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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 6| May 1, 2013

INFOBYTESTOPSTORIES

CEBU CITY (PIA) --There will be no brown-outs during the elections. Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla recently assured that there will be no brown outs during the elections. Petilla was in Cebu during the Visayas Wide Power Summit to brief the stakeholders about the power outlook. “We have no shortfall this May, so there is no problem, we don’t want the DOE to be blamed for failure of elections,” Petilla said. He told reporters that there will be enough power supply unless there is a sudden normal tripping. Uninterrupted service is assured days before and after the elections. Petilla during his presentation of the power supply outlook for 2012-2030 said that during this year, there is a slight shortfall in the Visayas for the reserve. It will still be bought but just place on stand by, he added. He told participants from Regions 6, 7, and 8 that the issue on power is a long-term problem that needs a long-term solution. “When there is outage, we deal with it, so this power summit is really a big help,” Petilla said. He credited Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the current head of the Regional Development Council 7, for bringing him the idea of a convergence with all the stakeholders to discuss power or electricity issues and concerns. Rama who gave his welcome remarks in the event said that the reforms needed in the power sector should not only come up with strategies for sufficient and reliable supply but also cheap or affordable power rates. The event ended with a covenant signing by all stakeholders from the three regions towards a competitive power in the Visayas. (FCR/FCC-PIA7)

By Ferliza contratista

DOE assures no power interruption on election day

Al Emil Berador, chief geologist of DENR 7, answers questions from local media in a recent AGIO-7 forum as he discloses the agency's measures in maintaining a clean and safe environment amid campaign polls and the observance of Earth Day. (AYS/PIA 7)

CEBU CITY (PIA) – Cebu is one of the next wave cities in the country outside of Metro Manila that is being promoted for expansion of business process outsourcing (BPO) firms. Rosemarie G. Edillon, assistant director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), said the country is experiencing rapid growth at the moment due to macroeconomic stability. Edil lon cited the 6.6 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2012 which has surpassed the 6.5 GDP growth forecast last year, the positive performance of the Philippine stock market and the recent credit upgrade of the Philippines by International Fitch Ratings as cases in point. T h e N E D A o f f i c i a l a l s o attributed the country’s strong economic

By Fayette c. rinen

Cebu one of next wave cities in PH for BPO expansion

performance to the administration’s good governance policies on transparency and accountability and curbing corruption. “Most BPOs are concentrated in Metro Manila and only about 25 percent are spread outside Metro Manila,” said Edillon during the Regional Consultation on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) Midterm Update in Cebu City. Early this year, a study of research firm Tholon showed that Metro Manila is third in the list of the world’s top outsourcing hubs. Top spot went to India’s Bangalore and Mumbai came in second place. Cebu meanwhile, ranked eighth best BPO destination while other Philippine cities included in the list were Davao, Sta Rosa, Iloilo, Bacolod and Baguio. Edillon said the wave cities like Cebu for BPO expansion were identified due to the workforce already present in the area.

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Army declares area in Negros Oriental "insurgent-free, development ready

By Minerva B.c. newMan

NEGROS ORIENTAL

TESDA finds jobs for tech-voc grads in NegOr

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Army’s 302nd Brigade in Negros Oriental has recently declared some of the barangays of Zamboanguita, Siaton and Canlaon City as “insurgent-free and development-ready” after the signing of the area clearing evaluation report of the local government units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Army.

Cap t . Cresenc io Gargar, information officer of the 302nd brigade said barangays Bayog and Lumapao of Canlaon City; Mayabon and Calango of Zamboanguita town and Tayak in Siaton town are now “insurgent-free.” “This is contrary to the NPAs claims that they’re gaining influence, especially in the hinterlands of Negros Island,” said Capt. Gargar. The army identi f ied those barangays as previously victims of

extortion and liquidation activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA’s). Gargar said this group has consistently taking up measures to hinder government’s development efforts. But the active support of the LGUs towards the Bayanihan Teams deployed in these barangays brings a positive impact to the community, added Gargar. He further said that more barangays in Negros Oriental will be declared insurgent-free as the military continues its operations in the hinterlands of the province. “We are optimistic that the province would eventually be free from insurgency later this year and thus will attract more investors and businesses,” the army official said. It is noted that the army’s 302nd Brigade has zero human rights violation. During the recent visit of Maj. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, Commander of the AFP’s Central Command, he lauded the successful Internal Peace and Security Operations (IPSO) and the zero human rights violation of the Brigade in its area of responsibility. =“We will continue to perform our mandate in protecting the Filipino people with utmost respect to Human Rights and strict adherence to the rule of Law,” said Deveraturda. Meanwhile, Col. Francisco M. Patrimonio, Brigade Commander said that the unit will perform its best to maintain what the brigade have achieved and will maintain the tradition of excellence and discipline. (FCR/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- Technical Education and Skil ls Development Authority (Tesda) director general Joel Villanueva said twenty-eight local and overseas companies participated in Wednesday’s jobs bridging program or jobs fair in Dumaguete City. Tesda’s jobs fair is a pre-Labor Day celebration to provide employment of new technical-vocational graduates in Negros Oriental.

