One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 49

Vol 5

Issue 49

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Members of the media listen as Michael Voila, PAGASA weather observer, explains how the radar system works at the Iloilo Doppler Radar and Synoptic Station at WESVIARC, Brgy. Hamungaya, Jaro, during a site tour organized by DOST 6. (PIA 6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Pag-IBIG Fund Dumaguete Branch head Julio Carmel Alfarero presented its electronic collection and remittance system for easy access and facilitates transactions hassle-free to members and Gherrie Balinas (Middle), MSO IV of Pag-IBIG encouraged member-participants in a Kapihan forum recently to avail its loyalty card as discount card with partner-establishments. (PIA7 -NegOr)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Talalora is now insurgency-free and ready to be developed, said Mayor Leonilo Costelo.

Witnesses are Col Rimando, Col Cabagnot and Col Domingo, and Vice Mayor Patrimonio.

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

December 7 - 13, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

HIV/AIDS cases record lead to early detection - DOH Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – Every hour, one case of HIV/AIDS infection is recorded in the Philippines.

With this, around 24 new cases of HIV/AIDs infection are recorded in a day based on the data gathered by the Department of Health in Region-7 by October this year.

But despite the spike in the number of cases recorded per day, DOH views this is not entirely negative as this could lead to early detection of HIV/AIDs cases and many people can avail of the treatment for the infection, according to DOH-7 STI-HIV program coordinator Mark Wenceslao.

This could also mean that more people are open to HIV/AIDs testing, he said.

DOH-7 continues to intensify the campaign on HIV/ AIDs prevention by conducting another round of mobile voluntary testing and counseling in Negros Oriental by January to March next year.

This will cover all cities and municipalities in the

province.

Wenceslao encouraged everyone to take the test as part of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Dagle disclosed that there 600 individuals who have submitted to IPHO’s mobile voluntary testing and counseling program conducted in nine municipalities in the province recently.

Another round of voluntary testing will done next year.

She also encouraged those with acquired sexually transmitted infections (STI) to seek medical consultation as early as possible as STI can lead to HIV. Dagle underscored to the public to practice ABCDE in preventing the spread of the virus. ―A refers to abstinence, as in no sexual contact between partners. While B is being mutually faithful to each other, C is correct condom use, D is no to drugs or alcoholic drinks and E is for education, early detection and early treatment,‖ she said. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Surfing as SoLeyte tourist attraction mulled

By Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 10 (PIA) -Aside from caves, gorges, fish sanctuaries, underwater sights, and pilgrimages sites for bodies and souls, add surfing as yet another come-on for travelers longing for adventurous trip here in the province.

For two years now, Cebu-based surfing enthusiasts have been frequenting the town of Silago to surf the seawaters there, according to Nedgar Garvez, provincial tourism officer.

In an interview at the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA cable TV program Tuesday, Garvez said the prime focus of the province’s tourism program for next year will be the Pacific area, in which the surfing potential of Silago will be explored further. ―The next tourism frontier is in the pacific,‖ Garvez said, adding that the sand sculpture competition in Hinunangan will also be among the events up for

promotion.

Garvez said that in a span of one month or so, the province got widespread publicity with the features on diving sites along the Sogod Bay shot by Andrew Stevens of Cable News Network, CNN, and with ―Biyahe ni Drew‖ of GMA News TV which was shown on December 4.

When reminded that the province’s tourism branding was ―playground in Eastern Visayas‖, Garvez said this concept will also have to be revisited, since only the Danao Zoo in this city sustained out of this idea.

He expressed hope the zipline in Sogod, an extreme sports that had gathered a steady following, would be revived.

The canopy walk along the virgin forests of Silago and other pacific towns, an integral part of the playground concept, will also be looked into as the province embarks for a pacific-centered tourism development in 2016, Garvez also said. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Media asked to help correct misinformation on BBL

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Dec. 8 (PIA6) --- The government’s chief peace negotiator urged the local media here to help correct myths and misinformation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Speaking during the media roundtable discussion/ forum on the BBL held recently at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Auditorium, government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said that the mass media can assist in correcting all the misinformation on the actual contents of the BBL. She said that the draft BBL did not provide for any of the following: (1) a separate police force for the Bangsamoro that is not part of the Philippine National Police (PNP), (2) exemption from the jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit (COA), (3) a Bangsamoro Commission on Election (COMELEC) that is not under the COMELEC, and (4) a ―substate‖.

