Vol 4 Issue 18 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 5 - 11, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PNoy inaugurates PHL’s 1st prototype facility

Asia, Europe heads of state to visit Leyte

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

PHL remains quota holder for US market - SRA

BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 7 (PIA6) - - The

Philippines is assured of a zero tariff sugar export to the United States as the country remains as its third largest

quota holder. Sugar Regulatory Administrator Regina B. Martin said

this to members of the media during a Kapihan session organized by the Peace and Equity Foundation on the

Effects, Opportunities and Challenges Presented by the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 held at the Sugar Industry Foundation Incorporated in Talisay City, this

province. Martin said the assurance is part of the negotiations

discussed by a representative of the US Department of

Agriculture and the country‘s Agriculture Secretary

Proceso J. Alcala during President Barrack Obama‘s state

visit to the country.

The country‘s US quota annually is 136,000 metric tons and so far, according to Administrator Martin, we

have shipped out almost half of the total volume which is about 60,000 metric tons already.

―This, in spite of having a lower price of sugar to the US,‖ Martin added.

Meanwhile, Martin said that almost all sugar mills are ending the milling season within this month but everybody is working on the estimated target production of 2.3

million metric tons. ―We would like to assure everybody that there is no

need for importation. We have sufficient amount of

sugar,‖ Martin said.*(JSC/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 2 (PIA)—The first and only modern prototyping facility in the Philippines was inaugurated in Bohol.

No less than President Benigno ―Noynoy‖ Aquino III led the May 2 inauguration of the P9.15-million Bohol Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) within the campus of the state owned Bohol Islands State University (BISU) in

Tagbilaran City. The Bohol FabLab is a joint project between the

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of

Science and Technology (DOST), BISU and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said that although he is not so knowledgeable with

the technical aspects of the facility, he is very sure it will

compensate the creativity of the Boholanos when it comes to coming up with new and improvised world quality

products. He said this will initially benefit 35 Micro, Small and

Medium Enterprises (MSME‘s) in the province.

He said the Fablab will improve the Boholanos competitiveness in the creative industry sector and support its long term viability by providing the necessary tools and equipment to do the rapid prototyping and modeling.

Aquino made a tour in the facility prior to the program. Some of the equipment found in the FabLab are the print and cut machine, 3D printer, computer operated

sewing and embroidery machine, video conferencing equipment, test equipment depot, and other small tools and equipment.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said Bohol‘s economy had recovered by 80 percent since the earthquake last year and the FabLab will further speed up the province‘s aim for

total rehabilitation.

Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnel Yap, on the other hand, said he is thankful that Bohol was chosen as the nucleus of technology.

The FabLab operation will be under the mentoring and guidance of Keio University in Japan and will be administered by BISU.

Immediately after the launching, a conference was

held with all the other FabLab operators worldwide. (RMN/ FCC/PIA Cebu)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Daram Mayor Lucia Astorga welcomed

yesterday GK Teams in this island town for

the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2014, May

7-9, where the team will feed children, plant

trees, conduct health missions and aim for an

ambitious coastal clean up for the whole

Daram island. (PIA Catbalogan)

Director General Jose Mari Oquinena speaks

before PIA-DENR participants of the

Visayas-Mindanao Cluster Orientation on

Climate Change Mitigation Advocacy

Campaign, held May 5-8, 2014 in Bohol. (PIA)

Dr. Cedric Daep, Department Head of the

Albay Public Safety and Emergency

Management Office, explains the various

weather hazards experienced in the country

and Albay‘s disaster risk management program

during the digital media use seminar organized

by PIA and Smart, May 7-9 in Iloilo City. (PIA 6

-Iloilo)

By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 7 (PIA) – The Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is in the

thick of preparations for the forthcoming visit in Leyte of heads of state from Asia and Europe next month.

The purpose of their visit is to see for themselves the devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda in the City

of Tacloban and the Municipalities of Palo and Tanauan particularly in the coastal barangays in said areas.

During the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council – Technical Working Group (RDRRMC-TWG) meeting held at Ritz tower de Leyte on Tuesday, the Office of Civil Defense Region 8 Director Dr.

Blanche T. Gobenciong disclosed that the visit to Yolanda-stricken areas will be one of the highlights of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Manila Conference on

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management which is slated on June 5-6, 2014.

The state officials will participate in the 2014

Asia-Europe Meeting which will be hosted by the Philippines.

Local chief executives in Leyte led by Governor

Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla will conduct a briefing to said officials on typhoon Yolanda response operations during the visit. The officials will also visit one major site of the disaster which is Bislig Elementary School in Tanauan,

Leyte. Reports gathered by PIA disclosed that whatever

observations by the officials will be tackled during the

discussions in the two-day conference proper. It was learned that in the 11th ASEM Foreign

Ministers Meeting in India last year, ASEM partners agreed

to mainstream disaster risk reduction and management in the ASEM agenda. Hence, ASEM partners were urged to match the unparalleled effects brought about by super

typhoon Yolanda with an exceptional Asia-Europe cooperative response. (PIA-8)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the

launching of the Bohol Fabrication Laboratory (FABLAB) Shared

Service Facility Project and the 1st FABLAB Asian Network Boot

Camp and Conference at the Bohol Island State University (BISU)

in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on Friday (May 02). FABLAB is a technical

prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing

stimulus for local entrepreneurship. FABLAB is the first of its kind

in the country. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo

Bureau)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 8 (PIA6) – The province of Capiz and its disaster responders team have been declared champion in

this year‟s Gawad Kalasag in Western Visayas.

