One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 6
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Transcript of One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 6
![Page 1: One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 5 Issue 6](https://reader034.fdocuments.in/reader034/viewer/2022042509/568cab631a28ab186da55b7d/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Vol 5 Issue 6 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 February 9 - 15, 2015
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue ESSU to hold 2nd int‘l confab on integrative DRRM
100 Negosyo Centers up in 2015
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Dumaguete sets up P840T urban greening project
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Urban greening all
over Dumaguete City is set to be implemented under the Urban Forestry Management and Development (UFMD)
program with P840,000 budget this year. The UFMD has expanded its components through the
city-wide urban greening project to focus more on green economy which will be assisted by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The project cost has been apportioned between the
Dumaguete City at 40 percent or P240,000.00 and DENR at 60 percent or P600,000.00.
With this development, project development officer Arestio Encabo of Environment and Natural Resources Office
(ENRO) said the city can ably attain its physical target to raise the forest cover of the entire city by 56 percent as well as the
green economic and social stability in the future. Encabo said the city through the ENRO has
institutionalized its ongoing program on UFMD pursuant to an Ordinance No. 20 and 81 series of 2002.
It has annual budget allocation to ably carry out its different program component activities focused on addressing
the alarming problem of global warming and sustainable supply of potable underground water (acquifers) for the City‟s
domestic consumption, said Encabo.
As part of city‟s contribution in mitigating the alarming
worldwide problem on global warming or climate change, the local government targeted to produce seedlings, plant and
grow 2,500 trees yearly. “To address these environmentally catastrophic events,
City ENRO adheres that one of the immediate mitigating measures is to strengthen and intensify the Greening Program
activities by the all local government units in the country,” stressed Encabo.
In 2013, more than 8,000 forest trees species have been planted in different areas of the city with an area of more 32
has. and increased its forest cover by 2 percent from 28 percent in a span of three years time despite the threat of
typhoon Pablo which had destroyed more than 300 trees. For the following year, Encabo reported that the
program dispersed more than 1,000 assorted forest tree seedlings to different groups and individuals for their own
greening project. To intensify its seedlings dispersal, the UFMD program
has convinced academic institutions, school campus organizations and different groups to establish tree growing
project and were able to plant more or less 2,000 assorted forest trees in different barangays of the city. (mbcn/
JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
TACLOBAN, CITY Feb.12 (PIA) – The Eastern Samar
State University (ESSU), Borongan, City will hold the 2nd International Conference on Integrative Disaster Risk
Reduction Management (ICIDRRM) on September 3-5, this year at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Borongan City in response to
the emerging safety and security concerns brought about by increasing frequency and intensity of typhoons and other
natural disasters. The activity is aimed at showcasing research-driven
programs and projects in resolving pressing issues of the day, reducing the adverse effects of disasters to the environment,
health, livelihood and other socio-economic aspects. Several topics will be discussed during the plenary and
parallel research paper presentations that will primarily focus on some thematic areas such as flood, storm, weather tracking
and mapping of risk system, socio-economic models related to natural disasters, use of information technology for climate
change adaptation, psycho-social issues and interventions,
settlement and shelter reconstruction including community rehabilitation programs.
The 3-day conference slated on September 3-5, 2015 was favorably endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) to educators and researchers from both public and private educational institutions where distinguished speakers
have been invited to deliver lectures on topics related to disaster management.
During the last day of the conference, the best papers will be recognized during the awarding ceremony.
Relative to this, interested parties are advised to call or text Dr. Letecia Ladera, Director of the Extension Services
and/or Dr. Felix Afable, Dean, Graduate School of ESSU at cell phone numbers 09077770674 and 09278924114 or log on to
[email protected]. (ajc/cbaVincent Agda,ESSU/PIA-8)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
ILOILO CITY (PIA6) - - Some 100 Negosyo Centers are
expected to be established nationwide before the year ends. In his message during the recent grand launching of the
second Negosyo Center in the country here in Iloilo City, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino said that he is working
together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the establishment of 100 Negosyo Centers this year.
“We are hoping by December of 2015, kami po ni Secretary Gregory Domingo would have inaugurated about a
hundred, hopefully, „yon po yung goal for the year,” said Aquino.
Aquino is the author of Republic Act 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Act” that mandates the establishment of Negosyo
Center in all provinces, cities and municipalities in the country. DTI has been given the task or responsibility for the
establishment of these centers which primarily facilitate business development services for entrepreneurs such as
Business Registration, Business Advisory Services, Business Information and Advocacy, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
“Nasa puso po ng bawat Negosyo Center ang kagustuhan na tumulong sa ating malilit na negosyante,” said Aquino.
He said Iloilo City was chosen as one of the pilot areas for Negosyo Center because of the higher chance of success in
line with its implementation. The growth of Iloilo City is about 7.7 percent which is
faster than the national average, according to Aquino.
Meanwhile, Domingo is also hoping that many of the entrepreneurs will avail of the benefits of the “Go Negosyo
Act” through the Negosyo Center. He said the putting up of the centers is part of the efforts
of the Aquino administration to spur inclusive growth in the
Philippines wherein nobody is left behind including the poor as the economy grows.
