Vol 4 Issue 19 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 12 - 18, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PNoy lauches solar power plant, Himogaa-an bridge

BOI pushes 6 priority sectors to propel PHL economy

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Leyte firms up rehab master plan By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Leyte, six months in the aftermath of

Yolanda onslaught, is now in the process of firming up all the details in the Leyte Rehabilitation Master Plan.

Governor Leopoldo Dominic Petilla was quoted as saying the provincial government hopes to finish the Master Plan by

next week, so it could submit the same to the National Gov-ernment for appropriate action.

He said that the Master Plan which is guided by the “build back better” scheme of the National Government, will be the

basis for the funding of the rehabilitation program. Petilla disclosed that the Office of the Presidential

Assistant on Rehabilitation and Recovery is providing the province with the much-needed technical assistance.

Villages and towns affected by Typhoon Yolanda have

submitted their respective damage reports since December 2013, but the reports have yet to be validated and integrated

into the provincial rehabilitation plan. The governor said that more or less P20 billion might be

allotted for the rehabilitation program of Leyte, “so it’s now a matter of coming up with a credible and comprehensive

report”. The Governor said he is happy to note that the provincial

local government of Leyte has done a lot since Typhoon Yolan-da struck the province.

He also took note of the international humanitarian organizations’ report that “we have done a lot compared to

the other countries where there are similar disasters or calamities”. (PIA8)

BY: LORENZO O. LAMBATIN, JR. & EASTER ANNE D.

DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 15 (PIA6) - -President

Benigno S. Aquino III led the switch-on of the country’s first large-scale commercially financed and commissioned solar

power plant in San Carlos City, May 15. The activity marked the start of the commercial

operation of the solar power facility, sending off to the local grid at peak 13 megawatts for Phase 1 and 9 megawatts for

Phase 2. President Aquino cited the San Carlos Solar Energy

Incorporated (SACASOL) as a perfect example of taking responsibility to act in the face of growing climate risk whether

in government or the private sector. “This is a project funded by companies with a strong

interest in renewable and clean energy investments and a project supported by the local government.

With your help, we are proving to the world: even developing countries such as ours can do their share in

reducing the risks posed by global warming. And we are doing this even at a time when the

development of solar power plants remains more expensive than that of plants fuelled by traditional sources of energy,”

Aquino said. SACASOL Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr. credited the

strong support of the local government of San Carlos City

where the solar farm sits on a 35 hectare field of saline soil, part of the San Carlos Ecozone.

During his visit here, President Aquino also inaugurated the P313-million Himoga-an bridge in Sagay City which he

described as a concrete result of the administration’s strategy to strengthen infrastructure projects in the country and

institute social reforms. “We expect growth in the local economy. Because of the

bridge, sugarcane transport will be easier coming the different

parts of the province going to the mill in Sagay,” he said. “Definitely this will lessen the cost of production and

spur the growth of tourism because it will be easier to go to tourist destinations like Carbin Reef and Molocaboc Island.”

He cited the leadership of Negros Occ. Gov. Alfredo Maranon and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo “Thirdy” Maranon III

and other LGUs that showed their unity with the present administration.

He also thanked DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and other agencies that bonded together to realize the project,

prioritizing results more than politics. (JCM/LOL/EAD-PIA6 NegrosOcc)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Thirty permanent shelters from Gawad Kalin-

ga, Bayanihan Challenge 2014 will be built in

this site of brgy. Pinasoan, Hernani. In the

picture from right, is Gov. Conrado Nicart

who led the Ground Breaking ceremony with

GK Official Brian Gapasin, Sammy

Candido in red shirt, Hernani Mayor Edgar

Boco in white long-sleeved shirt, Atty. Chris

Coles PDRRMO OIC-Levi Nicart. (PIA-8)

(L-R) PIA Infocen Manager Jenny Tilos, Francis

Llana of Lancera, Ava Mojica of TeleTech

Dumaguete, and ICT Dumaguete President

and SPI Global Dumaguete Manager Suzanne

Bascara appearing in a Kapihan Forum last May

14 at Captain Ribbers, Silliman Ave. The three

invited other BPO investors to put up their

own business in Dumaguete City for better

economic growth. (ral/PIA7-NegOr)

This is the Phase1 of the country’s first

large-scale commercial solar farm project

inaugurated by President Aquino, May 15. The

facility was put up by San Carlos Solar Energy

at the San Carlos City economic zone with a

capacity of 13 megawatts. The Phase 2 of the

project capable of producing 9 MW will be

constructed later in the industrial estate.

(PIA-6)

CEBU CITY, May 12 (PIA) -- A draft of the 2014 Investment

Priorities Plan (IPP) was presented by the Board of Investments

(BOI) to various sectors in Cebu during a public consultation to

solicit their inputs before finalizing the plan.

