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Vol 5 Issue 7 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 February 16 - 22, 2015
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DSWD answers critics of Yolanda emergency shelter aid
Siquijor Chamber, foreign partners to jumpstart infra project
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
EV agri-fishery sector to be more globally competitive
By Consuelo B. Alarcon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 19 (PIA) –The agri-fishery sector in Eastern Visayas has stepped up mechanisms to be
more globally competitive, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
This, after the European Parliament officially granted the Philippines’ request for inclusion in the European Union’s (EU)
General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) which means that the Philippines will soon be able to export, tariff-free, over 6,
200 products to the EU including processed fruit, coconut oil, footwear, fish and textiles.
DA Regional Director Bernadette San Juan said it’s great to know that the European Union included our country in the
General System of Preferences so we can also share our potential benefits to the rest of the world.
―We have put in place mechanisms that are geared towards the attainment of being at par with other countries in
terms of production and marketing of agri-fishery products,‖ San Juan said.
One of these is the implementation of the Philippine
Rural Development Project (PRDP) which focuses on
expanding market access and improving competitiveness involving local government units (LGUs) and other Agri-fishery
stakeholders. Included in the PRDP is the Investments for Rural
Enterprises and Agri-Fishery Productivity (I-REAP) aimed at developing a viable agri-fishery-based enterprises and
productivity enhancement. Some of these projects where LGUs can benefit are the
vermicast production, establishment of nurseries, fish cages, fish sanctuaries, the enhancement of marine protected
areas, mills, warehouse dryers, marketing facilities, among others.
―With our inclusion in this Free Trade Agreement, we envision market integration that is favorable to our Filipino
farmers, fisher folks and other workers since it is tariff-free,‖ San Juan further said.
Said inclusion will also strengthen the trade incentives in respect to human and labor rights, environmental and good
governance standards. (aen/cba/DA-8/PIA-8)
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA6)—The Department of Social
Welfare and Development-6 said that it has never been remiss in its duty to respond to victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
Evelyn Macapobre, DSWD regional director said in a press statement, that they have so far released P3 billion in
emergency shelter assistance, relief assistance, cash for work and livelihood projects to all provinces in Western Visayas.
Responding to the charges of the farmers’ group led by the PAMANGGAs, along with some victims of Yolanda who
claimed they have not been released assistance yet, Macapobre said that MC 24 spells out the guidelines and requirements as
to recipients of the ESA. ―These are the same guidelines which the Commission
on Audit will use to post audit such huge amounts being released,‖ Macapobre said.
She added that a circular which also applies to all other regions affected by Yolanda cannot just be scrapped without an
act from the central office. As to the issue on the slow release of ESA, DSWD said
that it is just a perception, contrary to the fact that the money was downloaded only on December 29, 2014 but the regional
office had already released P2.7 billion, reaching 105,000 families, to the local government units which have
accomplished the requirements. ―But not all victims of Yolanda can receive because of
MC 24 guidelines which we have to follow,‖ Macapobre said.
MC 24 specifically states that ―Regular employees of the government and private sectors or organizations with a fixed
monthly salary below P5,000 shall also be eligible, provided
they have not received the same assistance from other agencies
and are indicated in the master list of beneficiaries in accordance with the DSWD Disaster Assistance Family Access
Card (DFAC). As to the need for additional funds for Yolanda victims,
Macapobre said that they are recommending to those who feel they are eligible to receive assistance, to go and see the local
Social Welfare Officers to see if their names are in the list, which shall be validated by the Municipal Action Teams.
She added that DSWD will be calling all the governors for a meeting, for the latter to monitor if all their mayors have
submitted a validated list of beneficiaries if there are. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
SIQUIJOR, Feb. 17 (PIA)—The Siquijor Chamber of
Commerce & Industry, Inc. (SCCII) is implementing the project, Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investments for
Development (CR+ID), a partnership with the Asia Foundation and the Australian Embassy in the Philippines.
One of the components of the CR+ID project, according to SCCII President Engr. Judy U. Booc, is
the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) that identifies Strategic Road Links (SRL) and Strategic Infrastructures (SI) in Siquijor.
The SRLs, she explained, are interconnected roads within the province, regardless of classification, which are
most often used in transporting goods and people and the SIs are backbones that interconnect modern
economies. Strategic Infrastructure, she added, will only drive
sustained economic growth when it is properly aligned with the province’s priorities.
They must create the greatest impact in terms of economic growth, social uplift and sustainability in the
province, she said. She also said that a Consensus Building Workshop for
Key Economic Drivers is done in coordination with the
Provincial Government of Siquijor and convene
multi-stakeholders to present the Strategic Direction of the Province and validate the Provincial Economic Data by the
VCA team of the project. The determination of priority economic subsector of the
Province also takes place and serves as basis in the succeeding data gathering for the VCA, she shared.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here in coordination with DOST-7 distributed ovicidal
-larvicidal (OL) Kits and related reading materials in a bid to intensify efforts to educate the public about the OL trap and its
ability to prevent dengue. The identified secondary schools include Basac National
High School, Candaping National High School, and Enrique Villanueva National High School.