She clarified that the President shall exercise general supervision over autonomous regions ―to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed‖.

She also emphasized that the Bangsamoro Police shall be part of the PNP, the Bangsamoro Commission on Audit shall be without prejudice to the powers and functions of COA, and the Bangsamoro COMELEC is part of the COMELEC. On one hand, Ferrer also appealed to Filipinos to support passage of the proposed BBL by exhausting all means to make lawmakers attend Congress’ plenary sessions so that deliberations could finish before Congress

takes its Christmas recess.

She encouraged the public to help them contact all legislators and tell them to go to the plenary floor and finish the interpellations on this proposed legislation. ―Use whatever means you have such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email blasts, texts or phone calls to urge your representatives,‖ she said.

She also underscored the important role that every Filipino can do for the progress of the Mindanao peace process, especially in curbing the misinformation campaign against the BBL by anti-Muslim groups. The BBL is the legal iteration of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed in March 27, 2014 to end the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer asked media to help correct misinformation on the BBL during Media Roundtable Discussion and Forum on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) held recently at UP Visayas. (PIA6-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

More Ilonggos benefit employment programs

from

DOLE‘s Merry Christmas

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment in Western Visayas has provided employment to a total of 21,545 individuals in the region through its three job facilitation programs with a funding of P59,772, 246 million, as of October this year.

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hese DOLE’s employment facilitation programs are the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP) and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

Salome Siaton, OIC Director of DOLE 6, said that for SPES alone, some 11, 258 students were hired during the period.

Under the program, student beneficiaries are provided a salary of minimum wage which is P298.50 per day, 60 percent of which comes from the employer and the remaining 40 percent from DOLE in terms of educational voucher presented to schools as part of their enrolment.

They are employed for a maximum of 52 days during summer or even year round especially for those students who come from technical-vocational schools. SPES is a program of the Department under Republic Act 7323 as amended by Republic Act 9547 with the aim of providing employment to poor but deserving students.

Under the GIP, Siaton said DOLE 6 has placed around 790 college graduates who have no work experience yet who earned 75 percent of the existing minimum wage in the area for three to six months internship in local government units and some national government agencies. She said this is an opportunity for beneficiaries to work

and at the same time get paid. For DILEEP, Siaton said a total of 9,497 individuals benefited from the program which is a contribution of the department to the government agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and poverty reduction.

The program has two components — Livelihood or the Kabuhayan Program and the Emergency Employment Program or Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (TUPAD). Of the 9,497 DILEEP beneficiaries in the region, some 4,559 availed of livelihood assistance and 4,938 were provided short-term employment under TUPAD. (JCM/ LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)

Aklan schools get special patents

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 10 (PIA6) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spread the early joy of Christmas to school children, teachers, parents and officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) by gifting 22 public schools here with special patents under the ―Handog Pamasko, Titulo To School‖ project, distributed recently at the Conference Hall of the Provincial Governor‘s Office here.

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he distribution of the special patents, signed on the spot by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Ivene D. Reyes, was witnessed and assisted by Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Atty. Victor Tesorero of the Register of Deeds and Public Schools District Supervisor – Kalibo Arlyn Regalado, who represented DepEd-Aklan Schools Division Superintendent Jesse M. Gomez. The signing of special patents for public school sites is covered by DENR Administrative Order No. 2015-01 dated March 4, 2015.

PENRO Ivene Reyes said the distribution of the 22 patents to public schools sites in Aklan is a historic one because these schools are the first in Aklan to receive such titles. Reyes also said that next year, there will be another distribution of patents as currently, some 40 schools are undergoing processing of their patents, now being handled in the Office of the Solicitor-General.

For his part, Governor Miraflores said the release of the special patents will relieve respective school heads of problems – one of which involves claimants/heirs who want to take back the lots/school sites donated long ago by their grandfathers. ―This will be a great opportunity for schools to move on to other problems – like construction, improvement or repair of schools‖, the governor said.

The governor also said the patents will now enable the DepEd, as well as other well-meaning organizations to provide funds for the construction of additional school buildings, assured that the lots where the structures will be built are already titled to the schools.

He also assured the support of the province to public schools needing classroom/building repairs through provincial school board funds, by enjoining them to submit resolutions together with the program of works signed by the municipal or provincial engineer. Of the 22 special

patents, Ibajay town had 8 recipient schools; Kalibo, 3; Makato, 3; Balete, 2; Madalag, 2; Nabas, 1; Lezo, 1; Malinao, 1 and Batan, 1.

