Vol 5 Issue 11 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 March 16 - 22, 2015

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Deles appeals for ASEAN support to Bangsamoro Law

BIR-8 kicks off 2015 tax advocacy campaign

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Investors put premium on peace and order – IBC

Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, March 16 (PIA6)—Iloilo Business Club Executive Director Lea Lara said investors put a high premium on the peace and order situation in an area.

Lara, in a media interview, said that the declaration of Iloilo as ―peaceful and ready for further development‖ is a very positive news. ―Peace and order and security are big factors in creating a conducive business climate for

investors,‖ Lara said. A place where insurgency and criminality are

addressed is a consideration for an investor to locate

business in that area, according to Lara. She further said that this attracts investors and even existing businesses would want to expand, especially in a place like Iloilo which

is experiencing investment growth. ―Iloilo is basically a resource area where products are transported, and supposed to be free from robbery along the way. In the

recent meetings of the Iloilo Peace and Order Council and

the Regional Peace and Order Council, the Philippine Army

here declared Iloilo as peaceful with less threats from the insurgents, manageable and non-government organizations‘ operations in the hinterlands unaffected by the New

People‘s Army. Army 3rd Infantry Division commander Major Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the declaration is a good way in promoting the positive image of Iloilo.

He said that everybody can benefit from the

declaration since the people can start promoting their culture and attract investors and tourists. ―It is also a challenge for us to maintain such status,‖ Guerrero said,

adding that the declaration does not mean the army would leave the province. Lara, on the other hand, said that the province should not be complacent about the declaration,

while focusing on training and equipment upgrade for the police and the military.

―There should be visibility of law enforcers

especially in remote areas,‖ Lara said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU, March 19 (PIA) -- Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Deles appealed to ASEAN-member states for support on

the Bangsamoro Law during the opening of the two-day workshop on ―Strengthening Women‘s Participation in Peace Processes and Conflict Resolution‖ at the Shangrila hotel in Mactan Island, Lapulapu City yesterday.

Speaking before ASEAN delegates participating in the workshop, Deles said the voices will help ―raise the consciousness of our own Philippine nation to push

forward, urging our peoples to be one with the ASEAN and the world in embracing peace with might and passion.‖

Deles made the appeal as the Bangsamoro Basic Law

(BBL) faces serious threat amid the tragedy of the January 27 Mamasapano encounter that left at least 67 people dead

including the 44 commandos from the Philippine National

Police-Special Action Force. According to Deles, the momentum has been broken

on the gains achieved in the search for enduring peace as

after the Mamasapano incident, the old biases and the

submerged fears on the BBL have resurfaced. The Mamasapano incident has derailed the BBL

timetable that supposedly ―promised to conclusively shift

the landscape of Mindanao from the bullet to the ballot, from conflict to development, from enslavement to poverty and marginalization to the freedom of democratic choice and self-driven governance and development,‖ said

Deles. The BTA will pave the way for the election of the first regular Bangsamoro government simultaneous with the 2016 polls, she added.

Although Deles clarified during the press conference after that the ASEAN-member states do not really have any influence over the BBL as this is our law, their voices calling

for peace definitely has an effect on people‘s perception of the law. The workshop is organized by the ASEAN Institute

for Peace and Reconciliation which hopes to come up with

a regional blueprint on more women involvement in effective peace building and conflict resolution. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 17 (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue Region No.14 –Eastern Visayas formally launched March 16 its 2015 tax

advocacy campaign dubbed as ―Angat Pa Pinas‖ at the BIR Multi-Purpose Building, Government Center, Palo, Leyte primarily aiming to achieve the P6.4 billion target tax collection for the region this year.

BIR Regional Director Diosdado R. Mendoza said the tax campaign is also meant to rekindle the nationalistic spirit of the Filipinos by calling on taxpayers to do their

share through payment of correct taxes. Mendoza admitted considerably that the year 2013

until the early part of 2014 was the toughest year for the

agency due to the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. He said that he personally witnessed the destruction

of houses, schools, buildings, churches, hospitals and major

infrastructures. Most business establishments closed and peoples‘ livelihood was severely ruined.

They have practically lost everything resulting greatly

the efficiency of tax collection for the first three quarters of 2014, he added.

However, with the efforts of the BIR and support of all stakeholders, tax collection slowly recovered towards

the last three months of 2014 where the region surpassed the collection target by 28.39% or P307.8 million.

Furthermore, he said even if the region posted a slim

deficit in January 2015, it surpassed the tax collection target in February with an increase of 4.58% or almost P20 million.

Meanwhile, BIR Deputy Commissioner Nelson M. Aspe congratulated and extended his thanks to all

taxpayers and the BIR personnel in the region for

registering an incredible revenue performance in the year 2014 despite the difficulties encountered by the people after the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

As the deadline of filing income tax returns gets nearer, Aspe is reminding everyone to file income tax returns now; don‘t wait for the delay as deadline will not be extended and file electronically. The deadline of filing of

income tax returns is on April 15, 2015. The tax campaign was highlighted by the Pledge of Support of some national government agencies, local chief executives, the business

community, bankers, academe, the media, students and other stakeholders who gathered during the formal launching of the campaign. (aen/cba/PIA-8)

The Philippine Navy Navforcen and the U.S.

