One visayas enewsletter vol 7 issue 48 20171201 r6

Vol 7

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Antoinette Cherish F. Taus, CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) Founder and UN Goodwill Ambassador encourages the youth to do volunteer works in order to create change in the community during the Youth Environment Summit (YES) held Nov. 24 at Iloilo Convention Center here. (PIA-Iloilo)

Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2017

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Issue 48

PhilHealth premiums up 2.75% next year By: Consuelo B. Alarcon TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 27 (PIA) - Effective January 2018 and onwards, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will implement an adjustment in the premium contributions of the employed sector program to sustain the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP).

The new monthly premium contributions shall be at the rate of 2.75 percent computed straight based on the monthly basic salary with a salary floor of Php10,000 and a ceiling of P40,000.00 to be equally shared by the employees and their employer.

In a press conference held at Sal‘s restaurant, this city, Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Concurrent OIC Vice-President of the Corporate Affairs Group of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said that the adjustment will cover all employed members in the formal economy including family drivers, sea-based overseas Filipino workers, and employers in the govern-

ment and private sector.

For Kasambahays, the premium contributions of the kasambahay will be shouldered solely by the household employer.

However, if the kasambahay is receiving a monthly salary of five thousand pesos (P5, 000.00) or above, the kasambahay will pay his proportionate share.

The official explained that the adjustment in PhilHealth premium contributions is necessary to sustain the various enhancement program benefits introduced in recent years and to further come up and sustain future benefits to effectively respond to the growing health care financing needs of all members such as benefits of senior citizens, expansion of z-benefits, PCB for non-indigents and enhanced case rates.

To date, the monthly premium contribution of the employed sector is 2.5 percent. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Alert up on effects of Visayas sea fish ban CENTRAL VISAYAS

Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Sec. Ana Marie Rafael-Banaag asks the help of the information officers from the national government agencies and local government units in helping them communicate the programs of the government. #EmpoweringCommunities (PIA-7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here...

Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- Brace for a possible spike in the already expensive fish in Bohol.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through Regional Director Dr. Allan L. Poquita bared this warning as he shared that the government has declared a close fishing season for three kinds of fishes in the Visayan Sea. Starting November 15 until February 15, BFAR through its Fishery Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3, placed the entire Visayan Sea under a fishing ban.

In the ban are herring (tamban-tuloy), mackerel (hasa-hasa, borotborot, anduhaw), and sardines (mangsi).

FAO 167-3 prohibits catching, killing, selling or possessing of sexually mature sardines, herrings and mackerels or their larvae, or fry in the areas mentioned in the FAO. Included in the fishing ban are the seas from the mouth of Danao River in Bantayan Island to Madridejos, through Gigantes Island lighthouse, to Olutayan Island, then to Culasi Point in Capiz province, east to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo, south to the mouth of Talisay River, west to Guimaras strait to Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental and along the northern coast of Negros Island to Danao River, as stated in reports by Sunstar Iloilo.

When this happens, fish supply reaching Cebu and Bohol

which come from the country's richest fishing grounds would be insufficient, causing prices to move up.

Moreover, fishermen from the affected areas would be dispersed and fish elsewhere, and the Bohol sea would be a close neighbor, BFAR said.

This means commercial fishers from other regions especially those bound by the Cebu, Masbate and Negros Island could encroach the local seas or municipal waters.

BFAR would be converging its floating assets including that of the Philippine Navy (PN) to the Visayan Sea in the next three months to patrol the area and enforce the ban, Director Poquita said.

The closed fishing period, Poquita said, is expected to affect the current fish prices.

Bohol Sea, Tañon Strait, Cebu Sea, and Mindanao Sea are the closest possible fishing areas and when commercial fishers displaced by the ban comes here, things happen, according to local fishermen.

The Visayan Sea is considered among the richest fishing grounds in the country.

BFAR warns violators they can face six-month imprisonment or revocation of fishing permits and licenses. (rahc/ PIA-7/Bohol)

EASTERN VISAYAS

LGU needs more efforts for forest protection Leonard T. Pineda I

PCSO-BILIRAN. Alexander Balutan (standing), PCSO general manager, announces PCSO will allocate P50,000 a day to the newly-opened PCSO office at the second floor of the Naval Mall fronting the Naval public terminal in Naval, Biliran, to address the medical needs of the B i l i r a n o n s, e sp e ci a l l y th e i n d i g e n t constituents. He added he will increase the assistance to P100,000 a day in 2018. (rvictoria/ PIA Biliran)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA6) --- A German development organization said that local government units (LGUs) here must have greater participation in forest protection.

