Vol 5 Issue 51 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 December 21 - 27, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Three WV establishments get Bagwis award

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PRDP PSO Visayas OKs P16-M worth of livelihood projects in EV TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, December 23 - Many

farmers and fisherfolk associations in the region will surely benefit from the enterprise sub- projects recently approved for funding under the Philippine Rural Development Project

(PRDP). DA RFO 8‟s Regional Executive Director Leo P.

Caneda said, “Our farmers and fishers have waited for this. We need to source out more funds to provide

capitalization for the much-needed investments that would open up livelihood opportunities, especially as the region is still under the rehab phase after the typhoon

Yolanda.” He said that the project (PRDP) has liberalized its

requirements under the I-REAP Small Livelihood Project

(SLP), which is meant to provide livelihood assistance for the farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihood were affected by calamities. “So far, Region 8 has availed much of the

project funds under the SLP compared to other regions in the country. This simply indicates our need for such kind of funding assistance,” he intoned.

The newly-approved 15 sub -projects under the SLP were submitted by proponent groups from the

municipalities of Silago, Maasin, and Malitbog, in Southern Leyte; Basey, Calbiga, and Sta. Rita, in Samar; San Policarpo

and Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Allen and San Jose, Northern Samar; Alang- alang and Isabel, Leyte, and; Tacloban City.

Technical review for the other 32 proposed small livelihood projects by some experts from the Regional Project Coordination Office-8 and the Project Support

Office for Visayas undertaken from December 9 -11, 2015, at the Leyte Park Resort Hotel, in Tacloban City.

These proposed SLPs submitted were from the local

government units of Albuera, Hilongos, Tanauan,

Palompon, Mayorga, Barugo, San Isidro and, Ormoc City, in

Leyte; San Ricardo, Padre Burgos, Macrohon, Maasin, Tomas Oppus, Anahawan, Hinunangan, San Juan, Limasawa, Pintuyan, San Francisco, in Southern Leyte; Biliran, Almeria

and Naval in Biliran; San Sebastian, Gandara, Basey, and Motiong, Samar;

Mondragon, Catarman and Allen, Northern Samar, and Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The livelihood sub- projects proposed ranges from livestock and poultry production, high value crops, organic fertilizers, and root crops production as well as,

aqua culture and fisheries. Director Caneda expressed optimism that these

sub -projects will be funded before the year ends.

“We need to be able to catch –up and submit these proposals with endorsement from the Regional Project Advisory Board to possibly get the No Objection Letter

(NOL) before the end of December 2015,” Director Caneda said.

Under the PRDP, a NOL when issued either

by the Project Support, the National Project Coordination Office or the World Bank, depending on the

amount involved for any proposed sub-project positively signals that it is approved for funding and that,

correspondingly, procurement of the needed items may already proceed in order to start off with its implementation.

“The total funding assistance which could be availed of for each sub -project proposed under the SLP reaches up to a million pesos.

The required equity from the proponent group comprises 20 percent of the total cost of the proposed enterprise sub –project which could be in -cash

or in –kind,” he added. (DA-8/PIA-8)

Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, December 21 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 awarded three establishments in Western Visayas for upholding the rights

of consumers while practicing responsible business where consumers get the best value for their money.

Bagwis Award, formerly known as DTI Certified Establishment, is awarded to commercial establishments

that promote and foster the highest level of business ethics and upholds a fair and honest marketplace through voluntary self-regulation and service excellence.

Silver Bagwis Seals were conferred to Isuzu Iloilo Corporation in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Metro Pacific Construction Supply in Iloilo City, and Ponce Automobile

Corporation (Nissan Bacolod) in Bacolod City.

One component for the establishment is the setting up of a sustainable Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) or an

equivalent customer relations office at the mall that will provide information to consumers and serve as a venue for the speedy resolution of consumer complaints.

DTI-6 OIC-Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon noted that business establishments have been starting to upgrade themselves in order to provide a conducive and favorable environment to the consumers.

Currently, there are already 11 bronze awards, eight silver awards, and four gold awards issued by DTI-6 to business establishments in the region, aside from the 25

gold awards to corporate/commercial establishments here that were issued by the head office.

The program is open to all commercial

establishments falling under the following categories: Category I – Supermarkets; Category II - Department Stores and Specialty Stores; Category III - Appliance

Centers; Category IV - Hardware Stores; and Category V - DTI Accredited Service and Repair Shops.

The award is classified into bronze, silver and gold.

