One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 14 20170407 r6

Vol 7

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 14

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Iloilo City Government and Development Bank of the Philippines for the e-Merchant Internet Payment Gateway, an online payment facility that would allow the City to accept Visa cards as mode of payment for business taxes online, with major signatories Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and DBP Vice President and Transaction Banking and Payment Department Head Ricardo Josef Bandal II (seated, second from left).

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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April 3 - 9, 2017

ASEAN Finance Ministers underscore the need for infra investment

By Ferliza C. Contratista LAPULAPU CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- In the ASEAN Finance Ministers‘ Investment Seminar (AFMIS) Deputy Secretary General Dr. Lim Hin Hon stressed the need for more investments on infrastructure to further strengthen the regional connectivity.

DSG Lim said ASEAN has found itself in an interesting phase and of heightened expectations as the region is becoming more competitive, vibrant and integrated. ―[ASEAN is] projected to grow at 4.8 percent, well above the projected growth rate of 3.4 percent of an advanced economy,‖ DSG Lim noted. He added that ASEAN will go to new areas of cooperation such as e-commerce, good regulatory practices, global value chains, financial inclusion and sustainable development.

DSG Lim mentioned that surveys show ASEAN‘s growing clout in the world economy. The New ASEAN Business Sentiments Survey revealed that 85 percent of the surveyed company expected trade and investment to increase over the next five years. Around 74 percent of the companies recognize the importance of ASEAN in contributing to the increase of global revenues covering the same period.

Another survey, the 2017 US ASEAN Business Outlook, noted the region's invaluable impact on worldwide revenue over the past two years.

Despite the optimism, issues that threaten the integration must not be overlooked. ―Such an overall growth projection must be viewed against the backdrop of uncertain times with the rise of

CENTRAL VISAYAS

populism and protectionism sentiment causing a challenging context to the region's integration agenda,‖ he said.

Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez in his welcome remarks said that all the member economies are driven to a large extent by trade. ―Our governments are convinced that globalization is the way to progress, we have much headroom for rapid expansion, beginning with a massive infrastructure build up that will bring our region increased efficiency,‖ Dominguez related.

After the plenary session of the ASEAN finance ministers, a networking lunch followed. Global financial institutions and multilateral companies that have a strong presence in the region attended the Cebu AFMIS. (fcc/PIA7Cebu)

Department of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez delivered his welcome message during the opening session of the ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting at Shangri-La's Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu.

ASEAN integration to benefit Pinoys Ninfa B Quirante

Asia Head of Public Sector & Development Organizations, Standard Chartered Bank of Singapore Karby Legett says during the Press Briefing that the young skilled labor in the region can help provide strong growth for ASEAN region in the coming years.#ASEAN2017

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 03 (PIA) - The ASEAN integration is expected to benefit Pinoys, said former Marabut Mayor Percival Ortillo.

Ortillo said that the ASEAN will help Pinoy producers achieve quality in their products as they have to cater to an international market. It will be a big challenge but Pinoys should be able to work outside of their comfort zones to reach some notches higher than what they have been used to. ―I believe they can, with the support they are given‖, he added.

ASEAN, the only regional economic community of its kind outside Europe and North America, aims to promote collaboration and cooperation among member states, as well as to advance the interests of the region as a whole, including economic and trade growth. It has negotiated a free trade agreement among member states and with other countries such as China, as well as eased travel in the region for citizens of member countries, according to World Economic Forum.

True to its original mission, the organization strives towards peace and stability in the region: members have signed a treaty pledging not to develop nuclear weapons, and most have agreed to a counter-terrorism pact, which includes sharing intelligence and easing the extradition process of terror suspects WEF added.

As the Philippines is serving Chairman in this years ASEAN, the association has developed an overarching theme, ―Partnering for change, Engaging the world,‖ as quoted from

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

As chair, the country is expected to communicate ASEAN globally, regionally, and the countryside.

The Philippine Chairmanship also coincides with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN existence.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Information Agency and the regional offices are tasked with the implementation of ASEAN's major events and the yearlong activities which will end on December, 2017.

In Eastern Visayas or region 8, ASEAN will be launched on the following venues and dates: Tacloban City, April 6, morning, Pre-Departure Area-DZR Airport; Ormoc City, afternoon, Ormoc City Hall; April 7, morning, Robinson's Place -Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

Harold Clavite, PIA Director-General is expected to grace the launching events. Multi-sector guests are also expected to attend.

The ASEAN Community‘s overall goal is to build the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into an extensive and more binding inter-governmental cooperation organization on the legal basis of the ASEAN Charter.

