One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 28

Vol 5

Issue 28

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

July 13 - 19, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

SSS WV collections breach P1.35 B

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, July 13 (PIA) --- The Social Security System (SSS) collected a total of P1.35-billion in contributions from Western Visayas since January 2015 which is 7.6 percent higher than the P1.25-billion collected from January to April last year.

In a media release, SSS Officer-in-Charge for Western Visayas Division Raul A. Casiano said the improved collections was due to the increasing presence of SSS in the region.

He said that SSS offices in the region have extended their resources to remote communities to enable residents in these areas to have easier access to social security services, including registering as members and updating their membership.

“SSS branches in Kalibo, Dumaguete, and Iloilo deployed Mobile E-Centers, or temporary SSS desks usually put up in far-flung areas, to make SSS services such as SSS registration, salary loan application, ID capture, member data change request, and status inquiry within reach of potential and existing members,” he said.

He said that they have set up Mobile E-Centers in the

islands of Siquijor and Guimaras, and the cities of Bayawan and Passi from November last year to April of this year.

He said SSS also participates in the monthly “Gobyerno sa Baryo,” a joint program of the Aklan Provincial Government and Congressional District Office for the benefit of the province‟s constituents in remote and rural communities.

As of April 2015, SSS members in Western Visayas inched up by 3.4-percent from 1.78 million in 2014 to 1.84 million, of which about 70 percent or 1.25 million are regular and household employees.

SSS recorded about 351,384 self-employed members and 241,812 voluntary members. “There is a modest increase in the number of self-employed and voluntary members which grew by 6.7 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

The SSS official also noted that the thriving tourism, specifically in the Municipality of Malay, has prompted the SSS to closely monitor employment activities in the province.

As of date, SSS has 14 branches and eight service offices strategically located in the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. (JCM/ LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

will be the top priority in case of emergencies as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-7) is finalizing its Integrated Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan with the nearing countdown of APEC meetings in Cebu.

RDRRMC-7 Chair and regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) Olivia Luces said the plan details the resources available in case of long and sudden onset of incidents including typhoons, earthquakes and fire and the succeeding actions to be taken.

“There are 11 staging areas for emergency response equipped with appropriate personnel to respond to health, fire and security concerns,” said Luces during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) that tackled the preparations for the APEC event in Cebu.

Luces said they are continually doing training for emergency responders mostly comprised of military, police and fire personnel to ensure zero gaps in emergency response.

“Our priority is to ensure that our visitors are safe and protected” when they come here during the APEC meetings, said Luces adding that thousands of delegates from various countries will be in Cebu to participate in any of the five scheduled meetings.

The number does not include the spouses or other accompanying members of the delegates, she said.

According to Luces, government doctors will be on

A joint operations center will be set up which will be manned by both the RDRRMC-7 and its national counterpart.

The RDRRMC-7 chair said among the resources she lacks is a long ladder in case of blaze and an ambulance that fits the APEC criteria and not just solely for transport.

Luces said the Integrated Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan will be presented on July 17 and 18. (rmn/fcr/ PIA7)

UBAS. Bishop Bishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo (center), DILG 6 Regional Director Atty.

Anthony C. Nuyda (left) and Regional Liga ng mga Barangay President Carlos C. Guarin sign the Memorandum of Agreement on UBAS or Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan program during the recent launching held in San Jose, Antique aimed to strengthen people‟s participation in the implementation in the implementation of projects and activities to curb corruption at the local level. Photo also shows (standing from left) Antique Provincial Liga nga mga Barangay President Dindo John Lignig, DILG Antique Provincial Director Victorio S. Pagapulan, Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao, RDRRMC-7 readies for APEC Cebu Vice-Gov. Edgar Denosta, and UBAS Executive Director Atty. Mariness Ledesma.(PIA6/ Fayette C. Riñen standby round-the-clock and an ambulance set nearby in the T.Villavert) CEBU, July 15 (PIA) -- Safety and security of delegates identified hotel venues in case of health emergencies.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo together with DTI7 regional director Aster Caberte lead the opening of the 1st Negros Island Trade Fair today in celebration of micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) Week @ Ro bin son s Mall, D uma gue te Ci ty.

(PIA7-NEGOR)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

AGIO 7 Forum on National Disaster Consciousness Month & APEC Emergency Preparedness Plan with guests from OCD-7, DOST-7, PAG-ASA & DILG-7. Hosted by Fayette Rinen of PIA7 and Anabelle Lagrosas of DYMR. (PIA7)

EASTERN VISAYAS

DENR-8 chief lauds Southern Leyte for supporting NGP

One of the activities lined up by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Eastern Visayas in the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month celebration was the river clean-up of the Mangonbangon River in Tacloban City, July 10. The activity was participated by LGU-Tacloban, barangay officials, students, INGOs, NGOs, the PNP, PA, BJMP, BFP and the different government agencies. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 15 (PIA) – “I am grateful that this administration gave importance on the national greening program,” Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca said in his recent visit in the province.

