one visayas vol 3 issue 28
DESCRIPTION
The official e-Newsletter of PIA VisayasTRANSCRIPT
Vol 3 Issue 28 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 July 8 - 14, 2013
WESTERN VISAYAS
Fund for climate change adaptation available to LGUs By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
ILOILO CITY, July 9 (PIA6) -- Climate Change Commission Secretary and Vice-Chair Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering urged local government units to come up with programs that would help their communities adapt to the effects of climate change.
With Sering’s call came the assurance that the national government has set aside funds under the People’s Survival Fund to help local governments defray the cost of such programs other than disaster risk reduction and management.
The fund is provided for under Republic Act No. 10174 which mandates the government to implement local climate change action plans and make communities more resilient to climate-induced disasters. Specifically, the fund, which would be appropriated annually, would be used for the management of water resources, land, agriculture and fisheries, health, infrastructure development, and natural ecosystems.
Speaking at the signing July 8 here of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that launched Project ReBUILD for Jalaur River Basin in Iloilo, Sering urged local governments to avail of the Fund after noting that not a single local government has had a local climate change plan in place that is based on an assessment of its vulnerability to climate change. This would have been the basis for availing of the Fund.
“Meron na tayong pundo (an unprogrammed fund of P500 million), kulang ang absorptive capacity,” said Sering at the event. (We now have the fund, but there’s a lack of absorptive capacity, referring to non-availment of the fund by LGUs).
The CCC, she said, is hopeful that the fund would be used as a potential guide to LGUs in long-term planning on climate change adaptation because a well-defined plan can also encourage investment as it would lessen the cost of doing business.
We have to move faster in this regard, she said, referring to local governments. “What we’re bringing in is not something new but is more of improving what you have right now based on science and expertise.
She cited the experience of her own disaster-prone community in Surigao del Norte, which she said is now resilient after experiencing and learning lessons on how to cope with the adverse effects of natural disasters especially typhoon “Sendong” in 2011 which included timely early warning and ample preparation.
Project ReBUILD is a joint project of the CCC and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the New Zealand Aid Progamme as funding agency.
The US$1.1-million is designed to increase the capacities of communities surrounding the Jalaur River Basin to manage disaster risks from and adapt to the overall impacts of climate change towards resilience and sustainable development.
The MOU was signed by Sering, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, and UNDP Country Director in the Philippines Toshihiro Tanaka. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue
By Hazel F. Gloria CEBU CITY, July 10 (PIA) -- The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) strictly monitors establishments that are selling wildlife species without permits.
DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo in a press statement said, “I have issued instructions to our field officials and the newly deputized wildlife enforcement officers to conduct a thorough intelligence gathering so that we would be able to know if there are certain establishments, pet shops or other similar places that are selling or trading wildlife species without permits from the DENR.”
Montejo also urged the public not to remove or take away wildlife species from their natural habitat or else it would threaten their ability to survive in a new environment.
These developments came about after authorities seized a large number of protected animals during a raid in a home in Tondo, Manila last June 3.
In relation to the monitoring being done by DENR-7, it was learned that under RA-9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, illegal trade of endangered species is penalized by a fine of P200,000 and a jail term of two years while the killing of endangered animals carries the penalty of imprisonment of six years and a fine of P500,000.
“We will not hesitate to implement the full force of the law against those who engage in illegal trading, collection and possession of wildlife species,” Montejo added.
He warned against poachers who try to smuggle wildlife species as the wildlife monitoring units in airports and seaports are now being alerted 24 hours a day.
During the Tondo raid, the team found dead animals apparently dumped outside the house, emitting a strong foul odor.
The raiding team, headed by DENR Undersecretary and Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) head Ernesto Adobo Jr., recovered 78 Palawan hill mynas, 12 blue-naped parrots and five juvenile Indo-Pacific or saltwater crocodiles which were all dead.
Only 14 Philippine forest and pond turtles were retrieved alive.
Likewise, it can be recalled that on June 21, the DENR destroyed five tons of smuggled elephant tusks using a road roller, making the Philippines the first country in Asia to conduct physical destruction of massive ivory stockpiles in support to global efforts to stamp out illegal wildlife trade. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & DENR-7)
By Ailene N. Diaz CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 8 (PIA) -- President
Aquino is calling for the crafting of a roadmap that will identify areas here which need farm-to-market roads.
This is what Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Ferdinand B. Cui Jr. conveyed during the Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) meeting held recently at Borongan, Eastern Samar.
Cui underscored in his talk the response of the Aquino administration to the SIPPAD Development Agenda on Samar Island Development.
Cui reported that under the priority programs for the island is the intervention for agricultural development which covers the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads.
Twenty-one of these projects have been completed while seven are still ongoing.
Also included are irrigation projects, 66 of which have been completed while 17 are still ongoing.
Another project under agricultural development is the provision of post-harvest facilities (PHF). Cui said the government distributed PHFs worth P19.57 million for Northern Samar; P17.84 million for Eastern Samar and P13.42 million for the province of Samar.
These are expected to benefit 2,400 farmers across Samar Island.
