One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 30 20170728 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue

DENR simplifies land dispute resolution Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 26 (PIA6) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Negros WESTERN VISAYAS Island Region rolled out two Department Administrative Orders - No. 2016-30 and No. 2016-31 that would lead to a better and simplified resolution of land disputes and other existing cases.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) officers underwent an orientation and were capacitated on the two DAOs during a training held at Palmas del Mar in Bacolod City, a release from DENR-NIR said.

DENR-NIR Legal Division Chief lawyer Cheryll Rose Leganes Mayor Adolfo Jaen welcomes students and guests during the opening of the PIA Info Librero said this follows the mandate of DENR DAO No. 2005 Kiosk at the Leganes Municipal Hall lobby, July -18 to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution principles and procedures.

25. (PIA-6/Iloilo Infocen) The roll out of DAOs aims to orient and capacitate officers from the regional and field offices on the alternative and simplified system in settling land disputes, and even resolving land claims and conflicts cases.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte personally visited the SUMC & awarded medal of valor & financial assistance to the 3 wounded policemen SPO4 Jeron Delara, PO3 Jordan Balderas & PO2 Jorie Maribao who survived the ambush in Guihulngan City on July 21, 2017.

July 24 - 30, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 30

DENR DAO No. 2016-30 mandates the department to actively promote party autonomy in the resolution of land disputes or the freedom of the parties to make their own arrangements to resolve their land disputes.

DENR DAO No. 2016-31 gives a comprehensive procedure and workflow for the swift investigation and resolution of land claims and conflicts cases and complaints for reversion.

OIC Director of Legal Service lawyer Norlito Eneran, of the DENR Central Office, discusses the provisions of the orders.

Eneran together with lawyer Agatha Granado, also of Legal Service, answered queries on the provisions and standard forms to be used in the implementation.

Meanwhile, Librero said by adopting ADR, not only will it provide an easy system, it will also give the parties a chance to avoid land conflict cases through amicable settlement.*(JCM/ EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

PSA to share survey data with Boholanos soon Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Provincial Statistician Jessamyne Anne Alcazaren has invited the Philippine Information Agency in Bohol to help them come up with solutions to make these research materials accessible to the community.

The PSA has been as mandated, primarily responsible for all national censuses and surveys, sectoral statistics, the consolidation of selected administrative recording systems and compilations of national accounts.

An agency that functions as the central authority in government primary data collection, the office in Bohol deploys enumerators and researchers for the conduct of periodic censuses, according to the PSA website.

These include data on population, housing, agriculture, fisheries, business and industry.

They also collect and compiles data for analysis to come

up with statistical information relating to economics, social, demographic and general condition of the people in communities.

But most of the data collected here only get submitted to Manila and are seldom presented to the people.

These surveys also make the data on the various aspects of socio economic life including agriculture, industry, trade, finance, prices and marketing information.

PSA enumerators gather the base data for incomes and expenditures, education, health care, culture and social situations for government planners and the public in general.

With the PSA empowered to release these data through press digestible materials, it might not be long when these can better be used by people in making better and well informed decisions. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

PRRD brings hope to Balangia-nons, estehanons anicart More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

SLOGAN TILT. A Grade-7 student tries his best to win the slogan contest in relation to the NDRM culmination program held at Naval Gymnasium, Naval, Biliran, July 25.(rvictoria/PIA Biliran) #PartnerForChange #disasterresiliency

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Tacloban City, Leyte, July 25, (PIA) – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte unexpectedly brought joy to the people of Eastern Samar when he pronounced in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) his aggressive call for the Americans to return the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines “where they rightfully belong”.

Very articulate and emphatic, the President urged Uncle Sam to return the bells which his troops took with them more than a hundred years ago in 1901, as war booties.

Today, the bells are displayed in Whyoming, USA, where they attract tourists.

History tells that in all the Filipino-American Wars that took place in several places of the country, it was only in Balangiga, Eastern Samar where the Americans were defeated by the lowly civilians who only had bolos as their weapons to defeat the mighty guns of the foreign invaders.

The natives who posed as women church-goers and who were clad in skirts overthrew the American troops who were caught flat-footed while sipping their breakfast coffee in a nearby camp to the church.

So bloody it was, the American soldiers could hardly accept their defeat.

Those who survived the bloody attack, furiously managed to grab the church’s two bells because to them they were used to signal their unexpected defeat but they promised to return and turn the place into a “howling wilderness”.

