March 7, 2014 1

“in pursuit of PIA’s commitment to provide a national mechanism for the free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information… “

VOL 2 ISSUE 55 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 March 7, 2014

Saint Paul School of Business and Law, one of the largest accountancy schools

in the Philippines is set to install Mr. Erwin Alcala, CPA, MIB as its second president on March 12, 2014 at the school auditorium at 10:00 o’clock in the morning. An hour earlier, a Holy Mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Filomeno Bactol, D.D., the Bishop of Naval. It was learned that last year, the school’s board of trustees elected its new set of officers paving the way for the appointment of Mr. Alcala as the new School President. Prior to his appointment as School President, Mr. Alcala was the

SPSBL, one of PHL’s largest accountancy schools, to install its 2nd presidentT he Save the Children, an

international humanitarian Non Government Organization which has been working in the Philippines for over 30 years, is inviting Expression of Interests (EOI) from qualif ied partners to join hands to contribute in the typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda response program. Save the Children believes that active involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) is key to both humanitarian response and to its longer term sustainability. The three -year response will cover relief, recovery, rehabilitation and transition and plans to reach more than 1,159,000 people, including more than continued on page 5 continued on page 7

826,000 children. We will focus on delivering a multi-sector response including: Shelter ; Water Sanitation and Hygiene ( WASH); Health; Food Security and Livelihoods; Child Protection; Education; Nutrition. Save the Children provides both humanitarian and long-term support, working closely with partners across the country. I t addresses key issues of children in the country by implementing programs in child protection, education, food security, l ivelihoods, health and nutrition, child r ights governance, Disaster Risk Reduction in all three major island groupings of Luzon, Visayas

Save the Children seeks expression of interest from prospective NGO partners

Tyhoon-Yolanda affected fisherfolks from Basey and Sta. Rita in Samar and Tolosa, Tanauan, Palo, and Tacloban in Leyte with their motor engines and fishing boats who were beneficiaries of the Ahon Program of DA-BFAR in partnership with other generous donors. (Photo by Raul Tiozon, Jr.)

2 March 7, 2014

PIA promotes celebration of Women with Disability Day on last Monday of MarchT he Philippine Information

Agency in Eastern is promoting the celebration of the Women with Disability Day on the last Monday of March every year in conjunction with Proclamation No. 744. PIA Region 8 Director Erl inda Olivia P. Tiu said PIA Director General Jose Mari Oquinena, in his memo to all the PIA Regional Offices said that the Philippine lnformation Agency (PIA) as member of the National Council on Disability Affairs is bound to support the “Proclamation No. 744”, Declaring the Last Monday of March of Every Year as Women with Disabilities Day ”. The celebration this year has adopted the theme “Isulong: Pantay na Karapatan Para Kay

Juanang May Kapansanan.” In l ine with this, the PIA requests everyone to extend full support for the observance of the Day ’s celebration by conducting fitting activities. Among the suggested activities are Chess Tournament for Women with Disabilities; Skil ls Demonstration for women with Disabilities; Forum on the Rights of Women with Disabilities; and Sell ing/Showcasing of Products made by Women with Disabilities. Proclamation No. 744 provides that the total development and empowerment of women is a State policy enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution which specifically provides that the “State recognizes the role of women in

nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men” (Section 14, Article I I) . Proclamation No. 77 also provides that in dealing justly with the rights of women with disabilit ies and in order for the Philippine government to comply with the regional mandate prescribed under the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) for Action Towards an Inclusive Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific adopted on October 25-28, 2003 by the United Nations-Economic and Social Committee in the Asia Pacific (UN-ESCAP), this proclamation is being issued for the purpose. (PIA 8)

