Vol 5 Issue 5 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 February 2 - 8, 2015
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DENR-7 sets aside P404M for 2015 NGP
Coalition approach seen to rehab losing Abaca industry
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
Critical infra needed to support rural development - Alcala
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) — Local chief executives in
Western Visayas should focus their investments on critical infrastructure projects.
In a farmers forum here, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that these infrastructure projects like farm-to
-market roads and small irrigation systems can be pushed through the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).
The PRDP is a World Bank aided project, implemented through the DA in partnership with the local government units.
Alcala told the farmers and the fisherfolk also attending the forum that such investments can help create more
sustainable and stable sources of livelihood ans incomes in their areas.
He called the attention of forum participants to the situation of irrigation development in the region, which could
be further improved to boost the status of the region as a major rice producer.
―We also need small water impounding projects that will surely help the farmers,‖ Alcala said.
Alcala said that records showed only 65,000 hectares, or about 20 percent of the region‘s 330,000 hectares of rice farms
are being served by national irrigation systems. ―It means that a majority of the rice production areas are
either served by small water impounding projects and communal irrigation systems or are rain-fed areas,‖ Alcala said.
He added that he will propose to the World Bank to
include small water impounding projects in the PRDP.
The DA is implementing the six-year PDRP starting 2014,
which employs the value chain approach in the identification and implementation of projects depending on their feasibility.
Further, the DA works with the LGUs and the private sector to establish key infrastructure, facilities, technology and
information for food production, value adding and marketing activities of the farmers.
Secretary Alcala said that with the PDRP, agencies can better and faster assist the communities.
He also urged the LGUs to use the local development funds from their respective Internal Revenue Allotment to fund
local projects, like the farm-to-market roads. (DA/JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
CEBU CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) --- With a budget of more than
P404 million for the National Greening Program (NGP) this year, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) is ready to kick off its NGP implementation in Central Visayas after a successful completion in 2014.
DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said the allocation will be used to establish more plantations in
the region and in maintaining existing plantations and acquiring firefighting equipment in cases of forest fires for forest
protection. Based on the forest management services (FMS) data,
DENR-7 is set to produce over 11.5 million indigenous or native tree seedlings of various species to cover about 15T plus
hectares of identified NGP areas in the four provinces of the region this year, bared Dr. Eddie Llamedo, head of the Regional
Public Information Office of DENR-7. Meanwhile, Montejo stressed, ―Our target for this year is
2,800 hectares lesser than that of last year since we have more maintenance and protection efforts to execute to ensure the
safety and good growth of the existing plantations especially those which were established since 2011.‖
Of the total target, Cebu Province will produce
2,772,000 seedlings to cover 4, 414 hectares: Bohol Province
with 2,535,400 seedling production target for 3,033 hectares; Negros Oriental with the largest target of 6,153,600 seedlings
for 7,489 hectares; and Siquijor Province with 96,500 seedlings to reforest 185 hectares of NGP area in the province, Llamedo
said. He added the NGP aims to reforest some 1.5 million
hectares of degraded forest lands in the country and to essentially develop a sustainable forest resource base to
accelerate the national greening campaign to address poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Llamedo announced, ―On its fifth year now and as we get nearer to its completion in 2016, we will continue to do our
best to contribute to our national target and deliver its objectives for the success and milestone of the first ever and
largest re-greening program in the Philippine history.‖ DENR 7 has reported a 113 percent
accomplishment in NGP in 2014. In a consolidated report, Region 7 was able to produce a total of
15,967,171 seedlings which reforested around 20, 296.97 hectares in Central Visayas, said Llamedo. (mbcn/jsme/
PIA7-Cebu/DENR7)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
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EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 4 (PIA) – The old adage
"In unity there is strength" is the principle that currently gives hope to the losing Abaca industry in Sogod, Southern Leyte.
Led by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) under its research program on
Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), a coalition approach involving WorldFish, Philippine Fiber Industry Development
Authority (PhilFIDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture(DA), Southern Leyte State
University (SLSU) and the farmers of barangay Maac and Mahayahay, the losing Abaca industry in Region 8 might just be
given a grand solution in the next two years. Earlier, a series of study had been conducted by AAS
Program, WorldFish with its partners. Foremost, the team, with DOST and SLSU engaged the community members of the
two barangays, where they listened and understood their dreams for a ―rehabilitated Abaca farm‖.
According the local residents, for so long, their lives and livelihood were embedded in the fiber of Abaca , until the
deadly bunchy top virus that devastated their economic activity. Not even the massive eradication program from 2009
to 2010 gave a total positive result to the lost glory of Maac and Mahayahay‘s Abaca farms.
Barangay Chairman Raul Galula of Maac said they can
only return to their purchasing capacity if the Abaca industry would be restored.
A report from PhilFida mentions that the demand for the fiber is hardly met in the country thus the restoration of the
Abaca plantation and industry in Sogod must be done quickly. Director Edgardo Esperancilla of DOST hopes
that the farmers, after two years of planting, can harvest four times a year, considering the young abaca that
normally develops and sprout around the trunk of the main tree.
