one visayas e-newsletter vol 4 issue 45
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 4 Issue 45 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 November 10 - 16, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue APEC hosting pushes global Iloilo City
Israeli companies to explore business opportunities in PHL
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
GK, Aussie gov‘t turn over housing units to homeowners
by Flordelis E. Jackson
PALO, Leyte, Nov. 13 (PIA) – The Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community Development Foundation, Incorporated and the
Australian government turned over 12 housing units to the homeowners of GK Village in Barangay San Agustin, Palo,
Leyte. The simple ceremonial turn-over was one of the
highlights of the first year commemoration of the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas that claimed lives and
wrought heavy damage to property and was attended by the beneficiaries of the GK housing project together with their
families, barangay leaders, staff of GK Foundation and the Australian embassy and other guests.
The GK foundation was represented by Jose Luis Oquinena, National Executive Director and the Australian
government by Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell. Ambassador Tweddell expressed his appreciation to the
resiliency of the homeowners and the entire community as they were able to bounce back to normal life several months
after Yolanda. He informed that construction of the 250 housing units
at the GK Village in Brgy. San Agustin is progressing for the 250 families that were affected by typhoon Yolanda.
For his part, Executive Director Oquinena in his message, told the homeowners of the GK village, “you are not only beneficiaries of the project but homeowners because you
helped in building the houses. Make sure to take care of your houses and take care of the community”.
“Take pride because these houses are yours and take
pride because this community is built with solidarity and
cooperation. When you grow old you will pass this on to your children”, he said.
He thanked the Australian government through Ambassador Tweddell for entrusting their resources to the
GK Foundation for the construction of the housing units at the GK Village in Brgy. San Agustin, Palo, Leyte
“The GK Village in Brgy. San Agustin is the first subdivision in the municipality of Palo with streets named after
the streets in Australia. The houses are painted with bright colors of different kinds because bright colors symbolize hope”,
he added. The homeowners are not really dislocated because they
are just near the areas where their farms and other livelihood were located before Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas in
November 8 last year, he said. “The construction of the GK houses is made possible
through the spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan. Volunteers from other parts of the country not affected by typhoon
Yolanda and who are members of the Gawad Kalinga Workers Association (GAWA) and the homeowners helped one another
in the construction work”, he informed. The 250 housing units intended for the GK Village in
Brgy. San Agustin in Palo, Leyte is targeted to be finished in June next year.
The homeowners in said barangay were one in thanking
the Australian government and the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Incorporated (GK) for providing
them with decent houses. (fjackson/PIA 8 Biliran)
By: Leonard T. Pineda I
ILOILO CITY, Nov.13 (PIA6) --- The hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) ministerial meetings in
2015 is a good starting point in making Iloilo City as a global city.
In the 3rd Western Visayas Business Forum held Thursday at Hotel Del Rio here, National Competitiveness
Council (NCC) Private Sector Co-Chairman Guillermo Luz said that hosting the APEC meetings provides opportunities for
infrastructure and investments. Iloilo City has been assigned to host two meetings by the
APEC National Organizing Committee (NOC). This city will host the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) on
September 21-25, 2015 and the Food Security Week (High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy)
on September 28 to October 6, 2015. However, Luz stressed that it is important that
preparations to go global should go beyond APEC. “This early, we should be thinking of what can we do to
make Iloilo City prosper beyond APEC”, he said. Meanwhile, Luz said that in terms of competitiveness,
Iloilo ranked sixth among the 122 cities in the country in the latest round of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness
Index (CMCI) conducted by the NCC. According to the NCC, cities and municipalities are
ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall
competitiveness score which is the sum of scores on three main pillars: economic dynamism, government efficiency and
infrastructure. “Iloilo City is competing with other cities for
investments, trade, services, tourists, image and brand,” he said. He said that the city must continue tracking local
competitiveness indicators, formulate programs to improve competitiveness, and engage in investment promotion activities
to attract investors and create new jobs. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) --- The Economic and Trade Mission of the Embassy of Israel in Manila, in partnership with
the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), will host
business-to -business activities on Nov. 17 in Manila and Nov. 18 in Cebu City.
In Cebu City, the event will be opened by Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau and CCCI president Tess Chan.
Doron Hemo, head of Israel Economic and Trade Office to the Philippines, said Israeli companies look forward to doing
business in the country. “Israel has developed agricultural technologies to address
the growing demand for food and water, while optimizing limited resources. As we bring Israel‟s innovations and
technological know-how through this two-day event, we look forward to stronger economic ties between Israel and the
Philippines,” Hemo said. He noted that Israel-Philippine investment cooperation
comes at a right time as the Philippine government advocates
technological investments in line with the Philippine Agriculture Medium Strategic Plan for 2020.
