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Transcript of Onevisayasenewslettervol6issue16 20160422 r6
Vol 6 Issue 16 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 18 - 22, 2016
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PH‘s largest thin-film solar power facility now in Bohol
PNoy inaugurates P374M Leyte diversion road project
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
PNoy: Solar power needed to sustain NegOcc progress
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 21 (PIA6) – President
Benigno Aquino III, during his visit to San Carlos City to inaugurate a 59-megawatt (MW) solar power plant project,
April 19, said that the rise of solar plants in the province is a step in the right direction.
In his recent visit here, Aquino said he is surprised by the growth of businesses in the province such as restaurants,
entertainment venues and the airport, among others, adding that energy is required to sustain the progress.
―I mention all of this because our progress hinges greatly on having enough energy,‖ he said during the inauguration rites
of San Carlos Sun Power Inc‘s. (SaCaSun) solar power project at Barangay Punao in the said city.
He said the plant will help avoid 72,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, boosting the country‘s
chances in its goal to increase the renewable energy-based capacity to 15,304 MW by 2030.
The P3.7-billion project is a joint venture of Aboitiz Power Corporation and Sun Edison Philippines.
Likewise, Governor Alfredo Marañon said the construction of solar farms has put the province, and Negros
Island Region in general, in the world map when it comes to renewable energy sources.
With the exception of the 59 MW project, he said Negros Occidental is generating more than 300 MWs of clean energy, which has led to the province‘s distinction as the Solar
Capital in Southeast Asia. Helios Solar Energy Corp. and its 132-MW solar project
in Cadiz City leads the pack, followed by San Carlos
Solar Energy Inc. generating 45 MWs; Citicore Power in Silay with 25 MWs; San Carlos Bio Power with 19 MWs; and
Negros Island Solar Power Inc in Manapla producing 48 MWs and in La Carlota City generating 32 MWs of energy.
Marañon also mentioned that major river systems in the province generate 200 megawatts of energy, while other
prospects such as wind, biomass and waste to energy from sugar mills are being considered as future projects. (JCM/CBA/
PIA-Negros Occidental)
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) —With a new
100-kilowatt solar energy facility, Holy Name University (HNU) in Bohol now holds the country‘s record for the biggest
thin-film-solar module technology. HNU is an educational institution run by the Societas
Verbi Divini (SVD) or the Society of the Divine Word. Solar facility installers ORION group International
Incorporated said HNU is the first institution in the country to use cutting edge 100-kilowatt photo-voltaic solar technology to
tap and harness the solar energy for school use. The facility stands as a testament of HNU's
environmental concern as well as their commitment to advancement of green technologies.
The new power generating facility produces an estimated combined energy to run about 120 air conditioning
units. But this covers only 1/6 of the school's requirements,
according to Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD, school president. The facility uses 1080 photo voltaic cells which is now
lined up at the roof top of HNU‘s Scanlon Building in their Dampas Campus.
HNU, a school which has always impressed and
advocated for clean energy, said the use of clean energy that
reduces carbon footprint contribute to the universal effort to minimize the threats of global warming.
During the project launching at the HNU Scanlon Building on April 15, HNU trustee and nationally acclaimed
physicist, electronics expert, and school administrator Dr. Christopher Bernido called the SVD achievement as pioneering
in the country‘s solar energy advancement. ORION Group President Engr. Rynor Jamandre said the
HNU facility saves the world 11,251 gallons of gasoline, or some equivalent of 48 metric tons of coal.
In modern waste recycling facilities converting for energy, the facility equals the energy generated from burning 35.8
metric tons of weight, he said. This, he pointed out, redounds to an average of 109,000
monthly savings in power bills for the school as it is capable of producing 145,000 kilowatts annually.
Well beyond the usual solar energy harnessed for stand-alone lighting and minimal industrial use, the HNU solar
energy facility is tied to the local grid as the installation of battery banks holding the generated power proves expensive,
Jamandre said. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, April 19(PIA) –President Benigno
S. Aquino III inaugurated on Monday the Baybay diversion road project that aims to minimize traffic congestion in the city
proper and reduce the travel time from Maasin City to the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc, Leyte.
Upon his arrival at 1:55 in the afternoon, he immediately unveiled the marker of the newly completed
diversion road. Thereafter, the President rode an open type pick up jeep
and led the inaugural drive-thru in Pagbanganan bridge with a crowd composed of national and local government officials,
residents of Baybay and some guests. The road project, amounting to P374.63 million involves
the construction and concreting of a 5-km two-lane road, construction of a 151.5-km Pagbanganan bridge (crossing the
river of Pagbanganan), paving of shoulders and slope protection works which were implemented in four phases.
The road will serve as a fundamental component to the Baybay City road network. It starts from the junction of
Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte boundary road in brgy.
Candadam and ends at junction Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte boundary road in brgy. Hipusngo.
