One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 8

Vol 5

Issue 8

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Remembering People Power. Negros Occ. Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson talks about the importance of the historic event, EDSA, during a commemorative program which paid tribute to its 29th anniversary. (CBA-PIA6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

February 23 - March 1, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

P12B gov‘t spending to perk up Bohol BOHOL (PIA) – Expect government spending to stir up the local economies as billions of pesos in earthquake assistance and infrastructure building programs start.

Governor Edgar Chatto, in his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) told the Bohoanos that this year alone, the Department of Budget and management has allocated P555 million for the first phase of the new and modern Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in a spacious lot in Cortes.

The DBM also put in another P500 million, other than the hospital‘s initial phase fund allocation, this one for the purchase of modern equipment for hospital use.

This brings the hospital allocation for this year alone, to P1 billion, Chatto said.

In its road networks, following a project called Coordinating Road Investments for Development and Provincial Roads Investments, the local government converged resources with the public works agency, tourism and budget and management for the concreting of Bohol backroads like the Abatan-Agahay-Busao Road which has the government agencies converging to fund P80 million.

For crucial tourism sites, the convergence again pooled some P440 million for the concreting of various

access roads. The replacement of earthquake-damaged roads and bridges as top priority will have 15 Road Sections for rehabilitation, bringing an additional P241.7 million to the province, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Also this year are Department of Agrarian Reform Assisted crucial farm to market bridges in 16 locations all over Bohol, amounting to P55 million, said Gov. Chatto in his SOPA. Meanwhile, the year also finds the construction of the new Bohol Airport, which will have Japan International Cooperation Agency bankrolling the P7.14 billion cost, with the project expected to officially start in April.

The governor added even as he said another P40 million is now implemented at the emergency airport ramp and apron of the Tagbilaran Airport while Panglao airport construction is still ongoing.

To top it all, post-earthquake rehabilitation of public infrastructure will give Bohol P2.3-billion Bohol Earthquake Assistance (BEA) Project with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and DBM under which we are repairing, rebuilding and reconstructing public buildings, Chatto shared. (mbcn/rcha/PIA7-Bohol)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Export Marketing Bureau director Senen Perlada of the Bureau of Phililline Standards of DTI urged more than a hundred MSMEs or businessmen participants of Negros Oriental in recent SETUP conference held to to make innovations in their businesses to compete global markets and learned the implications of the Asean Economic Community and EU-GSP+. (PIA-7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

DOH-8 urges high-risk persons to undergo HIV test TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb.26 (PIA) - The Department Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas is urging the public particularly high-risk individuals for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to submit for screening test at Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) which serves as a treatment hub in the region.

This, after it recorded a rapid increase in HIV cases last year totalling 58 persons. This is higher than the 46 recorded cases in 2013.

During the Harampang ha PIA, Boyd Cerro, DOH-8 Regional Surveillance Nurse said, the youngest infected HIV patient is 19 years old while the oldest is 63 years old. Males are more infected than females, he added.

He likewise called on all sexually active individuals to practice safe sex by using condom and other methods.

HIV can only be transmitted through blood transfusion using an infected needle, having sex with an infected person and from an infected mother to her child Previously, it took 25 years before a new patient was reported. However, in the year 2009, cases began to increase rapidly.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

For this year, two HIV suspected patients are scheduled for confirmatory testing. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

HARAMPANG HA PIA: DOH 8 regional surveillance nurse Boyd Cerro (center) urges high-risk individuals to submit themselves for HIV screening test during the Harampang ha PIA, which also tackled other diseases, in Tacloban City, February 26. Also in photo are DOH health education and promotions officer Ma. Elena Joy Villarosa (left) and PIA 8 OIC regional director Alice Nicart (right).

BOC-6 exceeds target by 96%

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA6) --- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Collection District VI reported it surpassed its target revenue collections for the year 2014.

Records show that from January to December last year, BOC-6 was able to collect P1,656,372,626 or 96 percent higher than the target revenue collection of PENRO Elpidio Simon of DENR discusses P843,983,000 for 2014.

Climate Change and ways to mitigate it during The collection record also showed a 34 percent a forum held recently at Motiong NHS, increase compared to the 2013 revenue collection of Motiong Samar. (PIA-8) P1,234,561,145.60 BOC-6 collected P249,439,466 in the first quarter of 2014, P297,196,392 in the second quarter, P656,788,375 in the third quarter and P452,948,392 in the last quarter.

