Vol 6 Issue 4 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 January 25 - 31, 2016

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue KALSADA program to boost growth of LGUs

Abaya leads ceremonial concrete pouring for Cebu airport terminal 2

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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DSWD-8 honors 14 ‗Bayani Ka‘ awardees

Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Jan.27 (PIA) – A new breed of

Filipinos who are willing to go beyond themselves to support their

communities were given recognition Monday by the Department of

Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 8 during

the “Bayani Ka” Awarding at Robinsons Place, this city.

The awarding ceremony is one of the highlights of the

agency’s 65th founding anniversary this month.

The awardees, who came from various places in Eastern

Visayas are the people who, without being paid for their

involvement in the KALAHI-CIDSS gave their time, talent, skills and

even their own resources just to help their communities rise from

poverty.

DSWD newly-assumed regional director Restituto Macuto

said the Search for “Bayani Ka Awards” is a way of recognizing the

silent act of ordinary citizens and partners who volunteered to do

good for the communities.

“This is a simple celebration of the heroic contribution

of individuals and partners of the agency in bringing change and

development to the lives of those less privileged communities,”

Macuto said.

Fourteen individuals, partners and local government units

were awarded in said occasion.

The following are the awardees: Bernie Laurente of Brgy. San

Roque, Tanauan, Leyte; Miguela Icasama of Brgy. Odiong, Javier,

Leyte; Narra Jean Pacoma of Brgy. Poblacion I, San Sebastian Samar;

Brgy. Holy Child I Alang-Alang, Leyte; Brgy. Pawa, Burauen, Leyte;

Lilia T. Patanao as Bayani Ka awardee for gender; Jessibel Halayahay

as Bayani Ka awardee for volunteerism; Primo Palomo-Bayani ka

awardee for senior citizen volunteer; Julie R. Pascual and Brgy.

Buaya, Abuyog, Leyte as Bayani ka awardees for Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management.

Meanwhile, the local government unit of Laoang, Northern

Samar won as the Bayani Ka LGU awardee for Improved local

governance.

LGU-Laoang also won the National Bayani Ka! LGU Award

for Improved Local Governance besting other municipalities from

15 regions implementing Kalahi-CIDSS all over the country.

Other regional awardees are: Ellen A. Nario as Bayani Ka

awardee for community volunteer; Brgy. Chairman Allan Seco of

Brgy. Balite San Isidro Northern Samar as Bayani Ka Awardee for

Brgy. Local Chief Executive Category and Laoang Mayor Madeliene

Mendoza Ong as Bayani Ka Awardee for Municipal Local Chief

Executive Category.

Through the leadership of the mayor, LGU Laoang has

developed and institutionalized the framework of the municipal

implementation plan of Kalahi-CIDSS through a municipal ordinance

creating the community-driven development center under the office

of the mayor.

With the KALAHI-CIDSS, or the community-driven

development approach, every member of the community is very

important. Through this, more active community volunteers,

participants and partners will be inspired to do heroic acts for the

success of the different projects that will be helpful in the

attainment of growth and progress in the modest communities

especially in region 8. (ajc/PIA-8)

Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, January 26 (PIA) --- The Department of

Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said that the national project

dubbed Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan Tungo sa

Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) Program will help enhance

economic activities among local government units and contribute to

national growth.

In his recent visit to Iloilo City, DPWH Secretary

Rogelio Singson said that the KALSADA program is the

biggest nationally-funded project with allocation of P6.5-billion for

performance-based local road projects across 73 provinces in the

country.

“The KALSADA program was launched this year under

Department of Budget and Management(DBM), Department of the

Interior and Local Government(DILG) and DPWH to help local

government units improve their local roads,” he said.

The program comprised aspects of good governance through

local road management, rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial

roads and turning over maintenance to the provincial government,

development of a Provincial Road Network Development Plan

(PRNDP) and establishment of city and provincial locational

reference system for baseline data purposes.

“This will come up with an honest to goodness baseline data;

ilang kilometro ba talaga ang city roads ninyo; ilang kilometro ba

talaga ang provincial roads ninyo; at ano ba talaga ang kundisyon ng

mga kalye na yan,” he said.

Singson expressed the agency’s commitments to improve

quality and safety of national roads and bridges and increase

investment in infrastructure from less than 2 percent of Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010 to 5 percent of GDP by 2016.

He said that there is a need to put significant emphasis

on infrastructure development so that the economic growth

particularly outside Metro Manila is continuous.

“For all these years, prior to the Aquino administration, NCR

always got the biggest share of the budget. But since three to four

years ago, we have moved out our budget outside of NCR,” he said.

He added that the public can expect more infrastructure

projects such as national roads and bridges to be implemented in

the provinces including Iloilo that will help improve connectivity of

people, services, and goods. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU, January 23 (PIA) -- Transportation Secretary Joseph

Emilio Abaya led the ceremonial concrete pouring for the

P17.5 billion passenger terminal building II of the Mactan Cebu

International Airport (MCIA) at the old site of the Philippine Air

Force base in Lapulapu City yesterday.

