September 15

September 15, 2013 1

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

VOL I ISSUE 14 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 September 15, 2013

ICT Roadshow in Tacloban offers ICT-related jobs

Officials of DOST8, SMITE and EVFIT during the turn-over ceremony of a project for the establishment of Pilot Robotics Learning Resource Centers in the province of Leyte and Development of Robotics Training Modules for teachers and students during the Robotics & Web Programming festival at Robinsons Place, Tacloban City, September 11. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Several IT companies have participated in the jobs fair such as Teleperformance, GoAbroad Philippines, Expert Global Solutions or EGS Leyte, ePerformax Contact Centers & BPO and St. Francis Manpower Plus which is located in Brgy. Canramos Tanauan Leyte. Aside from St. Francis Manpower Plus, EGS leyte and GoAbroad has its office now in Palo Leyte and in Tacloban City. Some of the ICT jobs available during the second day of the ICT Roadshow were jobs for Customer Service Representatives, Call Center Agents, Technical Service Representatives, Agency Coordinator, Team leader, Sales Agent, Supervising Trainees and other ICT jobs. The jobs fair is part of the ICT Roadshow in Tacloban, a rare event that draws many people from the academe, school associations, school administrators from State universities and Colleges, businessmen, local chief executives, IT companies and representatives from various government agencies. (PIA-8)

Many jobseekers from Tacloban and nearby towns in Leyte flocked to

Tacloban City Convention Center Friday to avail of the ICT jobs fair spearheaded by the City government of Tacloban through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with the ICT council in the region.

www.pia.gov.ph

BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

DTI plans to implement more SSF projectsBY: AURORA J. CASIMPAN

DTI’s SSF project addresses production gaps such as limited capital which hinders an entrepreneur to purchase necessary machine, equipment and facilities needed in the working areas considered as a requirement to become

The top official of the Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Visayas

told that the agency plans to implement more Shared Service Facility (SSF) projects in the region this year to provide micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMES) a common service area with better technology and equipment.

good manufacturing practice (GMP)-certified. Cynthia Nierras, DTI regional director said SSF is vital as the MSMES cannot normally acquire as individual enterprises equipment or machinery due to huge capital investment and complements existing assistance package to the MSMES in the areas of technology, product development and packaging. The SSF project could help the entrepreneurs tap a wider market and be integrated in the global supply chain, she continued on page 8

2 September 15, 2013

“The DOST-FNRI survey is done every five years and 2008 was the last nutrition survey,” she said during the Provincial Nutrition –Technical Working Group meeting held September 13, 2013 at the Supercha Restaurant here. The FNRI survey will monitor, determine and evaluate the food intakes and nutrition situation throughout the country. “Results of the survey will be used for policy formulation on different strategies and programs relative to nutrition program,” Rich disclosed. The components of the survey is based on the following: Weighing, biochemicals, clinical, food insecurity, dietary household introduced, maternal health and nutritional status, economics, government program participation,

NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY set in Southern Leyte

The Department of Science and Technology- Food and Nutrition

Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) will conduct the 8th National Nutrition Survey on October 2013, Provincial Nutritionist Nilda Rich informed.

Government officials attended the change of command ceremony at 8th Infantry Division Camp Lukban, Maulong, Catbalogan City on September 12, 2013 where BGen. Jet Velarmino replaced Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug as the new 8th ID Commanding General. (PIA-Samar)

Maribel Munsayac, EMB environmental education and information section head informed that schoolchildren can exchange their recyclable wastes for school supplies or cash. She said that garbage from households and commercial establishments are also creative incentives for schoolchildren as financially rewarding. Munsayac disclosed that two schools in Eastern Visayas have already established ecological solid waste recovery system. Tinambacan Elementary School (TES) in Calbayog City has established a form of incentive for managing the schools waste where pupils get something useful for turning over recyclables. TES pupils were issued “ecosavers club passbook” to credit points earned from recyclable materials which are then pooled for final collection by accredited recyclers. The Saint Mary’s Academy in Palo, Leyte is the other school which has also established a similar program called “waste bank.” EMB hopes to implement ecological solid waste recovery system in all schools in the region to maintain a healthy environment and ensure economic productivity. (PIA-8)

The regional Environmental Management Bureau has announced

that the National Ecosaver’s Program (NEP) aims to involve all schools establish an ecological solid waste recovery system to reduce wastes collected from schools and households.

