Vol 6 Issue 16 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 April 18 - 22, 2016

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PH‘s largest thin-film solar power facility now in Bohol

PNoy inaugurates P374M Leyte diversion road project

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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PNoy: Solar power needed to sustain NegOcc progress

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 21 (PIA6) – President

Benigno Aquino III, during his visit to San Carlos City to inaugurate a 59-megawatt (MW) solar power plant project,

April 19, said that the rise of solar plants in the province is a step in the right direction.

In his recent visit here, Aquino said he is surprised by the growth of businesses in the province such as restaurants,

entertainment venues and the airport, among others, adding that energy is required to sustain the progress.

―I mention all of this because our progress hinges greatly on having enough energy,‖ he said during the inauguration rites

of San Carlos Sun Power Inc‘s. (SaCaSun) solar power project at Barangay Punao in the said city.

He said the plant will help avoid 72,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, boosting the country‘s

chances in its goal to increase the renewable energy-based capacity to 15,304 MW by 2030.

The P3.7-billion project is a joint venture of Aboitiz Power Corporation and Sun Edison Philippines.

Likewise, Governor Alfredo Marañon said the construction of solar farms has put the province, and Negros

Island Region in general, in the world map when it comes to renewable energy sources.

With the exception of the 59 MW project, he said Negros Occidental is generating more than 300 MWs of clean energy, which has led to the province‘s distinction as the Solar

Capital in Southeast Asia. Helios Solar Energy Corp. and its 132-MW solar project

in Cadiz City leads the pack, followed by San Carlos

Solar Energy Inc. generating 45 MWs; Citicore Power in Silay with 25 MWs; San Carlos Bio Power with 19 MWs; and

Negros Island Solar Power Inc in Manapla producing 48 MWs and in La Carlota City generating 32 MWs of energy.

Marañon also mentioned that major river systems in the province generate 200 megawatts of energy, while other

prospects such as wind, biomass and waste to energy from sugar mills are being considered as future projects. (JCM/CBA/

PIA-Negros Occidental)

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) —With a new

100-kilowatt solar energy facility, Holy Name University (HNU) in Bohol now holds the country‘s record for the biggest

thin-film-solar module technology. HNU is an educational institution run by the Societas

Verbi Divini (SVD) or the Society of the Divine Word. Solar facility installers ORION group International

Incorporated said HNU is the first institution in the country to use cutting edge 100-kilowatt photo-voltaic solar technology to

tap and harness the solar energy for school use. The facility stands as a testament of HNU's

environmental concern as well as their commitment to advancement of green technologies.

The new power generating facility produces an estimated combined energy to run about 120 air conditioning

units. But this covers only 1/6 of the school's requirements,

according to Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD, school president. The facility uses 1080 photo voltaic cells which is now

lined up at the roof top of HNU‘s Scanlon Building in their Dampas Campus.

HNU, a school which has always impressed and

advocated for clean energy, said the use of clean energy that

reduces carbon footprint contribute to the universal effort to minimize the threats of global warming.

During the project launching at the HNU Scanlon Building on April 15, HNU trustee and nationally acclaimed

physicist, electronics expert, and school administrator Dr. Christopher Bernido called the SVD achievement as pioneering

in the country‘s solar energy advancement. ORION Group President Engr. Rynor Jamandre said the

HNU facility saves the world 11,251 gallons of gasoline, or some equivalent of 48 metric tons of coal.

In modern waste recycling facilities converting for energy, the facility equals the energy generated from burning 35.8

metric tons of weight, he said. This, he pointed out, redounds to an average of 109,000

monthly savings in power bills for the school as it is capable of producing 145,000 kilowatts annually.

Well beyond the usual solar energy harnessed for stand-alone lighting and minimal industrial use, the HNU solar

energy facility is tied to the local grid as the installation of battery banks holding the generated power proves expensive,

Jamandre said. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, April 19(PIA) –President Benigno

S. Aquino III inaugurated on Monday the Baybay diversion road project that aims to minimize traffic congestion in the city

proper and reduce the travel time from Maasin City to the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc, Leyte.

Upon his arrival at 1:55 in the afternoon, he immediately unveiled the marker of the newly completed

diversion road. Thereafter, the President rode an open type pick up jeep

and led the inaugural drive-thru in Pagbanganan bridge with a crowd composed of national and local government officials,

residents of Baybay and some guests. The road project, amounting to P374.63 million involves

the construction and concreting of a 5-km two-lane road, construction of a 151.5-km Pagbanganan bridge (crossing the

river of Pagbanganan), paving of shoulders and slope protection works which were implemented in four phases.

The road will serve as a fundamental component to the Baybay City road network. It starts from the junction of

Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte boundary road in brgy.

Candadam and ends at junction Ormoc-Baybay-Southern Leyte boundary road in brgy. Hipusngo.

