One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 33

Vol 5

Issue 33

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

The Office of the Ombudsman 6-led Caravan of Government Services catered to around 15,000 indigents from medical-dental services, advocacy lectures and other services rendered by other partner government agencies held at the Toboso Municipal Gym, August 18. *(EAD-PIA6 photo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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August 17 - 23, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

DOH forges partnership with various agencies to fight TB DELICIA M. SERVANDE TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 18 (PIA) - In its effort to fight tuberculosis and create public awareness on the pulmonary system and illness of the lungs, various activities were slated by the regional office of the Department of Health here with partner agencies as the month of August is declared as National Lung Month.

This year’s celebration started with a motorcade which commenced and ended at the SMED Center, Capitol grounds, Tacloban City recently, joined by various agencies.

Dr. Edgardo D. Daya, Leyte Provincial Health Officer, in his message during the program following the motorcade, said ―the celebration aims to focus public attention with pulmonary system and illnesses of the lungs.‖ Likewise, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla in his message said ―we must fight against TB so more life will be saved.‖ Part of the activity was the signing of the pledge of commitment between DOH and partner agencies on the commitment to find, treat and cure all people with tuberculosis.

It also encourages the partners to join the global effort to elliminate TB as a public health burden.

DOH also informed on the improved performance of treatment to identified patients that were treated, though, around 2,142 more or less unidentified TB cases has yet to be found.

Also, highlighted during the affair were the top performing municipal Rural Health Units in the province of Leyte: 1st place – LGU Hilongos, Leyte ; 2nd place Municipalities of Bato, and Matalom; and 3rd place, Municipalities of Jaro and Mayorga, Leyte. Municipalities with top laboratory services were given an award: 1st place – Municipality of Bato; 2nd place – Municiaplity of Matalom, and 3rd place, San Miguel, Lleyte.

This year’s theme is ―Stop TB, hanapin, gamutin at pagalingin‖. (ldl/ajc/dms/PIA-8)

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla. (PIA 8 file photo)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

USAID slates forum on climate change projections

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA6) — A one-day forum to analyze potential impacts of climate change on urban scenarios is slated August 26 here in Iloilo City.

The forum is facilitated by Be Secure Project of the USAID, which handles issues on Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability.

Launching of the DTI-7 Regional and Cebu Susan Calaor, Be Secure Provincial Coordinator, said Provincial Negosyo Centers led by Regional the forum is dubbed ―Understanding the Climate Change Operations Group DTI USEC Zenaida Projections for Iloilo City and Planning for urban Water Maglaya. (PIA7) Resilience.‖ The Manila Observatory of the Ateneo de Manila University is set to present their findings on the global and regional climate change projections.

Mona Grieser, Chief of Party of the USAID Be Secure Project, said the research team will downgrade the climate More on Region 7, pages 4-5. change projections to the city level.

―This will help residents understand better the climate risks Iloilo City is facing in the next decades,‖ Greiser said.

She added that the forum is designed for local government officials down to the barangay level, various government agencies, water utilities, water service providers, NGO development workers, business sector, academe, farmers’ groups and the media. ―We hope that at the end of the day, the participants will be able to analyze the potential impacts of climate change on water resources, its use and management,‖ Greiser added.

Besides the lecture on the science of climate change, Dr. Gemma Narisma, climate change specialist of Manila Observatory, will be discussing the projected changes in temperature and rainfall for Iloilo City for 2040 and 2065.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DOH Kalusugang Pangkalahatang (KP) High Impact 5 (Hi-5) Caravan which aims to achieve universal health care for all Filipinos @ Samar State University Gymnasium, Catbalogan City on August 20, 2015 (Pics Jun Arc)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Framework on energy resilience eyed during APEC Cebu meetings CEBU, Aug. 19 (PIA) --- Energy ministers aim to craft a framework for ensuring an energy resilient As ia-Pa ci fi c Economi c Co oper ation (A PEC) community when they meet in Cebu from October 12 to 14, 2015.

In a recent briefing held at Capitol, Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson said the key elements of the Cebu declaration will "revolve around energy resources, investments, clean technologies, resilient infrastructures, and regional standards for products and services."

One of the specific issues to be threshed out during the 12th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting and Associated Meetings in Cebu pertains to strengthening energy infrastructure against adverse climate change effects.

Ayson cited recent natural disasters in 2015 in the Asia-Pacific region that affected energy sources, such as the bushfires in Australia, flooding in the Andean Cusco region of Southern Peru, winter weather that hit Tennessee in the US last February, flash floods in Chile's Atacama desert,

coal mine flooding in China's Shanxi province, forest fires in Russia's Khakassia Republic in Southern Siberia, and strong earthquake in Japan's Bonin Islands.

