Vol 2 Issue 6 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 Feb. 6—12, 2012

WESTERN VISAYAS  

by Elsa S. Subong ILOILO CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA6) – The Philippine

Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has embarked on a new program to get closer to the poor and make it easier for them to avail of assistance.

PCSO Board of Director Francisco Joaquin II, who was in Iloilo recently, said in an interview that this program is called At Source ang Proseso (ASAP) for hospital assistance needed by indigents.

This program, Joaquin said, involves the hospital management because PCSO will ask for a credit line and will implement the zero-balance policy.

“If the bill is, say, P10,000, PCSO will pay the amount to the hospital so the patient will no longer

pay upon discharge,” Joaquin said. In 2010, the PCSO spent P4.5 million a day for

their operations, while at present, they spend P10 million a day.

He said PCSO is just channeling the money of the people to help those in need, and they are urging the local government units to support their programs for the benefit of their constituents.

Joaquin added that PCSO seeks to increase their lotto outlets in Western Visayas through the help of the LGUs.

To date, there are 278 lotto outlets in Western Visayas, 84 of which are in Iloilo City and the rest re distributed in other provinces. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, February 9 (PIA) – Starting March 1, 2012, plastic and styropor food containers will already be banned at the Leyte Provincial Government buildings and offices. This after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte passed a resolution prohibiting the entry of plastic and Styrofoam/styropor receptacles used as food containers in the offices and buildings of the provincial government of Leyte and henceforth declaring all such offices and buildings as plastic and Styrofoam/ styropor-free zones effective March 1, 2012. The resolution which was authored by First District of Leyte Board Member Roque A. Tiu, chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources, further resolved to encourage other government offices and agencies as well as the local government units to also declare their offices and buildings as plastic and styropor-free zones. In passing the resolution, the Provincial Board took cognizance of the fact that it has earlier passed SP Ordinance No. 2011-01 known as the Anti-Plastic Ordinance of 2011 of the Province of Leyte. Pursuant to the said ordinance, the Provincial Board deemed it imperative for the Provincial Government

to initiate a good example of sharing with the national government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance hence encouraging its employees to use non-disposable or reusable containers in taking out food from the canteen or food stalls or in bringing food from home to the office. Before passing the resolution, the author consulted the officers of the Provincial Association of Government Employees representing the employees of the provincial government and it was unanimously agreed to implement the no plastic and no styropor policy. Board Member Tiu cited the PAGE officers for adopting the No Plastic, No Styropor Policy as its project by helping ensure that every division or office in the Provincial Government will abide by the policy. The concerted action of the provincial government, other government offices and local government units to stop the harmful effects of the use of plastic bags, styropor and other similar receptacles, will contribute to the protection of the environment and make the province a safer place to live in, Board Member Tiu said. (PIA-8)

by: Hazel F. Gloria NEGROS ORIENTAL, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- President

Benigno Aquino III has directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to submit next week the connectivity plan to restore the road network destroyed by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Oriental on February 6.

During the disaster management meeting with the President, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the agency will mobilize 15 teams composed of engineers, local government units and national government agencies to assess and inspect the roads, bridges, schools and other establishments for the safety of people.

Thirteen bridges on the national road were damaged in Negros Oriental due to the earthquake that hit the province on Feb 6, Singson said.

On the other hand, Department of Telecommunications Secretary Mar Roxas reported that there are two (2) coast guard vessels and one (1) helicopter deployed in affected areas to bring the relief goods and rescue teams to La Libertad and Guihulngan City.

Roxas committed to repair ports of the province if needed. He is just waiting for the report coming from the Cebu Port Authority.

