one visayas e-newsletter vol 5 issue 47
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 5 Issue 47 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 November 23 - 29, 2015
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Samar lad wins National Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary Child
DENR-6 exceeds mangrove, beach forest target
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Special drug court judge pushes for distribution of Cebuano info materials
By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
DUMAGUETE CITY, November 23 (PIA) – A special drug
court judge here suggested that government agencies concerned
with drug prevention to produce information materials related to
drug abuse and translate them into Cebuano language for better
public understanding.
Special drug court branch 36 Judge Joseph Elmaco made the
suggestion during a recent Kapihan Sa PIA in observance of the
Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week.
―I think it is high time to review our approaches whether it is
effective,‖ he said.
Judge Elmaco underscored that people in the barangays
would be more informed on the ill-effects of drug abuse as well as
the laws related to it if these are relayed in the local language.
He shared that he made a Cebuano translation of R.A. 9165
and its rules two years ago and presented it to the city government
for reproduction but he did not get a response from them.
But now, he is open to collaborating with government
agencies concerned with drug control and prevention for
reproduction of his translation of the said law as well as in
formulating other information materials in Cebuano language.
Aside from this, Judge Elmaco also encouraged government
agencies to install billboards in barangay halls that state the general
provisions of R.A. 9165 which is also translated into Cebuano.
―The point there is the massive education campaign so that
the people who will be apprehended in the future cannot tell us
they are not informed,‖ he added.
In response to this, Negros Oriental Drug Abuse and
Prevention Council (NORDAPC) Action Officer Fernando Martinez
said the council welcomes the suggestion of Judge Elmaco.
Martinez said the council has funds for the production
of information materials and they could probably first distribute
information materials in Dumaguete City.
For the part of the law enforcement, Sr. Supt. Dionardo
Carlos, OIC and provincial director of the Negros Oriental
Provincial Police Office also welcomes the suggestion of Judge
Elmaco.
He made a commitment to assign police personnel that will
help distribute these materials but he also underscored the role of
community stakeholders in strengthening this advocacy campaign.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies here gave an update on
the drug situation in Negros Oriental as well as in its capital,
Dumaguete City.
According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
intelligence and investigation officer Francisfil Tangeres, there are
about 111 drug-affected barangays in the province and majority of
them are classified as moderately affected barangays.
The top two illegal drugs commonly circulating in the
province is Methamphetamine hydrochloride or ‗shabu‘,
followed by cannabis sativa or ‗marijuana.‘
However, he reported that there are no verified reports of
drug manufacturing in the province and the supply of drugs comes
from Manila, Muntinlupa City, Cebu and Mindanao.
In Dumaguete City, Police Inspector Luis Lacandula of
Dumaguete City police office said they were able to arrest 19 drug
pushers and 13 drug users in the city from July to October this
year.
Lacandula added that the total amount of confiscated shabu in
the city for the said period is 330.80 grams with the monetary value
of P3, 903, 444. On the other hand, the total amount of confiscated
marijuana in the city is 58.84 grams.
He added that the city police was able to conduct 28 police
operations and 10 buy bust operations in the said period this year.
(mbcn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
NINFA B. QUIRANTE
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, November 24 (PIA) - Jake
Lere Boyles, a Grade 8 student from Barangay Tigdaranao, T
arangnan, Samar is the grand winner in the national search for
exemplary children.
This was relayed by Catbalogan City Link Richard Peru in a
text message.
A week earlier, Peru and Boyles‘ mother Armida were guests
at PIA-Samar Huruhimangraw (Conversation) radio program
which featured them and other model families from the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Boyles‘ mother, who cooks and sells food for a living shared
then that her son was soon leaving for Manila to represent Eastern
Visayas in the contest.
The young Boyles is a Grade 8 student of Tarangnan National
High School, whose principal Teotimo Gososo has hailed the child
as a model student.
Armida said she has seven children who are all ‗good in
school,‘ with the young Boyles on top of his elementary grades and
now belongs to the Top Ten students in the high school.
―He brought home a trophy, pictures and many stories about
his adventure in the big city,‖ Armida shared through the telephone.
Though she does not know yet the details like prizes and
other tokens, her son bringing home the recognition is enough for
this mother who labored with her fisherman-husband to send all
seven kids to school.
As a member of the Pantawid Pamilya, the family has always
complied with the conditions set by the program and expressed
hopes that the clamor to institutionalize the program gains merit
―It is not just for ourselves, as we will soon graduate from
the program, but for young people like my son Jake Lere, so that
they will be given an opportunity to rise above poverty.‖ she added.
(nbq/PIA 8-Samar)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
By Leonard T. Pineda I
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA6) --- The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 has exceeded by 2.6
percent its mangrove and beach forests plantation target in
Western Visayas.
DENR-6 said it has achieved a total of 102.66 percent
accomplishment in terms of plantation establishment or a total of
2,820 hectares from its target of 2,747 hectares under the
Mangrove and Beach Forest Development Project (MBFDP).
The MBFDP is a component program under the National
Greening Program (NGP) aimed at strengthening the coastal areas
in the country.
The project is both a rehabilitation and reconstruction
project for disaster launched in mid-2014 after super
typhoon ―Yolanda‖ hit the country on Nov. 8, 2013.
No less than President Benigno Aquino III has commissioned
the project, who looks forward to a more Climate Change resilient
Philippines in the future.