Abaya said the activity signifies the completion of the

government’s task under the public-private partnership (PPP)

project as it shifts its role to being a regulator once the terminal is

completed.

“The PPP is best exemplified and explained by

showcasing the Mactan Cebu airport rather than go into

technicalities. We should push for PPP projects,” said Abaya during

a short program that followed the activity.

“Efficient transportation is a basic human right and

supports major drivers of economic growth especially in the

areas of tourism and agriculture,” stressed the transportation

secretary.

Louie Ferrer, president of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport

Corp. (GMCAC) that is undertaking the terminal project, bared

that the facility occupies over 65,000 sq. m. and is expected to be

finished by February of 2018.

The expansion will increase passenger capacity to 12 million

annually from the current 4.5 million, he further said.

“This is actually the first PPP airport project. With this, we

are building history,” said Ferrer.

This year alone, four new international flights will

open from Cebu to Los Angeles, USA, Dubai via Clark, Taipei and

Xiamen, said GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison

strengthening the company’s goal of promoting Cebu as a regional

hub to the rest of the world.

“The opening for additional flights this year will create more

trade and employment opportunities for Cebu,” said Harrison

while the construction of the terminal project within the next two

years will generate around 3,000 jobs.

Abaya said once the world-class terminal II is completed, he

expects the MCIA to rise and become the best airport in the region

from its current rank of 18th best airport in Asia.

Meanwhile, Abaya said five new regional airports will soon be

bidded out under the PPP structure.

These airports with an estimated cost of P106 billion

are located in Panglao, Bohol; Bacolod; Iloilo; Davao; and in

Laguindingan, Cagayan de Oro.

Seven well-known bidders are set to participate in the

bidding of these five PPP regional airport projects, said Abaya. (rmn/

fcr/PIA7)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Mr. Julian Payne (far right), president of the

Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the

Philippines, discusses investments and

immigration issues and updates with Cebu

press during a media briefing held today at

Cebu Marriott Hotel. PIA Cebu coordinated

the media briefing. (Rmn)

Dydm/Dysl kapihan sa PIA with Provincial

Agriculturist Marina Gador and Rice

Technician Nerio Lanugan. Major agri

programs of the province are discussed.

(mmp)

Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School

emerged as the champion of this year’s

Dinagyang Ati-Tribe competition. Tribu

Salognon bagged home P200,000.00 and

trophy.

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

KALIBO, AKLAN, Jan. 28 (PIA) – Kalibo will soon have locally made souvenir items to offer to its visitors and guests.

Affordable Aklan made souvenirs soon available

Sheila Patoza

T ourism Operations Officer of Local

Government Unit of Kalibo, Rhea Rose

Meren said that a three-day training on

crafts making that will focus on souvenir making

will be conducted in Kalibo this first quarter of

the year in partnership with the Municipal Social

Welfare and Development.

“Kalibo as of this time has a little souvenir

items that could be offer to our visitors and

guests, or quite expensive like that of the “nito”

and pina fiber made products ,” Meren said.

”With this training, we could able to add our

souvenir items that are originally and locally made

here in Aklan, and this time, will be small and

affordable items,” she added.

Some of the souvenir-making that will be

included in the training are miniature of the

Tigayon Hill and Caves and Bakawan Eco-park, Ati

-atihan items, key chains, and small items made

from pina fiber and other materials that can be

found in Kalibo.

The LGU-Kalibo, according to Meren, will

put up a souvenir shop in Tigayon Hill and Caves

and identify stores to showcase the products to

help sustainably the beneficiaries in selling the

items.

Meanwhile, Lolly Espino, MSWD Officer of

LGU-Kalibo said that there will be 33 participants

in the three-day training coming from the

different barangays of Kalibo.

“The participants of the training will come

from the out of school youth, housewives, artists,

and other unemployed Kalibonhons, helping them

to generate income,” Espino said.

The training will be funded by DSWD under

the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which

will cover the registration fees, meals and

transportation allowance, and starter kits for the

participants. (JCM/SQP/PIA6)

Biz tax in San Jose up by 25 %

San Jose, Antique (PIA). The operation of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique generated a

quantum leap of 25 per cent in its business tax collection in the early part of 2016 as compared to the same month last year.

A s recorded, the total collection reached

the sum of Php 18,898,440.08 from a

total of 45 new applicants and 1,323

renewed business permits issued covering the

period January 4 to 20, 2016 much higher

compared to the last year’s collection of

P15,094,490.50, said Information Officer Zairyl

Len Pacheco.

The total collection of business permit in

2015 was Php27,902,176.09.

By operation of law, the Municipal Mayors

are given the sole authority to issue business

permits and as provided for in the Local

Government Code of 1991.

The mandate opened an avenue for the LGU

San Jose to be more responsive to the needs of

the business sector.