Navy during their Visit Board Search and

Seizure (VBSS) exercise held March 19 at the

Mactan Channel, Cebu. This is in line with

ongoing joint combined exercise trainings

between the U.S. Navy and the Philippine

Navy to learn from each other and strengthen

each other's capabilities. (RMN)

WORLD WAR II HERO. Gov. Arthur

Defensor awards the certificate of recognition

to 87 year-old Gaudioso Defensor of Trapiche

Oton, one of the surviving veterans of World

War II, in appreciation and recognition of his

services and honorable performance of duties

during World War II in a program held in line

with the commemoration of the 70th

anniversary of Victor Day of Panay, Romblon

and Guimaras on Wednesday, March 18.

(PIA6/LAF)

Atty. Jo Ann Balaga of PUMA Law Office (w/

microphone) talks on the Magna Carta for

Women during the Harampang ha PIA in

connection with the Women‘s Month

celebration. Also in photo are Tacloban City

Police Office Women‘s Children‘s Protection

Desk officer-in-charge SPO3 Marissa Monge,

Chief Inspector Ma. Bella Rentuaya, chief, PCR

and PIA 8 OIC regional director Alice Nicart,

moderator. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Bureau of Internal Revenue No. 14 regional director Diosdado

Mendoza (left) welcome guests and participants to the BIR tax

advocacy campaign kick-off ceremony dubbed, ―Angat Pa Pinas‖ held

at the BIR multi-purpose building Government Center, Palo Leyte,

March 16. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr /PIA-8)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ECC: Reimbursement for actual expenses

only

ILOILO CITY, March 18 (PIA6) - - The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) clarified on Tuesday that only out-of

-pocket expenses of employees with work-related sickness or injury shall be the subject of claim for medical reimbursement

under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP) of the government.

E CC Regional Extension Unit 6

Information Officer II Stephene Barredo

said that the EC Board has released an

advisory in relation to the implementation of

Board Resolution No. 12-05-15 or ―Admissibility

of Certified True Copies of Official Receipts in

the Filing of Claims for Medical Reimbursement‖

and as a response to the numerous queries on

whether the amount covered by PhilHealth or

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) benefits

may be reimbursed from its systems.

Barredo said that according to the advisory

only expenses incurred by the employee with

work-related sickness or injury can be the subject

of claim for EC medical reimbursement after

the allowable HMO or PhilHealth benefits have

been completely exhausted for a particular

confinement or consultation.

The amount of reimbursement should not

be higher than the actual amount paid by the said

employee and the prevailing rates prescribed by

the Commission.

Barredo said employers may only be allowed

to claim for EC medical reimbursement in case

they have paid the hospitalization expenses of

the employee with work-related sickness or

injury.

ECP is designed to provide compensation

package to public and private employees or their

dependents in the event of work-related sickness,

injury or death.

Aside from medical benefits, other benefits

include loss of income benefit or a cash benefit,

rehabilitation services, carer‘s allowance and

death benefits.

Employees covered by the ECP in the public

sector are those members of the GSIS, the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, elective

government officials who are receiving regular

salary and all casual, emergency, temporary and

substitute or contractual employees. For the

private sector, covered are those employees who

are registered members of the Social Security

System except self-employed or voluntary

members.

ECC, an attached agency of the Department

Labor and Employment, was tasked to formulate

policies and guidelines for the effective

implementation of the ECP.

Now on its 40th year, Barredo said the

commission is intensifying its information

dissemination activities to ensure that workers

are informed of their rights, benefits and

privileges under the ECP. (JCM/LAF-PIA)

Lilibeth A. French

KALIBO, Aklan, March 17 (PIA6) -- Smoking while drinking should not be done at the same time, as this could cause fire,

according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here.

S peaking before Aklan‘s Provincial

Capitol employees and other national

government employees after the flag-raising

ceremony at the capitol grounds, Senior Fire

Officer 2 Andrevon Rowan of BFP-Kalibo

explained that when a person gets heavily drunk,

he might forget he is holding a lighted cigarette

and could drop this anywhere in his house and

cause a fire.

This, and other important life and

property-saving tips were given by SFO2 Rowan

to the government employees as part of the

BFP‘s information campaign in the province in

the observance of Fire Prevention Month this

March.

Rowan also advised the employees to ensure

that lighted candles and kerosene lamps are

placed in safe and stable areas far from

combustible materials. People should also refrain

from using plastic objects to place their

lighted ‗katol‘ or mosquito coil on because this

could also cause a fire, and when they are using

an aluminum can as a stand, this should not be

placed near carpets as a strong wind could topple

it.

―Installation of electricity in homes should

also be done by authorized persons so the house

owner can get the proper clearance from the

BFP‖, said SFO2 Rowan.

He also reminded the employees not to use

substandard wirings for electrical installations in

their homes. ―Fire safety is everybody‘s concern‖,

SFO2 Rowan stressed.

