One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 32 20170811 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

CHED International Affairs Service Director Atty. Lily Freida Milla speaks on "Insights on the Intervention Involving Education and Research Institutions through ASEAN Education Program at the ASEAN 2017 Multi-sectoral Forum at WVSU Cultural Center, Aug. 8. (PIA—Iloilo)

August 7 - 13, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 32

Tacloban ASEAN 50 celebration highlights unity Aurora J. Casimpan TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 9 (PIA) – A call to action by the city government converged all citizens of the highly urbanized Tacloban City to join in the 50th ASEAN LANDMARK LIGHTING on August 8 this year.

Despite the heat, the parade, set at 3 o‘clock in the afternoon, saw school children clad in the colourful attires of ASEAN member countries line up proudly and be counted. Added to the cacophony of children, were the presence of administrators, mentors of schools and officials who were similarly clad with their students in assigned ASEAN country.

Government employees representing their agencies, barangay officials, civil society organizations and non-government organizations likewise participated in the half-day activity.

Participating agencies/entities were grouped according to an

ASEAN member country where the representatives waved the flag of the country during the parade. Most of the employee-participants wore white t-shirts although others had t-shirts with ASEAN logos printed.

As mentioned during the program which followed the parade, ‗ASEAN nations maybe diverse in culture but bonded as one‖ because it‘s the ASEAN way.

The 6-foot tall ASEAN designed lantern installed in the City Hall grounds was lighted at 7 o‘clock in the evening simultaneously with the burst of fireworks. The Lantern Lighting signaled the launch of the ASEAN Golden Anniversary Celebration.

ASEAN 2017, chaired by the Philippines, carries the theme ―Partnering for Change, Engaging the World‖. (ajc/PIA8)

6 LGUs ‗light up‘ for Panay, Negros at ASEAN 50 More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Philippine Information Agency Director General Harold Clavite and PIA officials and staff meet with Smart Communications, Inc. Public Affairs Center Head Maria Jane Paredes and Cebu Provincial Government Administrator Mark Tolentino for the upcoming summit in November. |#EmpowingCommunities

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) - - Six local government units joined and represented Panay and Negros Occ in the Landmark Lighting Ceremony held Aug. 8 to mark the 50th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

These are Iloilo City, Mina and Badiangan towns in Iloilo and Boracay in Malay, Aklan in Panay Island and Bacolod City and San Carlos City in Negros Occ. In Iloilo City, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog led the switch-on of the landmark lanterns in front of the Iloilo Convention Center.

He was joined by Department of the Interior and Local Government 6 Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza Sardua during the switch on which was also witnessed by other city officials and employees, PIA 6 Director Atty. Janet Mesa and representatives of other government agencies.

Mabilog thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN for selecting Iloilo City as one of the sites for the Landmark Lighting which was held simultaneously in other selected local government units across the country.

He said the event is a significant occasion to let people know more about ASEAN, which was founded on August 8, 1967.

In his message before the lighting rite, Mabilog enumerated the various benefits that Filipinos can get as part of the 10-member state of the ASEAN community.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Evelio Lonardia was elated that Bacolod and the New Government Center are now considered landmarks of the Philippines.

He said the Bacolod Government Center was featured together with the monuments of Philippine national heroes such as Lapu-Lapu, Emilio Aguinaldo and Manuel Quezon, during the landmark lighting activity held simultaneously nationwide.

As a member of the regional integration, according to Mabilog, the Philippine market has opened more widely to the regional and international trade. Philippines has become an attractive place for investor to locate their industries and exports to the rest of the region. Some of these investors have found their way to Iloilo City and parts of the Visayas.

On behalf of the DILG, Sardua expressed appreciation to the city Mayor‘s acceptance to take the lead in the lighting of the ASEAN Landmark Lanterns done in 50 cities in the country representing 50 years of the regional grouping.

More than 20 other LGUs comprising municipalities including Badiangan and Mina in Iloilo and Boracay, Malay, Aklan also joined the event.

It will be recalled that Iloilo City and Boracay hosted some ASEAN meetings held earlier this year.

The event was capped by the lively performance of Tribu Salognon of the Jaro National High School, the grand champion of this year‘s Dinagyang Festival. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and DILG 6 ARD Maria Calpiza Sardua switch on the ASEAN landmark lanterns as the city joins the entire Philippines and ASEAN community in commemorating the 50th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The event was held in front of the Iloilo Convention Center, August 8. (PIA 6/LAF)

3 CV LGUs join ASEAN 50 landmark lighting Carmel Loise Matus Palo, Leyte, with the leadership of Mayor Remedios Petilla, celebrates #ASEAN50 and starts with a Walk for Peace from the town's Pag-ibig Plaza to the MacArthur Landing Mem ori al Na ti ona l Pa rk wh er e a Commemorative Program and the ASEAN Landmark Lighting will be held. #ASEAN2017

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

CEBU CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA) -- Historical landmarks in Cebu, Dumaguete City and Panglao, Bohol were lighted to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN), August 8.

