One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 17 20170428 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Antique Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Fernando Corvera and PIA-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the official launching of the PIA information kiosk installed in the Evelio Javier Gymnasium at the Binirayan Sports Complex, San Jose, Antique, held April 23, 2017. Also in the photo is PIA-6 Antique Infocen Manager Totei Villavert. (PIA Antique)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

April 24 - 30, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 17

PRRD stresses sportsmanship, camaraderie during Palaro opening Vicente W. Villavert SAN JOSE, Antique, April 24 (PIA6) - - “This moment belongs to you,” President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said as he addressed young athletes from different regions during the opening of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa at the Binirayan Complex, San Jose, Antique.

President Duterte said that the national sports event promotes sportsmanship and other values inherent in sports. He as well encouraged the young athletes to make friends with other athletes from other regions.

The President likewise conveyed to the youth to value education, patriotism and to stay away from drugs.

He also stressed that the athletes need to develop a sense of responsibility as they will take on the elder’s tasks in the future.

"So we are trying to build competitiveness, fairness, values, and the sense of goodwill sa inyong mga bata," he said.

“The Education department gets the lion’s share in the appropriation of annual budget followed by agriculture and health,” the President said.

For her part DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones thanked President Duterte for his continued support and for the opening of the Senior High School program this June.

Briones said that the Senior High School program has four educational strands and these are educational, academic, sports and techvoc.

“Of the 1.5 million learners enrolled in senior high school, 60 percent are in the academic program; 39 percent in techvoc, and only .2 percent are into sports as profession and as a field learning,” Briones said.

The DepEd Secretary hopes that with the support of President Duterte, this year’s conduct of the Palarong Pambansa “we will have more students to take sports seriously not just as an

extracurricular activity, but as a profession and honorable profession, and as source also of a good income.”

According to the DepEd this year’s biggest sports event in Antique, the Palarao is composed of various sports events: The elementary division has 15 events, namely arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball, with some 15,000 delegates participating.

The secondary division has 21 events, namely archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, billiard, futsal, wrestling, and wushu.

The new sports events for this year are wushu, wrestling, futsal and billiards.The demonstration sports are pencak silat, aerobic gymnastics, and dance sports, while para games are goalball, bocce, athletics, and swimming. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

President Duterte tells youth: “...value education and patriotism and stay away from drugs”. The President graced the April 23 opening of the 60th Palarong Pambansa hosted by Antique. (PIA Antique)

'Cebu City preferred by IT companies' PIA 7 Kapihan sa PIA forum on Science and Technology Scholarship Program with speakers from DOST Manila, Ruby Cristobal, OIC S&T scholarship division Samuel Parcon, manager for DOST 7 Technical Support Services & Atty.

Gilbert Arbon, Asst. Regional Director, DOST-NIR held at Sidlakang Negros conference room, April 26, 2017. (PIA Negros Oriental)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CEBU CITY (PIA) --- More information technology (IT) companies prefer to take root in Cebu City over Metro Manila due to the rapidly growing IT industry here, said Wilfredo Saa Jr, Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (CEDF-IT) managing director.

Saa said that Cebu grew from having around 1,200 people back in 2001 to around 140,000 direct employees in the IT industry as of December 2016. IT industry also grew in its types of services, from contact centers to having more complex operations like IT outsourcing activities, health management, engineering services, and research and development.

In light of this exponential growth, CEDF-IT will hold the 2017 Transformation Summit on May 22 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel which aims to lead the Cebu IT industry towards sustainable growth and higher value services.

“Cebu City is competing with more than 60 other cities aside from Metro Manila in attracting IT companies. We should be able to prepare our talents and prove that we don’t only have the quality but the quantity of talents to support this direction of the industry,” he added.

The event will be a venue for participants to know about the updates on the Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2022, the direction and programs of the Cebu City Government for the industry, the

importance of investing in opportunity and talents, growing and hitting headcount targets for Cebu, industry views on artificial intelligence, cybercrime, how to manage change, and upcoming infrastructure including the new Mactan International Airport Terminal.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is highly supportive of the growing IT industry in Cebu, said Saa. The official met with industry people to ask them for their needs and challenges and in what way the city can help sustain the growth which is beginning to produce results such as the bus service for night shift employees and plans to open a one-stop shop where new employees can process their documents like NBI Clearance, SSS, PhilHealth and PAG-IBIG. In relation to the rapid change occurring in the industry, Cebu Delivery Center Lead for Technology, Accenture, Arvin Yason, said there is a need for to upscale not just the employees but even the market at large and the academe.