With this development, travel time between Maasin City and Tacloban will be reduced from 3½ hours to 3 hours.

Likewise, the travel time between Maasin to Ormoc City will be reduced from 2 hours to 1½ hours.

Said project is expected to benefit more or less 600 motorists a day.

After the inauguration, the President attended a short program at the full-packed Baybay City gymnasium where

beneficiaries of the project expressed their testimonials to the President.

Together with the chief executive was DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, DPWH Secretary

Rogelio Singson, among others. Afterwards, the President left for Calbayog City to meet

with the local leaders and the community at Calbayog City Sports Center Brgy. Capoocan Calbayog City. (aen/cba)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

President Benigno S. Aquino III (4th from left)

leads on Monday, April 18, the unveiling of

marker during inauguration of the 5-km

Baybay City diversion road in Leyte. The road

will benefit more or less 600 motorists per

day. With the President are (l-r) DPWH-8

Regional Director Rolando Asis(in black),

DILG Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento(partly

hidden), DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singzon, Leyte

Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, 5th

District Rep. Jose Carlos Cari and Baybay

Mayor Carmen Cari. (Raul S. Tiozon, Jr./

PIA-8)

By Carlson B. Alelis

Consuelo B. Alarcon

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the

inauguration of the 59-megawatt solar power plant of the Aboitiz

Power Corporation and Sun Edison Philippines where the President

is seeing thousands of solar panels inside the plant. *(EAD-PIA6

photo)

PIA-6 employees participate in the National

Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held

April 21, 2016. (LTP/PIA-Iloilo#pagyanig)

A 3rd Project Development Officers Training

was held April 19-21 at the Golden Valley

Hotel, Pelaez St., Cebu City with PIA Director

General Jose Marie Oquinena as guest

speaker. The participants from 13 DepEd

Divisions of Region VII warmly welcome DG

Oquinena. After the inspirational message of

DG Oquiñena , the participants gave their gifts

as a token of appreciation for his inspiring

message. (vvv/PIA Cebu)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

NIR leads solar energy industry

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, April 19 (PIA6) - - The Negros Island Region, with more than 300-megawatts of solar generated

power now off the grid, is taking the lead in the solar energy industry in the country.

T his, according to Energy Secretary

Zenaida Monsada during the

inauguration of the 59-MW solar

power plant owned by the San Carlos Sun

Power Incorporated within the San Carlos

Ecozone in Barangay Punao, San Carlos

City. Monsada joined President Benigno S.

Aquino III during the inauguration and

ceremonial switch on to signal the opening

of the solar power plant with the

executives from the Aboitiz Power

Corporation led by Chief Operating

Officer Erramon I. Aboitiz.

The Secretary thanked Governor

Alfredo G. Marañon III for his support to

renewable energy where Negros

Occidental has the biggest solar farm in

the country to date.

Although, Monsada admits that in the

beginning, the energy sector was

overwhelmed by the growing number of

solar plants in the Negros Island Region.

―The share of the mix for renewable

energy in the Visayas is actually higher

than the country‘s average which is 46.3

percent, the installed capacity in the

Visayas,‖ Monsada said. The DOE is now

monitoring 700 Renewable Energy

projects with additional committed and

indicative projects. According to Monsada,

the challenges for RE is that at the

moment, it is a little more expensive than

the average of the power generation

sources since oil is cheaper now but it is

indigenous and need not be imported.*

(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)

By Easter Anne D. Doza

EU Ambassador: Bizmen take advantge of GSP+

ILOILO CITY, April 18 (PIA6) - - Businessmen in the country including those from the Visayas Region were encouraged to

take advantage of the Generalized System Preference or the GSP+ to improve their access to the European market.

E uropean Union Ambassador Franz

Jessen said in a press conference

here on Friday that Philippines and

the EU have a lot of scope to grow even

stronger via the GSP+ in which the

Philippines is a beneficiary since 2014.

The GSP+ scheme allows for a

significant reduction of customs tariffs on

Filipino products and has led to a marked

increase of export to EU.

Jessen said the EU grants the

GSP+status to generate economic benefits

that will help the benefiting country not

only economically, but also to assume its

responsibilities under the core international

conventions on human labour rights,

environmental protection.

Jessen, accompanied by Romanian

Charge d‘Affaires, a.i. Mihai Sion and

German Deputy Ambassador Michael

Hasper visited Iloilo City and the island

province of Guimaras from April 15 to 16.

Included in their itinerary are meeting

with top officials of the city and province of

Iloilo and Guimaras and a press conference

with the local media. They also joined the

Sikaran, a bike tour in Jordan, Guimaras on

April 16 to reiterate the urgency in climate

change adaptation.

The diplomats also visited the mango

farm of the Dela Cruz family and met with

the industry stakeholders in the province of

Guimaras in line with the efforts of the

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines

to develop and protect the Guimaras

mangoes known for its sweetness as a

geographical indication.