In Cebu City, the city government chose Fort San Pedro to be the historical landmark that will be lighted while the Campanario de Dumaguete or Bell Tower in Dumaguete City will be lighted during the simultaneous ceremonial lighting at 6p.m.

The local government unit of Panglao also participated in the lighting at the Panglao Town Plaza.

The country's grand celebration bears the theme, "Under One Light, we are One ASEAN".

The cities of Dumaguete and Cebu and the municipality of Panglao are among the 63 key cities in the country that participated in the big event.

Prior to the lighting, the Cebu City government has prepared cultural performances by the Cebu City Children's Choir, Cultural Dance Troupe and Local Youth Development Office

performers.

Councilor Margarita Osmena and her husband Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena led the celebration.

In Dumaguete City, the five bell tower project bands and Sandurot dancers delivered a cultural performance.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Information Agency in Central Visayas (PIA-7) extended its ASEAN FB Trivia to encourage participants to do research about ASEAN after it was supposed to end July 31 as part of PIA-7's advocacy campaign in promoting ASEAN. Fayette Rinen, OIC Director of PIA - 7, said that the extended trivia was meant to drum up the upcoming ASEAN 50th anniversary celebration.

For the whole month of July, there were already 64 winners from all over the country.

During this period, PIA -7 targets to have 128 winners from all its information centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (fcr/Carmel Loise Matus/ PIA -7)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

DA turns over projects to Antique FF beneficiaries Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) - - A total of P4 million worth of fisheries projects for the province of Antique was turned over to farmers and fisherfolk beneficiaries on Wednesday.

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griculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol led the distribution of the fisheries projects during the Tapatan: Farmers and Fisher folk Forum and Project Turnover held at the Gymnasium of the municipality of Hamtic. Pinol delivered 50 fiberglass boats worth P3 million as source of livelihood to 100 beneficiaries. Two fishermen benefit from one boat that was provided with motor engine and underwater accessories.

The boats are fabricated from fiberglass reinforced plastic which replaced the conventional wooden boats made of plywood hull and wooden

keel. Fiberglass reinforced plastic is a synthetic material which is sturdy and can be easily molded into a design of boat that fits the needs of the fisher folk and is commercially available.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has already a pool of technical personnel and laborers capable of providing assistance and labor for the fabrication of boats.

Pinol also handed out 300 fishing gears that include tuna longline and multiple handlines amounting to P1 million to fisher folk recipients.

Fisheries is an important industry in the

province. Of its 18 municipalities, 15 of which are coastal. As per Philippine Statistics Authority fisheries production data in 2016, Antique leads in fisheries production in the region with 99, 991 metric tons.

To date, the province has a total of 24,119 registered fisher folk and ranks third among 6 provinces of Western Visayas, accounting 16 percent of the total registered fisherf olk of the region.

Cuyo East Pass which extends to Sulu Sea is the major fishing ground of Antique province. (JCM/laf/ PIA6-Iloilo)

DOH to immunize 27T Capiz kids Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 7 (PIA6) – Capiz program.

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ational Immunization Program provincial coordinator Julius Vicson dela Cruz of the Provincial Health Office disclosed that the 2017 school-based immunization program targets to immunize 13,477 Grade 1 pupils and 13,602 Grade 7 students. ―These are the students in the public elementary and secondary schools in Capiz this entire month of August,‖ he said.

Dela Cruz said that as of August 2 report, a

is targeting more than 27,000 students

total of 1,779 Grade 1 pupils or 13-percent of the target pupils were already given immunization and 3,333 Grade 7 students or 25-percent have been immunized already.

The eligible pupils are vaccinated against preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria, he said.

The nationwide school-based immunization program, which is already on its third year now, is a partnership activity of the Department of Health,

for this year‘s free immunization

Department of Education and Department of the Interior and Local Government. ―We call on the parents to support this program for the welfare of their children,‖ he said asking them to be present during the immunization of their Grade 1 children.

Dela Cruz likewise stressed that the government is logistically prepared for the immunization activity, pointing out that the vaccines are free, effective and safe. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

Feature: Aklan's humble ‗bayong‘ makes it big Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 10 (PIA6) -- The humble ―bayong‖ of Aklan woven out of young buri leaves has come a long way -- it has taken the notice of a top resort in Boracay Island, and is now used there in packing souvenir items and other knick-knacks of guests, and for other purposes.

