Vol 5 Issue 30 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 July 27 - August 2, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue OCD-8 releases P46M cash assistance for 'Yolanda' victims

PNoy cites 4Ps in attaining inclusive growth

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Metro Cebu administrative body hopes to be legalized soon Ferliza C. Contratista

CEBU CITY, July 30 (PIA)—The move to formally declare Metro Cebu as an administrative region is hoped to be realized soonest to ensure sustainability of the Mega

Cebu Roadmap. Movers of the Mega Cebu vision emphasized at the

Kapihan sa PIA the need for the legality of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) as a

clustered administrative region. MCDCB consultant Atty. Lisa Osorio said, there is a

need to finally make the body into law to ensure continuity

of the Mega Cebu Roadmap. Mega Cebu is the branding of the inter-local

cooperation towards a more sustainable, smart and

inclusive ciy-region.

The roadmap which started in 201, plotted the collaborative plans of the 14 local government units in

Metro Cebu along with private and civic organizations about common areas of concern.

―And the roadmap is now ready, so it is better to

have this body formalized for the implementation,‖ Osorio said.

She said, although the set up now MCDCB is covered by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), it is not binding

enough.

Cebu‘s congressmen already made the intention to

propose the legislation after the recess of the House of Congress, she said.

They had recently made consultations with the

concerned stakeholders as they want the legal body to be almost perfect.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) executive director Evelyn Nacario said, the roadmap is a concerted

effort threshing out the issues and concerns of the 13 cities and municipalities and the Province of Cebu.

National Economic and Development Authority

(NEDA) assistant regional director Jun Ledres said, the realization of Mega Cebu will address the traffic, flooding, garbage problems Metro Cebu.

The areas of cooperation, he said, include urban and

land use planning and zoning; transport and traffic management; pollution control; flood control, urban

shelter; health and sanitation; public safety; road improvement and infrastructure development; coastal, watershed and environmental management and disaster

risk reduction and climate change adaptation and management.

Mega Cebu carries the tagline ―Making Waves (Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, Sustainable)‖.

(mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

MARCELO M. PEDALINO

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 28 (PIA) -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 here has released a total of P46,335,000.00 financial assistance, as of

June 30, 2015, to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda who were either killed or injured by the deadliest storm on record.

This was learned from Acting OCD Regional

Director Rey Gozon in an interview on the sidelines of the

National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held at the Capitol grounds Thursday last week.

The conduct of the NSED, which was spiced with a fire drill using the aerial ladder of the city fire department, was embedded in the week-long Regional Rescue Jamboree

participated by more than a dozen active rescue units all over the region..

For death claims, out of the 4,180 applications, 3,946

were already released, while for injured persons, out of

2,017 who applied, 1,305 had been given the needed assistance, Gozon said.

He added that OCD, an office under the Department

of National Defense and the mandated head of the national and regional disaster risk reduction management councils, extends aids in the form of cash assistance to individual victims of natural calamities, P10,000.00 for death, and

P5,000.00 for those injured.

Processing of claims has been on-going, Gozon also said.

On November 8, 2013, a killer storm by the name Yolanda left a wide path of wreckage and destruction to lives and properties when it crossed the Visayas regions, in

which several towns in Leyte province, including Tacloban City, were badly hit by its rampaging more than 300kph strong winds. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, July 28 (PIA6) --- President Benigno Aquino III, in his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), cited the achievements of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino

Program or 4Ps, as his administration‘s thrust in attaining ‗inclusive growth‘

He said the scope of this program has vastly expanded now with more than 4.4 million households

feeling the benefits, which is extremely far from the 786,523 households covered by the program prior his administration.

In Western Visayas, there are 320,000 households covered by the program which utilized the conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme wherein beneficiaries receive cash

grants based on their compliance to their co-responsibilities. All of these beneficiaries, he said, will gain important knowledge; instead of entering menial jobs and

once they graduate, it is almost certain that they will find jobs that will pay them a decent salary.

Under Pantawid Pamilya, in exchange for assistance,

the primary focus of beneficiaries must be the education of their children and this has already borne early fruit.

According to studies conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in 2008, there were 2.9

million out-of-school children in the country. The years passed and our population grew, but in 2013, only 1.2 million out-of-school children remained.

―Idiin po natin ang diperensiya: 1.7 million. Para po

nating pinuno ng estudyante ang humigit-kumulang 42,500

na bakanteng classroom,‖ he stressed. Each of the more than 300,00 families covered by 4Ps

in Region 6 has at the most three children covered by the

program or nearly a million children benefiting from cash grants being released by the government to ensure that they are sent to school and kept healthy.