For the past years, LGU San Jose has opened

a BOSS at the municipal hall supported by various

agencies of government thus making business

registration accessible. To date, queuing machine

is in place as an innovation for procedural flows in

application.

To recall, 1n 2008, LGU San Jose executed

an agreement with the GTZ in partnership with

the Department of Trade and Industry focused

on Simplifying Business Permit and Licensing

Process.

The arrangements responded to the

regulatory functions of the LGU to register

businesses. The common aim is to ensure that

businesses meet certain standards for public

safety and public health and perform in a way

consistent with the legal and policy guidelines of

the locality.

Beyond regulation, business registration also

provides the municipality with an added source of

revenue and it provided strategic tool in creating

an enabling environment for businesses and

investment and opportunities for investments.

The streamlining of business registration for

San Jose is fully supported by the DILG as it

introduced the Business Permitting and Licensing

System Up-scaling process.

This innovation significantly complements

the capacity of the LGU to improve its system

and efforts for business licensing and permitting

procedures.

In CY 2012, the Asian Development Bank

(ADB) shortlisted San Jose from among the LGUs

nationwide to take part in the Revenue

Generation and Land Administration (REGALA)

Program knowing the in-house capabilities of its

local functionaries and the innovations it has

initiated for Business Permitting and Licensing

System (BPLS).

REGALA aims to increase efficiency and

capacity of the LGU to spend for the delivery of

basic services thru locally generated revenues. To

date, the system is in place, computerized with

easy application. This has also paved the way to a

tremendous increase in local revenues for San

Jose de Buenavista.

Mayor Rony Molina said the healthy

working atmosphere of the Department Heads

and employees involved, triggers positive

operation of the BOSS and the successful system

of the BPLO.

He added, we are doing our best to

make business transaction easy through a more

accessible business permit system and making

business sector part of the undertakings in

making San Jose a highly urbanized capital

town of Antique. (JCM/LGU San Jose/PIA6

Antique)

Pilar S. Mabaquiao Iloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang Festival

MSMEs service facilities get 17M funding

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 29(PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry-6 said that government has poured in some P17-million

for the shared service facilities (SSF) to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Western Visayas.

“ The DTI is focused on assisting

the MSMEs in the promotion of their

products and services,” DTI-6 OIC

Director Rebecca Rascon said in a press

release.

She added that additional SSFs are already

lined up to be established this year.

The SSF is a major component of the DTI’s

MSME Development Program, aimed at

improving the competitiveness of the MSMEs

through machinery, eauipment, tools and other

auxiliary items, skills and knowledge under a

shared system. DTI-6 Information Officer

David Sinay said as of December 31, 2015,

there were already 52 SSFs in the region total-

ling P17,014,880.18.

In Iloilo, the DTI has already established

13 SSFs amounting to P6,948,535.

“The SSFs included food processing,

furniture and furnishings, packaging and

labelling, garment, coco fiber production,

abaca stripping and business resource centers,”

Sinay said.

In Capiz the DTI has put up seven facilities

costing P2,924,889, while in Antique DTI has

put up facilities costing P1,177,448.

In Aklan,23 SSFs were established with an

amount of P1,328, 580.18, and in Negros, four

SSFs were put up with an amount of

P1,735,058.

Henry Tampani, DTI VI Senior Trade

and Industry Specialist, said the program is

designed to help MSMEs gain access to

machinery and facilities that require huge

capital, so that they can compete with other

industries.

“MSMEs availing of the facilities have to

pay a minimal fee for maintenance,” Tampani

said.

He further said that DTI has partnered

with some “co-operators” to help manage the

SSfs. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Elsa Subong

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Jan. 26 (PIA6) -- A three-day rally to voice out concerns and needs of farmer-beneficiaries in

southern Negros ended in a dialogue with the Department of Agrarian Reform.

P rovincial Agrarian Reform Program

Officer II Lucrecia Taberna talked

with the farmer-beneficiaries on

their clamor for the implementation of the

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

These farmers came from Kabankalan,

Binalbagan, La Castellana, Himamaylan, and

Bago who camped outside the DAR-South

office in Bacolod City, also in commemoration

of the Mendiola Massacre on January 22.

Some of the issues discussed during the

dialogue were the prolonged agony of the

farmers to own a parcel of land under the

implementation of CARP, expedite the

distribution of land under their names, survey

of their areas, among others.

DAR through its representative,

Civil Society Organization (CSO) Point Person

Domingo Gatmaitan assured the farmers that

the department is already doing its part to

distribute those remaining lots which already

have Notices of Coverage (NOCs).

Gatmaitan assured the farmers that

they are always centered on DAR mission

which is to lead in the implementation of

agrarian reform and sustainable rural

development in the country through land

tenure improvement and the provision of

integrated development services to

landless farmers, farm workers, small

landowners-cultivators, and the delivery of

agrarian justice.

