Vol 2 Issue 29 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 July 16 - 22, 2012

WESTERN VISAYAS  

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 13 (PIA) -- A Filipino-American reporter with Leyte roots is vying for a media award in New York.

Ryan Songalia, 25, is vying for the prestigious The Outstanding Filipino-American Award in New York (TOFA-NY), media and publishing category. His father Jaime is from Tanauan, Leyte.

Filipinos all over the world can help him win the coveted award by clicking on his picture and ticking the Like button at the link which follows: http://www.facebook.com/TOFAINY/info#!/photo.php?fbid=131919720280843&set=a.131919633614185.23143.131554353650713&type=1&theater Songalia said, “I don’t know the exact year but my father left Tanauan in the 80s. I was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. My mother, Mary is an Italian-American from New Jersey.”

“My Aunt Trell Songalia, still lives in Tanauan. I last visited a year ago,” Ryan said as he remained connected with his father’s roots. He said he comes from a big family where he is second to the youngest of six children.

Songalia is currently a feature writer for the boxing magazine Ring Magazine and has covered Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria fights from ringside.

He also worked as a reporter for New York Daily News, one of the highest circulated newspapers in the

United States. He was the first Filipino admitted into the Boxing Writers Association of America in the organization's 90 years of existence and became the group's youngest full member at 21. He also works as a freelance journalist for GMA News, covering a variety of topics.

Last year, he accepted an award on behalf of the newspaper he was working for, The Filipino Reporter, and was on stage next to Lea Salonga.

He studied journalism at Bergen Community College, but left because he was offered a job at the New York Daily News. He is finishing up a course on Digital Marketing at New York University on Friday, then flying to Manila on Tuesday. He lives between Manila and New Jersey.

TOFA-NY is an awards event held annually in New York during Filipino American History Month celebration in October to recognize contributions towards raising the Filipino-American community profile.

To make this year’s TOFA truly a people’s award, voting will be conducted in all transparency via Facebook.

The organizers are trying this novel idea for the first time. They believe social media is crucial in getting the word out about the many personalities and organizations that have made Filipinos one significant and dynamic community in this part of the U.S. (PIA-8)

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. BACOLOD CITY, July 19 (PIA) -- The Visayas Power

Grid has stable supply of electricity but needs more power plants in the next five years to fill up the demand of consumers.

Department of Energy (DOE) Director for the Visayas Antonio Labios said the grid in the area has 300 MW of reserve energy consuming only 1,400 MW of the 1,700 MW power available.

But in the next five years, additional power plants are needed to supply the 100 MW demand given a forecast of 4.4 percent electrical growth need per year, he added. Businessmen, however, believe the electric demand growth is higher than the figure of the DOE.

They also said power plants could be put up sooner, Labios said.

To encourage investment in the power sector, the DOE is holding regular power investment, noting that some local companies have now shown interest in power business like San Miguel Corp. and SM.

Already, mini hydro projects that will produce 8 to 12 MW are on-going in the Visayas area and the expansion of the Global Power for a 100 MW in Cebu are among the additional power sources the DOE is looking into for augmentation.

In Negros Occ., Labios said, people prefer Renewable Energy (RE) sources like water and wind. At the moment, however, RE cannot supply the base load on a 24-hour basis.

He said an expansion in Palinpinon Geothermal Plant that will supply an additional 100 MW is due in the next few years.

Labios urged households to conserve energy as power rate increases will hound consumers because the load demands increase and running plants also become costlier. (LOL/JCM-PIA6)

By Fayette C. Riñen CEBU CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- The Department of

Science and Technology (DOST) 7, though its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP), urged all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Visayas to avail of its financial assistance in order for them to be globally competitive.

DOST 7 Regional Director Engr. Rene Burt Llanto said the program was able to help over 1,000 MSMEs in Central Visayas since its launching in 2002. Only those MSMEs that need science and technology (S&T) interventions and S&T solutions can avail of the SET-UP, Llanto said during the Kapihan sa PIA that kicked off the Regional Science and Technology Week celebration in Central Visayas.

