One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 31 20170804 r6

Vol 7

Issue 31

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Student cadets of the Iloilo Merchant Marine School know more about the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) through the 'BagongPIA' video primer shown during the ASEAN forum held August 3, 2017, in the school's Audio Visual Room.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

July 31- August 6, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Siquijor congressman says ASEAN to boost revenue, tourism in the island Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) – Siquijor lone district representative, Congressman Ramon Vicente Antonio “Rav” Rocamora lauded the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for providing the people of Siquijor with crucial information on the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In his message during the recent put-up of the PIA Information Kiosk at the Passenger Terminal Building at the sea port of Larena, Siquijor, Cong. Rocamora said that with efforts to further strengthen regional cooperation, the Philippines is poised to reap the benefits of integration.

“For Siquijor province, the immediate impact of a stronger ASEAN is a boost in revenue and investment in tourism,” he said.

He also said he is confident that this potential will be realized especially with the continued economic growth that our country is experiencing.

Citing the Philippines as currently the chair of the regional body through President Rodrigo Duterte., he said it is important that the public is aware of the huge impact that the ASEAN has on our country.

“I hope that more initiatives such as this which improve our constituents' access to significant information on services and policy will continue,” he added.

The Information Kiosk in Larena is the second in Siquijor and the 10th launched in Central Visayas.

The first kiosk for the province was set up and launched in April at the Passenger Terminal Building of the sea port of Siquijor, Siquijor.

The Information Kiosks contain information, education and communication materials on ASEAN, Freedom of Information (FOI), tourism and public safety brochures and flyers and other

programs and services of the government.

They also serve as the venue for the national agencies and the local government units to inform the public of their various platforms, programs and projects for the people through the information education materials provided.

The kiosks in Siquijor province are established through the collaborative effort of the local government units (LGUs) and the information officers of the different local and national government offices composing the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID), particularly the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) where the two kiosks are installed. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Congressman Ramon Vicente Antonio “Rav” Rocamora.

3 Eastern Visayas LGUs to join ASEAN landmark lighting A press conference is held recently in a launching of World Maritime Academy & Training Center at Maayongtubig, Dauin. Guests & incorporators (l-r): Capt. Albert Alde, President of WMATCI; TESDA -NIR representative; Capt. Felix Romo, chair & founder of World Maritime Academy; Capt.

Minos Yannopoulas, Director, Friendly Maritime Services Inc.; and Dauin Mayor Neil Credo.

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 1 (PIA) –Three local government units in Eastern Visayas signified to join the nationwide Landmark Lighting Activity on August 8, 2017, in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

These are the municipalities of Palo and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban, all in Leyte province.

The city government of Tacloban spearheaded by Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez has lined up various activities to include division poster & slogan making contest, ASEAN Quiz bee, and ASEAN street parade around the main streets of the city to be highlighted by the Landmark Lantern Lighting at 7 o‟clock in the evening at Kanhuraw Hill followed by a fireworks display to mark the culmination of the activity.

Cash prizes, certificates and trophies await the winners of the various contests and participants of the parade where special awards will be given, such as Best in Costume, Best in Attendance and Jolliest Group.

Aside from Tacloban, it is also expected that various activities will be conducted in the municipality of Palo under Mayor Remedios L. Petilla, and Ormoc City under Mayor Richard Gomez.

Such event will be participated by various schools of the city and the 134 barangays of Tacloban.

As governments within the ASEAN continue to work together, the goal is to not only make an economically stronger and more peaceful region, but a safer one for all of its citizens.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam then joined on January 7, 1984, Viet Nam on July 28, 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.(PIA8/ ajc/cba)

WV prioritizes four infra projects Easter Anne D. Doza SPARK Samar TOURISM & Agri-Trade Fair at the Provincial Covered Court, Capitol Grounds, Catbalogan City, August 1-5, 2017.

An effecti ve p romo tio nal tool of our handicrafts, crops & processed food products.Showcases the various products of every municipalities in the Province of Samar. (dpl/DTI)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA6) – The hyped Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration has listed four priority projects for Western Visayas amounting to about P97-billion.

According to the National Economic Development Authority 6, four big ticket infrastructure projects which are part of the overall Philippine Public Investment Program particularly the Core Investment Program.