Southern Leyte used to be a home of intricately knotted bags, slippers and home decors and for several occasions have
participated in national Bahandi Fairs and Exhibits. Once more, the Abaca farmers hope to regain the vibrancy of their local
main livelihood. The project in Sogod is only a part of the project in
Visayas and Mindanao, targeting 840,000 poorest of the poor families, Dir. Esperancilla added
PhilFIDA informs that some international manufacturers are looking up to making textiles out of the Abaca fiber. Lipton
Tea, for one, has something to thank the Abaca for its teabag is made out of the fiber. (PIA-8)
Public schools nationwide pay tribute to the
44 Philippine National Police Special Action
Force (SAF) troopers who fell during the
Mamasapano incident by observing 44 seconds
of silence during flag-raising ceremonies. In
photo: Education Secretary Armin Luistro
joins students in remembering the fallen SAF
troopers. (@DepEd_PH/PIA7-NegOr)
Barangay chairman Raul Galola (right) of Maac,
Sogod holds one of the 4,000 abaca seedlings
during the ceremonial distribution in
connection with the launching of the coalition
for Abaca Rehabilitation in Southern Leyte,
February 2. (Vino R. Cuayzon)
DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. (PIA 6 photo)
Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores (left)
in his State of the Province Address (SOPA)
this year highlights Aklan's progress and
development and the continued effort to make
the Province a better place through the
cooperation of the Provincial Government and
the people of Aklan. Also in in photo are the
Local Chief Executives, Vice Mayors, Heads of
the National Agencies and Provincial
Government, and representatives from all
sectors of the community. (JERR/PIA 6)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
DAR to implement ‗Tulay ng Pangulo‘ program
By Leonard T. Pineda I
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA6) --- Projects under the Tulay ng Pangulo para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo (TPKP) that will benefit
agrarian reform communities here are just awaiting for implementation, said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Iloilo
provincial office.
A ccord ing to DAR- I lo i l o , the
identification of proposed sites
including the submission of proposals
and the validation of the feasible sites for the
TPKP project have been completed.
The TPKP project involves the
construction, installation and establishment of
"universal bridges" in priority agrarian reform
communities (ARCs) and Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) covered
areas.
The TPKP unibridges will connect ARCs
and the CARP-covered areas and road
networks to main markets nationwide under
DAR‘s Program Beneficiaries Development
(PBD) support services delivery component.
It aims to promote rural development by
linking the ARCs in the economic mainstream
and open up development potentials in order
to increase productivity and income.
As per DAR-Iloilo report dated Feb. 15,
2012, the project covering the site
Bingauan-Ginawahan Bridge located in
Bingauan, Badiangan, Iloilo already has a
memorandum of agreement and with materials
available and ready for installation.
The Camangahan-Bacong Bridge in
Camangahan, Guimbal, Iloilo, the Cadinglian
Bridge in Cadinglian, Oton, Iloilo, and Ginot-an
Bridge in Ginot-an, San Joaquin, Iloilo are
under on-going surveys and for geo-testing.
The Calumbuyan Bridge in Calumbuyan,
New Lucena, Iloilo, and the Nabitasan Bridge in
Nabitasan, Pototan, Iloilo are for survey and
geological testing.
In the same report, nine other bridges in
the province also underwent validation.
DAR-Iloilo said that the validation of
feasible sites involved criteria which included
the density of agrarian reform beneficiaries
(ARBs), density of CARP-covered areas and
ARCs.
On one hand, the Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 said the
implementation of the TPKP projects here is
under the Project Management Office (PMO)
of the DPWH Central Office. (JCM/LTP/PIA
-Iloilo)
TESDA exceeds enrolment target by 34%
SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA6) - - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority exceeded its target of enrolment in
2014 by 34 percent with a total of 5,677 enrollees compared to the target of 4,227.
P rovincial Director El Cid H. Castillo of
TESDA Antique in an interview said
that of the total number of enrollees,
3170 have graduated and the remaining 2507
are still undergoing the training at TESDA
Provincial Training Center and accredited
schools province wide.
Based on their tracking, of the 3170
students that have graduated, 2680 have passed
the assessment in their chosen courses while
2,137 are already employed.
Castillo said, not all training courses have
assessment examination especially those
conducted at the community level. The most
important is that the beneficiaries have earned
their skills to start their livelihood.
Likewise, Castillo also said that TESDA
has brought up the trainings to the grassroots
to reach out to more beneficiaries.
The government had seen the need to
bring in the training at the community level
especially in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda
so that people could earn skills they needed to
recover and pursue a normal life.
Aside from the community based training,
TESDA has also accredited six private schools
as accredited training centers in addition
to the government run Provincial Training
Center in Brgy. Villavert-Jeminez, Hamtic,
Antique.
TESDA accredited schools also offer
various courses such as massage therapy, food
and beverage, carpentry and masonry, welding,
electronics among others.
Castillo said, this year they are committed
to pursue their goal to increase enrolment
so that more Antiquenos could acquire skills
and become productive. (JCM/PSM-PIA6
Antique)
By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao
KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 5 (PIA6) -- The P4-billion Petrowind Energy, Inc. project in Barangay Pawa, Nabas, Aklan will not only be
a big help in answering the power needs of Aklanons once operational.
I t will also be a great contributor to
Aklan‘s booming tourism industry,
according to Aklan Governor Florencio
T. Miraflores, at his delivery of his State of the
Province Address (SOPA) at the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan Session Hall at the Provincial
Capitol February 4.