With this development, travel time between Maasin City and Tacloban will be reduced from 3½ hours to 3 hours.
Likewise, the travel time between Maasin to Ormoc City will be reduced from 2 hours to 1½ hours.
Said project is expected to benefit more or less 600 motorists a day.
After the inauguration, the President attended a short program at the full-packed Baybay City gymnasium where
beneficiaries of the project expressed their testimonials to the President.
Together with the chief executive was DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, DPWH Secretary
Rogelio Singson, among others. Afterwards, the President left for Calbayog City to meet
with the local leaders and the community at Calbayog City Sports Center Brgy. Capoocan Calbayog City. (aen/cba)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
President Benigno S. Aquino III (4th from left)
leads on Monday, April 18, the unveiling of
marker during inauguration of the 5-km
Baybay City diversion road in Leyte. The road
will benefit more or less 600 motorists per
day. With the President are (l-r) DPWH-8
Regional Director Rolando Asis(in black),
DILG Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento(partly
hidden), DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singzon, Leyte
Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, 5th
District Rep. Jose Carlos Cari and Baybay
Mayor Carmen Cari. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr./
PIA-8)
By Carlson B. Alelis
Consuelo B. Alarcon
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the
inauguration of the 59-megawatt solar power plant of the Aboitiz
Power Corporation and Sun Edison Philippines where the President
is seeing thousands of solar panels inside the plant. *(EAD-PIA6
photo)
PIA-6 employees participate in the National
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held
April 21, 2016. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo#pagyanig)
A 3rd Project Development Officers Training
was held April 19-21 at the Golden Valley
Hotel, Pelaez St., Cebu City with PIA Director
General Jose Marie Oquinena as guest
speaker. The participants from 13 DepEd
Divisions of Region VII warmly welcome DG
Oquinena. After the inspirational message of
DG Oquiñena , the participants gave their gifts
as a token of appreciation for his inspiring
message. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
NIR leads solar energy industry
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 19 (PIA6) - - The Negros Island Region, with more than 300-megawatts of solar generated
power now off the grid, is taking the lead in the solar energy industry in the country.
T his, according to Energy Secretary
Zenaida Monsada during the
inauguration of the 59-MW solar
power plant owned by the San Carlos Sun
Power Incorporated within the San Carlos
Ecozone in Barangay Punao, San Carlos
City. Monsada joined President Benigno S.
Aquino III during the inauguration and
ceremonial switch on to signal the opening
of the solar power plant with the
executives from the Aboitiz Power
Corporation led by Chief Operating
Officer Erramon I. Aboitiz.
The Secretary thanked Governor
Alfredo G. Marañon III for his support to
renewable energy where Negros
Occidental has the biggest solar farm in
the country to date.
Although, Monsada admits that in the
beginning, the energy sector was
overwhelmed by the growing number of
solar plants in the Negros Island Region.
―The share of the mix for renewable
energy in the Visayas is actually higher
than the country‘s average which is 46.3
percent, the installed capacity in the
Visayas,‖ Monsada said. The DOE is now
monitoring 700 Renewable Energy
projects with additional committed and
indicative projects. According to Monsada,
the challenges for RE is that at the
moment, it is a little more expensive than
the average of the power generation
sources since oil is cheaper now but it is
indigenous and need not be imported.*
(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)
By Easter Anne D. Doza
EU Ambassador: Bizmen take advantge of GSP+
ILOILO CITY, April 18 (PIA6) - - Businessmen in the country including those from the Visayas Region were encouraged to
take advantage of the Generalized System Preference or the GSP+ to improve their access to the European market.
E uropean Union Ambassador Franz
Jessen said in a press conference
here on Friday that Philippines and
the EU have a lot of scope to grow even
stronger via the GSP+ in which the
Philippines is a beneficiary since 2014.
The GSP+ scheme allows for a
significant reduction of customs tariffs on
Filipino products and has led to a marked
increase of export to EU.
Jessen said the EU grants the
GSP+status to generate economic benefits
that will help the benefiting country not
only economically, but also to assume its
responsibilities under the core international
conventions on human labour rights,
environmental protection.
Jessen, accompanied by Romanian
Charge d‘Affaires, a.i. Mihai Sion and
German Deputy Ambassador Michael
Hasper visited Iloilo City and the island
province of Guimaras from April 15 to 16.
Included in their itinerary are meeting
with top officials of the city and province of
Iloilo and Guimaras and a press conference
with the local media. They also joined the
Sikaran, a bike tour in Jordan, Guimaras on
April 16 to reiterate the urgency in climate
change adaptation.
The diplomats also visited the mango
farm of the Dela Cruz family and met with
the industry stakeholders in the province of
Guimaras in line with the efforts of the
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines
to develop and protect the Guimaras
mangoes known for its sweetness as a
geographical indication.