Both parties agreed to conduct a regular

dialogue in every district or municipality

inorder to maintain harmonious relationship of

the department and its beneficiaries and to

avoid further conduct of rallies and

demonstrations from the group of farmers.*

(JCM/EAD-PIA6/DAR Negros Occidental)

DAR's dialogue with beneficiaries end rally

By: Elsa S. Subong

Sinulog FestivalSinulog FestivalSinulog Festival

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Jan. 25 (PIA) – The government grains warehouse in Capiz is now ready for operation

N FA Administrator Renan Dalisay

and Capiz Governor Victor Tanco

led the inauguration ceremonies of

the Bolo Warehouse B based at the NFA

Provincial Office compound, Jan. 21.

The rehabilitation of the said warehouse

was made possible through the budget of the

NFA and the P8-million fund assistance from

the United Nations-World Food Programme

(UN-WFP).

The grains facility, with insulated roofing

and LED lightings, has been designed to resist a

wind load capacity of 350-kilometer per hour

and an intensity 8 earthquake.

The NFA provincial office compound in

Roxas City houses three grains warehouses,

which can accommodate a total of 275,000

bags of rice.

In his message, Dalisay said that the

warehouse symbolizes the strength and unity

of the agency’s men and women with the

stakeholders whose primary commitment is to

ensure food security.

He also said that the agency is also

working in order that the more than

100-million Filipinos will have available and

accessible food and that the Philippines will be

a hungry-free country.

For his part, Capiz Governor Victor

Tanco commended the NFA for always

being there especially in times of disasters and

calamities.

Tanco said that aside from the

national government agencies, international

organizations, non-government organizations

and other groups, it is the Capiceños

themselves that worked hard for fast recovery

and stand strong after Yolanda.

He said that typhoon Yolanda’s wrath

ruined many infrastructures but the

devastation could eventually be forgotten

with the very fast recovery and progress in

Capiz.

On the other hand, NFA Capiz Provincial

Manager Benilda Fidel reassured Capiceños of

their commitment towards the delivery of

effective and efficient public service despite the

odds that may come along the way such as the

destruction of physical and material possession

brought by calamities.

Also in attendance during the event here

were NFA Region 6 Director Bernardo

Asetre, Assistant Regional Gil Ibarra, NFA

provincial managers in Western Visayas,

National Grains Retailers Confederation

President Jaime Magbanua and other

stakeholders. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)

Fully rehabilitated NFA warehouse ready for use

Jemin Guillermo

LTFRB: Old jeepneys emit more toxic substances

Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, January 28 (PIA) --- Public utility vehicles that are at least 15 years old may emit more toxic substances in the

air, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-6.

A tty. Jose Mari Lamparero, LTFRB-6

legal counsel, said that DOTC

(Department of Transportation and

Communication) is still planning the

phasing out of old and dilapidated jeepneys

to lessen the harmful emissions from these

vehicles.

“Smoke emissions from these jeepneys

contribute 20 percent to harmful emissions,” he

said.

However, Lamparero clarified that the phase

out will be implemented gradually.

“For 2016, it will be voluntary as based on

the certificate of registration; for 2017, rules will

be created regarding this policy; and

2018 it will be mandatory unless there

will be changes in the plan of DOTC,” he

explained.

He said that the phasing out of public

utility vehicles older than 15 years is in

line with modernization plans of the

transport-related government agencies.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment

and Natural Resources (DENR) issued

Administrative Order (AO) 2015-14, signed

by Secretary Ramon Paje, which required oil

companies to ensure the availability of Euro 4

fuels by July 1, 2015.

As stipulated in the AO, all new vehicles

to be used and introduced in the market in

2016 should comply with Euro 4 emission

standards.

DENR said the implementation of

vehicle emission limits was consistent with

Republic Act 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air

Act of 1999.

Euro 4 fuels contain less sulfur content than

Euro 2, and emit less harmful substances in the

air. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo).

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, Jan. 23 (PIA) – Department of Health (DOH-7) has allotted P1-million to fund the ongoing study on the

prevalence of autism in Central Visayas.

DOH-7 allots P1M to conduct study on autism

in CV

D r. Josie Ann Danes, Medical Officer

IV of DOH-7, explained that the

study is a big help for them to gather

data on the incidence of Autism Spectrum

Disorder among children aged 18 to 36

months.

Twelve (12) barangays in CV are now

under this study with 2 in Bohol, 7 in Cebu and

3 in Negros Oriental.

“There were 5,272 children screened and

24 of them tested positive for autism. Those

who tested positive will be brought to

pediatrician for further diagnosis,” said Danes.

She added that they are now in the final

phase of the study and hopes to finish it within

this year.

Autism s a lifelong developmental

disability that affects how a person

communicates with and relates to other

people, and how they experience the world

around them.

Danes said the characteristic behaviors of

autism spectrum disorder may be apparent in

infancy from 18 to 24 months but they usually

become clearer during early childhood from 24

months to 6 years.

There is no known single cause for autism

spectrum disorder, but it is generally accepted

that it is caused by abnormalities in brain

structure or function.

