One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 3

Vol 5

Issue 3

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevarra says the Green Technology Business Incubation Facility will bring out the R & D outputs of students and faculty members and make them useful to the Filipino people during the blessing and inauguration of the GTBI Building at the WVSU Main Campus in Lapaz district, January 21. The facility was built through the collaboration of DOST-PCIEERD-TRC, CHED and WVSU.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

January 19 – 25, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Papal visit in Leyte successful TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 19 (PIA) – “The visit of Pope Francis to Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte on January 17, 2015 was successful,” said Reverend Father Amadeo Alvero, Parish Priest of St. Isidore Parish in MacArthur, Leyte who is also the Mass Media Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Palo.

“The Papal Visit was really successful because everything went on smoothly and all activities of the Pontiff here were done, although time was shortened due to the bad weather brought about by typhoon Amang that placed Leyte under signal No. 2," he said.

“The efforts of everyone involved in the preparation of the Papal Visit here in Leyte were compensated,” Fr. Alvero further said.

He said their estimate of 100,000 pilgrims who attended the open air mass at the DZR airport spilled over to more or less 190,000 as more pilgrims were occupying the space outside the quadrants at the mass area.

When asked about the impact of the Papal Visit to the people of Leyte and even people from Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon which are near Eastern Visayas who came over to attend the historical event, Fr. Alvero said, it strengthened the spirituality of every Catholic faithful.

The visit gave new horizons and fresh hopes to the pilgrims especially to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda that hit Eastern Visayas on November 8, 2013.

The engagements of Pope Francis in his visit to Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte included an open air mass at the DZR airport at 9 o’clock in the morning; lunch with some of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda at the Archbishop’s Residence in Palo; blessing of the Pope

Francis Center for the Poor and A brief meeting with the priests, women and men religious, seminarians and families of victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Palo has expressed apologies for the tragic accident which killed a 27-year-old Kristel Padasas, who worked as a volunteer of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) based in Eastern Samar, after being struck by a scaffolding at the site of the Papal mass Saturday.

Rev. Fr. Alvero said, "we are saddened and feel very sorry for what had happened but will try our best to do what we can to help the family". (ajc/fjackson/PIA 8 Biliran)

Pope Francis takes time to get close on board the Pope Mobile to thousands of pilgrims including survivors of Typhoon “Yolanda” gathered at the DZR Airport in Tacloban, Leyte where he led an open air Mass morning of January 17. (PIA8)

Sugar law paves way for 3 major cane products

AGIO-7 Forum on Oil Price Slump. Engr. Saul Gonzales, chief of the Energy Industry Management Div. of DOE-Visayas says huge drop in oil prices in world market is not permanent and that based on past trend, oil prices slide every three years. Gonzales urged public to save instead. Beside him is Teresa Chan, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (PIA7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA6) -- The proposed Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2014 will pave the way for the growth of two other major products from sugarcane instead of just sugar alone, said Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) president, Frank Carbon.

In a PIA interview, Carbon said that the Sugarcane Act aims to develop fuel ethanol and power from biomass from sugarcane in addition to the production of sugar in Negros.

He cited that about 60-80% of the Negros Island’s livelihood and subsistence comes from sugar, and the addition of ethanol and biomass industries could lead to investments that will give more jobs to people.

The fuel ethanol and biomass will stabilize the sugar

industry because Negros will no longer rely on “1 crop, 1 product” or producing solely sugar from one crop, he said.

“The sugar industry must be preserved by strengthening it through improved productivity of farms, efficient transport and proficient milling system,” stressed Carbon.

More than 300, 000 direct and indirect laborers will be affected if the sugar industry will not be protected and preserved, he said Direct labor consists of the production of the sugar from the farm to the mill while indirect labor includes, trucking, fuel, wheel supplies, auto supplies and sack production, among others. (JCM/CBA-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Vice Gov Stephen James Tan and Carin Van der Hor of Plan International sign the MOA re protection and support for Anti-Human Trafficking, Jan. 22, at the San Francisco Hotel Catbalogan City.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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200 Canadians, American tourists to visit Negros Oriental in Winter Escapade

By Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 22 (PIA) --About 200 Filipino-Canadian tourists are expected to arrive in Negros Oriental on January 30 as participants in the 2nd “Winter Escapade: It’s More Fun in the Philippines Tour” of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This year’s tour program from Jan. 30 to Feb. 6 aims at luring Canadian and American tourists and balikbayans to visit the Philippines which include the tourism hub of Central Visayas during the cold months in the west.