Ma. Corazon Dichosa, executive director for the

BOI-Industry Development Service said the 2014 IPP will be in line

with the priority thrusts of the Aquino Administration’s Philippine

Development Plan (PDP) carrying the theme “Industry

Development for Inclusive Growth”.

Objectives of the plan include increasing employment

opportunities by revitalizing growth sectors, especially in the

manufacturing industry and promote high value adding activities and

deeper small and medium enterprises’ participation in supply chains,

said Dichosa.

Likewise, the plan aims to strengthen the participation of

growth industries in global and regional production networks

including the ASEAN economic community, added the BOI official.

Dichosa said just last February, the government approved the

updated PDP 2014-2016 where it now focuses the growth of six

priority sectors instead of the previous 13 sectors. These priority

sectors are agro-industry, Information Technology and Business

Process Management (IT-BPM), tourism, manufacturing, logistics

and construction.

The 2014 IPP will also be in line with the PDP as it pushes for

investments in the six priority sectors with the end-goal of

increasing job opportunities marking social inclusive growth and

thereby reducing poverty incidence by 2016.

The BOI official explained that apart from employment

generation, the investments should move to a higher value chain.

Here, she cited the upward shift from attracting call center

firms to more higher value-added services like knowledge

management in the knowledge process outsourcing.

Investments should also have the potentials to expand to

other areas and create a competitive market amid the economic

integration of the ASEAN community by next year, said Dichosa.

Compared to other countries, the Philippines has the highest

fiscal incentive offer of 30 percent corporate income tax (CIT) rate

to qualified investors with three to eight years of tax holiday after

the start of the commercial activity.

Great economies like Singapore only provides 17 percent

CIT but its tax holiday period is up to 15 years while China’s CIT is

at 25 percent with a tax holiday period between two to three

years.

Dichosa said the 2014 IPP will not only be concentrated on

providing fiscal incentives to lure more investments but will also

work on other policies, strategies and measures that will help boost

industries to be more productive and competitive.

“The 2014 IPP will be a three-year document that

aims to meet the goals and objectives of the PDP by 2016,” said

Dichosa.

The consultation held here is part of a series the BOI is

conducting throughout the country to come up with a

comprehensive 2014 IPP. The team was set to have another

consultation in Davao City as it nears the deadline of May 22 to

gather all inputs, views and recommendations before finalizing the

plan. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the switch on ceremony of

the Phase 1 of the solar energy project of the San Carlos Solar

Energy Incorporated (SaCaSol) which paves the way for its

commercial operation sending at peak, 13 megawatt power to the

local grid, witnessed by SaCaSol Chairman Jose Maria Zabaleta Sr.,

SaCaSol President Jose Maria Zabaleta Jr., Senator Loren Legarda,

First District Congressman Jules Ledesma and foreign investors

(back row).*(EAD-PIA6 photo)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

DENR releases P2-M community-based forest management project

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 15 (PIA6) – More than P2-million support fund to the people’s organizations for the forest

management project in Capiz was already released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

W estern Visayas DENR Regional

Executive Director Jim Sampulna has

already awarded the checks

representing the funding support of the agency

to the three People’s Organizations for the

Community-Based Forest Management

Agreement (CBFMA) projects, particularly in

Jamindan and Dumarao towns.

Capiz DENR Provincial head Valentin

Talabero explained that the CBFMA is a

25-year contract with a people’s organization

for livelihood and development.

He disclosed that the Asosasyon sang

Nagaprotehir sang KabukiransaJamindan

(ANAK-Jamindan) in Barangay San Juan,

Jamindan was awarded P580,015 for the

25-hectare Forest Enhancement through

Rattan Plantation, Agri-crops and Tilapia

Culture while the Agcagay Model Upland

Farmers Association (AMUFA) in Agcagay also

of Jamindan town was given project support of

P646,035 for the same project.

The Aglanot Community Forest

Association (ACFA) of Barangay Aglanot,

Dumarao town was likewise awarded

P788,355.00 for the 50-hectare coconut and

fruit trees plantation project.

Talabero said that RED Sampulna, during

their 2nd Regional Management Conference in

Capiz, personally handed over the said checks

to the respective president of the said people’s

organizations with Capiz Governor Victor

Tanco, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon and

Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamin.

On the other hand, RED Sampulna said

that the BCFMA is part of the national

government’s effort in “greening” the country

through the National Greening Program which

aims to mitigate the impact of climate change

and global warming.

