One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 3

Vol 6

Issue 3

In this Issue

January 18 - 24, 2016

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

BFAR launches Fish CORAL project

Ninfa B. Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources launched Tuesday, the Fisheries Coastal Resources and Livelihood (Fish CORAL) WESTERN VISAYAS project in Tacloban City.

The total project cost is estimated at Php 1.8B that will benefit more than a thousand communities, 190 thousand households in 11 target coastal areas in the gulfs of Ragay, Asid and Albay in the Bicol Region; Leyte Gulf, Matarinao Bay, Silago -Cabalian Bay and Maqueda Bay in Eastern Visayas; Butuan Bay and Lianga-Bislig-Hinatuan Bays in CARAGA and Illana and Sulu Sea in the ARMM region.

The project will be financed through a loan and grant from the United Nations-International Fund for Agricultural Students perform their dance routine during Development (UN-IFAD) and counterpart contributions from the Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika event held the national, local governments and communities.

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at the Freedom The UN-IFAD is a special agency of the UN committed in Grandstand, Iloilo City. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo) financing projects related to agri development in the Philippines. Its efforts are focused on poverty reduction and improvement of the socio-economic condition in the rural areas.

Asis Perez, BFAR Chief said that fisherfolks need interventions as they are very poor; the project will implement More on Region 6, pages 2-3. sustainable community-based enterprises to generate livelihood opportunities for fisherfolks. The womenfolk will also be given Also CLICK Here… economic opportunities by the project.

In Samar province, Rolando Ay-ay, Provincial Fishery Officer said that some 14 coastal municipalities are included in

the project and these include Pinabacdao, Daram, San Sebastian, Calbiga to mention some.

The project, said Ay-ay will empower coastal communities for the sustainable management of their coastal and fishery resources. ―If these are managed, there will be increased production of fish and other marine species which would mean more income to the poor farmers,‖ Ay-ay said.

Fish CORAL is another concrete step of the government to empower the fisherfolk whose contribution to the economy is indispensable. (PIA 8-Samar)

Stakeholders sign commitment to Fish CORAL project during its national launch at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City. The project is intended mainly for poor fisherfolks. (PIA-8)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Full ASEAN integration needs more infra dev’t

DTI-7 Assistant Regional Dir. Nelia Navarro said their move to promote the coffee industry in the Philippines is in line with NEDA's call for the government to continue coming up with measures that will increase income of the poor and generate investments in agriculture.

"Prioritizing agri-based industries is our response to this call, for the increased production in rural areas. Coffee can be a tool for inclusive growth," she stressed during the Coffee Industry Investment Forum held at

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Ceremonial turnover of Glucometer Kits and BP Apparatus with Dr. Paula Paz M. Sadiongco, OIC-Director III, DOH RO VIII @ Covered Court, Provincial Capitol Catbalogan City January 20, 2016. (PIA-8)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA6) --- Increased spending for infrastructure projects is necessary for the country for the upcoming full integration of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) this 2016, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

DBM-6 Regional Director Alfonso Bedonia said that infrastructure projects are needed to accelerate trade and investment and create an enabling environment for businesses to prosper. ―If we compare ourselves to the rest of the countries in Southeast Asia, we are among the lowest that spends for infrastructure projects,‖ he said.

In the AEC, there is a single market and production base which allows the free flow of goods, services, investments, and skilled labor, and the freer movement of capital across the region. ―In the ASEAN integration, they can do business here and we can also do business in other Southeast Asian countries. If we lack infra projects, we will be left out so there is massive implementation of these projects now,‖ he said.

According to DBM, a total of P829.6 billion has been allocated under the P3.002-trillion 2016 National Budget to strengthen the country‘s public works and communication

infrastructure to sustain the country‘s growth momentum as well as support its economic expansion for this year under the Aquino administration.

That includes a 29.7 percent increase in spending allocation for the Department of Public Works and Highways‘ (DPWH) alone to P394.5 billion from the previous year‘s P304.1 billion.

Under the 2016 budget, the allocation for public infrastructure now stands at five percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), higher than the 4.3 percent of GDP for infrastructure outlays in 2015, and in line with the Administration‘s budget goal for infrastructure investments.

For 2016, DPWH aims to complete the paving of all national arterial and secondary roads, and continue developing the national road network—including tertiary roads—and the preservation of road assets, the DBM said.

