Vol 5 Issue 17 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 27 - May 3, 2015 In this Issue In this Issue In this Issue Sec. Coloma: Average of 1M jobs yearly under Aquino gov‘t Gov. Petilla sees brighter future for Leyte‘s farmers More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here... PNoy - Negros Cyber Center to create 26T jobs By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr. NEGROS OCC., May 1 (PIA6)—President Benigno S. Aquino III said the Negros first Cyber Center in Bacolod City which he inaugurated April 30 will generate 6,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs. Called Information Technology–Business Process Management hub, IT BPM, the president inaugurated this P674 million project sitting on a two-hectare lot located at Lacson cor. Hernaez Sts. The President also visited Bago City where he inaugurated a multi-million rice processing center in Brgy. Tabunan, President Aquino unveiled the marker at the main entrance with local officials led by Negros Occ. Gov. Alfredo Marañon. He was welcomed at the lobby by DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo, PEZA Dir. General Lilia de Lima, Negros Occ. Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentebella. The building will house call centers at the Business Resource Center, a space to start-up IT companies and training center for IT-BPM like Technology Business Incubation Center, research and development facility and creative studio. It will also have restaurants, banks and conference and exhibition halls. ―The most important is that the whole enterprise is owned and under the management of the local government. This means the expected P90 million income per year will go directly to the provincial government,‖ he said. ―This (building) was started in 2012 and completed in October 2014. It opened and started to operate last December. This is a proof that this structure –with the right people and plan, at the right quality and price and planning, the project can be made concrete benefitting the people‖ he said. Meanwhile, the P63.9 million Negros First Rice Processing Center (RPC) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City. Was put up through a counter parting scheme involving the Department of Agriculture which chipped in P19.9 million and the Provincial Government which spent P44 million including the additional allocation for the expansion. The Negros First Rice Processing Center is a modern rice processing facility which has the milling capacity of 10 tons per hour with series of re-circulating dryers coupled to a single biomass furnace that has the milling recovery of 68 percent. (JCM/ Lljr-PIA6 wth EAD report) By Fayette C. Riñen CEBU, May 1 (PIA) --Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. in a press briefing to Cebu media early this afternoon said that an average of one million jobs annually have been generated under the Aquino administration improving the lives of workers. Coloma made the announcement as the country marks Labor Day placing emphasis that employment generation is a priority thrust under this administration. The PCOO chief said agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are doubling their efforts in crafting programs that could open more job opportunities for the Filipinos. ―There are 300,000 job openings countrywide facilitated through the DOLE,‖ said Coloma who flew in to Cebu yesterday together with President Aquino and nine other cabinet members including Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva. ―Through TESDA, government is providing various technical skills trainings to make people more employable,‖ by matching the skills to the needs of the labor market, said Coloma. Coloma also said that nearly five years into the Aquino presidency, much has been done to improve the plight of workers such as the higher ceiling for the tax exemption of the 13th month pay of ordinary workers in both public and private sectors and the improvement of labor standards focusing on occupational health and safety by hiring more workers in DOLE to monitor and check on the conditions of workers in hazardous sectors as well as assistance to vulnerable sectors including the plight of overseas Filipino workers. As some labor groups demand for salary increase and raise minimum wage to P16,000, Coloma said this is unrealistic. ―Although we recognize their right to hold protests, this however is not justified,‖ said Coloma adding that raising the minimum wage to P16,000 makes the Philippines the country with the highest minimum wage. Coloma urged labor groups to reconsider their demand as this will be a total turn-off to investors. ―What we want is for more investors to come in and create more job opportunities,‖ said Coloma. Coloma further said the minimum wage is just a benchmark or a reference point where workers can complain if their salary is lesser than what is required under the law. There are other jobs that offer higher salary depending on one’s qualifications, he said. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7) More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here… More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here… EASTERN VISAYAS CENTRAL VISAYAS TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, April 28 (PIA) – When super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ spread heavily its wrath in the region in 2013, the future of the farmers here went bleak and hopeless, so went likewise the apprehension of Governor Dominic Petilla. This he said during the launching today of the ―Pasyada 2015‖, at the Palo Pagibig Plaza which aims to boost tourism visits with food and agricultural production. In his opening message, Gov. Petilla shared his apprehension for his constituents, after super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ wrecked the province particularly the farmers’ livelihood. Fortunately he said, a few days after the devastation, Food and Agriculture Office (FAO) representatives approached and asked what he needed. ―I told them, I need to restore the livelihood of my farmers,‖ Petilla recalled. Indeed, he said, on December 7, barely one month of the ―Yolanda‖ aftermath, the first shipment of 63-thousand sacks of certified seedlings were received by the Department of Agriculture here, who in turn distributed the seedlings to the different farmers in the province of Leyte, with the help of the mayors and local agricultural officers. ―And by May 2014, after four months of farming, DA reported a huge harvest,‖ the Leyte chief executive shared. He cited for instance, the Tanauan farmers who produced 19 -thousand metric tons of rice in 2014 from its 10-thousand in 2013. This way, he said, the farmers did not only recover their production they also ―did it better‖. Petilla also estimated some 6M coconut trees which were toppled down by the ―Yolanda‖ calamity and it can take seven years for the coconut farmers to recover. For the untoppled trees, two years would be good for the farmers to await recovery. However, with the Compact Farming being introduced to the farmers, a better future might just be in the offing. The training program started with 38 farmers using high value crops; now it has 2,500 families being helped. The training continues where 200 to 300 families are being added up per training and it is continuing until all the farmers in the 1,393 barangays have all been trained. ―Can you imagine the impact the program can give to the agricultural industry and the economy here?‖, Gov. Petilla said. A lot more training programs and interventions are underway for the farmers in Leyte, he said, because from here ―we can show the world that the Leyteños are hard working people coupled with our businesses and industries,‖ he added. ―And not only that, our next target would be the livestock production,‖ Gov. Petilla informed. ―We are also looking at the total well-being and health ser- vices for our farmers in order to keep them healthy with their families,‖ Gov. Petilla concluded. ―Pasyada 2015‖ was launched together with Palo Mayor Matin Petilla’s More Income in the Countryside (MIC)-Agri Fair which likewise aims to boost the income of the farmers in the locality. The fair featured local and agricultural products, vegetables and processed foods which were locally produced. (PIA-08) President Benigno S. Aquino III unveils the New Mill Facility Marker in line with the expansion project inauguration of CEMEX Philippines, Apo Cement Plant at Barangay Tinaan, City of Naga, Cebu, May 1, 2015 with a theme: ―Building A Better Future‖. (vvv/PIA Cebu) Justice secretary Leila de Lima answeres questions from the media during a press conference at the VIP Lounge, DZR airport, Tacloban City, April 30. The Secretary is in Eastern Visayas as commencement speaker of the Eastern Samar State University graduation exercises in Borongan, Eastern Samar. (Vino R. Cuayzon) President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, cabinet secretaries (l-r) Herminio B. Coloma, Jr, Joel Villanueva, Proceso Alcala, Mar Roxas and Bago Irrigators’ Association Rosemary Caunca, leads the ceremonial switch on of the bagging machine that will mechanically pour 50 kilos of rice onto a sack at the modern rice mill facility – Negros First Rice Processing Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City. *(EAD-PIA6 photo) WESTERN VISAYAS President Aquino replies to media queries during the press conference at the side of his visit to Bacolod City, April 30 to inaugurate two major development projects. (PIA6/Bacolod Infocen)
Transcript
Vol 5 Issue 17 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 27 - May 3, 2015
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Sec. Coloma: Average of 1M jobs yearly under Aquino gov‘t
Gov. Petilla sees brighter future for Leyte‘s farmers
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
PNoy - Negros Cyber Center to create 26T jobs
By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.
