One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 4 Issue 9

Vol 4

Issue 9

In this Issue

Mar. 3 - Mar. 9, 2014

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Bantayan folk grateful for President Aquino’s visit

CEBU CITY (PIA7) -- Students, fishermen, farmers, and families were grateful for the visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Bantayan Island to inspect various WESTERN VISAYAS development projects being implemented as part of rehabilitation efforts for damages from typhoon Yolanda.

The President inspected the ongoing construction of the Bantayan Public Market which was badly hit by the super typhoon as well as the 242 motorized and non-motorized bancas that were docked along the Bantayan wharf.

The boats are part of the 1,000 bancas donated by various non-government offices (NGOs) including the Gawad Kalinga-Balangay, Bangka Relief, Association of Bantayanons in America (Project Tindog Swangan), Carmen Grand launching of "Experience Western Copper Corporation, Damgo sa Kaugmaon Inc. (Back to Visayas First!" tourism campaign successfully Sea Project), and Oxfam International to be given to held Sunday, March 2 at the Iloilo Freedom fisherfolks of the island.

Grandstand. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo) The Chief Executive made history of his visit, becoming the first Philippine president to set foot on the island's 434-year history, according to Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario.

PIA Director-General Jose Mari Oquinena, whose More on Region 6, pages 2-3. mother hails from the island and is thus conversant with Bantayan's Ilonggo and Cebuano dialects, kept the crowd entertained with light banter and random audience interviews as they waited for the President's arrival.

CENTRAL VISAYAS During the visit, the President also announced the P192-M allotment for the repair of 253 school buildings in Bantayan as well as expansion of Pantawid Pamilya Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to include 400,000 families this year. He

also announced that the program beneficiaries’ children who are aged 15 to 18 years old will be included in the 4Ps.Pres. Aquino also bared his plans to make the island a tourism center by improving and establishing tourism facilities, since for each tourist arrival, "isang dagdag na trabaho" (one additional job) for the island residents.

The President’s visit to Bantayan was part of his Central Visayas trip that also took him to Cebu and Bohol to lead the commemoration of the 28th EDSA anniversary, the first time the celebration was held outside Metro Manila.

"Hindi kayo nag-iisa," he said in Bohol, echoing the famous EDSA catchword which became a password for defecting soldiers that fateful day in 1986.

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Regional Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino said that the commemoration of the 28th EDSA Anniversary in Cebu and Bantayan Island was generally peaceful and successful. (PIA-7 reports from JME/RAHC/FCC)

PNoy in Bantayan Island, Cebu. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

P-Noy orders aerial survey of Leyte farms President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, hands over the check to Bantayan LGU for Cash-for-Work Program during the Visit to the Municipality of Bantayan in Cebu at the Lantawan Boardwalk in Bantayan Wharf on Feb. 25. President Aquino also inspected the Bantayan Public Market and the motorized and non-motorized bancas donated for the livelihood of the Bantayan residents by different non-government organizations including Gawad Kalinga and the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, Inc. among others.

(Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

EASTERN VISAYAS

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU TANAUAN, Leyte, March 2 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III directed Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes to conduct an aerial survey of the affected farms in Leyte.

While in Tanauan, Leyte meeting with farmers on February 27, Secretary Alcala received a call from President Aquino directing him and PCA Administrator Euclides Forbes to conduct an aerial survey of the affected farm areas in Leyte.

The President wanted to fast track the clearing operations, especially on the felled and scattered coconut trees lying untouched all over the affected farm areas as part of the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the government.

It may be recalled that the government has earlier ordered the release of P2.8 billion for the rehabilitation of coconut farms, among the hardest hit by super typhoon Yolanda, in all affected areas.

According to PCA more than 13 million coconut trees were totally damaged in typhoon-affected areas, with Leyte accounting for the bulk.

In the province of Leyte, roughly three-quarters of coconut trees, or 9,690,991 out of 12,600,416, were totally damaged by the Nov.8 typhoon, with losses estimated at P10,042,844,650.

