Vol 4 Issue 44 Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8 November 3 - 9, 2014

WESTERN VISAYAS

In this IssueIn this IssueIn this Issue Tacloban economy soars

Visayas to have first wind farm

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

Also CLICK Here...

Pact to strengthen PH ports, maritime security

By Fayette C. Riñen

CEBU CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) --- Cebu played host to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen maritime and port facilities between the Office

for Transportation Security (OTS) and four major port authorities across the country.

Transportation Usec. Julianito Bucayan Jr. witnessed the MOA signing last Tuesday led by OTS Administrator

Commodore Roland Recomono and top officials of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority

(CEZA) and the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PIA). The pact is aimed at making the concerned agencies

ensure the implementation of the International Ship and

Port Facilities (ISPS) Code and the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure.

Bucayan who represented Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya

read the latter‟s message stating that maritime security threats are issues vital to the economic well-being of the country which should be addressed accordingly.

“We must be daring and innovative to find viable solutions in the pursuit to protect our maritime transport system against acts of terrorism for the common good of the country, the maritime industry and the Filipino riding

public,” contained Abaya‟s speech. During the press conference that followed after the

MOA signing, Recomono said the Philippines is only about

60 to 65 percent compliant in implementing standard

security measures in port facilities under the ISPS Code.

With the pact, Recomono expressed hopes that all port authorities will comply and implement standard comprehensive security measures in all ports under its

jurisdiction. “By middle of next year, we hope for the PH to be

100 percent compliant to the ISPS Code” when it comes to port facilities, said Recomono.

“For shipping lines, the Philippines is already 100 percent compliant in instituting standard security measures under the ISPS Code,” claimed Recomono.

The ISPS Code is a comprehensive set of measures designed to strengthen the security of ships and port facilities following the 9/11 terror attack in New York in

response to perceived threats to ships and port facilities. Implementation of the code is enshrined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

Convention (SOLAS) to which the Philippines is a signatory.

According to Recomono, the agreement also entails

consequential power for the port authorities to impose fines and penalties in violation of security regulations.

All port authorities are required to have a detailed security plan to which its security measures

should be uniformly implemented by all port facilities under its management which will form the basis on the issuance of security certification by the OTS. (mbcn/fcr/

PIA-7)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 6 (PIA) - One year

ago, the city‟s physical picture was horrible and hopeless, with scattered debris, cadavers and all. Then, one could barely imagine that commerce could ever have a chance in

this once progressive city. Tacloban was the center of commerce in the entire

region, in fact, “prior to the super-tyhoon “Yolanda” there were about 12,900 registered businesses, but in a wink of

an eye they all disappeared. The storm surge ate them up and if there were left overs, desperate and hungry citizens looted them off.

Today however, some good signs of a recovering and booming economy have set in, as some 7,734 businessmen have renewed their permits as of November 1. This was

learned from councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez in a

recent interaction with media. According to her, this record has brought in more or

less P90M in revenues to the city government and this is

close to the P120M target by December this year. She added that the biggest chain of department stores

in the country, Shoe Mart (SM) is opening its grocery

department on the 20th of November and by December it can open and fully operate the entire department.

“The Mayor is truly happy that these are a l l happening now in the ci ty , as he

continues to work harder for further improvement of Tacloban”, the beauteous actress-turned politician said.

She assured media that SM can generate employment in the region, boost income and increase the purchasing power of the consuming public.

Indeed, many observers have commented that in less

than a year, Tacloban has quickly recovered and business is once more alive in the city. (PIA-8)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

EASTERN VISAYAS

CENTRAL VISAYAS

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA6) --- Visayas will have its

very first wind farm once the Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation (TAREC) completes the 54-MW San Lorenzo Wind Farm Project in Guimaras province by the end of

November. In a PIA interview, Danilo Panes, assistant vice

president for renewable energy of Trans-Asia, said that 20 of the 27 wind turbine generators (WTG) have been

erected as of October 30, 2014 and the remaining seven will be completed before the end of the month.

He said five of the 20 WTGs have been

fully-commissioned and have been supplying 10 MW of energy to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Each of the windmills can produce 2 megawatts of electricity for a total of 54 MW once all 27 will be operational.

The 27 windmills, each measuring 80 meters high and

40 meters wide, are built in the villages of Cabano, Suclaran, M. Chavez, and Cabungahan in San Lorenzo town.

According to Trans-Asia, the strait between the islands of Guimaras and Negros effectively funnels the wind passing through the area which makes it ideal for

harnessing wind energy.

The San Lorenzo Wind Project is expected to bring not only a sustainable source of energy but also new opportunities for the community and the people of

Guimaras. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

Anti-Trafficking Against Persons Seminar:

R e g i o n a l D i r e c t o r A t t y . D a v i d

Bermudo, Commission on Human Rights 6

emphasizes that building the awareness of

women and children on the issue of trafficking

could empower them and help combat the

incidence of illegal recruitment and trafficking

against persons during the Seminar to

members of the Provincial Council on

Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women

and Children on Expanded Anti-Trafficking in

Persons Act of 2012 or RA 10364 in San Jose,

Antique recently. (PSM/PIA6 Antique)

NYC Com Dingdong Dantes administers the

oath of Climate Change Warriors at the SSU

during the Climate Change Congress held

Nov. 3, 2014 in Tacloban City. (PIA8)

MOA Signing on Maritime and Port Security.

