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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Molo Church, Iloilo City

The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Iloilo media undergo entrepreneurial training

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=526165
Monday, May 20, 2013

(PNA), HBC/AJP/LCP/VLO

ILOILO CITY - Core members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps and Capitol Press Corps recently underwent a one morning session on "Media Entrepreneurial Skills Training on Cassava Delicacies" held at the Department of Agriculture (DA)regional office.

DA Reg. Dir. Larry Nacionales said the skills training will enable media participants to embark on small scale business and enhance livelihood opportunities.

The last entrepreneurial skills training for the local media was conducted in 2004 and the latest was held May 17, 2013.

Experts from the rural improvement club served as mentors in sharing knowledge on the many uses of cassava including cakes and many delicacies at a short time and minimal cost.

Juvy Gaton, DA regional information officer, said the local media from different radio stations, televisions and print media participated in the training on cooking and making many cassava recipes.

Cassava is a year round root crop and abounds in Western Visayas.

It can be made into pichi-pichi and espasol which the local media participants trained how to make, Other cassava recipes are puto, ginataang cassava leaves, steamed cassava cup cake, suman, cheese cake, fries, cassava cake, cue, bibingka, steamed cassava cake with coconut custard topping, shrimp stick, with sweet banana, with garlic lime sauce, pie, with tapioca pearls, upside down cake, butter cake, polvoron, cuchinta, chippy, pinipig cookies, nilupak, cassava balls, jolly rol l and many more.

Got HIV? Seek help – DOH

Source:http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/component/content/article/3819-got-hiv-seek-help-doh.html
Sunday, May 19, 2013

BY LEO LUTERO (PN)

ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas is encouraging people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to seek help.

The first step, however, is for individuals to know if they are HIV positive. This can only be determined through an HIV antibody test.

The test is available for free at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao district here and at the Social Hygiene Clinic in Brgy. Tanza, said Charity Perea, DOH regional coordinator for sexually transmitted infections.

There are available anti-retro viral drugs to help people with HIV prolong their lives and improve their quality of life, Perea also said.

Since 1994, 60 deaths due to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have been recorded by DOH in Western Visayas.

HIV causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system and damages the body’s ability to fight infections.

According to Perea, most of the deaths came from the sector of overseas Filipino workers; they were infected due to unprotected sex with multiple partners.

Today, DOH Region 6 will commemorate the 30th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial at the Freedom Grandstand as part of the government’s effort to raise public awareness on HIV/AIDS.

DOH is advising people to practice the following to avoid HIV/AIDS:

abstinence

being faithful

correct and consistent use of condoms

don’t use drugs, and

early detection or treatment.

At 3 p.m. today, there will be a special Mass at the Jaro Cathedral, followed by a motorcade to the Freedom Grandstand.

The Philippines is one of the nine countries left with a rising number of HIV infection cases, DOH revealed.

Dr. Cynthia Cabangal, an Ilongga who has worked in the Bahamas where AIDS is has become an epidemic, warned that the disease may take months or even years to produce symptoms.

She also said the symptoms are too generic and if one feels he or she is at risk, a test should be sought right away.

Dr. Rey Celis, chairman of the HIV AIDS Core Team of WVMC, said only one has died in their facility due to AIDS.

Treatment for the disease includes lifelong medications currently available for free at WVMC until 2014 when it will be replaced by an HIV/AIDS PhilHealth package amounting to P30,000 per year of support, Celis said.

1st Pamunit Sports Fishing Festival kicks off Saturday

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=6&rid=525729
Saturday, May 18, 2013

(PNA), HBC/AJP/KMDRAHEIM/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 18 (PNA)-- Anglers dunked their fishing rod in the clear blue sea of Oton for the ever first Pamunit sports fishing festival, held at Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa in Oton, Iloilo Saturday.

The event is jointly held by the Pamunit Festival Association, Inc., the Department of Tourism Region VI and Municipality of Oton.