CEDF-IT is the first ICT Council of the Philippines established in March 2001 to enhance the quality and quantity of human resources in the IT industry in Cebu.

Because of its success in Cebu, around 70 ICT Councils modeled after CEDF-IT exist today in key cities and provinces in the Philippines. (asv/PIA-7 Cebu)

Pantawid FDS to include ASEAN integration lessons Ninfa B Quirante BILIRAN GEOTHERMAL. Mark Julius Mecaral Oraa (wearing blue shirt), permitting and compliance officer, Biliran Geothermal Incorporated (BGI), gives updates on the current status of the Biliran geothermal project in his radio appearance at PIA Kapihan at Pulong -Pulong ng Bayan at Radyo Natin-Naval, Villa Asuncion, Calumpang, Naval, Biliran, April 28, 2017.(rvictoria/PIA Biliran) #PartnerForChange

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 25 (PIA) - As the DSWD heads the socio-cultural community pillar of the ASEAN integration, Regional Director Resty Macuto said that lessons on ASEAN will be part of the family development sessions (FDS).

Family development sessions are lecture/ lessons where members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries are required to attend to get their cash grants.

"By May, all the FDSs in the region will tackle ASEAN integration and the benefits available to them," said Macuto during a press conference in Calbayog City.

ASEAN, the only regional economic community of its kind outside of Europe and North America, aims to promote collaboration and cooperation among member states, as well as to advance the interests of the region as a whole, including economic and trade growth.

It has negotiated a free trade agreement among member states and with other countries such as China, as well as eased

travel in the region for citizens of member countries, according to World Economic Forum.

Macuto added that it is necessary to inform the Pantawid families about ASEAN because they comprise a large part of the country's population. This will also form part of their education, he added.

Over the years, ASEAN has witnessed strengthened cooperation in social protection, promotion and protection of rights of women and children, humanitarian assistance in times of disasters, management of cross-border health and environmental risks, improvement of people’s health and well-being, development of opportunities for education, exchange and employment of young people and raising awareness on ASEAN cultures and identity.

These and more will just be some of the salient points that Pantawid families need to know about ASEAN integration. (ajc/nbq/ PIA 8-Samar)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

TechFest promotes Bacolod as ICT center Carlson B. Alelis BACOLOD CITY, April 26 (PIA6) – Bacolod City hosted and supported the conduct of a series of information and communications technology (ICT) workshops and lectures here from April 24 to 28.

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he ICT stakeholders aimed to promote Bacolod City as an ideal location for complex ICT jobs and opportunities for the next six years, a release from the City Information Office said.

According to Bacolod Councilor Em Ang, the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNeFIT) hopes to bring 60,000 ICT-related jobs in the province by 2022.

The week-long activity, dubbed #BCDFest, featured a workshop on creative design by the

League of 2D Artists and Pear Crate Studios and Holysoft Studios at the DTI Negosyo Center last April 24.

On the April 25, there was a Women TechMakers Meetup at the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) - Bacolod, and Python CodeCamp

by DevCon Philippines at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), and at USLS on April 26.

Beat Walter, ICT consultant from Switzerland, will also facilitate a Team and Program Management Workshop on April 28 at the DTI

Negosyo Center.

Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, former Bacolod councilor and now BNeFIT executive director, said that the #BCDFest primarily aims to provide venues for teachers, graduates and professionals of ICT courses to upskill and reskill in time with the demands of the industry.

The initiatives will help improve the city and the province’s position in the ICT industry especially in software and non-voice services, she said. (JCM/ CBA/PIA6-Negros Occidental)

Piña and Fiber Festival targets P5.250M sales Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, April 25 (PIA6) -- This year’s Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival, now on its 19th year and one of the major activities of Aklan’s celebration as a separate province from Capiz, is targeting to generate P5.250 in sales.

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he Pina and Fiber fest, held at the Provincial Trade Hall, Capitol Grounds, displayed an array of locally-produced products from pina cloth and wearables, gifts and housewares, processed food, health and wellness, bakery products, and more.

As in the past, the exhibit was mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here with the support fof the Provincial Government of Aklan, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association Inc., Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority and Aklan Pina and Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers and

Traders Inc. This year’s exhibit is anchored on the theme “Greening Local Products Towards Competitiveness” to emphasize showcase of products that are environment-friendly, such as natural dyed abaca and pina fabrics, mood lamps made of scrap woods and coco shells, virgin coconut oil and many others.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde said that “greening”, like practicing the use of natural and plant based dyes will help make Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs) competivitive. Producing “green” products by using “green” processes, according to Iturralde, also makes MSMEs resilient to Climate Change.

Green processes also reduces pollution contributing to environment protection.

