Vol 4 Issue 37 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 September 15 - 21, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue MCWD assures ample water for Metro Cebu despite El Niño

Hernani builds new town center

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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WV tourism sector gears up for AEC 2015

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA6) --- The tourism sector of Western Visayas is gearing up towards the integration of the Philippines into the ASEAN (Association of Southeast

Asian Nations) Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 Regional Director

Helen Catalbas said in a media release that a five-day workshop on AEC 2015 to be spearheaded by DOT will be

conducted here on September 23 to 27.

“The workshop will be attended by the tourism stakeholders in Region 6 to discuss integration readiness,”

she said. She said that this endeavor will prepare the tourism

sector here on how to meet the challenges and

opportunities when competing with other countries in the ASEAN. The AEC is characterized by a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a

region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy.

On one hand, the DOT has been implementing the

ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP) which has allowed free movement of tourism professionals within the region.

The agreement, which was signed by the

ASEAN-member countries last Nov. 9, 2012, is a significant component in the AEC Integration in 2015.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the

arrangement lays the foundation for the certification of skills and qualifications of working tourism professionals from different ASEAN countries. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

CEBU CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) --- Metro Cebu residents have no cause to fear of a water shortage when the effects of El Niño will be felt in the last quarter of this year and

will continue in the first quarter of 2015. Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) acting general

manager Engr. Ernie Delco assured residents of eight localities in Metro Cebu that the water utility firm has a

seven percent current reserve. “We are also increasing our water production tapping

Carmen town generating 18,000 cubic meters per day this

year and another 35,000 cubic meters of water volume daily by next year,” said Delco during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers

(AGIO-7). Delco said PAGASA warned that starting October,

rains will no longer be felt until March next year. “So we

are preparing for a below normal average rainfall which is why we are already increasing our water production capacity to get the needed reserves for the „dry spell‟

ahead,” added Delco. Delco said MCWD will slowly be shifting to surface

water from groundwater sources, the latter making up 35

percent of current water production capacity. MCWD has two main surface water sources namely

the Buhisan Dam in Cebu City and the Jaclupan Dam in

Talisay City. The Buhisan Dam has an average water production capacity of 7,000 cubic meters a day while below normal production capacity is 5,000 cubic meters.

“With a dry spell due to El Niño, we expect the dam

based on previous experience to only produce 2,000 cubic meters of water volume daily,” which at most during heavy rainfall has a production capacity of 10,000 cubic meters

per day, said Delco. The MCWD is prepared and ready to face in case of

a dry spell due to the El Niño as we reiterate our

assurance to our customers that water shortage will not be a concern, said Delco.

In the pipeline for 2015 is to build a water reservoir

to augment water demand by a growing populace in Metro Cebu which “we are factoring in at three percent population growth per year,” bared the MCWD. (mbcn/

FCR/PIA7)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS By: Samuel D. Candido

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Sept. 18 (PIA) - After Super Typhoon "Yolanda" washed out in totality its municipal building, Hernani LGU is now set to restore

their seat of governance some three kilometers away from its present location.

In an interview with PIA, Vice Mayor Wilmar S. Candido revealed that the construction of this municipal

building in Brgy. Canciledes is funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Manila Central Office.

The cost of the construction of theses building is estimated at P43 Million: P35 Million for the construction

of the Municipal Building including Mini Park (landscaped)

and P8 Million for the construction of Gymnasium. Vice Mayor Candido also said that aside from the

new municipal building, also to rise in the said area are will

be the New Hernani Rural Health Unit estimated to cost P8.5Million. Department of Health (DOH), Manila will fund P4.5M and HUMIDICA, an international non

-government organization (INGO), will fund P4-Million. Another building for construction is the Evacuation

Center funded by Global Hope, SM Foundation estimated

to cost P6Million with complete facilities such as

generator and solar energy. A Helicopter Pad which is estimated to cost P5Million, funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), another INGO, is also

subject to be constructed at the municipality. The three-hectare land area was purchased by the

City Government of Marikina through the initiative of the Vice-Mayor and Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members through

a resolution submitted by SB members of Hernani to the Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) of Markina for Sisterhood. With this legislative order, SP Marikina gave financial

assistance to Hernani Local Government Unit (LGU) in the amount of P2.3Million for the purchase of the said land.

On September 14, 2014, a groundbreaking ceremony

was held in the site which was graced by Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian of Marikina, Vice-Mayor Fabian Cadiz and City Officials of Marikina City, City Officials of

Valenzuela and Dasmarinas of Cavite City, Major Ric Domingo, Rev. Fr. Jason Ganvan of Radio Caritas of Manila.

The plan is part of the municipal government's master

rehabilitation plan to build back better amid the horrendous effects of "Super Typhoon Yolanda". (aen/sdc/PIA8-E. Samar)

PIA6 Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa speaks to the youth

participants and guests on the causes and

effects of Climate Change at NIPSC Ajuy

Auditorium, Sept. 18, 2014.

