Vol 4 Issue 34 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 August 25 - 31, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue CV provinces ink „reforms‟ MOU with NEDA, foreign partners

Full-blown rehab to begin in 6 Yolanda affected areas

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Reduce carbon footprints, student writers urged

By: Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA)—Student writers have to lead in

climate change advocacy by starting to cut their carbon footprints

and live a lifestyle worthy of emulation by their peers, said DENR-6

official.

Director Alice Lustica, designated climate czar for Western

Visayas, told the more than 900 campus paper writers in her series

of lectures during the Campus Journalism seminar workshops held

July to August this year, spearheaded by the Philippine Information

Agency here.

Lustica said while campus paper writers can disseminate

information on climate change, they can be more effective if they

are able to show by the way they live every day that they are

reducing their carbon footprints.

She said carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of

carbon dioxide induced by human activities in a given time frame.

Generally, Lustica said carbon footprints can be reduced

tremendously with a change in lifestyle, like turning off lights and

appliances not in use or minimize unnecessary use, be prudent in

use of water, food consumption, as well as avoid use of plastics, opt

for electric fans rather than air conditioning units, watching what

they eat all the time

Further, carbon footprints can also be reduced through use

of alternative fuels, practicing car pooling, or better still go carless

most of the time, prefer locally produced food rather than

pre-packaged and processed food.

Student writers can also lead in sustaining tree

planting activities and maintaining community gardens in their

schools and start a green roof to cool their homes and reduce

pollution.

―There are so many ways so you reduce your carbon

footprints, starting with yourselves as change agents,‖ Lustica said,

as she reiterated her appeal for healthy living. ―You owe it to

yourselves and to the next generations to give the world

your best, b y becoming aware of what you buy, eat and do,‖ she

added.

―In the process, be a carbon cutter, and better still, a carbon

hero,‖ Lustica said.

Lustica served as lecturers for all the training sessions in

Panay, with students representing their school publications from

colleges, universities, public and private high schools.

The series of lectures on climate change were components of

the joint advocacy campaign of the DENR-6 and the PIA, bannered

by the theme, ―Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para

Magbago.‖ (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

BY: MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY, Aug. 28 (PIA) – Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental

and Siquijor thru their respective governors inked a memorandum

of understanding (MOU) with the National Economic and

Development Authority (NEDA-7), Australian Aid and The Asia

Foundation in the Philippines for new roads and infrastructure

reforms.

The signing was done during the formal launching of the

Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investment for

Development (CR+ID) project on August 27 at the Harold‘s hotel

in Cebu City.

In his keynote message, Australian Embassy Deputy Head of

Mission, Hon. David Dutton said the Australian government

through the Australian Aid (AusAID) has been a consistent partner

of the Philippines in government development through its various

projects in support to the country‘s economic growth.

According to him, AusAID has been working closely with

sectors that promote health, agriculture, infrastructure, gender

equality, among others and always looking for innovations to

achieved the very best results.

―Close alignment with our attitudes and objectives on

development as basis of partnerships of both countries. We will

introduce new programs including infrastructure to promote

economic development of the partner countries,‖ Dutton added.

He particularly quoted a tagline from the SONA of President

Benigno Aquino that ―Good economics is good government ―which

sums up why the CR+ID expands in Central Visayas,‖ Dutton

noted.

Bohol governor Edgar M. Chatto, also the chair of the

Regional Development Council (RDC) here said, ―We are in for a

long journey of partnership.‖

Chatto validated the effectiveness of the CR+ID process as

the mechanism used in creating, choosing or identifying projects

from the ground up to achieve more chances of approval from

funding institutions both local and foreign.

The CR+ID project uses the value chain analysis with the

private sector particularly the local chambers of commerce to

identify strategic road links.

These are interconnected roads within the province,

regardless of classification, and these are most often used in

transporting goods and people.

This year, the Australia Government and The Asia

Foundation jointly agreed to expand CR+ID in two ways;

thematically, to include not only roads but also key infrastructure

with disaster risk and hazard identification and geographically, to

include all provinces in regions 7 and 8 as well as the three

provinces in region 6.

The CR+ID also works to strengthen the Regional

Development Council for broader participation in the realms of

investment programming. (mbcn/PIA7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 21 (PIA) – The full-blown

implementation of the rehabilitation in six (6) areas affected by

typhoon Yolanda will start anytime as soon as the budget will be

released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Undersecretary Lesley Cordero of the Office of the

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR)

said during her visit in this city recently, that once the budget will

be downloaded to the national government agencies who will

implement the priority projects, the rehabilitation will begin

immediately in six (6) areas such as Leyte, Western Samar, Eastern

Samar, Iloilo, Cebu and Tacloban City.

However, Secretary Panfilo Lacson is pushing for a

bottom-up approach so that certain funds will be downloaded to

the local government units (LGUs).

OPARR assured the public that all funds will be accounted

for.

Aside from the Commission on Audit (COA) which has the

primary function to examine, audit and settle all accounts and

expenditures of the funds and properties of the government, the

Office of Secretary Lacson is preparing a monitoring and validation

team to make sure that everything is accounted for.

