One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 50

Vol 5

Issue 50

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

DOST 6 Director Rowen Gelonga updates members of media on the ongoing programs of the agency including One Lab and Netwok of Experts in Science and Technology (NEST) which are set to be fully implemented this January during a recent media forum held in Iloilo City. (laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

December 14 - 20, 2015

P2M set aside for GIS data on REDD SAMUEL D. CANDIDO BORONGAN CITY, E Samar, Dec. 15 (PIA) - Some Php 2 million have been earmarked to strengthen geographic information system (GIS) data banking in support to Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) and at the same time disaster preparedness education for Estehanons.

In an orientation held recently, funding agency German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) thought it best to address gaps in providing more comprehensive information that will help local government units prepare their land use plan that will spell safety and climate resiliency to adapting locals.

DENR, E Samar local government, Eastern Samar ‟s prime university ESSU and the GIZ entered into a Memorandum of Agreement laying out their different roles and responsibilities for the project.

As the expert in environment and repository of data as regards country forest, land, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources, it commits to provide data and technical support to the program.

ESSU, the province‟s prime university through its college of Environmental Science on top of its extension programs, commits to do research and thereby estab lish a data b an kin g fac ility with GIS software, hardware, and train local governments to generate needed data.

The strengthened data bank can be used by local governments and NGOs to adapt to the challenges of climate change and disaster occurrences in the province.

As the host of the project, LGU also commits to provide other needed data that will be used by ESSU. With all the cooperating agencies, GIZ hopes that Estehanons will have better chances of survival as the communities will then be equipped with proper knowledge to adapt their programs and projects to mitigate the ill effects of climate change.

Estehanons too on their own will be equipped with knowledge and disaster preparedness skills needed to live in the changing climate. (ajc/PIA 8-E Samar )

DOH bats for alternative noisemakers More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Rotary Club of Dumaguete South (RCDS) president Atty. Eliezer Escorial presents its 'UrbanGreen' project along with PENRO Charlie Fabre of DENR to promote agro-forestry and food production among various school principals and educators in Dumaguete City. (PIA7-NEGOR)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging the public to use alternative ways in celebrating Christmas and welcoming New Year and avoiding the use of firecrackers.

DOH teams up with the Department of the Interior & Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Eco Waste Coalition as it officially launches the 2015 anti-firecracker campaign which carries the theme, “Sa Ingay Walang Sablay, sa Paputok Goodbye Kamay”.

“For this year, instead of firecrackers, the public is encouraged to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers such as „torotot‟, car horns, or by playing loud music,” said Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin.

She said that the local government units (LGUs) are urged to foster community firework display.

In 2014, the DOH final report on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance recorded zero death and 860 cases nationwide which is 16 percent lower compared to 2013 (1,018 injuries). Of the 860 reported injuries, 840 were due to fireworks, 13 from stray bullet, while 7 were cases of firecracker ingestion.

Most injuries were caused by piccolo (32%), followed by kwitis (15%), unknown firecrackers (11%), luces (7%) and fountain (5%).

Most fireworks-related injuries came from the National Capital Region (57%), followed by Ilocos Region (8%), Western

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DAYGON: Solusyon team wins the daygon contest followed by Inisyatibo and Aksyon during the National Line Agencies Christmas Party, recently at SJC with Cong. Main Mercado. (mmp)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Visayas (7%), and CALABARZON (6%).

The health chief emphasizes the earnest cooperation of the LGUs and the public to achieve zero casualty as we welcome 2016.

The DOH reminds all Filipinos, both young and old, to have fun yet be vigilant at the same time.

In case of an injury due to firecrackers, Garin reminded that the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed.

The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention. The DOH ensures that all DOH Hospitals are prepared to attend to injuries related to fireworks. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

The Department of Health called on the public to celebrate the holidays with utmost caution as it launched this year‟s anti-firecrackers campaign dubbed with the theme “Mahalaga ang Buhay, Iwasan ang Paputok.” (www.DOH.gov.ph photo/caption)

Tourists arrivals in CV up Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Total tourism arrivals in Central Visayas from both foreign and domestic visitors from January to September this year grew by 4.56% compared to the same period last year.

