Vol 5 Issue 5 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 February 2 - 8, 2015

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DENR-7 sets aside P404M for 2015 NGP

Coalition approach seen to rehab losing Abaca industry

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Critical infra needed to support rural development - Alcala

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) — Local chief executives in

Western Visayas should focus their investments on critical infrastructure projects.

In a farmers forum here, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that these infrastructure projects like farm-to

-market roads and small irrigation systems can be pushed through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

The PRDP is a World Bank aided project, implemented through the DA in partnership with the local government units.

Alcala told the farmers and the fisherfolk also attending the forum that such investments can help create more

sustainable and stable sources of livelihood ans incomes in their areas.

He called the attention of forum participants to the situation of irrigation development in the region, which could

be further improved to boost the status of the region as a major rice producer.

―We also need small water impounding projects that will surely help the farmers,‖ Alcala said.

Alcala said that records showed only 65,000 hectares, or about 20 percent of the region‘s 330,000 hectares of rice farms

are being served by national irrigation systems. ―It means that a majority of the rice production areas are

either served by small water impounding projects and communal irrigation systems or are rain-fed areas,‖ Alcala said.

He added that he will propose to the World Bank to

include small water impounding projects in the PRDP.

The DA is implementing the six-year PDRP starting 2014,

which employs the value chain approach in the identification and implementation of projects depending on their feasibility.

Further, the DA works with the LGUs and the private sector to establish key infrastructure, facilities, technology and

information for food production, value adding and marketing activities of the farmers.

Secretary Alcala said that with the PDRP, agencies can better and faster assist the communities.

He also urged the LGUs to use the local development funds from their respective Internal Revenue Allotment to fund

local projects, like the farm-to-market roads. (DA/JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

CEBU CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) --- With a budget of more than

P404 million for the National Greening Program (NGP) this year, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR) is ready to kick off its NGP implementation in Central Visayas after a successful completion in 2014.

DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the allocation will be used to establish more plantations in

the region and in maintaining existing plantations and acquiring firefighting equipment in cases of forest fires for forest

protection. Based on the forest management services (FMS) data,

DENR-7 is set to produce over 11.5 million indigenous or native tree seedlings of various species to cover about 15T plus

hectares of identified NGP areas in the four provinces of the region this year, bared Dr. Eddie Llamedo, head of the Regional

Public Information Office of DENR-7. Meanwhile, Montejo stressed, ―Our target for this year is

2,800 hectares lesser than that of last year since we have more maintenance and protection efforts to execute to ensure the

safety and good growth of the existing plantations especially those which were established since 2011.‖

Of the total target, Cebu Province will produce

2,772,000 seedlings to cover 4, 414 hectares: Bohol Province

with 2,535,400 seedling production target for 3,033 hectares; Negros Oriental with the largest target of 6,153,600 seedlings

for 7,489 hectares; and Siquijor Province with 96,500 seedlings to reforest 185 hectares of NGP area in the province, Llamedo

said. He added the NGP aims to reforest some 1.5 million

hectares of degraded forest lands in the country and to essentially develop a sustainable forest resource base to

accelerate the national greening campaign to address poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Llamedo announced, ―On its fifth year now and as we get nearer to its completion in 2016, we will continue to do our

best to contribute to our national target and deliver its objectives for the success and milestone of the first ever and

largest re-greening program in the Philippine history.‖ DENR 7 has reported a 113 percent

accomplishment in NGP in 2014. In a consolidated report, Region 7 was able to produce a total of

15,967,171 seedlings which reforested around 20, 296.97 hectares in Central Visayas, said Llamedo. (mbcn/jsme/

PIA7-Cebu/DENR7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 4 (PIA) – The old adage

"In unity there is strength" is the principle that currently gives hope to the losing Abaca industry in Sogod, Southern Leyte.

Led by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) under its research program on

Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), a coalition approach involving WorldFish, Philippine Fiber Industry Development

Authority (PhilFIDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture(DA), Southern Leyte State

University (SLSU) and the farmers of barangay Maac and Mahayahay, the losing Abaca industry in Region 8 might just be

given a grand solution in the next two years. Earlier, a series of study had been conducted by AAS

Program, WorldFish with its partners. Foremost, the team, with DOST and SLSU engaged the community members of the

two barangays, where they listened and understood their dreams for a ―rehabilitated Abaca farm‖.

According the local residents, for so long, their lives and livelihood were embedded in the fiber of Abaca , until the

deadly bunchy top virus that devastated their economic activity. Not even the massive eradication program from 2009

to 2010 gave a total positive result to the lost glory of Maac and Mahayahay‘s Abaca farms.

Barangay Chairman Raul Galula of Maac said they can

only return to their purchasing capacity if the Abaca industry would be restored.

A report from PhilFida mentions that the demand for the fiber is hardly met in the country thus the restoration of the

Abaca plantation and industry in Sogod must be done quickly. Director Edgardo Esperancilla of DOST hopes

that the farmers, after two years of planting, can harvest four times a year, considering the young abaca that

normally develops and sprout around the trunk of the main tree.

