one visayas e-newsletter vol 4 issue 24
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 4 Issue 24 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 June 16 - 22, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PAMANA set to start peace road
NFA-7: Rice supply, prices in CV remain stable
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Pacific Partnership 2014 starts in Tacloban and Palo By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 18 (PIA) - The Pacific Partnership 2014 Civic Action Programs designed to enhance
cooperation and goodwill between allied countries has begun in Palo town and this city in Leyte.
Some of the activities of the Joint Task Force Pacific Partnership 2014 include the groundbreaking of four
engineering projects. Major Amado C. Gutierrez, Chief, Public Affairs Office, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said the
projects involve the construction of a 4-classroom building and Science building in San Fernando Elementary School,
reconstruction of the Outpatient Building in Tacloban City Hospital and reconstruction of the Science Building of Castilla
Elementary School, Palo Leyte. Furthermore, Trainings on Key Leader‟s Engagement and
Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) where experts in HADR coming from the government, NGO‟s and
the participating Armed Forces will share their experiences and views to enhance capabilities of HADR teams in the event of
future disasters.
Major General Jet B. Velarmino, Commander, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army said, the Joint Civic Action
Programs in Palo, Leyte and Tacloban, City by the Armed Forces of US, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines
will enhance inter-operability of the participating soldiers in addressing HADR concerns in the future.
“This humanitarian gesture of the participating Armed Forces from other nations is heartwarming as it exemplifies the
“Bayanihan Spirit” that carried the country over the challenges posed by super typhoon Yolanda Haiyan,” Velarmino added.
A series of medical, dental and veterinary civic action programs in different areas of Tacloban will also be conducted
in July this year. Initially, Pacific Partnership 2014 (PP14) was slated in
Luzon, however, due to the damage caused by typhoon Yolanda, it was transferred to Leyte. The latest Pacific
Partnership was held in Eastern Visayas in 2012.(CBA/PIA-8/DPAO-8)
By: Easter Anne D. Doza
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, June 16 (PIA6) - - Former members of the armed group Revolutionary Proletarian Army/
Alex Bongcayao Brigade who have long returned to the folds of the government will now have better road access to their
settlement area. The local government of San Carlos and the PAMANA
program or the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process is set to start
the road project as a commitment of the national government to continue peace programs against insurgency.
The city government represented by City Mayor Gerardo P. Valmayor, Jr. entered into a work contract for the
improvement of a 3-kilometer Pagbatangan-Nangka-Crossing Magasin Road (Boundary) at Brgy. Bagonbon with OPELL
Construction and Development Corporation as contractor last for the amount of P8.8M after a public bidding conducted
earlier. According to Mariel Avenir, Project Development Officer
III of the City Planning and Development Coordinator‟s Office, the entire project is funded under the PAMANA in the amount
of P9,750,000 and counter-parted by the city government at P975,000.
Avenir cited that the project is an improvement of an
existing gravel road where a portion of 500 meters will be
concreted particularly at upper Sitio Nangka where the 117 registered former armed group and their families reside.
Avenir added that after said project‟s completion next year OPAPP PAMANA will grant the amount of P16.5M to the
city to continue the rest of the road project. According to the contract, road construction will be
within 264 working days with expected completion on July 8, 2015.
The beneficiaries of said project who are former armed group members identified the site in 2012 during the consulta-
tion with the local technical working group represented by various local agencies and representatives of the OPAPP who
helped with the closure program with said rebel returnees. These returnees have grouped themselves into a
People‟s Organization, the Kapatiran Para sa Progresibong Panlipunan to which livelihood projects and other basic facilities
will also be provided by the OPAPP PAMANA thru the city government.
PAMANA is the national government program and framework for peace and development for conflict affected
areas aimed at reducing poverty, improving governance and empowering communities. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6/San Carlos Negros
Occidental)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
USAID acting assistant administrator for Asia
Denise Rollins (4th from left) together with
Mary Mai Flor (l-r) of Waterlinks, Abundio
Nunez of Albay Public Safety and Management
Office and Leyte governor Dominico Petilla
show the signed twinning agreement on
disaster risk reduction and management as
Gloria Steele (right) of USAID Philippines
witnesses the activity which was held at the
Governor‟s Hall, Leyte Provincial Capitol,
Tacloban City, June 4. (Vino R. Cuayzon)
HEROES EVERYONE. The 14 Tzu Chi
classroom buildings rose on the school
grounds in Catigbian Bohol on a feat that
could probably go down in history as
the fastest school build effort in less than 4
hours. Consequently, Mayor Virgilio Lurot has
urged his people to do volunteer work, with
or without Bayani Challenge. (contributed
photo/RAC)
Mrs. Elsa S. Subong, Philippine Information
Agency (PIA)-6 Iloilo Information Center
Manager, briefs the information officers of
national government agencies in Western
Visayas and local government units on the
climate change advocacy campaign of PIA and
the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR)-6 during the general
assembly of the Association of Government
Information Officers (AGIO) here. (PIA 6)
BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU
CEBU CITY, June 18 (PIA) – Prices of commercial rice and its supply remain stable in Central Visayas assured the chief
of the National Food Authority (NFA-7) amid reports that costs of commercial rice in Manila have risen to as much as P2/
kilo. NFA-7 Regional Director Atty. Danilo Bonabon
admitted that during the lean months from June to August, the prices of „palay‟ usually goes up which is quite normal.