With the theme, "Sports fishing: Emerging Medium for Tourism and Marine Ecosystem Conservation and Protection", the President of Pamunit Festival Association, Inc. Manuel "Bong" Sanagustin advocates the importance of fishing, its discipline and its being a unique hobby.

“I am happy that the people who are gathered here today made this event possible, making it a humbling experience for me and making a difference for the better,” Sanagustin quoted.

Also Atty.Helen J. Catalbas, DOT VI Regional Director, said “Now that the Pamunit Sports Fishing festival officially gained its own identity other than that of the angling competition during Paraw Regatta, this event would further promote the tourism attraction in Western Visayas (WV).

The festival also aims to promote international cooperation and, adding to that, the APEC 2015 is one of the possible hosting events by 2015 of the DOT, though a massive planning is still on-going.

“It is something to be proud of considering that WV has three wonderful fishing spots - Boracay in Aklan, Iloilo City and Bacolod City”, Atty. Catalbas added.

WV also aims to have one million tourist arrivals and 3.6 domestic tourist arrivals by 2015.

A Tribe performance of Tribu Papulo Malaca, champion of the Katagman Festival 2013 performed and kept the audience excited during the opening of the two-day fishing festival.

The festival will also showcase Iloilo's best foods, beach football and a dive exhibit.

The awarding ceremony will be tomorrow, May 19,2013 at 7 PM still in Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa in Oton, Iloilo.

Megaworld taps award-winning int’l design ﬁrm for Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

Source:http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo/3751-megaworld-taps-award-winning-intl-design-rm-for-richmonde-hotel-iloilo.html
Friday, May 17, 2013

BY RAYMART ESCOPEL (PN)

ILOILO City -- After announcing the expansion of its premier development here, the 72-hecatre Iloilo Business Park, Megaworld continues to make waves.

Yesterday, it revealed a partnership with Gettys, an award-winning US interior design ﬁrm, for Iloilo’s ﬁrst luxury brand hotel – Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

Gettys will be Megaworld’s partner in conceptualizing the hotel’s facade, grand lobby and interiors, restaurant and guest rooms.

According to Ariane Steinbeck, Gettys managing director and principal, the P50-million Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will have one of the region’s agricultural crops – sugarcane – in the design concept.

“The theme will be incorporated throughout the space through color, texture and ﬁnishes,” Steinbeck said.

The overall idea is to have a dynamic yet relaxing environment where both hotel guests and locales can indulge in luxury at reasonable prices.

Megaworld First Vice President Jericho Go said Megaworld commissioned Gettys because of its excellent record in designing some of the world’s ﬁve-star hotels and resorts.

This partnership is a testament to Megaworld’s commitment of providing truly world-class developments to the people of Iloilo and Western VIsayas as a whole, Go stressed.

A respected name in the interior design industry for 25 years, Gettys is behind the design of renowned ﬁve-star hotels such as The Peninsula Hong Kong; Hyatt Regency in Cancun, Mexico; Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai; The Ritz Carlton in Miami, Florida; Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago; Westin Golf and Spa Resort in Abu Dhabi; Shangrila Hotel in Beihai, China; and Hard Rock Hotel in Macau.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo will have 151 guest rooms and luxurious amenities, including a restaurant and deli which will serve Ilonggo dishes, function rooms which can house around 120 guests, a business center, fitness gym and a 50-meter lap pool with its own pool bar.

It will occupy eight ﬂoors of the 12-storey Richmode Tower. The ﬁrst three ﬂoors will be ofﬁce spaces and will eventually house the country’s biggest Business Process Outsourcing companies.

The luxury hotel will be completed in time for Iloilo’s hosting of one of the side meetings of

the Asia-Paciﬁc Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015.

Iloilo City govt schools open doors to poor students

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=525159
Thursday, May 16, 2013

(PNA), HBC/AJP/LCPENDON/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PNA)-- Two city government-operated schools opened their doors Thursday to poor but deserving students to avail themselves of free education in college and in vocational and technical courses.

