one visayas e-newsletter vol 5 issue 2
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Vol 5 Issue 2 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 January 12 – 18, 2015
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Doing business with EU using GSP+ slated
Storm fails to stop Pope‘s coming to Leyte
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
DOLE-6 cites major gains in 2014
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA)—The Department of
Labor and Employment cited its major gains
a n d m i l e s t on e f o r 2 0 1 4 , wh i ch we r e accomplished because of its skilled workers and
cooperative partners. According to Director Ponciano Ligutom, DOLE-6
was recognized among the three top performing regional offices nationwide, together with the National Capital
Region and Region 3. LIgutom pointed to the successful declaration of
Guimaras and Boracay islands as Labor Laws Compliant
Tourist Destinations, as a miltestone, earning for Region 6 a citation as the first to ever make such a declaration in the country.
DOLE-6, Ligutom said, was also cited for putting up local initiatives like the Iwas Aksidente Patrol or IWAP,
which enlists support of workers and the public to avoid
accidents and illnesses.
Further, the strengthening of Human Resource Network aimed at empowering HR practitioners in
performing their roles and responsibilities that will redound to better employment situation.
Included among the initiatives are the establishing of DOLE-6 Testing and Career Coaching Center, and the
Sugar Workers Development Training Center. ―With all these, we intend to intensify the
implementation of the Labor Laws Compliance System,‖
Ligutom said, adding that this is focused on declaring sugarcane as a Labor Laws Compliant Industry.
DOLE-6 said that for 2015, it keeps the mantra
―More victories, more meaningful and felt services.‖ (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
CEBU, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) through the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and DTI Cebu Provincial Office invite exporters, custom brokers, freight forwarders, and relevant
business support organizations to an information session entitled, “Doing Business with EU using GSP+” on January 20 at 8:30am – 4:00pm at Cebu Parklane International, Hotel, cor. Archbishop Reyes Ave., Escario
St., Cebu City. This is an info campaign of DTI for Phl exporters to
enjoy zero duty for certain products exported to the EU.
The European Parliament has officially granted the Philippines’ request for inclusion in the European Union’s (EU) General Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The EU's
"Generalised Scheme of Preferences" (GSP) allows
developing country exporters to pay less or no duties on their exports to the EU.
This gives them vital access to EU markets and contributes to their economic growth. The Philippines is the first ASEAN country granted the EU GSP+ status.
Under this preferential scheme, Philippine exporters will enjoy zero duty for 6,274 covered products, which
hopes to translate to increased exports to the EU. In light
of this recent development, the DTI has launched a nationwide information campaign on the opportunity and benefits of EU-GSP+ for Philippine exporters and other
businesses. The info session will have resource speakers from the
Philippine Trade & Investment Center (Brussels, Belgium), DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), DTI-Bureau of
International Trade Relations (BITR), and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) that will discuss pertinent topics that include the following-- Important Updates on the
EU-GSP+, Export Opportunities for GSP+ covered products in the EU, Navigating the EU Export Help Desk Website and Availment of EU GSP+ / Rules of Origin
(ROO).
The session is free-of-charge; however, seats are limited on a first come, first served basis, so interested
participants are requiredto contact the DTI-Cebu Provincial Office and look for Ms. Tessie Emphasis or Ms. Airene Edaño at telephone nos. (032) 253-3631 and
255-7082 (loc. 109). (mbcn/ays/PIA-7/with reports from DTI)
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, Leyte, Jan. 18 (PIA) – Strong winds and
driving rain did not stop Pope Francis’ long-awaited journey to Leyte.
Only days after ―Yolanda‖ struck Eastern Visayas in
November 2013, His Holiness had already intended to come to Tacloban, wanting to personally see the massive damage wrought by the super typhoon.. He had to defer his trip in consideration of the on-going relief and
rehabilitation. On January 17 however, the Pope’s long-standing
desire came to a reality, despite the Signal Number 2 of
Typhoon ―Amang‖. Seeing the Pope’s plane as it hovered on top of the
airport area, the more than 100,000 gathered pilgrims
shouted chants with gladness and excitement: ―Viva el Papa!‖. Unmindful of their soaked feet, the pilgrims, await-ed the Pope as they saw him emerging from the plane and
being with them. His homily added more strength to the pilgrims. The
Holy Father specifically told the ―Yolanda‖ victims to
move on because ―the Lord will not let you down‖, he said.
Immediately after the Mass, the Pope was brought by motorcade through the 12-kilometer to the Bishop’s
Palace in Palo to also visit the place, have lunch with 30 calamity victims and bless the Pope’s Center for the Poor on his way back to Tacloban.
His lunch with the victims was brief but he made
most of it by looking at each of them intently, compassionately.
At the Palo Cathedral where he met briefly with
priests and laities, he apologized to them saying that he was truly saddened to cut short his trip because of the bad weather. But he asked that they pray for him and to be quiet as the crowd loudly welcomed him.