Governor Miraflores said in his SOPA,
delivered before some 190 heads of local and
national government offices, municipal officials,
media practitioners, academicians, clerics, Vice
Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and
members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,
Congressman Teodorico Haresco of the lone
district of Aklan. Provincial Capitol Employees
and many others, that when he visited the area
again, one can see the island of Boracay and
the Carabao Island of Romblon as well as the
green mountains surrounding the place.
The Petrowind power project is now closer to operating commercially, Miraflores
said. He also said the Petrowind project is the
single biggest investment in Aklan to date, and
is proof that Aklan is blessed naturally, the
province has also made a conducive political as
well as peace and order climate for them.
―Abu gid nga saeamat, Petrowind Energy
Inc. Thank you for investing in Aklan, for being
extra mindful of the surrounding community
and for handling our environment with due
care‖, Miraflores said.
In the same opportunity, the governor
cited the gains earned last year by the tourism
industry anchored on Boracay Island, citing the
tourism receipts generated through the
1,472,352 tourist arrivals in 2014 which
reached P40,705,013,547.00 per computation
of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Miraflores said the province targeted 1.5
million tourist arrivals in 2014 and reached
1,472,352. In 2013, Boracay tourist arrivals
reached 1,363,611. ―Our take on this statistic is not that we
fell short of target but instead, that we
triumphed despite man-made or natural
adversities. An increase of over 100,000,
despite the September 2014 travel ban and
numerous typhoon-related cancellations is
enough reason for our province to be happy‖,
Miraflores said.
He also said that the province was able to
generate P293,687,084.60 from the Caticlan
Port of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
Environmental Fee Share, Cagban and Caticlan
Jetty Ports and RORO terminal fees.
For this, he commended the Aklan‘s
provincial and municipal tourism operations
officers and staff for a coordinated effort in
year-round tourism promotions.
In actuality, the SOPA delivered by
Miraflores February 4 was his 11th as he
served 3 full terms from 1995 to 2004 as
governor, got electedJCM/ as Aklan
Congressman from 2004-2013 and now serving as governor again since June 30, 2013.
(VGV PIA6 Aklan)
Petrowind invests P4B in Aklan
By: Venus G. Villanueva
ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
NegOcc is ‗Wetlands of International
Importance‘
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 5 (PIA6) - - Next to Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubattaha Reefs Natural Park, Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park, Olango Islan Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park, Las Piñas-Parañaque
Critical habitat and Ecotourism Area, Bago-Ilog Wetlands here is declared as ―Wetlands of International Importance‖.
T he declaration was made timely with
the celebration of the World Wetlands
Day, February 2 at the Social Hall of
the Provincial Capitol.
The Bago-Ilog wetland spans through 10
coastal local government units namely Bago,
Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique,
Pontevedra , Hin igaran , B ina lbagan ,
Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Ilog in the
southern part of the province.
Ramsar Convention Secretary General
Christopher Briggs in his letter sent to the
Biodiversity Management Bureau of the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources congratulates the Philippine
government on this success and was delighted
to learn about the World Wetlands Day
celebration here.
Director for Field Operations Lisa J.
Paguntalan of the Philippines Biodiversity
Conservation Foundation Inc. said there is a
wide range of seafood produced and collected
in the area of Bago-Ilog wetlands.
―And being a Ramsar site can help give
positive branding these products especially that
now the area is declared ―Wetland of
International Importance‖ and this also ensures
that these products continue to be sustainably
managed,‖ Paguntalan added.
Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Officer Andres Untal said so far,
our Bago-Ilog wetlands is the widest in the
country and first to be outside of the
protected area.
―This site is a peculiar site, unique than
the others. This is short of proclaiming this as
a protected area but when it comes to
protection for the birds, it has more weight
since the people are aware that these birds are
migratory ones,‖ Untal said.
Untal added that tourists when they
browse tourism areas, if you are not one of
the Ramsar sites, you are also out of the radar
of tourists and conservationists as well.*(JCM/
EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)
By: Easter Anne D. Doza
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 4 (PIA6) – About 20 carvings and sculpted works of various Capiceño visual artists are on display at
the Ground Floor of the Provincial Capitol here from Feb. 2 to 28 in line with the National Arts Month (NAM) celebration.
Arts Month showcases Capiceños artistry
T he exhibit dubbed ―Bugal Capiznon‖
was formally opened after the Capiz
provincial government‘s flag raising
ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol Grounds
here that also included kick off program of the
month-long celebration.
Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs
Officer Alphonsus Tesoro said that students of
Capiz National High School‘s Special Program
for the Arts played rondalla and performed a
dance interpretation of NAM theme song Ani
ng Sining during the program.
―There will also be a Saot Capiz outreach
tour at the Mambusao Public Plaza on Feb. 13,‖
Tesoro noted, adding that the dance
performances by the Filamer Christian
University‘s Silak Dance Company and Capiz
State University (CapSU) – Roxas City main
campus‘ dance troupe will also be brought to
other local government units this month.
A series of ―Eco-Tourism Plus Arts‖
activities like coastal and streets clean up and
treeplanting, among others, have also been
lined up to integrate arts with the
environmental conservation efforts.
The Arts Association of Capiz will also
stage a painting exhibit dubbed ―Pinta Capiz V‖
from Feb. 16 to 28 at the 2nd floor of Gaisano
Grand Mall in Arnaldo Boulevard here as part
of the activities for the celebration.
