Vol 5 Issue 14 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 6 - 12, 2015

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue NegOr Stakeholders to craft food network

Roxas inspects RAY projects in Leyte and Samar

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Greening program monitored thru geo-tagging

Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, April 8 (PIA6) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 said they are rigidly implementing the technology of geo-tagging to monitor the areas utilized for the government‟s flagship

reforestation program. DENR-6 National Greening Program (NGP)

Coordinator Dr. Alicia Lustica said that they are focused on site certification of the plantation areas covered for the

NGP from 2011-2014. “Geo-tagging would ensure that the areas utilized for

the NGP still exist and it would help in monitoring

seedling growth and mortalities for replacement with new seedlings in NGP sites,” she said.

Geo-tagging is the process of attaching coordinates

and other location-specific information to pictures and

videos, usually with a handheld device such as a camera or mobile phone that is enabled with global positioning system or GPS.

The data usually consist of latitude and

longitude coordinates, though they can also include altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data, and place names.

Meanwhile, DENR-6 said that the region‟s NGP

target for this year is to cover 10,966 hectares with forest and fruit tree species.

In 2014, the agency was able to plant forest and fruit

trees species and mangroves in 12,108 hectares in Western Visayas which exceeded the target of 12,105 hectares. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- Representatives from local government units, national government agencies, academe and the private sector in Negros Oriental have initially agreed to formulate a

provincial food safety and nutrition network to intensify the advocacy on food safety and nutrition in the province.

This was the result of the first consultative meeting on the formation of the provincial food and safety network

held recently at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) office in Dumaguete City.

The formation of the network will create an

avenue for information sharing and easy access expertise among stakeholders to address food safety and nutrition issues as well as to improve the quality of food products in those aspects.

DOST-Negros Oriental provincial director Engr. Gilbert Arbon said they wanted to know from the stakeholders if it is necessary to establish a food safety and

nutrition network as a response to malnutrition problems in the province.

He also noted that there was a Metro Dumaguete Food Safety and Nutrition Network started by

microbiology and food safety expert Dr. Manuel Garcia before but the group became inactive and eventually got

dissolved. DOST was a member of the food safety

network. There are plans to revive the network now that will

also include other cities and municipalities in Negros Oriental.

“The purpose of the network is basically to service and enabling mechanism for the community, family, individual, firm who are in need of information and guidance with regards to food safety and nutrition issues,”

Arbon added. As of now, a technical working group was formed

which will be responsible for the crafting of the network‟s

mission and vision as well as the body‟s specific functions and tasks.

There is also a move to create a Facebook group for the food safety and security network so that those who

have participated in the consultative meeting can start the exchange of information.

The participants of the meeting are representatives

of LGUs and top schools in the province, Department of Agriculture, DOST, Department of Trade and Industry, PIA, Department of Health-Food and Drugs Authority, Department of Education-Division of Negros Oriental,

ICT-Dumaguete and Sans Rival cakes and pastries. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) visited Samar and Leyte Wednesday to assess the on-going rehabilitation efforts of the

government in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda. Roxas conducted a site visit of the newly

rehabilitated civic center of the municipality of Sta. Rita, Western Samar and attended the inauguration of the

town‟s Police Station. He also met Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, Leyte

Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla and some mayors

in Samar whose areas have availed of the projects undertaken by the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY 1). Afterwards, Roxas went to Ormoc City where he attended the inauguration of P51-million Ormoc City

Superdome which is 90% constructed and the P40-million Ormoc City public market. There, he also met with the beneficiaries of the RAY 2 projects in Leyte and Biliran

provinces. Afterwards, he went to Palo where he inspected the town‟s newly rehabilitated multi-purpose center/ civic center and met the local officials led by Gov. Petilla.

Secretary Roxas revealed that sixty percent of the projects in Eastern Visayas which are funded by the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are

fully completed. “Another 15% of the projects will be

completed in the next two months and another 25% will be completed in the following three months,” Roxas added.

These include rehabilitation of municipal halls,

multi-purpose halls, civic centers, public markets and other public facilities.

With this development, Roxas expects that by the second half of this year, 80 to 90% of the infra projects

will be completed. Some 65 municipalities and cities have availed of

RAY 1 project of the national government. (aen/cba/PIA-8)

With the light from their blinkers, the raw

power of their legs and the determination to

spread awareness to help the earth by making

a statement against fossil fuel, Bol-anon

Cyclist: a closed group of bike enthusiasts

pedaled through city streets to impress the

advocacy for thye environment during the

Earth Hour. (Christophe JC H Lamotte/

PIABohol)

Eighty-five recruitment agencies and

companies, some of them coming from as far

as Cebu, Manila and Batangas join the ongoing

PESO Job Fair at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol as

part of this year‟s Semana Sang Iloilo

celebration. (PIA6/Iloilo)

DOE Visayas Director Antonio Labios briefs

members of Samar-Eastern Samar Press Club

on EPIRA. (Medora Nbq/PIA 8)

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas (second from left) lead the ribbon

cutting during the inauguration (April 8) of the Ormoc Super Dome,

a RAY project (Recovery Assistance for Yolanda) of the national

government. With him are: (l-r) Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla,

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, and DIGL-8 director

Pedro A. Noval. (Gina P. Gerez/PMRC-Leyte)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Iloilo police prov‟l office launches website

ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is now just a click away after it launched its website

on Monday, April 6.

