One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 40

Vol 5

Issue 40

In this Issue

PHL investment plan to focus on 3 priority sectors

Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- Three priority sectors will be given focus by the government in the three-year Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) 2014-2016 identified as the WESTERN VISAYAS sectors that can best sustain and catalyze further the country’s positive economic growth.

Domingo Bagaporo, director of the Investment Assistance Service of the Board of Investments (BOI), enumerated the priority sectors which are manufacturing, agribusiness, and the services during yesterday’s BOI Investment Roadshow on the IPP 2014-2016 with the theme “Industry Development for Inclusive Growth”.

Bagaporo said the IPP serves as a guide to investors PIA Dir. Gen. Mari Oquinena interacts with on what directions to take as well as an investment and students of the College of Education, West industry development tool as well as supports domestic Visayas State University on the importance and industries by way of incentives. relevance of APEC 2015. #APECIloilo IPP’s objectives are to create more jobs in strategic activities; improve access to social services; and to improve competitiveness of the nation, said

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Cebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera discussing Ten Things To Know About #‎APEC2015 during the first of the two briefings on APEC today at the Apec Activity Center at Cebu Capitol.

October 5 - 11, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Bagaporo.

IPP was developed in consultation with the private sector and government agencies coupled with research and peer review.

Bagaporo said there is also a need to encourage investments that improve our country’s competitiveness especially in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and research and development.

Among the incentives of the BOI for companies that are registered with the agency are income tax holiday and duty exemption on imported capital equipment, spare parts and accessories.

Cebuano businessman Enrison Benedicto, chief executive officer of the Mabuhay Filcement Corp., also gave a testimony on how his company reaped the benefits of being a BOI-registered firm.

He urged investors to take advantage of the BOI incentives and register with the agency as “incentives are probably the lifeline of our existence as investors.” (rmn/ fcr/PIA7)

Old peso bills until December 2015 only CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 7 (PIA) – The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tacloban Branch has reminded the public of the continuing demonetization process of old banknotes which started January 1, 2015 until December 31, this year.

This means that within this period the old bank notes known as the New Design Series (NDS) can still be used alongside with the New Generation Currency (NGC) banknotes for day to day transactions to pay for goods and services while the process is still ongoing, BSP Tacloban branch head Ludivina M. Realina said during the Panginsayod ha PIA held Tuesday.

Demonetization, as defined by BSP, is the process of removing the monetary value of a legal tender currency by the issuing authority.

In an answer to the query why do we need to demonetize, Realino clarified that this is to safeguard the integrity of the Philippine banknotes especially that the new

peso bills known as the new generation currency has updated security features.

Thus, BSP is encouraging the public to use the old banknotes in their possession within this period or exchange them at the BSP cash department office because old banknotes will fully lose its monetary value.

Realina further said that from January 1, 2016 until December 31, 2016, old banknotes can no longer be used in day to day transactions but can be exchanged at face value, free of charge, at the Cash Department of the BSP’s regional office or at any BSP authorized agent bank. Instead of the old peso bills, the NGC banknotes will be the banknote series that will be used starting January 2017.

The move is to align with the practice of other central banks around the world which change the design of their currency that has been in circulation for over 10 years. In our country, the old banknotes have been in circulation since 1985 or over 29 years. (ajc/PIA-8)

Iloilo Plan of Action targets farmers, fisher folks More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Regional Statistics Committee vice-chair and PSA interim regional director Raul Dones (left, on stage) delivered his opening remarks during the 26th National Statistics Month (NSM) at Robinsons Place, Tacloban City, October 1.

(Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Oct. 6 (PIA6) --- The Iloilo Plan of Action on Food Security and the Blue Economy will help push the interest of small-scale farmers and fisher folks in the Asia Pacific economies.

Food security and fishery leaders and policy-makers from Asia Pacific economies have formally adopted the Iloilo Plan of Action after the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy (HLPDFSBE) held October 4 to 5 at the Iloilo Convention Center here.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Co-Chair of the HLPDFSBE, said that instructions from the Philippine President mandated to push not just the interests of small and medium enterprises but also the more numerous micro-enterprises.

“These include the small farmers, fishers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, reflecting the objective of fostering all-inclusive growth,” he said.

The Iloilo Plan of Action consists of three pillars: 1) blue economy towards sustainable food supply chains for food security, 2) fish loss reduction for increased fish production, and 3) agribusiness development for food security and inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Asis Perez said that the Plan of Action will be significant to the productivity of coastal communities particularly the indigenous communities.