Cordero said Secretary Lacson is hoping to achieve an 80%

completion of the rehabilitation projects under the Comprehensive

Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) before the end of

President Aquino‘s term in 2016.

She further stressed that the national government‘s goal is

not just to build back better but to do it faster and safer.

Under the CRRP, rehabilitation in the six (6) mentioned

Yolanda devastated areas was already approved as announced by

President Aquino in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last

July 28.

According to Cordero, the approved rehabilitation plan for

the province of Leyte was estimated at P39 Billion; Samar -P8.8

Billion; Eastern Samar-P11.3 Billion while Tacloban City has P15.7

billion budget rehab plan.(PIA-8)

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.

delivers his State of the Province Address (SOPA) for 2014 during the session of the Iloilo Sangguniang

Panlalawigan held Tuesday at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. (PIA6)

SM Corporation vice-chairperson

Teresita Sy-Coson (center), OPARR Secretary PanfiloLacson and Tacloban City mayor Alfred Romualdez led in the

ceremonial cutting of the ribbon during the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the rehabilitated Tacloban City Hospital on August 27. (Vino R.

Cuayzon)

PIA Director General Jose Mari

Oquiñena reminded the teachers in NegOr schools division to be united in facing or addressing climate change and

other social challenges. DG Oquiñena said ―Teachers should tell more about Filipino solidarity to their students,‖ in a recent Pintig Pinoy forum with the

Department of Education (DepEd) in Dumaguete City. (PIA7-NegOr)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6

Regional Technical Director Alicia Lustica stresses the importance

of reducing carbon footprints to campus paper writers to mitigate

the impact of climate change during the Campus Journalism

Seminar-Workshop held August 20-22 at Iloilo Grand Hotel. (PIA-

Iloilo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA6) - - Western Visayas has recently added two more educators to its list of outstanding teachers

honored by the Metrobank Foundation.

2 Iloilo mentors are Metrobank outstanding teachers

D r. Jesus Insilada and Dr.

Resurreccion Sadaba are among

the winners of the 2014

Metrobank Foundation Search for

Outstanding Teachers which recognized

the best teachers who have served as

models of excellence and personal

integrity to the community and the

country.

Dr. Insilada who is one of the four

winners in the secondary competition of

the search is a Teacher III of the Alcarde

Gustilo Memorial National High School in

Brgy. Alibunan, Calinog, Iloilo.

He is the first awardee from the

school and from the town.

On the other hand, Dr. Sadaba is one

of the two winners in the higher education

competition.

He is an Associate Professor of the

University of the Philippines Visayas in

Miag-ao with specialization on Mangrove

Studies. He is the 5th awardee from the

university.

With the addition of Insilada and

Sadaba, Region 6 has now 50 awardees in

the search or 15% of the 326 outstanding

teachers produced by the search since

1985.

For this year‘s search, the Final Board

of Judges was chaired by Senator Cynthia

A. Villar and co-chaired by Supreme Court

Associate Justice Arturo D. Brion.

Winners will be honored at a formal

awarding ceremony on September 5,

2014.

They will be conferred with gold

medallions and an increased cash prize of

P500,000 each in celebration of the Search

30th year. They will also receive a trophy

and a plaque of recognition for their

school. (JCM/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)

By: Lilibeth A. French

KALIBO, Aklan, August 26 (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan is targeting to immunize 95% of children here from ages 9 months

to 5 years old against measles this month of September with the nationwide conduct of Measles Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine

Mass Immunization.

I n Aklan, some 66,107 children are

targeted to be reached by health

workers and be vaccinated against

measles, and for Oral Polio Vaccines –

some 77,604, according to Dr. Cornelio

Cuachon, Provincial Health Officer I who

oriented the local media at the

orientation/press conference spearheaded

by the Department of Health (DOH) and

the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and

attended by the local media and health

officials held August 26 at the Ninos

Ihaw-Ihaw in Kalibo.

―All children belonging to the said age

group will be immunized regardless of

previous vaccination status,‖ Dr. Cuachon

said.

The immunization activities will be

conducted at fixed sites in all areas of the

province and at sitios, followed by

mopping operations through Rapid

Coverage Assesment (RCA) to ensure

that no children were missed for

vaccination.

If any group misses to immunize two

or more children, the activity will be

deemed a failure, but the team will still

come back to immunize the children but

in the following months already of

October or November, Dr. Cuachon said.

This year‘s mass immunization aims to

interrupt measles and rubella virus

transmission, to protect against the spread

of wild poliovirus and to link the mass

immunization to routine immunization by

identifying high risk communities for

routine vaccination. Last year, based on

PHO records, Aklan had 442 cases of

measles with two deaths. The two victims

who died were siblings from Manika,

Libacao, Aklan and were unimmunized

against measles.

The two – whose ages range from 2

to 4 years, died of pneumonia

complications.

For 2014 from January to June 18,

PHO records showed that there are

already 76 cases, with Kalibo having the

highest number of cases followed by

Malay, and Nabas.

