One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 8 20170224 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

The local seafood market in Boracay Island is 'alive and vibrant' as tourists flock D'Talipapa at Station 2 amid the island's hosting of various meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) including the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) held Feb. 20 and the Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Feb. 21. (PIA 6)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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DSWD-7 sends relief assistance to Surigao quake survivors Juju Empuerto CEBU CITY, February 17 (PIA) --- Less than a week after the 6.7 magnitude hit the province of Surigao del Norte last February 13, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) has been sending relief assistance to the earthquake survivors.

According to DSWD-7 Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana during the Kapihan sa PIA held recently at Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorported (RAFI)’s Plenary Hall this city, they have completed the shipment of 30,000 food packs to Surigao City.

Each box of family food pack is worth P360 and it contains 6 kilos rice, 4 cans sardines, 4 cans corned beef or beef loaf and 6 sachets coffee, said Quintana.

“We opted to transport the family food packs through a cargo ship and not through a plane because the runway of Surigao City airport was damaged," said DSWD-7 Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre.

DSWD-7 also sent non-food items together with the last batch of family food packs that include 5,000 mats, 5,000 mosquito nets, 5,000 blankets, 10,000 pieces malong and 900 pre

Consuelo B. Alarcon

TA CLOBA N CIT Y , Ley t e, F eb 2 1 ( PIA ) – State-run Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) in Eastern Visayas is announcing the extension of its coverage to drug users in the region who seek to withdraw from drug addiction and those children with disabilities.

The two new packages, called as medical detoxification is aimed at addressing the drug dependents in the country in response to President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign and the Z-benefit package for children with disabilities aged below 18 years old.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided In a press conference held Monday at Philhealth regional over the induction of officers of the KBP office 8, Regional Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr. said the Cebu Chapter on Friday. | via DYMR detox package amounting to P10,000 covers all the needed laboratory expenses and medication of a drug dependent.

Radyo ng Bayan Cebu.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

HEART MONTH: A healthy food fair highlights the kick-off activities of the Philippine Heart Month in Eastern Visayas held at Robinsons Mall Tacloban, February 23. The DOH-led activity advocates this year's theme,"Gulay at prutas araw-arawin; matamis, mamantika at maalat, hinay-hinayin." #HeartMonth #PartnerForChange #TenKumainments

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

-cut laminated sacks.

“At any given time, we have 30,000 stockpile of family food packs ready for immediate delivery upon request,” said Macapobre.

Macapobre also underscored that through the Visayas Disaster Response Center or VDRC, they were able to improve the storage of food packs and warehousing of food and non-food commodities.

VDRC, which is located in Barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue City, houses the custom-built mechanized production system designed to rapidly put together family food packs.

It is a continuation of the strategic partnership between the DSWD and United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) to enhance the emergency response in the Philippines.

It is funded by the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Since the operation of VDRC last year, DSWD-7 has sent relief assistance to other regions like Region 2 for Typhoon Lawin, Region 5 and Region 8 for Typhoon Nina. (rmn/jsme/PIA7 -Cebu/DSWD-7)

Philhealth EVisayas announces two new health packages

CENTRAL VISAYAS

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Feb. 20 - 26, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 8

This package can be availed of in all accredited government hospitals and in the drug abuse and rehabilitation centers that are certified by the Department of Health as well as accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Philhealth medical officer Dr. Rosario Suyom stressed that the detoxification of drug dependents is part of the government’s intervention to safely manage the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use.

However, a doctor’s recommendation is needed to avail of this package.

Meanwhile, also covered by the Z-benefit for children with disabilties are those suffering from physical disabilties such as hearing, visual, mobility impairment, among others.(ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Foreign ministers look forward to ASEAN's 50th anniv Leonard T. Pineda I BORACAY, MALAY, AKLAN, February 22 (PIA6) --- Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are looking forward to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the organization this year.

In a press briefing after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat at the Shangri-La Hotel here, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said that ASEAN's 50th founding anniversary commemorates five decades of cooperation and community building in the Southeast Asian region.

"The Ministers looked forward to the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN this year, commemorating five decades of cooperation and Community-building in ASEAN and emphasized the importance of continuing to promote initiatives that directly benefit the people of the ASEAN", he said.

