Vol 6 Issue 28 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 July 11 - 17, 2016

In this Issue JICA gives SMACHS-EV project to DOH, LGUs

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

PPA-7 strengthens rehab programs for criminal offenders

CEBU CITY, 13 July (PIA) – The Parole and Probation

Administration (PPA-7) under the Department of Justice (DOJ) is strengthening their rehabilitation programs for criminal offenders.

DOJ PPA-7 Assistant Regional Director Rosana Solite said during the Association of Government Information Officers – Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA) said they are fortifying their programs on

therapeutic community, restorative justice, and volunteerism.

There are currently 4,000 clients who seek PPA’s

assistance here for probationary action. ―PPA is the least known agency in our country

because we are dealing with criminal offenders. Our agency

is more on the restorative justice not in the retributive justice,‖ said Solite.

Therapeutic Community is a treatment environment

where members interact with each other within the context of the norms that require for each to play the dual role of client-therapist.

On the other hand, restorative justice restores

relations after the crime has been committed between the

offender and the victims through dialogue, encounters, and conferences.

Volunteerism is a program aimed at generating

maximum, effective and efficient citizen participation and community involvement in the process of client rehabilitation, prevention of crime and the overall administration of criminal justice.

Solite said volunteerism is to mobilize the community thru the volunteer assistance to help in the reformation and rehabilitation of the offenders.

Believing that criminal offenders should be given a second chance, PPA is mandated to help rehabilitate offenders.

―We believe that a person has a dignity, has a divine destiny and the offenders should be treated positively,‖ she explained.

Mostly of the PPA officials are undertaking missionary work in order to uplift the lives of criminal offenders and become more productive members of the society. (rmn/

hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7 Forum)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

Also CLICK Here…

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

Also CLICK Here…

EASTERN VISAYAS

PALO, Leyte, July 13 (PIA)—With the project for

Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Services in Eastern Visayas known as the SMACHS-EV set to end this July, the Japan International Cooperation Agency

(JICA) did a formal handover of the project to the Department of Health and various local government units in Leyte.

This, after six years of providing technical assistance

to 44 rural health units and 2 community hospitals in Leyte

and 6 district health centers in the City of Ormoc. DOH regional director Minerva P. Molon is

optimistic about the sustainability of the project. ―A different health statistics, especially those related

to maternal and child health have improved a lot given the

logistics support and capacity building provided by the project to transform the service delivery at the different levels of health facilities into a more enhanced quality

services within the reach of everyone in the community,‖

Molon said. At the end of its term, the project has somehow

achieved its overall target to reduce the incidence of

maternal and child mortality in the region. Data showed that from 2011, the neonatal

mortality rate decreseased from 5.44 to 4.15 percent, a decreased rate of 23.71 percent while infant mortality rate

decreased from 9.93 to 6.85 percent with 31.01 percent

reduction. Meanwhile, children under five years old has

decreased the mortality age from 13.48 percent to 9.53 percent.

A slow decline was also noted relative to maternal

mortality rate for the past three years from 2013-2015 with an average of 95 maternal deaths per 100, 000 live births in the region. (ajc/PIA-8)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Emiljohn C. Santillas of DepEd Policy Research and

Development Division- Planning Service briefs participants regarding the Basic Education

Research Agenda during the Research Caravan

held July 15 at Centennial Resort Hotel, Iloilo

City. # DepEdResearchAgenda

# DepEdResearchCaravan # pia6

Hazel F. Gloria

Consuelo B. Alarcon

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, July 14 (PIA6) - - The

World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) named San Carlos City here as the 4th Most Lovable City in the World as a result of its online We Love Cities campaign.

The We Love Cities campaign is an online initiative to raise awareness of the entries as well as give the

public a chance to celebrate, vote for and suggest improvements for their home cities done from May 13 to

June 26 this year. San Carlos City once again made this laudable

triumph landing in the 4th spot among 47 competing cities

in 20 countries all over the world, a release from San Carlos City Information Office said.

Engr. Loreto Sanchez, Supervising Environmental

Specialist and head of City Environment Management Office said that it was a big honor for San Carlos City to be included in the top 5 considering it was a global

competition. ―San Carlos City must continue and sustain its

good environmental practices so the next time it is invited

to join, it will have a better chance at winning since said campaign is already a yearly competition,‖ Sanchez added.

Engr. Arthur Batomalaque, Environmental

Management Specialist II of CEMO also said the city is a first-timer at said contest while Indonesia which

bagged the first three major places was already an old

contender. According to WWF-Philippines, the country’s

representatives put up a good fight since the other two

representatives Santa Rosa in Laguna also got the 5th place while Makati City at 19th among the 47 cities all over the

world. Major winners as Most Lovable Cities in the World

include Bogor City of Indonesia which won by a landslide, followed by its two other representatives Balikpapan City being 2nd, and Jakarta City as third.

