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Vol 4 Issue 19 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 12 - 18, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PNoy lauches solar power plant, Himogaa-an bridge
BOI pushes 6 priority sectors to propel PHL economy
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Leyte firms up rehab master plan By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Leyte, six months in the aftermath of
Yolanda onslaught, is now in the process of firming up all the details in the Leyte Rehabilitation Master Plan.
Governor Leopoldo Dominic Petilla was quoted as saying the provincial government hopes to finish the Master Plan by
next week, so it could submit the same to the National Gov-ernment for appropriate action.
He said that the Master Plan which is guided by the “build back better” scheme of the National Government, will be the
basis for the funding of the rehabilitation program. Petilla disclosed that the Office of the Presidential
Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery is providing the province with the much-needed technical assistance.
Villages and towns affected by Typhoon Yolanda have
submitted their respective damage reports since December 2013, but the reports have yet to be validated and integrated
into the provincial rehabilitation plan. The governor said that more or less P20 billion might be
allotted for the rehabilitation program of Leyte, “so it’s now a matter of coming up with a credible and comprehensive
report”. The Governor said he is happy to note that the provincial
local government of Leyte has done a lot since Typhoon Yolan-da struck the province.
He also took note of the international humanitarian organizations’ report that “we have done a lot compared to
the other countries where there are similar disasters or calamities”. (PIA8)
BY: LORENZO O. LAMBATIN, JR. & EASTER ANNE D.
DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 15 (PIA6) - -President
Benigno S. Aquino III led the switch-on of the country’s first large-scale commercially financed and commissioned solar
power plant in San Carlos City, May 15. The activity marked the start of the commercial
operation of the solar power facility, sending off to the local grid at peak 13 megawatts for Phase 1 and 9 megawatts for
Phase 2. President Aquino cited the San Carlos Solar Energy
Incorporated (SACASOL) as a perfect example of taking responsibility to act in the face of growing climate risk whether
in government or the private sector. “This is a project funded by companies with a strong
interest in renewable and clean energy investments and a project supported by the local government.
With your help, we are proving to the world: even developing countries such as ours can do their share in
reducing the risks posed by global warming. And we are doing this even at a time when the
development of solar power plants remains more expensive than that of plants fuelled by traditional sources of energy,”
Aquino said. SACASOL Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr. credited the
strong support of the local government of San Carlos City
where the solar farm sits on a 35 hectare field of saline soil, part of the San Carlos Ecozone.
During his visit here, President Aquino also inaugurated the P313-million Himoga-an bridge in Sagay City which he
described as a concrete result of the administration’s strategy to strengthen infrastructure projects in the country and
institute social reforms. “We expect growth in the local economy. Because of the
bridge, sugarcane transport will be easier coming the different
parts of the province going to the mill in Sagay,” he said. “Definitely this will lessen the cost of production and
spur the growth of tourism because it will be easier to go to tourist destinations like Carbin Reef and Molocaboc Island.”
He cited the leadership of Negros Occ. Gov. Alfredo Maranon and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo “Thirdy” Maranon III
and other LGUs that showed their unity with the present administration.
He also thanked DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and other agencies that bonded together to realize the project,
prioritizing results more than politics. (JCM/LOL/EAD-PIA6 NegrosOcc)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Thirty permanent shelters from Gawad Kalin-
ga, Bayanihan Challenge 2014 will be built in
this site of brgy. Pinasoan, Hernani. In the
picture from right, is Gov. Conrado Nicart
who led the Ground Breaking ceremony with
GK Official Brian Gapasin, Sammy
Candido in red shirt, Hernani Mayor Edgar
Boco in white long-sleeved shirt, Atty. Chris
Coles PDRRMO OIC-Levi Nicart. (PIA-8)
(L-R) PIA Infocen Manager Jenny Tilos, Francis
Llana of Lancera, Ava Mojica of TeleTech
Dumaguete, and ICT Dumaguete President
and SPI Global Dumaguete Manager Suzanne
Bascara appearing in a Kapihan Forum last May
14 at Captain Ribbers, Silliman Ave. The three
invited other BPO investors to put up their
own business in Dumaguete City for better
economic growth. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)
This is the Phase1 of the country’s first
large-scale commercial solar farm project
inaugurated by President Aquino, May 15. The
facility was put up by San Carlos Solar Energy
at the San Carlos City economic zone with a
capacity of 13 megawatts. The Phase 2 of the
project capable of producing 9 MW will be
constructed later in the industrial estate.
(PIA-6)
CEBU CITY, May 12 (PIA) -- A draft of the 2014 Investment
Priorities Plan (IPP) was presented by the Board of Investments
(BOI) to various sectors in Cebu during a public consultation to
solicit their inputs before finalizing the plan.
