One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 28

Vol 4

Issue 28

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Governor Arthur Defensor awards the certificate of recognition and cash prize of P5,000 to Marivic Franco of Brgy. Poblacion New Lucena, Iloilo who was chosen as Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar during the 40th Nutrition Month celebration of the province of Iloilo, July 14. (PIA6-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

July 14 - 20, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

More beach forests to be revived in WV By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, July 17 (PIA6) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 said that more beach forests will be revived in Western Visayas as part of the intervention in addressing the impact of climate change.

In an edition of the radio program on climate change "Panahon, Hibaluon, Handaan, Aksyunan", DENR-6 Forest Resources Development Division (FRDD) Chief Danilo Lorilla said the department has allotted funding for the revival of beach forests in the region even in just small areas.

The beach forest is a mixed association of creepers, shrubs, and trees above the high tide level.

These species form an impenetrable thicket in pristine forests and referred to as “beach jungle” by early explorers.

Lorilla said that beach forests have served as protection from storm surges which hit parts of northern Iloilo and Capiz during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda late last year.

It can be recalled that the Iloilo provincial government established a beach forest in Tigbauan town here to restore mangrove areas April this year.

The P197-million project covers 10 hectares of shoreline spanning Barangays 9, Poblacion, Atabayan,

Barroc and Baguingin and is slated for one year of implementation.

The provincial government said that the beach forest has a bioshield function which serves as protection against storm surges, prevents coastal erosion, provides medicines and has a great potential for industrial applications.

The establishment of the Tigbauan beach forest is part of the Action for Regreening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) program of the provincial government. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

DENR-6 Forest Resources Development Division (FRDD) Chief Danilo Lorilla (left) underscores the value of beach forests as protection against storm surges during the radio program on climate change "Panahon, Hibaluon, Handaan, Aksyunan" anchored

by PIA6’s Information Officer I Leonard I. Pineda I. (PIA6)

Best performing coops in CV get recognition

PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. presents the topic, Disaster Imagination that offers strategies and new technologies in hazard, risk, and impact assessments as basis for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response during the forum at RAFI-EADSC Plenary Hall. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA CEBU CITY, July 10 (PIA)--- Well performing cooperatives in Central Visayas get recognition by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA-7) this year.

In a recent ceremony held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, 11 cooperatives from all over Central Visayas were given recognitions or “Gawad Parangal”, for their performance as a social enterprise.

CDA7 regional director Felipe Deri, said he is appy to announce that there are already more than 2 million residents in region 7 who are members of cooperatives.

About a million are from Cebu province.

“Cooperatives bring about equity, social economic development and social justice,” Deri said.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who was the occasion’s keynote speaker said giving due recognition to exemplary performance is an effective way to inspire any endeavor.

The two Most Outstanding Cooperatives in the large category or those with the biggest assets include the consistent Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative in Pinamungahan Cebu and the CFI Community Multipurpose Cooperative as first runner up.

For medium category, Mactan Island MPC came out as winner followed by University of San Jose Recoletos MPC as first runner up.

For small scale category, Subaspa MPC from Lapulapu City came out as winner.

In the union category, sole winner from Negros Oriental, the NegOr Union Cooperative in Dumaguete City was awarded and Mandaue City Cooperative Development Office came out winner in the development office category.

Special recognitions were also given to the cooperatives of Department of Agriculture (DA-7), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) and the Land Bank of the Philippines. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7 -Cebu)

Resettlement beneficiaries assured of livelihood opportunities World Bank president Jim Yong Kim (right), Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Corporation Lilianne Ploumen (left) and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman (center) look at some of the vegetables planted at the “Bahay Kubo-Kimchi Demonstration Farm” in Brgy. Anahaway, Palo, Leyte, July 14. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

TANAUAN, Leyte, July 16 (PIA) - The residents of the Pago Resettlement Project in Tanuan, Leyte were given assurance for livelihood opportunities by Secretary Corazon Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This, after some 48 families who lost their houses due to typhoon Yolanda, were given the chance to have an audience with the President of World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim who visited the area together with Secretary Soliman.

Kim and Soliman were informed by the residents of their present condition, whom they said are already safe and far from dangers of living near the sea.