Due to the inclement weather, the Holy Father’s visit was cut short but it was filled with so much love, compassion and hope. Authorities have asked that the
Pope leave at 1:00 pm because of a PAGASA forecast that typhoon ―Amang‖ would make a landfall by 2:00 pm in Dolores, Eastern Samar. (PIA-8). Images #Cebu #Sinulog2015 of participants
showing their moves and costumes during the
Grand Parade as part of the month-long
celebration of Sinulog Festival 2015 this
January, with a total of137 participants in the
followig categories: Sinulog-Based (21
participants) ; Free Interpretation (23
participants); Float (41 participants); Higante
(33 participants); and Puppeteering (19
participants) categories. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer
Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. (center), SSS Vice
President for Member Services Division Mario
R. Sibucao (left) and G-Xchange officials Inc.
President Paolo Eugenio J. Baltao (right) sign
the memorandum of agreement that allows
SSS members to settle their contributions and
loan amortizations through the G-XChange's
mobile remittance facility, witnessed by
officials from both parties. *(CBA-PIA6/SSS
photo)
His Holiness, Pope Francis waves to the Leytenons and pilgrims
upon his arrival in Tacloban City to visit them and see for himself
the damage wrought by 2013 super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ in Eastern
Visayas. (PIA8)
An estimated 100,000 people from all ages and
walks of life crowded the Tacloan DZR
Airport apron during the mass officiated by
Pope Francis held at the said venue Jan 17.
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
More youth-dev sessions up in 2015
By Pilar Mabaquiao
SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) -- The youth members of Pantawid Pamilya will have their share of capability building
activities through the Youth Development Sessions this 2015.
This used to be a regular activity of
their parents dubbed as Family Development
Sessions (FDS) during the early
implementation of the program.
However, this year the youth will be
given importance to help them cope with
the issues affecting them, said Jeffrey
Gabucay Provincial Operations Officer,
Pantawid Pamilya.
YDS will be a regular activity among the
youth to tackle various topics to arm them
with right information amidst issues on
violence against women and children,
teenage pregnancy, school dropout,
improper use of social media and internet
and a lot more confronting the youth sector,
said Gabucay.
Topics and group dynamics of the YDS
hopes to guide the youth to have good
attitude and values, learn skills in decision
making that will eventually help them attain
better personality and achieve their
aspirations in life.
It will be noted that provision of
support has leveled up from pregnant wom-
en and children 0-14 years old to the youth
15 to 18 years. This is to ensure that chil-
dren could finish their studies up to
senior years in high school.
Another important program for the
youth is the continuing provision for college
education under Students’ Grants-In-Aid
Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA).
Antique has 41 scholars for the first
batch of the program.
They are on third year college this
school year while for the second batch there
are 301 scholars which commenced last
year. (JCM/PSM/Antique)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 14 (PIA) – Nine towns in Capiz were recently assessed by the regional team for the Rapid
Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in view of Tropical Storm ―Seniang‖ that affected the province.
T he inter-agency regional team
was led by Administrative Officer
Ana Irma Villanueva of the Office
of the Civil Defense with members from
the Department of Health, Department of
Science and Technology, Department of
Education, Department of Public Works
and Highways, Department of Agriculture
and Philippine Information Agency.
The two-day RDANA, set last January
8 and 9, aimed to determine further the
impact and needs of various clusters in the
heavily affected areas, particularly in Capiz
due to TS Seniang.
Included in the towns assessed due to
said tropical storm that resulted in
flooding in many areas in the province are
Panay, Pontevedra, Maayon, Panitan,
Mambusao, Sigma, Dao, Cuartero and
Dumarao.
Villanueva explained that the areas
that were subject to RDANA were based
on the report of the Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Office
which damaged particularly rice crops,
were noted to be significant due to
flooding.
She said that the validated results by
the Regional Team will be submitted to
their higher office for assessment and
could be the subject of planning for
possible assistance. Capiz Governor
Victor Tanco, said that although Typhoon
Ruby was forecast to be a supertyphoon
yet it did not bring too much damage in
Capiz, unlike in TS Seniang.
Tanco added that the continuous rain
due to ―Seniang‖ plus the tail-end of the
cold front put many low-lying areas of the
province underwater, thus heavily
damaging many rice crops especially those
that were about to be harvested. The said
flood also made some vital national roads
unpassable to all vehicles for some couple
of days.
Latest record from the PDRRMO
showed that Seniang claimed three lives
due to drowning and has affected 11,705
families or 47,574 individuals from the 43
barangays in the 14 towns including Roxas
City. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
Nine Capiz towns undergo damage assessment
By: Jemin B. Guillermo
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 12 (PIA6) - - Good things finally come to those agrarian reform beneficiaries who waited for a
decade to get hold of their Certificates of Land Ownership and be installed as new land owners.
