Vol 6 Issue 22 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 30 - June 5, 2016

In this Issue

EU diplomat, UNDP official inaugurate Biliran evacuation centers

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Alcala cites landmark accomplishments in WV

ILOILO CITY, June 2 (PIA6)—Agriculture Secretary

Proceso Alcala cited the positive changes attained in agriculture during his term, particularly in agriculture and the fishery sectors which were given importance.

He said at a forum he attended, May 27 that the farmers and the fisher folk were sent to technical workshops and seminars that helped them learn advance science and technologies.

In a DA-6 press release, Alcala said that the department has implemented projects highlighting the Aquino administration’s priority in food production.

―For the first time, all provinces have seed buffer stocking to prepare for any shortage on rice and seeds during calamities,‖ Alcala said.

He particularly cited the 20 Farmer Service Provider

(FSP) groups in the region, which were given modern farm machinery, urging them to maintain these and set aside

funds for the purchase of more. Alcala further asked the farmers to continue the

practice of multi-cropping and those who plant rice and

vegetables should also raise native chicken and swine in their backyard.

―Iloilo has already overtaken other areas in the

production of native chicken and swine,‖ Alcala said. The secretary also said that with the necessary preparations for the onslaught of the El Niño, the predicted

972,000 metric tons damage in rice production was reduced to only about 235,000 metric tons as of May 15. Although records showed that DA failed to achieve 100 percent rice sufficiency in 2013, the country has achieved

the highest production of rice in 2014 with 18.98 million metric tons.

White corn consumption, on the other hand, has

improved from seven kilograms per capita consumption in 2010 to 10.72 kilograms per capita to 2015. The department is pushing for the continued production of

white corn nationwide since it is one of the Philippines’

food staples. Reinstated DA Regional Field Office-6 Director Larry

Nacionales said he thanked Sec. Alcala for bringing significant number of agri-fishery projects in Western Visayas which had helped in attaining 4.9 percent increase

in the Gross Regional Domestic Product last year. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

CEBU CITY, May 24 (PIA) – The Department of

Agriculture (DA-7) intensified their massive campaign on diversification in the farming system.

DA-7 Regional Technical Director Joel Elumba

said during the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) forum that they urge the farmers to apply diversified farming as an alternative in their livelihood so

they will not be heavily affected if any calamity will hit their areas.

―Most of the farmers apply the mono-cropping

agricultural practice which is a practice of growing a single crop year after year on the same land,‖ he said.

Elumba explained that farmers should learn to

practice diversified farming to produce variety of crops or animals, or both, on one farm for them to survive in their livelihood.

DA-7 officials also urged the municipal agriculturists to encourage the farmers to be prepared in times of

calamities and to listen to weather forecasts.

On the other hand, DA-7 is still monitoring, evaluating, and consolidating reports of damage on the effects of El Niño in the four provinces in Region 7.

DA-7 recently received P21M from their national office to cater areas that affected by the long drought.

This budget is allocated for procurement

of seeds such as rice, corn, and other vegetable crops, veterinary drugs and biologic support, and rehabilitation of farming facilities such as procurement of

water pumps. In Region 7, there are 14 municipalities that was hit

by El Niño: six from Cebu, four in Bohol, and four in

Negros Oriental. DA-7 will implement some projects to mitigate the

La Niña phenomenon reported to hit the country middle

this year or last week of June. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7 Forum)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CABUCGAYAN, Biliran, June 1 (PIA) –European

Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director

Titon Mitra led on Tuesday the formal turnover of

newly-built evacuation centers to Yolanda affected communities in the province of Biliran.

The construction of climate-resilient evacuation centers in the municipalities of Cabucgayan and Biliran,

both in Biliran province, is part of the EU’s package of assistance to Yolanda-affected families in order for them to recover from the devastation.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen expressed optimism that the project does not end with infrastracture but should be sustained with community effort and

cooperation. ―I hope to be able to say at the end of the project

that we did not just build evacuation centers or

resettlement houses, but we have built strong, united and empowered communities, ― the EU official said.

Jessen also said they do not wish for the day to come

when the center will be used for evacuation. Instead, they prefer that the center will be utilized to the fullest for

more pro-active community-driven capacity-building

activities that will benefit everyone. Of the 11 community evacuation centers

implemented by UNDP Project Recovery, six have been

completed in the provinces of Biliran, Leyte and Eastern Samar.

