Download - Onevisayasenewslettervol6issue20 20160520 r6
Vol 6 Issue 20 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 May 16 - 22, 2016
In this Issue
Ocean Month celeb bats for ‘detoxifying’ oceans
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
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El Niño’s impact on CV rice production minimal
C E B U ,
May 18 (PIA) – Despite the current drought experienced in Central Visayas, El Niño did not impact much on rice production although data shows a slight dip in a three-year
period. Francisco Sopsop, chief of the Planning Division of the
Department of Agriculture (DA-7), said rice production from 2013 to 2015 slightly dropped from 347,697 metric
tons in 2013 to 338,822 metric tons in 2014 which again fell to 336,194 metric tons last year, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-7).
―Rice production in Central Visayas dropped from 2013 to 2014 at -2.6 percent. But this slightly improved from 2014 to 2015 which still registered negative at -0.8
percent,‖ said Sopsop during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers – Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that tackled
the topic ―El Niño and Its Impact to Rice Production in Central Visayas.‖
He attributed the minimal El Nino impact to the
fact that majority of rice lands in irrigated areas at 59,058 hectares are mostly found in Bohol, which has the largest size of rice lands in the region.
Though the provinces of Cebu and Bohol and some
localities in Negros Oriental declared a ―state of calamity,‖ Sopsop said the water level in surface water sources in Bohol did not yet reach a critical level although almost in a
dangerous state.
The DA-7 official, however, admitted that they still do not have the official data for the 1st quarter of 2016, which are still under verification.
The minimal impact of the El Niño to the region‘s rice production is also attributed to the agency‘s aggressive information campaign before the onset of the El Niño in the second quarter of last year, said Sopsop.
―We conducted an information caravan to all municipalities and cities throughout the region on the possible effects of El Niño and how farmers should prepare
for any eventuality,‖ said Sopsop. DA-7 also crafted a Mitigation Plan on El Niño and
requested their head office for a separate funding for its
intervention measures. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 19 (PIA)—
Security forces belonging to the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army were one in saying ―Samar election was peaceful.‖
Samar Police spokesperson PSupt Jennifer Sumpo when asked in a text message about the situation in the province replied,‖Okay la po it akon area.‖
In the army camp, at Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, the
8th Infantry division headquarters, no less than the army‘s second high ranking officer visited the camp on Saturday to congratulate them for ensuring a successful and peaceful
election. Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Demosthenes C Santillan AFP, said
that he commends the army for its integrity and dedication
to duty, that despite the many challenges, the army was able to overcome them.
In response, Maj Gen. Jet Velarmino, commanding
general of the division said that he is thankful for leadership
trust and confidence on them. ―While we are advancing and transforming we remain
to be committed on our mandate in serving the people and
securing the land for a just a lasting peace in Eastern Visayas.‖
Early on, Samar was identified as an area of concern due to intense political rivalry.
Election in Samar was briefly marred by the ambush of a mayoralty candidate in San Jorge town on election day, but the police prompt response led to the
arrest of the suspects. The ambush victim though survived and the suspects
in jail.
Other than that, the security forces proclaimed that the election was generally peaceful and orderly. (nbq/PIA8 -Samar with 8th ID DPAO)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA6)—On the 17th
y e a r o f c e l e b r a t i n g O c e a n M o n t h this May, the focus is on the need to cure the oceans and the coastal areas of toxic
elements.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which spearheads the celebration, said that the event also focuses
on the importance of biodiversity in food security.
DENR-6 Director J im Sampulna sa id
protecting and conserving our marine and coastal resources equates to sustainable aquatic food production.
―Western Visayas has a lot of coastal resources needing protection and we need to act together to protect them,‖ Sampulna said.
Sampulna added that the DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau will initiate a dual activity
with mangrove planting and coral transplanting in Anilao,
Iloilo. DENR said mangroves are considered
as natural barriers to tsunamis, storm surges and tidal
waves.
―They also serve as spawning grounds for fishes and crustaceans,‖ Sampulna said.
A DENR-6 press release said that as part of the
total mangrove ecosystem, the corals and the seagrasses have important roles in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem.
―The coral transplantation activity will help regain a healthy coral population,‖ Sampulna said.