The school with the biggest area is Batan Elementary School which has 51,899 square meters while Talimagao Primary School in Madalag, Aklan has the least with 2,074 square meters.

Other schools had area size from more than 3,000 square meters to 16,000 square meters.

Rhoda S. Sevillano, Principal II of Naisud Central School in Ibajay, Aklan, who personally received the special patent for her school, was all smiles when she delivered her response after the awarding. According to her, receiving the patent will be considered as a major accomplishment for her school; the patent is a very nice Christmas gift, and now she can proudly declare if asked again at the Division Office on the status of Naisud Central School site, that it has a title already. (jcm/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wind energy can provide power needs of Guimaras

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA6) — Just four of the current 27 wind turbine generators (WTGs) installed at full capacity could already power the entire province of Guimaras, said the Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation (TAREC).

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AREC, a PHINMA subsidiary operates the 54-MW Wind Farm at San Lorenzo, Guimaras, which became fully operational in December 2014.

Atty. Elijo Sharon Bellones, TAREC Legal Counsel, said each of the WTGs can generate up to two megawatts of power with up to 25,000 GWh in electrical generation output during peak months like November and December until April.

Atty. Bellones served as resource person during the recent College Press Conference (COPRE) of the Philippine Information Agency, held in Roxas City. ―The wind farm was installed with scientific and technical inputs, based on the Monthly Mean Wind Speed case study on site,‖ Bellones said,

adding that the study showed consistency with the wind speeds and peak energy usage periods.

She presented the benefits of the project to some 400 college paper writers during the event to raise awareness about the project, citing the Renewable Energy Act as its core mechanisms.

The wind farm covers an area of 14 sq. km.

Encompassing four barangays in San Lorenzo, namely, Cabungahan, Cabano, Suclaran and M. Chavez. ―As provided for in the Renewable Energy Law, the host local government unit is entitled to one percent of the company’s gross income, 40 percent of which is utilized for the LGU’s economic and renewable energy program,‖ Bellones said.

She also said that the equipment used and installed at the wind farm came from Gamesa, a Spanish firm and leading manufacturing of wind turbines in the world.

Some of the special features of the WTGs include a 360-degree adjusting blades and attachments for the 78-meter wind towers.

To date, there are three more current developments in Nueva Valencia and Sibunag in Guimaras and in Dumangas, Iloilo.

Bellones said TAREC seeks to expand in other feasible areas in the country, along with other competitors in renewable energy. ―This proves the growth of renewable energy in the country,‖ Atty. Bellones said. (JCM/ ESS/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

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LEAP to end on a high note

By Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Dec. 7 (PIA6) - - Sugar is sweeter without child labor. Indeed, after nearly five years of working on the field, with the sugarcane field child laborers they are ending the project on a high note.

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h e s l o g a n o f the ABK3 LEAP (Livelihoods, Education, Advocacy and Protection to Reduce Child Labor in Sugarcane Areas) says it all with 54,139 children nationwide benefiting the program in 11 sugar-producing provinces all over the country.

ABK3 LEAP data showed that 79 percent of the 54,139 or 42,770 were working as child laborers in sugarcane fields when ABK3 LEAP started five years ago, and now, five years after, 85 percent of the 42,770 or 36,355 children stopped working in the field With this figure, ABK3 LEAP Operations Manager Jason Befus said the program is successful. ―I think we have performed really well.

With less than nine months to go, we have met already all of our targets but we are also looking the sustainability mechanism, things like the Sugar Regulatory Administration adopting anti-child labor module into their trainings was not something we expected at the beginning of the project.

There are a lot of examples and sustained initiatives right now,‖ Befus said.

Negros Occidental which is the biggest of the 11 provinces, ABK3 LEAP has supported with 22,809 children at risk of working or already working from 13,021 households in 15 cities and municipalities in the province.

Together with the Department of Labor and Employment 6, to date, they released a total of P14-million worth of livelihood projects and finances in the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Aside from livelihood, program implementers also made progress in changing the attitude of the community, barangay officials, sugar industry leaders and the local government units towards child labor.

Befus shared that they first started the project, the stakeholders were a bit skeptical of Non-Government Organizations. ―Industries, NGOs and the government don’t always get along, now we made a good relationship. We made good headway with the sugar sector industry leaders willing to sign the code of conduct and willing to fund programs for children and against child labor,‖ Befus added.

