Vol 5 Issue 23 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 June 8 – 14, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DENR-7 completes SWID Project in NegOr

Over 5K Leyte 4Ps beneficiaries finish high school

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Growth and stability possible by working with others

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, June 12 (PIA6) --- President Benigno S. Aquino III pledged the country‘s commitment to building a true

community of nations in front of some 75 diplomats and country representatives who joined in the vin d‘honneur held

at the newly-restored provincial capitol building here. He said that a global community can truly be forged if

each nation-state realizes that their growth and stability hinge on their ability to work with others.

―This is the clearest path towards a world where there is mutual respect, where we are all bound by

international law and by a single definition of our entitlements and obligations; where we are all brothers, all of equal footing,

working side-by-side,‖ he said. He also cited the support of the international community

that recognized the earnest efforts; saw an honest government and a people truly worth helping, which paved way for the

country to achieve its goals. He also expressed his thanks to the many countries that

continue to render assistance after typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the nation in 2013.

―In turn, we Filipinos have participated in similar endeavors, including peacekeeping efforts in the Golan

Heights, in Haiti, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast, among others,‖ he said.

"It has even come to the point where we are told that

we punch above our own weight.

That may be true, especially when you consider that we

are a country with fewer resources as compared to others,‖ Aquino said.

He added that a true community of nations is bound together not only by the earth on which we live, but also and

more importantly by the determination to help each other, towards fostering global stability and prosperity. (JCM/LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

Juju M. Empuerto

CEBU CITY, June 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 recently

completed its Small Water Impounding Dam (SWID) Project in Barangay Tayawan, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental under the

watershed management program, according to DENR 7 Public Information Officer Dr. Eddie Llamedo.

Llamedo said the project has a total cost of P1,134,140.88 of which DENR 7 with the support and

technical assistance of the local government unit of Bayawan awarded the contract to United Farmers Association of

Tayawan (UFAT) for the establishment, development and maintenance.

The People‘s Organization (PO) UFAT has been an active partner of the DENR 7 especially in the implementation of the

National Greening Program (NGP), Llamedo added. According to DENR-7 Regional Director Dr.

Isabelo Montejo, the small water impounding dam is a structure constructed to hold back water and develop a reservoir

that will store rainfall and run-off during the rainy season for immediate or future use.

―The SWID will be a source of potable water to about 28 sitios in Barangay Tawayan, other than help add supply water

to neighboring fishponds and adjacent rice fields throughout

the summer season,‖ Montejo said. Following the completion of the SWID, PO UFAT with

around 100 members thanked the DENR for granting them the SWID project and vowed to maintain and sustain it.

Aside from functioning as an impounding dam, PO UFAT saw its potential to cater aesthetic and recreational value.

The organization developed the area, built cottages and constructed a spring box to serve as a swimming pool for

children and adults with corresponding affordable entrance fees to make it income generating, bared the environment and

natural resources official. UFAT President Edgar Osorio said the project "is a big

help to us PO members not only that we have the water source, we have generated income out of it. This is a fulfillment

of our dreams!‖ Negros Oriental Provincial Environment and Natural

Resources Officer Charlie Fabre said upon learning of the development since it became an instant and sustainable

livelihood opportunity to the PO members. ―This is a manifestation that people seeks to develop

their economic condition and are willing to do what it takes to achieve it," he said. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DENR-7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

PALO, Leyte, June 11 (PIA) – Around 5,149 high school students in the Province of Leyte who are 4P's

beneficiaries have graduated Wednesday at Leyte Academic Center Gymnasium, this town.

The graduates came from various public high schools in 40 municipalities and one city in Leyte. Of the total number of

graduates, 409 students were top achievers who were given honors and recognition for their achievements in school.

In her valedictory address, Danica P. Conte from Hindang, Leyte expressed her utmost gratitude to the

government for implementing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) with the hope to continue helping the poor families.

―To the DSWD, saying thank you is not enough because you really mean a lot in my life.

I hope that you will continuously help my countrymen especially the families and individuals who are poor like us,‖

Ponte said. She inspired her co-graduates by saying that ―to become

a valedictorian is not just easy for it requires courage and the ability to stand up and conquer the odds.‖

Ponte admitted that there were times that she was about

to give up due to some difficulties until she saw an array of hope through the 4Ps program of the government.

―Since Pantawid Pamilya came to our family, there was an improvement in terms of our livelihood. We can already

sustain our basic needs with the help of social assistance and monetary support given by the government. Indeed, Pantawid

Pamilyang Pilipino Program of DSWD helps us improve our livelihood,‖she said.

Ponte was also grateful to her family who is very supportive of her. She further said without the unconditional

love and care her family she is nothing. Meanwhile, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L.

Petilla emphasized that poverty is not a hindrance to success.