78 new ARBs up in Victorias City
S eventy eight ARBs from barangays
XV, XV-A, XVIII-A all of Victorias
City received their CLOAs from
the Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) and are now ready to cultivate
their 119.24 hectares of land acquired by
DAR through Compulsory Arbitration.
The Notice of Coverage (NOC)
under the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program was issued to former
land owner Victorias Milling Company in
August of 2006 then, in March 2002 was
also issued to the Bank of the Philippine
Islands and in June 2012, the Victorias
Agricultural Land Corporation was issued
the same NOC.
Until in September 2005, the workers
of Hacienda Florencia were organized into
Florencia Workers Association with its
President Ramon Lavides Sr. An emotional
Lavides thanked the DAR and the
Damayan ng mga Manggagawa,
Mangingisda at Magsasaka or DAMMMBA,
a Non-Government Organization who
helped them acquire their land.
―In the span of 10 years, now you
receive your CLOAs, let us thank God for
allowing a peaceful awarding of our CLOA
and installation of the land to us,‖ Lavides
said telling his members to thank DAR for
the help. Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian
Reform Program Officer II Teresita
Mabunay reminded the ARBs of their
obligations one year after the installation.
ARBs or ARB organizations are
obliged to pay their amortization to the
Land Bank of the Philippines, land taxes to
their respective local government units
where, failure to comply are grounds for
disqualification and cancellation of their
CLOAs. ―You are more blessed than the
other farmers in the country because
now, you have your own land to
till. Take care of it, treat it like a
responsible father of the family. Do not
abandon, pawn, or lease it, instead
cultivate it,‖ Mabunay told the ARBs. *
(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)
By: Easter Anne D. Doza
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
PIA-6 launches search for best devcom
student writers
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA6)—The Philippine Information Agency in Western Visayas is set to award best performing student
paper writers in the field of development communication for 2015.
D ubbed as the IWAG Award, this
incentive scheme, seeks to
recognize the efforts given by
school paper writers in supporting and
advocating for the development thrusts of
the government through their articles.
PIA-6 Director Atty. Janet Mesa said
that campus paper writers, through the
years, have been indispensable partners of
the agency in promoting development.
―They have done it well in their
campuses, among the readers of their
papers, and even among themselves to be
informed about and involved in
development activities,‖ Mesa said.
The IWAG Award is given to a
graduating editor or senior writer of a
publication duly nominated by the school
head, and have passed the criteria.
These criteria include 1) number and
quality of devcom articles published in the
school paper (50%); 2)academic and
scholastic achievements, grades, honors,
distinction (20%); 3) communication work
experience and training (20%); 4)
involvement in school and community
activities (10%).
The articles should be certified by the
school paper adviser and should include
the date of publication.
The communication and training
engagements, as well as community and
school activities they have undertaken,
should be certified by organizers.
The PIA has set the deadline for
submission of nominations and
requirements is February 10, 2015. (JCM/
ESS/PIA6)
By: Elsa S. Subong
KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 13 (PIA6) -- Eleven municipalities in Aklan will be showcasing their respective festivals at the slated Aklan
Festivals Parade and Higante Contest 2015 on January 15 around the main streets of Kalibo.
T he conduct of the Aklan Festivals
Parade and Higante Contest is
the provincial government’s way
of complementing the famed Kalibo Sto.
Nino Ati-atihan Festival with the theme
―Ati in the Locality‖.
The Aklan Festivals will have a
street-dancing competition and ground
presentations with corresponding cash
prizes.
According to Roselle Q. Ruiz, Aklan
Provincial Tourism Officer, the event this
year will feature the Aklanons’ artistic and
creative ingenuity in promoting their
respective local cultural festivals.
In the Higante Contest, the respective
municipal festivals will create their giant
figures or ―higante‖ as a replica of their
own local Ati tribe. There will be 11
municipalities participating in the Aklan
Festivals Parade and 8 municipalities with
―Higante‖ contest entries. For the Aklan
Fes t i v a l s P ar ade , p a r t i c ip a t in g
municipalities are Kalibo, with its Kalibo
Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival; Balete,
―Enchanting Balete‖ (Pangabuhian Sa
Among Banwa‖; Banga, with its Saguibin
Festival through Tribu Magdadaet;
Buruanga, Panagat Festival; Ibajay, Ati-ati
Festival (Ninos Inocentes Celebration);
Lezo, Bayangan Festival; Madalag, Tinuom
ni Aewag; Malay, Fiesta de Obreros;
Tangalan, Bugna it Tangalan and Numancia
with yet an unnamed festival.
Towns with Higante contest entries
are Balete, with ―Manughaboe‖; Ibajay,
Kalibo, Madalag, with ―Maniwangtiwang‖;
Malinao, Nabas, with ―Bariw Ati‖;
Numancia and Tangalan.
For winners in the Higante Contest,
first prize will get P40,000.00; 2nd,
P35,000.00; 3rd prize, P30,000.00; 4th
prize, P25,000.00; and 5th Prize,
P20,000.00.