However, problem on livelihood was also brought out by said residents.

Sec. Soliman promised the residents that she will meet with Mayor Pelagio Tecson of Tanauan and the Regional Director of DSWD Nestor Ramos to discuss the possibilities of putting up livelihood projects. ”This is the next step after the shelter and we will help you with the livelihood opportunities.” said Soliman.

President Kim for his part said that world bank mourned for the people of Tanuan, and that they all felt sad after what happened during the typhoon.

With his visit, Kim also said that he was inspired by the people who keep on fighting and trying to build new homes and new source of living.

He then assured them that the World Bank group will be with the people of Leyte. (GTT/LAA/PIA8)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

DAR support services continue By: Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 15 (PIA6) - - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) gave out loans, certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) and citations to program beneficiaries as part of their continuing support services during the 26th anniversary celebration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program here.

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ore than P35 million worth of loans as part of the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) were turned over to 10 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) while seven ARBOs are awaiting release of another P30-million worth of loans.

Meanwhile, 13 ARBOs fully paid their APCP loans for Crop Year 2013-2014 worth P29,607,387.

APCP is a joint DA-DAR-LBP five year credit and capacity development program designed to respond to the credit needs of ARB organizations.

During the celebration, DAR also distributed CLOAs to 319 farmer beneficiaries sharing a total 302 hectares of land acquired by DAR either through Voluntary Offer to Sell, Compulsory Acquisition or Operational Lease Transfer from 25 landholdings.

DAR also recognized 10 of its scholars who graduated Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude’s this year through its Programang Agraryong Iskolar (PAI).

Magna Cum Laude graduates were Joan Granda, Gerald Bello and Daisy Dalguntas while Cum Laude graduates were Jeannie Dimasuay, Gemma Valenzuela, June Rey Manaog, Glennamhae Tambora, Jyrene Marie Alipio, Chrismie Ching and Jason Jungco.

These scholars took up bachelor courses at the different campuses of the Central Philippine State University and graduated in April this year.

Since 2005 to date, the PAI was able to produce a total of 133 graduates.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agrarian Reform Negros South reached its all time high of land distribution target at 1,509

hectares since the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and Reform or CARPer in July 2009.

For the first semester of the year, DAR South was able to distribute 1,509 hectares of compensable agricultural land.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations Florentino Siladan explained that although it fell short of its target for the period, but these are all compensable agricultural land, which means these are private agricultural lands that were acquired and distributed to agrarian reform beneficiaries unlike in other regions which were distributing government owned lands. Siladan posed a challenge to DAR personnel during their anniversary celebration to reach their target for land distribution, double their efforts and not to retreat or surrender. *(JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

RDC6 to host 5th PSRs national convention ILOILO CITY, July 17 (PIA6) -- The Regional Development Council VI (RDC VI) is hosting the 5th RDC Private Sector Representatives‘ (PSRs) National Convention, scheduled on August 13-15 in Diversion21 Hotel, Benigno Aquino Drive, Iloilo City.

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his year’s theme is “PSRs: RDCs’ Crucial Partners in the Pursuit of I n c l u s i v e G ro w th a n d J o b Creation”.

A report prepared by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VI said delegates will share ideas with a roster of subject matter experts that includes the following notable names: NEDA Deputy Director General Margarita R. Songco, DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo Pecision Boncato, Jr., Jones Lang LaSalle’s Country Director David Leechiu, and NATTCO Chief Executive Officer Sylvia

Okinlay-Paraguya.

The Convention is intended to strengthen the role of the PSRs in the RDC particularly in getting their full support and cooperation in the implementation of the Updated Philippine Development Plan, and the Updated Regional Development Plan, 2011-2016.

Pursuant to Executive Order 325, the private sector representatives (PSRs) comprise one-fourth of the membership of the fully constituted Regional Development Council (RDC).

Given the important role of the private sector in regional development, EO 325

specifically promotes their active participation in regional planning, investment programming, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.

More than a hundred delegates have already confirmed their attendance to the 5th PSR National Convention.

NEDA-6 said the national convention will surely boost the economic activity of Western Visayas as well as showcase the Ilonggo cuisines and attractions including th e re c e n t p u b lic an d p riv a te infrastructure developments in Iloilo City.