In a meeting of Negros Oriental Tourism Council (NOTC), Sr. Tourism Operations Officer Myla Abellana said the new tour package targets large concentrations of Filipino snowbirds in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary in Canada.

Abellana said local officials and tourism councils of the province and Dumaguete City will join the welcome reception with the Yagyag Festival, last year’s Buglasan

Festival champion at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 30 at the airport.

This Winter Escapade initiative allows the provinces of Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu as its itinerary loop, to showcase the beauty of the islands, white sand beaches, nature’s eco-tourism, scuba diving, and offer in terms of hospitality, culture, food, arts and crafts.

This is also to promote to travelers that the Philippines is a safe place to travel.

As soon as the group arrives in Dumaguete City, they proceed to a city tour to Silliman University, Claytown Pottery, Freedom Park, Convention Center, Public Market, Cathedral Church and Belfry.

On the same day, the tourists will visit Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage, San Agustin Church in Bacong, Forest Camp in Valencia then back to Rizal Boulevard and Sidlakang Negros in Dumaguete City.

Before the tourists proceed to Siquijor Island on the following day, they will be treated with a dinner and Baile ng Bayan. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Pope visit impacts on tourism, foreign investments

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Jan. 21(PIA6) --- The successful five-day visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines can boost the tourism industry and attract more foreign investments to the country.

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n a PIA interview, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-6 Assistant Regional Director Raul Anlocotan said the papal visit provided a positive outlook for the country and reminded foreign tourists that it is good to visit here.

“It created a positive impression for the country as a major Christian destination as covered by international media and news organizations such as CNN and BBC,” he said.

He said that the pope’s visit provided exposure for the country’s economy

which can lure more foreign investors and is good for tourism.

He said that the nation was able to project itself as a peaceful country where rules particularly for the common good are definitely observed.

“Despite the huge crowd, we can be orderly and while there were thousands of people in the event, there was no chaos,” he said.

The NEDA official also said that the papal visit also paved way for the country to show the world the social progress that has been taking place here.

“It shows that the Philippines is going on the right track,” he said.

He said that the visit also provided an opportunity for people to reflect on the teachings of the Pope such as care for the poor, the sick and the needy.

The papal visit to the country from January 15–19, 2015, was the first state and pastoral visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines.

Pope Francis is the third pontiff to visit the country after Popes Paul VI and John Paul II. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

4 LGUs receive P701M for Yolanda victims By: Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 21 (PIA6) – An Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) worth P694,780,000.00 was turned over by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to Roxas City as well as Panay and Pontevedra towns last Jan. 19 at the Provincial Capitol here.

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he amount is intended for supertyphoon Yolanda victims in 2013, whose houses were partially or totally damaged houses.

DSWD 6 Protective Services Unit head Rosario Sanagustin handed a check worth P173,610,000.00 to Panay mayor Dante Bermejo while P477,600,000.00 and P43,570,000.00 ESA for Roxas City and Pontevedra, respectively, were received by concerned local government units representatives.

During the turnover, the municipality

of Pilar also received a check worth P7,000,000.00 for the Core Shelter Assistance Program bringing the total assistance to P701 million. Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco witnessed the simple turnover ceremony.

DSWD Field Office 6 Public Information Officer Ely Abucay said that the LGUs will take charge in the distribution of ESA and CSAP to identified beneficiaries in their respective localities.

“LGUs with complete documents and

supporting papers will be given their ESA or CSAP,” Abucay noted, adding that the same assistance for other municipalities are also being processed at the DSWD regional office.

DSWD requirements for payment of ESA include the validated list of those with totally and partially damaged houses duly signed by the mayor and the Local Social Welfare and Development Officer, certificates of eligibility and photocopy of valid identification cards of each individual in the list. (JCM/AAL-PIA6 Capiz)

Buenavista farmers get P2.7M for livelihood projects By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA6) — The farmers of the town of Buenavista, Guimaras has been allotted P2.7 million for their livelihood projects.

