♦ Stakeholders discuss PH open skies policy

♦ DPWH improves roads in Guimaras ♦ Kalibo Airport needs improvement, says

Aklan solon ♦ Victims of trafficking can

avail SocTech packages

♦ Siquijor set for ruby jubilee celebration ♦ Gov't, civil society ink agreement on cru-

sade against human trafficking ♦ NFA Negros Oriental welcomes new

manager ♦ MGB-7 issues tips on what to

do before or during floods

♦ Equipment for bio-ethanol production

from coco sap is E Visayas’ best invention

♦ 'Sunken' roads in So. Leyte are the effects

of 12 daily tremors - DPWH

♦ NSU is 2nd in overall performance rating

in Region 8 in the july 2011 nurses licensure examination

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 1 (PIA) –- In line with the commemoration of the month of September as the Generics Awareness Month, the Department of Health (DOH) through the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) is set to stage a Generics Expo in Eastern Visayas. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 6675, the month of September is Generics Awareness Month and this year’s theme “Generics para sa Kalusugan, Gamot Pangkalahatan Mag GENERICS na” underscores the need to increase awareness on the availability of low cost, safe, and quality medicines, Dr. Sonia Cabahit, FDA 8 Supervisor informed the Philippine Information Agency. The specifics for the Generics Expo in Eastern Visayas are being finalized, Dr. Caba-hit said but it is a joint effort to boost and sustain advocacy on quality affordable medi-cines through generics use and its role and importance in improving wellness and compli-ance with patients’ treatment regimens. The Generics Expo will also be the venue for the relaunch of the P100 Program. The program allows the sale of a list of preparation drugs that are packaged in complete treatment course for antibiotics, or for better compliance for maintenance drugs sold for

Php 100 or less. Such secondary packaging was done based on existing clinical practice guidelines. The P100 program is an initiative of the DOH to enable indigent patients to avail of complete drug regimens pegged at a price of P100 which is substantially cheaper compared to buying medicines at single purchases. Though medicine prices are going down due to voluntary price cuts and other initiatives, we could see that quality generic medicine prices are still much cheaper. Generic medicines give patients, consumers, and different health institutions value for their money, Dr. Cabahit added. For patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, generic medicines allow our patients to better comply with or maintain their daily medication needs at much less costs. Money saved can then be used for other needs of the family, so generic medicines help give hope and much healing, Dr. Cabahit said. (PIA 8)

Vol I Issue 1 Published by PIA 6, 7 & 8 August 29– September 4, 2011

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

p. 2p. 2p. 2---333

Western Visayas achieves 90% TB cure rate

   

CEBU CITY, Sept1 (PIA) -- The Bohol provincial government established the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training Centers in the six municipalities of Bohol, namely, Bilar, Inabanga, Jagna, Pilar, Tubigon and Balilihan through the donations of parcel of lands estimated at more than P24M. This project earned the praises and commendation of the Board of Judges to TESDA’s Kabalikat Awards for the Bohol Provincial Government to receive the “National Kabalikat Award” that was given at the TESDA central office in Manila on August 24 in time for its 17th anniversary. Consistent with the Bohol Development Framework Agenda that focuses on Health and Sanitation, Education and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, and Tourism and Livelihood (HEAT), the Provincial Govern-ment of Bohol has pursued various programs to reduce poverty and facilitate development in the province. Foremost of these programs is Skills Training Advocating Reliance on Self Employment or STARS project which has to date benefited more than 3,000 unemployed adults, out-of-school youths and women organizations which were given priority in job fairs conducted by the Bohol Employment and Placement office of the LGU.(PIA7/mbcn/Hazel F. Gloria & TESDA-7)

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

EASTERN VISAYAS  

BLOOD DONATION: Blood-letting activity held at the PIA-8 regional office in Tacloban City, August 26. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA-8)

DISCUSSION. PIA-7 Regional Director Minerva Newman discusses with the CAOCAMPIO members the flow of their upcoming radio program in DYDD Bantay Radyo featuring the best prac-tices of every municipality in Cebu province. (pia7/hfg) By TWVillavert 

