One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 4
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Transcript of One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 4
Vol 6 Issue 4 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 January 25 - 31, 2016
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue KALSADA program to boost growth of LGUs
Abaya leads ceremonial concrete pouring for Cebu airport terminal 2
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
DSWD-8 honors 14 ‗Bayani Ka‘ awardees
Consuelo B. Alarcon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan.27 (PIA) – A new breed of
Filipinos who are willing to go beyond themselves to support their
communities were given recognition Monday by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 during
the “Bayani Ka” Awarding at Robinsons Place, this city.
The awarding ceremony is one of the highlights of the
agency’s 65th founding anniversary this month.
The awardees, who came from various places in Eastern
Visayas are the people who, without being paid for their
involvement in the KALAHI-CIDSS gave their time, talent, skills and
even their own resources just to help their communities rise from
poverty.
DSWD newly-assumed regional director Restituto Macuto
said the Search for “Bayani Ka Awards” is a way of recognizing the
silent act of ordinary citizens and partners who volunteered to do
good for the communities.
“This is a simple celebration of the heroic contribution
of individuals and partners of the agency in bringing change and
development to the lives of those less privileged communities,”
Macuto said.
Fourteen individuals, partners and local government units
were awarded in said occasion.
The following are the awardees: Bernie Laurente of Brgy. San
Roque, Tanauan, Leyte; Miguela Icasama of Brgy. Odiong, Javier,
Leyte; Narra Jean Pacoma of Brgy. Poblacion I, San Sebastian Samar;
Brgy. Holy Child I Alang-Alang, Leyte; Brgy. Pawa, Burauen, Leyte;
Lilia T. Patanao as Bayani Ka awardee for gender; Jessibel Halayahay
as Bayani Ka awardee for volunteerism; Primo Palomo-Bayani ka
awardee for senior citizen volunteer; Julie R. Pascual and Brgy.
Buaya, Abuyog, Leyte as Bayani ka awardees for Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management.
Meanwhile, the local government unit of Laoang, Northern
Samar won as the Bayani Ka LGU awardee for Improved local
governance.
LGU-Laoang also won the National Bayani Ka! LGU Award
for Improved Local Governance besting other municipalities from
15 regions implementing Kalahi-CIDSS all over the country.
Other regional awardees are: Ellen A. Nario as Bayani Ka
awardee for community volunteer; Brgy. Chairman Allan Seco of
Brgy. Balite San Isidro Northern Samar as Bayani Ka Awardee for
Brgy. Local Chief Executive Category and Laoang Mayor Madeliene
Mendoza Ong as Bayani Ka Awardee for Municipal Local Chief
Executive Category.
Through the leadership of the mayor, LGU Laoang has
developed and institutionalized the framework of the municipal
implementation plan of Kalahi-CIDSS through a municipal ordinance
creating the community-driven development center under the office
of the mayor.
With the KALAHI-CIDSS, or the community-driven
development approach, every member of the community is very
important. Through this, more active community volunteers,
participants and partners will be inspired to do heroic acts for the
success of the different projects that will be helpful in the
attainment of growth and progress in the modest communities
especially in region 8. (ajc/PIA-8)
Leonard T. Pineda I
ILOILO CITY, January 26 (PIA) --- The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that the national project
dubbed Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan Tungo sa
Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) Program will help enhance
economic activities among local government units and contribute to
national growth.
In his recent visit to Iloilo City, DPWH Secretary
Rogelio Singson said that the KALSADA program is the
biggest nationally-funded project with allocation of P6.5-billion for
performance-based local road projects across 73 provinces in the
country.
“The KALSADA program was launched this year under
Department of Budget and Management(DBM), Department of the
Interior and Local Government(DILG) and DPWH to help local
government units improve their local roads,” he said.
The program comprised aspects of good governance through
local road management, rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial
roads and turning over maintenance to the provincial government,
development of a Provincial Road Network Development Plan
(PRNDP) and establishment of city and provincial locational
reference system for baseline data purposes.
“This will come up with an honest to goodness baseline data;
ilang kilometro ba talaga ang city roads ninyo; ilang kilometro ba
talaga ang provincial roads ninyo; at ano ba talaga ang kundisyon ng
mga kalye na yan,” he said.
Singson expressed the agency’s commitments to improve
quality and safety of national roads and bridges and increase
investment in infrastructure from less than 2 percent of Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010 to 5 percent of GDP by 2016.
He said that there is a need to put significant emphasis
on infrastructure development so that the economic growth
particularly outside Metro Manila is continuous.
“For all these years, prior to the Aquino administration, NCR
always got the biggest share of the budget. But since three to four
years ago, we have moved out our budget outside of NCR,” he said.
He added that the public can expect more infrastructure
projects such as national roads and bridges to be implemented in
the provinces including Iloilo that will help improve connectivity of
people, services, and goods. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, January 23 (PIA) -- Transportation Secretary Joseph
Emilio Abaya led the ceremonial concrete pouring for the
P17.5 billion passenger terminal building II of the Mactan Cebu
International Airport (MCIA) at the old site of the Philippine Air
Force base in Lapulapu City yesterday.