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ith the notice the ―bayong‖ has taken also comes the chance of simple bayong weavers of Aklan to earn extra income and make use of the untapped raw materials found in most areas in the province – the buri palm.

The province of Aklan is not short of excellent entrepreneurs – some are into abaca and pina weaving, meat processing, bakery and pastry products, gifts and housewares, and some had garnered national, regional and provincial awards for the quality of products they produced, and the help they contribute to the economy – and Aklanon community through jobs.

Perhaps Carmela Tamayo, of Tamayo Handicrafts who delivers the buri bayongs to Shangrila-Boracay Resort and Spa, never thought that one day, she will be commissioned by the resort to supply them with the bayongs.

Perhaps, as a simple Aklanon entrepreneur, she just wants to produce the buri bayong to retain the craft to the Aklanon consciousness.

But the lowly bayong was noticed, alright. Even Senator Bam Aquino, who graced this year‘s Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival noticed it, and had talked to Carmela, who happened to be one of the

exhibitors, about its potentials. Senator Bam crafted the ―Go Negosyo‖ Act. The buri bayong in olden days, woven in bigger sizes, was a must for every Aklanon housewife to carry when going to the market.

Into this big bayong, which, when compared with the one being produced now, could be called the ―mother‖ bayong, goes the then gantas of rice, dried fish, fruits, vegetables, ingredients and many others bought by the housewife from the public market with her meager budget.

And so the Shang took notice of the lowly bayong, ordering from Carmela 200 pieces per week, so she had to look for sub-contractors in order to meet the increasing demand of the resort.

One group that could benefit from Carmela‘s blessings is the Altavas-Batan group of Typhoon Yolanda victims selected by the respective LGUs to join the Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

SMERA involves providing various skills and management trainings to potential MSMEs, and who could better train the beneficiaries of Altavas and Batan on buri bayong-making other than Carmela?

And so last month, spearheaded by DTI-Aklan, Carmela conducted a training on bayong-making to her potential partners in supplying bayongs to Shangrila-Boracay.

Buri trees abound in Altavas and Batan, just growing in open, vacant areas be it in the lowlands and the uplands, just waiting to be tapped.

This could be a way for the Typhoon Yolanda victims from the two towns, numbering 20, to earn extra income, as well as to sustain and preserve the indigenous craft, which could be forgotten with all the ―instant‖ and modern mentalities of the younger generation who likes everything purchased carried conveniently in branded plastic or paper bags.

The use of bayong will also support the ―no plastic ordinance‖ of the municipality of Malay, where Boracay Island belongs, and the ―Green Economy‖ Development program of DTI, one of the steps in combating Climate Change being advocated by the agency. Perhaps the sight of tourists of various nationalities in Boracay Island carrying the bayongs while on their way home will also make Aklanons proud – as one very local and humble bayong will be going places – literally and figuratively.

(JCM/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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DA, DTI, stakeholders, localize coffee industry Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) — The 2017-2022 Philippine Coffee Industry‘s localization was an endeavour of partner agencies and some 200 coffee industry stakeholders in the Visayas area.

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press release from the Department of Agriculture said participants from Regions 6, 7, and 8 gathered here recently to validate the salient features of the national roadmap against the situation of the coffee industry in the regions which included existing and potential markets.

Philippine Coffee Council National Chair Dr. Myrna Pablo said the Philippine Roadmap is aimed at improving the quality and availability of planting materials, enhance farm efficiency and investments and improve the processing and marketing competitiveness of coffee.

The agency partners in the localization are the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI-6 Director Rebecca Rascon said the Philippine Coffee Industry is a result of industry clustering. ―Industry clustering is a tool for industry development and it has generated a lot of collaborative projects among the players,‖ Rascon said.

For the Coffee Industry, Rascon said several activities were conducted that involved public and private stakeholders like the DTI, DA, DENR,

Philippine Coconut Authority, LGUs and industry councils.

Agriculture Undersecretary Francisco Villano, Jr. said the department conducts seminars, from production to harvesting, post harvesting, processing and marketing with farmers.

He told coffee growers to go into value adding for coffee through showcasing their products in coffee shops.

DA-6 Director Remelyn Recoter said they constantly partner with the DTI in enabling farmers to become not just producers but entrepreneurs as well. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

PIA-6 holds ASEAN multi-sectoral forum in Iloilo Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA6) --- In celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 gathered over 500 representatives from various sectors in Iloilo for an ASEAN multi-sectoral forum at West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center here.