DOH assistant secretary Paulyn Jean

Rosell-Ubial conducts monitoring visits in

Tacloban and Tanauan, Leyte on September 11

and 12 in line with the ongoing nationwide

Tigdas-German-Measles and Oral Polio

Vaccine Mass Immunization for the whole

month of September which aims to bring

measles and polio cases in the country down

to very low levels and move towards measles

elimination. (ldl)

PSSupt Dennis Agustin receives a plaque of

commendation for leading a relentless cam-

paign against drugs and criminality. Also getting

the same commendation and cash incentives

are 12 police units and leaders that have

scored success in recent anti-drugs campagn.

Giving the award is PPOC chair Gov Edgar

Chatto while SP Peace and Order Chair BM

Yul Lopez, DILG Provincial Director Loisella

Lucino, Balilihan Vicemayor Pureza Chatto,

Carmen Mayor Francisco Toribio (2nd from

right) and Prosecutor Macario Delusa

(extreme right) look on. (PIABohol/RAC)

DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas. (PIA file photo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA6) — The upland areas in Panay have so much potentials, according to the Department of

Agriculture-6 such that the agency and the Korean international Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have embarked on a five-year

development plan.

DA partners with KOICA for Panay upland

development

I n a press release, the DA said that the

program called the Panay Island Upland

Susta inab le Rura l Deve lopment

(PIU-SRDP) will officially begin next year.

The areas which will be involved here are

the towns of Libacao in Aklan, Patnongon in

Antique, Jmaindan and Tapaz in Capiz and

Alimodian in Iloilo.

These areas, according to the DA

Information Office, are suitable for

agro-forestry development and production of

high value crops and other upland

commodities.

These are also upland areas within the

range up to 2,000 meters altitude, 18 percent

slope and 1,000 to 2,500mm rainfall per year,

hence, should be of public domain and

cannot be declared as alienable and disposable,

the DA said. DA-6 Director Larry Nacionales

said during the PIU-SRDP stakeholders‟

orientation, that foreign assistance is very

important in the implementation of agricultural

projects.

“I also urge the collaborating agencies and

the LGUs, to prioritize the needs of farmers in

upland communities by providing them with

sustainable and appropriate projects,”

Nacionales added.

PIU-SRDP will provide production

technology support, capacity building,

educational livelihood skills, such as conducting

Farmers‟ Field School, alternative financial

support and guarantee mechanisms, building of

agri- infrastructures and support of institutional

and organizational development. DA said this

program is aimed at reducing poverty

incidence, increasing farmers‟ income,

providing technical and livelihood skills,

providing market access and promoting

ecological awareness of rural farming in upland

agricultural areas.

Manuel Olanday, DA regional technical

director, said PIU-SRDP is in addition to the

Rice Processing Complex erected by

KOICA in Pototan, Iloilo, from the Korean

Government through the Official Development

Assistance.

The program has a budget of US$7 million

and US$2.3 million from the DA and the LGUs,

implemented in collaboration with the DENR,

Philippine Coconut Authority, Fiber Industry

Development Authority, DAR, NCIP, some

civil society organizations and people‟s

organizations. (DAJCM//ESS/PIA-Iloilo).

By: Elsa S. Subong

Mission review and validation of Project GROWTH on

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Sept. 16 (PIA6) - - Representatives from the World Bank led by Task Team Leader Rabih Karaky

conducted mission review and site validation of the potential site of its Project GROWTH beneficiaries.

P roject GROWTH means Gearing Rural

Organizations for Wealth creation

T o w a r d s H o u s e h o l d i n c o m e

improvement which focuses on agro-rural

enterprise development.

Karaky in an interview said he is

impressed by the excellent presentation of the

DAR and was impressed by the General

Manager of the TARA ARC Pacita “Nene

Decs” Decatoria.

“The presentation was excellent and I was

impressed with the general manager of the

cooperative because they seem to be doing

things on the right track.

We are willing to help them, that is why

we are here,” Karaky said.

The team was joined by the officials from

the Department of Agrarian Reform led by

Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong and

Regional Director Alejandro Otacan who held

a dialogue with the members of the TARA

Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ARC) in

Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City.

Bistoyong said that the project is looking

at the partnership of producers and buyers of

an area that are capable of binding themselves

to an alliance or agreement to produce crops

demanded by the market.

In Negros Occidental, there are four

crops identified – organic rice, muscovado

sugar, raw sugar and banana.

These were determined after a thorough

assessment prior to the mission review.

Meanwhile, Decatoria said that they are a

very lucky cooperative which unlike the others,

have benefitted from all the support services

from DAR and all those from the different

agencies recommended by DAR.