Abaya said the activity signifies the completion of the
government’s task under the public-private partnership (PPP)
project as it shifts its role to being a regulator once the terminal is
completed.
“The PPP is best exemplified and explained by
showcasing the Mactan Cebu airport rather than go into
technicalities. We should push for PPP projects,” said Abaya during
a short program that followed the activity.
“Efficient transportation is a basic human right and
supports major drivers of economic growth especially in the
areas of tourism and agriculture,” stressed the transportation
secretary.
Louie Ferrer, president of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport
Corp. (GMCAC) that is undertaking the terminal project, bared
that the facility occupies over 65,000 sq. m. and is expected to be
finished by February of 2018.
The expansion will increase passenger capacity to 12 million
annually from the current 4.5 million, he further said.
“This is actually the first PPP airport project. With this, we
are building history,” said Ferrer.
This year alone, four new international flights will
open from Cebu to Los Angeles, USA, Dubai via Clark, Taipei and
Xiamen, said GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison
strengthening the company’s goal of promoting Cebu as a regional
hub to the rest of the world.
“The opening for additional flights this year will create more
trade and employment opportunities for Cebu,” said Harrison
while the construction of the terminal project within the next two
years will generate around 3,000 jobs.
Abaya said once the world-class terminal II is completed, he
expects the MCIA to rise and become the best airport in the region
from its current rank of 18th best airport in Asia.
Meanwhile, Abaya said five new regional airports will soon be
bidded out under the PPP structure.
These airports with an estimated cost of P106 billion
are located in Panglao, Bohol; Bacolod; Iloilo; Davao; and in
Laguindingan, Cagayan de Oro.
Seven well-known bidders are set to participate in the
bidding of these five PPP regional airport projects, said Abaya. (rmn/
fcr/PIA7)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Mr. Julian Payne (far right), president of the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the
Philippines, discusses investments and
immigration issues and updates with Cebu
press during a media briefing held today at
Cebu Marriott Hotel. PIA Cebu coordinated
the media briefing. (Rmn)
Dydm/Dysl kapihan sa PIA with Provincial
Agriculturist Marina Gador and Rice
Technician Nerio Lanugan. Major agri
programs of the province are discussed.
(mmp)
Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School
emerged as the champion of this year’s
Dinagyang Ati-Tribe competition. Tribu
Salognon bagged home P200,000.00 and
trophy.
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
KALIBO, AKLAN, Jan. 28 (PIA) – Kalibo will soon have locally made souvenir items to offer to its visitors and guests.
Affordable Aklan made souvenirs soon available
Sheila Patoza
T ourism Operations Officer of Local
Government Unit of Kalibo, Rhea Rose
Meren said that a three-day training on
crafts making that will focus on souvenir making
will be conducted in Kalibo this first quarter of
the year in partnership with the Municipal Social
Welfare and Development.
“Kalibo as of this time has a little souvenir
items that could be offer to our visitors and
guests, or quite expensive like that of the “nito”
and pina fiber made products ,” Meren said.
”With this training, we could able to add our
souvenir items that are originally and locally made
here in Aklan, and this time, will be small and
affordable items,” she added.
Some of the souvenir-making that will be
included in the training are miniature of the
Tigayon Hill and Caves and Bakawan Eco-park, Ati
-atihan items, key chains, and small items made
from pina fiber and other materials that can be
found in Kalibo.
The LGU-Kalibo, according to Meren, will
put up a souvenir shop in Tigayon Hill and Caves
and identify stores to showcase the products to
help sustainably the beneficiaries in selling the
items.
Meanwhile, Lolly Espino, MSWD Officer of
LGU-Kalibo said that there will be 33 participants
in the three-day training coming from the
different barangays of Kalibo.
“The participants of the training will come
from the out of school youth, housewives, artists,
and other unemployed Kalibonhons, helping them
to generate income,” Espino said.
The training will be funded by DSWD under
the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which
will cover the registration fees, meals and
transportation allowance, and starter kits for the
participants. (JCM/SQP/PIA6)
Biz tax in San Jose up by 25 %
San Jose, Antique (PIA). The operation of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique generated a
quantum leap of 25 per cent in its business tax collection in the early part of 2016 as compared to the same month last year.
A s recorded, the total collection reached
the sum of Php 18,898,440.08 from a
total of 45 new applicants and 1,323
renewed business permits issued covering the
period January 4 to 20, 2016 much higher
compared to the last year’s collection of
P15,094,490.50, said Information Officer Zairyl
Len Pacheco.
The total collection of business permit in
2015 was Php27,902,176.09.
By operation of law, the Municipal Mayors
are given the sole authority to issue business
permits and as provided for in the Local
Government Code of 1991.
