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The official e-Newsletter of PIA Visayas
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Vol 6 Issue 15 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 11 - 17, 2016
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Balikatan focuses on better preparedness of humanitarian crises
Mega Cebu holds series of candidates' forums
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
PIA DG revisits 'Yolanda' stricken families of Hernani
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 11 (PIA) – In what he
refers to be called an advocacy and a personal mission, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director Genera l (DG)
Jose Mari Oquiñena visited once again, the survivors of barangay Carmen, Hernani, Eastern Samar, one of the
worst-hit villages by killer typhoon “Yolanda." In 2013, DG Mari was one of the first responders
of “Yolanda” survivors in the province, who arrived with truckloads of relief goods, that he readily entrusted to Bishop
Crispin Varquez of Borongan Diocese. Two years later, on April 8, he showed up again, no
longer with relief goods but with concrete houses, just enough however for people with simple needs.
Juliet Doños, 37, and resident of the newly created Gawad Kalinga communities, shared in a brief interview, her
happiness, to be assured of one unit of the Row Houses, GK has built for the storm surge survivors.
Situated in a hilly 4-hectare lot, the 240 loftable housing units of Hernani GK Village, some 300 meters
from the highway, was facilitated by the local government unit. Each compartment of the Row Houses measures 22
sq.meter. “But there will be more construction here, should GK
management succeed in negotiating the adjacent land area of the village,” DG Mari said.
Mr. Oquiñena mentioned that the very thing why the GK
community was built in Hernani is because of the supportive municipal mayor and other local officials, who allows GK to
manage the programs and activities with their constituents, the
GK way and sans political colors.
The PIA head who leads in the GK’s humanitarian activities dubbed Bayani Challenge” was in town recently,
together with 300 other volunteers who came from all over the country.
Most of them were students, others were professionals, businessmen, OFWs, educators and foreigners. Each came on
their own travel fares, food provisions with foldable tents to shield them at night.
They have smaller groups to work with like, Kusina ng Kalinga, Bayan Anihan, Paraisong Pambata, Barangay Walang
Iwanan etc. “One important thing here, is the values formation that
GK instills in each individual in the village,” DG Mari said. “ We tell them that despite the past catastrophe, they can still
stand on their own, that they are not poor, that they are assured of the certificate of occupancy,” he added.
It was learned further, that each unit costs P150,000.00, ready to be given and occupied by families who have
completed the 1,500 hours of volunteer work. “Each unit measures so modestly because, GK is building
communities and not housing villages”, DG Mari explained. “In a GK community, people stay less inside houses and instead, go
out and talk each other as a community, sharing plans and solving problems together and planning things to improve each of their children’s future,” he added.`
With a mission to end poverty, GK has so far built about 2,800 Villages all over the country, continually seeing the
possibility in almost impossible to give,(PIA-08).
Vicente W. Villavert
SAN JOSE, Antique April 11 (PIA) – The US Exercises Director for the PH-US Balikatan Exercises 2016 said that it is
very important for the joint rapid reaction force to continue to refine their capabilities in handling humanitarian crises.
“A big portion of the exercise is really to help us refine some of our tactics, technologies and procedures to handle
human crises, and to be able to move equipment over to the islands using air, water, using the maritime environment,” said
Lt. Gen. John Toolan, Commander, Marine Forces Pacific and Exercises Director, during his briefing with the media in the the
shorelines of San Jose where the PH-US Balikatan Exercise is being conducted.
Toolan said that the joint rapid reaction force is showing that through this exercise “we can really build a coherent
plan,” to enhance techniques as part of the iteroperability as well as readiness and cooperation of both countries.
For his part, Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez, Commander of Western Command, Exercise Director for the
Philippines, said that the Balikatan exercise will help develop Filipino soldiers to handle new technologies and new hardware
to prepare them for any eventualities like calamities, humanitarian assistance, and many others.
Lopez said that what was exhibited in the Balikatan exercise is a testament of the cooperation and camaraderie between the Philippines and the United States to maintain the
security in this part of world.
For the first time in the history of the province,
the Antiqueños witnessed the landing of three CH47 or Chinook at the Evelio B. Javier Airport demonstrating the
transport of personnel and logistics, and the amphibious landing at Sitio Madrangka, Barangay Funda-Dalipe shoreline where it
showed ship to shore movement illustrating capability in rapid response that will further increase the level of readiness and
effectiveness in providing relief and assistance to the local communities in the event of natural disasters and other crises.
The event in San Jose was covered by local, regional and national media. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CEBU CITY, April 13 – Mega Cebu will once again hold a
series of candidates’ fora for electoral candidates in Mega Cebu districts from April 13 to April 20.
The fora will feature congressional and mayoral candidates in Mega Cebu areas who will discuss how they plan
to ensure that the rapid economic progress in Cebu does not get derailed by unplanned growth.
