Iloilo City News November 2017

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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.

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.

DOST grant aims to produce professional animators from Iloilo

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- A free animation training program through a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) implemented by the Toon City Academy (TCA) and hosted by the University of Iloilo (UI) are looking forward to produce professional animators from Iloilo.

Seth Nono, dean of the College of Information Technology Education of the University of Iloilo, on Monday afternoon confirmed that 29 trainees have already been admitted. He said that the TCA is yet to notify other passers.

TCA and UI hold a one-day screening and assessment for interested animators on November 18 which was extended until the 24th of this month.

TCA program director Rose Gonzales said the program is unique because trainees are assured of jobs after their studies. In Manila, it is being offered as a paid course and they have no commitment of work after graduation.

“For this program, it has to be sustainable for at least two years. Toon City and TCA have to be present within the region and we will be giving work right after the training,” she said.

The DOST grant is "providential", she said.

“DOST came at a very fortunate time. They were looking for projects to bring creative projects outside of Manila. The projects that we already started are something that were in the line of their roadmap,” she stated.

It is aligned with the 10-investment priority plan of the new administration that encourages the creation of original works, she said.

The free animation training will run from eight to 12 weeks. In January 2018, they will identify 30 of their trainees for the production work. At the end of the two-year program, she said that they hoped to produce 60 professional animators.

TCA was established five years ago. It started as extension of Disney animation.

“We feel that the first generation of animators is already aging and we need a new generation of artists,” said Gonzales.

Meanwhile, Noel Villano, the teacher handling the training, said he was amazed with the talents of Ilonggos. He first exposed the trainees on drawing enhancement.

Nono said that they are grateful that the training was brought in this part of the country. He revealed that animation is one of the specialized fields of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) program of their university.

“We don’t have that industry, we are very grateful that Toon City Academy decided to have their own training here. We have facilities from drawing, clean up, production to animation then dubbing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Joeven Tansi, the executive director of the Iloilo Federation of Information Technology (IFIT) said that the talents of Iloilo are leveling up.

From customer service activity, there is a need to transform to upper skills requirement such as automation.

“What the roadmap is saying right now is we create another level of talent pool, one of them is the animation. We have come up with skills requirement to capture markets of US, Japan and the world in terms of animation,” he said.

Animation, according to Gonzales, is an “illusion of movement.”

“Based on still drawings, we turn them into drawings and create an illusion of movement. It can expand as far as visual effects but as of now we are still far from the level of animation visual effects,” she said.

TCA has for its market North America and Europe while it is also interested in finding partners in South America.

Comparing with other countries, she said that the good command of the English language happens to be the edge of Filipino animators. “We provide quality work beyond what they expect," she said.

NEDA-VI conducts economic, financial literacy forum

(DRD-NRO6/PIA6jsc)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VI recently conducted the 2017 Economic and Financial Literacy Forum at the RDC Conference Hall of the NEDA-VI Building in Iloilo City.

A total of 140 Secondary School Teachers attended the forum composed of junior and senior high school teachers from 18 Schools Divisions in Region VI. The participation of teachers was supported by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VI through the issuance of DepEd Regional Advisory No. 280 series of 2017.

NEDA-6 said the forum aimed at orienting the public and private high school teachers on the basic principles of economics and financial management which they can impart to their students, co-educators and their own households, the forum presented the topics Basic Socioeconomics 1 by Engr. Gilberto A. Altura, NEDA-VI OIC-Assistant Regional Director; 2016 Socio-economic Situationer of Western Visayas Region by Ms. Ma. Teresa G. Guadalupe, NEDA-VI Chief of the Development Research Division; and Financial Literacy (FinLit) by Deputy-Director Joanne Marie G. Castelo of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Iloilo.

The presentation on Basic Socioeconomics 1 by OIC-ARD Altura, focused on the Philippine Economic System, Prices and Inflation and the Economic Multiplier Effect of fiscal policies. He also provided practical insights on basic macroeconomics to trigger the desire for learning economics and economic analysis.

On the other hand, Ms. Guadalupe discussed basic microeconomics by presenting the 2016 Socio-ecomic Situationer of the Western Visayas Region. She also cited practical situations as to when and where the microeconomic indicators affect the day-to-day lives of people.