ILOILO CITY, August 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH-CHDWV), Center for Health and Development Western Visayas said that the region is doing well in its campaign to fight tuberculosis (TB) with the achievement of 90 percent cure rate last year. Dr. Jimmily R. Aguiling, Assistant Regional Medical Coordinator of the National Tuberculosis program of DOH said during the PIA-Cable TV program that the region’s case detection rate stood at 97 percent. Dr. Aguiling said that “we achieved a good turn-out in our campaign through the DOTS or Directly Observed Treatment Strategy, where patients are required to take their medicine in front of a health worker to ensure proper compliance with the entire treatment program.The medicines are also given for free. “We are proud to say that all of our health centers in the region are DOTS certified or we call it DOTS facilities, because every year these health centers are evaluated, based on a criteria, before they can be certified as DOTS facility,” Aguiling said. Dr. Aguiling said that Pulmonary TB is suspected if a person has symptoms of cough for more than 2 weeks, fever, chest and back pains, poor appetite, loss of weight and hemoptysis. He should seek medical consultation and his sputum should be examined to detect the presence of TB germs/bacteria. She emphasized that TB is a curable disease. Patients are prescribed with appropriate regimen to render them non-infectious and cured, as early as possible. The treatment for TB is a combination of 3-4 anti-TB drugs. (JCM/TWV/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS  

PIA 6 blood-letting at the Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo Chapter, Sept 2.

TESDA training centers estab-lished in Bohol municipalities

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p. 6p. 6p. 6---777

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Stakeholders discuss PH open skies policy by Lilibeth A. French

T he “Philippine Open Skies Policy Roadshow” was conducted on Au-gust 24, 2011 by Atty. Jose Claro S.

Tesoro in coordination with the Department of Tourism.

DOT 6 Director Edwin Trompeta cited the importance of the activity with the recent completion of the National Tourism Develop-ment Plan which is still pending for presenta-tion to the Office of the President and the approval of the Chief Executive.

“The National Tourism Development Plan is very, very strong in terms of access to destination and when you talk of access to destination foremost in our minds would be air access, especially from the foreign markets that we have targeted to visit the Philippines,” said

Trompeta.

He added that considering the big target of the department in tourist arrival by 2016, which is about six million, there is a need to address the issues about access and conven-ience of visitors to come to their destination as well as their departure from these places.

For his part, former member of the Civil Aeronautics Board, lawyer Jose Claro Tesoro discussed Executdive Orders 28 and 29 regarding the development of regional tourism with the tourists/travelers accessing the destination throughout the airport hubs.

EO No. 28 reorganized the Philippine air negotiating and consultation panels while EO panel and the consultation while EO No. 29 authorized the Civil Aeronautics Board and the

Philippine air panels to pursue more aggressively the international civil aviation liberalization policy.

He said open skies will promote competition among airlines resulting to better and cheaper flights thus attracting more passengers and travelers to the country.

Tesoro said the pocket open skies policy will make the secondary gateways in the country globally connected and competitive like our South East Asian neighbors citing what it brought to Clark Airport in Pampanga in terms of the improvement of air traffic, jobs and investment.

“Use that airport and Iloilo will fly,” said Tesoro to participants referring to the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 26 - Representatives from the tourism and airline industries, business, media and other stakeholders in Western Visayas recently gathered to discuss the open skies policy of PBSA III.

Kalibo Airport needs improvement, says Aklan solon by Venus G. Villanueva

K ALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 30 - The increase in international and domestic flights landing and taking

off from the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) daily strongly shows that there is a need to improve the airport’s various facilities.

This development all the more stresses the importance of having permanent staff or personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to man the

desks in receiving passengers of international flights at the airport, according to Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores during his recent Interview over a local radio program here.

Miraflores said there is a need to finish the new terminal building at KIA which is now being shared by both international and domestic passengers.

“As an international gateway to Boracay Island, the airport in Kalibo should have

permanent BI and BoC personnel,” Miraflores said.

With the ongoing budget hearing of the DOTC, said to be allotting P75 million for KIA, the Aklan solon expressed optimism however that these improvements could be in place soon.

“When combined, the funds will be more than enough for the airport development”, Miraflores said.

DPWH improves roads in Guimaras

T he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said in its website that its Regional Office in

Western Visayas headed by Director Evelyn T. Barroso is working together with Guimaras District Engineer Rolando Ubaldo in the upgrading of the circumferential and central roads on the island.