NEDA6 chief economic development specialist of the Project Development Investment, Programming and Budgeting Division Engr. Gilberto Altura in a press conference said the allocations include three projects in Panay and one project in Negros Occidental.

These projects include the Improvement of the Iloilo Airport about P30-Billion; Panay-Negros-Guimaras bridges about P27-Billion; the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project roughly at P20-Billion; and the Improvement of Bacolod Silay Airport about P20-Billion.

The Philippine Public Investment Program that identifies the core investment program and lists down priority projects that the government is committed to undertake is a companion document of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

“The Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges is in the priority list and Chinese investors are now conducting feasibility studies not just on Panay to Guimaras and onwards to Negros at the same time the interconnectivity of the whole of Visayas as part of the government‟s plan,” Altura said.

Meanwhile, NEDA 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal disclosed that the Bacolod Silay Airport will soon start catering to international flights in anticipation for more tourists and visitors in Western Visayas while community airports in Kabankalan, San Carlos and Antique will also be developed.

“They are in various stages of studies. It is the priority of the Duterte administration that these projects will also be finished within his term,” Bacal added. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

Chinese investors visit Bacolod for business opportunities Easter Anne D. Doza BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA6) - - A 20-member delegation of Chinese investors visited the city to look for possible investment opportunities and trade exchanges.

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leven of the 20 delegates came from Shan Tou, two from Tian Jing, three from Guang Zhou, one from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and three from Manila who belong to ChaoShan Youth Chamber.

Kevin Lim, president of the Philippine-Chinese ChaoShan Youth Chamber of Commerce said that Bacolod is a beautiful place with charming scenery, rich culture, and kind people filled with opportunities, a release from the city Public Information Office said.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran in his welcome message said Bacolod City, the Philippines top model city, would not be the city it is today, if not for the visionary investors who all bravely believe in the capacities of the city‟s workforce, consumers and of its local government unit.

“The LGU takes care of the investors‟s businesses, valuing their profits, and respecting their rights as investors,” Familiaran said adding Bacolod is a great terrain for business and investments.

These investors were taken on a tour to various tourism attractions and possible investment sites around the city after the courtesy call and welcome program hosted by the city.

Interior Undersecretary and Bacolodnon Jesus “JV” Hinlo of the said the visit of Chinese investors is the result of the Provincial Tourism Summit held in Bacolod City on May 14 that was attended by Lim, brought the delegation of potential investors to Negros Occidental and Bacolod. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

PRDP Projects get geotagging Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, 1 Aug (PIA) — Five agricultural projects under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) in the province of Iloilo received geotagging.

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ccording to Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo in a radio interview, the technology makes it easier for them to check on the status of the projects.

Geotagging, an initiative of the World Bank, is used to monitor the progress of programs in the local hovernment units.

The projects where the technology is applied are, Feedlot Cattle Fattening for Barangays Purog and Jagdong in Dueñas; Production and Marketing of Vermicompost at Zone 5, Bingawan; Goat Production for Sustainable Livelihood for Barangays

Inagdangan Norte and Sur, Zarraga; Swine Fattening Project in Sitio Iloco, Poblacion, San Rafael; and, Piglet Production and Marketing Enterprise in Barangay Matag-ob, Janiuay.

“With geotagging technology, the management is able to see the condition, before, during and after the implementation of the project,” Toledo said.

The farmer associations received the livelihood component of the PRDP while the cooperatives of Janiuay, San Rafael and Zarraga already received their first tranche of

checks.

The checks are from the loan proceeds from World Bank, and counterparts from the Department of Agriculture and the Iloilo Provincial Government.

“We are formulating a business plan for about P42 to P45 million swine project to be funded by the PRDP. Toledo said he has a staff particularly assigned to manage the website as they do monitoring and documentation for the “geotagged” projects. (JCM/ ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Aklan registers increase in tax collections Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, July 30 (PIA6) -- As far as the locally-sourced revenue is concerned, Aklan is in a good place, according to Governor Florencio T. Miraflores.

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iraflores shared this good news during his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered at the New Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan Building right after its inauguration and blessing, with no less than Senator Cynthia Villar, guest speaker in the inauguration, in attendance.

