Vol 5 Issue 45 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 November 9 - 15, 2015

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue DPWH highlights APEC-related infra projects

DOLE opens JobStart in D‘gte City

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Tacloban Mayor thanks nat‘l gov‘t for Yolanda help

NEIL D. LOPIDO

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 12 (PIA) – Taclobanons and attendees responded with a resounding applause

when Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez thanked the national government in his reconciliatory message during

the commemorative program on the second year of Yolanda Memorial.

―In behalf of the city of Tacloban, we would like to thank the national leadership including our President, for all the help

given to Tacloban,‖ Mayor Romualdez said. Romualdez has been criticizing publicly the rehabilitation

and recovery efforts of the national government in Tacloban for the past two years but said recently that it did not mean

he was ungrateful for all the help that were poured in to Tacloban.

―Minsan po nakakapagsalita kami ng mga maaanghang na salita pero at no given time were we ungrateful for all

the help that was given to us. Pasensya nalang po kung nakakapagsalita kami ng mga maaanghang dahil kami‘y tao

lamang at kami po‘y labis na nasaktan dahil masakit talaga ang nangyari sa amin,‖ he said.

Meanwhile, in his homily, Bishop Filomeno Bactol said

that ―concentrating so much on our pains can turn our hearts harder like stones, but suffering can be an opportunity not only

because good can come from it but also because our pain can bring us closer to Him.‖

Romualdez, who led the ceremonial unveiling of the Astrodome Memorial, thanked everyone, called for unity, and

reassured to continue to fight for a strong and resilient Taclobanons.

―Let this memorial be a symbol to all the leaders of the world, let us work hard for the future for the next

generation and let‘s always remind ourselves that in times of desperation we have our duty not only to our people but to

God, to always bring out the best in us and always love one another.‖

Other commemorative activities held during the second year anniversary of Yolanda include the unveiling of the

Shipwreck Memorial in Anibong, commemorative walk, commemorative tablet unveiling at the DZR airport, Holy Mass

and blessing of the graves of Yolanda victims at the Holy Cross memorial in Brgy. Basper and candlelight memorial. (aen/PIA-8)

By Leonard T. Pineda I

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA6) --- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-6 highlighted several

infrastructure projects here which contributed to Iloilo City‘s successful hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

(APEC) meetings in September and October. The Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), which served as

the venue for the APEC ministerial and side meetings, is the only stand-alone convention center within the Iloilo Business

Park in Iloilo City‘s Mandurriao district. The P700-million worth edifice is part of the effort to

ensure the development and promotion of tourism particularly in the city and province of Iloilo, in Region 6 and the other

Visayas provinces. The ICON aims to draw local and international guests

for large-scale conventions and other important events and put the country on the business tourism map.

The Sen. Benigno Aquino (SBA), Jr. Avenue project, which spans 15.60 kilometers from Jct. General Luna Street,

Iloilo City up to the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town, involved the widening of the concrete pavement in both

directions to expand to an eight-lane carriageway from the original six lanes.

The project also included the provision of bicycle/walk lanes, a two-lane service road, sidewalks, and drainage system.

The Dungon Bridge project, along Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. Avenue, is a component of the improvement/widening of

Iloilo-Jaro Diversion Road which is aimed to reduce traffic congestion.

This bridge project has provided a smooth access to the

new Iloilo International Airport and the rising Iloilo Business

Park being developed by Megaworld. The construction of Iloilo International Airport

Service Road in Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara here provided unhampered flow of vehicles going in and out of the airport,

thereby ensuring smooth access to the New Iloilo International Airport.

Meanwhile, the ongoing Muelle Loney Bridge project, also known as Drilon Bridge located along Iloilo City-Lapuz Road

over Iloilo River, will provide additional access to the new Iloilo Ferry Terminal, making it more accessible to its

users. The project will also help decongest traffic along the

North Marginal Wharf Road, the only access road to the ferry terminal at present. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Leandria P. Pagunsan

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA)—JobStart Philippines in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) Asian Development Bank (ADB), Government of Canada and the local government of Dumaguete City

through the Public Employment Service Office PESO) launched recently JobStart Phils at the Manhattan Suites Inn, Dumaguete

City. JobStart Phils rolled out the selection criteria in choosing

the regions with high unemployment and underemployment rates, presence of business establishments that provide

potential employment for the youth, must have an institutionalized PESO that will make JobStart as a priority

program, and commitment of Local Government Executives to support the program.

Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) said that JobStart is for young people

who are 18-24 years old, at least high school graduate, no job

experience or have no more than one year of experience and currently not employed or not enrolled in school or in any

training. Tutay further said JobStart aims to establish a modern

full-cycle employment services at the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Dumaguete City, Maria Socorro Mira said that at least 8

employers signified to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with DOLE-BLE for 100 JobStarters in Dumaguete

City. Though, employment situation in the country is

improving and to avoid job mismatch, Tutay said the jobStart program will help identify the right labor market and skills of

jobseekers in their respective locality. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Private-Public Partnership: Provincial Planning

and Development Coordinator Julie Cepe

lauds the participation of Civil Society

Organizations (CSO) in local governance at a

Stakeholders Forum held to culminate the

project 'Strengthening Social Accountability

Mechanism in Local Governance in Antique', a

partnership project of Antique Federation on

Non-Government Organizations and European

Union. The 4-year project started in 2012,

covering nine towns namely San Remigio,

Laua-an, Valderrama, Barbaza, Bugasong,

Patnongon, Tibiao, Culasi and Hamtic. (PSM/

PIA6 Antique)

A press conference was held November 10 at

Radisson Blu Hotel with ( l-r) Philippine Ports

Authority General Manager Juan C. Sta Ana,

APEC Port Services Network (APSN)

President Tim Meisner, and Secretary General

Fei Weijun on Improving Port and Supply

Chain Connectivity after the Council meeting

and Workshop of APSN. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez and wife,

Councilor Cristina Romualdez led recently the

unveiling of the Astrodome Memorial.