This year, 77 MSMEs and LGUs participated in the trade fair and showcased their respective OTOPs (One Town, One Product) in their respective booths.

Aklan became a separate province from Capiz through RA 1414 signed by then President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Export of muscovado, abaca bright Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, April 26 (PIA6) - - Regional Technical Director Manny Olanday of the Department of Agriculture 6 affirmed the export prospects of muscovado and abaca industry in Antique.

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e said this during his recent visit (muscovado and abaca) are in demand in the export to Antique to give support to market. upland farmers who are into abaca He told farmers of a ready market for farming. abaca and muscovado, but they have to ensure a The government is all out in its support sustainable supply of goods. to the endeavors of the farmers, he said by providing Olanday particularly mentioned South Korea, infrastructure support/ access roads, post-harvest Japan, and Europe where Antique had a name in facilities, credit access and marketing assistance, muscovado sugar export, however, the farmers need among others. to sustain the volume to continuously meet their However, the farmers need to converge and demands. form a strong organized group to consolidate their For Abaca, export market are also Germany, products and address the production requirement France, United States, Japan, Taiwan, South wherein huge volumes of these two banner products Korea, Singapore, Canada Australia, among other

as presented by the Philippine Fiber Development Authority.

On the other hand, Engr. Arlene Galopo of the Department of Trade and Industry assured continuing assistance to farmers/cooperatives in terms of entrepreneurship and marketing by facilitating their attendance to trade fairs and expositions, upgrading the quality of their products, labeling among others.

Governor Rhodora Cadiao earlier said that development of the muscovado and abaca industry will give boost to the economy of the province.

(JCM/PSM,/PIA6Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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PhilHealth-6 cites government media for info support Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, April 27 (PIA6) --- Government media agencies in Iloilo under the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) were recognized by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)-6 for their valuable information support to the agency.

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he Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6, Philippines News Agency (PNA), and DYLL Radyo ng Bayan, among others, were given the Media Partners Award by PhilHealth-6.

The award is part of the 1st PhilHealth Local Stakeholders Awards which recognized the valuable contributions of its partner-stakeholders in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Program.

PhilHealth-6 said it is their mandate, under the country’s Universal Health Program, to ensure that all Filipinos irrespective of their economic status, age,

gender, religion, pre-existing condition are covered with a health insurance which will provide financial risk protection in times of medical needs.

This mandate, however, requires concerted effort and collaboration of PhilHealth among its partner-implementors including local government units, employers, health care providers, media, and other line agencies of the government, among others.

The 1st PhilHealth Local Stakeholders Awards also recognized partner-stakeholders that exude excellent and quality service to PhilHealth

members.

Likewise, these stakeholders are lauded for their strong compliance to the rules and regulations of the Corporation in the area of Membership, Collection and Health Care delivery, and to include the role of communication partners in program dissemination.

Other recipients of the Media Partners Award were Panay News, The Daily Guardian, Aksyon Radyo, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, RMN DYRI, Radyo ng Bayan, RGMA Super Radyo, ABS-CBN Iloilo, and Serbisyo Publiko. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Center keeps disadvantaged women going Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, April 27 (PIA6) — Disadvantaged women, victims of domestic violence, illegal recruitment, involuntary or forced prostitution find refuge in a center in the province of Iloilo.

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he Regional Center for Women, established in the year 2000 houses women who are victims of physical and emotional abuse, victims of trafficking and children who are victims of neglect or are abandoned.

Social Worker Haydee Canilla, of the Department of Social Welfare and Development said they are ushering these women to healing so that they can go back to their families and communities where they are loved and protected.

“We are implementing a holistic approach to the healing and recovery of our residents,” Canilla said.

“These include livelihood trainings, conduct of counselling with the support of a psychologist and a nurse,” she added.

The center presently takes care of 14 residents, seven of whom are children.

Clients considered for residential care in the center are those under threat a n d tho s e ex hi bi tin g n e ga ti ve s o cial functioning and no significant person can provide them the necessary protection and support.

Canilla said that they have observed that there is a downtrend on the cases of violence against women based on their admissions to the center.

She said that the advocacy and crusade against women and children abuse may have helped much.

“We call on women not to allow themselves to be abused,” Canilla said, adding that most of the men who abuse women are into alcohol, illegal drugs and other forms of vices.

Besides mental and physical healing services, the center also provides residents with

literacy skills like reading and writing, training on food processing, handicraft making, sewing, cosmetology and foot spa.

Meanwhile, a former ward in the center Ana (not her real name), said her stay in the center was a blessing.

She brought her four children with her to the center then, after having been rescued from an abusive partner.

