Vol 6 Issue 13 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 March 28 - April 3, 2016

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Public urged to support implementation of NGP

Deped-8, partners to ensure success of Senior High

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

PIA officials hold management conference in Iloilo Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

ILOILO CITY, April 1 (PIA6) – Top officials and directors of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), an office under the

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), convened March 29 – 31 here for their Management

Conference. Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa of the

host PIA Region said this marks the first time that the Agency headed by Director General Jose Mari Oquinena

held its quarterly activity in Iloilo, although it was the second in Western Visayas with the first one held in Aklan in

2005. Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary

Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma joined the conference on opening day wherein he laid down the next steps that

could be done in public information as a component of development.

Tackled at the conference were management concerns and status of programs and projects of the office pursuant to

its mission to provide for a free flow of accurate, timely and relevant information that contributes to socio-economic

development. Mesa said the officials of the government’s

public information arm also took time out to see for themselves the strides of progress that the province and city of Iloilo have made as

exemplified by influx of investments, rise of new business centers and establishments, and

varied new public infrastructures. They toured of major spots including the Iloilo City Center,

ICON, Esplanade and other new developments along

the Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Avenue here, as well as visit and experience Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage

with a dinner at Casa Real and a drive through other landmarks.

From Iloilo, the officials visited the island province of Guimaras to enjoy its rustic and beautiful ambience and

tourism attractions. The information office had held before a national

management meeting in Iloilo City way back in 1976 when it was still called the Department of Public Information. (JCM/JSC

-PIA6)

Juju M. Empuerto

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 urged the public to support

the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) in this region as it would benefit the agricultural sector in

improving the water yield of watersheds. Improving the water yield would ensure the supply of

water to irrigate farmlands, said DENR-7 Planning Officer Eddie Llamedo.

―Under the NGP, the government seeks to improve the vegetative cover of watersheds that could supply much of the

freshwater requirement of this region,‖ said DENR-7 Regional Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo.

DENR has invested significant resources to purchase geo-tagging equipment and train forestry personnel on the

use of the technology that utilizes GPS and web-based mapping to allow real-time monitoring of NGP locations,

especially on getting accurate count of trees planted and their conditions.

―DENR Secretary Ramon Paje has noted that accurate maps of planted areas and their accessibility were two major

elements lacking in past government reforestation programs,‖ said Montejo.

Geo-tagging would also help in monitoring seedling

growth and mortalities for replacement with new seedlings in NGP sites.

According to Llamedo, from 2011 to 2015, some 1,351,803 hectares of the NGP sites, or 90.12 percent of the

1.5-million hectare target from 2011 to June 2016, have been planted and has generated more than 3.058 jobs.

In Central Visayas, about 80,747.06 hectares have been covered as of December 2015 with 227,923 jobs.

Of the number, at least 29,408.63 hectares have been reforested in Cebu; Bohol with 16,213.54 hectares; Negros

Oriental, 33,951.53 hectares; and Siquijor with 1,173.36 hectares.

With this, at least 1,614,941.20 tons of carbon dioxide is projected to be absorbed by the various plantations annually.

Apart from being a reforestation initiative, the NGP is also seen as a climate change mitigation strategy as it seeks to

enhance the country’s forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely blamed for global warming, as well as means to

reduce poverty, provide alternative livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households and promote

biodiversity conservation. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu with DENR7 report)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 29 (PIA)— Educators, partner agencies and other stakeholders in Eastern Visayas

converged Monday at the Department of Education (Deped) Complex, Government Center, Palo Leyte to ensure the

success of the implementation of the Senior High School Program come June 2016.

This is part of the government’s commitment to UN sustainable development’s goal to ensure an inclusive, quality

education and promote a life-long learning opportunities for all. DepEd regional director Luisa Bautista-Yu made

assurance of the region’s readiness of the full implementation of the senior high school this coming school year.

However, she called on all partners agencies and stakeholders to work together and be united in such

endeavor. ―The output of our planning today shall be instrumental

to the success of our advocacy for quality basic education,‖ Yu further said.

The official also emphasized that educating the youth is

not only the responsibility of the Department of Education. Hence, each must put into action the commitment

of each partner to ensure that youths have acquired skills and knowledge needed to promote sustainable development.

The K to 12 is one of the major educational reforms implemented by the present administration.

Five years ago, Deped was bombarded with many criticisms by many sectors relative to the K to 12 pprogram.

Petitions to dismiss the implementation were also lodged but with the latest decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the

petitions, the education sector is determined to implement the program in order to cope with the ASEAN integration and the

changing world. Latest data from DepEd regional office 8 revealed that a

total of 68, 447 senior high schools have already registered in 361 public schools and 124 private schools during the early

registration enrolment for the school year 2016-2017. (ajc/ PIA-8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

AGIO-PIA7 Forum on Women's Month.