―To be able to benefit from the added

value a Geographical Indication can give

(roughly two times according to studies), a

high level of protection is needed and I am

happy with the efforts of the IPO Philippines

Office to establish its own ‗sui generis‘ GI

Regulation allowing Filipino farmers to take

more advantage of their products. I will

know more about the situation of the

Guimaras mangoes after my discussion with

them,‖ said Jessen. (JCM/laf/PIA6)

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, April 18 (PIA6) --- The Department of Education (DepEd)-6 announced that the application for the Senior High

School (SHS) Voucher Program will be re-opened to accommodate more Grade 10 completers to pursue SHS education

in private schools, universities, and colleges.

T he SHS Voucher Program is

intended for completers of Grade

10 who would like to pursue SHS

education in private schools, private

universities and colleges, local or state

universities and colleges offering SHS and

technical and vocational institutions

offering SHS starting School Year

2016-2017. The program provides

students with a subsidy that enables them

to get a discount on the cost of tuition

and other school fees for SHS.

All applications must be done strictly

online by accessing the Private Education

Assistance Committee‘s (PEAC) Online

Voucher Application Portal (OVAP) at

http://ovap.deped.gov.ph

Applications will be accepted from

April 22 to May 6, 2016 only. The deadline

is non-extendable. Results will be

announced on or before May 20, 2016.

To date, more than 50,000 non-ESC

private school grade 10 completers have

been awarded vouchers.

All public school Grade 10

completers and all private school Grade

10 completers who are Education Service

Contracting (ESC) grantees are

automatically qualified voucher recipients.

These students do not need to apply for

vouchers. Concerns and queries

regarding the ESC and SHS Voucher

programs can be directed to

gastpe@deped.gov.ph or to the DepEd

Action Center at (02) 636-1663 or (02)

633-1942. (JCM/LTP/DEPED/PIA-Iloilo).

DepED to accommodate more Senior HS voucher applicants

By Leonard T. Pineda I

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) – The Philippine National Police and media practitioners in Aklan convened for a meeting recently at

Camp Pastor Martelino here in order to strengthen their relationships to serve the public better.

Aklan holds 1st PNP-Media meet

By Sheila Q. Patoza

P olice Senior Superintendent John

Mitchell Jamili, provincial director of

the Aklan Police Provincial Office

(APPO), said that the meeting showed a

good collaboration and cooperation

between the PNP and media in Aklan, as

both gathered in a venue to discuss and

settle differences to have a harmonious

partnership. ―The meeting is timely to fill in

the gap between the media and PNP,‖ Jamili

added, noting the former as partner in

disseminating programs and activities

especially on PNP‘s directions as regards to

the implementation of mandated function.

John Allen Ascano, president of Aklan

Police Defense Press Corps (APDPC) and

Allan Palma, president of Kapisanan ng mga

Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Aklan

Chapter expressed their gratitude in the

opportunity of both parties to speak and

clarify matters and likewise supported the

call of setting guidelines or protocol on data

gathering of media in the police stations.

Chiefs of Police of the different

municipalities in the province appealed to

media to notify them first before the

scheduled interview, especially those that

will be aired and broadcasted live to enable

them to prepare the needed information.

The media, on the other hand,

requested the police force to not give them

difficult time to get the data needed for their

reporting so that they can give timely and

reliable information, to which the public is

entitled; suggesting to designate an officer in

each municipal police station in the absence

of the COP, Deputy and Information

Officer.

Jamili reiterated that the investigator

officer could not be interviewed without the

clearance from the COP.

―The information in the respective MPS

as a general rule is open for all, however,

there are instances that the information will

be withheld as the case may involve women,

children, or a lead to apprehend suspect,‖

the top cop stressed. ―Patience, respect, and

courtesy, are the key words here for both

parties to understand each other in meeting

the objectives of our jobs,‖ he added

Meanwhile, Jamili suggested for a

half-day refresher course on PNP-Media

relations policy to enlighten both parties on

the guidelines and protocol in dealing with

one another to better bridge the gap

between the police and media in Aklan. (JSC/

SQP-PIA6 Aklan).

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, April 20 (PIA6) – Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala announced that all regional offices of the

Department of Agriculture (DA) will be provided with drilling machines as part of the initiatives to mitigate the effects of El

Niño phenomenon.

“ Two drilling machines for each

region that will be used to drill

holes for water pumps,‖ said Alcala

during an open forum of the 9th Farmers

and Fishermen‘s Day last April 13 at the

Capiz Gym here. He added that the

machines will serve the provinces within the

region.

The DA official‘s announcement came

after Pontevedra town farmer leader Jenil

Denoro represented the farmers in their

desire to ask DA for the machine as an

important means to irrigate crops amidst

the dry spell.

―We were given high yielding seeds

that we planted but these gave in due to the

absence of rain and lack of water source

near our farmlands,‖ Denoro noted,

stressing the need for the equipment to ease

water supply on parched crops.

