Vol 5 Issue 16 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 20 - 26, 2015

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DSWD fast-tracks release of shelter assistance

DILG brings Operation ‗LISTO‘ to NegOr LGUs

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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DPWH enforces road-right-of-way in national roads

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 22 (PIA) -- The

Department of Public Works and Highways-Samar First District Engineering Office in Calbayog City strictly enforces its reacquisition of the road-right-of-way (RROW)

in compliance with Department Order No. 73, series of 2014 which also known as ―Prohibited Uses within the Road- Right-of-Way of National Roads‖.

According to Engr. Albert Lazana, Chief of the

Maintenance Section, some 6,867 structures have been identified within the ten meter-limit from the centerline as a result of the re-inventory on the encroachments along

the National Road within the coverage of the district based in Calbayog.

These are stalls, fences, houses, stores, walls, and

boxes constructed within the RROW which obstruct the use of the roads shoulders intended for pedestrians and motorists.

While some of these structures can be easily

removed, some may take some time because of its being

permanently constructed. Undersecretary Raul C. Asis issued a

memorandum to effect the removal of the obstructions

whether immediate or gradual in terms of permanent structures.

The department believes that less accidents will occur if these obstructions are removed permanently.

―With the road shoulders or sidewalks full of illegal encroachments, pedestrians have no option but to walk on road pavements,‖ the Official Gazette quoted DPWH

Secretary Rogelio Singson then. ―We have to recover the road-right-of-way for the

safety of the public,‖ he added.

A study has shown that pedestrians are victims of more than half of the recorded road crashes along national roads. (ajc/nbq/PIA–Samar with Marianette Gomez/DPWH

Samar First Engr. District)

By Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, April 22 (PIA6)—The Department of Social Welfare and Development-6 said it is fast tracking processing of documents for the release

of the Emergency Shelter Assistance Rebecca Geamala, DSWD assistant regional director, said that the recent releases of P30,000 each for destroyed houses were done in Concepcion, Iloilo last

April 20. Five more local government units are

set to receive theirs, in the amount of P16.9

million for Ibajay, Aklan; P56.8 for San Rafael, Iloilo; P2.6 million for Laua-an, Antique; P15.1 million for Lezo, Aklan;and P5.5 million for Nabas, Aklan.

Recently, the regional of fice received

P2 billion intended for those with destroyed houses in Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Negros

Occidental. ―The funds are not yet with the LGUs so

we call on the public not to harass their mayors and other

local officials,‖ Geamala said. ―But we assure them the DSWD staff

is working double time to fast track processing,‖ she added.

The intended recipients for the amount are the towns of Dao, Maayon, Dumalag,Cuartero, Panit-an,

Sapi-an, Dumarao, Mambusao, and Pres. Roxas, in Capiz;

Ajuy. Estancia, Passi City, Carles, Lemery, Batad and Mina in

Iloilo; Libertad, Valderama, San Remegio, and Patnongon in

Antique; and, Nabas, Buruanga, Balete, Malinao and Numancia in Aklan.

Recipients in Negros Occidental are in Sagay City. May Rago-Castillo, DSWD information officer

said all families with destroyed houses will be prioritized in the release, which will each receive P30,000, while those with damaged houses, will get P10,000.(JCM/

ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) leads in the orientation on disaster preparedness manual yesterday

with about a hundred local government units (LGUs), academe, civil society among others in Dumaguete City to know its level of readiness and strengthen the local

disaster plans.

The DILG saw the need to assist the local chief executives in terms of disaster preparedness action, since they are appointed as the front liners in the community

during calamities, as mandated by law, said DILG provincial director Dennis Quiñones.

DILG pursues to strengthen the capacity while

maintaining the active participation of LGUs in responding to calamities and disasters in their communities.

Under R.A. 10121, the LGU is mandated to ensure

safety and resiliency of communities to face the challenges of disasters.

The operation manual is a guide on what are the

proper steps to do before, during and after disasters and

calamities.

Quiñones said this is also a tool to minimize mistakes that will cost grave destruction to lives and properties.

The manual contains three critical preparedness

actions: Alpha (Yellow), Bravo (Orange), and Charlie (Red). Alpha actions will be done by LGUs inside the cone but are farthest from the direct typhoon track.

Bravo presumes Alpha actions have been done

coupled with additional acts that are essential for LGUs near the vicinity of the direct typhoon path.

While Charlie assumes that Alpha and Bravo actions

have already been done and additional actions must be undertaken to address the severe threat of the typhoon by those in its direct path.

DILG‘s Operation Listo responds to the continuing threat of natural disasters that confront LGUs.