The affected countries are among APEC's 21 member economies.

Proposed interventions for these and other disastrous scenarios will come from Japan, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, and Russia, Ayson added.

Other equally important topics include cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies and ensuring these are available, community-based sourcing for poverty-stricken areas with inadequate supply of energy, and energy trade and investment.

Ayala Corporation Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and International Energy Agency incoming Executive Director Dr. Faith Birol are part of an international panel scheduled to speak during the 12th APEC Energy Ministers' Meeting. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu/Capitol PIO)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Massive IEC campaign on WPS issue needed

President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

By Vicente W. Villavert Iloilo City, Aug. 16 (PIA6) - - The multi-sectoral groups attending the Forum on West Philippine Sea Issue were united in their stand calling concerned government agencies to intensify the conduct of massive information campaign in order to educate the

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ore than a hundred sectoral groups in Iloilo voiced their sentiments about China’s assertive actions in the West Philippine Sea following the briefing conducted by Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Charles C. Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

DFA Spokesperson Jose’s presentation highlighted the importance of the seas to the country’s economy and security.

He said that China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea has damaged the marine environment in Mabini Reef, Chigua Reef, Calderon, Reef, Burgos Reef,

Kagitingan Reef, Zamora Reef, Panganiban Reef, among others, and has caused multi-billion dollars destruction to our marine environment.

Despite all these, the Philippine government is maintaining a diplomatic stance to resolve the issue by filing a case with arbitral tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Jose said.

During the forum, a representative from the academe cited the need for the Department of Education to strengthen their educational system as far as teaching the students about the Philippines’ history and territory. One participant shared that a

Chinese teacher who was teaching in a Chinese school in Mindanao was telling the students that the different territories now occupied by China are parts of the territory of China. As to the information campaign, PIA Region 6 Regional Director Atty. Janet C. Mesa said that plans are underway to conduct an information campaign down to the barangay level tapping the civic sectors to help the PIA. Mesa said they want to get the cooperation of the different sectors, and will be coming up with a strategy to heighten public awareness using all forms of communication.

(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

More ambulances for Capiz coming up

By Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 19 (PIA6) – Capiz will soon have additional units of ambulance for use of the various public hospitals here.

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his after Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairperson Erineo Maliksi has approved the request of Capiz First District Congressman Antonio A. Del Rosario.

According to the Office of Del Rosario here, the Congressman wrote a letter, July 9, 2015, to Maliksi requesting the allocation of ambulances for the government hospitals in the province.

The ambulances are intended for Bailan District Hospital in Pontevedra town,

Mambusao District Hospital in Mambusao, Sen. Gerardo Roxas Memorial Hospital in Dao, Tapaz District Hospital and Dao Rural Health Unit. ―These ambulances are needed to transport the patients to and from their respective homes,‖ said Del Rosario in his letter.

He also thanked Maliksi for the support of PCSO that was extended to the people of Capiz.

This request for an additional allocation

of ambulance for the province was approved

by Maliksi, the office of Del Rosario said.

Earlier, eight units of ambulance were turned over by PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas to Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Del Rosario and representatives from the recipient towns and hospital.

The ambulances were for the towns of Panay, Panitan, Maayon, President Roxas, Ivisan and Cuartero, and Camp Peralta Station Hospital in Jamindan town. (JCM/ JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

DepEd mulls early enrollment for Senior High students

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA6) - - The Department of Education has plans to conduct an early enrollment for new entrants as part of its preparation for the implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) of the K to 12 Program starting School Year 2016-2017.

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epEd 6 Director Gemma Ledesma said through the activity the department will be able to determine how many sections will be there be in a track or in a strand. This will also help address the needs that may crop up such as teachers, classrooms and laboratories during the implementation. ―We are inviting our SHS parents to enroll their children and to watch for the announcement when the early enrollment will be conducted, so that we could determine the number of our children who will enlist in every strand and track‖, said Ledesma.

She also hoped that all these efforts will be understood which are geared towards helping students live a productive life in the

future.

The early enrollment may be conducted sometime in September or October or as soon as the guidelines are out.

SHS covers Grades 11 and 12 and involves four contextualized track subjects and the different strands under each track. The four tracks include Academic track, Technical Vocational Livelihood track, Sports track and Arts and Design track.

Strands for the Academic track include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS), and General Academic while strands for the TVL track include Home Economics, Agri-Fishery, Industrial Arts and Information Communication

Technology.

Ledesma said DepEd 6 has a list of different public and private schools in the region that intend to offer the tracks and the different strands that parents and SHS students may refer to.

DepEd 6 data showed that there are already 476 schools in the region that intend to offer SHS and out of the number 313 were already validated to date.