Since March 1, BFP-Kalibo, under the

leadership of Acting Fire Marshall Inspector

Donnie Torre conducted activities to drum up

the importance of fire prevention in Aklan

particularly in Kalibo which had experienced

several big fires. Some of these activities

include a fun bike ride and zumba fitness

dance, ocular visits in houses and establishments

in fire-prone areas, information dissemination

through materials and fire drills and lectures in

schools.

In the first two months of this year, Kalibo

had two fire incidents.

Not all Aklan municipalities have fire stations

so BFP-Kalibo also covers other municipalities like

Libacao, Banga, and Madalag.

Besides Kalibo, other towns with fire

stations are Altavas, Numancia, Ibajay and New

Washington.

Boracay Island in Malay town has a fire

station also.

‗Kaligtasan Sa Sunog: Alamin, Gawin at

Isabuhay Natin‖ is this year‘s celebration

theme. (JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Tips to prevent fires By Venus G. Villanueva

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 16 (PIA6) – The Capiz police is focusing its drive against illegal drugs.

Capiz police to intensify drive vs. illegal drugs Jemin B. Guillermo

P olice Provincial director Samuel Nacion,

during the Distinguished Program and

Awarding Ceremony, March 16, at Camp

Teodoro April, directed the policemen in Capiz

to give priority attention to the campaign against

illegal drugs here.

He said that there is a need to aim high to

stamp out the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Nacion stressed that everybody should work

together in the drive against the use and sale of

illegal drugs.

He also said that there is a need to

intensify the campaign related thereto through

drug reduction as well as supply and demand

reduction.

He directed the Capiz cops to focus on

community and school-based drug awareness

campaign concentrating on the symptoms and

effects of drug use as well as on identifying drug

personalities.

Nacion likewise warned policemen for

summary dismissal from the service should they

be found positive of in the drug test.

He also warned them against any

involvement in illegal drug trade.

On the other hand, he commended the men

and women of the said organization here,

particularly the Police Community Relations

Office of the province, for ranking first in the

over-all Unit Performance Rating for 2014 of the

Police Community Relations Division in Western

Visay

He said that the exemplary performance of

the PCR in the different police stations in Capiz

through their active involvement in crime

prevention through barangay and school

symposia, implementation of Pulis Ko, Titser Ko

program, clean-up drive and campaign against

illegal drugs contributed to such recognition.

The awarding ceremony highlighted this

year‘s celebration by the Capiz cops of the

Women‘s Month, where Nacion has affirmed

their support in promoting women‘s rights and

keeping stronger the women in the PNP here.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6)

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 18 (PIA6) - - A small cooperative in the upland barangay of Mailum, Bago City is yet another

story of success.

F riends of the Highlands Producers

Cooperative or FHPC is an agrarian

reform beneficiaries organization that

formed itself into a cooperative with 50 members,

who are also residents of the Department of

Agrarian Reform declared Agrarian Reform

Community (ARC).

FHPC is a recipient of the various support

services of the DAR from Agrarian Production

Credit Program (APCP) to Agrarian Reform

Community Connectivity and Economic Support

Services (ARCESS) and just recently of the

Community-Managed Potable Water Supply

Sanitation and Hygiene or CP WASH.

The CP WASH project turned over to the

FHPC for management and maintenance included

two units rain water collector, two units iron

removal filter, three units biosand filter and one

unit biogas digester.

FHPC chairman Rodel Cadigal told PIA

that their cooperative has fully paid their APCP

loan of P390,000 with the Land Bank of the

Philippines which they used to grow vegetables,

rice and sugarcane in their land holdings and is

now preparing their second loan of the same

amount.

Meanwhile, Community Agrarian Reform

Program Officer Edna Villaruel also revealed that

FHPC is identified as Batch 3 to receive ARCESS

projects like power tiller, thresher and shredding

machine.

Aside from these, the local government of

Bago and the Philippine Carabao Center also

awarded the cooperative with 10 individuals of

Murrah Buffalo in late 2013 which their members

raise to source out carabao milk.

―Daily, we are able to produce 4-5 litres

which we sell to Fresh Start Organics where part

of the sales goes to the farmer-raiser and a part

goes to the cooperative,‖ Cadigal explained.

To date, they already raised three calves

from the 10 Buffalos given to them.

Aside from the buffalo milk, the cooperative

is also into vermi culture production breaking a

record of producing 2 tons out of 11-kilogram of

worms.

Cooperative members are also into soft

broom production with materials growing

abundantly in the area while FHPC takes care of

marketing these products.

This cooperative will also do its share in

climate change mitigation, Cadigal shared, as

they will soon start their nursery for seedlings

production. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Coop gets DAR support services, other projects Easter Anne D. Doza

Competitiveness for AEC needs level-up actions

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

ILOILO CITY, March 18 (PIA6) – It’s been about 8 years since leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

adopted the ASEAN Economic Blueprint in Singapore to serve as a coherent master plan guide for the establishment of the

ASEAN Economic Community this year.