―To be able to benefit from the added
value a Geographical Indication can give
(roughly two times according to studies), a
high level of protection is needed and I am
happy with the efforts of the IPO Philippines
Office to establish its own ‗sui generis‘ GI
Regulation allowing Filipino farmers to take
more advantage of their products. I will
know more about the situation of the
Guimaras mangoes after my discussion with
them,‖ said Jessen. (JCM/laf/PIA6)
By Lilibeth A. French
ILOILO CITY, April 18 (PIA6) --- The Department of Education (DepEd)-6 announced that the application for the Senior High
School (SHS) Voucher Program will be re-opened to accommodate more Grade 10 completers to pursue SHS education
in private schools, universities, and colleges.
T he SHS Voucher Program is
intended for completers of Grade
10 who would like to pursue SHS
education in private schools, private
universities and colleges, local or state
universities and colleges offering SHS and
technical and vocational institutions
offering SHS starting School Year
2016-2017. The program provides
students with a subsidy that enables them
to get a discount on the cost of tuition
and other school fees for SHS.
All applications must be done strictly
online by accessing the Private Education
Assistance Committee‘s (PEAC) Online
Voucher Application Portal (OVAP) at
http://ovap.deped.gov.ph
Applications will be accepted from
April 22 to May 6, 2016 only. The deadline
is non-extendable. Results will be
announced on or before May 20, 2016.
To date, more than 50,000 non-ESC
private school grade 10 completers have
been awarded vouchers.
All public school Grade 10
completers and all private school Grade
10 completers who are Education Service
Contracting (ESC) grantees are
automatically qualified voucher recipients.
These students do not need to apply for
vouchers. Concerns and queries
regarding the ESC and SHS Voucher
programs can be directed to
[email protected] or to the DepEd
Action Center at (02) 636-1663 or (02)
633-1942. (JCM/LTP/DEPED/PIA-Iloilo).
DepED to accommodate more Senior HS voucher applicants
By Leonard T. Pineda I
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) – The Philippine National Police and media practitioners in Aklan convened for a meeting recently at
Camp Pastor Martelino here in order to strengthen their relationships to serve the public better.
Aklan holds 1st PNP-Media meet
By Sheila Q. Patoza
P olice Senior Superintendent John
Mitchell Jamili, provincial director of
the Aklan Police Provincial Office
(APPO), said that the meeting showed a
good collaboration and cooperation
between the PNP and media in Aklan, as
both gathered in a venue to discuss and
settle differences to have a harmonious
partnership. ―The meeting is timely to fill in
the gap between the media and PNP,‖ Jamili
added, noting the former as partner in
disseminating programs and activities
especially on PNP‘s directions as regards to
the implementation of mandated function.
John Allen Ascano, president of Aklan
Police Defense Press Corps (APDPC) and
Allan Palma, president of Kapisanan ng mga
Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Aklan
Chapter expressed their gratitude in the
opportunity of both parties to speak and
clarify matters and likewise supported the
call of setting guidelines or protocol on data
gathering of media in the police stations.
Chiefs of Police of the different
municipalities in the province appealed to
media to notify them first before the
scheduled interview, especially those that
will be aired and broadcasted live to enable
them to prepare the needed information.
The media, on the other hand,
requested the police force to not give them
difficult time to get the data needed for their
reporting so that they can give timely and
reliable information, to which the public is
entitled; suggesting to designate an officer in
each municipal police station in the absence
of the COP, Deputy and Information
Officer.
Jamili reiterated that the investigator
officer could not be interviewed without the
clearance from the COP.
―The information in the respective MPS
as a general rule is open for all, however,
there are instances that the information will
be withheld as the case may involve women,
children, or a lead to apprehend suspect,‖
the top cop stressed. ―Patience, respect, and
courtesy, are the key words here for both
parties to understand each other in meeting
the objectives of our jobs,‖ he added
Meanwhile, Jamili suggested for a
half-day refresher course on PNP-Media
relations policy to enlighten both parties on
the guidelines and protocol in dealing with
one another to better bridge the gap
between the police and media in Aklan. (JSC/
SQP-PIA6 Aklan).
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 20 (PIA6) – Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala announced that all regional offices of the
Department of Agriculture (DA) will be provided with drilling machines as part of the initiatives to mitigate the effects of El
Niño phenomenon.
“ Two drilling machines for each
region that will be used to drill
holes for water pumps,‖ said Alcala
during an open forum of the 9th Farmers
and Fishermen‘s Day last April 13 at the
Capiz Gym here. He added that the
machines will serve the provinces within the
region.
The DA official‘s announcement came
after Pontevedra town farmer leader Jenil
Denoro represented the farmers in their
desire to ask DA for the machine as an
important means to irrigate crops amidst
the dry spell.
―We were given high yielding seeds
that we planted but these gave in due to the
absence of rain and lack of water source
near our farmlands,‖ Denoro noted,
stressing the need for the equipment to ease
water supply on parched crops.