(JSC/CMP/NEDA 6)

Capiz gets 40,000 bags of cement to address shortage By: Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 12 (PIA6 ) – About 40,000 bags of Mabuhay brand cement were initially shipped to Capiz by a new Mindanao – based supplier to address shortage of the construction commodity in the province.

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epartment of Trade and Industry – Capiz Business Regulation and Consumer Welfare Division head Angelita Colmo said that the new supplier was finalized in a recent meeting of cement suppliers and retailers.

Mabuhay cement will be in addition to existing brands like Excel, Premium, Portland

and Republic.

“These cement brands are supplied to four big cement retailers here.

Small retailers get their supply from the big four,” Colmo noted.

The province’ average cement requirement is estimated at 325,000 bags every month due to the various

supertyphoon Yolanda rehabilitation projects.

The figure is about 50 percent higher than the regular cement need provincewide.

Each bag of cement ranges from P240.00 – P245.00 from the big four retailers. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Aklan campaigns for more blood BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, July 14 (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan will be joining the nationwide celebration of Blood Donors Month this July by holding a motorcade around Kalibo and a Grand Blood-letting at the ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15.

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he motorcade and blood-letting will be simultaneously held in all six provinces in Western Visayas and two highly urbanized cities in the region, to be spearheaded by the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office VI. In Aklan, some 200 blood donors are targeted to donate blood on the set date, according to Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Provincial Health Officer I of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), coming from schools,

government offices and local government units. The motorcade and Blood-letting activity on July 15 in Aklan aim to enhance p u b lic a w a re n e ss o n v o lu n ta ry , non-remunerated blood donation and increase blood collection in the region.

To drum up an extensive participation and commitment for the event in Aklan, the PHO here also conducted an orientation on Rational Use of Blood and Blood Donor Recruitment attended by municipal mayors, Municipal Health Officers, Public Health Nurses, Sangguniang Bayan members on

Health, Liga Presidents and heads/ representatives from other government agencies. Meanwhile, the province of Aklan, under the helm of Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, is targeting to establish a blood bank at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

This blood bank, according to Governor Miraflores in a radio interview, will have a budget of P15 million.

The project intends to provide available life-saving blood for Aklanons at all times.

(VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Antique's Lupons are WV bets BY: PILAR S. MABAQUIAO SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - Two barangays in the province were declared winners in the search for Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) Regional Level recently facilitated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government .

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arangay Igbonglo San Jose for 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities while Poblacion, Belison was declared winner for the 4th to 6th Class towns. Raymund Palanog, Cluster Head, DILG-Antique said these barangays will be the entry of the region to the national search.

Palanong explained that based on records and onsite validation, these Barangays are deserving of the award as they complied with the criteria on efficiency of operations, effectiveness in

securing the objectives of Katarungang Pambarangay and creativity and resourcefulness of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.

As to their incentive, Punong Barangay Farley M. dela Cruz of Igbonglo, San Jose and Gerry M. Chavez of Poblacion, Belison are given P50,000 worth of projects for the strengthening of their respective Lupong Tagapamayapa.

Palanog said it can be in the form of capability building activities or supplies and

equipment needed to sustain their effective and efficient performance of their duties.

DILG encouraged other barangays to strengthen their Katarungang Pambarangay as an indigenous conflict resolution structure at the grassroots level.

With the effective performance of Lupong Tagapamayapa, conflict can be resolved at the barangay level so as cases reaching the formal courts will be lessened, said Palanong (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

2 Iloilo projects funded by DAP BY: JAIME S. CABAG JR. ILOILO CITY, July 15 (PIA6) – Two projects in Iloilo have fund allocations from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), records of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed.

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hese are the National Housing Authority (NHA) Relocation Sites for Informal Settlers along Iloilo River and its Tributaries in Iloilo City with P100 million from the 2011 DAP and the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in the province with P450 million.

Based on the DBM List of DAP-Identified Projects as of July 14, 2014, the fund allocation for JRMP II will cover the first-year requirement for the Philippine government counterpart to finance the investment requirement including the engineering design and other initial works for the project.