Children affected with autism does not

babble by 12 months, does not say single

words by 16 months, repeat gesture, and does

not say two-word phrases on his or her own

by 24 months.

Jane Michelle Ediza, Senior Health

Program Officer of DOH-7, said autism

disorder can be prevented if the parents will

have an early check-up for their children.

An increased advocacy and early

intervention will make children with autism

functional in their lives, said Ediza. The study is

funded by DOH-7 with the National Children’s

Hospital, Philippine Council for Health

Research (PCHR).(rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7)

Hazel F. Gloria

TAGBILARAN CITY, January 26 (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Tagbilaran City requested for the purchase

of at least two units of 1000 gallons capacity fire truck.

BFP Tagbilaran requests for 2 firetrucks

C ity Fire Marshal Fire Senior Inspector

Raul Bustalino said they are eyeing

the Local Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Funds as source, noting that their

disaster response capability is hampered due to

logistics problems.

Moreover, Inspector Bustalino added

that they also need help in the re-establishment

of now defunct Tagbilaran City Emergency

Medical and Rescue Operation Team

(TCEMROT) as well as the procurement of

basic rescue and first aid (medical kits).

As a member of the CDRRMC, Tagbilaran

City Fire Station is the agency task to lead on

the response and rescue and engineering

activities in times of national disaster and

other related emergencies such as evacuation,

search and rescue, provide first aid and medical

services, he said.

At the joint City Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council Meeting with the

City Peace and Order Council (CPOC), Fire

Senior Inspector Raul Bustalino stressed that

the firefighter to population ratio in Tagbilaran

is already is 1:2687 against an ideal 1:2000,

their logistics is similarly wanting.

Bustalino said that during fire emergency,

they only have the six serviceable firetrucks to

use.

“Tagbilaran City Fire Station fire trucks

were purchased in 1950s, thus majority of

them now are in poor condition,” he said.

“In fact, only three fire trucks are

serviceable at present. Being one of the

response teams in terms of emergency, it is

necessary to have a well-equipped and in good

working condition firefighting equipment,” the

city fire chief added.

Of the six fire assets they are using for

disaster response, only five of them have

water tanks; the other one is a boom truck

that allows firemen to scale buildings in high

rise fire responses.

One more fire truck, Engine Number 2,

Isuzu RA 61 is serviceable but is already set for

repair, according to the city fire marshal.

Two city fire trucks, Engine 5 Mitsubishi

tanker and Engine 11 Nissan Condor, are now

under repair.

Engine 10 Land Cruiser, Engine 4 Anos

Mini Fire truck, Engine 7 Isuzu VS, and Mazda

Ambulance are all unserviceable and are

beyond economic repair, Bustalino said. (rmn/

rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

Iloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang Festival

CEBU CITY, January 26 (PIA) – Catholic church officials are hopeful that the holding of the International Eucharistic Congress

(IEC) in Cebu translates into applied values in the Philippine society.

IEC seen to inculcate values useful in Philippine issues

C ebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in

yesterday's press briefing at the IEC

Pavilion, said they remain positive that

the learnings and realizations that will be

shared from the congress will eventually be

made visible in the various issues faced by the

Filipinos.

Understanding the Eucharist means the

intent to transform, he said.

“It is transformative, so this would mean

values such as equality, peace and honesty,

patience will be practiced by public, leaders and

the people,” Palma said.

Citing the Mamasapano incident

which happened exactly a year ago,

Palma said they continue to hope for justice

and healing for the families.

The IEC is also seen to influence

the lay positively which will extend into

the conduct and participation of the May

elections.

“I believe in the grace of the

event. Walking towards the direction

of hope means doing something

and not just sitting down,” Palma

said.

Italian Archbishop Peirro Marini said the

Eucharist is the identity of Christ.

“In the Congress, the participants

are hoped to have inculcated what they learn

from the liturgy or it will be nothing," Marini

said.

The second day of the IEC centered on

being hopeful and the pastoral role of women

in the Church.

The Papal Envoy led by Papal

Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo will

be treated today to a performance

by the world renowned dancing inmates of the

Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation

Center (CPDRC).

There are 72 participating countries in the

EIC with over 200 bishops present.

It was in 1937 when the Philippines first

hosted the IEC. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, January 26 (PIA) – Cebu provincial government's half a million investment on weeklong operations resulted to a

drug haul of P12 million.

T he “Oplan Limpyo Probinsya”

of the Cebu City Police Office

(CPPO) supported by the Cebu

Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council

(CPADAC) presented recently the results

of OPLAN Limpyo Probinsya which was

implemented for a week from January 12 to 18

this year.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the

province, through CPADAC, allotted P500,000

in the conduct of “Limpyo Probinsya”.

CPADAC is giving financial support to the

police to intensify the drug campaign and the

recent operations netted the biggest haul so

far.

In said period, CPPO and its operatives

were able to conduct 59 operations, majority

of which were enforced through a search

warrant.

