one visayas e-newsletter vol 4 issue 38
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 4 Issue 38 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 September 22 - 28, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DPWH implements nat’l road, health facilities projects
RDC 6 launches WV migration and dev’t project
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
5,000 4P's families to share stories on conquering poverty
By: Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
CEBU CITY, September 23 (PIA)--- It‟s the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program beneficiaries time to shine this Sunday, as 5,000 of them are expected to gather in Cebu
City to celebrate Family Week. Dep a r tmen t o f Soc i a l We l f a r e a n d
Development (DSWD-7) information officer Lea Quintana announced in today‟s Kapihan sa PIA that families
from all over the region will gather on September 28, Sunday at Plaza Independencia in Cebu City for a Convergence Caravan.
“They will be sharing success stories and how the Filipino families survived the various calamities,” Quintana said.
The gathering is done simultaneously in all regions nationwide celebrating Family Week with the theme, “Celebrating the Filipino Families: Resilient and Caring”.
“It will give recognition to Filipino families‟ indomitable spirit and compassion, to which the Philippines is globally known for,” Quintana said.
Included among the 5,000 are the 4Ps beneficiary
families who were victims of the typhoon and the earthquake last year.
On the same occasion the “Pantawid Pamilya
para sa Pagbabago” campaign will be launched with the “Kaya ko ang Pagbabago” dance to be
performed by the dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center
(CPDRC). Local government units are also encouraged to
celebrate the National Family Week with other similar
activities related to unifying the families. Meanwhile Region VII bet for the Model Pantawid
Pamilya Search, Ewican family of Carmen, Bohol, landed in
the top 5 of the annual contest. Final announcement of winners will also be done on
the same day in Manila.
4Ps is a poverty alleviation program of the Philippines which now covers all barangays in the entire country. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) - New
projects on national roadwork and health facilities are being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The first project on roadwork will benefit the traveling public and motorists plying the national road from Northern Samar to Calbayog City will now experience comfort and convenient travel.
This is according to Information Officer Marianette Gomez of the DPWH-Samar First Engineering Office based in Calbayog City headed by District Engr Virgilio
Eduarte. Preventive Maintenance fund amounting to P24.2
Million has been released under the agency‟s Regular
Infrastructure Program.
The asphalt overlay project covers three road sections with a total length of 1.2 km in the coastal areas of
Barangays Bugtong, Malayog and Baay.
Another project implemented by the same
district is the construction of nine Barangay Health Stations (BHS) in selected localities identified by the Department of Health (DOH) with a total amount of P 9.6 Million
under the 2014 Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP).
HFEP seeks to upgrade the infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities in the Samar
areas targeting rural health units, health stations, and district hospitals.
For 2014, barangays in need of the basic medical
services will be provided like those in the island towns of Almagro, Sto. Niño, Tagapul-an, Matuguinao and Sta. Margarita in Samar.
The health structures amount to P 1 M to P 1.2 M
according to the DPWH-Samar 1. (jrc/PIA 8-Samar with Marianette Gomez-DPWH Samar First District Eng‟g
Office)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA6) -- The Regional
Development Council, Region VI launched the Western Visayas-Migration and Development Initiative (WV-MDI) Project during its 3rd Quarter Regular Meeting for 2014
today. During the meeting at the RDC VI Conference Hall
at NEDA 6, Negros Occ. Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., also assumed his post as the new RDC VI
Chairperson. Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor administered his oath of office.
The WV-MDI project, supported by the Swiss
Development Cooperation, will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the Regional Development Council
VI, through its Secretariat, the National Economic and Development Authority, Region VI.
The Western Visayas League of Local Planning
and Development Coordinators, Signpost Philippines, Inc. and the 6 provinces of Western Visayas are the project partners.
A total budget of US$230,000 (P10 million) is provided for the project from July 2014 to April 2016.
The project seeks to prepare a local migration situationer for Western Visayas, increase awareness
and strengthen the capacity of local government authorities in linking migration and development, and pool collective remittances and private support in
s t reng then ing the reg ion ‟s d i sa s ter r i sk response and reduction operations, especially for women
and children.
The project aims to strengthen the contribution of migration to development considering the fact that Western Visayas is the sixth top sending region of
Filipinos abroad with more than 200,000 migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
It also aims to capacitate local chief executives and planners in consciously considering the contributions of
migrant workers to communities and local government units in Western Visayas.
Maranon was appointed by President Benigno S.
Aquino III to a two-year term from September 2014 to June 2016. (NEDA/cmp/PIA6)
PIA-6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa
prods the student participants of the
on-the-spot essay writing contest on climate
change mitigation and adaptation to do their
best during the competition's opening program
held Friday at the Mansion Garden here. (LTP/
PIA-Iloilo)
Barangay officials and residents, students,
government employees, the academe and
stakeholders join the International Coastal
Clean Up Day along Cancabato Bay in
Tacloban City, September 20. (Vino R.
