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The official e-Newsletter of PIA Visayas
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Vol 4 Issue 43 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 October 27 - Nov. 2, 2014
WESTERN VISAYAS
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PDS now cheaper with EPIRA-NGCP
DILG-8 honors Yolanda heroes
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
PH Ebola free but precautionary measures in place
By: Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 28 (PIA6)—The Department of Health in
Western Visayas said as of this date that the country is still free
from Ebola, but it is not leaving anything by chance in its
preparations.
There is no need for the public to panic, even if the Ebola
spread seems fast,‖ said Dr. Glenn Alonsabe, chief, Regional
Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, DOH-6, in a media interview.
He added that the Filipinos have survived the threats of MERS-CoV
because they observed precautionary measures, responsible
attitude and good hygiene practices.
He said in the same interview that certain cultural practices in
countries in West Africa have triggered the spread of the disease.
―Some tribal communities have rituals and ceremonies which lay the
dead affected by Ebola for public viewing and direct touch,‖
Alonsabe said, adding that Africans love to hug, have the habits of
sharing utensils and eating in the same plate.
He said Ebola is not airborne and can be transmitted through
close contact with blood, secretions, body fluids and stools of
infected persons.
Alonsabe said he was particular about overseas Filipino
workers coming home to their families ignoring some precautionary
measures, or not telling the authorities at the airports upon arrival,
of the countries they have visited prior to home.
―I would advise them to declare in full honesty, their places of
origin and those they visited, close to the countries affected,‖
Alonsabe said, adding that it is members of the family that will be in
danger.
He noted that the government is mobilizing its resources and
is collaborating closely with partners to effect measures and
precautions for the safety of the public.
This also includes surveillance of the many entry points in the
country, coupled with information and education campaign through
the media.
In Iloilo Province, the Provincial Health Office has secured
about 100 protective gears to be distributed to the municipalities
should Ebola enter the areas. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
By: Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Oct. 29 (PIA) –The National
Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said power
distribution service (PDS) in the country has considerably gone
down, from P315.4675 per kilowatt hour per month (Kwh/d) in
October 2013 to P297.3155 for firms in April this year.
This is even lesser for non-firms when it had P10.3715
kilowatt hour per day (Kwh/d) in October to P9.7748 kwpd in April
of 2014.
The power distribution rate decreased for residential and
non-commercial establishments at an average of P10.0498 kwhd in
the last 7 months.
And it could still go down, hinted Atty. Cynthia Alabanza, as
she credited this to the effect of the Energy Power Industry Reform
Act (EPIRA), among other reforms bundled in and the NGCP‘s.
Alabanza, Spokesperson and Head of the NGCP‘s Corporate
Communications Affairs relayed the message to members of the
Bohol media present at the Power 101 Briefing held at the Bellevue
Hotel in Panglao recently.
It may be recalled the country‘s restructuring of the power
sector brought the government to pass the EPIRA Law, which
ensured quality, reliable, secure and affordable supply of electric
power in the country.
In 2001, the EPIRA took its effect and as early as then, people
demanded that the law would bring in the promised lower power
cost amidst allegations that lowered power rates are among the
largely false government promises.
The NGCP put up, long-term value creation as a more
sustainable measure to bring the prices down, even if it were against
popular opinion of giving lower tariff rates to power which could
trigger subsidies or the unavoidable tax burdens it could bring, an
NGCP insider revealed.
The country‘s transmission service provider NGCP for one,
wants to give that aspiration a head start: its keen desire will be to
bring down power rates for Filipino consumers, according to
NGCP President and Chief Executive Officer Henry T. Sy Jr.
But he also said before reaching ―cheaper rates regime‘,
massive investments have to be made to expand and upgrade the
transmission system and its integrated facilities so their operating
efficiencies will eventually improve.
―(NGCP‘s) average rates and charges are deliberately
designed to decrease as demand for its services increase, thereby,
encouraging efficiency,‖ Mr. Sy stressed, in his quoted statement as
reported in a major paper.
And true enough, NGCP showed that in the Visayas Grid
alone, power distribution service per hour on a day, in October of
2013 to April 2014, it had P10.3715, 10.3691, 10,3486, 9.8212,
9.8310, 9.8324, to 9.7748 Kwh/d.
Visayas grid PDS for non-firms now in fact has lower rate
compared to Luzon, which had 9.9393 while Mindanao Grid still is
saddled with a P10.1817 kwh/d in April 2014. (mbcn/RAC/
PIABohol)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
EASTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
By Consuelo B. Alarcon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 24 (PIA) – Eight Yolanda
heroes will be given recognition by the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office 8 on November 5 at
Ritz Tower de Leyte, this city.
According to DILG information officer Myles Joseph
Colasito, the award recognizes people who risked their lives in the
service of the community during the brunt of supertyphoon Yolan-
da and to glorify exemplars of the virtues of courage,
selflessness, gallantry, and bravery worthy of emulation.
Said Yolanda heroes were nominated by those who have
witnessed their heroic deeds when the typhoon struck the region
in November last year.
Colasito said the recognition is for Acts of Valor and Acts of
a Good Samaritan Category.