Relief goods for the victims and rescue teams

from Cebu arrived today in Guihulngan through the Philippine Navy, said Secretary Dinky Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Phivolcs chief Dr. Renato Solidum presented the tsunami hazard map of NegOr during the disaster management meeting. He also explained the movement of the earthquake and the things to prepare if an earthquake occurs in an area. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7)

PNoy tells DPWH to restore road network in NegOr

Leyte provincial government offices declared plastic and styropor-free zones

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…

PCSO embarks on new program

COMMENDS. Western Visayas Office of Civil Defense Assistant Regional Director Elegio Calaor commends the province of Capiz for its efforts in taking active role in disaster risk reduction by conducting series of capability training like the recent Fire Fighting and Rescue training which was participated in by 23 volunteers. (PIA/JBGuillermo)

EASTERN VISAYAS  

The earthquake cracked this road in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

B u d g e t a n d M a n a g e m e n t Secretary Florencio Abad (center) answers questions from the media during a press conference held at Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City, February 6. Others in photo are (l-r) PIA 8 regional director Olive Tiu, Javier (Leyte) mayor Leonardo Javier, Northern Samar governor Paul Daza and DBM 8 r e g i o n a l d i r e c t o r I m e l d a Laceras. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

BRIEFING. Pres. Benigno Aquino III encourages members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to prioritize road network access to towns affected by the earthquake. (PIA-7/hfg)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

The plan was worked out by the designated sectors of the RDRRMC during a planning workshop organized by the regional council, Feb. 7-8 at Westown Hotel in Iloilo City. The sectors of the regional council that participated in the workshop belonged to Disaster Response headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery headed by the National Economic and Development Authority. Action planning workshops on disaster prevention and mitigation led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and disaster preparedness led by

the Department of the Interior and Local Government were conducted ahead of this recent activity last year yet. Office of Civil Defense Regional Director and RDRRMC chairperson Rosario T. Cabrera said the workshop is only one of activities undertaken by the regional council in pursuit of its mandate to spearhead government efforts in the region towards disaster risk reduction and management. It also includes climate change adaptation and mitigation. The workshop was graced by National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Office for Special

Concerns head Usec. Proceso T. Domingo who was also here to lead the launching, Feb. 6 of the public-private partnership on disaster risk reduction dubbed “Pagpakigbuylog sa Pagpangaman” in Iloilo City. In his message, Domingo cited the need to enhance the capabilities of communities to respond and cope with disasters considering that the Philippines is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. It is also needed so that economic activities would be sustained for benefit of the people. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)

WV boosts disaster preparedness efforts

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA6) -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has drafted a strategic action plan on disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery that was conceived to boost the state of preparedness of Western Visayas against disasters.

T he center will offer assistance to walk-in clients especially those who need guidance and

counseling, seeking job or employment, pursuing a career or having problems due to migration of parents who works abroad or within the country.

Ricardo Casco, national program officer of International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced this in his message during the 1st Summit of Overseas Filipino Workers recently held in San Jose, Casco.

It may also provide investment and other opportunities for OFWs through

the the Provincial Employment Services Office at the center,” said Gemma Pedregosa, IOM Field Coordinator.

Pedregosa also said that the center can also be a venue for OFW training (such as on financial literacy), and holding meetings among the youth.

It will also house the OFW desk in compliance with the provincial ordinance passed last November 2011 establishing the said desk in the province of Antique.

Eventually, the center hopes to bring in offices of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and

Department of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis so that Antiqueños need no longer go to Iloilo to avail of their services.

Among the front line agencies

involved in this program are Provincial Planning and Development Office which oversees the over-all management and operation of the center in partnership with PESO, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office while the renovation of physical facilities and the training program to run the center is sponsored by IOM. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

Youth and Migrant Center soon to open in Antique

SAN JOSE, Antique Feb. 9 (PIA) -- The Youth and Migrant Center will soon open in the province of Antique to respond to youth, migration, and employment concerns, among others.

by Jaime S. Cabag

OFWs with problems may file complaints at NLRC

KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 6 (PIA6) -- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who encountered problems while working abroad can also seek the help of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), according to Virgilio Bautista, Labor Arbitration Associate based in Aklan.

A ccording to Bautista, filing their cases with the NLRC here will keep the OFWs from incurring too

much expenses as they need not go to Manila to file their cases.

“OFWs might even be assisted by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) if they are qualified for free services, especially if their problem while at work abroad involved cuts in their salaries,” Bautista said.