The PCA, meanwhile, also recommended to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to increase from 300 to 1,000 the number of chainsaws mobilized for cutting all the damaged coconut trees in order to speed up the work.

The P2.8-billion budget for rehabilitation is broken down into: P280 million for clearing operations; P1.6 billion for the procurement of fertilizers, including the administrative and the delivery cost; P500 million for the replanting program; and P500 million for intercropping income augmentation. (PIA 8)

Jobs in W. Visayas get funding boost

A member of Philippine Information Agency-8 staff (back to camera) interviews some of the recipients of a bunkhouse at Government Center, Palo Leyte. Lack of water supply was the main concern of the dwellers. (Photo by Raul S.Tiozon/PIA-8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

By: Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, March 6 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas has earmarked over P144 million this year to boost ongoing employment facilitation and livelihood programs.

DOLE 6 Director Ponciano Ligutom said more than half of the amount was set aside for the agency’s bridging programs for poor but deserving young workers through the Government Internship Program (GIP) and Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and the remaining amount for its livelihood programs.

Ligutom said GIP gets P63 million where the 18 congressional districts of the region have an allocation of P3.5 million each for the implementation of the program that gives opportunities to young workers aged 18 to 25

years old to work in government agencies’ projects and programs at the national and local levels for six months.

A total of P22.6M will go to the salaries of the 9,950 targeted beneficiaries of SPES in the region until December.

Ligutom said the remaining P58.3M will fund the different livelihood projects spearheaded by DOLE. An initial of P10 million was alloted to RAY, a convergence program between DOLE and DOST which is supported by DA and DTI to help typhoon Yolanda survivors through sustainable livelihood employment opportunities.

Ligutom said with the fund poured in the region this will definitely create demand for goods and services that will eventually create employment that will contribute to the overall thrust of the President of inculsive growth.

(JCM/LAF/PIA6)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

DOT-6 cites increased tourist arrivals, expenditures in WV Agbalo Bridge in Pontevedra, Capiz

By: Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, March 4 (PIA6) — The figures of tourist arrivals and tourist expenditures in Western Visayas for 2013, are reportedly partial data but already encouraging, according to the Department of Tourism here.

A

tty. Helen Catalbas, DOT-6 director, said in a radio interview, that the numbers will increase after all reports are consolidated.

For 2013, DOT recorded 3.322,433 arrivals, exceeding the target of 3,192,328.

Catalbas said with the increase also went the increase in tourist expenditures in the region to a staggering P74.4 billion with the province of Aklan as

the top earner at P39.1 billion, factored in by the famous Boracay island.

She added to explain that tourism spending consists of goods and services, like food, accommodation, tour and shopping, purchased or paid for by tourists.

Following Aklan among the provinces and cities in the region, are Iloilo City, with P10.2 billion in tourist receipts; Negros Occidental with P10.2 biilion; Bacolod City, P9.2 billion; Capiz, with P2 bil-

lion; and, Iloilo Province with P1.7 billion.

Rounding up the record are Guimaras with P1 billion and Antique with P315.1 million.

Catalbas said that with the launching of the regional tourism c amp a i gn “E x p er ien ce We stern Visayas First,” more tourists are expected to visit any part of the region in the days to come. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

GK to help in social preparation of city housing project By: Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, March 3 (PIA6) --- The Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc. (GK) will assist residents lead a holistic community life in the Iloilo River Plains Subdivision Phase I project in Brgy. Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo. awad Kalinga, represented by its program. follow rules set by the GK Caretaker Executive Director Jose Luis The MOA stated that GK shall create team and lead a holistic, dignified, Oquiñena, signed a Memorandum a Caretaker Team together with the city integrated, and sustainable community life. of Agreement (MOA) for the endeavor government and NHA. Before residents can transfer to the with Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Gawad Kalinga shall organize Lanit relocation site, they would have to National Housing Authority (NHA) Atty. communities into GK Kapitbahayans or undergo 12 sessions of values formation Chito Salazar and Lanit Kapitbahayan GK neighborhood associations, deliver that include love of self, being brother’s Association President Enrile Sierra. program on values formation to the ben- keeper to their own community, and love GK , a non-stock and non-profit eficiaries, implement the “Kasunduan” of God and country. foundation, is undertaking the role of approach as prescribed by the team, and The Iloilo River Plains Subdivision building communities in depressed areas mentor community leaders towards project is the biggest NHA project in Iloilo with the primary objective to become self-governance. which can accommodate some 1,000 famcatalysts in uplifting the quality of life of Under the “Kasunduan”, the residents ilies in the GK-inspired relocation site in the poor through the Gawad Kalinga in the relocation site are expected to Lanit, Jaro. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