Southern Leyte used to be a home of intricately knotted bags, slippers and home decors and for several occasions have

participated in national Bahandi Fairs and Exhibits. Once more, the Abaca farmers hope to regain the vibrancy of their local

main livelihood. The project in Sogod is only a part of the project in

Visayas and Mindanao, targeting 840,000 poorest of the poor families, Dir. Esperancilla added

PhilFIDA informs that some international manufacturers are looking up to making textiles out of the Abaca fiber. Lipton

Tea, for one, has something to thank the Abaca for its teabag is made out of the fiber. (PIA-8)

Public schools nationwide pay tribute to the

44 Philippine National Police Special Action

Force (SAF) troopers who fell during the

Mamasapano incident by observing 44 seconds

of silence during flag-raising ceremonies. In

photo: Education Secretary Armin Luistro

joins students in remembering the fallen SAF

troopers. (@DepEd_PH/PIA7-NegOr)

Barangay chairman Raul Galola (right) of Maac,

Sogod holds one of the 4,000 abaca seedlings

during the ceremonial distribution in

connection with the launching of the coalition

for Abaca Rehabilitation in Southern Leyte,

February 2. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. (PIA 6 photo)

Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores (left)

in his State of the Province Address (SOPA)

this year highlights Aklan's progress and

development and the continued effort to make

the Province a better place through the

cooperation of the Provincial Government and

the people of Aklan. Also in in photo are the

Local Chief Executives, Vice Mayors, Heads of

the National Agencies and Provincial

Government, and representatives from all

sectors of the community. (JERR/PIA 6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

DAR to implement ‗Tulay ng Pangulo‘ program

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA6) --- Projects under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) that will benefit

agrarian reform communities here are just awaiting for implementation, said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Iloilo

provincial office.

A ccord ing to DAR- I lo i l o , the

identification of proposed sites

including the submission of proposals

and the validation of the feasible sites for the

TPKP project have been completed.

The TPKP project involves the

construction, installation and establishment of

"universal bridges" in priority agrarian reform

communities (ARCs) and Comprehensive

Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) covered

areas.

The TPKP unibridges will connect ARCs

and the CARP-covered areas and road

networks to main markets nationwide under

DAR‘s Program Beneficiaries Development

(PBD) support services delivery component.

It aims to promote rural development by

linking the ARCs in the economic mainstream

and open up development potentials in order

to increase productivity and income.

As per DAR-Iloilo report dated Feb. 15,

2012, the project covering the site

Bingauan-Ginawahan Bridge located in

Bingauan, Badiangan, Iloilo already has a

memorandum of agreement and with materials

available and ready for installation.

The Camangahan-Bacong Bridge in

Camangahan, Guimbal, Iloilo, the Cadinglian

Bridge in Cadinglian, Oton, Iloilo, and Ginot-an

Bridge in Ginot-an, San Joaquin, Iloilo are

under on-going surveys and for geo-testing.

The Calumbuyan Bridge in Calumbuyan,

New Lucena, Iloilo, and the Nabitasan Bridge in

Nabitasan, Pototan, Iloilo are for survey and

geological testing.

In the same report, nine other bridges in

the province also underwent validation.

DAR-Iloilo said that the validation of

feasible sites involved criteria which included

the density of agrarian reform beneficiaries

(ARBs), density of CARP-covered areas and

ARCs.

On one hand, the Department of Public

Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 said the

implementation of the TPKP projects here is

under the Project Management Office (PMO)

of the DPWH Central Office. (JCM/LTP/PIA

-Iloilo)

TESDA exceeds enrolment target by 34%

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority exceeded its target of enrolment in

2014 by 34 percent with a total of 5,677 enrollees compared to the target of 4,227.

P rovincial Director El Cid H. Castillo of

TESDA Antique in an interview said

that of the total number of enrollees,

3170 have graduated and the remaining 2507

are still undergoing the training at TESDA

Provincial Training Center and accredited

schools province wide.

Based on their tracking, of the 3170

students that have graduated, 2680 have passed

the assessment in their chosen courses while

2,137 are already employed.

Castillo said, not all training courses have

assessment examination especially those

conducted at the community level. The most

important is that the beneficiaries have earned

their skills to start their livelihood.

Likewise, Castillo also said that TESDA

has brought up the trainings to the grassroots

to reach out to more beneficiaries.

The government had seen the need to

bring in the training at the community level

especially in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda

so that people could earn skills they needed to

recover and pursue a normal life.

Aside from the community based training,

TESDA has also accredited six private schools

as accredited training centers in addition

to the government run Provincial Training

Center in Brgy. Villavert-Jeminez, Hamtic,

Antique.

TESDA accredited schools also offer

various courses such as massage therapy, food

and beverage, carpentry and masonry, welding,

electronics among others.

Castillo said, this year they are committed

to pursue their goal to increase enrolment

so that more Antiquenos could acquire skills

and become productive. (JCM/PSM-PIA6

Antique)

By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 5 (PIA6) -- The P4-billion Petrowind Energy, Inc. project in Barangay Pawa, Nabas, Aklan will not only be

a big help in answering the power needs of Aklanons once operational.

I t will also be a great contributor to

Aklan‘s booming tourism industry,

according to Aklan Governor Florencio

T. Miraflores, at his delivery of his State of the

Province Address (SOPA) at the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan Session Hall at the Provincial

Capitol February 4.

