One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 23

Vol 4

Issue 23

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena and San Remigio Mayor Glenn Cabigunda discuss other developmental concerns for the GK Arch Angel Village in Barangay Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique during the turn-over ceremony held June 9. Also in photo is PIA Antique Infocen Manager Margie L. Gadian.

(T.Villavert/PIA)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

June 9 - 15, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Asia-Europe delegates assess disaster preparedness TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 5 (PIA) - Around 75 foreign dignitaries from Asia and Europe visited the towns of Palo and Tanauan and Tacloban City, all in Leyte province. The places visited were the areas badly hit by typhoon Yolanda.

This visit was a side trip of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Manila (ASEM) on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in June 5-6, 2014.

According to Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, when she was still young, natural disasters were few and far between but now she is almost certain that one or more record breaking disasters will actually occur in every part of the world.

Commissioner Georgieva said that we cannot stop nature destruction but we can prevent people from dying.

It is important that we know how to live in areas frequently devastated when disaster happen, said Commissioner Georgieva.

Comm. Gerogieva challenged the delegates of the ASEM to continue to work very hard for the world of tomorrow and translate experiences into strength.

She also informed that the European Union had provided financial aid to the Philippines to help the survivors of typhoon Yolanda to recover and rebuild their lost and destroyed properties.

The dignitaries converged at the Tanauan Leyte Municipal Hall to listen and interact with the municipal mayors of Tacloban City, and two other towns of Palo and Tanauan as well as the governor of the Province of Leyte. The interaction included lessons learned before, during and after typhoon Yolanda. (AJC/JHB/PIA-8)

GPB projects in WV get P48M By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, June 12 (PIA6) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has allocated P48 million worth of development projects in 55 local government units (LGUs) here in Western Visayas under the grassroots participatory budgeting (GPB) scheme this year.

DTI-6 Public Information Officer Ruby Melliza said that GPB, formerly known as Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) approach, will be allocated to 110 projects in the 55 LGUs spread across five provinces in the region.

The GPB process is implemented in pursuit of attaining the Philippine Development Plan‟s goal of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, and promoting good governance at the local level.

This is to ensure the implementation of priority poverty reduction projects as identified at the city/ municipal level through a participatory planning and budgeting process.

“The 55 LGUs have submitted their project proposals to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and these have been approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)”, Melliza said.

“Of these 55 LGUs, nine are from Aklan with 14 projects, 12 from Antique with 28 projects, five from Capiz with five projects, 15 from Iloilo with 27 projects,

and 14 from Negros Occidental with 36 projects”, she also said.

The projects cover capability building, skills training, provision of tools and equipment, training on product development, among others.

According to DTI-6, as of June 9, 2014, more than P23 million have been released to the DTI provincial offices and the local government units that will work hand-in-hand in implementing the projects.

The DTI official said that one necessary requirement for the release of funding is that the LGU must be a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping from DILG, along with the letter of confirmation/intent to the implement the project, public financial management plan, annual investment plan, list of personnel assigned for the project, signed memorandum of agreement between DTI and the LGU, among others.

Melliza said that the projects under the GPB seeks to generate high outputs in terms of number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) assisted, jobs generated, sales generated and incremental income for beneficiaries particularly in super typhoon Yolanda affected areas in Western Visayas.

She added that the DTI-6, through its provincial offices, will continuously monitor the LGUs in the implementation of these projects. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Sec. Coloma to PIOs: Be proactive, informative, organized PIA and DENR launch the climate change BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA advocacy campaign in Central Visayas. (PIA-7)

CEBU CITY, June 10 (PIA) ---- Public information officers (PIOs) in Central Visayas are urged to boost the government‟s campaign in making communities resilient to More on Region 7, pages 4-5. disasters.

In his message during the First Regional Summit of Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) held yesterday in Cebu City, Sec. Herminio EASTERN VISAYAS Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) encouraged the PIOs to bolster the government‟s disaster communications efforts by being proactive, informative, and organized.

“The role of PIOs in disaster communications is to be proactive, to pro-act and not react, to know ahead of time,” said Sec. Coloma.

He stressed that information officers should be literate on disaster risk reduction and management as proper information is important.

“For example, tsunami is different from storm surge.

For tsunami, it‟s „run for your lives‟ so it means immediate evacuation, while storm surge, there is a 48-hour window Climate change advocacy campaign review so there is time to evacuate,” he said. with PIA 8 regional and provincial employees Sec. Coloma said the PIOs can minimize the ill-effects headed by Deputy Director General Virgilio of the lack or absence of information that took place in the Galvez. (PIA8) wake of typhoon Pablo, by making sure that the right information is made available to the people at the right time.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

With the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) now Also CLICK Here... undertaking geohazard mapping, he also proposed for PIOs

to become competent resource persons on geo-hazard profiles of their respective local communities.