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he funding came from the Department of Agriculture -Bottom-up Budgeting (DA-BUB), where the farmers’ associations presented project proposals through the assistance of the municipal agriculture office.

Dr. Joyce Wendam, DA-BUB focal person, said that the funding is intended to help marginalized farmers uplift their economic status by enhancing their production capability.

All 36 barangays of Buenavista are set to receive livelihood projects like cattle raising, swine raising, native chicken production, duck raising and goat raising for livestock and poultry.

For high value crops, PAKBET vegetable seeds, calamansi seedlings, cashew seedlings, and banana suckers will be given.

“The beneficiaries will undergo production training on livestock and poultry and vegetable production under our Organic Agriculture Program,” Wendam said.

Meanwhile, the local government unit of Buenavista has allotted a counterpart fund of P486,000 to buy start up seeds, livestock and poultry, organic fertilizers and some farm tools.

Buenavista Mayor Eugene Reyes said that they have a mechanism for the

sustainability of the projects.

The first batch of beneficiaries of the project shall pay in kind the stocks and inputs received from their respective farmers’ associations, on a scheme of one is to one to the next in-line beneficiaries.

Reyes said the project is an opportunity for farmers to make the many idle lands in their barangays productive.

“This will also contribute to the production of organically-grown products to boost agri-tourism initiatives of Buenavista and also of Guimaras,” Reyes said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Over 7T avail DOLE‘s livelihood, emergency programs By: Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment 6 has released a total of P39,565,286.75 to 7,362 beneficiaries from the different provinces of Western Visayas through DOLE's Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP) as of December 2014.

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ILEEP aims to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers through enhance access to emergency employment and livelihood.

The program has two components the Kabuhayan or livelihood program and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) or emergency employment program. Data obtained from DOLE 6

showed that of the total amount, P28,586,066.75 was released for DILEEP Kabuhayan while the remaining P10,979,220.00 for DILEEP TUPAD. The P28,586,066.75 as indicated in the DOLE 6 data was released to finance the 43 livelihood projects of 5,015 beneficiaries where almost half or around 2,359 are from Negros Occidental.

Some 59 projects coming from the provinces of Iloilo and Antique were approved under the DILEEP TUPAD, as of

December 2014, benefiting 2,347, mostly from Iloilo.

To ensure the viability and sustainability of the DILEEP projects this year, Director Ponciano Ligutom has recently directed DOLE 6 staff to look into the quality of project proposals.

This is also to further strengthen inter -unit coordination to improve the flow of information which affects the evaluation and processing of documents, according to DOLE 6. (LAF/PIA-Iloilo

Aklan officials fete balikbayans By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 22 (PIA6) – In appreciation of their assistance in helping the province and the people during trying times, the provincial government here recently feted Aklanon balikbayans to an Ati-atihan Night, ―an evening of dining and dancing‖ in their honor.

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he affair was one of the activities conducted by the province in time with the celebration of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival.

Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, who welcomed the throng of balikbayans who trooped to the ABL Sports Complex to heed the invitation, said the holding of the activity is a way of extending to the balikbayans the Aklanons’ profound gratitude for returning to their roots to celebrate the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals” which is the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival.

She also thanked them for their help when Aklan experienced trying times.

“When Aklan needed you most, you extended your help. You came to help us when we suffered from Typhoon Yolanda”, Vice Governor Calizo said to the balikbayans, assuring them at the same time

that their help is reaching those really in need.

For his part, Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores updated the balikbayans on the current development projects in the province hand in hand with Aklan Congressman Teodorico Haresco.

He told them about the new Kalibo-Numancia Bridge undergoing construction worth P300 million, and the new terminal building and other structures being constructed at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) worth P900 million.

He also told the balikbayans that a new Kalibo circumferential road is now being constructed to pass Tigayon, Kalibo up to Makato, Aklan that will make travel time to Boracay Island convenient. “Roads from Kalibo are being widened – there is an ongoing construction of a new highway to Jawili and Bugtong-Bato, Ibajay – which is a

very scenic road”, Miraflores said. He added many projects are in the pipelines – many projects are pouring in especially in mainland Kalibo, which he said remains a growth area for Boracay Island’s needs. “The rest of the province also shares the benefits from Boracay”, he said.