Ernelito Aquino, District Collector of Port of Iloilo, More on Region 8, pages 6-7. said the total revenue is the combined collection Also CLICK Here... performance of Port of Iloilo and the Sub-Port of

Pulupandan in Negros Occidental.

Meanwhile, BOC will strictly implement the provisions under the master list of all of the regulated import products in the country and their corresponding import requirements beginning April 15, 2015.

This is to help minimize corruption and make the importing process more transparent.

The list of regulated imports can be downloaded by going to the BOC website customs.gov.ph and clicking the banner BOC Regulated Imports List.

The downloadable imports list comes in three versions: by specific product, by broad category product, and by the regulating agency.

All three lists contain information for over 7,400 regulated products ranging from basic commodities like rice and sugar to vehicles, iron and steel products, oil, and electronic goods, among others. Each row in the list corresponds to one product. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Investments pour into NegOcc – Maranon

By Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 26 (PIA6) -– In his 29th EDSA anniversary celebration message here, Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon said the province is now the center of development.

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ccording to Marañon, many investors are coming in like a big Business Process Outsourcing operator which signified renting out the entire third floor of the Negros First Cyber Center while the contract with the said BPO is being ironed out The Governor also announced that in March 5, AyalaLand Incorporated is set to break ground for the leased Capitol property up for development which will become another landmark for the province. ―Life is short, we still have many things to do and our province now is the center of development. But, with the cooperation of the Provincial Board, the employees and the local government units and if we work together, I think we can even tell to the whole world that

what we have done is more than EDSA,‖ Marañon said.

Marañon relates that 29 years ago, the country is also at the center of attention of the international community as they look at the Philippines and every Filipino people attain its democracy from years of dictatorship. ―It seems like yesterday when the so-called bloodless revolution unfolded.

For me the reason why there was not a single gunfight between two parties was because of the collective prayers of all the Filipinos.

It was the Holy Spirit gives the dictator, at that time, the light to stop and end his dictatorship,‖ Marañon recalled.

Marañon, however, admits that 29 years

since, there is still the basic problem of poverty and that progress did not really filter down to the grassroots level.

He added that it is incumbent upon us, each and every Filipino to struggle to improve and to change but change should be sustainable if not more and more people will go poor. ―That is why we here in Negros are trying very hard to reach out to the less privileged. The programs of the Provincial Government is really into food security for our people; employment for the young generation; and improve the quality of life of the people.

If we can have a healthy middle class, I think we can say, we have achieved our purpose,‖ Marañon added. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Coco production gets boost with VCO plant By: Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 26 (PIA6) – A manufacturing plant for Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) will be established by Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Capiz Small Coconut Farmers Marketing Cooperative (CASCOFAMCO) at Barangay Ondoy in Ivisan town.

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he VCO plant that can process 10,000 to 20,000 nuts into VCO will be part of the overall upgrading of CASCOFAMCO facilities that was announced by PCA administrator Romulo N. Arancon, Jr. during his visit at the oil mill site last weekend.

VCO is a natural oil obtained from fresh mature kernel of the coconut extracted through a unique natural process where all the valuable characteristics and nutrients of coconut oil are preserved.

A building with a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) – compliant plant design will be constructed by PCA as a processing and learning facility in the region for the farmers

and students.

The facility will also have the capability to produce high protein coconut flour from milk – extracted coconut meat residues out of the VCO production.

PCA provincial manager Jeffrey Delos Reyes said that a ceremonial MOU signing between PCA administrator Arancon and CASCOFAMCO manager Lauro Adonay is set on Feb. 26 in Manila to kick off the upgrading collaboration.

CASCOFAMCO, which groups more than 3,000 small coconut farmers in the province, has been operating since 1998 a village level coconut oil mill and into production of other products and by-products from the tree of life

until it stop due to super typhoon Yolanda‘s devastation in 2013. ―This will be value addition to the income of our coconut farmers,‖ noted Delos Reyes, adding that the province‘s estimated 3,235 coconut farmers will not only rely on copra production because of the expected high demand for whole nuts for VCO production. The PCA administrator was also ushered by some PCA provincial employees to a Kasaganahan sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB) Project site in Brgy. Lonoy in Sapi-an town to personally see coconut intercropping, animal dispersal and coconut-based furniture projects, among others. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

Water projects, farm implements boost organic veggies production By: Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA6)— Farmers engaging in the production of organic vegetables in Bgy. Alaguisoc, Jordan, Guimaras, said having a water pump and engine is a timely intervention from the Department of Agriculture for the dry season.

