Vol 6 Issue 24 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 June 13 - 19, 2016 In this Issue PhilHealth portal installed in accredited CV hospitals More on Region 8, pages 6-7. Also CLICK Here... 5,000 jobs up for jobseekers at Catbalogan’s jobs fair TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 15(PIA) -- More than five thousand job vacancies both local and overseas employment were made available for jobseekers in the Kalayaan jobs fair at Catbalogan Plaza, Catbalogan City. According to a press release of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office 8, regional director Elias D. Cayanong said, at least 1, 300 local jobs from 20 local employers and 4, 000 job orders from eight overseas recruitment agencies are being offered to all jobless and those seeking for jobs. ―We are grateful to the city government of Catbalogan through the leadership of Mayor Stephanie Uy for partnering with us as we are very optimistic that this will give the unemployed, displaced workers and the newly graduates the opportunity to find a job,‖ Cayanong said. Local employers participating in the jobs fair were Catbalogan Water District, Samar Multi-Purpose Cooperative Mart, SAMICO Kabuhayan Program, Rose Pharmacy, Jolibee Catbalogan branch, Generika Pharmacy, Leyte Communications Training Center, Inc., Dranix Distributorship Inc., Super Metro Calbayog, Paramount Human Resources Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Radiowealth Finance, MSS Cycle Trading, LBC express Inc., Gaisano Central Store, Mang Inasal Sutheresteve Foods Inc., Sinai Manpower Agency, Once Central Mall, Eperformax Contract Centers and BPO. Two national government agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also participated in the jobs fair. The Kalayaan jobs fair was one of the highlights of the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration. (ajc/cba/ DOLE-8/PIA-8) ILOILO CITY, June 15 (PIA6)—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said that while there are negative effects of La Nina, there are also positive impacts which the public should take advantage of. In a recent forum on Rainwater Harvesting and Storage, Engr. Demosthenes Reboble, USAID Be Secure Project Water Technical Specialist, said it can impact on water resources and infrastructures. Reboble said for water utilities with water supply, there is abundance of water from rivers to draw from. He said that waters from heavy rains will flow in abundance in the rivers. ―For those with ground water supply, the aquifer recharge will increase ground water level,‖ he added. The recharge will give relief to aquifers that were heavily drawn from during the El Niño, the water specialist further said. USAID Be Secure Project Climate Resiliency Team Leader Elizea Gozun said on top of the positive impacts, are huge savings from water bills if water harvesting facilities are in place. Gozun and her team has been doing information campaign, especially among local government units, to make water harvesting part of its development plan. ―They can make this part of their initiatives to make their communities flood-resilient,‖ she said. In that same forum, experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources presented various technologies for rainwater harvesting and storage, which water utilities and LGUs can adopt. Meanwhile, in the event of La Niña water resources can also be affected, like contamination and loss of water quality due to flooding. USAID water experts has advised that the public should heed health advisories on how to keep water safe for human consumption, like boiling and water treatment. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo) More on Region 7, pages 4-5. Also CLICK Here… More on Region 6, pages 2-3. Also CLICK Here… EASTERN VISAYAS CEBU CITY, June 13 (PIA) – Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) installed the Health Care Institution (HCI) portal in accredited hospitals and facilities in Central Visayas. As of April this year, 93 percent of accredited hospitals already have access to the HCI portal to provide members with an easy, fast, and hassle-free way of having their health insurance applied to their hospital bill. The portal allows facilities to quickly verify upon admission if a patient is entitled to PhilHealth coverage. The portal generates a PhilHealth Benefit Eligibility Form (PBEF) which provides information as to whether a patient is covered based on the Corporation‘s policies on membership and dependency, qualifying contribution, and compliance to the 45-day coverage limit per year. With this, members don‘t need to bring a copy of their Member Data Record (MDR) and/or proof of contribution. Upon portal verification, the facility will automatically deduct from the member‘s hospital bill his/her health insurance coverage. A case rate predetermined per medical condition or procedure. Only when the member‘s records are not updated or when there are discrepancies in the information provided that supporting document(s) will be required in order for the health insurance coverage to be applied. PhilHealth enjoins all accredited hospitals and other health care facilities to make use of the portal. Members are also encouraged to avail themselves of the ease afforded by this system. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/ Philhealth-7) WESTERN VISAYAS CENTRAL VISAYAS Maj. Gen. Jet B Velarmino, Commander 8ID, Philippine Army, Hon. Sharee Ann Tan Delos Santos, Governor, Samar Province together with other local government units join the Flag Raising Ceremony during the celebration of 118th Philippine Independence Day held at Samar Provincial Capitol ground on June 12, 2016. By Elsa S. Subong Incoming Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones talks about education reforms and its importance in attaining social and economic independence during the Independence Day celebration in Quezon Park, Dumaguete City. On the other hand, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria led other city officials in offering flowers at the foot of the Rizal Monument in Quezon Park. (PIA7-NegOr) USAID cites positive impact of La Niña Hazel F. Gloria ICPO OIC Director PSSUPT Remus Zacharias Canieso encourages everyone to do his or her part to help end the illegal drug problem in the city at the Anti-Drug Summit organized by the Iloilo City government at Jaro Gym, June 15. USAID Be Secure Project‘s Elizea Gozun bats for water harvesting as a way to take advantage of the ―positive impact‖ of the La Niña phenomenon. (PI6 file photo)
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Transcript
Vol 6 Issue 24 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 June 13 - 19, 2016
In this Issue
PhilHealth portal installed in accredited CV hospitals
More on Region 8, pages 6-7.