Five years ago, San Carlos City was also hailed 2nd Most Livable City in the World at Songpa, South Korea during the 2011 International Awards

for Livable Communities. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

By Easter Anne D. Doza

San Carlos is 4th Most Lovable City

Coming in full force, PSA information officer

Emmanuel Galab, statisticial specialist Coleta

Montoya, PSA Bohol chief statistician Jessamyne

Anne Alcazaren and Leopoldo Alfanta Jr.,

announced the upcoming census on APIS at

Kapihan sa PIA. (PIABohol)

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol spent the

whole day of July 13, 2016 with Samar farmers, fisher folks, leaders and the media and vowed

visible results in the anti-poverty program of Pres

Duterte, which aims to reduce poverty in Samar

by 25% in two years. (PIA8)

WESTERN VISAYAS 2

WV tourism should meet ASEAN standards

ILOILO CITY, July 14 (PIA6) --- The Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 said that tourism destinations and stakeholders in

Western Visayas must project ASEAN-standard services and products to be at par with the international market.

H elen Catalbas, DOT-6 regional

director, said the tourism regional

office here is doing its best to create

tourism awareness and participation at the

grassroots level and adapt and integrate new

ideas and trends through trainings and

seminars.

―In Western Visayas, we ensure that

tourism stakeholders and destinations meet

the standard that makes our region in the local,

domestic and international tourist markets,‖

she said.

She said the agency will focus on local

grassroots level tourism and exert more

efforts to upgrade services and products in

developing tourism destinations.

DOT-6 also rolled out programs, projects

and activities (PPAs) the agency will be

initiating, conducting, assisting and

implementing from July to September 2016.

―We are full for the first 100 days of the

Duterte administration‖, she said.

The events for the first three months

include financial assistance to tourism-related

activities and assistance to multiple

familiarization tours of international and local

groups in Boracay Island and Negros

Occidental.

Activities will also include cruise ship

arrivals, training and seminars for eco-guides,

port authorities, local tour operators, tourism

officers, police and community-based groups,

participation in various international business

missions, national travel fairs and exhibits and

ongoing accreditation/survey campaigns.

―All tourism programs, projects and

activities are meant to promote tourism as a

medium for a strong regional economy and

raise the quality of life of the people in the

Western Visayas countryside community‖

Catalbas stressed.

She emphasized that DOT-6 ensures that

Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and

Negros Occidental be equitably promoted on

the basis of attractions, facilities and services

available.

She added that each province is

unique and urged local government tourism

offices to highlight these assets when

promoting their respective areas. (JCM/LTP/

PIA-Iloilo)

Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com By Leonard T. Pineda I

KALIBO, Aklan, July 14 (PIA6) – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here confirmed the conduct of the Barangay and

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections October 31 of this year and that voters registration for those interested to participate in

this electoral activity has been set from July 15 to 31 at various municipal and election offices in the province.

I n a recent interview over a local

radio station here, COMELEC-Aklan

Information Officer Chrispin Raymund

Gerardo said the Barangay and SK elections

will be held October 31, 2016, which falls on

the last Monday of October, as stipulated by

law.

Qualified to register for the SK elections

are individuals with ages ranging from 15 to 30

years old, according to Gerardo, but only

those with ages from 18 to 24 can run for SK

chairman and 7 Kagawads.

This, according to Gerardo, is based on

Republic Act 10742.

Those with ages from 15 to 17 are not

qualified to run.

Gerardo advised those planning to

register to bring their birth certificates in

order to have accurate references regarding

spelling of their names and other needed

information.

He as sured the pub l i c that

COMELEC-Aklan is ready for the scheduled

voters’ registration.

The scheduled Barangay and SK elections,

according to him, will be conducted manually.

(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

COMELEC-Aklan braces for barangay, SK polls

By Venus G. Villanueva

Change needed to make communities resilient By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

ILOILO CITY, July 13 (PIA6) -- Office of Civil Defense Director Rosario T. Cabrera rallied the people of Concepcion to

join hands with the government to work toward safe, adaptive and resilient communities anchored on a change in perspective

and consciousness in coping with disasters.

T his change was already started with the

implementation of Republic Act No.

10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Act of 2010,

according to Cabrera in her message at

the Disaster Preparedness and Response

Information, Education and Communication

(IEC) Caravan held July 12 in Concepcion,

Iloilo. The new law veers has shifted efforts

from disaster response and relief to disaster

risk reduction and management and from a

reactive posture to a proactive one, said

Cabrera.

She also enjoined Local Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Councils and

Municipal DRRM Officers to look back and

devise strategies and plans in order to craft a

better chemistry of resiliency among

communities.

Likewise, the OCD official Disaster

reiterated that preparedness is everybody’s

responsibility – my responsibility, your

responsibility, our responsibility.

The caravan kicked off a series of

advocacy activities which will be organized in

the region by the Department of the Interior

and Local Government in its capacity as head

of the Disaster Preparedness Committee of

the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (RDRRMC). The council

is chaired by OCD Director Cabrera.