The mandate opened an avenue for the LGU
San Jose to be more responsive to the needs of
the business sector.
For the past years, LGU San Jose has opened
a BOSS at the municipal hall supported by various
agencies of government thus making business
registration accessible. To date, queuing machine
is in place as an innovation for procedural flows in
application.
To recall, 1n 2008, LGU San Jose executed
an agreement with the GTZ in partnership with
the Department of Trade and Industry focused
on Simplifying Business Permit and Licensing
Process.
The arrangements responded to the
regulatory functions of the LGU to register
businesses. The common aim is to ensure that
businesses meet certain standards for public
safety and public health and perform in a way
consistent with the legal and policy guidelines of
the locality.
Beyond regulation, business registration also
provides the municipality with an added source of
revenue and it provided strategic tool in creating
an enabling environment for businesses and
investment and opportunities for investments.
The streamlining of business registration for
San Jose is fully supported by the DILG as it
introduced the Business Permitting and Licensing
System Up-scaling process.
This innovation significantly complements
the capacity of the LGU to improve its system
and efforts for business licensing and permitting
procedures.
In CY 2012, the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) shortlisted San Jose from among the LGUs
nationwide to take part in the Revenue
Generation and Land Administration (REGALA)
Program knowing the in-house capabilities of its
local functionaries and the innovations it has
initiated for Business Permitting and Licensing
System (BPLS).
REGALA aims to increase efficiency and
capacity of the LGU to spend for the delivery of
basic services thru locally generated revenues. To
date, the system is in place, computerized with
easy application. This has also paved the way to a
tremendous increase in local revenues for San
Jose de Buenavista.
Mayor Rony Molina said the healthy
working atmosphere of the Department Heads
and employees involved, triggers positive
operation of the BOSS and the successful system
of the BPLO.
He added, we are doing our best to
make business transaction easy through a more
accessible business permit system and making
business sector part of the undertakings in
making San Jose a highly urbanized capital
town of Antique. (JCM/LGU San Jose/PIA6
Antique)
Pilar S. Mabaquiao Iloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang Festival
MSMEs service facilities get 17M funding
ILOILO CITY, Jan. 29(PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry-6 said that government has poured in some P17-million
for the shared service facilities (SSF) to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Western Visayas.
“ The DTI is focused on assisting
the MSMEs in the promotion of their
products and services,” DTI-6 OIC
Director Rebecca Rascon said in a press
release.
She added that additional SSFs are already
lined up to be established this year.
The SSF is a major component of the DTI’s
MSME Development Program, aimed at
improving the competitiveness of the MSMEs
through machinery, eauipment, tools and other
auxiliary items, skills and knowledge under a
shared system. DTI-6 Information Officer
David Sinay said as of December 31, 2015,
there were already 52 SSFs in the region total-
ling P17,014,880.18.
In Iloilo, the DTI has already established
13 SSFs amounting to P6,948,535.
“The SSFs included food processing,
furniture and furnishings, packaging and
labelling, garment, coco fiber production,
abaca stripping and business resource centers,”
Sinay said.
In Capiz the DTI has put up seven facilities
costing P2,924,889, while in Antique DTI has
put up facilities costing P1,177,448.
In Aklan,23 SSFs were established with an
amount of P1,328, 580.18, and in Negros, four
SSFs were put up with an amount of
P1,735,058.
Henry Tampani, DTI VI Senior Trade
and Industry Specialist, said the program is
designed to help MSMEs gain access to
machinery and facilities that require huge
capital, so that they can compete with other
industries.
“MSMEs availing of the facilities have to
pay a minimal fee for maintenance,” Tampani
said.
He further said that DTI has partnered
with some “co-operators” to help manage the
SSfs. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
Elsa Subong
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 26 (PIA6) -- A three-day rally to voice out concerns and needs of farmer-beneficiaries in
southern Negros ended in a dialogue with the Department of Agrarian Reform.
P rovincial Agrarian Reform Program
Officer II Lucrecia Taberna talked
with the farmer-beneficiaries on
their clamor for the implementation of the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
These farmers came from Kabankalan,
Binalbagan, La Castellana, Himamaylan, and
Bago who camped outside the DAR-South
office in Bacolod City, also in commemoration
of the Mendiola Massacre on January 22.
Some of the issues discussed during the
dialogue were the prolonged agony of the
farmers to own a parcel of land under the
implementation of CARP, expedite the
distribution of land under their names, survey
of their areas, among others.
DAR through its representative,
Civil Society Organization (CSO) Point Person
Domingo Gatmaitan assured the farmers that
the department is already doing its part to
distribute those remaining lots which already
have Notices of Coverage (NOCs).
Gatmaitan assured the farmers that
they are always centered on DAR mission
which is to lead in the implementation of
agrarian reform and sustainable rural
development in the country through land
tenure improvement and the provision of
integrated development services to
landless farmers, farm workers, small
landowners-cultivators, and the delivery of
agrarian justice.