The poor should also benefit from the economic growth and that there should be jobs generated in the countryside
which is part of the mandate of the Negosyo Center to be able to help generate those jobs, said Domingo.
The Iloilo Negosyo Center is located at the DTI Iloilo Provincial Office at JM Basa-Peralta Sts., Iloilo City. (JSC/LAF
-PIA6 Iloilo)
Fifteen sitios in Bais City are approved for
electrification this year. This was the
announcement made by NORECO-I officials in
a Kapihan forum on Feb 4 at the Mercado de
Bais. The said figure is part of the 234 target
sitios in northern Negros Oriental to be
energized this year.
PhilHealth-6 Regional Vice President Lourdes
Diocson presents the accomplishment report
of PhilHealth-6 to the members of the local
media during a press conference held Tuesday,
Feb. 10, at Westown Hotel here. (PIA6)
PDIC President Cristina Orbeta leads the
groundbreaking ceremony of the Gawad
Kalinga Village in Brgy 8, Lawaan, Eastern
Samar for the 20 family-beneficiaries who
were affected by the 2013 super typhoon
Yolanda. (Samuel Candido / PIA 8-ESamar)
Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino leads the unveiling of the
Negosyo Center signage during its grand launching held Friday, Feb.
6, at the DTI Iloilo Provincial Office here. Also present during the
launch was DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo (inset) and Vice Mayor
Joe Espinosa III.
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WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
More assistance for Yolanda victims underway
By Jemin B. Guillermo
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 11 (PIA6) – A complete package of assistance is now lined up for residents who were affected by
super typhoon Yolanda.
M elody Nicolas, Disaster Risk
Reduction HEKS-Task Force
Mapalad Component Manager,
disclosed that after they have provided
shelter assistance to their identified
program beneficiaries in Capiz, they are
also giving emphasis to other program
components such as livelihood and
capacity building.
She added that in Capiz, they were
able to provide full shelter to 1,580
families and 151 families were given
shelter materials worth P10,000.
Said beneficiaries are from the four
towns, namely Pilar, Dao, Panay and
Pontevedra.
“We wanted that our target
beneficiaries will not only have houses but
will be able to stand anew by giving them
livelihood assistance such as in agriculture
and fishery, depending on their identified
needs and projects,” she said.
Nicolas also said that they
want their program beneficiaries to
become disaster resilient by providing
them knowledge and capability on disaster
preparedness and responding during
emergencies.
“This is the reason why we are
partnering with the Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Office
through its Speaker‟s Bureau and Capiz
Emergency Response Team for
community-based DRRM training,” she
stressed.
The said 3-day training for barangay
officials, tanods and health workers from
Rosario, Binaobawan and Dayhagan in
Pilar town is the first DRRM training
facilitated by said NGO.
According to her, they will also be
conducting the same for their other
beneficiary barangays. During the opening
day for the training, February 10, HEKS
Delegate Stephan Titze, who is also the
Panay project head, lauded the
participation and willingness of the
participants to undergo said training
which will be of great help to prepare for
disasters such as typhoon, flood,
earthquake and the like. (JCM/JBG-PIA6)
BSP starts demonetization process
BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA6) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) urges the public to exchange their old banknotes, the
New Design Series (NDS), with the New Generation Currency banknotes, a press release from BSP said.
T he demonetization process will
make way for the circulation of a
single currency series, the New
Generation Currency banknotes or NGC.
It is in line with the provisions of
Section 57 of Republic Act No. 7653,
otherwise known as the New Central
Bank Act, which authorizes the BSP to
replace banknotes that are more than 5
years old.
The process started on January 1 of
this year as part of BSP‟s objective to
preserve the integrity of Philippine
currency.
The NDS banknotes can still be used
until December 31 of this year to pay and
buy for goods and other transactions that
require the use of money.
Starting January 1, 2016, the public
may still be able to replace their NDS
banknotes with the NGC banknotes, but
they can no longer use them for payment
transactions.
The public may opt to exchange
their NDS banknotes with the NGC
banknotes at any bank or at the BSP
branch in Bacolod or any of its regional
offices and branches around the country
for free.
After December 31, 2016, the NDS
banknotes will have no value in financial
transactions, nor will the public be
allowed to exchange them at banks or at
BSP branches nationwide. The NDS
banknotes wi l l be cons idered
demonetized.
The NGC banknotes which were
issued on December 16, 2010 use new
and enhanced security features to protect
the safety of the public against
counterfeiters, the press release also said.
(JSC/CBA-PIA6 Negros Occidental)
By: Carlson B. Alelis
KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 11 (PIA6) -- Aklanons will be celebrating Valentine‘s Day February 14 by rising against Violence Against
Women and Children (VAWC) through the conduct of ―One Billion Rising‖.
A t one of the meetings to plan out
activities for this event, Jesebel
Vidal, GAD-Aklan Focal Person
said that “One Billion Rising” is the biggest
mass action to end violence against
women in human history.
The campaign, Vidal said, was
launched on Valentine‟s Day in 2012 and
began as a call to action based on the
stunning statistic that 1 in every women in
the planet will be beaten or raped during
her lifetime. “With the world population
at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one
billion women and girls”, Vidal said.
