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Transcript of Onevisayasenewslettervol6issue13 20160401 r6
Vol 6 Issue 13 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 March 28 - April 3, 2016
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Public urged to support implementation of NGP
Deped-8, partners to ensure success of Senior High
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
PIA officials hold management conference in Iloilo Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
ILOILO CITY, April 1 (PIA6) – Top officials and directors of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), an office under the
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), convened March 29 – 31 here for their Management
Conference. Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa of the
host PIA Region said this marks the first time that the Agency headed by Director General Jose Mari Oquinena
held its quarterly activity in Iloilo, although it was the second in Western Visayas with the first one held in Aklan in
2005. Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary
Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma joined the conference on opening day wherein he laid down the next steps that
could be done in public information as a component of development.
Tackled at the conference were management concerns and status of programs and projects of the office pursuant to
its mission to provide for a free flow of accurate, timely and relevant information that contributes to socio-economic
development. Mesa said the officials of the government’s
public information arm also took time out to see for themselves the strides of progress that the province and city of Iloilo have made as
exemplified by influx of investments, rise of new business centers and establishments, and
varied new public infrastructures. They toured of major spots including the Iloilo City Center,
ICON, Esplanade and other new developments along
the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Avenue here, as well as visit and experience Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage
with a dinner at Casa Real and a drive through other landmarks.
From Iloilo, the officials visited the island province of Guimaras to enjoy its rustic and beautiful ambience and
tourism attractions. The information office had held before a national
management meeting in Iloilo City way back in 1976 when it was still called the Department of Public Information. (JCM/JSC
-PIA6)
Juju M. Empuerto
CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 urged the public to support
the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) in this region as it would benefit the agricultural sector in
improving the water yield of watersheds. Improving the water yield would ensure the supply of
water to irrigate farmlands, said DENR-7 Planning Officer Eddie Llamedo.
―Under the NGP, the government seeks to improve the vegetative cover of watersheds that could supply much of the
freshwater requirement of this region,‖ said DENR-7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo.
DENR has invested significant resources to purchase geo-tagging equipment and train forestry personnel on the
use of the technology that utilizes GPS and web-based mapping to allow real-time monitoring of NGP locations,
especially on getting accurate count of trees planted and their conditions.
―DENR Secretary Ramon Paje has noted that accurate maps of planted areas and their accessibility were two major
elements lacking in past government reforestation programs,‖ said Montejo.
Geo-tagging would also help in monitoring seedling
growth and mortalities for replacement with new seedlings in NGP sites.
According to Llamedo, from 2011 to 2015, some 1,351,803 hectares of the NGP sites, or 90.12 percent of the
1.5-million hectare target from 2011 to June 2016, have been planted and has generated more than 3.058 jobs.
In Central Visayas, about 80,747.06 hectares have been covered as of December 2015 with 227,923 jobs.
Of the number, at least 29,408.63 hectares have been reforested in Cebu; Bohol with 16,213.54 hectares; Negros
Oriental, 33,951.53 hectares; and Siquijor with 1,173.36 hectares.
With this, at least 1,614,941.20 tons of carbon dioxide is projected to be absorbed by the various plantations annually.
Apart from being a reforestation initiative, the NGP is also seen as a climate change mitigation strategy as it seeks to
enhance the country’s forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely blamed for global warming, as well as means to
reduce poverty, provide alternative livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households and promote
biodiversity conservation. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu with DENR7 report)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
Consuelo B. Alarcon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 29 (PIA)— Educators, partner agencies and other stakeholders in Eastern Visayas
converged Monday at the Department of Education (Deped) Complex, Government Center, Palo Leyte to ensure the
success of the implementation of the Senior High School Program come June 2016.
This is part of the government’s commitment to UN sustainable development’s goal to ensure an inclusive, quality
education and promote a life-long learning opportunities for all. DepEd regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu made
assurance of the region’s readiness of the full implementation of the senior high school this coming school year.
However, she called on all partners agencies and stakeholders to work together and be united in such
endeavor. ―The output of our planning today shall be instrumental
to the success of our advocacy for quality basic education,‖ Yu further said.
The official also emphasized that educating the youth is
not only the responsibility of the Department of Education. Hence, each must put into action the commitment
of each partner to ensure that youths have acquired skills and knowledge needed to promote sustainable development.
The K to 12 is one of the major educational reforms implemented by the present administration.
Five years ago, Deped was bombarded with many criticisms by many sectors relative to the K to 12 pprogram.