Tesoro added that the provincial NAM
celebration has the support of Colegio dela
Purisima Concepcion which will bring its
Sarayawan Dance Troupe and Grand Chorale
to some towns to bring entertainment and
enjoyment.
The school‘s initiative coincides with the
celebration which aims at advancing the
artistic talents, skills and abilities of Capicenos
that will further enhance creativity and
excellence as a fundamental principle of
sustainable development. (AAL/PIA6 Capiz)
By: Alex A. Lumaque
CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015
ILOILO CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment 6 (DOLE 6) has started to prepare for the
implementation of its Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) this summer.
F or 2015, DOLE 6 has rolled out a total
of P35, 223,000 as payment for its 40
percent share in the salary of its 10, 227
beneficiaries from the region.
Of the total number of beneficiaries, 4,193
will come from Negros Occidental; 3,170 from
Iloilo; 1,023 from Capiz; 818 each from Aklan
and Antique; and 205 from Guimaras.
Beneficiaries of the program are those
poor but deserving students in the tertiary,
technical or vocational level and out-of-school
youths aged 15 years old but not more than 25
years old who are provided temporary
employment to earn income in order to
pursue their education.
The program is open during summer and
christmas vacations or any time of the year for
those in tech-voc and tertiary levels.
Beneficiaries work for a minimum of 20
days and maximum of 52 days and not less than
10 days nor more than 15 days during
christmas.
DOLE jointly implements SPES with the
local government units or private employers.
Educational institutions, labor unions and other
similar organizations and associations,
government-owned or controlled corporations
and other national government agencies can
also participate in the program.
Under the program, DOLE pays 40
percent of the beneficiaries‘ salary and the
employer, 60 percent.
As of January 22, DOLE 6 has already
gathered P32,078,360.00 pledges from local
government units and private employers for
11, 421 beneficiaries.
DOLE 6 Information Officer Amalia
Judicpa said they are eyeing the participation of
more private employers in the program this
year.
In 2014, around 10,153 students from the
region benefited from SPES.
Those qualified may inquire about the
program at the Public Employment Service
Office in their areas. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)
DOLE targets 10K students for summer jobs
By: Lilibeth A. French
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Feb 2 (PIA) – The International Labor Organization (ILO) bows out of Bohol a year and four
months after the earthquake, but it didn‘t just go without a stir.
ILO bows out of Catigbian, hands farm tools to CAMIA
I LO came to Bohol immediately after the
earthquake to dish out humanitarian
relief assistance being the United
Nations specialized agency whose main aim
is to promote rights at work, encourage
decent employment opportunities, enhance
social protection and strengthen dialogue on
work-related issues.
Generally into cash-for-work to
provide temporary source of food and
sustenance to earthquake victims, the ILO also
prioritized relief to those heavily affected by
the calamity.
In Catigbian, where farmer members of
the Cambuslot Irrigators Association (CAMIA)
were severely affected by the quake, ILO lined
these people for cash for work and other
forms of help.
CamIA members suffered heavily when
the vast rice fields they were tilling, dried up as
the Catigbian mini dam lost its water.
Too bad we were apparently late in
submitting the project proposal for CAMIA,
them being severely affected, admitted Ardissa
Estavilla, SB Secretary.
Had the proposal been accepted, it would
have helped these families as they would have
ready vegetables for food and for marketing,
Estavilla added.
As the ILO was on the end parts of their
stint, LGU Catigbian earlier pushed for an
Organic Vegetable production project for ILO
consideration, but it was too late.
Not really wanting to fail the
Catigbianons, ILO instead turned-over farm
tools to the members of Cambuslot Irrigator's
Association (CamIA) of Barangay Poblacion
Catigbian.
Fifty-two CAMIA members received work
boots, bolos, garden hoe and mattocks,
shovels, and long sleeves working shirt as well
as working masks, in fitting ceremonies at the
Poblacion Barangay Hall
The activity coincided with a Community
based Monitoring system workshop held
simultaneous at the town hall, most local
officials could not make it to the ILO event,
according to sources.
Catigbian mayor Virgilio Lurot was all
too excited with the ILO legacy to the
farmers that he wanted to make a quick visit to
the event. But with the lack of material time,
he sent Estavilla instead. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7
-Bohol)
CEBU CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) --- Nearly a hundred participants from the business, academe and export sectors attended the
information session on ―Doing Business with the EU using GSP+‖ organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at
Cebu Parklane International, Hotel recently.
GSP+ seen to boost Philippine exports
A ccording to Nelia Navarro, DTI
Provincial Director, the Generalized
Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is an
autonomous trade arrangement under which
the European Union grants non-reciprocal
trade preferences to export beneficiary
countries.
The Philippines has been a beneficiary
under the Regular GSP arrangement that
covers 6,209 products, 2442 of which are
subject to zero duty while 3,767 are subject to
reduced tariffs. Under this scheme, the
Philippines exports to EU has reached
EUR1,71.25 million in 2013.
―It was only last month that the
Philippines was granted by the European Union
with the GSP+ status. It has a larger coverage
of 6, 274 products, all of which will be
accorded to zero duty,‖ Navarro said.
During the event a study made by DTI
was presented wherein it projected that
EU-GSP+ will increase Philippine exports
by EUR611.8 million during its first year of
availment.
