♦ 11 W. Visayas towns to avail forest, mangrove project aid package

♦ Boracay posts 628,243 visitors, P13.2B tourism receipts in 7 months

♦ Village chiefs told to go 'hands-on' in disaster preparedness

♦ PIA, SMART train over 700 campus paper writers in Panay

♦ Capiz RHU is CSC PAGASA awardee

♦ Newest IT Park in Dumaguete embodi-ment of P-Noy’s dream

♦ Negrense to lead Asian youth program

♦ Siquijor bags best performing LGU award

♦ DENR-7 collects P9.7M users fee from

protected areas in CV

♦ Bohol has 67% lower crime rate compared

to 2010

♦ Production of Waray films envisioned at

Chito Roño scriptwriting workshop

♦ Biliran goes full blast on greening program

♦ Solon sets another barangay-based,

multi-agency cleanliness drive

♦ Samar says “yes” to 3-year birth spacing

♦ Borongan Lechon fest hopes to

attract more tourists

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

D UMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led today the inauguration of the mall-like P265- million public market in

Poblacion I, Bais City, Negros Oriental. The President arrived in Bais City with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas, and Felipe Remollo of Clark Development Authority. He proceeded to unveil the marker in front of the market building with assistance from Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva that was witnessed by the city and municipal mayors of Negros Oriental along with some other national and local officials. President Aquino appreciated the unique structure of the two-storey multi-million-peso market building. It has an elevator and contains a cold storage facility with ice maker and underground sewerage treatment at the ground floor. At the second floor, there are function, dining and transient rooms, and a child minding area. “This market, a center of commerce in the city,

provides positive business to all farmers, traders and producers,” the Chief Executive said. President Aquino also described the market as "one of the biggest new public markets in the country designed to boost the city’s farm productivity and economy." The development of the market is in line with the national government's program to spur trading and economic activities in the neighboring towns in Manjuyod, Mabinay, and Pamplona, said Aquino. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Or.)

Vol I Issue 2 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 Sepmtember 5– 11, 2011

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

P.P.P.222---333

T ACLOBAN CITY Leyte, Sept. 7 (PIA) – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte on Sept. 6 unanimously approved the proposed ordinance

prohibiting all acts of fastening, bolting, pinning, tying or nailing any kind of signage to any parts of trees in public places. The proposed ordinance, authored by First District of Leyte Board Member Roque A. Tiu, is in support to the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, pursuant to Executive Order No. 26. Considering the indispensable contribution of trees to living a healthy and pleasant life, it is but proper that the Province of Leyte protect and preserve the trees whether in public or private places for the benefit of all Leytenos, Board Member Tiu stressed.

The Board Member underscored that trees play an important role in protecting the environment by providing the oxygen that people breathe and absorbing the carbon dioxide and other impurities from the atmosphere that cause global warming. Posting billboards creates wounds on the bark of the tree, and fungi and bacteria could enter these wounds and cause diseases that could kill the tree, Board Member Tiu said. The ordinance deems prohibited all acts of fastening, bolting, pinning, tying and nailing of any kind of signage and structures for advertisements, information campaign mate-rials, election paraphernalia, placards, electrical and cable TV wires to any part of tree, and putting up of a tree house for whatever purpose within t Leyte. Any violator shall be meted out with the following penalties: P500 for the first offense; P2,000 and one month imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the sec-

No more billboards, signs on trees in Leyte

WESTERN VISAYAS  

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

EASTERN VISAYAS  

The delegates and participants of the joint Civil Service Month and National Crime Prevention Week celebrations at the Tacloban City Convention Center, September 1. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

The new ‘Mercado de Bais’ of Bais City, Negros Oriental worth P 265 million that was inaugurated by Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III on Sept. 7.

K ALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 6 – The need for state universities and colleges (SUCs) to forge a partnership with the private sector via the

Economic Education Zones (EEZ) approach to cope with challenges in their sector was the focus of the Visayas Forum on SUCs-Private Partnership on EEZ hosted recently by Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga, Aklan. The EEZ is designed to transform an SUC from being traditional, budget-based and grant-driven into an enterprising institution which effectively exploits its natural resource endowments and to encourage them to engage in the commercial application of their research and knowledge base and the strong participation of the private sector for long-term cooperation. Keynote speaker Oscar Torralba, chair of CHED’s Technical Panel for Business and Management, said the challenges faced by SUCs include intensive competition for opportunities and priorities in fiscal allocation amid the threats of budget deficits, the increasing demands

challenges faced by SUCs include intensive competition for opportunities and priorities in fiscal allocation amid the threats of budget deficits, the increasing demands by the globalized market, and even the issue on poverty. Torralba, also head of the agribusiness countryside development committee of the Management Association of the Philippines, stressed that it is imperative for SUCs to employ innovative approaches in facing these challenges. For her part, CHED Regional Director Virginia Resurreccion stressed the importance of raising the country’s human capital to help address the global issue on poverty and the need for a curriculum that offers quality education and training of students who can compete in the global market. The said forum convened SUC officials and industry representatives from Regions 6, 7 and 8 of the Visayas. (S. Villasis-R. Martesano/ASU/PIA6)