The Philippines has at least 16 species of
seagrass in an estimated 978 sq.kms. of seagrass beads, which serve as food for dugongs, manatees, sea turtles , hundreds of f i sh
species and several species of waterfowls. (JCM/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Dydm kapihan sa PIA: PCInsp. Elizar Gonzaga,
deputy chief of police, Maasin City, talks about
peace and order situation of the city. (mmp)
Ninfa Quirante
Department of Education – Division of Negros
Occidental officials led by Schools Division56
Superintendent Dr. Jose Freddie Mocon call
for a press conference on the department‘s
upcoming activities and updates on the Senior
High School implementation come June. *(EAD
-PIA6 photo)
A Kapihan sa PIA was held May 18 at the
Plenary Hall of RAFI Bldg., Lopez Jaena St.,
Cebu City with guests (l-r) Historian Dr.
Madrileña de la Cerna and Casa Gorordo
Museum Curator Florencio Moreno to talk on
‗Atong kultura, Atong Kabilin, Atong Kinabuhi:
Nasudnong Kasaulogan sa Heritage Month.‘
The forum was aired-live from 10:00 am
- 11:00 am at DYMR-Radyo ng Bayan 576 khz
and delayed telecast at Sky Cable-Cebu
Channel 61 at 5:00 pm. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
Samar election peaceful, according to PNP, Army
By Elsa S. Subong
By Fayette C. Riñen
(organic.da.gov.ph photo)
WESTERN VISAYAS 2
DRRM projects get P4M funding
NEGROS OCC. May 18 (PIA6)—The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is allocating about P4 million
to fund various activities and developmental projects related to disaster risk reduction
H e sa id the ac t i v i t y w i l l be
attended by 500 multi-sectoral
stakeholders to raise awareness
on the effects of El Nino. Every sector will be
given a chance to give concrete solutions to
the damages created by the weather
phenomenon.
The activity will be held sometime in the
month of June which is the Environment
Month.
Provincial Planning and Development
Office also submitted projects for disaster
prevention, mitigation initiatives.
PPDO Chief Ma. Lina Sanogal
proposed a funding of more than P1.4M
project for Coordinating Roads and
Infrastructure Investments for Development
(CRID).
She also asked to realign more than P1.5M
for the updating of the Provincial Road and
Network Development Plan (PRNDP) and
P407,000 for Training and Development on
Environmental Planning.
In a separate request to prepare
for the wet season where more dengue
mosquitoes thrive, Dr. Jessica Fama of the
Provincial Health Office requested for a P3.5M
from the PDRRM trust fund to buy chemicals,
fogging machines, larvicide and for the training
of medical staff. (JCM/Lljr-PIA6)
By Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, May 19 (PIA6) – Three Negosyo Centers (NC) have been established by the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Provincial Office to take charge in promoting ease of doing business within its jurisdiction.
3 Negosyo Centers now in Capiz
By Alex A. Lumaque
T hese include the newly launched
Negosyo Centers lodged at the
Business Permit and Licensing Office
(BPLO) of Mambusao and Pontevedra towns,
respectively.
The first Negosyo Center, launched in
December 2015, is at the ground floor of DTI
Provincial Office at the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Avenue in Pueblo de Panay here.
DTI – 6 OIC regional director Rebecca M.
Rascon thanked the local chief executives for
readily accepting the project as well as
providing office space for the centers during a
launching in Pontevedra town.
DTI provided each of the newly
established centers with a computer set with
accessories and printer, two office tables with
2 chairs, three visitor chairs, an office cabinet
and a technical staff who will provide the
basic services to existing and would-be
entrepreneurs in the area.
The establishment of the Centers is
pursuant to Republic Act No. 10644 or the
―Go Negosyo Act‖ which states that the Small
and Medium Enterprises Development Council
thru the DTI is the coordinating and
supervising body for all the agencies involved in
the establishment and operation of the Nego-
syo Centers.
The centers will also facilitate access to
services for Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) such as business
registration assistance, business advisory
services, business information, advocacy
monitoring and evaluation.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority
said the province has enough rice stocks
despite the impact of El Niño.
Provincial Manager Benilda Fidel of Capiz
NFA has reassured Capiceños that there is
enough supply of rice at the levels of
households, millers, retailers and wholesalers.
―NFA Capiz alone has 143,720 bags
of rice in our warehouses in the province
as of May 19 which is enough for 25 days,‖
she said adding that NFA rice is also
available at all times in the agency‘s warehouse
in Iloilo.
Fidel said that aside from the effects of the
El Niño on the reduction on palay production,
they have also prepared their stocks for
the lean months which started this month until
August. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Capiz with JBG
report)
ILOILO CITY, May 17 (PIA6)—The Philippines should support high value exports and herbal products to take advantage of
essentially free trade in agricultural goods within ASEAN.
