One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 19

Vol 5

Issue 19

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Government Peace Panel Chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process explains certain provisions on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law during her talk with members of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment held Thursday, May 14 at MO2 Westown Hotel here. (PIA-6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., Director General of 2015 APEC National Organizing Council (NOC), answers questions from Cebu media on Cebu's hosting of a series of ministerial meetings between August to September this year. Ambassador Paynor along with some NOC members met with the Cebu organizing committee to discuss the preparations. He said Cebu is about 80% ready. (Rmn)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Kalahi-CIDSS DRPM. Eubolo Co briefs media on the status of the program during the launching of “Hisgot Ha Otso” by the DSWD 8 in Tacloban City, May 13. (Vino R. Cuayzon/ PIA8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

May 11 - 17, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

BPO remains top job generator in WV

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, May 11 (PIA6) --- The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry remains as the key employment generator of Western Visayas amidst the growing number of BPO firms in the region.

In the recently concluded Labor Day job fair spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6, the position for call center agent topped the list of the most number of local vacancies offered.

DOLE-6 Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom said cyber services remained as Region 6‟s key employment generator with new BPO companies around Western Visayas at present.

Over 4,400 available positions were offered for call center agents, followed by technical support, sales/ marketing and accounting positions for local companies.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Federation for Information Technology (IFIT) said the BPO industry has pushed the economic growth in Iloilo City and has opened doors to more international investors.

The IFIT said Iloilo is considered a forerunner as a BPO destination in the national and international levels with BPO locators highly attracted to the city.

BPO companies are also attracted to strong telecommunications system, infrastructure development

and the business-friendly approach of the local government unit here.

On one hand, over 40,000 jobs are expected to be offered with the establishment of four BPO officer towers situated along Megaworld‟s Iloilo Business Park, according to Rey Delfin, City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog‟s spokesperson.

These towers include the One Global Center, Two Global Center, One Techno Place and Two Techno Place.

The Iloilo Business Park was recently declared as a mixed-use special economic zone by President Benigno Aquino III, through Proclamation No. 976, upon the recommendation of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Image Credit: CallCenterPhilippines.org

Central Visayas gears up for POPCEN 2015 Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU, May 13 (PIA) -- Key government offices in Region 7 recently met to plan preliminary measures in a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the new round of Census of Population (POPCEN) this year.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7) Regional Director Efren Carreon convened on May 7 the members of the 2015 Census of Population Regional Census Coordinating Board (RCCB) led by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

During the meeting, Carreon said the new data that will be collected during the census are vital in policy-making measures. “We need the exact figures that are reflective of what is happening at the local levels,” he said. The last population census in the country was done in 2010, which placed the Philippine population at more than 92 million, or specifically 92,337,852.

Held every five years, this year‟s census of population will be done for 25 days from August 1 to 30 in the total 42,029 barangays across the country.

This year‟s census will include new information to be collected, such as deaths among family members, religious affiliation, and basic literacy, among others.

For Region 7 alone, around 8,000 enumerators will be hired to carry out the complete enumeration of households in the four provinces under Central Visayas, namely Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

PSA-7 Interim Regional Director Ariel Florendo said the training and orientation for the enumerators is set in June. Florendo, during the RCCB meeting, pointed to the lack of qualified enumerators in the barangays as one of the issues they will have to address.

“We prefer the enumerators to come from the areas where they will be assigned because they are familiar with the terrain and the people. This is important as the census will be done down to the barangay level,” he said.

He also appealed to the local government units (LGUs) and the community for their full support to make this year‟s census of population successful.

“Since the census will be done house to house, we need the support of the LGUs and the public, from the municipalities and cities and those in the remote barangays,” said Florendo. The 2015 POPCEN will be the 14th census to be carried out in the country since 1903, and the 3rd population census to be conducted in between two decennial censuses. (rmn/PIA-7 Cebu)

Higher farm productivity, resiliency offset climate change, Asean integration MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 12 (PIA) -- A higher yield in farms for rice and root crops, plus a change in farmers‟ attitude to adapt to latest farming technologies and practices that promote resiliency in plants and livestock amid changing weather conditions, are the key factors to address climate change and the imminent ASEAN integration.

Dr. Wilson Cerbito, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), made this clear in his keynote address during the first Southern Leyte Agriculture Summit -- and the first of such kind of gathering in Region 8 -- held at Lourdes Convention Center, this city, Thursday, May 7.

“The Philippines is the third most vulnerable country in the world for climate change, and Region 8 is the most vulnerable region in the entire country,” Cerbito said.

He added that beside this natural threat in agriculture was the current development of a no-barrier region for member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), something stakeholders should better

be prepared.

Citing Southern Leyte‟s performance in its contribution for the regional rice production output, Cerbito said the province placed second in terms of yield per hectare, which is 4.7 metric tons average harvest per hectare.

“But this should be increased to at least 5 to 10 metric tons per hectare” by the use of new farm technologies in order to meet the challenge of ASEAN integration, with much cheaper imported rice expected to flood the local market, Cerbito told the audience composed mostly of agriculture officers and extension workers all over the province.