Cuayzon)
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon, Jr. takes his oath as the
new Regional Development Council (RDC) VI Chairperson,
administered by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor during the
3rd Quarter Regular Meeting of the council held at NEDA VI Office,
Iloilo City, September 26, 2014. (LAF/PIA-Iloilo)
PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman
citing the Climate Change Advocacy Promise
during the PIA-DENR climate change school
caravan at Junob National High School in
Negros Oriental last Sept. 25. It is a pledge
she made to encourage young people to
change their bad habits and become
responsible stewards of the environment.
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA6) — The Pinggang Pinoy is the healthy food plate for Filipino adults, which the Department of
Science and Technology has developed, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the National Nutrition Council.
DOST promotes Pinggang Pinoy
T his is an easy-to-understand food
guide that uses the familiar food
plate model to convey the right
food group proportions on a per meal
basis to meet the energy and nutrient
needs of the adult body.
“The plate is divided into imaginary
four sections to indicate proportions of
food following the Go, Grow and Glow
food groups,” said Nona Tad-y, NNC-6
Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator.
According to the DOST food plate,
a bigger fourth section of the plate should
be for rice and alternatives, a choice from
1 cup of rice, 4 pieces of pandesal, 17g
each, 4 slices of loaf bread, 17g each, 1
cup cooked macaroni or spaghetti
noodles, or a small piece of root crop like
kamoteng kahoy, gabi, or ubi.
Another bigger fourth portion is for
vegetables, which is from ¾ to 1 cup of
cooked or raw vegetables.
A smaller fourth portion consists of
fish and alternatives, which may consist of
two servings of any of 1 pc of small size
fish, 1 pc of small chicken leg or a
matchbox size of chicken breast, 1
matchbox size of meat (pork, beef) or 1
pc of small chicken egg.
Still another smaller fourth portion
consists of fruits, a choice from 1 medium
size fruit, like banana, dalanghita, or
kaymito, or 1 slice of big fruit like papaya
or water melon.
In addition, the DOST and its
partners, prescribe eight or more glasses
of water daily.
Tad-y said that there is also the
Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF)
which should be observed by the people
in choosing and preparing their daily
meals, as they consider the needs of each
member of the family.
She added that much more
that the NGF and the Pinggang
Pinoy be promoted and practiced in these
times when disasters and emergency
situations just come unexpectedly which
consequently may lower resistance
and create malnutrition. (JSC/ESS-PIA6
Iloilo)
By: Elsa S. Subong
Aklan bats for responsible pet ownership
KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 24 (PIA6) -- The celebration of the World Rabies Day here in Aklan on September 26 puts emphasis on
Responsible Pet Ownership
A ccording to the Office of the
Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET)
here headed by Dr. Cyrosa Leen
Mabel Sinel, this dog-friendly and
responsible pet ownership-encouraging
activities include Doggy Day Parade and
Pet Blessings, Oplan Kapon, PetCare Day,
I n f o r m a t i o n C a r a v a n , D o g
Deworming, Rabies Vaccination, and
Consultation and Basic Treatment.
OPLAN Kapon, according to OPVET,
involves providing free dog castration
which will be conducted at the Kalibo
Magsaysay Park, while the PetCare Day
will involve the provision of free
consultation, free treatment and dog
vaccination against rabies.
Besides promoting responsible pet
ownership, the activity also aims to create
public awareness on the danger caused by
rabies to humans and to other animals.
Recently during the meeting of the
Provincial Rabies Coordinating Committee
of the Rabies Prevention and Control
Program, Debbie Villaflor of the Provincial
Health Office (PHO) revealed that
early this year, an Aklanon has died from
rabies. Based on OPVET records, Aklan
has currently 47,787 dog population and
only 26.36% of these dogs are vaccinated.
The province has currently more than
2,500 anti-rabies dog vaccines provided by
the Department of Health (DOH) and the
provincial government of Aklan. It is seen
that with the dog vaccination activities in
the province in observance of World
Rabies Day, thousands of dogs will be
vaccinated, increasing the percentage of
rabies-free dogs here.
According to OPVET-Aklan, the
province aims to vaccinate 70% of the dog
population here. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
By: Venus G. Villanueva
Antique LGUs urged to update disaster plans
SAN JOSE, Antique Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - The Department of the Interior and Local Government here urged the various
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) to update their respective strategic plans in order to
be prepared for stronger typhoons that induce flash floods and landslides.
By: Vicente W. Villavert
P rovincial Director Victorio S.
Pagapulan said that the local
government units in the province
are exerting best efforts to upgrade the
capability of their respective Municipal
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council. “It is important that the people
should know what kind of disaster and
risk their areas are prone to, so that they
could effectively respond and likewise
protect themselves from the effects of the
disaster,” Pagapulan said in a PIA
interview. Pagapulan said that the
RDRMCC together with Office of Civil
Defense recently conducted a planning
workshop in order to upgrade/revise the
strategic plans of the region in order for
us to be able to respond to the challenge
of climate change adaptation and disaster
risk management. Climate change
adaptation and mitigation is one of the
pillars of the Philippine Development Plan
2011-2016. Meanwhile, a Malacanang press
report said that President Aquino in his
recent Cabinet meeting noted the need
for a broad awareness on the use of
geo-hazard maps that indicate
landslide-and flood-prone areas in each
province, municipality or city so that the
local disaster risk reduction and
management councils can respond in a
timely and appropriate manner. (JCM/
VWV/PIA Antique)
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
P-TRACE to ensure safe, quality products
By: Leonard T. Pineda I
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Sept. 25 (PIA6) - - Selected police officers from the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office are
undergoing a five-day Post-Blast Investigation Course at the Panaad Park and Stadium.
