Vol 5 Issue 21 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 25 - 31, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Goldberg praises resiliency, courage of Haiyan survivors

APEC recognizes need for women's economic empowerment

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Ferrer: 'BBL will change the lives of next generation Filipino-Muslims‟

Rachelle M. Nessia

CEBU CITY, May 28 (PIA) --- The proposed

Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will change the lives of the next

generation of Filipino-Muslims, says Prof. Miriam

Coronel-Ferrer, chairman of the Government of the

Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel.

In a media briefing held today at AFP Central

Command, Camp Lapu-Lapu, Ferrer explained that BBL will

pave the way for development programs to be introduced in

the region.

“For every year that we delay stabilizing the peace and

order in this area, this will have an impact on the next

generation of Filipino-Muslims,” she stressed.

Ferrer said the proposed law will help enforce peace

and order in the region since members of the Moro Islamic

Liberation Front (MILF) - which she described as “the

strongest armed group in the country today” – are willing to

put down their arms as their weapons and combatants will

be decommissioned under said law.

The briefing kicks off the nationwide information drive

for BBL conducted by the Office of the Presidential Adviser

on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in partnership with the

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in strategic areas across

the country.

The campaign aims to inform the public on the key

provisions of BBL in the midst of prevailing misconceptions

about the law.

During the briefing, Ferrer discussed the key features

of BBL and answered questions from the media and

members of the Cebu Blogging Community (CBC).

Ferrer pointed out that the BBL was drafted by the

Bangsamoro Transition Commission which was created by

an executive order issued by the President on December

2012,” she clarified.

The creation of the Bangsamoro is provided for under

the Philippine Constitution and under the BBL, a new form

of government that is parliamentary in structure will be

introduced in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region while

providing them with fiscal autonomy.

“This will provide a reformed institution where they

compete for political power peacefully through a democratic

process,” explained Ferrer. (rmn/PIA Cebu)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 22 (PIA) – “I shall return!” So

goes the famous affirmation statement of then General Douglas MacArthur as part of his address to the Filipinos when he came

to the Leyte shores during the World War II. This historic event was cited today by US Ambassador

Philip Goldberg who came to inaugurate and present to San Fernando Elementary School, Pampango district Tacloban,

some eight resilient classrooms which can withstand a 360-strength windfall or a 8.5 magnitude earthquake.

“My flying in today is symbolic of two events, first during the Leyte Gulf Landings and second, after super typhoon

“Haiyan”. From our point of view, we are proud to be part of your recovery, because we see in you, your effort, resiliency

and courage and that you are showing the world that you are bouncing back even better”.

Goldberg said that in his five trips here, he saw the city looking so much better.

“Congratulations to you all”, the Ambassador concluded. “America has not left us”, said Congressman Martin

Romualdez in his speech during the ceremony, “in fact it has

kept on returning to Leyte”.

And for his part, Cong. Romualdez assured the donor country representative to assume the responsibility in

seeing to it that the pupils at San Fernando will attend and finish school.

Ambassador Goldberg turned over today to the DepEd officials, eight of the 250 classrooms which are funded by the

U.S government and USAID. Then, he proceeded to turn over 100 sari-sari stores at

barangay Fatima with each structure costing P90,000.00 with goods amounting to P15,000.00 in partnership with Coca-Cola

and Procter and Gamble. In the afternoon, Ambassador Goldberg turned-over to

DOH-08 officials, a health facility concentrated to treat TB, with second floor to serve as the city health office at Kanhuraw

Hills. All these gifts, as Mayor Alfred Romualdez put it are gifts

from the US government who came on day-1 after “Yolanda”, in their interest to rehabilitate Tacloban and Leyte from the

ravage of the calamity. (PIA-08)

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

By Venus G. Villanueva

KALIBO, Aklan, May 26 (PIA6) -- Women have also a big role in the economic prosperity of the Asia Pacific

Economic Cooperation‟s (APEC) 21-member economies and this the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) acknowledged

in their statement read at the close of their meeting held in Boracay Island May 24.

The statement was read by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and MRT Chair Gregory Domingo

before the conduct of the joint press conference at the lobby lounge of Shangri-La Boracay, venue of the meetings held from

May 23-24, 2015. In the statement, the Ministers Responsible for Trade

reaffirmed their commitment to take concrete policies and innovative measures to further enhance women‟s economic

empowerment through improved access to capital, assets and markets, as well as to innovation and technology, educational

and health services, and promoting women‟s leadership in public and private sector.

“We welcome the establishment of the APEC Women and the Economy Dashboard as a tool to track progress in

reducing barriers in women‟s economic participation and

informed family discussions,” the MRT statement went, as read

by Sec. Domingo. The statement also assured its commitment to

integrating gender considerations across APEC activities including through cross-fora collaboration such as the “Healthy

Women, Healthy Economies” initiative. Besides the women, the APEC MRT also acknowledged

persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workforce, by stating that they welcome the initiative to help persons with

disabilities to participate in the workforce, and providing them equal access to education to enable their participation to the

economy. The commitments issued by the MRT for women and

PWDs were some of the outcomes that emerged in the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Human Capacity Building

meeting to promote inclusive growth through quality education and training aligned to industry needs.

