Watershed management study important in flood control

By Elsa Subong, PIA

Iloilo City (17 Oct.) -- Causes of flooding in Iloilo can be addressed better with correct, appropriate knowledge on the sediment condition-watershed management study, according to Dr. Severo Saplaco, watershed management specialist, and a consultant of the Iloilo Flood Control Project.

He explained first of all, that the watershed should be perceived as a continuum with three "environments" namely, mountain environment, lowland environment, and the coastal or sea environment. It follows that whatever is done in one part of the continuum, affects the other parts.

The Tigum-Aganan watershed is composed of the municipalities of Maasin, Cabatuan, Janiuay, Alimodian, Leon, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Pavia, Oton and the city of Iloilo. Its major rivers are Tigum, aganan, Jaro, which are the primary sources of flooding in downstream areas, particularly

In his study on the sediment condition of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed, Dr. Saplaco pointed to three factors contributing to flooding, and these are: rainfall, vegetation management, and soil-water conservation practices.

Saplaco explained that rainfall is a natural phenomenon and one cannot stop it, hence, more rainfall, more chances of flooding.

Management interventions, however, is needed, particularly some kind of information and education strategies that will tell people how to better use rainfall data for flood forecasting, the putting up of more strategic rain gauging stations and the adoption of watershed continuum approach in implementing projects.

Vegetation management, on the other hand, emphasizes that the more vegetation the watershed has, the less run off, hence the lesser water drained downstream. With 10 percent vegetation, about 75 percent will be the runoff which results to flooding because of very poor ground cover, Saplaco also explained.

He cautioned, however, that some misconceptions should be changed, like, forest cannot prevent flooding as there can be flooding even under the best forested watershed. The way the land is used in agriculture as well as tree planting technology bear impact on soil erosion.

The current national policy on 60 percent for agriculture and 40 percent forest land use ratio should be strictly observed, Saplaco stressed.

Likewise, people should understand that it is not necessary to plant only trees on the watershed for runoff, soil erosion and flood control, but planting of high value fruit trees and other crops which can augment income is also recommended.

A keen study of the soil-water conservation practices of people in the watershed area also impact on flood control. Dr. Saplaco observed that terracing has become an indispensable traditional soil-water conservation practice of farmers in the watershed continuum. Further, terraced upland farms are compatible with sustainability of the watershed development and management. Incentives can be provided so that these terracing practices can be enhanced.

In driving home a crucial point, Dr. Saplaco said that much of the efforts in flood control should anchor on the kind of correct, appropriate and simplified information and education campaigns conducted among target audiences in the watershed continuum. (PIA)

When will Iloilo flood control project begin?

Iloilo City (17 Oct.) -- Generally people in flood-prone areas in Iloilo wanted to know when the flood control project will start, as revealed by a survey conducted by the project consultants along Jaro district and some parts of the town of Pavia.

The project consultants said that this suggested the "impatience of the people with the pace of project implementation" and their "yearning for solutions to this long-standing problem".

The study, which also measured the awareness of the people on government projects aimed to control flooding in Iloilo, showed that 56 percent of the respondents would like to be informed of the timetable of the project, while others would like to know the details of construction, components of the project, including budget and role of government agencies.

The Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) as lead agency said that though a bit slow, the project components are on its toes, like assistance and social preparation for the Project Affected Families (PAF) so that relocation canbe facilitated, the conduct of watershed and solid waste management studies and baseline surveys for the Information Education Campaign (IEC) activities.

Projected to begin early 2004, the project can expect to be on full swing on the latter part of next year and even spin off to early part of 2005.

Mr. Mike Guioguio, who presented the results of the survey, said that the respondents were aware that there are efforts the government is undertaking to control flooding in the areas concerned, like fixing street drainage, clearing of garbage in the rivers, dredging of rivers building canals and floodways reforestation and clearing of rivers of squatting.

Results of the study also showed that respondents agreed that the main causes of flooding in Iloilo were the throwing of garbage in the river, poor drainage in Iloilo City and forest denudation.

The respondents, however, gave least weight to illegal construction, illegal quarrying and illegal squatting as causes of flooding.

Even if the respondents feel that the government has done very little yet to arrest the problem of flooding, they also perceive that at least something is being done.

They also agree that the government and the private sector should work together to rehabilitate the rivers which are the channels of heavy flooding in Iloilo. (PIA/ESSubong)

DA to break ground for PHILRICE research facility in Negros Occ.

Bacolod City (17 Oct.) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Negros Occidental provincial government lead the groundbreaking ceremonies for the research and development building and warehouse of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) in Cansilayan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr., assisted by Philrice Executive Director Leocadio Sebastian, Gov. Joseph Marañon, and Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela dropped a time capsule at the site where the Philrice structure will rise.

Secretary Lorenzo said the target is to make Negros Occidental self sufficient in rice by 2005 and a rice exporter in the future.

He promised to assist in improving the access road to the PhilRice site here and to rehabilitate the irrigation canal.

DA is allotting P20 million for the project and the provincial government is providing a counterpart of P20 million also.

The facility will supply the seed requirements of Region 6, 7 and 8 and will establish the province as a regional center for rice research and education. (PIA Neg. Occ.)

DA chief lauds diversification in Negros Occidental

Bacolod City (17 Oct.) -- Agriculture Sec. Luis Lorenzo Jr. yesterday praised the province for diversifying into non-sugar industries such as rice, livestock, and processing of products.

"This is a signal that the province is taking seriously the age-old challenge to all of us that we cannot be a one-crop economy," he said.

Lorenzo said the sugar industry has to work together to look at what it is going to do with excess sugar this coming season, noting that prices of sugar have been soft.

He said the Department of Agriculture is continuing to wage an anti smuggling campaign. For as long as there is 10 percent tariff differential between what we have to pay there is always temptation to engage in smuggling, Lorenzo added. (PIA Neg. Occ.)

Escalante City is 2003 Regional Kabalikat awardee

Bacolod City (17 Oct.) -- Escalante City was awarded recently as the Kabalikat awardee for Region VI for significant contributions to technical vocational education and training in the province.

The city government allocated resources for scholarship grants, conducted skills and livelihood training. They have provision for infrastructure, and acquired lands for training venues.

The local officials donated training facilities, equipment, machines and tools; and provided assistance to its labor force for gainful employment through barangay networking and jobfair, They also paticipated in trade fair and skills olympics.

Escalante City Mayor Santiago Barcelona received the award during the 9th TESDA Anniversary at TESDA, Taguig, Metro Manila.

The Kabalikat award is given by TESDA every year to deserving partners in technical education and training. (PIA Neg. Occ.)

October 18 is nationwide Barangay Assembly Day

Iloilo City (14 Oct.) -- For the second time this year, there will be a synchronized nationwide Barangay Assembly on October 18, 2003.

As stated in Presidential Proclamation No. 342, issued on March 18, 2003, all punong barangays with the members of the Sangguniang barangay are enjoined to conduct the Barangay Assembly with the residents.

The barangay assembly serves as a forum for the barangay officials to render an Executive Report which covers their accomplishments, estimated expenses for the current year in infrastructures, transportation and travelling allowances, to include also their barangay operational and financial plans.

The different sectoral committees in the Barangay Council shall also render a situationer on various concerns like peace and order, anti-terrorism, health, environment, solid waste management and the measures undertaken or recommended to address these.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the lead agency sees to it that the conduct of the Barangay Assembly are well-organized and the barangay officials properly guided and mobilized.

For Western Visayas, DILG Regional Director Rexdito Reyes met with his Local Government Operations Officers, on how the different barangays should be guided so that the assemblies will be fruitful.

This October 18, as with that held in March, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will chat with punong barangays at some live points in the country, which include Iloilo City.

The live point in Region 6 will be at Bgy Bakhaw in Jaro, Iloilo City under punong barangay Jorge Duron, who said his barangay is prepared for that responsibility.

The scenario for this are drawn up by the DILG, the Philippine broadcasting System-Radyo ng Bayan, the Philippine Information Agency VI, and other cooperating agencies.

While the live point serves as facilitative channel for interaction between the national leadership and the representative barangay of the region, all the other barangays are expected to conduct their own barangay assemblies. (PIA/ESSubong)

Education major tool in poverty alleviation

Iloilo City (14 Oct.) -- Government’s anti-poverty program points to education as among its major tools, says President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in one of her policy statements issued through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here.

President Arroyo said that winning the war against poverty is empowering the people, and that is through education, culture and the sciences.

She further explained that her administration is pursuing greater access to education by trying to increase the classrooms in far-flung areas so that more can be accommodated, and by implementing distance education.

The 2002 Anti-Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) of the National Statistics Office (NSO) shows that a larger percentage (91.1 percent) of the families with children 6-12 years old had them in the elementary school, as compared to 90 percent in 1999.

The same trend was found for families with children 13-16 years old, with a larger percentage (87 percent vs. 57.5 percent) studying in high school.