Villanueva said Tesda helps graduates find the right job after having a national certificate on the tech-voc programs so that they will be productive and improve their quality of life. Villanueva said with hundreds of applicants looking for Tesda jobs bridging program, 86 applicants have already been hired-on-the–spot at Robinsons Place, Dumaguete City. In the same occasion, Tesda showcased its Mobile Training Classroom

plus Park and Train program for public awareness of an alternative modality of delivering quality-assured tech-voc programs to reach out far-flung communities. In Negros Oriental, 15 local government units have already registered as mobile training classrooms where a tech-voc course is conducted inside a bus. The bus serves as the state-of the art classroom with multi-media equipment, computers, chairs, and materials. The mobile learning center reaches out to youths who want to avail of free training so they can later get a job. Tesda assists trainees find jobs or becoming self-employed under the Tesda Specialista Technopreneurship Program after they graduate wand have been assessed. During the jobs fair, PhilHealth, SSS, NSO, and Pag-ibig had also participated in to provide information on documentation services to the job applicants. A skills demonstration in cooking, bartending, computer hardware servicing, garments and welding and free services in massage, haircut, nail care, blood pressure taking and computer trouble shooting had been offered during the day. (mbcn/JCT-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)

DOST officials award the public libraries of LGUs of Mabinay, Bayawan and Dumaguete City with a Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station or STARBOOKS. (LPP/PIA NEGOR)

Dumaguete organizes coastal, waterways clean-up drive

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 27 (PIA) -- In support of International Earth Day on April 22 celebration, Dumaguete City will hold a coastal and waterways clean-up drive on April 27 at 7am along the city's coastal line. Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria issued an order to all city government offices to support the coastal clean-up to unclog water waste materials and at the along seashores. Env i ronment and Natura l Resources Officer-incharge Roy Lumjod said, the clean-up drive activity, also

include not only the coastal area of Dumaguete, but also the river banks and it requires a large number of people to help accomplish the task. The clean-up covered internal waterways, rivers, creeks and streams and the departments were clustered into groups and assigned to a specific area. Mayor Sagarbarria urged all city hall employees, non-government organizations and clubs to join the annual environmental activity. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

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INFOBYTESis a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

CEBU

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 6 (PIA)--The Provincial Government of Bohol, in coordination with the member agencies of the Bohol Coastal Resource Management Task Force (BCRMTF), led the Boholano community in celebrating the month of May as Month of the Ocean. The celebration is in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 57 issued in 1999. The month-long celebration here kicked-off last May 2 with a motorcade

to heighten awareness about the annual observance and participated in by all member agencies of the BCRMTF. The motorcade started at 1 p.m. at the Tagbilaran City Tourism Port passing by Gallares Street then to Plaza Rizal to CPG North Avenue and ended at Bohol Cultural Center. A grand opening program followed right after the motorcade where a conduct of an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on Solid Waste Management

Bohol kicks off Ocean Month celebBy elvira c. Bongosia was done by BCRMTF Chair and Provincial

Environment and Natural Resources Officer OIC Nestor Canda. A scheduled “Talaktakan para sa Kalikasan” or a Candidates Forum that would tackle current environmental issues that surfaced particularly in the City of Tagbilaran supposedly to be participated by all running candidates for city vice-mayors and city councilors did not push through due to the absence of the invited guests. Staff and employees of the BCRMTF member agencies also joined the coastal clean-up at the Tagbilaran City Tourism Port Area. On May 29, a mangrove planting is scheduled at 6:00 in the morning at Barangay Guiwanon, Maribojoc. This year’s celebration of Ocean Month carries the theme “Ang Bahura ay Kagubatan sa Karagatan, Ating Pangalagaan” (The Coral Reefs are the Forests in the Seas, Lets Protect Them). The national government member agencies of the Task Force included the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police-Bohol Provincial Police Office (PNP-BPPO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Coast Guard-Bohol (PCG-Bohol), 703rd Philippine Maritime Group, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). The Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (PAO) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of the Provincial Government are also members of the Task Force.

Whi le non-government organizat ion members included the Bohol Alliance of Non-Government Organization (BANGON), Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC-Bohol), Bohol Integrated Development Foundation (BIDEF), FCB Foundation, PADAYON BMTMCI, Ecofish Project, PADAYON BMTMCI, Path Foundation, PROCESS-Bohol, MAKAMASA-Bohol, CCEF and MBEMO. (FCR/ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

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MGB-7 intensifies geohazard assessment and mapping in Cebu CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has heightened its geohazard assessment and mapping covering 221 barangays in four cities and five municipalities in Cebu. MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo said, this activity is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of the Aquino administration to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change as it gives a detailed mapping and study particularly those areas which have been highly susceptible to landslides and flooding. This is a detailed geohazards mapping using a 1:50,000-scale which gets information or data at the sitio or “purok” level in a barangay, said Alburo. About 30 barangays in Lapulapu city will be mapped including 42 and 27 barangays in Danao and Mandaue cities, respectively.