Marlon Barrientos, tourism operations officer II of the Department of Tourism (DOT7), presented the agency data showing that 3,172,430 million tourists visited Central Visayas for the first nine months in 2015 compared to 3,034,120 visitors of the same period last year.

Domestic tourists accounted for 1,808,730 million and foreign visitors reached 1,352,920 million arrivals from January to September, this year.

Cebu had the largest share of both the local and international tourists with 1,172, 219 million for domestic visitors, accounting for 65% and 1,140,136 million for foreign arrivals or equivalent to over 80%.

Negros Oriental placed second for the most visited province among local tourists with 384,809 followed by Bohol with 225,344, and Siquijor with 26,358.

Bohol, however, was the preferred choice for foreign tourists after Cebu getting 115,330 visitors, with Negros

Oriental at third spot with 77,138, and Siquijor with 20, 316 foreign tourists.

The DOT-7 presentation showed the top 10 foreign markets for Central Visayas with Korea as the top visitor followed by Japan, United States, China, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, France, and Taiwan.

According to DOT-7, there were 507,455 Koreans that visited the region for the first nine months this year, comprising the bulk of the foreign tourist market share at 43% followed by the Japanese with 20.5% or equivalent to 239,407 and at third place were the Americans with 10% or 116,643 US tourists.

Barrientos said the data for the fourth quarter or from October to December would be released sometime early next year, adding that the ranking would more or less be the same, relative to foreign market share.

The DOT-7 tourism operations officer said the agency is busy preparing for the Sinulog Festival 2016 as it invited some members of the international press to cover the event as part of the tourism promotion campaign to further increase foreign tourist arrivals to Cebu and the region. (rmn/ fcr/PIA7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Graciano Lopez Jaena‘s 159th birth anniversary set Merry Christmas

By Lilibeth French ILOILO CITY, Dec. 15 (PIA6) - - The Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, Inc. has set activities to commemorate the 159th birth anniversary of Ilonggo hero, Graciano Lopez Jaena, on Friday, December 18.

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foot parade at 7 AM, starting from “Jardin Elena”, birthplace of Lopez Jaena in Fajardo Street up to the Graciano Lopez Jaena Park in Plaza Jaro, will kick off the commemorative activities.

Students, barangay officials, Freemasons, civic groups and other organizations are expected to join the parade which will be followed by a program at the heroes‟ monument at the Park.

OIC Schools Division Superintendent Clarrissa Geroche Zamora of the Department

of Education Division of Iloilo City will be the guest speaker and descendants of Graciano will give a response during the program.

A floral offering will also be done by the DGLJ Foundation officers, government officials and representatives of schools and civic groups.

To cap the event, DGLJ Foundation trustees and officers led by their Chairman and Iloilo Provincial Board Member Demy Sonza will hold their annual meeting at Jardin Elena after the program.

Lopez Jaena who was a journalist and orator was the first Ilonggo hero revered at the national level. He is known as the first Filipino Propagandist, having laid the objectives of the Philippine Propaganda Movement that led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896.

He also founded the newspaper, La Solidaridad, which became the official organ of the propaganda movement. In the city and province of Iloilo, December 18 is observed as a public holiday by virtue of Republic Act No. 6155. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

‗Nona‘ spares Capiz from damages Jemin Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec. 17 (PIA) – Typhoon ―Nona‖ spared Capiz from any damage.

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rovincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Esperedion Pelaez disclosed that despite Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 raised over Capiz for two days, typhoon Nona brought no damage here.

He said that per their monitoring from the different local DRRMOs in the province here, there was no damage to properties and no individual was injured due to said ty-

phoon.

Pelaez also said that the rainfall brought by the typhoon has not resulted in flooding as the water level in the rivers here was still normal.

He said that while the public storm warning signal for “Nona” in the province was already lifted, the PDRRMO Operation Center is continuing with its monitoring, with the coming of Tropical Depression “Onyok” to the

Philippine Area of Responsibility.

In December 15, the Manila-Roxas flights of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific were cancelled due to the bad weather condition brought about by typhoon Nona.

