One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 11 20170317 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

DA Secretary Manny Pinol talks to farmers of Iloilo during the conduct of 'Tapatan: Gobyerno kag Pumuluyo' held Thursday at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center at Jaro district here.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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DSWD7 holds regional PWD summit Ferliza Calizar-Contratista CEBU CITY, March 9 (PIA) — More than a hundred persons with disabilities (PWDs) and stakeholders attended today‘s Regional PWD Summit initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7).

PWDs from provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor and 10 cities attended the one-day regional summit held at Montebello Vista Hotel.

The summit bears the theme ―Creating an Enabling Environment for Empowerment and Self Sufficiency of Person with Disability‖.

Araceli de Leon, Programs and Management Division assistant chief of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), gave the participants updates on various laws protecting and empowering the PWDs. ―It is important to have knowledge on disabilities because it could happen to anyone, anywhere and

Erna Gorne

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 14 (PIA) - The Department of Energy (DOE) facilitated for the coordination conference with the recipients on the Japanese next generation vehicles grant aid.

According to DOE Director III Jesus Anunciacion during the said conference at Toyota -Tacloban City Friday, March 10, 2017, the Japan government turned over a total 85 units of Toyota Prius Hybrid vehicle, the next generation electric vehicles to the Philippine government as part of Japan government assistance to Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

Officials from Bohol province and PIA Bohol He said the non-project grant aid introduces Information Center Manager Rey Anthony Chiu formally launches the PIA Information Kiosk at the Japanese advanced products and its system of electric vehicles. Each e-vehicle costs P1.8M the sea port of Bohol. #ASEAN2017 The energy arm of the government assisted in the deployment of the said Japanese e-vehicles as it promotes alternative fuel and energy technologies.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Gov’t info made accessible thru PIA kiosk

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Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, March 16 (PIA) --Access to information on government programs and projects was made easy thru the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) kiosk.

Nicole Cuñada, a banker here in Iloilo City, said that professionals and corporate individuals may not have the luxury of time to get updates on what programs are being implemented by the government so the kiosk installed by PIA Regional Office-6 in a mall here has made government information accessible to them.

PIA-6 recently installed an information kiosk at Robinsons Place here which showcased information materials about the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Nations) and other IEC materials from regional line agencies. ―Some of these information need to be researched but we don‘t have the time to do such,‖ she said.

She said she was glad to know more about the Philippine chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017, and other government programs such as the Crisis Intervention Unit of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through brochures and pamphlets given in the kiosk. ―Anyone who is interested can just drop by and ask for available information materials,‖ she said.

Ember Solatorio, a university student here, said that platforms such as the PIA kiosk help students find valuable information that they can utilize in their courses.

CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF: Four prominent taxpayers in Maasin City share their thoughts on the need to pay taxes correctly and on time during a tax campaign opening ceremony at BIR office today. They are Rene Hatayna, executive assistant in behalf of Mayor Nacional Mercado, Dr. Levi Tan, Eleine Quirong, CPA, and Epifania Sy, City Commerce Chamber head. (mmp)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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anytime,‖ De Leon said in her talk on Disability Perspective and Policy Initiatives.

Ruben Boybanting, Listahanan Focal Person, discussed the PWD Situationer within the Listahanan. ―There are over 25,000 or 1.2 percent of the two million poor in the Listahanan who are categorized as PWDs and majority of them are males,‖ Boybanting said.

Of the 1.2 percent, there are more than 7,000 or 28 percent who are children aged 18 years old below.

Around 11 percent of the 25,000 are senior citizens.

Adela Kono, board secretary of Organization of Rehabilitative Advocates for Inclusion (ORAI), presented the resolution on Barrier Free Tourism.

The participants also held a workshop detailing issues and concerns of the sector. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Recipients of Japan’s e-vehicle grant get briefing

CENTRAL VISAYAS

EASTERN VISAYAS

March 13 - 19, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 11

The e-vehicles shall automatically switched to electric when it runs out of gasoline, Anunciacion said.