Llanto said there are priority sectors that are seen to have a huge potential for success which include food processing, gifts, toys and housewares, furniture and home furnishings, aquaculture, health and pharmaceuticals and information and communication technology or ICT.

“In order to avail, these enterprises must be Filipino-owned with a total asset of not more than P60 million and that in order to be competitive requires science and technology solution,” said Llanto.

Llanto said the SET-UP budget for this year is P800 million nationwide P50 to P100 million of which is allocated for Central Visayas.

“So far, we have only used up P25 million. There is still enough budget for those who are interested to avail of our technology upgrading program,” said Llanto. Llanto said the budget allocation for the SET-UP is increasing as this has been proven to be effective in helping MSMEs. He also stressed that the financial assistance under the program is not free and that these MSMEs must also pay back the government. He added further that “There must also be a return of investment because the money will also be significantly used to help other companies in need.” (FCR/PIA-Cebu)

DOST 7 urges MSMEs to avail of SET-UP

DOE: Visayas grid has steady power supply

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…

Fil-Am reporter vies for New York media award

EASTERN VISAYAS  

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

Disability week. Bohol Federation of Disabled Persons Incorporated members show their best skills in body massage, a skill they learned to earn for their sustenance. This week’s National Disabil ity Prevention and Rehabilitation celebration aims to mainstream persons with disabilities for economic devel-opment (rahc/PIA-Bohol)

STORYTELLING: Bachelor of Library and Information Science students of Colegio de San Agustin, Bacolod City, perform storytelling for the students of sugarcane workers in Silay City as part of their outreach program. (PIO/PIA/CD photo)

Leyte vice-governor Mimiette Bagulaya (8th from left) poses with provincial officials, guests, media practitioners and hotel officials after the group toured the newly opened spa at Oriental Leyte at Baras, Palo, Leyte, July 16. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas Director Antonio Labios said the power grid in the Visayas area comprising three regions has stable electricity supply with a reserve energy equivalent to 300 megawatts. Some 1,400 MW of the reserve are presently being used. (EJB/PIA6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Guimaras disaster management council is region’s best By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, July 16 (PIA) -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Guimaras was declared the best in Western Visayas, aside from being recognized as outstanding in humanitarian assistance.

T he council garnered the highest rating of 94.75 percent, buoyed up by its response component that is

working 24/7, according to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

Guimaras Information Officer Leny Gabo said the recovery and rehabilitation tool of the province as well as it being a well organized council, contributed much to the excellent performance of the province.

Gabo added that the Guimaras disaster council was also an awardee in 2007 and 2008 and runner up in 2009 and 2010.

Likewise, Gabo said the Dr. Catalino Gange Nava Provincial Hospital also topped in the hospital category.

She said the recognition is part of the annual Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance or the Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) un-dertaken by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) .

The selection is guided by certain criteria which include stakeholders’ participation, transparency, innovativeness, partnership, self-reliance and spirit of volunteerism.

Meanwhile, in another development, Guimaras Governor Felipe Hilan Nava was elected as president of Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Network of Local

Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development.

PEMSEA involves several stakeholders as a self-sustaining network of 25-member local governments and seven observers from local governments of China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

Nava will serve as president for three years, with the principal office in Xiamen, China.

He said his presidency will give the province the opportunity to open doors for other local government units in the country to adopt sustainable coastal development approaches.(JCM/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo).

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 17 (PIA) -- A cooking demonstration on using indigenous supplementary mixture (Insumix) or “arroz caldo” (Chinese congee) and “lumpiang tahong” (green mussel spring rolls) was conducted recently by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at the Capiz Gym here.

T he audience were mostly m o t h e r s f r o m t h e municipalities of Ponteverda,

Sigma and Sapi-an. Insumix is a mixture of ground rice,

mongo and sesame seeds that can be added to other food preparations.

It is as good as or even better than the branded commercially produced baby food since it is rich in carbohydrates, fats and proteins essential for the growth of infants.

Sharon Dignomo, OPA Focal Person for Nutrition, said the province produces

about 50 kilograms of insumix every month at its production facility at the Governor’s Mansion in Barangay Lanot here.

