One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 30

Vol 4

Issue 30

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 Regional Technical Director Alicia Lustica stresses the importance of reducing our carbon footprint to campus paper advisers to mitigate the impact of climate change during the Basic Journalism and School Paper Management Seminar for Advisers held July 23-25 at the Grand Tower Suites here. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

BETTER THAN ONE. With two lines now capable of transmitting power in Bohol, the time when preventive maintenance of NGCP transmission lines and substations would mean total blackout is past. Engr James Rodriguez said the new 138 KV line can now be used as alternative to the 69 KV line which Bohol used to rely for supply in Tagbilaran. (PIABohol/ RAC)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

July 27 - Aug. 3, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

ESamar hails PNoy’s SONA BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 29 (PIA) – Whenever the highest official of the land mentions one particular person or place in his said State of the Nation Address (SONA), there is no other reaction of the concerned party but to be proud of the unexpected recognition.

This was the common reaction of the people here, when His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III included in his 2014 SONA, Eastern Samar as one of the provinces whose Rehabilitation Programs he has recently approved.

Engineer Enrico Banario, Provincial TESDA head was one of those who gave the President a thumbs-up. Said over the state owned radio station DYES, Banario expressed elation at the President’s statement, that is, to continue the fund support to TESDA’s Training for Work Program.

According to Banario, he is proud of their trainees, because 60% of them have landed in highly skilled jobs here.

He referred to a number of out-of-school youths and previously jobless and unproductive individuals in “Yolanda” hard-hit areas.

In earlier interviews, the TESDA head said they have given trainings in carpentry and electrical installations among others and these have given the beneficiaries substantial livelihood activities not to mention the Carpentry Kits given them.

Banario looks forward to continue the same training for work programs as publicly announced by the highest official of the

land.

Moreover, Dr. Andrecita Cuna, owner-manager of Domsowir Hotel and Restaurant, gave 80% score to PNOY’s SONA, saying, the President cannot please everybody, as she referred to the President’s endless critics.

According to her, it is good that the President has effected reforms in the Cabinet, even accepting the resignation of former Customs head, Ruffy Biazon who was his friend and ally.

On the DAP and Butz Abad, Dr. Cuna said that it is better that the President has this budget to finance emergency projects and services, because, knowing bureaucracy with the voluminous required documents and procedures, responding promptly to emergency conditions is close to impossible.

Similarly, Crisencio “Jun” Ricafort, a retired policeman said that: Dapat pabayaan na lang ang Presidente sa mga ginagawa niyang mga proyekto. Noong panahon namin, mahirap ang supplies namin, hindi kagaya ngayon, ang gaganda ng mga gamit ng mga pulis, tig-isa pa ng baril, may modernong gamit pa na pang-gyera.

However, an electronic mechanic expressed slight musings on the President. He said that: Okay naman ang SONA ng Presidente, kaya lang, sana binanggit niya ng klaro ang gagawin niya kay Napoles pati yong mga proyektong kalsada na hindi naman natatapos, ang iba pa nga naubos na daw ang pondo pero hindi pa tapos ang kalsada.

(PIA-Eastern Samar/aen)

DRRM's focus is on preparedness ILOILO CITY, July 31 (PIA6) -- Preparedness, something that should be done before a calamity strikes, is the emphasis of present government disaster risk reduction and management efforts, according to Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Alexander P. Pama.

Pama, who is also the Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said during a press conference here that while before the focus of authorities is on response, this has shifted to preparedness and prevention and mitigation.

This shift in focus is embodied in Republic Act No. 10121 or the law strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, which also provides for its framework and institutionalizes a national DRRM plan.

He cited the case of Iloilo which Pama said could have been suffered worse from the effects of typhoon “Yolanda” if not for its improved level of preparedness courtesy not only of local government units but also of communities as a whole.

What is being implemented right now at national level is the so-called pre-disaster risk assessment, a system wherein an impending typhoon is studied and monitored before it could enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

The pre-assessment is done by a core group led by the Department of Science and Technology and PAGASA, which are also at the helm of the sector on disaster prevention and mitigation.

We treat calamities or hazards not across-the-board but as hazard-specific, area-focused and time-bound., wherein every every hazard is treated as unique in itself, said Pama.

Once it is detected and studied, data are cascaded to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and passed on to LGUs along with advisories on possible effects, vulnerable areas and preparations needed.

In case a calamity strikes, response and eventually recovery and rehabilitation will follow, he said.

The press conference was held on the sideline of the Iloilo Provincial DRRM Summit for Local Chief Executives held July 31-Aug. 1 here as part of the National Disaster Consciousness Month observance.