The improvement through concrete paving of the Guimaras Circumferential and Central Road is being undertaken through a multi-year program utilizing the DPWH Regu-lar Infrastructure Program Fund.

Engineer Ubaldo said that road upgrading project from gravel to concrete is presently being undertaken by the DPWH Guimaras District Engineering Office in the municipality of San Lorenzo, covering paving works of about 1,077 lineal meters roadway and under

contract with a private construction company the amount of P28.9 million.

Started on August 2 of this year, the project has already posted 12.10 percent completion, more than 4 percent ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed by November of this year.

Similarly, the project for the rehabilitation/reconstruction/upgrading of a section of the Guimaras Circumferential Road in Jordan town has progressed by 23 percent, more than 12 percent ahead of schedule. The project costing P31 million involves concrete paving works of about 720 lineal meters and 2,030 lineal meters asphalt paving.

Under the 2011 Regular Infrastructure Program, DPWH Region 6 which was given the authority to implement projects costing beyond P50 million has an P80 million

appropriation for the paving of about 8 kilometers section of the circumferential road in the island province.

With 8,228 lineal meters of the Central Road still gravel, the Guimaras District Engineering Office has contracted the upgrading through concrete paving of 423 lineal meters San Miguel-Constacia-Cabano-Igcawayan section in the amount of P6 million. The project is 95 percent complete.

The paving of roads in Guimaras Province is part of the target program of DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson designed to increase the paved road density of highways in the Philippines.

This is aimed at improving the global competitiveness of the country in terms of overall infrastructure quality and sustainable economic growth. (DPWH/PIA)

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 26 - The national government is upgrading the national highways in the Island Province of Guimaras to improve the public’s access to activities, goods and services through ongoing projects worth P65 M.

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333 Victims of trafficking can avail SocTech packages by Easter Anne D. Doza

D elia Villa-Bagolcol, Social Welfare Officer IV and Focal Person on TIP of the Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a forum here attended by barangay officials revealed that sexual trafficking tops the list of purposes for human trafficking, which include labor, involuntary servitude, removal or sale of organ, and armed conflict.

Bagolcol told PIA that DSWD was able to introduce Social Technology (SocTech), which includes psychosocial recovery and social and economic reintegration packages to the victims of TIP.

Psychosocial recovery package offers psychiatric services, counseling and rehabilitation sessions to bring the victims back to normal functioning while the social and economic reintegration packages provide the victims financial assistance for their meal and transportation allowances when they attend hearings.

Educational assistance is also provided for those victims who want to go back to school after being rescued as well as livelihood assis-tance through the SEA-K with a maximum of P10,000 per victim.

“The SocTech is being pilot tested and so

far now, DSWD is processing 6-8 livelihood requests from clients who are victims of TIP in Iloilo City and we are expecting to release their requests by September,” Bagolcol said in an interview with PIA.

Meanwhile, DSWD is still waiting for applications from the trafficking victims from Bacolod City and Negros Occidental to avail of the packages.

As of December 2010, Iloilo province topped the list in Western Visayas with the most number of TIP cases which reached to 48 followed by Negros Occidental with 45 TIP cases while Guimaras has zero TIP cases.

BACOLOD CITY, Aug. 28 - The Philippines being one of the top 5 sources of human trafficking in Asia, is introducing the Social Techonology packages to the victims of trafficking in person (TIP).

R ecords from the Provincial Health Office show that there is a 98-percent drop of dengue cases in

Capiz from January to August 20 this year compared to the record during the same period last year.

The said report showed that as of August 20 this year, Capiz has recorded 47 dengue cases which are 98 percent lower than the 2,590 cases during the same period last year.

The very high number of cases registered in the province in 2010 resulted in dengue epidemic here which placed the entire prov-ince under the state of calamity.

Capiz Governor Victor Tanco said that the said campaign against dengue begun in 2010 is now gaining ground in the entire province as shown by the significant decline in the number of dengue cases compared to figures last year.

Tanco stressed that the dengue epidemic

in Capiz last year has been a wake up call for Capiceños to unite and prevent the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes through intensified and regular clean-up activities.

On the other hand, Capiz health officials urged everyone to continue taking preventive measures against dengue, employing among others the 4 S strategies as well as continuous clean-up drive and environmental sanitation activities.

