Vol 2 Issue 51 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 December 17 - 23, 2012

WESTERN VISAYAS  

By Minerva BC. Newman CENTRAL VISAYAS (PIA) -- A cabinet official

challenged all local government units (LGUs) to play an important role in the country's economic growth and development specifically in the countryside and to sustain this growth and make it inclusive.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Francisco "Bimbo" Fernandez issued this challenge in his keynote message during the DILG-7 evaluation and conference and awarding ceremonies for the Toboy 2012, Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives award, and the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi awards on December 14 at the Cebu Grand hotel, Cebu City.

"The DILG policy is to continue the legacy of secretary Robredo and try to improve on it," Fernandez said.

He added that under the leadership of Secretary Manuel Roxas, the DILG today is very decisive in its action against illegal gambling, jueteng, illegal possession and unlicensed firearms, and a comprehensive inventory of the programs, services and policies of the BJMP, BFP, PNP, and the local government units.

Fernandez underscored the important role of the LGUs in disaster management that includes risk reduction and waste management; identification of projects that will involve the informal sectors and civil society specifically in the implementation of poverty alleviation programs.

"The local government units should take a vibrant role in the development of our nation!" Fernandez concluded. (PIA 7)

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

By Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Dec 19 (PIA6) -- The 2012 Gawad

Saka Award of the Department of Agriculture has cited farmers and farmer organizations for their contributions to the food sufficiency in Western Visayas.

This year’s Gawad Saka Outstanding Farmer was Franz Jason Baltazar of Oton, Iloilo, adjudged among others for his being an entrepreneur in addition to being a farmer.

Baltazar said he has been using organic and sustainable intercrop system (OASIS) in his two-hectare farmland, where he raised tropical coy fishers, poultry and tilapia breeding.

He supplies chicken to one of the biggest restaurants in Arevalo, Iloilo city.

On the other hand, cited as this year’s Saka Gawad Outstanding Young Farmer is Louie Jhon Gelluagan from Hinobaan, Negros Occidental, who was also an organic farming practitioner, widely involved in farm activities in his school and community.

Recognized as Outstanding High-Value Commercial Crops Farmer, was Rosario Villarenia, a mother of six from Silay City, Negros Occidental, who was able to achieve more by using the Integrated Farming Technology.

With hard work in her farm, she said, she was able to send her children to school.

Meanwhile, honoured as this year’s Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer, was Senfroso Carpentero, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, who has a farmland of 2.3 hectares.

Despite the small area, he was able to produce 83 tons of sugarcane, exceeding the mill district average of 67 tons.

For the farmers’ organizations, the Gawad Saka Awardees were the Canmoros Dynamic Association of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, cited as Outstanding Fisherfolk Organization, the Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School Young Farmers’ 4-H Club, as Outstanding Young Farmers Organization.

Other winners include the San Isidro Rural Improvement Club of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, as Outstanding Rural Improvement Club, and the San Carlos Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils.

DA-6 Director Larry Nacionales said the Gawad Saka Award is the agency’s mechanism for recognizing farmers and and farmers groups that have been rendering exemplary initiatives which redound to enhancing food sufficiency in the region. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec 19 (PIA) -- For the second year in a row, Leyte has been chosen as the Eastern Visayas Regional Gawad Pamana ng Lahi in the provincial level.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government presented the trophy and a cash prize of P3 million at the newly built Leyte Convention Center, December 14.

DILG Region 8 Director Pedro Noval presented Governor Mimietta S. Bagulaya plaque of recognition from DILG.

The province of Leyte was disqualified for the national award, since its governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla, sat as one of the board of judges in the national level of Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.

Petilla encouraged the administration of Governor Bagulaya and the incoming administration of Dominic Petilla, to seek the Gold Level Award of the Seal of Good Housekeeping, next year, which is a key requirement for the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.

Myles Colasito, DILG information Ooficer, said that Gawad Pamana ng Lahi is considered by the DILG as the “mother of all (its) awards” as its criteria covers LGUs’ Overall Performance Index (OPI) in the agency’s Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS); the SGH (which recognizes transparency, accountability and inclusivity in local administration and development); International or National Awards; and acknowledged innovations. It has three categories: province, city and municipality.

The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi was initiated by the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo as part of his incentive system for good local governance. LGPMS takes up 80 percent of the score, SGH, 10 percent; while the remaining 10 percent is split equally for innovations and awards.

