Vol 6 Issue 14 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 4 - 10, 2016

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Coloma tells ESSU grads: Be proud of selves, school

PRDP livelihood projects benefit farmers, fisher folks

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PAGASA: P51M for cloud seeding program amid El Niño

Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU, April 6 (PIA) -- A budget allocation of P51 million has

been set aside by the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST) this year for cloud seeding operations nationwide to

respond to a hurting agricultural sector that continues to bore the

brunt of the El Niño phenomenon.

Engr. Oscar Tabada, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric

Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

- Visayas said the country will continue to experience abnormal

rainfall levels with hotter and more humid climate as the El Niño is

expected to peak by May.

“Provinces across the country especially in Mindanao are

already affected by the dry spell as next month, El Niño‟s impact will

cover more provinces,” said Tabada.

The severe drought is largely affecting the farmers as harvest

of rice and crops yield negative, said the PAGASA-Visayas chief.

In order to help the agricultural sector, the government

through the DOST has earmarked a budget for cloud seeding

operations to induce rain for the irrigation systems vital for the

starving rice fields and crops.

Tabada said their agency is helping in the cloud seeding

operations on when would be the appropriate time based on

weather projections to conduct the cloud seeding activity.

According to Tabada, cloud seeding operations have been

done in Mindanao and that Western Visayas and Cebu have

scheduled cloud seeding activities sometime this month.

“The problem in Cebu is that this month, the projection is

clear skies. Without clouds, it would be difficult to seed the

atmosphere with chemicals to induce rain,” said Tabada

adding that another problem is Cebu‟s geographical shape

characterized with narrow coastlines risking the induced rains to fall

into the sea.

The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) meanwhile, is also

conducting separate cloud seeding operations in Bohol as water

dams have reached critical water levels.

Marina Hermoso, regional technical director for operations

of DA-7, said among the dams that have benefited from the cloud

seeding activities are the Malinao Dam in Pilar town and Bayongan

Dam in the municipality of San Miguel. Malinao Dam is an irrigation

project covering 3,500 hectares of riceland areas serving five towns

while Bayongan Dam covers 2,858 hectares augmenting existing

water supply for farmlands of three municipalities, said Hermoso.

Cloud seeding operations are costly with one procedure

alone estimated to cost up to one million pesos due to the rental of

a helicopter, said Hermoso. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, April 7(PIA) – It‟s the singer, not

the song…be proud of who you are and where you came

from, ipagmalaki ninyo na kayo ay graduate ng ESSU.

These were part of Secretary Sonny Coloma‟s message to the

graduates of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Borongan

main campus, during their 53rd Commencement Exercises, April 6.

The head of the Presidential Communications Operations

Office (PCOO) was in town recently, to share some inspirational

thoughts to the new sets of degree holders.

He shared, that his Lolo Sixto was a farmer who did not

make it to high school, but he worked hard and insisted that his

father and his four siblings would finish college.

“If my father had not been able to obtain a university degree,

what kind of future would have been in store for him - and for his

children as well?” said Sec. Sonny.

In an apparent reverence therefore to the parents and

guardians seated in the side bleachers of the hall , Sec. Coloma

requested the graduates to rise and give them a resounding

applause, “for without them, you wouldn‟t be here,” he said.

He stressed, that a college diploma is more than just a

passport; it is also a key for opening many doors of opportunity.

He also pointed out to the graduates that they are luckier

because of today‟s robust economy.

For the future, the Presidential Spokesman offered some

tips. First, he said, they must be aware of what they are good at,

that they must capitalize on their skill-sets, reminding however, that

it is not only the degree they earned, for, the first impression they

create could probably be more important than their curriculum

vitae or their transcript of records.

Then, Sec. Coloma stressed on hard work in whatever they

do, and be willing to start from the bottom, then work their way

up, patiently and cheerfully.

“There is no magic formula for success. There is no

substitute for hard work. It is only in the dictionary where success,

comes ahead of work,” he added.

He likewise reminded the graduates of the opportunities in

Samar and Eastern Visayas as a whole which according to him has

an abundant natural resources, particularly the Samar Island Natural

Park(SINP) where abound and need protection, some 38 species of

mammals, 215 species of birds, 51 species of reptiles, 26 species of

amphibians and over 1,000 species of plants.

He urged, that the SNIP‟‟s vast natural resources needs

vigilance and protection as it significantly contributes to protection

against the ravages of climate change.

Eco-Tourism and Information and Communication

Technology, which is now in Palo, Leyte, he said could be another

job opportunity.

“All you have to do is look up, because there, you will see a

sky of boundless possibilities,” Sec. Coloma quipped.

He then, shared to the graduates a wisdom from other

person‟s wisdom: There were two fish swimming, when they

happen to meet an older fish, swimming the other way and nods at

them and says “Good morning boys. How‟s the water?”. And the

two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them

looks over at the other, and asked, “Hey, by the way, what the hell

is water?”

This, he said is a reminder that some people often forget or

take for granted the most obvious things around them, especially

when they are too busy dealing with so many thoughts streaming

inside their heads.

In closing, Sec. Coloma reminded again the graduates “to be

true to themselves and everything will be fine.” He further shared,

that Nelson Mandela, the great world leader from South Africa

endured more than 40years in prison by believing in the invincibility

of his will power.

