One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 6 Issue 6

Vol 6 Issue 6 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 February 1-7, 2016

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue PNoy inaugurates 3 major infra projects in Panay

PHIC: Members can claim reimbursement for hospital expenses abroad

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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Non-passage of BBL not total rejection - OPAPP

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 8 (PIA) – The

non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law(BBL) in the 16th

Congress did not mean a total rejection. So said Attorney Armi Beatriz Bayot, speaker of the

Office of the Presidential Assistant on Peace Process(OPAPP) during the recently held BBL7 Summit in the city.

Speaking before media, government information

officers and local officials, Bayot explained it was due to the lack of quorum why the bill did not pass as expected.

However, it is hoped that the next administration

would still consider it a priority, given the gains the Peace Process has obtained in the number of years of struggle in order to achieve the trust and confidence of the

Bangsamoro people and their representatives.

―We cannot just leave it at bay,‖ Atty. Bayot

said, as she referred to the signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front

(MNLF) which is so an important document to start-up a peace talk with the group representing the 13 minority groups of Mindanao.

The lady lawyer who has been a member of

the legal team of the peace panel since 2010 is truly hopeful that BBL would pass, if only to liberate the thousands of women, children and elderly

in that part of the country, who had been deprived of peaceful and loving community that they rightfully deserve.(PIA-08)

By PIA-6 staff

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA6) – President Benigno Aqui-

no led the inauguration of the country‘s

6,200th-kilometer national roads paved during his visit to the

province, Feb. 9.

The 8,040.3-linear meter junction national road

Mianay-Duyoc-Calaan-Panitan road is expected to bring

about economic progress in Capiz as well as open the gates

to maximize the economic potentials of neighboring

provinces.

The road project in the area will not only reduce the

travel time from Panitan to Mianay, Sigma town from one

hour to half hour but also lessen their transportation

expenses in bringing their farm produce to the market.

In his message in Capiz on the first leg of his one-day

visit to Panay Island, President Aquino said that good

transportation and network are very important in the

efficient delivery of farm products and to having higher price

of said farm produce in the market.

The President said that the economic gains being

reaped today are the result of the good governance and

―Daang Matuwid‖.

Included in the gains of good governance on Daang

Matuwid are the 4.4 million household beneficiaries of the

4Ps which supports the health and education of children as

well as the 91 percent of the population that are now

PhilHealth beneficiaries, he said.

From there, President Aquino proceeded to Iloilo

where he also led the inauguration and turnover of the

P43-million ―Matuwid na Daan sa Silid-Aralan‖ project

consisting of a 3-storey with 18 classrooms schoolbuilding to

Pavia National High School in Pavia, Iloilo.

The schoolbuilding project is funded by PAGCOR

which has turned over P12 billion to the Department of

Education and Department of Public Works and Highways

for the project which aims to build thousands of classrooms

in state-subsidized schools.

The Chief Executive also switched on the energization

of 3,618 sitios in Panay Island under the Sitio Energization

Program of the government designed to bring electricity to

households even in remote barangays.

During the ceremony held at the Pavia school, the

President said that 98.60 percent of sitios in the island have

been energized, adding that the Department of Energy

(DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA)

have committed to accelerate the electrification target not

only in Panay Island but all over the country under the Sitio

Electrification Program (SEP).

He is eyeing the 100 percent electrification of the

6,214 sitios in Panay Island this March.

Members of the Cabinet and other top government

officials accompanied the President during the visit. (PIA-6

with JSC/JBG/LTPI reports)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- In case of hospitalization

abroad during a vacation, PhilHealth members can file reimbursement claims upon their return to the country

subject to the submission of needed requirements. Dina Cinchez, public relations officer of Philippine

Health Insurance Corp. – 7 (PhilHealth-7), said effective 2014, the agency has expanded their coverage to include

reimbursement claims for hospital expenses abroad. ―Members who go abroad for a vacation but

unfortunately, got sick and sought treatment at a hospital

can claim reimbursement of their hospital expenses from their office,‖ said Cinchez during the recent forum of the Association of Government Information Officers

- Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that highlighted the services of the agency.

Cinchez, however, said attachments are needed for

the reimbursement claims such as the statement of account from the hospital, medical certificate, history of procedures done and the official receipts of medicines.

The amount for reimbursement claims will depend on

the coverage of the medical diagnosis or the type of

ailment. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are

confronted with a similar situation abroad can likewise file reimbursement claims from the PhilHealth Office, said Cinchez.

Meanwhile, Cinchez said members here can file

reimbursement claims for medicines bought outside the hospital during confinement.