“Yes, I was abused, but I am thankful for the opportunity given me as I learned to earn a living through manicure, pedicure and foot spa and massage therapy,” Ana said.

May Castillo, DSWD-6 Information Officer, said the RCW was put up through the joint efforts of LGU, DSWD and the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (JCM/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

P22.6M for Capiz' 4Ps rice subsidy Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 28 (PIA6) – More than P22.6-million was released to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries as rice subsidy for January.

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oselito Estember, Provincial 4Ps Operations Officer in Capiz, disclosed that the P600 cash rice subsidy is in additional to the other cash grants to the program beneficiaries.

The released rice subsidy last March was intended for the 37,669 beneficiaries, he said.

Estember also said that the rice subsidy for the months of February and March will be released in the

second week of May in time for the regular payout of the beneficiary's health and education subsidies.

The rice subsidy is a commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte made during his first State of the Nation Address in 2016 to ensure that all Filipinos be free from hunger and poverty.

“It is an additional cash grant which is a top-up to the usual health and education grants they receive,” he explained.

Estember reminded the 4Ps beneficiaries to use the additional grant on its intended purpose, comply with all the program conditionalities even if there are additional cash grants for maximum cash grant benefits. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

DSWD-7 wins national awards Juju Empuerto CEBU CITY, April 23 (PIA) --- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII under Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre took home several awards during the recently concluded DSWD Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) awarding ceremony at the Land Bank Auditorium in Ermita, Manila.

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ccording to Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana, DSWD-7’s Social Marketing Unit (SMU) won first place for the Gawad #DSWDMayMalasakit.

The award recognizes the proactive move of the Department through the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, among others in informing and engaging the public on social welfare and services provided by the agency, added the social welfare and development official.

Other winners for the said category are Field Office VI and National Capital Region (NCR), Quintana added. The SMU is composed of Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana, Listahanan Information Officer Kerwin Macopia, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer Phoebe Jen Indino and Kalahi-CIDSS Social Marketing Officer Venice Polancos. Macopia is also among the 12 recipients of Gawad Huwaran Award.

The Gawad Huwaran Award is given to a DSWD employee who is able to render extraordinary work performance or service and exemplary demonstration of DSWD’s three core competencies in his/her work execution, thereby significantly contributing to the achievement of the strategic goals of the office/bureau/service and

DSWD, said Quintana. These three core competencies of DSWD employees are Commitment to Credible Public Service, Delivering Excellent Results, and Personal Effectiveness. The field office is also among the recipients of Tatak Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo sa Larangan ng Disaster Response Award and Innovative Award for its Regional Learning Resource Center (RLRC).

Tatak Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo sa Larangan ng Disaster Response award is given to DSWD Field Offices that are able to provide quick and prompt delivery of services while making compassion their ethos when discussing and addressing people’s concerns. The Innovative Award recognized Field Offices who persevered to develop knowledge products contributing to their RLRC’s functionality.

Moreover, seven loyal workers of DSWD-7 under cost of service were recognized through the Gawad Kalihim Award. The award is given by the Department Secretary to individual employees who served as source of inspiration and motivation to other employees according to the DSWD-7 official.

Among the awardees from DSWD-7 include Marie Hazel Antoy, Debra Fernandez, Bibiana Legaspi, Danilo Nable, Basilides Omboy, Vitaliana

Pancho and Marlou Perales.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo personally handed the plaques and certificates to the awardees. In her message, Taguiwalo said, “The PRAISE Awards is our culminating activity for our 66th anniversary, and it is also our most important.

We in the DSWD, through this ceremony, affirm our commitment to social work, to community development, and to aspirations of a stronger, more efficient DSWD that relies on the collective power of its employees and leaders to always get the job done.”

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. who was the keynote speaker, underscored the important role that the Department plays in the Duterte administration’s poverty reduction efforts. “Making sacrifices in whatever way we can is the essence of true public service. DSWD employees exemplify this brand of public service during disaster and emergency situations, and delivery of essential programs and services to vulnerable sectors,” Evasco said. He added that the Duterte brand of poverty reduction is collaborative and participative which involves listening to the voices of the people and understanding their needs. (jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ DSWD-7)

Dumaguete cited as child-friendly city Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City has been adjudged as a child friendly LGU after the mandatory audit that seeks to measure the availability and sustainability of the services that help promote the welfare of the children in the communities.

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he results of the 2016 evaluation conducted by the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reveal that Dumaguete City is eligible to receive the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance for providing health, nutrition, education and socio-cultural services that enhance, develop and protect the well-being of the children.

Dumaguete City DILG Officer Farah Diba Gentuya informed Mayor Felipe Antonio “Ipe”

Remollo of the distinction that was restored after the city improved its ranking compared to the previous years’ assessments.