DILG Iloilo Provincial Director Teodora

Sumagaysay said the IEC caravan was

conceived to spread the key messages of

disaster preparedness and response in the light

of the potential hazards resulting from the La

Nina phenomenon.

According to PAGASA, the country’s

weather bureau, La Nina is expected in the

second half of this year, as suggested by climate

models the agency has mentioned in earlier

reports.

Sumagaysay also thanked the local

government unit of Concepcion for hosting the

initial IEC caravan, which also served as one of

the highlights of this year’s National Disaster

Consciousness Month in the region.

The caravan focused on the potential

hazards in a La Nina episode and the

preparations that should be made by

communities as presented by the

member-agencies of the RDRRMC disaster

preparedness committee.

On hand to welcome the IEC caravan

team was Concepcion Vice Mayor Rainier N.

Balida in behalf of Mayor Milliard Villanueva.

The caravan was attended by other local

officials, barangay chairmen, local government

employees, students, and other sectoral

representatives. (JCM/JSC/PIA6)

WESTERN VISAYAS 3

ILOILO CITY, July 13 (PIA6) — There is very low incidence of illegal wildlife trading in Western Visayas, according to the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

T he Conservation and Development

Division of the DENR-6 said that

there were 23 animals on record,

released back to their wild habitats, three were

turned over for custody to Racso’s Wildlife

Farm in Guimbal while one is still with PENRO

-Guimaras.

Racso’s is a DENR-accredited animal

rescue center.

The 27 animals represented 11

species, namely, Asian box turtle, Reticulated

python, Palm civit, Philippine sailfin

lizard, Bhraminy kite, Red-footed booby,

Brown-footed booby, King cobra, Malay

monitor lizard, Grass owl and Common flying

lizard.

DENR Regional Director Jim Sampulna

said the low record of releases showed that

people, especially in the uplands have become

highly aware of the prohibition.

―This is so because of the massive

information, education and communication

campaigns we have conducted in areas where

illegal wildlife trading is rampant,‖ sampulna

said.

―Western Visayas shares the country’s

rich natural resources and we all must be

protective of these,‖ Sampulna also said.

He added that in Central Panay mountains

alone, wild flora and fauna are still flourishing

despite being already fragmented.

Sampulna further said that the forest

rangers, forest protection and extension

officers, deputized wildlife enforcement

officers, Bantay Dagat and Bantay Gubat patrol

teams and the LGUs forged a collective action

in monitoring and enforcing environmental

laws.

―This gave a strong warning to violators

and somehow deterred them from engaging in

illegal wildlife trading,‖ Sampulna said.

Sampulna, likewise, said that there is a

strong link between protecting and conserving

wildlife and combating the effects of climate

change.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emelyn Peñaranda of the

DENR-Conservation and Development

Division, said the Philippine is the most diverse

among the mega-diverse countries in the

world.

―But we are also the hottest among the

hotspot countries and there lies the need to be

really vigilant about illegal wildlife trade,‖

Peñaranda said. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Illegal wildlife trade in WV not rampant

By Elsa S. Subong

Roxas City mulls 24/7 Action Center

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, July 14 (PIA6) – A round-the-clock operation Action Center will be established by the Roxas City

government at the City Hall here to accommodate public and emergency concerns that need immediate and appropriate

actions.

T his was disclosed by Roxas City Mayor

Angel Alan Celino during a Peace and

Order Council meeting July 11 as he

stressed that the center will be equipped with

a three to four digit hotline number that is

accessible to the public to facilitate faster

response time for authorities like policemen,

firemen and volunteer groups to respond

during emergency situations.

―It will also accommodate complaints

against the administration,‖ he noted, adding

that he will read all the complaints everyday

for reference and proper action of the local

government unit and other concerned national

government agencies The chief city executive

has coordinated with Roxas City Council

Committee on Police, Fire and Peace and

Order chairperson lawyer Powell Del Rosario

regarding the assignment of personnel to man

the center in accepting telephone as well as

radio communication calls and in assisting

walk-in clients. The center, located at the

ground floor near the stairway of the City Hall,

will closely work with the Roxas City Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Office which

boasts of its newly organized volunteers

dubbed Roxas City Emergency Response Team

(RCERT).

Celino also said that the center will make

use of the members of the city’s tricycle

operators and drivers association as informants

and network of information aside from the

Traffic Management Unit and the law

enforcement auxiliary group Bantay Bayan,

among others. The initiative, generally aimed to

improve government services delivery, will be

patterned on the 911 emergency response

system of Davao City and other cities in the

country. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz)

By Alex A. Lumaque

Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com

SAN JOSE, Antique, July 14 (PIA6) - - The filariasis prevention program of the Department of Health is gaining ground for the

mass drug administration activity in the province set to be conducted on July 18, 2016.

Antique to launch filariasis campaign

By Vicente W. Villavert

“ Four schools in the province will

serve as launching sites for the mass

drug administration on in San Jose,‖

said Provincial Health Office Information

Officer Irene Dulduco during the PIA Radio

program.