The three pillars of the ASEAN are the Political-Security Community, the Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community. To promote ASEAN identity and raise public awareness, the members have preserved and promoted their traditional cultural values, fostered people-to-people exchanges, and emphasized unity in diversity.(ajc/PIA8-nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

PIA DDG Gregorio Angelo C. Villar (2nd from left) and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez (3rd from left) led the launching ceremonies of the PIA Information Kiosk at the Ormoc City Road along Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge up soon Hall lobby, April 6, 2017. Also in photo are Ormoc City Councilor Mario Rodriguez Elsa S. Subong (extreme left) and Councilor Vince Rama (extreme right). Earlier, PIA also launched an ILOILO CITY, 5 April (PIA)—The Department He also said that the P150 million will be used Info Kiosk at the DZR Airport in Tacloban. of Public Works and Highways is set to construct a for the construction of a 4.87-kilometer road in Buenavista, (rvictoria/PIA) road along the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge, according Asst. Guimaras, which will be done before the construction of the

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Regional Director Jose Al Fruto.

In a press release, Fruto said the road, with a funding of P150 million will connect to the proposed bridge. ―The amount is included in the 2017 General Appropriations Act of the DPWH Western Visayas, intended for the purpose,‖ Fruto said.

bridge. A preliminary detailed engineering has been done, according to Fruto, in a task dubbed ―Guimaras Cross Island Road.‖ The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge is a major project of the DPWH under the Duterte administration which aims to connect different islands in Visayas and Mindanao. (JCM/ESS/ PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo City, DBP ink MOA for e-payment Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, April 6 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo City Government and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) on April 5 signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of an online Internet Payment Gateway.

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ayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and DBP Vice President and Transaction Banking and Payment Department Head Ricardo Josef Bandal II are the major signatories during the signing ceremony that took place at Penthouse I of the Iloilo City Hall.

Bandal said the participation of the DBP in the partnership is to facilitate and enable that the Iloilo City Taxpayer‘s Dashboard Service (ICTDS) will have an online payment capability. ―The Taxpayer‘s Dash Board Service is a collaboration between the Iloilo City government and DBP. On the part of the LGU, it is a part of their initiative to provide more convenient and more efficient ways for their taxpayers and their constituents to settle their tax obligations, permits and other licenses from the city,‖ said Bandal.

ICTDS is a user friendly information system for taxpayers that aims to supplement the city‘s automated taxation system and serves as an online point of reference for taxpayer‘s related information. ―This is also a part of our commitment to the ease of doing business campaign of the national government to promote cashless transactions, to give the taxpayers a more convenient, a more efficient payment alternative to the traditional cash payments,‖ said Bandal.

He said the payment is now not limited to the confine of the city offices so they can do it in their homes and offices, they can even be abroad or they can be anywhere where it is convenient for them to settle those obligations to the local government unit.

Francis Cruz, Head of the Information Technology

Systems Division of the Iloilo City said with the payment facility, businessmen in the city can now pay online their business taxes starting for the second quarter due, third and fourth and eventually, by second quarter of the year, they will accept online payment for real property taxes. ―So this is a very big convenience not only for our investor and business people who invested in Iloilo City but also for residents and real property owners who are not in Iloilo or who have transferred to Manila or elsewhere,‖ said Cruz.

Since it is an open system, taxpayers can pay their taxes using their VISA cards and ATM cards.

Iloilo City is the first local government unit in Western Visayas to implement the Internet payment gateway. Other pilot LGUs are Valenzuela City, Naga City and Zamboanga City. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

Capiz hosts WV cooperative summit Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 6 (PIA) – Capiz will be host to more than 700 delegates from the different cooperatives in Western Visayas.

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apiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jonathan Besa disclosed that as of March 27 alone, more than 450 participants have already confirmed their particiipation in said event here. ―The cooperative delegates who have confirmed their participation are from Aklan, Antique, Bacolod City, Iloilo and Guimaras,‖ he said adding that the Capiz delegates will be added to said

numbers.

Besa said that the three-day gathering here set on April 19 to 21 aims to enhance the cooperative‘s connectivity within the local government units, national government agencies and other cooperatives.

He also said that the best practice of every coop will also be highlighted for replication if applicable in

their respective organization.

Expected guest during the Summit is Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cooperative Development Authority Chairperson Orlando Ravanera and other CDA top officials.

The Regional Cooperative Summit is one of the activities during the Capiztahan celebration in Capiz.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Aklan women shine in agrarian reform Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, 7 April (PIA6) -- There are now more women leaders than men as far as managing the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in Aklan is concerned, based on data from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here.

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he leadership skills of Aklan women were highlighted by DAR-Aklan as it celebrated Women‘s Month March of this year, contained in reading materials and brochures it produced as part of the agency‘s activities.

DAR-Aklan said that of the 18 functional ARBOs, 15 are managed by women, and for the 204 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) managing enterprises, 73% are women.

As for women‘s participation in land ownership per DAR-Aklan data, it was revealed that out of a total of 25,362 ARBs as of end of 2016, 48% are women beneficiaries.

DAR also provided other assistance to Aklan women ARBs. In terms of legal aspect, 65% of women out of 136 clients were assisted.