Mathilde Octavio, administrator of the Technical Institute of Iloilo City, said the Molo campus is now accepting enrollment of students in two-year courses Construction, Electrical and Automotive Technology with free tuition and other needs subsidized by the city government here.

On the other hand, the TIIC Bo.Obrero campus is now accepting enrollment for short term courses for three months in Sewing, Hotel and Restaurant Servicing, Beautician, Culinary, and other short courses.

The city government-run Iloilo City Community College is currently accepting enrollment of 240 college student graduates of Iloilo City high schools for the 2013-1014 school year to take up four-year courses on Bachelor of Science in Travel Management and Bachelor of Science in Office Management.

Dean Catalina Sanico of the community college said the baccalaureate courses started in 2012 and the first enrollees of 195 students are now on their second year.

The school has also additional nine new teachers who have masteral or doctorate degrees to augment the increasing student population of the college.

Sanico said the school although run by the city government, is also charging a very minimal tuition fee of P100 per unit on the two courses.

The incoming students were pre-selected and have already taken the entrance examination last month.

There is no more need for an entrance examination for TIIC students.

The only requirement include their high school card Form 138, barangay clearance, barangay certification as being indigent of the city, four pieces 1x1 photos, six pieces passport size colored photos in white background, medical certificate, birth certificate from the National Statistics Office and a long, white folder.

Octavio reported that several graduates of TIIC Molo are now working abroad, specifically in Qatar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Others are in businesses with repair shops employing workers.

Both Sanico and Octavio said that city mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has taken steps to enhance and improve the schools with additional classrooms, tools and equipment.

A sports gymnasium across the community college and a school bus for Travel Management students are being prepared before the end of this year.

Gov’t bets sweep all posts in Iloilo City

Source:http://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/05/15/942172/govt-bets-sweep-all-posts-iloilo-city
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 12:00 am

By Jennifer Rendon (The Philippine Star)

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Candidates of Team PNoy in this city have swept all elective posts in Monday’s balloting.

Re-electionist Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Rep. Jerry Treñas got fresh mandates after defeating their opponents, businessman Rommel Ynion and former congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III also triumphed over his opponent, councilor Jeffrey Ganzon.

Re-electionist Lex Tupas topped the race for the Sangguniang Panglungsod. Other winners were Love Baronda, Jason Gonzales, Joshua Alim, Jay Treñas, Lyndon Acap, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Lee Zulueta, R. Leone Gerochi, Armand Parcon, Rodel Fullon Agado, and Plaridel Nava.

In his Facebook page, Mabilog thanked “everyone who supported us and made the choice in giving us the chance to be of service to our fellow Ilonggos and our beloved City of Iloilo.”

Jeffrey Celiz, Mabilog’s political liaison officer, said the results of the city’s elections where their entire slate won is a reaffirmation of the Ilonggo people’s indomitable will. Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Despite the nasty exchange of words between his supporters and Mabilog’s camp, Ynion has conceded.

“Let me be the first to congratulate my opponent, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, for winning in these midterm elections. The people have spoken and we should respect their collective will,” he said.

Ynion asked his supporters to refrain from pinning the blame for their defeat on their refusal to buy votes.

“Vote buying is against the principles for which we stand and we can never engage in that. Let us be graceful in defeat as well as in all the small victories we achieved in this campaign,” he added.

Biron concedes Iloilo governorship to incumbent Defensor

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/409085/biron-concedes-iloilo-governorship-to-incumbent-defensor
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 3:16 pm

By Karen Bermejo, Nestor P. Burgos Jr. (Inquirer Visayas)

ILOILO CITY—Iloilo Representative Ferjenel Biron of the United Nationalist Alliance has conceded defeat to re-electionist Governor Arthur Defensor of the ruling Liberal Party in Iloilo’s gubernatorial race.

