January 8, 2014 1

“in pursuit of PIA’s commitment to provide a national mechanism for the free flow of timely, accurate and relevant information… “

VOL 2 ISSUE 4 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 January 8, 2014

Wednesday is Immunization Day in LeyteStarting January 8, 2013, every

Wednesday will again be the Immunization Day in all health centers in the province of Leyte. The Department of Health, the World Health Organization and the UNICEF has partnered to bring back in the province of Leyte and the entire typhoon Yolanda affected areas, the usual practice as adopted in all parts of the country, of scheduling

the next schedule of immunization couldn’t be remembered, it is best that parents should consult the health workers, the DOH added. Immunization can save children’s lives. Because of the advances in medical science, the child can now be protected against more diseases than before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children have been eliminated completely and others are close to being gone primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. The standard routine immunization schedule for infants

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Huge cash donations from foreign non-government organizations

for survivors of typhoon Yolanda have been creating economic activities for the local economy of Tacloban City, the capital of the province of Leyte. Because of the generosity of these private groups and individuals, the economy of Tacloban is starting to bounce back because people have money to buy, thus creating demand for manufacturers. One of such organizations is the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation which to date has already poured in over P2 billion in cash donations. Since Tzu Chi Foundation’s arrival in Tacloban on November 15, the organization has achieved success with its Cash-for-Work

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Foreign NGO donations fuel Tacloban economy

Every Wednesday of the Week as immunization day. It is important to ensure the protection of all children against diseases through immunization, the World Health Organization said. After the calamity, the children are exposed to more health dangers that is why they should be protected against diseases, the UNICEF said. Meanwhile, the Department of Health calls on all mothers to have their children immunized at the Health Centers nearest them, starting January 8, Wednesday. If the immunization records have been lost or misplaced, or

Minister of Foreign Affairs Borge Brende of Norway hands-over a sack of rice seeds to one of the farmer beneficiaries during the distribution of agriculture inputs to communities affected by super typhoon Yolanda at Brgy. Can-abay, Basey, Samar, January 8. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

2 January 8, 2014

More assistance pours in to East Visayas Agri-sector

Assistance for the recovery and rehabilitation of the Yolanda ravaged

agriculture sector in Eastern Visayas continues to pour with more international and non-government organizations joining forces with the Department of Agriculture. Dr. Jenny Lyn Almeria of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 8 said that the Help Age International, an NGO which helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, committed to provide assistance to rice farmers through the provision of certified seeds. A total of 7,924 bags will be distributed to its prioritized areas in Leyte, including Albuera, Kananga, Matag-ob and Ormoc City. On the other hand, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which has been implementing developmental projects in the country and in the region in behalf of the German government committed to provide a total of 1,720 bags of certified rice seeds. Among the target beneficiaries are farmers in Barugo and Capoocan,

Leyte. Dr. Almeria noted that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Oxfam International have earlier stepped in to help the farmers in Leyte recover from production loss due to typhoon Yolanda.Meanwhile, four-wheel drive tractors from various regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) were brought to the region to help the farmers in clearing and in cultivating their lands. Two 90 Hp powered tractors from DA-RFO 10 were stationed in Alang-alang, Leyte to assist the local government unit delineate areas for land preparation. Furthermore, a 90 Hp tractor from DA-RFO 13 was sent to Dulag, Leyte to help the affected coconut farmers who wanted to engage in the production of corn, cassava and other cash crops. In addition, a 30 Hp tractor was assigned at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Leyte to assist in the establishment of a 10-hectare vegetable farm near the Leyte Academic Center, Palo, Leyte. Currently, a delegation from

BY: ERLINDA OLIVIA P. TIU

DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson (2nd from left) briefs the international donor agencies, concerned organizations and the media on the alleged controversial bunkhouses built by their department for the super typhoon Yolanda victims in the region during the shelter cluster meeting at the Leyte Sports Development Center, Tacloban City, January 11. (Vino R. Cuayzon/PIA-8)