Monitoring is a key component that

the donor, the United States Department of Labor, pushes for, and ABK3 LEAP’s Community Watch Group have 1,400 members and volunteers who are responsible for about 25 children per month monitoring them and submit documentation every 3 months nationwide, while Negros Occidental have about 750 CWG volunteers.

According to Befus, the project design was trying to ensure that it will be sustainable by not only giving access to quality education but also improving schools infrastructure, having a safe and healthy learning environment, training teachers, livelihood programs all with the goal that the community will sustain the idea that children should not work. ―We have convinced parents and employers that children below 15 should not work, and we see an attitude change based on our data.

Confrontation does not work in the Philippines.

It is much better to work together, creating much more impact and change,‖ Befus added.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Solon to campus writers : Practice hard work, honesty

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec. 9 (PIA6) – Student writers must practice the values of hard work, honesty, integrity and sacrifice.

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apiz First District Congressman Antonio Del Rosario challenged the campus writers and editors from Western Visayas and Negros Island Region to remain humble despite the success they are reaping.

In his message delivered by his Senior Staff Officer Melanie Del Rosario-Arancillo, he stressed that the values of hard work, honesty, integrity and sacrifice will give them a vision of a meaningful life.

The campus writers, he said, are useful instruments to help redeem the faith of the

people in our government, having the idealism and perseverance to influence and provide specific suggestions to make our society more caring and more feeling for the people who crave for a better life. ―Your group can help immensely by providing the public with insights on what the government is doing to achieve the desired changes in our governance so that in the foreseeable future we can have clearer accountability, transparency and integrity of public officials,‖ Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario was the invited key note

speaker during the awarding ceremonies of the Western Visayas College Press Conference and Awards held November 26 in Capiz.

More than 400 college campus paper writers gather for said annual event organized by the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office 6 led by Regional Director lawyer Ma. Janet Mesa.

Part of the one-day event were the on-the -spot writing competition and the awarding of winners as well as Best Performing School Paper Advisers and campus papers. (JCM/JBG/ PIA6)

Binirayan Jobs Fair offers overseas, domestic jobs

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Dec. 14 (PIA6)- - Overseas and domestic jobs were made available for Antiqueno jobs seekers in the Jobs Fair held December 8, 2015 at Binirayan Memorial Sports Center San Jose, Antique.

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The Jobs Fair is part of the month-long Binirayan celebration that kicked off on Friday (December 4) with the lighting of EBJ Freedom Park,‖ said Myra E. Pe, Manager Public Employment Services Officer.

The Provincial Government is all out in its support with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Association of Municipal

Public Employment Service Officers.

A total of 16 companies/employers joined the activity offering jobs overseas for skilled worker in construction, health care, beauty care, service crew and domestic helpers among others said Pe. For local employers, workers in demand are bank tellers, service crew, sales agents, drivers, helpers, ware house crew,

forklift operator and call center agents, she said.

Aside from job placement agencies local companies and government agencies, academic institutions such as University of Antique, St. Anthony’s College and Advance Central College also backed the activity as sources (trainers/educators) of skilled and competent workers. (JCM/psm/PIA6Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

BSP to consumers: ‗Read‘ bills to avoid confusion Merry Christmas

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

MANILA, Dec. 1 (PIA) – Over the mounting complaints of the hard to distinguish colors of the New Generation Currency (NGC) which the central bank is circulating as legal tender, a key official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it is high time that people should read and not just look.

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n 2010, BSP started replacing the New Design Series (NDS) of banknotes which started circulation in 1985.

As BSP is slowly demonetizing the 30-year old NDS, the NGC replaces it as legal tender, explained BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo at a forum held at the central bank’s conference room on December 1.

But with the new development, the central bank has received complaints about the hard to distinguish colors that are now being used.

Some of the complaints have been over the P500 bill, which share the similar yellow shade as the P20 bill. Both can be easily mistaken for the other, similar to the P1,000 and P100 bills.

But BSP Deputy Governor Guinigundo

downplayed the issue saying ―there is an extra zero in P1,000.‖ ―The solution is that society should read, we need to teach our people to read and not just look at the colors," Guinigundo urged information center managers from all over the country gathered at the BSP. Pressing for proof on his claims, the deputy governor pointed out that dollar economies only have green banknotes, and still they do not have problems.

We have simply added the colors of the banknotes to help people determine the money, he noted.