He disclosed the eight e-vehicles intended for the selected national line government agencies have already arrived in the region for the following: Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of Civil Defense, Land Transportation Office, Philippine Information Agency, Bureau of Fire Prevention, NEDA and PNP. A second batch of 45 units e-vehicles shall be utilized as patrol cars of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar police stations. The remaining e-vehicles shall be distributed at the Office of the President and other government offices based at the National Capital Region (NCR), among others, Anunciacion added. (ajc/esg/PIA8 SoLeyte).

―I have learned more about ASEAN. I have known more about projects and programs that the government does which I have not known before,‖ she said.

She also said that if people are aware of these programs, they can contribute even in their little ways to be a ‗partner for change‘.

Helen Romero, a university professor here, said that the kiosk is located in a good location as it could attract ‗mallers‘ to check it out. ―Once they are at the info kiosk, they are able to appreciate the value of ASEAN and the significance of Iloilo City hosting some of the meetings,‖ she added. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

For bank employee Nicole Cuñada, the PIA info kiosk is a good platform for professionals and corporate individuals to know more about government programs and projects. She said they don't have the luxury of time to check out updates about the government so she is thankful that there are available IEC materials in the kiosk at Robinsons Place here.

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WESTERN VISAYAS

‘GREAT Britain’ campaign comes to Iloilo Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, March 14 (PIA) --- The British Embassy in the Philippines will bring the ‘This is GREAT Britain’ campaign to Iloilo City on March 24, 2017.

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he ‗GREAT Britain‘ campaign is an international marketing campaign that showcases the best of British business, culture, and education and to encourage the world to visit, do business, and study in the United Kingdom (UK).

Part of the campaign is the ‗Great British Film Festival‘ which will open at 4:00 PM at SM City Iloilo with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad, the British Prime Minister‘s Trade Envoy to the

Philippines Richard Graham, and special guest Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon.

The opening ceremony will be followed by an afternoon tea party at 4:30 PM. The festival was launched in the Philippines in 2013, along with the mounting of the first Great British Festival the same year. The festival has grown rapidly since then.

In the recently-concluded Great British Festival in Manila, over 105 participating companies took part in the fair.

The British Embassy said the event has been hugely successful that they are bringing it to other parts of the Philippines such as Iloilo, a booming city at the heart of the Visayas region.

In time for the kick-off of the ‗GREAT Britain‘ campaign in Iloilo is the visit of the Prime Minister‘s Trade Envoy to the Philippines Richard Graham.

He will visit the Philippines from March 22 to 24 to strengthen trade relations. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Aklan has four Red Orchid Award nominees Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, 15 March (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan has four nominees for the much-coveted Red Orchid Award. Three of these nominees, will be elevated as Hall of Famers if they qualify after being validated.

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he Red Orchid Award is the Department of Health‘s (DOH) Search for100% Tobacco-Free provinces, municipalities, cities, government offices, government hospitals and DOH Centers for Health Development.

For Aklan, nominees for the Red Orchid Award are the municipalities of Buruanga and Ibajay, together with the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) and Philhealth-Aklan.

Of these nominees, the municipality of Buruanga, the DRSTMH and Philhealth-Aklan stand to be elevated as Hall of Famers if they get high ratings in the validation conducted by the DOH this month of March.

The Hall of Fame Award is given to entities

that were able to consistently maintain the Red Orchid Award for three consecutive periods.

According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here, the nominees will be validated for 2015 and 2016, and if they both qualify for the two consecutive years, they stand to receive two trophies.

The awarding of the Red Orchid winners is usually held by the DOH at year-end.

To qualify for the awards, a municipality must have an existing ordinance against smoking and introduce innovations and good practices to discourage smoking in public places.

It must also have a smoking cessation clinic.

Because of the previous awards garnered by Buruanga and later Ibajay, other towns in Aklan have

crafted their own anti-smoking ordinances so they could also join the contest.

