Iloilo City News December 2016

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Iloilo City - Archived News
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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.

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Molo Church, Iloilo City
Iloilo dinagyang festival.jpg
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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Iloilo City disaster council ready for New Year revelry

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) is now prepared to maintain public safety in welcoming the New Year.

Darwin Papa of the CDRRMC said that they will deploy four ambulances and two back-up vehicles starting 8:00 p.m. of December 31 in Jaro Plaza, Molo Plaza, Diversion Road and the Freedom Grandstand.

Last year, the CDRRMC responded to 50 incidents. Papa said that most patients suffered from pulmonary problems, mostly asthma.

Meanwhile, Ilonggos are advised to avoid the use of firecrackers. They could use other alternatives that produce sounds like cooking utensils, among others.

People with lung problems and other medical conditions are advised to be prepared and use mask to avoid the inhalation of fumes from the firecrackers as it can trigger asthma attacks or any pulmonary problems.

Papa also reminded those who will be using firecrackers to always have a “presence of mind and situational awareness” to avoid injuries.

Meanwhile, Ilonggos are invited to witness the city government’s New Year’s countdown and fireworks display at the Muelle Loney in this city.

DTI promotes cacao industry in Western Visayas

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here is working closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in promoting the cacao industry in Western Visayas.

The production and plantation aspect is being handled by DA. DTI will come in during the processing and marketing aspect, according to DTI Iloilo director Diosdado Cadena Jr. in today’s yearend gathering with the local media. Cadena is the regional coordinator of DTI’s cacao development program.

Cacao industry is one of the priority programs of DTI nationwide as they see the big potential of the commodity, he explained.

“The dominant province where cacao is grown and with potential is in Iloilo,” he said.

Currently, DTI is in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the existing and potential capacity of Western Visayas to produce cacao and have it processed into tablea or later on fine chocolate, he revealed.

Cadena revealed that DA targets to distribute 500,000 cacao seedlings next year in Panay Island. It will take around two-and-a-half year or three years for the cacao to bear fruit although there are already existing plantations.

DTI regional director Rebecca Rascon added their department has already embarked on benchmarking where cacao farmers are brought to Davao for them to get inspired by the industry’s success stories and conducted training on good agriculture practice.

Cacao thrives in African countries but there are varieties that are thriving in the Philippines. The world market puts a premium to Philippine chocolate, according to Rascon.

Two weeks ago, a strategic planning with the participation of stakeholders was conducted while the Regional Cacao Council was organized in Western Visayas in July this year.

“One of our take offs here is the conduct of the value-chain analysis where we determine the value adding requirement of the processes involved starting from plantation up to post-harvest,” Rascon said.

She said that the promotion of the industry will continue to become part of the priority programs of DTI next year.

Iloilo City cements position as MICE destination in 2016

By Perla G. Lena

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- Upbeat economic activity was felt in this city this 2016, triggered by the opening of all sorts of attractions and with Iloilo City cementing its position as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibit (MICE) destination.

Iloilo Business Club executive director Lea Lara on Wednesday said that Iloilo City amid its tag as “shabulized", was able to rise above the challenge.

“It made us work harder,” she said, citing the improved business climate in this part of the country.

Aside from the election-related spending that fueled the economy, the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is also making waves with some 21,000 Ilonggos given full-time employment.

She disclosed that a big challenge is how to fill in the demand as the BPO sector is expected to double the available full-time seats with more companies coming in. Megaworld Corporation, she said, has completed its BPO building while there is an ongoing construction of an IT building owned by SM.

This development, she said, made Iloilo City lessen its dependence on the service sector.

Meanwhile, the growing number of local stores has provided balance amid the mushrooming of big establishments.

“We have a good mix of big and small industries,” she cited. This set up, she said, makes Iloilo less vulnerable if in case the bigger ones decide to relocate.

Next year, Iloilo City expects more MICE events and more opening of hotels, she said.

With this booming development, Lara added that the academic community is a bit pressured to produce graduates in response to the need for manpower. There is a need for them to step up although there are others that undertake initiatives to meet their demand.

What is also necessary is to continue working on the integration of local industries, especially the agriculture sector coping with the tourism industry and the urbanization.

Lara added that the construction of the Jalaur Multipurpose Project will surely boost the industry. And with the growing agriculture sector, the target is for it to have a domino effect on the manufacturing sector. (PNA) LAP/PGL/CBF

City health office calls for extra care for children and elderly this holiday season

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) -- The City Health Office (CHO) is urging children and elderly to be wary of possible diseases brought about by the cold weather condition as well as too much eating this holiday season.

On Tuesday, assistant city health officer Dra. Mae Delmo said that since the holiday season is interspersed with intermittent rains, children are advised not to take a bath under the rain to prevent leptospirosis.

“Though they’re happy with this but we hope this will be avoided to prevent leptospirosis” she said.

Those who have weak resistance have bigger chance of getting flu, hence, they are advised to take more Vitamin C and other fruit juices or better yet consult with doctors. Flu cases need to be treated to avoid from developing into pneumonia, she said.

