Vol 5 Issue 35 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue APEC spells sales for Cebu entrepreneurs

Draw out the lingkod-bayani in you, civil servants urged

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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231 BuB projects in WV to start soon Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA6) - - Local government units from the different provinces in Western Visayas were already

given the go-signal to proceed with the implementation of some 231 projects that will bolster agricultural productivity and

livelihood of farmers. The projects worth P313, 638, 739 are covered by

the Bottom-up Budgeting program of the Department of Agriculture 6 for 2015.

Dr. Joyce Wendam, Regional Technical Director for Admin, Research and Regulatory of DA 6 said Notices to

Proceed were already issued for the implementation of the projects. In fact, there are some projects which are now on the

procurement stage. Majority of the BuB projects to be implemented this year

are livelihood projects numbering to 124 worth more than P149 million. Other projects are 76 postharvest-related

projects worth more than P126 million and 31 Communal Irrigation Projects worth over P38 million.

Of the 124 livelihood projects, around 43 projects at a cost of P54,772,112.00 will be implemented in Negros

Occidental; 37 projects in Iloilo; 25 in Antique; 11 in Capiz; 7 in Aklan; and 1 in Guimaras.

Negros Occidental together with Iloilo got the most approved infrastructure projects with 31 each under BuB program this year.

Last year, DA 6 set aside P867,805, 679 for the

implementation of 607 BuB projects in the region. Out of the 607 projects, 149 are now completed, 91 are ongoing and 368

are in the pipeline. Wendam said poverty incidence is among the

considerations for selecting LGUs in the BuB program. “It is the people in the community who identify and

prioritize appropriate projects under the BuB program which adheres strictly to the principle of good governance

involving transparency, accountability and participation,” said Wendam.

She said civil society organizations (CSOs) have also an important role in the program as they participate in the

planning of the said poverty reduction projects. Also, the CSOs together with the religious groups constantly monitor the

implementation of the BuB projects regionwide. BuB is an approach to budget preparation by national

government agencies and government owned and controlled corporations with the participation of the basic sectors of the

community and CSOs. It aims to bring genuine equity, development and empowerment to poor households and

communities and make growth more inclusive and transparent. On its third year of implementation, the program’s

allocation slightly increased at P20.9 billion from P20.5 in 2014 to fund projects in 1,590 cities and municipalities nationwide. (JCM/LAF/PIA6 – Iloilo)

Ferliza C. Contratista

CEBU, September 2 (PIA) – The hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in Cebu is infusing money

for local entrepreneurs. In yesterday's briefing held at the newly-opened APEC

Activity Center at the Capitol, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Asteria Caberte said there

are already several sectors benefitting from the delegates and their entourage.

Caberte said they peg the spending of the delegates at $100 daily, excluding the amount they pay for their

transportation and accommodation. “With around 6,000 delegates expected until end of

APEC and if they are spending 100 dollars a day, imagine the value adding to the province,” Caberte said.

As of the latest count, there are already almost 2,000 APEC delegates in Cebu province.

Caberte said the Exquisitely Filipino exhibit at the SM City North Wing, which showcases 18 of Cebu’s best

products, is earning P100,000 daily. “We will have 30 more stalls at the Exhibit Halls, all

Filipino/Cebu products from fashion to clothing to delicacies,” Caberte said.

She said the local furniture industry has already benefited from the orders of furnishings and decorations for the convention halls and lounges of hotels, restaurants, and the

Mactan Cebu International Airport. “We want the delegates to go out and enjoy the local

tours and businesses. The food served to delegates are coming from our farmers, this is an impact of APEC,” Caberte said.

On the other hand, Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Rowena Montecillo reported that as of the

last ten days, there were already 49 tours availed by 107 delegates.

She said the most availed tour is the Cebu City tour

which would take only three hours, followed by the Twin City Tour (Mandaue and Cebu Cities) and then the south

countryside tour which will go as far as Carcar City. “The delegates want to sample local food, go to the spa

and massage,” Montecillo said. APEC also produced jobs since the hotels and

restaurants need to hire additional people as front liners, like waiters, bartenders, drivers and cooks.

Montecillo said they had received all praises and no complaint so far from the delegates.

“This APEC is also a learning experience on our front liners and how we can improve more. I want the

APEC delegates to have fond memories of Cebu, how they were treated by our drivers, servers,” Montecillo said.

APEC in Cebu runs from August 22 until September 11 with 87 meetings. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

NINFA B. QUIRANTE

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, September 3 (PIA) - Samar civil servants joined the whole nation

in calling for the spirit of the Lingkod Bayani in every civil servant.

This, as some 500 civil servants gather at the capitol park to mark the 115th civil service anniversary on September 1,

2015. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) led by

Director Rey Albert Uy urged the civil servants to imbed in their hearts patriotism, integrity, excellence and

spirituality. He added that one doesn’t need to die to become a

hero, but just to be an ordinary public servant who values his

clients’ satisfaction and pursues means to deliver public service

with a smile. The 115th anniversary that drumbeats the theme:

“Kayang Kaya Mo, Lingkod Bayani” underscores ordinary tasks delivered with excellence and with clients’ utmost

satisfaction. One government official stated that being a (lingkod

–bayani) servant-hero is an opportunity to celebrate the bravery of any Filipino who has braved not necessarily

death but persecution for home, for nation, for justice or for freedom.