The PHO said these towns include Kalibo, Tangalan, Malinao, and Makato while Nabas is on its first reading.

Numancia, Batan and Altavas are also interested in joining the search when they have already crafted their respective ordinances.

The province of Aklan, according to the PHO, is also aiming to be a Red Orchid awardee in 2020.

This could be possible, according to PHO officials, if its Provincial Hospital (DRSTMH), PHO (which holds office at the DRSTMH), and the Pr ovincial Capi tol Buil ding is to tall y smoke-free. (JCM/ PIA6 Aklan)

BIR targets 13.152B collection for 2017 Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, March 16 (PIA6) - - The Bureau of Internal Revenue Region No. 11, Iloilo is eyeing to reach P13.152 billion tax collection for this year 2017.

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We will endeavour to increase our tax collection this year by at least 22 percent over that of 2016. The rate of increase will translate to a tax collection in the total amount of P13.152 billion,‖ said Director Alberto Olasiman of BIR RR 11 during the recent kick off of the Tax Campaign 2017 here.

Over the years, Olasiman said the actual tax collection in Region 6 has consistently increased.

From P5.363 billion collection in 2011, it rose to P10.780 in 2016, or twice as much amount of taxes collected.

In 2016, the increase of collection against 2015 was P1.682 billion, or equivalent to 18.49 percent increase.

Olasiman said Revenue Region No. 11 has outlined an action-plan geared towards improving the

tax collection for 2017.

Some of the steps included in the action plan are the establishment of the profile of TPs and benchmarking rate of profit for each category of business or industry; aggressive conduct of Tax Compliance Verification Drive and Tax Surveillance under its Oplan Kandado Program; expedite the updating of zonal valuation of real properties in the different revenue district offices; and pursue the enforcement of Administrative Summary Remedies in the collection of delinquent accounts.

Olasiman said they will recommend the filing of a case against delinquent taxpayers under their Run After Tax Evaders Program.

He said they will also continue to authorize their tax auditors to examine the books of accounts

and other financial records of taxpayers who are less or non-compliant to revenue rules and regulations pertaining to declaration of sales or income and expenses through issuance of Letter of Authority. ―We all know that the government needs to raise revenues in order to meet the financial requirements for its multifarious projects, activities, programs, salary and allowances of government personnel and all other expenses of governance,‖ said Olasiman.

To show their support to the government and express the spirit of loyalty and patriotism, Olasiman urged taxpayers to pay their income tax return and not to wait for deadline which is on April 17, 2017, since April 15, 2017 is a Saturday. (JCM/laf/ PIA6-Iloilo)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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DOH deploys health professionals in Capiz Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 14 (PIA) – Health professionals from the Department of Health are now deployed in the different local government units in Capiz to augment the health workforce.

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nformation Officer Jeoffry Espiritu of the Department of Health in Capiz disclosed that a total of 98 nurses are now in the different municipalities and city in Capiz to provide health services to the residents.

In addition, there are also 36 midwives, 17 universal health care implementers 17 public health associates, four dentists and 3 medical technologists who are augmenting the health workforce in the province.

Espiritu explained that said health service

providers detailed here are under the DOH‘s Deployment Project.

He said that the nurses are now assigned at the different Rural Health Unit‘s birthing centers and barangay health stations to provide primary health care to the community. ―The 36 midwives are assisting in the manning of the birthing facilities of the RHU, while the public health advocates focus in assisting in the validation, consultation and submission of health-related reports,‖ he said.

The dentists, he said, are deployed in the RUHs

with their services focused on oral dental health advocacies, the universal health care providers assist the Municipal Health Officers in clinical and administrative functions.

The towns of Dumarao, Maayon and President Roxas have been assigned each with a medical technologist who will be doing the laboratory health services.