‘Oplan Kontra Dengue' records significant decline of cases by Jemin B. Guillermo

Pantawid Pamilya recipients get livelihood support worth P990,000 by Pilar S. Mabaquiao

T he fund will be distributed to different organized groups or communities with viable livelihood

projects, according to Geralyn Flores, Project Devt Officer II of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Antique Field Office.

Flores disclosed that this livelihood program is a strategy to make the family-recipients of Pantawid Pamilya Program become sustainable in generating income for the family to overcome poverty.

In most cases, the funds were used as augmentation to existing livelihood activity while others used it as a start-up capital for a small scale business, explained Flores.

The five towns covered by Pantawid

Pamilya Program are the first to receive the said livelihood assistance.

These are the towns of San Remigio who received P114,500, Valderrama – P238,000, Bugasong – P250,000, Laua-an – 145,500 and Barbaza with 242,000.

No less than Undersecretary Mateo

Montaño himself released the said funds during his visit to the province recently.

To ensure that the funds will serve its purpose not only of making them economically viable but also empowering them well as one community participating in development endeavors, DSWD has done a series of activities for social preparation and capability building.

The group underwent organizational

development seminar, leadership trainings/workshops and business management training.

This in a way will capacitate the recipients to become responsible members of the organization and eventually make their business succeed, said Flores.

Since the project is not a dole-out, Flores said the recipients will return the capitalization fund to the association plus generate some amount for the capital build up which they will use to fund other projects or activities of the group.

DSWD and the local government units concerned will ensure that the funds are judiciously utilized through a regular monthly monitoring.

SAN JOSE, Antique Aug. 26 - Recipients of Pantawid Pamilya program in various communities in Antique are getting livelihood support fund in the amount of P990,000.

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 28 - Capiz top local officials have attributed the decline of dengue cases in the province to the “Oplan Kontra Dengue”

CENTRALCENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 444

A s early as August 9, 40 days before its grand day, a simultaneous clean-up and tree planting activity

was done provincewide that signaled the start of the 40th founding anniversary celebration of Siquijor Province on September 17.

Provincial Governor Orlando “Shane” Fua said he expects a grander celebration as he counts on everyone’s support particularly in the promotion of Siquijor island.

"Let’s disseminate all the good things about us," he said. Celebrations such as Araw ng Siquijor is the best chance to show to the world that Siquijor is indeed a very good place, he added.

Among the activities lined up are: Island Tour/Visitation for the first Little Miss/Master Siquijor Candidates on August 31; Sports pening at 9:00 a.m and ABC Night at 7:00 p.m. on September 2; Jobs fair, public service dubbed Halad sa Katawhan on September 6;

and Island Tour/Visitations for Miss Siquijor Tourism 2011 Candidates on September 07, 2011.

Another Halad sa Katawhan, specifically free eye surgery mission for Cataract and Pterygium is slated on September 8 to 10.

Pre-screening is on September 8 for Maria, Lazi nd San Juan towns at the Lazi Medical Hospital and on September 9 for Larena, Enrigue Villanueva in Siquijor towns at the Siquijor Provincial Hospital.

Following the surgery proper on September 9, a workshop on Cataract detection will also be given. Post operation check up will be at 9:00 am of September 10. Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Frolics is at 7:00 pm of September 9.

September 12 will be the Grand Caravan around the province at 12:00 noon; opening of Agri,Trade and Food Fair at 4:00 pm; and Miss Siquijor Tourism 2011 at 6:00 pm.

Activities on September 13 are DOT Mobile Accreditat ion of Tourism Related Establishment from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Provincial Capitol; Cultural Presentations of the LGUs of Ennrique Villanueva, Larena and the provincial government from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.; and Coronation Rites for Little Miss Siquijor and Little Master Siquijor at 7:00 pm.

September 14 is a continuation of the DOT Accreditation with other activities such as Peanut and Pigeon Pea Field Day and Technology Fora at Salagdoong Beach Resort; Binabang Balak Contest “Kasaysayan sa Siquijor”; cultural presentations of Maria and Lazi LGUs; and dance port at 7:00 pm.

Banca racing and Kayak racing at the Salagdoong Beach Resort is on September 15 at 9:00 am; Cultural Presentation for the Department of Education (DepEd) from 4 to 12 pm.