In his message during the Agriculture Summit held Monday at the Provincial Coliseum, Sibbaluca expressed that he is grateful that the provincial government is protecting and conserving the environment and conducted mitigating measures to combat climate change through massive tree planting.

He said that the DENR Office can‟t do it alone in protecting the environment.

“A Forest Guard can only effectively patrol a 3,000 hectares forest – the ideal area for 1 forest guard. But for the lack of manpower, DENR is only able to assign 1 forest guard to patrol a 25,000-50,000 hectares forest,” Director Sibbaluca further revealed.

"The national greening program is one of the mitigating measures that will help address climate change," RD Sibbaluca said. “This is what Southern Leyte has done, plant, plant and plant more trees,” he added.

“The more trees planted, the more carbon dioxide it will absorb which will process to oxygen,” Sibbaluca expounded the process of photosynthesis as symbiotic relationship of human beings to the trees.

The regional director added that 80 percent of climate change is caused by human being while the remaining 20 percent is caused by nature.

Sibbaluca warned the participants composed of agri/fishery sectors, some non-government organization representatives, among other guests and visitors of the summit not to believe in the saying that “it will take one hundred years before another Yolanda, be reminded that climate change is just around and it will even come stronger,” saying that this are effects of climate change. (rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Smart, DENR help protect Guimaras marine reserve

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, July 13(PIA) — Smart Communications and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-PENRO -Guimaras planted some 1,100 mangrove propagules along the shorelines of Taklong Island National Marine Reserve in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

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press release from Smart said that the activity has been done for the last two years to boost the celebration of the environment Month, together with two people‟s organizations, the LAFARMA and SARCEFA and some community volunteers.

The propagules were planted along a one-hectare area of Taklong island‟s marine reserve, bringing to two hectares the areas

planted by Smart and the community volunteers.

The marine reserve has 46 islets, with a total of 1,143 hectares, of which 172 are mangrove areas and five hectares are adopted

by Smart.

“The propagule planting is part of the community‟s efforts to help rehabilitate, maintain, and protect the area as a national

marine reserve,” the press release said. Smart Communications have been supporting various activities to help sustain the planet, among which are tree planting in critical watersheds, integrating eco-friendly solutions in its operations, and mounting events and campaigns to amplify public awareness on the need to embrace an environment-friendly lifestyle. (Smart/JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Church, LGUs ink pact as watchdog of projects Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique July 13 (PIA) - - The Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Church and the Barangay leaders signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) recently to strengthen people’s participation in the implementation in the implementation of projects and activities to curb corruption at the local level.

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his activity is dubbed UBAS or Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan where during the MOA signing here, has gathered the Parish Priests of 25 Parishes, Parish Pastoral Council Presidents of 25 parishes, Civil Society organizations, the Municipal Mayors, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers, DILG personnel and private sector representatives.

Director Leocadio T. Trovela, OIC-Director of DILG-National Barangay Operations Office said that UBAS focuses on four basic elements: Transparency,

Responsiveness, Accountability, and participation. “ W e h op e th a t w it h U B A S , the monitoring of Bottom-Up Budgeting projects will be more efficient and the practice of good governance will be promoted at the local level,” Trovela said.

For his part, Bishop Jose Romeo O. Lazo said that that he supports the UBAS program.

“We can work together for the common good. Our parishes as well as our Barangay Pastoral Councils, especially our Basic Ecclesial Communities can be of

assistance to our local government units through the UBAS,” Bishop Lazo said.

Bishop Lazo also reminded everyone of Pope Francis‟ message for human dignity and care for the environment. UBAS also aims to undertake other engagements or activities as may be deemed necessary or appropriate or as may be identified by communities, such as but not limited to Community-based Disaster Risk reduction and Management, environmental protection, children‟s protection and development, and peace and order. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

Disaster consciousness month highlights disaster preparedness Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 15 (PIA) – A series of disaster awareness and capacity enhancement activities have been lined up in Capiz.

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rovincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Esperedion Pelaez said that the focus of this year‟s observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in Capiz are mostly on the intensive conduct of disaster preparedness and awareness campaign.

Pelaez said that included in the upcoming activities are the 2nd Rescue Olympics on July 18 which will be participated in by the disaster responders from the various towns and city here.

