Vol 4 Issue 13 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 Mar. 31 - April 6, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Pag-IBIG offers insurance to members in Yolanda stricken areas

LGUS support to nutritional guidelines sought

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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P275M Aussie funded Bohol roads project breaks ground

BY: ELVIRA C. BONGOSIA

ANTEQUERA, Bohol, April 2 (PIA) -- A

P275-million rehabilitation project aided by the

Australian government and involving 14 vital Bohol road

sections broke ground here, April 1.

The Australian Assistance for International

Development (AusAID)-supported project will not only

reconstruct a total of 124.62 kilometers of roads but

will also present livelihood opportunities for some

115,000 Boholanos in the beneficiary areas.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was done at the

middle of the road fronting the quake-damaged barangay

hall of Bungahan in Antequera, which is along the first

of the 14 road sections to be worked, the

Antequera-Balilihan road via Dorol.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill

Tweddell headed the Parliamentary delegation that

arrived here to see the progress of

Australian-supported development efforts in the

province and met with local officials led by Bohol Gov.

Edgar Chatto to reiterate Australia‟s support for Bohol‟s

development priorities and continued engagement.

Five months after the devastating 7.2 magnitude

earthquake that rocked Bohol, the Australian

Government has provided P366 million (A$9 million) for

immediate relief needs and also to support ongoing

recovery and reconstruction activities in the province.

Prior to the ceremonial groundbreaking, Chatto

led the Australian officials to a quake victim shelter site

visit in barangay Tagubaas also in Antequera.

The transitional core house has been built with the

aid of the Australian government and Catholic Relief

Services (Caritas Australia and Caritas Manila) under

Project BAROG.

Gov. Chatto thanked the visiting officials that

included Australian House of Representatives Deputy

Speaker Bruce Scott, Senator for South Australia Don

Farrell, Senator for Victoria Helen Kroger, Member of

the Parliament for Bruce, Victoria Alan Griffin, Member

for Hasluck, Western Australia Ken Wyatt, Adviser to

the Deputy Speaker Elysia Ruttley, Peter Banson, who is

the delegation secretary, and Scott‟s wife Joan.

The foreign officials distributed school bags and

supplies to Tagubaas Day Care children and Bungahan

elementary pupils, who waived Philippine and Australian

flags in greeting the foreign visitors.

Australian House of Representatives Deputy

Speaker Scott said Bohol was the only Philippine

province they visited outside Metro Manila as they “feel

part of the Boholano community.”

"Australia is pleased to be able to assist the

Provincial Government of Bohol and communities

recover from the earthquake,” said Ambassador

Tweddell. (mbcn/PIA7-Bohol/ECB)

By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 2 (PIA) – Pag-IBIG

Fund members in Yolanda stricken areas in Eastern

Visayas whose houses were damaged by the typhoon in

November last year may apply for insurance claims on

or before May 8, 2014.

Ms. Jackie O. Constantino, Head, Business

Development Department of Home Development

Mutual Fund Office (Pag-ibig Fund) in the region said, all

members with existing housing loans may avail of the

insurance claims but only up to the extent of the damage

to their homes.

The amount of the insurance claims would depend

on the result of the assessment of the appraisers or

inspectors from Pag-Ibig Fund office who will visit and

inspect the damaged houses.

“Kasi ang mangyayari niyan pupuntahan siya ng

aming mga appraisers and then we will assess how much

is the extent of the damage and then based on our

assessment we will recommend the assessment na

ibinigay ng mga appraisers sa head office and then it will

be forwarded to the insurance company”, Constantino

said.

Once the insurance company receives the claim, an

adjuster will be sent to validate everything.

As of this writing, at least 2, 000 applications have

been filed at Pag-IBIG Office Tacloban. Out of this

figure, almost 300 insurance claims were approved and

48 of which got their checks already with varied

amounts.

However, Constantino reminds the claimants to

use the money for what it is intended.

Members with updated payments are more

preferred than delinquent borrowers. (PIA-8)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian

Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Valerie Amos answers questions from the

media during her visit in Tacloban City

Wednesday to assess the UN humanitarian

response in Leyte particularly in Tacloban

City.

Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto, Australian

Ambassador to the PH Bill Tweddell and

Deputy Speaker Bruce Scott (L-R) lead the

ceremonial ground-breaking of the

Antequera-Balilihan via Dorol Road in Brgy.

Bungahan, Antequera, Bohol on April 1, 2014.

The support, thru the Australian Assistance

for International Development (AusAID), does

not only reconstruct a total of 124.62

kilometers of roads but also present livelihood

opportunities for some 115,000 Boholanos in

the beneficiary areas. (mbcn/ECB/PIA-Bohol)

NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza

(right) stresses the importance of raising

public awareness especially among children to

avoid playing kites near power transmission

lines this summer. Alabanza said that the

community must be involved in the public

awareness effort to help save lives and prevent

injuries and damage to property. With

Alabanza are Engr. Rey H. Jaleco (center)

NGCP Head of District 4 Visayas Operations

and Maintenance and Engr. Richard Pobe of

the Culasi San Jose 69 KV Transmission Line

Project, during the National Grid Corporation

of the Philippines (NGCP) press briefing

recently. (PIA 6/T.Villavert)

By: Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, April 3 (PIA6) – Local government units all over the country are encouraged to promote the

Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) among their constituents for better nutrition.

