One visayas e newsletter vol 4 issue 33

Vol 4

Issue 33

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Climate Change campus tour. DENR's Ruby Arribas calls for the preservation of water as its supply will be affected with the worsening of the climate change during a lecture at Sagay National High School-Main, Negros Occ. The campaign is in partnership with the PIA. (LLjr-PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Members of Negros Oriental MSMED Council and officers of DTI-Negros Oriental learn from a Paulinian nun some of the practices in St. Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD) regarding solid waste management, water efficiency, organic farming or natural resource management during their recent visit at SPUD campus in Dumaguete City and its farm in Calo, San Jose town last August 1, 2014. (ral/ PIA7-NegOr)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

August 18-24, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Aussie gov't grants P33M for 26 WV projects BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA6) - - The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian government has provided a P33.1 million grant to support the government‟s efforts on education in Western Visayas.

The grant will be used for the construction of 26 sub-projects consisting of day care centers and school buildings in identified municipalities of the region.

Maricar Calubiran, DSWD 6 Kalahi CIDDS Social Marketing Officer, said DFAT is now on its second year implementation in the region.

Of this P33.1 million, some P20.4 million went to Iloilo province for the construction of 15 sub-projects; P11,050,000 for Capiz for nine sub-projects and P1.6 million for Negros Occidental for the construction of two units classroom buildings in Calatrava town.

In Iloilo, the 15 sub-projects will be implemented in Bingawan, Lambunao, Maasin, Calinog and Btac. Viejo towns.

Calubiran said the three towns except Bingawan and Btac. Viejo are already covered by DFAT in 2013.

The 9 sub projects in Capiz province will be implemented in the municipalities of Maayon, Tapaz and Jamindan.

All the 9 DFAT covered municipalities are also Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP) areas in the region.

KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP is the expanded version of the Kalahi-CIDDS launched by the national government in 2003 that aims to alleviate poverty in rural communities using the community-driven (CDD) approach. The program being implemented by DSWD starting this year until 2019 was redesigned to respond to the impacts brought by typhoon „Yolanda‟ to disaster declared municipalities. (JCM/LAF/ PIA-Iloilo)

P14B budget in ‗15 for DRR plans of LGUs BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) --- Climate Change Commissioner Usec. Naderev "Yeb" Saño bared the government has earmarked P14 billion for 2015 under the People‟s Survival Fund (PSF) to help local government units strengthen their climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction plans.

Saño was recently in Cebu as keynote speaker in the 1st-ever Barangay Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Central Visayas held in the coastal town of Cordova that was initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) here.

Climate change is one of the five issues given priority

by President Aquino in terms of budgetary requirement alongside economic improvement and peace and order among others, said Saño adding that the President even created a specific cabinet cluster on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Saño said the PSF amount could also be used for local government units hit by disasters. Under RA 10174, the PSF is established to provide long-term finance streams to enable the government to effectively address the problem of climate change.

Saño warned of the effects of climate change which include super typhoons, erratic rainfall, increased in temperature and even seawater level rise.

“Climate change is a real problem affecting our country today. It is imperative that we work together, put in place our plan from the barangay up to the municipal or city level then to the provincial and national level,” Saño told almost

100 participants that included town councilors, barangay captains and officials, students and other municipal officials.

For us to survive climate change, we must build a better nation by taking more care of our environment, said Saño.

Saño told barangay officials the critical importance of reducing the risks of disasters by having and implementing its own disaster risk reduction and management plan.

It is also equally important that barangay officials involved the local residents to the „purok‟ level by informing and educating them in order to develop and build disaster-resilient communities, said Saño.

Usec. Saño meanwhile, said the town of San Francisco in Camotes Island will be the pilot site nationwide for the drafting of the climate change adaptation plan. (mbcn/FCR/ PIA7)

Climate Change Commissioner Naderev “Yeb” Saño (seated, 2nd from right) keynotes the first Barangay Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Central Visayas organized by PIA-7 in Cordova, Cebu. (PIA-7)

Climate Change Commission launches RAPID Programme in EV

Climate Change Commission secretary and vice chairperson Mary Ann Lucille Sering (seated center) and Balangiga mayor Viscuso Lira, Lawa-an mayor Candida Gabornes, Tacloban City mayor Alfred Romualdez and Abuyog mayor Octavio Traya show the signed Memorandum of Understanding on the Resilience and Preparedness Towards Inclusive Development (RAPID) programme held at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City, August 18.