The fora will kick off today with candidates from District 1 or Carcar City, Naga City, Talisay City, Minglanilla, and San
Fernando. As part of the kick-off ceremony, a Kapihan sa PIA will
be held within today’s forum from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with guests from the organizing team of the candidates fora.
The Kapihan is aired live over DYMR Radyo ng Bayan
and delayed telecast over Sky Cable Channel 61 in the
afternoon of the same day. The next candidates fora is on April 15 for District 6
(Mandaue City, Consolacion, Cordova, Lapu-Lapu), followed by Cebu City North and South Districts on April 18 in the
morning and Lapu-Lapu City lone district in the afternoon. Cebu province candidates for governor and
vice-governor will be on April 20. The Mega Cebu Candidates’ Fora is held at the
Plenary Hall of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) in Cebu City.
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Cebu is part of the organizing committee for this year’s candidates’
forums. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
US V-22 Osprey lands at the Evelio B. Javier Airport in San Jose,
Antique during the PH-US Balikatan Exercises to demonstrate the
PH-US soldiers capability in rapid response, readiness and
effectiveness in providing relief assistance to the local communities
in the event of natural disasters and other crises.(PIA6/T.Villavert)
#pia6
A Kapihan sa PIA was held April 13 at the
Plenary Hall, 6 Floor,RAFI Bldg., 35 Lopez
Jaena St., Cebu City with guests from MCDCB
and RAFI (l-r) Dr. Leonor Caneja, Evelyn
Nacario and Carol Ballesteros to talk on the
Mega Cebu Candidates’ Fora 2016 which will
be held from April 13, 14, 15, 18 and 20 from
9:00 am - 1200 nn. The forum was aired-live
from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at DYMR-Radyo ng
Bayan 576 khz and delayed telecast at Sky
Cable-Cebu Channel 61 at 5:00 pm.
#MegaCebuCandidatesForum (vvv/PIA Cebu)
Comelec holds vote counting machine road
show presentation in Calbayog City.
European Union Ambassador to the Philippines
Franz Jessen shares that they are looking
forward to participating in "Sikaran" as a
pre-Earth Day advocacy initiative in the
island-province of Guimaras during a press
briefing held Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Iloilo
Grand Hotel. Also in the photo are Romanian
Charge d'Affaires Mihai Sion (right) and
German deputy ambassador Michael Hasper.
Hasper.
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
Ilonggos’ access to ICT gets boost
ILOILO CITY, April 13 (PIA6) - - The opportunity for Ilonggos to access the benefits and use of Information and
Communications Technology has given further boost after an agreement was signed on Tuesday, April 12.
G overnor Arthur Defensor, Director
Frederick Amores of the Department of
Science and Technology - Information
and Communications Technology Office
(DOST-ICTO) Visayas Cluster I, and Mr.
Ruben Libutaque representing the Department
of Education – Iloilo Schools Division forged a
partnership for the implementation of
Technology for Economic Development
(Tech4ED) in five school-based multi-purpose
teen centers in the province.
Tech4ED is a project component of the
eFilipino program of the DOST-ICTO
that aims to harness the information and
communication technology to enable,
empower and transform society towards
creating an inclusive, integrated and equitable
countryside.
As provided for in the agreement, ICTO
will set up Tech4ED platforms in the five pilot
teen centers in the following schools: Igbaras
National High School, Pavia National High
School, Cabatuan National High School,
Duenas General Comprehensive High School
and Sara National High School.
These teen centers have already an
internet connection which is one of the
requirements in the implementation of the
Tech4ED with contents such as eEduSkills that
intends to deliver e-learning on demand
including Alternative Learning System, Learning
English Aplication for Pinoys, Skills Training and
Values and Character Formation; eAssist to
harness digital and financial literacy; and
eGovServ to provide direct government
services.
Amores said the implementation of
Tech4Ed is not only limited to schools but local
government units , non -government
organizations and other stakeholders are also
tapped with the aim to bring the program to
the grassroots.
He said three local government units in
Iloilo Province have already entered an
agreement with ICTO for the establishment of
their Tech4ED centers. These are Mina,
Lambunao and Oton.
ICTO data revealed that Mina Tech4Ed
Center is currently ranked number three
among the Tech4ED users nationwide.
The top two Tech4ED center users are in
Mindanao and next to Mina is the Bacolod
Tech4ED Center. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
By Lilibeth A. French
Forum highlights township development in WV
ILOILO CITY, April 14 (PIA6) - - The focus of the two-day forum which opened here on Thursday, April 14 is to explore
township development as a potential solution to the increasing demand for housing and as an economic driver to boost
Western Visayas as a preferred investment area in the country.
T he “Forum on Opportunities and
Challenges in Establishing Integrated
Townships in Western Visayas”
initiated by the Regional Competitiveness
Committee of the Regional Development
Council VI, gathered property developers,
urban planners, representatives of regulatory
government agencies and local government
units and private stakeholders.