S ince then too, the Philippines has been

exerting efforts to meet its commitments

vis-à-vis the AEC Scorecard, concerns that

have been assessed and monitored especially by

the National Economic and Development

Authority (NEDA) and studied by the Philippine

Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

How the country has been faring in its

journey to become an active stakeholder in the

community especially in making it become a highly

competitive economic region depends in part on

the contributions of the different regions.

In Western Visayas, in particular, the

Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC) was

set to look into how Western Visayas is taking

the competitiveness challenge vis-à-vis the

AEC.

The action involves local government units

and other stakeholders as well including national

government agencies and non-government

organizations.

RCC co-chairperson and NEDA-6 Regional

Director Ro-Ann Bacal said at a recent meeting

that the committee will be coming up by

end-March with an inventory of NGA and LGU

programs and projects that contribute to the

competitiveness of the region.

With this, we can identify the competitive

areas as well as the things that have to be done to

enhance the region‘s competitiveness, said Bacal.

We should focus on things that we are

already good at and to level up, she added.

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC),

according to the ASEAN website, shall be the goal

of regional economic integration by this year.

AEC envisages the following key

characteristics: (a) a single market and production

base, (b) a highly competitive economic region,

(c) a region of equitable economic development,

and (d) a region fully integrated into the global

economy.

The AEC areas of cooperation include

human resources development and capacity

building; recognition of professional qualifications;

closer consultation on macroeconomic and

financial policies; trade financing measures;

enhanced infrastructure and communications

connectivity; development of electronic

transactions through e-ASEAN; integrating

industries across the region to promote regional

sourcing; and enhancing private sector

involvement for the building of the AEC.

Bacal shared that the AEC would bring

about benefits to member-countries but this also

means doing more actions for the region in

particular and the country in general to become

competitive. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)

ANTECO: Help save energy this summer

SAN JOSE, Antique, March 16 (PIA6) - - The management of the Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) here urged the

public to help conserve energy this summer.

E ngr. Luduvico D. Lim, manager of

ANTECO said that the province has

enough supply of energy ― based on the

demand against the installed power capacity of

the power plants in the Visayas.‖

―In the Panay area we have the reliable

supply of energy from the coal poer plant, wind

power plant, diesel power plant, and imported

energy from Negros Orriental, Leyte, and Cebu,‖

Lim said during a PIA interview.‖

Lim emphasized though that the efficiency

will only be affected if the power plants bogged

down. He also emphasized the need to step up

public awareness campaign to curb wasteful

electricity consumption.

―As the temperature rises, anyone simply

switches on their air-conditioning units, electric

fans, and other appliances for comfort.

While doing this, Lim said, it would trigger

the new demand or power requirement that will

result to a very poor supply of electricity, and will

cause some power interruptions.

According to Lim tight supply of power is

experienced during summer season, therefore,

―our establishments, offices, households should

help regulate electric consumption during this

period of time.‖ For some energy tips, the

ANTECO head reminded the public not to leave

lights on extended period of time if they are not

needed; unplug electronic devices such as

televisions and computers when not in use.

He reminded that major appliances as

refrigerators, washing machines, electric irons,

and others, account for a big chunk of monthly

utility bill, and it is wise to monitor energy

consumption. As for energy efficient lighting, Lim

urged the public to use compact fluorescent

lights, and light emitting diode or LED bulbs.

(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

Vicente W. Villavert

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU, March 14 (PIA) -- Thirty information associates of Danao City Local Government Unit recently underwent a three-day

extensive news and feature writing workshop.

Danao City information associates undergo

journalism training

D anao City information officer

Ramonette Mahinay said the activity

was spearheaded by its office in

preparation for the launching of Danao City‘s

monthly newsletter soon this year.

Mahinay said the participants were either

officers and or staff from all the different

departments of the local government

unit.

―We already had a one-day training with

both news and feature writing. This time we

really want them to learn and start writing

immediately after,‖ Mahinay said.

Human Resource Officer in Charge Dana

Canson said the training will equip them to be

good journalists of the city.

―Simple words are the most powerful and

effective, even graders can understand what it

means,‖ Canson said who was once an editor

in her school days.

Philippine Information Agency-Cebu

Infocen Manager Rachelle Nessia was the first

day‘s facilitator for News writing. She lectured

about the 4W‘s (when, where, what, why) and

1 H (How) and the skills one has to have to be

able to write a good news story.

―I also encourage everyone to read all

the time, it improves your writing,‖ Nessia

said.

In the workshop they were made to write

different kinds of leads and to make a news

story out from the activity.

Second day was Feature writing facilitated

by PIA Cebu Information Officer 1 Ferliza

Contratista. ―In features, we break all the

rules but keeping in mind the basic journalism

skills,‖ Contratista said.

The PIAs during the workshop wrote a

personality profile of their chosen part-

ner. They were also made to do an outline of

a feature story of a program of a department

chosen as a group work.

Chad Cabigon of the City Legal Office said

the workshop made him realize that there is

news in their offices. ―It made us think once

again and use our brain, which is already

rusty,‖ Cabigon said.

Adano Roble, Secretary to the Mayor was

present during the culmination day to give

certificates to the participants.