UNDP Philippines country director Maurice Dewulf and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Australian Aid Programme counselor Geoffrey King witnessed the affair. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 18 (PIA) – The Climate Change Commission officially launched here on Monday the Resilience and Preparedness for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Programme, which is an expansion of Project Climate Twin Phoenix in Yolanda-affected areas.

The programme aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of local governments and to mainstream climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management in local development and land use plans in twelve (12) coastal communities in the region considered as badly hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

These coastal communities include those in Tacloban City, seven municipalities in the province of Leyte and four municipalities in the provinces of Western and Eastern Samar as partner LGU‟s.

Secretary Mary Anne Lucille L. Sering, Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission who leads the launching of the project stressed the need to mainstream climate change into local planning.

“Through RAPID, it is our goal for our partner communities along the coast who are vulnerable to disasters and those who suffer at the hands of the disaster will be

empowered to make decisions and act upon their vulnerabilities in order to secure their families and livelihoods during a disaster,” Sering said.

The project which is to be implemented for two (2) years involve various activities such as the conduct o f cl i mat e d is ast er r is k an d vu ln er ab il it y assessments, priority preparedness and mitigation actions, awareness raising and capacity building, mainstreaming climate disaster risks in land use and development plans, formulation and testing of local contingency plans and early warning systems and the use of technologies in multi-hazard mapping to integrate climate change and disaster risks into planning.

Along with the launching was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Climate Change Commission and the 12 local government executives in the region to signify their support and cooperation in the implementation of the project.

The project will be implemented by the Climate Change Commission with the support of Mr. Geoffrey King, Counselor of the Australian Aid Programme and Mr. Maurice Dewulf, Country Director of UNDP Philippines.

(AJC/CBA/PIA-8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo River beckons to boat race enthusiasts BY: JAIME S. CABAG, JR. ILOILO CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA6) – Iloilo River can be a good venue for sports, tourism and related activities, according to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Director lawyer Ma. Janet C. Mesa, as she cited ongoing efforts to clean up and develop the said body of water here.

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mong these initiatives is Oplan SWIM of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Oplan SWIM stands for Sustainable Work Plan for Iloilo River Management, a multi-million-peso project which seeks to monitor the ambient air and water quality as well as clean up the river and its tributaries, Calajunan and Dungon Creeks.

The remark was made by Mesa during the launching here recently of the Baroto Race of Bombo Radyo and Star FM which is supported by the DENR and PIA. The two national government agencies threw their

support to the race as it jives with the “develop-clean up” efforts for Iloilo River, venue of the water event.

Besides being a water sports competition, the Baroto Race also draws public attention to these efforts that seek to eventually transform the river into a major center of Iloilo City‟s business and tourism activities.

DENR and PIA are presently engaged in a joint advocacy campaign on climate change mitigation and adaptation that include measures such as river clean-up and protection using varied media and advocacy

activities.

Bombo Radyo Iloilo Station Manager Henry A. Lumawag announced during the launch over their Sunday program “Good Morning Philippines” that the boat race is open to fishermen and boat race enthusiasts.

It will be held this coming September.

The race has two categories – Category A with one rower and boat with a length of 8-12 feet and Category B with two rowers and boat with a minimum length of 14 feet.

The mechanics and entry forms are now available at their station, said Lumawag.

(JSC-PIA6)

Multi-stakeholders‘ group proposed for dam project ILOILO CITY, Aug. 19 (PIA6) —The National Irrigation Administration here is proposing for a multi-stakeholders group as it seeks to get the second Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II (JRMP).

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his multi-stakeholders group, according to NIA Manager Gerardo Corsiga, will be composed of the Iloilo Provincial Government, the town of Calinog, and agencies like the NEDA, DSWD, TESDA, NHA, DA and the DENR. The group will also include the WVSU-Calinog Campus, the PROCESS Foundation and the Provincial Federation of Irrigators‟ Association.

“It will help NIA implement projects and activities for the members of the Panay

Bukidnon communities affected by the dam project, in relation to the FPIC,” Corsiga said.

The NIA has already started initial coordination with the stakeholders group in fine-tuning measures to address relocation and environmental concerns.

NIA said that it is currently facilitating the FPIC process for the project‟s construction phase, in coordination with the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, as provided by Republic Act 8371

or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).

Under the second stage, JRMP will construct three dams, Jalaur Reservoir, Afterbay Dam and Alibunan Catch Dam in Calinog, Iloilo.

NIA also said that a high line canal traversing eight municipalities in the province will be constructed.

“The multi-stakeholders‟ group is expected to help disseminate information and generate wider support to facilitate the FPIC. (NIA/JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo).