Schools urge to establish ecological solid waste recovery system

BY: AURORA J. CASIMPAN

BY: MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

infant and young child feeding and survey on household salt. In Southern Leyte, the DOST-FNRI is set to visit 8 municipalities and 1 city, Rich bared. These include Baugo of Bontoc; Bangcas A, Hinunangan; Mayuga and Union in Libagon; Barangays San Joaquin and Ichon in Macrohon town; Poblacion, San Ricardo; Tobod, Silago; Basak, San Juan; Tampong and Pandan in the town of Sogod; and Barangay Lunas from Maasin City. The meeting which was participated by the members of the PNC-TWG was hosted by the Provincial Health Services-Technical Department headed by Dr. Noel Lumen. Among other participants include representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Education (DepEd); Philippine Information Agency; among other provincial offices concerned. (PIA8-SoLeyte)

www.issuu.com/1easternvisayas

September 15, 2013 3

Mr. Francis Rosaroso, DA information chief, said that 70 farmer-members of Bao Irrigation System endorsed by NIA were oriented on the Sikat Saka Program and their individual roles and obligations as recipients of the financial assistance afforded by the bank. The LandBank relies on NIA in the identification of good standing farmers who shall avail of their loan packages. “We want to make sure that the money borrowed by farmers is spent correctly. As such, we see to it that farmer-members are responsible borrowers and of good moral character. In lending, it is very vital that we look at the character of the borrowers,” said Mr. Petronilo Otida, Tacloban Lending Center Assistant Account Officer. The Department of Agriculture initiated the Sikat Saka as a component of

The LandBank of the Philippines and the National Irrigation Administration

in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture recently conducted a seminar on Sikat Saka Credit Coordination in Ormoc City, in order to encourage small palay farmers with good standing to avail of financial assistance being provided by LandBank.

LandBank, DA, NIA exhort palay farmers to avail of Sikat Saka credit program

Some 500 volunteers participated the September 7, 2013 Oplan Broadcastreeing activity in Brgy. Malibago, Babatngon , Leyte led by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the Department of the Interior and Local Government 8. (PIA-8)

its Food Staples Sufficiency Program who aims to provide direct credit assistance to small palay farmers since they are the major players in rice production. Under the Sikat Saka program, registered farmers may borrow an amount according to their necessities with a loan limit of 41,000 to 205,000 and 50,000 to 250,000 for inbred and hybrid rice seed planters, respectively, Mr. Otida said. With this program, farmers will enjoy a lower interest rate of 15 percent per annum for the first two loan cycles. It can go as low as nine percent per annum on the eighth loan cycle if the farmer consistently pays on time the full amount of the amortization.

Farmers are provided with individual ATM accounts where they can right away withdraw money with less hassle compared to usual financial transactions with cooperatives. Farmers can avail of the on-line Sikat Saka loan services within a 2-year period, Mr. Otida added. The Program was launched in Region 8 last April 2013 and is now being implemented in the municipalities of Julita, Burauen, Dagami, Abuyog, Javier and Ormoc, all in the province of Leyte. Aside from Leyte, the program is now being piloted in 16 provinces throughout the country. (PIA 8)

Mga ehekutibo han Air Asia, gin-abi-abi han Pangulo ha Malacañang

Gin-abi-abi ni Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III kakulop an mga opisyal han