G

Kalibo to have Double A slaughterhouse soon KALIBO, Aklan, March 3 (PIA6) -- Kalibo will have a Double A abbatoir soon with the granting to the local government by the Department of Agriculture – National Meat Inspection Service (DA-NMIS) of a P10-million grant for its construction.

P

rior to the construction of the slaughterhouse, the municipality of Kalibo needs to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DA-NMIS. For this, the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo recently held a special session to come up with an authorization for Kalibo Mayor William S. Lachica to sign the MOA together with the DA-NMIS. The construction of a Double A abbatoir had long been the dream of Kalibonhons to ensure that meat sold at

the Kalibo Public Market and consumed not only in Kalibo but in various parts of the province are fresh, safe and sanitary.

During several meetings of the Provincial Local Price Coordinating Council (PLPCC) here, the need for a standard slaughterhouse had been expressed by producers of processed meat products to ensure the safety and quality of the meat products they produce and to sell not just in Kalibo but in Boracay and other points of Western Visayas where they maintain outlets.

According to the Office of the Municipal Mayor, more or less 100 heads of livestock are slaughtered daily at the existing slaughterhouse in Estancia, Kalibo.

The P10-million fund will be used to construct a new slaughterhouse alongside the existing one.

Besides the new slaughterhouse, the municipality also sets to repair pig and cattle pens in the vicinity to be funded from a different source. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

Capiz creates rural dev’t ‘watch’ team Agbalo Bridge in Pontevedra, Capiz

by Alex A. Lumaque

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 4 (PIA6) -- A working group that will handle and oversee the implementation of Rural Development Programs of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration in the province was created by the provincial government.

T

he creation of the group, Philippine Rural Development – Provincial Program Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU), is embodied in an Executive Order No. 013 – 13 issued by Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco last year.

“Capiz PPMIU conforms to the national program design of the Department of Agriculture (DA) known as Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP). The local government unit of Capiz seeks to be responsive to the

requirements of national government thus it created the team,” said a Capiz Provincial Press Bureau (CPPB) news article.

It is led by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Antonio Asis with support staff from various provincial government departments and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

PPMIU also aims to increase the

agricultural and fishery production and incomes of farmers and fisherfolk in the province through the construction of additional farm-to-market roads, irrigation facilities and other farming-related structures.

The members of the working group had already attended various seminars in Iloilo and Cebu to further widen their knowledge and ideas about the national develop men t programs u p for implementation in the province. (JSC/ AAL-PIA6 Capiz/MB)

Negros sericulture farmers get farm tools from Japan NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 4 (PIA6) - - Negros-based sericulture farmers received tools and equipment from the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) – Nagano Chapter from Japan.

T

he turnover ceremony held at the OISCA Training Center in Bago City, was witnessed by Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. and the sericulture farmer-representatives from all over the province.

The turnover of the project was through Ryutaro Aoki, first secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

Negros Silk Producers Association President, Ranelo Alpiere said he is

thankful to sericulture farmers of Nagano, Japan for offering their used cocooning frames, rearing equipment, and weaving looms for the benefit of Negrense farmers.

Alpiere said that the tools will help them produce good quality silk and increase their production.

Meanwhile, Marañon said that he will continue to support the silk industry in the province, and

hopes for more projects for Negros Occidental for more improvement in sericulture that will help farmers in uplifting their standard of living.