DOTC Usec. Julianito Bucayan Jr. leads the

MOA signing on Int'l Ship & Port Facilities

Code and Nat'l Security Program for Sea

Transport & Maritime Infra between the

Office of Transportation Security and CPA,

SBMA, CEZA & PHIVIDEC. (PIA7)

The 54MW Wind Farm project of Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corporation

being constructed in San Lorenzo, Guimaraas. (PIA 6)

WESTERNWESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 222

Children have a role in local dev’t councils

– DSWD

By Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA6)—Local government units should ensure that children are represented in the the Local

Development Council (LDC) according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

E velyn Macapobre, DSWD-6 regional

director, said that to make LGU

programs relevant, children should be

consulted as to what and how these should be

implemented.

Macapobre was guest during the

culmination activity of Children‟s Month

Celebration in the province of Guimaras,

where Governor Samule gumarin delivered his

State of the Province Address.

Macapobre underscored the fact that in

the Local Government Code the local

government is free to craft programs and

services for children.

“Let us put the children in the loop so

that their lives and ours will be more pleasant,”

she said, adding that LGUs need not pressure

themselves into making plans for children

which in the end are not producing expected

outcomes.

While lauding the efforts of the

province of Guimaras in promoting the

interest of children, Macapobre called

on the children themselves to remind

adults to put them in the loop. “you have the

right to demand that you be included,” she told

the children present.

During the program, the provincial

government gave tribute to children who

excelled both in academics and extra-curricular

activities.

Given certificates and cash prizes also

were finalists in the provincial level in the

Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya

children led by Terence Talagon.

Meanwhile, Macapobre said the

department has been implementing programs

for children, like the Pantawid Pamilya to keep

the children healthy and in school. (DSWD/

ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Oct. 31 (PIA6) - - Combined efforts of government operatives led to the apprehension of five trawl

fishing boats in the municipal waters Manapla.

T he opera t ion took p lace in

Barangay Punta Mesa, Manapla town

amidst heavy downpour as five trawl

fishing boats were spotted violating Republic

Act 8550 particularly the prohibition on the

use of Active Fishing Gear within Municipal

Waters and Bays and other Fishery

Management Areas.

The apprehension was made by the

combined operatives of the Office of the Agri-

culturist of the municipality of Manapla,

assisted by the Northern Negros Aquatic

Resources Management Advisory Council

(NNARMAC) and the Province of Negros

Occidental through the Provincial Task Force

Lawod.

Task Force Lawod is a composite

coastal law enforcement team formed

by the merging of five different

enforcement agencies, namely, the Regional

Maritime Unit, the Philippine Coast

Guard, the Philippine Navy, the Bureau

of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,

and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police

Office.

Appropriate legal charges were

immediately filed at the Municipal Trial Court

of EB Magalona, five separate cases have been

filed for each violator and are currently

awaiting their respective schedule of hearing

while the accused are detained at the Manapla

Police Station. *(JCM/EAD-PIA6/PEMO Negros

Occidental)

Five illegal fishing boats seized

KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. (PIA6) -- There’s a ―Phantom of the Opera‖, a phantom jet and ―The Phantom‖, a comics strip

published in a daily broadsheet, but did you know that there is another phantom which could bore a hole on your much-abused

pocket?

T here is one, according to Department of

Trade and Industry (DTI) – Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr., and this is

the so-called “phantom load”, a burden caused by

power consumers themselves, who might be too tired or too lazy to get up to turn off their electrical appliances at home or at the office.

The existence of the so-called “phantom load”

was revealed during the conduct recently of DTI-Aklan of „DTI Meets the Media on Consumerism‟ which was one of the activities of the

agency in observance of Consumer Welfare Month

in the month of October. For most of the Aklan tri-media members who

attended the press conference, this was the first time for them to hear of this “phantom load”.

“Phantom load”, according to Director Cadena,

is an electrical device operating 24 hours a day/365 days a year even if one thinks the device is turned off.

“These are the glowing red lights indicating the appliance is on standby mode, like the television, microwave, cordless phone, digibox, answering machine, VCD/DVD player, hi-fi stereo, AVR and

power adapter,” according to Director Cadena. Cadena said the best way to avoid “phantom

load” is to unplug these appliances, not only to

reduce electric consumption, but for safely purposes.

The existence of the “phantom load” in electric

consumptions was confirmed by Cheng Ocampo, AGM for Human Resource of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO), one of the resource

persons of the press conference, who said the unseen burden represents 10% of the total electric consumption of a household.

She agreed with Director Cadena that

unplugging electrical appliances when not in use is the best solution to the problem, while emphasizing that as the only power distributor in Aklan for its 17

municipalities and the two municipalities of Antique,

AKELCO is also doing its best to prevent consumers and the power distributor too from paying extra

because of jumpers and other means of power pilferages done by unscrupulous people.

“AKELCO‟s monitoring and inspections against

“jumper” connections are continuous”, Ocampo said. For those caught having “jumper” connections,

Ocampo said the perpetrator will be fined

P10,000.00 plus differential billing from the time he or she used a “jumper”.

Ocampo also said sharing a common meter is illegal.

On top of the reminders against illegal connections, Ocampo also gave some tips on how to save electricity. Some of these she said, include using

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) instead of

incandescent bulbs; placing refrigetors away

from the stove; clearing the freezer of thick ice; choosing an air conditioner with high energy efficiency ratio; putting the electric

fan at steady status when the user is alone; scheduling the use of washing machine at weekends so all clothes could be washed at one time and using the electric iron during

daytime so there is no need to turn on the light. Other concerns discussed in the activity as

aired by the media included safety tips in using

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), monitoring of Noche

Buena Products supplies and prices, safety of Christmas Lights, safe refilling practices for LPG, the

truth behind the so-called power saver gadgets sold house-to-house, etc.