There will be consolation prizes of
P10,000.00 each while each municipality
will have P20,000.00 subsidy.
For the Aklan Festivals winners, first
prize will get P10,000.00; 2nd, P7,000.00
and 3rd, P5,000.00.
There will be a consolation prize of
P2,500.00 while each municipality will get
P15,000.00 subsidy. Winners in the Aklan
Festivals will also get P15,000.00 for first
prize; P10,000.00 for 2nd prize and
P7,000.00 for 3rd prize.
Meanwhile, as an annual tribute to
―balikbayans‖ from all over the world, the
provincial government, headed by
Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, will also
host a Balikbayan Night 2015 at the ABL
Sports Complex on January 16. (JSC/VGV
-PIA6 Aklan)
Aklan Festivals Parade, Higante contest entries out
By: Venus G. Villanueva
More tourists visit Iloilo in 2014
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA6) --- More tourists visited Iloilo province in 2014 registering a 15 percent increase as compared in
the previous year.
I n a media interview, Provincial
Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin
said that the province recorded
112,500 tourist arrivals as of
December 2014 and the figure is
expected to increase when all data from
local government units will be
consolidated.
―Deadline for submission of the 2014
tourist arrivals is still on February but
given the figure now, it is expected to
reach total arrivals of 122,000 or 125,000
or about 15 percent higher compared to
2013,‖ he said.
In 2013, Iloilo recorded 117,800 or 45
percent higher against 2012.
Marin said that about 80 percent of
the tourists are locals and 20 percent are
foreigners with Koreans as the top foreign
visitors.
He urged municipalities to come up
with promotional events to encourage
more visitors from abroad and
neighboring provinces to visit the tourist
spots here.
He also said that northern Iloilo has
already recovered from the impact of
typhoon Yolanda with a number of resorts
destroyed during the onslaught in
November 2013. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
By: Leonard T. Pineda, I
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA)—Almost 4,000 hectares of land in Oslob town are now planted with trees completing Cebu‘s share of
the National Greening Program (NGP).
Oslob town plants more than 1M trees
C ommunity Environment and Natural
Resources Officer covering Cebu
south Flordeliza Geyrozaga said they
had so far planted more than a million
seedlings of Pangatuon, Molave, Maribuhok,
and other indigenous trees since the program
started in 2011.
By end of 2014, they already
covered 3,400 hectares in Oslob
town which was just over 400 hectares four
years ago.
Geyrozaga said the public, private groups
and non government organizations planted the
seedlings both contributing and are maintaining
the areas.
Contibuting NGO’s Geyrozaga said are
those that participated in scheduled tree
planting activities while the maintaining NGO’s
are groups of farmers and fishers who are
residents of Oslob.
One of these is the Tumalog,
Daanglungsod, Canyang Upland Farmers
Association (TADACUPA) which according to
its president Timoteo Meyras was already
awarded almost P15 million to plant, grow and
maintain the planted seedlings.
Miras said the NGP is a big help to
constituents as an additional income as
most of them are merely relying on fishing and
farming.
The organization also grows seedlings in
case the ones already planted suddenly die
because of grass fire or due to abnormal
weather conditions.
Each member of TUDACUP receives
P5,000 per month from this project.
Geyrozaga said apart from the funding
the farmers involved will also be awarded the
tenural instrument, which allows them to
manage the forest.
NGP is not only meant to reduce the
effects of climate change, it is also aimed at
reducing poverty. She explained that once the
trees are ready for harvest, the farmers can
then start earning from it.
Some members of Cebu media visited the
Oslob NGP project as part of the Eco Tour
initiated by the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) - Cebu and Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR). (mbcn/FCC/
PIA-Cebu)
CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The contingency aspect of the Sinulog Mardi Gras on Jan. 18 was put in place by the Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-7) with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
and the province.
Sinulog‘s contingency plan in place
O ver a million people dotted the streets
of the 6.1 kilometer-route of the
grand parade as the contingency plan
took into consideration the high density
population of the highlighted event of the Sinu-
log Festival.
RDRRMC-7 Chairperson and regional
director of the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD-7) Olivia Luces said there was a need to
develop an incident command system (ICS) as
part of the contingency plan to anticipate and
immediately address any crisis that might
erupt.
―The development of the ICS is based on
national standards where its use was
proven effective during the Black Nazarene
Translacion event some years back when
contraband from the pier was intercepted,‖
said Luces adding the prompt interception was
due to good intelligence.
ICS is not mainly established during
times of disaster such as typhoons,
earthquakes, sea mishaps but events
which are attended by a mammoth crowd
like fiestas and festivals must also have a
contingency plan set in place, said (Ret.)
Col. Mario Verner Monsanto who
briefed the participants on the significance of
the ICS.
Monsanto said events like festivals with
crowded areas are attractive targets for
terrorists or lawless elements placing several
lives at risk.