In 2015, the government‘s CCT program yielded 34

high school valedictorians from the six provinces of Region 6. The 4Ps, implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in partnership with the

Department of Education and the Department of Health, is an investment in human capital that ensures that children belonging to poor households, particularly those aged 0-18,

grow up healthy and stay in school. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

School children took deworming tablets during

the simultaneous launching of the National

School Deworming Day at the Abuyog South

Central School Auditorium, Abuyog, Leyte,

July 29. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA8)

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell hands

the framed engraved Bohol map detailing the

14 road segments rehabilitated under the

PRMF to Gov Edgar Chatto and VGov

Concepcion Lim, while DILG 7 RD Rene

Bordeos, Provincial Engineer Gavino Redulla

and the 7 contractors took turns in handling

over the framed map to Bohol local

authorities in a ceremonial trun-over July 22 at

the Bohol Cultural Center. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Handog Titulo: Undersecretary Manuel D.

Gerochi (3rd from L) of the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources

congratulates a beneficiary of Handog Titulo

Program from the Municipality of Anini-y

during the distribution of 1,023 land titles at

EBJ Freedom Park, San Jose on Wednesday.

With him are (L-R) Jessie Vego Asst. Regional

Director for Technical Services, Register of

Deeds Antique OIC Jose Leo A. Casibual, SB

Member Maxfil B. Pollicar , PENRO Ruel delos

Reyes, Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta and Governor

Rhodora Cadiao. . (PSM/PIA6Antique)

President Aquino cites 4Ps achievements towards inclusive growth

in his 2015 SONA, July 27. (www.gov.ph)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 28 (PIA6) – Thousands of Capiceños availed of the various health services by the international

servicemen who joined the Pacific Partnership 2015 in Capiz.

Thousands avail Pacific Partnership medical,

dental services

Jemin B. Guillermo

I n Cuartero town alone, more than

1,000 residents benefited from the

medical, dental and optometry services

by the team.

Mayor Tito Mayo said that while they only

targeted 50 residents from every barangay with

a total of 22 barangays, there were also

residents from other provinces like Iloilo and

other neighboring towns in the province who

also availed of such services.

Mayo said that their people patiently

waited for their turn to avail of the health

services from the international community,

lining up starting early morning. For Pacific

Partnership Public Affairs Officer Lt. Timothy

Pietrack, the overwhelming support of the

local government unit of Cuartero made it a

successful event of the town.

He also acknowledged the hospitality and

the warm appreciation and welcome of the

people of Capiz for the team.

Pietrack said that their various

engagements in Capiz have been a learning

experience for every member of the team

which could also be shared in their next Pacific

Partnership engagements in the other parts of

the world. ―We are honored and privileged to

have worked with the Filipino people,

particularly the Armed Forces of the

Philippines and other government officials for

they are very professionals and so welcoming,‖

he said.

He said that their stay in the Philippines,

which is their longest ever Pacific Partnership

engagement so far, was an opportunity to

know more about the culture of the Filipino

people.

Included in the Pacific engagements in

Capiz are the medical, dental, veterinary and

engineering civic action, including disaster

preparedness capacity building and gender and

development training.

The medical engagements were earlier

conducted in barangays Culasi and Loctugan in

Roxas City as well as in Cuartero, while the

Sigma town medical civic action is scheduled

also this week. The veterinary civic actions

were likewise done in Dumarao, Cuartero and

next in Pontevedra.

The surgical procedure for a short day

recovery period cases are ongoing onboard

United States Naval Ship Hospital Mercy

docked in Culasi, Roxas City. (JCM/JBG/PIA6

-Capiz)

10 Iloilo towns recognized for nutri efforts

ILOILO CITY, July 28 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo provincial government through the Provincial Nutrition Committee on Monday

recognized the top ten nutritionally improved municipalities and best performers in the implementation of the nutrition

program in the province in 2014.

D r. Raul Banias, Provincial Administrator

awarded the cash prizes and certificates

of recognition to the winners during

the culmination program of the province‘s

Nutritional Month celebration this year at the

Provincial Capitol‘s lobby.

He was assisted by Board Member Shalene

Hidalgo, Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Patricia

Grace Trabado and Provincial Nutrition Action

Officer Dr. Ma. Socorro Colmenares-Quinon.

Among the top ten nutritionally improved

municipalities, New Lucena emerged first place

having registered the lowest prevalence of

undernutrition of 2.08 percent. It took home

P35,000 worth of check and a certificate of

recognition.

Pavia came in second registering a 2.46

percent prevalence of undernutrition; Tubungan,

third, with 2.92 percent; Miag-ao, fourth with 3.25

percent; and Tigbauan with 3.48 percent. Each

municipality received certificates of recognition

and checks worth P30,000, P25,000, P20,000, and

P15,000, respectively.

Completing the top ten are Cabatuan, Oton,

Sta. Barbara, Pototan and Btac. Viejo. Each

received P10,000 and certificate of recognition

The municipalities of Balasan, Dingle and

Anilao were also awarded each with P5,000 and

certificate of recognition for being top performers

in the implementation of Garantisadong Pambata

(GP) program as indicated by the GP report 2013

-2014.

