Vol I Issue 10 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 Oct. 31 - Nov. 6, 2011

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WESTERN VISAYAS  

CENTRAL VISAYAS  

Awards. Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia & Vice-Gov Agnes Magpale (in pink shirts) hand the awards/trophies to the winners of the Rondalla competition during the 5th Halad sa Kabataan, Oct 28 at the Cebu Cultural Center, UP-Cebu campus, Cebu City. (PIA-7/mbcn)

Partners from the pubic and private sectors plant "bakhawan" mangrove tree propagules at the site of the 5-year old mangrove project at Sitio Cabadiangan, Barangay Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras recently. The project is a public-private partnership among SMART Communications, Inc, DENR, Barangay Hoskyn, Hoskyn Fisherfolks Association, Inc., Hoskyn Elementary School, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Information Agency 6. (JSC/EJB/PIA6)

Pupils of the Sogod Elementary School, a Fit for School in Southern Leyte demonstrate the proper way of tooth brushing and hand washing while the GIZ-team led by Dr. Sebastian Paust happily look on. The team visited the provinces of Leyte and Southern Leyte, October 24-25 to have a look at the implementation of the GIZ-supported projects. (PIA-8)

EASTERN VISAYAS  

I LOILO CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA) – A partnership

on skills development under the REAL DEAL Program of the Technical Education

and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was launched in Mina, Iloilo, Nov. 3 with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement by TESDA Director General, Secretary Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr., Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. and town mayor Lydia Grabato. REAL-DEAL-TESDA stands for “Reaching the Grassroots, Empowering the Reached, Assuring quality training and Lifelong Education to Develop, Enable and Actively" engage Labor force members in jobs and employability skills program governance platform of TESDA. Mina became a choice for the launching of the TESDA program for having its own Mina Skills Training Center, the first in Iloilo to have such facility. The center, which is run by municipality, caters not only to town residents but also to trainees from other areas especially towns in the 3rd district of the province. The municipal government provides the staff

complement, equipment, supplies and materials, and other operational and administrative cost in running the facility. Secretary Villanueva said at the launching program that the town center jives with the efforts of TESDA to develop and enhance the technical and vocational skills of Filipinos for jobs at home and abroad. The partners will work together and contribute resources in sus-taining the operation of the training center. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue

by Rachelle M. Nessia

D UMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 31, 2011 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently signed a

memorandum of agreement with Silliman University (SU) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental for a collaborative research project to examine the stock and population structure of Philippine marine species. The agreement was signed by SU President Dr. Ben Malayang III and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for the collection of selected marine species in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, said SU Office of Information and Publications Director Mark Raygan Garcia in a statement. “The project focuses research on seagrasses, seaweeds, soft and hard corals, fish, and invertebrates,” said Garcia. Said project is in line with another bigger

project titled “Origins of High Marine Biodiversity in the Indo-Malay Philippine Archipelago: Transforming a Biodiversity Hotspot into a Research and Education Hotspot” undertaken by the university through the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences in partnership with the Old Dominion University Research Foundation. Garcia said molecular tools will be used in the assessment of the collected specimens. DA, with its commitment of improving information systems regarding the country’s aquatic biological diversity, will benefit from the project as one of the recipients of scientific data. Said data will serve as reference guide to effective fisheries management and policy making. The project runs for 11 months and will end in July 2012. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from SU-OIP)

DA inks MOA with Silliman University for marine research project

T ACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, November 3 (PIA) –- The Provincial Government of Leyte, through Gov. Carlos Jericho L.

Petilla, has allotted P1 million for the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Leyte. According to Provincial Dir. Ester Pulma, the said amount is for the scholarship program for students who want to take technical courses offered by TESDA Leyte. Pulma said those who are qualified to avail of the scholarship fund may take up courses on

welding and other technical courses which are in demand overseas. She added that there is currently a great demand abroad for skilled workers that is the reason why the emphasis of TESDA is on technical skills training. The Director expressed her gratitude to Petilla for giving importance to TESDA as there are so many jobsless Leytenos, who will be helped through the short-range, skills training courses. (PIA 8)

Leyte govt allots P1M for tech skills scholarships

TESDA Secretary Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. and Mina mayor Lydia Grabato (from L) sign the MOA on the skills development partnership program. (PIA6 )

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

T his was revealed by Mr. Wilfredo S. Semolava, Department Manager III of the Home Development

Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Iloilo City Branch during the PIA-Cable Television program recently.