He said there is a need to redouble efforts to increase intra-regional trade and further strengthen mechanisms for extending consular assistance to ASEAN nationals consistent with ASEAN’s goal for deeper regional integration, and the usefulness of tapping ASEAN think tanks to assist in charting the future direction of ASEAN. The retreat in Boracay was the first gathering of the ASEAN foreign ministers under the Philippines' chairmanship with the theme,"Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”

During the retreat, the ministers discussed the organization's six priorities: a people-oriented ASEAN, peace and stability, maritime security and cooperation, inclusive innovation-led growth, resiliency, and the ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player.

They also discussed the way forward for ASEAN Community building, including the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, especially the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, and strengthening of ASEAN’s external relations

and maintaining ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

Yasay also said that the Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern and discussed ways of promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

These issues include non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, piracy and armed robbery at sea, cybersecurity, natural disasters, climate change, irregular migration, trafficking in persons and illicit drugs, maritime security and cooperation, and developments in various regions, including the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea, among others, as well as sustainable development.

Yasay added that the Ministers agreed on the need to maintain ASEAN centrality and unity, including having a credible, collective and cohesive ASEAN response in addressing domestic and regional challenges. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay, Jr. (PIA6)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

ASEAN determined to finalize COC on South China Sea Leonard T. Pineda I BORACAY, MALAY, AKLAN, February 21 (PIA6) --- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is more determined to come up with a Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea (SCS), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

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n a press briefing, DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo said that member-nations of the ASEAN have been united in coming up with a legally binding COC and the full implementation of the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) on the South China Sea. "There is no change in the ASEAN position," he emphasized.

He said that there is more determination now to proceed and try and finalize a Code of Conduct through coming up with a framework as soon as possible and proceeding to actual negotiations on a Code of Conduct.

"So work is expected to be even more intense this year," he said.

He cited Article 5 of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

The DOC states that parties should "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability" in the disputed waters.

The DOC, however, is a non-binding document.

The COC is supposed to be a binding

document to ensure peace and stability in the SCS, parts of which the Philippines claims as the West Philippine Sea. DFA Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. will host and chair the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Boracay, Philippines, Feb. 21.

The AMM Retreat is the first meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers under the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN this year, which coi nci des wi th th e region al b l oc’ s commemoration of its 50th Founding Anniversary. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

CLMMRH East Tower to rise soon Easter Anne D. Doza NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 23 (PIA6) -- A P563-million East Tower Building will soon rise on a 1.3 hectare area at the grounds of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

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he construction of this 286-bed allocation of the hospital, including personnel, capacity building commenced recently and operating expenditure and capital outlay can only is expected to be fully operational by cater up to 400 beds versus the actual in-patients 2020. numbering to 776 East Tower Building’s 286 bed capacity Department of Health Secretary Paulyn Jean includes the 245 in-patient beds, 26 intensive/ Rosell-Ubial during her recent visit to the regional critical care units, 13 clinical stations, seven hospital was happy to see the developments in operating rooms (1 cardiovascular or and 1 the hospital, which, Ubial said is a far cry from the cardio catherization laboratory), six delivery old hospital some 10 years ago. rooms, five car elevators, rehabilitation facility, CLMMRH is the catch basin of almost 4 nutrition and dietetics and a pharmacy. million NIR populations and there are no plans of This brings to a total of 600 beds for the building another regional hospital in the island CLMMRH once operational. region according to the DOH. According to CLMMRH medical center chief “We have eco-friendly features like solar Dr. Julius Drilon, at the moment, the budget systems in selected areas, emphasis on waste

disposal and considered the over-all air condition inside the building so that we will be breathing fresh air all the time with controlled temperature” Drilon said explaining some of the features of the soon to rise East Tower Building.

Meanwhile for personal, recreational and spiritual growth of the staff, there will be a 34-beds staff transient dormitory, lounge area and prayer room.

In order to address also the needs of the staff for training capacity and research, there will be a 100-seat capacity auditorium, 3 meeting rooms and an “E-Library”.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Capiz health advocates back FOI Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 23 (PIA) – Health advocates from the different local government units as well as government and private hospitals in Capiz support President Rodrigo Duterte’s Freedom of Information.