The DPWH will also handle various works on access roads leading to airports, ports, and tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas has been allotted P17.84 billion under the proposed spending plan for public infrastructure development of DPWH for 2016. (JCM/LTP/PIAIloilo)

PRO-7: No terror threat to IEC event Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- No terrorism threat has been monitored so far but the police said it would not be complacent as thousands of delegates are expected to arrive here in time for the start of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) on Sunday, January 24.

PS/Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) said although security preparations are set in place for the international religious event, these remain ―a work in progress‖. ―The police are in constant collaboration with concerned agencies to ensure public safety,‖ said Lawas during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers-Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) adding that every individual has a role to play in ensuring the 8-day IEC event would be successfully peaceful.

Lawas said part of their security measures is to increase police visibility in the streets especially near the IEC venues, more conduct of random checkpoints and the establishment of police assistance desks in roads, off-site venues and inside establishments.

Fr. Joseph Larida, in-charge of the IEC Security

Committee said that as of today, there are 8,000 foreign and local delegates that have registered and expects the figure to increase to 12,000 in the coming days. ―We totally depend on the police and other agencies to help us ensure peace and order while we are in constant coordination with them with regards to security matters,‖ said Larida in the same forum.

The police official called on the public to support and cooperate by reporting immediately any suspicious individuals or activities in their surroundings so the police could undertake the special necessary measures and thwart possible criminal incidents. ―All our preparations are for nothing if there is no public support. So please let us all take an active role in making the IEC peaceful,‖ said Lawas.

Meanwhile, Lawas also asked parents who plan to bring their children along to IEC activities to make sure they wear ID tag that contain the child‘s name and her or his parents, contact number and home address.

Lawas said a child getting lost in a crowd is a usual occurrence as similar incidents have happened during the recent Sinulog Grand Parade. An ID tag is very helpful and save time in reuniting both parents and child, said Lawas. (mbcn/fcr/ PIA7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

SSS Capiz: Aquino’s veto is right

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

By: Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 20 (PIA6) – President Benigno Aquino III is right in protecting not only the present but also future pensioners.

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apiz Social Security System head Angelo Blancaver said that the President‘s action to veto the proposed P2,000.00 increase in the monthly pension was a justified move ―because he is concerned with the present pensioners and the future of all the SSS members. ―President Aquino only did what is proper and right and was not concerned with the applause from the public even if he is ending his term of office soon,‖ Blancaver said, adding that if the President is only looking at the political side, he should have approved the proposed bill.

With approximately 30,000 SSS members in Capiz, he said that so far they have not received any complaint with the President‘s

act of not approving the bill for pension‘s increase.

The monthly pension is just one of the benefits availed of by the SSS members, Blancaver said, stressing that other benefits include the sickness, maternity, loans, death claims, funeral and disability benefits.

While there are a number of SSS members and pensioners who hoped for the increase in their monthly pension because of the value of the pension in the current situation to address their needs, they are optimistic that better benefits will be given to them.

They also said that the SSS must be transparent especially in presenting the real financial status and they expect better management of the agency.

Earlier, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. said that the P2,000 pension increase would lead to a projected deficit of P26 billion for 2016 from an expected income of P41 billion. ―As the number of pensioners grows, the initial P56 billion in additional benefit outlay per year would increase, which in turn contributes to the rising annual deficit or net loss incurred by SSS,‖ he said.

De Quiros pointed out that the P2,000 increase and resulting shorter fund life will greatly affect our 33 million members and pensioners as well as their dependent spouses, minor children and other beneficiaries who are also mandated to receive their own share of SSS benefits. (JCM/ JBG/PIA6)

4Ps beneficiaries push for passage of CCT bill Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Jan. 21(PIA6) — The immediate passing of the Conditional Cash Transfer now pending in Congress will assure the beneficiaries of continued assistance.

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his, according to the more than 2,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino (4Ps) beneficiaries who gathered for a rally at the capitol grounds of the province of Guimaras the other day.

The rallyists were part of the more than 8,000 4Ps members from the towns of Jordan, Sibunag, San Lorenzo, Buenavista and Nueva Valencia.

Racel Arquiola, 36 year-old mother, president of 4Ps parent-leaders in Buenavista said

they are calling for the institutionalization of the CCT so that no matter who the President of the country is, they will continue to receive the benefits. ―4Ps is helping me send my children to school,‖ Arquiola said in dialect, adding that her children have been attending school for the last three years now.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program provides improved health and education of the children, improve maternal health, and encourage

parents to make their family life better through the Family Development Sessions (FDS).