In retaliation, the troops trooped back , to the community and harm to death every single individual they met.

Shanties of the lowly natives were burned to their hearts’ desire.

Since then, the two Balangiga bells were never returned.

Several steps had been made by previous

local church leaders and administrations, but to no avail, until PRRD’s second SONA on July 24, 2017, when he surprised all Balangiga-non and Eastern Samareňos around the globe.

Before the more or less 2,000 audience, composed of the country’s leaders and foreign diplomats, in the hallowed halls of the Batasan Pambansa, President Duterte gained more respects from the people in Eastern Samar and the whole nation in general, when once more he displayed his brave stance for his love of his countrymen, “return the Balangiga Bells”, he so emphatically declared.

With the strong statement that came from the highest official of the land, hope comes to the people of Balangiga, for the return of their church which they have referred as both heirloom and culture. (a.nicart/PIA-08)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. (Screen Grab from RTVM)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA 6 launches first Municipal Info Kiosk Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, July 25 (PIA6) - - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) launched its first municipal information kiosk in Western Visayas on Tuesday, July 25.

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ocated at the lobby of the Leganes Municipal Hall Building, the PIA Information Kiosk contains information education and communication (IEC) materials on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other government agencies. Also, installed at the kiosk is a television set to play video presentations about ASEAN and PIA. It will run until July 31.

PIA 6 Director Janet Mesa said the kiosk in Leganes formed part of the 25 PIA Info Kiosks set up in malls, schools and other public places all over the region including Negros Island Region, to date.

Mesa said the info kiosk is also one of the

strategies of the agency to bring government closer to the people especially in the grassroots. The info campaign focuses on ASEAN. “We are promoting this information campaign so that Filipinos will know that the Philippines is an active member of the association and host of the 50th anniversary of the association as well as the various benefits of ASEAN to member countries,” said Mesa during the opening program.

She invited Mayor Adolfo Jaen and employees to participate in the Multi-Sectoral Forum on ASEAN on August 8 to be held at West Visayas State University. The activity will mark the celebration of ASEAN Day, a commemoration of the establishment of the regional aggrupation, in Iloilo City.

Mesa also encouraged government officials and employees to wear any ASEAN inspired traditional costumes on that day.

The wearing of ASEAN inspired attire is one of the activities suggested by the Civil Service Commission to government agencies to help spread awareness on ASEAN through its Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2016.

Mayor Jaen thanked PIA 6- Iloilo Information Center for giving honor to the municipality by choosing it as the first venue of the PIA Information Kiosk which will greatly benefit residents, students and the public by increasing their awareness on the various information it provides.

(JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

New WV tourism attractions out Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, July 24 (PIA6) --- In an effort to attract more tourists to visit Western Visayas, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 has included new tourist attractions in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Occidental in the agency’s familiarization tours.

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OT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said emerging tourist attractions and activities in Iloilo, Roxas City in Capiz and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental were included in the recently concluded Familiarization Tour-Product Update Program for tour operators and travel trade media by the Tourism Promotions Board-Domestic Promotions Department in partnership with DOT-6.

“This product update aims to inform the traveling public of the newest tourism destinations and attractions in the Philippines,” she

said.

She said the itinerary of the group included eco -park and river cruise in Capiz, overnight stay in Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo, island hopping in Concepcion, Iloilo, tour of Iloilo City and heritage tour in Negros Occidental.

“The tour involved assessment of the destinations/attractions, inspection of facilities available in the area and product presentation, business-to-business and networking sessions,” she said.

The DOT official also clarified that this office is

also vigorously promoting the provinces of Antique and Guimaras.

“In fact, Antique and Guimaras have been featured in travel magazines and travel shows, both international and local since February to June 2017,” she said.

She added that each of the provinces of Western Visayas has their own distinct tourism product and services to offer and exploring this region reveals a fusion of adventure, heritage and culinary experience. (JCM/LTP/ PIA-Iloilo)

Capiz receives P1.1M share for PCSO lotteries Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 24 (PIA6) – More than P1.1 million were turned over by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to the provincial, city and municipal governments in Capiz.

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he amount represented part of the Of the Capiz LGUs, the Roxas City 2016 local government unit’s share for the government had P488,048.68 and Capiz lotto operation in the different localities provincial government has P188,772 share while here. the towns of Panitan, Pontevedra, Maayon, PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz personally Jamindan, President Roxas, Panay, Mambusao, turned over the checks to the mayors and Ivisan and Dao each received more than representatives of the different LGUs, July 19, P66,215.00, P61,691.00, P46,000.00, P45,964.00, during his visit in the province for a dialogue P45,945.00, P36,579.00, P30,110.00, P22,524.00 and with the local chief executives, police and other P21,290.00, respectively, while other towns have stakeholders in view of the small time lottery also their share. operation here.

