one visayas e-newsletter vol 4 issue 14
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The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 4 Issue 14 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 7 - 13, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DENR, PIA join forces for intensified IEC on climate change
Cebu LGUs train on disaster preparedness
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
DENR to allot P1B for beach forest rehab in Yolanda hit regions
By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 (PIA) – Over PhP1 billion will be allotted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the implementation of the
Mangrove and Beach Forest Rehabilitation Project for this year in Yolanda affected regions including Eastern Visayas.
In a press conference held Tuesday at the DENR Regional Office 8, Forester Carlito Guante, Chief,
Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau of the DENR in the region said, twenty one (21) provinces in 7 regions are being prioritized for this project.
All the six (6) provinces in Region 8 are included in the proposed mangrove rehabilitation such as Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte and
Biliran. Other provinces include Northern Palawan,
Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon in
Region 4B; Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Guimaras in Region 6; Cebu, Bohol in Region 7; Zamboanga in Region 9; Davao Oriental in
Region 11; and Surigao in Region 13. Of the seven regions, Eastern Visayas who was heavily
affected by super typhoon Yolanda got the biggest budgetary allocation which is estimated at P638, 849,
628.75 in 17, 504 hectares while Region 9 has the least budget which is estimated at P34,458,358.43.
Based on the 2013 Philippine Forestry Statistics, it
shows that today‟s Philippine mangrove forest area has now increased to 310, 531 hectares from 117, 000 hectares as cited in 2000 Philippine Mangrove Action Plan.
(PIA-8)
BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I
ILOILO CITY, April 10 (PIA6) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-6 have joined forces to
intensify the information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign on climate change mitigation.
In the joint DENR-PIA workshop on held Tuesday, DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Jim Sampulna said
that climate change is upon us so there is a need to strengthen the IEC utilizing the information expertise of the PIA.
“PIA will serve as the voice box in this campaign with DENR providing the necessary technical expertise,” he said.
The DENR and PIA has signed a memorandum of
agreement that would pave way for the conduct of a nationwide advocacy and social mobilization campaign on
climate change adaptation and mitigation among the various sectors of society.
Under the agreement, PIA will provide technical,
administrative and management services in the implementation of Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in the regional level.
Likewise, PIA will develop and maintain social media
community and platform and organize networks of
program advocates in the region.
PIA will also organize and conduct advocacy events and activities including campus tours and community fora in the region.
The DENR official said that he also wants the IEC to include the Oplan SWIM or the Sustainable Work plan for Iloilo River Management.
Oplan SWIM is DENR‟s comprehensive work plan for
the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River system and its creek tributaries such as the Dungon and Calajunan creeks. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
PIA Dir. Gen. Jose Mari Oquinena (2nd from
left) leads the Unity Dance during the Grand
Launching of Bayani Challenge Leyte on April 5
at Alangalang, Leyte. (PIA 8)
In a recent AGIO 7 Forum Dr. Eugenia
Mercedes Cañal, OIC of DOH 7
Non-Communicable Section (with mic) says
11-12 Filipinos die of colorectal cancer per
year based on 2010 WHO data.
Colorectal cancer ranks 3rd in morbidity rate,
4th in mortality rate among Filipinos. With
Cañal is DOH 7 assistant regional director Dr.
Lakshmi Legaspi. (mbcn/AYS/PIA 7)
WVCST College President Dr. Luis Sorolla
(3rd from right) receives the trophy after the
college‟s project entry “Community Welfare
Through Culture of Collaboration” won the
Grand Prize of the 4th Best Public Sector
Projects Awards SUCs Category during the
awarding ceremony held at Smallville 21 Hotel,
Iloilo City, April 4. With him are RDC-SDC
Chair Zinnia Teruel, RGADC Chair Fely
Ibojos, RDC 6 Acting Chairperson and NEDA
6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal and DOT 6 Director
Helen Catalbas. (LAF/PIA6)
CEBU, April 10 (PIA) -- Fourteen local government
units (LGUs) of the Province of Cebu representing the first batch of Training of Trainers (ToT) on disaster preparedness that was conducted recently by the
Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR) in Cebu City under the „Noah‟s Ark Project‟.
The Noah‟s Ark Project is a community-based initiative of the CNDR and it aims to beef up the capacity
of high-risk barangays and sitios to deal with disasters
particularly floods, to reduce their vulnerabilities. Cebu governor Hilario Davide III welcomed the
implementation of this initiative in Cebu, saying “This will address our problem in the absence of a clear-cut system within our ranks that can harmonize our actions in
preparing for and responding to calamities, both natural and man-made,” Davide added.
Also in attendance were representatives from the
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Social Welfare and
Development Office (PSWDO). “The Noah‟s Ark Project encourages a behavioral
shift on community preparedness during disasters. Raising the level of consciousness and awareness of
high-risk communities on the need to have a contingency plan and executing it well can very well spell the difference between life and death,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Public
Affairs at Smart.
The program involved intensive trainings and workshops that run for at least six months after which all participating LGUs should be able to come up with
their own Community Risk Assessment, review the organizational Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and come up with a local contingency plan.
It involves the institutionalization of the Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Early Warning System, Communication Protocol and Evacuation
Procedures to help ensure zero casualties during disasters and emergency situations.
CNDR tapped Dr. Cedric Daep and Abundio Nunez,
Jr. of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) as resource speakers.