The governor broke to the audience, composed of Aklan officials, provincial department heads, heads and representatives of national government offices, various sectors and the media – the state of the province‟ coffers in three statements.

First, he revealed that the Provincial Treasurers Office was able to collect P100.3 million pesos in taxes from January to December 2016, registering a significant increase from the 2015 tax collection of P95.9 million pesos.

Next, the governor said that based on the 2017 first semester performance, the province‟ real property tax collections increased by P10.2 million pesos as compared to that of 2016, which means a collection efficiency of 51%.

Lastly, the Real Property Tax collections for

the whole calendar year of 2016 in the amount of P28.9 million pesos has already been surpassed with just the present year‟s January to June performance of P30.4 million pesos.

Miraflores said these figures would not have materialized if not for the efficient conduct of appraisal activities, timely processing of real property assessment transactions and aggressive collections.

“A major part of our collection was also the product of a good number of reminder and demand letters to our taxable individuals and entities”, the governor said.

“Some may have been stressed about it and paid in protest, but let me appeal to all, that at the end of the day, your provincial government is just doing its job and that taxpayers are our indispensable partners for progress,” the governor added.

As the province‟ tax collections only represent half of the equation, the governor shared that on the part of Economic Enterprise Development Department or EEDD, a revenue generation of P534.8 million pesos for the whole year of 2016 was

recorded. Comparing the January to June revenue of this year and that of 2016, the governor said it was already surpassed by P2.5 million.

The continuous improvement of the Caticlan and Cagban Jettyports and passenger terminal also produced P329.2 million for 2015 and P382.5 million for 2016.

Other provincial earnings were generated through the province‟ new ventures, like leasing an idle property that gained P3 million in rental income, and improving the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center (GCLCTTC), which earned rentals of P1.5 million in 2015 and P2.7 million in 2016.

These innovative ventures, according to the governor, will add vibrance to the economic landscape of Kalibo and making the area into a commercial strip with very promising revenue-generating potential.

“It will also open up employment opportunities in sync with the job generation initiatives of the provincial government of Aklan”, the governor said.

(JSC/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Antique products soon in malls, supermarkets Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Aug. 1 (PIA6) - - Local Entrepreneurs are happy to hear that the Provincial Government will find means so their products be displayed in malls and supermarkets in the province.

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overnor Rhodora Cadiao speaking before the local entrepreneurs during the Kapatid Mentor Me program graduation rites at Robinsons Mall San Jose said that she will find ways to ensure Antique products are displayed in malls and big stores in Antique.

The governor said this getting the hint from Atty. Leny Raz, Director of Intellectual Property Office who also graced the occasion and suggested that products of micro, small and medium enterprises should be given a space in big establishments as a marketing support for

them.

Cadiao further encouraged the MSMEs, graduates of Kapatid Mentor Me program to go out of their comfort zone, work hard and level up their products and services with the assurance of support from the provincial government.

She likewise lauded DTI, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and local business owners who served as mentors that helped the 24 mentees all micro/ small entrepreneurs to learn new ways of upgrading their business and become competitive.

The Provincial Government is optimistic that the mentees will soon become mentor themselves and help other micro entrepreneurs to grow and well-off just like their mentors now.

The mentees are also encouraged to do better and become inspiration to others.

This collective undertaking of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Go Negosyo and DTI with the slogan “Kapatid Angat Lahat” gave emphasis on helping MSMEs grow and be part of the value chain, said Paul Anthony de Guzman, PCE Kapatid Mentor. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

Trade Expo garners P601-T sales Alex A. Lumaque ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 31 (PIA6) – A cumulative sales of P601,366.50 was registered by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office in a four-day Trade Expo last July 20 to 23 at Robinsons‘ Place – Roxas in view of the 2017 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week celebration.

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Craft marked the most purchased goods with 41.37 percent of the total sales,” said a DTI news about the selling event.

The last day of trade expo obtained the highest sales at P248,769.00.

Thirty Five (35) MSMEs from food, craft and horticulture sectors showcased better-quality Capizeño products.

