One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 29

Vol 5

Issue 29

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Canadian Ambassador and APEC-PPP Expert‘s Advisory Panel Co-Chair Neil Reed (R) tells media that the whole APEC event in the country is a terrific opportunity for the Philippines to position itself as a destination for foreign investments during a press conference for APEC 2015 on Infrastructure Development and Financing/Strengthening Capital Markets held in Iloilo City, July 23. With him is Executive Dir. Cossette Canilao, APEC-PPP Expert‘s Advisory Panel Co-Chair. (PIA 6/EJB)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

DFA Asec. Charles Jose explaining to participants the maritime entitlements as applied by states in the South China Sea during the Multi-Sectoral Forum on ‪West Philippine Sea held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, July 23, 2015. (PIA 7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Earthquake and fire drill simultaneously conducted at the provincial Capitol in Southern Leyte, Jul232015. It was was participated by around 325 responders of the 11 rescue teams throughout Eastern Visayas, among other local employees and spectators. (rgc)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

July 20 - 26, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

CBE to hold series of pep talks on Philippine education system Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, July 22 (PIA) --- A series of pep talks on the Philippine education system will be held here as the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) launched its I3 Series or the Imagine, Innovate, Inspire mini-seminars.

CBE Executive Director Luchi Flores said the I3 Series is designed to give the audience a view on what the Philippine education system is imagined to be in light of 21st Century Learning.

It also aims to spotlight innovative teaching practices that are changing the classroom and school scenes, said Flores.

The mini-seminars are held every Friday on the entire month of July starting on the 24th.

A special session on K to 12 for Dummies will be held

for anyone who would like to be enlightened more about the opening of the senior high school.

The series will culminate with a talk show that will feature individuals who have made giant leaps in their education journey and are now successful contributes to the Philippine society.

I3 Series will start on July 24 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Southwestern University, followed by a session on July 31 at the University of San Jose Recoletos on the same time and end on July 7 at the University of San Carlos-South.

CBE is a national non-government organization based in Cebu which focuses on education development in the Philippines.

Founded in 2001, they will be celebrating their 14th year as a coalition on August 8. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)

Rescuers are heroes - Gov. Mercado MARCELO M. PEDALINO CACAO MOUNTAIN RESORT, Maasin City, Southern Leyte, July 22 (PIA) -- As emergency responders from all over the Eastern Visayas region gathered here Monday for the opening rites of the week-long Regional Rescue Jamboree, Gov. Roger Mercado inspired them all, exhorting them as heroes.

But the exhortation came with a corresponding challenge: that the jamboree will result in evolving a crack team from Region 8 that will be sent to other countries in times of calamities, a team that is accredited by the United Nations to handle risky search and rescue operations. ―You are our heroes,‖ Gov. Mercado declared in front of more than 300 participants coming from 17 rescue units region -wide who had registered by noon to join the activity by noon.

The Governor premised his talks on an information shared earlier by Philippine Army Officer Henry Bellen, Commander of the 546th Army Engineering Battalion who said that in order to get involved in tragedies that may happen in other countries, rescue units must conform to Internal Safe Advisory Group (ISAG) standard set by the United Nations.

The Army, which has sent a team to join the rescue jamboree, is now coordinating with the Emergency Rescue Unite Foundation (ERUF) to conduct trainings for ISAG status, Bellen said.

In his inspirational message, Gov. Mercado encouraged the participants to make full use of their time learning and sharing rescue skills during the jamboree, adding that this will be a stepping stone for the UN accreditation status.

He looked forward to the day when rescuers from the region will see action in other countries, citing as example the huge tremor that hit Nepal, in which a massive search and rescue was carried out .

An urn was lit to symbolize the start of the rigorous activities ahead that included a simultaneous nationwide earthquake drill at the Capitol grounds by Wednesday, water safety and rescue, mountain rescue, air-to-ground operations, motor collision incident, and crossing a river.

Rey Gozon, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense, declared the jamboree open, while City Mayor Maloney Samaco welcomed the participants to the no-smoking city. Cong. Damian Mercado was represented by his staff Jason Calva. Provincial Board Members Aillen Estrera and Daisy Gamale Llanes attended the opening ceremony.

The participating rescue units included the Leyte Provincial Disaster Management Team, Merida Emergency Rescue Team, Isabel Rescue Unit, Alang-alang Rescue Unit, Calbayog City Rescue Team, Las Navas (Northern Samar) Emergency Rescue Unit, Palapag (Northern Samar) Response Team, Tacloban City Rescue Unit, Philippine Army, Pamo Response Team, Jaro Response Team, and a contingent from the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center.