It will be recalled that President Benigno S. Aquino inspected and led the

unveiling of the relocation project marker, also known as the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase 1, during his visit to Iloilo, June 27. The project is located at Barangays Camalig and Lanit in Jaro district here.

The 1,000-housing unit project will benefit informal settler families who have been affected by the Iloilo River Plains Development.

On the other hand, JRMP II is an irrigation facility implemented by the Department of Agriculture-National Irrigation Administration (DA-NIA).

The P11.2-billion project will support the call for self sufficiency in rice and other agricultural commodities in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and DA’s Food

S t a p le s S e lf - Su f f ic ie n c y R o a d m a p (2011-2016).

The project will develop an irrigation facility which is designed with provisions for a hydro-electric power plant and bulk water supply.

It is the first large-scale reservoir dam outside Luzon. Its service area will cover 23 municipalities and the cities of Passi and Iloilo.

It is funded by the Korean Export-Import Bank to the tune of P8.9 billion with a P2.2 billion counterpart from the Philippine government.

President Aquino also led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the project at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on February 21, 2013. (JSC-PIA6)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

4 Climate change patterns

causes

extreme

weather

BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN DUMAGUETE CITY, July 14 (PIA) – Climate change affects the earth‘s energy balance that leads to either warming or cooling effect in the atmosphere.

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his was bared by Engr. Oscar Tabada, Chief Meteorologist of DOST -PAGASA Visayas Field Office during the training on “Disaster Preparedness vis-à-vis Climate Change Using Social Media” for the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO), local media, members of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and some environmental communication students from Silliman University held recently at the Negros Oriental Convention Hotel.

Dubbed as the "Weatherman" Tabada made a blow by blow presentation of extreme weather condition patterns in the Visayas showing the destructive impacts of climate change.

Extreme weather condition patterns pose many dangers such as more hot days felt, more intense downpour of rain and uncertain changes in storms to come, Tabada explained.

He showed in his presentation the depleted forest cover, decline in agricultural production by 29-60%, more intense and longer droughts and heat waves have become more frequent now as directly observed of the recent climate change phenomenon.

He added that increased wet season can cause more flooding, risk to urban drainage and more landslides.

Tabada urged everyone to take part in mitigating the destructive effects of climate change through information dissemination and continuing advocacy campaign by simply reducing all forms of burning so that emission of greenhouse gases will be reduced thereby slowing down the rise in the earth's temperature.

More importantly, Tabada campaigned for caring the environment by giving more space to agriculture, parks, backyard gardens and proper waste disposal.

Stop all forms of logging and obeying rules to protect our environment are the best responses we can contribute to save the earth and the future generations to come, ended Tabada.

He also advised local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental to intensify their preparations to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions in the Visayas.

Tabada emphasized that early preparations can lessen the number of casualties or extent of damage in times of calamities.

He cited the damage and casualties brought by typhoon Pablo and Yolanda in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Tabada then assured LGUs that the country’s weather bureau is doing its best to compliment LGUs in early warning measures when strong typhoons enter the PAR. (mbcn/ lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental with RABL report)

Cebu educational org to hold ‗Mindshare‘ sessions BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA CEBU CITY, July 10 (PIA) --- A Cebu-based non-government organization is set to hold a series of ―Mindshare‖ sessions in Cebu City from July to August this year.

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he Coalition for Better Education (CBE) is holding the sessions to give participants a view of how education should be positioned that will lead schools to practice, and for students to acquire, 21st Century Learning Skills.

Dubbed the “LEAP Series,” the one-hour pep talks are anchored on the theme of CBE’s 13th year founding anniversary: “Leading, Enabling, Advancing and Promoting Education for 21st Century Learning,” according to a press statement from CBE. The schedule for the sessions are: “L-EADING” Sessions (for education leaders, decision-makers) Date: July 11, 2 – 5pm, CBE Center for Teacher Excellence, CNU Campus.

“E-NABLING” Sessions (for pre-service & in-service teachers) Date: July 18, 2-5 pm,

University of the Visayas.

“A-DVANCING” Sessions (for all) Date: July 25, 10am – 5pm, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Basak Campus.

“P-ROMOTING” Exhibit of BEST PRACTICES in 21st Century Learning, Date: August 1, 3-8p.m., Harolds Hotel, Gorordo Avenue.