I PPO Director P/SSupt. Cornelio Salinas

described the website as a channel

that will bring the police provincial

office closer to the people and to the society

as a whole, thereby creating a virtual police

community relation.

The site provides a comprehensive

overview of IPPO‟s mission, history,

accomplishments, plans and programs, crime

prevention and safety tips, and press releases,

among others. It will also offer not only a user

friendly experience and appeal but promises to

be an interactive medium where people

across the globe can like, share and e-mail their

questions and suggestions.

“The website will always be a work in

progress, we will continue to update it

regularly with all the information and activities

that will surely benefit the people,” said Salinas.

The website is also an initiative and

strategy of IPPO in adopting the e-governance

system of the government. Its launching was

one of the kick-off activities for the celebration

of the 114th Semana Sang Iloilo attended by

Governor Arthur Defensor, Provincial

Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, DILG Iloilo

Director Teodora Sumagaysay and P/

SSupt.Marietto Valerio representing PRO 6

Director P/CSupt. Josephus Angan.

Defensor in his message lauded the IPPO

for the establishment of the first provincial

command website in Western Visayas as he

stressed the importance of information,

communication and technology in the discharge

of the Philippine National Police‟s mandate.

He said the commission of the crime is

now so sophisticated that it also needs

sophistication insofar as crime prevention,

detection and solution are concerned.

On the same date, the IPPO opened its

Static Display Booth at the lobby of the

Provincial Capitol that showcases its

operational and administrative capabilities in

the performance of its mandate to serve and

protect.

Also, the static display does not only

highlight the provincial command‟s significant

accomplishments but showcases its

transformation showing the Performance

Governance System as the new management

tool. (jcm/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

Lilibeth A. French

KALIBO, Aklan, April 8 (PIA6) -- In the bid to make the province of Aklan smoke-free and to keep the local populace from the

harmful and deadly effects of smoking, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here recently conducted a Provincial Tobacco

Control Network Orientation.

PHO to residents: Make Aklan smoke-free

By Venus G. Villanueva

T he need to make Aklan smoke-free,

thus the conduct of the orientation

was emphasized by Dr. Victor

Santamaria, Provincial Health Officer II, by

stating in his welcome message that smoking is

both dangerous to the smoker as well as to the

non-smoker.

“We have to strengthen our campaign

against smoking because we are up against a

very strong adversary – the tobacco industry”,

Santamaria said.

On hand to stress the dangers of smoking

as well as to encourage Aklan‟s health sector,

legislators and other stakeholders to create a

smoke-free and healthy environment were

resource speakers John Lapascua, Regional

Non-Communicable Disease Coordinator;

Carlos P. Garcia, Program Officer of the

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Alliance, Philippines and Pastor Nick R. Poraso, Regional Tobacco Control Network member

of the Department of Health (DOH) 6.

Lapascua told the orientat ion

participants coming from various sectors of the

province that every 6 seconds, one person dies

due to tobacco, accounting for one in every 10

adult deaths.

Lapascua said that there are 6 million

deaths a year due to smoking, and this number

is way higher than deaths caused by

tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

“Unless urgent action is taken, by 2030,

there will be 8 million deaths per year, with

80% of the deaths occurring in developing

countries”, Lapascua said.

Lapascua said the figures could be bigger

as he based his lecture on the 2011 World

Health Organization (WHO) files.

On the other hand, Carlos Garcia shared

that worldwide, a whole year‟s haul of

non-biodegradable cigarette butts can reach 8

billion tons which is harmful to the

environment. When asked as to which is more potent

– the raw, rolled tobacco produced and

smoked at home or the manufactured ones

– Garcia said there is no safe level in smoking.

Pastor Nick Poraso meanwhile, who

shared his experience as a Regional Tobacco

Control Network member, spread out the key

elements of a smoke-free municipality

campaign that include a smoke-free policy, task

force organization, political will, and other

strategies. Pastor Poraso is also an advocate of

the Red Orchid award, an award given to

smoke-free government establishments and

municipalities.

In Aklan, Red Orchid awardees include

the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital

(DRSTMH), Philhealth Aklan and Buruanga,

Aklan - the lone LGU.

For this year, Pastor Poraso is expecting

the town of Ibajay to get the award, having

declared itself as smoke-free late last year, and

the capital town of Kalibo by 2016 or 2017.