Semolava said, “the local government units that have already existing lots for housing projects could avail the P20 million assistance from the Pag-Ibig Fund’s Local Government Housing Loan Program.”

“If an LGU has availed of the loan, and has paid at least 50 percent of its initial loan, then said LGU can avail an additional loan of another P20 million,”

said Semoval. He also said the Pag-IBIG fund’s Local

Government Housing Loan Program aims to assist local government units in financing residential plans for government workers and members of Pag-IBIG.

Semolava said that the interest rate is low. If the package is about P400,000, “the interest rate is only six percent.”

The Pag-IBIG Fund Iloilo City Branch Manager said interested LGUs will know further the details of the housing loan program during the Housing Caravan set to be held November 8-9 in Iloilo City.

The event aims to introduce the

various housing programs and services of the different shelter agencies.

This will be attended by the heads and representatives of shelter agencies like the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Pag-IBIG Fund, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, Social Housing Finance Corporat ion, Nat ional Housing Authority, Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

Vice President Jejomar Binay who is the head of HUDCC will lead the housing caravan on said dates, Semolava said.(JCM/TWV/PIA6-Iloilo)

LGUs can borrow P20 million from Pag-IBIG for their housing projects

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- The Pag-IBIG Fund Iloilo City Branch can extend P20 million to local govern-ment units to help push their own housing project initiatives.

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- Children of farmers will soon find a school right in their farms as the Department of Education is bent on establishing family farm schools.

by Elsa S. Subong

DEPed to prioritize family farm schools

D epEd-6 Asst. Regional Director Corazon Brown said during the interview in PIA’s cable TV

Program “Hangpanay,” that Secretary Armin Luistro has given them the marching order to put up family farm schools to encourage students to pursue studies in agriculture courses, which is a priority thrust of government now.

Brown said the big challenge now for the agency is to plan for special programs in agriculture that will answer the needs of children of farmers and of those who have no farms but are interested in the course.

The DepEd said it will partner with

the TESDA and the Department of Agriculture in implementing the family farm schools.

Dir. Brown said they were inspired by the experience of the Dingle Family School which they find replicable because of the many families of farmers who have children in vocational and academic courses.

Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-6 Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr., also a guest with Brown in the program, said that TESDA offers various scholarships for agriculture courses but it is difficult for them to find enrollees.

TESDA said in its thrusts on career advocacy they can provide guidance to where the market is, and as agriculture, being a priority thrust, the country will have jobs available for the graduates

Education Specialist Dr. Rex Casiple of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the region, said the total enrolment in Agriculture for the last four years have been fluctuating, with 6,073 in 2008, 4,762 in 2009, 5,224 in 2010 and 4,920 in 2011 i n p u b l i c t e r t i a r y s c h o o l s . (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

T he project is on its third year and will continue until 2013, said Evelyn T. Bolido, Provincial

Heath Office (PHO)-Capiz Medical Spe-cialist IV.

The upcoming activity is in support to Executive order No. 369 issued last 2004 which declared the month of November as mass treatment period for filariasis in established endemic areas.

She added that MDA uses a single dose of a combination of Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole. It will reach out to 95 percent of Capiceños aged 2 years and older whether infected or non-infected with filariasis.

“This is equivalent to 691,695 individuals provincewide,” Bolido noted.

DOH will provide the medicines for

the month-long treatment. Taking the medicines will stop the

progression of the disease and prevent its transmission to others, she noted.

In 2009, the Department of Health (DOH) declared Capiz as the 41st province that has filariasis endemic cases in the country. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

3rd MDA on filariasis targets .6M Capiceños

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- Another mass drug administration (MDA) against filariasis will be conducted by health authorities in the province this month to make Capiz filariasis–free in the coming years.

by TWVillavert

by Alex A. Lumaque

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

by Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

PIA-SMART to award WV’s best I.O. bloggers

BACOLOD CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency Region VI, in partnership with SMART Communications will award this year’s first ‘Journ.ph best blogger’ in Western Visayas.

J ourn.ph webs i te i s a world press-based blog hosting platform developed by SMART and the Ateneo

Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC) as part of Smart’s Online Campus Journalism program.