Meanwhile, similar rallies were also held in Aklan and Iloilo, with civil society organizations joining, calling for the immediate passing of the bill, with signature campaigns launched for the members of Congress to pay attention to the clamor.

The parents in Guimaras also engaged in a 44-second noise barrage standing for some 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiaries. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

COMELEC closely monitors firearms thru checkpoints

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 21 (PIA6) -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has started putting up checkpoints in various municipalities here in connection with the forthcoming May 9, 2016 local and national elections.

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ased on COMELEC Resolution No. 10029 promulgated late last year, the establishment of checkpoints is important to be able to effectively implement the firearms ban during the election period.

The election period for this year‘s political exercise started January 10 and will end June 8, 2015.

The guidelines on the checkpoints establishment were recently shared here to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through a briefing during the COMELEC-AFP-PNP 1ST Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) Command Conference held at the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) by Atty. Rommel G. Benliro, Election Officer III of COMELEC-Kalibo.

COMELEC partners in the establishment and operations of the checkpoints are the PNP and the AFP. The guidelines state that there shall be at

least one COMELEC checkpoint in each city or municipality.

There could be however additional checkpoints, including those coming from other PNP/AFP commands outside the city or municipality in coordination with the Election Officer having jurisdiction over the municipality or city.

In the case of Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, Atty. Benliro said 3 checkpoints will be set up at strategic areas of the town, especially at the entry and exit areas, now that the Kalibo Ati-atihan celebration is over.

As instructed by the resolution, a COMELEC checkpoint must have a signboard with the name and address of the Election Officer and the name of Commanding Officer or Team Leader.

An adequate number of AFP and PNP personnel manning the checkpoints must be in

complete uniform with the name plates and other identification tags clearly visible and readable, and shall not be under the influence of liquor or drug.

Besides the guidelines on the establishment of checkpoints, Atty. Benliro also briefed the participants, composed of PNP Municipal Chiefs of Police, 12th IB officers, and Municipal COMELEC officers of the province, on the conduct of preliminary examination of violations of the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons.

The conference, which was presided by COMELEC-Aklan Provincial Election Officer II Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, also became a venue for the APPO, led by newly designated OIC PSSupt.

John Mitchell Jamili and the 12th IB, led by LTC Paulito R. Idul and represented by Major Antonio A. Tumnog, Executive Officer, to express their support and cooperation in the conduct of a clean, honest and peaceful national and local elections on May 9, 2016. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Sinulog Festival

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NEDA: WV will reach 5.9 percent growth rate By: Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA6) — The National Economic and Development Authority here said it is confident that Western Visayas will reach its 2015 goal of 5.9 percent growth.

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major contributor to this are the service sector followed by the industry and the agriculture sectors.

Based on the 2014 Gross Regional Domestic Product data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the services sector as the main contributor to the region‘s economy, accounted for about 52 percent.

The services sector include trading, housing, finance, and tourism.

In a media interview, NEDA-6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal said these sectors are picking up despite the constraints brought by calamities.

―We were very bullish in 2015, as during the early part, we were busy preparing for the APEC meetings, while at the same time, catching up with rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda,‖ Bacal said.

She attributed the economic upbeat to the growth in infrastructures and investments especially in the energy sector.

The Department of Trade and Industry reported a 172 percent growth in investments in 2015 particularly in energy, tourism and housing sectors.

On the other hand, Bacal said there is a need to look into the fishery sector as the region

enjoys rich and diverse marine resources. ―As an island, Panay and Guimaras, we are facing a diversely populated marine resources, yet we are not taking advantage of it,‖ Bacal said, adding that there is little of marine processing activities here. ―We then need to increase our presence in the manufacturing and processing of marine resources,‖ Bacal added.

Meanwhile, the confidence in reaching the 5.9 percent growth springs from the fact, that it is one percentage point higher than the 4.9 percent in 2014. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

NIR has best models in environmental governance

By Easter Anne Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 18 (PIA6) - - Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr. said the Negros Island Region (NIR), with its two provinces, has the best models in environmental governance, however it has the worst polluters as well.

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gnacio said this in his message during the installation of Sophie Manuel as the first Environment Management Bureau (EMB) regional director for the Negros Island Region at the Grand Regal Hotel in Bacolod City. ―The two provinces here (NIR) are the most environmentally fragile provinces in the country having the worst polluters and where you can also find the best models in environmental governance,‖ Ignacio said.