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onaliza Galon, president of the Bucao-Tarug Cluster Farmers Association (BUTACFA), said that farmers are dependent on rain and plant rice only during rainy season. ―As the dry season sets in, farmers plant PAKBET seeds, such as string beans, okra, ampalaya, squash, eggplant, alogbate, saluyot, patola, and bell pepper.

Galon said that aside from the water pump and engine, the association also acquired one unit hand tractor with trailer and one unit seed cleaner from the DA, on an 85:15 scheme, wherein the association only paid 15 percent counterpart of the total cost of

the equipment. Association member Rodolfo Salcedo said he will no longer water his 1,500-square-meter vegetable garden manually, with the acquisition of the water pump and engine by their group. ―I can now spend more time in making fermented solutions for my organically grown vegetables because of less time in watering them,‖ Salcedo said.

On the other hand, Lorna Morante, provincial high value crops coordinator, urged the BUTACFA members to strive to become an outstanding organization, as the provincial government is ready to support an association with a good track record,

innovative in adopting new technologies and open to receive responsibility for the assistance given them.

Morante cited the bountiful harvest of organic PAKBET vegetables in the techno-farm of Mr. Salcedo.

BUTACFA has been in existence for almost a decade now and is strongly gaining its momentum in providing valuable service to its members through policies in the utilization of the interventions given them

by DA. The DA has allocated the province of Guimaras a total of ten water pump and engine sets and 30 units of small farm reservoir last year. (JCM/DA/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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ProVet urges farmers to raise more native chicken By: Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb.26 (PIA6) - - The office of the Provincial Veterinarian (ProVet) in Antique urged the farmers to invest on native chicken locally known as ‗darag‘ in order to help improve their lot.

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upervising Agriculturist Porferio P. Gallego of the ProVet said that ‗darag‘ chicken is a general term used of the Philippine native chicken strain indigenous to Western Visayas. ―The ProVet is campaigning to increase awareness of the farmers on the potentials of native chicken as a livelihood commodity,‖ Gallego said. He said that ProVet is ready to give technical support and

other extension services to help poultry raisers protect their chicken from diseases.

He said that Antique‘s production of ‗darag‘ chicken is more for consumption than for the market.

Why is darag promoted as a livelihood commodity? ―Because ‗darag‘ is considered as the most popular native chicken in the region and also for its unique flavor, nutritious and is sought after by local and

foreign tourists,‖ Gallego said. Gallego also said that there are several Antiqueño businessmen venturing into ‗darag‘ chicken production, but the statistic was not readily made available during the interview.

According to Gallego, the ProVet is ready to extend services to interested Antiqueños who may venture into market driven ‗darag‘ chicken production. (JCM/ VWV-PIA Antique)

APEC hosting to showcase Aklan's hospitality By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) -- The holding of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Boracay Island in May is an opportunity for Aklanons to showcase their brand of hospitality.

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his, according to Director General Marciano A. Paynor of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council (NOC) at a meeting with the APEC officials with the Province wide ADHOC Committee held recently at the Café Latte in Kalibo.

Director General Paynor said Boracay Island was chosen by the NOC because most of the delegates requested for the Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) to be held there, having been adjudged by tour magazines and operators as one of the top 5 or top 10 beaches in the world. ―You know how to manage a huge number of tourists, we are confident that you will be able to host it,‖ Director-General Paynor told Aklan officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, and the members of the Provincewide Ad Hoc Committee for the 2015 APEC, composed of heads and

representatives of national government agencies, the media and religious sector.

Paynor also aired his expectation through the media to initiate and sustain the campaign of giving the delegates ―fun when they need fun, good time when they need good time and quiet time when they need quiet time‖.

He also appealed to public service providers like the drivers, vendors, hotel staff and many others to make the delegates stay in Boracay pleasant.

Twenty-one (21) member economies of the APEC will be meeting in Boracay, with 19 of these states and the two – Hongkong and Chinese Taipei, economies, according to Paynor.

The delegates for the Senior Officials Meeting will be in Boracay from May 10-21, 2015 while those for the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) will meet from May 23-24, 20l5. Paynor said some 2,300 delegates from

other countries will be arriving in Boracay Island together with their families, while delegates from the Philippines from various agencies are seen to reach 2,000.

At the meeting, Paynor appealed to Aklanons to maintain cleanliness along the roadsides from the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan by keeping the areas and trees free from streamers, tarpaulins and other unsightly materials.