The DOH-deployed health service providers will work for six months in their assigned areas unless their contracts will be renewed, Espiritu stressed. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

85 Bacoleños train for ASEAN meeting Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, March 14 (PIA6) - - Eighty five selected Tourism and Hotel Management students and city hall employees re training to becme ushers, usherettes and liaison officers for the upcoming Bacolod hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) meeting.

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he 60 students from La Consolacion College and the 25 liaison officers underwent a four-day Skills Enhancement Training Program held at the Sugarland Hotel in preparation for the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information March

21 to 24.

According to Sandra Ruth Sycip, assistant chair of the Bacolod Secretariat Committee, the Foreign Service Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs conducted the training, a release from the Bacolod City Information Office said.

Resource speakers were Fortunato Oblena, former Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon; Eva Betita, former Philippine Ambassador to Brazil; former beauty queen Karen Loren Agustin-Ostrea and Karina Agustin-Crisostomo, both of Global Image Management.*(JCM/PIA6 Negros Occidental)

TESDA upbeat on tourism, construction sectors Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) - - Tourism, construction, agriculture, health, business process outsourcing services (BPOS) and electronics are among the priority sectors for the skills training program of TESDA.

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rovincial Director Jose Gerry Hallares in an interview said that the priorities are based on job demands here and abroad and the potential of the province in terms of raw materials, sites and human resources.

Tourism has a lot of potential, he said thus, the skills training programs is directed towards services needed in tourism industry such as food preparation and related services, tour guide, massage therapy, beauty care, housekeeping among other related skills.

Skilled workers in construction and electronics sector are also in demand abroad and in local firms even in small scale community projects.

More trainings are lined up for building construction, electricity, welding, driving, automotive and a lot more.

For Agriculture, there are also available courses on agricultural crop production, animal

production (chicken) and organic agriculture production.

Health Care related trainings are also available in different TESDA accredited schools in the province while for BPOs training centers are in Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental.

Hallares said that some trainings are conducted in communities depending on the requirement of the course/qualification to make it available for all.

To date there are six Technical Vocational Education Training Schools in the province offering various courses with scholarship available for Training on Work Scholarship, Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program, Special Training for Employment program, Bottom Up Budgeting in partnership with local government units and sponsored training programs.

TESDA also facilitates competency assessment and certification, career counseling, job facilitation,

profiling, skills upgrading, social marketing, trainers‘ development, labor market intelligence among other services.

Antique has 40 TESDA Assessment centers for 49 courses/qualifications including the Assessment Center for Electric Power Distribution Line Construction NC II and Transmission Line Installation and Maintenance NC at Antique Electric Cooperative, the first and only in Visayas Region, said Hallares.

He said the programs and services of TESDA are open to all especially those who included in the skills mapping under the program Barangay Kasanayan Para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.

Interested groups, Indigenous People (IPs), women, drug surrenderees, out of school youth, persons with disabilities and senior citizens are encouraged to visit TESDA office if they intend to avail of the training programs. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Women need more economic opportunities Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, March 9 (PIA) – Women should be given more opportunities to improve their economic productivity skills and have access to credit and capital.

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his is one of the key points raised during the Kapihan sa PIA forum here yesterday to mark the observance of National Women‘s Month in Negros Oriental.

Department of Social Welfare and Development – Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) Officer in Charge (OIC) Shalaine Marie Lucero disclosed that women are still disadvantaged when it comes to having access to credit and capital.

Lucero said only the husbands continue to have access to economic opportunities because they are the ones who have jobs.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Negros Oriental Officer Jade Bato shared cases where female micro, small, medium enterprisers start a business but because of mother duties and other concerns, they eventually allow their husbands to take over the business. ―There are times that the business they put up would thrive and there are tendencies that the business would die. But in case the business becomes successful, the woman or the mother will no longer continue to head the business and instead the men will take over it,‖ she said.

In response to this, the two shared the interventions and programs being done to improve women‘s economic productivity.

In DSWD, Lucero said some of their interventions are incorporated in the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and they are willing to provide assistance to the program beneficiaries who would want to put up a business. ―DSWD organizes them to become an association so that they can decide to venture into a micro-enterprise,‖ Lucero noted.