Cherry Lim of Sun Star Cebu & the assistant

executive director of the Cebu Citizens Press

Council says women dominate the print media

as all editors-in-chief of the 3 print dailies & 2

tabloids are women while KBP-Cebu Legal

Counsel Atty. Cynthia Barte says women's

role in society has significantly changed with

the times. DSWD7 PIO Lea Quintana, on the

other hand, says the media sector is critical in

achieving women empowerment as it is also

used as a venue to elevate women issues and

concerns. (PIA-7)

Private Evardone's mom was emotional as she

hands her son rosary beads during the gradu-

ation of 172 candidate soldiers at the 8th ID

cap.

PIA-10 Regional Director Thelma Oliver

receives tokens from PIA DG Jose Mari

Oquiñena and PIA Praise Committee during a

tribute for her held March 31at Raymen Beach

Resort, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. (PIA6)

PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. speaks before the regional and

staff directors of the Philippine Information Agency during the 1st of

the 3-day Management Conference held in Iloilo City, March 29.

(PIA 6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

2015 1st sem. poverty incidence drops

ILOILO CITY, March 28 (PIA6) --- The poverty incidence rate in Western Visayas went down, for the first semester of 2015,

according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

P SA data showed that poverty

incidence rate is at 30.5 percent

which is lower than the 31.7 percent

recorded in the same period in 2012.

PSA defined poverty incidence as the

proportion of families/individuals with per

capita income/expenditure less than the per

capita poverty threshold to the total number of

families/individuals.

Poverty threshold is the minimum income/

expenditure required for a family/individual to

meet the basic food and non-food

requirements.

According to the PSA report, the per

capital poverty threshold in Western Visayas is

P10,738.

Aklan’s per capita poverty threshold is

P10,804; Antique is at P10,747; Capiz, P10,509;

Guimaras, P11,401; Iloilo, P11,111; and Negros

Occidental, P10,503.

Poverty incidence among population in

Aklan for the first semester of 2015 is

recorded at 26.1 percent; Antique is 36.7

percent; Capiz, 25.6 percent; Guimaras, 20.8

percent; Iloilo, 26.6 percent; and Negros

Occidental 35.8 percent.

In the national scale, poverty incidence

among Filipinos in the first semester of 2015

was estimated at 26.3 percent. During the

same period in 2012, poverty incidence among

Filipinos was recorded at 27.9 percent.

The per capital poverty threshold for the

whole country is P10,969.

PSA said the decline in the poverty

incidence rate can be attributed to factors

including the creation of more jobs during the

period and the low inflation or the rise in

prices of goods and services.

Another factor is the success of the

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps),

which is the government’s flagship program for

poverty reduction. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo).

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 30 (PIA6) – Humanitarian civic assistance and conduct of training will be the focus of this year‘s

joint Balikatan exercises of the Philippines and the United States of Amercia.

S pokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson of

the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry

Div i s ion d i s c losed tha t many

communities in Panay Island will be the target

beneficiaries of the various humanitarian

assistance activities of said event.

He said that the Balikatan 2016 which is

set on April 4 to 16 will be centered on a

variety of missions to include humanitarian

assistance, maritime law enforcement and

environmental protection.

The 3ID together with its counterpart

from the U.S. Armed Forces will conduct

Humanitarian Civic Assistance projects that

include Engineering Civic Action Program

(ENCAP) and Cooperative Health Engagement

activities barangay Jaena Norte in Jamindan

town and San Nicolas, Tapaz town, both in the

province of Capiz as well as in barangay

Matangharon in Dingle, Iloilo.

The preliminary work on three different

elementary school buildings in the three

ENCAP sites started on March 29, while the

military medical personnel of both countries in

partnership with the local community-based

health workers will conduct medical first aid

training in the same areas in the coming days.

Tiongson said that the other Balikatan

2016 events within the area of 3ID include the

training on basic first responders, disaster

mental health, and hygiene and nutrition in the

Jamindan town as well as conduct of

Civil-Military Operations Exchange training at

Camp Peralta, also in the municipality of

Jamindan.

―The implementation of a joint

rapid-reaction force in the vicinity of the

province of Antique as part of the distributed

operations, demonstrating the partnered

capability in rapid response is set on April 11

to 14,‖ he said.

Tiongson said that the formal opening

ceremony of this year’s ―Balikatan‖ Exercise

will be on April 4 at Camp Peralta, Jamindan

town while the closing ceremony will take

place at Matangharon Elementary School in

Dingle, Iloilo on April 16.

