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CENTRAL VISAYAS
DTI hands in P446K facility for Cabilao 'bayong' project Rey Anthony H. Chiu CABILAO ISLAND, Loon, June 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) funds handed in some P446,885.75 worth of equipment to improve the romblon mat weavers of Cabilao and their craftsmanship in weaving for more viable market.
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he facility is housed at the Cabilao Romblon Weavers' Network (CROWN) Products Display Center in Pantudlan near the Baluarte and is top-billed by a furnace type batch active dryer, a wood fired industrial brick stove and a 50 kg tank gas stove all for shortening the drying time for the stripped romblon (screw pine palm) leaves. The facility, with CROWN as the cooperator can be used by member weavers who can also avail of dyeing equipment like cooking vats, basic scales, precision balance scale, assorted dyeing receptacles, beakers, steel tongs and thermometers. DTI-7 regional director Aster Caberte said she has come back to finally respond to the clamor of the weavers to make their product better and more competitive in the opening
ASEAN markets. This, she said is where everyone can enjoy in the development, Caberte announced, meaning the government's agenda for inclusive growth. The SSF in Cabilao is in line with DTI's ‗Big Push‘ that aims to make microenterprises efficient and help the government achieve the country's development plans and ease poverty thus attain the elusive inclusive growth, Caberte added. Already impressed by the romblon mat-based woven bags (bayong) which sells mostly to tourists in the dive island of Cabilao, Caberte noted that with a little product development, Cabilao bayong is a fruit ready for the taking. She noted that the SSF still needs to be complemented by some more equipment for a far
more efficient production. "There is a huge market for our product out there," Caberte said as she engages them to make the SSF work like it is not just livelihood, but business as well. Meanwhile, Congressman Rene Relampagos, who along with governor Edgar Chatto's representative Isabelito Tongco and Loon local officials, hinted their support to the facility, with the solon even hinting additional fund support to prop up CROWN's capital. This is also the next aim of CROWN president Leonila Mulato, who despite her overflowing appreciation for the SSF, expressed desire to be helped in financing aid to make the Cabilao bayong even more relevant to the economic struggle of the people in the island. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-/Bohol)
Tagbilaran City celebrates 49th charter day Elvira C. Bongosia TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) -- Tagbilaran City celebrated its 49th Charter Day on July 1, which will also be in preparation for its Golden Year Charter Day celebration in 2016. By virtue of Republic Act 8267, July 1 is a non-working special public holiday for the city of Tagbilaran.
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ity Mayor John Geesnell ‗Baba‘ Yap delivered the much awaited ―State of the City Address‖ (SOCA), a comprehensive report of all his accomplishments at the Bohol Cultural Center. It was his second SOCA amid accomplishments topped by City Hall‘s high collection of taxes and the impressive massive improvement of city roads. In tomorrow‘s event, the city government will be giving awards to outstanding Tagbilaranons who have contributed to the
growth and progress of the city. Awarded were the outstanding city hall officials and personnel who, per evaluation of their performances, have excelled in terms of efficiency and dedication. The 49th Charter Day celebration started last Saturday with the holding of a Job Fair at Galleria Luisa where 8 overseas and 18 local companies recruited city residents to various jobs here and abroad. On June 29, the Visayas Health of USAID,
IMAP, PAMET and the City Health Office conducted the first ever Family Health Day at the ICM Activity Center wherein free medical services such as blood typing, pre-natal, and ultrasound tests were given to pregnant women in the city. There was also a Buntis Congress, Father's interactive games, Adolescent Youth Health Development Program and the First Gandang Buntis beauty pageant in Bohol. (mbcn/ecb/ PIA7-Bohol)
Bohol irrigation group among country's best Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) -- A Boholano irrigation association (IA) cooperative came out as one of the country's three most outstanding IAs in the National Irrigation System category.
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t the recently concluded three-day National Irrigation Authority (NIA) 52nd Anniversary Celebration June 22-24, San D Mil Irrigators' Association Inc. came out strong again following a less -than-stellar performance in 2013-2014 calendar year. San D Mil IA of Malinao Irrigation System in Pilar service area is now again recognized as among the best, an honor it held in the last three consecutive years. "This is the third consecutive year that San D Mil received the award despite dropping a spot after finishing first runner up last CY 2013 and 2014," according to NIA Regional Director Mario H. Sande. The association headed by Tereso Cruda
proved that such distinction doesn't need a vast service area. "It is a huge distinction for us, a small irrigation association like San D Mil because we proved it is not about the size of the catchment area," confessed Sande. Bohol winning IA toppled down other irrigation association giants like Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS) and NIA Region 12 nominees, according to NIA 7 sources. With a service area of 124.4 hectares and a 117 registered members, this association is one of the smallest in terms of area in this category, the NIA source pointed out. "But, we posted a high and stable collection
efficiency and with a well-disciplined operation and maintenance system, we made it as one of the country's best," NIA shared during the Associ ati on of Un it ed Devel op men t information Officers (AUDIO) Meeting, Thursday at the Reyna's Garden and haven in Tagbilaran City. Also making it to national recognition are Ligaya IA of Magat River Irrigation System (MARIIS) and Lower Tiparak Tambulig IA of Region 9. For the honor, Bohol's San D Mil receives P30,000 cash award and a plaque of recognition as the 2nd Most Outstanding IA. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol/with reports fromTony Alonzo-NIA/Bohol)