In the field of education, of the 40 graduates of President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program, 24 were girls.

In Micro-Finance Services, of the total amount of P3,355,000.00, 79% of the amount were accessed by women, while for agri-credit, 54% women were involved out of the 282 ARBs. The strong performance of Aklan women ARBs is guided by DAR mandating Gender and Development (GAD) Mainstreaming in the executive on agrarian reform and contains procedures for ensuring the recognition of rights of women as ARBs. For instance, in land entitlements of Women and Men ARBs, DAR mandates that both spouses or common law partners who each possess the qualification to be ARBs, shall have equal rights in the process of identification, screening, and selections of ARBs. DAR provides that ―in no case shall exclusion or subordination be made in the screening and selection on account of gender or relationship status. In order to recognize the rights of farmer spouses, the names of both shall appear in the Certificate of Land Ownership

(CLOA) and shall be preceded by the word ‗spouses‘. In the case of a common-law relationship, the names of both parties shall likewise appear in the CLOA with the conjunctive word ―and‖ between their names.‖ DAR-Aklan is currently headed by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ma. Theresa Valencia, who is the first-ever woman to head DAR-Aklan.

At the Women‘s Month celebration of the province in March, Valencia was one of three women featured in the ―Women Inspiring Women‖ Panel, who spoke on empowerment of women, especially those in agrarian reform.

Together with her in the panel were Ms. Jindra Linda Demeterio, Retired Regional Executive Director of DA Region 6 and current President of the Provincial Council of Women, and Ms. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo, former Congresswoman and former Vice Governor of the Province of Aklan. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Work opportunities at KSA open Carlson B. Alelis NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Apr. 6 (PIA6) – Job opportunities are available at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Negrenses.

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he Public Employment Services Office said.

(PESO) – Negros Occidental will hold The recruitment agency is licensed under the a special job recruitment activity that will Philippine Overseas Employment Administration take place on April 19-20 at the L‘Fisher Hotel, Bacolod (POEA).

City.

The positions that are available include Augustin International Center, Inc. is looking product centrifugal operators, powerhouse for interested applicants who will be deployed to technician, electrical and instrument foreman, KSA, a release from the Provincial Information Office mechanical foreman, senior welder, crane operators,

among others Those who are interested to apply should bring their bio-data and other credentials.

For more information with regard to th e job rec ruitm en t ac tiv ity , in terested applicants may contact PESO at 476-7189 or 0998-1781582.

(JCM/CBA/PIA6-Negros Occidental)

Antique farmers upbeat about abaca industry Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) - - Upland farmers are upbeat about the abaca industry knowing the huge demand of abaca fiber here and abroad.

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velyn Cagasan, OIC Regional Director of Phil Fiber Development Authority during the First Abaca Congress in Antique said that the Philippines is a major supplier of abaca fiber/raw materials in the global market.

Antique and other provinces in Region 6 contributed to the bulk export of abaca and Western Visayas ranked no. 5 in terms of area planted with abaca and no. 7 in production of abaca in the country.

Knowing the facts, the farmers during the forum expressed their optimism to plant more, increase their production and so they could meet the increasing market demand.

At present 11 of the 18 towns in the province are engaged in abaca value chain development supported by

Antique Development Foundation and CARE Philippines which is also the Convenor of the Abaca Congress in partnership with the Provincial Government of Antique.

Governor Rhodora Cadiao on the part of the Provincial Government assured her all-out support to the abaca value chain development. She also cited the creation of the Abaca Development Council and the inclusion of the abaca value chain development to the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan.

Cadiao urged the farmers to make the most of their farmlands to plant abaca and take advantage of the huge market to earn, so they could send their children to school. I hope the abaca industry could help our sacadas (sugar migratory workers), she said.

Aside from PhilFIDA other agencies of government like Departments of Agriculture with Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP,) Environment and Natural Resources, Labor and Employment and Trade and Industry present during event committed to support the abaca industry.

Country Director David Gazashvili of CARE Philippines likewise assured the farmers to sustain their support through the Antique Development Foundation who provides capability building programs to farmers and other players of the abaca industry.

During the event two of the big export companies, Alindeco and Newtech presented their marketing strategies and on how the farmers could link with them.

(JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

DSWD to release P36-M for centenarian’s incentives Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, April 4 (PIA6) - - The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD 6) will soon award the cash incentives worth P36 million to 360 centenarians in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental province.

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udith-Tanate Barredo, Focal Person for Older Person of DSWD 6 said the DSWD Central Office has already downloaded the amount to the regional office and they are now processing the needed documents for the release of the cash incentives to intended beneficiaries.

As specified in Republic Act 10868 or the ―Centenarians Act of 2016‖, Filipinos who have reached the age of one hundred years old whether residing in the Philippines or abroad will receive awards and incentives that include a centenarian gift of Php 100,000 and a Letter of Felicitation signed by the President from the national government thru DSWD. Also, the Local Government Units (LGU) is directed to give awards and incentives wherein amount for the cash incentive will be determined by LGUs thru a resolution/ordinance.