Pama was joined at the media interaction by OCD-6 Regional Director and RDRRMC chair Rosario Cabrera, NEDA-6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal and PIA-6 Director lawyer Ma. Janet C. Mesa.

In a related development, the municipality of Dumangas, Iloilo hosted the first municipal level local climate forum of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on July 30.

The Local Climate Forum , a joint project with the Regional Integrated Multi Hazarad Early Warning System (RIMES), seeks to provide a venue to discuss climate-related issues or concerns and forecast different time scales and how this information will be useful to various sectors such as agriculture, water resources, health and academe, among others. (JCM/JSC-PIA6 with LAF report)

USEC Alexander Pama, Exec. Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council answers questions from members of media. Joining him at the head table are (R to L) Directors Rosario Cabrera of OCD, Ro-Ann Bacal of NEDA, and Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa of PIA6.

1:10k geo-hazard maps for over 200 Cebu brgys. completed

Department of Social Welfare and Development 8 regional director Nestor Ramos welcome guests and participants to the orientation of DSWD and UNICEF partnership program on unconditional cash benefits to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas held at the Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City, July 29. (Raul S. Tiozon/PIA-8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, July 27 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) concluded its detailed geo-hazard mapping of 1:10,000 scale for 208 priority barangays in northern Cebu severely hit by super typhoon Yolanda late last year.

DENR-7 information officer, Dr. Ed Llamedo bared the barangays are situated in eight municipalities and the city of Bogo.

The identified municipalities are Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan Proper in Bantayan Island, Daan Bantayan, Tabogon, Borbon, Tuburan and Tabuelan.

“The 1:10,000 scale geo-hazard maps are more detailed down to the sitio level where the degree of vulnerability to floods and landslides can be seen,” said Llamedo adding that such comprehensive data can be used by local chief executives to effectively work on their proactive measures on disaster preparedness.

Llamedo, one of the panelists of the Post-Yolanda Press Briefing: Rehabilitation Phase said the local government units (LGUs) concerned have been furnished with the detailed geo-hazard maps complete with recommendations.

Part of the recommendations of the DENR-7 to concerned

LGUs is the establishment of a community-based warning system and the establishment of the disaster risk reduction and management committee down to the sitio levels.

Llamedo said accomplishing 1:10,000 scale hazard maps is a priority program under President Aquino’s Philippine Development Plan on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The DENR has until the end of the year to complete the 1:10,000 geo-hazard maps of all barangays down to the sitio level nationwide.

“Cebu is highly to susceptibility to landslides due to its soil type which is 70 percent limestone and high number of mountainous areas,” Llamedo added.

Llamedo called on LGUs to revisit the geo-hazard maps as basis to make their comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management plans.

The press briefing undertaken by the Philippine Information Agency-7 in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command done twice-a-month aims to highlight continuing government interventions and contributions of government partners in the ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding phase in post-Yolanda. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

PRO-6 slates caravan for gun holders By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, July 30 (PIA6) — The Police Regional Office-6 will be the venue of a caravan for gun holders, slated August 11-15, to accommodate those who are applying for License to Own and Possess Firearms(LTOPF).

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olice Inspector Sheila Sangrines, public information officer, said that the LTOPF can only be secured at Camp Crame in Quezon City, but the PRO-6 is making it convenient for gun holders in the region with the caravan, where biometrics and photo capturing system will be done.

Sangrines said that while waiting for the scheduled caravan, PRO-6 will process the requirements for securing the LTOPF, which actually started July 21-25, July 28-August 1 and will be held again August 4 – 8, at the Multipurpose Hall of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City. The requirements are Neuro-Psychiatric

result, drug test result, gun safety and responsible seminar certificate and R2 clearance.

The processing for the LTOPF is a provision of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and ammunitions Regulation Act, and in preparation for the final gun amnesty to be launched in the region by PRO-6 The law provides that the LTOPF, which is valid for two years, is a mandatory requirement in the procurement, transfer and registration of firearms. The final gun amnesty will allow individuals with unlicensed firearms

to have their guns documented and registered with the Firearms and Explosives Office.

Police Chief Supt. Josephus Angan, PRO-6 director said the gun amnesty is designed to account all loose firearms in the region, which authorities believe, are used for criminal activities.

Angan said if the number of unregistered or fictitious is high, then there is a cause for alarm.

“The Firearm Law is not meant to make things difficult for our responsible gun holders, but to put gun ownership in the right perspective,” Angan said. (JSC/ESS-PIA Iloilo)

OSY's programs and projects get multi-sectoral support BY: Pilar S. Mabaquaio SAN JOSE, Antique July 31 (PIA) - - The stakeholders of the Out-of-School-Youth (OSY) in Antique have committed to converge their programs and services to support the endeavors of 12,049 OSY.