DSWP Nat’l Chair Elizabeth C. Angsioco (2nd from right), hopes that RH Bill will become a law to address needs of women and couples, among other underprivileged sectors, during presscon in Iloilo City. With her are POPCOM 6 Director Vicente Molejona; Aksyon Kababaihan National President Preslou Glory-Genovate; and Arlene Joy Pet, President of the Bingawan Women’s Federation.(PIA 6/TWV)

Visayas forum tackles SUCs-private partnership

P.P.P.444---555

P.P.P.666---777

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

11 W. Visayas towns to avail forest, mangrove project aid package by Lilibeth A. French

T he Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

(GIZ) of the federal government of Germany are jointly implementing the project.

DENR 6 Regional Community-Based Forest Management Office Chief Vicente Mellizas Jr. said under the program eligible local government units are recipients of a loan and grant package intended for their reforestation initiatives and relevant infrastructure development geared towards the improvement of the economic situation of the people, conservation of biodiversity and mitigation of climate change.

Mellizas said the eligible towns include

Libacao and Altavas in Aklan; Sebaste, Valderrama, and Anini-y in Antique; Dumarao in Capiz; Carles and Passi City in Iloilo; and Ilog, Candoni, and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental.

“The signing of the memorandum of agreement for the Forest Land Use and Community Based Forest and Mangrove Management Project-KFW project for the first four eligible LGUs have already been finished,” said Mellizas. These LGUs are Libacao, Sebaste, Carles and Ilog.

Under the project, some P56 million grant went to the different reforestation activities of the four towns and P59.5 million infrastructure

loans for the road equipment of Libacao and Ilog, water system of Sebaste, and Bagsakan Center of Carles.

Mellizas said activities for the completion of the Forest Land Use Planning are still on-going for the second batch of the eligible LGUs.

Some of these activities include barangay consultation, community mapping situation analysis, data gathering, and presentation to the Sangguniang Bayan, among others.

The GIZ will grant around 7 million Euros for the implementation of the project in the eleven LGUs in the region, according to Mellizas. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) – Eleven municipal governments in Western Visayas have qualified for a loan and grant package to rehabilitate and protect some 8,170 hectares of forest and mangrove covers through the Community-Based Forest and Mangrove Management Project-KFW.

Village chiefs told to go 'hands-on' in disaster preparedness

Boracay posts 628,243 visitors, P13.2B tourism receipts in 7

T he governor said this seven-month figure in tourist arrivals this year is 12 percent higher than the

561,405 recorded last year. He added that the tourist arrivals this month – 64,070 - is also way higher than the 58,202 last year.

Marquez noted that the upswing in tourist arrivals in the island shows that low seasons are no longer observed in Boracay.

“Even if it is raining, visitors still flock to the island,” Marquez told radio listeners.

The governor also observed that most foreign visitors come from China and Korea.

Meanwhile, Governor Marquez aired in the same program his optimism over the appointment by President Benigno S. Aquino III of Ramon Jimenez as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Marquez said Secretary Jimenez’s latest statements manifest his positive outlook for the country’s tourism industry.

As a former advertising man responsible for successful commercial campaigns of well-known brands, Secretary Jimenez, according to Marquez, knows well how to market the Philippines. (VGV-PIA 6 Aklan)

KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- Boracay Island posted a total of 628,243 tourist arrivals from January to August of this year and the tourism receipts they generated reached P13.2 billion, according to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez in his monthly report aired over a local radio station here.

by Venus G. Villanueva

by Easter Anne D. Doza

D uring the recent City Development Council, Leonardia asked the baran-gay captains to be hands-on in terms

of disaster preparedness in their respective communities, a press statement from the Bacolod City Public Information Office revealed.

Leonardia said barangays should have their Disaster Coordinating Councils prepared for eventualities, especially floods citing other countries like Mexico, Indonesia, England, Korea and even the United States of America that were overwhelmed by floods despite their

modern drainage systems. “Let’s face reality, if we are ever faced

with heavy rains like what happened to other places, it could be beyond the capacity of our drainage system. We cannot pray for lesser rain or ask for a lighter load but instead, be ready with a stronger back,” Leonardia stressed.