The orientation was held at the Conference Room of the Dr. Rafael S.

Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

ILOILO CITY, April 8 (PIA6) --- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is reminding the public to check the validity of their

passports and renew them six months prior to expiry to avoid hassle or inconvenience in scheduled or emergency travel.

D FA Iloilo Officer-in-charge Sheila

Marie D. Tu said that countries

and international airlines require

passports with validity of six months before the

expiry date.

“It is advised that a passport holder check

the validity of his/her passport before booking

a flight,” she said.

Tu said that the Regional Consular

Office in Iloilo can only cater to regular

processing of passports which will take 30

working days.

“Those who would like to apply for

express processing would need to go to DFA

main office in Manila,” she said.

A p p l i c a n t s c a n c h e c k t h e

p a s spor t r equ i r emen ts t h ru th e

DFA official website atwww.dfa.gov.ph

or may contact the Regional Consular

Office here at (033) 336-1737. (JCM/LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

DFA advises passport renewal 6 months before expiry Leonard T. Pineda I

The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

Panay Island hosts Balikatan 2015

Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 9 (PIA6) – The series of activities for the Balikatan Exercises in Panay Island has started.

H e said that Head Lieutenant

Commander Catherine Eyrich, who

heads the US Joint Civil-Military

Operations Task Force for Balikatan Exercise

in Panay, emphasized that the joint exercise is

to build relationship and continue the active

military-to-military partnership between the

Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US

Armed Forces.

Tiongson said that the event commenced

with the phase I construction of the school

building at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial

School, adding that said construction will be

until April 11

He also said that the four-day Basic

First Responders training started last

April 7, where 105 first responders are

undergoing the training at the 3ID

headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in

Jamindan, Capiz. A health seminar will likewise be

conducted on April 11 at barangay San Nicolas,

Tapaz town, he said.

Tiongson stressed that of the total

participants to the basic first responders

training, 82 are military personnel from

the 3ID-Philippine Army, 13 reservists

from the 6th Regional Community

Defense Group and 10 personnel from the

Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Office.

The training, he said, aims to promote and

enhance the capabilities of both the Philippines

and US Armed Forces in terms of humanitarian

and civic assistance during disasters and

calamities.

A series of lectures and practical

exercises on basic life support, primary

medical care, rescue procedures, and mass

evacuation simulation among others will be

conducted by the United States Cooperative Health Engagement Team led by Captain

Jennifer Brown, a medical doctor in the US

Army.

The succeeding activities for Balikatan

Exercise in Panay include the Civil-Military

Operations Exchange Seminar at Camp

Peralta for 3ID personnel, as well as

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster

Response Seminar.

For his part, 3ID Commander Major

Genera l Rey Leonardo Guerrero

pointed out that the training will

provide the participants with capabilities so

they can proper ly respond and

provide assistance in rescue, relief, recovery

and rehabilitation in times of disasters or

calamities.

Guerrero also urged the trainees

to be serious in their participation so they

would be able to apply their knowledge when

the time calls for their response. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 7 (PIA6) - - A total of 61,675 children in Antique avails of educational support from the Pantawid

Pamilya Program also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer Program.

J effrey Gabucay, Pantawid Pamilya

Provincial Coordinator during the recent

meeting of the Provincial Convergence

Committee reported that as of March 17,

2015, there are 29, 028 families are supported

by the program and 61,675 children are eligible

for educational support.

Of the total figure, 4,585 are 3-5 years old

(pre-school) and 49,447 are in in the age

bracket of 6-14 years old.

Under the age group 15-18 years old,

there are 7,643 registered children. The

extended coverage of these children was based

on the National Advisory Committee

Resolution No. 18 which provide for the

continued support for child beneficiaries to

finish high school.

Previously the program used to provide

health and education grants to children

beneficiaries aged 0-14 years old.

However, with the implementation of the

extension of coverage, the program went

beyond the 0-14 years old target to cover up

to high school education by extending its

coverage up to 18 years old. This is also to

complement the K-12 program of the

Department of Education.

Gabucay emphasized that children in high

school are required by the end of the school

year to reach the passing general weighted

average prescribed by the Department of

Education and or be promoted in the next year

level.

With the extended coverage of children

Gabucay said parents have the option as to

who among the children will be registered for

monitoring. In cases wherein the registered

kid was no longer interested to graduate in

high school, the parents could register the

other siblings to take its place.

Gabucay said it is important that the

children should also help their parents in

complying with the conditions of the program

especially on health and education.

Pantawid pamilya doesn‟t only provide

cash assistance to meet the immediate needs of

the family but importantly it hopes to break

the intergenerational cycle of poverty through

the education of the children of these poor

families, said Gabucay. (JCM/PSM/PIA6

Antique)

Pantawid Pamilya supports 61,675 Antique kids

Pilar S. Mabaquiao

No biometrics, no vote

BACOLOD CITY, April 7 (PIA6) -- Some 10,000 voters in Bacolod City could lose their right to vote in the next election if

they do not undergo the biometrics, Bacolod Comelec chief and Lawyer Mavil Majarucon-Sia, said.