The Task Force Commander for BK16 in

Panay is Brig. Gen. Dinoh Dolina, the Assistant

Division Commander of 3ID, he said. (JCM/

DPAO/JBG-PIA)

PH-US ‗Balikatan‘ 2016 focuses on humanitarian aid

By Jemin B. Guillermo

ILOILO CITY, March 31 (PIA6) — There are measures being undertaken to ensure that a transmission-related brownout will

not happen during the May 9 elections, according to the National Grid Corporation (NGCP).

NGCP assures brownout-free polls

By Elsa S. Subong

“ We have been imp lement in g

maintenance activities and scheduled

power interruptions in Panay since

February this year,‖ Michelle Visera, NGCP

corporate communications officer said in a

media release.

Visera said that their transformers, line

hardware and other equipment have already

underwent maintenance.

―We have also secured vegetation in

critical areas which could cause power

interruption during the elections,‖ she added.

―There will no longer be maintenance

activities one week before and after the

elections,‖ Visera said.

The NGCP, according to Visera, will be

implementing double manning in the

sub-stations and linemen will be dispatched

before and during elections day to immediately

respond to the power interruptions.

It is also coordinating with various

electric cooperatives and concerned

agencies in the region to ensure reliable power

supply.

As to security of transmission lines in

critical areas, the NGCP has tapped the

support of the police and the military to keep

vigilant on possible eventualities.

Other agencies which have been tapped

to help secure NGCP transmission lines, other

than the AFP and the PNP, are the DPWH,

DOE, DENR, and National Electrification

Administration. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

SAN JOSE, Antique, March 29 (PIA6) - - The Revenue District Office No. 73 (RDO 73) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in

Antique is aiming for a P724,487,000.00 tax collection goal for the year 2016.

R DO 73 Officer-in-Charge Helen

Balasa said that she has high hopes to

achieve the tax goals this year by

strengthening their tax awareness campaign

and enforcement of tax laws.

―We would like to encourage our

taxpayers to settle their obligations because

the taxes they pay will help the government

implement various programs towards the

development and progress of our country,‖

Balasa said.

The RDO 73 will enhance its revenue

generation tax mapping activities through

close monitoring of withholding taxes at the

local government units, monitoring of the

issuances of receipts from business

establishments, among others. For the month

of January 2016, the RDO 73 head reported

that their target tax collection goal is

P62,000,439.00 and ―we were able to collect

P62.7 million or one percent increase

achievement in the January tax target,‖Balasa

said.

The RDO 73 Officer in Charge reminded

the taxpayers that the deadline for the filing of

income tax returns is on April 15, 2016.(JCM/

VWV/PIA Antique)

BIR Antique sets P724 M goal for 2016

By Vicente W. Villavert

Social media leads to green turtle killers

By Easter Anne D. Doza

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 28 (PIA6) - - A vigilant social media – Facebook user post led to the identification and

eventual filing of complaint to the suspects who slaughtered a Green Turtle.

T he FB user posted four photos of the

suspects slaughtering the turtle on

March 18, in Barangay San Isidro,

Calatrava town that went viral.

This prompted the operative from

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources Office – Community Environment

and Natural Resources Office Cadiz to

conduct an in-depth investigation to know the

whereabouts and exact location of the

offenders.

With the aid of social media, the DENR

operatives and the Philippine National Police

and barangay officials identified the suspects to

be Jolito Dela Torre and alias Sitoy Caraca,

both residents of Barangay Ermita, Sipaway

Island of San Carlos City, the release from

DENR-CENRO said.

CENR Officer Edgardo Rostata of DENR

Cadiz City filed a complaint against the

suspects for violation of Section 27 (a) of RA

9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife

Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

―Killing and destroying wildlife species is

illegal in accordance RA 9147, plus the fact that

the marine specie is considered endangered in

accordance with the CITES Conservation

Statusm,‖ Rostata in the release said.

DENR-NIR Legal Division lawyer Cheryll

Rose Librero assisted in the case by building

documentation and gathering of evidence.

PENR Officer Andres Untal added that

the case is considered isolated considering that

this is the first case filed under the jurisdiction

of CENRO Cadiz City for the said offense.

Meanwhile, CENRO Cadiz City is

intensifying efforts in addressing this similar

concern and have informed the respective local

government units and Bantay Dagat teams of

the incident and to keep monitoring for

similar incident.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros

Occidental)

3 more Negosyo Centers in Aklan up

KALIBO, Aklan, March 28 (PIA6) -- Three more Negosyo Centers are set to be established this year in the province of Aklan.

T hese three Negosyo Centers, once

established in the province, will bring

to four the number of centers of this

kind in Aklan, with the first one currently

housed at the Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) Provincial Office which was

officially opened last year.