Other resource persons at the press

conference included Wilfredo Rivera of Aklan Appliance Center, dealer of Gasul, Aleli Baladjay of Marianing Shell, dealer of Solane, and John Pascual

Ibabao of AKELCO. Both Rivera and Baladjay assured the media

that their establishments are taking extra efforts to sustain safety use of their LPG products.

Theme of this year‟s Consumer Welfare Month celebration is “Sapat na Impormasyon, Susi sa Wastong Paggamit ng Enerhiya”. (JCM/VGV PIA 6

Aklan)

Beware of Phantom Load

WESTERN WESTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 333

PSA survey notes maternal health care gaining in WV ILOILO CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA6) - - Western Visayas has made a significant improvement in the promotion of maternal health

care among women, particularly pregnant women.

D ata from the 2013 National

Demographic and Health Survey

(NDHS) conducted by the Philippine

Statistical Authority noted improvements on

the following aspects: women seeking the help

of skilled health care practitioners for their

deliveries; women turning to health facilities

for their deliveries; and women availing

antenatal care (ANC).

The result of the survey indicated that

sixty-eight percent of births in the region were

attended by health professionals and sixty-one

percent took place in a health facility as

compared to only 60 percent of births attended by medical professionals and 46 percent

delivered in health facilities in the 2008 NDHS. It also showed that 7 in every 10 women

or 68 percent in Western Visayas were

assisted by a medically-trained provider like

doctor, nurse or midwife while 30 percent

were assisted by traditional health attendants

or “hilot”.

More pregnant women in the region have

also recognized the benefits of ANC. Based on

the result of the survey, 9 in 10 or 98 percent

of women who have live births in the last five

years preceeding the survey received ANC

from skilled health providers – 31 percent

from a doctor and 67 percent from a nurse or

midwife.

PSA 6 Assistant Statistician April Dream

Pugon said that antenatal care aims to monitor

the status of health of the mother and her

baby to diagnose early pregnancy-related

problems.

It is most beneficial in preventing negative

pregnancy outcomes when it is sought early

during the pregnancy and continued until the

delivery of the child.

Pugon said the quality of ANC services

can be determined if pregnant women received necessary medical examination.

Among women in the region who

received ANC for their most recent births in

the past five years, 85 percent were informed

of signs of pregnancy complications, 66 percent

had their blood samples taken, and 71 percent

had their urine samples taken.

Majority of the women in the region were

also weighed and have their blood pressure

checked with 97 percent and 98 percent

respectively during their ANC visits.

Among the regions in the country,

Western Visayas (89%) is next to Eastern

Visayas (93%) in terms of performance on

protection against neonatal tetanus.

Tetanus toxoid injections are given during

pregnancy to prevent neonatal tetanus, which

continues to be a major cause of infant deaths

in many developing countries. The result of the

2013 NDHS was presented by PSA 6 during

the data dissemination forum held in Iloilo City on October 28. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 7 (PIA6) – The activities for the upcoming Sinadya sa Halaran Festival in December are now in

place.

Sinadya sa Halaran festival activities up

F estival Director Rev. Msgr. Victor Bendico

disclosed that religious and civic activities have already been lined up for the event set

from December 5 to 8 this year.

According to him, this year‟s celebration which is anchored on the theme “Halad Alagad” speaks of the Virgin Mary who is a servant (alagad) and who offered (halad) her life as a Mother of God.

In a press conference here, Bendico explains that Capicenos are having this annual festivity to celebrate joyfully the values of sharing and

thanksgiving to God through Mary due to the abundance of the produce of the sea and of the farm.

After consultation and meetings with various

groups and organizations including the Provincial and

City Tourism Offices here, religious and cultural activities have been finalized, he said.

The four-day celebration will kick off with an

early morning “pamukaw-pukaw” around the city, opening mass, opening program and flag-raising, drum and lyre exhibition, Halad Capisnon, Capiz

product expo, motocross display and exhibition, Daigon, Saot Capisnon, opening of Christmas village, TODA night and food fest.

Other activities include the run for

environment, parade of festivals, photo exhibit, bully run, RMN Pasundayag, Mutya sang Sinadya sa Halaran, Barangay Night, Prosesyon, vespers mass

and candle lighting, prosesyon sa suba, fireworks display, and Marcha dela Immaculada.

On December 8, high mass will be said in

honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

who is the Roxas City‟s Patroness. A dog show, Halad Capisnon, Artista sa Sinadya

sa Halaran, Pasikat Abilidad will likewise add up to

the various activities here. On the other hand, Provincial Tourism and

Cultural Affairs Officer Alphonsus Tesoro pointed

out that the various cultural activities for the festival here are anchored on the Capisnon‟s culture as these depict the good natured-people here.

Tesoro said that Capisnon‟s values of

being hospitable, generous and thankful for all the graces received are also showcased through the Sinadya sa Halaran

celebration. So far, more than P2.2-million has

been appropriated for the activities here of which

P1.1-million and P1.151-million were already set

aside by the provincial and city governments, respectively. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

By Jemin B. Guillermo

Education can curb trafficking against persons

SAN JOSE, Antique, Nov. 3 (PIA6) - - Educating families and communities on issues of trafficking can curb the incidence of

illegal recruitment and trafficking against persons.