It was learned that a total of P2.6 –
billion has been set aside by DA for El Niño
mitigation in 2015. The continuing
intervention to mitigate the long drought has
already used up P1-billion early this year.
Records showed that the phenomenon
has registered 1,557.55 hectares of totally
damaged rice areas affecting 18,694 farmers
in the province as of last March. (JCM/AAL/
PIA6 Capiz)
Regions to get drilling machines for water
pumps
By Alex A. Lumaque
TESDA accredits first ‗Agri Training Center‘ in WV
By Pilar S. Mabaquiao
SAN JOSE, Antique, April 19 (PIA6) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has accredited the first and
the only training center in Region 6 for Agri-Fishery sector to offer Agricultural Production NC I (National Certificate- NC) El
Cid Castillo, Provincial Director TESDA-Antique said the accreditation of Goodhands Development and Training Center, Inc.,
in San Pedro San Jose hopes to boost the agriculture industry in the province.
T ESDA has a l loca ted the
amount of P415,000 for the
Agricultural Crop Production NC
1 currently ongoing at the center, a short
term course for 216 hours or 38 days
with 50 trainees. After the completion of
the course, the trainees will undergo
assessment and those competent in terms
of skills and knowledge will be awarded a
National Certificate on Agricultural Crop
Production NC 1 that could be an
added qualification in applying for jobs
here and abroad.
The center could also cater
students who are into Senior High
School taking up Agriculture (Technical
Vocational Education & Livelihood strand)
and will undergo assessment before their
graduation. Goodhands partnered with
the Local Government Unit of San Jose to
conduct the training program at Farmville,
an agriculture service arm of LGU San
Jose which earned citation from the Galing
Pook Foundation.
TESDA is also planning to bring the
skills training related to agriculture to
communities (just like it did with other
courses) to provide farmers with
additional skills in farming including
livestock production to help attain food
security. ―With the high demands of
farmers trained in organic farming in
Region IV, Agricultural Production NC 1 is
an excellent stepping stone to enhance
skills and competency in farming,‖ said
Castillo. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) – Small farms are important for the country‘s food sufficiency.
Small farms important for food sufficiency
T his was one of the main points Senator Cyn-
thia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, highlighted in her
speech during the 19th Dairy Congress and Expo
held recently at the Negros Oriental Convention Center here.
According to the United Nations (UN), the hope for attaining food sufficiency does not only rely
on corporate farms but in developing and sustaining
small family farms as well, Villar said. UN also predicted that in 2050, farmers must
produce 70 percent more food to meet the demand for food consumption worldwide.
The lady senator said it will be difficult to
achieve this target if the farmers will not maintain their small farms.
With this, Villar boosted the morale of farmers
belonging to small holder sector by stressing that
they are the key for a food secured future.
―Do not believe (those who say) that small farmers have no role in food sufficiency. We should take upon ourselves to sustain and encourage small
farms to continue so that our children and grand children will not starve,‖ she pointed out.
One way to achieve this is to encourage the young people to be engaged in farming, to enable
them to earn a reasonable income in their farms,‖
Villar added. Villar also encouraged farmers who have
the skill and capability to teach agriculture to convert their farms into farm schools and apply for accreditation at the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA). She explained that farmers can earn additional
income when they convert their farm into farm
schools and teach farming and agriculture.
Villar believes that establishing a farm school in
every town will be ideal so that small farmers will learn how to do their farming with the right technology, right mechanization and with business
sense so they will know if they gaining or losing. Aside from this, the senator also urged
other State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) to offer agriculture related courses.
She noted that there are 111 SUCs with 454
campuses spread throughout the country. This translates to one campus in every three towns.
Villar emphasized that if every campus will offer an agriculture-related course, it will go a long way in developing the country‘s agriculture.
Through this, Villar hopes that people will see the importance of sustaining small farms and more people will realize that there is good opportunities in
agriculture. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 18 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army is set to hold recruitment examinations to qualified Negrenses
who want to become soldiers or army officers on April 22 at St. Paul University, Dumaguete City.
Army sets recruitment tests in Negros Oriental
A pplicants who pass the Armed Forces of the
Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) will qualify for the Officer Candidate Course
(OCC), Officer Preparatory Course (OPC), and
Candidate Soldier Course (CSC). To qualify for Officer Candidate Course
(OCC), applicants must be a baccalaureate degree holder, natural born Filipino and non-dual citizenship
of good moral character, single and never been married, at least 5 feet (152 cm) for both male and female, physically, mentally, and psychologically fit for
military service, and aged 21 to 29 years upon admission.