He reminded the 4Ps beneficiaries to continue learning and improve their value as the government will provide many

livelihood opportunities and scholarship grants especially to poor families.

The event was also attended by some mayors of the Province of Leyte, DSWD assistant regional director for

Operations Restituto B. Macuto and representatives from Deped, CHED and the DOH. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

A parade around Tacloban City led by the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources 8 family and participated in by different

government agencies and non-government

organizations kicked off World Environment Day

celebration on June 4. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

WESTERN VISAYAS

In line with the government‘s information

dissemination campaign about the Bangsamoro Basic

Law, a forum/workshop was held with guests from

the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace

Process (OPPAP) and the National Youth Commission

(NYC) to discuss the history and context of the peace

struggle in the Philippines and Young People‘s

representation in the Bangsamoro with John Boittee

Santos of OPPAP and Asec Perci Cendana of NYC as

panelists. After the forum, Jamil Faisal Adiong of

Generation Peace Youth Network-Cebu and Angeli

Monique Silvan of NYC facilitated their respective

workshops on: How can the youth support BBL? and

Small Ways to Peace. The forum/workshop was

attended by Cebu media, bloggers and school campus

journalists. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the

flag raising ceremony during the 117th Independence Day celebration at Sta.

Barbara, Iloilo. With him are (from L) Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, House

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, DILG Secretary

Mar Roxas and Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. (PIA 6/EJB)

President Benigno S. Aquino III offers the traditional toast to the guests

after delivering his speech during the Vin d‘ Honneur in commemoration of the 117th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence

at the ballroom of the Casa Real de Iloilo in General Luna Street, Iloilo

City on Friday (June 12). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Education can provide better employment

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, June 9 (PIA6) – Talisay City Mayor Dr. Eric Saratan is encouraging the youth to go to school

for better employment in the future, amidst the city’s effort to lure in investors.

“ The city government is trying its best

to gain recognition because we want

investments to come in,‖ Saratan said,

adding that it is important to educate people

because education can alleviate poverty.

―It is a waste if there are investors in

our city, yet our young people cannot be

employed,‖ he told the youth in attendance

during the Provincial Environment Month

kick-off at Talisay City.

Saratan mentioned that through the city

government‘s effort, they can attract

investors, similar to Ayala and Megaworld,

to choose Talisay City.

―We need to encourage the youth to

go to school, we must provide them with

opportunities, we must have a community

college and we must have a college in the

barrios,‖ he said. ―We are doing this, as a

local government unit, because we want to

provide young people the opportunity to be

more progressive and prosperous so that

they can help their families in the future,‖ he

said.

Saratan said opportunities for education

must also be given to their graduates in high

school who have no chance to enrol in big

schools in Bacolod City because of financial

constraints.

He also said the Department of

Education‘s K to 12 program has noble

intentions in helping the youth be more

employable.

―We believe that after you finish your

12th year, you can be employable,‖ he told

the youth. (JCM/CBA-PIA Negros Occ.)

By Carlson B. Alelis

ILOILO CITY, June 12 (PIA6) --- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday stressed the importance of good governance in

accomplishing numerous infrastructure projects that benefitted common people here.

Good governance needed in infra projects

By Leonard T. Pineda I

I n his speech after inspecting

infrastructure projects here, Aquino

said that his ―Daang Matuwid‖ has

paved way for vital government

infrastructure projects that helped uplift the

lives of our countrymen.

―Tinututukan natin ang pagpapatayo at

pagpapaunlad ng mga kalsada, tulay,

paliparan, pantalan, at iba pang importanteng

imprastruktura,‖ he said.

The President also cited various

circumstances on how these projects im-

proved the quality of life of ordinary citizens.

―May estudyante, dati kilo-kilometro

ang nilalakad araw-araw makarating lang

sa eskuwela; nagpagawa tayo ng kalsada,

kaya napabilis at napaginhawa ang

kanyang pagpasok—di ho ba maganda ‗yan?‖

he said.

―May magsasakang umaasa na lang sa

pagbagsak ng tubig-ulan para madiligan ang

kanyang pananim; isinakatuparan natin ang

kailangang sistemang pang-irigasyon, kaya

buong taon na siyang nakakapagsaka, at

napaparami na ang ani—di ho ba maganda rin

‗yon?‖ he also said.

He also said that farmers from far-flung

agr icu l tura l a reas have grea t ly

benefitted from the construction of more

farm-to-market roads which made transport

of agricultural goods to market easier.

―Samakatuwid po, maganda ang

naidudulot ng tamang imprastruktura sa

buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan;

direkta ang pakinabang nito sa pag-asenso ng

ating mga Boss,‖ he added.

Meanwhile, President Aquino inspected

and inaugurated major infrastructure

projects here on his arrival on Thursday

including the twin road projects named in

honor of former President Corazon C.