“If the palay is bought at P23 per kilo, then the mar-ket price will increase almost double or over P40/kilo,” said
Bonabon during the weekly forum of the Association of Gov-ernment Information Officers (AGIO-7) this morning that
tackled the topic “Rising Costs of Commercial Rice and Stability of Supply in Central Visayas.”
Bonabon said factors like post harvest losses must be taken into consideration from handling to milling until it gets to
the table which approximately will not fall below 10 percent and not to mention the transport costs.
The NFA-7 chief said Central Visayas has always been deficit in rice production with the exception of Bohol
which is self-sufficient. “Our sufficiency level is only at 33 percent while the remaining 67 percent gap is filled by other
regions,” said Bonabon adding that Manila is the region‟s biggest supplier.
But even if prices of commercial rice are still within
„normal‟ range, Bonabon said he has instructed NFA employees to check rice prices in the different public markets prior to
reporting to office and before going home. Bonabon also said he is coordinating with market officials
and local government units for them to report any alarming
rise of rice prices.
According to Bonabon, the modal cost of commercial rice is at P42/kilo while the most expensive premium rice is
„Ganador‟ which costs P54/kilo. Bonabon said when the harvest season begins by
September, prices of rice varieties are expected to go down. The NFA-7 on the other hand, also assured there is
sufficient supply of rice for Central Visayas with over one million bags while the regional consumption level for one
month is only estimated at 32,000 bags. The buffer stocks will even be augmented with the arrival
of more than one million bags with 700,00 for Region 7 and 840,000 bags for Region 8, said Bonabon.
The Philippines will be importing 800,000 metric tons of rice from Vietnam, part of which will arrive in the country this
week. (mbcn/FCR/ PIA7 with reports from Kristal Eduyan, PIT intern)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
DOH: Clean air is for all
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 19 (PIA6) – Health officials urge smokers to respect the rights of others.
W estern Visayas Department of
Health Medical Specialist Julia
Villanueva stressed that they are
not forcing anyone to stop smoking rather
they are campaigning for people to smoke in
designated places so as not to pose danger
to non-smokers
Villanueva said that smoking should not
be done in enclosed places such as offices,
restaurants and the like as it poses danger to
the public such as the second and third hand
smokers.
“We are not saying that smokers
should quit smoking but we are only calling
on them to do the same in proper places as
a matter of respect for the rights of others
to a clean air environment,” she said.
She also challenged other towns in
Capiz to implement their no smoking
ordinance and join the search.
She cited Roxas City which was a
recipient of the Hall of Fame Red Orchid
award for a 100% Smoke Free Environment
for three consecutive years from 2011 to
2013.
Villanueva said that Dumalag town will
also be this year‟s Red Orchid Hall of Fame
Awardee, with the awarding scheduled in
November in Pampanga.
For Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan
Celino, the implementation of the city‟s No
Smoking Ordinance is a personal
commitment as he himself had to quit
smoking after he was elected city mayor in
2010.
“We are sincere and committed to have
a smoke-free city for the future of the next
generation because we care for our
environment and our people,” Celino said,
stressing that he had to quit because he
cares.
On the other hand, Capiz Governor
Victor Tanco said that smoking is not only
bad for health but it is also a bad influence to
others especially for the children.
Tanco said that smoking destroys life
because it is a health hazard and many died
because of it.
He also urges everyone to value life,
instill the value of life and become agents of
life as well as responsible leaders of the
children in their homes and communities.
The DOH in partnership with the
Provincial Health Office and other health
units in 16 towns and city in Capiz
conducted, June 17, a 100% smoke free
environment province-wide caravan in Capiz
as part of the No Smoking Month activities
this June, which was participated in by all the
health personnel from the hospitals and
Rural Health Units, including other national
government agencies and stakeholders.
(JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
By: Jemin B. Guillermo
ILOILO CITY, June 19 (PIA6) – The Guimaras Mango Growers and Producers Development Cooperative recently received the
shared service facility (SSF) for mango processing.
Mango processing facility now in Guimaras
T he facility for mango hot water
treatment and processing was
turned over to the coop by the
Department of Trade and Industry in the
province.
Coop head Felipe Gamarcha said the
facility will greatly help them produce
quality mangoes since fruits that undergo
hot water treatment will suffer less
damage when processed.
For Rebecca Tubongbanua, a
Magsasakang Siyentista, the facility will
provide them quality processing grade
mangoes for their mango-based products.