It is an extensive action that aims to inform Filipinos,

especially the LGUs on the importance of right preparations and actions in times of calamities. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports from Sheena Mae

Diongco, SU intern)

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas graced the consultative

forum on the proposed One Negros Island

Region in Silliman University last April 21,

2015. Roxas hopes for more public

consultations on the above-mentioned topic in

Negros Oriental to help residents of the

province become more informed of the issue.

He noted that an intensified information drive

regarding the said proposal will raise the

public‘s awareness on its advantages and

disadvantages and help them make a concrete

stand on the topic. (PIA)

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Archdio-

cese of Jaro Vicar General Rev. Msgr. Higinio

Velarde, and DENR-6 Regional Director Jim

Sampulna affix their signature in the memoran-

dum of agreement (MOA) that will require the

planting of trees prior to officiating the rites of

baptism, marriage and/or burial during the

MOA signing held Wednesday, April 22 at the

Archbishop's Palace, Jaro district here.

Energy secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla (left)

inspired graduates with his message as com-

mencement speaker during the Visayas State

University (VSU) 62nd Commencement Exer-

cises in Bayabay City, Leyte, April 22. (Vino R.

Cuayzon)

Gov. Victor A. Tanco (2nd from left) and Panay Mayor Dante Ber-

mejo (center) present the check turned over by DSWD to Capiz

for the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for Typhoon Yolanda

survivors during the turn over. Also in photo are DSWD-6‘s Rosa

Sanagustin and LGU staff. (DSWD-6 photo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Panay Balikatan centers on humanitarian, disaster response

By Jemin B. Guillermo

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 20 (PIA6) – Capacity building and humanitarian services are the center of the Balikatan 2015

Exercises in Panay Island.

C aptain James Meyer, commander of the United States Joint

Civilian-Military Operations Task

Force for Palawan and Panay, disclosed

that the Balikatan Exercises here focused on the humanitarian assistance and disaster

response exercises.

Meyer, during the recent press

conference here, stressed that part of their humanitarian activities in the construction

and repair of public infrastructure facilities,

particularly schools, which were destroyed

by supertyphoon Yolanda in November 2013.

Initially, two schools in Capiz, namely

the Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial School in

Taft and San Nicolas National High School in San Nicolas, Tapaz town were the

beneficiaries of the construction of

two-classroom building and repair and

repainting of their school buildings, respectively.

In addition, an assessment of the

airports and seaports in Capiz, Aklan and Antique was done as part of the

humanitarian disaster response.

On disaster response exercises, a total

of 105 participants composed of 82 military personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division of

the Philippine Army, 13 reservists from the

6th Regional Community Defense Group

and 10 personnel from the Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Office was trained on Basic First

Responders Training by the US Balikatan

Team. A similar training was likewise

conducted among health personnel, social

workers, barangay volunteers and some

residents of barangays San Nicolas and Taft. Seminars on health, civil-military

operation exchange and humanitarian

assistance and disaster response were also

done. For his part, Governor Victor Tanco

expressed gratitude to the United States

through its military personnel for choosing Capiz to be their site for their

humanitarian assistance and disaster

response exercises as part of the Balikatan

2015 in Panay Island. Tanco noted that the help

after the onslaught of typhoon

Yolanda is a very welcome service

for the Capiceños who were among those who were greatly

suffered from said disaster in November

2013. The Balikatan Exercises in Panay

Island, particularly in Capiz, is the 31st in the series of exercises in the Philippines and

the first in Western Visayas, Meyer said.

The press conference held at the

provincial capitol was also attended by 3ID-Philippine Army Spokesperson Maj. Ray

Tiongson, 3ID Civil Military Office Chief 1st

Lt. Krystle Rose Abay, US Joint CMO Task

Force Panay head Lt. Commander Catherine Eyrich and other US military

personnel. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

Emergency response team ready for APEC

BACOLOD CITY, April 20 (PIA6)—Bacolod City is prepared to handle emergency cases and other untoward incidents that

may take place during the APEC summit meeting on April 29-30.

I n an interview, City Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Officer

OIC Rufino Alcala said preparations

are being made to ensure worse-case

scenarios are addressed before, during

and after the meeting of foreign officials

here.

Ambulances, dump trucks, cherry

picker, sewer jet and other vehicles will

be made available with the assistance of

hundreds of volunteers, he said during an

interview in PIA radio program over

Radyo Kumando 103.1 FM.

Preparations were made to

handle man-made and natural risks and

hazards.

Incident command areas will also be

set up and coordination was made to

augment other manpower and equipment

needed from the regional and national

counterpart organizations.