Aquino and Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

worth P2.5 billion.

Likewise, he also inspected the Dungon

Bridge IV worth P68 million, the Muelle

Loney Bridge also known as Drilon Bridge

costing P73 million, and the Iloilo

International Airport Service Road costing

P131 million.

The President also passed by the

P700-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC)

in Mandurriao district that will serve

as main venue for the ministerial meetings

of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic

Cooperation (APEC) summit that will be

hosted by this city later this year. (JCM/LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

Abaca farmers get livelihood kits

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 9 (PIA6) – Fifteen livelihood starter kits for abaca farmer beneficiaries were distributed by

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Jamindan town last week as part of its program to help Micro Small and Medium

Enterprises (MSMEs) build back better after Yolanda.

T he recipients, mostly housewives

and students, were also taught

basic entrepreneurship during the

giving out of kits which included 15 kilos of

abaca fiber, dye and handicraft patterns,

among others.

DTI has also turned over five solar

dryers for the abaca farmers last

February that will be utilized as a facility to

dry up abaca strips by about 269 abaca farm-

ers from barangays Jaena, Ganzon and San

Juan in the municipality.

The agency‘s assistance to abaca

growers also included the conduct of skills

training on classifying and knotting of abaca

fiber in coordination with some

member-agencies on abaca production

convergence project dubbed ―Kurambos‖ in

Tapaz town.

―There is a high demand for knotted

abaca,‖ said DTI – Capiz public information

officer Ken Cuñada, adding that Aklan is a

potential market of rolled and white fibers

yield.

About five skills trainings aimed to

add value to the products have been

initiated by DTI for abaca farmers in the last

five years.

The municipalities of Jamindan and

Tapaz have vast abaca plantations because of

their location and soil suitable to the crop.

(JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

By Alex A. Lumaque

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

PDRRMC center to rise in Aklan

By Venus G. Villanueva

KALIBO, Aklan, June 10 (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan has invested P12 million for the improvement of the Trade Hall

building at the Capitol grounds intended to house the command center of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (PDRRMC).

E xpected to be completed by the

fourth quarter of this year,

the project, according to Aklan

governor Florencio T. Miraflores, is a

necessary investment as 20 typhoons visit

the Philippines each year.

When completed, it will be

housing the disaster risk reduction

equipment, first aid and rescue training

materials, Governor Miraflores said in his

message during the recent Operation Listo

Preparedness Dialogue which was read

by PDRRMC-Aklan Executive Officer Galo

Ibardolaza who represented him in the

activity.

The Operation Listo Preparedness

Dialogue was organized by the Department

of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG) Aklan and participated in by the Mu-

nicipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage-

ment Officers (MDRRMOs) of the 17

municipalities of the province, private/

business sectors, academe, civil society

representatives and the media as a

venue to identify each sector‘s roles in

helping to build disaster-resilient

communities.

For spearheading the activity,

the governor thanked DILG-Aklan for the

partnership and the concerted effort to

inculcate in the stakeholders their

respective roles and responsibilities on

disaster risk reduction and management.

―Indeed, we must not wait for the

150 – 200 kilometer winds to start

blowing before we reinforce our houses, or

evacuate. Or wait for the floodwaters

to be neck-deep before we relocate to

higher ground. We should not be

complacent.

Disaster preparedness should be a

continuing effort, a continuing program‖,

Governor Miraflores said in his prepared

message.

For his part, DILG-Aklan Provincial

Director John Ace Azarcon, who gave the

overview of the roll-out Strategy of the LGU

Preparedness Manuals/Operation Listo,

emphasized to the participants the

importance of the disaster dialogue to

upgrade preparedness.

―We have to adapt to the

changing times‖, Azarcon said. (JCM/VGV

PIA6 Aklan)

SAN JOSE, Antique, June 10 (PIA6) - - The P25 million worth of projects under the Recovery Assistance for Yolanda (RAY)

program for the Province Antique were completed while Batch 2 of the program is set to be released.

P rovincia l Director Victorio

Pagapulan of the Department of

Interior and Local Government said

the completion of the government

structures identified under the Batch 1 were

able to help the local government units in

bringing back to normal the government

services which was affected by Typhoon

Yolanda in November 2013.

The P25M worth of projects for Batch 1

was used to rehabilitate partially damaged

Municipal Halls, Public Markets and

Civic Centers in ten Yolanda-affected

municipalities namely Barbaza, Bugasong,

Culasi, Laua-an, Libertad, Pandan, San

Remigio, Sebaste, Tibiao and Valderrama.

The facilities are now occupied or being

used for its purpose after being turned over

to the respective local government units,

Pagapulan said.