Sampulna said that the NGP, which seeks

to attain sustainable human development and

economic and ecological security, aspires to

plant 1.5 billion trees in about 1.5 million

hectares of public lands for six years starting

2011 until 2016. He also urged the public to

have a shared responsibility in caring for Moth-

er Earth by protecting the environment

through tree and mangrove growing as the

same can greatly help in mitigating the adverse

effects of climate change. (JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO

ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) --- Social media can play a key role in strengthening the community’s capacity to mitigate risks

brought by disasters and natural hazards.

I n a seminar on maximizing use of social

media in disaster preparedness

conducted by the Philippine Information

Agency (PIA)-6, Noel De Guia of Get Ready

Pinas said that social media tools can help

create a culture of preparedness among

Filipinos with information that are easily

accessible.

“The Philippines is third in terms of

vulnerability to disaster risks and natural

hazards so there is a need for continuous state

of preparedness by providing timely, accurate,

and relevant information to ensure

coordinated activities and develop public

resiliency,” he said.

He said that communities or organizations

can use websites to show videos, tips, and

contacts to better prepare people for

disasters.

He also said that Twitter has become an

avenue for people to share information on

what we can do in order to prevent loss of

lives and properties.

“The social web also gave significant

coverage to the unprecedented level of help

the whole world gave to the Philippines.

Many of the mentions, articles, blogs

mentioned pledges given to the country,” he

said.

He said that there is a need to change our

practice of always focusing on the aftermath

but instead we should campaign for

preparedness and give information before and

not just during the time of disaster.

“There are a number of programs

available in social media such as Project NOAH

(Nationwide Operational Assessment of

Hazards) of the Department of Science and

Technology which can help us prepare,” he

said.

Meanwhile, Max Salazar, also of Get Ready

Pinas, said that to better prepare for disasters,

it is useful to have “kaizen thinking”.

Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change

for the better". It is a philosophy that sees

improvement in productivity as a gradual and

methodical process.

He added that it is important to nurture

the “culture of preparedness” as against the

“culture of reaction” to develop public

resiliency.

Get Ready Pinas is a project for disaster

preparedness that inspires call to action and

bayanihan among societal institutions, private

sectors and individuals.

This is in partnership with Smart

Communications Inc. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Social media strengthens disaster preparedness

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

KALIBO, Aklan, May 13 (PIA6) -- Aklanons will once again be given a chance to choose from a wide array of basic goods and

prime commodities at discounted prices right in their public markets with the scheduled holding of three ―Diskwento Sales‖

by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this month of May.

DTI slates 3 ‘Diskwento Sales’ in Aklan

T he “Diskwento Sales”, according to

DTI-Aklan Provincia l Director

Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr., will be held in

the municipalities of Altavas, Kalibo and Ibajay

on May 25, 26 and 27 respectively.

In Altavas, the “Diskwento Sales” will be

held at the Julio Refol Sports Complex while in

Kalibo, venue will be the Magsaysay Park and in

Ibajay, at the Municipal Sports Complex. The

activities will be held in coordination with local

distributors/dealers of goods, the local

government units and the municipal consumer

organizations.

Besides giving the Aklanons the chance to

buy their preferred goods at discounted prices,

the activity will also serve as the respective

distributors’ time to practice their corporate

social responsibility, said Marlon Ladia,

DTI-Aklan Information Officer Designate. To

be sold in the “Diskwento Sales” are products

such as milk, coffee, soap, shampoo, processed

food, agro-veterinary products and school and

office supplies.

These goods will be sold with at least 10%

discount.

As in the previous years, DTI-Aklan is also

planning this year additional activities like

baking demonstration, free haircut and massage

as added features of the “Diskwento Sales”.

(JCM/VGV/PIA 6 Aklan)

BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

University of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo CityUniversity of San Agustin in Iloilo City

SAN JOSE, Antique, May 15 (PIA6) - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that the province has a

generally peaceful labor condition.

“ The good labor-management relations,

and workplace dispute resolution here

could be attributed for the industrial

peace situation in the province,” said DOLE

Antique Provincial Director Rene Santamena.

Director Santamena said in a PIA

interview that only one labor strike

was recorded in the province concerning the

coal mine workers but was immediately

addressed.

Santamena said that there is no active

organized labor group in Antique “except in

Semirara, Caluya where there are two labor

unions but they are not as militant as before

because the concerned workers’ were already

given their compensation/benefits.”

Santamena however observed that the

workers here are passive and comfortable with

what they are receiving from the management.

He said the daily rate is at P287.00 per

day in those establishments employing more

than 10 workers.

The DOLE Antique director said that they

are currently making an effort to come up with

a record of employment/unemployment

situation in the province. “We need that kind

of data, and we rely only on the data of the

NSO but the data is somewhat old and not

appropriate with the present situation.