In order to enhance the know-how of teachers in making sound decisions in income generation, savings, and expenditures, Deputy-Director Castelo presented the principles and steps on financial management. She emphasized to the participants to really prioritize savings in order to achieve life goals, thus the principle of Income less Savings = Expenditure.

As a result of the forum, the teachers expressed their willingness to participate in a similar training or any NEDA capability-building activity related to Economics and Financial Literacy. The forum was conducted in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Iloilo, Bacolod and Roxas City Branches) and the Department of Education Region VI.

DA promotes responsible food consumption thru social media

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 6 is encouraging Western Visayas residents to join a social media challenge asking participants to post not selfies but photos of plates full of healthy food.

Dubbed “#Riceponsibleplatechallenge”, the activity aims to encourage consumers to become responsible in consuming the food on their plates to avoid rice wastage and to put value on the efforts of farmers to produce food.

DA is implementing the social media challenge in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

Sheila Toreno, DA-6 information officer, said the public is encouraged to appreciate the value of food on their plates as currently, there are areas in the region which experience rice shortage.

To join, interested individuals should prepare a healthy food on their plate, take a photo and post it on social media, particularly on Facebook, she said.

They should also use #Riceponsibleplatechallenge in their caption, together with their age, gender and description of their food and post it on account of DA on Facebook.

The challenge is open until this November 30 while judging will be on December 18. First place will get PHP10,000; PHP7,500 for second place; and 3rd place with PHP5,000.

Last year, Toreno said that people in Western Visayas also participated in the “Brownriceforgood” social media challenge aimed at encouraging consumers to eat brown rice to avoid diabetes, heart diseases and cancer.

Western Visayas ranked third in the whole country with the most number of individuals who participated in the challenge.

Free HIV testing on World AIDS Day

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

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- To commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, the city government here, through its Social Hygiene Clinic, will offer free HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing.

Dr. Odeta Villareal, Medical Officer IV, said that free HIV testing will be conducted at SM City Northpoint, starting at 10 am, but will stop at 1:30 pm to give way to the World AIDS Day commemoration program, and testing will resume at 4:30 pm.

“You can get the results after 40 minutes for those who are willing to take the test,” she said.

Jenny Lyn A. Ruaya, Western Visayas Medical Center HIV and AIDS Core Team Staff Nurse, emphasized the confidentiality of HIV test results.

“Before testing, the client will undergo free test counseling,” she said.

She said that clients are subjected to counseling because HIV testing is not like any ordinary routine laboratory test and due to negative implications.

Richard Chin Jr., HIV/STI surveillance assistant of the Department of Health DOH)-6 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said that free HIV/AIDS testing are also available at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), Iloilo City Social Hygiene Clinic, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, and all district health centers in Iloilo City.

He said that the department is continuously conducting information and education advocacy campaign that aims at preventing HIV and AIDS.

“Since HIV screening in the country is still voluntary, we cannot force individuals to have themselves tested,” he said.

He added that what is important is to make the public understand the risks and consequences if they engage in risky behaviors.

World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1 and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died.

Started in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

ICNHS students win essay, poster making contests

(JCM/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6)-- Students of the Iloilo City National High School were declared winners in the poster making and essay writing contests conducted by the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (RJJWC.

They are Azl Belanio and Vanne Audrey Lopez who won cash prizes of P5,000 and P3,000 respectively and certificates of recognition.

Belanio emerged top winner in the poster making contest followed by Rouan Lue Jamela from Mandurriao National High School, second and Crystal Pagtalunan from Lapaz National High School, third.

On the other hand, Lopez was named winner in the essay writing contest besting eight other contestants. Brenda Balana from Ramon Avancena National High School was adjudged second and Michaellah Revilla from Mandurriao National High School, third.

Before the competitions, the 18 participating students from the public high schools in this city attended the Forum on Republic Act 9344 or Juvenile Justice Welfare Act 2006 as amended by Republic Act 10630 held on November 21 at Casa Real Iloilo.

The said activities were organized by the RJJWC to promote awareness on “Restorative Justice” as the country observes the 6th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week from November 19 to 25.