The mission review, according to

Bistoyong, was done to assess the

preparedness of the Agrarian Reform

Beneficiaries Organizations to participate in the

Project GROWTH to be funded by World

Bank. *(/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

By: Easter Anne D. Doza

‗September bloodlettings‘ keep Red Cross busy

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 18 (PIA6) – One hundred fifty – three successful blood units have been collected by Philippine Red

Cross (PRC) – Capiz chapter in at least six mobile bloodletting activities organized by various groups in separate dates and

venues from Sept. 6 to 16.

By: Alex A. Lumaque

B ased on PRC records, the month‟s

initial bloodletting organizers were

Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion

(CPC), International Care Ministries in Dao

town, Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen

and Professionals, Ang Dating Daan and

Barangays Bonga and Capagao in Panay and

Panit-an towns, respectively.

More bags of blood are expected to be

added to the PRC‟s blood bank as 10 more

bloodletting activities will be conducted by the

Chapter until the end of the month.

These voluntary blood donation activities

will be at 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine

Army at Camp Gen. Macario Peralta in

Jamindan town and Tapaz National High School

in the municipality of Tapaz (Sept. 19),

Barangay Jumaguicjic, Roxas City organized by

CPC Criminology Department (Sept. 20), Pob.

Ilawod in Ivisan town (Sept. 21), Brgy.

Esperanza in Jamindan town (Sept. 23),

municipality of Pres. Roxas (Sept. 24) and

Capiz State University – Roxas City main

campus (Sept. 25).

The Capiz Council of Human Resource

Management Practitioners has also organized a

similar activity dubbed “Red Friday” on Sept.

26 here in line with the Civil Service Month

celebration this September.

The other remaining bloodletting

schedules will be organized by Capiz Sugar

Central in Pres. Roxas town (Sept. 27) and

International Care Ministries – Roxas City

(Sept. 29).

Last July, about 50 mass blood donation

organizers were cited by PRC and Provincial

Health Office for their efforts and support to

the voluntary blood donation campaign in the

province last year. (JSC/AAL-PIA6 Capiz)

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

DOLE-6 re-launches Incentivizing Compliance

Program

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

SAN JOSE, Antique Sept. 17 (PIA6) - - The government‘s advocacy on climate change preparedness and mitigation got

another boost with the support recently extended by the Antique Police Provincial office or APPO.

“ The urgency for a call to action to

protect our environment needs

everybody‟s support,” said PIA Antique

Infocen Manager when she coordinated with

PSSupt Edgardo O. Ordaniel, Officer-in-Charge

of the APPO.

Gadian turned-over to the APPO the 18

tarps to be posted in strategic areas of the 18

municipalities of Antique with the advocacy‟s

theme “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon

na para Magbago”.

The said info campaign material is

expected to increase the level of awareness of

the people about the dangers posed by climate

change to human life, agriculture, infrastructure

and property.

Gadian, in her communication to

PSSupt Ordaniel, solicited the support of the

18 Municipal chiefs of Police to put up in

strategic areas the PIA-DENR tarpaulin, so that

the people will understand the importance of

caring and preservation of our environment in

order to help mitigate the impact of climate

change.

It will be recalled that the PIA and DENR

solidified the campaign on climate change

mitigation and preparation from April to

December this year, where the two concerned

agencies will work closely in order to sustain

awareness of the people about climate change

and its effects.

Part of the PIA-DENR partnership this

year in Antique is to conduct search for best

LGU projects on climate change mitigation and

adaptation, conduct of five-minute newscast on

climate change update every Monday through

Saturday over DYKA/Spirit FM, youth camp,

quiz bee for high school students, and media

tour in Bugang River, Pandan, Antique.(JCM/

VWV/PIA Antique)

PIA,PNP Antique partner for climate change advocacy

By: Vicente W. Villavert

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA6) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas re-launched the

Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP) to promote among establishments or zones voluntary compliance with labor

standards.

I n the ICP re-launching program held

Tuesday at Regatta Residence Hotel

here, DOLE-6 Assistant Regional

Director Salome Siaton urged companies to

obtain certifications and awards granted by

DOLE and its affiliate agencies which could lead

to the Tripartite Seal of Excellence (TSE) or

the Presidential Award, the highest award.

The ICP is based on Department Order

No. 115-11, Series of 2011, otherwise known

as the Guidelines on the Implementation of the

Incentivizing Compliance Program.

This is an institutional reform outlined in

the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan

2011-2016 calling for the convergence and

integration of programs on labor law

compliance to strengthen self-regulation and

voluntary labor standards compliance among

the country‟s industries.

DOLE-6 Public Information Officer Amy

Judicpa said that the ICP aims to enhance

companies‟ awareness on the five certifications

required to obtain the TSE.

The five DOLE “good housekeeping”

certificates are as follows: Tripartite Certificate

of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS);

Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK);

Certificate for Child Labor-Free Establishment

(CFLE);

National Productivity Olympics Award;

and Outstanding Labor Management Council

(LMC) Award for Industrial Peace.