Upon discharge, the member can present the ORs to

the PhilHealth Customer Assistance and Representative Staff (CARES) based in every accredited hospital which will be the basis for the PhilHealth to pay the hospital the

amount for the reimbursement claims of the member. The member in turn will file for reimbursement

claims from the hospital after receiving from PhilHealth the

Benefit Clearance Notice which will be presented to the hospital in seeking reimbursement of medicines purchased outside during the hospitalization period. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

WESTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

PSA-7 urges people to take the time to

register and check on civil registry even as

they also ask people to get to the LCR in the

event of a death of a relative to make sure it is

recorded for possible data needs in the future.

The government may need statistics of cause

of death so experts can address mortality

issues. (rca/PIABohol)

Maasin City Vet Dr. Rey Alinsub tackles rabies

vaccination in dogs during the Action Center

Kapihan Sa PIA , Feb11, 2016. (PIA 8)

President Benigno S. Aquino III, with DepEd

Secretary Armin Luistro, turns over the keys

to the new school building, funded by

PAGCOR, at the Pavia National High School

(PNHS). With him are (from L) DPWH

Secretary Rogelio Singson, PAGCOR

Chairman and CEO Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr. and

PNHS Pr i nc i pa l De l ora h Ce c i l i a

Fantillo. (PIA 6)

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Iloilo Governor Arthur

Defensor, Sr. led the ceremonial switch-on of the 3,618 Panay Island

Sitio Energization Program of the Department of Energy and

national Electrification Administration during his visit in Pavia, Iloilo,

Feb. 9, 2016. Also with them are DOE Secretary Zenaida Monsada

and NEA Deputy Administrator Edgardo Piamonte. (PIA 6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Feb. 9 (PIA6) - - Lawyer Wilmon Peñalosa, chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office

(PEMO) of the province received a recognition for the Bayanihan sa Daan-Share the Road Awards at the Kalayaan Hall,

Malacanan Palace.

Provincial environment chief gets award

By Easter Anne D. Doza

B ayanihan sa Daan-Share the Road is a

movement of the Filipino People, headed

by Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr, one of the

most well renowned Environmental Lawyers in the

Philippines, which was launched November

2014.

Pen ̃alosa was commended for his

exemplary effort in organizing the first

road-sharing meeting held at Bacolod City last

November 2015 as well as organizing

the first multi-town bike ride that was joined

by 1000 cyclists, a release from PEMO

said.

The Bayanihan sa Daan Organizers

believed that he had sparked the

enthusiasm of his fellow Negrenses and

empowered them to dream, and

have given them the energy and

inspiration to take acts of enlightened

citizenship toward a common good---the

greatest good for the greatest number for the

longest time.

The event was in cooperation with the

Office of the President, through the Office of

the Presidential Adviser for Environmental

Protection (OPAEP), the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),

Office of the Senator Loren Legarda, together

with the Washington DC-based Institute of

Governance and Sustainable Development

(IGSD) and the Center for International

Environmental Law (CIEL).*(JSC/EAD-PIA6

Negros Occidental)

‗Tuwid na Daan‘ infra projects get P1.1trillion

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 10 (PIA6) – The national government has allocated P1.1 trillion on various infrastructure projects

nationwide from 2011 to 2016 in the aim to bring development towards a better quality of life across the country.

S ec. Rogel io L . Singson of the

Depar tment o f Pub l i c Works

and Highways (DPWH) said that

the budget is about 2.5 times higher

than the P466-billion of the previous

administration covering the period from 2005

to 2010.

Singson joined Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III

in the inaugural drive thru of the eight

-kilometer Mianay-Duyoc-Calaan-Panitan road

last Feb. 9 in Barangay Duyoc in Dao town.

The project, part of the 6,200 kilometer

of paved national roads completed since July

2010, connects towns of the province first

congressional district with those in the second

district.

DPWH has committed to complete the

remaining 7,200 – kilometer national road

under the Aquino administration.

―We have already paved 6,200 kilometers

of national roads aside from the 1,500

kilometers of local roads,‖ Singson oriented

the President, adding that DPWH has already

surpassed its target.

The accomplishment does not include

about 2,000-kilometer completed Farm – To

– Market Roads.

The Secretary added that only 54

-kilometer of the overall 1,783 – kilometer

national roads are up for completion this year

in the island of Panay.

It was learned that the increase in the

agency‘s budget on infrastructure also resulted

in the increase of budgetary allocation for the

island of Panay from P15.5-billion to

P42-billion.

The Cabinet off icial has also

acknowledged the contribution of the DPWH

Engineering District employees and local

leaders support in the accomplishment of eve-

ry infrastructure project. (JCM/AAL/PIA6 Cap-

iz)

By Alex A. Lumaque

PDRRMC approves P33.7 M contingency fund for El Nino

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA6) - - The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has

approved the proposed P33.7 million contingency fund to mitigate the impact of the current El Nino.

T he proposed budget endorsed by the

El Nino Task Force was approved by

the body in a special meeting held at

the Provincial Capitol, February 10, presided

by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias, on

behalf of Governor Arthur Defensor, who is

the PDRRMC Chairman.