PNP 6 Director installs new Antique PPO head BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT SAN JOSE, Antique, Aug.19 (PIA6) -- Police Regional Office 6 Director PCSupt Josephus G. Angan led the turn-over of command ceremony to install PSSupt Edgardo O. Ordaniel as Officer-in-Charge of Antique‘s Police Provincial Office or APPO, recently.

CSupt Angan said that the change of sectors of the community, he committed to. represented Gov. Exequiel B. Javier during command is a normal occurrence in Outgoing Acting Provincial Director the turn-over ceremony. the PNP organization with the PSSupt B. Guara, Jr. who served He reminded the new OIC Provincial objective of ensuring peace and order Antique for barely a year thanked the entire Director that “assumption into office means towards the attainment of progress and APPO personnel for their support to the accepting your responsibility. This development in the country. programs he initiated for the betterment of responsibility requires dedication, good PSSupt. Ordaniel said in his assumption the peace and order situation in the leadership and perseverance in enforcing of command speech that his assignment is a province. laws and government policies with a big homecoming because “I‟ve been here in For his part, PCSupt. Angan urged heart and vision.”

1990 until mid ‟94 as Junior officer of the PSSupt. Ordaniel who was the head “We will work together in our defunct Philippine Constabulary, and the of the Bacolod City PNP prior to quest to protect the lives and properties of opportunity to serve Antique made me a his assignment here, “to continue our people as we maintain and improve better person and officer”. his good performance to deliver peace and further the peace and order situation of the Ordaniel during that time served as the order and security to the province of province,” SP Member Denosta said as he chief of police of the Municipalities of Antique”. also relayed Gov. Javier‟s „thank you‟ to Hamtic and Laua-an.

SP Member Edgar Denosta, chair on outgoing Acting Director PSSupt Guara.(JSC/ .the local government units and all peace and order and public safety, MLG/VWV-PIA6 Antique)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

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W. Visayas celebrates World Humanitarian Day BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA6) --- The humanitarian community in Western Visayas celebrated the ―World Humanitarian Day‖ Tuesday at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol here to honor humanitarian workers and organizations that risk their lives every day to bring relief to communities in need of assistance.

Kenga Shandralingam, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) head in Western Visayas, said this is the first time in Region VI that the event was commemorated with great support coming from government agencies.

“We celebrate August 19 as World Humanitarian Day in order to raise public awareness of humanitarian operations worldwide and the people who risk their lives in such activities,” he said.

He said that the Philippine government with the support of the humanitarian community managed to meet the basic needs of the people affected by super typhoon Yolanda late last year and committed to provide continuous support

to give a better life to these communities.

“This celebration is a good avenue to recognize those efforts and the heroes who did and are doing tireless services to the victims,” he said.

According to the UN-OCHA, the year 2013 recorded the highest number of casualties among the humanitarian community in history.

“Around 22 percent increase from 2012 and 24 percent over the average of the past five years,” Shandralingam stressed.

He said deliberate attacks and an alarming rise of abductions reflect the dangerous environment in which the humanitarian community is serving.

“Despite having such difficulties,

humanitarian organizations are trying to support an estimated 54 million people in 26 countries last year,” he said.

He also said that international aid organizations have appeals costing more than 17 billion US dollars that is the highest amount in history.

The UN General Assembly designated August 19 in 2008 as World Humanitarian Day, marking the anniversary of the UN headquarters‟ bombing in Baghdad, Iraq that took the lives of 22 people in 2003.

Shandralingam said that this year‟s celebration with the theme “The World Needs More” emphasizes that humanitarian heroes are everywhere. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

DENR, army, police intensify seizure of illegal forest products BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Aug. 20 (PIA6) -- The joint forces of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized another 990.65 board feet of lumber in northern Negros.

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he intensified efforts of DENR and partner authorities led to the apprehension of a Mitsubishi Delica Van at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion 1 in Sagay City carrying these illegal forest products.

These products are composed of Bagalnga and Gmelina species allegedly coming from Toboso town in the province with an approximate market value of P30,000.

This came after more than 3,000 board feet of undocumented lauan lumber were also

recovered from a lumber yard in Barangay Caduhaan in Cadiz City.

Bagalnga is a softwood type of trees that usually good for coffin production.

According to a release from the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Cadiz City, the transporting of the forest products in a close van is the latest scheme being used.

This has been the new “modus operandi” of illegal activities where

forest products are loaded in a close van that could evade authorities to have it checked along the major thoroughfares leading to its compound without detection, the release added.