Also CLICK Here...
5,000 jobs up for jobseekers at Catbalogan’s jobs fair
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 15(PIA) -- More
than five thousand job vacancies both local and overseas employment were made available for jobseekers in the Kalayaan jobs fair at Catbalogan Plaza, Catbalogan
City. According to a press release of the Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office 8, regional director Elias D. Cayanong said, at least
1, 300 local jobs from 20 local employers and 4, 000 job orders from eight overseas recruitment agencies are being offered to all jobless and those seeking
for jobs. ―We are grateful to the city government of
Catbalogan through the leadership of Mayor Stephanie
Uy for partnering with us as we are very optimistic that this will give the unemployed, displaced workers and the newly graduates the opportunity to find a job,‖
Cayanong said.
Local employers participating in the jobs fair were
Catbalogan Water District, Samar Multi-Purpose Cooperative Mart, SAMICO Kabuhayan Program, Rose Pharmacy, Jolibee Catbalogan branch, Generika Pharmacy,
Leyte Communications Training Center, Inc., Dranix Distributorship Inc., Super Metro Calbayog, Paramount Human Resources Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Radiowealth Finance, MSS Cycle Trading, LBC express Inc., Gaisano
Central Store, Mang Inasal Sutheresteve Foods Inc., Sinai Manpower Agency, Once Central Mall, Eperformax Contract Centers and BPO.
Two national government agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also
participated in the jobs fair. The Kalayaan jobs fair was one of the highlights of the
118th Philippine Independence Day celebration. (ajc/cba/
DOLE-8/PIA-8)
ILOILO CITY, June 15 (PIA6)—The United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) said that while there are negative effects of La Nina, there are also positive impacts which the public should take advantage of.
In a recent forum on Rainwater Harvesting and Storage, Engr. Demosthenes Reboble, USAID Be Secure Project Water Technical Specialist, said it can impact on water resources and infrastructures.
Reboble said for water utilities with water supply, there is abundance of water from rivers to draw from. He said that waters from heavy rains will flow in abundance
in the rivers. ―For those with ground water supply, the aquifer
recharge will increase ground water level,‖ he added.
The recharge will give relief to aquifers that were heavily drawn from during the El Niño, the water specialist further said.
USAID Be Secure Project Climate Resiliency Team Leader Elizea Gozun said on top of the positive impacts, are huge savings from water bills if water harvesting
facilities are in place. Gozun and her team has been doing information
campaign, especially among local government units, to make water harvesting part of its development plan.
―They can make this part of their initiatives to make their communities flood-resilient,‖ she said.
In that same forum, experts from the Department of
Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources presented various technologies for rainwater harvesting and storage, which
water utilities and LGUs can adopt. Meanwhile, in the event of La Niña water resources
can also be affected, like contamination and loss of water quality due to flooding.
USAID water experts has advised that the public should heed health advisories on how to keep water safe for human consumption, like boiling and water treatment.
(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)
More on Region 7, pages 4-5.
Also CLICK Here…
More on Region 6, pages 2-3.
Also CLICK Here…
EASTERN VISAYAS
CEBU CITY, June 13 (PIA) – Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) installed the Health Care Institution (HCI) portal in accredited hospitals and facilities in Central Visayas.
As of April this year, 93 percent of accredited hospitals already have access to the HCI portal to provide members with an easy, fast, and hassle-free way of having their health insurance applied to their
hospital bill. The portal allows facilities to quickly verify
upon admission if a patient is entitled to PhilHealth
coverage. Th e p o r t a l g en e r a te s a Ph i lHea l t h
Benefit Eligibility Form (PBEF) which provides
information as to whether a patient is covered
based on the Corporation‘s pol icies on m emb e r sh i p a n d de p e n de n c y , q u a l i f y i n g
contribution, and compliance to the 45-day coverage limit per year.
With this, members don‘t need to bring a copy of
their Member Data Record (MDR) and/or proof of contribution.
Upon portal verification, the facility will automatically
deduct from the member‘s hospital bill his/her health insurance coverage.
A case rate predetermined per medical condition or procedure.
Only when the member‘s records are not updated or when there are discrepancies in the information provided that supporting document(s) will be
required in order for the health insurance coverage to be applied.
PhilHealth enjoins all accredited hospitals
and other health care facilities to make use of the
portal. Members are also encouraged to avail themselves
of the ease afforded by this system. (rmn/hfg/PIA-7/Philhealth-7)
WESTERN VISAYAS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Maj. Gen. Jet B Velarmino, Commander 8ID,
Philippine Army, Hon. Sharee Ann Tan Delos
Santos, Governor, Samar Province together
with other local government units join the Flag
Raising Ceremony during the celebration of
118th Philippine Independence Day held at
Samar Provincial Capitol ground on June 12,
2016.
By Elsa S. Subong
Incoming Department of Education Secretary
Leonor Briones talks about education reforms
and its importance in attaining social and
economic independence during the
Independence Day celebration in Quezon
Park, Dumaguete City. On the other hand,
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria led
other city officials in offering flowers at the
foot of the Rizal Monument in Quezon Park.
(PIA7-NegOr)
USAID cites positive impact of La Niña
Hazel F. Gloria
ICPO OIC Director PSSUPT Remus Zacharias
Canieso encourages everyone to do his or her
part to help end the illegal drug problem in the
city at the Anti-Drug Summit organized by the
Iloilo City government at Jaro Gym, June 15.