Banias said the budget will be sourced out

from the accumulated trust fund of the prov-

ince‘s calamity fund. The approved resolution

signed by the Governor will then be submitted

to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for further

approval.

The amount will be used for the different

programs, projects and activities identified

under the seven sectoral areas to help mitigate

the effects of El Nino. The sectoral areas

include water getting P12,000,000; Information,

Education and Communication with

P3,000,000; agriculture with P10,000,000;

Social Capital with P1,200,000; health with

P2,500,000; veterinary with P2,000,000; forest

and biodiversity with P3,000,000.

For agriculture, some of the mitigation

measures are provision of drought resilient

crops such as corn seeds and vegetable seeds;

provision of Urea Molasses Mineral Block

(UMMB) and purchase of pump and engine set

with accessories for irrigation.

Provincial Agriculture Office Chief Dr.

Ildefonso Toledo said there are reports that

seaweeds in San Dionisio are already affected

by the high temperature.

He said based on the forecast of PAGASA

El Nino is expected to last until June. (JCM/

LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)

By Lilibeth A. French

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA6) - - The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Regional Office 6 has intensified its

Information, Education Communication (IEC) activities and other advocacies specifically targeting poor Ilonggos.

T he IEC activities which include Alaga

Ka or A lamin a t Gamit in ,

benepisyong PhilHealth, Focused

Group Discussions, meetings, fora, among

others, aim to improve the access of the poor

to health care services.

PhilHealth 6 said the intensified activities

indicated significant results such as data on

claims payment in 2015 showed that 38

percent or P644,817,629.13 out of the P1.6

billion benefit claims was payment to

Sponsored and Indigent members in the

province of Iloilo.

Claims payment for both government and

private facilities also recorded an increase from

2010 to 2015.

PhilHealth attributed the change in the

health seeking behavior of patients to the

increase in knowledge and understanding of

members on the latest policies of the agency

which in turn redound to their desire of

seeking medical interventions to health care

facilities in the province.

PhilHealth 6 data further indicated that

from 167,688 enrolled poor families in 2010,

the coverage increased to 480, 399 in the

province. The premium contributions of these

families are shouldered by the national

government.

These indigent families also enjoy

automatic renewal of membership from

2014 to 2016 when the national

government alloted 35.3 billion budget

for the coverage of poor families into the

National Health Insurance Program of

PhilHealth.

In his visit in this city on Tuesday,

President Benigno Aquino said that about 90

percent of Filipinos are now covered by

PhilHealth from 51 percent coverage in 2010

as part of the gains of his ‗Daang Matuwid‘

program. (JCM/LAF/PIA6-Iloilo)

PhilHealth 6 intensifies IEC activities

By Lilibeth A. French

KALIBO, Aklan, Feb. 9 (PIA6) -- If elections were held now, there will be 345,359

Aklanon registered voters trooping to polling centers to vote.

T he Commission on Elections

(COMELEC) Provincial Office came

up with this figure after taking

off from the roster of registered voters those

who have have not undergone biometrics

during the designated period up to October

31, 2015.

Among Aklan‘s 17 towns, Kalibo has the

highest number of voters with 46,096 followed

by Malay with 33,813; Ibajay, with 27,532 and

New Washington, with 26,623.

The town of Banga, just adjacent to

Kalibo, has 25,513 voters, Batan, 21,450;

Nabas, 19,948; Numancia, 19,908; Makato,

17,999; Libacao, 16,856; Altavas, 15,750;

Balete, 15,577; Malinao, 14,219; Tangalan,

12,736; Madalag, 11,322; Buruanga, 11, 286;

and the town with the least number – Lezo,

with 8,731.

For the May 9, 2016 national and local

elections, Aklan will have 2,438 total number

of established precincts and 606 clustered/

grouped precincts and 328 polling places in 327

barangays.

Meanwhile, Aklan is gearing up for the

mock elections to be held in two municipalities

of the province – Kalibo and Malay - on

February 13, 2016.

The Provincial COMELEC office

recently gathered the Aklan media

to brief them on the activity, solicit

their assistance in disseminating information to

the public as well as to have their presence

during the simulated electoral exercise

for transparency and integrity. (JCM/VGV PIA6

Aklan)

Aklan has 345,359 registered voters

By Venus G. Villanueva

Antique‘s 2015 crime volume drops

By Vicente W. Villavert

SAN JOSE, Antique, Feb. 9 (PIA6) - - The province‘s 2015 crime volume dropped to 51.88% or 2,643 incidents lower compared

to the 2014 record.

T his was disclosed by PSSupt. Louis

P. Garong, Officer in Charge of the

Antique Provincial Police Office

(APPO), during the observance of the 25th

PNP Foundation Day celebration.