Meanwhile, Aklan Congressman Teodorico Haresco appealed to the balikbayans for their help in the education and training aspects of young Aklanons so they will also get good positions at various establishments in Boracay. In his appeal to the balikbayans, Haresco said most managerial or supervisory positions at Boracay establishments are handled by non-Aklanons, and only janitorial and related positions are given to Aklanons.

“We need your help for the education of our Aklanons. We need your expertise”, Haresco told them. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Less crimes noted in Iloilo in 2014 By: Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA6) --- The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) reported that last year‘s crime volume in Iloilo province went down by 15 percent.

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n a media release, IPPO provincial director Cornelio Salinas said that the province recorded a decline in the crime volume in 2014 at 23,857 cases against 34,165 in 2013.

He said that the decrease can be attributed to the institutionalized and integrated patrol operations, checkpoints, accounting of wanted persons and loose firearms, including the arrest of people with tendency to commit atrocities.

He said that IPPO also improved its crime prevention efforts having posted 56.25 percent achievement in crime clearance

efficiency last year that exceeded the target of 42.42 percent efficiency.

The crime clearance efficiency refers to cases wherein an offender was identified and charged, according to the IPPO. The IPPO also registered an increase in the arrest of wanted persons at 626 in 2014 compared to a total of 467 arrests made in 2013.

The IPPO also seized an estimated P6 million worth of illegal drugs in various antiillegal drug operations they have conducted in 2014.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Governor Arthur

Defensor Sr. lauded the IPPO for its performance last year and vowed to extend all-out support to further strengthen their efforts in achieving a peaceful atmosphere in the province.

The governor said he will increase the assistance to be given to police for their diligent and dedicated performance of their duties and responsibilities.

He also urged the IPPO to carry on with their tasks in strengthening the fight against illegal drugs and all forms of criminality in the province. (JCM/LTP/PIA -Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

15th Ubi Festival opens today

BY Elvie C. Bongosia TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) -- The three-day Ubi Festival opened January 21 at Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran City with this year‘s festival bannering the theme: Ubi‘ng Bol-anon, Tubag sa Kagutom ug sa Nagka-usab nga Panahon‖.

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he activity kicked-off with a motorcade at 9am from the Office of th e Provincial Agriculturist grounds in Capitol Annex passing by Dao-ICM-J.A. Clarin Street-CPG North Avenue-Maria Clara-Gallares Street and passed-by at Galleria Luisa Mall, where the opening program was held from 10am til 12noon.

After the opening program at Galleria Luisa, the ribbon cutting and opening of the exhibit of Ubi followed at Plaza Rizal with Gob. Edgar Chatto and other provincial officials in attendance.

The 16 towns joining this year’s Ubi Festival are Alicia, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Carmen, Corella, Cortes, Dagohoy, Dauis, Duero, Jagna, Lila, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sevilla and Sikatuna. While barangay Dao, represents for Tagbilaran City.

The world’s favorite Ubi Kinampay and other varieties of ubi such as Baligonhon, Kabos-ok, Binato, Iniling, Tam -isan, Binaang and Gimnay can be bought at Plaza Rizal during the 3-day festival.

The Bohol Ubi Growers Association (BUGA) and the Ubi Stakeholders agreed

to fix the prices of the different variety of ubi with Kinampay sold at P60/kilo, Baligonhon at P50/kilo and the white varieties can be bought at P35/kilo.

The 3-day event also showcases other agricultural products such as banana, cassava, apale, taro, sweet potato and other endemic rootcrops.

Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry Pamugas said that the Ubi Festival has become an annual celebration of the province that promotes Ubi, stirs interest in production and the culture of the Boholanos. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

CPDRC inmates perform ‗We are all God's Children‘

By Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) --- The world renowned dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) staged a special performance for the visit of Pope Francis in the country.

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onsidering that the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines is a momentous event, the YouTube sensation CPDRC inmates made a special presentation to show how grateful the Cebuanos are for his visit.

According to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, the inmates practiced the presentation for two weeks.

They danced to the theme song of the Papal visit, “We are God’s Children."