RDC 6 Acting Chairperson and NEDA 6
Director Ro-Ann Bacal said the tremendous
growth in the property development sector in
the major urban centers of the region is slowly
changing the landscape of the cities and
urbanizing municipalities.
“Since people go where employment and
job opportunities abound, we are also
witnessing increasing urban dwellers and a
growing demand for reasonably priced
homes, better public transformation systems,
realiability utility services, easy access to
practical amenities and a secure and orderly
living,” said Bacal.
She said one of the goals under the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development is to
make cities and human settlements inclusive,
safe, resilient and sustainable which highlights
the need for local government units to take a
second look at the transformation happening
around their jurisdiction.
“We hope that, through this activity,
we will have a better understanding of the
concepts of integrated township, the economic
opportunities and benefits that can be derived
from it as a strategy in urban development, said
Bacal in her welcome message during the
opening at the RDC Conference Room, NEDA
6 Building.
Competent resources persons were
invited to share latest developments and
changes related to their assigned topics.
For the first day, speakers include Housing
and Land Use Regulatory Board VI Regional
Officer Pilar Jamandre, Department of Agrarian
Reform Officer VI Legal Officer Atty. Jeony
Licera-Gregorio, Urban Planner Arturo
Corpuz, TEZ AMAD-TIEZA Department
Manager Hernando Enal, and Philippine
Reclamation Authority Reclamation and
Regulation Office PAED Department Manager
Engr. Eduardo Destura.
Resource persons on the second day are
Emmanuel Cortero, representatives of Ayala
Land Inc., and Megaworld Corporation.
Representatives from the two giant
property developers were tasked to discuss
their projects and development plans in the
region and how to enhance public-private
partnership with local government units. (JCM/
laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
By Lilibeth A. French
NEGROS OCC., April 15 (PIA6) -- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a Seminar on Swine
Nutrition, Genetics, Cold Chain and Slaughter House Management april 15 at Grand Ballroom, Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod
City.
U SDA is a known provider of
leadership on food, agriculture,
natural resources, rural development,
nutrition, and related issues based on public
policy, the best available science, and effective
management.
The activity is co-sponsored by the National
Swine Registry, USDA, Winrock International,
Global Cold Chain Alliance, and US Grains
Council, in collaboration with the National
Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. and Pork
Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc.
Among the speakers were Ralph Bean, Adrian
Morales, Dr. Douglas Newcom, Dr. Stephen
Neel, and Jim Oprecio.
Negros Occ. Provincial Veterinarian, Dr.
Renante Decena gave the opening remarks
during the program. (JCM/Lljr-PIA6-Capitol)
USDA lectures on swine raising
Lorenzo Lambatin
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
KALIBO, Aklan, 13 April (PIA6) -- All is set for this year’s conduct of the Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival, a premier trade
promotion event and one of the major highlights of Aklan’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Preps for Aklan Piña fest all set By Venus G. Villanueva
D epartment of Trade and Industry
(DTI) – Aklan OIC Provincial
Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde
said this year’s trade fair, to be
mounted at the Provincial Trade Hall,
Provincial Capitol Grounds, will feature
naturally-dyed loom woven fabrics,
pina wearables, and high fashion apparels.
To be featured too are fashion
accessories, gift items, furnishings, decorative
crafts, agri-aqua products, bakery and
confectionery products.
The Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival is
now on its 17th year and is a model of
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the
Provincial Government of Aklan, DTI,
Hugod-Aklanon Producers Association, Inc.,
and other partners like the Philippine Fiber
Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA)
and the Aklan Pina Indigenous Fiber Manufacturers and Traders Association, Inc. or
PINAMANTRA.
The opening program will be on April 21
at 3:00 o’clock p.m. which will be followed by a
“Buyer’s Show”.
The “Buyer’s Show”, according to
DTI-Aklan, will be in the form of a
fashion show where local models will
don pina wearables and accessories
before invited buyers coming from
Manila and other parts of the country.
Confirmed buyers include Habi
Foundation from Manila and Gillete Interna-
tional while other invited ones have yet to
confirm.
Other said they will be arriving within the
celebration but not in time for the “Buyer’s
Show”.
Also invited to grace the opening
program and to deliver messages, according
to the DTI, were Regional Executive
Director Engr. Roy Abayon of the Department of Agriculture 6 and DTI
6 OIC Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon.
The Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival
hatched 17 years ago during the stint
of Ms. Rascon, who was then DTI-Aklan’s
Prov inc ia l Director. I t was a lso
during Rascon’s stint in Aklan that
the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium
E n t e rp r i s e D eve l opm en t C ounc i l
(PMSMEDC) was organized, composed
of Aklan’s entrepreneurs and government
partners.
This year, the DTI said 75 exhibitors
will be joining the trade fair who
will display and sell to the public
loom-woven pina cloth and wearables,
g i f t items, housewares, processed
food and bakery products, health and
w e l l n e s s p r o d u c t s , a c c e s s o r i e s ,
agricultural and fish products and many
more.