A tty. David Bermudo, Regional Director of

the Commission on Human Rights 6 in an interview said educating women and children

on the issue of trafficking could empower them.

Bermudo was in the province as a resource

speaker during the Orientation Seminar to members of Provincial Council on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children on Expanded

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 or RA 10364 recently.

“If the families and communities are aware of

the issue they will not be easily swayed or convinced by illegal recruiters,” he said.

With that, he urged the stakeholders especially

the parents to send their children to school. Education is really the key to combat trafficking

in persons and other unlawful acts taking advantage

of women and children. Bermudo further said that the government‟s

campaign against trafficking in persons is moving on

the right track. The campaign has cascaded to the

provincial level wherein local government units

organized their own Provincial Council on

Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children, he said.

However, much is still to be done to heighten

the awareness of the people especially with the poor families who are vulnerable to illegal recruitment.

In Region 6, there is a high percentage in the resolution of the case however, there are victims that are not willing to pursue their cases because of

the inconvenience that comes with testifying in court plus the time and resources that they need to spend, said Bermudo.

During the seminar Bermudo emphasized that filing cases against the perpetuator of

human trafficking is not an easy job but when victims

are willing and determined, the case is easy to prove. Likewise, he called on families and communities

to mobilize and make anti-trafficking in persons a

personal advocacy and be courageous enough to

report cases of trafficking to the local officials or persons in authority like the social workers and police officers.

RA 10364 defines trafficking in persons as recruitment, obtaining, hiring, providing, offering, transportation, transfer, maintaining, harboring, or

receipt of persons with or without the victim's consent or knowledge.

The RA also says it can be within or across

national borders by means of threat, or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position, taking

advantage of the vulnerability of the person. JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique)

CENTRALCENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 444

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Dumaguete City, Nov 6 (PIA)--The Save Philippine Seas (SPS) in partnership with the U.S. Embassy

Manila, is looking for Negrense youth leaders aged 18 to 23 and passionate about marine conservation to participate in a

regional Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp on April 27 to May 3 next year.

Save Phil. Seas invites Negrense youths for SEA

Camp

“ SEA Camp: Empowering youth as leaders in

conserva t ion , ” a ccording to SPS Communications Officer Anna Helen Yap aims

to give young people a platform to play bigger roles

in conservation of marine life. The organizer identified three regional camps in

the country which include the municipality of Siaton, Negros Oriental for Visayas region, Batangas in

Luzon on April 15-21, and Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao on May 9-May 15. The national culminating camp will be in Calamianes, Palawan on June 11-15.

Some 30 youth-representatives from each region will be chosen from the pool of interested applicants, making 90 participants in the

Philippines. All chosen camp sites, including Siaton, are

Marine Key Biodiversity Areas and Ecosystems

Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) Project areas.

This is a USAID-funded project that aims to

reform the fisheries sector through an application of

ecosystem-based fisheries management. Yap said the Philippines is recognized as the

“center of marine biodiversity” in the world, being

home to about 300 species of coral and nearly 60% of the world's known shore fish.

Many of these are threatened or endangered due to overfishing, destructive fishing methods,

pollution, and unsustainable tourism practices. She said to conserve, protect, and restore the

country‟s marine resources, the Filipino youth must

be recognized not just as leaders of tomorrow, but also as leaders of today.

The SEA Camp will bring together 30

participants in each region. They will spend five days immersed in fun and

educational activities like workshops, fieldwork,

panel discussions, snorkeling, and mural painting. Participants will also have the chance to take

PADI‟s Discover Scuba Diving course for free. All

travel, accommodation and activity costs for the

camp will be covered. At the end of each regional camp, the SEA

camp youth will present a project proposal geared

towards coastal and marine conservation to a panel of judges.

The top 10 proposals will receive funding to help implement their projects with assistance and

guidance from local partners and SPS. All the regional representatives with

projects will once again gather for the national

culminating SEA Camp in June to give updates about their accomplishments. They will also have the chance to receive additional funding to take their

projects further. Interested youths may download the

a p p l i c a t i o n s a n d r e q u i r e m e n t a t

www.savephilippineseas.org/seacamp. All applications must be emailed on or before December 23, 2014. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

SIQUIJOR, Nov 2 (PIA) --The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Siquijor and the Negros Oriental Food Safety

Team (NOFST) encouraged the hotel, resorts and restaurants in the province to implement Basic Food Hygiene (BFH) and

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) during the 2-day seminar workshop on the subjects.

DOST urges food hygiene practice in hotels, resorts, restos

T he seminar was held recently at the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) of DOST Siquijor and

participated in by owners or food handlers of hotels,

resorts and restaurants.

Members of the Negros Oriental Food Safety Team (NOFST) namely Cherie Mae Doit (DOST-Neg. Or.), Analiza

Bais of Negros Oriental State University and Evelyn Fajardo of

Silliman University served as resource persons. In his opening remarks Engr. Mario E. de la Peña, Prov‟l

Science and Technology Director, told the participants that

the seminar was crucial when securing a license from the Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) to operate food and hotel business.

De la Peña added that DOST sponsored such event

because it is very timely and necessary considering the influx of tourists in the province.

Doit reminded participants that no person or entity

shall operate any food establishment for public patronage

without securing a permit from the local health office. Bais on the other hand informed the participants

that in order for the province‟s food service sector to

compete head on with the ASEAN neighbors, they must be GMP compliant.