Siquijor set for ruby jubilee celebration by Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug. 27 - Exciting and meaningful activities await Araw ng Siquijor Ruby Jubilee this year.

NFA Negros Oriental welcomes new manager

by Rachelle M. Nessia

D UMAGUETE CITY, Aug. 24 - The National Food Authority in Negros Oriental recently welcomed its

new manager, Dr. Carlos S. Cortes, who offi-cially assumed office on August 11, 2011.

The turnover ceremony was held at the NFA office in Dumaguete City.

Cortes accepted a symbolic key from outgoing Officer-in-Charge Francisco Lorico, Jr. who is now assigned at the NFA regional

office in Cebu City.

Prior to his assignment here, Cortes was the manager of NFA Biliran, Leyte. A native of Bogo in Cebu, Cortes expressed his pleasure to work in Dumaguete City. "I am back to the region where I came from," he sa id. Cortes earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting at the University of Visayas, where he also completed his Master of Science in

Business Administration and Doctor of M a n a g e m e n t d e g r e e s . He has been with NFA since 1987, starting out as an accounts examiner then field clerk and later as senior grains operator, a rank he currently holds.

On August 23, Cortes made the rounds in Dumaguete City as he paid courtesy visits to high-ranking local government officials.

G overnor of Cebu Gwendolyn Garcia led the signing of the agreement.

In September 2010, the province established the Cebu Task Force Against Trafficking that was also supported by the vari-ous local government units here.

Everyone recognized that the key to stop human trafficking is through cooperation among government, private sectors and the communities.

The government agencies that pledged support against human trafficking are the Regional State Prosecutor, Department of Tourism (DOT), DSWD, DOLE, POEA, BID,

Maritime Industry Authority, NBI, Police Regional Office, CIDG, Cebu Philippine Coast Guard, Regional Maritime Office, PPA, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).

Private agencies and organizations that swore to exert effort on the same endeavor are the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc., International Justice Mission, Mactan Airline Operators Council, Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Service Operation, Aboitiz Transport System, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Cebu

Association of Tour Operators, Cebu Travel and Tours Association, United Trampers Association of the Philippines, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, Inc., Metro Cebu Taxi Operators’ Association, Cebu Provincial Bus Operators’ Association, Cebu Provincial Mini Bus Operators’ Association and Universal Integrated Porters’ Association of Cebu.

Garcia expressed gratitude to these sectors that showed willingness to put an end to cases of human trafficking in the Province of Cebu.

Gov't, civil society ink agreement on crusade against human trafficking by Amor Saludar

CEBU CITY August 28 (PIA) -- Fifteen government agencies and 14 private organizations signed a memorandum of agreement recently to mark their full support to the crusade against human trafficking in Cebu Province and to effectively implement the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 or RA-9208.

CENTRALCENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 555

by Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, Aug. 30 - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau 7 has warned the public anew of episodes of flooding particularly within the urban areas of Cebu and Mandaue cities.

A mong the safety reminders issued by MGB-7 regional director Loreto Alburo are:

1. The public should plan and practice a flood evacuation route with their family.

2. Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be the “family contact” in case their family is separated during a flood; make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone or cellular phone number of this contact person.

3. The family should also know the flood risk and elevation above flood stag and get out of areas that are prone to flooding and bring the important documents

Keep a stock of food that requires little cooking and no refrigeration; store drinking water in various containers.

4. Keep first aid supplies on hand. Move the livestock to higher ground and keep a bat-tery-powered portable radio and flashlights in working order.

Alburo explained that flooding occurs when the level of a body of water rises over its natural or artificial confines and submerges land in the surrounding area due to intense and prolonged precipitat ion and other geologic factors.

According to Alburo, flooding incidents in some areas in the cities may be caused by the

following: proximity to perennial river creek system; poor drainage facility; inherently low lying area; proximity to coastal area; heavily silted river or creek; and encroachment along natural drainage channels.

He also recommended for people to be extra cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers. He added that vehi-cles should not be parked near stream chan-nels, particularly during threatening conditions.

"Be always aware of distant events, such as dam breaks or thunderstorms that may cause flashfloods in the area," he said.