In terms of confiscated shabu, they were

able to haul 1.059 grams which has a street

value of P12,500,220.

The biggest haul from among the local

government police stations was conducted by

Carcar City with over 90 grams of shabu

worth P1.071 million.

The City of Danao followed with 66.9

grams of shabu and a value of P855,000.

Top three are Consolacion town

with a haul of P716,260 from 59 grams

shabu, followed by Balamban town with

P239,540 from 10.20 grams, and Argao

town with P232,460 worth from 19.70 grams

shabu.

Provincial Intelligence Branch CPPO

teams hauled the biggest with a total of P4.7

million drug haul.

There were also 17 different firearms

confiscated from 128 suspects arrested.

Among the suspects were a public school

teacher from San Francisco Camotes Island

and a dismiised policeman from Minglanilla

town.

On the other hand, ten police stations are

under watch for being unable to comply with

the required operations.

“Oplan Limpyo Probinsya” is conducted

every three months.

It was enforced following reports that

Central Visayas ranked fourth in the drug trade

in the country last year. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Cebu's P500k investment leads to

P12M drug haul

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

Sinulog FestivalSinulog FestivalSinulog Festival

DUMAGUETE CITY, January 23 (PIA) — Newly installed Officer-in-Charge /Provincial Director of Negros Oriental Provincial

Police Office, P/SSupt. Harris Fama acknowledge that he faces a big challenge as the new provincial director here with only

four months away from the May 9, 2016 election.

New NegOr police chief calls for unity, solidarity

H e stands firm in his motto of unity

and solidarity being the best and

effective solution in addressing

criminality with the support of community,

media, and stakeholders.

In a recent Kapihan sa PIA, Fama

disclosed that Negros Oriental is one of

the six provinces included in the

election watch list together with Masbate,

Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Pangasinan and

Samar provinces.

The six identified provinces under said list

was based on intelligence reports of violence in

the conduct of previous elections in the area

and a case of intense political rivalry with

validated reports from Philippine National

Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP), and Comelec.

Rama also informed that one of his

best practices in anti-criminality campaign is

through text blast which he said is effective in

disseminating information for the media and

the community to establish direct contact with

PNP.

This, he said, is a way to easily get support

from people in solving crimes.

In February, two agents from the Federal

Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will arrive in

Dumaguete City to conduct a two-day training

for police investigators and intelligence officers

to further enhance their capability in the field

of investigation and intelligence operation.

With the gun ban taking effect now, PNP

and Comelec will establish check points in

various places in the province and city. (rmn/

lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)

Leandria P. Pagunsan

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan. 25 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police here has confirmed that Negros Oriental is included as

one of the provinces in the country under the election watch list or ‗area of concern‘ for the May 2016 polls.

H owever, Negros Oriental Provincial

Police Office (NOPPO) OIC-PD

Police Sr. Supt. Harris Fama, in a

Kapihan forum, pointed out that being in the

list "does not necessarily mean that an area is a

hot spot or a high risk area."

The newly installed police director said

“EWAS or election watch-list areas means the

province may have recorded incidents in the

previous elections that involved violent and

intense political rivalry.”

Col. Fama said this is a challenged for his

leadership to monitor and secure related

election activities and any threats to life of a

candidate.

With the activation of the Provincial

Joint Security Coordinating Center (PJSCC)

composed of the Comelec, PNP and AFP,

the implementation of gun ban and

operation of checkpoint is intensified as

security measure throughout the electoral

process.

Dumaguete City Comelec Registrar Atty.

Gildu Agoncillo asked to public to “bear with

us in the checkpoints as it will intensify more as

the elections draw near.”

Atty. Gildu appealed this to the public

after it was learned that some procedures in

carrying out Comelec checkpoint operations

have problems.

With this, Col. Fama set a meeting with

the Commission on Human Rights, Comelec,

Land Transportation Office, and PNP.

The Comelec official said government

agencies are prohibited to hire or appoint

employees as well as to transfer their

officials or employees during the election

period.

However, the movement of personnel

will be allowed as long as they are necessary

to the functions of the offices and shall not,

in any manner, influence the conduct of

elections. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental with

reports from Churchill Guevarra, NORSU

intern)

NegOr identified as EWAS for May 2016

Jennifer C. Tilos

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

DPWH-SLDEO outranks other district offices in quality control performance

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte District

Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) has jumped to 7th rank in 2015 from 105th a year ago in the annual rating of project

implementation quality control performance, District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia informed.

“ This is a very significant achievement,”

Junia quoted in a press release sent to

PIA. She said that they will work harder

to sustain the ranking through effective quality

control implementation, project supervision

and reliability of laboratory equipment facilities,

The annual evaluation has checked 19

projects in 2015 with overall rating of 90.55 or

nearly seven points up than the 83.58 rating

obtained in 2014, Junia noted.

She added that DPWH Southern Leyte is

one of the seven offices in the country with

outstanding ratings. “There are 234 district

engineering offices nationwide” she said.