Fajardo further emphasized to monitor the six factors

affecting the growth of microbial contaminants namely food,

acidity, temperature, time, oxygen and moisture (FATTOM). She said that when the food is exposed within the

bounds of the “danger zone”, say 5-57 degrees Celsius, food handlers should exercise caution because food will no longer

be safe after two hours of continuous exposure due to

bacteria build-up.

Participants were taught on the proper hand washing and showed why such method is very important when one is

in the food service sector.

“Contamination and cross-contamination can be avoid-ed by simple hand washing,” Fajardo said.

Meanwhile, Analiza Bais discussed the importance of

personal hygiene and stressed that food handlers will not

contaminate food by maintaining an “appropriate degree of personal cleanliness” and behaving and operating in an

“appropriate manner”.

NOFST members stressed the importance of attending the seminar due to the upcoming ASEAN economic

integration by 2015.

According to Evelyn Fajardo, attending the seminar is

the first step in securing a GMP Certificate. “Cheap products will flood the supermarkets,” Fajardo

said. “But with GMP, you can be competent,” she added.

Ma. Nenita Completano, one of the participants and cook of Danish Lagoon expressed her gratitude that she was

able to attend the seminar.

She said she would share all the important lessons she

learned at the seminar not only to co-workers but also to family and friends.

Maria Cristina Greenfield, the owner of Infinity Heights thanked DOST for considering her as one of the participants

to the seminar as it was free of charge with good meals and

knowledgeable speakers.

Arlene Mack, the manager of Royal Cliff opined that it was one of the best seminars she has attended so far.

All participants committed to practice Basic Food

Hygiene and Good Manufacturing Practices in their respective establishments.

Meanwhile, the DOST-Siquijor thru the Science

and Technology Information Institute (STII) launched

recently the Science and Technology Academic and Research-based Openly Operated Kiosk Station

(STARBOOKS) at DOST Siqujor Provincial Science and Tech-

nology Center (PSTC). Administration Coordinator of STARBOOKS Annie Lyn

Bacani in her briefing to the beneficiary-institutions

explained that the purpose of installing STARBOOKS in key

areas in the country is to create interest in the field of Science and Technology to increase Filipino enrollees in S&T

courses.

It also wants to encourage great and curious minds to develop new ideas - inventions and innovations and to inspire

capacity for entrepreneurship and research for

socio‐economic development.

(mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)

By Rizalie A. Calibo

By Jennifer C. Tilos

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, October 31 (PIA) –Total crime volume in September this year decrease, as police chief Colonel

Dennis Agustin and his men aggressively sought ways to make Bohol a peaceful place to live and do business with.

Bohol total crime volume down in September -PNP

T he decrease, which crime statisticians at

Camp Dagohoy posted at 59 cases, elated members of the Provincial Peace and Order

Council (PPOC) who gathered on October

31 despite a declared half day holiday for government workers for the All saints and All Souls Day traditions.

Police Senior Superintendent Agustin said

crimes volume reported in August 2014 totaled 712 cases, but by September, crimes dropped to 653.

T h e d o w n t r e n d , C o l . A g u s t i n pointed out was also consistent with the downtrends for index and non-index crimes type in the last two

months. Camp Francisco Dagohoy chief noted that

index and non index crimes in September reached up

to 412 which was still considerably low compared to August of this same year.

Index and non-index crimes in August,

according to the provincial police director showed 417 and 295 respectively, where a noted 5 cases down for index and as much as 54 cases less for non index crimes in September.

For the crime types, only physical injuries found an increase while all other indexed crimes experienced stability or down

trends. Theft, physical injury and robbery

remained top crimes in Bohol, according to Col

Agustin who used to be an anti-organized crime task force chief in his past assignment.

Theft comprises 38% of the crime pie, Physical

injury, 38% and robbery at 18%, Camp Dagohoy reports.

Theft decreased by 8 from 163 in August,

physical injuries increased by 18 cases over August‟s 129 and robberies decreased by two from 76 last month, Col. Agustin pointed out.

The biggest and most notable change however

is the drastic decrease of carnapping in Bohol, which has single digit from double digits in the beginning months of the year.

Col. Agustin hailed Tagbilaran City Chief Major George Vale for significantly lowering carnapping cases from 67 in the beginning five months to 22,

averaging 4 per month compared to 13.4 in the first five months. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Bohol)

CENTRAL CENTRAL VISAYASVISAYAS 555

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Nov. 3 (PIA) –In efforts to help communities adapt to changes in climate and and global warming,

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) put their hopes and push for the viable of seaweed farming for Bohol

coastal areas and islets.

S uitable for Bohol's waters and favorable

currents, seaweeds of the euchauma

cottonii variety, when farmed can be a very

good source for alternative income earning for a

farm 1/8 of a hectare an ascertained P14,000 per

month, Aurelin Eugenio Mayor, BFAR

Aquaculturist shared.

Mayol, who also put up a small seaweed farm

in Mabini town attests that the strung seaweeds

attract fish and bottom dwellers that catching

them becomes easier as the fish stay and linger in

the farms over going to nearby areas which are

overly fished.

The seaweed farms also act as small marine

protected areas, she added, while giving a good

sanctuary with its shade and food for fish.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA, she said

fishers have complained about depleting and

scarce fish stocks that they would have to paddle

long hours to get to the depths to fish.

"They would have to paddle long to catch

more and earn more, but, we have opened an

option, go seaweed farming instead," the

aqua-culturist who makes rounds convincing

people of backyard fisheries blurted out.