NEGROS OCC., May 1 (PIA6)—President Benigno S. Aquino
III said the Negros first Cyber Center in Bacolod City which he
inaugurated April 30 will generate 6,000 direct jobs and 20,000
indirect jobs.
Called Information Technology–Business Process
Management hub, IT BPM, the president inaugurated this P674
million project sitting on a two-hectare lot located at Lacson cor.
Hernaez Sts.
The President also visited Bago City where he inaugurated a
multi-million rice processing center in Brgy. Tabunan, President
Aquino unveiled the marker at the main entrance with local officials
led by Negros Occ. Gov. Alfredo Marañon.
He was welcomed at the lobby by DTI Sec. Gregory
Domingo, PEZA Dir. General Lilia de Lima, Negros Occ. Vice Gov.
Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentebella.
The building will house call centers at the Business Resource
Center, a space to start-up IT companies and training center for
IT-BPM like Technology Business Incubation Center, research and
development facility and creative studio.
It will also have restaurants, banks and conference and
exhibition halls.
―The most important is that the whole enterprise is owned
and under the management of the local government.
This means the expected P90 million income per year will go
directly to the provincial government,‖ he said.
―This (building) was started in 2012 and completed in
October 2014. It opened and started to operate last December.
This is a proof that this structure –with the right people and
plan, at the right quality and price and planning, the project can be
made concrete benefitting the people‖ he said.
Meanwhile, the P63.9 million Negros First Rice Processing
Center (RPC) in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.
Was put up through a counter parting scheme involving the
Department of Agriculture which chipped in P19.9 million and the
Provincial Government which spent P44 million including the
additional allocation for the expansion.
The Negros First Rice Processing Center is a modern rice
processing facility which has the milling capacity of 10 tons per hour
with series of re-circulating dryers coupled to a single biomass
furnace that has the milling recovery of 68 percent. (JCM/ Lljr-PIA6
wth EAD report)
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, May 1 (PIA) --Presidential Communications
Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. in a press
briefing to Cebu media early this afternoon said that an average of
one million jobs annually have been generated under the Aquino
administration improving the lives of workers.
Coloma made the announcement as the country marks Labor
Day placing emphasis that employment generation is a priority
thrust under this administration.
The PCOO chief said agencies like the Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) are doubling their efforts in
crafting programs that could open more job opportunities for the
Filipinos.
―There are 300,000 job openings countrywide facilitated
through the DOLE,‖ said Coloma who flew in to Cebu yesterday
together with President Aquino and nine other cabinet members
including Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and TESDA Secretary
Joel Villanueva.
―Through TESDA, government is providing various technical
skills trainings to make people more employable,‖ by matching the
skills to the needs of the labor market, said Coloma.
Coloma also said that nearly five years into the Aquino
presidency, much has been done to improve the plight of workers
such as the higher ceiling for the tax exemption of the 13th month
pay of ordinary workers in both public and private sectors and the
improvement of labor standards focusing on occupational health
and safety by hiring more workers in DOLE to monitor and check
on the conditions of workers in hazardous sectors as well as
assistance to vulnerable sectors including the plight of overseas
Filipino workers.
As some labor groups demand for salary increase and raise
minimum wage to P16,000, Coloma said this is unrealistic.
―Although we recognize their right to hold protests, this however is
not justified,‖ said Coloma adding that raising the minimum wage to
P16,000 makes the Philippines the country with the highest
minimum wage.
Coloma urged labor groups to reconsider their demand as
this will be a total turn-off to investors. ―What we want is for more
investors to come in and create more job opportunities,‖ said
Coloma.
Coloma further said the minimum wage is just a benchmark
or a reference point where workers can complain if their salary is
lesser than what is required under the law. There are other jobs
that offer higher salary depending on one’s qualifications, he said.
(mbcn/fcr/PIA7)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, April 28 (PIA) – When super
typhoon ―Yolanda‖ spread heavily its wrath in the region in 2013,
the future of the farmers here went bleak and hopeless, so went
likewise the apprehension of Governor Dominic Petilla.
This he said during the launching today of the ―Pasyada
2015‖, at the Palo Pagibig Plaza which aims to boost tourism visits
with food and agricultural production.
In his opening message, Gov. Petilla shared his apprehension
for his constituents, after super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ wrecked the
province particularly the farmers’ livelihood.