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been dispatched to the region to conduct assessment of the typhoon’s damages to agricultural infrastructures and to look into how the agency could extend possible assistance. In a related development, the Gender and Development Program of DA-8 met recently with CARE Philippines and some representatives of women associations and farmers’ organizations from typhoon-affected areas for possible livelihood programs and other interventions for the women sector. Dr. Almeria gave the assurance that the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 8 never fails to keep in touch with the said organizations and the concerned local government units through the conduct of regular consultation meetings to harmonize and systematize the relief and rehabilitation efforts. According to the latest report, the damage to agriculture sector in Eastern Visayas has already reached a staggering amount of P18.8 billion. (PIA 8)

January 8, 2014 3Lawaan LGU leads in Core Shelter constructionThe municipality of Lawaan has

now started constructing the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) - assisted Core Shelter projects. This was learned from Ms. Cristy G. Cidro, overall coordinator for the International Non-Government Organizations meetings. Cidro informed that because of the fact that Lawaan owns a property for the relocation sites for the typhoon victims, it is the first LGU who is now leading in the construction of a number of Core Shelters, each costing some P100thousand.

The People in Need(PIN) has also signified their willingness to assist in building shelters for Yolanda victims, after LGUs have identified and given them the sites. She added that the ceremonial turn-over of the Bunkhouses, which was supposed to have taken place in December did not push through for some reasons. But she cited that most Bunkhouses beneficiaries opt to receive the emergency shelters as their sleeping quarters only due to the location problem since these are far from their means of livelihood. They are also reluctant to

Pintuyan LGU proposes alternate RORO port as more “saddle” vehicular accidents mounts

For the month of December 2013, at least three vehicular accidents were

reported to have occurred at the high risk “saddle”, the highest point of a mountain along the Maharlika Highway in Pintuyan area in route to Benit Ferry RORO Terminal Port in San Ricardo. According to Pintuyan Municipal Planning Officer Moncher Bardus, the local government of Pintuyan proposes for the development of a ferry, RORO port terminal in Brgy. Catbawan in Pintuyan, the second barangay before reaching the “saddle” point as an alternate port to transport vehicles, passengers to and from Mindanao Island for safe travel. “Hence commuters can avoid to traverse the high risk “saddle” point in order to bring them to Mindanao area through the ferry RORO port terminal in Benit, San Ricardo, the next town,” he said. He noted that the proposed ferry terminal port is doable since the area has been utilized by the Ital-Thai International Construction company as their base of

accept the communal comfort rooms which according to them is not safe for their girls and wives. Some INGOs have likewise commented on the poor ventilation of the Bunkhouses saying they are with sub-standard areas. It is for this reason that family-occupants should be limited to 12 instead of 24 per Bunkhouse, Cidro echoed. Bunkhouses are designed with 24 compartments for 24 families. INGOs suggest that other compartments be removed to give more spaces for the suggested 12 families. (PIA-Eastern Samar)

their shipments during the construction of the Maharlika Highway in Pana-on Island years ago. Last December 21, 2013, a local passenger bus, Clementina, whose brake system failed as it maneuvered along “saddle” point resulted to an accident and injured several passengers. One old passenger was reported later to have died due to hypertension, it was learned. A week later, two big vehicles, the

Bachelor Bus from Mindanao and an Elf-Cargo vehicle almost hit each other along the elbow-corner at the “saddle” point and caused both vehicles to got stuck at both sides of the road, he reported. While, a day after on December 29, another Elf-cargo vehicle bringing vegetables and fruits from Mindanao fell down deep into the ravine still along the “saddle” point, he further reported.(esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