Petitions to dismiss the implementation were also lodged but with the latest decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the
petitions, the education sector is determined to implement the program in order to cope with the ASEAN integration and the
changing world. Latest data from DepEd regional office 8 revealed that a
total of 68, 447 senior high schools have already registered in 361 public schools and 124 private schools during the early
registration enrolment for the school year 2016-2017. (ajc/ PIA-8)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
AGIO-PIA7 Forum on Women's Month.
Cherry Lim of Sun Star Cebu & the assistant
executive director of the Cebu Citizens Press
Council says women dominate the print media
as all editors-in-chief of the 3 print dailies & 2
tabloids are women while KBP-Cebu Legal
Counsel Atty. Cynthia Barte says women's
role in society has significantly changed with
the times. DSWD7 PIO Lea Quintana, on the
other hand, says the media sector is critical in
achieving women empowerment as it is also
used as a venue to elevate women issues and
concerns. (PIA-7)
Private Evardone's mom was emotional as she
hands her son rosary beads during the gradu-
ation of 172 candidate soldiers at the 8th ID
cap.
PIA-10 Regional Director Thelma Oliver
receives tokens from PIA DG Jose Mari
Oquiñena and PIA Praise Committee during a
tribute for her held March 31at Raymen Beach
Resort, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. (PIA6)
PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. speaks before the regional and
staff directors of the Philippine Information Agency during the 1st of
the 3-day Management Conference held in Iloilo City, March 29.
(PIA 6)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
2015 1st sem. poverty incidence drops
ILOILO CITY, March 28 (PIA6) --- The poverty incidence rate in Western Visayas went down, for the first semester of 2015,
according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
P SA data showed that poverty
incidence rate is at 30.5 percent
which is lower than the 31.7 percent
recorded in the same period in 2012.
PSA defined poverty incidence as the
proportion of families/individuals with per
capita income/expenditure less than the per
capita poverty threshold to the total number of
families/individuals.
Poverty threshold is the minimum income/
expenditure required for a family/individual to
meet the basic food and non-food
requirements.
According to the PSA report, the per
capital poverty threshold in Western Visayas is
P10,738.
Aklan’s per capita poverty threshold is
P10,804; Antique is at P10,747; Capiz, P10,509;
Guimaras, P11,401; Iloilo, P11,111; and Negros
Occidental, P10,503.
Poverty incidence among population in
Aklan for the first semester of 2015 is
recorded at 26.1 percent; Antique is 36.7
percent; Capiz, 25.6 percent; Guimaras, 20.8
percent; Iloilo, 26.6 percent; and Negros
Occidental 35.8 percent.
In the national scale, poverty incidence
among Filipinos in the first semester of 2015
was estimated at 26.3 percent. During the
same period in 2012, poverty incidence among
Filipinos was recorded at 27.9 percent.
The per capital poverty threshold for the
whole country is P10,969.
PSA said the decline in the poverty
incidence rate can be attributed to factors
including the creation of more jobs during the
period and the low inflation or the rise in
prices of goods and services.
Another factor is the success of the
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),
which is the government’s flagship program for
poverty reduction. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo).
By Leonard T. Pineda I
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 30 (PIA6) – Humanitarian civic assistance and conduct of training will be the focus of this year‘s
joint Balikatan exercises of the Philippines and the United States of Amercia.
S pokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson of
the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry
Div i s ion d i s c losed tha t many
communities in Panay Island will be the target
beneficiaries of the various humanitarian
assistance activities of said event.
He said that the Balikatan 2016 which is
set on April 4 to 16 will be centered on a
variety of missions to include humanitarian
assistance, maritime law enforcement and
environmental protection.
The 3ID together with its counterpart
from the U.S. Armed Forces will conduct
Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects that
include Engineering Civic Action Program
(ENCAP) and Cooperative Health Engagement
activities barangay Jaena Norte in Jamindan
town and San Nicolas, Tapaz town, both in the
province of Capiz as well as in barangay
Matangharon in Dingle, Iloilo.
The preliminary work on three different
elementary school buildings in the three
ENCAP sites started on March 29, while the
military medical personnel of both countries in
partnership with the local community-based
health workers will conduct medical first aid
training in the same areas in the coming days.
Tiongson said that the other Balikatan
2016 events within the area of 3ID include the
training on basic first responders, disaster
mental health, and hygiene and nutrition in the
Jamindan town as well as conduct of
Civil-Military Operations Exchange training at
Camp Peralta, also in the municipality of
Jamindan.
―The implementation of a joint
rapid-reaction force in the vicinity of the
province of Antique as part of the distributed
operations, demonstrating the partnered
capability in rapid response is set on April 11
to 14,‖ he said.
Tiongson said that the formal opening
ceremony of this year’s ―Balikatan‖ Exercise
will be on April 4 at Camp Peralta, Jamindan
town while the closing ceremony will take
place at Matangharon Elementary School in
Dingle, Iloilo on April 16.