Ignacio added that since the NIR has the best and the worst, the challenge is not so much on how to make these industries comply with regulations but how to prevent these industries

from committing these violations.

Meanwhile, Manuel likened her new assignment to motherhood where as an expectant mother, she bears all the difficulty of pregnancy from morning sickness, nausea and labor pains but all these vanish when a child comes to life – that is finally the establishment of the EMB for NIR which currently sits at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office – Negros Occidental at Barangay 39 in Bacolod City.

At 60, Manuel‘s career, being a chemical engineer, spanned through various government posts when she started as a sanitation officer of the Department of Health before moving on to

serve most years as a Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer in Region 12. ―We have to sustain, if not surpass, what Region 6 and Region 7 had started because we have one goal that is to protect the environment. We will help one another,‖ Manuel assured.

According to Manuel, EMB related transactions are already done here but existing ones are still with respective regions although now they are being involved in the process during this transition phase while they also accommodate online permit processing. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Antique smoking regulation ordinance up for implementation By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Jan 20 (PIA6) - - After a series of consultation and public hearing, the implementing rules and regulations of the Antique Anti-Smoking Ordinance is finally up for implementation.

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rene Dulduco, Information Officer, Provincial Health Office at the same time Focal Person of the Provincial Anti-Smoking Task Force, said the ordinance was approved in May 2014, however the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations was done in 2015 after a series of workshops and consultations with other agencies and stakeholders.

To equip the law enforcers with knowledge on the provisions of the ordinance, PHO has conducted the training of law enforcers in the town of San Jose. Among the participants are Punong Barangays, Barangay Sanggunian, Tanods, Police Officers and Traffic Enforcers.

Other municipalities in the province have also approved the Smoking Regulation Ordinance namely Hamtic and Pandan while the town of Patnongon is still in the process of conducting public hearing and consultation.

The towns of Libertad and Sebaste have also

passed the said ordinance but which needs to be updated.

Dulduco said the Department of Health will conduct Training of Trainers for the province of Antique to step up the training of law enforcers.

The ordinance is in compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

Section 5 of the Antique Smoking Regulation Ordinance stated that smoking including the use of electronic cigarettes shall be prohibited in all places fixed or mobile that are accessible or open to the public or places for collective use regardless of ownership or right to access such as the following schools, playgrounds, plaza, parks recreational areas and other facilities intended for or frequented particularly by minors.

Also included for non-smoking areas are

hospitals, health centers, medical clinics and other health facilities; transport terminals and gasoline stations; buildings, offices and elevators; indoor work places; shopping malls, hotels and restaurants subject to sections 6, 7 and 8 of the ordinance where designated smoking areas are allowed.

Smoking in buses, taxis, jeepneys and similar vehicles and other government owned vehicles, passenger areas inside ships, ferry boats, passenger bancas, and similar vehicles is also prohibited except for inter-island vessels with smoking areas that conform to the prescribed standards.

Section 10 of the ordinance also prohibits minors from selling, purchasing or smoking cigarettes or any tobacco products.

PHO is giving priority to the implementation of the Smoking Regulation Ordinance this year, said Dulduco. (JSC/PSM-PIA6 Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DSWD-7 to augment Cebu City staff for IEC event Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

CEBU CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) — Sixty Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) staff will augment the local social welfare department for the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) which starts January 24.

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ccording to Evelyn Macapobre, Regional Director of DSWD7, there are 60 staff identified to assist during the event on January 24 until the 31st.

In a press release, the 60 regional personnel will be augmenting the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) of the Cebu City Government who are mainly assigned for camp management and emergency situations. ―We have committed 60 staff mostly composed of social workers to help manage the help desk where lost and found children will be stationed,‖ Macapobre said.

Initial symposium related to the IEC are already being done this week.

It will be formally opened with a Mass by Cardinal Maung Bo of Sri Lanka at the Plaza Independencia.

The Pontifical Mass on January 24 will be

celebrated by Cardinal Bo in behalf of Pope Francis who will not be able to make it to the IEC. On the 28th, Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle will be the congress‘ speaker at the IEC Pavilion.

There will be a Visita Iglesia or church visit on that day will also be held among parishes in Metro Cebu including the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Capitol, Redemptorist Church, Santo Rosario Church, Basilica del Santo Niño, AsilodelaMedallaMilagrosa, Sacred Heart Parish, and the Cebu Cathedral.

These will also be the venues where the delegates will have encounters with local parishioners.