The memorandum circular number 2014-25 signed by Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, cited

Resolution No. 6, series of 2012 by the National Nutrition Governing Board that adopted the Revised 2012 NGF.

The resolution was issued considering that malnutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases remain to

be a problem in the Philippines and that poor nutrition can be caused by poor nutrition practices resulting from inadequate

information on proper diet and proper nutrition behavior. The memo circular said all governors, city and municipal

mayors, and punong barangays are encouraged to issue executive orders or local resolutions adopting the 2012 NGF.

They are also enjoined to incorporate the promotion of

the NGF in their local nutrition action plans, including budget for sustained dissemination, in cooperation withe other

sectors. The LGUs can also conduct orientation or general

assemblies, production of information materials, preferably in the local dialects, and advocate for availability of safe and

nutritious foods in the community. Nona Tad -y , NNC Reg iona l Nu t r i t ion

Program Coordinator, said the DILG Memo Circular is a big step towards popularizing NGF and seeing to it that

more people in the barangays are aware and practicing the guidelines.

She added that NNC is ready to cooperate and support the activities of the LGUs pertaining

to the widest possible promotion of the NGF.(JCM/ESS/PIA -Iloilo)

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell arrives at

the quake victim shelter site in barangay Tagubaas in Antequera,

Bohol on April 1. Tweddell headed the Parliamentary delegation‟s

visit in Bohol to see the progress of Australian-supported

development efforts in the province and meet with local officials to

reiterate Australia‟s support for Bohol‟s development priorities and

continued engagement. (mbcn/ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 31 (PIA6) - - A total of 12.3 megawatts was the power saving noted by three electric

cooperatives in the province namely the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative and

the VMC Rural Electric Cooperative during the one-hour switch off of lights and appliances for Earth Hour 2014 held March 29.

A crowd of students, representatives

from professional organizations and

academe, business groups and

government officials gathered with their

candles at the grounds of SM City Bacolod for

the countdown program leading to the

ceremonial switch off.

Bacolod City Vice Mayor Greg

Gasataya called for the cooperation of both the

government and the public for the sustainability

of conserving energy not just for an hour but

for the whole year.

Lawyer and PEMO head Wilfred Ramon

Peñalosa said Earth Hour gives a chance for a

concrete step to do something for Mother

Earth.

“Celebrating the earth is a lot of things

not just switching off for an hour, it‟s a

conviction to conserve energy every day. It is

a decision to support programs for the earth,”

Peñalosa said.

Peñalosa added that protecting the

environment is not just a job of the

government or NGOs, students or officials in

the government but each can contribute even

through small steps because in the end, we all

benefit from it.

Among the pledges expressed during the

c e r e mon y w ere imp r ov ed so l i d

waste management, planting more trees,

enhance consciousness of being environment

friendly, do more Information and

Education Campaign on environment, conduct

seminars on pollution control for local

government units, promote the use of LED

lighting system, promote sustainable and

renewable energy as part of thesis and

projects, and collaborate with different

institutions to sustain different programs and

projects directed to ensure the integrity of life,

among others.

Dr. Felicidad Altalaguire, Dean of the

College of Engineering of Colegio San

Agustin-Bacolod and lead convenor of Earth

Hour 2014 in the province said that everyday

should be earth hour day.

“As a chemical engineer, if I were

to assess the situation, if we do

not use super powers the condition of our

mother earth is irreversible. We need to use

super powers to minimize the impact of

climate change,” Altalaguire said as she thanked

the support and participation of the different

sectors.

We find time to celebrate and care for

mother earth. We do not want another

Yolanda, another Bohol earthquake because

we know those were the effects of climate

change, Altalaguire added. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6

Negros Occidental)

NegOcc Earth Hour saves 12 megawatts Typhoon Yolanda damages in the Typhoon Yolanda damages in the Typhoon Yolanda damages in the province of Capizprovince of Capizprovince of Capiz

ECC WV opens extension office

ILOILO CITY, April 3 (PIA6) - - The Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) has opened its newest Regional Extension

Unit in Western Visayas to reach out to workers in the region who need their services and programs.

E CC is a government corporation

attached to the Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE) for policy

coordination and guidance. It is tasked to

implement the Employees‟ Compensation

Program (ECP) that provides a package of

benefits for public and private sector

employees and their dependents in the event

of work-connected contingencies such as

sickness, injury, disability or death.

Atty . Jonathan Vi l lasoto, ECC

OIC-Deputy Executive Director said the REU,

an auxiliary office of the ECC, is based at the

DOLE 6 Regional Office in Jaro, Iloilo City.

“It is manned by two newly-hired

employees who are ready to assist workers

especially those with problems in the filing of

their Employment Compensation claims,” said

Villasoto.

He said the staff is also ready to share any

information on the EC program and to conduct

in-house seminar if invited by agencies and

offices in the region for their employees to be

more informed of the benefits and privileges

under the EC program. The seminar will be for

free.

With the establishment of the REU in

Western Visayas, there are now only 2 regions

in the country that have no ECC REUs yet.

These are Regions IV – A and ARMM.