“DTI and its partners are committed in assisting these micro entrepreneurs and involve them in countryside development,” said DTI provincial

director Ermelinda P. Pollentes in a statement during the opening of the Trade Expo.

The 2017 MSME Week Trade Expo is part of DTI‟s initiative to further intensify assistance to MSMEs and achieve the goals of poverty alleviation and job generation at the grassroots level.

It was the highlight of the week-long celebration and was in coordination with the Provincial Government of Capiz, Provincial Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Council

(PMSMEDC), Capiz Integrated Food Producers Association Inc. (CIFPA), Samahang Industriyang Pangkabuhayan at Pag-asa (SIKAP), Capiz Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CMPC), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Roxas Chapter (PCCI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz/DTI)

Iloilo students train as E-Cadets Leonard T. Pineda I ILOILO CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA6) --- Over 336 students from different colleges and universities recently converged at the University of Iloilo to participate in the UREKA E-Cadet Program to learn more about e-commerce, digital marketing, and personal

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ames Ileto, UREKA executive director, said that the E-Cadet Program, brought by UnionBank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and its consortium partners, is the first of its kind e-commerce training for college students, which aims to teach them the dynamics of setting up an online business.

“We‟re enabling students with the UREKA e-commerce platform so they can help MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) in the region,” he said.

The program involves onboarding and converting traditional entrepreneurs from the "brick and mortar" business model to "brick to click",

via a complete and one-stop online shop setup.

“We would like to have the students to have the e-commerce platform readily available as a tool for them to help activate MSMEs,” he said.

The program also covers how to recruit SMEs, and the process of setting them up online on a full-serviced platform, complete with a payment gateway and a logistics partner.

He said that this initiative not only supports the Department of Trade and Industry‟s mandate to deliver 100,000 SMEs to e-Commerce by year 2020, but also to help students have a viable source of income in the near future.

“If we teach them how to enable the MSMEs or even their own business hopefully this will help spread the e-commerce advocacy faster,” he said.

He said that UREKA has also initiated a competition to further motivate the students in establishing their businesses online.

“What we‟ll do is we made a contest for them, so the students with the most number of activations by the end of December will have a chance to win P100,000, second place is P50,000, and third place is P25,000,” he explained.

He added that they will be conducting the same competition for the MSMEs. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

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

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

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

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

They also collect and compiles data for analysis to come up with statistical information relating to economics, social, demographic and general condition of the people in communities.

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

These surveys also make the data on the various

aspects of socio economic life including agriculture, industry, trade, finance, prices and marketing information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bohol Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional

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

T h e se se ssi on s w o ul d e n d a f ter th e agri-entrepreneurs, now called mentees, complete the modules designed to empower them to be successful in their agri business fields.

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

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

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

As this happened, the Department of Trade and

industry in Bohol along with the PCE and Go Negosyo has also successfully completed the KMMP for micro, small, and medium enterprises mentoring modules in Bohol.

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

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

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

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

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

Local journalists encouraged to join 11th Bright Leaf Awards Roi Lomotan DUMAGUETE CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- Local media practitioners are encouraged to submit entries for this year‘s 11th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards.

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

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

Although PMFTC Inc. is a known cigarette manufacturer in the Philippines, its Director for External Affairs Bayen Elero-Tinga cited that the company is connected with the agriculture sector having around 4, 800 tobacco farmers all over the country directly contracted by PMFTC. “We could say that aside from being a cigarette manufacturer and distributor, we consider ourselves as an agriculture company,” Tinga said during the press briefing.

“Being an agriculture company, we believe that, to a great extent, the public also has to be educated on what‟s happening in the agriculture industry. By having the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards, we want to encourage journalists from all over the country to write about the challenges that are facing the industry and the opportunities also,” Tinga added.

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

Year,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Santiago invites journalists in Negros Oriental to

participate in the competition.

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

The deadline for submission of entries is on September 1, 2017 and winners will be announced on November 17, 2017.

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

Asked if the Bright Leaf Awards is on track in achieving its objective, Santiagosaid: “For awareness, yes.

We have promoted and we have shown po iyong mgastory.

For awareness we know we have gone so far in going around cities and provinces. By the end of the day, gusto pa rin to really highlight the importance of agriculture.”

