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Iloilo City News September 2014

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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.

Megaworld building tower in Iloilo

(MST Business)

ILOILO CITY—Megaworld Corp., the country’s leading real estate developer and pioneer of townships, introduces another modern luxury residential condominium that is poised to be the tallest building in the region.

Standing 80 meters high at 22 stories, The Palladium will also be Western Visayas’ first residential tower with its own skygardens in various floors overlooking the spectacular views of the booming city.

“Since last year, we have been experiencing consistent growth in the demand for residential towers in Iloilo Business Park. Everyday, we get inquiries about new projects and everyone wants the best views and amenities from the condominiums that they look for,” said Jennifer Palmares-Fong, head of marketing, Iloilo Business Park.

“That is why selling the four towers of our first two residential projects, One Madison Place and Lafayette Park Square, was very easy. And now, we are on our fifth tower which will be offering another set of unique, first-of-its-kind amenities and features that Ilonggos can boast of,” she said.

Named after one of the earth’s rarest precious elements, The Palladium will be built as a stylish urban oasis with four skygardens where residents can relax and enjoy serene moments with nature.

A total of 482 units ranging from studio (from 29.50 square meters), executive studio (from 39.50 square meters), one-bedroom (from 49.50 square meters) to two-bedrooms (from 83.50 square meters) will be available at The Palladium which will be divided into North Wing and South Wing. At the topmost floor of the tower, there will be exclusive loft units ranging from 76 square meters to 115 square meters.

Residents of The Palladium will also get to enjoy the state-of-the-art amenities that the tower offers. These include an infinity pool, a children’s pool, outdoor and indoor fitness center, day care center, lawn area for events, and a function hall.

From the outside, the first two levels of The Palladium will be allocated for commercial and retail shops.

“We are offering a unique living experience at The Palladium. Our loft units will be first-of-its-kind in Iloilo City and the entire Western Visayas, and our amenities will raise the bar of this city’s lifestyle for our future residents,” adds Palmares-Fong.

Iloilo Business Park is a 72-hectare township development, which is poised to be the Western Visayas’ biggest business and tourism hub located at the site of the old airport in Mandurriao district.

Megaworld has allotted P35 billion for the development of the township in the next 10 years, making it the company’s biggest single investment outside Metro Manila. Iloilo Business Park will be home to luxury residential condominiums, state-of-the-art Business Process Outsourcing office towers, a Megaworld Center Mall, a 1.1-kilometer Festive Walk commercial and retail strip, open parks, transport hub, first-class hotels such as Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, and the much-anticipated 3,700-seating Iloilo Convention Center.

RDC6, CFO sign agreement for migration and dev’t initiative

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA6) - - The Regional Development Council VI and Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) on Friday signed an agreement with the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the “Migration and Development Initiative for Western Visayas” (MDI-WV) project.

His Excellency Ivo Sieber, Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Maurice Dewulf, Country Director of the UNDP, Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the CFO and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon, Chairperson of the RDC VI signed the agreement during the project launching that highlighted the 3rd quarter regular meeting of the RDC VI held at NEDA VI office, Iloilo City, September 26, 2014.

Funded solely by the SDC, the approximately P10 million (USD 230,000) MDI-WV project is an additional project related to the Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) Phase II exclusive to areas affected by disasters, either by typhoon “Yolanda” or the earthquake in the Visayas.

Among the components of the MDI-WV project are the establishment of migration resource centers and the creation of a collective remittance mechanism that will support a particular activity geared towards disaster risk reduction. The project will be implemented for 22 months until April 2016.

NEDA 6’s Maria Lourdes Miado said the migration resource centers will be initially established in the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz, the provinces which were heavily affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’ that occurred in November 2013.

The resource centers will serve as one-stop hubs for services and projects for overseas Filipinos and their families.

NEDA 6 data revealed that there are around 240,000 Filipinos from Western Visayas who are either residing or working abroad. Of the total figure, 23 percent are residents in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia and 77 percent are OFWs in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

An estimate of about P22 billion remittances are sent by these overseas Filipinos to their families in the region.

Iloilo City, Pototan, Sta. Barbara and Miag-ao in Iloilo; the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Victorias, Silay and San Carlos in Negros Occidental; Kalibo in Aklan; San Jose in Antique; and Roxas City in Capiz are among the major source local government units.

During the project presentation, Nicolas thanked the invaluable support of the European Union and the SDC for the JMDI II which is currently being implemented in Naga City in Bicol region and in Calabarzon area in the Philippines.

“JMDI 2 now highlights the central role that local authorities play in sustaining the programs of migration and development in their respective areas, in maximizing the migration’s positive impact and minimizing its social cost,” said Nicolas.

CFO is the national government partner in the implementation of the JMDI projects in the country.

DTI reminds shoppers on substandard lights, decors

(PIA-6 Antique/PN)

Early shoppers of Christmas lights and other lighted decors are reminded to look for Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) and Philippine Standard marks of products to ensure good performance and safety.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued this reminder as holiday season nears and the public is expected to shop for Christmas decorations and other household stuffs using electricity.

Glen Fernando, Trade and Industry Development specialist of DTI-Antique said the agency regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by this product.

Under the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme, all importers of Christmas lights are required to have their import shipments subjected to sampling and testing based on the requirement of Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) at the BPS Testing Center and other DTI accredited or recognized Testing Centers prior to its sale.

Only those importers whose products comply with PNS requirements are issued with Import Commodity Clearance and are authorized to affix the ICC sticker in their products.

Uncertified sets of Christmas lights pose danger and great hazards to its users such as electric shock and overheating that often leads to fire and loss of properties and lives.

Prior to purchase of Christmas lights, the following guide/tips must be considered by consumers:

On markings, it should bear the name of manufacturer/supplier/distributor, address and trademark, rated voltage and rated wattage of the set, rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp, the words, “For indoor use only,” the number of standard used – PNS 189:2000, country of origin, import Commodity Clearance mark in hologram format.