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IA-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa said that the forum aimed to underscore the significance of commemorating ASEAN‘s 50th anniversary and for people to focus on ASEAN and what it could bring to our national life. ―All over the country today, with Manila as the center of the celebration, the anniversary of ASEAN is being celebrated,‖ said Mesa.

She said that the multi-sectoral forum is just one of the many strategies that PIA has been implementing as part of the all-out information campaign to spread ASEAN awareness in the region.

WVSU University President Dr. Luis M. Sorolla

Jr. said that ASEAN as an organization paved the way for people to work together to achieve economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in this part of the globe. ―We should not just think of ourselves as Filipinos but as citizens of the ASEAN community,‖ he said.

He said that the multi-sectoral forum was made possible through the collaboration efforts of the Regional Association of National Government Executives (RANGE), PIA-6, and WVSU. During the forum, PIA-6 Information Officer Leonard Pineda I provided an overview of ASEAN, the Philippine Chairship of ASEAN 2017, and the benefits and opportunities that Filipino citizens can

gain from the ASEAN integration.

Atty. Lily Freida Milla, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) International Affairs Service Director III, talked on the opportunities for colleges and universities in the ASEAN Community.

Ken Queenie Cuñada, DTI-6 Trade and Industry Development Specialist Division Chief, discussed the benefits and opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises in the ASEAN economic community.

Prior to the forum, PIA-6 also launched an exhibit of ASEAN traditional costumes at the WVSU Cultural Center Lobby. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

P75 M allotted for culture and arts Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA6) - - The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is currently seeking project proposals from the culture and arts sector in Western Visayas to be implemented in 2018.

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ino Selibio, Project Development Officer of the Arts Section of NCCA, said some P75 million were allotted for the available grants for 2018 priority projects for the culture and arts in the country.

He said the priority projects for the 2018 Competitive Grants Program set by the different committees of the NCCA are categorized into Arts; Heritage; Cultural Dissemination; and Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts and aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022: Chapter 7 on Culture. ―These programs have been defined and crafted by the 19 committees of the NCCA based on

its mandate, one of which is to provide grants for culture and arts sector,‖ said Selibio.

The competitive grant program is funded under the National Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts established by Republic Act 7356.

Eligible to avail of the grants are civil society organizations, indigenous peoples organizations, people‘s organizations, local government units, government agencies, state universities and colleges, public schools and interested individuals.

Selibio encouraged the culture and arts sector in Panay Island and Guimaras province to submit their applications until August 31, 2017.

Those interested may submit their letters of intent and proposals to the Planning, Policy Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD) of the NCCA at Room 5-B fifth floor, NCCA Building, 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila or via email arts@ncca.gov.ph, heritage@ncca.gov.ph,disse m i n a t i o n @ n c c a . g o v . p h , and traditional_arts@ncca.gov.ph.

On the other hand, for inquiries about the Grants Program of NCCA, contact P/PFPD through direct line 522-2084, trunkline no. 527-2084, trunkline no. 527-2192 and email address pmd@ncca.gov.ph, grants@ncca.gov.ph or inf o@ncca.gov.ph. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

TVET trainers can now avail CoCIE Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Aug. 4 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here announced that the trainers of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can now avail of credit equivalency system or Certificate of Compliance to Industry Experience (CoCIE) to become certified National TVET Trainers.

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ESDA Information Officer Georgette Malagar said that most of the technical-vocational trainers are affected due to the lack of years of industry work experience which becomes a problem in applying and renewing for a national TVET trainers certification (NTTC).

Currently, about 10,840 certified TVET trainers (TM Level 1 Holders) whose NTTC are due for renewal are affected due to insufficient number of years of industry work experience.

Based on this premise, Malagar said there is a need to develop an acceptable program to supplement the required number of years of industry work experience of in-service trainers to anticipate the effect of a shortage of

trainers.

With this alarming TVET concern, Malagar explained that TESDA issued Circular 33 series of 2017, otherwise known as ―Institutionalizing a Credit Equivalency System for Industry Work Experience Required (IWER) of TVET Trainers‖ on July 6 this year.

The move is aimed to credit equivalency system for industry work experience requirement for TVET trainers and recognize different modalities of industry work experience; provide a credit equivalency for each modality; prescribe acceptable evidence supportive of each modality; and establish procedure of issuance of certificate of compliance to industry work experience

requirement.

The Circular also institutionalized a credit equivalency system for industry work experience required per TR Section 3 of TVET trainers. This applies to TVET trainers currently employed both in private and public Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs).