The Task Force Commander for BK16 in
Panay is Brig. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, the Assistant
Division Commander of 3ID, he said. (JCM/
DPAO/JBG-PIA)
PH-US ‗Balikatan‘ 2016 focuses on humanitarian aid
By Jemin B. Guillermo
ILOILO CITY, March 31 (PIA6) — There are measures being undertaken to ensure that a transmission-related brownout will
not happen during the May 9 elections, according to the National Grid Corporation (NGCP).
NGCP assures brownout-free polls
By Elsa S. Subong
“ We have been imp lement in g
maintenance activities and scheduled
power interruptions in Panay since
February this year,‖ Michelle Visera, NGCP
corporate communications officer said in a
media release.
Visera said that their transformers, line
hardware and other equipment have already
underwent maintenance.
―We have also secured vegetation in
critical areas which could cause power
interruption during the elections,‖ she added.
―There will no longer be maintenance
activities one week before and after the
elections,‖ Visera said.
The NGCP, according to Visera, will be
implementing double manning in the
sub-stations and linemen will be dispatched
before and during elections day to immediately
respond to the power interruptions.
It is also coordinating with various
electric cooperatives and concerned
agencies in the region to ensure reliable power
supply.
As to security of transmission lines in
critical areas, the NGCP has tapped the
support of the police and the military to keep
vigilant on possible eventualities.
Other agencies which have been tapped
to help secure NGCP transmission lines, other
than the AFP and the PNP, are the DPWH,
DOE, DENR, and National Electrification
Administration. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
SAN JOSE, Antique, March 29 (PIA6) - - The Revenue District Office No. 73 (RDO 73) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in
Antique is aiming for a P724,487,000.00 tax collection goal for the year 2016.
R DO 73 Officer-in-Charge Helen
Balasa said that she has high hopes to
achieve the tax goals this year by
strengthening their tax awareness campaign
and enforcement of tax laws.
―We would like to encourage our
taxpayers to settle their obligations because
the taxes they pay will help the government
implement various programs towards the
development and progress of our country,‖
Balasa said.
The RDO 73 will enhance its revenue
generation tax mapping activities through
close monitoring of withholding taxes at the
local government units, monitoring of the
issuances of receipts from business
establishments, among others. For the month
of January 2016, the RDO 73 head reported
that their target tax collection goal is
P62,000,439.00 and ―we were able to collect
P62.7 million or one percent increase
achievement in the January tax target,‖Balasa
said.
The RDO 73 Officer in Charge reminded
the taxpayers that the deadline for the filing of
income tax returns is on April 15, 2016.(JCM/
VWV/PIA Antique)
BIR Antique sets P724 M goal for 2016
By Vicente W. Villavert
Social media leads to green turtle killers
By Easter Anne D. Doza
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 28 (PIA6) - - A vigilant social media – Facebook user post led to the identification and
eventual filing of complaint to the suspects who slaughtered a Green Turtle.
T he FB user posted four photos of the
suspects slaughtering the turtle on
March 18, in Barangay San Isidro,
Calatrava town that went viral.
This prompted the operative from
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Office – Community Environment
and Natural Resources Office Cadiz to
conduct an in-depth investigation to know the
whereabouts and exact location of the
offenders.
With the aid of social media, the DENR
operatives and the Philippine National Police
and barangay officials identified the suspects to
be Jolito Dela Torre and alias Sitoy Caraca,
both residents of Barangay Ermita, Sipaway
Island of San Carlos City, the release from
DENR-CENRO said.
CENR Officer Edgardo Rostata of DENR
Cadiz City filed a complaint against the
suspects for violation of Section 27 (a) of RA
9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife
Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
―Killing and destroying wildlife species is
illegal in accordance RA 9147, plus the fact that
the marine specie is considered endangered in
accordance with the CITES Conservation
Statusm,‖ Rostata in the release said.
DENR-NIR Legal Division lawyer Cheryll
Rose Librero assisted in the case by building
documentation and gathering of evidence.
PENR Officer Andres Untal added that
the case is considered isolated considering that
this is the first case filed under the jurisdiction
of CENRO Cadiz City for the said offense.
Meanwhile, CENRO Cadiz City is
intensifying efforts in addressing this similar
concern and have informed the respective local
government units and Bantay Dagat teams of
the incident and to keep monitoring for
similar incident.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros
Occidental)
3 more Negosyo Centers in Aklan up
KALIBO, Aklan, March 28 (PIA6) -- Three more Negosyo Centers are set to be established this year in the province of Aklan.