BY: ERNA S. GORNE

4 January 8, 2014

Samar now enjoys stable power supply from Tongonan geo thermal plant

Samar province is now enjoying a stable electric power supply from the

Tongonan geothermal plant in Leyte. This was announced today by Dixon Bernales, Information Officer of the Samar Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO 2) in his radio program aired at DYMS, “Kaupod han Pag-gios, Samelco Dos”. It will be recalled that electric power supply in Samar was cut off due to the devastation caused by Super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013. From November 8 to November 28, Samarnons went on their daily lives without electricity and internet. Cell phone signals were restored after two days of having no communication at all. Yolanda destroyed power lines, transformers in Leyte, and in Samar where the coastal towns of Marabut, Basey and Sta Rita were hardly hit. Yolanda also flooded and whipped the Samelco 2 office in Basey, Samar where office equipment and some vehicles were damaged. Presently, only five barangays

in Basey have restored power lines. The Marabut town center is now enjoying electricity and most of its barangays in the highway. Samelco 2 acknowledged that with the combined efforts of Samelco 1 and guests Dagupan (Pangasinan) Electric Coop,and Nueva Ecija Electric Coop, they were able to source out electric power from Cebu on November 28, some 20 days after typhoon Yolanda toppled several power lines. “After five days of importing electric power from Cebu, the power plant in Tongonan, Leyte suddenly became alive,” Bernales announced on air. Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant generates and supplies electricity in Leyte and Samar. The company is based in Kananga,Leyte Samelco 2 meanwhile admitted that it is still in the process of restoring electricity in some parts of Sta Rita town and in remote barangays in Basey and Marabut, but vowed that the restoration effort will continue. (PIA 8-Samar)

BACK TO SCHOOL: Yolanda-affected school children in San Jose go back to school Monday, January 6 during the opening of classes where tents supplied by UNICEF are used as classrooms with learning and recreational materials and other facilities. (Photo by Vino Cuayzon/PIA-8)

North Samar DOH to conduct examinations for nurse deployment project applicants

The Department of Health Region8 declared the province of Northern

Samar filariasis-free during the exit conference for the transmission assessment survey (TAS) late last year, said Dr. Mary Ann Avalon, Provincial Health Officer. According to PIO Ms. Sylma Lutao, the survey was conducted on July to September 2013 to grades 1 and 2 pupils of 18 municipalities of the province. They only found 5 positive cases of filariasis which is under the cut-off of 18 and below cases to be declared a filariasis-free province. The survey was headed by Ms. Analiza Balila, the regional filariasis program coordinator of DOH. Dr. Avalon further said that there is a need to strengthen the border operation in the towns of Lope de Vega, San Isidro and Lapinig through mass drug administration against filariasis to prevent the spread of the disease. Ms. Linette Lapara, the provincial filariasis coordinator informed that the symptom of lymphatic filariasis is elephantiasis – painful, disfiguring swelling of the legs and genital organs. Lymphatic filariasis is infection with the filarial worms, these parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Extensive advocacy was done with massive distribution of anti filariasis meds from 2years old and above, Lapara further said. Lutao informed, that with the declaration of Northern Samar as filariasis-free province, the provincial government through Provincial Governor Jose Ong, Jr. will be awarded with a certificate and 1Million pesos. The provision of good health services is covered under the present

BY: TERESITA B. CARDENAS

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January 8, 2014 5in the Philippines is adopted to provide maximum immunity against the seven vaccine preventable diseases in the country before the child’s first birthday. The fully immunized child must have completed BCG 1, DPT 1, DPT 2, DPT 3, OPV 1, OPV 2, OPV 3, HB 1, HB 2, HB 3 and measles vaccines before the child is 12 months of age. The purpose of the recommended immunization schedule is to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. (PIA 8)

Wednesday is...from page 1

www.pia.gov.ph

Northern Samar, filariasis-free provinceThe Department of Health

Region8 declared the province of Northern Samar filariasis-free during the exit conference for the transmission assessment survey ( TAS) late last year, said Dr. Mary Ann Avalon, Provincial Health Officer. According to PIO Ms. Sylma Lutao, the survey was conducted on July to September 2013 to grades 1 and 2 pupils of 18 municipalities of the province. They only found 5 positive cases of filariasis which is under the cut-off of 18 and below cases to be declared a filariasis-free province. The survey was headed by Ms. Analiza Balila, the regional filariasis program coordinator of DOH. Dr. Avalon further said that

there is a need to strengthen the border operation in the towns of Lope de Vega, San Isidro and Lapinig through mass drug administration against filariasis to prevent the spread of the disease. Ms. Linette Lapara, the provincial filariasis coordinator informed that the symptom of lymphatic filariasis is elephantiasis – painful, disfiguring swelling of the legs and genital organs. Lymphatic filariasis is infection with the filarial worms, these parasites are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Extensive advocacy was done with massive distribution of anti filariasis meds from 2years old and above, Lapara further said. Lutao informed, that with