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sst. Schools Division Superintendent Roselyn Palcat in her message during the meeting of multi-sectoral groups under the Abot-Alam Program in the Division of Antique said that the OSY needs to become productive and participate in the development of their community and country in general.

“What will happen to our province in the coming years? If the OSYs are not given due attention, they can be vulnerable to trafficking and abuse,” she said.

“Take the case of sugar migrant workers, some of them are OSYs that spent months of hard work in sugarcane plantation, but had not earned much for the family instead went home with meager amount”, Palcat said.

She further said, if they are convinced to get back to school and given proper guidance, they will have a bigger chance of becoming productive and gainfully employed.

Perla Loriega, Abot-Alam Program Coordinator disclosed the results of mapping/ survey of DepEd-Alternative Learning System (ALS) in different districts, some 35 percent of the OSYs manifested their desire to get back to school, 35 percent wanted to have livelihood activity, some 30 percent opted to have skills training.

Loriega banked on the support of other agencies, local government units and ALS Coordinator to organize the OSY and interventions be made based on their identified options.

In response, various government agencies like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry (DTI) and Social Welfare and Development presented their programs and services that could match the needed support

of the OSY. Likewise, the Departments of Agrarian Reform and Environment and Natural Resources laid out their existing programs that could cater to OSYs. DAR specifically mentioned their support to agrarian reform communities while DENR mentioned about the potential employment of OSY in forest protection program.

The meeting ended with the agreement that the mentioned agencies meet with OSYs in different towns so that schedules of skills training will be set as well as meeting with ALS teachers and preparation of project proposal for livelihood activities will be scheduled.

In conclusion, Palcat urged everyone to become part of the support group of the OSY and help them achieve their dreams. (JCM/ PSM/PIA6Antique)

Investment Promotion Center now open By: Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 28 (PIA6) – The government and private sectors here have pooled and spent resources together to come up with an Investment Promotion Center (IPC) and Business Resource Center that was formally opened last July 17 at the Capiz Government and Business Center here.

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his was disclosed by Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Capiz chapter president and IPC managing director Dale F. Bernas during a simple program and fellowship inside the Center.

The provincial government in concurrence with the Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (PMSMED) Council and the Capiz Joint Chambers has designated Bernas to direct the IPC services and operations.

PMSMED Council is chaired by businessman Danny So Chan.

“We really hope that we can entice more investors to come in and make Capiz

investor-friendly,” said Department of Trade and Industry director Ermelinda P. Pollentes, noting that P1-million worth of fixtures and Information and Technology (IT) devices will be shared by DTI to the Center.

She also hoped that the Center may be provided with a Global Positioning System (GPS) so that any investor that will come in will be shown on the computer where he may want to invest given a GPS look of the entire province.

The Capiz provincial government offered the CGBC space available and manpower for free for the investment promotion arm of the province.

The opening ceremonies were also graced

by Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco, provincial administrator lawyer Jose O. Villanueva and PMSMED Council officers and members, among others.

For his part, Chan stressed that the establishment of IPC as embodied in the Provincial Investment Code showed that public private partnership in the province is active and strong.

The IPC inauguration was part of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week celebration that was also supported by PMSMED Council, Capiz Joint Chambers and provincial government (AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Gov’t agencies encouraged to embrace ICT By: Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. ILOILO CITY, July 28 (PIA6) – Government agencies were encouraged by Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Francisco T. Duque III to embrace information and communication technology (ICT) in providing services to the public.

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wing to the progress and advancement in technology, particularly ICT, we have really to embrace and incorporate it in the way we operate our services and offices in providing much-needed services and interacting with clientele, said Duque.

The CSC chairperson led the recent conferment here of the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence award to six government agencies in Western Visayas doing frontline services which garnered a rating of Excellent during the conduct of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) Report Card Survey in 2013.

This (ICT) is something we cannot escape

from, he said. In the end, the best form of public service is one wherein there’s no need for service or face-to-face service.

Through the ease of just a click of the computer keyboard, you will be providing services, added Duque.

In the future, transactions will be done electronically, said Duque as he advised government agencies to reflect new ways of doing things.

In fact, he said that in the future the ARTA Report Card Survey will include an assessment of how well agencies are doing electronic transactions with their clients.

The six awardees were the Government

Service Insurance System (GSIS)-Antique Satellite Office, Public Attorney’s Office -Bacolod City District Office, PAO-Roxas City Office, PAO-Aklan District Office, Land Bank of the Philippines-Miag-ao Branch, and LBP -Aklan Branch. The awarding was held at the CSC-6 “Gusali ng mga Lingkod Bayani”.