The contest aims to encourage Information Officers from various government agencies and LGUs to write and publish blog entries that will help campus publication staffers in their writing.

Contest prime movers opened the search for all Information Officers, regular, contractual and casual, who are working in government agencies and LGUs in Western Visayas.

Winners will be awarded on December 2 in Iloilo City during the Year-end Information Officers Conference and awards.

The Best IO Blogger will receive P10,000, 1st runner -up P8,000, 2nd runner- up P6,000, and 3rd runner- up

P4,000. For the special awards: Most Active

Agency P3,000; Most Active Blogger P2,000; Readers’ Choice 2,000; and Most “liked” post P2,000. All winners will each receive a certificate.

Awarding of Best Blog Sites for the secondary and tertiary levels will be on November 25 in Iloilo City during the College Press Awards, COPRE. (JCM/LOL-PIA6)

K to 12, 4Ps contribute to rise in enrollment Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique Nov. 3 (PIA) –- The opening of Kinder Classes for K to 12 and the Pantawid Pamilya interventions are among the reasons cited for the increase in enrollment particularly for pre- and elemen-tary schools in the province of Antique.

A s s t . S c h o o l s D i v i s i o n Superintendent Victor de Gracia said parents are motivated to

send their children to school because of the assistance they get from the Pantawid Pamilya program.

As of 2011, 12 of the 18 towns in the province were given support under the Pantawid Pamilya program. Four more towns in 2012 will avail of the same assistance.

Families identified by the National Household Targeting System qualified

for government support availed of cash assistance for health and educational needs of their children 0-14 years old.

In addition, the launching of K to 12 also paved the way for parents to enroll their children in kinder classes so that they can catch up with the requirement of the program before they enter Grade 1.

The recent ‘State of the Children’s Report’ data revealed that pre-school enrollment has increased by about 14.18 percent from 13,790 in 2010 to 15,745 in

2011. Likewise, at the elementary level, the

report further showed the same trend. Other reasons cited for the increase

in enrollment are intensive enrollment campaign of teachers and active participation of parents through Brigada Eskwela.

With the outpouring of government support for education, De Gracia said, there is no reason for parents not to put priority to education of their children. (JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

Intensified fish production programs gain ground in Aklan by Venus G. Villanueva

A mong the province ’ f i sh production programs and projects include Pangasius Culture In Pond

Project, High Saline Tilapia Culture in Cage Project, Freshwater Tilapia Culture Project and Lambaklad Project Operations in the towns of Makato, Kalibo and Buruanga.

Marquez reported that as of September 2011, the Lambaklad Project in Baybay, Makato, Aklan has a total net income of more than P1 million.

The income is divided between the Provincial Government (45 percent) and

the fisherfolks (40 percent), with more than P466,000 already remitted to the province while the fisher folks got more than P414,000 share. The rest of the amount was utilized for the maintenance of the project.

The Lambaklad Project in Kalibo, on the other hand, listed a total of around P173,000 income as of October 3.

Utilizing the same sharing scheme, about P78,000 was remitted to the Provincial Government while the fisher folks shared among themselves the amount of P69,000 representing 40

percent of the net income. The Lambaklad in Mabilo, Kalibo was

launched last March 21. Meanwhile, the Lambaklad project in Buruanga is undergoing repair due to damage caused by typhoons.

The province also sustains its programs in protecting the coastal areas from erosion and other damages in the province as well as in providing shelter and breeding grounds of fishes and other marine life by deploying artificial. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- The intensified fish production programs and projects of the province are gaining ground with reports of bigger fish catch and income for Aklan fisher folks.

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DPWH hires Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries for road projects CENTRAL VISAYAS, Oct. 30 (PIA) –- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) in the region joined hands with the Department of Social Welfare and Development here (DSWD-7) in exploring opportunities to reduce ‘inter-generational’ cycle of poverty in Central Visayas.

T hese two government agencies forged a memorandum of understanding last June 28, 2011

to hire Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries to work for roads and other infrastructure development projects in region 7 dubbed as “Trabahong Lansangan ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.”

With the MOU, the program was launched in San Remegio, Cebu on October 31 where seven job orders were

given to beneficiaries from the Municipalities of San Remegio, Tabogon, Tabuelan and Tuburan.