I n a letter sent by Regional Director

Rosario Cabrera of the Office of Civil

Defense Regional Office 6 to Capiz

Governor Victor Tanco, she disclosed that the

province of Capiz has been declared as

champion in the 2014 Gawad KALASAG:

Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management, and Humanitarian

Assistance.

Cabrera, who also chairs the Regional

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

-6, said that the Provincial Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council of Capiz,

chaired by Governor Tanco, was ranked first for

the LDRRMC province category based on the

result of the field evaluation and validation

conducted by the Regional Selection Committee

last April.

Aside from the Capiz DRRMC, the Capiz

Emergency Responders Team (CERT) led by

PDRRM Officer Esperedion Pelaez was likewise

cited as champion in the Government Emergency

Response Management (GEM) Basic Search and

Rescue category.

Included in the criteria for the LDRRMC

category are prevention and mitigation with 35

points, preparedness with 30 points, response

with 20 points and 15 points for recovery and

rehabilitation. The prevention and mitigation

criteria cover the risk assessment, plans, policies,

and budget, early warning system, risk financing,

environmental management, and infrastructure

resilience, while the preparedness criterion

includes the mainstreaming of DRRM programs

and projects, DRRMC organization, approved

plans, capacity development activities conducted,

and partnership mechanisms.

On the other hand, the criteria for the GEM

category include the degree of risk or danger to

the life of the rescue group in doing the

operations against the possibility of saving lives

(natural or human-induced disaster/complex

emergency), existence of operations center,

training (availed of by the group or provided to a

certain group of responders), and recognition

from the community or any organization; or

accreditation from higher level search and rescue

organization.

For his part, Capiz Provincial Administrator

lawyer Jose Villanueva said that the recent

supertyphoon Yolanda has tested the capacity and

capability of the PDRRMC as well as the CERT

under the PDRRM Office. Villanueva likewise

appreciated the commitment and dedication of

PDRRM Officer Pelaez in spearheading all the

activities especially in disaster preparedness

through the intensive conduct of advocacy and

training as well as in providing basic search and

rescue response through the volunteer response

team. (JSC/JBG-PIA6 Capiz)

Capiz is WV Gawad Kalasag excellence champ By: Jemin B. Guillermo

PEDC strengthens pro-environment programs

ILOILO CITY, May 5 (PIA6) -- The Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) said that it is strengthening its

pro-environmental policies and programs to mitigate effects of climate change but still maintaining stable and adequate power

supply in the island of Panay.

E ngr. Petronilo Madrid, Vice President for

Panay Sites Operation-PEDC, said that

their main thrust at present is to plant as

many trees as possible.

―Each of the department is required to plant

50 mangrove seedlings every week to cover 4.5

hectares of land designated for the tree planting

activities,‖ he said.

The 164-megawatt coal-fired power plant at

Barangay Ingore, La Paz here continuously uses

clean coal technology as this was well-suited and

compliant with environmental requirements and

standards.

Clean coal describes technologies being

developed that aim to reduce the environmental

impact of coal energy generation.

It usually addresses atmospheric problems

resulting from burning coal.

Madrid said the plant utilizes the most

modern circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler

technology which ensures practically negligible

levels of emissions – a 95 percent and higher

efficiency in removing sulfur dioxide and

practically zero nitrogen oxide – and capture of

total solid particles at 99.9 percent.

Low emissions are a key benefit of the CFB

technology, allowing PEDC to meet the stringent

environmental standards and operate at low

combustion temperatures while giving the fuel

long burning times, resulting in naturally low

nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation and high

combustion efficiency.

PEDC said the CFB technology allows for

the capture of sulfur fuels during the heating

process by its use of low-cost limestone and

employing selective-non-catalytic-reduction

(SNCR) to achieve very low NOx and sulphur

dioxide (Sox) emissions.

Madrid also said that a 40-kilowatt solar

panel has been installed in the firm‘s

administration building. At present, 70 percent of

the said building is powered by the solar panel.

PEDC, a subsidiary of Global Business Power

Corporation (GBPC), supplies power to the

eight (8) electric cooperatives under the

Panay-Guimaras Power Supply Consortium

(PGPSC).

The PEDC project is at present the

largest investment in the island with the aim of

propelling growth for the city and the Visayas

region.

The project further supports development

initiatives in Iloilo City while heralding a new era

for electric generation. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

ILOILO CITY, May 6 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas cautions the public against the possible

danger of heat stroke with summer's searing temperature.

DOH warns against heat stroke this summer

D r. Elvie Villalobos, DOH-6 Infectious

Disease Cluster Head, said that heat

stroke is the most severe form of

heat illness when the body overheats and

cannot cool down.

―The body cannot take off the excessive

heat by sweating because of dehydration or the

humid environment,‖ he said.

He said that the risk of heat stroke rises

in hot and humid weather coupled with

vigorous exercise, dehydration, and too much

direct exposure to the sun.

Heat stroke includes the following signs of

heat exhaustion: warm and flushed skin,

faintness, dizziness, weakness, and headache.

A person is suffering from heat stroke if

the core body temperature is 40°C or more;

skin is hot and dry; rapid heartbeat; convulsion;

delirium; and loss of consciousness or coma.