In Western Visayas, the national Statistical Board said that for school year 2001-2001, there were 1,018,706 elementary pupils enrolled in the public schools, while 425, 231 attended high school.

Arroyo, likewise, adopted a policy of institutional accommodation of the country’s various cultural traditions by empowering ethnic groups, particularly that of the Muslim communities in Mindanao, through the inclusion of related studies in the Philippine education system.

Before the international community, Arroyo declared her support for the UNESCO’s call to form knowledge societies instead of information societies.

In knowledge societies the concept of digital learning is widened to include issues of content, language, education and literacy for community and social resources.

In information societies, according to UNESCO, the concept of digital divide attaches overriding importance to the availability of computers and connectivity. Information societies focus on providing hardware and software but knowledge societies give attention as well to the human and social systems that must be transformed for technology to be more effective.

Arroyo emphasized that the anti-poverty program her administration is relentlessly leading aims for total human development, not only prosperity, but one that includes peace, security and dignity. (PIA/ESSubong)

GSIS offers emergency loan asssistance on top of all other loan offers

Iloilo City (14 Oct.) -- GSIS-Iloilo Manager Jesusa Ruby A. Teruel announced that effective Monday, October 13, 2003, their office will start receiving applications for Emergency Loan Assistance (ELA) on top of all other loan offers.

Teruel said that the loan shall be granted to any GSIS member who is in active service, and a policy contract holder.

The loan shall not exceed P10,000, with an interest rate of 10 percent per annum. Balance of previous loans and all other accounts in default shall not be deducted from the proceeds of this loan.

Teruel further explained that the principal, interest and other charges shall be paid in twenty-four monthly amortization. Only a one percent service fee and ELA redemption premium of P120.00 shall be deducted from the proceed of the loan.

The GSIS-Iloilo is advising its member agencies to file their applications by batch and receive their checks also by batch after the processing. (GSIS/PIA)

Support tourism development - Drilon

Iloilo City (14 Oct.) -- Senate President Franklin Drilon urged local officials and others concerned to join hands in the development of tourism in the country.

“We should develop tourism. There is no other way to develop tourism but to start with us, to start with the different regions of our country”, Drilon stressed.

Drilon said in his speech at the grand opening ceremonies of the “Pasundayag Sang Western Visayas” held at the Ruins of San Ignacio in Intramuros, Manila that in other countries it is their domestic tourism that sustains their economy. People would go through their countries visiting each and every region because tourism has become a lifeblood.

“Diri sa aton kulang pa”, Drilon noted but he cited the efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote domestic tourism by holding such activity and opening Intramuros once more to the Filipino people.

“I am glad that we have a dynamic DOT which has actively promoted domestic tourism apart from inviting visitors from foreign shores to come to the Philippines”, he said.

The 14-day “Pasundayag Sang Western Visayas” in Intramuros, Manila showcased the best of the region in trade and tourism as well as its rich cultural heritage. The event concluded last Sunday. It was spearheaded by the DOT in line with their Visit Philippines 2003 campaign.

Drilon also pointed out that holding such activity not only showcase the beautiful culture of WV but also the unity as shown by the local officials who were in full attendance during the ceremonies in order to push the region as one of the most important, beautiful and critical regions in the country.

“It is Western Visayas where the world famous Boracay is found”, Drilon said, and home of famous festivals like the Ati-Atihan of Aklan, Masskara of Bacolod City and Dinagyang of Iloilo City.

Drilon also took pride of the Miag-ao Church being included in the UNESCO list of heritage and the town’s “hablon” fiber. In support, he vowed that in the next state visit of US President George Bush he is going to ask his wife to wear Hablon to showcase WV. (LAFrench/PIA)

Group seeks to tackle management of urban growth

Iloilo City (9 Oct.) -- After almost three years of quiet work which is beginning to show some positive results, the Metro Iloilo Development Council (MIDC) is set to seek stakeholders' consensus on how "to shape Iloilo as a more livable metropolis".

The MIDC is facilitating a roundtable discussion on Metropolitan Growth Management today October 10, 2003 at Sarabia Manor Hotel, where invited participants will discuss practical steps to cope with the challenges and obstacles facing the MIDC, with Filipino and Canadian experts on urban planning.

The MIDC was formally established on February 9, 2001 to address in a cooperative manner the management of rapid urban growth in Metro Iloilo.

The council shows the cooperation which has been forged among Iloilo City and the municipalities of Leganes, oton, Pavia and San Miguel.

Putting aside political differences, these LGUs sat down and designed on their own terms what they considered to be an effective governance body, that is, the MIDC, for a shared urban region such as Iloilo.

For the last two years, the body has begun to act as a forum for consensus building, integrative planning and partnership-oriented action.

MIDC is fully established, with budgetary contributions from member LGUs, with a secretariat and support management infrastructure that is carrying out a development agenda.

The Roundtable discussion today is part of MIDC's initiative unde the Canada-Philippines Partnership Project for Good Urban Governance funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). (PIA/ESSubong)

IEC strategies for flood control project tackled

Iloilo City (9 Oct.) -- A workshop on Strategic Planning for Information and Education Campaign (IEC) in support of the Iloilo Flood Control Project (II), will be held on October 15, 2003 at Hotel del Rio.

The IEC is a sub component of the Flood Control Project which takes care of determining the "most effective, adaptable, viable" and cost-effective information and education strategies so that the people will better understand and support the flood control project.

The workshop will gather inputs from the information officers of all the affected local government officials, key environmental NGOs, the business sector, academe and media practitioners.

The participants will discuss the key communication issues affecting the project, how these issues are communicated and/or perceived by the public. Likewise, they will set objectives on how these issues will be addressed and consequently identify strategies which are deemed responsive, relevant and practical.

Inputs on which the workshop anchors its direction will come from presentation of results of Knowledge, Attitude, Perception Survey by Mr. Mike V. Guiguio; the Basic Socio-Economic Profile of Affected Families and their perception of the Project by Mr. Michael S. Alcazaren; Solid Waste Management Issues by Ms. Elsie Encarnacion and Sediment Condition-Watershed Management Study by Dr. Severo R. Saplaco, all project consultants.

Workshop convenors are the Department of Public Works and Highways through Project Director Patrick B. Gatan and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation with Mr. Reika Nakata, Project manager of Consultants. (PIA/ESSubong)

Self-reliance and bankability of farmers vs poverty stressed

Iloilo City (9 Oct.) -- Their spirit of self-reliance and the bankability of farmers are two important keys to help them battle poverty, said Quedancor Manager Mario Molina.

The Quedancor Financing Program of the government embarks on the formation of farmers into self-reliant teams where the latter are trained on life skills and values that can help them improve their quality of living.

Mr. Molina explained that as the farmers are being formed they gradually learn to imbibe the spirit of team work as a basic element in self-reliance, hence learn also that the resources that are given them are to be handled responsibly.

Molina also pointed out that farmers are often at the mercy of money lenders because their bankability is perceived as poor. Quedancor seeks to help farmers out of this situation by training them how to handle credit and all other technical aspects of project funding and project implementation which consequently open them to more affordable loans from government banks.

With the self-reliant team scheme, farmers gain access to workable and relevant livelihood in their communities with greater assurance for market outside, Molina added.

In pursuing this and their many other financing programs, Quedancor works together with the Department of Agriculture as government entities contributing to the employment generation and poverty alleviation thrust. (PIA/ESSubong)

Quedancor financing scheme bats for hogs growing

Iloilo City (9 Oct.) -- An income augmentation and livelihood scheme which Quedancor is encouraging individuals to pursue at this time is the Hogs Growing Program, Quedancor manager Mario Molina said.

The Hogs Growing Program is entered into by the Quedancor and the beneficiaries through an input supplier which signs a contract with the former, to provide the hogs, feeds, and medicines to identified recipients.

This scheme liberates the recipients from the usual hassles of hogs growing and is guaranteed an income of from five hundred to five hundred fifty pesos per head for 85 and above kilos of hogs grown in a period of four months.

The hogs are again replenished by the input supplier who at the same time shoulders the repayment of the loan for the program. The beneficiary's only responsibility is to see to it that the hogs are grown well, kept clean and healthy for good market.

Manager Molina revealed that this contract signing scheme in the Hogs Growing Program has already surpassed the target of 50 million of Undersecretary Cesar Drilon who greatly endorsed this scheme called the Buenaflor Model, conceived by Quedan President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nelson Buenaflor.

This scheme has been implemented in Iloilo, Aklan and Capiz. Sooner this will find its way in Guimaras and Negros Occidental. In Antique, the project which was started only recently, has maximized the RORO route to bring hogs' meat to different parts of the country and to Metro Manila, where big markets avail of it.

Molina further said that the scheme is very simple and many of the poor individuals and groups, even those who have other sources of income, can avail of this considering that little time is needed to care for the hogs and many Filipinos are used to this kind of income augmentation project.