However, Cui disclosed that based on empirical evidence, many farm-to-market roads are not connected to a highway or even to a secondary or tertiary highway.
In the roadmap being envisioned by the President, the highway and the proposed farm-to-market roads to be connected will be indicated, Cui said.
The roadmap will undergo validation by the Department of Agriculture.
Cui pointed out that the objective of the government in building farm-to-market roads is to help farmers as well as consumers. (PIA-Northern Samar)
PNoy envisions roadmap for farm-to-market roads – PMS
DENR-7 strictly monitors traders of wildlife species
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Action Center Kapihan sa PIA guest Dr. Consolacion Ruflo (seated right) speaks on the activities for the month-long Nutrition Celebration this July. The Kapihan program held at the Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol lobby was hosted by PIA Infocen Manager Erna Sy Gorne with staff Bong Pedalino. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)
Barangay Captain Rosito Alejo of Barangay Aningalan, San Remigio, Antique expresses gratitude during the MOA signing, for the support extended by the Gawad Kalinga, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Angelo King Foundation Inc, and the LGU of San Remigio for the establishment of a GK Village where 25 housing units will be constructed for the poor families in the said barangay. (T.Villavert/ PIA6-Antique)
Office of Civil Defense Cebu City Training Coordinator Joy Hernandez (inset) explains the scenario of the Earthquake and Fire evacuation drill during the observer's briefing at the security office in I. T. Park, Brgy. Apas, Cebu City on July 5, 2013. (VVV/PIA Cebu)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
Central Philippine University, Iloilo CityCentral Philippine University, Iloilo CityCentral Philippine University, Iloilo City
PhilPost still competitive despite ‘high tech’ delivery
ILOILO CITY, July 11 (PIA6) --The current high technology may be “hurting” the Philippine Postal Corporation, but in Western Visayas, the PhilPost still receives a huge volume of mails.
I n media interviews, PhilPost-6 Area Director Fabiolita Ferraris said she estimated that the volume has really
decreased by almost 50 percent compared to those they had 10 years ago.
She noted that people would rather email or send text messages or use the social networks, instead of the post office.
“But the mails we are receiving, especially in farflung areas are still too may,” Ferraris said.
“Delivering the mails there poses a big challenge for us,” Ferraris said responding to issues of a “snail-paced,” delayed, if not
undelivered letters. Recently, the PhilPost was butt of media
criticisms for reported incidents of failure of postmen and post offices to deliver letters, which resulted to adverse consequences for recipients.
Ferraris said PhilPost-6 has very limited number of manpower at present, and being a government-owned and contro l led corporation, the salaries and operating expenses of the office are sourced from income through stamps.
In Estancia town in Northern Iloilo, which serves as center office for PhilPost, and serves
the adjacent towns of Batad, Carles Balasan, it has only one post master and a letter carrier.
Ferrraris has appealed to the public expecting mails every now and then to visit their local post offices and check so that there is no delay.
“People used to do this. They go to the post office and pick up their mails. This can be done now while we still await the upgrading of our manpower,” Ferrraris said.
Ferraris said that with government rationalization now going on, PhilPost’s services and manpower resources can be improved. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
By: Elsa S. Subong
SAN JOSE, Antique, July 11 (PIA6) -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is embarking on multi-million peso communal irrigation projects which are expected to help boost rice production in the province of Antique.
“ Under the small irrigation program or SIP for 2013, we are implementing 33 Communal Irrigation Projects and these
are situated in identified areas of the municipalities of San Jose, Sibalom, Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Anini-y, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Valderrama, San Remigio, Laua-an, Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan and Libertad, province of Antique”, said NIA-Antique Acting Division Manager Randy Alipis.
Engr. Alipis said that the 33 communal irrigation projects are expected to generate some 1,046 hectares of farmlands in the province thereby improving rice production output of the farmers.
According to Alipis the projects are
implemented to the tune of P114,573,000.00. The projects are expected to be
completed before the year ends. He also said that this year some
P35,472,000.00 was also appropriated for the repair, rehabilitation, establishment of systems (RES) for Tibiao Communal Irrigation System and Sibalom San Jose RES.
“Another National Irrigation System Communal Irrigation System extension funding of P4,540,000.00 is targeted for five projects in 57 hectares of farmlands in the areas of Culasi Sibalom area, San Juan CIS, Bitadton CIS, Panganta CIS, Real CIS and BAnayan CIS in San Remigio”, Alipis said in a PIA interview.
For newly harvested rice, the NIA-Antique head said that a structure that
would help farmers dry their rice is now 60 percent complete and “this is the concreting of canal service routes for solar drying or multi-purpose use in the existing National Irrigation System in Sibalom-San Jose Irrigation System”.
The government is doing its best to establish infrastructure and other support system for our farmers and “we hope that the government’s efforts to boost rice production will be attained”, Alipis concluded.