He said that the selected members of the PDRRMO-Capiz Emergency Response Team will be participating in the disaster preparedness training and water search and rescue training which will be conducted during the United States and Philippines Pacific Partnership 2015 which will be hosted in Capiz.

He likewise stressed that the US Coast Guard will likewise conduct a special water search and rescue training for the CERT of the province.

Earlier, a disaster awareness family run held last July 11, was participated in by more than 1,000 government employees, students, private and civic groups and individuals, volunteers and non-government organizations.

The event was likewise joined by the US military men who are here for the Pacific Partnership.

During the opening program for the observance of the disaster consciousness event, Capiz Governor Victor Tanco stressed that because of Supertyphoon Yolanda, Capiceños have transformed into better persons who are prepared for disasters, united and helping each other during emergencies.

Tanco likewise stressed that proper planning plus intensive communication and awareness campaign about calamities and disasters are key factors for the community to be prepared.

He said that amidst urbanization, population growth and climate change among others, the need exists for a convergence

effort of the various sectors of the community, including a public-private partnership and public involvement to help reduce the risks and surpass the challenges brought about by disaster, urging the public to always prepare for the unexpected.

Part of opening program, July 6 at Hercor College, was the photo exhibit and rescue equipment display which was joined by 12 participating agencies, schools and civic groups.

A Holy mass was likewise offered where the officiating priest reminded that the occasion must be reflected as an obligation to help one another especially in disaster preparedness and response to save lives and properties, adding that the kick off activity of the province in kicking showed the Capiceños faith in God on top of other activities.

Other activities in line with said month-long event are the conduct of disaster preparedness orientation and drills in schools, barangays and offices. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Better coaching techniques expected with DepEd training NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 14 (PIA6) - - About 1,500 public and private elementary and high school Physical Education and sports representatives from the different Local Government Units in the province underwent a training and seminar on Coaching of the Different Sports Events.

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he three-day training organized by the Department of Education - Division of Negros Occidental in collaboration with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Province of Negros Occidental was held July 10-12 at tge Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activities Center (NOMPAC).

During the opening program at the NOMPAC, Provincial Sports Coordinator Angel Verdeflor delivered the keynote message in behalf of Governor Alfredo G. Maranon Jr, a release from Dep-Ed Division of Negros Occidental said.

Verdeflor said that Negros Occidental‟s good performance in the last Palarong Pambansa held in Surigao del Norte is laudable,

and it is partly because of effective coaching and training.

“The creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) gives Negrenses an opportunity to prove that indeed they are a team to beat in national sports events,” Verdeflor added.

Meanwhile, Romeo Sison, Education Program Supervisor of the School Governance and Operations Division and In-Charge of Special Programs of DepEd – Negros Occidental, said that through sports clinics, the competencies and skills of the athletes, teachers and other sports officials involved in coaching and officiating sports events are upgraded and enhanced.

“In order for Negros Occidental to maintain its good standing in different sports

events, we need to have this kind of trainings and seminars so that those involved in sports will be updated with the current trends especially on the latest rules and regulations of the different games.” Sison said.

Twenty-one resource speakers who are all members of their respective sports organizations were sent by the Philippine Sports Commission to impart their expertise to the local coaches, officials and trainers for nineteen different sports events namely: archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, billiard, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, and wushu.*(EAD-PIA6/DepEd Negros Occidental)

DOH targets 1M WV kids for deworming

By Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, July 15 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH)-6 said that the National School Deworming Day (NSDD) set on July 29 this year will be launched in three sites in Western Visayas.

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n press conference held recently, Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, DOH-6 Medical Officer III, said that the three launching sites are Guihaman Buntatala Elementary School in Leganes for Iloilo province, Atabay Elementary School in San Jose for the province of Antique, and Hinigaran I Central Elementary School in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.

“The NSDD aims to deworm approximately 16 million school-aged children enrolled in 38,659 public elementary schools in one day throughout the country,” she said.

In Western Visayas, the DOH-6 said that a

total of 1,001,382 public elementary school enrollees are targeted to undergo deworming.

“Deworming children in schools has been found to be a good strategy to reduce the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) infections with a positive impact on children‟s education and health,” she said.

She said that STH infections can cause poor physical growth, poor intellectual development, and impaired cognitive functions in children.

According to the University of the Philippines- Center for Public Health (UP-CPH), baseline data for STH in the Philippines showed

65 percent among the 6 to 14 years old.

The DOH said that the over-all goal of the Integrated Helminth Control Program (IHCP) through the NSDD is to scale-up deworming effort to reduce the STH prevalence rate to 20 percent by ensuring a high Mass Deworming Activity coverage of at least 85 percent.