He also noted that hogs growing can also be a viable income generating activity of the community. This is shown by the fact that many barangay captains have been visiting his office to inquire. (PIA/ESSubong)

International airports to boost WV tourism

Iloilo City (7 Oct.) -- Tourism in Western Visayas received a big boost recently with the announcement that two international airports will soon be constructed in the area.

During the grand opening of the "Pasundayag Sang Western Visayas" held in Intramuros, Manila last Saturday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced that Senate President Franklin Drilon had already informed her that the bidding for the proposed international airport in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo had been finished and somebody has already won the bidding. She also announced that the papers that would make the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan an international airport are now with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

President Arroyo said these developments will surely be a big boost in the tourism industry of the region where the famous Boracay is found.

"Talagang darating ang mga turista sa ganoong mga world-class airport na magsisimula sa aking administrasyon ngunit depende na sa susunod na administrasyon kung maitutuloy nila", said President Arroyo.

President Arroyo said that Region VI is one of the important regions in the country being the biggest region outside Luzon and because of its contribution to the country's economy and tourism.

She cited that it is in Iloilo where most of the country's rice produce come from, Negros Occidentql for its sugar production, Guimaras for its world class mango and Capiz for its seafoods.

President Arroyo also noted the positive developments that is taking place in the province of Antique where it was now dropped from the list of the country's poorest provinces and the operationalization of the Evelio Javier Airport in the area. (PIA)

WV'S Pasundayag breaks crowd record

Iloilo City (7 Oct.) -- The grand opening of the "Pasundayag Sang Western Visayas" in Intramuros, Manila last Saturday captured the interest of the biggest number of crowd since the opening of the "Best of the Region's Festival" in Intramuros, Manila.

Tourism 6 Director Edwin Trompeta said the number of people who came in during the opening was unprecedented. "It was a record-breaking feat as compared to the crowd who witnessed the opening activities of the other regions held earlier", Trompeta revealed.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with Senate President Franklin Drilon and Trade Secretary Mar Roxas graced the affair. Governors of the six provinces of WV together with the Mayors were in full attendance.

Spectators couldn't help but be enticed to the costumes and drumbeats of the groups/tribes who participated in the Festival Showcase, one of the highlights of the event. Among the festivals in the region presented are the El Cinco de Noviembre and Babaylan of Bago City, Masskara of Bacolod City, Minuluan of Talisay City, Tampisaw of Concepcion, Iloilo, Malay Ati and Binirayan of Antique, Sadsad Sa Kalye of Janiuay, Iloilo Pintados de Passi of Passi City, Sinadya Sa Halaran (Kiay-Kiay Sa Dalanon) of Capiz and Manggahan Festival and Pagtaltal of Guimaras. The most widely applauded was the Ati-Atihan presentation of Kalibo and spectators could not help but get up from their seats, clap and sway to the enticing beat of the drums.

Trompeta said the event provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the best of Western Visayas in terms of its tourism and trade products and services.

"It gave us the chance to inform the public of the many exciting developments, primarily in tourism, that is taking place in the different provinces of WV which are really attractive places to visit", said Trompeta.

The event started last September 29 and will end on October 12, 2003. This activity is part of the Department of Tourism's year - long tourism affair dubbed as the "Best of the Region in Intramuros" in line with its "Visit Philippines 2003" celebration. (PIA)

Children's month celebration calls for child-friendly barangays

Iloilo City (7 Oct.) -- As the observance of Children's Month this October rolls on, the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) and the local government units remind barangays to work on their commitment to make their localities child-friendly.

Citing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's statement that everybody should act for the children now, not some other time, during the launching of "Say yes for children" in 1991, the National Council for the Welfare of Children declared that it has set up a total of 24 goals which should be realized by each barangay for it to be child-friendly.

These goals are categorized based on the following rights and needs of children, namely: health and nutrition, education, protection and participation.

Along with these are indicators on child health, such as: 1) all children are registered at birth; 2) all infants are exclusively breast fed up to about 6 months; #) all children are fully immunized against TB, diptheria/pertussis/tetanus, polio and measles;4) all children 0-2 years old are weighed monthly; 5) all children are well-nourished; 6) all children 1-5 years old are given Vitamin A capsules 2x a year.

Along maternal health concerns, these are the requirements: 1) all births are attended by trained personnel; 2) all pregnant women get at least four complete pre-natal check-ups; 3) all mothers are fully immunized against tetanus; 4) all pregnant/lactating mothers are given sufficient doses of vitamin A and iron; 5) all pregnant women who are at risk get emergency obstetric care; and 6) all pregnancies are spaced at least 2 years apart.

For education, these are the standards: 1) all children 3-5 years old attend early education programs; 2) all children 6-17 years old are in school and finish their schooling; 3) all children graduating in elementary and high school pass the achievement tests; 4) all out-of-school children are given alternative education; and 5) all illiterate parents/caregivers are enrolled in functional literacy program.

As to child protection, the following are set as indicators: 1) all children are removed from exploitative and hazardous labor, prostitution and pornography; 2) all cases of physical and sexual abuse and violence are eliminated in the home and community.

Child participation, on the other hand, is best enhanced when all children 12-17 years old participate in socio-cultural and community development activities.

Family practices in the community as far as children's rights and needs are concerned are also gauged in terms of 1) all families having safe drinking water; 2) all families use only iodized salt; 3) all families use sanitary latrine; and 4) all fathers and mothers share in the care and rearing of children.

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) explains that it is important to set up child-friendly barangays because like any adult, children have rights to live a decent life.

This needs no further proof to tell that children are the ones most affected in case natural and man-made calamities., like floods, earthquake, volcanic eruption, and worst, war occur.

Despite this, the CWC and its local counterparts, observed that children's rights and needs are frequently left out in the development programs of local government units.

Lest the LGUs forget, there are institutions that can look into and address with more relevant solutions the needs of children, as their rights are duly recognized.

These local institutions are the barangay council for the Protection of Children, Barangay Development council, Sangguniang Pambarangay, Sangguniang Kabataan or the Youth council, Katarungang Pambarangay, Barangay Health Station, Child Care/Day care Centers and the Primary/Secondary schools. (PIA/ESSubong)

Children's Month Celebration kicks off, focuses on peace

Iloilo City (7 Oct.) -- The celebration of children's month this October here in Iloilo kicked off with a foot parade by elementary pupils, bearing placards calling on the public to respect their rights for a peaceful community.

Hosting the opening activity was A. Montes Elementary School under their principal, Ms. Wilhelma Gabuan, with Dep Ed's Supervisor Mrs. Delou Yap, a member of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) facilitating.

The RSCWC is a body, with its corresponding councils down the line, which look into children's concerns in the region.

In his message, Mr. Christopher Montano of the Commission on Human Rights and RSCWC Co-chair, said that children's rights to good health, quality education and to life should be recognized as prerequisites to establishing peaceful homes, communities that include schools, and a peaceful nation.

Montano also pointed out that the situation of Filipino children today is posing urgent challenges for adults to respond to, since the former deserve to inherit a world free from grave threats to their rights.

Hoping against hope, Montano stressed that he was looking forward for the institutionalization of measures addressing the worsening situation of children.

In response to this, the RSCWC has tentatively set a workshop for the formulation and polishing of children's code for Iloilo City this last week of October. (PIA/ESSubong)

Masskara celebration launched in Bacolod City

Bacolod City (7 Oct.) -- Hotels are now fully booked as Bacolod City Mayor Luzviminda Valdez assures the safety of all revelers in the holding of the 24th Masskara Celebration.

The three week-long festivities started last October 1 and will culminate on October 18 and 19.

Bacolod City Police Chief S/Supt. George Bajelot fielded policemen in the streets of the city augmented by the elements from the army.

Following is the schedule of activities of the 24th Masskara Festival:

October 6 - Coronation of the Elderly Queen; October 7 - Tahanang Walang Hagdan; October 8 - Ms. TeenAge Modelling 2003; October 10 - Natural High, Ginooong Bacolod Masskara 2003; October 11 - Formal Opening of the 24th Masskara Festival, Agricultural Fair, Masskara Arko Final Competition, Well Family Clinic;

October 12 - Relay Run (21 Km.), Thanksgiving Mass, National Arnis Championship, Masskara Paddled, Banca Race, Dog Show, Little Miss Mutyang Balocod 2003, Dance Contest, Well-Family, Mayor Joy Valdez Cup Shootfest;

October 13 - Mayor's Cup Chess Tournament, Mask Painting Contest, Employees Day, Well-Family;

October 14 - Masskarabao Parade and Exhibition, Masskara Fantasy Costume, Parade Show;

October 15 - National Mountain Climbing, 2nd Masskara Baby Competition, Kid Fashion Show, RMN Casa Aguilera, Latin Open Dance Sport Competition, Danzkara 2003;

October 16 - National Mountain Climbing, Job Fair, Aksyon Radyo Musicale Extravaganza, Masskara Queen Beauty Pageant, Slap Shock;

October 17 - National Mountain Climbing, Mayor's Cup Open Golf Tournament, Job Fair, Triathlon, RMN Extravaganza;

October 18 - Bombo Radyo Drum and Bugle Corps, Competition/ Handog Pasasalamat, RMN Medical Mission Bacolod Chess Festival, Cheer Dance, GMA Variety Show, Masskara Roar, PBA Exhibition Game;

October 19 - 65th Charter Day Celebration, Masskara Open Dance Street Competition, MassKarathon Relay 2003, Bacolod Chess Festival, Sexbomb sa Masskara, Street Parties, Fireworks Display.