Fortunately he said, a few days after the devastation, Food
and Agriculture Office (FAO) representatives approached and
asked what he needed.
―I told them, I need to restore the livelihood of my farmers,‖
Petilla recalled.
Indeed, he said, on December 7, barely one month of the
―Yolanda‖ aftermath, the first shipment of 63-thousand sacks of
certified seedlings were received by the Department of Agriculture
here, who in turn distributed the seedlings to the different farmers
in the province of Leyte, with the help of the mayors and local
agricultural officers.
―And by May 2014, after four months of farming, DA
reported a huge harvest,‖ the Leyte chief executive shared.
He cited for instance, the Tanauan farmers who produced 19
-thousand metric tons of rice in 2014 from its 10-thousand in 2013.
This way, he said, the farmers did not only recover their
production they also ―did it better‖.
Petilla also estimated some 6M coconut trees which were
toppled down by the ―Yolanda‖ calamity and it can take seven years
for the coconut farmers to recover. For the untoppled trees, two
years would be good for the farmers to await recovery.
However, with the Compact Farming being introduced to the
farmers, a better future might just be in the offing.
The training program started with 38 farmers using high value
crops; now it has 2,500 families being helped.
The training continues where 200 to 300 families are being
added up per training and it is continuing until all the farmers in the
1,393 barangays have all been trained.
―Can you imagine the impact the program can give to the
agricultural industry and the economy here?‖, Gov. Petilla said.
A lot more training programs and interventions are
underway for the farmers in Leyte, he said, because from here ―we
can show the world that the Leyteños are hard working people
coupled with our businesses and industries,‖ he added.
―And not only that, our next target would be the livestock
production,‖ Gov. Petilla informed.
―We are also looking at the total well-being and health ser-
vices for our farmers in order to keep them healthy with their
families,‖ Gov. Petilla concluded.
―Pasyada 2015‖ was launched together with Palo Mayor
Matin Petilla’s More Income in the Countryside (MIC)-Agri Fair
which likewise aims to boost the income of the farmers in the
locality. The fair featured local and agricultural products, vegetables
and processed foods which were locally produced. (PIA-08)
President Benigno S. Aquino III unveils the
New Mill Facility Marker in line with the
expansion project inauguration of CEMEX
Philippines, Apo Cement Plant at Barangay
Tinaan, City of Naga, Cebu, May 1, 2015 with
a theme: ―Building A Better Future‖. (vvv/PIA
Cebu)
Justice secretary Leila de Lima answeres
questions from the media during a press
conference at the VIP Lounge, DZR airport,
Tacloban City, April 30. The Secretary is in
Eastern Visayas as commencement speaker of
the Eastern Samar State University graduation
exercises in Borongan, Eastern Samar. (Vino R.
Cuayzon)
President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with
Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, cabinet
secretaries (l-r) Herminio B. Coloma, Jr, Joel
Villanueva, Proceso Alcala, Mar Roxas and
Bago Irrigators’ Association Rosemary Caunca,
leads the ceremonial switch on of the bagging
machine that will mechanically pour 50 kilos of
rice onto a sack at the modern rice mill facility
– Negros First Rice Processing Center in
Barangay Tabunan, Bago City. *(EAD-PIA6
photo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
President Aquino replies to media queries during the press
conference at the side of his visit to Bacolod City, April 30 to
inaugurate two major development projects. (PIA6/Bacolod Infocen)
KALIBO, Aklan, April 25 (PIA6) -- Top taxpayers of Aklan‘s 17 towns were recently honored by the provincial government for
doing their share in paying the right taxes which contributed much to the province's economic development.
T he awarding was held at the lobby of
the Provincial Capitol Building.
Awarded along with the respective
municipalities’ taxpayers were the province's
top outstanding municipal treasurers, 5 top
Hall of Fame taxpayers from Aklan’s 5 towns,
and 5 outstanding Revenue Task Force
members.
The awards were handed in by Aklan Vice
Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo with the
assistance of Provincial Treasurer Suzette
Pioquid.
Awarded outstanding taxpayers for
Calendar Year 2014 per municipality included
Smart Communications for Altavas; Teodorico
V. Calizo, Jr. of Balete; Smart Communications,
Banga; Inocencio Lazarraga, Jr., Batan; Marilyn
P. Perez, Buruanga; Panay Telephone
Corporation, Ibajay; Royal Four Seasons
Incorporation, Kalibo; Anita G. Rescate, Lezo; Ronualdo S. Zeque, Sr., Libacao; Loreto N.
Gonzales, Jr., Madalag; Dr. Judith Ibabao,
Makato; Boracay Regency Beach Resort, Malay;
Aida Yasul Jayme, Malinao; Panay Power
Corporat ion, Nabas; Panay Power
Corporation, New Washington; San Miguel
Brewery, Numancia; and Aristotle C. Tirol,
Tangalan.
Hall of Famers, on the other hand, were
Christian Rafael of Numancia, Makati
Shangri-La Hotel and Resort, Malay; Prospero
M. Tutor, Lezo; Hon. Carlito Marquez, Banga;
and HEVA Management and Development
Corporation, Kalibo.
Outstanding municipal officers awarded
from first place to 5th place included Dediosa
Dioso of Malay; Elsa M. Tabuena of Kalibo;
Froilan N. Redison of Banga; Angelyn Rubias of
Tangalan and Elisa Solanoy of Numancia.
The province also awarded certificates of
appreciation to the Outstanding Revenue
Generation Task Force members led by SPO4
Greg F. Ginoy, SPO2 Arman I. Ibea, PO3
Clemente B. Magtanum, and Donald V. Marquez, Admin. Aide I, and Roderick P.
Urbano, Admin. Aide III of the Provincial
Treasurer’s Office. In her message, Vice
Governor Calizo-Quimpo told the awardees
and the audience composed of Provincial
Capitol Employees and municipal treasurers
that the provincial thrust now is to increase
revenue generation of the province, so that
facilities could be put up to further push the
economy.