It was learned that a total of P2.6 –

billion has been set aside by DA for El Niño

mitigation in 2015. The continuing

intervention to mitigate the long drought has

already used up P1-billion early this year.

Records showed that the phenomenon

has registered 1,557.55 hectares of totally

damaged rice areas affecting 18,694 farmers

in the province as of last March. (JCM/AAL/

PIA6 Capiz)

Regions to get drilling machines for water

pumps

By Alex A. Lumaque

TESDA accredits first ‗Agri Training Center‘ in WV

By Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique, April 19 (PIA6) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has accredited the first and

the only training center in Region 6 for Agri-Fishery sector to offer Agricultural Production NC I (National Certificate- NC) El

Cid Castillo, Provincial Director TESDA-Antique said the accreditation of Goodhands Development and Training Center, Inc.,

in San Pedro San Jose hopes to boost the agriculture industry in the province.

T ESDA has a l loca ted the

amount of P415,000 for the

Agricultural Crop Production NC

1 currently ongoing at the center, a short

term course for 216 hours or 38 days

with 50 trainees. After the completion of

the course, the trainees will undergo

assessment and those competent in terms

of skills and knowledge will be awarded a

National Certificate on Agricultural Crop

Production NC 1 that could be an

added qualification in applying for jobs

here and abroad.

The center could also cater

students who are into Senior High

School taking up Agriculture (Technical

Vocational Education & Livelihood strand)

and will undergo assessment before their

graduation. Goodhands partnered with

the Local Government Unit of San Jose to

conduct the training program at Farmville,

an agriculture service arm of LGU San

Jose which earned citation from the Galing

Pook Foundation.

TESDA is also planning to bring the

skills training related to agriculture to

communities (just like it did with other

courses) to provide farmers with

additional skills in farming including

livestock production to help attain food

security. ―With the high demands of

farmers trained in organic farming in

Region IV, Agricultural Production NC 1 is

an excellent stepping stone to enhance

skills and competency in farming,‖ said

Castillo. (JCM/PSM/PIA6Antique)

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) – Small farms are important for the country‘s food sufficiency.

Small farms important for food sufficiency

T his was one of the main points Senator Cyn-

thia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, highlighted in her

speech during the 19th Dairy Congress and Expo

held recently at the Negros Oriental Convention Center here.

According to the United Nations (UN), the hope for attaining food sufficiency does not only rely

on corporate farms but in developing and sustaining

small family farms as well, Villar said. UN also predicted that in 2050, farmers must

produce 70 percent more food to meet the demand for food consumption worldwide.

The lady senator said it will be difficult to

achieve this target if the farmers will not maintain their small farms.

With this, Villar boosted the morale of farmers

belonging to small holder sector by stressing that

they are the key for a food secured future.

―Do not believe (those who say) that small farmers have no role in food sufficiency. We should take upon ourselves to sustain and encourage small

farms to continue so that our children and grand children will not starve,‖ she pointed out.

One way to achieve this is to encourage the young people to be engaged in farming, to enable

them to earn a reasonable income in their farms,‖

Villar added. Villar also encouraged farmers who have

the skill and capability to teach agriculture to convert their farms into farm schools and apply for accreditation at the Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority (TESDA). She explained that farmers can earn additional

income when they convert their farm into farm

schools and teach farming and agriculture.

Villar believes that establishing a farm school in

every town will be ideal so that small farmers will learn how to do their farming with the right technology, right mechanization and with business

sense so they will know if they gaining or losing. Aside from this, the senator also urged

other State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) to offer agriculture related courses.

She noted that there are 111 SUCs with 454

campuses spread throughout the country. This translates to one campus in every three towns.

Villar emphasized that if every campus will offer an agriculture-related course, it will go a long way in developing the country‘s agriculture.

Through this, Villar hopes that people will see the importance of sustaining small farms and more people will realize that there is good opportunities in

agriculture. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 18 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army is set to hold recruitment examinations to qualified Negrenses

who want to become soldiers or army officers on April 22 at St. Paul University, Dumaguete City.

Army sets recruitment tests in Negros Oriental

A pplicants who pass the Armed Forces of the

Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) will qualify for the Officer Candidate Course

(OCC), Officer Preparatory Course (OPC), and

Candidate Soldier Course (CSC). To qualify for Officer Candidate Course

(OCC), applicants must be a baccalaureate degree holder, natural born Filipino and non-dual citizenship

of good moral character, single and never been married, at least 5 feet (152 cm) for both male and female, physically, mentally, and psychologically fit for

military service, and aged 21 to 29 years upon admission.

Applicants for Officer Preparatory Course

(OPC) must be inactive Commissioned Reserve Officer who were commissioned in the Philippine Army under Circular 4 Groups I and Group II,

not over 31 years old on the date of Call to Active Duty (CAD), holder of a baccalaureate degree, stands not less than 5 feet (152.4 cm) but not more than 6 feet 4 inches (193.04cm), natural born

Filipino, and holder of non-dual citizenship from allied countries.