Santiago hopes that through this initiative, media practitioners will be encouraged to report more stories on agriculture.

“It‟s not (boring), it‟s beautiful going out in the provinces and knowing what‟s happening in the barrios among our fisherfolks, our farmers. It is really a great opportunity to really write,” Santiago cited.

“Since we are in the provinces and we know there are a lot of good stories in the provinces about agriculture. Let‟s write more about it,” she said. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Bohol kids teach DOE dad solar lamp assembly Rey Anthony Chiu PANGLAO, Bohol (PIA) -- Two Grade VI pupils of Lourdes Elementary School (ES) here taught Department of Energy (DOE) Usec. Felix Fuentebella the rudiments in assembling a one-watt solar lamp as the government, with the Liter or Light Foundation, brings the Liter of Light Workshop for Boholanos on July 20 to 21.

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

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

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

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

Both Suganob and Bompat are part of the 34 Lourdes

ES kids who trained with electronics teachers, explained Bohol Department of Education (DepED) School Governance Division Chief Desiderio Deligero.

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

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

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

Liter of Light, a non-government organization founded

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The award, in recognition for having displayed and demonstrated innovation, ingenuity and investment in environmental protection, conservation and management, is the PCG's first and Bohol's second.

Last year, Bohol won the Gawad Tugas for its patent issuance program.

The Gawad Tugas Award aims to recognize institutions that have made significant and outstanding contribution in the protection, conservation and management of environment and natural resources.

Every year in the last two years, the DENR awardees were selected based on advancement, support and innovations on the country‟s environmental mandate,

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

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

It may be recalled that the PCG Panglao substation was instrumental in the arrest and recovery of over a thousand board feet of illegally cut Philippine iron wood (Xanthostemon verdugonianus Naves) or more popularly known as mankuno.

Mankuno is considered among the hardest hardwood in the country, and these have been smuggled out of the Mankuno (magkuno) Triangle formed by Dinagat Islands,

Surigao, Homonhon in Eastern Samar and Babatngon Island in Leyte.

The Mankono Triangle is an area in the country where the mankono reportedly thrives.

The apprehension produced 81 different slabs of sawn Mankono apparently illegally shipped from Surigao.

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

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

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

Bohol towns show high severity of ‗wasted pre-school children‘ Rey Anthony H. Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, July 21 (PIA) -- Despite feeding programs implemented in schools and preschools, data from the Bohol Provincial Nutrition Council showed that Bohol towns who have been getting support under the national government's flagship poverty alleviation program still have high prevalence of wasted and severely wasted pre-school children.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6

EASTERN VISAYAS

DENR8 to preserve Lake Danao Natural Park Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 1 (PIA) – Efforts are being undertaken to protect and preserve the unique and fragile ecosystem of Lake Danao Natural Park in Ormoc City, one of the Region‘s seven protected areas declared under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992.

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he move of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region is in response to a report from Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) in Ormoc disclosing that the 6.5 quake which jolted some parts of Leyte caused numerous landslides in Mt. Banao and other areas within the protected area including Brgy. Lake Danao and Brgy.

Milagro and damaged forests in said areas.

It also disturbed the biodiversity and the natural habitat of wildlife species in the area.

DENR regional director Leonardo Sibbaluca said the after effects of the earthquake that jolted

the protected area not only threatens its rich biodiversity but also puts the lives and properties of the residents in the area at risk.

Thus, relocating the residents in said protected areas are being advised to lessen the impacts of man‟s activities on the environment affected by the earthquake.

Sibbaluca stressed that besides the danger, everyone should know that squatting or occupying any land in a protected area, except by qualified tenured migrants or indigenous communities is prohibited under Republic Act 7486 otherwise known as NIPAS Act of 1992.

Maita Reina G. Sucgang, chief of DENR8 public affairs office, informed that based on lake shore markings, the water level of Lake Danao receded by one meter. Lake Danao is a major source of water of Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) supplying water to Tacloban and other Leyte towns.