He also pushed for PIOs to strongly support disaster risk reduction and management organizations from the barangay to the national level.

“There is already a devolution of responsibility… communities must start taking responsibility for disaster risk reduction and management,” he said.

The PCOO chief challenged the information officers to help build an ethos of taking responsibility, “not one of avoidance nor not one of blaming and fingerpointing.”

Coloma was the keynote speaker during the kick-off of the 21st Regional Association of Development Information (RADIO-7) officers held June 9, attended by more than 100 information officers around Central Visayas. (rmn/PIA-Cebu)

PCOO Secretary Coloma keynotes RADIO-7‟s summit. (PIA-7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA DG leads turn-over of San Remegio GK Village By: Vicente W. Villavert SAN REMIGIO, Antique, June 9 (PIA6) - - Twenty-one families in a far-flung mountain area of Barangay Aningalan, this Municipality were recipients of colorful houses following the June 9 turn-over ceremony of the GK Arch Angel Village led by Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Philippine Information Agency.

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G Oquiñena appealed to the beneficiaries to take care of what have been established in the village, and to stay united for the good of everyone, and to strive to help build a strong community so that others will be given hope.

“People will continue to give and be generous especially if the project is successful," Oquiña said.

The PIA Director General cited 1Lt Jerome P Hernandez, formerly CO of the Alpha Company in San Remigio as one of the key people in the local partnership between

GK and the Philippine Army which inspired the donor Archie King to give a substantial amount to build beautiful houses for the 21 beneficiaries including rebel returnees of what is called now as the GK Arch Angel Village.

Aningalan is now connected with a concrete road from the town proper, and it also has electricity.

The Alpha Company detachment of the 82 Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army contributes to the maintenance of the peace and order situation in San Remigio.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by

San Remigio Mayor Glenn Cabigunda; LTC Aldwine Almase, Commander 82nd IB; 1LT Franz Conrad Bauzon, CO, Alpha Company, 82nd IB; Vice-Mayor Elizabeth C. Coloso, President Wilfredo Bravo of Gawad Kalinga-Antique; PIA Antique Infocen Manager Margie L. Gadian, among others.

The Municipality of San Remigio is about 21 kilometers from the provincial capital - San Jose, Antique. Barangay Aningalan, on the other hand is some 28 kilometers from San Remigio town proper. (JCM//VWV/PIAAntique)

LGUs thankful for GK's Bayani Challenge By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, June 13 (PIA6) --- Local government units particularly in northern Iloilo were thankful to have hosted the 2014 Bayani Challenge that contributed to their recovery from the damages brought upon by super typhoon Yolanda late last year.

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n the closing ceremonies of the Iloilo Bayani Challenge held Thursday in Concepcion town here, Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo Chapter President Jeneda Salcedo-Orendain said that the country‟s biggest volunteer event made the people of Sara and other towns in northern Iloilo feel strong so that they could help each other after the extreme disaster that was Yolanda.

She said that her town was grateful for the opportunity of hosting the event and for building outstanding teams in the municipality.

“In Sara, we have the attitude that “sharing and caring” is not just an icing on the cake but it is their cup of tea,” she stressed.

Concepcion municipal mayor Milliard Villanueva said that he was quite hesitant to

accept the task of hosting Gawad Kalinga's Bayani Challenge at first for he thought that gathering 8,000 volunteers was quite difficult.

“However, my LGU family was inspired to do the challenge and we were happy with the outcome seeing people‟s heartfelt service to help others,” he said.

Ajuy town mayor Juancho Alvarez, echoing Villanueva‟s sentiment, said he was also uncertain if they could gather that number of volunteers in their town to take part in the activities.

“Careful planning of activities enabled us to gather 21,803 volunteers in the town that showed how volunteerism was ever-present in Ajuy,” he said.

On one hand, the municipality of

Dumangas filed a resolution thanking Gawad Kalinga for holding the Bayani Challenge event in the town.

“The event which was held in the town from May 14-17 brought out the modern heroes in the people and fired up their love for God and country,” said Sangguniang Bayan Member Rosemarie Doromal citing excerpts from the resolution.

The Bayani Challenge was hosted by nine municipalities in the province of Iloilo namely Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Dumanggas, Estancia, Pototan, and Sara and the highly urbanized city of Iloilo.

The total number of volunteers for the Iloilo Bayani Challenge 2014 reached 140,500.

(JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

'Car-less' Fridays proposed By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, June 9 (PIA6) - - Thank God It’s Friday. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) urged Negrenses to go car less on Fridays as they launched the campaign #TGIF, It’s Car Less Day. Save Gas, Save the Environment.