In the Watershed Congress held Nov. 29 at Casa Real here, Jurgen Schade, Chief Advisor of the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft füer Internationale Zusammenarbeit), said that LGUs have important roles in the protection of existing forests. ―Strategies include delineation of protection forest within the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP), municipal ordinances, ‗bantay-gubat‘, and fire prevention,‖ he said.

He also emphasized the importance of trans-boundary planning through provincial land-use framework plans and watershed management plan. ―We need actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems that address social challenges effectively and adaptively, thus, providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits,‖ he said.

He said that GIZ is currently implementing the Forest and Climate Protection Panay Phase II project which started in June 2014 and will finish on February 2018.

The project outcome is that the Panay Mountain Range

(PMR) with globally significant biodiversity is protected and natural resources in the adjacent areas are managed and used by local communities in a sustainable and climate friendly manner.

For this project, GIZ is working with the Biodiversity Management Bureau, the Forest Management Bureau, and the Regional Office-6 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the LGUs, and the private sector.

Schade said that sustainable forest management has shown to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, help communities adapt to climate change, protect watersheds and downstream areas, reduce the risk of natural disasters and support sustainable livelihoods. ―A governance framework which focuses only on tree planting at the expense of holistic watershed management strategies may not fully achieve its objectives,‖ he said.

He added that diversified strategies offer opportunities to select site specific and appropriate approaches such as conserving existing forests, supporting natural regeneration, rehabilitating degraded forests, rehabilitating or restoring sites, replanting and afforestation. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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WESTERN VISAYAS

73 publications vie for COPRE 2017 Awards Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA6) — Seventy-three publications are competing to garner major and minor awards in this year’s College Press Conference (COPRE) and Awards of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6.

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he COPRE is a yearly event where student journalists gather in fellowship and engage in friendly writing competitions and where publications submitted earlier are recognized.

PIA Regional Director Atty. Janet Mesa said that the COPRE is an institution by itself, because for more than four decades, it has recognized and awarded student writers in the field of development journalism. ―It is a pioneer project that, I may say, the forerunner of other award-giving entities in the aspect of campus journalism,‖ Mesa said.

Year after year, for the last 20 years, the publication entries have only increased, as more schools, became interested to join.

According to the PIA, for the last five years, it has included among the publications awards, some categories for the high school publications, like Best Newsletter/Tabloid, Best Multi-lingual Paper and Best Online Newsletter. The college entries vie for

awards such as Best News, Sports, Filipino, Editorial, Feature, Multilingual Page, Best Newspaper, Best Magazine, Best Newsletter, Best Magazine Cover Design, Best Magazine Lay-out, and Best Newspaper Layout. Recently PIA6 added the category on Best Online Newsletter and Best Literary Folio.

To keep the standard for making campus journalism involve the community, a category for the Best Wall News Paper, was added, where the publication should choose a community where the wall news should be posted its content discussed.

In the frontlines of the roster of publication awardees these last three years, are the publications of the Central Philippine University (The Central Echo), West Visayas State University (Silak, The Lifeline, Vital Signs, Forum Dimensions), The University of San Augustin (The Augustinian Publications) and the John B Lacson Foundation Maritime University (The Seagull and the Dolphin),

and the ISAT-U (The Technovator) for Iloilo.

For Negros Occidental, consistently on top are the University of St. La Salle (The Lead, The Spectrum), and trailing behind are the Technological University of the Visayas, UNO-R, Colegio de San Agustin, La Consolacion College and La Carlota City College. The Province of Capiz also boasts of publications like The Hillside Echo of the Filamer Christian University, and The Quest of Capiz State University, while Aklan, publications like The Garcian and the Aklan Collegian.

A publication gets the Hall of Fame Award by receiving the Graciano Lopez Jaena Award, which means, that publication has earned a maor award, like Best Magazine, or Best Newspaper, or Best Departmental Paper for three consecutive years.

The 2017 COPRE event will be on December 5, at the Iloilo Convention Center. (JCM/ESS/ PIA-Iloilo)

Ending VAW a year-round campaign, says PNP Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 27 (PIA6) -- The campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW) is a year-round activity for the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to SPO3 Riza Padilla of the Provincial Women’s Desk, Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) here.

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adilla, along with other advocates from the Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC), issued this statement at the recent Kapihan/press conference held in Kalibo as one of the activities in the 18-Day campaign to end VAW, observed yearly from November 18 to December 12.

In Aklan, the kick-off activity started earlier on November 20 during the Flag Raising Ceremony in front of the Provincial Capitol Building with an overview about the campaign provided by the APPO. Padilla said the year-round campaign to end VAW, on the part of the PNP, involves barangay information drives, house to house visitations, and enjoining other government agencies and local government units to help stop or end VAW. This year, Padilla said the APPO initiated livelihood trainings to vulnerable women‘s groups in Aklan to lessen their financial dependence on their husbands.