Tacloban City Astrodome housed the most

number of evacuees in Tacloban when super

typhoon Yolanda devastated the city and

Eastern Visayas two years ago. (PIA-8)

After the APEC meetings, the ICON will serve as venue for other big

conventions and major events until the end of this year, part of Iloilo’s

sustained drive to boost the local tourism sector. (PIA-6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Yolanda victims assured of quality houses

By Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA6) — The Iloilo Provincial Government assured that it has facilitated building and resettlement of

quality houses for Yolanda victims in Iloilo.

D r . Rau l Ban i a s , p rov i n c i a l

administrator made the assurance

in a radio interview, as the

province remembered the second anniversary

of the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in

2013.

Banias said that through the

Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery

Program, the province received about

P26 billion for the building of some 42,000

houses.

The building and resettlement was

easier in towns where the local

government units had lots available or acquired

right away.

―The delay was due to problems in land

acquisition for resettlement,‖ Banias said,

adding that there are lots of clearances needed

for the acquisition of lots.e

―This is true for beneficiaries in the

‗no-build zone‘ that had to be relocated to a

safer area,‖ he further said.

Banias said the housing project was

not just for northern Iloilo but about 80

percent are in the fifth district hardest-hit by

Yolanda.

The towns of Dumangas, Banate, Passi,

San Enrique and Calinog also benefitted.

He revealed that the provincial

government has received housing assistance

from non-government organizations, civil

society groups and foreign governments,

like the British Red Cross, which turned

over 500 houses in Ajuy, Balasan, and San

Dionisio.

The Ayala Foundation has also

turned over permanent typhoon-resilient

houses in Estancia, while SM Cares

turned over the same in the town of

Concepcion.

Meanwhile, the National Housing

Authority said it has constructed

more or less 5 ,000 houses in

identified Yolanda-hit areas in Iloilo. (JCM/ESS/

PIA-Iloilo)

Social accountability boosts CSOs participation in local governance

SAN JOSE, Antique, Nov. 9 (PIA6) - - The social accountability mechanism crafted by the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

in partnership with Antique Federation on Non-government Organizations (AFON) and European Union has gained positive

results toward CSOs participation in Local Governance.

I n a f o r u m a t t e n d e d b y

stakeholders, Marilou Llavan,

Chair of the Board of AFON at

the same time Program Director of

the Antique Human Development

Program said the project ‗Strengthening

Social Accountability Mechanisms in

Local Governance‘ has enhanced

meaningful participation of CSOs

in the undertakings of the local

government.

T h e t h r e e - y e a r p r o j e c t

that commenced in 2012 has given

AFON and its member NGOs, Civil

Soc ie t y groups and peop le ‘ s

organizations capabi l ity building

activities and the opportunity to take

part in the affairs of the LGUs as

provided for under the Local Government

Code.

The nine towns involved in this

project are San Remigio, Laua-an,

Valderrama, Barbaza, Bugasong,

Patnongon, Tibiao, Culasi and Hamtic.

In a report, CSO‘s accreditation to

local special bodies in all towns have

increased from 178 in 2012 to 230 CSOs

in 2015. CSO‘s participation to local

development councils and local special

bodies is also a strategy to present the

needs of the grassroots/marginalized

sectors.

Particularly mentioned was the active

involvement of CSOs in the formulation of

Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan and

Bottoms Up Budgeting or BUB in their

respective municipalities.

Likewise, Provincial Planning and

Development Coordinator Julie Cepe

lauded the empowerment made by the

project to people‘s organizations in

lobbying for their needs to be included in

the local development and investment

programs.

AFON member NGOs involved in

this project are Antique Development

Foundation, Antique Human Development

Program, Antique Federation of

Cooperatives, Hantique Igkabuhi

Center-Hublag Evelio and PROCESS

Foundation. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

PEMO: State of wildlife in Neg.Occ. is ‗in-between‘

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 10 (PIA6) - - Provincial Environment Management Officer lawyer Wilfred Ramon Peñalosa said

the state of the wildlife in the province is ―in-between‖.

P eñalosa said this in an interview after

the opening of the 11th Provincial

Wildlife Month Photo Exhibit at the

3rd Floor of the Robinsons Place Bacolod

which will run until November 15.

―There are parts that the biodiversity is

increasing while there are certain parts that it

is decreasing rapidly especially at the North

Negros Natural Park where most of the

photos used in the exhibit were taken,‖

Peñalosa said.