In Region 6, coastal areas in Northern Iloilo, Capiz, Antique,
Aklan, portion of Guimaras and Negros Occidental were badly hit
by Yolanda. DENR buildings and structures in the these provinces
were also damaged by the typhoon.
The event highlighted the need to reforest thousands of
hectares of denuded coastal and beach forests in the country.
―The guardians of the coasts – the mangroves and beach
forests – have the strength to protect our coastal communities
from the devastating effects of extreme weather events,‖ said
DENR-6 Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna.
He added that after Yolanda, DENR-6 had acted first
by assessing and validating the damages and afterwards, started
identifying coastal sites to be rehabilitated by each province.
The following were the target areas for mangrove and beach
forest development: Aklan – 319 hectares; Antique – 200 hectares,
Capiz – 488 hectares; Guimaras – 350 hectares, Iloilo – 1,080
hectares; and Negros Occidental – 1,030 hectares.
DENR 6 is actively implementing both the NGP and MBFDP
which help to reforest the upland, coastal, urban and mangrove
areas in the region. (JCM/DENR/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Ma. Francesca Santiago of the University of St. La Salle
Integrated School, Bacolod City shows the certificate
and medal she received as a special recognition from
PIA-6 for having been cited by President Benigno S.
Aquino III, for her article ―The Blame Game‖ published
in the Young Blood Section of The Philippine Daily
Inquirer, August 21 2015 issue, during the College
Press Conference held recently at the Kapis Mansions,
Roxas City, Capiz. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
Rupert Ambil of Rappler discussing disaster
communication, the value of information
gathering thru social media in times of
disasters. "First step to rescuing people is
giving information," he said. Mr. Ambil is one
of the resource persons during the first day of
2015 PIA Infocen Managers Conference at
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas central office in
Manila.
Sir Eugenio delos Reyes and Melyn Godin
enriched today's edition of Tingog han
Kagurangan. The duo said that out of the 1.5
M hectares to be planted, some 25 thousand
ha is alloted to Samar or only 2% of the whole
project. The target this year has been
achieved.
Jake Lere Boyles, from Tarangnan, Western Samar, was declared
grand winner of the 2015 National Pantawid Pamilya Exemplary
Child. (DSWD Photo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
Coffee production in Capiz given push
By Alex A. Lumaque
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 24 (PIA6) – A planning workshop to develop the local coffee industry will be conducted by the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Provincial Office on Nov. 27 at the MVW Restaurant and Tourist Inn here.
T he activity will be participated in
by the top coffee producing
munic ipa l i t ies o f Dumarao,
Dumalag, Tapaz, Jamindan and Mambusao.
The town of Panit-an will also join the
group because of the 90-hectare coconut-
intercropped-with-coffee project implement-
ed by the Philippine Coconut Authority
(PCA) in the municipality.
The workshop seeks to identify the
issues, concerns and problems besetting the
industry and the strategies and interventions
needed to address them.
DTI has announced it will tandem with
the Office of the Provincial Agriculture to re
-establish coffee as one of the important
economic crops of the province.
DTI provincial director Ermelinda
Pollentes said a survey of existing growers
and plantations will be conducted to
determine who and where the location of
industry players are.
―A Provincial Cluster Group will also be
organized to serve as a catalytic link
between the technology service providers
and industry stakeholders,‖ Pollentes
stressed.
Other significant partners include
Department of Agriculture, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, PCA
and Nestle Philippines.
Coffee and coffee processing are
being considered as a potential agricultural
commodity and agribusiness venture in the
province, respectively.
It is among the province‘s major crops
along with palay, corn, coconut, sugarcane,
cassava, banana and peanut, among others.
(JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)
Organic Congress gets 12M funding from DA-NIR
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 25 (PIA6) – The Department of Agriculture – Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) has released P 12
million as counterpart budget for the 12th National Organic Agricultural Congress which will be held at the SMX Convention
Center, Bacolod City, November 25-27.
J oyce Wendam, Technical Director for
Research and Regulation for DA-NIR,
said some 1, 500 participants of the
congress from all over the country will be
subsidized.
A total of 150 slots will be for free for
participants in the Negros Island Region, 100
from Negros Occidental and 50 from Ne-
gros Oriental.
―This is a case of Public-Private
Partnership because they are involving the
organic sector, private sectors in the
province, the academe, implementing
partners, national government agencies, the
provincial government and the local
government units,‖ Wendam added.
More or less 1, 500 participants who
are being subsidized by DA-NIR will
join small farmers to attend the
congress because there will be new learnings
and additional knowledge, she added.
The participants of the congress are
divided into three groups: beginners –those
who are interested in venturing into organic
agriculture, will be oriented of the organic
farming system; researchers – involves the
academe wherein the research results will
be disseminated to stakeholders; and
participants for the marketing side of the
congress.
Meanwhile, DA-NIR has a counterpart
budget of 500,000 for the Organic
Festival Week slated November 25-29
at the Provincial Capitol Grounds,
Bacolod City. (JCM/CBA/PIA6-Negros
Occidental)
By Carlson B. Alelis
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA6) - - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 6 (BFAR 6) is stepping up efforts on
information, education and communication campaign on Republic Act No.10654, a new law which amended the Philippine
Fisheries Code.
