September 20, 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 19 Daily E-Newsletter of Philippine Information Agency - 8 September 20, 2013

DOLE 8 regional director Exequiel Sarcauga (right) says that the 13th PESO Congress will push for the institutionalization of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) as PIA regional director Olive Tiu (left), Harampang host, listens. The congress will be held on September 25-27 at Oriental Hotel in Palo, Leyte. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

Country’s PESO managers to converge in Leyte on Sept. 25-27BY: CONSUELO B. ALARCON

Around 900 delegation mostly PESO managers all over the country are

expected to attend the 13th PESO Congress on Sept. 25-27, 2013 to be held at The Leyte Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 8 Director Exequiel Sarcauga said during the Harampang ha PIA , this is part of his advocacy campaign in order to convince other local government executives in Eastern Visayas the value and importance in institutionalizing a Public Employment Service Office(PESO) in their localities. The congress is also one way of sharing among the PESO managers the best practices in their areas that would help facilitate employment opportunities and lessen the unemployment problem not only in our region but in the whole country. Aside from this, the PESO officers will also conduct its regular quarterly meeting. The office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region have also invited some senators such as Senators Franklin Drilon, Grace Llamanzares-Poe and Bam Aquino as keynote speakers. Also invited is Director General Joel Villanueva of Technical Educational Skills and Development Authority (TESDA). Sarcauga disclosed that at least 27 PESO offices in the region have been institutionalized since it was introduced some years ago. (PIA-8)

PHILHEALTH enhances birthing facility

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Primary Care Benefits

(PCB) Product Teams in coordination of PhilHealth Insurance Office, Borongan City conducted a program orientation on strengthening collaboration with the local stakeholders on maternal and child health and primary care benefits, held recently at Barangay San Saturnino this City. The objective to this program is to achieve the MDG of reducing maternal deaths by improving delivery of health care services to pregnant women. During the program proper, a welcome remarks and introduction of participants was given by Ms. Josephine B. Mosquisa, Chief, Borongan PhilHealth.

In her message, she emphasized the importance of birthing facilities or Lying-in Clinics in Rural Health Unit (RHU), to give access to pregnant women with normal deliveries. “You are lucky that you have a complete lying-in facility, now, you can save time, money and travel expenses to the City”, Mosquisa added. Meanwhile, a brief discussion was given to the Barangay officials, Barangay Health workers and Rural Health Unit staff. Dra. Adeline A. Mesina, MDG Product Team Member from PhilHealth Manila briefly discussed Maternity Care Package (MCP) Tuberculosis (TB)-Directly continued on page 7

2 September 20, 2013

Provincial Scouting gathers thousands scouts

Close to 5,000 Boy and Girl Scouts with their officials gather now at the Youth

Center Camp(YOCENCA) at barangay Naparaan, Salcedo this province for a four- day jamboree. According to Department of Education Division Superintendent Bernardo Adina, this is so far the Provincial Jamboree which he has attended, which has the most number of participants. “I am happy that all the 30 school districts of the province and 56 high school delegations have responded positively to our invitation”, Supt. Adina said. The day also marks the 50th year of the founding of YOCENCA which is situated in a mini-forest south of Borongan city, about two hours drive from Borongan city. The tall, green trees surely add to the cool and pleasant atmosphere around, that could possibly add to the children’s learnings in the jamboree, in giving value to the environment. Ms. Esther Santianez, of Calbayog

city Girl Scouts of the Philippines(GSP) said that encampment of this kind is the best experience parents can give their children because they will learn basic home responsibilities, grooming and social graces . Santianez, who was invited to act as Overall Camp Director added that the children will be taught of some important life’s skills, disaster preparedness, First Aid Techniques while learning with others.The Jamboree started with a colorful parade around the YOCENCA grounds with more or less five hectares of hilly and partly forested area.While two separate activities are lined-up for the Boys and Girls Scouts, overall expectations include, Logo-Making Contest, in preparation for the May 2014 National Jamboree, special ceremony dubbed “Scouts-Own” where the children give tribute to nature and environment through verses, songs and passages.(PIA-Eastern Samar)