Mandela‟s timeless philosophy, he said, is enshrined in the

poem “Invictus,” he then asked the graduates to recite the poem of

William Ernest Henley, with the last two striking lines: I am the

master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”(PIA-08)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PIA6) --- Around 15,000 farmers and

fisher folks in Western Visayas benefitted from the small livelihood

projects (SLP) of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP)

implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

This is under the enterprise development component

(I-REAP) of PRDP which aims to strengthen and develop viable

agri-fishery based enterprises.

DA-6 Regional Director Engr. Roy Abaya said that 8,000

males and 7,000 females have benefitted from the 31 SLPs in the

region.

“The small livelihood projects which amounted to

P122.5-million are mostly into farming and fishing,” he said.

The sub-projects are demand-driven and commodity

-driven and depend on the proposal of local government units

(LGUs).

To date, about 79 SLPs worth P88 million were already

approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board for the Visayas

cluster.

The Visayas cluster was given special attention in 2014 to

support areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol

earthquake through the SLPs.

The PRDP is a six-year national project of DA supported by

the World Bank which aims to increase agriculture and fisheries

productivity and income. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo).

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

The 4th part of Candidates' Forum for 1st

district Provincial Board candidates (l-r) Jessica

Villanueva, Rizaldy Gumba, Georgita Martinez,

forum host Jenny Catan-Tilos of PIA, Reynaldo

Tuanda Jr., Lorenzo Dy, and Napoleon Villegas

aired live over Fil-Pro cable TV & radyo Bandi-

lyo DYWC. (PIA7-NEGOR)

Cong. Damian G. Mercado and Gov. Roger G.

Mercado during DA Secretary Proceso Alcala's

visit in Maasin City for the turnover of farm

implements to f a rmers / f i sher fo l k s

organizations in Southern Leyte, among other

commitments to boost agri-sector. (PIA8)

ANTI-RABIES CAMPAIGN. Roxas City

Veterinarian Dr. Dante Corros calls on city

residents to be responsible dog owners in

view of the campaign to eliminate rabies cases

and road accidents due to stray dogs during a

recent media interaction March 28 as part of

the activities of the Roxas City Rabies Control

Committee for the Rabies Awareness Month

celebration. (PIA Capiz photo/A. Lumaque)

Graduates of Eastern Samar State University should be proud of

themselves and their school, said PCOO Secretary Coloma in his

message at the recent commencement exercises of ESSU. He said

there is no substitute for hard work to achieve success. (PIA8)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 5 (PIA6) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue called on taxpayers to file their income tax returns ear-

ly and not wait for the deadline.

R evenue District Office 72 Officer-In

-Charge Leticia Arabit urges those who

will be filing either on-line or manually

not to wait for the deadline on April 15.

She said that for easy filing, tax payers could

access the e-BIR form and do the filing online.

“However, they have also the option to file

manually,” she said, adding that they have

established help desks in their office to assist their

clients on the filing.

The deadline for filing of Income Tax

Returns has been set on April 15, however,

because it is a special non-working holiday in the

entire province of Capiz, the deadline for the

manual filers in Capiz will be extended on the

next working day which is April 18, Arabit said.

Republic Act 9217 declares April 15 as

President Manuel A. Roxas Memorial Day and

assigns the nearest Friday to it as special

nonworking holiday in the entire province of

Capiz and Roxas City in commemoration of the

death anniversary of the late president.

Records from the Bureau of Internal

Revenue disclosed that there are 75,109

registered taxpayers in the province in 2015, of

which 51,227 are individual taxpayers and 1,604

are corporate accounts.

Other registered taxpayers include the

one-time taxpayers, marginal income earners,

estate and taxpayers under Executive Order No.

98.

Information campaign has been intensified

such as the conduct of “Pulong-Pulong” or fora in

the different towns to reach many taxpayers in

the province.

For this year, the BIR targets to collect more

than P1.4-billion taxes in the province.

Last year‟s tax collection of RDO 72

reached more than P1.016-billion which is

higher than the more than P898.318-million tax

collection in 2014.

Arabit revealed that in February this

year, they were given certificate of

recognition by their BIR Regional Office for their

exemplary collection performance having

collected more than P100.4-million and

overshooting their monthly goal by 5.99-percent.

(JCM/JBG/PIA6)

BIR: Taxpayers should file tax returns early

By Jemin B. Guillermo

2 cruise ships slate Boracay visit

ILOILO CITY, April 5 (PIA6) --- Two cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan this April, according

to the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.

M S Seabourn Sojourn with 450

passengers and 350 crews will dock in

Boracay on April 8 while MS Insignia

will make its maiden call on April 18.

DOT-6 Regional Director Helen

Catalbas said Boracay Island is always prepared

to accommodate cruise ships and their

passengers.

“We already have the list of cruise ship

arrivals for 2016 up to 2018,” she said.

Personnel augmentation, welcome

streamers, welcome lei receptions, send-off

rondalla music, brochures and plaque of

recognition for maiden call are among the

assistance provided by DOT-6.

“Through proper coordination and

partnership with the local government

units of Malay and Aklan, we ensure

organized reception and guarantee the

safety of the passengers as they leave their ship to

experience the island even for a few hours,” she

added.

The DOT official declared these arrivals for

April as the 6th and 7th cruise ship arrivals in

Boracay Island, respectively, for 2016.

She also said that Region 6 is expecting 6 to

7 more cruise ship arrivals this year but the

number has the possibility to increase.

“DOT Region 6 is looking for other

possible tourist spots in Aklan to be included on

the list of destinations cruise ship passengers

would like to add on their shore excursions,” she

said.