Keeping tourists safe with PIPS in Panglao by Rey Anthony Chiu

T here are only 21 police officers at the Panglao Police station, and the town caters to an average of 2,000

t o u r i s t s d a i l y . Tasked with keeping peace and order for the almost 26,000 Panglao-anons and the daily influx of local and foreign tourists, the men in blue here must have an ace up their sleeves. The Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) is the key, revealed PInspector Cesar Acompañado, who said the system allows them to make do with the scant resources available to him and his force. The PIPS focuses on three crime areas and approaches criminology scientifically. Panglao’s alluring beaches and its homey resorts coupled with world class dive sites has made the town a popular destination for local and foreign tourists.

This puts pressure on the police as tour-ism is sensitive to issues of peace and order. Through foresight and the strict implementation of the PIPS, Panglao police has seen a 78.5 percent decrease in crimes during the January 1 to August 15 period compared to the same period last year, said Panglao police deputy chief.

From January to August of 2010, Panglao police blotter recorded 49 crimes, a c c o r d i n g t o A c o m p a ñ a d o . With the implementation of the PIPS this year, the station recorded only 16 crimes, he reported at the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) at the Flushing Meadows R e s o r t o n T u e s d a y . Bohol PSSupt. Constantino Barot and his leadership at Camp Dagohoy adopted the PIPS. PIPS makes police crime response effective by getting to profile crime situations and apply these formats to future crime responses and preventive patrols, explains Police Deputy Regional Director for Operations Louie Oppus. Oppus, former Tagbilaran City Police chief before his promotion to a higher post in Cebu said PIPS profiles crime maps, crime days and crime clock to determine where and when to conduct mobile and foot patrols for crime deterrence. This is also complemented by a checkpoint manned by police officers who know what they are doing, he stressed. The checkpoints are manned by at least eight police officers who know what they are

doing and are doing it right, Oppus said. For Panglao, aside from the strict PIPS implementation, he also admitted before the media gathered at the forum that deterring crimes also means letting people know that s om e bo d y w a t c h e s o v e r t h em . When our intelligence network reports a stranger in town without a clear business interest, the police initiates contact with the person. Even the complimentary Tourist Police assigned at the Bolod detachment agree that the PIPS has raised the bar of police service in t h e a r e a o f t o u r i s m . Made a template for the national implementa-tion of the tourist police, Bohol’s initiative at putting up more police visibility in tourist areas through foot and beat patrols or bike and mo-bile patrols has cut police response time, re-po r t s P I n s pec to r Ce s a r M i so l a . Tourist Police Chief said the unit has signed a memorandum of agreement with tourist establishments in their area of responsibility to have police officers on visibility patrols in the areas with a bulk of tourists to watch.

PANGLAO, Bohol, Aug. 28 - A grossly outnumbered force and tourist police complement keeps Panglao a safe haven for tourists. How do they do that?

MGB-7 issues tips on what to do before or during floods

EASTERNEASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 666 Equipment for bio-ethanol production from coco sap is E Visayas’ best invention

T he first RICE was conducted under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology in the

Region in coordination with Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).

The inventor, Engr. Engr. Jaime Gilbuela of Northern Samar, who was the winner in the Likha Category for Outstanding Creative

Research, will represent the Region in the National Invention Contest and Exhibits, Engr. Ramil Uy of DOST-8 said during the

Suruswerte Ha PIA radio program on August 30.

“The invention is very relevant considering that it is in line with the Philippines' renewab le and energy e f f i c iency program,”Engineer Uy said.

The Likha Category (Outstanding

Creative Research) runners up are Mr. Jeff Homeres of Eastern Visayas State University for his Improvised Touch Remote Switch for Electrical Loads; and Mr. Pedro Japon of Abuyog for his Novel Cooking Stove.

For the SIBOL Category (Outstanding Student Creative Research, High School), the winner is the Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus for its Blood and

Bacteria Staining Robotic Arm.

Meanwhile, for the SIBOL Category (Outstanding Student Creative Research, College), the winner is Samar State University for its Smart e-loading Machine.

The runners up are Samar State University for the Development of Fingerprint and SMS Enabled Student School Attendance Monitoring System; and Samar State University

for its Electronic Board Messaging through SMS.

In behalf of DOST-8 Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla, Engineer Uy expressed the Agency’s appreciation to all those who were instrumental in making the first ever RICE in the Region a tremendous success.