The case is now under administrative confiscation proceedings where parties are given a chance to explain and submit documents or affidavits stipulating their reasons for such illegal acts.(JCM/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Aklan PWDs seek exemption from plastic bags BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 20 (PIA6) -- The use of ―supot‖ or paperbags here by some commercial establishments selling groceries and other goods is causing discomfort among Aklan Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) who find it hard to carry these bags especially if they are using crutches.

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ecause of this, these PWDs are requesting Aklan establishments with the help of concerned government agencies that they be exempted from this practice.

The PWDs, through James Villanueva, a provincial government employee, aired this concern during the recent conduct of Aklan‟s celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week here at their brand-new office building at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.

Villanueva uses two crutches to support his body as one of his legs suffered defects after an accident.

He conveyed this request during the open forum segment of the activity which tackled concerns on discounts of PWDs when purchasing medicines and groceries.

The concerns were answered by representatives from the different pharmacies and commercial establishments in Kalibo.

The use of paperbags in dispensing groceries and other goods by business establishments here to customers had been in practice since last year in consonance with an ordinance in Kalibo regulating use of plastic bags as one of the means of protecting the municipality‟s environment and to prevent floods due to clogging of drainage systems caused by plastics.

Some fast-food establishments here also use paper bags for take-out orders of customers.

For the meantime, representatives of business establishments advised Villanueva and other PWDs to bring extra bags when shopping where they could place their

purchases placed inside paper bags or “supot”.

At the program too, a disabled pupil from the Kalibo Integrated and Special Education Center (KISEC) received a wheelchair while Christopher Montano of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 6 gave a talk on the rights and privileges of PWDs. On the other hand, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Aklan, Gaisano Capital (the only mall in Kalibo), and pharmacies took turns in orienting the PWDs on the discounts they could enjoy when buying groceries, medicines, and other goods provided they have their identification cards with them.

According to DTI-Aklan, PWDs are entitled to enjoy 5% discount on basic commodities with the allowable total amount of P1,300.00 per week. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

LBP launches country‘s 1st Mobile LoanSaver BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA CEBU CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) --- The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in partnership with Smart e-Money launched the first Mobile LoanSaver in the country during the LandBank 51st anniversary held at the Marriott Hotel, Cebu City.

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BP President and CEO Gilda Pico said this is the first paperless fully electronic salary loan with auto-savings builder feature offered by LandBank and Smart Communications. It seeks to provide greater banking convenience to government employees.

The LANDBANK Mobile Loan Saver is indeed an innovation which provides greater banking convenience that transforms our service delivery to our clients,” Pico added.

She said, “we are grateful for the opportunity to work with Smart e-Money Inc. on this breakthrough service, which brings us a step closer towards achieving our shared vision of greater financial literacy and inclusive

growth.”

At the same time, Smart e-Money head for innovation and emerging payments Lito Villanueva is also grateful to LandBank for the partnership in carving out new ways to serve the people using the latest technology.

Villanueva also believes that through LandBank more private and government offices will be reached with this program.

The qualified employees shall initiate mobile loan application using Smart, Talk n‟ Text or Sun-enabled mobile by typing the following keyword: LOAN EMPLOYEE NUMBER AGENCY CODE then send to 5363.

Rank and file employees can borrow

up to P500,000 while officers can avail themselves of salary loans up to P1 million with a minimal monthly interest rate of 0.83 percent a month.

The loan proceeds shall be released within three banking days after loan approval. Terms run from 12 to 36 months.

For the private and government offices that want to avail of the service must sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the bank and submit a list of pre-selected employees containing information needed to determine loan approval.

To know more about this innovative product, you may call *89507 through their Smart, Talk N Text or Sun Cellular phones. (mbcn/HFG/PIA7)

PAGASA to install Doppler Radar in Siquijor soon BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- Siquijor province will soon have a Doppler Radar, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

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AGASA administrator Vicente Malano said the radar will be installed anytime soon after the actual inspection and series of ocular site visits. He visited Siquijor recently to inspect the site where the radar will be installed.

In an interview with the PIA-Siquijor during the recent Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management summit here, Malano said Siquijor is prioritized because aside from it having no station, it will complement Cebu City‟s Doppler radar and serve as backup during fortuitous events.

PAGASA-Visayas director and chief meteorologist Oscar Tabada in an earlier report said the major breakthrough in weather forecasting is attributed to the installation of at least 15 Doppler radars in the country costing some P100 million each.

He said there is already a budget for another Doppler radar that will be intended for Siquijor. This will be the 3rd radar in the Visayas

region that can also monitor the weather systems affecting Northern Mindanao.

Tabada said the Siquijor provincial government has been supportive of this plan, and that the Siquijodnons embraced the idea of radar in the province to help in forecasting weather to be able to prepare for possible disasters.