CSC-6 Regional Director lawyer Rodolfo Encajonado commended the awardees and stressed that the award epitomizes the achievement of their frontline service providers’ readiness to render responsive, accessible, courteous and effective services to clientele, besides even going an extra mile in doing the same. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)

359 ARBs receive CLOAs By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 31 (PIA6) - - The Department of Agrarian Reform North Negros gave out Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) and loan support from the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) to agrarian reform beneficiaries.

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bout 359 ARBs from 10 municipalities received their CLOAs dividing the 397.964 hectares of land holdings.

The 10 municipalities and cities in North Negros Occidental include Escalante City, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Victorias City, E. B. Magalona, Silay City and Salvador Benedicto.

Ceremonial check amounting to a total of P17,057,184 as APCP credit support were turned over to five Agrarian Reform

Beneficiaries Organizations with a total of 193 ARB-members from Cadiz, Victorias and Silay cities.

Meanwhile seven ARBOs from Escalante City, Cadiz City, E.B. Magalona, and Silay City received certificates of recognition for their initial successes in utilizing the APCP credit assistance in maintaining collective farm operations, sustaining farm employment and generating substantial dividends to ARB-members and their households.

The distribution of CLOAs and awarding of APCP loans as well as recognition of ARBOs are part of the department’s anniversary celebration. Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Teresita Mabunay said that the celebration showcased the realization of CARP’s mission of securing the new ARBs’ tenure on the CARP-awarded lands, and eventual rural poverty alleviation in the agrarian reform areas.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Aklan bizmen get pointers on product development BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, July 30 (PIA6) -- A big number of entrepreneurs from the municipality of Lezo recently received inputs and advice from the Aklan Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (PMSMEDC) when they came face to face with each other during the conduct of an Information and Advisory Sessions on Enterprise Development.

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he Information and Advisory Sessions in Lezo was one of the major activities of the Provincial Government of Aklan and the PMSMEDC in observance of the 2014 Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Week observed on the 3rd week of July, according to Engr. Diosdado P. Cadena, Provincial Director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aklan.

Aklan PSMED Council is chaired by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores with PD Cadena of DTI-Aklan as Co-Chairperson.

On hand to welcome the participants and members of Aklan PMSMED Council was Lezo mayor Victor Fernandez, who thanked the DTI and the council for initiating the “face-to-face” sessions with entrepreneurs of his municipality.

“DTI is trying its best to enhance business in Lezo”, Fernandez told the participants who gathered at the Lezo Multi-Purpose Pavement for the activity, mostly composed of “Ampaw”,

pottery, abaca by-products and metalcraft producers.

The town is also famous for its pottery products and clay bricks, and essential material here for building houses, churches and other structures.

Other attendees included chicken broiler producers, grocery owners and direct sellers of various products who wanted advices on capitalization, effective marketing techniques and strategies in collecting payments for items and products taken on credit.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Cadena, for his part, said the people of Lezo were very lucky to have the town as the venue of the Info and Advisory Sessions.

He also said that of the 9 towns which are recipients of the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program (GPBP), Lezo will be getting the biggest amount – P1.6 million for training in various skills in pina weaving, fiber dyeing, footwear-making, abaca macramé, clay-based product production, food product

enhancement/improvement, furniture-making and ironworks.

Presently, Cadena a resolution from the local government of Lezo endorsing the program is the only thing being awaited to complete documents for the partnership to take off in the town. Cadena said the total budget for the GPBP in Aklan is P5.8 million, shared by the towns of Libacao, Nabas, Banga, Lezo, Numancia, Tangalan, Ibajay, Malay and Kalibo.

At the information session proper, entrepreneurs were given inputs by the PSMEDC on proper packaging and labeling of products, production of good quality abaca-based products, furnitures, metalcrafts and potteries, sourcing of capitalization from cooperatives and rural banks as advised by the representative from Landbank-Aklan.

“Strengthening Competitiveness and Sustainability of MSMEs” is the theme of this year’s SMED Week/Month celebration. (JCM/ VGV PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

NegOr food sufficient for the rest of 2014 BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN NEGROS ORIENTAL, July 30 (PIA) – The province of Negros Oriental will remain food sufficient for the rest of the year.

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rovincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltingca disclosed that as of now, there are no problems in food security in the province and agricultural crops are enough to feed Negrenses.

Paltingca reported that based on the 2013 data, the province has reached 40% food sufficiency in rice and 70% sufficiency in corn.

Paltingca explained why the province only attained 40% sufficiency in rice.

He said the province could have already reached 60% sufficiency but because of recent calamities that affected irrigation systems in rice fields in Bayawan City and in the municipality in Zamboanguita it was

reduced to 40%.