Earlier, the DRRMO hosted the

national simultaneous earthquake drill at

SM City here, Bacolod being the center of

activity for Region VI.

Alcala said the APEC activity is a

welcome development in the city that will

give positive impact in the over-all aspect

of governance including tourism and

livelihood as he appealed for the

cooperation of every citizen to support

the hosting of this important event. (JSC/

Lljr-PIA6)

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

ILOILO CITY, April 24 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas said that massive information

dissemination campaign helped reduce cases of dengue fever in the region.

I n a media release, DOH-6 Regional

Director Marlyn Convocar said that

the information, education, and

communication materials disseminated to

the communities have helped raised public

awareness about the disease.

According to DOH-6, a total of 747

dengue cases were recorded from January

to April 4 this year, with one fatality.

―The figure is 29 percent lower

compared to the same period in 2014

which is 1,055 cases,‖ she said.

Of the 747 dengue cases registered

this year, Iloilo recorded the most number

of cases with 194; followed by Negros

Occidental with 160; Capiz with 141; and

Aklan with 109. The provinces of Antique

and Guimaras each recorded less than 100

cases.

However, Convocar stressed that

maintaining clean surroundings is still key

in combatting the disease.

―Cleaning of surroundings must be

done regularly to destroy the breeding

places of dengue mosquitoes,‖ she said.

The DOH official also reminded the

public to observe the 4S: search and

destroy of breeding places, seek early

consultation, observe self-protection, and

say no to indiscriminate fogging.

She added that the public should not

be complacent.

Although mosquitoes proliferate

during the rainy season, dengue has

become a year-round disease. (JCM/

LTP-PIA6 Iloilo)

Info campaigns help reduce dengue cases in WV

By Leonard T. Pineda I

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

MGB-6 training to identify, assess groundwater supply

ILOILO CITY, April 21 (PIA6)—Personnel of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau here had a hands-on training on the use of

geo-resistivity meter for groundwater resource assessment.

M GB-6 Director Engr. Leo Van

Juguan said the geo-resistivity

meter is an equipment used

for a survey for groundwater resource

vulnerability such as salt water intrusion.

‗This equipped our personnel with

technical capacity in using the instrument

in the field and in interpreting the data,‖

Juguan said.

Lara Artajo, MGB-6 information

officer, said that the training is among the

initiatives of the office to implement a

scientific way of looking for groundwater

resource and with possibly enough supply.

―This is a response to the possibility of the

supply of water getting very critical, which

is not yet in that level for the region,‖

Artajo said.

She added that the geo-resistivity

meter is used to detect surface

groundwater, more scientif ical ly

than the ―tasuc‖ which people are used to

doing.

The trainees, under the tutelage of

Abrahan Gatdula, a geophysicist from the

MGB Central Office, had a two-day test

run of the geo-resistivity meter along the

circumferential road in Jaro and Pavia,

Iloilo.

Director Juguan said that for

this year, groundwater resource

vulnerability assessment will be conducted

in Kalibo, Aklan, and Bago city, Negros

Occidental.

He added that a gradual

implementation is being done because

there is only one equipment, which costs

over a million, available for Western

Visayas. (JCM/MGB/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

By Elsa S. Subong

Kalibo, Aklan, April 23 (PIA6) -- The ongoing Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival at the Aklan Trade Hall is a showcase of Public and

Private Partnership (PPP), according to DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr.

A s a PPP showcase, this big

economic event, which is now on

its 16th year, is jointly conducted

by the provincial government of Aklan,

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),

Philippine Fiber and Development

Authority (PhilFIDA), the Hugod Aklanon

Producers Association, Inc. and the Aklan

Pina and Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers

and Traders Inc. (Pinamantra).

As one of the major events to

highlight the Aklan Day anniversary, the

fiber fest which mainly features Aklan‘s

best products made of pina, abaca and

raffia loom-woven fabrics, fashion

accessories and souvenir items, health and

wellness products, will be up until April

26.

The five-day fiber festival will be

joined by 78 exhibitors, composed of

Aklan‘s 61 Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises (MSMEs), Aklan Horticulture

Society, and 17 municipalities of Aklan

displaying their products under the One

Town, One Product (OTOP) program.

The fiber festival also mounts special

features like a garden wedding setting by

local artist/designer Nina Candelario; and

a mini fashion show presenting various

ensembles of wearing apparel made of

indigenous materials and fashion

accessories.

This year‘s Pina and Fiber Festival

targets to earn at least 10% increase from

last year‘s sales, which had P3.4616 million

in cash sales, booked orders and

negotiated sales.