The Cebu PAGASA also provided inputs on
the hydro-meteorological hazards and hazard history in Cebu.
With the support of Smart, CNDR has successfully
implemented Noah‟s Ark in high-risk barangays Tumana in Marikina City; Macasandig in Cagayan De Oro City; Candau-ay Dumaguete City; Banago in Bacolod City; and in the City of Malabon.
Ever since Noah‟s Ark, all these barangays have reported zero casualties despite the string of disasters that hit the country. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports from SMART)
DENR-6 Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna (right) said
that the DENR-PIA joint advocacy and social mobilization campaign
on climate change adaptation and mitigation is a “marriage” of the
capabilities of the two agencies that he hoped would achieve a good
result. (PIA-6)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PIA6) --- The Iloilo provincial government established a beach forest in Tigbauan town here to restore
mangrove areas in order to fight the adverse effects of climate change.
D r. Rex Sadaba, professor at the
University of the Philippines
Visayas, said the Iloilo province is
pioneer in the country to launch a beach
forest program.
The project covers 10 hectares of
shoreline spanning Barangays 9, Poblacion,
Atabayan, Barroc and Baguingin.
It will cost P197 million for one year
of implementation.
Sadaba said that the beach forest is a
mixed association of creepers, shrubs, and
trees above the high tide level.
These species form an impenetrable
thicket in pristine forests and referred to
as “beach jungle” by early explorers.
He said that the beach forest has a
bioshield function which serves as
protection against storm surges, prevents
coastal erosion, provides medicines and
has a great potential for industrial
applications.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.
urged the Ilonggos to support this
program to care for the environment
and avert the revenge of nature as shown
by the huge impact of super typhoon
Yolanda particularly in northern Iloilo
towns.
The establishment of the beach
forest is part of the Action for
Regreening and Transformation for
Climate Change Adaptation (ART for
CCA) program of the provincial
government.
The official launching also kicked off
the celebration for the 113th founding
anniversary of Iloilo province. (JCM/LTP/
PIA-Iloilo)
Iloilo launches Beach Forest program Typhoon Yolanda damages in the Typhoon Yolanda damages in the Typhoon Yolanda damages in the province of Capizprovince of Capizprovince of Capiz
Validation, registration of voters set May 6
SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - The Commission on Elections has set the validation and registration of voters on May 6, 2014
to October 31, 2015.
A tty. Roberto A. Salazar, Provincial
Election Supervisor, COMELEC
Antique urged voters to check if
their registration have been validated
through a computerized gathering of
biometric data, if not they are obliged to
do so in order to vote for the May 2016
election.
Likewise, new registrants are
encouraged to apply for registration so
that they can exercise their right to vote
come election, said Salazar.
He said, so much time is given for
validation and registration to ensure that
all qualified voters are covered.
COMELEC reiterated its request to
all voters to validate and register early to
avoid long queues of voters, days before
the deadline.
This is part of the reforms
in governance initiated by this
administration three years ago,
and an important component of this
is the appreciation of Filipinos on
the significance of registering as voters
to exercise their democratic right as
citizens.
According to current data, more than
9 million voters still need biometrics
identification.
In Antique, Salazar said about 12
percent of 328,000 voters are yet to
validate their registration.
Starting May 6 COMELEC Offices in
different towns in the province will open
eight hours a day from Sunday until
Thursday (modified work week) for this
purpose, said Salazar. (JCM/PSM/
PIA6Antique)
BY: PILAR S. MABAQUIAO
ILOILO CITY, April 8 (PIA6) – Keeping the promise of livelihood, shelter and other services, the National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) and the stakeholders of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project II (JRMP II) recently met to formulate the
Indigenous People’s Development Plan-Commitment Matrix.
NIA assures IPs of basic services
T his, according to NIA-6 Director
Engr. Gerardo Corsiga outlines
the basic social services for the IPs
affected by the mega dam.
The Commitment Matrix focuses on
provision of services such as health,
education, livelihood and micro and small
enterprise development components,
and environmental, ecological and
organ izat iona l components for
sustainability.
In that consultation NIA again
discussed the background, legal basis,
socio-economic survey results and
current assessment of the impacts of the
project.
The P11.2 billion dam, the biggest
outside of Luzon, is seen to upgrade the
irrigation systems in Iloilo, supplement the
power supply in the province, augment
potable water supply in households and
firms, generate employment and help
promote tourism.
The concern, however, according to
some environmentalists and the IPs
themselves, were that the dam is
located in an active fault line, the West
Panay Fault, and that the IPs ancestral
homes will be inundated once the dam
overflows.
On the other hand, PHIVOCs said
that the dam is not prone to ground
rupture that may be caused by movement
of an active fault.
An estimated 543 IP households in
nine barangays in Calinog, the site
of the mega dam, will be directly affected
and will be losing homes and livelihood.
Corsiga has assured that the
dam can withstand an 8.5 magnitude
earthquake, and most importantly,
the government has prepared
relocations and livelihood support for the
IPs affected.
IP leader Peter Condez of Bgy.
Guinbonyogan, said they are not against
the project but they are more concerned
that the government grant them assistance
in housing and livelihood.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor
earlier assured that government will
deliver its promise.