Garong said that of the 2,643 incidents,

only 837 cases were index crimes, while 1,806

cases were non-index crimes or violation of

special laws.

The APPO‘s crime solution efficiency was

recorded at 56.07 percent.

The APPO head enumerated other

accomplishments which included the

neutralization of 171 wanted persons and

arrest of other 143 wanted persons, conduct

of nine anti-illegal gambling operations,

campaign against proliferation of loose

firearms, campaign against illegal fishing, timber

poaching and illegal transport of forest

products, and campaign against illegal drugs.

The occasion also cited the Municipal

Police Station (MPS) of Sibalom as the Best

MPS, while San Jose and Belison were

recognized as second and third MPS,

respectively.

Other awardees cited during the occasion

included SPO1 Abraham A. Alera of Belison

MPS- Best in Administrative/HRDD; Best in

PCR-PO3 Dorothy Joy F. Magturo, San Jose

MPS; Best in Investigation- PO3 Ryan R.

Baldestamon, Barbaza MPS; Best in Operation

and Plans- PO2 Liezel Mae V. dela

Cruz- Sibalom MPS; Best in Intelligence-PO3

Ariel F. Serata- San Remegio MPS; Best in

Finance- PO1 Melanie P. Pablo- Valderrama

MPS; Best in Supply- PO3 Jaime R. Macandog,

Barbaza MPS; Best in WCPD-PO2 Genny L.

Molina.

Best supporting local government units

were awarded to San Jose Mayor Rony l. Moli-

na, Caluya Mayor Genevive L. Reyes and

Sibalom Mayor Joel P. Occena, while

certificates of recognition were likewise award-

ed to the PNP Provincial Advisory Council

members. (JCM/VWV-PIA6 Antique)

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

SIQUIJOR, Feb. 9 (PIA) - - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here is encouraging the micro, small and

medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province to avail of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Siquijor MSMEs urged to avail tech upgrading

T he program aims to help MSMEs be

competitive through technology

upgrading, trainings, and laboratory

analysis of products, among others.

As of this writing, DOST Siquijor has

assisted more than 50 enterprises in

the province under the identified priority

sectors.

The assistance generated additional job

opportunities and additional revenues, said

Provincial Director Engr. Mario de la Pena.

This year, he said, DOST Siquijor

Provincial Science and Technology Center

(PSTC) is allocating PhP4.8 million for the

program.

To qualify for the program, the firm

should fall under the priority sectors which

include food processing, furniture, gifts, toys

and houseware (GHDs), metals and

engineering, among others.

As a Filipino-owned enterprise, the

business must be operational for the past three

years.

It should have an updated Mayor's permit,

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

registration and Bureau of Internal Revenue

(BIR) registration.

Upon verification of the applicant's

credentials, DOST will conduct site evaluation

and determine the necessary technology needs

of the firm.

Other requirements such as financial

report for the last three years of operation will

be reviewed along with the proposal.

When approved, a memorandum of

agreement (MOA) will be signed between the

firm and DOST.

The amount received will be spent

according to what will be stipulated in the

approved MOA.

The beneficiary then pays the whole

amount without interest for a total of 36

months.

Some of the firms which received

assistance from DOST include Elena's

Bakery and Pasalubong Center in Enrique Vil-

lanueva, Tating's Creamier Ice Cream in San

Juan, Duran's Banana Fritters in Lazi, Sweet

Sensations Cakes and Pastries in Larena

and GL Motors and Industries in Siquijor,

Siquijor.

For inquiries, interested applicants are

encouraged to visit the Provincial Science and

Technology Center located in Baluarte St.,

Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor. (rmn/rac/

PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Reinhold Jek

Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

Rizalie Anding Calibo

TAGBILARAN CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA)— Sports fans and Boholanos pray for sustained momentum for Bohol delegation in the

ongoing Central Visayas Regional Athletic Meet (CVRAA) as its ranking jumped from third to first on the third day of

competitions.

Bohol takes medal lead at CVRAA 2016 in Naga

I n a post on his Facebook account, Bohol

Department of Education (DepED)

Information Officer Lope Hubac showed a

reproduction of the official medal tally sheets at

the CVRAA showing Bohol leading in the gold

medal tally for Elementary and second in the

High School level but garnering a total of six gold

medals, five silvers, and six bronze to take the

lead in the week-long sports meet.

Meanwhile, Tagbilaran City still remained in

the tail end of the 13 delegation sports fest as of

5:00 PM of February 9, according to Hubac‘s

post.

On the opening day, coaches were

optimistic that Bohol can perform better with

athletes getting batter trainings for the event that

unfolded in Naga City, Cebu, February 7-13.

In the Elementary medal count, Bohol

leads Siquijor and powerhouse Cebu province

with four golds, three silvers and four bronze

medals as against Siquijor‘s two golds which

earned a second rank and Cebu province‘s one

gold, two silvers and one bronze to settle for

third.

