May 9, 2014 1“in pursuit of PIA’s commitment to provide a national mechanism for the free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information… “

VOL 2 ISSUE 101 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 May 9, 2014

The whole day Harvest Festival held at Barangay Villaconzoilo

at Jaro, Leyte is a manifestation of how vegetable production boosted the recovery of Haiyan-hit farmers in Leyte. Mr. Francis Rosaroso, Information officer of the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas said some 120 farmers belonging to the community farmers’ associations of Barangays Villaconzoilo of Jaro and Villa Corazon of Burauen, both in Leyte, displayed and put on sale their fresh, harvested crops during the whole day Harvest Festival. It was learned that the said farmers’ associations were adopted

by the ‘Back to Farm’ (Balik Saka) project of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines and Universal Harvester Inc., under the aegis of The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines (TOFARM) which is assisting the rehabilitation and improvement of Yolanda-affected farming communities in the said province. The project intends to initially adopt 60 farmer families to benefit from an agri-based livelihood project, seed donations and other inputs. It also seeks to provide technical assistance to farmer-beneficiaries in order to continue their farm activities and introduce technologies that

Vegetable production enables faster recovery of Haiyan-hit farmers would help increase productivity and improve their living conditions. Project implementers and collaborators were also present to celebrate the event. Dr. Milagrosa O. How, Vice President of the Universal Harvester Inc. was pleased to witness the positive impact of the project on the lives of the typhoon-affected families who are again earning through vegetable farming. She added that this indicates a good start for the locals to produce anew its own products. For his part, Leyte Governor Hon. Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla encouraged the people to move a

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with the delegation from the National Diet of Japan, led by Japan Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League chairman Kenji Kosaka, during the Courtesy Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (May 06). The JPPFL is a parliamentary friendship association composed of members of the Japanese Diet. Also in photo are Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Toshinao Urabe and JPPFL vice chairman Takeshi Maeda. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

2 May 9, 2014

GSIS offers housing loan remedial and restructuring program for retiring members with arrearagesFor retiring member-borrowers, the

GSIS is offering a Housing Loan Remedial and Restructuring Program (HLRRP) which is a means to settle the housing loan arrearages of those retiring member-borrowers. Ms. Joy Pumanes of GSIS Tacloban said the HLRRP has been extended until June 30, 2014. “Member borrowers may avail of the HLRRP for the restructuring of their housing loan balance to ease payment terms after retirement,” Pumanes said. The first step in availing of the GSIS HLRRP is for the applicant to set an appointment by calling the nearest GSIS branch office. The program is open to accounts that are current or overdue; accounts with cancelled deeds of conditional sale (DCS) but are not

yet sold; accounts under foreclosure proceedings; buyers of rights; and heirs of deceased borrowers who will be able to meet the eligibility criteria and documentary requirements. Borrowers whose properties have been auctioned and have been issued Certificate of Sheriff Sale can no longer avail of the program. However, “foreclosable accounts” that have not yet been auctioned may still apply for the program. The auction of the property shall be postponed and the foreclosure case withdrawn. Any foreclosure expenses incurred will be added to the outstanding balance of the account to be restructured. The requirements in applying for the program include Duly accomplished A p p l i c a t i o n Form signed by the applicant and spouse; Photocopy of GSIS eCard

or UMID. If none, any two (2) of the following identification cards:SSS, company, PRC, or IBP ID, Passport or driver’s license, or Senior citizen ID or voter’s ID. For legal heirs, they must present Extrajudicial Settlement among heirs and SPA from co-heirs; NSO-issued death certificate; marriage contract; and birth certificate of heirs, For assignees, transferees, or buyer of rights, personal appearance of the original awardee and buyer of rights, together with their spouse is required. Moreover, original copies of documents (b to d) should be presented for authentication. No application fee is required, Ms. Pumanes said. (PIA 8)

DPWH 2nd LED completes road link vital to envisioned special ecozone in Leyte

The Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd Leyte

Engineering District has completed the vital road link connecting Barugo, Leyte in the second district and Babatngon town in the first district. District Engineer Carlos Veloso said the 3.5 kilometer road link is seen vital to the creation of a special economic zone in Barugo, Leyte, the development of the Babatngon Port in Babatngon and the plan to reactivate the Eastern Visayas Regional Growth Center in Tacloban City. The road link passes through barangays Cabarasan, Lower Daliran and Upper Daliran all of Barugo, Leyte. According to DE Veloso, the DPWH was able to save bigger funds when it opted to open up this particular road link instead of another road route that would entail the construction of the Baluarte