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n a recent briefing on FOI for health educators and promotions officers and program managers of the Provincial Health Office of Capiz, they pledged their support to provide the public with accurate and timely information.

“With the FOI briefing, we are aware of what kind of information we have to and not to disclose to the public,” said PHO head Dr. Samuel Delfin.

Delfin also stressed that with the FOI, public offices like the local government units must have their policies in place in order to cater to the

information needs of the public.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 2, series of 2016 otherwise known as the Freedom of Information Order on July 23,2016.

It operationalizes in the Executive Branch the People’s Constitutional right to information and the State policies to full public disclosure and transparency in the public service.

Under the FOI order, the request for information except those specified as “Exceptions” can be made before all government

agencies under the Executive Branch, including government owned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges.

The FOI briefing was part of the quarterly consultative meeting and Program Implementation Review of the PHO-Health Advocacy and Promotion Unit for the first quarter this year.

Earlier, members of the Capiz Association of Government Public Information Officers (CAGPIO) were likewise oriented by the Philippine Information Agency here on said EO. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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ASEAN meetings in Boracay successful, peaceful, says PNP Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, 23 February (PIA6) -- The ASEAN meetings held in Boracay Island from February 13-21 were successful and peaceful, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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n a radio interview, Police Regional Office 6 spokesman Police Sr. Supt. Gilbert Gorero said no negative incidents happened during the meetings.

Security in the island had been tightened even before the ASEAN meetings for the safety of delegates with forces deployed at airports, jetty ports, highways, billeting areas, and the surrounding seas.

The PNP said the deployment of thousands of police and other force multipliers in the island is a usual standard preparation for national events. As of this writing, the Task Group Boracay ASEAN 2017 team organized by the

Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) specifically for the summit is still in Boracay Island to secure the safety of ASEAN delegates who remained for a few days in the island with their families.

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ASEC Charles Jose, in another radio interview, revealed that some foreign ministers who attended the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat expressed their interest to come back to Boracay together with their families in the future for their vacation.

ASEC Jose was in Boracay Island during the duration of the ASEAN meetings and held a

briefing with the media on the progress of the meetings together with DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo.

Media briefings/press conference were held by the DFA at the media center located at Alta Vista Hotel in Boracay, while the meetings were held at Shangrila Resort and Spa. From February 13-21, three ASEAN meetings were conducted in Boracay – the 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat, and the ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers Meeting.

(VGV PIA6 Aklan)

DOLE declares Antique barangays child labor-free Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) – Four barangays in the province was declared this year as Child Labor-Free Barangay by the Department of Labor and Employment recently.

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hese are Barangays Lumboyan and Beri in Barbaza and Guinbanga-an and Santiago in the town of Laua-an.

After the submission of requirements and series of validation, Regional Director Salome Siaton of DOLE issued a citation to these barangays as Child Labor-Free for its commitment and support to the Philippine Program Against Child Labor’s vision of a Child Labor Free Philippines through the implementation of community-based child labor program.

Provincial Director Lorraine Villegas awarded the Plaque of Recognition during the DOLE’s Orientation on Programs and

Services for Sacadas, recently in San Jose, Antique.

The child labor free barangay campaign seeks to bring down to the community level the campaign against child labor, foster common understanding on and gain public support on the issue, said Greta Saludares, Focal Person.

To further help these communities sustain their initiatives, DOLE Antique released some amount for the livelihood programs for disadvantage families whose kids are vulnerable to child labor.

Barangay Guinbanga-an, Laua-an received the amount of P510,000 for the Cattle Fattening Project involving 51 beneficiaries. For Barangay

Santiago, Laua-an, 37 families are the beneficiaries of various livelihood projects in the amount of P370,000.

A total of P550,000 was also given to Barangay Beri Barbaza for various livelihood project of 55 families while Barangay Lumboyan, Barbaza is set to avail this year.

Barangay Binanogan, Valderrama which as also declared last year s Child Labor-Free Barangay also received P600,000 for Cattle Fattening Project of 60 families.

Villegas urged the beneficiaries make the most out of their project so their children will finish their studies and will not engage in hazardous labor. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

DA6 now employs unmanned aerial system Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, 21 Feb (PIA) — For fast, reliable and technologically advanced services to farmers, the Department of Agriculture has been employing the Drone, or an unmanned aerial system (UAS) in its operations.