Mentioning the nearing ASEAN
integration, the Vice Governor said the
province must be prepared for the ―no
barrier‖ entry in the market of products from
other countries. ―We have to always catch up
and it is good that in Aklan, we have a very
active private sector‖, Calizo-Quimpo said.
She also cited last year’s accomplishment
of the province for placing number one among
80 provinces in the country as the least
dependent on the Internal Revenue Allotment
(IRA) which is an indication that taxes in Aklan
are being put to good use.
The awarding of the top Aklan taxpayers is one of the major activities of the province in
celebration of its 59th anniversary as a
separate province from Capiz since April 25,
1956. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)
Aklan's top taxpayers cited By Venus G. Villanueva
The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross
PRO-6 assures no major crimes during APEC
meetings
ILOILO CITY, April 28 (PIA6)—The Police Regional Office-6 is committed to ensure a ―zero major crime incident‖ during the
APEC meetings in identified venues in Western Visayas.
P RO-6 Director Chief Supt.
Josephus Angan said in a press
release that the security coverage
does not also undermine the impact of petty
crimes to the event.
He added that besides the 3,000 police
personnel deployed to secure the areas of
engagement of the APEC delegates, the
deployment of law enforcers in civilian
clothes has been intensified.
―Police multipliers will be mobilized to
provide intelligence information for any
presence of criminal elements and other
auspicious groups,‖ Angan said.
Angan, designated as Commander of
the Site Task Group for the host venues in
the region, led the tabletop exercise to
review the contingency security measures
with member agencies held in Bacolod City
last week.
―The concerted efforts of member
agencies are pivotal in achieving our security
goal,‖ Angan said.
Bacolod City will be the venue for the
first meeting on Credit Information Bureau
hosted by the Department of Finance, on
April 29-30.
―While security plans are already set
for APEC events in Bacolod City, it is
still necessary for everyone to help,‖ Angan
said.
The Site Task Force is divided into
three Site Sub-Task Groups namely,
Security, Peace and Order, and Emergency
Preparedness, with designated heads per
host venue. (PRO6/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
By Elsa S. Subong
DOH: Mothers should deliver in health care facilities
By Leonard T. Pineda
ILOILO CITY, April 27 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for 100 percent health facility-based delivery to
reduce cases of maternal mortality in the country.
I n the Kalusugang Pampamilya on
Wheels initiative held recently in
Calinog town here, Health Secretary
Janette L. Garin said that mothers
should only deliver in a health-care
facility including rural health center,
birthing clinic, barangay health station, or
hospital.
―We should not tolerate and we should
not allow birth delivery in households,‖ she
said.
She said that pregnant women should
give birth only in facility-based centers
attended by skilled health personnel.
She said it is important that pregnant
women deliver in a health-facility where
equipment are readily available and to
prevent infections.
―Babies delivered in households are
prone to infections and could suffer many
complications,‖ she said.
The DOH official said that PhilHealth
(Philippine Health Insurance Corporation)
has expanded coverage for birth care
delivery and women about to give birth.
The National Health Insurance Act of
2013 (Republic Act 10606) provides that
un-enrolled women about to give birth shall
be covered by National Health Insurance
Program (NHIP).
This is to ensure that women about to
give birth shall have financial risk protection
during their pregnancy, delivery and
post-partum period through their
enrollment to the NHIP. (JCM/LTP/
PIA-Iloilo)
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
WV workers get P11.50 increase effective May 2
ILOILO CITY, April 29 (PIA6) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 announced that minimum wage
earners in Western Visayas will start receiving the P11.50 wage increase starting May 2, 2015.
T he Regional Tripartite Wages and
Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6,
attached agency of DOLE mandated
to prescribe the minimum wage rates for all
private enterprise workers in the region,
approved Wage Order No. RBVI-22 on
March 27, 2015.
The mandate was affirmed by the
National Wages and Productivity
Commission on April 15, 2015.
Nesa Nolido, Board Secretary of
RTWPB-6 said the new wage order granted
an adjustment of P11.50 for employees in
the private sector both for the agricultural
and non-agricultural.
For non-agriculture, industrial and
commercial establishments employing
more than 10 workers, the new
wage rate starting May 2 will be P298.50
and P256.50 for those employing ten and
below.
Workers in the agricultural plantation
will receive P266.50 while those in
non-plantations will be paid P256.50.
Meanwhile, DOLE-6 Regional Director
Ponciano Ligutom said that the
wage increase was the result of the
petitions filed by the General Alliance of
Workers Association, New Independent
W o r k e r s O r g a n i z a t i o n , a n d
CENECO Union of Rational Employees in
2014.
DOLE-6 said that the wage order
was published on April 17, 2015 in a local
newspaper of regional circulation. (JCM/LTP/
DOLE/PIA-Iloilo)
By Leonard T. Pineda
Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 29 (PIA6) – The province of Capiz remains to be a peaceful place, says the Philippine National
Police.
Capiz PNP reports improved crime situation
By Jemin B. Guillermo
C apiz Police Officer-In-Charge Samuel
Nacion said that compared to other
places, the province of Capiz is
generally peaceful.
In the recent Provincial Peace and Order
Council meeting presided over by Governor
Victor Tanco, Nacion disclosed that the crime
situation in the first quarter of this year has
improved.
According to him, the crime volume, to
include both the index and non-index crime,
for the first quarter of 2015 drastically
dropped by almost 15 percent compared to
the same period last year.
He added that the crime solution
efficiency likewise improved during that same
period.
Nacion said that the decrease in crime
volume is attributed to the implementation of
the Western Visayas Police Regional Office’s anti-crime strategy such as the Prevention and
Response Operation and Strategy in Crime
Suppression (PROSICS) System, 65:35 duty
shifts and police-community partnership and
mobilization activities.
He also cited that the keeping the police
force multipliers active and urging the people
to be participative in preventing the
occurrence of crimes in their locality have
likewise contributed to such positive result.
He said that the increase in the crime
solution efficiency of the police is the result of
the continuing investigative capability
enhancement of the police field investigators
being introduced by their regional office.