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he campaign aims to mitigate the dreadful effects of climate change, wherein one of the major causes is the emission of harmful gases like Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide from all sorts of vehicles.

PENR Officer Andres Untal said that now, there are fewer trees in our forests that could absorb the emissions from vehicles therefore it is imperative to lessen the use of vehicles so that when there are less vehicles on the road, there are lesser emissions.

“It is a matter of fact that we are headed on an uphill battle against car makers and fuel providers and those who have the means for convenience, but, investing on car less Fridays

by walking, car pooling and biking not only save the gas and the environment, it likewise stimulates blood circulation and burns fat, as it empowers the person to resist use of vehicle,” Untal said.

Meanwhile, the PENRO also partnered with SM City Bacolod for their launching event whose corporate program on environment and sustainability focuses on energy and resource efficiency, air quality, solid waste management and compliance with international and local environmental laws.

SM City Bacolod Public Relations Manager May Castro said SM City Bacolod stand by with DENR‟s campaign calling for all citizens to go car less even for just one day of the week and

take alternative methods like using bicycles.

“We do what we must in minimizing our environmental impacts in each of our location in all capacities.

Taking care of the environment is important but it is also important take action and in putting in all our efforts, our small acts may make a big global impact,” Castro added as she wished to see more and more bikes parked in the mall‟s designated bike parking in the future.

Untal also led bikers during the launch as they ply the major thoroughfares of the city for a Bike for life and the environment activity to increase awareness of the car less Fridays campaign.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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PHO: Capiz dengue cases decline By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 11(PIA6) – cases in Capiz, record from the Capiz

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rom January to May this year, the PHO recorded 456 dengue cases 442 of which came from Capiz and the other 14 were patients from the neighboring provinces but were confined in the hospitals here in the province, PHO Information Officer Joeffry Espiritu said.

He also said that one death from Barangay Sibaguan, Roxas City was so far recorded here.

Compared with the record during the same period last year, there is a 33-percent decrease in the number of dengue cases this year. Espiritu, however, stressed that the

There is a decline in the number of dengue provincial Health Office shows. public should not be complacent about this decline in the number of cases, as dengue-carrying mosquitoes attack the whole year round already. “Dengue cases will continue if we will not destroy the potential breeding places of dengue -carrying mosquitoes,” he said. He also said that because of climate change, where there is no fixed time period for summer and rainy season, dengue is also be noticeable to occur all the time.

Espiritu likewise said that because of the onset of the rainy season and with the opening of classes, extra caution against such dreaded

disease should be made, particularly observing the clean-up activities and employing the 4S strategy. 4S stands for Search and destroy, Self-protection measure, Seek early consultation, and Say no to indiscriminate fogging. On the other hand, Espiritu disclosed that from January to May this year, three deaths due to notifiable diseases were noted in Capiz that include acute viral hepatitis, dengue, and typhoid and paratyphoid fever. He said that that they are also on the watch for acute flaccid paralysis , chikungunya, measles and rabies cases. (JSC/JBG-PIA6)

DENR to plant 100 hectares with trees on Arbor Day By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, June 6 (PIA6) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here is set to plant some 100 hectares of land with trees of various species on June 25, Arbor Day, according to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) – Aklan Ivene Reyes.

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he tree planting activities in the province, according to PENRO Reyes, will be conducted with the help of various People‟s Organizations and stakeholders throughout the province.

The Arbor Day tree planting is one of the major activities to be undertaken this month by the DENR in celebration of Environment Month. In celebration of the Environment Month, several activities had been undertaken already by the DENR for public awareness of the celebration, like radio guestings and participating as resource persons in the Kapihan Sa Aklan, a three-hour forum covered by the local media here held Saturdays, and a

technical forum on Recent Forestry Policy Issuances for Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs), Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs) and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Chairpersons/Sangguniang Bayan (SB) on Environment.

On June 30, PENRO Reyes said the DENR will be holding a culminating activity for Environment Month, where stakeholders, organizations and individuals will be awarded as “Environmental Heroes” for helping the office sustain its forest protection programs and for helping in the implementation of the National

Greening Program (NGP). The NGP is a government priority program of President Benigno S. Aquino III which calls for the growing of at least 1.5 billion trees on 1.5 million hectares of land from 2011 to 2016.

Meanwhile, the DENR, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is set to launch an advocacy campaign on Climate Change anytime soon to create public awareness on the impact of climate change to everyone as well as to mitigate measures to protect the people and the environment with the thematic slogan “Nagbabago Na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago. (JCM/ VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Importance of job fairs cited By: Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. ILOILO CITY, June 13 (PIA6) -- Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said jobs fairs are important because they offer work opportunities to jobseekers.