Each school was given sets of ―Ang OL Trap sa Brgy. Ma dengue‖, educational comics intended to inform the
public especially high school students about OL Traps and dengue.
Also included in the package are ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) pellets, ladles and containers.(RAC/PIA7 with SCCII and DOST
Siquijor reports)
KAPIHAN SA PIA with DOH 7: This forum is
in line with the Dental/Oral Health Month
obsevance with panelists from DOH -7,
VSMMC, Philippine Dental Association Cebu
Chapter & Naga City Dental Office. The
forum was aired live thru DYMR Radyo ng
Bayan-Cebu from 10:00am - 11:00 am and
delayed telecast at Sky Cable-Cebu Ch. 61 at
5:00pm. PIA Cebu Infocen Manager Rachelle
M. Nessia and Wen Celen of DYMR Radyo ng
Bayan -Cebu moderated the forum. (vvv)
DILG USec. Austere A. Panadero explains the
salient features of the Disaster Preparedness
Manuals and the Operation LISTO during the
regional launching of the project held in Iloilo
City, Feb. 18, which was attended by DILG
agencies, RDRRMC members and other
stakeholders. (EJB/PIA 6)
Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority deputy director general Teodoro
Pascua (left) welcomes guests and participants
to the welcome back ceremonies and slogan
signing for the Isuzu scholars of auto mechanic
held at TESDA Multipurpose Covered Court,
Brgy. Abucay, Tacloban City, February
16. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr/PIA-8)
DSWD 6 Director Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre. Her answer
to ESA critics: DSWD not remiss on response to Typhoon Yolanda
victims’ shelter, other needs. (DSWD 6 File photo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
BIR-Aklan collections up 14%
By Venus G. Villanueva
KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 18 (PIA6) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District No. 71 here was able to collect in
2014 a total of P1,220,452,576.54 in taxes registering a growth rate of 14% as against its collection in 2013, according to
Revenue District Officer Eralen De Aro.
I n 2013, De Aro said total
t a x c o l l e c t i o n s r e a c h e d
P1,070,923,865.74, or an increase
of P149,528,710.80, making the Revenue
District in Aklan No. 2 in Panay Island.
De Aro said this achievement was the
result of the unified efforts of both the
public and the private sector who
contributed greatly to the attainment of
the collection target. ―We also recognize
the strong cooperation and diligence of
the men and women of the district who
exerted much effort in collection
generation despite the fact that some are
holding two municipalities at the same
time‖, De Aro said.
Meanwhile, when reminded all
taxpayers except those in barangays to
make use of filing using the eBIR forms,
eSubmission and the eFPS.
These new systems, according to her,
will be beneficial both to the BIR and the
the taxpayers as well.
She also reminded all taxpayers to file
their 2014 income tax returns early to
avoid the rush, as the deadline is on April
15, 2015. (JCM/VGV BIR/PIA6 Aklan)
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA6) --- History tells us that the Chinese have long been part of the Ilonggos' way of life.
A ccording to the late historian and
writer Dr. Henry Funtecha, traditional
Chinese inf luences have been
embedded in Iloilo’s past and present.
By the time the Spaniards colonized the
country, a good number of them had already
settled in the town of Molo, now one of the
districts of Iloilo City.
Molo served as the commercial port of
Iloilo during this time when Chinese bartered
silk, porcelain wares and damask with the
natives while the latter engaged in trading
products from their farms, the sea and the
forests.
A number of Chinese also settled down in
Molo and married Ilonggo women. The
descendants of these Chinese could be found
among families named Consing, Ditching,
Conlu, Ganzon, Guanzon, Jocson, Lacson,
Layson, Locsin, Sianson, Yulo, and Yusay. After the First World War, the growth of
Chinese families and consequent presence of
school-age children, coupled with cultural pride
and political organizations, prompted the
building of Iloilo’s Chinese schools for
elementary education.
The Chinese Commercial School began in
1911 or a trade school owned by the old Iloilo
Confederation of Chinese businessmen. Sixty
students enrolled.
This was followed by Sun Yat Sen School
which was established through a group of
nationalistic Cantonese and Fukienese
supporters of the Kuomintang. The third
school Chiang Kai Shek was built by the Ong
Family Association due to a faction with the
leadership of Sun Yat Sen.
The Chinese were also omnipresent in
the sinamay or weaving industry which had
flourished in Iloilo by the 19th century. The
province had begun to develop the reputation
as the center of the textile weaving industry in
the country.
The introduction of a sugar cane variety
called ―sakara‖ was also among the legacies of
the Chinese in Western Visayas. Subsequently,
the Chinese also taught the natives how to
extract sugar juice from the canes and to transform it into solid granules.