The facility costs over P400,000
under DTI‟s SSF program intended to
help micro, small and medium enterprises,
to increase their productivity and
accelerate competitiveness.
DTI said SSF also aims to eliminate
the gaps and difficulties in the processes
involved in priority industry clusters by
giving producers machineries and facilities
for their common use.(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
By: Elsa S. Subong
KALIBO, Aklan, June 16 (PIA6) – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Ivene Reyes of DENR-Aklan
called on Aklanons here to refrain from burning and throwing away plastics anywhere which could ruin the environment.
P ENRO Reyes issued this call
recently at the short program at
the Kal ibo Pastrana Park
after the “Lakbay Para Sa Kalikasan”, one
of the activities spearheaded by the
DENR in the province in celebration of
Environment Month this June, supported
by the Philippine Information Agency.
The “Lakbay Para Sa Kalikasan”, held
June 10, started from the Provincial
Capitol early in the morning and ended at
the Kalibo Pastrana Park participated in by
LGU-Kalibo led by Mayor William S.
Lachica, students from various colleges in
the province, the Philippine Army,
Philippine Coast Guards, Global Business
Power Corporation (GBPC), Aklan
Environment and Natural Resources
Office (AKENRO) and DENR-Aklan
officials and employees. PENRO Reyes
also talked to the participants about
Climate Change and its impact to the
environment, bringing floods and storms
not only during the late months of the
year but now throughout the year. “All
governments and countries are now
finding ways to adapt to Climate
Change. The DENR is doing something to
upgrade people‟s awareness about the
effects of Climate Change, but the DENR
cannot do this alone,” Reyes said.
To make the participants understand
the unusual effect of climate change, he
cited the situation in Afghanistan, which
experienced no rains before but now gets
flooded. For his part, Mayor Lachica, who
also delivered a message, called on every-
one to plant trees, including the fruit-
bearing ones to protect Kalibo from
floods. “Let us help and support each
other so things that happened in the past,
like floods, won‟t happen again”, Lachica
said. After the talks, the group held a
“Hataw” and a ceremonial tree planting
around Pastrana Park. The planted narra
tree seedlings around the Kalibo Pastrana
Park will be cared for by LGU-Kalibo, ac-
cording to Community Environment and
Natural Resources Officer (CENRO)
Kalibo Merlene Aborka. Theme of this
year‟s Environment Month
is “Raise Your Voice, Not the Sea Level”.
(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
Burning plastics a No-No, says DENR
By: Venus G. Villanueva
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
Antique needs P4.8B for rehab, recovery
SAN JOSE, Antique, June 18 (PIA6) - - The province of Antique will be needing some P4,799,351,277.50 for its rehabilitation
and recovery program to help typhoon affected persons in the 12 municipalities return to their normal life.
T h e a m o u n t c o v e r s t h e
con so l i d a t e d bu d ge t f o r
infrastructure, social services,
resettlement, livelihood, and environment
for the provincial rehabilitation and
recovery, programs, projects (PRR) and
activities.
The infrastructure cluster gets the
b i gges t chunks amount in g to
P 2 , 2 7 9 , 0 5 6 , 6 9 2 . 3 9 ; S o c i a l
services- P849,072,302.50; Resettlement
- P470 ,689 , 000 .00 ; L i ve l i hood
- P164,256,729.00; and for environment
- P75,700,000.00.
The PRR plan was approved during
the June 16 special meeting of the
Provincial Development Council, subject
to further data required from some local
government units to submit until
Tuesday, and will be endorsed through a
resolution for the approval of the
Sangguninag Panlalawigan.
The rehab and recovery plan is
intended for the municipalities of Barbaza,
Bugasong, Caluya, Culasi, Laua-an,
Libertad, Pandan, Patnongon, San Remigio,
Sebaste, Tibiao, Valderrama.
Provincial Planning and Development
Coordinator Juliana O. Cepe said that
some local government units have not yet
identified their respective relocation sites,
and the concerned local chief executives
through their respective Municipal
Planning and Development Coordinators
were urged to submit the needed data.
Cepe said that the SP approved provincial
rehabilitation and recovery plan will be
submitted to the OPARR by June 20.
Gov. Exequiel B. Javier thanked the
municipal mayors for preparing the
needed plans of their respective
municipalities, and likewise the Provincial
and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Councils, and the Provincial
Planning and Development Office for
consolidating the report, and the OPARR
for helping the province. (JCM/VWV/PIA6
-Antique)
By: Vicente W. Villavert
ILOILO CITY, June 17 (PIA6) - - The search begins for outstanding overseas Filipino worker (OFW) families who will represent
Western Visayas in the Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) 2014, Parangal sa Matatag na Pamilyang OFW.
T he Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration Region 6 is now
accepting nominations for the
award which intends to honor the
sacrifices and contributions of Filipino
migrants abroad to the Philippine
economy, among others.
Groups such as Non Governmental
Organizations (NGOs), People‟s
Organ iz a t ions (POs) , re l i g ious
o rgan i z a t ions , commun i t y -based
socio-civic associations, and Local
Government Units (LGU) can nominate
an OFW in the award‟s two categories -
landbased category and sea based
category.