“One important element in the recommendations is

to have a resilient ocean, coastal resources and ecosystems and sustainable aquaculture. Sustainable ocean is a prerequisite to sustainable production,” he said.

He said that the discussion on fish loss reduction will also help advance the interest of small stakeholders.

He said about 35 percent of what fisher folks produce are wasted and if this element is pushed forward, there will be a fish loss reduction by 35 percent.

He also stressed the importance of connectivity or enabling fishers to directly deal with the market as an important element in the plan of action He added that access on the part of the small fishers to the upper level of the value chain can immensely benefit this sector. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Co-Chair of the APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Blue Economy (HLPDFSBE) discusses to members of the media the benefits of the Iloilo Action Plan to the agriculture sector during a press conference held Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Iloilo Convention Center. Also in the photo is DENR Secretary Ramon Paje. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

2

WESTERN VISAYAS

PDEA seeks inclusion of drug education in school curriculum

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA6) - For the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency-6 (PDEA) symposia on the dangers of illegal drugs in schools can be taxing and irregular and not enough.

P

DEA-6 Director Paul Ledesma said that the best way to educate the youth about illegal drugs is to include it in the school curriculum.

“This is a suggestion which we hope the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education can consider this,” Ledesma said.

Ledesma added that the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 mandates that instruction on drug abuse prevention and control shall be integrated in the elementary,

secondary and tertiary curricula of all public and private schools, whether general, technical, vocational or agro-industrial as well as in non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems.

The curriculum, as provided, shall include among others, adverse effects of the abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on the person, the family, the school and the community, and preventive measures against drug abuse. Further, the curriculum shoud also include health, socio-cultural, psychological

and economic dimensions and implications of the drug problem.

Interventions for the drug dependent, as well as social services available for treatment shall likewise be included.

Important also, according to PDEA, is the provision of misconceptions about the use of dangerous drugs, including medical and therapeutic use, as well as the difference between medical patients and drug dependents. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

BFAR plans 252 more fish landing centers

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Oct. 6 (PIA6) - - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has included in its 2016 development plan the construction of 252 additional community fish landing centers (CFLCs) in identified coastal communities in the country.

T

his was revealed by BFAR National Director Asis Perez during a press conference held after the closing of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Blue Economy here on October 5.

Perez said aside from the construction of the 252 CFLCs that were already included in the 2015 budget the additional 252 CFLCs were reflected in the 2016 budget.

“We are hoping that this will be approved,” said Perez.

In identifying the sites where the fish landing centers will be located, Perez said they have used certain criteria that include among others, length of coastline, fish production and incidence of poverty since the intervention is an anti-poverty measure.

“We believe using these criteria, we are able to prioritize which of the municipalities should have this particular intervention from the government,” Perez said.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the fish landing centers that have post-harvest facilities like freezers are part of the intervention of the government to ensure that the fish catch of small fisherfolks will have a better price and quality.

A BFAR report posted on its website said that each CFLC costs P2.85 million and houses post-harvest equipment and tools that will enable fisherfolks to preserve the good quality of their fish and fishery products. (JCM/LAF/ PIA6-Iloilo)

Bamboo industry gets boost with fabricated node equipment

By Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 7 (PIA6) - - The bamboo craft industry in the province is expected to provide livelihood support in the rural community following the turn-over of fabricated bamboo node equipment to identified seven People‘s Organizations.

G

overnor Rhodora Cadiao, SP Member Dante Beriog, Chair, Committee on Trade and Industry, the members of the Provincial Bamboo Development Council and the University of Antique led the turn-over ceremony for the said equipment composed of poll cutter and twin ripsaw.

The Provincial Development Council facilitated the identification of qualified bamboo node operators, where as one of the criteria they were asked to identify the uses of pole cutter and the splitting machine in their respective operations; new products that they will develop; and also identification of problems that may encounter in using the equipment.

The beneficiaries are Tigbobolo Bamboo Craft Association of Tigbobolo, Culasi;

Igbalangao-Bugasong irrigators Association, Igbalangao, Bugasong; Maasin Farmers Association, Maasin, Sibalom; Bulalacao-Calooy -Tulatula Sikap Organization, Calooy, Sibalom; Lambayaga Farmers Association, Lambayagan, Sibalom; Magdalena-Vilvar- Baladjay Farmers Association; and Ingwan-Batangan Farmers Association, Inc., Ingwan, Hamtic, Antique SP Member Dante Beriong, Chair, Committee on Trade and Industry said that the equipment will help provide employment and facilitate the development of small and medium enterprises in the rural community.