T hese three Negosyo Centers, once
established in the province, will bring
to four the number of centers of this
kind in Aklan, with the first one currently
housed at the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Provincial Office which was
officially opened last year.
The Negosyo Center is a one-stop shop
for services that cater to the entrepreneurs’
need in processing requirements to establish a
business, and in accessing information essential
for their growth.
The three Negosyo Centers to be
established will be located in Altavas, Ibajay and
Malay.
In Altavas, local officials have verbally
approved the establishment of the Negosyo
Center and NegoCart to be placed either at
the Altavas Public Market or at the Ground
Floor of the Municipal Hall.
Targeted date of launching is before end
of May this year, according to DTI-Aklan OIC
Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde.
For Ibajay, the proposed location of the
Center is at the Municipal Tourism Office,
targeted to be launched before end of June
2016, as verbally agreed by local officials led by
Mayor Ma. Lourdes Miraflores.
On the part of LGU-Malay, Mayor John
Yap expressed his desire to establish a
Negosyo Center but he gave no commitment
on the target date and location.
According to DTI-Aklan, Mayor Yap
emphasized the importance of having a
structure for the Negosyo Center and not just
a simple space to lodge the center to make it
more presentable and provide effective service
to target clients.
The first Negosyo Center in Aklan is a
joint project of DTI-Aklan, Office of Senator
Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Provincial
Government of Aklan, Municipal Government
of Kalibo, Aklan Provincial Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprise Development
Council (PSMEDC) and the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Aklan
Chapter.
The establishment of the centers is
contained in a provision in the Go Negosyo
Act or Republic Act 10644.
The DTI has been given the key
responsibilities and challenges of establishing
Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities, and
municipalities in the country.
Aklan’s first Negosyo Center is
also the first to be established in Western
Visayas, and has been able to serve 5,307
clients as of this time, and hosted 33 livelihood
trainings with 450 participants. (JSC/VGV-PIA6
Aklan)
By Venus G. Villanueva
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, March 30 (PIA) – Twelve out of 15 barangays targeted in two typhoon Yolanda-affected towns are now declared
as ―zero open defecation‖ (ZOD) barangays.
12 Yolanda-hit barangays issued ZOD
certificates
I n yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA, Edgar
Morbos of Islamic Relief Worldwide
(IRW) Philippines said that 12 barangays
of the 15 target in Bantayan and Daanbantayan
towns have been declared as ZOD.
M o r b o s , w h o h e a d s I R W
Philippines' Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
(WASH) program, said there are three
requirements prior to the issuance of the
ZOD certification.
First, all households in the barangay
should already be using toilets. It can be solely
for the family or shared for as long as they no
longer openly defecate in grasslands or open
areas.
Second, Morbos said, is the availability of
soap and water nearby.
―This means that these are available
not beyond one minute walk from the toilet,‖
Morbos said.
And the third requirement is the proper
disposal of adult and children’s diapers.
Since the start of the WASH program,
Morbos said they had already distributed 1,152
low-cost toilets to these well-performing
families in the barangays.
―But giving the toilets is traditional
approach,. We go for behavioral change, that
they should clean and wash their hands to be
healthy and then use the toilets,‖ he said.
Part of the recommendation is the
inclusion of water and sanitation in the
Comprehensive Development Plan of the local
government unit.
The other programs of IRW in the
Yolanda-affected areas include shelter
assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, disaster
risk reduction activities, cash for work and
livelihood opportunities. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
Cebu, March 30 (PIA) --- Professional experts in their field and government representatives agreed that positive change and
progress in the status of women is also attributed to media.
I n a recent Association of Government
Information Officer - Philippine
Information Agency (AGIO-PIA 7)
forum on the ―Role of Media in Women
Empowerment‖, Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) regional
information officer Leah Quintana, Cebu
Citizen Press Council assistant executive
director Cherry Lim, and Kapisanan ng mga
Brodkaster ng Pilipinas legal counsel Atty.
Cynthia Barte all agreed that there are many
powerful women who now stand for their
rights.
Atty. Barte said that issues involving
women are now fewer compared to previous
years.
―Gender - re l ated prob lems are
experienced before and after, but lesser at
present. Women before are treated mediocre,
but now women are empowered," Barte said.
She added that women have already
exercised a better position in terms of media
exposure.
Leah Quintana also noted the changes in
the status of women at present, acknowledging
the role of media in it.
―At present women have changed and
media is also influential to the status of women
now, because media raises issues affecting
women and helps women express themselves,
their issues, concerns, needs and rights,"
Quitana stressed.
Cherry Lim also expressed changes in the
status of women who are members of media.