These schools are Delegate Angel Salazar

Jr. Memorial School, Atabay Elementary

School, San Pedro Barangay High School

on July 18 and Antique National School on July

19.

Dulduco said that government

employees will also join in the mass drug

administration after the flag raising program at

the EBJ Freedom Park in San Jose.

Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused

by a thread-like round worms and is

transmitted from host to host by

mosquitoes.

The disease is also known as elephantiasis,

a painful and disfiguring disease causing

disability or irreversible deformities in

humans.

―The disease can cause severe swelling in

arms, legs and genitals,‖ Dulduco said as she

emphasized that anyone should not wait these

deformities to happen, but seek early

prevention.

The drug to be administered during the

synchronized mass drug administration all

throughout the province, is Albendazole and

Diethylcarbamazine citrate or DEC.

Dulduco said that six years ago, nine towns in

the province were affected by Filariasis. These

towns are: Laua-an, Bugasong, Culasi, Sibalom,

San Remegio, Valderrama, Belison, and

Patnongon.

Some 17 cases of genital swelling were

recorded from the municipalities of San

Remegio, Patnongon and Valderrama; while 10

cases for elephantiasis were from Laua-an,

Bugasong, Culasi, Sibalom, and Belison.

The health department is giving free

medicines to stop the spread of the disease.

(JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)

CENTRAL VISAYAS 4

NEGROS ORIENTAL, July 10 (PIA) -- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dumaguete Branch has called on the public with

relatives abroad or overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who failed to exchange their old banknotes that they are given an

extension to register at BSP website starting October 1 this year.

E conomic and financial learning center

manager Dr. Greg Baccay of BSP issued the reiteration during the stakeholders’

recognition on its 23rd anniversary celebration

Thursday, saying that they have given OFWs more time to change their demonetized old bills with new banknotes.

The registered new design series (NDS)

banknotes at www.bsp.gov.ph shall be submitted for exchange with new generation currency (NGC) bills within one year from date of registration at any BSP

Office, said Baccay. Under BSP Circular 910, OFWs who are

currently living abroad and cannot come home soon

may register their old bills on the BSP website. It is said from January 1, 2016 until December

31, 2016, the NDS banknotes can no longer be used

in day-to-day transactions to pay for goods and services.

However, Baccay said the public can still exchange the old bills to NGC through any banks

including BSP as they are still required to accept until the end of this year.

By January 1, 2017, old banknotes shall cease to

be a liability of the BSP and will no longer bear any monetary value.

Meanwhile, Baccay said the local BSP held the

stakeholders recognition to give appreciation or acknowledge partner agencies which help BSP’s mandated programs, advocacies, and projects.

BSP also coordinated with DSWD for the conduct of financial literacy forum during the family development sessions (FDS) with Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the hinterland barangays.

DSWD-NIR OIC Director Shalaine Lucero said the Pantawid recipients learned the value of money as a result of BSP’s advocacy that created also

awareness on how to budget and save. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BSP advises OFWs to register

old banknotes online

By Jennifer C. Tilos

SIQUIJOR, July 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here announced the availability of scholarship

slots for regular third year college students who are enrolled in priority science and technology (S&T) courses and who are

willing to teach in the secondary schools in the country thru the DOST Junior Level Science Scholarships (JLSS).

DOST Junior Level Science Scholarship now available

T o qualify, one must be Filipino citizen, a

regular third year college students who are enrolled in identified priority S&T courses in

any state college or private college, has a general

weighted average of at least 83% (or its equivalent) in his/her first and second years in college, qualify in the JLSS written examination, and agrees to teach in the secondary level of basic education in public or

private high school as their return of service (ROS), among other requirements.

Applicants should be enrolled in

CHED-compliant science and technology priority courses, the list of which can be obtained from DOST.

Required documents to submit are accomplished JLSS information sheet (Form A),

accomplished certification regarding course

and year level (Form B), accomplished Return of Service (ROS) Conditions (Form C), Birth Certificate and Official Transcript of Records or

Certified True Copy Grades (of first year and second year).

The application form can be obtained at the

DOST Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center (DOST Siquijor PSTC) and can be d o w n l o a d e d a t t h i s w e b s i t e :

www.science-scholarships.ph. Accomplished application forms and the required documents should be submitted also in DOST Siquijor PSTC on or before September 9, 2016. Date of examination is

on October 16, 2016. Privileges of a DOST JLSS qualifier include:

tuition and other school fees not to exceed P10,00/

semester or P8,000/trimester/term; P5,000 book allowance/semester; monthly allowance of P5,000 (P5,000 for those who take BS-Physics, Applied

Physics, Physics Teaching, Geology, Mining Engineering, Agriculture, and Fisheries); and group

insurance coverage of P200,000.