“ They will find their way to the ASEAN
markets as they conform to standards
within the member countries,‖ said Dr.
Roehlano Briones of the Philippine Institute for
Developmental Studies (PIDS).
Briones was speaker in a forum on Asean
Economic Community updates 2016.
He encouraged the forum participants,
composed mainly of farmer leaders, to give
urgent attention to bringing the rest of the
agriculture sector back on track.
He said that in the study he conducted,
the issue of not being ―ready‖ to compete is
essentially a problem of rice but other
traditional staple continues to drive much of
the policy debate on trade and
competitiveness.
It was noted that growth has
continued over integration period on the value
of agricultural output of top ten agricultural
products in 1991 to 2013.
Based on the Food and Agricultural
Statistics there is an increasing trend on rice
paddy, maize and sugarcane while a decreasing
trend on meat, pig and chicken, eggs hen
bananas and coconuts on this period.
Meanwhile, Briones said that industry
roadmaps were important mechanism for
developing public-private sector alliances
essential for improving competitiveness and
the AEC is a motivation for reforms and
investments. (JCM/ESS-PIA6)
Agri products have vast potentials in ASEAN markets
By Elsa S. Subong
Flores De Mayo
WESTERN VISAYAS 3
SAN JOSE, Antique, May 19 (PIA6) - - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here said that the government’s
program dubbed Balik Eskwela in store diskwento will greatly help costumers especially parents ease their financial burdens
through discounts offered for school supplies and other products starting May 27-31, 2016.
D TI Information Officer Lynna Joy
Cardinal said during the PIA Radio
program that around 12 business
establishments are expected to join in this
5-day undertaking.
The Balik Eskwela Diskwento program is a
project of DTI in coordination with the
business sector.
―All our consumers have to do is to shop
in order to locate establishments with Balik
Eskwela Diskwento streamers and avail the
discounted offer particularly school supplies,‖
Cardinal said.
The DTI also regularly reports their price
monitoring activity and other programs over
the weekly radio program of the Philippine
Information Agency in order to help guide the
public. (JCM/VWV/PIA Antique)
Balik Eskwela diskwento a boon to parents
By Vicente W. Villavert
HIV/AIDS patients getting younger
ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA6) - - People diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno
deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are getting younger and increasing in number in the country.
D epartment of Health (DOH) 6
Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar said
statistics show that almost half of
patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the
country numbering to about 32, 647 belong to
the 25 to 34 years old age group.
Convocar said another important
statistics to consider is that 27 percent or
more than one-fourth of the total patients
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS belong to lower than
15 to 24 years old bracket which indicates
that patients are now getting younger and the
number of patients increased by about 260
percent.
―So you could just imagine their number
and their ages are becoming younger,‖
Convocar told members of the LGBT groups;
representatives of the local government of
Oton, national government agencies and
non-organizations; students; and service
providers who joined the 33rd International
AIDS Candlelight Memorial in Oton, Iloilo on
May 15.
The statistics further revealed that most
of the patients or about 91 percent are males
and 92 percent of the cases show no
symptoms or asymptomatic.
Convocar said this should be a cause of
concern especially for those who are engaged
in risky behavior as she encouraged them to
take an HIV test to find out if they are infected
and get the necessary medical care.
She cited a story of a 32 year-old male
who worked as a waiter and assistant cook in
the island of Boracay who died from HIV/AIDS
because he failed to get an HIV test and
receive the antiretroviral vaccine given by the
DOH.
The vaccine can prevent opportunitistic
infections and can help extend the life of
people infected with HIV and AIDS.
Convocar said the increasing number of
cases from the 15 to 24 age bracket is an
emerging problem that must be given prority
because this sector is in the prime of their lives
and it is a waste if they are infected.
Thus, together with the other vulnerable
groups, she said that they must be engaged,
educated and empowered which is the
message of this year‘s commemoration of the
International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.
DOH 6 data further showed that every 23
hours a person is diagnosed with HIV in
Western Visayas in February of this year.
HIV testing is available at the Western
Visayas Medical Center and in social hygiene
clinics. (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
By Lilibeth A. French
Coastal waters red tide-free By Venus G. Villanueva
KALIBO, Aklan, May 18 (PIA6) -- All coastal waters monitored by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
throughout the country continue to be free from red tide toxins.
T his finding is based on Shellfish
Bulletin No. 15 released by
BFAR dated 10 May 2016, Series of
2016.