It culminated an hour -long

presentation which started with a threeround friendly boxing showdown with an inmate and a commercial boxer. The dance presentation included CPDRC’s first You Tube hit, “Thriller” by Michael Jackson and “Gangnan Style” by Koren singer Psye.

There was also a pass and review.

Guests who were police officials from the region were impressed with the inmates performances.

“You all are so good, if only you were

that good, you would not have landed here,” joked Police Regional Office 7 Director Prudencio Banas.

The inmates follow a rehabilitative exercise called “algorithm march” which was inspired by the documentary “Shawshank Redemption.”

The dance according to them was Cebu’s contribution to the PapaL Visit considering that the province is known to be the cradle of Christianity in Asia. (rmn/ fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ages 50 and above at risk of shingles disease CEBU CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) --- Persons who are 50 years old and above are at high risk in developing shingles otherwise known as herpes zoster which is characterized by fluid-filled blisters often accompanied by debilitating pain, depending on severity.

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r. Mitzi Montebon-Chua, associate professor of the Cebu Institute of Medicine bared that according to studies, 95 percent of adults over 50 are at risk to developing shingles and around 50 percent of those that reach 85 years of age are likely to acquire the disease.

“Shingles may not be fatal but the pain can be severe and the period of recovery can take up to one month due to the low immune system of the elderly,” said Chua during a recent roundtable discussion with media that aims to hike public awareness about the disease.

The virus that caused shingles is varicella zoster virus (VCZ), the same virus that causes chickenpox, said Chua adding that transmission is airborne.

Those who have had chickenpox already has the virus in their system and this virus just “sleeps” in the nerve roots that can be reactivated later in life as shingles, said Chua.

In shingles very early stage, abnormal sensations or itching will be experienced even before the rashes or blisters occur while symptoms include rash eruption that is typically painful, then blisters and eventually crusting within seven to 10 days.

Unlike chickenpox where blisters are spread throughout, shingles is usually concentrated in one area only, said Chua who has been trained on infectious diseases at the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital.

In the Philippines, the incidence of shingles is one out of 10 cases is the leading cause of morbidity since 1989 while there are 35,306 cases reported in the country based on the 2001 data of the Philippine Health Statistics (PHS).

The same PHS data also revealed that 45 Filipinos out of 100,000 population developed shingles.

Women are more prone to men and commonly affected were the 51 to 60 age

group, said Chua citing the same PGH study.

Cases in the country further showed most were found in the thoracic area equivalent to 52.04 percent mimicking angina and second affected site is the lumbar usually mistaken as suffering from kidney stone at 23.53 percent.

Complications from shingles include hearing loss, skin infection, muscle weakness, pneumonia and visual impairment if this occurs around the eyes.

“Shingles can be a great burden for the elderly because their tolerance to pain is relatively lower. So this is not just a health issue. It also diminishes their quality of life,” explained Chua.

Chua urged high-risk individuals to be vaccinated against shingles as this helps reduce the risk of the virus reactivation which in turn can lower the risk of developing shingles.

The only vaccine available in the country was launched just last October by MSD, a tradename of Merck & Company in the US and costs around P7,500. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Cebu, Mandaue school, abandoned kids benefit from ‗Melvin Jones Week‘

By Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) --- More than a hundred public school students and abandoned kids benefited from eye refraction, feeding and empowerment activities initiated by the Cebu Lumad Lions Club (Lumads) in Mandaue and Cebu Cities.

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n line with the celebration of “Melvin Jones Week” the Lumads chose three elementary schools in Mandaue City to conduct free eye check-up or refraction.

Gaille Dejoras, project chairman for Sight for Kids, said Jones was the founder of Lions Club International and the compassion to those who are visually impaired leads the values of the club.

The project Sight for Kids chose students from Subangdaku, Ibaba-Estancia and Maguikay Elementary Schools.

Volunteer optometrists Dr. Myla Venturillo refracted 80 students in all schools and would have done more if not for time constraints.

She said it is a good thing that there are private organizations that are taking time to take care of the issue on poor eyesight among school children.

Venturillo signed the prescription for

eyeglasses for the school kids which the Lions Club will provide.

Unfortunately, some parents fail to recognize that their children have vision issues since childbirth or early years. Early treatment and management could have prevented it.