I n an interview, she said although a

person is an active voter but if he fails to

enroll in the biometrics, the voter can

still be disenfranchised with their names

deleted in the official list.

According to Sia they have already

written each voter a letter to remind them of

their responsibility that will only take about 10

minutes to complete at the City Comelec

office.

Voters should only bring a valid ID for

proper identification and they don‟t even have

to fill out a form, she said.

The Comelec chief told PIA the original

figure of voters who need to take the

biometrics were 14,000. Some 4,000 voters

have already responded to the letter the office

sent them early last year.

Sia urged voters to go to Comelec at the

earliest time to beat the deadline set on

October this year to prevent the discomfort of

lining up under the sun and taking the long wait

before completing the process.

She said now is the best time to take the

biometrics as well as in availing other services

like registration, correction and transfer of

voting area. (JCM/Lljr-PIA6)

Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU, April 7 (PIA) – Coastal local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas can now strengthen their efforts in addressing

illegal fishing in their localities with the donation of 16 horse power patrol boat engines by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources (BFAR-7).

BFAR-7 to help LGUs fight illegal fishing

B FAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos

said all coastal municipalities and cities in

the region have been notified to avail of

the agency‟s donation of a patrol boat engine in

order to intensify their efforts to curb illegal

fishing activities in their areas.

“All coastal LGUs will each be given a patrol

boat engine on one condition. The LGU should

provide the hull as its counterpart since we are

only providing the motor engine,” said Bojos

during the 1st quarterly meeting of the Coastal

Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7.

The motor engine is estimated to cost

between P22,000 to P23,000 each.

Bojos said there are 167 motor engine units

available with only about 110 coastal towns and

cities in the entire region.

“Some LGUs will be given two units

especially coastline municipalities and also

depending on the gravity of illegal fishing activities

in their areas,” said Bojos.

So far, only 30 LGUs throughout the region

have signified their intent to avail of the motor

engine units with 19 coming from Bohol followed

by Cebu with five and four from Siquijor province.

Only two towns in Negros Oriental

conveyed their interest.

For Cebu, the LGUs that responded were

the towns of Cordova, Compostela, and Santa Fe

in Bantayan Island as well as the cities of Danao

and Toledo.

Bojos said LGUs have until April 30 to

inform the BFAR-7 of their interest to avail of the

motor engine units.

“We will be distributing the motor engine

units next month in time for the celebration of

May as Ocean Month,” declared Bojos.

LGUs that will frequently utilize the use of

their patrol boats to fight illegal fishing with

positive outcome will receive other

incentives like livelihood initiatives, Bojos said.

(rmn/fcr/pia-7)

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- Visayan Forum-Dumaguete with its partner agencies push for 'IFight movement' in

Negros Oriental.

I n a recent meeting with Ma.Cecilia

Oebanda, founder and president of Visayan

forum Foundation, Inc. in Dumaguete City,

the group unanimously pushed for IFight

campaign to end modern day slavery and all forms

of human trafficking in Negros Oriental.

Visayan Forum has four pillars, a holistic

approach to solve human trafficking cases namely:

protective services, prevention and protection,

policy/advocacy and IFight movement, according

to Oebanda.

Protective care services being the heart of

the organization refers to the U-turn

intervention, wherein victims of human trafficking

are provided with the necessary services and

complete intervention, Oebanda said.

Rescue, restore and empower trafficking

victims to protect themselves and their families

and at the same time capacitate them to engaged

in governance, she added.

VF has also established a new journey with

Global Freedom, a Vatican lead network of which

Pope Francis himself leads in the fight against

human trafficking.

Oebanda urged that IF ight be

institutionalized in partnership with the

Department of Education in Negros Oriental for

the IFight campus tour especially in the

hinterlands where most of the victims are young

high school students.

IFight calls for sustainable movement with

partner agencies in raising awareness, and aims to

conduct advocacy campaign in 200 schools

nationwide.

Josie Columna of the Provincial Council

for Women (PCW) suggested that IFight

campaign should not be limited to schools only

but to be implemented at the local government

units through the Gender and Development

(GAD) focal persons and desk officers

handling cases of Violence Against Women and

their Children (VAWC) of the Philippine

National Police as human trafficking is

interconnected with abuses committed against

children and women.

Oebanda cited among others, another group

vulnerable to trafficking are young boys subjected

to paaling fishing in Negros Oriental.

As part of its policy and advocacy, Oebanda

informed that senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel

lll and Grace Poe committed to sponsor a senate

bill against Paaling fishing.