Air Asia Inc. nga pinanngulohan ni Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Fernandez nga nakigkita ha iya ha Malacañang ha paghatag hin kortesiya. Kaupod ni Fernandez hira Antonio Cojuangco, chairman han Philippines Air Asia, Inc.; Marianne Hontiveros, presidente ngan CEO han Philippines Air Asia, Inc.; Michael Romero, chairman han Zest Air, Inc.; ngan

Josephine Joy Cañeba, director han Zest Airways, Inc. Ha pagtapo han grupo, ginduyogan an Pangulo nira Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)Director General William Hotchkiss ngan Manila International Airport Administration General Manager Jose Angel Honrado. Usa nga low-cost airline an

Philippines Air Asia nga nakabase ha Clark International Airport ha Angeles City, Pampanga. An mao nga airline en lokal nga yunit han Air Asia Inc. nga nakabse ha Malaysia. Nakatalaan madugangan an mga eroplano han Philippines Air Asia hiton paghinangpos han tuig 2013, kon diin primero ini nga ira ekspansyon tikang han kalunsad hini hadton Marso 2012. An kadugangan nga eroplano en bangin gamiton paghatag hin serbisyo ha pagbiyahe tikang ha Pilipinas ngadto ha Japan. (EOT/Ginbinisaya ni DUM-PIA8 Eastern Samar)


This morning, the President, accompanied by Secretary Roxas,

Secretary Soliman, Secretary Gazmin, and Mayor Climaco, visited the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex, which had been converted into an evacuation center, in Zamboanga City. According to the DSWD report, around 44,000 persons, composed of an estimated 7,000 families, are sheltered at the evacuation center. Evacuees came from the 6 barangays infiltrated by the MNLF-Misuari faction fighters. During his visit, the President gave a short message of encouragement and support to the evacuees. Below is the transcript of the President’s statement (transcription done with the assistance of RTVM):

Magandang umaga po sa lahat. Kay Mayor Climaco at mga konsehal. Kay Secretary Mar, sa mga miyembro ng gabinete, at sa inyong lahat po. Umpisa ho ng krisis, in-oorganize na po ng national government ang lahat ng kakailanganin para siguraduhing mabawasan yung pagdadaanan ninyo dito sa kaguluhang nangyayari. Ang akin hong testigo, na mula po Lunes, nandito na ho ang kalihim natin ng Interior and Local Government, at saka Secretary ng Tanggulang Pambansa. Sumama na po noong Wednesday ang ating Kalihim ng Social Welfare and Development. Marami na rin pong tao ang naapektuhan, 60,000 plus. Pero in-aassure ko po kayo na, ating araw-araw na kinakapanayam ang lahat,

at tinatanong kung ang pangangailangan ay natutugunan at kung may pangangailangan pa. Lahat po ng pinapako sa ating problema, mula doon sa pagsasara ng mga bangko ay inagapan na, pati na rin po ‘yung pagkain at supply dito sa Zamboanga City, in-aassure po tayo na hindi bababa na ang kailangan ninyo ng at least two weeks.Bago po ang k o m u s y o n , nakahanda na din po ang DTI, DOTC at saka ang Department of Agriculture na siguraduhin na hindi hihinto ang pagpasok ng pagkain dito.

Bulletin No. 4 of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte:On the President ’s ac tivities in Zamboanga Cit y