She also said that beneficiaries are mostly women.

Bato disclosed that DTI implements the Great Women II Project, a convergence between DTI, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) which aims to empower females who are micro entrepreneurs.

The said project is supported by the Canadian Government and headed by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

―It aims to set the enabling environment for these entrepreneurs and give them the resiliency to go on with their businesses and really manage their businesses,‖ Bato added.

Bato told other participants of the forum that if they know a female micro-entrepreneur whose products have good market potential, they can encourage them to register with DTI or through the partner agencies to be part of the program.

Aside from economic issues, other topics discussed related to women‘s concerns raised during the forum include violence against women, women participation in government and other programs related to the celebration of National Women‘s Month.

On the other hand, this year‘s celebration of National Women‘s Month carries the theme WE Make Change Work for Women, which according to the PCW‘s website highlights the need to further empower women to enable them to confidently and meaningfully engage with appropriate institutions to make sure that they contribute to and benefit from development and changes. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BSP calls on public to re-circulate coins Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, March 10 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dumaguete Branch announced that there is no shortage of coins and called on the public or retailers to re-circulate coins and provide exact change to customers.

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n a Kapihan sa PIA forum recently with members of Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) and local media, Deputy Director Nicasio Parco of BSP also advised the owners of vending machines to collect coins weekly to prevent hoarding.

It was noted that the proliferation of automated ‗tubig‘ machines (ATMs) and other

vending machines that use coins as tokens contribute to the diminishing coin supply in circulation.

Parco said there is a proposed bill in Congress that penalize supermarkets, department stores and other retail stores if they are not giving the exact change to customers.

The BSP official advised stores to request for coins from the banks or other coin sources such as churches or owners of vending machines.

Parco also asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to monitor retailing stores that fail to give exact change to the customers.

Shortchanging can be committed by not giving exact change and giving candies, which are not legal tender, as change, which is a violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines. (rmn/jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Little League PH tourney set in Dumaguete City Jennifer C. Tilos DUMAGUETE CITY, March 10 (PIA) – Some 5,000 athletes, coaches and parents from all over the country will converge in Dumaguete City in the first week of April for this year's Little League Philippine series qualifying competitions.

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ayor Felipe Antonio "Ipe" Remollo has already coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) to help in accommodating the thousands of visitors to the summer games that will bring more than 70 baseball and softball charter teams, including the winning teams of Deped's Palaro, here in the city to compete in

four categories: major, junior, 50-70, seniors.

Mayor Remollo will form a joint Dumaguete and Negros Oriental team to represent the host city in the games.

Nevertheless, Mayor Remollo is optimistic of the positive economic impact of the event to the local business and tourism industry.

The mayor said most parents and their supporters are expected to stay in hotels and dine in local restaurants throughout their stay.

Winning teams will represent the country to the Little League Asian leg with the ultimate goal of competing in the world series in the United States of America. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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PDEA to lead Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs Carmel Loise Matus CEBU CITY, March 10 -- An executive order creating the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) and Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) leading it.

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ased on the EO, PDEA will be the chairp ers on of I CAD wi th 20 national government agencies as its members.

These agencies are the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of

National Defense (DND), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigrations (BI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

Among ICAD's function is to take

charge of the rehabilitation program of drug dependents and also their reintegration to the community.

Meanwhile, the task force is tasked to take charge of the anti-illegal drug operations.

Pres. Duterte signed EO No. 15 on March 6 and was officially released on March 10.

It is among the thrusts of the current a dm ini s tra tio n to s uppr es s th e d rug problem in the country. (rmn/PIA-7/ Carmel Loise Matus)

Larena LGU spearheads health summit Rizalie Anding Calibo LARENA, Siquijor, March 10 (PIA) -- For three years now, the local government unit (LGU) of Larena has been holding a Health Summit to encourage citizens to engage in activities that promote healthy lifestyle and healthy environment.