F orty seven pol ice off icers
trained under Daric Manser,
Special Agent Bomb Technician of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a
release from the provincial information
office.
Manser was used to be stationed at
Los Angeles, California and investigated
the Boston Marathon in 2013.
The said training was initiated by the
Philippine Bomb Data Center of the
Philippine National Police and sponsored
by the Provincial Government of Negros
Occidental.
I t i s a imed at prov id in g
Negrense-policemen with basic knowledge
and skills in post-blast investigation.
Gov. Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. said that
the training is timely and relevant as it is a
big contribution to the safety of the
community, adding that the stable peace
and order situation in the province is
attracting more investors.*(EAD-PIA6
Negros Occidental)
Negrense police undergo post-blast course
By: Easter Anne. D. Doza
ILOILO CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA6) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo provincial office conducted a
seminar on the Philippine Traceability for Revitalized Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement or P-TRACE to boost
competitiveness of food producers here.
R achel Nufable, DTI-Iloilo Business
D e v e l o p m e n t D i v i s i o n
officer-in-charge, said that the
seminar and workshop aimed at raising
awareness on the importance of
traceability system in the manufacture of
safe and quality products.
“The program intends to enhance the
competitiveness of our agro-industrial
products leading to an increase in the
country‟s export revenues due to
increased export volumes and market
entry in some untapped markets,” she
said.
Anchored on the Food Safety Act of
2013, traceability is a great risk
management tool that can help identify
outbreak and hazard sources, manage
safety alerts, and withdraw contaminated
or dangerous products efficiently.
“Food businesses will also have the
opportunity to further improve their
operations and generate more client
satisfaction through traceability,” she said.
The seminar modules include: The
P-TRACE project; Introduction to
Traceability; Why Implement Traceability;
Traceability Components; Implementing
Traceability; Challenges and Constraints;
and Benefits to the Philippine
Agro-Industrial Commodities.
Nufable said that the seminar
conducted September 25, 2014 at the DTI
Regional Office Conference Room here
was already the fourth leg with the first
three conducted in Guimaras, Capiz, and
Antique.
Over 60 participants composed of
micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs), food manufacturers, producers
and other related sectors, national and
local government officers and business
counselors, non-government organizations
took part in the seminar in Iloilo.
She added that this P-TRACE seminar
will also be conducted in the provinces of
Aklan and Negros Occidental later this
year. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 24 (PIA6) - One hundred two establishments in Capiz have been chosen as respondents of the
ongoing survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority.
C apiz Provincial Statistics Officer
Engr. Frankie Dordas disclosed
that the 102 establishments were
part of the 5,855 establishments in Capiz
that are respondents to the on-going 2013
Annual Survey of Philippine Business and
Industry
He sa id that the sample
establishments here are among the 31,000
sample establishments for the survey
nationwide, and of said figure, 31 are also
samples for the 2013 Survey on
Information and Communication
Technology (SICT) which is a rider to the
said enumeration.
Dordas revealed that the on-going
2013 Annual Survey of Philippine Business
and Industry being conducted by the PSA
kicked off last September 15 and will last
for one month.
According to him, the 2013 ASPBI
aims to collect and generate information
on the levels, structure, performance and
trends of economic activities of the formal
sector in the entire country.
“Specifically, the survey will gather
information on employment, income,
expenses, capital expenditures and total
assets of the establishments and indicators
such as labor productivity, average
compensation and other data necessary to
evaluate the performance of industries at
the national and regional levels,” he said.
On the other hand, Dordas said that
the 2013 SICT will collect data on the
availability, distribution, access and
ut i l izat ion of in format ion and
communication technology among
establishments which are valuable in
measuring progress of ICT in the country.
He stressed that included in the data
to be generated are the proportion of
establishments and employees using
computers.
All information to be collected on
said surveys will refer to calendar year
2013, he said, adding that the collected
date will be used in the updating of the
2014 list of establishments.
Dordas said that personnel of their
office here will be the one who will be
conducting the enumeration, assuring the
public that all information given will be
held strictly confidential and will not be
used as evidence in any court litigation,
taxation, investigation or regulation. (JCM/
JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
PSA to survey 102 Capiz business establishments
By: Jemin B. Guillermo
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
Central Visayas, Sept. 19 (PIA) --- The 114th Philippine Civil Service (PCS) Anniversary paved way for government workers to
enjoy of the PCS Anniversary of SM Stores on September 15-17 and 19-21, 2014.