The Danao City PIA‘s are the first

organized well represented local government

information network in Cebu Province. (mbcn/

fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

BOHOL (PIA) -- From practically an unknown community of fishermen aided by the Estonian Government Development Fund

and international volunteers comes a fish product that may share the goody bag of every tourist leaving Bohol--Tilapia chips!

T he Talisay Fishermen's Association

(TAFIAS) launched their Tilapia

chips products in neat and

world-class packaging on March 18 at the

Bohol Cultural Center.

TAFIAS chairperson Anna Mainit said,

the tilapia chips are now becoming a popular

'Bohol taste'.

Maiinit shared that the product started

when the fish farmers realized they were

growing what people no longer eat.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources (BFAR) has been trying to help

these fish/farmers find additional income

than fishing out every day. They found the

under-utilized taro marshes. With a starting

fund of P100,000 and government support in

tilapia fingerlings and feeds, the community

engaged in volunteer work after the Mainits

agreed to have their taro fields converted

into a pond.

Mainit said, we thought of the tilapia

when the idea in converting taro fields into a

fishpond came up which we figured out, can

be processed into tilapia chips with a little

work. The product was already in the

market but with a crude marketing strategy.

Somehow tilapia chips failed to go big,

Maiinit added. The redemption came in the

form of AndaKIDZ, a non-profit, non

sectarian organization which focuses help on

the hungry kids of Anda Bohol.

ANDAKIDZ aims to recognize the

rights of children and provide goods and

services through the local community that

will improve the lives of children in the

poorest families and ultimately reduce child

poverty in the area.

Recently, the organization handled by

Estonian Birgit Naur and husband British

Robin Gurney successfully engaged the

voluntary services of a branding expert who

also believed in coordinating efforts to

improve the situation of Anda's Children.

ANDAKIDz and TAFIAS with

volunteers Janno Siimar and Robin Gurney

worked recently to create a new identity for

TAFIAS and develop and launch a range of

high quality, hand-made food products, the

tilapia chips foremost among them. (mbcn/

rac/PIA7-Bohol/with reports from TAFIAS)

Bohol launches new tilapia chips

CEBU, March 18 (PIA) -- Toledo City farmers group to receive almost half a million government assistance to increase

competitiveness.

Toledo City farmers receive P.5M gov’t assistance

D epartment of Trade and Industry

-Cebu Information Officer Shirelyn

Villamor said there will be a

launching of a Shared Service Facility for Mag

uumang Naghiusa sa Sam-ang ug Magdugo

(MANAGSAMA) in Toledo City.

MANAGSAMA has over 200 farmer

members in the two barangays and are

involved in the production of coconut

products. The farmers group receives

equipment such as dessicated dryer, de shelling

machine, coconut meat grinding machine,

briquetting machine and five carbonizing

drums. Other than that they also underwent

trainings which include food processing,

dessicated coconut production, management

and market matching.

―The SSF is a response to the market

demand of Fair Trade and local market for

Virgin Coconut Oil, dessicated coconut and

charcoal briquettes,‖ Villamor said.

Expected in the launching is DTI Provincial

Director Nelia Navarro and local officials led

by Toledo City Mayor John Henry Osmena.

The SSF Project is being implemented

nationwide with project partners termed as

Cooperators, which may be any juridical entity

such as but not limited to non-government

organizations, people‘s organizations,

cooperat ives , industry/trade/business

associations, local government units (LGUs),

state universities/colleges technical vocational

schools and other similar government and

training institutions.

Beneficiaries of the project are the actual

and potential users of the SSF which should be

predominantly cooperatives, associations or

groups of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises

and individuals. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-CEBU)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 17 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Cebu Regional Office in partnership with

the Philippine Information Agency-Bohol conducted a briefing on counterfeit bills, demonetization and clean note policy to

the members of the Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO-Bohol) recently in Bohol.

B SP bank officer Hazel Arante

presented to the information officers

the different ways to determine fake

bills.

Arante told AUDIO-Bohol members to

familiarize themselves with the design,

characteristics and distinct features of the bank

notes.

―Look closer, feel and tilt‖ the peso bills

you receive to check if these are genuine. For

the look, it is simply checking out the security

features of the notes,‖ Arante said.

Arante told the participants to check out

the security thread if it‘s present, and the

embossed print on the note which has a rough

texture.

―The notes have watermark or what

people call the ‗anino‘ in the left or right

corner,‖ Arante added. The P500 and P1,000

bill have the ―optically variable device‖ ink or OVD that changes from red to green when

tilted. The notes are made of 80 percent

cotton and 20 percent abaca, so the paper feels

soft but firm, Arante explained.

The genuine bills also have tiny but clearly

printed and readable words ―Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas‖ or ―Central Bank of the Philippines‖

on the face or back of the note. Arante said

anyone who gets a ―doubtful‖ bill should

surrender it to any bank.

The AUDIO-Bohol members were also

reminded on the demonetization of the New

Design Series (NDS) bills which will only be

until December 31, 2015. She also urged the

information officers to comply with the Clean

Note Policy so as to preserve the integrity of

the Philippine currency.