She said that there are other developing and

growing tourist spots in Aklan that can also be

promoted to our visitors.

Northern Iloilo and Guimaras are also

eyed to become ports of call for cruise ships in

Western Visayas. (JCM/LTP/DOT/PIA-Iloilo)

By Leonard T. Pineda I

Barangays to get P1M subsidy

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, April 6 (PIA6) - - Each barangay in the country will receive a P1-million subsidy to fund the implementation of

the priority projects that they have identified under the Barangay Bottom-Up Budgeting (BBuB) program.

A n initial 30 % of the country‟s 42, 036

barangays will be able to avail of the

program starting next year since this will

be implemented in batches.

“Sa unang taon ng implementasyon,

humigit-kumulang 12,000 barangay ang

makakatanggap ng pinansyal natulong.

Ang natitira ay tutulungan upang lumakas ang

kakayahan na magpatupad ng mga proyekto sa

mga susunod na taon. Lahat ng barangay ay

makakasali sa programang ito,” said Secretary

Mel Sennen Sarmiento of the Department of the

Interior and Local Government in his message

read by Director Anthony Nuyda of DILG 6

during the recent Barangay Assembly Day at Brgy.

Buhay, Alimodian.

Sarmiento added that “at di tulad ng ibang

programa ng gobyerno na dadaan pa sa national

agencies ang pera, sa Barangay BUB, diretso po

mula sa ating National Treasury patungo sa bank

account ng inyong mga barangay ang pondo”.

BBuB program was among the topics

presented and discussed in the assembly at Brgy.

Buhay which was the showcase area in Western

Visayas for the 1st semester Barangay Assembly

Day this year.

The BBuB is an expansion of the Bottom-Up

Budgeting (BuB) program, which is one of the

reform initiatives of the Aquino administration

brought about by the Daang Matuwid agenda

where LGUs gets an additional funding support of

not less than P15 million to implement

projects identified through the help of civil society

organizations and concerned line agencies.

BuB is being implemented by cities and

municipalities since 2012.

DILG 6 Focal Person Christian Nagaynay

said the implementation of BBuB will ensure that

residents in the barangays will benefit from the

proposed priority projects that include

construction of basic infrastructure facilities and

pertaining to disaster risk reduction management.

Also, residents will be involved in the

planning and implementation of these projects.

(JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

25 LGUs join Best of Festival Dances Tilt

NEGROS OCC., April 6 (PIA6)--Twenty five local government units have confirmed participation in the Best of Festival

Dances Competition, one of the highlights of the yearly celebration of Panaad sa Negros Festival, a press release from the

Capitol said.

T he Best of Festival Dances Competition

is scheduled at the opening of the festival

on April 15, right after the opening

program that is set 4 p.m. at the Panaad Stadium.

The competition is open to all towns and

cities of the Province of Negros Occidental, from

which each LGU shall have only one entry.

The participating groups will compete

showcasing their very own festivals‟ concept and

character

Each performance is limited to five minutes

only; and will be judged according to the

following: choreography – 30 percent,

performance – 30 percent, theme/concept – 20

percent, costume – 10 percent, music - 5 percent,

and hand props – 5 percent.

The champion will receive P75,000; P60,000

for the 1st runner-up; P45,000 for the 2nd runner

-up; P30,000 for the 3rd runner-up, and P20,000

for the 4th runner-up.

The participating entries include Pabalhas

sa Tablas of Candoni, Udyakan of

Kabankalan City, Kisi-kisi Festival of Ilog, Manang

Pula Festival of Manapla, Tinabu-ay Festival of

Murcia, Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Pasundayag

Festival of Valladolid, Salapan Festival of

Pulupandan, Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City,

Pagbanaag of Hinobaan, Bulang-bulang of San

Enrique, Minulu-an of Talisay City, Pasaway

Festival of Sipalay City, Sinigayan of Sagay City,

Bailes de Luces of La Castellana, Lubay-lubay

Festival of Cauayan, Hinuptanan Festival of Moises

Padilla, Dinagsa Festival of Cadiz City,

Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City, and Pasala-

mat Festival of La Carlota City. (JCM/ Lljr

-PIA6/Capitol News)

By Lorenzo O. Lambatin, Jr.

KALIBO, Aklan, April 4 (PIA6) -- In Aklan, women are proving that they can also do a certain job that men traditionally were

tasked to do.

Women are road workers too in Aklan

By Venus G. Villanueva

T his job can be likened to that of

“camineros”, men who, years and years ago, were hired by the government to do

maintenance works along major highways – clearing

roadsides of obstructions and garbage, filling potholes with gravel (roads then were not concreted yet), or cutting tall cogon grasses and unsightly vegetation.

Now, there is a new group of road cleaners of Aklan‟s provincial highways, and these are women, hired by the provincial government to do

road maintenance under the Community Based Maintenance Contracting Program (CBMP), which, according to the provincial governor, is a first of its

kind in the whole country. Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores

never gets tired of praising the feat of these women

whenever opportunity comes. He first mentioned this scheme done by

women during his State of the Province Address

(SOPA) February of this year, and in March, Women‟s Month, during his “Governor‟s Report to the People” in a local radio station here, he also

cited the performance of these women for all the

Aklanons to hear. On March 22 at the signing ceremony of the

Revised Gender and Development (GAD) Code of

the Province of Aklan at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, he also mentioned the admirable accomplishments of these women, and how they perform much better than their male

counterparts in doing road maintenance. What is CBMC and why is the provincial

government of Aklan so proud of the women behind

it? The CBMC was first tried in 3 road sections

pioneered by women‟s groups in Ibajay, Aklan last

year. These road sections are in Agbago-Santa Cruz-Batuan-Maloco-Capilijan -Bagacay in Ibajay;

Balactasan-Pang-itan-San Jose in Madalag; and Maloco

Mabusao in Ibajay. According to the governor, the involved

women rendered more efficient, transparent and

much better road maintenance work with added womanly touches like weeding and beautification of roadsides.