Leonardia added that barangays can have trainings with the help of experts in disaster preparedness and can utilize the Disaster Academy located in the Pana-ad Park and Stadium.

“We cannot foretell what will happen and when it will happen. If ever disasters occur and our Disaster Coordinating Councils are prepared, we can prevent or minimize damages. So please be serious in activating your coordinating councils”, Leonardia added.

Leonardia appealed to barangay captains to have a direct and active hand in disaster preparedness as they have that legal and moral duty to take care of their constituents in the event of disasters.

BACOLOD CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- Disaster knows no place and time. Amidst the natural calamities and disasters happening today, the barangay captains were urged by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia. to activate their respective Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils.

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

by Alex A. Lumaque

T his is the first time for the province to receive the CSC national award,” noted CSC – Capiz Director Cynthia

P. Gellegani, adding that the CSC regional office will also recognize the national awardee on Sept. 14 in Iloilo City. Dumalag Municipal Health Officer Dr. Ana Mae F. Belasoto, RHU head, and nine other RHU staff are expected to receive the award this month in Malacañang. Also expected to join the conferment

of award are Dumalag Mayor Lilia H. Castro, Capiz 2nd District Rep. Jane T. Castro and Gellegani, among others. The RHU shared with Bulacan Agricultural State College Aerobic Rice Research, Development and Extension Program Team, Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Provincial Health Office – Abra Dental Team and Philippine Textile Institute Team for the award category. The Search is part of the CSC’s Honor

Awards Program (HAP) designed to recognize and reward public servants who have made outstanding achievements and have displayed exemplary conduct or ethical behavior. Aside from the Pagasa Award, the other categories of the search are the Presidential Lingkod Bayan and Outstanding Public Official and Employee or Dangal ng Bayan. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

PIA, SMART train over 700 campus paper

P IA-6 Director Janet C. Mesa said this is the second time for PIA and SMART to undertake joint efforts in

training campus journalists for campus blogs under the latter’s journ.ph platform.

Last year, it was only for college campus journalists all over the region and the high school paper writers from Negros Occidental.

This year, Monica Tejada, project in-charge for Smart, said they would like a regional outreach for all paper writers participating in the PIA journalism workshops.

SMART’s inputs to the workshops included a discussion on the journ.ph platform and hands-on in uploading news and features; cyber laws and web writing, in addition to the

lectures and workshops on news, features and opinion articles, photojournalism, copy reading and page design.

On top of the topics was the discussion on development communication and the presentation in simple terms of the priority reform agenda of the Aquino administration, which set the tone for the workshop.

Director Mesa, who is the lecturer on the Aquino Reform Agenda, said PNoy’s priority thrusts are the primary contents of the writing workshops of the participants.

PIA-invited lecturers included University of St. La Salle-Bacolod Prof. Allen del Carmen, Free-lance journalist/correspondent Hazel P. Villa, The Daily Guardian’s Executive Editor

Francis Allan Angelo, Ateneo Professor Engr. Herman Lagon and Iloilo National High School, Special Science Class Instructor Gemmalyn Medroso.

On the other hand, SMART team of lecturers included Research Consultant Kristine Magadia, Public Affairs Officer Monica Tejada, ICT Management Consultant and Director for Business Development at Netlearn Ventures, Inc., and USAID/ASIA Foundation Consultant on basic rights, human rights and freedom, Atty. Al Parreño.

Four seminar-workshops were held from July to August in Panay and Guimaras and was participated in by 96 college and high school publications staff writers. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Capiz RHU is CSC PAGASA awardee

IOM, DOLE to hold FGD on migration issues by Pilar S. Mabaquiao

O ne of the initiatives is the conduct of focused group discussion (FGD) on migration issues specifically aimed at

deriving information and insights on the level of public awareness, and the state of local facilities which are preventive or remedial and that which respond to the needs of the province of Antique.

The FGD is set on September 13, 2011, 1pm at Pinnacle Suites and Functions, San Jose, Antique.

In his letter to the members of the Pro-vincial Inter-Agency Committee Against Traf-ficking, media practitioners, organization of

overseas contract workers, youth groups and non-government organizations, DOLE 6 Re-gional Director Crispin D. Dannug, Jr. empha-sized their involvement so that concerned agencies can come up with responsive pro-grams on migration.

Likewise, the result of the consultation, Dannug said, will greatly contribute to the improvement of the existing program of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administra-tion (POEA) on pre-employment orientation, anti-illegal recruitment, anti-irregular migration, and anti-trafficking information.