She said one of the reasons why abused women cannot leave their husbands is that when on their own, they have no means to support their children. ―The women were taught how to cook ―puto‖ and formulate healthy juices from pineapple and tanglad‖, Padilla shared to the local media at the press conference.

After the training, these women, according to Padilla, need cooking utensils and starting capital for their business, and the PNP is looking for possible sources of assistance to make these women empowered. On the part of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here headed by Vivian Ruiz Solano, networking with other government agencies is a big help in assisting victims of VAW as well as in empowering women Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Solano said 98% of job applicants for local and overseas jobs assisted by PESO-Aklan are women, and to assist them in times of need, PESO is

coordinating with other agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

For livelihood trainings for OFWs who have returned, PESO-Aklan is coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). In the same opportunity, Hon. Lilian Tirol, the lone female Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), called for more active Barangay VAW Desks in the province to strengthen the campaign against VAW. Tirol said out of 327 barangays in Aklan, only 12 have active VAW desks.

This year‘s theme of the 18-Day campaign to end VAW is ―VAW-Free Community Starts With Me. The 18-Day Campaign to End VAW is spearheaded by the provincial government of Aklan through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO). (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Antique reports on the State of the Children By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao SAN JOSE, Antique, Nov. 29 (PIA6) – The Provincial Government of Antique recently presented the State of the Children report in celebration of the Children’s Month at EBJ Freedom Park, San Jose.

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overnor Rhodora Cadiao emphasized that programs to meet the rights of children to survival, development, protection and participation remained priority of her administration.

In line with this year‘s theme of the celebration ― Bata Iligtas sa Droga‖, the province, she said will take all appropriate measures to protect children against illegal drugs. Cadiao likewise urged child rights duty bearers to protect children so they may grow safe and provide them opportunities to discover their potentials and become active contributors to nation building.

The Provincial Government has also allotted

the total of P9M for the Provincial Nutrition Committee for the implementation of various programs to address concerns on health and nutrition.

Among other major programs for children are Scholarship grant where 6481 scholars availed of P5,000 subsidy for school year 2015-2016.

The Provincial Child Friendly Movement Team also received an allocation of P400,000 to sustain the best practices and gains implemented under the Country Program for Children.

On the other hand, Schools Division Superintendent Reynaldo Gico, Keynote speaker

during the Culmination Program cited some ill-effects of being engaged in the use of illegal drugs.

He encouraged the students to talk to their teachers when confronted with problems and assured them that their teachers are responsible adults willing to help them.

Cadiao assured she will never stop addressing the needs of Antique‘s children despite the challenges. ―I will continue to make Antique a Child Friendly Province. Let us work together for them to attain a brighter future,‖ she said. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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Capitol execs train on strategy planning By: Lilibeth A. French NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 29 (PIA6) - - Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) and the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center (PEDIC) conducted a two-day Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy Planning to 38 Provincial government department and office heads.

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he activity was held at the Beach House in Sagay City with a known LED coach and former University of Philippines professor Dr. Aser B. Javier, who discussed thoroughly various topics about the Local Economic Development and conducted a workshop among participants to guide them in strategy formulation, a release from the Capitol said.

MBCCI president Frank Carbon welcomed the group to the activity saying that in a few years, there is going to be a change in our economic landscape so it is best that we learn the strategies this early.

Carbon urged the Capitol department and

office heads to help our local government units make the rural areas development-prone instead of development resistant.

Provincial consultant on Trade and Investment and former governor Rafael Coscolluela also shared his insights on the positive and business-like attitude of the Taiwanese people during his recent visit to the country. ―LED is a recent paradigm used by LGUs to attract investors. We cannot wait for the programs of national government to trickle down to the provincial level, for as long as there is poverty in the rural areas and there is an imbalance, there is

something wrong and we need to address these issues,‖ Coscolluela told the participants.

Meanwhile, Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. in his message disclosed that the province just received its 3rd Seal of Good Local Governance award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) together with some cities and towns of the province. ―We have done so much for our province but we have still many things to do, let‘s think like the Japanese people, let‘s think about what‘s good for the whole,‖ Marañon said. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

LCEs reminded of role against illegal river structures Jemin B. Guillermo ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 27 (PIA6) – Capiz Governor Antonio Del Rosario called anew the concerned local chief executives on their responsibility to clear the riverbank easement.

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n the recent meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, Del Rosario asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government of the liability of the local chief executives on their inaction relative to the illegal structures along the river banks.

This, after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here reported that it has monitored 649 illegal structures both concrete and semi-concrete structures in the river ways and riverbank easement.

DILG Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Capiz provincial director Maria Calpiza Sardua said that the mayors, barangay captains or governor can be held liable for their inaction on said problem.