The data further showed that 369 schools will offer academic track, 365 schools for TVL track, 6 for sports and 5 for arts and design. Ledesma said a team from DepEd 6 is now making rounds to evaluate the readiness of schools, both public and private, for SHS implementation. (JSC/ LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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COMELEC to use OMR, not PCOS, for 2016 elections

By Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA6) - - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is set to use a new technology called Optical Mark Reader machines or OMR instead of the Precinct-Count Optical Scanners for the 2016 Elections.

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OMELEC-Bacolod Elections Officer IV lawyer Mavil Majarucon-Sia disclosed that COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista made the declaration August 13.

Majarucon explained that since the request of COMELEC for a budget last year on maintenance checking of the PCOS machines was stalled because of the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Supreme Court, the maintenance checking of the PCOS machines did not push through. ―The explanation of Chairman Baustista is

that if we use the PCOS machines this coming elections, we may ran out of time because we have not started with the maintenance checking of these machines.

That’s why COMELEC opted not to use the PCOS machines but instead leased OMRs from Smartmatic,‖ Majarucon said. COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez told the Philippine Information Agency that 93,977 units of OMR machines will be leased from Smartmatic. ―With the OMR, a voter still needs to fill up the ballot with pre-printed names of the

candidates by shading the ovals next to the name of chosen candidate and then slides ballot into the OMR. The OMR then scans the ballot. At the close of voting, the Board of Election Inspector (BEI) activates the counting function of the OMR and then the OMR prints outs election returns, Jimenez explained.

Jimenez added that the 81,000 units of old PCOS machines will be held in storage and refurbished after the 2016 elections which will be used for the 2019 polls. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

DSWD releases P56.3M for WV BuB projects

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 18 (PIA6) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-6 through its Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program has provided funds worth P56.3-million for community projects in Western Visayas.

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n a media release, DSWD-6 said that of the amount, Iloilo province received the biggest allocation with P34.7 million; followed by Aklan with P6.3 million; Capiz, P4 million; Negros Occidental, P4 million; Antique, P3.6 million; and Guimaras, P3.5 million.

In Iloilo province, BuB projects include construction of day care centers; drainage canal, crisis centers for women and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL); road concreting, construction of drainage canal, and provision of learning materials on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD).

The projects in Aklan consisted of the construction of day care centers and

improvement and concreting of roads.

In Capiz, BuB projects were the construction of day care centers and provision of materials on ECCD. Projects in Negros Occidental included construction of day care centers, Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and crisis center and communal irrigation system.

In Antique, construction of day care centers, provision of ECCD materials, provision of sewing machines, and a livelihood project on motorcycle spare parts and lubricants received BuB funds.

In Guimaras, the projects included the construction of day care centers and crisis

center for women and children.

The BuB is an approach to the preparation of the agency budget proposals, taking into consideration the development needs of the cities and municipalities as identified by their respective local poverty reduction action plans that are formulated with the strong participation of basic sector organizations and other civil society organizations.

This strategy is implemented in pursuit of attaining the Philippine Development Plan’s goal of inclusive growth and poverty reduction and promoting good governance at the local level. (JSC/DSWD/LTP-PIA Iloilo)

Media, Police and Army renew strong partnership

By Sheila Patoza KALIBO, AKLAN, Aug. 19 (PIA6) – The Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps (APDPC) recently conducted an oath taking ceremony for the newly elected set of officers, marking the renewed strong partnership between the media and defense group - the police and army.

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ice Governor Gabrielle C.Quimpo, the guest honor of the event, stressed the importance of partnership in the attainment of the ultimate goal of maintaining and ensuring the province of Aklan as a safer place to live, work and do business. ―The media is the critical partner of the government defense group because the media helps in informing the general public about the various programs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army (PA) she said.

She added that all the programs of the government and all the ordinances that were approved will be useless if these will not be disseminated and that there should be collaboration.

Meanwhile, Jan Allen B. Ascano of DYRU, the newly elected president of APDPC, accepted the big challenge to lead in bridging the gap between the defense group and media, with unity and respect of each other’s duties, roles and responsibilities.

Other officers of the APDPC officers are: Robert Nem (IBC-DYRG) –Vice President; Jun Aguirre (GMA &Aklan Reporter) – Secretary; Mary Joy Reyes (ACTV) Treasurer; Arnel Vicente (Brigada News FM) – Auditor; PO3 NidaGregas (APPO) – PIO; Alex Carlo Magno (TodoRadyo) – Business Manager.