In the 80,000-hectare NNNP, according

to Peñalosa, there are areas that are very

strong in protecting the forest cover while, he

admits there are also areas that weak in

protection.

―The state now is 'in-between' and

so we need to balance the trend if not increase

biodiversity,‖ Peñalosa added.

According to Peñalosa, the 11th Wildlife

Month celebration is trying to involved as many

stakeholders as possible to save what is

endangered and protect what we have by

getting as many people involved.

The Photo Exhibit showcased works of

amateur to professional photographers, locals

to foreigners as well as volunteers of

Non-Government Organizations, bank

managers and pilots.

―We placed the photo exhibit inside the

mall because people go to the mall.

The photo exhibit is here because we

want to show people that anybody who has

the eye and the heart for nature can show and

tell a story on what it is all about,‖ Peñalosa

added.

The celebration‘s theme is ―Preventing

Extinction through Wildlife Education and

Awareness‖.

―I call on the Negrenses to be

involved especially in protecting the

environment.

Practical things can be done to

contribute to the change, small little things

for the environment can have multiplier

effect and the impact will be great,‖

Peñalosa added. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros

Occidental)

By Easter Anne D. Doza

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 11 (PIA6) – Police officers are currently undergoing an intensive training to enhance their capability

and skills on investigation.

C apiz Police Provincial Director Robert

Rodriguez said that a total of 75 police

officers in Capiz are taking the 32-day

Criminal Investigation Course to improve their

investigation capabilities.

The police officers come from the

different municipal and city police stations

including those from the Capiz Police

Provincial Office here.

Rodriguez said that one of the priorities

of the Philippine National Police is to improve

the investigative skills and capabilities of the

police officers in order to attain the

highest degree of professionalism among all

PNP investigators.

In a message of PNP Regional

director Bernardo Diaz read by Regional

Investigation & Detection Management

Division Assistant Chief Jomil John Trio

during the recent opening ceremony here,

he s tres sed the impor tance o f

knowledge and skills in doing investigation

report.

The criminal investigation course is

being handled by the personnel from the PNP

Regional Office 6 and Capiz PPO. (JCM/CPPO/

JBG-PIA6)

Training for 75 police investigators on

Jemin B. Guillermo

KALIBO, AKLAN, Nov. 8 (PIA6) – The Philippines is ready to protect its consumers towards a single market by the end of 2015.

I n a press conference dubbed ―DTI

meets the media on Consumerism‖ held

recently at Hernani‘s Mix ‗n Match,

Kalibo, Aklan, Ronald Calderon, Trade Industry

Development Specialist of Consumer

Protection Advocacy Bureau, said that

Philippines is ready for the full implementation

of consumer protection in ASEAN Economic

Community by end of 2015.

―To be ready for the full implementation

of consumer protection in the integrated

market, there are three things that are need to

be doneby the ASEANMember States (AMS),‖

Calderon said.

To be ready for AEC 2015 in consumer

protection, the AMS should strengthen the

consumer protection in ASEAN through

establishment of the ASEAN Committee on

Consumer Protection (ACCP)

Recently, an ACCP meeting was held in

Jakarta, Indonesia, which the Philippines had

attended.

Calderon also said that AMS should

establish network of consumer protection

agencies to facilitate information sharing and

exchange.

In the Philippines, the Department of

Trade and Industry is the Focal Agency and the

country has been doing it since 2011.

The third requirement Calderon stated

was the ACCP should organize regional

training courses for consumer protection for

officials and leaders in preparation for the

integrated ASEAN market.

―Our country participates in the capability

building yearly and actually just last year I

attended the training in Vietnam,‖ Calderon

added.

The Philippines, according to Calderon,

had already met the aforesaid three

requirements making the country ready for

implementation.

―Our country has accomplished the

three objectives already, and having so,

I can say that we are ready in the AEC in

the aspect of consumer protection by the

end of 2015,‖ Calderon said. (JSC/SQP-PIA6

Aklan)

PHL set for AEC consumer protection

implementation

By Sheila Q. Patoza

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA6) - - The tourism industry of the island province of Guimaras has been flourishing for the past

three years.

Guimaras tourism industry thriving

By Lilibeth A. French

I n his State of the Province Address

(SOPA), Governor Samuel Gumarin

reported that tourist arrivals in the

province increased by 15.51 percent from 63,

921 in 2013 to 73, 833 in 2014 generating an

income of P1.2 billion which was spread among

various tourism stakeholders.

Just this year, from April 10 to May 22,

the province‘s Manggahan Festival and the

Manggahan sa Kabanwahanan recorded a total

of 55, 029 visitors‘ arrival bringing in tourism

receipts amounting to P27.5 million.

Correspondingly, the total gross sales of

the Manggahan Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair

rose from P7.3 million in 2014 against P10.7

million this year. In 2012, the fair‘s recorded

gross sales was P6.9 million and in 2013 some

P4.7 million.

Gumarin said the province remains

focused on improving its tourism industry, one of its major economic drivers, and in its bid to

become the agri-tourism capital of Western

Visayas.

Some of the recent initiatives undertaken

by the provincial government to boost the

industry include bringing its biggest

festival, Manggahan Festival, to the five

municipalities of the province starting last

year.