Pre- service industry work experience and in-service experience will also be recognized.

Under the rule, the information officer said the grace period for an in-service trainer to comply with the required industry work experience shall be equivalent to the duration of the industry experience required in the specific Training Regulation (TR). (fcr/jct/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

11th Bright Leaf Awards deadline set Sept. 1 Roi Lomotan

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- Local media practitioners to join the 11th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards have until September 1, 2017 to submit their entries. Winners will be announced on November 17, 2017.

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he Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is an initiative of the Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) Inc. that aims to support agriculture and honor Filipino journalists by giving recognition to outstanding work in media that promotes the development of and creates awareness on issues relating to Philippine Agriculture.

The competition was formally launched in Dumaguete City on July 20 attended by members of Dumaguete media.

Although PMFTC Inc. is a known cigarette manufacturer in the Philippines, its Director for External Affairs Bayen Elero-Tinga cited at a press briefing that the company is connected with the agriculture sector having around 4, 800 tobacco farmers all over the country directly contracted by PMFTC. ―Being an agriculture company, we believe that, to a great extent, the public also has to be educated on what‘s happening in the agriculture industry. By having the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards, we want to encourage journalists from all over the country to write about the challenges that are facing the industry and the opportunities also,‖ Tinga added.

There are 10 categories under the competition which include: Agriculture Story of the Year, Agriculture Photo of the Year which looks for the, Tobacco Story of the Year,

Tobacco Photo of the Year, Best Television Program or Segment, Best Radio Program or Segment, Best Agricultural News Story National, Best Agriculture News Story Regional, Best Agriculture Feature Story National, and Best Agriculture Feature Story Regional.

Only entries that were published, aired or broadcasted from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017 will be accepted by the contest organizers.

Entries can be in Filipino, English or any regional language.

However, contestants should send an English translation of their work or report if the entry submitted is not in English language.

Journalists or photographers may submit several entries for consideration but only one entry may be submitted per category.

Entries can be submitted through e-mail, courier or at the Bright Leaf website: http:// www.brightleafawards.com Winners shall receive cash prizes, premium items and all-expense paid trip in an Asian Country.

For the past 10 years, print, TV, radio, and photo journalists have actively and eagerly participated in this competition and PMFTC Communications Manager Didet Danguilan-Santiago disclosed that during the early years, most of the winners came from Luzon but starting 2010, there are winners coming from Visayas and Mindanao

areas.

Santiago invites journalists in Negros Oriental to participate in the competition.

She said topics are not just limited to crops but can also be related to fisheries and livestock.

Journalists who are interested to join are advised to visit their website to view the complete mechanics of the competition or contact the secretariat at 0917-9771153 or 0917-849-7724 or send an e-mail to brightleaf2017@gmail.com.

Asked if the Bright Leaf Awards is on track in achieving its objective, Santiago said: ―For awareness, yes.

We have promoted and we have shown po iyong mga story. For awareness we know we have gone so far in going around cities and provinces. By the end of the day, gusto pa rin to really highlight the importance of agriculture.‖ Santiago hopes that through this initiative, media practitioners will be encouraged to report more stories on agriculture. ―It‘s not (boring), it‘s beautiful going out in the provinces and knowing what‘s happening in the barrios among our fisherfolks, our farmers. It is really a great opportunity to really write,‖ Santiago cited. ―Since we are in the provinces and we know there are a lot of good stories in the provinces about agriculture. Let‘s write more about it,‖ she said. (ral/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

PSA to share survey data with Boholanos 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.

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he 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 gets submitted to Manila and is 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)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Free agri-entrepreneurship program opens

5 mentoring

Rey Anthony 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.

T h e se se ssi on s w o ul d e n d a f ter th e 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)

TESDA sets Negros Island reg‘l skills competition, Aug. 29 Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Aug. 4 (PIA) -- A total of seven technical-vocational young workers in the province is set to compete in the Negros Island Regional Skills Competition on August 29-30 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

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he Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is organizing this competition as a platform for showcasing the skills of tech-voc workers in various trade areas.