―The application of E-Projects and the
support of the populace in providing vital
information leading to the identification and
location of suspects that eventually resulting to
their arrest have been a big help to us,‖ he
said. Nacion said that because of their intensive drive against illegal drugs in the first
quarter this year, where they have conducted
23 operations, resulted in the arrest 37
individuals.
He also said that their campaign for the
arrest of most wanted persons, loose firearms,
illegal fishing and other criminal activities
continues.
On the other hand, Governor Victor
Tanco said that he is very satisfied with the
performance of Nacion as head of the police
provincial office here for barely two months.
The governor said that the zero
crime-related incident during the seven-day
Capiztahan festival is a laudable effort of
Nacion as he expressed his desire for the
latter to be the full-fledged Police Provincial
Director of Capiz.
During the meeting, the PPOC passed and
approved a resolution for the full-fledged status
of Nacion as police provincial director here. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
SAN JOSE, Antique, April 28 (PIA6) - - Rural Barangays in Antique availed of infrastructure support from the national
government through the The Kapit‐Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan ‐ Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social
Services or Kalahi‐ CIDSS program.
M aria Theresa C. Cerbas, of
KALAHI-CIDSS, DSWD 6 said
when the program started in
2012 it only covered eight municipalities
funded under the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC), but this year it
included all towns in the province under the
National Community Driven Development
Program (NCDDP).
Under MCC the towns included are
Anini-y, Bugasong, Caluya, Culasi, Laua-an,
Pandan, San Remigio and Valderrama with
the total budget of P349,104,959 intended
for 260 sub projects.
The projects are carefully identified
through series of community consultation,
meeting with local officials, validation and
development of the project proposal with
the community residents.
The projects identified respond to the
problem of the community related to
disaster preparedness, accessibility such as
roads and bridges and also structures or
buildings such as day care centers, schools,
multi
Most of the projects under MCC are
expected to be completed this year.
For NCDDP, project identification,
validation and preparation of proposal are
ongoing simultaneously with organizational
formation and development for people’s
association who are frontliners in their
respective projects, said Cerbas.
For KALAHI-CIDSS NCDDP there are
564 sub projects in the amount of
P351,034,140 to cover the 18 towns line
with the rehabilitation and recovery
program of the government of communities
affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Cerbas
encouraged the support of the local officials
and the community for the success of this
program. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)
Antique Kalahi CIDSS gets P349.1M
By Pilar S. Mabaquiao
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, April 28 (PIA) - - - The Chinese reclamation at the West Philippine Sea is already costing a $100 million annual
damage to its ecosystem.
Chinese reclamation at West PH Sea costing
$100 million annual damage to its ecosystem
T his was the statement of National Dr.
Edgardo Gomez, Emeritus Professor of
the University of the Philippines—Marine
Science Department in the recently held Bloggers
Forum in Cebu.
―Due to these illegal; activities the countries
around South China Sea lose $100,000,000.00
annually‖ said Dr. Gomez.
He added there is destruction of the balance
of marine ecosystem seen due to the massive
reclamation projects of China in the West
Philippine Sea.
Over exploitation of endangered species and
coral reef ecosystem are among the issues
concerning the sustainability of food security in
the Philippines, Gomez said.
Gomez said the physical destruction of
the marine biodiversity has an impact on climate
change and economic productivity of the country.
―Cora; Reefs provide the most productive
ecosystem services, it sustains life,‖ Gomez
explained.
These healthy coral reefs are important for
the productivity of neighboring marginal seas and
if the Chinese continue to harm these healthy
ecosystems, ―we may lose our ecological
biodiversity,‖ Gomez warned.
Chinese fishers dominating Bajo de
Masinloc near Zambales practice destructive
fishing using boat propellers to clear sands and
coral reefs.
They are also harvesting massive giant clams
which are considered endangered.
These giant clams are reportedly used as
replacements for ivory to sustain Chinese
sculptural industry.
Tridach Gigas are among the true giant
clams found on the West Philippine Sea.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in
Cebu tapped the Cebu bloggers community for
the information campaign on West Philippine Sea
issues.
China has been recently displaying
aggression on its claims over the West Philippine
Sea, pursuing the Nine dash line claim. (mbcn/fcc/
PIA7/Cebu/ with reports from Caren P. Gabisay,
CTU, Devcom Intern)
CEBU CITY, April 28 (PIA)— The information campaign on the West Philippine Sea is now tapping the bloggers to penetrate
netizens.
First bloggers forum on West PH Sea in Cebu
F or the first time, the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched a
modern means to make the public, local
and international, aware of the issues surrounding
the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
DFA coordinated with Philippine Information
Agency (PIA–Cebu) tapping the bloggers in the
province for the information campaign.
Executive Director of the Maritime and
Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO) DFA, Maria
Teresa Almojuela urged the Cebu bloggers to use
their blogs as medium in reaching out to the
netizens.
―If you can, please blog in Chinese, so that
they can understand what’s happening, what their
government is doing,‖ Almojuela said.
Almojuela briefed the bloggers on the
history of the different claims made on the islands
in the South China Sea where the West Philippine
Sea is located.
Each country is entitled to 200 nautical miles
of additional sea boundary as Exclusive Economic
Zone and Continental Shelf, she said.
This was stated and agreed in the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas
(UNCLOS) by 166 countries where China and
the Philippines were also signatories.
―However China suddenly came up with the
nine dash line and now covers 80 percent of
the 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone of the
Philippines,‖ Almojuela said.
It also overlapped even into the EEZ’s and
CS’ of Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Part of the Philippines’ claim in South China
sea is the Kalayaan Island Group and the
Scarborough Shoal.
Currently China had put up a so called
―fishermen’s shelter‖ which turned out to be a
military garrison.
On the other hand, National Scientist and
known marine biologist Dr. Edgardo Gomez told
the group that the reclamation and fishing
activities of the Chinese in the area is costing
$100,000,000 damage to the marine diversity in
the area.
These activities include the destruction of
the coral reefs where the reclamations are
located as well as the gathering of giant clams.
