One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 14

Vol 5

Issue 14

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Eighty-five recruitment agencies and companies, some of them coming from as far as Cebu, Manila and Batangas join the ongoing PESO Job Fair at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol as part of this year‟s Semana Sang Iloilo celebration. (PIA6/Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

With the light from their blinkers, the raw power of their legs and the determination to spread awareness to help the earth by making a statement against fossil fuel, Bol-anon Cyclist: a closed group of bike enthusiasts pedaled through city streets to impress the advocacy for thye environment during the Earth Hour. (Christophe JC H Lamotte/ PIABohol)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

April 6 - 12, 2015

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

NegOr Stakeholders to craft food network Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, April 7 (PIA) -Representatives from local government units, national government agencies, academe and the private sector in Negros Oriental have initially agreed to formulate a provincial food safety and nutrition network to intensify the advocacy on food safety and nutrition in the province.

This was the result of the first consultative meeting on the formation of the provincial food and safety network held recently at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) office in Dumaguete City.

The formation of the network will create an avenue for information sharing and easy access expertise among stakeholders to address food safety and nutrition issues as well as to improve the quality of food products in those aspects.

DOST-Negros Oriental provincial director Engr.

Gilbert Arbon said they wanted to know from the stakeholders if it is necessary to establish a food safety and nutrition network as a response to malnutrition problems in the province.

He also noted that there was a Metro Dumaguete Food Safety and Nutrition Network started by microbiology and food safety expert Dr. Manuel Garcia before but the group became inactive and eventually got

dissolved. DOST was a member of the food safety network.

There are plans to revive the network now that will also include other cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental.

“The purpose of the network is basically to service and enabling mechanism for the community, family, individual, firm who are in need of information and guidance with regards to food safety and nutrition issues,” Arbon added.

As of now, a technical working group was formed which will be responsible for the crafting of the network‟s mission and vision as well as the body‟s specific functions and tasks.

There is also a move to create a Facebook group for the food safety and security network so that those who have participated in the consultative meeting can start the exchange of information.

The participants of the meeting are representatives of LGUs and top schools in the province, Department of Agriculture, DOST, Department of Trade and Industry, PIA, Department of Health-Food and Drugs Authority, Department of Education-Division of Negros Oriental, ICT-Dumaguete and Sans Rival cakes and pastries. (mbcn/ ral/PIA7-NegOr)

Roxas inspects RAY projects in Leyte and Samar CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) visited Samar and Leyte Wednesday to assess the on-going rehabilitation efforts of the government in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Roxas conducted a site visit of the newly rehabilitated civic center of the municipality of Sta. Rita, Western Samar and attended the inauguration of the town‟s Police Station.

He also met Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla and some mayors in Samar whose areas have availed of the projects undertaken by the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY 1). Afterwards, Roxas went to Ormoc City where he attended the inauguration of P51-million Ormoc City Superdome which is 90% constructed and the P40-million Ormoc City public market. There, he also met with the beneficiaries of the RAY 2 projects in Leyte and Biliran provinces. Afterwards, he went to Palo where he inspected the town‟s newly rehabilitated multi-purpose center/ civic center and met the local officials led by Gov. Petilla.

Secretary Roxas revealed that sixty percent of the projects in Eastern Visayas which are funded by the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are

fully completed. “Another 15% of the projects will be completed in the next two months and another 25% will be completed in the following three months,” Roxas added.

These include rehabilitation of municipal halls, multi-purpose halls, civic centers, public markets and other public facilities.

With this development, Roxas expects that by the second half of this year, 80 to 90% of the infra projects will be completed.

Some 65 municipalities and cities have availed of RAY 1 project of the national government. (aen/cba/PIA-8)

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas (second from left) lead the ribbon cutting during the inauguration (April 8) of the Ormoc Super Dome, a RAY project (Recovery Assistance for Yolanda) of the national government. With him are: (l-r) Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, and DIGL-8 director Pedro A. Noval. (Gina P. Gerez/PMRC-Leyte)

Greening program monitored thru geo-tagging Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 8 (PIA6) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 said they are rigidly implementing the technology of geo-tagging to DOE Visayas Director Antonio Labios briefs monitor the areas utilized for the government‟s flagship members of Samar-Eastern Samar Press Club reforestation program. on EPIRA. (Medora Nbq/PIA 8) DENR-6 National Greening Program (NGP) Coordinator Dr. Alicia Lustica said that they are focused on site certification of the plantation areas covered for the NGP from 2011-2014.