As to the sugar industry, it appears that
almost all the important technology used in the
process or preparation of muscovado sugar are
of Chinese origin.
The large vat where the sugar juice is
cooked to form into ―panocha‖ is ―cawa‖. To
transfer boiling sugar from one ―cawa‖ to
another is called ―yaya‖. To clean the sap of
impurities is ―suiani‖. ―Cansaja‖ on the other
hand is the term for the wilted leaf of the cane
and ―siapo‖ is the bagasse.
In terms of influencing the Ilonggo culinary
palate, the Chinese also left a lasting legacy.
Still prominent today are batchoy, bihon,
hototai, kimlo, lumpia, pancit (including pancit
molo), siomai, and siopao.
La Villa Rica de Arevalo, a particular
district that was once part of the Parian
(Molo), became famous in the region for its
beautiful fireworks or pyrotechnics and was
dubbed as the home of Iloilo’s firecrackers
industry.
Other lasting early Chinese influences on
Ilonggo life include the wearing of the ―camisa
de chino‖, the wearing of slippers, the popular
leisure game of ―mahjong‖, the observance of
―feng shui‖, among others. The list would still go long proving how
Chinese had made an indelible imprint in the
history and culture of Iloilo. The celebration by
the city of the Chinese New Year with the
theme ―United Iloilo on the Rise‖ is a reminder
of the significant role the Chinese play and
continue to play in the life of the
Ilonggos. (JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)
New Year, Old Bond: Celebrating Chinese influences on Ilonggo life
By: Leonard T. Pineda I
Antique IO bags national award
SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb 18 (PIA6) – - In recognition of her exemplary performance as Trade and Industry Development
Specialist and currently designated as Information Officer of the Department of Trade and Industry, a national recognition was
bestowed on Engr. Lynna Joy Cardinal as SPRINT Awardee (System on Performance, Rewards and Incentives) in a recognition
ceremony held at Philippine Trade Training Center Recently.
C ard ina l was a lso named Best
Performing Information Officer during
the Regional Conference and Awards
of Information Officer in Region6 organized
by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on
December 2014 for her commendable
performance.
―We congratulate DTI Info Officer
Cardinal for attaining the national distinction,
and may this award further encourages her to
exert more effort to sustain her agency’s
mandate to educate the public on issues
concerning consumer rights and protection,‖
said Totei Villavert, Officer In Charge of PIA
Antique.
DTI’s SPRINT acknowledged the
significant contribution of Cardinal to the
department’s mandate that calls for advocacy
on consumer rights and information by
increasing media awareness of the general
public on consumer issues.
Likewise, the awards committee had seen
her reliability towards her work that
consistently contributed to the impressive
performance of DTI Antique for the past
years.
The agency shortlisted 56 employees and
executives out of more than 2,000 personnel
for the SPRINT Awards based on performance
and behavioral ratings.
In addition, Cardinal is an active
member of the Antique Association of
Information Officers. (JCM/PSM/PIA Antique)
By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
DILG not leaving WV’s safety from disaster
to chance
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA6) – Insofar as disaster preparedness is concerned, the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) is not leaving things to chance as it wants a safer Western Visayas.
T his was stressed by DILG
Undersecretary Austere A.
Panadero at the regional launching
of their Operation LISTO and the disaster
risk reduction and management Manuals that
go with it held February 18 at Iloilo Grand
Hotel here.
Panadero pointed out that the ultimate
goal of Operation LISTO is to make the
region a safer place through prompt, timely
and adequate preparations based on the
checklist provided in the Manuals.
―We can now predict (weather)
better, so why leave things to chance?‖
remarked Panadero, referring to the
rationale of their project in relation to the
improved weather forecasting capability of
DOST-PAGASA, the country’s weather
bureau.
The Manuals are intended for the use
and application of DILG Field Officers, Local
Chief Executives and Philippine National
Police station chiefs and Bureau of Fire
Protection marshals.
The project or new set of protocols in
disaster preparedness also calls for closer
coordination among the DILG, its family
agencies, local government units and other
stakeholders with the help of information
from warning agencies.
The project was prompted by the
experience from previous natural
disasters especially typhoons and is
anchored on the national disaster risk
reduction and management framework, said
Panadero.
Meanwhile, the DILG will roll out
Operation LISTO to the provinces and
down to municipalities and barangays and
including the youth to their field offices and
LGUs on the new protocols.
Under the guidance of the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (RDRRMC), we will all be
collaborating on all these things on the
ground, Panadero said.
He also led the turnover of copies of
the Manuals to the regional and provincial
heads of DILG agencies including the PNP,
BFP and Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology and partner-agencies in the
RDRRMC Disaster Preparedness
Committee with DILG-6 Director lawyer
Anthony Nuyda and Local Government
Academy Executive Director Marivel
Sacendoncillo.