“We encourage Philippine-based companies to explore opportunities with Israeli companies. We hope that the
two-day event will mark the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Israel and the Philippines in the area of
agriculture,” Hemo said. Israel is known for having “made the desert bloom” by
turning much of its arid land into fertile agricultural soil. Israel is also self-sufficient in the production of fruits,
vegetables, and poultry. Gilad Peled, Director of the Water, Environment and
Agro-Technology Department of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute will discuss Israel‟s water
and agro-technology sectors. For more information about the two-day business event, please e-mail [email protected]
or [email protected]. (rmn/Israeli Embassy/PIA -Cebu)
Climate Change Youth Camp: PIA Manager
Margie L. Gadian explains the rules and
procedures to the student-participants
attending the Youth Camp at Nogas Island,
Anini-y. The activity is participated in by 60
young people from different schools organized
by Philippine Information Agency with support
of Likas Tama of St. Anthony's College in
partnership with the Local Government of
Anini-y and Tobias Fornier and Dept of
Environment and Natural Resources. (PSM/
PIA6 Antique)
CALL FOR UNI TY: Cl im ate Chan ge
Commissioner Naderev Sano (center) expressed
support to PIA-DENR climate change advocacy
campaign, "Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na
Para Magbago." “Nakikiisa po kami dyan sa panawagan
na 'yan dahil kailangan po natin, bahagi po ng
pagbabago na yan ay ang pagtayo sa pagkakaisa.”
Climate Walk, a walk for Climate Justice, reached
Tacloban City on November 8 after 38 days of walking
in time for the First Year Anniversary of Yolanda.
(Photo by Vino Cuayzon)
REGION‟S BEST. Bohol District Jail warden Jose
Rusylvi Abueva (center) gets a recognition as the region‟s best warden, after topping a regional
search. He also took for Bohol District Jail the
best in the region‟s district jails award. Abueva is
flanked by DILG undersecretary Atty. Peter Irving
Corvera and BJMP regional Director Serafin
Barreto Jr. (Contributed photo/PIABohol)
National Competitiveness Council (NCC) Private Sector
Co-Chairman Guillermo Luz discusses the challenges that Iloilo City
may have to face towards becoming a global city during the 3rd
Western Visayas Business Forum held Thursday at Hotel Del Rio
here. (LTP/PIA6)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
Wage hike consultations ongoing
By Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 14 (PIA6) — The series of public consultations on wage hike increase in the region is ongoing, with the
Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) as the lead agency.
R TPWB Secretary Nesa Nolido
said in a press release that the
petition for wage hike was filed
by the New Independent Workers
Organization last September 22.
The petition asked for increase in the
minimum wage based on the recent wage
order No. 21.
Nolido said the latest P10 wage
increase was approved on November 29,
2013 and the current petition is asking for
an increase of P85, P75, and P72 for all
workers in the private sector in the
region.
For businesses with more than 10
workers, the proposed minimum wage is
P287, for agriculture or plantation, P265,
an for industrial or commercial with less
than 10 workers, P245.
The economic indicators are
the main considerations in the
proposed increase, according to John
Millan, management representative to the
board.
Millan said they get the data from
those yielded by the National Economic
and Development Authority and the
Department of Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile Nolido said that the
series of consultations is meant for
information dissemination and to get the
pulse of the public, from various areas in
the region, to the petition.
The RTWPB is composed of the
DOLE, the NEDA, the DTI and labor
representatives. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 13 (PIA) – More reforestation activities are being undertaken in Capiz to increase the forest cover
here.
I nformation Officer Ma. Judy Bernas
of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources in Capiz
disclosed that a two-day tree planting
activity was recently conducted by
their employees and the members of the
3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine
Army.
Bernas said that some 2,000
seedlings of various species of forest
trees were planted at Camp Macario
Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz last November
8 and 9.
On the other hand, DENR Capiz
head Valentin Talabero said that the
recent activity with the Philippine
Army is part of the rehabilitation
effort of the various government and
non-government agencies and groups of
the supertyphoon-Yolanda devastated
forest.
Aside from upland reforestation,
Talabero said that they are also
partnering with the various civil society
organizations and local government units
in the mangrove rehabilitation project
which is being implemented in the
province in the aftermath of the typhoon
last year.
Talabero said that the reforestation
activity in the upland and lowland areas is
being intensified to save Mother Earth and
to mitigate the impact of the experienced
global climate change resulting in many
problems such as flooding, intense and
longer drought, landslide, sea level rise
and the like.
He also urged the various sectors
here to join hands especially in the
implementation of the National Greening
Program which targets to plant 1.5 billion
trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide in
2016.
The worldwide deforestation has
been identified as one of the causes of
climate change and global warming, hence
more efforts must be done in to further
increase the forest cover, he said.