He said other high value crops and rootcrops, aside from rice, must also be promoted to ensure food security, with matching benefits on one‟s health and nutrition.

For the ever changing climate, Cerbito called on the agriculture personnel to propagate drought-resilient varieties during dry season, and water surviving species during the rainy season, so that farmers can still look forward to harvest something even in any of these times. (ajc/esg/mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Guimaras wind farm increases power capacity

Orchids

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) - - Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation (TAREC) will soon increase the power capacity of its San Lorenzo wind project in the province of Guimaras by 40 megawatts from 20 new wind turbines.

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irector Ro-Ann Bacal of the National Economic Development Authority 6 said the additional wind mills will be installed in Sibunag town.

The San Lorenzo wind farm formally began operations with 27 wind turbines each generating 2 MW for a total output of 54 megawatts in December last year. The wind farm spans 14 kilometers across four barangays in the municipality of San Lorenzo.

Bacal said with the establishment of this renewable project, Guimaras is now in a position to sell its extra power to Panay Island. In fact, she said TAREC has initiated the upgrading of the under water cable which will transmit the extra power to Iloilo City.

In her message, during the grand opening

program of the 2015 Manggahan Festival on Monday, May 11, Bacal also noted the significant contribution of the wind mills in the tourism sector of the province.

“The windmills are boost to Guimaras tourism sector. Already, a number of businessmen have started planning to construct resorts and hotels in anticipation of the influx of visitors,” said Bacal.

According to Bacal local and foreign tourists need not go to Bangui windmills in Ilocos Norte to see and appreciate what windmills look like for real.

She also told Guimarasnons that it is time to plan and make sure that all will benefit from the island‟s progress.

That the development of the province is

inclusive and everybody feels that they benefit as well.

As more and more people visit the island, Bacal urged Guimarasnons to be ready to give the best that its island can offer to visitors other than its famous sweet mangoes.

Aside from Bacal, Congressman JC Rahman Nava, Governor Samuel Gumarin and Department of Agriculture 6 Regional Technical Director Dr. Joyce Wendam also gave messages during the grand opening program of this year‟s celebration of Manggahan Festival which will culminate on May 22.

The celebration also coincides with the commemoration of the establishment of Guimaras as a full-pledged province on May 22, 1992. (JCM/LAF/ PIA6)

6,000 hectares up for greening in Capiz

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 12 (PIA6) – A total of 6,000 hectares of land in Capiz is targeted to be planted with trees this year.

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rovincial head Valentin Talabero of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources disclosed that the planting activity will start in June, in time for the start of the rainy season.

Talabero said that the tree planting activity is in line with the national government‟s thrust of planting 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares from 2011 until next year.

He said that the massive forestation and reforestation is based on Executive Order 211 or the National Greening Program signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III which is aimed at pursuing sustainable development for poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

He added that as of now, they are ready with

their 80,000 seedlings for planting activity.

Talabero said that from 2011 to 2015, they have more than 11,658-hectare land area for the National Greening Program to include the upland reforestation, urban greening, mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation, bottom-Up Budgeting and mangrove and beach forest.

According to him, majority of the planted areas under said program are in Tapaz and Jamindan towns.

He stressed that they are also doubling their efforts for the replanting activity in areas that were planted in 2011 and 2012 but were damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda in November 2013.

Talabero also said that in the aftermath of the supertyphoon, their office here was able to

implement, through a People‟s Organizations, a cash for work mangrove reforestation project covering 350 hectares in the different municipalities in Capiz.

On the other hand, he said that they are campaigning for the planting of indigenous endemic species of trees as the same are better than other forest trees species for soil and climate adaptability.

Likewise, they are also urging the public to plant fruit trees instead of mere forest trees for food, security and economic reasons in addition to environmental reason.

Talabero also commended the Capiz media and the various sectors here for their environmental concern by doing greening activities such as upland and mangrove reforestation. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

New nutri guides for Pinoys out

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, May 13 (PIA6) --- The media can spur the improvement of the nutritional status and quality of life among residents here by helping disseminate the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) 2012.

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n the Iloilo Nutrition Communication Network (NUTRICOMNET) media forum held Wednesday, Salvador Serrano, Special Research Specialist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), said that media can help promote and encourage the public to use the NGF 2012 for a healthier lifestyle.

“Nutritional guidelines are simple statements that give advice on the consumption of foods and food components for which there are public health concerns,” he said.