Bridge. Bridge construction costs more than paving and concreting a road, it was learned, thereby saving the office millions of funds. Meanwhile, the 3.5 kilometer road link would open up connections along these areas and cut travel time from the second to the first district of the province. Barugo and Babatngon towns are located along the edges of the Carigara Bay and connects to Tacloban City area, the region’s capital. Also, the road link is seen to pave the way for easier transportation system in the envisioned economic zone in Barugo, Leyte. It may be recalled that in 1995, Barugo was among those identified areas for the creation of a special economic zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority through the enactment of RA 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995. It was identified in the same act as special economic zone

alongside a large portion spanning the northern barangays in Tacloban City. As an economic zone, the area is set to be transformed into a highly developed agro industrial, industrial, commercial, tourist, banking, investment, and financial centers, where highly trained workers and efficient services will be available to commercial enterprises. Moreover, it was learned that with the provincial government prioritizing the development of the Babatngon Port under the Priority Rehabilitation Projects of the Province after Typhoon Yolanda, this particular road link in Barugo will provide vital connection for the transport system in Leyte. Likewise it was learned that this completed road project in Barugo has already undergone inspection from the central office of the DPWH. (PIA 8)

May 9, 2014 3Bayani Challenge docks in Daram to promote volunteerismG awad K al inga Bayani

Chal lenge 2014 docked in the is land town of Daram to br ing their own brand of ‘bayanihan’ ca l led “walang I wanan”. Yesterday, scores of Daramnons gathered at the town gym with their Mayor Lucia Astorga to welcome 15 teams of GK Volunteers f rom Nor thern Luzon . Jef f R ichard Segumal ian of GK sa id that one of their ac t iv i t ies i s ca l led Paraisong Pambata where they wi l l feed chi ldren, read them stor ies, p lay with them and just spend and invest their t ime in games. The volunteers wi l l a lso repaint the c lassrooms in Daram Centra l .

As Daram is an is land town cover ing 450 k i lometers total coast l ine, Bayani Chal lenge wi l l s tage an ambit ious coastal c lean-up. They wi l l a lso engage the volunteers most ly teachers and Daram’s youth to plant t rees and mangrove sapl ings a l l around Daram’s 58 barangays. Mayor Lucia Astorga in her welcome message sa id she is honored that GK Bayani Chal lenge chose Daram as one of the four areas in Samar covered by the ac t iv i t y. “ I am impressed with how GK can inspire volunteers to jo in the Bayani Chal lenge, over the years, you persevered not only to

bui ld physical s t ruc tures but a lso to bui ld re lat ionships, br inging out the hero in ever y volunteer and ra is ing resources for the poor, which I bel ieve you achieved by work ing together,” Astorga sa id. For h is par t , Jef f sa id that GK is br inging to Daram, the s ign of f r iendship, that they a im to wake up the spir i t of volunteer ism in each and ever y Daramnon. The GK Bayani Chal lenge Daram wi l l last unt i l May 11, 2014. (NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan shows the spot map of Barangay Canyoyo, Marabut telling Marabutnons that the provincial board approved the purchase of a lot worth Php 7 M for the relocation of Canyoyo folks displaced by typhoon Yolanda, as GK in charge Kevin Brian Caballero (inblack) Mayor Percival Ortillo (in white), VG Jimboy Tan (in blue) , BM Luzviminda Nacario and other provincial board members stay in the background during the opening salvo of the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2014 in Marabut on April 30, 2014. (Jun Arceno)

4 May 9, 2014

DA-8, BSWM equip East Visayas farmers with small scale composting facility

T he Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Soils and Water

Management in Eastern Visayas recently turned-over ten (10) units of Small Scale Composting facil it ies to Farmer ’s Associations, LGUs and other organizations in Region 8 as part of the Agency ’s continued promotion and implementation of the Organic Agriculture Program. Hand in hand with the promotion of organic agriculture, the Department also encourages the farmers to produce their own organic ferti l izers such as vermicast. Saying that the equipment distributed is known to have high production output and high economic return, Mr. Armando B. Arcamo of BSWM disclosed that each region in the country

is entitled to receive only six (6) units of Small Scale Composting facil it ies. Considering, however that Region 8 was heavily affected by typhoon Yolanda, the top management decided to allocate ten units for the region. Along with the small scale composting facil ity, the recipients each received one unit shredder, one unit vermitea brewer and 15 k ilograms of African Night Crawler. The establishment of structure for the facil ity and vermibeds will serve as the counterpart of the recipients, it was learned. The beneficiaries of the said facil it ies are the Provincial Government of Samar; the municipalities of Bobon and