Last year, 55 MSMEs joined the

exhibit. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan's 2015 Pina fiber fest a PPP showcase – DTI By Venus G. Villanueva

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 20 (PIA6) - - The Extended Students Grants in Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA ) or

commonly called Pantawid Pamilya Scholarship Program has sent 343 scholars to college and 41 of them are up for graduation

this coming school year.

4Ps has 343 College scholars, 41 to graduate

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

J effrey Gabucay, Provincial Officer

of Pantawid Pamilya reported

that the first batch is in 4th year

college come opening of classes and the

remaining 302 are in 2nd year college

studying in different universities in Region

6.

Each of them is receiving P30,000 per

semester to support their school needs

such as tuition fees, books, uniforms and

living allowance.

Roy Tocoyo, BS Civil Engineering

student of the University of Antique and

Donnie Jasper Tabaco-an of Nagdayao,

Sibalom and studying at Capiz State

University- Pilar, Capiz Campus taking up

BS in Business Administration are among

those who expressed their gratitude to

the government for sending them to

college.

Tocoyo said if not for the ESGP-PA

grant, his parents who are seasonal

laborer and carpenter could hardly send

him to college, the fact that he graduated

in high school as a working student.

He was class Valedictorian of the

Night Class at Antique National School.

―The Pantawid pamilya is a big help to

us students from poor families,‖ Tocoyo,

who is determined to finish his course,

said in an interview.

On the other hand, Tabaco-an said,

he is willing to endure the hardship that

lies ahead to be away from his parents just

to pursue his studies. Pilar, Capiz is

almost a day of travel from Tabaco-an's

place but what comes to his mind is to

earn a degree and soon help his family and

community.

Tabaco-an is the eldest son of three

siblings whose parents are a farm laborer

and helper in a grocery store.

―Without the help of Patawid Pamilya,

I could not proceed to college.

The income of my parents is meager ,‖ he

said.

Pantawid Pamilya scholars share

similar stories and likewise expressed

their willingness to brave the difficulty just

to finish their studies, Gabucay said.

Gabucay disclosed that some of the

scholars are on the Dean‘s Lists or

academic awardees. (JCM/PSM/PIA6

Antique)

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 16 (PIA) – The country‘s weather bureau station in Negros Oriental has seen a decrease in the

amount of rainfall and a rise of temperature over the past three months which indicate that El Niño phenomenon has set in

Dumaguete City and possibly in other parts of the province.

PAGASA cites indicators El Niño can be felt in

Dumaguete City

P h i l i p p i n e A t m o s p h e r i c ,

Geophysical and Astronomical

S e r v i c e s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n

(PAGASA)-Negros Oriental chief

meteorological officer Neptune Catarata

said Dumaguete City, for example,

experienced less rainfall amount from Jan-

uary to March this year.

For the month of April, the city has

just experienced 11.9mm amount of

rainfall so far. But this is still lower than

the average rainfall amount which is

53.7mm.

On the other hand, PAGASA also

noted an increase of temperature during

the mentioned period.

Catarata underscored that even 1

centigrade anomaly can bring a big impact

in hotness of temperature.

He also added that these data are

seen only in Dumaguete City and other

parts of the province can possibly

experience hotter temperature.

―These are indications of abnormality

in our temperature and our rainfall

(conditions). These are the signals of El

Niño,‖ Catarata noted.

The impact of El Niño can be damages

to crops and livestock.

However, Provincial Agriculturist

Office (PAO) research division Chief

Charito Catarata disclosed that so far, the

dry spell has not yet affected the cropping

of major agricultural products.

―According to the provincial

agriculturist, most of the farmers have

harvested already the first crop and also

the second crop. The first and second

cropping seasons are seen normal,‖

Catarata mentioned.

For livestock, the PAO continuously

conducts vaccination to animals to make

their resistance stronger against diseases

spreading during prolonged dry season.

(mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 20 (PIA) -- The Provincial Technical Working Group of Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) campaign

has enjoined the local government units (LGUs) of Dauin, Zamboanguita, and Siaton to intensify the implementation of ZOD

program in a monitoring visit-caravan recently.

I t is noted that more than 7,000

households in the three LGUs are

still without toilets and practicing

open defecation.

Former assistant provincial health

officer Dr. Edgardo Barredo who heads

the PTWG said defecating in open places

poses a serious threat to everyone‘s

health in the community.

―The high incidence of diarrhea,

anemia among other diseases endangers

the neighbourhood even those who have

fixed toilets as fly flies,‖ said Dr. Barredo.

While open defecation is a practice

among the poor, it is very important to

educate them to slowly change their

behaviour, the doctor said.

