution and clearance efficiency,” Angan said. (PRO6/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

DENR asks students to fight Climate Change By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 16 (PIA6) -- Climate Change is not just the concern of the government, so everybody must join in combating its effects on the environment.

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his was the message delivered by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Ivene D. Reyes here to students of the Aklan Catholic College and other nearby schools during the Campus Tour conducted on October 10 as part of the advocacy campaign on Climate Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

In his talk, Reyes appealed to the students to get involved in protecting the environment by planting trees in order to help prevent floods and a host of other problems caused by environmental degradation.

Reyes especially made mention of the devastation suffered by Tacloban City last year due to storm surge at the height of Typhoon Yolanda, which could have been minimized had the area been planted with mangroves.

He compared the effects of the typhoon in Aklan where the effect of storm surge was

so little because of the presence of mangrove plantations in the coastal areas.

Because of this, Reyes told the campus tour participants that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be planting more mangrove trees this year on some 670 hectares of mangrove areas this year to further mitigate the effects of climate change in Aklan.

“These mangrove areas will also provide livelihood for our people”, Reyes told the students.

Reyes also said the DENR is targets to turn coastal areas into beach forests as part of the government‟s National Greening Program (NGP).

Under the NGP, the government targets to plant 1.5 million hectares of land with 1.5 billion trees from 2011 to 2016. In Aklan, Reyes said almost 9,000 hectares of land had been planted with trees already under the

program. The greening program also generates livelihood for the province‟ People‟s Organizations by raising and providing tree seedlings at P12.00 per seedlings.

The seedlings are a mix of lumber and fruit trees, and when the fruit trees already produce fruits, the Pos will have additional income.

Because of the livelihood opportunities given to the POS through the NGP, Reyes said the living condition of the sector also improved.

“Some of them have already better houses and are owners of motorcycles”, Reyes said.

The holding of campus tours in several schools in Aklan is a joint undertaking of the DENR and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the advocacy campaign on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. (JSC/ VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Nov. 8 is Thanksgiving Day in Capiz By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 17 (PIA) – Capiceños are thankful for the new life, unity and support amidst the great devastation of super typhoon Yolanda.

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n a resolution unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Capiz during its regular session, October 15, it declares November 8, 2014 as “Thanksgiving Day in the Province of Capiz.”

The resolution was authored by Board Member Eduardo Magallanes, chairperson of the Sanggunian‟s Committee on Ways and Means.

The resolution stresses that in November 8, 2013, super typhoon Yolanda hit the province of Capiz and the Visayas and left a trail of massive destruction that includes loss of lives and extensive damage to livelihood and properties.

According to Magallanes, supertyphoon Yolanda was not only a disaster but also an opportunity for Capiceños to live a new life, unite and support each other amidst the crisis.

He also pointed out that Capiceños have

more to be thankful for “because we are alive” and in times of calamities such as Yolanda, the people here can count on the help of one another.

Magallanes likewise said that “Yolanda” already exemplifies one of the adverse effects of climate change which is already a pressing global issue that needs to be given concerted effort and attention.

In his explanations, he also cited that in order to protect ourselves from the worse effects of climate change, there is a need to destroy apathy by changing the people‟s mindset on climate change and instead take mitigation and adaptation measures.

“It is imperative perpetuate the Yolanda experience by undertaking meaningful anti-climate change activities and to increase public awareness about the issue,” the resolution stressed.

On the other hand, the Philippine Information Agency-led Capiz Association of Government Public Information Officers led by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Esperedion Pelaez will be conducting a tree planting activity and a thanks-giving mass offering on November 8 at the Meditation Hills, Sitio Bangkal, Barangay Maninang, Sapian, Capiz.

Owned by Capiz provincial Administrator lawyer Jose O. Villanueva, the forest tree plantation in the Meditation Hills, which is one of the tourist spots of Capiz, was not spared

by Yolanda, thus the group will be planting 300 fruit and forest trees in said area.