In Aklan, police records showed that
in 2014, crimes committed against women
with ages 18 and up reached 841, which
was higher than in 2013 with 582 cases.
On the other hand, crimes against
children in 2014 reached 573. Most of
these cases involved rape, acts of
lasciviousness, kidnapping, murder,
seduction, etc. For the “One Billion
Rising” event in Aklan, the provincial
government of Aklan through the Aklan
Gender and Development Commission
(AGADC) composed of members from
national, government and municipal
offices, non-government organizations and
women‟s and men‟s groups, the academe
through school officials and students will
hold flash mobs in key areas in Kalibo like
the Gaisano Capital, Kalibo International
Airport and the bus terminal near Kalibo
Bridge while the streetdance or “sadsad”
to the Ati-atihan drumbeats will start from
the Aklan Comprehensive Center for
Women (ACCW) or “Daeangpan passing
DepEd-Aklan, the Kalibo Police Station
and converge in Pastrana Park where a
short program will be held. (JCM/VGV
PIA6 Aklan)
Aklanons up vs. VAWC through 'One Billion Rising'
By: Venus G. Villanueva
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WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
DENR-6 tops in school site patent applications
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA6) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that it is now processing
118 school site patent applications, the highest number so far in all the regions.
“ We have set the 2014 school site
patent applications at 115 only,” Jim
Sampulna, DENR-6 Director said,
adding that this posted a 102.61 percent
accomplishment for the regional office.
The patent or title for a school site is
a document required for an educational
institution in seeking funding assistance to
improve its buildings or facilities.
Hector Garrido, OIC chief of the
Licensing Division of the DENR Technical
division said that the Commission on
Audit now requires schools to present the
titles of the sites they occupy.
Garrido said that schools which
occupy lot areas that are not titled find it
difficult to implement structural
development and upgrading of schools
facilities because they lack proprietary
rights.
“We are glad that the Department of
Education had encouraged the schools to
process their land titles,” Garrido said, as
they have actually signed a memorandum
of agreement with the department.
On the other hand, Engr. Mamerto
Caballero, OIC Chief of the Surveys and
Mapping Division, said that through
DepEd‟s initiative, the schools in the
region are preparing for their
security of tenure, a legacy for the future
of the children and the generations to
come. Caballero said they are fast tracking
the region‟s target for all land surveys to
be completed before end of 2015.
Per records, the Licenses, Deeds
and Patents Division is now validating
1,650 school sites in the region, whether
it is owned by DepEd, or it has other
licences or located in alienable
and disposable lands. (DENR/JCM/ESS/PIA
-Iloilo)
By: Elsa S. Subong
SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb 12 (PIA6) - - The newly rehabilitated and improved Municipal Hall of Sebaste was recently
inaugurated, with Regional Director Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda and Provincial Director Victorio Pagapulan of the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) gracing the significant occasion which also marked the opening of Patuyaw Festival, the
town‘s community fair.
Sebaste inaugurates P6.5M Municipal Hall
T he Php 6.5M DILG-RAY funding
assistance for the rehabilitation of
the Municipal Hall is taken from
the DILG- Recovery Assistance for
Yolanda (RAY) program which the first
tranche in the amount of P5.2 million was
turned over by Secretary Mar Roxas in
Capiz in April 2014, said Judy Mae
Magdato, Information Officer, DILG
-Antique.
The second tranche of the funds
amounting to P1.3M was successfully
released to the LGU of Sebaste on January
6, 2015 after completing 80% of physical
accomplishment. The rehabilitation started
on May 21, 2014 and ended on January 26,
this year ahead of the schedule date of
completion as stated in the contract, said
Osorio.
Mayor Christopher Varona expressed
gratitude to the national government
particularly the DILG for granting this
project after the Municipal Hall of Sebaste
was damaged by the wrath typhoon
Yolanda in November 2013.
Sebaste is a fourth class municipality
in northern Antique with over 17,000
constituents. The town‟s 10 barangays
belong to the rural areas. The Municipal
Building is just off the national highway
with the church and plaza likewise, well off
the highway forming a clean, unspoiled and
peaceful center to the town.
The newly rehabilitated Municipal Hall
of Sebaste is the 2nd project under
RAY-DILG that was inaugurated in the
province following the town of San
Remigio‟s construction of civic center
which was inaugurated last December 10,
2014. The construction was built with
Build Back Better (BBB) design making it a
disaster-resilient structure.
In addition, about Php 25M was
allocated for the Province of Antique on
the first tranche of funds released for the
reconstruction and rehabilitation of LGU
managed and operated facilities damaged
by Typhoon Yolanda last 2013. The
facilities included under this program are
public markets, municipal halls and civic
centers. (DILG/PSM/PIA6Antique)
By: Alex A. Lumaque
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas is in need of licensed dentists to be
deployed in various localities in Region 6.
I n a DOH press br ie f ing ,
DOH-6 Ass i s t ant Reg iona l
Director Ma. Paz Corrales said that
16 of the 44 slots for their Dentistry
Deployment Program this year have yet to
be filled.
“These dentists will be deployed in
various inter-local zones comprised of
4-5 municipalities to advance the
agency‟s preventive oral health program,”
she said.