T his SM special sale or promos for government
workers include SM Department Stores, SM Supermarkets, and SM Hypermarkets.
For the promotion duration and scope nationwide SM Department Stores set its special sale for
government workers on September 15-17 while SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarkets started on
September 19 until September 21. SM Department Stores‟ granted promo and
discounts to government workers include 10% discount on regular price items for a minimum purchase of
P500.00 who presented proof of eligibility. Standard exclusion applied for this promo covered
purchases at Snack Exchange, Camera Shop, Customer Service Counters and items such as chemical, toiletries,
diapers, pharmacy, small, appliances, business machines and other promo items.
SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket offer free mug of about (11 oz) with a minimum single receipt
purchase of P500 for civil servants upon presenting their
proof of eligibility. Excluded in this terms are items purchased from
food and shop tenants, service counters, such as bills payment and foreign exchange.
Other considerations set is that SM reserves the right to provide a list of exempted items from the
5%/100% discount during the Civil Service Anniversary Sale.
SM only requires eligible government workers to present their official government office ID /or GSIS ID
and SM Advantage Card (SMAC), SM Prestige Card, MOM Card or BDO Rewards Card.
Physical elements of government office ID should have plastic or laminated and should contained the name
of government office; government office address; name of civil service personnel; picture of civil service
personnel; government office emblem/logo; position in government office (optional) authorized signatory;
employee number (optional); validity (e.g expiry date) /
(optional). Name of government, office ID and on SMAC, SM
Prestige, BDO Rewards or MOM Card must be the same.
For queries, comments and concerns regarding the conduct of the 2014 PCSA Sale of SM, please call or
contact Mr. Sam V. Manglicmot, Chief Administrative Officer, and General Service Division (GSD) of the
Office for Financial and Assets Management (OFAM), Civil Service Commission- Central Office, Diliman,
Quezon City at telephone numbers 931-79-84 or 931-79-90.
For queries regarding the application for the SM Advantage Card and or other SM Department
Store, Supermarket and Hypermarket concerns, please contact any of the concerned SM Stores nationwide.
(mbcn/ays/ with reports from the Civil Service Commission)
Gov’t workers avail mall discounts on PCS anniv
BY: AMORGANDA Y. SALUDAR
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 23 (PIA) – The 8-day School Caravan on Climate Change kicked off at the Hermenegilda F. Gloria
Memorial High School, Barangay Banilad in Dumaguete City.
PIA-DENR Climate Change School Caravan
kicks off
By: Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
T his is the first among eight identified public
schools in Dumaguete City to participate in
a series of climate change school caravan
initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
– Negros Oriental and Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office
with the Dumaguete City Environment and Natural
Resources Office (ENRO).
The eight-day public high school caravan
banners the theme “Nagbabago na ang panahon,
panahon na para magbago” which encourages young
people to be proactive in mitigating and adapting to
the negative effects of this climate crisis.
With this disastrous phenomenon happening,
PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman stressed
that young people should now consider strong
typhoons like the recent Typhoon “Yolanda” a new
normal in this generation and therefore initiate
efforts that will protect the environment to avoid
such adverse impacts.
Newman challenged students of the said high
school to plant trees since they help absorb carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases and prevent
the earth from heating up.
According to DENR-Negros Oriental planning
officer Sabina Silva, “Deforestation reduces the
ability of ecosystems to absorb greenhouse gases.”
That is why the DENR is implementing the
National Greening Program (NGP) as a response to
climate change. NGP aims to reforest over 1.5
million of denuded/denuded land and targets 1.5
billion trees to be planted within six years, Silva
added.
The students also learned that In Negros
Oriental, the NGP has covered 27, 355 hectares of
land since 2011.
Aside from tree planting, students are also
encouraged to practice proper waste segregation
and recycling to lessen the garbage pollution in
Dumaguete City. A short documentary on waste
management produced by the PIA-Negros Oriental
will also be shown in the school caravans to inform
students on how garbage pollution and improper
waste management contribute to climate change.
Towards the end of the event, students
recited the “Nagbago na ako” promise to
renew their commitment to protect the
environment and pledge to change their "bad
environmental habits".
Hermenegilda F. Gloria High School was also
recognized as a „Maka-Kalikasan‟ School by PIA,
DENR and Dumaguete City ENRO for
implementing solid waste management programs
within the campus.
The next climate change school caravan will
be on Sept. 24 at Dumaguete City High School,
followed by Junob National High School on Sept.
25, Camanjac National High School on Sept. 26,
Taclobo High School on Sept. 29,
RTPM-Dumaguete City Science High School on
Sept. 30, Piapi High School on October 1 and Ne-
gros Oriental on October 2. (mbcn/ral/
PIA7-NegOr)
SIQUIJOR, Sept. 25 (PIA) — The Philippine National Police-Siquijor Provincial Pollice Office (PNP-SPPO) recently declared an
all-out war against illegal drugs in Siquijor province.
PNP-Siquijor heightens fight vs illegal drugs
“ Our campaign against illegal drugs is very
serious in nature,” Senior Police Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara said as he
spelled out his commitment to put Siquijor in the
lists of the handful few among the drug-free provinces in the country.