Another issue raised during the meeting is to

have a half-way house or shelter of hope for

victims of human trafficking in Negros Oriental as

their temporary shelter. Oebanda also cited that

another push factor for human trafficking is the

impact of disasters brought by climate change

phenomenon.

She then encouraged the integration of

churches in addressing issues on “climigration”

because displaced victims during disasters are

most vulnerable to human trafficking.

In closing, Oebanda encouraged partner

agencies to activate the Provincial Inter-Agency

Council Against Trafficking (PIACAT) to lead in

the campaign against human trafficking as

mandated by law. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7-Negros

Oriental)

VF, partner agencies push for IFight in NegOr

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 6 (PIA) – Dumaguete City looks forward to stronger ties with the Canadian government through

sister city-agreement with one of Canada‟s cities.

Dumaguete City sees stronger ties with Canadian gov‟t

T his was one of the highlight discussions in

an intimate meeting with Dumaguete

City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Vice

Mayor Woodrow Maquiling Sr. and Canadian

Ambassador Neil Reeder during the latter‟s

recent visit in the city.

Reeder and his wife Irene Hassen-Reeder

were in Dumaguete City on March 30 as

part of the Canadian Embassy‟s advocacy

and diplomacy work in advancing and

strengthening Philippine-Canada relationship

through trade, investments, tourism and

immigration.

Key city officials headed by mayor

Sagarbarria and vice-mayor Maquiling

welcomed Canadian Ambassador Reeder and his

wife through a fellowship gathering in

their honor.

During the meeting, Sagarbarria expressed

his hope in strengthening relationship with

Canada through a sister city-agreement which

was confirmed by Reeder.

The Canadian Ambassador a l so

recommended Toronto, Calgary and Alberta as

possible cities for the sister city-agreement

due to the number of Filipino population in the

mentioned cities.

Ambassador Reeder noted Dumaguete

City‟s tourism shows a great potential for

Canadian tourists. He also lauded the beauty and

orderliness of Dumaguete City as well as the

hospitality of its people.

This was seconded by the data from the

City Tourism Office. Based on the 2014 report

on the tourist arrivals in the city, Canadians

rank 5th among nationalities that visited the city

with 2,396 arrivals in 2014. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-

NegOr/with reports from KTAguilar of City

Tourism Office).

Fayette C. Riñen

By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

By Leandria P. Pagunsan

The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU, April 8 (PIA) – A team to be led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) has been created to check

on the condition of the whale sharks in Oslob in southern Cebu amid allegations their welfare have been compromised due to

constant unnatural feeding and contact with tourists.

B FAR-7 Regional Director Andres Bojos

ordered his deputy Dr. Allan Poquita to

head the team along with other divers

from other organizations to check on the report

of Lamave, a non-government organization,

that the whale sharks or „butandings‟ are in a

malnourished state due to regular feeding and

physical contact with tourists.

Atty. Rose Liza Osorio, managing trustee of

the Philippine Earth Justice Center, Inc. (PEJCI)

brought the Oslob issue before Bojos who

presided the 1st quarterly meeting of the Coastal

Law Enforcement Alliance in Region 7 (CLEAR-7)

early this week.

Osorio said Lamave just released its findings

about the violations happening in Oslob that

affected the welfare of the whale sharks.

Whale sharks are highly migratory species

and constantly feeding them tends to domesticate

them which is a violation, said Osorio citing the

recent findings of Lamave.

Lamave stands for Large Marine Vertebrates

which has a project in the Philippines with

conservation efforts to protect sharks, turtles,

rays and cetaceans from exploitation.

Osorio also said the regular feeding made

the whale sharks lose its natural instinct to look

for food opting to stay in the area because foods

are readily made available to them.

The physical encounter with tourists

touching whale sharks is also a violation, echoed

the PEJCI official of Lamave‟s findings.

“Such violations have contributed to the

„malnourished‟ condition of the whale sharks,”

said Osorio.

Bojos, however, said there is no

legal basis to prohibit the tourists from feeding

the whale sharks.

“There is no law that states it is illegal to

feed the whale sharks,” stressed Bojos.

Although Bojos said BFAR‟s position is clear

that it is against feeding the whale sharks.

The Department of Environment and

Natural Resources (DENR-7) also shared the

same view, he said.

“We have already discussed this with the

municipal officials of Oslob before,” said Bojos

but in the absence of a law that forbids feeding

the whale sharks has further complicated the

issue.

Bojos asked Osorio for a hard copy of

Lamave‟s findings before taking hard steps

to address the issue.

“Since I do not have a copy of Lamave‟s

report, all these are mere allegations and what I

will act on right now is to initially form a team to

look into these allegations,” said Bojos.

Bojos asked Poquita to record frequency of

sightings and to particularly look into the physical

condition of the butandings.

The presence of whale sharks in Oslob

has catapulted the 4th class municipality

into a popular tourist destination for

both local and international visitors contributing

much to the socio-economic activities of the

townsfolk. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

Butandings‟ condition in Oslob watched

By Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY, April 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH-7) targets Central Visayas to be “Malaria-Free” by 2018.