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ayor Dean S. Villa with Municipal Health Officer Susan Jojie Villa spearheaded the activities that include Fun Run, Zumba, free medical check-up and medication and a forum on this year‘s theme ―Love Your Environment, Love Your Health.‖ Different government agencies, public sectors, health workers, and other health enthusiasts joined the summit that also discussed wellness and climate change, among others.

―Healthy community means successful community,‖ Mayor Villa said as he stressed the importance of taking care of the environment and one‘s health.

He urged the constituents especially the barangay captains and the barangay kagawads to be messengers of the good information learned from the health forum and encouraged them to the lead examples to other municipalities.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Villa said the event aimed to improve the attitude of Larenians

and empower them to live healthy lives and attain their fullest potential.

Other speakers include Rowena Magpiong of the Department of Environment a n d Na tu r a l Re s o u r ce s ( DE N R) f o r environmental protection; Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of San Juan, Ruel Quisel for healthy lifestyle; Sangguniang Bayan Member Carl for Logistics about the environment protection and Philhealth Manager, Marissa Winkler for health insurance. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)

Philhealth members urged to update MDRs Rizalie Anding Calibo LARENA, Siquijor, March 10 (PIA) - - Philippine Health Insurance Inc. (Philhealth) Manager Marissa Winkler urged members to update their records.

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inkler said that updating records specially with their dependents will give them convenient and easy access to the different health care benefit packages of PhilHealth.

Dependents may include the legal spouse, children below 21 years old, unemployed and unmarried children 21 years old and above but with congenital disability or persons with disability (PWDs) and parents aged 60 years old and above.

She encouraged members aged 60 years old

and above to avail of Philhealth under the senior citizen privilege.

At present, different categories are available for those who want to become Philhealth members.

There are the Employed Sector Program, Overseas Worker Program, Sponsored Program, Individually Paying Program and the Lifetime Membership Program.

For interested individuals who want to become Philhealth members, Winkler advised them to visit their new office at the first floor of the new

Siquijor Convention Center at the front of the Belfry Tower of Siquijor town.

Philhealth is a government -owned and controlled corporation mandated to implement the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

It seeks to secure the health of e ve r y Fi l i p in o thr o ug h so ci a l h e a l th insurance and ensure that every Filipino has access to quality health care services. (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from I.A.Abatayo/Siquijor Today)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Funding facilities pour to MSMEs in Samar Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 17 (PIA) - Samar entrepreneurs now have alternatives where they can access financing for their business.

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oday, entities offering livelihood financing enriched DTI's Kapatid, Mentor Me Program, as the different agencies shared their programs and projects for Samar's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Small Business Enterprises head of office, Elmer Garado said that their agency, attached to DTI is offering Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) a funding program to provide micro enterprises of financing easy to access.

Garado said that P3 Program Funding is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte‘s directive to provide affordable micro-financing program for MSMEs. Garado said that in Tacloban City, an office has been installed located in the public market where vendors can easily go for the loan so they will be discouraged from borrowing from 5-6

lenders.

In Samar towns however, he suggested that they go to the microfinance institutions like CARD, TSKI and other homegrown association to apply for the loans.

There is minimum interest, he said.

In the same forum, Rowena Alcazar of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) offered Program for Unified Lending to Agriculture (PUNLA).

The lady said that the program is open to families in the fishery and farming sectors.

PUNLA is a special credit window for marginalized farmers and fisherfolk with an initial funding of Php200 million for agri-fishery production loan.

The program is available to eligible Farmer‘s/ Fisherfolk Associations or Cooperatives engaged in

the production of crops, poultry and livestock, or fishing activities, allowing them to borrow up to Php150,000 without collateral and with an interest rate of 6% per annum.

This is a character loan, said Alcazar.

She added that associations that will access the financing scheme have to be active and duly recognized and endorsed by the municipal agriculturist.

Once her office has gathered the list of prospective borrowers, Alcazar with her counterparts from the central office of the agriculture department will validate the list so that the fund can be downloaded to the beneficiaries.