Student participants’ outputs were reflective of the theme of this year’s observance “Mapagkalingang Hustisya: Ugaliin at Pagtibayin!”.

Iloilo to receive ‘Clean Air City’ award

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- This city is the second in the country to be conferred the "Clean Air City" award by the Coalition of Clean Air Advocates of the Philippines (CCAAP).

The award will inspire other stakeholders to support Iloilo City’s campaign to address pollution issues, said City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Noel Hechanova.

He said this local government unit is the only city with a complete emission inventory and is ahead in terms of its clean air plan.

Collaboration is also being done with other sectors to pursue studies in line with pollution issues.

The award will be received by Mayor Jose Espinosa III on November 29 from Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here at the Iloilo Convention Center.

CCAAP is a non-stock, non-profit organization made up of more than 650 organizations and 5,000 plus individuals based on the group's Facebook account.

Espinosa, during his term as member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, was the principal author of the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance that regulates the entry of provincial utility vehicles and buses to the city proper. This resulted to the daily reduction of more than 10,000 liters of diesel fuel, which is a major source of pollution.

The mayor was among those who reviewed the Bio-Fuels Act of 2006. The law directs the use of biofuels and encourages fuel retrofitting from gasoline to LPG.

DENR will also turn over two units of smoke belching equipment to Iloilo City.

DENR execs attend 5-day ‘reprogramming’ workshop in Iloilo City

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to further strengthen its programs and projects in 2018 as regional directors across the country gather here for a workshop.

DENR-Western Visayas is hosting the five-day workshop in this city attended by the department’s regional directors across the country, including planning officers, finance officers, among others, to craft activities for next year. The workshop will end on Saturday.

In an interview Thursday, DENR-6 regional director Jim O. Sampulna stressed that the activity would strengthen and realign their programs and projects to the mission of DENR and direction of President Rodrigo Duterte.

DENR’s proposed budget for next year amounts to PHP27.1 billion, bigger than this year’s allocation of PHP26.6 billion. The Congress already approved the proposed 2018 budget of the agency last September. “We are assuming that the proposal is already approved though we are awaiting for the President to sign it so we are reprogramming our activities in line with the direction of our President and Secretary (Roy Cimatu),” he said.

Initially, Sampulna said that they have segregated the budget intended for priority programs and projects of the President like National Greening Program (NGP), forest protection, among others.

“More or less, we have the same activities but we are strengthening them,” he said.

Sampulna added that they have also tackled the foreign-assisted projects they are expecting to be implemented in the different regions in the country.

Once the President signed the budget, Sampulna assured that all the plans crafted during the reprogramming activity here will be implemented.

The National Reprogramming Workshop is an annual event of the DENR to talk about its programs and projects, including the allocation of its annual budget.

Sampulna said that their hosting is a “beautiful development” as the region is among the active implementers of the programs and projects of the agency.

DICT names Iloilo as potential digital city

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo City has been named as one of 25 key cities in the country with potentials to become a digital city.

According to Joeven Tansi, executive director of the Iloilo Federation for Information Technology (IFIT), the national government, through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), launched the digital cities during the National ICT Summit held in Cagayan De Oro City on Nov. 13-17.

Digital city is also known as smart city. In the Philippines, a local government unit has to meet at least five components of the digital cities framework to qualify as a digital city. The digital cities framework calls for increased economic growth, ensured environmental protection, improved quality of life, job creation, and strong fiscal policy.

Tansi said the city is responsive to these criteria. “Can we declare our self as smart or digital city? Yes we can,” he said.

Iloilo City has already met six of the 12 specific components under the digital cities framework. These are smart health care, building, digital infrastructure, education, safety and security, and governance.

“Iloilo City is a prime city right now despite the negative issues that we have,” he said without mentioning the negative issues.

Tansi said Iloilo City eyes to launch the digital city title before the year ends.

To date, none of the 25 potential digital cities has been launched. He recommended though that Iloilo City conduct an inventory of its initiatives to be declared a digital city. Being a digital city would impact on the “quality of life of every citizen,” he said.

The cities of Roxas in Capiz and Bacolod are also among those identified as potential digital cities in Western Visayas.