In the Secondary level, Cebu City topped

with three golds, two silvers and four bronze

medals, while Bohol could only get three golds,

two silvers and two bronze medals to settle for

second place.

In the over-all tally, however, Bohol sneaked

into the top on day three with seven gold, five

bronze, and six silver medals as against Cebu

City‘s four gold, two bronze, and five silver

medals to settle for the second spot.

Cebu province clinched three golds,

five silvers and two bronze medals for

a third finish on the third day while

Siquijor managed two golds, one silver,

and one bronze medal, according to the official

records from the chief of the records and

results committee of CVRAA, Alberto

Mangaron.

Participating in the CVRAA are delegations

from Bogo City, Bohol Province, Carcar City,

Cebu City, Cebu Province, Danao City, Lapulapu

City, Mandaue City, Naga City, Siquijor,

Tagbilaran City, Talisay City and Toledo City.

(rmn/rac/PIA7-Bohol)

Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CEBU CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- There is a new health benefit package now available for women about to give birth under the

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

PhilHealth has new benefit package for child-bearing women

D ina Cinchez, Public Relations Officer of

P h i l h e a l t h - 7 d u r i n g t h e

A s s o c i a t i o n o f Go v e r nm e n t

Information Officers (AGIO) 7 Forum, said

that the new package aims to provide mothers

and newborn babies with f inancial

access to essential health services

that will ensure their survival and

well-being.

This program is part of the Millennium

Development Goals (MDG) of the maternal and

child health to ensure a healthy pregnancy, safety

of the delivery and good health of the baby,

Cinchez said.

She also said that the coverage of

the program will start from the prenatal,

delivery and post-natal care because it is

important for the mother to have

check-up with a health care professional to know

her health status and condition of her baby.

Members must have paid at least

three months‘ premium contributions

within the immediate six-month period

prior to the first day of confinement so

they can avail of their benefits from

Philhealth.

However, with the new benefit package,

pregnant women who lack the qualifying

contributions will be required to pay the missed

quarter on top of the remaining quarter of the

year for the member to be entitled of the

benefits.

Philhealth will pay pregnant women

their Maternity Care Package which

include pre-natal, delivery, and post-natal care

at P8,000.

Normal Spontaneous Delivery Package is

set at P6,500 while for Antenal Care Package,

PhilHealth shall pay P1,500 and P19,000 for

Caesarean Section.

PhilHealth also provides additional

package for newborn babies at P1,750 .

This time, Philhealth will pay the maternity

benefit regardless of the number of previous

deliveries.

This is to reduce the risk of stillbirth and

maternal deaths during pregnancy, said Cinchez.

(rmn/hfg/PIA-7/AGIO-7)

Hazel F. Gloria

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

CEBU CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) --- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) reported an accomplishment

of more than 100% of their target for patent issuances in 2015.

A ccording to DENR-7 Officer-in

- C h a r g e - C h i e f f o r P l a n n i n g

Management Division Dr. Eddie Llam-

edo, around 10,881 agricultural free

patents and 2,662 residential free patents

covering a total of 4,008.16 hectares were

successfully issued by his office.

This covers around 109% and 103% of the

2015 target of issuing 10,000 agricultural and

2,662 residential free patents in four provinces

in Region 7.

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Dr.

Isabelo Montejo, in a statement, highlighted the

importance of land titling in boosting economic

prosperity in the country.

In compliance with Republic Act No.

3844, otherwise known as the Agricultural

L a n d R e f o r m C o d e , D E N R i s

primarily responsible for the distribution and

land disposition through the issuance of free

patents or homestead patents for public

agricultural A and D lands.

On the other hand, issuance of patents for

residential lands is in line with the

implementation of Republic Act 10023, or the

New Free Patent Act, which provides for

DENR to process a free patent title application

to any Filipino citizen who is an actual

occupant of a residential land.

Montejo stressed the need to issue

patents as it will redound to the overall

productivity of idle lands in the region and will

therefore ultimately boost economic

prosperity in the countryside.

Of the total patents issued, Cebu

province was awarded with over 2,039

agricultural patents covering 892.79 hectares

and 517 residential patents covering 8.5557

hectares.

Bohol province was given 8,103

agricultural patents covering 2,684.22 hectares

and 1,508 residential patents for over 46.62

hectares, while Negros Oriental province

received 436 agricultural patents covering

178.85 hectares and 533 residential patents

covering 19.55 hectares.

Siquijor, the smallest island-province in

the region, was issued 303 and 104 agricultural

and residential patents covering 174.27 and

2.6887 hectares, respectively.