The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos 2012 are as follows: 1. Eat a variety of foods everyday to get the nutrients needed by the body; 2. Breastfeed infants exclusively from birth up to six months and then give appropriate complementary foods while continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond for optimum growth and development; 3. Eat more vegetables and fruits to get the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber for regulation of body

processes; 4. Consume fish, lean meat, poultry, egg, dried beans or nuts daily for growth and repair of body tissues; 5. Consume milk, milk products, and other calcium-rich food such as small fish and shellfish, everyday for healthy bones and teeth; 6. Consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food-and water-borne diseases; 7. Use iodized salt to prevent Iodine Deficiency Disorders; 8. Limit intake of salty, fried, fatty, and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases; 9. Attain normal body weight through proper diet and moderate physical activity to maintain good health and help prevent obesity; and 10. Be physically active, make healthy food choices, manage stress, avoid alcoholic beverage, and do not smoke to help prevent lifestyle-related non-communicable disease.

The first NGF released in 1990 was composed of five messages called “Dietary

Guidelines for Filipinos."

In 2000, a revised nutritional guidelines composed of ten messages was released and it was called the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.

In 2012, the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the revision of the NGF, led by the FNRI of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) developed a new set of the NGF, based on the 2000 edition.

The revisions were made based on the results of the 2008 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by FNRI-DOST. Based on the said survey, the Filipino household diet fell below the recommended levels except for niacin, which is above the recommended.

Furthermore, all nutrients and energy were below the 100 percent adequacy levels. (LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

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Bagtason handloom industry expands market

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, May 12 (PIA6) - - The Bagtason Loom Weavers Association (BLWA) registered an increasing gross sales for the past three years, a manifestation of a much bigger market demand.

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ario Manzano, Manager of BLWA noted that sales for the hand-woven looms was up from P500,000 to P700,000 for the last three consecutive years.

“This is an indication that the hand-woven industry has gone a long way from a simple cloth it has evolved into materials for gowns, children‟s wear, casual clothes for men and women and other products like bags, shawls, hankies and many others,” he said.

“Hand loom weaving used to be a home-based industry but with the help of various government

agencies and non-government organization, the production builds up as it gained customers and expand its market,” Manzano said.

Instrumental to the consolidation of the loom weaving industry and the weavers of Barangay Bagtason is the Antique Development Foundation which organized the BLWA in partnership with Departments of Agrarian Reform and Trade and Industry.

The Local Economic Development (LED) program in partnership with Trias Southeast Asia, also provided the members and officers of BLWA

with training that improved their competence on project and financial management.

The success story of loom weaving was one of the best practices featured in a book „Antique LED Success Stories‟.

Other non-government organizations implementing the LED program has also shared its success stories.

According to LED Expert Dr. Dixon Yasay, these success stories are real models of development that needs to be replicated in other communities. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

Aklan CICL to have rehab home

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, May 13 (PIA6) -- A few years ago, the province of Aklan was jolted with a police report that a ten-year old girl, struck in the head with a heavy object, was found dead in a hinterland municipality here. The male suspect, it turned out, was also a minor who just struck dead the girl in a wooded area, confident that as a minor, he will not go to jail.

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here were also reports of a series of robberies in public markets, shopping centers, and dormitories here, allegedly committed by minors with the stolen commodities sold by the perpetrators themselves. There was even a radio report years back that when a young boy was caught red-handed doing a crime in Boracay Island, his mother came prepared to the station to claim him, bringing along his birth certificate to show that he is a minor and thus could not be detained or be charged with the crime.

Alarmed by these scenarios and with the belief that given a chance, these young perpetrators can still redeem themselves and be useful Filipino citizens, the provincial government, in 2011, decided to build a facility for these so-called Children In Conflict with the Law (CICL).

The construction of the building was considered then by erstwhile provincial government officials as consistent with the provision of Republic Act 9344, RA 7610 (Child Abuse Law), PD 603 (The Child and Youth Welfare Code), Aklan Children‟s Code and other international and national policies for the welfare of children.

The building, now fully completed, stands on a 500 square-meter lot owned by the Provincial Government in Nalook, Kalibo, and had been recently inaugurated a day before the province of Aklan turned 59 years old when it separated from Capiz on April 25, 1956 through Republic Act 1414. Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Evangelina Gallega, during the blessing and inauguration of the AYC, said its operation will be a milestone for Aklan children who are harassed, “blottered” and forced to commit crimes.

Gallega said “blottered” because children are also subject of PNP blotter reports whenever they commit offenses, which could be traumatic for them.

“The AYC will operate 24/7 which will serve as a residential center for the rehabilitation of CICL aged 15 years old and below 18 years old who have court orders. This is the first of its kind in Region 6 to be owned and operated by a provincial government”, Gallega said.

Gallega explained that there are indeed structures in other provinces in Region 6 catering to minor offenders and abused children, but these are funded by the national government, unlike this one in Aklan where the local government provides funds for its establishment and operations.

For his part, Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores expressed amazement when he entered the AYC for the first time for the inauguration and blessing, thinking that the building he saw few months ago before its completion is intended to be a nursery of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

When he saw it to its entirety, Governor Miraflores said it should not be treated as a prison for youth offenders but as a home.

“Children have to have a chance at rehabilitation – this is one way of showing our commitment to protect our children – with some of them forced to commit crimes due to circumstances”, Miraflores said.