The total European Union assistance to Yolanda affected communities to be implemented until July 2017 has

reached Php500 million.(ajc/cba)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

U.S. ambassador to the Philippines Philip

Goldberg (right) poses at the marker of the

new ten-classroom building during the turn

over held at the Palo National High School,

Palo, Leyte. With him are (from left) PIA-8

regional director Alicia Nicart, Eden Dadap of

DepEd, and Leyte governor Leopoldo Domini-

co Petilla. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr./PIA-8)

By Hazel F. Gloria

Tree Planting: Mario A. Derequito, DepEd

Undersecretary for Partnership and External

Linkages plants a tree during his visit to Belison

National School in line with the Brigada

Eskwela Monitoring. Belison National school

was a Champion in 2015 National Brigada

Eskwela Best Implementer-Exceptional School

Category. The activity also coincided with the

1st day of Environment Month - June 2016.

(LGU Belison/PIA6 Antique)

Volunteers joined the DepEd and education

stakeholders at the Dr. Cecilio Putong

National High School in preparing the schools

for the opening of classes next week. DepED

has devised a system of picking the best

Brigada Eskwela as national schools mainte-

nance program, which also awards winners.

(PIABohol)

DA-7 steps up campaign on diversified farming

By Consuelo B. Alarcon

By Elsa S. Subong

European Union ambassador to the Philippines, his Excellency

Franz Jessen (center) with Cabucgayan mayor Gemma Adobo and

UNDP country director Titon Mitra cuts the ribbon during the

turn-over ceremony of the Community Evacuation Center held in

Cabucgayan, Biliran province, May 31. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr./PIA-8)

WESTERN VISAYAS 2

WV tourism a booming sunshine industry

ILOILO CITY, June 3 (PIA6) — After the success of its latest events, the Fiestas in the City year 14, various Philippine Business

Missions and the Seatrade Cruise Asia, the Department of Tourism said there is booming tourism future for Western Visayas.

D OT-6 Director Helen Catalbas said

there is more to come for the

tourism industry of the region.

The recently concluded Fiestas in the City

dubbed ―Lagaw Ta!‖ Western Visayas, which

ran for a week at SM City-Iloilo, showcased the

region’s gastronomic delights, products and

tourism destinations.

Among the highlights of the Fiestas were

the Western Visayas Travel and Trade Fair,

Awarding of the Opearation Water F’All

Heroes. Cooking demo by Ilonggo chefs and

parade if Western Visayas Festivals and Sagala

of Festival Queens. Western Visayas also

joined the Seatrade Cruise Asia in Busan, Ko-

rea, 4th China Cruise Summit in Qingdao, chi-

na and Tourism Sales Missions in Malaysia and

Singapore.

―This business mission is among the many

business missions yet that the region will join

this 2016,‖ Catalbas said, adding to it the

different international media, bloggers and

travel agents coming in to promote Western

Visayas in their respective countries.

The DOT-6 also hosted and assisted

activities which included the familiarization

trips of Australian Travel Agents, media from

Taiwan, group of Apl de ApinBoracay island,

Asian Traveler shoot in Capiz and Iloilo for

their ―Incredible Journey‖ issue and the

familiarization and gastronomic experience of

Singaporean bloggers in Guimaras.

―I am convinced that Western Visayas’

presence in numerous local and international

tourism events will intensify the region’s

promotional campaign ―Experience Western

Visayas First,‖ Catalbas added.

―Region VI has already created a stir in

the international market and we will continue

to grab every opportunity to further promote

our tourism products and services,‖ Catalbas

said, adding that it is now for the

tourism-related and tourism-oriented

establishments to enhance and upgrade their

services. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 31 (PIA6) – The Department of Education (DepEd) – Negros Island Region is promoting

community cooperation to provide better quality education to students through the nationwide Brigada Eskwela activity from

May 30 to June 4.

D epEd – NIR Regional Director

Gilbert Sadsad said everybody in the

community must be involved in

teaching the children aside from their teachers

in school.

―Ang gusto talaga nating makita sa Brigada

Eskwela is that every parent, every member of

the community maging aware, ma-absorb at ma

-imbibe yung value na tumutulong sa paaralan

(What we really want to see in the Brigada

Eskwela is that every parent, every member of

the community must be aware, must absorb

and imbibe the value of helping the school.),‖

he said.

―Because it’s a basic principle, that it takes

the whole community to educate the child,‖

Sadsad added.

Brigada Eskwela, also known as the Baya-

nihan Para Sa Paaralan, is a nationwide volun-

tary effort of teachers, parents, students, com-

munity members, and other organizations to

do minor repairs and clean-ups on their

schools in preparation for the start of the

school year.

The theme for this year’s event is

―Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at

Handa Mula Kindergarten Hanggang Senior

High School.‖

With the start of the clean-up activities,

Sadsad urged the parents and guardians to

enroll their children early and not wait for June

13, the first day of classes.