USAID Be Secure Project‘s Elizea Gozun bats for water harvesting
as a way to take advantage of the ―positive impact‖ of the La Niña
ILOILO CITY, June 15 (PIA6) - - A total of 95 job seekers found local employment on Sunday, June 12, after they were hired on
the spot (HOTS) at the Kalayaan 2016 Job Fair.
H eld in commemoration of the
country‘s 118th Independence Day,
the Kalayaan Job Fair is one of the
three job fairs being initiated by the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
every year. The other two are the Labor Day
Job Fair on May 1 and the DOLE Anniversary
Job Fair on December 8.
Based on the data from DOLE 6, as of 5
PM on June 12, some 3,405 applicants
registered for the Kalayaan 2016 job fair, 411
qualified for further interview and 95 hired on
the spot, all for local employment.
The figure is higher as compared to last
year where 81 jobseekers who registered in
the Kalayaan 2015 job fair conducted here in
this city got hired on the spot.
This year, 12,356 job openings were
available at the job fair, mostly or about 8,768
for overseas employment. The rest are local
employment.
DOLE 6 OIC Assistant Regional Director
Salome Siaton in her message lauded the
efforts and support given by partners, DOLE
family of agencies and participating employers
to the job fair whose primary intention is to
generate employment not only in the region
but in the country as this was conducted
simultaneously nationwide on Sunday.
―This activity will never be realized if not
for the support of our partners. We can never
be successful in facilitating employment to
jobseekers and employers who are looking for
skills without the cooperation of our partners,‖
said Siaton.
The job fair was participated in by
thirty-three local companies, ten BPO
entities and eleven overseas recruitment
agencies.
Siaton appealed to employers to
immediately hire on the spot qualified
applicants ―so that at the end of the day,
we can say that the efforts we all put
together have value because we were able
to transform the life of an unemployed
individual‖.
She noted a recent news report that
there is a decrease in the unemployment
situation in Region 6 in April this year and
credited this to the cooperation shown by
everyone in the region particularly the local
government units such as the city and
provincial governments of Iloilo which push for
the increasing number of employed persons in
the region.
Last June 3, the Iloilo provincial
government Public Employment Service Office
also conducted a job fair with 392 HOTS and
on June 10, the Iloilo City PESO with 21
HOTS. (JCM/laf/PIA6)
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
By Lilibeth A. French
ROXAS CITY, Capiz, June 13 (PIA6) – Gov. Victor A. Tanco called on the present generation of Filipinos to protect and
preserve the hard-fought independence during a simple program to mark the 118th Independence Day celebration last June 12
at the Provincial Capitol Grounds here.
Protect, preserve hard-fought independence – Gov
By Alex A. Lumaque
“ There is a hero within us waiting to be
awakened. A hero that does not need a
baptism of death to be recognized as
such,‖ Tanco stressed, adding that collective
actions from every member of the community
can bring change for development.
The provincial chief executive was joined
during the celebration by 3rd Infantry Division
(3ID) commander Brig. Gen. Harold Cabreros,
Capiz 1st District Cong. and governor – elect
Antonio Del Rosario‘s senior staff officer
Melanie Arancillo, among others.
The hour-long celebration, that also
included cultural performances by the
Silak Dance Company of Filamer Christian
Univers ity , Capiz State Univers ity
– Roxas City main campus chorale and
a private dance academy, capped with
the release of 118 doves which symbolizes
liberation and freedom from influence and
captivity.
A flag-raising and wreathlaying at Dr. Jose
Rizal Monument kicked off the celebration that
has the theme ―Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan,
Pagsulong.‖
The celebration serves as a reminder to
every Filipino of the heroes‘ gallantry that lead
to the dec larat ion of Phi l ipp ine
Independence 118 years ago, Tanco noted.
(JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, June 15 (PIA6) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Negros Island Region is
developing the Payment of Ecosystems Services (PES) for the Northern Negros Natural Park.
W ith less than P5-million DENR
allocation for the protection and
conservation of the NNNP, the
DENR-NIR intends to collect fees within from
owners of structures within the government
protected area under the National Integrated
Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
DENR-NIR regional director Al Orolfo
said these owners or entities with entrance
fees, use of other facilities for eco-tourism
where they earn have to pay the PES system
but the amount is still subject for deliberation
and approval of a committee. ―Whatever is
earned in the PES, 75 percent will be retained
for the NNNP development and protection
while only 25 percent goes back to the
National Treasury. Examples are the
telecommunication towers at Mt. Kalandog
and with those, the NNNP will already earn
millions,‖ Orolfo explained.
Orolfo hopes they will finish the blue
print or the general management for the
NNNP before the year ends for its
conservation and development to make the
activities in NNNP more sustainable through
eco-tourism planning, eco-tourism investment
and eco-tourism enterprise development.
This month, DENR deployed enumerators
at NNNP to survey protected areas occupants
and tag if structures are within the restricted
zone or multiple use zone and if the claimants
are tenured or non-tenured.
―Even those in the multi-use zone,
economic activities will be allowed in a
sustainable manner, the board will deliberate if
their structures will be retained or not,‖
Orolfo adding that those in the restricted
areas will be a no build zone and owners have
to demolish their own structures in the area.