Applicants for Officer Preparatory Course
(OPC) must be inactive Commissioned Reserve Officer who were commissioned in the Philippine Army under Circular 4 Groups I and Group II,
not over 31 years old on the date of Call to Active Duty (CAD), holder of a baccalaureate degree, stands not less than 5 feet (152.4 cm) but not more than 6 feet 4 inches (193.04cm), natural born
Filipino, and holder of non-dual citizenship from allied countries.
Qualified for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC)
must be 18 to 26 of aged, has taken 72 units in college, however if High School graduate only, must
possess a certified skill needed in the military service,
at least 5 feet on height, and physically, mentally, and psychologically fit for military service.
Examinees must bring along the following the
following documents during the examination; NSO copy of Birth Certificate, Transcript of Records, original Diploma with Form 137-A (for High School graduate), Valid ID, Ball pen and #2 pencil and long
folder. Interested applicants may contact Lt. Jec Mangaoang, information officer of 79th Infantry Battalion Masaligan based in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay
City at 0977-834-8982. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
By Jennifer C. Tilos
NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 14 (PIA) – Some 24 abused women in Sta. Catalina town who are determined to combat domestic
violence are currently availing of livelihood programs from the government as an association.
Abused women unite to fight domestic violence
K apunungan sa mga Kababaihan sa Manalongon
(KAKAMA) is a support group of abused women in Barangay Manalongon
which has also received livelihood programs under
the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE). ―I was abused by my husband for 11 years,
categorically all forms of violence, but stayed in the
relationship for the sake of my children and just accepted my fate,‖ related Elizabeth Sol, 55, of Barangay Manalongon, Sta. Catalina.
These women did not report their cases to the police but took the initiative to organize themselves for them to help each other fight violence and assist
those would-be survivors of violence. The group has facilitated 10 abused women
who sought their help to have temporary shelter at
the barangay chairperson and at some concerned
citizens‘ houses in the area.
KAKAMA members have been actively involved in helping the abused women, some of them have also been active in the Kalahi-CIDSS program
implementation as volunteers. Sol, a KAKAMA and Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer,
served as member of the Monitoring and Inspection Team for the community‘s project which is
the improvement of Manalongon Water System. The water system project was completed in
May 2014 which benefited 152 households, where
Sol is the water bill collector for each household member-beneficiary.
In 2014, Barangay Manalongon received a
Gender Incentive Grant (GIG), a complementary grant fund provided by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to fund identified gender
issues in a barangay/municipality. With this, KAKAMA received a gender and
development training that enabled them to widen
their knowledge on gender equalities and their rights
through the series of seminars and trainings.
The women's group together with the Kalahi volunteers are trained on Gender and Development (GAD) that provided the women with clear
understanding of their rights and affirmed their passion to support other women victims of violence.
―Kung wala pa lang na ang mga balaod nga amo
nahibaw-an, di jud na mahunong ang pag pang abuso (If there have been no laws like the laws that we just have learned from the training, abuses against
women and children will not stop),‖ said KAKAMA President Judith Narciso, 65.
Narciso said that through the training,
the husbands in their community learned about the consequences if they violate the law.
The women also learned their rights and how
to defend themselves. The learning they received from the training
inspired these women to become advocates of
women‘s rights. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
By Jennifer C. Tilos
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 16 (PIA) – Hundreds of representatives from different dairy cooperatives nationwide attended the
19th Dairy Congress and Expo held April 13 to April 15 at Negros Oriental Convention Center, Dumaguete City.
T he event is an annual gathering of dairy
cooperatives who are members of the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines (DairyCon)
to discuss issues concerning the industry.
This year, the theme of the gathering is ―Gatas Pinoy: Paunlarin, Tangkilikin, Palaganapin.‖
Discussions of the Dairy Congress and Expo
focused on Philippine Food Safety Act of 2013, dairy
herd management, feed and nutrition forage, and dairy animal health, treatment and welfare.
Aside from this, updates different programs for
dairy farmers were also tackled on the last day of the event.
Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate
Committee on Agriculture and Food, graced the opening ceremony of the three-day expo.
In her message, Villar said she sees a big
potential in the dairy industry and it can contribute a
lot in the development of the country‘s economy
particularly in the agriculture sector. ―There is still a lot of untapped potential in the
dairy industry. We just have to keep on opening
channels of opportunities for the industry players,‖ she said.
Villar mentioned that during last year‘s
Dairy Congress, Sec. Proceso Alcala of the
Department of Agriculture (DA) noted that the country is on track towards attaining the targets set in the roadmap.
With the expansion of the National Dairy Authority (NDA)‘s Animal Distribution Program, which is a part of the roadmap, the total number of
dairy animals distributed reached 46, 000 heads while the number of families engaged in dairying reached 100,000.
Over 19,000 farmers have generated their
income by selling milk products of dairy animals.
Another target of the roadmap is to create 22,000 rural jobs and generate family income of about P500 per day per farmer from dairying and
involve 100, 000 dairy farm families in active dairy zones in crop dairy systems and dairy related enterprises.