She added that they will again notify the concerned local chief executives in view of the anti-squatting law.

Article 51 of Presidential Decree No. 1067, otherwise known as the Water Code of the Philippines, provides for the distance which person shall not be allowed within said zone.

The law provides that the banks of rivers and streams and the shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length and within a zone of three (3) meters in urban areas, twenty (20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) meters in forest areas, along their margins, are subject to the easement of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing and salvage.

―No person shall be allowed to stay in this zone longer than what is necessary for recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing or salvage or to build structures of any kind,‖ the law specifies.

On the other hand, Capiz DENR Technical Services Division Chief Edwin Borja said that they have committed to the Panay River Council chaired by Governor Del Rosario to conduct monitoring and inventory of the illegal structures and illegal settlers within the river ways and river bank easement.

The Council aims to rid the river of pollutants and protect it after it was reported that the Panay River is already polluted with human waste and not suitable for seashell production and culture. (JCM/ JBG/PIA6)

PNP with WCPD trained to handle VAWC cases BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH ILOILO CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA6) - - Police officers manning the Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPD) in Western Visayas are armed with the necessary trainings to handle cases of violence against women and children (VAWC).

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olice Chief Inspector Joem Malong, Chief of the WCPD of Police Regional Office 6 said these officers are required to undergo gender sensitivity training, specialized course for WCPD officers and criminal investigation course, among others.

There are about 445 of them assigned in all police stations region wide. ―When it comes to cases of women and children, these are very sensitive, and officers handling these cases should be properly trained to avoid discrimination and insensitivity,‖ said Malong during an interview over PIA Kapihan Regionwide radio program of the Philippine Information Agency - Iloilo.

She also said WCPDs are open 24 hours to accept complaints and calls for assistance giving topmost importance on complaints on any abuses committed against women and children or under Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as ―The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children

Act of 2004‖.

Among the acts of violence or abuses covered by R.A. 9262 are physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence and economic abuse. ―Everyday, there is a reported case of violence against women‖, said Malong.

However, she noted a significant decrease in VAW cases from January to October this year in Western Visayas.

Based on the latest statistics from PRO 6-WCPD, a total of 2,338 cases of VAW were recorded across the region during the period which is 31.40 percent or 1,070 cases decrease compared to the 3,408 cases for the same period in 2016.

The most prevalent act of violence is physical abuse numbering to 1,317.

Malong said the significant drop is due to the efforts made by the PNP in collaboration with the local government units and other concerned agencies

to end VAW such as strengthening of VAWC Desks through trainings and conduct of advocacy activities in the prevention and reduction of abuse cases in the grassroots.

She said President Rodrigo Duterte‘s campaign on illegal drugs has also contributed in the decrease of VAW cases. ―Women now are more aware of their rights and VAW victims are not afraid to seek assistance from the police,‖ said Malong.

She encouraged Ilonggos to continue to cooperate with their police to end VAW by helping stop the culture of silence on violence and abuses committed against women.

As part of their continuing efforts, PRO-6 WCPD has scheduled advocacy activities such as poster making contest, storytelling to children and lectures in barangays that will also mark this year‘s 18-day Campaign to End VAW observance until December 12 in the region. (JCM/ laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

10th CFLC fish 'bagsakan' opens at Mercado de Loon Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- The tenth of the 14 Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLC) opened behind the newly established Mercado de Loon, in Cogon Norte Loon, Bohol, on November 14.

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project of the national government through the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and presented as incentive to local governments to adopt better implementation of fishery resource management policies, the CFLC manifests the government's unwavering support to provide fishery-related facilities and services.

In his message, Loon Mayor Elvi Peter Relampagos revealed that Loon was among the first 100 towns that first finished the Fish'r Survey which the national government mandated for LGUS. DA BFAR 7 Regional Director Allan L. Poquita pointed out that the facility is envisioned to increase productivity for food security through self sufficiency, socio-economic upliftment, and global

competitiveness.

Director Poquita, in an interview, said 14 of Bohol's coastal towns picked eigth CFLCs in 2016 and another six in 2017 and Loon's marine resource bagsakan hub is the third center that opened this year, after Getafe and Talibon.

The CFLC, he said, may also be used as meeting venue, training center, social gathering hub, calamity and disaster evacuation center, in the two-storey building with spacious roofdeck.

Also included in the BFAR package for the town are three stainless steel display tables and a chest freezer, according to the BFAR regional director.

He added that if the town coordinates well with the Department of Interior and Local Government, the proposed fish processing facility

could be built beside the new facility.

Mayor Relampagos said fishers from the 32 barangays of the town's 67 barangays can bring their catch to the CFLC, while using the facility to enrich their skills in fishery-related capacities.