BACK TO SCHOOL. Manlurit Elementary School children were welcomed by this sign on Monday, January 6, 2014.

the declaration of Northern Samar as filariasis-free province, the provincial government through Provincial Governor Jose Ong, Jr. will be awarded with a certificate and 1Million pesos. The provision of good health services is covered under the present administration’s flagship program “CHANGE” which stands for Community empowerment, Health and nutrition, Agri-industry development, Natural resources management and co-tourism, Good governance and Education and Welfare. (PIA8-Northern Samar)

6 January 8, 2014

Pan-gobyernuhan ni Aquino komitido pagkarawat han ‘building back better’ principle aber makabulig han biktima han bagyo makahaw-as han krisisNagpapabilin an Aquino government

ka komitido pagkarawat han prinsipyo nga “building back better” kasunod han dako nga danyos ha pagtarap ni bagyo “Yolanda” han naglabay nga Nobyembre segun kan Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio

“Sonny” Coloma Jr. han Martes nga adlaw. Dida han regular press briefing ha Malacanang ginsabi han communications secretary nga hi Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III in nagpagawas hin direktiba nga maghimo hin comprehensive program pagbulig han mga komunidad

nga makahaw-as han krisis. Nag-mando hi Aquino pagbug-os hin task group aber mas malaksi an pitad tikang ha relief efforts tipakadto han full-scale rehabilitation ngan rebuilding ha mga lugar nga gintatarap ni Yolanda.Mapokus an task group hin lima nga prioridad sama han shelter ngan reconstruction, pakabuhi, resettlement ngan psycho-social care, panalipod han kalibungan ngan resource generation ngan allocation. “At hindi naman po natitinag ang commitment ng pamahalaan na isagawa ang rehabilitation and reconstruction na sumusunod po sa mga pamantayan ng integridad dahil ito naman po ang commitment ng ating pamahalaan na gawin ang mga ito sa ilalim ng mabuting pamamahala or good governance,” segun kan Coloma ha pulong nga Tagalog. Dako kaupay an distruso ngan epekto han makusog nga bagyo ha mga nag-uukoy ha mga baybay han Tacloban City ha Leyte, Samar ngan iba pa nga hagrani nga probinsya. Ginmanduan gihapon ni Presidente hi Environment Secretary Ramon Paje nga ig –imponer an reglamento nga nagdidire pagtukod hin commercial ngan residential structures dida han kabaybayunan. “Bukod pa riyan, naaalala ninyo ‘yung pagtatakda ng mga no-build zone, na hindi na dapat maulit ‘yung pamamahay sa tabi mismo ng pampang o sa coastline sapagkat i-strengthen po ang mga coastline na ‘yan—magkakaroon ng seawall, magkakaroon po ng mangrove reforestation—kaya ‘yung mga permanent resettlement site ay nasa mga lugar na malalayo sa coastline,”segun ha iya. (trans NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)

WARAY NEWS

January 8, 2014 7 Foreign NGO ...from page 1

aid distributions to conclude the emergency stage of relief work, with families receiving cash assistance of P15,000. Besides Cash-for-Work program, Tzu Chi International Medical Association and medical staff from Tzu Chi hospitals (from Taiwan) have carried out 4 large-scale medical services. In the form of mobile free clinic, the medical service is available to resident on-site. The free clinic has served more than 4,000 people accumulated. Moreover, the instant rice developed by Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association has come to great use in the afflicted areas without supply of water and electricity; a total number of 190,000 portions hot meals have been

provided. The nutritious instant rice has flavors of corn and vegetables. Since December 11th, Tzu Chi Foundation has built pre-fabricated classrooms in Tunga Central School and Sacred Heart School. An estimate of over 50 classrooms will be built. The pre-fabricated classroom can be used for 5 years. Good ventilation and safety measures are the design features. The classrooms projects hope for students to return to school and study in a safe space. To date, Tzu Chi Foundation has become the favorite and the byword of Yolanda victims in Tacloban. (PIA 8)

administration’s flagship program “CHANGE” which stands for Community empowerment, Health and nutrition, Agri-industry development, Natural resources management and co-tourism, Good governance and Education and Welfare. (PIA8-Northern Samar)