The 2015 Meeting of APEC MRT was preceded by the APEC Senior Officers Meeting and Related Meetings (MRT)

held from May 10-22. “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World”

is the theme of this year‟s APEC. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip

Goldberg (3rd from right) hands over the

symbolic key to one of the sari-sari store

owners during the turn-over ceremony at

Brgy. Fatima, Tacloban City, May 22. These

stores were made possible with the generous

support of the American people thru USAID

in partnership with Coca-Cola and Procter

and Gamble in coordination with LGU

Tacloban. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

“Hangtud asa ang kaya ninyo nga himoon alang

sa inyong isig ka tawo?” PIA DG USEC. Jose

Mari Oquinena asks the more than 600 youth

participants of the HOPE Conference in Anda

Bohol. (PIA7)

Congresswoman Leni Robredo tells more than

300 women leaders of the Girl Scouts of the

Philippines to serve in excellence during the

23rd National Council Convention held at

Diversion21 Hotel in Iloilo City, May 28. (PIA

6)

Government of the Philippines (GPH) Peace Panel Chair Prof. Miriam

Coronel-Ferrer gave a briefing on the # Bangsamoro Basic Law during a

media event in Cebu City on May 28, kicking off a nationwide info drive

to inform the public on the key features of BBL while correcting

misconceptions about the proposed law. (PIA7)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Security plans for opening of classes in place

SAN JOSE, Antique, May 28 (PIA6) - - Police visibility, assistance desks and mobile patrol will be in place to ensure the safety

and security of students for the opening of classes on June 1, 2015.

P Supt. Jose Roy Torrechilla of the

San Jose Municipal Police Station

said that their security plans

for the “Balik Eskwela 2015” is now in

place to ensure safety and security of the

students, schools, as well as maintain

peace and order in business areas, roads

and other vital institutions.

Torrechilla said that schools with

bigger student population will be deployed

with policemen in order to maintain peace

and order.

He said that the policemen will

also provide security for the private

schools on their scheduled opening of

classes.

For the opening of public schools,

Torrechilla identified Antique National

School with a population of about 4,000

students.

Other focus of the policemen will

include the Delegate Angel Salazar Jr.

Memorial Schools, Atabay Elementary

School, Assemblyman Segundo Elementary

School, San Pedro National High School,

among others.

“The policemen will also distribute

crime prevention tips to parents and

students, as we strengthen police visibility

along major routes leading to all learning

institutions or school premises,”

Torrechilla said in a PIA interview.

Torrechilla said that they have

also directives from their higher

headquarters to prevent bullying in

schools. Meanwhile, the Malacanang press

report disclosed that President Benigno S.

Aquino III underscored the importance of

unity and cooperation as he praised the

efforts of those who joined the Brigada

Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela.(JCM/

VWV/PIA Antique)

Vicente W. Villavert

OrchidsOrchids

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 27 (PIA6) – International humanitarian organizations are giving attention to water, health and

hygiene (WASH) issues in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

Post Yolanda assistance focuses on water,

health issues

Jemin B. Guillermo

T he ACF International in partnership

with the United Nations Children‟s

Fund is implementing programs giving

priority on WASH towards disaster risk

reduction.

Behavior Change and Communications

Officer Leomer Lacorte of ACF-Panay

disclosed that they are capacitating the people

in selected super typhoon-affected areas in

Capiz and Iloilo.

He said that in Capiz, they are supporting

two towns, namely Pontevedra and Pilar,

particularly in 13 and 6 villages, respectively.

Lacorte also said that their WASH

program implementation in Iloilo province are

in Concepcion, San Dionisio, Sara, and Ajuy.

Recently, a one-day legislation workshop

on WASH was conducted for barangay and

municipal officials of the program beneficiary

barangays and towns in Capiz and Iloilo, with

the involvement of other partner agencies

such as the Provincial Health Office,

Department of Education, Department of the

Interior and Local Government and

Department of Health.

Lacorte said that the WASH Disaster Risk

Reduction program aims to address the WASH

needs of typhoon Yolanda-affected

population as a transition to developmental

phase, particularly as an approach to total

sanitation.

During said gathering, the issues on access

to safe and clean water both for drinking and

domestic use as well as effects of lack of access

to it, particularly on health, sanitation and

hygiene were given attention.

According to him, legislation in relation to

WASH is a must in addressing the various

issues relative thereto. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 26 (PIA6) – The Department of Health (DOH6) is urging pregnant women to undergo

antenatal care (ANC) to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

M edical Specialist Mary Ann

Matillano said the antenatal

care is one of the pillars of the

DOH‟s National Safe Motherhood

Program.

“The program is in line with DOH‟s

commitment with the World Health

Organization, to attain the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5,” she

said.

MGDs 4 and 5 aim to reduce infant

mortality and to improve maternal health,

respectively.

The DOH is requesting mothers to

have at least 4 prenatal visits during their

pregnancy.

The four prenatal visits must be

done: once during the 1st trimester, once

during the 2nd trimester and twice during

the 3rd trimester.