Qualified for Candidate Soldier Course (CSC)

must be 18 to 26 of aged, has taken 72 units in college, however if High School graduate only, must

possess a certified skill needed in the military service,

at least 5 feet on height, and physically, mentally, and psychologically fit for military service.

Examinees must bring along the following the

following documents during the examination; NSO copy of Birth Certificate, Transcript of Records, original Diploma with Form 137-A (for High School graduate), Valid ID, Ball pen and #2 pencil and long

folder. Interested applicants may contact Lt. Jec Mangaoang, information officer of 79th Infantry Battalion Masaligan based in Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay

City at 0977-834-8982. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

NEGROS ORIENTAL, April 14 (PIA) – Some 24 abused women in Sta. Catalina town who are determined to combat domestic

violence are currently availing of livelihood programs from the government as an association.

Abused women unite to fight domestic violence

K apunungan sa mga Kababaihan sa Manalongon

(KAKAMA) is a support group of abused women in Barangay Manalongon

which has also received livelihood programs under

the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE). ―I was abused by my husband for 11 years,

categorically all forms of violence, but stayed in the

relationship for the sake of my children and just accepted my fate,‖ related Elizabeth Sol, 55, of Barangay Manalongon, Sta. Catalina.

These women did not report their cases to the police but took the initiative to organize themselves for them to help each other fight violence and assist

those would-be survivors of violence. The group has facilitated 10 abused women

who sought their help to have temporary shelter at

the barangay chairperson and at some concerned

citizens‘ houses in the area.

KAKAMA members have been actively involved in helping the abused women, some of them have also been active in the Kalahi-CIDSS program

implementation as volunteers. Sol, a KAKAMA and Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer,

served as member of the Monitoring and Inspection Team for the community‘s project which is

the improvement of Manalongon Water System. The water system project was completed in

May 2014 which benefited 152 households, where

Sol is the water bill collector for each household member-beneficiary.

In 2014, Barangay Manalongon received a

Gender Incentive Grant (GIG), a complementary grant fund provided by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to fund identified gender

issues in a barangay/municipality. With this, KAKAMA received a gender and

development training that enabled them to widen

their knowledge on gender equalities and their rights

through the series of seminars and trainings.

The women's group together with the Kalahi volunteers are trained on Gender and Development (GAD) that provided the women with clear

understanding of their rights and affirmed their passion to support other women victims of violence.

―Kung wala pa lang na ang mga balaod nga amo

nahibaw-an, di jud na mahunong ang pag pang abuso (If there have been no laws like the laws that we just have learned from the training, abuses against

women and children will not stop),‖ said KAKAMA President Judith Narciso, 65.

Narciso said that through the training,

the husbands in their community learned about the consequences if they violate the law.

The women also learned their rights and how

to defend themselves. The learning they received from the training

inspired these women to become advocates of

women‘s rights. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 16 (PIA) – Hundreds of representatives from different dairy cooperatives nationwide attended the

19th Dairy Congress and Expo held April 13 to April 15 at Negros Oriental Convention Center, Dumaguete City.

T he event is an annual gathering of dairy

cooperatives who are members of the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines (DairyCon)

to discuss issues concerning the industry.

This year, the theme of the gathering is ―Gatas Pinoy: Paunlarin, Tangkilikin, Palaganapin.‖

Discussions of the Dairy Congress and Expo

focused on Philippine Food Safety Act of 2013, dairy

herd management, feed and nutrition forage, and dairy animal health, treatment and welfare.

Aside from this, updates different programs for

dairy farmers were also tackled on the last day of the event.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate

Committee on Agriculture and Food, graced the opening ceremony of the three-day expo.

In her message, Villar said she sees a big

potential in the dairy industry and it can contribute a

lot in the development of the country‘s economy

particularly in the agriculture sector. ―There is still a lot of untapped potential in the

dairy industry. We just have to keep on opening

channels of opportunities for the industry players,‖ she said.

Villar mentioned that during last year‘s

Dairy Congress, Sec. Proceso Alcala of the

Department of Agriculture (DA) noted that the country is on track towards attaining the targets set in the roadmap.

With the expansion of the National Dairy Authority (NDA)‘s Animal Distribution Program, which is a part of the roadmap, the total number of

dairy animals distributed reached 46, 000 heads while the number of families engaged in dairying reached 100,000.

Over 19,000 farmers have generated their

income by selling milk products of dairy animals.

Another target of the roadmap is to create 22,000 rural jobs and generate family income of about P500 per day per farmer from dairying and

involve 100, 000 dairy farm families in active dairy zones in crop dairy systems and dairy related enterprises.