SoLeyte trains midwives, nurses to ensure availability of family planning info and services

The Maternal and Newborn Child Health and Nutrition (MNCHN)

program in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government units in Southern Leyte conducted a Competency-Based Family Planning Training – Level 1,” September 16-20, 2013. There are at least 30 Rural Health Midwives from the Rural Health Stations throughout the province and (4) Public Health Nurses participated the activity held at the Supercha 2 Restaurant here, Provincial Supervising Midwife Victoria Generan informed. The 5-day training aims to ensure the availability of Family Planning information and services at health facilities throughout the province,

Generan who is one of the speakers said. Topics discussed during the said activity include the following: The Philippine Family Planning Program; Human Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology; FP Client Assessment; Infection Prevention in FP Services; Fertility Awareness-Based Methods; Hormonal Contraceptive Methods; The Male Condom; Long-term and Permanent Methods; FP for Special Populations and the Counseling for Family Planning and action planning. Resource speakers during the week-long activity include PHN Azucenas Garcia from Maasin City Health Unit, Gender Health Program Coordinator for Visayas Dr.Feliciano John Matibag from USAID, RO8-Center for Health

Development Nurse Fe Modesto and Ms. Generan herself. Generan disclosed that the Philippine Family Planning Program (PFPP) is an intervention to improve the health of all Filipinos with special attention to women and children. “The PFP program relate to the reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality program,” she said. She further said that MNCHN’s goal is to improve financial risk protection particularly among the poor, ensure access to quality health and to implement key interventions to achieve health-related concerns particularly that of reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality. (rgc/PIA8-Southern Leyte)

BY MA. REBECCA G. CADAVOS

DPWH set to recover

RROW of national roads in

Southern Leyte

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Secretary

for Visayas and Mindanao Dimas S. Soguilon recently visited Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office (NSSDEO). Accompanied by Director Rolando M. Asis together with the other technical personnel of DPWH Regional Office No. 8, ASec Soguilon arrived early morning last Saturday, September 14 at DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office as part of his itinerary stop-over in the Samar-Leyte region. This was learned from Mr. Rey Orsua of DPWH, PIO Unit. Asec. Soguilon regularly conducts actual inspection of DPWH infrastructure projects in Visayas and Mindanao regions, covering his area of responsibility. Dialogue with the frontline personnel is a vital component of his field continued on page 7

September 20, 2013 3

Vice-president and BSP national president Jejomar Binay (center) poses with the scout officials from Eastern Visayas during the BSP/GSP Scout Summit held at the Leyte Provincial Convention Center, Palo, Leyte, September 18. (Vino R. Cuayzon)

8th ID welcomes troops from Cebu

Heroes, this is how the 8th Infantry Division treated the troops of

Bravo Company of the 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) who just arrived at Pier two, Catbalogan City on Tuesday. The troops came from the peace and security mission in Balamban, Cebu. The troops contributed to the peace and security in Balamban, and helped the PNP to secure the area according to Bravo Company Commander Captain Rex Caranzo. Bravo Company also conducted medical mission, outreach program to show to the community the true bayanihan spirit, he said. “Balamban is a shipyard in Cebu, more attractions on investment are coming in since there are no more threats in the area,” he added. Meanwhile, 8th ID Assistant Division Commander BGen Virgilio Espineli warmly welcomed the 120 members of the bravo company. The general said that the

government troops have significantly contributed to the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan of the army. “I appreciate your untiring support for the accomplishment of the command’s mission. You have demonstrated the picture of a true army.” “I know that as you left Cebu, the people there whose lives you touched and helped will never forget you,” expressed Espineli. The general urged the troop to continue doing their mandated task and render services. The troops will undergo some two weeks of re-orientation on human rights before they will be sent back to their unit at the 34th Infantry Brigade in Northern Samar under commanding officer Lt. Col. Rodrigo Illustrisimo.(PIA 8- Samar Avha H. Ebalde)