The 8 finalists were identified as Benjoe G. Mercenes, 28
years old, single and a resident of Brgy. 83-C, Taguictik, San Jose
Tacloban City; Christopher M. Caspe, a resident of Brgy. 56
Magallanes, Tacloban, City; Isagani Sabalza of Brgy. Magay, Tanauan
Leyte; Dionesio M. Bagon of Sitio Caloogan, San Jose, Palo, Leyte;
Armando E. Corillo of V&G Subdivision, Tacloban, City; Chief
Inspector Adel D. Bautista of Brgy. Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte; Nilda
A. Quiero, a Red Cross worker and resident of Salazar St.
Tacloban, City; and Ranil Repasa of Brgy. Canramos, Tanauan,
Leyte.
Mercenes used his body to shield women and children from
strong winds and debris to help them cross the makeshift bridge he
put up between roofs and eventually pulled them one by one over
the remaining concrete wall to the safety of the home of the
Barredo‘s in San Jose District while Caspe swam to help a certain
Jacqueline M. Salem being swept away by the storm surge.
On the other hand, Sabalza reportedly dived into violent and
debris strewn floodwaters to rescue 14 persons in Brgy. Magay,
Tanauan Leyte at the height of the typhoon disregarding his own
safety. Despite being emotionally drained at that time as he lost his
girlfriend who was with him at the evacuation center, he managed
to guide the family of Regine Cinco who was trapped by the
floodwaters under the bleachers of the cockpit arena where they
evacuated.
A security guard named Dionesio Bagon who was on duty at
Sundance showed his bravery when he rescued 10 members of the
Baquilod Family including an 11-month old baby inside the
compound of the lodging house of Engr. Teresita Acidre at Real St.
Fatima Village, Tacloban, City. (cba/PIA-8)
Department of Budget and Management
Assistant Secretary Maxine Tanya Hamada
(2nd from left) leads the ribbon-cutting
ceremony that kicked off the exhibit (inset) for
the Development Talk 2014 held Tuesday at
Hotel Del Rio here and spearheaded by the
Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)-6. Also in photo are
(from left) National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA)-6 Assistant
Regional Director Raul Anlocotan, DSWD-6
Social Welfare Office II Sharon Tusalem and
DILG-6 Regional Director Atty. Anthony
Nuyda. (PIA-6)
Fishery Expert Emil Cebu talks about how the
fishery sector can mitigate climate change. At
PIA's Huruhimangraw/Nagbabago na ang
Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago radio/tv
program October 30, 2014.
M a n g r o v e R e c o v e r y . D E N R
represented by information officer Cora
Colarines and Juliet Paler and BFAR with PFO
Cresencio Pahamutang share the challenge of
recovering 360 hectares of Bohol mangroves
now isolated from tides due to post quake
upliftment in several areas. Mangroves, they
said are crucial, not just for spawning fish and
creatures but also for capturing largely carbon
emissions. BEMO, represented by Adelfa
Salutan (3rd from left) also commits help in
the reforestation plan. (RAC/PIABohol)
Dr. Glenn Alonsabe. (PIA 6 File Photo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
Aklan to have first call center, school By: Venus G. Villanueva
DTI, LGU step up Operation Timbangan
SAN JOSE, Antique, Oct. 29 (PIA6) - - The Department of Trade and Industry sustained its campaign on Operation
Timbangan and confiscated defective weighing scales in partnership with concerned local government units.
BY: PILAR S. MABAQUIAO
T his is to ensure that consumers
don‘t fall victims to deceitful acts of
unscrupulous traders who took
advantage of defective weighing scales to gain
more profit, said Glen Fernando, Trade and
Industry Development Specialist of DTI
Antique.
In anticipation of the holiday season, DTI
also called on traders and business
establishments to be accurate in the weight
and measure of their goods sold in the market
including ICC and PS markings for products
that require DTI standard seal.
DTI record showed that for the period
January to October 2014, a total of 611
weighing scales were checked and 40 were
found defective.
Defective weighing scales Fernando
said are confiscated by the composite
team of designated officers from the
Municipal Government and DTI.
The said weighing scales are calibrated by
the Municipal Economic Enterprise
Development Office.
Target location of spot checking of
weighing scales are public markets, wet market,
grocery, vegetable and fruit, rice and dried fish
sections.
Fernando said this undertaking protects
consumers and ensure they get the right
weight of the goods they bought that
corresponds to the value of their money.
Likewise, DTI has conducted six market
visits in different towns to monitor prices of
basic necessities and prime commodities and
monitoring of compliance of business
establishments to Fair Trade Laws.
In observance of the Consumer
Welfare Month this October, Fernando
encouraged consumers to be vigilant and
well-informed of their rights. (JSC/MLG/PSM
-PIA6 Antique)
KALIBO, Aklan, Oct. 27 (PIA6) -- The AMA Computer University is set to put up a school and call center in Aklan.
T his good news was relayed here
recently by Arnel Hibo, First Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer
(COO) of the AMA Computer University
when he graced the recent Job Fair held at the
ABL Sports Complex which was organized by
the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), the Congressional District Office
(CDO) of Rep. Teodorico Haresco and the
Provincial Government of Aklan under
Governor Florencio T. Miraflores.