Senior citizens are also advised to be careful with fatty foods, especially those who are hypertensive and avoid too much sweets as precautionary measure to prevent diabetes.

Meanwhile, victims of firecrackers injuries must be brought immediately to health centers for treatment.

As first aid, however, the affected portion must be washed with clean water. She emphasized that the use of toothpaste and vinegar is not allowed because it will only burn the skin.

Delmo added that the various health centers of the city is open to extend assistance to those who are in need of initial treatment.

Carabao dairy enterprise now another livelihood source

By Elsa S. Subong (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA)—There should be a shift in the role of the carabao, from a work type-animal into a dairy enterprise animal, as this potential keeps growing in Western Visayas.

In a press release from the Department of Agriculture-6, Information Officer James Ogatis said the population of Italian Dairy Buffalo from the original 26 heads in 2014, to 45 heads this year reflects positive growth of opportunities.

Arn Granada, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Carabao Center based at the West Visayas State University in Calinog, Iloilo, reported a massive extension activities on artificial insemination.

“This is also coupled with bull dispersal program and technology assistance to carabao raisers, all contributing to the center’s accomplishment of its target this year,” Granada said.

He further said that 669 native crossbred with par value of P16,725,000, were born from native caracows through upgrading programs initiated by the PCC@WVSU for the year 2015 and monitored in 2016.

“Shifting the role of the carabao would mean making it a source of additional livelihood for rural farmers,” Granada said.

The DA said that a three-year-old carabao only weighs a maximum of 250 kilograms live weight, compared to crossbred or mestizo which weighs from 350 to 500 kilograms for meat advantage.

The mestiza, on the other hand, can produce an average of four liters of milk daily with a maximum pf wight liters given the proper nutrition which can greatly contribute to the milk consumption requirement of the region.

Panay and Guimaras, with their current estimated population of 4.48 million, has an annual requirement of 85,120,000 liters liquid milk equivalent.

The combined raw milk produce of the Carabao Center animals and village level dairy animals only reaches a volume of 33,759 liters valued at P2,363,130, way below the annual requirement.

This huge gap between the supply and demand, according to Granada, makes carabao-based dairy a big potential enterprise.

The Carabao Center has been in the forefront of producing pasteurized fresh milk, flavoured milk, yogurt, cheese, mozzarella and rice cake with cheese.

Iloilo City emerging as hot spot for co-working spaces -- Colliers

By Keith Richard D. Mariano

CO-WORKING SPACES are gaining popularity in Iloilo City particularly among students, start-up firms and freelance workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, helping keep the property market there buoyant, according to a property consultancy.

In a report, Colliers International cited the development of co-working spaces that cater to students and start-up firms, such as Dojo 8 and Bonds, as the “emerging trend” in the capital of Iloilo province.

“Dojo 8 and Bonds are strategically located along the city’s busiest streets and near universities. Among the establishments’ regular customers are freelance BPO workers,” the consultancy said in the report released on Wednesday.

Iloilo City continues to attract BPO locators with its population of skilled college graduates. It has about 30 colleges and universities producing around 15,000 graduates every year, with more than a fifth majoring in business, 15% in math and information technology and 6% in engineering.

In this light, Colliers cited the feasibility of the BPO sector in Iloilo City shifting toward higher-value services such as health information management (HIM) and software engineering from voice services currently.

“To equip graduates with the necessary skills and eventually capture a larger fraction of the global HIM market, a number of universities in Iloilo are already incorporating medical transcription courses into their regular nursing and medical technology programs,” it noted.

The office segment of the Iloilo property market continues to benefit from the sustained interest of BPO firms in the city. From only 22,400 square meters (sq.m.) of gross leasable area in 2005, the inventory there has tripled to about 67,000 sq.m. by the third quarter of the year.

Overall vacancies in Iloilo City stood at 16% at the end of September. Over the next two to three years some 57,000 sq.m. of gross leasable area is expected to go online in SM City Iloilo Tower, Three Techno Place and Festive Walk Office Tower, among others.

Residential developments will complement office projects in the city, according to Colliers, with around 1,700 units slated for turnover over the next three years.

“Akin to Bacolod City’s residential market, Colliers sees the demand for worker-accommodation facilities in the city growing significantly due to the increasing number of BPO employees from Iloilo and its environs,” the consultancy’s report read.

Entry-level BPO employees cannot afford to stay in high-end apartments and condominium units near their workplaces, Colliers noted.

“Among the factors that have constricted the hiring of more employees in the city is the lack of accessible and affordable housing near the city’s office buildings. Rental rates in rooms and boarding houses in subdivisions are cheaper but these are quite far from the BPO offices.”

In the retail segment of the Iloilo property market, meanwhile, higher disposable incomes especially among BPO employees as well as tourist expenditure have supposedly driven demand.

“Colliers sees more foreign brands entering the Iloilo market given the Ilonggo consumers’ rising disposable incomes and improving access to retail establishments brought about by rehabilitated roads and development of planned communities,” the report read.