DPWH ASec Soquilon inspects Northern Samar infra projects

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Secretary

for Visayas and Mindanao Dimas S. Soguilon recently visited Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office ((NSSDEO). Accompanied by Director Rolando M. Asis together with the other technical personnel of DPWH Regional Office No. 8, ASec Soguilon arrived early morning last Saturday, September 14 at DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office as part of his itinerary stop-over in the Samar-Leyte region. This was learned from Mr. Rey Orsua of DPWH, PIO Unit. Asec. Soguilon regularly conducts actual inspection of DPWH infrastructure projects in Visayas and Mindanao regions, covering his area continued on page 7

BY: AILENE DIAZ

4 September 20, 2013

VP Binay, Valenzuela Rep. Gatchalian support postponement of SK elections

BY: CONSUELO ALARCON

Vice President Jejomar Binay is in favor of the postponement of the

Sangguniang Kabataan elections. In an interview with him today at the Leyte Provincial Convention Center (LPPC) Palo Leyte where he was the keynote speaker of the 1st Eastern Visayas GSP/BSP Summit, he stressed the importance of postponing the SK elections so lawmakers would have enough time to review the SK law and institute reforms to the SK structure. Binay acknowledges problems facing the Sangguniang Kabataan. Hence, “it would be a good decision to set aside the SK polls this coming October.” he said. It maybe recalled that the senate has just passed a bill on its third and final reading seeking the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections due to the strong clamor from different sectors of society

calling for the restructuring and in-depth evaluation of the Sangguniang Kabataan. Meanwhile, First District Representative Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela who was also one of the guests in the 1st EV GSP/BSP summit gave his reasons why he is opt for postponement of the SK elections. According to him, its time to see the flaws like the alleged corruption in the SK organization and where it starts. “Personally, I don’t want to abolish it, I want to reform it, I want to change it, and see where are the flaws”. Gatchalian said. As being observed by some sectors, since the first SK election in 1992, SK has not been as effective as envisioned in advancing the leadership skills of the youth. (PIA-8)

Malacañang naghahangyo mga Pilipino pumabilin nga mabinantayon samtang sige an imbistigasyon han gin-aaligar nga diri asya nga paggamit han PDAF

An Malacañang en naghangyo ngadto han mga Pilipino nga pumabilin

nga magin mabinantayon samtang an imbistigasyon han gin-aaligar nga diri asya nga paggamit han priority development assistance fund (PDAF) han mga magbaralaud en nagpapadayon. Dida hin usa nga pakigharampang ha mga peryodista ha Malacañang dida han Miyerkoles, nagsering hi Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda nga obligasyon han ngatanan nga mga Pilipino nga kitaon gud an imbistigasyon han pork barrel scam tubtub ngadto hit katapusan hini. “Diri naton eni hikalimtan. Obligasyon eni han katawhan mahitungod nga mayda kita nagkakaurosa nga mga bungtohanon, diri naton hikalimtan nga eni nga mga butang (pork barrel scam) en kinahanglan nga maresolba,” sering ni Lacierda. Hi Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales en nagsering ha turotemprano pa nga aabutan hiya kaupod han iya ahensya hin maabot usa ka-tuig para maresolba an gin-aaligar nga may anomaleya nga mga gastos han PDAF matapos hin damo nga mga ebidensya nga ginpresentar ngadto ha iya. Nagpatapod hi Morales nga pagdedesideran ha sulod hin “usa ka-tuig o ubos pa” an panikas nga kaso kuntra kan Janet Lim-Napoles ngan han mga poderoso nga mga senador ngan mga kongresista nga naimplikar han gin-aaligar nga P10-bilyones pork barrel scam. (Trans. by MAA/PIA-8)