The project is part of DOH thrust to
send public health workers to poor and
vulnerable communities identified by
National Anti-Poverty Commission.
For 2015, a total of 480 dentists are
expected to be hired in this project
nationwide.
The DOH said that application is
open to dentists with official and validated
license from the Professional Regulatory
Commission (PRC).
Dentists must be physically and
mentally fit.
A medical certificate from a
government health facility is required
before the start of employment.
Priority shall be given to dentists
residing in localities where the recipient
provinces are located.
Applications shall be submitted
directly to the DOH Regional Office-6
with the duly accomplished application
form that can be accessed thru
www.doh.gov.ph.
Meanwhile, according to DOH-6, the
ideal ratio of dentists to population is
1:50,000 population based on Republic
Act 7305 or the Magna Carta for public
health workers.
Western Visayas has a ratio of
1:60,000 population. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
WVisayas needs more dentists
By: Leonard T. Pineda
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CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Filipina veteran journalist Che-che Lazaro cites some major ethical issues on the practice
of journalism in the social media platform in a forum with mass communication students and members of Dumaguete media in
Silliman University recently.
2014 Mcluhan Fellow Che-che Lazaro meets
masscom studes
L azaro was in Silliman University (SU) last
Feb. 2 to give a lecture on ethics and accountability in the changing media
landscape in the Philippines as part of the Marshall
McLuhan forum series on responsible media. Her talked is focused on social media as the
new medium of information as well as the ethical challenges that affect the practice of responsible of
journalism in the said platform. Lazaro mentioned that while social media paved
the way for the emergence of citizen journalism, the
issue of accountability has become a big challenge in the said field.
She said social media has allowed people to
express their comments, opinions and thoughts
without using their real name or identity. “Kung mayroon kang sasabihin sa tweets or
comments mo at mali or inaccurate o kaya gawa-gawa mo lang. Ang tanong diyan, sino ang responsable sa para doon sinabi mo kung ikaw ay
nakasakit ng tao?,” Lazaro points out in an interview with the press after the forum.
“Sa traditional media, kung ikay ay nasa radio o peryodista, mayroon kang byline o signature out
pero sa Facebook wala, pwede kang mag-post ng picture ng ibang tao. Paano ka dadalhin sa korte para
kasuhan para sa mga sinabi mong libelous o hindi
tama. Iyon ang isang major disadvantage,” She adds. Another disadvantage is the identity theft
wherein a person can steal identity of a prominent
person online by administering an online fake account in social media sites where his posts can influence or mislead the thoughts of other people who are following or reading posts of that account.
“Maaaring paniwalaan siya kahit hindi niya iyon totoong identity,” Lazaro said.
Other concerns such as inaccuracy in reporting
and scoop mentality are some of the issues that surround the ethical practice of journalism in the social media platform.
As the ethical practice of journalism continues
to be challenged in the online universe, Lazaro reminds mass communication students and even
media practitioners to always exercise the basic principles in journalism as this makes them accountable and credible information disseminators.
“Ang responsibilidad sa traditional media ay nakalapat na. Mayroon tayong KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) na nagsasabi na mali iyang ginagawa niyo o tama ang ginagawa niyo.
Walang pulis sa social media kaya madaling mang-abuso sa social media,” Lazaro relayed.
She also underscores the importance of
keeping journalist‟s integrity even online. “Integrity and responsibility are the badges we
want to carry as journalists because that will
distinguish us from animals,” she concludes. The Philippines, however, has the Cybercrime
Law that punishes crimes committed online such as accountability, cyber bullying and child pornography.
But Lazaro said she is of two minds on the role of Cybercrime Law since she firmly believes on the freedom of speech. On the other hand, Lazaro cited
that social media can help create public pressure that can influence different sectors of the society.
Lazaro was recently received the Marshall
Mcluhan Fellowship Award. Part of her prize is being
a resource speaker for the Marshall Mcluhan forum series on responsible journalism. The forum will be
hald in four provinces in the Philippines including Dumaguete.
Participants of the forum came from SU,
Foundation University and Negros Oriental State University with some representatives from the Department of Education here.
Aside from Dumaguete, the forum will be also
held in Baguio, Cebu and Davao. (mbcn/ral/PIA7 -NegOr)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) – The city‘s Sandurot Festival got an exposure to Western Visayas tourism market as it got
featured in the recently held 1st Philippine Festival Costume Expo and 3rd Iloilo Travel Mart in Iloilo City.
Sandurot Festival featured in 1st Philippine Costume Expo
T he 1st Philippine Festival Costume Expo
is one of the highlight events during the
Dinagyang Festival on January 23-25. It
aims to present various costumes of the different
festivals around the country and exhibit local
heritage, culture and design.
Some 17 festivals all over the country were
featured in the expo including Dumaguete‟s
Sandurot Festival. Sandurot Festival is an annual
celebration in honor of the city‟s patron saint, St.
Catherine of Alexandria.
Aside from this, the festival also depicts a
part of Dumaguete‟s early history where local
maidens were being snatched by Moro pirates.
This is the popular “Daguit” narrative. “Daguit” is
a local word that means “to snatch.” It is also the
term where the city got its name.