Villasoto was here in Iloilo City on April 2

and 3. He joined DOLE 6 Director Ponciano

Ligutom on April 2 for a press conference held

in line with the launch of the new REU and the

conduct of the ECP Regional Advocacy

Seminar the next day. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

By: Lilibeth A. French

KALIBO, Aklan, April 2 (PIA6) -- Kalibo’s little ones will also be taking center stage this graduation season as they troop to

barangay pavements and other open areas with their parents as graduating Day Care pupils.

1,474 day care kids graduate in Kalibo

A ccording to Lolly Espino, LGU-Kalibo‟s

Municipal Social and Development

Officer (MSWDO), a total of 1,474

Day Care pupils in this capital town are

graduating this year coming from the

municipality‟s 30 Day Care Centers (DCCs).

Kalibo has 16 barangays but some with

bigger population have two or more DCCs.

Espino said Day Care Workers in

charge o f these DCCs rece ive

honorariums from their respective barangays

with counterpart given by the municipal

government.

Besides receiving their Certificates of

Recognition as graduates, pupils who excelled

during the school year also get to receive

awards like Outstanding Day Care

Pupils in the senior and junior

level, awards in leadership, folk dance,

singing, draw and tell and special awards like

Best in Letters, Best in Match, Best in Poem

and Singing, Best in Drawing, Best in Number,

Best in Science and Discovery, and Best in

Arts.

Graduates will also get to be pinned

with ribbons by their parents describing their

most remarkable behavior from the likes of

“Most Thoughtful to Most Polite” and other

positive adjectives or descriptions suited to the

pupil.

Those who have diligently attended

DCCs from Junior to Senior levels

will also receive Loyalty awards,

while those who are going to school

regularly will be given the “Highest

Attendance” award.

For being supportive of their children,

bringing them to and from DCCs, some

parents will also be awarded as Outstanding

Parents, Espino said.

According to Espino, DCCs had been

proven to train and teach pupils well, excelling

also when they get to Kinder and Elementary,

qualifying in the Special Education Section or

SPED.

Graduation ceremonies for Kalibo‟s

DCCs will be held up to April 11 of this year,

Espino said. (VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

By: Easter Anne D. Doza

By: Venus G. Villanueva

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Sustained advocacy on climate change mitigation needed

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 3 (PIA6) - - The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - 6 Regional Director, Atty. Janet C. Mesa

emphasized the need to sustain public awareness on climate change in order to minimize its effects to all sectors in the

community.

“ Starting this second quarter of the year,

the PIA and the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources will

work together to undertake an advocacy and

social mobilization campaign on climate change

mitigation and preparation,” Director Mesa

said during the PIA Antique Infocen radio

program recently.

Under the agreement, the DENR and PIA

will undertake an advocacy campaign which

include the conduct of public fora, production

and dissemination of information materials

using multi-media and social media.

Mesa said that it is urgent to discuss

climate change now because it is important

that “we should be prepared at all times”.

According to her, people are best

prepared if they have adequate information.

She said that the DENR-PIA partnership

will provide the people with substantial

information on climate change in order to help

avoid loss of lives in times of disasters.

The PIA-6 Director also urged Local

Government Executives to appoint information

officers in their respective Municipality to help

in the dissemination of information up to the

barangay level.

The PIA Radio program is aired over

DYKA and hosted by Infocen Manager Margie

L. Gadian. (VWV/PIA6-Antique)

By: Vicente W. Villavert

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Northern IloiloNorthern IloiloNorthern Iloilo

P2.9M agricultural tramline set up in Iloilo ILOILO CITY, April 1 (via PIA6) -- Another Agricultural Tramline System (ATS) project worth P2.9 million has been set up in

the Province of Iloilo by the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization (DA-PHilMech).

I n a report to Agriculture Secretary

Proceso J. Alcala, DA Regional Director

Larry P. Nacionales said the tramline

project in Brgy. San Antonio, Barotac Viejo

completed last January 24 aims to reduce

drudgery, hauling cost and intensive labor,

speed up hauling time in order for the

products to reach market promptly, and

increase farmers‟ income.

The San Antonio ATS is a bi-cable system

with a hauling capacity of 350 kilograms per

trip at the recommended speed of 100 to 150

meters per minute. This tramline with cable

length of 1, 241 meters covers 47 hectares of

corn, cassava, upland rice, banana and

vegetables being grown by 50 farmers.

Recently, Engr. Bartolome S. Tesorero, Jr.,

Science Research Specialist of DA-PHilMech

conducted training on how to operate and

maintain the ATS among farmer operators and beneficiaries of the project.

DA-PHilMech is implementing this project

in elevated agricultural zones with a minimum

plantation area of 25 to 30 hectares to make

the tramline economically feasible.

ATS is an alternative transport system

used by farmers in hauling their agricultural

inputs and products in areas far from road

networks because of ravines, rivers and dense

vegetation.

Presently, Western Visayas has 14 units

out of 129 tramline projects implemented all

over the country.

There are 8 units in Negros Occidental

and 6 units in Panay Island. In Iloilo, another

tramline project is already operational in Brgy.

Alimono, Passi City.

Based on the study of DA-PHilMech,

farmers are paying an average hauling cost of

P1.50 per kilogram of the agricultural products

using the traditional method.

By means of ATS, farmers will only have

to pay P0.50 per kilogram.

The said tariff will be used for the purchase of fuel, oil and other maintenance

costs, honorarium of the operators and as

additional income of the farmers‟ association.