Despite this, Villar said that it is now time to

review the plans and think of new steps to take in the next six years for the advancement of the dairy industry in the country.

Villar stressed that the goal is to gain significant milk sufficiency level in the ready to drink milk market.

Right now, the country produces only one percent of the demand of the milk consumption and fills the gap by importing milk from other

countries. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

9th Dairy Congress and Expo held in Dgte

By Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 16 (PIA) — In a rare press premiere, members of the Bohol media and lifestyle and entertainment

writers witnessed the dance performance by a famed international choreographer and performed by local dancers on April 15,

2016.

Dance workshop showcases int‘l choreographer‘s ‗Blue Way‘

T he dance, entitled "Blue Way", is as a

collaborative effort of Romanian choreographer and internationally acclaimed

dance choreographer Gigi Caciuleanu and the

mentors of the 2nd Bohol International Dance Workshop, said Lutgardo Labad who spoke to festival organizers and Kasing Sining, a local arts and cultural workers group.

Caciuleanu, a Romanian icon in contemporary dance, joined the Bohol international dance workshop this year and created Blue Way as a piece

for four of the outstanding graduates of the first Bohol international dance workshop which is among the summer workshops under the Bansay sa

Ting-init. Caciuleanu came to join his former dancers in

the international dance arena, multi-dance disciplined

French dancer Gillaume Morgan who also prominently figured in the Paris dance circuits and multi-awarded American dancer Nicola Ayoub who

had been dancers for his choreographed pieces. The 2nd Bohol International Dance

workshop, which ran from April 14 to 24, also has French modern jazz teacher and choreographer

Karine Leven and Filipino authority for the traditional southern Philippines dance called pangalay.

Earlier, both Ayoub and Morgan, who

mentored the first international dance workshop, agreed that the goals during the first modules have been achieved.

The Blue Way dance, like a story of a life of its own, progressed from a segmented individual flowing

performance into an incorporation of a form, which

picks on the motion and celebrates the human body ―Like a dance company, a group of

human beings is a sum of different units: singularities

with different bodies, different characters or temperaments, we are, all of us are equal because we are all different, our differences makes our force,‖ Caciuleanu explained.

Workshop completers Marvin Ablao, Jerrey Aguilar, Jay Banquil, and Yassie Nalo performed the 30-minute showcase announcing the birth of the

Bohol Dance Project Company. The workshop, which now has 31 participants comprised of students and young adults, is until April 24 at the Dr. Cecilio

Putong National High School in Tagbilaran City. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The hiring of students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students

(SPES) is exempted from the elections ban.

B ohol's Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) Officer in Charge German Guidaben said that SPES, along with another program

called Government Internship Program, is a regular

and annual program of DOLE that has clearance from Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

SPES is a government initiative to hire poor but deserving students and out-of-school youths (OSY)

so they can earn for matriculation and pursue their

education. Guidaben said that the hiring of students under

SPES is not in any way political. DOLE issued the clarification anticipating

allegations over the hiring under SPES.

By encouraging their employment, SPES beneficiaries employed during summer and

or Christmas vacation or any time of year receive

regular salaries and perks while their employers also earn incentives.

As incentive, employers get their work done by

students and pay only 60 percent of the total take home pay, while the government pays 40 percent of the full salary of the working student.

The 40 percent government share through

DOLE would be paid in the form of education

vouchers, SPES program briefer shows. All applications are done at Public Employment

Service Office (PESO) in respective LGUs where preliminary interview and screening also happens.

PESO will then match the student/OSY‘s

qualifications with the requirements of the participating employer. A program created under

Republic Act 7323, as amended by Republic Act

9547, SPES has been expanded to be conducted beyond the summer and Christmas vacations, but year round, the Bohol labor official added.

Qualified for the program are students at least 15 years old but not more than 25 whose parents and working siblings combined net income still measures below poverty threshold, has obtained an

average passing grade during the last school year/

term attended. The labor agency added that for interested

out-of-school youth, they should have good moral character.

In Bohol, Guidaben named the provincial

government as the biggest SPES program acceptor. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

SPES exempted from poll hiring ban

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

PNoy boosts Leyte's infra projects during

term

Consuelo B. Alarcon

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, April 19 (PIA) – With less than three months left in office, President Benigno S. Aquino III reported

to the Leyteños the accomplishments of his administration particularly on the aspect of infrastructure projects in the province.

I n his recent visit to Region 08,

particularly Baybay City where he

inaugurated the five-kilometer diversion

road worth P374.63 million, the President

disclosed that the two-lane road project is only

one of the infra projects pushed under his

administration.

Other projects include widening of

national roads, bridges, farm to market roads,

tourism roads, slope protection works, airport

and ports development in Baybay, Ormoc,

Javier, Carigara, Babatngon and Tacloban,

among others.

He added that, infra projects are part of

the government‘s strategy to reduce travel

time, provide additional access in going to and

from all areas and improve the way of life of

the people.