BFAR steps up campaign on amended fisheries code
Lilibeth A. French
R A 10654, an act to prevent,
deter, and eliminate Illegal,
Unreported and Unregulated
Fishing (IUUF), amending RA No. 8550,
otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries
Code of 1998, became a law in February this
year.
―With the passage of RA 10654,
we will be having our IEC campaign so
that we will be able to inform and
disseminate information of what the law
is about‖, said Director Remia Aparri of
BFAR 6.
The IEC campaign is part of an action
plan created and implemented by the bureau
which includes activities such as distribution
of materials and the conduct of fora to
orient the stakeholders especially in the
fishery sector on the salient features and
provisions of the amended Fisheries Code.
The law focuses on making people
aware of the various types of IUUF and what
disadvantages it could bring. It also addresses
high seas fishing and imposes higher fines and
a wide array of accompanying administrative
penalties. Furthermore, the law empowers
BFAR to ensure enforcement of regulatory
measures.
The imp lementa t ion o f the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the
Amended Fisheries Code covers specific
procedures on how to impose the penalties
to fisher folk who committed unlawful
fishing activities.
Fifty percent of the fines, penalties and
proceeds shall be allocated to the area
where the violation was committed.
Aparri said with the continuous act of
IUUF, the bureau will also continue to
develop ways to prevent illicit acts through
capacitating its monitoring and control and
surveillance group.
―Here in Western Visayas we are still
facing many challenges, continuous illegal
fishing, intrusion of commercial fishing
operations in the municipal waters and
increasing population in the coastal
community who are dependent on fishing,‖
said Aparri.
She said BFAR is counting on the
partnership between its stakeholders that
include the private sector, the academe,
government agencies, the fisheries sector
and the general public to work hand in
hand to protect the marine and aquatic
resources.
―BFAR cannot do this alone, we need
cooperation from other concerned agencies
to help us manage and conserve our fishery
resources,‖ said Aparri. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 23(PIA)—The Department of Education said construction of additional classrooms for K to 12 in Iloilo
province is ongoing and will be completed by June next year.
E ducation Supervisor for School
Governance and Operations
Gi lbert So l idum sa id the
construction is being implemented by the
four engineering districts under the
Department of Public Works and Highways.
Funding for the classrooms came from
the DepEd central office and downloaded to
the DPWH.
Solidum said that there is an estimated
599 additional classrooms needed to
accommodate more or less 34,000 senior
high school students in the province.
―We expect these classrooms to be
completed and ready to accommodate
incoming senior high students, by June next
year,‖ Solidum said.
One hundred of the 176 public schools
in the province applied to accommodate
SHS.
On the other hand, 40 private high
schools have submitted their applications to
accommodate senior high schools and they
are being evaluated by the DepEd now.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Governor Arthur
Defensor, Sr. Said the province is not getting
any loan for the construction of the
additional classrooms as there is no threat
of classroom shortage. ―But should DepEd
not being able to shoulder the construction,
we are ready to secure a loan to fund the
construction,‖ Defensor said in a press
conference.(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
K to 12 classrooms finished by June 2016
Elsa Subong
KALIBO, Aklan, November 20 (PIA6) -- This year’s observance of the 18-Day Campaign to end Violence Against Women
(VAW) in Aklan from November 18 to December 12 is full of various significant activities laid out in a Calendar of Activities
identified by the Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC) during a recent meeting here.
T he observance of the 18-Day
Campaign to End VAW is pursuant
to Republic Act 10398 and
Proclamation No. 1172, series of 2006,
spearheaded by the Philippine Commission
on Women (PCW) in coordination with
other government member-agencies of the
Inter-Agency Council on VAW and Their
Children (IACVAWC).
Some of the activities to be held in the
duration of the campaign in Aklan had been
tried already while some are new ones.
Some of those which had been held
before include the conduct of the Men
Opposed to Violence Against Women and
their Children Everywhere (MOVE)
Congress, now on its 6th year; PESO Forum
Among Punong Barangays Part II, Search for
Best Barangay VAW Desk, Photo Contest,
and Kapihan Sa Aklan.
The new activities, on the other hand,
include the Launching of the Orange Icon on
November 25 at the Provincial Capitol
Lobby, Capability-Building Training for Social
Workers, Women and Children Protection
Desks (WCPD) and other Law Enforcement
Agencies in Handling Cases on Children
and PNP-WCPD Training on RA 10364, and
Gift-Giving in partnership with the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to 30
Victim-Survivors of VAW at the Aklan
Comprehensive Center for Women
(ACCW) – Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU)
on November 28.
The launching of the Orange Icon,
according to the PCW, involves having
landmarks in a given locality – which could
include historical places, statues, monuments
and buildings adorned with orange-colored
decorations. The PCW said the ―Orange
Your Icon‖ activity is in solidarity with the
United Nations‘ UNITE to End VAW
Campaign, and everyone is encouraged to be
creative as they decorate their icons with
orange flags, streamers, or banners, or even
use paints and orange spotlights especially at
night. Meanwhile, big cash prizes await Aklan
barangays which will be adjudged as having
Best Barangay VAW Desks. According to
AGADC, the first placer with get P30,000
while the second placer will get P20,000 and
the third, P10,000. Seven (7) barangays
located in different municipalities are vying
for this year‘s contest – which include
Barangays Ambolong (Batan), Linabuan Sur
(Banga), Pook (Kalibo), Laguinbanua East
(Numancia), Tagas (Tangalan), Banay-Banay
(Malinao) and Sta. Cruz (Lezo).