Hibo said the AMA University has chosen
Aklan, particularly Kalibo to house its school
and call center because the province has
enough manpower who are proficient in
English and who are dedicated to work.
Hibo added the province of Aklan has
already some vital infrasfrustructures in place,
like the Kalibo International Airport (KIA), and
has efficient internet connectivity.
For his part, Governor Miraflores said he
is happy that AMA made representations
with the province tao set the first Business
Process Outsourcing (BPO) center in Aklan,
saying this will bring more jobs to the people
of Aklan.
Because of this development, Miraflores
said more BPOs will follow AMA‘s example
and come to Aklan.
He said the BPO is a big opportunity for
Aklan, with the right infrastructure in place and
the most modern internet connectivity due to
Boracay Island which is favorable for the call
center.
He also said Aklan ha sufficient
manpower composed of students and
college graduates who could work at the call
center, and who are at par with other
workers in the industry in different areas in the
country.
Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco of the
Lone District of Aklan also graced the
one-day Job Fair, who called on Aklanon
students to avail of various scholarships
offered by government schools and agencies to
help improve their lives and that of their
families and obtain better opportunities at
employment.
DOLE 6 was represented by OIC ARD
Salome Siaton, who said the Job Fair in Aklan
intended to turn the ―unemployed to
employed‖.
She revealed that the job fair had 28
participating companies looking for applicants
to fill up a total of 8,147 local and overseas
jobs.
―Sama-sama Hanap Trabaho para sa Todo
Asenso‖ was the theme of the recent job fair,
the second to be conducted in Aklan for this
year by the DOLE. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)
BACOLOD CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA6) - - Ten public elementary schools in Bacolod City have been chosen as beneficiaries of
Text2Teach program of Ayala Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
T hese schools include the Education
and Training Center School I,
Andres Bonifacio Elementary School,
Estefania Elementary School, Handumanan
Elementary School I, Bata Elementary School
II, Handumanan Elementary School II,
Kabugwason Elementary School, Don I.
Nessia Sr. Elementary School, Graciano
Lopez-Jaena Elementary School and ISLA
Elementary School.
Text2Teach is a comprehensive mobile
learning package that uses Nokia mobile
phones, which can download more than
300 educational video materials on grade 5
and 6 Math, Science, English, and Values
Education.
A Teachers Training and Stakeholders
Orientation were conducted to train fifth
and sixth grade teachers on how to use the
technology the foundation will provide.
Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella
said that if the partnership yields positive
results, there would be a possibility that all
elementary schools in the city will be
covered, a release from the City Public
Information Office said.
―This is one way to uplift the teaching
method in public schools with the use of
new technology,‖the mayor added.
The city government of Bacolod has
previously signed a Memorandum of
Agreement with Ayala Foundation last year
to implement the program.
As a counterpart, the city will
provide P476,400.00 funding or 38
percent of the total cost for the ten
recipient schools prior to the
implementation of the program while
Ayala Foundation Incorporated will
provide P740,000.00 or 62 percent of the
total cost.
Each school will receive a complete TV
set and other learning materials from Ayala
Foundation. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6/CMO Negros
Occidental)
10 Bacolod schools recipients of Text2Teach program
By: Easter Anne D. Doza
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
Survey notes uptrend in contraceptive use in WVisayas
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA6) - - There is an increasing trend in the level of contraceptive use among married women in
Western Visayas, according to a survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority-National Statistics Office
A rleen Bagoning, Statistic ian of
PSA-NSO 6, in her presentation during
the dissemination forum on the 2013
NDHS, said that from 46 percent in 2003
married women using some methods of
contraception in Western Visayas went up to
55 percent in 2013.
Most contraceptive users or about 34
percent rely on modern method with only 21
percent relying on the traditional method.
As reflected in the survey, the use of pill
has increased over the past 10 years.
The use of female sterilization in 2013 is
far from 7.0 percent users in 2008.
However, the study noted a decrease in
the use of IUD and rhythm methods since
2003 and slow growth in the use of condom
among males.
The 2013 NDHS revealed that 74 percent
of women who were currently using
contraception were informed about the side
effects of the methods they were using at the
time of the survey while 67 percent were
informed about what to do if they experienced
side effects.
On the other hand, seventy-seven percent
of women were informed about alternative
methods.
Other key findings of the recent
survey on fertility and family planning
are that women in the region have an
average of 3.8 children and seven in ten wom-
en said there is consensus with their husbands
on the number of children they would like to
have.
Bagoning said the information is useful for
reproductive health program managers,
particularly those responsible for program
logistics.
―The trend in current use of family
planning can be used to monitor the progress
of family planning programs over time,‖ said
Bagoning.
The 2013 NDHS is the 10th in a series of
surveys conducted every five years since 1968
by the PSA-NSO.
It provides basic information on
fertility, childhood mortality, contraceptive
knowledge and use, maternal and child health,
knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and included
for the second time, data on violence against
women.