Likewise, all the trips of all types of water crafts/vessels, including motorized bancas and fishing vessels in Capiz were also suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard due to the weather disturbance. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

DENR cites Aklan's best performing environment protectors

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Dec. 17 (PIA6) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Aklan cited recently its partners in the rehabilitation and protection of the environment in the province during its Year-end Assessment and Recognition Program/Thanksgiving activity held at Bel‘s Garden in Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan. he awards were divided into 5 contribution in the implementation of implementation with 89% survival of planted categories – for DENR Best National NGP-BUB in the cited areas. tree seedlings. Three (3) Best NGP Volunteer Greening Volunteer Partners for 2015; The DENR also cited more or less 50 of Planters for 2015 were cited – the 12th IB DENR Best Performing People‟s Organizations its employees in Aklan as special awardees Spearhead Division based in Camp Jizmundo, for 2015; Best LGU Implementor for and best performers for assisting barangay Libas, Banga, Aklan; the Bantay Bayan 2015; DENR Employee Special Awards for councils and People‟s Organizations in the Foundation Inc. Aklan Chapter and the Iglesia 2015 and DENR Employee Best Performers for implementation of NGP and in attaining high ni Cristo.

2015. percentage performance in patent processing The cited Peoples‟ Organizations were The recipients of the Best National and issuance for residential lands for from various municipalities of the province Greening Volunteer Partners were cited for DENR-PENRO- Aklan. whichc were recognized for the high survival their commitment towards protection and Awarded as Best LGU Implementer for rate percentage of their produced and planted rehabilitation of the natural resources and 2015 were Barangay Council of Cabugao, tree seedlings. mangrove beach forests while the Best Batan, represented by Punong Barangay Provincial Environment and Natural Performing Peoples‟ Organizations were cited Rizal Rodriguez for the protection of the Resources Officer (PENRO) Ivene Reyes of for their contribution in the success of the environment and for contributing in the DENR-Aklan led the awarding of certificates NGP implementation in Aklan by attaining very implementation of the 2015 Mangrove and and tokens, assisted by Chief Management high percentages of survival of planted tree Beach Forest Development Project of the Specialist Division Marlowe Fajanil and Chief seedlings based on validations conducted.

DENR covering the biggest area of 107.7 Technical Services Division Forester Merlene The DENR Best LGU Implementor hectares; Barangay Council of Bag-ong Baryo in Aborka. awardees for 2015, on the other hand, were Makato represented by Hon. Richard Taladro, The activity was also an opportunity for cited for their commitment towards protection for its NGP-BUB project in coordination with the DENR-Aklan employees to showcase their and rehabilitation of environment and natural LGU-Makato and DENR-Aklan with 89% talents through the Videoke King and Queen resources and for giving worthy contribution in survival; Municipality of Nabas, implementation contest; DENR Vocal Duet and DENR the implementation of Mangrove and Beach of NGP-BUB with 85% survival; and the Sayawan Contest which had corresponding Forest Development Project; and for their Municipality of Makato for its NGP-BUB cash prizes to winners. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

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CICL cases in Antique increasing Vicente W. Villavert

SAN JOSE, Antique Dec. 15 (PIA6) - - The Antique Provincial Police Office expressed alarm on the increasing rate of the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in the province during the launching of the OPLAN Kabataan Palangga Kang Kapulisan program.

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SSupt. Edgardo O. Ordaniel urged the various stakeholders to closely work for the welfare and development of children specially the CICL in order to reduce the number of juvenile offenders in the province.

Ordaniel said that the problem is experienced not only in the province but also in other parts of the country.

The launching of the OPLAN Kabataan Palangga kang Kapulisan aims to give the youth offenders an opportunity and direction to avail a holistic service through moral, psychological and spiritual services from the various stakeholders.

Former Provincial Women and Children‟s Protection Desk Officer PINSP Grace A. Saldajeno who is now the Police Chief of Anini-y Municipal Police Office said in her presentation of the rationale of the OPLAN

Kabataan palangga kang Kapulisan that the CICL cases in Antique was recorded at 119 cases or 85.94 percent increase in 2013 compared to the 25 percent or 51 cases recorded in year 2011 and 64 cases in year 2012.