The contest is sponsored by the
Provincial Government of Aklan and the
Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG). Winners will be
awarded on December 11 at the GCLC
Tourism and Training Center in Old
Buswang, Kalibo, along with winners of the
photo contest.
This year‘s 18-Day Campaign Theme is
―End VAW Now! It‘s Our Duty! Gains and
Ways Forward‖. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
'Orange Icon' marks VAW campaign
By Venus G. Villanueva
3rd ID head thanks media support
ILOILO CITY, Nov. 25 (PIA6) – Major General Rey Leonardo Guerrero has moved from the Visayas to assume his new post as
Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) effective November 21, 2015.
T his was confirmed by Major Ray C.
Tiongson, Chief of the Division
Public Affairs Office of the 3rd
Infantry ―Spearhead‖ Division of the
Philippine Army based at Camp Peralta in
Jamindan, Capiz. Before assuming the post,
however, Gen. Guerrero took time
to express his gratitude to the members
of the private and government media
organizations in Western Visayas and
Negros Island Region during a recent
fellowship night here.
He handed in Certificates of
Appreciation to media practitioners
who attended the event ―in grateful
recognition of the unwavering support
extended during my stint as the
Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead)
Division, Philippine Army‖.
This support, according to Gen.
Guerrero, has contributed significantly
to the attainment of the Division‘s
peace, security and development thrusts,
programs and operations in Western and
Central Visayas.
―Our joint commitment to serve the
people and their communities have indeed
contributed in the attainment of the
objectives of the Internal Peace and
Security Plan ―Bayanihan‖ and the Army
Transformation Roadmap,‖ said Gen.
Guerrero, who served here from September
of last year. The assumption of Gen.
Guerrero during a turnover of command
held November 21 was led by Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen.
Hernando Delfin Carmelo A. Iriberri.
EastMinCom is based at Camp Panacan in
Davao City. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)
By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
NEGROS ORIENTAL, November 23 (PIA) -- Out of the 557 barangays in Negros Oriental, 111 are identified as moderately
drug affected according to Intelligence and Investigation Officer Francisfil Tangeres of the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency (PDEA), Negros Oriental based on its latest intelligence workshop with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
11 1 b a r a n g ay s i n N e g Or a re
moderately drug affected — PDEA
T angeres said that Dumaguete and Ne-
gros Oriental are considered as
crucial drop off of illegal drugs from
Manila, Cebu and Mindanao and transported
through land, sea and air.
Barely two months ago, a joint operation of
the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PDEA
and PNP confiscated shabu concealed in goods via
courier from Manila, Tangeres said.
Tangeres also confirmed that drug
personalities are now careful in operating in the
city streets and in other areas with the combined
efforts of PDEA, PNP and NBI in sustaining and
strengthening their operation.
Based on the latest apprehension
records in Negros Oriental, PDEA and PNP
confiscated 1,319.82 grams of shabu totaling P1.3
million, according to Tangeres.
PI Luis Lacandula of the City PNP reported
that they are into massive information campaign
in schools and barangays conducting lectures and
symposia against the use of illegal drugs.
Lacandula said the PNP continues its
operation in patrolling the streets, however, he
also believes that the best tool to minimize the
proliferation of illegal drugs is through education
with holistic family approach where parents plays
a vital role in ensuring that all members of the
family are not in any way, involved in illegal drugs.
On the other hand, PSSUPT. Dionard
Bernardo Carlos, OIC-Provincial Director of the
Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office
confirmed that the biggest challenge for PDEA
and PNP is to make the community in Dumaguete
City and Negros Oriental drug free.
Carlos further said that prevention is a
better option than conducting police operation
which is expensive and entails a lot of police
personnel.
The support of the community in
partnership with the family is the best solution in
preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs,
after all, the problem is not only the concern and
job of the police but the whole community as
well.
Attesting to the statement of PSSUPT Carlos
is Judge Joseph Elmaco of the Special Drug Court
Branch 30, when he confirmed that 80% of
persons jailed are drug related cases due to
poverty.
Elmaco explained that reproduction of
Cebuano version of the rules of law, RA 9165,
should be considered for distribution in barangays
and schools for them to understand the laws
governing illegal drugs and the consequences they
will be facing once they are caught.
To be more effective in the campaign,
Elmaco urged the local government units to tie up
with TESDA in making intervention through
livelihood skills training as an alternative source of
living especially for poor residents in the
barangays. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7/NegOr)
Leandria P. Pagunsan
MANILA, November 20 (PIA) -- Some 500 young leaders from all ten ASEAN nations, including 65 Filipino youth delegates
met U.S. President Barack Obama at a town hall meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
T his was part of the U.S. Department of
State‘s three-day 2015 Young
Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative
(YSEALI) Summit.
According to US Embassy Kurt Hoyer at the
town hall, youth delegates discussed with
President Obama the challenges facing
Southeast Asia and how young people can
work together across national borders to develop
solutions.
"While one voice can have a meaningful
impact on the world, the combination of 400
million youth voices across the ASEAN region can
have a transformative impact on the pressing
challenges of the day,‖ said Andy Rabens, Special
Adviser for Global Youth Issues for the U.S.