“Iloilo City’s BPO sector employs an estimated 21,000 workers earning a basic salary of between P13,000 and P15,000 per month. The sector’s employees, who are predominantly millennials, fuel the demand for foreign brands,” it added.

Iloilo is Hall of Fame best performing province

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

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) --- The province of Iloilo was conferred the Hall of Fame as best performing local government unit in the province category of the 2016 Search for Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-6.

DILG-6 Regional Director Anthony Nuyda said that the province of Iloilo has continuously exhibited above-benchmark performance in all facets of governance – administrative, social, economic, and environmental.

Iloilo province has consistently been hailed as best performing province for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016.

For 2016, the province emerged as champion in social governance, economic governance, and environmental governance, and was declared 1st Runner Up in administrative governance.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City was also declared best performing city in Western Visayas for 2016.

Iloilo City was hailed champion in administrative governance, social governance, and economic governance, and was declared 2nd Runner Up in environmental governance.

The municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo was conferred best performing local government unit for the 4th to 6th class municipalities category.

The municipality was declared champion in administrative governance, social governance, economic governance, and environmental governance.

The EXCELL Awards is a project of DILG-6 which recognized the best managed local governments in the region that demonstrate best practices, achievements, and innovations in governance, administration, social services, economic development, environmental management, and local legislation.

The program also aims to advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, positively reinforce good performers, popularize replicable best practices, and identify possible interventions to improve the LGU performance.

DA distributes over Php8-M worth of agri machineries to small farmers in Western Visayas

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday turned over some Php8,650,000 worth of agricultural machineries to farmer-beneficiaries in Western Visayas.

The agriculture machineries benefited 40 farmer associations in the region. They included five mini four-wheel tractors worth Php 5,000,000; 14 rice threshers worth Php1,400,000; three reaper harvesters worth Php450,000 and 18 water pump and engines worth Php1,800,000.

DA Assistant Secretary for Regulations and Visayas, Hansel Didulo, said that the distribution of the agriculture machineries is part of the aim of Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to make the country “fully mechanized” after six years.

He also said that the machineries will be able to help the farmers increase their production and will help the country to become rice sufficient.

Meanwhile, DA-6 regional director Remelyn Recoter said that the machineries will be able to increase the income of the farmers in the region and will decrease the post-harvest losses.

Losses incurred from pre- to post-harvest could reach up to 16 percent, she said, citing data from the International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

“Under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, we are hoping that there will more interventions to be given to the farmers,” she added.

Cesar Mongan, president of the Bunga sang Igbatas Farmers Association of Dumangas, Iloilo expressed thanks to the DA and its officials for the opportunity to become one of the beneficiaries of the project.

“This is very important to us because one of the problems that we encounter is the lack of people who will harvest our rice. Through the reaper harvester, we can finish our work faster,” he said.

Iloilo City reaps fruits of successful APEC hosting

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 21 (PNA) -- Iloilo City is now reaping the benefits of its successful hosting of several meetings of the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, according to City Tourism Officer Junel Ann P. Divinagracia.

Divinagracia on Wednesday disclosed that big conventions are already lined up to be held in Iloilo City even until 2018.

On March 6-15, 2017, this city will be welcoming delegates for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. In line with this, the city government is looking for 40 volunteers who will serve as liaison officers (LO).

Those who are interested are advised to submit their resume at the City Tourism Office before the year ends. Training will start in January.

The SSEAYP International General Assembly (SIGA) will be held in this city from April to May 2017. This event will gather delegates of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) who are experts in their respective fields.

In July or August 2017, national and international players of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) will convene in Iloilo City and in October the Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).

Divinagracia added that these events will have a big contribution to the economic activity of Iloilo City.

Free irrigation for small farmers up in 2017

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) -- Small farmers could already avail of the free irrigation to be implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) starting next year, according to Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Regulations Hansel Didulo on Tuesday.

Didulo said that the national government has included in its 2017 appropriations the Php2.3 billion additional budget to NIA for the agency to provide free irrigation to farmers.

“Starting next year, our small farmers could already enjoy the free irrigation,” he said.

He also said that Jose Panganiban, chairman of Committee on Agriculture and Food Security of the House of Representatives, has already filed a bill institutionalizing the government’s free irrigation program.

“Through the institutionalization of the program, our farmers will get free irrigations every year,” he said.

Currently, Didulo said that NIA central office is working on the guidelines for the implementation of the free irrigation.

Meanwhile, Didulo also disclosed that included in the provisions of the bill is to bring back the control and supervision of NIA under the DA.

“The bill is already for signing of the President. Hopefully before the end of this year or early next year, it will already be signed because we really need NIA,” he added.

Further, Didulo said that come 2017, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is planning to implement food consumption survey, provide additional post-harvest facilities and to integrate agriculture into elementary school classrooms.

Didulo today opened his office in this city that is expected to link farmers directly to the central office.