Moreover, the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi prize money is to be used by the local government for projects promoting disaster risk reduction and management or climate change adaptation; local economic development; or the Millennium Development Goals. (PIA-8)

Leyte bags Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award for the 2nd time

DA cites outstanding farmers, farmer groups

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…

DILG official challenges LGUs to sustain economic growth in the countryside

EASTERN VISAYAS  

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

The lovely ladies participating in the Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang 2013 pose while waiting for the start of the Pamukaw 2013 at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, December 14. (LAF/PIA6)

Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla leads the ceremonial switching of lights of the Palo Leyte Christmas Festival held at the town plaza. Assisting him are (l-r) businessman Dominic Petilla, Mayor Remedios Petilla, Msgr. Bernardo Pantin and Vice-Mayor Jose Dolina, December 14. (Raul Tiozon/PIA-8)

Department of the Interior and Local Govern-ment Usec Francisco Fernandez (2nd from left) gives Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria (in barong), the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award for the City Level Category during the DILG-7 Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Awarding at the Grand Cebu Hotel on December 14. Others in photo are (R-L) DILG-7 ARD Elias F. Fernandez Jr., DILG-7 RD Ananias M. Villacorta and Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto. (VVV/PIA-CEBU)

Photo Courtesy of http://www.agriculture-ph.com

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Negros Occ. is WV’s best performing province By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

NEGROS OCC., Dec 18 (PIA6) -- Negros Occ. reaped top honors in the recently concluded DILG "Pagdayaw 2012" EXCELL awards in Iloilo City, bagging the Best Performing Province in Western Visayas.

A long with the honor are other special awards including champion in administrative governance,

e conomic governance , v a l u i ng fundamentals of good governance, and 1st runner –up in environmental governance.

Silay City was named best in administrative governance and best in economic governance while Sagay City was runner-up in best performing LGU in the city category, 1st runner up in

economic governance, 2nd runner -up in valuing fundamentals of good governance and environmental governance.

Both are components cities of with Negros Occ., known for being the country’s city of province with 13 cities and 19 municipalities.

During the press conference at the governor’s office Provincial Capitol, Gov. Alfredo Maranon said the awards were a product of hard work.

DILG judged LGUs in Region VI according to their accomplishments for 2011, innovative approaches and strategies in management and past awards they had received.

This year’s "Pagdayaw 2012" EXCELL awards theme is "Sealing Up Excellence in Local Government Performance". (JSC/LOL-PIA6 Negros Occ.)

T he farm mechanization project helps jumpstart the Aquino government’s farm mechanization

and post-harvest program implemented by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Iloilo.

“Take good care of these farm equipments,” said Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor to the farmer leaders as he turned over the 80 units of hand tractors; 4 units of combine harvester; 4 units of 4-wheel tractor; 26 units of rice threshers; 5 units of transplanter; 298 units of collapsible dryer; 7,754 units of net laminated sacks; and pump and engine set.

To make the recipients understand of

the government’s farm mechanization program, Defensor made as example a rice thresher costing some P74,937.00 where 85 percent will be shouldered by the Department of Agriculture and the 15 percent which is some P11,241 will be the proponent’s share.

As part of the mechanization program, the DA will assist farmers interested to use modern technologies, where the government will shoulder 85 percent of the equipment’s value while the remaining 15 percent will be paid for by the proponent or farmers’ association.

Iloilo Provincial Agricultural Officer Ildefonso Toledo disclosed in a PIA interview that the provincial government

has appropriated a 15 percent or P3.8 million counterpart of the P25 million value of the equipments, in order to hasten the fast delivery of equipments to the farmers.

Farmer leaders Zoilo Suplemento and

Helen Bolivar both thanked the government for the efforts of introducing the modern farm equipments, and likewise they hope that the province’s rice produce would improve further if the use of modern farm equipments are in full scale.

Iloilo targets to achieve one million metric tons of rice production output this year.(JCM/VWV/PIA 6-Iloilo) 

P25-M farm equipments turned over to 100 coops in Iloilo

By Vicente W. Villavert ILOILO CITY, Dec 20 (PIA6) -- Some 100 farmer cooperatives in the province of Iloilo received modern farm equipment worth P25 million during a ceremony held at the Iloilo Sports Complex Covered Gym, here.