Beriong said that bamboo products are gaining ground at the local market. However this needs more exposure to also reach national and international heights.

Bamboo is one of the most economically

important non-timber forest products in the Philippines. It is an ideal substitute to wood for furniture, handicrafts, and construction material.

The government’s support to bamboo production and utilization has been increasing recently. In 2010 an Executive Order 879 created the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to provide policy and program directions for the stakeholders of the fast developing bamboo industry.

E.O. 879 also directs the use of indigenous materials for at least 25 percent of desk and other furniture requirements of public elementary and secondary schools, and to prioritize its use in furniture, fixtures and other construction requirements of government facilities. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

3

PNP chief urges Capiz cops to perform better

By Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 6 (PIA6) – Police director general Ricardo Marquez has urged policemen in the province to perform better and work harder amidst upgrading of the Philippine National Police capability to effectively carry out its mandate of protecting lives and properties.

“

We can do no less but perform better, recommit to the ideals of public service and be loyal to the badge we wear,” he said during the turnover of 16 patrol jeeps to local municipal police stations at Camp Teodorico C. Apil here last week.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Sarmiento also graced the turnover of the units to town mayors and Municipal Police Station chiefs.

The Department of Budget and Management has also earmarked about P1.4 billion for the purchase of short firearms and

assault rifles next year.

“Nowadays every police officer has a short firearm and our new recruits will be also provided with a service gun,” Marquez noted, adding that another P820 – million has been allocated for more mobile car units on top of the 1,490 patrol jeeps to various MPS. New communication facilities worth P890 -million will be also rolled out nationwide.

The PNP top official has reiterated his call before Capiz policemen that law enforcers must be visible on the streets and communities to prevent more crimes from happening.

“Our police investigators must be reaching out to complainants and witnesses to solve more crimes,” Marquez stressed.

An intensified barangay – based anti-drug operation in the province has been directed by Marquez in view of Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco’s call to combat illegal drug trade and abuse. The PNP chief has also called on local officials and the various sectors to help and collaborate with local police authorities towards the aim to build peaceful communities and strong neighborhoods. (JSC/AAL-PIA6 Capiz)

Rabies-Free Philippines in 2020 possible

By Sheila Q. Patoza KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) – Eliminating rabies in the Philippines by the year 2020 is still possible, according to the Department of Health.

“

Rabies free status is possible and really can happen because of the existence of rabies-free countries like Western Europe, Canada, USA, Japan, Australia and Pacific Island Region, but this task is very crucial and very challenging,” DOH Undersecretary Vicente Belizario, Jr. said during the Rabies-Free Dissemination Forum recently at Casa Pilar, Boracay.

The challenges of eliminating rabies points to issue that this situation is not a purely human condition but a zoonotic disease, and adopting the so-called One Health Framework/ Approach is needed and must be employed to address this issue, Belizario added.

He further said that this “one health framework” means collaboration both by the human and animal health sectors, not limited to the medical and veterinary services, but all individuals, groups and organizations involved in the control of rabies and other zoonotic

diseases.

Currently, DOH is working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government and different local government units, in partnership with the World Health Organization and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and some private animal bite clinics.

However, Belizario stresses that the involvement of other private ABCs is needed and should adopt the Post-Exposure Prophylaxis guidelines using DOH’s regimes prescribed following the WHO recommended categorization of rabies exposure.

The DOH urges medical practitioners to be more responsible in diagnosing rabies cases clinically and should confirm suspected rabies cases.

“The need for identifying more partners, bigger than the partnership the DOH has

today, must be done, everyone must inspire and persuade others in everyone’s respective locality to join in this vision,” Belizario appealed.

He also commended the Visayas islands for the collaborative efforts and good practices in the control and elimination of rabies in the span of four to five years now and the initiatives in attacking the source through massive dog vaccinations, suggesting to the health department to pick up the good practices and put into manual of operations to guide other LGUs over the Philippines accordingly.

Belizario appealed to DA and LGUs to not just continue this fight but to press it on even more vigorously to achieve this vision because there is the timeline.