Laoang in Northern Samar; municipality of Tolosa; Marag-ing Farmers Association in Capoocan, Leyte; Lapay-Tugop Farmer ’s Association in Tanauan, Leyte; Tanauan Vegetable Producers Association; 802nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division in Ormoc City ; Our Lord’s Transfiguration Parish in Palo, Leyte and another religious group in Pastrana, Leyte. I t was learned that during the initial implementation of the project in 2009, DA-8 and BSWM were able to establish 158 community-based composting facil it ies in Eastern Visayas. (PIA 8)

Implementation of infra projects now in full swing at DPWH 2nd LED

N ow in full swing and right on target is the implementation by

the 2nd Leyte Engineering District of 23 out of its 38 active projects for 2014 amounting to P448.3 mill ion. District Engineer Carlos Veloso said these include the upgrading of roads along the K i l ing-Tanauan-Tabontabon-Jul i ta Road, Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-Lapaz road; repair of road slips along Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-Lapaz road particularly in Brgy. Hiabangan and Brgy. Rizal both of Dagami, Leyte, Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road, Sta. Fe -Pastrana-Dagami road particularly in Brgy. San Benito, Dagami, Leyte. The district engineering office is also undertaking construction of drainage structure along the Tanauan-Dagami road in Brgy. Bali l it Section and the construction and rehabilitation of drainage system along the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road. Also part of the ongoing projects are the concreting of the Burauen-Mahagnao road and the

Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-Lapaz road. Bridges such as Balire Bridge, Bocog Bridge along the Maharlike Highway, Digahongan Bridge, Labiranan Bridge, Marabong Bridge along the Jaro-Dagami-Burauen road and Talisayan Bridge along the Lapaz-Javier-Bito road are also undergoing rehabilitation. The Daguitan Riverin Brgy. Fatima, Dulag, Leyte and the Hibuga River in Bgry. Luna, Mayorga, Leyte are undergoing rechanelling. The district ’s regular infrastructure projects to be implemented amounts to P660 mill ion for 2014, of which, P245 mill ion will be funded by the regional office. DE Veloso said the bulk of the project goes to the continuation of the Burauen-Albuera road project amounting to P150 mill ion, and road reblocking project in the mountainous highway in Capoocan, Leyte along the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road amounting to P95 mill ion.

I t may be recalled that the Burauen–Albuera Road project will get P322 mill ion in 2014,of which P172 mill ion will be used to construct bridges, while P150 mill ion is needed to pave gravel roads and road opening activities this year. The allotment for Burauen-Albuera Road is part of the P5.08 bil l ion infrastructure development program for the Eastern Visayas region. The road aims to connect Leyte’s second biggest town of Burauen to Albuera in the western side of the province traversing rebel-infested vil lages. Laying of the l ink is targeted to be realized in 2016. The district engineer urged the public, especially the beneficiaries of said projects, to help monitor the implementation of these projects. (PIA 8)

May 9, 2014 5DPWH-4th LED invites LBP representative to give orientation on advantages in the use of ATM

E f f e c t i v e J u n e 2 0 1 4 a l l e m p l o y e e s o f t h e

D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c W o r k s a n d H i g h w a y s ( D P W H ) – L e y t e F o u r t h E n g i n e e r i n g D i s t r i c t ( 4 t h L E D ) w i l l a l r e a d y b e u s i n g t h e A u t o m a t i c Te l l e r M a c h i n e ( AT M ) . R e l a t i v e t o t h i s , D i s t r i c t E n g i n e e r L i n o F r a n c i s c o C . G o n z a l e z i n v i t e d a

r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f r o m t h e L a n d B a n k o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s ( L B P ) t o g i v e a n o r i e n t a t i o n o n t h e p r o p e r u s e a n d a d v a n t a g e s o f t h e AT M . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m t h e u s e o f AT M w i l l a l r e a d y b e m a n d a t o r y t o a l l D P W H r e g u l a r e m p l o y e e s b e c a u s e s a l a r i e s a n d b e n e f i t s d u e t o t h e e m p l o y e e s w i l l n o w b e d i r e c t l y d e p o s i t e d

t o t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e a c c o u n t s . E n g r. G o n z a l e s a d d e d t h a t p a p e r w o r k w i l l n o w b e l e s s e n e d a n d n o m o r e c h e c k s w i l l b e i s s u e d i n t e n d e d f o r t h e e m p l o y e e s . L i k e w i s e , i n c i d e n c e o f r o b b e r y w i l l b e a v o i d e d i n t h e e n c a s h m e n t o f c h e c k s f o r s a l a r i e s o f t h e e m p l o y e e s . ( P I A 8 )