Even then, Paynor assured Aklanon officials that delegates love to look at rustic scenes, like ricelands turning gold. For the Boracay events, Paynor said Aklanons are only expected to provide the delegates fun and memorable moments, and just be themselves as vibrant, hospitable Filipinos. ―We‘re all in this together,‖ Paynor said. In the NOC meeting too in Kalibo were ASEC Joseph Juico, USEC Natalio Ecarma III, and USEC Anthony Alcantara. (JCm/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

School Feeding Program benefits 11T children By: Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA6) - - More than 11,000 severely wasted school children in 552 public schools in the province of Iloilo are currently benefiting from the School Based Feeding Program (SBFP) of the Department of Education.

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a. Liberty Mabunay, DepEd Division of Iloilo Nurse, said prioritized under the SBFP are those severely wasted learners in Kindergarten to Grade 6 based on the nutritional status report as of school year 2011-2012.

In her report during the Provincial Nutrition Consultative and Planning Workshop on February 23, Mabunay said the nutritional status report as of SY 2011-2012 indicated 11,102 severely wasted out of the 268, 171 students weighed.

The report also showed that of the 11,102 severely wasted students, 2,240 are in Kindergarten, 2,658 in Grade One, 2,347

in Grade Two, 2,884 in Grade Three, 490 in Grade Four, 304 in Grade Five, 172 in Grade Six and 7 in SPED. Mabunay said DepEd alloted some P19,983,600 for the implementation of the program for 120 days this school year in Iloilo province starting August last year.

The feeding program intends to provide children hot meals following the developed standardized recipes using malunggay and 20 -day cycle menu utilizing locally produced or grown foods.

Mabunay said parents handle the food preparation as their counterpart to the program which is expected to improve the nutritional status, classroom attendance and

health and nutrition values and behavior of the learner beneficiaries.

Further, the said nutritional status report listed 37,788 Kinder to Grade 6 students wasted; 5,163 overweight; and 1,185 obese. Some 216, 933 are categorized under normal or about 80.89 percent of the total number of children weighed.

The two-day Provincial Nutrition Consultative and Planning Workshop was conducted by the provincial government through the Provincial Health Office and facilitated by the Provincial Nutrition Technical Working Group as part of the efforts to address the malnutrition problem in the province. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

#iBlogforBantayan kicks off CEBU CITY (PIA) — The first #iBlog ecovoluntourism event, a multipurpose collaboration among government, mainstream media and bloggers was held in Bantayan Island on February 21-23.

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he event covered different areas the and the Cebu Bloggers. island has to offer but more so about German travel blogger Philipp Dukatz, the environment, economics and known for his travel blog Escapology.eu was tourism. also in town to join the event.

There was also an opportunity for the Initially, Bantayan island was just a venue participants to do volunteer work--house build of the regular couch blog session of with the beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga at its PIA-Cebu and DENR where bloggers and site in barangay Ticad, Bantayan Island. media meet to discuss environment issues.

Philippine Information Agency-Cebu However, Bantayan consultant Vince Infocen manager Rachelle Nessia said, the Escario said, they put in line other activities event was jointly coordinated with the which will discover and rediscover the Department of Environment and Natural i s l a n d . A c t iv it ie s in c lu d e d r e s or t Resources (DENR7) Municipality of Bantayan hopping and a visit to the people‘s

organizations involved in various trades such as candle making, hog raising, arts and crafts.

The participants also had a chance to meet the members of the Bantayan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local officials of the towns of Bantayan, Sta.Fe and Madridejos.

Bantayan was badly hit during typhoon Yolanda more than a year ago.

It is made up of three municipalities Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos. (mbcn/ FCC/PIA-Cebu)

BI inks MOA with Cebu schools for scholarship grants CEBU CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) – Immigration Commissioner Seigfred Mison recently visited Cebu for the launching of the ‗Handog Edukasyon‘ program which highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with five Cebu-based schools for college scholarship grants. he educational program allows ―The BI personnel are very grateful for Mison said the agency is eyeing Baguio and dependents and siblings of regular this opportunity to ensure the future of our Davao to implement the same program. employees of the Bureau of children,‖ said Mison adding that apart from The immigration commissioner assured Immigration (BI) – Cebu District Office to the educational grant, the program also that recipients of the scholarship grant will be enroll in the identified schools at 50 to 100 underscores the value of Filipino sharing chosen based on merit while financial standing percent discount rate. or Bayanihan. will merely be a second factor.