Arante said that cash handlers should only

release money fit for circulation instead of the

dirty and crumpled ones. She cited the habit of

most Filipinos to keep the ―crisp‖ new bills

while giving out those that are already unfit for circulation.

―Ayaw tago-i ang bag-o nga kwarta. Ang

dunot ang tago-an aron i-deposito ug mailisan

sa bangko. Ang bag-o ang ibayad aron

ma-circulate sa tanan. (Don‘t hoard the crisp

bills instead keep the old dirty ones and have it

changed at the bank. Use new bills for

transactions for proper circulation) Make it a

habit,‖ Arante urged information officers and

media present during the forum held recently

at Casa Rey Francis Pension House and

Restaurant.

The provisions of the Clean Note Policy

are based on the BSP Circular No. 61 Series of

1995 entitled "Consolidated Rules and

Regulations on Currency Notes and Coins‖.

Arante said that BSP is aggressively

conducting ongoing educational campaign

among local government units, academe, and

the private sector to increase their awareness

on the Clean Note Policy.

BSP will schedule visits in different municipalities this time in coordination with the

information officers. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

BSP holds briefing on counterfeit, clean bills,

demonetization

Elvira C. Bongosia

DUMAGUETE CITY, March 18 (PIA) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) once again reminds the public that they only

have until this year to use their old banknotes or New Design Series (NDS) currency for their payment transactions.

BSP reminds public old banknotes until end of 2015

B SP-Dumaguete City senior research

specialist Gregorio Baccay III disclosed

that by 2016 unused old money will

no longer be acceptable for buying or paying

goods and services. By 2017, these banknotes

will totally lose its tender value.

Baccay explained in a Kapihan forum

today that demonetization of old banknotes is

a way to keep the integrity of Philippine

currency and safeguard money from

counterfeiters.

Aside from this, demonetization also aims

to reduce the circulation of two design series

to one.

BSP has begun demonetizing NDS

banknotes since January 1 until December 31

this year.

The BSP official urged the public to have

their old bills exchanged with new generation

currencies at their banks, other accredited

financial institutions or at the BSP office before

it these are totally demonetized.

―This year, these old banknotes are still a

legal tender but BSP cautioned that it should be

used,‖ Baccay said.

Even though, NDS peso banknotes will no

longer be used for purchasing by 2016, the

public can still handover these to BSP in

exchange for new currencies within the said

year.

For OFWs who still has old Peso

banknotes, ―Starting October 1, they have to

register at BSP website to inform (us) when

will they return to the Philippines to have their

banknotes exchanged.

They only have one year period for that,

starting from the day of registration,‖ Baccay

announced.

Meanwhile, the Negros Oriental Bankers

Association (NOBA) headed by its

president Elmer Teves assured BSP that they

will help in the massive information campaign

to raise the public‘s consciousness on the

demonetization of old banknotes. (mbcn/ral/

PIA7-NegOr)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

SIQUIJOR, March 18 (PIA) -- Cigarette smoking is one of the most common risk factors for developing cardio-vascular diseases

and is labelled as the new epidemic in the new millennium.

DOH-7 launches 'Smoke-Free Siquijor'

D OH-7 non-communicable section

head Dr. Jeanette Pauline Cortes

said cardio-vascular disease is a

condition affecting the heart and blood

vessels that include coronary heart

disease and is the number one cause of death

today.

Cortes warns the public to stay away, if

not quit smoking to reduce the risk of having

the disease during the Smoke-Free Siquijor

grand launching recently at the town‘s Capital

Square.

Cortes said cigarette smoke contains

more than 7000 chemicals.

At least 70 of these chemicals are known

to cause cancer from head to foot.

She cited that there are 10 Filipinos die

every hour or 240 every day because of

tobacco-related diseases that includes lung

cancer and chronic obstructive coronary

disease that one can get from smoking.

She said the Department of Health

(DOH-7) is very happy that for the first

time in the province of Siquijor, they have

launched a smoke-free ordinance and lauded

the efforts of political leaders and the

constituents for the support.

She also lauded Siquijor as rabies-free and

further said making the province a smoke-free

is very attainable.

―Kining atong ordinance, ordinansa ra

gyud na kon dili nato hatagan ug kinabuhi (our

ordinance remains so if we don‘t give life to it),

Cortes said as she urges locals to continue the

efforts to really work on the ordinance. (mbcn/

rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

DAR turns over P14.5M road project in San

Julian, E. Samar

SAN JULIAN, Eastern Samar, March 17 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over a

2.4-kilometer farm-to-market road worth to P14.5 million in Barangay Casoroy to Sitio Layog, San Julian, Eastern Samar.

More than 1,000 residents, including 72 agrari-

an reform beneficiaries (ARBs), will directly

benefit from the project, which would make

travelling to and from the town proper less

burdensome.

DAR Regional Director Sheila Enciso said

that the project was jointly funded by the

Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the

second phase of the Agrarian Reform

Communities Project (ARCP-2) and the Local

Government of San Julian contributing 50

percent of the total project cost.

Enciso added that the government

is expecting farmers to produce more,

increase their income and contribute to food

security in the country.