―When we talked about media there is a
big change. In the past, all media outlets are
male-dominated but now, five print media
outlets have Editors-in-Chief who are women,‖
Lim declared.
Also seen is the positive thinking of
women now towards education, and how it
could help them.
―Statistically, there are many women who
are educated,‖ Barte noted. (rmn/ays/PIA-7/
AGIO-7)
'Media play role in women empowerment'
Amor Y. Saludar
CEBU CITY, March 28 (PIA) -- Nearly P20 million have been earmarked by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR-7) through the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) to
protect and manage one of the country‘s protected seascapes.
DENR-7 earmarks P20M to protect Tanon Strait
“ We are allocating a sizeable amount of
budget for 2016 to pursue major
programs and projects related to
protected area management; nature
conservation, rehabilitation and protection; and
establishment of protected area facilities and
amenities in TSPS,‖ said DENR-7 Regional
Director and PAMB TSPS Chair Dr. Isabelo
Montejo in a statement.
Under the protected area management
with a budget of P1.7 million, the activities are
survey, mapping and assessment of marine
protected areas, inventory of coastal marine
resources users, operationalization of TSPS
PAMB, and coordination meetings with
other law enforcement authorities and other
stakeholders.
Also, for nature conservation,
rehabilitation, and protection with a budget of
P 2 . 4 7 0 m i l l i o n , t h e a c t i v i t i e s
are, namely: provision of financial assistance to
the local government units or people’s
organizations for the implementation of coastal
resources management-related projects;
monitoring and patrolling; and information,
education and communication.
The biggest chunk goes to the
establishment of protected area facilities and
amenities with a total budget of P15.640
million for the operationalization of a
protected area office (PAO), capability
building, and procurement of office equipment,
motorcycles, and patrol boats.
The work and financial plan was presented
during the second general assembly of TSPS
PAMB last March 10 in Cebu City which was
attended by at least 285 members including 14
mayors, 203 barangays, local government units,
and other stakeholders.
Montejo added TSPS has been regarded as
an important migration corridor for whales,
dolphins, and other marine mammals, making it
a preferred destination for whale-watchers,
conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.
TSPS, which lies between the islands of
Negros and Cebu and covers 521,018 hectares
and borders 677 kilometers, is among the
country’s top 10 major fishing grounds where
about 26,000 fishers operate.
TSPS was declared a protected
seascape by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation 1234 signed by then President
Fidel V. Ramos last May 27, 1998 in recognition
of its extraordinary abundance and diverse
assemblage of dolphins, whales and other
marine species. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DENR
-7)
Juju M. Empuerto
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU, March 30 (PIA) -- As Metro Cebu‘s supply for water from its surface water source now yielding negative production,
Cebuanos are urged to ask national candidates for their agenda on water security.
C harmaine Rodriguez Kara, public affairs
department head of the Metropolitan
Cebu Water District (MCWD), said
water demand is increasing in Cebu and that its
reservoir, the Buhisan Dam, has dried up
producing zero water output because of the El
Niño.
―Since the first week of March, the
Buhisan Dam has produced zero yield,‖ said
Kara during a forum of the Association of
Government Information Officers-Philippine
Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that tackled
on the annual observance of March as Water
Month.
The Buhisan Dam usually produces 7,000
cubic meters of water daily for Metro Cebu
but because of the El Niño, the water in the
reservoir gradually fell to critical levels until it
reached zero yield, said Kara.
Kara said the dry spell has largely affected
the surface water sources of the MCWD but
its groundwater source is not significantly
affected.
PAGASA-Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar
Tabada on the other hand, warned that Cebu
will have deficit in rainwater between 21 to 60
percent, and around April to May drought is
likely to occur as rainwater deficit will be over
60 percent.
MCWD meanwhile, covers 43 percent of
the franchise areas in Cebu while daily water
needs constitute about 225,000 cubic meters a
day of which 35,000 cubic meters is sourced
from the Luyang River in Carmen.
As drought is anticipated due to the dry
spell, Kara said the MCWD starting April will
be seeking additional 5,000 cubic meters daily
from the Cebu-Manila Development Corp.
which is supplying the water piped from
Carmen.
Since the MCWD will now be sourcing
additional water from a private water
utility company starting April, this will mean a
slight adjustment in the water rate bill, said
Kara.
―Water is a security issue. And since it’s
election time, we appeal to the public to
demand from candidates in the national level to
prioritize water security as part of their
agenda,‖ said Kara.
Kara said it is time to ask candidates on
their plan for Metro Cebu which includes
proposal to construct water dams. (rmn/fcr/
PIA7)
Nat‘l bets urged to make water
security an agenda
Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, March 31 (PIA) – The Young Writers Club of Tanke National High School underwent their first writing workshop
conducted by Philippine Information Agency (PIA-Cebu).