Corpuz said that with the start of the

operation of small town lottery in the province, more charity funds can be shared by PCSO to the LGUs and to the people who are needing their help.

He also appeals to the public to support this PCSO programs especially on the operation of the STL, lotteries and charity sweepstakes races as these are geared to generate funds charities such as on health programs, medical assistance and services.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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NNC: good nutrition leads to good health Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, July 26 (PIA6) — The cornerstone of good health is good nutrition, according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) here.

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Our best guide for healthy lifestyle and healthy diet, is the “10 Kumainments” which summarizes the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos,” Sedantes said.

On the economy, she said promoting healthy diet increases the demand for fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats.

“This way we are supporting our local farmers and producers,” Sedantes said.

She also underscored the fact that healthy diets promote adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, along with sustainable agriculture, contributes to reducing greenhouse gasses emissions, hence, protecting the environment.

As to gender and development, NNC said that

healthy diets can lessen gender inequality gap by enabling both men and women to reach their full potential through proper nutrition.

Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that healthy diet includes a variety of foods from various food groups; meets individual needs for calories and nutrients; safe, no risk from toxins, bacteria, mold or chemicals; enjoyable and culturally acceptable; and, available and sufficient each day and all year round.

The World Health Organization has emphasized fruits, vegetables, whole grains, root crops, fat-free/low fat milk, lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts, and low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and

added sugars.

The NNC said that healthy diets should be promoted in various settings, as in offices, schools, homes, communities, food service establishments, recreation facilities, and institutional care facilities.

Sedantes said healthy diets is not necessarily people’s concept of dieting or exclusion of foods that people mistake to be “bad”.

“There is no bad food, only bad diet,” she said.

She further said that healthy diet need not be expensive of people learn to grow their own food, prefer locally-made products and choose lower-cost alternatives like legumes or small fish. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Aklan IOs, media and students get ASEAN briefing Venus G. Villanueva Kalibo, Aklan, July 25 (PIA6) -- Government information officers, the local media and students in the province of Aklan were recently briefed on what the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

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he briefing for Aklan’s information officers and the local media was conducted at Adee’s Function Hall at the Capitol Site in the morning while the briefing for students was held at the University Amphitheater of Aklan State University (ASU) Banga Campus in Banga, Aklan.

Speakers for the briefing were Jaime S. Cabag Jr., Information Officer IV and Operations Officer of PIA6, and Leonard T. Pineda I, Information Officer II of PIA Iloilo Information Center.

Pineda discussed the history of ASEAN up to

this time as it celebrates its 50th anniversary being chaired by the Philippines, and the benefits being derived by the country as one of its member-states, like the enjoyment of faster business transactions with ASEAN member-countries, lower tariffs, the “no visa policy” when traveling, fast processing of papers when a Filipino student wants to enroll or be an exchange student, and the enduring peace among member-states.

Cabag, on the other hand, discussed the salient points of the Freedom on Information or FOI.

Besides the briefings, other activities slated to be held in Aklan up to December 2017 when the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship ends are ASEAN Kiosks set-up at LGUs and a mall here in Aklan, display of various ASEAN costumes, a multi-sectoral forum and Kumpas Barangay.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967.

ASEAN is composed of ten countries – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

DOLE’s P95M TUPAD project for Antique up Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, July 22 (PIA6) - - The Province of Antique is a recipient of a P95-millio Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa mga Disadvantage workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment.

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tty. Johnson Canete, Regional Director of DOLE in an interview said that he has already informed Governor Rhodora Cadiao during his recent visit to the province.

The allocation of the fund was facilitated by the office of Senator Loren Legarda, he said.

He said that the priority of the province will be for the Sugar Migratory Workers (sakada), fisherfolks and other disadvantaged sectors.

The said amount could hire about 9,000

workers that would translate into an estimated 500 workers per 18 municipalities each will be receiving a minimum wage rate.

The Barangays could avail of this by submitting their work program to the provincial government.

The kind of will be varied depending on the need of the community, it could be related to disaster risk reduction programs such as de clogging of canals/drainage system, street cleaning, repairs of government structure among others.