“Geo-tagging would ensure that the areas utilized for the NGP still exist and it would help in monitoring seedling growth and mortalities for replacement with new More on Region 8, pages 6-7. seedlings in NGP sites,” she said.

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Geo-tagging is the process of attaching coordinates

and other location-specific information to pictures and videos, usually with a handheld device such as a camera or mobile phone that is enabled with global positioning system or GPS. The data usually consist of latitude and longitude coordinates, though they can also include altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data, and place names.

Meanwhile, DENR-6 said that the region‟s NGP target for this year is to cover 10,966 hectares with forest and fruit tree species.

In 2014, the agency was able to plant forest and fruit trees species and mangroves in 12,108 hectares in Western Visayas which exceeded the target of 12,105 hectares. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo police prov‟l office launches website The Bataan Memorial Cross

Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is now just a click away after it launched its website on Monday, April 6.

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PPO Director P/SSupt. Cornelio Salinas described the website as a channel that will bring the police provincial office closer to the people and to the society as a whole, thereby creating a virtual police community relation.

The site provides a comprehensive overview of IPPO‟s mission, history, accomplishments, plans and programs, crime prevention and safety tips, and press releases, among others. It will also offer not only a user friendly experience and appeal but promises to be an interactive medium where people across the globe can like, share and e-mail their questions and suggestions.

“The website will always be a work in progress, we will continue to update it

regularly with all the information and activities that will surely benefit the people,” said Salinas.

The website is also an initiative and strategy of IPPO in adopting the e-governance system of the government. Its launching was one of the kick-off activities for the celebration of the 114th Semana Sang Iloilo attended by Governor Arthur Defensor, Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, DILG Iloilo Director Teodora Sumagaysay and P/ SSupt.Marietto Valerio representing PRO 6 Director P/CSupt. Josephus Angan.

Defensor in his message lauded the IPPO for the establishment of the first provincial command website in Western Visayas as he stressed the importance of information, communication and technology in the discharge

of the Philippine National Police‟s mandate.

He said the commission of the crime is now so sophisticated that it also needs sophistication insofar as crime prevention, detection and solution are concerned.

On the same date, the IPPO opened its Static Display Booth at the lobby of the Provincial Capitol that showcases its operational and administrative capabilities in the performance of its mandate to serve and protect.

Also, the static display does not only highlight the provincial command‟s significant accomplishments but showcases its transformation showing the Performance Governance System as the new management tool. (jcm/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

PHO to residents: Make Aklan smoke-free

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, April 8 (PIA6) -- In the bid to make the province of Aklan smoke-free and to keep the local populace from the harmful and deadly effects of smoking, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here recently conducted a Provincial Tobacco Control Network Orientation.

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he need to make Aklan smoke-free, thus the conduct of the orientation was emphasized by Dr. Victor Santamaria, Provincial Health Officer II, by stating in his welcome message that smoking is both dangerous to the smoker as well as to the non-smoker.

“We have to strengthen our campaign against smoking because we are up against a very strong adversary – the tobacco industry”, Santamaria said.

On hand to stress the dangers of smoking as well as to encourage Aklan‟s health sector, legislators and other stakeholders to create a smoke-free and healthy environment were resource speakers John Lapascua, Regional Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator; Carlos P. Garcia, Program Officer of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance, Philippines and Pastor Nick R. Poraso, Regional Tobacco Control Network member of the Department of Health (DOH) 6.

Lapascua told the orientation

participants coming from various sectors of the province that every 6 seconds, one person dies due to tobacco, accounting for one in every 10 adult deaths.

Lapascua said that there are 6 million deaths a year due to smoking, and this number is way higher than deaths caused by tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

“Unless urgent action is taken, by 2030, there will be 8 million deaths per year, with 80% of the deaths occurring in developing countries”, Lapascua said.

Lapascua said the figures could be bigger as he based his lecture on the 2011 World Health Organization (WHO) files.

On the other hand, Carlos Garcia shared that worldwide, a whole year‟s haul of non-biodegradable cigarette butts can reach 8 billion tons which is harmful to the environment.

When asked as to which is more potent – the raw, rolled tobacco produced and smoked at home or the manufactured ones

– Garcia said there is no safe level in smoking.

Pastor Nick Poraso meanwhile, who shared his experience as a Regional Tobacco Control Network member, spread out the key elements of a smoke-free municipality campaign that include a smoke-free policy, task force organization, political will, and other strategies. Pastor Poraso is also an advocate of the Red Orchid award, an award given to smoke-free government establishments and municipalities.