For Batch 2, the Department of

Interior and Local Government is

facilitating the documentary requirements of

the projects for the province of Antique

amounting to P 26.8 million.

Batch 2 of RAY he said is intended

for the rehabilitation and repair of

Barangay Facilities of the 10 towns

mentioned. Included are rehabilitation of

Barangay Hall, Civic Centers and Day Care

Centers which was also affected by the

super typhoon.

Recovery Assistance for Yolanda (RAY)

program is facilitated by the Department of

Interior and Local Government. (JCM/PSM/

PIA6 Antique)

Antique’s P25M RAY projects completed, P26.8M forthcoming

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

ILOILO CITY, June 12 (PIA6)—For independence to have lasting meaning, it should bring freedom from want and uplift

people’s lives, according to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor.

I n today‘s Independence Day rites in

the historic town of Sta. Barbara,

Iloilo, Defensor, despite recent

illness, spoke with candor and vigor, citing

President Aquino‘s care for Ilonggos

who shared in the nation‘s struggle for

freedom.

―This is the greatest thing that ever

happened to Iloilo, the celebration of the

117th Philippine Independence Day here,‖

Defensor said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III led

today‘s celebration of the 117th Philippine

Independence in Sta. Barbara, attended by

members of the diplomatic corps, cabinet

secretaries, legislators and other national

officials.

Defensor said that the success of a

nation does not begin and end with the

celebration of independence.

―We seek liberation from life‘s wants,‖

Defesor said, adding that it is freedom from

violence, corruption and poverty that makes

freedom meaningful.

For the President, Defensor said, ―You

have proven that independence has meaning,

for having upgraded the lives of the Filpinos.‖

In his speech that followed, President

Aquino cited the benefits of the Pantawid

Pamilyang Pilipino Program which had put

the poor in the loop of development and has

given them the opportunity to rise from

economic deprivations. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Real independence uplifts people’s lives – Defensor

By Elsa S. Subong

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

NEGROS ORIENTAL, June 11 (PIA) -- Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas yesterday turned over the copy of the

executive order creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) signed by President Aquino to Gov. Roel Degamo at the Negros

Oriental Convention Center.

SILG Roxas turns over NIR EO to Governor

Degamo

T he turnover was witnessed by

representatives from local government units, academe, and civil society

organizations.

EO 183 states the need to further accelerate the social and economic development of the LGUs in

the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental and improve the delivery of public

services. However, Sec. Roxas said the EO is

"an instrument to guide both provinces to arrive at

the results that you want to happen, but it‘s up to the Negrenses how to use it. The future is in your hands.‖

In a meeting with provincial officials, Roxas cited National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) statistics that Negros Oriental has the

highest poverty rate in Region 7 with 50 percent of its population categorized as poor.

―This is not something to be ashamed of but

something to recognize to do something about, we

have to plan to address the situation and find the way out,‖ he added.

He noted that part of the reasons of why

there are many poor may be because of lack of investments, infrastructure on tourism, power and

road networks that bring goods to the markets, among others.

In the coming months, the NIR will have regional councils that will respond to its own needs which include the Negros Island Development

Council, Negros Island Peace and Order Council, and the Negros Island Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, whose priorities will be for the

advantage of Negrenses. Sec. Roxas said a Negros Island Region

Technical Working Group will be organized on

Tuesday, June 16, in Manila to plan institutional and organizational changes in the process of integrating the two provinces.

Initially, the Secretary said it is a consensus that

a regional center will be divided equally and the first to choose the cluster government departments is given to Negros Oriental which office will be in the

regional headquarters based in Dumaguete City. It is also agreed that for now, no regional

center will be set up because it will be costly but rather use the funds for services for the people.

All government departments will be put in clusters; human development cluster, social services, infrastructure, economic, and security cluster.

For his part, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said the EO opens doors for talks and consultations towards the realization of Negros

Region with the support of the TWG. Gov. Degamo said consistent to his stand is to

consult the people by inviting representatives from

different sectors to formulate proposals, which he believes is beneficial to the advancement of the prov-ince. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Jennifer C. Tilos

SIQUIJOR, June 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHSS)

is now accepting applications for the 2015 DOST-PSHSS National Competitive Examination on October 3, 2015.

DOST Siquijor now accepts 2015 PSHSS NCE applications

T he Provincial Science and Technology

Center (PSTC) said applicants from Siquijor can submit their application forms and other

relevant documents at the DOST Siquijor PSTC on

or before August 24, 2015. Application forms with information kits are

available at the PSTC to all interested graduating elementary pupils, school heads or principals and/or

science and math teachers. Application forms may be photocopied.

The scholarship is open to all elementary

students, both public and private who belong to the

upper 10% of their graduating class.

For private school applicants, a non-refundable processing fee/testing fee worth P100.00 is collected.