Suitable warnings should also be specified such as, disconnect from supply before removing or inserting any lamp, avoid damage to insulation, to avoid risk of overheating, failed lamps shall be replaced immediately by lamps of the same rated voltage and wattage, do not cascade/attach more than the recommended sets of Christmas lights (normally, only three sets are allowed to avoid overloading).

It should also contain do not overload electrical outlets (too many plugs in one outlet may create enough heat to start a fire), carefully check each set of lights for signs of socket damage, frayed or scorched wire, loose connections or damaged plugs, unplug Christmas lights or any electrical products when not in use.

Fernando urged the public to be careful and buy only certified Christmas lights to have a joyful holiday celebration.

WV migration centers receive P10M fund from Swiss gov’t

By Leonard T. Pineda I (GPB)

ILOILO CITY – The Swiss government has allocated P10 million for Region 6, that has been selected as the site for a project that aims to strengthen the contribution of migration to development.

Secretary Imelda Nicolas, chairperson of the Commission on Filipino Overseas, said yesterday that the P10 million project will establish or support migration centers in Western Visayas, including Iloilo, Capiz and other selected areas in the region, badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda last year. The emphasis will be on generating investments to provide migrants with more economic options, other than working overseas.

Western Visayas is home to about 240,000 overseas Filipinos, with about P22 billion worth of remittances were received last year by families of migrants in the region, Nicolas said.

Ambassador Ivo Sieber of Switzerland to the Philippines, yesterday led the signing of memorandum of agreement in the launching of the Migration and Development Initiatives Project for Western Visayas, with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., chairman of Regional Development Council, Maurice Dewulf, UN Development Program country director, Stefan Bigler, Swiss Development Cooperation Global Program for Migration and Development Desk Officer,and Nicolas, as the signatories.

Sieber said that about 20,000 Filipino migrant workers are working in the Switzerland, which is the fourth largest source of remittance in the world, next only to United States, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Nicolas said the project will also implement a collective remittance mechanism to support a specific disaster risk reduction activity, with P10 million budget to last until April 2016.

She thanked the Swiss Development Cooperation and the UNDP for their continuing trust in the Commission on Filipino Overseas as the national government partner of the project.

“We assure you that we will do justice to your trust, as we share a collective vision and objectives,” Nicolas told Sieber and Dewulf.

Construction of Iloilo convention center moves on

By Leonard T. Pineda I (LCP)

THE construction of the P700-million Iloilo Convention Center moves on after Congress approved last week the 2015 national budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that includes the P200-million budget for the second phase construction.

DPWH Regional Director Edilberto Tayao announced that all issues regarding the construction of the convention center had been ironed out during the budget hearing and even Kabataan party-list Representative Terry Tidon approached to congratulate him on the project with funds to be taken out from the General Appropriations Act of DPWH.

The congressman was only asking for a copy of the contract between the agency and Hilmarcs Construction, builder of the convention center first phase worth some P500 million.

Tayao said the DPWH panel was able to convince the congressional committee on the importance of the project as a world-class edifice not to be compared with the controversial Makati parking building.

Tayao said the second phase of the project will entail additional works such as electrical works, elevators, escalator and other finishing works as the first phase is already some 87 percent completed.

He said they are preparing the bidding for the phase two projects and hopefully, a winning bidder will start the works before the end of 2014.

Construction of the convention center is expected to be finished by March 2015 ahead of time for the Iloilo City hosting of two Ministerial Meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in September and October 2015.

Greeneration to gather 700 students in Iloilo

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

ILOILO CITY, September 25 (PIA) --- Some 700 students from different universities and colleges in Iloilo will gather for “Greeneration” slated on October 16, 2014 at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center here.

The Greeneration Philippines is a campaign spearheaded by the Climate Change Commission (CCC) that envisions a unified movement of empowered Filipino youth for a climate change resilient Philippines.

Assistant Secretary Joyceline Goco, Deputy Executive Director of CCC, said that the capacity of the young generation to become key agents of change will be recognized through the summit.

“It is best for the youth to be empowered because they can translate their understanding of climate change and its impacts to their respective communities,” she said.

The summit aims to raise awareness among the youth on the fundamentals of climate change and promote government’s climate change-related initiatives particularly the National Climate Change Action Plan and the People’s Survival Fund or Climate Resiliency Fund.

Among the CCC’s Greeneration Ambassadors who will take part in the event are Save Philippine Seas co-founder and chief mermaid Anna Oposa, San Vicente Palawan Mayor Carmela “Pie” Alvarez, and Camarines Sur Governor Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte.

The CCC official said that the Greeneration Summit is endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education.

Climate change project targets community of practice

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog welcomed participants to the presentation of the proposed Knowledge Management (KM) Communication Strategy and Community of Practice held September 24, 2014 at the Sarabia Manor in the city.

The Philippines Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhilCCAP) takes off in this southern city with one-day seminar workshop for stakeholders organized by the Climate Change Commission (CCC) among beneficiaries of the World Bank-funded Philippines Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhilCCAP).

Mabilog said the seminar workshop is timely considering that the country is visited by about 20 typhoons every year that affect the food supply and set back the country’s economic gains.

The PhilCCAPP is expected to focus on climate resiliency of agriculture and natural resources management and strengthen the capabilities of government agencies involved in adaptation activities.

The project sites in Western Visayas are the Iloilo municipalities of Janiuay, Pototan, Dumangas and Mina, all considered as rice producing areas of the region but vulnerable to climate change. The other project sites are Penablannce and Tuguegarao in the Cagayan Province of Region 2; and Gen. Luna,Del Carmen and Dapa in Siargao Islands and Surigao del Norte in Region 13.