The DOH official said that in order to

prevent heat stroke, it is important to limit the

amount of time you spend outdoors, drink

plenty of water; avoid tea, coffee, soda, and

alcohol; wear a wide-brimmed hat and

long-sleeved clothing outdoors; and schedule

strenuous activities for the beginning or end of

the day when it is cooler.

In case of a heat stroke, move the person

to a shady spot or indoors and have him or her

lie down with the legs elevated.

If still conscious, have the person sip cool

water.

Remove clothing, apply cool water to the

skin and fan them. Apply ice packs to the

armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin.

The DOH said that heat stroke is a

medical emergency so bring the patient

immediately to the hospital after instituting

emergency measures. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

P10K emergency shelter assistance for Antique's damaged houses underway

SAN JOSE, Antique, May 8 (PIA6) - - DSWD Secretary Corazon „Dinky‟ Soliman announced that an amount of P10,000.00 per

family will be extended to Yolanda victims to help rebuild their homes.

S ecretary Soliman said during her visit in

Barangay Liya-liya, Lauaan, Antique

recently that the DSWD will validate the

list of partially and totally damaged houses in

the province and distribute the financial

assistance before the end of May.

―The amount of P10,000.00 will be

extended both for the owners of partially and

totally damaged houses,‖ Soliman said as she

expressed the concern of President Benigno S.

Aquino III.

Soliman said that for the totally damaged

houses, the family will also be receiving GI

sheets, hammer and concrete nails ―so that

their houses will be constructed soon before

the rainy season comes.‖

As to cash for work program, the

concerned local government units were also

urged to prepare a work program on

livelihood designed for ‗Yolanda‘ victims.

The DSWD will allocate funds to help the

typhoon affected people earn an income based

on the region‘s minimum daily wage.

Based on the DSWD Antique list of

‗Yolanda‘ damaged houses, the record showed

that 38,577 houses were partially damaged

while 14,777 were totally damaged. Governor

Exequiel B. Javier thanked Secretary Soliman

for the assistance which he said can help the

typhoon affected persons return to their

normal life.

The DSWD Secretary was declared as

―Adopted Daughter of Lauaan‖ in a ceremony

held at Barangay Liya-Liya during her visit to

the said Municipality to observe the

implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino

program, distribute relief goods to typhoon

Yolanda survivors, conduct meeting with

the Municipal Action Team and inaugurate the

Core Shelter and Day Care Center in Sitio

Malawmawan, Lindero.(JSC/MLG/VWV-PIA6

Antique)

BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT

Human activities cause Climate Change

KALIBO, Aklan, May 6 (PIA6) -- Various human activities cause Climate Change, according to the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here.

“ Kaingin‖ farming or slash and burn

practices, vehicle driving that causes air

po l l u t ion , imp rope r d i spo sa l

and burning of garbage, plastic burning and

wrong agricultural practices, are just some

of these human activities, according to

Merlene Aborka, Officer-In-Charge of the

Community Environment and Natural

Resources Office (CENRO) in Kalibo.

Aborka shared this information to

Aklanons at the radio program hosted by

the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and

aired over RMN-DYKR Kalibo.

According to Aborka, these various

human activities are altering our natural

climate, causing us to experience extreme

levels of temperature.

―We are now experiencing different

kinds of natural calamities like typhoons,

floods, or long droughts‖, Aborka said.

She added that due to the destruction

of the ozone layer because of harmful human

activities, the earth is now experiencing

global warming.

―Global warming is a worldwide issue

that every country should address‖, said

Aborka.

To help ease the problem on Climate

Change, Aborka called on all Aklanons

to plant trees, especia l ly now

that numerous trees composing

the province‘ forest cover, as well

as trees planted by private landowners

in the lowlands, were felled at the

height of Typhoon Yolanda in November

2013.

The DENR, according to her, is

encouraging Aklanons to plant trees like

gmelina and mahogany for lumber

production, or even fruit trees like santol

and jackfruits which also produces good

lumber when mature.

The agency is also encouraging

Aklanons to plant indigenous trees. (JCM/

VGV PIA6 Aklan)

By: Venus G. Villanueva

ILOILO CITY, May 9 (PIA6) - - The Department of Agriculture has already identified intervention measures like cloud seeding

as part of its preparations to cushion the possible effects of the impending El Nino.

A griculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said

he has already issued instruction to

conduct cloud seeding not only in areas

of the country where there are existing dams

but also where there are standing crops during

a media interaction at the Research Outreach

Station (ROS) in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

He said they are now closely coordinating

with the Department of Science and

Technology and PAGASA for areas that will

be possibly affected by the El Nino

phenomenon.

After the close coordination with the said

agencies, Alcala said he will shoot it to their

regional officers for them to undertake

appropriate mitigating measures.

Alcala was here in Iloilo for the blessing,

grounbreaking and turn over of agricultural

projects and distribution of agricultural inputs

in Barotac Viejo town.

After gracing the blessing of the

Embarcadero Bridge, Alcala joined Senate

President Franklin Drilon in the laying of the

time capsule and ground breaking of the Small

Reservoir Irrigation Project of the National

Irrigation Administration at Brgy. Nueva

Invencion.

The project which is expected to be

completed on February 2017 will provide

adequate supply of water whole year round

and generate new area of 265 hectares and

another 459 hectares for restoration.