The TCCLS is a basic pre-qualification

requirement to the DOLE Secretary's Labor

Law Compliance Award and to the TSE.

The Secretary's Award can be acquired

when the TCCLS plus two other certificates

are obtained by an establishment.

In Western Visayas, only three companies

obtained the TCCLS, two were granted the

CFLE, while one was nominated for the

Secretary‟s Award.

Judicpa said that the number of grantees is

quite small as compared to the number of

establishments in Region 6.

She added that some enrolled companies

fell short of complying with the requirements.

(JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 18 (PIA6) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) is appealing to Aklan farmers that come harvest time,

they share their rice harvest by selling part of it to the food agency.

N FA-Aklan, through Judith Tindog,

Provincial Operations Officer, issued

this call at a radio program here with

the observance that harvest time is

forthcoming and with the NFA‟s mandate to

procure and buy palay to ensure enough rice

supply in the province during lean months or

during times of calamities.

“Although harvesting in Aklan is

sporadic due to unsynchronized planting

caused by the weather, we have observed that

some farmers will soon be harvesting while

others will have to wait a little longer, and so

we are appealing to our farmers this early

that they sell part of their harvest to the NFA”,

Tindog said.

The palay procured by the NFA will also

be stored at the food agency warehouse which

will be milled and distributed in the province

year-round, Tindog said.

As to the safety of the procured palay,

she assured that the warehouse at the NFA

compound which will store the palay procured

from farmers is elevated and free from

floodwaters should there be flashfloods caused

by the erratic climate.

Meanwhile, RB Grace Hope Parreno,

NFA-Aklan Information Officer who was with

Tindog at the radio program called on

Aklanons to practice the “half-order” rice

serving when eating out at fastfoods and

restaurants.

Parreno said the rice saved from doing

this practice will contribute to our food

security measures.

She said households should also cook just

enough rice for their meal. During celebrations

life fiestas, weddings and anniversaries, she also

called on the people to just get enough rice

that they could consume.

Tindog and Parreno also urged Aklanons

not to feed their pets with rice because it is

only meant for human consumption.

The province of Aklan already an

ordinance urging fastfoods and restaurants

here to serve half-rice order for rice

conservation purposes. (JCM/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan farmers urged to sell rice to NFA

By: Venus G. Villanueva

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 16 (PIA) -- At least four workers including a minor recruited from Dumaguete City as garment

factory workers were rescued recently in Manila.

V isayan Forum (VF) ant i -human

trafficking monitoring officer Romualdo

Señeris told Philippine Information

Agency-Negros Oriental the victims were

promised by the recruiter as factory workers

but as they reached in Manila they ended up as

domestic helpers and poultry workers.

The two boys were sent to Pampanga to

work in the farm and two girls as househelps,

however they complained and managed to

inform their parents back in Dumaguete on

their poor situation.

The boys reported to do hard work

feeding 6,000 chickens daily with no regular

salary. With their condition they were able to

escape from their employers.

The girls, one a minor were rescued or

pulled out from their employers by the

Department of Labor & Employment (Dole),

National Capital Region.

The four victims were reunited on Friday

and turned over to Visayan Forum‟s halfway

house in Manila port.

Señeris said the VF is now working for the

coming home of the victims to Dumaguete

City while its office is building up the case

against the illegal recruiter.

“The recruiter from Mabinay town has no

authority to recruit since the recruitment

agency based in Dumaguete City under the

DOLEs PRPA has an expired license during the

recruitment period of the victims upon the

verification of Dole Negros Oriental,” said

Señeris.

The parents of the victims from barangays

Looc, Bajumpandan and Junob, Dumaguete

City reported to Dumaguete City Social

Welfare & Development Office which

prompted the latter to coordinate with the

Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE)

and VF.

VF is a non-government organization that

works to help combat human trafficking and

other forms of exploitation.

Negros Oriental is cited among the usual

destinations of trafficked women and children.

(mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

VF: 3 workers, 1 minor rescued from human trafficking

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

CEBU CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA) --- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD-7) and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Council (RDRRMC-7) held a 3-day Regional Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop recently to prepare and harmonize

respective roles of agencies in times of emergencies and disasters.

RDRRMC, OCD-7 hold 3-day contingency

planning workshop

BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN

R DRRMC-7 chairperson and OCD-7

regional director Olivia Luces said the

formulation of a Contingency Plan can

better prepare member agencies to address an

emergency and its potential humanitarian

impact.

Luces said a ConPlan is a management

tool that involves decision making in advance

with an awareness of a range for technical,

logistical support and response taking into

consideration the resources, those

accountable, communication plan and

emergency equipment.

Under RA 10121 or an Act Strengthening

the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management System of 2010, outlined four

thematic areas are given priority namely

disaster prevention and mitigation, disaster

preparedness, disaster response and

rehabilitation and recovery.