Donna Sanidad of CCC said the PhilCCAP will develop and pilot test adaptive strategies to promote the climate resiliency of agriculture and natural resources management. Supported by a WB-grant, the project aims to improve food security by enhancing the adaptive capacity of the agriculture and environment sectors.

The workshop aims to equip beneficiaries and stakeholders in using an online web-based community to provide and disseminate relevant information to help avert the ill-impacts of climate change.

Tougher internal affairs service for cops sought

(PN)

ILOILO City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) have been urged to strengthen the police’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

A strengthened IAS can proactively run after corrupt and inept policemen without the need for complaints from their victims, said Rep. Jerry Treñas.

“Most of the criminal and administrative cases filed against policemen are sourced from third party complainants which end up being dismissed as the complainants themselves would not want to pursue their cases because of fear or because they have been paid to shut up or both,” he explained.

IAS should be re-organized in such a way that this particular service unit is beyond any outside influence and it should be run directly by the Office of the President or by the office of the Interior and Local Government Secretary, just like the defunct Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC), said Treñas.

“Many officials of each PNP service units including the IAS are former classmates or have some kind of work history. They all belong in the same circle and the same brotherhood. We have to create an impenetrable wall that separates the ordinary policeman from the policeman’s policeman,” said Treñas.

He proposed that the IAS be placed under the direct supervision and control of the Office of the President or the DILG and its members should be properly screened to allow only personnel who are committed in upholding the integrity and the credibility of the PNP.

Even the entire organization of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) might actually need a complete overhaul to facilitate the speedy disposition of administrative cases involving police personnel, said Treñas.

“We have a weak system that is in place to stop undesirables from dominating the police service. We can only clean the PNP if we have a clean and committed internal affairs service,” he stressed.

PCSO turns over more than P7M worth of checks in Iloilo

By Lilibeth A. French (JSC/LAF-PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA6) - - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over three checks amounting to P7,174,779.03 to the provincial and city governments of Iloilo as part of their lotto sales shares and assistance to typhoon ‘Yolanda’ stricken areas.

PCSO Concurrent General Manager and Acting Chairman Jose Ferdinand Rojas II led the distribution of the checks after the blessing of the agency’s new office located at the Iloilo Sports Complex, Magsaysay Village, Lapaz, Iloilo City, September 19.

The checks worth P5,876,527,24 and P227,891.87 were received by Governor Arthur Defensor from Rojas and PCSO Member of the Board Francisco Joaquin. The first check is from the agency’s Pamaskong Alay ng PCSO program and the other check is the two percent share of the province derived from the 30 percent Lotto Charity Fund intended for local government units.

Rojas said Governor Defensor can use the Pamaskong Alay fund for the medical and health related assistance of those affected by typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in the province.

Around P1,070,359.92 check was handed to Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for the five percent share of the city of lotto sales which will be utilized for medical assistance and conduct of other health- related programs of the city.

The Western Visayas State University Medical Center was also a recipient of a P1,500,000.00 check under the endowment fund program of the PCSO intended for the indigent in and out patients of the hospital.

With the transfer of their office to the Iloilo Sports Complex, Rojas believed that they can serve better the people of Iloilo as it is more spacious, convenient and accessible.

Aside from the blessing and distribution of checks, Rojas said they will expand and roll out the Small Town Lottery program in the province during their visit. He was also accompanied by other members of the PCSO Board Mabel Mamba and Betty Nantes.

Iloilo Central Market revitalization ‘marches’ on

BY FREDA MAE SORSANO (PN)

ILOILO City – There is no giving up in the Central Business District (CBD) revitalization project of the city government.

City Administrator Norlito Bautista, committee on market head and Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) officer-in-charge, said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog had forwarded the new and revised terms of reference (TOR) to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for approval.

The city government has amended the previous TOR to accommodate the suggestions from both formerly and continually opposing central market vendors.

All of the previous biddings had been scrapped due to the revisions in the TOR.

“Once the SP approves the amended terms of reference, the city can publish it and start accepting bidders,” said Bautista.

According to the city administrator, the amended TOR was “acceptable to vendors” based on previously-held meetings.

He added that the city government is now conducting monthly meetings with “legitimate vendors to assure a good relationship between them and the city government.”

Meanwhile, the Temporary Restraining Order case filed against city government officials by the Association of Stall Owners and Transient Vendors (Astraven) of the central market is still ongoing.

Despite revisions in the TOR, Astraven president Rex Jiz Donasco and several association members still believe that their rights were prejudiced by several city ordinances related to the planned central market revitalization.

Vendors refuse to believe that revitalization is not synonymous to privatization, Donasco said in earlier interviews.

They also fear that the project will cause their eventual displacement from their present stalls.

Meanwhile, among the conditions stated in the revised TOR are as follows:

• The city government shall continue to operate, manage, and maintain the public market at the ground floor after the construction period.
• The city shall maintain a list of qualified stallholders of the peripheral and wet market sections.
• The city shall identify rightful occupants and leaseholders of temporary market stalls that shall be put up during the construction period.
• The minimum number of stalls to accommodate the wet market sections for meat, fish and poultry, as well as the dry goods and vegetables section shall be drawn up with the city market administration based on the report of active market stalls and transient vendors.
• A space for registered transient vendors shall likewise be provided at the ground floor.
• Individual space allocation shall not be less than their existing spatial provision.
• Sufficient utilities will be provided including power, lighting, water (potable, recycled or treated), drainage, and ecological solid waste management.
• All stallholders in the second floor of the heritage building shall be transferred to the first floor.
• All existing legitimate lease contract holders/awardees of market stalls identified by and registered with the city government shall be guaranteed space in the new public market and the continuity of their existing lease contracts/awards, subject to their right of first refusal.