Both parties agreed to conduct a regular
dialogue in every district or municipality
inorder to maintain harmonious relationship of
the department and its beneficiaries and to
avoid further conduct of rallies and
demonstrations from the group of farmers.*
(JCM/EAD-PIA6/DAR Negros Occidental)
DAR's dialogue with beneficiaries end rally
By: Elsa S. Subong
Sinulog FestivalSinulog FestivalSinulog Festival
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 25 (PIA) – The government grains warehouse in Capiz is now ready for operation
N FA Administrator Renan Dalisay
and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco
led the inauguration ceremonies of
the Bolo Warehouse B based at the NFA
Provincial Office compound, Jan. 21.
The rehabilitation of the said warehouse
was made possible through the budget of the
NFA and the P8-million fund assistance from
the United Nations-World Food Programme
(UN-WFP).
The grains facility, with insulated roofing
and LED lightings, has been designed to resist a
wind load capacity of 350-kilometer per hour
and an intensity 8 earthquake.
The NFA provincial office compound in
Roxas City houses three grains warehouses,
which can accommodate a total of 275,000
bags of rice.
In his message, Dalisay said that the
warehouse symbolizes the strength and unity
of the agency’s men and women with the
stakeholders whose primary commitment is to
ensure food security.
He also said that the agency is also
working in order that the more than
100-million Filipinos will have available and
accessible food and that the Philippines will be
a hungry-free country.
For his part, Capiz Governor Victor
Tanco commended the NFA for always
being there especially in times of disasters and
calamities.
Tanco said that aside from the
national government agencies, international
organizations, non-government organizations
and other groups, it is the Capiceños
themselves that worked hard for fast recovery
and stand strong after Yolanda.
He said that typhoon Yolanda’s wrath
ruined many infrastructures but the
devastation could eventually be forgotten
with the very fast recovery and progress in
Capiz.
On the other hand, NFA Capiz Provincial
Manager Benilda Fidel reassured Capiceños of
their commitment towards the delivery of
effective and efficient public service despite the
odds that may come along the way such as the
destruction of physical and material possession
brought by calamities.
Also in attendance during the event here
were NFA Region 6 Director Bernardo
Asetre, Assistant Regional Gil Ibarra, NFA
provincial managers in Western Visayas,
National Grains Retailers Confederation
President Jaime Magbanua and other
stakeholders. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
Fully rehabilitated NFA warehouse ready for use
Jemin Guillermo
LTFRB: Old jeepneys emit more toxic substances
Leonard T. Pineda I
ILOILO CITY, January 28 (PIA) --- Public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old may emit more toxic substances in the
air, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-6.
A tty. Jose Mari Lamparero, LTFRB-6
legal counsel, said that DOTC
(Department of Transportation and
Communication) is still planning the
phasing out of old and dilapidated jeepneys
to lessen the harmful emissions from these
vehicles.
“Smoke emissions from these jeepneys
contribute 20 percent to harmful emissions,” he
said.
However, Lamparero clarified that the phase
out will be implemented gradually.
“For 2016, it will be voluntary as based on
the certificate of registration; for 2017, rules will
be created regarding this policy; and
2018 it will be mandatory unless there
will be changes in the plan of DOTC,” he
explained.
He said that the phasing out of public
utility vehicles older than 15 years is in
line with modernization plans of the
transport-related government agencies.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) issued
Administrative Order (AO) 2015-14, signed
by Secretary Ramon Paje, which required oil
companies to ensure the availability of Euro 4
fuels by July 1, 2015.
As stipulated in the AO, all new vehicles
to be used and introduced in the market in
2016 should comply with Euro 4 emission
standards.
DENR said the implementation of
vehicle emission limits was consistent with
Republic Act 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air
Act of 1999.
Euro 4 fuels contain less sulfur content than
Euro 2, and emit less harmful substances in the
air. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo).
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) – Department of Health (DOH-7) has allotted P1-million to fund the ongoing study on the
prevalence of autism in Central Visayas.
DOH-7 allots P1M to conduct study on autism
in CV
D r. Josie Ann Danes, Medical Officer
IV of DOH-7, explained that the
study is a big help for them to gather
data on the incidence of Autism Spectrum
Disorder among children aged 18 to 36
months.
Twelve (12) barangays in CV are now
under this study with 2 in Bohol, 7 in Cebu and
3 in Negros Oriental.
“There were 5,272 children screened and
24 of them tested positive for autism. Those
who tested positive will be brought to
pediatrician for further diagnosis,” said Danes.
She added that they are now in the final
phase of the study and hopes to finish it within
this year.
Autism s a lifelong developmental
disability that affects how a person
communicates with and relates to other
people, and how they experience the world
around them.
Danes said the characteristic behaviors of
autism spectrum disorder may be apparent in
infancy from 18 to 24 months but they usually
become clearer during early childhood from 24
months to 6 years.