Meanwhile, the Masskara Queen 2003 swimwear finalists have already been chosen. They are Karlyn Casuyon (candidate 3), Mita Sedillo (candidate 4), and Jan Nicole Puentebellla (candidate 10). They were recently presented to the media at the poolside of the Bacolod Convention Plaza Hotel.

The talent night will be on October 11 at the Bays Center while final judging is set on Oct. 16 at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.(PIA-LOL)

Negrenses given access to cheaper medicines

Bacolod City (7 Oct.) -- At least 500,000 more Negrenses and their families will be given access to low-cost quality branded medicines after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between 10 local NGOs and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The project is in line with the DTI’s Presyong Tama, Gamot Pang Pamilya, a brainchild project of DTI Secretary Mar Roxas.

"I look forward seeing this event in Negros as a template for the rest of the country," Roxas said, citing that the MOA signing involved the biggest group of participating NGO’s in the country.

The project was conceived two years ago and initially used only in government hospitals and health centers for the medicines.

Roxas said that the problem of high priced medicines is a real and a personal one.

He recalled that he immediately canvassed the prices of medicines from other countries in Asia and the country after assumption into office as DTI secretary.

Roxas cited the case of Adalat wherein a 20 mg tablet that sells for P36.25 in the market can be purchased through the program at only P 5.75 each.

He told the representatives of the NGO’s and their beneficiaries present at the MOA signing that they can suggest new medicines and even hospitals supplies for importation.

The importation is done through DTI’s Philippine International Trading Corporation.(PIA,Neg.Occ.)

Overseas Filipino workers up by 2.6 percent

San Jose, Antique (6 Oct.) -- The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad during the period April to September 2002 reached 1.06 million, up by 2.6 percent from 1.03 million a year ago. Of this total, 93.8 percent or 990 thousand were overseas contract workers (OCWs) or those with existing work contract abroad.

Increase in the number of OFWs were registered in 9 regions with Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) posting the biggest increase of more than 80.0 percent.

The National Capital Region (NCR) still reported the biggest OFWs with 216 thousand of which 200 thousand were OCWs.

Of the 1.0 million OFWs, 554 thousand or 52.5 percent were males while 47.5 percent were females. This translated to sex ratio of 110 males for every 100 females.

Of the 1.06 million OFWs in October 2002, 808 thousand or 76.5 percent worked in Asia. Those in Europe was about 121 thousand or 11.5 percent and those in North and South America, about 87 thousand or 8.2 percent. About one third of the 808 thousand OFWs in Asia were in Saudi Arabia. Those who worked in Hongkong accounted to about 15.0 percent (122 thousand) and those in Japan, 11.0 percent or about 87 thousand.

Saudi Arabia remained to be the favorite destination of male OFWs (205 thousand) while Hongkong was for female OFWs (114 thousand). (DVescatcho/NSO/PIA)

Antique holds Alay Lakad for a cause

San Jose, Antique (6 Oct.) -- The provincial government of Antique will conduct the annual activity Alay Lakad this coming October 19, 2003 in lieu of the September 7 scheduled Walk that will be participated in by all sectors of society.

The annual Walk or Alay Lakad, the signature fund-raising activity of the Alay Lakad Foundation, Inc. (ALFI) for which the organization derived its name, engages the collaboration of government agencies and non-governmental organizations to plan and implement the Walk. This activity has been duly recognized by the government through Proclamation No. 168 declaring every first Sunday of September as the Alay lakad Para sa Kabataan Day.

This Alay Lakad has a twofold objective – first, to increase public consciousness on the plight of the increasing number of out-of-school-youths in the country where the right to be educated and to stay in school is a basic and primary right, and second, to raise funds for the various programs and projects of the Foundation for the benefit of the out-of-school youths.

The theme “ Sa Matatag na Republika, Kabataan ang Pag-asa” supports our government’s call for a strong republic anchored on the future of the youth. Recognizing the increasing number of the disadvantaged youth, especially the out-of-school-youth the Foundation is committed to assist the government in enabling and empowering them to become productive and responsible citizens in a democracy.

Guided by this conviction, the ALFI composed of institutions, civic organizations and individuals intends to become the lead advocate in promoting the well-being of the out-of-school youth in a fast changing environment. We shall promote at all times, the “bayanihan spirit” uphold the values of teamwork, integrity, competence, professionalism, service and most of all, respect for human dignity.

Gov. Sally Z. Perez meanwhile, directs all government and private offices to implement the said Proclamation, Walk for a Cause Project in support to the welfare of our disadvantaged children and youth in our province.

This annual walk project is perhaps one, if not the best example in the country of fruitful collaboration between public and private entities for a worthy cause. Alay lakad has always been a showcase of such teamwork. (RSanchez/PIA)

Gawad Kalinga project launched in San Jose

San Jose, Antique (6 Oct.) -- Couples for Christ in coordination with the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique capital town recently launched the Gawad Kalinga project in Barangay 4 (Marina), San Jose this province.

Gawad Kalinga is a housing project for indigent households who cannot afford to construct a decent home due to poverty. It was initiated by the Couples for Christ a family oriented association under the Roman Catholic Church. It aims to build a Christian family endowed with dignity with members creating a peaceful community.

Mayor Fernando C. Corvera of San Jose formally launched the project. He said that Gawad Kalinga is a typical example that when people do their role as partners in development, they can make things happen to alleviate from poverty other people.

Barangay 4 Purok I in San Jose is a coastal village where most residents lived in temporary shelters. Their livelihood depends on fishing. It is located within the town proper.

Gawad Kalinga solicits support from benevolent families, organizations and individuals to construct houses for poor families. One unit cost 40 thousand pesos for materials while labor is a community counterpart. All families joined hands to build the house, the bayanihan way.

Cris Bilangbilin, Board of Director of the Couples for Christ said that the project gave hope to poor families who dreamt of a decent life and saw this evolved into reality. The project also hopes to eradicate crimes and violence triggered by helplessness and eventually build a truly Christian community.

Despite its being a catholic initiated project, other religious sect also shared time, money and construction materials to build a house. Phil. Independent Church, World Vision, non-government organization, government agencies and private individuals gave their all out support for the project.

At present, Gawad Kalinga has constructed 3 houses. More houses will be built as pledges and commitments pour in.

Punong Barangay Evelio de los Reyes express his gratitude in behalf of the residents of Barangay 4 for the support given to them by the kind-hearted individuals and organizations to make Purok 1 a beautiful place to live in. (psmabaquiao/PIA)

PIA-6 now accepting publication entries for regional college press conference and awards

Iloilo City (3 Oct.) -- The regional and provincial offices of the Philippine Information Agency in Western Visayas are now accepting publication entries for its regional College Press Conference and Awards in November this year.

These publication entries are those coming from colleges and universities in the tertiary level, which have participated in PIA’s yearly Basic Journalism Seminar Workshops for school years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004.

Only the most recent issue (January to October 2003) of the tabloid or magazine of the school or department will be allowed to compete in the major and special group contests. All publication entries must be in newsprint inside pages while cover for magazines could be of any paper material.

Twenty copies of each participating tabloid or magazine must be submitted to the nearest PIA office, which in turn will be farmed out to the judges composed of media practitioners in the region.

The school publications will vie for major awards as Best Newspaper, Best Magazine, Best Departmental Publication and for the Gawad Graciano Lopez Jaena Award which is given to a departmental or mainstream campus publication which has garnered first place in any of the major categories for three consecutive years.

Special awards will also be given to Best News Page, Best Editorial Page, Best Feature Page, Best Literary Page, Best Sports Page and Best Filipino Page.

Likewise, special awards will also be given for Best Magazine Layout, Best Newspaper Layout and Best Magazine cover Design.

The regional College Press Conference and Awards this November will be the 23rd. Other details on this are available at the PIA Regional Office, c/o Elsa S. Subong, Project In-charge, telephone numbers: 3376303; 3377303. (PIA)

Province, city partnering for flood-free Iloilo

Iloilo City (3 Oct.) -- Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas have agreed to work closely to solve the problem of flooding in Iloilo City and surrounding municipalities.

The two executives identified the state of the Tigum-Aganan watershed area as key to the efforts towards a flood-free Iloilo.

Runoff and soil erosion from Tigum-Aganan watershed is the primary source of sedimentation in the Tigum-Aganan rivers draining into Jaro River.

Meeting together with the stakeholders and project officials involved in the Iloilo Flood Control Project (II) Component II, Tupas and Trenas committed to assist each other in strengthening the water boards and in implementing the appropriate activities identified.