Public school applicants however, are not

required to pay any testing fee. All entries in the application forms must be

duly accomplished, in duplicate, with 2 latest identical 1x1 ID pictures and report card.

To note, the age of the applicant must not be more than 15 years of age by 1 July 2016 or must be born on or after July 1, 2001.

In addition, for applicants who do not

have a final grade of 85 or higher in Science and Math, and a minimum final grade of 80 in all

other subjects, a certification that the

applicant belongs to the upper 10% of the batch is required.

Successful applicants can enjoy the following privileges: free tuition fee, free loan of books,

monthly stipend and uniform, transportation and living allowances for low income group. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from Reinhold Jek Y.

Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

CEBU, June 9 (PIA) --- Nug-as, a small upland community in Alcoy, Cebu became the latest recipient of a completed farm-to

-market road project from the Department of Agriculture.

DA opens P24M FMR project in Cebu’s upland community

O n May 27, 2015, Agriculture Secretary

Proceso Alcala and Cebu 2nd District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero led the inauguration

of the two-kilometer FMR that links Nug-As to

Mantalongon and Poblacion areas. In his remarks, Alcala said the P24-million FMR

project is an example of good coordination between the national government and local government

units as it allowed DA to build a much-needed infrastructure in a community identified by the office of Rep. Caminero.

By doing so, the government is able to touch base with its people, in line with President Aquino instructions, the DA chief said.

―‘Yan po ang kabilin-bilinan ng ating mahal na

Pangulong Aquino, na huwag na huwag pababayaan ang mga magsasaka sa buong bansa,‖ said Alcala, who

became the first national official to ever set foot in the community. ―Ganyan po kayo kamahal ni Pangulong Noynoy.‖

The FMR was envisioned to make human travel and the transport of goods to and fro the upland

barangay, which is around two hours away from

Cebu City, easier and faster. It, in fact, complements the Dalaguete Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (DAPTC) in Mantalongon, as it will help spur trading of

agricultural products between Nug-As and Mantalongon, as well as other barangays.

This will give local farmers wider market options, and consumers access to more affordable

and supply of basic food stuff, Caminero said. ―Kay pag wala market day diri sa Nug-As, ang

utanon sang Nug-As, dalhon sa Mantalongon. Ug

magtabo pod ma-Sabado dinhi sa Nug-As ang mga utanon. Ga-kinanglan ta guwapo ka kalsada,‖ the lawmaker explained. (During off-market days here in

Nug-As, farmers can bring their produce to

Mantalongon to sell. In turn, Mantalongon farmers can bring their produce to Nug-As during your

market day every Saturday. Which is why we need good roads.‖)

Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes De Los Santos, for his

part, thanked DA and Caminero for facilitating the project, which he said will greatly benefit the local

farmers, Nug-As being a major vegetable basket after

Mantalongon, growing both upland and highland vegetables.

Aside from Alcala, other key national and

regional DA officials also took part in the event, including Undersecretary for Field Operations Emerson Palad and DA Regional Field Office-Central Visayas (DA RFO-7) Director Angel Enriquez.

Alcala said the government is determined to ensure the sustainable socio-economic progress of Nug-As, as with other parts of the country.

As additional assistance, Alcala approved the request of Nug-As Barangay Captain Leopoldo Cabanug for additional funds worth P3 million to

expand an existing solar water pump project to

address the irrigation needs of hundreds of farmers. The DA chief also asked DA RFO-7 to deliver

at the soonest possible time two thousand pieces of planting materials – one thousand for cacao and another one thousand for guyabano – for distribution

to qualified beneficiaries. (rmn/PR from Mac Garcia, DA-OSEC)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

BOHOL, June 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is spending over P786 million just to equip secondary schools

with classrooms for the senior high schools within this year.

B ohol Division School Governance and

Operations Chief Desiderio Deligero said the sum comprises of 241 classrooms in

Bohol's second district, 226 classrooms in Bohol's

Third District and 112 class rooms for the First District.

At the Kapihan sa PIA recently, Deligero added the DPWH already had bidded some 579 new

classrooms for Bohol's senior high schools and would be erected in 119 school sites all over the province.

Biggest chunk of budget for classrooms among the districts fall for Congressman Aristotle Aumentado's district with P331,519,345.

Congressman Arthur Yap's district comes next with P298, 244,783 while the first district of Congressman Rene Relampagos gets

P156,869,535.

Some of the classrooms are now built, some are still being constructed, Deligero assures the completion of these projects within the year.

The earthquake of 2013 ruined 1260 class rooms in the high schools and 1567 in the

elementary and they all need replacements. For the high schools, the DepEd has completed

268 class room replacements using the Quick Response Fund assistance while an initiative of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) funded 216 of these

new classrooms. Meanwhile, PAGCOR has constructed 91

standard classrooms this school year, Deligero

said. As of April 30 DepED-Bohol completed 623

replacement classrooms while another 166 have

been constructed by interest groups making it at 789

classrooms that are being readied for the school opening, Deligero said.