It will also help enhance existing modules

used in training, conduct of trainors’ training for Pre-Employment/Departure Orientation Seminars trainors, law enforcers and prosecu-tors as well as develop and/ or improve exist-ing IEC materials and field programs.

Gemma Rose C. Pedregosa, IOM Field Coordinator in Antique, explained that the activity is in relation to the Project Implemen-tation Agreement with the POEA on the Up-scaling and Intensification of Community-Based Safe Migration Information, Orientation and Advocacy Campaign under the MDG Achieve-ment Fund Joint Program on Youth Employ-ment and Migration. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

SAN JOSE, Antique, Sept 3 –- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is stepping up its advocacy on migration issues particularly by initiating alternative and preventive programs.

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Dumalag, Capiz is one of the recipients of the Pagasa Awards–Group Category in this year’s Search for Outstanding Public Servants of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

by Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) -- Over 700 campus paper writers from Panay Island including Guimaras were trained on basic journalism and blogging by a joint team of Philippine Information Agency-6 and SMART Communications lecturers during the series of workshops held here.

CENTRALCENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 444

by Rachelle M. Nessia DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 7 (PIA) --- Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has lauded the newest Information Technology (I.T.) Park now be-ing constructed in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental which he called the “embodiment” of his dream of creating enough job opportu-nities for Filipino workers across the country.

T he President, in his speech during a project inspection of the sprawling 11,164-sq.m. area where the LinkSy I.T.

Park will rise here, expressed his confidence that the park will spur job growth in the local Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry.

“I am confident that this I.T. Park will achieve success on the back of the pool of competent graduates from excellent nearby universities that they can choose to hire. Once completed, this park can surely become a significant contributor to our country’s r eputation in the BPO industry,” said Pres. Aquino as he spoke before a crowd of around 100 composed chiefly of members of the local business and BPO community and industry stakeholders.

The I.T. Park inspection is the second stop of the President’s visit in the province, Sept. 7. It recognizes the efforts of the private sector in helping the government produce enough jobs so that Filipino workers no longer feel the

need to leave the country to find decent paying employment overseas.

Construction work on the first of three buildings that will predominantly be IT facilities within the park has already started.

Once completed, the park is seen to pump P40 million into the local economy, according to Danford Sy, general manager of July Development Corporation, which is undertaking the IT Park project.

Building 1 is expected to be finished and turned over to its locator, Qualfon, around March next year.

With four floors that can accommodate 1,500 seats, it is expected to produce 4,500 jobs for agents and indirect employment.

In his speech, Sy assured the President that the local business community recognizes the potential of the information, communication, technolgy (ICT) industry.

“We see how it has provided jobs and given salaries much higher than the minimum wage. We realize we have to do our share in sustaining this growth,” he said.

Based on figures presented by Sy in his speech, the ICT industry has flourished from “zero employees in December 2004 to 4,000 employed by December of 2010, earning a conservative estimate of P34 million a month.”

Sy predicted the industry to go up by 50 percent by December this year, with over 6,000 ICT workers earning around P52 million per month.

According to Pres. Aquino, the I.T and BPO industries have generated $8.9 billion in revenue in 2010 alone, and produced full-time employment for more than half a million people. Some expect that this year’s revenues will hit the 11 billion dollar mark, and that the industry will be able to give 640,000 direct jobs.

The National Outsourcing Association of the U.K., from 2008 to 2010, also gave the Philippines the distinction of being the Most Outstanding Outsourcing Destination in the world. (RMN/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

Negrense to lead Asian youth program by Rachelle M. Nessia

A dolf Aguilar has been selected to lead the group of 29 total youth ambassadors from the Philippines

onboard the cruise liner MS Fuji Maru from October 26 to December 16.

Aguilar is a Bachelor of Science in Education major in Social Studies and Southeast Asian Studies graduate of Silliman University, Dumaguete City. He currently works as the division information communication technology coordinator at the Department of Education (DepEd) provincial office.

Another Negrense youth, Regina Clarina Elmaco, a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Student Government officer in St. Paul University of Dumaguete (SPUD), has also made the cut of SSEAYP youth participants.

SSEAYP is a diplomatic and cultural exchange program among emerging youth leaders in Asia sponsored by the Government of Japan.

More than 300 young delegates from Japan and the ten ASEAN member states are expected to participate in this program to promote and strengthen friendship and cultural

understanding. For fifty-two days, the delegates visit six

ports of call, namely: Philippines (Manila), Brunei Darussalam (Muara), Indonesia (Jakarta), Malaysia (Port Klang) , Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) and Japan (Tokyo).

During ports of call, the delegates will interact with the local youths and will be on a homestay program and pay courtesy visits on dignitaries and institutional visits in order to learn more about other Southeast Asian cultures and traditions.