Iloilo City plays host to Unigames 2014 (Sports)

By Edwin L. Terrecampo [(PNA), CTB/AJP/ELT/VLO]

ILOILO CITY, Sept 20 (PNA)- Twenty-seven universities out of 54 across the country are vying for top honors when the Philippine University Games, or Unigames 2014 unfolds on October 20-28, with this city playing host.

Spearheaded by one of Western Visayas' illustrious institutions of learning, University of San Agustin, some 1,500 athletes are poised to snatch medals as they try to outdo each other, and each school attempting to wrest dominance from powerhouses Far Eastern University,Ateneo, and University of La Salle Bacolod.

The Unigames, a national collegiate competition founded in 1996 has been a fertile ground for discovering talents, some of them shoo-ins of the different national teams sent to compete overseas.

The Unigames organizing committee from the University of San Agustin sees the Unigames as a way to flaunt the rapid economic gains of Iloilo City as it is anticipated that thousands from other regions are coming to watch the annual collegiate games here.

DENR joins International Coastal Clean-up in Iloilo City

(PNA), LAP/AJP/CBFERRER/VLO

ILOILO City, Sept. 19 (PNA)-- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Iloilo will take part in the International Coastal Clean-up on September 20 at 6 a.m. in the different coastal areas of Calumpang, Iloilo City.

The International Coastal Clean-up is an annual activity of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that is observed globally with the objectives to promote cleanliness in the environment, inject in the minds of people the importance of minimizing waste materials and its proper disposal.

The activity will be participated in by personnel of the DENR, different schools, government and non-government agencies, office personnel and media practitioners who are invited by the DENR to help in their activity.

There were flaglets that have been put in some parts of the coastal area of Calumpang to designate the parts of each group and to make sure that all of the coastal area will be cleaned up.

According to Artem Colacion, Information Officer of the DENR in Iloilo City, more than 500 people are expected to attend the clean-up activity Saturday.

“We are open to all the people who want to help our environment and I am encouraging great volunteerism to make this clean-up activity a successful one,” Colacion said.

Iloilo capitol to celebrate 'Fiesta sa Kakahuyan' by planting 10,000 mangrove seedlings

(PNA), LAP/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 18 (PNA) -- The Iloilo provincial government will celebrate the yearly “Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” by planting 10,000 mangrove seedlings along the coastal road from the boundary of Iloilo City to Dumangas town in the fourth district of the province.

“Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” is an annual festival where Ilonggo people give importance to the preservation of the forest and do massive tree planting activity while having a luncheon picnic.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., in his press conference Thursday morning, said that the event will be held this year along the coastal road.

The Fiesta sa Kakahuyan was conceptualized by Gov. Defensor several years ago and was first held at the Maasin Watershed in Maasin town where capitol employees bringing their families along plant seedlings in order to help preserve the watershed which is source of the distributed potable water of residents of Iloilo province and city.

This year, the governor said that it will be held along the coastal road which is susceptible to storm surge so that the mangroves would serve as protection.

The provincial government during the activity will be providing seedlings and other needed materials for the mangrove planting of participants.

Over 50 boats to race, spur protection of Iloilo River

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 17 (PIA6) - - A total of 59 boats will participate in a baroto race that will help spur public awareness on the initiatives undertaken to clean-up, develop and protect Iloilo River.

The ‘Bombo Radyo and Star FM Baroto Race’ will commence at the Carpenter Bridge that passes Iloilo River on Saturday, September 20 starting at 7 A.M.

This year, the watersport event is a partnership undertaking of Bombo Radyo-Iloilo and Star FM with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in line with the Advocacy Campaign on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Region 6 with the theme “Nagbabago ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago!.”

PIA 6 Director Atty. Janet Mesa said ‘baroto race’ got the support of DENR and PIA because its venue is the Iloilo River which is very much a part of the Ilonggo way of life.

Mesa said the conduct of the event also aims to highlight the efforts initiated under the Oplan SWIM (Sustainable Work Plan for Iloilo River Management) to encourage other local government units to protect their rivers which are sources of food and opportunities for livelihood and tourism.

Oplan SWIM is strongly supported by DENR, Iloilo City Government headed by Mayor Jed Ptrick Mabilog, the Offices of Senator Franklin Drilon and Congressman Jerry P. Trenas and other stakeholders.

Bombo Radyo-Iloilo Station Manager Henry Lumawag said they are very happy and overwhelmed by the support given by DENR and PIA to their noble project that aims to create awareness among the public to take care of the natural resources particularly Iloilo River.

He said the event this year attracted a total of 59 entries coming from Iloilo City and provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras. Of the total number, 23 will join Category A involving one rower and 36 in Category B with two rowers.

Cash prizes and trophies await the top three finishers in each category. For Category A, the cash prizes are P16,000, P12,000 and P10,000 while the cash prizes for Category A are P10,000, P8,000 and P5,000.

SC reaches out to Iloilo City inmates

(BJMP/PN)

ILOILO City – A total of 315 inmates of the Iloilo City District Jail – Male Dormitory in Barangay Ungka, Jaro district benefited from the medical, dental and legal counseling services given by the Supreme Court and their allied agencies as part of its Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) program.

Of the 315 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) that were given assistance, 76 availed themselves of medical consultation, 36 received dental attention, 100 underwent legal counseling and 103 received free flu vaccination.

Lawyers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) headed by Atty. Aila Rae Endonila, president of the Iloilo Chapter and Women Law Advocates of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter headed by Prosecutor Gracious Espinosa gave legal assistance to inmates with regards to their pending cases.

According to Chief Inspector Jhon Montero, jail warden, 20 inmates of the Iloilo City District Jail – Male Dormitory were released due to EJOW.

Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva led the medical and legal group on Sept. 4.

They were accompanied by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Loida Diestro Maputol and Municipal Trial Court in Cities Executive Judge Ma. Theresa Enriques-Gaspar.