In the third quarter of this year, seven

hotels in the island were accredited by the

Department of Tourism.

Roads leading to the recognized

tourism sites in the province were also

improved.

―And with the equally strong leadership of

Congressman JC Rahman Nava, through the

Department of Public Works and Highways,

most of our national roads are now concretely

paved and will be 100% functional by 2016,‖

said Gumarin.

Activities were also implemented to

help improve the competitiveness and

sustainability of Guimaras economy through

the Guimaras Investment Code, its

Implementing Rules and Regulations, technical

assistance and capacity enhancement, and scaled up market linkages which resulted to

more than 600% increase from its 2013

recorded investments.

The primary investors were the Trans

Asia Renewable Energy Corporation with their

wind farm in San Lorenzo and the gasoline

stations in the five municipalities.

There were also 2,182 registered

businesses including 329 new enterprises.

Gumarin said the province also has helped

local entrepreneurs to participate in 13 trade

fairs nationwide to showcase their locally made

products which generated total gross sales of

P2.8 million.

Recognizing its strong commitment to a

holistic eceonomic development, the

Department of Labor and Employment has

declared the province as a Labor Law

Compliant Tourist Destination. Certificates of

Compliance on Labor Standards and

Occupational Safety and Health Services were

also awarded to its five municipalities.

The Association of Tourism Officers of

the Philippines (ATOP) also cited two projects

of Guimaras during its recent 16th National

Convention in Davao City. Awarded 1st

runners-up were the Bike Paradise of the Philippines Project for Best Tourism Event

(Adventure Category) and Barangay San

Roque Community-Based Rural Tourism

(CBRT) Suba Malawig Eco-Tour project

for the Community-Based Responsible

Tourism-Enterprise Category. (JCM/LAF/

PIA6-Iloilo)

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

BOHOL, Nov. 6 (PIA) – Environmental activists and members of the Bohol Nature Conservation Society (BONACONSO)

calls for accountability and responsibility from concerned agencies on the issues of environmental violations from resort

establishments along the foreshores of Tagbilaran Channel.

Activist calls for accountability on foreshore violations

I n a r e c e n t K a p a i h a n s a

PIA, environmental act iv ist Pat

Ruiz pointed out that the gross

violations along the foreshores of Tagbilaran

Channel should have been acted long

ago. Ruiz alleged that the environment

department in Bohol is shuffling its feet.

Ruiz said, "We have already sent our

letter of opposition to the ongoing reclamation

projects by establishments in Tagbilaran

years back."

Its opposition however, did not merit

any response from the mandated

agency. Ruiz along with another city

resident Zen Darunday pointed out that every

delayed action means more and more

violations.

BONACONSO a lso wants to

exact responsibility from the environmental

abuse for the widening reclamation that would

soon close the public access to recreational

and livelihood areas in shorelines.

In 2012 BONACONSO, along with the

DENR and some interest environment groups,

non-government organizations and some

private citizens conducted a delineation

survey and found that about 22.02% of the

entire foreshore areas have been reclaimed

that amounted to 8.369 hectares, Ruiz pointed

out.

The subject reclamations then were all

applied for permits but the nature conservation

society members cited gross violations in the

actual reclamation from the applied area.

When the Alturas Group of Companies

applied for .398 hectares then, it has now

reclaimed about .5 hectares already, according

to Ruiz.

She also named Bohol Quality

Corporation that applied for 2.327 hectares

but actually dumped wider with 5.6 hectares of

reclaimed land.

This year, the group that came to the

Kapihan urged government to help them do

another survey, considering that they have

noticed more blatant violations, which can be

considered bad precedent.

―Where are the environment perspectives

of our leaders, why have they not acted on

these [violations], Ruiz asked and pleaded for

local government units to look at the

environment vis a vis development so as not to

deprive the next generations to come. (mbcn/

rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CEBU CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) – The province of Cebu did well in its rehabilitation efforts after being wrecked by typhoon Yolanda

two years ago.

Cebu Capitol commemorates Yolanda

anniversary

C ebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale in

her opening remarks during the Yolanda

Commemoration at the Provincial Capitol

said Cebu had succeeded after being wrecked by

the typhoon.

―Cebu did very well in coping,‖ Magpale

said.

When asked whether it is right to

commemorate a catastrophe, Magpale answered

"Yes we will commemorate a catastrophe because

from there we knew strength, we gained friends

and we learned from our mistakes.‖

Ten national government agencies including

the Cebu Province took turns reporting

accomplishments and issues encountered in the

rehabilitation of the 16 affected local government

units. These include Department of Agriculture

(DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),

Department of Environment and Natural

Resources (DENR), Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department

of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National

Housing Authority (NHA), Department of

Science and Technology (DOST), Department of

Health (DOH), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources (BFAR) and the National Economic

Development Administration (NEDA).

The Mayors who attended were Bogo City

Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., Borbon Mayor

Bernard Sepulveda, Tabogon Mayor Zigfred

Duterte, Madridejos Mayor Salvador de la Fuente

and Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie Monyeen Durano.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III in the

closing remarks defended the allocation of over

P24 million disaster risk reduction contingency

fund which has been criticized by opponents.

―That amount is barely P500,000 if divided

for the 51 municipalities and the component

cities, it will include plans and trainings which is

very vital for future use,‖ Davide said.