The province of Antique has a total riceland area of 42,038.32 hectares. Of this figure 19,148.12 hectares are irrigated; 18,875.95 hectares are rainfed and 4,011.25 hectares are upland areas.(JCM/VWV/PIA 6-Antique)
33 Communal Irrigation Projects to boost Antique’s rice production By Vicente W. Villavert
BJMP-Aklan District jail is region's best
KALIBO, Aklan, July 11 (PIA6) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – Aklan District Jail (ADJ) was awarded as Best Jail of Region 6 for second quarter of 2013 during the 2nd Quarter Management Conference held at Metropolis Subdiviion Clubhouse in Jaro Iloilo City.
T he award was personally received by Jail Inspector Norberto G. Miciano Jr. from Jail Senior Superintendent Ignacio
Sarabia Panti, BJMP Regional Director. The Aklan District Jail is presently manned
by 21 personnel. The District Jail was cited due to its
programs for inmates’ welfare and development through physical exercise/daily therapy, religious activities, sports and recreation, and livelihood activities.
The ADJ also conducted summer sports fest which was participated in by BJMP personnel and inmates from April 14 to May 31 of this year, sustained religious services and livelihood programs for inmates, like vegetable gardening and furniture-making.
For the comfort of relatives visiting inmates, a canopy was constructed in front of
the building initiated by the ADJ. All cells and other buildings inside the
building were repainted while the old roof of the chapel made of nipa was replaced with corrugated galvanized iron sheets.
The ADJ also opened its doors to members of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to provide free legal services to inmates in celebration of Community Relations Service in June 2013 while the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals also conducted an outreach program and gift-giving for all inmates during the second quarter.
The on-site voting of inmates during the May 13, 2013 elections was also successfully implemented by the ADJ personnel while a composite team of personnel from the BJMP regional office together with the ADJ also
conducted an on-site voting of registered voting inmates during the take-over of the Aklan Rehabilitation Center for the political exercise.
For the immediate community, the ADJ participated in the Brigada Eskwela Program of the Department of Education (DepEd) by helping in the cleaning of premises of the Nalook Integrated School, initiated a Read A Book activity as one of the banner programs of Community Relations Month in June for 30 Grade I pupils followed by food distribution as part of the institution’s feeding program, and a clean-up drive in the barangay.
The BJMP-ADJ sits on a 1,015 square meter lot in Barangay Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan donated by the provincial government. It is adjacent to the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC). (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)
By Venus G. Villanueva
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
University of San Agustin, Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin, Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin, Iloilo City
BFAR: No red tide in WVisayas
ILOILO CITY, July 11 (PIA6) -- There is no red tide in Western Visayas.
T his was conveyed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-6 (BFAR-6) based on the Shellfish
Bulletin No. 16 dated July 9, 2013, issued by BFAR Central Office.
BFAR-6 Regional Director Drusila Bayate said that it is safe to buy, sell, and consume shellfish harvested in Western Visayas.
The BFAR official said that the latest laboratory results of water samples in Region 6 have proved negative of red tide toxin.
Red tides are caused by an explosive growth and accumulation of certain
microscopic algae due to the presence of high pollution and extreme heat.
On one hand, shellfishes collected in certain areas in Visayas and Mindanao are not safe for human consumption.
According to the latest BFAR Shellfish Bulletin, shellfishes collected in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga Del Norte, and Misamis Occidental, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar, Cambatutay and Irong-Irong Bays in Western Samar are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
The bulletin also said coastal waters of Calbayog City in Western Visayas are now positive for red tide toxin. In these areas, fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking, as per the Shellfish Bulletin.
The BFAR Central Office regularly issues updates regarding coastal waters affected by red tide contamination through its Shellfish Bulletin which can be viewed in their website at www.bfar.da.gov.ph. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
By Leonard T. Pineda I
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 9 (PIA6) -- A total of 119,215 sugar plantation workers in Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company (BISCOM) Mill District, this province, is set to receive their three percent workers’ share amounting to a total of P146,924,461.43 from their respective planters’ associations.
T his after the Department of Labor and Employment released June 28 the amount as part of the P152,250,461.43
that is scheduled to be released to six planters associations this crop year in the BISCOM mill district.
The P146.92-million will be distributed to the sugar plantation workers within the 3-month period which starts once the planters’ associations will have released the amount to the 16,374 planter-members.
The four associat ions include: Binalbagan-Isabela Planters Assn. (BIPA), Planters Assn. of Southern Negros ( PASON), Inc., Independent Planters of BISCOM, Inc. (IPOBI) and United Farmers Assn. of Negros
South (UNIFARMS), Inc., which are qualified to claim the workers’ shares from the six planters associations in the BISCOM Mill district after submitting to the DOLE the required special payrolls as proof that the workers’ cash bonus share released to them in the previous crop years were distributed to the plantation workers.
In 2012, DOLE 6 Director Ponciano M. Ligutom withheld the release of the three percent workers’ share for crop year 2010-2011 when he discovered that some planters' associations were not able to submit the required payrolls.
DOLE enforced the “No Payroll, No Release” policy in order to improve the
system. The three percent workers’ share
represents the increase in the milling participation or agreement between the planters and the mill under Republic Act No. 809 or the Sugar Act of 1952.