“But one-half of our efforts must be

geared towards disaster prevention and

mitigation,” said Luces.

Luces said it is very important to have a

contingency plan “as most local government

units that were hit by super typhoon Yolanda

did not have a contingency plan.”

The RDRRMC-7 chair also said LGUs

should also allot the five percent of revenues

locally generated to disaster-related activities

of which 70 percent of the five percent should

be on disaster prevention and mitigation.

Other events a ConPlan should be

considered included sudden increase of

displaced population, outbreak of an epidemic

and terrorism.

OCD-7 consultant and previous OCD-9

director Adrian Fuego in the same activity said

a ConPlan puts emphasis on disaster risk

reduction and management and predicts where

the disaster may possibly strike and to prevent

the effects and reduce its impact.

“Ultimately, the formulation of a ConPlan

is to save lives and properties,” Fuego said.

(mbcn/FCR/PIA7)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) with the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources (DENR) and Dumaguete City Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) will hold a series of

―Climate Change Advocacy School Caravan‖ from September 23 to October 2 in eight identified high schools in Dumaguete

City.

8-day school caravan on climate change set in Dumaguete City

W ith the tagline, “Nagbabago na ang

Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago”,

the climate change advocacy

campaign aims to raise the youth‟s level of

awareness on the different mitigation and

adaptation measures to counter the negative

effects of the ongoing climate crisis.

The eight-day school caravan will start on

September 23 at Hermenigilda F. Gloria

Memorial High School; Sept. 24 at Dumaguete

City High School; Sept. 25, Junob National

High School; Sept. 26 Taclobo High

School; Sept. 29 Camanjac National High

School; Sept. 30 RTPM Dumaguete City

Science High School; October 1 Piapi High

School and October 2 Negros Oriental High

School.

The series of scheduled caravan on

climate change will be conducted in high

schools at 3:00-4:00 p.m. for Dumaguete City

Department of Education (DepEd) Division and

t 9:00-10:00 a.m. for the Negros Oriental

division.

The school caravan aims to strengthen

adaptation and mitigation measures with the

youth sector in response to climate change and

motivate active cooperation and participation

of communities in taking steps to protect the

environment and conserve natural resources.

Before the actual date of the school

caravan, a team from the PIA, DENR, and

ENRO will visit the abovementioned schools

between Sept. 12 -15 to observe its

environmental-friendly practices such as its

solid waste management and material recovery

facility programs among others for some

recognition during the caravan.

The activity include video showing,

orientation-briefing, trivia game, awarding

or tagging for MakaKalikasan school and

ceremonial tree planting in every school

visited. The event is in cooperation with the

DepEd-Division of Dumaguete City and

Negros Oriental. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros

Oriental)

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

SIQUIJOR, Sept. 15 (PIA) — The province of Siquijor gets a total of P9,345,992 from the Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship program for this year.

T his was bared during the Industry

Forum conducted recently to the

Provincial Micro Small and Medium

Enterprises Development Council (MSMEDC)

at the DTI Conference Room, Siquijor,

Siquijor.

The funds are sourced out from the

TESDA‟s Training for Work Scholarship

Program (TWSP), Private Education Student

Financial Assistance (PESFA) and the

Grassroots Participatory Budgeting for 2014

(GPB), says TESDA-Siquijor provincial director

Engr. Samuel Jordan.

Engr. Jordan in his opening message said

SMEs participation helps in the effective

implementation of the tech-voc program in the

province.

Technical Educat ion and Ski lls

Development (TESD) program is anchored on

the skills priority plan of the province-- which are tourism and agri-fishery as well as middle

level manpower skills of the large and media

industries in Region VII, and skills requirements

of other regions and overseas, says TESD

specialist Fletcher Gumahad in his presentation

during the Industry Forum.

Scholarship programs offered are

Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) for

Siquijor and Lazi towns in four batches with a

fund allocation of P550,000 and Shielded Metal

Arc Welding (SMAW) for Maria, Enrique

Villanueva and Siquijor, 10 batches amounting

to 2P2,446.500. TWSP beneficiaries must be at

least 18 years old at the time the scholar

finishes the training program. Educational

attainment shall be based on industry

requirements or as prescribed in the applicable

Training Regulations.

Pursuant to the Special Provision of the

2014 GAA, priority is given to those who are

from regions or provinces where the absolute

number of poor residents and the incidence of

poverty are high. The regional and provincial

offices shall ensure that these areas are provided access to TWSP.

Other clientele groups such as persons

with disability (PWDs), indigenous people, solo

parents and their children and senior citizens

shall be afforded access to scholarship

opportunities in the qualification/courses

where they can qualify.

OFW returnees, members of the families

of AFP and PNP personnel killed in military and

police operations and other marginalized

groups may also avail of the scholarship

program subject to pre-qualification.