Prenatal visits help prevent,

detect, alleviate or manage different

types of health problems during

pregnancy that might cause problems on

the mother, the baby or both, Matillano

said.

The visits address the complications

of pregnancy, pre-existing conditions

that worsen the pregnancy and effects of

unhealthy lifestyle, she added.

The ANC offers an opportunity to

deve lop b ir th and emergency

preparedness plan, which include

preparations after giving birth. Counseling

on postpartum family planning is also

included.

Matillano said the family of the

pregnant woman plays an important role

during pregnancy.

“Involvement of the family

and community is crucial for healthy

home behaviors during pregnancy and a

major determinant of the use of ANC

services,” she said. (JCM/CBA-PIA Negros

Occ.)

DOH bats for antenatal care for safe motherhood

Carlson B. Alelis

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Flores de MayoFlores de Mayo–– SantacruzanSantacruzan

Flag day in Sta. Barbara boosts tourism efforts

Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, May 28 (PIA6) --- More tourists have become fascinated with Sta. Barbara town here which will be the site of

this year‘s grand Independence Day celebration on June 12.

M unicipal tourism officer Irene

Magallon noted a 20 percent

increase in tourists visiting the

town this summer alone as compared to

the previous years.

“Sta. Barbara has generated media

mileage on the restoration of the church

and convent. A number of visitors flock

the town and take pictures in front of the

church which was recently improved,” she

said.

She said the church is one of the

better preserved churches and convents

in Iloilo and an excellent example of

Filipino baroque colonial architecture.

“Our church is a pilgrim church and a

good venue for nuptials while the convent

may be a good site for small gatherings if

the parish would allow it in the future,”

she said.

She said the town also boasts of the

first gravitational dam constructed in 1926

which was transformed into an eco-park.

“We also have the first and the oldest

golf course in the Philippines which is the

Iloilo Golf and Country Club,” she said.

Sta. Barbara also established a

Heritage Zone which is an area within the

„poblacion‟ designated for the purpose of

knowing the value of the Santa

Barbaranhons struggle for freedom.

The Heritage Zone features historical

spots and edifices including the Cry of

Santa Barbara Marker, Gen. Martin T.

Delgado Monument, Sta. Barbara Catholic

Church and Convent, “Victory” Plaza,

Flagpole Park, Rizal and the Propagandists

Monument, and the Sta. Barbara

Centennial Museum.

Magallon said that the holding of the

Independence Day commemoration in Sta.

Barbara will boost the tourism potential of

the municipality.

“Even after the Independence Day

celebration, we know that we will still be

busy accommodating local and foreign

tourists who will visit our town,” she

added. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, May 25 (PIA6)—The proposed Negros Island Region (NIR) will not hurt the economy of Western Visayas,

according to the National Economic and Development Authority-6 (NEDA).

N EDA-6 Assistant Regional

Director Atty. Raul Anlocotan

said that progress won‟t slow

down in Panay and Guimaras as it has

been taking off well.

“Life goes on for us here in

Panay and Guimaras without the Negros

island,” Anlocotan said in a media

interview.

“We pursue our growth here and

wherever we go we see buildings

sprouting, development booming in Iloilo

City, in northern Iloilo, in Guimaras and in

Boracay,” he added.

Anlocotan said Negros Occidental is

contributing well to the growth of the

region but the separation will not affect

the partnerships and friendships of the

people.

Negros Occidental comprises more

or less 32 percent of the population of

Western Visayas and is the largest

producer of sugar.

The NIR will lump Negros Occidental

and Negros Oriental into one

administrative region, bigger than the

Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)

and the Caraga.

Negros Occidental is currently part of

Western Visayas while Negros Oriental

belongs to the Central Visayas region.

“There is much potential for

sustainable growth, considering the size of

the NIR,” Anlocotan said.

Anlocotan said that the Department

of Interior and Local Government is

currently preparing the Implementing

Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the

creation of the NIR. He added that

President Aquino is ready to sign the

executive order for NIR once the IRR is

presented to him. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

One Negros region won't hurt WV economy Elsa S. Subong

Fish landing centers to help marginalized fisherfolks

ILOILO CITY, May 26 (PIA6)—Fish landing centers are aimed at addressing poverty among marginalized fisherfolks, according

to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–6 (BFAR).

B FAR has identified 17 fish landing

centers found in various coastal

areas in the region.

BFAR-6 Regional Director Remia

Apari said they have chosen as

beneficiaries the poorest among the poor

according to the data of the Department

of Social Welfare and Development in

Western Visayas.

“This is our contribution to the

poverty alleviation program of the

government,” Apari said, adding that it is

also a way of improving facilities of LGUs

so that fish catch will remain fresh.

The landing centers will each have a

freezer as the beneficiaries themselves will

be taught fish handling and processing.

Apari added that people within the

community will also be taught

value-adding to fish products as well as to

handle catchment basin to maintain

sanitation in the place. The landing centers

will also be the venue to determine the

volume of catch in the municipal waters of

an LGU. “Enumerators, about 84 of them,

are deployed in the centers to assess

stocks to determine status of resources,”

Apari said.