The scheme was also one way of helping the

women in the barangays earn additional income. Some of these women are also Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

“Women organizations hired for the job were also from the places that are maintained, so that they will feel a sense of ownership to the project”, the governor said. This year, the provincial government

will have 9 more CBMC projects to be handled by Aklanon women in various parts of the province.

Because of this innovation, Aklan is turning to

be a benchmark area which allows communities to participate in road maintenance contracting.

According to the governor, the provinces of

Bohol and Davao del Norte have already conducted benchmarking activities for this in Aklan. Seen as a

model as Aklan is the first ever to do this, he said

many other provinces have inquired about this project, which highlighted other capabilities of Aklan women who proved that besides contributing to the

economic improvement of their households, showed that they can also render jobs that are traditionally for men only. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 5 (PIA6) - - The Provincial Veterinary Office (PROVET)said that they have received 1,000 vials of

anti-rabies vaccines, recently from the Department of Agriculture Region 6 needed to intensify the anti-rabies program in the

province.

T he vaccines will be distributed to the 18

municipalities of the province according

to Provincial Veterian Dr. Romeo S.

Magdato.

Dr. Magdato said that a vial of anti-rabies

vaccine could vaccinate at least 10,000 dogs.

“Dogs must be vaccinated to prevent them

from acquiring the disease from other animals,”

Magdato said as he urged the public to bring their

dogs to the different Municipal Agriculture Office

for free anti-rabies vaccination. According to a

health factsheet, rabies is a viral disease

transmitted to man through the bite of a rabid

animals like dogs, cats and many others. Rabies

remains as public health problem in the Philip-

pines, where approximately 300 to 600 Filipinos

die of rabies every year.

It is required under RA No. 9482 or the

Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 that all pet owners

should regularly vaccinate their dog against rabies,

submit their dogs for mandatory registration, be a

responsible owner by providing their dog with

proper grooming, adequate food and clean

shelter, and assist the dog bite victim immediately

and shoulder the medical expenses incurred and

other incidental expenses relative to the victim‟s

injuries.

Local government units are mandated to

ensure that all dogs are properly immunized,

registered and issued a corresponding dog tag for

every immunized and registered dog and strictly

enforce dog impounding activities and field

control to eliminate stray dogs, and allocate funds

to augment the implementation of the National

Rabies Prevention and Control Program. (JCM/

VWV/PIA Antique)

PROVET Antique intensifies anti-rabies campaign

By Vicente W. Villavert

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) will be launching

their Tuloy Ang Pagbabago campaign in Tagbilaran City on April 4.

DSWD launches 'Tuloy Ang Pagbabago’

campaign in Tagbilaran

T uloy Ang Pagbabago is a campaign aimed to

protect and enhance the awareness of beneficiaries of their rights and duties,

especially for the upcoming national elections.

Through the campaign, partner-beneficiaries are expected to be more vigilant and more informed especially of their rights as citizens anchored on the Active Citizenship Module of the Family

Development Session. Also, the campaign seeks to encourage them

to be actively involved in the entire electoral

process, capacitating them to speak and stand for their rights.

DSWD-7 is urging its partner-beneficiaries to

remain vigilant and active in exercising their rights especially this coming national elections.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky”

Soliman has been reminding partner-beneficiaries that they are free to decide, choose, and express their beliefs and rights on issues concerning their lives and their communities.

“Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries are empowered individuals and are aware of their rights as citizens of this country.

They are free to choose someone whom they believe epitomizes their principles,” Soliman earlier

said.

“During the Family Development Sessions, we tell them about active citizenship and voting according to their conscience. But we never impose

on them to vote for a certain political personality,” Soliman stressed.

Soliman will grace the Tuloy Ang Pagbabago launching this Monday which will kick-off with a

parade from Plaza Rizal to Bohol Tropics from 6 to 7 a.m.

The program proper will start at 8 a.m. while a

press conference is scheduled at 11 a.m. (rmn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Elvira C. Bongosia

BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental, April 6 (PIA) – A set of fish processing equipment was recently turned over to fisherfolk

-beneficiaries in Brgy. Boyco here by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Bayawan fisher folks get new fish processing equipment

T he equipment that was handed over to the

fisher folk-beneficiaries under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project which aims to

help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)

owners. The turnover ceremony was held April 1 at

Brgy. Boyco Gymnasium. DTI-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director

Asteria Caberte spearheaded the turnover ceremony and opening of the fish processing center located beside the Boyco Gymnasium along with DTI

Provincial Director Javier Fortunato Jr. and DTI -Negros Oriental staff.

The SSF project, pegged at P1 million, is

composed of a multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer, mechanical multi-purpose dryer, two stainless steel working table with sink, stainless steel marinating

basin (drawer mounted type), stainless steel shelves, vacuum packaging machine, chest freezer, heavy duty electric meat grinder, industrial pressure cooker, and

stainless industrial stove. The equipment can help produce lamayo (low

salt, marinated, half dried fish), fish balls, dried fish,

bottled fish and fish crackers in good quality. DTI-NIR director Asteria Caberte explained

the purpose of the equipment is to ensure that the

process of preparing lamayo and other fish products is clean and safe.