The first Eastern Visayas RICE attracted the participation of inventors from all over the Region. After the first screening, 22 entries qualified for the finals.

There were 2 entries for outstanding inventions (Tuklas award), 1 entry for the out-standing utility models, outstanding industrial designs, 10 entries for the outstanding creative researches (Likha award), 9 entries for the outstanding student creative researches (Sibol award) for high school and college students.

'Sunken' roads in So. Leyte are the effects of 12 daily tremors - DPWH

TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Aug. 30 (PIA) – The design and fabrication of equipment for the production of Bio-ethanol from coco sap was adjudged as the best invention in Eastern Visayas during the 1st Regional In-vention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) held at Robinsons Place Tacloban on Aug. 22 – 25.

by Bong Pedalino

I n an interaction with local media Tuesday, Veloso, head of the Southern Leyte Engineering District (SLED),

identified these perennially destroyed sections as the one along Bato, Leyte, to Bontoc road and the other at barangay Hindag-an, Saint Bernard.

A technical explanation of these seemingly “sunk” sections was the presence of underground water that over time eventually loosened the soil coupled with the everyday dose of the natural earth-shaking move which is not strong enough to be noticed.

The damaged road sections also fell along the fault line that traverses the province, Veloso said.

Assistant District Engineer Manolo Rojas said they had installed gabions in these areas, saying this kind of structure was permeable, or allows the passage of water through piles of stones hitched with tie wires.

Veloso said his office has already complied with the program of works for an initial budget of P 50 Million asked by the DPWH Central office for a 700-meter alternate road to divert the saddle, adding that the instruction was the

result of a resolution submitted by the provincial government to Malacanang.

Several motorists suffered accidents in the past while negotiating this uphill, winding road, and its imminent change in design is timely considering that a new Ferry terminal in Benit, San Ricardo, was already in operation.

Both Veloso and Rojas were optimistic the development of the much lower saddle road will be made part of the regular budget of the agency, saying that DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson’s timetable was that all primary roads would be paved by 2013.

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- Citing a study done by a geologist, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) District Engineer Carlos Veloso disclosed that certain sections of the national highway in this province are always damaged due to a dozen daily movements of the ground.

NSU is 2nd in overall performance rating in Region 8 in the July 2011 nurses licensure by Flor Jackson

N AVAL, Biliran, Aug. 29 – The Naval State University (NSU) landed 2nd place in the schools overall

performance rating in region 8 in Eastern Visayas in the July, 2011 Nursing Licensure Examination.

This was learned by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Biliran Provincial Information Center in an interview recently with Dr. Edita S. Genson, NSU President.

According to Dr. Genson, among the 17 schools in Eastern Visayas that offered nursing courses and whose graduates took the nursing

board examinations in July this year, NSU got a regional passing percentage of 75% placing the university 2nd to UP School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte which got the 1st place with a regional passing percentage of 93.33% in the exams which was released by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) on August 19, 2011.

She said, 3rd place went to St. Scholastica’s College of Health Sciences in Tacloban City with 70.97%; 4th place – West Leyte College – College of Nursing in Tacloban City with 58.73%; 5th place, Remedios Trinidad

Romuladez Foundation, Incorporated in Tacloban City with 56.25% and 6th place was the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, Northern Samar with 52.38%.

“Out of the four nursing graduates of NSU who took the 2011 Nurses Licensure Examinations in July this year, three of them successfully hurdled the exams,” she said.

The NSU successful nursing board examinees are Reynaldo M. Impas, Jr; Riaselle M. Lee and Carlito L. Mondelo.

NSU’s national passing percentage was 48 per cent.

EASTERNEASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 777

Red Cross fund raising to complete Borongan blood bank construction

I n an interview, PNRC Chairman of the Board Directors of the E Samar chapter Dr Jess Solidon said that the building is

still to be completed as construction is almost one-third done.

“The big support comes from outside sources,” referring to Boronganons from abroad especially in the United States.

It is important to have a blood bank for our Estehanon patients, Solidon told Radyo ng Bayan-DYES in an interview today.

Solidon said that they will be conducting a raffle draw where three laptop units are up for

grabs on September 5, for tickets worth Php 100.00 each.

