Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
The official e-Newsletter of PIA Visayas
Citation preview
Vol 6 Issue 10 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 March 7-13, 2016
In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DA pushes for full farm mechanization
Nat‘l government pours P30B infra projects in Cebu
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
NCDA, DOT bat for accessible tourism for PWDs
Ninfa B. Quirante
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, March 4 (PIA) - The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the Department of
Tourism are pushing for accessible tourism for persons with disabilities (PWDs) as they sponsored a seminar with the same
objective. On Thursday, owners/managers of tourism partners like
hotels, inns, tourism transport companies, restaurant, ambulatory clinics, spas, recreational and other players in the
industry gathered to support the campaign which started in 2011 wherein DOT issued a memo circular on Guidelines on
the Grant of Special Discounts to Persons with Disabilities Pursuant to the Provisions of Republic Act No. 9442.
The tourism industry partners were taught knowledge and skills on the right ways to handle persons with
mobility, hearing and visual impairments. Other participants include officials of national
government agencies, local governments and officials of some
disability groups.
Carmen Zubiaga, NCDA Executive Director, Rizalio Sanchez, Chief, information, Education and Communication
Division of NCDA discussed the key mandates on Disability. DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes who was
also present to show support to the project urged those present that ―E Visayas should not only be known for its great
food, great sights and historical places but as champion in handling tourists who are persons with disabilities.‖
Tourism for All concept ensures that tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people regardless of
their physical limitations, disabilities or age as long as they are able to travel and function independently in their socio-cultural
and economic activities in places where they want to visit. As the seminar folded up, the participants were asked if
they are ready to receive the type of tourists that the NCDA endorsed, for which the attendees honestly replied, ―not yet’
but promised to be so in the near future. (nbq/ PIA 8 Samar)
By Elsa S. Subong
ILOILO CITY, March 8 (PIA6) — Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that he did not see any reason why farmers
should avoid full farm mechanization. Alcala said full farm mechanization will support the
Philippines as it competes in the global market in terms of volume and production cost of palay.
As he lauded the high production of palay in Western Visayas, Alcala said 20 percent of the P1.5 budget for
agriculture in Western Visayas is for farm mechanization program to help sustain the 119 percent rice self-sufficiency of
the region. The DA’s Farm Mechanization was up to 30 percent
equity for the farmers’ groups during the precious administration, but was reduced to 15 percent upon Alcala’s
assumption. This year, any farmers’ association who wants to avail of
farm machinery from DA will only give a 10 percent equity. A study from the Philippine Rice Research Institute and
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, said farmers could save up to P1.60 per kilo
with the use of rice combine harvester, which can harvest 3-5 hectares per day.
It was noted that more than a decade ago the average age of an ordinary farmer was 57, while a survey two years ago for the start of the Philippine Rural Development
Project (PRDP), the average age was 54.
Alcala said this is a result of the farm mechanization and the other programs which this administration has laid down for
the farmers. In a forum with the farmers, fisher folks, farm extension
workers, Alcala turned over more than P35 million worth of equipment to farmer associations in Western Visayas.
He also turned over some P315 million worth of projects funded under the Philippine Rural Development Project of DA
to Governors Florencio Miraflores of Aklan and Arthur Defensor, Sr. of Iloilo. (JCM/ESS with LAF report-PIA6 Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, March 4 (PIA) -- In the last five years, the national government through the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) poured a total of P31.88 billion for various infrastructure projects in Cebu contrary to some
critics saying the province was deprived of funding for big infra projects.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, in a briefing of various infrastructure projects in Cebu, reported that the amount
spent started in 2011 until this year. ―From 2011 to 2016, Cebu got a total of P31.88 billion
for various infrastructure projects. This is more than what Cebu got from 2005 to 2010 of P11.89 billion,‖ said Singson at
the Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City, the first stop of four activities graced by President Benigno Aquino
yesterday. Singson said the projects consisted of construction of
school buildings; repair, rehabilitation and widening of national roads such as going to Toledo City, Bogo City, Balamban, Daan
Bantayan, South Cebu and even in Cebu City; assistance to local government units in repairing and widening of local
government roads leading to tourism sites such as the Mactan Cebu Circumferential Road under the Tourism Convergence
Program; widening of roads leading to the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA); and the upgrading of the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.
In fact, for 2016, Cebu has an allocation of P9.06 billion for the repair, rehabilitation and widening of national roads,
said Singson.
Singson said all national roads in Cebu have been paved
except for a few remaining roads such as in Argao and Dala-guete in the south.
The DPWH secretary also said four lanes must be established for easier access going to the MCIA while local
government roads leading to tourism sites also included roads in Bantayan Island and Medellin going to Daan Bantayan in
northern Cebu. Singson further said it would help fund the master plan
for flood control but that there is a need to identify priority areas.