The NGP, Talabero said, is seen
as a climate change mitigation strategy
since it seeks to enhance the country‟s
forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide,
which is largely blamed for global
warming.
“We must do our share to protect
and conserve our environment and our
natural resources because we have only
one Earth to live in and we want to
prepare this for the next generation,” he
said. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
DENR, Army join hands in refo effort
BACOLOD CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA6) - - Fifteen Closed Circuit Television cameras amounting to P18-million are set to be installed
in major streets in the city by next month.
Traffic-prone Bacolod streets to have CCTVs
T his was disclosed by Bacolod City
Mayor Monico Puentevella during
the regular meeting of the City
Development Council, a release from the
City Information Office said.
Puentevella said that the installation of
these CCTVs will enable a team to
monitor the traffic situation in Bacolod for
24 hours and keep track of road accidents
for proper deployment of both public and
private rescue teams in the city.
“The city has already acquired CCTV
to be installed at our major streets that
are prone to traffic especially in
Downtown Bacolod,” Puentevella added.
The Command Center will be placed
at the Old City Hall in Luzuriaga Street for
easy access to the public while a
widescreen LED display monitor will be
installed for proper monitoring.
According to Puentevella, the Police
and the Traffic Management Unit (TMU)
personnel can right away look at the
traffic situation everywhere through this hi
-tech gadget.
Additional traffic lights will also be
purchased to decongest traffic in
other intersections in the city, Puentevella
a d de d . * ( J CM /E AD - P I A6 Ne gr o s
Occidental)
By Easter Anne D. Doza
By: Jemin B. Guillermo
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
HAMTIC, Antique, Nov. 12 (PIA6) - - The province of Antique has accomplished its tree planting target under the National
Greening program (NGP) for 2014.
I nformation Officer Beverly Salvan
of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources-Antique
Provincial Environment Office said during
the PIA-DENR Campus Tour Climate
Change Advocacy in General Leandro
Fullon National School in Hamtic, that the
2014 target is to plant trees in 4,368
hectares.
“Our Regional Executive Director Jim
O. Sampulna congratulated us the other
day for accomplishing our NGP target,”
Salvan said as she encouraged the 300 high
school students to participate in tree
planting activity to help conserve the
environment.
Salvan said that the NGP
implementation started in 2011 and for
Antique that target was 454 hectares;
2012-2,103 hectares; 2013-1,243 hectares;
2014- 4,368 hectares.
The overall total areas planted to
trees is now 8,578 hectares.
The NGP is a massive forest
rehabilitation program of the government
established by virtue of Executive Order
No. 26 issued by President Benigno S.
Aquino III on February 24, 2011 to plant
1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares
throughout the country from 2011 to
2016.
The program is also a means to
address climate change, reduce poverty,
and provide livelihood activities for
marginalized upland and lowland
households relating to seedling production
and care, and maintenance of
newly-planted trees.
Meanwhile, the planting of trees is
strongly emphasized during the Campus
Tour which is one of the activities under
the partnership of the Philippine
Information Agency and Department of
Environment and Natural Resources to
conduct Climate Change Mitigation and
Adaptation.
Ths seeks to raise the level of
students‟ awareness of the different
mitigation and adaptation measures thus
making them prepared for the impact of
climate change. PIA Antique Infocen
Manager Margie L. Gadian said that the
activity is an important program of the
government which must involve all sectors
of the community in order to help address
the adverse effects of climate change.
(JCM/TWV/PIA Antique)
Antique meets NGP tree planting target
By: Vicente W. Villavert
Guimarasnons to benefit from Diskwento caravan JORDAN, Guimaras, Nov. 10 (PIA6) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Guimaras Provincial Office will conduct a
Pamasko Diskwento Caravan in December to cater to the needs of the consumers especially during the Christmas season.
D TI Trade and Industry
Development Specialist II
Melecia Pait said in a press
report that commodities including
medicines, grocery items and electrical
supplies will be made available to the
public.
The Pamasko caravan follows the
R o v i n g D i s k w e n t o C a r a v a n
conducted by DTI-Guimaras in October in
the municipalities of Jordan, Buenavista,
San Lorenzo, Sibunag, and Nueva
Valencia.
Pait said the diskwento caravan
aims to make available to the
consumers basic necessities and
prime commodities at discounted
prices.
The public is invited to avail of this
opportunity to buy their needed items
during the Caravan to save time, money
and effort in buying their groceries,
medicines and electrical supplies. (DTI
Guimaras/PIA6)
Aklan dengue cases rising
KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 12 (PIA6) -- The number of people getting sick with dengue in Aklan continues to rise, with the latest
count from January to November 7, 2014 reaching 1,456 cases.