He, however stressed that while the CICLs are provided with a beautiful home, some important factors must be considered by the PSWDO in operating it – one is the selection of the right staff or “house parents”, who have the right attitude and ability to encourage the children to be productive and renewed.

“Let us not just hire the needed staff because they are available,” he told Gallega. Miraflores also expressed the hope that the center will be a model of other local government units to replicate. He also acknowledged his predecessor, former Governor Carlito S. Marquez, for initiating the establishment of the center.

The center, targeted to operate June 2015, can accommodate 40 residents at a time, both boys and girls.

Among the gender-responsive programs and services at AYC identified by the PSWDO include Capability Building Training for Personal Enhancement, Skills Development Especially on Entrepreneurial Skills; Livelihood Assistance for Small Scale Enterprises, Legal Services, Recreational and socio-Cultural Development Services, Life Skills Training and Peer Group Counselling, Positive Lifestyle Promotion, Values Formation and Population Awareness, Educational Assistance, Health Services (medical and psychiatric); Social Services, Referral Services, Provision of Basic Needs, Community Participation, Spiritual Enrichment, Judicial Liaison, and After: Care Community-Based Treatment.

According to the PSWDO, after-care service is included in the treatment plan of the CICL to ensure that those discharged from the center can reclaim their part and role in society, seeing the need to assist them in their reunification with their families and reentry in their respective communities.

The AYC is considered the third unique milestone the province has established to show that it cares for its women and children – after the establishment of Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women (ACCW) in Kalibo to cater to abused and disadvantaged women, and the Social Welfare Desk at Caticlan Jetty Port to check against women and child trafficking. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Irrigators’ associations get P5-M worth of agri projects

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 14 (PIA6) - - A total of 108 accredited irrigators’ associations from all over the province received P5-million worth of agricultural projects from the provincial government.

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he turn-over at the National Irrigation Administration grounds was led by Governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. and Bago City Vice Mayor Nicholas Yulo and was received by the President of the League of Government-Assisted Federation of Irrigators‟ Associations Rosemary Caunca in behalf of the association.

Some of the projects include motorized grass cutters, knapsack sprayers and basic heavy duty farm tools, hand tractors and threshers, pumps and

engines, and a rice mill, a release from the Capitol said. Marañon said that Negros Occidental is blessed to have abundant sources of water as he assured the farmers that they will continue to receive more agricultural projects from the provincial government that will modernize and introduce mechanized farming to them which will eventually increase their production.

Meanwhile Yulo cited that the agricultural productivity in the province is in place because of the

exceptional leadership of Marañon. Caunca also thanked the presence of the beneficiaries who showed cooperation in the government projects given to them. Mamerto A. Andalajao, Jr. of the Magballo-Balicotoc-Canlamay Federation of Integrated Farmers Irrigators‟ Association thanked Marañon and the provincial government for the projects given to them adding that the Rice Mill will make a big difference in their rice production.*(JCM/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bohol drug problem sends 203 to courts Orchids

Rey Anthony H. Chiu BOHOL, May 8 (PIA) -- A survey we need no more. If at that current trend Bohol continues to ignore the problem, expect over a thousand drug cases further clogging the already stacked cases in courts.

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t the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council in Bohol, members saw how drug problem in Bohol has become a horrible reality: 203 persons are now facing separate drug-related cases in the different courts in Bohol, and that is just for the first quarter (Q1).

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Chona Egam said about half of that number is currently facing charges against section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of Republic Act 9165.

About 103 Boholanos are currently hailed in courts for their being implicated in the selling, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transport of dangerous drugs.

The daily barrage of drug arrests in Bohol mar early morning coffee rituals in Bohol, and not a few are asking until when do the authorities totally beat

the drug trade.

Egam added of the same comprehensive law, 54 persons are now facing suits for section 11 of the RA 9165.

They are now held for violation of the section 11 of that cited law; or the possession of illegal drugs, the penalty of which is life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million, when found with large quantities.

By large quantities, the law determines a load of over 10 grams of the dangerous substance.

Another 34 people are in court for the possession of illegal drugs paraphernalia, a violation for section 12 of the same law, Egam showed in her powerpoint presentation.

For possible violation of section 7, or the being in a drug den, and aware of the activities and the nature of such, or even if he is just a visitor who

knows such a place has already an ill reputation as such.

Another three are now in hot water and are facing suits for violation of section 6 of the RA 9165 or the operation and maintenance of a drug den.

In the same development, at the Bohol Polls where 400 Boholanos were surveyed, 13 % of respondents said they are aware of persons selling drugs.

Of this year's 13% years back, in 2012 only 4% said they are aware of such.

In the same poll, in Tagbilaran City 52% or all respondents admit that drugs has become very serious problem.

The survey also show that 29% of Boholano respondents of the polls conducted between March 26 to April 17 said drugs have become a very serious problem. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

DOST invites Negrenses to join 2015 RICE Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan NEGROS ORIENTAL, May 12 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Negros Oriental invites Negrenses to participate in the 2015 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE).