So far, NIA said they have relocation
and housing plans for those affected
and the design of the hosuing units done,
each costing P180.000. (JCM/ESS/PIA
-Iloilo)
BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I
BY: ELSA S. SUBONG
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
GK’s Iloilo Bayani Challenge 2014 starts April 11
ILOILO CITY, April 11 (PIA6) – Gawad Kalinga launched April 11 the series of activities for its 2014 Bayani Challenge in Iloilo
that demonstrates GK’s commitment to help survivors of typhoon “Yolanda” rebuild their lives.
B ased on a letter sent by GK
founder and chairperson Tony
Meloto to PIA-6 Regional
D i r e c t o r l a w y e r M a . J a n e t
C. Mesa, the event kicks off two-months
of what GK calls “hometown activities”
that will focus on areas affected
by the November 2013 super typhoon
especially in the northern portion of the
province.
These activities will include
house-building, Paraisong Pambata, health
training, school refurbishing, balangay boat
making, relief operations, river and coastal
cleanup, psychological f irst aid,
rehabilitation of GK villages, tree and
mangrove planting, and building of artificial
reef and marine sanctuary.
GK Iloilo headed by Mary Rose
Cacho is also set to stage a fund-raising
golf tournament at the historic Iloilo Gold
and Country Club in Sta. Barbara town on
April 26 to support the local activities of
Bayani Challenge which has “Walang
Iwanan” for its theme.
The areas where the hometown
activities will be held include the following:
San Isidro, Jaro and Sooc, Arevalo in this
city (April 11-15); Pototan (tentative: April
12-15); Batad (April 23-27); Concepcion
(April 30-May 4); Sara (May 7-11);
Dumangas and New Lucena (May 14-18);
Carles (May 21-25); Ajuy and Barotac
Viejo (May 28-June 1); and, Estancia (June
5-8).
The culminating activity of the Bayani
Challenge 2014 summer activities will be
held in Ajuy town on Independence Day
on June 12.
Meloto said Gawad Kalinga intends to
partner with survivors, volunteers,
corporations, academic institutions,
government, other organizations, and
other nationalities to scale the GK way of
ending poverty.
They expect 1 million volunteers to
take the Bayani Challenge this summer in
Iloilo and 11 other provinces in
Western Visayas and Bohol, Cebu, Eastern
Samar, Leyte, Palawan, Samar, and
Zamboanga.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio
Cardinal Tagle has extended his
support to the project by encouraging in
an endorsement every parish and
diocese to “be part of the biggest
collective action which aside from
advancing solidarity with the poor also
promotes inter-faith dialogue and the
integrity of creation”.
The grand opening ceremonies
activity was held at the Ateneo de Iloilo
gym here. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)
BY: JAIME S. CABAG, JR.
Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Typhoon Yolanda damages in Canas Island, Northern IloiloNorthern IloiloNorthern Iloilo
Bacolod City gets P41M worth of projects
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 10 (PIA6) - - A press release from the Bacolod City Public Information Office disclosed that
President Benigno S. Aquino III approved the P41-million worth of projects for the City of Bacolod.
T ogether with the help of
Congress, the press release added
the amount was approved
under the 2013 proposed projects for the
city.
The approval was stated in a letter
sent by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to
Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella
dated March 7, 2014.
The President has approved the
amount for Bacolod City to be
implemented under the Bottom-up
Budgeting (BuB) Program, now known as
Grassroots Participatory Budgeting
Program (GPBP), which utilizes funds for
socio-economic projects of local
government units.
Roxas in the letter said that
according to the list of the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM), Bacolod
City had submitted proposed projects
portfolio last 2013 amounting to
P41-million and that it was approved by
the President to be funded and
implemented this 2014.
A Bacolod Youth Home for
Chi ldren- in-Conf l ict -With-The-Law
(CICL) in Abada-Escay, Barangay Vista
Alegre worth P3,850,000.00 and the
Technical Vocational Community Based
Training for Graduates of Public Schools
and Out-Of-School Youth worth
P3,000,000.00 plus the Sum-ag River
Development and Eco-Tourism Project
worth P2,740,000.00 were among the
projects included in the proposal.
Puentevella was elated about the
development and was very thankful to
Secretary Roxas for facilitating the
projects and to President Aquino for the
approval. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros
Occidental)
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 8 (PIA6) – An orientation briefing on Fair Trade Laws (FTL) and Consumer Welfare Desks (CWD)
was recently conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry at Robinson’s Place – Roxas in Pueblo de Panay here.
T he activity was designed to
provide target participants a
walk-through on the Consumer
Act of the Philippines, Consumer Rights
and Responsibilities, and the Importance
of establishing a CWD to enable them to
better serve their clients, said a DTI
activity report.
It was participated in by 94 tenants
and employees of the mall.
DTI – Capiz director Ermelinda
Pollentes said it is the agency‟s core
mandate to empower consumers through
education and advocacy as she also lauded
the management of Robinsons‟ Place for
accommodating a request to conduct the
FTL briefing.
She said that the orientation will pave
the way for the establishment of CWDs in
some of the malls big locators to promptly
attend to consumers‟ queries and
complaints.
As ide f rom the consumer
empowerment initiatives, DTI is also
pushing Capiz products to be sold inside
the mall and other local stores. (JCM/AAL/
PIA 6 Capiz)
DTI explains consumer laws; expect better service By: Alex A. Lumaque
BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
SIQUIJOR, April 10 (PIA) -- As the only province in Central Visayas that remains rabies-free, Siquijor province received
training program from the city government of Lapu-Lapu, says a press release from Renan Ansing of the Department of
Agriculture’s (DA) Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (PATCO) here.