The major landing centers are in the

Philippine Fisheries Development

Authority at Iloilo fishing Port Complex,

Libas in Roxas City New Washington,

aklan and Sagay in Negros Occidental.

The others are minor landing centers

in the selected coastal municipalities in

Western Visayas. (ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Elsa S. Subong

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 22 (PIA)-- Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) and government

of Canada signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) recently under the Local Governance Support Program for

Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) with Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces.

NOCCI, Canada ink deal to boost tourism in

NegOr, Siquijor

T his is to support both the private sector

and local government to boost tourism

investment and generate employment for

local residents and eventually reduce poverty

through local governance.

With this agreement, NOCCI, the

Government of Canada, and the two provinces

through LGSP-LED, agree and commit to

collaborate for sustainable local economic

development.

NOCCI president said, “The battle cry now

is poverty reduction, if we can create one job

that‟s already a great accomplishment, providing a

job to a single person can eventually help one

family.”

This will also improve the business climate

or local tourism economy to attract investments

and generate jobs for the tourism sector in

Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The MOA plans to provide technical

assistance for the capacity building of the LGU‟s

and private institutions.

LGSP-LED Philippines field director Francis

Gentoral said the assistance includes investment

forums, training of local and economic

investment.

The geographical location of Negros

Oriental and Siquijor is considered being suited

for the investment of the tourism sector because

the two provinces are one of the country‟s

tourist destinations. Du challenged the private

sectors and local government to make Negros

Oriental and Siquijor the next Economic Tiger of

the Philippines.

Since Siquijor is near to Negros Oriental,

the tourists who visit Dumaguete automatically

hop to the neighboring island.

“Canada‟s bilateral development program

supports the Philippine development plan of 2011

-2016 by working to improve the investment plan

and the competitiveness of the economic sector

such as tourism and to increase the economic

opportunities in the country and in the world,”

said Stephen Weaver, Head of Aid of the

Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and

Development of Canada. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros

Oriental/with reports from Ronelyn Faith

Vailoces, Intern)

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

CEBU CITY, May 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7) kicks off its

Listahanan second round of household assessment to update its database of the poor in the region.

DSWD-7 kicks off Listahanan 2nd round HH assessment

D SWD-7 reg iona l d i rector

M e r c e d i t a J a b a g a t s a i d

the household assessment has

already started here in Region 7 and we have

deployed our trained enumerators in the field.

DSWD-7 information officer for Listahanan,

Kerwin Macopia said in Central Visayas alone,

DSWD7 will assess more than 1 million

households.

There are 524,717 households target in

Cebu while Negros Oriental has target of 240,134

households while Bohol has a target of 232,625

households and 18,794 in Siquijor.

Jabagat urged all households to cooperate

once their enumerators will go to their houses

and to give them the needed information.

In conducting the household assessment,

information is gathered using the family

assessment form (FAF), a four-page questionnaire

with 52 observable and verifiable variables,

explained Macopia.

Macopia added that the household will be

assessed based on composition; the household

members‟ highest educational attainment and

occupation; features of the housing structure

and access to basic services or facilities like

water, electricity, and sanitary toilet, households‟

ownership of assets and tenure status of housing

among others.

Jabagat warned the community to be vigilant

during the conduct of the assessment. “There

might be bogus or fake enumerators who will

knock on their door and ask money before their

household will be assessed.

This is tantamount to extortion and we will

not tolerate this kind of action,” Jabagat added.

Jabagay asked the public to immediately report to

DSWD or to the Local Social Welfare and

Development Office in case there are fake

enumerators. To report complaints on

the Listahanan assessment, one may text to

0 9 1 7 8 9 0 2 3 2 7 u s i n g t h e f o r

mat DSWD<space>Listahanan<space>Name<spa

ce>Location<space>Question or Complaint.

T h e y c a n a l s o e m a i l

to ask.listahanan@dswd.gov.ph or call (02)

717-3770, he added. (mbcn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/with

reports from Kerwin Macopia/DSWD7)

Juju M. Empuerto

OrchidsOrchids

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 23 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) recently conducted a

―Voice of the People‖ forum and workshop to 100 Parent Leaders (PLs) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

beneficiaries in Negros Oriental.

DSWD-7 holds ‗Voice of the People‘ forum in Dumaguete City

T he forum aims to provide an avenue

where PLs and DSWD-7 Officers can

discuss some issues and concerns related

to the implementation of 4Ps in their area and the

same time strengthen the commitment of

between DSWD and partner beneficiaries for the

continued success of the program.

“What we want to know the concerns on

4Ps coming from them,” 4Ps Negros Oriental

Provincial Link Asela Bella Tse said. Tse

supervised the forum.

The participants that came from the Metro

Dumaguete cluster, Bais City and municipality of

Pamplona. Metro Dumaguete is composed of

Dumaguete City and the towns of Sibulan, San

Jose, Amlan, Bacong, Valencia, Zamboanguita,

Dauin and Bacong.

They were divided into groups with one or

two DSWD staff facilitating the forum.