DOLE has initial plans of implementing the program on August 15 to September 16, 2017 to catch for the time when the sugar migratory workers have not left yet to work in the sugar plantation of Negros Island.

Canete emphasized that five percent of the total budget will go the administrative cost that will include the insurance of the workers and the personal protective equipment (PPEs) to ensure their safety. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bohol kids teach DOE dad solar lamp assembly Rey Anthony Chiu PANGLAO, Bohol, July 21 (PIA) -- Two Grade VI pupils of Lourdes Elementary School (ES) here taught Department of Energy (DOE) Usec. Felix Fuentebella the rudiments in assembling a one-watt solar lamp as the government, with the Liter or Light Foundation, brought the Liter of Light Workshop to Boholanos this month.

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ike kids playing games, Orly Suganob and Heberly Ann Bompat, both 11 years old, excitedly picked resistors and capacitors for the DOE official to insert into slots on a 2x2-inch Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

He was dared to assemble a one-watt Light Emitting Diode (LED) light ingeniously fitted in an ordinary glass kerosene lamp as a workshop output.

Fuentebella, who came to Bohol to oversee the workshop, solded the connections and slotted in the switches to complete the board connection to a battery which would be housed on top of the LED board.

Fifteen minutes later, the undersecretary held the finished LED lantern which he proudly showed off to the kids' delight.

Both Suganob and Bompat are part of the 34 Lourdes ES kids who trained with electronics

teachers, explained Bohol Department of Education (DepED) School Governance Division Chief Desiderio Deligero.

Also trained were Bohol senior and junior high electronics teachers who would soon cascade the trainings to the MAPEH and high school students in Bohol, Deligero added.

Lourdes High School, which is located inside the Lourdes DEPED Complex, also offers electronics courses to its senior high school so they have the equipment used during the workshop, Deligero said.

The solar lanterns use one-watt solar panel board and LED and with six hours of solar charging, this can be used for 14 hours, according to Liter of Light Fdn trainer Arnold Lagui while showing the blue run-of-the-mill kerosene gas lantern which now transforms into a solar lantern.

Liter of Light, a non-government organization

founded by Filipino Italian advocate Ylac Diaz, has won a Dubai award for alternative sustainable use of renewable energy.

They have been helping poor households get light with their innovative PET bottle lights installed in house roofs.

These use water-filled PET bottles as a form of lens to reflect the sun's illumination for indoor lights.

The solar lanterns would be the Philippines' special token to the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, Fuentebella told the children.

The Asian Cooperation Dialogue, which is set in Panglao on the first week of August, would partly be a gathering of over 34 delegates looking at the energy sourcing, energy security, energy safety, and sustainability including resiliency while sharing existing power alternatives and technologies, said Fuentebella. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Bohol earns 2nd Tugas award via PCG Panglao Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- Relentless, fearless, and yet fair to all in its cruise for environment laws protection, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Panglao Substation in Bohol received the prestigious Tugas Award from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

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uring the recent culmination activity for the Environment Month on July 1, DENR handed to PCG Bohol commander LtJg Jimmy Berbo and the Bohol PCG team the plaque carved out of the Philippine Molave during the 3rd Gawad Tugas awarding ceremony held at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center in Sudlon, Lahug.

The award, in recognition for having displayed and demonstrated innovation, ingenuity and investment in environmental protection, conservation and management, is the PCG's first and Bohol's second. Last year, Bohol won the Gawad Tugas for its patent issuance program.

The Gawad Tugas Award aims to recognize institutions that have made significant and outstanding contribution in the protection, conservation and management of environment and natural resources. Every year in the last two years, the DENR awardees were selected based on advancement, support and innovations on the country’s environmental mandate, vision, goals and policy

statements; dedication and demonstration of good environmental and sustainability practices beyond normal responsibilities and functions; environmental leadership as a role model for others to emulate or provide good examples and implementation in the last 12 months.

The Gawad Tugas Committee selects nominees from eight categories: biodiversity conservation and management; patent issuance; forest protection and management; protected area management; responsible mining; solid waste management; national greening program and adopt-an-estero/water body program.

It may be recalled that the PCG Panglao substation was instrumental in the arrest and recovery of over a thousand board feet of illegally cut Philippine iron wood (Xanthostemon verdugonianus Naves) or more popularly known as mankuno. Mankuno is considered among the hardest hardwood in the country, and these have been smuggled out of the Mankuno (magkuno) Triangle

formed by Dinagat Islands, Surigao, Homonhon in Eastern Samar and Babatngon Island in Leyte.