Other events for the 115th civil service anniversary include blood-letting, fun-run and sportsfest. (vrc/nbq/ PIA

8-Samar)

NAPOLCOM 8 acting regional director Danilo

Rosillo (left) presented the Community and

Service-Oriented Policing System (CSOP)

during the 2015 National Crime Prevention

Week and Tourism Week celebration kick-off

ceremony at the Eastern Visayas State

University (EVSU) Inner Court, Tacloban City,

September 1. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. receives a

certificate of appreciation from National

Economic and Development Authority

(NEDA)-6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal for

hosting the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the

Regional Development Council (RDC)-6 held

Friday, September 4, 2015, at the Casa Real

(Old Provincial Capitol) Building,, Iloilo City.

SOM3 Chair Usec. Laura Q. Del Rosario

answering questions during the press briefing

held September 4 at the International Media

Center, 2/F Bayfront Hotel, Cebu City. (vvv/

PIA Cebu)

DTI-7 Regional Diretor Asteria Caberte tells media that several

sectors are already benefiting from APEC delegates and entourage

during a briefing held at the APEC Activity Center, Cebu City. (PIA

Cebu)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

KALIBO, Aklan, September 3 (PIA6) -- The province of Aklan should be at the forefront of competitiveness, as it caters to a

global community and receives the most number of tourist arrivals in this part of the country, according to Vice Governor Ga-

brielle Calizo-Quimpo.

Aklan urged to be more competitive

By Venus G. Villanueva

V ice Governor Calizo-Quimpo issued

this statement at the recent conduct

of an orientation meeting on Cities

and Municipalities Competitiveness Index

(CMCI) Survey held at the Conference Room

of the GRQG Building at the Provincial Capitol.

“Competitiveness is the challenge of the

day. We should be on our toes in terms of

being competitive. Our schools should also be

competitive”, she said.

She also welcomed the conduct of the

orientation as an opportunity for a wholesome

discussion to validate whether Aklan is

competitive or not.

The CMCI survey is conducted by the

National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and

is now on its third year of implementation

which aims to measure competitiveness at the

local government level using the indicators

under three categories: Economic Dynamism,

Government Efficiency and Infrastructure.

To make the approach more pro-active,

the Regional Competitiveness Committee

(RCC) has engaged the Provincial and City

Competitiveness Committees (PCC/CCC) to

facilitate the gathering of data in all cities and

municipalities of the region and the state

universities and colleges to validate outputs of

the survey.

At the orientation, Engr. Gilberto Altura,

Chief, Project Development Division, National

Economic Development Authority (NEDA)VI

and Henry D. Tampani, CMCI Regional Focal

Person, Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) 6, gave the Rationale of the CMCI Survey

and the Indicators of the CMCI Survey

respectively. Engr. Altura shared with the

orientation participants composed of members

of the Provincial Competitiveness Council and

17 CMCI focal persons that for 2015,

two Aklan municipalities entered the top ten in

the Regional Competitiveness Ranking.

In overall competitiveness, Kalibo ranked

5th and 5th also for Government

Efficiency. Malay, on the other hand, ranked

number 2 in Infrastructure and 10th in

economic dynamism.

Meanwhile, Aklan has now a Provincial

Competitiveness Committee (PCC) through

Executive Order No. 0201 series of 2015

April 10, 2015 by Governor Florencio T.

Miraflores.

The PCC, with 20 members coming from

various national government and provincial

offices, is chaired by Governor Miraflores and

vice chaired by the Provincial Administrator.

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) - - The National Food Authority declared that Antique has sufficient supply of rice with the latest

inventory of 198,491 bags to last for 42 days.

N FA Provincial Manager Marianito

Bejemino sa id the tota l

inventory was derived from the

combined stocks of commercial rice dealers,

households and NFA.

Bejemino likewise said that palay

procurement is ongoing at NFA warehouses

in San Jose and Culasi at the price of P17 per

kilo for clean and dry palay. Incentives are

also given to farmers organizations.

For palay which do not pass the

required moisture content, NFA has seven

mechanical dryers with biomass furnace. It

charges a minimal amount of P12 per sack

(of 50 kilos) depending on the moisture

content of palay when it was brought to the

NFA warehouse.

Since last week of August, palay

procurement increased said NFA

Information Officer Elizabeth Salazar.

She said some farmers have taken

advantage of the change in climate by

planting early thus, harvest time started

early as well.

Salazar encouraged farmers to sell their

palay to NFA not just because of the higher

price but also to help government procure

enough buffer stocks.