The product sectors projected to have
highest increases are: animal or vegetable fats
and oils (EUR231.2 million), prepared
foodstuffs (EUR151.2 million), textile and
garments (EUR79.7 million), and footwear,
headwear, and umbrellas (EUR28.5 million).
This increase will generate 267,587 new
jobs in both the agriculture and manufacturing
sectors.
DTI Export Management Bureau Senen
Perlada said that the Philippines is the only
member of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (Asean) given this GSP+ privilege
giving the country an edge over other
countries.
―That‘s why exporters are encouraged to
produce quality products as it guarantees
successful trade to the EU,‖ Perlada said.
He said that the EU-GSP+ is just an icing
on the cake hence, exporters must not put all
their eggs in there because at the end of the
day, it is the quality that will determine the
marketability of the product.
DTI assures that they will provide full
assistance to exporters in the utilization of this
GSP+ status so that the Philippines will acquire
a better share of the market. The session was
one of the nationwide information campaigns
of DTI to raise awareness on the benefits of
the EU-GSP+. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)
SIQUIJOR, Feb 1(PIA) -- Experts from the Manufacturing Productivity Expansion Program (MPEX), Food Safety Team and
Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7)
recently visited the productions plants and farms in Siquijor as part of its consultancy and training programs.
E ngr. Gilberto Nakila and Engr. Dennis
Kilongkilong served as consultants for
MPEX while Senior Science Research
Specialist II Josie Elli served as trainer/resource
speaker in behalf of the Food Safety
Team Joselito Payot represented CAPE.
JH Furniture, 2KIR Furniture and
Jermaine‘s Bakeshoppe were this year‘s
beneficiaries for MPEX consultancy program.
They were also Small Enterprise Technology
Upgrading Program (SETUP) beneficiaries.
Prior to the plant visit, the consultants
had a short orientation to the beneficiaries
about MPEX and its objectives.
According to DOST, MPEX assists micro,
small and medium enterprises in the
manufacturing sector to attain higher
productivity through improvements in the
overall operation of the firm.
Simultaneously, a two-day training on
Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices
(GMP) was conducted by Senior SRS Elli of
DOST-7 Food Safety Team at the Smylen
Dream Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coco Oil &
Gen. Merchandise manufacturing plant in
Candaping-B, Maria, Siquijor.
The in-house training/seminar assists
the firm to be ready for its application for GMP
certificate and License to Operate (LTO).
In another development, Joselito Payot a
consultant of CAPE conducted a site visit on
the farms of Maricar Masayon to assess
technical feasibility and areas of priority in farm
management. Discussions were made with the
beneficiary for possible interventions and
recommendations to problems identified.
In an interview with Provincial Science and
Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña,
he said the consultancy program is offered free
to all SETUP beneficiaries.
He said he is optimistic that the
consultancy could enhance the productivity of
the firms identified upon adaptation of the
would-be measures for improvement.
In return, the beneficiaries pledged to
extend their full cooperation during the
conduct of the consultancy program.
So far, a number of firms have availed of
the consultancy program in the province since
its implementation. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/
Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing/DOST-Siquijor)
DOST Food Safety Team, experts visit mfg. sites, farm in Siquijor
ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
TAGBILARAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg is set to visit Bohol on February 5,
2015.
H e will witness with Bohol Governor
Edgar Chatto the signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding
between the United States Agency for
Internat ional Development (USAID)
represented by Mission Director Gloria Steele
and Tagbilaran City represented by Mayor John
Geesnell ‗Baba‘ Yap II.
Tagbilaran is the first city in the Visayas
region to be named as CDI.
The signing will be held at the Dagohoy
Hall of Bohol Tropics on Thursday, February 5
from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
USAID has named Tagbilaran City as one
of the beneficiaries of its Cities Development
Initiative (CDI) program that aims to support
secondary cities to spur local economic
growth.
This is also an opportune time for the U.S.
Ambassador to meet the provincial officials, as
well as the officials of the City of Tagbilaran
and municipal mayors, and see for himself
some projects of the USAID in Bohol. (mbcn/
ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Tagbilaran 1st CDI city beneficiary in Visayas
CEBU CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- A touching but happy moment filled the atmosphere when US Navy Seabees finally turned over
the completion of renovations of four facilities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) today, a
week before their stay ends in the country.
USN Seabees turn over work improvements of DSWD-7 facilities
D SWD-7 regional director Mercedita
Jabagat expressed her gratitude for
the assistance of the US Navy
Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD)
Philippines who have been here for six months
to help build school buildings and rehabilitate
public facilities.
―Government cannot do it alone. We
needs partnerships from the private sector and
civic organizations to help us provide the best
environment possible especially for our
persons with disabilities and victims of some
circumstances,‖ said Jabagat.
The ceremony marked the culmination of
work by the Seabees and the Philippine Army
engineers from the Central Command of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines as they
improved four facilities of DSWD-7.
These facilities are the Home for Girls
Dormitory, Persons with Disabilities Dormitory, Regional Haven and the Area
Vocational Rehabilitation Center located in
Labangon, Cebu City.
Jeram Ejercito, a PWD whose legs were
amputated could not express his gratitude
enough. ―I am very thankful to the Seabees for
helping in the improvement of our facilities
especially the path walk which enables me to
walk more steadily and safely,‖ said Ejercito
who is being taught in the center on furniture
and cabinet making.
The four facilities are where DSWD-7
provides a home environment to trafficked
minors, victims of domestic violence and other
victims of circumstances as well as PWDs.