She added that Samarnons need the funding capital as most Samar families are very poor. (ajc/ nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Diarrhea outbreak in Samar now under control, DOH-8 says Consuelo B. Alarcon GOVERNMENT CENTER, Palo, Leyte, March 15 (PIA) – The recent outbreak in one village in the municipality of Motiong, Samar that affected 208 individuals is now under control, the Department of Health regional office officially announced in Tuesday.

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n a press conference held at DOH-8 conference room, regional director Minerva P. Molon attributed this to the immediate intervention by health authorities, the support of the local government units in addition to the massive information drive conducted by the surveillance unit of the DOH to the residents.

To recall, on February 22, 2017, the village of Maypange celebrated the founding anniversary attended by the residents where packed foods prepared by barangay officials were distributed to the participants. However, a number of residents complained of abdominal pains and diarrhea.

At the time of the inspection, health authorities found out that the foods were prepared one day before the event and was unrefregirated which might caused bacterial growth, and the water used in cooking came from a developed spring unsafe for drinking.

Aside from these, there were presence of paints, hallow blocks, garbage and other construction materials inside the barangay hall where foods were left open that might have resulted to the transmission of microorganisms.

Cases range from one year old to 80 years old and four were hospitalized at Samar Provincial

Hospital in Catbalogan City.

With this, DOH is advising the public especially food handlers to observe safe steps in handling, cooking and storage of food to prevent foodborne diseases as well as clean hands, separate raw from cooked foods, cook at the right temperature and chill or refregirate foods promptly.

Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools or frequent need to have a bowel movement for three or more times caused by a contaminated food and drinking water.(ajc/cba/ PIA8)

14th IB conducts recruitment forum in E.Samar school Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, E. SAMAR, March 14, 2017 (PIA) - Some 200 students from Eastern Samar State University (ESSU)-Maydolong Campus recently attended a forum initiated by the 14th Infantry (AVENGER) Battalion, Philippine Army (PA).

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he purpose of the said forum was to bring government forces closer to the members of the academe, specifically the youth as the youth plays a vital role in nation-building.

In his message during the forum, Lt. Col. Manuel Leo Gador, Commanding Officer of the 14th IB said, "we hope from our partners from the

academe follow suit and be our active partners in moulding the youth as agents of peace and development of our country." Also discussed was on the career guidance on how to apply to become an officer and a soldier in the PA. Meanwhile, 2nd Lt. Dennis Carig, Civilian Military Officer (CMO) of 14th IB also emphasized that, ―being a soldier is a noble profession, that each

individual dedicates his life for his/her love of the country.‖ Leaflets about the Army recruitment were also distributed to the youths for their reference.

This information awareness drive was initiated by the 14th IB to encourage more applicants to join the profession of arms to supplement the needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (ajc/SDC/ PIA8-E. Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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SoLeyte to train telecommunication teams during disasters Ma. Rebecca G. Cadaavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Mar 15 (PIA) - The provincial government of Southern Leyte through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) will conduct a training on Rapid Emergency Telecommunication Team (RETT) on March 22-23, 2017 at RKK Function House, Maasin City.

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angguniang Panlalawigan Member Atty.

Margarita Bantug, stated that the said 2-day training is based on the expanded mandate of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as reflected in Republic Act 10121, which states that the OCD and local government units must establish a standard operating procedures on the communication system among provincial, city, municipal and barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils for warning and alert purposes and for gathering information on disaster areas before,

during and after disasters. ―There is a need to train telecommunication teams for a timely and efficient information and communication flow,‖ Bantug informed.

She added that the venue can also organize a core group through the RETT which is under the leadership of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster based from the concept of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Bayanihan.