In Aklan, Red Orchid awardees include the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), Philhealth Aklan and Buruanga, Aklan - the lone LGU. For this year, Pastor Poraso is expecting the town of Ibajay to get the award, having declared itself as smoke-free late last year, and the capital town of Kalibo by 2016 or 2017.

The orientation was held at the Conference Room of the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

DFA advises passport renewal 6 months before expiry Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 8 (PIA6) --- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is reminding the public to check the validity of their passports and renew them six months prior to expiry to avoid hassle or inconvenience in scheduled or emergency travel.

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FA Iloilo Officer-in-charge Sheila Marie D. Tu said that countries and international airlines require passports with validity of six months before the expiry date.

“It is advised that a passport holder check the validity of his/her passport before booking

a flight,” she said.

Tu said that the Regional Consular Office in Iloilo can only cater to regular processing of passports which will take 30 working days.

“Those who would like to apply for express processing would need to go to DFA

main office in Manila,” she said.

Applicants can check the passport requirements thru the DFA official website atwww.dfa.gov.ph or may contact the Regional Consular Office here at (033) 336-1737. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Mt. Samat National Shrine

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Panay Island hosts Balikatan 2015 Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 9 (PIA6) – The series of activities for the Balikatan Exercises in Panay Island has started.

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e said that Head Lieutenant Commander Catherine Eyrich, who heads the US Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force for Balikatan Exercise in Panay, emphasized that the joint exercise is to build relationship and continue the active military-to-military partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Armed Forces.

Tiongson said that the event commenced with the phase I construction of the school building at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial School, adding that said construction will be until April 11 He also said that the four-day Basic First Responders training started last April 7, where 105 first responders are undergoing the training at the 3ID headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

A health seminar will likewise be

conducted on April 11 at barangay San Nicolas, Tapaz town, he said.

Tiongson stressed that of the total participants to the basic first responders training, 82 are military personnel from the 3ID-Philippine Army, 13 reservists from the 6th Regional Community Defense Group and 10 personnel from the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The training, he said, aims to promote and enhance the capabilities of both the Philippines and US Armed Forces in terms of humanitarian and civic assistance during disasters and calamities.

A series of lectures and practical exercises on basic life support, primary medical care, rescue procedures, and mass evacuation simulation among others will be conducted by the United States Cooperative Health Engagement Team led by Captain

Jennifer Brown, a medical doctor in the US Army.

The succeeding activities for Balikatan Exercise in Panay include the Civil-Military Operations Exchange Seminar at Camp Peralta for 3ID personnel, as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Seminar.

For his part, 3ID Commander Major G e n e r a l R e y L e on a r d o G u e r r e r o pointed out that the training will provide the participants with capabilities so t h e y c a n p r op e r ly r e s p on d a n d provide assistance in rescue, relief, recovery and rehabilitation in times of disasters or calamities.

Guerrero also urged the trainees to be serious in their participation so they would be able to apply their knowledge when the time calls for their response. (JCM/JBG/ PIA6-Capiz)

No biometrics, no vote Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, April 7 (PIA6) -- Some 10,000 voters in Bacolod City could lose their right to vote in the next election if they do not undergo the biometrics, Bacolod Comelec chief and Lawyer Mavil Majarucon-Sia, said.

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n an interview, she said although a person is an active voter but if he fails to enroll in the biometrics, the voter can still be disenfranchised with their names deleted in the official list.

According to Sia they have already written each voter a letter to remind them of their responsibility that will only take about 10 minutes to complete at the City Comelec

office.

Voters should only bring a valid ID for proper identification and they don‟t even have to fill out a form, she said.

The Comelec chief told PIA the original figure of voters who need to take the biometrics were 14,000. Some 4,000 voters have already responded to the letter the office sent them early last year.

Sia urged voters to go to Comelec at the earliest time to beat the deadline set on October this year to prevent the discomfort of lining up under the sun and taking the long wait before completing the process.

She said now is the best time to take the biometrics as well as in availing other services like registration, correction and transfer of voting area. (JCM/Lljr-PIA6)

Pantawid Pamilya supports 61,675 Antique kids Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, April 7 (PIA6) - - A total of 61,675 children in Antique avails of educational support from the Pantawid Pamilya Program also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer Program.

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effrey Gabucay, Pantawid Pamilya Provincial Coordinator during the recent meeting of the Provincial Convergence Committee reported that as of March 17, 2015, there are 29, 028 families are supported by the program and 61,675 children are eligible for educational support.

