Region 8 joins 18-day worldwide campaign to end violence against women
Said celebration in the Region will be spearheaded by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children, in partnership with the different agencies, Non Government Organizations, Government Organizations, academe and other stakeholders.
Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Leticia Corillo, who is the Chairperson of RIACAT-VAWC disclosed the various activities which have been lined up in connection with the 18-day campaign.
Among the suggested activities, is the hanging of streamers from November 25 to December 12, by all members of the committee.
Another activity is a Forum on Magna Carta for Women and the National Human Rights Action Plan on November 27, Friday with the DOLE and the Commission on Human Rights as the convenors.
The Sumpay-Sangkay 2009, the 6th San Juanico Bridge Walkaton will be spearheaded by the Runggiyan on November 29.
A culmination concert with the local bands re Republic Acts 9262 and 9208 will be conducted by the Visayan Forum on December 11.
The Philippine Information Agency will take care of the communication activities and media coverages for the said events.
All member agencies have been enjoined to send at least five personnel to the various activities. (PIA 
PESO gears up for job fair anew
by A. Lumaque
The job fair with the theme “Palangabuhian” is part of this year’s Sinadya sa Halaran (SSH) celebration which culminates on the feast day of the city’s Patroness Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception every Dec. 8.
“We already got the confirmation of at least 18 local establishments and 15 international employment agencies for the day-long activity,” said PESO – Roxas City Manager Milagros I. Barquin.
However, she added that the number may increase as some of the invited establishments and employment agencies are yet to confirm their participation to the job fair.
The upcoming activity is the fifth major job fair of PESO – Roxas City since it was established by Roxas City Mayor Vicente B. Bermejo in February 2008.
It is in collaboration with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Capiz TESDA Schools Association (CAPTESA) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Capiz PESO Federation.
The establishment of PESO has facilitated the job placement of hundreds of Capicenos in various local establishments as well as deployment of a considerable number of overseas contract workers to Hong Kong and some Middle East countries.
The office has also conducted a series of special recruitment activities, batches of call center trainings, on-going referrals and placement as well as assistance to victims of alleged illegal recruiters.
The creation of PESO in local government units is mandated in PESO Act of 1999 to carry out full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all to strengthen and expand the existing employment facilitation service machinery of the government at the local levels.
It complements President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo’s agenda on job generation and promotion of Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) plights and welfare. (PIA)
PNP Region 8 keeps up hunt for wanted persons in Eastern Visayas
Reports coming from the PRO 8 Office on Community Relations under the leadership of Colonel Manuel Cubillo, showed that from November 13 to 19, about 15 wanted persons were arrested in various parts of Region 8.
On November 19, element of Abuyog, Leyte Police Station arrested one Raymundo Duran, 19 years old, single, jobless and a resident of Barangay Balinsasayao, Abuyog who is being hunted for two counts of rape, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Buenaventura Pajaron of RTC Branch 10, Palompon, Leyte.
On the same day at Ormoc City, elements of Police station 3 led by Police Inspector Harris P. Rebato, arrested one Arnel De Jon, 25 yrs old, single, farmer, for frustrated murder and Rodolfo Pulido, 33 yrs old, single, frmer, for frustrated murder and Rodolfo Pulido, 33 yrs old, single, farmer both residents of Sitio Jica, Brgy lao, Ormoc City by virtue of warrant of arrest docketed under CC Nr R-ORM-09-00314-CR for the crime of Frustrated Murder with recommended bail bond of Php 200,000.00 and CC Nr M-ORM-09-00259-CR for the crime of Attempted Homicide with recommended bail bond of Php 12,000.00 for their temporary liberty issued by Hon Josua P Palalay, Presiding Judge of MTCC, 8th Judicial Region, Ormoc City, and issued by Hon Apolinario M Buaya, Presdieng Judge of RTC Branch 35, 8th Judicial Region, Ormoc City. Suspects are now detained at Police Station 3 lock-up cell.