Tabada, was also in Siquijor on August 24-25 as one of the resource speakers during the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) summit at Salagdoong, Maria, Siquijor.

The proposed radar, according to Tabada, is a specialized one that makes use of the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.

The Doppler effect is an increase or decrease in the frequency of sound, light or other waves as the source and observer move toward or away from each other, he explained.

Having a Doppler Radar in Siquijor is good,

said Tabada, "because this can cover the Visayas and parts of Mindanao. So if the ones in Cebu or Mindanao becomes unusable, PAGASA can still get data from the Doppler in Siquijor radar," Tabada said.

He said that with the Doppler radars, PAG-ASA has been issuing timely and accurate weather forecasts.

Meanwhile, some 17,028 indigents from all six towns in this province recently received free PhilHealth cards.

Siquijor town got the biggest number of 4,337 beneficiaries, followed by Lazi, 4,282 and San Juan, 3,523.

Maria got 2,049, Larena, 1,462 and Enrique Villanueva, 1,375 beneficiaries.

PhilHealth-Siquijor branch head Marisa Winkler said the distribution is an initiative to fulfil President Aquino‟s target of providing universal healthcare to the below average bracket of the Filipino families.(mbcn/RAC/ PIA7-Siquijor)

DRRMOs enhance disaster preparedness via workshops BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (DRRMO) of local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental went into a two-day disaster preparedness enhancement seminar workshop on August 14-15 at the Provincial Convention Hotel, Dumaguete City.

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egros Oriental provincial governor Roel Degamo in his welcome remarks reminded everyone on the importance of saving lives in times of disaster.

The governor said that disaster preparedness is among the top priorities of the provincial government but nevertheless, it is also the concern of everybody.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) provincial coordinator Allen Cabaron urged the LGUs to formulate flood contingency plan because flood usually occur during typhoons.

Cabaron encouraged the DRRMOs to review the status of their Disaster Risk

Reduction Management (DRRM) plan in order to make changes that will serve as basis to improve until 2015.

Dumaguete City Disaster Operations Officer Engr. Jose Chiu shared the success of the city‟s disaster preparedness plan which include the creation of a disaster management office.

From its P26 million calamity fund Chiu said the office now has permanent staff and conducts regular meetings and monitors disaster prone areas, prioritizing top five potential calamities that usually hit the city.

Provincial General Services Office (PGSO)

department head, Engr. Berchamans Patrimonio presented hazard mapping for hazard/flood prone areas.

This can also help the Department of Social Welfare & Development in determining the exact number of families that need to be evacuated and in the distribution of relief goods.

Patrimonio said through the use of GIS it will be easier for the LGUs to formulate their respective flood contingency plan.

Another way of getting the accurate data is the locally driven hazard map. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/ Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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EDC's BINHI program has. of forestland

to

reforest

10T

BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- The Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit (NIGBU) of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) aims to reforest 10,000 hectares of forestland in the geothermal area through its BINHI program in a period of ten years.

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his was bared by Engr. Dwight Maxino, vice-president of NIGBU-EDC in the recent Kapihan sa PIA held at Bethel Guest House, Dumaguete City.

Presently BINHI's tree for life program has already planted 7,600 hectares of endangered prime forest trees in denuded forestland in the geothermal area.

Furthermore, BINHI as a forest restoration program planted only local indigenous species of trees primarily to attract biodiversity that showed a good survival rate of 60-80 percent.

Maxino added that the plantation which is a large scale reforestation near the area of Mount Talinis are nurtured and given a budget for maintenance of five years to ensure survival until it becomes a matured forest in a period of ten years.

The BINHI program is EDC‟s counterpart of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources‟ (DENR) National Greening Program (NGP) of which EDC has also planted 300 hectares of trees in Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

On the other hand, Atty. Allan Barcenas, head of the Ecosystems Department of EDC said the company protects the watershed of Mount Talinis in Valencia because it is the source of steam for geothermal energy.

Steam, according to Barcenas, is a water-based product that sustains the renewable energy in geothermal.

Ava Sanchez, watershed management supervisor of EDC explained that EDC‟s commitment to protect the remaining forest cover of Mount Talinis and Cuernos de Negros is far reaching as it manages 66,000 hectares of forestland involving and participating in their stewardship program 31 barangays, 11 municipalities and 23 non-government organizations as partners in protecting the environment.

Barcenas touched on the principle of stewardship that trees are resources, but can be used, improved and developed because it is renewable.

Engr. Maxino in his closing statement

told that geothermal is a clean, indigenous, eco-friendly and reliable source of renewable energy with minimal emission of carbon dioxide, thus, has a minimal effect to climate change.