PIA Cebu holds young writers workshop
F or two days, 30 members of the
Young Writers Club under their
adviser Caren Jaduca experienced for
the first time lessons on improving writing
skills other than those they learned from their
school lessons.
L e c t u r i n g o n t o p i c s a b o u t
communications, journalism, and media
relations is part of the services of PIA to
capacitate the community.
Tanke Na t iona l H i gh Schoo l
Principal Fermo Resgonia challenged the
students to get the most out of the workshop
in order to erase the negative association of
the place.
"I hope that through this workshop, you
will help make this barangay become beautiful,"
he said.
The students first learned the principles in
writing through Clear and Effective Writing
from PIA Regional Director Minerva Newman
and then News Writing by PIA Cebu Infocen
Manager Rachelle Nessia on the first day.
On the second day, they were introduced
to the world of storytelling with Creative
Writing again by Newman and Feature Writing
by PIA Cebu Information Officer 1 Ferliza
Contratista. The students had their writing
pieces reviewed by the lecturers.
By the end of the second day, a simple
culmination program took place as they
received their certificates of participation.
Tanke in Talisay City has been in the
watch list of the Philippine National Police
identified to be a trading and drop-off point of
drug supply nearest to Cebu City.
Originally, it was a fishing village visited by
city residents for fresh seafoods. (rmn/fcc/PIA7
-Cebu)
Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 1 (PIA) – In line with the culmination of National Rabies Awareness Month in March, the
Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here is stressing the importance of responsible pet ownership in rabies prevention.
PVO stresses importance of responsible pet ownership
P VO officer Erlinda Vilan explained in a
briefing with members of Association
of Negros Oriental Public Information
Officers (ANOPIO) today that the animal
resistance to rabies virus is weak during
summer season, which is why it is important
for pet owners to take care of their pets and
have them vaccinated annually.
Vilan encouraged the public to go to the
city veterinary offices or municipal agriculture
offices in their localities for pet vaccination,
deworming, and mineral supplementation.
R.A. 9482 also urges people to be
responsible pet owners by providing their pet
dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and
clean shelter to prevent their dogs from
acquiring rabies virus.
The official also said pet owners
should register their pets for proper
documentation.
There are Bantay Rabies Task Force in
some barangays and pet owners can also go to
them to register their pets.
Meanwhile, PVO has vaccinated 6,909
dogs between January to February this year.
There are two positive cases of animal
rabies recorded during the first two months of
the year in Bais City and Sibulan town, Vilan
said.
However, Vilan said the number of rabies
cases in Negros Oriental continues to decrease
from 12 cases in 2014 to four cases in 2015.
Aside from this, PVO was also able to
vaccinate 8,606 animals last year.
Vilan said the PVO continues to intensify
its rabies eradication program in the province
through its rabies caravan activities in different
cities and municipalities in the province which
include free clinic, free spay and neuter, animal
welfare missions, seminars and symposium for
pet owners.
She underscored that PVO will continue
to conduct mass vaccination
―Our campaign for rabies eradication is
continuous. We conduct mass vaccination
activities in different places so we can provide
service to many people,‖ she concluded. (rmn/
ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Seventh ASEAN QUIZ regional tilt set
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 31 (PIA) – The Department of Education in Eastern Visayas through its Curriculum and
Learning Management Division held the Seventh ASEAN QUIZ Regional Competition in March 23 at the Leyte Division
Conference Hall in Candahug, Palo, Leyte.
Aurora J. Casimpan
DOH announces search for Bayani ng
Kalusugan 2016
Rebcca G. Cadavos
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 31 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) has announced the 2016 Search for
Bayani ng Kalusugan to honor individuals and organizations who have contributed their time, effort and part of their life in
serving the Filipino people through health programs of the government.
D OH Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin
in her recent visit to Southern
Leyte said that the health
department launched the first Bayani ng
Kalusugan where the nominees being
recommended should be in line with the
objectives of Universal Health Care (UHC) and
based on the accomplishments from July 2010
up to April of 2016.
Nomination period will start on February
16 until April 15 of 2016 while nomination
forms can be availed at DOH Bayani ng
Kalusugan website or can be secured at DOH
Offices, it was learned.
Sec. Garin who was in Southern Leyte to
conduct the ceremonial distribution of Tamang
Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya
(TSeKaP) packages to Barangay Health Stations
in the province said that there will be a total of
20 winners to be awarded during the DOH
Bayani ng Kalusugan awarding ceremony by
June this year to be held in Metro Manila.