Those who joined from the host province were the emergency response teams of Saint Bernard, Anahawan District Hospital, San Juan Response Team, Macrohon Emergency Response Team, and from the host city, Maasin City Emergency Response Team. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

More big PPP projects for Iloilo eyed Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, July 24 (PIA)—Ms. Cosette Canilao, executive director of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center said Iloilo is the recipient of three big projects.

Canilao is co-chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) PPP Experts‘ Advisory Panel joining the APEC meet in Iloilo, July 23-24.

In a press conference conducted, Canilao said soon to start, among the three, is the expansion of the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, which has already approved by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Other projects include the proposed government center in Passi City and the railway system from Iloilo City out to other towns, aimed at de-congesting the metro traffic.

Canilao said there are 13 ongoing infrastructure projects, out of the 15, which have to be completed before the term of President Aquino ends in 2016. Since PPP started as a development intervention, Canilao said there were already 221 projects completed. ―We are looking at sustainability of PPP beyond the 2016 Elections,‖ Canilao told the media.

She added that they are continuously working on capacity building of project implementers and on the passage of amendments in the Board of Investments Act, as well as pursuing pipeline projects in irrigation and other social infrastructures.

―PPP is a work in progress, evolving in a way that at the end of the Aquino administration, it will be passed on and sustained,‖ Canilao said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder, also co-chair of the PPP Experts‘ Advisory Council, said the APEC in Iloilo is a ―terrific‖ opportunity for the city to position itself as a destination for investments and tourism.

The APEC in Iloilo now focuses on ―Fostering APEC‘s Infrastructure through Long-term Investment and Capital Market Development.‖ (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Executive Director Cosette Canilao of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center enumerates various proposed PPP projects in city and the province of Iloilo during a press conference for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held Thursday, July 23, 2015, at Amigo Terrace Hotel here. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

WV responders train on rescue, management of disasters Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 24(PIA) – Selected personnel from the different local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices and other agencies in Western Visayas participated in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief training.

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he four-day event, which started July 21, is part of the activity engagements in view of the Pacific Partnership 2015 hosted by the government of the Philippines and held in Capiz.

Aside from the local DRRMO personnel are representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Army, Office of the Civil Defense, volunteers from Capiz State University and Capiz Emergency Response Team.

In particular, the DRRM personnel from the towns of Oton, Miag-ao and New Lucena,

all in Iloilo, and the provinces of Guimaras, Antique, Aklan, Negros Occidental and Capiz are in said training.

According to Western Visayas OCD Regional Director Rosario Cabrera, the disaster rescue, response and management training for DRRMOs and other partner agencies in the region aims to enhance and strengthen their capabilities in preparation for eventualities like calamities and disaster.

She said that aside from the logical support, there must be trained human resource that will be at the frontline in times of calamities. Cabrera likewise stressed that the capabilities of both the military and civilian

must be enhanced so that they can work together as one for disaster response.

Aside from the HADR, an advance water search and rescue (WASAR) training is also scheduled from July 27 to 31 for DRRM personnel in Western Visayas.

The Pacific Partnership mission in the Philippines is led by Mission Commander Captain Christopher M. Engdahl.

Part of the Pacific engagements in the Visayas leg of the mission are the medical, surgical, dental, veterinary and engineering civic action program as well as disaster preparedness, rescue and response training.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

DA urges farmers to plant hybrid rice Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. NEGROS OCC., July 23 (PIA6)-- DA Sec. Proceso Alcala is encouraging farmers nationwide to venture into hybrid rice.

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n a recent press conference here, he said hybrid rice will give farmers no less than 30 percent more income which is a great help.

Furthermore, the weather is favorable to hybrid rice planting because PAGASA projects, rains will not be as heavy as the previous years.

Too much water, he said, make hybrid rice susceptible to diseases but since rainfall

will be limited, it is advisable that they ponder on this project.

The Philippines has come up with various types of rice which is good. But it has its downside – the rice mill will constantly adjust to the characteristics of the palay, he said.

He clarified though that hybrid rice carries the good qualities of parent rice but it is not GMO or Genetically Modified Organism. The

Negros Occ. province bans GMO products, being an organic product crusader.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute and International Research are among the institutions that support the scientific aspect of the grains industry and programs like the Philippine Rice Information System and the Rice Crop that give technical knowledge and other assistance to farmers. (JCM/Lljr – PIA6)

APEC in Iloilo City opens Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, July 23 (PIA6) - - Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral today opened the workshop of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) titled ―Fostering APEC‘s Infrastructure through Long-Term Investment and Capital Market Development‖ here.

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n her message, Cabral urged participants ―to put our heads together, learn from each others‘ best practices, and also the not so good practices –learn from the experts and come up with concrete and doable solutions‖.