The Negosyo Center is a one-stop shop

for services that cater to the entrepreneurs’

need in processing requirements to establish a

business, and in accessing information essential

for their growth.

The three Negosyo Centers to be

established will be located in Altavas, Ibajay and

Malay.

In Altavas, local officials have verbally

approved the establishment of the Negosyo

Center and NegoCart to be placed either at

the Altavas Public Market or at the Ground

Floor of the Municipal Hall.

Targeted date of launching is before end

of May this year, according to DTI-Aklan OIC

Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde.

For Ibajay, the proposed location of the

Center is at the Municipal Tourism Office,

targeted to be launched before end of June

2016, as verbally agreed by local officials led by

Mayor Ma. Lourdes Miraflores.

On the part of LGU-Malay, Mayor John

Yap expressed his desire to establish a

Negosyo Center but he gave no commitment

on the target date and location.

According to DTI-Aklan, Mayor Yap

emphasized the importance of having a

structure for the Negosyo Center and not just

a simple space to lodge the center to make it

more presentable and provide effective service

to target clients.

The first Negosyo Center in Aklan is a

joint project of DTI-Aklan, Office of Senator

Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Provincial

Government of Aklan, Municipal Government

of Kalibo, Aklan Provincial Micro, Small

and Medium Enterprise Development

Council (PSMEDC) and the Philippine

Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Aklan

Chapter.

The establishment of the centers is

contained in a provision in the Go Negosyo

Act or Republic Act 10644.

The DTI has been given the key

responsibilities and challenges of establishing

Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities, and

municipalities in the country.

Aklan’s first Negosyo Center is

also the first to be established in Western

Visayas, and has been able to serve 5,307

clients as of this time, and hosted 33 livelihood

trainings with 450 participants. (JSC/VGV-PIA6

Aklan)

By Venus G. Villanueva

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, March 30 (PIA) – Twelve out of 15 barangays targeted in two typhoon Yolanda-affected towns are now declared

as ―zero open defecation‖ (ZOD) barangays.

12 Yolanda-hit barangays issued ZOD

certificates

I n yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA, Edgar

Morbos of Islamic Relief Worldwide

(IRW) Philippines said that 12 barangays

of the 15 target in Bantayan and Daanbantayan

towns have been declared as ZOD.

M o r b o s , w h o h e a d s I R W

Philippines' Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

(WASH) program, said there are three

requirements prior to the issuance of the

ZOD certification.

First, all households in the barangay

should already be using toilets. It can be solely

for the family or shared for as long as they no

longer openly defecate in grasslands or open

areas.

Second, Morbos said, is the availability of

soap and water nearby.

―This means that these are available

not beyond one minute walk from the toilet,‖

Morbos said.

And the third requirement is the proper

disposal of adult and children’s diapers.

Since the start of the WASH program,

Morbos said they had already distributed 1,152

low-cost toilets to these well-performing

families in the barangays.

―But giving the toilets is traditional

approach,. We go for behavioral change, that

they should clean and wash their hands to be

healthy and then use the toilets,‖ he said.

Part of the recommendation is the

inclusion of water and sanitation in the

Comprehensive Development Plan of the local

government unit.

The other programs of IRW in the

Yolanda-affected areas include shelter

assistance, infrastructure rehabilitation, disaster

risk reduction activities, cash for work and

livelihood opportunities. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

Cebu, March 30 (PIA) --- Professional experts in their field and government representatives agreed that positive change and

progress in the status of women is also attributed to media.

I n a recent Association of Government

Information Officer - Philippine

Information Agency (AGIO-PIA 7)

forum on the ―Role of Media in Women

Empowerment‖, Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) regional

information officer Leah Quintana, Cebu

Citizen Press Council assistant executive

director Cherry Lim, and Kapisanan ng mga

Brodkaster ng Pilipinas legal counsel Atty.

Cynthia Barte all agreed that there are many

powerful women who now stand for their

rights.

Atty. Barte said that issues involving

women are now fewer compared to previous

years.

―Gender - re l ated prob lems are

experienced before and after, but lesser at

present. Women before are treated mediocre,

but now women are empowered," Barte said.

She added that women have already

exercised a better position in terms of media

exposure.

Leah Quintana also noted the changes in

the status of women at present, acknowledging

the role of media in it.

―At present women have changed and

media is also influential to the status of women

now, because media raises issues affecting

women and helps women express themselves,

their issues, concerns, needs and rights,"

Quitana stressed.

Cherry Lim also expressed changes in the

status of women who are members of media.

―When we talked about media there is a

big change. In the past, all media outlets are

male-dominated but now, five print media

outlets have Editors-in-Chief who are women,‖

Lim declared.