After graduation, when the DOST scholar-graduate has been hired by the Department of Education (DEPED) or private school, he/she will

be employed with a position equivalent to Special Science Teacher I in the Philippine Science High

School.

He/she will be given priority for job placement in high school in the country and will also receive a one-time relocation allowance should he/she

be assigned in a place other than his/her permanent residence.

He/she will be provided scholarship in identified teacher education institutes for Science and

education Courses and be allowed to teach even without Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) eligibility but to pass the LET within five years from

date of hiring. The JLSS is governed by Republic Act

10612, dubbed as ―Fast-Tracked Science and

Technology Scholarship Act of 2013‖ which aims to strengthen the country’s science and technology

education by fast-tracking graduates in Sciences,

Mathematics and Engineering who shall teach science and mathematics in secondary schools throughout country. (rmn/rac/PIA7 -Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek

Y. Abing, DOST-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com

NEGROS ORIENTAL, July 10 (PIA) – A total of 3,331 drug pushers and users as of July 8 have voluntarily surrendered to police

authorities in different municipalities and cities in the province.

Over 3T drug pushers, users in NegOr surrender

A ccording Police Senior Supt. Harris Fama of

Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO), the campaign is part of

intensified government crackdown against illegal drug

problem in the country dubbed Project TokHang (Toktok-Hangyo).

TokHang is part of Oplan Double Barrel aligned with the objective of President Rodrigo Duterte on

anti-drug campaign aimed at drug pushers, users, and protectors of illegal drugs to curb and stop their illicit activities, said Col. Fama.

―However, the first approach is to have the list and validation of the suspects and reach out to them by communicating and explain for them to voluntarily

surrender,‖ Fama explained. Under TokHang (knock and talk or negotiate),

law enforcers also convince drug personalities to

never be involved again in the illegal drug trade. Fama said the next line of attack is the police

operation where a search warrant will be served and

a buy-bust operation will be done. However, the police director issued a

warning against vigilante groups claiming that they help law enforcers on the anti-illegal drugs

operation. ―We will not allow the vigilantes groups to

have their own operation, the possibility that

they may just shoot the pusher, the public should be alarmed on this and report to the authorities for we have to arrest them,‖ warned

Fama. ―This already happening in one of the cities

here, we arrested four persons in the check point

bringing weapons and their mission to shoot the drug pushers and and I am very confident that vigilante group is existing," said Fama.

Of over 3,000 drug pushers and users voluntarily surrendered in the province, these include the following cities and municipalities: Canlaon City, 22; Vallehermoso, 75; Guihulngan City,

576; La Libertad, 57; Jimalalud, 70; Tayasan, 96; Ayungon, 64; Bindoy, 39; Manjuyod, 26; Mabinay, 70; Bais City, 171; Tanjay City, 376; Pamplona, 20;

Amlan, 203; San Jose, 237; Sibulan, 576; Dumaguete City, 56; Valencia, 23; Bacong, 12; Dauin, 154; Zamboanguita, 64; Siaton, 66; Sta. Catalina, 73;

Bayawan City, 140; and Basay, 58. (rmn/jct/ PIA7-NegrosOriental)

Jennifer C. Tilos

CENTRAL VISAYAS 5

SIQUIJOR, July 12 (PIA) - - Local officials here are pushing for the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the

barangay levels for fast and efficient delivery of services to their constituents.

T his was raised during the training on

Barangay e-Systems and Tools (BeST) conducted by the Department of Science

and Technology (DOST) and the Central Visayas

Information Systems and Network (CVISNET) for officials and staff of selected barangays in the municipality of Siquijor.

In each message, former Siquijor mayor and

newly elected Vice-Governor Mei Ling Quezon and Provincial Administrator Pedro Samson urged the participants to embrace change and adopt to

technological advances, specifically by utilizing ICT to fast track and efficiently conduct or perform services in the barangay level.

Quezon said that BeST could be used as starting point in the implementation of ICT in the

governance.

Punong barangay of Poblacion, Siquijor Dr. Peck Cortes also gave positive insights and feedback on the use of the Barangay e-Systems and Tools.

He said that BeST has been instrumental in the crafting and implementation of certain projects in the barangay.

Barangay Poblacion of Siquijor became a

recipient of the Grant-in-Aid Program from DOST for the project "Harnessing the ICT Capability of Barangay Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor for

Empowerment and Transformation". One of the components of the GIA Project is

the promotion BeST and training personnel from

other barangays on the operation of BeST. Provincial Science and Technology Director

Engr. Mario de la Peña urged the participants to

adopt the system in their respective barangays and use Barangay Poblacion as reference.

BeST is a project initiated by the Central

Visayas Information Sharing Network Foundation Inc., (CVISNET) to provide the community with solutions for planning, monitoring and document generation for the barangay.