Under the Act, the proceeds shall be divided between the planters and laborers in a plantation in the following proportion: sixty per cent of the increased participation goes to the laborers, and forty per cent to the planters.
In Region 6, only the BISCOM and SONEDCO mill districts are covered by this Ac t . * ( JCM/EAD-P IA6 /DOLE Negros Occidental)
119,215 NegOcc sugar workers to receive cash bonus By Easter Anne D. Doza
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 10 (PIA6) – Creating a conducive environment for business to grow and develop is one of the major thrusts of the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council of Capiz.
MSME council aims for more business-friendly environment
C apiz PSMEDC Chairperson Danilo So Chan said during the opening of the MSME Week celebration, July 9, that
aside from pushing for a business-friendly environment, the council likewise looks forward to having productive, efficient and competitive enterprises.
He explained the need for putting in place tangible and intangible infrastructure such as improved access to good transportation facilities and opening of new routes, including the implementation of the business permits and licensing system, enactment of the Provincial Investment Code and the Roxas City Expanded Investment Incentives Code as well as the establishment of Investment Promotion Center have helped in creating a conducive business environment.
So Chan stressed that the realization of big projects, courtesy of the national government especially during the Aquino administration, such as the Roxas City Circumferential Road, opening of the new Roll
On Roll Off routes, improvement of the Roxas City Airport and Culasi seaport, conversion and upgrading of the Maayon-Sara-Lemery Road, including the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project will further boost the investment and tourism industry of Capiz.
He said that with the help of the various agencies under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) efforts, a more productive, competitive and efficient enterprises in Capiz will be achieved.
According to him, the Capiz MSME Center, which has been serving as the group’s trade house or market outlet for Capiz products since 2005, will be operating and managing a Toll Packaging Center to make the province’s products particularly of the processed food sector to be at par with the rest of the country’s products in terms of quality and packaging.
The week-long MSME celebration kicked off with a motorcade around the major streets
of Roxas City and the opening of the Trade Expo and Night Market with Capiz Vice Governor Esteban Evan Contreras who represented Governor Victor Tanco, Roxas City mayor Angel Alan Celino represented by City Community Affairs Officer Rommel Lastimoso, Capiz Trade and Industry Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes and businessmen and representatives from the different partner agencies.
Included in the week-long celebration are the interactive exhibit such as the technology demonstration on marcotting and grafting, coco shell accessory making, skills demonstration on housekeeping, bartending, table setting and floral arrangement, basic skill training on coco coir twining for inmates of the Capiz Rehabilitation Center, forum on doing business in free trade areas such as China and the ASEAN Economic communities, entrepreneurship forum for students as well as for Overseas Filipino Workers and retirees, and familiarization tour. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)
by Jemin B. Guillermo
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
By Elvira C. Bongosia
A round 121 representatives from the private sector, non-government organizations, other government
agencies and the local government units are expected to participate in this two-day activity.
The environmental summit carries the theme, “PA Management Innovations: Towards Sus ta inab le B iod i ver s i t y Conservation in Harmony with the Needs of the Host Communities.”
“Central Visayas is home to 24 protected areas and this activity will certainly highlight the significance of these protected areas not only in biodiversity conservation but its worth to the economical and cultural values of the
Visayan people,” said DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelito R. Montejo.
Montejo said the activity was conceived to discuss the status and direction of PA management in the region, present innovative protected area management interventions for the enhancement of biodiversity conservation, and showcase ecotourism potentials of PAs that benefits different communities in the region.
The focus of the summit, jointly organized by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), is the status
of current PAs and its new directions and development given its changing and dynamic environment.
Protected areas must be preserved, conserved, and developed that would benefit fully the host communities and other stakeholders while maximizing the use of the necessary tools or technologies to improve its preservation efforts, Montejo added.
Also, activities during the summit include enterprise development tour, lessons from technically-assisted special projects, success stories, applied practices and series of workshops to address the identified gaps especially in protected area management. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol & DENR)
DENR to hold 1st CV PAMB Summit in Bohol
Southwestern University Southwestern University Southwestern University
CEBU CITY, July 10 (PIA) -- Local nutrition officials raised the alarm over the results of a local study that showed call center workers are eating less and less nutritious food.
Call center workers not eating enough healthy food, survey shows
A survey conducted here last year reveals that call center agents in Cebu City are reaching for more junk foods
instead of healthy foods due to lack of time and accessibility to healthy food.
The survey done on 1,200 call center workers in Cebu City was conducted by the Population Commission (Popcom) and the University of San Carlos (USC).
Said survey results also point to a higher incidence of smoking and drinking of alcohol among call center employees, said Popcom-7 Planning Officer Michael Pacios.
Reasons cited by call center employees were lack of time to cook nutritious food and non-availability of healthy food in their working place, said Pacios.
Susan Orpilla of the National Nutrition Council-7 (NNC) said the survey’s results are alarming as the high-fat and no-vegetables diet put the health of call center agents at risk.
“They are future parents. What if these young adults are already anemic and when they get married and their anemia is not treated, they will also produce underweight children,” said Orpilla.
Lack of proper nutrition also affects their productivity, she warned.