Ryan Solon, a Lumad member, said having assisted in the conduct of the project makes one think as a parent to make sure all necessary nutrients for growth and development are provided to children.

Based on the interactions he had with the school children', he said the parents were not able to have the children's eyes checked due to financial constraints.

He also learned that other than nutrition deficiencies, the unregulated use of gadgets such as cellular phones, tablets, computers and even watching television instigate eyesight problems.

On the other hand, culminating the week

is the “Youngsters Project- a Youth Empowerment” activity for a hundred children at the SOS Village in Cebu City.

Rose Diaz, project chairman, said there about a hundred abandoned and fostered children at the SOS Village that were fed and after which, the children underwent an empowerment session. “We get to learn who they are, their dreams, aspirations and taught them tips on how to balance life and reach these dreams,” Diaz said.

Cebu Lumad Lions have in lined for this year, several activities with the public sector for various services benefiting children, women and others. Melvin Jones week is celebrated every January commemorating the birthday of Jones, January 13, 1879.

The Lions adapted Jones code of service, “"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else”. (rmn/fcc/PIA7 -Cebu)

Public advised to save amid oil price slump

By Amor Y. Saludar Central Visayas, Jan. 21 (PIA) ---- The Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) advised the public to use the advantage of the present oil price slump.

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n a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) forum, Engr. Saul Gonzales Chief of the Energy Industry Management Division of the Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas appealed to the public to use this opportunity of the price slump to save any possible resources as this is not permanent.

“The drop of petroleum is not permanent, start saving.” Gonzales said.

Seen as one factor that can contribute

for the public to save resources is the P 1 reduce in public utility vehicles’ fare.

Gonzales added that although at present the impact and advantage seen in the oil price drop is in the ordinary citizens’ transport fare, still this is seems to be a big factor for the public to save.

Meanwhile Teresa Chan President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry encouraged the public not to spend their excess money on unnecessary

expenses but rather save it for amortization.

“I advise them to save instead and use it to increase their payment on amortization like housing,” Chan said.

At present as the oil price drops, the public and the commuters have benefited from the decrease in the public utility jeepney (PUJ) fares by one peso, from eight to seven pesos now. (mbcn/ays/PIA7/AGIO-7 Forum)

DTI-7: Impact of oil price slump on prime commodities not yet felt

By Fayette C. Rinen CEBU CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) --- As oil prices continue to slide, some sectors anticipate a reduction in costs of prime commodities but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) bared the effect cannot be felt yet as retailers replenish their stocks only after every three months.

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TI-7 public information officer Jojie Villamor said, the pricing of prime goods in the market is based on previous rates and any effect of the continuing fall of oil prices on costs of prime goods can only be seen after retailers replenish their stocks after 90 days.

A the moment, there is a price freeze in Cebu and Bohol after the declaration of a state of calamity in both provinces in the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby and Seniang, said Villamor during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) that tackled the topic on the oil price slump and its impact to the

business and power sectors.

“The price freeze is in effect for 60 days,” said Villamor adding that in Cebu it would end by the second week of February.

Villamor said after the end of three months, we would see if the oil price crash would have any significant effect on prices of prime commodities.

Though Villamor said there is a direct effect because of lowered transport cost, she clarified that there is no official statement yet from their head office with regards to the oil price slump and its direct impact on costs of basic commodities.

President of the Cebu Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Teresa Chan, in the same forum agreed that retailers only restock their goods after three months. She added there is a direct effect between the continuing reduction of oil prices and the prices of prime commodities because of lowered transport cost.

“But transport cost in the overall pricing of the product differs on the kind of product,” said Chan.

Chan said she would take up the plummeting oil prices in their next CCCI meeting adding that she would appeal to member-retailers to pass on savings generated by the huge oil price reduction to the end-consumers. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

PNoy‘s supplemental feeding benefits 1,600 kids MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Pnoy‘s Supplemental Feeding Program allocated funds to benefit at least 1,600 day care children throughout Maasin City.

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continuing program of the Aquino administration, the supplemental feeding will feed 120 days starting on the 1st week of January 2015, City Social Welfare Focal Person Fe Nida Sy informed.