Walk-in farmers will be paid in cash up

to P200,000 immediately after the

transaction is completed or they will be

given a ceiling of 200 bags of palay per

farmer per day for cash payment.

For subsequent delivery, farmers should

get a passbook at NFA office free of charge.

(JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

Antique‘s rice stocks sufficient, NFA‘s palay procurement on

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

Coco farmers form industry dev‘t council

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Sep. 1 (PIA6) – Coconut farmers in the province have formed the Local Coconut Industry

Development Council (LCIDC) with the help of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) during the Coconut Farmers‘ Forum

held in Bacolod City recently.

P rovincial Coconut Development

Manager Rodrigo Gamarcha said

the coco farmers made use of their

time during the forum as they gathered and

organized a development council that will

assist in the implementation of PCA’s

programs.

Some 50 coco farmers from the seven

districts in Negros Occidental, including the

Lone District of Bacolod City, attended

the forum held at PCA’s office in the

province which led to the formation of the

LCIDC.

“They will be concentrating on policies,

programs, implementations and monitoring

to assist our office for more effective and

efficient delivery of our programs in Negros

Occidental when it comes to the coconut

industry,” Gamarcha said.

They must know the programs in order

for them to be active participants as

partners in implementing PCA’s programs,

he added.

He said the council could further boost

the coconut industry because the coco

farmers have stayed in their areas for a long

time, hence, they know how the program

should be implemented to improve their

condition.

The members of the LCIDC are

leaders, presidents and active members of

their respective barangays.

The Coconut Farmers’ Forum was held

in relation to the observance of the National

Coconut Week held during the period of

August 24 to 30.

“Our main objective for this National

Coconut Week is to give due honor and

recognition to our coconut farmers, the

backbone and the main performers of the

coconut industry,” Gamarcha said. (JSC/CBA

-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

Carlson B. Alelis

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

ILOILO CITY, September 2 (PIA) -- Four talented and visionary filmmakers from Region 6 were recognized as the winning

filmmaker-grantees of the Western Visayas Film Grants Program spearheaded by the CineKasimanwa Film Festival and the

Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.

T he four selected filmmakers were

Aimee Apostol-Escala for Iloilo,

Noel Galon for Guimaras, Romart

Martesano for Aklan, and Ethel Mae Reyes

for Antique.

DOT-6 Regional Director Helen

Catalbas said that the Western Visayas Film

Grants Program was conceptualized to

promote tourist spots in the region citing

the power of films to attract young local and

foreign tourists.

“Region 6 has always been known for

its beautiful culture and spots but there is

more to see and we hope to see these other

spots and locations through films,” she said.

She said that the films will serve as

DOT-6 campaign to promote the region

which has generated more tourists in 2014

and 2015.

Meanwhile, Aimee Apostol-Escasa’s

“Ang Katapusan Nga Handum”, representing

Iloilo will be shot in Igbaras Waterfalls,

Mountain Biking area in Igbaras, Miagao

Church, San Joaquin Church, and the Coral

Gardens of San Joaquin.

Noel Galon’s “Sa Dapadapa sang Balaan

Bukid” will represent Guimaras with the film

to be shot at the Old Trappist Monastery,

Alubihod Beach areas, Roca Encantada, and

Suba Malawig Eco-Tour. The film will also

feature “Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid”.

Romart Martesano’s “Sa Pagtunod It

Adlaw” from Aklan will be shot at the Aklan

Sampaguita Garden, Basura Garden, Jawili

Falls, Ariel’s Point, and in Boracay Island.

Ethel MaeReyes’ “Ang Panglakaton”

which will represent Antique will be shot in

Malalison Island in Culasi, Nogas Island in

Anini-y, Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park, Bugang

River and Malumpati Cold Spring, and

Igpasungaw Falls.

DOT-6 said that all winning short films

will have its premiere during the

CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film

Festival on December 1 to 6, 2015 at SM

Cinema 1, FDCP Iloilo Cinematheque and

the UPV Cinematheque.

Three winners will be selected by a

board of jury composed of national and

international film directors, actors and film

critics.

The Western Visayas Film Grants

Program, a pioneering projects, aimed at

strengthening Iloilo’s current status as the

country’s haven of local films with

CineKasimanwa’s record breaking editions in

2013 and 2014. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

4 WV filmmakers avail of grants program

Leonard T. Pineda I

1,043 houses built in Red Cross‘ ops in Capiz Alex A. Lumaque

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Aug. 28 (PIA6) – The ongoing typhoon Haiyan Operation of the Philippine Red Cross in the province has

already built and completed 1,043 core shelter units as of the Aug. 21 update report.

A lso, 97 houses are up for completion

in view of the operation’s overall

target of 2,458 housing units for

identified supertyphoon Yolanda victims.

Each of the core shelter unit costs

P105,000.00.

The PRC’s core shelter assistance is

implemented in the identified barangays of

Panay, Panit-an, Ivisan, Dao, Dumalag,

Dumarao and Tapaz towns.