Cebu Blogging Community president, Ruben
Licera said this is a one of a kind advocacy which
is also important for the bloggers to take part.
―Instead of blogging about some non
essential things, this time we can help
educate specially the Chinese. Let’s learn to blog
in Mandarin in their own language,‖ Licera said.
The bloggers in Cebu and PIA had already
joined hands in several advocacies with hashtag
#iBlogsforSocialgood. Other topics include
#iBlogforRabiesFreePH and the ecovoluntourism
event #iBlogforBantayan.
DFA also held in Cebu the very first multi
stakeholders forum on WPS in March. (mbcn/fcc/
PIA7-Cebu)
By Ferliza C. Contratista
By Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY, April 27 (PIA) -- Cebu City to build P10 million detachment ponds in upland barangays to avert mild El Nino‘s
potential water crisis.
P10M fund for irrigation system of Cebu City‘s upland barangays
C ebu City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon in
today’s Kapihan sa PIA said, by third
quarter of this year, they will already
mount the detachment ponds.
Seeing the threat of a water crisis due to a
predicted prolonged mild El Nino, the Cebu City
government will pursue the plan of building
detachment ponds in the 28 upland barangays.
Baclayon said there will be six 100 square
meter ponds that will be made in each of the 28
farming barangays.
―If the water dries up, this will serve as small
farm reservoirs which are way better that natural
springs,‖ Baclayon added.
Natural springs he said has more water
spillage due to natural gravity.
Baclayon also said they are in the midst of
the design planning and purchasing requests for
the making of the infrastructure while negotiating
with the farmers whose lots are potential
locations of the detachment ponds.
―I also advise farmers to water crops
early in the morning and late in the afternoon, not
in peak hours in order to conserve water,‖
Baclayon said.
He said, his office is always extending
assistance to help farmers cope with the El Nino
phenomenon.
The National Irrigation Authority had
reportedly observed that the dams in Central
Visayas are now near the critical level.
It was in 2009 and 2010 where great number
of losses to the agriculture sector were noted
brought about by the El Nino. (mbcn/fcc/
PIA7-Cebu/with reports from Caren Gabisay,
CTU Devcom Intern)
By Ferliza C. Contratista
The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH-7) reminds the public to be on guard of the deadly viruses of
ebola and the Middle East Respiratory Sydrome Coronavirus (MersCov).
I n a recent meeting of the Cebu Association
of City and Municipal Public Information
Officers (CAOCAMPIO), DOH-7
chief epidemiologist, Dr. Rennan Cimafranca said
the suppression of these emerging infectious
diseases should be given importance by every
municipality and city in Cebu.
―These infectious diseases are among the
healthy-threatening challenges the world is facing
today‖ said Dr. Cimafranca.
He added the DOH had managed to prevent
the spread of these deadly viruses in the country
over the past months.
Cimafranca reported so far World Health
Organization 9WHO) has nt issued a specific
treatment for Mers-CoV and Ebola.
What they are doing so far is the extension
of medical care supports.
―We are thankful that so far there is no case
of ebola and MERS COV in the Philippines,‖
Cimafranca said.
At the local level, DOH also strengthened
surveillance and constant monitoring of passenger
in all seaports and airports.
In fact, there are ambulances dedicated to
deliver any suspected cases in their respective
quarantine facilities, said Dr. Cimafranca.
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical
Center (VSMMC) and Bureau of Quarantine
(BOQ) are the cooperating institutions in
providing medical supports to prevent wide
spread of these disease.
Ebola virus disease (EVD; also Ebola
haemorrhagic fever, or EHF) or simply Ebola, is a
disease of humans and other primates caused by
ebolavirus.
Signs and symptoms typically start between
two days and three weeks after contracting the
virus with a fever, sore throat, muscular pain, and
headaches.
Most People infected with Mers-CoV
developed severe acute respiratory illness,
including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
(mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu with reports from Caren P.
Gabisay, CTU Devcom Intern)
DOH tells IOs: Always be on watch for ebola
and MERS COV
By Ferliza C. Contratista
Central Visayas, April 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(DA-BFAR-7) in Central Visayas spearheads the 11th Fisherfolk Month Celebration in May this year with
the theme, ―Mangingisdang Direktor Para Sa Mas Matatag Na Balikatan.‖
DA-BFAR 7 spearheads 11th Fisherfolk Month
G iving due recognition to farmers and
fisherfolks this year, the bureau
highlights its role as the country’s
strength in the food security program. It can
be recalled that President Corazon C. Aquino
declared month of May every year as Farmers
and Fisherfolk Month.
The annual celebration is intended to
remind the public of the great contributions
fisherfolks have rendered to the Nation’s
wealth.
This is also to acknowledge the major
role played by the country’s farmers and
fisherfolks in the economic recovery generating
not less than 40% of the country’s export
revenues.
To dramatize the endeavor and
contribution to nation building, the regional an
provincial fisherfolk leaders will act as BFAR
regional director and provincial fishery officers
for the whole month of May under Special
Order 88.
An Oath Taking and Installation
ceremonies will form part in the opening
program on August 29, 2015 at the
Conference Room of BFAR 7, Arellano Blvd.,
Cebu City, 9:00 in the morning.
Lined up activities during the Fisherfolk
month celebration include giving out of 110
units of 16Hp marine engines to all the coastal
municipalities and cities in the region.
The recipient municipalities in return will
provide the boat hull which will be use for law
enforcement activities in their respective
municipal waters.
There will also be a simultaneous coastal
clean-up, mangrove planting, milkfish fingerling
dispersal, tilapia and blue swimming crab will be
given out in addition to the sea weeds seedling
during the month-long celebration.
Various IEC materials will also be also
distributed. Capping the celebration is a
"Tabo sa BFAR" which will showcase the
activities of the Post- Harvest and
Marketing Division as they sell out fresh,
dried and frozen fishery products. (mbcn/
ays/PIA7with reports from BFAR7-IPRG
Cebu)
By Amor Y. Saludar
Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine
NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 28 (PIA) -- Some 6,875 student-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from
Negros Oriental completed their high school education this year.