Winners in each category will be the
region‟s bet for the national level of the
search.
The nomination criterion includes the
following qualifications: a) The family
should be headed by an Overseas Filipino
Worker (OFW), land based, formerly or
presently working abroad with a formal or
informal contract of employment or work
permit and with proof of OWWA
membership; b) The OFW, either married
or single, should be the head of the family
and has at least four (4) years work
experience as an OFW; c) The OFW
family is known as solid/stable family in the
locality; d) Financially stable.
The selection process is anchored on
the following criteria: 50 % focuses on
Wholesome OFW Family which exudes
constancy of positive communication
leading to emotional connection, support
and ma i n t en an ce , sh a r in g o f
responsibilities among OFW family
members and psycho-social maturity of
ch i ldren; 20% Civic/Community
Involvement of OFW and Family; 20%
success in OFW and/or Family member/s
education or profession; and 10% success
in Managing Family Finances.
For further details about the award,
those interested can visit OWWA
Regional Office 6 at Robinsons Place, De
Leon Street, Iloilo City with contact
n u m b e r s ( 0 3 3 ) 3 3 7 4 4 8 4 o r
5091075. (JCM/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)
Search for WV outstanding OFW families begins
By: Lilibeth A. French
WV hospitals all set for rainy season
ILOILO CITY, June 19 (PIA6) --- With the rainy season already here, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas
said that DOH-retained hospitals are all set to respond to people‘s health needs and to various emergency situations that may
occur.
F lor Lynn Gallardo, DOH-6 Health
Emergency Management Staff
(HEMS) Coordinator said that
personnel, logistics, medical supplies,
facilities, and adequate measures are in
place to manage emergency situations
during the rainy season.
“Medical supplies for dengue,
leptospirosis and other rainy season
diseases are available in hospitals and rural
health units. The hospitals are also
equipped with adequate IV fluids and
oresols,” she said. She said that the
hospital personnel have been adequately
trained on Basic Life Support (BLS) and
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
(ACLS) for the urgent treatment of
cardiac arrest, stroke and other
life-threatening medical emergencies.
In terms of disaster preparedness, the
DOH off ic ia l sa id that whi le
DOH-retained hospitals are prepared to
respond to these situations, there is still a
need to update and upgrade the facilities
and equipment.
“We also need to constantly update
our personnel on how to answer to
different scenarios and a re-training on
how to respond to emergency cases
during disasters,” she explained.
She also said that they are planning to
create response teams in the region and
to further strengthen and update the
already active response teams in hospitals
both the DOH-retained and private.
She added that DOH-6 is also slated
to conduct activities for the National
Disaster Consciousness Month this July.
(JSC/LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)
By: Leonard T. Pineda I
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, June 16 (PIA) --- Government agencies are now on their toes preparing for the onset of the El Nino
phenomenon.
Government agencies prepare for El Nino
I n today‟s media briefing on Climate
Change, government agencies that are
some of those at the forefront in dealing
with the El Nino phenomenon laid out their
respective mitigating plans.
Joel Elumba, Department of Agriculture (DA
-7) Research and Regulations chief said his agency
is now in the process of consolidating the plans
and coming up with a supplemental budget that
will deal solely with the weather phenomenon.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
foresees the El Nino phenomenon to occur in the
last few months of this year.
According to Elumba they are already
advising all DA units and the farmers to apply
buffer stocking on drought resistance seeds.
These include high value crops like corn,
cassava and sweet potato (camote).
They also encourage farmers to implement
alternate plants and crops like vegetables mongo
and squash after a rice harvest.
But most importantly, Elumba said they are
strengthening the feedback mechanism from the
field to their agency.
In terms of livestock, Elumba stressed the
practice of good animal husbandry,
supplementation of minerals in feeds that has
anti-stress capabilities and forage preservation.
The National Irrigation Authority on the
other hand partnered with DA in advising farmers
what to plant depending on the availability of
water supply.
“We also encourage downstream farmers
not to plant rice yet but go for melons, mongo
and other vegetables,” according to Norma
Monisit of NIA7.
There will also be cementing and cleaning up
of irrigation canals. Monisit however assured that
water levels in all 11 major dams in the region has
not reached an alarming state as of this time.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources 7 revealed they were the first to have
submitted an El Nino mitigation supplemental
budget amounting to P7.5 million.
Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD),
assured they also have a mitigating plan in case
drought will come and will not pass on additional
costs to the consumers.
Charmaine Kara, MCWD IO said, for now
they have no problem with groundwater
supply which covers 80 percent of MCWD‟s
consumers.
Only affected are the 20 percent surface
water which for now is filled up with savings from
the groundwater production.
Today was the first media briefing of the
Climate Change advocacy campaign partnered by
PIA and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).