The Outstanding Cocoon Producers for 2013 were also awarded during the program which was also graced by Sericulture Project Manager Shigemi Watanabe.*(JSC/EAD-PIA6/Capitol Negros Occidental)

DTI advocates consumer awareness in barangays By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, March 5 (PIA6) - - The Department of Trade and Industry brings its advocacy on consumer rights to different barangays in the province.

E

ngr. Lynna Joy Cardinal, Trade and Industry Development Specialist at the same time Information Officer of DTI Antique, said that the Information Caravan in the upland barangays of Narirong, Intigasan and Tig-alaran of Barbaza, Antique is just the first leg of consumer awareness building activities expected to come once every quarter this year.

We hope to reach out to associations or Liga ng mga Barangay in different towns to intensify our campaign on awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities, said Cardinal.

Knowing your rights and responsibilities, she said, could lead you to make better choices on your desired products and services.

She emphasized that every consumer has the right to basic needs which include food, shelter, clothing, health care, education. With this right, consumers can look forward to the availability of basic and prime commodities at affordable prices and good quality.

Other rights include Right to Safety, Information, Right to Choose, Representation, Redress, Consumer

Education and Right to a Healthy Environment.

With the right comes the responsibilities thus, the consumer has the responsibility to be critically aware of the quality, use and prices of goods and services.

A consumer has also the responsibility to know his/her rights, be socially concerned for the disadvantage groups like the senior citizen and persons with disabilities, be responsible in maintaining a clean and healthy environment and join consumer groups.

(MLG/PSM/JSC-PIA6 Antique)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Information officers undergo training on DRRM BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

Cansaga Bay Bridge in Cebu

DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) – Officers and Members of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) attended a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Framework seminar to strengthen their role as information disseminators in times of calamities and disasters.

T

he DRRM seminar was held at the Provincial Convention Hotel and was part of ANOPIO's thrust this year in reinforcing their capability in disaster risk reduction and management. It was done in cooperation with the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Oriental.

PDRRMC Executive Director Adrian Sedillo underscored the importance of the information officers in the DRRM setup.

Sedillo emphasized that the information officers of the different cities and municipalities as well as national government agencies in Negros Oriental can become partners of provincial government in communicating weather advisories and other important information down to the grassroots level of their community.

Participants were briefed on the four thematic areas of DRRM, wherein Sedillo noted that Information Officers should be involved.

The seminar also provided the

participants lectures on the concepts of Hyrdo-meteoroligical hazards, earthquake Preparedness and Overview on the Building Emergency Evacuation Plan, the Philippine DRRM System, Geologic Hazards in Negros Oriental/Risk Profile of the Province and Fire prevention and suppression.

Speakers were PAGASA provincial head Neptune Catarata, PHIVOLCS Provincial Head Jose Molas, Allen Cabaron of the Office of the Civil Defense, Ricardo Lorente of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Edith Amiscalay of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB).

With this, Sedillo hopes that local chief executives, in partnership with their information officers will initiate similar forums in DRRM as part of their preparedness measures.

He noted that the DRRM seminar for ANOPIO officers and members are “opening

doors” in bringing down this kind of activity down to local level.

“We are also hoping that our local government units will also conduct the same activity on awareness campaign as part of their preparedness so that there is constant discussion about the things on the DRRM framework and the people could easily understand (the DRRM),” Sedillo said.

Meanwhile, members and officers of ANOPIo were grateful to the PDRRMC for the DRRM Seminar. ANOPIO Vice President Geherlene Mae Rafols noted that the lectures were relevant in their job as information officers.

However, she wishes that the next training will be more in-depth and will involve them in more workshops.

“We think we will appreciate more trainings like these. Workshops are very effective training method in internalizing and learning (the topics),” Rafols said. (mbcn/RAL/ PIA7-NEGOR)

Siquijor warned on child sex tourism BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO SIQUIJOR, March 2 (PIA) — With Siquijor’s effort and great potential in the tourism industry, the threat of child sex tourism should also be considered, warned Atty. Julse G. Bacolod of the Children’s Legal Bureau in a Tourism Awareness Seminar held recently at the Siquijor Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall. tty. Bacolod in his lecture on Child destination in the Philippines, is also French, German, American, British, Wise Tourism and Child Protection known to be one of the top five areas for and Australian.