Among the new colors are bright orange (P20), bright red (P50), ube (P100), bright green

(P200), bright yellow (P500) and bright blue P1000.

The older NDS become unacceptable as legal tender for daily transactions starting January 1, 2016.

On this date, only the NGC would be used for daily transactions, Guinigundo said.

Over this, authorities are asking people to spend their old banknotes now before they can not be accepted as legal payments come January 1.

Failing to do that, holders of old banknotes would have to exchange these in the banks, as these financial institutions are still mandated to accept the notes for exchange until the end of 2016. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

28 Students vow to be env't champions

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, Dec. 1 (PIA) – Twenty-eight student leaders in Negros Island have become champions of environmental sustainability after completing the three-day Binhi Youth Camp held here recently.

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he camp was organized by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), a renewable energy firm that operates a geothermal power plant in the municipality of Valencia. The event was held at EDC camp facilities in Barangay Puhagan.

These student leaders were engaged in different learning sessions where they were taught on the importance of environmental sustainability and reforestation to recharge the natural geothermal reservoir in said town.

Aside from this, EDC’s corporate greening program ―Binhi‖ were also introduced to the campers. Binhi aims to reforest at least 1,000 hectares of land throughout the country every year. In Negros Oriental, the program has already covered 2,000 land hectares with many native trees planted.

The Binhi campers showed their commitment to support this advocacy by planting 30 species of molave and baguilomboy trees.

On the last day of the camp, Visayan Forum Negros Oriental coordinator Dondee Señeris gave a talk on mobilizing people for a cause.

He cited that in order to convince people to join an advocacy, there should be clear cause or purpose and the advocates should have a technical know-how on the advocacy and they should be persons of integrity so others will trust them. Finally, Señeris challenged campers to maximize the use of mechanical or digital media to invite others to participate in the Binhi advocacy. Apart from learning the value of environmental sustainability to campers, they were also taught some key points of leadership.

EDC Negros Island Geothermal Business

Unit (NIGBU) Head James Villaroman shared some tips on leadership, stressing that discipline, humility and open mindedness are some of the important characteristics of leaders.

But most importantly, leaders act with integrity and with respect with others, he said.

Student leaders representing Negros Oriental came from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Silliman University (SU), St. Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD), Foundation University while the delegates from Negros Occidental are from University of St. La Salle, Carlos A. Hilado Memorial State College, Bago City College, La Consolacion College-Bacolod, Riverside College, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod and West Negros University-Systems Technology Institute (STI). (rmn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

STARBOOKS now operational in schools, tourism center Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- In a bid to bring science and technology educational materials closer to the public, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here pushed for the operation and turn over of new sets of STARBOOKS or the Science andTechnology Academic Research-based Openly Operated Kiosk Station.

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he STARBOOKS equipment was turned over to the municipality of Maria as part of the Community Empowerment Thru Science and Technology.

This was done following the Information Dissemination Campaign made by the DOST Siquijor recently for the town to avail of STARBOOKS. The info campaign was held at the DA Training Center.

Training on how to use STARBOOKS also followed where attendees from the different public schools in the municipality and employees of the Municipal Hall had the opportunity to browse through STARBOOKS. The project was turned over to the Maria Central Elementary School through the municipal mayor and DOST- Siquijor.

Maria Central Elementary School teacher

Anabelle Sumile and company received the unit from Mayor Meynard Asok and Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing of DOST Siquijor PSTC. LGU San Juan has also one operational STARBOOK located at its Tourism Center in the Capilay Spring Park where students from nearby schools and walk-in guests can browse through the unit every weekdays.

As of this writing, the province of Siquijor boasts a total of seven units of STARBOOKS located in Siquijor State College, DOST Siquijor PSTC, Quezon Memorial Institute of Siquijor, San Juan Tourism Center, Maria Central Elementary School, and Enrique Villanueva Central Elementary School.

STARBOOKS was dubbed as the Philippine's first science digital library.

Earlier this year, STARBOOKS was among the five projects to receive the 2015

American Library Association (ALA) Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects.

What sets STARBOOKS apart from the Internet-based S&T sources is that it has a comprehensive collection of digitized reference materials, periodicals, journals and theses from the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) library, said DOST-Siquijor Provincial Engr.

Mario de la Pena.

Other than that, STARBOOKS is a stand-alone unit which means that the user can access S&T information from its database even without the aid of internet.