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OST-Negros Oriental provincial d i r e cto r E n g r . G i l b e r t Ar b o n announced that regional office is now accepting entries for the said contest.

RICE is a competition for Filipino inventors conducted in different regions nationwide.

The activity aims to recognize the indispensability of Filipino inventors in the landscape of national economic development.

The contest is open to public and private sector inventors and researchers.

There are six categories in the competition which include Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Model, Outstanding Industrial Design, Outstanding Creative Research (Likha Award) and Outstanding Student Creative Research (Sibol Award) for High School and College students.

RICE serves as elimination or qualifying round for the National Invention Contest. DOST-7 is calling Filipino makers, designers, creative researchers and student researchers living within Central Visayas to join the said competition.

For the purpose of eligibility, a contestant is considered a resident of Region-7 if he or she is actually residing and has a six months residency in the region or province he or she represents.

The contestant is also considered a resident of the region if he or she has principal office address within Central Visayas.

Meanwhile, for students who are joining the Outstanding Student Creative Research category, their entry must be endorsed by the school they are enrolled at.

The endorser can be the principal, school head, college dean or university president.

Out-of-School Youth inventors can also participate in either Creative Research Category or Student Creative Research Category provided that their entries are endorsed by a local inventorâ€&#x;s organization of the region.

Inventions, utility models, designs and researches that have won in previous national or regional invention contents shall no longer be eligible to join subsequent contests in the same

category.

An entry in any of the categories may be entered in only one regional invention contest during the year.

DOST-Negros Oriental has already sent invitation letters to some schools in Dumaguete City but is still extending the call to other Negrense inventors.

Entries should be submitted to DOST-7 office in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu.

For more information or any inquiry on the registration form and other documents, the public can contact DOST-Negros Oriental office through their hotline numbers (035) 421-2100, (035) 225-4551 or e-mail them on dost7@ro7.dost.gov.ph . Interested applicants in the province can also visit DOST office at # 24 Yakal St., Daro, Dumaguete City.

The deadline for submission of entries to the regional office is May 29, 2015, except for Student Creative Research, which is June 9, 2015. (mbcn/ral/ PIA7-Negros Oriental/With reports from Roslyn Tambago, DOST-NegOr Information Officer)

Expect new articles, write-ups and tourism features of Bohol Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol May 11 (PIA) -- Expect new tourism write-ups for Bohol from a team of writers and television feature people of the country's leading networks and media organizations abroad.

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orporate Communications Manager Vivecka Singson of Cebu Pacific Air brought in a team of nine travel and feature writers from giant television networks and major news organizations in the country including Cable News Network Philippines.

Eager to see how Bohol has fared after a year of the devastating earthquake and how tourism has stood up after the disaster, the group also tested new products including the ones packaged by the province along with Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The team, which visited the mystical island of Lamanoc and did the dolphin and

whale watching including an island hop at the famed Pamilacan, came out of Bohol with positive reviews.

Billeted at the Bellevue Hotel, the group also did a countryside Bohol tour with topnotch tour guide and professor Joseph Eric Canete.

No less than the Lamanoc Island caretaker and inhouse tour guide Fortunato Simbajon took over the group in the treks and adventures in the mystical island.

Lamanoc, an islet off Barangay Badiang in Anda, has been believed to be a pre-Hispanic ritual site of the Visayan healers and medicine men, and is also believed to be an island home of the

spirits.

A primary burial ground for early Boholanos, Lamanoc features old graveyards with clay potteries, dug out primary, secondary and tertiary burial coffins, hematite paintings, numerous rock shelters, ritual caves and ritual remnants.

On the other hand, Pamilacan dolphin experience was a hit for the group, which saw over a thousand spinner and bottle nosed dolphins bow-riding and fishtailing during the early Sunday morning tour.

The team had Angel's Wings Tours and Travels serving their tour requirements. (rmn/rac/ PIA-7Bohol/PR)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

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DepEd NegOr readies K-12 Jennifer C. Tilos

NEGROS ORIENTAL, May 13 (PIA) -- “Go, go, go for K– 12 implementation here in the province, no backing out, because we are ready,” said Schools Division Superintendent Salustiano Jimenez in response to the issue on the possible suspension of the K-12 program by the Supreme Court.

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or Negros Oriental Division, out of 127 high schools, 124 will be offering senior high school by 2016.

Of the 124, 89 high schools have budget allocations already for the construction of senior high school classrooms.

“This May, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have started its bidding, so probably by June, the construction for classrooms will begin the construction and completed by July or August,” said Jimenez.

Targeted schools are expected to start its implementation of the new curriculum of Grade 11 by 2016, and will be hiring teachers that are qualified to handle Grade 11.

Jimenez said a series of trainings on the new curriculum is ongoing for teachers, in which this summer is the third set of the training, in partnership with Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

However, Jimenez also stressed the lack of

teachers and classrooms every year as the number of new enrollees is increasing. “But we‟re still able to do it and deliver the services well," he said.