The DENR regional chief attributed

these accomplishments to the efforts

by the provincial officials in expediting

the process by notifying directly to

the applicant on certain requirements to

be complied with. (rmn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/

DENR-7)

DENR-7 exceeds 100% target in 2015 patent issuances

Juju M. Empuerto

CENTRAL VISAYAS, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) here is urging medical entities to be licensed under

their department.

Clinics, labs urged to register with DOH

D OH is the regulating body on

accreditation and licensure of

hospitals, clinics, and medical

laboratories.

In a recent Philippine Information Agency

(PIA) Association of Government Information

Officers (AGIO 7) Forum, DOH-7

Officer-In-Charge Assistant Regional Director

Dr. Sophia Mancao said even dental clinics and

medical laboratories mostly those operating

with X-Ray machines are mandated to get

licensure from DOH.

Mancao clarified that even though it is the

DOH national office that will issue the license,

it would be better if medical entities will pass

by their regional office here so that they can

also be listed in their records as an entity

operating in the medical practice.

She added that it is the responsibility of

the medical practitioners to apply for licensure

and comply with requirements.

With February set as Dental Health

Month, DOH-7 is encouraging dentists and

dental clinics/laboratories without license yet

to apply for licensure and comply with their

requirements.

―It‘s the responsibility of the dentists,

dental clinics and laboratories to apply for

license,‖ Mancao said. (rmn/ays/PIA7/

AGIO7 Forum)

Amor Y. Saludar

CEBU CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA)— Although the country has been declared Zika virus free, health officials here are urging the

public to remain vigilant and undertake the same protective measures that they would against dengue virus.

I n a recent Kapihan sa PIA, officials from

the Department of Health (DOH-7) said

the ways to avoid Zika virus is not new

to the public.

Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Canal, DOH-7

medical officer, said Zika virus is transmitted by

the mosquito specie belonging to

the Aedes family, the same mosquito that

carries the dengue virus and chikungunya.

Cañal said the Zika virus' signs and

symptoms are not specific as they could also be

identified with other illnesses, such as dengue.

Symptoms of Zika include fever,

conjunctivitis, and muscle pains.

The prevention to be adopted include 4S

strategy or search and destroy mosquito

breeding sites, seek early consultation,

self-protective measures, and saying ―no‖ to

indiscriminate fogging.

―Treatment of the virus is still increasing

fluid intake and taking paracetamol, just like

dengue,‖ Canal said.

She said that everyone is prone to be

infected once bitten.

―It is not true that Zika can cause

infertility among men,‖ she said.

Canal said that more danger is seen on

pregnant women who may transmit the virus

to her unborn child.

―They may give birth to babies with

microcephaly, a congenital condition associated

with incomplete brain development and

abnormal smallness of the head,‖ Canal

said.

DOH-7 Assistant Regional Director Dr.

Sofia Mancao said the country is still free from

the virus.

In 2012, there was a case documented in

Cebu City of a 15-year old boy who arrived

from traveling to Europe and showed signs and

symptoms of having been infected with Zika

virus. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

Anti-dengue measures can be used vs. Zika virus Ferliza Calizar-Contratista

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Dogs in SoLeyte up for vaccination

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 10 (PIA) -- There are about thirty thousand dogs in this province based on the latest

tally in 2015, and about 70 percent of these paws are to be subjected to the regular anti-rabies vaccination this year.

L ast year, records showed that 22,000

of these home-based pets were

vaccinated by the city and municipal

veterinary offices in coordination with the

provincial veterinary office, according to Dr.

Francisco Cabbarubias, of the Provincial

Veterinary Services Office.

In March, the regular conduct of the vac-

cination activity, the same number of dogs,

even more, will undergo the same

veterinary service, Cabbarubias said during the

dydm/dysl Kapihan sa PIA interview Friday.

Last month, the PVSO distributed 2,500

vials of anti-rabies vaccines from the Depart-

ment of Agriculture (DA), along with syringes

and needles procured by the province, to all

the local government units, except for three

towns pending compliance of refrigeration

requirements for the vaccines.

These vials will be fully utilized in

March for the month-long conduct of the

dog vaccination program, Cabbarubias

reported.

This year‘s focus on the wide and massive

dog vaccination will be in the four

municipalities of Panaon Island, with the

objective in mind to have the island declared

rabies-free.

The island-town of Limasawa was last

year‘s only rabies-free declared town by the

Department of Health (DOH), while the whole

province was cited as negative in the

transmission of rabies through dog bites.

Cabbarubias said that aside from

vaccination, there will also be castration

services in the towns of Liloan, San Francisco,

Pintuyan, and San Ricardo within the month of

March, the date and venue to be announced

later.