An ICS was formulated wherein most of
the key positions like the incident
commander and its command staff as well as
the four sections such as operations,
planning, logistics and finance and
administrative were headed by local officials of
the Cebu City Government as the Sinulog
Festival is mainly organized by the latter. The
organization was complemented by regional
line agencies from the RDRRMC-7 and other
stakeholders.
Ricky Ballesteros, executive director of
the Sinulog Foundation on the other hand, said
25 medical stations were established with the
help of the Cebu Medical Society (CMS) while
water stations were also set in strategic places
by the Metro Cebu Water District. (mbcn/
PIA-7)
SIQUIJOR, Jan 8 (PIA)—A grenade explosion incident transpired January 7 at about 1:35 a.m in Poblacion, San Juan, Siquijor,
in front of the house of Hon. Alejandro S. Bahonsua Jr., the presiding Judge or the Regional Trial Court Branch 46, 7th Judicial
Region in Larena, Siquijor.
PNP probes deeper into grenade explosion at RTC judge‘s house
T he explosion incident has damaged
the left rear tire of the Judge’s
T o y o t a P r a d o ― L a n d
Cruiser‖ according to the report endorsed by
Police Senior Superintendent Primitivo
Tabujara of the Siquijor Police Provincial
Office.
This, the PNP said, was found out
following a report from one Horace Manginsay,
a resident of the place, informing the police
that left rear tire of the vehicle of Judge
Bahonsua that was parked in front of his house
was discovered deflated and believed to have
been intentionally damaged.
Responding police officers discovered
during the post-blast investigation at the scene,
a crater measuring about 2 inches in depth
with a diameter from north to south direction
measuring about 16 inches wide while from
west to east direction, 15 inches.
Several pieces of metal believed to be
fragments from a suspected hand grenade were
found beneath the flat tire of the vehicle, while
some of them were recovered outside of the
crater, and inside of the damaged tire, the
report said.
Nobody was reported injured during the
explosion.
Further investigation is underway to
determine the motives and to identify possible
suspect/s of the crime, while the recovered
pieces of evidence were properly documented
and photographed, and are now at the custody
of San Juan Police Station for safekeeping.
These will be forwarded to Negros
Oriental Crime Laboratory, Dumaguete City
for forensic examination to determine the kind
of the explosive. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/ w/
reports from PO3 VBadilla, Intel PNCO)
By Rizalie A. Calibo
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan. 09 (PIA)--The Visit Bohol 215 drive featuring an ever all-Bohol travel fair to kick off Bohol‘s
year-round tourism campaign was launched recently at Glorieta Activity Center in Makati City.
T his is in line with the Department of
Tourism’s (DOT) ―Visit Philippines
2015‖ campaign.
Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto led the launch
with House Tourism Committee Chair, Rep.
Rene Relamapagos and Atty. Lucas Nunag,
chairman of the Provincial Tourism Council
(PTC) to welcome the guests.
The event started with a video
presentations of the DOT’s ―It’s More Fun in
the Philippines 2015,‖ ―Bohol: The
Destination,‖ while LGUs Anda, Danao and
Tagbilaran will have their respective
audio-visual presentations.
This 3-day event sold discounted rates of
resorts, hotels and tour packages of up to
70%.
AirAsia, the leading budget airline
partner for the campaign, offered seat sale.
The launch event was supposed to be held
last December 8-10, 2014 but was rescheduled
because of super typhoon Ruby.
After the devastating storm that hit parts
of the country, Bohol’s tourism campaign is
going full blast which once again demonstrates
the Filipinos’ innate resilience and tireless
spirit.
In promoting the province as the newest
must-go tourist destination, the travel fair also
featured popular Boholano products, as well as
showcase free musical numbers from popular
performances such as the world-renowned and
Bohol’s pride, the Loboc Children’s Choir.
This is part of the Bohol Tourism Action
Plan developed through the collaboration of
the United States Agency for International
Development through its Advancing Philippine
Competitiveness Project (USAID-COMPETE),
the Department of Tourism (DOT), the United
Nations World Tourism Organization
(UN-WTO) and the Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) and the full support of the
local tourism stakeholders led by the Provincial
Tourism Council.
The 3-day event signalled the first time
ever that tourism sector in Bohol came
together in a massive campaign to entice
tourists to visit. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Visit Bohol 215 drive launched
SIQUIJOR, January 9 (PIA)—Enrique Villanueva in Siquijor province is the first to be declared as drug-free municipality in Si-
quijor province following Municipal and Barangay Anti Drug Councils (MADAC/BADACs) resolutions declaring the town as
Enrique Villanueva, first drug-free town in Siquijor province
“ We are very proud that this is the first
time the provincial government declares
Enrique Villanueva as drug free
municipality,‖ says municipal Mayor Gerold
Pal-ing as he noted that it will not happen
without the support of the PNP, the town’s
legislative body, the MADAC, and the
BADACs.
He said his goal and program is to support
and promote sports development as a way of
eliminating drug activities citing the ongoing
sports clinic for young school children and high
schools to divert them from resorting to drugs
and other illegal activities.