The DILG assessment criteria used “benchmarks and a scaling system in measuring the LGUs’ results and performance, consistent with national standards, averages or targets.”

Among the indicators use to assess the LGUs are: functional health, nutritional, justice and educational systems; full immunization and vitamin supplements of children, live birth registration of all

children, extremely low incidence of maternal deaths and higher survival of infants, all children from 3 to 15 years-old are enrolled in day care centers and schools, under child protection to include all children are removed from hazardous environment, exploitative labour, prostitution and pornography; all children in conflict with the law are separated from adult detainees or provided with diversion program; all cases of physical, sexual abuse and violence are eliminated in the home, school and community. (jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

NAST PHL puts spotlight on blue economy for Regional Scientific Meeting CEBU CITY, April 18 (PIA) --- Academician Rafael Guererro III of the Agricultural Sciences Division of National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) highlighted the potential of the blue economy or ocean-based resources during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

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It is the future of our industry,” Guererro said after he enumerated the richness of the Philippines’ maritime resources such as fisheries, tourism, shipping lines and oil and gas exploration.

The Philippines is the 3rd largest archipelago and consists of more water than land, yet most of the country’s resources come from the green economy. The Agricultural Sciences Division of NAST PHL, having adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) as their theme this year, is focusing on fisheries and how critical science will be in this area.

They will look into how the blue economy will impact the success in obtaining the SGDs. In line with this, a two-day Visayas Regional Scientific

Meeting with the theme: “Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Philippine Fisheries and Other Aquatic Resources 20/20”, is held by NAST PHL in coordination with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Visayas Cluster (Region VI, VII, VIII and NIR) from April 18 to 19, 2017.

It is the second of the three Regional Scientific Meetings held in each of the three major islands in the country in preparation for the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on July 12 to 13, 2017 sharing the same theme.

Cebu’s location gives more relevance to the theme since it is a center of maritime industries like ship building, eco-tourism, and fisheries.

DOST-7 Regional Director Engr. Edilberto

Paradela said that by 2050, they plan to eliminate marine pollution of all kinds.

He pointed out that it’s important to educate people especially tourists to be environmental-friendly and not throw their garbages and plastics to the sea. Paradela also added that there is a need for shipping lines to give extra effort in keeping seas clean and safe.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Pena noted that empowering local communities through science and technology, identifying university-based research centers in the regions and assisting small enterprises in acquiring technology to improve quality and productivity are among DOST’s efforts to support the president’s goal to hasten regional development. (asv/PIA7-Cebu)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PIA’s Ugnayan tackles ASEAN benefits in NegOr Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 21 (PIA) – Opportunities and benefits of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were discussed recently during the second leg of the Philippine Information Agency’s ―Ugnayan: A Dialogue for Progress‖ in Dumaguete City.

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IA Director General Harold Clavite said the opening of employment prospects in neighboring countries and visa-free travel are some of the advantages that the ASEAN brings for its citizens.

Clavite stressed that the objective of organizing the ASEAN community and with economic cooperation and regional integration is to improve the lives of its people.

The Ugnayan or ASEAN multi-sectoral forum intends to gather support to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 50th ASEAN summit this year.

For her part as one of the speakers, Staff Director Belina Capul of PIA explained that some 117 meetings that would take place in the different cities and provinces in the country where leaders, foreign ministers, and representatives of the ASEAN’s Technical Working Groups will talk on how to better improve the regional cooperation.

Capul said this year’s ASEAN event will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the theme: “Partnering for change, Engaging the world” with Philippines holding the Chairmanship in accordance with the regular rotation among member states.

The ASEAN 10-member states include Brunei Darrusalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. Clavite said the ASEAN region is one of the most promising when it comes to economy.

“Right now, we are the seventh largest economy i-combine ang GDP sa ASEAN ika- pito sa tibuok kalibutan and by 2050 gi project na siya nga ika-upat nga pinakadako nga ekonomiya sa tibuok kalibutan surpassing many other countries in the world,” Clavite said.

Capul also discussed about the positive impact of the ASEAN and how it will open up opportunities of economic, political, cultural, and security cooperation among its ten members.

Other issues discussed include benefits and challenges of the Freedom of Information and National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) Ambisyon Natin 2040 that highlights the Philippine government’s long-term mission and vision for the Filipino people and the country in the next 25 years. The event is participated in by more than 120 sector representatives in the province which include local and national government unit officials,

information officers, non-governmental organizations, members of the local media, and students.