Orpilla appealed to call center employers to make sure there is healthy food available for their workers in their canteens.
The Regional Nutrition Council has earlier passed a resolution requiring all school canteens in the region to make sure the food
they serve adhere to NNC’s 10 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos.
Orpilla said BPO companies can also choose to adopt the guidelines when stocking food in their companies.
Meanwhile, Orpilla noted a low vegetable consumption in Central Visayas and urged Cebuano consumers to increase their intake of vegetables by eating more home-cooked meals or growing their own vegetables in their backyards.
She quoted a survey that shows vegetable intake in Central Visayas is only at 37.23 kg per year per person compared to the required vegetable consumption for each Filipino is at 69 kg per year. (RMN/PIA Cebu)
By Rachelle M. Nessia
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 5 (PIA) -- Bohol Province is on a massive campaign to make it to the list of the top overnight destinations in the global tourism map.
Tourism stakeholders bat for Bohol as 'top overnight destination' By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
B ohol local officials said the province is not in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) top overnight destinations list
in 2012 in spite of its tourist attractions. An updated Tourism Development Plan
for 2012 of the DOT reported that the country had 21.82 million guests in 2012.
Of the figure, Camarines Sur had a share of 18%, Metro Manila, 17%, Zambales, 9.1%, Boracay, 8.7%, Cebu City, 8.6%, and Davao City, 7.7%.
Also among favorite overnight destinations, according to the DOT NTDP is Lapu-lapu City with 6.1%, Puerto Princesa, 4.7%, Baguio City, 4.4%, and Albay, 3.8%. Travel Village tour and travel agent
Lourdes Sultan said rooms in Bohol are pricier, compared to Cebu.
"We can ask the room and accommodations establishments to join the Bohol MegaSale Promo and we will bundle a package so that a tourist shopper can still get a Bohol package a lot cheaper."
The idea came as Nonette Bolo, Bohol Federation of Tour and Travel Operators (BOFETTO) president, presented an invitation for Bohol to a tourism fair in Manila in September this year.
Bohol Tourism Officer Josephine Cabarrus said Bohol will put up booths during the tourism fair, one that it never missed since late 1990s. Bolo added, we can even sell low on fair dates so that advanced sales can perk
up participating tourist service establishments here.
Aside from a planned mega sale, BTO is now finalizing a campaign material to get back tourist travelers attention to Bohol.
Already in the pipeline is the production of information material collateral via brochure that sells new interesting Bohol tourism products packaged in an array of pictures and succinct texts.
This month also, stakeholders from across the region gather here at the Bellevue Hotel for the Tourism Congress Philippines Visayas Consultations to craft ways to make Tourism Philippines globally competitive. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)
BOHOL, July 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) through its Protected Area, Wildlife, Coastal Zone and Management Services (PAWCZMS) was set to hold its 1st Central Visayas Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Summit on July 10-12, at the Bohol Plaza Resort and Restaurant in Panglao Island, Bohol.
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
By Jennifer C. Tilos
SIATON, Negros Oriental, July 10 (PIA) -- A total of 28 communist rebels has surrendered recently after an army troops of Bayanihan Team under the 79th Infantry Battalion dismantled the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) rebels’ mass structure in Barangay Mnatiquil in Siaton town.
Army dismantles CPP-NPA rebels’ mass structure in Neg.Or.
University of San Carlos, CebuUniversity of San Carlos, CebuUniversity of San Carlos, Cebu
By Rizalie A. Calibo
Siquijor's new leaders want to hasten soci-economic dev’t of the island
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 9 (PIA) – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Tagbilaran has a new manager.
PPA Tagbilaran has new port manager
S iquijor vice-governor Fernando “Dingdong” Avanzado presented to the Liberal party’s legislative agenda for Siquijor during its oath
-taking ceremony on July 1 at the Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor.
“Today we officially begin the task of transforming our beloved Siquijor into a vibrant , progressive and sustainable province," he said while admitting that “the role ahead is not easy and there are many challenges along the way.”
He believes that if all work together and set aside personal politics and focus on doing the job required, Siquijodnons can get to where they want to go and achieve great success in no time.
“We have made campaign promises to you our constituents, let me tell you now.
We intend to fulfill these promises,” he said. A priority legislation, he said, is to
commission the development of a master plan by local, national or international master planners and approve the same so as to have an orderly and sustainable development of the island province and to make sure that the meager funds are spent wisely for the benefit and welfare of the
people. Another legislation is the conversion of the
provincial roads into national highways to remove the burden from the provincial government in its construction and maintenance thereby creating much needed savings for the local government and at the same time hastening socio-economic development.
“As we all know we are a beautiful island, we just need to let the world know that there exist a paradise known as Siquijor,” the singer-actor vice-governor said.
He said Siquijor officials should pay special attention to the multi-trillion dollar wellness medical tourism industry to promote Siquijor as the healing island in Asia and adapt a progressive health care program.