TESDA Information Officer Georgette Malagar said all these competitors are lucky enough to bring home the bacon to their respective Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) when they joined and beat other contenders during the Provincial Skills Competition (PSC) on July 25 in various venues within Dumaguete City and Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

The competitors with their respective coach include Beverly Osorio for Beauty Theraphy from Cuttin‘ Loose Beauty Culture, Inc. with coach Berlyn O. Amigo; Keannu

Mendoza for Cooking from Teamskills School for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Inc. with coach Chona V. Morales; and Uriel Niño Opada for Restaurant Services from Asian College and Technology with coach Dave Osorio; Also joining the competition are James Ryan Aldenese for Welding from Cebu Science of Welding and Skills Technology, Inc. with coach Dwight R. Villegas; Christian O. Pajulas for Web Design, Foundation University with coach Harry A. Zayas; Nichol Ray Y. Tingson for Graphic Design Technology from Foundation University with coach John Audi P. Bato; and Christian Jude Bromo for IT Network Systems Administration from Foundation University with coach Jeffrey M. Rivera.

During the regional skills competition, each participant

is expected to be given a test package that contained instructions on the required output to be completed within a given time.

Malagar said Skills Competition is a friendly competition amongst partners and stakeholders of the Technical Vocation Education and Training (TVET) sector. This involves young workers from industries or enterprises, students, trainees and graduates of technical vocational schools/HEIs/SUCs in various trade areas or qualifications.

Winners in the Regional Skills Competition will compete in the Proposed Visayas Zonal Competition Area (Region VI, VII, VIII, & NIR) on the 4th week of November 2017. (fcr/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Bohol towns show high severity of ‗wasted pre-school children‘ Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) -- Despite feeding programs implemented in schools and preschools, data from the Bohol Provincial Nutrition Council showed that Bohol towns who have been getting support under the national government's flagship poverty alleviation program still have high prevalence of wasted and severely wasted pre-school children.

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everely wasted children are those who are very thin for their height, while wasted children are those who may not be as worse off but will be if not taken cared of, according to Ardyn Abrea, nutritionist at the Provincial Health Office.

Although the most recent data showed that there is a slight improvement of standings, a town in Bohol ranked top among those with high prevalence of wasted children taking consideration of their weight for height, weight for age, and height for age, she added.

The same record in 2015 showed the town of Buenavista with 10.67 percent, placing them on the top spot, the 2016 data showed the same town pegging a better 10.36 percent for a .31 percent improvement.

This means that in the town's number of preschool children, 10.36 percent or 10 in every 100 preschool children are either severely wasted or wasted and these nutrition authorities still need to get to them.

Buenavista still tops Bohol's list of towns with most prevalent wasted children.

After Buenavista are Anda (7.11%), Pilar (7.05%), Sevilla (6.83%), Loay (6.13%), Candijay (5.64%), Danao (5.42%), Alicia (5.07%), Sierra Bullones (4.97%) and Carlos P. Garcia (4.82%), all in the top ten.

Last year, the same indicators showed Buenavista on top at 10.67 percent, Pilar at 6th place with 6.69 percent, Sevilla on 5th place with 6.60 percent, and Sierra Bullones at 10th place with 5.30 percent.

As to weight for age, 11.79 for every 100 Anda preschool kids have been found to be severely underweight while almost 11 of Buenavista pre-school children have severely stunted growth on their height to age comparisons.

In 2015, the government, through the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earmarked some P7.2 billion to get to some 4 million malnourished kids - 2 million in school and another 2 million in pre-schools.

While the DEPED and the DSWD implement 120-day nutritional feeding programs, the 4Ps also employ a

condition for the cash grants which would push family beneficiaries to get their kids to have medical check-ups and weighing.

These undernourished children have an increased risk of mortality, illness and infections, delayed development, cognitive deficits, poorer school performance, and fewer years in school. If unchecked, the mortality rate for children under 5 is 34 per 1,000 live births and nearly 45 percent of these child deaths are attributable to various forms of under -nutrition, a 2011 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) study bared.

As malnutrition undermines human capital and economic productivity, it can also limit progress in achieving at least six of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and targets set by the World Health Assembly.

The FNRI stressed that investing in nutrition in the Philippines is necessary to sustain further gains in development, significantly reduce child mortality, improve children‘s school performance, and result in greater economic productivity for the nation. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

VP visits quake victims in Kananga, Leyte Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 7 (PIA) - Vice President Leni Robredo visited in Friday, August 4, quake victims in Kananga, Leyte, who were displaced by the 6.5 magnitude earthquake last July 6, 2017.

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he second highest official of the government held an informal dialogue with some 80 families who are temporarily living in makeshift tents as their homes in Barangay Rizal in said municipality.

In her short message, VP Robredo explained why the government is preventing them from going back to their homes and asked them to understand as their safety is a priority of the government. ―Alam ko na iyong ganito, kahit pa naasikaso tayo, yung pangamba nandiyan pa din. Lalo pa kasi

noong ini-evacuate kayo, syempre iniwan ninyo ang inyong kabuhayan sa taas, isang bagay pong mahirap, mahirap harapin-pero syempre po yung ating pamahalaan ang iniisip ang kapakanan ninyo, hindi naman kayo papabalikin pag delikado,‖ Robredo said.