It will also enable farmers to increase

their rice production from 265 metric tons to

409 metric tons.

He then turned over the P2.9 million

worth agricultural tramline system project to

farmer beneficiaries and operators in Brgy. San

Antonio.

This is the second tramline project in the

province aimed at reducing drudgery, hauling

cost and intensive labor, speed up hauling time

in order for products to reach market

promptly and to increase income of farmer

beneficiaries.

Alcala also led the distribution of

agricultural inputs to some 200 farmers

affected by typhoon ‗Yolanda‘ for their

Organic Communal Garden at a vacant school

lot in Brgy. San Antonio.

Before proceeding to Btac. Viejo, Alcala

met the members of the Regional Management

Council here in Western Visayas for the status

on the rehabilitation efforts for typhoon

‗Yolanda‘ in the province of Iloilo and the

region at the ROS in Sta. Barbara. (JSC/

LAF-PIA6)

DA braces for El Nino

BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol May 1 (PIA) -- Tagbilaran City hosts the first Asia conference of fabrication laboratory (fablab)

operators from Japan, Korea, India, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore as the country‟s first Japan International Cooperation

Agency (JICA) aided and government funded techie work shop opens its doors for Bohol entrepreneurs.

Tagbilaran hosts Int’l Fablab ’14 conference

T he First International Conference of Fablab

operators in Asia is here from May 2-7 at the

Bohol Island State University (BISU) Main

Campus, in Tagbilaran City.

The conference include a Bootcamp which will

train people on the use of the facilities at the Bohol

FabLab; lectures from Asian fablab mentors and coach-

es; symposium and panel discussion on the establish-

ment of Digital Fabrication in the Philippines and tours

for visiting fabbers; coaches, mentors to look at the

challenges in the sectors and suggest possible solutions,

according to the Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) in Bohol.

Apart from Asian fabbers, the conference will

also have existing and aspiring FabLab operators and

practitioners in Asia; local MSMEs, designers,

innovators and academe.

Opened here for local micro, small and medium

enterprise (MSME) designers to come up with

innovation driven and globally competitive products.

President Benigno S. Aquino III opens the fabrication

laboratory launching event in time for his visit on May

2.

Themed ―Weave Asian Fabbers,‖ the event will

feature Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

pioneering support to the country‘s future fablabs.

Bohol had Yutaka Tokushima, a Japanese design

volunteer assigned at DTI-Bohol under the Japan

Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) program

helping to get the fablab set up here, said DTI.

JICA has committed some funds for Bohol

FabLab, organizers said. JICAs commitment to support

the Bohol fablab, strengthened when it officially adopt-

ed the Bohol facility under the mentorship of Japan‘s

Keio University during last year‘s Fab9 Con-

ference.

The Bohol Fab Lab is Massachusetts Institute of

Technology‘s (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA)

educational outreach component which is an extension

of its research into digital fabrication and computation.

A Fab Lab is a technical prototyping platform for

innovation and invention, providing stimulus for local

entrepreneurship.

A Fab Lab also becomes a platform for learning

and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to

mentor, to invent.

To be a Fab Lab means connecting to a global

community of learners, educators, technologists,

researchers, makers and innovators- -a knowledge

sharing network that spans 30 countries and 24 time

zones.

Because all Fab Labs share common tools and

processes, the program is building a global network, a

distributed laboratory for research and invention, DTI

said.

At this, the Bohol FabLab will open to students

and local MSMEs make prototypes and products such

as equipment, machinery and electronic gadgets; create

scale models, illustrate graphic designs and

mass-produce products.

The fablab here allows people a rare access to

prototyping and product development tools as 2D and

3D structures lazer cutter, computer-operated (CO)

Big Milling Machine, CO Small Milling Machine, Paper

and Vinyl Cutter, Test Equipment Depot, 3D Printer,

CO Sewing Machine and Video Conferencing

equipment.

In Bohol, that FabLab will promote community

development through technology deployment, said DTI

regional director Asteria Caberte.

She explained that community development

through the FabLab can make better and competitive

products, by enhancing the local ecosystem for MSME

development.

It also encourages start-ups and the development

of local entrepreneurship which in turn provide jobs,

local innovation for various equipment that can be used

for local manufacturing endeavors such as food

processing equipment.

Access to online courses within the fablab

network can also enhance the learning and skills of

students and MSMEs.

DTI spearheads the project with JICA, DOST and

the Bohol Island State University (BISU).

BISU Tagbilaran City, Bohol manages the facility

with DTI-Bohol, DOST-Bohol and JICA through Keio

University in Japan.

The Bohol fablab is funded by DTI with P3.15M;

JICA, P3.0M; BISU, P2.0M and DOST, P1.0M or a total

of P9.15M. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

CEBU CITY, May 3 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has reported a total of

P9,571,046.82 of funds allocated to finance relief assistance and programs to typhoon Yolanda affected communities in Central

Visayas.

DENR-7 allocates P9M for Yolanda-hit areas

D ENR 7 regional executive director

Isabelo Montejo revealed during the

br ie f in g on ―Pos t -Yo landa‖

interventions and programs recently held at

the Central Command, Cebu City.

A total of around P1, 311.952 was given

to 400 beneficiaries of the Cash for Work

Program and another P89,094.08 was provided

to the 182 beneficiaries for the ―Operation

Gabas‖ program as an immediate relief

assistance to residents of affected

municipalities in Northern Cebu.