Other key government agencies will be given
a chance to air their respective actions in dealing
with climate change. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)
BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
LARENA, Siquijor, June 20 (PIA)--Who says environmental effort isn‘t cool? In fact, it‘s the ―in‖ thing today.
Work, have fun to launch 'Green Line Siquijor' project on June 24
“ It‟s work and fun,” enthuses Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources
Officer Moreno Tagra as he invites all
Siquijodnons to join in the launching of Green
Line Siquijor Project on June 24 at Dumanjug,
Siquijor, Siquijor.
Picnics, swimming and revelries will take
place following the tree planting to also
celebrate the feast St. John the Baptist.
Some 1,000 saplings of different varieties
will be planted in the whole stretch of barangay
Dumanjug which include “Bitaug” and “Langin”
along shorelines, “Talisay” in the beach areas
and fruit trees landwards.
We make it on June 24 so that after
planting, participants will have fun swimming
and enjoying the barangay‟s beautiful beach
front, says Tagra. The project, he said is piloted
in Dumanjug because aside from its “really
good” beach front, its women‟s association is
strong that is seen to be capable of managing
and sustaining the project.
He said 'Green Line Siquijor' will not only
enhance beauty but will also establish
shoreline, protect the place and its locals from
storm surge, promote historical significance of
the island and brings micro climate
improvement as a whole.
We hope to involve students, schools,
companies, government and non-government
organisations so that eventually the whole
province of Siquijor will be lined up with trees,
he said.(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)
BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
BOHOL, June 17 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) dares tourism stakeholders to make a guest‘s fun experience as
unforgettable through seamless organization and networking as well as hassle-free vacation.
DOT dares tourism stakeholders to make PHL vacation more fun
BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU
“ Ensure that your visitor will have an
unforgettable fun experience,” urges
Department of Tourism Assistant
Secretary Benito Bengzon at the Regional
Association of Development Information
Officers-7 (RADIO-7) and tourism officers
First Information Summit at Hotel Elizabeth in
Cebu June 9-11, 2014.
Bengzon, who sits at the DOT market
development group, revealed that the country
has made a significant head way in tourism in
the past months, because of the newly
incorporated fun component in the Philippine
tourism campaigns.
He cited visitor arrivals reaching 4.7
million this year, at a noble 10% increase
despite the calamities, making revenues of
about $5 M to the Philippine economy.
This he claimed, is even when the figures
do not include domestic travelers, who had a lesser coverage.
Domestic travel still reached 45
million which represents the movement of
Filipinos over the country, and this
collected a figure larger than 8-9 times over
foreign revenues, the young tourism official
retorted.
Tourism has also become one of Central
Visayas and Bohol‟s key economic engines, one
which has the capacity to better local
economic conditions.
“The great year for tourism,” according to
Bengzon, “is attributed largely to „It‟s More
Fun‟ campaign which has captured the world
imagination.”
The incorporation of the fun component
in a Philippine vacation has captured the
imagination of the world, created a buzz
and led to the country‟s citations and
recognitions as among the best destinations in
the world. It has to be fun, he stressed. But,
somewhere reality tells that there‟s going to be
one sucker who would pull out a fast one, for a
quick and easy money, leaving tourists
shortchanged and feeling badly about the
deals.
To them, Bengzon said, “The industry
spends billions of pesos for promotions, only
to be ruined by a driver pulling a fast one, or
when the air-conditioning unit conks out, this
leaves a bland experience,” the tourism official
added.
“What we want is for tourists to
experience how warm the Philippine
experience is,” he urged. Bengzon challenged
information and tourism officers to help spread
the word about the Philippines in their
news and blogs, handle crisis information
properly by keeping positive but balanced news
and getting the word out quickly, to continue
the tourism industry‟s edge in the country. 1(mbcn/RAHC/PIA7-Bohol)
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, June 17 (PIA) --- The government‘s massive forest rehabilitation program has not only helped grow more trees in
the country but also alleviated poverty among members of the people‘s organizations (POs) in upland communities.
NGP helps alleviate poverty – DENR
In a recent Kapihan sa PIA held to mark
June as Environment Month, Eduardo Inting
of the Forest Management Services of
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR-7) said that the National
Greening Program (NGP) has helped
parents in POs send their children to
school.
“When we monitor the project, some
of them told us that they‟ve sent their
children to college because of it (NGP),”
cited Inting.
Through planting trees, members of
people‟s organizations can earn monthly at
around P150 to P200 per day.
DENR has assigned POs to safeguard
tree plantation sites under the NGP.
Inting also said there are already
126,000 jobs organized for members of POs
in the entire region.
Their income will depend on the kind of
work they do, he said.
Claimants must be a member of a
registered PO and should participate in the
program such as monitoring the planting of
trees.
NGP was first rolled out in February
2011 under Executive Order No. 26 of Pres.