“I congratulate Gov. Art Defensor Sr. for his victory. I wish him all the best. We respect the decision of the Ilonggo electorate. We thank our leaders and supporters all over the province who risked their lives and limbs for our cause of bringing real change in Iloilo. We fought a principled fight and ran a reform-driven race. It is time to unite for the betterment of our beloved province of Iloilo. Thank you and Good bye! God bless us all,” Biron said in a post on his Facebook account at 11:47 a.m. Tuesday.

Defensor dominated the count in the first 16 towns that transmitted the results of their voting early Tuesday morning.

Results from the 16 towns transmitted to the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) showed that Defensor won in 13 towns, while his close rival, outgoing Fourth District Congressman Ferjenel Biron won in the three towns.

Defensor dominated in the towns of Barotac Viejo, Guimbal, Pavia, Badiangan, Banate, Tubungan, Zarraga, Mina, Tigbauan and San Miguel while Biron got higher votes in the towns of Pototan, Lemery, Batad, San Rafael and Anilao.

Partial and official results showed that Defensor garnered 137,801 votes while Biron had 88,236.

Independent candidate Serapio Camposano got only 1,045 in 16 towns.

Jessie Suarez, Iloilo provincial Commission of Elections (Comelec) officer, said the delay in the transmission of election returns was due to heavy rains in some areas of the province and some malfunctioning precinct count optical scan machines.

Millions of voters expected in Western Visayas

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=11636&subid=5#.UZDe9fJNG5-
Monday, May 13, 2013

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo—An estimated four million voters in Western Visayas region are expected to exercise their right to suffrage today, May 13, midterm polls.

Atty. Renato Magbutay, regional director of Commission on Elections (Comelec-6), said the region is the fifth largest in the nation. Western Visayas has a total of 4,049,640 registered voters.

The province of Negros Occidental and its capital city of Bacolod has the most number of registered voters with 1,574,784. It is followed by the province and city of Iloilo with 1,270,100 registered voters.

Capiz province and its capital city of Roxas have 457,379 registered voters. Aklan province and its capital town of Kalibo have 328,642 registered voters.

Antique province and its capital town of San Jose have 318,214 registered voters. The island province of Guimaras and its capital town of Jordan have 100,521 voters.

Iloilo residents have to vote from among 48 candidates for congressional representatives, 14 for governor, 14 for vice governor, 139 for provincial board member, 32 for city mayor, 28 for city vice mayor, 328 for town mayor, 295 for town vice mayor, and thousands for city and town councils.

Better fire station service seen with new fire truck

Source:http://panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo/3549-better-fire-station-service-seen-with-new-fire-truck.html
Sunday, May 12, 2013

(PIA-6/PN)

ILOILO City – With a modern fire truck from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Iloilo City Fire Station is expected to perform well during fire emergencies.

The brand new Rosenbauer fire truck here is one of the two fire trucks given to Western Visayas from the 38 first batch of fire trucks purchased by DILG to further enhance fire protection services nationwide.

The fire truck given here cost P17,500,000. It was acquired through a soft loan from the Austrian government payable in 17 and a half years.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 6 Public Information Section head, Insp. Stephen Jardeleza said the other new fire truck will be serving the Bacolod City Fire Station.

On the next batch, BFP Region 6 will get another fire truck for the Roxas City Fire Station in Capiz.

The Rosenbauer fire truck is a 1,000-gallon capacity with a 240 horsepower water-cooled main engine and connected to the water pump via power-take-off (PTO).

It has a seating capacity of seven and can discharge 2,400 liters of water per minute.

The modern fire truck has also a strong water cannon that can push water up to 62 meters horizontally and 24 meters vertically – equivalent to an eight-storey building.

It has two minimum-sized rubber hoses that are very useful for rapid deployment while bigger and longer hoses are being laid out.

These rapid deployment hoses are mounted in the rear portion and can also use chemical fire suppressant that is very useful for chemical fires.

The fire truck has also a complement of different hose sizes including forcible entry tools, and suction hoses.