―Ang lahat po nito ay bahagi ng

malawakang estratehiya upang ikonekta ang

mga probinsya at lungsod, mapaginhawa ang

transportasyon sa bansa at sagarin ang asenso

ng Pilipino,‖ the President said.

Under his administration from 2011

to 2016, the government has allotted some

Php27 billion for Leyte‘s infra projects alone

and this budget increased by 284% from

the Php7 billion allotted from 2005 to 2010.

(PIA-8)

VCM shines on Comelec roadshow

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 14 (PIA) — The newest star to shine come election day is the Vote Counting Machine

(VCM) which was presented to the Samarnon voters in Calbayog City today.

C omelec Off icer F ide l Amacna

demonstrated the features of the

machine just a little bigger than a fax

machine.

The VCM has a secured source code

that makes sure the votes are interpreted

correctly; it has an ultraviolet lamp that

makes sure no fake ballot is inserted into the

machine.

It also has digital signatures of the Board

of Election Inspectors, who will certify the

poll returns and it provides a voter

verification paper audit trail that serves as a

voter‘s recipt.

The machine does not only print a tape

receipt but has a touch screen monitor that

shows the votes on the ballot.

However, said Amacna, since the receipts

are provided, the screen may just flash in a

second.

The Comelec official added that with the

VCM, results are accurate, verifiable, secure,

practical, fast and accessible.

Voters from Calbayog and nearby island

towns of Almagro, Tagapul-an and Sto Nino

towns crowded the VCM to feed their ‗shaded

ballots‘ for the purpose.

After each ballot was fed (that went

directly to the ballot box underneath) the

machine ejected the voters receipt, the

election officer cut off the receipt resembling a

grocery slip, the voter then inspected the

receipt and as he was satisfied, he dropped the

receipt in a designated box.

Because the issuance of the receipt will

take time, voting, said Amacna will start at 6 in

the morning up to 5 in the afternoon.

Each precinct will only have 800 voters

unlike before where there were a thousand.

One voter from Sto Nino raised concern

over ‗no signal‘ in transmitting the votes,

wherein Amacna said that Comelec already

knows which area to provide Broadband

Global Area Network (BGAN) or satellite

signal devices.

As to machines that may malfunction, the

Comelec said it has prepared a contingency

measure.

PWDs, senior citizens and heavily

pregnant women are allowed to vote without

queuing, said Amacna. (NBQ/PIA 8-Samar)

Ninfa B Quirante

33 health stations to be put up for election

D r. Antonio Tirazona, Samar DOH

Representative said that they

w i l l p u t u p 3 3 h e a l t h

stations that will provide free basic first aid

assistance.

These 33 health stations will be

established in selected voting precincts on May

9 to provide first aid, emergency care and

hospital referral.

These will be manned by five DOH nurses

and ‗on call‘ medical doctors.

Each town will be allocated one health

station and more in the cities and in Gandara

Hospital, added Tirazona.

In Motiong town, Dr. Perlie Langi said that

this is the first time that they are officially being

involved in elections though their clinic in

the poblacion and in the biggest barangay

Calapi before was always ready for any

eventuality during elections and even the

campaign period.

DOH has also prepared the list of

areas where they are needed the most,

like the voting centers with the most

people, those with the most number of PWDs

and those with the most number of senior

citizens.

In Catbalogan, Catbalogan V Elementary

School has been listed as the third highest

number of senior citizens in the entire country,

this will receive more attention than the rest,

DOH said.

DOH said that most common ailments

during election day is headache, dizziness, high

blood pressure and fever.

Municipal Health officer Perlie Langi

advised the candidates to stay positive, avoid

stress, drink plenty of water, eat balanced diet

during the campaign period, get enough rest

and pray.

For the voters, the doc advised them to

think positive, drink lots of water, eat a

healthy breakfast before going to the voting

centers, do not stay under the sun for long,

use umbrella when exposure to sun cannot

be avoided and do not engage anyone in a

heated debate about your candidate. (NBQ/PIA

8-Samar)

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 19 (PIA) — Samar voters are assured that with the ‗election fever‘ they will be getting the

best health care from the Department of Health (DOH) and Rural Health Units (RHUs).

Ninfa B. Quirante

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

PNoy reports to Samarnon bosses; notes

less number of poor

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, April 19 (PIA) — President Aquino visited his Samarnon bosses and narrated the different

projects which he described as ―tumatakbo sa tuwid na daan‖.

S peaking before an estimated crowd of

‗yellow supporters‘ the President

seemed inspired especially so that his

sister actress Kris Aquino provided the front

act. He also came with his cabinet secretaries

DILG Mel Sarmiento who hails from Calbayog,

HUDCC Chito Cruz and DPWH Secretary

Rafel Singzon. Aquino cited remarkable

progress in achieving CCT coverage of 96% of

its target.