Benigno C. Aquino III with the aim of 1.5
million hectares of tree plantation
nationwide for six years. (rmn/Visame
Arellano, PIT intern/PIA-Cebu)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, June 18 (PIA) -- If US President Barack Obama funds almost $1billion in the campaign
to win the combat on climate change, an officer of the communications group of the Aquino administration believes that
extreme weather condition is best cope through the Bayanihan spirit, a Filipino tradition displaying the spirit of unity and
cooperation.
U sec Jose Mari Oquiñena of the
P r e s i den t i a l C o mm un i c a t i o n
O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e
(PCOO) concurrently Director General of the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and also
serves as executive director of the Gawad
Kalinga Community Development Foundation
believed winning the campaign on climate
change calls for a collective effort saying “ a
collective wrong can only be corrected by
doing a collective right”.
Oquiñena said the campaign does not all
depend on money but by sharing of resources
and being united in the movement against
climate change.
“We must make this movement our life‟s
mission,” Oquiñena said to information and
tourism officers who attended the 21st RADIO
-7(Regional Association Development
In format ion Of f i cers ) consu lt at i ve
conference in Cebu, as he called on them to
share information that will lead to inspire the
public.
The RADIO-7 convention banners the
theme “Relevant Information: A Tool for
Sustainable Development in Tourism,
E n v i r o n m e n t a n d D i s a s t e r
Preparedness,” where more than 100 public
information officers and tourism officers in
Central Visayas attended in Cebu City
recently.
Oquiñena has seen how the Bayanihan
spirit successfully worked for the Gawad
Kalinga movement, where he is fully involved
in alleviating poverty and providing of homes to
thousands of homeless families in the
Philippines and abroad through the power of
unity and cooperation. Philippines is considered
to be one of the countries is that
vulnerable of the effects of climate change of
which Negros Oriental suffered much during
typhoon Sendong landed on December 17,
2011.
It may be recalled, the strength of
typhoon Sendong affected more than 3,000
families and left over 30 reportedly dead.
The tropical storm then also caused
damaged to properties, infrastructures,
irrigation canals, farms and agricultural crops
which cost over P730 million.
With the series of advocacy campaigns, it
is said it may convince communities to adapt
and mitigate the effects of climate change and
insulate communities from the impacts of
weather changes and patterns. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7
-Negros Oriental with reports from Des A.
Tilos/PIO-Valencia)
BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
DG Oquiñena: Climate change best cope thru
Bayanihan spirit
CEBU CITY, June 16 (PIA) – The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) launches the
nationwide Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) 2014 in recognition of the selfless dedication and contributions of Filipino
individuals and organizations in helping local communities contribute to nation-building through acts of ―volunteerism.‖
M ain objective of the SOV is to highlight
the exemplary performance and
dedication to service of Filipino
volunteers in helping people and communities
and recognize the role of volunteerism in
development and nation-building.
There are two types and categories of the
search namely the Volunteer Lifetime
Achievement Award (VLAA) and the National
Outstanding Volunteer Award (NOVA).
Under the VLAA, this is conferred to an
individual or organization for consistent and
outstanding volunteer service and whose
achievement is regarded as an inspiration and
role model in the field of volunteerism.
The NOVA on the other hand, is given to
any individual or organization for outstanding
volunteer service that has made a significant
contribution to uplifting the lives of people and
communities served.
According to the PNVSCA, a Special
Citation in Volunteerism will also be conferred
to recognize volunteering efforts and/or
support to volunteerism by an individual, group
or organization that do not qualify under the
regular SOV categories but which are deemed
equally meritorious in accomplishment.
Qualified to be nominated for the SOV
are individuals of Filipino citizenship and
organizations currently providing assistance in
the Philippines such as Filipino or local chapters
of international non-profit organizations and
foreign or international corporate
organizations.
The Regional Search Committees (RSCs)
are constituted to proactively search and
nominate qualified candidates to the award and
may accept nominations from other individuals
and organizations.
Nomination forms may be downloaded at
www. pnvsca.gov.ph or may be obtained
from the PNVSCA, Regional Offices of the
National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA), Regional Planning and
Development Offices in Autonomous Region in
Mindanao.
The completed nomination forms must be
submitted to the respective RSC that covers
the area where the volunteer or volunteer
organization is based.
Deadline for submission of completed
nomination forms to the RSC must be on or
before July 15, 2014. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7 with
reports from Kristal Eduyan, PIT-intern)
Search on for Outstanding Filipino Volunteers 2014
BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
DBP SMEs loans window now open in Eastern
Visayas
O n June 11, Erwinlyn Velasco of
DBP Tacloban and DBP-Samar
Manager Herbert Achay talked
to more than 50 SMEs operating in the
City of Calbayog.
We are ready to extend loans to
those who have collateral and those who
do not have assets, says Velasco.
“If you really don‟t have any asset,
then let us talk about it, come to us, we
will see what we can do,” said Velasco.
“We are committed to helping SMEs,”
he said.
However, Achay said that the
bank does a very thorough
processing and reasonable time before
the fund release to ensure that everything
is clear and transparent.