Participants were instructed to write some issues

and problems they encounter on the

implementation of 4Ps after which each group

presented the outputs in a plenary session.

Some top issues on 4Ps center on

non-attendance of some parent-beneficiaries of

the program to family development

sessions; delays in the payout of cash

grants; misuse of cash grants and non-compliance

to other conditions set by the program.

On the issue of misuse of cash grants, Tse

said some beneficiaries misuse the funds because

of health problems. She explained beneficiaries

would borrow money from a person and use to

buy medicines or pay medical consultations. They

would later pay their lender once they receive

their cash grants.

Tse also noted there are still few cases

where 4Ps beneficiaries misuse the grants and use

it for gambling or to support their vices. But Tse

said that generally this issue is already being

resolved.

DSWD officers will tackle these issues and

look for solutions for these concerns along with

the help and commitment from the PLs.

Tse disclosed that this forum is part of

empowering PLs and she hopes what they learned

here will be applied in their respective localities.

As of March 2015, there are 259, 234 active

household beneficiaries of the program in Central

Visayas. Cebu has the highest number of

beneficiaries with 126, 244 followed by Negros

Oriental with 70, 084, Bohol with 58, 904 and

Siquijor with 4,002 beneficiaries. (mbcn/ral/PIA7

-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, May 26 (PIA)—Some 100 representatives from various agencies participated in a ―Multi Sectoral Consultative

Briefing on the Demonetization Program‖ of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recently.

T he participants include those from the

transport, telecommunications, media,

academe, banking, retailing and from

other government agencies.

BSP-7 acting regional director, Leonides

Sumbi in her opening remarks said it is about time

that the government change the currency bills

since the New Design Series has been used the

last 30 years.

“The NDS was launched in 1985 and we are

now 2015, supposedly bills had to be changed

every five years and 10 years for coins,” Sumbi

said.

Sumbi said there were just a few changes

made to some bills like the P5 and P10, but these

are already rare ones, they were made into coins.

She said that it is best for all the sectors

to be aware of the important dates of the

demonetization program which is to take its full

effect on 2017. Managing director of the

C u r r e n c y M a n a g e m e n t S u b - S e c t o r

(CMSS) Illuminada Sicat said starting January 1,

2016 all NDS banknote will no longer have

monetary value and could no longer be use in

business or financial transactions.

However, it can be changed with New

Generation Currency (NGC) if surrendered to

banks or to BSP itself.

Sicat reiterated that by January 1, 2017 NDS

banknotes that have not been exchanged shall

no longer have any monetary value, and are

considered demonetized.

“Kung hindi nyo po maipagpapalit during

these period; collectors item nalang po yan at

hindi na liability ng BSP ” Sicat said.

Sicat appealed to the public that as early as

now they should use their NDS bills or surrender

them for exchange. “Hindi naman po masamang

mag-ipon, pero meron na pong mga bangkong

tutulong sa inyong magtago ng inyong pera, kung

magagamit nyo po ngayon,gamitin nyo na bago pa

mahuli na ang lahat” she said.

On the other hand, persons living abroad

who have in their possession banknotes from old

series, which they cannot exchange within the

prescribed period may register online from

October 1 to December 31, 2016 throgh the BSP

website (www. bsp.gov.ph).

These persons can exchange their banknotes

with BSP within one year from the date of

registration. Banknotes are advised to be changed

every 5 years for security purposes.

As of now there are 542 million pieces of

NDS banknote in the entire country equivalent to

112 Billion pesos. BSP is hoping that before 2017,

all these NDS will be surrendered to them in

order to have a single currency circulating with

strong security features. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/

with reports from Joshua Carbonillas, CTU

Devcom Intern)

BSP conducts 1st multi-sectoral dialogue for

demonetization program

Ferliza C. Contratista

UBAY, Bohol May 25 (PIA) -- A course completion requirement in journalism as well as a prelude to school publication, Bohol

Northern Star Colleges (BNSC) in partnership with Bohol Balita Daily News (BBDN) brought in a pool of writers to introduce

journalism topics to its summer enrolees on May 22 in Ubay, Bohol.

BNSC brings writers pool for summer journ training

A traditional event for incoming staff

of the school publication for the

semester, the journalism workshop

was coordinated by professor John Diocor

Labayos, who also writes a column for BBDN's

English daily; The Bohol News Today.

BBDN publisher and veteran newspaperman

Juanilo "Johnny" Orioque, syndicated news

writer Ric Obedencio and the Philippine

Information Agency in Bohol came to

share topics on newspapering, news

writing and photojournalism during the day-long

event.

Orioque shared his newspapering

experience to students who had a bit of idea how

it is to run news papers.

A f o r m e r c o u n c i l o r t u r n e d

newspaperman, Orioque first handled a

weekly publication in Bohol as layout

artist, and decided to buy out the printing

machine.

Now the publisher of two daily papers:

BBDN a Cebuano daily and BNT an

english daily, Orioque has shown that hard

work and diligence in newspapering can be a good

profession.

On the other hand, Obedencio writes for

local papers, including BBDN and BNT, as well as

provincial and regional papers.