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abilog said this as he congratulated the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for holding the Kalayaan Job Fair as their way of commemorating the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence in this city and the rest of Western Visayas.

In his speech at the opening program of the Iloilo job fair held at Mary Mart Mall here on Independence Day yesterday, June 12, the chief city executive said jobs fairs like are important because they provide opportunities to those who are unemployed to be employed.

“It is only through this avenue that applicants could save a lot of time, money and effort because all they have to do is just go to one place and do their applications,” said Mabilog.

He added: “If people have jobs they could live peaceful and better lives because they have their own means of living and they could

support themselves.”

DOLE-6 Regional Director Ponciano M. Ligutom read out the message of Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz for this year‟s Philippine Independence Day celebration and nationwide Kalayaan 2014 Job Fairs.

In her message, which was in Pilipino, Baldoz said that this year, we are celebrating Independence Day in the face of positive developments especially the sustained growth of the economy on the back of the wave of reforms anchored on the “Daang Matuwid” and good governance.

Baldoz enjoined the Filipinos to not to lose this opportunity to further strengthen and bolster the progress that we have gained.

The Iloilo job fair was held simultaneously with the other mega job fair organized by DOLE-6 for the region in Bacolod City.

DOLE-6 Information Officer Amy Judicpa said of the 4,041 jobseekers who registered for the twin job fairs in the cities of Iloilo and

Bacolod, 382 of them were hired on the spot from a total of 2,616 who qualified.

Judicpa added that 156 of those who were hired on the spot landed in overseas jobs while 226 were taken in for local jobs.

Joemarie Agriam, Region 6 governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), which is the major partner-organization of DOLE, said this is the fifth time that they collaborating with DOLE in holding job fairs during Labor Day on May 1, Independence Day, and the Dole anniversary on December 8.

During the Labor Day last month, PCCI and DOLE together with other partner agencies and organizations in the public and private sectors held simultaneous job fairs in the region at SM City Bacolod and Iloilo and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds.

“We at PCCI are happy to be of service to you,” Agriam told the job applicants.

(JSC-PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Rama calls for unity to promote democracy, fight against corruption BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR Central Visayas, June 12 (PIA) --- Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called for unity for Cebu and the country to be free from corruption on the occasion of the 116th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

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ama, in his speech at the Plaza Sugbo during the Flag Raising ceremony, said the country is now facing the critical issue of corruption, citing the pork barrel and PDAF scandals.

“We should be awakened from arrogance and corruption,” adding that this is now the time to make a move against corruption and other wrong doings of some people in authority.

Rama also threw a challenge to the

Cebuanos and the Filipinos to be united to promote perseverance and patience in the fight against corruption.

He then said that “Kung dili kita, kinsa man, kung dili karon kanus-a man, (if we cannot who will, if not today when will it be) “Enough is enough to justify apathy, we can‟t go back to Japan-American war at this time. No more justification for it,” he said.

The mayor also called the Cebuanos to

promote and practice democracy as he expressed gratitude to the war veterans who suffered and shed blood just for Filipinos to have freedom and democracy. “I will always remember how you shed blood to make the country independent,” Rama told the veterans.

Filipino must live with patriotism, nationalism and practice democracy because there is no substitute for democracy, Rama concluded. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7)

116th PHL Independence inspires people to desire for lasting change BY: ROI LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY, June 12 (PIA) – The celebration of Philippine independence sends a spark to Filipinos to strive for lasting change.

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his is a reminder to Dumagueteños in “With this freedom we are given is the commemoration of the nation‟s 116th expectation that all of us will pay this gift forward independence anniversary from Spain and this begins by changing the way all of us think today. on the bounds and limits of what we can do. We Foreign Service Officers Exam topnotcher cannot change a nation if its citizens are not ready Stacy Danika Alcantara, in her speech during a to change their hearts,” She added. ceremony in Quezon Park todayas the keynote According to Alcantara, “The world‟s speaker said lasting change can be attained if greatest powers engineered their empire from Filipinos can go beyond their duties as citizens of scratch but it is with grip, determination and the country and take great risks in order to live confidence that they could create something big that dream. even at the most adverse conditions and that is She remarked that lasting change continues why they are today‟s titans.” to be elusive and a challenge to Filipinos because With these, she shares her hope of achieving of the mindset to take safe and practical decisions lasting change to institutions that could harness even if it is settling for what is mediocre and people‟s potential and contribute to the accept the idea that they cannot change their development of the nation. destiny.