There is no known single cause for autism
spectrum disorder, but it is generally accepted
that it is caused by abnormalities in brain
structure or function.
Children affected with autism does not
babble by 12 months, does not say single
words by 16 months, repeat gesture, and does
not say two-word phrases on his or her own
by 24 months.
Jane Michelle Ediza, Senior Health
Program Officer of DOH-7, said autism
disorder can be prevented if the parents will
have an early check-up for their children.
An increased advocacy and early
intervention will make children with autism
functional in their lives, said Ediza. The study is
funded by DOH-7 with the National Children’s
Hospital, Philippine Council for Health
Research (PCHR).(rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7)
Hazel F. Gloria
TAGBILARAN CITY, January 26 (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Tagbilaran City requested for the purchase
of at least two units of 1000 gallons capacity fire truck.
BFP Tagbilaran requests for 2 firetrucks
C ity Fire Marshal Fire Senior Inspector
Raul Bustalino said they are eyeing
the Local Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Funds as source, noting that their
disaster response capability is hampered due to
logistics problems.
Moreover, Inspector Bustalino added
that they also need help in the re-establishment
of now defunct Tagbilaran City Emergency
Medical and Rescue Operation Team
(TCEMROT) as well as the procurement of
basic rescue and first aid (medical kits).
As a member of the CDRRMC, Tagbilaran
City Fire Station is the agency task to lead on
the response and rescue and engineering
activities in times of national disaster and
other related emergencies such as evacuation,
search and rescue, provide first aid and medical
services, he said.
At the joint City Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council Meeting with the
City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), Fire
Senior Inspector Raul Bustalino stressed that
the firefighter to population ratio in Tagbilaran
is already is 1:2687 against an ideal 1:2000,
their logistics is similarly wanting.
Bustalino said that during fire emergency,
they only have the six serviceable firetrucks to
use.
“Tagbilaran City Fire Station fire trucks
were purchased in 1950s, thus majority of
them now are in poor condition,” he said.
“In fact, only three fire trucks are
serviceable at present. Being one of the
response teams in terms of emergency, it is
necessary to have a well-equipped and in good
working condition firefighting equipment,” the
city fire chief added.
Of the six fire assets they are using for
disaster response, only five of them have
water tanks; the other one is a boom truck
that allows firemen to scale buildings in high
rise fire responses.
One more fire truck, Engine Number 2,
Isuzu RA 61 is serviceable but is already set for
repair, according to the city fire marshal.
Two city fire trucks, Engine 5 Mitsubishi
tanker and Engine 11 Nissan Condor, are now
under repair.
Engine 10 Land Cruiser, Engine 4 Anos
Mini Fire truck, Engine 7 Isuzu VS, and Mazda
Ambulance are all unserviceable and are
beyond economic repair, Bustalino said. (rmn/
rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
Iloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang Festival
CEBU CITY, January 26 (PIA) – Catholic church officials are hopeful that the holding of the International Eucharistic Congress
(IEC) in Cebu translates into applied values in the Philippine society.
IEC seen to inculcate values useful in Philippine issues
C ebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in
yesterday's press briefing at the IEC
Pavilion, said they remain positive that
the learnings and realizations that will be
shared from the congress will eventually be
made visible in the various issues faced by the
Filipinos.
Understanding the Eucharist means the
intent to transform, he said.
“It is transformative, so this would mean
values such as equality, peace and honesty,
patience will be practiced by public, leaders and
the people,” Palma said.
Citing the Mamasapano incident
which happened exactly a year ago,
Palma said they continue to hope for justice
and healing for the families.
The IEC is also seen to influence
the lay positively which will extend into
the conduct and participation of the May
elections.
“I believe in the grace of the
event. Walking towards the direction
of hope means doing something
and not just sitting down,” Palma
said.
Italian Archbishop Peirro Marini said the
Eucharist is the identity of Christ.
“In the Congress, the participants
are hoped to have inculcated what they learn
from the liturgy or it will be nothing," Marini
said.
The second day of the IEC centered on
being hopeful and the pastoral role of women
in the Church.
The Papal Envoy led by Papal
Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo will
be treated today to a performance
by the world renowned dancing inmates of the
Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation
Center (CPDRC).
There are 72 participating countries in the
EIC with over 200 bishops present.
It was in 1937 when the Philippines first
hosted the IEC. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, January 26 (PIA) – Cebu provincial government's half a million investment on weeklong operations resulted to a
drug haul of P12 million.
T he “Oplan Limpyo Probinsya”
of the Cebu City Police Office
(CPPO) supported by the Cebu
Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council
(CPADAC) presented recently the results
of OPLAN Limpyo Probinsya which was
implemented for a week from January 12 to 18
this year.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the
province, through CPADAC, allotted P500,000
in the conduct of “Limpyo Probinsya”.
CPADAC is giving financial support to the
police to intensify the drug campaign and the
recent operations netted the biggest haul so
far.