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ecently, according DA-6 Regional Information Unit, the department has invited the Davao UAS controllers and operators of remotely piloted aircraft to present detailed orientation on the system.

Reginald Alfred Baceros and Tjader Regis of the UAS design and build services, said that the use of drone for agriculture is commonly for damage assessment not for mapping only.

“The Drone is to address the need for the agriculture sector to generate real time information, clear data from the field and extent of damage to crops,” the UAS team said.

DA-6 Director Remelyn Recoter said UAS is designed for precision agriculture, terrain mapping and disaster mitigation as well as urban planning and land development.

“Our planning and engineering sections immensely need these, where images captured by the Drone can directly make contour maps and 30 models for simulation and planning,” Recoter said.

“This makes their job fast and precise,” she added.

For precision agriculture, the UAS is faster at 1,000 hectares per day with

only two operators needed, compared to the traditional survey that takes 30 days to complete 2,000 hectares with 12 people.

Further, the airbase observation is clear and unobstructed regardless of weather conditions and it has a geo-referenced image which pinpoints problem areas with coordinates so the men on the ground can get the exact spot immediately.

“Since it is customized, it is designed for specific requirements of the DA,” Recoter said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

SEP to energize pending non-energized sitios in northern NegOr Roi Lomotan NEGROS ORIENTAL, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- The Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO) I is waiting for the release of funds from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for the energization of 300 sitios pending for electrification in the northern part of the province under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

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ORECO-I General Manager Jose Juvileo Acabal said the power distribution firm has completed the area survey in these sitios and they are now waiting for NEA’s approval to release the funds.

In a series of forums held recently in four areas in northern Negros Oriental in cooperation with PIA, barangay officials from Bindoy and Ayungon towns asked for updates on the status of the implementation of SEP Although Acabal did not disclose the total amount needed for the electrification of these sitios, he noted that SEP remains a priority of

NEA. “Based on the pronouncement of the new NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong, the implementation of SEP will not be cut and will still continue,” Acabal said.

Acabal believes the delay in the release of funds is due the transition of the administration but he hopes that the funds will be released by 2nd or 3rd quarter of the year.

Meanwhile, Acabal reported that NORECO-I has energized more than 400 sitios from 2011 to 2016 when the SEP was implemented in full swing.

Acabal added that the last 41 sitios that are

part of their target for 2016 were energized on October and November.

On the other hand, Acabal is encouraging its member-consumers in the municipalities of Ayungon, Bindoy, and Jimalalud and in Guihulngan City to participate in the upcoming district elections for the next members of NORECO-I’s board of directors representing the aforementioned districts.

The schedule for the elections is on March 4 for Guihulngan City, March 11 for Jimalalud, March 18 for Ayungon and March 25 for Bindoy. (ral/PIA7-Negors Oriental)

Sec.Taguiwalo attends DSWD-7 anniversary celebration Juju Empuerto CEBU CITY, February 17 (PIA) --- Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo was in Cebu recently for her first official visit to keynote the 66th anniversary celebration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), bared DSWD-7 Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana.

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aguiwalo’s itinerary included the gracing of the blessing of the new DSWD-7 Regional Learning Resource Center and the new regional warehouse in Labangon and the awarding ceremony at the SM Seaside, Cebu City on February 9.

The Secretary also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) between Dilaab Foundation for the aftercare, integration and transformation of recovering drug dependents and with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for the implementation of the Lingap sa Masa, a program of the Duterte administration that provides free medicine to indigents and needy government workers.

Taguiwalo also witnessed the signing of the Terms of Reference between the Department of Science and Technology-7 (DOST-7) for the storage of product test samples of ready-to- eat

(RTE) smoked fish rice meal in pouch for disaster response.

During her speech, the DSWD chief assured MOA workers will get more benefits aside from the recent gratuity pay to be released this month.

Taguiwalo, who was Founding National President of the All University of the Philippines Academic Employee Union and a founder of All-UP Workers’ Alliance, only wished she could provide job security to cost of service employees of DSWD citing that there are MOA workers who have been with the agency for more than 10 years.