Meanwhile, some eight vicariates and its parishes of the Diocese of Dumaguete participated in a three-day trainers‟ training on disaster preparedness in response to the growing concerns on climate change and natural disasters.

From August 12 to 14, the seminar-workshop aimed at institutionalizing disaster preparedness in the diocese through capacitating pool of trainers and resonate it to their respective churches or chapels.

Msgr. Merlin Logronio, convenor of St. Maria Goretti Foundation, said this time the church would organize a structure or team which respond to the needs of the would be victims of calamities in a community. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)

PRO-7 warns police caught involved in illegal drugs BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) --- No second thoughts of dismissal from service awaits police personnel caught involved in illegal drugs either as user, pusher or coddler is the stern warning reiterated by a top official of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).

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hief of staff of the PRO-7 Regional Directorial Staff, Sr. Supt Edward Carranza said anti-illegal drugs is a major thrust and that not only are they implementing an aggressive campaign through the conduct of drug raids, they are also doing internal cleansing within the ranks to rid the institution of bad eggs.

“We are conducting surprise drug tests among police offices,” as part of the internal cleansing, said Carranza during the recent “Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis‟ (TSIP) Forum.

Deputy chief of the Regional Investigation

and Detective Management Division, P/Supt.

Henry Biñas in the same forum bared 27 policemen have been dismissed from service from 2011 to 2013 due to their involvement in illegal drugs. Most of these cops were users, said Biñas.

Meanwhile, around eight percent of the entire police force in Central Visayas has undergone the surprise drug tests as of August 4, this year, said P/Supt. Rex Derilo, deputy chief of the Regional Intelligence Division.

Derilo said there are over 8,000 police

personnel in the region and 687 of the total figure have already been subjected to the surprise random drug test.

According to Derilo, seven tested positive of drug use while a confirmatory test needed to be done to find out the exact result.

Derilo said the PRO-7 is implementing a five-point strategy in implementing the anti-illegal drug strategy. These strategies are supply reduction, demand reduction, internal cleansing, legal offensive and domestic and international cooperation. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7)

DepEd 7 sets full blast 'Yes for Peace' Campaign BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR Central Visayas, Aug. 14 (PIA) ---- The Department of Education (DepEd-7) commits to intensify its campaign on 'Yes for Peace- Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan' among students.

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ith this she added that DepEd-7 is committed to contribute to the nationwide target of involving 10 million students in the Bayanihan of the 'Yes for Peace' advocacy campaign through distribution of questionnaires that would answer the willingness of the students to contribute to a peaceful and harmonious Philippines.

“We need to have this response from our 10 million target students in Central Visayas we are aiming to reach at least 19 school divisions in the region,” she said.

Apao added that this year DepEd-7 is set to exert effort to tap 1,180,586 elementary students and the 455, 567 high schools students in Central Visayas.

Last year Central Visayas was able to gather 15 thousand signatures for the 'Yes for Peace'

campaign through its massive implementation of the advocacy during the 2013 Palarong Pambansa held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Based on records presented as of July 31 this year there are about 9,278,129 or 92.78% Kabayanihans or students who took part and express willingness to live a peaceful country through the 'Yes for Peace' Campaign.

“DepEd 7 is encouraging teachers and principals to support in the advocacy of the Yes for Peace, because this is for the students to experience an environment that is peaceful and free from conflict,” Apao concluded.

In 1988, Yes for Peace was just a students‟ initiative of the University of the Philippines tagged as Di-Yes for Peace Bayanihan Para sa Kapayapaan on mobilizing a national consensus for peace.

Then it was being adopted by the government through the establishment of several peace seeking body and board. Some peace summit and peace talks were also anchored on this.

In 2002 marked the repackaging of the campaign into YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, in which questions presented on the questionnaires distributed for students as target proponent were reformulated upon the suggestion and in cooperation with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Educational institutions specifically under DepEd and CHED committed to instill in the youths‟ mind the importance of peace and its process. (mbcn/ays/PIA7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

145 students of SoLeyte avail SSS educational loan BY: ERNA S. GORNE

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 15 (PIA) - The Social Security System (SSS) Maasin City Branch Office were able to send hundreds of students to college and vocational-technical (voc-tech) thru its educational loan program.

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ccording to Branch Head Gregorio S. Baroza during the interview at Action Center Kapihan sa PIA, Wednesday said, “there are some 145 students from the province of Southern Leyte, who are benefiting the educational loan program of the Social Security System (SSS).”