Othe r RDRRMC Co mmi t tee
member-agency regional heads who also
graced the affair were Director Engr. Rowen
Gelonga of the Department of Science and
Technology and Director lawyer Ma. Janet
Mesa of the Philippine Information Agency.
(JSC-PIA6)
By: Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
NEGROS OCC., Feb. 16 (PIA6) -- With the right information and healthy lifestyle, a person can reduce his or her chances of
getting cancer, a government physician said.
Fight cancer with healthy lifestyle, right info
I n a recent interview over Radyo
Kumando 103.1 FM, Provincial
Health Officer III Teresa Bacabac
said cancer prevention begins in knowing
one’s risk by looking at a person’s medical
history so that right decisions are made.
Healthy lifestyle should be observed
and only a person can have a total control
of his lifestyle because it is a matter of
personal choice, she further said. It is ideal
to have a healthy diet that has less red
meat, low in cholesterol, sugar and salt.
Vegetables and fruits consumption
should be at the right amount while
alcohol consumption in moderation.
Regular exercise also plays a vital role in
keeping a person fit. Bacabac recommends
a patient sees a doctor at once whenever
abnormalities are detected-no matter
how small it may be. Quoting the DOH,
she said breast cancer is the most
common in the country where more than
15 percent die from a total of 50,000
cases. Doctors advise women to have
regular breast examination to catch an
abnormal growth at its early stage where
recovery rate is at its highest.
The country recently observed cancer
awareness month on the third week of
January. (JSC/Lljr-PIA6)
By: Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr.
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 17 (PIA6) – Mobile palay procurement teams are ready for deployment in the different areas in
Capiz.
I nformation Officer Mary Christie
Hari-on of the National Food Authority
here disclosed that their mobile
procurement teams are now for deployment in
remote areas to provide farmers easy access in
selling their produce.
―We want to relieve farmers from the
burden of bringing their palay produce to the
NFA buying stations either in Bolo, Roxas City
or in Dumalag warehouse, the reason why we
are the one who are going to their areas,‖ she
said.
Hari-on said that farmers are at times
given additional burden in transporting their
palay produce entailing additional cost.
She said that the NFA buys clean and dry
palay at P17 per kilogram with additional
incentives such as delivery fee ranging from 20
to 50 centavos per kilogram depending on the
distance from the buying station, drying
incentive fee and cooperative development
incentive fee of 20 and 30 centavos,
respectively.
She said that both individual and farmer’s
organizations can sell their palay harvest to the
food agency.
Hari-on explained that walk-in farmers are
allowed to sell and deliver their palay up to
200 bags only with a certification from the
barangay captain, stating among others the area
being cultivated and its yield.
For farmer’s cooperatives or associations,
they only need to submit registration
cert i f icates from the Cooperat ive
Development Authority or Securities and
Exchange Commission or any registration
certificate from concerned government
agency for the issuance of Master’s Passbook,
she said.
Hari-on added that, for purposes of
determining the procurement allocation, the
said cooperative should also submit a list of
farmer-members certified by the municipal
agriculture office, indicating the area, palay
yield and whether the said area id irrigated or
not.
For this year, NFA Capiz targets to buy
75,000 bags of palay as buffer stock, she said,
pointing out that sufficient fund for said
purpose has been allotted for the food agency
here. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
NFA deploys procurement teams in remote areas
By: Jemin B. Guillermo
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development Region-7 (DSWD) yesterday
briefed members of Dumaguete media on the department’s convergence strategy in implementing its three social protection
programs to address poverty.
DSWD holds press briefing on convergence strategy
D SWD believes it is also
important to for the local media
to know how these programs
carry out the strategy as well as its gains
for Negros Oriental as partners in
information dissemination.
DSWD’s convergence strategy is the
harmonized implementation of the
department’s three social protection
program which are the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),
Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan
-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery
of Social Services-National Community
-Driven Development Program (KALAHI
-CIDSS-NCDDP) and the Sustainable
Livelihood Program.
DSWD-7 Planning Officer Anthony
Arsenal explained it is a multi-dimensional
approach to alleviate the situation of poor
Filipino families. ―Convergence is focusing
and synchronization of resources, services
and interventions on specific target
families,‖ Arsenal said.
The 4Ps is the country’s conditional
cash transfer program, wherein the
government hands over cash grants to
poor families to ensure that the
educational, nutritional and health needs
of children are properly addressed has 4.4
million families nationwide.
DSWD’s 4Ps is now on the 6th year
of implementation in Negros Oriental.
The KALAHI-CIDSS-NCDDP, on the
other hand, aims to empower
communities and improve local
governance through community driven
-development approach have covered 334
barangays in 14 municipalities in Negros
Oriental so far. Arsenal also presented
during the briefing that in 2012, the
province has registered a 45.3% poverty
incidence. This translates to 314, 659
identified poor families.