Tabujara said attaining a drug-free province entails a lot of effort, unity and cooperation among
the PNP, the local government and the community. With this, Tabujara appeals to the six local chief
executives to extend their 100% support to the
different programs and plans laid out to eradicate illegal drugs in the province.
He announced that PNP-Siquijor plans to
conduct series of orientations, seminars and trainings on the various laws pertaining illegal drugs and its preventive measures to the PNP personnel with the
different schools and stakeholders. Reactivation of the Anti-Drug Abuse Councils
(ADAC) of the municipalities and barangays is also
called for to plan and develop strategies for the
sustainability of all anti-drug campaigns in the
province. The provincial director stressed that campaigns
to the identified barangays where drugs are prevalent
and mobilization of barangay ADACs are prioritized. Tabujara also said that establishment of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office in the island is underway.
Larena Municipal Mayor and president of the mayor‟s league Dean Villa has offered a space at the town‟s new Tourism Center at the pier area to
house the PDEA office. The PNP will also be working with the
Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to strengthen the
monitoring of illegal drugs because the island, he said is open 360 degrees to all neighboring island provinces.
Augmentation of PNP personnel that will focus on drug campaign and drug-related operations are also planned, he added. Tabujara thanked provincial
governor Zaldy Villa for his support to all the PNP
initiatives.
He said the sincerity of the PNP, local officials and all the people to participate will surely lead to the success of the program.
SPPO Provincial intelligence branch (PIB) and provincial anti-illegal drug special operation task group (PAIDSOTG) chief Marve Bolay-og reported that from January to September this year, 13
individuals were arrested for drug-related cases in the province. PDEA‟s agent Mark Maranag encouraged everyone to help and participate in
making Siquijor a drug-free province. The fight against illegal drugs is not only a
problem of the law enforcement, nor the PNP, the
NBI or the PDEA, it is everybody‟s concern, Maranag said. Municipal mayors Villa of Larena, Mei Ling Quezon of Siquijor, Gerold Pal-ing of Enrique
Villanueva, and Wilfredo Capundag of San Juan all vowed strong support during the Crime Prevention week celebration in Siquijor. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7
-Siquijor)
By: Rizalie A. Calibo
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, Sept. 24 (PIA) --- Over 100 participants from tri-media and students combined gathered September 23 for a
forum on climate change as one of the series of activities in celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week that kicked off on
September 21.
T he forum tackled the alarming issue of
climate change and its impact on extreme
weather patterns and water supply and
balancing environment with development amid
the construction boom in Cebu.
Resource speakers were Engr. Oscar
Tabada, chief meteorologist of Pagasa-Visayas;
Engr. Lasaro Salvacion, department manager of
the Environment and Water Resources
of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD)
and Dr. Eddie Llamedo, chief of the
Regional Public Affairs Office of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR-7).
Tabada said since 1950s, climate change
already exists but that a continuous increase
in temperature will lead to global warming
which in turn results to climate change.
Climate change, he added, will experience warm-
er and drier summer and wetter wet sea-
son.
“Because of extreme weather events due to
climate change, there will be more
disasters,” warned Tabada.
Tabada meanwhile said the current El Niño
is weak and that starting November, “we
will experience below normal average rainfall.”
Salvacion on the other hand, said that
even without climate change, the water
utility firm needs to augment its water production
to meet the rising population in Metro Cebu and
the water demand of a growing business
community.
“At present, we are only providing 43
percent of water needs to Metro Cebu as we
hope to increase this by over 60 percent in 2020,”
said Salvacion.
According to Salvacion, the population in
Metro Cebu in 1995 stands at 1.293 million
which figure is expected to double by this year.
With the El Niño, Salvacion said they are
expecting surface water sources to be affected.
MCWD now adopts measures in case of a dry
spell that would affect its water production
supply.
The MCWD produces 40,000 cubic meters
a day from surface water sources. Salvacion said
any loss of production is offsetted by the 18,000
cu.m. of water daily from Carmen; 11,000
cu.m./day from Abejo water and another 2,520
cu. m./day from other water project sources.
Llamedo meanwhile said one major factor
before an investor pours in money is to
determine the environment as he provided the list
of specific areas in Cebu that are prone to
landslides and flooding.
The DENR-7 public information chief also
said they are now completing the 1:10,000
geohazard map where he urged local government
units to maximize its use before planning
development structures in their areas.
A commitment signing to take care of the
environment followed after the open forum with
PIA-7, KBP officials and all the resource panelists
and other participants.
The forum was a joint undertaking of
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) and
the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
– Cebu Chapter in cooperation with the
MCWD and the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC
-7). (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)
PIA partners with KBP for climate change forum
By: Fayette C. Riñen
CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy-Manila announces the call for
applications for the Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute on Religious Pluralism.