―Let’s enroll our students early so that

the school officials can also plan out their

schedule,‖ he said. (JCM/CBA-PIA6 Negros

Occidental)

Brigada promotes community participation for better education

By Carlson B. Alelis

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

Antique communities urged to protect biodiversity corridor By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, May 31 (PIA6) - - Ruth Martinez of the Philippine German Forest and Climate Protection (ForClim)

Project Panay urged communities to take an active role in the protection of biodiversity corridors that connects wildlife

population.

B iodiversity corridors serves as a

highway for the movement of

population of wildlife, thus we need to

rehabilitate the fragmented forest so they

could freely move from one location to

another,

Particularly referred to were the

barangays surrounding Sibalom Natural park,

Cental Panay Mountain Ranges and Northwest

Panay Peninsula which serves a habitat of

endemic species of flora and fauna, birds and

other animals such as Panay Warty Pig, Visayan

Spotted deer among others.

Martinez said that though, we could

not restore all but at least we could have

biodiversity corridor to serve as refuge of the

wildlife population safe from hunting.

On the other hand, Mirza Samillano, Chief

Technical Services Division, Dept of

Environment and Natural Resources said that

in grassland areas within the forest identified as

strict protection zone, these could not be

planted with trees for it serves as natural

grassland for grazing of pigs, deer and other

animals.

Samillano further said that establishment

and protection of biodiversity corridors is

stipulated in the Provincial Physical Framework

Plan of the Provincial Government of Antique.

To heighten public awareness on the

protection of biodiversity corridors, ForClim in

partnership with Antique Mountain Bikers

Association Inc. (AMBA) under the leadership

pf Dr. Earl Autajay will launch the 3rd Autajay

Aningalan Ascent Mountain Bike Race on June

5. Rallying on the theme ―Race, Restore and

Reconnect‖ the event also hopes to raise funds

for the establishments of a Biodiversity

corridors between the isolated Sibalom

Natural Park and the large contiguous Central

Panay Mountain Range.

The biking event intends to gather 70-80

bike enthusiasts from Panay and other parts of

the country making Antique the next biking

destination. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

WESTERN VISAYAS 3

ILOILO CITY, June 2 (PIA6) – The importance of compliance by local government units with the law on ecological solid waste

management was emphasized by Atty. Jonathan P. Bulos, Environmental Management Bureau-6 Regional Director, at the

Environmental Congress held June 2 here.

Congress highlights importance of SWM, other environment practices

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

T he 15-year old law or Republic Act

No. 9003, which had Senator Loren

Legarda as principal author, mandates,

among others, the proper management and

disposal of solid waste through the formulation

and adoption of the best environmental

practice in ecological solid waste management

(SWM). It excludes incineration as a waste

management method.

LGUs have been mandated to prepare

their respective 10-year plans consistent with

the national framework and shall also be

primarily responsible for the implementation

and enforcement of the provisions of this Act

within their respective jurisdictions.

Bulos revealed that LGUs are strictly

monitored with respect to their compliance

with the law and can face charges before the

Office of the Ombudsman for environmental

offenses which include the open dumping of

wastes instead of storing them in sanitary

landfill as required by the law.

Also being highlighted in the activities of

EMB-6 for the month are the value of

biodiversity of wildlife and flora which can be

adversely affected by illegal trading, destruction

of their habitats, degradation of forests,

intrusion of people into their habitats, and

global warming.

Likewise, we are highlighting the

importance of sharing the road with ordinary

people who use bicycles to go to and return

home from their places of work such as

carpenters and other ordinary people, said

Bulos. Through today’s congress, successful

LGUs shared their best practices in solid waste

management including San Carlos City of

Negros Occidental in Negros Island Region,

which presented the program pursued by the

city government and its positive results

including income earned from sale of

recyclables and vermiculture generated

compost materials and the ban on the use of

plastic bags.

The first-day congress was attended by

LGU environment and natural resources

officers, Information Officers and the media in

Western Visayas with the academe and

business sector as attendees in the June 3 leg

of the congress. It carries the theme, ―Combat

Biodiversity Loss, Beat Climate Change‖.

The congress seeks to enhance public

awareness and consciousness of climate change

and its impacts, promote individual and

collective action in carbon emission

reduction, and recognize SWM best practices.

(JCM/JSC-PIA6)

KALIBO, Aklan, June 1 (PIA6) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here has a line-up of

activities in celebration of the World Environment Day (WED) on June 5, and for Environment Month this month of June.