Of the total figure, 4,585 are 3-5 years old (pre-school) and 49,447 are in in the age bracket of 6-14 years old.

Under the age group 15-18 years old, there are 7,643 registered children. The extended coverage of these children was based on the National Advisory Committee Resolution No. 18 which provide for the continued support for child beneficiaries to finish high school.

Previously the program used to provide health and education grants to children beneficiaries aged 0-14 years old.

However, with the implementation of the extension of coverage, the program went beyond the 0-14 years old target to cover up to high school education by extending its coverage up to 18 years old. This is also to complement the K-12 program of the Department of Education.

Gabucay emphasized that children in high school are required by the end of the school year to reach the passing general weighted average prescribed by the Department of Education and or be promoted in the next year level.

With the extended coverage of children

Gabucay said parents have the option as to who among the children will be registered for monitoring. In cases wherein the registered kid was no longer interested to graduate in high school, the parents could register the other siblings to take its place.

Gabucay said it is important that the children should also help their parents in complying with the conditions of the program especially on health and education.

Pantawid pamilya doesn‟t only provide cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of the family but importantly it hopes to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty through the education of the children of these poor families, said Gabucay.

(JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

BFAR-7 to help LGUs fight illegal fishing

The Bataan Memorial Cross

Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, April 7 (PIA) – Coastal local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas can now strengthen their efforts in addressing illegal fishing in their localities with the donation of 16 horse power patrol boat engines by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7).

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FAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos said all coastal municipalities and cities in the region have been notified to avail of the agency‟s donation of a patrol boat engine in order to intensify their efforts to curb illegal fishing activities in their areas.

“All coastal LGUs will each be given a patrol boat engine on one condition. The LGU should provide the hull as its counterpart since we are only providing the motor engine,” said Bojos during the 1st quarterly meeting of the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7.

The motor engine is estimated to cost between P22,000 to P23,000 each.

Bojos said there are 167 motor engine units available with only about 110 coastal towns and cities in the entire region.

“Some LGUs will be given two units especially coastline municipalities and also depending on the gravity of illegal fishing activities in their areas,” said Bojos.

So far, only 30 LGUs throughout the region have signified their intent to avail of the motor engine units with 19 coming from Bohol followed

by Cebu with five and four from Siquijor province.

Only two towns in Negros Oriental conveyed their interest.

For Cebu, the LGUs that responded were

the towns of Cordova, Compostela, and Santa Fe in Bantayan Island as well as the cities of Danao and Toledo.

Bojos said LGUs have until April 30 to inform the BFAR-7 of their interest to avail of the motor engine units.

“We will be distributing the motor engine units next month in time for the celebration of May as Ocean Month,” declared Bojos.

LGUs that will frequently utilize the use of their patrol boats to fight illegal fishing with positive outcome will receive other incentives like livelihood initiatives, Bojos said. (rmn/fcr/pia-7)

Dumaguete City sees stronger ties with Canadian gov‟t

By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, April 6 (PIA) – Dumaguete City looks forward to stronger ties with the Canadian government through sister city-agreement with one of Canada‟s cities.

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his was one of the highlight discussions in an intimate meeting with Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling Sr. and Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder during the latter‟s recent visit in the city.

Reeder and his wife Irene Hassen-Reeder were in Dumaguete City on March 30 as part of the Canadian Embassy‟s advocacy and diplomacy work in advancing and strengthening Philippine-Canada relationship through trade, investments, tourism and immigration.

Key city officials headed by mayor Sagarbarria and vice-mayor Maquiling welcomed Canadian Ambassador Reeder and his wife through a fellowship gathering in their honor.

During the meeting, Sagarbarria expressed his hope in strengthening relationship with Canada through a sister city-agreement which was confirmed by Reeder.

Th e Can adi an Am b as sa d or al so recommended Toronto, Calgary and Alberta as possible cities for the sister city-agreement due to the number of Filipino population in the

mentioned cities.

Ambassador Reeder noted Dumaguete City‟s tourism shows a great potential for Canadian tourists. He also lauded the beauty and orderliness of Dumaguete City as well as the hospitality of its people.

This was seconded by the data from the City Tourism Office. Based on the 2014 report on the tourist arrivals in the city, Canadians rank 5th among nationalities that visited the city with 2,396 arrivals in 2014. (mbcn/ral/PIA7NegOr/with reports from KTAguilar of City Tourism Office).

VF, partner agencies push for IFight in NegOr

By Leandria P. Pagunsan DUMAGUETE CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- Visayan Forum-Dumaguete with its partner agencies push for 'IFight movement' in Negros Oriental.