On January 29, the delegates will also be brought to their foster families as part of the immersion activity while a procession will be held

from Capitol to Plaza Independencia in the afternoon.

There will be Masses to be held on January 28 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Capitol building quadrangle on January 29, and the closing ceremonies at the South Road Properties on January 31.

IEC is an international gathering of people which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

The event is expected to gather millions of pilgrims during the opening and closing ceremonies. (rmn/fcc/PIA-Cebu with reports from Phoebe Jen Indino, Pantawid Pamilya IO)

PDRRMO trains water rescuers for canyooneering Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU, Jan. 20 (PIA) --- With canyoneering becoming the latest attraction in the south, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has trained water rescuers in Alegria.

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ennis Cortes, PDRRMO chief of op erat i on s, sai d t h e m un ici p al government of Alegria requested for the training as more adventure seekers the Kanlaob Falls in Brgy. Compostela is becoming a popular site for canyoneering.

At least 30 participants joined the training.

Fifteen of them were tour guides and the other half were municipal employees.

Previously, the Department of Tourism (DOT) conducted training for the tour guides but not really focused on water rescue, according to Cortes.

The training lasted for five days, from

January 11 until January 15 with a series of lectures and simulation of a rescue operation on the site where a tour guide drowned two years ago.

Canyooneering enthusiasts may choose to start in Compostela and end up in the municipality of Badian, Kawasan Falls.

Hence, Cortes said, they are also planning to hold similar trainings for the tour guides in Badian.

Rechele Torsiende of Alegria DRRMO stated that Brgy. Compostela has identified at least 90 individuals who will be trained for water rescue operations.

She said they were hopeful that there will be no more accidents during canyoneering or in case there is, they will be able to handle the emergency by themselves.

It will be recalled that Aldrin Carba, regarded as the pioneer in canyoneering and acclaimed tour guide among his colleagues, went missing in July 2014 when he was assisting visitors at the canyoneering site.

Due to the lack of rescuers, his body was found only after 29 hours of search.

The present rates of the activity in Alegria include P50 entrance fee, P150 for the gear, and P500 dive fee. (rmn/PIA Cebu/Cebu Capitol PIO)

Joint task force created to prevent drug smuggling Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 18 (PIA) – The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) here is set to form a joint task force at the Dumaguete City port area to intensify intelligence-gathering and security operations to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in the province.

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hilippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported the proliferation of illegal drug supplies in Negros Oriental coming from Metro Manila, Mindanao, and Cebu heavily utilizing the Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) inter-island vessels.

It has been noted that the growing drug abuse problem in Dumaguete City and in the province is closely linked to the spate of shooting incidents.

Aside from its archipelagic location, Negros Oriental has 19 piers including 13 private and six public seaports, and this has become a problem to monitor in view of the limited resources of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

PPA representative Cenando Catalan cited the lack of closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, x-ray machines, and trained personnel to

detect contraband or illegal drugs in the port terminal. ―We are only allowed to inspect rolling cargos in plain view although the Coast Guard is around with a canine unit,‖ Catalan explained.

However, provincial administrator Atty.

Richard Enojo, in a PPOC meeting, clarified that the limitation to plain view applies only to checkpoints. ―When a person is riding in a public utility, he is submitting or surrendering his rights because the interest of the majority is more paramount than the right of one person,‖ Enojo explained. ―Any passenger in the port should be examined and every portion of the vehicles coming in and out should be checked to prevent any possible threats. So these are the things that we have not been doing and this is the way of

escaping criminal liabilities,‖ said Enojo.

To pursue an intensive and relenting campaign against the use of dangerous drugs, the task force is set to come up with a plan to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in Dumaguete as well as in the province.

PPA is tasked to take the lead in guarding the port with the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP), PDEA, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies.

Col. Dionardo Carlos of PNP said private vehicles have to pass through security inspections or detectors and their passengers have to disembark for screening.

The task force would also bring the Highway Patrol Group to check the status of the vehicle while the tourist police for the passengers, Col. Carlos said. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Sinulog Festival

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Cebu City uses DSWD's Listahanan to serve PWDs Juju M. Empuerto

CEBU CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) --- The Cebu City Government is utilizing the Listahanan database of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in serving the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the city.

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ccording to Kerwin Macopia, Information Officer for Listahanan, Cebu City currently serves 10,168 PWDs who receives financial assistance in the amount of P5,000.00 each per year through its Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS).