According to the International Monetary Fund, the Philippines‘ potential growth has risen to about 6-6.25% in 2014 aided by the success of ongoing structural reforms. This surpasses the country‘s growth trend prior to the global financial crisis and is in contrast to the declining trend in potential growth across many emerging markets. ―With increasing investment rate, there is sufficient scope for potential growth to rise further, aided by greater capital information‖, said Cabral.

In the country, according to Cabral, the DPWH is doing double time to address this very important concern and is committed to stay on track with its targets to assure efficient service delivery. ―But we cannot do this alone.

We have to engage our partners in the private sector to come in and put in the much needed resources to finance the needs of the urban as well as rural development‖, said Cabral.

She cited some completed and ongoing road projects where the government has partnered with the private sector and lending institutions. These projects include the 43.21 kilometre high standard highway network in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Also in the works are 3 more road projects with total length of 112 kilometers approved by the NEDA Board.

According to Cabral they will not veer away from their aim to decongest Metro Manila while putting the necessary infrastructure support in other progressing cities like, Iloilo City, where there is a smoother flow of traffic from its first class airport to the city. Among the priority of the department, is the upgrading of the 30,000 kilometer national road network fully by 2016 to achieve high standard highway that con-

forms with quality and internationally accepted safety standards. With DPWH receiving the second largest allocation and the largest capital outlay this year, Cabral said this shows how serious the government is to increase infrastructure spending to reach 5% of the GDP by 2016 which poses a big challenge not only to DPWH but also to the construction industry. ―These tasks of improving our land transport systems coupled with installing major flood control systems and other basic social infrastructure all over the country has made the country to grow by leaps and bounds as shown with our latest GDP and serves as driver to have sustained high economic growth and be more globally competitive,‖ said Cabral.

The two-day workshop is attended by delegates across APEC member-economies and representatives from international development institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank, among others. (JCM/ LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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APEC tackles infra financing and capital market dev‘t Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, July 22 (PIA) --- The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting slated in Iloilo City on July 23 -24 will focus on fostering APEC‘s infrastructure through long-term investment and capital market development.

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sia Pacific economies have achieved significant progress in raising their population‘s living standards but the development of infrastructure has not kept pace with this growth.

Increasing congestion of roads, power shortages, and inadequate public services now imperil hard-won economic gains for many economies in the region.

Insufficient progress in expanding infrastructure to less-developed areas has resulted in uneven growth, contributing to regional and social inequalities and threatening to mire them in the middle-income trap.

Discussions held under the auspices of the APEC Finance Ministers‘ Process (FMP) in

previous years have identified two major obstacles.

The first is the lack of a pipeline of bankable infrastructure projects in developing economies that can attract capital from institutional investors.

The second concern is the lack of appropriate financial instruments and enabling policy frameworks for pension funds and insurance firms to expand their investment in emerging market infrastructure.

By addressing these two issues, the FMP can remove major obstacles to the advancement of APEC‘s vision of sustained, balanced, and inclusive growth.

The APEC meeting in Iloilo city will seek

to identify concrete and practical initiatives to address these issues that can be progressed by the FMP in coming years as part of the Cebu Action Plan. The meeting‘s agenda include building capacity to expand the pipeline of infrastructure projects, development of capital markets, and initiatives to mobilize long-term investments.

The first APEC meeting in Iloilo City, which will be held at the Royal Garden Hall Convention Center here, is organized by the Department of Finance, in collaboration with the APEC Business Advisory Council, Asia Pacific Financial Forum, and the Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Partnership. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Pacific Partnership kicks off with various activities, engagements Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 22 (PIA) - The different humanitarian and civic engagements in Capiz in view of the Pacific Partnership 2015 in the Philippines has officially started.

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he opening ceremonies here, July 20, came after the arrival of the Unites States Naval Hospital Ship Mercy in Roxas City last July 18.

The Pacific Partnership 2015 mission in the Philippines as host country covers the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, engineering civic action program, cooperative health engagements, civil military operations and cooperative surgical engagement on board USNS Mercy.

Particularly, the medical, surgical, dental as well as veterinary services, engineering works and disaster preparedness training are the focus of this engagement.

According to Mission Commander Capt.

Christopher Engdahl, the 4-week mission in Capiz so far is their longest humanitarian and civic action stay.

Engdahl said that almost 1,000 personnel

from the United States, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand including volunteers from the different non-government organizations are joining the US Naval Hospital Ship Mercy for the Visayas-leg humanitarian and civic activities of the Pacific Partnership 2015 in the Philippines.