Under these schemes, affected

communities of the typhoon were hired and

utilized to clear typhoon debris, plant or

rehabilitate damaged mangrove areas and

establish nurseries as a source of planting

materials.

Others were also hired to cut fallen trees

and coconut palms and converted it into

lumber of desired dimension and were used in

the construction of damaged houses.

―We have been very active in providing

immediate relief assistance to our communities

in Northern Cebu, but now we are gearing

toward a more sustainable project to help our

beneficiaries and at the same time provide a

safer place for them by establishing mangrove

and beach forest plantations in our coastal

areas that may protect them from further

devastations brought by typhoons in the

future,‖ said Montejo.

In its report, DENR 7 contracted around

nine people‘s organization (POs) and six

barangay local government units (LGUs) to

establish around 85 hectares of mangrove

plantations with a total cost of P4,420,000 in

various identified coastal areas including the

Islands of Camotes and Bantayan and other

affected areas in mainland Cebu. There are also

eight people‘s organizations and 11 barangay

local government units are also set to establish

a total of 98 hectares of beach forest

plantations with a total project cost of

P3,750,000.00. (mbcn/HFG/PIA7/DENR-7)

BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA

BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City

BORBON, Cebu May 3 (PIA) --- A team from Philippine Navy dived in a marine sanctuary area here to clean up the coral

reefs in line with the ongoing Bayani Challenge in Cebu.

T he underwater cleanup was done by a team

of eight divers from the Philippine Navy

led by Lt. James Reyes, civil military operations (CMO) officer of Naval Forces Central

(Navforcen). Patrick Doromal of Gawad Kalinga, one of the

organizations spearheading the Bayani Challenge, said the marine sanctuary rehabilitation is the only such

activity undertaken during this year‘s challenge. For two days starting May 2, Reyes said the

divers took turns picking up trash in a coral

sanctuary area spanning 20 hectares with a depth of 50 to 100 feet.

In an interview prior to the underwater

cleanup, Reyes said the divers will remove from the

corals not only trash but also crown-of-thorns starfish that causes damage on coral reefs.

Reyes said the common litter items they usually fish out from coral reefs are plastic bags, plastic bottles, soda cans, and tin cans.

Rubbish, especially plastic, dumped by humans

into the ocean pose a threat to corals which serve as marine habitats.

―Tayo na gumagamit ng dagat, dapat caretaker

tayo mismo at ang plastic mahirap talaga ma-dispose (We should be the caretakers of the

ocean, so we must take care of it, and plastic is so

hard to dispose),‖ he stressed.

Reyes said they are eying to adopt said coral sanctuary area in Borbon to make the cleanup a

regular activity. The Philippine Navy has been supporting the

Bayani Challenge by sending in the needed technical support, manpower, and transportation.

―We have our engineers in the construction brigade, technical workers, and electricians that have participated in the Bayani Challenge and this time

here we have our divers,‖ said Reyes. (RMN/PIA Cebu)

Phil Navy divers undertake coral cleanup in Borbon BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 2 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City is dubbed as the “Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines” and with

approximately 2,500 registered tricycles, is now being considered as the pilot area of the Department of Energy‟s (DOE)

E-Trike Program.

A ccording to George Vincent Bitoon, a

senior research specialist of the

Department of Energy (DOE), the use of

E-Trikes over regular four-stroke, gasoline-run

tricycles give drivers about 40 percent increase in

their net daily income.

E-Trikes also do not contribute to air and

noise pollution because it run on lithium-ion

batteries, said Bitoon.

To avail of E-Trike units, drivers together

with local government units must submit a letter

of undertaking indicating a plan to implement the

E-Trike ―Lease-to-Own‖ Program.

―LGUs shall commit to provide an enabling

environment to support the adaptation of

E-Trikes in its locality such as issuance of

ordinances, Sanggunian resolutions, grant

incentives and conduct of IECs on E-Trike with

Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations

(TODAs),‖ Bitoon added.

The DOE Visayas Field Office and the Energy

Resource Development and Utilization Division

(ERDUD) has conducted an Information,

Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on

Alternative Fuels recently in Dumaguete City.

It promoted the use of alternative fuels

which include natural gas vehicle program for

public transport, and auto-LPG program and

electric vehicles program.

―This is a key priority of government to

mainstream access of the greater majority to

reliable energy sources and fuel, most importantly

to increase local productivity,‖ Director Antonio

Labios of DOE-Visayas Field Office said.

Labios emphasized the importance of good

governance, stakeholder part icipat ion,

transparency and multi-sectoral partnership for

the success of the DOE‘s programs.

The agency also highlighted the economic

advantages of using renewable fuel sources for the

benefit of businesses and consumers.

Participant-members of various local drivers‘

associations, LGUs from Bayawan and Tanjay,

academic sector and representatives from

provincial government agencies have been taught

practical energy conservation tips by the DOE.

(mbcn/JCT/PIA7-NegOr with reports from

Michico M. Bitoon/, intern)

BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS

Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City

DOE pushes E-Trike program in ‘Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines’

CEBU CITY, May 7 (PIA) --- Resorts and hotels in the region will be randomly inspected for their compliance to water safety

requirements.

Coast Guard to inspect hotels, resorts for water safety compliance

BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA

C ommander Neil Azcuna of Philippine Coast

Guard (PCG) Central Visayas said that effective May 17, they will start enforcing

a Memorandum Circular calling for the inspection of

resorts and hotels if they have set up the necessary water safety measures.