SAN JOSE, Antique Dec 17 (PIA6) -- "Pasundayag" goes to the mall, a Christmas Trade Fair, is now going on at the Gaisano Grand Mall of Antique until December 23, 2012.

T his is an exhibit of Kina-iya (Distinctly Antique) products, tourism services and job

opportunities with special participation of Information Technology companies, according to Engr. Arlene Galopo, Trade and Industry Development Specialist, Dept of Trade and Industry.

Featured products are processed food, marine products, fashion accessories, gift and housewares made of nito, buri, pandan and abaca fibers, souvenir items and tour packages, she

disclosed. These products were handmade by

micro businesses with capitalization of P3 million and below. These reflect the culture, talent and innate capabilities of the Antiqueños.

Likewise Galapo said this activity is a prelude to the Pasundayag Trade Fair, a Provincial Trade Fair organized by Binirayan Foundation Inc. on December 27-29, 2012 at EBJ Freedom Park, which will be participated in by the local government units.

Complementing the Christmas spirit of gift-giving and sharing, dynamic and trainable Antiqueños are invited to visit the fair at Gaisano Grand Mall on December 20-21, 2012.

This activity is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry as part of its marketing and promotion services for small businesses. (DTI/JSC/PSM-PIA6 Antique)

‘Pasundayag’ goes to the Mall By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

PIAPIAPIA———Western VisayasWestern VisayasWestern Visayas

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Gov’t focuses on Pantawid Program sustainability

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec 19 (PIA6) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development is networking with other government agencies to provide sustainable programs for the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer or Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) program.

By Jemin B. Guillermo

W estern Visayas Regional Director Minda Brigoli said that they are c lose ly

coordinating and networking with the Department of Agriculture for the training of 4Ps beneficiaries on different agriculture programs.

She added that they are also in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways for work opportunities of said beneficiaries in the construction and infrastructure projects.

Brigoli said that there is also a

livelihood engagement of 4Ps beneficiaries for the programs and projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“However, within five years Brigoli said beneficiaries are expected to have overcome the survival stage and will already be on the subsistence stage and there is a high social adequacy, she said, adding that the government is now focusing its efforts on economic sufficiency which is towards self-sufficiency.”

She also assured the public that with

the help of the different government agencies and the private sector, the program will be sustained.

On the other hand, Brigoli pointed out that more classrooms and day care centers are up for construction to cater to the needs of children’s basic education.

In addition, health facilities and equipments are also upgraded to provide greater health access to the community. (JSC/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)

KALIBO, Aklan, Dec 17 (PIA6) -- Five civil registrars from Aklan were cited recently by the National Statistics Office (NSO) for being top performers during the 2012 Year-end Assessment held at Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

T he outstanding civil registrars, who received a plaque of recognition from NSO 6 Regional

Director Norman Julag-ay during the activity, were Eliezer Sevilla of the municipality of Ibajay, Jocelyn Maglunob of Banga, Ma. Cecilia Maribao of Buruanga, Dinah Myra Tejada of Makato and Nenita Soqueña of Nabas, according to Blas Solidum, NSO-Aklan Provincial Statistics Officer.

Their recognition resulted from a search conducted by the NSO to

determine the region’s outstanding civil registrars for 2012.

Of the five, Sevilla of Ibajay bagged first place during the evaluation for his submission of quality civil registry reports to NSO on time, for keeping an updated and organized civil registry book as well as for maintaining an orderly and conducive local civil registry office.

Sevilla was also credited for organizing the biggest mass wedding in Aklan in February 2012 where 247 couples were wed in civil rites.

The conduct of the annual search, according to Solidum, aims to recognize and honor civil registrars who are outstanding on perfoming their functions and duties and in the promotion of civil registration activities in their respective areas.

Solidum added the Municipal Civil Registrars play an important roled in the lives of every individual because they are the primary implementers of civil registry laws. (JSC/VGV/NSO-PIA6 Aklan)

NSO cites Aklan's top performing civil registrars By Venus G. Villanueva

PIAPIAPIA———Western VisayasWestern VisayasWestern Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Dec 18 (PIA6) -- The common goal of every overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is to seek a greener pasture, to earn money in the hope to give a better future for one’s family. However, not everyone is fortunate to achieve this endeavor.