San Julian Mayor Ezekiel Fritz Aseo said it

took residents hours to travel going out of

their barangay using a paddled banca through a

narrow creek due to the poor condition of

the road.

With the completion of this project, it

takes one to travel to and from the town

proper in just a couple of minutes,

Bernie Colico, farmer-leader in the area,

disclosed that many residents resettled in

another barangay due to the inaccessibility of

their barangay. Now, they are planning to

return and make their farmlands productive

once again. (jals/DAR-8)

Biliran women leaders attend women's month forum

NAVAL, Biliran, March 17 (PIA) – Nearly 600 women leaders in Biliran province attended the one- day Women’s forum on

Friday, March 13 at the Naval State University (NSU) gymnasium.

W omen vice-mayors, and sangguniang

bayan members from the eight

municipalities of the province;

barangay captains and kagawad, and presidents

of the WORD-KALIPI from the 132 barangays

of the entire province of Biliran; and

heads of national government offices and

agencies based in Biliran comprise the

participants to the forum.

Issues discussed during the forum were

on RA 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women;

RA 7192 or Women in Development and

Nation Building Act; RA 9262 or Anti-Violence

Against Women and their Children; and Anti

-Trafficking in Persons with Corazon Del

Mundo, CENRO-Tourism of Imus, Cavite;

and Atty. Ana Luz Cristal, president of Women

in Nation Building (WIN) in Manila, as

speakers.

Part of the month-long celebration is a field trip for Biliran women leaders to the

DSWD's rehabilitation centers in Pawing, Palo,

Leyte such as the Regional Haven, Home for

Girls, and Reception for Study Center for

Girls; the Center for Youth in Tanauan, Leyte;

the SOS Village; Coca-Cola Bottlers, Inc.; the

venue where Pope Francis held mass in the

vicinity of the airport in His recent visit to

Tacloban; and finally, to Robinson's Place to

destress those leaders.

The field trip is scheduled in two batches

on March 17 for the municipalities of Almeria,

Naval, and Cabucgayan; and on March 19 for

the municipalities of Biliran, Caibiran, Culaba,

and Kawayan.

The island municipality of Maripipi

declined to join the field trip due to the

inaccessibility of early morning and late night

transportation plying the island.

Participants to the yearly Women's

Month celebration hope and pray that the information on the laws that protect women

be used in keeping a balance between what is

being empowered and overpowering

their partners, and that the knowledge they

gained be used in the development of their

families, their communities, and the nation in

general.

This year‘s celebration of Women‘s

Month is centered on the theme "Juana,

Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng

Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na !"

The theme is timely for the upcoming

national elections for women leaders to

emerge and engage in the country's political

system.

As reported during the forum, there are

currently 25% of women leaders holding

positions in the Senate; 27% in the the House

of Representatives; 22% in the gubernatorial

posts; 21% in the mayoral posts; 20% in the

city councils and another 20% in the municipal councils. (ajc/fj/mlt/PIA 8 Biliran)

MARY LAILANI TUPAZ

Borongan starts pay-out of CFW beneficiaries

O n March 16, 2015, beneficiaries from

Barangay Bayubay received the P3,900

cash grant, being the first batch to

receive the aid.

The barangay is among the first five

barangays to implement the program early

2015 along with Barangays San Gabriel,

Maybacong, San Pablo and Suhotan;

the latter also receiving the cash grant In

March 17.

All 61 barangays in the city implemented

the program to help restore what was

destroyed by typhoon Ruby which hit the

region in December of 2014.

All 17, 547 beneficiaries will soon receive

the grant with a total cost of P68M.

One family member in each household

worked 15 days at P260 per day, repairing

small infrastructure facilities, cleaning up the

communities and in some cases doing backyard

gardening.

In an interview with Mayor Maria Fe R.

Abunda, the mayor explained that a clause in

the memorandum of agreement signed by the

city government and the Department of Social

Welfare and Development caused a delay in

the disbursement.

―It was specified in the MOA that DSWD

will disburse the funds but because of logistical

concerns, they were unable to come right

away‖ Abunda said.

According to the mayor, the local

government unit requested an amendment to

the MOA so the city treasurer was allowed to

disburse the funds instead.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino

personally turned-over the funds to Mayor

Abunda during his visit in December 22, 2014.

(ajc/mnbq/PIA-E Samar)

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 19 (PIA) - Borongan City has started paying out beneficiaries of the Cash-for

-Building-Livelihood Assets (CBLA) otherwise known as the cash-for-work program.

MEDORA NIMFA QUIRANTE

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

GSIS-Maasin needs more kiosks

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 17 (PIA) - As the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Maasin Branch

continues to serve Southern Leyte down to Inopacan, Leyte for the last 14 years, there is the need to provide additional kiosks

to serve its increasing members.

A ccording to Branch Manager Igmidio F.

Ponay, Jr ― With the increasing GSIS

membership in Southern Leyte and

portions of Leyte provinces, I am requesting

for three additional kiosks to serve the

municipalities of Saint Bernard, Pintuyan and

the Department of Education – Maasin City

Division.‖

He said that additional kiosks have already

been requested from the GSIS Central Office

and he is waiting for their arrival anytime.