“But as you know, the power does not lie with me but with the DBM,” she said.

Taguiwalo assured the MOA workers that they will also benefit from second tranche of the Salary Standardization Law on top of the 10 percent premium, that elicited strong applause

from the crowd.

“We hope to do more with the consent of the President to ensure that our MOA workers will receive more benefits while regular workers are promoted base on their accomplishments,” she said.

Taguiwalo thanked everyone especially the partners who helped DSWD in delivering its various programs and services.

“I stand proud with all of you today as we look back to the successes of the past year,” she said.

Taguiwalo also reiterated Pres. Duterte’s instructions: “We are here not to lord over the people but to serve them.”

The Freeman, DYHP and Cebu Catholic Television Network were the recepients of the 2016 Gawad Ulat Award. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ DSWD-7)

Amlan aims to be a tourism hub in NegOr Roi Lomotan AMLAN, Negros Oriental, Feb. 17 (PIA) – The municipal government of Amlan aims to make the town another tourism hub for Negros Oriental with the development of its latest tourist attractions.

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unicipal Administrator Erwin Dela Cruz announced in a briefing with members of the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers (ANOPIO) that the local government has partnered with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the development of Amlan Boulevard.

TIEZA has allocated P13 million for the improvement of Amlan Boulevard which will be turned into a tourism center with the establishment of a Marina Yacht Club and launching of its two dive sites.

Aside from this, there are also plans to make the Amlan Boulevard a site for water sports.

This project is expected to be launched by mid-summer or early May. “The launching is set on mid-summer. There was a little delay (on the launch) because of the Amihan weather right now,” Dela Cruz noted.

Apart from this, improvements for the town’s Dreamland Nature and Adventure Park are on the pipeline.

Dela Cruz disclosed that additional attractions will be added in the theme park such as pools, accommodations, and rides such as giant swing and roller coaster zipline.

Aside from this, additional animals will be brought to the animal kingdom of the theme park later this year.

Amlan’s Dreamland Nature and Adventure

Park is a private-public partnership project between the local government and the Amlan Dreamland Themepark Development Corp.

“We are hopeful that Amlan will become a tourism hub because it’s in the center of the province. It’s not too far from Apo Island, Bais City and Oslob in Cebu,” Dela Cruz said.

On the other hand, the local government official pointed out in the forum that the municipal government values ecological protection in its tourism development programs.

“All our programs are patterned on ecological protection. All our resources are utilized to protect the environment,” he stressed. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Recruitment agency violating labor laws

5 staff

nabbed

for

Juju Empuerto CEBU CITY, February 16 (PIA) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-7) operatives arrested yesterday three personnel of a local recruitment agency in an entrapment operation.

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ccording to DOLE-7 Labor Com m u n i cat i on Of f i cer L u ch el Taniza, Feljobs Manpower Services located at M.L. Quezon Street, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City has a license as a private recruitment and placement agency that expired in 2014 and yet they continued with their recruitment activities that constituted illegal recruitment.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga said they have started monitoring the activities of the recruitment agency since October 2016.The head of the DOLE’s Mediation Arbitration and Legal Service Unit (MALSU), Atty.

Roy Buenafe, who took the lead of conducting close monitoring on the establishment, bared that after paying the P850 for the identification card and the pre-employment medical examination, applicants were told to wait, leaving most of them uncertain whether they would eventually land a job or not.

On February 5, 2017, Feljobs published and posted on an online job website another recruitment advertisement.

DOLE -7 immediately coordinated with CIDG-7 on February 8 through their Regional Director Supt. Royina Marzan Garma.

On February 13, DOLE, represented by Atty. Buenafe and three labor laws compliance officers (LLCOs), were joined by CIDG-7 operatives for final briefing of the entrapment.

Three personnel of Feljobs were arrested during the entrapment after receiving marked money.

All documents and arrested personnel are now in the custody of CIDG-7 for inquest proceedings.

Per their assessment, it was discovered that Fit2Job Manning and Staffing Services Corporation is a Department Order (D.O. 18-A) registrant and at the same time operating under the name of Feljobs Manpower Services.

Feljobs is also using its license to operate as a private recruitment and placement authority (PRPA) in its business operation.