A ccording to Pantawid Pamilya information
officer Phoebe Jen Indino, there are
26,454 student-beneficiaries/graduates of
the program for Central Visayas. Of these 12,359
are from Cebu province; 6,875 from Negros
Oriental; 6,739 from Bohol and 481 from Siquijor.
To celebrate this milestone, the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7)
will hold a PantawidPamilya Regional High School
Graduation today at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu
City, Cebu.
This event dubbed as ―PagtataposNyo,
Tagumpayng Pilipino‖ aims to recognize the
graduating beneficiaries for their efforts to hurdle
another stage in their academic life.
Indino said about 250 student-beneficiaries,
parent/guardian and partner agencies such as
Commission on Higher Education, Technical
Education Skills and Development Authority,
Department of Education, Department of Health,
Department of Labor and Employment, and other
private institutions are expected to gather for the
event.
The Philippine government’s Conditional
Cash Transfer nationwide has more than 300,000
children-beneficiaries that graduated this year.
―We are doing this event to provide a
venue for these graduates to be linked to
opportunities like scholarships, internships, or
part time jobs that will help them realize their
dream,‖ said Mercedita Jabagat, DSWD7
regional director.
Jabagat added this graduation is considered
as a memorable achievement not only for the
program, but also for the partner-beneficiaries
who are now a step closer to a better life.
Earlier, DSWD hosted the first graduation
event in the Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC) on April 9 with around 4,000
high school graduates from the National Capital
Region (NCR) joining the celebration.
The second leg of the event will be held at
the Araneta Coliseum on April 23 with around
14,000 students nationwide.
DSWD-7 will be sending four exemplary
high school graduates for the national event that
include John Alvin Serenio of Jagna, Bohol;
Marielyn Aquino of Boljoon, Cebu; Joel Gabas Jr.
of Bais City, Negros Oriental and Mary Louisse
Baroro of Lazi, Siquijor.
PantawidPamilya is a human development
program that invests in the health and education
of poor households primarily those with children
aged 0-18.
I t p r o v i d e s c a s h g r a n t s t o
partner-beneficiaries who comply with the
conditions of sending their children to school,
bringing them to health centers for checkups, and
attending the monthly Family Development
Sessions (FDS). (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Pantawid Pamilya student-beneficiaries in NegOr graduated high school
BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
‗Keseo‘ processing center in Gandara town
assures sustainability of the industry
U nder the administration of
Gandara Mayor Eufemio S. Oliva
with other partners and the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
a processing center for Keseo was built to
level-up the production of the local
cheese. Keseo is a homemade white
cheese processed from carabao milk. Its
production has long been a livelihood of
the people and may be one of the oldest
home-based industry that made Gandara
popular. The Processing Center operated
by the Gandara Keseo Producers
Association (GKPA) is located in Barangay
Natimonan, Gandara, Samar.
Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO)
Adelfa U. Gabejan said that this will
develop and upgrade the keseo industry in
the area and will house processing,
packaging, promotion and marketing of
the product.
DTI Ruth Samonte offered DTI's
assistance package which will even
improve the keseo quality, promotion for
export, application for BFAD accreditation
and other assistance. She also turned-over
stoves, mixing bowls, and other utensils to
the association. Oliva said that Gandara
has been associated with Keseo and that
success of the association does not rest
only on the support of the
government but also with the union
between the government and the
association towards a common goal of
progress and development.
He offered Gandara Keseo Producers
Association 10 milking carabaos and a
starting fund of Php 250,000.00 from the
GPBP (formerly BuB) grant that the LGU
will receive for the current year. GKPA
President Conchita Lejaz assured that the
association will be responsible for
nurturing the assets of the group and that
they will try to inspire the people of
Gandara in showing a good example and
inspiration to manage livelihood projects.
(PIA Samar with J Mendoza, Calbayog
Bulletin)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 29 (PIA) – The new Keseo processing Center in Gandara assures that there is always an
available supply of the much sought foodie-keseo (aka Queseo) by ―Samarnons‖ (folks from Samar province).
The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross
Provl council sustains monthly dialogue to ensure peace and order
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, April 29 (PIA) – The Provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) of
Northern Samar, an affiliation of the Philippine National Police, Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO) and Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 803rd Brigade, PA recently held its monthly event to update mutual parties plans and
strategies on how to uphold the peace and order in the province and other security related measures. This was learned from
Jean Lao Amoyen, NSPPO-NUP.
D uring the said event, PSupt.
Owen Andarino, PNP Deputy
Acting Provincial Director said
in his welcome message that the monthly
activity aimed at improving the
relationship of the PNP and the AFP and
other stakeholders in the maintenance of
peace and order thru enforcement,
internal security operations and public
safety services.
JPSCC is a collective effort of
concerned agencies, Police Senior
Superintendent Daniel Cabitac Mayoni
stressed. In his message, he underscored
coordination as a serious matter. Issues
that cannot be resolved by the Chief of
Police, according to him, must be elevated
to NSPPO for proper guidance.
PNP members must continue its
quest to resolve cases by way of crime
scene investigation, filing of appropriate
cases that are defined in the Revised Penal
Code and other laws of the land, he con-
tinued.
More importantly, Mayoni appealed to
his men to perform their respective duties
within the bounds of law.
Prior to the event, the PNP Northern
Samar Police force accorded arrival
honors to the newly promoted Brigade
Commander of 803rd BDE, 8ID, PA B/
Gen. Herminigildo C. Aquino as he arrived
at the PNP provincial office to personally
attend the joint meeting.
Other members in attendance were
PNP and AFP officers and men. (ADiaz)
Samar more peaceful today says security officers CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 29 (PIA) - If numbers on crime situation rates were to speak, Samar is more peaceful
these days. This is more or less the report of Samar Police Provincial Director Nolasco Bathan during the peace and order
council meeting Tuesday.
T he police official said that ―crime
incidence is lower while crime
solution rate is higher,‖ as he
compares the situation in January-April
2014 to the same months this 2015.