“Let us all work together closely and learn from each other, onwards to a Rabies Free Philippines by the year 2020. It can be done!,”

It‘s now SDG instead of MDG

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 8 (PIA6) - - In time for the celebration of the 26th National Statistics Months, the international community transitions from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals.

I

nterim Provincial Statistics Officer Engr.

Fred Sollesta said in his keynote speech during the launching of the month-long celebration that 193 countries agreed last September 25 to the ambitious agenda of the SDG. From eight goals in the MDG which include – - Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty; Achieve universal primary education; Promote gender equality and empower women; Reduce child mortality; Improve maternal health; Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria

and other diseases; Ensure environmental sustainability; Develop a global partnership for development to ensure 17 goals in the SDG. Also, there are 169 SDG targets from 21 MDG targets, from 60 MDG indicators to more than 300 SDG indicators.

According to Sollesta, the final MDG Report found that the 15-year effort has produced the most successful anti-poverty movement in history.

The MDG report showed that since

1990, the number of people living in extreme poverty and the under-five mortality rate has declined by more than half while the proportion of undernourished people in the developing regions has fallen by almost half.

World Statistics Day on October 20 are to put emphasis that it is very hard to execute programs of the government without evidence-based policy design and planning support implementation.*(JCM/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Seminar on ICT-based rapid communication for emergency held in Siquijor Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here conducted a seminar on Rapid Communication Using ICT for Emergency to prevent, mitigate, and respond during disasters.

T

he seminar aims to inform the participants on the latest trends in the information and communications technology and how these can be used during disaster.

Movable and Deployable ICT Resource Unit or MDRU was highlighted during the seminar, which according to Jeffrey Lllanto of Central Visayas Information Sharing Network (CVISNET), was proposed and launched by Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in Japan in 2011.

Early this year, the municipality of San Remegio in Cebu became a recipient of MDRU Project through the partnership of NTT, CVISNET, and DOST 7.

Lllanto talked how the MDRU had been of great help during the disaster response and operation after Typhoon Yolanda hit San Remegio.

He said the MDRU can provide ICT services like phone services in disaster-hit areas at a low cost with guaranteed sustainability.

It can be used even during ordinary days like an

intercom, he added.

In his message, Gov. Zaldy Villa thanked DOST and PDRRMC for organizing the seminar as he urged the participants to have a proactive role in disaster risk reduction and management of the province.

PDRRMO Blezela Mae Omictin also urged the participants to listen and think on how the topic of the seminar can strengthen the DRRM policies and actions of each LGU. It highlighted the role of ICT during disaster, either on relief operation, search and rescue and simple communication to families.

During the same event, provincial science and technology director Engr. Mario de la Peña encouraged the local chief executives and local DRRMOs to adopt the technology and think of the benefits of the MDRU to their DRRM arsenal.

The seminar was attended by representatives from the different LGUs spearheaded by respective local chief executives, representatives from the academe, MDRRMOs, NGAs and NGOs.

The CVISNET Team demonstrated to the participants how the MDRU works.

According to a paper published by Japan-based NTT entitled Overview of Movable and Deployable ICT Resource Unit Architecture, “an MDRU is a transportable unit accommodating the various resources necessary to deliver ICT services. Once a disaster occurs, one or more MDRUs are promptly transported to the disaster-affected area and set up there."

Each unit rapidly forms a Wi-Fi-based local area network (LAN) in its surrounding area and starts delivering at least basic ICT services to the people in the area.

The MDRU is connected to the existing wide area network (WAN) via remaining optical fibers and/or satellite links.

Once the MDRU is connected to the WAN, it acts as a local information hub. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

School, teacher empowerment vital for better education - DepEd Amor Saludar CEBU, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- Department of Education (DepEd) - 9 Regional Director Dr. Malcom Garma said that to uplift education and achieve educational justice, there is a need to improve resources that include educators, schools, and other learning institutions.

G

arma said that educational justice is putting all the resources to improve necessity and accessibility to education to cater to the needs of all who desire to be educated.

“We should clearly examine schools as the focal place towards educational justice.

If this is where problems exist, we should intensify school-based management,” Garma stressed.

“If we want to do justice to education let's go back to school as the focal place for

education,” Garma added.

He further said there is a need to improve instructional decision making as one of the critical measures for education.

“Empower teachers to desire for relevant instruction. There should be a culture for efficiency and effectiveness ,” Garma said.

He added that good teacher, conducive learning institutions, quality learning facilities are among the factors essential to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in the education process.