These municipalities, Dr. Cuachon

said, are densely-populated areas, one of

the factors for high incidence of

cases. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan targets 95% measles immunization rate

By: Venus G. Villanueva

Scholarships, OFW assistance up in Bacolod City

BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA6) - - Scholarships and assistance to the Overseas Filipino Workers displaced by the Libya

conflict are lined up as part of the social services of Bacolod City.

T he local government of Bacolod

with the Department of Education

and the Fuel Hope program of

Petron Corporation launched the Tulong

Aral ng Petron Scholarship program or

TAP.

This is in support to the anti-poverty

pursuit for basic education of the city

that will provide out of school children

from aged six with a subsistence that will

provide them access to basic education in

the form of school uniforms, shoes, school

supplies, meal allowance and Christmas

gift packs.

TAP is a holistic program that will

also include education and child

development, health and nutrition,

livelihood, values formation, leadership

and volunteer program and child

monitoring, a release from the city public

information office revealed.

Beneficiaries will be identified by the

Department of Social Services and

Development (DSSD).

Meanwhile, the DSSD is also giving

P10,000 each for the six Bacolod based

OFWs who were recently repatriated

from war-torn Libya as livelihood

assistance from the city government.

Bacolod City Mayor Monico O.

Puentevella said this is the city

government‘s little way of helping them

get back on their feet.

―If you decide to remain in the city or

in the country, try to explore local

employment or start your own small

business,‖ Puentevella told the OFWs.*

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

By: Easter Anne D. Doza

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Lactating mothers support 1st Breastfeeding

Congress

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 26 (PIA6) – Two hundred lactating mothers here joined the 1st Breastfeeding Congress of the

Provincial Health Office (PHO) last Aug. 22 at Robinsons Place – Roxas in view of the National Breastfeeding Awareness

Month celebration.

T he event, designed to promote

the importance of providing

p r o p e r s u p p o r t t o a l l

breastfeeding Filipino families, was

attended by local health authorities and

officials who admitted to have been then

breastfeed babies.

―I was breastfed by my mother as it is

the most convenient and practical way to

feed babies during the Japanese

occupation,‖ said Capiz Gov. Victor A.

Tanco. Babies latched on to their mothers

for the simultaneous breastfeeding that

was followed by various lectures and

testimonies on breastfeeding aside from

the free services provided by the partners

of PHO in the event.

The congress was complemented by

the formal opening of a Baby Care Lounge

of Robinsons Place that was also graced by

Tanco and Roxas City government local

officials led by Vice-Mayor Ronnie T.

Dadivas. The lounge will be a venue for

mothers who want to breastfeed and

replace the diapers of their babies in

privacy while at the mall.

The congress has the support of the

Department of Health, Roxas City Health

Office, UNICEF, Capiz Medical Society,

Philippine Red Cross, Filamer Christian

University, gay group Capiz Shells,

Philippine Information Agency, Capiz

Association of Government Public

Information Officers, Inc., Roxas City and

Capiz Press Bureaus and Robinsons Place,

among others.

Republic Act No. 10028 or the

Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act

provides for the yearly National

Breastfeeding Awareness Month

celebration every August. (JCM/AAL/PIA6

Capiz)

By: Alex A. Lumaque

Private sector, gov‟t partners in pursuit of inclusive growth ILOILO CITY, Aug. 28 (PIA6) – The government is banking on the private sector to create jobs as its role in the pursuit of

inclusive growth.

T his was stressed by National

Economic and Development

Authority (NEDA) Deputy Director

General Margarita Songco as she conveyed

the message of Director General Arsenio

Balisacan at the 5th Regional Development

Council-Private Sector Representatives

National Convention held here recently.

Nevertheless, the government would

not just leave the private sector to do the

job alone – it will have its own role too.

The result of this reciprocal relationship

is partnership.

Based on a report about the event

prepared by NEDA VI here, Songco

emphasized that it is the private sector that

will create the jobs and that government‘s

role is to make it easier and less costly for

the private sector to do business and to

encourage investments in the country.

The delegates were reassured by

Songco of the fact that under the updated

Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the

government is focusing its strategies on

fostering a more conducive business

environment to facilitate economic activities.

The PSRs were called upon to promote

the country‘s overall development and their

fellow Filipinos‘ welfare, as well as, to reflect

and reassess how they can better contribute

to their respective region‘s development,

vision and goals.

The PSRs formalized their role by

signing the Manifesto of Support doe the

updated PDP and Regional Development

Plans by the heads of the regional

delegations.

The NEDA VI report said a total of 172

participants from the different regions of the

country attended the national convention

which was hosted by RDC-VI and supported

by its Secretariat, NEDA VI.

The theme for this year is ―PSRs: RDC‘s

Crucial Partners in the Pursuit of Inclusive

Growth and Job Creation‖.

RDC X will host the 2015 national

convention and RDC V for 2016.