For the bronze seal, establishments must comply

with Fair Trade Laws (FTLs) such as the Consumer Act,

Price Act, Price Tag and install the Consumer Welfare Desks or an equivalent customer relations office inside the mall.

The silver seal involves additional criteria to meet such as compliance with social responsibilities that include sound purchasing policy, good working relationship with the government by participating in the national or local

government programs such as price stabilization and livelihood programs.

For the gold seal, establishments must meet the

additional requirement of ISO 9001/Quality Management System (QMS) compliance. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Press conference with DAR 6 Director

Stephen Leonidas, Iloilo PARO Enrique

Paderes and PIA 6 Director Janet Mesa at

Madison Plaza Hotel, Iloilo City, December 22.

Cebu Blogging Community Core Leader Mary

Tinio Narvasa talks on Blogging 101: A

Platform for Government Communications

during CAOCAMPIO‟ s Year End Program

Accomplishment Review and 2015

Communication Planning. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

Share-A-Love Program in Cooperation with

Philippine National Police with Psupt. Carlito

D. Abriz @ PNP Quadrangle, Catbalogan City

December 21, 2015. (PIA 8)

Representatives from Ponce Automobile Corporation-Nissan

Bacolod (2nd from left), Metro Pacific Construction Supply (3rd and 4th from left), and Isuzu Iloilo

Corporation (1st and 2nd from right) show their Bagwis Seals award bestowed by the Department of Trade and

Industry-6 during an awarding ceremony held Dec. 18, at DTI-6 Regional Office. The award is given to

commercial establishments that uphold the rights of consumers while practicing responsible business. Also in the photo is

DTI-6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon (1st from right). (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 23(PIA)—Amidst the benefits that many agrarian reform beneficiaries are availing of now, there should be

a spiritual disposition on how they should deal with their lives.

Spiritual formation, valuing, part of agrarian beneficiaries' training

Elsa Subong

T h e D e p a r t m e n t o f

A g r a r i a n R e f o r m - 6 i s

p u s h i n g f o r a s p i r i t u a l

dimension to the support services,

institutional and infrastructure development

and land distribution functions of the

department.

Stephen Leonidas, DAR-6 director said

in a press briefing, that they find it

important for the agrarian reform

beneficiaries to learn to take care of the

benefits they are reaping from the agrarian

reform program.

“Often, when people have improved

incomes, they also learn to engage in vices,

which in the end are sure to defeat them,”

Leonidas said.

“That is why we are proposing that

before land distribution and support

services, beneficiaries should first have

spiritual formation on the value of resources

they have” Leonidas added.

This aspect of formation is proposed to

be undertaken with the social action centers

in different provinces.

“For Iloilo we have identified the Jaro

Archdiocesan Social Action Center

(JASAC),” Leonidas said.

He said that agrarian reform

beneficiaries who have practiced

what the program has taught

them, have now increased incomes,

purchased added farm equipment and most

of all, paid their loans 100 percent and on

time.

DAR-6 is aiming to step up support

services even beyond the change of

administration in 2016, and balance it with

land distribution, so that the Agrarian

Reform Communities will have common

facilities.

“But again, we push for spiritual

development to go with all aspects of

agrarian reform,” Leonidas said.(JCM/ESS/

PIA-Iloilo).

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 21 (PIA)—The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted Trans Asia Renewable Energy

Corporation (TAREC) its Certificate of Compliance (COC), for its 54MW San Lorenzo Wind Farm Project in Guimaras.

I n a media release, TAREC said the

COC entitles TAREC to recognize its

Feed-in Tariff at an approved rate of

P7.40, with a retro-active period starting

December 27, 2014, for a guaranteed period

of 20 years, until December 26, 2034.

Francisco L. Viray, president and CEO

of Trans-Asia, said that the issuance is a

positive development for Trans-Asia Oil and

Energy Development corporation, as they

can fully recognize generation revenues from

the wind turbine generators.

“We are committed to promoting clean

and sustainable energy, and can move ahead

to expand projects as our contribution to

addressing climate change,” Viray said.

Trans-Asia, the energy arm of the

PHINMA Group, said that iy had a net

income of P397 million consolidated net

income as of September 2015, five times

higher than the Php59 million net income

posted during the same period the previous

year.

Danielle Del Rosario, Trans-Asia

assistant vice-president for Corporate

Affairs, said the net income was

l a rge ly dr iven by an increase

in generation revenue in the amount of

Php1.02 billion for the nine months

period, a 41 percent increase in

revenue from Php723 million in the previous

period.