A ceremonial turnover of the initial 32

housing units built was conducted by PRC to

identified beneficiaries in Barangay Capagao

in Panit-an town in time with the first

anniversary of supertyphoon Yolanda last

Nov. 8, 2014.

The infographic reports also

highlight the Shelter Repair Assistance of

P15,000 for each of the 4,658 identified

households province-wide. (JSC/AAL-PIA6

Capiz)

LGUs urged to implement rainwater harvesting

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 3(PIA) — The local government units should pass ordinances that require the public to practice rainwater

harvesting.

T his is in the wake of the dry spell

that hits Iloilo in the event of the El

Niño, according to the Climate

Resiliency Team of the United States Agency

for International Development (USAID).

Elizea Gozun, leader of the team, said

capturing and storing rain especially during

periods of heavy downfall in an area, is a way

of managing sources of available water.

Gozun was resource person during a

climate change forum in Iloilo City, where a

study showed Iloilo city will experience

below normal rainfall from October 2015 to

January 2016.

“You should be conscious that you will

have less water in the days to come, even if

you are still experiencing rains these days,”

Gozun said.

A study of the Manila Observatory and

Geographic Foundation, Inc. showed that

the city’s temperature will continue to go

up, which will result to more evaporation.

The USAID tapped the above entity to

conduct a study in temperature, rainfall,

projected water demand and vulnerability

assessment of water in Iloilo City amid the

impact of climate change.

“Water conservation and water

demand management should be strictly

practiced in preparation for the dry spell,”

Gozun said.

El Niño phenomenon, as a prolonged

warming of the Pacific Ocean sea surface

temperatures can constrain the supply of

rain-driven commodities and reduce

agricultural outputs.

The Water Security for Resilient

Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure)

Project of the USAID, facilitated the forum,

which included strategic planning for Metro

Iloilo Water District, development of new

water systems, supporting small scale

community-based water service providers

and supporting the national survey on water

utilities.

Gozun said that local government

officials and all stakeholders should

understand better the impact of climate

change.

“Make sure that you have water

sources and that water conservation and

storing should be a way of life,” Gozun

said, underscoring the need for rainwater

harvesting. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Elsa S. Subong

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DUMAGUETE CITY, August 29 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City will join the country in observing Family Week on September 20

to 27 with this year‘s theme ―Gender Equality and Children‘s Rights in Contemporary Families."

T he City Social Welfare and

Development Office and the Family

Steering Committee have lined up

activities for the weeklong celebration.

Among these activities that will

start on September 21 include an Ecumenical

service at 1:30 p.m. at the DCCCO

Multi-purpose hall and a symposium on Sept.

22 at the Women’s Center from 1:00 to 5:00

p.m.

A Kapihan sa PIA Forum will also be held

on Sept. 23 at 9:00 a.m. at Bethel Guest House

and in the afternoon, a skills training at the

facility of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-Day Saints along Pinili Street will be

done from 1:30 pm to 5:00 p.m.

On Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m., there will be a

family dialogue and poster making contest at

the Robinson mall.

The City Health Office will also hold a

medical and dental mission on Sept. 25 from 8

am to 12 noon at the Quezon Park.

Chairperson of the Family Week

celebration George Gilvero said the

celebration aims to highlight the importance of

families, enhance understanding of their

functions and problems, and focus attention on

the rights and responsibilities of all family

members.

Presidential Proclamation No. 60 dated

September 28, 1992 and Executive Order No.

241 dated June 9, 1995 declared the

observance of the National Filipino Family

Week on the last week of September and

every year thereafter.

It aims to strengthen family unity and

relationships through meaningful celebration

and promotion of Filipino values. (rmn/jct/PIA7

-Negros Oriental)

Dumaguete City to mark Filipino Family Week

Jennifer C. Tilos

CEBU CITY, August 31 (PIA) – Mental health is considered as an essential discussion in the Asia Pacific Economic Conference

(Apec) meetings.

Mental health as an economic issue discussed in APEC

S een as one factor that is vital to

economic deve lopment , hea l th

ministers and representatives from the

member-economies tackled mental health

during the APEC 2015 Health Working Group

(HWG) meeting.

In a press briefing at the International

Media Center, Department of Health

(DOH) Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go

said that mental health is a neglected

condition which has an impact on a developed

economy.

He said there are assessments conducted

about mental health not only in the Philippines

but among the member economies.

“Work pressures, stress, anxiety

affect ability to have income,” Go said, adding

that there are many institutions not capable of

handling mental sickness.

APEC is looking at a greater recognition

of mental health as a serious issue, according

to Peter Sheehan, Research Director of The

Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies

Australia.

“The cost of incidents and future

prevalence of non communicable diseases

and mental health is 5 to 6 percent of the

Philippines Gross Domestic Product (GDP),”

Sheehan said.

DOH Secretary Janette Garin, in her

keynote speech during the 5th APEC High

Level Meeting on Health and Economy, said

that mental illness is now considered as a

chronic disease.

She said that mental and physical

well-being are now equal partners.