These schools are the University of Cebu, Cebu is the first province to implement The ‗Handog Edukasyon‘ program is in Southwestern University, AMA Computer the program after Manila as similar grants have line with the activities of the bureau‘s 75th College, Cebu Doctor‘s University and the been given by the Emilio Aguinaldo College and anniversary celebration which culminates in Cebu International Distance Education Lyceum of the Philippines University through a September this year. (mbcn/fcr/pia7) College.

MOA signed last month.

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Bohol collaborates to resolve ‗rebel-exploited‘ land issues BOHOL, Feb. 21(PIA) – In the spirit of collaboration and cooperation, Bohol local government and its civilian sector community organizers are now in full gear in conflict resolution. t the heart of these conflicts are partnership swooped down to the puroks to In his SOPA delivered Friday, Governor land-related issues, especially when address problems at the root, reports Chatto declared "Our province remains military intelligence reports reveal that Gov. Edgar Chatto during his State of the insurgency-free and stands as an rebels use these problems as opportunities to Province Address (SOPA). acknowledged model in collaboration and sow discontent in government and thus regain Before the governor could state Bohol multi-sector convergence to bring solutions to their lost grip on the mass base. intervention against the returning insurgents the root causes that fuel insurgency. Through The same report read by Army Special plan, the CDP-PPM has facilitated the coming in the CDP-PPM with the AFP and PNP and Forces Commanding Officer Colonel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) partner national agencies--Department of Potenciano Camba during the recent Provincial and the Department of Environment and Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Peace and Order Council Meeting recently Natural Resources (DENR) to dialog with the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), bared the Communist Party of the community of Trinidad.

Department of Labor and Employment Philippines-National Democratic There, Talibon-Trinidad Farmers‘ (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Front-New People‘s Army in Bohol are Association (TTFA) which occupies portions of and the Department of the Interior and Local continuing their organizing efforts to gain mass the Bohol Cattle Ranch (BCR) at San Vicen- Government (DILG) -- various government base in the province. te, Trinidad had been awarded lands through s o c i o - e c o n o m i c services are The organizing effort is in preparation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. effectively and responsibly brought closer to the ground for the re-entry of armed insurgents However, with land classification issues the people. to the island, considering that Bohol is ripe still to be resolved, Agrarian Reform Project For this collaboration, Col Camba said ground for funds with elections looming, the Officer II Marcelito Concepcion said both the ―From the military perspective, Bohol infusion of funds from earthquake and calamity DENR and DAR as well as TTFA members experience in counter-insurgency remains as assistance and the propensity of officials to pay have agreed to a resurvey, so the A and D the ―best model‖ in resolving the various campaign access fees. areas could be determined. factors and dimensions of conflict Targets in the sowing of dissent are The survey started on February 13 and is thru the political and socio-economic policies people‘s organizations in the hinterlands that ongoing, Concepcion reported at the PPOC. of the local executives with close they project to support, especially those with Another coordination meeting is set in the first collaborations and strong partnership among land-related issues. week of March, he added. After TTFA, the the different sectors of society - national Not to be left out, the army and a team CDPPPM and DAR-DENR would head to government agencies, local government units, from the Countryside Development Mabini, where a similar exploited land issue is non-government organizations, civil society Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) brewing anti-government dissent. Protecting organization and the people. (mbcn/RAC/ meet the propagandists head-on, and in the the local group of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uuma PIA7-Bohol) strategy of collaboration a n d sa Mabini is HUMABOL.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

No more brown-out SIPCOR operation There would no more be brown-out in Siquijor with SIPCOR now in operation. n its opening ceremony, Department The more electricity you actually consumed of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla can be a gauge whether something is moving in said he wants to make sure all the plants that area, Petilla added. that are put in the province will materialize not He said Siquijor province has now four only for this year but in the long term. power stations, each with a capacity of 1.6 MW The long term solution is for SIPCOR compared to the whole province‘s power to come in and when it does, he said, demand of 3.4 MW. he wants to make sure they operate The two stations, constructed, owned and properly and that the energy needs will be managed by SIPCOR house the brand new provided for. bunker-fired power generating facilities with Petilla said the move is in line with the installed capacity of 3.2 MW. They are located in government‘s thrust to provide electricity to Siquijor and Lazi towns. all especially SPUG (Small Power Utilities Group) The power stations will be interconnected areas. with the 13.8-kiloVolt network of the Province of There are areas in the country where Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO), electricity is eight hours a day, some 16 hours, which has been serving a total of 22,503 and in small islands, 6 hours, he said pointing out consumers. that the thrust right now is to provide 24 hours With the SIPCOR‘s plant, consumers will electricity in areas where NPC SPUG is still pay the same government-subsidized rate of operating and reduce or eliminate brown-outs as P 11.2269 per kilowatt-hour, added Petilla. the legacy they can leave before the President‘s Starting August this year, the Secretary term ends. assured there will be no more brown-outs in Economic activity now is measured by Siquijor. electricity consumption.