City gov't eyes bigger venue for Dinagyang’s golden year

(PNA), LAP/PGL/PR/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 19 (PNA) -- The city government here is looking forward to the completion of a bigger Freedom Grandstand in time for the 50th year of the staging of the Dinagyang Festival in 2018.

The new Freedom Grandstand will have a 4,000-seat capacity, double the size of the existing structure at J.M. Basa Street, City Proper. It will also have office spaces, according to a media statement from the city public information office.

The structure will be built in Muelle Loney facing the Iloilo River. It will rise in a 2,600-square meter property of Panay Railways Inc. which the City Hall will purchase at Php32 mill

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog noted that construction works are expected to start next year and hoped to be completed on target schedule.

“We want to hold the 50th Dinagyang Festival in a bigger new venue fit for its golden year and to accommodate more guests and spectators,” said Mabilog.

The present grandstand will be demolished to pave the way for restoration of Sunburst Park, which will also show the beauty of façade of Customs House or Aduana building.

The City Council already approved a resolution authorizing Mabilog to sign in behalf of the city a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) for Sunburst Park revival project.

Under the MOU, the City Government will “maintain, operate, manage and administer” the Sunburst Park once it is finished. BOC owns the park property.

Sunburst was named in honor of the American 40th Infantry Division of the same nickname that liberated Iloilo City from Japanese during World War II.

Meanwhile, occupants of the site where the new grandstand will be constructed will be relocated to city-owned resettlement site. The Bureau of Fire Protection regional and city offices will be allotted satellite parking area at their current location as they will be transferred to Molo district.

RDC-6 bares plans, resolutions

By Elsa S. Subong (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, 16 Dec (PIA)—The Regional Development Council-6 bared plans and approved urgent resolutions during its fourth quarter meeting this year.

A press release by the National Economic and Development Authority-6, said the RDC among others, has endorsed the proposed Port Zone Delineation Plan of the Port of Sibunag in Guimaras and Concepcion in Iloilo placing both under the administrative jurisdiction of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.

The RDC also endorsed the rehabilitation and improvement of the Concepcion Fish Port under the grant assistance of the KOICA, as well as the various roads and bridges projects in the city and province of Iloilo for inclusion in the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program.

During the meeting, the council also called upon some actions, from the PPA, to formulate guidelines prescribing the minimum passenger facilities for LGU-operated ports servicing passenger vessels, and for the DPWH, to facilitate transfer and issuance of new certificates of land titles to landowners of private lands affected by right of way acquisition.

Further, the RDC asked the HUDCC to create a technical working group to review the functions and compositions of the local housing boards, and the RDC sector committees to convene as planning committees for the formulation of the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022.

Meanwhile, DOST-6 Director Rowen Gelonga presented the rationale behind the request for the creation of a Special Committee on Research and Development to align all inter-agency efforts along this line. “There are studies that directly link a country’s growth to its research and development efforts and expenditures.

NEDA-6 Director Ro-Ann Bacal, RDC-6 acting chair, told the council members of the need to strengthen growth centers, develop the countryside, and assist farm workers to eventually become farm entrepreneurs.

Search on for eco-friendly, sustainable schools

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

ILOILO CITY (PIA) --- The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)- 6 is encouraging schools in Western Visayas to participate in the 2017 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

Josephine Gallo, Environment Management Specialist I, said that sustainable and eco-friendly schools may be described as environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension and/or administration, programs which are environment-related.

“One objective of the contest is to encourage academic institutions all public and private elementary, high school and tertiary school levels to become more actively involved in environment issues at a practical and local level,” she said.

She said the search also aims to develop skills and understanding among the students, faculty and schools administrators in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.

The promotion of this program for the establishment and/or strengthening of sustainable and eco-friendly schools in the country is part of the Road Map for the implementation of Republic Act No. 9512, also known as the National Environmental Awareness & Education Act of 2008, under the National Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development (2014-2018).

EMB-6 said that a clear articulation and integration of social, ethical and environmental responsibility in the institution’s vision, mission and governance, environmental dimensions of school operations, environment-related features of the school curriculum, presence of vibrant eco-organizations in campus, presence of partners and linkages in environment programs/projects, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability are the criteria to be considered to be a eco-friendly school.

In 2015, the regional champions were Ara-al Elementary School in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental for the elementary level; Tubungan National High School in Tubungan, Iloilo for the secondary level; and La Consolacion College Bacolod in Negros Occidental for the tertiary level.

The National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools was first launched in 2009, as a partnership program among the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), thru the EMB, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, with Smart Communications Inc.

Gallo said that EMB-6 has conducted orientations on the 2017 national search to over 30 schools in the region.

For more information and inquiries, all concerned may contact the Environmental Education and Information Unit (EEIU) of EMB-6 at telephone no. 300-1317.

Provincial gov’t awards model teen centers in Iloilo

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CHRIS N. D. ROBITE, ERA MARIZ C. MURILLO AND JETER D. HIBIONADA-OJT/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- The provincial government here through its Population Office cited several performing teen centers in Iloilo during the 3rd Provincial Teen Center Day and Awarding of 2016 MODEL ILOILO TEENiran on Wednesday.