“Around P10.00 per day is allocated for every day care child per day for 1 meal. There are 72 Day Care Centers throughout Maasin City with a Day Care Worker each center, she added.

A one kilo rice for every 10 children is also allocated for every feeding, Sy reported further.

The menu for the feeding is prepared by the DSWD Regional Office 8 basing on the availability of the products here in the locality.

“The parents of the day care children will be the one to prepare the food on a scheduled basis, while the parents will also handle the cooking materials as their counterpart, Sy said.

It was learned that DSWD-8 also supplied cooking materials during the start of the supplemental feeding such as frying pans, cooking pots, glasses, spoons and forks to each day care center.

As of this writing, goods such as vegetables, macaroni, fish, meats, chicken, eggs, “tanghon” and “bihon”, to name a few, that were delivered by the supplier starting last week were already taken by each day care worker of the barangays in the locality.

The Pnoy supplemental feeding was a separate feeding aside from the regular feeding conducted yearly by LGU-Maasin City to malnourished children identified by the City Health Units 1, 2 and 3, Sy informed. (ajc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

P11M DOLE livelihood projects granted in SoLeyte TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 21 (PIA) – More than P11 million worth of livelihood projects under the Yolanda Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Program (YRRP) was released Monday by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 8 at St. Bernard, Southern, Leyte.

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OLE-8 Regional Director Elias A. Cayanong said that the livelihood grants are concrete proof that the government is making great strides to achieve inclusive growth.

“We understand that this isn’t a silver bullet that will magically pull everyone out of extreme poverty but it’s an important part of putting very poor people on that pathway,” Cayanong said.

I n c l u d e d i n t h e P11,253,291.00 funding proposals are ten (10) livelihood projects to benefit 969

displaced skilled and semi-skilled workers in the informal sector.

These livelihood projects are the following: St. Bernard diversified livelihood projects worth P1,152,161.00; diversified livelihood projects of Abante Magatas worth P1,140,000.00; diversified livelihood projects for Brgy. Hinabian worth P996,000.00; Sulong Sug-angon worth P708,180.00; TulongPangkabuhayan para sa Brgy. Hindag-an amounting to P1,256,950.00; Kalambuansa Brgy. San Isidro worth P1,440,000.00; diversified

livelihood projects of Brgy. Atuyan worth P960,000.00; diversified livelihood projects of Brgy. Asuncion worth P1,260,000.00; diversified livelihood projects of Brgy.

Lipanto worth P996,000.00 and diversified livelihood projects of Brgy.Mahayahay worth P1,344,000.00.

The DOLE’s livelihood program is aimed at targeting the poorest people in the country, giving them opportunities to improve their lives, to meet their basic needs, and break free from the cycle of poverty. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Gov't takes care of Catbalogan landslide victims CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 19 (PIA) - Government agencies are taking care of the landslide victims in Catbalogan.

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uring the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council meeting on January 15, provincial social welfare and development officer Luz Tacal said that DSWD asst. regional director Restituto Macuto personally gave the 22 families P10,000 each.

Reynaldo Guevarra, a Person with Disability (PWD) confirmed this information, as he tends to his mini store inside the evacuation center at the Samar Provincial Gym today.

Samar governor Sharee Ann Tan in a meeting on January 6 also promised to give P5,000.00 each to the families whose

houses were totally damaged by the landslide.

It will be recalled that as Typhoon Seniang poured torrential rains, part of the mountain slopes of Barangay Mercedes collapsed to the highway, buried a passing van, and some houses built in the slope and on the bayside in the morning of December 30, 2014.

Presently, the evacuees are temporarily housed at the provincial gym where their food is supplied by the city government and the IOM-an international non-government organization.

It was also learned that their dead were given funeral services shouldered by the provincial government and the city government of Catbalogan City.

The two LGUs also plan to build bunkhouses for 100 families (the 22 at the gym included) in Barangay Payao, Catbalogan City where Catbalogan LGU will fund P 1 M, while the Samar LGU will supplement the fund requirement, the families will stay in the bunkhouses while the local governments are looking for permanent relocation sites. (vrc/nbq/ PIA8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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DOST-SoLeyte releases P400,000 to empower 6 poor communities MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology Provincial Office initially released P400, 000 financial assistance aimed to empower six poorest of the poor communities in the province for 2014.