In said period, CPPO and its operatives
were able to conduct 59 operations, majority
of which were enforced through a search
warrant.
In terms of confiscated shabu, they were
able to haul 1.059 grams which has a street
value of P12,500,220.
The biggest haul from among the local
government police stations was conducted by
Carcar City with over 90 grams of shabu
worth P1.071 million.
The City of Danao followed with 66.9
grams of shabu and a value of P855,000.
Top three are Consolacion town
with a haul of P716,260 from 59 grams
shabu, followed by Balamban town with
P239,540 from 10.20 grams, and Argao
town with P232,460 worth from 19.70 grams
shabu.
Provincial Intelligence Branch CPPO
teams hauled the biggest with a total of P4.7
million drug haul.
There were also 17 different firearms
confiscated from 128 suspects arrested.
Among the suspects were a public school
teacher from San Francisco Camotes Island
and a dismiised policeman from Minglanilla
town.
On the other hand, ten police stations are
under watch for being unable to comply with
the required operations.
“Oplan Limpyo Probinsya” is conducted
every three months.
It was enforced following reports that
Central Visayas ranked fourth in the drug trade
in the country last year. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
Cebu's P500k investment leads to
P12M drug haul
Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
Sinulog FestivalSinulog FestivalSinulog Festival
DUMAGUETE CITY, January 23 (PIA) — Newly installed Officer-in-Charge /Provincial Director of Negros Oriental Provincial
Police Office, P/SSupt. Harris Fama acknowledge that he faces a big challenge as the new provincial director here with only
four months away from the May 9, 2016 election.
New NegOr police chief calls for unity, solidarity
H e stands firm in his motto of unity
and solidarity being the best and
effective solution in addressing
criminality with the support of community,
media, and stakeholders.
In a recent Kapihan sa PIA, Fama
disclosed that Negros Oriental is one of
the six provinces included in the
election watch list together with Masbate,
Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Pangasinan and
Samar provinces.
The six identified provinces under said list
was based on intelligence reports of violence in
the conduct of previous elections in the area
and a case of intense political rivalry with
validated reports from Philippine National
Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP), and Comelec.
Rama also informed that one of his
best practices in anti-criminality campaign is
through text blast which he said is effective in
disseminating information for the media and
the community to establish direct contact with
PNP.
This, he said, is a way to easily get support
from people in solving crimes.
In February, two agents from the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will arrive in
Dumaguete City to conduct a two-day training
for police investigators and intelligence officers
to further enhance their capability in the field
of investigation and intelligence operation.
With the gun ban taking effect now, PNP
and Comelec will establish check points in
various places in the province and city. (rmn/
lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)
Leandria P. Pagunsan
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 25 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police here has confirmed that Negros Oriental is included as
one of the provinces in the country under the election watch list or ‗area of concern‘ for the May 2016 polls.
H owever, Negros Oriental Provincial
Police Office (NOPPO) OIC-PD
Police Sr. Supt. Harris Fama, in a
Kapihan forum, pointed out that being in the
list "does not necessarily mean that an area is a
hot spot or a high risk area."
The newly installed police director said
“EWAS or election watch-list areas means the
province may have recorded incidents in the
previous elections that involved violent and
intense political rivalry.”
Col. Fama said this is a challenged for his
leadership to monitor and secure related
election activities and any threats to life of a
candidate.
With the activation of the Provincial
Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC)
composed of the Comelec, PNP and AFP,
the implementation of gun ban and
operation of checkpoint is intensified as
security measure throughout the electoral
process.
Dumaguete City Comelec Registrar Atty.
Gildu Agoncillo asked to public to “bear with
us in the checkpoints as it will intensify more as
the elections draw near.”
Atty. Gildu appealed this to the public
after it was learned that some procedures in
carrying out Comelec checkpoint operations
have problems.
With this, Col. Fama set a meeting with
the Commission on Human Rights, Comelec,
Land Transportation Office, and PNP.
The Comelec official said government
agencies are prohibited to hire or appoint
employees as well as to transfer their
officials or employees during the election
period.
However, the movement of personnel
will be allowed as long as they are necessary
to the functions of the offices and shall not,
in any manner, influence the conduct of
elections. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with
reports from Churchill Guevarra, NORSU
intern)
NegOr identified as EWAS for May 2016
Jennifer C. Tilos
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
DPWH-SLDEO outranks other district offices in quality control performance
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte District
Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has jumped to 7th rank in 2015 from 105th a year ago in the annual rating of project
implementation quality control performance, District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia informed.
“ This is a very significant achievement,”
Junia quoted in a press release sent to
PIA. She said that they will work harder
to sustain the ranking through effective quality
control implementation, project supervision
and reliability of laboratory equipment facilities,
The annual evaluation has checked 19
projects in 2015 with overall rating of 90.55 or
nearly seven points up than the 83.58 rating
obtained in 2014, Junia noted.
She added that DPWH Southern Leyte is
one of the seven offices in the country with
outstanding ratings. “There are 234 district
engineering offices nationwide” she said.