The trade fair will run from April 21 to 26, 2016. (JCM/VGV PIA6
Aklan)
ILOILO CITY, April 15 (PIA) --- The Philippines and Germany have been strong partners in the fight against climate change.
I n a press briefing here, German Deputy
Ambassador to the Philippines Michael
Hasper said Germany has been
partnering with the Philippines in implementing
projects that ought to strengthen the country’s
climate risk governance.
“This is a partnership that has been going
on for years and if we count all the projects
that we have done bilaterally, these are
projects which are funded with about 100
million euros,” he said.
He stressed the fight against climate
change is important because the Philippines is
extremely vulnerable to its destructive impacts.
He said that they have partnered with
the Climate Change Commission (CCC) in
implementing programs that can help
municipalities in disaster risk reduction and
management.
“We have agreed to support the
construct ion of the Sou th -South
Center which will be in Clark City, Pampanga,”
he said.
South-South Center of Excellence
on Climate Information and Services
will be established in the next five years
as part of a grant from the German
government.
“This is a center where vulnerable
states can meet and exchange information
in order to prepare for the challenges of
climate change,” he added. (JCM/LTP/
PIA-Iloilo).
PHL, Germany strong partners against climate
change
Leonard T. Pineda I
2,400 teachers to serve in Capiz polls
Jemin Guillermo
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 13 (PIA) – Over 2,400 Capiz public school teachers will serve in the May 9 national and local
elections.
P rovincial Election Supervisor lawyer
Elizabeth Doronila disclosed that a total
of 2,463 public school teachers will be
serving this upcoming polls as members of the
Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).
“The BEIs will be serving the 821
clustered precincts in the province of Capiz,”
she said.
Doronila said that of the total clustered
precincts, there are 419 in the first district
covering six towns including Roxas City and
402 in the 10 towns of the second district.
Each clustered precinct will have three
BEIs who will act as the chairperson, poll clerk
and third member.
Based on COMELEC record, Capiz has a
total of 457,382 registered voters who are
eligible to vote in the May 9 elections.
Each BEI will receive P4,500 fee to cover
the honorarium and transportation allowance
during the election and for the verification and
sealing o Book of Voters and final testing and
sealing of vote counting machines.
The simultaneous final testing and sealing
of vote counting machines here is scheduled on
May 6, Doronila said. Earlier, the chairpersons
and poll clerks of the BEIs have also been given
P2,000 each training allowance to cover their
transportation during the conduct of the
training of the COMELEC. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 7 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
issued Joint Circular No. 001 series of 2016 to remind public servants of their sworn duty to uphold this constitutional
provision.
I n a press release, CSC Chairperson Alicia
dela Rosa-Bala noted that “no officer or
employee in the civil service, as well as any
member of the military, shall engage, directly or
indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan politi-
cal activity, except to vote,” as quoted in the 1987
Philippine Constitution.
The circular also clarified that “social media
functions such as liking, commenting, sharing,
re-posting, or following a candidate’s or party’s
account,” unless meant to solicit support for or
against a candidate or party during the campaign
period is allowed.
The prohibition covers all members of the
civil service in all branches, subdivisions,
instrumentalities, and agencies of the Philippine
Government, including government-owned or
controlled corporations with original charters,
and state universities and colleges.
Uniform and active members of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine
National Police (PNP) are also covered by the
prohibition.
An official or employee on leave of
absence is still covered by the prohibition on
electioneering or partisan political activity.
Meanwhile, officials or employees holding
political offices such as the president, vice
president, cabinet members, elective local officials
except barangay officials, the staff of the
abovementioned officials, and members of the
reserve corps of the AFP are excluded from the
prohibition.
Engaging in partisan political activity refers to
an act designed to promote the election or defeat
of a particular candidate or candidates to a public
office.
Existing laws and rules identified the
following as partisan political activities:
Forming organizations, associations, clubs,
committees, or other groups of persons for the
purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any
campaign for or against a candidate;
Holding political caucuses, conferences,
meetings, rallies, parades or other similar
assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes
and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda
for or against a candidate;
Making speeches, announcements or
commentaries, or holding interviews for or
against the election of any candidate for public
office;
Publishing or distributing campaign literature
or materials designed to support or oppose the
election of any candidate; or
Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledg-
es, or support for or against a candidate.
CSC Memorandum Circular No. 9, series of
1992 identifies the following as prohibited acts:
Wearing of t-shirts, pins, caps, or any other
similar election paraphernalia bearing the names
of candidates and/or political parties;
Being a watcher for a political party or
candidate during the election;
Consistent presence in political rallies,
caucuses of, and continuous companionship with
certain political candidates and/or political party,
making one closely identified with such candidates
or party;
Giving, soliciting, or receiving financial or
monetary contributions, supplies, equipment, and
materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or
political party; and
Utilizing government resources such as
personnel, including job order or contract of
service hires, time, and properties for political
purposes.