Finally, he said they will pass ordinances or resolutions that shall strengthen the provincial health board, the provincial tourism councils and put more teeth into the tourism and development services including the public information services and the civil defense administration because these are vital tourism concern including peace and
order. Meanwhile, The Barangay Development
Council (BDC) of barangay Tulapos in Enrique Villanueva Siquijor is launching July 12 the Farmers and Fishermen’s Friday Market Day and Halad sa katawhan dubbed “Tabo sa Tulapos.”
The activity is in response to the government’s call through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government units (LGUs) to create market day in a barangay to promote community participation, and economic activities.
The event also gives opportunities for farmers and fisherfolks to showcase and sell their local products.
This will last for three days, Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinator Bernadith Bunado, one of the organizers who herself is a resident of the barangay said.
This is also part of the celebration of the town fiesta in honor of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on June 16, Bunado said. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7-Siquijor)
I n turnover ceremonies held June 28, outgoing port manager Manuel Boholano handed over the corporate banner and
keys of responsibility to Annie Lee Menese, after the latter completed a five-year
uninterrupted service handling port operations in Tagbilaran.
Manese had managed the Dumaguete Port for more than two years. She said she is confident that PPA would be able to deliver
effective and efficient public service as she promised to achieve more not only for PPA but also for Bohol province as well. (FCR/RAHC/PIA7-Bohol)
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
“ After realizing the futility of supporting the armed struggle and the hostility of keeping the NPAs to their shelter, 28 Party Branch Members and Peoples Militia
were awakened from the deceptive insinuations on opinionated issues that brought the Solid Mass Organization or MASSO in Brgy Mantiquil Siaton, Negros Oriental,” Ltc Marion Sison, Commander of 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion said.
Lt Col. Sison said with this incident Barangay Mantiquil is now cleared of the menace of insurgency.
With the number of rebel surrenderees, nine members of Sangay sa Partido sa Localidad (SPL) led by Rosalie Nama alias POPS and nineteen members of Yunit Militia (YM) of Lubos na Asosasyong Masa (LAM)/Solid Mass Association under Diosdado Nama alias DONDI returned to the folds of the law by turning themselves in to the troops of 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under Ltc Marion R Sison.
“The surrender of 28 persons who were utilized for chores from being underground informants to sometimes, instant and untrained fill up fighters for the NPAs was brought about by the proper information delivered by the Bayanihan Troops from issues previously exploited by the terror groups," said Sison.
They admittedly decided to turn their backs after realizing they have been fed with lies by the NPA Leadership,” said Ltc Sison.
Brigadier General Jonas Sumagaysay, Acting 3ID Commander said the people of Negros are happy to welcome their long lost brothers and sisters who have returned to the democratic fold.
This is a welcome development in the province of Negros Oriental where people have longed for a lasting
peace. Let us help each other in the spirit of Bayanihan to
end the menace of insurgency and move forward towards development in the countryside, Sumagaysay added.
Sumagaysay went on that the snowball of surrenders can be also attributed to social pressure generated by the civil society organizations, the local officials and other stakeholders who have been persistent in calling for peace coupled with sustained combat operations in the region.
Meanwhile, in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division first semester report, a total of 62 regular members of the NPA have already surrendered and live normally in the mainstream society.
This number includes 26 rebels who are members of Komiteng Rehiyonal-Panay (KR-P), 33 from Komiteng Rehiyonal-Negros (KR-N) and 3 from Komiteng Rehiyonal Sentral-Bisayas (KR-SB).
The numbers does not count NPA members who have been monitored to have left the movement for the period.
This year’s first semester surrenderees are up by 18 or 40 percent compared to first semester of last year where 44 NPA rebels have laid down their arms and returned to mainstream society and chose to live peacefully.
Sumaygaysay said “We expect more rebels to surrender in the coming days because we know that they are already tired of the futile armed struggle and wanted to go down and abandon the armed violence.”
He added, the CPP-NPA is losing the support of the populace while their ranks continue to go back to the democratic folds and start a lawful and peaceful life.
The continued Bayanihan in Western Visayas is a successful effort of the people who longed for lasting peace
in this part of the country, stressed Sumaygaysay. Meanwhile, more than a thousand students, local and
school officials participated in the Nutri-Fit Walk Sunday around Dumaguete City to highlight the Nutrition Month celebration.
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria led the activity to show support in addressing hunger issues and actions to mitigate hunger and malnutrition in the city as well as in the country.
This year's Nutrition Month theme focuses on "Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-Sama Nating Wakasan," as part of the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG), eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
During its nutrition-walk program, the City Nutrition Council awarded Dumaguete City High School and Silliman University as the biggest contingent-school category; City Engineers Office and Barangay Uno Tinago for biggest contingent-office category.
Awarded for biggest contingent-organizations were Silliman University Medical Technology Society(School), Kalipi ng Pilipinas (Civic), Federation of the Senior Citizens (People's Organization).
Recognition was given also to the biggest contingent-cooperative category: Noreco 2, the most disciplined/organized group: Silliman University, most creative group,
Kalipi ng Pilipinas-SCWDO, biggest group donor: Dumaguete City Water District (Organization/Office Cate-gory), Silliman University ROTC (School Category) and best slogan: Barangay Banilad. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
SIQUIJOR, July 8 (PIA) --The new leaders of Siquijor outlined their programs and legislative agenda to hasten the process of transformation and fast-tracking socio-economic development in the island province.