The Board of Directors are Dr. AmbrosioVillorente (MP), Marlon Vidal (BomboRadyo), Joselito Edwin Ramos (PIA), Ramil Tirazona (RMN DYKR), Ronnel

Irodestan (CBIS Hot FM), Archie Hilario (Energy FM) and Noel Tallafer (KCTV); while Boy Ryan Zabal (Aklan Forum Journal), Ron Bautista (CBIS Hot FM) and Jodel Rentillo (Energy FM) are the Ex Officio Members .

The new set of officers took their oath of office before PSSupt. Iver P. Apellido, PNP Acting Provincial Director of Aklan.

Also present in the ceremony were chiefs of police of the different municipalities, members of PNP-Aklan, Commanding Officer LTC.Ariel M. Reyes INF (GSC) of 12IB, 3IB, PA and some of its members, and the different members of Aklan media.

The ceremony was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. (JCM/SQP-PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Cebu LGUs, biz sector vow support to Negosyo Centers

President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

Amor Y. Saludar CEBU, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- Cebu City and the provincial government here together with the business sector committed to give their full support to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here with the establishment of Negosyo Centers in the latter's regional and Cebu provincial offices.

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he Negosyo Centers launched in Cebu aims to catalyze small medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow, compete, and excel.

The center envisions to provide general business advisory and capability development services to the local would-be and existing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Concurrent to the launching of Negosyo Centers on August 18, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the Cebu City government is committed to give their best support to the advocacy of DTI in bringing business development to Cebu. ―We will always be with you, we will do our best to the best of our capability,‖ Rama declared.

Provincial Board Member Miguel Antonio Magpale of the 5th District said the provincial government is also committed to the advocacy of

Negosyo Center. ―The Cebu provincial government and my office has participated in a series of meetings with Senator Bam Aquino on entrepreneurship and trade,‖ Magpale disclosed.

On the part of the business sector here through Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (CCCI) President Ma. Teresa Chan expressed gratitude for the fast and timely establishment of the Negosyo Centers. ―I would like to thank DTI-7 for the fastracking of the Negosyo Centers,‖ Chan said, adding that the Negosyo Centers in Cebu will enable MSMEs to get along with the ASEAN economy.

Chan then pledged the CCCI’s support in the endeavors of the Center, adding that DTI-7 is one of the favorite agencies of the sector.

―We will give full commitment and assistance to the endeavors of Negosyo Centers,‖ she said.

CCCI has set a goal to make the Negosyo Centers in Cebu the best in the whole Philippines, Chan added.

The Negosyo Centers here in Cebu is a collaboration and convergence of DTI-7, local government units (LGUs) Cebu City and Cebu province, Cebu City Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council Inc. (CC-SMEDCI), DILG-7, DOSt-7, NEDA-7, BIR-7, PagIBIG-7, Philhealth-7, CCCI, RAFI, some members of the business sector, business groups and academe.

Another Negosyo Center was set to be launched in Bogo City on August 20, making it the 76th Negosyo Center established in the country this year. (rmn/ays/PIA-7)

Street children in Cebu City re-introduced to the arts Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) — More than 50 street children from the downtown barangays in Cebu City were treated to a day of rediscovering their love for the arts.

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he children were from barangays Tinago, San Roque, Tejero and Santo Nino, who according to SPO1 Janice Tamayo, head of Women and Children Protection Desk, Police Station 3 of Cebu City Police Office (WCPD, CCPO -PS3), need a special kind of push to integrate them into society.

Some of the kids were once considered Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) while others are dealing with having a family member in jail. ―We need to give them something different, to catch their attention and make them feel special,‖ Tamayo said.

The activity was held in coordination with the Cebu Lumad Lions, which had centered their other programs this month for the youth and mounted ―Agosto Halad Serbisyo ug Kaalam‖.

First part was reading stories and poems in Tagalog and Sugbuanon to the children in line with the month of August as Buwan ng Wika, Lumad Lions Charter President Dr. Marilyn Campano said.

The children were all eyes and ears as Cebu TV personality Yorie ―Mother Butanding‖ Deldig read the ―Alamat ng Lanzones‖.

There were also Suboanon poems read by Lumad Lions and the street kids themselves entitled ―Kab-oton ang Damgo‖, ―Sigarilyo‖, ―Ang Paglupad‖ and many others.

Campano said it is important that the children read actual books and not just on the gadgets. ―Lions’ whose advocacy is healthy eyesight, learned in our many refraction activities among school children that they are losing healthy vision because of the early and over exposure to gadgets,‖

Campano said.

Then they became artists as they painted a wall of the police station into a mural featuring an environmental design.