―For 2016 alone, the agency is allocating P700 million for the master plan in addressing flooding in Cebu,‖ said Singson.
Singson also appealed for the public’s patience as the repair of the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge is set to start next
month after classes end which no doubt would result to traffic congestion in the area.
―We need to repair (the bridge) and prevent any accidents. Repair works will last from five to seven months,‖
said Singson. Singson said regardless of political color, the agency will
award at least 60 to 70 percent or remaining projects to contractors before March 25, the start of the local election
campaign. ―Please help us monitor the projects of contractors,‖
said Singson.
Singson was one of the members of the presidential party that came with Pres. Aquino to Cebu after their visit in Bohol
last Wednesday. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
The Comelec demonstrated the new Voting
Counting Machine (VCM) to more than 200
volunteers in today's training. The VCM is
faster, easier with headphone, a special feature
to be used for visually impaired and illiterate
person, compared to PCOS machines in 2013,
said Comelec official. (PIA7-NEGOR)
Marilyn Lauzon, project manager of the
National Housing Authority (NHA) Regional
Office answers queries from the local media
during the Kapihan (Panginsayod ha PIA) re:
Permanent Housing Units in Yolanda-affected
areas.
Rosario ―Jing‖ Panganiban, Gender and
Development (GAD) Iloilo focal person,
explains sex and gender distinction during the
Forum on Gender and Development and
Women Empowerment held Wednesday,
March 9 at Barroc National High School,
Tigbauan, Iloilo. (PIA Iloilo)
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala tries one of the new farm
equipment turned over by the Department of Agriculture to farmer
associations in the region as part of the government farm
mechanization program. (DA-RAFID RFO File Photo)
WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222
KALIBO, Aklan, March 9 (PIA6) -- The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here is recommending the ―cut and car-
ry‖ style in feeding big animals instead of putting them to pasture to protect them from the foreseen effects of the El Nino
Phenomenon.
OPVET recommends ‗cut and carry‘ feeding scheme
By Venus G. Villanueva
T he ―cut and carry‖ style, according to
Sr. Agriculturist Dr. Gervase Radislao of
OPVET-Aklan, involves the cutting of
grasses from the field or pasture areas and
bringing these to feed animals right in their
sheds or shelter.
This scheme, according to Dr. Radislao,
would protect the animals from extreme heat
at the height of the El Nino, or from heavy
rains during the rainy season which could affect
the health of the animals.
Currently, Dr. Radislao said the province
is lucky because it still enjoys rainfall especially
at nighttime but Aklanons must also be
prepared for the effects of the El Nino once it
strikes, being anticipated to affect during the
first quarter of the year.
The ―cut and carry‖ scheme could also
save more area space for the farm which could
be utilize for planting other crops or for
tending other livestock like chickens or pigs.
To effectively practice this feeding
scheme, the OPVET is advocating to farmers
to plant in their pasture areas grasses like
napier and sitaria, and leguminous plants like
―ipil-ipil‖.
This is to ensure the regular source of
animal food as pasture areas are getting smaller
due to increasing human population that
converted pasture and farms for residential
areas.
To protect the animals from the adverse
effects of El Nino, the OPVET also called for
modified or upgraded shelters of animals, like
bigger sheds with higher roofs.
The El Nino’s adverse effects to the
province’ livestock and poultry could redound
on the economy, Dr. Radislao said.
He emphasized however, that in 2015,
OPVET spearheaded Disaster Risk Reduction
(DRR) seminars for farmers and cooperatives
in the province to plan and implement
measures to mitigate the effects of the El Nino
on their livestock, poultry, and crops. (JC/VGV
PIA6 Aklan)
CENRO stresses people's role in wildlife
protection
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, March 7 (PIA6) - - The Cadiz City Environment and Natural Resources Office celebrated World
Wildlife Day, March 3.
T his year’s theme ―The future of Wildlife
is in our hands‖ aims to reinforce the
complex link between the wildlife,
people and sustainable development and to
emphasize the roles and responsibilities of the
present generation to implement and
undertake measures that will safeguard wildlife
for the generations to come.
ENRO-Cadiz led the film showing about
the Philippine Wildlife to Grade V pupils of
Cadiz West II Elementary School in order to
promote, protect and disseminate
environmental awareness among the students,
a release from the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources said.
The pupils were very active and
cooperative in listening to the video
about Philippine Wildlife, in which,
Forester Carolyn Grijaldo and Forest
Technician 1 Sharamae Mabanes asked
questions from students in relation to the
video presented.
ENR Officer Edgardo Rostata said the
Philippine is considered as one of the most
biologically diverse areas in the world and our
country is a home to wide variety of wild
animals.