“Most of the released inmates already served the maximum imposable penalty for crimes they were charged with despite the fact that they were not yet convicted. In other cases, the complainants were no longer interested to pursue the charges, thus the respondents were granted provisionary release,” said Marquez.

Annual bike fest in city in next 15 years

BY FREDA MAE SORSANO (PN)

ILOILO City – This highly-urbanized city is poised to regularly hold the Iloilo Bike Festival for the next 15 years.

Megaworld Corp. has committed to host the festival at its Iloilo Business Park, according to Councilor Jason Gonzales.

Megaworld is currently developing the 7.2-hectare business park in Mandurriao district.

The giant developer will be giving cash incentives to festival winners, Gonzales said.

For his part, Councilor Joshua Alim said the festival will make Iloilo City a bicycle-friendly metropolis.

Recently, the Sangguniang Panlungsod authorized Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to sign a memorandum of agreement with Megaworld for the annual staging of the Iloilo Bike Festival.

Expansion of application and use of Special Education Fund proposed

(PNA), SCS/HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-PR/PJN

MANILA, Sept. 14 (PNA) -- Iloilo City Rep. Jerry P. Treñas has proposed a funding source for the creation of extension classes, new teacher items and necessary contractual positions in public schools.

“Existing provisions of law negate the use of the Special Education Fund to support creation of extension classes and the needed teaching positions in public schools nationwide,” Treñas pointed out.

To answer the funding needs of local government units in the promotion of public education, Treñas urged the passage of House Bill No. 4923 which would expand the purpose and application of the Special Education Fund (SEF), amending for the purpose Section 272 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the ‘Local Government Code of 1991.’

The SEF, noted Treñas, was created by R.A. 7160 in order to augment the ability of local governments to increase the funding for public schools within their respective jurisdictions.

“Since its implementation, LGUs across the country have used the additional collection of one percent (1%) of the assessed value of real properties to help fund the various needs of the public schools, such as the construction and repair of school buildings,” Treñas said.

The Iloilo City lawmaker, however, lamented that LGUs and the public schools of the country have been limited by the scope of the application of the SEF under the existing provision (Section 272) of the Local Government Code which enumerates the allowed purposes where the collected funds could be used.

“Numerous local governments in the country, including my district, desperately need financial support from the SEF for the creation of extension classes, new teacher items and contractual positions, payment for their allowances and salaries, and also for the purchase of motor vehicles for the Department of Education personnel,” Treñas explained.

“Regrettably, the existing law does not permit the SEF to be used for the mentioned expenses,” he added.

The proposed amended Section 272 would now read as follows: “SEC. 272. Application of Proceeds of the Additional One Percent SEF Tax. – The proceeds from the additional one percent (1%) tax on real property accruing to the Special Education Fund (SEF) shall be automatically released to the local school boards; Provided, That, in case of provinces, the proceeds shall be divided equally between the provincial and municipal school boards: Provided, however, That the proceeds shall be allocated for the establishment and creation of extension classes, creation of new teacher items and contractual positions, payment of salaries, allowances and other benefits for the created teacher items and contractual teaching positions, payment of allowances and other benefits for Department of Education public school teachers, purchase of motor vehicles for department of education personnel, operation and maintenance of public schools, construction and repair of school buildings, facilities and equipment, educational research, purchase of books and periodicals, and sports development as determined and approved by the Local School Board.”

HB 4923 is now under consideration by the House Committee on Local Government chaired by Rep. Pedro B. Acharon Jr. (1st District, South Cotabato & General Santos City).

Aquino boasts of Iloilo dam project

By PRINCE GOLEZ (Manila Reporter, PN)

MANILA — President Benigno Aquino III again took pride in the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project – Phase II as one his administration’s many infrastructure projects.

Aquino yesterday delivered a speech during the Agenda Setting Dialogue with Partners at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.

“Ang paborito po ni Senator (Franklin) Drilon, ang Jalaur River Multipurpose Project sa Iloilo na plinano sa taong isinalang ako, nasa Phase II na po mula pa noong 2013,” he said.

The multibillion-peso mega dam project will be completed in 2017, according to the National Irrigation Administration. Construction will start in February next year.

It is expected to irrigate 32,000 hectares of farmlands and provide water supply of 85,000 cubic meters a day, benefitting thousands of farmers.

Drilon was instrumental in securing an P8.9-billion loan from South Korea to partly fund the project. Aquino, through the Disbursement Acceleration Program, also appropriated P450 million for the project.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address, he defended the project from critics.

Those against it are against the farmers who have long dreamed of efficient irrigation systems, he stressed.

“Napakaraming proyektong matagal nang nabinbin. Tayo na po ang tumapos nito,” Aquino said. “Ang Aluling Bridge sa Ilocos Sur, 1978 pa naisip. Ang Ternate-Nasugbu Road, 1994 pa sinimulan. Ang Skyway State 3 naman po na panahon pa ng diktador pinangako, sa wakas po nitong Enero, sinimulan na rin ang konstruksyon.”

The President criticized those who continue to question his reform programs.

“Hindi po ito parang instant coffee na pagkatimpla mo ay agad ay buong-buo nang malalasahan,” he said.

Aquino urged the public to support a leader who will continue his administration’s reforms when his term ends in 2016.

“Ang misyon nga po natin: Isagad ang magagawang pagbabago sa kasalukuyan para makita ng ating mga Boss na ang tanging daan tungo sa ating mga adikain ay ang pagsunod sa tuwid na landas,” he said.

For his part, Senate President Drilon said he will make sure that the next President will continue the present leadership’s reforms.

“Our mission now for the next two years is to safeguard the reforms so that neither force nor certain personalities can reverse this even beyond 2016,” the Ilonggo senator said.

DOTC’s WV transport upgrades gain ground

(PN)

Over a dozen ports, airports quietly being improved

ILOILO City – A few months ago, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) announced its efforts to support the burgeoning growth of Western Visayas’ tourism and fishing industries, as well as to generate employment for our kababayans, through across-the-board improvements in the region’s transport facilities.