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Pintados-Kasadyaan festival gets full support of new Leyte governor TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 11 (PIA) -- The tradition of the Pintados-Kasadyaan festival will continue on with the support of new Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla.
“ As the governor of Leyte, I assure you of my full support to the forthcoming activities of the
Pintados-Kasadyaan,” Petilla said during the Pintados-Kasadyaan post-event meeting held at the Governors Hall of the Provincial Capitol yesterday.
Petilla said he believes that the Pintados-Kasadyaan festival promotes the province’s rich culture and tradition and is the best way of promoting the furtherance of culture and tradition of the Leyteños.
The Leyte governor also lauded the men and women behind the Pintados-Kasadyaan festival for their commitment and dedication to promote the province and its culture and tradition, acknowledging that it is not easy to stage several activities for the festival.
The chairpersons in the committees for the Pintados-Kasadyaan activities who attended the meeting appreciated the governor’s gesture of attending the post-activity meeting as it was a tangible manifestation that he was really interested in the endeavor.
Committee reports say the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2013 was successful despite the occurrence of a typhoon on the 29th of June.
The presentation went on as scheduled while the street dancing portion in the morning was cancelled due to rains.
The Pintados and Kasadyaan are two festivals merged into one, both festivals have their own mini-festivals, depending on the municipality.
As each municipality holds its own festival, each festival eventually merges into the Pintados-Kasadyaan highlighted by warrior dancers with painted bodies, colorful costumes and floats during the Ritual Dance Presentation and the Pagrayhak Grand Parade.
The Pintados Festival, the oldest festival in Eastern Visayas, is now on its 27th year. It is based on the historical pagan practices of the Leyte inhabitants of ancient body painting and tattooing and the worship and adoration of the Senior Santo Niño, the patron of Tacloban and Leyte.
Meanwhile, Kasadyaan is a festival of the festivals of the municipalities comprising the province of Leyte. (PIA-8)
Shellfish farmers affected by red tide toxins urged to shift to agriculture
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 11 (PIA) -- Shellfish farmers affected by the red tide toxins plaguing Samar seawaters in Calbayog City have been advised to plant agricultural products as an alternative source of income.
C ity Agriculturist Adela Ocenar said they immediately dispatched technicians to monitor water
samples from eight monitoring stations when deaths were reported in Tarangnan.
They then discovered that Calbayog waters are now positive for red tide organism (pyradinium bahamense var. compressum) which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.
“We have advised farmers to refrain from collecting shellfish, however, fish harvested from the said area are safe, if washed thoroughly and if the gills and intestines are removed,” said Ocenar.
Samar Provincial Agriculturist Anita Taran is also thinking of alternative livelihood for mussel farmers in the bays of Cambatutay and Irong-Irong. She plans to talk to Mayor Danilo Tan of Tarangnan and
consult the mussel farmers affected next week to determine what contingent measures are in order.
“We want to validate our list of mussel farmers in the area,” added Taran.
Records show some 99 mussel and oyster farmers are affected in six Tarangnan (Samar) barangays with some 13, 300 bamboo poles left unharvested for fear of red tide poisoning. (PIA-Samar)
By Ninfa Iluminda B. Quirante
DAR implements 7 ARCCESS projects in Leyte
L eyte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Leovigildo Monge said the ARCCESS Project is a new program
of DAR designed to create sustainable development in the countryside through enterprise development.
The project taps agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations for agri-based enterprise of farmers to attain economies of scale and generate higher income and productivity.
Monge said there are seven projects under ARCCESS in Leyte for 2013.
He identified the palay production warehousing and marketing in Babatngon, Tanauan, Tacloban and Palo Agrarian Reform Communities as one of the projects.
The other projects are the banana and vegetable production in Palo Agrarian
Reform Community and cassava production and cassava chips processing for feeds in Capoocan, Dagami, La Paz, Tunga, Carigara and Barugo Agrarian Reform Communities.
For the third district of Leyte Agrarian Reform Communities, the improved copra production in Calubian and Leyte-Leyte Agrarian Reform Communities will be implemented.
Completing the seven projects are the palay production warehousing and marketing in Kananga, Matag-ob and Albuera Agrarian Reform Communities and the inter-cropping sweet potato and banana in coconut plantation in Baybay, Mahaplag and Javier Agrarian Reform Communities.
DAR Leyte is now preparing documentary requirements for the conduct of organizational enterprise needs
assessment and design assessment for the seven projects mentioned.
Meanwhile, John Colasito, DAR Leyte public information officer, said DAR Leyte and the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, recently signed a memorandum of agreement on the ARCCESS Project.
The MOA which was signed by Efren Saz, VSU Chairman-designate of the VSU ARCCESS team, Monge and Marlu Merin, DAR support services officer, names VSU as the partner of DAR and service provider for agricultural technology and know-how.