P.5M to jumpstart school’s e-library

Source:http://panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo/3477-p5m-to-jumpstart-schools-e-library.html
Saturday, May 11, 2013

(PN)

ILOILO City – In consonance with her former high school’s thrust in keeping up with educational strides, a US-based gynecologist and obstetrician donated P594,772 to the Iloilo National High School (INHS) for its e-library.

Dr. Joy Zerrudo-Seldera of INHS Class 1963 donated the amount in cash to the INHS through its principal, Dr. Nordy Siason Jr., on April 2013 so it can be used to jump-start the INHS e-library, “an electronic or online library where one can have access to books, journals, novels, articles, or any other information over the internet.”

Dr. Zerrudo-Seldera, the 2013 commencement speaker of INHS, graduated first honorable mention and Outstanding Student Leader in 1963 and soon after graduation, proceeded to Paramus, New Jersey as an American Field Scholar from 1963 to 1964.

She graduated cum laude from her BS Premed course at the University of San Agustin and was an entrance scholar at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center where she finished her Doctor of Medicine degree.

After passing the medical board, Dr. Zerrudo-Seldera had her post internship at St. Peter’s Hospital in New York and her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

INHS Principal Siason says he is truly grateful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of Dr. Zerrudo-Seldera and the Class of 1963 for helping the INHS maintain its reputation as one of the country’s most outstanding public high schools.

Dr. Zerrudo-Seldera, a native of Panay, Capiz, has been in medical practice since 1981 and is a member of various medical associations and organizations in the United States.

BFP 6 to recruit 57 firefighters to increase manpower

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=524566
Friday, May 10, 2013

(PNA), PDS/AJP/MADE LOS SANTOS/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 10 (PNA) -- To boost the firefighting operations in Western Visayas on top of procurement of modern equipment, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-6 announced it will hire 57 additional firefighters.

“The BFP is still undermanned from the ideal ratio of one firefighter for every 2,000 population,” the BFP 6 said, adding “with the recruitment, the BFP 6 hopes to achieve the ideal ratio.”

The qualified applicants can submit their requirements for initial screening starting May 13 until May 27 to the Secretariat, Regional Placement and Selection Board at the BFP Regional Headquarters 6, Admin Division.

The administrative requirements for appointment to Fire Officer 1 rank are as follows: Application Letter addressed to the Regional Director, BFP 6; Personal Data Sheet (handwritten, 3 original); Eligibility/Report of Rating (for board, RA 1080, 3 copies-authenticated by CSC/PRC); Transcript of Records/Diploma (authenticated by the school); Birth Certificate (authenticated by NSO); Marriage Certificate, if married; Clearances (original copies); Medical Certificate; and Age/Height Waivers (for those above 30 years old/below height limit)

According to the BFP 6, age limit is 21 to 30, with height requirement of 1.62 meters (5’4) for males and 1.57 meters (5’2) for females.

The applicants must also submit clearances including barangay clearance, prosecutor’s clearance (fiscal), MTC, PNP and NBI clearances.

Applicants shall undergo qualifying examination, physical/agility tests, panel interview and neuro-psychiatric examination among others and pass the battery of tests to be appointed and accepted to the ranks of the BFP.

DOST 6 to host nat’l medical writing, peer review workshop

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=12&rid=524040
Thursday, May 9, 2013

(PNA), JBP/AJP/MAD/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6 is slated to host the 4th National Medical Writing and Peer Review Workshop on July 25 and 26, this year.

According to the DOST 6, the confab will gather Filipinos in the medical profession and health researchers who want to learn how to have their works published in science journals.

The workshop, organized by DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, in cooperation with the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors and the Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (WVHRDC), targets to help and guide health researchers and editors in writing articles for scientific journals and related publishing materials.

According to the DOST 6, the workshop will tackle lectures, practical exercise and discussions that will hone the participants’ knowledge and skills in medical writing.

In addition, workshop facilitators will train them on how to deal with the peer review processes, editor’s comments, journal protocols and how to prepare a manuscript for publication. Registration to the said workshop is free.