DENR-NIR will meet with the more than
90 structure owners issued a Cease-and-Desist
Order (CDO) this June to present to them
their violations inorder for them to craft their
rehabilitation efforts.*(jcm/EAD-PIA6 Negros
Occidental)
DENR to collect fees for NNNP
By Easter Anne D. Doza
WESTERN VISAYAS 3
ILOILO CITY, June 15 (PIA6) --- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-6 has found over 88 sinkholes in the municipality
of Buenavista, Guimaras.
I n a press briefing held Wednesday at the
MGB-6 office here, MGB Regional
Director Leo Van Juguan said the
preliminary report of the detailed Karst
subsidence assessment that was conducted
from September 2 to October 7, 2015, found
88 sinkholes and 85 caves in 17 barangays in
the town of Buenavista.
Sinkholes are ground depressions or
openings formed when the underlying soluble
rocks are dissolved, resulting in voids
underground which can weaken the support
for the overlying surface.
According to MGB-6, the karst
subsistence assessment found the presence of
sinkholes in the following barangays:
Agsanayan, Dagsaan, Daragan, Getulio, Mabini,
Montpiller, Navalas, New Poblacion, Salvacion,
San Isidro, San Miguel, San Pedro, San Roque,
Tacay, Taminla, Tastasan, and Zaldivar.
Subsidence due to sinkhole collapse is one
of the most dangerous geohazard because of
its extreme unpredictability.
This information can be used by local
government planners and individual landowners
to make decisions on where to build dwellings
and other structures.
In the Philippines, subsidence hazard in
karst terrain have not been given much
attention in the past until the strong
earthquakes in Negros Oriental in 2012 and
Bohol in 2013 exposed the numerous sinkholes
in these areas.
These phenomena were proven
destructive and have affected built-up
communities, roads, schools, administrative
buildings, and agricultural farmlands.
The recognition of the devastating damage
that can result from this hazard and the
presence of extensive karst areas in the
country prompted MGB of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources to include
karst subsidence assessment in the National
Geohazards Mapping and Assessment Program.
(JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
MGB discovers 88 sinkholes in Guimaras
Leonard T. Pineda I
4Ps supports 3,629 scholars
By Pilar S. Mabaquiao
SAN JOSE, Antique, June 16 (PIA6) - - Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development is
supporting 3,629 college students through the Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGPPA) in Region 6 and Negros
Occidental.
O f the total number 207 have graduated
this year coming from the first batch of
scholars while the 3,422 are still
studying and enrolled in different schools in the
Region said Corina Rene A. Magbanua,
Institutional Partnership and Development
Officer in-charge of SGPPA and Civil Society
organizations.
For Antique, 53 have graduated and the 349
are still enrolled in different schools. Aside, from
University of Antique, others are enrolled at
Capiz State University, Aklan State University,
Guimaras State College, Iloilo Science and
Technology University and West Visayas State
College University.
Jomalyn Lucena from the island
municipality of Caluya, Antique is one
among the graduates who finished BS Agriculture
at West Visayas State University as Magna Cum
Laude.
Magbanua said, this is one of a kind
opportunity for students from poor families to
finish their college education with support from
government in the amount of P30,000 per
semester to cover their tuition fees, cost of
living allowance, books uniforms and other
school needs.
Apart from education, they are also
covered with PhilHealth in case of health
emergencies. The university where they are
enrolled has designated focal persons or
counselors who are monitoring the students.
Parents of these scholars need not worry
of the sustainability of the program since
the budget for the completion of their
courses is assured under Republic Act No.
10687 or the ―Unified Student Financial
Assistance System for Tertiary Education
(UniFAST) Act‖.
On part of the students, they are
encouraged to do well in their studies, making
the most of their scholarship and serve as model
to others who strive to rise above the challenges
of poverty, said Magbanua. (JCM/PSM/
PIA6Antique)
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
Aklan is prepared for disaster - PDRRMC
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA6) – The province of Aklan is prepared and ready to disaster management and operations this rainy
season, the Aklan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said.
A ccording to PDRRMC Officer Galo
Ibardolaza their office has 24-hour on
duty personnel monitoring the weather
situation, and ready to respond to any kind of
emergency or disaster.
―It is a Standard Operating Procedure of
the PDRRMC and all of the Municipal DRRMC
here in the province to monitor everyday the
weather especially during this rainy season or
the southwest monsoon wherein occurrence
of typhoons are probable,‖ Ibardolaza said.
Water level sensor in bridges of Madalag
and Mobo is also monitored 24/7 to supervise
the critical level of water in Aklan River.
The monitoring enables the DRRMOs give
early warnings to their respective areas of
responsibilities, which allow the community to
prepare, he added. ―The province is investing
more on giving early warnings to the people
because if the typhoon or the disaster strikes,
you could not stop it anymore, what is needed
is to lessen the impact of the disaster for being
prepared, like loss of lives,‖ the PDRRMC chief
said. Response capability of each municipality is
also strengthened; the responders are
equipped with necessary skills and equipment
for efficient and effective rescue operations.
The coordination of every MDRRMC,
according to Ibardolaza contributes to the
preparedness of the province.
On May 30, the first coordination meeting
of all MDRRMC in Aklan was conducted
wherein the housing of Aklan Disaster
Managers Association (ADMA) was established
together with its constitution and by-laws.
―The meeting was also a venue of
exchanging good practices, ideas, suggestions
and offering hands to municipalities that need
help; and with the established association in the
province, disasters management is also
strengthened,‖ Ibardolaza added.