A decorated lens man and a sharp witted

writer, Obedencio just retired from government

and decided to write full time.

PIA Bohol on the other hand, offered

its student writers' crafted photography

and photojournalism module to the student

writers.

This is the first time that we

invited resource persons and we did not

expect this good response, Labayos said during

the event.

The activity, part of the summer

course offered for the 30 students at BNSC,

was held to add more inputs into the

students learning after a summer course. (mbcn/

rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 27 (PIA) -- Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) in Negros Oriental recently turned

over immediate and livelihood assistance in the amount of P15,000 and 50,000 respectively to 33 Former Rebels (FR).

G racing the ocassion were Governor Roel

Degamo, Maj. General Rey Leonardo

Guerrero, Commander of the 3rd Infantry

Division, Philippine Army (PA), Col. Allan

Martin, Commander, 302nd Brigade, PA, PSSUPT

Reynold Andot of the Negros Oriental Provincial

Police Office and Department of Interior and

Local Government Provincial Director Dennis

Quiñones.

In behalf of the CLIP committee, Gov.

Degamo distributed the financial assistance in a

form of checks to the 33 former rebels.

Degamo, in his speech, welcomed and felt

honored that the 33 former rebels re-integrated

themselves back to the folds of law.

The governor also encouraged them

to use properly the financial assistance of

P65,000 given to them so they can start a

new way of life and be partners in sustaining

the development programs of the provincial

government and hopefully become productive

members of the community.

He said that it is through the government's

effort in bringing basic services and support to the

people especially in the rural areas that peace can

be truly achieved.

He urged the former rebels to be partners

in sustaining development programs all for the

good of the people in Negros Oriental.

Col. Allan Martin, commander of the 302nd

brigade, also urged formers rebels to be extra

cautious with the money and not to be influenced

to return to the rebel movement.

One of the former rebels, Jessie

Dacal-dacal, conveyed his message of thanks to

the provincial government, the Philippine Army

and to the rest of the CLIP committee members

for the trust and confidence in their decision of re

-integrating themselves back to the community

and most especially for the financial assistance

extended to them. (rmn/lpp/PIA7/Negros

Oriental)

Former rebels in NegOr receive financial aid from CLIP

Leandria P. Pagunsan

Flores de MayoFlores de Mayo–– SantacruzanSantacruzan

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

LGUs, media vital in achieving MDG health tar-

gets - DOH

T his was admitted by Department of

Health (DOH) Undersecretary, Dr.

Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., in a press

conference today at the Leyte Park Hotel.

According to him the MDG goals to be

hit by May next year, is like playing a basketball

game on its last quarter.

“The fight is so close, but let us target not

just to be kulelat, kung pwede lang let us be

number one,” the doctor urged the health officials

present, mayors and media.

Undersecretary Belizario admitted however,

that it is rather hard for them to fully achieve the

MDG goals of reducing the number of deaths

among mothers of reproductive age as well as the

number of deaths among infants, but he

emphatically stated his expectation to hit the

mark, in partnership with line agencies, media

and local government units, before the President

Aquino‟s term is completed in June next year.

In fact, he said, by May next year, they at

DOH hope to present to Malacañang a good

report card, as to where went to, the investment

in health services, which the Aquino

Administration has so put up in.

Thus the launching today of the “Universal

Health Care High Impact Five”, which expects to

cover the provinces of Northern and Eastern

Samar and Leyte provinces. Biliran and Western

Samar were not included though in the

DOH-08 urgent targets but, DOH-08 Regional

Director, Dr. Jose Llacuna, said they are not

totally neglecting the two provinces.

To execute the High Impact breakthrough

that is aimed to approximate the MDG goals 4 &

5, Dr. Paula Sydiongco, DOH-08 Assistant

Regional Director, shared that they will do Health

Caravans in these areas, where they will render

services in 1) Maternal Care, 2) Infant Care, 3)

Under Five vaccines and Integrated Management

of Childhood Illnesses, 4) Diagnosis and

Treatment and Peer Counselling for HIV-AIDS

and 5) Profiling, Mapping and Matching.

Previous reports indicate Eastern Visayas to

be in need to improve health interventions so as

to reduce maternal mortality rate (MMR) from

102 per 100,000 births, to at least 52.

The health of babies and infants are certainly

the current focus also of DOH-08, Dr. Llacuna

said.

“The babies‟ or infants‟ health has to be

given exact attention and appropriate services

too, because when the mother is not healthy, so

would the baby be and vice-versa”, Dr. Llacuna

added.

In the country, some 43 provinces are now

taking DOH limelight in terms of health

interventions and services before the buzzer of

June 2016 sounds up, as Dr. Belizario concluded.

(PIA-08)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 26 (PIA) – We need the local chief executives and media in helping us document

good stories and challenges as well in our efforts to hit by 2016 the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) four

and five.

Phalaenopsis x intermedia Orchid variety also Phalaenopsis x intermedia Orchid variety also

known as Star of Leyte known as Star of Leyte

DepEd-E. Samar spearheads convergence meeting

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, May 29 (PIA) --- The Division of Eastern Samar conducted their Inter-Agency and

Stakeholders‘ Convergence Meeting on May 20, 2015 at the 3rd Floor, DepEd, Division Office Building, this City.