The City of Calbayog posted with the
highest number of crimes followed by the
City of Catbalogan.
The crimes include rape, robbery,
theft, carnapping and castle rustling.
In his analysis, he reported that
crimes usually take place between 6 to 9
in the morning.
As to the Calbayog shooting
incidents, the police officer said that he
ordered his men to intensify checkpoints
in the city to ward off criminal intents,
adding that there is no let up in his
campaign against loose firearms.
Bathan also reported about his
successes in the implementation of special
laws on logging, fishing, gambling and loose
firearms. He said that his men’s
achievement is partly due to the logistics
support of the provincial government.
The OIC director hinted that his OIC
status has somehow limited his actions as
the supervisor of all municipal police
stations in Samar. To this, the council
reacted to file a resolution recommending
him to become a full-fledged police
director.
In related news, the army also
expressed that insurgents’ force has
diminished and that very soon, as there
have been no perceived insurgent
activities, some towns will be declared
―Peaceful and Insurgent Free‖ like the
island towns off the Calbayog Coast of
Lamagro, Tagapul-an and Sto Nino and
Tarangnan and Pagsanghan in the mainland.
The challenge though in the
Paranas-Hinabangan-Motiong-San Jose de
Buan remains but has been contained
especially that the areas mentioned are
homes to the prime tourist destinations
that Samar is raving about. (aen/nbq/PIA
8-Samar)
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Youth campers try to save Pupua mangroves
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 29 (PIA) - Members of the Youth for the Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) in
Catbalogan applied the theory learned in their summer camp as they ventured into the muddy and swampy waters of
Barangay Pupua to help save the 50-hectare mangrove area in Barangay Pupua, Catbalogan, Samar.
L eaving their slippers to wade in
the mangrove mud, they planted
at least some 500 mangrove
species, assisted by Kagawad Petpet
Diocton.
With Edgar Guya, the City
Environment and Natural Resources
Officer, they had exchanges on the
relevance of mangrove in the
environment.
The previous day, the students
listened to lectures on climate change
adaptation and mitigation where a DENR
official advised them not just to plant a
tree but grow them, and ensure they
survive and grow to become economically
productive.
E lp id io S imon , the DENR
provincial head said that mangrove
forests are important that it does not only
provide us food and source of livelihood
but also protects settlements from
destructive storm surges, flood and
tsunamis.
That instead of overexploiting the
mangroves, coastal communities should
instead help rehabilitate the mangrove by
planting the so called propagules of local
mangrove species like miyape and
pagatpat.
YES-O is an organization of the
youth in schools where part of their
exposure is helping reduce carbon
footprints through tree growing,
clean-up drive in and out of the
school campus, reaching out to the
younger generation to inform them of
Climate Change and ways to adapt and
mitigate.
The campers also embarked
on an action plan where they outlined
their activities for the school year
relevant to the protection of the
environment.
School head Veronica Buenaventura
with some five teachers joined the
campers in shedding off their footwear
and digging the mangrove with their
bare hands to plant and eventually
grow the mangrove species. (nbq/PIA 8
-Samar)
NINFA B. QUIRANTE
Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine
TESDA 8 top official tells STEP graduates to give the best kind of service
NAVAL, Biliran, April 28 (PIA) – Like a mother to her children, the top official of the Technical Education and Skills Authority
(TESDA) here in Region 8, told to some 178 graduates of the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) in Biliran
province, to extend to their prospective clients the best service they can give.
S peaking before the graduation rites
and distribution of tool kits of the
STEP graduates at the Naval State
University (NSU) Gymnasium on
Thursday, April 23, TESDA Region 8
Director Cleta M. Omega gave some
motherly advices on how to treat their
customers the best way.
―Listen to your customers‖ Omega
suggested to the STEP graduates and
added that the suggestions they gave on
the products and sevices rendered is one
way of improving their skills.
She set an example that, if the
comment of the customer on the food
product is salty, then take it as a
constructive criticism and improve the
product next time so that such customer
will patronize the product again.
The TESDA 8 chief added that it is
important also to establish good
relationship with clients since this is one
best trait that most clients like and
need when they look for people who can
give the products and services they
wanted.
She further said to the graduates not
to overcharge payment of their
services to customers since this would shy
away customers from going back to
patronize their products and services of-
fered.
―What is important also is your
participation in any community
undertakings and activities applying
the skills learned and acquired‖,
the lady TESDA chief reminded the
graduates.
She also warned the graduates not to
sell the tool kits distributed to them. ―Use
it to serve the purpose‖, Director
Omega added.
Meanwhile, Biliran Congressman
Rogelio J. Espina of the Lone District of
Biliran and Board Member Roger Gerard
M. Espina of the First Disrict in Biliran
province, who were present during the
graduation rites and distribution of tool
kits, encouraged Biliranons to enroll in the
STEP to augment their income.
Congressman Espina promised to get
more slots for the STEP so that more
Biliranons can avail of the program while
his son also vowed to bring this program
to the grassroots which he considered a
big help to the people in the barangay. (fj/
rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)
Search is on for 'Pintados' beauties TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 28 (PIA) – The Search for Miss Pintados and Miss Teen Pintados has started.
S tephen Q. Lagarde, Chairman of
the Search Committee said, in a
press statement, that an applicant
must be of good moral character as
endorsed or certified by any of the
following: a)the head of the last school
attended, b) an accredited school-based
organization, c)a civic organization, d)a
local government unit or e) the head of
local church and of Filipino ancestry
with at least one grandparent in
the direct paternal or maternal line
possessing Filipino citizenry and a
descendant of a native born parent in
Region 8.
Screening is scheduled every Saturday
until May 17, 2015 between 2 to 4 o’clock
in the afternoon at Pintados Daycenter at
Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City or
may call at cellphone number
09069586982.
Pintados Foundation is a world-class
organization, imbued with core
values, known for its commitment to the
cultural, spiritual and economic
sustainability of Eastern Visayas. (ajc/cba/
Pintados/PIA-8)
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 [email protected].
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