U.S. Embassy calls for applicants for Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute on Religious
T he Institute will take place from January
10- February 14, 2015 at Temple University in Philadelphia, United States. Deadline for
nominations is October 10, 2014. All nominations must be electronic and addressed
to Ej Bautista, Cultural Affairs Assistant, at [email protected]
The purpose of this intensive academic program is to provide undergraduate student leaders with a deeper
understanding of the United States, while enhancing their leadership skills.
The Institute on Religious Pluralism in the United States will consist of seminar discussions, readings, group
presentations, and lectures. Educational travel, local site visits, and volunteer
opportunities will complement coursework and classroom activities.
The Institute will include an academic residency component of approximately four weeks and a domestic
travel component of approximately one week, to include a 2-3 day closing program in Washington, DC.
The Institute will explore U.S. history, society, and institutions within the context of religious pluralism and
interfaith dialogue. Participants will meet with U.S. community leaders
of different faiths that advocate for collaboration and
tolerance among religious groups. They will also examine the leadership role that
religious officials play in their own societies and develop ideas for positive social change.
During their four-day study tour, participants will travel to Florida where they will have the opportunity to
visit historical and cultural sites and discuss topics related to immigration and the Native-American
experience. The United States Embassy will cover all
participant costs, including: international airfare; insurance coverage; program administration;
domestic travel and ground transportation; incidental allowances; housing and subsistence; and per diem for
meals. Participants will be expected to share a room with
another student of the same gender. Care will be taken to ensure that any special
requirements regarding diet, daily worship, housing and medical care are respected.
Candidates for this program should: Have a strong interest in religious pluralism; represent diverse ethnic
and religious groups; be fluent in English; be between 18 and 25 years of age; be willing to share their U.S.
experience with peers, community groups and other
relevant organizations upon their return home, as local circumstances allow.
They must also be willing to join the broader YSEALI network; have at least one semester remaining
in their university studies and be committed to returning home to complete their degree; demonstrate strong
leadership qualities; indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States.
They must have a high level of academic achievement, as indicated by grades, awards, and teacher
recommendations; have demonstrated commitment to community and extracurricular university activities; have
had little or no prior study or travel experience in the United States or elsewhere.
Candidates must be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant,
thoughtful and inquisitive; be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community
service and educational travel; and, be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations,
and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home
communities. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from the Public Affairs/U.S.Embassy)
CEBU, Sept. 25 (PIA) -- Following a declaration of state of calamity by the city council due to heavy flooding caused by
Typhoon Mario, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has implemented a price freeze on basic goods in Cebu City.
DTI issues price freeze on basic goods in Cebu
D TI Central Visayas (DTI-7) regional director
Asteria Caberte explained that with “the declaration of a state of calamity by a local
government unit (LGU) in a particular area the prices
on basic goods shall automatically be frozen at their prevailing prices.”
Caberte said a price control is in effect for the duration of the condition that brought it about but
not more than 60 days. Section 6 of RA 7581 otherwise known as the
Price Act, a price freeze is automatically
implemented as a preventive measure in order to
thwart overpricing of goods such as processed milk,
canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread during times of calamities, Caberte added.
The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI are canned fish and other marine
products, pro-cessed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent and bread.
Assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) include: rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh
vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other
marine products.
Assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are firewood and charcoal; and the Department of Health (DOH)
– drugs classified as essential by DOH.
The DTI, as chair of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) coordinates with
members from government and private sectors to cooperate with one another during natural disasters and emergencies. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from DTI
7)
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Rural folks in Samar hinterlands say goodbye
to ‘Lampara’
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept 23 (PIA) - Some 267 families located in the hinterlands of Samar can now bid goodbye to
the ‘lampara’ they use at nighttime.
O n Monday, three Punong Barangays from
the Seven Hills area in Calbayog City
joined Mayor Ronald Aquino received
the solar panel, bulbs and solar charger from the
Department of Energy- Affiliation of Renewable
Energy Center (DOE-AREC) engineers based in
the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP),
Catarman, Northern Samar.
Engineers Lidany Cornilles and Simon Tan
demonstrated to the three Punong Barangays of
Mabini, San Antonio and Olera how the system
works.
“Lampara gud la an amon gamit
pagsuga,”(We use kerosene lamp as source of
light) PB Sixto Vicentino of San Antonio told PIA.
He added that the price of kerosene is too
heavy for his people.
His 600 households easily accepted that they
have to shell out some P 200.00 a month for the
project‟s sustainability.
“The money they shared is their stake, so
that, they can claim ownership of the program,”
said Simon Tan. The money is deposited in a rural
bank and will be used to purchase damaged gears
in the future.
The Household Electrification Project of the
energy department can provide each household
with four bulbs, one charger that can also be used
to charge cellphones, MP3 player and even a DVD
player.
While the punong barangays acknowledge
that they might need the new gadgets for
entertainment and information, the provision of
the light is giving them more excitement.
“Of course, we will not discard the „lampara‟
just in case, but we can give it some rest,”
Rodrigo Wahingon of Barangay Olera said in jest.
The project targets rural barangays that are
not yet in the list of the electric cooperative that
services other barangays in Calbayog.