Some 16,155 out of the 16,437 women
identified as eligible respondents aging 15 to 49
years old were successfully interviewed
nationwide from August 12 to October 16 last
year. (JSC/LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)
By Lilibeth A. French
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 30 (PIA6) – Fifty out-of-school youths from various parishes of the Archdiocese have graduated
from carpentry and bread and pastry courses funded by Caritas Italiana through the Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center
(CASAC) to empower OSYs in the province.
“ Almost half of the graduates got
employed after the 21-day training,‖ said
CASAC training coordinator Loriene
Garra.
She added that 25 OSYs are currently
undergoing a massage training at the
temporary training center within the
Archbishop's Residence Compound in
Barangay Lawaan here while the construction
of the Archdiocese‘s St. Joseph Training
Center is underway.
The temporary training center used to be
a retirement house of some priests.
Garra added that the community – based
training has integrated inputs on volunteerism,
social justice, gender sensitivity, HIV/AIDS,
drug addiction and recycling to positively
develop also the values and behavior of the
OSYs.
Each of the enrolled OSYs has a
P100.00 allowance per day during the training
which tapped competent resource persons
from the Technical Education and Skills
Deve lopment Au thor i t y (TESDA) ,
Dumalag Vocational Technical School
(DVTS) in Dumalag town, St. Nicholas
Training School in Iloilo and Mcarsi which
is a Roxas City – based culinary arts and
restaurant services training center, among,
others.
The church-based initiative will soon offer
meat and fish processing module. (JSC/
AAL-PIA6 Capiz)
Church-based training helps OSYs find jobs
BY: ALEX A. LUMAQUE
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA6) – The recent training organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) passed on to the hands of local government partners the
knowhow on a vital component of disaster preparedness and response – information management.
Training transfers IM knowhow to local partners
I nformation Management is the collection
and management of information from
o n e o r m o r e s o u r c e s a n d
the distribution of that information to one or
more audiences.
It is the means by which information
related or arising from an emergency situation
such as during a typhoon is made
understandable, organized and stored
especially with the use of information
technology.
It involves data collection, processing and
analysis towards the making of an information
product such as a database or report, and its
subsequent dissemination.
Earlier, officials of the UN-OCHA office
for Western Visayas here said that information
management is part of the process of preparing
and responding to humanitarian crises and it
requires that the information or data are well
organized and stored and come in a standard
format for sound decision making.
UN-OCHA Region 6-Iloilo head Kenga
Shandralingam whose organization came here
to help in the aftermath of typhoon
―Yolanda‖ (international name Haiyan) said that
there is a huge need for information
management on the ground as a support to
disaster preparedness and response.
The training, held October 21-23 at Hotel
del Rio here, equipped the participants
representing member-agencies of the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (RDRRMC) with knowhow on the
salient aspects of IM.
The participants are members of the
Information Management Working Group
formed as part of the RDRRMC and headed by
OCD.
There have been preliminary activities
including meetings prior to the formation of
the group and the conduct of the training.
It is one of the activities initiated by
UN-OCHA in preparation for their eventual
exit from the region as Yolanda-related
operations shift to recovery and rehabilitation.
The training was conducted by OCHA
Information Management Analysts Aileen
Oliveros, Irene Talam and Noel Victorino.
Shandralingam said that with the
knowhow acquired from the training the team
would be able to provide the needed support
during DRRM operations in the region. (JSC
-PIA6)
By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
BOHOL, Oct. 28 (PIA) – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA-7) turns over Bohol’s first vegetable irrigation
project to the Sal-ing Irrigators’ Association of Balilihan town on October 26 as part of the highlights of the 182nd Sumad
Foundation festival of the municipality.
NIA-7 turns over 1st veggie irrigation project
N IA-Bohol/Cebu Irrigation Office, Pacifico
Alfarero, Jr. said this will be the bright
future of the once sleepy town of
Balilihan.
―Balilihan will soon regain its prominence as
the No.1 vegetable-producing town in the
province of Bohol,‖ Alfarero added.
The Sal-ing Pump Irrigation Project (Sal-ing
PIP) is expected to support the higher
production of varied vegetables such as eggplant,
ampalaya, tomato and other types of high-value
crops of some 32 vegetable farmers in barangay
Sal-ing.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) through the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) Infrastructure Support Project 3
(ARISP3), funds the project with P5.2M budget
designed for 27 hectares service area.
Bohol governor Edgar Chatto led the
turnover with 1st district Congressman Rene
Relampagos represented by Archie Lungay,
N I A r e g i o n a l a n d o f f i c i a l s a n d
farmer-beneficiaries. (mbcn/PIA7/with reports
from NIA7)
CEBU CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) --- Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and top officials of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO)
yesterday led the inaugural rites of the 1st phase of the latter’s Underground Distribution System (UDS) Project which
transferred overhead power lines and buried these wires directly underground.
VECO inaugurates 1st phase of underground distribution system
T he 1st phase covered a one-kilometer
stretch from the Cebu Provincial Capitol
down to the Fuente Osmeña Circle in
Cebu City while the initial phase will continue to
cover from Fuente Circle to P. Del Rosario
Street, which will be implemented next year.
―This is what we need for a long time. Cebu
needs this to make it a livable city,‖ said Jaime
Jose Aboitiz, president of VECO.