Despite this, Villar said that it is now time to
review the plans and think of new steps to take in the next six years for the advancement of the dairy industry in the country.
Villar stressed that the goal is to gain significant milk sufficiency level in the ready to drink milk market.
Right now, the country produces only one percent of the demand of the milk consumption and fills the gap by importing milk from other
countries. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
9th Dairy Congress and Expo held in Dgte
By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) — In a rare press premiere, members of the Bohol media and lifestyle and entertainment
writers witnessed the dance performance by a famed international choreographer and performed by local dancers on April 15,
2016.
Dance workshop showcases int‘l choreographer‘s ‗Blue Way‘
T he dance, entitled "Blue Way", is as a
collaborative effort of Romanian choreographer and internationally acclaimed
dance choreographer Gigi Caciuleanu and the
mentors of the 2nd Bohol International Dance Workshop, said Lutgardo Labad who spoke to festival organizers and Kasing Sining, a local arts and cultural workers group.
Caciuleanu, a Romanian icon in contemporary dance, joined the Bohol international dance workshop this year and created Blue Way as a piece
for four of the outstanding graduates of the first Bohol international dance workshop which is among the summer workshops under the Bansay sa
Ting-init. Caciuleanu came to join his former dancers in
the international dance arena, multi-dance disciplined
French dancer Gillaume Morgan who also prominently figured in the Paris dance circuits and multi-awarded American dancer Nicola Ayoub who
had been dancers for his choreographed pieces. The 2nd Bohol International Dance
workshop, which ran from April 14 to 24, also has French modern jazz teacher and choreographer
Karine Leven and Filipino authority for the traditional southern Philippines dance called pangalay.
Earlier, both Ayoub and Morgan, who
mentored the first international dance workshop, agreed that the goals during the first modules have been achieved.
The Blue Way dance, like a story of a life of its own, progressed from a segmented individual flowing
performance into an incorporation of a form, which
picks on the motion and celebrates the human body ―Like a dance company, a group of
human beings is a sum of different units: singularities
with different bodies, different characters or temperaments, we are, all of us are equal because we are all different, our differences makes our force,‖ Caciuleanu explained.
Workshop completers Marvin Ablao, Jerrey Aguilar, Jay Banquil, and Yassie Nalo performed the 30-minute showcase announcing the birth of the
Bohol Dance Project Company. The workshop, which now has 31 participants comprised of students and young adults, is until April 24 at the Dr. Cecilio
Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The hiring of students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students
(SPES) is exempted from the elections ban.
B ohol's Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) Officer in Charge German Guidaben said that SPES, along with another program
called Government Internship Program, is a regular
and annual program of DOLE that has clearance from Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
SPES is a government initiative to hire poor but deserving students and out-of-school youths (OSY)
so they can earn for matriculation and pursue their
education. Guidaben said that the hiring of students under
SPES is not in any way political. DOLE issued the clarification anticipating
allegations over the hiring under SPES.
By encouraging their employment, SPES beneficiaries employed during summer and
or Christmas vacation or any time of year receive
regular salaries and perks while their employers also earn incentives.
As incentive, employers get their work done by
students and pay only 60 percent of the total take home pay, while the government pays 40 percent of the full salary of the working student.
The 40 percent government share through
DOLE would be paid in the form of education
vouchers, SPES program briefer shows. All applications are done at Public Employment
Service Office (PESO) in respective LGUs where preliminary interview and screening also happens.
PESO will then match the student/OSY‘s
qualifications with the requirements of the participating employer. A program created under
Republic Act 7323, as amended by Republic Act
9547, SPES has been expanded to be conducted beyond the summer and Christmas vacations, but year round, the Bohol labor official added.
Qualified for the program are students at least 15 years old but not more than 25 whose parents and working siblings combined net income still measures below poverty threshold, has obtained an
average passing grade during the last school year/
term attended. The labor agency added that for interested
out-of-school youth, they should have good moral character.
In Bohol, Guidaben named the provincial
government as the biggest SPES program acceptor. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
SPES exempted from poll hiring ban
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
PNoy boosts Leyte's infra projects during
term
Consuelo B. Alarcon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 19 (PIA) – With less than three months left in office, President Benigno S. Aquino III reported
to the Leyteños the accomplishments of his administration particularly on the aspect of infrastructure projects in the province.
I n his recent visit to Region 08,
particularly Baybay City where he
inaugurated the five-kilometer diversion
road worth P374.63 million, the President
disclosed that the two-lane road project is only
one of the infra projects pushed under his
administration.
Other projects include widening of
national roads, bridges, farm to market roads,
tourism roads, slope protection works, airport
and ports development in Baybay, Ormoc,
Javier, Carigara, Babatngon and Tacloban,
among others.
He added that, infra projects are part of
the government‘s strategy to reduce travel
time, provide additional access in going to and
from all areas and improve the way of life of
the people.