B ased on records of the Provincial
Health Office‟ Aklan Provincial
Epidemiology Surveillance &
Response Unit (APESRU), last year‟s
number of cases for the same period
reached 829, which shows an increase of
43.06%.
Kalibo, the capital town and the most
populated, remains to have the highest
number of cases with 360, followed by
Malay, another highly populated town with
188, and Banga, just adjacent to Kalibo in
the eastern side, with 135. Numancia, the
town nearest to Kalibo just across the
Aklan River had 121 cases. The rest of the
Aklan municipalities had cases not higher
than 69.
For the period, the months which
listed high cases of dengue included
August with 302; July with 296 and
September with 278. The month of
October listed 144 cases.
PHO records showed that age
brackets in Aklan most vulnerable to
dengue were in the 11-20 years old with
557 cases.
This is followed by those in the
21-30 age brackets with 333; 1-10 years
old with 286 and 31-40 years old with
103.
Those 51 and above had 46 cases; 41
to 50 with 46 and less than 1 year
old – with 12 cases.
With the continuous rise in cases of
dengue in Aklan, PHO officials are
sustaining their campaign to Aklanons to
clean their surroundings to rid
dengue-carrying mosquitoes from
breeding and to seek early consultation to
prevent complications.
The PHO is also currently monitoring
clustering of cases, which means three or
more cases were identified in the past
four consecutive weeks. (JCM/VGV PIA6
Aklan)
By Venus G. Villanueva
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) announced that foster children are now
qualified as dependents and are entitled to avail of the medical benefits under PhilHealth.
Foster children now qualified PhilHealth
dependents
D uring the recent Association of
Government Information Officers
(AGIO) 7 Forum, Atty. Karisma
Agraviador, public relations officer of
Philhealth, said dependent foster children may
avail of PhilHealth benefits through the active
membership of the foster parent without
having to pay additional premium.
In a recent development, PhilHealth also
came out with the new Circular No. 19-2014
that covers the entitlement to benefits of any
foster child as qualified dependent of foster
parent which is below 21 years old.
Foster children will continue to qualify as
dependents of the foster parent until the
last day of the validity of the parent‟s Foster
Family Care License, the expiration of the
Foster Placement Authority (FPA) for the child,
the child‟s return to his or her biological
parents, or when the child has been placed for
adoption, said Agraviador.
The Foster Care Act of 2012 (RA 10165)
defines foster child as a child placed under
foster care, or the provision of a planned
temporary substitute parental care to a child
by a foster parent.
The foster parent and children must be
duly licensed by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD).
All PhilHealth members who become
licensed foster parents shall be required to
submit or present the Foster Family Care
License and FPA as acceptable supporting
documents when declaring a foster child as
dependent, explained Agraviador.
In Central Visayas, PhilHealth has no
record yet for foster children since this is a
new law and it might take effect this year or
next year. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 7 (PIA) – Bohol‘s Provincial jail and its current warden was awarded by the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) on its 23rd Anniversary today during rites held at the Casino de Espanol in Cebu City.
Bohol jail, warden get BJMP awards
B ohol District Jail (BDJ) topped
Central Visayas detention and
rehabilitation centers, clinching the
District Jail of the Year Award for 2014 while
the Bohol warden, Jail Chief Inspector Jose
Rusylvi Abueva, was chosen as the District Jail
Warden of the Year.
Also earning unit awards are the
following: Jail Provincial Administration (JPA)
Office (Negros Oriental), City Jail of the Year
(Mandaue City Jail Male Dormitory), Female
Dormitory of the Year (Lapu-lapu City Jail
Female Dormitory) and Municipal Jail
(Minglanilla Municipal Jail).
For individual awardees, along with
Bohol‟s warden Abueva are the following:
Jail provincial Administrator (J/CInsp Rosalina
Malahay), City Warden (J/CInsp Gil Inopia Jr.),
Female Warden (JSinsp. Elsie Eireen
Alcomendras), Municipal Warden (JInsp.
Emilianito Enriquez), BJMP Senior Officer (J/
Supt Bartolome Sagadal), BJMP Junior Officer
(JSInsp Eric Relucio) , BJMP Staff Officer (J/Insp
Mark Anthony Omega), BJMP Male JNCO
(JO1 Allain Sajonia), BJMP Male JNCO (JO1
Warren Ramo) and BJMP NUP (NUP Mary
Carmil Nemeño).
The awarding was in line with the 23rd
BJMP Anniversary commemoration which also
happens to be an annual venue for recognizing
outstanding performance of the administration
and management of the 12 district jails, 16 city
jails, four municipal jails and eigh district jails
with male and female dormitories as well as
one jail with minor dormitory, according to the
BJMP 7 website.
BJMP RO VII is manning a total of 34 jails
regionwide with a monthly average of
over 7,000 inmates guarded and managed by
757 jail personnel.