BY: MARIVIC ALCOBER

In connection with the nationwide campaign for organic farming, particularly in corn production which is pursued as an alternative food supply, the Department of Agriculture through its extension arm, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) conducted a Season-Long Training of Trainers (TOT) on Integrated Corn Production last April 07 - 11, 2014 at at Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) at Brgy. New Mahayag, this city.(Photos by Paulus Aragon)

www.pia.gov.ph

6 May 9, 2014

Rehabilitasyon “on track” unom ka bulan kataliwan an ‘Yolanda’: LacsonUnom ka bulan kataliwan

maglasurbo an Super Typhoon Yolanda ha central Philippines, an ginbubuhat han gobyerno nga rehabilitasyon han mga apektado nga lugar in igo la ha iskedyul, amo ini an pahayag ni Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation Panfilo Lacson han Mierkoles nga adlaw. Ha usa nga press briefing ha

Malacanang, nagsumat hi Lacson, kun diin kaupod niya hira Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman ngan Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, nga an Pilipinas kun ig-tatanding han iba nga nasud nga umabat han sugad nga trahedya in nakatindog na ha sakob la hin unom ka bulan. “Kung ibabase natin sa international experiences, ‘yung

experience ng ibang countries: ‘Katrina’ fully recovered after eight years; Banda Aceh fully recovered after eight years; Haiti four years after, has yet to see their road to recovery. Tayo, six months after, marami na pong nangyari doon sa ‘Yolanda’ avenue, and considering the vastness of the area and the extent of devastation, ay mukhang hindi naman talaga nahuhuli, at sinisikap pa nating mas madaliin,” segun kan Lacson. Ginbuhat daw han nasud an “clustered framework approach,” kun diin lima nga klaster an gintukod nga pinamunuan hin usa nga miembro han gabinete aber mas mapalaksi an programa para rehabilitasyon. Pulong pa niya, an infrastructure cluster in pinangungunahan ni Secretary (Rogelio) Singson han DPWH, social services cluster ni Secretary (Dinky) Soliman han DSWD, resettlement cluster pinangunahan ni Vice President (Jejomar) Binay, komo HUDCC chairman, support services cluster in gin co-chair ni Secretary (Butch) Abad han DBM ngan Secretary Arsi Balisacan han NEDA, ngan livelihood cluster ha pangunguna ni (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo. Masumitir daw an nasabi nga mga klaster han action plans ngan programs, kataliwan ig ko-consolidate ngan magiging ka parte han master rehabilitation plan nga isusumiter kan Presidente Aquino. Segun ha iya, an inisyal nga rehabilitation plan in iginsumitir na ha buhatan ni Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ngan hira in nahulat nala han kan Presidente pagtirok han gabinete aber mahi-presentar an nasabi nga plano ha iya.(PCOO/ PND (rck) (trans: PIA 8-Samar/nbq)

WARAY NEWS

May 9, 2014 7

Mga kondisyon sa Eastern Visayas nga naigo sa bagyo nagsugod na pagka normalA ng k ahimtang sa S i langang

K abisayaan nag-anam na pagk ahimong normal unom k a bulan suk ad ang rehiyon grabeng gikuso -kuso sa super t yphoon nga s i Yolanda, s i Socia l Welfare Secretar y Dink y Sol iman nagk anayon pagk a M iyerkoles. Ang gobyerno hangtud k aron nak apagawas na og P 1 .4 bi l l ion a lang sa rehabi l i tat ion sa mga apektadong dapit sa Eastern Visayas, mi ingon s i Sol iman sa press br ief ing sa Malacanang. Matud niya nga sa maong k ant idad, P 467.3 mi l l ion ang nag- gik an sa calamit y fund sa k agamhanan, P 764 mi l l ion gik an sa mga cash donat ions ug P 131.3 mi l l ion gik an sa As ian Development Bank (ADB) grant . Ang naasoy nga pundo gigamit sa mga paningk amot pagtukod sa mga core shelters ; sa cash-for-work program; a lang sa mga pedicabs ug mga motor ized bancas ; ingon man sa mga k i tchen sets ; supplemental feeding; l ivel ihood ass istance; ug ang pagpanghatag og mga duwaan a lang sa mga k abataan, ingon s i Sol iman. Ang Depar tment of Socia l Welfare and Development (DSWD) padayon nga nag-apod-apod sa mga fami ly food packs, n i Sol iman pa, k ay sa unang tulo k a bulan human sa k alamidad, ang depar tment regular nga naghatagan sa k ada pamilya og tulo ngadto sa unom k a k i lo nga bugas, mga pagk aong de -lata , noodles, cof fee, ug k amay. Ang gobyerno nag- gasto og P 4 ,340,059 a lang ning maong l ihok , s iya mi ingon. Dunay mga 3 ,455 k a mga pamilya ang nak abalhin na ngadto sa mga bunk houses, samtang 10,795 k a pamilya ang nak adawat