“Hinikayat po kami ni Agriculture

Secretary Proceso Alcala na lagyan ng upuan

ang tramline upang magamit ng mga tao but for

emergency purposes only.

Kung may tinuklaw po ng ahas o

manganganak, maaaring gamitin ang tramline.

Mahigpit po naming ipinagbabawal na

gamitin ito ng mga turista,” explained Engr.

Tesorero.

Engr. Tesorero reiterated to farmers to

avoid overloading in using the tramline

and this facility is not designed for human

transport.

He further told farmers to follow the

proper maintenance and operating

procedures of the tramline project to

keep the facility running for more than 15 to

20 years.

The San Antonio ATS has a safe carrier

design, automatic engine stop, upgraded cable

and meter and double track cables. The said project is to be turned over by

Sec. Alcala and DA-PHilMech Director Rex

Bingabing to farmers of Brgy. San Antonio this

coming April. (SMHT/DA-6 Information)

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 2 (PIA6) – Each of the 902 Indigenous People (IP) households in seven barangays in Jamindan

town received a sack of rice from the World Food Programme (WFP) last March 20 as part of the international organization’s

rice distribution to supertyphoon Yolanda victims in the province.

T he recipients are IP households not

enrolled in the national government‟s

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

(4Ps) because WFP has also provided

financial assistance to all 4Ps enrollees in the

municipality, said Jamindan Public Information

Officer Norma Chavez.

The town has about 1,500 IP households

spread out in the barangays of Jaena Norte,

Jaena Sur, Agloloway, Agbun-od, San Juan,

Pasol-o and Ganzon.

Chavez explained that the rice assistance

will mitigate scarcity of food especially

among IP communities in the upcoming lean

months.

In behalf of the Jamindan Bukidnon Tribes

Association (JABTA), Jamindan mayor Ethel R.

Jinon has conveyed her appreciation to Fiona

Lithgow of WFP for the truckloads of rice for

the IPs whose livelihoods were severely

battered by the supertyphoon.

It was learned that the idea to request

help from WFP was suggested by Samaritan

House Foundation (SHF) head Guia

Gulden during the during the finalization of the

municipal government‟s identified programs

and projects for year 2015.

SHF is a town-based civil society

organization.

Aside from the WFP, the Department

of Social Welfare and Development,

University of Cebu and Red Cross have

also provided food packs for the IP

members wh i le the In ternat iona l

Organization for Migration and Community

and Family Service Iinternational have also

distributed shelter kits to identified

beneficiaries in the IP communities. (JCM/AAL/

PIA6 Capiz)

902 IP households receive WFP’s rice

By: Alex A. Lumaque

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, April 2 (PIA) -- With the two major disasters that struck Central Visayas late last year, local government units

(LGUs) urgently need to get their acts together by implementing proactive measures to reduce the impact of disasters by

focusing on four thematic areas.

OCD-7: LGUs need to focus on 4 areas for disaster risk reduction

F lor Gaviola, assistant regional director

of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7)

told local chief executives, provincial,

city and municipal disaster risk reduction officers

and other stakeholders within Central Visayas

attending the two-day seminar roadshow on „Iba

na ang Panahon: Science for Safer Communities‟

that prevention and mitigation is always the first

step in disaster risk reduction planning.

“The four thematic areas are prevention

and mitigation, preparedness, response and

rehabilitation and recovery,” said Gaviola.

“The development of alarms and early

warning signal is always the first step under

prevention and mitigation,” further said Gaviola.

She added that LGUs also need to focus on

the use of nationwide flood forecasting and

monitoring and the geo-hazard mapping,

comprehensive land use plan, engineering

interventions and flood control structures.

In terms of preparedness, Gaviola said

LGUs must have the following --- contingency

planning, prepositioning the equipment and

supplies, enhancement of operation and

coordination centers, organizing training of

responders, organizing and mobilizing community

volunteers, conduct of disaster trainings and

drills.

For response, LGUs should already know

what to do in the aftermath of a disaster

particularly on search, rescue and retrieval

operations, bared Gaviola.

Under recovery and rehabilitation, LGUS

should incorporate in their disaster risk

reduction plan on how to achieve early recovery

and rehabilitation of ravaged communities

including the reconstruction of damaged houses

and buildings, resettlement of displaced families

and provision of livelihood to affected individuals,

disclosed the OCD-7 official.

The activity which ended today was

organized by the Department of Science and

Technology (DOST-7) in partnership with the

Department of Interior and Local Government 7

and the Office of Civil Defense 7.

Meanwhile, Marianito Doydora, officer of

the Department of Agriculture assigned to the

Ubay Stock Farm in Bohol, advised farmers to go

for climate change resilient animals and feeds.

Guesting at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA of

PIA-Cebu, Doydora said farmers need to adopt

surviving mechanisms in order to cope with

climate change.

He said in times of El Nino or where rain is

rare, it is expected that the supply of natural

feeds and forages will decrease..

He said that DA is going all over the region

to educate the farmers on how to adopt to the

changing weather conditions. (mbcn/FCR/

PIA7-Cebu with FCC report)

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 2 (PIA) The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has

facilitated a five-day Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training or (SCOUT) for the 129 policemen of the Philippine

National Police in the province.

NegOr PDRRMC facilitates SAR training for PNP SCOUT

T he participants were subjected to a

short course on Search and Rescue

(SAR) Training at the Senator Lorenzo

Teves Aqua Center, Dumaguete City.