Engr Rafaelito Serrano, assistant city
engineer who is in charge of overseeing the
project said that some ten more remote
barangays have yet to enjoy the same solar energy
project. (jrc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)
By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante
New project envisions zero out-of-school youth in the country
T he program will look for OSYs in the
whole province and they will be given
opportunities to be more productive
citizens.
"They will be asked whether they want
employment, education or entrepreneurship,"
Quitalig told the department heads of national
and provincial agencies.
The education department through the
existing Alternative Learning System (ALS)
vounteer teachers has conducted a survey and has
so far enlisted some 25,288 OSYs.
Other government agencies commit to offer
their existing programs parallel to the goal of
DepEd - to involve the OSYs inproductive
activities.
The Labor Department, offers job placement
assistance and group loans for small businesses.
DTI on the other hand offers entrepreneur
assistance-market linkages and product
development.
TESDA is assigned to provide skills training
chosen by the OSY. Agrarian Reform will also
give the OSYs skills training in agrarian reform
communities while the army will provide mobile
teachers in conflict affected areas.
Abot-Alam project is of nationwide in scope
that targets one million OSYs to be given the
choice of education, employment and skills
training.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan who was
present during the initial meeting vowed to
support the program for her constituents.
"I strongly support the program so that
Samar will be given a new image of productive
citizens," Tan promised.
The program will be officially launched in
Catbalogan come September 26, 2014. (jrc/nbq/
PIA 8-Samar)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 21 (PIA) -- Abot-Alam, a new government convergence program envisions zero
out-of-school youth (OSY) in the Philippines, according to DepEd Samar Division Superintendent Thelma Quitalig during the
initial meeting of the program in Catbalogan City.
By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante
DA teaches rice technology thru radio
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 22 (PIA) - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), an attached agency of the
Department of Agriculture has recently rolled out an information campaign dubbed as "School in the Air".
T he course of the said program is
PALAYAMANAN (Rice Based Farming
System).
In an interview with PIA, Teodoro Apura,
the Focal Person and Agriculturist II of OPAS,
said that the purpose of this program is to in-
crease awareness and adoption on the latest tech-
nologies on rice, other crops and livestocks and
increase the yeild and income of a greater mass
of farmers.
Apura further said that farmers who are
interested to know the modern technologies of
farming and want to increase their income are
invited to enroll in this program.
After listening to the program, there is an
examination, the Mid-term and the Finals "on
Air."
Two weeks after "on Air" examinations, the
results will be released "on Air".
After this examination, there is also a
Comprehensive Examination (Oral Exam.) to be
held at DA, OPAS, Provincial Office.
For this batch, their oral examination was
conducted last September 12. Those who got the
highest results will be awarded.
For this school year, from June 9 to
September 5, out of the 12 achievers, seven took
the oral exam and passed.
The following are the achievers:
Valedictorian-Roman Beros of Brgy. Canluterio,
Maydolong, E. Samar and Salutatorian-Maricel
Apura of Brgy. Cabong, Borongan City.
The runner-ups are: Maria Ethel Beros of
Brgy. Canluterio, Maydolong, Clarita Agda of
Brgy. San Pablo, Borongan, Jennifer Denos of
Brgy. San Jose, Borongan, Norma Dalina of Brgy.
Siha, Borongan and Noriel Ben Dalina of Brgy.
Siha, Borongan City.
The achievers will receive the non-cash
benefits: continuous food supply, higher farm
income and productivity, reduced production
risks such as pest damage and price fluctuation,
savings and healthy diet from eating home-grown
crops and savings from converting biomass wast-
ed into fertilizers and animal feed
supplement.
There are more or less 100 candidates
expected to graduate out of more than 200
enrolees this coming September 24 depending
then results of their final examination. The final
examination is on September 22.
This program is implemented by the Office
of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) and
anchored by Mrs. Amie Abella, the Office
Farmcaster.
The topics discussed and anchored for this
school year program "on Air" are: For Crops:
Rice by Teodoro Apura, Corn by Bernadette
Capada and Vegetables and Fruit trees by Lope
Caliba. For Livestock by Melanie Osita. For
Aqua-culture by Jaime Salazar and for Biomass
Waste Recycling by Danilo Anosa.
The "School in the Air" is aired every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday (MWF) at
5:00 - 5:30 am at DYES, Radyo ng Bayan. (jrc/
sdc//PI8A-E. Samar)
By: Samuel D. Candido
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
DENR, PIA hold Climate Change advocacy
drive in Maasin City
MAASIN CITY , Southern Leyte, Sept. 22 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-CENRO/
PENRO and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted a Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in Barangay Asuncion,
Maasin City, September 18.
T he activity held in the evening of
Thursday is in coordination with the
city government of Maasin and the
provincial government of Southern Leyte.
It was participated by Asuncion Barangay
Officials, Purok Presidents, among other
concerned individuals led by Barangay
Chairman Narciso Montalbo, Jr, who
welcomed the participants during the opening
program.