He also called on the community to unite which can lead them to inclusive growth along with the provincial and national government's development goals.

Earlier, Loon parish priest Ruel Tumangday led the blessings of the facility.

Governor Edgar Chatto, Representative Rene Relampagos, Board Member Ricky Masamayor, BFAR Poquita, Bohol Fishery Officer Leo Bongalos, town legislators, and barangay chairmen also attended the blessing and turnover of the facility. (rahc/PIA-7/ Bohol)

DOH monitors ‘Tokhang’ youth for rehab treatment Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) here trained local government health workers in screening and assessing drug surrenderers, especially the youth profiled by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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OH Provincial Head Dr. Socrates Villamor said his office does not yet have the statistics on the number of youth drug surrenderers who were assessed for rehabilitation. ―For now, we are doing the regular general rehabilitation program while waiting for the finalization of policies and guidelines for the youth rehab treatment under the community-based reformation and after-care programs,‖ said Dr. Villamor in a Kapihan sa PIA forum in celebration of Children‘s Month.

The current administration is determined

to implement community-based rehabilitation, after care program, and conduct drug testing at DOH accredited drug-testing laboratories to help in the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery of surrenderers.

Dr. Villamor said that under its aftercare program, patients that will be discharged from the treatment rehabilitation centers are referred to their office for follow-up and monitoring.

Villamor said the training on community-based rehabilitation of drug dependents began years ago as trained personnel would screen drug surrenderers for classification, whether

they are low risk, moderate risk, and high risk drug users. ―Those who are assessed in the low and moderate drug dependence can be included in the community-based treatment rehabilitation program while those who have severe drug dependence are referred to residential treatment rehabilitation centers in Cebu,‖ he said.

Meanwhile, the province is planning to put up a rehabilitation center with the assistance of DOH and other agencies. (jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with reports from Cristina Grapa, SU Intern)

DPWH proposes P911.5M for 2018 infra projects in Siquijor Rizalie Calibo SIQUIJOR, Nov. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has proposed a budget of P911,528,000 for next year’s infrastructure projects for the province of Siquijor.

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his was bared by DPWH Information Officer Engr. Dennis Tumala during the Information Sharing with the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID) recently at the Old Capitol Building, Larena, Siquijor.

Tumala said the proposed projects are based on the outcomes directed to ensure safe and reliable national road systems, protect lives and properties against major floods, as well as for the convergence and special support program.

Preventive maintenance for secondary roads, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and upgrading

of damaged paved roads and and those with slips, slope collapse, and landslide has a proposed budget of P400,783,000.

The amount will also fund network development program that includes off-carriageway improvement and bridge program for the replacement of weak bridges and construction of new permanent bridges.

Projects for the protection of lives and properties against major floods get a slice of P187,220,000.

This will fund flood management program which covers the construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems in

the province.

Convergence and special support program, according to Tumala, will have a share of P235,525,000 of the total budget.

This will be used for the construction and improvement of access roads leading to the airport and seaports as well as to the declared tourism destinations in Siquijor province.

Tumala also shared that the scope of the DPWH local infrastructure program also includes Multi-Purpose Building, local roads, and water supply which will get P70,000,000 of the 2018 proposed budget. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

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Digital Empowerment Movement relaunched in Visayas Ayin Visitacion CEBU CITY (PIA) -- With the goal of providing digital literacy, digitally-enabled literacy, and promote digital citizenship among Filipinos, the DigiBayanihan (DB) relaunched in the Visayas at the University of San Carlos, this city.

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he DigiBayanihan introduced its Initiative called Ecosystem composed of The Career Engine, Test Hero, and DQWorld, which are accessible to users for free.

The Career Engine is designed to prepare graduating students to be job-ready through soft skills training and work enhancement tips, while Test Hero is an online test preparation portal where learners can train and practice for their respective examinations such as university entrance tests for graduating high school students.

DQ World, on the other hand, measures the digital intelligence (DQ) of children from 8 to12 years old through interactive online games.

At its core, students learn digital skills: digital citizen identity, screen time management, cyberbullying management, cyber security

management, digital empathy, digital footprint management, critical thinking and privacy management.

The three initiatives are geared to create a dynamic educational platform hub that is accessible to everyone, increase digital literacy and digitally-enabled literacy through online portals and offline career development trainings, and teach young people about internet safety procedures and empower the youth to become responsible digital leaders.

DB is an innovative digital empowerment movement and social action by the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustain Transformation (ASSIST) with the support from Google.org and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

It began in 2014 as a partnership between the

Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communication Technology Office (now called Department of Information and Communications Technology), Intel Philippines, and ASSIST. ASSIST Asia Managing Director Sreenivas Narayanan shared that they continue to build partnerships to reach out to the whole of Visayas to give digital enablement to all communities. ―We have to recognize there is still a sizable amount of people who are left behind,‖ Narayanan said.