On September 5-6, they will also hold an ukay-ukay sale, where he said that most items were donated by friends from the US led by Dr Nimfa Aguila.

Meanwhile, on September 1, 2011, PNRC with the Rotary will conduct a blood-letting to collect at least 50 bags of blood.

“Half of these will be deposited at the Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital while the other half will be stored at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) for

Estehanon’s use,” said Josefa Tentativa –Red Cross Administrator.

“I am inviting all Estehanons who are healthy to join us in this cause,” Solidon urges the public.

The chairman said he is aware that blood is very important as even in Manila , there seems to be a shortage.

Some personnel from the DOH, ESPH and the EVRMS will be coming to help the Red Cross facilitate the blood letting activity to save lives.

by Ninfa B Quirante

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Aug. 31- A fund-raising campaign initiated by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Eastern Samar chapter hopes to finance the completion of a blood bank.

More farming villages shine with SAMELCO by Alice Nicart

CATBALOGAN City, Samar , Aug. 31 – In consonance with the Energy Reform Agenda of the Department of Energy (DOE), guided particularly by their vision of, “Energy Access for more”, the Samar II Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO) has recently energized eight more far-flung farming villages of the province.

I n Sitio Can-umran, of barangay Bulao, Basey, Samar, quality of life, as envisioned by the Aquino administration

had begun with the switching on lately, their newly installed electric light, as provided by SAMELCO.

Situated in a hilly area of Basey, Can-umran is accessible only by a “habal-habal”, a single motorcycle with extended modified seats sideward, (left and right) but could carry five to seven passengers with their luggage underneath.

Before this, television programs, of information and entertainment were far-fetched dreams of the locales. Today,

however, their children would spend more time for their school work, unlike before, when they had to rush to finish their assignments before dusk, or else they use their dim kerosene lamp which risks eye damage and too, of a possible fire.

Sheryl Leanda, a mother of three, could hardly believe they now have their own electric meter where they could source out numerous benefits from the electric service SAMELCO has recently provided them.

Ice-candy and Ice-cube making are now in her mind, she said, which could bring home some centavos for laundry soap and children’s baon.

Other communities which were energized during the 2nd Quarter of 2011:

Sitio, Malogago, brgy. Rizal, Daram, Samar; Sitio Canla-as, Tinaogan, Zumarraga, Samar; Sitio Ipil, San Miguel, Daram, Samar; Sitio Dangcalanan, brgy Losa, Daram, Samar; brgy. Hindang, Calbiga, Samar; brgy Gusa, San Jose de Buan, Samar and brgy. Aguingayan, San Jose de Buan, Samar.

This recent achievement is part of SAMELCO’s commitment to the Aquino government in stimulating economic development in the countryside by extending powerlines to every Samar individual to fuel local productivity.

N. Samar SP approves local social integration program ordinance

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Aug. 21 – In order to pursue a sustainable and genuine social and economic integration of former rebels and contribute to healing divisions in the community, the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Northern Samar has approved the local social integration program ordinance No. 8, series of 2011 last July 22, 2011 and was signed by Gov. Paul R. Daza last Aug. 10, 2011.

by Teresita B. Cardenas

T he ordinance has three components namely: the community awareness and acceptance, the force and arms

management and the socio-economic intervention.

The community awareness and acceptance aims to ensure awareness and acceptance of the program and generate support from the community while the force and arms management involves the registration, collection, valuation and destruction of firearms ammunitions and explosives. It will also ensure the security of former revels in all phases of the program implementation.

The socio-economic intervention provides former rebels’ access to economic and social opportunities. It includes capability building and skills training, livelihood and employment opportunities and education assistance, the ordinance reflected.

The ordinance also provides program benefits like immediate assistance allowance of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) while undergoing the process requirements for the grant of Socio-Economic Interventions.

Likewise, the ordinance will provide assistance in goods or financial resources, to be determined by the Northern Samar

Social Integration Committee (NSSIC) after completing his/her training on livelihood skills development facilitated by the program.

Heal ing and reconcil iat ion for comprehensive psycho-social services for former rebels, their families and communities to enable them to reconnect with each other and build their lives together were also included in the ordinance.

The NSSIC and its sub-committee will take the lead in the implementation of the program and shall formulate the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the ordinance.