The DOST 6 said the interested participants must submit a draft manuscript or completed health research projects to the WVHRDC Secretariat on or before May 17, 2013. Likewise, endorsement from the head of research office or head of institution is required to non-affiliated institutions of WVHRDC that wish to join the medical writing workshop.

Applicants from WV can now pursue master’s, PhD S&T scholarships

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=523824
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

(PNA), HBC/AJP/MADE LOS SANTOS/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 8 (PNA) – Applicants from Region 6 can now start applying for Science and Technology (S&T) scholarships for Master’s and PhD programs.

This, after the Dept. of Science and Technology, through its Science Education Institute started the implementation of the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program for AY 2013-2014.

According to the DOST, the program aims to boost the global competitiveness of Science and Technology researches and produce top-level human resources through provision of scholarship for Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

Applicants may apply for any of the following graduate scholarships: University-based /MA/MS/PhD Program or Thesis/Dissertation Grant Support for DOST R&D priority areas.

Those who will qualify, said DOST, are encouraged to pursue S&T fields of study, namely: Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Earthl

Atmospheric, and Space Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Fisheries and Marine Science, Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science and Nanotechnology;

Pure and Applied Mathematics, and Pure and Applied Physics.

The scholars shall also take the courses in National Science Consortium member universities, namely: Ateneo de Manila University, Central Luzon State University, De La Salle University, Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, UP Manila Campus, UP Visayas Campus, University of Sto. Tomas, and Visayas State University.

Scholars are entitled to free tuition and other fees, stipend, book allowance, transportation allowance, group insurance and thesis/dissertation grant.

Cervical cancer awareness month kicks off in Iloilo, Visayas

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=523447
Tuesday, May 7, 2013

(PNA), LAP/AJP/RJCBata-anon(OJT)/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 7 (PNA) -- The Cervical Cancer Awareness month kicked-off Tuesday in Iloilo and the entire Visayan island through a public-private partnership among medical institutions and organizations held at the Western Visayas Medical Center, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The theme for this year's observance is "Babae, Mahalaga ka".

The objective of the awareness month celebration is to inform the public about healthcare topics and treatment options on cervical cancer.

Also, the opening celebration gave emphasis on the latest innovation on cervical cancer screening method with its guidelines issued way back 2005 yet.

Representatives from other provincial offices such as Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros graced the opening celebrations today.

Iloilo City draws tourists to WV

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=6&rid=523007
Monday, May 6, 2013

(PNA), PDS/AJP/LCPENDON/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 6 (PNA)-- This southern city gets the bulk of tourist arrivals this year with an expected 526,000 visitors out of the 3.1 million arrivals in the Western Visayan region this 2013.

This was disclosed by Department of Tourism Regional Director Helen Catalbas recently, citing the city's vibrancy and urban attractions to lure visitors here.

Catalbas said the region will have a projected share of 4.6 million tourist arrivals in 2016 and this is not farfetched as the region swings to become a top tourist drawer with Iloilo City as its standard-bearer.

Tourists started to come in after the Iloilo International Airport was opened to international flights, specifically direct flights from Iloilo to Hongkong and Singapore late last year. This opened the gates for more tourist arrivals, Catalbas said.

DOT has listed 2.6 million arrivals in 2012 and targets tourist arrivals of 3.1 million in 2013, 3.5 million in 2014 and 4.6 million in 2016.

Catalbas said the target is not hard to attain, considering that Iloilo City is currently on the upswing of infrastructure development and business locations. A total of nine high-end hotels and condominiums will be built within 2013 with seven hotels almost completed.

Among the ongoing construction are two high-end hotels by Megaworld Corp. namely the Richmond Hotel and Marriot Courtyard expected to be completed by end of 2014.

To be completed this year are the Go Hotel of Robinsons Corp., Diversion 21 Hotel of businessman Romeo Go, Injap Hotel of Injap Corp, Injap Tower of Injap Corp. and Injap Place by Double Dragon Corp.

To be started before the end of year are the high-end hotel and commercial center of Gaisano Capital and the Atria Business Park of towers and stories of Ayala Land Corp.