The Dumaguete City Tourism office also
took the opportunity to introduce and promote
the city‟s top tourist destinations, attractions,
products, activities and services to foreign and
local visitors who were at the expo.
“Dumaguete city continues to be aggressive
on travel mart participation and any forms of
positive publicity the city may acquire as this
increases exposure to domestic and foreign
tourist market contributing to the marketability
and desirability of the city as we work along with
our Mayor‟s vision in making Dumaguete the
most livable city for everyone,” City Tourism
Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said.
The 1st Philippine Festival Costume Expo
was organized by Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation. Inc.
(IDFI) and the City Tourism & Development
Office (CTDO) in cooperation with the
Department of Tourism Region VI (DOT 6) and
the Iloilo Tourism Officers Association (ITOA).
(mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr/with reports from
KTAguilar of Dumaguete City Tourism Office)
TAGBILARAN City, Bohol, Feb 9 (PIA) – To mold a human resource development approach especially for tourism support
services, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto signed an executive order forming a council that will look at the tourism and industry
skills mismatch and address it.
U .S Ambassador to the Philippines Philip
Goldberg and Mission Chief Gloria Steele witnessed the signing along with key
industry and academe movers in Bohol at the Bohol
Tropics, February 5.
Bohol situation shows that training institutions here may have intended to prop up the tourism industry with trained workers, but only few
graduates land in desired jobs. The signing of the executive order hopes to
plug this gap by creating the Bohol Government
Industry Academe (GIA) Council composed of representatives from the local industries, academe and pertinent government agencies..
It will be a venue for collaborative efforts and dialogue among industries, as recommended in the Bohol Tourism Human Resource
Development Plan assures Capitol, a point also seen by Tourism Council Chairman Atty Lucas Nunag..
An earlier survey conducted by the Philippine Business for Education, a United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) funded initiative,
showed that while Bohol training institutions look at helping tourism industry by training needed skills, those courses they offered are not the ones Bohol
tourism establishments need.
The survey aftermath also presented to Bohol a Tourism HRD Plan, which hopes to address skills gap and mismatch between new tourism sector
graduates and the work slots opened. Chatto reiterated Bohol policy to initiate its
own promotions program, encouraging and linking
industry-academe partnerships to increasing dialogs between industry needs and higher education outputs.
As such the GIA will act as the implementing arm of the Provincial Government in these development programs, promotion and supervision
of industry-academe partnerships with agencies concerned with local industries and post-secondary education institutions.
Chatto added the council shall create programs centered on increasing industry involvement in
academia mainly in curriculum design, setting of
faculty standards, and quality assurance, as well as improve the availability and access to local market information on skills demand
forecasts and school performance through the
voluntary sharing of relevant information between stakeholders.
The GIA council shall formulate 3-5 year
agenda, aligned with its intentions without usurping Commission on Higher Education authority.
The council shall coordinate with local
industries, post-secondary education institutions, Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Office, and other agencies.
It shall also draft its initial by–laws outlining provisions, recommend to the governor to engage services of professional technical assistants from the
private or government sector. It shall undertake fund raising campaigns,
accept donations from reputable sources for GIA
undertakings and do all acts necessary, to carry out the council's purposes.(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Bohol)
Chatto signs EO forming tourism-HRD-plan group
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CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
TAGBILARAN City, Bohol, Feb. 9 (PIA) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signs a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tagbilaran City in a bid to create a new growth hub in this part of the Visayas.
T he USAID, through Mission Director
Gloria Steele and Tagbilaran City,
through Mayor John Geesnell Yap agree
to support the development of the city as a
growth hub in the Philippines.
While it does not bind both parties, the
MOU on Cities Development initiative (CDI)
collectively allowed the parties to cooperate to
execute sustainable, transparent and equitable
economic reforms to spur rapid, broad-based, and
inclusive economic growth in Tagbilaran City.
USAID will assist Tagbilaran City in the
infrastructure, small and medium enterprise,
education, energy, environment, health, and
disaster preparedness and mitigation sectors, and
give in-kind or technical assistance in the form of
training and commodities to further the
development objectives of Tagbilaran City.
Tagbilaran City on the other hand, will
provide counterpart support including logistics,
such as office space, equipment or clerical support
for USAID-supported consultants.
It shall also establish and fill certain
government positions, designate project
counterparts; support training missions and
activities; enact and issue complementary city
ordinances and relevant memoranda, receive and
accept commodities, assist in installing or training
staff and deploy other resources needed.
USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele
explained that by signing the MOU on the CDI,
USAID is willingly putting to test a hypothesis:
that working with second wave cities to become
new growth centers can equally bring up
neighboring areas to the development.
This, she said is spreading development and
allowing the other areas in the country to
experience inclusive growth.
In her summary to the signing activity,
Steele, who also happens to be a Filipino born in
Luzon, pointed out that with 6.1% to 7.2%
economic growth rates noted in the past years, it
is a wonder why poverty has remained virtually
the same.
She cited only Metro Manila, Calabarzon and
Central Luzon enjoying the growth.
With the US assistance into five decades of
helping the country improve on its poverty issues,
USAID now sees the need to increase the
effective demand for secondary cities, thus
Tagbilaran.