Damo nga OFWs tikang sa Syria ngan Ehipto umabot sa Manila

Si Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz nagsugad

nga mas damo pa nga Pinoy tikang sa masamok nga mga nasud sa Syria ngan Jordan an umabot sa Manila sa naglabay nga semana resulta san padayon nga paningkamot san gobyerno sa Pilipinas sa nasabi nga mga nasud. Nakaginhawa kami nga napauli sin maupay an kahimtang an mga OFWs ngadi sa nasud, sugad ni Baldoz. Biente Tres nga overseas Filipino workers tikang sa Syria an nakauli sadton Setyembre 5 sakay sa Gulf Air flight No. GF 154 samtang 95 pa an inabot sa petsa sais sakay sa Qatar Airway Flight No. QR 646 ngan Etihad Airlines. Yaun 14 nga mga dagko na ngan 8 nga kabataan an umabot sa nasud tikang sa Ehipto sadton Setyembre 6 sakay san Singapore Airlines ngan 11 pa

an umabot sadton Setyembre 9, kon diin 8 an dagko na nga tulo nga kabataan.An numero san OFWs nga nahipauli tikang sa Syria umabot 1,368 samtang an tikang sa Ehipto umabot sa 49. An Overseas Workers Welfare Administration naghatag sin asistensya, temporaryo nga maeestaran, transportasyon para ngadto sa tagsa nga mga lugar, ini an esplikasyon san namumuno san labor.Sa panahon nga kaya na nira magtikang sin bag-o nga kinabuhi sa nasud, puede sira makatagamtam san package livelihood assistance nga ginpapahamtang san National Reintegration Center for OFWs sa ilarum san P2-bilyones ka pesos Reintegration Program.Puede liwat sira kumadto san Public Employment Service Office (PESO) sa mga bungto kon sira interesado nga padayon ha page 7

September 20, 2013 5DTI-Leyte to spearhead services caravan

BY: AURORA CASIMPAN

The Department of Trade and Industry in Leyte (DTI-Leyte) is spearheading

a two-days services caravan to increase people’s awareness of DTI’s services and awareness on the fair trade law. The trade and industry department will undertake the activity at the municipal building of Hilongos town in Leyte on September 19-20. Araceli Larraga, Consumer Welfare Division (CWD) chief said the activities to be done includes Online Business Name Registration which is DTI’s newest means of registering business names which do away with a lot of requirements. The other events are focus

group discussion on the Local Regional Economic Development-Rapid Economic Appraisal (LRED-REA); SME Roving Academy where a menu of trainings will be presented to micro, small and medium scale enterprise owners; and Retailers’ Forum aimed to update retailers on the Fair Trade Laws. DTI activity will also organize the Hilongos Business Club Hilongos Local Price Coordinating Council (HLPCC) to underscore the importance of a local price coordinating council to check on the prices of commodities especially in times of calamities. (PIA-8)

Aquino nag aprobar sin 2-milyones nga bayad san makadakop san nagpatay kan Davantes13

Si Presidente Benigno C. Aquino III nagsugo san opisina san Executive

Secretary para san pagpagawas san 2-milyones ka pesos nga kuarta bayad san bisan sin-o nga makaghatag impormasyon para madakop an nagpatay san batan-on nga advertising account executive nga waray kalooy nga ginpatay sa naglabay nga semana sa Cavite. An Philippine National Police (PNP) nag-anunsyu dati nga yaun P500,000 nga reward nga ighahatag san impormasyon matungod sa pagpatay. Si Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda nagkompirmar sadton Huebes dida san press briefing sa Malakanyang san sugo san Presidente matungod san 2-milyones nga ighahatag nga reward. Sa pagpangutan-i kon an Presidente diri natutunghan san kahinay san imbistigasyon san kapolisan mao nga nagmando siya sin 2-milyones nga suhol, si Lacierda nasugad nga ini nagpapakita san determinasyon san Presidente nga maagian an nagpatay san 25 anyos nga si Kae Davantes. Diri ini tungod san diri kakontento. Ini mao in pag-aghat san katawhan para mabuligan kilal-on an nagpatay o an mga naghimo san makangingirhat nga kremin. Ini an sugad ni Lacierda. (Translated by: ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar) (PCOO)

www.pia.gov.ph

6 September 20, 2013

Seguruon paghatag serbisyo han gobyerno, pahimatngon ni Pres. has mga agensiya han gobierno ha Zamboanga