The bulletin, disseminated by BFAR
- Aklan, stated that coastal waters of
Batan Bay and its tributaries in Aklan
like Altavas, Batan and New Washington, and
Sapian Bay in Capiz including Mambuquiao and
Camanci in Batan, and all coastal waters of the
Philippines are red-tide free, based on latest
laboratory result.
All types of shellfish and Acetes
sp. or alamang gathered, harvested,
and marketed from these areas are
safe for human consumption, according to
BFAR.
Bes i des Ba tan Bay and i t s
tributaries in Aklan and coastal
areas of Capiz, other areas monitored
by BFAR include I loi lo, Negros
Island, Bohol, Leyte, Eastern and
Western Samar and Biliran in the
V isayas ; Man i la Bay , Pangas inan ,
Zambales, Masbate, Sorsogon, and
Palawan in Luzon; and Zamboanga,
Misamis Occidental Surigao del
Sur, Davao Oriental and other parts
of Mindanao.
A l l t h e s e a r e a s , a c c o rd i n g
to BFAR, continue to be free from
red tide, but are still subjected
to sustained monitoring by the
agency. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)
CENTRAL VISAYAS 4
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- An inter-agency multi-disciplinary task force spearheads the celebration of May as Ocean
Month and serves an array of menu to make food security in Bohol sustainable through keeping Bohol's biodiversity.
Inter-agency task force leads Ocean Month
events
F or May as Month of the Ocean, the
cooperation of inter-agencies in Bohol
Coastal Resource Management Task
Force (BCRMTF) fits individual agency and
collegial activity to Biodiversity for Food
SeaCUREity as the month's theme, according
to Coastal Resource Management Coordinator
at Bohol Environment Management Office
(BEMO) Adelfa Salutan.
BCRMTF thinks active and proactive
measures need to be done to keep Bohol's
marine biodiversity sustainable.
Salutan said that with trash posing
the most imminent danger to the coastal
resources and marine environment, BCRMTF
teams did a monitoring and evaluation of
solid waste management programs for the
towns of Ubay, Sevilla and Trinidad last May 3
to 5.
Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Officer (PENRO) Nestor Canda
explained that improper solid waste
management and a failed program would
ultimately bring all the trash to the sea and
threaten marine biodiversity.
In the advent of local government honing
their coastal land use plans, BCRMTF sees the
necessity for an Integrated Coastal Resources
Management Planning which took place on May
12 to 15, Salutan continued.
Philippine Coast Guard, a member of the
task force, also coordinated a mangrove plant-
ing activity in Poblacion 2 earlier last week,
Salutan said.
The effort is in line with reclaiming much
of the damaged coastlines of Tagbilaran City as
well as to protect the coasts from surges and
increase biodiversity, said PCG Chief Benjie
Quinisio.
BCRMTF is composed of Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR), Philippine National Police (PNP)
Maritime Police, Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG), Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Ports
Authority (PPA), Department of Education
(DepED), Philippine Information Agency and
the BEMO.
Also with the BCRMTF are United States
Agency for International Development project
called Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable
Fisheries (ECOFISH), First Consolidated
Bank of Bohol Foundation Inc., (FCBFI),
and other NGOs whose interests are with
coastal resource management and law
enforcement. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 13 (PIA) – Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) – Dumaguete Branch is encouraging
government workers in the province to apply for their enhanced scholarship program.
G SIS-Dumaguete Branch Manager
Mercedes Enriquez said government
employees who are actively paying
their contributions for the past three years
and whose income belong to salary
grade 24 and below can apply for the
scholarship.
―We are encouraging our government
workers to log in at www.gsis.gov.ph.
The downloadable forms as well as the
checklist of requirements are available there or
they can come to our office,‖ Enriquez
disclosed.
Based on information posted at GSIS
website, the scholarship program is no longer
limited to incoming first year college students
but to students who are in higher levels in
college due to ongoing transition period
brought by the K -12 program.
Aside from providing the actual tuition as
well as miscellaneous fees not exceeding
P40,000 per academic year, the agency has also
increased the scholar‘s monthly allowance
from P2, 000 to P3,000.
Deadline of application is on June 10, but
Enriquez suggests that it would be better if
interested applicants can submit their
application and requirements by the end of this
month.
On the other hand, GSIS here yesterday
gathered heads of different national
government agencies and provincial offices for
an orientation on GSIS programs and services
for their members especially those who are
retiring soon.