D ENR-Aklan Chief Information Officer

Arren Rubi said during the meeting of

the Aklan Public Information Officers

Association (APIOA) here recently that

some of these activities include radio program

guestings at some of Aklan’s local radio

stations, tree planting/tree growing activities on

June 25, National Arbor Day, celebration of

the 29th anniversary of the creation of the

DENR, Awarding of Partners in the protection

of the en on June 30, and the conduct of

search for the Best Nursery maintained by

various People’s Organizations (POs)

throughout the province.

The nurseries maintained by the POs

provide the seedlings used by the DENR for

the National Greening Program (NGP) in the

province.

The DENR will also be distributing

land titles under its Handog Titulo

program, and will be focusing on its

Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign in the

province with the help of its enforcement

partners like the Philippine National Police

(PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP).

The World Environment Day (WED)

is celebrated every 5th of June to raise

global awareness to take positive

environmental action to protect nature and

the planet earth.

Theme for WED is ―Go Wild for Life‖ as

dubbed by the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP).

June is also declared as Philippine

Environment Month, with the DENR as the

primary focal agency to implement different

activities.

Theme for Environment Month of this

year is ―Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity

Loss#GreenEnvironmentGawingForever‖.

(JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

DENR sets activities for Environment Month

By Venus G. Villanueva

Capiz cops ready for opening of classes

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 1 (PIA6) – The Philippine National Police is all set with its security plan for the opening of classes.

C apiz PNP Information Officer Donna

Asmod said that the police here will

create the Task Force ―Ligtas

Balik-Eskwela 2016‖ to ensure maximum

security coverage in the province in view of the

opening of classes in June.

Per directive from Capiz police Provincial

Director Robert Rodriguez, police personnel

will be deployed in school premises both in the

public and private schools in the province, she

said.

She said that every police station has their

respective security plan for the Ligtas Balik

Eskwela 2016.

Part of Rodriguez’ directive is the

establishment of police assistance desk

especially in big institutions in Roxas City,

particularly in Colegio De La Purisima

Concepcion, Capiz State University-Roxas City

main campus, Filamer Christian University,

Loctugan Elementary School and Pres. Manuel

Roxas Memorial School, among others.

Police visibility and presence through

mobile and foot patrol will likewise be

intensified especially in major routes leading to

the private and public schools here as well as in

big malls, transport terminals, airport, sea port

and other areas of convergence.

On the other hand, Rodriguez urged the

public, especially the students, to be vigilant

and be conscious of their safety particularly

against pick pocketing, drug trafficking and

other street crimes.

Police personnel will also be conducting

symposia on crime prevention in schools

during the opening of classes. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

By Jemin B. Guillermo

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

CENTRAL VISAYAS 4

NEGROS ORIENTAL, May 26 (PIA) – ‗Majority of Filipinos want a ―comfortable and simple life‖ by 2040, according to

the AmBisyonNatin2040 survey results presented by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in its first

regional public forum at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.

‗AmBisyonNatin 2040‘ presented in multi-

sectoral forum

N EDA-7 and concurrent Negros Island

Region (NIR) Regional Director Efren

Carreon said AmBisyon2040 is a

long-term vision program which is designed for

development planning that may be used

throughout administrations for the next 24

years. Speaking before a hundred stakeholders

from the youth, academe, business, local

government units, non government and civil

society organizations, and media, Carreon said

that "participatory planning on development is

critical in achieving the vision and aspirations of

the Filipinos."

NEDA is looking at the development

directions, said Carreon, hoping the vision will

serve as basis for the next four medium term

development plans of the country’s four

presidents.

Seventy-nine percent Filipinos aspire for a

simple and comfortable life described as having

medium-sized home, having enough earning to

support everyday needs, owning at least one

car, capacity to provide their children college

education and going on local trips for vacation.

The survey also disclosed that many

Filipinos prefer to work in the country rather

than abroad 24 years from now.

However, Negros Oriental Chamber of

Commerce Inc. (NOCCI) President Ed Du

cited that Philippines is lagging behind other

ASEAN countries because the Philippines is

consumption-driven, unlike Malaysia, China,

Singapore, Japan, among others, that are

investment-driven. Du said the Philippines

has 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers

(OFWs) sending $20 billion a year and yet this

goes only for food, clothing, shopping, and

buying and not converted to business.

―Even if we are now number one fastest

growing economy with 6.9% in Asia, we are

still lagging behind in terms of jobs generations

and employment,‖ expressed Du.

Du said that one-fourth of the population

or 27% is still in the poverty line, thus, the

chamber discouraged consumption economy

only but focus more on investors that create

more jobs here. He cited bringing in business

processing outsources (BPOs) like SPI and

Qualfon which provided more than 9,000 jobs

in Negros Oriental. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros

Oriental)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 27 (PIA) – At least three special courses under the four different tracks which the Department of

Education (DepEd) implements in Bohol high schools starting June 13 are open for takers.