We at the DOLE lack manpower to

conduct a survey, but we are trying to get facts

and figures so that we could provide people

who come to our office asking for some

information about the labor situation of the

province,” Santamena said.(JCM/VWV/

PIA-Antique)

DOLE says industrial peace exists in Antique BY: VICENTE W. VILLAVERT

72 OWWA scholarship slots still open

ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 6 is still looking for 72 scholars under its

OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP).

Q ualified to the scholarship are incoming

college freshmen of OFW parents who

have a monthly salary of not more than

US$400.

“We would like to give opportunity to the

children of our OFWs whose salary is within

the bracket to pursue their college education

through this scholarship,” said Director Ron

Lionel Bartolome of OWWA 6.

Successful applicants to the program are

entitled to a maximum of P20,000.00 financial

assistance per school year for a baccalaureate

or associate degree in a state college or

university.

Bartolome said 19 incoming first

year college dependents of OFWs in

the region also passed the examination given

by the Department of Science and

Technology-Science Education Institute last

year and qualified as scholars under

t h e Educ a t ion f or Deve lopmen t

Scholarship Program (EDSP) this school year

2014 – 2015.

The new EDSP scholars will receive a

maximum education assistance of P60,000.00

per school year for a four-to-five year

baccalaureate course in any college or

university of their choice.

Interested dependents who want to avail

of the scholarship may visit the OWWA 6

Office at Robinsons Place Iloilo City or call

telephone number (033) 509-1075 for more

details. (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

BY: LILIBETH A. FRENCH

WV rice production target for 2014 achievable

ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA6) --- Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Larry Nacionales is optimistic that

Western Visayas will attain its rice production target of 2,891,072 metric tons (mt) for 2014 with a noted increase in

production for the first quarter of this year.

I n a media release, Nacionales said that

Western Visayas has a total production

of 583,873 metric tons for the first

quarter of this year compared to the 498,038

mt in 2013.

“The region got an increase of 17.2

percent in rice production in the first quarter

of 2014 as compared to the same period

last year despite the heavy agricultural

damage brought by super typhoon Yolanda”,

he said.

The province of Guimaras obtained

the highest production increase of 86.5

percent with the total production of

11,693 mt compared to 6,271 mt

last year; followed by Iloilo with 43.8 percent

increase with 294,139 mt compared to

204 ,618 mt ; Negros Occ iden ta l ,

3.4 percent increase with 88,750 mt

compared to 85,859 mt; and Antique,

3.4 percent with 61,090 mt compared to

59,109 mt.

He said that factors for the

increased rice production were the

f avorab le weather condi t ion and

staggered rain showers late last year

that enabled farmers to intensify third cropping

rice planting and were harvested first quarter

of 2014.

On one hand, the provinces of Aklan

and Capiz which were badly hit by super

typhoon Yolanda suffered decrease in their rice

production.

Aklan had a 14.8% decrease in

production with 38,534 mt compared to

45,231 mt last year and Capiz with a 7.5%

decrease with 89,667 mt compared to 96,950

mt in 2013.

The DA official said that certified seeds

(CS) and fertilizer intervention, fuel subsidy

and cash for work program to the Yolanda

affected areas also prompted rice farmers to

till their respective farms early and utilize

them.

DA-6 has distributed a total of 6,986 bags

of CS amounting to P8,383,200.00 while the

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has

distributed 9,698 bags of CS amounting to

P11,637,600.00.

For the fertilizer assistance, DA 6 has

distributed 992 bags of complete fertilizer, 345

bags of muriate of potash and 160 liters of

foliar fertilizer amounting to P1,999,532.00

while the FAO distributed 9,698 bags of urea

amounting to P8,728,200.00.

“Each beneficiary receives one bag of CS

and one bag fertilizer per hectare with a

maximum of three bags for farmers with more

than three hectares in affected areas,” added

Nacionales. (LTP/DA/PIA-Iloilo)

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- Local development planners in the country will hold their national convention in Cebu next

week.

Cebu to host local planners convention

E ngr. Christine Homez, President of

Local League of Local Planning and

Development Coordinators of the

Philippines Inc (LLPDCPI)-Cebu Chapter, said

they are expecting more than a hundred

participants from all over the country.

The event’s theme is “Role of

Development Planners in the Promotion of

Smart Local Government Units” which will run

from May 19 to 23 at the newly renovated

Grand Convention Center in Archbishop

Reyes.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who heads

the Housing and Urban Development

Coordinating Council, will give his keynote

address on May 20.

There will also be messages from

Secretary Arsenio Balicasa of the Socio

Economic Planning of the National Economic

and Development Authority (NEDA), Cebu

Governor Hilario Davide III and president of

the National League of Municipalities, Tuburan

Mayor Democrito Diamante.

The topics to be discussed during the

convention include, “Use of Technologies in

promoting Smart LGU’s” and “Public-Private

Partnership in Promoting Smart LGU’s”.