Some 268 families from four (4) sitios in said barangay are due for relocation because of the imminent danger that the residents might face in case another natural calamity occurs.

While Robredo understands the apprehensions of the quake survivors, she, however, told them that

the government is doing its best to help them.

Robredo has committed to provide more than three thousand GI sheets to quake victims to augment their needs in the construction of temporary shelters. This is the second time that VP Robredo visited Kananga, Leyte.

To date, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Kananga, Leyte reported that a total of 3, 183 houses were either partially or totally destroyed by the quake.(ajc/cba/ PIA8)

Stormtroopers turns 29 Ninfa B Quirante

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 4 (PIA) - The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army, turned 29 on August 1, 2017.

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ajor General Harold N. Cabreros, Vice Commander, Philippine Army, recognized the heroism of the men and women of the 8th ID for its three decades of steadfast commitment as the protector and servant of the people in Eastern Visayas, and the whole country.

The army held a wreath laying in honor of the fallen comrade-in-arms and in recognition of the soldiers' heroism and ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of peace in Eastern Visayas and in Mindanao.

Surviving families attended the solemn ritual led by the guest of honor and the host commander.

Another highlight was the awarding of deserving personnel who have shown meritorious achievement in both combat and non-combat role

that significantly contributed to the overall success of the command's mission.

In addition, civilian stakeholders, who contributed to the accomplishments of the Command mission, such as: PCSupt. Elmer C. Beltejar, Regional Director, PNP Regional Office 8 who was represented by PSSupt. Nicerio D. Obaob, Regional Chief Directorial Staff; Hon. Sharee Ann T. Delos Santos, Regional Peace and Order Chairperson; Hon. Edgar Mary Sarmiento; Mr. Leonardo R. Sibbaluca, Regional Director, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8; Hon. Vivian P. Alvarez, Municipal Mayor, Oras, Eastern Samar; Mrs. Imelda Ty Tipay, Principal, Las Navas National High School, Las Navas,

Northern Samar; Mr. Rod Laurean D. Suan, former municipal mayor of Allen, Northern Samar; Ms. Imelda C. Bonifacio, Regional PAMANA Program Manager, OPAPP; and Ms. Christine C. Caidic, President 8ID MSAB were also awarded with plaques of recognition. ―May your celebration today motivate you more, continue to serve with excellence, remain a witness in giving public service, with the same high standards you have set upon yourselves for the past 29 years,‖ Cabreros said.

This year‘s anniversary theme is, Disiplinadong Hukbong Katihan sa Silangang Bisayas, Kasangga ng Pamayanan sa Pagsulong ng Katiwasyan at Kaunlaran. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-Samar with 1LT CHERRY M JUNIA (FS) PA, Chief, DPAO)

LNU ranks #1 in 2017 Social Work Board Exams Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 9 (PIA) – Leyte Normal University, one of the prestigious schools in Eastern Visayas presented to the local media on Tuesday its five topnotchers of the 2017 Licensure Examination for Social Workers.

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his, after the university ranked 1 as top performing school in the country in this year‘s social work board examination.

In a press conference held at LNU tea house, University President Jude Duarte congratulated the 67 passers particularly the topnotchers for making LNU a leading university of all schools in the country with 100 percent passing percentage with five students making it to the top ten. ―To our topnotchers, words cannot express how I feel personally your success. Your success is

my success. I feel accomplished because of what you have done. You made LNU proud, imagine we are ahead of other leading universities in the country.

We are ahead right now because of your performance which is a joint effort among students and faculty members in the social work department so I salute to all of you,‖ Duarte said.

The university president likewise thanked the students and the faculty as he described the social work department as the only department which never give him a problem.

―Among all departments, it is the only department which never give me a problem, low profile and yet produce results,‖ Duarte further said.

The social work students who made it to the top ten were Cyril May Sy Lagardo and Lenabeth Grefiel Regahal, both as top seven; Precious Viloh Baliad Dadap as top nine and Carol Balais Astorga and Lora Alcala Misagal, both as top ten placers.

During last year‘s examination, it was reported that LNU got also a 100 percent passing percentage for the social work board examination. (ajc/cba/PIA8)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

PNC campaigns vs. junk foods in canteens Rodrigo S. Victoria NAVAL, Biliran, Aug. 9 (PIA) – The presence of junk foods sold in school canteens as observed during the conduct of random visits to some public schools, this town, prompted the provincial nutrition council (PNC) in Biliran province to strengthen its campaign on the prohibition of selling junk foods.