UNA hits fund misuse in Iloilo

Source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/402345/una-hits-fund-misuse-in-iloilo
Sunday, May 5, 2013 12:47 am

By Karen V. Bermejo, Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Norman Bordadora (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ILOILO CITY—Campaigning in Iloilo this week, Vice President Jejomar Binay and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) may very well have thought that they had uncovered unmistakable signs that all is not straight and righteous in the Aquino administration.

In a press conference here on Tuesday, Binay and the UNA denounced the alleged misuse of P45.7 million in public funds by the provincial government whose incumbent officials are running in the May 13 elections under the ruling Liberal Party.

They called on the Commission on Elections and the Department of Education to investigate the Iloilo provincial government’s disbursement of P40 million for educational assistance and P5.7 million in assistance to selected villages.

“We have elevated the complaint to the Comelec,” said Binay, even as he admitted that it was difficult to get the necessary evidence.

Government funds are “shamelessly being spent for the political survival of those seeking government positions,” said Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron, the UNA gubernatorial candidate.

Biron’s running mate, former Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico, said the release of the funds constituted “electioneering,” considering the timing.

At least P40 million was released in educational assistance to high school students through the office of Gov. Arthur Defensor, said Suplico. Defensor is running for reelection under the LP.

The governor has denied that there were any irregularities in the release of the funds. “It is for a very good purpose,” he said.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the Iloilo fund releases being questioned were not meant to influence the results of the local elections, particularly in the bailiwicks of the LP’s political opponents.

“No, those are regular releases intended to benefit their respective constituents,” Abad, a senior LP leader, said in a text message.

But the budget secretary said he would look into the fund releases.

Megaworld expands P25-B Iloilo business park

Source:http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/top-news/13007-megaworld-expands-p25-b-iloilo-business-park
Saturday, May 4, 2013 20:02

(PNA), HBC/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp., controlled by billionaire Andrew Tan, said it has bought an additional 18 hectares of land in Iloilo City to further expand its Iloilo Business Park, located at the city’s former airport, as demand for residential and commercial properties is expected to increase.

Jericho Go, Megaworld first vice president, said the P25-billion project will now have 72 hectares of total land area and will be the biggest business park in Western Visayas.

“We are expanding to cater to the increasing demand for residential and commercial properties in Iloilo Business Park. During the past months, we have experienced the overwhelming reception of Ilonggos to our first development in the region,” Go said.

The company, however, is yet to reveal its plans for the additional 18 hectares. It previously announced that the mixed-use township will cover residential condominiums, boutique hotel and commercial lots, office towers, two luxury hotels, a convention center to be called Iloilo Convention Center, the Megaworld Central Mall and Annex, and the 1.1-kilometer Festive Walk commercial strip.

“Megaworld is one with the local government’s goal of helping Iloilo regain its stature as Queen City of the South, which we are optimistic about in the next five to 10 years,” Go said.

In March the company begun selling its first condominium tower, One Madison Place. The property is now 85-percent soldout and the second tower is scheduled for preselling this month.

The two office towers on Megaworld Boulevard, along with the Iloilo Richmonde Hotel tower, are now under construction. The towers are expected to be completed next year, the company said.

Iloilo Business Park is Megaworld’s biggest township in the Visayas and is modeled after the company’s live-work-play formula that Megaworld claimed it pioneered in the Philippines. Among its successful townships include Eastwood City, known to be the country’s first cyberpark; McKinley Hill in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; and Newport City in Pasay City, where the casino Resorts World Manila is located.

“We introduced the live-work-play lifestyle concept to Filipinos way back in the 1990s, which paved the way for the development of townships in the Philippines. Since then, other developers have followed our footsteps in this new wave of nation-building,” Go said.

Iloilo City official ballots ready for distribution

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=522372
Friday, May 3, 2013

(PNA), HBC/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 3 (PNA) -- As the deputized department of the Commission on Elections, the Iloilo City Treasurer’s Office will start distributing the official ballots in 350 clustered precincts early morning of May 13 election day to preempt any discrepancy.