“We urge you to tell us everything, so
we can help you,” the young manager told
the SMEs operators.
The DBP team said that it can grant
loans from Php150,000.00 to Php200 M
for those in need.
The SME center is open in Zamora
Street, Tacloban City but other branches
like those in Catbalogan, Catarman and
Borongan have been asked to accept
applications.
One of those who attended, Baby
Luciano who operates an upholstery shop
and a barber shop said she did not regret
coming to attend the SME Roving
Academy as she learned how to get fresh
funding for her business.
The entrepreneurs also learned a
great deal about registration with the
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) , issuing
receipts and invoices.
Also present was Food and Drug
(FDA) in charge Eugenia Castillote who
talked about licenses to operate for SMEs
in the food business.
DTI Meilo Macabare said that the
SME roving academy is one of the
go ve rnmen t ‟ s s t r a t e g i e s t o
realize “inclusive growth, which means
that economic gains should be felt by
everyone.
With the infusion of fresh capital
for the SMEs who in turn employ
people, DTI hopes that the SMEs can
truly usher inclusive growth. (NBQ/PIA
8-Samar)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, June 17 (PIA)—Small and Medium Enterprises in Eastern Visayas needing additional capital or
funds can now rely on an SMEs Loans Window at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
‗Operation‘ puts smiles on 52 indigents
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, June 12 (PIA) – More or less 50 indigent individuals from this city will now smile their life
through, after the 50-member team of Operation Smile Medical Mission (OSI) granted them free surgical operations.
L ed by Mr. James Reid, International
OSI Coordinator, the patients were
granted free nose, palate and lip
repairs at the Provincial Hospital.
In the Send-Off Party tendered to
them today by Governor Conrado Nicart,
Jr., Mr. Reid said they are happy to extend
help to “Yolanda” affected communities
and happier still when they saw people
crowd near them to get enlisted for the
operations.
He mentioned that they are happy to
perform free services particularly to poor
provinces like Eastern Samar.
Dr. Jessica informed also that the
Medical Mission, most of them Americans,
came on their own expense including their
accommodation at the Do?a Vicente
Hotel where they stayed for a week.
In his message, the very young OSI
Coordinator, Mr. Reid, candidly
mentioned the many challenges they
faced in their mission, including the air
conditioning units that they had to buy on
their own.
But, they were able to overcome
those difficulties through their sheered
cooperation. Mr. Levi Nicart, who
resented Governor Conrado Nicart
thanked the visiting doctors. According to
the former Nicart, the mission‟s output
will surely leave an unforgettable print in
the lives of some indigent patients, as he
wished them for a safe travel back home
and good luck in their future medical
missions.
“We hope this will not be the first
and last mission that you will conduct in
our province as we project an improved
hospital facilities in your next Operation
Smile Medical Mission in our place”, the
Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Officer said. The project was made
possible by the Borongan Diocese through
focal person Ms. Marly Cenera, in
coordination of the provincial local
government unit(PGO).(GTT/AEN/
PIA-Eastern Samar)
Northern Samar marks 49th Founding Anniversary
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, June 16 (PIA) – A four-day series of events will mark this year‘s 49th anniversary celebration of
the foundation of the province of Northern Samar.
T he celebration highlights its theme
“One province, One People:
Reshaping the Future through
CHANGE.” This almost-weeklong
-celebration will kick off with the opening
of Agri-Eco-Tourism Exhibit at Sacred
Heart Plaza, Solidarity Lunch at Ibabao
Hall and Founding Anniversary Flag Raising
at Capitol Lobby.
Vice Governor Gary M. Lavin,
chairman of the Executive Committee for
the 49thFounding Anniversary said that
the celebration is designed to highlight
Norte Samareños culture and arts aimed
at promoting Northern Samar as the next
socio-cultural and eco-tourism hub in the
region.
Activities include the 1st Northern
Samar Festivals Parade and competition,
4-day Agri-Eco-Tourism exhibit and
competitions, drum and bugle corps
competition, Miss Northern Samar
2014 pageant and coronation and cultural
night.
On the big day, as it coincides with
the birthdate of the provincial governor
Jose L. Ong, there will be a motorcade to
start the day, followed by a thanksgiving
Mass at the Ibabao Hall. A brunch with
lingap kids at PSWD Lingap Center will be
shared with after the mass.
The evening is slated for a cultural
night at Catarman Freedom Park and the
launching of the 50th year come 2015.
Northern Samar was part of the
Samar province until it became an
autonomous province by virtue of
Republic Act No. 4221, approved on June
19, 1965. (PIA8-Northern Samar)
By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante
By: Alicia E. Nicart
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
ABU , CCJD hold consultation meeting on
DRR in Tacloban
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 16 (PIA) – A two-day Consultation Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction was conducted at Ritz
Tower de Leyte Hotel, this city.