Engr. Ramon C. Yee, Provincial Population Officer said that the provincial government built teen center to serve as “homes” for teenagers where they can ask questions on topics and issues that they could not understand.

Special awardees included Janiuay National Comprehensive High School as Best in Social Media Advocacy; Pavia National High School, Best in Data Management; Igbaras National High School, Best in Program Presentation; Duenas National High School, Best in Innovations and the Duenas National Comprehensive High School and Pavia National High School as Best Peer Helpers.

Awardees for the major awards were given to the Janiuay National Comprehensive High School, Pavia National High School, Lambunao National High School, Duenas National Comprehensive High School and Igbaras National Highschool.

This year’s recognition ceremony anchored on the theme “Re-igniting Leadership, Commitment and Volunteerism towards responsible adolescents and citizenry” which focuses on the youth or teenagers that has a greater number of victims by the said conditions.

Atty. Jose Donel Traspor, who was the guest of honor, encouraged more teen volunteers.

Heightened religious activities to mark 2017 Dinagyang Festival

By Perla G. Lena [(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF]

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 14 (PNA) -- Religious activities in line with the celebration of the 2017 Dinagyang Festival will be more heightened as they usher the golden year of the festival.

Rev. Fr. Edsel Raymund Alcayaga, parish priest of San Jose and in-charge of the liturgical committee, said that 2017 also leads to the 50th year of the arrival of the image of Señor Santo Niño that heralded the festivity and later on has evolved to become the Dinagyang Festival.

“In 1968, the image was brought here and a merrymaking was held to honor him. It was later adopted by the city government and evolved later into Dinagyang Festival,” he explained.

The wooden image is currently enshrined at the side altar of the San Jose church.

To boost its promotion, Alcayaga said that they will no longer invite a pilgrim image from Cebu, which used to be the practice every Dinagyang time.

Also, a mini-“sadsad” or merrymaking will form part of the daily 5:30 p.m. novena masses that will kick off January 11 until 19, 2017. Before only one “sadsad” was held in the afternoon of the Kasadyahan Festival.

Meanwhile, Eden Deriada, who heads the Kasadyahan committee said that they are expecting 10 performing groups on January 21, 2017. Five of them are come-backing groups, she said.

The tribes include Tribu Tatusan of Caluya, Antique; Tribu Haw-as of Dumangas, Tribu Salakayan of Miagao and Tribu Tultugan of Maasin, Pintados de Pasi of Passi City all in Iloilo province; Tribu Patabang of Tapaz, Capiz; Hubon Binagtong sa Manggahan of Cabalagnan National High School, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras; and another group from Murcia.

MassKara Festival will join as non-competing group, she said.

Kasadyahan Festival gathers champion festivals of various local government units in Western Visayas and neighboring Negros Occidental highlighting their religious and cultural celebration.

Volunteer workers in Iloilo get PHP4,000 each in cash incentives

(PNA), CVL/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- Some 14,250 volunteer workers from the province of Iloilo are recipients of PHP4,000 in cash incentives each as the provincial government’s way of honoring their hard work.

The provincial government will complete the distribution of the PHP57 million total cash incentives on Friday, according to the provincial information office.

On Tuesday, the cash incentives were released to barangay health workers, barangay service point officers, day care workers and barangay nutrition scholars volunteer workers from the municipalities of Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Anilao, Banate, Passi City, Dueñas, Dingle and San Enrique.

On Monday, the cash incentives were released to barangay health workers, barangay service point officers, day care workers and barangay nutrition scholars from the towns of Batad, Carles, Balasan, Estancia, San Dionisio, Sara, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Lemery, Ajuy and Concepcion.

Cash incentives will be released to volunteer workers in San Joaquin, Tubungan, Igbaras, Guimbal, Oton, Tigbuan, Miagao, San Miguel, Leon, Alimodian, Leganes, New Lucena, Pavia, and Zarraga on Thursday while on Dec. 15, volunteer workers from Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog and Badiangan, Pototan and Mina will receive their share.

The granting of allowances or cash gifts to volunteer workers is a tradition that the governor has continued since 2010. Last year, each volunteer also received PHP4,000 worth of cash gift.

Capitol grants Php3.7-M loan to cooperatives

(PNA), LAP/PGL/PR/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. granted a Php3.7-million soft loan to eight cooperatives here on Monday to help them grow their respective businesses.

The loan was part of the livelihood project fund of the Provincial Cooperative Office that has Php5 million annual appropriations to support cooperatives with feasible business proposals.

Defensor approved to provide the maximum loanable amount of half a million to the Leganes Community Development Program Cooperative, Passi City Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, Pavia Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative, Pototan Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, Pototan Teachers and Employees Multipurpose Cooperative, PRO-6 Development Cooperative and the Kapisanan ng mga Mambubukid ng Tambal Primary Multipurpose Cooperative.

The St. James the Great Cooperative in Maasin, Iloilo, on the other hand, secured Php200,000 loan from the provincial government.