NEDA VI described this year‘s event as

a success. This was measured not only by

the quality of the inputs from the resource

persons nor the relevance of the outputs

form the delegates and the excellence of the

work rendered by the hosts but also by the

unquantifiable benefits of networks

established and friendships built among the

private sector leaders in the RDC, said

NEDA VI. (CMP/NEDA6/PIA6)

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - Use of credit cards, ATM and debit cards among consumers as mode of payment of goods and

services is increasing due to its convenience in business activities and consumer transactions.

T h i s i s t h e r e a s o n w h y

the Department of Trade and

Industry issued Administrative

Order No. 10, Series of 2006, to constantly

remind sellers or retailers about the

prohibition on extra charges imposed in the

use of credit/ATM/debit cards.

Joy Cardinal, Information Officer of DTI

Antique said AO No. 10 provides that

stores cannot impose extra charges on top

of the cash price for purchases of goods or

services via credit/ATM/debit cards.

For Antique in particular, department

stores or business establishments such as

drugs stores, appliance center, gasoline

stations, and hardware stores accepting

credit cards payments are increasing as well

as banks issuing credits cards.

Here are some guidelines on credit card

charges relative to the rules on price tags,

modes of payments and other price tag

practices:

1. When the consumer pays in cash, he

shall pay only the price indicated in the price

tag.

2. When the consumer pays through

credit/ATM/debit card, he shall pay only the

price indicated in the price tag.

3. When the retailer offer the

consumer an option to pay in cash, card or

on installment, the same is allowed provided

the payment options shall be disclosed by

way of a separate information to the

consumer but not in the price tag.

4. Price tag indicating a separate cash

price tag and regular price tag on each

product or service is not allowed.

5. Price tag indicating a separate cash

price tag and card price tag on each product

or service is not allowed.

Cardinal emphasized that the

Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394

declares that the best interest of the

consumers and his/her general welfare must

be protected.

Thus, violation to its provisions shall

have its corresponding penalties. (JCM/PSM/

PIA6 Antique)

DTI issues tips on managing household budget

By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

SIQUIJOR, Aug. 28 (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) and the Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) in Siquijor encouraged furniture makers in the province to consider „Green” consumerism as one of the trends in making

furniture products globally competitive and sustainable.

Siquijor furniture makers learn „Green

consumerism‟ trends

D OST-7 assistant regional director

Engr. Jesus Zamora said local

furniture makers should look into

how their products are made to positively

respond to environmental challenges in the

advent of climate change while meeting the

needs of consumers.

Zamora cited the increasing number of foreigners coming to the island, which he said

is a big opportunity for furniture makers to

consider especially that most of those opting

to stay in the island are Europeans.

Zamora was one of the resource persons

on ―Green‖ consumerism during the seminar

on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production

(RECP) for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs

(SMEs) conducted in Siquijor recently.

Europeans are used to green products.

They are very keen at how your products are

made, he said as he urged them to follow the

trend to be globally competitive and

sustainable despite global warming.

Meeting their demands can also mean

adapting to climate change which is a also a

form of risk management, he said.

―Usba ang inyong mindest. (Change your

mindset). Think of how you can improve your products and protect the environment at the

same time at lower costs and keep it ready for

the emerging markets in your island,‖ he

added. He warned the furniture makers to be

relevant.

According to Zamora, the trend for

sustainable development despite global

warming is now embracing the concept of

green consumerism. Green consumerism is

using organic products and those that are

made of recyclable and biodegradable

materials, and other practices that lead to

resource efficiency, cleaner production, and or

waste minimization.

Waste minimization, he added will lead to

increased productivity, reduced operating

costs, public health and environmental

benefits, improved work and health safety,

reduced risk of liability, improved corporate image and improved global competitiveness.

Discussing the economic and

e n v i r o n m e n t a l i m p a c t s o f t h e

DOST's Resource Efficient and Cleaner

Production (RECP), he said the program calls

for a shift in attitude.

The new attitude should be that

"Manufacturers accept responsibility for the

pollution caused by their products from design

to disposal," he concluded. (mbcn/RACalibo/

PIA7-Siquijor)

BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO

SIQUIJOR, Aug. 28 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Siquijor province pooled efforts and resources to conduct a

seminar recently on climate change adaptation and energy audit to the members of the small and medium entrepreneurs in

the province.

PIA, DTI, DOST hold climate change adaptation, energy audit seminar

D TI-Siquijor provincial director Nimfa

Virtucio in her opening remarks

exp la ined the importance of

convergence for SMEs development and to

strengthen advocacy on climate change

adaptation and energy conservation.

The activity, she said is part of the DTI‘s

SMERA (SMED Roving Academy) that brings

learning program through a series of training

and seminars to the micro, small and medium

enterprises (MSMEs) to help them become

competitive both in the domestic and

international markets.

PIA-Siquijor through this writer also briefly

explained that business should embrace the

need to tackle climate change and enhance

energy efficiency to improve their competitive

position because Climate Change and Energy

Efficiency advocacy are a shared challenge.

DOST provincial director Mario de la Pena

also gave his message for DOST‘s part and

introduced the participants and the resource

persons.