With seaweed farming, especially with the

euchauma cottonii (guso) variety, they are assured

of income while tending to their farms, and

occasionally fish using lines in nearby areas, Mayol

said.

Most of Bohol seawaters are suitable for

guso, which not only supplies food for the table,

its high value when dried can be the answer to

low income fishers.

Farmed in lined strings and strung together

in uniform distances, guso is the raw material for

carrageenan, a seaweed extract that is extensively

used in the food industry due to its gelling,

stabilizing and thickening properties.

Six or seven kilos of guso when dried can

weigh a kilo and is sold between P60-70 in dry

weight, Mayol said who added that seaweed farms

are even frequented by traders who may buy even

the raw and undried guso, so farmers really do

not need to put up solar driers.

We need to present alternatives to

communities now feeling the effect of climate

change, and the option which guso offers

opens a new window for families to unite and

work closer to home, BFAR said. (mbcn/RAC/

PIA7-Bohol)

Guso farming: viable option for communities

climate change adaptation

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Some 30 freshmen college students in Negros Oriental are expected to compete for the

country’s young statistics wizards for the 23rd Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ).

NegOr students to compete 23rd PSQ

P rovincial Statistics Officer Ariel Fortuito

of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

said the provincial elimination will be

conducted on November 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Dumaguete City.

Fortuito said the competition is for first-time

college freshmen students currently enrolled

during the second semester of the school year

2014-2015 in 10 colleges and universities in

Negros Oriental.

Foruito said the PSQ is an annual quiz

competition designed to test freshmen college

students‟ knowledge on statistics and promote

appreciation of the importance and value of

science, particularly statistics in all

development-planning activities.

Each school could send three participants

and three coaches that must be officially endorsed

by the school where the students are enrolled.

The top three winners will represent the

province during the regional elimination on Nov.

14.

The regional winner will represent the

region and compete with the representatives of

the other 16 regions in the National PSQ contest

which is set on December 9, 2014 at the

Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Que-

zon City.

This year‟s participating schools include

Silliman University (SU), Foundation University

(FU), St. Paul University (SPUD), Negros oriental

State University (NORSU), COSCA, Maxino

College, Maritime College, Science Technology

Institute (STI), and AMA.

At stake for the top five winners in the PSQ

national finals shall receive a PSQ trophy and cash

prizes.

Each of the national finalists shall be given a

PSQ medal and a Certificate of Recognition.

Their coaches shall likewise be awarded with

Certificates of Recognition.

The PSQ primarily aims to assess the

competency and skills of students in statistics as

acquired from the secondary education

curriculum. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

By Jennifer C. Tilos

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

CEBU CITY, Nov 1 (PIA)---Authorities urged the public to be more vigilant in reporting of cases involving minors.

I n the recently held Kapihan sa

PIA-Cebu, representatives from the law

enforcement, regional and local social

welfare and child focused non-government

organization, call on the public not to close its

eyes on any abuses done to minors.

This despite statistics in Cebu City that

showed similar number of recorded abuses done

to children this year and last year.

Police Inspector Arieza Otida, Women and

Children Protection Desk head of the Cebu City

Police Office (Wcpd-CCPO) revealed that in

2013 there were 460 cases recorded from

January to December. As of September 2014

there are 429 cases reported.

In the province, there is however a

significant decrease of recorded abuses in children

from 1126 January to December 2013 to 526 this

year, according to the records of the Cebu

Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

According to the Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) Social

Welfare Officer Grace Yana said they had

served 661 recorded cases for the entire 2013.

Otida said majority of the cases against

children are in the forms of physical abuse causing

injuries and harm.

What were notable in the province are

records of acts of lasciviousness, child labor and

trafficking in the form of cyber pornography.

Yana said even If the parent or relatives are

not interested to report, the neighbor or anyone

who knows can report the case directly to them.

It can also be reported to the police who

can also file a case in the child‟s behalf. They

believed that there are still cases which do not

reach their desks.

October is dedicated to children, particularly

observing their participatory rights.

For CCPO, Otida said they conducted

information drive in five schools about important

applicable laws to children.

They also did a poster making contest with

the theme, “Bata Kasali ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga” and

a marriage encounter for about 20 policemen

couples.

They concluded the celebration with a talent

contest among street children.

CPPO also made a campus advocacy

campaign and knowledge enhancement seminars

to women investigators. (mbcn/FCC/PIA7-Cebu)

Public urged to report cases of child abuse to authorities

By Ferliza C. Contratista

EASTERN EASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 666

Farmers in 'Yolanda' areas trained to be

self-sufficient-Sec. Alcala

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 4 (PIA) - The assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to the farmers in

Region 8 are just temporary in nature due to the extent of the damaged brought by super typhoon ―Yolanda‖ which mostly

devastated parts of the region in November 8, 2013.

A ccording to DA Secretary Proceso J.

Alcala, they prioritized the farmers in

Yolanda-affected areas due to the

escalation of prices in agricultural products and

rebuild the agriculture industry and livelihood of

farmers.

Sec. Alcala elaborated that 65.27 percent of

irrigation canals or 673,306 linear meters of

irrigation canals had been cleared of debris and

desilted to further boost the plantation in

agricultural products.

Theregional office has distributed a total of

2,280 kilos of assorted vegetable seeds to local

government units; 24,738 bags of corn seeds;

142,423 bags of certified and hybrid rice seeds to

affected farming households.