Trenas said that he is concerned with watershed management which, may already be outside Iloilo City’s jurisdiction but bears impact on the grave flooding situation.

He also stressed that the Iloilo floodway is not everything to the solution of the flood problem, hence, sectors and agencies like the DENR, DPWH and the NGOs should determine their various roles and then work hard.

Tupas, on the other hand, said in jest that he was turning over the flood problem to Trenas. Seriously, he emphasized that the provincial government is all the way in partnering with Iloilo City in attending to the problem.

The series of workshops being conducted by the DPWH and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation with its consultants, the members of the Watershed Management Council and its boards and the LGUs are indications that the search for effective solutions continues, Tupas declared.

Both Tupas and Trenas believe that much of the solution to the flooding in Iloilo is in the attitude and values of the people, not just in infrastructures. (PIA/ESSubong)

GMA to keynote "Pasundayag sang WV" grand opening Oct. 4

Iloilo City (3 Oct.) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be the keynote speaker during the grand opening of "Pasundayag sang Western Visayas" in Intramuros, Manila on Saturday, October 4.

The event is part of the year-long activities presented in a series of tourism affairs dubbed as the "Best of the Regions in Intramuros" spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in line with the celebration of "Visit Philippines 2003."

During the event the six provinces in Region VI will unite to showcase and promote what they have to offer in terms of trade and tourism products and services.

A series of activities have been lined up to highlight the affair and its soft opening was held last September 29 and ends on October 12.

Each of the six provinces has been given a time to show off their best during the period. September 30 has been scheduled as Antique Day, October 5, Negros Occidental Day, October 10, Roxas City and Capiz Day, October 11, Iloilo City Day. The province of Guimaras is scheduled to have a grand show of their products and destination on October 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 in the evening to be followed later by a cocktails sponsored by its provincial government. On October 4, the province of Aklan will stage a Pina Fiber Fashion Show and later will treat visitors to a sample of nightlife activities in Boracay to cap the day’s activities.

Other features of the event include the Best of Arts and Crafts where various products of the different provinces in Western Visayas will be displayed and sold to the public, a Food Festival that features the different cuisines and delicacies of the region, Destinations Booths/Travel Mart that will showcase the best destinations, facilities and services in Western Visayas and the Photo Gallery showing the best photos of the region’s artists.

Those who are into ornamentals and orchids growing will also be treated to a Garden/Plant Show that will exhibit the different ornamental plants and flowers grown in the region. The public will also have the chance to observe how famous crafts like the patadyong of Antique and pina of Aklan are made through a craft demonstration.

There will be theatrical and cultural presentations also to depict the talents, history, tradition and culture of the people and the region.

Another highlight of the event is the Quest for Miss WV Tourism to be participated in by the different Festival Queens of Western Visayas.

Spectators will be afforded to witness the pomposity and glitter of the different festivals being held in the different parts of the region through a Parade of Festivals that will come after the grand opening ceremonies.

Other guests expected to grace the affair are Senate President Franklin Drilon, DTI Secretary Mar Roxas and DOT Secretary Richard Gordon. (LAFrench/PIA)

Man who rose from the dead visits Iloilo

Iloilo City (3 Oct) -- In March 1993 for three days Stanley Villavicencio lay in his hospital bed having been pronounced by his doctors as clinically dead. At 8 a.m. on a First Friday, three days to the hour after he had been admitted to the hospital he sat up on his hospital bed and felt perfectly well.

Stanley clinically died and claimed was raised up by Jesus after three days and was given a mission and messages on Divine Mercy.

On March 2, 1993, he was to have awakened early because it was his turn to receive the statue of the Blessed Virgin at the neighborhood Dawn Rosary. He couldn’t get up, but instead fell back to sleep. He began to convulse froth at the mouth, and vomit blood. His pulse couldn’t be felt.

Stanley turned blue from head to foot, and all his vital organs showed no signs of life. He was pronounced by attending doctors to be clinically dead.

Preparations for his burial were made but despite all these, his family did not agree that Stanley’s life support systems be removed.

Stanley said that while he was dead he saw white light, not glaring. Then there was this heavy mist, like a fog, which gradually cleared to reveal a figure in white which Stanley, who since grade school had been devoted to the Sacred Heart, readily recognized as Jesus Christ.

The rest of what happened will be revealed by Stanley during his three-day visit here in Iloilo City from October 6 to 8, 2003.

Those who want to listen to Stanley’s talk on Divine Mercy his schedule follows: October 6 - San Jose College, Jaro from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., Sto, Nino Shrine, SM Delgado, 5:15 p.m. and Fundidor Charismatic in Molo 7:30 p.m.; October 7- COA Building together with the City Hall employees, 12 noon, University of Iloilo AV Rm, 4 p.m. and BLD Jaro, St. Clements Retreat House, 6:00 p.m.; and on October 8 - BIR Bldg. in Molo, 12 noon , St. Therese College in Jalandoni St., 3 p.m. and at the Sta Maria Community, 7 p.m.. (LAFrench/PIA)

Negros Occidental turns over P10 million to PhilRice

Bacolod City, Neg. Occ. (2 Oct.) -- Gov. Joseph Marañon turned over the initial assistance of P10 million to Roel Cadiz of PhilRice for the construction of facilities and acquisition of equipment for PhilRice Visayas in Barangay Cansilayan, Murcia, Neg. Occ.

The total grant from the provincial government is P 20 million.

PhilRice in Murcia, the first station in the Visayas, is expected to provide assistance worth about P 25 million to farmers in five years. It will help improve rice productivity, increase farmers’ income, help ensure the country’s self-sufficiency in rice, and produce the rice seed requirements of the province and the whole Visayas Region.

It will provide the province with 1,000 bags of F1 hybrid rice seeds worth P12 million, and 2,000 bags of registered inbred rice seeds worth P12million every year for five years. It will also conduct 2 season-long training for 60 farmers and agriculturists valued at P2 million.

The Department of Agriculture will promote agricultural development in the province by providing the policy framework, public investments and funding, and support services. (PIA-Neg. Occ.)

P25-M worth of cattle arrive in Neg. Occ.

Bacolod City, Neg. Occ. (2 Oct.) -- The first batch of 1,018 Brahman Cross cattle from Australia worth about P25 million arrived in Bacolod City to mark the start of a multi-million cattle-fattening joint venture between Australia’s Northern Territory and Negros Occidental.

David George, director of sales and marketing of the Northern Territory and Negros Trading and Development PTY Limited, said that the target is to allow the cattle fattening project to grow by 52 percent a year. And they will set up a systems that will make it a sustainable industry.

The first shipment of cattle between 14 and 18 months old from Darwin, Australia, that arrived is an initial trial shipment to test the cattle’s resistance to the weather and fattening potentials, George said.

The cattle will be kept at the old Monterey feedlot in Silay City under the care of the North Negros Growers Multipurpose Cooperative, he said.

A training program will then be conducted for future small holders of cattle on feeding and fattening at the Silay n feedlot, he said.

The beneficiaries of the cattle fattening program will be people from forest communities, agrarian reform beneficiaries, and sugar workers, George said , pointing out that it is geared toward poverty alleviation.

Each small holder will be given two cows to fatten.

The cows that are about 45 to 50 kilos when they arrive will be fattened to about 100 kilos, allowing a beneficiary to earn from P4,500 to P5,000 in five to six months.

According to George, in spite of the negative image of the Philippine investment climate, his group sees a stable economic and political climate in Negros Occidental. The province does not have the problems faced by Mindanao and Luzon, he added.

The Northern Territory has committed $ 150,000 in Australian dollars over the next three years for the transfer of technology to Negros Occidental for the cattle fattening project.(PIA-Neg.Occ)

Statistics Month highlights tourism in economic development

Iloilo City (1 Oct.) - "Tourism is a marketing business. If tourists come, development follows", said Assistant Salvador Sarabia, Jr. of the Department of Tourism (DOT) during the opening program of the l4th National Statistics Month at the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology in La Paz, this city.

Sarabia, who was the keynote speaker of the event, emphasized that tourism has been recognized as a major contributor to the generation of foreign exchange earnings, investments and revenues.

The Statistics Month's theme this year is "Sustaining Tourism's Competitive Edge Through Statistics", whereby recognizes the role of statistics in promoting the country's advantages and potentials as a destination area for local and foreign visitors.

Sarabia said that the DOT has launched several initiatives to jump start tourism activities in the country. These includes, among others, the launching of inetrnational TV Ad program, domestic marketing program and developing the culture of tourism initiatives in the country.

Under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, travel and tourism has been identified as a major engine for socio-economic development.

President Arroyo in her message, said that the month-long activity highlights the vital role of tourism in improving our economic performance by opening avenues for investments and employment

"Our efforts to boost the country's prospects in tourism are enduring. We are at work and this can be verified by our statistics which we will utilize to show the contributions of tourism to the economy and provide a rational basis for promoting our edge in the tourism market", the President said.