PINSP Saldajeno said Theft was the most prevalent crime committed by the CICL in year 2013 recorded at 45.4 percent followed by physical injuries at 31.9 percent and robbery at 6.7 percent.

“From January to May 2014 there were already 50 CICL incidents recorded and among the crimes committed were theft at 34 percent, physical injury at 30 percetn and robbery at 10 percent,” Saldajeno said.

What worries the PNP is that the CICL were reportedly used by unscrupulous adults “because they know that children are criminally exempted from suits, and if not given early

intervention these children would become hardened criminals.

As an intervention to this problem, the OPLAN Kabataan Palangga Kang Kapulisan was formulated in June 20114 aimed to address the criminal incidents committed by children; to make these children discover their individual strengths;to develop and expose children to be responsible individuals in their respective communities; and to project the children as the future and hope of the nation.

“The threat is real but it can be addressed,” Saldajeno said as she urged the various stakeholders and the community to work together for the success of the program for the CICL. During the program, Gov. Rhodora J. Cadiao was represented by Provincial focal person for peace and order and public safety Margie Gadian. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

DOST's One-Stop-Shop Lab operational January

By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA6) - - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will be fully implementing its One Stop Shop Laboratory for Global Competitiveness (OneLab) that will link all its testing laboratories nationwide starting January next year.

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OST 6 Director Rowen Gelonga said Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region will greatly benefit from the project which leverages Information Technology to bring the services of the government to the people.

Gelonga said through One Lab, there is no need for MSMEs to go or transact to one testing laboratory to another to complete their laboratory testing requirements. All they need to do is to conduct business with a DOST testing laboratory in their area which will do the networking transactions for them for their needed testing requirements to other DOST offices that have the capabilities and facilities of doing the testing.

He cited that in the region there is no

testing laboratory for furniture and MSMEs have yet to transact with the Forest Product Research and Development Institute based in Los Banos, Laguna.

“Since it is in Los Banos, they will be calling the facility there, they will be sending their samples there, but with One Lab, it is not that difficult anymore, they will only transact with DOST Iloilo Lab that will transact with the entire DOST laboratory facility for their testing requirements,” said Gelonga.

The first phase of the project includes the installation of the Unified Laboratory Information Management System (ULIMS), an open-web services platform to DOST‟s Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTLs) and updating of data pertaining to

samples, tests conducted and customers.

Gelonga said the next phase will be to integrate other government laboratory facilities and eventually, private sector laboratories.

And the final phase will be to tie up with the laboratories located outside the country.

“Time will come that you don‟t have to discuss business with Singaporean-based laboratories and just have it here in Iloilo and we will link you with the testing laboratory that you need,” said Gelonga.

Laboratory services are important in product development and in ensuring that locally-produced and manufactured products are of good quality and safe. (JCM/laf/PIA6 -Iloilo)

Don't confuse P100 from P1000 bill-BSP

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr. Negros Occ., Dec. 17 (PIA6) -- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Director Diwa Guinigundo urged Filipinos to rely more on sense of sight to carefully distinguish P100 bill from P1,000.

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e said citizens have expressed confusion on the two denominations because of color similarities.

The bills are best easily known from their looks where a hundred bill has two zeroes while a thousand one has three zeroes, he explained.

Also, a hundred bill has only one hero printed on it while a thousand bill has three

heroes.

He said American dollar bills have only one color and confusion has not been an issue among the people because they are used to looking and reading the details of the notes.

In earlier media report, plans are up to darken colors of each note for better and easier recognition.

Guinigundo reminded the public of the BSP's demonetization program where old

banknote series launched in 1985 can no longer be used for daily transaction but can still be exchanged in any BSP offices.

Eight demonetization will be affected – 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 piso.

The new Generation Currency banknotes replacing the old ones will be those that were launched in 2010 in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 piso denominations.

(JCM/Lljr-PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bohol attains 79% dog anti-rabies vaccination

Merry Christmas

Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) -- Bohol remains categorically free from the threat of rabies.

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nformation from the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Program (BRPEP) implementers bare that in the recent massive dog vaccination last April to May, the program vaccinated about 79% of the total dog population in Bohol.

