Vol 5 Issue 39 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 September 28 - October4, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PIA official tells students: Believe in the good in APEC

RDC pushes studies on new Bohol bridges

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Eastern Samar names 'bridging leaders' TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 1 (PIA) – For their

improved health outcomes resulting from health system reforms in their respective municipalities, at least nine Eastern

Samar mayors were recognized recently by Zuellig Family Foundation, Department of Health (DOH) and University of

the Philippines-Manila, School of Health Sciences as ―bridging leaders‖.

Mayors Viscuso De Lira (Balangiga), Allan Contado(Balangkayan), Jaime Uy (Gen. McArthur), Mark Biong

(Giporlos), Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Guiuan), Edgar Boco(Hernani), Enrique Cabos (Mercedes), Nedito Campo

(Quinapondan), Melchor Melgar(Salcedo) were named bridging leaders for completing as well, the Municipal Leadership and

Governance Program (MLGP), a leadership capacity program which helps local health leaders in becoming better health

stewards of their constituents. Modular in approach, MLGP contributed in curbing

specifically the rate of maternal and infant deaths in ―Yolanda‖ affected areas that considerably had some health challenges

after the November 8, 2013 calamity. Despite the worn-out health facilities, the mayors with

their doctors advocated for facility-based deliveries, where

pregnant mothers had to give birth only in the presence of a

professional health worker who are posted in lying and birthing clinics or rural health units (RHUs).

In addition, with the MLGP, which they took side by side with their official duties, the local chief executives became fully

aware of their people‘s poor health indicators and thus, felt the urgent need to improve them, and build back better and more

resilient communities. As DOH-08 Regional Director Minerva Molon put it,

after completing the program, they, together with the other partners expect, that these municipalities would be able to

sustain better health programs that are not only responsive to the needs of the poor but also resilient to disasters.

For Dean Salvador Destura, UP-MSHS, he feels elated that his institution has contributed to the transformation of

local chief executives as well as the municipal health officers into becoming ―bridging leaders‖, as desired outcomes of the

MLGP. The United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) was also a

partner in the MLGP program. The Colloquium Ceremony was done at the SMX Aura

Taguig, with the presence of Tacloban media. (PIA-08)

By Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA6)—When people come together, possibilities happen and believe that it is for the good,

like when experts come together for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Jose Mari Oquinena, director general of the Philippine Information Agency, guest in the on-going APEC dialogues with

young people in Iloilo City, said that it is important to get into the APEC and understand it to see the good in it.

‗There are some basic things we have to embrace in order to understand and that is believe that humanity is

basically good,‖ Oquinena said. ―When the world experts and leaders come together and

talk, believe that it is for good,‖ he added. The PIA official said that hosting the APEC is an

affirmation that the Philippines is important to the world, that its value as a country is recognized.

―The Filipinos should be the first to like APEC,‖ Oquinena said, adding that today‘s young are the leaders

bringing forward the benefits of the APEC. Oquinena brought the inspiration for the creation of the

APEC Activity Center in Iloilo City so that the various sectors, especially the young, who are not able to get direct information

and knowledge on the events in Iloilo, will have the chance to interact with agencies involved.

The PIA-6, leading the operation of the Activity Center,

located at the ground floor of the Old Iloilo Provincial Capitol, has so far catered to some 260 students, campus paper writers

and walk-in participants. ―Our efforts may be small contributions to make the

young appreciate Iloilo City‘s hosting of the APEC, but at least, we are reaching out to the long-term beneficiaries of the

outcomes,‖ PIA-6 Director Janet Mesa said. The Activity Center gives the audiences an overview of

the APEC, brief history, a glimpse of the Iloilo Convention Center, some activities and the meetings, and first hand

experiences of personalities and agencies directly involved in the APEC activities. (JSC/ESS-PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Sept. 26 (PIA) — Three bridges which would be crucial to Bohol's integrated development are now

being endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) for feasibility study by the Department of Public Works

and Highways (DPWH). This as the Provincial Development Council in Bohol,

through its executive committee meeting on June 15, passed resolutions 38, 39 and 42 endorsing to RDC and

DPWH the conduct of feasibility studies for the construction of Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island bridge, President Carlos P.

Garcia to Ubay bridge and Bien Unido to Talibon bridge. Panglao, a major tourist destination in Bohol and the site

of the new and still being constructed Bohol Airport, can be accessed by land transport now via its two bridges: Borja

bridge in Junction Mansasa and Castil linking Poblacion Ubos to Totolan Dauis.

A recent DPWH traffic survey showed that the annual average daily traffic along Panglao and Dauis junction increased

by 50% from 2,455 vehicles in 2008 to 11,897 in 2012. At this rate, the existing bridges in Panglao to Tagbilaran

will be rendered inadequate to accommodate the projected increase in traffic volume to and from Panglao to Tagbilaran.

For this, the construction of a new bridge is now considered a viable option to improve traffic inter-connectivity between Panglao Island to Tagbilaran City,

according to RDC.