The conducted Rescuelympics in Aklan
according to PDRRMC Chief revealed the
readiness of the province for disaster and
calamity rescue operations in terms of
equipment and responders‘ capabilities and
abilities. Meanwhile, the PDRRMC reminds the
public not to take for granted the onset of
rainy season as based on the weather forecast
of authorized agencies here or even of other
countries; the impact, strength and duration of
El Nino will also be the same to that of La Nina
phenomena, which is expected to hit the
Philippines. (JSC/SQP-PIA6 Aklan)
By Sheila Q. Patoza
CENTRAL VISAYAS 4
DUMAGUETE CITY, June 14 (PIA) – Incoming Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones has underscored the
importance of having reforms in the country’s education system to achieve social and economic independence in her speech
during the 118th Independence Day celebration in the city yesterday.
Incoming DepEd chief keynotes
Dgte Independence Day celeb
B riones was the keynote speaker of the
Independence Day celebration held at Quezon Park,
In her speech, she asked the audience
composed of city officials and representatives of various sectors if they experience social and economic independence.
Briones pointed out that Negros Oriental
belongs to the list 16 poorest provinces in the Philippines.
―If you look at Dumaguete City, you cannot see
a strong indicator that there are many poor people but if you go to the hinterlands and coastal towns, you will see the poor,‖ she said.
Briones stressed there is a big connection between employment and poverty and this is where the role of education comes in.
She cited that reforms in the country‘s education system are necessary because it can lead to employment of more people.
Briones acknowledged there is an ongoing debate on the implementation of Senior High School (SHS).
―Whether you have SHS or not, every year, on
an average of 1. 2 million kids who graduate from high school, only 50 percent proceed to college. There is a big fall out,‖ she said.
She said some of the reasons why some school children do not proceed to college is because they could no longer afford the tuition or because
some parents require their children to work in their
fields. The incoming education secretary
noted that with the SHS, young people have
many options on what educational track to take, namely: academic track, technical-vocational -livelihood track which include agriculture, and
sports track. Briones emphasized that SHS is a precursor to
college and the teaching methods applied in this
program are similar to college level. Moreover, she also noted that the
reform in the country‘s education system
will also bring benefit to young people seeking employment.
Briones explained that the number of years
spent in basic education is a one of the factors
employers consider in hiring an applicant. ―Whether you are nurse, a doctor, or a
physicist, they will still count the number of years in
basic education,‖ she pointed out. With the ASEAN integration happening,
Briones also said foreigners who are from other
ASEAN countries get more chance of getting hired in
multi-national companies because they have more years in basic education.
With this, Briones declared that reforms in the
country‘s educational system are long overdue. ―These reforms are long overdue because we
really need to catch up,‖ she said.
Meanwhile, Briones also added the government must intensify its efforts to push for ―Education for All‖ or giving quality education opportunities to
many especially indigenous people through alternative learning systems.
She concluded her speech by pointing out that
education is one of the powerful tools in raising public‘s consciousness on all aspects independence. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
CEBU CITY, June 16 (PIA) – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to release the new Listahanan
database on June 27.
Updated Listahanan to be released June 27
R uben Boybanting of DSWD-7, in the
recent Kapihan sa PIA Cebu, said that on June 27 at the Cebu Parklane Hotel, the
results of the updated database of the country‘s
poorest of the poor known as Listahanan will be launched.
Listahanan is the new term coined for the National Household Targeting System for Poverty
Reduction (NSTPR). He said Listahanan is a survey that is done
every four years. It made use of indicators that will
identify and locate the country‘s poor. ―One of the bases is the family income which is
about 18,000 for the entire year or lesser, there are
also other indicators like size of the house, materials used, etc,‖ Boybanting said.
He said this will also show how many of those
identified as poor in the first survey are no longer within the category due to the interventions done by the government.
Listahanan is a good tool for government
agencies and non-government organizations for the targeting of social assistance programs.
―This will identify who and where are
these poor located so it is easy for them to locate,‖ Boybanting said.
The survey ran for a year beginning
second quarter last year with four phases, namely: Preparatory Phase, Data Collection and Analysis Phase, Validation and Finalization phase, and
the Report Generation Phase. Other than the targeting of Social Assistance
Programs, results of Listahanan are vital tools for planning and research.
Listahanan is pursuant to Executive Order 867 which adopts the system as the mechanism identifying the poor households who shall be
recipients f social protection programs nationwide. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)
By Ferliza C. Contratista
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
CEBU, June 16 (PIA) – PAGASA-Visayas Director Oscar Tabada urged the public to prepare for the onslaught of La Niña
which is expected to occur starting October this year and will extend until February of 2017.
“ There is 75 percent chance of La Niña to
happen and that most often, it happens after a strong El Niño,‖ said Tabada during a
presentation on ‗El Niño/La Niña Watch and
Weather Outlook‘ to some officials and representatives of regional line agencies.
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold
surface temperatures of the ocean and is associated
with abnormal heavy rainfall, temperature and tropical cyclones.
Tabada said La Niña‘s strength can be visibly
felt by November, December and January as the country expects 14 to15 tropical cyclones before the year ends.
With La Niña, there will be more cyclones,
stronger typhoons and severe flooding, said the PAGASA-Visayas chief adding that its effects are more disastrous than El Niño.
―Visayas and Mindanao will be more affected by La Niña compared to Luzon,‖ bared Tabada due to the prevalence of ‗habagat‘ or south west monsoon
which brings frequent heavy rainfall.