They are taught massage therapy, cabinet
and furniture making and computer repair
among others.
Marinel Kumba, 11 years old also thanked
the seabees wishing them ‗long life‘ for the
good deeds they have done expressing her
happiness for the gifts and sports equipment the US CCAD team gave the children.
―More than the materials and your
efforts, what will leave us longer is your
warmth, kindness and the time you spent with
the children, girls and the persons with
disabilities,‖ said Hermania Cabahug, director
of the DSWD facilities in Labangon.
―Work improvements on the four
facilities cost US $13,200 and took almost two
months to complete,‖ said Lt. Mike Sapienza,
US Navy CCAD PH head.
Sapienza said they leave in a week‘s time
as another batch of Seabees will replace their
26-men team.
The new batch will take over the
continuing construction of two public
school buildings in Todelo City and in the town
of Aloguinsan which is expected to finish by
May.
―I will definitely miss the Philippines and
the people who have been very kind to us. Our
work here is very rewarding where we contributed to a better life even just in a small
way,‖ said Sapienza. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)
SIQUIJOR, Feb. 3 (PIA) — Over a hundred Filipino-Canadian guests led by Ambassador to Canada Petronilla Garcia with
Philippine Consuls General across Canada and other professionals came to Siquijor as part of their Winter Escapade this year.
Over 100 Fil-Canadian guests on ‗Winter Escapade‘ in Siquijor
W e are here to discover Siquijor,
the Philippines top envoy to
Canada said at the Tambisan Wharf
in San Juan, Siquijor where Provincial
Governor, town Mayor Mei Ling Quezon,
Philippine National POliuce (PNP) provincial
director Primitivo Tabujara, Jr. and party
welcomed them.
From the wharf, they were led to the St.
Francis of Assisi Church grounds near the
Siquijor port for another welcoming school
band with some grade schoolchildren
rendering them a dance.
More picture taking followed to the
delight of both the visitors and schoolchildren
who felt like ‗instant celebrities‘ with visitors
grabbing them for more poses.
But their short stay on the island only
allowed them to visit the century-old Balete
Tree in San Juan with its fish spa and folk
h e a l i n g , S t . I s i d o r e L a b r a d o r
Parish and Convent in Lazi and a sumptuous
lunch with lively cultural presentations at the
Cocogrove Beach Resort.
―I hope you preserve your island as it is,‖
comments heard from the guests who said
they are impressed of the island‘s beauty and
spirituality and the true Filipino hospitality
that is now seldom found in the cities and
other places in the country.
Even big beautiful houses and the island‘s
tranquillity and natural beauty didn‘t pass the
envoy‘s musing as if amazed at how far it is
from what she heard and read all over.
Winter Escapade, according to Garcia, is a
combination of tourism and investment.
People want to come home, referring to
the big number of Filipino communities in
Canada and other countries, whom she said,
would come home when they get old.
Saying this, she encouraged the governor
to work around coming up with a good health
insurance and seek assistance from Filipinos
abroad to attract visitors and retirees to come
to Siquijor.
She said many Filipino-Canadian
communities are asking the Canadian
government to help the Philippines.
Ambassador Garcia, in a press release, is
said to be working on advancing bilateral
relations as her priorities and strategies and
pushed for activities that promotes productive
community support such as the Winter
Escapade.
A combination of tourism and investment,
Winter Escapade 2 is group tour which she
herself led from January 30 to February 06,
2015 in the islands of Negros Oriental,
Siquijor, Bohol and Cebu. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7
-Siquijor)
CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
PDIC prexy leads groundbreaking of new GK
village in ESamar
BORONGAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - As part of its corporate social responsibility program, the Philippine Deposit Insurance
Corporation (PDIC), in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), led the groundbreaking ceremony of a new GK village Sunday at
Sitio Malmangan, Barangay 8, Lawaan, Eastern Samar.
B efore the groundbreaking ceremony, a
short program was attended by officials
led by PDIC president, Mrs. Cristina Q.
Orbeta.
In her message, Orbeta thanked the
survivor victims for their brave hearts.
―Our heart is with you to help you that is
why we are here,‖ Orbeta said.
She further said, ―maliit po ang aming
nakayanan, pero sana ay pagyamanin
po ninyong lahat.‖
On the part of the Local Governement
Unit (LGU) of Lawaan, Vice Mayor Raul Gade,
thanked the presence of PDIC Officials and
staff.
―This is heaven-sent to us. Kami ay
nabubuhayan ng loob dahil sa iyong pinakikitang
pagtulong sa aming mamamayan,‖ Vice Mayor
Gade said.
The program was immediately followed by the ground breaking ceremony led by PDIC
President Orbeta.
Other PDIC and LGU officials who
witnessed the groundbreaking were Mr. Jose
G. Villaret, Jr. Vice President for Corporate
Groups; Vice President Geronimo
Ambe; Manager Lyka Lopez; Asst. Manager
N a p M e c u ; M r . R e y R a v i t e ,
representing PHILDECEO; the Employees
Union of PDIC; Mr. Ricardo Igot, team
member of the GK Area Coordination Team
for Eastern Visayas – Incharge of Community
Organizing; Mr. Bryan Gapasin, team member
of the GK Area Coordination Team for
Eastern Visayas – Provincial Coordinator; Mr.