Laws said child sex tourism is a child prostitution and sex tourism in the Atty. Bacolod warned that child growing business. country. trafficking and child sex tourism is a lucrative Records show an estimated 1.2 million The Department of Tourism reported an multi-billion dollar industry that fuels avarice single male tourist arrivals every year in the average tourist arrival growth rate of 8.64% in and corruption.

Philippines.

Central Visayas from 2008 to 2012 with With this, the lawyer urged the “How many of those arrivals seek our Siquijor having the highest in terms of local government to help pursue minors for sex is not known since it is a secret percentage. efforts to protect the province from Child underground business worth millions of Foreign arrivals average growth rate of sex tourism by strengthening advocacy on dollars,” he said. the same period was 11.26% while domestic Child Protection Act or R.A. 7610 that Thousands of European, North American, arrivals was 7.15%, the report said. punishes child prostitution, Anti-Trafficking in and Australian sex tourists make the Central Visayas’ top tourism market in Persons Act or R.A. 9208, Anti-Child Philippines a destination and create a demand 2012 were Korea, Japan, USA, China, Australia, Pornography Law or R.A. 9775, and other for commercially-sexually exploited children Taiwan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, laws .

(CSEC), he said. and Canada.

Advocacy among the tourism sector, such He said that Cebu, Central Visayas’ For Siquijor, the top five nationalities that as hotels, resorts, and bar owners, is likewise premiere gateway and the prime tourist frequented the island in the same period were encouraged. (rmn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor)

A

NSO is now Philippine Statistics Authority BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA CEBU CITY, March 4 (PIA) --- The National Statistics Office (NSO), along with the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES), and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) are now known as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

N

SO-7 Regional Director Engr. Ariel Florendo said the creation of PSA is to strengthen the Philippine Statistical System, otherwise known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 through Republic Act 10625.

Florendo also explained that the merging of the four major statistical agencies will eliminate the duplication of services and to improve its public service.

The objectives of the said ACT are to rationalize and promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of statistical services; to maintain an integrated statistical system characterized by independence, objectivity and integrity so as to enhance responsiveness to the requirements of equitable national development; to promote the orderly development of a statistical system capable of providing timely, accurate and useful

data for the government and the public; and to support decentralization through the establishment of the statistical infrastructure necessary to service the statistical needs of local development planning.

Florendo said that for the meantime, they are still in the transition process of the organization and he is hoping that by December, PSA will be fully implemented.(rmn/ HFG/PIA-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

DENR-7 to inventory all islets in Central Visayas Cansaga Bay Bridge in Cebu

BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO

CEBU CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 will conduct an inventory of all islets or small islands in the four provinces in Central Visayas. he inventory will cover the officers in each community environment and plan on how to conduct or carry out the number of hectares, existing services natural resources offices, to implement such relevant activities. and facilities, number of households, activities.

Montejo bared that Paje wants to and access to water and electricity utilities and During the executive committee meeting establish a research station or a climate change other similar activities on those areas or lands, presided by the DENR official last office on those islands or islets while ensuring according to DENR 7 Regional Executive month, Montejo said that Secretary Ramon JP the protection and preservation of those areas.

Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo.

Paje issued instructions to make such inventory Paje made such directive after having Montejo directed Land Management during a Regional Directors’ meeting observed the aerial inspection on the Services Regional Technical Director Wilfredo and expanded management conference with all national greening program (NGP) plantations Lee to lead the inventory with Land Evaluation the 16 regional directors nationwide last Feb. in Cebu and Bohol in his visit to region Party chief Jimmy Panebio and the four 20.