Also seen is the positive thinking of

women now towards education, and how it

could help them.

―Statistically, there are many women who

are educated,‖ Barte noted. (rmn/ays/PIA-7/

AGIO-7)

'Media play role in women empowerment'

Amor Y. Saludar

CEBU CITY, March 28 (PIA) -- Nearly P20 million have been earmarked by the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (DENR-7) through the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) to

protect and manage one of the country‘s protected seascapes.

DENR-7 earmarks P20M to protect Tanon Strait

“ We are allocating a sizeable amount of

budget for 2016 to pursue major

programs and projects related to

protected area management; nature

conservation, rehabilitation and protection; and

establishment of protected area facilities and

amenities in TSPS,‖ said DENR-7 Regional

Director and PAMB TSPS Chair Dr. Isabelo

Montejo in a statement.

Under the protected area management

with a budget of P1.7 million, the activities are

survey, mapping and assessment of marine

protected areas, inventory of coastal marine

resources users, operationalization of TSPS

PAMB, and coordination meetings with

other law enforcement authorities and other

stakeholders.

Also, for nature conservation,

rehabilitation, and protection with a budget of

P 2 . 4 7 0 m i l l i o n , t h e a c t i v i t i e s

are, namely: provision of financial assistance to

the local government units or people’s

organizations for the implementation of coastal

resources management-related projects;

monitoring and patrolling; and information,

education and communication.

The biggest chunk goes to the

establishment of protected area facilities and

amenities with a total budget of P15.640

million for the operationalization of a

protected area office (PAO), capability

building, and procurement of office equipment,

motorcycles, and patrol boats.

The work and financial plan was presented

during the second general assembly of TSPS

PAMB last March 10 in Cebu City which was

attended by at least 285 members including 14

mayors, 203 barangays, local government units,

and other stakeholders.

Montejo added TSPS has been regarded as

an important migration corridor for whales,

dolphins, and other marine mammals, making it

a preferred destination for whale-watchers,

conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts.

TSPS, which lies between the islands of

Negros and Cebu and covers 521,018 hectares

and borders 677 kilometers, is among the

country’s top 10 major fishing grounds where

about 26,000 fishers operate.

TSPS was declared a protected

seascape by virtue of Presidential

Proclamation 1234 signed by then President

Fidel V. Ramos last May 27, 1998 in recognition

of its extraordinary abundance and diverse

assemblage of dolphins, whales and other

marine species. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/DENR

-7)

Juju M. Empuerto

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU, March 30 (PIA) -- As Metro Cebu‘s supply for water from its surface water source now yielding negative production,

Cebuanos are urged to ask national candidates for their agenda on water security.

C harmaine Rodriguez Kara, public affairs

department head of the Metropolitan

Cebu Water District (MCWD), said

water demand is increasing in Cebu and that its

reservoir, the Buhisan Dam, has dried up

producing zero water output because of the El

Niño.

―Since the first week of March, the

Buhisan Dam has produced zero yield,‖ said

Kara during a forum of the Association of

Government Information Officers-Philippine

Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that tackled

on the annual observance of March as Water

Month.

The Buhisan Dam usually produces 7,000

cubic meters of water daily for Metro Cebu

but because of the El Niño, the water in the

reservoir gradually fell to critical levels until it

reached zero yield, said Kara.

Kara said the dry spell has largely affected

the surface water sources of the MCWD but

its groundwater source is not significantly

affected.

PAGASA-Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar

Tabada on the other hand, warned that Cebu

will have deficit in rainwater between 21 to 60

percent, and around April to May drought is

likely to occur as rainwater deficit will be over

60 percent.

MCWD meanwhile, covers 43 percent of

the franchise areas in Cebu while daily water

needs constitute about 225,000 cubic meters a

day of which 35,000 cubic meters is sourced

from the Luyang River in Carmen.

As drought is anticipated due to the dry

spell, Kara said the MCWD starting April will

be seeking additional 5,000 cubic meters daily

from the Cebu-Manila Development Corp.

which is supplying the water piped from

Carmen.

Since the MCWD will now be sourcing

additional water from a private water

utility company starting April, this will mean a

slight adjustment in the water rate bill, said

Kara.

―Water is a security issue. And since it’s

election time, we appeal to the public to

demand from candidates in the national level to

prioritize water security as part of their

agenda,‖ said Kara.

Kara said it is time to ask candidates on

their plan for Metro Cebu which includes

proposal to construct water dams. (rmn/fcr/

PIA7)

Nat‘l bets urged to make water

security an agenda

Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY, March 31 (PIA) – The Young Writers Club of Tanke National High School underwent their first writing workshop

conducted by Philippine Information Agency (PIA-Cebu).