Architect Joseph Judilla, the Lumad Lions artist, said painting and colors are some of the factors that can enhance the development of a child’s mentality. ―It is also an expression and is therefore rehabilitative for someone who is or may have had a hard time knowingly or unknowingly,‖ Judilla said. PS3 Chief of Police PCI Jose Gesto, in his invitation to the media, said coordination with the private sector is encouraged since the police or the government sector cannot do it alone in spreading the advocacies for the youth and crime prevention. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

DepEd-7 supports DOH's school-based immunization Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, Aug. 13 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd-7) showed their support to the Department of Health (DOH-7) in the implementation of the free school-based immunization program for the month of August.

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uring the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) -7 forum, DepEd-7 Supervising Dentist Dr. Berna Ysulan said the program aims to immunize all school children and adolescents enrolled in Grade 1 and 7 of all public schools in the region.

Dr. Ysulan also said that the children should be vaccinated with the appropriate vaccines to provide additional protection for the children and to increase awareness about vaccine preventable diseases. ―It is important that health service providers take every available opportunity to deliver vaccines for the school children and adolescence enrolled,‖ continued Dr. Ysulan.

DOH-7 Maternal Health Program Coordinator Dr. Jovette Guinal said this campaign is a follow-up to the Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) immunization of children under five years old aged

9-59 months.

All Grade 1 children (boys and girls) will receive the Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) and Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) while the Grade 7 children will receive the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus and diphtheria (Td).

Dr. Guinal explained that this is to protect the children from the measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and protect adolescents living in the marginalized provinces from cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus infection. ―The immunization campaign will be implemented by health workers and trained volunteers in public schools,‖ continued Dr. Ysulan.

Students should eat before getting vaccinated and this should be done after the recess.

Dr. Guilan warned the teachers, parents, and

guardians that there are possible side effects after the vaccination such as fainting due to fear of injection, or sight of blood, or having not eaten prior to the immunization.

Wiith this, pupils are advised to lie down until he/she regains consciousness.

For swelling, pain or redness on the injection site, she advised them to apply warm compress with clean cloth and water.

Another side effect is fever which is a normal reaction of the body to the vaccines and rashes.

Dr. Ysulan added that vaccination cards shall be given to all children that will be vaccinated in this campaign and it will be recorded in the master list. DepEd -7 and DOH-7 officials urged the parents to support this campaign dubbed as ―Bakuna para sa Kabataan, Proteksyon sa Kinabukasan" and let their children be vaccinated. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

DA-7 intensifies drought

pest

5 control

after

long

Amor Y. Saludar CENTRAL VISAYAS, Aug. 14 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) here intensified its efforts to prevent the severe damage on crops and vegetation caused by a possible attack of pests after a long drought.

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n the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) forum, Bienvenido Acabal Jr, agricultural center chief III of Regional Crop Protection Center of DA-7, said that they are closely monitoring the occurrence of pests in the current dry spell.

Pests that are likely to exist include army worms, grasshoppers, and rats in farmlands.

Acabal added that DA-7 has been monitoring areas in the region that might be affected, mostly farmers of corn and rice crops. ―Since last year we have been conducting caravan in Central Visayas and informed the

farmers on El Niño and its possible effects to agriculture,‖ Acabal stressed.

He also urged farmers to be vigilant as pests will not directly attack crops as they will settle first in grasslands.

He added that in July this year, there are reports of the occurrence of army worms in some areas in Central Visayas that affected 56.3 hectares of the total 5,041.53 hectares of land being monitored by the department.

Most of these are in some areas in Bohol and Cebu and a big portion of it is reported in Negros Oriental.

Acabal clarified that this is not alarming as

the case in Negros Oriental is still manageable and can not be considered as an outbreak.

He added that liquid insecticide, pesticide, and herbicide are already distributed in these areas to prevent its multiplication into huge volume of pests that might attack farm crops.

Farmers, LGUs and DA-7 joined efforts in the application of these pest control to farms.

In this regard, DA-7 intensified its monthly monitoring to prevent the spread of army worms to large parts of the region and in preparation for a possible occurrence of other pests following the long drought. (rmn/ays/PIA-7/ AGIO-7 Forum)

Solon lauds BI for performing well despite small budget Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) -- Cebu 6th district representative Luigi Quisumbing lauded the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for performing effectively despite budget limitations.

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uisumbing who is part of the Committee of Appropriations of the House of Congress said, the Bureau under Commissioner Seigfred Mison has a low budget yet it had performed beyond expectations. He said this during the launching of BI's ―Service Beyond the Metro.‖ ―The BI has the smallest budget but they continued to be as dedicated to protect territorial safety and they continued to innovate,‖ Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing also cited the salary grade of the personnel is not commensurate to those who are in the law enforcement agencies. ―This we assure you that we are continually

looking into this concerns to enable the agency to function more efficiently and with high morale,‖ Quisumbing added.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said she also has very high respect for the agency for being a partner in the advocacy in protecting women and children from trafficking. ―I had been closely involved in the operations against anti-trafficking and I say you have the support of the provincial government," Magpale said.