Chief Cooperative Development Officer Arturo Cangrejo said the loan has an interest of six percent per annum and it must be paid within three to five years.

Many were interested in this loan because it offers the most favorable terms to cooperatives, he added.

“Unlike in the bank, their monthly amortization with our program will be collected 15 months from the date of the issuance of loan,” he said.

Come 2017, the provincial government would double the maximum loanable amount to a million after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has amended the loan’s terms and conditions.

ECC continues to reach out to workers

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Regional Extension Unit 6 has conducted 43 advocacy activities around Western Visayas this year, informing workers, both in the government and private sectors, of the packages and benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP).

According to ECC REU 6 Regional-In-Charge Stephene Barredo, the 43 advocacy activities or seminars were mostly requested by companies and organizations in Western Visayas. Out of the 43 seminars, 33 were considered on-site or requested by the companies while the remaining 10 are in-house or facilitated by ECC.

The activities were able to gather some 2,000 workers from 1,000 companies and organizations in the region.

ECP is a government program that provides compensation and rehabilitation benefits to private and public sector workers in the event of work-related contingencies. It has three components namely prevention, compensation and rehabilitation.

Under the prevention component, Barredo said compliance with occupational safety and health standards is highlighted as the most important factor to increase the productivity of employees which will consequently result to more efficient performance and higher sales.

In the compensation and rehabilitation aspects, participants of the seminars were made to understand that their EC monthly contributions would redound to benefits and services as social insurance for work-related sickness, injuries and death.

Barredo said employees of private companies are assured of 62 years of protection from work related contingencies while the public sector employees’ fund support can last up to 46 years.

Based on the actuarial study done early this year, EC beneficiaries in private establishments are assured of their benefits until year 2078 while those in the government service are guaranteed until year 2062.

Workers in the private sector who are compulsory members of the Social Security System and sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers are covered by the program.

In the government sector, employees covered by the ECP are members of the Government service Insurance System, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, elective government officials who are receiving regular salary and all casual, emergency, temporary and substitute or contractual employees.

Barredo said the coverage of ECP starts on the first day of worker’s employment in the company.

24 barangay health stations in Iloilo City up for rehabilitation

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- Twenty-four barangay health stations in this city will undergo rehabilitation through the support of the Department of Health (DOH) under its Barangay Health Stations Project starting next year.

Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Sanitation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), said that the projects involve conversion of day care centers into a health center, enhancement of health facilities, repair and maintenance and establishment of lying-in centers, among others.

Tupas said that the project is in line with the move of the DOH to establish a standalone health center and not just housed in a multi-purpose building as with the case of other barangays.

The project will be implemented in partnership with the Office of Iloilo City lone district Representative Jerry P. Treñas and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Congressman Jerry Treñas would want that our health centers should be fully-equipped for our constituents,” she said.

The list of projects was endorsed by the SP through the committee of Tupas during Thursday’s regular session.

On the other hand, a proposed ordinance that will make it mandatory for persons with medical conditions to wear medical alert bracelets and emergency cards in their possession is getting positive feedback from stakeholders.

Tupas, who rendered a committee hearing of the ordinance that was authored by councilor Jeffrey Ganzon, said that the ordinance was meant for “hospitals to be able to identify them right away” in cases of emergencies.

“Seconds and minutes really matter in the life of a person, especially in emergency situations. It was found out that for every cause of delay it could increase the rate of mortality or morbidity,” said Tupas, who is also a doctor by profession.

Instead of stainless steel bracelet as earlier proposed, initially, they planned to just introduce ballers, which is also widely used and less expensive. The baller contains the medical condition of the person.

“Most doctors like me do agree that it is important to identify right away, especially with these identification cards and ballers,” she added.

1st Western Visayas international travel fair kicks off in Iloilo City

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 9 (PNA) -- The first International Travel Fair here of the iEvents Philippines in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 kicked off in this city, Friday.

The travel fair gathered key players from the tourism industry, including international Tourism Boards to exhibit their products and engage in a Business-to-Business Networking Session.

Christian Garrido, iEvents Philippines event director, in an interview, said that the three-day event will give Ilonggos and the people of Western Visayas a chance to have a taste of travel fairs, which are usually held only in Manila.

The travel fair, which was participated in by more than a hundred travel agencies, both domestic and international, provides exclusive discounts and packages for both local and global destinations, as well as insightful workshops and conferences from tourism organizations.

“We are bringing everyone in one group to showcase their products for promoting inbound and outbound travel budget,” he said.

Garrido also said that the travel fair will help boost the tourism industry in this region and create strong connectivity among tourism stakeholders to create more competitive tourism products for the international market.

He is also expecting to be able to organize more travel fairs in the coming years in this region.

The exhibit is available at SM City Iloilo during mall hours from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm until December 12.

11 Pantawid children-beneficiaries hired as call center agents in Iloilo

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- Eleven children-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are now employed in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies here in Iloilo as call center agents.

The 11 newly-employed individuals are among the 31 graduates of the Contact Center Services course under the Sustainable Livelihood Program Employment Facilitation of the DSWD.