It was learned that the performance

assessment looked into timeless of testing

materials relative to its actual use in the

project, ability to implement quality control

policies, quality of completed projects,

personnel adequacy, personnel competence,

star rating and adherence to standard sampling

and testing procedures.

There are only two district engineering

offices in Eastern Visayas that made it to the

top 10 in quality control performance

nationwide, the press stated.

The other one is Samar 1st District

Engineering Office in Calbayog City that moved

19 ranks higher, making it the top spot

nationwide, according to source.

In 2014, DPWH Secretary Rogelio

Singson approved the conferment of star rating

to DPWH-SLDEO for having satisfactorily

complied with the requirements and provisions

of Department Order #11 series of 2013.

The Central Office classified the

DPWH-SLDEO’s laboratory one star rating

based on the availability of testing equipment

and apparatus, competence of laboratory

personnel to conduct specific tests, observance

of health and safety standards, working areas of

the laboratory, calibration of status and third

party certification.

It was learned further that the district

office acquired new testing laboratory

equipments and apparatus to raise its materials

testing capability. (w/ reports from

DPWH-SLDEO/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos

Sin tax revenues fuel Philhealth, other

healthcare services

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The head of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, or Philhealth,

intimated that his office, among other health and wellness providers in government, benefited much in tax revenues drawn

out of ―sin products.‖

“ I think it’s awkward to say, okay, drink

and smoke some more so that money

generated out of taxes will go to the

public health sector, among them Philhealth,”

said Henry Madula, Provincial Manager, whose

area of coverage include the whole province of

Southern Leyte and a few neighboring towns of

Leyte.

He was referring to a crucial move by the

government some three years ago about

raising taxes on liquor and cigarettes,

an act whose main objective was to pour the

collected money into public health care.

Because of the huge sum taken from the

hiked taxes on cigars and alcoholic beverages,

the national government took over the

payment on the annual premiums of indigent

Philhealth enrollees, a task used to be handled

by the local governments of towns, cities, and

provinces, so the LGUs saved on this cost, Madula said.

The capitation fund, a veritable monetary

source LGUs get in exchange of enrolling their

indigent constituents, at P 300 per individual,

still went to the LGUs, this time through an

innovative, pilot-tested scheme on out-patient

services catered through the Rural Health

Units RHUs.

What’s more, this capitation fund the

state granted to locals, has been increased to P

500 per person, Madula said during the Action

Center Kapihan sa PIA Cable TV program

Tuesday last week.

The deal is that LGUs, through their

respective RHUs, have in their possession a list

of 4Ps beneficiaries, teaching and non-teaching

staff of DepEd, and other organized groups

who are the initial captive crowd of out-patient

clients.

Thus, RHU personnel should reach out to

all the nooks and corners of their catchment areas to extend quality services to individuals,

such as the simple checking of blood pressure,

or complete blood count, to more complicated

health and wellness checks comparable in a

way to an executive check-up.

And this was closely monitored by

Philhealth to be at least 50% served in a year’s

time in order to continue to qualify an

exchange capitation fund.

In 2014, Philhealth Southern Leyte

shelled out P 53 Million to various

LGUs, Madula said, citing figures so taxpayers,

in particular drinkers and smokers, can

appreciate where part of their spent money

went. Figures for 2015 are still under process,

Madula further said.

“The bottom line is that no Filipino should

die without seeing a doctor,” he added,

emphasizing this need for those in the distant,

remote hinterland barangays where health

workers’ services are needed most. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Iloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang FestivalIloilo Dinagyang Festival

Marcelo M. Pedalino

Solon proposes separate region for Samar Island

C ongressman Ben P. Evardone said he

will convene with the congressmen and

governors of Samar, Eastern Samar and

Northern Samar about the inter-province

emergency response.

The solon said that an agricultural resilien-

cy and sustainable development will be realized

the soonest possible time if there is a separate

region for Samar.

“When super typhoon Yolanda struck our

southern towns, Governor Nicart and I

realized the need to set aside our political

differences and work together. When typhoon

Ruby came, our unity had been tested.

We had minimal casualties and

rehabilitation works became faster. We were

then able to invite and make President Aquino

visit the small town of Arteche,” Evardone said.

“The recent typhoon Nona made us

realize that the island of Samar has become a

typhoon route and we need to establish

immediately an inter-province,” Evardone

further said.

The official is confident that even Leyte

congressmen and governors will abide with this

initiative to have a separate agricultural region

for Samar Island because the regional office of

the Department of Agriculture (DA) has ample

time to focus exclusively on the agricultural

concerns of Leyte. (SDC/PIA-E.Samar)

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 22 (PIA) – An Eastern Samar solon proposed to have a separate region which will be

called agricultural region for Samar Island to fast track the goal of having a ONE SAMAR REGION.