The province spent P269 million in 2014 and

P148 million for 2016 solely for Yolanda related

spending.

Most of those released were financial

assistance to affected barangays in the 16 LGU‘s

and for agriculture, livelihood, health and other

social services. The Mayors and other officials

were also able to ask and inquire directly to the

national agencies involved. The Yolanda

Commemoration with its theme ―Convergence:

Key to Shared Accountability and Commitment‖

was organized by the Provincial Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Office led by Baltazar

Tribunalo. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

VALENCIA, Negros Oriental, Nov. 9 (PIA) – About 50 children/participants from barangays Caidiocan, Malaunay,

West Balabag, Jawa, Palinpinon, Malabo, Pulang Bato, Balayagmanok, Puhagan, Dobdob, Balili, Bongbong and Sagbang

of Valencia town attended the two-day youth camp for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) organized by the municipal

government of Valencia.

Valencia LGU organizes 2-day youth camp for CICL

T he event dubbed ―Apil Pod Mi: I

believe I can,‖ was held on

November 7 and 8 at the Valencia

Central School but the opening ceremony was

conducted at the town‘s rural health unit.

According to Valencia town Councilor

Elsie Dagoy, the purpose of the event is

help these kids improve their self-esteem and

to make them feel that they are not neglected

and the municipal government also cares

for them. ―Most of them have no parents,

some live in parks and are always hungry,‖ she

noted.

Dagoy who chairs the municipal

g o v e r n m e n t ‘ s c o m m i t t e e o n

children underscored that they were

able to impart to these kids that they

have a brighter future rather than being

run after by police or getting chastised by

their barangay captains. ―We hope that with

this workshop, these kids will change,‖ she

added.

Apart from CICL, some of the

participants were also children with disabilities.

The two-day youth camp was facilitated

by the Gaba-an Youth Lead (GYL), an

organization that is expert on handling youth

camps.

GYL head Dennis Caballero said their

team will apply the self-worth ―Tatak Selfie‖

module in this youth camp to help kids boost

their self-confidence.

Part of the module is spiritual formation

of these kids. She then disclosed that another

batch of CICL will undergo the same youth

camp on December 7 and 8.

―This is just the beginning, maybe next

year we will conduct a leadership training

workshop for these kids,‖ Dagoy revealed.

Aside from this, Dagoy also is open to the

idea of interviewing these kids and ask them if

they are interested to go to school. She

shared that the municipal government has a

scholarship program which these kids can avail.

(mbcn/ral/PIA7-NegOr)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) – Over 100 delegates from the Philippines and other APEC economies are in Cebu recently for the

three day workshop initiated by APEC Port Services Network (APSN) which reports to the APEC Transportation Working

Group.

C ebu hosts the 8th Asia Pacific

Economic Cooperation (APEC) Port

Services workshop on port and supply

chain.

The participants are seaport and supply

chain ministers of member economies including

50 decision makers from the Philippines.

Philippine Port Authority (PPA) General

Manager Juan Sta. Ana said this year‘s workshop is

an enhanced effort of APSN to explore the port

and supply chain connectivity that would contrib-

ute to APEC‘s priority of enhancing the regional

economic integration agenda.

He said it will also provide an excellent

platform for Asia-Pacific port authorities,

maritime industries and relevant international

organizations for information exchange and best

practice sharing.

Other than that Sta. Ana said the Workshop

also provides an invaluable opportunity to

network and discuss port and supply chain

connectivity with key governmental, industrial

and academic officials form a number of APEC

economies.

Tim Meisner, Council President of APSN

said that a common discussion among all member

economies is the establishment of green ports in

answer to the call of environment conservation.

Fei Weijun, of China and is APSN

Secretary General said other than green ports,

they are also discussing measures on port safety

and security.

Cebu Port Authority General Manager

Edmund Tan said the scheduled Workshop allows

for multiple opportunities for attendees to

learn more about the users perspective

on how to improve port and supply chain

connectivity.

―These would include users like shippers,

shipping lines, freight forwarders, terminal

operators, railway companies, trucking

companies, inland waterway transport, feeder

service operators and international organization

for ports,‖ Tan said.

ASPN holds annual workshop in one

of the ASPN member economies in order to

present and discuss topics relevant to port and

port related sectors.

In 2014 the ASPN Workshop was held in

Seattle USA. Next year it will be in Indonesia.

(mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Port and supply chain connectivity among

APEC members discussed in Cebu

Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

BOHOL, Nov. 9 (PIA) — Employer agencies seeking to fill in vacant positions are coming to Bohol on November 27 for a

Jobs' Fair at the Bohol Cultural Center (BCC) and intends to hire skilled workers related to fields of construction manning,

engineering, medical fields, business process outsourcing and call center operations.

Applicants to pre-register for Bohol jobs fair

T he fair also seeks to fill vacant posts

in hotel and restaurant operations

and management , sa les and

merchandizing, retailing, manufacturing and

general administrative tasks and operations,

according to Bohol Employment Placement

Officer (BEPO) in charge, Maria Vilma Yorong.