Siquijor’s rabies-free campaign gets Lapu-Lapu support
T he city government of Lapu-Lapu
through its Office of the City
Veterinarian – City Pound Section
spearheads the training on human handling of
dogs on March 25-26, 2014 in Larena, Siquijor,
says the report.
Siquijor Provincial Veterinarian, Dr.
Bernardita S. Tabada said the city sent experts
to Siquijor that will surely improve the
province‟s efforts in maintaining a rabies-free
province in the country.
She expressed her gratitude to Mayor Paz
Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City for sharing the city‟s
expertise in dog catching and handling
techniques.
Siquijor has been declared as Rabies-Free
Province last September 22, 2008 in a joint
DOH-DA declaration held in Quezon City,
after the ten years of its last case of both
human and canine rabies was reported.
Based on provincial rabies data, two cases
on human rabies was reported in 1997 and in
1998 up to present, no case was counted while
three cases of indigenous canine rabies was
reported last 1987 and it only reemerged in
1993.
In a recent visit of regional executive
director Angel Enriquez of the Department of
Agriculture (DA-7) in Siquijor, she encouraged
local chief executives and authorities to
intensify the efforts towards maintaining the
province‟s status while ensuring support in the
veterinary quarantine and regulatory service.
A s i d e f r o m r a b i e s p r o g r a m
implementation, Tabada also stressed the
strong partnership of DA on the regulation of
incoming and outgoing of dog (canine).
Dr. Julius Galvan, the Provincial
Veterinary Quarantine Officer led the strict
enforcement to ports that connects provinces
in Central Visayas and Mindanao in
cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard
(PCG) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The continued efforts of the province
include vaccination of dogs, free castration,
spy and neuter of dogs to control its
population.
Successful five-year implementation that
covers 80 percent of dog population reaches
18,216 heads since 2009.
The rabies-free program of the province
is based on Republic Act No. 9482 on the
control and elimination of human and
animal rabies and Republic Act No. 8485 on
the animal welfare. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7
-Siquijor w/ reports from Renan Lapinig
Ansing/DA)
BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO
CEBU CITY, April 8 (PIA) – Eleven to 12 Filipinos die every year due to colorectal cancer, dubbed as the 4th cause of mortality
rate in cancer cases in the Philippines as the Department of Health (DOH-7) reiterated its call to adopt a healthy lifestyle to
minimize the development of cancer.
DOH7: Colorectal CA is 4th in mortality rate among Pinoys with cancer
D r. Eugenia Mercedes-Cañal, acting
chief of the Non-Communicable
Diseases Section of the DOH-7 bared
the data is taken from the World Health
Organization in 2010.
“We do not have the official data from 2011 to
2013, but the incidence on colorectal cancer is
increasing by the year,” said Cañalin during the
weekly forum of the Association of
Government Information Officers (AGIO-7)
held this morning.
Cañal said colorectal cancer also ranked
third in morbidity rate among Pinoys and cuts
across both sexes but most at risk are those
aged 50 years old and above.
Colorectal cancer is the abnormal
proliferation of cancer cells in the large
intestine down to the last portion to the
rectum.
Among the signs and symptoms of
colorectal cancer are weight loss, change in
bowel habits, bloody stool, anemia, stomach
ache and paleness, revealed Cañal.
“The cheapest diagnostic test that can
determine colorectal cancer is the fecal occult
blood test which can detect the presence of
cancer in the body,” said Cañal.
Other diagnostic examinations included
colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
The health official said the etiology of
cancer is unknown but there are predisposing
factors that can lead to the development of
colorectal cancer.
“Predisposing factors include smoking,
drinking too much alcohol, eating unhealthy
food diets, lack of exercise and too much
stress,” said Cañal.
Non-modifiable factors mentioned by
Cañal that places a person at high risk are age
and genetics or familial history.
Cañal said in order to minimize the risks
of developing any type of cancer, it is best for
people to adopt a healthy lifestyle such as quit
smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, eat a
balanced diet with more on fruits and
vegetables, exercise regularly and avoid too
much stress.
Meanwhile, Cañal said there had been
talks before about the possible inclusion of
colorectal cancer treatment to be included in
the expansion of the PhilHealth Z package
benefit. “Possibly in the near future such
proposal could be realized,” said Cañal.
According to the DOH-7, lung cancer
remains the top cancer killer followed by
breast cancer then cervical while fourth placer
is colorectal cancer and fifth ranking is ovarian
cancer.
Leukemia and prostate is at sixth and
seventh place, respectively. (mbcn/FCR/PIA-7)
BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
BANTAYAN ISLAND, April 9 (PIA) --- The Bayani Challenge went full swing April 9 in Bantayan Island.
B antayan was identified as the most hit
area by typhoon Yolanda last year
a f f e c t i n g 90 p e r cen t o f i t s
agricultural and tourism economy.
At 8:30 in the morning today, volunteers
gathered at the sports complex of Santa Fe
town where the launching of this year‟s Bayani
Challenge in Cebu was highlighted.
Present were Santa Fe Mayor Vicente
Esgana and Bayani Challenge party led by
Loylux Sagarria.