Still, there is nothing to worry about this because the production of rice is more than enough as well as that of corn, Paltingca said.

Aside from these, there is also sufficient supply of other agricultural products like kamote, cassava and banana which are alternatives to rice and corn.

The province, on the other hand, has a surplus of vegetables and fruits and even exports a number of them to the provinces of Siquijor, Cebu, Zamboanga Del Norte, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Mindoro.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAO) maintains its thrust to produce safe

sufficient and nutritious food through organic farming.

The provincial government has allotted P10 million in support to PAO’s programs for organic agriculture.

Paltingca said that they are conducting two levels of training for farmers on creating bio-organic fertilizers.

On the national level, the country has achieved 3.28% rice expansion during the four months of 2014, equivalent to 4.3 million metric tons (MMT).

Food security and agriculture was one of the issues highlighted in the recent State of the Nation Address of President Aquino. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

DENR pushes for rehab of damaged marine sanctuary in Apo Island BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN DUMAGUETE CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Negros Oriental makes some steps for the immediate rehabilitation of damaged coral reefs in Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

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rovincial Environment and Natural Re sou rce s Off ice r, Ch arlie Fabre said that the Protection and Management Board (PAMB) in partnership with Silliman University and local government unit of Dauin are now working on the restoration of Apo Island's marine sanctuary which was badly damaged by typhoons Sendong in 2011 and Pablo in 2012.

Silliman University that conducted a related study on the preservation of marine sanctuary in Siquijor Island and other places revealed that fish sanctuary structure can be reconstructed again by mixing the corals with cement to

get back to its original form and let it stabilize for some time before rehabilitating them.

DENR regional Director Isabelo Montejo said he will make a proposal to DENR Manila for additional funding to fast track the recovery of the damaged marine reserve.

PENRO Fabre on the other hand cited that cooperation and support of the people living in the Island is very important for the success of this undertaking.

If Apo Island gets over populated there is a possibility that people's wastes and garbage will destroy the marine sanctuary which will later on lose its popular

destination as one of the tourist attractions in Negros Oriental, revealed Fabre.

Along this line, Fabre recommended that there is a need to regulate the operation of businesses and monitor the actual population in the area to preserve the cleanliness and orderliness of the environment around the sanctuary.

In response to this, Montejo ordered PAMB to make a study on the ideal population ratio as basis for barangay officials of Apo Island and local government unit of Dauin in formulating laws to regulate the issuance of business and building permits in the island. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/ Negros Oriental)

PSA-7 to hold pilot census in Yolanda-hit areas in Cebu BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN CEBU CITY, July 27 (PIA) -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-7) formerly the National Statistics Office will undertake a pilot census next month on six localities in northern Cebu severely battered by super typhoon Yolanda late last year.

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SA-Cebu provincial statistics officer, Fermo Diputado said the pilot census will involve 45 barangays in five municipalities and one city.

These towns are Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan Proper in Bantayan Island, Daan Bantayan and San Remigio and the City of Bogo.

Diputado said the request for a pilot census came from the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) headed by Sec. Panfilo Lacson.

Data to be gathered include livelihood and housing site of typhoon survivors before and after Yolanda, characteristics of housing unit, garbage disposal and sources of water supply among

other important basic information, said Diputado.

“We will be hiring 158 data encoders to do the pilot census starting August 4 until August 30,” bared Diputado.

The provincial statistics officer also said priority for data encoder hiring are those coming from affected localities.

A data encoder will be paid P286 per day good for one month,” said Diputado during the post-Yolanda Press Briefing: Rehabilitation Phase at the Public Information Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command recently.

Diputado said the PSA has allotted P2 million budget for the conduct of the pilot census in Cebu.

After the survey, all data will be collated and will be submitted to the OPARR by yearend, he added.

Diputado urged household respondents tasked to fill out the survey form to cooperate with the data encoders as a new law that has just been passed stipulates penalties for those who refuse to fill put census survey forms.

“A fine of P10,000 will be meted to household respondents who refused to fill out the census survey form,” said the PSA-Cebu statistics officer. Diputado said the regular census survey will be conducted in August next year or every five years as the last population census survey was done in 2010. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Dumaguete City observes 'National Disaster Consciousness Month' BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, July 25 (PIA) - - Dumaguete City Government joins the country’s observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) with a citywide motorcade on July 28 at 9:00 am around the city streets with the City and barangay officials, students, and representatives from various national and local agencies expected to participate in the event.

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umaguete City mayor Manuel Sagarbarria who also chairs the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) urged the residents to be watchful in times of disaster as the low pressure area today was estimated 1,020 kilometer east of Northern Mindanao.