DSWD-6 project development officer Darryl Alfuente, said that the newly-employed children-beneficiaries of the Pantawid are from the municipalities of Sibunag in Guimaras and Leganes in Iloilo.

Alfuente said that one graduate was hired by Transcom while 10 others were hired by Voiceless Technologies Inc., both based herein Iloilo.

The 31 graduates recently underwent 18 days of free skills training provided by DSWD-6 in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Guimaras and Iloilo and the Philippine Call Center Institute (PCCI).

“This program is our way to help employ children of the Pantawid beneficiaries by giving them customized training package and linking them with BPO industries,” he said.

Last year, 90 children-beneficiaries of Pantawid underwent the said training. Alfuente said that about 65 or 75 percent of them were employed by BPOs.

Later this year, another batch from the towns of Alimodian and Leon in Iloilo province and Iloilo City will undergo the same training.

TESDA adopts new system for TWSP grants

By Lilibeth A. French (JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has adopted a new system of granting scholarship slots to technical vocational institutions (TVIs).

Director General Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong issued TESDA Circular 55 series of 2016 for the adoption of the “Tendering System for Scholarship Grants for Training for Work Scholarship Program” starting November this year, according to Director Gina Sophia Mondejar of TESDA-Iloilo.

Mondejar presented the new system and the processes involved to various stakeholders including representatives from TVIs in the region during the recent Regional Consultation on TESDA Scholarships and Programs held in this city.

According to Mondejar, invitation to tender are posted on the website of the different TESDA Provincial Offices in the region to encourage Tech-Voc Institutions to participate and submit their tendering forms on the qualifications or courses they need under the new system.

“This is anchored on the skills mapping that we currently undertake which will serve as basis to identify the training needs of grassroots or barangays,” said Mondejar.

Under the new system, the accredited training provider will be paid 30% of the training cost after evaluation of the submitted billing statement and the enrollment report.

For 2016, Mondejar said the implementation of TWSP in Western Visayas has a budget allocation of P105,258,000.

DICT to establish Tech4Ed center in Iloilo City

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 6 (PNA) -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will establish a technology center to cater to selected sectors in Iloilo City in partnership with the city government here.

On Tuesday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) during its regular session approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to sign an agreement on behalf of the city government with the DICT for the establishment of the Technology for Education, to gain Employment, train Entrepreneurs towards Economic Development (Tech4Ed).

The establishment of the center is in line with the mandate of the DICT to “bridge the digital divide to enhance socio-economic conditions providing inclusive growth,” said Committee on Rules Chair Eduardo Peñaredondo in his report.

The Tech4Ed is under the DICT’s eFilipino-Technology for Economic Development Project. It will cater to out-of-school youths and adults (OSYA), women, teachers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, indigenous people (IP), and entrepreneurs as well as their families and relatives.

Its key services include the eGovServ for government transactions, eDuSkills for learning in demand including Alternative Learning System and courses under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and eAssist, which is meant to enhance digital and financial literacy.

The partnership calls for the city government to provide office space, equipment and personnel while DICT will extend digital contents and training of the personnel assigned to manage the center.

2016 Ms. Universe candidates to become Iloilo City ambassadresses

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) -- Candidates of the Miss Universe 2016 will be this highly-urbanized city’s newest ambassadresses once they set foot here for their photo shoot.

City tourism officer Junel Ann P. Divinagracia, on Monday, said that they are just waiting for the team of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to arrive in Iloilo City within this month to talk about the details of the photo shoot.

Nonetheless, she said that the candidates “will be our ambassadress when they see and have a memorable stay in Iloilo City.”

Initially, among the venues considered for the photo shoot are the Iloilo River Esplanade, Molo Church, Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) and the Nelly’s Garden.

She added that such kind of event goes well for the tourism sector, especially for the accommodation, restaurants and souvenir business.

Meanwhile, all is set for the switch-on of the close to 50-feet high Christmas tree that stands tall at the Plazoleta Gay area in the City Proper district here at around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The Christmas tree was mounted in collaboration with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc (IDFI), Iloilo School of Arts and Trade University (ISAT-U) and the JCI-Iloilo.

The switch-on is simultaneous with the lighting of some 637 street lanterns mounted along city streets. The lanterns were donations from the private sector.

Divinagracia said that they will complement the various light festivals launched by various universities and colleges as well as at the compound of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

DOH 6 starts awareness campaign vs fireworks

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas on Friday gathered stakeholders from this region to kick off its "Iwas Paputok Awareness Campaign" this holiday season.

Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, DOH 6 regional coordinator for the Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP), said that the awareness campaign is specifically directed to children aged 10 to 14 years old who are mostly the victims of firecracker related injuries.

It also aimed to educate parents, teachers and local chief executives (LCEs).

“The good news is that the number of cases has been decreasing from 2014 and 2015. The people are now aware about the hazards, the dangers and this year we are really advocating for the prohibition of the individual and residential use of these firecrackers,” she said.