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n a recent meeting with Ma.Cecilia Oebanda, founder and president of Visayan forum Foundation, Inc. in Dumaguete City, the group unanimously pushed for IFight campaign to end modern day slavery and all forms of human trafficking in Negros Oriental.

Visayan Forum has four pillars, a holistic approach to solve human trafficking cases namely: protective services, prevention and protection, policy/advocacy and IFight movement, according to Oebanda.

Protective care services being the heart of the organization refers to the U-turn intervention, wherein victims of human trafficking are provided with the necessary services and complete intervention, Oebanda said.

Rescue, restore and empower trafficking victims to protect themselves and their families and at the same time capacitate them to engaged in governance, she added.

VF has also established a new journey with Global Freedom, a Vatican lead network of which Pope Francis himself leads in the fight against

human trafficking.

Oeb an da u rged th at I Figh t b e institutionalized in partnership with the Department of Education in Negros Oriental for the IFight campus tour especially in the hinterlands where most of the victims are young high school students.

IFight calls for sustainable movement with partner agencies in raising awareness, and aims to conduct advocacy campaign in 200 schools nationwide.

Josie Columna of the Provincial Council for Women (PCW) suggested that IFight campaign should not be limited to schools only but to be implemented at the local government units through the Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons and desk officers handling cases of Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) of the Philippine National Police as human trafficking is interconnected with abuses committed against children and women.

Oebanda cited among others, another group

vulnerable to trafficking are young boys subjected to paaling fishing in Negros Oriental.

As part of its policy and advocacy, Oebanda informed that senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel lll and Grace Poe committed to sponsor a senate bill against Paaling fishing.

Another issue raised during the meeting is to have a half-way house or shelter of hope for victims of human trafficking in Negros Oriental as their temporary shelter. Oebanda also cited that another push factor for human trafficking is the impact of disasters brought by climate change phenomenon.

She then encouraged the integration of churches in addressing issues on “climigration” because displaced victims during disasters are most vulnerable to human trafficking.

In closing, Oebanda encouraged partner agencies to activate the Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (PIACAT) to lead in the campaign against human trafficking as mandated by law. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Mt. Samat National Shrine

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Butandings‟ condition in Oslob watched

By Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU, April 8 (PIA) – A team to be led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) has been created to check on the condition of the whale sharks in Oslob in southern Cebu amid allegations their welfare have been compromised due to constant unnatural feeding and contact with tourists.

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FAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos ordered his deputy Dr. Allan Poquita to head the team along with other divers from other organizations to check on the report of Lamave, a non-government organization, that the whale sharks or „butandings‟ are in a malnourished state due to regular feeding and physical contact with tourists.

Atty. Rose Liza Osorio, managing trustee of the Philippine Earth Justice Center, Inc. (PEJCI) brought the Oslob issue before Bojos who presided the 1st quarterly meeting of the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7 (CLEAR-7) early this week.

Osorio said Lamave just released its findings about the violations happening in Oslob that affected the welfare of the whale sharks.

Whale sharks are highly migratory species and constantly feeding them tends to domesticate them which is a violation, said Osorio citing the recent findings of Lamave.

Lamave stands for Large Marine Vertebrates

which has a project in the Philippines with conservation efforts to protect sharks, turtles, rays and cetaceans from exploitation.

Osorio also said the regular feeding made the whale sharks lose its natural instinct to look for food opting to stay in the area because foods are readily made available to them.

The physical encounter with tourists touching whale sharks is also a violation, echoed the PEJCI official of Lamave‟s findings.

“Such violations have contributed to the „malnourished‟ condition of the whale sharks,” said Osorio.

Bojos, however, said there is no legal basis to prohibit the tourists from feeding the whale sharks.

“There is no law that states it is illegal to feed the whale sharks,” stressed Bojos.

Although Bojos said BFAR‟s position is clear that it is against feeding the whale sharks.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) also shared the

same view, he said.

“We have already discussed this with the municipal officials of Oslob before,” said Bojos but in the absence of a law that forbids feeding the whale sharks has further complicated the issue.

Bojos asked Osorio for a hard copy of Lamave‟s findings before taking hard steps to address the issue.

“Since I do not have a copy of Lamave‟s report, all these are mere allegations and what I will act on right now is to initially form a team to look into these allegations,” said Bojos.

Bojos asked Poquita to record frequency of sightings and to particularly look into the physical condition of the butandings.