PDRRMC executive officer Adrian Sedillo

said the province assisted in the short course

SAR training by providing the venue and for

tapping the expertise of the Bureau of Fire

Protection (BFP) as the facilitators of the said

training.

The SAR training is now introduced by the

PNP hierarchy as part of the 45-day SCOUT

Training to provide the PNP personnel with the

basic knowledge and skills necessary for SAR

operations.

This would be the first batch of the SCOUT

trainees that have been required to undergo the

SAR training particularly on Basic Life Support

(BLS), swift water and open water rescue, among

others.

Sedillo said the conduct of the SAR training

is the realization of the agreement between

Governor Roel Degamo and PNP Regional

Director Danilo Constantino for the provincial

government through the PDRRMC to provide

SAR skills to the PNP undergoing the SCOUT

training.

Gov. Degamo for his part immediately

responded to the request as it is within the ambit

of the serious efforts of the provincial

government in cooperation with various agencies

and private organizations to lay down

mitigation measures and preparedness for various

types of disasters. Sedillo said PNP personnel are

among the first responders during an emergency

and oftentimes put their lives at risk due to lack

of proper knowledge on how to handle the

situation.

“In fact, one PNP personnel died

w h e n a t e a m u n d e r g o i n g t h e

SCOUT training responded to the

flash flood incident in Bayawan City in October

of last year, that kind of incident that the PNP

leadership would not like to happen again,”

Sedillo cited. “This is part of our strong

commitment to support the programs

and activities of the PNP because they

are our partners in all aspects of

governance especially on disaster management,”

Governor Degamo said. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros

Oriental)

BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Apr. 1 (PIA) – Thirteen (13) students qualified as finalists for the Ten Outstanding Students of the

Philippines (TOSP) search in Region 7.

T he 13 student finalists are Marmie Dyan

Deniega, University of San Jose

Recoletos (USJR); Gwendelyn Ayuban,

University of Bohol; Warren Ronnell D. Flores,

Cebu Institute of Technology; Rona Marie S.

Namocatcat, Silliman University; Ray Anne G.

Labra, Cebu Normal University; Beatrice

Claudine A. Evardone, St. Theresa‟s

College; Mark Anthony A. Abellana, USJR; Daryl

Wishka C. Watin and Jun Marr M. Denila,

Un iver s i ty o f t he Ph i l i pp i ne -Cebu

College; Dardamie M. Caminos, St. Paul

University Dumaguete; Paul Emerson S.

Almontero, University of Bohol; Areshdel L.

Artes, USJR and Jenny Rose S. Sumagaysay,

Foundation University.

TOSP region 7 screening committee headed

by Woodrow Maquiling Jr., Dumaguete City

Tourism Officer, announced the names of the

passers during the preliminary screening on

March 29 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

These students will represent their

respective schools in the TOSP Region 7

formation week on April 17-23, 2014 in

Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

They will also vie for a place in this year‟s

TOSP awardees for Central Visayas, according to

Rolando Villamero, Chairperson of the TOSP

Alumni Community in Region 7.

The TOSP is an annual search for the

brightest students in Central Visayas that

possessed excellent qualities in academics,

leadership and social responsibility.

TOSP also aims to establish role models

that can motivate youths to help bring human and

economic development for the country.

This year‟s search is organized by the RFM

Foundation, RFM Corporation, Commission on

Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Long

Distance Company (PLDT) and The Outstanding

Students of the Philippines-Alumni Community

(TOSPAC). (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

13 students qualify for TOSP search finals in Region 7 BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Bantayan Island, CebuBantayan Island, CebuBantayan Island, Cebu

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, March 31 (PIA) --- Phivolcs Director Dr. Renato Solidum told over 350 participants of the two-day disaster

preparedness information campaign road show here that immediate actions must be taken in order to be prepared for

disasters as Central Visayas is not safe from disasters including earthquakes.

Phivolcs says CV not safe from quakes, tells LGUs to prepare

I n his presentation at the two-day activity

dubbed 'Iba Na Ang Panahon Ngayon:

Science for Safer Communities" here, Soli-

dum showed there are faults in Cebu, Negros

Oriental, Bohol and in the Negros Trench.

“In 2012, Negros Oriental was hit by a 6.9

magnitude quake that left 58 casualties and 62

missing.

"Then in 2013, Bohol followed suit with a7.2

intensity quake with 222 deaths and eight

missing,” said Solidum, adding: “Which is next?

Cebu? We really do not know. We just have to

prepare.”

Solidum said all provinces in Central Visayas

have minor events occurring as epicenters.

“Walang ligtas sa earthquake (Nobody is safe

from earthquakes)," said the Phivolcs director.

Historical events outlined in Solidum‟s

presentation revealed minor earthquake events

already occurred in Cebu, Bohol and Negros

Oriental even back in the late 1800s.

But an incident he cited that terribly

shook Cebu was in January 28, 1922

where an intensity of 7.0-8.0 magnitude quake

damaged old structures while the old

Recoletos Church and Convent slid

down and the roof of the Bishop‟s Palace partially

caved in.

“From time to time, there will be strong

earthquakes due to our geologic setting.

We cannot avoid it, we just have to

prepare,” stressed Solidum.