Aboitiz said although the first phase only
covers a short stretch, ―this is not the end of this
project as we intend to continue and keep doing
it for years to come.‖
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama who delivered
the key message after the ribbon cutting and
unveiling lauded VECO‘s project saying ―the day
has come for us to be proud to claim we now
have underground electric connection‖ adding
there will be no more worries that an electric
post would fall on passing vehicles when strong
typhoon strikes.
Rama told VECO officials just to
complement the local government‘s sidewalk
beautification project making it more aesthetic
and retaining its historical value, pertaining to the
first stretch, as part of promoting Cebu City as a
cultural city.
VECO‘s UDS project was designed to
initially comply with Cebu City Ordinance No.
1894 to create a power distribution system that is
aesthetically pleasing.
The project started in middle of last year
after the Beautiful Cebu Movement Foundation,
Inc. endorsed the UDS as it complemented the
city‘s Osmeña Boulevard Restoration and
Beautification Project, stated VECO‘s press
release.
According to VECO, the UDS is patterned
after those in India and parts of the United States
while the project eliminates outages in the
network caused by vegetation and reduces
operational expenses in trimming the trees near
power lines.
―VECO is bringing Cebu to another level in
beautifying the city. No more unpleasant wires to
look at and trees can now flourish and grow to
their fullest potential,‖ said Sebastian Lacson, chief
operating officer of VECO.
Lacson said more importantly, the UDS
ensures reliability of power services.
VECO, the biggest power distribution utility
in the Visayas, is the first power firm to
implement the UDS in a public street within its
franchise area. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) through Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC)
sent five health professionals to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to join the training in
responding to the threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Health professionals to train on Ebola response at RITM
D r. Dino Caing, Section Head Regional
Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit,
explained during the Association of
Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) forum
that the Institute is tasked to conduct researches
and implement programs to prevent and to control
occurring tropical and other infectious diseases in
the country.
The institute also trained medical and health
workers in order to be educated in their fields in
relation to the management of tropical infectious
diseases.
Dr. Antonio Roque Paradela, VSMMC Chief
of Clinics said the core group sent to Manila for
the training is composed of two medical doctors,
two nurses and one medical technologist.
This comprehensive three-day training course
is to strengthen its preparations for the possible
entry of EVD in the country especially here in
Central Visayas, Paradela continued.
The training conducted by RITM is in
coordination with DOH and World Health
Organization (WHO) for the healthcare
professionals in the country.
Dr. Caing also added that the training course
will include guidelines on infection prevention and
control, clinical management and isolation,
laboratory diagnosis, with demonstration and
hands-on sessions.
He also recalled that the Institute was
previously in the forefront of global threats like the
Pandemic Influenza H1N1, SARS, Corona virus, and
Ebola-Reston years ago.
The training will be done to ensure the
readiness of health care workers in government
and private hospitals for the potential entry of
EVD, Caing said.
He explained that RITM has developed a
triage system of screening and evaluating suspected
cases of EVD while health workers have been
trained to use the Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE).
According to Dr. Paradela, VSMMC is ready
to accept patients detected with EBOLA since the
hospital is equipped of six negative pressure
isolation rooms, an intensive care unit (ICU),
supplies and medicines.
They also procured 50 sets of PPE and
ordered another 50 PPE sets and 150 hygiene kits.
PPEs include headgear, power air purifying
respirator, breathing tube, battery for eight-hour
use, scrub suit, gloves, cover all, mask and goggles
with a cost of P22,000 per set.
Meanwhile, DOH-7 is trying to meet
with officials from the private hospitals on
November 5 and will have a separate session with
the local government units (LGUs) as soon as
possible.
On the other hand, Dr. Philbert Muga of the
Bureau of Quarantine said two thermal cameras
were installed at the Mactan Cebu International
Airport (MCIA), one is a hand-carried camera
directed to incoming passengers from foreign
flights upon getting to the tube and the other one
is in the immigration area.
Dr. Muga explained that the thermal
cameras will detect the body temperature of the
incoming passengers and if it is above 37 degrees
Celsius, the passenger will be invited to the clinic
for an interview on his medical history and
whereabouts.
A checklist of health and travel details, as well
as contact details, must also be filled by passengers
arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport from
abroad.
The government is working hard and take all
necessary measures to ensure that CV remains
Ebola-free.(rmn/hfg/PIA-7)
By Hazel F. Gloria
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) --- Illegal drugs with net worth of P83.175 million were seized by the Police Regional Office (PRO-7)
from the different provinces of Central Visayas from January to September, this year.
T he confiscation of illegal drugs was based
on 1,830 operations conducted for the
first 10 months this year resulting to the
arrest of 2,376 persons, said S/Supt. Conrado
Capa, deputy regional director for operations of
the PRO-7 during the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis
(TSIP) Forum recently.
In a presentation of its significant
accomplishments against illegal drugs, the PRO-7
showed that 2,511 cases have already been filed in
the proper courts.
Confiscated were 6,691.33 grams of shabu,
52,513.39 grams of marijuana and 280 ampules of
nubain and other paraphernalia, the presentation
revealed.