On the other hand, Salvacion Natinga of

Sinugbahan, San Joaquin was named as the Best

Performing Barangay Nutrition Scholar. Aside

from a certificate of recognition, she won P5,000.

Other awardees are Marivic Franco of Poblacion,

New Lucena, second, and Florigen Baron of

Jelicuon Oeste, New Lucena, third. Both took

home P4,000 and P3,000 cash prizes.

Banias, in his message, urged local

government units to take actions to reduce the

prevalence rate of malnutrition in the province,

currently, at 6.94, which remains a challenge.

(JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

Lilibeth A. French

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 29 (PIA6) - - The Department of Health together with the Department of Education held a

synchronized and harmonized deworming activity to 234,000 public school children in the province during the National School

Deworming Day Launch, July 29.

T he launching was held at Hinigaran

Elementary School-A in Hinigaran

town where school children were

also taught proper hand washing, fed before

administering the deworming drugs and were

also taught proper way to brush their teeth

after taking the deworming tablets.

Department of Health regional director

Dr. Marlyn Convocar said that the

simultaneous deworming launches were also

conducted in two other priority provinces in

the region – San Jose, Antique and Leganes,

Iloilo.

The nationwide deworming activity

targets 16 million while for Western Visayas

1-million pre and school age children aged 5-12

years old were given the deworming tablets.

DepEd OIC-Assistant Schools Division

Superintendent Anthony Liobet told PIA that

the prior to giving the dosage, teachers

oriented the parents on the campaign and they

welcomed activity because they also see this

need for their children.

―Health is important for the school

children. It is difficult to learn if the student is

not healthy. Concentration is always a

challenge during classes if students are sick,‖

Liobet said.

DOH National Schistosomiasis Control

Program Coordinator Dr. Winston Palaci said

the purpose of the harmonized, synchronized

deworming of 16-million public school children

nationwide is to eradicate one of the causes

why children get sick.

―This is a product of a multi-sectoral

collaboration of civil society organizations,

people‘s organization and government agencies

to show the world that we can do this in one

day,‖ Palaci added.

Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections or

worm infections are among the most common

infections worldwide transmitted through eggs

present in human feces or waste which

contaminates the soil.

According to DepEd data, school age

children typically have the highest intensity of

worm infection of any age group. *(JCM/EAD

-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

DOH, DepEd deworms 234K public school children

By Easter Anne D. Doza

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

ILOILO CITY, July 28(PIA)—Development issues on gender and development, geological hazards and the Asia Pacific

Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings are among the topics incorporated in this year’s series of campus journalism

trainings of the Philippine Information Agency.

T he seminar-workshops set off

July 29-31 for its first batch of

student paper writers coming

from the colleges, universities and SUCs

of Iloilo, Guimaras and Aklan.

PIA-6 Director Janet Mesa said the

developmental topics will equip the

student writers with information which

they can write about in the student

publications.

Mesa said issues on gender and

development are relevant as they cut

across situations and the other academic

disciplines.

―The discussion will not only enable

them to write but make them informed

about the gender roles as they affect

society,‖ Mesa said.

As to inputs on geologic

hazards, Mesa said the situation today

call on all sectors to be prepared for

disasters.

―Knowing about the geological

hazards of their areas will enable them to

disseminate information in their

communities,‖ she added.

On the other hand, Mesa said,

student writers should also be able to

understand what the APEC meetings are

all about, as Iloilo will host the meetings in

September, besides the ones already

completed. ―Practically, the whole of

Western Visayas is involved in the APEC

meetings and we want the people to be at

least aware, through the help of our

student writers,‖ Mesa said.

She added that, in fact, it is the next

generation that will see the benefits of the

APEC policies set today.

The PIA in Western Visayas is the

only one which has a long and sustaining

program for the training and development

of school paper writers.

The seminar workshops, besides

the first batch, is set on the following

schedules: Aug. 5-7, Aug. 12-14, Aug.

19-21 and September 1-3. (JCM/ESS/PIA

-Iloilo)

Gender, development issues, hazards, APEC

topbill journ lectures

Clean-up of Aklan river tributaries up

KALIBO, Aklan, July 28 (PIA6) -- The provincial government of Aklan, through its Aklan Rivers Development Council

(ARDC), will be spearheading a clean-up drive of the Aklan River’s tributaries located in the municipalities of Libacao,

Madalag, Malinao, Lezo, Banga, Numancia and Kalibo, Aklan on August 14, 2015.

T his activity, to be joined by an

estimated 1,000 participants, was set

during a recent launching of the Mass

-Based Disaster Risks Reduction and Climate

Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA) Project at the

Kusina Sa Kalibo organized by the Provincial

Planning and Development Office (PPDO)

here.

The project, according to Engr. Roger M.