DOST7‘s Engr. Edgar Osorio talked on

energy management in response to the

call for climate change adaptation while Engr.

Roberto Edra presented actual Energy Audit

with the Furniture Makers in the island as the

subjects.

Participants come from the gift, decors and

housewares (GDH), engineering and metal, food

processing, furniture and the tourism sectors.

(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)

BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO

DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 21 (PIA) – Men are encouraged to be more involved in family planning programs of the government

to deepen their understanding of responsible parenting.

Gov't seeks more men involvement in FP programs

T his came after Barangay Kagawad Alfredo

Omoyon of Barangay Banilad in

Dumaguete City raised this concern during

a recent Kapihan sa PIA on why men are hardly

participating in family planning lectures set by the

barangay officials.

Omoyon is also a member of Men in Action

for Responsible Parenthood (MARPA), a male

organization that advocates ―man to man‖ talk on

family planning and responsible parenting.

―Family planning can‘t be done by one person

alone, there should be a husband and a wife,‖

Omoyon said.

Omoyon asked some representatives from

the Integrated Provincial Office (IPHO) and the

Commission on Population (POPCOM) who are

the panelists in the Kapihan whether there are

government family planning programs that directly

focused on men.

In response, IPHO family Planning

Coordinator Cristina Dagle said the IPHO

conducts ‗Usapang Maginoo‘ which is part of

the ‗Usapan Series‘ or lecture forum on family

planning programs exclusively for men.

‗Usapan Series‘ is IPHO‘s new strategy to step

up its campaign on the importance of family

planning to married couples in Negros Oriental

with the help of (POPCOM) and Department of

Health (DOH).

Dagle noted that men today are now

becoming interested and are greatly involved in

topics related to family planning.

Dagle cited a recent ‗Usapang Maginoo‘ forum

held in Dauin town which drew positive response

from its male audience. Dagle said participants

were very active during the discussions and men

were eager to raise questions regarding pregnancy

concerns of their spouses.

Aside from ‗Usapang Maginoo‘ there are also

different modules in ‗Usapan Series‘ which are for

pregnant women, couples who are still able to bear

a child and couples who are contented with the

number of children they already have.

Meanwhile, the IPHO and the POPCOM

stressed that they promote natural and artificial

family planning in these forums. Dagle explained

they only want to lead couples to informed

choices.

She also clarified that IPHO does not

force couples into using artificial family planning

methods.

On the other hand, Josephine Dela Cerna of

POPCOM-7 said they always discuss the

advantages and disadvantages of every family

planning method and let the couple decide what is

best for them.

―Our stand in POPCOM is that what we do

is legal, safe and is for the benefit of all,‖ Dela

Cerna concluded.

August is declared as Family Planning month

where the DOH and the POPCOM work together

to intensify information dissemination on the

importance of family planning.

This year's theme for the celebration of the

Family Planning Month is "Ang Planadong Buhay ay

Maayos na Buhay" which emphasized the benefits

of family planning in the health, economic, and

relational aspects of each family members. (mbcn/

ral/PIA7-NegOr)

BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) --- Not just the place but the people itself. This was the thrust of Mayor Paz Radaza‟s speech as

Lapulapu takes a step higher than the rest of the local government units, in launching it‟s new branding.

“ Lapulapu City - The Historic Resort City‖

not only brands its beaches, economics

and resorts but as home of people with

values of the first ever hero that defended the

country.

―We are a city, named after a hero, you

must think that it is exceptional, out of the

ordinary and a cut above the rest.. In fact, it

is...but it is only as world-class as its people,‖

Radaza said.

Radaza said it is the heroism of every

individual Oponganon that makes Lapu-Lapu: The

historic resort city.

―The collective heroism of the Oponganons

both in the public and private sectors create that

world-class brand that makes visitors come to

Lapu-Lapu City,‖ the Mayor said.

The City shows an icon ―Lapulapu in the

Sun‖ with vibrant colors representing the core

values of Oponganons; of the city‘s diversity and

dynamism.

Its colors are: sky blue – means trustworthy,

dependable, secure and responsible; golden

yellow – for positivity, light, warmth, motivation

and creativity; persimmon orange – represents

vitality, fun, playful exuberance and forest

green- for wealth, health, prestige and serenity.

Other than visual branding, they also

launched a jingle entitled ―Come to Lapulapu and

Free Yourself!‖.

―We created a brand for Lapu-Lapu City

based on its distinctive appeal developed through

a deeper insight on how values, attitudes,

behavior and characteristics developed into core

competencies of the city, and how they fit into

the emerging trends.‖

The Mayor also posed a challenge to every

Lapulapu City resident to live up to the created

brand inculcating the culture of tourism.

This culture, according to Radaza, empowers

Oponganons to demand from their local

government five-star service just like how our

visitors look forward to five-star resort service.

―A culture where we, as a people, will

constantly and consciously provide warm

hospitality to our guests.

A culture where we as Oponganons cherish

our past, defend our independence and always

be self-reliant,‖ Radaza said.

The Mayor assured that the city government

will make sure that they can provide the citizens

with high quality of life.