“Many mental illnesses can be prevented

and all can be treated allowing a culture of

mental wellness to emerge and flourish,” Garin

said.

The Philippines, she said, is taking a

leadership role this year in the promotion of

mental well-being.

In the August 25 meeting in Manila, the

needs and priorities of economies were

assessed and it paved the way for the launch of

a digital hub which will promote innovative

collaborations between governments, academe

and private sector.

“More people are forced to retire early

because of ill health, the economy will become

less productive,“ Garin said.

There are 87 APEC meetings held in

Cebu.

As of August 30, 2015 there are more

than 1,500 delegates from the 21 member

economies. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

CEBU City, September 2 (PIA) -- Four designer-makers from Cebu‘s crafts and furniture scene are now in Chiang Mai,

Thailand to represent the Creative Cebu Council in the ―Craft Connect! Project‖ First Workshop on Design and Marketing for

the Crafts and Furniture Industries in Southeast Asia from August 31 to September 4, 2015.

Four Cebu designers in Thailand creative workshop

T his after the Department of Trade

and Industry (DTI)-Cebu successfully

held the Southeast Asian Creative

Cities (SEACCN) Forum in Cebu City last

June 25 to 26, 2015, according to Provincial

Director Nelia Navarro in a press statement.

Navarro bared that the designer-craft

makers from Cebu are Karla Maria Ana (Kae)

Batiquin, Manager at the Holistic Coalition of

the Willing (HoliCOW) and Design Ventures

Cebu; Anya Lim, Co-Founder and Managing

Director of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery; Koh

Martinez Onozawa, President/CEO and

Co-founder of Loudbasstard, Inc.; and Neil

Felipp San Pedro, Creative Director of Neil

Felipp.

The “Craft Connect” is a project

supported by the German Government via the

German International Cooperation (GIZ) to

promote collaboration, design development

and innovation among ASEAN crafts, furnitures

and decorative items makers/designers, said

Navarro.

Over the four month-period, the

invited designers, furniture makers, and craft

makers from Chiang Mai, Cebu, and other

cities in Southeast Asia will be working

together and exchange ideas to help promote

innovation and technology in ASEAN

countries.

Other project partners and supporters

include the handmade-chiangmai partners

(NOHMEX, CAMT, and the British Council),

the TCDC (Chiang Mai Branch) and the DITP

(Chiang Mai), as well as the partners of the

Southeast Asian Creative Cities Network

(www.seaccn.com), particularly the Creative

Cebu Council and DTU in Cebu.

Navarro added that on November

2015, Cebu will take the turn in hosting the

Second Workshop of the Craft Connect

Project, which will invite more local designers

and craft makers from Cebu along with

other designers, craft makers and furniture

makers in Chiang Mai and other Southeast

Asian Creative cities (Cebu, Bandung, Penang,

Chiang Mai). (rmn, jsme/PIA7-Cebu/with DTI7

report)

Juju M. Empuerto

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, September 1 (PIA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) here reported that no APEC-related incidents were

reported since the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Cebu started this month.

No security threat, APEC-related crime reported in Cebu - PNP

P olice Superintendent Rey Lyndon

Lawas, spokesperson for Site Task

Group Cebu, said in yesterday's

briefing that there has been no reports of

crimes related to APEC.

“For the first week of August, there is

a decrease in crimes by six percent because

there are more policemen deployed out in the

field,” Lawas said.

Lawas said there has been no identified

security threats so far, but they are

continuously levelling up security measures

especially with more delegates expected to

come in the province until September 11.

“The peace and order is not only

attributed to the participation of all the

government agencies but also the

involvement of the community as a whole,”

Lawas said.

Lawas said there are so far, there

have been 1,492 delegates that arrived in Cebu

for the Apec meetings , of which more than

300 are local and more than 1,000 are

foreigners.

On the other hand, Lawas said they also

welcome any investigation to be conducted on

the allowance of the policemen detailed to

secure APEC meetings here.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in his recent

visit to Cebu said he will call for an

investigation on the alleged discrepancy in the

allowance and benefits to the assigned

policemen.

“We understand the intentions of the

good senator and we are ready to answer

questions if need be, we are ready with the

documents,” Lawas said.

There are 3,000 policemen deployed in

Central Visayas and nearby regions for the

holding of the APEC meetings in Cebu.

The meetings will run from August 22

until September 11. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

CEBU CITY, September 1 (PIA) — Cebuanos can now get a glimpse of what the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) is

all about with the opening of the Activity Center at the Capitol today.

C ebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel

Natera said the APEC Activity Center

is also open to media and bloggers who

were not able to obtain an accreditation at the

APEC International Media Center.

But more importantly, students, clubs,

civic and other non government organizations,

even those from the government, can drop by

and be able to get an idea or inputs on what

APEC is all about.

“This will be an avenue where we can help

each other in explaining APEC in layman’s

terms,” Natera said.

The Activity Center which is at the

Dignitaries Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capi-

tol will live stream some of the meetings

conducted during the day.