Esto, PPD Coordinator, will serve as the

people‘s contribution to help reduce the

incidence of flooding/soil erosion; the

community‘s contribution to help protect/

conserved and preserve the environment and

in helping promote and enhance everyone‘s

participation to development and disaster risk

management.

Flooding and soil erosion has been a

perennial problem in Aklan for years, especially

during the strong typhoons that occurred in

the province which caused deaths, mostly by

drowning, like in the case of Typhoon Frank

with 52 deaths and 2 still missing as of this

time, according to Galo Ibardolaza, Provincial

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Council (PDRRMC) Executive Officer, who

showed a PDRRMO presentation on the DRR/

CCA at the launching.

The clean-up of Aklan tributaries is aimed

to clear the waterways of debris so that water

could flow smoothly when heavy rains come.

The activity was set in response to the

latest pronouncement of the Philippine

Atmospheric, Geophysicial and Astronomical

Services (PAGASA) that the rainy season has

already started and that 10 to 15 tropical

cyclones may enter the Philippine Area of

Responsibility (PAR) from May to October this

year. During the clean-up, participants who are

nearest to their areas will be the ones to clean

the river tributaries as they are familiar with

the places.

The Aklan River has tributaries in Libacao,

Madalag, Malinao, Lezo, Banga, Kalibo and

Numancia, the towns traversed by the Aklan

River before it goes out to the sea.

Besides the members of the ARDC,

PDRRMC, the MDRRMCs of the respective

municipalities and provincial and municipal

officials and employees, tapped to help in the

clean-up are students of colleges and

universities who are enrolled under the Civic

Welfare Training Service (CWTS).

Meanwhile, as Executive Director of the

ARDC, Atty. Allen S. Quimpo stressed the

importance of the clean-up of the tributaries as

this is very vital for Aklan, being always ravaged

by typhoons, and called for effective measures

for a community-based approach in disaster

preparedness. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

By Venus G. Villanueva

DENR distributes 1,000 land titles By Vicente W. Villavert

SAN JOSE, Antique, July 28 (PIA6) - - A total of 1,000 patents/title will be distributed to qualified beneficiaries by the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources during the Handog Titulo Program which will be conducted on

Wednesday July 29 at the EBJ Freedom Park, here.

P rovincial Environment and

Natural Resources Officer Ruel

L. delos Reyes of DENR Antique

said that the activity is ―our effort to

deliver full ownership of land titles to our

patentees.‖ De los Reyes said that the

primary thrust of the program is to

expedite the processing and issuance of

public land patents to qualified

beneficiaries. The activity will be graced by

Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and

Foreign Assisted Programs Manuel D.

Gerochi, DENR Region 6 Director Jim O.

Sampulna, Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao,

Congressman Paulo Everardo S. Javier, and

other DENR key officials. The DENR

PENRO Antique also called on the

beneficiaries to bring with them valid

identification during the program at the

EBJ Freedom Park. (JCM/VWV/PIA

Antique)

Elsa S. Subong

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, July 28 (PIA) --- Hosting around 80 meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Summit

from August to October allows Cebu to showcase itself as a tourism and investment destination, a business leader here said.

" Since APEC is a major global organization

that accounts for more than 45 percent of

global trade, it will definitely give Cebu

international exposure," according to Lito

Maderazo, former Cebu Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president and

consultant of the APEC local organizing

committee.

APEC meetings give Cebu the "golden

opportunity" to let the international

community know more about what it has to

offer, about its people, culture, and heritage,

and the famous Cebuano hospitality, he

pointed out.

Maderazo said the most important event

in Cebu will be the Third Senior Officials'

Meeting (SOM3) and it will be attended by

delegates from the 21 APEC member

economies with the equivalent posts of

ministers (cabinet secretaries), undersecretar-

ies, and bureau directors.

SOM 3 and related meetings are

scheduled from August 20 to September 6,

2015.

"They represent various economic

portfolios in their respective economies. They

are officials with significant influence over their

business communities," he cited.

APEC member economies include

Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong

Kong, China, Indonesia, Indonesia, Japan, South

Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua

New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia,

Singapore, Taiwan, United States, and Vietnam.

According to him, giving the APEC

delegates an experience that is pleasant and

wholesome will go a long way towards

helping Cebu's tourism and investment

promotions.

He urged Cebu businesses to be aware of

the meeting dates and contribute in whatever

way they can and for establishments to play the

role of good host and provide the visitors with

a memorable experience. (rmn/PIA7/Cebu/

Cebu Province PIO and InnoPub Media)

APEC meetings a 'golden opportunity' to showcase Cebu

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The issue of the territorial dispute over West Philippine Sea should factor in choosing the

country’s next chief executive.

DFA: Consider West PH Sea issue in choosing

next president

T his was a reminder from Department of

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Asec.

Charles Jose to Oriental Negrenses

during a Multi-Sectoral Forum on West Philippine

Sea held in Dumaguete City on July 23.