na og mga bui lding mater ia ls - - mga s in , lansang, mar t i lyo, ug mga gabas - - gipanghatag sa DSWD ug sa Depar tment of Publ ic Works and H ighways (DPWH). Ang DSWD nak ahatag na og mga emergenc y shelter mater ia ls ngadto sa 571,206 k a mga panimay, nagbansay sa 2 ,552 k a mga panday, ug naghatag og cash ngadto sa 26,972 k a mga households, s iya mi ingon, d i in iyang gitumbok nga k ini gik an sa gobyerno ug sa mga NGO ug mga internat ional organizat ions. Dugang gitumbok ni Sol iman nga ang gobyerno nag-gasto og P 2 ,534,431 para sa cash-for-work program, di in k ini napahimuslan sa 7 ,367 k a mga indibiduwal k insa miuyon pagtabang pag-andam sa pagk aon ug sa repack ing, ingon man k adtong nagsige sa paghakot ug paghinlo. Gunad sa Pebrero, ang DSWD nagdumala sa cash-for-assets program, nanghatag og cash ngadto sa 186,080 k a mga tawo k insa nanghinlo sa mga canal , i r igasyon, ug mga basak an, s i Sol iman mi ingon, ug k ini nga programa mibi l i og P 531 mi l l ion. M itahu s i Sol iman nga ang mga eskuylahan nangandam na sa subl ing pag-abl i sa k lase k arong Hunyo. Ang mga t inugyanan sa mga tunghaan sa Leyte, Samar, ug Panay nagatutok sa pag-pang-ayo sa mga c lassrooms inay mag- gama og bag- o aron k ini maandam na sa sunod bulan, s iya mi ingon. Nag-assess usab s i la sa panginahanglan sa mga magtutudlo, midugang s iya pag-ingon. S i Sol iman namahayag nga ang gobyerno nag-andam sa l i s tahan sa mga estudyante k insa

buot motungha sa kolehiyo ug nag-tabang niadtong buot magpa-enrol l sa mga state univers i t ies. Ang Budget Depar tment nag-andam na sa pundo alang sa pag-repair sa mga nangadaut nga mga univers i t y fac i l i t ies, midugang s iya pag- ingon. ( t ranslated by mmp, P IA8-Southern Leyte)

step higher by expanding its market to major commercial centers in the region. For his part, Villaconzoilo Brgy. Chairman Alex Burito expressed his gratitude to the overwhelming support and assistance extended by the private organizations and their partners, bringing them a glimmer of hope to firmly get back on their feet. Meanwhile, DA-8 Assistant Regional Director Dr. Jenny Lyn R. Almeria, representing RED Bernadette F. San Juan lauded the efforts of the private sector in helping the farming communities in the region recover from the massive destruction brought by Supertyphoon Yolanda. Dir. Almeria likewise gave the assurance that there is also the government which will support and back-up the farmers and fisherfolk in their endeavors. It was also learned that the project adopted two additional sites in the province, namely, Barangay Caglawaan in Jaro, and Binongtoan in Alang-alang. Also present during the activity were Jaro Municipal Mayor Rolando T. Celebre, TOFARM Project Director Rommel M. Cunanan and staff of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Leyte. (PIA 8)

VEGETABLE...FROM PAGE 1

8 May 9, 2014

aspalto

2ft.

2ft.1ft.

Mga Pama agi sa Pagtindog sa Malig-on nga Balay

30 cmmax.

2

1

30°

V2

PAG-ATOP (Roo�ng)

PAG TUKOD (Bracing)

BINTANA UG (Doors and Windows)

PAG-PALIG-ON (Bracing)

PAGSUMPAY (Connections)