This makes STARBOOKS a must for far-flung schools and institutions which lack internet connectivity, he said. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

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PNP sets two-cycle PO1 recruitment in 2016 Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Dec. 6 (PIA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP) has scheduled two cycles of Police Officer (PO1) recruitment programs in 2016.

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he first is on February 2016 followed by the oath taking on July 1, 2016 while the second one will be in June 2016 and the oath taking will be on November 15, 2016.

General qualifications for the appointment are the following: must be a citizen of the Philippines; person of good moral character; and must have passed the psychiatric or psychological, drug and physical tests administered by the PNP or by any government hospital accredited by the Commission for the purpose of determining the physical and mental health.

Applicants must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized institute of learning, must be eligible in accordance with

the standards set by the Commission, must not have been dishonourably discharge from the military employment or dismissed for cause any civilian position in the government, and must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or criminal involving moral turpitude.

He/she must also be at least 1.62 cm in height for males and 1.57 cm for female, must weigh not more or less than 5 kilograms from the standard weight corresponding to his or her height, must not be less than 21 or more than 30 years old.

An appointee must possess the appropriate eligibility acquired from any of the following examinations: RA 1080 (Bar and Board Examination); NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance

Examination; R.A. 6505 (License, examination for criminology graduate); PD No. 907 (Granting Civil Service Eligibility to College graduate and CSC professional exam).

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) will start accepting applications starting November 9, 2015.

Application forms and top sheet together with a photocopy of Transcript of Records (TOP) and NSO Birth Certificate must be submitted personally by the applicant at the PRO-7, Camp Sergio Osmena Sr., Cebu City.

Applicants are advised to follow the recruitment section at the Facebook page of RSS and PRO-7. (rmn/rac/PIA7 -Siquijor w/reports from Acabo-Abatayo)

10 elude arrest in Bohol anti-drug operations Rey Anthony H. Chiu BOHOL, Nov. 30 (PIA) – Ten persons who were subject to search warrants issued by different courts in Bohol eluded police arrest after search in their respective abodes yielded illegal substances and drug paraphernalia.

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he warrants were issued following police surveillance and positive test-buy operations and were issued to prove probable violation of anti-illegal drugs act.

This, too, as police apprehended 28 drug personalities, accounting for the government some 186.32 grams of illegal substances where the government authorities implemented the search warrants in 26 towns in simultaneous operations, according to Camp Dagohoy Chief PSSupt Dennis Agustin.

In his monthly report to the Provincial Peace and Order Council, the Philippine National Police (PNP) through Supt. Agustin said that police implemented the campaign a g a i n st i l l e g a l d ru g s u n d e r O p l an ―TUMBA-PRESO." ‖Tumba Preso, which is the local implementation plan for the PNP National Headquarter’s 'Lambat Sibat' has gained commendable results," he told PPOC members gathered and the Bohol Island State University

Conference Room in time for the November 26 HEAT-IT Caravan.

Earlier, a massive provincewide anti-crime raid dubbed as One-Time-Big-Time, stirred up the hornet’s nest of crime groups in Bohol resulting in the arrest of more than 50 drug pushers and seizure of shabu worth at least P4.2 million, said Agustin.

The operation also caused the death of one notorious assassin.

Under One-Time-Big-Time search warrant implementation, suspected drug offenders Felix Bon Jr., (Panglao), Caryl Abuyabor, Kent Sabijon and Eric Dalmao (Tagbilaran City), Aquilino Ybanez(Buenavista), Julian Bongcas (Loay), Adrian Olaso (Guindulman), Junriel Lungay (Clarin), Restituto Planos (San Miguel) and Julius Cagasan of Duero eluded arrest after the suspects were not in their respective residences when the police implemented the warrant.

Suspects in the Tagbilaran City arrest warrant implementation yielded 104.66 grams of shabu, while Panglao search yielded

52.94 grams.

Also arrested for producing illegal substances in their homes during the police operations were brothers Erad and Abel Dalmao, Ronald Sarabia (Tagbilaran City), Jay Optina, Jaime Nisnea, Jack Aranzado and Arvin Aranzado (Dauis), Jay Luzano (Batuan), Ruel Apor (Dagohoy), Nicomedes Legazpi (Loboc).