Those who will be found guilty of
engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political
activities will be meted with the penalty of one
month and one day suspension to six months
for the first offense; and dismissal from the ser-
vice for the second offense in accordance with
the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the
Civil Service (CSC Resolution No. 1101502 dated
November 18, 2011).(rmn/ays/PIA7/Myra C.
Fortuna, CSC7)
CSC, Comelec reminds civil servants on political neutrality
Amor Saludar
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 8 (PIA) – Silliman University’s Institute of Environmental and Marines Sciences (EIMS) deployed
fish recovery tools or fish habitats in Apo Marine Sanctuary recently.
SU-IEMS deploys fish habitats in Apo Marine
Sanctuary
T his is part of efforts to help coral reefs
in the sanctuary achieve full recovery.
According to Mark Garcia, director of
the university information and publications
office, the deployment of the fish habitats
in the ocean increases the habitat complexity
of fishes and enhances the fish recovery
process.
The fish habitats are dome-shaped and
made of limestone rocks gathered from the
island’s shore and made by dive rangers and
carpenters of Apo Island.
A significant portion of the coral
cover was damaged when typhoon Pablo hit
the province in 2012 which led to the decline
in fish abundance in the area.
“For this project of fish habitat
deployment, IEMS partnered with the
Foundation for the Philippine Environment,
Apo Island Protected Landscape and
Seascape-Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, Coastal Conservation and
Education Foundation, UNICO Conservation
Foundation, and the local community and
business sector," said Garcia. (ral/PIA7-Negros
Oriental/with reports from Mark Garcia,
Silliman University)
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology- Department of Science
and Technology (Phivolcs-DOST) and the provincial government of Bohol are exploring and laying down the process for the
establishment of a fault museum in Inabanga town.
Fault museum eyed in Inabanga
T his after Gov . Edgar Chatto
met with PHIVOLCS Director Renato
Solidum and Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration-7 (PAGASA-7) Regional
Director Oscar Tabada recently.
The fault museum will serve both
scientific and tourism purposes.
Solidum turned over hazard maps to Gov.
Chatto, while Phivolcs will also be turning over
two seismic stations in Talibon and Garcia
Hernandez at P3.5 million each. PHIVOLCS is
currently conducting a three-day training on
Communicating Earthquake and Tsunami
Hazards for 40 teachers of the Department of
Education (DepEd) Tagbilaran City Division.
The training intends to capacitate teachers
to help school children learn how to prepare,
respond, and protect themselves during
earthquakes and tsunamis, Solidum said during
the press event announcing their activity.
The training delves on basic
information about the science of volcano,
earthquake, tsunami and other hazards as well
as how to re-echo these information to
communities so they can be prepared. (rmn/
ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Elvira C. Bongosia
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 7 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through its Civil Service Institute (CSI), in
partnership with the Government of Australia through the Philippines-Australia Human Resource and Organizational
Development Facility (PAHRODF) will hold a Human Resource Symposium on May 23 to 25 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug,
Cebu City with the theme ―Managing Transitions through Human Resource and Organization Development.‖
CSC to hold HR symposium on managing transitions
T his year’s HR Symposium will showcase
how transitions may be led by
managers and human resource
practitioners at different levels.
The main objective of the symposium
is to inspire participants to be involved
by proactively managing transitions and
enable people and organizations not
only to cope with but to harness
change towards dramatic improvements
i n g o v e r n a n c e a n d s e r v i c e
delivery.
International and local experts in
human resource and organizational
development will share their best
practices in the plenary and breakout
sessions.
In a press release, CSC-7 said the
symposium aims to address the 2016
elections’ expectations to usher in a wave of
new leaders in the bureaucracy.
Interested participants may now
register online until May 5, 2016
at www.csc.gov.ph/hr
For more information, contact
Ms. Bobot Anatacio at telephone
n u m b e r s ( 0 2 ) 9 3 1 - 4 1 8 2 , ( 0 2 )
931-8095, or (02) 931-7935/39 local 301 to
305, or email [email protected].
(rmn/ays/PIA-7/with reports from CSC-7)
Amor Y. Saludar
CEBU, April 6 (PIA) -- A budget allocation of P51 million has been set aside by the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) this year for cloud seeding operations nationwide to respond to a hurting agricultural sector that continues to bore
the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon.
E ngr . Oscar Tabada , ch ie f of
t h e P h i l i p p i n e A t m o s p h e r i c
G e o p h y s i c a l a n d
Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) - Visayas said the country will
continue to experience abnormal rainfall levels
with hotter and more humid climate as the El
Niño is expected to peak by May.