With this health and sanitation

problem the LGUs face, Siaton mayor

Alberto Ator has set to issue an executive

order for the creation of local technical

team to assist the 5,378 households

without toilets in the implementation of

ZOD program in his town.

For Zamboanguita, barangay captains

in 10 brgys led by mayor Kit Mark

Adanza committed to support the 1,326

households without toilets to achieve

ZOD.

Dauin local government has also

allocated P300,000 for toilet construction

this year while 554 households

identified without toilets will take care

of the labor as their counterpart under

ZOD program. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros

Oriental)

NegOr LGUs intensify ZOD campaign

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 20 (PIA) – As early as second semester of last year, Provincial Agriculture Office urged the

farmers to plant drought tolerant and early maturing crops to offset the effects of El Niño, ―Thus for now the office has not

received any damage reports,‖ agri researcher Charito Catarata of PAO reported in a Kapihan forum recently.

PAO: No agricultural crops damage from El Niño

C atarata said, so far the occurrence

of El Niño has brought very

minimal effect to most palay and

corn farmers in the province since they

already harvested their crops as early as

September 2014 for the first crop and

February this year for the second

cropping.

As an advocate and practicing

organic farming, Negros Oriental

may outlive the intense hot weather

since the soil is filled with organic

matter and carbon, the agriculture official

said.

Other set of contingency prepared to

mitigate the adverse effects of the weather

phenomenon El Niño, the farmers have

been advised to access drought-tolerant

varieties of crops or rice which thrive

even limited water supply.

In the same forum, National Irrigation

Administration (NIA) division chief Engr.

Joseph Naparota said more than 5,000

farmer-members from 60 irrigator famer

associations did not feel much the El Niño

weather event.

NIA has set its water crisis

management plan to equally distribute the

availability of the water supply in the

irrigations.

The water level of the three

impounding reservoirs in Calango,

Zamboanguita and Dauin towns is still

normal where water supplies of the

irrigation systems are taken from the

rivers, said Engr. Naparota.

However, the Nasig-id, Zamboanguita

reservoir has very low supply of

water, thus was temporarily closed to be

able to collect more water. (mbcn/jct/PIA7

-Negros Oriental with reports from

Sheena Mae Diongco, SU intern)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN, April 20 (PIA)--The Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO-Bohol), an

aggrupation of information officers of the municipalities and national government agencies based in the province will have its

‗Bisita Opisina‘ on Tuesday, April 21 at the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) Pag-IBIG Fund Tagbilaran Branch at the

2nd Floor of Galleria Luisa, Tagbilaran City.

‘ Bisita Opisina‘ is one of the activities

of AUDIO-Bohol where the members

visit government agencies and

municipalities to conduct discussions and

learn about government programs for the

g r oup to a s s i s t t h em w i t h

their communication needs.

Pag-IBIG Fund Tagbilaran Branch

Head, Felix Garan is set to give his

welcome message at 8:30 a.m. at their

office on Tuesday.

AUDIO-Bohol members will then

have an office tour and orientation of the

Citizen‘s Charter of the host office. At 9

a.m., the group will transfer at Arabelle

Suites located at New Calceta Street for

the Pag-IBIG Fund Programs briefing.

Information Officer and Marketing &

Sales Head of Pag-IBIG Fund Tagbilaran

Branch, Leonardo Cirujales will brief the

AUDIO-Bohol members on the

implementing rules and regulations (IRR)

of R.A. 9679 also known as the Revised

Pag-IBIG Law of 2009.

He will also discuss on Pag-IBIG

Loyalty Card: Enrolment, Benefits and

Introduction of Merchants Partners.

Cirujales is also set to brief the group

on the benefits of upgraded contributions

and Modified Pag-IBIG Fund II (MP2)

Program and the Pag-IBIG Housing Loan

Programs.

In the afternoon, the information

officers of the municipalities and national

agencies will have their information

sharing. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

AUDIO-Bohol 'Bisita Opisina' goes to

Pag-IBIG Fund Tagbilaran Branch

Elvira Bongosia

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported recently that Negros Oriental‘s crime

volume went up by 3.83 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to incidents reported in the same period of last year.

PNP: NegOr‘s crime volume rises slightly, still remains peaceful

P Sr./Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr., PNP

provincial director said crime

statistics from January to March

this year totaled to 5,495, of which 2,491

were taken from the PNP blotter,

2,430 from barangay blotter, while the

574 came from other law enforcement

agencies.

In a provincial peace and order

council meeting recently, Natuel said that

on the PNP‘s crime records, a total of

1,298 are index crimes and 1,193 are

non-index. For index crimes, or

crimes committed against persons or

property, the breakdown is as

follows: murder, 49; physical injury, 612;

theft, 388; robbery, 91; homicide, 38;

rape, 52; 58 incidents for carnapping; and

10 for cattle rustling.