Tabada specifically warned Cebuanos to be vigilant as Cebu is the target of typhoons during the last quarter of the year based on past
trend. In his presentation, the prediction is that the
Philippines will continue to experience El Niño and
La Niña even up to 2080 while Central Visayas is at
high risk. Currently, there are 13 Doppler radars
including the one in Mactan, Cebu to help provide
accurate weather forecast while the radars are also capable of measuring rainfall including the possibility of flooding, said Tabada.
Tabada said two radars are now being set up
and additional four new ones have been purchased of which Bohol is one recipient.
The public is advised to check the daily weather
forecast at pagasa.dost.gov.ph and click regional forecast and again click Visayas to find out the details of the current weather situation. (fcr/PIA7)
La Niña to hit Oct 2016 till Feb 2017
Fayette C. Riñen
CENTRAL VISAYAS 5
CEBU, June 13 (PIA) – A fund drive for a cause opened yesterday to seek the public’s generosity to help send children of fallen
soldiers to school during the ―Bayan, Bayani‖ activity in commemoration of 118 years of freedom.
Fund drive for children of fallen soldiers up
B rig. Gen. Roberto Domines Jr., deputy
commander of the Central Command (Centcom)-Armed Forces of the Philippines
in his speech said ―soldiers are modern-day heroes
too as they leave their families behind and prepare to sacrifice their lives to defend our country.‖
Domines said it is the supreme duty of the soldiers to protect the Filipino people and defend
the sovereignty of the State which is why people can sleep well at night.
One of the featured activities of the ―Bayan,
Bayani‖ undertaking is the fund drive where well-meaning citizens are urged to donate any
amount to fund the education of children of soldiers
who died in the line of duty. The fund drive dubbed ‗Be a Hero to our
Heroes‘ children‘ is done in cooperation with the
Hero Foundation, a group that supports families of fallen soldiers and Ayala Center Cebu.
Donation boxes are located at the mall entrances for the whole month of June.
On June 25, a love concert for a cause at 6:00 p.m. is set at the Ayala Terraces, also for the benefit of soldiers.
Part of the Independence Day celebration is a five-day exhibit of military interactive gears and
equipment and a miniature military camp called
‗Kampo Sugbo‘ at the same mall. The exhibit which opened yesterday will
run until Friday to give civilians a glimpse of military
life including camp operations and military hardware.
During yesterday‘s program, the Centcom band wowed shoppers, spectators and guests to a series
of standard music clapping their hands from various floor levels to show their appreciation.
Some civilians took time out to check the
exhibit while some cannot resist having their photos taken beside military gears. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, 13 June (PIA) --- Acting Cebu City Mayor Margarita ―Margot‖ Osmeña reminded Cebuanos of their responsibility as
caretakers of the heroism of the country’s forefathers while at same time promoting equality for the good of everyone.
O smeña said this during the Cebu City
government‘s flag raising ceremony at the Cebu Hall‘s Plaza Sugbo in commemoration
of the 118th Philippine Independence Day.
In her message, Osmeña reminded Cebuanos that as members of the sovereign nation, everyone has the responsibility as caretakers of the country‘s liberty, justice, peace and pursuit of
happiness. ―We must do our share they have done theirs,
we must continue to honor and respect what they
already have done for us, we must challenge ourselves to work towards equality among all sectors of society,‖ she added.
Osmeña stressed that each one has a role
to play in the society and that each one deserves
assurance of good treatment as Filipinos. ―We must recognize that every single member
of our community has a role to play and assured
them of their humanity,‖ she noted. Osmeña added that the quest for security
and the fight against fear, ignorance, and poverty requires combined efforts in order to achieve true
freedom. ―We work together, so that our people are
protected not only from external enemies but from
fear, ignorance and poverty, until then we can never call ourselves truly free,‖ the acting mayor stressed.
―No one will be left behind, and with your
support and always with God‘s grace we will be able
to be called a truly free people,‖ Osmeña said. Cebu City held the celebration of the 118th
Philippine Independence themed with ―Kalayaan
2016 Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong‖ at Plaza Sugbo and was attended by officials and representatives from Philippine Regional Office (PRO-7), Armed Forces of the Philippine-Central
Command (AFP-CentCom), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-7), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-Central Visayas), Boy Scout of the Philippine
and Girl Scout of the Philippines, national government agencies, civil societies, veterans of war, and from the Consul of Japan and United States of
America. (rmn/ays/PIA7)
Acting mayor tells Cebuanos: Be caretakers
of freedom
Amor Y. Saludar
TAGBILARAN CITY, June 13 (PIA) – It is almost like hitting two birds with one stone, but more appropriately it is netting as
much in a single haul.
Bohol project among region’s sustainable business models
A business venture fed by communities picking
up discarded fishing nets from the seas and coastlines of Talibon and Bien Unido in Bohol
attained as many in a haul: cleaner seas, healthier
ecosystems, and communities earning extra income and technology.
One of the region‘s sustainable business models showcased at the Negosyo, Konsumer At Iba Pa
(NKATBP) at the Hotel Marco Polo in Cebu is Net Works Philippines which shared the limelight with the region‘s most sustainable business models
during the three-day One Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Services.
Net Works Philippines Project Manager Amado
Blanco explained that the company envisioned a business that would help conserve and maintain a healthy marine and freshwater ecosystem in the
country‘s most environmentally critical area: the Danajon Double Barrie Reef areas.