Solidum identified four elements in preparing

and minimizing the effects of an earthquake. The-

se are hazards identification, hazards

assessment, risk assessment and impact/damage

scenario.

“We need to have an appreciation of a

disaster imagination. The things we need to do by

doing step-by-step action and get the results,”

further said Solidum.

Under the hazards identification, local

governments should know where are the

potentially affected areas, who and what will be

affected in case of tremor incidents.

Second, simulate the hazards for hazards

assessment, said Solidum.

Local government units should also

do some risk assessments in terms of losses

from casualties, social, physical and

damage to the economy while the fourth

element is the overall impact or the

damage scenario, both internal and external, said

Solidum.

Solidum also recommended for the

communities to have their house or building

technically assessed and inspected as to its safety

and based on findings, make plans to have it

repaired to make it safe and fit to live in. (rmn/

FCR/PIA-7)

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

DTI-7 holds workshop in preparation for ASEAN Integration

CEBU CITY, March 31 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Central Visayas was set to conduct, April 4

an ASEAN Economic Integration Workshop for the Manufacturing, Trade/Retail, and Creative Industries on at the Marco Polo

Plaza Hotel, this city.

T he workshop is in cooperation with the

Export Marketing Bureau, Regional

Development Authority (NEDA-7)

and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(CCCI).

The activity seeks to identify action plans

and strategies that would prepare and capacitate

industry sectors for the ASEAN Economic

Community (AEC) integration.

The Manila resource speakers will discuss on

the overall direction of industry development, the

impact of AEC integration and its advantages

to the manufacturing, retail/trade and creative

industries.

The resource speakers from Cebu will share

their knowledge, experiences and expectations to

the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community

integration.

Outputs of the workshop will be utilized as

main inputs to the Central Visayas Roadmap to

AEC integration and will serve as guiding

document for the stakeholders in their

preparation for the AEC integration.

Year 2015 will mark the birth of the ASEAN

Economic Community and the start of free trade

between the 10 member-countries where

products and services, among other things, will

have a single market and production base and

where labor, investments and capital will have a

freer flow. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu/DTI7)

LAPULAPU CITY, Cebu (PIA) --- Key personnel from the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) underwent a three-day

disaster preparedness training starting March 31 in a bid to make the airport better prepared to respond to natural disaster

situations.

Cebu airport personnel train on disaster preparedness BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA

BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO

T he training dubbed “Get Airports Ready

for Disasters (GARD)” is conducted by

Uni ted Nat i ons Deve lopment

Programme (UNDP) and Deutsche Post DHL.

The training was attended by 55 key

employees not only from MCIA but also from

government line agencies and non-government

organizations who were closely involved during

the relief operations at Cebu airport in the

heels of typhoon Yolanda

MCIA General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete

said that before Yolanda struck, preparations

were done to ensure that Cebu airport will

immediately function a day after the storm, and

for 12 days after, without water and electricity

from the outside world.

However, when the national government

decided to turn MCIA as the hub for international

relief aid, Villarete said they were unprepared for

the massive cargo that came their way.

At its peak days, the Cebu airport normally

handles about 130 tons of cargo per day.

But on November 16, 2013 or eight days

after the super typhoon, Villarete said the airport

received nearly 1,000 tons of cargo with

the airport handlers struggling to unload massive

volumes of relief cargo being flown in via 747

aircrafts.

Villarete recounted in his message during the

GARD launching program that their capability to

unload cargo for one 747 is around four hours

and yet that day, there were three 747s arriving

within two hours of each other.

When the relief aid from Israeli government

arrived - the third 747 aircraft to land at the

airport that day - Villarete said their handlers

could not unload the relief cargo until ten hours

after.

After the GARD training, Villarete said they

aim to produce a manual of operations for

disaster relief operations at the airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the

Philippines (CAAP) has earlier granted MCIA with

an aerodrome certificate, the only airport in the

Philippines given the distinction as the safest

airport in the country.

This is the second GARD training held by

UNDP and DHL in the Philippines, with the first

held in May last year at Ninoy Aquino

International Airport (NAIA).

According to UNDP Philippines Country

Director Maurice DeWulf, contingency planning

and the GARD training are part of UNDP‟s

efforts to enhance preparedness.

DeWulf is also hopeful that after the

training, airport officials and personnel here

together with the staff from ancillary agencies can

craft a comprehensive action plan “that will keep

the airport running smoothly should another

crisis occur.” (RMN/PIA Cebu)

Earthquake damages in BoholEarthquake damages in BoholEarthquake damages in Bohol

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

BIR EV encourages taxpayers to pay right taxes

T his year‟s tax campaign is carrying the

theme “I love the Philippines, I pay

my taxes right. It‟s as easy as RFP

(Register, File and Pay)”.

Atty. Diosdado R. Mendoza, Regional

Director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue

(BIR) in Eastern Visayas said, the purpose of

the tax campaign is to educate the people

about the taxpaying process and raise their tax

compliance awareness.

He also underscored the significance of

registration, filing and payment of correct taxes

as a civic duty of every Filipino citizen to spur

economic growth and development of the

country.

Although a 20% shortfall has shown in the

month of January and February 2014 against

the goal as taxpayers in the region were also

affected by the strong typhoon that struck in

November.