Governor Miraflores said in his SOPA,

delivered before some 190 heads of local and

national government offices, municipal officials,

media practitioners, academicians, clerics, Vice

Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and

members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,

Congressman Teodorico Haresco of the lone

district of Aklan. Provincial Capitol Employees

and many others, that when he visited the area

again, one can see the island of Boracay and

the Carabao Island of Romblon as well as the

green mountains surrounding the place.

The Petrowind power project is now closer to operating commercially, Miraflores

said. He also said the Petrowind project is the

single biggest investment in Aklan to date, and

is proof that Aklan is blessed naturally, the

province has also made a conducive political as

well as peace and order climate for them.

―Abu gid nga saeamat, Petrowind Energy

Inc. Thank you for investing in Aklan, for being

extra mindful of the surrounding community

and for handling our environment with due

care‖, Miraflores said.

In the same opportunity, the governor

cited the gains earned last year by the tourism

industry anchored on Boracay Island, citing the

tourism receipts generated through the

1,472,352 tourist arrivals in 2014 which

reached P40,705,013,547.00 per computation

of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Miraflores said the province targeted 1.5

million tourist arrivals in 2014 and reached

1,472,352. In 2013, Boracay tourist arrivals

reached 1,363,611. ―Our take on this statistic is not that we

fell short of target but instead, that we

triumphed despite man-made or natural

adversities. An increase of over 100,000,

despite the September 2014 travel ban and

numerous typhoon-related cancellations is

enough reason for our province to be happy‖,

Miraflores said.

He also said that the province was able to

generate P293,687,084.60 from the Caticlan

Port of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)

Environmental Fee Share, Cagban and Caticlan

Jetty Ports and RORO terminal fees.

For this, he commended the Aklan‘s

provincial and municipal tourism operations

officers and staff for a coordinated effort in

year-round tourism promotions.

In actuality, the SOPA delivered by

Miraflores February 4 was his 11th as he

served 3 full terms from 1995 to 2004 as

governor, got electedJCM/ as Aklan

Congressman from 2004-2013 and now serving as governor again since June 30, 2013.

(VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Petrowind invests P4B in Aklan

By: Venus G. Villanueva

ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

NegOcc is ‗Wetlands of International

Importance‘

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 5 (PIA6) - - Next to Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, Puerto

Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park, Olango Islan Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Las Piñas-Parañaque

Critical habitat and Ecotourism Area, Bago-Ilog Wetlands here is declared as ―Wetlands of International Importance‖.

T he declaration was made timely with

the celebration of the World Wetlands

Day, February 2 at the Social Hall of

the Provincial Capitol.

The Bago-Ilog wetland spans through 10

coastal local government units namely Bago,

Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique,

Pontevedra , Hin igaran , B ina lbagan ,

Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Ilog in the

southern part of the province.

Ramsar Convention Secretary General

Christopher Briggs in his letter sent to the

Biodiversity Management Bureau of the

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources congratulates the Philippine

government on this success and was delighted

to learn about the World Wetlands Day

celebration here.

Director for Field Operations Lisa J.

Paguntalan of the Philippines Biodiversity

Conservation Foundation Inc. said there is a

wide range of seafood produced and collected

in the area of Bago-Ilog wetlands.

―And being a Ramsar site can help give

positive branding these products especially that

now the area is declared ―Wetland of

International Importance‖ and this also ensures

that these products continue to be sustainably

managed,‖ Paguntalan added.

Provincial Environment and Natural

Resources Officer Andres Untal said so far,

our Bago-Ilog wetlands is the widest in the

country and first to be outside of the

protected area.

―This site is a peculiar site, unique than

the others. This is short of proclaiming this as

a protected area but when it comes to

protection for the birds, it has more weight

since the people are aware that these birds are

migratory ones,‖ Untal said.

Untal added that tourists when they

browse tourism areas, if you are not one of

the Ramsar sites, you are also out of the radar

of tourists and conservationists as well.*(JCM/

EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

By: Easter Anne D. Doza

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 4 (PIA6) – About 20 carvings and sculpted works of various Capiceño visual artists are on display at

the Ground Floor of the Provincial Capitol here from Feb. 2 to 28 in line with the National Arts Month (NAM) celebration.

Arts Month showcases Capiceños artistry

T he exhibit dubbed ―Bugal Capiznon‖

was formally opened after the Capiz

provincial government‘s flag raising

ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol Grounds

here that also included kick off program of the

month-long celebration.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs

Officer Alphonsus Tesoro said that students of

Capiz National High School‘s Special Program

for the Arts played rondalla and performed a

dance interpretation of NAM theme song Ani

ng Sining during the program.

―There will also be a Saot Capiz outreach

tour at the Mambusao Public Plaza on Feb. 13,‖

Tesoro noted, adding that the dance

performances by the Filamer Christian

University‘s Silak Dance Company and Capiz

State University (CapSU) – Roxas City main

campus‘ dance troupe will also be brought to

other local government units this month.

A series of ―Eco-Tourism Plus Arts‖

activities like coastal and streets clean up and

treeplanting, among others, have also been

lined up to integrate arts with the

environmental conservation efforts.

The Arts Association of Capiz will also

stage a painting exhibit dubbed ―Pinta Capiz V‖

from Feb. 16 to 28 at the 2nd floor of Gaisano

Grand Mall in Arnaldo Boulevard here as part

of the activities for the celebration.