T he meeting was spearheaded by OIC,

Asst. Schools Division Superintendent

Elena de Luna.

During the meeting, issues and concerns of

DepEd on how to address the problems

commonly encountered during the opening of

classes this coming June 1, 2015 were tackled and

discussed.

On the part of the DPWH, represented by

Engr. Domcelio M. Natividad, Chief Maintenance

Section said that for the year 2014 there were

138 school projects wherein 25 were completed,

85 are on-going and 28 not yet started.

Engr. Natividad added that for this year

2015, there are 25 school projects to be

constructed.

He further said, that DPWH will conduct

repainting on the pedestrian lane and to remove

obstruction nearest to the school premises to

ensure the safety of the children.

While on the part of ESAMELCO, General

Manager, Atty. Jose Michael Amancio informed

the participants that the ASEAN Development

Bank – Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction

(ADB-JFPR), donated $1.5M for the reconnection

and connection of electricity of different schools

and hospitals in the province.

Some 67 public schools stands to benefit

from stable supply of electricity.

The PNP for its part assured security

through deployment of PNP personnel in their

respective area of responsibility and the visibility

of policemen nearest the school premises

especially the big schools.

ASDS de Luna thanked the participants for

their wholehearted support to the DepEd to

achieve a successful school year 2015-2016.

The said meeting was attended by

school principals, supervisors, DPWH, DENR,

PNP, DSWD, ESAMELCO, DYES, Radyo ng

Bayan, PAG-ASA and PhilHealth. (ajc/sdc/PIA8-E

Samar)

SAMUEL CANDIDO

Pilmico honors 'Yolanda' heroes, provides livelihood assistance

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 25 (PIA) - The Pilmico Foods Corporation gave due recognition to the unsung heroes of

Eastern Visayas during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda.

A ccording to Ms. Norie Bermudez, Pilmico

Assistant Vice President, the giving of due

recognition to Yolanda heroes was their

way of honouring the exemplary service they

provided despite their being victims themselves of

the super typhoon to ever hit the Philippine soil

on November 8, 2013.

AVP Bermudez shared the story of

Ferdinand “Nick” P. Quieta from Brgy. Calogcog,

Tanauan, Leyte who lost five children during the

typhoon but despite such loss he and his wife did

not give up and instead contacted their friends

and relatives abroad to ask for help to be used for

the survivors by giving them food, clothing and

carpentry materials as well as established an

association for the purpose of planting crops and

other vegetable products.

AVP Bermudez bared that this kind of

extraordinary service is uncommon but due to

the natural attitude of Filipinos in not giving up

despite challenges in life, it will eventually come

out specially during calamities, disaster and even

on ordinary times.

Other awardees were Engr. Cleto Villaflor,

Riverside Burayan, San Jose, Tacloban City; Maria

Emma R. Bagon, Marasbaras, Tacloban City; Nila

O. Gacusana, Basey Samar; Security Guard

Tristan A. Enales, Brgy. Aringit, Pastrana, Leyte;

Melenda Melendres, Brgy. Camaysihay, Palo,

Leyte. The awardees were given a token of

recognition, livelihood assistance in the form of

piggery or poultry provided with egg machine and

sari-sari store.

Their company is promoting backyard

gardening as a way of sustaining food security for

every family, said Bermudez.

Pilmico Foods Corporation is the food

subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and is

one of the country‟s largest flour milling

companies. In 1998, they ventured into feeds and

swine business through their wholly-owned

subsidiary, Pilmico Animal Nutrition.

The Pilmico Foods product is available in all

agrivet, and authorized dealer and retailer stores

throughout the Philippines. (ajc/jhb/PIA-8)

Jonnie H. Buenaventura

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

TB control extremely important, says US official

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 25(PIA) - The US government is continuously working to restore normalcy to the lives of

Yolanda survivors particularly on the health aspect.

T his was proven during the recent visit in

the city of United States Ambassador to

the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg who

led the inauguration of a two-storey health facility

at the Tacloban City Health Office that will house

a tuberculosis treatment clinic.

Said health facility complete with medical

equipment for ready-use will benefit the residents

of Tacloban who are infected with TB.

When asked why they prefer on

constructing a TB DOTS facility, the ambassador

said they want to help the Philippines in

controlling this disease as it gets to be of high

proportions. “Tuberculosis control is extremely

important. The Philippines is ranked 7 out of 20

countries with the highest tuberculosis cases in

the world. We focused on TB because that‟s

where we thought we can make a difference,” he

said.

On his part, Tacloban City Mayor

Alfred Romualdez was very grateful for the

wholehearted support of the US government in

rebuilding the lives of the people of the city.

Meanwhile, Tacloban City Health Officer

Joedina Gumagay, who formally accepted the

project on behalf of the government of the

Philippines, assured that the facility will be put to

good use.

On said occasion, Gumagay admitted that

TB is a major health problem in the Philippines.

Among the 22 high-burdened countries with

TB, it is the 6th leading cause of mortality and 75

Filipinos die of tuberculosis each day.