The presence of whale sharks in Oslob has catapulted the 4th class municipality into a popular tourist destination for both local and international visitors contributing much to the socio-economic activities of the townsfolk. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

DOH-7 targets „Malaria-Free‟ CVisayas in 2018

By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, April 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH-7) targets Central Visayas to be “Malaria-Free” by 2018.

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OH-7 medical technologist Crestita Gloria said, Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans.

Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from it can be usually prevented. Malaria can be transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito which usually bites during nigh time.

Gloria said malaria-carrying female mosquito Anopheles can be found in areas with many trees and plants, in clear streams and in slow-running water.

The disease usually thrives in the rural and hard to reach areas such as hills, mountains and

coastal areas.

The signs and symptoms of malaria include chilling, high-grade fever, severe headache and vomiting.

DOH-7 officials urge the public to visit health centers or hospitals if symptoms occur for immediate treatment.

To date, the only municipality declared as malaria endemic area in the region is Brgy. Talala, Sitio Avocado, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

On the said province, there were three indigenous cases of malaria recorded in 2011; one imported case in 2012; another three imported cases in 2013; none in 2014 and one (1) imported case for the 1st quarter of 2015.

Gloria explained malaria cases are divided in

two categories: indigenous that came from that specific area and imported case that came from other endemic areas.

DOH is now conducting a series of orientation on the prevention and control programs against malaria especially in the endemic areas. “Massive information dissemination and community cooperation must be done to eliminate malaria,” Gloria continued.

The department will commemorate the “World Malaria Day” on May 7, 2015 with the theme, “Invest in the future: Defeat malaria.”

This was discussed during the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) Forum held at DOH-7 Regional Office, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. (mbcn/hfg/PIA7)

Public warned on summer diseases Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, April 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas warns the public to be extra careful with their health especially this summer season.

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uring the recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) Forum, Dr. Joanri Riveral Medical Specialist III of DOH-7 said the department issued a public advisory on common illnesses during summer season.

The six common summer diseases include sore eyes, skin diseases, sun burn, cough and colds, food poisoning and rabies.

Sore eyes are manifested in redness and inflammation of the membranes and can easily be had due to harmful bacteria or viruses that easily spread to other people.

People are advised not to use any eye drops without consulting a doctor.

Proper hand

washing can limit its spread, said Riveral.

He also reminded the public to avoid the sun between 10am to 2pm to prevent from sun burn and skin diseases.

The department also cautioned the public about diarrhea and food poisoning due to easy spoilage of food or water contamination.

Riveral said that the food easily gets spoiled if the season is so hot, so the public must checked the quality of food or eat food immediately while it is newly cooked or reheat food before eating to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Cough and colds are also common during summer due to the sudden change of weather

condition.

It is also noted that during summer most number of dog bites happen because children stayed at home or even playing outside.

The DOH advised pet owners to make sure dogs are vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies infections from dog or cat bites are potentially fatal diseases.

DOH officials advised the public to keep themselves clean and dry to avoid infections.

People must drink plenty of water 8 to 12 glasses a day to avoid dehydration and practice proper hygiene and to wear comfortable clothes during the summer season. (mbcn/hfg/ PIA7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Wood production in SoLeyte answers need for fuel The Bataan Memorial Cross

MARCELO M. PEDALINO

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 9 (PIA) - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) in this province has initiated a forest production project specifically aimed to address the common need for wood as fuel for poor households.

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tarted in earnest last year, with initial harvest of fast growing local species like Ipil-ipil expected in three years, the project, aptly named fuel wood production, has covered 19 hectares spread in 14 municipalities and one city, said Melay Labata, in-charge of forest services at the PENRMO. The ideal set-up for the project was one hectare in a barangay per municipality and city, but four towns - Sogod, Libagon, Limasawa, and Padre Burgos -- could not find any space, so other LGUs have two or more hectares to compensate the shortage in area, Labata said

during the Provincial Report cable TV program Tuesday.

The barangay concerned will be the one to maintain the project, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) while the provincial government, through the PENRMO, provided the site development and the seedlings, Labata said.

Eva Abad, head of PENRMO, disclosed that for this year, Libagon has joined the fuel wood production project after finding a suitable four-hectare lot.

Also for this year, Abad said that they will

intensify the project by encouraging private landowners whose lands remained idle for years to join, so their untended lands be productive.