The 21st Century Learning is focused on three major themes: Learning and Collaboration Skills (Critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity), Life and Career Skills, ICT and Media Fluency Skills.

The sessions will discuss topics such as: Building Schools of the Future, How does my school rate under the 21st Century Score card, Mind mapping, Using ipads and tablets in Teaching, Advancing Education through ICT

and Media Fluency, Teaching Life and Career Skills in the Classroom and other relevant topics on education.

A blended approach will be used as medium of communication where virtual and F2Fsessions will be conducted in collaboration with international and Philippine education experts. Subsidized Fees are set at P250 for all L-E-A Sessions (CBE Members) and Php 300 (non-CBE members).

For those opting to attend the “L” or “E” sessions only, P100 for CBE members and P120 for non-CBE members will be assessed.

“A” sessions cost P 120 for CBE members and Php 150 for non-CBE members.

For more information, please contact CBE at 4164624 to 25 or email their office at admin@cbephils.net. (rmn/PIA-Cebu/with reports from CBE)

NegOr PWDs celebrate NDPR week BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN DUMAGUETE CITY, July 14 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will sponsor a Provincial Convention of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) on July 23 at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex in observance of the 36th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July 17-23.

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he activity will be a culmination of the weeklong celebration that will gather members of the federation of PWDs in Negros Oriental.

This year's celebration theme: "Talino at Paninindigan ng Taong May Kapansanan: Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran will showcase talents in singing competition and

intermission numbers of PWDs. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Negros Oriental director Merlinda Flores-Quillano will give updates on the educational and economic development assistance from CSC and how PWDs can benefit from this program.

Negros Oriental provincial governor Roel Degamo will deliver his inspirational

message and the provincial government’s program to uplift the status of PWDs in Negros Oriental.

There will be give-aways and awarding of prizes to winners of singing contest according to Benemerita Badon of the Provincial Social Welfare Office. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Cebu Archdiocese takes part in Yolanda relief, rehab operations BY: AMOR Y. SALUDAR

Cebu, July 10 (PIA) --- The Archdiocese of Cebu also stands as one unit exerting effort in the relief and rehabilitation operations for the Yolanda hit areas specifically in North Cebu. n a recent Post Yolanda Rehab delivered is to cater to the needs of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Education among Operation press briefing, Cebu people in the community where the parish others.

Archdiocese disaster focal person Fr. belongs.

"The Shelter Project of the Cebu Charles Jayme said that immediately after The Cebu Archdiocese also partners with Archdiocese and the Caritas now adopted typhoon Yolanda hit, Cebu Archbishop Jose Cebu Caritas in the relief and rehabilitation a Yolanda Village in Lapaz Bogo City with 27 Palma then formed a Relief and Rehab efforts extended to the Yolanda devastated houses serving as relocation and resettlement Operation Unit. communities in North Cebu. for the typhoon affected families in the area First Phase of which is Adopt a Parish March this year the created relief and with houses that are totally devastated by Program one church from the South Cebu has rehabilitation efforts of the Cebu Archdiocese typhoon. to adopt and partner with one typhoon was already in close coordination with the Caritas Village in Tacup, San Remegio also affected parish from North Cebu.

Caritas International with about 160 Caritas all stood with 27 houses and Hagnaya, San “Parishes from the South assisted the over the world.

Remegio Cebu with 39 houses catering to the needs of these affected parishes in North Fr. Jayme said that the coordination families losing their houses as Yolanda hit the Cebu,” Fr. Jayme said. started with the assistance in North Cebu. This areas. Soon to be built are 74 houses in He added that part of the assistance assistance include Shelter, Livelihood, Water, Bungtod Bogo City. (mbcn/ays/PIA 7)

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DENR-NegOr cites importance of planting trees in CC mitigation BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DUMAGUETE CITY, July 15 (PIA) -- With the growing intensity of typhoons visiting the country and in the province of Negros Oriental and the imminent prolonged dry spell brought by El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Negros Oriental has called on the public to intensify planting more trees. n a recent training on "Disaster years which started in 2010. the public to stop cutting trees because this Preparedness vis-a-vis Climate Change It is noted that causes of forest greatly cause ecological imbalance.