―The most number of confiscations started
last June when PRO-7 intensified its focus on
illegal drugs,‖ said Capa.
The month of August scored the biggest haul
of illegal drugs with value set by the Dangerous
Drugs Board at P23.22 million corresponding to
1,962.98 grams of shabu, 165.35 grams of
marijuana and 11 ampules of nubain and
paraphernalia.
―Because of our intensified campaign
against illegal drugs, the PRO-7 has been
recognized as the number one among all
regional police offices nationwide in the
operation against illegal drugs,‖ said Capa. (mbcn/
fcr/PIA-7)
P83M worth of illegal drugs seized in CV
CENTRAL VISAYAS, Oct. 27 (PIA) --- The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) already plotted its measures and security
preparations to be implemented on October 31 and for the upcoming All Saints and All Souls Day celebration on November 1
and 2.
PRO-7 all set for Undas ’14
I n the recent Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis
(TSIP) Forum, P/Supt Julius Caesar Gornez
deputy chief of regional operations division
said that all police office in the region are already
given command to reactivate the measures and
security preparations for All Saints and All Souls
Day celebration.
Gornez added that given emphasis are the
measure and security preparations to secure
other areas of concern not just limited to ports
and cemeteries.
All units are required to put police assistant
desk in areas visible to the public.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) then
has set measures to ensure safety and security in
the 27 cemeteries and other areas of concern.
Police assistant desk will also be established
in each cemetery. P/Supt. Alet Virtucio deputy
city director for operations of CCPO said they
have already identified cemeteries and other areas
for special concern.
―We have identified Carreta and Calamba
cemetery and other mountain barangays under
special concern,‖ Virtucio said.
He added that 50 police personnel and force
multipliers will be deployed each in Calamba and
Carreta cemetery.
―We also identified entrance and exits for
placement of police personnel and putting of
CCTV cameras.
The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is
also set to deploy around 600 personnel combine
force of PNP and force multipliers.
There will be 17 public assistance desk set
to be established manned by one (1) policeman
and force multitier for each desks.
P/Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino deputy city
director for operations of MCPO said that
these personnel will be deployed in eight (8)
cemeteries, four (4) wharves, one (1) port and
one bus and PUV terminal starting October 28.
Tolentino said that standby response team
will also be activated in any case force
augmentation is needed in certain areas.
The Lapulapu City Police Office (LLCPO) is
also set to deploy 200 police personnel and 70
force multipliers at the 4 cemeteries, 7 churches,
4 wharves, 5 PUV terminals and in Mactan Cebu
International Airport (MCIA).
Resorts, hotels and beaches in Lapulapu city
will also be manned with police personnel as large
number of local and foreign tourists are expected
to come for vacation.
―We will be maximizing our tourist police in
resorts, hotels and beaches,‖ said P/Supt Virgil
Trillanes deputy city director for operations of
LLCPO.
Trillanes also added Lapulapu City Police will
also set up one (1) police assistant center to be
manned by police personnel and representatives
from other national government agencies (NGAs)
and 20 police assistant desks.
On the part of the Cebu Police Provincial
Office (CPPO) there will be 1, 200 PNP
personnel and over 3,000 force multipliers for
deployment on November 1 and 2 in 34
cemeteries, 15 public bus terminals and 21
wharves.
There will be 68 road security marshals for
deployment in main highways and 63 public
assistance desk set to be established. (mbcn/ays/
PIA 7/TSIP Forum)
By Fayette C. Riñen
By Amor Y. Saludar
CEBU CITY, Oct 24 (PIA) --- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-7) held recently the awarding of the
Search for the Model OFW Family of the Year (MOFYA) at Casino Español de Cebu, Cebu City.
O WWA-7 regional director Wilfreda
Misterio in her message said, this
search is an award-giving program
held annually and it is designed to give
recognition to outstanding OFW families in
promoting best practices in managing family
amidst challenges.
MOFYA aims to promote success stories
about the OFW families‘ endurance over the
challenges on their family relations and uplift
the image of the OFW families in the
community.
Misterio continued, the search focuses on
OFWs and their families who have maintained
strong family relations, who are active in
socio-civic activities in the community where
they reside, properly managed the financial
benefits from the OFWs‘ overseas
employment, have educational achievements
and who have excellent performance in their
respective professions.
MOFYA has two categories, the
Land-Based Category and the Sea-Based
Category.
During the search, three (3) finalists were
nominated for each Sea-Based and Land-Based
categories and one (1) from each category will
be declared winner to represent Region 7 in
the national search.
Elmer Kitong, a master mariner, and his
family who are from Poblacion, Siquijor,
Siquijor, was the winner in the Sea-Based
Category while Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto
Corro, a former drilling consultant abroad, and
his family, who resides at Suba, Poblacion,
Daanbantayan, won the Land-Based Category.
Both winners received plaques of
recognition and will represent Central Visayas
in their respective categories at the national
level on the first week of December this year.
Based on the recent statistics from
OWWA-7, there are 162,323 OFWs in
Central Visayas and 61% of these are males
while 39% are females.
The top 3 countries of destination are
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and
Singapore while the top 3 skills of the OFWs
are household Service Worker, able seaman
and nurse.