According to Pelaez this activity is part of the activities for the province‟s holding of the Thanksgiving Day and the group‟s contribution to help address the problem on climate change.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Antique gets good results in measles, polio immunization drive By: Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct.14 (PIA) - - The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Antique reported to have achieved good results for the campaign to eradicate measles, rubella and polio through a month-long mass immunization drive.

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Reaching „every Purok‟ strategy in its planned mass immunization last September , the children were given polio drops and measles injections with the help of doctors, nurses, midwives, barangay health workers, local government units and partner government agencies,” said Medical Specialist II Dr. Leoncio Abiera of PHO. Health Education and Promotion Officer II Irene Duldoco said that the province targeted 66,608 children for measles,

rubella immunization and achieved 92.04 percent or 61,304 children reached for immunization.

For oral polio vaccine, the province achieved 88.56 percent or 69,251 children were immunized, out of the 78,196 targeted children.

The activity is a special nationwide vaccination campaign to interrupt measles and rubella virus transmission.

The activity also aims to protect the country‟s children against the spread of

imported wild poliovirus in view of the country‟s risk status, and to link the mass immunization by identifying high risk communities for routine vaccination using the „reaching every purok‟ strategy.

According to Expanded Program on Immuniza t ion pr ogram coor din at or Veronica Abella of PHO, the top five performing municipalities is led by San Remigio, Caluya, Valderrama, San Jose and Anini-y.(JCM/ VWV/PIA Antique)

DSWD Social Pension targets 8,097 in NegOcc. By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 13 (PIA6) - - Some 8,097 frail, sickly, disabled indigents, 77 years old and above without stable allowance or pension can avail of the government’s Social Pension program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

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SWD 6 Focal Person on Social Pension Judith Marte told members of the media during a media forum held at N a tur e ‟ s V i l l a g e H o t e l th a t th e government earmarked a total of P221,520,000 regionwide for the program.

This is part of the more than P3-billion appropriation for the indigent senior citizens.

A P500 monthly stipend is given to

qu a l if i e d in d igen t sen ior s st ar te d in 2011 but was recently encountered a halt after the provision in the 2014 General Appropriations Act which allows only those “poor” included in the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

Since January, DSWD was able to pay out P44.4-million out of the more than P221-million total budget for region 6.

“This is one benefit provided to our old indigents as stated under Section 5 of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” Marte said.

Marte added that the program aside from augmenting for the daily subsistence and medical needs of the beneficiaries, it seeks to reduce incidence of hunger and protect them from neglect, abuse or deprivation. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

PAF Chief leads change of command at PAF-Visayas 2nd division BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) -- Philippine Air Force (PAF) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado presided over the change of command of the 2nd Air Division of the PAF-Visayas based in Mactan, Lapulapu City early this week with the retirement of Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz.

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ide buoys honors were given to Poquiz while arrival honors were also done for the incoming commander of the 2nd Air Division Maj. Gen. Eusaquito Manalo.

In his retirement speech, Poquiz said after 37 and ½ years in active military service, it is with mixed feelings of sadness and joy that he would be leaving an organization he spent the best years of his life with.

“While the AFP may have its share of flaws and weaknesses, it is an organization we can be proud of. It continuously strived to improve itself, more than any other unit or office in the government bureaucracy,” said Poquiz in his more than 30-minute speech that detailed his frustrations, challenges and triumphs in the

military service.

Poquiz did not forget to thank his men in the Visayas for their dedication and commitment in helping and serving the victims of disasters that witnessed three last year during his reign namely the August 16 ship collision in Cordova, the October 15 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super Typhoon Yolanda last November 8 which killed thousands of lives leaving thousands more injured and homeless.

The Yolanda tragedy however, was a real witness to the selfless, untiring service and heroic deeds of the PAF-Visayas personnel, said Poquiz.

“Ang maipagmalaki ko lang, ang katapatan at kabayanihan ng ating mga Air Force dito sa

Visayas ay hindi kayang tawaran. Napatunayan ito nung naghasik ng lagim si Yolanda. Maski sugatan, duguan, hilo, tuliro, naghihina sa walang kain, tubig at tulog at sakit sa matinding sinapit nila,” bared Poquiz.