Barredo said DSWD 6 has verified and validated some 360 centenarians in Western Visayas including Negros Occidental in 2016.

Under the law, the release of the awards and incentives is set on the first Sunday of October declared

as the National Respect for Centenarians Day (NRCD) which is in line also with the Elderly Filipino Week celebration or during the actual birthday of the centenarian.

However, Barredo said considering the age of the beneficiaries they will release the centenarian gift before the end of April for 2016 identified beneficiaries.

To date, out of the 360 centenarians listed in 2016, some 38 reportedly died already.

Centenarians who died upon the effectivity of the law will still be given a centenarian gift to be received by the nearest surviving relative/family.

For 2017, a total of 27 centenarians have been reported by the C/MSWDOs. Barredo requested M/CSWDOs to submit names of those who will be turning 100 years old in 2018 and start preparing the documents required for the availment of the awards and incentives. These include birth certificate or Philippine passport for Overseas Filipino Centenarian.

For non-availability of the primary document,

any one (1) of the following IDs may also be accepted: Senior Citizens ID card issued by the Head of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), other Philippine-government issued identification cards such as LTO –issued driver‘s license, social security cards like the GSIS and SSS, PRC license, Philippine Postal ID, COMELEC voter‘s ID, etc. showing Filipino citizenship and year of birth as a reference point for the centenarian‘s eligibility for the awards and incentives.

Any two (2) of the following secondary documents may also be accepted in the absence of primary IDs: (1) Marriage Certificate of the centenarian issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the Local Civil Registrar (2) Birth Certificate of children borne by/of the centenarian issued by the PSA of the local Civil Registrar (3) Affidavit executed by two(2) disinterested persons aged 80 years old who have personal knowledge of the centenarian‘s date or birth or actual age, (4) Old school or Employment records showing date of birth of centenarian (5) baptismal and/or Confirmation records certified by the parish church and other religious denominations, etc. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

PCOO-ASEAN School Tour gathers huge crowd

By Amor Y. Saludar CEBU CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- A total of 1,200 students from different levels in both public and private schools participated in the recently concluded Presidential Communications Operations Office – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (PCOO – ASEAN) School Tour in this city on Wednesday morning.

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ne segment of the school tour that proved popular with the students was the ASEAN Trivia. Student from participating schools showed their mastery of ASEAN facts and knowledge.

In the end, a student from the Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School beat 29 other participants in the trivia contest. Fhil Ericka Tundag, was asked to identify the capital cities of the 10 ASEAN member states and locate their continents on a makeshift map prepared by PCOO. With the help of her classmate, Tundag got three correct answers at the end of the round.

Students were also asked by the hosts to say and pronounce the greetings of the different countries in their native language. Teachers and students commended the organizers for bringing ASEAN to their schools.

Carmencita Hernandez, a teacher from Cebu City Central School, said the PCOO-ASEAN Tour is very

significant to the students because of the information that they share about ASEAN member countries. ―It gives them additional knowledge about ASEAN and the counties that are members of ASEAN,‖ Hernandez said. She added the school tour raised the student's awareness on the ASEAN meetings which were held in Cebu. ―I am very thankful that our school is invited to participate in this activity because this is very important for our students as this will give them additional knowledge and will inspire them to know more about ASEAN,‖ Hernandez concluded.

Margaret Manuel, a 13–year old first year high school student of Abellana National School, also shared her learnings from the activity.

The activity in Cebu City was considered the ―biggest‖ due to the number of participants that attended. A school tour was also conducted in the cities of Lapulapu and Mandaue participated by hundreds of students. Participating schools in Cebu City included the

Mabolo Elementary and National High School, Zapatera Elementary School, Cebu City Central Elementary and High School, Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary and High School, Abellana National School, Apas National High School, ASIAN College of Technology, Cebu Normal University, University of Cebu, University of San Carlos, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology and Cebu Technological University.

The PCOO has been going around the country for this school tour. It has previously visited Aklan, Iloilo, and Boracay.

The PCOO - ASEAN School Tour is initiated by the PCOO in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Education (DepEd) with the aim of spreading awareness about the Philippine‘s chairmanship of ASEAN 2017. (Amor Y. Saludar/PIA7)

DOST Siquijor turned over P7.5M in 2016, assisted 10 MSMEs Rizalie Anding Calibo & Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing SIQUIJOR, March 31 (PIA) – Over P7.5 million were turned over by the government to at least 10 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the province of Siquijor last year.

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n its year-end review, Information Officer designate Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing said the Siquijor provincial office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) pushed for the technological assistance of the new batch of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from among the priority sectors through the DOST - Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

With 10 MSMEs in the province as beneficiaries, DOST Siquijor has turned over checks amounting to a total of PhP7,755,178 to 10 beneficiaries.