DOH-7 targets „Malaria-Free‟ CVisayas in 2018

D OH-7 medical technologist Crestita

Gloria said, Malaria is a serious and

sometimes fatal disease caused by a

parasite that commonly infects a certain type of

mosquito which feeds on humans.

Although malaria can be a deadly disease,

illness and death from it can be usually

prevented. Malaria can be transmitted through

the bite of an infected female Anopheles

mosquito which usually bites during nigh time.

Gloria said malaria-carrying female mosquito

Anopheles can be found in areas with many trees

and plants, in clear streams and in slow-running

water.

The disease usually thrives in the rural and

hard to reach areas such as hills, mountains and

coastal areas.

The signs and symptoms of malaria include

chilling, high-grade fever, severe headache and

vomiting.

DOH-7 officials urge the public to visit

health centers or hospitals if symptoms occur for

immediate treatment.

To date, the only municipality declared as

malaria endemic area in the region is Brgy. Talala,

Sitio Avocado, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

On the said province, there were

three indigenous cases of malaria recorded in

2011; one imported case in 2012; another three

imported cases in 2013; none in 2014 and one (1)

imported case for the 1st quarter of 2015.

Gloria explained malaria cases are divided in

two categories: indigenous that came from that

specific area and imported case that came from

other endemic areas.

DOH is now conducting a series of

orientation on the prevention and control

programs against malaria especially in the endemic

areas. “Massive information dissemination and

community cooperation must be done to

eliminate malaria,” Gloria continued.

The department will commemorate the

“World Malaria Day” on May 7, 2015 with the

theme, “Invest in the future: Defeat malaria.”

This was discussed during the recent

Association of Government Information Officers

(AGIO-7) Forum held at DOH-7 Regional Office,

Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City. (mbcn/hfg/PIA7)

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, April 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH-7) in Central Visayas warns the public to be extra careful with

their health especially this summer season.

Public warned on summer diseases

D uring the recent Association of

Government Information Officers

(AGIO-7) Forum, Dr. Joanri Riveral

Medical Specialist III of DOH-7 said the

department issued a public advisory on common

illnesses during summer season.

The six common summer diseases include

sore eyes, skin diseases, sun burn, cough and

colds, food poisoning and rabies.

Sore eyes are manifested in redness and

inflammation of the membranes and can easily be

had due to harmful bacteria or viruses that easily

spread to other people.

People are advised not to use any eye drops

without consulting a doctor. Proper hand

washing can limit its spread, said Riveral.

He also reminded the public to avoid the sun

between 10am to 2pm to prevent from sun burn

and skin diseases.

The department also cautioned the public

about diarrhea and food poisoning due to easy

spoilage of food or water contamination.

Riveral said that the food easily gets

spoiled if the season is so hot, so the public

must checked the quality of food or eat food

immediately while it is newly cooked or reheat

food before eating to prevent the growth of

bacteria.

Cough and colds are also common during

summer due to the sudden change of weather

condition.

It is also noted that during summer most

number of dog bites happen because children

stayed at home or even playing outside.

The DOH advised pet owners to make sure

dogs are vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies infections from dog or cat bites are

potentially fatal diseases.

DOH officials advised the public to keep

themselves clean and dry to avoid infections.

People must drink plenty of water 8 to 12

glasses a day to avoid dehydration and

practice proper hygiene and to wear comfortable

clothes during the summer season. (mbcn/hfg/

PIA7)

Hazel F. Gloria

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Wood production in SoLeyte answers need for

fuel

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 9 (PIA) - The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management

Office (PENRMO) in this province has initiated a forest production project specifically aimed to address the common need for

wood as fuel for poor households.

S tarted in earnest last year, with initial

harvest of fast growing local species like

Ipil-ipil expected in three years, the

project, aptly named fuel wood production, has

covered 19 hectares spread in 14 municipalities

and one city, said Melay Labata, in-charge of

forest services at the PENRMO.

The ideal set-up for the project was one

hectare in a barangay per municipality and city,

but four towns - Sogod, Libagon, Limasawa,

and Padre Burgos -- could not find any space,

so other LGUs have two or more hectares to

compensate the shortage in area, Labata said

during the Provincial Report cable TV program

Tuesday.

The barangay concerned will be the one

to maintain the project, as stipulated in the

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) while the

provincial government, through the PENRMO,

provided the site development and the

seedlings, Labata said.

Eva Abad, head of PENRMO, disclosed

that for this year, Libagon has joined the fuel

wood production project after finding a

suitable four-hectare lot.

Also for this year, Abad said that they will

intensify the project by encouraging private

landowners whose lands remained idle for

years to join, so their untended lands be

productive.