Baroza noted that majority of those who availed of the educational loan portfolio are pursuing college degrees while 10 of them are enrolled in the vocational and

technical courses education.

He said the acceptance of new applicants for the educational loan are now suspended since December 2013, however, those who were able to avail earlier of said program will continue to be assisted by SSS until such time they will complete their 4-5 years college education and a maximum of 3 years in vocational -technical courses, as well.

Educational loan program is funded by

the national government and SSS on a 50:50 basis and that there are 59,600 students benefiting the said program across the country, he said.

Meanwhile, Baroza also reported that there are already five associations mostly from the informal sectors coming from Maasin City, Macrohon, Sogod and Bato, Leyte like fisherfolks, motorcab drivers, who have availed of their ALKANSSSYA program starting last May 2014. (AJC/ESG/PIA8 SoLeyte)

SSS Alkansssya program nets SoLeytefisherfolk, drivers BY: MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The traditional way of saving money the Filipino way through the alkansiya gets a boost from the Social Security System (SSS) with the innovative Alkansssiya program.

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lkansiya and Alkansssya were basically the same, except for the three SSS letters which literally emphasized the initials for the state pension firm, which serves private sector employees and self-employed individuals.

But SSS‟ Alkansssya offered something more: with a regular monthly premium of P 330.00 a fisherman or motorcab driver is entitled to benefits and services enjoyed by their employed counterparts, said Gregorio Baroza, Branch Manager of SSS-Southern Leyte office.

“The privileges and benefits are all the same, as long as they are active SSS members,” Baroza said during the Action Center Kapihansa PIA cable TV program Wednesday, suggesting no differences in approach across various social classes.

As of now, five groups or associations have linked with the provincial SSS office, whose coverage includes several towns in Leyte, from Matalom to Inopacan, for the Alkansssiya program.

This year under Baroza‟s watch, three more groups were added, two f ish e rm e n ‟ s g ro u p s in b a ra n g a y Asuncion, this city, and another at Sogod, Southern Leyte, each group comprising 120 members.

Baroza called on other similar organized groups not yet covered by SSS to avail of the Alkansssya scheme.

PIA inspected the one at Asuncion which was established only last May this year, and took pictures (posted and can be accessed at pia-southernleytefacebook timeline).

As it is, the Alkansssya looked like steel vaults secured with keys, each vault marked

with name of an individual. At month‟s end, random deposits are collected by authorized SSS personnel, witnessed by barangay officials.

Aside from the manual Alkansssya, SSS also promotes the electronic or e-Alkansssya, and this pertains to coverage for job order and contractual workers in government not qualified to be listed by GSIS. Baroza said the city local government unit of Maasin and the provincial government expressed willingness on the idea, especially that a memorandum of agreement with the DILG and SSS on this matter was already signed.

The island-municipality of Limasawa was already into it, enrolling their job order employees and contractual workers with the SSS, Baroza also said.

(AJC/MMP/ PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Salcedo gov‘t workers undergo visioning workshop BY: SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 18 (PIA) - New beginnings are on the horizon for Salcedo as they begin the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) through a visioning workshop on July 28, 2014 at the Farmer‘s Training Center (FTC), Eastern Samar State College (ESSU) compound, Salcedo, Eastern Samar. he CLUP is a document which lays development and coordination officer Isabel Emergency Relief Coordinator/Municipal down all existing sectoralconditions, Abella, the CLUP is very important Disaster Risk Reduction and Management a proposal for the goals, objectives especially to the decision makers and for the Officer (MDRRMO), said that the process and the general direction of municipality stakeholders. consisted of interactive small groups which development in ten years‟ time.

It‟s valuable for them to know the uses evaluated six essential elements including Some 23 stakeholders attended the of their land. Through this process, they will people as individuals, people as a community, workshop led by the Core Planning team be guided where to invest resources, where local community, natural environment, built from Municipal Planning Development and to build more structures and where to focus environment and local institutions.

Coordination Office (MPDCO). their development efforts.

He further said the vision will guide the Town mayor Melchor L. Mergal said the “Ultimately, we will identify and future goals and objectives for municipal purpose of the workshop is to visualize the determine these interrelationships for the development and planning. current reality of Salcedo and its preferred future development of Salcedo” Abella The CLUP slogan is reality for ten years after. added.

“Pagpahimutanghandalanngadtohinmaupaynga According to municipal planning One of the participants, UzhmarPadit, kinabuhi”. (AJC/SDC/PIA8-Eastern Samar)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

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DPWH and DepEd partner for better school buildings CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 16 (PIA) —The Department of Education –Samar Division recently sought the partnership of the public works and highways for better schoolbuildings.