"Of the 115,000 dog population all over Bohol, we covered 91,000, or about 79% of the dog population has been rabies freed," said Dr. Leonida Daguro, of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) during the recent Kapihan sa PIA. The 79% accomplishment exceeds the 70% which the World Health Organization needs for a country to be declared safe from

rabies, according to the BRPEP members.

In the beginning of the year, suspected rabies-related deaths alarmed public health authorities in Bohol.

In a province that sells eco-tourism, being tagged for rabies death cases is bad, said Dr Stella Marie Lapiz, Provincial Veterinarian.

Posed with a responsibility to assure the public health of Boholanos and tourists, the BRPE Council implemented another round of province-wide massive dog vaccination.

Implemented in May and June, the dog vaccination program sent out teams to towns to implement vaccination, temporarily waiving the dog vaccination and registration fees as

mandated in the ordinance to motivate dog-owners to submit their pets to the program, explained Romulo Garcia, supervising agriculturist at the OPV and program core group member.

Technical experts have said that vaccinations, to be effective, have to be done in the shortest possible time to cover the area so as to contain the virus, Garcia added.

The vaccination, however, lasts only for a year and another vaccination is needed to ascertain that the dogs are safe from rabies.

The May to June vaccination however needs another round by next year. (rmn/rac/ PIA-7/Bohol)

Tagbilaran City tops 2015 tax collection efficiency in CV Elvira C. Bongosia TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PIA) -- Tagbilaran City has once again surpassed its tax collection efficiency in the third quarter of this year ranking first place with 140.29% efficiency rating in the whole Region 7 in Real Property Tax Collection.

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econd place is Bayawan City in Negros Oriental with 126.81%, followed by Cebu City with 119.09%, Mandaue City, Cebu with 117.76%, and 5th place is Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental with 117.69%.

Tagbilaran City has already collected real property taxes amounting to

P66,173,986.98 just after nine months this year.

It already surpassed its annual target of P58, 960,736 for 2015.

Mayor John Geesnell Yap attributed the positive performance of the City Government to the collective efforts of the different departments and to the trust and

support of the Tagbilaranons.

For the past two years, Tagbilaran City has been cited by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) headed by its Regional Director Herminigilda Garsula for its outstanding Tax Collection Efficiency. (rmn/ ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

DOST Siquijor assists new batch of beneficiaries, turns over P3.6M Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Dec. 11 (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology here pushed for technological assistance for new batch of beneficiaries from among the priority sectors through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program.

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ith ten beneficiaries in the pipeline for assistance, DOST Siquijor has turned over checks amounting to a total of PhP3,631,416.00.

Five of them were classified under the food processing sector, four in the furniture business while the others are under the metals and engineering sector.

Jaiyam's Garden Inn and Resto Bar was given P994,400 for its meat processing upgrading.

Sweet Sensations Cakes and Pastries in Larena received a check worth P663,790 to improve its production capacity and efficiency, product appearance, quality and processing.

M's Place of Siquijor, Siquijor received a check worth PhP429,500.00 for its vegetable-based bread and noodle production.

Elsa's Cakes and Pastries of Caipilan, Siquijor, Siquijor received PhP213,350.00 for the upgrading of its baking and decorating

technology while a check worth P131,000 was given to LCCJ of Lazi.

Faith and Patriz Furniture of Calalinan in Siquijor, BBJ Furniture of Olo in Siquijor, Lee Mar Furniture of Luyang in Siquijor and EHM's General Merchandise of Cabal-asan in Maria received P166,000, P120,000, P227,597 and 146,379, accordingly for the upgrading of their furniture production.

Lyn and Sam Welding Work and Machine of Catulayan in San Juan was given P539,400 for its efficiency and productivity improvement through introduction of efficient machineries and equipment.

The funds will be used to procure the identified equipment and machineries as stipulated in the approved memorandum of agreement.

Beneficiaries under the food processing category will also be able to use the funds for the laboratory analysis of their products and

packaging and labeling of their goods.

The amount turned over will be repaid for 36 months through monthly rentals, which means that the equipment procured will remain the property of DOST for the period.

The beneficiary can claim ownership of the procured equipment if he/she opts to pay the option to purchase fee equal to 0.5% of the total assistance.

Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Pe単a said that DOST is pushing for the assistance of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as mandated under Outcome 2.

He stressed that DOST Siquijor is helping the MSMEs of Siquijor adopt innovative technologies in order to be competitive through the Small Enterprise Upgrading Program. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing of DOST

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

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EDC turns over community projects to Valencia LGU Jennifer C. Tilos

VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, Dec. 15 (PIA) -- Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has turned over six community projects under its corporate social responsibility program to its recipient-barangays here.

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ith the company‟s commitment to provide social and environmental development in geothermal area-barangays, Negros Island Geothermal Business Unit head James Villaroman of EDC presented the community projects to its partner-barangays.

The projects include street lights for the road from Dumaguete-Palinpinon boundary for Barangay Palinpinon; 100-meter concrete road for Brgy. Malabo; pre -school buildings for barangays Dobdob and Badiang Primary School, Pulangbato; gym bleachers for Caidiocan; and water system for Malaunay‟s Barangay Agricultural Development Center (BADC).

Following the turnover of projects to the respective barangay captains, residents witnessed the lighting up of the giant 20-meter high Christmas tree worth over half a million pesos installed by EDC at the Valencia Park.

Villaroman and Valencia Mayor Edgar Teves led this year‟s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which EDC has been supporting for the past three years.

In his address, Villaroman pledged to continue to provide community projects in partnership with local government of Valencia.

Villaroman also reported that the company has planted 300,000 trees so far in 300 hectares after EDC launched its advocacy

movement, “10M in 10” or plant 10 million trees in 10 years on October 15, this year.

“In two months we accomplished significant number of trees planted which from a 10 million target it goes down to 9.7M now,” claimed Villaroman.

He said the “10M in 10” is the first and biggest forest restoration movement to plant, grow, and protect trees not only in Valencia but entire Negros Island.

For his part, Mayor Teves expressed his appreciation to EDC for the projects it provided along with scholarships and school supplies to high school students including health and education infrastructure for the welfare of the residents. (rmn/jct/PIA7-NegOr)

RCDS implements ‗UrbanGreen‘ to fight global warming Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 15 (PIA) -- The Rotary Club of Dumaguete South (RCDS) has launched the ‗UrbanGreen‘ project to promote and establish an agro-forestry park and food production while mitigating the effects of global warming in the city.

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n an orientation-seminar, RCDS president Atty. Eliezer Escorial presented the 'UrbanGreen' project along with PENRO Charlie Fabre of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to various school principals and educators at the city DepEd Division Office.

Atty. Escorial said this project, a green belt, will be established in various parts of the city with a mini agro-forestry park planted with appropriate tree species including ornamental plants.

Escorial said the schools are encouraged to also produce selected vegetables for food production using organic

technology.

Under this proposed program, RCDS in collaboration with Dumaguete City government and other line agencies will identify idle empty and open land in the city and convert them to green belts and promote vertical gardens on selected buildings and schools with limited land area.

Escorial said the project is based on Dumaguete City Ordinance No. 4 series of 2013, which promotes food production in the city by utilizing privately-owned idle lots and for other related purposes.

In support of Rotary Club Dumaguete South's 'UrbanGreen' project, Green Farm Systems Manager Alex Amor has also shared

organic technology on bio-fertilization and greenbase vermicompost to school officials of DepEd. The teacher-participants preferred to plant more fruit trees in their respective schools than the regular trees and ornamental plants.

Fabre said DENR can provide seedlings as soon as the multi-million mechanized nursery in Banban, Ayungon will be completed.

The machine is expected to produce a daily output of 250,000 seeded bags per day, which the DENR targets to plant of 15.5 million seedlings in the first quarter of next year in Negros Oriental. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

HDMF offers e-payment, loyalty card for better services Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) – For its 35th anniversary, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund here has embarked an electronic collection and remittance including loyalty card to make its services accessible to members.

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ranch head Julio Carmel Alfarero of Pag-ibig Fund Dumaguete said this effort under its Circular no. 355 mandates all employers from government and private sectors to remit their employees‟ membership savings and loan amortization through its accredited partner-banks.

This program also saves time and transportation costs as employers can remit their monthly contributions and payment of short term loans using the e-collect.