She added that a P200,000 cash
prize will be given to individual nominees and
P400,000 for the non-government
organ izat ions or g roup category
winner. Transportation fare and hotel
accommodation for 3 days will also be awarded
to the winners, it was learned further. (rgc/
PIA8-SoLeyte)
C ompetitors of the activity were
representatives of the 13 school
divisions coming from the cities of
Baybay, Ormoc, Maasin, Tacloban, Borongan,
Catbalogan, and Calbayog and the provinces of
Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern
Samar, and Northern Samar.
Participants were all students in the secondary level and came from the public
schools of the 13 school divisions of the
region.
The Quiz were of two segments namely,
Segment 1: The True or False part with 25
questions; the Multiple Choice part with 15
questions; and Segment 2: The Fill-in the Blanks
or Completion with 20 questions.
Declared winners in the competition
were the contestants from Baybay City,
Ormoc City and Maasin City.
The three winners will represent the
region in the Seventh ASEAN Quiz National Competition, Philippines to be
held on April 5-8, 2016 at the PTV Broadcast
Center, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
The ASEAN Quiz is a continuing project
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Committee on Culture and
Information aimed to foster the spirit of
healthy competition among ASEAN
youth in a friendly quiz on ASEAN
cultural, political, economic and social in
formation.
The top three winners in the
National Competition will represent the country in the Seventh ASEAN Quiz
Regional Competition to be hosted
by Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (PDR)
between September and October 2016. (ajc/
PIA-8)
BFP-Naval includes schoolers in fire prevention campaign
NAVAL, Biliran, March 23 (PIA) --- Aside from the year-round inspection of all establishments, and fire and earthquake drills
to ensure safety in the community, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) stationed in the capital town of Naval holds special
activities in celebration of Fire Prevention Month this March.
T hese special activities include an
open house experience, fire and
earthquake drills, and fire safety
lectures under ―Berong Bombero sa Paaralan‖,
distribution of fire safety materials, testing of
fire hydrants, and fire drills and lectures in
government offices and establishments, said
SFO2 David Victor Francis Casas, chief of the
Fire Safety Enforcement Section at BFP-Naval,
in a Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan held
recently over Radyo Natin-Naval.
Though regular fire drills and earthquake
drills help improve firemen’s capability in fire
fighting and rescue operations, students and
employees and other building occupants need
to be equipped with knowledge on how to
avoid fire and to keep themselves safe in case
of fire.
Same drills and lectures were taught to
pupils and students in both elementary and
secondary schools in Naval to equip them with
the basics in emergency situation and to make
them partners in making a fire safe community,
Casas added.
For her part, FO1 Cyrill Salceda
-Rosales, Information Officer-designate of BFP
-Naval, informed in the same forum that fire
and earthquake drills were conducted
to pupils at Lico Elementary School; Agpangi
Elementary School; Sitio Eden Elementary
School in Brgy. Capiñahan, and Naval Central
Elementary School.
Fire safety lectures were likewise
conducted to students of the Cathedral
School of La Naval; Limpiado Lightbringer
Learning Center and Naval Central School.
Day care pupils from Brgy. P. I. Garcia and
Brgy. Smo. Rosario, Grades 3 and 4 pupils from
the Cathedral School of La Naval and Limpiado
Lightbringer Learning Center were invited to
an open house experience at BFP-Naval to be
acquainted with firefighters and their fire
fighting equipments, Rosales added.
She reminded the general public to unplug
all household appliances not in use before
going to sleep or when leaving the house and
to keep matches away from children’s reach to
be safe from fire and to save life.
Meanwhile, a spot report of BFP-Naval
recorded a fire at Brgy. Calumpang with
fire call at 12:45 on March 18 affecting five
houses.
The celebration of the Fire Prevention
Month this year is centered on the theme ―
Kaalaman at Pagtutulungan ng Sambayanan,
Kaligtasan sa Sunog ay Makakamtan‖. (fj/mlt/
PIA8 Biliran)
Mary Lailani Pitao-Tupaz
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
172 soldiers complete Samar jungle training
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 29 (PIA) - Some 172 candidate soldiers trained in the jungle of Samar graduated
yesterday.
R elatives and friends witnessed the
simple yet fitting ceremony for
the brave souls at the 8th Infantry
Division Headquarters in Catbalogan City.
Major General Jet Velarmino, 8th ID
Commander served as the Guest of Honor in
the closing ceremonies with the entrustment
of firearms, distribution of certificates and
awarding of honors to the young men coming
from all over the country who train for six
months.
The class topnotcher is Private Virgil
Magabo, 22 years old, from Barangay Pang-oy,
San Juan, Southern Leyte who got a total
average of 93.75%.