Asec. Jose reiterated the tension between

China and the Philippines over some features in

the West Philippine Sea is one of the pressing

issues the country faces that is why it is important

that the public takes into consideration a

candidate‘s position on the matter and his or her

approach to resolve it.

―We have started the legal or the diplomatic

track, the decision (of the arbitral tribunal) may

be released within the term of President Aquino

so it is important to hear the policy of the next

president and this should factor in our choosing.

The policy should be clear,‖Jose added.

According to the DFA spokesman, the

government is pursuing the arbitration because

they see it as an effective means to address the

issue in a peaceful manner and in accordance to

the rule of law.

To recall, the Philippine government sent a

delegation to The Hague, Netherlands to present

the Philippines case before the arbitral tribunal.

―The arbitral tribunal heard arguments with

regard to the issue of jurisdiction.

They are studying if they have have

jurisdiction to hear our case.

In case the tribunal rules they have

jurisdiction then we expect we will be invited

again for another round of oral arguments but

this time this will be on the merits of the case,‖

Asec. Jose said.

The DFA, in cooperation with Philipine

Information Agenct (PIA) conducted a

Multi-Sectoral Forum on West Philippine Sea to

raise the public‘s awareness on the various issues

related to West Philippine Sea dispute.

Participants of the forum are composed of

representatives from local government units, civil

society, national government agencies, business,

civil society, religious, fisherfolk, law enforcement

and security as well as education sectors.

He noted that the government wants the

public to have a deeper understanding on the

issue and the forum is one way of educating the

public on the core issues of the dispute as well as

government‘s legal and diplomatic action on the

matter.

―The West PH Sea is a national interest

which the country may lose up the 80 percent it

its resources from its Exclusive Economic Zone

(EZZ) if China continues to claim the territory,‖

he told attendees of the forum. (mbcn/ral/PIA7

-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Dumaguete City, July 27 (PIA) -- ―The West PH Sea is a national interest which the country may lose

up the 80 percent of its resources from its Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ) if China continues to claim the territory.‖

Negrenses support West PH Sea claims

D epartment o f Fore i gn Af f a i r s

(DFA) Assistant Secretary and

spokesperson Charles Jose said,

Negrenses should be aware and understand on

what the Philippines is fighting for in the disputed

territory with China on the West Philippine Sea

in a recent series of information drive in

Dumaguete City.

Asec Jose said China demonstrated assertive

and aggressive actions in claiming the 9-dash line

which the West PhilippineSea has a huge

economic importance to the lives of the Filipinos

living in its coastal areas.

The 9-dash line encompasses the entire

West Philippine Sea which China claims contrary

on the international maritime law, the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas

(UNCLOS).

China right now, stages its massive

explorations in the disputed territories believed

to have stable sources of oil, energy and mineral

deposits, ―this is a clear violation of international

law,‖ said Asec Jose.

With this, the Philippine government is

bringing China to international court and to the

ASEAN.

DFA spokesperson said ―We‘re done with

bilateral talks and it didn‘t work out so, we are

trying legal and diplomatic means. We are

optimistic our case is favorable from the

international arbiters.‖

Nevertheless, the Philippines will still

continue to push for peaceful negotiations and

diplomatic actions in the midst of China's

indisputable claim of sovereignty and assertive and

aggressive actions to enforce their claims to

Philippine territory.

―Despite the issues at present it has not

affected our other areas of cooperation—our

economic and socio cultural ties.

We are against just against China

government‘s policy but not its people, we still

maintain better economic and trade relations with

China,‖ DFA official said.

In a Campus Forum on #WestPHSea@

Silliman University, most students expressed

concern and appreciated much the Philippine

government's actions on the issue sparked by

China's seizure of territories within the

Philippines' economic zone.

The Multi-Sectoral and Campus Fora on

West Philippine Sea spearheaded by the Philippine

Information Agency (PIA) and Department of

Foreign Affairs (DFA) gathered more than 350

participants in Dumaguete City on July 23 as part

of the nationwide information campaign. (mbcn/

jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 28 (PIA) -- Over 55,000 online support group including the DAGIT Dumaguete bloggers have called

on lactating mothers or the breastfeeding Pinays to join the ―HaKab Na! 2015‖ on August 1 in celebration of National

Breastfeeding Awareness Month of August.

'Hakab Na!' to gather breastfeeding Filipino mothers

N ow on its third year, Hakab Na! 2015

will gather breastfeeding families,

lactation experts, peer counselors, and

breastfeeding advocacy supporters to boost

awareness of the health and economic benefits of

breastfeeding, promote the importance of

providing proper support to breastfeeding

mothers, and ultimately create a breastfeeding

nation.

The central event of this simultaneous

breastfeeding activity will be held at 500 Shaw

Centrum Blvd., Mandaluyong City which is part of

―The Big Latch On,‖ an international activity

where mothers latch on their babies from

different locations around the world to create a

world record.