Immediately after the launching of the brand,

Lapulapu City hosted the 3rd Cobra Ironman and

featured the first ever fly board and helium

balloon experiences in the country.

Indeed, as what the participating athletes

said during the Cobra Ironman event, one can

certainly come to Lapulapu and be free.

Lapulapu is a highly urbanized city of Cebu

province that has the first ever export processing

zone and is the location of the international

airport. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

Lapulapu City launches new branding

BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA

CEBU CITY, Aug. 27 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas aims to immunize 1.8M children ages

nine to 59 months old for measles, rubella and polio during its massive nationwide immunization campaign in September

dubbed as "Ligtas sa Tigdas, Magkaisa, Magpabakuna."

D OH-7 child health program

coordinator, Dr. Emmelie Pflieder

Silao said for both measles and

rubella, the target for Region 7 in next

month‘s massive immunization drive is 840,

555 children ages nine to 59 months old or

almost five years of age.

Rubella is commonly known as German

measles and shares common manifestations

with measles but to a lesser degree, said

Silao during the weekly Association of

Government Information Officers (AGIO-7)

forum.

For polio, Silao said the target for

Central Visayas is much higher with 986,739

children at birth until 59 months of age.

Measles cases in Central Visayas

however, witnessed a drastic increase from

January 1 to August 16 with 1,098 recorded

cases this year compared to the same period

last year with only 93 cases or a significant

rise of 92 percent.

―Cebu has the most number of the

1,098 cases with Cebu City alone having

over 400 measles cases followed by Negros

Oriental, Bohol and lastly, Siquijor,‖ revealed

Renan Cimafranca of the DOH-7 Regional

Epidemiology Surveillance Unit.

For both measles and rubella, the

common symptoms are fever, headache,

runny nose, red eyes, rashes, joint pain and

cough, said Cimafranca but measles manifest

hi-grade fever and redder rashes than

rubella.

Pneumonia is the most common

complication of measles as parents are urged

to immediately seek medical help when

manifestations occur, advised Cimafranca.

Meanwhile, a new memo circular of the

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

(PHIC) released last week now permits

members to file direct claims for allowable

h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n r e i m b u r s e m e n t

from PhilHealth to its office or any of its

express lanes in major malls in Central

Visayas. PhilHealth chief of the Benefits

Administration section, Dr. Nelda Pe said

that unlike before, where hospitals are the

only ones that can file reimbursement claims

for hospital bill deduction of PhilHealth

members from PHIC, the new memo now

allows members to directly file hospital

reimbursement claims, retroactive to January

1, this year. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

DOH-7 aims to immunize 1.8M kids for

measles, polio

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

CEBU CITY, August 27 (PIA)--- National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) calls on police to strengthen its intelligence back

ground investigation of applicants to the rooster of the organization.

Napolcom wants PNP to strengthen BI of applicants BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA

I n today‘s Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis

(TSIP-Cebu) Napolcom assistant regional

director Atty. Jose Concepcion reminded

Police Regional Office 7 officials to be serious in

doing back ground investigation to incoming

members of the organization.

―I talked with a dean of a criminology

school saying that there are noted drug users

who found their way into the organization and

got accepted,‖ Concecion said.

Concepcion reiterated the call to the

Regional Intelligence Division.

―I don‘t know but there might be instances

wherein you tell the applicant, nag bi BI kami sa

iya, bigyan mo kami ng ganito,‖ Concepcion said.

He suggested to RID, headed by Psupt Rex

Derilo to also include the schools where some of

these applicants came from in the background

investigation.

According to the application process, PNP

applicants submit several clearances to prove

their capability and worthiness, from barangay,

police, law enforcement board and court

clearances.

The intelligence units of their respective

local government units where they applied are

usually the ones who conduct the background

investigation.

NAPOLCOM is the agency mandated by

the 1987 Constitution and the Major Police

Reform Laws, Republic Act Nos. 6975 and 8551

to administer and control the Philippine National

Police.

Under R.A. 8551, otherwise known as the

"PNP REFORM AND ORGANIZATION ACT OF

1988" the Commission gained the powers to

investigate police anomalies and irregularities,

administer police entrance and promotional

examinations and summarily dismiss erring police

officers.

Meanwhile the Regional Legal Service also

accepts complaints filed against harassing and

erring policemen.

At the same time, Psupt Etidel Periera

said that they are also ready to provide legal

services to policemen who encounter cases

in the performance of their jobs.(mbcn/FCC/PIA-

Cebu)

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

NSamar conducts prioritization workshop on

the 2015 annual investment plan

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Aug. 22 (PIA) - The provincial government of Northern Samar has conducted a prioritization

workshop on the 2015 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) at Ibabao Hall, New Capitol Building, Catarman on August 19.

P r o v i n c i a l P l a n n i n g a n d

Development Coordinator Engr.

Romeo Cardenas said that the

rationale of the workshop was to identify

priority projects for funding in the

2015 economic development fund and

come up with a draft of the annual

investment plan.