In today’s launching, Lito Maderazo of the

APEC Regional Operations Committee (ROC)

likened APEC to a neighbourhood scenario.

“You have to talk about traffic, about

health, about peace and order. In APEC, the

member-economies will talk about how to

easily transfer goods and services to

each other,” Maderazo said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

Regional Director Asteria Caberte emphasized

that APEC has a direct impact on the Micro

Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

She said the furnitures and fixtures at the

Mactan International Airport and in the hotels

where the delegates meet and are billeted

were sourced from the local MSMEs.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional

Director Rowena Montecillo said the hotels

are hiring additional workforce even on

a temporary basis just for APEC.

Assistant Secretary Lito Nadal

encouraged the Cebuanos to put their best

foot forward.

“This is about Cebuanos owning APEC,

we need to show how hospitable the

Cebuanos are,” Nadal said.

APEC is now on its 10th day in Cebu

province. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

APEC Activity Center opens at Capitol

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Sept. 2 (PIA) – The province's current peace and order situation has helped the province achieve a

vibrant economy.

NegOr‘s peace and order situation leads to vibrant economy

N egros Or ienta l Gov . Roe l

Degamo said this in his message

before employees of the provincial

government as well as officers of the provincial

police office during the flag-raising ceremony

held yesterday at Freedom Park, Capitol Area,

Dumaguete City.

The flag-raising ceremony is the

kick-off activity for the celebration of

the National Consciousness Month this

September.

“Our economy became vibrant. A

lot of investors have put their confidence

in the province because we already

addressed peace and order (issues),” Degamo

stressed.

To recall, Negros Oriental has been

declared as a conflict-manageable and

development-ready province in 2014.

This means that the insurgency level in

the province is at manageable level and it no

longer poses a threat to the development of

the province.

Gov. Degamo said this achievement is

attributed to the collaborative efforts of

various stakeholders and by the means of

providing government services to the people in

the hinterlands and in the conflict areas.

Aside from Degamo, heads from different

law enforcement agencies also gave messages

for the observance of the National Peace

Consciousness Month.

Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos, officer in

charge and chief of the provincial police office,

encouraged everyone to do their share in

preserving, protecting, pursuing, and promoting

lasting peace.

Meanwhile , Col. Al lan Mart in ,

Commander of the 303nd Infantry Brigade of

the Philippine Army based here, said he is

hoping that province would no longer

celebrate Peace Month because everything is

already peaceful.

This year’s Peace Consciousness Month

carries the theme “Sama-samang Isulong,

Panatilihin at Pag-igtingin ang Kapayapaan sa

Ating Inang Bayan.”

Activities for this month’s celebration

include Run for Peace, Peace Forum,

Art Exhibit for Peace and a motorcade. (rmn/

ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Bigger cruise ship to visit Limasawa in

March next year

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Aug. 28 (PIA) -- Inspired by the positive feedback of the first cruise ship that docked in

Limasawa in February this year, another one will be coming, this time a bigger one, and it will be in mid-March next year.

T his was announced by Nedgar

Garvez, Provincial Tourism Officer,

during the Action Center cable TV

program Tuesday.

The upcoming tour will have another set

of passengers, mostly moneyed, retired

foreigners, males and females, who enjoy

travelling by ship to select tourism sites in

many parts of the world.

In February 23, a cruise ship with around

100 passengers landed in Limasawa island,

virtually recreating a scene nearly 500 years

ago when the natives first made contacts with

travelling Europeans led by Ferdinand Magellan,

a Portuguese navigator under the services of

Spain.

But while Magellan and his men were

looking for famed islands in the orient that

were rich in spices -- and introduced a new

faith in the process -- the visiting foreigners in

February 23 simply relished every moment of

their fleeting stay in the island.

Garvez recalled that the guests broke

agreed guidelines for their interaction

with the townfolks of Limasawa, preferring

instead a free-wheeling mingle, such as

eating the prepared meals by hand, strolling

around freely, dancing the beat of the

Sinugdan tune, and stayed longer than the

allowed time.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) was

the agency arranging with cruise ship travels in

their destinations anywhere in the Philippines,

in coordination with the concerned local

government units of towns and provinces

where the tourists are expected to land.

Next year’s schedule, March 12, barring

unforeseen obstacles, is timed on the month in

which Magellan’s fleet celebrated Mass in the

shore of Limasawa, the day being an Easter

Sunday, on March 31, 1521, and accounts in

history books said it was the First Mass ever

celebrated on land in the Philippines.

Garvez said it was just fine that the

second cruise ship visit was set weeks earlier

that the First Mass anniversary so as not to

disturb the religious significance of the

event. (ajc/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

MARCELO M. PEDALINO

NCCA continues to give grants to deserving arts and cultural projects

E ncouraging artistic creation, the lead

national agency for arts and culture is

now accepting proposals for projects

to be implemented in 2016. This year, it is also

looking for implementers of projects which

have been conceptualized by the agency.