This is in line with and as part of the DOH High Impact Five (HI-5) Plan, which focuses on achieving Kalusugan Pangkalahatan goals within a breakthrough period of 15 months. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Dengue cases in Aklan down by 59%

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, July 14 (PIA6) -- Aklan’s dengue cases for the first 6 months of 2015 reached 175 showing a decrease of 59.95% when compared to data for the same period last year, which had 437.

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f the cases, Kalibo registered the highest, with 51, followed by Numancia with 19, Malay with 17, New Washington with 16, Banga with 13 and Nabas with 10.

The other Aklan towns with their corresponding dengue cases include Madalag with 9, Tangalan with 7, Malinao and Ibajay both with 6, Lezo, Altavas and Makato with 4 each and Buruanga, Balete, and Libacao with 2 each and Batan, with 1.

Two cases were also listed coming from Aklan‟s adjacent provinces.

For the period, more male dengue victims were listed with 55% while females the reached 45%.

Meanwhile, the 11-20 years old age bracket had the highest number of cases with 59 followed by 1-10 age bracket with 56, 21-30 years old with 29, 31 to 40 years old with 15; 51 and above with 7; less than a year-old with 5 and 41-50 years old with 4.

Based on the data from the Aklan Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance and Response Unit (APESRU), the unit regularly monitoring diseases in the province under the

Provincial Health Office (PHO), other towns with high dengue cases next to Kalibo, except for Malay, are adjacent to the capital town.

To prevent if not to eradicate more dengue cases in Aklan, the PHO is sustaining its appeal to Aklanons especially with the onset of the rainy season to clean their surroundings to rid dengue-carrying mosquitoes of breeding places, saying no to fogging and seeking early consultation if they have fever for two or more days already.

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

SSS benefit payments in Central Visayas shoot up to P2.04B Fayette C. Riñen CENTRAL VISAYAS, July 15 (PIA) --- The Social Security System (SSS) paid out to members in Central Visayas P2.04 billion in benefits for the first four months of 2015, posting a double-digit growth from the same period last year.

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SS Assistant Vice President for Central Visayas Division Helen Solito said disbursements for Social Security and Employees Compensation (EC) benefits increased by 14 percent or P252 million higher than 2014 record.

Lump sum benefits pertain to one-time payouts for members who have not met the minimum requirements to qualify for a pension, while initial pension is for the accrued amount resulting from delayed applications for due benefits.

From January to April 2015, initial and lump sum benefits paid to members in the region were as follows: P4.69 million,

retirement; P48.65 million, death; P7.25 million, disability; P50.02 million, maternity; P12.09 million, sickness; P85.54 million, funeral; and P340,000, EC medical services and rehabilitation.

SSS is the biggest pension fund in the country in terms of membership with over 32 million members worldwide.

As of April 2015, SSS membership in Central Visayas widened to 2.4 million members, including some 24,000 new registrants.

“Aside from SSS and EC benefits, a large number of salary loan applications were received by our SSS offices from January to

April 2015. For the period, we have granted about P548 million in salary loans and P15.41 million in educational loans,” Solito said.

Solito who was with SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. and other SSS senior officials in Samar province for a regional visit said the recent contribution rate hike and new monthly salary credit that was implemented last year also paved way for higher benefits.

SSS operations in Central Visayas cover the areas within the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Samar, and Leyte. (rmn/PIA7/SSS Media Affairs Department)

Poblacion, Siquijor eyed as possible Tech4ED site Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, July 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here and the Information and Communications Technology Office of DOST 7 conducted an initial survey on Poblacion, Siquijor as possible Tech4ED pilot site in the province. he inspection was headed by Engr.

A resolution from the Office of the It promotes grassroots development and Aurelio Tinapay of DOST-ICTO 7 Sangguniang Barangay has also been made to opportunities for inclusive growth and poverty a n d P r o v i n c i a l S c i e n c e a n d authorize him to enter into a Memorandum of reduction. It will give communities access to Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña of Agreement for and in behalf of Barangay information, communication, technology, DOST Siquijor.

Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor with the government services, non-formal education, The inspection was followed by a short Information and Communications Technology skills training, telehealth, job markets and orientation and information dissemination on Office for the Technology for Economic business portals. Engr. de la Peña of DOST Tech4ED to the members of the barangay Development (Tech4ED) of DOST-ICTO. Siquijor said he has high expectations on the council.

According to ICTO, the Tech4ED project program to become a catalyst of change in the As to date, Barangay Captain Dr. Peck provides access points for individuals and province as far as science and technology is Cortes disclosed that a letter of intent to avail communities to bridge the educational and concerned. (rac/PIA7-Siuqijor w/ reports from Tech4ED has been submitted to ICTO. community divide.