Apart from trainings of the teachers, the schools division also conducted summits wherein different stakeholders have committed to contribute and support the education program. The DepEd official urged the public to work together and be united to make the implementation of K-12 program successful. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Sheena Mae Diongco, intern)

UP offers free online course on local governance Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, May 12 (PIA) --- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on government employees to avail of a free online course on local governance.

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n the hope of bridging the knowledge gap on governance and administration by those who are working in the government, the University of the Philippines came up with an online course that will run for four months.

DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero urged governors, city and municipal mayors, regional directors to let their personnel avail of the course.

The course is entitled “Massive Open Online Course on Inter Local Cooperation (MOOC-ILC)” and is set to start in June this year.

Juvy Lizette Gervacio, assistant professor on Public Management of the UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty Management and Development Studies (FMDS), said the course on Inter Local Cooperation will help in the proper and effective implementation of decentralization.

She said that the local autonomy of LGUs has been the center of debates as the national government is trying to balance central command and democratic governance.

“They can learn from each other‟s best practices and improve local relationships leading to better programs for the people,” Gervacio said.

Gervacio said the UPOU Faculty had put together different critical ingredients needed in order to build and sustain an ILC. These include legal basis of ILC, processes, financial policies, and simplified operations of each department of the LGU. There will be group and individual assignments and other tasks which are to be accomplished at a given period of time.

The course can be accessed at the UP Open University Website http.//www2.upou.edu.ph and click on the MODel icon on the upper right of the screen and create new account.

No documentary requirements are needed to register.

The course is free, however a minimal fee is required when a Certificate is requested.

Philippine Information Agency-Cebu hosted the Cebu live streaming of Rappler‟s nationwide launch of #PH Vote: The Leader I Want.

Rappler, the Philippine‟s first social news network, partnered with academic institutions for the forum to serve as a venue for the academe, civil society, private sector, policy makers, religious,

etc. to identity issues of leaders and the desired qualities.

The launch, which was held in De La Salle University, was livestreamed in the different bureaus of Rappler including Cebu City.

Participating in Cebu City is the group headed by Rappler Cebu reporter Dale Israel, Balbino “Ka Bino” Guerrero, a social advocate and heritage interpreter in the province, and interns from Cebu Normal University (CNU).

The group watched the livestream and participated in the forum after every discussion through tweeting and social media posting.

The forum is co-organized by the Building an Inclusive Democracy (BID) consortium which includes the College of Liberal Arts of De La Salle University, the Ateneo School of Government, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) RSN Policy Center for Competitiveness, and the University of the P hi lipp ine s - Na ti ona l Co ll eg e of Pub li c Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG). (rmn/ fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Over 400 Labor Day jobseekers get HOTS Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, May 8 (PIA) -- Four hundred fifty-six applicants trying their luck for work got hired on the spot (HOTS) during the Labor Day simultaneous jobs fairs in Cebu and Negros Oriental conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7).

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OLE-7 director Exequiel Sarcauga said the conduct of the seven simultaneous jobs fairs was a major highlight in celebration of Labor Day on May 1 undertaken by DOLE-7 in coordination with the different Public Employment Service Offices (PESO). Six jobs fairs were held in Cebu and one in Negros Oriental.

In Cebu, the venues were at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Abellana Sports Complex, SM City Trade Hall, Lapulapu City and Consolacion town while in Negros Oriental, the jobs fair was held in Dumaguete City.

The jobs fair in Lapulapu City yielded the highest number of HOTS at 159 for local positions followed by SM-Consolacion with 100 and closely by the Cebu Provincial Capitol at 98 HOTS

recorded.

Eighty-eight people were HOTS at SM City Trade Hall while four applicants were employed for overseas work at Abellana Sports Complex.

In Dumaguete City six people were HOTS for local positions and one for overseas employment.

“We are very much optimistic that the number of HOTS recorded so far will increase as we are waiting for the final results of other applicants who have the potential in the respective positions they‟ve applied for,” said Sarcauga.

DOLE 7‟s Technical Support Services Division-Employment Welfare chief, Nancy Abad reported there are at least 2,081 applicants considered as near hires.

“In Business Process Management for example, near hires are the applicants recommended for simulation and training about the products and services of the companies concerned. In other fields, there are trade testings,” said Abad.

Abad said near hires can also be required by companies to comply with medical requirements and background check when needed.

“It is still the prerogative of the employers to finally hire them or not depending on the participants‟ level of experience and expertise,” she clarified.

Among 6,427 applicants interviewed, 6,287 of them were able to meet the minimum requirements of the employers, said Abad. (mbcn/fcr/ PIA7/with reports from Luchel Taniza/DOLE-7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

NGO continues campaign for best practice in sanitation, hygiene in schools

Phalaenopsis x intermedia Orchid variety also known as Star of Leyte

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 14 (PIA) – The Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization is actively campaigning for Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) in Tanauan, Leyte to support communities and schools in their efforts to improve the sanitation and health condition of the people.