“Provinces across the country
especially in Mindanao are already affected by
the dry spell as next month, El Niño’s impact
will cover more provinces,” said Tabada. The
severe drought is largely affecting the farmers
as harvest of rice and crops yield negative, said
the PAGASA -Visayas chief.
In order to help the agricultural
sector, the government through the DOST has
earmarked a budget for cloud seeding
operations to induce rain for the irrigation
systems vital for the starving rice fields and
crops.
Tabada said their agency is helping in the
cloud seeding operations on when would be
the appropriate time based on weather
projections to conduct the cloud seeding
activity.
According to Tabada, cloud seeding
operations have been done in Mindanao and
that Western Visayas and Cebu have
scheduled cloud seeding activities sometime
this month.
Without clouds, it would be difficult to
seed the atmosphere with chemicals to induce
rain,” said Tabada adding that another problem
is Cebu’s geographical shape characterized with
narrow coastlines risking the induced rains to
fall into the sea.
The Department of Agriculture (DA-7)
meanwhile, is also conducting separate cloud
seeding operations in Bohol as water dams
have reached critical water levels.
Marina Hermoso, regional technical
director for operations of DA-7 said among
the dams that have benefited from the cloud
seeding activities are the Malinao Dam in Pilar
town and Bayongan Dam in the municipality of
San Miguel.
Malinao Dam is an irrigation project
covering 3,500 hectares of riceland areas
serving five towns while Bayongan Dam covers
2,858 hectares augmenting existing water
supply for farmlands of three municipalities,
said Hermoso.
Cloud seeding operations are costly
with one procedure alone estimated to cost up
to one million pesos due to the rental of a
helicopter, said Hermoso. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
DOST allocates P51M for cloud seeding
program
Fayette C. Riñen
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 7 (PIA) -- The congressional as well as the gubernatorial candidates in the May 9 polls will inform
Boholano electorates on their plans on the top issues prevailing in the province during a Candidates’ Forum here.
Candidates’ forum billed as ―Your Voice, My Choice,‖ set on Friday
B illed as “Your Voice, My Choice,” the
gubernatorial and congressional
candidates’ forum is set on Friday,
April 8 at Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium
here.
The gubernatorial and congressional
candidates will inform the people on their
stand on issues revolving in agriculture,
tourism, technology, Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) as well as important
concerns on infrastructure development, peace
and order and environment.
Six congressional bets will be heard
starting 9:00 am on Friday.
Re-electionist Rep. Rene Relampagos,
Joahna Initay, and Crescencio Alturas will be
presented for the first congressional district
with re-electionist Rep. Aris Aumentado and
Board Memeber Gerry Garcia for the second
congressional district.
For the third congressional district is
re-electionist Rep. Art Yap while there are
reports that congressional bet, former Mayor
Cheche Toribio delos Reyes, declined to
attend the forum. Re-electionist Gov. Edgar
Chatto and gubernatorial bet, Loay Mayor May
Imboy, will be presented during the forum
starting at 1:30 Friday afternoon.
“This is a forum and not a debate,”
clarified Engr. Al Uy, president of the Bohol
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
(BCCI) producer and sponsor of the
candidates forum.
The gubernatorial candidates’ forum will
be moderated by Peter Dejaresco while Mayet
Gasatan will moderate the congressional bets’
forum.
The candidates’ forum will be covered live
over station dyRD-AM. (rmn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Elvira C. Bongosia
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Women group find new life meaning after Yolanda
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 13 (PIA) — A women’s group from San Antonio, Basey, Samar swept by the fury of
Typhoon Yolanda found a new meaning in life as they survived its wrath.
Ninfa B. Quirante
Deped-8, partner agencies commit to senior high
implementation
Consuelo B. Alarcon
Registered voters in So. Leyte surpass 250k mark
R ecords obtained from the provincial office
of the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) also showed that there are
468 designated voting centers province-wide,
equivalent to 612 clustered precincts in all of the
500 barangays.
The total number of registered voters
divided by the number of grouped precincts
results to a little over 400 voters each precinct,
arguably a manageable size compared with
previous polls in which 1,000 voters crowded per
precinct.
There is no comparable data for 2013,
especially in the number of registered voters, as
the Comelec provincial office transferred in
January this year to its new location. It now holds
office on the second floor, left wing of the capitol
building.
The computers are newly-installed, and the
personnel are newly-assigned, for the mainstay
staff were promoted and re-assigned in other
areas so they have no past files, said a job order
employee when PIA asked for comparative
records.
Comelec personnel regularly undergo
re-shuffling of posts every election time, and in
February, Atty. Felicisimo Embalsado from the
regional office assumed as the provincial election
supervisor replacing Atty. Antonio Gulay who is
now in Northern Samar.
Maasin City topped the list on the highest
number of registered voters for this year’s
synchronized national and local elections, at
52,532, with 70 barangays, 68 voting centers, and
99 clustered precincts.