Consultations between USAID and
Tagbilaran City‟s public and private sectors show
development challenges with respect to
investment growth, improving competitiveness,
revenue administrat ion, infrastructure
development and finance, energy supply, access to
capital, university-business sector-LGU links,
health services delivery and health concerns of
the youth, and vulnerability to disasters, according
to the MOU preamble. These consultations also
highlighted certain opportunities for facilitating
inclusive growth in Tagbilaran City through
proper planning and targeted interventions, the
CDI memorandum states.
Meanwhile, USAID Chief of Party Dr. Henry
Basilio also said Tagbilaran City would be the
latest cities that the United States is assisting
technically, in a bid to make second wave cities
become primary hubs.
He named Batangas in Luzon, Ilo-ilo in the
Visayas and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao as last
year‟s CDI picks. More recently are Zamboanga
City in Mindanao and Tagbilaran in the Visayas.
(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Bohol)
USAID, Tagbilaran sign MOU for new growth
hub
TAGBILARAN City, Bohol, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Once you are a member, you will always be a member.
‗Once an SSS member, always a member‘
T he Social Security System (SSS) assures
this with SSS President and Chief
Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros
saying that any member who has stopped his
contributions can pick up the pace and reactivate
his dormant account anytime.
There is no such thing as lapse in period
when a dormant account can become stale, also
hinted Marino Talictic, Bohol SSS head.
Workers in the private sector who had
started contributing but have transferred to the
government, may have stopped, an issue that
cropped up during the interaction with the SSS
President and the local media. Government
employment carries a mandatory social
protection coverage by the Government Service
Insurance System. That means, except for
previous members in the private sector who are
now in government, government employees who
wish to be new members, can not be qualified, de
Quiros clarified. For former SSS members who
are now in government, they can continue their
contributions, based on the SSS contribution
schedule or as voluntary paying members.
You can always continue what you have
started as member, meaning interrupted
contributions, until you have come up with the
120 contributions when the policy matures,
explains de Quiros, during his recent visit to
Tagbilaran.
This too as the SSS said they are to serve
through social protection from sickness,
maternity, disability, retirement, death or funeral
benefits for workers in the private sector. For
contribution payments of at least three months
within the 12-month period immediately before
the semester of sickness, an SSS member who has
used up his sick leave claims with pay in the
current year, can claim sickness benefit.
The benefit is a daily cash allowance for the
number of days he is unable to work. The claim is
90% of his daily salary credit, good for a maximum
period of 120 days, according to the SSS.
A maternity benefit for female members is
also available as long as a member satisfies the
minimum requirement: member has paid last
three months of contribution within the 12
month period immediately before the semester of
childbirth, or miscarriage. At the Kapihan sa SSS
held at the Bohol Tropics Resort, de Quiros and
his SSS family also revealed that the company has
paid P110 billion in benefits, and for a sluggish SSS,
it now has grown into a P42.4 billion net revenues
in 2014. (mbcn/RAC/PIABohol)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb. 10 (PIA) – Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) finalizes the details on three
major eco-tourism circuits it supported through its Sustainable Environment Protection Project (SEPP) in Bohol.
JICA finalizes eco-tour packages for ‗Visit Bohol 2015‘
C alling it EcoTourism Bohol Program in
support of the United States Agency for
International Development‟s Visit Bohol
2015, JICA SEPP not just promises site visits but
also a website and page support to allow tourists
relevant site information at the snap of a QR
Card Scanning cell phone.
It also puts up distinct guide plates and
banners to provide instant capsulized information
about the sites and its relevance to the
environment.
Tour packages in the pipelines are Bohol
east-coast Eco-tour, a ten-hour day trip
package; Bohol Culture and Nature Tour, a
6-hour day trip package and Bohol West Coast
eco-tour 8 hour tour package.
Bohol East Coast Eco Tour includes
Lamanoc Mystic Island Trekking, Anda Beaches
and Lunch, Bohol Cocojam Processing (Calamay
(Jagna) and Clarin Ancestral House in Loay.
For Bohol Culture and Nature Tour,
included in the package are Alburquerque
Calamay, Loay Ironsmith Experience, Organic
Rice and Agricultural learning technologies at
Balay sa Humay in Batuan, Tree Planting
Experience at the Bohol Biodiversity
Conservation Foundation and Clarin Ancestral
House in Loay.
Bohol West Coast Tour in the other hand
has Pinayagan Loomweaving Experience in
Tubigon, Coral Stair and Heritage Walk at
Inang-angan in Loon Town Complex, 2013
Earthquake Experience Tour at Punta Cruz
Watchtower, Organic Farm and Lunch
experience in Maribojoc and SAVIMA Mangrove
Adventure tour in Maribojoc.
The tour packages are part of the
Sustainable Environment Protection Project for
Panglao, explains Go Kimura, during an interview.
The general idea is to help 150 eco-tour
destinations in Bohol, he shared. These would be
on the one town, more than one eco-tour, he
added.
For starters, JICA is putting up the 15
eco-tour sites in Bohol.