Digital enablement can help people like sari-sari owners develop their businesses by using Google Map to geolocate their location or make elderly care affordable and accessible such as giving instructions to IT-enabled equipment. (asv/ PIA-7-Cebu)

STARBOOKS science library ‘better than Google’ Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Nov. 22 (PIA) — Why go for an offline digital science and technology kiosk when there is Google available? For Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) Executive Director Richard Burgos, that question is a no-brainer.

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Google can tell you everything, but not everything in Google is true,‖ said Director Burgos, who presided over the turn over of 59 digital science and technology library in a kiosk at the Reynas Garden and Havens in Tagbilaran City on November 15.

The digital science library forms the core of the DOST‘s Science and Technology Academic Research -Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS) that responds to the country‘s public education‘s need for reliable resource materials in the time when fake news and data is spread, said Burgos to the public school administrators and science and technology teachers attending the turnover rites.

Citing data from the Department of Education, the science and technology expert at DOST said only 1 percent of public libraries are functional libraries.

And with the dire need for resource materials in libraries, getting tapped to the internet could at least plug certain gaps, teachers have said.

In the Philippines however, only 24 percent of the country‘s schools are connected to the information superhighway, Burgos said.

"Even if it has significantly increased in the couple of years, the situation of giving students the cutting edge technologies to hone their talents skills and abilities is again under-delivered,‖ said Burgos.

And as to students and the community picking up unvalidated, under-researched topics easily available and unrestricted to just anybody on the internet, the chances of somebody messing with the content is high.

"As to STARBOOKS, the information is beyond reproach as the DOST curates the Science and Technology digital contents and this is offered offline so not anybody can mess with the content,‖ Burgos explained.

For STARBOOKS, the government assures it is true, well-researched and is destined to help pupils and students understand science and technology concepts in an era of fake news, Burgos stressed.

An offline resource that can be accessed by students

for free, STARBOOKS can be accessed by students without paying for it, he said.

STARBOOKS contains educational videos for science and mathematics students, documentary videos, supplemental materials related to science and technology supplemental readings, disaster and risk reduction processes, instructional videos, and several more resources that can help anyone learn.

According to Bongalos, the 59 kiosks which the DOST gave to Bohol public schools form a little over 5 percent of the total public schools in the province.

Bongalos shared an experience of a student computer programmer who would be representing Bohol to the next ICT Summit competitions.

She relayed that DepED has seen the results recently, and Bohol‘s science and technology students are now excelling in their different fields of work. Knowing that much could still be done to sustain on the victories of the public schools, Bongalos appealed for DOST to prioritize Bohol in its STARBOOKS saturation drives. (rahc/PIA-7/ Bohol)

Compostela kids, parents receive ASEAN comics Ferliza Contratista COMPOSTELA, Cebu, Nov. 20 (PIA) — More than 300 children and parents received comics on ASEAN benefits during the observance of the National Children's Month here.

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he comics ―Benipisyo ng ASEAN‖ were distributed by Compostela Police Station personnel led by PSI Junafe Vergara Ruiz during the half-day activity over the weekend.

Joining the activity was Compostela Vice Mayor Josephine Abing with some barangay captains.

Vergara said it was an opportunity for the children and the parents to learn the benefits of ASEAN in comics form, making it simpler to understand.

―We always hear about it on the news, television and radio, but we don‘t seem to know what it really is and what it benefits the simpleng tao,‖ Vergara said.

Some copies were also given to cops and representatives of the business sectors in the town.

Other than the ASEAN comics, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) also distributed comics on the West Philippine Sea.

In the event there were also entertainment and games, food stalls, ice cream, and the customary feeding with nutritious ―lugaw‖.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) enjoins the support of member agencies, partners, and stakeholders for a meaningful celebration of the National Children‘s Month celebration through the conduct of activities aligned with its theme for 2017 "Bata: Iligtas sa Droga!" (fcc/ PIA7-Cebu)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Self-prescribed antibiotics can trigger AMR, says DOH-8 pharmacist By: Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 28 (PIA) – Improper use of antibiotic medicines can lead to anti-microbial resistance (AMR), meaning the disease, instead of being cured, develops more strength to resist a similar dosage.

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ylane Azores, pharmacist at the Department of Health (DOH) regional office, made this clear during an interaction with local media at the dydm kapihan sa PIA here Friday, and at the health forum in barangay Mambajao attended by about a hundred local folks.

She shared a typical scenario: a doctor prescribing 21 tablets, three times a day, or good for seven days, but then the person stopped on the third day for having felt relieved.