PIA Cebu holds young writers workshop

F or two days, 30 members of the

Young Writers Club under their

adviser Caren Jaduca experienced for

the first time lessons on improving writing

skills other than those they learned from their

school lessons.

L e c t u r i n g o n t o p i c s a b o u t

communications, journalism, and media

relations is part of the services of PIA to

capacitate the community.

Tanke Na t iona l H i gh Schoo l

Principal Fermo Resgonia challenged the

students to get the most out of the workshop

in order to erase the negative association of

the place.

"I hope that through this workshop, you

will help make this barangay become beautiful,"

he said.

The students first learned the principles in

writing through Clear and Effective Writing

from PIA Regional Director Minerva Newman

and then News Writing by PIA Cebu Infocen

Manager Rachelle Nessia on the first day.

On the second day, they were introduced

to the world of storytelling with Creative

Writing again by Newman and Feature Writing

by PIA Cebu Information Officer 1 Ferliza

Contratista. The students had their writing

pieces reviewed by the lecturers.

By the end of the second day, a simple

culmination program took place as they

received their certificates of participation.

Tanke in Talisay City has been in the

watch list of the Philippine National Police

identified to be a trading and drop-off point of

drug supply nearest to Cebu City.

Originally, it was a fishing village visited by

city residents for fresh seafoods. (rmn/fcc/PIA7

-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 1 (PIA) – In line with the culmination of National Rabies Awareness Month in March, the

Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here is stressing the importance of responsible pet ownership in rabies prevention.

PVO stresses importance of responsible pet ownership

P VO officer Erlinda Vilan explained in a

briefing with members of Association

of Negros Oriental Public Information

Officers (ANOPIO) today that the animal

resistance to rabies virus is weak during

summer season, which is why it is important

for pet owners to take care of their pets and

have them vaccinated annually.

Vilan encouraged the public to go to the

city veterinary offices or municipal agriculture

offices in their localities for pet vaccination,

deworming, and mineral supplementation.

R.A. 9482 also urges people to be

responsible pet owners by providing their pet

dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and

clean shelter to prevent their dogs from

acquiring rabies virus.

The official also said pet owners

should register their pets for proper

documentation.

There are Bantay Rabies Task Force in

some barangays and pet owners can also go to

them to register their pets.

Meanwhile, PVO has vaccinated 6,909

dogs between January to February this year.

There are two positive cases of animal

rabies recorded during the first two months of

the year in Bais City and Sibulan town, Vilan

said.

However, Vilan said the number of rabies

cases in Negros Oriental continues to decrease

from 12 cases in 2014 to four cases in 2015.

Aside from this, PVO was also able to

vaccinate 8,606 animals last year.

Vilan said the PVO continues to intensify

its rabies eradication program in the province

through its rabies caravan activities in different

cities and municipalities in the province which

include free clinic, free spay and neuter, animal

welfare missions, seminars and symposium for

pet owners.

She underscored that PVO will continue

to conduct mass vaccination

―Our campaign for rabies eradication is

continuous. We conduct mass vaccination

activities in different places so we can provide

service to many people,‖ she concluded. (rmn/

ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Seventh ASEAN QUIZ regional tilt set

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 31 (PIA) – The Department of Education in Eastern Visayas through its Curriculum and

Learning Management Division held the Seventh ASEAN QUIZ Regional Competition in March 23 at the Leyte Division

Conference Hall in Candahug, Palo, Leyte.

Aurora J. Casimpan

DOH announces search for Bayani ng

Kalusugan 2016

Rebcca G. Cadavos

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 31 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) has announced the 2016 Search for

Bayani ng Kalusugan to honor individuals and organizations who have contributed their time, effort and part of their life in

serving the Filipino people through health programs of the government.

D OH Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin

in her recent visit to Southern

Leyte said that the health

department launched the first Bayani ng

Kalusugan where the nominees being

recommended should be in line with the

objectives of Universal Health Care (UHC) and

based on the accomplishments from July 2010

up to April of 2016.

Nomination period will start on February

16 until April 15 of 2016 while nomination

forms can be availed at DOH Bayani ng

Kalusugan website or can be secured at DOH

Offices, it was learned.

Sec. Garin who was in Southern Leyte to

conduct the ceremonial distribution of Tamang

Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya

(TSeKaP) packages to Barangay Health Stations

in the province said that there will be a total of

20 winners to be awarded during the DOH

Bayani ng Kalusugan awarding ceremony by

June this year to be held in Metro Manila.