She encourage leaders of government, “It is indeed ironic, that although centuries academic and other work institutions to create an have passed since our freedom as a nation has environment that could flourish the minds of been bought by the blood of many heroes, we are thinkers, innovators, creators and innovators who not still truly free for the reason that lasting can help redefine the country‟s future. change seems elusive to us because we still She also said they should also welcome ideas became prisoners of our own stubborn even if it came from a different opinion, part or mindsets,” Alcantara told the hundreds of people religion if it is for the common good. who attended the ceremony.

Moreover, academic institutions should An alumna of Silliman University, Alcantara re-create their classrooms and make them believes this struggle can be overcome if Filipinos laboratories that could produce leaders who can are able to change their perception on the inspire the public. matter.

Alcantara also invited businessmen to train

social entrepreneurs from the grass roots level, provide stable and secured employment opportunities and help their employees develop their skills they need to work.

“Consider this an investment to a greater future because when you give people a chance to make their lives better, they ultimately earn enough money to become next consumers and tomorrow‟s businessmen.” She said.

On the other hand, Alcantara advised students who will soon become tomorrow‟s workforce to continue to be idealistic because most people will opt to go for safe practical choices. With the country celebrating its 116th Independence Day, Alcantara hopes that the people will realize that the freedom the country‟s national heroes have fought long time ago is the freedom that will inspire individuals to continue to fish for change even when it seems the hardest.

“This freedom that we enjoy today is earned with the expectation that the next generation, (our generation) will give this country our best shot even if the circumstances are bound to give us the worst,” she said. Meanwhile, Dumaguete City government celebrates country‟s 116th Independence Day with the local theme “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino tingo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.” (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

RADIO-7 installs new set of leaders BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR CEBU, June 11 (PIA) --- The Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) recently elected Ms. Lydith Tan, Larena information officer, and other set of officers for the 2014-2015 calendar year during the first day of the 21st RADIO7 Consultative Conference and 1st Regional Information Summit, June 9-11 held at hotel Elizabeth, Cebu City.

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ADIO-7 is an umbrella organization of all the associations of information officers of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, NegOr and Siquijor; their cities and municipalities as well information officers of national government agencies based in entire Central Visayas.

Newly elected RADIO-7 President is Lydith Tan from the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID) replaces Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga of the Cebu Association of Cities and Municipalities Information Officers (CAOCAMPIO).

L ydi t h T an i n h er a cc ep t an c e speech promised to make all effort to make the

organization stronger and unified.

“Every moment in our life is a gift, everything we do we should offer to God and with God we can make RADIO-7 stronger,‟‟ Tan said.

Outgoing RADIO-7 president Carlo Dugaduga on the other hand said he has high hopes and determination for RADIO-7 to be blessed with success, harmony and unity.

Dugaduga also thank all the members of the organization for the cooperation given to him during his term as leader. He thanked the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Central Visayas for the support extended to the organization. Completing the new set of RADIO

-7 officers inducted by Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes are Eli Manlangit from the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) as vice president; Pinky Llorente from SAID as secretary; Gherelene Mae Rafols of ANOPIO as Treasurer; Abel Garciano of CAOCAMPIO as Auditor; Merly Bantugan of AUDIO-Bohol as Public Relation Officers.

Members of the Board of Directors are: Carlo Dugaduga, Fiel Angeli Gabin, Jojielyn Buendia, Bernarda Villarojo, Roger Paller, Jonathan Buscato, Gretchen Ybarrita, Mark Garcia, Irvin Roy Rios, Marie Nillama, Gay Visitacion and Noel Rafols. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Roxas, Abad turn over quake fund to Bohol BY: ELVIRA C. BONGOSIA TAGBILARAN CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Butch Abad turned over the earthquake recovery and rehabilitation fund for the province.

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ohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and Vice Gov. Roxas said the fund is a product of the Conching Lim lead Provincial Officials and post-disaster needs assessment of Engineers, local DILG in welcoming Roxas and compiled into program of works.

Abad.

The fund is for the rehabilitation of local Roxas and Abad proceeded to Dao Central public infrastructure in earthquake affected areas Market as they inspected and talked with the based on the damage report submitted in the vendors. They had breakfast of Bohol‟s local Bohol Rehab Plan. sikwate, puto maya and ripe mangoes at one of The 2 secretaries also graced the the stalls with Gov. Chatto and Tagbilaran Mayor inauguration of the P17M 4.45km Bingag-Tinago John Geesnell Yap II. -Biking Road in Dauis and the kickoff of the P275 They then proceeded to the Peoples‟ million 14-road Bohol Emergency Repair and Mansion where Roxas joined Gov. Chatto, Vice Rehabilitation Project, all funded by the Australian Gov. Lim, Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio Government through the Provincial Road and Mayor Yap at this morning's "Kita ug ang Management Facility (PRMF).