Ma. Corazon Dichosa, executive director for the
BOI-Industry Development Service said the 2014 IPP will be in line
with the priority thrusts of the Aquino Administration’s Philippine
Development Plan (PDP) carrying the theme “Industry
Development for Inclusive Growth”.
Objectives of the plan include increasing employment
opportunities by revitalizing growth sectors, especially in the
manufacturing industry and promote high value adding activities and
deeper small and medium enterprises’ participation in supply chains,
said Dichosa.
Likewise, the plan aims to strengthen the participation of
growth industries in global and regional production networks
including the ASEAN economic community, added the BOI official.
Dichosa said just last February, the government approved the
updated PDP 2014-2016 where it now focuses the growth of six
priority sectors instead of the previous 13 sectors. These priority
sectors are agro-industry, Information Technology and Business
Process Management (IT-BPM), tourism, manufacturing, logistics
and construction.
The 2014 IPP will also be in line with the PDP as it pushes for
investments in the six priority sectors with the end-goal of
increasing job opportunities marking social inclusive growth and
thereby reducing poverty incidence by 2016.
The BOI official explained that apart from employment
generation, the investments should move to a higher value chain.
Here, she cited the upward shift from attracting call center
firms to more higher value-added services like knowledge
management in the knowledge process outsourcing.
Investments should also have the potentials to expand to
other areas and create a competitive market amid the economic
integration of the ASEAN community by next year, said Dichosa.
Compared to other countries, the Philippines has the highest
fiscal incentive offer of 30 percent corporate income tax (CIT) rate
to qualified investors with three to eight years of tax holiday after
the start of the commercial activity.
Great economies like Singapore only provides 17 percent
CIT but its tax holiday period is up to 15 years while China’s CIT is
at 25 percent with a tax holiday period between two to three
years.
Dichosa said the 2014 IPP will not only be concentrated on
providing fiscal incentives to lure more investments but will also
work on other policies, strategies and measures that will help boost
industries to be more productive and competitive.
“The 2014 IPP will be a three-year document that
aims to meet the goals and objectives of the PDP by 2016,” said
Dichosa.
The consultation held here is part of a series the BOI is
conducting throughout the country to come up with a
comprehensive 2014 IPP. The team was set to have another
consultation in Davao City as it nears the deadline of May 22 to
gather all inputs, views and recommendations before finalizing the
plan. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the switch on ceremony of
the Phase 1 of the solar energy project of the San Carlos Solar
Energy Incorporated (SaCaSol) which paves the way for its
commercial operation sending at peak, 13 megawatt power to the
local grid, witnessed by SaCaSol Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr.,
SaCaSol President Jose Maria Zabaleta Jr., Senator Loren Legarda,
First District Congressman Jules Ledesma and foreign investors
(back row).*(EAD-PIA6 photo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City
DENR releases P2-M community-based forest management project
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 15 (PIA6) – More than P2-million support fund to the people’s organizations for the forest
management project in Capiz was already released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
W estern Visayas DENR Regional
Executive Director Jim Sampulna has
already awarded the checks
representing the funding support of the agency
to the three People’s Organizations for the
Community-Based Forest Management
Agreement (CBFMA) projects, particularly in
Jamindan and Dumarao towns.
Capiz DENR Provincial head Valentin
Talabero explained that the CBFMA is a
25-year contract with a people’s organization
for livelihood and development.
He disclosed that the Asosasyon sang
Nagaprotehir sang KabukiransaJamindan
(ANAK-Jamindan) in Barangay San Juan,
Jamindan was awarded P580,015 for the
25-hectare Forest Enhancement through
Rattan Plantation, Agri-crops and Tilapia
Culture while the Agcagay Model Upland
Farmers Association (AMUFA) in Agcagay also
of Jamindan town was given project support of
P646,035 for the same project.
The Aglanot Community Forest
Association (ACFA) of Barangay Aglanot,
Dumarao town was likewise awarded
P788,355.00 for the 50-hectare coconut and
fruit trees plantation project.
Talabero said that RED Sampulna, during
their 2nd Regional Management Conference in
Capiz, personally handed over the said checks
to the respective president of the said people’s
organizations with Capiz Governor Victor
Tanco, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon and
Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamin.
On the other hand, RED Sampulna said
that the BCFMA is part of the national
government’s effort in “greening” the country
through the National Greening Program which
aims to mitigate the impact of climate change
and global warming.