Rostata believes that in order to
determine the fate of wild animals it is
imperative to empower the mind of a child and
instill the level of awareness in protecting and
sustaining our wildlife. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Ne-
gros Occidental)
By Easter Anne D. Doza
Guimaras promises more efficient tourism services
ILOILO CITY, March 7 (PIA6) --- Local and foreign tourists can expect more efficient and effective tourism services while
visiting the island-province of Guimaras.
I nbound local travel and tour operators are
now required to secure a clearance and
coordinate with the Provincial Tourism
Office of Guimaras before they can tour
around the province.
The Office of the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan of Guimaras passed Ordinance
No. 2014-09 known as Ordinance Requiring
for Mandatory Coordination of All Inbound
Local Travel and Tour Operators with the
Provincial Tourism Office prior to Guimaras
tour.
The ordinance aims to provide its visitors
and guests with effective and efficient services
and quality information and protect the welfare
and well-being of the visitors while they are in
Guimaras.
Likewise, this action targets to present
the actual situation of the island-province in
terms of sustainable development and
environment friendly activities and establish a
tourism database that will help attract
tourism-related businesses and investments to
come to the province.
Helen Catalbas, Department of Tourism
(DOT)-6 Regional Director, said that through
the ordinance, Guimaras can establish an
accurate tourism database which will make
efficient gathering of tourism statistics and
other information.
―Proper coordination between tourism
stakeholders and the local government unit is
the key to a successful and memorable tour,‖
she said.
She said that the safety of the visitors can
be guaranteed and the best services can be
provided without intruding the privacy of the
local residents and without unnecessarily
delaying the tours.
Under the ordinance, local tour operators
are required to secure a clearance from the
Provincial Tourism Office duly signed by the
Head Office and fill up a form with necessary
information/data requested, which will be
distributed to the Guest Assistance Centers,
Designated Municipal Tourism Officers and
transport sector concerned.
Anyone who will accommodate, convey
or conduct any tour facilitated by Tour
Operators must ask for a clearance prior to
their tour.
Violators will be penalized with P3,000 for
the first offense, P5,000 for the second offense
and imprisonment for six months or fine of
P5,000 or both such fine or penalty at the
discretion of the court.
Guimaras welcomed and assisted 94,315
(3,449 foreign; 90,866 domestic) tourists,
according to the final 2015 tourists arrivals
report of DOT-6. (LTP/DOT/PIA-Iloilo).
By Leonard T. Pineda I
WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333
ILOILO CITY, March 11(PIA6) — The Commission on Elections here said that it is 80 per cent prepared for the elections in
May and that it is on track in its pre-elections activities.
I n a media interview, Comelec Regional
Director Rafael Olaño said that they will
be training their board of canvassers by
end of March or first week of April.
―Then we will just be waiting for the
arrival of the machines two to three weeks
before elections,‖ Olaño said.
He added that they have already
communicated to the central office how many
machines, ballot boxes and other election
paraphernalia they need.
He said that the present vote counting
machines are more friendly compared to those
in the previous elections.
The counting machines are updated
models of the precinct count optical scan
machines (PCOS) used in the 2010 and 2015
elections.
The machine features, among others, a
featured source code that makes sure the
votes are interpreted correctly.
Meanwhile, Olaño said that the recent
ruling of the Commission on Elections
regarding the issuance of voter’s receipts may
extend voting hours, but it may, in no way,
cause the deferment of the May 2016 Elections.
―Here in the region, our technical people
are studying ways to address possible effects of
this latest development,‖ Olaño said.
(JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)
COMELEC-6 election preparations on track
By Elsa S. Subong
SAN JOSE, Antique, March 8 (PIA6) - - The Antiqueños will experience real war situations when the Philippines-Unites States
(PH-US) Balikatan exercises kick-off on March 28-April 16, 2016, here.
B ig war ships will dock in San Jose
seaport, helicopters, fighter planes
hovering in the Antique skyline and
other modern war machines will be arriving on
April 11, 2016.
LTC Enriqueto Deocadez of the 82nd IB,
Philippine Army, said during the Provincial
Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Meeting that
the three sites of the Balikatan exercises war
are at the San Jose seaport, Evelio B. Javier
Airport, and Camp Fullon.
―The scenario is to seize back Panay island
as the 3rd ID Philippine Artmy Heaquarters in
Jamindan was captured by the foreign enemies,
and Antique will be the assembly area of all the
forces coming from Nueva Ecija, Zubic and
Palawan,‖ Deocadez said during the Provincial
Peace and Order Council Meeting held at the
Provincial Capitol.
The scenario’s military operations will
launch a counter attack to retrieve Jamindan
from the enemies and this will enhance the
army’s crisis capability in the territorial defense
operations.