With many of these projects going on for a few years from conceptualization, to approval, to procurement, until implementation, DOTC’s Secretary Jun Abaya attributed government’s ability to realize them now “by choosing daang matuwid.”

He said, “All these projects were conceptualized and initiated during the time of Secretary Mar Roxas. These projects were made possible with all the savings generated by the national government as a result of the daang matuwid policy of the PNoy administration.”

The transportation agency is now gladly reporting that its projects are going smoothly, from ongoing construction works to structuring public-private partnership (PPP) deals designed to boost local economic activity.

Airports remain a top priority to accommodate foreign and domestic visitors alike, especially with Boracay and other major tourist destinations continuously attracting vacationers.

For the Kalibo International Airport, a new apron will be built and its runway width will be corrected.

The pre-requisite site acquisition for these upgrades is now 98 percent complete.

Meanwhile, a project for the concreting of its existing apron, expansion and taxiway, as well as the asphalt overlaying of its runway and the construction of a security fence has begun. As of the end of July this year, this is 15 percent underway and is scheduled for completion on Oct. 3.

Boracay’s other airport, the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, has a Master Development Plan under which its runway will be extended to 2,100 meters from the present 950, a new two-storey 9,180-square meter passenger terminal building (PTB) will be built, and navigational and traffic control aides will be installed.

The Caticlan airport is operated by Transaire Development Holdings Corp. under a Build-Operate-and Transfer concession.

As for the Roxas Airport in Capiz, the P 46.8-million contract for runway extension, PTB rehabilitation, and perimeter fencing is now 25 percent implemented. The project, however, is temporarily suspended pending the local government’s right-of-way efforts.

Site acquisition is 15 percent complete. Asphalt overlaying of the runway is now 20 percent executed and expected to finish by March 7, 2015.

The airfield lighting system and power supply system contract is now in the final stage of the bidding process, with the notice to proceed set to be issued anytime now.

DOTC’s plan to bid out the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Iloilo and Bacolod airports through the PPP scheme is also one step away from happening, after its proposal we approved by the National Economic Development Authority Cabinet Committee (NEDA CabCom) in July. It is now scheduled for presentation to the NEDA Board, which is the final approval needed to bid the project out.

With regard to seaports, several projects have already been completed over the past few months:

the Guimbal Port development project was accomplished last April
the construction of a fisherman’s wharf at the Maricalum/Sipalay Port in Negros Oriental was completed on June 29, and
the Pilar Port Cluster project covering Casanayan and Dayhagan were done by July 5.

Four more upgrades are expected to be done before yearend. As of last July 31, the construction of a

wharf and terminal shed for the Culasi Port in Antique was 38 percent implemented and is scheduled to finish by Oct. 12.

The rehabilitation of Aklan’s Cagban Jetty Port is set for completion on Oct. 17.

The improvement of the Hamtic port in Antique was 45 percent complete a month ago and should be done by Nov. 12.

The concreting of an access road to Iloilo’s Dumangas Port was 33.74 percent complete at the end of July and is targeted to finish on Dec. 7.

As of July 31, the Panay Port Cluster project was at 82 percent and the Pontevedra Port Cluster

project was 55 percent executed.

Other ongoing upgrades involve the Iloilo City Parola Ferry Terminal construction, which should finish by March 2015, and the Basiao Port in Capiz, which is now undergoing a detailed engineering design.

It may be recalled that the development of the P 202.35-million Philippine Coast Guard – Western Visayas Search-and-Rescue (SAR) base in Capiz was completed in April, with Secretaries Roxas and Abaya attending its inauguration.

Comelec-6 to give ‘special treatment’ to PWDs, youth

(PNA), LAP/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 11 (PNA) -- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who wish to register for the Sangguninag Kabataan (SK) registration on September 20-29 will be given special treatment, said the Commission on Elections 6 (Comelec-6).

The Comelec has set the registration from September 20-29, including weekdays for the SK elections on February 21, 2015.

Comelec-6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan assured that all PWDs will be given priority considering their physical status. However, he said that all PWDs will undergo the regular process at any Comelec center.

Ausan said in the Comelec Resolution No. 9899 promulgated on September 5, the poll body said those who are allowed to register are Filipino citizens, who are or shall be 15-17 years old on or before the election day.

He noted also that qualified registrants should be residing in the barangay for at least six months on the election day.

Ausan reminded those who will apply for registration to bring any of the following documents: (1) Certificate of Live Birth; (2) Baptismal Certificate; (3) School Records; or any other document that will establish the identity and qualifications.

“In case these documents are not available, any person may, under oath, identify the applicant”, he said.

Ausan said the Comelec offices will be open during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the registration days.


DOT conducts accommodation capacity survey

(PNA), FPV/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 10 (PNA) –- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is conducting an accommodation capacity survey to determine the number of rooms available for tourists in Western Visayas.

DOT Regional Dir. Helen Catalbas said Wednesday that the survey is jointly conducted by DOT Manila and Western Visayas. The survey runs from Sept. 1 to 18 in all six provinces and two highly urbanized cities of Region 6.

Catalbas said that two years ago, there were 18,000 rooms available in the region and so the survey being conducted now is to know how many rooms were added to the previous figure.

”The survey is very important for planning,” the tourism official said, adding that after the survey,tour operators who are selling packages would be kept abreast with the number of rooms per category.

She said, “If there’s many high end rooms then tour operators could go to the high end market”.

Flood- free Iloilo City by 2015

(PNA), FPV/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 8 (PNA) -- A flood free Iloilo City by 2015 is the priority program of the Iloilo City government under the leadership of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Mabilog said his present administration is now working on its 2015 annual budget which focuses more on flood control program.

The mayor added that he is asking the cooperation of the public especially the barangay officials from 180 villages in the city to report to his office those identified sites which are considered flood-prone areas.