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ccording to DOST- Southern Leyte Dr. Dominador Clavejo, the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology Program (CESTP) financial assistance was turned over to the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)- Bontoc Campus in the management of said program.

Clavejo reported that SLSU -Bontoc will facilitate in the identification six sets of community beneficiaries within the municipality of Bontoc, this

province.

The program further aims to create livelihood opportunities and other science and technology based projects to the soon identified poor communities, it was learned.

That each community will be assisted in the identification of their needs particularly on those projects that are doable in their areas such as the presence of materials and could be processed further such as food processing, among

others.

It was learned further that the municipality of Bontoc was the only beneficiary for the province for 2014.

For the year 2015, the provincial DOST is looking forward to finding another municipality in the province that will host the implementation of the mentioned community empowerment thru science and technology. (ajc/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

I respect 'let down' sentiments, Pope Francis tells Yolanda victims TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- Pope Francis, who braved signal number two typhoon Amang when he came here Saturday, has put his shoes on the victims and survivors of typhoon Yolanda, claiming their feelings at their lowest moments as his own, too.

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ut he was firm and courageous, his words inspiring, as he encouraged the pilgrims to keep on with their faith.

He offered understanding, and shared the endless love of God to them in spite of what had happened. He comforted them on the healing power of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary, both of whom will “never let you down.”

“I’d like to tell you something close to my heart. When I saw from Rome that catastrophe I had to be here. And on those very days I decided to come here. I am here to be with you – a little bit late, but I’m here. I have come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. And he never lets us down”.

“Father, you might say to me, I was let down because I have lost so many things, my house, my livelihood. It’s true if you say that and I respect those sentiments,” Pope Francis said in Spanish, interpreted by his close aide, at the DZR airport where Police estimated a crowd of

200,000 drenched and chilled with rains since dawn.

“So many of you have lost everything.

I don’t know what to say to you. But the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you have lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent and walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord – why Lord?

“And to each of you, to your heart, Christ responds with His heart from the cross. I have no more words for you. Let us look to Christ. He is the Lord. He understands us because he underwent all the trials that we, that you, have experienced,” Francis said, pointing his finger to the cross as he uttered those lines.

Pope Francis spoke spontaneously for fifteen minutes, without reading a prepared statement, voicing out what he had in his mind and heart as if speaking directly and intimately to a person.

The eyes of many in the audience were wet with tears, not just wet from

rains, as he talked.

The Pope told the crowd that “we also have many brothers who in this moment of catastrophe came to help. And we too, because of this, we feel more like brothers and sisters because we helped each other,” the Pope said.

Pope Francis paused for a moment of silence - about one minute break from his talk - putting action on his call that everyone be silent. The 200,000 pilgrims also felt silent, eerily a deafening kind of silence.

“This is what comes from my heart.

Forgive me if I have no other words to express myself. Please know that Jesus never lets you down.

He conclude his talk by saying “know that the tenderness of Mary never lets you down. And holding onto her mantle and with the power that comes from Jesus’ love on the cross, let us move forward and walk together as brothers and sisters in the Lord,” (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

DSWD delivers relief aid to 'Amang' affected families TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas immediately released some relief assistance to thousands of families affected by typhoon Amang in the three Samar Provinces.

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ased on the latest report of the agency, more than nine thousand families which is equivalent to 32, 488 individuals were displaced by typhoon “Amang” when it passed Saturday in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

The relief assistance given to affected individuals included rice, noodles, sardines, bottled water, ready-to-eat canned goods, biscuits and other food packs.

To date, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Northern Samar has already received a total of 1,050 sacks of rice for distribution and an additional 950 sacks of rice is scheduled to be delivered.

Likewise, at least one thousand sack of rice was delivered to the Province of Samar.

Meanwhile, DSWD field Office 8 through the Quick Response Team (QRT)

has also extended assistance to 1, 220 pilgrims stranded due to the storm. Aside from providing food packs and blankets to some pilgrims, a number of them were provided transportation fare. Three of them were accommodated to stay overnight at the Institution complex.

As of this writing, typhoon Amang was downgraded to LPA and the weather condition in Eastern Visayas has improved. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

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

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Baùares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com