The National Statistics Month (NSM) was first observed in l990 pursuant to PD No. 647, Declaring the Month of October Every Year as the National Statistics Motnh, signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

The annual observance of the NSM is envisioned as a vital step in promoting, enhancing and instilling nationwide awareness and appreciation of the values of statistics in the different sectors of Philippine society. Further, the activity is further envisioned as a vehicle for insuring the support of the general public in improving and enhancing the quality and standard of statistics in the country. (T.Villavert/PIA)

Iloilo lines up activities for Statistics Month

Iloilo City (26 Sept.) -- The Regional Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC) has lined up various activities to mark the 14th commemoration of the National Statistics Month this October.

The RSCC, chaired by the National Economic and Development Authority spearheads the celebration in coordination with other government, non-government organizations and the academe. This year's theme is "Sustaining Tourism's Competitive Edge through Statistics".

The celebration will be ushered by a motorcade around the main streets of Iloilo City followed by a Thanksgiving Mass and a "Hataw" on October 1. The opening program that will come after will be held at the grounds of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Lapaz, Iloilo City.

The event will also be highlighted by statisctical exhibits that will be held at the Robinson's Place from October 6 to 14 showcasing statistical data and pictorials of on-going and accomplished projects of the different participating government agencies.

On the 27th the National Statistical Coordination Board together with concerned agencies will hold a Statistical Congress in Western Visayas at the Four-Season Hotel. This year's congress will have the following topics; "Standard Classification in the Philippines", "The Human Development Index of the Province of Iloilo", "Poverty Maps of the Four Provinces in Region 6 Using GIS Technology, Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality" and "The Relationships Between Treatment Partners Characteristics with Treatment Outcomes of New Sputum Positive TB Cases Under DOTS Strategy in Selected Provinces in Western Visayas".

Other activities slated are the conduct of different Statistical Contests such as Statistics Quiz, Statistical Analysis and STATMATH Fun Day. These contests will be participated in by the elementary, secondary and college students.

In addition, a series of statistical trainings, symposia and fora are scheduled to be conducted from October 7 to 27.

The National Statistical Information Center Library and Bookshoppe and the West Visayas State University -NSCB Statistical Corner will also be opened to the public from October 1 to 29.

The month-long celebration will be capped by the awarding of prizes and certificates to the contest winners, participating agencies, individuals and groups with outstanding participation/performance during the celebration.

The observance of the Statistics Month primarily aims to promote, enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country. (PIA)

Iloilo Gov's wife bats for strong family

Iloilo (25 Sept.) -- Mrs. Myrna Tupas, wife of Gov. Niel Tupas, recently advocated the strengthening of families as bastions of a strong nation.

"It is easier said than done, but we should really work hard to build strong families and make it the foundation of a strong republic," she said.

In her speech delivered by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Cecilia Capadosa during the opening ceremonies of the Family Week celebration, Mrs. Tupas urged to bring more focus to the family and endeavor to make a strong bastion against the many ills that afflict society today.

Tupas believes that most of the values needed to become responsible citizens in a strong republic are formed and developed in the family. She said most problems like drug addiction, criminality, and even corruption, trace their roots to disfunctions in the family.

Tupas, a former Mayor of the municipality of Btac. Viejo, revealed that despite the busy schedules that she and Governor Niel Tupas have for being both in the public service, they have raised their seven children to be successful individuals who grew up without once causing any serious trouble.

Tupas attributed this to the strict upbringing that they gave to their children. "We taught them values, instilled in their minds the importance of good education and to live a simple life," she said.

She said, "Love, respect, open communication lines and a firm disciplinary hand are also of great importance to the family; the strong bond remains in the family by enjoying each other's company and the fun shared have brought joy to her at this point in her life."

Tupas argued that "if only Filipino families are given utmost importance, monumental problems being faced today could have been avoided, the moral fabric of the society would not be so torn apart and corruption in government would not be as bad."

Tupas also stressed the role of parents because children look up to them for guidance, for inspiration and as role models. "If they see parents who cannot even talk to each other, then they will feel lost, and when that happens, they become vulnerable to bad influences in their surroundings," she said.

This year's Family Week celebration, observed from September 22 to 28, carries the theme: "Wow Pamilyang Pilipino, Ang Tahanan: Kanlungan ng Kultura at Kalinangan." (PIA)

Iloilo provincial government holds parenting style forum

Iloilo City (25 Sept.) -- As its contribution to the celebration of the 103rd Philippine Civil Service anniversary, the Iloilo Provincial government facilitated a half-a-day forum on the challenges of parenting today and parenting styles to cope with these.

Spearheading the activity was the Human Resource Management Development Office under Mr. Rolando Bermudo, who explained that parenting in these changing times face overwhelming challenges, which call for relevant parenting styles.

Bermudo also underscored the fact that parenting roles and styles bear impact on public service and governance and on the way future leaders of the country are formed.

Invited members of the panel included Leo Cicero Pellejo, freelance lecturer on culture and spirituality, Fr. Ting Peralta of the Don Bosco House in Dumangas, Lolita Camarig, social worker awardee and Elsa Subong of the Philippine Information Agency.

Among the important issues which the panel tackled were the critical roles of parents in molding the character and personality of their children, the family as pillar of public service and the influence of culture, the media and politics in child development.

Summing up the discussions of issues, there emerged some suggestion on how and what principles should guide parents today to better cope with the demands of their roles and responsibilities.

Steward leadership is a style that parents should practice to anchor their children on deeper values in life, like simplicity which delineates the needs and the wants, the virtue of selfless sharing and loving, the caring that builds on responsibility, not greed.

Values of consistency and good role modeling and the spirit of journeying with the children as they go through life can help the parents and the children cope with each other.

Fr. Peralta said that parents should not go far ahead from where their children are nor lag far behind. They can stay a step ahead to guide and move a step back also to be side by side when needed.

Mr. Pellejo emphasized family rituals and a deeper valuation of cultural practices in the art of parenting. He said many of parent-child relationship are rooted in culture which give these meaning and perspective.

Mrs. Camarig stressed on open communication as a basic principle, to minimize gaps between parents and children. There is no substitute for presence and availability.

Mrs. Subong focused on coaching and mentoring style, saying that proper guidance and developing in children a proper sense of priorities will lead them to better choices and decisions in life. She also said that parenting is more of common sense and sense of humor, living each day with your children as new, fresher experience.

The forum was participated in by personnel of the provincial capitol, selected district hospital staff, personnel officers. It was in coordination with Provincial, City, Municipal Development Officers Association and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office. (PIA)

Iloilo CREBA joins CREBA-HUDCC National Convention

Iloilo City (25 Sept.) -- The Iloilo Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA), as the second organized chapter outside of Metro Manila, will join the CREBA-HUDCC National convention 2003, on October 2-4, at the Holiday In Resort, Minosa Estate Resort, Clark Field Pampanga.

Iloilo CREBA president Engr. Ramon Hechanova said that the convention is CREBA’s way of providing a national forum through which real estate stakeholders can identify and address most pressing issues and challenges facing the industry.

Bearing the convention’s theme which is “Sustainable Urban Development: A key element towards a strong Republic, CREBA will present local and foreign models of sustainable urban development as well as explore the various opportunities that are available from other participants and speakers, representing China, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Guests of honor for the convention include House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who will give the keynote message, Sec. Michael Defensor, Chairman, HUDCC, who will give the opening message and preside in the awarding during the chapter’ night.

Engr. Hechanova said some of the documents during this national convention will serve as working papers for the Iloilo CREBA’s 25th anniversary in December. (PIA/ESSubong)

Go out and register – Comelec

Iloilo City (25 Sept.) -- Comelec officials in the region, province and city, are calling all qualified citizens here to take time to register as the deadline of October 31 is catching up on them.

“Our electronic machines cannot cope with the rush of voters who will be registering at the last minute,” Provincial Election Officer Atty. Tomas Valera said.

The machine can only accommodate about 250 to 350 registrants a day, no lunch break in fact, according to Iloilo City Election Officer Atty. Daisy Dacudao-Real.

Going on in designated areas and districts in the city and province of Iloilo is the registration and validation of voters, which Comelec personnel conduct on all days of the week.

As part of the cleansing process of the voters’ lists, the procedure includes on its first phase house to house visitation followed by the second phase which is the electronic gathering of voters’ fingerprints, photographs, signature and other personal demographic information, to establish unique identity of individual registrants.

Comelec guidelines categorize voters as those who cannot be located and not known to barangay or community, those who died, those who were found to be double/multiple registrants not by deliberate intention but by lack of information, and those who have transferred residence.

Massive information campaign is still needed to further encourage all qualified voters to go out and register, Comelec director Atty. Victor Gaborne said.

As of the third week of September, about 19 percent of the 80 percent target in the province have turned out for registration, Atty. Valera revealed. He expected this figure to increase as the weeks move on. There are 696,234 registered voters in the province, including Iloilo City.

In the city of Iloilo, Atty. Real said that registrants have poured in, including even those beyond 70 years of age, but more are still expected to register by the end of the month.