Meanwhile, northeast of Bohol sits another island town

President Carlos P. Garcia, in which the main mode of transportation is motorized banca to Ubay, its nearest town.

Not only is the existing transport system expensive, it is also risky and the erratic schedules result in huge business

losses, leaving the island underdeveloped and its residents left behind in Bohol‘s growth.

On the other hand, second district towns Talibon and Bien Unido are separated from each other by Talibon Bay.

Talibon, notably the district‘s commercial hub, is about a few kilometers of air distance from Bien Unido. But

with the bay, residents have to go through a network of national and provincial roads with a combined length of 18.70

kilometers. The proposed bridge would effectively shorten the

distance, cut travel time and boost economic activities in the regions of San Isidro Talibon to Nueva Estrella in Bien Unido,

where the proposed bridge would jump off. The proposed construction of the three mentioned

bridges requires the conduct of feasibility studies to include engineering design, traffic study, comparative alignment study,

exploration of alternative routes and transport analysis among others, according to the RDC endorsement to the public

infrastructure agency. Along this line, the RDC, headed by Bohol Governor

Edgar Chatto, pushed for the conduct of the feasibility studies

on said bridges. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)

NMP Executive Director Manuel Roldan and

PIA-8 OIC Director Alice Nicart lead the

launching of the Filipiniana Culture and Arts

Section of the NMP Learning Resource Center

with a grant from The National Commission

for Culture and the Arts, September 25. The

library is open to the public. (PIA6)

Kapihan sa PIA forum held in observance of

National Family Week discussed important

issues on gender equality, children's rights and

the role of church in promoting gender

sensitivity. Speakers during the forum were:

Cecilia Hoffman of G-WAVE, Fiscal May Flor

Duka from the City Prosecutor's Office and

Pastor Ted Picardal of Maranatha Full Gospel

Church-AG.

WESTERN VISAYAS

PIA Director General Jose Mari Oquiñena ―inspires‖ participants composed

mostly of college students to see and believe in the good in APEC at a forum at

the APEC Activity Center in Iloilo City. (LTPI/PIA6)

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya discusses

to members of the media how micro, small

and medium enterprises can benefit from the

"Iloilo Initiative" during the press conference

for the 22nd SME Ministerial Meeting held

Friday, Sept. 25, 2015 at the Iloilo Convention

Center. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA6) --- The city of Iloilo is ready to accommodate more investments and more industries, said the

Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.

Iloilo City ready for more investments

By Leonard T. Pineda I

D OT-6 Regional Director Helen

Catalbas said that the major

impression of a number of delegates

and guests to the Asia Pacific Economic

Cooperation (APEC) meetings here

is that Iloilo City has become so progressive

that it can cater to more investments and

more industries can be put up here.

―The impact of hosting APEC in the long

term is the influx of more investments

particularly for SMEs because they have seen

the potential of Iloilo and Guimaras that

we are ready to cater to these enterprises,‖

she said.

She said that if there are more businesses,

there will be more jobs available to people and

the standard of living will be elevated.

―Raw materials available in the region can

also be used for production of processed

goods and crafts‖, she said.

Last week, I loilo City hosted

the 9th Senior Disaster Management

Officials‘ Forum and the 22nd Small

a n d M e d i u m E n t e r p r i s e s

M in i s t e r i a l Mee t i n g and r e l a t ed

activities.

The High Level Policy Dialogue

on Food Security and the Blue Economy is

slated here from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6. (JCM/LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

PhilRice advocates planting of drought-resistant rice varieties

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

NEGROS OCC., Sept. 30 (PIA6) -- The Philippine Rice Research Institute-Negros Occ. is urging rice farmers to use

drought-resistant variety seeds that will stand the expected heat of the El Niño Phenomenon.

P h i l R i c e S c i e n c e R e s e a r c h

Specialist Jose Arnel Cordova

said 18 tons of Rc10 is now available

in their office at Cansilayan, Murcia at P42.50

per kilo.

A 20 kg of the seed, he said, is good for

one-half to one hectare of rice land.

Another 78 tons of Rc 222 and Rc 284

will be made available anytime this October, he

added.

Cordova said the varieties need only a

little water and is good across eco-systems

whether rain-fed or irrigated.

―From preparation to harvest, a one

square meter needs around 4,000 liters of

water to yield ½ kilo to 1 kilo of rice. Given

proper management, Rc 222 can reduce that

water requirement to only 1,733 liters,‖ he

said in an interview over Radyo Kumando

103.1 FM.

He gave eight key check guides for

farmers to get better yield even during

prolonged drought.

First is to use high quality seeds of a

recommended variety, there should be

no high and low soil spot during

levelling, synchronous planting after fallow

period and sufficient number of healthy

seedlings, approximately 250,000 hills per

hectare.

Also, rice plants should have sufficient

nutrients, pest managed well and harvest and

thresh crop at right time.