Sampulna said that the NGP, which seeks
to attain sustainable human development and
economic and ecological security, aspires to
plant 1.5 billion trees in about 1.5 million
hectares of public lands for six years starting
2011 until 2016. He also urged the public to
have a shared responsibility in caring for Moth-
er Earth by protecting the environment
through tree and mangrove growing as the
same can greatly help in mitigating the adverse
effects of climate change. (JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO
ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) --- Social media can play a key role in strengthening the community’s capacity to mitigate risks
brought by disasters and natural hazards.
I n a seminar on maximizing use of social
media in disaster preparedness
conducted by the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA)-6, Noel De Guia of Get Ready
Pinas said that social media tools can help
create a culture of preparedness among
Filipinos with information that are easily
accessible.
“The Philippines is third in terms of
vulnerability to disaster risks and natural
hazards so there is a need for continuous state
of preparedness by providing timely, accurate,
and relevant information to ensure
coordinated activities and develop public
resiliency,” he said.
He said that communities or organizations
can use websites to show videos, tips, and
contacts to better prepare people for
disasters.
He also said that Twitter has become an
avenue for people to share information on
what we can do in order to prevent loss of
lives and properties.
“The social web also gave significant
coverage to the unprecedented level of help
the whole world gave to the Philippines.
Many of the mentions, articles, blogs
mentioned pledges given to the country,” he
said.
He said that there is a need to change our
practice of always focusing on the aftermath
but instead we should campaign for
preparedness and give information before and
not just during the time of disaster.
“There are a number of programs
available in social media such as Project NOAH
(Nationwide Operational Assessment of
Hazards) of the Department of Science and
Technology which can help us prepare,” he
said.
Meanwhile, Max Salazar, also of Get Ready
Pinas, said that to better prepare for disasters,
it is useful to have “kaizen thinking”.
Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change
for the better". It is a philosophy that sees
improvement in productivity as a gradual and
methodical process.
He added that it is important to nurture
the “culture of preparedness” as against the
“culture of reaction” to develop public
resiliency.
Get Ready Pinas is a project for disaster
preparedness that inspires call to action and
bayanihan among societal institutions, private
sectors and individuals.
This is in partnership with Smart
Communications Inc. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
Social media strengthens disaster preparedness
BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I
KALIBO, Aklan, May 13 (PIA6) -- Aklanons will once again be given a chance to choose from a wide array of basic goods and
prime commodities at discounted prices right in their public markets with the scheduled holding of three ―Diskwento Sales‖
by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this month of May.
DTI slates 3 ‘Diskwento Sales’ in Aklan
T he “Diskwento Sales”, according to
DTI-Aklan Provincia l Director
Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr., will be held in
the municipalities of Altavas, Kalibo and Ibajay
on May 25, 26 and 27 respectively.
In Altavas, the “Diskwento Sales” will be
held at the Julio Refol Sports Complex while in
Kalibo, venue will be the Magsaysay Park and in
Ibajay, at the Municipal Sports Complex. The
activities will be held in coordination with local
distributors/dealers of goods, the local
government units and the municipal consumer
organizations.
Besides giving the Aklanons the chance to
buy their preferred goods at discounted prices,
the activity will also serve as the respective
distributors’ time to practice their corporate
social responsibility, said Marlon Ladia,
DTI-Aklan Information Officer Designate. To
be sold in the “Diskwento Sales” are products
such as milk, coffee, soap, shampoo, processed
food, agro-veterinary products and school and
office supplies.
These goods will be sold with at least 10%
discount.
As in the previous years, DTI-Aklan is also
planning this year additional activities like
baking demonstration, free haircut and massage
as added features of the “Diskwento Sales”.
(JCM/VGV/PIA 6 Aklan)
BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City
SAN JOSE, Antique, May 15 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that the province has a
generally peaceful labor condition.
“ The good labor-management relations,
and workplace dispute resolution here
could be attributed for the industrial
peace situation in the province,” said DOLE
Antique Provincial Director Rene Santamena.
Director Santamena said in a PIA
interview that only one labor strike
was recorded in the province concerning the
coal mine workers but was immediately
addressed.
Santamena said that there is no active
organized labor group in Antique “except in
Semirara, Caluya where there are two labor
unions but they are not as militant as before
because the concerned workers’ were already
given their compensation/benefits.”
Santamena however observed that the
workers here are passive and comfortable with
what they are receiving from the management.
He said the daily rate is at P287.00 per
day in those establishments employing more
than 10 workers.
The DOLE Antique director said that they
are currently making an effort to come up with
a record of employment/unemployment
situation in the province. “We need that kind
of data, and we rely only on the data of the
NSO but the data is somewhat old and not
appropriate with the present situation.