The list also includes Compostela with 17 barangays; Liloan, 14; Consolacion, 21; Cordova, 13; Barili, 42; and Carcar City with 15 barangays. Alburo said to the senior geologists team that they will also identify and locate possible relocation sites in each barangay, city or municipality so that communities could be moved to safer grounds. Meanwhile, DENR-7 has already distributed 3,003 copies of geohazard maps to the 3,003 barangays in Central Visayas with a scale of 1:50,000 to help LGUs mitigate the effects of flashfloods and landslides. So far, MGB has made available color-coded maps in four websites in denr.gov.ph, mgb.gov.ph, pia.gov.ph, and essc.org.ph to allow free and quick access as to the level of vulnerabilities. The geohazard maps prepared by the MGB would pinpoint which sitios are critically prone to landslides and flooding.(FCR/HFG/PIA-7/DENR-7)

BOHOL

Teachers of Libo Elementary School in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor segregate the books and other instructional materials donated from the USA through family of Bob and Theresa Ruch. (RAC/PIA Siquijor)

SIQUIJOR

DOLE holds Batas Kasambahay town-hall consultations in Siquijor

SIQUIJOR (PIA) — As part of ongoing consultations nationwide, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Siquijor Field Office held two town-hall consultations on R.A 10361, otherwise known as Batas Kasambahay. This is to iron out flaws and clarify vague provisions of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), said Nole Torres of DOLE in a press release. Torres said the activity was attended by heads or representatives of Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWD), Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Social Security System (SSS), Provincial DILG, Provincial Government Office, Integrated Provincial Health Office ( IPHO), Provincial Assessors Office, Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), Siquijor Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCII) as well as Barangay Captains, employers, and domestic workers. During the consultations, DOLE Siquijor Provincial Field Office Head Ma.Teresa D. Tanquiamco encouraged the stakeholders to express their views, make comments and recommendations to draw inputs related to the implementing rules and regulations. “We are keen on hearing the views of the stakeholders and will consider carefully all comments and ideas received through this consultation,” said Tanquiamco. She said DOLE is mandated to conduct town-hall consultations to ensure that both rights and obligations of the employers and workers are earnestly

COMMUNITYNEWSINFOBYTES

considered in crafting the final IRR. Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Lina O. Medel said both the employers and employees who attended were “inquisitive” about the salient provisions of the law. “They were enthusiastic, they had good inputs and they came up with suggestions,” she said. One of the issues and concerns discussed was the registration of kasambahay in the barangay.

Sanita Vallega, a domestic helper, asked whether the employer or the kasambahay would shoulder the expense for her registration in the barangay. Rolando Jumawan, Provincial Board secretary, suggested that the funds for logistics for the master listing of the kasambahay should be at the expense of the employer. The consultations were done April 24, 2013 at the Siquijor Provincial Capitol and Liga Ng Mga Barangay Hall. (RAC/NTorres/DOLE-Siquijor)

Prov'l JSCC meets for smooth, peaceful election

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- In preparation for the upcoming May 13 elections, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) held a command conference meeting at the Dondeezco Beach Resort, Dumanhog, Siquijor, Siquijor. The meeting was made to discuss the final preparation plan and other concerns with the different agencies involved to have a smooth and peaceful elections in the province, lawyer Eliseo R.Z. B. Labaria, Provincial Election Supervisor III and PJSCC chair, said.

Overal l preparat ions for the upcoming midterm elections have been very smooth so far, said the provincial Comelec offical in an earlier report. The report said the office is implementing various measures to ensure a peaceful and successful elections. The Comelec and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are conducting regular conferences and monitoring even though there are no election hotspots in the province, previous provincial election supervisor Atty. Leondro Magusara earlier said. “Election in the island is still very peaceful compared to the cities where crimes are recorded,” he said. The Comelec said teachers from the Department of Education (DepEd) with the provincial and municipal board of canvassers (PBOCs and MBOCs), election assistants and technicians are already in place with trainings being given. PCOS machines are expected to arrive in Siquijor in the first week of May, also reported Police Supt. Teofilo Siclot Jr., Deputy Provincial Director for Administration, during the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC) Planning today April 25 in Siquijor. He said the PNP is ready to dispatch personnel to secure the PCOS machines in 142 cluster precinct province-wide. Siquijor province has a total of 64,804 voters. It has 142 clustered and 408 established precincts. (FCR/RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor w/ reports from I. Abatayo)

Local candidates of Siquijor with the COMELEC and PNP officials during the Peace Covenant Signing for a peaceful election. (RACalibo/PIA-Siquijor)