Often referred by conservationists as the
center of the center of biodiversity, Danajon also
feeds fishing communities who still need to internalize resource conservation and environment protection.
Populated by large fishing communities who
mostly use fishing nets in their fish gathering activities, Net Works also saw how discarded or abandoned torn nylon nets continue to damage reefs,
even killing fish that still get entangled in them, Blanco shared.
We have allocated a day for coastal clean up in September but we discard plastics to the seas 364
days, he noted. ―Plastic debris in our oceans are damaging the
ecosystem and nylon fishing nets represent a large
portions of plastics in our oceans,‖ he said. Seeking out a new and better way of doing
sustainable business and pitching in the goal of
eliminating or cutting dependence on fossil fuel by switching to bio-based materials, Blanco said they put up their inclusive multi-sectoral social
entrepreneurship in Net Works. The idea is simple as it is novel: create a
family-traded supply chain for nylon fishing nets
which uses an inclusive business model to benefit the
poor communities and the environment. The system is simple: ask the community to
gather discarded fishing nets, bring them to buying
centers in their villages, and in turn they get paid.
To sustain the buying operations, together with ZSL Philippines, Net Works set up community banks and credit associations to respond to the biggest
challenge: incentivize the collection and generate buy-ins.
The collected nets are then baled, sent to a regional buying station which then ships it to Slovenia
where a recycling happens making the nets into yarns.
The yarns are then used as raw material for
carpet tiles. To Blanco, among the biggest gains of the
project are the benefits it accrues to the community:
cleaner coastlines, better ecosystems, alternative livelihood and setting up of a social infrastructure that is inclusive and enriching as they can get
no-nonsense business advice from partners. With Net Works, DTI believes the business
model can be used for other partners, where a
crucial industry partner must bankroll some funds,
strengthen memberships and social infrastructures, while designing more and more socially inclusive business systems. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
EASTERN VISAYAS 6
DTI helps local business groups, buyers
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, June 13 (PIA) – The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry here is in the thick of
activities aimed to support local Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
T he 3-day program on June 21-23,
is referred as a breakthrough
initiative to drive at full speed
the growth and development in the
countryside.
It was learned that a series of focused
and integrated menu of seminars,
consultations, action planning and
documentation of business and consumer
concerns and solutions will be given to
the MSMEs.
Some experts and enablers from
other regions are expected to come to
Tacloban for the big event.
DTI director Cynthia Nierras
informed that they are pushing for the
competitiveness of region 8‖s SMEs.
Foremost, DTI is focussed to provide
the leading major industries in the region
with assistance. These industries are
dominated by processed food products:
Coco-based products, Banana based
products, marine products, natural health
care products, e.g. Tulmeric powders and
virgin coconut oil.
Nierras also said, that region 8 is rich
with coco choir products which is of great
demand abroad, e.g. doormats.
Copper products are found in Leyte
which is an upcoming Copper Hub in the
region.
She shared that in Leyte, there is a
booming Cacao plantation which can
boost the supply of the raw product in the
region instead of importing it from
Mindanao.
DTI likewise reported of an ―SSF
Food Retort Packaging Project of Eastern
Visayas State University which was
granted of a P5M worth equipment which
can process favourite foods delicacies. It
is said that the machine can extend the
shelf-life of a delicacy, like the famous
chocolate Moron of Tacloban.
― A six-day shelf-life of the Moron can
last up to six month with the Retort
machine‖, Dir. Nierras shared, ―and, other
food products can also be subjected to
the equipment‖, she added.
The grand opening program of DTI‘s
Negosyo Konsumer at iba pa program will
witness the presence of DTI Secretary,
Adrian S. Cristobal at the Alejandro Hotel
come June 21.(PIA-8)
School year opens smoothly in EVisayas
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 13 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd-8) in Eastern Visayas opened the school year
expecting no major hitches for the more than a million students trooping to the different schools in the region.
T he said number of students
which includes those attending
the senior high school will start
the expected 200 days in school, Monday,
June 13.
Jasmin Calzita, DepEd-8 information
officer said the number of students is
expected to rise because of the full
implementation of the K to 12 program of
the government.
Per DepEd‘s record, as of November
29, 2015, about 68,447 students have
enrolled for the senior high though the
department informed that the number will
probably increase pending information
from the different schools divisions across
the region.
Calzita also said that classes this
school year will start formally this Monday
as the classrooms are ready for the
students.
―Brigada Eskwela‖ conducted
before the formal start of classes usually
in May, made sure to repair or fix
damaged school facilities and clean the
school surroundings so students need not
spend the first day of classes cleaning their
classrooms.
The education official further said
that there is enough classrooms for
every school in the region because
of the contingency plan made by the
department to use classrooms of adjacent
schools which still have unused
classrooms.
The regional DepEd is strictly
enforcing the no collection policy while
also informing that one teacher can now
handle 40 to 45 students. (AJC/PIA8
Aurora J. Casimpan
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
Leyte province marks 118th PH Independence Day
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 12 (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Leyte joins the nation in the commemoration of the
118th Philippine Independence Day today June 12, 2016 through a simple ceremony at the capitol grounds.
B efore the program, a mass was
held followed by the flag raising
ceremony, wreath laying and
releasing of ballons attended by the
Philippine National Police led by Leyte
Provincial Sr. Supt. Franco Simborio,
Leyte‘s board member Ma. Mimietta
Bagulaya, jail officers, some department
heads and employees of the provincial
government of Leyte.