There will be guest speakers from NEDA,

Department of Science and Technology

(DOST), and the Philippine Atmospheric

Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA). The planners who

will attend, according to Homez, are from the

academe and the government sector.

LLPDCPO is an association of planning

and development coordinators of all local

government units in the country. From

provinces, cities and municipalities.

The members, Homez said, are united

with a common interest and commitment for

the rationalization of development planning as

a profession and imbued by ideas to bring

about socio-economic progress in their

respective jurisdiction and the nation. (rmn/

FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture and Heritage Unit and its partners will be

holding the 8th run of the Anvil-awarded "Gabii sa Kabilin" on May 30.

8th Gabii sa Kabilin to present ‘The Rise of the Queen’ on May 30

T he Gabii sa Kabilin is an annual event

h e r e w h e r e m u s e u m s a n d

heritage places are open to guests

from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight every last Friday of

May.

The Gabii sa Kabilin 2014 will be

participated in by more than 35 museums and

heritage sites across the cities of Cebu,

Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay joining in this

one-night celebration, said RAFI-Cebu

Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gerra.

The theme for this year’s GSK is “The

Rise of the Queen,” with the focus on how

Cebu, the “Queen City of the

South", developed and became the most

prominent metropolis in this part of the

Philippines.

With Cebu poised to become a global and

more livable city, "the story of the rise of Cebu

would be retold in the Gabii sa Kabilin".

Tickets are priced at P150 while

admission is free for children aged seven and

below.

The P150 ticket is an admission ticket for

all the destinations, with unlimited Gabii sa

Kabilin-designated bus rides and one tartanilla

(horse-drawn carriages) trip within the city’s

old district.

The ticket may be purchased and reserved

in advance at any of the participating

dmuseums and cultural sites.

Guests will enjoy cultural shows, exhibits,

children’s activities, contests, food fairs and

other activities.

Guests will have to walk or ride buses and

tartanillas in order to get to the participating

sites.

Participants are advised to dress

comfortably, especially with the footwear, such

as rubber shoes or anything light weight as the

tour requires a lot of movement.

The e-form of the Gabii sa Kabilin Guide

Booklet, which provides detailed information

about the participating sites and their

presentations as well as the mapss of the tour

routes, will be available for download on May

16 at www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/

rafi.org.ph. (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu)

BY: JUJU MANUBAG-EMPUERTO

BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 10 (PIA) – The Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Information

Agency (PIA) firmed up an agreement to rationalize the implementation of a nationwide Climate Change Adaptation and

Mitigation programs in the hope of getting a dent on the apathy building in Philippine communities.

DENR, PIA firm up agreement on climate change campaign BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU

T he campaign is the latest in the

environment agency’s efforts to

mitigate the effects of global warming

by convincing people and communities to

adopt climate change adaptations and insulate

their communities from the impacts of weather

changes and patterns.

The DENR admits that Climate Change

Mitigation and Adaptation campaigns have been

implemented but there remains in the country,

significant number of communities which are

way too far from disaster preparedness and

adaptation mitigations.

During a recent PIA-DENR Visayas

Mindanao Cluster Orientation on Climate

Change Advocacy campaign held here at the

Alona Kew Resort in Panglao May 6-8,

authorities from both agencies relayed to the

regions the urgency of cascading climate

change concepts to communities.

The move is to counter and crumble the

building indifference, a risky behavior among

people in communities that are exposed to the

dangers which climate change brings.

Environment Public Affairs Office OIC

Director Maria Sabrina Cruz, in her message to

DENR Regional Public Affairs Office personnel

and PIA Regional Directors for Visayas and

Mindanao urged government think tanks to run

better thought-of programs to produce unique

campaign results.

Earlier, PIA Director General Jose Mari

Oquinena pointed out that there is a reason to

suspect that environment campaigns need to

change perspectives of people and

communities.

Oquinena said there is this belief that

climate change is somebody else’s fault, that

the main objective should be to weaken public

apathy so adaptation can be pushed through

effectively.

After this, it would not be hard to inspire,

motivate and then ask them to participate and

foster partnerships and networks, he hinted.

Climate Change has a wide environmental

impact on different wide bases so much so that

mitigation and disaster resilience is the most

desired response. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, May 13 (PIA) – The 302nd ―Achiever‖ Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army based in

Negros Oriental renews its commitment in securing peace and order throughout the province in celebration of its 40th

founding anniversary.

D uring the celebration at Camp Leon Kilat,

Tanjay City on May 12, Brigadier Gen. Francisco Patriomonio again assured the

Negrenses that the military will intensify its efforts to

make the province insurgency free. “We pledge to intensify our efforts and main-

tain our commitment to achieve an insurgency free area not only in Negros Oriental but in areas we

have operations as well,” BGen. Patrimonio said. In his speech during the event, Patrimonio

mentioned the recent achievement of the province

being the declared as “conflict manageable and development ready” province.