―This is on top of the existing operations

of eight kiosks that were distributed in the

mentioned provinces, excluding the two kiosks

located at GSIS Branch office,‖ Ponay said.

He reported that membership has

increased to 11,600 from the original 10,000

members of GSIS Maasin Branch Office since

2001.

Ponay, however, desired that if the signals

of the giant telecommunications company in

their area of responsibility would warrant, he

would like to see that each municipality will be

provided with kiosk for the convenience of the

members especially those from the far-flung

areas.

Last March 12, 2015 the said branch

office had a simple celebration on its

14th founding anniversary in Southern

Leyte, highlighted by a mass and open house at

its newest location at Barangay Mantahan,

Maasin City, it was learned. (ajc/esg/PIA8

SoLeyte)

Buan pushes women’s rights, upholding of VAW-C law

CATBALOGAN CIY, Samar, March 17 (PIA) – The local government unit of San Jose de Buan, a hinterland town in Samar is

pushing for women’s rights, upholding of the law on Violence against Women and Children.

T his, as the Municipal Social Welfare

Officer (MSWDO) Ana Gabon

emphasized during the assembly of

more than 300 women from Buan most of

them farmers and housewives.

Before the other messages, speaker

Lovella Lapura of New Life Church made the

women realize the value of a woman.

In a metaphor, Lapura likened a woman to

a vessel while holding a vase as she solicited

the uses of a vase, where the women happily

obliged saying the vase can be used as a flower,

vase on display; another said that in the Bible,

some would use it as a water container; and as

a container for valuable things.

The lady preacher then emphasized that

the value of the vase is what they offered, that

it could even be more. However, she said that

some people may not realize its value and as

she said this, she dropped the vase, it broke

into the hard floor.

Women were stunned, most were moved

to tears. A long silence ensued. One woman

confided that she was scared, that this is what

she feels when her husband of 16 years would

come home drunk and would berate and hurt

her at the slightest excuse.

The women expressed their hurt feelings

in a mini-workshop where they wrote what

they are capable of doing.

In her message as regards the law on

Violence Against Women and Children

(VAW-C) Gabon emphasized that women

should assert their rights that men nor any

partner should never physically, emotionally

and psychologically hurt the woman.

In another dramatic turn of event, a

mother complained then and there that her

daughter, 16 years of age is being maltreated

by her husband and that she was asking the

women leaders present to rescue her child.

Cases like this, said Gabon is brimming in

her office but despite the law, and its offer to

protect them, some women would still forgive

their abusive husbands.

―But we are glad that more women are

now more aware of their rights and they know

what to do in situation like this,― Gabon told

PIA.

Lapura in her final message informed the

women that they should not allow anyone to

hurt them and that they should approach the

proper authorities to help them in the difficult

situation. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-Samar)

ERNA S. GORNE

BY NINFA B. QUIRANTE

Naval CSOs support campaign vs. illegal drugs

NAVAL, Biliran, March 20 (PIA)- This time, finding solutions to the problem on illegal drugs does not solely rest on the

government functionaries, as different civil society organizations (CSOs) in this town, signified their strong commitment in the

campaign against this social menace.

“ Time has come when no one government

can stop the menace brought about by

illegal drugs. It can not anymore just be

the responsibility of one but the responsibility

of all,‖ Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla

emphasized in her letter-invitation calling the

different heads of civil society organizations in

Naval to a meeting held recently at the Naval

conference hall to come up with plan of actions

geared toward fighting illegal drugs.

Engr. Warlito Alagao, head of the Knights

of Columbus (K of C) of Naval Diocese,

pushed the idea of posting tarpaulins bearing

anti-illegal drug messages and asked the LGU

to install closed circuit television cameras

(CCTVs) in conspicuous and strategic places,

this town.

―We will also post tarpaulin bearing

anti-illegal drugs messages in every barangay,‖

the K of C head promised as the commitment

of their group in the fight against illegal drugs

Another idea that cropped-up during the

meeting was the holding of anti-illegal drugs fun

run endorsed by Naval councilor Gabino S.

Velasquez IV, who is also the president of the

Biliran Medical Society. ―This is one way of

bringing the message to the people behind the

illegal activity that the people in the community

are now well aware and vigilant on the wrong

they have done in the community,‖ Velasquez

informed.

Lolita Darantinao, representing the

Catholic Women‘s League (CWL) of the

Dioese of Naval and Paulina Olaivar,

representing Mother Butler, of the religious

organizations in the diocese, suggested for a

comprehensive information dissemination

campaign in the community on the ill effects of

illegal drugs. Representatives of some CSOs

also suggested to focus on schools in the

information drive and even appealed to ask the

officials of the Department of Education to

include the teaching on the ill-effects of illegal

drugs in schools. Mayor Parilla also gave hotline

numbers 09173087374 and 09126708668 to

call on or send messages to, in case of any

suspected illegal drugs activities spotted in the

community. (ajc/fj/rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)

RODRIGO S. VICTORIA

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) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children‘s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com