It was learned that the performance
assessment looked into timeless of testing
materials relative to its actual use in the
project, ability to implement quality control
policies, quality of completed projects,
personnel adequacy, personnel competence,
star rating and adherence to standard sampling
and testing procedures.
There are only two district engineering
offices in Eastern Visayas that made it to the
top 10 in quality control performance
nationwide, the press stated.
The other one is Samar 1st District
Engineering Office in Calbayog City that moved
19 ranks higher, making it the top spot
nationwide, according to source.
In 2014, DPWH Secretary Rogelio
Singson approved the conferment of star rating
to DPWH-SLDEO for having satisfactorily
complied with the requirements and provisions
of Department Order #11 series of 2013.
The Central Office classified the
DPWH-SLDEO’s laboratory one star rating
based on the availability of testing equipment
and apparatus, competence of laboratory
personnel to conduct specific tests, observance
of health and safety standards, working areas of
the laboratory, calibration of status and third
party certification.
It was learned further that the district
office acquired new testing laboratory
equipments and apparatus to raise its materials
testing capability. (w/ reports from
DPWH-SLDEO/PIA8-SoLeyte)
Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos
Sin tax revenues fuel Philhealth, other
healthcare services
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, or Philhealth,
intimated that his office, among other health and wellness providers in government, benefited much in tax revenues drawn
out of ―sin products.‖
“ I think it’s awkward to say, okay, drink
and smoke some more so that money
generated out of taxes will go to the
public health sector, among them Philhealth,”
said Henry Madula, Provincial Manager, whose
area of coverage include the whole province of
Southern Leyte and a few neighboring towns of
Leyte.
He was referring to a crucial move by the
government some three years ago about
raising taxes on liquor and cigarettes,
an act whose main objective was to pour the
collected money into public health care.
Because of the huge sum taken from the
hiked taxes on cigars and alcoholic beverages,
the national government took over the
payment on the annual premiums of indigent
Philhealth enrollees, a task used to be handled
by the local governments of towns, cities, and
provinces, so the LGUs saved on this cost, Madula said.
The capitation fund, a veritable monetary
source LGUs get in exchange of enrolling their
indigent constituents, at P 300 per individual,
still went to the LGUs, this time through an
innovative, pilot-tested scheme on out-patient
services catered through the Rural Health
Units RHUs.
What’s more, this capitation fund the
state granted to locals, has been increased to P
500 per person, Madula said during the Action
Center Kapihan sa PIA Cable TV program
Tuesday last week.
The deal is that LGUs, through their
respective RHUs, have in their possession a list
of 4Ps beneficiaries, teaching and non-teaching
staff of DepEd, and other organized groups
who are the initial captive crowd of out-patient
clients.
Thus, RHU personnel should reach out to
all the nooks and corners of their catchment areas to extend quality services to individuals,
such as the simple checking of blood pressure,
or complete blood count, to more complicated
health and wellness checks comparable in a
way to an executive check-up.
And this was closely monitored by
Philhealth to be at least 50% served in a year’s
time in order to continue to qualify an
exchange capitation fund.
In 2014, Philhealth Southern Leyte
shelled out P 53 Million to various
LGUs, Madula said, citing figures so taxpayers,
in particular drinkers and smokers, can
appreciate where part of their spent money
went. Figures for 2015 are still under process,
Madula further said.
“The bottom line is that no Filipino should
die without seeing a doctor,” he added,
emphasizing this need for those in the distant,
remote hinterland barangays where health
workers’ services are needed most. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)
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Marcelo M. Pedalino
Solon proposes separate region for Samar Island
C ongressman Ben P. Evardone said he
will convene with the congressmen and
governors of Samar, Eastern Samar and
Northern Samar about the inter-province
emergency response.
The solon said that an agricultural resilien-
cy and sustainable development will be realized
the soonest possible time if there is a separate
region for Samar.
“When super typhoon Yolanda struck our
southern towns, Governor Nicart and I
realized the need to set aside our political
differences and work together. When typhoon
Ruby came, our unity had been tested.
We had minimal casualties and
rehabilitation works became faster. We were
then able to invite and make President Aquino
visit the small town of Arteche,” Evardone said.
“The recent typhoon Nona made us
realize that the island of Samar has become a
typhoon route and we need to establish
immediately an inter-province,” Evardone
further said.
The official is confident that even Leyte
congressmen and governors will abide with this
initiative to have a separate agricultural region
for Samar Island because the regional office of
the Department of Agriculture (DA) has ample
time to focus exclusively on the agricultural
concerns of Leyte. (SDC/PIA-E.Samar)
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 22 (PIA) – An Eastern Samar solon proposed to have a separate region which will be
called agricultural region for Samar Island to fast track the goal of having a ONE SAMAR REGION.