Topics discussed include Adapting
with a Changing Climate by the Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources
Management Office head Dr.Eva Abad;
How to make Compost by Benjase Lumen
from Maasin City General Services Office; and
Effects of Chlorocarbon on the Ozone
Layer by Edilberto Alcarde from
DENR-CENRO Maasin.
Abad disclosed in her presentation
on how to protect our forests,
rivers, lakes, seas and underwater
gardens, and the environment as a
whole and how we can change to mitigate the
effects of climate change, saying “Nagbago na
ako.”
Abad urged the participants to
help mitigate the ill effects of these
actions such as planting of trees and
mangroves, adapt an organic farming
using organic fertilizer, reuse of products
from wastes, recycle papers, proper waste
disposal, to name a few.
The undertaking also launched
other support activities of the CCA such
as the Inter-Purok Zero Basura and
Creativity contest and the J ingle
Making Contest, criteria and the
contest mechanics presented by Bong Pedalino
of PIA.
Maa s i n C i t y mayor Ma loney
Samaco del ivered an inspirat ional
message during the program saying
the city government is always supportive of the
programs of the national government,
while PIA Infocen Manager Erna Gorne
delivered her closing remarks. (jrc/rgc/
PIA8-SoLeyte)
NGCP Visayas intensifies advocacy campaign on R.A. 7832
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 21 (PIA) – In its effort to protect the assets of the power transmission lines and its structures
from any misuse, abuse or theft, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Visayas has intensified its advocacy
campaign on the enforcement of Republic Act 7832 otherwise known as the ―Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/
Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.
D uring the NGCP press briefing Friday at
San Juanico Golf and Country Club, this
city, Bernard Domingo of NGCP Visayas
said that mere possession of a transmission line
material is illegal per se as laid down by section 3
of Republic Act 7832.
Hence, whether the transmission line material is
stolen or not by the possessor, it constitutes a
violation of the law.
He further emphasized that even buying and
or selling of pilfered tower parts are also
punishable by law.
Relative to this, he admitted that after
typhoon Yolanda struck in November last year,
resulting in the total destruction of its
transmission lines particularly in areas
heavily damaged by the typhoon, cases for
violation of R.A. 7832 were filed against five
individuals including an owner of a junk shop in
the city who were caught in possession of such
material.
If proven by the court, the accused shall be
penalized under the said law which constitutes an
imprisonment of 12 to 20 years.
If it is committed in connivance with an
officer of the corporation, the term of
imprisonment shall be 20 to 40 years or a fine of
not less than P50,000 to P100,000 or both as
decided by the courts.
Thus, NGCP encouraged the public to
report any suspicious activities near the power
transmission lines or structures to their hotline
number 09369007382. (PIA-8)
Leyte TB patients assured of availability of medicines for
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 24 (PIA) – Persons with tuberculosis can now avail of free services and medicines from TB
DOTS facilities in the Province of Leyte.
P rovincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Teresa
Caidic gave this assurance during a Forum
on Synergizing Efforts to Combat TB for
Leyte at Hotel Alejandro, this city.
Caidic said, although there is only one TB
DOTS providing hospital in Leyte which is Leyte
Provincial Hospital, all other hospitals are
considered TB referring hospitals which can also
serve TB patients.
Likewise, rural health units (RHUs) in the
province may also offer treatment and services to
TB patients.
In 2012, TB was not included in the top ten
mortality but included in the top ten causes of
morbidity. However, in 2013, it ranked number 9
of the causes of morbidity and number 6 as the
causes of death in Leyte.
Hence, health workers expressed fear for
the lives of many TB patients especially children
who belong to undetected cases which are not
even enrolled in TB DOTS facilities.
It was learned that 70 percent of untreated
TB patients will die in five years. Thus, Caidic is
urging the public to consult a doctor when
suffering a cough for two weeks or more.
In response to this, the Provincial
Government of Leyte through the Provincial
Health Office forged partnership with other
government agencies, non-government
organizations and the private sector through a
covenant signing during the forum.
The signatories came from various
government and private agencies which signify
their commitment of support to control
tuberculosis in Leyte.
In such activity, Dr. Caidic emphasized the
importance of effective collaboration between the
public and private sector in implementing various
TB control interventions as the success of the
program rests not only on the health sector but
everybody‟s concern.
Likewise, the National Tuberculosis Program
(NTP) will be strengthened in collaboration with
the Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnership to
achieve control of Tuberculosis (IMPACT) Project
of the Philippine Business and Social Progress
(PSP-USAID) that will provide a 5-year technical
assistance to the other 17 regions will be
implemented until September 2017.
Leyte aimed at attaining the Millenium
Development Goals (MDG) where TB is no
longer one of the top ten leading causes of
mortality and morbidity.
“90 percent of those with tuberculosis
should start treatment and 90 percent of those
who started their treatment should finish the
treatment and get cured, “Caidic added.
Today, TB is a second leading cause of
deaths from an infectious disease worldwide.
(PIA-8)
By: Consuelo B. Alarcon
By: Rebecca S. Cadavos
By: Consuelo B. Alarcon
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 [email protected].
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: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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