However, Arsenal noted that the
2012 earthquake in Guihulngan had
affected the magnitude of poor families in
Negros Oriental. The DSWD will once
again conduct a verification of poor
families within the year to update their
database on the number of poor
households in the province. Arsenal
emphasized to local media personnel that
DSWD’s convergence strategy aims bring
self sufficiency to poor individuals in the
province and help poor families rise from
poverty. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb. 17 (PIA) — From the spending-intensive December to the leaner January, crime volume
incidence in Bohol decreases, perhaps due to lesser crime opportunity.
Bohol’s crimes down from Dec. 2014
F or Bohol police, however, the
decrease is an indication of a
better accomplishment, with a
huge portion of crimes listed as physical
injuries, caused by alcohol intoxication
than premeditation.
At the Provincial Peace and Order
Council Meeting held February 17, 2015 at
the People’s Mansion Conference Hall,
Camp Dagohoy statisticians showed that
total crime volume in December 2014
towered at 752 over the 718 reported
in January 2015.
The 34 less crimes in January 2015
comprise six crimes increase in
non-index crimes but an unprecedented
40 cases decrease in index crimes, pointed
out Police Superintendent Nicomedes
Olaivar.
On this, Supt Olaivar cited their
intensified law enforcement operations as
contributive of the increase of operational
accomplishments, all of them resulted
from consistent and aggressive campaign
on illegal drugs through buy-bust
operations and illegal possession of
firearms through search-warrant-guided
raids.
For crime solution efficiency, police
also did better in December to January
time frame, solving 383 of 426 cases and
clearing 392 of 458 cases, Olaivar said.
Supt Olaivar rendered the report in
lieu of his commander PSSupt. Dennis
Agustin, who chose to sit on the sidelines
of the meeting.
Top crimes for the month, according
to Supt Olaivar, are physical injuries at
189 cases, followed by theft at 134 and
robbery at 54.
And for physical injuries, Olayver
showed that unlike what most would
associate with physical injuries, mauling
only constitutes 30 of the 189 cases for
the month. Vehicular accidents own up
the biggest share of physical injuries cases
at 127, a thing which police authorities
credited to drunk-driving.
Despite all of these, Camp Dagohoy
said ―statistics reflect theft and physical
injury remains to be the prevalent crimes
in the distribution of index crimes.
Physical Injury as broken down shows
that incidents in physical injuries are not
mostly human inflicted crimes but due to
human errors or traffic related accidents.
(RAC/PIABohol)
CEBU CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) --- The Civil Service Commission (CSC-7) announces the conduct of the Career Service
Examination (CSE) for professional and non-professional level on May 3 for interested applicants who want to join government
service.
CSC career service exam set May 3
C SC-7 public assistance and liaison
division chief, Prolaine Dacalan
said, the application form can be
secured from any CSC Regional or Field
Office or downloaded from the CSC
website www.csc.gov.ph.
Eligible to apply for the CSE - Paper
Pencil Test (PPT) in both levels are
Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old and
of good moral character.
Applicant must have no criminal
record nor have been dishonorably
discharged from military service or
dismissed from any civilian position in the
government.
Applicants also must have not taken
the same level of CSE within three months
from the last exam taken.
Documentary requirements needed
include four ID pictures taken within
three months prior to application and an
original and photocopy of any valid ID.
An examination fee of P500 for the
PPT will be charged.
―Deadline for submission of
application is on March 12 as interested
applicants can inquire further details from
their office or any CSC field office,‖ said
Dacalan.
The CSE has a passing rate of 80
percent while results of the test are
usually released after 45 days and will also
be posted on the CSC website.
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU, Feb. 18 (PIA) – A Fun Run for a Cause dubbed ―Tatak TESDA: Dagan Ta, Tabang Ta‖ is set on March 7 where proceeds
will benefit the scholars of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-7).
T he run early next month will have
two categories which are the 3K
and the 6K that will jumpstart at
5:00 in the morning beginning at Sumilon
Road, Cebu Business Park.
Initiated by the Cebu Association of
Private Technical Vocational Institutions
(CAPTI), the purpose is to raise funds to
help TESDA scholars who barely
have the resources for transportation
fare and food which usually cause
these scholars to drop out from their
training.
Proceeds from the fund-raising
activity will provide deserving TESDA
scholars their daily allowance to sustain
them throughout the duration of their
training.
CAPTI is inviting the public to join the
cause and help the poor TESDA scholars
who work hard to make a better life for
their families.
TESDA Sec. Joel Villanueva has
given his 100 percent support to the
project and is invited to participate in the
fun run.
The long time goal of the association
is to sustain this kind of project to benefit
more scholars.
Registration fee is at P350 with singlet
and food.
Those who are interested to join can
go to the following: Runners Store in
Ayala Center, Primary Homes Office in
SM Cebu or at TESDA 7 Regional Office.
(fcr/pia7 with TESDA-7 PR)
Fun Run for TESDA scholars set March 7
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) – Newspaper columnist and economics professor Solita Monsod says the country’s
problems on economy and politics can be solved if more people will take the path of heroism than just being passive acceptors
of the prevailing evils in the society.