Also arrested on November 19 at the vicinity of Alang-alang Municipal Hall Compound, by the elements of Alang-alang Police Station, was one Francisco Pico, 27 yrs old, single and a resident of Sitio Bungasod, Brgy Astorga, Alang-alang, Leyte for the crime of qualified theft by virtue of warrant of arrest docketed under CC Number 2006-07-431 with corresponding bail bond of Php 24,000.00 issued by Hon Judge Santos Gil, Presding Judge of RTC Branch 6, Bulwgan ng Katarungan, Tacloban City. Subject person is now booked in jail for proper disposition.
A certain Ricky Guillera, 22 years old with live-in partner, MC driver and a resident of Brgy San Juan, Sta Fe, Leyte, was arrested by elements of Sta Fe Police Station for the crime of reckless imprudence resulting to less serious physical injuries, by virtue of warrant of arrest under CC Number 72-67-05-09 with corresponding bail bond of Php8,000.00 issued by Hon Judge Raymundo Lopez, MTC Judge, Palo, Leyte.
Other wanted persons arrested by virtue of warrant of arrests for various cases committed were Philip Canedo Pansito alias Borot, 21 years old, single, jobless of Sitio Nino Riverside Zone I, Baybay City for violation of Section 5 and 11 Article II of RA 9165; Roger Brazil, 24 years old, married, laborer and resident of Barugo, Leyte for the crime of theft; Gabriel Cirera of legal age, LGU employee of Barugo, Leyte who voluntarily surrendered to Barugo Police Station and who was accused for the crime of attempted homicide. These wanted persons were arrested on November 17.
Furthermore, on the period of November 13 to 17, wanted persons arrested by the various police stations in Region 8 were Roy Artizo, 35 years old, single of Tacloban City for pending warrant of arrest for illegal possession of fire arms and ammunitions; Ruel Ibanez, 33 years old, married, businessman of Baybay City for the crime of serious physical injuries; Rogelio Katay, 38 years old, married, farmer and resident of Kananga, Leyte for frustrated murder; Marciano Ligao, 43 years old, married, farmer and resident of Inopacan, Leyte for the crime of murder; Rudy Dadula, 50 years old, married, farmer and resident of Inopacan, Leyte who is charged with the crime of murder; Roberto Subito who was arrested on November 15 at San Jorge, Samar for the crime of homicide docketed at Calbayog City; and Ricardo Diola, 51 years old, married, who was arrested in San Julian, Eastern Samar, for the crime of frustrated murder in Borongan, Eastern Samar. (PIA
PGMA to launch RORO link between Cebu, Northern Mindanao
By Rachelle Nessia
The ports and wharfs through government and private sector partnerships are integral parts of the President’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway Project as it links to the Western Seaboard and the Central Nautical Highway system connecting the Visayan Islands to Northern Mindanao.
The President will arrive at the Sibulan-Dumaguete City Airport here before going to Samboan for the launching.
At the airport, the President will be received by Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, Presidential Adviser for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon, COMCENTCOM M/Gen. Ralph Villanueva and Philippine National Police Region 7 Director C/Supt. Lani-o Nerez.
From the Dumaguete Airport, the President will fly via chopper to Sitio Bato, Brgy. San Sebastian in SAmboan, Cebu province where she will be met by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Samboan Mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon, 2nd District Rep. Pablo Garcia, Lite Shipping Corporation President Lucio Lim Jr., Cebu Port Authority General Manager Angelo Verdan and MARINA Administrator Usec. Ma. Elena Bautista.
The President is expected to observe the ongoing development projects of the ferry wharf and fastcraft ports in Samboan, Cebu after which she will board the vehicle for the Lite Shipping Corporation Wharf in Brgy. San Sebastian, Samboan.
At the wharf, Lite Shipping Corp. President Lim will brief the President on the new route after which she will witness the loading of cargoes and passengers for the maiden voyage of the Ro-Ro vessel M/V Lite Ferry One.
This new route will directly link link Cebu Island (Bato, San Sebastian, Saboan, Cebu) to the Northern Mindanao areas (Pulauan, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte).
It is a major link that merging the Central Nautical Highway to the last leg of the Western Seaboard Nautical Highway under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway System.
The Cebu-Dapitan maiden voyage is scheduled to depart Samboan, Cebu for Pulauan Port in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte at 6 p.m. on November 21.
Travel time for the new route is four and a half (4 ½) hours via the Ro-Ro ferry M/V Lite Ferry One.