Now on its 10th year, the MOFYA has
become a symbol of the unity and solidarity of
the Filipino family, despite the challenges that
OFW families face in modern times.
The MOFYA r ecogn i z e s t h e
determination of OFW families to balance the
necessity for financial needs and for family
unity, Misterio concluded.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7)
Model OFW Family of the Year winners named
By Hazel F. Gloria
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Tacloban readies activities to mark 'Yolanda'
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The City Government of Tacloban announced the activities lined up to
commemorate typhoon Yolanda on November 8.
I n a meeting held Thursday at the
City Hall presided by City
Information Officer Bernardita
Valenzuela, she said that the
commemoration is one way of
remembering those who perished on that
fateful day and thanking God for all who
were saved from the onslaught of the
super typhoon.
She said that as early as 7 o‘clock in
the morning, a commemorative walk will
begin at the Tacloban Astrodome going to
Old Road Sagkahan-Imelda Avenue-Rizal
Avenue-Justice Romualdez Streets and last
stop is at the City Hall grounds.
This will be participated in
by international non-government
organizations, national government
agencies, local officials, barangay
residents and the private sector.
During the walk, sounding of
sirens will be expected and all
catholic church in the city will
simultaneously ring their church
bells followed by a 1-minute silent
prayer and a thanksgiving prayer.
Afterwards, the walk will resume until
it reaches the city hall.
At 10:00 in the morning, memorial
services through a Holy Mass including
blessing of the dead, offering of flowers
and candle lighting will be done at the
Holy Cross Memorial Park in Brgy.
Basper, Tacloban City, a place where most
bodies were buried.
A video showing about Tacloban
before and after Yolanda will also
highlight the day's event at the City Hall
lobby.
At 5:30 p.m., thousands are expected
to join the 24-kilometer stretch Candle
Lighting Memorial from Tacloban Airport
to Nula-Tula to be spearheaded by "One
T ac lob an , " a non - gove rnm en t
organization. (cba/PIA-8)
Maasin City receives National Nutrition Honor Award
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The City Government of Maasin received Thursday the highest distinction in
nutrition - the National Nutrition Honor Award - from the Department of Health through the National Nutrition Council in an
awarding ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City..
T he National Nutrition Council
conferred the Nutrition Honor
Award to Maasin City since it
showed outstanding performance in
nutrition program management as
manifested by the continued reduction in
the prevalence of undernutrition/
malnutrition, both among pre-school and
school children for six consecutive years.
Maasin City group that participated
the awarding ceremony was led by Mayor
Maloney Samaco with ABC Federation
President Nacional Mercado and city
department heads.
It was learned that the national
validating team led by NNC Executive
Director Maria-Bernardita T. Flores
evaluated last May, this year wherein they
randomly selected 5 barangays such as
Pinascohan, Laboon, Malapoc Norte,
Ibarra and Canturing.
Other local government units that
received the NHA include Lal-lo in
Cagayan province in Region 2 and the
province of Ifugao in the Cordillera
Administrative Region in their own
categories.
The nutrition champions received
trophy and cash incentive in the amount of
P1,000,000 each, it was learned.
Other awards were also given to the
1st and 2nd Consistent Regional
Outstanding Winner in Nutrition
(CROWN) Maintenance Award;
CROWN awardees, among others. (ajc/
rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)
ABOT ALAM program reaches SoLeyte capital
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Maasin City Government through the Department of Education-Maasin
City Division will conduct a convergence meeting with different heads of government agencies involved in the ABOT ALAM
Program implementation on October 31, 2014.
T he convergence meeting set is an
initial step in supporting DepEd‘s
Abot-Alam Program through
better partnership with converging
agencies, City Mayor Maloney Samaco
disclosed in a letter inviting the Philippine
Information Agency as one of the
participants.
―This will also serve as a venue to
discuss the schedule of Abot Alam Summit
and how each agency can help and
contribute in the implementation of the
program,‖ the city mayor said.
He said that the meeting aims to
converge various government and
non-government agencies to support the
said program with the vision of helping the
Out-of-School Youths (OSYs) aged 15 to
30 years old through opportunities for
education, entrepreneurship and
employment.
It was learned that Abot Alam
program envisions a Zero OSY Philippines
come 2016. It is an inter-agency
convergence effort that seeks to locate
out-of-school youths and enroll them in
program interventions while providing all
Filipinos access to quality education and
ensure that no learner is left behind.
Other participating agencies for the
convergence, among others, are
Department of Trade and Industry,
Department of Science and Technology,
Department of Labor and Employment,
Department of Interior and Local
Government, Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority, City Social
Welfare and Development Office and City
Agriculture and 2 non-government
agencies such as Edmund Rise Services and
the Rotary Club of Maasin, (rgc/
PIA8-SoLeyte)
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
Petilla takes oath as new RDC chair for EV
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 29 (PIA) – Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla took his oath Monday as the new
Chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Eastern Visayas.
J udge Altone M. Miralles, Presiding
Judge of the Regional Trial Court 8
Branch 3 administered the oath
taking of Governor Petilla witnessed by
Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla, Northern
Samar Governor Emil Ong and the council
members and its representatives.