Tesoro added that the provincial NAM

celebration has the support of Colegio dela

Purisima Concepcion which will bring its

Sarayawan Dance Troupe and Grand Chorale

to some towns to bring entertainment and

enjoyment.

The school‘s initiative coincides with the

celebration which aims at advancing the

artistic talents, skills and abilities of Capicenos

that will further enhance creativity and

excellence as a fundamental principle of

sustainable development. (AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

By: Alex A. Lumaque

CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment 6 (DOLE 6) has started to prepare for the

implementation of its Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) this summer.

F or 2015, DOLE 6 has rolled out a total

of P35, 223,000 as payment for its 40

percent share in the salary of its 10, 227

beneficiaries from the region.

Of the total number of beneficiaries, 4,193

will come from Negros Occidental; 3,170 from

Iloilo; 1,023 from Capiz; 818 each from Aklan

and Antique; and 205 from Guimaras.

Beneficiaries of the program are those

poor but deserving students in the tertiary,

technical or vocational level and out-of-school

youths aged 15 years old but not more than 25

years old who are provided temporary

employment to earn income in order to

pursue their education.

The program is open during summer and

christmas vacations or any time of the year for

those in tech-voc and tertiary levels.

Beneficiaries work for a minimum of 20

days and maximum of 52 days and not less than

10 days nor more than 15 days during

christmas.

DOLE jointly implements SPES with the

local government units or private employers.

Educational institutions, labor unions and other

similar organizations and associations,

government-owned or controlled corporations

and other national government agencies can

also participate in the program.

Under the program, DOLE pays 40

percent of the beneficiaries‘ salary and the

employer, 60 percent.

As of January 22, DOLE 6 has already

gathered P32,078,360.00 pledges from local

government units and private employers for

11, 421 beneficiaries.

DOLE 6 Information Officer Amalia

Judicpa said they are eyeing the participation of

more private employers in the program this

year.

In 2014, around 10,153 students from the

region benefited from SPES.

Those qualified may inquire about the

program at the Public Employment Service

Office in their areas. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

DOLE targets 10K students for summer jobs

By: Lilibeth A. French

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Feb 2 (PIA) – The International Labor Organization (ILO) bows out of Bohol a year and four

months after the earthquake, but it didn‘t just go without a stir.

ILO bows out of Catigbian, hands farm tools to CAMIA

I LO came to Bohol immediately after the

earthquake to dish out humanitarian

relief assistance being the United

Nations specialized agency whose main aim

is to promote rights at work, encourage

decent employment opportunities, enhance

social protection and strengthen dialogue on

work-related issues.

Generally into cash-for-work to

provide temporary source of food and

sustenance to earthquake victims, the ILO also

prioritized relief to those heavily affected by

the calamity.

In Catigbian, where farmer members of

the Cambuslot Irrigators Association (CAMIA)

were severely affected by the quake, ILO lined

these people for cash for work and other

forms of help.

CamIA members suffered heavily when

the vast rice fields they were tilling, dried up as

the Catigbian mini dam lost its water.

Too bad we were apparently late in

submitting the project proposal for CAMIA,

them being severely affected, admitted Ardissa

Estavilla, SB Secretary.

Had the proposal been accepted, it would

have helped these families as they would have

ready vegetables for food and for marketing,

Estavilla added.

As the ILO was on the end parts of their

stint, LGU Catigbian earlier pushed for an

Organic Vegetable production project for ILO

consideration, but it was too late.

Not really wanting to fail the

Catigbianons, ILO instead turned-over farm

tools to the members of Cambuslot Irrigator's

Association (CamIA) of Barangay Poblacion

Catigbian.

Fifty-two CAMIA members received work

boots, bolos, garden hoe and mattocks,

shovels, and long sleeves working shirt as well

as working masks, in fitting ceremonies at the

Poblacion Barangay Hall

The activity coincided with a Community

based Monitoring system workshop held

simultaneous at the town hall, most local

officials could not make it to the ILO event,

according to sources.

Catigbian mayor Virgilio Lurot was all

too excited with the ILO legacy to the

farmers that he wanted to make a quick visit to

the event. But with the lack of material time,

he sent Estavilla instead. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7

-Bohol)

CEBU CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) --- Nearly a hundred participants from the business, academe and export sectors attended the

information session on ―Doing Business with the EU using GSP+‖ organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at

Cebu Parklane International, Hotel recently.

GSP+ seen to boost Philippine exports

A ccording to Nelia Navarro, DTI

Provincial Director, the Generalized

Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is an

autonomous trade arrangement under which

the European Union grants non-reciprocal

trade preferences to export beneficiary

countries.

The Philippines has been a beneficiary

under the Regular GSP arrangement that

covers 6,209 products, 2442 of which are

subject to zero duty while 3,767 are subject to

reduced tariffs. Under this scheme, the

Philippines exports to EU has reached

EUR1,71.25 million in 2013.

―It was only last month that the

Philippines was granted by the European Union

with the GSP+ status. It has a larger coverage

of 6, 274 products, all of which will be

accorded to zero duty,‖ Navarro said.

During the event a study made by DTI

was presented wherein it projected that

EU-GSP+ will increase Philippine exports

by EUR611.8 million during its first year of

availment.