“The applicants of Feljobs were made to provide their names and other personal

information in a personal data sheet using the letterhead, Feljobs Manpower Services. The same applicants were later on referred to Fit2Job for posting or deployment,” he said.

Fit2Job, Feljobs’ branch office, is located in Mandaue City.

Under DOLE’s assessment, Feljobs was found to have engaged itself in canvassing, enlisting, utilizing, hiring and procuring workers and referral, contract servicing, promising and advertising for local employment for profit to more or less than 500 individuals with an expired PRPA license.

Apart from illegal recruitment and illegal exaction of money from applicants, other violations noted included the following, namely: (1) no proof of remittance on SSS, Philhealth, and PAG-IBIG contributions and (2) no payroll, daily time Record (DTR), and pay slips specifically for the period of January to December 2016.

DOLE is now monitoring four other recruitment agencies which might also be engaged in illegal activities. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DOLE-7)

PNP: Police operations lead to more arrests in NegOr Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Feb. 15 (PIA) – The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO) here bared that police-initiated operations resulted to more arrests under its flagship programs in the month of January this year.

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n a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting recently, PSupt. Carlos Lacuesta of NORPPO reported its accomplishment on flagship program which include campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms, and illegal gambling.

Under the Revised Penal Code and Special Laws such as enforcement on Republic Act 9165 or Anti-Illegal Drugs campaign, Col. Lacuesta said a total of 40 drug personalities were arrested and 49.3 grams of shabu and 6.61 grams of marijuana confiscated with a total value of P493,330.50.

Under Republic Act (RA) 9287, or campaign against illegal gambling, the police arrested six persons with total bet money confiscated at P530.

For the campaign against loose firearms or RA 8294, PNP arrested five persons and recovered and confiscated eight firearms.

However, Lacuesta said with the termination of anti-illegal drug operations of the PNP effective January 31, NORPPO will be more focused in addressing the seven focused crimes including rape in the province of Negros Oriental, as mandated by higher office.

He also reported the total crime volume of

628 was committed for January with a breakdown of 219 index crimes and 187 non-index crimes including 126 crimes under special laws and 96 traffic related incidents.

The most prevalent index crime is physical injuries with 82 incidents, followed by theft with 75 incidents, robbery with 25, murder with 20, carnapping and homicide with five each and cattle rustling with one incident.

However, Lacuesta cited that Negros Oriental remains to be one of the most peaceful places in the region. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Naga info officers undergo writing workshop Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, February 17 (PIA) – More than 20 Naga City Information Officers recently underwent a Basic English and News Writing Workshop initiated by the Public Information Office (PIO).

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or one day, the information officers who came from the different offices of City Hall and some from the local national government agencies, listened to speakers who were invited to hone their reporting and writing skills.

City of Naga PIO Jessica Banzon-Natad discussed about Basic English followed by a workshop wherein the Office Information Officers (OIOs) were made to interact with each other.

They were asked to make a short story on

the relevance of the discussion and the workshop.

“You write as you speak, write to express and not to impress,” Natad said.

In the afternoon, Basic News Writing was handled by Philippine Information Agency Cebu Information Development Officer Ferliza C. Contratista.

After her lecture, the PIOs were made to write a news about the event.

The second part was in groups who were tasked to compose a news story, based on the given sentences.

The overall objective of the workshop is to enable the PIOs to identify the worthy stories in their respective departments.

Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong, in her closing remarks, said information plays a vital part in governance.

She encouraged the PIOs to keep the Facebook Page and other social media platforms.

She also supports the upcoming City newsletter. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/Aladin de Gracia, Naga City Health OIO)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

PSA-Leyte undertakes monthly for industry performance indicators

survey

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, February 23 - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is conducting the 2017 Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) and the Producer Price Survey (PPS) to provide planners and policy makers in both government and private sectors with timely flash indicators on the performance of growth-oriented industries in the manufacturing sector,

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he MISSI and PPS are designated statistical activities undertaken monthly by PSA which gathers data on employment, compensation, production, net sales, inventories and capacity utilization.

For 2017, four sample establishments in Leyte will be included in the survey, namely, PASAR Corporation in Isabel, HIDECO Sugar Milling Company Inc. in Kananga, Tacloban Oil Mills Inc. in Tolosa, and Pulp Specialties Philippines Inc. in Albuera.