7 after addressing the World Ecotourism provincial environment and natural resources Montejo also directed in a memorandum, Conference last week. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/ officers (PENROs) with land management the four PENROs to submit an implementation DENR7)

T

PBFI gets P831K worth of engineered-bamboo power tools BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS DAUIN, Negros Oriental, March 4 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here yesterday turned over P831,000 worth of engineered-bamboo power tools and equipment to Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. (PBFI). n a launching and turnover PBFI is a non-government organization The governor called on the local ceremony, DTI-7 Regional Director that hosts the biggest bamboo nursery for the environmental and agriculture departments Asteria Caberte said under the DTI’s entire Visayas and Mindanao with at least 47 to complement the DTI’s initiative by Shared Service Facility (SSF) program, a total of bamboo species grown in Barangay accelerating the development of the bamboo 48 processing equipment or machineries are Maayong-Tubig in the municipality of Dauin. industry. granted to enhance production capability and With the threats of global warming and “This is in response of President Benigno help expand bamboo business industry. climate change, and the growing demand for Aquino’s call for all sectors of the economy to The high-powered tools will be used eco-friendly alternative, chief of operations be part of the country’s inclusive growth and for the Integrated Bamboo Processing Center Herbie Teodoro of PBFI said the organization increase the competitiveness of the micro, which directly employs at least 20 to 25 increases its bamboo processing operation to small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” said factory workers and indirectly help 200 cater to the present need of producing the DTI official. bamboo farmers and growers in the bamboo alternative “green” structure for the calamity Dir. Caberte disclosed that DTI-7 has P36 industry located in the municipalities of Dauin, affected areas of Bohol, Leyte and Samar million available to fund SMEs in Central VisaBacong, Valencia, Zamboanaguita, Siaton, and provinces. yas.

Sibulan.

Gov. Roel Degamo through his executive She asked mayors Bentham Dela Cruz of SSF program of DTI provides processing assistance Angelo Tiongson said he Amlan, Kit Marc Adanza of Zamboanguita, and equipment which include portable cut-off saw welcomes the SSF project that would alleviate Bayawan City mayor German Saraña, who machines, hammer drills, power planer, plunge poverty in the countryside and expected to were present during the launching, to help routers, bench grinders, air compressor, generate employment and generate livelihood identify any SMEs in their respective areas to among others to improve product quality of that harmonizes the “Magdegamo Ta” program be funded under SSF. (rmn/JCT/PIA7-Negros bamboo items produce. of the province.

Oriental)

I

DSWD-7 holds ERPAT training BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO CEBU CITY, March 3 (PIA) --- Some 30 social welfare and development officers from cities and municipalities in Central Visayas were trained on Enhanced Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities recently at Golden Valley Hotel here.

T

he training was conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to strengthen the role and capacity of fathers as key partners in child survival, development, protection and participation.

The roll-out training is part of the continuing enhancement of ERPAT Manual as a result of recommendations from various stakeholders, said Rosemarie Salazar, Social Welfare Officer IV. The manual enhancement was based from a number of recommendations received by the DSWD Social Technology Bureau as a result of field visits, consultations and workshops like the project review of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s “Strengthening Government Mechanisms in Maintaining

Gender in Reproductive Health”, Population Development Strategies and Anti-Violence Against Women (VAW) programs.

It was last 2008, Salazar said, when UNFPA conducted its project review.

“It recommended the inclusion of gender sensitivity session in the manual as well as Men Opposed to VAW Everywhere specifically on the Advocacy and Social Mobilization Component, thus, strengthening men’s participation in the practice of non-violent conflict resolution, gender equality and improve performance in parenting,” Salazar said.

The enhanced manual consists of nine modules namely; Understanding Myself as a Person, Accepting Your Role as a Father, Becoming Your Wife’s Best Friend, Fathers as

Child Caregivers, Promoting Family Spirituality, Fathers as Advocate in the Prevention of Family Violence, Fathers as Advocate in Promoting a Drug-Free Home, Fathers as Advocate in the Prevention of HIV-AIDS and Fathers as Advocate in Promoting Positive Discipline.

The three-day activity taught the participants how to use the ERPAT modules to their respective beneficiaries.