Gobernador" where he turned over in the Roxas and Abad together with Chatto, DILG presence of Provincial Officials close to P2.4 Reg. Dir. Ananias Villacorta, and Prov. Dir. billion for the rehabilitation of local public Louisella Lucino conducted a dialogue with the infrastructure damaged during the earthquake.

Bohol Civil Society Organizations.

During the dialogue, Roxas announced that the national government has allocated P636 million for anti-poverty projects under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process.

He urged LGUs to conduct assemblies for CSOs to present proposals for inclusion and funding as well as to monitor project implementation.

Roxas also keynoted today's Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Congress at the Bohol Cultural Center where he turned over P26 million under the Performance Challenge Fund for 26 LGUs that were awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping by the DILG. The Congress is themed "The Role of Punong Barangays in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management". (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Dumaguete City marks 'National Heritage' month BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, June 9 (PIA)-- Dumaguete City has concluded its National Heritage Month celebration with the theme “Summer Beats of the Past”. ity Tourism Officer, Woodrow mothers in Dumaguete, Mrs. Dumaguete University.

Maquiling, Jr. said the observance pageant or the Ginang Ng Santacruzan Proclamation No. 439, signed on Aug. presented a lot of activities that presented mothers who have the guts to 11, 2003, declares the month of May as would relate to the things that be part of the pageant, showing their National Heritage Month (NHM) “in Dumagueteños did in the past. talents and skills, and their beauty, said recognition of the need to create among Traditional games have been played Maquiling. the people a consciousness, respect, and for the “Balik-DulangPinoy” like Other activities include Birik-Birik pride for the legacies of Filipino cultural the palosebo, sack race, takyan, bato-lata, fishing festival, a night of folk dances and history, and love of country.” kayukok among others. songs, annual Santacruzan grand parade In 2009, the government formally At least 10 young participants from among others. made heritage conservation a legal each barangay in Dumaguete City Maquiling said this is to revisit and mandate, by ratifying and implementing participated in the games. relieve the traditional way of fishing in the Republic Act 10066 or the National A concert by the kids from the Jay past, and make the night more festive Heritage Act of 2009, empowering NCCA Cyrus Creative Studio was held as “we while a heritage concert and grand and its afiliated agencies in their are giving a public venue for them to be parade which has been participated policy-making and implementation of able to express and relive their talents as in by different schools here in conservation programs. (mbcn/JCT/ Dumagueteños,” Maquiling said.

Dumaguete City, particularly St. Paul PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from To give honor and recognition to all University, Silliman University, Foundation Ina Isabelle A. Taburaza, intern)

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DENR calls for change in people’s attitude on climate change BY: ELVIRA C. BONGOSIA TAGBILARAN CITY, June 06 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) calls for the cooperation of the public on the efforts for climate adaptation in time for the observance of the Environment Month.

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ENR Information Officer Maria Corazon Colarines and Community Environment Natural and Resources Office (CENRO)-Talibon Elpidio Palaca shared insights on climate change and global warming during yesterday‟s Kapihan sa PIA held at the PIA Bohol Information Center at K of C Drive this city.

Elpidio Palaca of CENRO-Talibon called on the people to take global warming and climate change seriously. He added that it is not just a DENR issue but an issue that involves everybody on earth.

Palaca said sea levels in Bohol will most probably continue to rise and development must adapt to climate change wherein small islands and

areas vulnerable to sea level rise must build higher infrastructure.

In similar developments, DENR also discussed the importance of trees and said trees are 70% carbon and that cutting trees release carbons by burning. Mangroves absorb carbon over 10% more than trees. Tropical rain forests are the earth‟s best shield against changing climate. DENR has a reforestration project for the CENRO-Talibon and around 25% of the trees planted are fruit trees putting up food need supply. CENRO-Talibon covers 9,000 hectares of idle lands.

Per Presidential Proclamation No. 237 signed in 1988 by then President Corazon C. Aquino, the Philippines celebrates the whole

month of June as Environment Month to focus public attention to the protection and conservation of the country‟s natural resources.

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) and the DENR-7 is set to launch the Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in Central Visayas on June 10 during the 1st Regional Information Summit and 21st Consultative Conference of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) in the region at Hotel Elizabeth in Cebu City on June 9-11. This is in line with the priority thrust of the Aquino Administration to build resilient communities in the face of disasters under the overarching message, "Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago." (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

USAID Rebuild Program launched in Tacloban By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 10 (PIA) – The United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to the people of Leyte in order to help them recover from the devastation of typhoon Yolanda and get back into normal lives.