However, this declaration still signifies a more

peaceful and secured environment for the province and makes it more attractive for investments, business and tourism which translates to prosperity

and improved lives for Negrenses. BGen. Patrimonio added that this could not be

achieved if not because of the collective efforts of

different stakeholders. Patrimonio expressed his gratitude to the local government units,

non-government organizations and national

government agencies for their support in the army’s peace initiatives.

He particularly mentioned the Department of

Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) who helped in addressing issues that have been exploited by insurgents.

Meanwhile, Major Gen. Aurelio Baladad, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army and the event’s keynote speaker

lauded the 302nd IB for its achievements in the past years.

Baladad mentioned the recent accomplishments

of the brigade including the best brigade for 2013 and 2013 best battalion for the 11th Infantry Battalion.

He also cited that the 302nd Brigade as the

only brigade that is successful in conducting Bayanihan team activities with stakeholders in areas infested by rebels.

Baladad said the celebration of the 40th founding anniversary of the 302nd IB with the theme

“40th year of service towards peace and

development” signifies what the brigade has done in the past years and what will it be doing in the future.

It is also a celebration of partnership with

stakeholders who helped them realized the vision of a more peaceful province.

MGen. Baladad stressed that cooperation with stakeholders made it possible for the delivery of

services of the government to hinterland areas. With this, he continues to make a call for a

strong collaboration to ensure sustainability in peace,

stability and development efforts to the whole province.

Baladad pledged that the 3rd ID will continue

to give support in securing peace and order in Ne-gros Oriental.

With the recent achievements in peace and

order, the Philippine Army strives to make the province insurgency free in its areas of operation including the 5th District of Negros Occidental while

maintaining Siquijor as an insurgency free province. (mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

Silliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete CitySilliman University in Dumaguete City

Army renews commitment to maintain peace & order

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the local government of

Bayawan City spearheaded the Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan at the Bayawan City Gym and Quadrangle on May 15-17,

2014

DTI holds diskwento caravan in Bayawan City

A s major distributor and supplier of

school supplies, Lee Super Plaza led

the caravan.

Low priced school supplies such

as notebooks, pad papers and other

school items including school bags, shoes

were be offered for sale during the

caravan. This is in time for the school opening

come June 2014.

Big discounts were given to customers

and retailers who purchased in bulk on school

supplies and other household items.

Big discounts and bundling of grocery

items were also offered by Island Merchants

Corpora t ion /Nes t le Ph i l s . , Nepan

Sales/Unilever Phils., National Food

Authority (NFA) PD888/Colgate Palmolive,

Macro Distributors/Procter & Gamble,

El Real, Purefoods and Gardenia Bakeries Phils.,

Inc.

Appliances, computers, furnitures were

also offered by Emcor Inc. and United

Motoliance Network, Bayawan City branch

with big discounts. RACAL Motorycle will also

join in the caravan.

Free haircut for students and free massage

for parents were also provided during the

caravan.

Parlor games, larong pinoy were also

conducted by the Pan Hellenic Society and

Skills Enhancement Games sponsored by ABC

president Arnie Teves.

"Gimmick Time" were conducted by the

participating distributors as a way of promoting

their products and for consumers to win

prizes.

There were major prizes for the

lucky "Wais nga Konsyumer". (mbcn/LPP/PIA7

-Negros Oriental)

BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN

CEBU CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) exceeded its target of 42% or

4,618,688 in seedling production from the agency’s target of 11,070,200 under the National Greening Program (NGP) in

Central Visayas.

" We have been very aggressive in

producing seedlings of various tree species

mostly indigenous or native and

agro-forestry in preparation for tree planting

and growing activities,” according to DENR 7

Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo

Montejo.

Of the total, Cebu province generated

1,942,927 seedlings; Bohol with 1,506,610

seedlings; Negros Oriental with 1,142,651

seedlings; and Siquijor province with 26,500

seedlings.

The production of seedlings were

contracted by a number of people who also

helped in reducing poverty in the upland areas

and ensured food security.

Said program promotes biodiversity

conservation and climate change mitigation and

adaptation.

“Our forests are important in providing

stable watershed function and nutrients, steady

supply of food and shelter for wildlife, adequate

supply of seeds and wildlings, protection from

heavy rains and storms, windbreaker,

prevention of flash floods and landslides and

revival of biodiversity,” Montejo added.

Meanwhile, a grassland fire was reported

in the 2011 NGP plantations established in

Campatoc Cagawasan, Dagohoy in Bohol last

April 30.