T his is the reason the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will conduct a training

dubbed as “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” to returning OFWs in Western Visayas.

In a PIA interview, Overseas Workers Welfare Officer Rizza Joy Mapa said that this skills training intervention aims to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of returning OFWs.

“This specifically targets returning OFWs who have been displaced by hostilities and conflicts in Arab countries,”

said Mapa. According to Mapa, the training will

assist OFWs plan, set-up and operate self-sustaining enterprise by providing them with ready-to-go employment package of services consisting of short-term trainings and start-up kits.

Mapa also said that these will be the first two sets of training that will be conducted this year. The first schedule was on Dec. 19 - 21, 2012, to be held in the Tigbauan Municipal Conference Hall, while the second is set on Dec. 26 -28 in

Guimbal. “For every batch, we are expecting 25

participants coming from the different provinces in the region,” added Mapa.

The “Balik-Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” is part of the National Reintegration Program of OWWA. This is conducted in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Ski l ls Development Authority (TESDA). (JCM/LTP/PIA-ILOILO) 

OWWA to train OFWs on livelihood, employment skills By Leonard T. Pineda I

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

A c c o r d i n g t o S t . P a u l University-Dumaguete (SPUD) director of external affairs Raffy

Arbon Duhaylungsod, the SPUD is one of the primary venues of the Taboan: The Philippine Writers Festival slated on February 7- 9 in Dumaguete, a project of the National Committee on Literary Arts, and the Sayaw Pinoy of the National Committee on Dance scheduled on February 16.

The Taboan will bring in 100 writer-delegates from all over the country

with a few coming from abroad. Lectures and fora will be offered to

students and teachers from the various educational institutions in the city and province for free. This will also provide them the opportunity to be exposed to Philippine Literature.

The students will also have an opportunity to interact with the writers behind the bylines of poetry, fiction and drama published in textbooks and other publications.

The event is an annual project and

forms part of the Philippine International Arts Festival.

Meanwhile, the Sayaw Pinoy is a touring dance performance which features the different dance forms – folkdance, traditional dance, ballet, neo-classical, modern & contemporary and hiphop dance participated by top dance companies in the country with the local dance troupes in the city and province. (FCR/JCT-PIA7, Negros Oriental)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Dec 15 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will hold its writers festival and sayaw Pinoy early next year in Dumaguete City.

NCCA to hold writers festival and sayaw Pinoy in Dumaguete City

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The top official of Pag-IBIG Fund – Visayas has assured its 1.2 million members that their agency has no plans of hiking membership contributions amid the increase in SSS and PhilHealth membership contributions.

Pag-Ibig assures no hike in membership contributions By Fayette C. Riñen

P ag-Ibig Vice President for Visayas Victoria de la Peña said this during the recent PIA Kapihan

that highlighted the 32nd year anniversary celebration of the Fund.

Although De la Peña stressed that this does not mean the agency would no longer increase its membership contributions, but merely guaranteed of no hike in the near future.

The Pag-Ibig official declared that the Fund is “already a P300 billion corporation” and that “the savings of the members are spent wisely”.

A large chunk of the Fund’s assets are poured into its major housing loan programs as the very objective of the agency is to provide affordable shelter to all its members. Another significant amount is also allotted to the

multi-purpose loan for it members. Out of the 1.2 million members in the

Visayas, Cebu had the highest share of membership volume with 733,000.

The 32nd year anniversary of Pag-Ibig is actually on December 14, which in the Visayas Office based in Cebu City, will just be a simple celebration that will start with a mass, according to De la Peña. (PIA-7)

" Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto received, in behalf of the province, the plaque of recognition and a cash award of P3

million during the Department of the Interior and Local Government 7 Evaluation Conference and Awarding Ceremony held Dec. 14, 2012 at the Cebu Grand Hotel, Cebu City.

The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award is annually given to the best municipality, city, and province in the region that showed exemplary performance and exert extra ordinary effort in rendering public service in the aspect of good governance valuing the environment, development of the people and transparency in the service and information needed by the public.

Under the same award category, the city of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental was also recognized as outstanding city.

On the other hand, the municipality of Jagna, Bohol bagged the award as outstanding municipality in Central Visayas.

Dumaguete City and the municipality of

Jagna received a plaque of recognition and a cash award of P2 million and P1 million, respectively.