Abad said her vision will be for the local

government units to replicate the initiative at

their own levels to ensure a steady supply of

fuel wood when wood gatherers will not cut

just about anywhere but in the designated area

solely for this purpose in the barangay. This

will also provide a sustainable livelihood to

wood gatherers in the long run, Abad

concluded. (aen/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

PLLENRO to hold National Convention

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – In an effort to empower the environment and natural resources (ENROs) not only in

the region but nationwide for them to be responsible stewards of Mother Earth, the Philippine League of Local Environment

and Natural Resources Officers, Inc. (PLLENRO) is set to hold its 2015 National Convention in Cagayan de Oro City on May 13

-16, 2015.

T opics on low emission initiatives,

energy efficiency, green building and

solid waste management will be

discussed. Local and international experts will

also present points of view on efforts to

address the environmental challenges and

sustainability.

In a statement, PLLENRO President

Danilo Villas said all provincial, cities and

municipal local government units (LGUs) are

encouraged to allow the participation of their

environment officers to this annual event.

The convention is an annual gathering of

more than 300 environment and natural

r e sources o f f i cer s (ENROs) and

representatives from local government units in

the country. It is also a venue where ENROs

will present current environmental challenges

and alternatives on how to address these

concerns. The convention, with the theme

"Developing Smarter Communities Through

Low-Emission Alternatives," is in partnership

with USAID-Building Low Emission

Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience

and Sustainability Project (B-LEADERS) Project.

For additional information about the

activity, you may contact Precy Macana via

email pllenro2014@gmail.com or at cellphone

numbers 09997703143 or 09063806247. (aen/

cba/PLLENRO/PIA-8)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

'Summer Fun in Biliran' to be launched

NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – The provincial government of Biliran through the Provincial Tourism Office in coordination

with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office No. 8 in Tacloban City will launch “Summer Fun in Biliran” on April

17 and 18 this year.

A ccording to Dionisio Oliva Jr.,

Provincial Tourism Officer, the two-day

launching activity covers the entire

island where a lot of natural tourist attractions

are found in its eight municipalities.

He said that the venue of the launching

activities will be at the municipal gymnasium of

Maripipi from where the famous Sambawan

islets noted for its clear and pristine waters are

located.

Both Sambawan islets and Maripipi island

are promoted jointly by the Department of

Tourism and the Biliran Provincial Tourism

Office as anchor destinations for 2015.

The launching of “Summer Fun in

Biliran” in Maripipi town will be attended by

media personalities, travel writers, tour

operators and other guests from region 7 in

central Visayas, region 8 in Eastern Visayas and

from Manila which DOT will be bringing in to Biliran province.

“The activity is a great opportunity to

promote the local tourist destinations in the

province to both domestic and foreign

tourists,” Oliva said.

With this activity, he said, a rise in tourist

arrivals to Biliran is expected. Likewise, it will

also raise the level of awareness of tourists

that indeed, Biliran province is truly an island

paradise that offers a lot of tourist attractions

unique from those found in other areas of the

county.

He further informed that the launching

program of “Summer Fun in Biliran” will take

place mid-morning after the welcome

reception at the Maripipi port by the local

officials of the town led by Mayor Uldarico

Macorol, afterwhich, the entire entourage

proceeds to the Maripipi gymnasium for the

ceremony.

Part of the activity is the audio-visual

presentation of “Summer Fun in Biliran”.

The opening and declaration of “Summer Fun in Biliran” will be done by Governor

Gerryboy Espina.

A cultural presentation follows

showcasing the rich culture of the Biliranons.

Congressman Rogelio Espina of the lone

district of Biliran will deliver his message of

inspiration during the program.

Director Karina Rosa Tiopes of DOT

Region 8 will also give her message,

inviting tourists and all to the “Summer Fun in

Biliran”.

A lunch, dubbed as “Fiesta sa Nayon”

follows immediately where native food and

delicacies will be offered to guests and visitors

immediately follows.

An afternoon tour around Maripipi

dubbed as “Lingi-Lingi sa Maripipi” (lingi-lingi

means look around) will be next, where the

visitors will be brought to the Nito Weavers

Demo in Barangay Agutay; Candol Beach; Viga

Cold Spring; Native Delicacies Demo and

Tasting in Barangay Calbani; Pottery-Making

demo in Barangay Casibang; Lantawan Tower Ruins in Barangay Ermita; and the Pasalubong

and Shell Craft Center. (aen/fjackson/PIA 8

Biliran)

FLORDELIS E. JACKSON

MARCELO M. PEDALINO The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

NCDDP targets 2,176 sub-projects for Region 8

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 6 (PIA) – The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of

Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) under the National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) funds of the

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be implemented in 2,176 sub-projects in Eastern Visayas this

year.

I n a statement, DSWD-8 Regional

Director Nestor Ramos said, a total of

P2.3 billion budget will be disbursed in

the first year of operation of NCDDP in six

provinces in the region.