Five firms were classified under the food processing sector, two into furniture business, one into metals and engineering sector, one into agriculture processing sector and one corporation which has business in the ICT sector, Abing said in his report.

He said that P2,440,000 or 31 percent of the total

amount were given to the food processing sector with clients, namely: Elena's Bakery and Pasalubong Center, Larena Triad Coffee Shop, Claridades Meatshop, Jainin's Cakes and Pastries and Isla Noah Ice Cream.

Likewise, P2,299,700 or 30 percent were allocated for the metals and engineering sector with GL Motors and Industries as sole beneficiary. An amount of P1,490,000 or 19 percent were also turned over to the ICT sector specifically to Siquijor Island Cable Island TV Network Systems Corporation.

The furniture sector received 15 percent of the total amount this year or PhP1,149,978 that includes NR Builders and Dongon N Balababa Enterprises as beneficiaries.

The remaining amount was allocated for the agricultural processing sector with Jutba General Merchandise as beneficiary. The total assistance received

by Siquijor's MSMEs this year was up 114 percent year on year which translates to P4,123,762.

In 2015, MSMEs in the province received a total assistance worth P3,631,416 through the same program, he said. The funds will be used by the MSMEs to procure the identified equipment and machineries as stipulated in the notarized memorandum of agreement.

Beneficiaries under the food processing category will also be able to use the funds for the laboratory analysis and packaging and labeling of their products.

In return, the beneficiaries will pay monthly the total amount for 36 months through post dated checks.

This means that the equipment procured will remain property of DOST until beneficiary opts to pay to 0.5 percent of the total assistance on the 37th month, Abing said. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST Siquijor PSTC IO-designate)

Over 5T security personnel deployed for ASEAN meet CEBU CITY, April 2, 2017 -- Over 5,000 policemen, military and other personnel from the different national government agencies will be deployed for the security and other emergency measures needed for the scheduled Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) sub-meetings in Cebu starting April 3.

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arly Sunday morning, a ceremonial send-off was held inside the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.

Senior Insp. Reslyn Abella, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said delegates as well as the media, who will be covering the event, should expect tight security measures.

"Our security details are similar to what we implemented during the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) meetings here but stricter since the country is still on terror alert. Wala pa man nag-downgrade (It was not downgraded yet)," she told the Philippine Information Agency 7.

Abella further said the public may expect high police visibility especially in Lapu-Lapu City, where the meetings will take place.

She added there will be no signal jamming that will be implemented during the week.

But, Abella noted, they may do it "depending on the prevailing circumstances".

Chief Palace Protocol Officer and Asean National Organizing Committee head Marciano Paynor urged the people who will be deployed to do their best.

"We have to do our best that we can in all of our tasks given to us and make sure that the success of the meeting is assured," he said during the send-off ceremony this morning.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, PRO-7 regional director, in a separate interview said there is no threat for the ASEAN sub-meetings here but emphasized that they are prepared for every scenario.

"Yes lahat ng scenarios napaghandaan natin yan.

Nagconduct tayo ng cotingency planning.

Paminsan-minsan merong simulations exercise to address a certain scenarios. Meron tayong team na nag-iikot at yun ang kanilang gagawin kundi check status, readiness ng mga personnel na naka deploy (Yes, we have prepared for all the scenarios. We have conducted contingency planning. We also have simulations exercise to address certain scenarios. We have a team that is

checking the status, readiness of the personnel that are deployed)," he said.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), it is expected that ministers and central bank governors from member states of the Asean are meeting this week to discuss ways of fleshing out Asean's commitments to financial integration and cooperation, against the backdrop of a new wave of protectionism and other uncertainties in the global economy.

Philippines' Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. will host the meetings at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City on April 6-7.

The meetings will also include the Asean Finance Ministers' Investors Seminar (AFMIS), an annual event that aims to provide the regional bloc's member-states with a platform to interact with investors and financial institutions, and exchange views on how to promote Asean as a regional investment destination. (rmn/clm/ PIA7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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ASEAN delegates, families treated to sites and cultural presentations PIA 7 LAPULAPU CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- Breathtaking sights and one-of-a-kind culture welcomed over 200 delegates of the ASEAN finance and defense meetings held in Cebu this week.

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pon their arrival, they were entertained with dances of the different festivals of the province, highlighted by the well-known Sinulog dance. ―The dancers are lively, we immediately feel the warmth of the Cebuanos,‖ said a family member of a Singaporean delegate. ―The beach is within reach; how can you not afford not to go to the beach when you are already here in the popular beaches of Cebu,‖ according to Rico Hizon, BBC anchor who hosted the first activity of the sub-meetings.

Most of the delegates were billeted at the ShangriLa Mactan, Be Resorts, Crimson Resort and Movenpick

Resort which are all located in the island of Mactan, or Lapu-lapu City, known for its food, sports activities and white sand beaches.According to Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-lapu City Tourism Officer, the delegates will also visit local industries including guitar makers and shell craft manufacturers.