The Balikatan joint military operations
between the Philippine and the United
States militaries will be participated in by some
300 US Forces composed of US army, marines
and airforce and 300 Filipino soldiers
from the army, marines and airforce,
aim to maintain and develop mutual
defense relationships and enhance capacity of
both the military and civilian agencies for
humanitarian assistance and disaster response
operations, among others.
Deocadez urged Governor Rhodora
Cadiao during the PPOC Meeting to
tap various government leaders, local
government units, NGOs, the media to
help inform the public in order to prevent
panic during the Balikatan exercise.(JCM/VWV/
PIA Antique)
PH-US Balikatan exercises set in Antique
By Vicente W. Villavert
Pag-IBIG Fund reaches out to more sectors
By Jemin B. Guillermo
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, March 9 (PIA6) – The Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund vows to reach more Capiceñ-
os to become members for them to avail of the social benefits.
N ewly-assumed Pag-IBIG Fund Capiz
Branch head Juanita Artiola said they
will be conducting information and
education campaign in the different barangays,
to reach not only the formal or employed
sector but also the informal sectors.
This is to appeal to the informal groups
to be enrolled with the Pag-IBIG Fund so
that they will also be able to avail of the
various social benefits that are offered by
the agency such as the multi-purpose loans and
housing loans.
―We have to reach the barangays to reach
especially the Roxas City Tricycle Operators
and Drivers Association including all those that
were sent with the letter of former Capiz
Branch head that demands for the compulsory
membership with the Fund by all, including
those in the informal group,‖ she said.
She said that they need to mend the
feelings of those who received such demand
letter that caused them anxiety and emotional
upset.
Under Republic Act 9679, membership in
Pag-IBIG Fund is mandatory for all employers
and employees covered and should be covered
by the Social Security System (SSS) and the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Meanwhile, the agency is also asking
support from the different local government
units by making Pag-IBIG registration as part of
the requirements in securing and renewing a
business permit.
As of February this year, more than
32,000 are already members of the PAG-IBIG
Fund in Capiz. (JCM/JBG/PIA6)
CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444
CEBU CITY, March 10 (PIA) --- Exporters in the food industry sector and stakeholders in the export industry are invited to an
information session under the Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP).
DTI to hold info campaign on competitiveness
T he session is organized by the
Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) through the Export Marketing
Bureau (EMB) and DTI-Cebu Provincial
Office.
It will be on March 17, 2016 from
8:30am – 4:30pm at Harolds Hotel,
Gorordo Avenue corner Rosal St., Lahug,
Cebu City.
DTI-7 Provincial Director Maria Elena
Arbon, in a press statement, said the session's
theme is, "Engaging the Export Stakeholders of
the Region.‖
She said the info campaign of DTI
aims to increase the productivity
and competitiveness while addressing the
current issues and concerns and to promote
exporting business.
Resource speakers are from the
DTI Export Marketing Bureau (EMB),
Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Control Union Phils. Inc., Banko Sentral
ng Pilipinas, Philippine Export-Import
Credit Agency (PhilEXIM), and Small Business
Corporation (SB Corporation).
They discuss relevant topics such as
O r g a n i c C e r t i f i c a t i o n , F a i r t r a d e
Cert if icat ion, Market Opportunit ies
for Philippine Halal Certified Products,
Updates of Food and Drug Administration
Regulations, and Financing for SMEs, added
Arbon.
The session is for free, however, seats are
limited on a first come, first served basis.
Interested participants are asked to
contact DTI-Cebu Provincial Office at
telephone nos. (032) 253-2631 and 255-7082
(loc.109) for reservations. (rmn/jsme/
PIA7-Cebu with DTI report)
Juju M Empuerto
CEBU CITY, March 10 (PIA) – Health officials noted a high success rate in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).
High success rate in TB treatment noted in CV
I n yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA Cebu, Dr.
Sharon Azenith Laurel, focal person for TB
of the Department of Health Central Visa-
yas (DOH-7), said they had exceeded last
year’s target for treatment.
DOH-7 records show that in 2015,
DOH-7 aimed for 90 percent, but successful
treatment of TB reached 90.95 percent.
In 2014, there was a ratio of 292
diagnoses for every 100,000 population, and in
2015, it was reduced to 280:100,000.
―In last year’s 18,722 patients tested for
TB, more than 6,000 were positive and over
5,000 were treated and cured,‖ Laurel said.
Boel Espinosa, Nurse V at DOH-7, added
that treatment of TB is now easy and
accessible in most of the Regional Health Units
(RHU) in Central Visayas.
RHU’s are given TB DOTS (directly
observed treatment, short course)
accreditation by DOH.
TB DOTS is a strategy recommended by
the World Health Organization for TB.
Espinosa said normal treatment for TB
runs from six to eight months while those with
resistant cases lasts around 18 months.
Prolonged coughing and fatigue are
initial symptoms of TB with the presence of
blood in sputum as the most elaborate
symptoms.