According to the report released

by DENR-7, the forest fire damaged around 3.1

hectares with 1,550 trees.

Said area is maintained by the Cagawasan

Farmers Association (CAFA) with the cause of

fire still under further investigation.

Montejo said that the fire brigades have

been in full operation as they are continuously

conducting regular monitoring and intensive

information, education and communication

efforts with the communities. (rmn/HFG/PIA-7/

DENR-7)

DENR-7 exceeds 42% in seedling production BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

16 Leyte LGUs get AWS from WPF

A n automatic weather station is a

weather sensor that senses global

radiation (solar), wind direction,

wind speed, temperature, pressure, rainfall

and precipitation.

WPF general manager Celso

Caballero III explained how a weather

station can help prepare LGUs for

extreme weather conditions.

"These equipment are the basis for

the forecast of weather conditions. Super

computers in Taguig and Switzerland pro-

cess the information coming from the

weather stations," Caballero said.

The weather stations are given free to

the LGUs. The data and information

collated feed into the WFP website.

Caballero disclosed that WPF is set

to give more automatic weather stations

to 13 LGUs in Southern Leyte on May 23,

2014.

The NGO's goal is to put 1,000

equipment to locations around the

country.

Around 29 LGUs from Leyte and

Southern Leyte - some of the provinces

worst hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda

(Haiyan) - participated in the event which

tackled disaster mitigation in the face of

extreme weather conditions. (PIA 8)

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The Weather Philippines Foundation (WPF) an non-government organization focusing

on climate change adaptation recently turned over here automatic weather stations to 16 local government units of Leyte.

Multi-sectoral approach strengthens advocacy on road injury prevention

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 12 (PIA) – A multi-sectoral approach from all stakeholders could prevent injuries and deaths

caused by road traffic accidents, Winnie Dorego of the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said.

D uring the first quarterly meeting

of the Road Traffic Injury

Prevention – Technical Working

Group (RTIP –TWG) Meeting held

recently at Asia Stars Hotel, this city,

Dorego emphasized the importance of

working together to achieve a 50%

reduction of road traffic accidents which

has become a public health problem being

one of the leading cause of death and

disabilities in the Western Pacific Region

where the Philippines is situated.

Based on 2013 WHO report, it

disclosed that about one-quarter of the

world’s road traffic deaths occur in the

Western Pacific Region where the

Philippines is a member and about 300

deaths occur due to traffic accidents and

millions suffered from temporary or

permanent disability.

In the Philippines, there is a varying

degree of deaths per 100 thousand

people. From 2007 to 2008, there is a .5%

decrease of the number of deaths due to

road traffic accidents.

Moreover, a research conducted from

2008 to 2012 in several hospitals in the

city by a JICA volunteer named Mitsunami

Yokokama has revealed a remarkable

decrease in the number of road traffic

injuries particularly in the city of Tacloban.

From 1, 453 cases in 2009 it went

down to 950 in 2012 showing a

remarkable decrease in the number of

injuries due to traffic accidents.

However, despite this trend, the RTIP

-TWG felt it necessary to strengthen

advocacy in order to create public

awareness and understanding of the

effects of the risk factors. Otherwise, this

might become the 4th leading cause of

death in the world by 2030. (PIA-8)

K-12 pioneer studes in Leyte graduate May 30

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 10 (PIA) – The pioneering batch of the Department of Education's (DepEd) K to 12 Program in

two pilot schools in Leyte will be graduating on May 30 of this year.

P alo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla said

the first batch of K to 12 students

from the Palo National High

School and the Merida Vocational School

will graduate on May 30 at the upper floor

of the Palo Municipal Hall.

This is a very important historical

event, Mayor Petilla said as she disclosed

that no less than the President of the

Philippines and the secretary of

Education have been invited to grace the

graduation.

It was learned that in a recent

assessment made by the DepEd and the

Provincial Government of Leyte, about

200 students of Grades 11 and 12 took

the K to 12 Program Modeling

Implementation for two years.

The students come from Palo

National High School and Merida

Vocational School and are under the

Income Creating Opportunities Thru

Technology Projects (ICOT-P) of then

Leyte governor and now Energy Secretary

Carlos Jericho L. Petilla which is being

continued under the term of Governor

Leopoldo Dominic Petilla.

Some private firms committed to hire

the students under tourism, information

and communications technology (ICT),

automotive and metals, and engineering

sector.

The DepEd in Eastern Visayas has

initiated the modelling, in consortium with

the Provincial Government of Leyte,

Techn ica l Educat ion and Sk i l l

Development Authority (Tesda),

Commission on Higher Education (Ched),

and the Philippine Association of State

Universities and Colleges Eastern Visayas

Chapter.

Governor Petilla said DepEd can now

assess what are needed to improve the

implementation of the program in the

Philippines.