DSWD’s task is to identify and endorse unemployed laborers to DPWH while the latter ensures employment of unskilled, unemployed beneficiaries through DPWH’s implemented programs and infrastructure projects.

Through this, the call for sustainable livelihood among the poor is now slowly

taking place. In his message during the

launching, Congressman Salimbangon emphasized the importance of “willingness to work” and hoped that this move on convergence of services does not stop with the job orders of the seven initially hired for the “Trabahong Lansangan…” program. (P IA-7/MBCNewman & DSWD-7/AL)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo recently led the blessing and inauguration ceremonies of the newly-improved Taft and Libertad Streets in Brgy. 8, Dumaguete City.

NegOr-funded road rehab project now complete by Rachelle M. Nessia

T he provincial government earlier allocated around P1 million for the rehabilitation of said street in

line with Gov. Degamo’s road projects province wide, said capitol information officer Adrian Sedillo.

Among the local government units that benefited from the provincial government-funded road projects,

Dumaguete City, the capital city, received the biggest share with P13 million.

“The funds are from the province’s 20 percent development fund,” said Sedillo.

The governor assured to fast track the road projects funded by the provincial government as this, he said, is one of the reasons why the province was recognized as one of the top 10 performing provinces

nationwide by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Gov. Degamo, in his talk during the inauguration ceremony, stressed the importance of well-maintained roads to the growth of the local economy and convenience of residents. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

W ith a Cebuano theme “Palig-onon ang Kaugmaon sa Batang Sugbuanon” (Strengthening the

Future of the Cebuano Children), this year’s Halad sa Kabataan showcased children’s talents in guitar duet with seven (7) participants; vocal solo competition with 12 contestants; and in the rondalla with 10 groups.

Danao City guitar tandem Kier Mata and Jaime Duterte III emerged as grand champion with a P10T cash prize and a trophy while the contestants from Ginatilan and San Remigio towns got the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

For the Guitar duet category, contingents played all novelty songs of Cebuano composers and singers, Yoyoy Villame and Max Surban as tribute to them. The winners were given cash prizes of P10T for the champion; P8T and P6T for the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively and consolation prize of P4T each for the non-winners.

Each winner also got a trophy.

For the vocal solo competition Jenelyn Tapuyao from San Fernando town got the championship with a cash prize of P5T plus trophy and a pair of Baktas shoes.

Beverly Jane Dulay of Dalaguete and Jomar Capuyan representing Danao City got the 2nd and 3rd prizes of P4T and P3T in cash plus trophy and a pair of Baktas shoes respectively while the non-winners were given P2T each.

For the Rondalla category, there were 10 groups with “Rosas Pandan” as the contest piece and a choice of Filipiniana compositions as warm-up pieces.

The Sisters of Mary Boystown Rondalla of Minglanilla was the champion for the rondalla category. The group received P30T cash prize and a trophy while the Argao Rondalla and Danao City Central School Rondalla got the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

Argao Rondalla received P25T and Danao City Central School Rondalla got P20T cash and each received a trophy.

All the other non-winners also received cash prize of P10T each group.

Obviously happy with the turn-out of the 5th Halad sa Kabataan, Governor Gwen Garcia announced that she is giving an additional P20T to each LGU that sent contingents to the competitions as financial aid for their expenses to the Halad sa Kabataan this year.

In related developments, Cebu province also gave awards to Child-Friendly LGUs with P50T cash. Topping the list of awardees were; Talisay City as Most child-Friendly Component City of the Province;

Argao town for the 1st-3rd class municipalities and Tabuelan for the 4th-5th class municipalities’ categories.

Pilar town in Camotes Islands got the “Hall of Famer” award being a consistent regional and provincial winner for three consecutive years and a national finalist for this year. (PIA-7 & PCWC)

CEBU, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- Twenty-nine sets of children contestants in the guitar duet, vocal solo and rondalla competitions vied for the cash prizes and honor representing various local government units in Cebu Province for this year’s 5th Halad sa Kabataan (Gift to Children) held on October 26 at the Cebu Cultural Center, UP-Cebu campus, Cebu City.