Engr. Reinhod Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

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Stapling, crumpling, marking bills, illegal Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 14 (PIA ) -- It may be a thoughtless act and it may come out automatically that when you set aside money for your kid's allowances and staple it, you did not that you have committed an act of mutilation, one that is punishable by law. r in fact, when you crumple the bill to the original state, shape and color of the coin is Should the act becomes habitual to a supposedly test of if the note is genuine, also a violation of law. particular person, the matter should be reported or mark a banknote whether it is With this, if the 5-centavo legal tender coin to the nearest police agency/law enforcer for in legible writing or a mobile phone number in which has a hole at the center is used plainly as appropriate action or contact the Investigation the hope of getting a textmate, that is against pendant of a necklace without any defacement Division, Currency Issue and Integrity Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 247. or destruction done or made on the coin, there Office, BSP for assistance at Tel. Nos.: 988-4833 The said law prohibits and penalizes would be no technical violation. and 926-5092, BSP through Atty Leonides defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or However, its purpose as a means of Sumbi. destruction of notes and coins. payment for any goods and services is And if you happen to get hold of a Along this line, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas undermined, BSP said. mutilated currency, note that under BSP Circular (BSP) informs people, who may have not been On the other hand, some people have been No. 829 dated 13 March 2014, it requires banks told about the provisions of law to be on noted to take out the nickel-brass core of the to accept mutilated currency notes and coins for the watch to evade from possible imprisonment P10 coin to be made into rings. referral and transmittal to the Currency Issue or fine, or whatever the courts deem as This, the BSP said, is a crime. and Integrity Office (CIIO), BSP-SPC, Diliman, necessary.

Over this, when you catch a person writing Quezon City or any of the BSP‟s regional offices Any person who violates shall, upon or putting marks in banknotes, the Banko Sentral and branches for determination of redemption conviction, be punished by a fine of not more suggests warning or informing the person of the value. than P20,000 and/or by imprisonment of not Anti-mutilation Law or P.D. 247 which prohibits Banks however may charge reasonable more than five years. and penalizes the act of currency defacement handling fees from clients and or the general In like manner, BSP said the application of (writing, putting marks), mutilation, burning, public relative to the handling and transporting outside pressure, substance or chemicals that tearing or any manner showing act of intentional to BSP of mutilated notes and coins. (rmn/rac/ may cause deformation, destruction or change in mutilation.

PIA-7/Bohol)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PAGASA: CV to experience warm weather July 14 to 24 Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, July 14 (PIA) -- A ten-day weather forecast by PAGASA-Visayas showed that Central Visayas will experience warm weather from July 14 to 24, this despite the onset of the rainy season and largely brought about by the El Niño.

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AGASA-Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar Tabada said temperature during this period will be between 25 to 32 degrees Celsius while no weather disturbance is seen to affect the region within the next several days.

Tabada said the last onslaught of rains recorded was in July 10 adding that even slight rains would be a low possibility during this period.

“This is the first time in history that the country is plagued by a long El Niño,” said Tabada during the forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) that featured the observance of the National Disaster

Consciousness Month this July.

El Niño started in October 2014 and will continue to persist until May 2016 as Cebu and Negros Oriental will suffer from dry spell, said Tabada adding that a dry spell refers to below normal average rainfall for three consecutive months.

Tabada said normal average rainfall for July is 203 millimeters but as of today, recorded rainfall falls extremely short at only 70 millimeters.

“This pose a problem on our water supply as part of campaign now is also to urge people to conserve water amid the dry spell,” said the PAGASA-Visayas chief. Although Bohol would

have normal average rainfall, this would be 60 percent lesser than the annual average, bared Tabada. The number of tropical cyclones on the other hand, would be lesser due to the El Niño based on historical data but the typhoon‟s intensity when they come would be “more destructive,” said Tabada.

The last quarter of the year or from October to December, the typhoons' paths would hit Central Visayas as Tabada said disaster preparedness is imperative.

Tabada likewise announced that it would give a five-to-seven-day extended weather forecast five days before the start of the first APEC meeting in Cebu in August. (fcr/PIA7)

Anda eco-crick house uses over 7K bottles Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 13 (PIA) --- In an effort to make good use of discarded polyethylene terepthalate (PET) and glass rum bottles, an Estonian architect used about 7,100 of them to build a community center that would be a play hall for kids and meeting venue for the adults of Talisay in Anda, Bohol.

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he main idea behind the design is to take the local, traditional building culture as an inspiration and give it a fresh and playful twist through contemporary architectural design, said Estonian Hanna Lakk who volunteered to create the 15 by 17.5 meter AndaKidz Community Center.