According to blogger Maja Arbolado of

DAGIT Dumaguete, this year‘s celebration will

highlight the breastfeeding mothers who

work outside the home.

In 2014, the Philippines logged a total of

1,772 mom-and-baby pairs breastfeeding in

Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Manila

and Iloilo.

This year‘s Hakab Na! will be bigger with

additional locations in Dumaguete, Alabang, Aklan,

Baguio-Benguet, Bulacan, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva

Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales and Singapore.

Arbolado said the half-day event in

Dumaguete City will also feature talks on various

breastfeeding topics and breast milk storage,

according to blogger Maja Arbolado of DAGIT

Dumaguete.

Republic Act 10028 or the Expanded

Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 obliges the

State to promote and encourage breastfeeding

through specific measures that present

opportunities for mothers to continue expressing

their milk for their children.

One of the highlights of the law is that it

gives the lactating mother and additional

40-minute breaktime for every eight-hour

working period, on top of time-off for meals, to

express milk. Offices should also provide a

lactation station where mothers can express and

store their milk.

Studies have also shown that it is in the

company‘s best interest to help mothers succeed

in breastfeeding while at work.

According to the International Labor

Organizat ion (ILO), employees who

breastfeed have improved productivity and

increased loyalty.

Due to the health benefits of breastfeeding

the child, breastfeeding mothers have also logged

less absences and health care costs have

decreased.

There is also a lower employee turnover

and an enhanced public image of the company.

(rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Jennifer C. Tilos

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Dumaguete City, July 29 (PIA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda)

here announces its national technical vocational education and training (TVET) competency assessment and certification

(NATCAC) on July 31 to August 31, this year.

TESDA offers free nat'l TVET-NATCAC in NegOr

T ESDA offeres this national competency

certification for free to respond to its

mandate in the development of world

class Filipino workers.

The NATCAC program is intended for

seven sectors that include Automotive and Land

Transport (Driving NC I-II), Construction

(carpentry NC II, electrical installation &

maintenance NC II, masonry NC II, plumbing NC

II, rigid on highway dump truck NC II), Electronics

(computer system servicing II, electronic product

assembly services NC II), Garments (dressmaking

NC II), Health, Social and other Community

Development Services (caregiving NC II), Metals

and Engineering (shielded metal arc welding NC

II), and Tourism (cookery NC II, bread and pastry

NC II, food and beverage NC II).

The assessment may be used for

workers who want to apply and qualify

for higher skilled, higher paying jobs locally and

abroad.

Interested applicants must come from the

workers or industry practitioners and carrer

shifter, trainer of provate and public Technical

Vocational Institutions, TLE teachers of Grades 9

and 10, public utility vehicle drivers, and returning

overseas Filipino workers.

To ensure the integrity of the assessment

exercise, competency assessors and TESDA

technical representatives are assigned to conduct

the assessment.

To avail this free assessment and

certification program, applicants may visit

TESDA-Negros Oriental provincial office at

Capitol Area, Dumaguete City or you call (035)

225-15778.

The National Certificate of those who will

pass will be issued a week after the date of the

assessment. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 30 (PIA) – China’s massive reclamation activities in disputed West Philippine Sea territories caused

destruction to marine environment and fishing industry.

T his was stressed recently by Foreign

Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose to

more than 200 colleges and universities

students in a Campus Forum at Silliman

University, Dumaguete City.

The students showed concern on the

ecological damage created by China in the

Philippine territorial boundaries, as Silliman is an

environmental advocate that gains stature in the

fields of environmental and marine sciences being

known as a Center of Excellence in Coastal

Resources Management.

DFA Asec Jose said ―The PH government

tried bilateral talks with China to settle the issue.

We have exhausted all reasonable efforts.‖

This led the Philippines to file an arbitration

case against China to seek clarification and

determine each feature and characteristic of the

disputed areas, including its maritime entitlement.

It also filed the case in the arbitral tribunal of

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

(UNCLOS) last January 22, 2013.

Jose said that the oral arguments presented

by the Philippines were done on July 7 to 13 this

year and the court‘s final decision [of territorial

sovereignty] is expected to come out around

January to April 2016.

Aside from the tension over the West

Philippine Sea, Jose emphasized that ―the country

is against China‘s claim, not to the Chinese.‖

He added that the issue is not affecting any

transactions between China and the Philippines.

Under UNCLOS provision, the Philippines

has maritime entitlements measured 200 nautical

miles from the baseline.

―Under our EEZ (exclusive economic zone),

tayo lamang po ang may exclusive sovereign rights

and jurisdiction to explore, exploit, develop, and

manage the natural resources that we own,‖ said

Jose.