―Also, the history of exposure to TB
patients is enough reason to seek
consultation,‖ Laurel said.
One has to have strong immune system
and a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid being
contaminated with TB.
Early detection of tuberculosis will make it
more easy and fast to cure. (rmn/fcc/
PIA7-Cebu)
Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
NEGROS ORIENTAL, March 9 (PIA) – More than 80 road and infrastructure projects worth over P3-B have been proposed by
various identified sectors in local government units for endorsement to the Regional Development Council-Negros Island
Region 18 on March 11.
Over P3B worth of projects for NegOr endorsed to RDC
U nder its Coordinating Roads and
Infrastructure Investments for
Development (CR+ID), Negros
Oriental Chamber of Commerce (NOCCI)
President Ed Du said the proposed projects
will be presented to RDC which will push for
its funding and be included in the General
Appropriation Act in 2017.
Some 15 roads and infrastructure are
prioritized in the list for each of the three
districts of Negros Oriental, Du said.
The proposed projects include road
networks, farm-to-market roads, roads to
potential tourism sites, establishment of tourist
information centers, trading posts, solar driers,
and jetty ports.
The road networks were identified by
each sector from the fisheries, high value crop,
livestock and poultry, coconut, and tourism
from the LGUs in a series of workshops which
aggregated to 280-kilometer stretch for the
three districts.
Du said District 1 got a little over P1-B
worth of projects while the remaining balance
is more or less divided by Districts 2 and 3.
He disclosed that the next phase of the
project will be a provincewide GPS-based
infrastructure and industries mapping or
business plotting where tourists or investors
can find any product and services offered in the
province by using only their iPhones.
CR+ID is a collaboration project with
Asia Foundation (TAF) and NOCCI to assist
the province to develop a tourism road
network map and infra investments through
the use of value chain analysis in identifying
strategic road links.
TAF in support with Australian Embassy
provides assistance to provincial government
to map strategic roads and infrastructure with
the private or tourism sector. (rmn/jct/
PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Jennifer C. Tilos
CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555
CEBU CITY, March 9 (PIA) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Cebu Extension Office is encouraging entities to
submit their annual reports during the set schedules.
A tty. Theresa Marie Puno-de la Peña,
Securities Counsel, announced the
dead l i ne schedu le dur in g the
Association of Government Information
Officers (AGIO) 7 and Philippine Information
Agency (PIA) 7 Forum held at the PIA-7
Regional Office, Cebu City.
All corporations, including branch offices,
representative offices, regional headquarters,
and regional operating headquarters of foreign
corporations shall file their Audited Financial
Statement (AFS) depending on the last
numerical digit of their SEC registration or
license number in accordance with the f
ollowing schedule: April 18-22: 1 and 2; April 25
-29: 3 and 4; May 2-6: 5 and 6; May 10-13: 7 and
8; and May 16-20: 9 and 10.
De la Peña also said that those entities
whose fiscal year ends on a date other than
December 31, 2015 will file their AFS within
120 calendar days from the end of their fiscal
year.
Late filing or filing after respective due
dates shall be accepted starting May 23, 2016
and subject to the prescribed penalties which
shall be computed from the date of the last day
of filing schedule.
On the other hand, SEC also announced
that their Cebu Satellite Office is now open at
the Robinsons Galleria with business hours from
10:00am to 6 :00pm (Mondays to
Fridays).
With this new satellite office, people from
the northern part of Cebu and from other
provinces could now go to Robinsons Galleria.
Among the services offered in that
satellite is the receiving of General
Information Sheets (GIS) and Audited Financial
Statement (AFS)
Atty. Tara Tsarina Perez-Retuya
said the GIS should be filed within
30 calendar days from the actual annual
meeting of the stockholders if it
is a stock corporation or of the
members meeting if it is a non-stock
corporation.
SEC officials reminded al l the
officers, directors, and trustees of
corporations of the deadlines to submit their
annual reportorial requirements. (rmn/hfg/
PIA-7/AGIO-7)
SEC encourages entities to submit annual reports on
schedule
Hazel F. Gloria
TAGBILARAN CITY, March 4 (PIA) — Branding Bohol as an eco-cultural tourist destination with a strong agro-industry can
never be better than this: offering the local dairy refreshment for a welcome drink.
‗Chocobao‘ in chocolate hills welcome tourists
I n the Chocolate Hills country enter the
chocobao, a concoction of chocolate and
pasteurized carabao milk chilled and served
to the thirsty.
Then thought to be just an expensive
concoction to force carabao dairy as a
livelihood alternative, chocobao has slowly
nudged and horned its way to resort freezers,
ready for the thirsting tourist.