Samuel D. Candido
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Army needs 180 new candidate soldiers
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan 26 (PIA) — The 8th Infantry (Storm troopers) Division, Philippine Army will start accepting
applicants for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) for the calendar year 2016 on February 1, 2016 at the 8th ID headquarters.
T he next batch of trainees will be
composed of 18 females and 162
male applicants.
The 8th Division Training School will
be in charge of the overall training
requirements to effectively hone them to be
topnotch soldiers, loved and appreciated by
the people.
An applicant must be a natural-born
Filipino citizen; with 72 units in college, or with
any certification of vocational courses and
should be at least 18 to 26 years old; at least 5
feet tall; single and without child; and of good
moral character.
He or she should have taken the
AFPSAT with a score of at least 45 or
PAATB with a score of at least 80 and
passed the pre-qualifying physical fitness
test and physical medical exam; and must
be physically and mentally fit for military
training.
Aspirants must bring along the following
documents: Transcript of Records (Original
Copy); College or High School Diploma
(Original Copy); Birth Certificate (NSO Copy)
with original receipt; Marriage Contract of
Parents (NSO Copy) with original receipt;
AFPSAT result with dry seal (If possible attach
code number).
Interested applicants may visit the office of
the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1
here with Hotline number 09778033918 or
visit 8th Division Public Affairs facebook
account (Dpao stormtroopers) with hotline
number 09067689682. (PIA 8-Samar/ with 8th
IDPAO)
SMB-Samar Office, business partners Labor law Compliant establishments
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan 27 (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 8 awarded a certificate of
being labor law compliant to Eastern Visayas Samar Beer Region and its partners yesterday, January 26 in Catbalogan City.
I n simple ceremonies, DOLE Regional
Director Elias Cayanong with City
Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, other business
partners and San Miguel Beer executives
unveiled the Labor Law Compliant Marker at
the entrance of the SMB Complex in Barangay
Sto Nino, Catbalogan City.
In the press conference that ensued, Leo
Rameses Amoyan of SMB said that through
their project Kapatiran, they help their
business partners comply with DOLE
requirements because they believe that secure
and happy employees will be loyal and more
productive.
The business partners numbering six
agencies in Catbalogan are those that provide
outsourced services to SMB like security
guards, utility crew, warehouse guards and
other services needed by SMB.
By compliance, this means that their business partners also extend
minimum wages, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig and SSS
coverage.
Director Elias Cayanong, lauded
SMB for encouraging their partners to emulate
them.
“We are happy that SMB has been
supportive of our program, Cayanong
said.
“We are also glad of the cooperation
of their business partners as this would also
benefit not just their employees but their
business.”
“But the real challenge comes in the
sustainability of being labor law compliant,”
added Cayanong.
SMB executives assured this as they have
developed some monitoring system with their
partners.
In her message, Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan
also gave her appreciation to SMB for their
vibrant presence in the province.
“I would say that like the newly crowned Miss Universe, SMB is a company
that is confidently beautiful with a heart,” the
young mayor said in her congratulatory
message.
According to Girlie Garces of SMB, this is
the third compliance marker given to SMB,
the first was in Mandaue when the DOLE
Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz bestowed its first
marker of compliance in 2014, the second was
at the Eastern Visayas Tacloban Regional Office
recently.
“As business partner of SMB, we have
seen that the benefits of our compliance is
not just for employees but also for our
business since our HR systems have
been streamlined and we have less
production-related concerns,” said Raul
Biasong, operations manager of Roble
warehouse, one of SMBs business partners in
Catbalogan City.
SMB partners, signed the commitment
to fully and continuously comply with all
labor-related laws and other rules and regulations while the SMB executives, the
mayor and the DOLE Director witnessed the
commitment signing. (nbquirante/PIA 8-Samar)
Ninfa B Quirante
Nimfa Quirante
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DOH-Eastern Samar continues to implement ZOD program
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 27 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) is already implementing the Zero
Open Defecation (ZOD) Program.
T he ZOD is presently being promoted
and implemented by DOH and
other partner agencies as one of the
major strategies for scaling up sanitation
development.
The main objective of ZOD is to ensure
that Verification and Certification of ZOD
Barangays are aligned, providing the
procedure and the standard that will be
followed nationwide by all implementers.
According to Ms. Eva S. Esplago, Provincial
Sanitation Inspector, some 153 barangays in
Eastern Samar have now been declared as
ZOD as of January this year.
Esplago also said that there are still 39
barangays that are subject for verification and
certification by provincial ZOD Team this
February.
She further said that for a barangay
to be certified as a ZOD Barangay, the
following characteristics should exist in the
community at the time of the assessment
towards certification: the use of a functional
toilet, availability of soap and water at, or
near the toilet, proper disposal of babies’ and
elderlys' feces, no visible feces in
surroundings, and evidence of a barangay
action plan to move up the sanitation
ladder (Sustainable Sanitation Barangay and
Total Sanitation Barangay).
Samuel D. Candido
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 [email protected].
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: [email protected]/ [email protected]
PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]