Marlon Abayan, Municipal Planning and
Development Coordinator (MPDC); Vice
Mayor Raul Gade and local and barangay
officials.
In an interview with PIA, Mr. Bryan
Gapasin, said that 100 housing units will rise in
the GK Village area. With this development,
there are already 54 housing units to be built – 20 housing units from ISLA LIPANA, an
auditing firm in Manila which is now
on-going construction; 20 housing units from
PDIC; and 14 housing units from Business
Process Outsourcing (BPO) in Manila.
The construction of 20 units of ISLA
LIPANA is now ongoing.
Gapasin added that only 46 housing units
need to be built to complete the 100 housing
units for the 100 beneficiaries from different
baranagays in Lawaan.
The total cost for the housing unit is P
150,000.00 each.
According to Abayan, the said lot was
purchased by LGU Lawaan for future housing
projects with a total land area of 18,000 square
meters.
PDIC has sought the help of GK
in the rebuilding program for ―Typhoon
Yolanda‖ survivors by providing them
with more typhoon-resilient houses while
the GK is a movement of nation building
which focuses in the restoration of the dignity of the poor by building GK homes
in beautiful communities. (ajc/sdc/PIA8-E.
Samar)
Army troops clash with rebels in N. Samar; 2 rebs captured
T his is despite of the death of one
soldier, during an encounter with
members of the New People‘s
Army in a remote area of Brgy. Imelda, Las
Navas, Northern Samar early morning
yesterday.
In a report sent by Lt. Col. Edgar R. Delos
Reyes, commanding officer of the 34th Infantry
Batallion to 8th Infantry Division, Philippine
Army Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, he said
his troops were conducting peace and security
operations when a concerned citizen informed
them about the presence of the rebels in said
area.
It was learned from Major Amado
Gutierrez, Chief, Division Public Affairs Office,
8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Camp
Lukban, Catbalogan City, the troops
proceeded immediately to where the NPAs
were last seen and upon entering the
vicinity of Brgy. Imelda, the troops were
fired upon which triggered a 15 minute firefight
until the NPA‘s withdrew.
The encounter led to the capture of two
(2) NPA rebels left behind by their comrades
and critically wounding a soldier who died
while being brought to the hospital.
As of this writing, the two unidentified
NPAs are still in the custody of the troops and
will be handed over to the Philippine National
Police.
Major General Jet B. Velarmino, 8th ID
Commander expressed sympathy and
condolences to the bereaved family of the
slain soldier and expressed appreciation to
the efforts of the troops involved in the
operation.
―I would like to express my condolence to
the family of the slain soldier. He died a hero‘s
death in pursuit of peace and development. His
sacrifice and bravery will not be forgotten,‖
Belarmino said. (ajc/cba/8thID/PIA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb.5 (PIA) – Army troops in Eastern Visayas remain focused in carrying out their mission to
safeguard the people of the region against the New People‘s Army (NPA) rebels in the pursuit to create safe and progressive
communities.
ARMOR-8 vows to strengthen mining industry in region TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb.2 (PIA) – The Alliance of Responsible Miners of Region 8 (ARMOR8) is committed to
strengthen the mining industry in Eastern Visayas.
T his, after the alliance elected a new set
of officers for the year 2015.
Engr. Dante A. Operario, Information
Officer, Mines & Geosciences Bureau
(MGB-8) said, the elected president Engr.
Francisco Aranes who is on his second
term has vowed to pursue the goals of the
MGB in the region particularly in the
continuing efforts to pursue responsible and
sustainable mining.
―ARMOR-8 will remain an active ally
and catalyst for change in the mining
industry through implementation of
sound and meaningful endeavors deemed
to benefit the greater majority,‖ Engr Aranes
said.
The new officers are: Engr. Francisco
Aranes as President; Engr. Socrates
Serrano-Vice President; Gerry Mondragon as
Secretary; Treasurer-Teodulo Perez and
Auditor Jaime T. Lao.
PIA learned that 5 nominees vied for top
positions namely: Engr. Francisco Aranes of
Cambayas Mining Corporation, Engr. Socrates
Serrano of EMIR Minerals Corporation, Mr.
Gerry Mondragon of Strongbuilt Mining
Development Corporation, Teodulo Perez of
Mt. Mogan Resources and Mr. Jaime T. Lao of
Masada Development Corporation. (ajc/cba/
PIA-8)
By Samuel Candido
By Ninfa B. Quirante
ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015ILOILO DINAGYANG 2015
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Fallen SAF heroes to get justice, families to get benefits - PNoy
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police Regional Command 8 rendered full military honors to
the remains of the Special Action Force (SAF) members from Eastern Visayas upon its arrival at the DZR Airport in Tacloban
City, Saturday, January 31.
P olice Regional Command 8 Regional
Director Chief Superintendent
Asher Dolina identified the 6 SAF
members from the region as PO3 John
Lloyd R. Sumbilla of Brgy. Tabi, Sulat, Eastern
Samar; PO2 Glen Bedua of Brgy. San Jose,
Dulag, Leyte; PO2 Rodel Eva Ramacula of Brgy.
Jamo-og, Rosario, Northern Samar; PO2 Noel
Balaca Jr. of Sta. Monica, Oras, Eastern Samar;
PO1 Mark Lory Clemencio of Brgy. Baruguhay,
Carigara, Leyte and PO1 Joseph Sagonoy of
Brgy. Cabungaan, Silvino Lubos, Northern Sa-
mar.