[September 14, 2013]Mula umpisa ho ng krisis, ‘yung ating DOH ay naghanda na rin, ready na ready po ang kanilang mga health center upang tugunan ang mangyayaring pinakamalagim. So mga kasama, umasa po kayo, hindi kayo nag-iisa sa mga panahong ito, at talagang nakatutok po ang inyong pamahalaan para asikasuhin ang lahat ng pangangailangan ninyo. Kaya po, makikiusap na ako sa inyo, dito po sa sports complex, tinataya pong 44,000 ang nandito. Yung pagkain na lulutuin nandiyan. Yung magluluto, medyo mahirap po talagang magluto for 44,000. Pero inaasikaso na po iyon nang hati-hati, ginagawa na po nating complete set para hindi po magkaroon ng pahirapan. Pakiusap ko lang po: mabigat po ang trabahong ginagawa natin ngayon; kung may kooperasyon po tayo, mapapagaan ang dalahin ng bawat isa. Pinapakiusap ko po nang matindi, huwag ho kayong mag-alala; dahil hindi kayo pababayaan, hindi mangyayari iyon. Mayroon pa tayong maaasahan sa isa’t isa para mapabilis ang pagtulong sa bawat isa. Puwede po ba yun? Kayo ho ba’y maaasahan diyan? Salamat po, salamat sa inyong lahat. So, ako po ay mag-iikot-ikot ulit sa buong Zamboanga. Ito pong problema natin ay pahupa nang pahupa. Magkakaroon pa rin po talaga ng bakbakan, pero hindi po sila nagtagumpay sa kanilang maitim na balak. At sinasabi ko po sa inyo: pabago nang pabago, mayroong from time to time, pabawas nang pabawas ang posibilidad na gumawa ng kaguluhan dito sa Zamboanga City; at tatapusin natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Muli, magandang umaga po sa lahat. Magtulungan po tayo; malalampasan natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Below is the English version of the statement: Good morning, everyone. Mayor Climaco, the councilors, Secretary continued on page 5

September 15, 2013 5Mar, Cabinet members, everyone, good morning. Since the start of the crisis, the government has been organized to ensure that we can ease what you’re going through because of this crisis. Our Secretaries of the Interior and Local Government, of National Defense, along with the Secretary for Social Welfare and Development, who joined last Wednesday, have served as my eyes and ears. Many have been affected, with estimates running up to more than 60,000. I assure you that we are getting inputs from everyone on a daily basis; we are asking them if their needs are being met, and if there is anything else we can offer. All the problems that have beset us, from the closing of banks to other concerns, have been addressed immediately. We have been assured that the food and other supplies here in Zamboanga City will last at least two

weeks. Even before a commotion takes place, the DTI, the DOTC, and our Department of Agriculture are prepared to ensure that there will be a continuous supply of food here. From the beginning of the crisis, our own DOH has also been prepared—their health centers are ready to respond to even the worst cases. So I hope that you will not give up and that you will keep the faith; you are not alone in these times, and your government is truly focused on ensuring that all your needs are met. This is why, I must ask for your patience: here in the sports complex, there is an estimated 44,000 evacuees. The food that has to be cooked for all of you is here. As for the cooks—well, it is difficult to cook for 44,000. But we are working on this and dividing the labor. We are making complete sets so that it will not be difficult for anyone. Again, I ask for your patience: our work here is not easy, but if everyone

cooperates, the burden that each one of us carries will be lessened. I strongly appeal to all of you: Do not worry. We have your back. That will not happen. We have certain things we expect of one another so that we can help each other more efficiently. Is that possible? Can we count on you? Thank you. Thank you to all of you. What I will do now is go around the entirety of Zamboanga. This problem of ours is getting closer to resolution. True, there will still be skirmishes, but they did not succeed in their grim intentions. And I am telling you: Things are changing. From time to time… we are progressively reducing the possibility of wreaking havoc here in Zamboanga City, and we will end this in the soonest possible time. Again, good morning to all of you. Let us help each other. We will get through this soon.

Bulletin No. 4.. from page 4

IT enthusiasts watched a mobot made its way to the finish line during the Robotics & Web Programming festival held at Robinsons Place, Tacloban City, September 11. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Service Fair 2013 nag-abre han kanan Civil Service pagsaurog han ira ika 113 nga anibersaryo ha Borongan