The Mankono Triangle is an area in the country where the mankono reportedly thrives. The apprehension produced 81 different slabs of sawn Mankono apparently illegally shipped from Surigao.

Moreover, Panglao Substation has been actively spearheading the drive on ecological solid waste management, marine protected area protection and is relentless in the shakedown against colorum bancas operating for tourists in Panglao.

Not a few days later after receiving the award, the Panglao Substation again patrolled the sea waters off Panglao and chanced upon SCUBA divers inside the Alona Marine protected area.

The PCG, in a video later posted at Facebook, reminded the dive boat operator and the dive master about the policies on marine protected areas and accosted the tresspassers who were told to settle their violations at the Mayor's Office. (rahc/PIA-7/ Bohol)

Preparation key to disaster resilience of families CEBU CITY, July 14 (PIA) --- To achieve disaster resilience in the community, Cebu City and Provincial Disaster Officers emphasized that disaster preparedness must start in the family.

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Whatever activities we did, balik gyud ta sapamilya kay kung andam ang pamilya, luwas ang Sugbuanon,” Katherine dela Calzada, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer IV of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said during the recent Kapihan sa PIA at the Plenary Hall of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) this city.

Calzada added that they are investing more on four thematic areas of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Plan, adding that they have already the template for Natural Hazards.

The four thematic areas are the (1) Disaster Prevention and Mitigation; (2) Disaster

Preparedness; (3) Disaster Response; and (4) Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

Meanwhile, PAGASA-Cebu Officer-in-Charge Engineer Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. strongly reminded the public to be ready and not be complacent with the peak months of typhoons approaching. He explained that two to four typhoons are expected to hit during the months of August to October.

As of 2017, four typhoons have entered the Philippines with nine to 14 more expected to enter for the rest of the year. Sixty percent of the typhoons that will hit on November and December are expected to affect the Visayas.

Calzada added that their model community in terms of disaster preparedness is San Francisco in

the Camotes Island which uses the purok-based system. Thirteen other LGUs have already replicated the system and she encourages other LGUs to do the same.

An evacuation center with a budget of P35 million is also planned for construction in Cebu City.

It will also serve as a multi-purpose building where disaster risk reduction trainings can take place, explained Harold Alcontin of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Alcontin also said that they utilize the Disaster Risk Reduction’s Early Warning System that includes the Infocast, where they gather contact numbers from their employees and partner LGUs and text blast weather bulletins. (jsme/PIA-7-Cebu/asv)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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DSWD-NIR confers Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance to LGUs Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, July 10 (PIA) – Some 20 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Oriental were recently conferred the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR).

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he LGUs in the province are part of the 48 municipalities and cities in NIR that received said award in Dumaguete City.

The event recognizes LGUs in promoting and protecting children's rights through its programs and initiatives. The awarding is based on the 2016 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) results.

The twenty municipalities and cities in Negros Oriental include Manjuyod, Canlaon City, Mabinay, Bais City, Pamplona, La Libertad, Tanjay City, Guihulngan City, Ayungon, Bindoy, Valencia, Dauin, Sibulan, Basay, Dumaguete City, San Jose, Sta. Catalina, Zamboanguita, Bacong and Bayawan City.

The awarding is complemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with a memorandum circular for the designation of representatives to the Child Friendly Local Governance Audit Team.

Twenty-eight Negros Occidental LGUs also received the award, including Bacolod City, Bago City, Binalbagan, Calatrava, Candoni, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magallona, Escalante City, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, Kabankalan City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Manapla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Sagay City, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, San Enrique, Silay City, Sipalay City, Talisay City and Toboso.

According to Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero of DSWD-NIR, the awardees has given priorty to the children in their planning, budgeting, legislation and delivery of services and assured children’s rights are upheld in their respective LGUs. Lucero said among these awardees will vie for the next round to compete or represent the region in the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities.

The conferment is a result of the implementation of CFLGA in support to the country’s commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). (jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental

Alicia rally motocross at the panoramic park Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 14 (PIA) -- One more pound to add to the weight of Bohol's claim that "it has it all": mountain trail motorbiking in Alicia town.

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licia Panoramic Park, a gorgeous series of hills dominating the interestingly grassy rolling Cambaol, which is also the first Bohol Mountain bike Trail Park now opens its wicked trails to dirt bikes and their daredevil motocross riders on July 27, 2017.