Another member of NPA surrenders in Northern Samar

B efore the month of Februar y ended, another member of New

People’s Army (NPA) operat ing in Nor thern Samar surrendered to the government forces. A repor t coming f rom 8th Infantr y Divis ion Publ ic Affair Chief Captain Amado Gut ierrez stated that the incident on Februar y 27 was the second in a month that an NPA rebel surrendered to the 34th I nfantr y Batta l ion based at Brgy. Tambangan, G amay, Nor thern Samar. I t may be recal led that on Februar y 8 , 2014, four NPA rebels surrendered to the sa id Army batta l ion. This i s an indicat ion that some NPA rebels have been enl ightened that progress wi l l not be achieved through armed struggle, Captain Gut ierrez sa id. The government is giv ing an assurance to the NPA rebels the benef i ts they wi l l receive soon as they surrender and to enjoy peaceful produc t ive l i fe

with their fami l ies. With this increas ing number of rebel returnees in some towns in Nor thern Samar, i t i s poss ible that Armed Forces of the Phi l ippines (AFP ’s ) wi l l atta in the a im to achieve i ts goal for a l l towns in this province to be conf l ic t manageable by end of this year. According to Captain Gut ierrez , a cer ta in AK A “ Bobong”, a member of NPA Semi-Legal Team surrendered to the 34th IB and brought a long with him is one cal ibre .45 pistol with one magazine and three l ive ammunit ion, one .357 revolver and t wo f ragmentat ion grenades. Current ly, the rebel returnee is in the custody the 34th I nfantr y Batta l ion as h is appl icat ion to avai l of the government l ivel ihood program is on process. Under the AFP Guns for Peace remunerat ion Program,

the former rebel wi l l receive P16, 500.00 for the .45 cal iber pistol , P30, 000.00 for the .357 revolver and P1, 000.00 for the t wo f ragmentat ion grenades that he surrendered. I n addit ion, the returnee is a lso ent i t led to receive P10, 000.00 immediate ass istance and P30, 000.00 l ivel ihood ass istance f rom the Provincia l Government of Nor thern Samar under i ts Local Socia l I ntegrat ion Program. “ The government is s incere in i ts ef for t to real ize ever yone’s aspirat ions for peace. We assure the NPA rebels that sent us surrender feelers and want to avai l of the government ’s socia l integrat ion program that the 34IB ’s door is open to ass ist them in any way we can,”34IB Commanding O ff icer Lt Col Rodr igo I lustr is imo stated. (P IA 8 with Avha H. Ebalde)

March 7, 2014 3Secretary Soliman calmly dialogues with rallyists in Tacloban

D SWD Secretar y Corazon Jul iano -Sol iman c lear ly

expla ined the rat ionale behind the government ’s pushing for the implementat ion of “No Bui ld Zones” not only in Eastern Visayas but the whole countr y as wel l . I n her meet ing with a group of people who demonstrated Wednesday af ternoon infront of DSWD Regional Fie ld O ff ice 8 , Sol iman emphasized the impor tance of the law to ensure the safet y of res idents. Sol iman who was wear ing a s imple t-shir t and pants bravely faced and calmly ta lked with the demonstrators who are members of People’s Surge composed of more or less 30 indiv iduals .

“Ang amin lang po, ayaw na namin na mamatay ang maraming tao habang nak ik i ta namin ang inyong k alagayan”, Sol iman said. One of the group’s demand i s to halt the imposit ion of the law on “No Bui ld Zones” and let them return to their former dwel l ings even i f the area is within the so cal led “No Bui ld Zones.” Par t of the Secretar y ’s i t inerar y for her t wo - day v is i t in Leyte is to hold a dia logue with some people’s organizat ions in order to resolve some issues ra ised on food/rel ief d istr ibut ion, the use of d isaster ass istance and fami ly access card (DAFAC ) , the rehabi l i tat ion of af fec ted areas and the implementat ion of “No

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Bui ld Zones”, among others. But , the leaders of the organizat ions repor tedly backed out c i t ing another schedule and the venue should be in Centra l O ff ice. Pr ior to this , some Yolanda-af fec ted areas has been marked warnings on danger zones based on the geo -hazard mapping of the DENR ’s M ines and Geosciences Bureau. The order to keep coast l ines of f l imits to homes par t icular ly those within 40 meters was made af ter huge waves spawned by super t yphoon Yolanda swamped seas ide v i l lages in Eastern Visayas par t icular ly in Tacloban Cit y . (P IA-8)

DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman (standing) presides an inter-cluster meeting for Typhoon Yolanda Humanitarian Response held at the Leyte Sports Academy conference room, March 5. Present during the meeting are RDRRMC members, OCHA and other UN agencies and international organizations who give updates on the interventions for disaster response, early recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Eastern Visayas. (Photo by Raul Tiozon, Jr.)

4 March 7, 2014

The vice-president of the Philippines Jejomar C. Binay

and at the same time the chairman of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council HUDCC emphasized the role of HUDCC - a coordinating council that coordinate the works of national housing authority, the socialized housing and finance corporation, and home guarantee. HUDCC will do their part in whatever the government has promised through president Benigno Aquino III , one of which is shelter for the displaced families because of Yolanda. In leyte and samar VP binay said that they are aiming to provide

for 60 thousand housing units for the vicitms of Yolanda. In leyte where the vice president stayed for two days, Pag-ibig fund will finance 3 housing projects that will mostly benefit survivors of typhoon Yolanda. 1,438 families are expected to benefit from 3 housing projects. “The housing units for these projects will be priced as low 400,00 with subsidized interest rates” Binay said. One of the projects, 278 unit OCCCI housing in Ormoc city- this is an initiative of one of the biggest cooperatives in the cun try with almost 100,000 members. It will mostly benefit cooperatives

VP Binay underscores role of HUDCCmembers who were affected by typhoon Yolanda. Another project is the MRDC Greenland townhomes – a 900 unit housing project in Tacloban City that will benefit Yolanda survivors. The third housing project is the Villa Cesar Townhomes a mixed socialized and economic housing project that will produce 260 housing units. It will also accommodate some survivors of typhoon Yolanda. Pag-ibig will finance all 3 housing projects through its developmental loan program. (PIA 8 with Lizbeth Ann Abella)

Vice President Jejomar Binay led the groundbreaking ceremony of a Rural Health Unit and Infermary of Tanauan, Leyte, March 5. The health center will be upgraded into a 2-storey hospital with the P10-M donation from Pagibig Fund and P1.5-M from DOH. Joining him are (from left) DOH-8 director Jose Llacuna, Tanauan Mayor Pelagio Tecson, Jr., and Pagibig CEO Darlene Marie Berberabe. (Photo courtesy by Mark Agbat/8th ID)

March 7, 2014 5

Save the children...from page 1

and Mindanao. In 2012, Save the Children reached 8.8 mill ion children across the Philippines, making us one of the largest child-rights organizations in the country. Before the typhoon struck we had more than 170 staff working in the Philippines. Since November 8 last year, Save the Children has been delivering l ife -saving and life -sustaining assistance to families affected by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. I t now has over 400 staff working on response across three field bases - Tacloban, Ormoc and Estancia. The NGO applicants must possess eligibil ity criteria such as

Legal Status, (registered according to prevail ing laws and regulations); Work authorization from concerned Authorities; Clear development goal & objectives, grounded in civil society, socially inclusive in staffing; and board composition. The required documents include Financial audit reports for the past two years; Timely renewal of the organization registration; Tax exemption certif icate (if applicable); Board and management details; and Profiles (brief of technical expertise & work experience). Non Profit Organizations (NGOs), community based organization (CBOs), and institutions (research and others)

interested to work in partnership with Save the Children send detailed EOI to Ph.partnership@savethechildren.org or submit the EOI along with the required documentation signed and stamped in a sealed envelope to (Save the Children International, 3F Midland Bldg. 1040 EDSA, Magallanes Vil lage, Makati City, Phil ippines. The deadline for submission of EOI is March 15, 2014 at 04:00 o’clock in the afternoon Philippines Time. All the questions and queries may direct through the above mentioned email. (PIA 8)