Water safety includes the presence of trained life guards and life savers in the vicinity of pools and

beaches and if they have the necessary life saving equipment.

"We will also check if their life guards are

trained, and who trained them," said Azcuna during

today's Kapihan sa PIA. Lt. James Reyes of the Naval Forces Central

(Navforcen) said that along with the PCG, they conduct life saving trainings for free to groups of at least 20 people.

Reyes said proper training is needed considering that there are several misconceptions when it comes to saving the life of a drowning

person. ―Once, I was called to rescue a drowning

person and the victim's relative wants me to

jump immediately into the water. But I asked them to wait until the victim

has only about 30 percent strength and that is

the time I jumped into the water, because the drowning person was taller and bigger than me,‖ Reyes said.

He said that the lifesaver should not

underestimate the capacity of the drowning victim, or else both of them may die.

These are some of the things that the public

needs to know and can only be learned through

training from the right authorities. Hotels and resorts must have properly trained

lifesavers and they will be given ample time to comply.

Compliance is a must here in Cebu specially

that most are coastal communities frequented by domestic and international tourists .

During the forum, non-profit life saving

o r g a n i z a t i on , Ph i l i p p i n e L i f e S a v i n g (PLS), was represented by its Secretary General

Larry Alag who disclosed that there are about 3,000

Filipinos, mostly 14 years old and below, who die due to drowning every year.

―It is the aim of PLS to have at least one

lifesaver per family or household to reduce the number of deaths from drowning,‖ Alag said.

PLS had so far trained 2,000 Filipinos since the beginning of the organization in 2006, and about

300 here in Cebu particularly in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.

PLS also aims to put the country on the map of

lifesaving worldwide by sending in an official

contingent in the international competition in France this year.

Cebu, he said, is the host of the national competition "The Great Titan" next week in Santa Fe Bantayan where 20 teams nationwide will

compete. Here in Cebu so far, the municipality of Santa

Fe, being one of the summer getaways in Cebu,

has adapted the PLS trainings through the efforts of Mayor Jose Esgana. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, May 2 (PIA) – Assistant Regional Director Allan Poquita of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

(BFAR-7) bared 610 new boats have been constructed so far to be given to Yolanda-affected fishermen in north Cebu under its

„AHON‟ project. This is to assist fisherfolks resume their livelihood that has been disrupted after the disaster.

Over 600 new boats built for NCebu fishers

P oquita during th is morning‘s

post-Yolanda press briefing on its

agency‘s rehabilitations efforts said over

200 new boats are ready for distribution.

The boats are stationed at the construction site in

barangay Pulangbato in Bogo City.

Breakdown of the newly-built motorized

fishing boats up for distribution include 25 units

each for the three municipalities of Pilar, Poro and

Tudela in Camotes Island and 101 for Bantayan

Island‘s three towns of Madridejos with 25 and 40

for Sta. Fe and 36 for Bantayan proper, said

Poquita.

―The BFAR aims to construct about 2,000

fishing boats for fishermen affected by Yolanda in

northern Cebu with June as the target date for

completion,‖ said the BFAR-7 assistant director.

Construction of the new boats will benefit

some 2,200 fisherfolks in Cebu‘s 11 northern

towns covering 106 barangays while each boat is

worth over P18,000, said Poquita.

One boat unit is estimated at around

P15,000 plus over P3,000 for the engine with 5.5

horsepower.

Fishermen whose fishing vessels were

partially damaged by the typhoon have also

received assistance from the BFAR-7 like marine

plywood and copper nails to repair their boats,

said Poquita.

―As of the latest count, BFAR-7 has

distributed 2,918 marine plywood, 446 kilos of

copper nails and 1,112 liters of marine epoxy to

fisherfolks whose fishing vessels incurred partial

damages,‖ said Poquita adding these materials are

needed to repair their fishing boats.

Poquita also announced that some 2,348

pumpboat engine units will be distributed to

fisherfolks.

As for its cash-for-work program, Poquita

said P1.14 million has been released for salaries of

Yolanda-affected individuals involved in the

reconstruction of fishing boats which is apart

from those involved in the repairs of fishing

vessels. Poquita said its agency also gave P33

million to the Cebu Provincial Government and

P27 million to Bohol Province for the

rehabilitation of seaweed farms and other

aquaculture projects. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

DILG assists rehab of damaged public bldgs.

D ILG Region 8 Director Pedro A.

Noval Jr. said this development

follows after the release of

national government assistance recently

to provinces, cities and municipalities

which were hard-hit by Super Typhoon

Yolanda.

Director Noval said that as announced by

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during the

turnover of checks to local government units

(LGUs) last April 10 and 11, the barangays will

also receive assistance for the repair of

damaged barangay halls, day care centers,

and civic centers or gymnasiums or

auditoriums.

In this connection, Director Noval called

on city and municipal mayors to help their

barangays to prepare and to submit the

supporting documents to the DILG Regional

Office in Tacloban City by May 7 so that they can benefit from the national government aid

under the Reconstruction Assistance on

Yolanda (RAY).

Director Noval disclosed that of the 61

affected local government units in Eastern

Visayas, only the municipality of Albuera, Leyte

has yet to claim its check for P7.75M, due to

the reported failure of its Sangguniang Bayan to

issue a resolution authorizing its Mayor to

enter into a Memorandum of Agreement

(MOA) with DILG.