“I shall always treasure the opportunity of having served our countrymen in their hour of need and in the direst of conditions,” revealed the outgoing 2nd Air Division commander.

Lt. Gen. Delgado in his remarks also exalted the achievements of Poquiz as he expressed optimism that the incoming commander will also show great attainment in various missions in disaster response, territorial defense and internal security operations. (mbcn/ fcr/PIA-7)

CCC, PNEJ hold media workshop in Visayas BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA CEBU CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA) --- The Philippine Climate Change Commission (CCC) in partnership with the Philippine Network of Environment Journalists (PNEJ), recently conducted a media workshop in Cebu City for journalists from Regions 6, 7, and 8.

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opics tackled during the workshop included a briefing on climate change, its impacts and the need for adaptation from scientist Dr. Rosa Perez; updates on policy initiatives implemented by CCC from Vice Chairperson Sec. Lucille Sering; Climate Change Awareness Campaign from PIA-7 Regional Director Minerva Newman; and reporting on climate change from PNEJ President Imelda Abano.

Sec. Sering disclosed that there is now a plan to harmonize and rationalize water management in the country with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) tasked to be the water czar.

“There are 30 national government agencies

handling water in the Philippines.

This is a new policy that will address water use,” she said.

She added that Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has given the nod for 300 more Ecotowns in the country in the next three years.

The Ecotown Framework developed by CCC is the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan into the local community.

It aims to help raise adaptive capacity of communities by making it economically stable and environmentally-resilient.

Sering also revealed that Cebu and the Visayas region play a key role to CCC‟s climate advocacy efforts.

“Cebu is the second most important metropolis next to Metro Manila.

While the commitment of the LGU is there, they should look into their vulnerabilities such as having only one airport.

They should start looking if the main entry of transport to Cebu is declared as a safe area," she said in an interview.

The workshop capped with a round-table discussion with journalists from Tacloban who talked about their post-Yolanda reporting challenges and the lessons they learned from the reporting about the disaster on-the-ground while themselves having been affected by the storm surge. (rmn/PIA Cebu)

Faithful told: Celebrate God’s love on 1st yr. anniversary of quake BY: ELVIRA C. BONGOSIA TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- Boholanos were told to celebrate God’s love as they commemorate the first year anniversary of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake which hit the province on October 15, 2013.

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Are we going to celebrate our broken homes, damaged buildings, death of loved ones? The gospel according to Luke tells about the reality of looking at wider perspective of not judging them as they happen. Behind all the calamities that we experienced, we have to pick up the pieces to have normal lives again," Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso said.

Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso officiated the Thanksgiving Mass on today at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral as Bohol commemorated the first anniversary of the earthquake that killed more than 200 people in the Visayas.

Medroso said that the people of faith saw a miracle in Loon town when the statue was left unscathed under the rubble, which is a sign of God‟s love.

The province of Bohol was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake for 33 seconds on October 15, 2013 at 8:12 a.m. It affected the whole Central Visayas region, particularly Bohol and Cebu.

According to official reports by the National

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 222 were reported dead, 8 were missing, and 976 people were injured. In all, more than 73,000 structures were damaged, of which more than 14,500 were totally destroyed.

Bohol officials led by Gov Edgar Chatto, Vice-Governor Conching Lim and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II joined this morning‟s quake commemoration.

With them was Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino who sent its rescue team to assist in the rescue and retrieval operations last year.

Images of last year's rescue and retrieval operations as well as the names of those who perished during the fatal earthquake was flashed on the screen near the altar when the mass was about to end. A prayer for those who died followed.

Chatto spoke after the commemorative mass and he said "we cannot just say we want to forget that experience because there are beautiful things that happened after that."

Mayor Yap then delivered his message of

thanks. He highlighted Boholanos' generosity and gratefulness especially stressing gestures of extending help to those stricken by Yolanda victims despite being calamity victims themselves.