We at the DOLE lack manpower to
conduct a survey, but we are trying to get facts
and figures so that we could provide people
who come to our office asking for some
information about the labor situation of the
province,” Santamena said.(JCM/VWV/
PIA-Antique)
DOLE says industrial peace exists in Antique BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT
72 OWWA scholarship slots still open
ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 6 is still looking for 72 scholars under its
OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP).
Q ualified to the scholarship are incoming
college freshmen of OFW parents who
have a monthly salary of not more than
US$400.
“We would like to give opportunity to the
children of our OFWs whose salary is within
the bracket to pursue their college education
through this scholarship,” said Director Ron
Lionel Bartolome of OWWA 6.
Successful applicants to the program are
entitled to a maximum of P20,000.00 financial
assistance per school year for a baccalaureate
or associate degree in a state college or
university.
Bartolome said 19 incoming first
year college dependents of OFWs in
the region also passed the examination given
by the Department of Science and
Technology-Science Education Institute last
year and qualified as scholars under
t h e Educ a t ion f or Deve lopmen t
Scholarship Program (EDSP) this school year
2014 – 2015.
The new EDSP scholars will receive a
maximum education assistance of P60,000.00
per school year for a four-to-five year
baccalaureate course in any college or
university of their choice.
Interested dependents who want to avail
of the scholarship may visit the OWWA 6
Office at Robinsons Place Iloilo City or call
telephone number (033) 509-1075 for more
details. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)
BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH
WV rice production target for 2014 achievable
ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA6) --- Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Larry Nacionales is optimistic that
Western Visayas will attain its rice production target of 2,891,072 metric tons (mt) for 2014 with a noted increase in
production for the first quarter of this year.
I n a media release, Nacionales said that
Western Visayas has a total production
of 583,873 metric tons for the first
quarter of this year compared to the 498,038
mt in 2013.
“The region got an increase of 17.2
percent in rice production in the first quarter
of 2014 as compared to the same period
last year despite the heavy agricultural
damage brought by super typhoon Yolanda”,
he said.
The province of Guimaras obtained
the highest production increase of 86.5
percent with the total production of
11,693 mt compared to 6,271 mt
last year; followed by Iloilo with 43.8 percent
increase with 294,139 mt compared to
204 ,618 mt ; Negros Occ iden ta l ,
3.4 percent increase with 88,750 mt
compared to 85,859 mt; and Antique,
3.4 percent with 61,090 mt compared to
59,109 mt.
He said that factors for the
increased rice production were the
f avorab le weather condi t ion and
staggered rain showers late last year
that enabled farmers to intensify third cropping
rice planting and were harvested first quarter
of 2014.
On one hand, the provinces of Aklan
and Capiz which were badly hit by super
typhoon Yolanda suffered decrease in their rice
production.
Aklan had a 14.8% decrease in
production with 38,534 mt compared to
45,231 mt last year and Capiz with a 7.5%
decrease with 89,667 mt compared to 96,950
mt in 2013.
The DA official said that certified seeds
(CS) and fertilizer intervention, fuel subsidy
and cash for work program to the Yolanda
affected areas also prompted rice farmers to
till their respective farms early and utilize
them.
DA-6 has distributed a total of 6,986 bags
of CS amounting to P8,383,200.00 while the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has
distributed 9,698 bags of CS amounting to
P11,637,600.00.
For the fertilizer assistance, DA 6 has
distributed 992 bags of complete fertilizer, 345
bags of muriate of potash and 160 liters of
foliar fertilizer amounting to P1,999,532.00
while the FAO distributed 9,698 bags of urea
amounting to P8,728,200.00.
“Each beneficiary receives one bag of CS
and one bag fertilizer per hectare with a
maximum of three bags for farmers with more
than three hectares in affected areas,” added
Nacionales. (LTP/DA/PIA-Iloilo)
BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- Local development planners in the country will hold their national convention in Cebu next
week.
Cebu to host local planners convention
E ngr. Christine Homez, President of
Local League of Local Planning and
Development Coordinators of the
Philippines Inc (LLPDCPI)-Cebu Chapter, said
they are expecting more than a hundred
participants from all over the country.
The event’s theme is “Role of
Development Planners in the Promotion of
Smart Local Government Units” which will run
from May 19 to 23 at the newly renovated
Grand Convention Center in Archbishop
Reyes.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, who heads
the Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council, will give his keynote
address on May 20.
There will also be messages from
Secretary Arsenio Balicasa of the Socio
Economic Planning of the National Economic
and Development Authority (NEDA), Cebu
Governor Hilario Davide III and president of
the National League of Municipalities, Tuburan
Mayor Democrito Diamante.
The topics to be discussed during the
convention include, “Use of Technologies in
promoting Smart LGU’s” and “Public-Private
Partnership in Promoting Smart LGU’s”.