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uring the WASH and WinS Annual Operational Planning Workshop for Tanauan, Leyte held recently at Caluwayan, Marabut Samar, Jose Ampuyas, Wash in School Coordinator of Samaritan‟s Purse said, 39 elementary schools in said municipality will be covered by the campaign to ensure diseases are prevented with proper hygiene and sanitation practices.

This is in support to schools with limited budget and can‟t cope with subsidizing toilets

for their pupils and teachers.

However, proper consultation with the Department of Education and the local government unit (LGU) involved is being conducted before the implementation.

Some interventions of the organization is to provide the appropriate budget support for schools without access to water source, installed hand washing facilities, improvement or repair of water connection facilities, construction of comfort rooms and even

manpower if needed.

To date, Samaritan‟s Purse has assisted 22 schools in its WASH efforts in the Municipality of Pastrana, Leyte.

Upon assessment, the organization has also verified a 100% use of improved toilets in Tanauan, Leyte where each household uses a toilet which means it meets the grade level 2 target.

Another 17 schools in Sta. Fe, Leyte are also targeted for the campaign. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Medical center to rise in SoLeyte town soon ERNA S. GORNE ST. BERNARD, Southern Leyte, May 12 (PIA) - Earthworks are now on going on in paving the way for the construction of a multi-million medical center right at the back of St Bernard Municipal Hall.

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t. Bernard Local Chief Executive Napoleon Cuaton in an interview with PIA Southern Leyte said, “That with the establishment of the St. Bernard Medical Center coupled with the state of the art medical equipments such as CT scan, dialysis machines, among others, will surely attract people even from nearby municipalities and provinces in order to avail medical attention here soonest.”

Mayor Cuaton further disclosed that the mentioned medical center shall be owned and operated by the Ursulo Cuaton Sr. Foundation.

He said the medical center will partner with the Charles Drew University in Los

Angeles for the services of the medical doctors particularly those who are on internship modules accompanied by 4 -5 medical specialists during the six-months period, hence, two medical teams will be visiting the said medical center in a year.

Cuaton disclosed that the United States government is requiring medical internship to particularly serve the developing countries before taking their state board examinations.

The municipality is expecting the second medical mission of the said university hopefully by October this year as the first medical mission was undertaken sometime last

year, he said.

Cuaton noted that while rural health unit medical doctors are badly needed at their respective municipalities, they are always on the go attending calls for seminars resulting to minimal medical attention in their day to day services at the municipalities.

Thus, he challenged the regional health managers to come down at the provinces instead of bringing out the municipal medical doctors for frequent meetings so that the doctors will have more time to attend to the medical needs of the people, Cuaton said. (ajc/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

More concerned folks help rehab Pupua mangroves NINFA ILUMUNADA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 11 (PIA) - An additional 1,200 mangrove propagules like miyape and pagatpat were planted in the mangroves of Barangay Pupua, Catbalogan City.

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his is more or less the assessment given by Barangay Kagawad Petpet Diocton who assisted some 300 „planters‟ in the early morning of May 7, 2015 in the 50-hectare mangroves of the barangay.

Government agencies, cooperatives, youth organizations and the DENR folks joined the activity led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgar Guya and Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan. The lady mayor took along a youth organization which she tapped to be „vanguards of the environment‟.

She also had a ceremonial turnover of one single miyape which represents the responsibility of the elders bequeathed to the

younger generation as stewards of the environment.

The mayor also insisted on bringing along day care children to the ceremony to involve them in the activity.

This mangrove rehabilitation, said Guya will continue until all the 50-hectare mangrove in Pupua is covered.

The mayor was brimming with ideas how best her city can mitigate climate change and support the mangrove rehab.

She said she had been to China, Korea and Thailand where she presented what her young city is doing as regards climate change adaptation and mitigation, As the participants waded in the mangrove, they noticed the garbage dumped in

the beaches.

The mayor admitted that Catbalogan is not really that clean, but she said that her people are doing the best they can to solve the mounting problem on garbage.

As CENRO Marcialito Torres also noticed the garbage, he volunteered to hold a coastal clean-up in the barangay with the rural folks.

Diocton was also complaining that the barangay residents were also pillaging the mangroves themselves.

“Maybe if we will start the clean-up, the residents will realize that they should also help themselves protect the mangrove that gives them life,” Torres said. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Flores de Mayo– Mayo– Santacruzan

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8th ID, donors install solar lights in Yolanda relocation areas

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 11 (PIA) – The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army with donor allies identified as Liter of Light Foundation, Pepsi Cola, and Soldiers’ Wife and Girlfriends Philippines (SWAG) installed solar powered lights in the streets and houses of selected transitional communities for Typhoon Yolanda victims recently.

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ome 200 houses were installed with solar lights and 45 solar street lights were installed in the communities relocated at Barangay New Kawayan and Barangay Suhi, Tacloban Leyte.

The “Bayanihan” effort shows the Filipino culture where different groups or different people join hands for a common cause.