In cases wherein OFWs received

salaries lower than what was stated in their contracts, Bautista said complaints or cases could be filed against recruitment agencies, and that’s where the NLRC can help the OFWs.

Besides OFWs, Bautista also called on local workers who have work-related problems in Aklan, especially in Boracay Island, not to hesitate in calling his office f o r i n q u i r i e s o r a d v i c e s . Bautista said calling his office will not incur any payment from workers who seek

clarifications or answers to their queries, as telephone calls coming from places like Boracay are not billed long distance. According to the NLRC here, Boracay Island is host to hundreds of establishments employing workers not only from Aklan but from Romblon, Cebu, Manila, Iloilo and other places who could encounter work-related problems. “Don’t be afraid to call us if you have questions,” Bautista said. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan) 

by Venus G. Villanueva

by Pilar S. Mabaquiao

ILOILO AIRPORT

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

CSC cites new features in SALN declaration by Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 9 (PIA6) -- Capiz government employees were given a briefing, Feb. 8 on filing of statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) based on the prescribed form of the Civil Service Commission.

C apiz CSC Director lawyer Maria Lina Gonzaga said the information campa i gn on the proper

accomplishment of the new SALN form aims to establish uniformity in interpretation of said requirement, which took effect in 2011.

More than 200 public employees from local government units and national government agencies here attended the one-day SALN seminar and workshop .

Western Visayas Civil Service Commi s s ion d i rec tor Rodo l fo Encajonado explained that the new form replaces the baseline and annual declaration forms as the latter are not

compliant with the detailed declaration of SALN required by law, particularly the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

During the seminar, CSC assistant regional director Raymund Gonzales pointed out the importance of the filing of the SALN as a tool of transparency and accountability as well as salient features in the revised SALN, namely persons required to file the SALN, coverage under Republic Act 6713, filing by the husband and wife, among others.

The seminar will be "re-echoed" in the respective offices of the participants, said Gonzaga. Among the participants were administrative or personnel officers,

accountants, assessors, treasurers, heads of office and employees of the different LGUs and government agencies.

She pointed out that their office is spearheading the conduct of said information campaign regarding the proper accomplishment of the new SALN form in order that there will be uniformity in interpretation of said requirement.

The intensive campaign of the CSC is part of the national thrust of President Benigno S. Aquino III for transparency and accountability of public officials and employees as public servants. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

NEW BACOLOD-SILAY AIRPORT

BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 8 (PIA6) - - The cinema lobby’s red carpet entrance was abuzz with local and national film luminaries, delegates and moviegoers waiting for the films to roll for the BACOLLYWOOD: CINEMA REHIYON, a National Film Festival.

B ACOLLYWOOD: CINEMA REHIYON National Film Festival is a pilot project of the National

Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Cinema in conduit with Crossing Negros Cultural Foundation Inc. and produced by Produksyon Tramontina Inc. as part of the celebration of this year’s National Arts Month.

An opening ceremony on February 8 hosted by the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental was held earlier at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol to welcome over 70 filmmaker-delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who are in the province to attend the national film fest.

Special guests who also attended the opening ceremony and the first batch of screening are film luminaries to include:

Peque Gallaga, Celso Ad Castillo, Fr. Danilo Isidro, Dr. Mike Rapatan, Byron Bryant, Joel Shepard, Max Tessier, Axel Estein, Philip Cheah, Ronald Arguelles, Hobart Xavier, and Jag Garcia.

Gallaga and Castillo are set to hold a Masters of Cinema Forum on February 9, 2012, 10:00 AM at the Robinson’s Movie World Cinema 6, a release from the organizers said.

Another component of the film festival is the showing of these films in barangays all over the city with the project dubbed as Cine de Barrio.

Cine de Barrio showed on February 8 at Brgy. 19 films from the Visayas which i n c l u d e : H a l a d b y P a o l o Lindaya (Bacolod), Promisa by EJ Ballesteros (Bacolod), Saranghe My Tutor by Victor Villanueva (Cebu), Small World by Marvin Russel Elaba (Bohol),

S u g a b y S t e p h e n A b a n t o (dumaguete), and Tamawo by Peque Gallaga (Bacolod).