Only right amount of water needed

should be given and it should be free from

drought stress.

―Choosing the right rice variety of seeds

during drought is the foundation of good

farming,‖ he reiterated. (JCM/Lljr#PIA6)

Aklan Tourism Week contest winners get P47,000 in prizes

KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 29 (PIA6) -- The provincial government of Aklan recently awarded a total of P47,000 cash prizes to

winners of various contests spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) as part of the recent Tourism

Week celebration.

T he various contests were participated

in by students from colleges here

mostly taking Tourism and other

related courses like Hotel and Restaurant

Management (HRM) included Tourism Quiz

Bee, T Shirt Printing, Feature Writing and

Sabor Akeanon (a cooking contest).

STI College-Kalibo led the winners of the

Quiz Bee placing first and winning P7,000 cash

prize followed by Aklan State University (ASU)

Banga Campus, second place, with P5,000 cash

prize, and ASU-New Washington Campus,

third place, with P3,000.

Contes t an t s f rom ASU - Iba j ay ,

Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC), and

ASU-CIT (Kalibo) received Consolation Prizes

of P500.00 each.

Meanwhile, the other contests – T-Shirt

Painting, Feature Writing and Sabor Akean

were dominated by students of ASU‘s various campuses who won major places.

For T- Shirt Painting, first place winner

was Mark D. Gumboc of ASU-CIT who

received P3,000.00; Arvin Sabiaga, ASU-CIT,

second, P2,000.00; and Alexis Flores of NVC,

3rd, with P1,000.00, while Mark Leonard

Peren, Ed Rian Casidsid, Angel Grace Panaligan

all from ASU-CIT; Eden Carpio and Jessie Renz

Pelayo, both from ASU-New Washington, Tom

Jones Villariez of NVC and Rowena Nabarte of

Garcia College of Technology received P500.00

each as Consolation Prizes.

For Feature Writing, Jemuel B. Garcia III

of ASU-CIT won first place with P3,000.00

cash prize; Aaron Marc Crisostomo of

ASU-New Washington, 2nd, P2,000.00; and

Roces Jamaela D. Rabuco, ASU-New

Washington, 3rd, P1,000.00. Ten other

contestants – 8 from various ASU campuses

and 2 from NVC got P500.00 as Consolation

Prize.

For Sabor Akean winners – ASU-CIT and

ASU-Ibajay shared the top prize receiving P3,000.00 each while ASU-Banga placed second

getting P2,000.00 cash prize and NVC, 3rd,

P1,000.00.

Contestants from ASU-Ibajay and GCT

received P500.00 each as consolation prize.

The various schools/campuses had 3

group members each.

The week-long Tourism Week in

Ak lan a lso he ld Tinda Tur ismo,

Unveiling of Municipal Tourism Posters,

Tourism Awareness Seminar and Bisikleta

Karera.

The unveiled posters are now on

display at the Kalibo International

Airport (KIA), according to the Provincial

Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) here,

aimed to create awareness among

tourists – domestic and foreign, that besides

Boracay Island, there are other beautiful

attractions that Aklan could offer found in its

17 towns.

―One Billion Tourists, One Billon

Opportunities‖ was the theme of this year‘s Tourism Week celebration, while the province

adopted the tagline ―Feel Alive, Fee Aklan‖.

(JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

By Venus G. Villanueva

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA6) - - The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has recognized the critical importance of

reducing post harvest losses in the food supply chain in the region by strengthening public-private partnership.

“ These kinds of issues have many policy

implications that cannot be addressed

solely by the private sector nor only by

the government. So we need to work as

partners, and also among the APEC as a

community,‖ said Emily Chin Cheng Chang,

Research Fellow of Chinese Taipei in today‘s

press briefing at the International Media

Center here.

Chang said there are two aspects that

private sectors can work together with the

government in reducing food losses. These are

in terms of loss assessment and loss reduction.

She cited the importance of useful

information provided by the private sector in

helping the government make the right

decision and the needed support given by the

government to the sector to be able to play

their role in addressing the issue.

On the other hand, Executive Director Rex Bingabing of Department of

Agriculture- Philippine Center for Postharvest

Development and Mechanization said APEC

economies have a big role in addressing

challenges in food production that include food

loss and waste, among others, since majority of

total global food production comes from the

region.

―We also recognize that solving the

problem is not solely the responsibility of the

government institutions but also of the private

sector which includes the producers,

processors, service providers and consumers

who are the players of the food supply chain,‖

said Bingabing.

According to him, in some studies, food

loss and food waste account for about

one-third of the total food production.

Chang and Bingabing are among the

delegates who attended the one-day

seminar held on September 27 in this

city under the APEC multi-year project which was carried out this year with the theme

of post harvest losses on livestock and fishery.

The ―2015 APEC Seminar for

Strengthening Public-Private Partnership to

Reduce Food Losses in the Supply Chain of

Fishery and Livestock‖ was participated in by

some 80 delegates.