“This is intended for the malnourished children,” she noted.

However, she said that a monitoring tool is currently being designed to check health improvements of insumix beneficiaries after taking it for a certain period of time.

“It is free for day-care centers and schools undertaking supplementary feeding program.”

The initial recipients of the feeding activity were Barangays Bungsuan and Binuntucan in Dumarao and Pontevedra towns, respectively.

The cooking demo highlighted the free taste test of arroz caldo and lumpiang tahong among participant-observers.

“It’s delicious and nutritious,” said a participant in Hiligaynon.

The powder mixture can also be used in other food recipes as it adds more nutritional value to the food. (JCM/AAL-PIA 6 Capiz)

Locally produced ‘Insumix’ helps fight malnutrition

KALIBO, Aklan, July 17 (PIA) -- Collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here for the first six months of 2012 registered an increase of 64.43 percent, Ricardo J. Osorio, BIR – Aklan Revenue District officer said.

O sorio said that for this year, the BIR-Aklan target collection is P913,028,000 in taxes.

“With the figures we have now, we still need to collect some P300 million taxes for the next six months to attain this target,” Osorio said.

Saying that Aklan taxpayers are law-abiding, Osorio expressed optimism

that BIR-Aklan will be able to attain its tax collection target this year in the province, brought about by investments from the tourism industry centered in Boracay Island.

He said Boracay Island contributes about 32 – 33 percent to their collections, while the 65-67 percent represents the

collections from the 17 municipalities of the province.

Based on BIR records, the month of May registered the highest collection with P182,031,304.38 followed by April with P 1 2 2 , 9 6 1 , 2 7 0 . 5 3 ; J u n e , w i t h P86,986,697.21; January, P81,270,102.80; February, P76,830,314.72; and March, P76,672,820.37. (JCM/VGV-PIA 6, Aklan)

By Alex A. Lumaque

BIR-Aklan's 6-month collection up by 64% By Venus G. Villanueva

UPV Administration Bldg., Miag-ao Campus

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Iloilo to HK direct flights start Nov. 8

ILOILO CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- Direct flights from Iloilo Airport to Hongkong will kick off on November 8. This early the first Cebu Pacific flight to the so-called shoppers' paradise is already fully booked.

By Vicente W. Villavert

SAN JOSE, Antique, July 19 (PIA) -- The Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the province of Antique join the rest of the country in the observance of the 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

T his year's celebration opened with a PWD Trade Fair which brought together the 8,000 registered

member-PWDs from all over the prov-ince to the Old Capitol lobby where a short program and blessing were held. In his message, Mayor Rony L. Molina of San Jose de Buenavista said that "PWDs are no longer afraid or ashamed of their disabilities because of the concern and attention given them by the different local government units especially the Provincial government headed by Gov. Exequiel B. Javier. They are now aware of their rights and the benefits that are due them. Fur-

thermore, they are now empowered," Molina said. On the other hand, Gov. Javier said his administration gives priority to the needs of persons with disabilities, thus prompting his office to create a first-ever Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) so that concerns of this sector will be given attention and corresponding funds will be provided thereof. PDAO now has 8,000 registered members. Ms. Amie Dava, head of PDAO, is seeking the help of the various Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers

(MSWDO) to assist them in getting more members registered. The towns of Caluya, Tibiao, Valderrama and Hamtic have the least number of registered PWDs, Dava said. The trade fair was set on Friday, July 20, at the capitol lobby. On display are products made by the disabled persons themselves such as native products made from nito, jewelries made of various stones and beads, foodstuffs, locally made patadyong, hankies, and other crafts. This year's celebration theme is: "Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Economic Development". (JCM/MLG/PIA6-Antique)

LGUs support PWD activities

“ It will hype Boracay more, it will make Boracay more popular and it will help us become more

attractive,” said DOT 6 Director Helen Catalbas.

However, Catalbas added that it is also a big challenge for the region to maintain the overwhelming popularity because the other island destinations are also striving, working hard to be on top.