The annual US Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission aims to strengthen cooperation, sharing of expertise, exchange of knowledge and expertise and prepare people in the Pacific region to be responsive, resilient and a coordinated response effort in times of natural disaster.

On the other hand, Capiz Governor Victor Tanco conveyed his appreciation to the men and women of the 2015 Pacific Partnership for the valuable contribution it will bring to the Capiceños through the various socio-civic activities which will last until Aug. 1.

Tanco said that this event in the country which is hosted by the province of Capiz will provide a spark to unity, oneness and solidarity in the path top progress.

Like the Pacific Partnership that is guided by the principle of service and social responsibility, the same is also in line with his battle cry ―Labi sa Tanan ang Tawo,‖ (Above all is People) that champions the best service for the Capiceños.

Also in attendance during the opening ceremonies here were Task Force 73 Commander Rear Admiral Charlie Williams, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Commander Lt. Gen. Nicanor Vivar, Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Rosario Cabrera, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division Commander Rey Leonardo Guerrero and Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin, among others. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Antique PCSO now open Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique(PIA) -- The Philippine Charity Sweeptakes Office (PCSO) 47th branch is now open to serve the Antiquenos with its inauguration on Tuesday.

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ishop Romeo Lazo of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique officiated the holy mass and blessing of the new office while General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II and Francisco G. Joaquin,III, PCSO Board of Director cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the newest branch in the country. ―With the opening of PCSO in Antique, Rojas said, we are making the services of the agency closer to the Antiquenos,‖ Rojas also thanked the Antiquenos for the warm welcome and to the local government of

San Jose under the leadership of Mayor Rony Molina for sponsoring the office building at Tradetown, Dalipe, San Jose.

On the other hand, Board of Director Joaquin said this endeavor was made possible because of the government‘s commitment to good governance.

However, he encouraged the Antiquenos to patronize the products of PCSO such as lottery, lotto, sweeptakes, among others so as to continue to help others.

In 2010, Joaquin said, everyday PCSO has

allocated P4 million for Individual Medical Assistance Program which include, hospitalization, chemotherapy, dialysis and other medical needs with only 20 branches nationwide, now it has a budget of P18.4 million daily with already 47 branches.

The province of Antique also availed of eight ambulances for seven municipalities and for Delegate Angel Salazar Memorial Hospital.

Ma. Elma A. Gutierrez is the Branch Head – Financial Management Officer for PCSO Antique. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DTI Cebu launches Timbangan ng Bayan Project Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, July 22 (PIA) --- In the name of consumer protection, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched its "Timbangan ng Bayan" project at the Carbon Market on July 15, 2015.

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he installation of timbangan (weighing scales) with corresponding housing (cage) in public markets is in accordance to R.A. 7394 or the ―Consumer Act of the Philippines‖, which protects the interests of the consumer, promote general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry. ―The goal of the Timbangan ng Bayan Project is to ensure that consumers are protected from deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices and that they can readily check the accuracy of the weight and quantity of goods they

bought in public markets," said DTI Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro.

Cebu Province was allotted 193 units of calibrated weighing scales and steel cage housing which are distributed to the public markets of its 9 cities and 44 municipalities.

Of the 193 units, 19 scales are distributed to Cebu City, while six are already installed at the Carbon Market and others at the different satellite markets namely: Lahug Satellite Public Market (3), T. Padilla Market (2), Labangon Public Market (2), Pardo Public Market (2), Taboan

Public Market (2) and Ramos Public Market (2).

A signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DTI Cebu and local government units will be done after the distribution.

The recipient-market is advised to provide measures to protect the Timbangan ng Bayan facility from theft, misuse or abuse.

These should also be used exclusively by consumers and should be regularly calibrated and maintained to ensure the accuracy of the timbangan. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu/DTI Press Release)

Brgy. Sillon in Bantayan declared Zero–Open Defecation CEBU, July 21 (PIA) -- Another sanitation milestone yet again for the island of Bantayan after Barangay Sillion was declared Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) on July 12, 2015.

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aranggay Sillon in Bantayan has 996 households, 472 of which do not have their own toilets.

According to Sandra Borgueta, Islamic Relief Worldwide - Philippines Communications and Advocacy Officer, ZOD declaration means that despite this previous lack of sanitation facilities, the community has excreta-free open spaces, drains and water bodies and that there is use of hygienic toilets as well as the safe disposal of diapers.

Borgueta in a press statement said the process of verification usually involves a panel of sanitation and health experts among whom include the Municipal Health Officer, Rural Sanitary Inspectors, and a third party representative from INGOs in the area working with WASH. "The team visited the community unannounced and randomly sampled 10% of the total households to check if they met the ZOD criteria," she said.