Abad said her vision will be for the local government units to replicate the initiative at their own levels to ensure a steady supply of fuel wood when wood gatherers will not cut just about anywhere but in the designated area solely for this purpose in the barangay. This will also provide a sustainable livelihood to wood gatherers in the long run, Abad concluded. (aen/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

PLLENRO to hold National Convention CONSUELO B. ALARCON TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – In an effort to empower the environment and natural resources (ENROs) not only in the region but nationwide for them to be responsible stewards of Mother Earth, the Philippine League of Local Environment and Natural Resources Officers, Inc. (PLLENRO) is set to hold its 2015 National Convention in Cagayan de Oro City on May 13 -16, 2015. opics on low emission initiatives, encouraged to allow the participation of their "Developing Smarter Communities Through energy efficiency, green building and environment officers to this annual event.

Low-Emission Alternatives," is in partnership solid waste management will be The convention is an annual gathering of with USAID-Building Low Emission discussed. Local and international experts will more than 300 environment and natural Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience also present points of view on efforts to r e s o u r c e s o f f i c e r s ( E N R O s ) a n d and Sustainability Project (B-LEADERS) Project. address the environmental challenges and representatives from local government units in For additional information about the sustainability. the country. It is also a venue where ENROs activity, you may contact Precy Macana via In a statement, PLLENRO President will present current environmental challenges email pllenro2014@gmail.com or at cellphone Danilo Villas said all provincial, cities and and alternatives on how to address these numbers 09997703143 or 09063806247. (aen/ municipal local government units (LGUs) are concerns. The convention, with the theme cba/PLLENRO/PIA-8)

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'Summer Fun in Biliran' to be launched FLORDELIS E. JACKSON NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – The provincial government of Biliran through the Provincial Tourism Office in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office No. 8 in Tacloban City will launch “Summer Fun in Biliran” on April 17 and 18 this year.

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ccording to Dionisio Oliva Jr., Provincial Tourism Officer, the two-day launching activity covers the entire island where a lot of natural tourist attractions are found in its eight municipalities.

He said that the venue of the launching activities will be at the municipal gymnasium of Maripipi from where the famous Sambawan islets noted for its clear and pristine waters are located.

Both Sambawan islets and Maripipi island are promoted jointly by the Department of Tourism and the Biliran Provincial Tourism Office as anchor destinations for 2015.

The launching of “Summer Fun in Biliran” in Maripipi town will be attended by media personalities, travel writers, tour operators and other guests from region 7 in central Visayas, region 8 in Eastern Visayas and from Manila which DOT will be bringing in to Biliran province.

“The activity is a great opportunity to promote the local tourist destinations in the

province to both domestic and foreign tourists,” Oliva said.

With this activity, he said, a rise in tourist arrivals to Biliran is expected. Likewise, it will also raise the level of awareness of tourists that indeed, Biliran province is truly an island paradise that offers a lot of tourist attractions unique from those found in other areas of the county.

He further informed that the launching program of “Summer Fun in Biliran” will take place mid-morning after the welcome reception at the Maripipi port by the local officials of the town led by Mayor Uldarico Macorol, afterwhich, the entire entourage proceeds to the Maripipi gymnasium for the ceremony.

Part of the activity is the audio-visual presentation of “Summer Fun in Biliran”.

The opening and declaration of “Summer Fun in Biliran” will be done by Governor Gerryboy Espina.

A cultural presentation follows

showcasing the rich culture of the Biliranons.

Congressman Rogelio Espina of the lone district of Biliran will deliver his message of inspiration during the program.

Director Karina Rosa Tiopes of DOT Region 8 will also give her message, inviting tourists and all to the “Summer Fun in Biliran”.

A lunch, dubbed as “Fiesta sa Nayon” follows immediately where native food and delicacies will be offered to guests and visitors immediately follows.

An afternoon tour around Maripipi dubbed as “Lingi-Lingi sa Maripipi” (lingi-lingi means look around) will be next, where the visitors will be brought to the Nito Weavers Demo in Barangay Agutay; Candol Beach; Viga Cold Spring; Native Delicacies Demo and Tasting in Barangay Calbani; Pottery-Making demo in Barangay Casibang; Lantawan Tower Ruins in Barangay Ermita; and the Pasalubong and Shell Craft Center. (aen/fjackson/PIA 8 Biliran)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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NCDDP targets 2,176 sub-projects for Region 8 Mt. Samat National Shrine

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 6 (PIA) – The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) under the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be implemented in 2,176 sub-projects in Eastern Visayas this year. n a statement, DSWD-8 Regional infrastructure but also rebuilding the Community-Driven Development approach Director Nestor Ramos said, a total of communities to become more resilient and which proved to be effective since P2.3 billion budget will be disbursed in empowered citizens,” Ramos added.