For non-index crimes or offenses

punishable under the Revised Penal Code

and Special Laws such as enforcement on

Republic Act 9165 or anti-drug law and

RA 9287 or anti-illegal gambling law,

the PNP registered a total of 1,193

incidents. It is noted that among the six

cities, Dumaguete City, the capital center

of the province, registered the highest

share of total crime volume from 965 in

2014 to 1,110 this year.

Sibulan, the adjacent municipality of

Dumaguete City, also has the highest total

crime volume recorded from 147 in 2014

to 158 crime incidents this year.

However, Natuel said its crime

clearance efficiency increased 54.20

percent from only 50.90 percent during

the same period while in index crimes

efficiency also increased from 35. 29

to 39.65 percent. The provincial police

conducted 83 operations against illegal

drugs resulting to 99 apprehensions and

confiscated drugs worth around P3 million

and 117 cases filed, Natuel said.

Other police accomplishments on

flagship programs include loose firearms

with 55 operations, 144 arrested wanted

persons, and 23 operations with 32

persons arrested in illegal gambling.

―The untiring effort of police force in

the campaign against all forms of

lawlessness has resulted into much

peaceful environment with trust and

respect of the Negrenses as partner in

providing them a desirable place to live,

work and do business,‖ said the police

director. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Jennifer C. Tilos

CEBU, April 21 (PIA) – The Department of Energy (DOE) - Visayas Field Office is opening five vacant positions in its Energy

Industry Management Division and is now accepting applications from qualified individuals.

DOE-Visayas opens 5 vacant positions for hiring

P ositions that are open are one

Sen ior Sc ience Research

Specialist (SSRS), three Science

Research Specialist (SRS) II and another

SRS II in a different field.

For SSRS, one must have a Civil

Service Level II Eligibility or its equivalent

and a graduate of any technical

baccalaureate course (Engineering is

preferable) with corresponding training

and experience in his or her field of work.

He or she must function with less

supervision, capable of handling project,

w o r k p l a n n i n g , s u p e r v i s i o n ,

implementation while experience in public

relations is an advantage.

Likewise, the three SRS II must have a

Civil Service Level II Eligibility or its

equivalent and a graduate of any technical

course (Engineering is preferable) with

relevant training in his or her field of

work.

The last SRS II however, must be a

graduate of Chemical Engineering or

Chemistry and must also have a Civil

Service Level II Eligibility or its equivalent

with experience or familiarity in

laboratory procedure and analysis.

Interested applicants may submit their

application, resume, transcript of records

and Civil Service Commission or

Professional Regulation Commission result

to Director Antonio E. Labios,

Department of Energy-Visayas, 3rd floor,

Escario Building, Escario Street, Cebu

City. For further inquiries, one may also

call DOE-Visayas at telephone numbers

(032) 253-7222 or 2533459. (mbcn/fcr/

PIA7/with reports from DOE-Visayas )

Fayette C. Riñen

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Medical Mission Matters heals 95 kids with

facial deformities in SoLeyte

M ed ica l M is s ion Matters , a

newly-organized non-government

organization based in Ilo-ilo and

founded by Dr. Lawrence Malley,

spearheaded the free cleft and palate surgery

since Friday, April 17, in cooperation with the

city and provincial governments, among other

sectors.

―We have a total of 164 successfully

conducted operation since we began in

December 2014 following the approval of our

papers by the Securities and Exchange

Commission (SEC) in November 2014,‖

said Lyla Grace Isiderio, the Office Manager, in

an interview Thursday at Dongon National

High School where the patients and their

families are staying for the duration of the

mission.

This has been their fifth surgery

operation, and the first held outside San Jose,

Antique, Isiderio said, adding that she is hoping

the 95 patients on their list would be added to

their record of successful operations.

She said their activity has been sponsored

by Smile Train, an International Organization

with the same advocacy as theirs.

At the DYSL Kapihan sa PIA where they

guested, Isiderio said the cleft palate operation

normally costs P 120,000.00 but because of the

mission this is free of charge -- including

other expenses of patients such as laboratory,

transportation, and food.

Ronald Woods, a foreigner who had mar-

ried and lived in barangay Asuncion, Maasin,

said the huge costs on medical procedures was

waived, courtesy of the efforts of the

specialists and expert doctors from St. Luke

Hospital who volunteered their time and

talent.

―This is a labor of love for them,‖ Woods

said, referring to Dr. Richard Cabotage, a

plastic surgeon, and Dr. Hedwig Reyeg,

anesthesiologist.