He said prioritization criteria has

been enhanced or improved based on the

provincial governments‘ trust, CHANGE,

which means community based

ecotourism; health and nutrition; agri

industry and livelihood development;

natural resource protection and

management; good governance and

education and welfare.

Cardenas informed that AIP is a

summary of programs, projects and

activities to be implemented for fiscal year

2015 and will serve as an exclusive basis of

priority programs/projects to be funded

by the economic development fund of

their 2015 executive budget.

The draft AIP is scheduled to be

considered by the Provincial Development

Council on September 3 on its council

meeting, he added. (AJC/TBC/PIA8/

Northern Samar)

DOH official recognizes media as partner in promoting health programs

SUBIC, Zambales, Aug. 28 (PIA) - An official of the health promotion division of the Department of Health (DOH) central of-

fice recognized the media as „greatest ally‟ of the agency in informing the public on the different health programs.

“ It is very difficult to reach our target

audience,‖ said Luz B. Tagunicar,

supervising health promotion officer

and the current officer-in-charge (OIC) of

the DOH health promotion division citing

the media in the dissemination of the

various health programs of the agency at

the grassroots level.

Tagunicar mentioned recent health

programs of the DOH that need massive

information dissemination campaign like

the special campaign on mass

immunization program which will be

implemented in the whole month of

September, 2014 to reach down to the

barangays.

She added that there is really a big

need to inform the public on health

programs and services for the people to

be aware on how to avail of these health

programs and services.

The lady health promotion officer also

cited having a regular interface not only

with the national media but with the local

media as well since they are the people

who know best the culture and language

in the community.

Tagunicar delivered the opening

message during the two-day media

seminar 102 on August 27-28, 2014 held

at the Camayan Beach Resort, Subic Bay,

Zambales.

The lectures of the media health

seminar with the national and regional

government media as well as the private

media in attendance focus on

immun iz a t ion , hea l th f ac i l i t i e s

enhancement, health human resource,

PhilHealth benefits and emerging

infectious diseases. (AJC/RSV/PIA 8

Biliran)

BY: RODRIGO S.VICTORIA

BY: TERESITA B. CARDENAS

DOLE allots P59-M to assist workers in Eastern Samar

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 22 (PIA) - In an effort to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the lives

and livelihood of the victims of “Typhoon Yolanda”, the Department of Labor and Employment DOLE), Eastern Samar

Provincial Field Office launched “Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program” (YRRP) which is now accepting project

proposals.

T he program provides emergency and

employment livelihood assistance

through i ts DOLE Integrated

Livelihood and Emergency and Employment

Program (DILEEP).

The program aims to contribute to the

reduction of poverty and vulnerability to

risks of the poor, vulnerable and

marginalized workers either through

transitional emergency employment and

promotion of entrepreneurship and community

enterprise.

In an interview with PIA, Fe A. Estrella,

Chief-Labor and Employment Officer,

DOLE- Provincial Field Office said that for

Eastern Samar, the department has allotted

P59.06M of which P11.61M is for Emergency

Employment.

This targets to benefit 2,322

worker-victims in six municipalities: Lawaan, Salcedo, Mercedes, Giporlos, Quinapondan

and Maydolong

Also, P47.45M is allotted for Livelihood

Assistance which targets to benefit 3,469

worker-victims in ten municipalities:

Maydolong, Balangkayan, Hernani, Mac-Arthur,

Quinapondan, Giporlos, Lawaan, Salcedo,

Mercedes and Guiuan.

Estrella also said that a P4M-assistance has

already been released to the municipalities of

Hernani, Balangkayan and Guiuan.

―This micro financing mechanism allows

members of cooperatives, entrepreneur

groups and or individuals wider access to

capital that they can use to improve their

livelihood and increase their income‖, Estrella

added.

She further said that as of this writing,

there are about P30M worth of project

proposals submitted to their office for

evaluation and endorsed by the Provincial

Project Management Team (PPMT). After the evaluation, the DOLE Eastern

Samar endorses the proposals to the

DOLE-Regional Office which are again

evaluated and discussed by the Regional

Project Management Team (RPMT) for

recommendation of the said project

proposals.

When the requirements are complete and

the proposals are passed, the RPMT based on

the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and

the DOLE-Regional Director, being the

Chairman of RPMT will grant and approve the

project proposals for funding.

The submitted proposals to the DOLE, E.

Samar Field Office for cooperatives and

entrepreneur groups are: fishing paraphernalia,

motor boat, farming implements and

equipment while for individual projects are:

vulcanizing, electronics, cosmetology, cellphone

repair shop, electrical services, welding, car

wash, massage, plumbing, appliance and

upholstery repair. The program will last until December

2014 only. (AJC/SDC/PIA8-E. Samar)

BY: SAMUEL D. CANDIDO

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

SLDEO seeks funds to repair scoured grounds

A ccording to a news release

written by SLDEO Information

Officer Rouella Altar sent by

email to PIA, District Engr. Ma. Margarita

Junia referred the matter and consulted

with Department of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH) Regional Director

Engr. Rolando Asis in order to seek

funding on the restoration and

rehabilitation project for the damaged

portion near the piers, which can cost

millions of pesos.