The materials that are usually seen as the building materials of the poor are presented in a way that will emphasize the potential and raise their status, Laak who meant bamboo, coconut lumber and nipa fronds.

The form of the building is borrowed from the traditional nipa hut, the large roof covering the building is built from bamboo poles and covered in thatched nipa, using the traditional sloping gradient that assures good drainage to keep the roof last longer.

The building, under the roof from where all the function is located, is made out of concrete framework filled with eco bricks.

By eco-bricks, architect designer means a pet bottle filled with river sand. These are piled and set by a good mortar filling, to which experts

claim is several times stronger than concrete hollow blocks.

By using PET bottles over brick, they solve costs problems, and PET plastic bottles are non brittle thus absorbs shcok loads without failure, Bio climatic, re-usable, thus green construction as the bottles can survive for hundreds of years, he explained.

Estonian non profit organization, ANDAKIDZ built the community centre between August 2014 and January 2015 for the belief that Anda needs an indoor play and learning centre that can be used by children of all ages when they are not in school; a place to make crafts, paint and draw, read books, play games, enjoy musical instruments, watch educational programs, practice singing/dancing, hold events, said Robin Gurney, among the prime movers of the organization in Anda.

When the kids are not using it the adults can take advantage of the space for various community projects and meetings.

"We used plastic bottles filled with sand as "bricks", old tires for furniture, bottle caps for

decoration - wherever possible we reused and recycled waste materials from the area and combined them with local resources such as nipa leaves, coconut wood and bamboo," he said.

For fillings, he said they got the sand from various locations along Linawan and Badiang rivers which, in some locations, there is a problem of flooding at high tide.

By removing the sand we help reduce the flooding issue and get free resource for the building.

With pet bottle walls, the construction took 5632 Coke, Sprite and Fanta pet bottles and 2100 clear Tanduay and Emperador rhum bottles, Gurney said. The result is a building with thick bottle walls, clear glass bottles as windows and an interspacing of bamboo holes for ventilation, the interior so wide but contrasting with the light materials in the roof, affording perfect ventilation.

The building, which has withstood Ruby and Senyang storms, is also eyed now as a community evacuation center, said Virgilio Mainit, whose family donated the lot for the building. (rmn/rac/ PIA-7/Bohol)

TESDA skills competitions for tech-voc graduates up Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- Technical and vocational education graduates will again compete against each other as the Provincial Skills Competitions (PSC) begins today until July 14 at the Bohol Island State University (BISU) Main Campus and three other venues.

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he PSC opens today at the Cristal-e College in Panglao where cooking and restaurant services skills competitions is held. Welding technologies would be competed at the BISU Bingag Campus while web design competitions would be at the STI in Tagbilaran.

The PSC serves as a venue to recognize the skills excellence of the young industry skilled workers and graduates of technical and vocational schools and training centers and

institutions compete against each other to be called the best trained skilled workers.

The Association of Public and Private TechVoc Institutions in Bohol (APTIB) that organized the competition said its mission is to develope the globally competitive Filipino Workers who possess world class skills, values and work ethics, put up the event this year.

Supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), APTIB

said the contest areas for competiton this year would be in the fields of welding and its technologies, web design, cooking and restaurant service.

TESDA-7 regional director Rosanna Urdaneta is expected to grace the events, while organizers said they invited Governor Edgar Chatto, Congressman Rene Relampagos, Mayor Leonila Montero, Board Member Dionisio Balite and City Mayor John Geesnell Yap to join them. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

NFA-Southern Leyte inspects rice stores amidst fake rice issue REBECCA G. CADAVOS MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 10 (PIA) – The National Food Authority (NFA)-Southern Leyte Office conducted an ocular inspection of rice retailers in Maasin City as the fake rice issue is circulating throughout the country.

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FA Senior Enforcement and Inspection Officer Danilo Avila during the ocular inspection along the public market area forewarned the retailers on the fake rice which is now reportedly circulating in the country, particularly in Mindanao, saying “to report immediately to their office if there are suspected dealers of the said rice.”

In a talk with the rice retailers, Avila said that they should avoid transacting business with these suspicious dealers, warning them,

“if you will be caught selling fake rice, you will be as liable with the suppliers for violating the law, you are included in the investigation,” he said.

Avila, together with NFA Public Information Officer-designate Elisa Almacin gave some tips on the fake rice appearance and distributed some leaflets for their referral on the said issue.

The NFA team accompanied by local media practitioners said that the form of the fake rice is “perfect‟ compared to our rice,

saying that “it is shiny as it is mixed with resin, a chemical used in making plastic and the quality of its texture is finer than our first class rice.”