Films from Luzon will be shown on February 9 at Brgy. Villamonte to include Bogwa by Malaya Camporedondo (Baguio), Baon by Mark Sherwin Maestro (Cavite), Ang Payaso At Ang Prinsesa by Kris Anne Dela Peña (Batangas), Maulap Na Kalangitan Na May Kalat-kalat Na Pag-ulan by Jason Paul Laxamana (Nueva Ecija), Sanayan lang Ang Pagpatay by Gil Joseph Sanchez (Camarines Sur), and Roleks by Philip Matthew Rosales & Nostradamus Flores (Batangas).

On February 10, films from Mindanao will be shown in Brgy. Punta Taytay.

The screenings are ticketed but free of charge, the release added.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Films roll for the national film fest

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA 6) -- The Department of Tourism announced that direct and regular international flights to Hong Kong from Kalibo, Aklan will be available beginning March this year.

Boracay to Hongkong direct flights available in March

“ The Cebu Pacific Kalibo-Hong Kong international flight from Kalibo International Airport will strengthen

our gateway to the world-renowned Boracay Island,” said Helen J. Catalbas, director of DOT Region 6.

Catalbas said that over two million

tourist arrivals in Western Visayas were recorded by the DOT 6 in year 2010 tourists’ arrivals. Boracay island in Aklan got the most number of tourists.

Meanwhile, Malacañang hailed the inclusion of Boracay Island in Aklan as one of the top beach destinations

in the world by a well-known travel website saying the honor was a testament to the government’s aggressive efforts to boost tourism in the country. (JCM/VW V/PIA6-Iloilo)

by Vicente W. Villavert

by Easter Anne D. Doza

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY Feb. 9 (PIA) -- Amid the suspension of classes declared by the Department of Education (DepEd-7) in all public and private elementary and high school levels in the region yesterday, concerned stakeholders immediately conducted room to room structural inspections on possible damages to school buildings wrought by the strong quake on February 6.

D epEd 7 assistant regional director Carmelita Dulangon said that teachers, parents and

barangay officials joined forces to ensure the structural fitness of the school buildings for the safety of the students.

“We really urged the teachers to initiate inspections in their respective areas being more familiar of their classrooms. They can easily notice any changes in the structure of the classroom,” Dulangon said.

The DepEd 7 official added that parents should be part of the inspection

team so they could really attest that the rooms are in good condition and also to ease their worries that their children are safe in school.

Barangay officials should also help in the conduct of the inspection so they would know the condition and needs of the schools under their barangays following the quake, according to Dulangon.

She also stressed that the inspection will cover every corner of each classroom including comfort rooms and fences.

In line with this, the DepEd 7 required

all the schools to submit written reports to her office on the inspection they conducted in their respective schools.

Dulangon said that they have already received reports from certain schools after the stakeholders completed their inspection.

“In fact we already have here the reports coming from Bogo City Division and some private schools have submitted their respective reports that they already resumed classes because there were no defects found in their classrooms,” Dulangon concluded. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)

Parents, teachers, brgy officials in CV inspect school bldgs after the earthquake by Amorganda Saludar

D epartment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Dinky Soliman said the financial

aid aims to help the victims get cash in exchange for cleaning up the rubbles and premises in the quake's aftermath.

Sec. Soliman said Guihulngan City, the hardest hit area, and La Libertad town

received its cash for work assistance separately in the amounts of P3.3 million and P1.3 million, respectively.

The check from the president is for other affected municipalities of Tayasan, Jimalalud and other neighboring towns.

Also, the DSWD has so far provided P2.5 million worth of relief assistance

which include food, mats, blankets, tents, batteries, and 20 units of generators.

Evacuees who will participate in the cash-for-work program will also provide support for the repair and reconstructions of roads, bridges and public buildings. (rmn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) approved the granting of emergency loans for members in Negros Oriental who were affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit the province on Feb. 6.