The shift in the country’s education

system started in 2012 with the universal

kindergarten program. Filipino children

aged five years old are now required to

spend two years in kindergarten before

entering Grade 1. (PIA 8)

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

By: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

8,663 volunteers join GK Bayani Challenge in Daram, Samar

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 12 (PIA) — Gawad Kalinga gathered the support of 8,663 volunteers who joined the

four- day GK Bayani Challenge in Daram, Samar which ended May 11.

" Volunteerism is a chal lenge

b e c a u s e o u r p l a c e i s a n

island,” Daram, Samar Mayor Lou

Astorga uttered during her opening

message.

“Transportation pa lang, mahirap na.

Thank you for being part of Bayani

Challenge, naipapakitang lahat may parte,

lahat importante," she added.

GK representative Jeff Segumalian

reported that there were about 207 GK

youth volunteers from different towns and

provinces in Northern Luzon who

conducted “Paraisong Pambata” to 1,000

kids in the island.

He also reported that six schools

were refurbished, while fifty-eight

barangays joined the clean-up drive and

were able to clear the 207 kilometers of

the island’s coastal area.

In addition, some 90 youngsters

benefited from the free circumcision

conducted by GK volunteers.

Segumalian added that 200 Talisay

seedlings were planted in different areas in

the said town. (PIA 8-Samar with Avha

Ebalde)

World Vision continues to build-back-better

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, May 9 (PIA) - World Vision continuous to help rebuild 14,000 houses, six months after super

typhoon Haiyan wrought havoc and devastation to an estimated 16 million Filipinos in Central Philippines.

I n a statement sent to the Philippine

Information Agency, World Vision

said as response work transitioned

from emergency to recovery, assistance

has reached out to over 713,000 people at

533 villages in 48 municipalities.

The unconditional cash transfer

program, aimed at supporting people as

they gradually move to recovery, has

assisted 14,217 families. Initiatives on

water, sanitation and hygiene have

provided relief to 53,755 families.

To date, 5,890 people have attended

the workshops in 32 barangays (villages),

over a thousand of them women across

the provinces.

In education, 19 schools are being

repaired and rebuilt in Leyte province and

three in Panay Island on negotiation.

Twenty-five health centers are being

rebuilt and provided with medical

equipment needed across the Haiyan-hit

provinces.

World Vision also provided 17,777

hygiene kits to 63 elementary schools and

day care centers.

A memorandum of agreement with

the Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority (TESDA) has

been reached for a Skills Training Program

(Train to Build Back Better) that will

enhance the capacity of workers in car-

pentry and other livelihood skills.

The Cash-For-Work program has

assisted close to 2,000 individuals who

worked on clearing debris, as well as

community and school clean-ups, among

other activities; an additional 5,000 people

have started the cash-for-work activity

this week.

A total of 22,000 children has

participated in World Vision’s Child

Friendly Spaces across seven affected

provinces.

Response Director Andrew Rosauer,

impressed with the Filipinos’ rise from the

destruction, says, “The communities have

been very active in leading their own

recovery and we are amazed at the pace

they are progressing.

We are confident that more

sustainable recovery outcomes can be

accomplished in the coming months with

the aid donors, sponsors, local

government agencies and the affected

communities.

World Vision’s recovery phase is now

focused on shelter, livelihood, education,

health, water, sanitation and hygiene

(WASH) and disaster risk reduction

(DRR). Its areas of operations are in

Eastern Leyte, Western Leyte, North Ce-

bu and Panay Island. (PIA 8)

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Liceo de Verbo Divino (formerly Divine Word University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban CityWord University) in Tacloban City

CSC conducts orientation workshop on SPMS

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, May 9 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission conducted a two-day orientation workshop on

strategic performance management system (SPMS) at the local government unit of Mondragon on May 8-9.

C SC Provincial Director Ma.

Natividad L. Costibolo said SPMS

promotes morale, efficiency,

integrity, responsiveness and courtesy in

the civil service, the commission

adopts measures to strengthen

the merit and reward, integrates

all human resources development

programs for all level and ranks,

and institutionalizing a management

c l im a t e condu c i ve t o pub l i c

accountability.

Costibolo said SPMS is focused on

linking individual performance vis-a-vis the

agency’s organizational vision, mission and

strategic goals.

Further, she said that the

Constitution mandates to continuously

foster excellence, efficiency and

accountability, and the establishment of

performance eva luat ion system

forms part of the authorities

and functions of the civil service

commission.

This is but one way of seeing to it

that all our government employees are

working hand in hand for a common good,

therefore it will serve as their guide in

administering public office, she added.

(PIA8-Northern Samar)

By: Teresita Cardenas

By: Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

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) 3378718/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

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