The Comelec officials are still batting that registrants do it now rather than wait for the last day. (PIA/ESSubong)

Healthy Filipinos mean strong Republic - Palace adviser for Iloilo

Iloilo City (22 Sept.) -- It has become an accepted norm that the success of a country depends on the state of health of its citizenry, said Western Visayas Presidential adviser for regional development, Atty. Rene Villa.

"It follows then, that to be a strong Republic, the government should invest on good health and nutrition programs," he emphasized.

Undersecretary Rene Villa, keynote speaker at the First Visayas Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dieticians held in Iloilo City, September 22-23, said that the challenge all nutrition stake holders face now is to learn to integrate the value of good nutrition in the day to day life of the common people.

Villa noted that in majority of Filipinos are just concerned that they are able to eat three times a day, not conscious of whether what they are eating are nutritionally acceptable food or not, simply because they lack enough money to buy even the simplest viand.

He illustrated his statement with the story of a ditch digger who was asked why he had to work hard digging the ditch. The man answered that he had to work hard to earn money to buy food so that he can dig the ditch again the following day.

In recognizing the efforts of the country’s nutritionist and dieticians, USEC Villa said that the convention’s theme of "Fforging strategies for accelerated nutrition improvement" echoes the government’s thrust of managing the country’s food security through poverty alleviation.

"All talk about nutrition," Villa said, "are meaningless unless people’s quality of life is improved, his capacity to find decent work that can provide for his basic needs enhanced."

He pointed out that the government’s KALAHI program in various levels are meant to improve the lives of the Filipinos, tied to concerns on human health and employment which literally lead to the building of a strong Republic. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA/ESSubong)

Nutrition-dieticians society blazes trail for local capacity building

Iloilo City (22 Sept.) -- Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dieticians (PSND) President Dr. Ma. Antonia Tuazon said that the Visayas convention they are holding here, from September 22-23, 2003, is blazing the trail for building the capacity of local nutritionists and dieticians to push for the cause of nutrition in the region and in the country.

Speaking before some 400 nutritionists/dieticians, nutrition action officers and local officials, Tuazon said there is an emerging leadership crisis in nutrition as many internationally known Filipino nutritionists are leaving the scene and very few are left to do the work.

She said it is more important to have more experts imbued with commitment and dedication to pursue nutrition improvement programs.

By holding regional conventions, Tuazon said that the PSND and the Food and Nutrition in Development (FOND) are providing venues for local talents and capacities to surface, where participants can learn from existing good practices in nutrition education, advocacies and strategies.

The Visayas convention is the first to be held by the PSND and the FOND, gathering nutritionists-dieticians from Regions 2, 6, 7, and 8.

Through its theme "Forging strategies for Accelerated Nutrition Improvement," the FOND and PSND aim at providing the participants with updates on nutrition and at the same time identify with them cost-effective strategies and mechanisms that have demonstrated success as far as nutrition improvement is concerned. (Ugnayan News Service/PIA/ESSubong)

Iloilo lines up activities for Family Week

Iloilo City (18 Sept.) -- A regional steering committee headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has firmed up various activities for the annual observance of National Family Week on September 22-28 with the theme "WOW Pamilyang Pilipino, Ang Tahanan: Kanlungan ng Kultura at Kalinangan".

In Iloilo City, the celebration will kick-off with a foot parade starting at two different points -- at the Central Philippine University in Jaro and at the West Visayas State University in Lapaz. The groups will converge at the Jaro Plaza for the opening ceremonies where a statement of support will be made by the head/representatives of national government agencies, religious and non-government organizations.

This year's observance aims to raise public consciousness on the importance of strengthening the Filipino family's unity, solidarity and stability.

Presidential Proclamation No. 60 declared every last week of September as the National Family Week in the country. This order was further supported by Presidential Proclamation No. 84 declaring the fourth Sunday of September as Family Thanksgiving Day. The special day aims to get Filipino family together and serves as an occasion for thanksgiving and forging unity and cohesiveness.

Expected to participate in the celebration are the different government agencies, academe, non-government organizations, people's organizations, socio-civic groups, and religious organizations.

Other activities lined up during the week include; Family History Exhibit/Geneology by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in their place in Arevalo which will run from September 21 to 28, Symposium on Children Situation on September 26 at CPU and a Family Quiz Bee on September 29 to be conducted by the City Social Welfare Development Office. Also some members of the Steering Committee are scheduled to do guestings in the local radio and TV stations to heighten the celebration. (LAFrench/PIA)

Farmers urged: Sell produce to NFA

Iloilo City (17 Sept.) -- Farmers in Western Visayas are urged to sell their produce to the National Food Authority (NFA) at reasonable price plus a package of incentives.

This call applies to individual farmers and Farmers' Cooperatives and Organizations who are suffering much from low palay prices in other outlets.

NFA regional director Javier P. Lozada, Jr. disclosed that the office has presently at its disposal the amount of 27,787,500.00 pesos for palay procurement starting this month.

As an alternative market, the agency is ready to buy their produce at Php 9.00/kg based on its support price for September-February, Lozada said.

Along with this Php9.00/kg buying price are incentives, like, Php 0.10/kg delivery/trucking incentive fee for delivering their produce to the NFA buying stations or collection centers, Php 0.25/kg Cooperative Development Incentive Fee, and Php 0.15/kg drying incentive fee. To avail of the cooperative development incentive fee, palay deliveries should not exceed 18% moisture content. An individual farmer, thus, gets a total of Php9.25/kg and for Farmers' Organizations or Cooperatives, a maximum of Php 9.50/kg.

Director Lozada advised these farmers and the organizations to revalidate their Master Passbook or secure a new one if they are new applicants.

In Iloilo, the following warehouses/buying stations are accepting palay deliveries to provide assistance to farmers: KABSAKA warehouse and Grains center in Jaro; Pototan I and II Warehouse; Dumangas grains Center; Jordan Warehouse in Guimaras. The different farmers' coops and farmers groups can request NFA to arrange for a schedule of the mobile procurement team to visit their areas. (NFA/PIA)

National Maritime Week celebration: Safe, secure, clean seas

Iloilo City (17 Sept.) -- Blowing of ships horns and dressing up of vessels including coastal clean up activities will be extraordinary sounds and sights as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) leads in the celebration of Maritime Week, September 22-28, 2003.

This year's national celebration carries the theme: "Committed people working for safe, secure and clean seas" showing MARINA's continuing concern for community advancement and awareness for public safety and care for the environment.

In the regional level, a series of activities have been lined up, to include, a foot parade to begin at 6 in the morning of September 22, from the Jaro Plaza to the Iloilo Sports complex where a Mass shall signal the opening of the ceremonies for the day.

Expected to participate in these are the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Ports Authority, OWWA, DENR, the local shipping companies, maritime schools and other local and national agencies in the region.

Students will also have the chance to participate in contests like the Essay Writing, on the theme: "What can the government do to ensure that our ships and our seas are safe, clean and secure?" This is open to all high school and college students.

On September 24 and 25, a Poster Making contest and Maritime Trivia will be held at the PPA in Loboc, Bo. Obrero and at the University of Iloilo Audio Visual room respectively. The latter will be participated in by maritime schools in the region.

On the 27th, the Philippine Coast Guard will lead a coastal clean up along Iloilo River, with the assistance of the PCG Auxiliary Group.

MARINA VI regional director Mary Ann Armi Z. Arcilla said that the activities during the week-long celebration would like to rally people's support and agency collaboration in the promotion of maritime industry and environmental sustainability. (PIA/ESSubong)

Philippine nutritionists, dieticians hold Visayas confab in Iloilo

Iloilo City (17 Sept.) -- The Association of Food and Nutrition in Development (FOND), Inc. and the Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dieticians (PSND), Inc. will hold its National Convention here in Iloilo City from September 22-23, 2003, at the Barcelo Sarabia Manor Hotel.

The Convention expects nutritionist-dieticians, nutrition action officers and allied workers at the regional, provincial and municipal levels in the Visayas regions to come together and participate in the activities.

Through its theme " Forging strategies for Accelerated Nutritioon Improvement," the FOND and the PSND aim at providing the participants with updates on nutrition and at the same time identify with them cost-effective strategies and mechanisms that have demonstrated success as far as nutrition improvement is concerned.

Among the topics which will be discussed are Biotechnology and Nutrition, Emerging Problems on Degenerative diseases, Healthy Lifestyle and Food Fortification Program Implementation in the LGUs.

Human Resource Development in Nutrition will also be tackled to enhance further the capabilities of Nutrition Workers.

Resource persons include authorities/scientists from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, food and Nutrition Research Institute and College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines, Los Banos.

A registration fee of Php1000 will be asked of each participant to defray convention expenses. More details are available at the Regional Nutrition Council, under Nona Tad-y, telephone number 3200260. (PIA/ESSubong)

Aklan Ati-atihan warriors to "invade" Manila

Kalibo, Aklan (16 Sept.) -- A contingent of some 100 Ati-atihan warriors from Aklan's world-famous Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival and Ibajay Ati-Ati will "invade" Manila to join the Parade of Festivals in Intramuros, as part of the province' participation in the "Best of the Regions," a tourism showcase of the l6 regions' best tourist destinations and attractions.