Department of State.
Rabens said ―Connecting youth voices across
the ASEAN region is part of the reason why
President Obama launched YSEALI in 2013 and
why the U.S government is hosting the YSEALI
Summit this week in Kuala Lumpur.
More than 50,000 people have signed up
online to be part of our YSEALI network,
demonstrating that there is huge interest among
young people in Southeast Asia in working
cooperatively to solve regional challenges."
The town hall was broadcasted live via
satellite beginning at 4 PM from Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
The 2015 Young Southeast Asian Leaders
Initiative (YSEALI) Summit, held November
19 – 22, is dubbed the largest gathering of the
State Department‘s YSEALI network to date.
At the summit, more than 40 experts from
the United States and ASEAN countries led the
training sessions, including private-sector leaders
from Accenture, AirAsia, Foundation, Coca-Cola,
Dell, IBM, Intel, LinkedIn, Malaysia Global Innova-
tion & Creativity Center (MaGIC), Microsoft,
Startup Malaysia, Techstars, Uber Malaysia, and
more, said Hoyer.
Launched by President Obama in 2013,
YSEALI creates opportunities for young ASEAN
leaders to engage with peers from around the
region to develop innovative, local solutions for
their generation‘s greatest regional challenges:
economic development, environmental
protection, civic engagement, and education.
YSEALI provides professional and academic
skills-building and opportunities to put those skills
into action through exchanges to the United
States, professional development workshops in
the region, online networking, and project seed
money.
Any ASEAN youth between the ages of 18
and 35 can join YSEALI for free at http://
yseali.state.gov.
Today, the YSEALI network engages nearly
50,000 ASEAN youth, including more than 7,000
Filipino young leaders.
Filipino delegates to the Summit were
comprised of bright young leaders, 18–35 years
old, who are winners of the YSEALI Seeds for the
Future grant competition, alumni of YSEALI
Academic and Professional Fellows exchanges to
the United States, or participants in regional
YSEALI Generation workshops. (mbcn/jct/
PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports from the US
US Pres. Obama meets Filipino youth leaders in Malaysia
BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
CEBU, November 19 (PIA) --- Cebu Province now has 2,689,717 registered voters as of October 31, 2015, says Atty. Marco
Lionel Castillano, COMELEC-Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor during the Association of Government Information Officers
(AGIO-7) forum recently.
Cebu has over 2.6M registered voters
C astillano, however, said that out of 2.6M
registered voters 74,110 are without
biometrics data. There are 2,607,668
registered voters with complete biometrics data
and 7,939 with incomplete biometrics data,
added Castillano.
The bulk of voters who have no biometrics
come from Mandaue City with 12,431, followed
by Toledo City with 8,639 and Cebu City 1st
District with 8,513.
He also explained that all these given data
are subject to change since there is still an
on-going verification of the registered voters by
the Election Registration Board in order to come
up with a final voter‘s list.
This year‘s registration increased from 4 to
6 percent compared to the period 2010 and 2013,
added Castillano. As of now, there is no advice
from COMELEC- Manila for the extension of
registration.
CO ME L E C - 7 a s s i s t a n t r e g i on a l
director Atty. Veronico Petalcorin encouraged
the public to be ―responsible citizens.‖
He said It is our responsibility to vote for
the right candidate for any position they are
running.
―Voters should be discerning in choosing
their leaders; they should vote not on the basis of
popularity or money but on the basis of
substance,‖ Petalcorin said. (mbcn/hfg/PIA7)
Hazel F. Gloria
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
NEGROS ORIENTAL, November 20 (PIA) – Twenty-two (22) barangays in Negros Oriental received an award and a cash
prize of about P200,000 recently as Outstanding Barangay Peace and Order Committees (BPOCs) and Outstanding Barangay
Tanod Teams (BTTs) this year in Dumaguete City.
T he lead agency, in cooperation with the
provincial government held this first-ever
search for outstanding BPOCs and
BTTs as part of its mission to strengthen
community-based mechanism in promoting public
safety and maintaining peace and order in the
province.
Provincial DILG director Dennis Quiñones
said this endeavor was designed to enhance the
capacities of barangays as partner peacekeepers at
the grassroots level.
Quiñones added this was also to recognize
their exemplary performance in ensuring peace
and order and public safety in their respective
barangays.
NegOr governor Roel Ragay Degamo
stressed the importance of BPOCs and Tanod
teams as they were instrumental in making
Negros Oriental ‗conflict-manageable and
development-ready province‘ as per the joint
declaration of the military and provincial
government officials last May 7, 2014.
The outstanding BPOC and outstanding
Tanod team winners received P11,000 cash with
plaque, while the 1st runner-ups were given
P9,000, the 2nd runner-ups P7,000 and
consolation prizes of P2,000.
Barangay Looc of Dumaguete City got the
outstanding BPOC award in Category A or
component cities category with 84.81% rating.
Chosen as the first runner up was Barangay
Tayawan of Bayawan City, followed by the BPOC
of Poblacion in Guihulngan City, while Barangay
Motong received the consolation prize.
For category B or 1st to 3rd class
municipalities, the big winner was the BPOC of
Barangay Campuyo in Manjuyod (85%), followed
by Barangay Bagawines in Vallehermoso and Calag
-calag in Ayungon. Poblacion, Pamplona took
home the consolation prize.