In closing, Clavite also emphasized the need for community influencers and other communication networks to raise public awareness on how each Filipino can participate in and benefit from the programs and services of the government.

“While Filipinos are the biggest social media users, we have to be reminded ourselves to be responsible on the information we disseminated so as not to create irrelevant news or fake news but take the opportunity to empower the people,” he said.

The forum was graced by Dumaguete City mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo; Officer in Charge-Regional Director Fayette Riñen of PIA7; Regional Director of NEDA7 Efren B. Carreon; Staff Director of PIA Belina SB. Capul; Presidential Communications Operations Office representative Michelle Arianne M. Manza; Silliman University president Ben S. Malayang III; and Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Edward Du. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Angelica Mae D. Gomez)

Mangrove, beach forest in CV on the right track - DENR CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 18 (PIA) --- The Biodiversity Coastal Wetlands and Ecosystem Research Center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here stressed that mangrove plantation and beach forest in Central Visayas and other Visayas regions are in the right track.

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n a recent Association of Government Information Officers – Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA 7) Forum center head of Biodiversity Coastal Wetlands and Ecosystem Research of DENR-7, Dr. Alicia Lustica said that in terms of survival rate percentage of mangrove plantation and beach forest, Visayas regions are getting well.

“We are already happy for what we planted based on the third party validation that was conducted on the first quarter of 2016, our survival rate of mangrove in Region VII is 71.31 percent, in

the beach, and there is 67.85 percent,” Lustica said.

She added that Region VI and VIII had a combined percentage of survival rate of mangrove that reached to 78.85 percent while 71.30 percent survival rate for beach forest. “And if we are going to average the survival rate of our project as a whole comprising mangrove and beach, we have 75.075 percent,” Lustica declared. She added that there is total area of 50,000 hectares in the whole Philippines that were planted with Mangrove trees.

In the Visayas region, there are 21,785 hectares out of 50,000 and as broken down into: 3,647

hectares for Western Visayas or Region VI, Central Visayas or Region VII has 4,728 hectares and Eastern Visayas or Region VIII has 13,590 hectares.

The mangrove and beach forest development project started in 2015.

This is a three-year program but the majority of the activities are being undertaken for 2016 and 2017 which is more on the maintenance and protection activities because it has been fully planted in 2015 in the areas targeted and has planted with a total of 66,086,059 seedlings in the Visayas region. (PIA 7/ Danica E. Visabella, PIT Intern)

Employers are prohibited to hire workers based on age – DOLE Juju Empuerto CEBU CITY, April 23 (PIA) --- Employment of individuals should be promoted on the basis of abilities, knowledge, skills, and qualifications and not on age.

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ow that the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act has lapsed into a law and with its implementing rules and regulations laid down after Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued on February 2, 2017 Department Order No. 170, age should no longer be a factor in hiring employees, said DOLE-7 Regional Labor Communication Officer Luchel Senarlo-Taniza.

In a recent press conference, Labor and Employment Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said that government has set certain measures to eliminate age discrimination, which is most of the time the clamor of older individuals seeking for work. “We want to heighten awareness among our social partners that Republic Act No. 10911 or the Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits arbitrary age limitations in employment and

promotes the rights of all workers and employees regardless of age,” Sarcauga added.

Noting some common hiring advertisements published in the media indicating age as one of the requirements for employment, the DOLE-7 official said that under the law, it is unlawful to print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, in any form of media, including the internet, any notice of advertisement relating to employment suggesting preferences, specification and discrimination based on age.

Employers, he continued, are also prohibited to require the declaration of age or birth date during the application process or decline any employment application because of the individual’s age.

Also not allowed is denial on employee’s or worker’s promotion or opportunity for training; forcibly laying off an employee; and imposing early

retirement just because of age.

There are certain exceptions considered under the law such as setting age limitation when age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary in the normal operation of a particular business or where the differentiation is based on reasonable factors other than age.

Violators will be fined between P50,000 and P500,000 and will be imprisoned from three months to two years at the court's discretion.

“We are intensifying advocacy on this campaign and we want to appeal to the employers’ sector to give due respect to what the law provides.

We also earnestly request job organizers and publishers to start doing away with age discrimination to support government’s agenda of providing equal opportunities in employment for everyone,” Sarcauga said. (jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DOLE-7)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DOH-8 conducts 2nd EVisayas anti-drug abuse summit Consuelo B. Alarcon PALO, Leyte, April 21(PIA) - At the forefront of the campaign against illegal drugs, the DOH spearheaded a drug summit in the region April 19 at the Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte.

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he one-day activity was aimed at devising strategies on how to combat the long standing drug addiction in every community.