There will be guest speakers from NEDA,
Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), and the Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA). The planners who
will attend, according to Homez, are from the
academe and the government sector.
LLPDCPO is an association of planning
and development coordinators of all local
government units in the country. From
provinces, cities and municipalities.
The members, Homez said, are united
with a common interest and commitment for
the rationalization of development planning as
a profession and imbued by ideas to bring
about socio-economic progress in their
respective jurisdiction and the nation. (rmn/
FCC/PIA7-Cebu)
CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit and its partners will be
holding the 8th run of the Anvil-awarded "Gabii sa Kabilin" on May 30.
8th Gabii sa Kabilin to present ‘The Rise of the Queen’ on May 30
T he Gabii sa Kabilin is an annual event
h e r e w h e r e m u s e u m s a n d
heritage places are open to guests
from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight every last Friday of
May.
The Gabii sa Kabilin 2014 will be
participated in by more than 35 museums and
heritage sites across the cities of Cebu,
Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay joining in this
one-night celebration, said RAFI-Cebu
Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gerra.
The theme for this year’s GSK is “The
Rise of the Queen,” with the focus on how
Cebu, the “Queen City of the
South", developed and became the most
prominent metropolis in this part of the
Philippines.
With Cebu poised to become a global and
more livable city, "the story of the rise of Cebu
would be retold in the Gabii sa Kabilin".
Tickets are priced at P150 while
admission is free for children aged seven and
below.
The P150 ticket is an admission ticket for
all the destinations, with unlimited Gabii sa
Kabilin-designated bus rides and one tartanilla
(horse-drawn carriages) trip within the city’s
old district.
The ticket may be purchased and reserved
in advance at any of the participating
dmuseums and cultural sites.
Guests will enjoy cultural shows, exhibits,
children’s activities, contests, food fairs and
other activities.
Guests will have to walk or ride buses and
tartanillas in order to get to the participating
sites.
Participants are advised to dress
comfortably, especially with the footwear, such
as rubber shoes or anything light weight as the
tour requires a lot of movement.
The e-form of the Gabii sa Kabilin Guide
Booklet, which provides detailed information
about the participating sites and their
presentations as well as the mapss of the tour
routes, will be available for download on May
16 at www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/
rafi.org.ph. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu)
BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO
BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 10 (PIA) – The Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA) firmed up an agreement to rationalize the implementation of a nationwide Climate Change Adaptation and
Mitigation programs in the hope of getting a dent on the apathy building in Philippine communities.
DENR, PIA firm up agreement on climate change campaign BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU
T he campaign is the latest in the
environment agency’s efforts to
mitigate the effects of global warming
by convincing people and communities to
adopt climate change adaptations and insulate
their communities from the impacts of weather
changes and patterns.
The DENR admits that Climate Change
Mitigation and Adaptation campaigns have been
implemented but there remains in the country,
significant number of communities which are
way too far from disaster preparedness and
adaptation mitigations.
During a recent PIA-DENR Visayas
Mindanao Cluster Orientation on Climate
Change Advocacy campaign held here at the
Alona Kew Resort in Panglao May 6-8,
authorities from both agencies relayed to the
regions the urgency of cascading climate
change concepts to communities.
The move is to counter and crumble the
building indifference, a risky behavior among
people in communities that are exposed to the
dangers which climate change brings.
Environment Public Affairs Office OIC
Director Maria Sabrina Cruz, in her message to
DENR Regional Public Affairs Office personnel
and PIA Regional Directors for Visayas and
Mindanao urged government think tanks to run
better thought-of programs to produce unique
campaign results.
Earlier, PIA Director General Jose Mari
Oquinena pointed out that there is a reason to
suspect that environment campaigns need to
change perspectives of people and
communities.
Oquinena said there is this belief that
climate change is somebody else’s fault, that
the main objective should be to weaken public
apathy so adaptation can be pushed through
effectively.
After this, it would not be hard to inspire,
motivate and then ask them to participate and
foster partnerships and networks, he hinted.
Climate Change has a wide environmental
impact on different wide bases so much so that
mitigation and disaster resilience is the most
desired response. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, May 13 (PIA) – The 302nd ―Achiever‖ Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army based in
Negros Oriental renews its commitment in securing peace and order throughout the province in celebration of its 40th
founding anniversary.
D uring the celebration at Camp Leon Kilat,
Tanjay City on May 12, Brigadier Gen. Francisco Patriomonio again assured the
Negrenses that the military will intensify its efforts to
make the province insurgency free. “We pledge to intensify our efforts and main-
tain our commitment to achieve an insurgency free area not only in Negros Oriental but in areas we
have operations as well,” BGen. Patrimonio said. In his speech during the event, Patrimonio
mentioned the recent achievement of the province
being the declared as “conflict manageable and development ready” province.