“Please help your city officials with areas or roads that are still under water when it rains (more than ankle deep) in the city of Iloilo. Please submit the street name and the name of the barangay,” his message read as posted on his Facebook account Jed Patrick E. Mabilog,

Mabilog admitted that some parts of the city are below sea level (sea water passes through drainages and canals) which means that no amount of drainage system can cure the flooding because that is a natural catchment area.

“In cases like these, the residents must adapt and be resilient to flooding”, he said.

For private subdivisions, Mabilog said the government is not allowed to use public funds for such purpose.

The mayor said all the reports he received will be validated by his team so that it will be included in the list of infrastructure projects for next year.

MIWD awaits DOJ decision

By FREDA MAE SORSANO (PN)

ILOILO City — Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) is now waiting for the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the referral of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) regarding the payment mode between the water district and its bulk water suppliers.

MIWD’s legal counsel Roy Villa clarified that “what the OGCC did was a referral.”

In a resolution addressed to DOJ secretary Leila de Lima on Aug. 22, 2014, OGCC said one of the referrals it made stated that MIWD should pay for the volume of water delivered by its bulk water supplier.

“Consideration must be made on Flo Water’s reasonable expectation to be paid the minimum volume that it was contracted to deliver, which is 15,000 cubic meters per day,” wrote OGCC’s Raoul C. Creencia.

“Surely, Flo Water’s fulfillment of its undertaking to ensure the delivery of its minimum contracted volume must be recognized,” he said. “It has reasonably expected to complete the delivery of, and thereby accordingly paid for, 15,000 cubic meters per day.”

In the meantime, the water district will stick to the status quo and continue to honor the supplemental agreement it made with Flo Water Resources Iloilo, Inc. on Aug. 17, Villa said.

“The delivery of water will continue. We expect that from the bulk water supplier. MIWD will also continue to pay based on the supplemental agreement,” he said.

In the supplemental agreement, both parties agreed that, without waiving their respective claims and positions on the “take or pay” issue of their bulk water supply agreement, “MIWD shall endeavor to make efforts to accommodate the total volume of 15,000 cubic meters of water per day” into its system, as provided for in their contract.

As regards privatization, Villa said, “We don’t know what the specific moves are, so we have to seek an opinion from OGCC.”

However, Villa said MIWD is already working on projects and undertakings involving the private sector to improve its services.

New Iloilo ferry terminal opens Sept. 6

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

ILOILO CITY, September 5 (PIA) --- Passengers here traveling to and from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental will have safe, efficient, and comfortable port service experience with the new Iloilo Ferry Passenger Terminal in Bgy. Progreso, Lapuz starting its operations September 6.

The Iloilo River Wharf (IRW) Fastcraft, roll on-roll off (ro-ro) facility, and passenger terminal building is the latest port development accomplished by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

In his message during the inauguration of the PPA port facility held Friday, Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon said that the project will make commuting more convenient for Iloilo-Bacolod passengers taking the fastcraft and also the ro-ro facilities.

“This will also enable shippers and businessmen to have better and more efficient utilization of the port,” said Drilon.

Engr. Tomas Carlos, PPA Assistant General Manager for Engineering, said the project consists of the main facilities including the 135-meter berthing facility for fastcraft vessels with one ro-ro ramp and platform amounting to P126-million and completed in April 3, 2014.

“The PPA facility also includes a fully-airconditioned 1,000 square meters Passenger Terminal Building with 400-person seating capacity costing P19-million and completed in March 31, 2014,” he said.

Apart from these facilities, the PPA has implemented several other projects at the Iloilo River which includes dredging of silt from the entire Iloilo River stretch in three phases after clearing 38 sunken and idle vessels.

Likewise, PPA also implemented the concreting and widening of access road leading to the new Passenger Terminal Building.

Carlos said that PPA is also developing the operational areas, parking spaces and landscaping initiatives including provision of security fences and control guardhouse amounting to P24.5-million.

The PPA also provided support structure and amenities consisting of covered walkways and sidewalks, elevated water tank with pump house and reservoir, powerhouse, CCTV (closed-circuit television), cable television, WIFI (wireless fidelity), and telephone lines totaling to P13.2-million.

The PPA said that the new port facility shall serve as entry point to one of the premier tourism destinations of the country which is Iloilo City and the rest of Western Visayas.

48 agri researches compete in 3rd Regional Student Symposium

(PNA), CTB/AJP/DA6-PR/VLO

ILOILO City, Sept. 4 (PNA)-- A total of forty eight agriculture related researches of students competed in the 3rd regional student agriculture research symposium as part of the week-long 2nd regional organic agriculture summit in this city.

Dr. Joyce S. Wendam, Regional Technical Director for finance, administration and research, said that the conduct of the research symposium for students is one strategy to increase awareness of the importance of agriculture in our lives and on the economy of our country.

Dr. Wendam stressed that there is a need to awaken the interest of our students to enroll in agriculture and agriculture-related courses in order to develop a successor generation to carry on and sustain the agriculture industry.

Among the researches presented were: Characterization of Micro Habitat of Angel Wing (pholasorientalis) in Selected Areas in Panay, Survival and Histological Analysis of Placuna placenta on Simulated-Ocean Acidification, Biosorption Levels of Phosphate and Nitrate by Cabombaaquatica, Hygrophiladifformis and Bacopamonnieri and Antifungal Properties of Ikmo (Piper beetle) Essential Oil Against Aspergillusniger and Candida albicans

The Iloilo National High School has 16 researches from special science class (SSC), 18 researches from school of the future (SOF) and seven researches from the regular class while the West Visayas State University College of Agriculture and Fisheries (WVSU-CAF) and Capiz State University Dumarao Campus has two researches each.