The inevitable move came after an

SLDEO inspection team, headed by DE

Junia with Engr. Erlinda Cruz of the

Maintenance Section and Engr. Vincent Sy,

Chief for Planning and Design, visited the

bridge in August 7.

It was found out that the grounds

nearby where both Bridge Piers I and II,

the bridge‘s foundation, were situated

have been scoured, and that the access

road beneath the structure has collapsed,

the SLDEO report said.

―Preventive measures such as

drainage canals and gabion flood controls,

previously applied by the SLDEO, were all

washed out,‖ the report stated, adding

that if neglected the scouring would

seriously damage the foundation of the

huge infrastructure.

Considered one of the engineering

feats in the Philippines, Agas-Agas Bridge

was opened to traffic in 2009 following a

drive-through inauguration by former

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

It stands 84 meters high, spans 350

meters long concrete, and traverses the

North-South Maharlika National Highway

that links the country, hence it has

enormous economic significance for the

province, as travelers use it for their long

land trips in going to Mindanao or

Luzon. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

SOGOD, Southern Leyte, Aug. 22 (PIA) -- The Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) has exerted efforts to

prevent further erosion just ten meters away from the bottom of two giant columns of the mighty Agas-Agas Bridge here, a

mighty and imposing superstructure that is a tourist attraction by itself.

BY: MARCELO M. PEDALINO

South Korean soldiers continue to help in Leyte‟s rehab

PALO, Leyte, Aug. 22 (PIA) - The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKAF) Joint Support Group is continuously providing

support to the rehabilitation efforts in the Province of Leyte even if nine (9) months have passed since typhoon Yolanda caused

havoc in many areas in Eastern Visayas.

I n an interview with Col. Lee Chul

won, Commander, Republic of

Korea Armed Forces Joint Support

Group (ARAW Contingents) at their

base camp in Brgy. Candahug, Palo Leyte,

the official said out of the sixty (60) public

facilities targeted for completion on

December this year, forty (40) facilities

were already repaired.

Among these are public schools,

government hospitals, fire stations, police

stations, Korean War veteran homes and

other local infrastructures.

Recently, ROKAF has turned-over to

the administration of the newly

rehabilitated Manlurip Elementary School

located in Manlurip, San Jose District in

Tacloban City where 372 pupils and 11

teachers will benefit. Said project was

jointly done by Republic of Korea Armed

Forces (ROKAF) Joint Support Group, the

546 and 543 Engineer Construction

Battalion (ECB) of the 53rd Engineering

Brigade, Philippine Army.

ROKAF also extends assistance by

offering training and free use of their

heavy equipments to TESDA scholars

coming from various municipalities in

Leyte including Tacloban City.

It can be recalled that after Yolanda

hit the region in November last year, the

ROKAF was the first of the groups who

rendered immediate humanitarian

assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and

clearing operations on places heavily

affected by the typhoon as well as

rendering medical services to typhoon

victims. (AJC/CBA/PIA-8)

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Gov assures full support to ICT industry in Region 8

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug. 28 (PIA) - The damage brought about by typhoon “Haiyan” (Yolanda) to the province of Leyte

and the entire Region 8 did not stop the conduct of the ICT EXPO 2014 which carries the theme “Rebuilding a Better Eastern

Visayas Through ICT.” The activity is a two day affair from August 28 to 29 at St. Paul‟s School of Business and Law.

A ccording to Leyte Governor

Dominic L. Petilla, this kind of

activity should be given utmost

importance considering that the people

had temporarily relocated themselves in

order to earn a living in other regions or

provinces in the Philippines particularly in

Manila and Cebu.

Gov. Petilla further stated that this is

a timely activity in order to rebuild the

once IT park located at the academic

center in Palo, Leyte.

Gov. Petilla emphasized that the

future of the economy is in the

information technology, considered a big

help in the real property tax and business

tax collection through ITAX. The local

government unit uses ITAX to have an

efficient and increase tax collection.

The presence of multi-national

companies such as QUALFON and

IBEDIN Philippines which are both into

business process outsourcing and

information technology, to venture in the

province of Leyte and recruit possible

future candidates to fill in their needed

manpower was likewise a positive

indication that Leyte province is among

their top priority for their business

expansion. According to Atty. Jocelle

Batapa-Sigue, Member of the Board of

Director of the National ICT

Confederation of the Philippines, ―the

Philippines has a talent pool reaching

450,000 a year is considered as the third

largest English-speaking country. The

workforce from the year 2013 was

estimated to have 643,000 and in April

2014 has a massive increase of 765,000

which is near the target of 1,000,000

workforce for year 2014.

The resiliency, perseverance, and

hardwork are among the best attributes of

the survivors of typhoon Yolanda which

the whole world witnessed is the reason

why there is fast recovery in the economy

of Tacloban City and the entire Region 8.

(AJC/JHB/PIA-8)

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura

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

main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and

suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

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