According to standards set by the Department of Health (DOH), under the flagship Philippine Approach to Total Sanitation (PhATS) program of the government, a barangay is declared ZOD if no one defecates in the public spaces anymore.

Either they build their toilets or share toilets with their relatives, said Borgueta.

been working in partnership with UNICEF and local health workers to implement PhATS, an approach which was jointly developed by DoH, several non-governmental and governmental partners and UNICEF moving on from humanitarian response after one of the most devastating Typhoons - Yolanda hit the Philippines in November 2013.

As one of 12 implementing partners of UNICEF and the only partner in Cebu Province, IRW is presently carrying out the PhATS program at scale in 15 vulnerable communities including learning institutions in Bantayan and Daanbantayan, Northern Cebu.

Islamic Relief‘s Head of Mission for the Philippines, Syed Shahnawaz Ali said: ―More than just toilet constructions, the PhATS approach involves changing the way people think about sanitation.

Previously, people thought that open defecation was not a problem. But after a series of dialogues, they realized the serious health risks these practices carry. So a ZOD declaration is a big achievement because it is proof of the collective willingness of the community to improve the quality of their lives through proper sanitation practices.‖ In a 2014 survey conducted by UNICEF on behalf of the WASH Cluster immediately after "They should also practice hand washing with Typhoon Yolanda, an estimated 17.3% of households soap and water after toilet use, and properly dispose in PhATS areas (includes Eastern Samar, Samar, diaper of infants and adults," she added.

Leyte, Cebu, Capiz and Iloilo) were found to be Islamic Relief Worldwide Philippines (IRW) has practising Open Defecation with Cebu being the

highest with 42.3%.

According to the same survey, the most common reason for Open Defecation emphasizes infrastructure with almost 94% of the respondent households identifying ―not having a toilet‖ as a reason many people still practice open defecation.

DOH and several Philippine WASH Cluster partners have developed a sanitation strategy for early recovery for Yolanda (Haiyan) affected areas based on the rural sanitation strategy which was designed prior to Yolanda.

PhATS was developed to help the national government achieve the goals set forth in the Philippine Sustainable Sanitation Roadmap and the National Sustainable Sanitation Plan.

It foresees an Open Defecation free environment for all people in the country by 2016.

It builds on these national instruments envisioning the creation of an Open Defecation free environment with safe disposal of liquid and solid wastes; the promotion of health and hygiene practices; and the strengthening of the enabling environment for sanitation and hygiene through a phased and holistic approach.

IRW and UNICEF aim to empower and encourage all households to build and use their own toilet so that their communities are safe from preventable sanitation and water-related diseases while subsidies are provided to those households most in need. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu/Sandra Borgueta, IRW Philippines)

PIA NegOr, DFA to hold West PH Sea fora in Dumaguete City Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, July 21 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Negros Oriental, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will hold two separate fora on West Philippine Sea in the city on July 23.

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he first event is a Multi-Sectoral Forum on West Philippine Sea which will take place at 8:00 in the morning at Bethel Guest House.

Participants are representatives from the local government, national government agencies, business, religious, law enforcement and security, civil society, education and fisher folk and sectors in the province.

On the other hand, selected students from different schools Dumaguete City will gather at Silliman Hall inside Silliman University for a campus forum on the abovementioned topic.

This is part of the national government‘s campaign to raise the public‘s awareness on issues relating to West Philippine Sea, particularly on why the Philippine government seeks arbitration from an international tribunal, our entitlement on the disputed territory and other historical, economic and legal concerns.

DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Sec. Charles Jose will grace these fora to discuss core issues, the overarching principles that guide Philippines‘ response to the issue and the steps being undertaken by the government to address this concern.

These fora on West Philippine Sea issue are part of a series of briefings conducted by the DFA in different provinces and regions throughout the country.

Similar forums were also held in Cebu City, Palawan, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Subic, Olongapo, Laoag City, and Vigan City.

Asec. Jose will arrive in Dumaguete City on July 22 and is also scheduled to guest in different media programs as part strengthening government‘s information drive on the issue. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PCG-7: Maritime security preps in place for APEC in Cebu Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, July 21 (PIA) -- Floating assets and personnel will be deployed five days prior to the start of the first APEC meeting in Cebu as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-7) bared the maritime security preparations are all in place for the international meetings.

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CG-7 Chief of Staff Commander Weniel Azcuna said there are two strategic areas where the floating assets will be stationed which will be in Mactan Channel near the Cebu City venue and another fronting the Shangri-la Resort in Lapulapu City. ―Five days before the start of the first meeting, we will already be deploying our sea assets and personnel to ensure strict security within the areas where the delegates will be,‖ said Azcuna during the forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7).