However, BIR in the region is optimistic

to meet the target collection for this year with

the strict enforcement of the law.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner

Nelson M. Aspe who was the keynote

speaker during the launching was

overwhelmed of the overflowing support

coming from heads and representatives

of various national government agencies,

industry, trade and business sector,

ordinary taxpayers, schools, students and the

media.

“I would say that with so many

participants here because I don‟t expect that

this place would be fill with more than 50

percent this morning with the event that

happened last year, but with the overflowing

crowd and with the supportive crowd, I think I

should say that Eastern Visayas, at least to this

event has risen”, Aspe added.

This is only an indication, according to

Aspe, that Revenue Region No. 14 does not

have to wait for three years in order to

recover.

Relative to this, BIR is also reminding

taxpayers to file the tax returns early to avoid

penalties and the inconveniences for late filing.

(PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 31 (PIA) – As part of its advocacy to encourage taxpayers the right payment of taxes, the

Bureau of Internal Revenue, Revenue Region No.14 in Eastern Visayas has formally launched its 2014 tax campaign recently.

DENR, two So. Leyte LGUs sign MOPA for free residential land titling

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

through Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca and the local government units of Malitbog and Libagon signed a Memorandum

of Partnership Agreement (MOPA) Wednesday at the DENR provincial office for the implementation of a law that provides

free titles to residential lands.

M alitbog LGU was represented by

Camilo Aroy, the Municipal

Planning Development Coordinator

(MPDC), while Mayor Oliver Ranque of

Libagon town was present for the MOPA

signing.

The MOPA document, the first formal

signing ceremony so far held around Region 8

and a pilot activity for the province, spelled out

specific roles and responsibilities of the DENR

and the concerned LGUs for the residents in

the community, mostly in poblacion areas, to

avail free services so their residential lands can

be titled.

Residential free patent titling has been

covered by Republic Act 10023, a law passed

on March 9, 2010, in which DENR was tasked

to closely work hand-in-hand with LGUs for its

smooth implementation with MOPA as basic

link

As stipulated in the MOPA, DENR will

extend to the LGU all the technical assistance

desired to carry out the objectives, while the

LGU was obliged to pass an ordinance to

integrate titling in its governance agenda and

create a local land titling office.

The LGU will also provide a Land

Information Office where people can seek

information and guidance, establish a Cadastral

Council, and assign a permanent employee as a

DENR-deputized personnel to handle

transactions on residential land titles.

In his message, Director Sibbaluca said

this will be an added opportunity for those

who had been clamouring for a long time to

have their residential lands titled, to fast-track

the process through the LGUs instead of the

Courts.

“Let us give our people a chance to have

their residential lands titled for free,” Sibbaluca

told DENR field men, rallying them to exert

best efforts so the MOPA can spread to the

rest of the 16 municipalities and one city of the

province.

Libagon Mayor Oliver Ranque said he

accepted the challenge even as he emphasized

he was honored his town was selected as a

pilot site for the program.

Malitbog MPDC Camilo Aroy said

he will relay everything to Mayor Allan Go,

adding that the Mayor was already very

eager to support the program when he

learned about it last year. (mmp,

PIA8-Southern Leyte)

NGO leads social media campaign for April 22 Earth Day

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 3 (PIA) - The Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. is spearheading a social media campaign

for this year’s Earth Day celebration on April 22.

D ubbed as HUGaTREE, the idea is

simple. Supporters of the cause will

just post online a picture of

themselves hugging a tree. They could post it

on Facebook, on their own blog, on Twitter,

or wherever so long as it can be seen by the

public online.

To generate bandwagon effect and to

monitor the success of the campaign,

supporters are advised to use the hashtag

#HUGaTree.

It is optional for the poster to explain

why he/she is participating in the campaign,

why he/she chose a particular location or tree,

or anything that could add hype to the

campaign.

It is highly encouraged that the members

of the network explicitly connect their

explanation to mining, sustainable agriculture

or climate change.

The Social Media campaign for Earth Day

2014 aims to reinforce the importance of trees

in the mind of the general public especially

those online.

It also aims to connect the issue of mining

and climate change to the recent controversies

involving the cutting of trees; and to

consolidate the online ranks of PMPI during

Earth Day 2014.

The PMPI believes it is about time that the

issue of mining, still unheard by many people,

be connected to the very popular cause of

saving trees. One of the ways to do it without

much costs is via social media.

Aside from mining, we can also connect

this campaign to our advocacy on

climate change. Experts say that the

presence of thick natural forests is

one of the earth‟s natural carbon

sinks. Carbon sinks help in curbing global

warming by absorbing greenhouse gases in the

air. (PIA 8)

By: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

By: Marcelino Pedalino

By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in

Tacloban, LeyteTacloban, LeyteTacloban, Leyte

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

US Haiyan disaster aid totals over US$90-M

MANILA, March 31 (PIA) – The United States of America’s Haiyan disaster assistance totals to more than US$90 million.

T his was disclosed by US Ambassador

to the Philippines His Excellency

Philipp S. Goldberg during a recently

held press conference at the US Embassy

attended by Regional and National media

representatives.

Teamwork among U.S. government

agencies and the private sector was responsible

for the speed and effectiveness of America's

response to the devastation of Super-Typhoon

Haiyan in the Philippines, Ambassador

Goldberg said.

The devastation was so great, Secretary of

State Kerry came to see first-hand how relief

operations were going on in Tacloban, the

Ambassador said.