He said that NFA team is also monitoring port of entries such as in the municipalities of Liloan , San Ricardo and Sogod, to name a few. The news of fake rice that is reaching the country has not affected locally, but the retailers admitted that some consumers were already asking of the fake ones before they buy. (esg/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Catbalogan assists TESDA-trained entreps in business planning CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 15 (PIA) - Some 75 TESDA scholars of the city government of Catbalogan were given seed capital to run their small businesses.

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his, after they attended a Business Planning Workshop on July 9 to 10, 2015 at the Cocina de Cabral. The event was organized by City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Cooperatives Office.

The workshop was the last of a series of seminars for the 75 TESDA scholars of the city. These individuals have undergone trainings in baking, food processing, and motorcycle repair and servicing.

The city deemed it necessary to equip them how to make a business plan, write a business proposal and other aspects of running their small business.

The City Cooperative Officer Vivencio C. Eslopor II, John Ric M. Tan, and Merly Muñoz of the City Economic Enterprise and Public

Utility Office took turns in the teaching and learning process for the entrepreneurs.

All 75 participants passed their business plans that were presented for enrichment, validation and approval by the City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO).

Once approved, the CSWDO would then release a loan in a rollback scheme at zero percent interest.

This loan is to be used as their initial capital for purchasing raw materials, operational equipment, and other expenses.

Also, tool kits were distributed as part of the scholars‟ graduation in the closing ceremony of the event. No less than the City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan graced the event and shared an inspirational message to the graduates.

"Yana, makakatapod kamo nga diri matatapos dinhi it pagbulig hit ciudad ha iyo nga mga parapennegosyo. Ini kay usa la nga tikang hit padayon nga paghubog namon ha iyo para maging makarit nga negosyante. Kay hini nga amon pagbulig, natuo kami nga ha iyo pag-asenso mahidadara gihap niyo it pagasenso hit Catbalogan," (You can rely on the city government to help you start your own business for if you are successful, you will also bring success to the city), the mayor said.

This effort is part of the continued support of the City Government Catbalogan to the Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the LGU believes that they serve as vital instruments in the city‟s economic growth. (PIA 8-Samar with reports from Kim Mervin Labagala of the city mayor‟s office)

Naval holds first 'buntis' congress RODRIGO S. VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, July 15 (PIA) – ―We already witnessed several congresses here in Biliran province like that of women, youth, elderly and even that of men, but this time, it’s the turn of the pregnant women,‖ said Dr. Fernando B. Montejo, Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Naval town in an interview at his office, July 14.

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ontejo said that some 60 pregnant women selected by the 12 midwives stationed in the 26 barangays in Naval will converge at the Naval Gym on Thursday, July 16, 2015 for the first ever Buntis Congress.

This Buntis Congress is aimed at giving the participants the knowledge on good and proper nutrition during pregnancy, said Montejo.

“Teaching them good and proper nutrition is important because this will help and keep them healthy from the first month up to ninth month of pregnancy and even after delivery,” he emphasized.

The congress will also provide the participants knowledge on the importance of

the regular four pre-natal visits or regular health and medical check-ups in the nearest rural health facilities located in the barangay, rural health unit of the town or even in the Biliran provincial hospital, he added.

According to Dr. Montejo, this regular four pre-natal check-ups is a requirement of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) so that a pregnant woman can avail of the benefits provided by PhilHealth during delivery.

“We will also impart to them the importance of delivering birth in a facility-based delivery now located in the rural health unit of Naval and that of the other rural health units of other towns in Biliran province and in the Biliran provincial hospital, to ensure safety,

proper care and handling of deliveries which are attended to by trained health personnel” he added.

He admitted that there are still pregnant women in the community at present who refuse to give birth in a facility-based delivery.

The referred women are pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies that can cause maternal mortality.

He confided that based on record, there were already three maternal mortality cases in Naval from January to June this year.

Participants to the congress will be given hygiene kits containing towel, soap, tootbrush, toothpaste, alcohol and other necessary hygiene materials that will be used during delivery, Montejo further said. (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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Ordinance prohibits sale of junk foods, soft drinks RODRIGO S. VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, July 15 (PIA) – Junk foods and softdrinks will no longer be available soon in school canteens and stores with the passage of an ordinance prohibiting its sale, promotion and distribution in elementary and secondary schools including in nursery and day care centers, this town. he proposed ordinance authored by Administration (FDA) and the Bureau of Food he is positive for its enactment.

Dr. Gabino S. Velasquez IV, Naval and Drug (BFAD) is prohibited.