Readers of Travel and Leisure magazine have voted Boracay as the “world’s best island” for this year besting other popular islands like Bali in Indonesia,

Maui in Hawaii and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Islands. From no. 4 in 2011, it got a score of 93.10 to get to the top this year.

Come October, Boracay will also be one of the two ports in the country that will be visited by Legend of the Sea, a cruise ship of the Royal Caribbean International based in Asia.

The other port in the country in-cluded in its itinerary is Manila.

“This is the biggest so far that will visit Boracay Island considering that the

cruise ship carries some 2,000 passengers,” said Catalbas.

Although the visit will last for only eight hours, it is expected that it will bring significant economic contributions to Boracay as tour participants who are mostly retirees are considered a high spending group.

Catalbas is hoping that the stop of this ship will open the island, being famous for its white sand beaches, to a more b i g - t ime c ru i se fo r tour i sm . (JCM/LAF-PIA6)

Boracay’s fame will bring positive effects to Western Visayas By Lilibeth A. French ILOILO CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) here in Western Visayas said the recent win of Boracay Island in the province of Aklan as the 2012 “World’s Best Island” will have a positive effect on the region.

A l so , the Department o f Tourism-Region 6 said regular and direct international flights

from Iloilo to Singapore will commence on November 9.

“With this development, the DOT said that several government officials, busi-ness and transport sectors are working together for the sustainability of the international flights because this is good for the tourism industry in Western Visayas,” said DOT 6 OIC-Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas.

Catalbas said Western Visayas with its 7 million population is a potential market for the two flights, assuming that five percent or around 350,000 of the

population will take the trip to and from the two international destinations.

She said Filipinos from neighboring provinces or regions will come to Iloilo and get their flights from there. Marketing of this new mode of transportation, Iloilo and abroad, is necessary in order to attract the seafarers and overseas Filipino workers to use the Iloilo Airport to Hong Kong or to Singapore.

The Iloilo to Hong Kong trip costs P4,158 while that of Iloilo to Singapore is P8,247.

Catalbas said as part of the preparations, she conducted meetings with DOT accredited hotel operators, transport companies and tour operators in order to come up with tour packages

not only for Hong Kong and Singapore, but more importantly for the tour packages in Western Visayas.

There are five operators from Capiz, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Guimaras provinces, who were identified to come up with tour packages, she said. "Later this year, or early next year we will form a mission team to go to Hong Kong and Singapore to promote our potentials here,” Catalbas added.

The Tourism department, together with Cebu Pacific, is planning to invite Hong Kong and Singapore tour operators for a familiarization tour of tourist attractions in Western Visayas for them to also directly sell the tourists’ destina-tions.(JCM/VWV-PIA6 Iloilo)

By Margie L. Gadian

UPV Administration Bldg., Iloilo City Campus

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

T he bill, Senate Bill No. 2085, authored by Senator Chiz Escudero, seeks to increase the

criminal liability of drivers of common carriers involved in road accidents in a bid to curb the growing number of deaths and injuries attributed to reckless driving.

“Bus drivers, especially those traveling to and from the provinces, seem to be treating lightly their obligation to transport their passengers safely to their destination as evidenced by consecutive

vehicular accidents involving buses for this week alone,” Escudero said.

Stated under his proposed bill, delinquent drivers may face jail terms from four months and one day to six months to 12 years in cases of injury and depending on the extent or gravity of the injury and 12 years to 20 years imprisonment in cases of death.

Apart from imposing stiffer penalties, the proposed bill would instill discipline on drivers of buses and other public utility vehicles as well as ensure the safety and security of the commuters.

Record from the Philippine National Police (PNP) reveals that the series of road accidents reported in the country that killed and injured quite a number of people usually involved common carriers or public utility vehicles like buses.

In the revised penal code, the penalty for errant drivers is just one month to four years and two months imprisonment depending on the gravity of the crime. (FCR/AYS-PIA7 Cebu, Office of Sen. Escudero)

CEBU CITY July 17 -- A bill is in the Senate that seeks to increase the criminal liability of drivers of common carriers to lessen road accidents.