She added that a P200,000 cash

prize will be given to individual nominees and

P400,000 for the non-government

organ izat ions or g roup category

winner. Transportation fare and hotel

accommodation for 3 days will also be awarded

to the winners, it was learned further. (rgc/

PIA8-SoLeyte)

C ompetitors of the activity were

representatives of the 13 school

divisions coming from the cities of

Baybay, Ormoc, Maasin, Tacloban, Borongan,

Catbalogan, and Calbayog and the provinces of

Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern

Samar, and Northern Samar.

Participants were all students in the secondary level and came from the public

schools of the 13 school divisions of the

region.

The Quiz were of two segments namely,

Segment 1: The True or False part with 25

questions; the Multiple Choice part with 15

questions; and Segment 2: The Fill-in the Blanks

or Completion with 20 questions.

Declared winners in the competition

were the contestants from Baybay City,

Ormoc City and Maasin City.

The three winners will represent the

region in the Seventh ASEAN Quiz National Competition, Philippines to be

held on April 5-8, 2016 at the PTV Broadcast

Center, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

The ASEAN Quiz is a continuing project

of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN) Committee on Culture and

Information aimed to foster the spirit of

healthy competition among ASEAN

youth in a friendly quiz on ASEAN

cultural, political, economic and social in

formation.

The top three winners in the

National Competition will represent the country in the Seventh ASEAN Quiz

Regional Competition to be hosted

by Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (PDR)

between September and October 2016. (ajc/

PIA-8)

BFP-Naval includes schoolers in fire prevention campaign

NAVAL, Biliran, March 23 (PIA) --- Aside from the year-round inspection of all establishments, and fire and earthquake drills

to ensure safety in the community, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) stationed in the capital town of Naval holds special

activities in celebration of Fire Prevention Month this March.

T hese special activities include an

open house experience, fire and

earthquake drills, and fire safety

lectures under ―Berong Bombero sa Paaralan‖,

distribution of fire safety materials, testing of

fire hydrants, and fire drills and lectures in

government offices and establishments, said

SFO2 David Victor Francis Casas, chief of the

Fire Safety Enforcement Section at BFP-Naval,

in a Kapihan at Pulong-Pulong ng Bayan held

recently over Radyo Natin-Naval.

Though regular fire drills and earthquake

drills help improve firemen’s capability in fire

fighting and rescue operations, students and

employees and other building occupants need

to be equipped with knowledge on how to

avoid fire and to keep themselves safe in case

of fire.

Same drills and lectures were taught to

pupils and students in both elementary and

secondary schools in Naval to equip them with

the basics in emergency situation and to make

them partners in making a fire safe community,

Casas added.

For her part, FO1 Cyrill Salceda

-Rosales, Information Officer-designate of BFP

-Naval, informed in the same forum that fire

and earthquake drills were conducted

to pupils at Lico Elementary School; Agpangi

Elementary School; Sitio Eden Elementary

School in Brgy. Capiñahan, and Naval Central

Elementary School.

Fire safety lectures were likewise

conducted to students of the Cathedral

School of La Naval; Limpiado Lightbringer

Learning Center and Naval Central School.

Day care pupils from Brgy. P. I. Garcia and

Brgy. Smo. Rosario, Grades 3 and 4 pupils from

the Cathedral School of La Naval and Limpiado

Lightbringer Learning Center were invited to

an open house experience at BFP-Naval to be

acquainted with firefighters and their fire

fighting equipments, Rosales added.

She reminded the general public to unplug

all household appliances not in use before

going to sleep or when leaving the house and

to keep matches away from children’s reach to

be safe from fire and to save life.

Meanwhile, a spot report of BFP-Naval

recorded a fire at Brgy. Calumpang with

fire call at 12:45 on March 18 affecting five

houses.

The celebration of the Fire Prevention

Month this year is centered on the theme ―

Kaalaman at Pagtutulungan ng Sambayanan,

Kaligtasan sa Sunog ay Makakamtan‖. (fj/mlt/

PIA8 Biliran)

Mary Lailani Pitao-Tupaz

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

172 soldiers complete Samar jungle training

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 29 (PIA) - Some 172 candidate soldiers trained in the jungle of Samar graduated

yesterday.

R elatives and friends witnessed the

simple yet fitting ceremony for

the brave souls at the 8th Infantry

Division Headquarters in Catbalogan City.

Major General Jet Velarmino, 8th ID

Commander served as the Guest of Honor in

the closing ceremonies with the entrustment

of firearms, distribution of certificates and

awarding of honors to the young men coming

from all over the country who train for six

months.

The class topnotcher is Private Virgil

Magabo, 22 years old, from Barangay Pang-oy,

San Juan, Southern Leyte who got a total

average of 93.75%.