Other than the digital information support,
JICA is also improving road signs, improving
restroom facilities, kitchen facilities, site signages,
access road improvements, tourist collaterals like
straw hats and rubber boots, provision of
souvenir tents, benches, dry bags, canopy walks
improvement, tree name plates and other
information related collaterals. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7
-Bohol)
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EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
SoLeyte guv declares Ruperto K. Kangleon
Heritage Day
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 12 (PIA) – Southern Leyte Governor Roger G. Mercado issued and signed Executive
Order No 005, series of 2015 proclaiming February 27 of every year as Ruperto K. Kangleon Heritage Day in the whole
province of Southern Leyte.
T he proclamation stated that the
“life of Ruperto K. Kangleon is
worth emu la t in g by a l l
generations especially the youth and
should always be inculcated in the minds
and hearts of Southern Leyteṅos”.
Previously, the province of Southern
Leyte has already declared Ruperto K.
Kangleon Memorial Day by virtue of LGU
Executive Proclamation dated January 11,
2011 to honor the late Kangleon as a war
hero and exemplary public servant, being
a /world War II Guerilla Commander, /
Secretary of National Defense and a
Philippine Senator, signed by then Gov.
Damian G. Mercado.
As a fitting tribute of Honorable
Kangleon, an original biographical drama
with cultural songs and dances titled “For
Love of Country, the Ruperto K.
Kangleon Story” written by a young
student will be performed by the
Performing Arts Ensemble of the Tomas
Oppus Normal College Campus of
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) in
the evening of February 27, 2015 at
Maasin City gymnasium.
“Such cultural events would
significantly bring the province of Southern
Leyte to a h igher leve l o f
h i s t o r i c a l - cu l t u r a l r ev i v a l and
development,” the proclamation stated.
The RKK Heritage Day will honor an
icon of national and international
prominence and reflect the gratitude of all
Southern Leyteños for his exemplary
achievements as a soldier and public
servant including guerilla leaders of the
province.
It also urged all public and private
schools in Southern Leyte to initiate and
promote cultural programs and projects
relevant to the historical-cultural heritage
of outstanding Southern Leyteṅos. (ajc/
rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)
Army assures public of vigilance vs. terrorism
S peaking live in a phone interview
over DYVL today, Gutierez
informed that their intelligence
operatives in the region never went
complacent particularly during this time
when reports about the 300
Marwan-trained bombers could possibly
wreck havoc elsewhere.
“We are not complacent, instead, we
continue with our intelligence gathering,
our men in the field are always alert”,
Gutierez said.
The officer also mentioned that the
Philppine Army(PA) is in lateral
coordination with the Philippine National
Police(PNP) that, every time either of
them needs support, it is always granted.
“We recognize the importance
of our coordination, so with our
communication frequencies that must
be the same whenever we have tactical
operation”, he added.
On February 3, 2015, a group of
Army soldiers encountered a group
of New Peoples Army(NPA) in barangay
Imelda, Las Navas, Northern Samar while
they were rendering a relief/medical
mission.
The incident captured two NPAs but
cost the life of the army officer and team
leader.
Asked why there still exist some
NPAs when the province had already been
declared in the recent past as a
development-ready area, Gutierez
said these are but remnants of the past
insurgent force.
They are but few lawless elements
who are being hunted down.
“That is why, we continue with our
campaign to win the hearts and minds
of these few rebels, our campaign is for
them to join the mainstream society and
live peacefully with their families”
Gutierez concluded.(PIA-08)
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Feb. 10 (PIA) – Major Amado Gutierez, Information Officer, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine
Army, Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar assured, that their operatives have always kept a closer and heightened alert against
any terror act.
NGCP launches Sta. Rita-Quinapondan 69kV refo project CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 12 (PIA) - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) chose two people‘s
organizations (POs) to do their Reforestation Program in two Samar provinces affected by the Sta Rita-Quinapondan 69 kV
Reforestation Project.
T hese POs have proven their track
record in earlier contracts with
the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR).
San Antonio-Tinaogan-Cambayan
Farmers Association (SANTIFAMCA)
based in Barangay San Antonio, Basey,
Samar and the SamarSur Upland Farmers
Association in Giporlos, Eastern Samar
were entrusted by NGCP with the
project.
While NGCP is aware that this
project can have effects in the
environment, specifically cutting trees, it
said that the project is necessary to bring
better power lines and improve system‟s
reliability to Eastern Samar to spur
economic development.
In compl iance with DENR
Memorandum 2012-02 requiring them to
replace cut trees, NGCP entered into
MOA with DENR and the people‟s
organizations mentioned.
Rolando Robin, President of the PO
in Basey thanked the NGCP and DENR
for the project.
The farmer said that their coconuts
were heavily damaged by typhoon
Yolanda, the NGCP reforestation project
can help them while they are waiting for
their coconuts to bear fruit.
Jonathan Fiel who talked in behalf of
SamarSur farmers promised to ensure
the 80% survival rate of the seedlings
they will plant in the hills and
mountains of Giporlos and Balangiga in E.
Samar.
Fiel added that with the contracts on
the greening project their lives have been
better.
Julia Echavez, head of the
Environmental Management Bureau of the
NGCP, added that their involvement in
tree planting goes beyond compliance.