The town of Sogod came in a far second at
29,918 voters; 39 voting centers and 63 clustered
precincts in 45 barangays. Farther third is
Hinunangan at 18,535 voters; 48 voting centers,
51 clustered precincts, 40 barangays.
The island-town of Limasawa has the least
number of voters at 4,071 registered voters; 6
barangays, 8 clustered precincts, 6 voting centers.
Southern Leyte has 18 municipalities and one
city. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 14 (PIA) -- The number of qualified voters in this province who are expected to troop
to voting centers on May 9, 2016 to exercise their right of suffrage has reached 261,148 individuals.
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 9 (PIA) – The Department of Education (Deped) with its partner agencies and other
stakeholders have renewed their seal of commitment as the government move forward in achieving a goal towards reforms of
the Philippine educational system.
T he government agencies through its
regional directors and representatives
signed a pledge of commitment as
Deped Eastern Visayas unveiled Tuesday at
Robinsons activity area this city the 60-day
countdown before Senior High School level
officially opens on June 6, 2016.
Deped regional director Luisa
Bautista-Yu expressed optimism of the success
of the nationwide implementation of the
program due to the overwhelming support of
the national government agencies such as the
Department of Interior and Local Government,
Department of Budget and Management
Department of Labor and Employment,
Philippine Information Agency, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources,
Department of Trade Industry, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare
and Development, Commission on Higher
Education, among others.
“The process of refining the program was
crucial but with your commitment and strong
partnership, we are now ready to welcome the
Eastern Visayas learners for senior high school
grade 11,” Yu said.
Before the national implementation of the
senior high school, Eastern Visayas has already
produced less than a thousand senior high
school graduates following of its pilot
implementation in selected schools in Leyte
and Samar.
In order to fu l ly implement
the program, the government through
the Department of Education has already
expanded its budget by providing financial
assistance through the voucher system
to private schools that will offer senior high
schools.
To date, a total of 68, 447 senior high
schools in the region have signified to enrol for
the school year 2016-2017 during the early
registration and this figure is expected to
increase before the classes start on June 6,
2016. (ajc/PIA-8)
R owena Cabunalda and Eufemia Culibar
are just two from those who have
survived the greatest storm of all time,
but this time, through well meaning government
agencies like BFAR, DTI and TESDA with the
great help too of JICA, they have become
entrepreneurs.
PIA chanced upon these women selling their
food products under the sweltering heat of the
sun.
But they don’t mind, “this is part of our new
lease on life, that we should help our husbands
earn income,” they replied.
Rowena is a fisherman’s wife who was then a
homebody, while Eufemia had a small store in
Barangay San Antonio, Basey, Samar.
After Yolanda, as help came through, JICA
built them a production site for the bangus that
the San Juanico strait nourish.
The duo belongs to the Tiklos Kabuhi-an han
Kababayin-an San Antonio Food Processors,
Basey, their president is one Jenet Jaway who is
leading this group to being very productive
women of their time.
They produce tocino, longganisa, pickled
ampalaya, embutido, softboned bangus, and
rellenong bangus which are all vacuum packed
fresh from the production site.
They deliver these products from Monterey
Catbalogan which orders volume weekly.
“The rest, we peddle in offices and other
business areas where most people are,” said
Rowena.
Rowena said she was so shy then, but
through frequent engagement with their trainers,
visitors and other people from other places, she
has significantly improved her communication
skills.
My new-found confidence helped me a lot in
this job, she shared.
They are looking forward to promoting their
products this coming May 1, 2016, Labor Day
through DOLE for a big food and trade fair.
“Maybe by then we can penetrate a bigger
market in Tacloban City,” said Eufemia.
In some way, Rowena did not dream that
from tending her young children and fisherman
husband, she could be her own woman through
the opportunity that JICA and other government
agencies offered.
She disclosed that she has acquired some
sort of financial independence through the
earnings she get.
With their new found empowerment, these
women, these enterprising “Juanas” may just get
farther than they have ever dreamed of. (NBQ/
PIA 8-Samar)
Marcelo M. Pedalino
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Social media functions not electioneering, partisan
political act
NAVAL, Biliran, April 13 (PIA) - The latest joint advisory issued by the two constitutional bodies which excluded the use of
social media functions as an act of electioneering and partisan political activity has clarified the limits for its use among civil
servants during campaign period.
T he Civil Service Commission (CSC)
and the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) issued Joint Circular No. 001,
Series of 2016 on March 29, 2016, an advisory on
electioneering and political activity.
The CSC-Comelec joint circular specifically
states in its purpose that it is issued to advise and
remind all officers and employees of the Philippine
Government, including any of its agencies,
subdivisions, and instrumentalities, of the
constitutional, statutory, and other regulatory
prohibitions against engaging in any electioneering
or partisan political activities.
It is also aimed at “ensuring that members of
the civil service and the armed forces shall remain
focus on the efficient discharge of their duties
and functions; to do away with the “spoils
system” which is anathema to the principles of
meritocracy at the heart of the Philippine civil
service system and military service; and to shield
officers and employees of the civil service and
the armed forces from the vagaries of politics”, it
said.