Cebu’s 5Th Halad sa Kabataan showcases talents in guitar, singing & rondalla by Minerva BC Newman

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

DSWD launches convergence caravan by Hazel F. Gloria

T his concept inspired the agency to come up with a convergence strategy with other government

agencies in channeling anti-poverty programs to the identified poor specifically the Pantawid Pamilya benefici-aries.

According to DSWD the “Tatsulo” convergence enables the beneficiaries to learn of other services of the city government through DSWD; educational opportunities for their children from the DepEd, CHED, TESDA and DOST scholarships; employment opportunities from POEA and DPWH; sustainable liveli-hood programs from the DA and DENR as hundreds of seedlings both herbal and fruit bearing were distributed during the

caravan. True to the call of the Pantawid

Pilipino program which is education and health, the Department of Health conducted a medical and dental mission where free sugar testing and dental extraction were available. The caravan also brought in Botika ng Bayan.

Other agencies introduced their various programs and services to the beneficiaries.

NGOs also joined in the caravan. The Young Lawyers Association in

Cebu (YLAC) also provided free legal advice and notarial services. Rea Remitio 29 and a mother of three children said during her testimony “ang programa dako kaayo ug nahimong kausaban sa akong

pamilya kay kung dili pa tungod niani di nako mabatyagan ang mga oportunidad sama ani” (The program has greatly help my family and if not for this program, I wouldn’t have known opportunities such as these).

Cebu C i t y Sou th d i s t r i c t Congressman Tomas Osmena and former north district representative Raul del Mar r e p r e s e n t i n g h e r d a u g h t e r Congresswoman Rachel “Cutie” DelMar also graced the caravan.

For the agencies, the convergence activity has forged a stronger bond in the realization that the bureaucracy is one in serving the same clients. (PIA-7/HFG & DSWD-7)

‘No time limit’ for return of defective items --DTI

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 28 (PIA) –- Just as the Consumer Act of the Philippines outlaws the “no return, no exchange policy,” the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol adds there is no time limit for the return of shoddy or defective goods.

A t the recent Kapihan sa PIA commemorat ing Consumer Consciousness Month, DTI Bohol

consumer division head Jose Hibaya said the law is not specific on the time limit for return of defective items.

Change of mind or later finding out that a similar item is priced lower on the other store as a reason for change of goods however is not acceptable, he said.

It will be recalled that there was a time when sales receipts of stores and

establishments bore the “no return, no exchange policy” which has deterred consumers from asserting their rights.

Since then, there has been issued prohibitions of the policy as DTI cites the implementing rues and regulations of the consumer act of the Philippines.

According to the DTI, the prohibition is aimed to correct the misconception that consumers do not have the right to return defective items.

Consumers are entitled to either

exchange or refund, as long as it is proven that there has been a hidden defect in the item and that this is not caused by customer mishandling of the goods, Hibaya explained at the radio forum aired live over DyTR.

For other tough cases, Hibaya said the DTI assures action by linking the complaints to the agency concerned within five days at most, but a day at the very least.(PIA-7/RAC)

CEBU CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently launched its “TATSULO” Convergence Program that brought its three major anti-poverty programs -- Pantawid Pamilya, KALAHI-CIDSS and SEA-K to create a significant impact in helping the poor cross the poverty threshold.

CEBU CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) –- Only inspectors from the Department of Energy (DOE) are authorized to conduct spot inspections of calibration pumps of gasoline stations to check the accuracy of fuel dispensed to customers.

D OE Director. Antonio Labios, said this during a recent press conference despite the reports

that a certain consumer group is conducting their own inspection of pumps at gasoline stations in Metro Cebu.

Under the law on the downstream of the oil industry, it is stipulated that the DOE has the sole mandate and function to inspect gas stations to determine whether their calibrated devices are dispensing accurate fuel, the DOE-Visayas chief said.

The DOE-Visayas director said that their office is regularly conducting inspections of fuel dispensing pumps in various retail outlets throughout the Visayas.

“These inspections are unannounced and those retail outlets found to have violated the existing rules and regulations are penalized administratively,” Labios said.

DOE-Visayas Legal Officer Atty. Mark Gamallo on the other hand, said the total amount of fines this year since January

from violating gas stations already reached P471,000.