Other schools which have one research presented were Central Philippine University College of Agriculture Resources and Environmental Sciences (CPU-CARES), Aklan State University (ASU), Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) Batad Campus and Saint Pauls University.

The panelist were Dr. Rey Dusaran of CPU, Dr. Rogelio Cuyno of organic agriculture consultant and Dr. Elmer Enicola of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)

Dr. Wendam said that through this activity students will be able to enhance their capability, skills and competence to develop and present a globally competitive agri-related research paper.

“This activity is a challenge not only to the students but also to their respective research advisers to come up with doable, significant and time-bound agri-related researches which we in the agriculture sector can adopt for increase yield and support the food staple sufficiency program of the department," Dr. Wendam said.

A plaque of recognition and Cash prizes of Php 5,000.00 (First place), Php. 3,000.00 second place and Php.2,000.00 third place were given to the winners on Best Research Paper and Best Research Poster categories respectively.

Dinagyang mascot ‘Dagoy’ official APEC souvenir

(PNA), AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 3 (PNA) -- The Iloilo City Tourism Office is now busy making designs of different "Dagoy" mini-dolls to make it as the official souvenir during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in October next year.

City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena said they will be submitting the designs to the Department of Tourism (DOT-6) early this month for final approval.

Dagoy is the friendly Aeta kid-mascot of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival conducted every 3rd week of January to give honor to Señor Santo Niño. The festival has placed Iloilo City in the hall of fame in the national Aliwan Festival in Manila every April.

“Dagoy is a male mascot who has since evolved from being a mere icon. He is a product of the imagination and desire of the people who are working vigorously to make the Dinagyang Festival a part of everyone's day-to-day life”, said Jimena.

The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) commissioned the Sampaguita Gardens, the maker of well-known Precious Moments dolls based in New Washington, Aklan, to manufacture the Dagoy dolls for the APEC event.

“Dagoy icon will always remind people of the Dinagyang Festival which put Iloilo City on the map. We make it as souvenir so that our city will always be remembered”, he said.

September banners peace consciousness, civil service

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. (JSC-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 2 (PIA6) –The month of September marks at least a dozen of major events in the country including the observance close to the hearts of peace advocates and birth of the Official Gazette which now serves as part of the transparency program of the government.

September is: Civil Service Month; Health and Sanitation Month; Generics Awareness Month; National Clean-up Month; Development Policy Research Month; and National Peace Consciousness Month.

It is also Rule of Law Month; National Ozone Protection Month; Public Relations Month; Peoples Management Month; Blood Diseases Month; and, Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The first week of the month is devoted to the observance or celebration of National Crime Prevention Week, Obesity Prevention and Awareness Week, National Epilepsy Awareness Week, Councilor’s Week, Literacy Week, and Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino.

The second week is Bone and Joint Awareness Week and Strategic Planning and Management Week.

The third week is National Building Industry Management Week, Chemical Engineering Week, and World Clean and Green Week.

The last seven days of the month is National Tourism Week and Urban Pest Control Week.

Other week-long events during the month are the Civil Service Week from September 13-19, Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week from September 16-22, National Grains Industry Week from September 20-26, and National Costume Week from September 22-28. 

The Civil Service Week is capped by the celebration of the anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service on the 19th day of the month.

The Official Gazette, which is the official journal of the Republic of the Philippines, marks the anniversary of its official existence on September 10. The website is updated regularly with speeches, reports, statements, press releases, and documents from the Office of the President and other department s of the Philippine government.

The gazette was created by decree of Act No. 453, “An Act providing for the publication by the Insular Government of an Official Gazette, under the general direction of the Department of Public Instruction. It was enacted by the Philippine Commission on September 2, 1902, by authority of the United States of America. Vol. 1, No. 1 came out on September 10, 1902.

September is popularly known as a member of the “ber” months, so called because of their identical last three letters, which ends up in December, which in itself is a big event because of Christmas Day.

Gov't Express at the Mall ushers in CS month

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA6) - - The Civil Service Commission here in Western Visayas organized a ‘Government Express at the Mall’ which ushered in the 114th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service in the region this September.

Around 28 government agencies including the Regional Association of Government Retirees, Inc. participated in the activity which opened Monday, September 1 until 5 at SM City Iloilo.

‘Government Express at the Mall’ is a one-stop shop of frontline services of the different participating agencies. It also serves as an action center where queries, complaints and feedback can be entertained as well as an information center to promote programs and projects of the agencies to the public during mall hours.

As one of the participating agencies, the CSC RO6 will accept application for the October 26, 2014 Career Service Examination-Paper and Pencil Test (Professional and Subprofessional levels) during the five-day event.

Other major offerings of the CSC 6 for the month-long celebration are the Recognition of the 2014 Honor Awards Program (HAP) regional winners and the Responsive, Accessible, Courteaous and Effective (R.A.C.E) to Serve Fun Run.

HAP is a search for the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees conducted by CSC every year. This year, six semi-finalists and considered HAP winners in the region will be fittingly recognized in an awarding ceremony on Thursday, September 4 at SM City Iloilo Activity Center.

On the other hand, the R.A.C.E. to Serve Fun Run is open to students, public and private individuals starting 5 AM on Saturday, September 6 at SM City Iloilo. The event has following categories: Men’s 3K and 5K and Ladies’ 3K and 5K distances.

The fun run intends to promote good governance, healthy lifestyle and social consciousness. The amount generated from the event will go to the Pondong Pamanang Lingkod Bayan, a fund for the benefit of families of civil servants who risked their lives and were killed while performing their duties.

CSC 6 Director Rodoldo Encajonado encouraged government agencies to actively take part in the activities for the celebration which aims to promote, showcase, and celebrate heroism in public service.

The celebration also serves to encourage and inspire government workers in their journey as servant heroes or lingkod-bayani, as refelected in this year’s theme "Tapat na Serbisyo Alay Ko, Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako".

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