The product sectors projected to have

highest increases are: animal or vegetable fats

and oils (EUR231.2 million), prepared

foodstuffs (EUR151.2 million), textile and

garments (EUR79.7 million), and footwear,

headwear, and umbrellas (EUR28.5 million).

This increase will generate 267,587 new

jobs in both the agriculture and manufacturing

sectors.

DTI Export Management Bureau Senen

Perlada said that the Philippines is the only

member of the Association of Southeast Asian

Nations (Asean) given this GSP+ privilege

giving the country an edge over other

countries.

―That‘s why exporters are encouraged to

produce quality products as it guarantees

successful trade to the EU,‖ Perlada said.

He said that the EU-GSP+ is just an icing

on the cake hence, exporters must not put all

their eggs in there because at the end of the

day, it is the quality that will determine the

marketability of the product.

DTI assures that they will provide full

assistance to exporters in the utilization of this

GSP+ status so that the Philippines will acquire

a better share of the market. The session was

one of the nationwide information campaigns

of DTI to raise awareness on the benefits of

the EU-GSP+. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

SIQUIJOR, Feb 1(PIA) -- Experts from the Manufacturing Productivity Expansion Program (MPEX), Food Safety Team and

Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7)

recently visited the productions plants and farms in Siquijor as part of its consultancy and training programs.

E ngr. Gilberto Nakila and Engr. Dennis

Kilongkilong served as consultants for

MPEX while Senior Science Research

Specialist II Josie Elli served as trainer/resource

speaker in behalf of the Food Safety

Team Joselito Payot represented CAPE.

JH Furniture, 2KIR Furniture and

Jermaine‘s Bakeshoppe were this year‘s

beneficiaries for MPEX consultancy program.

They were also Small Enterprise Technology

Upgrading Program (SETUP) beneficiaries.

Prior to the plant visit, the consultants

had a short orientation to the beneficiaries

about MPEX and its objectives.

According to DOST, MPEX assists micro,

small and medium enterprises in the

manufacturing sector to attain higher

productivity through improvements in the

overall operation of the firm.

Simultaneously, a two-day training on

Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices

(GMP) was conducted by Senior SRS Elli of

DOST-7 Food Safety Team at the Smylen

Dream Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coco Oil &

Gen. Merchandise manufacturing plant in

Candaping-B, Maria, Siquijor.

The in-house training/seminar assists

the firm to be ready for its application for GMP

certificate and License to Operate (LTO).

In another development, Joselito Payot a

consultant of CAPE conducted a site visit on

the farms of Maricar Masayon to assess

technical feasibility and areas of priority in farm

management. Discussions were made with the

beneficiary for possible interventions and

recommendations to problems identified.

In an interview with Provincial Science and

Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña,

he said the consultancy program is offered free

to all SETUP beneficiaries.

He said he is optimistic that the

consultancy could enhance the productivity of

the firms identified upon adaptation of the

would-be measures for improvement.

In return, the beneficiaries pledged to

extend their full cooperation during the

conduct of the consultancy program.

So far, a number of firms have availed of

the consultancy program in the province since

its implementation. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/

Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

DOST Food Safety Team, experts visit mfg. sites, farm in Siquijor

ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg is set to visit Bohol on February 5,

2015.

H e will witness with Bohol Governor

Edgar Chatto the signing of the

Memorandum of Understanding

between the United States Agency for

Internat ional Development (USAID)

represented by Mission Director Gloria Steele

and Tagbilaran City represented by Mayor John

Geesnell ‗Baba‘ Yap II.

Tagbilaran is the first city in the Visayas

region to be named as CDI.

The signing will be held at the Dagohoy

Hall of Bohol Tropics on Thursday, February 5

from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

USAID has named Tagbilaran City as one

of the beneficiaries of its Cities Development

Initiative (CDI) program that aims to support

secondary cities to spur local economic

growth.

This is also an opportune time for the U.S.

Ambassador to meet the provincial officials, as

well as the officials of the City of Tagbilaran

and municipal mayors, and see for himself

some projects of the USAID in Bohol. (mbcn/

ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Tagbilaran 1st CDI city beneficiary in Visayas

CEBU CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- A touching but happy moment filled the atmosphere when US Navy Seabees finally turned over

the completion of renovations of four facilities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) today, a

week before their stay ends in the country.

USN Seabees turn over work improvements of DSWD-7 facilities

D SWD-7 regional director Mercedita

Jabagat expressed her gratitude for

the assistance of the US Navy

Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD)

Philippines who have been here for six months

to help build school buildings and rehabilitate

public facilities.

―Government cannot do it alone. We

needs partnerships from the private sector and

civic organizations to help us provide the best

environment possible especially for our

persons with disabilities and victims of some

circumstances,‖ said Jabagat.

The ceremony marked the culmination of

work by the Seabees and the Philippine Army

engineers from the Central Command of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines as they

improved four facilities of DSWD-7.

These facilities are the Home for Girls

Dormitory, Persons with Disabilities Dormitory, Regional Haven and the Area

Vocational Rehabilitation Center located in

Labangon, Cebu City.

Jeram Ejercito, a PWD whose legs were

amputated could not express his gratitude

enough. ―I am very thankful to the Seabees for

helping in the improvement of our facilities

especially the path walk which enables me to

walk more steadily and safely,‖ said Ejercito

who is being taught in the center on furniture

and cabinet making.