"The rest, or some 622 of the classrooms have

been funded by the newly released batch 3 of the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF)," Deligero

added. As for major repairs, DepEd identified 985

classrooms all over Bohol and as of the last weeks of May 2015, the repairs which suffered from lack of available supply material and

carpenter construction workers achieved a combined accomplishment of 25 percent, Deligero reported.

Deligero however is certain these constructions can be completed in time for the end of June. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

DepED spends P786M on senior HS classrooms

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CEBU CITY, June 10 (PIA) – There are 23 more towns in Central Visayas region that will implement the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa

Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD-7).

More towns to implement Kalahi-CIDSS program in CV

“ We are fast-tracking the implementation of

our sub-projects in the different communities to meet its project timeline,‖ said DSWD-7

Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

According to DSWD-7 Information Officer for Listahanan Kerwin Macopia, at present, the Kalahi-CIDSS implemented by DSWD has an ongoing implementation in 69 towns.

Early this year, four towns started Kalahi-CIDSS implementation in Dalaguete

and Samboan, Cebu, Dimiao in Bohol, and Siaton in

Negros Oriental. Macopia said the 23 towns are Maria and San

Juan in Siquijor; Alegria, Alcantara, Argao,

Aloguinsan, Badian, Boljoon, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Oslob, Pinamungahan and Ronda in Cebu; Batuan, Corella, Cortes, Dagohoy, Dauis, Duero, Garcia

Hernandez, Panglao, Sierra Bullones and Sikatuna in Bohol.

These towns are currently in the

process of enrolling to the program which includes mobilization of communities to i den t i f y the i r p rob lems and needs ,

according to the social welfare and development official.

She added that through Kalahi-CIDSS, the poorest barangays are given access to

and control of key development decisions and resources.

Based on the latest monitoring and

evaluation report, Jabagat said ―we have an average of 6,416 households per municipality who attended the first and second community

consultations.‖ Jabagat emphasized that the cooperation

of the people is crucial in the implementation

in the various identified sub-projects because they will implement and maintain it.

A total of 53,846 community volunteers

have been trained on procurement, finance, infrastructure, monitoring, evaluation and grievance redress system.

During the recent learning visit in Compostela, Cebu, representatives from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Department of Finance (DOF) were impressed on

the high level of community participation of volunteers.

Ka l ah i -CIDSS sub -projects in c lude

concreting of barangay roads, construction of evacuation centers, water systems and day care centers.

Of the 1,616 identified subprojects under KALAHI-CIDSS, 30 have been completed while 364 are stil l ongoing, Macopia

concluded. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ with reports from DSWD7)

Juju M. Empuerto

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 8 (PIA) -- For the Environment Month of June, the environment department is on to school

visibility and engagements as their green school campaign runs from June 1 to 30.

A t the recent Kapihan sa PIA here,

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Information Officers

Cora Colarines and Jerome Pahang bared

that the month-long campaign will bring DENR to schools to press on more aggressive solid waste management practices and greening activities.

The Green School Campaign is on its second year this year, added Pahang.

By June and July, DENR is set to go to

schools and dish out talks and activities in line with climate change and the importance of forests, Pahang said.

This is a move to engage students into

the habit of planting trees and taking care of the finite environment for the future generations.

In Bohol, while some schools have attempted to institutionalize solid waste management programs, the accomplishments have been far from the desired results.

To note, in Jagna town, students collect trash from school and convert them to school supplies, according to local authorities.

"We need to get the trash before it gets to the sea," Amiela Balaba, information officer said.

Jagna has a thriving fishing industry and

being situated in a stretch with currents so strong, garbage in the sea can easily get to spread far and wide, ruining crucial marine environments.

Even then, as the Deaprtment of Education (DepEd) campaigns for school in a garden and other greening activities, most of the programs struggle against sustainability due to lack of

conviction. "For this, DENR would be touring

schools doing information, education and

communication activities and focusing on the Environment Month theme," Colarines said. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

DENR continues with green school campaigns

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

DSWD releases P1B for Kalahi-CIDSS in

EVisayas

D SWD Regional Social Marketing

Officer Jennifer Caspe Paa in a

message said that of the 1,865

barangays throughout the region about 3,820

National Community-Driven Development

Program (NCDDP)-funded sub-projects have

been identified by the community.

She noted that although Eastern Visayas

have the biggest NCDDP scope throughout

the country, Kalahi-CIDSS in Region 8 is the

first region to hit the disbursement target,

saying that the P1-B release is downloaded

directly to the community accounts of each

barangay whose community members managed

and implemented their chosen project.