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n a meeting held at the Redaja Hall, DepEdCatbalogan City, DPWH Assistant District Engineer Alvin Ignacio of the Samar First District Engineering Office talked of how the School Building Program for the recipient school heads under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) of CY 2014 works.

In his talk, Ignacio requested all the school heads to send feedback on the workmanship of the school building projects in their area.

The engineer said they would appreciate text comments and suggestions in the implementation of the school building projects.

Through the text line, the engineer said, they would be able to improve services towards their clientele as well as to hasten project implementation whenever contractors seem to delay the construction.

Thelma Cabadsan-Quitalig, Schools Division Superintendent of Samar Division, urged her DepEd administrators to air their concerns as it was the proper venue.

She requested the school heads and administrators to discuss with the DPWH engineers matters relative to the construction of CY 2014 School Building projects in order to come up with a better

and improved infrastructure given the standard plans and specifications of the two agencies.

Engineers Allan Lanuza and Roster Andaya, on the other hand, explained to the school heads some technical terms stated in the Program of Works (POWs) and standard plans for them to have a better understanding on the engineering terminologies. It would help them identify whether the contractor conformed to the said plans and specifications.

The two agencies vowed to work closely for better schoolbuildings. (PIA 8-Samar with Levi Barnizo DPWH Samar First Enng District)

Rabies deaths in Eastern Samar up BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 18 (PIA) – Rabies has already claimed four lives this year, says reports from the provincial health office in Eastern Samar. The same report also tells that there were zero death in 2011 and 2012 buth there were three deaths in 2013. or the World Health Organization ordinance adopting the Anti-Rabies Act of towns have hit the target of immunizing at only one death from rabies per 2007. least 70% of its total dog population. million is acceptable.

Dr. Norma Ylanan, provincial rabies “We‟re really aggressive on this “The province‟s population is only 448, coordinator for the animal side reported campaign because if at least 70% of 180 as of 2014, so four deaths is very that all year-round, the provincial veterinary our dogs are immune from rabies, we alarming,” Edna Tumandao, provincial rabies services office distributes vaccines for dogs would have very little to worry about,” coordinator for the human side, said. to the towns, trains vaccinators, and Ylanan said.

All twenty-three towns in the province provides pre-exposure shots to workers “To address this, we‟re conducting a have their own municipal rabies control who are at high-risk of getting rabies. joint consultative meeting and planning coordinating councils; some have even Ylanan added that vaccines for the dogs workshop for municipal health officers, organized councils in the barangay level. areprocured by the provincial government municipal agriculturists and livestock The provincial health office also ensures with support from the Bill and Melinda coordinators, among others,” Tumandao that treatment for rabies is always available Gates foundation, “but not all dog-owners said. in animal bite centers located in government submit their dogs for the shots.”

The three-day workshop is scheduled -run hospitals.

With only four months to go before the to start on August 19, 2014. (AJC/Medora In 2011, the provincial board passed an year ends, only four out of twenty-three Quirante/PIA8 E. Samar)

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NGO, DENR-8 and partners to rehabilitate Leyte forests BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON PALO, Leyte, Aug. 16 (PIA) – A multi-sectoral partnership between the communities, the government, the academe, and the non-government organizations was launched in Palo, Leyte on Thursday in a bid to rehabilitate the denuded forests in Eastern Visayas due to the havoc brought by typhoon Yolanda.

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he launching was spearheaded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation Inc. (PTFCF), a non government organization in coordination with Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Provincial Government of Leyte, Municipality of Palo, OPARR, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Sc ience High School-Eastern Visayas Campus and other partner agencies.

PTFCF Executive Director Lawyer Jose Andres Canivel said, the move is part of the intervention of the foundation to help

restore the forests destroyed by the typhoon. “ N a n in iw a la k a m i n ahin dila n g infrastructure angkailangan e-rehabilitate but also yong natural infrastructure namayamanang Leyte,” Canivel added.

The program dubbed as “Forest and Community Rehabilitation Program” has a theme “It takes a Community: Forest and Community Rehabilitation in Leyte”.

Along with the launching was the MOA signing between PTFCF and Philippine Science High School on the support for beach forest nursery hub establishment in

said school.

Other activities include beach forest tree planting at the MacArthur Landing Memorial Park Grounds and Barangay Candahug, Palo Leyte where former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Derrick Alston and former Women‟s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Allison Feaster participated in the outreach activities.

Reports have indicated that almost 40 percent of forested areas in Leyte were affected by the wrath of the typhoon. (AJC/ CBA/PIA-8)

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

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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