For 2016, the NCCA is providing venues

for the different regions to articulate their local

culture and development concerns which the

different programs and projects shall address.

In Catbalogan, the NCCA team composed

of Jayson Conda, Maritess Pitalbo, Henry

Kangleon and Anne Cabrera met the press at

the M Grand Royale Resort to seek their

assistance in disseminating the information as

regards the submission of project proposals.

The NCCA has set two categories of

proposals. Category A includes projects which

have been conceptualized during the various

levels of planning workshops by its various

national committees following the identified

needs of the locality and where specific outputs

and deliverables had been defined.

Projects in this category will have three or

more component activities. Proponents

interested to implement projects under this

category may submit a letter of intent.

On the other hand, Category B calls for

project proposals conceptualized by

proponents with due consideration to the

important concerns cited in the project brief

and aligned to the identified NCCA priorities

and outcomes. Interested proponents may

submit a project proposal. Project briefs as

well as guidelines and requirements can be

viewed and downloaded at the NCCA Web

site (www.ncca.gov.ph, http://ncca.gov.ph/about

-ncca-3/grants-program)

Deadline of submissions of letters of

intent and proposals is on September 30,

2015. It must be submitted to the Planning,

Policy Formulation and Programming Division

(PPFPD) led by its division chief, Ms. Marichu

Tellano, at Room 5-A, fifth floor, NCCA

Building, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros,

Manila. It may also be submitted via email to

n c c a . l u z o n @ g m a i l . c o m ( f o r

Luzon); ncca.visayas@gmail.com (for the

Visayas); ncca.mindanao@gmail.com(for

Mindanao); and ncca.ncr@gmail.com (for

NCR).

For inquiries on the NCCA Grants

Programs, contact P/PFPD through direct

line 5272-214, trunkline no. 5272192, email

add pmd@ncca.gov.ph, grants@ncca.gov.ph,

or info@ncca.gov.ph. (PIA 8-Samar with

NCCA PR)

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, September 3 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its

chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith, continues to fulfill its mandate of preserving,

developing and promoting Philippine arts and culture by giving grants to deserving arts and cultural projects.

23 DPWH-Southern Leyte employees tested positive on illegal drugs

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Sept. 1 (PIA) – An office-wide surprise random drug test was conducted to all budgetary and

Job Order field and office personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte Engineering Office

D PWH-SLEO District Engineer

Margarita Junia said that the activity

was planned and organized in

coordination with the National Bureau of

Investigation (NBI) and administered by a

Department of Health (DOH)-accredited

laboratory.

“The purpose of the random drug testing

is to cleanse the organization,” Junia

quoted. She believes that healthy-bodied and

healthy-minded personnel can satisfactorily

perform their duties and responsibilities which

forms an integral part of achieving the

department mandates, she added.

The activity was conducted right after the

flag raising ceremony. The employees were

directed to proceed to the function hall where

the drug testing took place. More than 300

personnel went through the drug test, the

source said.

Earlier, the lady district engineer pushed

for a mandatory drug testing after agents of the

Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDEA)

caught a DPWH-SLED regular employee for

illegal drugs trade last March this year.

The suspect alleged that drugs he

traded were intended for government

engineers.

“The suspect’s claim is alarming because it

brought shame to the whole organization,”

Junia said.

The surprise drug test found 23 DPWH

employees positive of drugs. Though a

confirmatory test is still sought and

what ac t ion to take w i th the

sa id employees who were found

positive is still being studied Junia

revealed.

The mandatory drug test is part of

DPWH-SLED’s drive to increase awareness on

the harmful effects and dangers of drug use/

abuse in workplaces. (jrc/rgc/PIA8-SoLeyte)

MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

EV PNP celebrates 114th Police Service Anniv

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Aug 27(PIA) – PNP Chief Police Director General Ricardo C. Marquez visited the region yesterday

to join the celebration of the 114th Police Service Anniversary anchored on the theme ―Pambansang Pulisya: Patuloy sa

Makabuluhang Paglilingkod at Makatarungang Pagpapatupad ng Batas‖.

M arquez was accompanied by his wife

Luz Marquez; PNP Center for

Police Strategy Management

(CPSM) Director Police Chief Superintendent

Noel A Baraceros and Police Chief

Superintendent Rolando Ualat, DIPO-Visayas.

Likewise, Major General Jet Velarmino,

Commanding General of the 8th Infantry

Division, Philippine Army, heads of national

government agencies, local chief executives,

bus ines s leaders , non -government

organizations, private sector also joined in the

celebration.

In his message, Marquez commended his

men led by Police Chief Superintendent Asher

A. Dolina for the efforts made that have been

instrumental in helping the PNP organization in

the fulfillment of its mission. “I am pleased to

join today as we celebrate and pay tribute to

the 114 years of experienced service rendered by the gallant men and women of our

organization,” Marquez said.