Guitars made in Cebu are famous throughout the Philippines because of their affordable price, world-class quality and durability. The center of guitar making is in Lapulapu City. The shell craft industry, on the other hand, attracts tourists who want to bring home decors and fashion accessories made of shells.

Over all, the organizers related that these visits

were very memorable for the delegates. At the same time, these generated increases sales for local businesses.

This is the third international gathering hosted by Cebu province in three consecutive years. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) sub-meetings were held in Cebu in 2015. This was followed by the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) last year and the ASEAN Finance and Defense Ministers Meeting.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), Cebu is a favorite destination for local and foreign organizers because of its blend of urban and tourism attractions. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Bohol crime volume dips 11.56% in Jan to Feb 2017 Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) — Total crime volume in Bohol in the beginning months of 2017 is still 11.56% lower compared to the same period in 2016.

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ccording to Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Dagohoy, they noted 154 crimes less in 2017 at 1,178 for January and February while in the previous year, records showed 1,332.

Reporting for Camp Dagohoy‘s chief PSSupt.

Felipe Natividad, PS Inspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing bared that the decrease is true for both index and non-index crimes for 2017.

For 539 index crimes in 2016, by the following year, Bohol crime statisticians could only log 430 cases; this is 20.22% less with 109 crime variance.

And as to non-index crimes, despite the suspension of police in anti-drug operations, Bohol police force still managed to bring down the 793 crimes in 2016 to 748 to record a 5.67% decrease with 45 cases less.

It would have been a perfect decrease record for the Bohol police in 2017 had physical injuries been controlled, but considering the uncontrollable crime,

Police Intelligence Management Bureau has to contend with 149 cases in 2017, that is 43 cases more compared to 2016. Physical injury is the only index crime against persons which saw a significant increase.

All other index crimes against persons went down: murder at -8 cases, rape at -4 cases while homicide in January and February 2017 stayed level at 3 cases.

To index crimes against property, cattle rustling posted a 700% crime case increase in 2017 from zero cases in 2016.

All the other index crimes against property decreased: robbery at 19 cases less in 2017, theft at 105 cases less, and car theft at 23 cases less.

As to non-index crimes, traffic related incidents remain a top concern here in Bohol.

Traffic-related incidents in the first two months of 2017, despite a decrease of 78 cases from 2016, is still considerably high at 318 cases. This sums up to a daily average of 5.39 cases.

During the opening months of 2017, Bohol police pegged a crime solution efficiency of 58 percent compared to 46 percent in the previous year.

But for robbery in the first two months of 2017, of the 68 cases recorded in blotters, police pegged 15 cases as solved while 33 remain unsolved.

For murder, of the 13 cases in the opening months this year, police have solved 4 cases, another 9 cases remained unsolved. For its crime clearance efficiency (CCE), when the police posted 55% CCE in 2016, the figure got better with 61% CCE in 2017.

Inspector Dumaguing explained that for crimes when police has identified the suspects in the crime, file appropriate charges in court despite its failure to arrest the suspect, it considers the crime cleared.

Only when the police has identified the suspect, filed appropriate charges in court and has apprehended the suspect, would they consider the crimes solved. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Solon lauds PIA Info Kiosk in Dumaguete City Juju Empuerto DUMAGUETE CITY, March 31 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here has formally opened the information kiosk yesterday at Robinsons Place – Dumaguete.

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n support to the newly launched information kiosk, Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio ―Ipe‖ Remollo said that the promotion of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nation) awareness in the mall would be an innovative way to inform the public about the country‘s partnership with the ASEAN because ―the rest of the country do not know what ASEAN is.‖ Remollo also noted that ―there are more people coming to the mall than in the airport.‖ The kiosk is part of the information activities of PIA to promote ASEAN and the Philippines‘ hosting of the ASEAN Summit this year, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the association of 10-member nations.

The kiosk aims to inform the public about the necessary information regarding the presence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – its background, significance, and benefits to the country as well as access to information on local government programs and projects intended for the people in the

community.

It showcases audio-visual presentations about ASEAN 2017 and other related information materials, as well as information, education, and communication campaign materials from various government agencies, such as DTI, DFA, DSWD, Ptovincial Tourism Office, Philippine National Police among others.

Officer in Charge-Regional Director Fayette Riñen of PIA7 said that this is the fifth information kiosk that PIA had launched in Central Visayas.

The other kiosks in Central Visayas were installed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu and at the Tagbilaran City Airport Departure Lounge in Bohol.

According to Riñen, ―PIA identified the establishment of the kiosk in strategic places nationwide as an effective platform to reach out to the public. We want to generate interest about ASEAN to the kiosk para mahibaw-an sa katauhan unsa ni ka-importante ang ASEAN and how it will impact on our lives especially as we are now one ASEAN community.‖ She added that aside from generating awareness

about ASEAN, PIA wanted the kiosk to promote not only the city of Dumaguete but also the whole of Negros Oriental to the people and tourists alike.