Some of the identified sub-projects to be

implemented this year include improvement

of school buildings, rehabilitation of roads

and bridges and construction of barangay

evacuation centers.

―The milestones of Kalahi-CIDSS

disbursement is not possible without the men

and women of the community who put their

heart to this program.

We need to expedite the release of funds

in order to translate this money into projects

identified by the community members for their

own development need especially in

Yolanda-hit areas,‖ Paa quoted DSWD

Regional Director Nestor Ramos.

Kalahi-CIDSS is the poverty alleviation

program of the national government that seeks

to empower community members using the

Community-Driven strategy.

The NCDDP is the expansion into a

national scale of community-driven strategy

which was tried and proven effective by the

Kalahi-CIDSS program in the past 12 years.

(ajc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 9 (PIA) -- A total of P1,008,526,165.63 has already been released to the

barangay-beneficiaries of the whole Eastern Visayas through the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) program of

the national government.

Samar barangays embrace UBAS

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, June 5 (PIA) - Samar barangays adopt another transparency and accountability measure of the

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simabahan (UBAS).

A fter seeking the involvement of the non

-government organizations and civil

society in local governance, this time

the local government is asking the church for

the same involvement.

In yesterday‘s launch of Ugnayan ng

Barangay at Simbahan in Samar‘s capital city,

DILG Regional Director Pedro Noval stressed

the need to initiate meaningful change to

improve local governance.

UBAS aims to harness community

participation to uphold transparency and

accountability measures to promote good

governance in the barangay.

It also aims to identify areas that require

improvement in social services.

―This is a unique opportunity to work

together with the religious and even

other religious denominations in the barangay,‖

said the DILG Regional Director in his

message.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan added

that she has high regard for Calbayog Bishop

Msgr. Isabelo Abarquez and his parish priests

whom she consults when it comes to her

brand of governance.

The partnership, she added, has resulted

to better delivery of social services.

―I also seek other religious groups to help

us, ang kakulangan ng gobyerno, sila ang

pumupuno,‖ Tan said.

The church vision of social services seem

to rub-off on the local leaders, as the governor

acknowledged the role of the Catholic

Church‘s social action ministry.

She said that she experienced the strong

partnership after Typhoon Yolanda struck

Samar.

Although Fr. Cesar Aculan of the social

action center still has some reservation, he still

showed his support and said he will take it

from there.

Melania Rebato Liga President of San Jose

de Buan says she welcomes the Catholic

Church involvement, as a Catholic, she said she

has always respected the church‘s perspective

in barangay affairs.

The launch which included MOA signing

was attended by the National Liga ng Barangay

President Atty. Edmund Abesamis, Executive

Director Atty. Mariness Ledesma and other

local Liga and DILG luminaries.

DILG Director Noval once more

invited the involvement of the other so called

stakeholders to join and participate for a more

engaged citizenry that will push local

governments to action.

―Coming together is the beginning, staying

together is progress and working together is

success,‖ Noval said. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

NINFA B. QUIRANTE

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

Over 75K human rights victims file claims TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 9 (PIA) – A total of 75, 537 number of claim applications for human rights violations during

Marcos regime were received by the government until the last day of filing.

I n a press statement, Human Rights

Vict ims‘ Claim Board (HRVCB)

Chairperson Lina C. Sarmiento said,

about 28, 409 applications were received

during the second round of filing that lasted

until May 30, 2015.

The first intake was done from May 12

until November 10 last year wherein 47, 128

applications were received by HRVCB.

However, Sarmiento clarified that

applications filed beyond May 30, 2015 will not

be accepted anymore.

―There are still a few who go to the office

and ask if they can still file their claims, but

even if we want to, we cannot go beyond what

the law says,‖ Sarmiento added.

But Sarmiento said ―this is not the end‖.

The Board has been authorized by

law to grant motu propio recognition to

human rights violations victims who did not

apply.

―Although no monetary reparation is

given to them, these HRVV‘s are entitled to

be included in the Roll of Human Rights

Violations Victims to be prepared by the

board, she said.

Relative to this, the Board explored

partnerships with other government agencies

for non-monetary reparations in accordance

with section 5, chapter 5 of Republic Act

10368.

This involves coordination with the

Technical Education and Skills Development

Authority (TESDA), Department of

Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher

Education (CHED), Philippine Health Insurance

Corporation (Philhealth) and the Department

of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),

among others. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Gov highlights environment, tourism and agri

dev’t in SoLeyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, June 8 (PIA) – In a press conference held Tuesday at the Provincial Capitol, Gov. Roger G.

Mercado highlighted environment, tourism and agriculture development to boost economic situation in the province.