This includes a computerized record keeping system that manages the residents' information, judicial information and permit generation in the

barangay. BeST also allows integration of the barangays

data accessible at the municipal level. (rmn/rac/

PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST -Siquijor)

Siquijor officials push ICT use to improve

services

Rizalie Anding Calibo

Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com

SIQUIJOR, July 12 (PIA) - - A total of PhP1, 401,511 was turned over recently by the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST) Siquijor to various Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and Grant-in-Aid beneficiaries.

DOST gives P1.4M to SETUP, GIA beneficiaries

T he turn over ceremony held at the DOST

Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center was spearheaded by Provincial

Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la

Peña and witnessed by DOST Siquijor staff. Elena's Bakery and Pasalubong Center of

Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor through its proprietor Elena Ibera received the check

worth P300,000 while Manager of Larena Triad Coffee Shop Mariecar Masayon received P600,000 and proprietor Ernesto Balababa II of Dongon N

Balababa Enterprises, P156,628. With the a im of he lp ing these

beneficiaries become more competitive,

DOST Siquijor conducted technology needs assessment.

Technology upgrading in terms of processing

equipment was recommended. With the turned over amount, the beneficiaries

can now purchase the recommended

processing equipment stipulated on the notarized MOAs.

For 36 months, the SETUP beneficiaries will pay the financial assistance without interest.

On another development, Brgy Poblacion of Siquijor, Siquijor and San Antonio Women's Association for Better Environment (SWABE)

received PhP 258, 000 and P86,883, respectively. The beneficiaries were reminded to spend the

money based on the approved Line Item Budgets of

the respective MOAs. Prior to the turnover of checks, DOST

Siquijor and the beneficiaries signed a Memorandum

of Agreement for the corresponding SETUP and GIA projects in March 2016.

In an interview, Provincial S&T Dir. Engr. Mario

de la Peña is optimistic that these SETUP projects could bring additional employment and/or revenue while the GIA projects result positive development to beneficiaries.

The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is one of the core programs of DOST which aims to capacitate the MSMEs to be

more competitive and productive while the Grant-in-Aid Program provides grants for the implementation of programs/projects identified in the

current S&T priorities. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 12 (PIA) – The City Nutrition Council here has lined up a series of activities in observance of

Nutrition Month this July.

Dumaguete City council sets activities for nutri month

T his year, the celebration of Nutrition

Month aims to create more awareness on the importance of proper infant and young

child feeding practices, particularly exclusive

breastfeeding for the first 6 months and giving appropriate complementary food after six months while continuing breastfeeding through its theme ―First 1000 Days ni baby pahalagahan para sa malusog

na kinabukasan.‖ To further promote this advocacy in

the city, City Nutrition Officer Lourdes Taburaza

said part of their programs for the celebration

of Nutrition Month is the conduct of three nutrition caravans in selected elementary schools in

the city. The first caravan was held on July 7 at the

West City Elementary School while the two other

caravans will be held today and on July 14 at West City Elementary School and Calindagan Elementary

School, respectively.

―We invite our mothers, would be mothers, breastfeeding females and pregnant women to attend so they will be taught on the importance of first

1,000 days of the baby,‖ she said. On July 18, there will be a Nutrition Quiz bowl

which will held at Silliman University-Nutrition and Dietetics Department.

Taburaza disclosed that participants of this contest are the mothers who joined the caravan.

She explained that two mothers will be

selected in each caravan and they will participate in the quiz bowl.

On July 28, the City Nutrition Council will organize a food fair, inter-barangay complementary food cooking contest, inter-barangay

booth contest and Buntis Pageant, and a nutrition clinic.

Aside from this, the council will also

spearhead different contests this July which include ―Well Baby Contest‖ also sponsored by the City Health Office on July 22 at Robinson’s

Place Dumaguete and other contests such as Day Care Nutrition Corner contest, Day Care School Garden Contest, Barangay Nutrition Scholar and Cooperator Home Gardening Contest and

Sustainability Garden Contest. Moreover, Taburaza also announced that

they will conduct a forum arthritis prevention,

control and nutritional management for City Hall

employees. With this, Taburaza appealed to the public to

be nutrition advocates. ―Let’s be advocates on nutrition not only in our

families but also to our co-workers and to our

community,‖ she added. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

EASTERN VISAYAS 6

3-Child Policy seen to boost FP programs

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, July 11(PIA) – ―We will certainly support President Rodrigo Duterte’s program on family planning

particularly his ―three child policy‖ if indeed it will be mandated.‖

S o said POPCOM Deputy Executive

Director, Rosalinda Marcelino during the

open forum today, on the launching of

the Sixth State of the Philippine Population

Report (SPPR6), Leyte Provincial Capitol.

Marcelino flew to the city to deliver the

keynote address and meet the population

program stakeholders in the region.

Foremost she shared information on the

status of maternal health in the country and

the world.

According to her, 800 women around the

world die everyday from pregnancy and

childbirth-related complications, and, across

the country, latest WHO data (2013) reveal of

120 maternal deaths per 100,000 live

birth, while DOH-facility based data tell of 67

maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

To her, such statistical data is challenging

that needs further and more in depth research.