Out of the 10,168 individuals, there are 476 individuals identified to be poor in the Listahanan database based on the name matching conducted by the DSWD Field Office VII, he said. ―As a local government unit, we opted to use the Listahanan because it is important that different government agencies will be

given a list of poor households that need their specific area of responsibility expertise,‖ said Dr. Ester Concha, DSWS OIC-Department Head.

According to Concha, ―priorities will be focused on, plan of action will be formulated, budget will be assessed accordingly and implementation of giving out specific needs will be done in a timely and orderly manner‖.

Asi de f rom th e gi ven financi al assistance, DSWS also provided other services like issuance of PWD ID card and PWD booklet, provision of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, canes, hearing aids and social

enhancement such as personality development sessions.

Listahanan was formerly called the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), an information management system that identifies who and where the poor households are in the country.

Listahanan aims for the government and civil society to establish objective targeting system on the social protection programs and services to the poor, according to the DSWD-7 official. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu with DSWD7 report)

Comelec: PCOS to have more ‘security features’ Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) — The votes counting machine (VCMs) which would be used this May 9 elections would have more security features.

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ommission on Elections (Comelec) Bohol Election Supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria during the recent Kapihan sa PIA in Bohol said the VCMs - or more officially called the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) which would be used could be newer and with more security features.

PCOS has been, by law, embedded with four security features to assure voters that their votes are exactly the same with the data sent out to election servers at the COMELEC central servers as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 939 or the Automated Elections Law. He said COMELEC is set to put up roadshows on the PCOS to help people better understand its operations.

These roadshows may also be the poll body‘s venue to consult election stakeholders on the pro's and con's of the safety features of the counting machines and its potential

reactivation.

Filipinos are not new to PCOS machines, but while these were used in the 2010 and 2013 polls, COMELEC reportedly deactivated some of the security features.

These security features include the ballot verification using ultra violet detectors, a source code review by an independent audit company, the digital signature in the transmittal, and the voter verified paper audit trail.

There were also no details of which of these were deactivated, and which ones were active.

Reports earlier quoted COMELEC chairman Andres Bautista saying that they might re-activate three of the four security features.

COMELEC has earlier allowed the opening of the source code by an independent company last December, all to make sure that the codes act as they have been programmed.

It may be recalled that in 2013 elections, the

source code became a butt of controversy as the code review was done hastily, six days before the polls.

The source code is basically an independent auditor to ensure that the system is running free from possible malicious lines or malware designed to manipulate the results of elections, explains the COMELEC. As to the digital signature, Bautista was also quoted as saying ―they were looking to introduce human signatures."

In Bohol, Labaria said a training for trainors on the PCOS is slated soon and COMELEC is set to call the BEIs for this. ―We need to get them to know the PCOS better," the Bohol poll supervisor stressed.

He said a mock election would also happen in test areas, while a simultaneous testing of the PCOS could happen between May 2 to 6. (rmn/ rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

90 graduates in Bohol complete techvoc skills training Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) — Bohol will obtain 90 more skilled blue collar job workers as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in partnership with a technical-vocational institution (TVI), granted certificates of completion to a pool of three skills on January 20 in Balilihan town.

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ohol TESDA Provincial Director Engr.

Samuel Jordan and Governor Edgar Chatto with host mayor Pureza V. Chatto handed out the certificates to 50 graduates of Shielded Metal Arc Welding Btach 1 and 2 and 20 cookery as well as 20 for driving courses.

Along with the local officials handing proofs of competencies in the National certification 2 rating would be Romelito Mantuhac, head of the Cebu Science of Welding Skills and Technology Incorporated (CSWSTI), training coordinator Manuel Dumaguit, TESDA specialist Florencio Bitang, welding technology trainer Sabino Sefuentes Jr., cookery trainer Mary Anniver Dalaguan and driving trainer Jonard Zabate.

CSWSTI is just one of the many TVIs conducting the trainings in Bohol.

This, too, as the government continues to dangle technical and vocational training courses to increase workers competencies and elevate their hiring chances amid an integration of nations in 2016.

TESDA provides direct financial assistance to deserving TVET enrollees across the country through a variety of scholarship programs.

Among them are Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act, Training for Work Scholarship (TWSP) which provides immediate response to the need for highly critical skills, the program which has become a mainstreamed regular government scholarship has produced world class workers.

TESDA also implements Special Training for

Employment Program (STEP), a community-based specialty training program that addresses the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through ent rep reneu ri al, sel f -employm ent an d service-oriented activities.