In partnership with Philippine Information

Agency (PIA), the forum is a series of lectures

conducted in different places throughout the

country where students, faculty, and staff from

different colleges and universities in Dumaguete

participated in it. DFA spokesperson also

encouraged the audience to talk about the topic

to their families, parents, siblings, and friends to

establish an informed citizenry among the

Filipinos. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/ with

reports from Andrea Lim, SU intern)

DFA tackles West PH Sea issue with Dumaguete

studes

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Solon assures help for Borongan's resettlement village

H e said this in an interview

granted to DYES Radyo ng

Bayan on July 17, 2015 where

he expressed support and commitment to

help the residents to be relocated to a

safer place.

According to the Congressman, he

already instructed Mr. Cesar Basilga,

Barangay Chairman of brgy. Sabang

Suribao to look for a residential lot.

He added, that if the Barangay can

find the place, he will help them access

funds to build permanent houses either

through the Core Shelter Program of the

Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) or Pabahay

Program of the National Housing

Authority (NHA), as it is the program of

the national government to relocate

residents who are living in danger

zones. Cong. Evardone shared his

experience when he and city Mayor Fe

Abunda visited the barangay hours before

―Ruby‖ made landfall.

He said that, then and there, he

knew that the water from the river will

overflow. Hence, the importance of a

residential lot so he can make

representation to DSWD and other NHA.

(aen/sdc/PIA ESamar)

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 29 (PIA) – Congressman Ben Evardone promised to help some survivors of typhoon

―Ruby‖ who are now residing in a temporary resettlement community in barangay Sabang Suribao this city.

Consumers welfare protected through Timbangan ng Bayan

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 29 (PIA) - To safeguard the rights of consumers, some 48 weighing scales were distributed

by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to different local government units with operational markets in Samar on

Tuesday.

T his, according to DTI-Samar

Chief Meilou Macabare is in

accordance with the Consumer

Act of the Philippines or Republic Act

7394.

The weighing scales will be installed in

the public market where consumers can

validate their weighed purchases.

―We will install the ‗timbangan‘

in all operational markets,‖ said DTI

Regional Director Cynthia Nierras who

attended the distribution and signed a

Memorandum of Agreement with the

LCEs present.

When asked by PIA who are the DTI

partners that implemented this, Nierras

mentioned the support of congressmen

Sergio Apostol and Lucy Torres both of

Leyte.

This is the third distribution in the

region with Leyte and Biliran leading, the

director said. Even island towns were

afforded the weighing scales with their

LCEs around like Mayor Vicente Limpiado

of Tagapul-an, Mayor Lilia Conejos of Sto

Nino and Mayor Lucia Astorga of

Daram - all three are island towns in

Samar province. Other mayors in the

mainland were also around as they have to

sign a Memorandum of Agreement as

regards the care of the timbangan

enclosed in ‗cages‘, DTI meanwhile

supervises the project. Nierras urged the

public to use the timbangan to make sure

they are getting their money‘s worth and

are not shortchanged.

She also urged the vendors to

calibrate their weighing scales properly for

smooth operations and to avoid

unnecessary charges that goes with

fraudulent weighing scales. (nbq/PIA

8-Samar)

NINFA B. QUIRANTE

Cook fest cap nutri month in Maasin City

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 30 (PIA) -- The Nutrition Month celebration this July culminated its activities with a cook

fest, Pabasa sa Nutrisyon, lectures on teenage pregnancy, violence against women and children, responsible parenthood,

among other talking points on nutrition health-related programs.

M AASIN CITY, Southern Leyte,

July 30 (PIA) -- The Nutrition

Month celebration this July

culminated its activities with a cook fest,

Pabasa sa Nutrisyon, lectures on teenage

pregnancy, violence against women and

children, responsible parenthood, among

other talking points on nutrition

health-related programs.

Maasin City Social Welfare Aide Fe

Nida Sy informed that for the month of

July, series of Pabasa sa Nutrisyon was

held in each barangay throughout Maasin

City, while other barangays also

conducted their own nutrition culmination

activities based on this year‘s theme,

―Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Nutrisyon at

Ehersisyo,‖ which also include hataw and

zumba exercises.

Sy reported that the city social

welfare office conducted a short program,

Ju ly 28 at Barangay Tagn ipa

gym highlighting the Ten Kumainments of

the Department of Health (DOH) as the

guide to every Pinoy‘s healthy life.

She said that city Nutritionist

Michelle Siega discussed the Ten Kumain-

ments.

The 10 Kumainments was followed by

a cook fest participated by parents of day

care children distributed into nine clusters

throughout Maasin City.

During the cook fest, the parents

cooked different low-cost but nutritious

foods such as ginataang gulay,

tinolang gulay with either fish, shrimp or

crab to add flavor, vegetable afritada, fresh

vegetable lumpia, ginataang suso with

vegetables, to name a few.

The first three winners went home

with the following cash prizes: 1st –

P2,000; 2nd – P1,500: and P1,000 for the

3rd prize. A consolation prize of P500 was

given to the six non-winning remaining

contestants, she added.