It also hopes to increase the volume of production, improve the quality, and expand the

market of processed fish products. With the help of the fish processing equipment,

the volume of production of dried fish and lamayo is

expected to increase from 50 to 100 kgs. per month to 150 to 200 kgs per month.

Caberte said that fish processors will also have

better products and can charge a higher price if necessary.

The direct beneficiaries of the SSF fish

processing project are the members of the Villareal-Tinago-Boyco Fisherfolks Associatio (VITIFOBA).

“I hope that this lamayo project will be maximized. Use It! I hope this will bring additional

income to all of you,” Caberte said.

On the other hand, Bayawan City Councilor Luis Sumalpong thanked DTI the SSF project.

In his message, he said that this would help

solve the problem in drying fish. “This would make the processing of lamayo and dried fish faster.

This is one of the necessary projects in Bayawan. We are looking for other avenues to

increase the income of Bayawanons,” he said. City Agriculturist Cornelio Muralla also

expressed the commitment to help fisherfolks in

maximing and optimizing the use of the fish processing equipment provided by DTI.

Meanwhile, other government officials who

graced the event were Assistant Regional Director for Finance and Administration of Department of Science and Technology (DOST-NIR) Engr. Gilbert

Arbon, Provincial Planning and Development Office head Sophie Arevalo, and ICT

- Dumaguete Executive Director Danah Fortunato

together with representatives from TESDA and DENR. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

CEBU CITY, 6 April (PIA) – Department of Health (DOH-7) is now supporting the advocacy for Hemophilia cases.

DOH-7 supports Hemophilia advocacy

D O H - 7 S e c t i o n H e a d f o r

Non-Communicable Disease Dr. Dino Caing told media during the recent

Association of Government Information Officers

(AGIO) -Philippine Information Agency (PIA-7) Forum that their department is now in partnership with the Hemophilia Association of the Philippines, Inc. (HAPI) to raise public awareness on Hemophilia

disease. Caing explained that hemophilia is a rare but

congenital bleeding disorder.

"It is a life-long bleeding disorder of the blood clotting mechanism. Hemophilia is usually inherited from parent to child," he said.

It is the deficiency of a particular clotting factor

resulting in the excessive bleeding from injury or without obvious reason at all.

The only saving factor is the blood donation program of DOH, said Caing.

Caing also said that the patients to be treated

need only a small amount of blood to manufacture concentrate blood.

The most common symptom of hemophilia is

bleeding in the joints, muscles and even in bruises found in the body.

It is seen when there is pain, swelling, and

limited movement especially the elbows, knees and ankles.

Navasquez said the ideal treatment for bleeding episodes is factor concentrate.

Factor VIII and IX concentrate infused to the blood to temporarily increase the factor level and aid recovery from a bleed.

Based on records, as of 2015, there are 149 identified hemophilia cases in Cebu and 1,200 cases nationwide, said Navasquez.

It was also recorded that for 2015 up to the

present, there were three deaths of hemophilia cases.

Hemophil ia treatment is expensive, costing P5,000 per vial for children while P20,000 per vial for adults good for 8 to 12 hours but it depends

also with the severity of the cases. Currently, there is no cure for

hemophilia, however, good nutrition and a healthy

lifestyle can help cope with this and also help avoid bleeds, said Navarquez.

Hemophilia patients are prevented from playing

contact sports such as basketball, soccer and boxing because of the danger of injury.

Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 1478 declared the month of April as the “National Hemophilia

Awareness Month” and enjoined national government agencies in coordination with private organizations to extend their support and

cooperation in the commemoration of this event. In Cebu, HAPI tied up with DOH in the

awareness and advocacy campaign on Hemophilia

such as installing streamers and they are also open

for any invitation to talk about Hemophilia as part of their campaign.

On April 17, hemophilia patients together with their families will have a one-day event at the Perpetual Succor Gymnasium. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/

AGIO-7)

Hazel F. Gloria

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) — Tagbilaran City implemented a total of P11.08 million in five projects funded under the

Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) for 2014, which it completed in the last days.

A nother five more projects are already funded

but its implementation can happen anytime, according to Engr. Estela Margate, officer In

Charge for the City Planning and Development

Office (CPDO). At the joint meeting of the City Peace and

Order Council (CPOC), City Development Council (CDC) and City Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (CDRRMC) on March 30, Engr. Margate said while some projects have been already benefiting citizens, some of the funded projects are

still up for bidding or to be implemented yet this year.

Funded projects already implemented

include the P6.4 million Tagbilaran Intensified Organic Livestock for Agriculture (TINOLA) and Development program dispersed in Tiptip, Cabawan,

Dao and San Isidro. As of March 14, there are 24 organically grown

hogs ready for disposal, each weighing an average of

100 kilos. Meanwhile, from the BUB, a P2.8 million Skills

Training on Production of Souvenir Bags and Souvenir Items (Production of Recycled Grocery

Bags and Rugs) have been implemented citywide,

Margate said. Here, members of the women‟s organization

are trained on leaf manipulation and several are now

starting to earn gainful income from production of souvenir items from manipulated dried leaves, said Rowena Bernales, a training beneficiary.