Chief of Police Felicisimo Aranas Jr. in his
opening statement also takes pride in the
declaration saying the town is truly deserving
to be called a drug-free town.
He said that in the past years, drug related
cases in the town is a bit rampant but upon his
assumption as chief of police, he was able to
closely monitor and neutralize drug
personalities.
―It is assumed that drug personalities
accepted that they no longer exist,‖ he said
while warning that the PNP is serious in going
after them and possibly put them into jail and
will never allow illegal elements to regroup
once again.
―We hope that this effort will not be
taken for granted as we continue work harder
in our battle against illegal drug trade,‖ Aranas
said.
Earlier, Siquior Superintedent Primitivo
Tabujara Jr. of the Siquijor Police Provincial
Office declared all-out war against illegal drugs
and challenged the chief of police in all six
municipalities to do their job in attaining a drug
-free province.
"Our campaign against illegal drugs is very
serious in nature," he said as he warned to
remove them from their post if they cannot
perform what is directed of them.
"I also accept challenge and dared my
officials to also remove me immediately if a am
remiss of my job, he said.
He said the additional non-uniformed
personnel (NUP) in the province is a big help in
police operatives to strengthen anti-illegal drug
operation and tracking of unsolved
cases. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) --- In serving underprivileged children, youths and families for 25 years, the Little Children
of the Philippines (LCP) will mark its silver anniversary with a benefit dinner, fun run, among other events this March.
U S Peace Corps Victoria Carberry said
LCP’s 25 years of service for the
poor families live up to its motto
―Making a difference- one child at a
time‖, sponsoring scholarship program for
children to go to school until college.
―Together with, health and nutritional
care, spiritual guidance and livelihood support,
LCP strives to provide holistic care for the
child and family. Where a child cannot live at
home through neglect or abuse, LCP offers full
residential care through it shelter program,‖
said Carberry.
The Benefit Dinner will be held on March
21, chaired by Dumaguete City mayor
Manuel Sagarbarria, bringing together key
members of the government, business and
academic communities to recognize LCP’s 25
years of contribution to the education and well
being of the poorest children in Dumaguete.
Carberry said funds raised from the bene-
fit dinner will be used to support the running
of LCP’s Wee Women’s shelter for at-risk
girls.
E x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f L C P ,
Carmenia Benosa said ―In my 19 years
working at LCP, I personally followed and
witnessed numerous lives that have changed
and seen many disadvantaged children become
valuable contributors to their communities and
society."
For tickets for the 25th Anniversary
B e n e f i t D i n n e r , p l e a s e c o n t a c t
lcpanniversary@gmail.com or SMS:
0905-919-4871/ or phone (035) 225-0766.
LCP was founded in 1989 in Dumaguete
City, Philippines. Having served as
Presbyterian Missionaries at Silliman University
for over thirty years and nearing retirement,
Dr. Douglas and Dr. Bettie Elwood saw the
plight of the children living on the streets and
felt God's call to reach out to them.
They shared with Bettie's family, Luther
Carroll and Dean and Peggy Houk, their
desire to bring HELP and HOPE to the little
children who had no one to love them or help
them.
Together they pooled their resources
purchased land and built the Mission House
that is still in use today as two residential
shelters. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
LCP to celebrate 25th Silver Anniversary
By Rizalie A. Calibo
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Leyte, Tacloban declare ‗holidays‘
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) -- Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla declared a 3-day special non-working holiday
in the Province of Leyte in preparation for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis in Tacloban and Palo Leyte on January 17.
T his after Governor Petilla signed SP
Resolution No. 2015-16 which the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte
passed during its regular session last January 6.
Resolution No. 2015-16 declareed January
15, l6 and 17 as special non-working holidays in
the Province of Leyte.
It covered all schools, provincial
government departments and offices and local
government units within its jurisdiction, except
those involved in the security of the provincial
jails, maintenance of peace and order, disaster
and risk management, health and sanitation.
However, suspension of work in all
national government and private entities
depended upon the discretion of the heads of
offices or management.
The resolution emphasized that the pri-
vate sector was not included in the declaration
as businesses and food chains are necessary or
should be open to ensure availability of foods
and products.
Meanwhile, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred
Romualdez issued Executive Order no.
15-01-001 series of 2015 declaring suspension
of classes from January 14 to 16 at all levels in
public and private schools in the city relative to
the Apostolic Visit of His Holiness Pope
Francis in Tacloban on January 17.
This after the city local school board
passed Board Resolution no.01-2015
recommending that classes in the kindergarten,
elementary, secondary and tertiary levels in the
city be suspended ensure public order, safety
and convenience.
Likewise, work in all government
institutions within the city was also suspended
from January 15 to 16 except those offices
which were involved in the maintenance of
peace and order, disaster risk management,
health and sanitation and traffic management
while the suspension of work in private institu-
tions and entities was under the discretion of
the employers or heads of private entities.