The four facilities are where DSWD-7

provides a home environment to trafficked

minors, victims of domestic violence and other

victims of circumstances as well as PWDs.

They are taught massage therapy, cabinet

and furniture making and computer repair

among others.

Marinel Kumba, 11 years old also thanked

the seabees wishing them ‗long life‘ for the

good deeds they have done expressing her

happiness for the gifts and sports equipment the US CCAD team gave the children.

―More than the materials and your

efforts, what will leave us longer is your

warmth, kindness and the time you spent with

the children, girls and the persons with

disabilities,‖ said Hermania Cabahug, director

of the DSWD facilities in Labangon.

―Work improvements on the four

facilities cost US $13,200 and took almost two

months to complete,‖ said Lt. Mike Sapienza,

US Navy CCAD PH head.

Sapienza said they leave in a week‘s time

as another batch of Seabees will replace their

26-men team.

The new batch will take over the

continuing construction of two public

school buildings in Todelo City and in the town

of Aloguinsan which is expected to finish by

May.

―I will definitely miss the Philippines and

the people who have been very kind to us. Our

work here is very rewarding where we contributed to a better life even just in a small

way,‖ said Sapienza. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

SIQUIJOR, Feb. 3 (PIA) — Over a hundred Filipino-Canadian guests led by Ambassador to Canada Petronilla Garcia with

Philippine Consuls General across Canada and other professionals came to Siquijor as part of their Winter Escapade this year.

Over 100 Fil-Canadian guests on ‗Winter Escapade‘ in Siquijor

W e are here to discover Siquijor,

the Philippines top envoy to

Canada said at the Tambisan Wharf

in San Juan, Siquijor where Provincial

Governor, town Mayor Mei Ling Quezon,

Philippine National POliuce (PNP) provincial

director Primitivo Tabujara, Jr. and party

welcomed them.

From the wharf, they were led to the St.

Francis of Assisi Church grounds near the

Siquijor port for another welcoming school

band with some grade schoolchildren

rendering them a dance.

More picture taking followed to the

delight of both the visitors and schoolchildren

who felt like ‗instant celebrities‘ with visitors

grabbing them for more poses.

But their short stay on the island only

allowed them to visit the century-old Balete

Tree in San Juan with its fish spa and folk

h e a l i n g , S t . I s i d o r e L a b r a d o r

Parish and Convent in Lazi and a sumptuous

lunch with lively cultural presentations at the

Cocogrove Beach Resort.

―I hope you preserve your island as it is,‖

comments heard from the guests who said

they are impressed of the island‘s beauty and

spirituality and the true Filipino hospitality

that is now seldom found in the cities and

other places in the country.

Even big beautiful houses and the island‘s

tranquillity and natural beauty didn‘t pass the

envoy‘s musing as if amazed at how far it is

from what she heard and read all over.

Winter Escapade, according to Garcia, is a

combination of tourism and investment.

People want to come home, referring to

the big number of Filipino communities in

Canada and other countries, whom she said,

would come home when they get old.

Saying this, she encouraged the governor

to work around coming up with a good health

insurance and seek assistance from Filipinos

abroad to attract visitors and retirees to come

to Siquijor.

She said many Filipino-Canadian

communities are asking the Canadian

government to help the Philippines.

Ambassador Garcia, in a press release, is

said to be working on advancing bilateral

relations as her priorities and strategies and

pushed for activities that promotes productive

community support such as the Winter

Escapade.

A combination of tourism and investment,

Winter Escapade 2 is group tour which she

herself led from January 30 to February 06,

2015 in the islands of Negros Oriental,

Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7

-Siquijor)

CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

PDIC prexy leads groundbreaking of new GK

village in ESamar

BORONGAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - As part of its corporate social responsibility program, the Philippine Deposit Insurance

Corporation (PDIC), in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), led the groundbreaking ceremony of a new GK village Sunday at

Sitio Malmangan, Barangay 8, Lawaan, Eastern Samar.

B efore the groundbreaking ceremony, a

short program was attended by officials

led by PDIC president, Mrs. Cristina Q.

Orbeta.

In her message, Orbeta thanked the

survivor victims for their brave hearts.

―Our heart is with you to help you that is

why we are here,‖ Orbeta said.

She further said, ―maliit po ang aming

nakayanan, pero sana ay pagyamanin

po ninyong lahat.‖

On the part of the Local Governement

Unit (LGU) of Lawaan, Vice Mayor Raul Gade,

thanked the presence of PDIC Officials and

staff.

―This is heaven-sent to us. Kami ay

nabubuhayan ng loob dahil sa iyong pinakikitang

pagtulong sa aming mamamayan,‖ Vice Mayor

Gade said.

The program was immediately followed by the ground breaking ceremony led by PDIC

President Orbeta.

Other PDIC and LGU officials who

witnessed the groundbreaking were Mr. Jose

G. Villaret, Jr. Vice President for Corporate

Groups; Vice President Geronimo

Ambe; Manager Lyka Lopez; Asst. Manager

N a p M e c u ; M r . R e y R a v i t e ,

representing PHILDECEO; the Employees

Union of PDIC; Mr. Ricardo Igot, team

member of the GK Area Coordination Team

for Eastern Visayas – Incharge of Community

Organizing; Mr. Bryan Gapasin, team member

of the GK Area Coordination Team for

Eastern Visayas – Provincial Coordinator; Mr.