Garma said that teachers should also be enhanced further. “Let us re-dignify our teachers, kailangang masaya ang guro para masaya ang estudyante,” he noted.

“If we want to achieve justice for education, we have to improve learning institutions,” Garma concluded.

Dr. Garma is in Cebu as the keynote speaker during the opening of the three-day National Literacy Conference that started on September 30. (rmn/ays/ PIA7)

Women‘s role in transpo kicks off 2nd leg of APEC Cebu meetings Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU, Oct. 9 (PIA) --- The second round of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu kicked off October 8 with a discussion on women‘s role in the transportation sector.

T

he Second APEC Women in Transportation Forum convened yesterday at Radisson Blu Hotel where a framework to increase women’s inclusion in the transportation sector was introduced.

The framework is organized around five pillars that outlines the guidance for the transportation sector to promote education; remove barriers to hiring and entrepreneurship; enhance conditions for the retention of women’s talent; advocate for the development of women leaders; and encourage safe use and access to transportation systems.

In her opening remarks, Susan Kirkland, US Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, said that research shows “women are not adequately represented in the transportation workforce, nor do they have adequate access to safe and affordable transportation.”

“Indeed, women are a critical source of economic growth and prosperity, but they must have the opportunity to contribute. And all too often that opportunity is not available,” said Kirkland.

She said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Labor Organization (ILO) estimate that women’s limited access to employment causes a loss in economic growth to the Asia-Pacific region of as much as US$47-B each year.

Women’s participation in other APEC economies is similarly low, ranging from about 6% to 34% in the best case.

Kirkland added that the transportation sector offers two avenues for economic empowerment of women: for women to work as transportation professionals and as users of transportation systems, whether they are traveling to work or running errands to support families and communities.

Transportation and Communications Sec.

Joseph Emilio Abaya, in his welcome remarks, stressed the need for a transportation sector that acknowledges the critical role women play in this sector.

He said the Philippines has started initiatives to support women in this sector, with the mainstreaming of Gender and Development (GAD) in the transportation sector and the strengthening of GAD focal points in all offices under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

These initiatives, said Abaya, paved the way for the 1st Gender and Development Transportation Summit held November 2012.

Results of the Second APEC Women in Transportation Forum will be reported during the APEC Transportation Ministers today. (rmn/ PIA7-Cebu)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

5

‗ASEAN integration‘ assures consumers of standard labels Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) --- In the onset of Asian products possibly flooding Philippine markets, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured consumers that labeling rules are among those agreed on to be followed by importers selling their products.

T

he concept of Asian integration brought about by free trade agreements between the Philippines and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would allow foreign products to enter the Philippine markets with less stringent measures.

With several Asian economies using distinct syllabary and writings in character form, products with labels as such upon entering the Philippine markets must have labels translated in English or Filipino, according to Jose Hibaya, Consumer Services Division chief of DTI. Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA in commemoration of the Consumer Welfare Month in

October, Hibaya said the monthly celebration focuses on the theme “Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community” in a bid to prepare consumers for ASEAN integration.

DTI, along with the National Consumers Affairs Council (NCAC, have set up monitoring systems to make sure that foreign products entering the Philippine markets have complied with the minimum labeling requirement.

On this, importers and distributors would be forced to include translations on their labels before their products can be allowed in the markets.

With the minimum labeling requirement, Hibaya said at least the ingredients and the nutritive

value have to be translated to help consumers come up with intelligent decisions in picking up products.

Products found to be non-compliant, would be shipped back to the country of origins, according to DTI. DTI urged consumers to inform them about any violation so their office can advise the distributors and importers so they could comply or promptly pull out the products from the market.

DTI also said that while consumer complaints are brought to them, their role as secretariat to the consumer network pushes them to take note of the complaints and refer them to the concerned agencies which needs to cater to the complaint. (rmn/rac/ PIA-7/Bohol)

PCA launches P77M cocohub industry at Balilihan's Sumad Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) handed to Balilihan a P77-M coconut processing facility as the government's gift to the town that marked its 187th Sumad Founding anniversary on September 28.

T

he facility, which will rise in Del Carmen Sur, situates Balilihan as the center of the coconut industry in the province and the Visayas, bared Roel Rosales, PCA deputy of admin operations chief.

Rosales said the facility will have virgin coconut oil, skimmed milk, coconut flour, coconut water, and vinegar as its main products.

The facility will also work on the coconut processing discards: coir from the husk, novelty items from the coconut shell and other useful by-products.