The month of July is declared as the National Disaster Consciousness Month with this year’s theme: “Kahandaan at

Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan,Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran”.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management head Engr. Jose Chu said, as far as disaster preparedness is concerned the city government has a 24-hour standby or on-call emergency rescue team.

He urged every sector here to actively particip ate in disaster preparedness and remain vigilant amid the

onset of the rainy season.

The route of the parade will start from Colon street turn left to Perdices street and proceed to Calindagan road, then turn right along Real Street and proceed to north, turn right crossing Saint Paul Rovira Road (Bantayan) turn right to Hibbard Avenue and proceed to south along Perdices street, then turn left to Colon Street, Engr. Chu said. (mbcn/JCT/ PIA7-NegOr)

Time to use solar energy, say NegOr groups BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN DUMAGUETE CITY, July 25 (PIA) – Environmental groups and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Negros Oriental revived the call to harness solar energy as another renewable energy source for the province.

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his was raised in a Kapihan sa PIA on renewable energy recently and was attended by representatives from Silliman University, Negros Oriental State University, FENOR, 350.Org, Social Action Center of the Diocese of Dumaguete, local government units of Dauin, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City, Siaton and San Jose and the media.

Leo Mamicpic from the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental (FENOR) believes the province can use solar energy as another source which is a “greener” alternative than the geothermal energy which the province has.

Mamicpic thinks this is possible since San Carlos City in Negros Occidental has inaugurated a 25MW solar energy power plant in May this year.

He added that the government can replicate this solar energy farm in the municipalities of Zamboanguita, Dauin, Basay which are the sun belt areas in Negros Oriental.

Mamicpic, is the co-founder of FENOR,

an environmental advocacy group on climate change, bio-diversity conservation, reforestation and other environment-related issues which concerns are being carried out through education and policy campaign.

FENOR is one of the environment groups that is against the alleged massive cutting century-old trees in Mount Talinis area in Valencia town in line with Energy Development Corporation (EDC)’s geothermal and expansion projects.

EDC is a Lopez-run energy firm operating a geothermal power plant in Valencia.

Environment groups in the forum pushed for the use of solar energy since it counters deforestation and is of the cheapest mode of renewable energy.

Eric Hanquinet of Environmental Advocacy on Solutions and Technologies (E.A.S.T.) mentioned there is no problem with renewable energy with regard to legislation.

“I think what we need basically is

education on what is happening here.

What are our options?

How much (is) the cost of solar energy?”

Hanquet said.

He added that solar energy is easy to implement and everyone can have access to it provided they have the equipment needed to harness solar power and it takes about four years to get a return of investment to your equipment.

Meanwhile, Zephanie Danieles of 350.Org underscored the need for the government to push for not just renewable energy but also clean, accessible and community-based energy source.

She added that government should also consult the public on what source of energy they think is relevant to them.

“For Negros Oriental, we are capable of solar energy,” Danieles stated.

Environmental groups and CSOs hope that through the Kapihan, government agencies in the province will consider the possibility of using solar energy to power Negros Oriental. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

30 families in island town in Cebu evacuated due to sinkhole BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA CEBU, July 26 (PIA) --- The local government of Sta. Fe town evacuated 30 families in Sitio Dapdap, Brgy. Langub in Kinatarkan Island, Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island after a sinkhole appeared in the area.

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ccording to Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana, the sinkhole measures 40x40 feet and was discovered this morning.

Kinatarkan Island is an hour away by boat from the mainland town of Sta. Fe. The 30 affected families have been evacuated to a safe area 300 to 500

meters away from the sinkhole within Brgy. Langub.

In an official statement, the Cebu Capitol Public Information Office said the discovery of the sinkhole has been reported to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and Office of Civil Defense-7 for proper action.

The Provincial Disaster and Risk

Reduction Management Office, headed by Baltz Tribunalo, has also sent a team to said town to help the affected families in coordination with the municipal officials.

Paul Esgana, Sta. Fe Administrator, told Philippine Information Agency that they have erected a 200-meter perimeter fence around the sinkhole. (PIA-Cebu)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

100 student leaders join DRRM forum BY: ERNA S. GORNE MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 31 (PIA) – Some 100 student leaders coming from different colleges and universities of the province join the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) forum to highlight the 2014 National Disaster Consciousness Month.

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he Prov inc ia l D is ast er R isk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) in close coordination with the Maasin City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Philippine Information Agency led in the conduct of forum together with 11-resource speakers coming from the different national line agencies and LGUs. “The student leaders should know the important facets in disaster risk reduction and management as they in turn will inform others

in their respective schools,” Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Danilo Atienza noted.