“Contributing to this significant increase

has been the successful operations of

TAREC,” Del Rosario added.

Meanwhile, Danilo L. Panes,

TAREC vice president, said they are

pleased with the outcome of the

wind farm, which supplements the energy

requirements of Panay, reducing the island‟s

reliance on power from Negros.(JCM/ESS/

PIA-Iloilo)

ERC grants TAREC compliance certificate

Elsa Subong

Merry Christmas

DOT-6 launches ―Operation WaterF’all‖ project

ILOILO CITY, December 21 (PIA) --- The Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 launched a project that will help promote water

conservation among tourism facilities, commercial facilities, government offices and households.

T he project dubbed as “Operation

WaterF‟all” or “water for all” aims

to contribute to the over-all water

sufficiency especially in the region‟s tourism

destinations.

This advocacy campaign is a project of

the Regional Ecotourism Committee (REC)

chaired by DOT-6.

The promo will run from November

2015 to April 2016 and is open to all

residences, households, government offices,

tourism establishments, and other

commercial businesses in Western Visayas

that can show proof of reduced water bill.

Photocopied water bills and original

copies for two months showing proof of

reduced water bill should be presented to

DOT-6 Information Counter at Bonifacio

Drive, Iloilo City for verification. This will

serve as entry for the raffle draw.

Resident, government offices, tourism

establishments or other commercial

businesses may submit as many entries as

these are qualified.

One hundred (100) raffle winners will

be drawn on May 2016 to receive gift packs,

“Operation WaterF‟all Hero” t-shirts and

certificates of appreciation from DOT-6.

One surprise grand prize will also be

drawn. All participating entries will receive a

certificate of appreciation as “Operation

WaterF‟all Hero”.

Raffle winners will be notified by phone

call and announcements via top radio

stations in Iloilo City with regionwide reach.

(JCM/LTP/DOT/PIA-Iloilo)

Leonard T. Pineda I

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) - - The Antique Province Police Office (APPO) has deployed more police patrols to ensure peace

and order in celebration of Christmas, New Year and Binirayan Festival.

W ith the celebration of Christmas

and Binirayan Festival this month,

huge number of people, tourists

and Antiquenos alike are expected in the

province and the town of San Jose in

particular, that could cause traffic

congestion, while some criminal elements

could take advantage of the situation to

commit crimes and other lawless activities.

PSSupt. Edgardo Ordaniel, Provincial

Director APPO in a press conference

emphasized that the deployment of police

patrols will be maximized in places where

people frequently gathered such as church,

public market, mall, major thoroughfares,

park, terminal among others.

“We have to ensure police visibility

through street patrols, check points and

immediate response to call for police

assistance to avert any illegal or criminal

acts, he said.

The PNP is also on the lookout against

illegal drugs that could also proliferate this

season.

Included in the close watch are also vital

installations such power lines, cell sites,

public buildings, ports and national roads and

bridges which are also part of the nautical

highway of buses (RORO) going to others

parts of the country, said SPO3 Ria May

Dela Cruz, Information Officer of PNP

Antique.

Police assistance centers were

established in malls , public market and

terminals, said Dela Cruz.

The PNP will also actively take part in

the inspection of fire cracker zones in

different municipalities to ensure prohibited

firecrackers are not sold in the market.

Ordaniel likewise reminded everyone to

secure their houses before going out or

leaving for a long vacation.

The Antique PNP remains on full alert

in line with this year‟s Oplan Ligtas

Kapaskuhan 2015. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

More police visibility during Holidays, festival

in Antique

Pilar S. Mabaquiao Merry Christmas

NIR to hold first Athletic Associations meet

By Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Dec. 21 (PIA6) - - Negros Occidental is set to host many firsts on February 2016, the First Negros

Island Region Athletic Associations Meet which was unanimously decided by the first Negros Island Region Sports Council

during its first meeting at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City.

T he meeting was presided by DepEd

Regional Director Ma. Gemma M.

Ledesma of Region VI and was

witnessed by Director Juliet A. Jeruta, PhD

of DepEd Region VII and incoming NIR

DepEd Regional Director Gilbert T. Sadsad.

The Schools Division Superintendents,

Assistant Schools Division Superintendents

and Division Sports Coordinators from the

six Divisions in Negros Oriental and the ten

Divisions in Negros Occidental were also in

attendance.