Likewise, PESPFA beneficiaries must be a

High School Graduate, at least 15 years old;

have taken the National Career Assessment

Examination (NCAE) or have undergone

the Youth Profiling for Starting Careers

(YP4SC); have an annual family income of not

more than PhP120,000; and must not be a

recipient of any previous TESDA scholarships

(2006 to 2013). Meanwhile, TESDA Siquijor

encourages active involvement of concerned

sectors, particularly private enterprises, being

direct participants in and immediate beneficiaries of a trained and skilled workforce,

in providing technical education and skills

development opportunities. (mbcn/rac/PIA7

-Siquijor)

Siquijor gets P9.3M TESDA scholarship

program for 2014

BY: RIZALIE A. CALIBO

CEBU CITY, Sept. 16 (PIA) — Four model family beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in

Central Visayas were honored yesterday.

DSWD-7 honors model Pantawid families in CV

T he Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD-7) Field Office

awarded one family beneficiary each

from the four provinces, that were best

examples of the 4Ps.

Awarded were Alaban family from Santa

Catalina, Negros Oriental (3rd place); Ates

family from Maria, Siquijor (2nd ); Albasin

family of Dumanjug, Cebu (1st place); and the

Ewican family of Alegria, Carmen Bohol won as

the grand champion.

Ewican family will represent the region in

the 2014 Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya

competition natrionwide.

Shalaine Lucero, assistant Regional

Director said they conducted meticulous

evaluation among the nominee family

beneficiaries.

The criteria include maintaining a strong

and harmonious relationship and upholds

Filipino values despite the challenge of poverty;

the family practice of healthy living and care for

the environment; involvement in the

community activities and an inspiration to the

community.

Most of the children of the awarded

families are achievers in their school and the

family also made wise use of the financial

assistance.

4Ps is a human development program of

the national government that invests in health

and education of poor households, particularly

children below 18.

Just recently Lucero said that they already

include the age range until 18 to make sure

that the children will be able to finish high

school. The program include a conditional cash

transfer to poor households with children 0-18

and pregnant mothers.

DSWD7 was porud to announced that

the program already covered all barangays in

the entire region.(mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

BY: FERLIZA CALIZAR-CONTRATISTA

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Sept. 16 (PIA) -- ―Let the contractor follow our shortened schedule.‖

DPWH shortens work timelines on construction projects

D epartment of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio

Singson issued this order to the 16

regional directors in a regular meeting held at

the DPWH Head Office recently.

Singson said that the DPWH

implementing units in the regional and district

offices may also order contractors to shorter

project durations whenever possible to ensure

timely completion of projects, especially in

populated and urban areas.

“As we are about to enter the last

quarter of the year, we have to tighten our

project management and reduce the number of

calendar days with additional resources of

contractors especially for projects in highly

urbanized areas, added Singson.

In 2012, Singson through Department

Order 44 implemented standardized

construction duration of various categories of

projects/works depending on cost.

The standardized durations for the

corresponding categories of works is the

maximum prescribed days.

Construction works beyond allowable

period must be subject to approval of the

DPWH Bureau of Construction.

The Secretary has also reminded the

regional directors to strictly follow the

approved specifications and design standard in

the concreting of farm-to-market roads

nationwide.

In areas where the average daily traffic is

less than 200, DPWH constructs minimum

pavement width of 4.0 meter for two lanes and

5.0 meters for two lanes for 200 to 400

average daily traffic.

The minimum concrete pavement

thickness is 150 millimeter (6 inches). (PIA7/

with reports from Beth Pilorin/ Public Info

Div)

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Climate change advocacy campaign involves

CCT members

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept 19 (PIA) -- Some 2,500 members of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) also known as

Pantawid Pamilya program beneficiaries joined the government's call to heed the call to change their ways due to climate

change.

R ichard Peru, Catbalogan City Link said

that on September 20, these families

will join a Fun Run with the theme:

Run and Clean.

He added that since the whole country is

all agog on the advocacy of preparing the

people through disaster because of unexpected

catastrophies, they thought of enjoining all

CCT members through its family development

sessions to join the bandwagon.

"In July, we tried to incorporate disaster

consciousness in the family development

sessions," said Peru.

"We decided to focus too on the causes

and effects of climate change and how to save

Mother Earth," he added.

The following month, true to saving

mother earth, Peru said they conducted a tree

planting event with the theme: 1 tree,1 family,

1 planet.

"All these are geared towards

their understanding of climate change that

has caused anguish to families," he told PIA

Samar.

With the different activities involving

them, all three city links of Catbalogan aim to

instill that climate change is here and that they

should be ready to change, parallell to the

climate change advocacy theme: Nagbabago na

ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago.