After the mass, the ground breaking ceremony for the Heroes Memorial Park & unveiling of the proposed memorial shrine followed. Rains greeted the provincial, city and church officials during the inauguration but amid the pouring rain, Bishop Medroso blesses the future site of the memorial.

On the site will rise the memorial marker of the powerful earthquake that tested Boholanos' resiliency and faith. The memorial marker is located at Banat-i Hill in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, overlooking Baclayon, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Panglao island, Balicasag island, among others.

MMDA Chair Tolentino and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7) regional director Efren Carreon were guests at the ground breaking and inauguration. (mbcn/ecb/ PIA7-Bohol)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Toledo school kids pledge to protect environment BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA TOLEDO CITY, Oct. 14 (PIA) --- Save the environment, it is yours. This was the thrust of the message of Toledo City Mayor John Henry Osmena to the students of Awihaw National High School.

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tool that the students can use in becoming an smena gave his message during the on “Environmental Stewardship”.

The students were amazed upon learning the advocate for the environment. second Campus Caravan and said, The students participated in the trivia issues on environment are not negative effects of plastics and their products.

“Ordinary plastics take 10-70 years to portion and had their selfies and groupies taken at something to be taken for granted.

“Whenever there are meetings and consultations that deal with issues of the environment, I always make sure that I am the one attending,” Osmena said.

The Mayor, who has been a long time Senator of the Philippines said, there are a lot of simple things that anyone can do to protect the environment.

He said he is already in his prime age and will not be the one to benefit all these acts of preservation.

“I am already old, I will already die so these are actually for you, the youth,” Osmena said.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, regional information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) gave a presentation

decompose, diapers 100 years,” Llamedo said.

The students were also given other simple tips ranging from water conservation to saving the electricity.

“Use pail in taking a bath, glass in brushing teeth, and do not overcharge your cellphones and other gadgets,” Llamedo said.

Cebu Infocen Manager Rachelle Nessia then taught the high school kids, how to make a story out of their simple and best environmental practices with the use of the cellular phones.

“Any simple video of a good practice in your home and in your barangay, record it on video and upload it to our social media sites,” Nessia said.

Nessia said, social networking sites, of which the most common is Facebook, is already a good

the photo booth.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) regional director, Minerva BC Newman initiated the citing of the Pledge for the Environment.

“I promise to take care of myself. In taking care of myself, I'm taking care of the environment.

In taking care of the environment, I'm taking care of Mother Earth! So help me God.” The activity was capped with the planting of more than a hundred narra seedlings in a hill near the campus.

Toledo is the second venue of the Campus Caravan jointly initiated by DENR and PIA-Cebu.

The first was in tCantao-an National High School in barangay Cantan-ao, Naga City, Cebu. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

PSA-7 celebrates 25th National Statistics Month BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA CEBU CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) --- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-7) celebrates its 25th National Statistics Month (NSM) on October 2014 with the theme ―NSM at 25 and beyond: Solid and Responsive Philippine Statistical System in support of globalization and region economic integration.‖

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SA-7 regional director Engr. Ariel Florendo said, this is a month-long celebration that kicked-off with a motorcade on October 1.

Among the activities lined up for the celebration include statistical symposia in schools, media interview, trainings, on-air radio statistical trivia, book display and hanging of streamers, Florendo added.

NSM is being celebrated every October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 signed by the late President Corazon C. Aquino on September 20, 1990.

It aims to promote, enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different

sectors of society and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

Florendo explained, PSA was established through the Philippine Statistics Act of 2013 which merged the four major statistical agencies; National Statistics Office (NSO), National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) of the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) of the Department of Labor and Employment into a single agency now called the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

This envisions a solid and responsive agency that can provide timely, accurate and useful data

or information to policy and decision makers and various stakeholders that would help the country and the Filipino people cope with the challenges of globalization and regional integration, Florendo said.