Chang said under the limitation of water

and land the activity is a valuable undertaking

stressing the importance of reducing food loss-

es and waste to ensure food security in the

region.

She said livestock accounts for

70 percent of global production while

fishery, even higher or about 80 to

85 percent. In terms of trade, it is about 50 to

60 percent.

"The seminar will help member

economies and the producers to

benefit from some of the strategies and also

the practices we are proposing and also to

share the very useful information and also experience in the seminar", said Chang. (LAF/

PIA6-Iloilo)

APEC: Public-private ties could reduce food

losses

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 29 (PIA6) – More than 1,000 Capiceños have volunteered to be food guardians.

Information Officer Mary Christie Hari-on of

the National Food Authority here disclosed

that a total of 1,089 individuals from the

different sectors of the community have

volunteered themselves to be a partner of the

government as food guardians.

She said that the food guardian campaign

was done in time for the observance of the

Grains Industry Week last September 21 to 25.

Hari-on said that the food guardian

campaign was conducted at the Hercor

College, Ivisan public market and at their Rox-

as City Provincial Office.

The ―Food Guardians‖ is a program of the

NFA to protect the consumers against

unscrupulous grains business men as well as

helping in the campaign not to waste rice but

instead ―BeRiceponsible.‖

According to her, by being a food

guardians, they pledge to help ensure that rice

is available, accessible, visible and affordable in

public markets.

―The food guardian, must follow the

correct food handling procedure to make sure

that rice is safe for the consumers,‖ Hari-on

said.

She also said that their celebration of the

NFA‘s 43rd anniversary is anchored on the

theme Seguridad sa Pagkain, Tungkulin Natin,‖

where the food agency has reaffirmed its

commitment to ensure food security especially

in times of natural and man-made disasters or

emergencies. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

Capiz has 1000 food guardians

By Jemin B. Guillermo

Creation of Anti-Illegal Fishing Coordinating Board mulled

SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 1 (PIA6) - - The provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has

undergone initial steps towards the organization of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Coordinating Board.

P rovincial Agriculturist Nicolasito S.

Calawag said that the proposed

Board, with members coming from

the different local government units, national

government agencies and civil society

organizations will formulate plans and

programs to enforce fishery laws, rules and

regulations and ordinances in the province.

―This initiative aims to provide

coordinative mechanism in implementing and

enforcing all fishery laws within the jurisdiction

of the province of Antique to conserve,

regulate and protect our fisheries and aquatic

resources,‖ Calawag said.

Calawag noted that there are

several commercial fishing boats that are

encroaching in municipal waters and the

continued occurrence of illegal fishing

and once this measure is in place, it

will help monitor, control and manage fishing

activities thereby beneficial for small-scale

fishermen.

It will also be the objective of the

taskforce to strengthen the education and

awareness of fisherfolks on biodiversity and

sustainability of resources.

Meanwhile, the Aquino government

amended the Fisheries Code of the Philippines

(RA 8550). The law now has stronger

mechanisms to curb illegal, unreported and

unregulated fishing, as mandated by the

European Union (EU) which plays a key role in

the fisheries market.(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

By Vicente W. Villavert

By Lilibeth A. French

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- Hundreds of participants throughout the country particularly in the education sector gathered in Cebu,

September 30 — October 2 for the three-day 2015 National Literacy Conference at the DepEd Ecotech Center in Cebu City.

W ith the theme ―Educational Justice

and New Literacies,‖ the activity

aimed to explore the scope,

definition, and application of new literacies;

provide a venue for the exchange of

experiences using new literacies relevant to

education justice; and promote effective

integration of new literacies in local literacy

programs.

Plenary sessions for the conference

included discussions on digital literacy,

socio-cultural literacy, media literacy, financial

literacy, and political literacy.

The conference also highlighted the

awarding of the Municipality of Plaridel, Bulacan

to the Hall of Fame Awards for its exemplary

accomplishments in literacy development, and

for being a three-time first place winner for

Outstanding Local Government Unit Municipal

Level Class A in the 2010, 2012, and 2014

National Literacy Awards.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

delivered the welcome message while DepEd

Usec. Dina Ocampo gave the opening state-

ments including the rationale behind the event.

The undertaking is spearheaded by

DepEd through the Literacy Coordinating

Council and in coordination with other

government organizations, local government

un i t s , p r i v a te org an iza t i ons and

non-government organizations. (rmn/fcr/

PIA-PMD/PIA7)

Cebu hosts 2015 Nat’l Literacy Conference

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA) -- The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Cebu and Dumaguete Chapters

conducted an ―Awareness on Mental Health Act‖ forum recently to generate a signature drive pushing for the Philippine

Mental Health Act of 2015 to be legislated into a law.

PMHA pushes for Philippine Mental Act of 2015

P hilippine Mental Health Act of 2015,

passed by Senator Pia Cayetano,

promotes the mental well-being of

patients, protects those who have mental

illness, and ensures that Filipinos can have a

mental health care.