Gintitigamnan bug-os yana nga adlaw han Commission on Civil Service an

ira ika-113 nga anibersaryo pinaagi han “Service Fair 2013”. Sumala kan CSC Provincial Director, Rey Albert Uy, ha usa nga iya pakighimangaraw hin taga media, an Service Fair nga ginbubuhat yana ha sulod han Provincial Gym, Capitol grounds, in ginbubuhat agud iduhol in serbisyo ha katawhan nga nanginginahanglan han kanan goberno serbisyo, diin dida hin usa la nga lugag ug higayon, matatagamtaman nira an serbisyo nga ira ginhihingita. Pira han mga opisina ug ahensya nga mayda tinaglawas in gintagan hin lamesa ug lugar para nira makahampang an mga tawo nga may katoyoanan ha ira. Amo ine an tikang ha: BIR, GSIS, PhilHealth, SSS, NSO, DOLE, LTFRB, LTO, Provincial Assessor, DA-OPAS ug Office of the Veterinarian ug iba pa. Dugang pa ni Uy nga imbitado daw unta adto gihapon mga taga NBI ug DFA kundi, magbug-at daw hin ura-

ura an ira mga makina ug ekipahes, nga sentibo dad-on ngadi ha probinsha han Este nga dapit han Samar, salit amo nga

nag-aro hira hin dispensa nga dire hira makakadangat.padayon ha page 8


Waray news: Sinirangan Bisayas nabulig ha pagdumara han International Coastal Clean-up nga nakatalaan ha Septyembre 21

An Sinirangan Bisayas en utro naliwat nga makikig-usa ha pagdumara

han International Coastal Cleanup nga nakatalaan pagdumaraon han Septyembre 21, 2013. “Oras na para igroll up na naman naton an aton mga sleeves ngan aktibo nga magpartisipar han kanan yana nga tuig International Coastal Clean-up Weekend han Septyembre 21,” sering han kanan Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Rehiyon 8 Executive Director nga hi Manolito Ragub. Sering ni Ragub nga an International Coastal Cleanup an pinakadako nga gius pagboluntaryo para han panlawas han kadagatan. Gindudumara kada tuig ha ika-tulo nga Sabado han Septyembre, an katawhan ha bug-os nga kalibutan en nagkakatitirok han mga karigusan, mga ligid han dagat, ha mga sapa, gin-aagian han tubig ngan han mga lugar nga gindudumaraan han mga panlurop ha ilarum han tubig para panguhaon an mga basura ngan maglista hin impormasyon han mga basura nga nagkatitirok ha http://coastalcleanupphilippines.blogspot.com/. “Gin-aaghat namon an aktibo nga partisipasyon han publiko, lab-i na gud adton pinili nga mga lugar kun diin an panlimpyo en pagdudumaraon,”

WARAY NEWS

dugang pa ni Ragub. Impormasyon nga natikang ha DENR Environmental Management Bureau han Rehiyon 8 en nagpapakita nga para han yana nga tuig, an ginplano nga panlimpyo en pagdudumaron ha ngatanan nga mga katubigan nga adopted han donor-partners han Adopt-an Estero/Water body nga programa han gobyerno. “Han Septyembre 21, gusto namon imbitaron an publiko, lab-i na gud an nangungukoy didto han o haran han mga katubigan nga kaparti han Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program nga bumulig ha amon ha alas’7 ha aga para hin durongan nga paglimpyo,”sering ni EMB Regional Director Letecia Maceda. Ha Rehiyon 8, mayda maabot 18 nga mga adopted water bodies ha ilarum han Adopt-an-Estero/Waterbody Program nga nakapahamtang ha mga lalawigan han Leyte, Southern Leyte ngan Samar. An mga adopted water bodies ha Leyte amo an: Bacan River, Albuera; Utlanan Creek ngan Pagbanganan River han Baybay; Cangmasin Creek ngan Salog River han Hilongos; Cabangcoy Creek ngan Matlang River ha Isabel; Balugo River ha Julita; Canawagan River ngan Mao-Mahiao River, Kananga; Mahanod River, MacArthur; Panali-an River Ormoc ngan Burayan River, Mahayahay Creek ngan Mangonbangon River han Tacloban