Region 6 is second to the National Capital Region (NCR) in terms of injuries due to the presence of two firecracker factories in the region.

In 2015, DOH recorded 932 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the region, which is eight percent higher than the cases in 2014 but four percent lower than the five-year average.

Meanwhile, the town of Janiuay in Iloilo has been chosen as host for this year’s national simultaneous launching of the campaign dubbed as "Oplan: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa sa Fireworks Display sa Inyong Lugar.”

It will be held December 12 simultaneous with the launching in other areas to include National Capital Region and Region 1 for Luzon, Region 7 for Visayas and Region 12 for Mindanao.

A 40-minute fireworks display will highlight the campaign that will set the tone for the proposed community-based fireworks display, said Sta. Lucia.

Meanwhile, today’s one-day gathering capped with the blowing of "torotot", which is also advocated by the DOH.

Php280-M fund up for TESDA scholarship program in Western Visayas in 2017

(PNA), LAP/PGLENA/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- A big challenge awaits implementers and partners of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Western Visayas with its Php280-million allocation for technical and vocational grants next year.

Deputy Director General Atty. Diosdado O. Padilla, during the regional consultation on TESDA scholarships and programs held here Thursday, said that they hoped to produce 32,000 workers from out of the scholarship fund.

He explained that Secretary Guiling Mamondiong would like to ensure that “everybody will have a fair allocation of the scholarship.” “It’s good news for all of the 18 regions and not only in Region 6,” he cited.

Padilla added that it will be a “continuing program that will become bigger in 2018” hence, it is important that the program implementation is efficient.

TESDA 6 director Toni June A. Tamayo said that their training centers have to come up with strategies to be able to respond to the challenge. These include among others the hiring of more trainers and investing on classrooms and facilities.

TESDA 6 today gathered stakeholders for consultations focusing on the implementation of the scholarship under the tendering system, updates on the community-based projects and skills mapping.

Under the tendering system, the absorptive capacity of interested training center will be considered.

Also, technical vocational institutions (TVIs) can now avail of the program budget in tranches unlike before when they had to wait for the program to be completed up to the assessment before they could send their bill to TESDA.

In the new system, 30 percent of the budget will be released upon enrollment and the remaining funds once the assessment is completed.

“I think that will be good for TVIs, especially in running the program. That was already signed by the secretary and the request for tender is ready for review by the central office,” Padilla said.

Meanwhile, TESDA-Aklan Director Julius Sol O. Jamero said that to date, they have retrieved around 29 percent equivalent to 88,000 recipients of the survey forms that were released in line with the Barangay Kasanayan para sa Kabuhayan at Kapayapaan (BKKK) program in the region.

The skills mapping revealed welding, driving and tourism, among others as the preferred programs of respondents in Western Visayas.

TESDA Iloilo Director Gina Sophia G. Mondejar said that they already have informed their partners to submit their tendering form as to qualifications that they would like to avail from the agency. To date, around 25 centers from Iloilo have already submitted their forms.

The training for work scholarship program (TWSP) anchors on the skills mapping that will serve as basis to connect the needs of those at the grassroots level with the program that will be offered.

On the other hand, the Bottom Up Budgeting (BuB) program that was implemented by TESDA has already benefited close to 5,000 recipients from Western Visayas since 2014, according to TESDA Negros Occidental Director Joel M. Villagracia.

He revealed that in 2014, TESDA implemented 86 skills training projects in 50 local government units (LGUs) amounting to around Php51 million.

In 2015, 14 skills training projects were implemented in 14 LGUs amounting to around Php14 million. One project is still ongoing in Iloilo.

This year, four of the 64 target projects are already completed while 33 are ongoing and 27 are on the pipeline. Western Visayas was allotted around Php63 million for the implementation of skills projects that were identified through a consultation with people at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, aside from updates, Padilla and Tamayo also gathered inputs from various stakeholders ranging from the low fund allocation for trainers, industry-based trainings for trainers and increase in fund allocation for programs, among others.

The two officials committed to bring the issues to their central office for appropriate action.

Ilonggos commemorate 153rd Bonifacio Day

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- Ilonggos yesterday commemorated the 153rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Philippine Revolution Andres Bonifacio with a simple ceremony held at his monument in Tanza village, this city.

Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, in his speech, pointed out how Bonifacio has offered his life and bravely fought against the invaders of the country a long time ago.

“He stood for what he believed is right and offered his life for all the Filipino people,” he said. “This 2016, we see that what Bonifacio has fought for is for the peace and order of our country.”

Meanwhile, to address the problem on the difficulty of parents to send their children to school, especially in senior high school, Mabilog disclosed that they are planning to construct a senior high school building in the A. Bonifacio Integrated School in this city.

“We are planning that next year. We will be able to put up that senior high school building so there will be no more reason for the children to not be able to be sent to school by their parents,” he said.

Iloilo City Schools Division Officer-in-Charge Clarissa Zamora said that they welcome the infrastructure project as it will help the Department of Education (DepEd) in catering more senior high school students next school year.

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