And Woods himself started rolling the

unselfish labor of love, for he was the one who

initiated to bring a cleft child from barangay

Asuncion to San Jose, Antique, for treatment,

until in the process the idea of an outreach

operation in the province was conceived and

now realized.

―My mission is to eliminate this deformity

in Southern Leyte, then move on to other

places,‖ Woods said during the dySL kapihan sa

PIA. (jrc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 22 (PIA) -- Some 95 kids, mostly infants, are now being treated for a free surgery at the

provincial hospital in barangay Dongon here, so that the in-born anomaly on their faces and voices can be corrected.

PNP-South Leyte gets 25 computer sets from police foundation

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 20 (PIA) -- The provincial office of the Philippine National Police was able to solicit 25

units of computers from the organization‘s foundation.

P olice Sr. Supt. Marni Marcos said that

distribution of the new computers,

which were given by the Philippine

National Police Foundation Inc. (PNPFI) to the

field stations all over the province will be timed

during the visit of the Police Regional Director

soon.

The computers will be very useful in office

and administrative matters of the various

police stations, especially now that the social

media have been the prevailing way for

gathering and disseminating information on

programs and projects in every police station,

Marcos disclosed during last week‘s Provincial

Report cable TV program.

In fact, the PNP last year recruited

non-uniformed personnel (NUP) whose main

function is to attend to the online needs of the

stations, while uniformed cops were all

dispatched to the field for the actual police

work, Marcos shared.

Aside from the computers, Marcos

also reported that eight municipal police

stations such Macrohon, Padre Burgos,

Hinundayan, Libagon, Pintuyan, Saint

Bernard, San Juan, and Silago were

recently issued each a motorcycle unit. Other

field stations in the province had already been

issued their units except for the eight police

stations.

Asked if all the police stations in the

province have their own separate, and

concrete made offices, Marcos, who assumed

as provincial director six months ago, said

there are still a few which are still housed in

old, Spanish-era structures while others hod

offices near municipal halls.

He called on the local government units

who have no separate stations yet to find a

suitable lot, inasmuch as the PNP has a

continuing program for construction of police

stations with funds coming from the central

PNP office.

Also guests at the cable TV program were

Police Chief Insp. Napoleon Inot, Investigator,

and Police Sr. Insp. Richard Castanares,

in-charge of Police Community Relations

(PCR). (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

By Marcelo M. Pedalino

The Bataan Memorial Cross The Bataan Memorial Cross

BY MARCELO M. PEDALINO

NNC-8 urges new HIMSoG officers to strengthen advocacy programs

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 22 (PIA) - The National Nutrition Council (NNC) urged members of the re-energized

Harmonized Initiatives of Media for the Spread of Good Nutrition (HIMSoG-8) to help advocate the Promotion of Good

Nutrition (PGN) to bring down malnutrition prevalence in the region.

N NC-8 regional head, Dr. Catalino

Dotollo said that dif ferent

indicators in the Millennium

Development Goals (MDG) have not been

achieved especially in the Maternal Mortality

Rate and the Under Five Mortality Rate.

―We need extra-ordinary acts to meet

the challenge,‖ Dotollo said during the

HIMSoG general assembly held on Monday.

As he posed his challenge for the

continuous advocacy of good nutrition in the

different LGUs, the NNC director also assured

the support of NNC behind HIMSoG 8

activities.

Reports have it that one Samar

municipality landed top three in the list of

nutritionally depressed municipalities

nationwide.

While the malnutrition prevalence has

declined, still nutrition stakeholders have to

double their efforts to reach the target pledged

in the MDG.

HIMSOG President elect Antonio Pueblos

vowed to ―steer the boat‖ in faster speed

while maintaining its course towards

eradication of malnutrition.

―Padayon an aton bubuhaton, mapaspas la

kita hin bugsay,‖ (We shall continue our plans

and actions but we will paddle faster.)

HIMSoG 8 is a media organization in

Region 8 with nutrition advocacy, the

group has been to nutritionally depressed

provinces, municipalities and barangays to hold

dialogues with the local officials offering

ways how best to curb malnutrition. (ajc/nbq/

PIA –Samar)

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

PSA Biliran to continue labor force survey until

April 30

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 21(PIA) --- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Biliran Provincial Office is requesting the

cooperation of 148 households in the province who were systematically and randomly selected for the April 2015 Labor Force

Survey.

I n a press statement, Interim Provincial

Statistics Officer Francisco D. Rostata

said the Labor Force Survey (LFS) is a

nationwide quarterly survey of households

conducted by PSA to gather data

on the demographic and socio-economic

characteristics of the population.