M onsod shared this in a forum
with mass communication
students of Silliman University
(SU) on Feb. 16 at the university audio-visual
theater.
The event was organized by SU College
of Mass Communication, in partnership with
Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the
prominent newspapers in the country.
In her presentation, Monsod pointed
out that the country needs more heroes,
ordinary people who do social action in an
extraordinary manner to counter the evil
that is present in the society which hinders
the development of the country.
Monsod also emphasizes that the evil
triumphs when good people become passive
acceptors or do nothing to correct it.
―We can become heroes when our
thoughts move from me to we. We become
heroes when act instead of being passive.
We become heroes when we deviate
from the normal way of doing things,‖
Monsod said.
―What is required for this social action
to be extraordinary? It is in an action in
behalf of other people or moral cause or
principle. It is an action that is done without
the thought of reward,‖ she added.
Monsod urges young people to be more
sensitive to the needs of others and be
critical thinkers for this will encourage them
to do more social actions.
On the other hand, Monsod calls evil as
the exercise of power to harm somebody or
destroy an idea.
―That is why corruption is evil. You
exercise your power to benefit yourself or
your family or your friends. We are a nation
that is afflicted with evil and we are a nation
that needs to have heroes,‖ Monsod
declared.
―The way to solve the problems in the
Philippines, whether in politics and
economics is for more people to be
socio-centric,‖ she concluded.
Monsod’s lecture in Silliman is anchored
on the study by social psychologist Philip
Zimabardo who believes that there is a
permeable line between evil and
heroism. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)
Monsod: The country needs more heroes
CEBU CITY, Feb. 18 (PIA) --- The Commission on Population (POPCOM) will celebrate its 45th year anniversary on February
18, 2015.
POPCOM celebrates 45th year anniversary
S ince its establishment, POPCOM
has taken the lead in contributing
to the improvement of the
quality of life of all Filipinos through
responsible parenting, better health and
education, attainment of population
outcomes that are in harmony with
available resources and sustainable
environmental conditions, and reduction
of poverty and inequalities in human
development opportunities.
A one-day event will be conducted in
POPCOM Building, Mandaluyong City
between 8:00AM- 5:00PM.
The event will feature tree planting
with in the POPCOM grounds,
thanksgiving mass, ribbon cutting and
viewing of photo exhibit, wellness
activities, and conduct of Kalusugang
Pangkalahata (KP) Roadshow Activities
including Family Development Session/
Responsible Parenting-Family Planning
(FDS/RP-FP) session, Kalalakihang Tapatsa
Responsibilidad at ObligasyonsaPamilya
(KATROPA) session, and Youth-for-You
(U4U) teen trail initiative. Residents of
Mandaluyong City and specifically Barangay
Addition Hills will be the beneficiaries of
the activity, which is the way by which
POPCOM gives thanks to its host
community.
The event will also showcase the
soft launch of the awarding ceremony
of the Rafael M. Salas Population and
Development Award (RMSPDA) 2014
which will commence in August 2015.
The award is designed to perpetuate
the legacy of Rafael M. Salas by
honoring local government units, local
chief executives and institutions or
individuals for their outstanding
contributions in the field of population and
development.
On its 45th year in service, POPCOM
hopes to further heighten the
consciousness and provoke a meaningful
d i s cu ss ion among government ,
non-government officials, individuals, and
institutions that would lead to finding best
ways to maximize the implementation of
population management programs and
services, not only in the national but also
local levels.
With the dedication, commitment and
invaluable service of its staff, partners, and
stakeholders, PopCom aims that its
current efforts for and with our Filipino
people will be further strengthened and
hopes that it will pave the way for the
attainment of its vision of well-planned,
healthy, happy, prosperous, and
empowered Filipino families. (PIA-7/
PopCom)
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Tourists urged: Refresh this summer in Samar
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 19 (PIA) - Samar tourism council urges tourists to experience the many water forms in
Samar where tourists can refresh through the hot summer months.
I n a meeting with agency partners
and the private sector to push
eco-tourism in Samar recently, the
council headed by Gov Sharee Ann Tan
revealed tourist-ready destinations in the
3rd largest island.
Despite the many tourist destinations
in Samar with its undisturbed and
unexplored mountains and eco-tourism
sites, Samar will initially offer Sohoton
Cave in Basey and Ulot Watershed
torpedo boat ride.
In Basey, tourists can explore
Sohoton caves, inside the Sohoton
Natural Park.
The 840-hectare park features
limestone walls, a natural rock bridge,
underground river, verdant forests and
caves with majestic interiors that
tourists rave about. According to
TripAdvisor blog, Sohoton cave ranks
number 6 in tourist destinations in the
country. It is also considered among the
top 102 attractions in Samar Island.