(ajc/nbq/PIA –Samar)
By Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos
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EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
DENR-8, CENRO Palo, monitor 2 migratory bird sites
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 9 (PIA) – A joint team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Regional office 8 and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) Palo, Leyte monitored two (2) sites for the
presence of migratory birds.
T he migratory birds were
observed in Barangay Baruguhay
Norte and Brgy. Canomantang,
Carigara, Leyte and Barangay San Juan and
Barangay Naungan, Ormoc City, both in
Leyte.
In a press statement released by the
DENR, Regional Director Leonardo
Sibbaluca confirmed that Carigara Bay and
Ormoc Bay wetlands are permanent
migratory bird monitoring sites in the
region. Said sites were ideal sites for
migratory birds because of their rich food
supply for birds. With the vigilance of the
residents in nearby barangays in protecting
their mangroves, the migratory bird areas
were preserved.
It was learned from Maita Reina G.
Sucgang, OIC of the DENR-8 Regional
Public Affairs Office that a total of 723
heads of migratory birds were counted by
the team. Topping the list is the Philippine
Duck which totaled 286 heads
counted. Second on the list are the Egrets
with a headcount of 127 followed by the
Plovers with 92 heads. There were also
other species such as Grey Heron, Little
Cur lew , Wh imbre l , Redsh ank ,
Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Great
Knot and Curlew Sandpiper
Sibbaluca encourages the continued
protection of migratory birds and the host
wetlands as this will open opportunities
for livelihood and potential ecotourism
area particularly for bird enthusiasts. (ajc/
cba/DENR/PIA-8)
Biliran to hold rabies awareness month event in baranagy
NAVAL, Biliran, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Tradition is broken this year with the change in venue of the rabies awareness month
celebration in March.
T he members of the Biliran
provincial rabies prevention and
control committee in a meeting
on Friday, February 6, picked a barangay,
namely Barangay Lico in Naval, Biliran as
the venue for the rabies awareness month
celebration on March 10.
This is in stead of holding the event in
the municipal center or poblacion, which
has been the tradition of the PRPCC.
Barangay Lico was chosen in
recognition of its outstanding achievement
in rabies prevention.
Headed by Engr. Camilo Castro, Lico
was regional awardee of the Department
of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas in
the best sanitation practices category in
2013.
It was learned from Salita Montejo,
Biliran provincial DOH representative,
that Barangay Lico got the award because
of i ts e f fect ive and ef f ic ient
implementation of its rabies prevention
and control program, one of the criteria
of the award.
Dr. Salvacion G. Salas, representative
of the Biliran Medical Society, opined that
it is worthwhile holding the rabies
awareness month celebration in a
barangay where rabies prevention and
control program is successful so that
other barangays in Biliran province will be
encouraged to emulate what Barangay
Lico has done.
The 26 top village officials in
Naval town plus the seven presidents of
the association of barangay captains in
seven other towns in Biliran province
were invited to see for themselves
how Barangay Lico successfully
implemented its rabies prevention and
control program.
The day-long rabies awareness month
celebration will commence with a
motorcade which will start in Barangay
Sabang and will traverse barangays
Agpangi, Atipolo, Smo. Rosario, then to
Sito Lupa in Barangay Calumpang and to
Barangay Lico.
Other activities include the holding of
a program where part is for Lico
Barangay Captain to share to barangays
captains present during the celebration
the best practices on rabies prevention
and control program.
Free dog vaccination, spaying and
neuter, presentation on updates of the
province‟ rabies prevention and control
program and knowledge sharing on
responsible pet ownership will also be
conducted in Barangay Lico to highlight
the celebration of the Rabies Awareness
Month.
The province of Biliran has
been consistent in its successful
implementation of the rabies prevention
and control program with still zero
recorded incidence of rabies until now
since it was declared as a rabies-free
province on October 11, 2012 by DOH
and the Department of Agriculture. (fj/
rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)
Manguino-o Port upgrade to usher better
trade, tourism
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 9 (PIA) - Officials of this developing city share the same observation that the upgrading of
Manguino-o Port will usher better trade, commerce and tourism in Calbayog.
T oday, Representative of Samar
First District, Mel Senen
Sarmiento said that the Manguino
-o Port Development project is being
upgraded to cost Php40 million which
will help improve the city‟s port and
accommodate another roro vessel.
The project which covers the
construction of a back-up area and
a roro ramp was awarded to MAC
Builders and to be constructed for 300
days.
Sarmiento added that he will
coordinate with PPA for a fence and
installation of water service so that the
port terminal will be ready.
City Administrator Rosario Gonzaga,
who represented Calbayog City Mayor
Ronaldo Aquino, in her message said that
the project is one of the manifestations of
Rep. Sarmiento‟s effort to develop
Calbayog City and the first district of
Samar.
The Manguino-o Port, some 22
kilometers from the city proper serves as
port to sea-vessels plying the
Cebu-Calbayog route and other vessels
carrying products like flour, feeds and
copra.
The port also serves other
municipalities of Samar and Northern
Samar. (ajc/nbq/PIA8-Samar with Jen
Allegado)
By Rodrigo S. Victoria
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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]