City. Ha Maasin, Southern Leyte, an Combado ngan Tuburan Rivers en gin-adopt han Local Government Unit han Maasin ngan iba pa nga pribado nga mga grupo. An Calbayog River ha siyudad han Calbayog en amo la an sapa nga gin-adopt han donor-partners han lalawigan han Samar. Labot la han pag-obserbar han International Coastal Clean-up weekend, an nasud en magseselibrar gihapon han National Clean-Up Month yana nga Septyembre pinaagi han Proklamasyon Numero 244 nga ginpirmahan dida han 1993 han anay Pangulo Fidel V. Ramos, sering ni Ragub. An pagburoblig han panlimpyo han mga katubigan en diri la makakabenepisyo han kapaligiran han kadagatan kundi pati han panlawas ngan kaupayan han aton mga kumonidad nga nangungukoy harani hini nga mga estero, dugang pa ni Ragub.Nanawagan gihapon hiya han nahitutungdan nga mga kumonidad nga magmintinar ngan igsusutiner an kamalimpyo han ligid han kadagatan ngan han mga estero ha bug-os nga tuig mahitungod nga hera mismo an magkakaaapektohan han kahimtang han mga katubigan ha kapaligiran. (EOT/Trans. by MAA/PIA8)

Cebuano news: Palasyo gisaway ang pagasdang sa Zamboanga

Ang Malacanang sa Lunes gisaway ang pagasdang nga sa kuno buhat

sa Moro National Liberation Front (MILF) kontra sa tropa sa gobyerno sa Zambaonga City nga nakapatay ug usa nga sundalo ug unom ang nasamdan. Si Lacierda nagpahayag ug dako nga kabalaka sa padayon nga pinusilay sa syudad sunud sa asoy nga mga 30 nga sibilyan apil ang kabataan gibihag sa mga rebelde nga MNLF ug gigamit kini nga

mga tawo nga taming. Ang padayon nga asdang sa mga armado nga mga tawo sa Zamboanga City, apil ang pasiuna nga asoy sa kalagmitan nga ang paggamit sa mga sibilyan nga taming, mao ang hinungdan sa dako nga kabalaka, ingon niya. Iyang gipasalig nga ang mga awtoridad mitubag na sa kabutang labi na ang pagpakunhod sa peligro sa mga sibilyan ug kini nagtrabaho sa pagpabalik

sa kalinaw sa Zamboanga City sa labing madaling panahon. Si Laciera, usab, nagingon nga ang Presidente Benigno Aquino III nagbantay sa hitabo ug nakahibalo sa mga panghitabo didto. Ang syudad sa Zamboanga naghangyo sa nasyonal nga pamunoan ug tabang; ang Presidente gipahimatngonan sa kahimtang didto ug sige ug dawat ug padayon ha page 8

September 15, 2013 7Motuman ang DBM bahin sa PDAF, Malampaya releases

Si Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary

Florencio B. Abad pagka Miyerkoles mi-kompermar nga ang ahensiya mosubay sa desisyon sa Supreme Court kalabat sa gipagawas nga Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) batok sa pagpagawas og pundo sa tanang nahibiling Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) ubos sa 2013 General Appropriations Act ingon man sa Malampaya Funds nga sarang gamiton sa uban pang pag-gamit nunot sa mando sa President ubos sa Section 8 sa Presidential Decree No. 910. Hinuon, ang TRO wala maglangkob sa Malampaya Fund releases alang sa mga energy resource development and exploitation programs and projects sa gobyerno nga nalatid sa samang provision sa unahan. Matud ni Abad nga andam mosunod ang DBM sa TRO kay kini nasubay sa mando sa Presidente pag-padayon ha page 8

Bulletin No. 5 of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte:

On the President ’s ac tivities in Zamboanga City[September 14, 2013]

At 3:05 p.m. today, Zamboanga City Mayor Climaco read a statement during a press conference.