Rosales personally relayed the agency's elation at being part of Balilihan's rise through a developed coconut industry which will cater to processing

everything that can be extracted from coconuts.

The facility, while identified as hub for Visayas and Mindanao, will cater to coconut farmers from Catigbian, Antequera, Loon, Sikatuna, Corella, San Isidro, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Sevilla, and Batuan coconut farmers, their associations and small cooperative organizations.

Implemented from 2015 to 2019, the coconut hub is funded largely by PCA at P52.67-M, the Provincial Government of Bohol at P12 million, while MLGU Balilihan and coops and Bohol small coconut farmers pitched in P2 million each, according to the project brief furnished by Provincial Agriculture Office OIC Larry Pamugas.

On the same event, Rosales urged the youth to

go back and plant coconuts, replace the older coconuts to increase productivity as well as introduce intercropping it with cacao.

"We want to make Bohol the model for cacao growing in the country," Rosales said while affirming inter-cropping as best for additional income from coconuts.

He added that coconut farmers need not be poor as the industry has many allied possible incomes that can be generated.

Towns should follow Balilihan, Rosales urged, as he appealed for coconut farmers to unite and raise the industry standards and make children understand the value of relying on nature's bounty. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

PPA inaugurates new tourist passenger sea-port terminal Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) —The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) inaugurated the Tagbilaran City Tourist Port Terminal Building (PTB), the first of three major vertical infrastructures that PPA will erect at the sea gateway to the tourist island destination of Bohol.

P

ort Manager Annie Lee Manese revealed that the new PTB which can accommodate about 400 passengers would soon be complemented by a nearby PPA Administrative Building and an extension PTB which would be connected to the new building by a walkway, the second PTB designed to sit around 300 more passengers.

The new PTB which was inaugurated feature waiting lounges with stainless seats, separate rooms for arms and ballistics security inspection, breastfeeding and diaper changing rooms, separate rest rooms for male and female passengers, electrical control rooms, share a common central air-conditioning system, boat and shipping schedules, boarding status, and other comfort fixtures that allow passengers and tourists the needed comfort in a passenger terminal which alone is already a destination.

The new terminal building is a replacement of the Welcome Center, which the earthquake of 2013 destroyed, Manase said.

Along the construction process, the PPA was forced to put up a temporary modular PTB, which it used until October 2, or a year and 11 months until

the inauguration of the new building and its formal opening on October 3.

That same day, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, who attended the inauguration along with Congressman Rene Relampagos and representatives of Bohol two more congressional districts, called the day as big day for Bohol.

The governor, who admitted he was unsure of Bohol’s recovery after the earthquake, said the earthquake might have been God’s way of closing a door, but it still opened a lot of windows.

Chatto, who has lobbied for a tourism port terminal building that jibes with the new tourism port facility gateway, confessed they had to convince and justify the tourism PTB that complements Bohol.

The building of the tourism PTB would also mean additional PPA corporate funding compared to ordinary PTBs. The governor, however, described the new PTB as better than the welcome center which the PPC had to destroy to give way to the new structure.

On this, Chatto, who is among Bohol’s staunchest tourism advocates, commended PTA for

the impressive structure, which he hopes becomes a home and not just a house for PPA. But even as the PPA appears to be convinced of the necessity of the tourism-themed structure, Chatto leaked the PPA’s plan to add up more passenger lounging space with a connecting new terminal building that would be a port showcase.

"The building we are opening today is not as elegant, we have to rush this because we need it operational the soonest," Architect Epelito Arao-arao explained.

The next building would be an even better tourist showcase with VIP lounges, souvenir shops, massage nooks, stores, and pasalubong centers over the usual provisions of a tourism port, Arao-arao added.

He also said that the second PTB would have access ramps for persons with disabilities and a connecting walkway from the terminal building to the new one.

Other than the upcoming PTB, PPA is also completing, through Dakay Construction, its new port administration building, one that replaces the earthquake damaged old structure, Manase disclosed. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Voters ‗run for their votes‘ in Samar CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 8 (PIA) — Some 800 Samarnon voters heeded the call of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as they joined the ―Run for your Vote 2‖ held recently in Catbalogan City.

T

his is one of their information cum fun run efforts to hit the biometrics validation target, according to Comelec Supervisor Atty.

Maria Corazon Montallana. The lady said that they were not expecting the deluge of runners; the number of runners even exceeded the target.