PCG-7 leads the Maritime Security Task Unit (MSTU) for the APEC Cebu 2015 with member agencies from the Navforcen, Cebu Port Authority, MARINA-7, Philippine Port Authority

and the Regional Maritime Unit-7.

Azcuna said the MSTU member agencies have already committed its floating assets and some personnel for augmentation to strengthen maritime security including along the coastlines. ―We will also be providing security to the delegates when they go out on a tour to Bohol,‖ said Azcuna adding that a tour to Panglao is being proposed by the Department of TourismThe first APEC meeting in Cebu is set on August 22 as five days prior, a heightened alert will already be issued, said Azcuna.

The PCG-7 official also said 600 yards from the coastline in Shangri-la going out 500 yards more will be declared a ―No Sail Zone‖ starting August 17 and will end two days after the last

APEC meeting.

Maximum tolerance will also be adopted in case of sea rallies but Azcuna said the most challenging will be the weather in case of any disturbance as this will affect their floating assets in the area.

P/Supt. Marvin De Paz, station chief 701st, Maritime Police Station of the Regional Maritime Unit-7 in the same forum said they are strengthening intelligence monitoring against sectoral groups that might launch sea rallies. ―But as of now, we have not yet receive any reports of possible rallies at sea,‖ said De Paz. ―As of now, we are 95 percent ready and prepared to secure the delegates when they come to Cebu,‖ said Azcuna. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

Assisted Natural Regeneration among the INREMP Wahig strategies - DENR Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) picked a time-tested and easy forest regeneration method which is using as a strategy to implement the Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management Project (INREMP) for the Wahig-Inabanga watershed catch-basin.

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NR, in its meeting with INREMP beneficiaries, last week bared that among the interventions that they are adopting to implement is the P412 million funds from the international Food and Agriculture Development, Asian Development Bank, Global Environment Fund, and Climate Change Fund is through the adoption of more Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) sites in Wahig watershed.

"INREMP aims to address unsustainable watershed management at the Wahig Pamacsalan areas and hopes to reduce and reverse watershed degradation," PENRO Nestor Canda explained.

Authorities have been tracking the degradation of forests due to over exploitation, slash and burn and other unsustainable farming

practices, so that interventions need to be implemented to arrest its effects, DENR said.

At this, INREMP picked 17 Bohol towns feeding the Wahig Inabanga basin as beneficiaries for community-based interventions in the Upper River Basin of the Inabanga River where the DENR National Greening Program, Upland Development Program and Community Based Forest Management Agreement are implemented.

Within these interventions, the common strategy for reforestation and afforestation is the ANR. Reforestation refers to the establishment of forest on land that had recent tree cover, while afforestation is planting trees to a land that has been without forest for much longer period of time.

Pilot tested in San Miguel Danao, Bohol in the early 1990's, ANR is an old method but is considered a systematic means of restoring biodiversity in a forest and keeps its rehabilitation apace for it helps speed up the growth of young tree seedlings pressed down by pesky cogon grasses which compete with them in the soil nutrition and sunlight.

INREMP is implemented in 17 towns in Bohol: Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Sagbayan, Dagohoy, San Miguel, Trinidad, Ubay, Alicia, Pilar, Sierra Bullones, Carmen, Jagna, Duero and Garcia Hernandez. The project indicative budget as allocated is about P142.5 million for Bohol INREMP, according to PENRO Canda. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

Cebu mounts Agro Trade Fair showcasing products, delicacies Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, July 21 (PIA)—Local delicacies and products of Cebu will be again be made available for city residents as the province mounts the Agro Trade Fair next month.

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thel Natera, Cebu provincial information officer, said the local government units will showcase their products and delicacies that they are famous for beginning August 3 to 7.

The activity is in line with the celebration of the 446th Founding Anniversary of Cebu.

One of the featured towns is the Muncipality of Ronda known as home of Cebu‘s finest humba.

Other than the humba, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said there will also be new camote chips coming from said town.

The product is not yet out in the market except in the neighboring towns. ―What makes it special is that these chips are roasted infusing the technique and formula of its partner Silliman University (SU),‖ said Dr. Saragena.

Ronda municipal Agriculturist Lilibeth Montaño said SU‘s intervention came through the initiative of

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Aside from training the farmers how to make the chips, the program also involved the packaging and the marketing of Ronda‘s Best.

The beneficiaries of the program are graduates of Farmer-Scientist Training Program (FSTP) in Barangays Malalay, Langin and Vive.

Aside from camote chips, they were also trained to make banana chips and sayote vegetable salad.

Montaño said some of the products were already introduced in Moalboal and some were given away for promotional purposes.