On the other hand, the Ulot Torpedo
Boat Ride in Barangay Tenani, Paranas,
Samar has also been drawing crowds of
adventurers especially the younger
generation for its extreme adventure.
Boat riders are ushered into torpedo-like
boats.
Torpedo also means Tenani boat
Operators for River Protection and
Environmental Development. Ulot River is
a 31-kilometer river where the torpedo
river cruise weaves in and out of
large stones maneuvered by the best
boatmen.
These boatmen were said to be
lumberjacks who switched careers from
being timber poachers to protectors of
the river and the environment. The ride
also treats one with the verdant forest
and birdlife.
While Samar boasts of more than a
hundred destinations of natural beauty and
wonder, the council believes that this
initial offer will draw more tourists and
each time, Samar will always have
something new to offer. (ajc/nbq/PIA 8
-Samar)
Biliran province, 2 towns receive nat’l health award
NAVAL, Biliran, Feb. 17 (PIA) – No less than the chief of the health department in Eastern Visayas has announced that Biliran
province and two other towns in the province were recipients of the 2014 national health award.
“ Biliran province and the towns of
Almeria and Maripipi were recipients of
the ―national health award‖ DOH 8
regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr.
proudly announced in a gathering of provincial health officials and workers in Bili-
ran recently.
A provincial health summit was held on
February 12, 2015 at the NSU Hostel
function room in Naval, Biliran where best
practices of the Biliran provincial hospital and
rural health units in the province in terms of
local health services delivery system
brought by improved health facilities and
equipment and access to quality
medicines through the universal health care program of the Aquino administration were
showcased.
Biliran province is one of the recipients
a m o n g t h e t e n i d e n t i f i e d
provinces nationwide and two of its
municipalities namely, Almeria and Maripipi
are included in the list of 20 identified
municipalities that will receive the Excellence in Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Awards 2014
scheduled on February 20 at the SMX
Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex,
Pasay City with no less than President
Benigno Simeon Aquino III to give the award.
The Department of Health (DOH)
launched the Excellence in Kalusugan
Pangkalahatan Awards 2014 last year.
The award is aimed at recognizing local
government units (LGUs) that exhibited
commendable performance on health as reflected in the 2013 LGU scorecard report.
The award is also aimed at encouraging
LGUs participation in the localization of Ka-
lusugan Pangkalahatan that leads to
enhanced delivery of health services that
contributed to the attainment of Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) 4 on improved
child health, MDG 5 on improved maternal health, MDG 6 to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria
and other diseases and MDG 7 to ensured
environmental sustainability.
The recipients of the national health
award will receive a cash prize of as high as
half a million pesos and a consolation prize of
P50,000 for the provincial awardees and as
high as one million pesos and a P50,000 con-
solation prize for the municipal
awardees.
The cash award shall be used to fund health-related projects to further improve
performance of their health system. (fj/
rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)
PDNA ensures better disaster rehab, recovery
C ardenas said that it is a multi
-sectoral and multidisciplinary
structured approach for assessing
disaster impacts and prioritizing recovery
and reconstruction needs.
PDNA is generally intended to
estimate two important factors: 1) the
short term interventions to initiate
recovery from the damages and losses;
and 2) the financial requirements needed
to achieve a holistic post-disaster
recovery, reconstruction and risk
management, he said. Cardenas added that
the goal of disaster rehabilitation and
recovery is to restore and improve the
facilities, livelihoods, living conditions and
organizational capacities of the affected
communities, and reduce disaster risks in
accordance with the build back better
principle. The program is led by the
government in collaboration with
international development partners and
even private sector. (ajc/tbc/PIA8-North
Samar)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb. 19 (PIA) – Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) ensures efficient, effective and
well-organized disaster rehabilitation and recovery, says Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Romeo M.
Cardenas in an interview at Radio Station DYSM.
By Ninfa B. Quirante
By Teresita B. Cardenas
By Rodrigo S. Victoria
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Welfare aid services in SoLeyte bared
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 18 (PIA) - Owing to the lingering impact of super typhoon Yolanda, the provincial social
welfare and development office (PSWDO) here had disbursed funds amounting to P1.248 million for 416 families In the first
quarter of last year.
I n addition, some 930 families were given
food assistance or cash for work in the
amount of P279,396 and for the whole
year 2014, the province spent P2.032 million to
1,032 individuals to answer for various needs
like medicine, laboratory expenses, and medical
procedure or operation.
This was one of the highlights Gov. Roger
Mercado reported last week over the new
cable TV weekly series entitled ―Provincial
Report‖ held at the Rizal Hall, or second floor
of the provincial capitol building.
―In the aftermath of typhoons Basyang and
Ruby, we distributed food packs amounting to
P1.681 Million to 35,511 families who
took shelter in our evacuation centers,‖ Gov.
Mercado said.
He said he was glad that despite the
calamities that hit the region ―our province has
been spared from any human casualty,‖ citing
the efforts exerted by the provincial risk
reduction management council.