Using Social Media" forester Raul Russel destruction include pressure from an increasing El Niño is characterized as unusually of DENR told local media and information population in need of land and wood, warm ocean surface temperatures in the officers to help them convince locals to overexploitation of forest resources, lack of central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP). plant more trees to preserve and make political will to curb illegal logging, low priority More than just disaster preparedness, t h e e n v i r o n m e n t m o r e r e s i l i e n t given to forest conservation and environmental information officers, local media & PDRRMC against calamities. protection among others. got to learn the power of social media in the Russel reported that Negros Oriental’s In the same event, state weather bureau entire disaster cycle. five percent remaining natural forest cover chief Engr. Oscar Tabada of PAGASA Noel de Guia and Max Salazar of Get needs protection and urged the public to -Visayas also urged the public to prepare and Ready PINAS (Prepare, Inform & Act Smart) “move fast” in the rehabilitation efforts. save water for the occurrence of El Niño highlighted the importance of delivering timely Russel said in pursuit of protecting the phenomenon which will hit the country in the and accurate information before, during, and remaining trees and increasing forest cover, last quarter of 2014 and may last up to the first after disasters during the training organized by the government has launched the National quarter of 2015.

PIA-Negros Oriental, SMART Communications Greening Program (NGP) that aims to plant Engr. Tabada said saving water means to and the Dumaguete Press Club. (mbcn/JCT/ 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares in six help mitigate the effect of El Niño and advised PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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Siquijor creates PRDP-PPMIU for rural dev‘t BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, July 15 (PIA) — The province of Siquijor recently created the Provincial Program Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) to serve as the local implementing body for the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

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iquijor governor Zaldy Villa signed an Executive Order creating the PPMIU as the principal mechanism through which the provincial government shall seek multi-sectoral inputs, advise, and assist on matters related to climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure facilities and sustainable development in the island.

Siquijor is selected as one to the six provinces in the country under the PRDP-Global Environment Facility that will strengthen the conservation of the coastal and marine resources base through biodiversity conservation and fisheries resources management, says Department of Agriculture (DA) provincial agriculture technology coordinating officer Bernadith Bunado in a PRDP briefing earlier.

It also hopes to enhance LGU institution,

technical management and financial capabilities and environment government system, she said.

The PPMIU is composed of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator as its head, under which are the coordinating agencies, PPMIU Secretariat, the i-plan unit headed by the PPDO, i-build unit by the provincial engineer’s office, i-reap unit by the provincial veterinary’s office, and co-headed by the office of the provincial and municipal agriculturists and the i-support unit headed by the provincial budget officer.

Under the i-support unit are the monitoring and evaluation, procurement, social and environmental safeguard and information, education, advocacy and communication sub-units.

PRDP is a six-year national government platform for an inclusive, value-chain oriented,

and climate resilient agriculture and fishery sector. It is the upscale version of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) where new innovations are introduced to address the present demand of times especially climate changes to make rural development more effective.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Siquijor province started mounting the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy (SMERA) program to micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in all six towns in the province.

The activity will bring to provincial MSMEs learning programs designed to promote entrepreneurship, improve access to credit and markets, and increase productivity and efficiency, says DTI-Siquijor provincial director Nimfa Virtucio. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DENR-8 to plant 1B fruit trees in coastal highways BY: MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas has an added mission on top of the regular National Greening Program (NGP) that began four years ago until 2016: plant a billion fruit trees more within the 40-meter no build zone limits along shorelines.

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his was revealed by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Ricardo Tomol, head of the DENR office in Southern Leyte, during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA Cable TV program Wednesday.

The Cable TV Kapihan taping at the Senior Citizens building will be aired Friday, July 18, as a special edition in addition to its weekend regular showing, to coincide with a simultaneous nationwide launching of a joint PIA-DENR advocacy project on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).

Planting trees, be it forest or fruit trees, has long been proven as a way to mitigate the effects of erratic climatic conditions, because they absorb carbon dioxide in the air and give off oxygen for people and

animals to breathe, aside providing shade and acting as buffer against winds and waves during bad weather.