In category C or 4th to 6th class
municipalities, the winners were Poblacion, Amlan
(88%), Barangay Tapon Norte of San Jose,
Mayabon, Zamboangita and Boloc-boloc, Dauin.
Barangay Tayawan in Bayawan City bested
10 other barangays in category A to win the top
prize for Outstanding Barangay Tanod Teams by
garnering an award-high of 92.62%.
Barangay Calindagan in Dumaguete City
took the 1st-runner up honors while the
Poblacion of Guihulngan City got the 2nd runner
up award.
For category B, the winners were
Barangay Bagawines of Vallehermoso town
(87.12%), followed by Campuyo of Manjuyod and
Puhagan of Valencia.
Poblacion Amlan took home the top
honors for category C with 87.75%, followed by
Mayabon, Zamboangita and Boloc-boloc, Dauin.
Present in the event was Negros Oriental
Provincial Police Office OIC director, Senior
Superintendent Dionardo Carlos that presided
over the award ceremony. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros
Oriental/ with reports from Churchill P.
Guevarra, NORSU intern)
DILG awards 22 brgys. in NegOr for
outstanding BPOCs, BTTs
BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
CEBU CITY, November 19 (PIA) --- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC-7) said the implementation of gun ban for the
2016 elections will start on January 10 (Sunday).
Election gun ban starts January 10, 2016
C OMELEC-Cebu Provincial Election
Supervisor Atty. Marco Lionel
Castillano explained that under Philippine
laws, ―election period" means 120 days before the
actual date of the elections and 30 days after it.
Since the election period will start on
January 10 then it will end on June 9, continued
Castillano, during the recent AGIO7 Forum at the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Gorordo
Ave., this city.
This 120-day election period contains the
actual campaign period from Feb. 9 to May 8 for
national candidates, and from March 26 to May 8
for local candidates, Castillano said.
As per COMELEC Resolution 1814, the gun
ban applies to everyone except government
security forces such as the Philippine
National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement
agencies.
Aside from the regular firearms and deadly
weapons, also covered by the ban are air guns and
replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand
grenades, and other explosives except for
fireworks.
Castillano also said, the poll body will allow
candidates or individuals with security threats to
have escorts during the election period upon
application and assessment.
The escorts can come from the PNP, AFP,
or the National Bureau of Investigation and
limited only to two (2) personnel.
The Comelec officials said any person that
will be found guilty of violating the provisions of
the gun ban will be imprisoned of not less than
one year but not more than six years aside
from disqualification to hold public office and
deprivation of the right to suffrage. (mbcn/hfg/
PIA7)
Hazel F. Gloria
NEGROS ORIENTAL, November 23 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) warned
individuals who are taking advantage of the program by asking membership fees to become beneficiaries of Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Philippine government's version of conditional cash transfer.
DSWD7 warns swindlers collecting membership fees from 4Ps recipients
“ We do not collect membership fees to
become Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries,‖
stressed (DSWD) Field Office VII regional
director Mercedita Jabagat after receiving
fraudulent reports.
―Beneficiaries are selected through the
National Household Targeting System for Poverty
Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan, which
identifies who and where the poor are in the
country,‖ said Jabagat.
The DSWD is the lead government agency
implementing the program with over four million
household beneficiaries nationwide.
Of the total household-beneficiaries, about
250,000 are from Central Visayas.
She pointed out that there are criteria to
become beneficiaries of the program and these
include the following: residents of the poorest
municipalities, based on 2003 Small Area
Estimates (SAE) of the National Statistical
Coordination Board (NSCB), households whose
economic condition is equal to or below the
provincial poverty threshold, households that
have children 0-18 years old and/or have a
pregnant woman at the time of assessment and
households that agree to meet conditions
specified in the program.
―We encourage the public to be vigilant and
not to fall prey to these hustlers,‖ she said.
DSWD also urged the public to immediately
report to their nearest office if they know of
irregularities regarding the implementation of the
program.
―You can also reach our Municipal/City Links
for inquiries regarding Pantawid Pamilya,‖ Jabagat
added.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a
human development measure of the national
government that provides conditional cash grants
to the poorest of the poor, to improve the
health, nutrition, and the education of children
aged 0-18.
It is patterned after the conditional cash
transfer (CCT) schemes in Latin American and
African countries, which have lifted millions of
people around the world from poverty.
It covers three children-beneficiaries per
household and provides a monthly education
grant of P500 per household for high school
student and P300 for elementary.
The household-beneficiary will also
receive P500 as monthly health grant or a total of
P6,000 every year. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros
Oriental)
BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Agri experts lead cacao planting in 9 South Leyte towns
A c cord in g to P rov in c i a l H i gh
Valued Crops Coordinator Ma. Luz
G a v i o l a d u r i n g t h e w e e k l y
Action Center Kapihan sa PIA recently,
the provincial government is assisting
the local farmers to engage in
intercropping of cacao plants under the
90 hectares of coconut plantation
province-wide.
She said the following beneficiary
- municipalit ies engaged in cacao
production were Maasin City, Macrohon,
Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Hinundayan,
Lilo-an, San Francisco, Pintuyan and San
Ricardo, all of Southern Leyte.
The said intercropping program
included the participation of 20 farmers from
every municipality.
Each municipality will dedicate 10
hectares of coconut plantations for the
mentioned intercropping program, Gaviola
added.