She added that maternal deaths is an

indication of the health system in a country

particularly the developing ones.

Among others, direct causes of

mothers dying from childbirth account from

haemorrhage, hypertension, infections, vascular

accident and pre-eclampsia.

This can be prevented with the

establishments of health-facilities in areas that

are accessible to people from far-flung

barangays.

It is also considerable that some mothers

decide late in seeking quality health care,

specially when there are other children to

care in the home in her absence in addition to

the financial constraint that they have to deal

with.

―Thus, this poses a challenge to local

government units whose constituents’ health

largely depend upon‖, she pointed out.

With the new administration, POPCOM is

hopeful that their programs gearing toward

healthy family living with healthy mothers will

be realized.

Mrs. Marcelino who is retiring from

government service on July 15, stressed that,

mothers health should be a concern of all,

because it is bad for a baby to loss her mother,

and greatly, a problem to a father whose sole

responsibility of child-rearing may rest in him.

Better yet, she said, the three-child policy

c o u l d b e t t e r s p e l l m o t h e r s '

health, improved living condition and better

economy.

In closing, she quoted UN Secretary

General Ban Ki-Moon’s quote that ―No woman

should die while giving life‖.(PIA-08)

Samuel D. Candido

Ignore text scams, NTC tells public

“ Do not reply,‖ Teresita Seno, the

NTC officer in the province, emphasized

during the dydm Kapihan sa PIA live

Friday.

Seno explained that text scams usually

come from the normal 11-digit cellphone

numbers telling the receiver any of the three

scenarios: winning a huge sum or an expensive

item in an electronic raffle draw, requesting for

a load supposedly mis-sent to be sent back,

or an emergency life and death situation of a

relative in a disaster area or accident.

She shared that she almost became a

victim in the first instance, when she tried to

engage the texter out of sheer curiosity,

in which she was informed of winning an

Avanza vehicle in Mandaue, Cebu.

Luckily for her, her husband was in

Cebu, and the two worked together

purportedly in the process to claim the

―prize‖ -- only to realize after so many careful

background check that the ―company‖ was non

-existent.

The caller/texter was not heard again,

probably sensing he was set up.

Had she ignored it offhand, the ―deal‖ will

not reach the almost finish stage, although she

acted more of a willing victim than an innocent

one, Seno qualified.

The second scenario on share or pass a

load would have the sender ask the receiver to

follow some instructions and if followed, one’s

electronic load would be slashed, probably

without one knowing it.

The third scenario on emergencies may

cause the receiver to panic and do what was

instructed at once, but Seno cautioned this

must be carefully validated first for credibility

and accuracy.

She cited an actual case of a neighbor who

was informed her daughter met an accident

and money was needed immediately for blood

transfusion.

The concerned mother, near tears,

borrowed money from her, but skeptic on the

story she tried to verify, and found out that

her daughter was, in fact, in the office at that

very moment. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 12 (PIA) -- To avoid being fooled and victimized by messages texted from unfamiliar

numbers, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) advised to just let it pass.

Marcelo M. Pedalino

Language assessment for grades 3 and 7 up

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, July 12 (PIA) - The Department of Education (DepEd) Northern Samar Division will

administer Language Assessment for Primary Grades (LAPG) and National Achievement Test (NAT)in all public and private

schools for grade 3 on July 13 and for grade 7 on July 15, respectively.

A ccording to Mr. Julito Lagrimas,

educat ion program supervisor,

the activity aims to evaluate the

effectiveness of the mother tongue-based

multilingual education instruction across 19

languages and establish mother-tongue

language development across Philippines

languages in the context of the MTB-LME

program implementation. The assessment will

also compare the performance of grade three

learners on English and Filipino essential skills

and correlate language development across

early grades reading assessment (EGRA), early

grades mathematics assessment (EGMA) and

language literacy, he said.

The essential skills coverage includes book

and print knowledge, alphabet knowledge,

vocabulary, phonics and word reading, spelling,

grammar, reading comprehension, study skills,

listening comprehension, computation

(math), attitude towards reading, phonological

awareness, fluency, oral language, hand writing,

and composing, he concluded. (ajc/tcardenas/

PIA-Catarman)

Teresita B. Cardenas Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Typhoon “Ondoy”. Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com

EASTERN VISAYAS 7

481 drug users, pushers surrender to PNP

CAMPETIC, Palo, Leyte, July 8(PIA) — The anti-drug campaign of the Philippine National Police in the region has encouraged

more than 400 people allegedly involved in illegal drugs to voluntarily surrender to police authorities.

T his, as the Philippine National Police in

Eastern Visayas intensifies its fight

against illegal drugs through project

―Tokhang‖ and project ―High Value

Target‖ (HVT). A copy of a press release

from Police Regional Command 8 stated

that the reported 271 users and 210 pushers

have voluntarily surrendered to police

from June 29 to July 3, 2016.