Ginmanduhan ni Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III an ngatanan nga mga

sekretaryo han mga departamento ngan mga namumuno han mga ahensya, bureaus o mga opisina han gobyerno ha siyudad han Zamboanga ngan higrani nga mga lalawigan nga seguruon an paghatag han mga serbisyo han gobyerno ha butnga han nagpapadayon nga bayolente nga mga pag-ataki han mga salbahis ngan armado nga mga grupo dida ha siyudad. Ginpagawas han Chief Executive an direktiba pinaagi han Memorandum Circular No. 54 nga pinirmahan ni Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. dida han Septyembre 12. Gintagan hin duon han Pangulo an panginahanglan nga maseguro nga an mga ahensya han gobyerno dida han siyudad han Zamboanga ngan han higrani nga mga lalawigan en abri ngan an mga serbisyo han gobyerno en ginhahatag ha luyo han natatabo nga bayolente nga mga pag-ataki han mga salbahis ngan armado nga mga grupo dida han lugar.

Ginmanduhan niya an ngatanan nga mga sekretaryo han mga departamento ngan mga namumuno han mga ahensya, bureaus o mga opisina han gobyerno nga may mga opisina/mga sanga nga nakapahamtang dida han siyudad han Zamboanga ngan han higrani nga mga lalawigan nga panginanuon an normal nga dalagan han era tagsa-tagsa nga kanan rehiyon/lalawigan/lokal nga mga opisina/an mga sanga hini ngan seguruon an paghatag han mga serbisyo han gobyerno dida hini nga nasabi nga mga lugar. Ha hitabo nga an nasabi nga mga opisina/mga sanga en diri makakaaktibar ngan makakapadalagan hin normal, nagmando hi Pangulo Aquino ngadto han mga opisyal nga makipagsabot ngan makipagkuordinar ngadto han nahitutungdan nga lokal nga pangobyernohan para han padayon nga paghatag han mga serbisyo han gobyerno. Eni nga Memorandum Circular magigin epektibo ora mismo. (Trans. by MAA/PIA8)

WARAY NEWS

DSWD provides P3M daily food assistance to evacuees in JFE Sports Complex

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday

that it spends an average of P3 million worth of food for the evacuees inside the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex or Grandstand on a daily basis. According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, since the start of the armed-conflict in Zamboanga City, a total of P30.97 million worth of food and non-

BY: LEILANI S. JUNIO

food items were provided by the agency.To date, there are a total of 23,794 families with 118,819 individuals or 54 percent of the total population of Zamboanga City were listed to be affected by the 11-day conflict. Secretary Soliman said there are now a total of 57 evacuations centers that are spread in the city feeding and assisting a total of 21,261 families equivalent to

112,961 individuals. The evacuees in the JFE sports complex or grandstand has still the largest number of evacuees sheltering about 63 percent of the total number of families inside the evacuation centers. The DSWD chief also added that she instructed social workers to conduct computerized profiling of displaced families using the DSWD Disaster Assistance Family Access Card for validation and profile generation. “That will be a basis for the provision of relief and further assistance including shelter assistance for families whose houses were damaged due to fires,” Soliman said. She said that at present about 118 rescued hostages already went through under DSWD’s stress debriefing sessions and had gone home. Soliman also said that DSWD’s social workers continue to provide stress debriefing sessions to other hostages, especially the children who were traumatized by the armed-conflict. She also added the Psycho-Social Processing Sessions and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in the tents put-up by the DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH) already served about 166 clients. Aside from these, she added that financial assistance and burial assistance were also given to those who were unfortunately hurt and died during the crossfire between the government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). She reiterated that DSWD is exerting all its efforts to ensure that there is continuous provision of food every meal time to the volume of evacuees especially the elders, lactating mothers and children. The DSWD also has partnered with local food service providers that provides about 70,000 ready-to-eat packed foods for the evacuees three times a day. Likewise, Soliman said community kitchen from the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) is also providing about 12,000 ready to eat foods three times a day while the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and continued on page 7