Conceptualized by Alicia's homegrown 1st Line Bohol East Trail Bikers, the Alicia 1st Rally Cross came two years after town local officials led by Mayor Marnilou Ayuban and Vice Mayor Victoriano Torres III greenlighted the now institutionalized Alicia Mountain Bike Festival.

Dirt rally cross is about braaaping along dangerous undulating and twisting trails at crazy

speeds, squeezing every strength out of the bike, to the finish.

"We wish to invite local dirt motorbike trail riders who should have the guts of steel and the heartbeat as dependable as their bikes to join us in this race to the top and zip downhill with the province's most tricky and treacherous trails.

Oh well, this should shake off the grime from your seldom revved to the max engines machines, as this certainly offers the most punishing revs from that dependable bike," East Trail Bike President Romulo Bazalo said.

This would be racing to the edge while all the while knowing any half second of break in

concentration can send one to the back of an ambulance, or one's motorbike: a bulky yard sale.

While there are circuit motocross races in Bohol, seldom have there been trail rally crosses that this promises to be the ultimate test of a driver's skill, an ultimate high risk but de-stressing race, the Alicia tourism officer added.

With teams outside Bohol now sending feelers of joining, this would be the perfect time for Boholano enthusiasts and novice and pros to show off their guts and make rally cross an event in Bohol.

For more information, check out Alicia Unfolds on Facebook. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Free agri-entrepreneurship mentoring program opens Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- Next to Tacloban, Bohol hosts the country's second launching of the agriculture sector entrepreneur mentoring program for region 7.

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hrough the Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP), struggling Central Visayan farmer entrepreneurs can now be hand held and mentored by big brothers who have been nailing success in their fields of endeavor, explained Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) and Go Negosyo team leader Jas Nito.

KAMMP is a network of mentors intending to help in the development of small farmers by capacitating them prepare for their business plans and allow them to set up marketing linkages, funding assistance and other technical help.

During the KAMMP program launching at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran, a total of 30 agricultural entrepreneurs form Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor sailed to Tagbilaran for the first free business seminar and counseling of the mentoring program sessions on July 24.

Fifteen of these hopeful agri-entrepreneurs would comprise Batch 1 of the three-day mentoring activities, while the next batch of 15 comprises Batch 2, which would still be mentored in Bohol.

Bohol Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center Manager Dr. Carolyn May

Daquio, Governor Edgar Chatto's representative Liza Quirog, PCE officials and Department of Agriculture (DA) regional officials unrolled the program tarpaulin to mark the beginning of the mentoring sessions.

These sessions would end after the agri-entrepreneurs, now called mentees, complete the modules designed to empower them to be successful in their agri business fields.

PCE and Go Negosyo's Jas Nito said many farmers would be willing to upscale but they lack the confidence to do it.

The KAMMP would be a good start, he said as the mentoring program offers free inputs by respected industry leaders in entrepreneurial mind setting, marketing, business accounting, farming operations and value chain, financial obligations, and business planning.

The KAMMP has set the months of September and October for the mentoring of the two batches and program organizers expect the mentees to pass their business plans by then to graduate in the program.

As this happened, the Department of Trade and industry in Bohol along with the PCE and Go

Negosyo has also successfully completed the KMMP for micro, small, and medium enterprises mentoring modules in Bohol.

During the graduation rites set on July 21, DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Director Jerry Clavesillas accepted the graduates in red carpet ceremony in time for the Sandugo Regional Product Showcase held at the Island City Mall in Bohol.

DTI KMMP is the region's third mentoring activity and the first in Bohol.

DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte, however, has ordered Bohol DTI to secure funds for the immediate conduct of another batch of mentoring activities in Bohol considering the number of MSMEs now identified.

Bohol has recently put up nine Go Negosyo Centers in Bohol, namely: the DTI Office, Bohol Go Negosyo at the BIPC, Loon, Loboc, Talibon, Ubay, Carmen, Jagna, and Tubigon.

These offices help MSMEs in their business plans and recommend these MSMEs for the free mentoring program to help them prepare for the ASEAN integration. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

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Airline company Tagbilaran route

EASTERN VISAYAS

launches

Maasin-Cebu-

Ninfa B Quirante MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) -- ―It is a dream come true,‖ Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Marivel Sacendoncillo said during the launching of Air Juan that will officially fly on August 1, 2017 from Maasin to the airports of Tagbilaran and Cebu.