With 61,781 Pag-ibig members in Negros

Oriental, this reform will ensure faster transactions as soon as the employers have registered with Pag-ibig and the partner-bank of employer‟s choice will provide the employer with user ID and password.

Meantime, Alfarero has also urged the members to secure the new Members Loyalty Card.

“The card serves as an additional benefit for the members, card holder can avail certain percentage discount in medicines, tuition fee, fuel from over 50 merchant partners

nationwide so far," Alfarero said.

To apply, interested members can may visit the office or request Pag-ibig staff to go to their office for capturing their photos.

The loyalty membership identification card can be availed of for a fee of P100.

More business partners and establishments are offering discounts on the purchase of products and services including businesses, schools, hospitals, and shipping lines, among others, said Alfarero. (rmn/jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Guv notes value of communication, infra during emergencies

Merry Christmas

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 17 (PIA) – Northern Samar Governor Jose Ong, Jr. gave high regard to information and efficient communication in responding to disasters and emergencies.

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e said this in one of the conferences casualties and similar other information which relative to relief operations being done “must be verified first by PIA before any report by the government in response to the is released to media,” he added. damage brought about by typhoon “Nona” Similarly, in his apparent appeal here. to the various offices and agencies Earlier, the governor issued an order, that are doing the damage assessment authorizing the Philippine Information Agency, and relief operations, Provincial Northern Samar, to handle and assume A d m i n i s t r a t or E f r e n S a b on g s a id responsibility on all the information that are that a clear, understandable and unified released to media, so that, confusion can be communication system or patterns must be prevented, he said. made by all concerned so that, corresponding The order came out relative to the issue and unified interventions could be on the pronouncement of damages, number of implemented.

“We all need clear information here,” he said, addressing the various responding agencies in the meeting.

“How can we respond correctly if our data and information are erroneous,” the former NFA National Administrator said.

Sabong said, that communication between and among donor organizations and DSWD is also important to avoid the overwhelming of relief goods in a certain area, while others go hungry. (PIA 08)

Northern Samar under state of calamity due to 'Nona' CONSUELO B. ALARCON CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Dec. 17 (PIA) - The provincial government of Northern Samar has declared a State of Calamity for the entire province due to the massive destruction to agriculture and infrastructure brought about by typhoon ―Nona‖.

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n a resolution passed Tuesday by the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the provincial board declared the entire province under state of calamity, one day after the typhoon made its landfall in Batag Island, Laoang, Northern Samar.

As of 12 noon Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) report showed that some 124,274 families of the province's 569

barangays and 24 municipalities were affected by the typhoon.

In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin on Dec. 14, 2015, Philippine Athmospheric, Geophysical and Astronoomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasted that Typhoon Nona packed a maximum sustained winds of 150 kph and gustiness of up to 185 kph which placed Samar provinces under public storm warning signal No. 3.

Estimated damage to agriculture has reached Php182,596,854 while damage to infrastructure rose to Php743,430,000.

Patially damaged houses reached 70,814 while another 37,280 were totally damaged.

However, said figures are expected to increase with more reports coming.

As of this writing, four persons were confirmed dead and 274 were injured. (aen/ PIA-8)

Banks resume operations but operations shortened CONSUELO B. ALARCON CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Dec. 17 (PIA) – Private and government-run banks in the province of Northern Samar are now open for business transactions after it closed due to typhoon ―Nona‖.

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n a resolution passed by the Catarman Bankers Club, it emphasized that due to the massive damage incurred from the typhoon resulting to power outage in the whole province and loss of commercial communication, the association resolved to temporarily shorten the banking operations from 9 o‟clock in the morning until 12 noon. However, in a meeting held at the operations center led by the Provincial

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Provincial Administrator Efren J. Sabong said that suspension of local and regional check clearing operations is implemented effective December 16, 2015 until further notice due to extensive power outage.

The Catarman Bankers Club pointed out various reasons such as protection of the banks and their respective employees from the

risk of late bank closure and for those employees who would go home in the evening which pose danger to their safety.

Moreover, the Bankers Club urged to conserve fuel due to limited gas stations and to protect their backup generator sets from being damaged due to non-stop use.