Colasito said the ARCCESS Project involves multi-sectoral partnership with state colleges and universities, civil society organizations and private institutions. (PIA-8)
TANGHAS, Tolosa, Leyte, July 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is implementing the Agrarian Reform Communities Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Project in its efforts to find ways for farmers to increase their farm productivity and income.
Naval State University, Naval, BiliranNaval State University, Naval, BiliranNaval State University, Naval, Biliran
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Eastern Visayas State University, Tacloban CityEastern Visayas State University, Tacloban CityEastern Visayas State University, Tacloban City
School children with kidney woes in Southern Leyte get treatment
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 11 (PIA) -- Some schoolchildren in select public schools of Macrohon, Bontoc, and Sogod who were found out to have kidney problems have received treatment.
D r. Consolacion Ruflo, medical officer IV of the Department of Education (DepEd) Southern
Leyte Schools Division said since the kids’ condition was detected early, the ailment was still curable.
At the Cable TV program “Action Center Kapihan sa PIA” held at the provincial capitol yesterday, Ruflo commended the unnamed school nurses who, on their own initiative, conducted the urinalysis for the children.
These resourceful nurses got an ally in Bontoc Credit Cooperative Inc. (BCCI)
based in the town of Bontoc that footed the bill for the kidney check-up for the chosen schools in three prioritized towns. “We call on other organizations, NGOs (non-government organizations) to do what BCCI did, since having a urinalysis for so many school children can be quite expensive,” Ruflo said.
One source for kidney disease has been traced to consistent consumption of salty foods, especially junk foods.
Ruflo said all school canteens within the provincial schools division were already told to display only food marked
with the “Sangkap Pinoy” seal given by the Department of Health, indicating that the food was fortified properly.
But ambulant vendors outside the premises of school campuses will no longer be under their control, Ruflo declared.
“It will be the call of the parents beyond the campuses,” she added.
The month of June every year has been mandated as National Kidney Month to spread awareness on kidney disease. (PIA-8)
LGUs urged to support nutrition program to lessen malnutrition
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, July 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) regional office has urged all local chief executives (LCEs) of the province to support their nutrition programs to avert the high malnutrition prevalence here.
E mily Operario-Grande, regional dietician and nutritionist IV, made the call during a press briefing held
recently in observance of the 36th Nutrition Month celebration with the theme “Gutom at Malnutrisyon, Sama-Sama Nating Wakasan.”
She said the solution to the problem is not the task of only one agency, but primarily of the parents and of every government institution, including the private sector.
A recent Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey shows Eastern Visayas region (Samar-Leyte) ranks second in malnutrition prevalence nationwide, with stunting pegged at 48.5 percent. “In simple terms, about four of
every 10 children in region 8 are slowly growing, which is alarming,” Provincial Nutritionist Sally Jabinal explained.
Grande said mayors and barangay chairmen can do a lot, citing a case in Limasawa, where a barangay chairman ordered to raid a gambling den where some mothers played cards instead of attending to the meals of their children.
In Maasin City, the local government unit (LGU) purchased a refrigerated van where they store the vegetables and other farm products of their farmers.
This way, farmers don’t need to pay for transportation cost to get their harvest to the market. The LGU truck roams around up to the barangays on the hills to pick up the harvest.
The LGU then provided a space for the agricultural crops where wholesalers, store owners and households can buy farm products.
She added that the Maasin LGU also provides vegetables seeds for their farmers.
For the local government of Eastern Samar, Jabinal said Governor Conrado Nicart Jr. has vowed to continue the vegetable production which has reaped a variety of vegetables in several cropping seasons. With a private lot the LGU borrowed, the personnel of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAS) helped in maintaining the demo-farm of the LGU that has produced several types of fruits and vegetables. (PIA-Eastern Samar)
By Marcelo M. Pedalino
By Alicia E. Nicart
Leyte Sports Academy to recruit athlete-scholars
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, July 11 (PIA) -- The Leyte Sports Academy (LSA) is set to conduct recruitment activities in several schools of Leyte to encourage the youth to become athlete-scholars.
D r. Lucresio Calo, LSA consultant, said in an interview that LSA personnel will go to towns and
cities in the province starting July 24 to recruit elementary and high school students to join the sports academy.
The academy is open to youth aged 8 to 12 years old for elementary pupils and 13 to 16 years old for high school students. Elementary pupils must be at least 4’5” in height while high school students must be at least 5 ft. in height.
At least 90 athletes-scholars will be recruited by LSA starting this month, to be added to the 54 students presently enrolled at LSA.
Records show that athletes from Leyte have improved when competing in national sports competitions as shown in latest sports competition results.
Athletes from LSA earned 11 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals in the recently-concluded Philippine National Games.
LSA was established through the effort of former Leyte governor and now Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla to help the youth in Leyte obtain free education through this institution, to develop and improve their skills but most of all, to be excellent in whatever sports events they choose, and to be competitive in any national competition. (Consuelo B. Alarcon/PIA-8)
By Consuelo B. Alarcon
One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City. One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail [email protected].
Editorial Consultants Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8
Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
Contributors
All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8
Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado
Regional Offices:
PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected] PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected] PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]