She noted that for many times, it‘s always
the employees who get oriented first on their
programs and services and this time the agency
would like the heads of government agencies
to be informed on developments on their
programs.
The GSIS-Dumaguete Branch Manager
initiated towards the end of the meeting the
formulation of an organization of NGAs named
Government Agencies Association of Negros
Oriental (GAANO) to strengthen the link and
communication between NGAs.
GSIS-Dumaguete covers 21, 300 members
from 103 agencies that remit contributions to
them in Negros Oriental and Siquijor
provinces. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
GSIS scholarship program open to gov’t workers
By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
Flores De Mayo
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) – On his second term, Cebu re-elected Governor Hilario Davide III told Capitol employees to shape
up to give better service to the Cebuanos.
Guv tells Capitol workers to shape up
A ddressing the more than a hundred
employees at Cebu Provincial Capitol a
week after the elections, Davide said
they better improve or face consequences.
Davide was proclaimed re-elected
governor of Cebu after garnering 616,381
votes over his rival Winston Garcia‘s 593,725
votes.
―If you cannot change your bad habits, you
better change your habitat,‖ was the message
of Davide.
Davide also informed Capitol employees
to expect some changes and adjustments
especially in the executive department starting
July 1.
―I expect all the best from you.
So maningkamot gihapon kita (Let us still
try),‖ Davide said.
He said that the business of the
government is to provide service and the
constituents had to be served with sincerity
and credibility.
Re-elected Vice Governor Agnes
Magpale said their victory has inspired them
more to achieve the current administration‘s
goal.
Cebu is considered one of the most
vote-rich provinces in the Philippines with
2.7 million registered voters. (rmn/fcc/
PIA7-Cebu)
By Ferliza C. Contratsta
CENTRAL VISAYAS 5
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- Efforts to keep the Bohol ecosystem sustainable for fisheries surged as communities
agree that overharvesting swimming blue crabs can deplete the supply, depriving them of their income.
Bohol communities make ‘lambay’ more sustainable
W ith the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID)
Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable
Fisheries (ECO-Fish), people are slowly seeing
the value of sustaining the supply, said Anecita
Gulayan, ECO Fish fisheries Coordinator at the
Kapihan sa PIA Thursday.
Among the primary livelihood of the
people residing in the islands within the
Danajon Double Barrier Reef (DDBR) is
netting swimming blue crabs (lambay) for
consumption of high-end hotels and
restaurants in nearby Cebu.
DDBR is among the world's few double
barrier reefs and supports a diverse marine
ecosystem that has been the primary source of
livelihood for the fishing communities in the
islands and mainland towns.
Among the primary resources harvested
at the Danajon seas is blue crab.
The method of harvesting, however, is
unsustainable as hundreds of fishers spread
a net every time and the daily haul would
always include as by catch the brooding blue
crabs.
As the communities begin to realize
the impending problem, Gulayan said they
have devised a system to assure that the
brooding crab hatches in a protected
environment.
With a public and private sector
partnership, the communities tapped
government and ECOFish, along with the
Philippine Association of Crab Processors
Incorporated (PACPI), to put up holding pens
for brooding crab by-catch.
PACPI helps the sustainability in as much
as they too would benefit from the sustainable
supply, she added.
In addition, Gulayan, who has been
with coastal resource management projects in
Bohol, said that the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources also put in enough
allocation to get the project through more
communities.
Elsewhere in Bohol, especially in
Cogtong Bay, communities have also
enforced a close and open season for siganid
fishing.
Other than blue crabs, siganid is also
among the most threatened table fish specie in
as much as it can be spawning in certain
seasons.
BCRMTF came to Kapihan to drumbeat
Bohol's efforts to make May as Month of the
Ocean Activities a memorable month for food
security.
The Month of the Ocean adopts
Biodiversity for Food SeaCUREity as theme.
(rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)
Rey Anthony H. Chiu
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) – At least 3,000 individuals were given medical assistance by the health teams deployed by the
Department of Health (DOH-7) in identified polling places in the region during the May 9 elections.
D OH-7 responded to various medical
conditions, topmost of which is
hypertension.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal of DOH-7
said their medical teams responded mostly
to voters who sought consultation for blood
pressure check, headache, and dizziness.
There were also voters who fainted due
to the heat and the crowd, said Cañal.
At least 3,000 individuals were given
medical assistance by the DOH teams.
The health officer said prior to the May 10
elections, DOH and the Commission on
Elections (Comelec) entered into a
memorandum of agreement for DOH to man
the critical areas where the voting
populace may experience unfavorable
conditions.