This was followed by a briefing presided over by Secretary Mar Roxas, during which he outlined the activities of the President from yesterday evening up to today. Yesterday evening, the President met with the City Mayor, the Vice-Mayor, the entire City Sanggunian, the Representatives of Zamboanga City, as well as local and community leaders. The meeting lasted until 9:30 p.m. Today, after visiting the evacuees at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex in the morning, the President was briefed by security officials on the ongoing operations. At around 1 p.m., the President had lunch with Secretary Roxas, Secretary Gazmin, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bautista, PNP Chief Director General Purisima, and other senior military officers. The Vice President also joined them and he was later briefed about the situation in Zamboanga City. Below is the transcript of the press briefing of Secretary Roxas:

Secretary Roxas: From the inspections of the President–we had lunch at the President’s quarters and the Vice President joined us around the table where the President to his left, myself, to my left Chief of PNP; to the President’s right was Secretary Gazmin, to Sec. Gazmin’s right was Chief of Staff Manny Bautista, and to Chief of Staff Bautista’s right was the Vice President. The FOIC was also there, a Flag Officer in Charge of the Navy, as well as the West Southern Philippines Commander Gador–he was also in. It was just a lunch where various sort of topics including what’s going on in Manila; we were watching also the news updates. It was a quick lunch. After that, there was a briefing that was made for the Vice President. I wasn’t in that briefing anymore; neither was the President. And, I came over here already. So that’s all that I know.Question: Follow up lang, sir, napag-usapan po ba, kasi I understand the Vice President came here to discuss the possible ceasefire with the MNLF, sir?Secretary Roxas: That was not discussed at all in the time that I was present, which was when the President and I arrived together with Sec. Volts Gazmin from the inspection tour and de-briefing the President received from the security forces. This was at about 1 o’clock when we arrived at the President’s quarters, and that’s when we had lunch, and that’s when the Vice President joined us. And so from that time until I left which was about 2 o’clock because this was at 2:30, there was no discussion.Question: Sir, just to be clear: Was there an agreement for a ceasefire or was there not an agreement?Secretary Roxas: I can only tell you what I was a participant to, and at least it was not discussed at that time. I think that the Armed Forces Spokesperson already made it quite clear that the operations are

ongoing and he can elaborate on that.AFP Spokesperson Col. Zagala: Thank you, sir. Regarding the ceasefire, we have not received any order and that we continue our operations until otherwise told so.Question: Sir, there are criticisms and talks that an obvious central divide–a divide obviously–disagreements within the central government are causing confusions on the ground. There were talks of a ceasefire; people thought there was a ceasefire, [but on] the ground there was no ceasefire, and in fact there was no retreat at all of government positions, of military positions. What can you say about criticisms like the central government can’t seem to find a way to unite and at least find a more streamlined way to address this problem, and it seems that, according to criticism as well, politicking is getting in the way of this crisis? Sir, what is your take on this one?Secretary Roxas: Well, I’m not aware of any such criticisms. It was quite clear what the orders were. The President himself is here. The President issued orders last night at the briefing, met with the local community, the entire Sanggunian, both congresspersons, the mayor, the vice mayor, about 20 civil society leaders of Zamboanga, community leaders–he met with them until about 9:30 p.m. last night. It was quite clear what his direction was–what his positions were, what his views were. After that, we had another session with the Security Sector. So, it’s quite clear. I’m not aware where this “division” that you’re referring to is coming from. Maybe you can ask them. But it’s quite clear what the–you’re the one who asked the question, I’m not aware of any such [division]. It’s quite clear what the President’s orders are. We’re just following that.On the situation being “contained”:Secretary Roxas: I don’t want to point to it specifically; it might jeopardize soldiers and policemen’s lives. On day one, the broad area presence of those who came in were quite spread out. I think that by today not only is this incursion been contained and is now been constricted, but is in fact now being cleared.So there is an increasing level of contact as between government forces and the culprits who have come in to destroy the peace and order here in Zamboanga City. I think that an indication of the intensity of the contact between government and the culprits can be found in the statistics of killed and or wounded and or of captured MNLF or Misuari forces. That was earlier said. Could you just give a recap of that? Not PNP and AFP, but yung sa kabila.There are 21 bodies physically on hand that are wearing the uniform and with rifles that are now on hand. In addition, there’s another 26, resulting in a total of 47. There’s another 26, where 2 parties or more have confirmed a death in the combatant. But because of an ongoing firefight, they could not retrieve the body and the counterforce would recover the body and brought it with them.