He also said these qualities are important to support the preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 which will transform the region with free movement of goods, services, investments, labor and capital flow. PSA officials urged the general public and other civil society groups to support the agency in ensuring the availability of timely and accurate statistics that could help the country respond to the challenges of the changing times.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7)

Australia, Asia Foundation hands 40K books to Bohol BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 10 (PIA) – Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell and Counselor Geof King handed over to Bohol governor Edgar Chatto a bundle of books from Books for Asia Foundation recently.

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n a partnership with Asia Foundation, the Australian government, with the bundle of books it handed to Chatto allowed more Boholano access to quality books that could change lives and shape the way nations think.

The bundle of books also represent the 40,000 brand new books which Asia Foundation puts in the hands of pupils, students, teachers and community leaders.

According to Asia Foundation, the books should enhance the reading resources of 250 public libraries in Bohol‟s 47 towns.

Asia Foundation Country Representative Dr. Steven Rood and Books for Asia Program Coordinator Reynald Ocampo with DepEd‟s

National Program Manager for Abot-Alam Gina Estipona, and Bohol Education Development Center Head Dr. Cerina Bolos handed over the books to the different municipal mayors and public school district supervisors in Bohol.

The handing over of the books also came in time for the national launch of the Department of Education‟s Abot Alam project.

Abot-Alam is a convergence initiative by the DepEd with the National Youth Commission (NYC), other national government agencies, civil society organizations, and local government units, in a bid to seek out the country‟s estimated 2 million out-of-school youths that were unable to pursue careers for lack of education, training and

entrepreneurships skills.

The program intends to map all out-of-school youths (OSY) in the country and integrate them into available program interventions in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. The program, while being implemented in the country and launched in Bohol seeks out 15-30 years old OSYs to be given the opportunity to improve their livelihood by getting back to the mainstream schools, or to train them with livelihood skills they can use and to teach them with the skills to start their own businesses, explains Bohol Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos in a press conference. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Catbalogan schools join Global Handwashing Day By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 6 (PIA) – A Commemorative Walk from Magsaysay boulevard up to the City Hall Grounds will highlight the one-year memorial of super typhoon ―Yolanda‖.

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ATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, October 15 (PIA) - Catbalogan City schools joined the Global Handwashing Day Wednesday as they performed simulated handwashing sessions right after the morning flag ceremony.

In Catbalogan 1 Central School, more than 500 pupils assembled at the covered court followed the instructions of Josephine Floserfina Cases, health coordinator as she demonstrated on stage the six steps in proper handwashing using clean water, soap and clean

towel.

The kids follwed their teacher singing," This is the way I wash my hands!"

"We shall avoid illness, if we make it a habit to always wash our hands," said Cases.

She also asked children when they should wash their hands. To this the kids chorused 'before eating'. The health educator promised to monitor them this recess time to check on their commitment.

"We also wash our hands, after using the CR (toilet), after coming home from a public

place and to avoid skin and eye infections," she added.

Another event aimed to draw attention to the importance of handwashing is a poster-drawing contest this afternoon, said Dr. Michelle Mustacisa, school principal.

She added that the DepEd passed a memorandum circular to all schools to ensure that kids will always "Choose Hand-washing, Choose Health" as the backdrop on the stage drumbeats! (ajc/nbq/ PIA8-Samar)

Philippine Eagle soars in Samar Island Natural Park TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 13 - The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) and the Institute of Biology of the University of the Philippines - Diliman recently reconfirmed the existence of the great Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) at the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP).

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team from the PEF and the UP Institute of Biology reports sightings of the mighty bird at the forests of Calbiga, Samar and Taft, Eastern Samar during their expedition, September 19 to October 4, 2014.

The Philippine Eagle was sighted in the thickly forested Barangay Buluan in Calbiga, where the juvenile Philippine Eagle “Calbiga” was captured by hunters in 2011. The second sighting was within the Taft Forest Wildlife (Philippine Eagle) Sanctuary, both areas within the SINP. Reports revealed that the Philippine Eagle was first spotted in Paranas, Samar on June 15, 1896 by a British naturalist John Whitehead.

It was followed by a sighting in 1997, which caused then President Joseph Estrada to declare the 3,720 hectares of Samar forest as Taft Forest Wildlife (Philippine Eagle) Sanctuary

on July 31, 1999 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 155.