Mison in his 75th year Anniversary message included a citation to the District Office in Cebu for being the top performing among the 59 offices in the country.

―This also goes to show that Cebu is really different, we have the warmest welcome and you have the most number of acted transactions,‖ Mison noted.

He said it is the aim of the agency to give its earnest service and continue to inspire, involve and innovate.

BI Technical Assistant for Border Control Danilo Almeda said Cebu has always been an achiever in the field of immigration enforcement.

It was in Cebu he said where the first case of pedophilia was caught and filed despite having no law on pedophilia yet. (mbcn/fcc/ PIA7-Cebu)

Bohol tourism takes on ‗outdoor dare‘ loop Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 14 (PIA) — The tourism promotional tagline ―It is all in Bohol‖ showed a newer angle: a mainstream destination for the outdoor enthusiasts willing to test their physical and mental limits.

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n an attempt to draw tourists away from the oft-beaten paths, Bohol, with the able support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) tested a new tourism loop that would bring tourists to a spelunking exploration, a treetop adventure challenge and traversing a river on a hanging bridge.

Having carved a name in environmental, heritage, culture, and popular tourism, Bohol has most of its tourists flocking into the Tagbilaran City-Carmen and Panglao routes, where most of the wonders of Bohol can be found.

With the recent mainstreaming of healthy lifestyle and extreme sports and mastering the body, Bohol through JICA tests a new lump of tourism products which would cater to the extreme and the adventure seeking tourists, according to Kin Gerica Trinidad of the JICA secretariat accompanying a team of inspectors-validators product testing.

The new tourism loop includes spelunking at the Danao Extreme Adventure Tourism in Danao,

tree-top and team-building challenges at the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Carmen and a hanging bridge river traverse at the Sipatan Hanging Bridge in Sevilla.

In Danao, tourists would be geared right: head gears, headlights and would take the 280-meter trail from the main center to the mouth of the cave.

A moderately challenging cave, Kamira can be accessed through a narrow crevice in a cliff wall where the adventurist would have to squeeze through, rappel to about 3 meters on a sloping boulder to reach the cave floor and then get to the challenge, says park official and extreme sports adventurer Rey Donaire.

From there, he will have to navigate a totally dark cave, aided only by a headlight and wade through half a kilometer of underground chambers of the Kamira Cave, traverse boulders, wade through hip-deep waters.

Another destination, the CHAP allows the tourists to take on the tree top challenges featuring

the snake ladder, the pentagon tree top course, gymn-akids children’s obstacles, zorb ball, body ball, sum wrestling and the bike zip.

The tree challenges are actually putting tourists on safety harness while attempting to cross trees using the challenging and swaying steps, Burma planks, Burma loops , vine walk, Jacob’s Walk and Tyrolean traverses.

To unwind, the loop brings the tourist to the famed Sipatan Hanging Bridge, a bamboo-slatted bridge hung on steel cables and spanning the Sevilla River.

The bridge sways as one walks though it and the sheer challenge of a river some few meters below can be a pleasing motivator. But for those disinclined to take on the challenge, even looking at people who take the dare can cause shivers.

This loop was opened to allow tourists to swing away from the usual countryside paths and hopefully spread the benefits of tourism to other parts of Bohol. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

2,000 seedlings planted in Oplan Broadcastreeing President Manuel L. Quezon Park Park--Corregidor Island

CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug 19 (PIA) - To help rehabilitate the damaged beach stand and increase the beach cover of the region, about 2,000 Talisay seedlings were planted near the beaches of Barangay Tanghas, Tolosa Leyte Saturday morning during the 2015 Oplan Broadcastreeing Project (Tree Planting).

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he seedlings were planted in four planting sites identified by the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in coordination with the local government unit of Tolosa, Leyte.

Before the planting began, a demonstration on planting trees was conducted by the regional DENR personnel to orient the participants the proper way of planting trees.

The tree planting is a response of the government following Yolanda’s wrath causing

heavy damage on the mangroves and other trees in said area.

In addition, the activity will serve as a strategy to mitigate the ill effects of global warming and climate change, now a worldwide phenomena. The activity is part of the Leyte Gulf Mangrove and Beach Forest Rehabilitation Project and the 1 Billion Mangrove and Beach Forest development Project under the National Greening Program of the Government.

More than one thousand participants from various government agencies, media

personalities, business community, academe, students, volunteer groups and local government units in Leyte joined in the tree planting.