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- The National Youth Commission has picked a Negrense as the National Leader during the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) that will take 29 young Filipino leaders on a cruise around Asia.

Newest IT Park in Dumaguete embodiment of P-Noy’s dream

Siquijor bags best performing LGU award by Rizalie A. Calibo and Inacher A. Abatayo

SIQUIJOR, Sept 2 (PIA) -- Siquijor province ranked first in the Economic Enterprise Collection and second in Real Property Tax (RPT), Business Tax and Fees, Charges collections, according to the consolidated report of the BLGF-Regional Office on CY 2010 Per-formance Evaluation. The province of Negros Oriental ranked first in the collection efficiency in the RPT, business tax and fees and charges.

T he report also shows that Siquijor province is the Best Performing LGU among the provincial/city/municipal

treasurers. The performance of the LGUs in Region

VII on business tax, fees and charges and real property tax collections for CY 2010 was acknowledged during the General Assembly and Performance Evaluation of the Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors.

Siquijor Provincial Treasurer Ric D. Tan said the increase in the collection of business

tax, fees and charges could be attributed to the intensified registration and issuance of permits to delivery vans/trucks operating in the province, and the construction of facilities at S a l a gdoong Beach wh ich i nc lude dormitory-type building and swimming pools.

Other LGUs in the province have also received awards. The municipality of Enrique Villanueva, ranked first in the provincial level in the collection of business tax; Larena town, ranked first in the collection of fees and charges, while Maria town ranked second.Lazi

ranked first in real property tax collection, Overall, Larena ranked as the top per-

forming LGU in Siquijor province for three local sources: business tax, fees and charges, and economic enterprise.

DOF-BLGF Executive Director Ma. Pre-sentacion Motesa gave the award of the Best Performing Treasurers and Assessors.

The activity was recently held at the Crown Regency Suites-Mactan, Lapu-lapu City.

CENTRALCENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 555

Agri,trade,food fair - still best part of 40th 'Araw ng Siquijor' by Rizalie A. CAlibo and Edalou T. Manigo

A mong the products are food, fashion, home accessories and tourism pack-ages.

The six municipalities will feature their One Town One Product (OTOP) and feature products and services that each area is known for, or has to offer.

Governor Shane A. Fua Jr. said the fair will serve as an opportunity to develop competitive, viable SMEs and to generate in-

come for creative and skilled traditional crafts-men.

He said the fair will be about developing local skills using indigenous materials and promoting entrepreneurship and partnership.

The governor also said that the trade exhibit will not only serve as an avenue for the province to promote its eco-tourism thrust but will also give the locals and the agri-sectors the opportunity to showcase their best

products and delicacies to the local and international tourists and guests.

Gov. Fua noted in an earlier report there is an increase influx of local and domestic tourists to the province.

“We expect to muster a huge crowd anew for this ruby jubilee celebration,” he said. (PIA-Siquijormbcn/rac/etm)

D uring his report to the Provincial Peace and Order Council in its recent meeting in Guindulman, Bo-

hol Police chief said while the decrease in crimes can be attributed to the police anti-crime drives, much of the credit should be given to the people for their unwavering sup-port to the local police.

Citing the 2,320 crime incidents in Bohol totaling 2,320 from January to July in 2010, PSSupt Constantino Barot pointed out the decrease for the same period this year at 1,564 cases for index and non index crimes.

Barot pointed out that in the months of 2011 covered, crimes were lower compared to all the months in 2010.

Police noted 607 cases of non-index crimes in 2010 as compared to 317 in 2011. For index crimes, the Bohol Chief who hails from Negros noted 1,713 cases on index crimes in 2010 over 1,247 in 2011.

Leading the cases for the period is theft, which increased in incidence since April of this year and whose 570 cases made up 46% of all crimes recorded.

“The upward trend in the crime volume for the months of April to July, particularly on theft incidents can be prevented through the help of the citizens,” Bohol police authorities through PSSupt Barot bared.

Following theft is robbery with 305 cases or 25%.

Police authorities however have successful pulled down the incidents in July from an increasing trend since April peaking in June at 50 incidents.

Robberies in July slid down to 37 cases, police records show.

For the month of July, Alburquerque, Mabini and San Isidro posted a perfect slate for crime solution efficiency while the whole of Bohol police only recorded some 47%.

San Isidro Police Station recorded 2 cases and solved them both, Alburquerque solved all of their 9 cases while Mabini solved all 16 of their cases recorded.

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept 4 - Bohol enjoys a 67% decrease in crime incidence, a success local police authorities quickly attrib-ute to the strong support communities gave for the local police.