Private Laurence Caras ranked second

with 91.7% and Private Jayson Castillo was

third with 91.4%. Castillo also received the

Bernardo Carpio Award for topping the

non-academic subjects with 97.3%.

All 172 new breed of soldiers were

trained in the mountains and forest of Samar.

Velarmino in his commencement message

urged the new enlisted elements to live up

with the highest standard of competence,

discipline and the core values of the Philippine

Army.

―As professional and transformed soldiers,

together let us all uphold and protect the

citizens’ right with respect to human dignity

and diversity, we must be ready to serve our

country and our people!‖ (PIA 8-Samar with

8th ID DPAO Capt Ian Andres Fabellon)

DOH turns over TSeKap packages to 5 ILH Zones

T urned over and distributed were 148

equipment packages or kits to five

Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZs),

namely: Oras, Taft, Borongan, Guiuan,

and Balangiga. The event was witnessed by

DOH-Regional Office 08 Director Dr. Minerva

P. Molon and DOH-Central Office

representative Mr. Raul Alamis.

The equipment packages include: 1

storage box, 1 dressing set, 1 unit glucometer,

1 set glucometer (APEX BIO AUTOCODE), 2

units Nebulizer, and 1 unit stethoscope.

Egargo disclosed that DOH’s goal is to

have a better health care outcome by means of

improving their services and a responsive local

health system.

She said that in order to have better

services, the DOH has expanded its Rural

Health Units (RHUs) and Barangay Health

Stations (BHS). In fact, a lying-in clinic is in

every RHU and BHS in every municipality in

addition to regular services.

This year, there is a Barangay Health

Station in Brgy. Barobo, Llorente and one RHU

building that was turned-over as well in

Llorente, E. Samar.

This is in cooperation with PLAN

Philippines, Barangay Council of Llorente, and

Local Government Unit (LGU) of Llorente.

Meanwhile, Dr. Egargo reported that in

2014, the number one of death in Eastern

Samar was hypertension and the DOH has to

improve screening and reporting so that the

people will know the real situation in Eastern

Samar.

―And with the increasing problem of

lifestyle-related diseases like hypertension and

diabetes, there is the demand to equip the

RHUs and BHS — that’s why we need these

gadgets,‖ Egargo said.

The distribution of the gadgets is part of

the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan or Universal

Health Care — the current thrust of the

Aquino administration — in order to bridge

the gap and reduce barriers to health care,

reduce social exclusion, and work towards

universal coverage of delivering health services

to the Filipino people. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar).

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 30 (PIA) --- The Department of Health-Provincial DOH Office, led by Provincial

DOH Officer Dr. Jean Marie A. Egargo; and the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, represented by Provincial

Governor‘s Office Chief of Staff Mr. Berlindo Capon, turned over and distributed Tamang SErbisyo sa KAlusugan ng Pamilya

(TSeKap) equipment packages to five Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ) in Eastern Samar in March 21, 2016 at the Eastern

Samar Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, Borongan City.

Samuel D. Candido

13th Lamiraw Workshop now open for applications

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, March 29 (PIA) -- The 13th Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop is now accepting applications for

a 3-day writing fellowship on April 27-29, 2016 at Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Calbayog City, Samar.

P anelists invited in said workshop are

Prof. Allan Popa of the Ateneo de

Manila University, Mr. Jerry Gracio of

the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Prof. Voltaire

Oyzon of the Leyte Normal University, Ms.

Yvonne Esperas of the Philippine Science

High School – Eastern Visayas Campus and Mr.

Harold Mercurio of the Northwest Samar

State University.

Ten (10) slots at stake: 5 for Waray, 2 for

Sebuano, 1 for Inabaknon, 1 for Filipino and 1

for English. Slots are preferably for applicants

coming from Eastern Visayas. Interested

individuals are required to submit any of the

following: 1 short story /2 flash fiction/1

maikling kwento/1 sugilanon, 1 essay/1

sanaysay/1 gumalaysay or 5 poems/5 siday/5

balak/5 tula.

Works written in Sebuano, Waray and

Inabaknon must accompany a translation in

Filipino or English. Submit entries in MS Word

format, Times New Roman, Font 12 on April

20, 2016. Works (along with the official

application form) could be emailed to

lamiraw@yahoo.com and haroldmercu-

rio@yahoo.com.

Fellows who will qualify in the selection

process will avail of themselves free board and

lodging, workshop materials and proportional

transportation allowance.

This activity is jointly funded by

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU),

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

(NCCA), Katig Writers Network Inc.,

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and other

sponsors. For inquiry, please contact Mr.

Harold L. Mercurio, workshop director, at

09167569693 or email at haroldmercu

rio@yahoo.com. (PHLM/NWSSU/PIA-8)

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

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