The criteria for the cook fest were as

follows: 40% - nutritional value; 20% -

palatability; 20% - indigenous materials

used; 10% - low cost; and another

10% for cleanliness and neatness of

presentation. (ajc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

SAMUEL D. CANDIDO

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Construction of P14M Naval evacuation center starts

NAVAL, Biliran, July 28 (PIA) - Residents of Naval, the capital town of Biliran province who oftentimes find it hard to seek

temporary shelter in times of typhoons need not worry anymore as the construction of a modern evacuation center has

already been started in Naval.

N aval Mayor Susan V. Parilla

together with Dario Cubelo,

area coordinator of the United

Nations Development Program (UNDP)

in Northwest Leyte and Biliran proudly

reported the start of the construction of

the Naval evacuation center on the

occasion of the simple turn-over

ceremony of farm tools and kits at the

mayor‘s office for the first batch of Naval

farmers who underwent training

sponsored by the UNDP.

The Naval evacuation center that is

situated in the upper portion of Sitio

Dapdap in Barangay Agpangi this town,

costs P14M said Cubelo. Cubelo informed

that this is the only UNDP-funded

evacuation center in Biliran province

where the counterpart of LGU-Naval is

the lot where the structure is erected.

In an interview with Raoul Villordon,

Naval municipal disaster risk reduction

management officer (MDRRMO), he

revealed that the evacuation center is a

two-storey building with a total floor area

of 204 square meters.

Villordon added that the evacuation

center funded by the UNDP can

accommodate 200 to 250 families with an

everage of five members per family.

He further reported that the

evacuation center is complete with

generating set, has a storage area, has

complete toilets for male and female

evacuees and has a solar power panel.

Villordon further reported that

the evcuation center is expected to be

finished in the month of September or

early October this year since the contract

time is only three months.

―We can assure that the evacuation

center constructed is really safe since

UNDP has hired a consultant who takes

charge of supervising the construction on

a daily basis‖ the Naval MDRRMO added.

He revealed that the consultant even

replaced some big steel bars that are

supposed to be used since said material

did not pass the quality test specified in

the program of works. (ajc/fj/rsv/PIA 8

Biliran)

RODRIGO S. VICTORIA

Officials, NGOs assess recovery progress in Tacloban City

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 27 (PIA) – Nearly two years after typhoon Yolanda devastated this city, local government

officials, non-government organizations and other stakeholders gathered Wednesday at Leyte Park Hotel Convention Center

A, this city to look into the progress made in terms of recovery.

T he Tacloban resett lement

forum was organized by Oxfam,

an international non-government

organization who have been helping the

city since the emergency phase until

today.

The forum became the venue for the

government resettlement cluster, non

government organizations and civil society

groups to discuss the developments made

in the city.

It was also the venue for the Yolanda

survivors to air their immediate

concerns related to resettlement and the

responses made by the government

resettlement cluster of some issues and

concerns of the internally displaced

persons (IDPs).

In response, Marilyn Lauzon,

National Housing Authority (NHA)

Officer-in-charge Project Manager said

that the government remains committed

to complete the resettlement housing

projects for Yolanda survivors in the city.

NHA is responsible for the land

development of the 10-hectare property

in the northern barangays where the

permanent housing units are located.

In terms of land development, NHA

has accomplished 95.53 percent of the 10

hectare lot which is owned by the City

Government of Tacloban.

It was learned that 14, 433 permanent

housing units are being constructed for

Yolanda survivors in the city. (ajc/cba/

PIA-8)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Southern Leyte to launch 'Dugo Mo, Kinabuhi Mo'

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 30 (PIA) – The provincial government of Southern Leyte in close coordination with the

Philippine Red Cross-Southern Leyte Chapter and the Department of Health (DOH) will launch the ―Dugo Mo Kinabuhi Mo‖

blood donation program on August 1, 2015.

T he blood donation activity is

headed by the Provincial

Voluntary Blood Services Council

chaired by Gov. Roger G. Mercado.

It will be held at the Provincial coliseum,

Asuncion, Maasin City, PRC-Southern

Leyte Chapter Head Jonas Maco

informed.

He said that the activity is aimed to

intensify 100% volunteers and

non-remunerated blood donation and to

instill the practice of a healthy lifestyle in

every citizen, as well as to launch formally

the said blood services council.

The day activity will start in the

morning at 8:30 with a motorcade around

the city proper going to the provincial

capitol for the venue, to be followed by a

short program, then the launching and an

oath taking of council officials and the

mass blood donation will commence,

Maco reported.

The activity is expected to be

participated by the Philippine National

Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection

(BFP), Department of Education (DepEd),

the academe, among other local officials

and employees.

The provincial government through

the governor is looking forward for a

dynamic partnership with the Philippine

Red Cross to help achieve the goal of

saving lives. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

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