Farmer beneficiaries who had been provided

with rice and corn were also provided with

fertilizers.

A total of 162,878 bags of various types of

fertilizers had already been distributed to farmer

beneficiaries.

Sec Alcala said that the assistance provided

by the Agriculture department will somehow ease

the pains and sufferings of the farmers and in turn

give them the courage to regain the healthy

agriculture industry.

The farmers were also taught to practice

intercropping by planting vegetable products aside

from rice and corn as well as encouraged to raise

livestock as a means of additional income.

Sec. Alcala is assured that even if

the assistance provided to the farmer

beneficiaries is just temporary it has

long-lasting effect due to the skills acquired

0 by the farmers in sustaining their livelihood by

not only being dependent on one product but

other products which can generate additional

income. (ajc/jhb/PIA-8)

DAR turns over P37-M worth of projects in Biliran

ALMERIA, Biliran, Nov. 5 (PIA) – More than P37 million worth of rural development projects had been turned over by the

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in two Biliran towns.

D AR Assistant Regional Director for

Program Beneficiaries Development

Ismael Aya-ay led in the turnover of

three irrigation projects, a farm-to-market

road (FMR) and a potable water system to the

local government units of Cabucgayan and

Almeria.

The local chief executives of the said

towns likewise turned over on the same

occasion to the recipient barangays, irrigators‟

associations and barangay water services

association the completed projects for the

operation and maintenance.

With a combined total cost of P37.6

million, these projects funded by the Japan

International Cooperation Agency (JICA) thru

the third phase of the Agrarian

Reform Infrastructure Support Project

(ARISP-3), according to Aya-ay, are expected

to hasten economic growth in the agrarian reform communities (ARCs) in these

municipalities.

In Cabucgayan, DAR commissioned the

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to

rehabilitate the irrigation system in Barangay

Magbangon which now supplies water to about

53 hectares of ricefields here and in adjacent

Barangay Libertad.

Another project turned over in this

municipality is the potable water system

implemented in Barangay Balaquid, which

according to Mayor Gemma Adobo, is of big

help in securing the health of the 208

households.

Like irrigation, health is also an important

factor in rural development, she added.

In Almeria, DAR also commissioned NIA

for the construction of an irrigation system in

Barangay Iyusan and rehabilitated the one in

Barangay Jamorawon that could now supply

water to about 102 hectares of rice terraces in

these upland villages.

Almeria Mayor Dominador Agajan said

during the turnover that this may now be the realization of their town‟s vision of becoming

the tourism hub and rice basket of the

province.

On the newly-concreted 4.4-kilometer

farm-to-market road from Sitio Pitoguhan of

Barangay Jamorawon to Barangay Iyusan,

Agajan said he never expected it would be this

beautiful and durable.

Road accidents in this area will now be

avoided, he added.

For the road improvement, DAR tapped

the Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH) for the concreting where more than

2,600 residents are expected to benefit.

Meanwhile, DAR Regional Director

Sheila Enciso disclosed that an agricultural

warehouse in Barangay Balaquid in Cabucgayan

is soon to be turned over too to the agrarian

reform beneficiaries organization (ARBO) to

complete the package of support services in

the area.

The warehouse is also funded by JICA

under ARISP-3, she added.

Enciso hope these projects would help not only improve the quality of life of the ARBs

here but also in the economic development of

the region particularly the agriculture sector.

(JAS/DAR-8)

Livelihood Seeding Program launched in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 5 (PIA) – In partnership with the United States Philippines Society and the Philippine Disaster

Relief Foundation (PDRF), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Eastern Visayas has launched the Livelihood

Seeding Program Monday at Liceo Del Verbo Divino, this city.

S eventy Four (74) beneficiaries of the

program in the City of Tacloban have

received the livelihood packages

distributed to them.

The beneficiaries include dressmakers,

food makers, food vendors and small eatery

operators.

DTI 8 Regional Director Cynthia

Nierras, said that a big number of micro

enterprises have been affected by super

typhoon Yolanda in 64 municipalities and

cities in Region 8.

Hence, the beneficiaries need to

restore back their livelihood which they

were used to for many long years.

Nierras likewise said, around 12, 300

micro enterprises were registered at the

Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) before Yolanda hit the region last

year.

Initially, four to five hundred

beneficiaries in eight (8) places in the region

are being targeted by the program.

These includes the worst-hit areas such

as Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Dulag,

Tabon-Tabon, Mayorga, all are in Leyte and

Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The launching was spearheaded by DTI

through Regional Director Cynthia Nierras,

Leyte Provincial Director Desiderio Belas,

Hank Hendrickson, Executive Director, U.S.

Philippine Society and his wife Anne;

Veronica Gabaldon, Program Manager,

PDRF, Rene S. Meily, President, PDRF and

Tacloban City Assistant Administrator

Brando Bernadas.

The Livelihood Seeding Program is the

DTI‟s response to a particular need that was

identified during the Post Disaster Needs

Asse ssmen t (PDNA)) conducted

immediately after Yolanda struck the region

last year.(ajc/cba/PIA-8)

By Jonnie H. Buenaventura

EASTERNEASTERN VISAYASVISAYAS 777

DPWH-4th LED concentrates on its

improvement projects

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Nov. 5 (PIA) – A number of improvement projects are currently being undertaken by the Department

of Public Works and Highways – Leyte Fourth Engineering District (DPWH-4th LED), one of which is the drainage system

along the Palompon-Isabel-Merida-Ormoc Road.

D istrict Engr. Lino Francisco C.