Sagarria said they are targeting 8,000
volunteers in the whole island of Bantayan.
James Philip Lao of Santa Fe Tourism
Office said that the volunteers are from
Ateneo de Manila, Philippine National Police
(PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and several other private groups and
organizations.
Lao said in Santa Fe, Bayani Challenge
activities are coastal clean up and school
repair. They will determine in two days how
many classrooms and buildings are to be
included from April 9 to 16.
The party then proceeded to Madridejos
where another launching happened at the town
plaza led by Mayor Salvador dela Fuente.
De la Fuente said there are 100 houses to
be built in barangay Tugas.
Most of the beneficiaries are fishermen.
He said in Madridejos, there about 600
volunteers. Last to launch was in Bantayan
Municipality with Mayor Ian Kintanar.
Bayani Challenge 2014 covers six towns
and one city in the northern part of Cebu.
(mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)
Bayani Challenge 2014 in full swing in Bantayan island BY: FERLIZA CALIZAAR-CONTRATISTA
Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Bantayan Island, CebuBantayan Island, CebuBantayan Island, Cebu
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- Sixty-five (65) high school graduates in Negros Oriental passed the nationwide
scholarship exams of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) for June 2014 school
year.
65 students qualify for 2014 DOST scholarships
D OST provincial director Gilbert Arbon
said the student-passers this year
increases to 44 percent from that of
the previous year.
Negros Oriental qualifiers are part of the
3,982 high school students in the nationwide
science scholarship examination administered on
September 22, last year.
According to Arbon this year‟s figure, each
city and municipality throughout the province
has at least one DOST passer with Dumaguete
City and Bayawan City having 10 each.
The privileged high school graduates who
took the qualifying exam for Republic Act (RA)
7687 undergraduate DOST-SEI scholarship
include Arianne Montecino, Arlene Amahit,
Jenica Kay Arcamo, Julius Mahinay Jr., Steve
Patrick Besario, Christ June Layug, Keith Moser
Orcia, Junel Cayetano, Cristy Timtim, Edralyn
Balbon, Maria Tefhanie Ho, Patrick Go, Geo
Vincent Leong and Amona Pitulan passed from
District 1.
Austine Quibot, Jake Rado, Precel Faye
Guerrero, Christopher Cabanag, Danelle Joy
Patoc, Lyra Faye Adloa, Jesse Adrian Banta,
Anjanette Kate Beolanguis, Allen Joshua
Bungcasan, Hannah Jael Cadusale, Ladylove
Princess Capunay, Michael Angelo Circulado,
Jhonna Jane Cuizon, Khym Jay Diamola, Fritz
Geralt Omangay, Janelyn Bendanillo, Tem John
Ogatis, John Alfie Gara, Alfie Dael, Edmar
Detecio, Klin Mendez, Kent Xyrell Mendoza and
Farah Faith Jane Tapis qualify from District 2.
District 3 passers include Dyan Erica
Fernando, Grace Gaga-a, Andrew Cesar Alberio,
Mae Faith Briones, Christian Carbelle Carbo,
Sheenbel Diva, Nova Mae Lecira, Vivitz Jane
Lubrico, Yo Jean Macay, Lyndon Paguntalan,
Elson Timbangan, James Bantug, Jaymar Tuble,
Benjie Arquilita, Jeleen Faye de la Peña, Genesis
Dimatulac, Nazirite Love Tuvalles, Narchiela
Guad, Harly Rabaya, Eunice Denolan, April Joy
Huang, Elemar Abuso, Maypaz Catanus and
Geneva Luang.
Arbon said from the total number of the
2014 national passers, 3,473 who belong to
economically disadvantaged families qualified
under the RA 7687 Scholarship grants, while 509
students who topped the examination qualified
under the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program.
“Only Zacchariah Caraig from District 3
qualified under the DOST-SEI Merit
Scholarship,” said Arbon.
Qualifiers who avail of any of the S&T
undergraduate scholarships may pursue a
four- or five-year college degree in priority
science and technology fields.
As benefits, RA 7687 scholars will receive
tuition subsidy, monthly stipend and book
allowance, among others. Scholars under the
Merit scholarship program will likewise receive
the same benefits except for the pro-rated
monthly stipend based on the family‟s
socio-economic status.
The new DOST scholars and their parents
or guardians are set to attend the Qualifiers‟
Orientation and Contract Signing in any of the
dates assigned to them per batch from April 21
to 23 at 8am to 11:30am at the DOST Negros
Oriental Provincial S&T Center in Daro,
Dumaguete City. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros
Oriental)
By: JENNIFER C. TILOS
Forum helps officials reach informed decisions on disaster issues
CEBU CITY. April 7 (PIA) --- The forum on "Understanding Vulnerabilities" provided public and private officials the tools to
increase their awareness and disaster preparations to help them reach informed decisions on disaster-related issues and
programs.
“ The forum, the third in a series initiated
by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation
Incorporated (RAFI)-Eduardo Aboitiz
Development Studies Center (EADSC),
provided people from different sectors an
overview of how last year‟s disasters affected
the environment particularly in the northern
part of Cebu province.
RAFI chief operation officer Dominic
Chua said the over all aim of the four series
forum is to provide the different sectors
needed knowledge and information in order to
have informed decisions when it comes to
disaster preparation and response.