Iloilo City treasurer Katherine Tingzon said she has 60 personnel to do the distribution of ballots in 66 voting centers in the city after the ballots had arrived in Iloilo City last April 27, 2013 and were being kept at the city warehouse guarded by members of the City Comelec, representatives from running candidates and Philippine National Police.

Tingzon also said these ballots will be officially turned over to the chairmen of the board of election inspectors during the actual political exercises.

Iloilo City has a total of 247,564 registered voters from 180 barangays in the city.

Tingzon said Comelec Resolution 9598 provides the deputation of certain departments under the Executive Branch, government owned and controlled corporations and financial institution with the May 13, 2013 automated national and local elections.

Other deputized government agencies are the National Telecommunications Commission, Philippines Airlines, Department of Education, Department of Transportation and Commission, Department of Energy and Electric Cooperatives, Philippine Postal Corp., Civic Service Commission, Commission on Audit, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Information Agency and government owned and controlled corporations (GOCC).

Comelec-Iloilo assures PCOS secured

Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=521864
Thursday, May 2, 2013

(PNA), PDS/AJP/MADE LOS SANTOS/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 2 (PNA) -- City Election Officer Lawyer Jomar Alyzar Betita assured anew the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is all set for the May 13 polls.

He also assured that the PCOS is built with security features that are very difficult to tamper or to hack.

In his presentation during the National Youth Commission’s Voters’ Education Forum held here recently, Betita said the PCOS machines are built with safety and security features that are very hard to tamper, like bar codes, invisible ink, security paper, watermarks, digital signature, password and PIN of BEIs, and 128-bit encryption or the same security used by banks.

He said the PCOS has also a built-in battery in case of power supply shortage and the BEIs have three SIMs to try to ensure the smooth transmission of results.

Betita explained that voters can’t take advantage of the automated election to cheat since the ballots cannot be re-scanned once the ballots are used in one PCOS machine.

The voters are given four chances to insert their ballots in the PCOS, he added.

Betita noted that based on the first automated elections, the rejected ballots are very minimal.

Betita warned though that cheating could come in the form of persons taking too much time casting their votes to deprive others of their right to vote.

In Iloilo City, Betita said the BEIs were instructed to accommodate 20 voters at a time instead of the usual 10 to ensure that all voters in a particular precinct can cast their votes between the 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. limit.

Betita also advised voters to go to the polling precincts early and appealed for patience in case of long queues.

He urged every Filipino to exercise their right to vote, and take it as a responsibility to help in the nation-building.

“It is the most active part one can do for the country,” he said.

He appealed for support, vigilance, cooperation and coordination of the citizenry to ensure honest, peaceful and orderly elections.

There are about 52 million registered voters in the country.

Water district told: Put public interest above personal pride

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2013/05/01/water-district-told-put-public-interest-above-personal-pride-280265
Wednesday, May 1, 2013

By Leonard T. Pineda I (LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

SENATOR Franklin Drilon asked members of the old and new board of directors of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) to place public interest above personal pride and find a win-win solution in the distribution of water supply to water consumers.

Iloilo City is still reeling from water shortage from MIWD and the City Government is still delivering water to unserved areas such as the waterfront villages and Barangay Obrero.

Drilon admitted talking to MIWD members of the board during Labor Day and said the problem lies mainly on the water distribution due to internal squabble between the old and new members of the board, the governing, and policy body of the water district.

He said many national big investors are ready to come to Iloilo to solve the water problem but are hesitant because of the opposing boards of directors.

The new board is appointed by the Local Waterworks Utility Administration while the old board is appointed by the city mayor based mainly on the MIWD charter.

Drilon said the opposing position of the two boards stood on legality. He asked them to render service of public interest and put aside personal gains.

He said the government’s P11.2-billion Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project has a water supply component out to provide additional water supply to the city and help solve the water shortage.