Lite Shipping Corporation is a domestic shipping company operating 12 full RoRo cargo/passenger vessels servicing the nautical highway links in Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Leyte, Siquijor and Misamis Occidental and now Zamboanga del Norte. (PIA/RMN)
Security up for toursim events in Capiz
by Jemin B. Guillermo
Roxas City (20 November) — The security forces are ready for the two tourism events in Capiz.
Capiz Police Provincial Director Josephus Angan said that they are all set for the Sinadya sa Halaran as well as Western Visayas Assembly, which will also be held here in time for the province and city’s festival on December 3 to 8.
The WV Tourism Assembly, which will be hosted by the provincial government of Capiz, will be held from December 4 to 6.
According to Angan, they have already made their security measures for the two events which will gather thousand of delegates and guests not only from the various provinces and cities in Western Visayas but also from other parts of the country.
Top ranking officials from the national government agencies in Manila are also expected to grace the affair.
During said event, the governors of Western Visayas will also gather in Capiz for the Regional Development Council conference.
In addition, the Zoning Officers in Region VI as well as the Tourism Officers of the Philippines will meet here for their respective conferences during said tourism events.
On the other hand, Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta revealed that DOT Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has already made his confirmation as the guest of honor during the WV tourism assembly here.
Meanwhile, top ranking officials from DOT and other agencies will also be here for the tourism congress to tackle the critical issues and concerns, particularly on the Tourism Act of 2009. (PIA)
BIR Capiz forms ‘SanTAX Claus’ team
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (19 November) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office (RDO) No. 72 has formed a team dubbed “SanTAX Claus” to reach out to “tiangge” or “privileged-store” operators and similar business establishments this Christmas shopping season.
“Nine members composed the team who were given the authority to identify, visit and monitor bazaars, “tiangges” and events, conduct Taxpayer Verification Drive to determine compliance with BIR requirements and to assist non-compliant taxpayers to rectify violations by complying with registration, invoicing and other requirements,” said BIR RDO No. 72 Taxpayers Service Section Chief and Public Information Officer Ma. Gracia DC Balgos.
The team was created by BIR Capiz Revenue District Officer Gil G. Tabanda in line with the Revenue Memorandum Order No. 34 – 2009 issued by BIR senior Deputy Commissioner Joel L. Tan – Torres.
“Instead of delivering toys, the SanTAX Claus teams will be giving out flyers, posting tarpaulins and observing whether vendors are properly issuing receipts or invoices,” said a BIR news release.
The team was also instructed to assist event organizers to comply with BIR requirements especially on registration and ensure that admission tickets being sold are registered with the tax agency.
“If the event organizers and participating vendors are found to have committed any violations, the same team will be handing out BIR Registrations Forms and pre-generated TINs to the erring applicants,” the news noted, adding that applicants will be asked to pay the annual registration fee of P500.
A random check of the serial numbers’ series of the invoices/officials receipts in the possession of participating vendors is also the responsibility of the team.
Registered Aklanon voters reach 296,081
by Venus G. Villanueva
Kalibo, Aklan (19 November) — Aklan’s registered voters as of November 10, 2009 is listed at 296,081, based on the Consolidated Quarterly Progress Report of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here.
Two months ago, the province had 284,349 voters. The figure released this period showed an increase of 11,732.
Registration of voters for the May 2010 automated elections was held up to Oct. 31 of this year, the deadline set by COMELEC.
The consolidated report showed that Kalibo, Aklan’s capital town, is still the vote-richest municipality of the province, this time with 43,020, followed by Ibajay, with 24,063 and New Washington, with 22,775. In the Sept. 2009 record of COMELEC Aklan, these towns had 41,400, 22,990 and 21,218 registered voters respectively.
Other towns and their respective number of voters are Altavas, 13,800; Balete, 16,723; Banga, 21,380; Batan, 17,820; Buruanga, 10,522; Lezo, 7,877; Libacao, 14,765; Madalag, 11,075; Makato, 15,266; Malay, 19,806; Malinao, 13,424; Nabas, 15,177; Numancia, 17,425 and Tangalan, 11,163.
As of October 19, 2009 ERB Hearing, COMELEC-Aklan records show that there are 10,247 new registration, 2,859 transferees from another city/municipality; 3 reactivation with transfer and 632 reactivation.