PMHA Chair Dr. Glenda Basubas, a speak-

er in the forum, said that 6% to 15% of Filipi-

nos are likely have depression.

"Everyone also has one percent possibility

of breaking down," said Basubas.

Children, overseas Filipino workers,

people with chronic illnesses, are

some of those who are vulnerable to mental

illnesses.

The signature campaign‘s website is

MHactnow.org. Once a supporter registers, it

will be counted as a petition.

One of PMHA‘s ways of spreading

awareness on mental health is to visit different

universities in the country.

Some universities they have visited are

Cebu Normal University, Cebu Doctors

University, Negros Oriental State University,

and Silliman University. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros

Oriental with reports from Andrea Lim, SU

intern)

Jennifer C. Tilos

Fayette C. Riñen

SAN JUAN, Siquijor, Sept. 28 (PIA) -- If you happen to be among the people inconvenienced by the far-from-seamless airport

to port transfer in Mactan Cebu to Bohol, then here is a good news: the Regional Development Council 7 (RDC-7) is now laying

the ground works for a High Quality Public Transport System (HQPTS) as an airport-to-port seamless travel connectivity that

will make the long nagging hassle of airport transfer a thing of the past.

RDC gears for seamless travel from Mactan

airport to Bohol

H QPTS would deploy high quality

buses that could interface with the

existing Cebu traffic and the

proposed Cebu Bus Rapid Transit

(BRT) System. It was already franchised for 77

bus units to ply identified routes.

HQPTS would accordingly be a precursor

of a BRT System complete with bus stops and

stations, electronic card-based fare collection

system using modern air-conditioned and low

platform design friendly for persons with

disabilities, using state of the art Euro-5

emission compliant diesel engines, which is also

hoped top jumpstart the adoption of Euro-4

emission compliant engines and fuels in the

country. Earlier, Panglao resort-owners have been

apprehensive because catering to international

guests appear to be a challenge to them,

especially now that the dream of Panglao Airport appears too far to be hoped for.

David Baile, a Briton owner of Alona

Citadel in Panglao, said his guests tell him it is

tough to book to Bohol.

Apart from no online booking for ferries

in Bohol which would have facilitated a

tourist‘s seamless travel, he would see that he

could be left fending for himself and his family

scouring for a transport that could bring him

to the pier to Bohol. Baile has aired apprehensions of Cebu

getting a taxi and the inconveniences it could

offer: overcharging, luggage loss, and limited

shuttle space for large groups.

The problem is even complicated by the

fact that as he is dropped at the port terminal

building, he has to take the queue of regular

passengers to Bohol to obtain a ticket. Ferry ticket booths also happen to be

outside the port, which leaves him leaving his

luggage, risking untoward incidents. Through RDC resolution 36 series of

series of 2014, the RDC requested

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to allow shuttle service operators to

provide land transfer service from the airport

to Cebu seaports for seamless travel

connectivity.

RDC Economic Development Committee

worked on the proposed airport-port

seamless travel connectivity with the

HQPTS and met with MCIAA, Cebu Port

Authority to discuss the details of the

land transfer concern and looked into

the cooperation of SM Prime Holdings

which earlier planned to field buses taking

the Mactan International Airport. On this, the RDC has reviewed

LGU traff ic synchronization and

bus stations and stops while SM

Prime Holdings has secured permits

for moving trees that would be

affected in identified bus stations, and the use

of certain road right of way sections as

terminals. RDC then passed Resolution No.

27 (2015) requesting the Department

o f E n v i r o n m e n t a n d N a t u r a l Resources Central Office to speed

up the issuance of tree permit relocations for

those affected by the HQPTS. (rmn/rac/

PIA7-Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region-7 (DAR-7) recently turned over P12.3

million worth of heavy tractors to some agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in the province to help them

increase their farm production.

T he farm equipment are composed of

four 90 horse power, four-wheel

drive tractors.

This is part of DAR‘s Agrarian Reform

Community Connectivity and Economic

Support Services (ARCCESS) project. ―The farm tractors, implemented under

the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity

and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS)

project of the DAR will help develop farmers‘

organizations and ultimately increase their farm

yield,‖ DAR-7 regional director Alejandro

Otacan said. ARCESS is an alternative rural

development approach of the department

where support interventions are directly given

to selected ARBOs. DAR officials who witnessed the turnover

were assistant Regional Director and

concurrent PARPO II Antonio del Socorro and

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer

(PARPO) II Grace Fua. Atty. Louie Naranjo, DAR-Negros

Oriental PARPO, signed the acceptance of

farm facilities.

Naranjo disclosed that the equipment will

also help ease burden in land preparation.

(rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental/with reports

from Dir. Erlinda M. Manluctao, DAR Public

Assistance and Media Relations Service)

DAR turns over farm tractors to ARBOs in

NegOr

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

CEBU, Sept. 29 (PIA) --- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here urged the public to undergo biometric regis-

tration to help the advocacy of a clean elections in 2016.