The amount released by DILG directly to

the affected municipalities, cities and provinces

in Eastern Visayas this April totaled more than

P900 million.

The first batch of checks were personally

handed over by Secretary Mar Roxas to the

provincial government of Leyte, the cities of

Tacloban, Ormoc and Baybay, and 35 towns

affected in Leyte.

Other badly hit LGUs in Eastern Visayas

received the RAY funds through Dir. Noval

who was instructed by Sec. Roxas to distribute the checks so that LGUs could already start

their much-needed projects.

Dir. Noval echoed Sec. Roxas‘ plea for

LGUs to be prudent in the use of the money,

and as much as possible, tap local labor and

materials to help stir up its economy.

DILG is asking non-government

organizations (NGOs), media and the public to

help the agency monitor LGU spending of RAY

funds.

The department expects all repair and

rehabilitation projects by LGUs to be

completed by the end of the year.

To recall, of the 1.79 Billion

(P1,791,400,000) allocated for rehabilitation of

LGU buildings under RAY, Tacloban City

received the biggest chunk at P230,687,979.22

for the repair of the city hall, public market,

and civic center. For the provinces, Leyte

LGUs received the biggest funding with

allocation amounting to P801,804,911.17, or

about 45 percent of the total rehabilitation

fund. Allocation for other provinces in Region 8 include P19,917,634.41 for Biliran;

P100,219,564.57 for Eastern Samar; and

P16,528,192.25 for Samar. (PIA 8)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 2 (PIA) – The National Government through the Department of the Interior and Local

Government is now focusing on helping barangays regain their ability to deliver basic services.

DBM allots P 142M for Region 8 climate change research

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated P 142

Million for the establishment of the Regional Climate Change Research and Development Center (CCC) located at Visayas

State University (VSU) In Baybay City.

A ccording to Eduardo Mangaoang,

RCCC Director, the Center is now

preparing proposals especially on

demo farms, ―trying to reach out, level down

to farmers‖ so they can be oriented in the

production of climate-resilient crops.

Speaking on the topic ―Forestry,

Biodiversity, and Climate Change‖ during the

first environment summit held in this city

April 22, a date marked worldwide as Earth

Cay, Mangaoang disclosed that RCCC‘s

agenda was lifted from the Climate Change

Act Action Plan.

The said agenda dwelt more on food,

human security, and environment

protection, Mangaoang said.

Aside from that, RCCC will spearhead

responsive research, development, and

extension activities.

Likewise, it will also move to improve

scientific knowledge and understanding on

climate change, and to coordinate closely

with the local government units and the

academe in sharing studies and inputs to the

field, Mangaoang also said.

He added that RCCC was intended to

be of service for the whole of Region 8,

Leyte and Samar, and not just for VSU

purposes even as it was situated in the said

state university. (mmp, PIA-Southern Leyte)

DOLE 8 releases over P10M livelihood aid in EV

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 2 (PIA) – In an effort to help improve the plight of the people in Eastern Visayas after the

disaster, over P10 M worth of livelihood assistance was released on Labor Day Celebration in the region.

T his involves ten (10) livelihood

grants to various local government

units in Leyte, Southern Leyte and

Biliran for 1, 227 beneficiaries.

Southern Leyte got a total of P2,

237,500.00 for the following projects:

livelihood formation & restoration projects

of displaced fisherfolks at St. Bernard,

Southern Leyte, livelihood formation &

restoration projects for displaced &

semi-skilled workers in same town,

livelihood assistance at Brgy. Minoyho,

livelihood formation and restoration

projects for displaced and semi-skilled

workers of Brgy. Ahayag, St. Bernard,

Southern Leyte.

25 beneficiaries from the local

government unit of Baybay City will benefit

the P928,764.00 livelihood assistance for the

enhancement of a Cassava Processing

Project.

Furthermore, the municipality of

Cabucgayan, Biliran got the big bulk which is

totaled to P6.4M. These will be used in the

provision of raw materials, equipments and

establishment of fiber glass boat production,

acquisition of tools, equipments & materials

for the establishment of small enterprise in

support to rural workers/families affected by

typhoon Yolanda, establishment of small

enterprise in support to the development of

rural families in Cabucgayan, Biliran as well

as in the implementation of Tulong

Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged

(TUPAD) workers.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Palo,

Leyte was also a recipient of a livelihood

assistance for the establishment of Cassava

Flour Processing Project amounting to

P1,262, 250.00 with 22 beneficiaries.

The release of livelihood assistance was

one of the highlights during the Mega Jobs

Fair at St. Paul School of Business and Law,

Brgy. Campetic, Palo, Leyte in time of the

Labor Day Celebration. (PIA-8)

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

By: Marcelino Pedalino

By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

BFAR nears its 32,222 target with 24,017 boats already distributed

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 2 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture‟s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources draws

near its target of distributing 32,222 fishing boats to Yolanda affected fisherfolks.

B FAR Director General Asis Perez happily

made the announcement during the

distribution of 1,000 boats, engines,

freezers, fishing gears and P1,500 cash assistance

to fisherfolk from all over Eastern Visayas on May

2 at the Balyuan Park¸Tacloban City overlooking

Cancabato Bay.