BEPO, a satellite office of the Office of the

Governor has been coordinating and

promoting jobs especially that Bohol still has in

its saddles a considerable unemployment and

underemployment issues. The fair which opens

from 8:00 to 4:00 PM Friday, November 27 at

the BCC, however, needs all the job applicants

pre-registered.

Pre-registration allows for the fair to run

smoothly as it operates on the assumption that

all those coming for the jobs fair have already

proper work documents and would be ready

for immediate deployment, BEPO said.

Pre-registration sites are located at the

GO-BEPO at the former DepEd Bohol Division

Office at the CPG Sports Complex, at the

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

PEU at CPG North Avenue near Cocoa Cola

Plant and at the Public Employment Service

Office housed at the municipal halls of towns,

where registration cards can be had, according

to BEPO. At the pre registration, prospective

workers need to bring comprehensive resume

and biodata, 2 x 2 pictures, diploma, transcript

of records, school form 138, TESDA

certificates, training and employment

certificates, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance,

Barangay clearance and passports.

The November 27 jobs fair is sponsored

by GO-BEPO with the DOLE-POEA, DSWD-

SLP and BAPESOM, separate sources

said. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov. 8 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Dumaguete Branch has reiterated its call on the

public that the old peso bills can only be used for buying and payments until December 31 this year.

W ith this, Dr. Gregorio Baccay III of

BSP urged the public to exchange

their old money called New Design

Series (NDS) with the New Generation

Currency (NGC).

Baccay said the old banknotes or NDS

will no longer be accepted for monetary

transactions starting January 1, 2016.

―But these old banknotes can still be

swapped in commercial banks or here in BSP,

with the NGC Series at full face, without

charge,‖ said Baccay.

Thus, from January 1, 2016 until

December 31, 2016, NDS banknotes can no

longer be used in day-to-day transactions to

pay for goods and services.

Starting January 1, 2017 the NDS

will be fully demonetized or without monetary

value.

The NGC have more and enhanced security features to protect the safety of the

public against counterfeiters.

The demonetization process of the old

banknotes is in line with the provisions of

Section 57 of Republic Act No. 7653,

otherwise known as the New Central Bank

Act, which authorizes the BSP to replace

banknotes that are more than 5 years old.

The old banknotes have been in

circulation for almost three decades.

Meanwhile, Energy Development

Corporation (EDC) has presented the

highlights of its 2014 sustainability performance

as well as consulted the different stakeholder

groups in Negros Oriental on what they

want the company to disclose in its 2015

Performance Report.

According to EDC‘s corporate

communication officer Frances Ariola, the

stakeholder consultation and reporting are

voluntary and in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability

reporting framework that EDC is using in its

annual performance report.

―This integrates the company's

financial performance with its sustainability

(environmental, social and governance)

performance as measured through the GRI's

key performance indicators,‖ said Ariola.

The Amsterdam-based GRI organization

defines sustainability reports as the key

platform for communicating sustainability

performance and impacts – whether positive

or negative--to its stakeholders.

This integrated report represents

EDC's deep commitment to the inclusive

growth of its partner communities and the

preservation of the environment in areas

where it operates.

A copy of EDC's 2014 Performance

Report can be obtained from its sustainability

reporting site: http://www.energy.com.ph/sustainability. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

BSP says old peso bills good until December 2015

BY JENNIFER C. TILOS

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Ombudsman leads 1st caravan of gov‘t services

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 7 (PIA) - In an effort to bring government services closer to the people, the Office of

Ombudsman Visayas led on Thursday the first caravan of government agencies in Region 8.

T he caravan was first held in Hernani,

Eastern Samar.

According to Atty. Eduardo

Kangleon, Acting Director, Ombudsman No.

VIII, the caravan which has become one of the

major activities of their agency, ―aims to

establish rapport and confidence so that,

people will see the government not as a distant

entity but as a caring body".

But why Hernani, when it is some three

hours land trip from Tacloban, besides, other

poor municipalities are there found along the

three-hour route to the place.

Atty. Kangleon said the direction to

Hernani spawned from the town mayor, Edgar

Boco‘s inquiry in their office, in behalf of the

―Yolanda‖ survivors who, after two years of

devastation, have not benefited yet from the

Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) as a

government program. ―It‘s been two years and it is sad to note

that there are still survivors wallowing in

abnormal living conditions in temporary

shelters and bunkhouses,‖ he said. ―However,

I was also informed that, such things happen

because the distribution of the ESA is in

accordance to certain guidelines which must be

followed, so, that‘s the main reason‖, he added.

Realizing that Hernani is second poorest

town in Eastern Samar, with 23.2% poverty

incidence, next to McArthur (53.4%), the

Ombudsman deemed it necessary to do the

caravan first in the area, adding that it was the

second most devastated town by super

typhoon ―Yolanda‖.

In effect, close to 800 patients before

noon on November 5, have availed of varied

health services, right at the town plaza where

military and police dentists did some tooth

extraction and consultations and referrals by

medical doctors.

Other services included granting of Postal

I.D.s by Philippine Post Office, PhilHealth

payments, distribution of vegetable seeds by

D.A., advices to barangay officials on their

Internal Revenue Allotment(IRA) by DBM,

correction of entries in school records by DepEd, offering of jobs to laborers and masons

by Yacal Construction through DPWH, and

selling of rice at P27.00 a kilo by NFA. TESDA

likewise offered free haircut to Hernani folks.