Private Laurence Caras ranked second
with 91.7% and Private Jayson Castillo was
third with 91.4%. Castillo also received the
Bernardo Carpio Award for topping the
non-academic subjects with 97.3%.
All 172 new breed of soldiers were
trained in the mountains and forest of Samar.
Velarmino in his commencement message
urged the new enlisted elements to live up
with the highest standard of competence,
discipline and the core values of the Philippine
Army.
―As professional and transformed soldiers,
together let us all uphold and protect the
citizens’ right with respect to human dignity
and diversity, we must be ready to serve our
country and our people!‖ (PIA 8-Samar with
8th ID DPAO Capt Ian Andres Fabellon)
DOH turns over TSeKap packages to 5 ILH Zones
T urned over and distributed were 148
equipment packages or kits to five
Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZs),
namely: Oras, Taft, Borongan, Guiuan,
and Balangiga. The event was witnessed by
DOH-Regional Office 08 Director Dr. Minerva
P. Molon and DOH-Central Office
representative Mr. Raul Alamis.
The equipment packages include: 1
storage box, 1 dressing set, 1 unit glucometer,
1 set glucometer (APEX BIO AUTOCODE), 2
units Nebulizer, and 1 unit stethoscope.
Egargo disclosed that DOH’s goal is to
have a better health care outcome by means of
improving their services and a responsive local
health system.
She said that in order to have better
services, the DOH has expanded its Rural
Health Units (RHUs) and Barangay Health
Stations (BHS). In fact, a lying-in clinic is in
every RHU and BHS in every municipality in
addition to regular services.
This year, there is a Barangay Health
Station in Brgy. Barobo, Llorente and one RHU
building that was turned-over as well in
Llorente, E. Samar.
This is in cooperation with PLAN
Philippines, Barangay Council of Llorente, and
Local Government Unit (LGU) of Llorente.
Meanwhile, Dr. Egargo reported that in
2014, the number one of death in Eastern
Samar was hypertension and the DOH has to
improve screening and reporting so that the
people will know the real situation in Eastern
Samar.
―And with the increasing problem of
lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension and
diabetes, there is the demand to equip the
RHUs and BHS — that’s why we need these
gadgets,‖ Egargo said.
The distribution of the gadgets is part of
the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan or Universal
Health Care — the current thrust of the
Aquino administration — in order to bridge
the gap and reduce barriers to health care,
reduce social exclusion, and work towards
universal coverage of delivering health services
to the Filipino people. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar).
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 30 (PIA) --- The Department of Health-Provincial DOH Office, led by Provincial
DOH Officer Dr. Jean Marie A. Egargo; and the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, represented by Provincial
Governor‘s Office Chief of Staff Mr. Berlindo Capon, turned over and distributed Tamang SErbisyo sa KAlusugan ng Pamilya
(TSeKap) equipment packages to five Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ) in Eastern Samar in March 21, 2016 at the Eastern
Samar Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Borongan City.
Samuel D. Candido
13th Lamiraw Workshop now open for applications
CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, March 29 (PIA) -- The 13th Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop is now accepting applications for
a 3-day writing fellowship on April 27-29, 2016 at Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Calbayog City, Samar.
P anelists invited in said workshop are
Prof. Allan Popa of the Ateneo de
Manila University, Mr. Jerry Gracio of
the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Prof. Voltaire
Oyzon of the Leyte Normal University, Ms.
Yvonne Esperas of the Philippine Science
High School – Eastern Visayas Campus and Mr.
Harold Mercurio of the Northwest Samar
State University.
Ten (10) slots at stake: 5 for Waray, 2 for
Sebuano, 1 for Inabaknon, 1 for Filipino and 1
for English. Slots are preferably for applicants
coming from Eastern Visayas. Interested
individuals are required to submit any of the
following: 1 short story /2 flash fiction/1
maikling kwento/1 sugilanon, 1 essay/1
sanaysay/1 gumalaysay or 5 poems/5 siday/5
balak/5 tula.
Works written in Sebuano, Waray and
Inabaknon must accompany a translation in
Filipino or English. Submit entries in MS Word
format, Times New Roman, Font 12 on April
20, 2016. Works (along with the official
application form) could be emailed to
[email protected] and haroldmercu-
Fellows who will qualify in the selection
process will avail of themselves free board and
lodging, workshop materials and proportional
transportation allowance.
This activity is jointly funded by
Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU),
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA), Katig Writers Network Inc.,
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and other
sponsors. For inquiry, please contact Mr.
Harold L. Mercurio, workshop director, at
09167569693 or email at haroldmercu
[email protected]. (PHLM/NWSSU/PIA-8)
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]
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