P iloted for Bohol high schools offering

senior high school courses are tourism,

agriculture under the Technology and

Vocational Livelihood strand, and sports,

said Bohol DepEd Division Superintendent Dr.

Wilfreda Bongalos.

The specialized courses are now piloted in

three schools here, in addition to the senior

high school strands like General Academic,

Arts and Design, Sports and Technology, and

Vocational Livelihood readied in several of 129

public high schools and 54 private secondary

high schools.

The Special Tourism course is now ready

to be offered in Panglao at the Lourdes High

School where a facility has been built last

year, Bongalos reported at the Provincial Peace

and Order Council Meeting held May 23.

Moreover, in San Pascual Ubay, she

said agriculture is now a part of the

specialization for senior high schools.

This course is offered under the

Technology Vocational Livelihood track,

where most TESDA courses like Home

Economics, Agri-Fishery, Industrial Arts, and

Information and Communications Technology

are offered.

Earlier, the Regional Development

Council has appropriated funds for an

agricultural training center at San Pascual in

Ubay town.

The government has been pushing for the

training center, which is now the pilot school

for agriculture here. In Tubigon, the local

public high school is also offering Sports

strand which has nine subjects under it.

Sports subjects include Safety and First

Aid, Human Movement, Coaching, Sports

Officiating, and Sports Leadership.

Meanwhile, Bongalos said all is set for the

June 13 opening of schools, which also officially

signals the start of senior high schools when

the K to 12 pioneers who completed junior

high schools last year finally reach Grade

11. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)

Bohol pilots special senior high tracks

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CEBU CITY, May 30 (PIA) — A covenant for the enforcement of a unified and wholistic approach to the issues of Children at

Risk (CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) was signed May 30 by over 20 private and public stakeholders in the

city.

Covenant for holistic program on children's issues signed

T he covenant already includes the

holding of a monthly rescue operation

for CAR and CICL in different areas of

the city.

Another unique factor with the covenant

is the inclusion of parents of affected children.

According to the covenant, statistics

show that minor offenders and minor

victims are increasing in number, prompting

stakeholders to address the situation.

Police Inspector Arieza Otida, chief of

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Family

Gender Juvenile Section (FGJS), said the

covenant already drafts the unified and

wholistic plan which is presented to incoming

leaders of Cebu City.

Otida said she was already able to present

the draft to Acting City Mayor Margot Osmena

who will be replaced by her husband, elected

Mayor Tomas Osmena, in July. There are three

parts of the plan dubbed as ―Cebu City’s

Operation sa Gugma‖,namely: Prevention,

Diversion or Intervention, and Reintegration.

Don Bosco Boys Home, Zonta Club ,

CLB, PIA Cebu , CPO, LAW Inc, Pink Room

Center, DILAAB Foundation, WCPD-CCPO,

Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, Task Force

for Street Children and Rotary Club of Cebu

will facilitate in the different Prevention,

Intervention, and Diversion Programs for

the rescued children. Reintegration will also

happen in these shelters. CLB will assist

in the legal aspect of the child and once he or

she is reintegrated, and there will be close

monitoring by DSWD. ―This is the first time

that more representatives, organizations are

pledging their support for the same cause,

happy to include the parents into the system,‖

according to Police Superintendent Artemio

Recabo, who spoke in behalf of CCPO director

Police Senior Superintendent Benjamin Santos.

It was noted that 90 percent of the

rescued children have problems in the family

and most of them turn into CICL if not given

the proper intervention. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

By Ferliza C. Contratista

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

CENTRAL VISAYAS 5

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 27 (PIA) -- Faced with the nagging problem of criminality, the Provincial Peace and Order Council

(PPOC) here tapped the help from "outside forces" in keeping Bohol communities crime-free.

Bohol adopts JTF Dagon as anti-crime group

P POC Chairman and Bohol Gov.

Edgar Chatto issued Executive Order

No. 01, series 2016 creating Joint

Task Force Dagon (JTF Dagon) in its

meeting on May 23 to address the need to

intensify the peace and security efforts of the

province as well as sustain its economic

development.

JTF Dagon, a Cebuano term which means

amulet, is historically Boholano which local

hero Francisco Dagohoy used to win the

century-old war against the Spanish

oppression.

JTF Dagon is an anti-crime group

that uses nine task groups, each responsible

for overseeing strategies and plans to drive

crimes off Bohol communities by adopting

proactive steps and strengthened information

dissemination, explained Chatto during his

Friday weekly Kita ug ang Gobernador radio

program.