To effectively ensure consumer protection and promote safety and fair trade practice, the DOE is actively pursuing partnerships with LGUs and other concerned agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, D e p a r t m e n t o f S c i e n c e a n d Technology and the Bureau of Fire Protection for joint inspections and focus group discussions. (PIA-Cebu)

Only DOE inspectors authorized to spot check gas stations’ calibrated pumps by Fayette C. Riñen

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Stat Month celeb in EVisayas successful

T his was learned from Evangeline M. Paran, head of the National Statistical Coordination Board

(NSCB-8) in a simple powerpoint presentation of the highlights and accomplishments during the month-long celebration.

Part of the NSM advocacy was the hanging of streamers in the different participating agencies, local government units and academic institutions.

The kick-off activities started with a motorcade around Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte and ended at the Robinsons Mall last October 5 hosted by the

Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The opening program was held at the Robinsons Activity Area and started with the cutting of the ribbon for the opening of the two-day statistical exhibit participated in by some 20 agencies showing their projects, programs, services and most of all their social protection statistics which focuses on the marginalized sector of the society.

Shown also at the exhibit area were the Regional Development Plan, Millennium Development Goals through MDG Watch.

Statistical trainings, seminars, agency visit, statistics quiz, essay writing contest, quiz-bee, poster making contest, siday (poetry) writing contest were also conducted during the month-long celebration

The NSM Regional Steering Committee also led a tree planting activity realized through the support of some 23 government, at the hilltop of Brgy. Utap, Tacloban City in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.(PIA-8)

TACLOBAN City, Leyte, Nov. 2 (PIA) -– The 22nd year celebration of the National Statistics Month (NSM) in Eastern Visayas was successful with the different activities carried out with the cooperation and participation of the different stakeholders led by the NSM Regional Steering Committee in advocating the importance of statistics with this year’s theme, “Quality Social Protection Statistics for Focused Targeting: Improving Outcome, Changing Lives”.

T he cooking materials include 72 pieces “Kaha” (big frying pans), 72 big cooking pots, 72 pieces

ladles, while eating utensils consist of plates, spoon, and fork, tumblers, each for 1,503 pieces that indicate the DSWD logo each at the bottom, Fe Nida Sy City Social Welfare Aide reported Thursday in a short talk with PIA-Maasin.

“The distribution of the eating utensils depend on how many day care

children from 3-4 years old are enrolled in each day care center, while the cooking materials will be distributed one each for DCC” Sy, the Focal Person for Children bared.

She disclosed that “an amount of twelve pesos and seventy cents (P12.70) inclusive of rice per child per day for 120 days hot meal feeding shall be allocated and ten pesos (P10.00) is allocated each child for the viand,” Sy disclosed.

An average of 10 children is covered in every kilo of rice at the price of P27.00 per kilo, Sy further said.

Though, the 120 bags of iron-fortified rice, re still coming, she said.

It will be purchased from the respective National Food Authority regional offices, while the local government units will be the one to withdraw the NFA rice at NFA warehouses, she added. (rgc/PIA-SoLeyte)

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 28 (PIA) - At least 72 Day Care Centers throughout Maasin City received various eating utensils and cooking materials from the government’s Supplemental Feeding Program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 based in Tacloban City.

CSWO distributes cooking materials, eating utensils for Day Care Centers in Maasin City by R.G. Cadavos

DepEd tells parents: Do not expect your kindergarten kids to read and write at once

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Nov.3 (PIA) -- DepEd Supt. Bernardo Adina of Eastern Samar Division told parents of kindergarten children that they are kept in school by means of Play.

“ Let us not expect our Kindergarten pupils to read and write at once,” Adina told the parents at the Eastern

Samar Educational and Cultural Center (ESECC) in today’s Kindergarten Festival of Talents.

“We want our kids to be happy, we do not want them to be frustrated and

discouraged this early, so we only engage them in play and outdoor activities,” Adina added.

Kindergarten kids learn to recite poems, sing, draw and learn motor skills.

“They are also taught proper handwashing and toothbrushing and other hygienic practices,” Adina said..

The children will be taught to read and write when they reach first grade.

“As it is, let them enjoy to be children, they learn to play with others and in doing so are prepared for social skills,” the DepEd official said. (NBQ/PIA8- E Samar)

by Neil D. Lopido

by Ninfa B. Quirante

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

I melda C. Laceras, regional director of DBM-8, made the positive statement in the recent meeting of the

Development Administration Committee (DAC) held at Marvins Seaside Inn, Atipolo, Naval, Biliran.