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acendoncillo disclosed that the new airline venture that is scheduled officially starting August 1 every Tuesday and Thursday from Maasin to Cebu and Maasin to Tagbilaran and vice versa will not only benefit Southern Leyte but the whole of Eastern Visayas.

“It is connecting people, connecting communities, and economy will be growing, while toursim will be more vibrant,” the DILG chief said during the launching program held July 20, 2017 at Panan-awan Airport in Maasin City.

Sacendoncillo is grateful for bringing successfully the said airlines in Maasin City.

On the other hand, Tourism Regional Director Karen Tiopes challenged the officials and the concerned public to support these new endeavour, saying “when we invite investors, we should support them and show them that we want them here.”

Air Juan’s ticket introductory fare from Maasin-Cebu is P1,088; P2,088 for Maasin-Tagbilaran, Bohol route; and P2,000 for Maasin-Cebu-Tagbilaran connecting flight, all for one way only., said John Gutierrez, the President of Air Juan Aviation Inc. It is a propeller type and a 9- seater aricraft.

In his message, Gutierrez said that Maasin City

launching of Air Juan is the best reception, saying that I believe that the Air Juan flying route in Maasin City will be easily sustained because I have no doubt that the market is here.”

The Air Juan launching ceremony was graced by Cong. Roger G. Mercado, Gov. Damian G. Mercado, Maasin City Mayor Nacional V. Mercado, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, Maasin City officials and some department heads, local and regional media practitioners, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) officials, businessmen, academe, representatives from some national line agencies, among other publc. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

LGUs chip in funds for provincial drug rehab center Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 25 (PIA) - All local government units in the province consisting of 18 municipalities and one city, and the barangays, in addition to the provincial government, have agreed to share funds for the upkeep of the soon-to -be-built drug rehabilitation center.

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n a joint meeting of the regional and provincial peace and order councils held here Thursday, July 20, Gov. Damian Mercado disclosed that the agreement, to be fair, was P 10.00 per head based on the population of the municipal and city LGUs. “The whole population of the province now is around 400,000 so at P 10.00 per head that would be P 4 Million,” as start-up funds to run the drug wellness center, said Gov. Mercado in front of an audience with all the mayors of the province among the attendees.

The matter on sharing funds cropped up after Gov. Mercado, as PPOC chair, began the meeting with an announcement that the resettlement project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) located in barangay Libas, Hinunangan, will be

turned over to the province on August 1.

DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano will be the one to lead the turn-over rites, Mercado added.

The Libas site has been floated for conversion as the provincial drug rehabilitation center last year, soon after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, to address the overwhelming turn-out of voluntary drug surrenderers.

Mercado also said Presidente Duterte had approved the release of funds for the establishment of the upcoming drug rehab facility, although there was no mention of specific amount.

As for the province, Budget Officer Joey Duarte said the amount of P 10 Million was already earmarked for cash for work program through the provincial social welfare office for drug surrenderers.

The joint PPOC-RPOC meeting also doubled as the gathering of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in the province.

Libagon Mayor Oliver Ranque, LMP provincial president, reported that even the barangays were involved in sharing of funds, with each barangay to contribute P 3.00 to P 5.00 per head also based on their population. Funds for the sharing schemes are to be taken from 20% Economic Development fund (EDF) of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), it was learned.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Marivel Sacendoncillo was among those present in the PPOC-RPOC-LMP meeting, as well as personnel from other agencies under the DILG family. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

PRC–SoLeyte tops blood donation collections in Eastern Visayas Erna S. Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte July 25 (PIA) - Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Southern Leyte Chapter was able to collect the highest number of bags of human blood donated in the entire region in 2016.

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ccording to PRC local Chapter Administrator Jonas Maco, no less than the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office No. 8 informed their office that PRC Southern Leyte chapter topped in the collection of human blood in the entire Eastern Visayas last year.

There are six provinces in the region.

The local chapter was able to collect 4,208 bags

of human blood under the Mass Blood Donation program of the said humanitarian organization based in the province, Maco said.

The DOH8 further informed that only the Southern Leyte PRC chapter in the region, so far, was able to achieve the nationwide campaign to earmark 1% of the respective population in every province as mandated by the PRC headquarters, he

added.

Meanwhile, Chapter Administrator Maco further revealed that human blood donated to the local chapter were also availed by the patients coming from other provinces like Bohol, Surigao, Leyte, among others, on top of the thousands of bags of blood served to the Southern Leytenos. (ajc/ egorne/PIA8-SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

Feature: Governance as key factor for peace, security and development Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 25 (PIA) - Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Marivel Sacendoncillo disclosed that her agency has crafted the peace and prosperity roadmap for Eastern Visayas covering the years 2017-2022.