―These are the persons with disabilities
(PWDs), the elderly and the pregnant women
who we identified as the special groups in the
population,‖ said Cañal.
DOH-7 deployed 145 medical teams in
the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, and Siquijor, and
Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapulapu City in
Cebu province.
In Cebu province, there were 55 medical
teams dispatched, 50 in Bohol, 6 in Siquijor,
and 34 for the cities of Mandaue, Cebu, and
Lapulapu. (rmn/PIA7-Cebu)
Medical teams aid 3000 in May 9 polls
By Rachelle M. Nessia
CEBU CITY, May 16 (PIA) – Health authorities here are encouraging Cebuanos to avail of free tests as Cebu remains to be the
top province in Region 7 with high recorded cases of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immu-
nodeficiency Virus (HIV),
DOH, hygiene centers provide free HIV tests
D r. Shelbay Blanco, Medical Officer IV
of Department of Health (DOH-7),
sa id the tests for HIV are
administered free to Cebuanos who would
want to avail of the service.
These are offered at Don Vicente Sotto
Memorial Medical Center (DVSMMC)
and DOH Regional Office as well as hygiene
centers in Cebu City, Mandaue City, and
Lapulapu City health offices.
Early detection, he said, may still bring
some remedy and will stop the contamination.
―AIDS is, however, incurable but it is
preventable, knowing that you have it may still
keep others from being contaminated,‖ Blanco
said.
In a recent report presented during the
weekly Kapihan sa PIA-Cebu, Blanco said that
for this year alone, there are already 11
full-blown cases of HIV and 89 asymptomatic
cases during these months.
Asymptomatic case means the patient is
an HIV carrier but without the symptoms.
Bohol has two asymptomatic cases but no
records of a full-blown case like in Siquior
province.
Region 7 ranks third among the top 5
provinces in the Philippines with HIV cases
recorded.
Majority of the age group afflicted with
the virus are those from ages 24
to 34 followed by those within 15 to 24.
There are recorded cases of below 15
years old and these are mostly thru perinatal
transmission, or from an infected mother to
her child during pregnancy.
The top cause of HIV transmission is
intravenous drug use followed by male to male
sex, heterosexual sex, bisexual sex, and then
perinatal with four cases.
In line with this, DOH is inviting the public
to join the 33rd International AIDS Candlelight
Memorial Day on May 22 at SM City
Consolacion town. Free HIV testing will done
during the activity.
Mass will be at 3:00 p.m. followed
by the memorial at 4:00 p.m. (rmn/fcc/PIA7
-Cebu)
By Ferliza C. Contratsta
EASTERN VISAYAS 6
Army leads Operation Baklas in Catbalogan
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, May 18 (PIA) —To ensure that the city is wiped clean of the residues of election campaign
materials, the Philippine Army spearheaded a Baklas Operation this week.
I n an information from the 8th infantry
Division (8th ID), PA, said that the army
will tap all volunteer organizations with
the local government officials for the baklas
activity.
The ‗cleaners‘ will assemble at the city
plaza at 5:30 in the morning when it is still
cooler.
After a brief orientation, four teams will
be dispatched to different areas for the
cleaning chore.
This operation will last for three hours in
the city streets.
Earlier, the DPWH Samar 2 had operation
baklas for election campaign materials in
unauthorized places.
While some candidates have been
mandated to remove their campaign materials
that it is ‗game over‘ now, others would still
add some more streamers for their ‗thank
you‘.
In Calbayog City, the Liberal Party has
started removing their campaign materials a
day after the election. (nbq/PIA8-Samar)
Flores De Mayo
Completion of Sta. Rita- Quinapondan transmission now December
A ccording to NGCP-Visayas Regional
Communications Officer Ms. Betty
Martinez, the delay is due to a lingering
problem on the road right of way in Marabut,
Samar.
Martinez further said that the owner of a
private lot does not want NGCP‘s transmission
line to pass through the property until it meets
the cost of the land that the owner demands.
This has resulted in an expropriation case so as
to solve the problem.
Despite this, the connection of other
transmission lines that do not encounter
any problems is ongoing — in fact the
accomplishment of the project is
already 90.38%.
The Sta. Rita- Quinapondan 69 kV
transmission line project — with a project cost
worth approximately ₱ 250 M and is funded
by NGCP — is composed of more than 90
kilometers single-circuit line, starting from the
old Sta. Rita substation up to Quinapondan
load station. This line passes through the towns of Sta. Rita, Basey, and Marabut in
Samar and in Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, and
Quinapondan in Eastern Samar.