Training programs offered are generally short-term or modules based on the TESDA-promulgated training regulations, but its objectives still maintain to provide skills and training opportunities for the beneficiaries in the barangays and communities to make them employable and productive.

Both public and private techvoc providers, mostly local government training centers and TESDA Technology Institutions, deliver the training programs under STEP. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/ Bohol)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Tacloban to pilot Ombudsman‘s Blue Certificate Program

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 19 (PIA) - The Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) Regional Office No. VIII, Tacloban City is set to conduct the pilot implementation of the Blue Certification Program in the City Government of Tacloban.

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he Program prescribes certain standards to address the problem of ‗‘Red Tape‘‘ in the regulation of businesses of local government units and assesses the LGU‘s in their level of compliance with these standards. It is similar to the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification for compliance with prescribed management system standards or to the Green Business Certif ication in mee ting certa in environmental standards and criteria.

The Blue Certification process establishes a methodology to guide the LGU‘s in clarifying their systems and

producers in the regulation of businesses with the end in view of reducing the burden of ‗‘Red Tape‘‘ in doing business in their area or jurisdiction.

As an incentive, an award/recognition will be accorded of LGUs that will adopt simple and efficient regulatory systems and procedures that could easily facilitate business holdings in their respective localities.

Independent assessors from Office of the Ombudsman will assess the level of compliance of LGUs with the 87 standards, grouped into 9 broad categories that were set by the office.

Based on the result of the assessment, the LGU will be given certification consisting of three levels: Level I, if at least 60% or 54 standards have been met. Level II if the at least 75% or 67 standards have been met and Level III if 90% or 80 standards have been met or satisfied.

Hon. Alfred S. Romualdez, City Mayor of Tacloban, signified his full support to the implementation of the said program.

The 5-day on-site assessment was set to wrap up on January 22, 2016 which coincides with the period for renewal of business permits. (PIA-8/Ombudsman-8)

Health office warns of El Nino-borne health problems Erna S. Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte Jan. 21 (PIA) – Provincial Health Service Office (PHSO) wastes no time in warning the public of life threatening diseases borne by El Nino phenomenon in the next six months.

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ccording to Dr. Noel P. Lumen in an interview during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA last Tuesday, that several ailments particularly heat stroke might occur due to persistent heat from January until June this year. That at the onset of El Nino, people should be careful not to expose themselves too much out in the open, to the burning heat of the sun at it might cause heatstroke.

Dr. Lumen issued this warning especially to those with heart diseases, high

blood pressure among others, who are more at risk.

Heat stroke is the result of dehydration, a state when the body losses enough water.

To prevent the occurrence of heat stroke, which begins with cramped legs during these hot days.

He advised drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water daily just to compensate for the water lost by the body due to heat.

El Nino borne-diseases also includes dengue virus caused by day-time

mosquitoes, which may populate at clean waters being kept in containers due to scarcity of water; respiratory diseases like cough, colds which might aggravate into more complicated bronchitis, pneumonia, among others, he said.

People were also advised to be careful in the food preparations, which can easily be spoiled due to heat. Spoiled food may cause food poisoning resulting in a person vomiting and ultimately succumbing to diarrhea, he added. (PIA8 SoLeyte)

Evacuation a must for Yolanda-like typhoons Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 21 (PIA) -- Learning from the lessons of the strongest storm to hit the country thus far, Provincial Disaster Management Officer (PDMO) Danilo Atienza vowed to implement pre-emptive and forced pull-out of residents in danger areas in case a Yolanda-like typhoon is spotted again.

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ays before such a weather disturbance is expected to hit land, pre-emptive transfer of residents in places plotted as likely path will be enforced and, later, especially for the hard-headed residents living in critical points, a forced evacuation would be ordered in coordination with the police and the military.

This will be carried out to ensure a zero casualty and injury in all the places in Southern Leyte province, Atienza said during the live dydm/dysl Kapihan sa PIA interview Friday.

Storms with strength like Yolanda, which pummeled the Visayas on November 13, 2013, falls under storm signal number 4, with wind velocity of more than 300 kilometers per hour.

Recently, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country‘s weather bureau which monitors incoming cyclones, added storm signal number 5, indicating a level-up intensity.

Meanwhile, Atienza said his office will continue the conduct of training at the barangay level, an activity that began last

year, barangay officials being the first responders in emergencies.