―Ang lahat po nito ay bahagi ng
malawakang estratehiya upang ikonekta ang
mga probinsya at lungsod, mapaginhawa ang
transportasyon sa bansa at sagarin ang asenso
ng Pilipino,‖ the President said.
Under his administration from 2011
to 2016, the government has allotted some
Php27 billion for Leyte‘s infra projects alone
and this budget increased by 284% from
the Php7 billion allotted from 2005 to 2010.
(PIA-8)
VCM shines on Comelec roadshow
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 14 (PIA) — The newest star to shine come election day is the Vote Counting Machine
(VCM) which was presented to the Samarnon voters in Calbayog City today.
C omelec Off icer F ide l Amacna
demonstrated the features of the
machine just a little bigger than a fax
machine.
The VCM has a secured source code
that makes sure the votes are interpreted
correctly; it has an ultraviolet lamp that
makes sure no fake ballot is inserted into the
machine.
It also has digital signatures of the Board
of Election Inspectors, who will certify the
poll returns and it provides a voter
verification paper audit trail that serves as a
voter‘s recipt.
The machine does not only print a tape
receipt but has a touch screen monitor that
shows the votes on the ballot.
However, said Amacna, since the receipts
are provided, the screen may just flash in a
second.
The Comelec official added that with the
VCM, results are accurate, verifiable, secure,
practical, fast and accessible.
Voters from Calbayog and nearby island
towns of Almagro, Tagapul-an and Sto Nino
towns crowded the VCM to feed their ‗shaded
ballots‘ for the purpose.
After each ballot was fed (that went
directly to the ballot box underneath) the
machine ejected the voters receipt, the
election officer cut off the receipt resembling a
grocery slip, the voter then inspected the
receipt and as he was satisfied, he dropped the
receipt in a designated box.
Because the issuance of the receipt will
take time, voting, said Amacna will start at 6 in
the morning up to 5 in the afternoon.
Each precinct will only have 800 voters
unlike before where there were a thousand.
One voter from Sto Nino raised concern
over ‗no signal‘ in transmitting the votes,
wherein Amacna said that Comelec already
knows which area to provide Broadband
Global Area Network (BGAN) or satellite
signal devices.
As to machines that may malfunction, the
Comelec said it has prepared a contingency
measure.
PWDs, senior citizens and heavily
pregnant women are allowed to vote without
queuing, said Amacna. (NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)
Ninfa B Quirante
33 health stations to be put up for election
D r. Antonio Tirazona, Samar DOH
Representative said that they
w i l l p u t u p 3 3 h e a l t h
stations that will provide free basic first aid
assistance.
These 33 health stations will be
established in selected voting precincts on May
9 to provide first aid, emergency care and
hospital referral.
These will be manned by five DOH nurses
and ‗on call‘ medical doctors.
Each town will be allocated one health
station and more in the cities and in Gandara
Hospital, added Tirazona.
In Motiong town, Dr. Perlie Langi said that
this is the first time that they are officially being
involved in elections though their clinic in
the poblacion and in the biggest barangay
Calapi before was always ready for any
eventuality during elections and even the
campaign period.
DOH has also prepared the list of
areas where they are needed the most,
like the voting centers with the most
people, those with the most number of PWDs
and those with the most number of senior
citizens.
In Catbalogan, Catbalogan V Elementary
School has been listed as the third highest
number of senior citizens in the entire country,
this will receive more attention than the rest,
DOH said.
DOH said that most common ailments
during election day is headache, dizziness, high
blood pressure and fever.
Municipal Health officer Perlie Langi
advised the candidates to stay positive, avoid
stress, drink plenty of water, eat balanced diet
during the campaign period, get enough rest
and pray.
For the voters, the doc advised them to
think positive, drink lots of water, eat a
healthy breakfast before going to the voting
centers, do not stay under the sun for long,
use umbrella when exposure to sun cannot
be avoided and do not engage anyone in a
heated debate about your candidate. (NBQ/PIA
8-Samar)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 19 (PIA) — Samar voters are assured that with the ‗election fever‘ they will be getting the
best health care from the Department of Health (DOH) and Rural Health Units (RHUs).
Ninfa B. Quirante
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
PNoy reports to Samarnon bosses; notes
less number of poor
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 19 (PIA) — President Aquino visited his Samarnon bosses and narrated the different
projects which he described as ―tumatakbo sa tuwid na daan‖.
S peaking before an estimated crowd of
‗yellow supporters‘ the President
seemed inspired especially so that his
sister actress Kris Aquino provided the front
act. He also came with his cabinet secretaries
DILG Mel Sarmiento who hails from Calbayog,
HUDCC Chito Cruz and DPWH Secretary
Rafel Singzon. Aquino cited remarkable
progress in achieving CCT coverage of 96% of
its target.