Considering the arrival of thousands of
pilgrims and visitors this week, the City
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (CDRRMC) was also ordered to
be on full alert in order to respond and
address any eventuality that may occur. (jrc/
cba/PIA-8)
PSA-Biliran calls for respondents‘ cooperation in 2015 LFS
NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 14 (PIA) – The new provincial caretaker of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Biliran Provincial
Statistics Office formerly known as the National Statistics Office (NSO) called on the respondents in the 2015 Labor Force
Survey (LFS) to extend cooperation to the PSA personnel conducting the survey from January 8-31,2015 in the province.
F rancisco D. Rostata, who officially
assumed off ice as provincia l
caretaker of PSA-Biliran effective
January 1, 2015 vice Rosemarie Lumbre former
PSA provincial director and is now assigned
at the PSA regional office in Tacloban
City appealed that assistance and cooperation
be extended by the respondents in the conduct
of the LFS in a press release given to
PIA-Biliran.
The report revealed that some 160
households in Biliran province to be surveyed
by regular PSA-Biliran personnel were
systematically and randomly selected at
PSA-Manila for the 2015 LFS,
The LFS is a nationwide quarterly survey
of households conducted by PSA to gather on
the demographic and socio-economic
characteristics of the population, it said.
The report added that the 2015 LFS is
aimed at measuring the distribution of
household population 15 years old and above
by employment status like the employed,
unemployed or underemployed.
It will also determine various employment
characteristics such as industry, class of
worker, nature of employment and basis of
payment.
Question on hunger experienced by
any member of the household and the
frequency of experiencing are also included in
the questionnaire, it added.
The PSA press release also informed
that the conduct of PSA surveys is mandated
by Commonwealth Act 591 and Executive
Order No 121.Data gathered during the
survey are strictly confidential; statistical
tables will be generated and published in
summary forms; and these cannot be used for
taxation, investigation or enforcement
purposes.
It also urged stakeholders to please call
the PSA-Biliran with telephone number at
500-9723 or visit its office located at the
2nd Floor, EMK Building, Vicentillo Extension,
Naval, Biliran if there are some clarifications
and inquiries regarding the LFS survey. (jrc/fj/
RSV/PIA8-Biliran)
Serving Pope, kissing his ring twice are lifetime gifts - volunteer
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan. 18 (PIA) – "I will never forget, my whole life, the unexpected physical encounter with His
Holiness, Pope Francis," said Leo Angelo Encinas, 32, a volunteer worker from Borongan City, Eastern Samar, who happened
to join other volunteers who worked right in the very room where the Pope lunched with the 30 ―Yolanda‖ and Bohol
earthquake survivors.
Two days after the visit, ―Sheng‖ as he is
fondly called, still feels ―afloat‖.
He said, his encounter with the Church
Vicar who was sent by Jesus to Region 08, is a
testimony that ―we are all God’s children, we
are all the same,‖ that with God, there is no
rich, no poor, no learned, no idiot.
Sheng is a college drop-out due to
poverty, but today he feels he is more than a
Ph.D. graduate.
Not a few wished what he experienced
with the Pope last January 17 in Palo, Leyte.
Coming from a poor farmers’ village in
barangay Bugas, ―Sheng‖ did not even know
that he could have money for his fare, least did
he expect that he will be summoned to give
the Pope’s Carbonara with shrimps toppings,
he said.
―I joined the other volunteers in preparing
the Bishop’s souvenirs‖, Sheng narrated. He
accompanied Ms. Grace Anacta an aunt of Fr.
Ric Marpa of the Archdiocese of Palo.
According to him before the Pope arrived
at the dining hall, they were kept to the sides,
but he noticed the aides and everybody else
around were in haste. As always, he would
look at his handler for any errand, and to his
surprise, he was signalled upon by the caterer
to get hold of a plate with white Pasta for the
Pope,‖ the poor guy continued.
―In that instant, I tried not to show both
my inner joy and nervousness as I politely gave
the Pope his Carbonara,‖, he said.
―Whent he Pope stood up, after the meal
which he barely took, I joined the others who
rushed to him to kiss his ring and I
succeeded. It was the first heaven!,‖ he
shared.
―When the Pope’s aides hurried to take
him to the steps down for the
airport, lucky few volunteers took
the opposite stairs to meet him and yes, right
in front of us was the Pope again and our
chance to kiss his ring the second time
around.
This time the Pope grasped tightly my
right hand with three Rosary Beads…my
second chance of heaven,‖ he proudly said.
In all his unexpected experiences with
Pope Francis, Sheng thinks even more deeply
about it, the message, the meaning. (PIA-8)
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
DTI-Biliran distributes livelihood starter kits
NAVAL, Biliran, Jan. 13 (PIA) – The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the province of Biliran
distributed on Monday, January 12, various livelihood starter kits to some 100 Biliranons.