6 March 7, 2014

Maximize technology for disaster readiness, Rappler CEO tells SLSU-Sogod students

A veteran television journalist who had worked with giant global and national

TV networks in the past exhorted students at Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) here to make full use of the power of social media to create desired changes. More specifically, Veteran Journalist Maria Ressa, previously connected with CNN and ABS-CBN, talked about the value in real-time of harnessing

technology for disaster risk reduction that involved preparedness, response, and rehabilitation. She is now the CEO of Rappler, an online site she launched with other colleagues in January, 2012. “Imagination and courage, these are the only two things needed to create change,” Ressa said as she discussed the topic “Technology and You” Thursday at the SLSU Multi-Purpose Hall.

She said the young generation has power in their hands using their internet-driven cellular phones to make needed changes happen. And this can be applied not just by journalists like her but by teachers, students, and the common citizens in all walks of life who wanted results on actions taken that benefit the community, in what is now known as citizen journalism. Before she cited how technology can be employed even under the worst circumstances, Ressa led the audience down memory lane when she first started out at CNN in 1984, bringing with her a heavy “cell phone” the size of an attaché case, to the pay phone, the traditional typewriter, the fax machine, beeper, until the satellite-driven gadgets that can enable them to report on-site anywhere around the globe. She, however, admitted that with Yolanda (international name Haiyan) all the latest technology-driven gadgets failed due to the huge devastation -- they also lost contact with two Rappler reporters on the ground for several days. But as soon as the two were able to send in reports and videos – a sign they were alive and were able to survive -- technology through social media sites like facebook, twitter, and other online tools came in handy, transmitting messages and images around the globe, showing faces of those who survived, connecting people, and mobilizing relief efforts in close coordination with proper authorities. Southern Leyte being a widely-known disaster-prone area, such strategies can also be done, even with lost signals during actual emergencies, hence the efforts by Rappler to reach out, establish, and open channels of communication in the province. Ressa said. “You know your problem better, we will help you every step of the way,” she said as a parting shot. (PIA8-Southern Leyte)

March 7, 2014 7

SPSBL...from page 1

school’s Vice President. Three months after SPSBL was devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the school was back to normal operations with the help of generous individuals and organizations.

P1.7-B nga hinabang mahinungdanon agud mahibalik an panginabuhi ha mga lugar nga na-igo ni ‘Yolanda’

Iginpahibaro ni Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad dida

han Martes an pagpapagowa hin maabot P1.71 bilyon ngadto han Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) para ig-ayuda hiton implementasyon han plano nga pagrehabilitar han mga komunidad hin mga parapangisda nga na-igo han bagyo “Yolanda” hadton Nobiembre 2013. Nagsering hi Abad nga an mao nga ginpagowa nga kantidad, nga magsasakop han mga pagkakagastosan para han rehabilitasyon han mga komunidad hin mga parapangisda dida han mga rehiyon IV-B, V, VI, VII, ngan VIII, en ginkuha tikang han “unprogrammed fund” ilarom han 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Según kan Abad, kahuman hin kada kalamidad, kinahanglan igkonsiderar han apektado nga mga komunidad diri la an destruso han ira mga balay ngan an kawad-i hin mga kinabuhi, kondi sugad man an danyos nga nahidurot ngada han ira mga surok hin panginabuhi. Kaparte han rehabilitasyon nga mga panlimbasog han administrasyon Aquino para han naapektaran nga mga lugar han bagyo Yolanda an pagseguro nga mahibalik an panguna nga panginabuhi han mga komunidad, sering niya. An pagpapagowa hin pondo ngadto ha DA-BFAR, sering ni Abad, en makakabulig han mga komunidad hin mga parapangisda nga makabangon tikang han danyos nga igindurot ni Yolanda. Diri daw naton angay hingalimtan nga damo hini nga mga komunidad an napurohan gud durante han kalamidad samtang ginlalapingka ni Yolanda an mga baybayon kon diin nag-uukoy an kadam-an nga mga parapangisda.