Before the remains were flown to its
respective homes and its bereaved families,
President Aquino met the family members of
the fallen SAF personnel and discussed with
them some specific assistance that the
government will extend such as employment,
livelihood, education, housing, health and the
well-being of the family members.
As he expressed his sympathy and
condolences to the bereaved families of the
Philippine National Police (PNP-SAF) heroes,
the President spent time to talk to each of the
family members and reiterated that the
government is determined to render justice to
the fallen troopers.
He also directed DILG Secretary Mar
Roxas and PNP Officer in Charge Deputy
Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure
that the families receive all the benefits due
them at the earliest possible time.
With the President during his talks with
the families were DILG Secretary Roxas,
DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, DOLE
Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, DepEd Secretary
Armin Luistro, PCOO Secretary Sonny
Coloma, TESDA Director General Joel
Villanueva, NHA General Manager Chito Cruz,
PMS head Julia Abad and Health Acting
Secretary Janette L. Garin. (ajc/cba/PIA-8)
Calbayog City welcomes dev‘t of Bangon Falls Hydro Power Plant
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Feb. 6 (PIA) - Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino with SAMELCO-1 and the Clean and Green
Energy Solutions, Inc. (CNGESI) partner to develop a renewable source of power.
T he project will be called the Bangon
Falls Hydro Power Development Plant
geared towards providing renewable
source of power that the developing city of
Calbayog needs.
Mr. Dendrick Lao, CNGESI Business
Development Officer said that developing
Bangon Falls into a Mini-Hydropower Project
can provide the needed power to SAMELCO-I,
the ―will be‖ off-taker of the power generated
by the hydropower plant.
Lao added that the Bangon Falls
Hydropower Project can generate a potential
capacity of 1.5 MW or a total of
9,480,000KWH annually.
The Bangon Falls Hydropower Plant
development, with construction duration of 30
months, will be located at Brgy.
Tinaplacan, Calbayog City, where the run-of
-river technology to be used in this project
would by-pass the upstream flow of water of
the Bugtong River and return to its original
path before the Bangon Falls.
This scheme, Lao added, will preserve
the natural flow and will not decrease the
volume of water flowing through Bangon Falls,
which is a tourist attraction.
According to the Department of Energy,
about 30% of SAMELCO-I distribution system
was affected by November 2013 super
typhoon ―Yolanda‖, which are dependent on
the Visayas National Grid. Having an
embedded power supply, Lao assured that
Bangon Falls Hydro Power Plant will give the
constituents covered by SAMELCO-I an
independent supply of renewable energy
source, which will provide about 10% of the
total demand of SAMELCO-I.
Mayor Aquino said that he welcomes
this project as it will not only develop
renewable energy sources but also
promotes tourism as Bangon Falls is one of the
prime tourist destination in Samar. (PIA-Samar
with Aimee Catalan/Calbayog City Mayor‘s
Office)
Cayetano's PTK program benefits typhoon
victims
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- In Eastern Samar, tricycle drivers and fisherfolks stand to benefit from a
P200,000 financial support from Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
P ersonally turned over by Cayetano on
January 31, 2015, the fund will be used
as seed fund for Eastern Samar State
University (ESSU) Riders Tricycle Operators
and Drivers Association in Borongan, and
Barangay 6 Fisherfolk Association in Guiuan
town. The two towns are recovering from
typhoon which hit the province recently.
Borongan sustained damages to property,
livelihood and lives in December 2014 due to
typhoon Ruby (international codename:
Hagupit) while Guiuan still continues to
recover from all that was lost to supertyphoon
Yolanda (International codename: Haiyan).
―Since super typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern
Samar, I recognized the need for small business
owners to adopt a system where they would
have access to capital that doesn‘t require
interest payments of up to 20%.
The PTK program would be an example
of a successful financial aid structure that
works,‖ Cayetano said.
Cayetano's Presyo Trabaho, Kita/
Kaayusan (PTK) Kontra 5-6 program will allow
members of the two organizations to give out
small loans to members at low interest rates
and easy payment schemes eventually
encouraging them to start their own small
businesses.
Aleli Macawile, a member of the ESSU
Riders TODA said he has trouble saving up
for his tricycle's monthly amortization that he
often turns to loan sharks that collect almost
P200 in interest for every P1,000 loaned.
"My co-members tell me that through this
PTK, I only have to pay P30 for every P1,000 I
borrow.
This will make a lot of difference,"
Macawile said.
According to Cayetano he plans to cover
more sectors with the program.
"We aim to not only provide support to a
particular sector but the whole community.
From vendors, to fishermen, farms and
transport workers, the PTK aims to give micro
-entrepreneurs a chance to be successful by
providing them a sustainable capital buildup,‖
he said.
―I want to show the government that
this works. If we can give P64 Billion on
Conditional Cash Transfers, why can‘t we give
local government units P1 Billion per region for
micro-financing programs like the PTK? Small
Businesses are among the top job generators in
the country and the government should
encourage their growth,‖ Cayetano added. (ajc/
Medora Quirante/PIA*-Eastern Samar)
CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015CEBU SINULOG 2015
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
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Managing Editor
Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
Contributors
All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8
Production and Layout
Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado
Regional Offices:
PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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