Increasing criminal liability of drivers of com-mon carriers sought

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 17 (PIA) -- Trinidad Bohol got a 99.46 percent rating in its community driven development projects under the government’s social payment program.

Trinidad tops CV Kalahi CIDSS MCC projects' completion rate By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

T rinidad mayor Roberto Cajes announced this during the recent flag raising ceremony.

Cajes, who also heads the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bohol Chapter quoted Christopher Pasco, a financial analyst of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Cebu Regional Field Office for the recognition.

According to Pasco, with the ongoing developments in the implementation of the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan

Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services Millennium Challenge Corporation (Kalahi CIDSS MCC), Trinidad is leading the 14 areas in Region 7 in terms of project completion even before the due date.

Pasco, the mayor said the feat could even put Trinidad on top of all the 14 areas in the region.

Kalahi CIDSS MCC granted funded projects are simultaneously implemented in Bohol’s 12 towns and two others in Siquijor.

The towns that benefited from the Kalahi CIDSS MCC include Pilar, Carmen, Mabini, Ubay, Bien Unido, Trinidad, San Miguel, Talibon, Jetafe, Buenavista, Danao and Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo).

In Siquijor, the government also funds projects implemented in Enrique Villanueva and Siquijor, Siquijor. (mbcn/rahc-PIA7 Bohol)

UPV Cebu College

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- A group of fishers in Amlan received a P625,000 grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under their DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

T h e T an da ya g F i s h e r fo l k s Association, composed of 34 marginal fishermen, received the

check from Labor Sec. Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz in a turnover ceremony held July 16 along the coastline of Brgy. Tandayag in Amlan, Negros Oriental.

Virgilio Aviso, head of the Tandayag fisherfolks group, said they intend to use the grant to purchase 25 units of motorized boats to boost their income; all the members use paddle boats.

“Dako kaayo among kalipay kay nakadawat mi aning kantidara kay dako ni siya ug tabang sa among asosasyon (This grant is a big help to our association and

we are very grateful that we have received this livelihood assistance),” said Aviso in an interview.

With the motorized boats, Aviso said they expect to see a boost in their income.

Aside from this, the livelihood aid is also seen to help the fishers protect the six-hectare stretch of Tandayag Marine Sanctuary in the village’s sea waters which they co-manage with the municipal government.

The grant was inspired by the success of the fishermen’s association in Brgy. Bio-os, Amlan, which was the recipient of a similar grant from DOLE.

Viven Lagahid of the DOLE provincial office here said the 20 fishers under the Bio-os fishermen’s group received a P500,000 grant in 2010 under the same DOLE program.

With the grant, Lagahid said the Bio-os fisherfolks acquired 25 motorized boats that they are now using in their livelihood.

DOLE Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte in her speech urged the fishermen to form their association into a cooperative so they can have a legal personality and avail of other future grants. (RMN-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)

DOLE turns over P625,000 grant to Amlan fishers By Rachelle M. Nessia

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

T he Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 431 signed by Executive

Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on July 12, to give the people in the entire province of Bohol and Tagbilaran City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in

the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

President Aquino granted the request of the Office of the Governor to declare Monday, July 23, as a special (non-working) day instead of July 22, which falls on a Sunday, which is the real date of the founding anniversary.

On July 22, 1854, Bohol was separated from Cebu and together with S iqui jor , was created into a politico-military province during the Spanish rule in the Philippines. Thereafter, it was recognized as a province during the American regime. (MBCN/ECB-PIA7 Bohol)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 16 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared July 23, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the province of Bohol and Tagbilaran City in commemoration of its 158th Foundation day anniversary.

Aquino declares July 23 as special (non-working) day in Bohol

Siquijor joins green product showcase at trade expo in Bohol SIQUIJOR, July 18 (PIA) -- Some of the local entrepreneurs in the food and non-food sectors from Siquijor will join the more than 80 Filipino exhibitors in the 2012 Sandugo Regional Trade Expo at the Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City on July 25-29.

D epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Nimfa Virtucio said they are the makers

of furniture and woodcraft, cakes and pastries, banana crackers and other souvenir items in Siquijor.