In fact there are eyewitness reports that some of the fires that were set–this was used as a burial fire, to bury or give honor, I guess, to their fallen. So you now have a 47, either eyeballed or physical–and how many captured?I think that these statistics indicate that, this is not just “let’s just put a corral around it and wait what happens.” There is an operation and there is a security operation ongoing. I cannot point out to you specifically what street corner or what area, because it will jeopardize these operations. But I think from five barangays, I think, that you yourselves as reporters and as journalists, you will note that perhaps as beginning yesterday and into today, the barangays that are being mentioned are now limited to Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, and partially Talon-Talon.These indicate the extent of the operations. It’s not just contained, contain was to cordon and so as not to make it spread. From contained, it evolved into constrict, which is to reduce the operating space of the MNLF. And now it is into clear, particularly clearing of road to give up to services like the firemen. Hindi sila makapasok para patayin ang sunog dahil nga ini-snipe sila; pinapaputukan sila. Some of these clearing operations have to do with opening up of roads and securing the safety of firemen and other emergency first responders so that they can do their job.


DTI... from page 1

Motuman... from page 1

www.pia.gov.ph

Service fair... tikang ha page 5

Ms. Melba Ariño, Information Officer of the Community Environment and Natural resources Office in Pambujan, Northern Samar, was cited by the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) in Samar for extending invaluable support to the programs of the Philippine Army. The award was given during the 8ID’s Silver Anniversary last month. (DENR-8/PIA-8)

added. The SSF can be brought within the reach of the entrepreneurs for certain processes requiring equipment of machinery. The agency is currently assisting about 160 MSMES particularly food processors. The region is one of four pilot areas in the country for the SSF project, Director Nierras said. (PIA-8)

Samtang, nagpahayag hi Uy nga ha tiarabot nga CS Examination, linalauman daw an pag-atender ug pagpasar han maabot 335 nga mga makuha han eksamin tikang ha probinsya, 300 ha ira in makuha han Professional Level nga test ug 35 ha Sub-Pror. Ira daw daman ginpapaabot an pormal nga notisya tikang ha CSC Central Office, bahin han ka aprobare han ira igin nominate ha rehiyon 8 para han Lingkod Bayan Award. (PIA-Eastern Samar/aen)

kauswagan sa mga bag’o nga kasayuran nga miabot, ingon niya. Ang Malacanang, samtang, nagpasidaan sa publiko nga dili magpakaylap ug hunahuna nga makadugang paghadlok sa katawhan sa Zamboanga. Ang Zamboang a City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar nagingon nga gatosan nga armado nga sumusunod sa kanhi MILF chairman Nur Misuari naglansad sa pagasdang sa Zamboanga City una pa magbuntag sa Lunes nga sumala sa gitoohan naghangyo nga ipadayag ang kagawasan gikan sa gobyerno sa Pilipinas. Ang mayor sa Zamboanga City nagpahunong sa klase ug opisina sa gobyerno sa sulud sa syudad tungud sa hitabo. Mga 11 nga miembro sa MILF gidakup sunud sa hitabo. (EOT/Translated by Teresita B. Cardenas-PIA8-Northern Samar)

Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug (left) and BGen. Jet Velarmino (right) during the change of command ceremony held at 8th Infantry Division Camp Lukban, Maulong, Catbalogan City on September 12, 2013. Velarmino replaced Layug as the new 8th ID Commanding General.

September 15

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