But he said, this will only happen if

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Siquijor

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everybody works together and make sure that brown-outs will never happen again in the province, he said especially calling the LGUs, PROSIELCO, and the national government‘s cooperation. ―The solutions are there, the coop is not a problem. Usahay lang ang cooperatiba mapolitika (but sometimes the cooperative can politicized),‖ Petilla said as he calls local leaders not to politicize the coop and be serious in giving service to the people.

He said Napocor will have to leave Siquijor as this was programmed to be privatized, but meantime the island will still be backed by the firm‘s power service until stable power supply will be availed by Siquijodnons,‖ Petilla added.

PROSIELCO General Manager Laureen Malolot said, SIPCOR has a 20-year power supply agreement with the cooperative, and that it is now expected to address the present generation capacity requirements and even future demand of the province. (mbcn/RAC/ PIA7-Siquijor)

Academe, church join call to divest fossil fuels DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb 23 (PIA) -- Hundreds of students, teachers, civil society groups and representatives of the church gathered at Foundation University recently to join the ―Global Divestment Day, Challenges Fossil Fuel Industry.‖

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50.org Southeast Asia coordinator, Zeph Repollo said the groups viewed the 'Do the Math' movie and concluded a symbolic walk from the Cathedral Bell Tower to the Provincial Capitol in Dumaguete City. ―The event explained a simple math: we can emit 565 more gigatons of carbon dioxide and stay below 2°C of warming. 2°Cis the number agreed in the Copenhagen accord by the UNFCCC, but the fossil fuel that corporations now have in their reserves would result in emitting 2,795 gigatons of carbon dioxide – five times more from the 2°C target.

Fossil fuel companies are set to burn it all — unless we join together and stop them,‖ Repollo said.

In the Philippines, public mobilization and awareness campaign about divestment appeals to Pope Francis to Divest the Vatican itself.

In January, a letter of appeal was handed to Pope Francis supporting him to divest the Vatican under his leadership.

This effort continues through awareness campaign in various universities and institutions while supporting campaigns stopping new coal-fired power plant projects in the country.

The Global Divestment Day of action marks a turning point for the movement working to further de-legitimize the fossil fuel industry.

More than a dozen new countries will launch campaigns on new targets to include cities, universities and faith institutions while existing

campaigns will be escalating pressure to accelerate divestment commitments. Repollo said, while environmental-activists still face an uphill battle at many institutions, divestment campaigners are fired up about the year ahead. ―The campaign has succeeded in sparking an increasingly high profile debate and campaigners are confident that in 2015 they will continue to de-legitimize investments in this rogue industry, successfully moving more money out of these fossil fuel companies and into bold solutions. Global Divestment Day will be another step in the right direction,‖ she added. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BI warns public against phone scams CEBU CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warns the public against extortion done through telephone calls allegedly from BI officials for the ―release‖ of a foreign national friend of the would-be-victim.

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mmigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the usual victims are Filipinos who have gain friendship with foreigners through the internet.

The supposed foreign national, who in reality is part of a syndicate will arrange for a meeting with the Filipino would-be-victim and make it appear that he or she will be arriving in the Philippines at a given date, explained Mison.

The Filipino would-be-victim during the supposed arrival date would receive a telephone call from someone who claims to be an officer of the BI and demands money to ―release‖ the foreign national from custody.

The Filipino would immediately remit the money but never gets to see the foreign

national acquaintance, said Mison. ―Please be advised that immigration officers at the airport are not authorized to make the first contact with non-passengers.

It is even more illegal to demand for money from anyone,‖ said Mison. ―We advise our Filipino kababayans to exercise vigilance with their internet acquaintances to avoid being victimized by scammers,‖ further said Mison.

As a rule, the BI does not hold custody of arriving passengers unless they have been excluded for reasons enumerated in section 29 of the Philippine Immigration Act. In the latter case, the passenger is sent back to the port of origin on the next available outbound flight.

―Excluded passengers are informed of the reason for their exclusion and in such case they may demand a copy of the exclusion order.

They will not be prohibited from making a call to their friends in order to seek assistance,‖ said Mison.