He called on owners to be responsible in

their pet dogs by having it registered and duly

immunized in designated centers, or even a

walk-in vaccination at their local veterinary

offices in the municipal/city agricultural services

office. (mmp, PIA8-Southern Leyte)

Marcelo M. Pedalino

P62.3M fund to restore typhoon-damaged infra

in NSamar

Ailene N. Diaz

Biliran health office intensifies anti-dengue campaign

T his came after eleven (11) suspected

dengue cases were recorded in the

province of Biliran in the month of

January this year as per report from the Biliran

provincial health office (PHO).

The report states that 11 dengue cases

were monitored from Morbidity Week 1 to

Morbidity Week 4 as of January 2016 and the-

se cases came from the municipalities of Naval,

Cabucgayan, and Caibiran.

These reported dengue cases came from

barangays Balaquid with one suspected case

and Langgao with three suspected cases in

Cabucgayan town; Barangay Palenque in

Caibiran with two suspected cases, and

barangays Lico, Capinahan and Calumpang with

one suspected case each, and Villaconsuelo

with two suspected cases in Naval town.

The report also revealed that ten of these

cases are admitted in health facilities but no

deaths were reported among the ten cases.

Vanessa Veloso Ramirez, Biliran health

education and promotion officer said that

although these cases are lower compared to

the same period of last year, surveillance

activities and awareness campaign must be

intensified in all barangays of the province to

effectively control dengue cases.

Ramirez appealed to all local officials

especially at the barangay level to revitalize

their ABKD or the Aksyon Barangay Kontra

Dengue.

She also reminded the public to observe

the 4S in fighting dengue or the search and

destroy, self-protection measures, seek early

consultation and say ―NO‖ to indiscriminate

fogging.

Ramirez said, if the person will

experience the following signs and symptoms

of a dengue case like sudden onset of high

fever which may last for two to seven

days; joint and muscle pain and pain behind the

eyes; weakness; skin rashes – maculopapular

rash or red tiny spots on the skin called

petechiae; nosebleed when the fever starts to

subside; abdominal pain; vomiting of

coffee-colored matter and dark-colored stools

- the affected person is encouraged to seek

early consutation in the nearest health facilities

like hospital or rural health units for immediate

medical treatment.

Ramirez also reminds the public not to be

complacent with this type of mosquito-borne

disease with the advent of Zika virus, now

considered a dreaded mosquito-borne disease

brought by the same dengue carrier mosquito,

Aedes Aegypti, now affecting some South

American countries like Brazil and some

countries in the world. # (fj/rvictoria/PIA 8

Biliran)

NAVAL, Biliran, Feb. 10 (PIA) - Bannering the famous health line ―an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,‖ the

provincial health office here intensified its anti-dengue campaign through increasing surveillance activities and awareness

campaign in the community.

Rodrigo S. Victoria

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb. 11 (PIA) – Around P 62.3 Million is at stake for the restoration and rehabilitation of

various infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Nona in the second district of Northern Samar, as per report from DPWH

Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office.

D amaged structures include road

shoulders, drainage canals, bridges‘

approach slope protection, river

control among others.

This is stipulated in the report by Engr.

Cesar Lim NSSDEO district representative,

Engr. Ferdinand Fabile, regional office

representative and Juan Amado Arcega and

Susan Ramos from the Bureau of Maintenance,

DPWH Central Office, all DPWH technical

personnel.

Typhoon Nona caused erosion on slope

protection structures of bridges along national

roads covers by the DPWH- 2nd District, thus,

a portion of the amount is for the damagd

bridge embankment located along Catarman

(Boundary)- Laoang Road particularly at Tabo-

non Bridge, Cadat-olan Bridge and Bura-

bod Bridge.

As said by R. Orsua and C. Sayaman of

DPWH NSSDEO PIO Unit, damages was also

observed along the Rawis (Junction) – Catubig

Road; Simora Bridge and Opong Bridge II in

particular.

DPWH 2nd District Engineer

Ferdinand Briones called for an

immediate funding for the restoration

of the structures damaged by Nona so

as not to impede road-users and motorists.

(ADiaz)

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

6 Eastern Samar towns receive JFPR aid for

classrooms

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Feb. 9 (PIA) - Six towns in the province of Eastern Samar — whose classrooms had been

destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda — received financial aid of US $ 20-M from the Asian Development Bank through the

Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR).

T he National Economic and

Development Authority (NEDA)

disclosed that the towns of Balangiga,

Balangkayan, Guiuan, Hernani, Quinapondan,

and Salcedo are recepients of the financial aid

for classrooms.

The ADB then had commissioned Plan

International to be the consulting company

in the construction of the said classrooms

and had been designed by the Department of

Public Works and Highways — based on the

―Build back better‖ principle of the

government.

These classrooms are designed to

withstand maximum sustained winds of 250

kilometers per hour just like during the

onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

They are also are equipped with

ventilation systems, chairs, blackboards, wash

basins, a separate comfort room for boys and

girls, and a rain water catchment system that

will serve as alternative source of water.