In a short press conference, DOH Assistant Secretary Leonita P. Gorgolon asked the support of all sectors of the society in order to address the gaps and challenges being faced by the government in the implementation of the dangerous drugs abuse, prevention and treatment program in accordance with the thrust of the Duterte administration.

ASEC Gorgolan emphasized the important role of the local government units towards the transformation of drug dependents.

In the summit, seven (7) local government units in Region VIII that were identified to have

developed their own anti-drug programs and projects shared their best practices in relation to the war on drugs.

Among these are the municipalities of Barugo, Babatngon, Tanauan, all in Leyte; and the cities of Tacloban, Baybay, Ormoc and also in Leyte; and Maasin in Southern Leyte.

Said local government units earlier drafted a community-based rehabilitation program to help the responders heal until fully recovered from this malady that’s been with the society for several decades now.

In her message, DOH-8 assistant regional director Paula Paz Sydiongco admitted of the existence of gaps in the implementation of the dangerous drug abuse and prevention treatment program citing the record that as

of April 2017, of the total 33, 525 drug surrenderers in the region, only 6, 711 or 20 percent have been assessed and only 23 are now admitted at Dulag Treatment and Rehabilitation Center.

But with the extreme enthusiasm of the Duterte administration to address the drug problem and the support and commitment of the local government units and other stakeholders, the war on drugs will be sustained.

The 2017 anti-drug abuse summit was attended by more or less 500 participants from various local government units, national government agencies, doctors, health workers, private sector, the media and other stakeholders. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Earth fora highlight solid waste mgt. across SoLeyte Erna Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 26 (PIA) - As the world observed the yearly Earth Day celebration every 22nd day of April, the provincial government of Southern Leyte highlighted on the campaign on solid waste management across the province this year.

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his came about when Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act mandates for the closure of open dump sites by the end of May 2017, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources and Management Officer (PENRMO) Dr. Eva Abad said during the 4th Earth Forum initiated by the provincial government this month.

Dr. Abad said no less than Provincial Governor Damian Mercado instructed the provincial environment arm to monitor the measures undertaken by all the local government units except

for Maasin City LGU. As of this writing, only Maasin City has a functional sanitary land fill throughout the province of Southern Leyte.

The municipality of Silago has just identified its sanitary land fill area already approved by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), she reported.

The provincial government proposed for the clustering of municipalities in the establishment of a sanitary land fill that they can share since the identification of one in most of the municipalities were impossible to pass the stringent requirements

set by the EMB, she added.

With the provincial government assistance, seven LGUs got the approval of the National Solid Waste Commission (NSWC) for their respective 10-year solid waste management plan.

The remaining 12 LGUs are already scheduled for the hearing of their plans with the NSWC, Abad disclosed.

In Region 8, Southern Leyte got the most number of solid waste management plan approved, followed by the 5 LGUs from the province of Samar whose plans were approved, as well, she added. (ajc/ esg/PIA8-SoLeyte)

TESDA’s Specialista Desk caters to a thousand clients Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 26(PIA) – In order to bring the services and programs of the government closer to the public, the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) formally launched this month the TESDA Specialista Desk (TSD) at Robinson’s mall, Tacloban City.

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he TSD, manned by TESDA personnel will assist clients who need information on the agency’s programs and services such as scholarship programs, tech-voc courses, assessment, certificates, among others.

Other services offered by TSD are inquiries on

program registration, barangay kasanayan para sa kabuhayan at kapayapaan (BKKK), issuance of Special Order (SO).

There will be free distribution of pamphlets, brochures and other literature and/or other device on TESDA’s programs and projects.

To date, the TESDA Specialista Desk has served more than a thousand clients, 80 percent or majority of which requested for issuance of the national certificate (NC).

The mall provided the agency under a free rent arrangement with TESDA as part of its social responsibility. (TESDA8/PIA8/ajc/cba)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

RP-US Balikatan exercise held in Guiuan, ESamar Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 26 (PIA) - More than 200 American soldiers have started to arrive in Guiuan for the RP-US joint military exercise or Balikatan.

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his year's Balikatan will focus on construction of school buildings and other infrastructure projects and no actual military exercise after the commission scrapped the war games.

Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales said the joint exercise will focus on infrastructure, humanitarian works, and exchange of knowledge and skills between the US and Philippine troops.

Gonzales disclosed that this is a big help to the municipality where the Balikatan exercise is conducted, because they are constructing school

buildings and other infrastructure projects devastated by “Super Typhoon Yolanda.”

Elements from the Philippine Army’s 564th Engineering Battalion have already started the construction work and will be joined by the Americans.

Mayor Gonzales further said that they will be building classrooms at the Surok Elementary School, and will be reaching out to students through empowerment seminars and disaster response trainings.