“Almost all NCDDP projects will focus on

rehabilitation especially in the municipalities

badly hit by Yolanda in 2013,” Ramos said.

“Kalahi-CIDDS is not just about building

infrastructure but also rebuilding the

communities to become more resilient and

empowered citizens,” Ramos added.

Some approved sub-projects for this year

include improvement of school buildings,

rehabilitation of bridges,roads and construction

of barangay evacuation centers.

The National Community-Driven

Development Program is an expansion of the

Community-Driven Development approach

which proved to be effective since

Kalahi-CIDDS project was implemented 12

years ago.

In Eastern Visayas, 617,131 households

across 136 municipalities will benefit the

program where 239,328 families are Pantawid

Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries. (cba/

DSWD8/PIA8)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko extends free health services in Caibiran

T his was learned from Noel Plaza,

Chapter Head of Brotherhood o

Ch r i s t i an Bu s i ne s smen and

Professionals (BCBP), Naval Chapter.

He said that a medical team composed of

45 health professionals and 45 volunteers and

staff from Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko targeted to

serve more or less 900 clients for the actual

free health services. There are 150 clients for

the surgical service in which 130 of it are

intended for circumcision and some 50 clients

for the excision of cysts; 150 clients for the

dental service; 350 clients for the optical

service with accompanying distribution of free

eyeglasses; and blood diagnostics with 200

clients to include blood typing, random blood

sugar testing and hematocrit determination.

Interested residents in Caibiran and its

neighboring areas are advised to register with

the local health workers of the town and their

respective barangays who will distribute

pre-listing tickets that will be presented during

the scheduled date of the health services.

The clients who were already given the

pre-listing tickets for the free health services

are also advised to report earlier than the

scheduled time of start of the health services

which is set at 8:00 o‟clock in the morning at

the Caibiran Auditorium.

The identified clients who were given the

pre-listing tickets are further advised to strictly

observe the following schedules since clients

will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis

like the giving of priority numbers at 7:30 to

11:00 in the morning; registration time at 7:40

to 11:30 in the morning only; actual health

services at 8:00 to 12 noon and from 1:00 to

3:00 in the afternoon. The free health services

is in close coordination with the BCBP–Naval

chapter which also tapped the voluntary

services of the Biliran Medical Society, Biliran

Dental Society and other group of health

professionals in the province of Biliran.

BCBP-Naval recognizes the big role and

contribution of the local government unit of

Caibiran led by Mayor Eulalio Maderazo and

the personnel of the rural health unit of the

municipality for the successful holding of the

upcoming first Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko free health

services in Biliran province. (aen/fj/rvictoria/

PIA 8 Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – The Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Incorporated-Cebu will extend free surgical, dental and

optical services to identified indigent residents in Caibiran town and its neighboring areas on April 18 (Saturday).

RODRIGO S. VICTORIA

LGU-Naval extends new assistance to farmers

NAVAL, Biliran, April 9 (PIA) – With the ultimate goal of augmenting the income and uplifting the economic status of fish and

agri farmers in the municipality of Naval, its local government unit (LGU) urged them to use new farm equipment and

implements at a much lesser cost.

N aval Municipal Agriculture Officer

Nascencia Abad, disclosed in a

recent interview that the LGU now

owns one unit four-wheel tractor which is

capable of plowing and harrowing plantation

areas and paddies in a shorter period of

time and lesser cost as compared to manual

farming.

It is capable of plowing and harrowing two

hectares of farmland in a day.

The equipment is rented out at P500 a

day exclusive of gasoline and meals however

for the tractor operator.

Aside from the four-wheel tractor, there

is also one unit cultivator which is capable of

making plots ready for planting in small planting

areas and one unit corn sheller, which could

be accessed by the farmer here, the report

added.

The farmers' equipment were given by the

Department of Agriculture (DA) through

Secretary Proceso Alcala in his recent visit to

Naval last October as an aid to farmers who

were victims of typhoon Yolanda, Abad

informed.

She added that another two units of

portable corn mills were donated to the LGU

by the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP) for farmer-victim of

typhoon Yolanda.

The portable corn mill can be transported

to areas in that are in need of the mill such

that corn farmers need not go to far-flung

areas such as Kawayan, Cabucgayan, and the

main land of Leyte fac ing B i l iran

province where corn mills are available.

Milling charge is also much lesser at P3/

kilo than other commercial millers at P10/kilo.

Naval LGU imposes reasonable charges

for the maintenance of the said farm

implements and ensures that all farmer-victims

can avail of its services.

Aside from the cost-efficient farm

implements and equipment, LGU-Naval is also

pushing for organic farming, by availing the

carbonized rice hull, vermicast, and foliar

fertilizer that are on sale at LGU-Naval, Abad

said. (aen/fj/mlt/PIA8 Biliran)

MARY LAILANI TUPAZ

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

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

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Editorial Consultants

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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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