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uring the recent nutrition culmination activity of the Biliran PNC held recently, Dr. Gabino S. Velasquez IV, acting municipal health officer of Maripipi and one of the members of the council, moved for a passage of a resolution to the Sanggguniang Panlalawigan of the province strengthening the prohibition of selling junk foods in school canteens. ―It is high time for the Biliran PNC to relay this observation on the continued selling of junk foods in school canteens thru a resolution to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Biliran,‖ Velasquez said.

Velasquez, who is a former municipal councilor

of Naval, is the author of a municipal ordinance which prohibits the selling of junk foods in the public and private secondary and elementary school canteens in Naval and providing corresponding penalties. For his part, Rio Rosales, Biliran provincial nutrition program coordinator, who led the unannounced random visit to some elementary schools in Naval, said the nutrition council will vigorously campaign to prohibit selling junk foods in public and private secondary and elementary school canteens in the province. ―We must inculcate in the minds of the pupils and students that eating junk foods is not good for

one‘s health and there is no nutritional content in it,‖ Rosales said, adding it only leads to obesity of children and the affectation of chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, diabetes and other conditions linked to obesity.

He also appealed to school administrators in Biliran province to regularly check on the food items sold in their school canteens to ensure that what are being sold are nutritious foods.

Rosales reminded them that there is an existing memorandum from DepEd prohibiting the selling of junk foods in school canteens. (FJ/rvictoria/ PIA biliran)

PhilHealth covers non-members with Point of Service care Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 4 (PIA) - PhilHealth announces its newest health care to non PhilHealth members through Point of Care services.

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n the radio program Huruhimangraw ha PIA, Wednesday, Laarni del Rosario of PhilHealth Samar shared that the project is financially guaranteed by the General Appropriations Act 2017.

The Point of Service health care allows any non PhilHealth member to be hospitalized in a government hospital, be enrolled as PhilHealth member and enjoy its privileges.

According to a PhilHealth report, the POS is envisioned to replace the Point of Care program as

the medium through which PhilHealth grants access to quality health care benefits to Filipinos incapable of paying for their health insurance premiums.

It will also facilitate benefit availment at point-of -service especially for those who do not have the means to pay for health services.

The General Appropriations Act of 2017 allocated the sum of P3 billion to set the POS into motion. Under the program, financially-incapable individuals will be granted PhilHealth coverage once

they pass the DOH classification on indigence.

PhilHealth shall bill the DBM, on a quarterly basis, the actual cost of the hospitalization chargeable against the appropriated amount.

Del Rosario said that the government is trying to include all citizens in its health care especially those who are old and those who are poor but not included in the Pantawid families list.

The Duterte government is pushing towards a universal health care, summed Del Rosario in her announcement. (ajc/nmq/PIA8-Samar)

Swiss techno to reinforce PHL‘s tallest bridge Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 4 (PIA) - ―It takes a Swiss technology to permanently eliminate the threat of erosions near the foundation of Agas-Agas Bridge, the country‘s tallest," Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Southern Leyte District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia bared.

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n a press release, Junia stated that the installation of slope stabilization control system is a priority project next year for the DPWH field office here to curb the perennial problem of erosions. ―The Swiss technology is seen as a permanent solution to rock fall and soil erosions near the bridge foundation,‖ she said.

"Based on our recent inspection, we have noticed a problem on the slopes of Agas-Agas Bridge which, if neglected, may weaken its foundation," Junia quoted, adding that it needs PHP100 million to prevent rockfall and erosion threatening to ruin the bridge. She added that the Southern Leyte field office

will be the first in Eastern Visayas to pilot rock netting technology developed by Swiss firm, Geobrugg, a Switzerland-base world leader in design and fabrication of protection systems using high-tensile steel wire mesh and netting.

It was learned that Junia and DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon recently visited Switzerland to observe how soil stabilization system works.

Their systems provide highly sustainable solutions for securing unstable slopes or for strengthening existing retaining structures and other conventional materials. It also secures loose rocks,

blocky rocks, rock spurs, overhangs or unstable rock formation with highly irregular surface structures.

Located in Kahupian village in Sogod town, the Agas-Agas Bridge is a 90-minute drive from Tacloban, the capital city of Eastern Visayas region.

Sogod town, on the other hand, is 62.4 kilometers from Maasin City.

To date, this bridge is the tallest column bridge that the DPWH had constructed with the aid from the Japanese government. This 350-meter linear bridge is supported by two piers from the ground and has a height of 292 feet above the ground. (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.

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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