Earlier, the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences Bureau informed that Eastern Visayas is located within the two diastrophisms in the Philippine archipelago - the Philippine fault zone which is located on the mid-portion of Leyte Island and the Philippine trench which is found on the east offshore of Samar. (DENR8/PIA8/ajc/cba)

DPWH-South Leyte gets P2.4M capbuild equipment Erna S. Gorne MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 3 (PIA) - Planning and surveying capabilities of the Provincial Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here will be enhanced with the acquisition of some P2.4 million worth of modern equipment.

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n a DPWH report, the local district engineering office will be using the modern surveying equipment to include the Real Time Kinematic (RTK), echo sounder, and site-meter distance for planning and design section.

Southern Leyte District Engineering Office Chief Ma. Margarita Junia noted that the new instrument will provide more accurate data for a more effective project planning.

She said that with the aid of these equipment, lesser manpower is needed in conducting surveys

and reduces working days. In addition, the newly procured apparatus will create quality project designs and layout, said panning and design section chief Vincent Sy III. To ensure proper utilization of these modern equipment, a training for the district‟s survey teams is scheduled next week, Sy added.

Aside from the said equipment, Junia is inclined to procure the latest and state-of-the-art drone that will further boost the surveying and planning capability of the planning and design section.

Junia said that by procuring high value equipment combined with efficient planning and surveying works, the mission to provide and manage quality infrastructure facilities and service responsive to the needs of every Filipino can be achieved.

The DPWH Southern Leyte Office is tasked to maintain 299 kilometers of national roads and 155 bridges, built in 18 towns and one city, it was learned. (ldl/egorne/PIA8 SoLeyte/DPWH Southern Leyte District Engineering Office)

ESSU Borongan to host 4th int‘l meet on disaster management Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 1 (PIA) - The Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Main Campus, Borongan City will hold the 4th International Conference on Integrative Disaster Risk Reduction Management (ICIDRRM) on September 4-6, 2017 at the ESSU Multi-purpose Hall, Borongan City, with the theme: ―Managing Our Future by Managing Disasters.‖

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he conference envisions in bringing together government officials, academicians, non-government experts, and other specialists from international humanitarian organizations to discuss the growing number of people affected by natural disasters.

More specifically, it will focus on integrating solutions that will address climate change through generating scientific information that will lead to a long-term, practical and sustainable solution to climate change.

The activities lined up during the 3-day event aim to showcase research-driven programs and projects on other socio-economic aspects which can be applied and utilized by all stakeholders in the community.

One of the highlights is the paper and poster presentation focusing on four thematic areas, namely: risk assessment, risk reduction and management including conflict management, disaster response and sustainable development that is anchored on the National Climate Change Action plan's seven strategic priorities such as: food security, water efficiency, eco-system and environment stability, human security, cl ima te-sma r t in dus tr ie s an d s er vi ces , sustainable energy and knowledge and capacity development.

During this conference, a welcome message will be delivered by Dr. Edmundo Campoto, President of ESSU. Invited plenary speakers include, among others, Atty. Tony Lavina,

Ateneo de Manila University, Dr. Melvin Jabar, De La Salle University and many other experts in field or disaster risk reduction management.

A total of 250 participants coming from various public and private higher educational institution, public and private elementary and high school teachers, provincial/city/municipal DRRM officers, researchers, and representatives from Inter-National Government Agencies (INGAs) are expected to attend the 3-day event.

The registration fee is only Four Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (4,600.00) inclusive of meals, snacks, conference kit and tour to selected agro-eco tourism sites in Eastern Samar. (ajc/SDC/ PIA8-E.Samar)

EASTERN VISAYAS

7

DILG asks LGUs to declare danger areas as ‗no build zones‘ Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 31 (PIA) - To ensure that danger areas previously cleared of illegal occupants will not be retaken by informal settlers, Interior and Local Government Secretary Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy is urging Local Government Units (LGUs) thru all DILG Provincial Director's to enact ordinances declaring said areas as "no build zones."

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n his Order to Eastern Samar Provincial DILG Officer Jude Villero, the "No build zones" refer to easement areas defined under existing laws and policies that are not recommended for human habitation by virtue of the danger it poses to human life and/or property.

Cuy made the call as he noted there had been inaction or complacency among certain LGUs despite numerous guidelines issued by the Department on matters of Informal Settler Families (ISFs) and the LGUs role.