He said that TESDA has trained 3,500

skilled workers and that they either have jobs

or are now in business. Citing an OFW who

was scarred from a DH job abroad, he added

that because TESDA trained her on massage

and wellness, she now owns four spas in the

big city.

Aquino said that his administration has

gained agricultural productivity with some

3,000 farm to market roads which ushered increased rice production. As to fisheries, the

President reported that some P 75.73 M have

been funded for community fish landing and

seaports. He further urged his Samarnon

bosses to venture into abalone culture which

can easily be exported at P 5,000 per kilo.

As to coconut, he cited Dr Arboleda from

Bicol who has done extensive researches on

the coconut and now has constructed a factory

that will process all parts of the

coconut which were just discarded before, like

coco peat,husk and coconut water.

He also encouraged the coconut farmers

to do intercropping, to plant banana, cocoa and

coffee in between the coconuts for more

income. As to education, he took pride in the

K to 12 program that he said can readily give

senior high graduates jobs.

He rattled on the different projects that

have reached the poor people of Samar like

CCT, Philhealth, K to 12, farm to market road, bridges and even highways that is making the

Samarnon life better. Tourism roads which he

funded have also generated additional income

for tour guides and tourism related businesses.

With his 70 days left in office, PNOY

thanked the Samarnons for their support

ever since he ran for the senate, and the

presidency.

He stressed that he did not just promised

but delivered 6.2 average growth rate and

reduced the number of poor Samarnon families

by more than half.

He also said that his administration had

offered not just jobs but permanent ones

resulting to the lowest unemployment rate at

5.7%. Finally, he urged the Samarnon voters to

convince the others not to risk the future of

the next generation by putting into power

those who may not be able to sustain the gains

of his administration by supporting the

candidates he believed can best deliver his ―daang matuwid‖ mantra. (nbq/PIA 8-Samar)

Ninfa B Quirante

Wood production forest up in 22 private lands

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, April 18 ( PIA ) - The provincial government of Southern Leyte has established production

forest soley for fuel wood purposes, thus, firewood gatherers need not encroach the forest indiscriminately and harvest trees

for their needs and for livelihood, as well.

A ccording to Provincial Environment

and Natural Resources Management

Officer (PENRMO) Dr Eva Abad,

during the Action Center Kapihan sa PIA, there

are now 22 hectares being developed under

the fuel wood production forest program.

It aims to establish one hectare of

production forest in every barangay.

Initially, 7 out of 19 municipalities

participated in the said environment program,

namely Silago, Maasin City, T. Oppus, Bontoc,

Libagon, San Francisco and Pintuyan. There are

500 barangays in the province. Dr. Abad said

that these 22 hectares are committed by the

private landowners to the planting of ipil-ipil,

madre de cacao, gemilina, mahogany and acasia

manguim, among others, These trees can be

harvested within three to five years.

In 2015, the provincial government

appropriated the amount of P353,000 for

the total labor and seedling production

components in the establishment of a fuel

wood production forest. 3,500 seedlings are

to be planted in a hectare of land at labor

services cost of P17,000, she added.

Massive tree planting has been campaigned

by the province but the non-stop cutting of

trees by firewood gatherers which were then

sold as firewood fuels has severely depleted

the forests. Firewood is the most affordable

way of preparing food at home and in some

industries.

For years, firewood gathering posed

a big threat to the environment since

most of the trees that were cut were not

replanted, Environment development is one of

the major thrusts of the provincial government

to preserve the forest cover of the province.

(esg/PIA8 SoLeyte)

Erna S. Gorne

Solon hopes PNoy will sign anti-aggie smuggling bill

Eastern Samar Congressman Ben Evardone is hoping that President Benigno Aquino III will sign the proposed Anti-Large

-Scale Agricultural Smuggling Act that seeks to classify smuggling agricultural products as economic sabotage which comes

with the penalty of life imprisonment.

Samuel D. Candido

E astern Samar Congressman Ben

Evardone is hoping that President

Benigno Aquino III will sign the

proposed Anti-Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling Act that seeks to classify smuggling

agricultural products as economic sabotage

which comes with the penalty of life

imprisonment.

This was according to the report of Radyo

ng Bayan, Borongan in a recent broadcast.

According to the report, Evardone, one of

the Bill‘s co-authors, mentioned that the

smuggling of agricultural products not only

makes the farmers lose their livelihood but also discourages students to take up courses in

Agriculture.

He further said that under this

proposition, the crime of economic sabotage is

probable if one will smuggle rice, sugar, corn,

pork, chicken, garlic, onion, and other

agricultural products worth ₱ 10 M.

The report added that the illegal

presence of smuggled agricultural products

greatly affects the income-generating capacity

of farmers. Through this law, the confidence

and hope of the farmers will be restored.

Together with the bill, Evardone also

calls on high school graduates to take up and

study agriculture-related courses. (SDC/PIA-E.

Samar)

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