Basak Badian, Cebu was declared winner for Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award under the 1st to 3rd municipality while Saavedra, Moalboal, Cebu were also declared winner in the same category this time under the 4th to 6th class municipality.

Under the same category for the component city, Valladolid Carcar City, Cebu was declared winner while Mabolo, Cebu City was chosen as winner for the highly urbanized city.

Overall the province of Cebu received a total of 14 awards; Negros Oriental got five awards while the province of Bohol bagged three awards.

A total of 35 public servants in various municipalities, cities and provinces in Central Visayas were finalists for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incent ives Award , Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY), and the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi

Award. Award categories include Best 1st to

6th Class Municipalities, Best Highly Urbanized City, and Best Component City for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award.

For the Outstanding Barangay Officials of the Year (TOBOY) category, awards were handed out for outstanding barangay SK Chairman/Chairwoman, outstanding barangay treasurer, outstanding barangay secretary, outstanding barangay kagawad, and outstanding punong barangay.

Each winner was given a certificate/ plaque of recognition and a cash award in which millions worth of cash awards were given to the winners of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi.

The awarding was graced by DILG -7 Assistant Regional Director Elias Fernandez, DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias Villacorta, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto and DILG Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez. (rmn/AYS/ PIA-7, Cebu)

By Amorganda A. Saludar

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Bohol walked away with the plum award “Most Outstanding Province” during the recent Gawad Pamana ng Lahi 2012 conducted by the DILG Region 7.

Bohol bags 'Most Outstanding Province' of Gawad Pamana ng Lahi 2012 PIAPIAPIA———Central VisayasCentral VisayasCentral Visayas

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

T he Reg iona l In teragency Committee on Anti-Trafficking (Riacat) and personnel from the

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) have tapped the transport sector because of its greater access to the public.

The RIACAT team posted printed materials at the two major terminals in the city, the North and the South Bus Terminals.

It also distributed stickers and posters against human trafficking on public utility jeepneys (PUJ), public utility busses

(PUB’s) and other public vehicles. DSWD-7 Women’s Welfare Specialist

Rosemarie Salazar said the International and cross boarder trafficking of women and children remains one of the worst forms of human rights violations. Salazar said the statistics continue to increase.

The International Day Against Human Trafficking started in 2006 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1172. This year’s theme is “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkakaisa, Human Trafficking ay Wakasan Na”.

According to the National Bureau of

Investigation, the Philippines is among the top five countries in the world where most human trafficking victims come from.

There are 15 million human trafficking victims worldwide and the country has a “good share” of the number, the NBI added.

Around 80 percent of human trafficking victims in the country are females below 18 years old, and that they are usually brought to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and even Cyprus. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, Dec 14 (PIA) -- The transport sector has joined in the campaign against trafficking of women and children.

Campaign against human trafficking taps transport sector By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo that also hit Siquijor province on December 4 this year resulted in over P50 million in damages to the province’s crops, livestock, houses, and other infrastructure, a report obtained from the provincial and municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Centers (DRRMCs) said.

O f the six towns in the province, Siquijor was reported to be severely affected with a total

estimated cost of damage at P19,482,697 including the almost 1,000 households wrecked by the typhoon and more than 50 percent of its crops and agricultural products damaged.

Maria town comes next with a total damage of P15,217,737; Enrique Villanueva, P9,361,331; Lazi, P4.5 million; and Larena at P1,453,165.

San Juan town has reported a damaged of P2,460,000 to crops and

houses alone. Siquijor province was placed under

typhoon Pablo signal no. 3 on December 4.

Power lines especially in the mountain barangays and other infrastructure bogged down causing a total blackout for two days.

Typhoon Pablo however, claimed one Helbert Daniel, 25, who was dead on the spot while riding a motorcycle. He was hit by a fallen coconut tree in Lazi, Siquijor.

MV Euro 3 of Villa Shipping Lines, with a crew of 16, was pushed off the

coast in Maria town. One crewman who was reported to be missing was found floating, 300 meters from its aground.

The provincial government, in a resolution, declared on December 6 the island-province of Siquijor under state of calamity due to severe damage to houses and crops, said PDRRMC

To date, electrical power has been restored to most of the island and things are getting back to normal. (mbcn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)

'Pablo’s' damage to Siqujor over P50M, claims one life By Rizalie A. Calibo

W hite said that with her husband CCEF president, Dr. Allan White, the foundation is very

proud to work with the leaders of Siquijor in bringing marine conservation issues to the forefront.