Samuel D. Candido

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Army needs 180 new candidate soldiers

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan 26 (PIA) — The 8th Infantry (Storm troopers) Division, Philippine Army will start accepting

applicants for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) for the calendar year 2016 on February 1, 2016 at the 8th ID headquarters.

T he next batch of trainees will be

composed of 18 females and 162

male applicants.

The 8th Division Training School will

be in charge of the overall training

requirements to effectively hone them to be

topnotch soldiers, loved and appreciated by

the people.

An applicant must be a natural-born

Filipino citizen; with 72 units in college, or with

any certification of vocational courses and

should be at least 18 to 26 years old; at least 5

feet tall; single and without child; and of good

moral character.

He or she should have taken the

AFPSAT with a score of at least 45 or

PAATB with a score of at least 80 and

passed the pre-qualifying physical fitness

test and physical medical exam; and must

be physically and mentally fit for military

training.

Aspirants must bring along the following

documents: Transcript of Records (Original

Copy); College or High School Diploma

(Original Copy); Birth Certificate (NSO Copy)

with original receipt; Marriage Contract of

Parents (NSO Copy) with original receipt;

AFPSAT result with dry seal (If possible attach

code number).

Interested applicants may visit the office of

the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1

here with Hotline number 09778033918 or

visit 8th Division Public Affairs facebook

account (Dpao stormtroopers) with hotline

number 09067689682. (PIA 8-Samar/ with 8th

IDPAO)

SMB-Samar Office, business partners Labor law Compliant establishments

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Jan 27 (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 8 awarded a certificate of

being labor law compliant to Eastern Visayas Samar Beer Region and its partners yesterday, January 26 in Catbalogan City.

I n simple ceremonies, DOLE Regional

Director Elias Cayanong with City

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, other business

partners and San Miguel Beer executives

unveiled the Labor Law Compliant Marker at

the entrance of the SMB Complex in Barangay

Sto Nino, Catbalogan City.

In the press conference that ensued, Leo

Rameses Amoyan of SMB said that through

their project Kapatiran, they help their

business partners comply with DOLE

requirements because they believe that secure

and happy employees will be loyal and more

productive.

The business partners numbering six

agencies in Catbalogan are those that provide

outsourced services to SMB like security

guards, utility crew, warehouse guards and

other services needed by SMB.

By compliance, this means that their business partners also extend

minimum wages, PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig and SSS

coverage.

Director Elias Cayanong, lauded

SMB for encouraging their partners to emulate

them.

“We are happy that SMB has been

supportive of our program, Cayanong

said.

“We are also glad of the cooperation

of their business partners as this would also

benefit not just their employees but their

business.”

“But the real challenge comes in the

sustainability of being labor law compliant,”

added Cayanong.

SMB executives assured this as they have

developed some monitoring system with their

partners.

In her message, Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan

also gave her appreciation to SMB for their

vibrant presence in the province.

“I would say that like the newly crowned Miss Universe, SMB is a company

that is confidently beautiful with a heart,” the

young mayor said in her congratulatory

message.

According to Girlie Garces of SMB, this is

the third compliance marker given to SMB,

the first was in Mandaue when the DOLE

Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz bestowed its first

marker of compliance in 2014, the second was

at the Eastern Visayas Tacloban Regional Office

recently.

“As business partner of SMB, we have

seen that the benefits of our compliance is

not just for employees but also for our

business since our HR systems have

been streamlined and we have less

production-related concerns,” said Raul

Biasong, operations manager of Roble

warehouse, one of SMBs business partners in

Catbalogan City.

SMB partners, signed the commitment

to fully and continuously comply with all

labor-related laws and other rules and regulations while the SMB executives, the

mayor and the DOLE Director witnessed the

commitment signing. (nbquirante/PIA 8-Samar)

Ninfa B Quirante

Nimfa Quirante

Sinulog FestivalSinulog FestivalSinulog Festival

DOH-Eastern Samar continues to implement ZOD program

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Jan. 27 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH) is already implementing the Zero

Open Defecation (ZOD) Program.

T he ZOD is presently being promoted

and implemented by DOH and

other partner agencies as one of the

major strategies for scaling up sanitation

development.

The main objective of ZOD is to ensure

that Verification and Certification of ZOD

Barangays are aligned, providing the

procedure and the standard that will be

followed nationwide by all implementers.

According to Ms. Eva S. Esplago, Provincial

Sanitation Inspector, some 153 barangays in

Eastern Samar have now been declared as

ZOD as of January this year.

Esplago also said that there are still 39

barangays that are subject for verification and

certification by provincial ZOD Team this

February.

She further said that for a barangay

to be certified as a ZOD Barangay, the

following characteristics should exist in the

community at the time of the assessment

towards certification: the use of a functional

toilet, availability of soap and water at, or

near the toilet, proper disposal of babies’ and

elderlys' feces, no visible feces in

surroundings, and evidence of a barangay

action plan to move up the sanitation

ladder (Sustainable Sanitation Barangay and

Total Sanitation Barangay).

Samuel D. Candido

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com