Before typhoon “Nona” wreched havoc in Northern Samar, all 13 banks were operational. (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Merry Christmas

7

DPWH-SoLeyte gets Php62.65M outlay from Road Board Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 11 (PIA) – The Road Board has allocated an additional Php62.65 million for the maintenance and improvement of road networks in the province of Southern Leyte.

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epartment of Public Works and Highways -Southern Leyte District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia said the projects are the following::Php12.65 million slope protection in Liloan town; Php10 million off carriageway improvement in the municipality of Padre Burgos, Php10.5 million installation of guardrails from St. Bernard to Hinunangan, Php12 million r oa d s h o u l d e r c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h line canal in the town of Anahawan, Php7 million thermoplastic painting along Bato-Bontoc section; and a Php10.5 million thermoplastic paint ing a l ong L i lo an - S an R icar do section.

DE Junia said that the bidding process is on-going and all projects will be awarded to contractors before the year ends.

“We asked for funding support from the Road Board for critical sections not included in our regular funding with most of these projects intended for the safety of motorists,” Junia quoted saying.

The Road Board is the government‟s steward for the objective utilization of the Motor Vehicle User‟s Charge (MVUC), it was learned. Since 2001, the agency is at the forefromt in acting as the supplemental source of funding for road maintenance all throughout the country‟s national and local roads.

The source said, the Board consists of no less than seven members. DPWH

Secretary as the ex-officio chairman and the secretaries of Department of Finance; Department of Budget and Management; Department of Transportation and Communications as ex-officio members.

The three appointed members come from the motorist and transport sector.

The organization is entrusted the responsibility to ensure and oversee the optimum utilization of resources for the maintenance and improvement of a safe, efficient and environmentally balanced road network, thereby contributing to the physical, social and economic well-being of the country, it stated. (w/ reports from DPWH-SLDEO/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

Samar cities come to rescue of ‗Nortehanons‘ CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 17 (PIA) — The cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan, both of Western Samar have responded to the distress call for help of some LGUs in Northern Samar damaged by TS Nona on Monday.

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n a press conference, Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino told newsmen that he dispatched a medical team to Catarman Hospital to help health workers attend to the needs of the neighbor municipality reeling from the effects of TS Nona.

City Mayor Step Uy Tan of Catbalogan said that the LGU has

pooled its resources with certain donors and will leave for a relief mission very soon.

"Those NGOs who called us that they wanted to join but with enough volume of goods, we advised them to directly proceed to Northern Samar, so that quick dispatch of relief goods is implemented" Mayor Uy said.

Catba log an sa id it w a nts to help the towns of Allen, San Roque and Lao-ang but the missions will depend on the volume of relief goods.

"So far the Mayor of Allen called us first, and hopefully in our own little way, we would be able to help them" she said. (nbq/ PIA 8-Samar)

Neat, uniformed pedicab drivers operate in Catbalogan City CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 17 (PIA) — Some 132 pedicab drivers in Catbalogan City are now doing the rounds of the city in their brand new uniforms.

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he model pedicab drivers were trained for two weeks to be able to assist tourists as they go around the city looking for places to stay, eat, be refreshed ad entertained.

The new breed of pedicab drivers are a far cry from the ordinary pedicab drivers-these models are models in hygiene and sanitation as they have been trained to be neat and clean, communicate courteously with their passengers and or do minor repairs.

“I wish that the assistance you got will help boost your confidence as you help us paint a much better Catbalogan, a tourist friendly city, you contribute to the economy, you are important to us,” the mayor addressed them in Waray-waray language on Monday, stressing the need to empower the pedicab drivers. She also urged them to become models to the more than four thousand pedicab drivers operating in the city Mayor Uy-Tan was present along with TESDA

officials and Governor Sharee Ann Tan during the launch of the program in November.

The pedicab drivers were g iv e n r ic e d u r in g th eir t r a in in g to compensate for their lost income, they were also given rechargeable lamps, tool kits and seven Camisa chino shirts as their uniforms.

The same project has been rolled out in Calbayog City which received support from Mayor Ronald Aquino. (ajc/PIA 8-Samar)

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

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