The NIRAA Meet is set on February

8-12, 2016 at the Panaad Park and

Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod

City.

The decision was reached despite some

apprehensions as to the viability of holding

NIRAA in 2016 considering the time and

budgetary constraints.

Angel Verdeflor, Executive Assistant IV

and Provincial Sports Coordinator of

Negros Occidental who represented

Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. in the

meeting said that the Governor is

determined to have NIRAA starting

next year so that the newly-created region

will be represented in the 2016 Palarong

Pambansa.

Verdeflor added that the two Negros

provinces must closely work hand-in-hand to

make a formidable team that will compete in

the national meet.

Meanwhile, Director Sadsad said that he

is looking forward to the full cooperation of

all the Schools Divisions from both

provinces in order to make the First NIRAA

a success.

A total of seven delegations composed

of six Division delegations from the Oriental

and one Provincial delegation from the

Occidental will see action in the different

sports events during the Regional meet

comes February.

Winners from this Meet will compose

the official delegation of NIR to the 2016

Palaro in Legaspi City, Albay.

For more information, concerned

parties may contact School Governance and

Operations Division at 7070-126.*(JCM/EAD

-PIA6/DepEd Negros Occidental)

DTI to launch 1st Go Negosyo Center in Capiz

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec. 21 (PIA6) – The 1st Negosyo Center in the province will open on Dec. 22 at the Ground Floor of the

new Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Avenue in Pueblo de Panay here.

“ This will be one of the more than 135

Negosyo Centers put up to date all

over the country,” said DTI provincial

director Ermelinda Pollentes.

The establishment of the Center is

pursuant to Republic Act No. 10644 or the

“Go Negosyo Act” sponsored by Sen.

Benigno A. Aquino to take charge in

promoting ease of doing business within its

jurisdiction.

It will also facilitate access to services

for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs) such as business registration

assistance, business advisory services,

business information, advocacy monitoring

and evaluation.

The initiative is in line with

DTI Provincial Office‟s recognition of the

MSME sec tor ‟s contr ibut ion to

economic growth and job creation. (JCM/

AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

Alex Lumaque

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 444

GK makes Christmas merrier for 121 families in

Hernani

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, December 23 (PIA) --- Some 121 families in Brgy. Carmen, Hernani, Eastern Samar will

have a merrier Christmas this year as they received their new homes with the help of Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community

Development Foundation, Inc. and the Local Government Unit of Hernani.

O n December 12, 2015, the said

institutions officially turned-over 121

row housing units led by Fr. Ben

Niebres, former President, Ateneo de Manila

University (AMU) and (GK) National Board of

Director, Fr. Cesar Marin, Treasurer, Jesuits of

the Philippines, Mr. Jose Emilio Oquinana,

Movement Building – National Coordinator and

witnessed by Hon. Edgar C. Boco, Municipal

Mayor, Hon. Wilmar S. Candido, Municipal

Vice-Mayor, Hon. Paciano C. Orocay, Jr. ABC

Pres. and Engr. Eddie Mulig, Construction

Engineer.

Engr. Mulig said that one unit costs

P155,000.00, is loftable and with a land area of 4 x

6 square meters with sala, dining, kitchen and

comfort room.

Mulig said further that there is still 99

housing units to be built which will complete the

220 housing units for the said GK Village, that

started already on December 14, 2015 and is

hoped will be completed on May 2015.

During the turn-over ceremony, Fr. Ben

Niebres told the beneficiaries that their dream

to have a house is the first step towards a

bright future for their children, while their

mission is Education. He challenged the

beneficiaries to give priority, the education of

their children.

Meanwhile, in his message, Fr. Cesar Marin,

emphasized that the housing project marks a

fresh start for the community.

“The GK will not only bring positive

changes in the community but will also serve as a

symbol of a new beginning for residents of

Carmen.”

He pointed out on the three (3) most

important things: “Walang Iwanan”. 1.) continue

to pray for the donors, 2.) take care of this site

and 3.) continue for the Bayanihan Challenge.

Mayor Boco thanked the GK for providing

the beneficiaries a shelter they can now call their

own. He also added that the project serves as an

early Christmas gift to the families in Brgy.

Carmen who have been long dreaming of a

permanent house.