The 2015 Oplan Broadcastreeing was made possible through the efforts of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the local government unit of Tolosa and other partner agencies and volunteers. (ajc/cba/ PIA-8)

Local beauty contestants help efforts to rehab mangroves CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 20 (PIA) - Candidates of Miss and Mr Manaragat, a local beauty contest, joined some 500 Samarnons to plant a thousand miyape and pagatpat mangrove species today, at Barangay Pupua mangrove as part of the Manaragat Festival activity.

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he lovely misses and hunks waded in the mangrove waters with Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan. ―This is a part of the advocacy of the Miss and Mr Manaragat candidates,‖ Tan told the media that covered the event.

In their pledge which the beauties and volunteers recited, read in part,‖… in recognition that nature gives me the air I

breathe, the food I eat, the water I drink and that without people like me who raise their voices to protect the planet and by making the commitment to save energy and our natural resources, I can help contribute in making this world a better place.‖ CENRO Mar Torres emphasized the importance of mangrove which supports marine life and protects settlements from storm surges.

The lady mayor urged the volunteer planters to "please do not get tired of supporting us in this advocacy.‖ Volunteers included the army, coast guard, red cross, non government organizations like Guardians, Access, React, family planning organization of the Philippines (FPOP), barangay Pupua folks, CENRO personnel and the media. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-Samar)

Maasinhons, netizens greet, praise victorious Pagara MARCELO M. PEDALINO MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 18 (PIA) -- The slight drizzle on Saturday nearly spoiled a parade meant to celebrate the coming home here of a rising star in professional boxing many had hoped to be the next Manny Pacquiao.

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ut the rain droplets fizzled out, and so the grand hero’s welcome for International Boxing Federation (IBF) Champion Prince Albert Pagara pushed through, adding yet another festive color for this year’s fiesta celebration and Ajonay festival.

Riding atop a blue pick-up with City Mayor Maloney Samaco by his side, the native from barangay Lib-og, this city, gamely smiled and waved to adoring fans, his championship belt in gold and red prominently displayed by a young aide up front while the vehicle inched its way on the street behind the last ajonay dancing contingent.

Teen-agers swooned, shouted, shrieked to the top of their voices on seeing the 21-year-old boxing sensation in person, who can easily pass as a showbiz star than a boxer by his looks.

Many could not contain their excitement as they struggled to take selfies in handy mobile phones, and sophisticated cameras clicked non-stop as the vehicle barely moved on, the crowd simply enjoyed, relished the moment at hand, obviously with a mixed feeling of pride and awe.

The sense of euphoria overflowed into the cyberworld seconds after PIA posted photos of the motorcade in its facebook page (Timeline Pia

Southern Leyte) -- the very first photos uploaded -with facebook user Atom Zyper apparently realizing that ―aw Southern Leyte diay na cija?‖ (So he is from Southern Leyte?) ―So proud of him for putting Maasin City in the international arena,‖ commented Almira Leonor Miras, a feeling evidently shared by everyone. ―Proud jod ta ani nija kay Maasin City ang gidala nga lugar sa iyang international fight,‖ said Tabada Lee Yu. (We are proud of him because he carried Maasin City in his international fight.)

That fight happened in Dubai on August 7, 2015, Dubai time, where Prince Albert Pagara demolished Mexican Jesus Rios before the first round was over with a solid left upper cut, sending Rios to the floor. The win improved Albert’s record at 24 wins, zero defeat, 17 victories by knockout.

Also on the same fight, dubbed Duel in Dubai 2, Albert’s elder brother, Jason Pagara, also won by a technical unanimous decision in the eighth round of his match against Ramon Alcaraz, another Mexican, and the victory improved Jason’s record to 37 wins, 2 defeats, 22 victories by knockout. ―A technical unanimous decision means the referee stopped the fight because of an accidental injury, so the judges’ scorecards were read,‖ Mayor

Maloney Samaco, himself a sports buff, explained when PIA sought clarification.

So it was not just one but two Pagaras who should have been in the street limelight? ―Jason was still nursing his wound caused by the accidental head butt so he was not able to come,‖ announcer Zaldy Olita blurted in Bisaya through the public address unit perched on top of the blue pick-up vehicle, answering the puzzled faces of onlookers who expected to see not one but two Pagaras. ―Ang next Manny Pacquiao kay taga Maasin,‖ wrote facebook user Denver Che. (The next Manny Pacquiao is from Maasin,) The experts and the street smarts in boxing also have that same vision.

The next question is, who among the two Pagaras will fill in the Pacman’s shoes?

For now, they will still be wearing their own shoes in their next bout on October 17 in California, USA, reportedly the last rung of the ladder to catapult them in more international fights for their professional boxing careers should lady luck be on their side.

Will there be another hero’s welcome? Only lady luck, fate, and faith can answer that, too.