GSIS grants emergency loan to quake-hit members in NegOr by Jennifer C. Tilos

“ We are looking at more than 8,000 members who are eligible under the Emergency Loan Program and we

have allocated P164 billion for them,” said GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara.

Qualified members can avail of the P20,000 emergency loan from Feb. 8 to March 9 in any of the 11 GSIS kiosks deployed throughout Negros Oriental using either their Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card or temporary card.

The kiosks are located in the following areas: Provincial Capitol; Department of Education, Capitol Area; GSIS Dumaguete Office; Bayawan City Hall; Bais City Hall; Guinhulngan City Hall; Canlaon City Hall; Tanjay City Hall; and Siaton City Hall.

Members who do not have a UMID Card but who are eligible to apply for the loan can apply over-the-counter (OTC) at the GSIS Dumaguete Branch office.

Members who can avail of the loan are the following: bona fide employees of the agency located in the calamity area or residents of the calamity area; in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrearages in the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions; and have no loan that has been declared in default.

A l so , the agency o f the member-applicant must not be suspended because o f non -payment and non-remittance of premiums and loans.

The pension fund has reduced the interest rate for its emergency loan from eight percent to six percent and would no longer charge a one percent service fee for the loan. It has also extended the payment of the first amortization from one month to three months.

“This is part of the current effort of the Board and Management to make our policies and programs more responsive to our members, particularly in times of adversity,” Vergara said.

For more details about the Emergency Loan Program, members may visit the GSIS Dumaguete Branch Office, National Highway, Daro, Dumaguete City, telephone number (035) 225.0370. (PIA/JCT)

CEBU AIRPORT

by: Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- During his Feb. 8 visit to quake-hit Negros Oriental, Pres. Benigno Aquino III turned over a check worth P5.7 million to Gov. Roel Degamo for the cash for work program to assist families displaced by the recent earthquake in the province.

PNoy turns over P5.7-M for cash for work in NegOr

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN AIRPORT

T he teams, which have been placed on “Red Alert” status, are tasked to prepare relief goods such as

food packs, mats, blankets, mosquito nets, slippers and tents for evacuation centers in Guihulngan, La Libertad.

About 30 tents, 330 mats, 318 blankets, 275 mosquito nets , 2,000 bottles of mineral water and 2,000 family packs, 160 boxes of canned goods (sardines and beef loaf) were shipped to the affected areas yesterday.

These goods were initially distributed to the earthquake victims in Guihulngan, which is the hardest hit, La libertad, Bindoy and Tayasan. Delivery for the other areas follows.

As more reports are coming in, the DSWD is doubling its efforts to pack

additional goods for the next round of shipment and relief distribution in the other affected municipalities in Negros Oriental.

DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman reported that so far, an estimated 12,231 families had been affected with 22 confirmed dead, 82 missing and 52 injured as of 3:00 pm today.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake, the strongest recorded in Central Visayas in 90 years, struck the northern towns in NegrosOoriental at 11: 49 am February 6.

Social Workers both from the Local Government Units and the Social Welfare and Development Team Offices in Negros Oriental conducted initial defusing sessions to a few survivors in the various

evacuation centers temporarily set up for the purpose.

DSWD regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre has instructed her staff to go on a 24/7 duty and had already fielded stress debriefers to conduct psycho-social intervention to the grieving families.

“We are now keeping in touch with all our local counterparts in Negros Oriental to generate updates for provision of augmentation support especially along relief works," she added.

A Donation Desk is now put up at the DSWD Field Office-7 along M.J. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City. One may call our Earthquake Hotline is 2321192.(mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DSWD-7)

CEBU CITY, February 9 (PIA) -- While search and rescue operations continue in earthquake devastated areas in Negros Oriental, Social Workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas activated its Quick Response Teams.

DSWD-7 sends relief to earthquake victims

Quake victims in NegOr need water, food & meds

T hus, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 7 asked the

public for donations of these basic necessities. These may be coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7.

Oxygen tanks are also needed for rescued victims.