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uring the formal launching of USAID Rebuild, a multi-component effort funded by the US government which focuses on restoring access to education, health services, livelihood assistance and technical aid to the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, USAID Acting Administrator for Asia Denise Rollins assured the people of Leyte that they will continue working with their partners to help the Province build back better.

As part of the education component of USAID Rebuild Program, the US

government has allotted P21 million worth of a school buildings with 8 classrooms to be constructed in said school.

About 165 classrooms and 10 health centers are to be built by USAID in the next few years to address the educational and medical needs of the affected communities.

Rollins also led in the groundbreaking of the Tacloban City Health Center at Kanhuraw Hill and the inauguration of two sari-sari stores in Brgy. 62-B Sagkahan Tacloban City.

Said stores are just among the 1, 000 sari-sari stores to be rehabilitated by

USAID in partnership with Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, to help restore livelihood in the affected communities.

Rollins was accompanied by USAID/ Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steele durin g the lau n ch in g activities.

Other officials both from the national and local level led by OPARR Secretary Panfilo Lacson, Leyte First District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla and Deped Region 8 Director Dr. Luisa Bautista- Yu also witnessed the said event. (GTT/CBA/ PIA-8)

Start of classes in Yolanda stricken areas peaceful, orderly By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 5 (PIA) – The opening of classes in Yolanda-stricken areas in Eastern Visayas was generally peaceful and orderly despite some inconveniences in schools.

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n an interview with Department of Education Region 8 Director Luisa Bautista-Yu, she said that she was very happy to see children eager to go to school even if there are problems that were encountered such as lack of classrooms, shortage of chairs, textbooks and other instructional materials.

“The good news is that students have attended classes on the opening day, they have been excited to be in school, they are motivated to learn.

In fact, I have seen for myself the

excitement of the children going to school despite of limited resources.

I really value the motivation and the excitement of our pupils to be in school,” Yu said.

As to some schools which are still used as evacuation centers like San Fernando Elementary School in Tacloban City, the principal or the teacher assigned has designated the original classrooms as the temporary shelter of the evacuees while waiting to be relocated.

Meanwhile, the newly-constructed

classrooms are being used by the pupils but the teacher has a shifting schedule to avoid overcrowding in one class.

PIA learned that 5,037 classrooms comprising 53% of the 9, 420 classrooms destroyed by Yolanda were already repaired while 35% of the 2,172 classrooms that totally collapsed have been constructed.

The remaining 1,408 classrooms is be constructed by the Department of Education through its 2014 Basic Education Fund. (PIA-8)

Korean soldiers given recognition for aid in Yolanda areas By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 10 (PIA) –- The Philippine government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recognized the commitment of the Korean government for their invaluable support and assistance to the rehabilitation program in Yolanda affected areas in Leyte.

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ore than 200 members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces Joint Support Group (ARAW troop) led by Col. Lee Chulwon were given recognition last Tuesday during the Bakas Parangal Awarding Ceremony held at ROKAF headquarters, Government Center, Brgy. Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who is also the Chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) presented the Kadakilaan, Kabayanihan and Kagitingan Awards to the Korean contingents for their outstanding achievements, contributions in the rehabilitation and restoration of the communities devastated by super typhoon

Yolanda.

“We thank them for their noble service, exemplary heroism, extraordinary acts of bravery and kindness which are being appreciated by our grateful countrymen who are victims of super typhoon Yolanda, “Gazmin said.

Bakas Parangal is a recognition of merit and token of thanksgiving bestowed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to individuals or groups who exerted exemplary and extraordinary acts of selflessness in reaching out to those who are in urgent need of assistance in times of calamities and disasters.

It is also a reminder to the honorees

and to others that their efforts were not done in vain, that the Filipino people recognize what they have done and their acts of altruism is an inspiration to the people proving that heroes still exist nowadays.

The awarding ceremony was witnessed

by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Hyuk Lee, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Officials of the Department of National Defense led by Secretary Voltaire Gazmin , Leyte Mayors, PIA Deputy Director General Virgilio DC. Galvez, 8th ID Commanding General Jet Belarmino of the Philippine Army, Regional Directors of some national government agencies and the local media. (GTT/PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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Pre-Cabinet meeting to study Yolanda master plan By: Raul S. Tiozon, Jr. SAN MIGUEL, Leyte, June 10 - - A pre-cabinet meeting was set on June 13, wherein provincial rehabilitation plans of Yolanda affected areas are to be discussed, before these will be presented to President Benigno Aquino.

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his was revealed by the Presidential Assist ant for Rehabilitation and Recovery PARR Secratary Panfilo Lacson who was in Leyte recently.