T he activity entitled “Continuing
Conversations on Emergency
C o m m u n i c a t i o n s . . Wo r k i n g
Together for Disaster Risk Reduction”
brought together representatives from
various national government agencies,
local disaster management agencies,
Philippine Red Cross, Non Government
Organizations working with local
communities and the local media.
Held last June 16 and 17, the
consultation was aimed at finding out the
missing links, lapses and gaps in
c o m m u n i c a t i o n s b e tw e e n t h e
stakeholders in emergency warning
dissemination.
Various topics were discussed during
the two-day interactions. On Day 1,
participants shared lessons learned from
emergency warnings, from the media and
community groups, thereby bridging the
gaps in communications.
Rusell Isaac, an independent
consultant who has been in the Broadcast
Industry for 35 years, shared international
good practices on emergency warnings
and discussed some aspects of effective
communication in emergency situations
and disaster risk reduction on the second
day.
Meanwhile, Natalie Lieva of Asia
Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)
discussed some pointers on working with
the communities to deliver timely,
accurate and understandable messages.
One of the recommendations
gathered from the participants was the
conduct of trainings and workshops for
communicators in efforts to enhance
knowledge in communication particularly
on disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM). This will be further
discussed at the national level.
The event was co-organized by
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and
Center for Community Journalism and
Development (CCJD), the lead
convenor of the Disaster Risk
Reduct ion Network Ph i l ipp ines
(DRRNetPhils.) and sponsored by ESCAP.
(GTT/CBA/PIA-8)
South Leyte NGO leads planting of rootcrops for animal feeds
BRGY. MAHAYAHAY, BONTOC, Southern Leyte, June 17 (PIA) -- A locally-organized non-government organization (NGO)
initiated a massive planting of rootcrops, like cassava, camote, and corn, which will be used later on as raw materials for the
production of feeds for a piggery project across the province.
L ast Sunday, officials of the Southern
Leyte Socio-Economic Development,
I n c . ( SOL SE D) w a t c he d a s
farmer-partners planted camote and cassava
in a one-hectare lot owned by the Gawad
Kalinga village located by the roadside in a
rolling hill in this interior barangay.
Also watching the initial planting were
Amy Aleco, Punong Barangay of Mahayahay
and ABC Municipal Federation of Bontoc
town, and Cong. Damian Mercado, one of
the main founders of SOLSED.
In December 2013, SOLSED began a
province-wide swine-raising project in
Hinundayan with 100 piglets distributed to
twenty beneficiaries.
In April this year, the pioneering hog
raisers of Hinundayan successfully sold their
grown pigs to SOLSED in a “first harvest”
ceremony, in which Cong. Mercado foresaw
the planting of rootcrop materials soon to
be processed into feeds, so that costs on
commercial feeds can be reduced.
That vision was realized Sunday, June
15, 2014. During the program launching the
feed stuff production, Cong. Mercado
assured that the farmers‟ fruit of their labor
will be bought by SOLSED at a higher price
than what is prevailing in the market.
The raw products of corn, cassava, and
camote will then be brought to the feedmill
plant in barangay Rizal, Maasin City, to be
processed into various finished products of
animal feeds, for chicken and pigs, among
others, and will be sold to farmers at a
lower price than those sold by commercial
outlets, Mercado said.
He challenged the crop partners to take
good care of the plants as their own, and
insure a bountiful harvest in three to four
months‟ time, so they can have extra income
for their families.
Dudu Cobarub ias , Prov inc ia l
Veterinarian who is closely coordinating
with SOLSED, said that Bontoc was chosen
as the pilot site planting inputs for feedstuffs
due to its wide space, the rolling hills in its
countryide.
In barangay Mahayahay, Cobarubias said
some 12 hectare of open, idle lands were
already assessed for use in the feed stuff
production, and about half of these assessed
lands were already plowed using a tractor
lent by the municipal government, which
budgeted P 150,000.00 to support the
SOLSED initiative.
The launching program was also
attended by municipal official led by Mayor
King Ruales and an expert Consultant on
Agriculture from UP Los Banos, Laguna, in
the person of Pons Batugal, who is the
adviser in the new office of former Senator
Kiko Pangilinan. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)
By: Marcelo M. Pedalino
By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON
Hundreds flock to DOLE‘s jobs fair
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 16 (PIA) – Hundreds of applicants from different parts of Eastern Visayas flocked to the office
of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Tacloban, City for the jobs fair during the Independence Day
celebration.
DOLE Region 8 Director Exequiel
Sarcauga said that out of 746 total
number of registered applicants,
327 were considered quali f ied
but only 14 were hired on the spot,
the rest were scheduled for further
interview.
Sarcauga also said that the purpose
of the activity was to give jobseekers
the opportunities to find jobs as they wish
for.
More than 5, 000 job opportunities
local and abroad were made available
during the one day activity.
The jobs fair on Independence Day
was the 6th jobs fair in the region
conducted by DOLE after typhoon
Yolanda. (GTT/CBA/PIA-8)
By: Consuelo B. Alarcon
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its
main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
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suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail [email protected].
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: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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