Right after his oath taking, the
governor presided for the first time the
regular meeting of the Regional
Development Council.
As a new chair of the RDC 8,
Governor Petilla is expected to set a di-
rection for the formulation, implementa-
tion and monitoring of development plans
and programs for the whole region.
In his message, Petilla emphasized
the importance of setting a right
direction for the council in order to
achieve a common goal particularly to
defeat poverty.
He believes that a concerted effort of
all committees is necessary to revitalize
the economy of the region which, will in
turn, uplift the living condition of the
people who suffered a lot when Yolanda
struck the region last year.
Petilla who is serving Leyte as a
first-termer Governor was appointed as
RDC chair by President Aquino last
August 27, 2014.
The Regional Development Council
(RDC) is the highest policy-making body
that sets the direction of the economic
and social development efforts in Eastern
Visayas.(ajc/cba/PIA-8)
‘Lamiraw’ workshop now open for applications
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Oct. 26 (PIA) - The Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop is now open for applications for a 3-day
writing fellowship which will be held on November 26-28, 2014 at the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Calbayog
City, workshop director Harold Mercurio said.
A ccording to Mercurio, 15 slots are
at stake: 3 Sebuano, 8 Waray, 2
English, and 2 Inabaknon.
Writers are required to submit
either 2 flash fictions or 1 ‗full-length‘
short story on the languages mentioned in
MS Word format, Times New Roman,
Font 12.
Now on its 11th year, the fellows
who will qualify will avail of free
transportation expenses, board and
lodging, and workshop materials
with funding from the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA).
Panelists in said workshop are: Prof.
Merlie M. Alunan, Ms. Daryll Delgado, Ms.
Yvonne Esperas, Ms. Jennibeth Loro, Ms.
Janis Claire Salvacion, and Mr. Dante
Rosales.
For interested writers, e-mail
your entries along with the official
application form to [email protected]
and [email protected] not later
than November 15.
For inquiry, contact Harold Mercurio
at 09167569693. (ldl/PIA-8)
Biliran PNP has new prov’l director
P rior to his new assignment, PSSupt.
Bigoy was the Chief of the Investigation
and Detection Division of the Philippine
National Police (PNP), Regional Ooffice No. 8
in Campetic, Palo, Leyte.
The guests of honor during the ceremony
governor Gerardo J. Espina, Jr. and Police Chief
Superintendent Henry Pelobello Losanes, PNP
regional director for Eastern Visayas.
Also in attendance were the chiefs of
police (COP) of the eight municipalities of
Biliran, heads of national government agencies,
PNP officials from the regional office and other
visitors.
Police Senior Superintendent Felix
Alberca Diloy, outgoing provincial director of
the BPPO was presented an award for his
outstanding performance by regional director
Losanes. He also received a token of
appreciation from the officers and men of the BPPO.
The termination order of PSSupt. Diloy
and Designation Order for PSSupt Bigoy were
read by PSupt. Franco Pabona Simborio, Acting
Chief of the Regional Police Human Resource
Development Division (RPHRDD).
After signing his relinquishment of office,
PSSupt Diloy delivered his remarks highlighting
his accomplishments during his stint as BPPO
provincial director for two years and four
months.
On the campaign against illegal fishing, he
informed that more than P93,000 worth of
fishing paraphernalia were confiscated while on
illegal logging, a total of 127,394 board feet of
illegally cut lumber were confiscated and in
their campaign against illegal drugs, 43
persons were arrested and all cases were filed
in cour.
He thanked and recognized the efforts of
his two deputies, the COPs of the eight
municipalities of Biliran and the officers and
men of the BPPO for their support, saying,
their contributions were instrumental of what
BPPO is, at present.
For his part, PSSupt. Bigoy in his remarks
after signing his assumption to office, said, he recognizes the efforts of the entire BPPO
especially the COPs in carrying out their
responsibilities in maintaining peace and order
in the province.
On the other hand, PNP Regional
Director Losanes who was also the guest
speaker said he was impressed by the
commitment and dedication of PSSupt. Diloy
because of the many innovations he introduced
to the BPPO.
He told his men to wear their uniform
with dignity and pride and maintain the good
image of the police. He urged them to support
PSSupt. Bigoy as their new BPPO provincial
director.
RD Losanes told PSSupt Bigoy to work
closely with Governor Espina in concerns
related to the BPPO activities and programs in
maintaining peace and order in Biliran
province.
For his part, Gov. Espina in his message
expressed his appreciation to the achievements
of PSSupt. Diloy during his stint as the police
provincial director.
He told PSSupt. Bigoy, who was formerly
assigned as chief of police in Naval, the capital
town of Biliran province several years back to continue the programs of his predecessor.
Gov. Espina thanked RD Losanes for his
support to the province of Biliran.
He said, he will coordinate closely with
the new provincial director in areas related to
peace and order efforts for Biliran province.
(PIA 8 Biliran)
NAVAL, Biliran, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) - Biliran Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has a new
provincial director in the person of Police Senior Superintendent Lito Turalba Bigoy who assumed office on October 16 in
simple change of command ceremony held at the PNP-BPPO headquarters in Brgy. Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran.
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