H e said that the Provincia l

Environment and Natural Resources

Management Office is now busy

monitoring people who are threatening

the province‘ natural resources, from the sea,

to the mainland and to the islands, saying

that ―the environment office is denying

permits to cut trees to protect and preserve

our environment.‖

The provincial government is imposing a

―total log ban in Southern Leyte,‖ Gov.

Mercado said.

Meanwhile, on tourism industry, the

governor mentioned Napantao, in San

Francisco town as one of the best dive sites in

the world and discovered also a dive site in

Barangay Otikon, Libagon as one of the best

dive sites, much better than Napantao

He also reported on the ongoig two big

ticket projects that will support the

development efforts for Maasin City and the

province.

These are the Maasin City airport in

Barangay Pana-awan which is now extending a

500-meter runway that the Cebu Pacific

Airways required the province to complete

the 2-kilometer runway, and the Roro Port in

Barangay Guadalupe to be operational by

December 2015.

Gov. Mercado told the media

practitioners that the province aims in

‖achieving progress especially in tourism,

environment and agriculture.‖

The agriculture department is now

covering different municipalities in terms of

delivering agriculture programs to far-flung

barangays.

He informed that the vet office has

delivered livestock programs and provided

technical assistance to the recipients.

He is asking the media to help the

province in disseminating the programs

of the government because ―information

is important and powerful, for the

people to be aware of the said programs ‖ he

said.

He then urged the provincial

department heads to visit local radio

outlets, prints news outlets to disseminate

the activities of their office. (ajc/rgc/

PIA8-SoLeyte)

UOA boosts farmers’ awareness of latest farming technologies

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 9 (PIA) – Around 400 farmers from Leyte and Samar finished the broadcast

course ―University-on-the-Air (UOA) on Sustainable Rice Production‖ recently at the Leyte Academic Center.

T he broadcast course aired over radio

station DYVL was initiated by the

Department of Agriculture Regional

Field Office-8 in collaboration with the Office

of the Provincial Agriculturist of Leyte. Topics

discussed on air were focused on sustainable

rice farming technologies including organic

agriculture and climate mitigation strategies.

In his message, DA Regional Executive

Director Leo P. Caneda underscored the

importance of continuing the broadcast course

to increase the knowledge of farmers on new

methods of farming.

―This is a tool that will raise the

awareness of farmers on latest farming

technologies and help them increase their yield

and income, thereby improving their way of

life,‖ Caneda said.

―Our rice productivity has been sustained

and increasing. Despite super typhoon Yolanda,

we were able to prove our resiliency in the

rice industry, he added.

On the other hand, Leyte Governor

Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla who was the

keynote speaker in said activity has encouraged

all farmers to pursue their farming activities.

―Let us not lose hope just as we did not

give up amidst catastrophes we‘ve been

through,‖ Petilla added.

Lorenzo Caca Jr. of Sta. Fe, Leyte

who became the valedictorian shared his

experiences in rice farming and offered some

tips that can be adopted by his fellow

farmer-graduates.

The ―University on the air‖ on Sustainable

Rice Production was the 26th broadcast

course offered by the DA Regional office 8

through the Regional Agriculture & Fisheries

Information Section. (cba/PIA-8)

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TESDA-8 asks local officials to monitor use of toolkits

NAVAL, Biliran, June 11 (PIA) – The lady chief of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

in Region 8 sought the help of the municipal and barangay officials in the monitoring on the use of toolkits distributed

to training graduates.

N o less than Cleta Omega, regional

director of TESDA-8 attended the

graduation and distribution of

national training certificates and toolkits to

some 50 graduates of Maripipi town held at the

town covered court on Tuesday, June 9.

There were 20 trainees who graduated in

preparing and cooking hot meals leading to

cookery NC II, and 30 trainees who graduated

in preparing and cooking cold meals leading to

cookery NC II.

Omega appealed to the local government

officials of Maripipi town to also help TESDA 8

in monitoring if the distributed toolkits were

used by the graduates and see to it that it will

not be sold by the beneficiaries because

the acquisition is quite hard on the part of the

government.

She also shared to the graduates in

Maripipi town in Biliran province the same

reminder shel always tell during previous

graduations and distributions of toolkits she

attended to accept complaints from customers

since this is the only way to improve their

work performance and to give the best kind of

service to them.

―Do not sell your toolkits since these

will be a big help in your livelihood or in

augmenting your income,‖ Omega told

the graduates.

Meanwhile, Omega and the rest of the

TESDA family proceeded to Sambawan Island

Dive Camp and Resort, a famous tourist

destination in the island town of Maripipi

and one of the most sought of tourist

destinations in Biliran province at present, to

relish the beauty of nature after the graduation

and distribution of toolkits.# (ajc/fj/PIA 8

Biliran)

RODRIGO S. VICTORIA

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

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

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

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

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

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

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