Ambassador Goldberg turned over the

microphone to the US Aid chief in the

Philippines saying that the USAid is the lead

U.S. government agency that works to end

extreme global poverty and enable resilient,

democratic societies to realize their full

potential.

US Aid helps societies to recover from

conflicts; and provide humanitarian

assistance in the wake of natural and

man-made disasters.

When Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most

powerful storms on record, made landfall in

the Philippines, USAID helped restore the

municipal water system in the hardest hit city,

distributed locally and region wide.

U.S. sourced food commodities to 3

million people, provided 20,000 families with

emergency shelter materials, and made sure

that 45,800 received hygiene kits. (PIA 8)

AusAid allocates $40M for education aid to Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 30 (PIA) – Australia through the Australian Aid (AusAid) window is allocating AUS$40

million of the AUS$150-million grant to the Philippine Government for the education assistance in Eastern Visayas.

T he financial grant is for the Basic

Education Sector Transformation in

support to the “K to 12” education

program of the government.

Australian Aid Acting Minister Counselor

Geoff King, who recently, met with heads of

tertiary academic institutions in Tacloban and

Leyte, said that although the AusAid is

providing assistance to college schools, the

main focus is the primary education in

partnership with the Department of

Education.

King said Australia is helping the Philippine

Government in modernizing education through

conduct of teachers‟ trainings for improvement

of teaching skills, building better and resilient

classrooms, and strengthening the education

system using the funds from the grant.

The grant will help train teachers, provide

support for students, and build 1,000 new

classrooms.

Half of the schools beneficiaries are

located in communities affected by Typhoon

Yolanda, King said adding that the Eastern

Visayas Region has been prioritized because it

was affected by the Super Typhoon.

Aside from education, AusAid is also

focusing on the disaster risk reduction, in

partnership with the United Nations in

Tacloban City and Leyte province.

Next year, the Australian government

will also provide millions to support the

livelihood and infrastructure development, it

was learned.

Meanwhile, another head of state

visited Yolanda devastated Eastern Visayas

Region.

President Anote Tong of Kiribati, officially

known as the Independent and Sovereign

Republic of Kiribati, an island nation in the

central tropical Pacific Ocean, is the latest in

the list of heads of state and high ranking

foreign dignitary who have visited Leyte and

Samar islands.

President Tong was in Babatngon, Leyte in

the morning of Saturday, March 29, 2014,

Babatngon Mayor Chary Chan told the

Philippine Information Agency.

It was also learned that in the afternoon

of Saturday, the Kiribati President and his party

will visit Mapanas, Samar. (PIA 8)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Spain's Foreign Minister leads turnover of fishing boats

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 28 (PIA) - The Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo of Spain, and the Ambassador

of Spain to the Philippines His Excellency Jorge Domecq were recently in Eastern Visayas to personally witness the ceremonial

turn-over of at least 25 fishing boats to the Yolanda-affected fisher folks of Sta. Rita Samar.

T he Municipality of Sta. Rita was one

o f the 7 se lec ted coas ta l

municipalities that will receive 400

wooden boats with engine and fishing gears.

The others are Basey, Villareal and Marabut in

Samar and Hernani, Llorente and Gen. Mac

Arthur in Eastern Samar.

The turn-over was part of the Agencia

Espanola de Cooperacion International para el

Desarollo (AECID) through the Mainstreaming

Peace and Development in Local Governance

project ( MPDLGP) that amounts to P12.4

million livelihood assistance grant to the seven

municipalities.

The Mainstreaming Peace and

Development in Local Governance Project is

an initiative that focuses on strengthening and

promoting conflict sensitive and peace

promoting governance.

It is a collaborative project of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace

Process OPPAP, and the Department of

Interior and Local Government (DILG),

through the Local Government Academy

(LGA), Bureau of Local Government

Development (BLGD) and the National

Barangays Operations Office (NBOO)

The Agencia Española Cooperacion

International para el Desarollo (AECID)

of the Spanish Government provides

technical and financial support: one

million five hundred thousand Euros or

roughly P80 million to the project while P12.4

million was allotted for the 400 fishing boats

with engine and other fishing gears for 7

municipalities.

Vicente Zaragozi AECID Director

General was also present in the ceremonial

turn over.

A l s o i n a t t e n d a n c e w e r e

Undersecretary Gettie Sandoval and Assistant

Secretary Jennifer Ureta of OPAPP, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan de los Santos of

Samar, Mayors Edgar Boco of Hernani, Jaime

Ty of Gen. Mc Arthur, Eastern Samar and

Joven Tiu of Sta. Rita and Marilou Latorre of

Villareal of Samar.

Heads of government agencies such as

BFAR, DA, DENR, TESDA, DOLE, AFP, PNP,

and the members of media were also present

in the event.

In an interview the Foreign Minister of

Spain Jose Manuel Garcia- Margallo admitted

that his country is also experiencing very

deep economic crisis, the reason why they

have budgetary restriction in terms of sending

help.

However, Spain did its best to help the

fishermen in the identified places and it

will continue helping the people of the

Philippines.

The best message the Minister can

give to the fishermen aside from the

fact that he loves fishing, is “Best of Luck” to the fishermen. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann A.

Abella)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Tacloban, LeyteTacloban, LeyteTacloban, Leyte

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) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

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