The BI chief said Filipinos with expected guests from another country who get in the same situation are advised to know the exact airport location and flight number of the passenger in order to verify the truthfulness of the claim.

Mison advised the public to call their hotline number at (02) 465-2400 to check if a certain passenger is actually in our custody at any of our airports. (mbcn/fcr/pia7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Pantawid women learn rights in family dev‘t sessions CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb 26 (PIA) - Women from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) learn their rights from the family development sessions held regularly.

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n an interview, Madelyn Gabiana, 29 from barangay Malino, Jiabong said while queuing at an ATM in Catbalogan City that they have so many learnings from the family development sessions with women‘s rights included.

The mother of two recalled that women should not allow their husbands to abuse them, that there is the barangay council that they can run to should they experience abuse.

She said however that in their barangay of more than 600 residents, she has not witnessed any abusive spouse.

Aside from women‘s rights, 4Ps members also shared their learnings on how to prepare nutritious food for their families so that in every meal, there should be ―utan‖ (vegetables) which are abundant in this farming community.

Family development sessions are continuing seminars for 4Ps beneficiaries on responsible parenthood, effective parenting, managing the budget, and keeping the family members safe and healthy. ―We also learned what to do in case of emergency, like during rainy days, we put our documents in plastic envelopes, prepare rice and easy to cook food and

we evacuate to the school up a hill,‖ said Madelyn.

Madelyn owns a sari-sari store while her husband is a rice farmer. In-between tending their rice farm, husband also sells fish to the neighboring barangays of Lulugayan and Camurubu-an all farming communities.

This rural woman also shared that she would help the new 4Ps members withdraw their money from the ATM as some of them are scared in pushing the buttons. ―They need to learn to become confident,‖ she said. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Public urged to report substandard gov't infra projects NAVAL, Biliran, Feb. 23 (PIA) – Right from the horse‘s mouth, a key official of the public works department urged the public in a radio program to report to the agency any government infrastructure project believed to be constructed below standard specifications.

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ome key officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Biliran District Engineering Office (DPWH-BDEO) were the guests at the Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan, a regular radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) held weekly, every Thursday.

The DPWH-BDEO officials were Engr. Alfredo Bollido, chief, maintenance section, Engr. Reynaldo Penaflor, chief, quality assurance and Engr. Rosario Rosete, officer-in-charge, planning and design section.

―The public has the right to report if one believes that the government infrastructure project constructed is substandard‖ Engr. Bollido, who is also a graduate of law, said. ―It is one of the current thrusts of DPWH to accept suggestions, comments and even complaints from the public as part of the agency‘s drive for full transparency‖, he said.

DPWH-BDEO likewise put up a feedback and suggestion box in front of the office and assigned hotline numbers where the public can drop and call their suggestions, comments and

complaints. ―What if portion of the wall of a classroom building collapses because it was built on sub-standard materials and can cause harm to pupils inside?‖ Bollido gave an example how important it is for the public to be vigilant on government infrastructure project constructed.

He even urged the public to see to it that government infrastructure projects implemented in their places must be in accordance with standard specifications to avoid wastage of public funds. (jc/fj/ rvictoria/PIA8-Biliran)

Catbalogan fisherfolk get benefits from FishR CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar , Feb 26 (PIA) - Catbalogan City recently received an award as one of the Top 100 Municipalities of the FishR Program of the Department of Agriculture/ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

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t is also considered as one of the Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLC) in the country.

City Agriculturist Daniel Daguman received the award on February 6, 2015 at the Gawad Parangal at Pagkilala in Tanza, Cavite.

The award is given to the local government units who completed early, the Municipal Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) in compliance with Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998 providing for the registration of municipal fisherfolks.

Catbalogan City recorded 5,350 fisherfolk as of December 2014 wherein it ranked 32nd in the whole nation, 10th in the region and first for the whole island of Samar.

Because of the said accomplishment, Catbalogan will receive Php2 million worth of livelihood projects, which according to Daguman will be for the 118 fisherfolk and their families by providing a package consisting of boat, motor engine, and fishing paraphernalia.

Moreover, as one of the 552 Community Fish Landing Centers around

the country, the city will receive Php2.85 million fish landing center.

This fish landing facility aims to reduce fisheries post-harvest losses.

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan received the said plaque and recognition during an activity of the City Agriculturist Office today, February 23, 2015.