Of the total jail personnel, 50 are Jail
Commissioned Officers (JCO), 705 are Jail
Non-Commissioned Officers (JNCO)
and Non Uniformed Personnel (NUP).
BJMP Regional office VII is presently
manned by 34 BJMP personnel, nine of whom
are officers, 23 are non-commissioned officers,
and two NUPs.
In Central Visayas, the BJMP also
gave out special awards to Cental Visayas
governors including Gov. Edgar Chatto for the
partnerships with the national government
jailers.
Other Boholano officials given special
awards are City Mayor John Geesnell Yap,
Talibon Mayor Restituto Auxtero, Ubay Mayor
Galicano Atup, and Carmen Mayor Ricardo
Francisco Toribio in recognition for their
cooperation with the BJMP. (rmn/rac/
PIABohol)
By : Rey Anthony H. Chiu
By: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) --- Not all classrooms that were severely damaged in Yolanda-hit localities in northern Cebu were
totally repaired and reconstructed after a year of the tragedy but the gap has not prevented classes from continuing in
temporary learning spaces.
Classes ongoing despite gap in classroom repair in storm-hit areas
D r. Victor Yntig, focal person on
Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM) of the
Department of Education (DepEd-7), admitted
that a lot still needs to be done one year of
commemorating the Yolanda disaster
that badly hit northern Cebu, especially in the
repairs of classroom buildings as well as
construction of new ones.
“The biggest gap incurred belongs to the
schools under the Cebu Province Division
where 1,251 classrooms needed repairs.
But as of November 7, only 133
classrooms were repaired so far with a
remaining gap of 1,118 classrooms that still
needed to be fixed,” bared Yntig during the
recent post-Yolanda press briefing that
commemorated the 1st year anniversary of the
tragedy.
The DepEd-7 official, however, said the
gap did not disrupt schedule of classes and that
public school children were able to attend
school albeit in temporary learning spaces.
“What is important is that affected
students attend classes on normal schedule,”
added Yntig.
Yntig said two schools divisions in Cebu
affected by Yolanda were the Cebu Province
Division (CPD) and the Bogo City Division
(BCD).
Under the CPD, around 188 new
classrooms have already been constructed with
86 still undergoing works for a total of 274
classrooms.
But the number of classrooms that need
to be replaced total 367 incurring a gap of 83
classrooms, said Yntig.
In Bogo City, there are 160 classrooms
that are for replacement while as of October
27, 44 new classrooms have already been built
while there are 81 classrooms with ongoing
construction for a total of 125.
“We have a gap of 35 classrooms that still
need to be constructed,” disclosed Yntig.
He said there are 346 classrooms up for
repair in Bogo City but only 251 were repaired
as of late October with a gap of 95 classrooms
still needing repair.
Pagcor is also funding the construction of
28 new classrooms in Bogo City under its „Silid
Aralan‟ Project while on Wednesday,
November 12, British Foundation, Inc. is set
to turn-over some newly-built classrooms
and the repair of damaged ones in the city
and in the town of San Remigio, said Yntig.
(rmn/fcr/PIA-7)
By: Fayette C. Riñen
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
Central Visayas, Nov. 8 (PIA) --- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR 7) exceeded its target of
providing motorized fishing bancas to 2,000 fisherfolks affected by super typhoon Yolanda in north Cebu.
I n the recent press briefing on Post
Yolanda Disaster: Rehab operations
initiated by the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA-7) BFAR 7 assistant regional
director Dr. Allan Poquita said as present they
have already built 2,007 new fishing boats
worth P15,000 each.
Poquita said that most of the
beneficiaries are from Bantayan Island and
Medellin as they have the most number of
fisherfolks with totally and partially damaged
fishing boats.
Of these new built fishing boats 1,511
were already distributed to fisherfolk
beneficiaries in north Cebu affected by super
typhoon Yolanda.
The remaining 489 units then set to be
distributed before the end of November this
year.
“We also listed 2,000 partially damaged
fishing boats for repair of which 2,346 were
already repaired,” Poquita said.
Fishermen with partially damaged fishing
boats were given materials for repair such as
epoxy, marine plywood, copper nails and other
materials.
Affected fishermen also benefited from
the Cash for Work Program of BFAR as they
are paid P1,500 upon completion of the repair
of their own damaged fishing boats during the
devastation of super typhoon Yolanda in their
respective areas.
Poquita revealed that BFAR allots P244
million for its Cash for Work Program while
DSWD also has a P3.2 million budget under
the same program. (mbcn/ays/PIA7)
BFAR exceeds target on new banca distribution to
Yolanda affected fisherfolk
CEBU CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) --- The Philippines as yet may be ‗Ebola-free‘ but the Philippine Government through the
Department of Health (DOH) is already instituting the necessary measures to prepare in case of its entry to Philippine soil as
the regional health department is stepping up its public education drive on the killer virus.