Governor Edgar Chatto, in his latest State
of the Province Address (SOPA), urged the
crowd at the Bohol Cultural Center on
February 26 to try the chocobao as he
proposed a toast saying ―Padayon Bohol‖.
―We are the first-ever province to have
ever produced 1,000 liters of dairy,‖ the
governor bared, citing the news he gathered
during the annual Dairy Festival held at the
Philippine Carabao Center in Lomangog, Ubay.
Bohol dairy authorities reported that the
16% increase in milk production from
2013 to 2014 has generated P26 million in
income.
For this, the government pushed
support for the Bohol Dairy Processing and
Marketing Enterprise, when its members have
proven that there is income in dairy
production especially with the main farm
animal: carabao.
On this, in his SOPA, the governor
said: "Another example of a livelihood-focused
inclusive growth strategy: we get our
supply of milk from local dairy farmers, thereby
raising their income levels, and it leads to a
whole set of multiplier effects for the rest of the
province.‖
The prospect of up-scaling the milk
industry and its potential while generating
income and increasing livelihood opportunities
for the people is what Chatto has been
plugging along in his talks with farmers.
He said that the Dairy Development
Program is relatively new, and this is in
partnership with the Bohol Dairy Producers
Association (BoDPA).
The plan is to expand dairy milk
production, and BODPA’s Bohol Dairy
Carabao Processing and Marketing Enterprise
pegs a P9.23 M proposal to strengthen its
production capacity.
The governor said the proposal is now
supported by the Phil ippine Rural
Development Project (PRDP) funded by World
Bank and implemented in partnership
with the Department of Agriculture,
Philippine Carabao Center and National Dairy
Authority.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie
Lapiz was reported to have urged hotels,
resorts, restaurants and similar establishments
to serve native Boholano beverages using
native ingredients as welcome drinks to their
guests. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
CEBU, March 4 (PIA) – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines is closely coordinating with the Department of
Public Works and Highways to fast track the repair works on damaged underground cables transmitting power from NGCP's
Cebu Substation in Banilad to Mandaue.
C orporate communications officer
Michelle Visera of NGCP said the laying
of new cables was completed last
month.
While other works to be implemented by
the contractor include electrical works
and repairs, testing, and commissioning, said
Visera.
―The 138-kiloVolt (kV) Cebu-Mandaue Line
2 tripped on 20 October 2015 at 10:52AM
when underground cables were accidentally hit
by a backhoe of PLD Construction, the DPWH
contractor doing excavation works for the city's
drainage system at the corner of Cortes and
Plaridel Streets in Mandaue City,‖ explained
Visera.
The NGCP official said power customers
affected with the tripping were informed,
while the linemen were working the
affected line and transmission service was
restored to distribution utility VECO on the
same day.
She also explained that specialized
equipment with the required technical
specifications are unavailable in the country and
needed to be sourced abroad.
"NGCP asks for the continued
understanding of the public. We coordinated
the works closely with the DPWH and
PLD Construction to avoid this kind of
situation. However, despite all the precautions
taken by all parties, the incident still happened.
We are expediting the repairs so that things will
go back to normal at the soonest possible time,"
NGCP said. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental/
NGCP)
NGCP fast tracks repair works on damaged cables in Banilad, Cebu
Jennifer C. Tilos
EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666
Eastern Samar opens 2016 Women‘s Month celebration
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, March 8 (PIA) - The Provincial Government of Eastern Samar through the support of
Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) and Eastern Samar Provincial Welfare and Development Office formally opened the
celebration of Women‘s Month last March 04, 2016 at the Eastern Samar Provincial Capitol Lobby.
W ith the theme, ―Kapakanan ni Juana,
Isama sa Agenda‖, the highlight of
the said activity was the recognition
of Estehanon women for the Huwarang
Juana na Mangingisda, Huwarang Juana na
Magsasaka at Huwarang Organisasyon ng
Mga Juana awards where the awardees were
chosen from the various towns of the
province. From the 6 nominees, Donata
Esmenia of Mercedes was declared as
Huwarang Juana na Magsasaka; Ma. Fe Sesio of
Sulat was declared Huwarang Juana na
Mangingisda; and the Quinapondan Women’s
Association was declared as Huwarang
Organisasyon ng Mga Juana.
According to Mrs. Josefina Paligutan,
DSWD Prov inc ia l Soc ia l Wel fare
and Development Officer, Huwarang Juana na
Magsasaka and Mangingisda received cash prize
of P 2,000 each from Hon. Governor Conrado
B. Nicart, Jr. while for Huwarang Organisasyon
ng Mga Juana received P 4,000 as additional
financial assistance from Hon. Gov. Conrado B.
Nicart, Jr. . The awardees will also receive a
free training from ESSU.