JTF is thriving on teamwork and

partnership with private and business

stakeholders in reducing crime rates and

increasing crime solution efficiency, said

P rov i n c i a l Adm in i s t r a tor A l f onso

Damalerio who has been personally handling

the initial meetings of the task force.

JTF Dagon serves as community-based

crime prevention monitoring and coordinating

mechanism to eliminate criminalities and illegal

activities by strengthening Bohol's disaster risk

reduction and management programs as well as

as coordination and collaboration among

PPOC agency-members in the joint security

operations, Damalerio said.

Aside from an advisory council which

sits along with intelligence group,

operations, information, legal and finance and

logistics, JTF Dagon is comprised of task

forces: disaster response, anti criminality,

internal security, anti-illegal drugs, maritime

security, environmental protection, traffic,

anti-smuggling, and tourism security.

The advisory group assesses and evaluates

crisis situation reports, recommends action to

the chairman, provides guidance, helps analyze

JTF operational systems and strategizes to plan,

and assist enforcement agencies during

emergency management. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/

Bohol)

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

DUMAGUETE CITY, May 30 (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) division in the city is all set for the opening of

Senior High School (SHS) in three public schools, namely: Dumaguete High School, Junob National High School, and

Dumaguete Science High School.

D r. Evangel Luminarias, city schools

division superintendent, said that

Dumaguete High School has 182

enrollees whil 189 for Science High School, and

82 for Taclobo National High School.

The number of enrollees are expected to

rise as enrollment is still ongoing.

Luminarias said Dumaguete City DepEd

Division is in full swing for the opening of SHS

with the creation of 18 new classrooms, six for

each identified public high school offering the

SHS program.

In preparation also for opening of grade

12 next year, DepEd will build starting this year

additional nine classrooms for Science High

School, nine for Taclobo National High

School, while PAGCOR will sponsor additional

18 classrooms for Dumaguete City High

School.

Qualified teachers assigned to handle Grade 11 have already been trained and

facilities are already in place, according to

Luminarias.

In a related development , Karla Panesa,

Adopt-A-School Program Coordinator of

division of Negros Oriental, said in a recent

Kapihan sa PIA that a total of 535 schools

from Kindergarten to Grade 11 will be

participating in the Brigada Eskwela starting

May 30 up to June 4.

Brigada Eskwela is anchored on the

theme: ―Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas,

Maayos at Handa Mula sa Kindergarten

Hanggang SHS‖

Panesa said the community, par-

ents,Philippine National Police, and other

stakeholders will be joining Brigada Eskwela

especially in preparing the classrooms for the

official start of classes on June 13.

Meanwhile, Renato Juanillo, SHS

coordinator of DepEd Negros Oriental division, revealed that 108 out of the 112 pub-

lic high schools are now ready for SHS.

The four other schools did not offer SHS

because they have no grade 10 completers yet,

said Juanillo.

The national budget of P12 billion for SHS

will include the voucher program.

Juanillo said that grade 10 completers

from the public schools will be given a subsidy

of P17,500 if they decide to pursue Grade 11

in any private schools, colleges or university.

The voucher will be paid directly to the

school.

However, grade 10 completers from

private schools who are Education Service

Contract (ESC) beneficiaries can avail of 80% of

the entire amount which is P14,000 while

grade10 completers from private schools who

are not ESC grantees can apply online at

www.deped.gov.ph for the same 80% subsidy

from the government. (rmn/lpp/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

NegOr all set for opening of senior HS

By Leandria P. Pagunsan

TAGBILARAN CITY, May 27 (PIA) -- The province of Bohol is a priority target area in 2016 for the geo-hazard assessment and

mapping program of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR) from May to June 2016.

Bohol priority area for geo-hazard assessment, mapping

M GB-DENR teams are conducting

a karst subsidence hazard

assessment and mapping in the

province.

It aims to delineate critical zones for

sinkhole collapse.

Results will be provided to local

government units concerned and affected

communities.

Gov. Edgar Chatto yesterday met

the survey teams from MGB led by

Ma. Elena Lupo, Region 7 supervising

geologist.

The MGB survey team comprises

geologists from MGB-DENR offices in

Regions CAR, 1, and Regions 6 to 12.

(rmn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

By Elvira C. Bongosia

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

EASTERN VISAYAS 6

US continues help in Yolanda recovery effort

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 01 (PIA) – United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg has announced that

the United States government will continue to extend assistance to Eastern Visayas until the region totally recover from the

impact of Super typhoon Yolanda.