The forum aimed to increase the knowledge and level of awareness of the forum participants on the four thematic areas of disaster risk reduction and management such as Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Response, Rehabilitation and Recovery, PDRRMO Officer Danilo Atienza noted.

Resource speakers were representatives

from the provincial offices of the following: PAG-ASA, Office of Civil Defense, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Maasin City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Philippine National Police,Philippine Red Cross, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee Chair on DRRM, Dept. of Science and Technology, Bureau of Fire Protection and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources an Management Office. (AJC/ESG/PIA8 Southern Leyte)

Officials, people of Region 8 await Pope’s visit BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON PALO, Leyte, July 31 (PIA) – Officials and the people of Eastern Visayas particularly in Palo, Leyte eagerly await for the coming of Pope Francis next year.

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his after the Vatican has announced the Papal Visit on January 15-19, 2015.

In a press conference held recently at the Municipal Hall of Palo, Leyte reportedly to be visited by His Holiness, Mayor Remedios L. Petilla said the people from all walks of life are very eager to see the Pope in person.

Around 1 to 2 million people not only from region 8 but from other parts of the country are expected to attend the High Mass.

Reports have indicated that the Pope will be visiting areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda like Palo, Leyte.

Mayor Petilla also informed that initial meetings have been conducted between the church and the local officials of the town

where several sites are being considered to be the venue for the High Mass.

The Pope is expected to lead the High Mass during his visit.

Although the Vatican has yet to approve the venue for the High Mass, sites proposed are the government center in Palo, the Tacloban airport and the Tacloban port area.

The Pope is expected to visit the Archbishop’s residence where he may also inaugurate the Center for the Poor and the Center for Orphanage.

He is likewise expected to visit the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral which is now under renovation after it was heavily damaged by Yolanda last year.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny

Coloma said the government joins the Filipino people in welcoming the Vatican’s announcement confirming the Pope’s visit to the Philippines on January 15-19, 2015.

“President Aquino is calling on all concerned government offices and the citizenry to work closely with the papal visit committee to ensure the success of Pope Francis Apostolic Visit,” Coloma added.

“Pope Francis’ visit marks the 20th anniversary of the celebration of World Youth Day in Manila which was presided over by now St. John Paul II. Filipinos will most certainly accord to Pope Francis the warmth of their hospitality and manifest the fervor of their faith as they welcome the first Pontiff from South America,” Coloma stressed. (AJC/CBA/ PIA-8)

Maasin City has inactive volcano

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 31 (PIA) -- This city is home to an inactive volcano situated in the mountain barangays of Nonok area, and its name is Mount Kijabot.

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ity Mayor Maloney Samaco revealed this piece of information in front of students during a forum on disaster risk reduction held recently at Maasin City College function hall, the event initiated by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).

“Did you know that we have an inactive volcano in the city?,” Samaco asked the students from various public and private schools in the city.

“We have, and its name is Mount Kijabot, located along the barangays in Nonok.”

Samaco said this volcano is dormant, but just like Mount Pinatubo which was dormant for over 600 years, there may come a time that Mount Kijabot may erupt.

“Hopefully not in our lifetime,” he hastened to add.

In his opening message, Samaco said the city and the province have always been under threat to various kinds of natural disasters, except blizzard or snowstorm, saying that the city even had storm surges but only at the height of one to two meters, like the ones caused by habagat winds during typhoon Glenda.

He said the conduct of the disaster risk reduction forum led by Danilo Atienza, Provincial Disaster Action Officer, was very timely so the students can be always aware and conscious on what to do should a calamity happen.

During the forum, other frontline national,

provincial, and city offices involved in operations before, during, and after a disaster shared inputs and their respective roles and functions in an emergency situation.

These included PAG-ASA, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, Fire Department, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction body, among others.

The provincial government was represented, aside from Ateinza, by Dr. Eva Abad, Provincial Environment Natural Resources Management Officer, and Provincial Board Member Ailleen Estrera. (mmp, PIA8 -Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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Cigarette-buster for healthy Maasin City by: Erna Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, August 1 (PIA) - Getting the highest recognition in the country for successful implementation in anti-smoking campaign is no fun.

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Just like in a family, the father will muster all efforts to raise a healthy family.

Hence, my passion to avert my constituents to suffer unnecessarily the hazards brought about by more than 400 deadly chemicals components in a cigarette hurting ones health,” Mayor Samaco said.

Smoking ban is also implemented at the city jail.

Maasin City jail boarders had mixed reactions on the smoke ban but the good mayor was bent to cleanse the congested reformatory institution from the cigarette-smokes from among the jail boarders.