Paligutan also said that the purpose
of the Women’s Month Celebration is
to organize women’s groups to address the
issues and concerns regarding women's rights
and roles for the progress of the province and
the nation as well as to strengthen the
advocacy of Women’s Month Celebration
nationwide.
Meanwhile, in Governor Conrado Nicart
Jr.’s message read by Eastern Samar Provincial
Quick Response Officer Ms. Christy Cidro, he
conveyed his continuous support to laws and
programs concerning women and emphasized
the importance of women in the society. He
further said in his message that men cannot live
without women, that’s why women really need
to be lauded and recognized for their
contributions to the province and to the whole
nation.
ESSU President Dr. Edmundo Campoto
on the other hand, mentioned the factors
affecting the capacity of women in the society:
the culture of a community, socialization
— where women are focused only on
housework, and stereotyping and that women
are treated as weaker and less qualified
compared to men. He further said that the
Women’s Month Celebration may serve as a
wake-up call for everyone to be fair in giving
opportunities, especially to women
— regardless of her gender preference. (SDC/
PIA-E. Samar)
Samuel D. Candido
NG gives P1.28B for North Samar‘s 2nd District
2016 infras
Ailene N. Diaz
Former NPA stronghold in Leyte now insurgency-free
T his, declaration was made in the
ceremonial signing of the Memorandum
of Agreement forged recently between
the officers of Philippine Army and the local
government unit of Kananga, Leyte.
First Lieutenant. Bryan R. Albano, Civil
Military Operations Officer of the 19th Infantry
Batallion, 8th ID Philippine Army said that the
joint declaration was pursued upon the
recommendation of the 19th IB and the
passage of resolution no. 20R-14-791 by the
municipal council.
Meanwhile, Col. Francisco Mendoza Jr.,
Commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade who
was one of the signatories of the MOA
expressed optimism that the declaration will
further attract investors to establish business in
the said municipality.
Mayor Elmer Codilla, on the otherhand,
considers the joint declaration as an
achievement not only of the municipality but
also of the barangay officials and other
stakeholders.
The local official also cited the capability
of the local government unit to address
the services needed by the constituents as one
key factor in the attainment of the present
state.
Prior to this, 15 Leyte towns
were already declared as Stable Internal
Peace and Security Areas. These are
the municipalities of Matag-ob, Merida,
Palompon, Tabango, Barugo, Babatngon,
San Miguel, Leyte, Pastrana, Tolosa, Dagami,
Calubian, Sta. Fe, Alang-Alang and Tunga. (cba/
PA/PIA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Mar 8 (PIA) – A former NPA stronghold in Northern Leyte is now insurgency-free.
Consuelo Alarcon
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, March 9 (PIA) – The national government through the Department of Public Works and
Highways allocates around P1.28 Billion for infrastructure projects to be implemented in the second district of the province of
Northern Samar, this was learned from DPWH, Northern Samar Second District Engineering District (NSSDEO) PIO Unit.
F unded based on General Appropriation
Act (GAA) of the Department’s 2016
Infrastructure Program, the project
specifically include Asset Preservation of
National Roads covering preventive
maintenance/highway development and
management, rehabilitation reconstruction and
upgrading of damaged paved national roads
and rehab, reconstruction of national roads
with slips, slope collapse and landslides,
among others.
Another major project funded for 2016 is
Network Development, under this category is
the construction of missing gapsNorther
connecting national roads and off-carriageway
improvement including drainage.
Part of budget is also allocated to the
construction and maintenance of bridges along
national roads, which is retrofitting and
strengthening permanent bridges.
In a meeting with technical personnel and
contractors early this year called by
DPWH-NSSDEO, District Engineer Ferdinand
Briones advised contractors to strictly adhere
to the project schedule and avoid incurring
negative slippages in the implementation of the
project.
D e p e n d e n t o n t h e b u d g e t
apportionment of each project, the
implementation will be undertaken by either
DPWH Central Office, Regional Office or
DPWH Northern Samar 2nd District
Engineering Office. (ADiaz)
EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777
PAL mulls Manila-Maasin flights
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 4 (PIA) -- Executives of an established airline company visited this city Tuesday and
held exploratory talks with government officials, including the private sector, to have air transportation hereabouts viable and
sustainable.
A t the Kinamot sa Abgao where
the discussion was held, Rabbi
Ang and Joseph Tan, both of Philippine
Airlines (PAL) Express, and Dan Quines
Moquia of PAL-Tacloban, made no
commitments just yet, but stressed that
everything will have to be duly studied, and
will go through technical and marketing
processes.
But they already gave a hint on the
number of people to ride, saying the Q 400
aircraft that can be dispatched can carry 76
passengers, excluding the crew.
How much would be the fare will also be
announced later, they said.
They also said that following their visit will
be an ocular inspection by PAL’s technical
team, whose findings and other necessary
details would be relayed to Gov. Roger Merca-
do and the leaders of local businesses who
attended the meeting.