North Samar DOH...from page 4

Boxers of the Leyte Sports Academy, Tacloban City starts practicing for the Batang Pinoy 2014 national championships which will be held in Bacolod City on January 28-February 1, 2014. (ldl/PIA-8)

program starting on November 20th. In less than a month, 280,000 people have regained strength and cleaned their homes. Through the relief fund from Cash-for-Work with a high pay of P500 per day, the participants could face rising inflation and purchase materials for rebuilding. Already, 30,000 families have benefitted from the cash for work program. Tzu Chi was giving out P15 million a day which indeed, fuelling the local economy. The foundation was paying people to repair their houses and to help in the clean- up operations. After Typhoon Haiyan has devastated nearly all the houses by the seashore, Tzu Chi’s Cash-for-Work program covered areas from Anibong Elementary School to San Jose Barangay. Tzu Chi volunteers worked hand-in-hand with local residents on cleaning the streets of 70 barangays (districts). In working with Tacloban’s waste management plan, 40 trucks, several loaders, excavators and other heavy equipment were arranged to remove post-disaster debris in order to prevent pandemic diseases and rejuvenate the city’s vitality. Starting December 14, there were three days of large-scale

8 January 8, 2014

Yolanda survivors in Tanauan Leyte receive cash assistance from DSWD, WFP

A s par t of the recover y ef for ts of the nat ional government

and the I nternat ional Communit y, the Depar tment of Socia l Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the United Nat ions Wor ld Food Programme have distr ibuted Tuesday an emergenc y cash ass istance to a lmost 2 , 615 fami l ies in the Munic ipal i t y of Tanauan Leyte who are considered vulnerable people af fec ted by super t yphoon Yolanda. The inter vent ion is par t of the WFP ’s and DSWD ’s cont inuing suppor t to those hardly hi t by the t yphoon which targets benef ic iar ies of DSWD ’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pi l ip ino Program for t wo months. Secretar y Corazon “Dink y ” Sol iman sa id, they have brought now the par tnership into a higher level based on exper iences of other countr ies that cash t ransfers to the people themselves is one of the more ef fec t ive ways of empower ing the people and providing digni f ied rehabi l i tat ion and recover y because they decide what they do with the cash. “ We would l ike to ack nowledge, thank and real ly appreciate the par tnership that we had with the Wor ld Food Programme”, Sol iman said. For t wo months the Wor ld Food Programme wi l l provide P1,300 per month to ever y benef ic iar y who wi l l receive the amount on top of the regular cash grants that they are gett ing f rom

DSWD. As ide f rom cash ass istance 10 k i logram of r ice per household wi l l be provided to help af fec ted fami l ies to meet their minimum food requirements. Fur thermore, WFP Phi l ippines Representat ive and Countr y Direc tor Praven Agrawal sa id, the benef ic iar ies can use the money to buy other food i tems in order to have a balanced nutr i t ious meal .

DSWD secretary Dinky Soliman (center) announces that the World Food Program-Philippines through its representative and country director Praveen Agrawal (right) is adding cash assistance to the 4Ps beneficiaries during the turn-over ceremony as Tanauan mayor Pelagio Tecson (left) looks on. The activity was held at the town hall, January 7. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Hal f a mi l l ion benef ic iar ies of Pantawid Pamilyang Pi l ip ino Program in 60 munic ipal i t ies in Leyte, Samar and Panay is land is being targeted to be benif i ted by the par tnership. I t was learned that 255, 964 are beni f ic iar ies of Pantawid Pamilyang Pi l ip ino Program in region 8 . (P IA-8)

BY: CONSUELO ALARCON