DOH-7 steps up info drive on Ebola
D OH7 chief of Health Emergency
and Management, Dr. Expedito
Medalla presented the agency‟s
updates on the dreaded Ebola virus to
members of the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
(RDRRMC-7) during a recent meeting.
“Central Visayas is on Code White alert
status. This means we are preparing for the
possible onset of a health emergency,” like
Ebola getting into the country and into the
region, said Medalla.
Medalla said the Ebola virus is very
infectious and can kill in such a short time.
“Fatality rate is 90 percent,” he added.
The Ebola virus belongs to the family of
the RNA viruses with five identified subtypes
of the Ebola virus and has an incubation period
of two to 21 days, said Medalla.
The DOH-7 official said the virus is not spread airborne but rather, through direct
contact with the blood or body fluid of an
infected person who has developed the
symptoms of the disease. Body fluids could
either be saliva, tears, urine, semen, breast
milk, mucus, feces, vomit and tears.
Symptoms of a person infected with the
deadly virus can exhibit sudden onset of fever,
headache, intense weakness, joint and muscle
pain and sore throat followed by rash, hiccups,
red eyes and bleeding from body openings.
Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, impaired
kidney and liver function also developed in a
later stage. “Ebola may be fatal but it can be
prevented. It is very important to avoid panic,”
said Medalla as he urged the public to regularly
practice proper hand washing, the single and
most effective way to prevent the spread of
infections.
For Cebu, the primary referral hospital
for suspected cases of Ebola is the government-manned Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical
Center where a medical core group has
already been sent to the Research Institute for
Tropical Medicine in Manila for proper training
in handling suspected and confirmed Ebola
cases, said Medalla.
Medalla said referral hospitals have also
been identified for Bohol and Negros Oriental
in the region.
A regional summit is scheduled this month
by the DOH on how to handle Ebola cases to
be participated by private hospitals.
The DOH-7 is closely coordinating with
private hospitals to ensure their facility is
capable in handling suspected or confirmed
Ebola cases including training of health
personnel, said Medalla.
Medalla said a budget has been set aside
for the purchase of personal protective
equipment for use of medical personnel
who will be handling Ebola patients. (mbcn/FCC/PIA-7)
By: Ferliza C. Contratista
By: Amor Y. Saludar
SIQUIJOR, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police advises the public to always secure a copy of the Incident Record
Form (IRF) after reporting crime incidents to all police stations.
A ccording to the PNP here, the IRF
are accountable forms to be filled
out by a complainant that contains
data provided by the Desk Officer
pertaining to the complainant, victim or
suspect, and including the narrative details of
the incident.
The IRF becomes an official document
once signed by the investigators and the
reporting person whose information will be
immediately recorded in the police
blotter, uploaded to the Crime Incident
Reporting System (CIRS) database, and
becomes the first document included in the
case folder.
In the same press release, Police Director
General Alan La Madrid Purisima, Chief PNP
said the use of IRF is implemented in all police
stations and offices with investigative functions.
"The implementation of Crime Incident
Reporting System will ensure the gathering and
inclusion of all crime data that are reported in
the police station into the database,” said
Purisima.
CIRS is an electronic database system that
facilitates crime documentation and systematic
data storage and retrieval.
The system is the quick, fast and reliable
transmission of crime information from lower
police units and offices of the PNP to the
National Headquarters.
All police stations and units with
investigative functions are equipped with
CIRS-installed computers which will be the
source of a nationwide database of crime
incidents.
It is part of our efforts to further provide
our people with „true crime reporting' this is
why IRF is very important to be kept by both
complainant and our investigators, Purisima
added.
In the case of crime incidents that were
reported to the police but referred to the
barangay, the report must clearly indicate
whether the case is amicably settled, under
investigation or referred back to the police
with a certification to file action. (mbcnRAC/
PIA7-Siquijor/PNP-Siquijor)
Public urged to secure copy of IRF in reporting crimes
By: Rizalie A. Calibo
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Climate Walk taught lot of lessons:
Commissioner Saño
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 13 (PIA) – The Climate Walk was an ―extraordinary experience‖, according to Commissioner
Naderev Saño of the Climate Change Commission who led the more than 1,000-km walk from Manila to Tacloban City which
is Yolanda‘s ground zero.
“ It was an amazing and meaningful
journey for all of us that taught us a
lot of lessons especially the human
spirit and about Filipino hospitality,” Saño
said.
Videographer Charley Sta Maria of
Dakila, a woman who completed the walk,
said that her perspective in life changed
because her awareness on the effects of
climate change was broadened.