September 20, 2013 7Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) and Ms. Joanna C. Manalili, PhilHealth Central Office Staff talked on Primary Care Benefits (PCB) while Mr. Vernard N. Pinangay, Social Insurance Officer II of PhilHealth Borongan talked on Membership. Also a ceremonial distribution of sponsored PhilHealth card of Congressman Ben P. Evardone was given by Vice-Governor, Hon. Marcelo “Dindo” Picardal. Some 345 Sponsored PhilHealth ID cards were distributed to indigent families. The Lying-in Clinic in Brgy. San Saturnino is newly renovated through City Mayor, Ma. Fe R. Abunda with complete facilities or medical equipment. This Clinic is capable for handling normal deliveries for nearby barangays: Maypangdan, Tabunan, Punta Maria, Sta. Fe, Bugas and Tamoso. This program is in response to PNoy administration’s health agenda and the Universal Health framework. (SDC/PIA-E. Samar)

PHILHEALTH...from page 1

visits addressing issues and concerns which need immediate action particularly those confronting the projects and program implementation. With his interaction and dialogue with the NSSDEO employees, Secretary Soguilon specifically mentioned the need for the District Office to be transferred from its temporary site in Catarman to the 2nd District at Barangay Rawis, municipality of Lao-ang. He promised that the central office will readily provide funds needed for the transfer of the office from Catarman to Rawis. “Once it happened, you can even request for a shuttle bus that will ferry the local DPWH employees from Catarman to the second district just like what a Cebu district engineering office is doing,” Asec. Soguilon said. Assistant District Engineer Pablito C. Quiñones Jr. and the other members of the NSSDEO management staff were amenable with the plan and immediately request for the allocation of funds through Director Rolando M. Asis of DPWH Region 8. The issue of the transfer of DPWH Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office to the 2nd District of the province has long been overdue, the requested funds if granted would settle the matter. (ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

DPWH set to recover...from page 2

of responsibility. Dialogue with the frontline personnel is a vital component of his field visits addressing issues and concerns which need immediate action particularly those confronting the projects and program implementation. With his interaction and dialogue with the NSSDEO employees, Secretary Soguilon specifically mentioned the need for the District Office to be transferred from its temporary site in Catarman to the 2nd District at Barangay Rawis, municipality of Lao-ang. He promised that the central office will readily provide funds needed for the transfer of the office from Catarman to Rawis. “Once it happened, you can even

DPWH ASec...from page 1request for a shuttle bus that will ferry the local DPWH employees from Catarman to the second district just like what a Cebu district engineering office is doing,” Asec. Soguilon said. Assistant District Engineer Pablito C. Quiñones Jr. and the other members of the NSSDEO management staff were amenable with the plan and immediately request for the allocation of funds through Director Rolando M. Asis of DPWH Region 8. The issue of the transfer of DPWH Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office to the 2nd District of the province has long been overdue, the requested funds if granted would settle the matter. (ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar)

magtrabaho san mga establisamento sa ira mga lugar. Ini an sugad ni Baldoz samtang dugang nga nagsugad nga puede liwat sira maghanap sin trabaho pinaagi sa www.phil-job.net. Ini an job portal sa gobyerno. (Translated by: ADiaz/PIA8-Northern Samar) (PCOO)

Damo nga OFWs...tikang ha page 4

DSWD provides...from page 6

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the help of local volunteers also cooks dinner for 10,000 individuals. Community kitchen of the DSWD field office 9 inside the Grandstand are also providing food augmentation since the start of the on-going conflict. Other evacuation centers are otherwise handled and managed by social workers of DSWD, CSWDO and other civil society organizations (CSOs) to ensure enough provision of foods are undertaken. Soliman said that continuous provision of food is also given to some 613 badjao families who still preferred to stay in their vintas in front of the grandstand. PRC/ICRC has also help in setting up water bladders inside the grandstand and near the Badjao families to keep the evacuees supplied with enough water. Four medical stations inside the grandstand consisting of DOH, Zamboanga City Health Department, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), PRC/ICRC are deployed to provide medical assistance and medicines to the evacuees as part of the effort to monitor the health conditions of evacuees and ensure that those who get sick are given immediate medications. She said several food and non-food assistance were earlier provided by DSWD Field Offices in Region 9, 10 and CARAGA and other private sectors such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Organization of Migration (IOM) as added support to the evacuees.