Local producers Douglas Balwit and Romblon weavers of barangay Napo, San Juan, Siquijor will also present some of the product prototypes designed by the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) designers.

The trade fair banners the theme, “Greening Products, Winning Markets,” and will feature innovative creations from MSMEs in Central Visayas as well as other neighboring provinces in the region.

A major highlight of the trade expo will be the special settings that feature three different perspectives – Green Technologies for Tourism; the Raffia Country Branding Program of DOST; and a showcase of crafts and processed food in the region, DTI release read.

Local ingenuity, organic products and other unique 'One Town, One

Product' (OTOP) using indigenous raw materials will also be highlighted in the trade expo.

The OTOP, another program of the government is all about developing local skills, using indigenous materials and promoting entrepreneurship and partnerships.

Side activities of the trade fair will include a Green Forum on July 26 and an MSME Caravan on July 27, both at Metro Centre in Tagbilaran City.

National and international buyers are expected during the fair, including exporters, buying agents, wholesalers, r e t a i l e r s , m a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d subcontractors, DTI said.

Booths will be set up in the Island City Mall to display the wealth of natural wonders and the related adventure and fun activities that are available for tourists and visitors who wish to explore the destinations on the rise.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology, Region 7 gave recognition to individuals and organizations for their

contributions to the goals of the agency. Siquijor Mayor Richard Quezon and Siquijor State College (SSC) President Baldomero Martinez and the SSC as the institution itself received the Award of Recognition from the DOST during the Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Siquijor and DOST to highlight the annual celebration of the National Science and Technology Week commemorated in July.

Also, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7 has awarded 8,000 “siganid” or locally known as “kitong” fingerlings to Siquijor on July 6.

Each fingerling costs P5; the whole batch totaling P40,000, BFAR-Siquijor provincial fisheries officer Warren S. Inao said.

The project is part of the Agri Pinoy program for the provincial government’s demo farm in Tongo, Siquijor, Siquijor where a 10x10 meter floating fish cage has been put up, Inao added. (MBCN/RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

T he Public Employment Services Office (PESO) has deployed around 300 workers for Cebu

Mitsumi, a Japanese electronic manufacturing firm and one of the largest electronic manufacturers in Cebu, said provincial focal person Jose Ramon Benedicto.

“These applicants come from the different local government units like Pamplona, Mabinay, Tayasan and Siaton,” Benedicto said in an interview.

The workers are hired as trainees to work as electronic assemblers for a

contract period of three years, with a monthly allowance of P8,000 plus overtime pay, he said.

“After three years, they will be able to receive from TESDA a NCII competency certificate as electronic assemblers,” said Benedicto.

With this certificate, Benedicto said, the workers will be qualified to work abroad such as Taiwan and Malaysia.

The PESO focal person is confident the province will meet the required 4,000 employees needed by Cebu Mitsumi.

“I am very confident because there are so many applicants here in the province who are coming to my office asking about employment opportunities,” said Benedicto.

Dur ing the pre-deployment briefing for 85 applicants from Pamplona, which is the fourth batch for deployment to Cebu Mitsumi, Gov. Roel Degamo urged them to work hard and do their work well. (RMN-PIA7 Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- An electronics company in Cebu is set to hire a total of 4,000 trainees from Negros Oriental.

Electronics company to hire 4,000 workers in NegOr By Rachelle M. Nessia

UPV Cebu College Administration Bldg.

By Elvira C. Bongosia

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Samar seeks agriculture fund for farm-to-market roads

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 19 (PIA) -- Bringing agricultural produce to the market has always been a perennial worry of farmers. In Samar, two deeply potholed farm-to-market roads (FMRs)are of no use to the farmers and residents in the area, unless these are rehabilitated and cemented soon.

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment, under its Emergency Employment Program, recently turned over a check in the amount of P219,395 to the local government of San Policarpo, Eastern Samar.

D OLE Director Exequiel R. Sarcauga turned over the check to Mayor Conrado Uy Nicart III

in a ceremony held at the ABC Hall of San Policarpo. Also in attendance were Congressman Ben Evardone, Mr. Alekskie Abella, the head of the DOLE-Eastern Samar, and the beneficiaries of the program.