Voters urged to undergo biometric registration for clean elections

D uring the forum on ‗Do‘s and Don‘t‘s

for Political Ads in Media for the 2016

Election,' Cebu Provincial Election

Supervisor Atty. Marco Lionel Castillano said that

the commission is now intensifying moves for all

voters to be biometric registrants.

Castillano added that the objective of

biometrics registration is to eliminate multiple

registrants and to achieve clean and honest

elections as biometric registration will

help cleanse voters‘ lists.

He noted that biometric registration prevent

multiple registrants as every voter has a unique

biometrics.

Castillano said that Comelec has exerted

measures to make sure that voters are aware of

the need for biometric registration.

The commission posted on their website

the voters who do not have biometric

registration, followed by sending written notices

to them.

Comelec has likewise conducted registration

in malls, far-flung barangays, jails, islands, and

islets.

Castillano noted that after October 31 this

year, Comelec will cleanse the voters‘ lists and

there will be no multiple registrants or voters.

―Voters without biometrics will be taken

from the official voters lists and cannot vote in

the 2016 elections,‖ Castillano stressed.

He called for the public participation in the

advocacy for a clean and just election by being a

biometric registrant and for voters to practice

their right to vote this coming elections.

―It is not the election of the COMELEC, it is

the election of everybody,‖ Castillano said.

The forum is a joint effort of KBP-Cebu and

the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) that

aims to inform the youth and the public on the

prohibitions of media on elections and the ethics

media should practice during elections. (rmn/ays/

PIA7)

Amor Saludar

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 28 (PIA) – Four former rebels received P65,000 cash assistance from the provincial government

and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as part of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP)

livelihood package.

Former NegOr rebels receive aid from government

I n a simple ceremony held at the

Governor‘s Office, Negros Oriental

Gov . Roe l Degamo persona l ly

handed over the checks to the four

rebel returnees together with Lt. Col.

Pascua of the 79th Infantry Battalion

(IB) of Philippine Army, 302nd Infantry

Brigade executive officer John Oliver

Gabun, DILG provincial director Dennis

Q u i ñ o n e s , a n d A l i c i a L a g a r d e ,

CLIP facilitator from the provincial

government From said amount, P15,000 is allocated

for immediate assistance while P50, 000 is

allocated for livelihood assistance. Gov. Roel Degamo also disclosed that

apart from this, the four rebel returnees will

be trained on carabao-cattle raising to provide

them with a sustainable livelihood. ―What we handed over to them

today is a start-up for their livelihood

and we will guide them to ensure that the

money given to them is not misused,‖ he said.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Harold

Pascua, commander of the 79th IB, reported

that the CLIP committee rolled out 33

livelihood packages and the recipients of the

package are benefitting from the program

based on the regular monitoring conducted by

the committee. ―We can see that their livelihood is really

improving,‖ Pascua noted.

Pascua also reported that the CLIP

committee was able to facilitate the availment

of the livelihood package for the four former

rebels within two months. This is attributed to the joint efforts made

by the Philippine Army, provincial government

along with some national government

agencies and civil society organizations, Pascua

said. With this, he hopes that more rebel in the

hinterlands will be convinced to avail of the

CLIP livelihood package. Lt. Col. Pascua continues to appeal to

other rebel to abandon armed struggle and

return to mainstream society. ―We appeal to the remaining rebels, we

don‘t have to fight. The program of the

government is good. Let us help each other,‖

he said. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Joint CPOC-RPOC meeting tackles disposal of accumulated prohibited

drugs

ORMOC CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- What happened to the confiscated drugs held by authorities?

T he Regional Peace and Order

Council (RPOC) wants to know,

and in a meeting held at the city

hall here Monday, September 28, jointly with

the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), no

less than the RPOC Chairman, Calbayog City

Mayor Ronaldo Aquino, posed the question.

M a y o r A q u i n o ‘ s i n t e r e s t i n g ,

attention-grabbing query came about after the

presentation of the peace and order situation

in the region by Police Sr. Supt. Ramil Ramirez,

but well before the topic on the regional drug

situation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA) Region 8 office.

Apparently, it was addressed to PDEA,

and Mayor Aquino premised it on widely-read

reports , though unconf irmed and

unsubstantiated, alleging that deposited banned

drugs found its way sooner into the

user-pusher underground community in a

recycled manner.

PDEA Regional Director Morfel Navales

declared that the Courts order his agency to

destroy these prohibited drugs, adding that the

law invests in them the mandate to carry out

such type of destruction.

―The process of destruction is the same

as that of apprehension, wherein there

will be witnesses, such as the media

and barangay officials,‖ among other

stakeholders, Navales explained, implying the

impossibility of such talks as market re-sale or

re-use.

Navales said he hoped to carry out such

act of destruction one day following a Court

order, and he will invite all RPOC members to

attend.

Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla

opened the joint CPOC-RPOC meeting with

words full of gratitude for the privilege of

hosting the event.

He urged all the members and visitors

present to continue striving for peace and nev-

er lose hope for peace to be achieved, (ajc/

PIA8-Southern Leyte)

MARCELO M. PEDALINO

So Leyte barangay is 2014 Lupon national winner

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 30 (PIA) -- Brgy. Hingatungan, Silago, Southern Leyte is the national champion for barangays

in 4th – 6th class municipalities in the 2014 Lupong Tagamapayapa Incentives Award (LTIA) held at Marriott Hotel,

Pasay City on September 28, 2015.

O n behalf of the Hingatungan Lupong

Tagapamayapa (HILUTA), Punong

Barangay Alberto M. Orias received

the cash prize of Php300,000 and a trophy.

This is HILUTA's 4th grip at the national

awards - having won in 2001, 2007, 2012, and

2014.

The National Awards Committee

composed of officials from the DILG, Depart-

ment of Justice (DOJ), Supreme Court (SC),

National Police Commission (Napolcom) and

Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) chose the winners

from lupons nationwide based on the following

criteria: a) Efficiency in Operations b)

Effectiveness in Securing the Objectives of the

KP Program; and c) Creativity and

Resourcefulness of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.

"The Lupong Tagapamayapa is a big help

not just in the speedy administration of justice

in the barangays. It has also been a big aid to

unclog our courts and allowed the government

to save billions," DILG Secretary Mel Senen

Sarmiento said.

The LTIA aims to provide recognition

to performing Lupons, which are

barangay conflict-resolution bodies under

the Katarungang Pambarangay Law in

1978 and strengthened by the Local

Government Code of 1991. (DILG8-Southern

Leyte)

CSC-8 announces winners of photography, 'siday' contest

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Eastern Visayas has announced the winners of

the Lingkod Bayani: In Focus (A Photography Contest) and the Siday/Poetry Competition held recently during the Service Fair

at the Robinson’s Place, this city.

C SC regional director Victoria F. Esber

said, the purpose of the activity is to

showcase the talents of the government

employees in the region.

Of the 15 photography entries submitted

by government employees from various

government agencies in the region, the ―CAAP

Firefighters: The Prompt Responder‖ emerged

as 1st place and ―The Modern Bayanihan‖ as

2nd place, both by Antonio B. Alfonso of the

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines while

― A Policewoman Helping School Kids Cross

the Road‖ by Jansenn A. Juntilla of the Mines

and Geosciences Bureau as 3rd place.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Siday/

Poetry Competition were ―Padayon..Bayani‖

by Hudson H. Dasal of LGU-Bontoc,

Southern Leyte as 1st place; ―Isabuhay

and Kawaning Bayani‖ by Vicente T.

Belena Jr. of the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources (DENR) as

2nd place and ―Serbisyo Gobyerno

Hin Empleyado‖ and ―Kayang Kaya

Mo, Lingkod Bayani tied for the 3rd

place which were written by Noemi A.

Eclipse of the Philippine Science High

School and Cyrill Apurillo Chu of the

Jaro PNP Station, respectively.

The judges of the Siday/Poetry

Competition were Professor Evelyn A. Lanuza

of Leyte Normal University, Professor

Liezel Fabrigas of Eastern Visayas State

University. Director III Rowin P. Rinos

of the Civil Service Commission Regional

Office 8 while that of the Lingkod

Bayani: In Focus (A Photography

Contest) were Elmer T. Eclipse of the Bureau

of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Sharon

Cerro-Fontanar of the Civil Service

Commission.

Said activities were part of the month-long

celebration of the 115th Philippine Civil

Service Anniversary this September which is

anchored on the theme ―Kayang Kaya Mo,

Lingkod Bayani‖. (ajc/cba/PIA8)

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

NMP joins Maritime Week Celebration

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 29 (PIA) –The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a government-owned maritime training

and research institution located at Brgy. Cabalawan, this city, joined the country’s maritime week celebration, September 20-

27, and the World Maritime Day last September 25.

S eries of activities were conducted

such as the beach clean-up drive

along the coastal shoreline of the

NMP premises participated in by the

employees and trainees of the training center,

the Research Forum on Completed

Researches, the NMP-Media Partnership

Forum, the Demonstration of Advanced

Firefighting Techniques, Safety and Water

Borne Survival Techniques to selected

trainees and the Launching of the

Filipiniana Section at the NMP Learning

Resource Center.

During the NMP Media Partnership

Forum, NMP OIC Executive Director Manuel

C. Roldan emphasized the importance of

extensive training for the seafarers to prepare

them to become more productive in the

seafaring industry.

―It is only through safe seafaring that the

economy of the nation will prosper. Pag hindi

safe ang seafaring, goods and people cannot be

well transported, baka hindi makaabot sa

destinasyon. So, it is very important that the

basic component of maritime which is the

manpower must be well-prepared,‖ Roldan

said.