T he US envoy said this Friday, May 27,

when he visited Palo town to lead in

the turn-over of a ten classroom

school building to the officials and students of

the Palo National High School located in Brgy.

Cavite West, of the town.

The donated classrooms is part of the 310

classrooms committed by the US government

to areas in Leyte, Samar, and Tacloban City.

He said the US government will continue

to help Leyte and Samar in its recovery

efforts on top of the $ 143 million given to the

national government for the rehabilitation of

areas hit by Yolanda.

Goldberg also visited Eastern Samar last

May 19 for the turn-over of the US-funded $

214 million road upgrading project linking

impoverished towns of the two Samar

provinces.

The completed US-funded road

development project covering 222 kilometers

traverses the towns of Paranas in Samar;

Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Maydolong Borongan

City, Llorente, Hernani, Gen. MacArthur,

Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes and Guiuan

in Eastern Samar.

The Ambassador led in the turn-over of

the project to the Department of Public

Works and Highways, Road Board,

Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD), and peoples’

organization for the maintenance of the roads

and bridges.

The new road is expected to boost the

economy and hasten services in the Samar

provinces. (AJC/PIA8)

PNP8 cites San Poli MPS for buy-bust

P NP-RO 08 Director Police Chief

Superintendent Erwin Villacorte himself

gave the "Medalya Ng Papuri" to

San Poli MPS Chief Police Senior Inspector

Rommel Cesista after the Flag Raising

Ceremony at the Camp Ruperto Kangleon,

Palo, Leyte last May 23, 2016.

Cesista had led the buy-bust operation

launched in Brgy. Japunan which led to the

arrest of an alleged drug dealer named

Norberto Moratal after the police were able to

confiscate shabu, drug paraphernalia, and

₱ 2,680.00 — alleged to be a profit from his

transaction — from him. Aside from these, the

police were also able to confiscate a loaded

caliber .38 pistol from the suspect.

According to Regional Director Villacorte,

this commendation medal was given to the

policemen of San Policarpo due to their

commendable performance during the buy-bust

operation which led to the arrest of the target

suspect.

This is a proof of the commitment to

service of the elements of San Poli MPS who

were able to give honor not just for

themselves but to the whole PNP organization

as well.

Aside from Police Senior Inspector

Cesista, the following police officers also

received the same recognition: Senior Police

Officer 03 Erwin Moslares, Senior Police

Officer 02 Ronald Montallana, Senior Police

Officer 01 Allan Ladic, Police Officer 03 Ryan

Alcantara, Police Officer 03 Julie Ortiguesa,

Police Officer 02 Alvin Erbandone, Police

Officer 01 Jundel Cular, Police Officer 01,

Lolito Garciano, Police Officer 01 Mickey

Tomenio, and Police Officer 01 Mario

Mugar (SDC-PIA/E. Samar)

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, June 1, 2016 (PIA) --- Elements of the San Policarpo Municipal Police Station (MPS) was

recognized once again by the Philippine National Police- Regional Office 08 in line with their successful campaign against illegal

drugs.

Aurora J. Casimpan

Samuel D. Candido

Calbayog schools welcome 45K students

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 26 (PIA) — Calbayog schools are ready to welcome some 45 thousand students on June 13,

2016.

T his was announced by Schools Division

Superintendent Dr. Raul Agban, during

the Oplan Balik-Eskwela convergence

meeting.

One agendum was the readiness of its

partners to offer services for the smooth

opening of classes.

The police promised police visibility and

immediate assistance where P/C Inspector

Elmer Vargara also announced the police

hotline which is 0905 4254 511.

Department of Public Works and

Highways Representative Joanna Calagos

announced that of the 39 school buildings, 21

have been completed and are ready by then.

Some though still needs finishing touches but

the DepEd said it can always make provisions

for the absence of some facilities. ―These

buildings are climate change resilient,‖ said

Calagos.

She added that new designs after the

onslaught of typhoon Yolanda are better,

stronger and more resilient to strong

typhoons. The trade and industry department

representative also committed to strictly

enforce the suggested retail price for goods

especially school supplies. They also conduct

Diskwento Caravans for great savings.

The only am radio, PBS-Radyo ng

Bayan-DYOG offered the airwaves for

announcements on the opening of classes and

beyond especially that Pag-asa has announced

that after the long dry spell, La Nina will f

ollow.

Agban said that the class opening on June

13 is a historic one as this is the first year of

the Senior High School. He also announced

that the Voucher Program amounts to Php 17,

500.00 a year and will be released twice a year.

This is for those who will enroll in the private

schools as it is free in the public schools.