Siquijor has been a partner of CCEF since 2002 when coastal resource management efforts were introduced in the island. Since then, blast fishing has gone down to zero and there has been no reported cases of illegal fishing in the waters surrounding the island.

The learning center is a joint project of the Siquijor provincial government, CCEF, and the Deutsche Gesselscaft fur Interntionale Zusammenarbeit to serve as the venue for discussion on marine and coastal conservation efforts of the island.

It was built on a lot donated by the province and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of State, Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Z u s a m m e n a r b e i t o r G e r m a n Development Service (DED) and the

David and Lucile Packard Foundation. “This is the only Learning Center for

the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Project in the Philippines that is foreign-funded through CCEF,” Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma Osorio, CCEF executive director said.

Osorio said the learning center is the best symbol of strong implementation of all CRM projects in the island for the last 10 years. (mbcn/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- Siquijor has been one of the strongest supporters of marine management and the first island in the Philippines to create and implement a marine protected area network, Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc. (CCEF) board secretary and co-founder Evangeline White reported during the inauguration of the Provincial Coastal Resource Management (CRM) learning in center in Larena, Siquijor recently.

Siquijor opens coastal resource management center By Rizalie A. Calibo

PIAPIAPIA———Central VisayasCentral VisayasCentral Visayas

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Another bridge in Sogod, So. Leyte formally opened to traffic

SOGOD, Southern Leyte, Dec 20 (PIA) -- A mega-structure of a bridge that spans the Subangdaku River here was blessed and opened for service on December 14 in simple rites.

DILG names Southern Leyte as Best DILG provincial office for 2012

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec 18 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Southern Leyte provincial office romped away with the major awards in the recent Year-end Evaluation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG – 08) held at the Tacloban City Convention Center on December 14.

P rovincial leaders led by Gov. Damian Mercado and Cong. Roger Mercado, along with the

mayors from various municipalities, joined Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Rolando Asis in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This was followed with a blessing officiated by Rev. Fr. Pepito Generan Jr., and a drive-through of the 136 linear meter-long infrastructure.

Asis lauded the provincial engineering district led by Carlos Veloso, district engineer, for having completed the project on time.

He said the project met the strict criteria of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson on right project, right quality, right time, right people, and right cost, adding that the government also saved on its expense as it was built lower than the common rate of P 600,000 per linear me-ter.

The completed bridge was constructed in three phases for a total expenditure of P 80.60 million, while the accompanying concreting from Barangay San Miguel junction traversing Barangay Concepcion to Barangay Buac road had an appropriation of P 35. 75 million, based on information at a tarpaulin billboard.

This was the second giant bridge to dot the landscape of Sogod town, the first, the Agas-Agas bridge, was done in 2009. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

D ILG-Southern Leyte was recognized during the Parangal Ceremony as Best Performing

Provincial Team and Best in Annual Report, , said Loren Abrau-Aniciete, DILG-Local Government Operations officer.

Aniciete said that coming in at second place was Leyte province, and third was Northern Samar. “The ranking was made by DILG regional office using the field units’ performance in pursuing their

program targets.” Tacloban City, meanwhile, edged out Ormoc City as Best Performing City Team, she said.

The revival of the “Parangal” award was envisioned by DILG-8 Regional Director Pedro A. Noval Jr. as a way to recognize achievers and encourage further productivity among employees.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez served as guest speaker during the activity and gave tribute to the role of

DILG in strengthening the capacity of local officials in delivering basic services.

The DILG Provincial Director. encouraged the provincial team to sustain the culture of excellence which the DILG-Southern Leyte has manifested through the years. It should be noted that DILG Southern Leyte has been a consistent outstanding provincial team for more than a decade. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Bollywood's biggest film outfit to shoot scenes at Agas-Agas bridge

SOGOD, Southern Leyte, Dec 14 (PIA) -- Smile, Agas-Agas, you are on camera in Bollywood.

T his imposing structure may soon be featured as one of the location sites for a Bollywood movie

“Dhoom3,” an action-epic film series that depicts the adventures of a cop going after thieves.

Bollywood is the entertainment, celluloid world of India, the counterpart of Hollywood in the United States.