“It is high time for a local ordinance that Sangguniang Bayan (SB) chairman of One of the reasons cited in the passage would spell out what is good for the nutrition the Committee on Health and co-authored by of the ordinance is the rising count of obese of our schoolchildren to be passed especially at Councilor Nick Arthur V. Parilla, is entitled schoolchildren in the locality which is due to present where our market is flooded with junk “An Ordinance Prohibiting the Sale, Promotion eating junk foods which contributes greatly foods which are not really good for them to a n d D i s t r i b u t i o n o f Ju n k F o o d s to malnutrition and obesity and other eat”, Velasquez said. and Carbonated Drinks in All Day Care obesity-related illnesses.

Doc Gabby, as he is fondly called by Centers, nursery, Elementary and High School The local ordinance further cited the friends, also served as chief of the technical Canteens, Stores, Restaurants within the commitment and accountability of the local section of the Biliran Provincial Health Office School Premises of the Municipality of government unit of the right of children to (BPHO) where one of his functions is to Naval,Biliran." good health, which is among other basic rights oversee the nutritional status of schoolchildren The proposed ordinance strengthens accorded to schoolchildren.

A committee hearing on the ordinance DepEd Order No. 8 series of 2007 which The ordinance also spells out the best prohibiting the sale of junk foods and soft mandates all public elementary and secondary interest of the children thereby protecting drinks was conducted recently at the Naval schools to sell only nutrient-rich foods and their health shall be efficiently coordinated with SB Session hall with health officials and fortified food products in school canteens and other sectors, agencies,and parents to make personnel in attendance led by Dr. Edgar that sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based them more effective and productive.

Veloso, Biliran provincial health officer synthetic or artificially flavored juices, junk Councilor Velasquez, a medical doctor by together with heads of elementary and foods, and any other similar food profession who served as municipal health secondary schools in Naval and some products detrimental to the child‟s health officer of Maripipi, Biliran for several representatives of concerned national and do not bear the Sangkap Pinoy seal years informed that though the proposed local government agencies in Biliran province. (ajc/ and did not pass the Food and Drug ordinance is still subject for public hearing, yet, fj/PIA 8 Biliran)

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Samar conducts quake, fire drills in leading schools NINFA B. QUIRANTE CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 14 (PIA) - Some 15 days earlier from the biggest quake drill in Metro Manila, school children in Catbalogan participated in an earthquake and fire drill this morning.

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he emergency drill was organized by the city disaster risk reduction officer Eliot Lopez with some rescue volunteer groups partly to test the school‟s preparedness during earthquakes and the rescuers readiness to respond.

Some 300 schoolchildren from Catbalogan V participated the quake and fire drill.

Rescuer Jun Arceno of Access 5, a rescue volunteer group said that fire usually erupts after an earthquake as electric lines are extremely strained.

As first timers, the children aged 8-12 were instructed to do a “duck cover and hold”

position.

Then the teachers conducted them to the open space fronting the classrooms.

“It is very important to teach our children what to do, so they can protect themselves if disaster strikes,” said Principal Arvee Burgos.

The kids also watched a simulated rescue of „ten victims‟ where rescuers use the splint, spine-board and their very own arm-chairs to carry the „victims‟. The rescue simulation was explained to the curious school children.

Rescuers, specifically Access 5, also bore a triangular hole on the wooden door where the rescuers are supposed to pass through in case

the building is collapsed to the ground.

As to the occurrence of fire, Catbalogan Fire volunteers performed fire fighting operations while the two teachers demonstrated the use of fire extinguishers.

Five schools in Catbalogan had a simultaneous fire and earthquake drill today.

On Monday, students from the said schools were given a chance to see and touch rescue wares from the different rescue and volunteer groups in the city. Students also had the chance to ask the rescuers questions they thought were necessary to help them in times of disaster. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

BIR-8 to conduct financial literacy forum CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 15 (PIA) --- In order to strengthen its tax campaign program, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Revenue Region No.14 will conduct a financial literacy forum on July 23, 2015 at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the BIR Multi-Purpose Building, Government Center, Palo, Leyte.

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IR regional director Diosdado R. Mendoza said, resource speakers from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the banking sector are invited to discuss the latest topics on taxation and revenue-raising initiatives of the bureau, money management and how to develop spending plans and

selecting appropriate financial instruments to main positive cash flow.

Other topics include value features and planning processes associated with savings, investing and asset building for long-term financial security, credit card security/ protection and other similar financial literacy

concepts.

The event will be participated in by heads of various national government agencies, business taxpayers, local government units and members of the academe in Eastern Visayas.

The forum will coincide with the 111th anniversary of BIR. (cba/PIA-8)

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. BaĂąares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Childrenâ€&#x;s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com