Applications approved by the ERB reached 13,741 with Kalibo having the highest number with 1,710 followed by New Washington with 1,692; Banga, 1,272, Batan, 1,210; and Ibajay, 1,151. The rest of Aklan towns had figures below 1,000.
The COMELEC records also showed that as of the period, Aklan has a total of 768 deactivated voters, 394 registration records cancelled because of death, 798 registration records transferred to another city or municipality.
For the May 2010 first-ever automated elections in the country, Aklan has 2,054 established precincts and 667 clustered precincts in its 327 barangays. (PIA)
DTI sets training on jams, jelly making in Bacolod City
Bacolod City (19 November) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Association of Negros Occidental Food Processors Inc. will hold a training on Jams and Jellies in Bacolod City, on November 24, 2009.
The one-day training is expected to produce processed tamarind balls, ube jalea, mango jam, passion fruit marmalade, and jackfruit pastilles.
The training will be held at the Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center, formerly the KADIWA Center, along Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City.
The organizers will be charging a P500 participation fee per participant to cover the costs of meals, training materials and training kit.
Participants are encouraged to bring aprons, hair nets, and other necessary gadgets for hygienic purposes. (PIA/cad)
Negros Occidental school voted RP’s most sustainable, eco-friendly
Iloilo City (16 November) — The La Castellana National High School in La Castellana, Negros Occidental emerged as the most sustainable and eco-friendly among secondary schools in the country for this year, 2009.
This was confirmed by Amelita Guillergan, Chief, Environmental Education and Information Section of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources VI (DENR) to the Philippine Information Agency.
Guillergan disclosed that La Castellana National High School was adjudged as the top winner in the high school level of the “National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools”.
Launched early this year, the “National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools” was organized by the DENR through its EMB, Department of Education, Commission and Higher Education and Smart Communications.
The search seeks to recognize efforts of various schools to undertake eco-friendly programs and activities and encourage schools and academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at practical and local level.
It also intends to develop skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators to initiate active responses and increase community awareness and involvement on environmental concerns.
The contest which is anchored on the theme, “Sustainable and Eco-friendly Initiatives” this year has three categories – elementary, secondary and tertiary.
The awarding ceremony will be on November 19, 2009 at the SM City North Edsa in Quezon City as part of the National Environmental Awareness Month this November pursuant to Republic Act No. 9512 or the Environmental Awareness and Education Act.
La Castellana National High School and other top winners will receive P50,000 and a plaque of recognition.
Guillergan said Western Visayas was represented by Ara-al Elementary School in La Carlota and Asia Elementary School in Hinoba-an, all from the province of Negros Occidental, in the elementary level while West Negros University in Bacolod City represented the region in the tertiary level. (PIA/EMB)
Tungro virus hits Antique rice farms
San Jose, Antique (16 November) — A total of P8.5 million pesos is estimated lost in the worst tungro virus infestation that hit Antique farmlands.
This estimate is based on the average of 85 cavans per hectare at 11 pesos per kilogram by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
According to Provincial IPM Coordinator Rogelio Crespo, the virus was last seen in this scale sometime during 1982. It is one of the most harmful diseases for rice plants, attacking in all stages of development and is more dangerous to young rice plants.
The municipality of Sibalom lost more than 3.7 million pesos, while the municipality of Barbaza lost more than 2.4 million pesos. Other towns that suffered same infestation are San Jose, San Remegio, Belison, Patnongon, Bugasong, Valderrama, Tibiao, Pandan and Hamtic.
The Rice Tungro Virus (RTV) is spread by the green and zigzag leaf hoppers, common pests in rice paddies. They get the virus from cropped stems of infected plants, kulitis, and other weeds and grasses in farm lands and transfer them to growing and mature rice plants by sucking out their sap, thereby inoculating the plant with the virus.
Symptoms of infected rice include abnormal development, yellowish discoloration of the leaves and small, light rice grains.
The OPA also issued several recommendations for managing the disease like discouraging three cropping a year for communities with confirmed infection, synchronous planting for communities or whole barangays and plowing infected seedbeds and eliminating weeds that serve as hosts for the RTV organism, to name a few. (pio_antique/PIA)