The proposed filming project in the country was the output of a successful Philippine participation in the Locations Exhibitions Conference held in Juhu, Mumbai, India, where the Philippines was recognized as the Best New Entrant for the Promotion of Tourism through Indian Films, DOT Director Karen Tiopes said.

Nedgar Garvez, the province’s tourism chief, told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) everything is set for the filming but he could not ascertain the exact dates, saying this depends on the filmmakers.

So move over “Bourne Legacy”, “Dhoom 3” is here. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

PIAPIAPIA———Eastern VisayasEastern VisayasEastern Visayas

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

By Rebecca S. Cadavos

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Ms. Earth 2012 beauties urge ESamarenos to protect environment

I n a symposium held Friday at the Filature building of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU),

barangay Maypangdan, this city, Stefanowitz said that Eastern Samar has a natural beauty that needs to be protected.

“You have a very beautiful place and must treasure and preserve it”, she told the close to a thousand students, faculty and guests of the university.

“You should also help in managing your garbage and conserve your natural

resources, particularly your abundant trees that we saw on our way here”, she added.

She shared that by simply using a glass in brushing teeth, one can already help save and protect the environment, instead of allowing the faucet to wastefully gush with the precious water.

She also cited the disaster that struck Compostela Valley, which she said was brought about by man’s abusive practices towards the earth’s treasures

which Estehanons should not allow to happen.

“When man destroys, nature reacts, therefore, do what you can, while we can”, she said.

The Ms. Earth beauties who visited the province upon the invitation of Rep. Ben Evardone were Ms. Princess Lieza Manson, Ms. Philippines Earth Runner-up, Ms. Candice Ramos, Ms. Philippines Eco-Tourism, Ms. Glennifer Perido. ( PIA-Eastern Samar)

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Dec 15 (PIA) -- Ms. Stephany Dianne Stefanowitz, Ms. Philippines Earth 2012, led other candidates of the 2012 Ms. Earth in calling on all Eastern Samarenos to take care of the environment.

GIZ gives Calbayog five mobile water purifiers

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec 18 (PIA) -- The government of Germany through the German International Cooperation or GIZ gave Calbayog City five sets of Mobile Water Purification System (MWPS).

T he MWPS has a capacity of 1,000 liters of water each which Calbayog will use for the city’s

disaster-relief efforts. Mayor Ronald Aquino received the

water purifiers at the city hall, expressing his gratitude to the donor, as he said that these will be a great help to the people of Calbayog. According to Estanislao Cortado Jr, head of City Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), these will be of great help in times of disaster and will automatically be placed at the evacuation centers to provide safe and clean water.

Cortado added that in case of power outage, the MPWS has its own generator.

The said equipment is worth P300,000 each or a total of P1.5 million.

Calbayog City had also received different equipments like a mobile kitchen, 10 portalets, one rescue boat, flood early warning system, and other equipments for the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program. (PIA-Samar with reports from Arnel Elar –NwSSU)

By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

By Alicia E. Nicart

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, 14 Dec (PIA) -- Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving vic-tims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation and the most common scheme is recruitment for job placement.

T his was the statement made by Mike Reynaldo of Plan Philippines during the culmination of 18-Day

Campaign to End Violence Against Women at Farmer’s Training Center, University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar.

The event coincided with the observance of International Day Against Human Trafficking.

He said 300,000 to 400,000 estimated number of cases of women (reported and unreported) and 60,000 to 100,000 children were trafficked annually within and outside the country.

Typical victims are those with age ranging from 12-22 years old, mostly girls, first-time in the big city, willing to take risks, and who have no clear information about their destination, work and employers.

Trafficked persons are forced into prostitution, forced labor and services, slavery-like practices, and removal and sale of organs.

They experience abuse that ranges from physical injuries, sexual violence and sometimes, even death, Reynaldo said.

From July 2010 to October 2012, there were 52 recorded trafficked in

person conviction and 70 persons convicted.

The Philippines, however, is making significant effort to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

A call to action is being pursued through the fundamental framework used by governments around the world to combat human trafficking, and these are: prevention, protection, p rosecut ion and par tnersh ip s . (PIA-Northern Samar)

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, Plan Int'l official says By Ailene N. Diaz

PIAPIAPIA———Eastern VisayasEastern VisayasEastern Visayas

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