He said that TESDA has trained 3,500
skilled workers and that they either have jobs
or are now in business. Citing an OFW who
was scarred from a DH job abroad, he added
that because TESDA trained her on massage
and wellness, she now owns four spas in the
big city.
Aquino said that his administration has
gained agricultural productivity with some
3,000 farm to market roads which ushered increased rice production. As to fisheries, the
President reported that some P 75.73 M have
been funded for community fish landing and
seaports. He further urged his Samarnon
bosses to venture into abalone culture which
can easily be exported at P 5,000 per kilo.
As to coconut, he cited Dr Arboleda from
Bicol who has done extensive researches on
the coconut and now has constructed a factory
that will process all parts of the
coconut which were just discarded before, like
coco peat,husk and coconut water.
He also encouraged the coconut farmers
to do intercropping, to plant banana, cocoa and
coffee in between the coconuts for more
income. As to education, he took pride in the
K to 12 program that he said can readily give
senior high graduates jobs.
He rattled on the different projects that
have reached the poor people of Samar like
CCT, Philhealth, K to 12, farm to market road, bridges and even highways that is making the
Samarnon life better. Tourism roads which he
funded have also generated additional income
for tour guides and tourism related businesses.
With his 70 days left in office, PNOY
thanked the Samarnons for their support
ever since he ran for the senate, and the
presidency.
He stressed that he did not just promised
but delivered 6.2 average growth rate and
reduced the number of poor Samarnon families
by more than half.
He also said that his administration had
offered not just jobs but permanent ones
resulting to the lowest unemployment rate at
5.7%. Finally, he urged the Samarnon voters to
convince the others not to risk the future of
the next generation by putting into power
those who may not be able to sustain the gains
of his administration by supporting the
candidates he believed can best deliver his ―daang matuwid‖ mantra. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar)
Ninfa B Quirante
Wood production forest up in 22 private lands
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 18 ( PIA ) - The provincial government of Southern Leyte has established production
forest soley for fuel wood purposes, thus, firewood gatherers need not encroach the forest indiscriminately and harvest trees
for their needs and for livelihood, as well.
A ccording to Provincial Environment
and Natural Resources Management
Officer (PENRMO) Dr Eva Abad,
during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA, there
are now 22 hectares being developed under
the fuel wood production forest program.
It aims to establish one hectare of
production forest in every barangay.
Initially, 7 out of 19 municipalities
participated in the said environment program,
namely Silago, Maasin City, T. Oppus, Bontoc,
Libagon, San Francisco and Pintuyan. There are
500 barangays in the province. Dr. Abad said
that these 22 hectares are committed by the
private landowners to the planting of ipil-ipil,
madre de cacao, gemilina, mahogany and acasia
manguim, among others, These trees can be
harvested within three to five years.
In 2015, the provincial government
appropriated the amount of P353,000 for
the total labor and seedling production
components in the establishment of a fuel
wood production forest. 3,500 seedlings are
to be planted in a hectare of land at labor
services cost of P17,000, she added.
Massive tree planting has been campaigned
by the province but the non-stop cutting of
trees by firewood gatherers which were then
sold as firewood fuels has severely depleted
the forests. Firewood is the most affordable
way of preparing food at home and in some
industries.
For years, firewood gathering posed
a big threat to the environment since
most of the trees that were cut were not
replanted, Environment development is one of
the major thrusts of the provincial government
to preserve the forest cover of the province.
(esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)
Erna S. Gorne
Solon hopes PNoy will sign anti-aggie smuggling bill
Eastern Samar Congressman Ben Evardone is hoping that President Benigno Aquino III will sign the proposed Anti-Large
-Scale Agricultural Smuggling Act that seeks to classify smuggling agricultural products as economic sabotage which comes
with the penalty of life imprisonment.
Samuel D. Candido
E astern Samar Congressman Ben
Evardone is hoping that President
Benigno Aquino III will sign the
proposed Anti-Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling Act that seeks to classify smuggling
agricultural products as economic sabotage
which comes with the penalty of life
imprisonment.
This was according to the report of Radyo
ng Bayan, Borongan in a recent broadcast.
According to the report, Evardone, one of
the Bill‘s co-authors, mentioned that the
smuggling of agricultural products not only
makes the farmers lose their livelihood but also discourages students to take up courses in
Agriculture.
He further said that under this
proposition, the crime of economic sabotage is
probable if one will smuggle rice, sugar, corn,
pork, chicken, garlic, onion, and other
agricultural products worth ₱ 10 M.
The report added that the illegal
presence of smuggled agricultural products
greatly affects the income-generating capacity
of farmers. Through this law, the confidence
and hope of the farmers will be restored.
Together with the bill, Evardone also
calls on high school graduates to take up and
study agriculture-related courses. (SDC/PIA-E.
Samar)
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.
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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]