The first presentor was a professor from
Silliman University, Dr. Angel Alcala who gave
a report on the Status of Marine Ecosystem in
Bantayan Island : A Basis for Livelihood and
Rehabilitation.
In Alcala‟s report he mentioned that The
Silliman University Angelo King Center for
Research and Environmental Management
conducted a study in 2012 on the islands‟ coral
reefs and fisheries stating that the fish biomass
reserve in Bantayan was 45 to 55 kilograms for
every 1,000 square meters.
But three months after the typhoon, fish
biomass went down to 35 to 40 kilograms for
every 1,000 square meters.
Alcala suggested other alternative means
of living beneficial to the fisherfolk since the
fish environment still needs to rehabilitate.
He was then followed by Jermaine
Baltazar Bayas, who is the interim program
manager of Typhoon Haiyan Emergency
Response for Northern Cebu.
Bayas talked on Institutionalizing and
mainstreaming the Disaster Risk Reduction
Management (DRRRM) in local government
units.
Other guests were Director Andres Bojos
of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) and Baltazar Tribunalo,
Head of Task Force Paglig-on of the Cebu
Province. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)
NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 5 (PIA) -- Given a scenario in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, more than 100 officials and employees
from the various offices inside the capitol building performed and simulated the basic responses during a simultaneous
nationwide earthquake drill recently.
NegOr joins nationwide earthquake drill BY: JENNIFER C. TILOS
BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA
P rovincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (PDRRMC)
executive officer Adrian Sedillo said in
response to National DRRMC, Negros
Oriental and some other cities and
municipalities conducted the drill to mitigate
the effects of tremor which the province had
experienced in 2012.
“Duck, Cover and Hold,” the officials and
employees performed when the alarm
signalling an earthquake occurred.
Through the PDRRMC, Gov. Roel
Degamo called on employees and officials of
the provincial government to join in the said
activity facilitated by the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP).
Gov. Degamo said the earthquake drill is
one of the many activities lined-up by the
provincial government every year, through the
PDRRMC, as part of the continuing
preparation to minimize the impact of
disasters.
The governor said this is the essence of
the disaster risk reduction and management or
DRRM framework.
“We have to prepare in order to
minimize the risks to the limbs, lives and
properties of the people,” the governor
stated.
The drill aimed to gauge the efficiency of
warning dissemination and response if an actual
earthquake takes place. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7
-Negros Oriental)
Earthquake damages in BoholEarthquake damages in BoholEarthquake damages in Bohol
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Mobile civil registration project gets overwhelming support
S ecretary Soliman led the launching of said
project at the Triara de Milagros Resort at
Palo, Leyte which was attended by the
local chief executives of the LGUs which will
benefit from the project, local civil registrars and
members of the media.
Soliman said the mobile registration is an
important step to early recovery and thanked
every organization for pushing for this project.
Soliman said that she is so happy with the
support of the LGUs as well as the UN agencies,
IDEALS and their allied NGOs and with the
national government especially PSA.
The project was conceptualized and initiated
by Dialogue and Empowerment through
Alternative legal Services Inc. (IDEALS) United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNCHR), United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(UN OCHA) International Organization for
Migration IOM, Department Of Social Welfare
and Development DWD, Department of Interior
and Local Government DILG, Office of Civil
Defense OCD, OXFAM and Interchurch
Organization for Development Cooperation
(ICCO).
The recipients of the project include
the typhoon-displaced residents of Tacloban
City, Palo, Tanuan,and Tolosa in the first district
of Leyte. Villaba, San Isidro, Tabango,
Isabel, Matag-ob,and Ormoc City in the
3rd and 4rth district of Leyte. Basey
and Marabut in Samar. Lawaan,
Balanghiga, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Guiuan,
Salcedo,Mercedes, and Hernani in Eastern Sa-
mar.
Through mobile registration, releasing of
important document can be done in community
level, documents such as birth, death and
marriage cetificates.
Aside from the LGU‟s who expressed their
support to the project like Mayor Christopher
Sheen Gonzales of Guiuan, Gov.Conrado Nicart
of the province of Eastern Samar and Gov.
Dominico Petilla of Leyte, several partners of the
project also committed support, Edgardo Ligon
Executive Director of Initiatives for Dialogue and
Empowerment through Alternative Legal
Services, Inc (IDEALS, Inc.) ; Luiza Carvalho
Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian
Coordinator United Nations Humanitarian
Country Team; Bernard Kerblat Country
Representative-Philippine Office United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNCHR); Dir. Lourdes Hufana of the Philippine
Statistics Agency-National Statistics Office
(PSA-NSO).
Soliman acknowledged that mobile
registration as an important step in early
recovery. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann A. Abella)
PALO, Leyte, APRIL 10 (PIA) - DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman cited the overwhelming support of the local government
units and other stakeholders in the Mobile Civil Registration Project which was launched on April 7.
Youth Friendly Space launched in Alangalang, Leyte Alangalang, Leyte, April 5 (PIA) - Youth Friendly Space was launched in Alangalang, Leyte recently as part of emergency
response to focus initiative on children especially during emergency wherein the risk and vulnerability of youth is heightened.
Y outh Friendly Spaces are funded by United
Nations Population Fund and a consortium
project that involves other international
NGO‟s like Save the Children, Plan international
and Friendly Care.