In other parts of Bohol, just by search warrant implementation, the long arms of the law caught up with: Antonio Avenido, Danriel Avenido (Talibon), Joseph Calipes (Antequera), Lolita Mabulay (Inabanga), Kevin Paul Hormachuelos, Joseph Poquita (San Miguel), Eldefonso Densing (Loay), Jessie Subsuban (Pilar), Heran Mejares (Getafe), Nelson Agosto (Corella), Keith Bryan Antipala (Valencia).

Angelito Ybanez (Trinidad), Michael Mencias (Loon), Marlon Pahid (Calape), Edwin Tasic (Catigbian), Regil Paragile (CPG), Norania Ledesma (Jagna), and Dario Pagaran (Garcia Hernandez). (rmn/rac/PIA7Bohol)

PIA-7 holds social media workshop for GIOs Amor Y. Saludar CENTRAL VISAYAS, Dec. 9 (PIA) --- The Philippine Information Agency and the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) here held a two-day Seminar and Training-Workshop on ‗Social Media Strategies and Regulations for Government Communicators.

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he workshop was held December 7 to 8, 2015 at the AFP-Central Command in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City.

The activity aimed to address the platform in communicating government programs and essential information that has changed drastically with the advent of social media which is now considered a powerful venue to deliver information in the fastest way possible to a wider audience reach.

The workshop will guide government

communicators in maximizing the impact of social media by government which has the duty and responsibility to report and inform the people about its various projects and programs that impact people’s lives.

PIA as the communication arm of the government sees the need for government communicators or government information officers (GIO) to learn basic steps and strategies on effective use of social media and its regulations.

Topics of the workshop included Leveraging Social Media in Reaching Out to the Masses, Digital Storytelling/Short Video New Clips, Digital Copyright Infringement, and Laws on Mass Media.

Resource speakers of the training workshop are renowned professional experts in the media industry whose years of experience in the field will benefit GIOs in how to be effective communicators. (rmn/ays/PIA7)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

Public cautioned on sea foods due to red tide CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec.11 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas has reminded the public to be cautious when eating sea products particularly those collected from the coastal waters in the region affected by red tide toxin.

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OH regional director Minerva Molon issued a reminder after knowing that a child in Carigara, Leyte died due to red tide toxin and 20 other cases have complained signs of paralytic poison.

In a press conference held recently at DOH regional office 8, Molon reminded the people to take precaution when eating sea products especially shellfishes coming from identified coastal waters which are positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

(PSP) that is beyond regulatory limit.

Since October this year, the Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources (BFAR) alerted the people to refrain from eating shellfishes collected along the waters of Villareal bay, Daram Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda bay and Cambatutay bay, all in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte, Naval waters in Biliran and Leyte, Leyte.

But based on Tuesday’s laboratory results of the water samples collected

along the waters of Calubian, Leyte it revealed that it is now positive with red tide toxin.

Thus, all types of shellfish and acetes sp. or alamang gathered from said areas are not safe for human consumption.

However, other areas continue to be free from red tide toxin such as Cancabato bay in Tacloban, San Pedro bay, Babatngon waters, Ormoc bay, Sogod bay and Matarinao bay in Eastern Samar. (ajc/PIA-8)

NGCP conducts massive rehab of 69KV transmission lines Teresita B. Cardenas CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Dec.9 (PIA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has started a massive rehabilitation of the 69KV Palanas-Cara-Catarman transmission lines since November 14 this year up to February 2016.

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ngr. Lope Canete, NGCP’s D i s tr i ct 1 H e a d , Vi sa y a s Operations and Maintenance said in a meeting with Vice Governor Gary Lavin that the scheduled power shutdown that affects NORSAMELCO is due to the continuation of line rehabilitation activities along the 69KV Palanas-Catarman area.

Can ete ex p lained t hat t h e improvement will ensure more reliable power transmission services in the area as

the steel poles are much better than the wood poles because these can withstand 150km per hour strong winds during typhoons He is appealing to the consumers to be more patient and understanding with this power outage every weekend as these will only take seven more Saturdays or Sundays and the cooperative will enjoy better service from their end.

He added that under this project

NGCP would be able to complete the replacement of the 169 wood poles with steel poles and after six months or early months of 2017 for one whole month, the 90 remaining wood poles from Calbayog to Allen transmission lines would also be upgraded.

The scheduled power interruptions include December 5, 13, 2015; January 10, 16, 23, 31 and Feb. 20, 2016. (PIA8 Northern Samar)

OWWA conducts financial literacy seminars to OFW families Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 3 (PIA) –- More or less 150 families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Eastern Visayas joined in a series of financial literacy and values reorientation seminar conducted by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

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n a press release, OWWA regional director Norma C. Del Rosario informed that the activity is aimed at assisting the families of the OFWs in order for them to be self-reliant while their loved ones are far and help them maximize the resources they receive from families abroad.