M r . M a r l o S i b l e , l a b o r communications officer designate of DOLE 8, said the grant covers one hundred percent of the labor cost for the 149 beneficiaries of San Policarpo for the street concreting project at Barangay 05.

Mr. Sible said the total project cost is P726,240, forty percent of which is shouldered by DOLE while the remaining sixty percent is shouldered by the accredited co-partner the LGU of San Policarpo.

Local government units can only avail of the DOLE’s Emergency Employment Program if a certain area or municipality has been hit by typhoons, earthquakes and other natural calamities that resulted to the displacement of some workers.

This claim must be duly certified by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council, Mr. Sible said.

The goal here is to provide the displaced workers immediate relief from the calamity by giving them income, and at the same time, enlist them for the rehabilitation, clearing and cleaning of their affected communities, Sible added.

In behalf of the beneficiaries, Mayor Nicart thanked Director Sarcauga for the grant. He assured the labor director as well as those present, that the grant will go directly to the beneficiaries upon implementation and completion of the project. (PIA-8)

DOLE awards emergency employment grant to San Policarpo LGU UPV Tacloban Administration Bldg.

Borongan women undergo cervical screening

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 16 (PIA) -- More than 300 women from Borongan benefited from the two-day outreach program of the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS), headed by POGS national president, Dr. Mayumi Bismark.

S amar is seeking the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fund two FMRs in the municipality of

Gandara amounting to ₱20.64 million. The FMRs a re t he S to .

Niño-Casandig, measuring 1.5 km in Gandara, Samar in the amount of ₱10,390,000; and the Barangay Samuyao-Jasminez, 1.5 km costing ₱10,250,000.

Repair of these roads will greatly improve the accessibility of farmers to the centers of economic activity, according to rural folks.

If completed, the said FMRs will serve the barangays of Sto. Niño, Bangahon, Casandig, and Herali while the second FMR will serve barangays Samuyao, Jasminez, and Tagnao, all in Gandara, Samar.

Templates of basic information and map showing the locations of the proposed projects have been submitted to the Department of Agriculture for funding and site validation. Representative Mel Senen S. Sarmiento of Samar’s first district and Virgilio C. Eduarte, district engineer, are hopeful that the projects will be ncluded in the release of funds next year. (PIA-Samar)

A lthough there was a scheduled power interruption on July 13 and 14, the dates the cervical

examination was to be conducted, the medical mission still pushed through with nine gynecologists extending the service.

In the evening of the second day, despite seven power interruptions, nine major operations for myoma and hysterectomy to nine women pushed through. Fe Palad,a a school teacher from barangay Canjaway, expressed her gratitude to the POGS outreach program.

She said when she learned about the medical mission, she grabbed the opportunity, instead of going to Tacloban for a follow-up check up.

Other than the major operations, Dr. Fe Merin, POGS regional president said 377 women who submitted for cervical screening and breast examination and of these, 32 were examined with Ultra Sound and 31 with cryotheraphy.

The medical mission also gave a lecture on adolescents health care at the Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School to around 1,500 high school students who came from the different high schools of the city. Dr. Merin thanked them for their receptive and active participation.

In a short interview, Dr. Evelyn Palaypayon, (POGS 2005 president) said that she feels satisfied whenever they have

a medical mission in depressed communities as this is a way of giving back to the community the blessings they received.

The POGS team from Manila included: Dr. Mayumi Bismark, Dr. Evelyn Palaypayon, Dr. Aida San Jose, and Dr. Claridad Molino; from Tacloban: Dr. Fe Merin, Dr. Loreta Rama, Dr. Mina Claridad Tagra, Dr. Jenny Lesiguez, Dr. Helen Grace Roasa, Dr. Anna Mae Alvarez, Dr. Kathleen Cuayzon, Dr. Catherine Sarcia, Dr. Judith Morales, Dr. Jayreu Supremo, Dr. Florinda Tadena, and R. Rex Canete. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

By Alicia F. Nicart

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

German group OKs P14-M disaster preparedness projects for Maasin

Naval nutrition council holds nutrition poster and slogan-making contest

T he students demonstrated their creativity with slogans focusing on eating vegetables everyday which

gives the body more vitamins and minerals that lead to a strong and healthy body.