SIQUIJOR, Sept. 5, (PIA) -- On its 40th year, Siquijor province will again showcase its ingenuity in creating unique products that make use of indigenous raw materials and resources during the 2011 Agri/Trade Food Fair and Exhibit. This will be held on Septem-ber 12 at the Provincial Capitol grounds.

Bohol has 67% lower crime rate compared to 2010

DENR-7 collects P9.7M users fee from protected areas in Central Visayas by Hazel F. Gloria

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) collected nearly P9.7M as re-source user fee from 39 establishments that set up recreational, extractive, commercial, and other purposes within the protected areas in Central Visayas from January to July 2011.

D ichoso said resource user fee is paid for the sustainable commercial use of a specified quantity of resources

within the protected areas over a specific period of time. These commercial uses include admission fees for eco-tourism, wildlife sanctuary, and other recreational purposes such as production fees from film shooting and others. Extraction of minerals such as sand quarry; copper, dolomite and other mineral mining activities; oil exploration and ports development and expansion are also some of the user fees sources. Of the P9.7M, 55 percent or P5.319M came from the Tañon Strait Protected Sea-scape. Apo Island Protected Seascape and Land-scape in Negros Oriental has collected some P3.969M resource user fees.

“This is for access to and sustainable use of resources located in those areas for subsistence, recreational, extractive, commercial, and all other purposes,” he added. He further explained that revenues generated from the resource user fees go to the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF) that is managed by the IPAF Governing Board and the concerned Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). The fund shall be disbursed solely for the protection, maintenance, administration and management of National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS), and other duly approved projects endorsed by the PAMBs. Cebu has collected resource user fees from the six protected areas; Tañon Strait Protected Seascape generated some P5.319M. Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Mactan has collected P191,683 from its admission fees;

while the Camotes Island Mangroves Swamp Forest Reserve earned about P25,600. The Bantayan Island Wilderness Area generated some P72,200 of resource user fee. No resource user fee collection for Guadalupe-Mabugnao-Mainit Hot Spring National Park and the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. The DENR explained that protected area refers to identified portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance. It is being managed to enhance biological diversity and is protected against destructive human exploitation. Dichoso said that DENR monitors strictly any development of land and other resources in a protected area. It must not alter the landscape and shall not significantly disrupt the normal ecological functions and processes of those protected areas, he added. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR-7)

EASTERNEASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 666 Production of Waray films envisioned at Chito Roño scriptwriting workshop

H arold Mercurio, workshop coordina-tor, informed Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the workshop was

composed of Waray writers based in the Samar and Leyte provinces aimed to provide a working knowledge on the basics of scriptwrit-ing and an introduction to film-making and directing.

Among the basic topics which Mr. Gracio tackled during the workshop include the film language, its form and content; differences between stage play and screenplay; static im-ages and images in motion; lines and shapes associations; color symbols; camera positions; and most importantly, the world of scriptwrit-ing and how to write one.

One of the outputs of the workshop is the treatment of a local story of one of the

participant, Mr. James Sagayap, who, with the sound dialogue with the other participants, was able to come up with a good story for a short film, from the beginning, middle, and its ending as confirmed by Mr. Gracio himself.

Gracio advises the participants to write stories about specific experiences for a specific place in a specific time. “Isulat natin ang ating mga istorya bilang mga Waray” (Let’s write our stories as Warays), he said.

When writing a story, Gracio said, start simple not big, and do not complicate things.

“Hindi magkakaroon ng Waray film kung walang Waray na magsusulat” (There will be no Waray film if no one of us Waray will write), Gracio challenged the participants.

Mr. Joey Lianza, Director, Sinirangan Culture and Arts Department of the Leyte

Normal University (LNU), was also impressed of the workshop outcome. In fact, he is plan-ning to invite Mr. Gracio for another lecture on Scriptwriting, Film-making and Directing at LNU this October.

Another participant, Jhonil Bajado, a young writer-poet from Maydolong, Eastern Samar, said that Gracio’s motivation drives him to write more stories specially Waray culture-bound themes.

Gracio encouraged also the participants to promote Waray language and to keep on writing.

The workshop was sponsored by Chito S. Rono, noted Filipino director and a native of Calbayog, who provided for the free registra-tion of the participants and other workshop materials. (PIA-8)

Biliran goes full blast on greening program

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 5 (PIA) – The Chito S. Roño scriptwriting workshop held at the Northwest Samar University last September 1-3, concluded with high hopes that Waray films will be watched on screen in the future though the collaborative efforts of both the aspiring participants and the workshop facilitator, Mr. Jerry Gracio, a native of Mondragon, Northern Samar who is a multi-awarded poet and screenwriter.

by Lanie Pitao-Tupaz

A round 1,000 students, teachers and employees joined the second tree planting activity initiated by the De-

partment of Environment and Natural Re-sources (DENR) – Biliran Provincial Office on September 6, 2011 in Sitio Barantayan, Brgy. Villaconsuelo, Naval, Biliran.