Gaviola further urged the farmers to take
advantage of the rainfall and to plant within this
month.
She also disclosed that to ensure
proper management of the sa id
intercropping, the provincial agriculture
arm will conduct cacao production
to the mentioned farmer-beneficiaries.
It was learned that one of the
potential market for their cacao products is
the Kennemer Foods, Inc, one of the
manufacturers of chocolate products. (esg/
PIA8 SoLeyte)
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte November 25 (PIA) - The provincial agriculture experts has identified nine (9) municipalities
to join in the intercropping of cacao plants under the coconut plantations program.
Spanish envoy turns-over 'BangKapayapaan' nets, fishing boats project
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Nov. 19 (PIA) — It has been two years since the small town of Hernani—located in the
coastal area of Eastern Samar facing the Pacific Ocean—was ravaged by ―Supertyphoon Yolanda‖.
G overnment and non-government
organizations came to Hernani‘s aid
during the said disaster and until today,
the municipality remains to be a beneficiary
of livelihood projects granted by these
gove rnmen t and non - gove rnmen t
organizations.
A new livelihood project is added to the
roster of livelihood projects granted to
Hernani. In November 11, 2015, Ambassador
Luis Antonio Calvo, Spanish ambassador to the
Philippines and Office of the Presidential
Advisor on Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary
Teresita Quintos-Deles were in Hernani to
lead the turn-over ceremony of 63 fishing
boats and nets livelihood project for the
three municipalities of Llorente, Gen. Mac-
Arthur, and Hernani.
In his message, Ambassador Calvo said
that ―First and foremost, I pay tribute to your Waray spirit that all of you to get over
the catastrophe that hit this part of the
country two years ago and allow you to bring
back better lives, better folks, and better
homes.‖
―Be assured that we, the Spanish people
and authorities will continue to be alongside
with you in your efforts to reconstruct‖, he
said.
On the other hand, Sec. Deles—who was
celebrating her birthday on the event—
disclosed that the livelihood project must be
sustained so that progress, development, and
peace can be fully achieved.
―Sa aming pagdating ngayon, ang ating
paniniwala at ang ating intensyon sa patuloy na
pagtutulungan sa pagtahak ng landas tungo sa
kapayapaan at kaulanran na tunay na
mararamdaman at pangmatagalan,‖ Sec. Deles
said.
In partnership with the Agencia
Española Cooperacion International para el
Desarrollo (AECID), the OPAPP came up with
the "BangKapayapaan" project as a Typhoon Yolanda response for the communities situated
in the coastal areas. Beneficiaries of the said
livelihood project were fishermen whose main
source of income is fishing.
The "BangKapayapaan" project, with a
total project cost of P3.1-M, provided 18 en-
gine-powered fishing boats to Gen.
Mac-Arthur, seven to Llorente, and 38 to
Hernani. A set of nets were also given that
would help in the upliftment of the livelihoof of
the fishermen beneficiaries.
In an interview with Mr. Ben Baful, Jr., one
of the project‘s beneficiaries, he said that the
boat and a set of nets are big help to his liveli-
hood considering the fact that he is but a fish-
erman and a father of five with his wife work-
ing as a housekeeper.
―If I only depend on my income as a
fisherman, I really can‘t buy a fishing boat.
Now that I have my own boat, this will
greatly help in uplifting my livelihood and my
son can go to college already,‖ he further
said.
AECID suppor t s the OPAPP in mainstreaming peace and development in
local governance in the country through the
Mainstreaming Peace and Development in
Local Governance Project (MPDLGP). (SDC/
ERNA S. GORNE
Samuel D. Candido
Sweden King revisits Leyte; sees progress
after 'Yolanda'
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 23 (PIA) – His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden returned to Leyte Saturday to see how
the people have recovered from the wrath of the super typhoon particularly this city two years ago.
T he King arrived 9:26 in the morning
at the Tacloban DZR airport and was
welcomed by the local officials
headed by Leyte Governor Leopoldo
Dominico L. Petilla and some local scout
officials.
Upon arrival, he immediately proceeded
to the VIP lounge where he met with the local
media for a short press conference.
During the press conference, the King said
there was tremendous development of the
place even seen from the plane before it landed
at the airport.
After the presscon, he visited the BSP
building where the BSP marker was presented
to him and walked around the building
followed by a meeting with the BSP local
council executive board members Leyte
chapter headed by Gov. Petilla.
He also met with motorboat and some
scouts livelihood beneficiaries at Leyte Park
hotel whom he extended assistance after the
typhoon.
As he toured the city of Tacloban, His
Majesty was very happy to see the progress as
compared in January 2014 when he first visited
the area, a few months after typhoon Yolanda
wrought havoc to the lives of the people.
The King who is a Scout himself
has donated millions of funds for the
rehabilitation of the whole Boy Scout of the
Philippines (BSP) building after it was severely
destroyed by typhoon Yolanda in November
2013.
The BSP building which is under
construction is expected to be completed by
the middle part of February 2016, in time for
the King‘s return to the city for the unveiling of
the project. (ajc/PIA-8)
CONSUELO B. ALARCON
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Samar town declared as insurgency-free
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, November 24 (PIA) - San Sebastian town – home to more than 7,000 inhabitants (based on the
2010 PSA survey) – is now insurgency-free.
T oday, security forces like the army
and the police affirmed this
declaration.