All cabinet secretaries were expected at the meeting.

According to Lacson, he is glad that through Governor Dominic Petilla, Leyte was one of the first to formulate the master rehabilitation plan.

Once approved, infusion of massive resources in the whole province of Leyte is expected.

“When I say rehabilitation it means full swing, where all line agencies will

implement the projects that were submitted by the local officials, a collaboration of ideas from officials down to constituents to form a comprehensive master plan” said Lacson.

Lacson also revealed that as of press time, about 4 provinces were already able to submit their master plans and one of which is Leyte, others are Cebu, Western Samar and Tacloban.

Other provinces also expected to submit include Eastern Samar, Ilo-Ilo, Negros Occidental, Biliran, Antique, Aklan and Palawan.

Gov. Petilla for his part is certain that by the time the fund will be downloaded

to the municipalities, the enthusiasm shown by Lacson will be reciprocated with the willingness and unity of Leytenos to work hard.

In Leyte‟s master plan, 4 sectors are given focus namely: resettlement, education, livelihood and social services.

Recently, the government was able to download funds for the rehabilitation of infrastructure projects such as the city hall, the municipal building, public markets, multipurpose hall, roads and bridges.

A total of 1.2 billion pesos were downloaded to the government units in Yolanda affected areas. (GTT/LAA/PIA8)

PIA 8 info officers to spread CCA to community levels By: Marcelo M. Pedalino BURAY, PARANAS, SAMAR, June 7 (PIA) -- Information officers of the Philippine Information Agency in Region 8 virtually locked themselves at an emerging posh resort here June 5 and 6 to brainstorm ways of disseminating climate change adaptation (CCA) inputs in layman’s tongue to identified high-risk barangays all over the region,

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he activity, expected to be on the go for the succeeding months until December this year in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), will be launched sooner in a month or two.

Info Managers from Biliran and Southern Leyte presented their initial strategies even as they still have to exert more efforts in working with DENR at their levels, while the infocenters of Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, as well as the Regional office, will still have to discuss details with their respective DENR counterparts.

Deputy Director General (DDG) Virgilio Galvez, who serves as the Interim Head of PIA 8 since last month vice Olive Tiu, emphasized that the action plans must

target specific, vulnerable communities in a language they can easily understand, so people in these communities can best prepare for natural disasters to prevent loss of lives.

Tiu is now assigned at the Presidential Communications Operations office (PCOO) in Manila.

Most places in the region, which bore the brunt of the world‟s strongest typhoon in recorded history exactly seven months ago, can relate with the ill effects of climate change as they had lived and survived it in real time, Galvez remarked.

In such a mindset, the task of sharing adaptation and mitigation measures through the PIA-DENR advocacy campaign must be results-oriented in terms of heightened alertness and awareness of the people, he added. The six-month campaign will also involve other stakeholders, like the local

government units in cities, municipalities, and barangays, and the private groups and organizations, for storms know no sectoral boundaries once they hit, Galvez also emphasized.

Earlier, Aurora Casimpan, the PIA focal person for the PIA-DENR project, showed a powerpoint prepared by the DENR Regional Office that should have been presented by their information Officer, Purificacion Daloos, who was unable to come for conflict of schedule.

Meanwhile, the PIA Regional Office that was washed out by Yolanda, will soon be housed in a vacant space beside the Robinson‟s Hotel as soon as possible, Galvez informed. PIA is temporarily holding a makeshift office behind the grandstand at the Leyte Normal University (LNU).

(GTT/ MMP/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

DOLE local jobs fair hires applicants on-the-spot By: Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 9 (PIA) –Some 24 job applicants were hired on the spot during the local jobs fair held recently at the municipality of Saint Bernard, this province initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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OLE Administrative Aide Evangeline Bencion informed that the hired applicants represent nearly half or 33% of the 73 registered applicants coming from nearby municipalities of San Juan, Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan and Silago from the Pacific Area and Liloan in Panaon Island.

She said that the LGU-Saint Bernard,

through its Local Chief Executive Mayor Napoleon L. Cuaton hosted the Jobs Fair.

DOLE Provincial Head Fe Norma Valuis and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) Regional Coordinator Rosario P. Jervoso attended the undertaking, with Vice Mayor Joy Lim Bungcaras and some Sangguiang Bayan members.

“The jobs fair is aimed at helping local

businesses find qualified job seekers in the community and thereby create opportunities for applicants to work close to home in their local areas,” Bencion quoted Valuis. Furthermore, the jobs fair also supports the Philippine economy and reduces the need for residents to commute long distances and work outside their community, DOLE said.

(GTT/RGC/PIA8-SoLeyte)

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