Students from Lucsoon National High School and Naval State University represented the majority of the tree planters in the timberland area of Sitio Barantayan.

Employees from the provincial government of Biliran, local government unit of Naval, Philippine National Police, men in uniform from the 806 CDC Command, and Philippine Information Agency were also engaged in the tree planting activity.

In an interview with Joselito Eco, NGP coordinator and chief of Reforestation and Aforestation Unit of DENR-Biliran, it was learned that around 5,000 seedlings were prepared for planting in the the 10,000-hectare timberland in Sitio Barantayan.

The first 500 seedlings were already planted on August 27, by the Naval South District teachers in the same area. Thus, the remaining 4,500 were left for yesterday's activity.

Eco added that the next tree planting activity is set this month in Brgy. Baso, Cabucgayan, Biliran, in a 30-hectare public lands.

DENR Biliran is mandated to plant 385,000 trees this year in compliance with the

NGP mandate of planting 1.5 billion trees to 1.5 million hectares of public lands all over the country from this year until 2016 where students and government employees are mandated to plant 10 trees every year from 2011 until 2016.

Around 3,000 trees were already planted in its first tree planting activity in June 29 at Brgy. Libtong, Naval, Biliran.

Planting of the rest of the required number of trees for this year is already under contract with the different people’s organizations in the entire province of Biliran, according to Eco. (FEJ/LPT/PIA-8 Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, Sept. 7 (PIA) -– Various sectors in Biliran were mobilized as Biliran goes full blast in the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) which was issued by President Benigno S. Aquino last February 24, 2011 to help reduce the worsening effect of climate change.

DPWH NSFED infra projects completed way ahead of schedule by Ailene N. Diaz

by Neil D. Lopido

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Sept 7 (PIA) – In a journal furnished to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), records show that as of August 31, 2011, Department of Public Works and Highways Northern Samar First Engineer-ing District (DPWH-NSFED) hits 96.34% accomplishment on Infrastructure projects for the calendar year 2009-2011.

T his infrastructure projects covers all DPWH Regular Projects, congres-sional funded projects, party-list as-

sisted projects, various local infra projects, DepEd Schoold Building projects, MVUC pro-jects, and projects funded under Priority De-velopment Assistance Fund.

According to the Project Monitoring Team, out of 247 total active Construction Projects, 222 are already completed with only 1 still for completion and 24 not yet started.

Following this data, DPWH NSFED revised target for the month is 91.20%. With

an actual accomplishment of 96.34%, the office is 5.14% ahead of schedule.

According to OIC District Engineer Sandy T. Pua as affirmed by OIC Assistant District Engr. Alvin Ignacio, what contributed to this significant accomplishment was intensive monitoring in the implementation of the projects, regular conference with the project engineers concerned, close supervision & inspection and prompt actions on issues and concerns or raised by an individual or the community.

“We are serious in following the deadline

set by the Central Office for every project funded for specific purpose, and echoed the perspective of Secretary Rogelio Singson on his belief that all endeavours cannot be single-handedly done without the help and involvement of civil societies and non-government organizations.” Pua said.

Priority projects of DPWH NSFED still anchored on its national basic mandate which aimed at providing quality infrastructure facilities and services responsive to the needs of the Filipino people in the pursuit of national development objectives. (AND/PIA-Northern Samar)

EASTERNEASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYASVISAYAS 777

Borongan Lechon fest hopes to attract more tourists

T his was the gist of the message deliv-ered by Mayor Maria Fe Abunda during the lechon parade on the city's series

of fiesta activities on September 6, 2011. "We just called it parade this time be-

cause we wanted to test the waters," Abunda said.

"But we have seen the turn out and next year, we will call it 'Lechon Festival," Abunda said in the presscon that ensued.

Mayor Abunda said she was inspired by the response of the constituents to the lechon

parade. So far, some 14 lechon entries were paraded.

The lechon parade received positive feed-back from the rural folks and even the balikba-yans who served as members of the Board of Judges.

In a related development, an unknown litsonero from Barangay Tabunan, Borongan city was declared the winner of best lechon.

Joel Pelarca, 28, a student from the East-ern Samar State University edged out some 13 other litsoneros, five of whom are known,

seasoned and trusted lechon supplier in the city of Borongan.