―Our success in this department is a joint
effort and I enjoin each and every one of you
to continue to be vigilant, to be pro-active so
we can sustain our zero casualty track record,‖
Mercado stressed.
Aside from typhoon-related assistance,
Mercado also mentioned the Enhanced
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation
program of the national DSWD coursed
through the PSWDO, in the amount of P 5.883
Million released to 1,659 individuals all over
the province.
To help equip the labor force with the
required skills to be gainfully employed, the
PSWDO conducted various skills and technical
training which benefitted 364 individuals. The
cost in the conduct of activities was
P264,968.00.
―We continue to implement various
programs and projects geared toward
improving the welfare of our constituents,
including Women Welfare Programs, Children
Welfare Programs, Senior Citizens Program,
Family Welfare Programs, Gender Sensitivity
and Population Control,‖ Mercado said. (ajc/
mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)
Communities urged to be responsible pet owners
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 17 (PIA) – Ms. Edna Tumandao, Provincial Rabies Coordinator, Eastern Samar Provincial
Health Office (ES-PHO) appealed to pet owners in this province to be responsible handlers of their pet dogs and cats.
T umandao said this over Radio ng
Bayan DYES amid reports of rising
cases of rabies coming from
northern municipalities.
According to the Anti-Rabies Campaign
Coordinator, from 2011 to 2012 there was no
Rabies case reported but between 2013-2014,
the towns of Arteche(1), Oras(1), Dolores(2)
and Can-avid (1) have these reported five cas-
es.
―While we cannot totally eliminate the
infection from the bites of animals, sometimes
even human, at least we can reduce the
number,‖ Ms. Tumandao said. ―But what is
surprising, is, we instead noticed of an increase
of rabid cases‖, she added.
She informed that last 2010 up to 2012,
the province benefited the Anti-Rabies
program of ―Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation‖, with free vaccines such that the
immunization coverage was high which
possibly could have prevented victims
from the viral infection.
Since the Foundation terminated their
program here, it was then expected that LGUs
would sustain the health program, Ms.
Tumandao said but due to financial matters or
otherwise, very few enforced the ordinance.
Come March 3 the Anti-Rabies Program
will kick-off and up to May, and PHO will
spearhead the yearly observance of
Anti-Rabies Program, particularly the Mass Dog
Immunization Campaign which expects a
70%-80% Immunization Coverage.
According to her, municipal-LGUs will
share their counterpart for vaccines,
TEVs and vaccinators.
She further informed however, that a
vaccine in a dog, would be good only for one
year, and that, it has to be repeated annually if
only to secure the people around the dog or
those in the entire community.
A vial of the vaccine which costs
P1,850.00 will already be god for four shots for
persons.
The health-worker also reminded dog
victims to submit themselves for consultation
in RHUs or medical clinics, once they have
been bitten, and not wait for a symptom to
show up in the body or in the person, besides,
―not all bites are risky‖, Edna said, thus the
need for a medical consultation.
―But it is still best if Anti-Rabies
Ordinance in each LGU, which they all have, is
enforced efficiently‖, Tumandao concluded.
What a pleasant barangay road to walk
through with no stray dog walking here and
By Marcelo M. Pedalino
US docs in Borongan for 3-day medical mission
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb. 19 (PIA) --- The Couples for Christ (CFC) – Answering the Cry of the Poor
(ANCOP), Eastern Samar Chapter in partnership with the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar through Governor
Conrado ―Aklan‖ B. Nicart, Jr. will conduct a Medical and Surgical Mission ANCOP-United States of America (USA) on
February 19-21, 2015 this City.
T he Medical and Surgical Team are
CFC-ANCOP Filipinos who are
residing in USA and Manila. They
wish to help the poor in Eastern Samar
through the Medical and Surgical Mission.
The Medical Team will treat cough,
fever, asthma, allergies, skin diseases, body
pains
and other diseases while the Surgical
Team will conduct surgery such as: cataract
removal, thyroidectomy, pterygium
treatment, cholecystectomy, cleft lip surgery,
hernia and OB cases like TAHBSO.
The said services are free of charge of
consultation, and patients will receive free
medicines and vitamins with free snacks
while those who undergo Surgery are free
from fees for laboratory works to the post
operation care with free medicines and
vitamins.
As of this writing, there are already 350
patients for medical and 32 for major
operations and 13 for minor operations.
Meanwhile, the CFC-E. Samar together
with Provincial Government through
Provincial Board Member, Hon. Karen
Domingo Alvarez, will distribute 750 food
packs in Brgys. Sohutan, Calicoan, San Jose,
Siha and San Gabriel, the flooded barangays
during ―Typhoon Ruby‖. According to Hon.
Alvarez, the packs contain rice, beef loaf and
coffee which will be distributed to every
household. (aen/sdc/PIA8-ESamar)
By Samuel D. Candido
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail [email protected].
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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:
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