"This recognition is a victory not only of the LGU but more so of the fisherfolk as support to their livelihood,‖ said Mayor Step. (ajc/nbq/PIA-8 Samar with Catbalogan City Media Bureau)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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DPWH-SoLeyte awaits geologist‘s report on Agas-Agas bridge repair MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 23 (PIA) -- The district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in this province will include the inputs of the agency‘s geologist in the repair work of Agas-Agas bridge in Sogod, whose ground surroundings around the two pier columns were earlier found starting to succumb to soil erosion.

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his developed after a team from the DPWH Central office‘s Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction visited the bridge, said to be the country‘s highest at 84 meters.

The visit last Monday, Monday, February 16, was to assess the situation preparatory for a major repair work. ―They conducted an ocular inspection on the actual condition of said bridge and its surrounding landscape to identify whether the proposed plans for the rehabilitation of access road submitted by this office would conform to the soil type,‖ said Ruella Altar, SLDEO Information

Officer. ―Their written report which will be furnished to this office as soon as available will provide recommendations and suggestion on how to mitigate and avoid further damage to the structures that will be built,‖ Altar said in a news release emailed to PIA. In her report, IO Altar quoted Jayne Atienza, the DPWH geologist, as saying rampant illegal logging activities was observed in the area that even young trees were cut for firewood, posing danger to the erosion-prone slopes where the bridge is located. ―She said that the surrounding

mountain slopes must also be taken into consideration and not just only the erosion that occurs beneath the bridge since these are correlated consequences: the debris from the erosion on the nearby mountain slopes will push the soil downward,‖ Altar said quoting the observations of geologist Atienza.

Altar also said that DPWH has released P 45.8 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of piers and abutment protection of Agas-Agas bridge, a project expected to be in full swing of implementation early this year. (ajc/esg/ mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Reg‘l task force trains on iodine checking TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 24 (PIA) - The Industrial Technology Development Institute-Department of Science and Technology (ITDI/DOST) Manila under a UNICEF project conducted a half-day training Friday, February 20, on WYD Iodine Checker at the PopCom Regional Conference Room, Popcom Compound, Government Center, Palo Leyte.

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his is to enhance the capacity of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force in the monitoring of adequately iodized salt in Eastern Visayas.

Member agencies of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force attended the training with Dr. Sonia C. Cabahit, Food and Drug Administration Supervisor, Chair of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force spearheading the activity.

Under FDA circular, salt produced, imported, sold, offered for sale or used by FDA licensed establishments must be consistently iodized to a level called for by the provisions of FDA. At least 15 ppm level of iodized salt at the household must be met.

The members were likewise taught the correct method for the calibration of WYD Iodine Checker to

accurately measure the Iodine level content in salt. Region 8 was a recipient of the WYD Iodine Test Kits donated by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) The training is part of the activities of RBATF to combat micronutrient malnutrition in compliance with Republic Act 8172 or the Act on salt Iodization Nationwide. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Maasin City mayor joins Smoke-Free Philippines workshop MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 24 (PIA) – Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco together with the eleven (11) mayors and their representatives from different regions throughout the country joined the Smoke-Free Asean Workshop last February 19. The workshop aimed to achieve a smoke-free Philippines.

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ayor Samaco in his report through ―Maasin City in Action‖ program over radio station DyDM today said that the workshop was to formally organize a network of mayors to make their localities smoke-free. ―We (mayors) were tasked to inspire, teach and spread our best practices how we achieved a smoke-free locality and let the other mayors duplicate the same,‖ he narrated.

The Smoke-Free Asean Workshop which was held at the Manila Pavillion carried the theme dubbed as, ―Forming an

Alliance: Working together to achieve a Smoke-Free Philippines.‖ It was organized by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, the city mayor added.

He said that part of the discussions were forming the vision and mission of the body, drafting smoke-free declaration, organizing a network among the mayors, to name a few.

Other topics presented were the overview of Smoke-Free Philippines and Smoke-Free Cities ASEAN Network by Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz, Co-Chair of Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force, and the sharing of experiences and challenges

among the mayors‘ smoke-free initiatives facilitated by OIC-Department of Health Promotion and Communication Service Dr. Ivan Escartin, while Balangiga City Mayor was the presiding officer, the city mayor said.

Among the other mayors who participated the workshop were: Mayor Joey Garcia, Balanga, Bataan; Mayor Evelyn Uy, Dipolog City; Mayor Jed Mabilog, Iloilo City; Mayor Alan Celino, Roxas City; Mayor Joseph Salvador Tan, Santiago City and Mayor Rommel Maslog of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.(rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

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