Most runners were first time voters from the Samar State University who are

under the NSTP, some uniformed men and organized runners in Catbalogan.

Comelec Regional Nick Mendros with other Comelec officials were in town to give support.

Presently, the number of Samarnon voters who have “no bio” has gone down to 7.8%, Comelec told PIA in an interview. “But we wish to hit our target

which is 95% of the total number of voters” said Montallana.

Based on Comelec reports, the total number of registered voters in Samar is 474,481. Some 37, 054 have yet to report to Comelec for the needed biometrics validation. Montallana said that biometrics validation will continue until October 31, 2015 in comelec offices. (nbq/ PIA-8-Samar)

No professional fees for gov‘t doctors, says South Leyte hospitals chief Marcelo M. Pedalino ANAHAWAN, Southern Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The head of public hospitals in the province has made it clear that physicians working in hospitals managed by the provincial government should not ask for professional fees unlike their private sector counterparts.

D

r. Edmund Villa, Provincial Hospitals Chief, announced this in a speech during a ceremonial program for the 46th anniversary celebration of Anahawan District Hospital (ADH) September 30, where he was the guest, along with Dr. Carmen Garado, from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC)–Local Health Support Division (LHSD).

Villa, a former Mayor of Sogod town, said that as salaried government doctors they should not demand more than what is allowed in the Philhealth list of claims for their services.

Villa also announced that government health facilities in the province -- the main

hospital at Dongon, Maasin, at Sogod, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Pintuyan, Hinunangan, and this municipality -- have been complying with the current Philhealth policy on No Balance Billing.

Any payments due beyond the maximum allowed listed for Philhealth, especially for poor patients, the provincial government will shoulder through the P 170 Million Indigent Fund set aside for this purpose, Villa said.

He encouraged those who may have experienced being asked for professional fees in any of the seven public hospitals in the province to go forward, file complaint, so this can be duly investigated.

Meanwhile, ADH Chief Ionne

Castillones told PIA that the highlight of their 46th celebration was a massive, voluntary bloodletting in coordination with the provincial Red Cross and EVRMC. A total of 176 bags of blood were collected and these were taken from volunteer donors who were mostly teachers, cops, and employees and staff of ADH who donated blood as models, Castillones said.

Last week the Medical Mission Matters conducted a free cleft and palate operation, in which 150 patients were treated for their facial deformities, Castillones also said. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Samar DepED uses social media for senior high queries CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 7(PIA) – In keeping up with the digital era, the Department of Education Samar Division uses its social media for questions on Senior High implementation.

T

hrough its facebook account, DepED Samar Planning office features facts about Senior High, interactive maps where these schools are located, the different tracks and strands being offered, and the status of the construction of classrooms.

“Our students are into high tech gadgets, so that they can access to the fb account for information they would be shy to ask in the office.” Said the Deped official.

Parents can also use the page account to help their children.

Aside from the helpful internet site, the officials also go to advocacy campaign. One of which was guesting at

PIA’s Huruhimangraw radio program aired over MBC’s Aksyon Radyo DYMS. The Deped officials shared that in the Samar Division, out of the 24 municipalities, some 59 Senior High Schools will operate, Planning Officer Romulo Gabunpa said.

Baldwin Babon, the Information officer said, more than 10 thousand slots are available for the school opening for Samar students with additional slots for out of school who may wish to return to school.

The duo also underscored the merits of the new school curriculum, citing that the two additional years of senior high will equip learners with skills that will better prepare them for

employment, entrepreneurship, further tech voc training or college.

Babon also cited that completers of the senior high are Filipinos that are “holistically developed with 21st century skills.”

“They will be taught information, media and technology skills, learning and innovation, communication skills, life and career skills, the information officer assured. “It’s an all systems go for Samar Division,” said Babon.

On October 19-21 Samar Division will join the whole nation for the Early Registration schedule as Deped turns full implementation of the Senior High School curriculum for school year 2016-2017. (nbq/PIA-8 Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

DILG enjoins LGUs to support ADHD week celebration TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 6(PIA) — In order to increase advocacy on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Eastern Visayas encourages all local government units (LGUs) to support the observance of ADHD Awareness Week on the third week of October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.472.

I

n a press release, DILG-8 regional information officer Myles Joseph Colasito informed that Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento has issued a directive to all local chief executives encouraging them to conduct various activities related to this year’s celebration which is anchored on the theme “"ADHD: A Hidden Disability; Alamin, Unawain, Tanggapin at Mahalin".