DG Perez said that to date, the total number

of fishing boats constructed and or being repaired

in the Yolanda affected regions has reached

P24,017 covering more than 100 municipalities in

the affected areas.

With the latest turnover of boats, BFAR has

achieved 75% of the targeted 32,222 boats under

the rehabilitation initiatives.

―This might be the last batch of wooden

boats that we will be turning over to Region 8 as

we have already started the construction of boats

made of fiberglass,‖ Director Perez said.

Director Juan Albaladejo added that under

the Phase II of the Ahon Initiative, BFAR aims to

distribute fiberglass boats in areas near the Pacific

-side for fisherfolk who completely lost their

fishing boats.

Meanwhile, Director Perez said, ―Our work

here is not yet over. Other livelihood

interventions such as the establishment of

seaweeds nurseries, distribution of fingerlings and

re-establishment of damaged fish cages, are

already underway,‖ as he assured the Region of

continuous support and assistance from the

National Government.

The event on May 2 was a happy occasion

for the fisherfolk beneficiaries from Basey, Ma-

rabut and Santa Rita in the province of Samar; and

from Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Dulag,

Mayorga and Ormoc City in the province of Ley-

te.

The distribution was personally done by DG

Perez with Director Albaladejo, Tacloban City

Mayor Alfred Romualdez and PIA Director Olive

Tiu. The acivity was also attended by the local

media and the BFAR regional directors from all

over the country.

Meanwhile, in a media interaction during the

occasion, DG Perez called on private sector

donors to coordinate with the agency before

distributing boats to the Yolanda affected

communities.

Director Perez said BFAR is trying to avoid

duplication of interventions, as well as the

addition of unwanted pressure to the fishing

grounds.

Also, Director Juan Albaladejo of BFAR

Eastern Visayas, disclosed that the AHon boats of

BFAR are already registered and numbered.

The recipients or beneficiaries may be

checked at the BFAR website where they are

listed, he added.

If the donors from the private sector will

coordinate with BFAR, their boats will also be

given corresponding numbers.

He said that of the 24,017 already

constructed or repaired, some 12,256 were

distributed in Region 8.

He added that under the Second Phase of

Ahon Initiative, BFAR has started the

construction of boats made of fiberglass.

―We are aiming to distribute these fiberglass

units to areas near the Pacific side for fisherfolk

who completely lost their fishing boats,‖ the

Director said. (PIA 8)

NFA gets 21,500 bags of rice for lean months

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 7 (PIA) - The National Food Authority (NFA) is receiving thousands of bags of rice in

preparation for the lean months from June until August this year for Southern Leyte and Leyte provinces.

A ccording to NFA Senior Staff

Eliza Almacin, who is also the

designated Information Officer, their

office is facilitating for the unloading of

21,500 bags of rice from M/V Alfonso

Wednesday.

She said the rice shipment is part of the

buffer stock that the government needs to

stockpile for the province of Southern Leyte

and several municipalities in Leyte province

in preparation for the coming lean months

from June until August this year.

Almacin also noted that their

office is also procuring palay from local

farmers to augment the buffer stock of the

province.

She said a procurement team has been

dispatched to Hinunangan for the said

procurement at P17.00 per kilogram of

palay.

Additional incentives shall be offered to

those whose rice is already dry and

delivered to their respective buying stations.

(esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City

DPWH 2nd LED completes road link vital to proposed special ecozone

CARIGARA, Leyte, May 8 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd Leyte Engineering District has

completed the vital road link connecting Barugo, Leyte in the second district and Babatngon town in the first district.

D istrict Engineer Carlos Veloso said

the 3.5 kilometer road link is seen

vital to the creation of a special

economic zone in Barugo, Leyte, the

development of the Babatngon Port in

Babatngon and the plan to reactivate the

Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center in

Tacloban City.

The road link passes through barangays

Cabarasan, Lower Daliran and Upper

Daliran all of Barugo, Leyte.

According to DE Veloso, the DPWH

was able to save bigger funds when it opted

to open up this particular road link instead

of another road route that would entail the

construction of the Baluarte Bridge. Bridge

construction costs more than paving and

concreting a road, it was learned, thereby

saving the office millions of funds.

Meanwhile, the 3.5 kilometer road link

would open up connections along these

areas and cut travel time from the second to

the first district of the province. Barugo and

Babatngon towns are located along the

edges of the Carigara Bay and connects to

Tacloban City area, the region‘s capital.

Also, the road link is seen to pave the

way for easier transportation system in the

envisioned economic zone in Barugo, Leyte.

It may be recalled that in 1995, Barugo

was among those identified areas for the

creation of a special economic zone under

the Philippine Economic Zone Authority

through the enactment of RA 7916 or the

Special Economic Zone Act of 1995.

It was identified in the same act as

special economic zone alongside a large

portion spanning the northern barangays in

Tacloban City.

As an economic zone, the area is set to

be transformed into a highly developed agro

industrial, industrial, commercial, tourist,

banking, investment, and financial centers,

where highly trained workers and efficient

services will be available to commercial

enterprises.

Moreover, it was learned that with the

provincial government prioritizing the

development of the Babatngon Port under

the Priority Rehabilitation Projects of the

Province after Typhoon Yolanda, this

particular road link in Barugo will provide

vital connection for the transport system in

Leyte. Likewise it was learned that this

completed road project in Barugo has

already undergone inspection from the

central office of the DPWH. (PIA 8)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

By: Erna S. Gorne

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