Gonzalez of DPWH-4th LED

informed that the ongoing

project, which has a contract cost of

P1,360,000.00 under the GMP Builders, took

off last September 10.

The improvement project on the

drainage system is necessary for the easy

flow of water coming from the higher areas.

Another improvement project that is

also being undertaken is the double box

culvert along the Kananga-Tungonan Hot

Spring Road which is now 50 percent

accomplished.

The double box culvert which is along

the Geothermal Plant started last January 31.

Said project, according to Engr.

Gonzales has a contract cost of

P5,900,000.00. The project, as an alternative

route between Ormoc and Kananga, benefits

some 500 households.

This improvement project is being given

priority because the river in said area is

prone to flooding which results to making

the road not passable to both the residents

and the Geothermal Plant employees. (ajc/

maa/PIA-8)

NYC supports Climate Walk, advocates 50 ways to curb greenhouse gas emissions

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 3 (PIA) – As a solid supporter of the Climate Change Commission (CCC)-led ―Climate Walk,‖

the National Youth Commission (NYC) did its share as they launched on Monday its advocacy dubbed as ―50 ways to cut

greenhouse gas emissions‖ before more than 2 thousand more supporters who were mostly students as they converged with

the climate warriors at the Samar State University.

A s a sign of support, NYC

Commissioner Jose Sixto Dantes III

(Dingdong Dantes) came over from

Manila to join the youth supporters of CCC

in Catbalogan, Samar.

In a media interaction at the Tacloban

airport held shortly before he left for

Catbalogan, the NYC Commissioner said

that they are seriously supporting the

activities of the Climate Change Commission

all throughout as he underscored the

importance of youth participation in the said

advocacy campaign.

Commissioner Dantes said that the

youth is one of the most vulnerable sectors

as far as calamities are concerned.

“Ayaw naman natin na maging biktima

lang parati ang mga kabataan (We don‟t want

that the youths have to be victims always),

we also want them to be part of the

solution,” he said.

Dantes emphasized that at this early

stages, the youths should be involved

specially in the prevention, mitigation and

climate change awareness.

“Naniniwala ako na you don‟t have to

be an environmentalist to care, everyone

should care right now,” he said.

Dantes shared his best three of the 50

simple ways to cut greenhouse gas

emissions: reduce, reuse and recycle plus

tree planting at the right place.

“Simple lang siya (50 ways), pero „pag

marami po ang gumagawa, there‟s a

possibility na maa-attain natin ang goal ng

UN na by 2100 zero na ang emission ng

greenhouse gas,” he said.

NYC will be releasing an infomercial

which will serve as an educational tool in

schools to disseminate these simple

messages to the youths as wide as possible

with the help of social media.

Likewise, Dantes stressed that these

messages be relayed in such a manner that it

will be understandable, doable, attainable

and inclusive, including the out-of-school

youths.

It was learned that thousands of

advocates and climate change warriors

pledged to wage war against climate change

led by Commissioner Dantes, Commissioner

Naderev Sano of the Climate Change

Commission and Catbalogan Mayor Step

Uy-Tan during the Climate Change Congress

held at the Samar State University. (PIA-8

with reports from PIA-Samar)

Climate change walkers stirs thousands of Catbaloganons

T he c l imate change walkers

numbering 40 (sometimes the

number would swell depending on

the communities they happen to pass

through, and sometimes would shrink to the

original 40) entered the city despite being

soaked in the rains.

According to Charlie Sta Maria, the

climate change walker/photographer, their

task is to invite attention from people

that climate change is here and that

communities should act. She also narrated

some poignant stories of the people she met

along the way.

Walking since October 2, where they

started off at the Luneta, the climate change

walkers which Catbalogan City Mayor Steph

Uy-Tan also called warriors have been

almost sunburned, but their determination

to reach the last 89 or so kilometers to

reach Tacloban has not slowed down the

team-they intent to move forward-„usad

-usad‟ (move-move) as the song rendered by

Nityalila says.

On Monday, the walkers and their

commissioners Naderev Sano, Dingdong

Dantes and Jo Jan Paul Penol converged at

the Samar State University Gym where they

were met by more than two thousand

supporters most of whom were students

from all over Catbalogan City.

“Catbalogan City has broken the

climate change walk record with the more

than 2 thousand supporters,” said Sano.

It has been their 33rd day walking since

October 2, 2014, the walkers target to

reach Tacloban City on November 8, 2014,

anniversary of the strongest typhoon

Yolanda onslaught in the region. “Climate

Change is a war we can not afford to lose,”

he said. Despite the long and tiring walk, the

climate change walkers/warriors have

encountered inspiring support from the

communities they pass through. Their

present to Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan was a

Climate Change resiliency tool kit.

In return, the mayor and Vice Mayor

Art Gabon presented to the National Youth

Commission an ordinance that will include

the participation and representation of the

youth in the disaster risk reduction-climate

change plans for the city.

The city, said Dantes is the first city to

recognize the participation of the youth in

the DRR/Climate Change issues.

“I hope that what the leaders in

Catbalogan did will be replicated in other

LGUs,” Dantes said.

The city also launched 50 ways to cut

greenhouse gases. (PIA-Samar/NBQ)

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Nov 3 (PIA)—Climate Change walkers reached their 802nd kilometer walk as they trudged the

City of Catbalogan on Sunday night.

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Editorial Consultants

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Regional Director, PIA 7 Regional Director, PIA6 Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor

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Contributors

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Regional Offices:

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