Rescued Hostages There are 118 rescued hostages that already went through DSWD’s stress debriefing sessions and have gone home and DSWD continues to provide for the rest of the other hostages. DSWD has provided financial assistance to the rescued hostages and burial assistance to the families of those who were caught during the crossfire between government troops and armed MNLF – Nur Misuari faction. (PIA)

Support for Zambo...from page 8

8 September 20, 2013

Support for Zambo victims intensifies

Government, in partnership with private organizations, intensified

efforts at providing humanitarian support for the displaced 23,794 families who have fled their homes due to the attack of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)-Misuari group in Zamboanga City. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman said the DSWD has provided a total of P30.97 million worth of food and non-food items to address the immediate needs of the evacuees as of Wednesday, Sept. 18. On a daily basis, the DSWD spends almost P3 million worth of food for the evacuees inside the Joaquin F. Enriquez Jr. Sport Complex also known as the Grandstand. The department had been preparing at least 70,000 ready-to-eat food packs for every breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the ballooning number of evacuees inside the evacuation centers. There are 112,961 individuals or 21,261 families in 57evacuation centers. Its City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) community kitchen has also been supplying 12,000 foods, thrice a day. About 613 Badjao families, who preferred to stay in their vintas in fron of the Grandstand, have also been receiving food packs from the agency. The DSWD conducts computerized profiling of the displaced families using the DSWD Disaster Assistance Family Access Card for validation and profile generation purposes as basis for the provision of relief and further assistance, including shelter assistance for families whose houses were damaged due to the fires. Volunteers Amidst this crisis, humanitarian organizations have been sharing their resources. The Philippine Red Cross/ International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Western Mindanao State University have been cooking supper for 10,000 individuals. The World Food

Program (WFP), for its part, has shared 800 boxes of high energy biscuits (HBs). The ABS-CBN Foundation provided a shower van while the Lina Group of Companies, the city government, and the USAID installed portalets inside and outside the Grandstand. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as the Archdiocese of Zamboanga/ Social Action Center, Zamboanga City High School Teachers, and Ateneo de Zamboanga have been handling other evacuation centers with the help of DSWD and CSWDO. DSWD provides for food packs and/or raw food and supplies while the CSOs manage the community kitchens and food distribution. Other interventions There are areas specifically designated for Women and Children Friendly Space which is managed by Silsillah and a Day Care Center being handled by the Zamboanga Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZaBIDA) and Katilingban. These organizations are providing supplementary feeding for lactating mothers and children Stress debriefing The DSWD and the Department of Health (DOH) have tents for the Psychosocial Processing Sessions/ Critical Incident Stress Debriefing which have served 166 clients.

BARANGAY ELECTIONSCALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 28, 2013 - November 12, 2013

Election Periodfor the 2013 Barangay Elections

as per COMELEC Resolution No. 9715

October 11 - 17, 2013(Except October 13)

Filing of COCsfor the 2013 Barangay Elections

as per COMELEC Resolution No. 9761

October 18 - 26, 2013Campaign Period

for the 2013 Barangay Electionsas per COMELEC Resolution No. 9749

October 28, 2013

2013 Barangay Electionspursuant to Sec. 1 of Republic Act No. 9340

September 28-

October 28, 2013Period of Prohibition on issuance

of Appointment, creation of new positions,promotions or giving salary increasesAs per COMELEC Resolution No. 9769continued on page 7