“Unless LGUs declare no build zones, ISFs will always be a huge concern and this will be an unending cycle of demolition, clearing, and relocation,” he says.

In the DILG‟s recently issued directive, Cuy called on cities and municipalities to ensure that cleared territories remain uninhabited and unoccupied by enacting ordinances barring any construction of residential establishments in said

areas.

All barangays were also directed to adopt the city or municipal ordinances regarding danger areas or enact their own barangay ordinance considering that most informal residences live in the barangays.

“Allowing or tolerating informal settlers to build along „no build zones‟ is a violation of the people‟s right to a balanced and healthful ecology,” he stresses.

According to Cuy, “to allow informal settlements along railroad tracks, sidewalks or roads, or in garbage dumps, landfills, public cemeteries, or in parks and playgrounds is an utter disregard to public safety and an affront to human decency.”

To further protect and monitor these areas, he says, cities and municipalities should work with their component barangays in protecting and regularly monitoring said areas by putting up outposts, fences, signage, and/or CCTV cameras.

Section 30 of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) specifically states that LGUs must prevent the construction of any kind of illegal dwelling units or structures within their respective areas of jurisdiction or face administrative and penal sanctions.

In the case of new ISFs occupying danger areas, the barangay shall issue a notice to be signed by the punong barangay enjoining them to vacate the property within 24 hours.

After the lapse of the period to vacate, the barangay, with the assistance of the police, shall dismantle the structure whether or not the ISF has voluntarily vacated the area.

The Department encourages the concerned city or municipality to use its power to prosecute professional squatters or members of squatting syndicates, and any individual or group who will occupy or cause any other person to occupy cleared areas. (ajc/SDC/PIA8-E. Samar)

New road to usher agri productivity in Samar town Ninfa B Quirante CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, July 31 (PIA) - The DPWH – Samar First District Engineering Office programmed some Php 50 M budget for the construction of a concrete road from Barangay Curry to Barangay Avelino. This promises a livelier economic activity to localities that produce abaca, various root crops and coconut products.

Located in the hinterlands of the Municipality of Sta. Margarita, Samar, the project covers concreting of 2.2 kilometers of road which also includes installation of drainage, slope protection and grouted riprap.

From a three- hour travel time from Barangay Curry to Barangay Avelino, rural folks will be travelling an hour less. This is intended to benefit

more than a hundred families traversing the route and boost the farm-to-market productivity.

It is under contract with Victoria Development and Supply Corporation and as of June 25, 2017 it has already reached an accomplishment of 35%. The dirt road where farmers and residents hurdle through hiking will soon be fully concreted and is expected to offer easier, faster and more

convenient travel and transport of agricultural products.

With the Duterte administration project of Build, Build , Build, more hinterland folks in Samar expect that more roads will be opened, paved and thereby reach agricultural self-sufficiency. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar with Bon Joseph Astilla DPWH Samar First Engineering District Office)

City of Borongan celebrates 3rd Annual Arbor Day Samuel D. Candido BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 31 (PIA) - Pursuant to the City Ordinance No 119, series of 2015, declaring every last Friday of July as ―Annual Arbor Day‖ of Borongan City.

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n an interview with city mayor Ma. Fe Abunda, today is the 3rd Annual Arbor Day which will kick off with a motorcade that will begin at the city plaza and will end at the tree planting area.

The tree planting activity will be along the Provincial Road from Barangay Sohotan down to San Gabriel, and this will be participated in by city hall employees, national government agencies (NGAs), non-government organizations (NGOs), People‟s

Organizations (PO‟s), Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), and the Academe.

Another activity for this celebration is the Environmental Forum at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Library with Forest Rangers, Punong Barangays, Barangay Kagawad Committee Chairman on Environment, and the Local Arbor Day Committee as participants.

Meanwhile, the barangay chairman of every barangay will lead the tree planting in their

respective barangays, and ESSU is in charged with the reforestation of mangroves in Sitio Diyu, in Barangay Tabunan.

The Annual Arbor Day celebration is spearheaded by the Office of the City Mayor through the City Environment Office In-Charge Vicky Mae Gavilan, along with the Local Arbor Day Committee, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the City of Borongan Search and Rescue Team. (ajc/SDC/PIA8-E.Samar)

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