Said activity will also help families cope up with the changes that they face while their loves are working outside the

country.

The participants of the seminars that were conducted in November 13, 16, 17 and 18, this year came from the municipalities of Sta. Rita in Samar; Jaro and Tunga in Leyte and 30 participants from Biliran province.

A similar activity was also held in November 17, 19 and 24, this year for 20 participants from Biliran, 19 from Northern Samar and 24 from Eastern

Samar.

The agency assured that they will continue to develop and implement responsive programs and services to uplift their interest and well-being.

Organizing OFW Family Circles is the agency’s way to effectively and efficiently give the proper care and assistance that every OFW’s deserved and to serve as support system of OFWs and their families. (ajc/DOLE8/PIA8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

Merry Christmas

Dengue cases in EV decline in 2015 Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec.7 (PIA) – The number of dengue cases in Eastern Visayas this year has decreased compared to the same period last year.

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ecords at the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health (DOH) showed that from January 1 until December 4, this year, a 73% reduction of cases was recorded.

Boyd Cerro, regional surveillance nurse disclosed that in 2014, the region posted 5, 139 cases with 21 deaths as compared to the 1, 411 cases recorded

this year with six deaths.

Most of the cases were from Leyte comprising 39% of all the reported cases and fifty seven percent of the cases were males. Ages of affected cases ranged from two months to 82 years old.

DOH cited the heightened level of awareness coupled with sustained intensified campaign and the

cooperation of the people are some contributing factors that resulted to the decline of cases as compared last year.

Despite the reduction of cases, health authorities still enjoined the public to continue working for the prevention and control of the disease which is expected to rise again during the rainy season.(ajc/ PIA-8)

26 drug dependents continue to avail SALAG‘s services Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec.4 (PIA) – Twenty six (26) drug dependents/patients who are enrolled at the Saving Lives at a Common Ground (SALAG) Treatment and Rehabilitation Center located in Dulag, Leyte are still undergoing rehabilitation through the satellite stations established in various areas in Eastern Visayas.

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his, after the rehabilitation ―Some drug dependents were center was destroyed by brought to Bicol and Cebu for in super typhoon Yolanda two years house-rehabilitation and treatment,‖ ago.

Cajano added.

Dr. Teresita M. Cajano, chief of the The SALAG Treatment and center said that services are still being Rehabilitation Center is the only rendered to the patients who are called treatment and rehabilitation center in the ―residents‖. region but is still not operational after it

was heavily destroyed by the ever strongest storm to made landfall in world history in November 2013.

Relative to this, Dr Cajano is calling the public to help those drug dependents to be referred to experts so they can be rehabilitated as early as possible. (ajc/ PIA-8)

SoLeyte gets P500M for agri-based projects Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 7 (PIA) -- Several municipalities of the province including this city stand as beneficiaries of a major financial assistance to boost agricultural productivity from the Department of Agriculture in the total amount of Php 467,958,519.34.

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he turn-over of agricultural interventions was held at Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City, November 27 by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala with DA Regional Director Leo Caneda, in the presence of some Mayors of the recipient local government units along with agriculture extension personnel, said Rio Cahambing of the Governor’s office who attended the event.

For the LGUs of the province, the specified programs as gleaned from a photo posted in the facebook account of Gov. Roger Mercado included the acquisition of a 12-foot paddle boat to be used as a seaweed service boat, cacao

seedlings and production, chest freezer, coffee seedlings, production of organic fertilizers, vegetable production, banana production, root crop production enterprise, and livestock production on swine and native chickens raised the organic way.

The fund also covered infra projects such as the concreting of La Purisima Concepcion to Zone V Farm-to-Market road with a footbridge, rehabilitation/concreting of other FMR roads, as well as a provision for incentives to Agricultural Extension Workers.

Reached by his cellular phone for more details, Provincial Veterinary

Services Office head Francisco Cabarrubias, who was among those representing the province during the turn-over rites, said some of the funds came as grants, others have counterparts, adding that he cannot give specifics for now as he was on official travel in Tacloban.

Most of the assistance are still coming, while some checks were directly received by Mayors who were around, and there were a number of sources of the fund, among them the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), Cabarrubias also said. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

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