The purpose of the project is to
minimize — or better yet, put a stop —to
brownouts in Eastern Samar in case there
is a problem with the Paranas, Samar 69 kV
transmission line.
Meanwhile, eight Persons with Disability
(PWDs) and Senior Citizens of this city were
given wheelchairs on May 13, 2016 . under the
Physical Restoration Service Program (PRSP) of
the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.
According to Borongan City Assistant
Social Welfare and Development Officer
and PWD and Senior Citizen Focal Person
Mrs. Elsie Ador, the beneficiaries were indigent
ones who are in need of such
mobility assistance.
The wheelchairs were delivered
to Borongan City by Department of Social
Welfare and Development- Regional Office
08‘s PWD Focal Person Mr. Ben Calzado on
the same date and were immediately given by
the Borongan City Social Welfare and
Development Office (BCSWDO) to the
beneficiaries. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)
BORONGAN CITY, EASTERN SAMAR, May 19 (PIA) - From June this year, the completion of National Grid Corporation of
the Philippines’ Sta. Rita, Samar-Quinapondan, Eastern Samar 69 kilovolts transmission line project will be implemented in
December of this year.
Ninfa B Quirante
By: Samuel D. Candido
New revenue code yields 60% SAG collection hike
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 17 (PIA) -- The full implementation of a provincial revenue code that levied step up
rates on sand and gravel (SAG) quarrying in rivers located along the six towns and one city of the province resulted in a dra-
matic rise in collection.
A ccording to Eva Abad, head of the
provincial environment and natural
resources management of f ice
(PENRMO), the SAG collection in 2013 was P
7.9 Million using the old rate of P 15 per cubic
meter for commercial permittees and P 18 for
industrial permittees.
By December of 2013 the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan passed a legislative measure that
specified an increase in the price per cubic
meter of quarried materials to reflect current
market trends, in which the P15 was changed
to P 40, while P 18 was made P 50.
By 2014, using the new rates, the SAG
collection slightly increased to P 8.5 Million, a
7% rise compared with 2013, Abad disclosed
during the dydm Kapihan sa PIA live Friday.
For last year, 2015, with the new revenue
code fully enforced, the SAG collection was
P 13.7 Million, or a substantial 60% surge
from 2013, and this was duly distributed to the
various local government based on a sharing
scheme stipulated by law.
For the barangays where the quarry was
located they got P 5.5 Million or 40% share,
while the municipality/city and the provincial
government got P 3.4 Million representing a
30% share for each one, Abad said.
PENRMO, the local equivalent of the
DENR, is the main agency tasked to regulate
the extraction of aggregates so that the
demands of nature preservation cannot be
sacrificed with the need for tax collection,
Abad explained.
There are 21 SAG permittees now
operating in this city as well as in Macrohon,
Bontoc, Sogod, San Francisco, Saint Bernard,
and Hinunangan.
PENRMO field personnel has been closely
watching and monitoring their activities in
hauling materials from the river sources to
their respective plants, in order to ascertain
that the volume taken out will not exceed
what was stipulated in the permit, Abad also
said. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)
Marcelo Pedalino
EASTERN VISAYAS 7
SoLeyte marks ocean month with mangrove
planting, clean-up
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 19 (PIA) -- This province joins the observance of the month of May as month of the
ocean by planting mangroves and cleaning the mangrove forest with litters, mostly plastic, cellophane garbage.
T he planting activity will be held at
barangay Mahayahay, Sogod, anytime
within this month, while the clean-up
will be at barangay Combado, this city, on May
27, said Eva Abad, head of the Provincial
environment and natural resources
management office (PENRMO).
The designation of May as Month of
Ocean was made through Presidential
Proclamation number 97 issued in 1999, Abad
informed during the dydm kapihan sa PIA live
Friday.
This year‘s observance carries the theme
―Buhay dagat, buhay natin‖, a pointed reminder
that the sea, the ocean is linked directly to the
lives of people, Abad said.
Mangroves serve as buffer zones in
inclement weather, and a spawning habitat for
fishes, hence the need to further expand the
existing mangrove forests in the province, she
added.
At the same time, mangrove forests
should not be used as dumping sites of
non-biodegradable wastes for these garbage
may choke the emerging marine community in
the surrounding area, Abad further said.