For her part, Infocen Manager Jennifer Tilos of PIA said the Info Kiosk will run for a year or so to encourage other departments to participate and share its programs to this kiosk.

Tilos disclosed that PIA-Negros Oriental is also scheduled to hold an ASEAN multi-sectoral forum in Dumaguete City to communicate interactively the significance of the Philippines hosting regarding its participation in the ASEAN. The forum will be held after the Holy Week.

The speakers present in the event were Mary Grace Lim, manager of Robinsons Place-Dumaguete; Fayette Riñen, OIC Regional Director of PIA7; Tita Rebollos, OIC Regional Consular Officer; Dr. Angeline Gonzales, OIC Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry; Mayor Felipe Antonio ―Ipe‖ Remollo of Dumaguete City; and Jennifer Tilos of PIA Negros Oriental. (PIA7-Negros Oriental/ Angelica Mae D. Gomez, SU Intern)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

DILG confers SGLG to six Samar LGUs Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 31 (PIA) - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) awarded the local chief executives of the towns of Motiong, Basey, Daram, Catbalogan City, Villareal, and Sto Nino, Seals of Good Local Governance (SGLG).

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o less than DILG Regional Director Marivel Sacendoncillo gave out the awards assisted by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and DILG Provincial Director Judy Batulan during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting, Wednesday at the Governor‘s Conference Hall in Samar‘s capital city of Catbalogan.

The SGLG challenges local governments to pass four-core areas namely: financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order and at least any one of the following: business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental protection or tourism, and culture and the arts.

LGUs needs to continue good governance practices while providing better services, said Janice Terrado, MLGOO of Villareal, Samar.

The seal entitles the recipient LGUs to a package of incentives like access to funding of projects and other national performance-based programs. (ajc/nbq/ PIA 8-Samar)

DOST trains jail residents on soap production Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 6 (PIA) - Forty (40) inmates of the Southern Leyte Provincial Jail participated in the training on bath soap formulation and production held on April 4, 2017 at the provincial jail compound here.

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he training that was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Southern Leyte Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) was in cooperation with the prison ministry of Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Maasin City, Science Research Specialist I Vanessa Kelly J. Bariata reported. ―The training is aimed to equip participants with knowledge on bath soap production as a source of additional income and livelihood of the jail residents, Bariata quoted Engr. Florita M. Santiago, DOST Provincial Director and training resource

person.

A lecture about soap, raw materials and tools needed, covered the first part of the training, while demonstration and hands-on was conducted afterwards in which the inmates actively participated and were able to experience the actual procedure of soap making, the source said.

Livelihood trainings such as the bath soap production is part of the moral recovery program implemented by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the prison ministry to enhance the capacity and make the jail boarders productive in

preparation to their eventual reintegration to society, it was learned.

During the closing program, Bariata said that one of the inmates expressed his gratitude for the said training where they were able to participate and gain knowledge on soap making which proved to be simple and viable livelihood for the boarders.

DOST organizes and conducts S&T-based livelihood trainings and workshops for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs) and the academe. (ajc/rgc/PIA8 -SoLeyte)

A journey to a 100 years of existence Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 4 (PIA) - ―Mama Palab‖ as what her nearest kin , including her nieces and nephews called her, was born in Loon, Bohol on January 20, 1917. She just turned 100 years old last 20th of January, this year.

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n her teen-age days, Flaviana ―Mama Palab‖ Soler, migrated to Leyte at the age of 18 to find a living, first in Ormoc before going to Maasin, where she thought was still uncrowded at that time, and finding work is easier.

She got married at the age of 22 to Michael Plateros, where she got her surname ―Plateros‖ and was blessed with 2 children. Unfortunately, her first born child died at the age of 2 during World War II, and 10 years later, her husband died. She was a widow at the age of 32.

Her second child, Maximo ―Boy‖ Plateros was her companion, living with her over the years, together with Boy‘s family, Celestial, his wife and their children May Ann Celeste, a Medical Technology graduate and Jone Louise Christie who is now working in Canada.

Boy‘s family is quite well-off. His wife is a retired government employee from the provincial hospital as medical technologist. But unfortunately, Boy who served

as Kagawad in Barangay Tagnipa for around 20 years, died more than 3 years ago with prostate cancer.

His family took turns in attending to Mama Palab‘s needs.

Mama Palab was very generous to her nephews and nieces, assisting them in their studies until they graduated from college. During her relatives‘ schooling, their free time was spent in assisting at a local merchandising store called Bohol Merchant where Mama Palab earned her day-to-day living.

All of her school-assisted nephews and nieces were successful in their own fields and are now working in different government/private institutions.