Asked for updates on the nationwide NGP for Southern Leyte province, Tomol said that since the year 2011, they have covered more than 4,000 hectares of timberlands planted with varied species of trees in coordination with various People’s Organizations (POs).

This translates to over 2,000,000 trees grown now at three years old at a conservative estimate of 500 trees planted per hectare at 85% survival rate.

As to the billion fruit trees campaign specifically for Region 8 and implemented through former Senator Panfilo Lacson, the Presidential Adviser on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for post-Yolanda, Tomol said they had finished the survey and other

necessary paperworks and submitted those already to their central office.

The idea is to coordinate with private landowners in open spaces and lots in-between barangays and municipalities along the coastal roads, so these areas, even under coconut trees along the 40-meter limit from shorelines, can be planted with fruit trees provided by DENR but “demand-driven” by landowners on what kind of fruit trees they would like to plant, Tomol explained.

Tomol said he is just waiting for the final approval of their submitted plans so they can start to implement, if possible within the year, the Yolanda-themed fruit tree planting in the province as part of the Lacson-led initiative for the entire Region 8. (mmp, PIA8 -Southern Leyte)

TESDA grants skills training to typhoon survivors BY: ALICIA E. NICART BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 12 (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA) is now engaged in conducting skills training to some ―Yolanda‖ survivors here as part of their ―Post Yolanda Activities‖,.

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his was learned from Engineer Enrico Banario, TESDA Provincial Director over station DYES. Banario said that close to a thousand now have already completed the skills training, and in Balangiga town alone, more or less 50 Out-of-School Youths aging 18 years old and above have undergone recently, with the 15-day training in Basic Carpentry, Electrical Installation and Maintenance.

He added that after the training, the graduates were given Tool Kits which they

can make use of, as they venture further, using their acquired knowledge and skills.

For instance, they will soon be tapped to repair the damaged school buildings of Balangiga including the poultry house.

It was also reported that in February this year, 50-trainees from Salcedo town have likewise graduated from the same skills training. T his was assisted by the United Nations Development Program(UNDP) and the Eastern Samar State University(ESSU).

The Catholic Relief Service(CRC)

likewise extends a similar assistance to typhoon stricken communities, the report added. TESDA is working on a P4M budget for “Yolanda” Rehabilitation and Recovery in the southern municipalities of the province.

Engr. Banario also disclosed that these graduates from their short-term skills trainings, in Carpentry and Electrical Installations are qualified to take TESDA’s Competency Examination, which could qualify them for permanent employment in government or overseas. (PIA-Eastern Samar/aen)

SoLeyte solon downloads P14M to CHED BY: MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 14 (PIA) -- The office of Congressman Damian Mercado was able to tap financial assistance from the national government for the tertiary education needs of his constituents in the lone district of this province.

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n Friday, July 11, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 8 Director Maura Consolacion Cristobal visited this province particularly in Sogod and this city and personally distributed notices of awards and scholarship contracts to almost 2,000 student grantees.

In an interview with local media at the Saint Joseph College (SJC) HRM room shortly after the brief distribution ceremony, Cristobal said the Congressman’s initiative was on top of their regular program of

scholarship extended to qualified students who are determined to pursue and finish college schooling.

The basic difference is that under the CHED program the student-scholar must maintain an average grade of 2.5 or 85%, while that of the Congressman’s, which is under CHED’s Tulong-Dulong, a simple passing rate is all that is required, Cristobal said.

In both instances, though, the student grantee/scholar is given the chance to finish college, be it a four-year or a five-year

course, she added.

“That is why my advice to the students is to make full use of this opportunity,” Cristobal, who assumed as CHED Region 8 head only in April this year, stressed.

She also said that CHED directly coordinated with the private or public schools for the payment of tuition fees of the scholars and grantees, and the excess money, if there is any, will in turn be given by the school to the students concerned. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS Calbayog cites volunteers

7

contribution

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rescue

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 14 (PIA) – Calbayog City through Mayor Ronald Aquino gave recognition to rescue volunteers as the city marked National Disaster Consciousness Month.

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n a news release penned by Aimee Catalan, it said that the city highlighted the recognition of individuals and groups who, without reservation, volunteered themselves in the city’s quick response after Yolanda’s devastation in Tacloban on November 8, 2013 and lately, in Binaliw, Calbayog on June 26, 2014.