He reminded the beneficiaries the do‟s and

don‟ts in the GK Village and to take good care of

their houses as their own.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jose Emilio Oquinana said

that in order to cultivate a sense of ownership

and appreciation for the housing among

beneficiaries, GK makes sure that they provide a

minimum of 1,000 man-hours in sweat equity

before each unit is awarded to a family.

He further said that sweat equity is

important as it gives the beneficiaries a sense of

pride and will encourage them to take good care

of the homes that they worked so hard to

build. (aen/PIA-E. Samar)

SAMUEL D. CANDIDO

Completion of Limasawa circumferential road eyed in 2016

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Dec. 23 – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is determined to

complete next year the P112 million circumferential road in the historic island town of Limasawa, Southern Leyte.

T o make this happen, the Southern Leyte

District Engineering Office (SLDEO) has

already bid out the P44.1 million for the

concreting of the remaining 1.637 kilometers of

unpaved road.

The entire road stretch has been tagged by

the DPWH and Department of Tourism (DOT)

as priority under the tourism infrastructure

project.

District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia said

paving the rural road network reaffirms the

government‟s commitment to link all villages in

the historic town to prop up the local economy.

The DPWH started the concreting project

in 2013 with an outlay of P36 million for 1.23

kilometer. For 2014, the project got a P32 million

funding for 1.1 kilometer.

The road links the six villages of the

town - San Agustin, San Bernardo, Triana,

Magallanes, Cabulihan, and Lugsongan.

“The completion of concreting is part of the

preparation for the 500th commemoration of the

First Mass anniversary onMarch 31, 2021,” Junia

said.

Limasawa, a sixth class town, is the site of

the national shrine where the First Catholic Mass

in the Philippines and Asia was celebrated on

March 31, 1521, in which a Sinugdan Festival is

held annually on this date to commemorate the

event. It has a population of only 6,000

inhabitants, making it the smallest town in the

province, both in population and area.

Aside from its rich history, the town is also

endowed with natural wonders. The island is

surrounded with clear blue water and white sand

beaches.

Last month, an earthen jar so tiny it can fit

by one‟s hand was discovered, and experts

believed the ancient pot survived underground for

1,200 years.

The artifact contained markings in

“baybayin,” the oldest system of writing in

Filipino, and according to experts who examined

it the inscription read “Mazaua.” (PIA8-South

Leyte with reports from DPWH-Southern Leyte)

MARCELO M. PEDALINO

Merry Christmas

DENR8 calls candidates to stop nailing ads on trees

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Dec. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Eastern Visayas

has called all candidates running for public office to stop adorning trees with iron-nailed campaign ads.

D ENR regional director Leonardo

Sibbaluca made the call as he

emphasized the two laws of the country

-the Republic Act 3571 and Presidential Decree

953 which promote the policy of the government

to protect and conserve trees in public areas to

help preserve a healthful climate.

“Let us protect our trees.

They not only provide aesthetic value to our

surroundings, but also absorb greenhouse gases

that cause global warming leading to climate

change.

A tree is a living thing,inflicting harm such as

nailing campaign materials impairs its structure

and makes it prone to fungi, diseases and harmful

insects which eventually leads to its death,”

Sibbaluca said.

The call also addresses to all commercial

establishments which make trees a favorite spot

for their ads.

Prior to this, Leyte province has declared a

“no nailing of posters on trees” zone through an

ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan.

DENR‟s call to stop nailing advertisements

on trees has been intensified as the election

period nears.(DENR-8/PIA-8/cba/ajc)

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 555

Biliran holds lead-off activity for separate PRC chapter

O ver 300 participants from the different

national government agencies, local

government units, non-government

organizations, and private establishments

registered on its maiden step.

The five-kilometer fund run started

at 5:00 o‟clock in the morning of December 13,

(Sunday) at the Biliran provincial capitol grounds

in Brgy. Calumpang, Naval to P. Inocentes and

Castin Streets to Brgy. Atipolo Higway as its

turning point and back to the capitol grounds.

Sangguniang Panlalawagian Member Gerard

Espina shot the ceremonial start gun to signal the

start of the fund run.

To draw more participants and awareness of

PRC‟s entry in Biliran province, the PRC-MVR3

steering committee held a raffle for all registered

participants and awarded winning participants in

the competitions.

Winners in the fastest male finisher

category were Dov Weinman (US Peace Corps

Volunteer) – 1st Place; Lorenzo Daniela – 2nd

Place; and Arianne Rosales – 3rd Place.