For aging citizens and their maintenance

medicines upkeep, the city government purchased some P1.6 million of assorted medicines solely for indigent senior citizens.

As to its distribution mechanism, the CPDO said “medicines were distributed to the senior citizens through conduct of medical missions, and

distributed to the different barangay health stations in the city.”

Another P120,000 allocation which has been

earmarked as financial assistance to persons with disabilities have been given to 120 beneficiary PWDs each getting P1,000, Margate continued.

From the BUB Funds, the city local government allocated P160,000 for therapeutic massage training course under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Beneficiaries are now gainfully employed,

either in Panglao beaches or in massage clinics and rendering home service for city residents, sources bared.

Also, the city reportedly apportioned P750,000 for its Community Based Agriculture Project which it implemented in Barangays Taloto, Ubujan and Manga clusters.

From the project, beneficiaries are now set to get their first harvest within the month, the city planning officer shared.

Other BUB funded projects that would be implemented anytime are Tagbilaran Project for Upscaling of Organic Production Systems

worth P994,500, Construction of a building for Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office at P470,000, Construction of four units

restrooms for Dao, Booy, Dampas and Ubujan elementary schools at P375,000 and the capability building on Community

Based Waste management Program set at P1.2 million, according to city Local government operations officer Mardonio Roxas. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

BUB funds 5 Tagbilaran City projects

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

SIQUIJOR, April 3 (PIA) — At least 38 local candidates vying for this year’s polls in the province pledged for a secure and fare

elections (SAFE) with the signing of a peace covenant on Saturday at the Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor.

Siquijor local bets pledge for secure, fare 2016 polls

T he Peace Covenant Signing sealed an

agreement for a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections among

the politicians with the Siquijor Police Provincial

Office (SPPO), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines‟ (AFP) 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) that

compose the Provincial Joint Security Control Council (PJSCC) here.

SPPO Provincial Director Erson Digal said that

although Siquijor is relatively small, being the third smallest province in the country and the only in Region 7 that is free from CNN (CPP-NPA-NDF)

and other threat groups, security measures still have

to be in place to protect the candidates and the

whole populace.

AFP 3ID commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros said ensuring peaceful conduct of elections is a challenging task but called on everyone to

work together in the spirit of “Bayanihan” and continue to cultivate the “culture of peace” among the constituents.

He said this as he vowed to remain

focused, consistent, and apolitical in sustaining peace and order in the province.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie

Aba led the pledge of commitment and reminded the candidates to be responsible and be guided with the election rules including the posting only in

Comelec-designated areas, prompt submission of

statement of contributions and expenditures, and

carrying of guns, among others.

He particularly appealed to the candidates to monitor posting of election materials and refrain from posting in trees and consider them as human

beings. “They, too, have life,” he said. PPCRV Provincial Coordinator Rev. Fr.

Leonardo Tan also gave support and committed to

work for a free, credible, orderly and peaceful elections as he echoed the message of PPCRV National Chairperson Amb. Henrietta T. de

Villa. “It is time to become a more visible and

effective force for CHAMP-Clean Honest Accurate

Meaningful Peaceful – Elections,” the chairperson said

(rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

CEBU CITY, April 1 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) recently called for households

to conserve water in line with World Water Day (WWD) observance on March 22.

“ We should take water conservation

measures very seriously to make sure that we have enough water supply for domestic

use, agriculture, aquaculture and energy,” said DENR

-7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo in a press statement.

In a Drought or Dry Spell Outlook dated March 2016 released by the Philippine

Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA), at least 68 provinces or 85 percent of the country‟s 81 provinces have been

identified to likely experience moderate to severe drought.

In the Visayas, the areas are Cebu, Aklan,

Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental,

Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, Biliran, Leyte,

Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Southern Leyte.

“We should be more concerned with our

water consumption in bathing, toothbrushing, and handwashing. Recycled laundry water could be used for gardening, flushing the toilet and washing of car and floor,” said Montejo.

These water conservation measures include

checking of plumbing leaks, pipes and joints to be fixed right away to avoid wasting of water.

Other water conservation measures include using a pail and dipper instead of the shower when bathing, using hose when washing vehicles

and gardening during cooler times of the day,

reducing the frequency of doing the laundry, hanging

clothes to dry instead of prolonging the washing machine‟s spin cycle, and utilizing used water for other purposes such as dousing garden plants and

using soapy laundry water for vehicles. The Philippines is currently experiencing El

Nino which occurs every two to seven years. The country just celebrated this year‟s WWD

with a focus on the vital role of water in achieving

sustainable development. This year‟s theme, ”Water and Jobs,” seeks to

focus on how enough quantity and quality of water can change worker‟s lives and livelihood and even transform societies and economies. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/

AGIO-7)

DENR-7 appeals to public to conserve water

Hazel F. Gloria

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Eastern Visayas to host nat’l ICT event

Neil D. Lopido

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 5 (PIA) – For the first time, Eastern Visayas has been awarded as the host region for this

year’s National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) Summit which will be held in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte on

November 10-11, 2016.

“ This is our chance to showcase to the world

that we have recovered from Yolanda because ever since for the past 3 years, the focus has

always been on the rehabilitation and recovery,”

Chairman Cam said. Mr. Cam said that they are expecting at least

400 participants who are involved mainly in any ICT companies providing ICT-related services or

products as well as government institutions that have implemented or are planning to implement ICT solutions as part of their service delivery.