Sooner or later he, she will go back to the doctor again to consult that the ailment, say, a cough, was still on.

The doctor, on hearing the history, prescribes a higher dosage with a pointed warning to complete the regimen so as to eliminate the harmful bacteria, Azores explained.

This was also the main reason why for quite some time now drugstores will no longer dispense antibiotic drugs without a doctor‘s prescription, for

self-medication was just as deadly as non-compliance of the prescribed frequency.

Pharmacies found out selling antibiotics just like any regular over-the-country drugs face a penalty of P 50,000 and a revocation of license, Azores informed, adding that the enforcement on this one was under the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), while the Department of Health was more on advocacy and info campaign. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Seven So. Leyte LGUs get SGLG awards By: Marcelo M. Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Nov. 24 (PIA) – This city as well as six (6) out of eighteen (18) towns in the province will be honored for having passed the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), an incentive program spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

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n Monday, Nov. 27, the local chief executives of this city as well as the municipalities of Liloan, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Saint Bernard, San Ricardo, and Sogod are expected to be in Manila to receive their respective awards According to a statement released by the DILG regional office, this year‘s seven (7) SGLG recipients from the province are among the 448

SGLG awardees nationwide, in which 26 are from region 8 ―an increase from 12 in 2016 and 7 in 2015.‖ DILG Regional Director Marivel Sacendncillo called it a ―harvest of good governance,‖ citing the mayors‘ greater receptiveness to the SGLG, the statement said.

They had passed the four main criteria on financial administration, disaster preparedness, social

protection, and peace and order. ―SGLG winners can access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), which may be used for projects such as disaster risk reduction and management, local economic development, potable water, and construction of local water impounding stations,‖ the DILG statement further said. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

IOs, CDIOs seek help on issues and concerns of their respective offices By: Mary Lailani P. Tupaz NAVAL, Biliran, Nov. 28 (PIA) – A number of Community Development Information Officers (CDIOs) from the eight municipalities of the province of Biliran and Information Officers (IOs) from the different National Government Agencies (NGAs) based in Naval aired issues and concerns they encounter in their respective offices.

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uring the 4th Quarter Meeting of CDIOs and IOs held recently at the D‘Mei Residences Bar and Restaurant and initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - Biliran Provincial Information Center, some CDIOs and IOs presented their issues and concerns for possible help and solution within the Biliran Association of Government Information Officers (BAGIO).

Ray Jay Emboltorio of LGU-Culaba asked when their municipality can enjoy the free public WIFI the administration promised.

Marlunito Dazo of LGU-Caibiran aired concern on traffic management and called on concerned agency to advise slow moving vehicles to stay on the side of the lane to give way to fast moving vehicles to ease traffic.

He also expressed concern on some stores that do not issue official receipts for reason that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has not released yet their official receipts.

Jose Mari of LGU-Almeria solicited help on the

ongoing quarrying in a particular barangay in their municipality despite several pleas to stop from the local officials.

Meanwhile, issues and concerns from the national government agencies came first from Seaman Japhet Cani of Philippine Coast Guard-Naval Sub-Station who called on all owners of motorized or paddled banca sailing within the station‘s area of responsibility to register in their office for the Safety Security Environmental Numbering. PCG will soon apprehend unregistered bancas of all kind.

Imelda Codilan representing the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) informed the group about their department‘s livelihood program that do not include beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and do not consider any political color.

From the Philippine Statistics Office (PSA) represented by Marife Sabuag, the concern is on the facilitation of surveys where some of the respondents do not cooperate with their

enumerators.

Ceasar Jude Darantinao from the National Food Authority (NFA) asked the assistance of the information officers to inform and encourage farmers to sell their produce to NFA for local reserve during lean season.

FO2 Kitchie Abegael Potot of Naval Fire Station raised the concern of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) regarding the conduct of survival and rescue operations trainings in the different local government units. She said they need to be invited to join said trainings as their refresher since they are in the front line during rescue operations if disasters occur.

As organizer of the BAGIO‘s quarterly meeting, Flordelis Jackson, PIA-Biliran Provincial Information Center Manager, urged the CDIOs and IOs to update PIA-Biliran of their respective programs, activities and projects but still uphold responsible sharing of information as mandated by PIA-Director General Harold Clavite. (ajc/mlt/PIA8-Biliran)

EASTERN VISAYAS

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DSWD 8 awards woman centenarian from Borongan By: Ninfa Iluminada B. Quirante BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Nov. 28 (PIA) — The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD8) awarded Vicenta Gavilan Afable, who just turned 100 years old on November 17, 2017, the cash award of P100,000.00 on Saturday, November 25.

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nay Itang, as fondly called by relatives is still very much aware of the things around her, when she received the cash gift, she danced with joy to the tune of the native ―kuracha‖.