Han kabug-osan nga kantidad, mga P905.7 milyon an gagamiton para han rehabilitasyon han mga pasilidad han BFAR dida han mga rehiyon VI, VII, ngan VIII (P468 milyon); ngan pag-ayad han kanan buhatan monitor, control, ngan surveillance patrol vessels (P32 milyon), nga grabe nga nadestruso han makusog nga bagyo. An restorasyon han mga pasilidad han BFAR ha maglainlain nga mga rehiyon nga ginsagudsod ni Yolanda en naglalakip hin rehabilitasyon nga mga buruhaton para han Guiuan Fisheries Development Center ngan Pearl Island Facilities ha Rehiyon VIII; an Central Bangus Hatchery, Central Visayas Multi-species Nursery Training and Demonstration Center, ngan Kawit Satellite Multi-species Hatchery ha Rehiyon VII; ngan an Pinamuk-an Hatchery ha Rehiyon VI. Samtang, P405.7 milyon pa han P1.7 bilyon nga ginpagowa nga pondo en mahingangadto hin maglainlain nga mga aktibidad komo ayuda para han aquaculture nga mga proyekto han rehiyon, lakip en seaweed nurseries, mariculture farms, ngan distribusyon hin fingerlings. Nagsering hi Abad nga maa-ayudahan gihapon han kabug-osan nga pondo nga iginpagowa an pagtagana hin demotor nga mga baloto (P391.6 milyon), debugsay la nga mga baloto (P122.1 milyon), ngan mga higamit ha panngisda (P286.2 milyon) para han mga komunidad hin mga parapangisda nga naapektaran han bagyo Yolanda. An buruhaton nga pagrehabilitar hin mga komunidad nga na-igo hin kalamidad en lapos pa hiton panhatag la hin relief goods ngan pagseguro nga magkaada hin puroy-anan ngan panguna nga mga serbisyo para han apektado nga mga komunidad, sering ni Abad.

Kinahanglan daw igkonsiderar kon paonan-o nga matatagan hin kapasidad ini nga mga pamilya agud bumalik hira panarabaho para ha ira mga kalugaringon ngan magin aktibo nga mga kaapi hiton pagpa-ursa han ekonomiya han ira mga komunidad. Samtang, nagdistribwer ha diri pa la maiha an DA-BFAR hin maglainlain nga mga higamit ha panngisda nga makantidad hin sobra P4.24 milyon ngadto hin mga parapangisda ha Zambales. Nagpahayag hin pagsuporta hi DA Secretary Proceso Alcala ngadto han lokal nga industriya han panngisda ngan gin-aghat an lokal nga mga lider han panmuno-an ngan mga lider hin mga parag-uma nga pakusgon an ira koordinasyon agud mapauruupay an mga panginabuhi dida han ira lokalidad. An mga materyales ha panngisda nga pinandistribwer, kanay panuyo en maasisteran an gumudti nga mga parapangisda han probinsya, en naglalakip hin mga makina, tuna handlines, seaweed farm implements, deep-sea payaos, life vests, mga pukot, ngan smokehouse, labot hin iba pa. Mag-iba-iba gihapon nga mga higamit ha pag-uma ngan panngisda an ginripa, lakip en mga karabaw, life vests, mga makina, certified seeds, handlines, ngan mga traktora. Gintagan hin duon ni Alcala nga mahinungdanon an pagbinuliganay ha butnga han mga parapangisda ngan mga lider agud padayon nga mapauruupay an industriya ha panngisda ha nasud. (Ginbinisaya ni DUM-PIA8, Eastern Samar)

This allowed the coming back of the 3,500 students to their classrooms. It was learned that a press conference is scheduled to be held after the investiture ceremony at around 9:30 in the morning at Rm. 113 Academic Building of

the school. A Presidential Banquet will follow at 12 noon at the SPSBL Quadrangle, it was learned. (PIA 8)

8 March 7, 2014