Newly assumed acting regional director

police chief superintendent Elmer Cruz Beltejar

said they will continue their operations against

drug personalities as they joined hands with

the barangay officials in carrying out a tough

anti-drug program initiated by President

Rodrigo Duterte.

―The PNP anti-drug campaign operations

have no timeline and it will never stop until

said menace is totally eradicated in Region 8,‖

Beltejar said.

Relative to this, police authorities

urged the public to support the PNP in the

campaign against illegal drugs and report

immediately to the nearest police stations or

through social media Facebook Page-Pulis ha

RehiyonOtso or text 09173114794 or

09478907155. (ajc/PRO8)

Consuelo B. Alarcon

Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Typhoon “Yolanda” Photo by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.comPhoto by skinnyjello.files.wordpress.com Samar population reaches 780,000 in 2015

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, July 5 (PIA) — Samar population has now reached 780, 481 in August 1, 2015. This is higher by

47,104 or 6.4 percent higher than the census count in May 2010 when Samarnons numbered 733, 377.

T his is according to the Philippine

Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the

2015 Census of Population (Popcen

2015), this was declared official by then

President Bengino Aquino lll under

Proclamation Number 1269 dated 18 May

2016.

The report added that population growth

slowed down as the annual population growth

posted 1.19 percent during the period 2010 to

2015. In 2000-2010 the population growth was

1.35.

Of the 24 municipalities and two cities,

Calbayog City registered the biggest population

at 183,851 or 23 percent of the total

population. Matuginao registered the

smallest increase at 0.9 percent or 7, 288

population.

Aside from Calbayog, the top five

most populous city/municipality are:

Catbalogan with 103,879; Basey with

55, 480; Daram with 42, 879 and Sta Rita with

41, 591.

The least populous municipalities are:

Matuginao with 7, 288; San Jose de Buan with

7, 769; Pagsanghan 7, 945, Talalora with 8,057

and San Sebastian with 8, 057.

Samar province accounted for

about 17.6 percent of the 4.4 M total

population.

The province ranked second among the

six provinces with high population count. (PIA8

-Samar with PSA report)

Ninfa B Quirante

Employee in buy-bust not neglected -- DPWH

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, July 11 (PIA) – He was not left alone, in fact we extended help, but despite it, he still opted to

proceed with his illicit practice.

T hus said DPWH Southern Leyte

District Engineer, Ma. Margarita C.

Junia in a report received by PIA.

DPWH-SLDEO referred to the recent

arrest of one Roel Adobas, 45, a permanent

employee as heavy equipment operator who

was recently nabbed in a buy-bust operation.

DPWH-SLDEO did its best to help an

employee prior to the recent arrest for illegal

drugs trade, but the suspect opted not to

abandon the illicit practice.

Roel Adobas, 45, heavy equipment

operator accepted the offer to submit himself

to treatment and rehabilitation, but he only

joined four weekly sessions for a period of

seven months, the report added.

―In fact, Adobas was not one of the 23

employees who tested positive during our

surprise drug test in August 2015. He did not

show up in our general assembly, sensing that a

drug test was to be conducted,‖ recalled

District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia.

In a letter, the suspect confessed that he’s

a drug dependent, prompting the DPWH field

office to include him in the outpatient program

of the Department of Health Treatment and

Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) in Dulag,

Leyte.

―Despite efforts to help him abandon

illegal drugs, he always tested positive of drugs

use in every random test that followed and he

resorted to absenteeism, the report added.

In a May 2016 progress report, the

DOH-TRC categorized Adobas’ addiction as

―severe‖ and he’s not anymore fit to undergo

the outpatient program.

On July 6, operatives of the Philippine

Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the

Maasin City Police arrested Adobas in a

buy-bust operation in Combado village, this

city.

A PDEA agent, who acted as

pusher-buyer, purchased from the suspect two

pieces of plastic sachet containing shabu,

ending his comfort trade from then on.

At present, Adobas is temporarily

detained at the Maasin City police station jail,

while, facing a case for violation of Republic

Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous

Drugs Act of 2002.

Junia lauded President Rodrigo Duterte

for ordering a crackdown of illegal drug

activities in the country.

The district office has been pushing for a

drug-free workplace.

On August 17, 2015, 23 employees were

found positive of illegal drugs use – 17 were on

job order contracts and six were permanent

employees. It was then, the first drug test

initiated by a DPWH field office in the

country. Junia initiated assistance in the

recovery process of the workers who were

found positive of the illegal drug, and gave

them ―chances to change‖.

However, only 16 of them opted to join

the weekly outpatient service program (OPS)

sessions which was done by DOH-TRC.

Today, the district office requires all

permanent employees to undergo a mandatory

rehabilitation program while dismissed job

order workers are given the option to go

through the recovery process.

The SLDEO provided a space at the

SLDEO Area Equipment Service compound for

the conduct of weekly session for drug users.

The session, which started on October 2015,

will conclude on August 2016, according to

DOH-TRC.(PIA08/DPWH08)

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