The attendees included Epifania Sy,
President of Southern Leyte Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and proprietor of
Panny’s Home Bake Products, and Phil
Mcguire, a dive resort owner of Padre Burgos
and President, Tourism Association of
Southern Leyte (TASL).
From the public sector, aside from Gov.
Mercado, those present were Nedgar Garvez,
provincial Tourism Officer, and Mike Nunez,
provincial director of the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI).
Provincial Fiscal Atty. Antonino Ruiz was
also around, in his capacity as head of the
Rotary Club of the province.
―There is already an airline willing to
come here needing our support,‖ Gov.
Mercado remarked.
Last year, another airline company, Cebu
Pacific, sent a letter to Gov. Mercado, listing
some observations of their technical team to
be addressed in time for their new fleet to fly
the Maasin airport route by the first quarter of
2017.
The PAL exploratory talks generated
more than 70 shares in under 24 hours since
pictures of the meeting was posted at
PIA-Southern Leyte’s facebook account, with
many commenting for it to be realized sooner
for a fast, safe, and convenient travel in and out
of the province.
The story of the Cebu Pacific interest to
consider the Maasin airport also gathered
positive feedback upon posting, the story itself
picked up by other news organizations. (mmp,
PIA8-Southern Leyte)
DPWH-SLDEO seeks P200M outlay for new road network
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, March 8 (PIA) -- About P200 million is needed for the construction of Liloan – San Ricardo
Circumferential Road – a five year opening activities for an alternative route from San Ricardo to San Ricardo town in the
province of Southern Leyte.
T he Liloan-San Ricardo circumferential
road will reduce the travel distance
from Liloan Port to another exit point
in Mindanao from more than 40 kilometers to
only 20 kilometers. It is designed to cut travel
time and skip road sections vulnerable to
landslides and accidents.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia
in a press release stated that ―the road opening
is needed to ensure that land transportation
would not be disrupted with landslides, road
slips and accidents.‖
She said that the project will convert an
existing provincial road into a primary highway,
unlocking economic activities in rural
communities of two towns in the
southernmost part of Southern Leyte.
Of the P200 million proposed outlay, P40
million is for 2016, P48 million for 2017,
another P40 million for 2018, P49 million for
2019 and another P23 million for the year 2020
with four bridges, the source said.
For the 2016 allocation, the project will
open about 1.70 kilometers of gravel road
while other civil works include roadway
excavation of hard rocks, installation of
drainage system and the slope protection
works.
It was learned further that this year’s
activities will proceed within this month after
the DPWH-SLDEO completed the bidding
process.
The source added that presently, the road
is passable to some four-wheel cars and
motorcycles except for the two-kilometer
section which requires blasting of rocks.
The lady district engineer said that
DPWH pushed for safer alternative road to
San Ricardo after noticing that more buses and
rolling cargoes use the Benit Port in San
ricardo town instead of nearby Liloan
Port considering the former’s proximity to
Surigao.
Sea travel from San Ricardo to Lipata port
in Surigao del Norte takes an hour, a way
shorter compared to more than three hours of
travel time through Liloan Port. (with reports
from DPWH/PIA8-SoLeyte)
Marcelino Pedalino
PCA-Eastern Samar continues to help coco farmers
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar (PIA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority- Eastern Samar will continue to help coconut
farmers in Eastern Samar through their Kasaganahan Sa Niyugan ay Kaunlaran ng Bayan (KAANIB) Project that will give them
additional livelihood.
A ccording to PCA- Eastern Samar
Provincial Manager Mr. Henry Duzon,
their office distributed carabaos and
cows in Brgy. Recare, Jipapad. 29 members of
the Jipapad Agricultural Development Group
received 17 carabaos and 12 cows that they
will take care of and have reproduced.
The PCA- Eastern Samar will also pay the
coconut farmers if the animals will produce an
offspring, which will be given to the next
beneficiary until all of the members are able to
avail of the project.
In Mercedes town, Duzon said that they
distributed 52 goats and 12 cows in Brgy.
Palamrag as well, through the same scheme.
This livestock production is a 2013
project of the PCA, but it was temporarily
stopped due to the onslaught of super typhoon
Yolanda wherein their attention was focused
on the rehabilitation of the coconut trees
destroyed.
Duzon further said that this
reprogrammed project is very timely because it
will help coconut farmers while waiting for the
coconut industry of the province to
recover. He also expects that through this
project, the coconut farmers will be able to
recover through the utilization of carabaos
in-intercropping and as a source of milk — just
like the cows and goats. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)
Samuel D. Candido
Ma. Rebecca G. Cadavos
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 [email protected].
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: [email protected]/ [email protected]
PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
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: [email protected]/[email protected]