From then on, Mayor Samaco intensified the smoking ban as it spreads like wild fire, getting into the premises of Maasin City Hall and all the public places in the city.

He reported that about 88 out of 600 city employees were found smoking heavily at the first monitoring.

It was later reduced to 40 smoking employees, who were all ushered to clinical cessation assistance at the City Health Units.

Currently, there are only 5 of them who could not stop smoking, however, they no longer smoke at the premises of city halls but at

their homes only, he noted.

Public and private schools also ban smoking in the area.

Much to the relief of the parents, students both from the public and private schools also ban students from smoking within the school premises, though, it cannot be denied that there are still students who are still but outside the school premises.

The Maasin City College pledged to ban smoking within the school premises, wherein students found bringing cigarette lighters and matches were not allowed to get into the school campus.

No less than Mayor Samaco visited the public elementary schools to orient the schoolchildren of the health hazards of smoking especially at homes.

He even coached the children not to buy cigarettes for their parents when told to.

That this is embodied in RA 9211 and City Ordinance 2009-042. This is his way to reach the smokers at home which are private places!

Several times he himself got down from his vehicle just to stop

students, who are caught red handed while smoking along the streets and personally brought them to their school principals and made to pledge not to smoke again. Superstores, sari-sari stores are banned to sell cigarettes.

The Metro Gaisano Hiper Market, Prince Marketing, among the superstores in the locality closed down their cigar ette stands when Mayor Samaco himself requested to ban all the stores in the city from selling cigarettes especially if their locations is within the 100-radius of schools' perimeters.

After cutting the source of cigarettes in the city, sari-sari stores owners got their supplies from the next town.

Recently, three sari-sari stores were padlocked until they were able to pay P5,000 fines for selling cigarettes after several requests from the City Health Initiative Task Force to stop from selling cigarettes in their barangays.

Some of the store owners were said to be avid supporters of the mayor, but the law excuses no one in his anti-smoking campaign.

(PIA8 Southern Leyte)

NCCA calls for proposals for 2015 Competitive Grants By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 31 (PIA) – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the country’s leading government agency for arts and culture is inviting artists, cultural workers, art councils, local government units, non-government organizations involved in culture and arts, schools and individuals in the region to apply for the NCCA competitive grants 2015.

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n a press conference held Wednesday at Asia Stars Hotel, this city, Corinnah Anne Olazo , Proj ect Development Officer III of the Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts said the project is one way of helping individuals or groups in order to advance their creativity and diversity relating to arts and culture.

“The NCCA is willing to provide

technical assistance whatever is lacking in the project proposal,” Olazo added.

Olazo further stressed that the projects must likewise establish culture as pillar of sustainable development and promote a strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and Arts.

Interested individuals or groups can avail of NCCA assistance by submitting a project proposal under the NCCA Competitive Grants

not later than august 31, 2014.

Accomplished project proposals must be submitted to Marichu G. Tellano, chief of Policy, Plan Formulation and Programming Division, 5th floor, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with following address 633 General Luna St. Intramuros, Manila or email at info@ncca.gov.ph and pmd@ncca.gov.ph (AJ C/CBA/PIA-8)

Pag-IBIG provides special housing program to members By: Marivic A. Alcober TACLOBAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- Pag-IBIG, in its efforts to reach out to as many members affected by super typhoon Yolanda, will set up a Yolanda Housing Rehabilitation Desk at Robinsons Mall to be officially opened on 2 August 2014, at 11 o’clock in the morning.

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s part of Pag-IBIG's efforts to assist members recover from the devastation and trauma wrought by typhoon Yolanda, it has created a special socialized housing program to provide financial assistance for them to be able to rehabilitate, construct, and reconstruct their respective homes destroyed by the super typhoon.

This is Pag-IBIG's way of helping rebuild communities totally devastated by typhoon Yolanda and in consonance with the rebuilding efforts of the government.

The grant of Pag-IBIG's financial assistance is through the authority given by its Board of Trustees.

According to Pag-IBIG, under this special housing rehabilitation program, the members may avail up to a maximum of Php450,000 at a subsidized interest rate of only 4% per annum.

The rehab housing loan will be interest free for the first six months of the loan.

It was bared that the subsidized interest rate of 4% per annum will only commence on

the 7th up to the 24th month of the housing loan.

Thereafter, the prescribed interest under the regular End-User Financing or Affordable Housing Programs, whichever is applicable, shall apply for the rest of the loan term.

However, Pag-IBIG revealed that being a special program, the individual housing financial assistance will only be available for a period of one year, from July 15, 2014 to July 15, 2015.

(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) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Baùares 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, Children’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