Data collection activities has started on the second week of February

and the statistical researchers will be visiting these establishments on a monthly basis to gather necessary information.

Moreover, these surveys are being used also for the generation of Producer Price Index (PPI) and the data will be used as inputs to monitor the business cycle of key manufacturing sectors of the economy.

Results of the MISSI and PPS are scheduled to be released 35 days after the reference month.

The PSA, through its Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System, granted the clearance, on November 8, 2016, in the conduct

of the above-mentioned surveys.

PSA enjoined sample establishments to actively support and cooperate said undertaking.

All information gathered shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except a uthorized provincial statistical personnel.

For more information, please call ( 0 5 3 ) 8 3 2 - 1 4 9 5 , e - m a i l to psaleyte@yahoo.com, or visit PSA Leyte at Leyte SR Bldg, Artemio Mate Drive, Rizal Ave. Ext., Abucay, Tacloban City. (ldl/ PSA-Leyte/PIA-8)

Basaynons receive cash benefits for Typhoon Yolanda Ninfa B Quirante BASEY, Samar, Feb 20 (PIA) — Almost a thousand Basaynons will receive cash from the office of the Civil Defense (OCD) as financial assistance for the dead and the injured in the height of Typhoon Yolanda a few years ago.

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n a report filed by Mercy Caboboy, Information Officer of Basey local government, she said that the processing and release is now going on until Feb 22 at the municipal gym.

She added that there are four dead victims whose surviving heirs may claim Php 10 thousand while some 927 injured will get Php 5 thousand pesos.

ocuments forwarded were barangay certification, municipal disaster risk reduction management officer (MDRRMO) certification and death certificate for death claims.

As for the injured they submitted a barangay certification, a medical certification and an MDRRMO certification.

Right after the typhoon, OCD already distributed cash assistance to other beneficiaries,

some belong to barangay Jinamoc, an islet just ten minutes off Basey.

To date, the OCD has released some Php 87 M financial assistance for those injured and the surviving heirs of those who died in the hands of Typhoon Yolanda.

The OCD in a statement said that this will be the last batch of beneficiaries for Typhoon Yolanda. (aja/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Coastal bypass road to rise in Maasin City Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte , Feb. 20 (PIA) – Maasin City will get an alternative link to the commercial district through a 4.71-kilometer coastal bypass road with reclamation component meant to ease traffic woes and expand the city’s development.

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epartment of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia said the planned road which cost P1.5 billion, will get an initial budget of P50 million this year.

One of the key infrastructure projects in Eastern Visayas, the proposed road will connect the city’s commercial center in Lib-og village to nearby populated village of Mambajao. It will traverse the coastal areas of Abgao, Tunga-Tunga, and Combado barangays, Junia informed.

It was learned that the preliminary release was strongly lobbied by Rep. Roger Mercado for

inclusion in the 2017 appropriations, and will be used for the preparation of feasibility study for multi-year implementation, initial road construction, and some slope protection.

“The main roads leading to the city center are already congested even if those roads are restricted to one lane,” Junia quoted, referring in particular to R. Kangleon and Tomas Oppus Streets. “We cannot expand to the other side of the city since it’s mountainous,” she added.

Maasin, a fourth class city and capital of Southern Leyte province, has a land area of 211.70 square kilometers with a population of 85,560.

The city’s terrain is characterized by relatively flat lands along the coastal plains where population areas lay, and becomes rugged and mountainous towards the interior.

It was learned further that DPWH Southern Leyte proposed budget for the project in 2018 is P200 million. Releases in the next years will mainly depend on the outcome of feasibility study, which will be completed within the first half of the year.

The project is in compliance to Secretary Mark Villar’s directive to decongest traffic through construction of by-pass roads in populated areas, DPWH chief reported. (ajc/rgc/ PIA8-SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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DepEd reminds schools of a simple, meaningful year-end rites Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 24 (PIA) - The Department of Education (DepEd) – Southern Leyte Division has announced the schedule of school year-end rites for 2017, reminding schools’ officials, among others, to make graduation ties simple, yet meaningful.