“This enhancement is just a testimony that DSWD is serious in advocating ERPAT among couples,” Salazar explained.

“We would like to impart to fathers and mothers the importance of creating a nurturing, trusting and empowering relationship among them and being positive role models for their children,” she added. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/DSWD7)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

PCA intervenes to revive coco industry

Agas Agas--Agas Bridge in Southern Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE March 1 (PIA) - The Philippine Coconut Authority national office has sent additional 100 chainsaws to the existing more than 300 chainsaws of the PCA regional office and more are to be delivered within two weeks to make it a thousand. his was revealed by PCA National the coconut industry first by clearing fungus is a common insect pathogen.

Administrator Euclides G. Forbes operations.

It can decimate cultures of both rice who was in Tacloban on Aside from chainsaw, PCA is also planthoppers, leafhoppers and beetles.

Thursday. producing green muscardine fungus in Region 8 according to former regional This, he said, is in response to the preparation for the onslaught of director of PCA Edilberto Nierva depends regional office’s call for additional rhinoceros beetle. largely on coconut industry the reason chainsaw to hasten the cutting of the fallen Forbes acknowledged that despite a why the need for the immediate recovery coconut trees to avoid rhino beetles that handful of chainsaw this will not suffice for of the industry. may develop because of the situation. the more than 13 million fallen trees thus Almost 20,000 coconut farmers in Administrator Forbes said that these the need for the fungus. the region were displaced due to chainsaw will be used in the Yolanda Forbes said that the fungus will Yolanda’s devastation. (PIA with Lizbeth stricken areas to expedite the recovery of mummify the beetles. Green muscardine Ann Abella)

T

LBP farm program to benefit former rebels in Leyte BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

KANANGA, Leyte, March 2 (PIA) – Lt. Col. Nedy Espulgar, commanding officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion, commended the Land Bank Countryside Development Foundation Incorporated, saying that its program will fully benefit the former rebels in Leyte.

L

t. Col. Espulgar made the commendation after attending the follow-up workshop on “Sustainable Integrated Organic and Natural Mini Farm Program” held at Blanco Farm, So. Marag-ing, Brgy. Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte on February 28, a statement from the 19th IB stated.

Lt. Col. Espulgar was among the 81 participants of the workshop, including the 15 former rebels whom the military has

been assisting since they returned to the folds of the law.

The workshop provides opportunities to the participants to learn more on organic farming techniques especially to former rebels who had been accustomed to primitive farming methods.

It was facilitated by Mr. Gil Carandang, the country’s “Father of Organic Farming” and Land Bank Director Domingo Diaz.

According to Mr. Carandang, organic

farming will free, even small farmers from the burden of rising prices of basic commodities.

“Small farmers can even utilize their backyards in this farming method,” Mr. Carandang stressed.

On top of these, the military is hopeful that the program will last so as to benefit more, not just the farmers but also the former rebels who has long denounced the bloody armed struggle.

(PIA 8)

Health insurance privileges now available to non-members BY: ERNA S. GORNE

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 4 (PIA) - Non-Philippine Health Insurance Corporation member patients can now avail of the health insurance services, a special privilege for those affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

“

As provided for in PhilHealth Circular No. 34, series of 2013, all Eastern Visayas residents, whether PhilHealth members or not, can avail of all PhilHealth benefits in all certified health care institutions retroactive from the declaration of the state of calamity,” Southern Leyte PhilHealth Provincial Head Henry Madula disclosed.

As the strongest typhoon to ever hit any country, Super Typhoon Yolanda rendered Eastern Visayas severely devastated, hence PhilHealth would like to

assist the survivors, Madula said.

“As such, PhilHealth developed specialized privileges for those affected by the super typhoon retroactive from the declaration of the state of calamity until it is lifted up,” he said.

He said, all non-member patients shall fill up and submit the PhilHealth Membership Registration Form (PMRF) to the hospital where they are confined to be attached to the claims documents before submitting to PhilHealth.

Even those with expired membership

this year could also avail of the said privilege since claims shall be charged under the “Yolanda privileges”, he added.