The 2011 sighting of the Philippine eagle at the SINP was followed by another sighting in 2013 by Ms. Ruth Francisco an avid birder from the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

Mr. Giovanne Tampos of the Philippine Eagle Foundation says that the retrieval of the wounded Philippine Eagle “Calbiga” in Calbiga Samar in July 2011 and the various reported sightings within the SINP prompted the team to conduct further research study and observation.

The team also intends to check on the status of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle considered to be at high risk of extinction as its numbers diminish in the wild due to habitat destruction and poaching.

Meanwhile, Forester Angelito Villanueva, Protected Area Superintendent of SINP said

that the areas where the Philippine Eagle were sighted are declared g ov e rn men t -p r ot ec t e d to pr e se rv e the rare bird species from possible indiscriminate hunting, loss of habitat through cutting of trees and other related interventions.

With this recent sighting, DENR Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca once again urges the people of Samar to protect Eastern Visayas‟ remaining forests because the existence of Philippine Eagle and other wildlife depends on its condition.

The Philippine Eagle is a giant forest raptor endemic to the Philippines.

The bird is known to be geographically restricted to the islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

The critically endangered Philippine Eagle replaced the maya bird as the country‟s national bird in 1995. (jrc/mrgs/DENR-8)

Statisticians plant trees to rehabilitate coastal areas after Yolanda By: Leonilo D. Lopido TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 13 (PIA) – Some 200 statistical personnel joined the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-led inter-agency tree planting activity Friday conducted along the coastal areas in Brgy. Salvacion, one of the villages in Palo, Leyte, devastated by super typhoon Yolanda 11 months ago.

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n an interview with Evangeline Paran, regional head of the National Statistical Coordination Board, more than a thousand seedlings of talisay and mangrove species were planted in support of rebuilding the environment particularly in the rehabilitation of beach and mangrove forests after it was flattened by the storm surges brought by Yolanda.

What is significant this year, Paran said, our mangrove forests were affected so the more that we need to exert effort towards environmental recovery to protect us from disasters.

It was learned that the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee has already institutionalized the said inter-agency tree planting activity during NSM celebrations in support of the National Greening Program of the government.

Paran added that the tree planting or tree growing is one of the major activities as the region joins the silver anniversary celebration of the National Statistics Month with the theme, “NSM at 25 and Beyond: Solid and Responsive Philippine Statistical System in Support of Globalization and Regional Economic Integration.”

Other major activities in line with the NSM celebration include the appreciation forum on Gross Regional Domestic Product back-to-back with the NSO launching of the Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry and the advocacy on the merging of the four statistical agencies.

The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 8 and CENRO-Palo through Forester Wilfredo Lacambra who facilitated the site preparation and demonstrated the proper handling and planting procedures. (jrc/ldl/PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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Zero-Basura, songwriting tilts focus on climate change mitigation start By: Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 13 (PIA) – At least seven puroks in Barangay Asuncion, Maasin City will compete on the Inter-Purok Zero Basura contest and Songwriting competition are among the activities for the Climate Change Advocacy (CCA) campaign in Maasin City.

CA campaign is a coordinated project household representatives should have to choose a winner at the Home-based Level of the Department of Environment and five or more occupants and the number of and will be the entry for the Inter-Purok, N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s ( D E N R ) , participants during the information drive is also Barangay Level.

Philippine Information Agency and LGU-Maasin considered as among the criteria.

First, second and third prize winners will City in Southern Leyte.

Even if the training is set anytime this be chosen from each winner of the seven At the orientation in Purok Ipil-Ipil on October, the Creativity contest that is making Puroks, and the awarding ceremony is October 8, Bong Pedalino of PIA-Maasin a product out of collected recyclables at the tentatively set on November 29, the report presented the criteria for the said Purok will push through, Pedalino informed the said. Corresponding cash prizes will be competitions. residents. allocated for the winners.