In his message, Deputy Ombudsman

for the Visayas, Atty. Paul Clemente said,

what can be more glorious than working to-

gether as a people, teaching each other, crying

for one another, laughing with one

a n o t h e r , h e a l i n g o n e a n o t h e r ,

entertaining one another, worshipping with

one another.‖

Director Leonardo Sibbaluca of

DENR 8 for his part, said that the Caravan

should be sustained so that, there can be

immediate check and balance between

government project implementors and

beneficiaries.

Sibbaluca said this during the conference

with the regional directors and project

implementors, where there was mention of a

number of permanent shelters which have not

been implemented.

It was learned later from the NHA

representative that the project had been

bidded out and ground breaking was soon to

follow. For a fifth class municipality like Hernani,

Ombudsman Clemente concluded that it is

never impossible to move the place to a better

strata.

With all the government entities gathered,

he figuratively compared the town to a child,

being reared by an entire village. (PIA-08)

DILG distributes patrol jeeps to 40 Leyte LGUs TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 9(PIA) – Brand new patrol jeeps were distributed Friday by the Department of Interior and

Local Government (DILG) to 40 municipalities in the Province of Leyte that will be used in law enforcement and emergency

response operations.

S ecretary Mel Senen Sarmiento of the

Department of Interior and Local

Government led the blessing and

distribution of the patrol jeeps at the DZR

Airport grounds, this city.

Sarmiento said the vehicles will help the

law enforcers in their one-time big time

operations to neutralize illegal activities

resulting to crime rate reduction.

For his part, Sr. Supt. Franco Simborio,

Leyte police provincial director, said that the

distribution of the brand patrol jeeps is very

timely for the realization of the PNP‘s ―Lambat

Sibat Program‖ which is proven to be very

effective in the integral operational function of

the PNP.

―We are very thankful that finally all

municipal police stations under Leyte police

provincial office will have the opportunity to

enhance their police operations through the

new patrol jeeps from the national

government,‖ Simborio said.

In behalf of the people of Leyte, Leyte

Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla

thanked the national government for the patrol

jeeps. He believes this will boost the

anti-criminality campaign of the PNP with

the hope to lessen the crime incidence in the

province.

The 40 brand new patrol jeeps are in

addition to the patrol jeeps procured by the

PNP to be distributed to 1, 490 police stations

in the country.(ajc/PIA8)

Red Cross completes 80% of projects in Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov.11 (PIA) --- Almost 80 percent of the projects/interventions undertaken by the Philippine Red

Cross in Yolanda affected areas in Leyte was accomplished two years after the super typhoon struck the region.

T he accompl ishments inc lude

humanitarian intervention through

emergency assistance, shelter,

livelihood, WASH, health and Education.

In his presentation report Sunday, PRC

Chairman Richard Gordon reported that of

the 66, 011 homes built for typhoon Yolanda

victims amounting to Php2.2 billion, half of

these equivalent to 30, 000 homes were

completed in Leyte.

Red Cross also provided livelihood

assistance to 59, 218 households in Yolanda

affected areas; 20, 198 families in Leyte

benefitted this, more than what is being target-

ed which is only 19, 161 families.

It also reached 90, 779 families

with cash relief assistance during the

emergency phase; rehabilitated and

constructed 410 classrooms amounting to

Php68, 593, 112. 65.

Of the 151 target classrooms in Leyte, 88

classrooms were completed.

Not only that, Philippine Red Cross also

extended assistance on healthcare, hygiene,

sanitation and disaster risk reduction.

But the work of the men and women of

PRC did not end there.

According to Gordon, PRC continues to

move forward in achieving its commitment to

countless families affected by Yolanda.

In the 2nd Yolanda anniversary

commemoration, PRC officials revisited the

various provinces hit by the typhoon to check

on the progress of its efforts which according

to them a ceaseless recovery and renewal to

all survivors. (ajc/PIA8)

CONSUELO B. ALARCON

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

Airline company considers So. Leyte

Panan-awan airport route

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- A subsidiary of an established airline company has declared its intention

to ply the Maasin-Manila air traffic as soon as the safety concerns of the Panan-awan airport in this city shall have been

addressed.

T his was learned from a letter dated

October 19, 2015 by Michael Ivan

Shau, President and CEO of Cebu

Pacific, addressed to Gov. Roger Mercado and

marked received by the Governor‘s Office

October 29.

Copies of the letter were distributed to

members of the local media in a press

conference with Gov. Mercado at the Kinamot

sa Abgao restaurant October 30.

―We wish to thank you for the letter sent

by your office to Mr. Lance Y. Gokongwei

requesting Cebu Air, Inc. (‗Cebu Pacific‘) to

operate flights from Manila to Maasin using

turbo propeller aircraft.

―Cebgo, Inc. (‗Cebgo‘), a wholly-owned

subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, would most likely

be the operator of flights from Manila to

Maasin and Maasin to Manila, with its fleet of

ATR 72-500 aircraft,‖ Shau wrote.