Laceras said that the fast-tracking in the release of funds of the P72.11-B stimulus package is under the DBM’s Disbursement Acceleration Program.

She said that the government

aims to release 80% of the total stimulus fund this year to finance various projects and programs already identified to be funded by the Aquino administration.

The DBM-8 chief revealed that the government has already disbursed 50% of the total P72.11-B stimulus fund.

Laceras revealed that the programs and projects identified by the Aquino

administration to be funded under the P72.11-B stimulus fund include that of critical public works and agriculture infrastructure projects, housing, relocation and resettlement projects, additional funding support for local government units (LGUs), rehabilitation of rail systems, projects that support peace efforts, healthcare insurance for indigents, human resource development training, among others. (PIA-Biliran)

Gov’t to accelerate disbursement of funds under the P72.11-B stimulus package by Rodrigo S. Victoria

SEA knights identify potential dive site in Biliran

A ccording to Rev. Fr. Tito Soquiño, president of SEA Knights in an interview with PIA, the divers

were surprised to see the beauty of the coral reefs and different kinds of multi-colored fishes and other marine lives underwater in Sambawan island facing the province of Masbate.

He said that what they saw underwater, simply tells that the seas off Sambawan Islet in Maripipi in the province of Biliran is a potential dive site.

“The presence the different kinds of fish in the sea area is an indication that the ecosystem is good and food for the

fish is still complete”, he said. The results and observations of the

exploratory diving of the SEA Knights scuba divers were reported to the Provincial Tourism Council in Biliran so that necessary steps and safeguards could be made to preserve the prospective dive site which is expected to draw more tourists both domestic and foreign especially scuba diving enthusiasts.

Fr. Soquiño said that one of the objectives of their organization is to help protect the marine resources especially in the Visayas area where most of their diving explorations are done.

In another tour i sm-re l a ted development, Sofronio Dacillo, Provincial Tourism Officer of Biliran informed that the provincial government is intensifying its efforts to develop tourist spots found in the different parts of the province to boost the tourism industry in the area.

He reported that Congressman Rogelio Espina of the lone district of Biliran has passed six House Bills (HB) in Congress for the development of the tourist destinations in Biliran.Almeria as tourist spots, respectively. (PIA-Bilrian)

NAVAL, Biliran, Oct. 28 (PIA) - The SEA Knights, an organization of scuba divers from Cebu City, a good number of them priests, conducted an exploratory diving off the seas of Sambawan Islet, in the island town of Maripipi recently.

L ed by Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya, the Leyte SP was encouraged by Governor Carlos

Jericho Petilla to take a look at the new Hotel which is still under construction and is expected to open on December 15.

Board Member Roque Tiu, who is the SP Leyte chairman for Public Information, said that no traces of the old MacArthur Park Beach Resort could be found as the Singaporean-backed LKY Property

Holdings pushed not just for renovation but for a total reconstruction.

When completed, the Leyte Oriental will be a shining landmark that will bring in both the local and the international tourists, according to BM Tiu who was once the Department of Tourism’s Regional Director for Eastern Visayas.

An elegant lobby now sits adjacent to the restaurant and the spa lounges. The Hotel has an outdoor pool and physical fitness facilities.

With the trend nowadays called “cocooning,” families tend to go to hotels or resorts where activities or events are offered that the family could avail of, BM Tiu said..

A newly constructed building houses the function rooms and the ballroom with a 1000 capacity, conducive for big gatherings.

LKY Holdings is the developer of the 116-room Mayon Imperial Hotel in Legaspi City. (PIA-8)

Leyte SP happy with Leyte Oriental's reconstruction TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 2 (PIA) -– The members of the Leyte Provincial Board recently visited the ongoing construction of the new Leyte Oriental Hotel, formerly MacArthur Park Beach Resort, and they were unanimous in giving it the thumbs up.

Naval, Biliran, Nov. 3 (PIA) – A top official of the regional office of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in Region 8 disclosed that the Aquino administration is . accelerating the disbursement of government funds under the P72.11-B stimulus package to pump prime the country’s economy this year.

by Flor Jackson

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.  One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail 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 PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com