“There’s a burst of flavor when you get a bite of Joel’s lechon,” Bum Tenorio, Philippine Star columnist, as chairman of the judges said.

Only one winner-the best tasting lechon, was chosen and all the 13 others were given consolation prizes of Php 5, 000. (NBQ/PIA-8 Eastern Samar)

by Ninfa B. Quirante

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- Lechon festival in Borongan hopes to entice tourists to visit city called Borongan.

Samar says “yes” to 3-year birth spacing by Alice Nicart

T he “3-5 Taong Agwat, Dapat” is a family planning advocacy which educates and encourages parents to

allot three to five years interval before the next baby comes in the family.

Quoting DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, Provincial Health Officer II, Dr. Dulce Cernal said that the benefits of spacing child birth are well documented.

According to her, shorter birth spacing is linked to poor health outcomes, maternal and newborn morbidity, premature births, low birth rate, child stunting even deaths among productive mothers and their newborn.

Suitable child spacing, she said provides parents more time, to spend with their children specially in their crucial first five years, when proper care and attention and growth monitoring is most needed.

Dr. Cernal added that children learn quickly when they feel they are well-loved and protected by their parents, from their first day as a person.

As an international law, it is not only the right of every to be born, it is also his right to be fed properly, to be attended his health needs, to be protected against all harms, abuses and all forms discriminations and to be educated, among others.

“The more often mothers and fathers and other caregivers spend with children, talking to, responding and interacting with them, the faster they learn,” Cernal pointed out.

Social Weather Station (SWS) reveal that, in the Philippines, women on the average, give birth a little over two years after a previous delivery and about 55 percent of

women give birth too soon after a preceding birth.

But the same study however shows that 73% of the respondents agree that government should provide information on all methods of family management, to give proper interval of child birth in the family.

DOH thus tells local chief executives, health officials and other service providers to conduct health events and classes to deliver this and other relevant health messages to more Filipino men and women.

In Samar, some couples left their routine household chores for a while, to join the Family Planning Month celebration where they listened to some inputs on “responsible parenting” as they likewise were given some IEC materials that bear the same theme.(PIA-Samar/Alice Nicart)

Solon sets another barangay-based, multi-agency cleanliness drive

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- Inspired by the positive feedback of the clean-up drive held in barangay Combado here last month, Cong. Roger Mercado sets another one, this time at barangay Asuncion.

by Bong Pedalino

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- Governor Sharee Ann T. Tan recently directed the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to conduct the Family Planning Month celebration in support to the call of the Department of Health (DOH) for

I n a meeting with various government agencies at his office September 5, Cong. Mercado thanked everyone for the

massive outpouring of support and actual participation during the Combado clean-up volunteer work, saying that within this month at least three other city proper barangays should be the focus of a similar activity.

“I heard the positive response of the people. I can feel it that they are happy,” the solon said.

On Friday, September 9, he urged all the heads of government agencies attending the meeting to be present as well for the barangay Asuncion interaction with community folks at the barangay gym in the morning, then proceed with the identified areas to be cleaned, adding that in this manner the collective effort proved effective in warding off the dreaded dengue in the city

He tasked Asuncion Punong Barangay Pokoy Montalbo, who was around, to

coordinate with the various agencies for the said forum in his barangay.

Last month, at the height of the dengue outbreak hitting major provinces, towns, and cities in other parts of the country, the lone Southern Leyteno lawmaker spearheaded a cleanliness campaign as part of an overall strategy to promote tourism in the city and as a pro-active measure to prevent the spread of the disease.

Of the seven barangays comprising the city proper, it was agreed that the multi-sectoral, collective clean-up activity be started at barangay Combado, the biggest out of the city’s 70 barangays, followed by the others, this time Asuncion, the second biggest barangay.

According to Dr. Francilisa Tan, head of the Rural Health Unit I, both Combado and Asuncion registered the highest number of victims of dengue cases last year at 44 each, with Combado having one fatality out of four.

This year, the two barangays registered zero victims so far, for the lone victim recorded came from barangay Lonoy in July, and Dr. Tan attributed this to the putting up of mosquito traps from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which the Department of Health (DOH) set up in 100 households at Combado early this year.

In a related development, upon learning that the DOH-supplied pellets for the ovitraps will be good only until this month as revealed by Dr. Tan during the Combado forum last August 17, Cong. Mercado told Engr. Dominador Clavejo, provincial DOST head, that the Congressman’s office would pay for the pellets needed. Clavejo said he will coordinate closely with the DOST regional office to avoid a scarcity of the material inasmuch as they will be distributing those to the elementary and high schools all around the province. (PIA-Southern

Leyte/bong)

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 sugges-tions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

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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:

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