In this particular project, PepsiCo provided the fund, Liter of Light Foundation provided the technology, SWAG Philippines served as the coordinator among the involved groups while the army units through the 8th CMO Battalion, 546th Engineer Construction Battalion and 802nd Infantry Brigade, provided transportation and manpower during the

activity in tandem with the recipient community.

The army units are still assessing other areas to complete the target 300 homes. These will be recommended for installation if they pass the criteria set by Pepsi Cola and Liter of Light Foundation.

The installed solar lights have a life span of eight years and one set costs around Php 3,000.00.

“The effort to provide solar-powered lighting for recipient communities is a continuing effort where an addition of 300 solar lights will also be installed in other communities pending identification of the army,” said Ann Turla, founder of Swag Philippines.

Present during the event were Ann Turla, Founder of SWAG Philippines, Illac Diaz, Founder of Liter of Lights, Danilo A. Tabao, AVP/Gen. Manager of Pepsi Cola Tacloban City, and Lt. Col. Rodrigo M. Ilustrisimo, Commanding Officer of the 8th Civil Military Operation Battalion.

Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commanding General 8th Infanty Division praised the activity.

He told the people rest assured your army will always be looking for ways to be of service to the community such as this solar light installation project we have with Pepsi Cola, Liter of Light and SWAG Philippines,” he said. (ajc/PIA 8-Samar with Maj Amado Gutierrez, 8th ID-DPAO)

Application period for 2015 POPCEN enumerators, area supervisors extended FLORDELIS E. JACKSON NAVAL, Biliran, May 11 (PIA) – In order to get the best selection of census enumerators and area supervisors in the conduct of the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN) in Biliran province in August, 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Biliran Provincial Office has extended acceptance of application until June 12, 2015.

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ccording to Francisco Rostata, Interim Provincial Statistics Officer of PSA-Biliran, some 210 census enumerators will be needed for the 2015 POPCEN for the eight municipalities of Biliran province as follows: Almeria – 18 census enumerators are needed; Biliran town – 18; Cabucgayan – 23; Caibiran – 27; Culaba – 22; Kawayan – 29; Maripipi – 19 and Naval, the capital town of the province – 54.

He informed that the census enumerators must preferably be a college graduate or has completed at least two years of college education and preferably not more than 50 years old; able to speak the local dialect; physically fit for field work and if the applicant is female, she must not be pregnant; preferably a resident of the census

area and preferably with experience as enumerator or supervisor in statistical surveys or census conducted by the PSA formerly known as the National Statistics Office (NSO) or other statistical institution or agencies, among others.

On the other hand, Rostata said, some 12 census area supervisors will be needed for the eight municipalities of Biliran province as follows: Almeria – 1; Biliran town – 1; Cabucgayan – 1; Caibiran – 2; Culaba – 1; Kawayan – 2; Maripipi – 1 and Naval – 3.

Together with the qualifications required for the census enumerators, the census area supervisors (CAS) must be a college graduate; computer literate with knowledge in Word and Spreadsheet Processor and preferably with experience as trainer in statisti-

cal surveys and censuses conducted by the PSA formerly the NSO or other statistical institutions and agencies.

For further details of the qualifications set

by PSA-Biliran for applicants to the position of census enumerators and census area supervisors, they may call PSA through landline number (053) 500-9723 or they may visit PSA-Biliran at the 2nd floor of EMK Building, Vicentillo Extension, Naval, Biliran.

Likewise, for additional information, they may call or visit PSA- Biliran.

All application letters must be addressed to: Mr. Francisco Rostata, Interim Provincial Statistics Officer, properly indicating the position applied for together with the bio-data. (ajc/fjackson, PIA-Biliran)

NMP acquires MARINA accreditation; 5 basic courses start soon CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 13 (PIA) – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a government maritime training and research institution located at Brgy. Cabalawan, this city will resume the conduct of five basic training courses anytime soon.

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uring the 37th founding anniversary celebration, NMP Executive Director Manuel Roldan announced the resumption of trainings of five basic courses after MARINA approved the resumption of training of the said courses.

“We will be conducting the trainings anytime after we got the accreditation from MARINA,” Roldan said.

The five basic trainings approved by MARINA are Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch (RFPNW), Ratings Form-

ing Part of Engineering Watch (RFPEW), Operational Use of Electronics Chart Display Information System (OUECDIS), Ship Security Awareness Training & Seafarer with Designated Security Duties (SSAT with SDSD) and Maritime Pollution Annex 1-6 MARPOL. The 37th anniversary was a big celebration for NMP as they have waited the accreditation for quite some time after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the institution and halted its operation.

All facilities have been inspected by MARINA before they approved the accreditation.

To date, continued procurement of equipments and facilities was undertaken by NMP in support to the ongoing rehabilitation and MARINA accreditation of the remaining training courses.

With the leadership of Roldan, NMP became more energized. As such, NMP hope that the 9 remaining courses will also be given accreditation by MARINA. (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.

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, Childrenâ€&#x;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