As he commended his men, he expressed

commitment to serve the community and the

whole country with a hope that his men will

also be committed. The PNP official came not

only to thank and congratulate his men for the

accomplishments done particularly during the

Papal visit but also to ask each and every one

to rally the leadership of the organization and

to cross ranks so that they can better perform

their functions such as serving the community,

building state neighborhood and help

contribute in nation building.

This year’s celebration was highlighted by

the giving of awards and commendations to

deserving PNP personnel and units for service

excellence and exemplary performance.

Police Regional Office 8 bagged the Best

Performing Regional Office. Other unit award-

ees are the Tanauan Municipal Police Office for

the Achievement Award on the arrest

of Most Wanted Person and Malitbog Munici-

pal Police Station on the Achievement Award for the Solution of Sensational Criminal Case.

Meanwhile, Leyte Police Provincial Office

got two special unit awards namely the

Recognition for the Unit with the Most

Number of Firearms Accounted and the

Recognition for the Unit with Notable

Accomplishment in the Campaign Against

Illegal Drugs.

For individual awardees, two policemen

received the Achievement Award in the Field

of Police Operations namely Police Inspector

Benjamen B. Lodo Jr. for the Police

Commissioned Officer Level and PO3 Arvin M.

Caberte for Police Non-Commissioned Officer

Level while PO3 Allan D. Guimbaolibot got the

Achievement Award in the Field of Intelligence

and NUP Maria Edna A. Sande for the

Achievement Award in the Field of General

Support. Other Awardees are the Municipality

of Palo, Leyte as Outstanding Local

Government Unit of the Year and

PARDSS-Tacloban Command as Outstanding

Non-Government Organization of the

Year. In said celebration, PDG Marquez likewise turned over patrol cars to Police

Regional Office to be used in patrol operations.

(fej/cba/PIA-8)

2nd leg of RDC VIII peace and development caravan

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Sept. 3 (PIA) - The Province of Northern Samar hosted the second leg of the Regional

Development Council VIII peace and development caravan in Las Navas, Northern Samar on September 1.

T he activity involves the conduct of

series of service missions of key

government services to conflict

vulnerable areas in the three Samar provinces

which aimed to bring government closer to the

people and help regain people’s trust and

confidence. Likewise the said activity served as

a platform for information campaign to

present the government programs, projects

and activities through the conduct of

consultations and dialogues.

As a manifestation of sincere commitment to

the government’s anti-insurgency campaign the

different line agencies such as OPPAP, DTI,

DepEd, DPWH, DAR, DENR, DA, DOST,

DOLE, TESDA,DILG, DSWD, DOH, FIDA,

DBM, NEDA, 803rd Birgade, 20th IB, and the

department heads and staff of the Provincial

Government were there to extend their

programs and services for development . (jrc/

tbc/PIA8-North Samar)

TERESITA B. CARDENAS

‗Bahandi‘ 2015 trade fair is back

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, September 1 (PIA) – ―Binagol,‖ ―moron,‖ ―sagmani,‖ and ―suman balintawak,‖ are only some of

the delicacies from the eastern part of the Visayas that will be showcased during the Bahandi 2015 Eastern Visayas Regional

Trade Fair on September 2 to September 6 at SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall 2, Mandaluyong City.

T his was announced by Regional

Director Cynthia R. Nierras of the

Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) during the recent Kapihan ha PIA dubbed

“Panginsayod” who said that after more than a

year of recovery and rehabilitation efforts, the

participating Small and Medium Enterprises

(SMEs) have started to rebuild their

enterprises towards expanded economic a

ctivity.

“We are happy that we are back in

Bahandi 2015 in Manila. This is also a result of

the assistance that we have been giving to

Yolanda-affected MSMEs for the past two

years,” Director Nierras said. The five-day

trade fair is expected to generate some

P13 million sales from 88 participating SMEs in

the region that will showcase products such as

processed food items, decors, handicrafts,

furniture, furnishings, fashion accessories as

well as tourism destinations. "When you buy

from Region 8, you are helping the 'Yolanda'

victims recover," she said.

Nierras even made special mention to the

“suman balintawak” of Naval, Biliran who told

the media that no less than DTI secretary

Gregory Domingo said it was the “best suman”

he ever tasted during the Bahandai 2012.

With the theme, “Products crafted with

hope and determination; moving forward and

beyond super typhoon Yolanda,” the holding of

Bahandi 2015 shows also their perseverance

and hope to bring out the message that they

are back into business, she said.

“This is also a venue to recognize the

programs of interventions and assistance

provided by the government and international

and local non-government organizations to

Yolanda-affected SMEs to build back better

their businesses aimed also at helping not only

the producers but also the people dependent

in them like the suppliers of raw materials as

well as the workers to get back also to their

source of income.” This year’s Bahandi, which

means treasure and wealth, is supported by the

United States Agency for International

Development (USAID) and the Regional

Development Council 8. (jrc/ldl/PIA-8)

NEIL D. LOPIDO

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e-newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378719/3377301 or e-mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Editorial Consultants

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Ms. Alicia E. Nicart

Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Contributors

All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8

Production and Layout

Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado

Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com

PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com