The town was able to showcase these products to FSTP National Program Leader Dr. Romulo Davide, FSTP-Cebu Province Team, and Cebu Technological University officials in an FSTP graduation rite last June.

The farmers are still in the training stage. She said once they have perfected the craft, these will be approved by SU. In the meantime, Montaño said SU allowed the farmers to sell the products but they have to use different packaging. ―We could not use the packaging prescribed by SU as they have yet to check quality of the products first,‖ she added.

Ronda became famous for its unique version of humba pork serving. The town‘s original humba is now being served as a signature dish in a restaurant of major hotel in Cebu City. Dr. Saragena appealed to the participating local government units to offer the lowest price for their farm products in the fair.

Other delicacies include Chicharon of Carcar, Argao's torta, Asturias' bingka dawa, Mandaue City's bingka and tagaktak. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu with reports from Cebu PIO)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

EV's KALAHI-CIDSS receives Gawad Kalahi Award REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 21 (PIA) -- The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) in Region VIII once again received the Gawad Kalahi Award, a national recognition from the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Central Office .

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ennifer Caspe Paa, KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Social Marketing Officer reported that the highest community grants disbursed from the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) Award under the Extra Large Coverage Category and the 1st region to deliver the P1-billion in Community Grants Award was given to Eastern Visayas Program Management Team besting 16 other regions all over the country.

The awarding ceremony was held Tuesday at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati city during the Mid-Year Project Review and Evaluation Workshop where KALAHI-CIDSS regional

and national performances were assessed, Paa further reported.

Earlier, KALAHI-CIDSS Field Office 8 hit the P1-Billion disbursement target making it the 1st region to deliver the said grant to c om mun itie s w he re a to ta l o f P1,008,526,165.63 has been released to 1,865 barangays across Eastern Visayas.

Paa informed that a total of 3,885 community-managed sub-projects were already funded under the NCDDP fund source in the region, 37 of which were already completed. ―The award bestowed to DSWD-8 deserve a celebration. Again, the merit should go to every KALAHI-CIDSS worker

who is the dedicated one who knows his responsibility as a public servant whose value is worth emanating,‖ Paa quoted DSWD-8 Regional Director Nestor Ramos in his message.

KALAHI-CIDSS is the poverty alleviation program of the national government that seeks to empower community members using the community-driven development strategy.

In Eastern Visayas alone, 617,131 households across 134 municipalities will benefit from the program, 239,328 families of whom are Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries. (ajc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

INGOs turn-over permanent housing units to Yolanda survivors CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 21 (PIA) – More permanent housing units were built in the city for Yolanda victims.

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total of 22 housing units at Kawayanville I was turned over recently to the beneficiaries who were living in temporary shelters at Brgy. 88 San Jose, this city, one of the most devastated barangays when super typhoon Yolanda struck more than a year ago.

The P294,000 worth of housing unit each was donated by the Habitat for Humanity Philippines represented by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Ayco in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Philippines led by its Chief Executive Officer Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar and the City Government of

Tacloban represented by Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez.

During the House Dedication Ceremony, Ayco expressed his commitment to continue serving the affected families of typhoon Yolanda with a vision that no family in Tacloban live in danger zones.

On the other hand, Dastidar who was extremely delighted of the smiling faces of the people despite the vast devastation promised to come back in the future to see again the houses they have built.

Meanwhile, Councilor Cristina Gonzales -Romualdez, who is a Habitat for Humanity Ambassador, advised residents to put the

past behind and move forward.

According to her, when a new house is turned over, she considers this a symbol of new hope for Tacloban.

Arturo Golong, a Yolanda survivor, was very emotional and teary-eyed when he expressed his gratitude for their new house with a promise to take care of it.

According to him, words cannot expressed how happy he was upon knowing that he was one of the beneficiaries of a permanent shelter which is comfortable to live. The housing units donated were typhoon-resilient and could withstand winds of up to 250 kilometer per hour. (cba/PIA-8)

LGUs win RMSPDA AURORA J. CASIMPAN TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 21 (PIA) - Some local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas merited awards for excellence in addressing population and development issues and concerns.

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his, as the World Population Day 2015, celebrated July 11, the Commission on Population in the region declared the LGUs of Tacloban City and Dulag, L eyte, as winners of the Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Awards (RMSPDA) in ceremonies in July 10,2015, Convention Center A of the Leyte Park Resort Hotel, this city. Categories of the award were city and municipality.

Runners-up to the same award were Ormoc City and Calbayog City for the cities; and Paranas, Samar and Almeria, Biliran for

the municipalities.

It was learned that the RMSPDA recognize and honor LGUs (cities, municipalities) that have clear policies, programs, services and interventions and implementing and monitoring mechanisms to address population and development issues and concerns.