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he report said that the 2017 ceremonies shall focus on the theme dubbed as, “Sabay-Sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” which highlights the importance of the concerted endeavour and collaborative efforts of the stakeholders and learners in achieving the shared vision of quality, accessible, relevant education for all.

It also emphasizes the significance of unity in

forging a better and progressive future for the Filipino youth, it added.

The graduation rites is set to be held on or before April 7, 2017, though those schools divisions or regions with an extended school year, will have to be guided by their approved revised school calendar, the source added.

It was made clear that graduation ceremonies should be made simple but meaningful

which will encourage civil rights, a sense of community and personal responsibility. “These should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire or extraordinary venue,” the education department quoted.

It was bared that expenses relative to the activity in public schools should be charged to the school maintenance and other operating expenses. (ajc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Feature: Samar needs to protect its blue swimming crabs Ninfa B Quirante CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb 17 (PIA) — Somebody must save the blue swimming crabs of Samar.

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his seems to be the battle cry of a group of researchers, fisherfolks and some Samarnons as they embark together on a mission of saving Samar Crabs.

Jesus Racuyal, Director of the Center for Fisheries Aquatic Resources Research and Development (CFFARRD) presented in his proposal the status of the diminishing supply of blue swimming crabs (aka karawasan) in the sea waters of Samar.

He claims that the blue swimming crabs are priced dearly because of its high nutritive value and is considered one of the export winners of Samar, as processed crabmeat.

Recently though, researchers from the Samar State University discovered the dramatic decline in the supply of blue swimming crabs in Samar.

The report said that its peak reached in 2005 when fisherfolks collected some 5,817

metric tons of crabs valued at P.545 M but the same steadily declined until 2015 when it registered only 1,650 metric tons valued at Php .214 M. The situation alarmed the academe that the center for fisheries proposed a study for research and development, and most of all to create an awareness of the decline and for people to collectively effect corrective measure and actions before the collapse of the crab fishery industry.

There too is a clamor as Samar's poor depend on fishing for their livelihood.

Eastern Visayas Region (8) was ranked 2nd to Region lV of the highest regional crab producer of the country, which contributed 21.46% of the total marine municipal production of blue swimming crabs according to Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS study, 2007).

Maqueda Bay, which faces most of Samar has been considered a very rich fishing ground with highly diverse living aquatic fishery resources.

Recently though some Samarnons showed very poor disregard to fishery laws and engaged in destructive fishing mode like trawl and blast fishing.

The sustainability of blue swimming crab resource has now become a critical issue because researchers believe that no stock assessment and aspects on Biology have been documented.

This is what this group proposes, that further study on the stock assessment be done while pushing authorities to implement fishery laws to the hilt.

As the group launches Save Samar Blue Swimming Crab today, kind souls pray that Samarnons realize the need to protect the marine species that sustain them. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Biliran Provincial Family Park soon to re-open Mary Lailani P. Tupaz NAVAL, Biliran, February 16 – The provincial government of Biliran will soon re-open to the public the Provincial Family Park located in Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran, Governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr., said in a telephone interview.

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he family park is composed of a smaller pool and one Olympic size swimming pool which was used in the recently concluded EVRAA Meet 2017, February 5-10, hosted by the provincial government jointly with the Department of Education (DepEd) Biliran Schools Division Office.

However, Governor Espina said, the area is now temporarily closed for public entry and pools drained for general servicing and installation of amenities for relaxing families and visitors.

Six portable water filtrations are set to be provided to maintain clean swimming pool water. Kiosks will be installed within the area to shelter and serve guests and visitors.

A circumferential fence will also be constructed to protect the area from vandals and control public entry, he added.

Aside from these added facilities, the provincial government mindful of the safety and security of guests and visitors, will include the provision of lifeguards and maintenance staff in the newly rehabilitated facility.

The target date on the completion of the general servicing of the park is on or before summer where many are on vacation looking for a convenient place to rest and relax, according to Gov. Espina.

Once completed, the facility will be turned-over to the Provincial Tourism Office for maintenance and management of the facility, Gov. Espina added.

The family park was constructed some 20 years ago and was used in the 1995 EVRAA Meet where Biliran was also the host province. (ajc/FJ/mlt/PIA8-Biliran)

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