However, this declaration still signifies a more
peaceful and secured environment for the province and makes it more attractive for investments, business and tourism which translates to prosperity
and improved lives for Negrenses. BGen. Patrimonio added that this could not be
achieved if not because of the collective efforts of
different stakeholders. Patrimonio expressed his gratitude to the local government units,
non-government organizations and national
government agencies for their support in the army’s peace initiatives.
He particularly mentioned the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who helped in addressing issues that have been exploited by insurgents.
Meanwhile, Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army and the event’s keynote speaker
lauded the 302nd IB for its achievements in the past years.
Baladad mentioned the recent accomplishments
of the brigade including the best brigade for 2013 and 2013 best battalion for the 11th Infantry Battalion.
He also cited that the 302nd Brigade as the
only brigade that is successful in conducting Bayanihan team activities with stakeholders in areas infested by rebels.
Baladad said the celebration of the 40th founding anniversary of the 302nd IB with the theme
“40th year of service towards peace and
development” signifies what the brigade has done in the past years and what will it be doing in the future.
It is also a celebration of partnership with
stakeholders who helped them realized the vision of a more peaceful province.
MGen. Baladad stressed that cooperation with stakeholders made it possible for the delivery of
services of the government to hinterland areas. With this, he continues to make a call for a
strong collaboration to ensure sustainability in peace,
stability and development efforts to the whole province.
Baladad pledged that the 3rd ID will continue
to give support in securing peace and order in Ne-gros Oriental.
With the recent achievements in peace and
order, the Philippine Army strives to make the province insurgency free in its areas of operation including the 5th District of Negros Occidental while
maintaining Siquijor as an insurgency free province. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)
BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN
Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City
Army renews commitment to maintain peace & order
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the local government of
Bayawan City spearheaded the Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan at the Bayawan City Gym and Quadrangle on May 15-17,
2014
DTI holds diskwento caravan in Bayawan City
A s major distributor and supplier of
school supplies, Lee Super Plaza led
the caravan.
Low priced school supplies such
as notebooks, pad papers and other
school items including school bags, shoes
were be offered for sale during the
caravan. This is in time for the school opening
come June 2014.
Big discounts were given to customers
and retailers who purchased in bulk on school
supplies and other household items.
Big discounts and bundling of grocery
items were also offered by Island Merchants
Corpora t ion /Nes t le Ph i l s . , Nepan
Sales/Unilever Phils., National Food
Authority (NFA) PD888/Colgate Palmolive,
Macro Distributors/Procter & Gamble,
El Real, Purefoods and Gardenia Bakeries Phils.,
Inc.
Appliances, computers, furnitures were
also offered by Emcor Inc. and United
Motoliance Network, Bayawan City branch
with big discounts. RACAL Motorycle will also
join in the caravan.
Free haircut for students and free massage
for parents were also provided during the
caravan.
Parlor games, larong pinoy were also
conducted by the Pan Hellenic Society and
Skills Enhancement Games sponsored by ABC
president Arnie Teves.
"Gimmick Time" were conducted by the
participating distributors as a way of promoting
their products and for consumers to win
prizes.
There were major prizes for the
lucky "Wais nga Konsyumer". (mbcn/LPP/PIA7
-Negros Oriental)
BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN
CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) exceeded its target of 42% or
4,618,688 in seedling production from the agency’s target of 11,070,200 under the National Greening Program (NGP) in
Central Visayas.
" We have been very aggressive in
producing seedlings of various tree species
mostly indigenous or native and
agro-forestry in preparation for tree planting
and growing activities,” according to DENR 7
Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo
Montejo.
Of the total, Cebu province generated
1,942,927 seedlings; Bohol with 1,506,610
seedlings; Negros Oriental with 1,142,651
seedlings; and Siquijor province with 26,500
seedlings.
The production of seedlings were
contracted by a number of people who also
helped in reducing poverty in the upland areas
and ensured food security.
Said program promotes biodiversity
conservation and climate change mitigation and
adaptation.
“Our forests are important in providing
stable watershed function and nutrients, steady
supply of food and shelter for wildlife, adequate
supply of seeds and wildlings, protection from
heavy rains and storms, windbreaker,
prevention of flash floods and landslides and
revival of biodiversity,” Montejo added.
Meanwhile, a grassland fire was reported
in the 2011 NGP plantations established in
Campatoc Cagawasan, Dagohoy in Bohol last
April 30.
According to the report released
by DENR-7, the forest fire damaged around 3.1
hectares with 1,550 trees.
Said area is maintained by the Cagawasan
Farmers Association (CAFA) with the cause of
fire still under further investigation.