The PDMO also initiated printing a booklet, in Bisayan dialect, on what-to-dos during, before, and after a disaster which Atienza personally turned over to Gov. Roger Mercado last week.

It was the first kind of publication on the subject of natural disaster all over the region, published in 2000 copies, which will be distributed to all the 500 barangays of the province including m u n ic ip a litie s an d c ity , A tie nz a added. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Sinulog Festival

7

New projects for Eastern Samar bared Samuel D. Candido

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 22 (PIA) – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) gave funds for Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Project in this province.

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astern Samar Congressman Ben Evardone said that more than Php2 billion had been released by PAGCOR. From said amount, Php500 million was given to Eastern Samar while the remaining amount went to Antique, Iloilo and Leyte.

On the other hand, the flood control projects were already implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in most coastal towns of the province.

The solon added that the protection of the national highway was given priority since its protection has not yet been included in the design of the Millennium Challenge Corporation‘s secondary national road development project.

He further said that based on the survey conducted by DPWH, an amount of Php2 billion is needed for the maintenance of more than 22 kilometers of the SNRDP

Project.

Included in this maintenance is the construction of breakwaters and tetrapads, among others.

The solon also informed that in the 2016 budget, a fund of Php500 million has been allocated for road maintenance and has already been downloaded to the DPWH. This amount is also a buffer fund in case the contractors will not be able to finish the project on time.

Slated to be finished this 2016, the solon said that the implementation of the MCC-SNRD Project is now almost done, notwithstanding some problems encountered.

According to him, the contractors promised to straighten these problems out and to finish the project on time.

He emphasized that infrastructures implemented in Eastern Samar are line items

or listed in the agencies that will implement them, unlike during the time that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was still in existence –wherein representatives of the different provinces in the country have the discretion over the spending of the Php70 million PDAF. Declaring the PDAF as unconstitutional had not stopped the solon from implementing projects in the province.

Through his efforts, these projects had been included in the budget of different agencies.

For the year 2016, the solon‘s priority project within the Php2 billion fund are infrastructure projects, especially the road concreting project from Maydolong, Eastern Samar to the boundary of Basey, Samar including the construction of bridges, maintenance of the national highway and the various bottom-up budgeting (BUB) projects.

(PIA-E.Samar)

Completed Leyte diversion road project inaugurated soon Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 22 (PIA) — The 5-kilometer concrete diversion road project in Baybay, Leyte is set to be inaugurated anytime after its completion by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

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he Baybay Diversion Road is a national road which serves as the trunk line and the fundamental component of the road network of Baybay City from Maasin City to Tacloban City and Maasin City to Ormoc City.

According to Tonette Lim, regional information officer of the DPWH here, the project aims to minimize traffic congestion in the city proper by diverting vehicular traffic to the new diversion road thereby reducing convergence in the busy streets.

The project is expected to reduce

the travel time along the road as well as dust and air pollution in said area, paving the way for an increased commercial activities and job opportunities for Leyteno‘s that will ultimately improve the socio-economic condition of Baybay City.

The road network which is interconnected with one bridge has a total cost of P395 million for calendar year 20132016. This is composed of roadway opening of 5, 002.50 meters; concrete paving of 3, 015.50 meters

including bridge approaches and construction and construction of embankment protection substructure on file foundation, construction of steel craneway, concrete coping for slope protection supported by steel pile & concrete blocks for pier foundation; completion of 151.50 meters bridge, provision of embankment protection structures, informative signs and paving of shoulders and proposed linear meter slope protection. (ajc/DPWH -8/PIA-8)

Eastern Visayas 2015 tax collection up Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 19 (PIA) --- The region’s tax collection performance in 2015 has increased by 25.4 percent compared to the previous year.

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ax collection data of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No.14 showed that from January to December 2015, a total collection of P6, 522, 716, 333.67 was recorded, which is over the P5, 199, 904, 747.87 in 2014.

Taxes collected come from Revenue

District Offices in Catarman Northern Samar, Borongan Eastern Samar, Catbalogan City, Tacloban City, Ormoc City and Maasin Southern Leyte.

BIR regional director Norberto D. Vitug said that the region has surpassed the tax collection in the previous year and exceeded

its target collection for 2015 because of the concerted efforts of the employees of the agency, business sector, media, taxpayers and other stakeholders.

The tax collection goal for 2015 in Eastern Visayas was pegged at P6, 391, 586, 000.00. (ajc/PIA-8)

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

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. 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, Children‘s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com