“The venue of the first day will be at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, that‟s where the NICP Summit will be held, and we are expecting roughly

around 300 to 400, probably as much as 800 because based on previous summits like the one in Legazpi, about 700 people arrived at the event for that one

day summit,” Cam said. Cam further said that keynote speakers will

focus more on the theme on “accelerating economy

in the region through ICT” which is also the aim of this annual event – to promote the development of ICT throughout the country and specifically for the host regions.

Part of the event also is the holding of exhibits

and job fair on the second day, still at the Leyte Academic Center. “We will invite IT-BPO companies to set up exhibits for their services and their

products, and also, to conduct jobs fair,” he said. Meanwhile, the eGovernance Award, which will

be held at the Tacloban City Convention Center (Astrodome), will recognize Local Government

Units in the country who are role models and has implemented any form of ICT solutions as part of their efficient service delivery.

“We are aiming that by the end of this month (April) , we will be able to send out the formal invitations with the mechanics on the criteria

in joining the eGovernance Awards,” Cam added. A registration fee of P2,500.00 for the two-day

event will be inclusive of lunch, snacks and a small

give-away. “In terms of the budget, we are looking at

around P1.5 million for the cost of the entire event

and we will be sending out solicitation letters, sponsorship letters for any company or govt agency to actually help us in sponsoring the cost of the event,” Cam said.

For his part, DOST-Leyte Director John

Glenn Ocaña said that the idea of hosting this national event is to help Region 8 get back into the mainstream of the ICT industry.

“These are strong statements that Region 8 has already bounced back and is now back in business

after almost 3 years from the devastation of Yolanda,” he said.

Ocaña disclosed that based on the study that they have conducted, Eastern Visayas already have locally-funded or locally invested IT-BPM companies

within Region 8 but most of these are in Leyte. “The hosting would really like to have that kind

of impact that the IT-BPM industry at the national

level would look at us again as a potential location for IT-BPM companies,” he said.

EVFIT is a private sector organization

composed of local ICT companies and stakeholders in Eastern Visayas. It is a creation of the Regional ICT Committee of Eastern Visayas – Regional

Development Council (RDC) as a public-private sector partnership and member of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) as a major ICT council serving the Eastern Visayas. (aen/PIA-8)

‘Lambat Sibat’ reduces crime in EV

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 7 (PIA) - Lambat Sibat operations in the region have significantly reduced crime in the

region.

T hese were the words of Police Chief Supt

Jose Erwin Toledo Villacorte as he faced the media after Lambat Sibat was launched in

Calbayog City, today with no less than Secretary Mel

Sarmiento of DILG in attendance. Though this oplan has just cascaded to the

region, „a downtrend in criminality‟ has been

observed, the police official said.

He compared the years 2014, 2015, 2016 of the months Jan-March to show how the crimes declined.

In 2014, crimes went up to 2, 521; in 2015, crimes went down to 2, 069 and this year 2016,

crime continued to drop to 1, 243, Villacorte

showed this report to the media that swarmed him after his closed door meeting with the security forces in the region.

As the venue was in Calbayog City, the media asked if the three recent crimes in the region were politically motivated.

The top policeman in the region said that the

killing of a PWD in Albuera was the only one tainted with politics.

“Hindi namin maidugtong yung dalawa,”

Villacorte said referring to the killing in Catbalogan and the other violent incident in Calbayog City.

Crimes will always be part of the lives of

ordinary people because some bad elements are present, he added, but it is now in the police operations where the difference lies, he added.

As to their performance, Villacorte said that even the secretary of DILG is satisfied with their performance. He added that Sarmiento urged them

to carry on and continue operating under the Lambat

Sibat program that has brought criminals to jail. Along with this, the police shall continue to do

check points, serve search warrants and run after

Most Wanted Persons. (PIA 8-Samar/nbq with Jun Arceno)

Ninfa B Quirante

Borongan City ground breaks semi-dome evacuation center

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, April 7 (PIA) - The ground breaking of the construction of the ₱ 20 M evacuation center

in Brgy. Campesao, Borongan City, Eastern Samar is slated on April 27, 2016, said Borongan City Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Officer Engr. Jaime Voces said.

V o c e s d i s c l o s e d t h a t t h e

two-storey semi-dome evacuation

center is designed to withstand

350 kilometer per hour of maximum

sustained winds of a typhoon and 7.5-magnitude

earthquake.

It can accommodate 350 evacuees as well.

He also said that the evacuation will be

constructed in the lot of the LGU Borongan in

Brgy. Campesao.

Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda

expressed happiness and thanked the

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

for choosing the city of Borongan as the site of

the evacuation center.

The IOM also said that the city government

may use the evacuation center as well for its

social activities. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)

Samuel D. Candido

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

DA turns over implements to SoLeyte farmers, fisherfolks

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 7 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) turned over farm implements to the

different farmer/fisherfolks organizations throughout the province of Southern Leyte in a turnover ceremony graced by DA

Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Marcelo M. Pedalino

PhilHealth 8 bags ARTA Caravan best booth award

T he activity held at the Leyte Normal

University in Tacloban City was designed to showcase the services of participating

government agencies.

The primary audience was the university students of Tacloban City to instil in them the “consciousness and sense of involvement on good governance and anti corruption initiatives of the

government.” The importance of the youth in improving the

government service was also underscored in this

year‟s theme which is“#KontraRedTape: Kabataan, Kaakibat sa Mahusay na Pamamahala”.

The Best Booth Award was based on the

following criteria: (1) compliance to the ARTA provisions (40%) and, (2) peoples‟ choice (60%), which was the rating of the clients served during the

exhibit.