Montejo said that the fire brigades have
been in full operation as they are continuously
conducting regular monitoring and intensive
information, education and communication
efforts with the communities. (rmn/HFG/PIA-7/
DENR-7)
DENR-7 exceeds 42% in seedling production BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
16 Leyte LGUs get AWS from WPF
A n automatic weather station is a
weather sensor that senses global
radiation (solar), wind direction,
wind speed, temperature, pressure, rainfall
and precipitation.
WPF general manager Celso
Caballero III explained how a weather
station can help prepare LGUs for
extreme weather conditions.
"These equipment are the basis for
the forecast of weather conditions. Super
computers in Taguig and Switzerland pro-
cess the information coming from the
weather stations," Caballero said.
The weather stations are given free to
the LGUs. The data and information
collated feed into the WFP website.
Caballero disclosed that WPF is set
to give more automatic weather stations
to 13 LGUs in Southern Leyte on May 23,
2014.
The NGO's goal is to put 1,000
equipment to locations around the
country.
Around 29 LGUs from Leyte and
Southern Leyte - some of the provinces
worst hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan) - participated in the event which
tackled disaster mitigation in the face of
extreme weather conditions. (PIA 8)
ORMOC CITY, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The Weather Philippines Foundation (WPF) an non-government organization focusing
on climate change adaptation recently turned over here automatic weather stations to 16 local government units of Leyte.
Multi-sectoral approach strengthens advocacy on road injury prevention
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 12 (PIA) – A multi-sectoral approach from all stakeholders could prevent injuries and deaths
caused by road traffic accidents, Winnie Dorego of the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said.
D uring the first quarterly meeting
of the Road Traffic Injury
Prevention – Technical Working
Group (RTIP –TWG) Meeting held
recently at Asia Stars Hotel, this city,
Dorego emphasized the importance of
working together to achieve a 50%
reduction of road traffic accidents which
has become a public health problem being
one of the leading cause of death and
disabilities in the Western Pacific Region
where the Philippines is situated.
Based on 2013 WHO report, it
disclosed that about one-quarter of the
world’s road traffic deaths occur in the
Western Pacific Region where the
Philippines is a member and about 300
deaths occur due to traffic accidents and
millions suffered from temporary or
permanent disability.
In the Philippines, there is a varying
degree of deaths per 100 thousand
people. From 2007 to 2008, there is a .5%
decrease of the number of deaths due to
road traffic accidents.
Moreover, a research conducted from
2008 to 2012 in several hospitals in the
city by a JICA volunteer named Mitsunami
Yokokama has revealed a remarkable
decrease in the number of road traffic
injuries particularly in the city of Tacloban.
From 1, 453 cases in 2009 it went
down to 950 in 2012 showing a
remarkable decrease in the number of
injuries due to traffic accidents.
However, despite this trend, the RTIP
-TWG felt it necessary to strengthen
advocacy in order to create public
awareness and understanding of the
effects of the risk factors. Otherwise, this
might become the 4th leading cause of
death in the world by 2030. (PIA-8)
K-12 pioneer studes in Leyte graduate May 30
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The pioneering batch of the Department of Education's (DepEd) K to 12 Program in
two pilot schools in Leyte will be graduating on May 30 of this year.
P alo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla said
the first batch of K to 12 students
from the Palo National High
School and the Merida Vocational School
will graduate on May 30 at the upper floor
of the Palo Municipal Hall.
This is a very important historical
event, Mayor Petilla said as she disclosed
that no less than the President of the
Philippines and the secretary of
Education have been invited to grace the
graduation.
It was learned that in a recent
assessment made by the DepEd and the
Provincial Government of Leyte, about
200 students of Grades 11 and 12 took
the K to 12 Program Modeling
Implementation for two years.
The students come from Palo
National High School and Merida
Vocational School and are under the
Income Creating Opportunities Thru
Technology Projects (ICOT-P) of then
Leyte governor and now Energy Secretary
Carlos Jericho L. Petilla which is being
continued under the term of Governor
Leopoldo Dominic Petilla.
Some private firms committed to hire
the students under tourism, information
and communications technology (ICT),
automotive and metals, and engineering
sector.
The DepEd in Eastern Visayas has
initiated the modelling, in consortium with
the Provincial Government of Leyte,
Techn ica l Educat ion and Sk i l l
Development Authority (Tesda),
Commission on Higher Education (Ched),
and the Philippine Association of State
Universities and Colleges Eastern Visayas
Chapter.
Governor Petilla said DepEd can now
assess what are needed to improve the
implementation of the program in the
Philippines.