Marlon Abayan, Municipal Planning and

Development Coordinator (MPDC); Vice

Mayor Raul Gade and local and barangay

officials.

In an interview with PIA, Mr. Bryan

Gapasin, said that 100 housing units will rise in

the GK Village area. With this development,

there are already 54 housing units to be built – 20 housing units from ISLA LIPANA, an

auditing firm in Manila which is now

on-going construction; 20 housing units from

PDIC; and 14 housing units from Business

Process Outsourcing (BPO) in Manila.

The construction of 20 units of ISLA

LIPANA is now ongoing.

Gapasin added that only 46 housing units

need to be built to complete the 100 housing

units for the 100 beneficiaries from different

baranagays in Lawaan.

The total cost for the housing unit is P

150,000.00 each.

According to Abayan, the said lot was

purchased by LGU Lawaan for future housing

projects with a total land area of 18,000 square

meters.

PDIC has sought the help of GK

in the rebuilding program for ―Typhoon

Yolanda‖ survivors by providing them

with more typhoon-resilient houses while

the GK is a movement of nation building

which focuses in the restoration of the dignity of the poor by building GK homes

in beautiful communities. (ajc/sdc/PIA8-E.

Samar)

Army troops clash with rebels in N. Samar; 2 rebs captured

T his is despite of the death of one

soldier, during an encounter with

members of the New People‘s

Army in a remote area of Brgy. Imelda, Las

Navas, Northern Samar early morning

yesterday.

In a report sent by Lt. Col. Edgar R. Delos

Reyes, commanding officer of the 34th Infantry

Batallion to 8th Infantry Division, Philippine

Army Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, he said

his troops were conducting peace and security

operations when a concerned citizen informed

them about the presence of the rebels in said

area.

It was learned from Major Amado

Gutierrez, Chief, Division Public Affairs Office,

8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Camp

Lukban, Catbalogan City, the troops

proceeded immediately to where the NPAs

were last seen and upon entering the

vicinity of Brgy. Imelda, the troops were

fired upon which triggered a 15 minute firefight

until the NPA‘s withdrew.

The encounter led to the capture of two

(2) NPA rebels left behind by their comrades

and critically wounding a soldier who died

while being brought to the hospital.

As of this writing, the two unidentified

NPAs are still in the custody of the troops and

will be handed over to the Philippine National

Police.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, 8th ID

Commander expressed sympathy and

condolences to the bereaved family of the

slain soldier and expressed appreciation to

the efforts of the troops involved in the

operation.

―I would like to express my condolence to

the family of the slain soldier. He died a hero‘s

death in pursuit of peace and development. His

sacrifice and bravery will not be forgotten,‖

Belarmino said. (ajc/cba/8thID/PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb.5 (PIA) – Army troops in Eastern Visayas remain focused in carrying out their mission to

safeguard the people of the region against the New People‘s Army (NPA) rebels in the pursuit to create safe and progressive

communities.

ARMOR-8 vows to strengthen mining industry in region TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb.2 (PIA) – The Alliance of Responsible Miners of Region 8 (ARMOR8) is committed to

strengthen the mining industry in Eastern Visayas.

T his, after the alliance elected a new set

of officers for the year 2015.

Engr. Dante A. Operario, Information

Officer, Mines & Geosciences Bureau

(MGB-8) said, the elected president Engr.

Francisco Aranes who is on his second

term has vowed to pursue the goals of the

MGB in the region particularly in the

continuing efforts to pursue responsible and

sustainable mining.

―ARMOR-8 will remain an active ally

and catalyst for change in the mining

industry through implementation of

sound and meaningful endeavors deemed

to benefit the greater majority,‖ Engr Aranes

said.

The new officers are: Engr. Francisco

Aranes as President; Engr. Socrates

Serrano-Vice President; Gerry Mondragon as

Secretary; Treasurer-Teodulo Perez and

Auditor Jaime T. Lao.

PIA learned that 5 nominees vied for top

positions namely: Engr. Francisco Aranes of

Cambayas Mining Corporation, Engr. Socrates

Serrano of EMIR Minerals Corporation, Mr.

Gerry Mondragon of Strongbuilt Mining

Development Corporation, Teodulo Perez of

Mt. Mogan Resources and Mr. Jaime T. Lao of

Masada Development Corporation. (ajc/cba/

PIA-8)

By Samuel Candido

By Ninfa B. Quirante

ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Fallen SAF heroes to get justice, families to get benefits - PNoy

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police Regional Command 8 rendered full military honors to

the remains of the Special Action Force (SAF) members from Eastern Visayas upon its arrival at the DZR Airport in Tacloban

City, Saturday, January 31.

P olice Regional Command 8 Regional

Director Chief Superintendent

Asher Dolina identified the 6 SAF

members from the region as PO3 John

Lloyd R. Sumbilla of Brgy. Tabi, Sulat, Eastern

Samar; PO2 Glen Bedua of Brgy. San Jose,

Dulag, Leyte; PO2 Rodel Eva Ramacula of Brgy.