In his letter, Shau mentioned the

findings of Cebu Pacific‘s Safety and

Technical Team which conducted a survey

and inspection in September last year,

such as the provision of a Category 5 Rescue

and Fire Fighting Service, completion of airport

terminal building, and lengthening of airport

runway, among other safety concerns, that

should have been solved once they begin to

operate.

―The bulk of our new aircraft will be

arriving in late 2017 in line with our fleet

expansion plans and we hope that by then, the

safety concerns enumerated above would have

been already addressed and certified by the

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,‖

Shau said.

During the press conference, Gov.

Mercado said the concerns were already

looked into, adding that with a functional

airport, coupled with an alternate seaport

at nearby Guadalupe area, the tourism and

economic potentials of the province will

certainly get an uplifting boost. (mmp, PIA8-

Southern Leyte)

Special Moron adds up to Abuyog, EV‘s pride

O wned by Esmera lda Dior ico

Manaog, of ―Mary‘s Abuyog Special

Chocolate Moron at Iba Pa,‖ the

previously simply steamed ―Bakintol‖ in

Eastern Samar, but Moron in Leyte has now

levelled up in taste and packaging.

―There‘s butter in the Tableya and it is

better packed with a better leaf-wrapper,‖ she

informed.

The new decently wrapped and packaged

Moron is now available with other locally

produced products at the ―Bahandi Pasalubong

Center,‖ which was launched today by

Department of Trade and Industry(DTI).

Mary said, she has been making rolls and

rolls of the special chocolate Moron for the

past 23 years but she has not burned out of

the daily rigor, probably because the task is

both self-gratifying and financially rewarding.

―I enjoy the task my mother handed

down to me and I have considered it a family

heirloom. Over the years, it has given us so

much privilege to live a decent life,‖ she said.

She was modest to share that her

daily gross income is more than the whole

month salary of an ordinary-ranking school

teacher. ―But being gross, means, I still have to

pay for my workers and cooking materials,‖

Mary pointed out.

According to her, she buys Tableya

(Cacao-made chocolate) in Davao at P190.00 a

kilo and they still process it to fit to the taste

of her Moron product. Because of ―Yolanda,‖

she has also to import Banana leaves from

other provinces which were luckier to have

not been hit by the super typhoon.

A member of the Eastern Visayas

Producers Association that, through the

Department of Trade and Industry(DTI)

launched today, the ―Bahandi Pasalubong

Center at the VIP-Lounge of the Tacloban

Airport,‖ Mary takes pride to have recovered

with the assistance of DTI and AUSAID. She

has been awarded by DOLE as ―Best

ChocoMoron Maker‖ in Region 08.

The Moron maker shared that despite the

―Yolanda‖ devastation, she is on the way to

recovery because of the assistance also

of Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) which granted her a Steamer, Gas

Stove and Gas Tank.

―Without it, it would be hard for me to

cook in just one round, some 700 rolls of

the famous Chocolate Moron,‖ she shared

further. She admits though, that before

―Yolanda‖ struck, she would receive thousands

of orders, and there was even one V&G Fiesta

when she delivered multicab-load of Chocolate

Moron or to be exact, 6,000 pieces of the

native delicacy. (PIA-08)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 11 (PIA) – It was first the ―Buyogan Festival‖ that brought Abuyog town to the center of

tourists attractions of Region 08, then the special Moron came next.

Basey bag designer opts to rise above odds TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 11 (PIA) – First was her father‘s death, two days after, all of the family‘s belongings were

washed out by ―Yolanda‖ storm surge, and two months later, she was diagnosed with the big C.

B ut neither of the three daunted Eva

Marie Adona to move on and let go of

those life‘s sad episodes. Now, she

and husband Patrick are slated for Germany to

join in the country‘s Trade Show, ―Abiente‖,

where they will bring and showcase native

products from Basey, Samar, particularly the

intricately yet beautifully woven bags with the

famous ―banig‖ made of Tikog.

In our brief talk at the Tacloban Airport

Lounge, during the launching today of the

Bahandi Pasalubong Airport, Eva looked so

spiritually blessed and inspiring.

She shared that his hubby was so

depressed at the knowledge in the ―Yolanda‖

aftermath, that all their equipment and the 200

boxes of bags for delivery to a Japanese

exporter were all gone to the sea.

Despite all the odds however, she opted

to be strong and stand up for her husband,

their four kids and even for the weavers who

were dependent in the family‘s industry.

The Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) came to their rescue and offered them

loan so they could restart a totally damaged

business.

Asked where they got the required

raw materials, since majority of the Basey

town was devastated, she informed, that they

import Tikog and Buri materials from San

Miguel, Leyte.

Slowly then, they moved forward and

started joining again in trade shows where

they would be given free booths by DTI

and shipment assistance as well, for their

products.

She recalled, that when she was having

chemotherapy sessions in Manila, she would

opt to be home immediately after, than be in

bed for days, because to her, designing bags

and supervising her weavers were better

therapies.

Last September, the Eva Marie Arts and

Crafts was named Best Dressed Booth in the

Bahandi Trade in Manila.

She further shared that today, an

estimate of 50% recovery could be said of

their cottage industry but it is far better, she

said.

She is thankful for her father, a Ramon

Magsaysay Awardee in Handicraft in 2001,

from whom she credits her innate passion,

expertise and mastery in bag designing and

weaving. (PIA-08)

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