The shift in the country’s education
system started in 2012 with the universal
kindergarten program. Filipino children
aged five years old are now required to
spend two years in kindergarten before
entering Grade 1. (PIA 8)
Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU
By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON
By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
8,663 volunteers join GK Bayani Challenge in Daram, Samar
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 12 (PIA) — Gawad Kalinga gathered the support of 8,663 volunteers who joined the
four- day GK Bayani Challenge in Daram, Samar which ended May 11.
" Volunteerism is a chal lenge
b e c a u s e o u r p l a c e i s a n
island,” Daram, Samar Mayor Lou
Astorga uttered during her opening
message.
“Transportation pa lang, mahirap na.
Thank you for being part of Bayani
Challenge, naipapakitang lahat may parte,
lahat importante," she added.
GK representative Jeff Segumalian
reported that there were about 207 GK
youth volunteers from different towns and
provinces in Northern Luzon who
conducted “Paraisong Pambata” to 1,000
kids in the island.
He also reported that six schools
were refurbished, while fifty-eight
barangays joined the clean-up drive and
were able to clear the 207 kilometers of
the island’s coastal area.
In addition, some 90 youngsters
benefited from the free circumcision
conducted by GK volunteers.
Segumalian added that 200 Talisay
seedlings were planted in different areas in
the said town. (PIA 8-Samar with Avha
Ebalde)
World Vision continues to build-back-better
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 9 (PIA) - World Vision continuous to help rebuild 14,000 houses, six months after super
typhoon Haiyan wrought havoc and devastation to an estimated 16 million Filipinos in Central Philippines.
I n a statement sent to the Philippine
Information Agency, World Vision
said as response work transitioned
from emergency to recovery, assistance
has reached out to over 713,000 people at
533 villages in 48 municipalities.
The unconditional cash transfer
program, aimed at supporting people as
they gradually move to recovery, has
assisted 14,217 families. Initiatives on
water, sanitation and hygiene have
provided relief to 53,755 families.
To date, 5,890 people have attended
the workshops in 32 barangays (villages),
over a thousand of them women across
the provinces.
In education, 19 schools are being
repaired and rebuilt in Leyte province and
three in Panay Island on negotiation.
Twenty-five health centers are being
rebuilt and provided with medical
equipment needed across the Haiyan-hit
provinces.
World Vision also provided 17,777
hygiene kits to 63 elementary schools and
day care centers.
A memorandum of agreement with
the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) has
been reached for a Skills Training Program
(Train to Build Back Better) that will
enhance the capacity of workers in car-
pentry and other livelihood skills.
The Cash-For-Work program has
assisted close to 2,000 individuals who
worked on clearing debris, as well as
community and school clean-ups, among
other activities; an additional 5,000 people
have started the cash-for-work activity
this week.
A total of 22,000 children has
participated in World Vision’s Child
Friendly Spaces across seven affected
provinces.
Response Director Andrew Rosauer,
impressed with the Filipinos’ rise from the
destruction, says, “The communities have
been very active in leading their own
recovery and we are amazed at the pace
they are progressing.
We are confident that more
sustainable recovery outcomes can be
accomplished in the coming months with
the aid donors, sponsors, local
government agencies and the affected
communities.
World Vision’s recovery phase is now
focused on shelter, livelihood, education,
health, water, sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) and disaster risk reduction
(DRR). Its areas of operations are in
Eastern Leyte, Western Leyte, North Ce-
bu and Panay Island. (PIA 8)
By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City
CSC conducts orientation workshop on SPMS
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, May 9 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission conducted a two-day orientation workshop on
strategic performance management system (SPMS) at the local government unit of Mondragon on May 8-9.
C SC Provincial Director Ma.
Natividad L. Costibolo said SPMS
promotes morale, efficiency,
integrity, responsiveness and courtesy in
the civil service, the commission
adopts measures to strengthen
the merit and reward, integrates
all human resources development
programs for all level and ranks,
and institutionalizing a management
c l im a t e condu c i ve t o pub l i c
accountability.
Costibolo said SPMS is focused on
linking individual performance vis-a-vis the
agency’s organizational vision, mission and
strategic goals.
Further, she said that the
Constitution mandates to continuously
foster excellence, efficiency and
accountability, and the establishment of
performance eva luat ion system
forms part of the authorities
and functions of the civil service
commission.
This is but one way of seeing to it
that all our government employees are
working hand in hand for a common good,
therefore it will serve as their guide in
administering public office, she added.
(PIA8-Northern Samar)
By: Teresita Cardenas
By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail [email protected].
Editorial Consultants
Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8
Managing Editor
Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
Contributors
All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8
Production and Layout
Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado
Regional Offices:
PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected]
PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]