PIA-Samar will team up with the CCT

program for a wider climate change ad

campaign reach. (vrc/nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

By: Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante

LGUs, DENR, PIA undertake action-oriented advocacy on climate change in So. Leyte

T his developed following an orientation

with barangay officials and heads of

various sectors within the barangay

Monday, September 8, with speakers from the

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (DENR), and from the General

Services and Disaster Risk Reduction Council

of the city government.

Forester Edi lberto Alcarde of

DENR-CENRO talked about the overall

subject on climate change and its ill effects,

Benjase Lumen of the City General Services

lectured on zero waste management, while

Michael Samaco of the CDRRMC briefly took

up the integration of risk reduction and climate

change adaptation.

Asuncion Punong Barangay Narciso

Montalbo, Jr. welcomed the selection of his

barangay as pioneering site of the activity,

saying he had been planning all along on

orienting his constituents on the matter.

Since methane in decomposed garbage has

been singled out as a great contributor for

trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

that can lead to global warming, a project on

zero basura at household and purok levels was

conceptualized.

Also, a jingle-making contest for youths of

the barangay was also introduced as another

project that can raise awareness.

The idea on the song-writing and

inter-purok zero basura was initially discussed

by Servado Acedo of DENR-PENRO, even as

details on their mechanics are still being

worked out.

But these contests are scheduled to be

launched within this month after a purok-level

information drive in the barangays‟ seven

puroks within this month, with awarding of

winners set on November 29 in time for the

barangay‟s annual fiesta.

The provincial government through its

environment management office and the

department of agriculture in the city or

province will also be tapped to be involved in

this undertaking.

Barangay Asuncion is the second largest

barangay in the city proper next to barangay

Combado. Where the seat of the provincial

government and the Diocese of Maasin are

located.

It has a population of about 4,000 people

and, at an estimated one-half kilo of thrash per

person, the barangay can generate 2,000 kilos

of garbage per person per year, according to

Benjase Lumen of the city general

services. (vrc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The advocacy campaign on climate change adaptation here is headed to

produce concrete results in terms of waste reduction, especially in the pilot barangay of Asuncion.

By: Marcelo M. Pedalino

PIOs, private media learn from NGCP facility tour in Ormoc

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sep. 14 (PIA) -- At least 28 information officers from the government agencies and the

private media had the chance to tour the facilities of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Ormoc City,

September 9, 2014.

T he information officers coming from

the government agencies of DILG,

Philippine Statistics Authority, SSS,

DTI, TESDA, Philippine Coastguard, the PNP,

DENR-PENRO and CENRO, DPWH,

Southern Leyte Health Services Office,

Southern Leyte Electric Coop and from the

private media toured the facilities like the

control room room, the work station, and

other significant areas related to the

transmission of electricity.

After the facility tour, an orientation on

NGCP's role facilities was conducted at Sabin

Resort function hall with key officers from the

NGCP as resource speakers.

NGCP Leyte Control Area Head Engr.

Ildebrando F. Fajardo explained the role of the

power industry, the delivery of power to the

consumers and the systems operations of the

grid.

He said that, “the key players in our

operations are the generator, transmission and

the consumers.”

NGCP-Ormoc have substations where

they distribute in electricity such as

Leyte-Samar-Biliran, Cebu and Bohol, among

other areas .

Topics discussed include the major causes

of power interruptions, transmission system

problems, transmission profiles, safety and

security of the public, power shortage,

Republic Act 7832 known as the

Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission

Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

Other resource speakers were Alvin P.

Santos, Head of Operations, Planning and

Control System; Security Officer Dominggo

Bernard; Chief Engineer Rodolfo Daganzo from

Visayas District, and Ms. Martinez.

The National Grid Corporation of the

Philippines is tasked to deliver safe and reliable

electricity throughout the country. It holds the

responsibility of bringing the electricity

produced by power plants to distribution

utilities. The tour was coordinated by

PIA-Southern Leyte and NGCP thru its

Corporate and Public Affairs Office. (vrc/rgc/

PIA8-SoLeyte with CBA report)

By: Rebecca S. Cadavos

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Two Tacloban youths to join SSEAYP

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 16 (PIA) – Two young individuals from this city were among the 300 participating youths from

ASEAN countries who will join the 41st Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program scheduled on October 29 to

December 18, 12014.

T he two, identified as Reden Sabela and

Ma. Marjorie Culibar, 25 and 23 years

old respectively are both active in their

own youth organizations.

They were among the 28 young Filipinos

who were chosen by the National Youth

Commission (NYC) to serve as the Philippine

Youth Ambassadors of Goodwill who will

officially represent the country in the

diplomatic cultural exchange program for the

year 2014.

Together with the 300 participating

youths from other ASEAN Countries, Sabela

and Culibar will also have a chance to be on

board the Japanese cruise ship MS Nippon

Maru for 51 days. However, the participants

will have their port of calls in five countries

such as Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia

and Japan where they will conduct institutional

visits, courtesy calls, interaction with the communities particularly the youths and

homestay experience.