For the fastest female category, the winners

were Ariana Nelsen (US Peace Corps Volunteer)

– 1st Place; Elaine Paghubasan – 2nd Place; and

Darlene Zafra – 3rd Place.

Both Weinman and Nelsen donated their

cash prizes to the Philippine Red Cross-Leyte

Chapter.

The oldest male finisher was Vic Bracamonte

from Biliran, Biliran, and Lolita Darantinao of

Naval as the oldest female finisher.

Randrew James Joson Guevarra, 12 years

old, was awarded the youngest male finisher while

the youngest female finisher was awarded to Janea

Tupaz Pequeno, 5 years old, both of Naval,

Biliran.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional

Office 8 OIC Regional Director Cedric Train

joined Biliran in the nationwide simultaneous PRC

-MVR3 and Jennylind Daya representing

PRC-Leyte Chapter.

Flordeliza Trani, Provincial Social Welfare

and Development Officer and Board of Director

of PRC-Leyte, who also leads the Biliran

PRC-MVR3 steering committee thanked all those

who registered, volunteered and donated in the

activity.

She also encouraged other kind-hearted

individuals who have not joined in the lead off

activity to share their time, talent, and treasure in

the coming years especially when Biliran becomes

a separate and independent PRC chapter.

The Red Cross organization is a

worldwide inst itut ion shar ing equal

duties and responsibilities in helping

communities and people in emergency situations

regardless of race, nationality, religious beliefs, or

political opinions, that they may be given access

to care, food, shelter and hope in the spirit of

volunteerism and generosity of donors. (fj/PIA 8

Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, December 23 (PIA) - Under the Philiipine Red Cross (PRC)-Leyte Chapter, the province of Biliran held its

lead off activity in joining the PRC-Million Volunteer Run3 (MVR3) introducing the principle of volunteerism among Biliranons

as it prepares for a separate chapter.

MARY LAILANI P. TUPAZ

OWWA-8 celebrates OFW Family Day

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, December 23 - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Regional Welfare Office 8, brought

Christmas cheers again to OFW families as it held rethe ―OFW Family Day‖ in the region with the theme, "Ang Diwa ng

Pasko sa Puso ng OFW, Nananatili, Nasaan Pa Man."

T he “OFW Family Day,” is an annual

traditional program of OWWA and it is

one of the agency‟s activities to welcome

the vacationing OFWs.

The activity for this year‟s family day was

participated by 1,518 OFWs and beneficiaries

from all over the region.

Regional Director Norma C. Del Rosario

welcomed the participants with her warm

message, greeted the participants a “Merry

Christmas and prompted them to enjoy the day

for it was prepared for them to unwind and to

have a good time.”

The search for the best OFC choir

also added joy to the activity.

From the 13 competing choir group, Padre

Burgos OFWs and Beneficiaries Association won

the search.

Raffle prizes also highlighted the

activity where the crowd cheered delightfully for

major prizes such as one unit refrigerator and

two units washing machines.

Mr. Asuncion Olino, Ms. Raquel Lobrigo

and Ms. Asela Galanga were the lucky winners

of the Refrigerator and two washing machines

respectively.

All participants went home with happy faces

for they received door prizes prepared for them

by OWWA RWO 8 as an early Christmas

present.

A Santa Claus was also present during the

event with Christmas presents to the children of

OFWs.

OFW Family Day celebration is a grand

undertaking of OWWA RWO 8 to enjoin all

OFW Family Circles/OFW organizations to

gather and celebrate the occasion in partnership

with the agency‟s identified stakeholders and

sponsors. (OWWA/PIA-8)

Merry Christmas Police play Santa Claus to 300 Samar kids

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, December 23 (PIA) — The police force in Catbalogan City played Santa Claus to some 300

children in the city and 50 senior citizens on December 21, 2015.

T he police force worked with Share

-A-Love, a group of citizens drawn

together to share blessings to the less

fortunate.

Aside from receiving gifts from the Police

Santa Claus, the children and the elderly also

played parlor games and experienced „Christmas

Party‟ in the police headquarters.

Chief of Police Psupt Carlito Abriz

shared that ,‟this time of year is the most

appropriate time to show our love and care,” he

told PIA in a phone interview.

In November, during the Children‟s

Month, Abriz and his men had Pulis sa

Bata‟y May Malasakit project where

t h e y h a d f e e d i n g , g i f t g i v i n g

and entertainment through games. (NBQ/PIA

8-Samar)

NINFA B. QUIRANTE

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

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children‟s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com