The period from Sept. 29 to October 12 is Region 6' turn to present its attractions at the Pueblo Filipino, Intramuros. Dubbed as "Pasundayag Sang Western Visayas," the region will bring contingents from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bacolod City and Iloilo City.

The "Best of the Regions" in Intramuros allows the regions to showcase in one venue their best attractions, products and services to Metro Manila's wider consumer base, and its larger concentration of foreign and local tourists, as 85% of travelers pass through Manila. The activity also serves as a strong incentive for the regions to unify their provinces under one tourism promotional effort, thereby offering consumers a variety of products; from optional tours to new and exciting destinations; a variety of regional product items; to a wide range of service facilities.

Besides the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival, Western Visayas will also present Capiz' Sinadya Sa Halaran, Pintados de Pasi, Antique's Binirayan, Guimaras' Manggahan, Janiuay's Sadsad Sa Kalye, Victorias City's Kadalag-an, Bacolod City's Masskara, San Enrique's Bulang-Bulang, Talisay's Minuluan, La Carlota's Pasalamat Festival, Bago City's Babaylan, E.B. Magalona's Ugyunan, Bago City's El Cinco de Noviembre.

At the "Pasundayag", Aklan will have a Destination Booth/Travel Mart; The Best of Arts and Crafts presentation by Hugod Aklanon, Craft Demo on Pina Weaving all at Clamshell; and Food Festival for the entire duration of the region's schedule.

On October 1, there will be a Travel and Trade Forum, Contact Mart and a Press Conference at the Clamshell.

The Grand Opening Programme will be on October 4 with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the Keynote Speaker. The Parade of Festivals, Cocktails, Aklan Pina Fiber Fashion Show, Boracay Nightlife at the Ruins of San Ignacio and Fireworks Display along the Walls will cap the day's activities.

With its world-famous Boracay Island and the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival every 3rd week of January, Aklan is considered as the anchor destination of Region 6' tourism industry. It is also the home of the exquisite pina cloth, considered the "queen" of fibers. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Trash easier to manage than cash - San Joaquin mayor

San Joaquin, Iloilo (12 Sept.) -- She used to be the branch manager of the Philippine Veterans Bank here in Iloilo City, but by sheer fate, she was elected mayor of the last town of Iloilo to the south, San Joaquin.

"As manager of a bank before, I used to manage cash; now I manage trash and that is easier and more exciting," Mayor Ma. Daisy S. Sibya of San Joaquin told her constituents during the People's Day conducted there.

Mayor Sibya said that the town has no dumpsites, instead it has Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the different barangays, where solid wastes are recycled for livelihood purposes.

Its solid waste program makes San Joaquin one of the model LGUs in Iloilo province.

Sibya explained that programs like solid waste management and environmental protection need the commitment and diligence of local officials in terms of seeing to it that information dissemination and education campaign, coupled with relevant ordinances are extremely necessary.

Making her town clean, ridding it of trash is a way of packaging the municipality as an eco-tourism destination. She has mobilized all local departments of government to cooperate with her in the effort, through regular consultations and barangay visitations.

The People's Day in San Joaquin, which was spearheaded by the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, is one such activity, for Mayor Sibya believed that listening to the people is a best approach to serving them better.

Earlier that day Mayor Sibya led in the coastal clean-up and tree planting activities and officiated in the unveiling of San Joaquin landmark at the entrance of the town. (PIA/ESSubong)

Rural women turn trash to cash

San Joaquin, Iloilo (12 Sept.) -- When you are in San Joaquin and they serve you juice in tetra packs, the women will tell you to make a hole at the bottom instead of at its marked tip and then they have a ready box where you can drop them after taking the contents.

The next time you see the tetra packs, they are already sold as slippers, travelling bags, lunch or gift bags, school bags and many more in what you see as Recycle Store outlets in the municipality.

The Recycle Stores are managed by the women members of the Rural Improvement Club or the RIC, which the Department of Agriculture supervises and trains.

The recycled tetra packs are actually processed in the Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) found in different barangays in San Joaquin. In the MRF, the RIC members work on the empty tetra packs, wash them dry, design and add other accessories. Then they are sewed in heavy duty machines made for the purpose.

The recycling project is part of the solid waste management program implemented by the local government unit of San Joaquin under Mayor Daisy Sibya who facilitated that the RIC gets the training they needed.

Agriculturist Lina Firmeza, who works closely with the women, said that an individual worker can finish more or less 50 bags and slippers in a week's time, getting 25 pesos per bag and 15 pesos for a pair of slippers for their labor only. The women do not work on these full time but they do it during their spare time only. With such speed, Firmeza saw that the project is helping the women's family earn the much needed cash.

As to quality control, Firmeza explained that the women undergo updating. The simplicity of the products, especially the bags, makes them user-friendly and multi-purpose in nature.

Started only not too long ago, the project needs more advocacy and support from the other sectors, particularly the rural women who are not engaged in gainful employment. Marketing is another important aspect but as of now Firmeza said that it is encouraging that the people in San Joaquin have become aware of the project, not only its value in terms of livelihood but they saw beauty in the recycling process where their communities are free from tetra packs litter. (PIA/ESSubong)

Iloilo City's 27 barangays cleared from illegal drugs

Iloilo City (12 Sept.) -- As of September 12, 2003, twenty-seven out of the 54 affected barangays in Iloilo City have been cleared from illegal drugs proliferation after a series of clearing operations in pursuance of President Arroyo's mandate to intensify anti-drug campaigns.

This was revealed by P/SSupt. Policarpio Segubre, Director of the Iloilo City Police Office.

The said figure increased by five compared to the 22 cleared barangays he reported during the meeting of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council CPOC) last September 9.

In his report, P/SSupt. Segubre said that out of these 22 barangays 16 are considered seriously affected while 6 are faced with the threat of being affected.

The barangays declared cleared by the ICPO are the following; Tanza-Baybay, Tanza-Bonifacio, Tanza-Timawa II, Mabolo-Delgado, Gloria, East Timawa and Ortiz in City Proper district; Jereos, Divinigracia, Kaingin, Burgos-Mabini Plaza and Baldoza in Lapaz district; Cuartero and San Isidro in Jaro district; San Juan and East Timawa in Molo district; So-oc, San Jose and Dulunan and Sto. Domingo in Arevalo district; Pali-Benedicto, Onate-De Leon and Hibao-an Sur in Mandurriao district.

Segubre said that at the start of President Arroyo's pronouncement to eradicate illegal drugs in the country last June 16, the ICPO in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council was able to account 222 drug personalities in the city.

Out of these 222 in the watchlist, 2 were identified as financiers, 139 were users/pushers, 34 were pushers and 47 were users. On the September 8 data of the ICPO the said figure dropped to only 175 where there was a notable decline in the watchlist of users/pushers, pushers and users.

According to Segubre from June 16 to September 8 the ICPO has conducted a total of 8 positive operations that resulted to the arrest of 31 persons, the confiscation of 10.767 grams of shabu and 118.08 grams of marijuana. Also, 17 persons were reported neutralized through voluntary submission.

Segubre observed that their campaign against illegal drugs is gaining ground. He attributed this to the reduction of street level pushers; 100% increase in the retail price of shabu; reduction in the number of drug affected barangays; public awareness of the ill effects of drugs and the cooperation of the different sectors of society in the campaign. (PIA/LAFrench)

Iloilo celebrates "piyesta sa Kakahuyan" today

Iloilo City (12 Sept.) -- Today, the second Saturday of September, is declared as "Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan" in Iloilo pursuant to Provincial Ordinance 2000-040 passed last September 25, 2000. This is to awaken and constantly remind Ilonggos of the value of properly managed forests and watersheds.

In the recent meeting of the Iloilo Provincial Watershed Management Council (IPWMC) which spearheads the activity, it was learned that more or less 800 participants are expected to join this year's festivity to be held for the first time at Sitio Tabionan, Brgy. Bucari of the municipality of Leon. The municipality of Maasin has been the host of the celebration for the past three years.

The festivity will begin with a caravan from Ungka, Pavia at 7 in the morning to Sitio Tabionan. This will be followed by a program where IPWMC Chair, Governor Niel Tupas and DENR 6 Director Vicente Paragas are expected to give messages. Participants will also be updated on the Aganan Reforestation Project and be given a brief history about the IPWMC and the celebration.

After the program participants will be ushered to the plant site for the tree planting activity. They could also view the photo exhibit on the accomplishments and on-going activities of the reforestation projects installed in the area and do some site-seeing tour after lunch. Vegetables, which are the popular produce in the locality will be also up for display ready to interested buyers.

Expected to join today's festivity are participants coming from the LGUs, the academe, national and local government agencies, POs/NGOs, other stakeholders and the media. (PIA/LAFrench)