According to Val Estevez Asrhie, program
officer of Save the Children, there is a huge
possibility of the increase in teenage pregnancies,
cases of sexually transmitted infection and later
on maternal and infant mortality, aside from
protection issues that may arise involving children
during emergencies
The youth friendly space aims to provide
support the youth from 10-24 years old, it will
provide education sessions related to adoles-
cence, sexual reproductive health and emergen-
cies, protections issues and be part of the
counseling and provide psycho-social support
such as recreational activities and at the same
time, referral agents of cases of violence and
abuse.
In Leyte there are 10 youth friendly places
that were launched and Alang-Alang is the 9th;
next will be in Kananga, Leyte.
The others are in Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan,
Tolosa, Dulag, Mayorga, Mac Arthur and Ormoc
City.
Dr. Amador R. Catacutan, RH coordinator
Analyst of UNFPA said that the need to address
issue of the youth is being left out and there are
no projects being implemented for this sector.
Eastern Visayas is second in the country in
terms of numbers of teenage pregnancy and
UNFPA in a way wanted to help in lowering the
number because it is risky for the youth to be
exposed in teenage pregnancy.
With the youth friendly space the youth
are given the right information, make
them aware of the changes in their body and
make them aware of the informed choice and the
right values.
UNFPA is hoping that the LGU will absorb
the project to sustain it.
Mayor Loreto Yu of Alang-Alang signified his
willingness to absorb the youth friendly spaces
into the local program of the LGU especially that
UNFPA promised to put up a permanent
structure that will house the activities intended
for the development of the youth to be well-
rounded individuals in their adult life. (PIA 8 with
Lizbeth Ann Abella)
Bayani Challenge 2014: the opportunity to bring out the heroes in every Filipino thru volunteerism, beckons
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – Bayani Challenge 2014 which aims to bring together one million volunteers for a
mass build happening simultaneously around the country will be held from the Araw ng Kagitingan, April 9 to Araw ng
Kalayaan on June 12.
N ow on its 8th year, Gawad Kalinga‟s
Bayani Challenge will be held in 12
provinces, including Eastern Samar and
Leyte, Zamboanga, Bohol, Cebu, AklanAntique,
Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Palawan, and
Samar.
The Bayani Challenge 2014 is a multi-sectoral
effort organized by Gawad Kalinga with Globe,
Armed Forces of the Philippines, Commission on
Higher Education, MMDA, Philippine Information
Agency, Philippine Medical Association, Pilipinas
Natin, EDSA People Power Commission
and the Philippine Ports Authority, in partnership
with Human Nature, LBC Foundation,
and other members of the private and public
sectors.
For the province of Leyte, the grand
launching of Bayani Challenge Leyte was done on
April 5, 2014 at Alangalang, Leyte with no less
than PIA Dir. Gen. Jose Mari Oquinena, in
attendance and leading the Unity Dance.
The Gawad Kalinga Leyte disclosed
that Bayani Challenge will be conducted in 12
municipalities/cities in the province.
The entire two months, from April 12 to
June 12, Bayani Challenge 2014 Leyte will be
conducted in the town of Tanauan and Ormoc
City.
On April 12 to 16 will be the Bayani
Challenge 2014 Tacloban City, Leyte; April
12-16 will be the Bayani Challenge 2014 at Maasin,
Southern Leyte; April 23 -27, Bayani Challenge
2014 Albuera, Leyte; April 30 to May 4, Bayani
Challenge 2014 at Isabel, Leyte; April 30 to May 4,
Bayani Challenge 2014 Alang-Alang, Leyte; May
14-18, Bayani Challenge 2014 Palo, Leyte; May
21-25, Bayani Challenge 2014 San Isidro, Leyte;
and May 28 - June 1, Bayani Challenge 2014 Pal-
ompon, Leyte.
On June 12, the Closing Ceremonies
of Bayani Challenge Leyte will be done in
Ormoc City with all participating towns in
attendance.
It is not yet late. To get the full experience of
ad ven tu re and i n sp i r a t i on , c hoose
from any of the 9 weeks that will be
filled with fun and exciting activities from
rebuilding homes and schools, planting
trees, conducting clean-up drives and health
missions to investing time with the village
children.
Moreover, Bayani Challenge has Apostolic
Blessing from Pope Francis which means
that the Pope is giving his blessing and
praying for the success of the Bayani Challenge
2014 as well as for everyone who is a part of
it. (PIA 8)
By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Tacloban, LeyteTacloban, LeyteTacloban, Leyte
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Roxas hands over P800M checks for repair of LGU buildings in Leyte
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas visited Leyte, April 10-11
to personally hand over more than P800 million worth of checks to local government units in Leyte that were severely affected
by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
D ILG – 8 Regional Director Pedro A.
Noval Jr. told the Philippine Information
Agency, that the checks represent part
of the national government‟s Reconstruction
Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) to local
governments in Leyte which were hard-hit by the
typhoon.
It was learned that a separate turnover will
be scheduled for other Yolanda-hit LGUs in the
region.
Director Noval disclosed that the province
of Leyte has been clustered for the said
turn-over.
According to Dir. Noval, LGUs in Eastern
Visayas submitted project proposals worth P938
million for the repair of the provincial capitols/
municipal or city halls, public markets, and civic
centers. These proposals were meticulously
evaluated and then approved by DILG.