The “Walk for Climate Justice” reached
Tacloban City in November 8 after 38 days
in time for the first year commemoration of
super typhoon Yolanda.
The walkers crossed the San
Juanico Bridge at 7 a.m. and proceeded
to the Holy Cross Memorial Gardens and
paid homage to the more than 2-thousand
bodies buried in a mass grave in Brgy.
Basper.
Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez
welcomed the group who joined in the
solemn Memorial Service attended by local,
national and international community
together with the survivors in a Holy Mass,
blessing of the mass grave, offering of
flowers and candle lighting.
Saño said that they launched the
Climate Walk to remember “our brothers
and sisters who lost lives to Yolanda.”
“We will always remember and we will
keep reminding the whole world that once
in our lives the strongest typhoon hit the
city and that we will forever commemorate
their memories so that future generations
would benefit from it and build a county that
is resilient to disasters and climate change,”
he said.
Likewise, Mayor Romualdez said in his
message that this historic day should never
be forgotten and never be erased.
“May all who come, this way remember,
that on this piece of earth, the whole world
converged to make Tacloban the template of
the people‟s firm resolve to rise above their
sorrow and create a new landscape for their
future,” Romualdez said.
Meanwhile, Saño called for unity and
expressed support also to the nationwide
climate change advocacy campaign of the
Philippine Information Agency and the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources tagged, “Nagbabago na ang
Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago.”
“Nakikiisa po kami diyan sa
panawagan na „yan dahil bahagi ng
pagbabago na „yan ay ang pagtayo sa
pagkakaisa,” Sano said.
The 1000-km journey started in
Manila on October 2 passing through
more than 100 towns and cities before
reaching Tacloban on November 8.
(ajc/ldl/PIA-8)
DILG turns over P137M rehab fund to ESamar
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Nov. 8 (PIA) - Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas
personally led the ceremonial turnover of DILG‘s P137M financial assistance to the province of Eastern Samar.
A ccording to Roxas, the funds will
b e u s e d t o i m p l e m e n t
municipal-wide infrastructure
projects such as the building and repair of
civic centers and municipal buildings in
towns ravaged by supertyphoon Yolanda
which hit Eastern Visayas exactly a year
ago.
Several government structures and
roads, mostly in the southern part of the
province of Eastern Samar were damaged
by the typhoon, noted as one of the
strongest typhoons in history.
Hospitals, health centers, schools and
town halls have to be repaired and in the
case of the town of Hernani, relocated
some three kilometers from its original
location.
In his message to the people of the
province, Roxas promised that DILG will
also download funding for projects to be
implemented in the barangay level.
The turnover ceremony, one of the
activit ies during the Provincial
Development Summit, took place on
November 7, 2014 at the Eastern Samar
provincial gymnasium in Borongan City.
Governor Conrado B. Nicart Jr., Vice
-Governor Marcelo Picardal, Lone District
Representative Ben P. Evardone as well as
members of the provincial board were
also present during the activity.
Aside from Roxas, two other cabinet
secretaries attended the summit:
Department of Science and Technology
secretary Mario Montejo and Department
of Transportation and Communication
secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
Also in attendance were town
mayors, vice-mayors, councilors and
barangay officials. (ajc/Medora Quirante/
PIA-8 E Samar)
EV LGUs converge for feedback forum on RAY implementation
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 13 (PIA) – Around 100 participants composed of local government executives and municipal
planning and development officers in 18 municipalities in the region converged Wednesday at LNU House, this city for the
Feedback Forum on RAY-Rehabilitation Plan Implementation.
T he forum, which was sponsored
by GIZ-Environment Rural
Development Program, is an
opportunity for the various national
partners to listen to feedbacks from the
different local government units and
functionaries and for the relevant agencies
to seriously consider the next month‟s
rehabilitation after Yolanda hit the region
last year. Matthias Niggel, Chief Adviser of
the GIZ-EnRD Program assured to
aforesaid LGU‟s of their commitment to
help in whatever way they can through the
programs being implemented in the
region.
In said forum, local government
officials from 18 municipalities presented
the recovery efforts undertaken by the
respective LGUs relative on RAY
implementation one year after Yolanda hit
the region.
The18 municipalities include Abuyog,
Javier, MacArthur, Burauen, La Paz, Julita,
Dulag, Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, Dagami,
Pastrana, Tabon-Tabon, Alang-Alang,
Barugo, all in Leyte and Basey, Marabut,
both are in Western Samar.
Said areas are considered worst-hit
municipalities when Yolanda hit the region
last year. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)
By Neil D. Lopido
By Consuelo B. Alarcon
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Gov‘t to construct road dike from Tacloban
-Palo-Tanauan
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 10 (PIA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III announced Friday that the national government is
set to construct a 27 square kilometer road dike project in some areas Leyte to protect the residents from risks during
flooding, storm surges and other calamities.