Kalahi-CIDDS project was implemented 12 the first year of operation of NCDDP in six Some approved sub-projects for this year years ago. provinces in the region. include improvement of school buildings, In Eastern Visayas, 617,131 households “Almost all NCDDP projects will focus on rehabilitation of bridges,roads and construction across 136 municipalities will benefit the rehabilitation especially in the municipalities of barangay evacuation centers. program where 239,328 families are Pantawid badly hit by Yolanda in 2013,” Ramos said.

The National Community-Driven Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries. (cba/ “Kalahi-CIDDS is not just about building Development Program is an expansion of the DSWD8/PIA8)

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LGU-Naval extends new assistance to farmers MARY LAILANI TUPAZ NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – With the ultimate goal of augmenting the income and uplifting the economic status of fish and agri farmers in the municipality of Naval, its local government unit (LGU) urged them to use new farm equipment and implements at a much lesser cost.

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aval Municipal Agriculture Officer Nascencia Abad, disclosed in a recent interview that the LGU now owns one unit four-wheel tractor which is capable of plowing and harrowing plantation areas and paddies in a shorter period of time and lesser cost as compared to manual farming.

It is capable of plowing and harrowing two hectares of farmland in a day.

The equipment is rented out at P500 a day exclusive of gasoline and meals however for the tractor operator.

Aside from the four-wheel tractor, there is also one unit cultivator which is capable of making plots ready for planting in small planting

areas and one unit corn sheller, which could be accessed by the farmer here, the report added.

The farmers' equipment were given by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Secretary Proceso Alcala in his recent visit to Naval last October as an aid to farmers who were victims of typhoon Yolanda, Abad informed.

She added that another two units of portable corn mills were donated to the LGU by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for farmer-victim of typhoon Yolanda.

The portable corn mill can be transported to areas in that are in need of the mill such

that corn farmers need not go to far-flung areas such as Kawayan, Cabucgayan, and the main land of Le yte fa c ing B iliran province where corn mills are available.

Milling charge is also much lesser at P3/ kilo than other commercial millers at P10/kilo.

Naval LGU imposes reasonable charges for the maintenance of the said farm implements and ensures that all farmer-victims can avail of its services.

Aside from the cost-efficient farm implements and equipment, LGU-Naval is also pushing for organic farming, by availing the carbonized rice hull, vermicast, and foliar fertilizer that are on sale at LGU-Naval, Abad said. (aen/fj/mlt/PIA8 Biliran)

Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko extends free health services in Caibiran RODRIGO S. VICTORIA NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – The Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Incorporated-Cebu will extend free surgical, dental and optical services to identified indigent residents in Caibiran town and its neighboring areas on April 18 (Saturday).

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his was learned from Noel Plaza, Chapter Head of Brotherhood o Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Naval Chapter.

He said that a medical team composed of 45 health professionals and 45 volunteers and staff from Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko targeted to serve more or less 900 clients for the actual free health services. There are 150 clients for the surgical service in which 130 of it are intended for circumcision and some 50 clients for the excision of cysts; 150 clients for the dental service; 350 clients for the optical service with accompanying distribution of free eyeglasses; and blood diagnostics with 200 clients to include blood typing, random blood sugar testing and hematocrit determination.

Interested residents in Caibiran and its neighboring areas are advised to register with the local health workers of the town and their respective barangays who will distribute pre-listing tickets that will be presented during the scheduled date of the health services.

The clients who were already given the pre-listing tickets for the free health services are also advised to report earlier than the scheduled time of start of the health services which is set at 8:00 o‟clock in the morning at the Caibiran Auditorium.

The identified clients who were given the pre-listing tickets are further advised to strictly observe the following schedules since clients will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis like the giving of priority numbers at 7:30 to

11:00 in the morning; registration time at 7:40 to 11:30 in the morning only; actual health services at 8:00 to 12 noon and from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon. The free health services is in close coordination with the BCBP–Naval chapter which also tapped the voluntary services of the Biliran Medical Society, Biliran Dental Society and other group of health professionals in the province of Biliran.

BCBP-Naval recognizes the big role and contribution of the local government unit of Caibiran led by Mayor Eulalio Maderazo and the personnel of the rural health unit of the municipality for the successful holding of the upcoming first Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko free health services in Biliran province. (aen/fj/rvictoria/ PIA 8 Biliran)

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

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Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. 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