More than just a tour, a series of activities

are being lined up from the pre-departure until

the program ends. This includes discussions

on Youth Entrepreneurship, Cross-Cultural

Understanding, International Relations,

Environment and Climate Change, Food and

Nutrition, Media and Information, Social

Education and Health.

After the program, participants are

expected to learn and use the knowledge they

get in their advocacies particularly in coming up

with a post-program activities with the

assistance of the NYC and the SSEAYP

International Philippines.

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth

Program is a youth exchange program which

was pioneered by the ASEAN countries and

Japan in 1974. This program is handled by the

participating countries with Japan as the main

sponsor.

Meanwhile, in response to the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy, members of

the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC)

on Monday approved a resolution urging local

government units (LGUs) in the region to

adopt and implement the Administrative Order

No.2013-0013 which is the national policy and

strategic framework on adolescent health and

development.

The passage of the resolution was done

during the 4th quarter meeting of the RYAC in

the region held at Ritz Tower de Leyte, this

city. In his video presentation, Jig Jorris G.

Morrondoz of the National Youth Commission

(NYC) emphasized that as young as 15 years

old, a teenager has already engaged in early

sexual encounter as cited in the study of the

University of the Philippines Population

Institute (UPPI).

The study also revealed that teenage

mothers are mostly high school

undergraduates or high school graduates. In

Eastern Visayas, the youngest mother is only

12 years old. The risky behavior among the youths is a growing concern in the sector with

the rise of cases of HIV which could lead to

AIDS. (cba/PIA-8)

TESDA conducts skills training in Yolanda areas in Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Sept. 19 (PIA) - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

conducted a skills training in the the typhoon Yolanda severely affected municipalities of Basey, Marabut, Sta. Rita and Daram

all in Samar according to Community Based Training Focal Person Lerma Parado.

T ESDA conducted skills training on

massage, house wiring installation,

manicure and pedicure to help provide

livelihood opportunities and eventually

improve the socio-economic status of the

community.

After the training, the graduates were

given tool kits which they can use, as they start

their own business using their acquired

knowledge and skills she added.

Parado added that this program caters to

“poor and marginal groups,” those who cannot

access formal training provisions.

Though spared by the onslaught of

Yolanda, Matuginao town, in the heart of

Samar also requested training on

motorcycle smal l engine servic ing

and hair-cutting which started in

September 9, 2014.

Mayor Melissa Dela Cruz who

co-sponsored the training with TESDA said

that with this training the people can have

extra income.

The municipalities of Villareal and

Talalora will also avail of these programs in

October, TESDA said. (vrc/Avha H. Ebalde/

PIA8 Samar)

DSWD-8 awards winners of 4Ps model family

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 17 (PIA) – A reward system was devised by the Department of Social Welfare and

Development for the program beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

T he system called Huwarang Pantawid

Pamilya, coursed through the social

marketing unit of DSWD, was aimed

to empower the program beneficiaries and

show the public the progressive impact of the

program, create model families who embody

strong family ties, demonstrate positive Flipino

values and create a positive influence in the

community.

According to Resty Macuto, Assistant

Regional Director for Operations, Regional

Office 8, the search for “Huwarang Pantawid

Pamilya” was geared to acknowledge the good

performing family beneficiaries of the

“Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”

Director Macuto emphasized that the

awarding of model families for “Pantawid

Pamilyang Pilipino Program” beneficiaries was

timely considering that Proclamation No. 847

was signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos

declaring fourth Sunday of September as Family

Thanksgiving Day.

The search was tedious considering that

the criteria is based on desk validation and field

validation to really determine the rightful

winner. The winning model family was Mr.

Jaime Concon and family of MacArthur, Leyte

for the regional category who received

Php6,000 cash plus plaque of recognition.

Winners for the provincial category were:

Mrs. Nenita Basal and family of Catbalogan,

Samar who received Php5,000.00 cash plus

plaque of recognition; Mrs. Arlene Narita and

Family of Naval, Biliran who received

Php4,000.00 cash plus plaque of recognition;

Mrs. Minda Ypulong and family of San Roque,

Northern Samar who received Php2,500.00

cash plus certificate of recognition; and Mrs.

Tita Berondo and family of San Juan, Southern

Leyte who received Php2,500.00 cash plus

certificate of recognition. According to regional

winner Jaime Concon, he was hesitant in

joining the search considering that since

elementary he did not join any contest but he

was nominated by the group of beneficiaries to

represent them. All winners are parent

leaders for “Pantawid Pamiliyang Pilipino

Program” in their respective community.

They are anticipating that the program will

continue because it really provides help for the

indigent Filipinos. (ajc/jhb/PIA-8)

By: Jonnie H. Buenaventura

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. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

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

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

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

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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