According to NEDA, the Japanese

government hopes that after these

classrooms had been constructed, the

teachers, students, and parents would help in

its maintenance so it can still be used by future

generations.

This project was also made possible

through the help of the Department of

Education (DepEd) and the Department of

Social Welfare and Development. (SDC/PIA-E.

Samar)

Tacloban media, IOs get info on BBL

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb. 8 (PIA) – Close to a hundred information officers, media and barangay officials received

clarifications on the myths and issues hounding the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

T his was during the recently held BBL

Forum at the Tacloban Ritz Tower

de Leyte Hotel, where Attorney

Armi Beatriz Bayot of the Office of the

Solicitor General (SolGen) and spokesperson

of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on

Peace Process (OPAPP) shared her expertise

on the subject.

Mrs. Bernardita Valenzuela, Information

Officer of the Tacloban city Mayor‘s Office

opened the Q & A portion with a

well-researched question. Her question

referred to the four attributes which according

to her is complete in the BBL; population,

government, sovereignty and territory, she

asked then, if BBL could declare independence.

Tita Bering as Ms. Valenzuela is fondly

called by friends, was answered with a big

―NO,‖ it cannot declare. According to the

speaker, just like the states of America, none of those stands in the United Nations assembly

for instance, because the national state retains

its full exercise of jurisdiction.

Mr. Ramil Uy (DOST I.O) expressed

apprehension over the natural tendency of the

Moro people to be secessionists but again,

Atty. Bayot was quick to dismiss that it is a

wrong impression to think that the Moro

groups will be rebellious forever. She further

said, that the fact that they have signed the

MOA is enough indication that they have

surrendered their calls to be separated from

the national state, that they are now trusting

the sincerity of the government to provide

them with a peaceful community and a

meaningful autonomy.

On the aspect of decommissioning, Atty.

Bayot explained that the MNLF committed to

lay down their arms, as a sign of peace accord

with government panel however, the state,

again has the sole force on the AFP which is

lawful, she added. Elements of the AFP will still be deployed in Moro communities but

only in leading to normalcy of the entire envi-

ronment.

Atty. Bayot expressed disgust on the issue

of inflated as aired by another media man.

―It is not true that BBL gets P75B, instead

it is a P27B budget which will be allotted

for the first five years of government

rehabilitation efforts. This allocation is not

forever. We have to take note that for several

decades, these areas had been left out,

marginalized, and you could just imagine the

thousands of children who had not been

attending school, mothers who have not

received health care services and fathers who

do not have decent livelihood to date,‖ the

lady lawyer narrated.

In closing, Atty. Bayot said further, that

her visit to Tacloban was not to convince

people to support BBL, rather, she came to

expound the issues that surround BBL.

But she was gracious to reveal that in her rounds, it was here where she heard the kind

of questioning. (PIA-08)

Samuel D. Candido

2,778 individuals avail of PRC mobile service

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Feb. 11 (PIA) – Some 2,778 Nortehanons were able to avail of the PRC Mobile Service

conducted in Northern Samar on the second week of January at the Ibabao Hall, Provincial Capitol.

T his is in response to the request of

the provincial government thru

Governor Jose L. Ong, Jr., requesting

the national PRC to extend their services to

the province easing the burden of applicants

from a long travel to Tacloban, fare and

inconveniences, considering the plight of the

constituents after the devastating Typhoon

Nona.

Ms. Angeline Chua Chiaco, acting

chairperson of PRC positively responded to

the request and promised to provide the

following services: Receiving application for

Board Licensure Examination for Professional

Teachers (BLEPT), Renewal of Professional

Identification cards, initial Registration of New-

ly Passed Professionals and Authentication of

PRC documents.

Moreover, a PRC resolution No. 64 was

also issued by the Board of Professional

Teachers approved by the Commission

designating Catarman Northern Samar as

additional Testing Center for the March and

September 2016 Board Licensure Examination

for Professional Teachers.

As a result, in summary PRC mobile

service served 2,073 BLEPT applicants, 150

initial registrants, 447 renewal/duplication of

licenses and 108 certification/authentication.

Ms. Elna Irinco, NSPESO Manager

informed that for Northern Samar applicants,

examination is set on March 20, 2016,

tentatively at University of Eastern Philippines.

Applicants should be guided by the

following instructions: examinees should

report before 6:30 in the morning on the

examination day, late examinees will

not be admitted; should bring with them

Notice of Admission (NOA), Official

Receipt, pencils no. 1 or 2, black

ballpens, metered-stamped window mailing

envelope, long brown and long plastic

envelopes. Cellular phones and other gadgets

are strictly prohibited, and must wear the

prescribed dress code. (ADiaz)

Ailene N. Diaz

One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

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 [email protected].

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: [email protected]/ [email protected]

PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]

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: [email protected]/[email protected]