Then she enumerated the things she would do with the money like, buying Sunday dresses, food and plans to have the path from her house to the chapel paved.

Inay Itang in her younger days would join her husband in fishing and farming, so that the

centenarian always eats veggies and fish, wards off seasoning but salt and only eats meat during fiestas and special occasions.

This widow now for 24 years, begot ten children, with 81-year-old Leonora as the eldest.

At her age, Lola Intang still does household chores like sweeping the yard of fallen leaves and still manages to climb the stairs to her second story dwelling which she shares with daughter Leonora.

The older Afable is the second recipient of

Republic Act 10868 — or the Centenarians Act of 2016.

The city government also plans to give centenarians some P50 thousand pesos very soon.

DSWD 8 officials led by Yvone Abonales who delivered the ‗cash gift‘ went personally to Barangay Libuton to give the gift together with LGU -Borongan, Rey Dorado, CSWDO,Thelma, Elsie Ador, City Councilor Aurora Anasarias, ngan OSCA Pres. Bernardita Apita. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-ESamar with Pen Pomida -Radyo Pilipinas)

Celebrating #ASEAN2017 the HMLO way By: Marcelo M. Pedalino MANILA, Nov. 23 (PIA) – Plucked from various regions all over the country, forty (40) personnel from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) served as host media liaison officers (HMLOs) for the duration of the 31st ASEAN Summit and related summits held in this city last week.

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any of them had served as well in two previous summits this year, the 30th summit in April and the ASEAN Ministerial meetings in August, a series of activities that marked the 50th ASEAN anniversary which coincided with the Philippines hosting as this year‘s chair.

The main role of HMLOs was like a link, to assist visiting journalists coming from ASEAN member states, and those coming from dialogue partner countries, who were around to cover the occasion, in close coordination with the Media Accreditation Relations Office (MARO), technical support staff and volunteers.

As the summit‘s series of events and bilateral meetings unfolded by the hour, HMLOs were in their best elements attending to their assigned media men, handing out overpasses for

display on ID tags so their wards can be part of the pool coverage.

The day‘s activities continued well into the night – until midnight – so the expression ―let‘s call it a day‖ actually slipped into another day: it is already 1:00 o‘clock AM. By 4:00 in the morning everybody was up and about, ready to face another challenging day in full business attire, so early in order to catch up for the shuttle bus in going to the event venues, in Clark, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The same rigorous routine was experienced in the two previous summits in April and August, and it was all worth it, a very rare opportunity to be an HMLO to begin with.

We were part of the celebration, whose general, overall impression was a huge success, and

we were privileged to see in person world leaders – something we will treasure in our memory forever.

We were part of the action as it happens in real time, even as we were positioned only behind the back of warm bodies, of men and women shooting behind their video and still cameras.

And yes, we were not outdone in taking photos and selfies, inspiring pictures that paint thousands of words reflecting our efforts.

In gratitude we thank our bosses, our regional directors, for having trust and confidence in our abilities to deliver the goods in this assignment of a lifetime.

In particular we are grateful for having celebrated the ASEAN 2017 fiftieth anniversary by being a host media liaison officer. (ajc/mmp/ PIA8-Southern Leyte)

You are what you share – DG Clavite By: Marcelo M. Pedalino TACLOBAN CIY, Nov. 27 (PIA) – Director-General Harold Clavite of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) minced no words when he cautioned not to post unnecessary details of our lives on facebook, saying this social media outlet should not be taken as a personal diary.

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You are what you share,‖ Clavite told a gathering of information officers from local government units and national line agencies all over the region, in a meeting organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) at Ocho Grill here in Monday.

Clavite was referring to the space in facebook that supposedly asked ―what‘s on your mind,‖ in which personal feelings, sentiments, even anger were expressed by users in response to the query, much like diary notes in the days of old – the only difference was that the diary was kept

secret, the FB post public in anticipation of generating likes and comments.

Another point the PIA boss wanted emphasized was the hitting of the ―share‖ button, which can rapidly spread an item shared without the standard vetting process whether such infomation was true or not. ―As government information officers we would like to put an end to this,‖ Clavite stressed, adding that the facebook ―honeymoon,‖ or the senseless posting of just about anything, is over.

Besides, he said that by not sharing right there and then any posts from unknown sources, infomation officers help prevent the spread of fake news. ―We are here to impart and disseminate truthful information,‖ DG Clavite said.

Earlier, PCOO Undersecretary Marie Banaag said her office is intent on reviving the provincial communication officers‘ network, or PCO Net, so that any information from the national government can be directly passed to the Info Officers in offices and LGUs. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

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

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

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

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

Ms. Alicia E. Nicart Regional Director, PIA8

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