Director Noval stressed that the repair
projects coursed through DILG will be
implemented by LGUs, after submission of the
required Programs of Work and signing of
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DILG,
with the corresponding Sanggunian resolution
authorizing the LCE to enter into a MOA with
the agency.
Additional amount will be released to the
Department of Public Works and Highways which
has been tasked to implement proposed projects
for Reconstruction of key LGU buildings.
To recall, Supertyphoon Yolanda aside from
claiming lives and properties, also devastated
public buildings and facilities in Eastern Visayas.
The release of checks is a fulfillment of the
promise of national government to help hard-hit
towns regain their capacity to deliver basic
services and respond to the needs of their
community, Director Noval said.
Meanwhile, more children of Yolanda
affected fishermen in Eastern Visayas will benefit
from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources scholarship program for the children
of fishermen.
This, after BFAR National Director Asis
Perez, in his recent visit to the Region announced
that although originally, only the ten top passers
in the competitive examination will be granted
scholarships, more slots would be made available
for the interested children of Yolanda affected
fishermen in Eastern Visayas. About 300 students
took the Nationwide Competitive Examination
for Fisheries Scholarship Program – Fisherfolk
Children Educational Grant (FCEG) offered by
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR).
The competitive examination, held at the
Leyte Normal University on March 22, 2014,
offers free college education to children of
small-scale fishermen who are interested to
pursue a four-year BS Fisheries course.
The full scholarship grant would provide free
matriculation and other fees, monthly stipend of
P2,500; semestral book allowance of P2,000;
thesis support of P3, 000 and graduation support
of P500. (PIA 8)
Biliran geothermal project to generate 200 MW
NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – The developer of the geothermal project in Biliran province has seen a big potential generating
capacity of the project based on the status report of the on-going exploration drilling.
G rimur Bjornsson, reservoir engineer of
Orka Energy-Bil iran Geothermal
Incorporated, reported a “possible
generating capacity of 200 megawatts” based on
his report on the resource possible and proven
potential.
The possible generating capacity is based on
a resistivity anomaly and accessibility in a rugged
terrain where a production load of 10 megawatts
per square kilometer assuming the more
accessible North sector of 12 square km and
South sector is 6 square km, Bjornsson stated in
his report.
He also reported that the current drilling
campaign is expected to prove 50-100 megawatts
generating potential within the next 12 months.
Orka-BGI is currently drilling the third
exploration well as provided in the approved
provincial ordinance allowing the conduct of
drilling of three exploration wells in Barangays
Cabibihan and Villavicenta in Caibiran town.
Meanwhile, Tohru Sugiura, chief specialist of
Toshiba Corporation Power Systems Company,
disclosed in an interview on Monday, April 7
during the presentation of the geothermal project
to DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla at the
Biliran Garden Resort in Sitio Lomboy, Brgy.
Calumpang, Naval, Biliran that his firm
together with another firm in-charge of the
construction of the geothermal power plant, will
start the construction of the power plant by July
this year.
It was learned that Orka Energy contracted
Toshiba Corporation Power Systems Company to
undertake in the construction of the geothermal
power plant of the Biliran Geothermal project.
Sugiara also informed that the timetable for
the completion of the geothermal power plant is
24 months from July this year. (PIA 8 BIliran)
By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Typhoon Yolanda damages in Tacloban, LeyteTacloban, LeyteTacloban, Leyte
By: Rodrigo S. Victoria
UNFPA, PLAN Int’l lead skills training for women in Palo
PALO, Leyte, April 5 (PIA) - The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA and the PLAN International spearheaded a
livelihood activity for the 1st batch of women residents of Barangay Cogon Palo, Leyte Tuesday.
C onducted under the Gender- Based
Violence (GBV) Prevention, Response and
Gender Mainstreaming in the Typhoon
Yolanda Affected Areas was a Fish Deboning Skills
Training for 25 women in the barangay.
The participants are wives of fishermen in
the barangay with the training‟s aim in view to
complement their husband‟s livelihood.
According to Dr. Estrella V. Serrano,
Program Health Coordinator of PLAN
International they are working with UNFPA and
other partners for health and nutrition in Leyte
and Samar, and they target pregnant and lactating
women of 10 municipalities in Leyte and children
0-9 months old.
The group provides health services for
women and restoring health services and
repair of barangay health station but
importantly they are organizing mothers for
health services, good pre-natal and care of chil-
dren.
The days training was in partnership with
UNFPA for women‟s livelihood who are
fishermen wives, this to enable them to provide a
better life for the family.
Meanwhile, Sandra P. Gani the Gender Based
Violence (GBV) Coordinator said that the
skills training conducted in Palo was the first but
in their other area coverage trainings are on –
going.
Women who participated the training were
given tool kit composed of a knife, chopping
board, apron and hair net.
The UNFPA and PLAN international also
provided the fish for the hands-on training.
They also facilitated the invitation of a
speaker from TESDA to have a quality training
said Gani.
The women who participated the training
were glad that additional livelihood opportunities
were imparted to them.
In fact other women were interested to join
the training but they would be listed in the second
batch of the skills training. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth
Ann A. Abella)
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail [email protected].
Editorial Consultants
Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu
Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8
Managing Editor
Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
Contributors
All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8
Production and Layout
Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado
Regional Offices:
PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected]
PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
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: [email protected]/[email protected]