In a simple ceremony held Tuesday, Aquino distributed certificates of recognition to the barangay rescue volunteers called

SALVAR (Saving lives by volunteers and active rescuers) for their valuable and untiring support to the City Government of Calbayog through City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

SALVAR is known to be ever ready to respond in the rescue, search and relief operations of the city during calamities and disasters.

CDRRM head Mr. Estanislao D. Cortado, in his message, stressed that it is

everyone’s responsibility to lessen the impact of a hazard or any disaster, and minimize the loss of lives.

On the early morning of June 26 a tornado hit Binaliw (a village located 20 kilometers from the city), and destroyed 92 houses, and left eight injured and 501 residents homeless.

The funnel-shaped whirling wind also wrecked eight motorized and three non-motorized “bancas”. (PIA 8-Samar with Aimee Catalan- Calbayog City)

TB free Philippines draws Samar guv‘s support BY: NINFA ILUMINDA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 11 (PIA) - TB free Philippines has drawn the support of Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan.

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uring the organization of the Multi -Sectoral Partnership to Achieve Control of TB (IMPACT), Tan signed a commitment for the total support to eradicate TB in the province including budget support.

She also pledged to strengthen TB treatment delivery mechanism and ensure access to TB treatment of disadvantaged groups.

In addition, as the local chief executive, the governor promised to improve the compliance of provincial district hospitals to Philippine Plan of Action for TB (PhilPact) standards and TB Directly Observed Treatment Short Course(DOTS) and treatment

protocol.

TB DOTS embarks on partnership where the patient is supervised by a partner as he takes the drugs; this process ensures that the patient continuously takes the drugs until completion.

Governor Tan also vowed to provide supportive policies and financing support.

As to innovations, Tan plans to give incentives to health workers who tracked down tab cases and successfully effected treatment.

To ensure that school children are also TB free, Tan vowed to sponsor the TB test known as purified protein derivative (PPD) test for some 10 thousand

school children who are reportedly malnourished.

Just this summer, Tan also sponsored the X-ray tests of teachers in the division.

While the provincial health office reported that only some 315 TB cases were reported in 2013, it does not mean that they are the only cases, tracking them also proves challenging, said health authorities.

Other challenges plaguing the TB control program in Samar include inadequate number of trained treatment partners, poor logistics management for TB control, health facilities without proper sputum collection area and many more.(PIA 8-Samar/ nbq)

Southern Leyte PDRRMC braces for El Nino phenomenon BY: ERNA S. GORNE MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 10 (PIA) - As the council members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) met on its quarterly meeting, preparations were tackled to counter the adverse effects of the El Nino phenomenon from June 2014 until the first quarter of 2015, to include emergencies and calamities situations as well.

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mong the preparations agreed upon by the council were the prepositioning of food, fuel, listing of equipments needed in rescue operations, among others which should be made ready this early, PDRRMC Chair Governor Roger Mercado noted.

PDRRMC Chair Mercado also ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) to draft and facilitate for the memorandum of agreements with local groceries and pharmacy stores and gasoline stations where these prime commodities can be readily be withdrawn to be able to respond immediately to the victim-people.

“All primary commodities and fuels

must be readily available and can be immediately withdrawn and served to the people stricken in times of emergencies and calamities,” Governor Mercado noted.

PAG-ASA OIC Administrator Aldrin Kaindoy in his presentation of the El Nino phenomenon said that Southern Leyte must prepare for possible infectious diseases brought about by the air quality building up along the region, according to an ENSO experiment.

Provincial Health Officer (Technical) Dr. John Matibag asked for the prepositioning of medicines to immediately respond to diseases such as dengue fever cases, among other diseases expected to mount during El Nino phenomeon in the

province.

During the regular meeting, PDRRMC also moved for a resolution for the purchase of handheld radio communication equipments that could connect the PDRRMC to practically all the municipalities, barangays, police stations across the province in the event of loss of electric power due to calamities.

This followed after the brief presentation of Scan Company.

PDRRMO Provincial Head Danilo Atienza also wanted to put every plans, preparations in place during peacetime, that is before any occurrence of an emergency or calamity in the province, he added. (esg/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.

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

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