Jamo-og, Rosario, Northern Samar; PO2 Noel

Balaca Jr. of Sta. Monica, Oras, Eastern Samar;

PO1 Mark Lory Clemencio of Brgy. Baruguhay,

Carigara, Leyte and PO1 Joseph Sagonoy of

Brgy. Cabungaan, Silvino Lubos, Northern Sa-

mar.

Before the remains were flown to its

respective homes and its bereaved families,

President Aquino met the family members of

the fallen SAF personnel and discussed with

them some specific assistance that the

government will extend such as employment,

livelihood, education, housing, health and the

well-being of the family members.

As he expressed his sympathy and

condolences to the bereaved families of the

Philippine National Police (PNP-SAF) heroes,

the President spent time to talk to each of the

family members and reiterated that the

government is determined to render justice to

the fallen troopers.

He also directed DILG Secretary Mar

Roxas and PNP Officer in Charge Deputy

Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure

that the families receive all the benefits due

them at the earliest possible time.

With the President during his talks with

the families were DILG Secretary Roxas,

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, DOLE

Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, DepEd Secretary

Armin Luistro, PCOO Secretary Sonny

Coloma, TESDA Director General Joel

Villanueva, NHA General Manager Chito Cruz,

PMS head Julia Abad and Health Acting

Secretary Janette L. Garin. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)

Calbayog City welcomes dev‘t of Bangon Falls Hydro Power Plant

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 6 (PIA) - Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino with SAMELCO-1 and the Clean and Green

Energy Solutions, Inc. (CNGESI) partner to develop a renewable source of power.

T he project will be called the Bangon

Falls Hydro Power Development Plant

geared towards providing renewable

source of power that the developing city of

Calbayog needs.

Mr. Dendrick Lao, CNGESI Business

Development Officer said that developing

Bangon Falls into a Mini-Hydropower Project

can provide the needed power to SAMELCO-I,

the ―will be‖ off-taker of the power generated

by the hydropower plant.

Lao added that the Bangon Falls

Hydropower Project can generate a potential

capacity of 1.5 MW or a total of

9,480,000KWH annually.

The Bangon Falls Hydropower Plant

development, with construction duration of 30

months, will be located at Brgy.

Tinaplacan, Calbayog City, where the run-of

-river technology to be used in this project

would by-pass the upstream flow of water of

the Bugtong River and return to its original

path before the Bangon Falls.

This scheme, Lao added, will preserve

the natural flow and will not decrease the

volume of water flowing through Bangon Falls,

which is a tourist attraction.

According to the Department of Energy,

about 30% of SAMELCO-I distribution system

was affected by November 2013 super

typhoon ―Yolanda‖, which are dependent on

the Visayas National Grid. Having an

embedded power supply, Lao assured that

Bangon Falls Hydro Power Plant will give the

constituents covered by SAMELCO-I an

independent supply of renewable energy

source, which will provide about 10% of the

total demand of SAMELCO-I.

Mayor Aquino said that he welcomes

this project as it will not only develop

renewable energy sources but also

promotes tourism as Bangon Falls is one of the

prime tourist destination in Samar. (PIA-Samar

with Aimee Catalan/Calbayog City Mayor‘s

Office)

Cayetano's PTK program benefits typhoon

victims

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- In Eastern Samar, tricycle drivers and fisherfolks stand to benefit from a

P200,000 financial support from Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

P ersonally turned over by Cayetano on

January 31, 2015, the fund will be used

as seed fund for Eastern Samar State

University (ESSU) Riders Tricycle Operators

and Drivers Association in Borongan, and

Barangay 6 Fisherfolk Association in Guiuan

town. The two towns are recovering from

typhoon which hit the province recently.

Borongan sustained damages to property,

livelihood and lives in December 2014 due to

typhoon Ruby (international codename:

Hagupit) while Guiuan still continues to

recover from all that was lost to supertyphoon

Yolanda (International codename: Haiyan).

―Since super typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern

Samar, I recognized the need for small business

owners to adopt a system where they would

have access to capital that doesn‘t require

interest payments of up to 20%.

The PTK program would be an example

of a successful financial aid structure that

works,‖ Cayetano said.

Cayetano's Presyo Trabaho, Kita/

Kaayusan (PTK) Kontra 5-6 program will allow

members of the two organizations to give out

small loans to members at low interest rates

and easy payment schemes eventually

encouraging them to start their own small

businesses.

Aleli Macawile, a member of the ESSU

Riders TODA said he has trouble saving up

for his tricycle's monthly amortization that he

often turns to loan sharks that collect almost

P200 in interest for every P1,000 loaned.

"My co-members tell me that through this

PTK, I only have to pay P30 for every P1,000 I

borrow.

This will make a lot of difference,"

Macawile said.

According to Cayetano he plans to cover

more sectors with the program.

"We aim to not only provide support to a

particular sector but the whole community.

From vendors, to fishermen, farms and

transport workers, the PTK aims to give micro

-entrepreneurs a chance to be successful by

providing them a sustainable capital buildup,‖

he said.

―I want to show the government that

this works. If we can give P64 Billion on

Conditional Cash Transfers, why can‘t we give

local government units P1 Billion per region for

micro-financing programs like the PTK? Small

Businesses are among the top job generators in

the country and the government should

encourage their growth,‖ Cayetano added. (ajc/

Medora Quirante/PIA*-Eastern Samar)

CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015

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.

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Editorial Consultants

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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