Central Visayas and other areas in the Visayas were hit by a strong quake at 11:49 a.m. February 6 with significant impact in the northern part of NegOr, which is located near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Members of the RDRRMC 7 are in NegOr to assess the situation in the affected areas and see the extent of the damages to infrastructure and other sectors.

A report received by the RDRRMC 7 from the Federation of Volunteers Through Radio Communication, Inc. (FVRC) stated that an estimated 80 to 100 families in Sitio Bloke, Barangay Sulonggon in La Libertad town, Negros Oriental are buried in landslide.

Teams of the FVRC in NegOr and Cebu are extending assistance in the ongoing search and rescue efforts, this is

learned. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the

Philippines has dispatched four huey helicopters yesterday to help in the conduct of the continuing search and relief operations.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will also tap the services of the Philippine Air Force’s C-130 and the Philippine Navy vessel to bring relief and rescue operation equipment to areas heavily damaged by the earthquake. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, February 9 (PIA) – Quake-hit victims in Negros Oriental particularly La Libertad, Ayongon, Tayasan and Gihulngan City are in urgent need of potable water, medicines, shovels and food.

by: Fayette C. Riñen

by : Hazel F. Gloria

DSWD to cover more areas hit by killer quake by : Hazel F. Gloria

A ccording to DSWD-7 information officer Jaybee Binghay, the relief goods contain cooking and eating

utensils such as plastic plates and drinking glasses; packed foods; bottled water; and mats and blankets from the DSWD will be delivered today to the municipalities of La Libertad, Tayasan, Jimalalud, Guihulngan, and Ayungon.

Additional DSWD tents will also be put up in strategic areas especially in the identified evacuation centers. The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday used tents coming from DSWD for its

temporary hospital and clinic in Guihulngan town.

If the weather cooperates today, DSWD -7 will deliver food and non-food items in the mountain village of Planas, Guihulngan which has not been reached due to the continuing aftershocks making the area difficult to reach for rescue, retrival, and relief operations.

DSWD-7 regional director Maria Evelyn Macapobre said, “Operation center in Cebu is standing by to accept more donations from the public both in cash and in kind." Their office had identified the

following most needed supplies: food, water, mats, mosquito nets, blankets, tents, and flashlights with batteries.

DSWD-7 Help Desk hot-line numbers are 2321192 and 2330261; contact persons are Shalaine Lucero or Marshall Fernandez.

Anytime today, DSWD-7 is expecting an additional truck of relief supplies to augment available resources and expedite relief operations. (Hazel F. Gloria-PIA 7 & DSWD 7)

CEBU CITY, Feb 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-7 in Central Visayas Relief Operations Team is expected to reach out to more survivors in La Libertad, Tayasan, Jimalalud, Guihulngan, and Ayungon, towns in Negros Oriental badly hit by the earthquake on February 6.

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666 56 EVisayas OFWs undergo entrepreneurial dev’t training

TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- As a prerequisite to the availment of the business loan under the OWWA-Reintegration Program, twenty-eight Overseas Filipino Workers and beneficiaries are set to undergo Entrepreneurial Development Training on February 9 while another batch of twenty-eight OFWs will have their training on February 10, 2012 from 9:00 o’clock to 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the DOLE Training Center at Trece Martires St., Tacloban City.

Lightbringer archers shine in EVRAA 2012

E VRAA, a big annual regional sporting event participated in by ten athletic delegations coming

from the different school divisions of the Department of Education from the provinces and cities in Region 8, was held on January 29 to February 4, 2012 in Maasin City.

According to Jose B. Mondido, education program supervisor and division sports coordinator of DepEd-Biliran, these Lightbringer students who bring gold for Biliran province in archery are: Nicjim Oliver, Dandy Jake Limpiado, Justine Sabornido, Debbie Bianca Ayade, Rishille

Monte,s and Janah Santolorin. Mondido said that the girls

representing Lightbringer have been consistently representing EVRAA for four consecutive years to the Palarong Pambansa from 1999 to 2011 including this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

The boys from Lightbringer only represent EVRAA to the Palarong Pambansa this year since they started joining the sport only this year, he added.