Last year, 258 smear positive cases and 608

patients manifested all forms of TB. In Tacloban

alone, there are 5 cases of drug-resistance

patients undergoing treatment and it costs P600,

000 for each patient.

After Yolanda struck in 2013, restoration of

TB services was a very big challenge for the city

heath office of Tacloban. However, with the help

of foreign partners and the Department of Health

the disease was controlled from spreading.

With the overall effort in restoring primary

health care services, the new health facility and

equipment will enable the city health office to

provide safe TB treatment medications. A total of

12 health facilities will be constructed by the US

government implemented through the United

States Agency for International Development

(USAID) Rebuild project. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Flores de MayoFlores de Mayo–– SantacruzanSantacruzan

381 farmers graduate from DA‘s university on the air

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 28 (PIA) - A total of 381 farmers in Leyte and Samar coming from 23 municipalities graduated

from the Department of Agriculture's (DA) University on the Air (UOA) aired over Radio Station DYVL Aksyon Radyo,

Tacloban City.

A ccording to Leo P. Caneda, DA Regional

Executive Director, the UOA Program is

a broadcast course aimed to provide

farmer-student the knowledge on the latest

farming technology to achieve food security in the

entire region.

Dir. Caṅeda added that in order for the

Eastern Visayas region attain food security "we

must attain the 100% threshold, for now we

reached 94% but still has a gap of 6% which the

agriculture department is filling in order to attain

a food secure region."

He went on to say that one of the initiatives

of the office is to provide a program that can

reach the remotest barangay across the region

thru active involvement and participation by the

farmer-student of the problems they encounter

and how to combat such problems through the

use of the latest farm technology and by providing

them quality rice seeds.

Most of the farmer-students comes from

the remotest barangays in Leyte and Samar who

are registered farmers in their respective

municipalities. Lorenzo Caca, Jr. from Sta. Fe,

Leyte in his valedictory address congratulated his

fellow graduates and promised to apply his

acquired knowledge and continue to be a farmer.

In Eastern Visayas the ratio per hectare of

rice production is 70 to 80 cavans per hectare.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

posted in its latest survey that of the three

regions in the Visayas area, Eastern Visayas has a

positive outlook of sustaining and increasing rice

productivity. The University on the Air

commencement exercises for this year is the 26th

graduation rites. (ajc/jhb/PIA-8)

SoLeyte Search for Most Environment-Friendly LGUs on

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 25 (PIA) - One of the highlights during the 55th founding anniversary of the province of

Southern Leyte will be the honoring of Local Government Units (LGUs) both for the municipalities and barangays who are

best prepared for any disaster and aggressively greening the community to fight against climate change.

“ As the province of Southern Leyte will

celebrate its founding anniversary come July

1, 2015, the provincial government has

started its search for the first time for the Most

Environment-Friendly LGUs, both for the

municipal/city and barangays with the creation of

the Provincial Search Committee for the Most

Environment-Friendly LGUs.” Provincial

Environment and Natural Resources Management

Officer (PENRMO) head Dr Eva Abad said.

She noted that Provincial Governor Roger

Mercado also wanted to know the status of

disaster preparedness of the province and how

the LGUs cope with the climate change thru this

search.

The search is anchored on implementation

of programs and projects geared towards disaster

reduction management and environment and

natural resources management and climate change

adaptation.

Among the priority programs are the LGU

institutionalization of the offices of the City/

Municipal and barangay Environment and Natural

Resources Officer (C/MENRO) and the City/

Municipal and barangay Disaster Risk Reduction

Officer (C/MDRRMO) already established in

respective LGUs if the foremost consideration of

the search.

The LGU must be armed with law

enforcement mechanisms like the presence of

Bantay Dagat, Bantay Katunggan, Bantay Lasang,

Bantay Basura and Mining Regulation Task forces,

she added. The search team will scrutinize the

financial mechanisms of each LGUs to the coastal

and fisheries projects, forest rehab projects waste

collection and disposal projects and local disaster

risk reduction management funds requirements

for the various programs and projects to move,

Abad said.

She noted that these offices with

corresponding officers and budget are very crucial

in the preparedness of any eventuality by way of

focusing in the acquisition of emergency response

equipments, early warning devices, standard

evacuation centers, relocation sites established,

among others.

The environment and natural resources

management which is also among the mitigating

measures includes the marine protected area/

sanctuaries protection, aqua/mariculture projects

like tilapia, bangus, seaweeds, etc, planting of

mangrove/beach trees, waste disposal facility,

waste recycling projects, riverbank planting,

roadside planting and production forests, she

further informed..

If all of those mentioned programs, projects

are implemented in each municipality down to

their barangays, the province will create a micro

climate of a cool atmosphere, hence, strong

typhoons will not prosper as it nears the premises

of the province particularly with the abundance of

trees across the province, Abad said further..

Another challenge for each LGU is the

establishment of proper solid waste management

in their respective municipalities and the city of

Maasin, Abad concluded. (esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

ERNA S. GORNE

JONNIE H. BUENAVENTURA

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