The objective of this activity is to measure

the distribution of household population from

15 years old and above and their employment

status whether employed, unemployed or

underemployed.

The various employment characteristics

such as industry, class of worker, nature of

employment and basis of payment will also be

determined.

Furthermore, question on hunger

experienced by any member of the

household will also be included in the

questionnaire.

Rostata assured that the data gathered

during the survey will be strictly confidential

and will not be used for taxation, investigation

and enforcement purposes.

The labor force survey (LFS) is mandated

by Commonwealth Act 591 and Executive

Order No. 121.(jrc/cba/PSA/PIA-8)

BY CONSUELO B. ALARCON

400 ‗K to 12' students in EV finish senior HS, expect to get job soon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 21 (PIA) – Around 400 K to 12 senior high schools in whole Eastern Visayas marked a

significant event in the history of the Department of Education (Deped) Friday as they joined the graduation rites of the K to

12 Modelling Program for the school year 2014-2015 at Leyte National High School Gym, this city.

T he senior high schools 2nd batch

graduated from 20 schools coming

from the different schools division

with specialization in commercial cooking,

food and fish processing, bread and pastry,

food and beverages services, computer

programming, animal production, tourism,

building construction, automotive servicing,

driving, small engines and motorcycles

servicing, software and hardware development,

agri-business civil technology, agriculture, food

trades, aquaculture, among others.

In her speech, DepEd regional director

Luisa Bautista-Yu underscored the significance

of developing the skills of Filipino workforce to

prepare them for the future and to make them

globally-ready for the 2015 ASEAN Economic

Integration. ―Indeed our coming together

indicates that we are in the right mode in

achieving the main purpose of the enhanced

basic education,‖ Yu said.

The Deped official further said that

the graduation rites of the 2nd batch of

the K to 12 senior high school modeling

program is just the beginning of the

journey in fulfilling the commitment to serve

the community and build the whole nation as

well as producing the good workers. The

senior high school offers an array of

opportunities for workers and ensures future

employment not only locally but

internationally.

Yu explained that this is the reason why

the K to 12 Program was introduced in order

for them to be equipped with the necessary

skills and competencies that will enable them

to compete with the global market.

However, Yu said this can only be

achieved with the continuous support of

partner-agencies and other stakeholders.

The graduation rites was attended by

Deped officials led by Assistant Secretary

Reynaldo Antonio D. Laguda who served as

the special guest; some regional directors,

local government executives, school

division superintendents, teachers, parents,

partner-agencies, employers and other

stakeholders.

In an interview with a number of

graduates and their parents, they told PIA that

they are expecting their children to land a job

soon after some employers expressed

commitment to give them jobs after

graduation. (aen/cba/PIA-8)

BY CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Mt. Samat National Shrine Mt. Samat National Shrine

DILG-Southern Leyte bares Lupon winners

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 22 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Southern

Leyte Provincial Office bared the winners of the Lupon Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA), a joint project with the

Department of Justice (DOJ) at the provincial level.

T he Provincial Assessment Team

which includes the Philippine

Information Agency through Infocen

Manager Erna Sy Gorne conducted the

assessment in the middle of March, this year.

The awardees include Barangay Biasong in

the municipality of Hinunangan as 1st place for

the 1st-3rd class municipality, while 4th-6th

class municipalities were awarded to: 1st –

Barangay Hingatunggan, Silago; 2nd – Barangay

Canlabian, Anahawan; and Barangay Nahulid of

Libagon the 3rd place.

The winners will receive cash awards and

plaques of recognition, the source said, such as

P20,000 for Biasong and P20,000, P15,000 and

P10,000 for the 4th-6th class winners,

respectively.

The LTIA aims to recognize the best top

three performing lupons throughout the

province and to aid the lupons in effectively

performing their functions and to further

encourage them to perform the same.

Previously, the Lupong Tagapamayapa in

Barangay Hingaatunggan of Silago town was

awarded as 1st runner-up in the LTIA National

Awards, December 2013 at the Malacaṅang

Palace, while last year, Southern Leyte Lupons

were recognized at the LTIA Regional level

awarding such as Barangay Hingatunggan,

Silago, Barangay Biasong, Hinunangan and

Barangay Tagnipa, Maasin City were declared

as Regional winners for the 4th-6th class

municipality, 1st-3rd class municipality and

1st-3rd class component city categories,

respectively. It was learned that awarding of

the current best Lupons in the province will

be given during the Southern Leyte Founding

anniversary in July, this year. (ajc/rgc/PIA8

-SoLeyte)

BY MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

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

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

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