The DepEd-Biliran division sports coordinator also informed that that the girls from Lightbringer representing EVRAA in the 2011 Palarong Pambansa

held in Dapitan City got the bronze medal in archery.

Biliran province which landed in 9th place overall among the 10 competing delegations in EVRAA 2012 got 14 gold medals, 22 silver medals, and 55 bronze medals, Mondido informed based on Biliran delegation tally of results furnished to PIA.

It was also reflected in the Biliran delegation tally of results that Biliran province was adjudged second place winner as the most disciplined delegation and second place winner as the most clean delegation. (PIA-Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- Students from Limpiado Memorial Foundation, Incorporated commonly known here as the Lightbringer Learning Center showed their wares and mastery in archery as they emerged over-all champion in the secondary division in the recent Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA).

by Rodrigo S. Victoria

ORMOC AIRPORT

Maasin City mulls creation of Sports Academy for athletes

C ity Mayor Maloney Samaco revealed in the morning news over dyDM that he has consulted the

Department of Education (DepEd) with this idea and the feedback was unanimously positive.

“As a start, we will focus training on three sports - gymnastics, boxing, and swimming - for the planned Maasin City Sports Academy,” Samaco said.

He explained that athletes should be given consideration and should not be included in the regular routine of

academic schooling, and this need will be answered by the academy.

Only four sports-minded teachers will be needed for the academy using the multi-grade level system, two for the elementary, to cover grades 3 to 6, another two for high school, first to fourth year, with entire week-day mornings devoted to classes, the whole afternoons for practice, Samaco stressed.

At a meeting with heads of offices called by Rep. Roger Mercado at Villa Romana Hotel in barangay Abgao, OIC

City Schools Division Superintendent Genis Murallos also announced the plan to have a sports academy in the coming school year.

He said the mother division headed by Southern Leyte Schools Division Superintendent Violeta Alocilja, who was present in the meeting, has agreed that the city government will be the one to maintain the provincial sports complex at TOPS, a site soon to be converted as a breeding ground for development of winning athletes. (PIA-Southern Leyte)

by Bong Pedalino MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The establishment of an institution that will develop skills of home-grown players while keeping pace with their educational learning appears to be a certainty here following the week-long intra-school regional sportsfest.

O WWA Region 8 OIC Director Evangeline Filamor said, “Most of our OFW clients are first time

entrepreneurs. Through the EDT, applicants learn to start, manage and sustain their businesses that can augment their day-to-day expenses. The output after the training is a business plan which is a good start for first-timers.”

For this year, the said series of trainings will be the 2nd and 3rd batches respectively. This is in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Leyte Provincial Office through Mr.

Ernesto B. Montes, Jr., Senior Trade & Industry Development Specialist, acting as the training speaker, Director Filamor said.

The enterprise loan under the OFW-Reintegration Program which is jointly being implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OWWA, NRCO, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and the Develop-ment Bank of the Philippines (DBP), can only be availed of by Overseas Filipino Workers who are members of the Over-seas Workers Welfare Administration

and by former OFWs who were also OWWA members, Director Filamor said.

The program provides returning OFWs with counseling on saving and financial management to help them manage and sustain their overseas earnings; skills training, retooling, and upgrading to promote their employability and competitiveness; employment facilitation services to help them in their job search, locally or overseas; and livelihood and enterprise development assistance for OFWs who want to set-up businesses.(PIA-8)

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

H eaded by SSupt. Manuel E. Cubillo, the PNP provincial force, trooped to sitio Catian,

barangay Bato, this city, last Saturday where they performed their support to the National Greening Program (NGP) which aims to mitigate the greenhouse effect in humans and other living creatures in the planet.

A report said that Cubillo with his men is committed to realize the entire PNP’s target to plant 10-million

trees for the whole 2012. This means that, a police should plant six trees a month or 72 trees for the whole year round to meet the entire agency’s target to plant 10M trees.

For the initial tree planting activity, other municipal police offices joined also, with Gen. McArthur having planted 114, but the rest have yet to submit their report, the report said.