Pharida Q. Aurelia, Director II, Civil Service
Commission-Biliran Field Office, clarified to the
members and officers of the Provincial Council of
Personnel Officers (PCPO) in Biliran province
during its second regular quarterly meeting on
April 11, 2016, that social media functions like
liking, commenting, sharing, re-posting or
following a candidate’s or party’s account is one
of the six listed acts enumerated in the joint
circular that are deemed excluded from the
coverage of electioneering and partisan political
activity.
However, the lady chief of CSC-Biliran
categorically stated that liking, commenting,
sharing, re-posting or following a candidate’s or
party’s account are considered electioneering and
partisan political activity when “used as means to
solicit support for or against a candidate or party
during campaign period.”
“There is a thin line” Aurelia refers to the
provision in the joint circular that separates what
acts are considered electioneering or partisan
political activity regarding the use of social media
functions.
She emphasized to personnel officers of the
national government agencies, local government
units and public utilities stationed in the province
of Biliran to just follow the guidelines stipulated in
the joint CSC-Comelec circular on electioneering
and political activity to avoid facing election
offenses. # (fj/rvictoria/PIA 8 Biliran)
Rodrigo S. Victoria
2-storey school building to rise in Limasawa Island in support to SHS implementation
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Apr. 13 (PIA) – As part of the full implementation of Senior High School (SHS) Program
for School Year 2016-2017, the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office
(DPWH-SLDEO) constructed a two-storey school building in the municipality of Limasawa.
I n a press release, the provincial
engineering office stated that the PHP8.77
million project, which started in February
18, will be the first of its kind in this historic island
town. It is within the campus of Limasawa
National High School (LNHS) in Barangay Triana.
“We have to rush this project since this is
badly needed for the first batch of Grade 11
students this coming school year,” DPWH
District Engineer. Ma. Margarita C. Junia said.
The project though will be completed in
September instead of June since the first
bidding failed as no contractor was interested to
take the project due to non-inclusion of
transhipment cost to the original contract
amount.
“The DPWH-SLDEO had to ask for
additional funding from central office to carry out
the project,” Junia said further.
The report stated that LNHS Principal Amor
Abandol thanked the DPWH for the first
two-storey school building project in this town.
It will benefit about 107 Grade 11 students
starting June 6, 2016 and is expected to double in
the next academic year.
With the eight classroom, up to 320
students can be accomodated in eight classes.
LNHS has a population of 485 junior high school
students in the previous school year, the source
said.
The students will use existing laboratory
rooms for the first three months of SHS
program implementation while waiting for the
completion of new classrooms.
The DPWH fast tracks classroom
construction works ahead of the full
implementation of K to 12 (Kindergarten and 12
years of basic education) starting June 6,
2016. SHS covers the last two years of the K to
12 program.
The program covers eight learning areas as
part of its core curriculum, and adds specific
tracks (similar to college courses) based on four
disciplines.
The national government has earmarked
P213.15 million for the construction of 202
classrooms for public secondary schools
throughout Southern Leyte province to support
the SHS program. All these projects are being
implemented by DPWH-SLDEO, the source said.
(w/reports from DPWH/PIA8-SoLeyte)
NEDA-8, OCD-8 spearhead formulation of Typhoon Nona rehab for NSamar
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, April 13, (PIA) – The province of Northern Samar pushes for the formulation of the
Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (RRP), a three-year program to restore the province from the effects of the devastation
brought by Typhoon Nona early December of 2015.
W ith the completion of the final
Comprehensive Damage Assessment
and Needs Analysis (CDANA), the
provincial government seeks the assistance of
the National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 8 and the
Office of Civil Defense Region8 to conduct a
rehabilitation and recovery planning workshop
involving all sectors aimed at having one (1)
comprehensive and inclusive plan for the
province outlining corresponding priority fund
allocations. Said RRP covers four identified
sectors: social, infrastructure, productive, and
cross-sectoral, encompassing all aspects of
recovery from physical structure to
institutionalization of local disaster
management system in the local government
units.
Based on the CDANA, damage across all
sectors was estimated at around P 5.4 Billion,
total losses in the economy was accounted to
reach P 1.8-Billion with an overall recovery
reconstruction needs of about P 14.4-Billion.
Governor Jose Ong, Jr. reiterated that the
province is so fortunate to have many
partners from external agencies and
organizations who are willing and ready to
work with the province in the formulation of
rehabilitation and recovery plan.
With the plan, he further expressed hope
to instil volunteerism among partners/
stakeholders and create a disaster-resilient
Northern Samar. By working hand-in-hand, he
is positive that strategies will be effectively
carried out in the months and years to come.
(ADiaz/PIA-Northern Samar)
Ailene N. Diaz
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