Or is it just destiny waiting to happen? (ajc/ mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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High Impact 5 roadshow reaches Samar NINFA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 19 (PIA) - High Impact 5 of the Department of Health (DOH) will invade Samar‘s highways on Thursday, DOH representative Dr. Antonio Tirazona said.

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he roadshow starts with a m o to rca de fe a tu ring A liw an winner champion ―Manaragat Dancers’ from Tribu Katbalaugan (aka Catbalogan).

After the short program to be attended

by Samar governor Sharee Ann Tan and Catbalogan City mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, Samarnons young and old alike will be

treated to an afternoon of different health services like pre-natal care, ultrasound lab test, child care/newborn, infant and under five, family planning services and senior citizens medical services.

There will also be a Buntis Congress where the pregnant women will have a party and some prizes.

High Impact Five is a project of DOH

under the Universal Health Care Program (aka Kalusugang Pangkalahatan) of the Aquino administration.

The program ushers five major health programs that aims to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS malaria and other diseases and improve service delivery network. (ajc/ nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

PopCom popularizes u4u program to in-school youths MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 17 (PIA) – To further popularize the u4u (You for You) program of the Commission on Population, a u4u teen trail was conducted Tuesday in the municipality of Libagon participated by youths from three secondary schools, Provincial Population Officer Velma Kangleon disclosed.

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he teen trail participated by around 200 students came from Nahaong National High School, Libagon Academy Foundation and Libagon Integration School, mostly High School students, she informed.

The u4u Teen Trail aims to deliver very important information through online and mobile platforms to adolescents aged 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Kangleon added.

Regional u4u coordinator Reyan Arinto was the guest facilitator during the activity, Kangleon said. ―A training of student-facilitators composed of selected 16 students from the

mentioned schools were trained to roll out the u4u program in each of their school was conducted in the morning while the teen trail was held in the afternoon at Libagon gym," she told.

Kangleon said that u4u serves as a promotion vehicle to introduce the teens to online and mobile tools. ―They are encourage to ask questions on sexual debut, teenage pregnancy and how to avoid them and even sexually transmitted diseases, among the few,‖ she said.

It was further learned that the u4u Teen Trail in the municipality of Libagon is the 19th u4u conducted this year nd by September 22, 2015 another u4u Teen Trail is set in Maasin City, Macrohon and Padre

Burgos.

It was learned that one of the components of the Philippine Population Management Plan (PPMP) is the Adolescent Health and Young Development (AHYD) that aims to prevent sexual risk behavior such as pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy, reproductive health problems, among other sexual risks and behaviors.

The u4u program is the newest AHYD program strategy that will help young people understand and develop right values as well as prepare them for responsible adulthood.

It is part of the Department of Health’s national health promotion model on teen health, it was learned. (ajc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Borongan City celebrates birthday of symbolic 100 millionth baby BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 19 (PIA) -- The Commission on Population (POPCOM) conducted a search for the symbolic 100 millionth babies in the Philippines which started last July 27, 2014 as the country expected to hit the 100 million mark in its population on that day.

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ome selected staff of the POPCOM had been assigned to guard the number of births in public hospitals on that day starting from 12:06 A.M. On the same date, Jodie M. Cervantes of Brgy, H., Borongan City, was born and was hailed as one of the symbolic 100 millionth babies in the country.

In an interview with PIA, Mr. Mark Lucio Cortado, Jr., City Population Officer of Borongan City Population Office said that ―in August 11, 2015 we conducted a ceremonial awarding and belated birthday celebration with POPCOM Regional Director Elnora Pulma

as guest‖.

Aside from Dir. Pulma, also present during the ceremonial awarding was the Regional Staff of POPCOM, City Mayor, Hon. Mayor Fe R. Abunda; City Administrator, Dayan Agda; Dr. Ethel Lagria, City health Officer, Mr. Lucio Contado, City Population Officer, Police Supt. Matthe L. Aseo, Borongan City Chief of Police, Department Heads of LGU-Borongan, staff and other guests.

In her special message, Mayor Abunda said that she is happy to know that a Boronganon baby was honored to be selected as one of the symbolic 100 millionth

babies of the country.

Cortado further disclosed that during the program, some government offices and generous benefactorsgave gifts to baby Jodie. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation- Borongan City, bestowed on baby Jodie a lifetime PhilHealth membership.

Dr. Anne Ocfemia committed to give a free dental check-up program to the child good for five years. Lastly, Dr. Elizabeth Gorgonia, owner of Borongan Children’s clinic, also committed to give free medicines and a well-and-unwell medical check-up for the child good for two years. (asj/sdc/PIA8-ESamar )

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

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. 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