She called on the community especially
the organized socio-civic groups to join the
cleaning and planting events scheduled for this
month. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)
30 days Sr. HS countdown marker unveiled
CATARMAN, Northern Samar, 16 May (PIA) – The Department of Education Division of Northern Samar starts
its 30 days Senior High School countdown with a parade and program, booths display and unveiling of SHS
countdown marker held at Catarman Sacred Heart Plaza, Catarman Northern Samar.
S chools Division Superintendent Manuel
Albaño informed that this is part of their
advocacy for those going into Senior
High School to be oriented and be aware of
what field are they going to enrol in. Booths
were put up and installed to show case various
fields of Senior High where enrolees can seek
advice to what field they are fitted into.
Albaño is very much optimistic saying
DepEd is 100% ready for the Senior High
School, there may be some concerns on the
part of the school buildings but they have
contingency plans so as not to hamper the
implementation of Senior High.
In a message of Governor Jun Ong read
by Vice Governor Gary Lavin, he said, ―while
the K-12 program of the national government
has drawn a lot of misconceptions, it is now
gaining momentum and in the next few
years we will see the product of this innovative
paradigm shift in our educational system,
hopeful that this would be our passport to be
at par with our counterparts in Asia and other
developed countries.‖
In response, SDS Albaño stressed
no one should be left behind, schools
are ready as enrolment is now
going on, everyone is welcome in the Senior
High School . (ADiaz/PIA -Northern
Samar)
SoLeyte cacao growers, enthusiasts form council
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 18 (PIA) -- Farmers who have started planting quality cacao seedlings and those who are
still planning to venture in cacao production formed themselves into a council whose main look-out is to sustain interest in this
undertaking.
T his developed as the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial
office initiated a Cacao Industry
Business and Technology Forum April 29 at
Bal‘s Inn and Resort, municipality of Libagon,
attended by 180 active participants, mostly
farmers and entrepreneurs.
Before the day ended, the Southern
Leyte Cacao Industry Development Council
was born, chaired by a hands-on cacao farmer
from Sogod, Isidro Estrera, said Erwin Remojo,
a ranking DTI staff, during the Action Center
Kapihan sa PIA cable TV program taping
Tuesday.
The idea of forming a council was
suggested by Atty. Vic Barcelon, former
provincial board member, from Hinunangan,
who insisted that the DTI-sponsored forum
would be wasted if there will be no follow-up
activities, to ensure continuity of the heightened interest of the participants, Remojo
disclosed.
Co-Chair of the newly-organized cacao
development council was Provincial
Agriculturist Marina Gador for the government
side, and Edgar Felicilda from the private
sector, with the DTI provincial office serving as
the secretariat.
Members were the national line agencies
related with agriculture, the state university,
cooperatives, and farmers from every
municipality, including LGUs through their
respective agriculture officers.
Center of discussion during the forum
was the bright prospects and huge potential
lying ahead for the cocoa industry, both in the
local and international market as expounded by
expert speakers.
Among those invited to speak were Engr.
Edwin Banquerigo, assistant regional director
of DTI Region XI, on the topic National Cacao
Industry Roadmap: Profile, Plans, and
Investment Opportunities; Valente Turtur,
Executive Director, Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc.
(CIDAMI), Davao City, on topic Cacao
101: Basics of Cacao Production;
The topic, Loan Fund for Farm
D e v e l o p m e n t f o r P o c k e t
Farmer-Entrepreneurs, was discussed by Ma.
Linda Orsos, head of financing and capacity
building sector, Small Business Corporation,
Makati; Cacao Industry in Region 8 by Ma.
Delia Corsiga, Business Development Division,
DTI, Region 8;
KAANIB: Coconut-Cacao-Enterprise
Development Project, by Loreto Macabio, Jr.,
focal person of KAANIB Program, Philippine
Coconut Authority-Region 8; Kennemer
Cacao Growership Program, by Eric Albano,
Area Manager for Visayas, Kennemer Foods
International;
From the provincial government, Luz
Gaviola, In-Charge of high value crops
at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPAg), shed light on the existing Cacao
Production Project of the province, while
Mitzelyn Macapaz of LAMAC Multipurpose Cooperative based in Maasin City talked about
the on-going cacao production financing
scheme initiated by the cooperative. (mmp,
PIA8-Southern Leyte)
Marcelo Pedalino
Marcelo Pedalino
Ailene N. Diaz
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.
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Managing Editor
Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.
Contributors
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Production and Layout
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Regional Offices:
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