O n h i s v i s i t i n Gu iuan ,
Eastern Samar, the President
said this will be implemented
on the first quarter of 2015 by the
g o v e r n m e n t t h r o u g h t h e
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH).
The road dike which is elevated for at
least four meters above sea level is a
long term solution to the challenges of
times.
The project will be constructed in the
coastal areas of Tacloban City and the
municipalities of Palo and Tanauan,
Leyte.
However, this initiative shall be
enhanced by mangrove plantation in the
aforesaid areas.
“Sakaling dumating muli ang
matinding sakuna, hindi na dapat
maulit ang pagdurusang dinanas
ng ating mga kababayan”, the President
said.
“”Hindi natin hahayaan na makulong
tayo sa Siglo na tinatawag na destruction
tapos reconstruction tapos destruction
ulit tapos reconstruction ulit”, the
President further said.
The project is in line with the
government‟s agenda “in building back
better”.
As observed, most of the
victims or those who died during
typhoon Yolanda were residing near
coastal areas.
Some 1.47 million families in 44
provinces in six (6) regions including
region VIII were devastated by typhoon
Yolanda last year. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)
Livelihood Seeding Program launched in Tacloban
S eventy Four (74) beneficiaries of
the program in the City of Tacloban
have received the livelihood
packages distributed to them.
T h e b e n e f i c i a r i e s i n c l u d e
dressmakers, food makers, food vendors
and small eatery operators.
DTI 8 Regional Director Cynthia
Nierras, said that a big number of micro
enterprises have been affected by super
typhoon Yolanda in 64 municipalities and
cities in Region 8.
Hence, the beneficiaries need to
restore back their livelihood which they
were used to for many long years.
Nierras likewise said, around
12, 300 micro enterprises were registered
at the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) before Yolanda hit the region last
year.
Initially, four to five hundred
beneficiaries in eight (8) places in the
region are being targeted by the
program.
These include the worst-hit areas
such as Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa,
Dulag, Tabon-Tabon, Mayorga, all are in
Leyte and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
The launching was spearheaded by
DTI through Regional Director Cynthia
Nierras, Leyte Provincial Director
Desiderio Belas, Hank Hendrickson,
Executive Director, U.S. Philippine
Society and his wife Anne; Veronica
Gabaldon, Program Manager, PDRF, Rene
S. Meily, President, PDRF and Tacloban
City Assistant Administrator Brando
Bernadas.
The Livelihood Seeding Program is
DTI‟s response to a particular
need that was identified during the
Post Disaster Needs Assessment
(PDNA)) conducted immediately after
Yolanda struck the region last year.
(ajc/cba/PIA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 5 (PIA) – In partnership with the United States Philippines Society and the Philippine Disaster
Relief Foundation (PDRF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Eastern Visayas has launched the Livelihood
Seeding Program Monday at Liceo Del Verbo Divino, this city.
EDC partners with LGU-Southern Leyte in native tree species production
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 13 (PIA) - The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) partnership with the local
government of Southern Leyt geared towards production of native tree species will be the first of its kind in the region.
A c c o r d i n g t o P r o v i n c i a l
Env i ronment and Natura l
Resources Management Office
(PENRMO) Dr. Eva Abad, ”the project
aims to preserve and propagate these
types of seedlings to eventually become
the mother trees of the native tree
species in the province.”
Abad said, “the native tree species are
endangered nowadays as exotic tree
species like germilina, mahogany and
acasia mangguim which are very prolific
and now grow dominantly around in our
province.”
She added that EDC together with
Provincial Governor Roger Mercado and
the provincial heads of offices, among
others, will plant the first 100 native tree
species at the back of the Provincial
Capitol building on November 8, 2014,
one year after the super typhon.
Under the BINHI program of EDC,
the provincial government of Southern
Leyte will take care of the growth
until it reaches maturity in the next ten
years and become the source of good
quality of native trees in the province, she
said.
The mentioned exotic trees
though fast growing were noted to
have its not-so good impact to the
environment as they were found to be to
use up much water endangering our water
tables nor friendly to the natural
organisms since they do not come from
our place, she added.
The tree planting highlighted the
Provincial Arbor Day celebration which
also coincided with the f irst
commemoration of the victims during the
onset of super typhoon Yolanda, Abad
said.
There will be a synchronized tree
planting across the province to be
participated in by the 500 barangays
of the 18 towns of the province to include
the City of Maasin.
At least 50 tree seedlings or an
estimate of 25,000 seedlings will be
planted on the same day, she said.(ajc/esg/
PIA8 SoLeyte)
By Erna S. Gorne
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its
main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and
suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 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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