Topics to be discussed include the Overview and Operational Guidelines of Radio Emergency

Telecommunications Team; RETT groupings for Technical Working Group such as VSAT/Satellite, special equipment, radio spectrum, information technology, electronics and public information; the rationale, objectives, concept of operations, its roles and responsibilities and its sustainment, among others. It is expected that the participants know on how to use a communications plan; the use of different communication modes and strategies; and, how to use communication devices. (ajc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

Fire Marshall: 80% of fires caused by faulty wiring Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 16 (PIA) - 80 percent of fire incidents are caused by electricity, said City Fire Marshall Jay R. Guillano in an interview, Wednesday.

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he new fire marshall who assumed office late when they toured kindergartner kids to the fire in February was immediately challenged by a station and give lectures on fire safety. fire incident in Barangay 13, right after the Guillano reported that most of their activities launch of the Fire Prevention Month on March 1, are focused on fire prevention. He said they conduct 2017. fire prevention lectures in schools, barangays and It was really a baptism of fire, he jested. even with senior citizens.

During the interview, the fire fighter reminded They also conduct periodic refresher courses the listeners of PIA's Huruhimangraw radio program to their partners like the volunteer fire brigade, the to unplug unused appliances before sleeping. city disaster risk reduction officer, radio groups and It is better to be safe than sorry, he said. other agency partners.

He also urged parents to place matches out of This is maybe why for the past year in children‘s reach, and parents to always mind their Catbalogan only three fire incidents occurred. young children.

For a city so crowded like Catbalogan, the His office, he added is also keen on teaching the statistics is just good, he told PIA-Samar. dynamics of fire incidents, young as they are, they He also cited that misuse of extension cords is should be taught this early to avoid things that may another electrical fire cause, adding that appliances cause fire, he said. need to be plugged directly into outlet and not In fact, they have conducted an open house plugged into an extension cord for any length of

time. Only use extension cords as a temporary measure. If you do not have the appropriate type of outlets for your appliances, hire an electrician to install new ones, he explained.

As to the status of the fire unit‘s readiness to respond to fire incidents, he informed the public that all fire hydrants are functional as they also regularly check them in coordination with the city water district.

He assured that his men of 28 able bodied fire fighters can respond in an average of 3 to 5 minutes.

He added that his office has a pre-fire planning map and that they have the outline of all business establishments, schools and barangays.

Finally, he gave out the fire units hotline numbers 543-0481 and cell number 0995 532 2202. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

OPAPP highlights six-point peace and development agenda assembly Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, 15 March (PIA) - Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary Rolando B. Asuncion underline features of the Philippine Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda before the various sectors during the recently held 36th SIPPAD Assembly at UEP Farmers Training Center, Catarman, Northern Samar.

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Sec. Asuncion reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte‘s statement in his inaugural address stating "his administration is committed to implement all signed peace agreements in step with constitutional and legal reforms, thus, the government is pushing for the 6-point peace and development agenda in six years of this administration."

The Philippine Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda include: 1) Meaningful implementation of the peace agreement with the MILF towards healing in the Bangsamoro; 2) Completion of the implementation of remaining

commitments under the CPH-MNLF Peace Agreement; 3) Accelerated signing and implementation of the final peace agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF; 4) Immediate conclusion of the peace process with the CBA-CPLA and the RPMP-RPA-ABB; 5) Implementation of peace promoting catch-up socio economic development in conflict affected areas; and 6) Building of a culture of peace and conflict sensitivity.

One to four agenda, ASec. Asuncion stressed, are all political settlement and implementation of signed agreement while on the Agenda 3, in July 2016 in Malacanang, PRRD approved the Philippine panel‘s

proposed roadmap to accelerate negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF towards ending the armed conflict.

Still, under Agenda 3, it is said that negotiations shall be done through accelerated and simultaneous discussions of the substantive agenda to allow its implementation within the term of the President and parallel support processes, such as internal advocacy on critical reform issues, strategic communications, and peace constituency building, shall be intensified to ensure inclusive and transparency in the peace process, ASec Asuncion disclosed. (ajc/ADiaz/ PIA8-Northern Samar)

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

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