There are four categories of the contest The Songwriting competition will also be Meanwhile, City General Services such as the Home-based level, Purok level, based on the same theme with 30 years old Officer II Benjase Lumen was also present Creativity and the Songwriting competition and below as the participants, he added. during the information drive at Purok Ipil-Ipil that will focus on the Climate Change Barangay Asuncion has a total of seven and showed his support for the said Advocacy campaign dubbed as, “Nagbabago na Puroks comprising Sunkist, Talisay, Caimito, project, revealing how important waste a n g P a n a h o n , P a n a h o n n a p a r a Tambis, Sambag, Mangga and Ipil-Ipil. It has a segregation is.

Magbago…..Nagbago na Ako.” total population of 4, 861,.

“We have to start segregating at our Some of the criteria for the Zero Basura The orientation for the Puroks is from own household by properly segregating wastes contest include segregated wastes at source, October 1-15, 2014. from biodegradable and non-biodegradable properly labeled, color-coded receptacles; On October 31, an evaluation team is set ones,” he said. (jrc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

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E Samar guv asks officials to support nutrition program By: Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Oct. 15 (PIA) --- The Provincial Government of Eastern Samar through the leadership of Governor Conrado B. Nicart, Jr. called the leaders of Eastern Samar to support the Nutrition Program.

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I urge you to strongly support and prioritized this program in your respective municipality through the budget allocation," Governor Nicart said.

Nicart addressed mayors, heads of agencies, city and municipal nutrition councils during the Nutrition Summit held in October 10 at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Gymnasium, this City.

Nicart also said the Province has allocated sufficient funds for the 2015 Provincial Budget in order to support the health services specially to prevent malnutrition.

Preventing malnutrition includes various multi-sectoral initiatives such as poverty reduction, improvements in basic health care,

infrastructure, sanitation, food security, better response during and after emergencies and many others.

He further said that this activity is in line with his top priority program being the leader in the province.

During this occasion, he thanked and praised the hardworking and selfless people of the Provincial Nutrition Council through the leadership of the Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, Ms. Sallie Jabinal, friends from Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Action Contre la Faim (ACF) International, Plan International, Save the Children, Terres De Hommes (TDH).

He also thanked other Non-Governemnt Organizations (NGOs), Nutrition Champions from the youth, acadme, religious sector, media and other stakeholders.

With all this combination of work forces, the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar is full of enthusiasm in marching up towards the achievement of "Zero Malnutrition Now" in the province which is the theme for this year's summit.

The governor hopes that the summit would pave the way to reach his dreams of sustainable economic and inclusive growth in the province. (ajc/sdc/PIA8 -E. Samar)

Call for children's participation in family, community urged CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 13 (PIA) - In clebration of the 22nd National Children's Month, the City government of Catbalogan held an Awareness Walk on October 7.

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dults and children alike joined the fun led by mayor Stephany Uy-Tan along with her two lovely daughters.

In her message, the mayor underscored the importance of children‟s participation in family decisions.

“Bisan kamo mga bata pa nga nadepender ha iyo mga kag-anak, importante la gihapon an iyo mga opinion, an iyo mga nahuhuna-hunaan,” (Despite your being young and dependent on your parents, you are important to us, we value your thoughts and your opinions) the young mayor with two kids said.

The city has designed activities for children for the whole month of October as it marks Children‟s Month with the theme “Bata, Kasali Ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga”.

The city also joined child‟s rights advocates and Plan Philippines, a non-government organization, in its bid and petition to to support 4 million girls to get education, skills and support to transform their lives and the world around them, as part of their global campaign.

In the national scene, as the is state part to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Philippines is committed to promote,

protect and fulfil the rights of the child to meaningful participation in all government undertakings where children‟s concerns including their rights are at stake, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office.

This year‟s celebration focuses on the role of children in nation building. Recognizing their critical role in building a dynamic and progressive society leads to actively pursuing programs that will promote children‟s physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. (jrc/PIA 8-Samar/nbq with reports from Catbalogan City government)

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. BaĂąares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Childrenâ€&#x;s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com