The NGP is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (DENR) which identifies the site for planting activities of departments and agencies of government. They also provide the participating agencies with planting materials and other logistics and manpower.

From being peacekeepers and protectors of lives and properties, the PNP has likewise evolved to becoming tree planters for the protection and conservation of the entire humanity and his environment. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

P oetry written by the likes of Victor Sugbu, Voltaire Oyzon, Harold Mercurio, Dante Rosales,

Neil Lopido, Imelda Ruiz, and Janis Salvacion among others came to life with the performances of theater actors and actresses trained by Joe Llanza of LNU.

The poets themselves, with Prof Merle Alunan, Prof Mayet Arinto and some LNU students,j witnessed the performance of the students.

“It feels different,” said Dante Rosales a poet from Calbayog City. He added that he also had to watch them rehearse as

their interpretation maybe different from what his poem was up to.

“Exhilarating!” blurts Jonil Colima. Neil Lopido a poet who has been

given awards said he feels honored that two of his poems came alive through the performances.

A live music from LNU also provided a background to the performance.

Alunan gave her appreciation that the poems in Waray are acted out and became alive.

The performance, dubbed as “Ihinigot ha Dughan” that talks of the international

theme love, capped the day’s activity that gathered the new generation of Waray poets in the whole region.

Earlier, the Waray writers were also treated to lectures of renowned writers in the region like Prof. Merlie Alunan, Prof. David Genotiva and Michael Carlo Villas, a young LNU faculty member in the thick of preparing Waray instructional materials.

The meeting of Waray writers is also a celebration of the National Culture and Arts Month. (PIA-Samar)

Leyte Normal University honors Waray poets through a performance presentation

ESamar police plant 300 Mahogany trees

BORONGAN City, Eastern Samar, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Supportive of the government’s program to slow down the effect of Climate Change, the Police Provincial Health Office (PPO) here initially planted some 300 Mahogany trees.

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- Athletes from Leyte province hauled most of the gold medals in the 17) sporting events during the week-long conduct of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) meet held here last week, making it the overall champion of the regional sportsfest.

O ut of 10 competing teams, Leyte garnered a total of 730.5 points -- 369 points from the elementary

level, 361.5 points from the secondary level -- to grab the glory of being awarded the EVRAA 2012 champion in the closing ceremonies at the Southern Leyte Sports Complex Friday afternoon.

Landing at second place in overall tally was Eastern Samar for a total of 487 points -- 255 points from the elementary, and 232 points from high school.

The host city, Maasin, got 206.5 points in the elementary level for third place, while the third placer for high school level went to Ormoc City with 203.17 points. Maasin landed fourth place

in the secondary level, along with Tacloban City, for a tie at 161.5 points.

Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco had expressed satisfaction on the efforts exerted by the home players, saying that even if the city failed to come out champion its performance showing improved over last year’s Calbayog EVRAA, where it finished fourth in elementary and number 8 in secondary.

As for the hosting, it was learned that Regional Sports Coordinator Cesar Verunque rated the city “Excellent.”

For special awards, Southern Leyte division was chosen the Cleanest and Most disciplined delegation, while best in athletic uniform was Leyte province.

During the closing rites, which was attended by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife Cristina and City Councilors, Samaco rallied the winning players “to improve Eastern Visayas’ finish in the Palarong Pambansa slated at Lingayen, Pangasinan” this May.

More than 6,000 players, officials, and school personnel from the Department of Education (DepEd) family participated in the week-long EVRAA games games January 29-February 3, consisting of seven provinces and three cities around Region 8 clashing it out in a friendly sports competition. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Leyte delegation bags EVRAA 2012 overall championship crown

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Leyte Normal University (LNU) Sirang Theatre Ensemble honored some Waray poets during the Regional Taboan-Waray writers meeting on February 4, 2012.

DANIEL Z. ROMUALDEZ AIRPORT

by Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

by Marcelo M. Pedalino

by Alice Nicart

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.  One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.   

Editorial Consultants Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com