Other winners include Pag-IBIG Fund

(2nd place), Land Bank of the Philippines (3rd place), Commission on Higher Education (4th place) and GSIS (5th place).

PhilHealth 8‟s Regional Vice President Walter Bacareza said that the award “validated the efforts of Team PhilHealth to provide the best service to the clients.”

“At the onset, we already planned to ensure client satisfaction by providing the best booth set up with complete array of services and additional perks

for their enjoyment,” Bacareza added. PhilHealth booth also provided a special lounge

and fast lane for senior citizens, pregnant women and

persons with disabilities. Among the services offered by PhilHealth

during the one-stop-shop caravan include ID and

MDR printing, member registration, acceptance of

premium payments, updating of membership records,

and information dissemination. The students and staff of participating agencies

took the opportunity to avail of the PhilHealth

services as well as joined in the raffle promos. PhilHealth‟s Executive Vice President and Chief

Operating Officer, Ramon Aristoza Jr. , who graced the occasion, lauded the team for a job well

done and said that the latest win, PhilHealth became the grand slam winner in all three ARTA caravans.

It has been noted that PhilHealth booths were chosen best in the first two ARTA Caravans held at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon

City and in the Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Cagayan de Oro City held last January 25-26 and February 10, 2016, respectively. (MPZ/

GTT/Philhealth-8/PIA-8Miramar Zabala)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 8 - The PhilHealth Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) won the best Booth Award during the

Anti Red Tape Caravan-Visayas organized recently by the Civil Service Commission here.

T he day activity held April 5, 2016 at the city‟s gymnasium was participated by different

stakeholders spearheaded by DA Regional

Office 8 through Regional Director Leo Caṅeda and DA 8 personnel.

The farm implements was distributed during

the Technical Consultations with Agri-Pinoy Stakeholders in Eastern Visayas to include as follows: farm tractor, cassava grater, corn mill, hand tractor, cassava granulator, rice thresher, corn shelter,

floating tiller, among others. Th e under ta k ing a l s o p r es en ted

commitments of agricultural interventions such

as the rehabilitation and improvement of Mahayag-Manalog Farm to Market Roads, Expanded Agri-business Activities like banana plantation,

rehabilitation and vegetable production, animal re-stocking and infusion project, rehab/concreting

of Suba-Kamagkaan-San Vicente-San Juan Farm to Market Roads, the construction of FMR with

footbridge component concreting at La Purisima Concepcion to Zone V in Sogod town and organic fertilizer production, to name a few.

Secretary Alcala in his inspirational message responded to the call of the farmers‟ testimonies who urged the agriculture department

to help the agr i sector particularly the farmers to help them learn on how to use the organ ic agr icu l ture , an additional abaca seeds for plantation, among other

short, medium and long term farm inputs and projects.

The secretary also announced that there

are 15 slots available for scholarships in agriculture courses, with free school tuition fees, book allowance and a monthly stipend. He did not elabo-

rate the details. He further said that the agriculture sector is

very important in every one‟s life, saying “kung maganda ang ani, maganda ang buhay,,,,,at maganda ang buhay, kung maganda ang ani.”

A farmer or a fisherman should not be left alone, we should support them in all their efforts which can be benefitted by all.

At lunch time, a raffle draw was conducted based on the registration numbers of the participants with prizes prepared such as fiber glass paddleboats, assorted seedlings, corn seeds, fish nets, among the

few. The whole day activity was attended by Cong.

Damian G. Mercado, Gov. Roger G. Mercado in

behalf of the provincial government, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco, among other guests and visitors. (rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

Nature at its best at San Juan By the Bay!

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 7 (PIA) - How would you like to view the mountains while swimming in the blue waters of

the bay?

Y ou can do just that and get the bonus of a

magnificent view of San Juanico Bridge in a new tourist haven called San Juan by the

Bay.

Located some 14 kilometers north of Tacloban City, one can reach this serene paradise through an access road from the Maharlika Highway, barely

some 200 meters from the foot of the famous San

Juanico Bridge. If coming from Tacloban City, one then does a

left turn to the barangay access road of San Juan,

(part of the municipalty of Sta Rita, Samar)and on to the mangrove entrance, the tourist then calls on the rural women who have grouped into an association

that manages the place now being frequented by

local tourists.

After paying the dues, you get to walk the bamboo pathwalk some 400 meters heading to a breathtaking view by the bay.

Clear, cool blue waters beckons the tourist for a refreshing dip while feasting on the green and lush mountains and the verdant mangrove that the rural

folks maintain.

The tourist can rest in a floating cottage for a minimal fee and again swim and swim again with the balmy sea breeze wafting through one's skin.

Yonder is an islet that you can sail to using the boats for rent by the bay.

The islet is said to be the graveyard of San

Juan‟s barangay folks in the 18th century.

One can also choose kayaking, snorkeling and

just plain swimming. One can never fear the deep sea as all around

you is land- Samar and Leyte and the picturesque San

Juanico Bridge very visible from the bay. The place is relatively new, as it just

emerged from the rubbles of Typhoon Yolanda,

the rural folks with the help of a giant network

thought of turning this hidden paradise into a tourist haven.

Need to commune with nature, pack the basics

and head to San Juan by the Bay! And since it is just some 20 minutes away from Tacloban City, one may return to a hotel in the city in a jiffy! (PIA 8-Samar/

nbq)

Ninfa B Quirante

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