DepEd will also conduct Visita Escuela in

barangay San Jose on June 2 to check on the

school’s preparedness for the June 13 opening

of classes. (NBQ/PIA8-Samar)

Ninfa Quirante

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

EASTERN VISAYAS 7

DOST-8 inaugurates new building

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 1(PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the region has inaugurated

Monday the reconstructed DOST regional office 8 with Secretary Mario G. Montejo as guest speaker.

T he building, amounting to Php31

million was funded by the National

Disaster R isk Reduct ion and

Management Council (NDRRMC) under the

Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery program of

the government.

In his speech, Secretary Montejo said

more than two years since Yolanda devastated

many parts of Eastern Visayas including the

DOST building, the people were able to build

back better despite the enormous damage of

the super typhoon.

The official, a proud ―Waray‖ believes that

said great calamity has also brought out the

best of the Waraynon.

He reca l led that weeks and

even months after the devastation

the situation remained unconducive

for working but DOST-8 ensures

that it continued its services to the people

despite all the daily challenges and the limited

resources.

He also lauded the DOST-8 as it has

managed to endure all the hardships caused by

the disastrous super typhoon.

Meanwhile, DOST 8 regional director

Edgardo Esperancilla thanked Montejo for

being instrumental in making the construction

of the building possible.

The DOST-8 science and technology

complex now houses the new DOST

regional office 8 building, the provincial

science and technology center for

Leyte, the science and technology resource

center, the science and technology

multi-purpose cooperative, and the regional

standards and testing laboratory.

The new building is also envisioned to

house the state of the art conference facilities,

the management information center and the

information communication technology (ICT)

in Eastern Visayas.(ajc/cba)

NGCP: Keep away from power transmission lines

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 31 (PIA) -- People living in barangays where the high voltage electricity wires of the

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) traverse should realize the great danger in getting near these lines that

can prove fatal.

T his was stressed by Betty Martinez,

corporate communications officer of

NGCP in the Visayas, the guest during

the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA Cable TV

program last week.

Right after the cable TV guesting, Martinez

also visited radio station dydm and guested at

the Bantay Tawo public affairs program

anchored by Monching Buyser to air a similar

message.

Her concern proved timely in the light of

a deadly accident reportedly outside the

fenced perimeter of the NGCP sub-station in

barangay Tam-is, this city, in which a 51-year

old wood gatherer was electrocuted when the

long timber he was about to put on his

shoulder nearly made contact with the live,

high tension wire.

Martinez said the strong voltage acted like

magnet in a diameter distance of a meter or so

of the live wire.

In other words the wood and the wires

did not actually touched each other since the

lines did not trip, or no brownout when it

happened Sunday, May 22.

The case is still under investigation by the

NGCP, Martinez said, adding that the power

firm has always warned residents in the area to

always keep a safe distance from their power

transmission lines.

For safety measures, Martinez reiterated

these simple reminders for the concerned

people to always bear in mind:

1. Do not fly kites near transmission

lines or climb transmission structures.

2. Do not build grass fires near or un-

der transmission structures as these may cause

power interruptions in the area.

3. Do not put or install television (TV)

antennas near or under transmission lines.

4. Do not plant trees near

transmission structures.

5. Do not park your vehicle near or

under transmission lines.

6. Do not carry long sticks or any ob-

ject that might reach or come in contact with

the power transmission lines.

7. Do not build houses or any

structure under the transmission lines. (mmp,

PIA8-Southern Leyte)

EVisayas expects palay output to drop with La Niña

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 2 (PIA) – Contingency plans are in place which include stockpiling and distribution of

water-resistant palay seed variety that can withstand stress due to floods to be triggered by the expected La Nina

phenomenon, according to Leo Cañeda, regional director, Department of Agriculture Director here.

T he said palay seed variety will be

distributed to farmers in areas that

would be affected by La Niña.

Director Cañeda has declared the

probable damage on rice production spawned

by the heavy rains of La Niña.

The expected phenomenon, the opposite

of El Niño, is projected to affect palay

production in Eastern Visayas by about 200,000

metric tons involving 55,000 hectares of rice

farms across the region.

Earlier, state weather agency, the

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and

Astronomical Administration (Pagasa) declared

that the country will be affected by La Niña

which started in May and will end on

November, this year.

It was learned that the palay harvest in the

region declined, reaching only to 955,000

metric tons as production was affected

by the El Niño phenomenon, a prolonged dry

spell. The region hit its rice sufficiency index at

88%, a 3% drop from the previous 94%. (AJC/

PIA8)

By Aurora J. Casimpan

Consuelo Alarcon

Marcelo M. Pedalino

June 12—Philippine Independence Day

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com