Other privileges include the lifting of limited confinement or the single period of confinement which is no longer observed as long as these medical treatments are needed by the patients, he said.

Still under the “Yolanda privileges” is the spontaneous birthing are no longer limited more than 4 children, Madula said.

(PIA8 SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

Gov’t assures financial aid for Yolanda victims Agas Agas--Agas Bridge in Southern Leyte

BY: CONSUELO ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 5 (PIA) -- Nearly four months after the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas, the National Government through the Office of Civil Defense, has assured that it will continue to provide help to Yolanda victims.

O

ffice of Civil Defense Region 8 Director Rey Gozon, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said, processing of the documents have already started.

“In order to avail of the financial

assistance to be given by the government, affected families must submit all the necessary documents at their office,” Gozon said.

As of this writing, more than five hundred claimants have already filed the necessary documents at the Office of Civil Defense.

Gozon likewise said, once the documents are complete, they send it to Central Office for approval.

For every dead person, a financial assistance worth ten thousand pesos is given to the nearest kin while five thousand pesos to every injured individual.

(PIA-8)

DPWH completes P2M expansion of Calbayog District Hospital CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 6 (PIA) - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Samar First Engineering District recently completed a Php2 million worth expansion of the Calbayog District Hospital.

T

he project, said a statement from the DPWH, is under the DOH Fiscal Year 2013 Health Facilities Enhancement Program implemented by the DPWH under a Memorandum of Agreement.

The construction started in November 2013 by RV Construction and was completed after 90 days, according to the DPWH Samar 1

Engineering District.

Hospital Administrative Officer Ligaya Bedio was happy over the expansion. She said they will still deliberate whether the area will become a pediatric unit or the kitchen facility of the hospital.

DPWH said that the program of work included structure excavation, clearing and grubbing,

installation of reinforcing steel, doors and windows and electrical installation.

Assistant District Engineer Arvin Ignacio personally checked the construction to ensure that the standard specifications were met and implemented properly. (PIA 8-Samar with Levi Barnizo-IO DPWH Samar First Eng’g District)

4 PAMANA projects in Northern Samar ongoing BY: AILENE DIAZ

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, March 1 (PIA) – Four construction, concreting and improvement of road projects in Northern Samar are ongoing with funding from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) under PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) program.

A

nchored on its strategic component, Pillar III, Northern Samar is a recipient of road network projects presently amounting to P394.5 million distributed into four priority areas.

Construction of 50 linear meter Cagpanit-an bridge and 3.1 kms. roadstretch from Brgy. Cagpanit-an to Brgy. Sulong road section amounting to P195.5M (phase 1), Construction of Cagpanit-an, Mondragon to Silvino Lubos road section funded for P15M (phase 2), Concreting of Cagpanit-an, Mondragon to Silvino Lubos road section amounting to P100M (phase 3) and Concreting/ improvement/opening of Lope de Vega to Silvino Lubos road funded for P84M. As of the latest progress report

presented during the PAMANA Provincial Management (PPMT) meeting, a slippage was noted in the project implementation and the contractors explained that this is due to unworkable ground condition caused by rain-saturated ground, non-delivery of bridge and road construction materials due to damaged and impassable road and of number of weeks without ferry boat plying from Matnog to Allen, among others.

PPMT, however, prodded the contractors to finish the projects and do the job overtime to catch up with the slippage.

Accordingly, the road network projects are interventions of PAMANA in partnership with the local government unit, a government’s convergence

program and framework for reconstruction and development of conflict vulnerable areas.

As a contributory approach, it specifically aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability in conflict affected areas, improve governance and empower communities in addressing issues and conflict.

Once the project is completed, this will not only be beneficial to more than 14 thousand populace of Silvino Lubos, but to the province as a whole.

The beautiful upstream town, considered as the summer capital or little Baguio promises a prosperous future for its rich resources, verdant rain forest and magnificent natural wonders.

(PIA8-Northern Samar)

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

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

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. BaĂąares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, 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