T he distribution of the livelihood
starter kits held at the
Naval State University (NSU)
Gymnasium this town, is part of the
DTI-Livelihood Seeding Program (LSP) , a
program intended to help augment the
income of small businesses in the
communities affected by super typhoon
Yolanda.
The recipients of the livelihood
starter kits coming from Naval,
Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran
and Culaba which were identified by the
Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) as
badly-hit towns in Biliran province by
Yolanda, were beneficiaries of the
agency’s programs and services
specifically the Rural Micro-Enterprise
Promotion Program (RuMEPP) and
Micro-Enterprises.
The livelihood starter kits amounting
to P439,099.16 are composed of 3 pieces
heavy duty stoves (single burner) with
LPG tank (11kg) each; 3 pieces stove
burners ( two burner) with LPG tank
(11kg) each and 1 piece stove burner (one
burner) with LPG tank (11kg); 2 units
Monobloc tables and 8 eight units plastic
chairs; 2 units digital weighing scale and 1
unit weighing scale (10kgs); 4 units
desktop calculators; 12 pieces plastic
pails; 3 pieces scissors; 1 piece pruning
shear; 1 piece knife; 1 unit electric sealer;
2 boxes floral foams;3 pieces steamers
(three layers); 4 pieces kawali; 1 piece
caldero; 3 pieces corn mills; 3 pieces fish
boxes; 7 pieces canastro; and 7 meters
trapal.
The livelihood starter kits will be used
in the processing of foods, retail and
trading and other agriculture-based
enterprise in the following towns, namely:
Naval - suman, moron and puto
cheese, barbeque and fruit vendors and
for cutflower; Almeria - pop rice, moron,
cassava-based delicacies; Biliran - moron
and banana chips, suman and moron and
fruit vending; Cabucgayan - dried fish and
atchara/moron; Caibiran - nata de
coco, moron and suman; and Culaba
- papaya atchara or pickles.
The launching and distribution of
livelihood starter kits in Biliran province
was graced by DTI-8 Regional Director
Cynthia R. Nierras, Biliran, Congressman
Rogelio J. Espina of the lone district of
Biliran, Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla,
Culaba Mayor Lorenzo Reveldez,Jr. Naval
Vice-Mayor Redentor Villordon and some
representatives from other local
government units and national
government agencies in Biliran province.
(rsv/PIA 8 Biliran)
City of Maasin readies for proper use of sanitary landfill
" As the city government of Maasin will soon
operate its sanitary landfill before the end
of this year, there should be a proper way
of utilizing the 6-hectare landfill, otherwise it
will be short-lived if there is no segregation, no
collection policy," said General Services Officer
Benjase Lumen in one of their consultative
dialogues.
Though he noted that waste segregation is
one among the environmental issues like waste
water (septage), indiscriminate throwing of
garbage , impacts of climate change, health
issues for having no toilet that shall be
considered.
However, problems on garbage
collections were raised by the participating
barangay officials particularly those barangays
within the city, who are serve by the city
garbage collectors everyday.
The Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Office (PENRO) representative
Wena Montederamos, who was one of the
resource speakers, clearly defined the role of
the local government units (LGUs) in the solid
waste management specified in RA 7160
known as the Local Government Code.
"The LGUs are responsible for the segre-
gation and collection of solid wastes at the
barangay level especially for biodegradable,
compostable and reusable wastes,"she said.
The municipal or city government shall
take care of the collection of non-recyclable
materials and special wastes,: Montederamos
added.
She further reported on the status
of the Solid Waste Management (SWM)
implementation throughout the province of
Southern Leyte that most of the LGUs are
having open dumpsites while only Maasin City
is constructing a sanitary landfill..
She emphasized that 70% sources of ―
basura‖ (solid wastes) are coming from the
households, hence the need to segregate at
source.
On the other hand, Lumen wanted to
review the barangay action plans with
consideration of the environmental
management issues in their respective areas in
the next suceeding series of the said
environmental management consultative
dialogue. (esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)
MAASIN, Southern Leyte, Jan. 15 (PIA) - The Office of the General Services (OGS) of the city government of Maasin is now
conducting series of environmental management consultative dialogues in several sectors of the community on the proper use
of sanitary landfill come September 2015.
Claims board seeks extension of HR repara-
tion claims
TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) – In its effort to ensure that the mandate of RA 10368, otherwise known as Human
Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, be duly carried out completely, the Human Rights Victims Claims
Board (HRVCB) has established regional desks in selected provinces to be able to serve more victims and claimants seeking
reparation for the human rights violations during the Martial Law.
C onsequently, a regional desk
was se t up in Tac loban
City last September 17 to
November 10, 2014 to accept
eligible applicants under RA 10368 for
Region 8.
Relative to this, in order to
accommodate more claimants HRVCB
deemed it necessary to pass a resolution
extending the application period for
another six months and to ensure that
when the claims board resumes its
operations, the public is well informed
through the assistance of the members of
the tri-media. (jrc/maa/PIA8)
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