Centered on the theme “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain!” the contest was witnessed by students of the participating schools, teachers, LGU officials, and employees and the general public.

The six participating high schools in Naval included the Naval School of

Fisheries (NSF); Lightbringer Learning Center; Naval National High School; Higatangan National High School; Naval State University NSU); and Lucso-on National High School.

First prize of the contest went to NSF represented by Kernel Arian Laperal; second prize – Lightbringer Learning Center represented by Jariah Bucsit; and third prize –Naval National High School represented by Rodolf Anthony Jumadiao.

The winners received a cash prize of P1,000; P700; and P500 respectively. Reynaldo Recla of Higatangan National High School – 4th prize winner; Jaypee Gloria of NSU – 5th prize winner; and Ronabel Acuin of Lucsoon National High School - 6th prize winner received consolation prizes of P200 each.

NSF will represent the municipality of Naval in the poster and slogan contest at the provincial level on the last week of July 2012. (PIA-Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, July 19 (PIA) -- As part of the highlights of the Nutrition Month celebration in Naval, a poster and slogan-making contest was conducted by the local government unit (LGU) of Naval on Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the municipal hall with six students from the different high schools participating.

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 13 (PIA) -- The German government organization GIZ has approved several calamity mitigation project proposals submitted by this city recently amounting to P 14 million.

UPV Tacloban College

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

By Flordelis E. Jackson

T his was learned from Aniceto Narit, engineer and executive officer of the City Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Counci l (CDRRMC).

In the TV program “Action Center” Kapihan sa PIA Wednesday, Narit disclosed that the projects, which were approved under the Urban Disaster Risk Reduction Program of GIZ, included slope protection along rivers, de-clogging of drainage system in the city proper, and the use of coco coir in rehabilitating denuded mountain areas.

The city government was also a recipient of several rescue equipment provided by GIZ, such as oxygen tanks, 32-KVA generator sets, hand-held radios, and huge tents, among others, Narit said.

Aside from those that have been approved, the city also submitted for GIZ’s consideration at least three mobile structures needed in the event of an emergency like water purifier, portable kitchen, and portalets or portable toilets. Narit was optimistic these will be realized.

When asked about the construction of a separate office for the CDRRMC, Narit said this was already ongoing. He said the office for disaster-related activities will be housed at the city gym which is now undergoing construction, and it will be manned by a competent staff that can readily respond to any alert calls.

Other guests at the kapihan were Marichu Tan and Peps Pabilona, both provincial officers of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). (PIA-Southern Leyte)

Supreme Court launches enhanced justice on wheels in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 19 (PIA) -- To bring justice closer and faster to the people, the Supreme Court has launched the enhanced justice on wheels (EJOW) at the New Capitol Grounds, Catarman, Northern Samar Wednesday, July 18.

T he program is intended to bring justice closer to the poor and marginalized sectors of society

through the following components of activities: court hearings in the bus, mobile court-annexed mediation (for mediatab le cases) , in format ion dissemination in which several lectures on recent laws designed to guide barangay officials on how to handle local disputes, jail visitation with medical/dental aid, and legal aid through the IBP/UEP College of Law.

Dialogue with Supreme Court officials attended by first- and second-level court judges and clerks of courts, provincial and municipal officials, non-government officials (NGOs), IBP officials and members, prosecutors, PAO lawyers, BJMP officials, PNP officials and team building were also part of the activities that conducted.

The project provides immediate resolutions of conflicts through conciliation, mediation, or adjudication.

Parties involved in mediatable cases such as family conflicts, land disputes, and slight physical injuries were assisted to facilitate fast administration of justice.

Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez and deputy court administrators, Antonio Eugenio and Raul Villanueva were also present in the launching. (PIA-Northern Samar)

By Teresita B. Cardenas

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) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.   

Editorial Consultants Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 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