In his short message read by Leyte‘s
board member Ma. Mimietta S. Bagulaya,
Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla
emphasized the importance of
remembering the sacrifices of our heroes
and their exceptional traits that are worth
imitating in present days.
―Today, we have the opportunity of
remembering their scarifices, we can also
learn from their enthusiasm and
self-confidence-a number of traits which
will be useful in facing today‘s challenges as
well,‖the governor said.
The governor believes that to fulfill
what was fought for 118 years ago it is but
necessary for the government to take
important decisions that will contribute to
the nation‘s progress. Inspired by the
bravery and commitment of the Filipino
soldiers who fought for our freedom and
with the consistent high economic growth
rate in the past years, Petilla is confident
that is possible to fight and eradicate
poverty, ignorance, hunger and disease
not only in Leyte but in the whole country
as well. (PIA-8)
Consuelo B. Alarcon
EASTERN VISAYAS 7
DOH forms Incident Command for diarrhea cases
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, June 14 (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) –Samar formed an Incident Command (IC)
housed at DOH-Samar for diarrhea cases.
D r Antonio Tirazona, DOH
provincial representative said
that the IC collects statistical
data, sorts out the data and relays
to the regional office; it also serves
as the logistical hub of supplies and
medicines.
In the ‗command‘ there are four
teams assigned to target municipalities
where cases have been reported.
They deliver supplies, test the
quality of water and advocate support
from the local government units.
While the national media reported
about the ‗diarrhea outbreak‘, DOH
disproved this, saying the two towns of
Calbiga and Sta Rita and the city of
Catbalogan are the only ones declared
with the diarrhea outbreak and not
necessarily the whole province of Samar
as earlier reported.
On Thursday, Undersecretary
Vincent Belizario, Jr and DOH Regional
Director Minerva Molon were in Samar to
check on the situation.
In the meeting with some local and
health officials, Molon said they were still
validating the facts before declaring any
outbreak.
Presently though, the cases have
increased from 1, 189 and 23 deaths on
Thursday, it is now 1, 824 cases and 32
deaths.
The health issue has raised the
concern of international non-government
organizations that pledged to help.
Oxfam, said DOH will help Calbiga by
donating jerrycons (water containers) and
Chlorines; Plan International offered to
help Sta Rita while the Philippine Red
Cross will establish a water treatment
facility in Hinabangan which can benefit
nearby municipalities including Catbalogan
City.
The DOH official added that the
provincial disaster risk reduction
management office has also helped provide
drivers, vehicles and fuel for the teams
delivering meds and supplies to affected
areas.
He also shared that Gov. Tan
has hired a consultant, a sanitary
engineer to study the water facilities in
Samar.
The Incident Command formed last
week will be operational until the cases
wane. (nbq/PIA8-Samar)
Ninfa B Quirante
June 12—Philippine Independence Day
Weak sea turtle rescued in Calbayog waters
A copy of a press release
disclosed that the team was
conducting seaborne patrol
when they saw a weak turtle floating in
the sea waters of Barangay Mato-bato,
Calbayog City, Samar and immediately
rescued it.
In order to assess the physical and
health condition of the sea turtle
measuring 87 centimers long, 62
centimeters width and weighing 25 kilos,
the team immediately coordinated with
the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) who, in turn,
sent their personnel from CENRO based
in the city of Calbayog.
After assessing that the sea turtle was
in good physical condition, it was released
back to Samar sea.
The presence of the sea turtle
in Samar sea only shows that sea
waters in the city is protected and
maintained by maritime authorities.
(PIA-8)
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 14 (PIA) – A sea turtle was rescued Thursday in Calbayog waters by maritime authorities led
by Police Sr. Inspector Glenn Michael B. Amoyen of the 802nd Maritime Police Station based in Calbayog City.
Consuelo B. Alarcon
Lab results of Samar diarrhea outbreak out
soon
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, June 15 (PIA) — The results of the laboratory test conducted by health experts on the bacteria or
virus that caused the diarrhea outbreak in three Samar areas was set to be released to the public.
I t is expected that it will be
announced by Dr. Minerva
Molon, regional director of the
Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern
Visayas during a one hour press
conference to be held at DOH regional
office 8.
During the Water & Hygiene
(WASH) Cluster Meeting last Friday at
DOH regional office, the inadequate
amount of water in identified
water sources during El Nino, the
limitations of local water system
distribution, lack of manpower to
monitor water quality and households‘
failure to clean their water storage
containers were some issues that were
discussed.
T h e s e w e r e t h e o n e s
suspected to have caused earlier,
the deaths of more than 20 and
thousands of affected persons due
to Diarrhea.
Hence, long term and short
term solutions were tackled by
the ―Oplan Talwas Diarrhea‖ which
i n v o l v e s s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e
implementation of SALINTUBIG program
of the government, the support from
Ph i lhealth p lus the immediate
response like the provision of water
t r e a t m e n t t a b l e t s , p a t i e n t ‘ s
hospital ization, household water
distribution and plastic water containers
as well as massive IEC campaign in
schools.
To date, a total of 3, 496 cases with
44 deaths were reported.
The municipality of Sta. Rita has 327
afflicted persons, the most number of
cases followed by Calbiga with 260 cases
and 2 deaths and the City of Catbalogan
with 215 cases and 8 deaths. Tacloban
City has 38 cases with one fatality. (cba/
PIA-8)
Consuelo B. Alarcon
One Visayas e-newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.
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