Records showed that seafaring industry

has contributed much to the economy of the

country. In 2014, cash remittances of the

sea-based workers were recorded at

US$5,575,722 which was higher compared to

2013 which totaled to US$5,215,378.

Meanwhile, from January to July 2015,

cash remittances totaled US$3,325,657.

To date, around 1,501 seafarers are

undergoing extensive trainings at the

National Maritime Polytechnic. The trainings at

NMP officially started in July after MARINA

gave the accreditation to the NMP.

In 2014, the Philippine Overseas

Employment Administration (POEA) has

reported that the total number of Filipino

seafarers was recorded at 401, 826.

This year‘s celebration was spearheaded

by the Philippine Coastguard anchored on the

theme ―Edukasyon at Pagsasanay sa Maritima:

Kabalikat sa Patuloy na Kaunlaran‖. (ajc/PIA-8)

PSHS-EV students champs in 4th ASEAN Science Odyssey

T he awarding ceremony to the Philippine

team composed of PSHS-EV Campus

students was one of the highlights of the

2015 Visayas Cluster Science and Technology Fair

and Science Nation Tour at Ormoc City, Leyte.

The students identified as Johan Castillejos, Ryan

Roi Cayas and Honeylene Trinchera received

their gold medals from Secretary Mario G.

Montejo of DOST.

The students also bagged other awards in

physics laboratory skills assessment, biology skills

assessment, chemistry laboratory skills

assessment, innovation laboratory skills

assessment, field project presentation, poster

presentation and best cultural presentation.

PSHS-Eastern Visayas Campus Director

Reynaldo B. Garnace was very thankful for the

support of the training team headed by Janeth

Morata-Fuentes.

In his message, Secretary Montejo extended

his warm congratulations to the school for having

won in the competition for the 4th time in four

years.

81 participants with 27 teams from fourteen

countries joined in the competition.

The participating countries were Brunei

Darussalam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand,

the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam,

Sweden, China, South Korea, Taiwan and

Singapore.

The ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science

Odyssey (APT JSO) is an annual educational event

in the field of science and technology for the

young students aged 13 to 15 years old.

Said event is designed specifically to

develop the gifted and talented young

individuals in the field of science and technology

as well as nurture future scientists and engineers.

(ajc/PIA-8)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Sept. 29 (PIA) – Three students from Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas Campus who

emerged as the overall champion of the 4th ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APT JSO) held at Tangerang,

Indonesia were given recognition by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Assistance continues for Yolanda-displaced

workers

EASTERN SAMAR, Sept. 30 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 8 released a total of P4,311,121.50

financial assistance to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maydolong, Eastern Samar, as aid for its constituents on the recov-

ery and rehabilitation from Typhoon Yolanda.

T he P4.3-M constitutes for the livelihood

assistance for the 167 beneficiaries for

their individual projects on food vending,

fishing, farming, carpentry and welding, sewing,

grooming and personal care (P1.6M); as well as,

for the employment assistance for the 600 Yolan-

da-displaced workers (P2.7M).

The employment grant will serve as salaries

and wages of another set of beneficiaries, who

assisted their communities on the recovery and

rehabilitation programs and activities, particularly

on declogging of canals and repair of public

utilities.

The grant was formally turned over by

Regional Director Elias A. Cayanong, to LGU

representative, Ms. Delilah A. Tamondong,

Revenue Collection Officer, at the DOLE

Regional Office, Tacloban City.

RD Cayanong said that the grant, which is

primarily intended for the purchase of tools and

equipment, is expected to aid the beneficiaries to

get back on their feet after the typhoon.

―We envision that these beneficiaries

will attain a more productive and decent

employment, as a way to provide a new

horizon for their families from the storm.

We are confident that we are on the right

track. DOLE will continue to assist the

marginalized sectors of our society by

giving them opportunity to live a decent life and

somehow alleviate them from the bondage of

poverty,‖ said the regional chief.

Ms. Tamondong, in return, thanked DOLE

for helping their town recover from the

nightmares of Yolanda.

―Damo an nawarayan pakabuhi han pagsagasa

ni Yolanda, kay dumuroy dama na dumamo

an pobre ha amon. Pero, tungod han

bulig han DOLE, makakasiring ako na dako

it bulig hini ha amon pagpukrat tikang han

bangungot. Salamat madamo!‖ (On the

devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, a lot of the

townsfolks had lost their jobs and

livelihood, thereby increasing the poverty rate in

our town. However, with the help of DOLE, I can

say that this is a huge help for us to be able to

wake up from the nightmare. Thank you so much,

DOLE!).

RD Cayanong and ARD Guzman assured

closer partnership and continuous delivery of

DOLE programs and services to LGU

Maydolongprovided proper implementation and

liquidation of previous assistance granted are

undertaken. (ajc/nc/DOLE-8)

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) 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