Col. George Domingo of the 87th Infantry
Battalion in reading the insurgency-free
document said that periodic intelligence
assessment has found out that the communists
in the area do not function anymore. The pop-
ulace has somehow achieved a peaceful and
o r d e r l y c o m m u n i t y w h e r e
economic activity has been in the upswing and
that the people have renounced communism.
―What is left of us are law abiding citizens
who renounce armed struggle to effect
change,‖ said Vice Mayor Imelda Abalos.
An insurgency-free municipality is a notch
higher than manageable conflict affected and
ready for development area, said an army
official.
―With the army‘s Bayanihan, its
Internal Peace and Security Plan, we will now
be ready to accept development and be
tourism ready,‖ said 801st Brigade
Commander Perfecto Rimando in his
message.
Mayor Antero Gaviola said that his
town has rich marine resources, expansive
mangroves, vast agricultural lands that are just
waiting to be developed.
―We have all nature‘s bounty in this
coastal town,‖ citing the all year availability of
prawns, mudcrabs, blue swimming crabs,
mussles and organic vegetables grown by San
Sebastian folks.
He then urged cooperation from
all the officials of the 14 barangays to
support the security forces in their quest for
peace.
As a final gesture , all present, army,
police and local officials signed the manifesto
to ensure that they are all for peace. ( nbq/PIA
8-Samar)
NINFA B. QUIRANTE
Pursuit of transformation road map results
to the New Army
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, November 19 (PIA) – The army’s pursuit of the transformation road map (ATR) has given you,
the new army, said Col. Jose H. Narciso, Chief, Governance Strategy Management Office.
“ There is a process of how to transform
from being reactive, inefficient, barely
capable, with bad image and poorly
equipped to a strategy-driven, word class,
full-mission capable, ethical, competent and a
professional army for following the ATR/
Philippine Army Strategy Map,‖ he added.
These were passionately delivered by
Narciso and the Assistant Division
Commander of the 8th Infantry division, Brig.
Gen. Demy Tejares as they met the press in an
orientation on the ATR on November 13-14,
2015 where some 48 media practitioners
attended.
Tejares said that AFP is aiming of a 2028
world-class army that is a source of national
pride.
―The army is now on its process to
develop, organize, train, equip, support and
sustain army forces for the conduct of prompt
and sustained ground operations to accomplish
the AFP mission as a core purpose to serve the
people by securing the land and uphold the
core values of honor, patriotism, and being
responsible on duty.‖
There is a certain scorecard being
maintained by each army element or official
towards this grand aim of serving as new
model army.
While some media men doubted the
feasibility of the process, some officials have
testimonies to this effect. Captain Isagani
Viernes, the 8th ID public affairs chief, said that
their soldiers have received high ratings in local
and foreign peace keeping operations.
He said that some 12 soldiers from the
division had a brief stint in the Golan Heights
peacekeeping operations.
In communities, the army elements are
also received warmly as they pursue their
Bayanihan activities.
Another official said that the surrender of
some armed elements or insurgents are also
results of the public‘s renewed trust to the
state soldiers.
It may be a difficult task and an uphill
climb especially in the region where some
insurgents have yet to be uncovered or
persuaded to surrender.
Yet, the army believes that the ATR
coupled with positive outlook on the projects
of the government will complement forces to
bring out the model army. (PIA 8-Samar with
reports from Ron Roma)
Photo tilt to reveal snapshots of Tacloban women in resettlements
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, November 19 (PIA) – Oxfam, an international non-government organization, is spearheading a
photo contest aimed at raising people’s awareness on the issues of women after super typhoon Yolanda by highlighting their
real situation in resettlement areas.
D ubbed as ―Snapshots at Women in
Resettlements: An Epitome of
Women‘s Issues, Empowerment
and Rights,‖ the competition is also in support
of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence
Against Women (VAWC) (Nov. 25-Dec.12)
and International Day Against Trafficking.
Israel Infante, Oxfam Philippines-OIC
Program Manager, said that the competition
will highlight the real situation of women living
in coastal barangays, in temporary and perma-
nent relocations sites and in bunkhouses.
Leah Payud, Oxfam Tacloban Program
Manager informed that the competition is open
to all students from universities and colleges in
Tacloban City, both professional and amateur
photographers.
Snapshots will portray women challenges
living in resettlement areas in a positive and
inspiring way, Payud said.
Entries will be judged based on the
following criteria: Content (20%) or the
persuasiveness in telling the story based on the
theme; Composition (20%) or the technical
excellence and quality; Creativity and
Originality (40%); and Artistic Merit or the
wow factor (20%).
First, second and third prize winners
will received P3,000, P2,500, and P2,000,
respectively, while a consolation prize of
P1,000 and certificate will also be given. Major
prizes will also receive medals and certificates.
Each participant is entitled to only
one original entry with high resolution
(jpeg format), not more than 10MB and
with a short description of not more than 50
words.
Entries must be submitted on December
1 while the winners will be announced during
the culmination activity of the 18-day campaign
to end VAW on December 12.
The activity is in partnership with the City
Government of Tacloban, Internally Displaced
Persons Leaders and Universities and Colleges
in Tacloban City. (PIA-8)
NEIL D. LOPIDO
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Managing Editor
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Regional Offices:
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