POPCOM-8 regional director Elnora Pulma informed that the celebration of World Population Day 2015 every July 11 is based on a United Nations Population Fund (UNFA) report on women, children

and young people comprising over 3 quarters of the over 50 million people forcibly displaced from their homes by conflict and disasters in most parts of the world.

The celebration of World Population Day started in 1989 aimed at focusing attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, particularly in the context of overall development.

The theme of this year‘s celebration is ―Dignity and Protection of Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies.‖ (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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Samar‘s senior citizens now richer by P6K NINFA ILUMINADA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 23 (PIA) – Some 800 senior citizens of Gandara town had their ‗payday‘ Wednesday of P6 thousand at the Gandara Gym.

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he social pension is P500/month but the pay-out was good for the whole year of 2014.

The pay-out received a resounding welcome for the seniors aged 77 and above.

Mayor Eufemio Oliva reminded the seniors that both the national and local governments have given them support. ―From the LGU, we allot 1% of our IRA to the senior citizens and the persons with disabilities (PWDs),‖ Oliva told this reporter.

However, he also urged them to be responsible, like they need to have some documents photocopied before they can receive the social pension.

Some senior citizens did not also register, so they were not included in the list of beneficiaries.

Long time live in partners Pedy Nacube and Sofronia Modesto both 77 years old lost their home to typhoon Ruby, they said that with the combined P12 thousand, they would be able to build a nipa hut, buy rice, vitamins and ‗sura‘ (meat or fish).

After receiving the amount, the elderly trooped to the different stores in Gandara to shop for milk, rice, medicines and coffee.

Elizabeth Romo who owns a store observed that the elderly did not buy canned goods.

A DSWD 8 report indicated that there are some 65, 559 indigent senior citizens in Eastern Visayas region.

It added that the target pensioners has increased owing to the approval by the Senate and House of Representatives of the DSWD‘s proposal to lower the age requirement from 77 years old and above to 65 years old and beyond.

Beneficiaries of the Social Pension Program are senior citizens, aged 65 years and above who are without pension from GSIS/SSS or any government or private entity, sick or frail, or who have no regular support from family or relatives. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

DPWH undergoes iRAP training workshop SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 20 (PIA) --- Aimed at reducing road traffic crashes and accidents, a three-day live-in International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) was conducted recently, for local road-safety stakeholders at the Marian Hotel, St. Mary‘s College, Borongan City.

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RAP Asia Pacific Regional Director Greg Smith presented an overview and orientation of iRAP. According to him, ―iRAP is a registered charity dedicated to prevent more than 3, 500 road deaths that occur everyday worldwide.‖ It likewise provides tools and trainings to help automobile associations, governments, funding agencies, research institutes, and other non-government organizations in more than 70 countries to make roads safe by inspecting high-risk roads, develop star ratings, safer roads investment planning, risk mapping among

others.

They also provide technology and support that will ―build and sustain national, regional and local capability.

Initiated by Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States of America (USA) and Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Eastern Samar District Engineering Office Assessment Programme, the workshop was attended by participants from the Bureau of Quality and Standards, Millennium Challenge

Corporation-Unified Project Management Office, Stakeholders Relations Services, MCA-P, MCC and representatives from the 16 regional offices of DPWH including the Eastern Samar District Engineering Office and Samar 2nd District Engineering Office.

Resource Speakers of the said workshop were: Mr. Greg Smith and his staff Luke Rogers; Burak Inanc, iRAP Deputy Resident Country Director, Ph ilipp ine Millenn iu m Ch allen ge Corporation; and Director Medmier Malig of the Bureau of Quality and Standards.

(SDC-E. Samar)

DPWH ensures typhoon resilient school buildings for senior high CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jul 23 (PIA) - The Samar First District Engineering Office makes sure that soon to be constructed school buildings for Senior High Schools will be typhoon resilient.

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n a statement by Nette Gomez of the DPWH Samar 1, she said that this was brought out during their regular meeting.

Project Engineers of school buildings recommended that the school sites need embankment, and soil exploration first for a better foundation to produce high quality school buildings which are typhoon

resilient.

District Engineer Virgilio Eduarte said that he gives priority to school building programs for senior high school this 2015.

He instructed all assigned programming engineers to conduct site inspection on the different school sites. There will be some 23 school buildings in Region VIII where 14

senior high school buildings will come from the Division of Calbayog, and an addition of nine senior high school buildings for the Division of Samar.

The total appropriation is P 121,405,895.06 M for Calbayog and some P79, 565,979.59 M for Samar Division. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar with Donna Debuton-DPWH/Samar 1)

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

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. 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. BaĂąares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children‘s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com