A medical support team of the US troops will

be conducting medical missions, and medical seminars together with the doctors and staff of the Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH), Gonzales added.

Meanwhile, PChief Inspector Cirilo Nicart, Guiuan Chief of Police, disclosed they are joining forces with the Philippine Army to provide security for the visiting troops.

US soldiers will stay inside their camps after the daily activities. Aside from Guiuan, another Balikatan will also be held in Ormoc City. (ajc/SDC-PIA -ESamar)

Kaminero composer wins Kamurayaw Music Festival Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 25 (PIA) - A kaminero (road maintenance man) from Mayorga, Leyte bagged the grand prize winner in the recently concluded Kamurayaw Music Festival in Calbayog City.

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azel Kalague′ s tears streamed down his cheeks as he received his trophy from DSWD Regional Director Resty Macuto.

His winning peace "Kamurayaw" touched the audience hearts as they swooned over Kalague's performance.

The Mayorga pride also romped off with special awards like Best Musical Arrangement, Best Interpretation, and People’s Choice.

"Maiha na ako nga nag ko-komposo, waray man

nanmamati ha akon, ″ he claims.

But the Kamurayaw Music Festival proved him wrong, he was an instant hit with the Calbayog crowd. He bested some other six grand finalists to the music festival.

The young composer profusely thanked the organizers of the music festival and vowed to continue what he has started inspired by the unexpected win.

"I am inspired by what KALAHI has done to

small villages, where volunteers work together and set aside differences to implement a project which is most needed by the community, Kalaque," told PIA. Kamurayaw Music Festival is an initiative of DSWD 8 KALAHI to inspire talented volunteers articulate and express their sentiments in lyrics and music form as they go about their tasks of implementing community projects. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8Samar)

Veggie boy-turned-businessman tells entrepreneurial journey Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 24 (PIA) – ―Business is not about how to make money but how to handle money,‖ this is what Rey Calooy, a successful businessman started his story about his entrepreneurial journey in life during the ―Kapatid Mentor Me‖ program held in Maasin City recently.

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orn from a poor family, Calooy’s business journey in his hometown Libagon, a municipality in Southern Leyte started as early as his elementary days. “Picking up “tangkong” (camote leaves) and “paku” vegetable leaves at a nearby field to be sold at his neighborhood before his classes began at 7:00 in the morning – with no start-up capital.

With the income sold from the veggies, he would buy empty bottles of wines to be sold to another business entity and with its sales, he bought sheets of school paper to be sold to his classmates who needed paper.

Since then, he began his business interest, while working, he also continued his studies and the rest is history.

A successful businessman who now lives with his family in Talisay City, Cebu, owning the RNC Marketing Philippines with different products to offer, like coconut sugar, canton/lumi/noodles products, coffee products, organic chicken, ginger tea, spices and salt, among the few.

RNC Marketing Philippines had been recognized and won awards from Go Negosyo, Calooy narrated. It is a master of toll repacking with over 100 plus clients supplying generic and personalized coffee, cream and sugar in sachets, he told.

RNC is named after his family, Rey for R, N for his wife Necie and Calooy for letter C. His (4) children are also named Rey Nerius, Reynard Neil, Reuel Nevin and Rhea Naomi, the only girl.

During the “Kapatid Mentor Me” program launching initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, where Calooy was one of the resource speakers, he presented his own company profile, which is one of the most important things to start up a business, other than its mission, vision, target goals and the company’s logo.

“Do not believe in miracles, everything should be planned,” he said.

He said that the purpose of everyone’s success is to bless others where you can help others earn income and uplift their livelihood. “But remember

the Lord your God, for it is He who give you the ability to produce wealth,” quoted Calooy from Deuteronomy 8:18.

For his around 20 years in the business, Calooy revealed some of his secrets to be successful such as hard work, thriftiness and God’s will. “One cannot fly with the eagle if you keep scratching with the turkey,” Calooy expressed his hard work in achieving his business goals.

He mentioned 10 rules how to be successful: 1) Have faith in God and in yourself; 2) Dream big and set a goal; 3) Be happy with your failures; 4) Always give importance to time; 5) Always stay away from debts; 6) Always stay focus; 7) Always join the right crowd/people; 8) Practice total self-discipline; 9) Have a strong value of personal savings; and 10) Be someone who loves to help others.

In his closing message, Calooy said, “My story can be your story,” so keep up to your dreams because poverty is not an excuse but the reason for you to fly,” and “lazy hands make a man poor.” (ajc/ rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

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. Fayette C. Riñen OIC - 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. Bañares 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