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t was the result of a stay-in, brainstorming workshop with all the Governors in the region in March this year, Sacendoncillo said during the joint meeting of the provincial and regional peace and order councils, and provincial mayors league, Thursday last week here in the city.

In order for the stated roadmap to push, everything was anchored on the operative word governance.

“Good governance is fast development, peace secured, insurgency wiped out,” Sacendoncillo emphasized in front of the province’s 19 local chief executives led by Gov. Damian Mercado, the presiding chair.

She added that local government units (LGUs) are the frontliners in the implementation of

programs and projects that promote peace and security in region 8.

Whereas in the past it was the military that led in going to critical areas so government programs can come in, now it’s the other way around: civilian officials lead the way, backed-up by the forces of the State, the regional DILG chief further said.

During the meeting Sacendoncillo showed a video presentation of the roadmap that outlined eight (8) priority initiatives, four of them posed as a challenge for the provincial LGUs to carry out, like connectivity to inaccessible hinterland areas so government services can reach there.

The other four actionable to-do's required the support of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte especially on fund releases, and the President, indeed, had

expressed support in a recent gathering in Malacanang, Sacendoncillo announced.

The President, she stressed, asked for monetary equivalent, so LGUs must be readily alert in submitting proposals, program of works, cost estimates, and other related necessary documents.

All those works are at the core of governance, good governance to be exact as declared by the DILG regional head.

How about the barangays?

“Barangays are windows of governance,” she said, adding that how good, or how bad, the reputation of the barangays mirrors the leadership or governance approach of the local executives. (ajc/ mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

NGCP appeals for prudent power use Ninfa B Quirante CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, July 25 (PIA) - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) appeals to the public to use power prudently.

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his, spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said as she and other NGCP officials faced the media in Samar in a press briefing as regards the restoration of power of the heavily damaged Ormoc substation.

The Ormoc substation suffered heavy damages after a 6.5 quake jolted the whole Visayas early this July.

The whole Eastern Visayas suffered power outage for a whole week right after the quake. As

the NGCP linemen tried to restore operations of the grid lines, power trickled through but since the power supply was not enough, the grid offered power sharing.

With this, Alabanza urged the public to limit their power use to appliances and gadgets that require less electricity while the power situation is still unstable.

Use only when absolutely necessary, Alabanza said. The NGCP officials promised that by the end of

July, power supply may stabilize. Samelco 2, the electric cooperative servicing Marabut to Sta. Rita and to Catbalogan City as of this time, is enjoying 8–megawatts from the earlier 7-megawatts, said Information Officer Dixon Bernales.

There is one-hour brown out in some areas to ensure that all areas enjoy some power.

The total power requirement is 15–megawatts for the whole Samelco Dos area. (ajc/nbq/ PIA8-Samar)

Two DPWH districts clear landslide area in Samar Ninfa B Quirante CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, July 26 (PIA) - Clearing operations are still going on in the landslide that made Maharlika Highway impassable near the boundaries of Samar and Northern Samar provinces.

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he area covers some 150 meters in Daang Maharlika, Caglanipao Sur, Calbayog City, a few meters away from Caglanipao Norte, San Isidro, Northern Samar.

The two engineering districts, Samar First Engineering District based in Calbayog City, Samar and the Northern Samar Engineering District based in Catarman with some contractors have pooled their efforts and resources to clear the area even after sundown, but Marianette Gomez, Information Officer of Samar First Engineering

District said that the continuous rains prevent the clearing operations.

In a report by Radyo Pilipinas announcer Carina Caranzo, it said that DPWH Samar First Engineering District Engineer Alvin Ignacio reported that the soil that covered the highways could be more or less 15 thousand cubic meters.

The DPWH Northern Samar issued a traffic advisory to motorists that the San Isidro–Calbayog road section has been closed due to landslide.

The information advised further that they

should take the route from Allen to Catarman to Lope de Vega Road.

The landslide reportedly started on Sunday triggered by three days of rain.

Meanwhile, the clearing operations will continue until at least the DPWH can make one lane passable. Daang Maharlika is the main road that connects Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao and vice versa. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar with reports from Carina Caranzo of radio Pilipinas and Samar First Engineering District)

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

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Ms. 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