The official also enjoined them to hang streamers and place the calendar of events in conspicuous places to generate public awareness of the activities.

“Let us use this opportunity to educate the public about ADHD and its treatments, thereby slowly eradicating the stigma associated with it," Sarmiento

said.

A patient suffering from ADHD is caused by neglect and may lead to the incidence of out-of-school youths (OSYs) and even child abuse.

A child/teenager suffering from ADHD has poor time management skills, frequently comes to school late, has difficulty in keeping his things in order, he talks excessively while classes are on-going and frequently interrupts his other classmates during recitations, often loses his things and has difficulty staying for long hours.

Studies have shown that seventy percent (70%) of juvenile offenders and forty percent (40%) of adults in correctional facilities were found to have

ADHD. DILG has intensified its advocacy campaign on this disorder because the public is not fully informed that there is a treatment available.

Misconceptions and social stigma hinders patients' access to effective medication and increases other complications, such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and anti-social disorder.

It was learned that 1,046,314 people in the Philippines were diagnosed with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a common, chronic neuro-biological disorder, affecting 3-4% of the country's population.(DILG-8/ajc/ cba/PIA-8)

Better figures mean better lives says statistics director NEIL D. LOPIDO TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 5 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here underscored on Thursday the value of statistics in policy formulation and decision-making towards an improved and better quality of life for all.

I

n his message during the 26th National Statistics Month (NSM) kick-off program in Eastern Visayas, PSA-8 interim regional director Raul Dones believes in this year’s World Statistics Day (Oct 20) theme, “Better Data, Better Lives.”

Director Dones said that crafting good policies can improve our lives by measuring the right thing through “presentation of accurate, timely, reliable and quality statistics.”

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t

manage it,” Dones said as he cited Florence Nightingale, a nurse and the first woman to be elected fellow of the statistical society in Great Britain in 1860 who used the power of statistics to support her campaign in reforming the hospital system.

Meanwhile, Dones stressed that aside from the statistics produced by PSA, they also gather data from other sectors and partners who are also providers of statistics.

“Statistics is information and information is power.

The essence of our existence as data producers is to influence our policy-makers to continuously use statistics that matters most for better public service,” Dones said.

October is declared as National Statistics Month pursuant to Proclamation No. 647 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in 1990.

This year’s NSM celebration is focused on health statistics with the theme, “Pagyamanin at gamitin ang estadistika, kalusugan para sa lahat ay abot-kamay na.” (PIA-8)

Samar voters without biometrics down to 7.81 percent CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Oct. 7(PIA) – Finally, the information to validate voter‘s registration or the so called biometrics validation campaign of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has paid off.

S

amar Provincial Election Supervisor Maria Corazon Montallana said that out of the 474, 481 registered voters in the whole province of Samar, a remaining number of 37, 054 are left without biometrics data.

The number is equivalent to 7.81% relative to the total number of Samar voters.

The lady said that the “No bio, no

boto” campaign with posters distributed in every nook and cranny of the province has helped fuel the campaign.

“But we still need the 7.8% voters to see the Comelec Offices,” Montallana appealed.

“It is their constitutional right to vote,” she added.

As to the different municipalities, it is Matuguinao town with 17.71% of voters that still need validation while

equally remote San Jose de Buan town has only 2.94% voters left without validation.

Montallana said that biometrics validation is still until October 31, 2015 but unlike before where schedule extends to 12 midnight, it will only be until 5:00 PM, this time.

She also said that filing of candidacy is scheduled from October 12-16 and also until 5:00 PM only.(nbq/PIA-8-Samar)

One Visayas e-newsletter‎is‎published‎weekly‎by‎the‎Visayas‎Regional‎Cluster‎of‎the‎Philippine‎Information‎Agency‎(PIA)‎comprising‎Region‎6,‎7‎and‎8.‎Its‎main‎editorial‎office‎is‎located‎at‎PIA‎Region‎6,‎Iloilo‎City.‎ One Visayas e-newsletter‎is‎part‎of‎the‎online‎news‎and‎information‎dissemination‎services‎of‎PIA‎and‎is‎powered‎by‎www.issuu.com.‎For‎inquiries‎and‎suggestions,‎call‎Tel.‎Nos.‎(033)‎3378719/3377301‎or‎e-mail‎piaamo6@yahoo.com.‎

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

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