Two are teachers, one working here in Southern Leyte and the othero in San Carlos University, Cebu City; another one is an employee of the Department of Agrarian Reform; a fulfilled businessman; one is an active soldier of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; an employee of the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources (DENR)-Provincial Office, among the few. They were even adopted by Mama Palab, but not legally, confided ―Ian‖ (Mary Ann Celeste) who was beside Na Palab when PIA visited for an interview.

When their local merchandising store was closed, they opened a small carenderia just near the school premises. ―Lola Palab can still manage to walk on her own, and even attend to customers at their small eatery, and give money changes to customers,‖ Ian narrated.

Mama Palab is only taking maintenance medicines for high blood pressure. Though she has a difficulty in hearing, those living within their family are already familiar to communicating with her, said Ian. As of this writing, Mama Palab was readied for an interview by the crew from PTV4 set on Saturday, April 8, 2017 for the ―Like Pinas‖ program, in which one of the features is the newly-passed centenarian law. (ajc/ rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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300 local, foreign delegates to attend LGEs conference in Catbalogan Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 31 (PIA) - The city government of Catbalogan will be this year’s host of the Conference and Executive Bureau (ExBu) meeting of the United Cities and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) on April 5-7, 2017.

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aid event is expected to draw 300 local and international delegates from around the world.

Catbalogan City mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said in a press statement that the event aims to ensure tangible actions in the commitment

towards sustainable development, climate resiliency and urban development in cities and in Asia and the Pacific.

The league of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities (LMP) along with the cities of Makati, Surigao and Catbalogan are certified members

of the organization.

The United Cities and Local Government Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) is a worldwide association of local government organizations which is recognized by the United Nations.(LGU Catbalogan/ajc/ cbaPIA8)

DA-OPAS' University on the Air program graduates 212 rice farmers Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 5 (PIA) - Some 212 rice farmers from the municipalities of Dolores, Sulat, San-Julian, Balangkayan, Maydolong and Borongan City graduated the University on the Air program of Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) on March 29, 2017 at the Provincial Gymnasium, Capitol Compound, this city.

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ccording to Dr. Deogracias Paano, Provincial Agriculturist, since the production in Eastern Samar is still inadequate, the University on the Air program of (OPAS) decided to focus its studies on rice production.

Paano disclosed that the rice sufficiency level of the province is approximately 68% only.

That‘s why it still needs to be augmented to meet the rice demand of Estehanons and that Eastern Samar will not import rice anymore from outside the province.

He also cited some reasons why the province‘s rice production remains low. He said only 14% of farmland is irrigated where rice needs approximately

30% of water and 70% other inputs for its growth. Most rice farmers in the province use rain-fed irrigation.

Another reason for this low rice production is the unclear dry and wet season which affect the system of planting rice.

Meanwhile in an interview with PIA, Ms. Elvira Torres, Assistant Regional Director for Research and Regulation, DA, Region-8 said that the University on the Air Program on rice farming in adverse conditions gears towards the Association of South East Asia Nation (ASEAN) Economic Community Integration, is a challenge to our farmers to be open to modern studies on how to manage rice, now that the effects of climate change are now being felt.

Torres added, that efforts were made to continue a study such as this program, since based on studies, radio remains to be the most effective and the best channel of communication since information is heard in the remotest area even as even when there is brown-out, radio only needs battery.

This study on the air is an instrument where rice farmers learn knowledge and information within two months. The program started in January 30 and ended March 28, 2017.

This program is made possible through the support of DA- Region-8 and DYES, Radyo ng Bayan, Borongan. (ajc/SDC/PIA8-E.Samar)

Public hearing on Maasin City’s 10-year CLUP conducted Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 4 (PIA) - After a thorough planning with city department heads and officials from Maasin City government held at the province of Bohol, a public hearing on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was conducted recently by the city government of Maasin.

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he proposed CLUP and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Maasin, is aimed to accelerate land areas for further development needs and to secure unique features while promoting also a climate -resistant communities.

In a presentation conducted by City Planning and Development Officer Engr.Othello Rich, he said that the policies formulated include the maintenance of existing mangrove forests and agriculture, protection of river banks and tourism features, among other existing environment resources and its commercial

areas.

―Maasin City is considered as vulnerable to storm surge, coastal resource management is important,‖ Rich told the participants who include all Punong Barangays in Maasin City, national line agencies concerned on environment and tourism such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources and Management Office (PENRMO), the DENR-PENRO, local agriculture office, among other concerned public including civil society

organizations-representatives.

The 10-year development concept plan of Maasin City as presented by Engr. Rich has a total of 8 cluster areas, including those already used lands and the proposed lands that are to be developed.

He assured the public the environment will be fully protected as the development will go through.

The public hearing will assist the city government officials on the implementation of the said land use plan and zoning ordinance of the city of Maasin. (ajc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

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

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

Ms. Fayette C. Riñen OIC - Regional Director, PIA 7

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices: PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children‘s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com