From 2010 until 2016 , except 2015, Iloilo City was included in the Next Wave Cities identified through the collaborative effort of the DICT- ICT Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

In 2015, this city was named as Center of Excellence, also by the DICT and the IBPAP.

S. Korea Rotary Club gives P3.3-M equipment to Red Cross

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine Red Cross Western Visayas regional blood center in this city received PHP3.3 million worth of equipment from the Rotary Club of Jung Ulsan in South Korea on Monday.

Regional blood center manager Dennis Roy Pasadilla said that PRC Iloilo chapter was chosen as recipient of a grant from the Rotary International.

He said the equipment will help improve their operations such as increasing the blood storage capacity of their center. The additional two blood bank refrigerators can store 300 units of blood each.

“We will now be able to give priority to the local government units because we will be able to better segregate the blood intended for them,” he said.

Blood collected from the province and city can now be segregated, thus, partners for the blood program will be prioritized.

According to Pasadilla, the Red Cross South Korea already provided them with two ambulance units two months ago.

He then expressed hope to be able to acquire more grants from the Rotary so they could further improve their services.

The donated equipment included one unit blood bank freezer, two units blood bank refrigerators, a portable tube sealer, a table top tube sealer, one unit of blood mixer, a platelet agitator with incubator, two units of semi- automated plasma freezers, and one unit of 28 placer serologic centrifuge.

DOT6 to launch ‘Bring Home a Friend’

(JSC/LTP/PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 is slated to launch the “Bring Home a Friend (BHAF) to the Philippines” in the region to help increase inbound tourism figures.

DOT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that the launching of BHAF program and DOT-6 Branding Campaign on Nov. 24 at SM City Iloilo, aims to encourage Filipinos, residing here and abroad to help in promoting Philippine tourism by inviting their foreign friends to come and visit the country.

“The launching activity is in time for the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day, as part of the program to pay tribute and recognition to the migrants and overseas Filipinos’ hard work and efforts, sacrifices, and important contribution to national development,” she said.

It can be recalled that the “BHAF” program had a grand relaunch in Manila last month.

The BHAF is a rewards program which seeks to promote travel to the Philippines by encouraging Filipinos or expatriates in the Philippines to invite friends from abroad with the lure of prizes for both “sponsor” and “invitee”.

By simply following four simple steps: Invite, Accept, Travel and Register, any eligible ‘sponsor’ and ‘invitee’ can join.

Program mechanics are available at the www.bringhomeafriend.online.

Overseas openings in Iloilo's special jobs fair

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here will hold two Special Recruitment Activities (SRA) this month, offering various jobs abroad for applicants in Iloilo province.

PESO-Iloilo department head Francisco Heler Jr. said four companies are joining the SRA, slated at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Nov. 20-24 and Nov. 27-29.

It was not mentioned how many positions will be available.

Based on its job orders, the Industrial Personnel Management Services will be hiring food and beverage crew, models, fashion designers, fashion graphic designers, and product managers for Kuwait.

The same company is also looking for registered nurses to be sent to the United Kingdom, a junior dentist bound for China, flight attendants, international sales executives, electrical engineers, draftsman, engineers, and vibration technicians to be deployed to Saudi Arabia.

The ASC Global Recruitment is looking for male and female nurses bound for the United Kingdom while MMS Placement International Inc. is set to hire registered male and female staff nurses, female medical technologists, and registered male physical therapists to work in Saudi Arabia.

Another participating company, the Arab Peninsula Manpower Services Corp. has job orders for work control supervisors, fire protection technicians, chiller technicians and operators, building trades foreman, material controller, electricians, painter, carpenter and plumber, all bound for Saudi Arabia.

Heler encouraged Ilonggo jobseekers to apply and grab the opportunity to work overseas.

Iloilo airport gears up for influx of passengers

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The management of the Iloilo International Airport has assured that this early they are now considering all necessary preparations for the influx of passengers this holiday season.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Airport Manager Ma.Mecine T. Reyes said they would carry out "Oplan Ligtas Biyahe" in December to give passengers safety and hassle-free trips.

Public assistance desks will be established in the airport while increased police visibility will surely be a welcome respite for passengers.

Reyes said they are expecting a minimal increase in the number of passengers coming in and going out of the airport next month.

Currently, the airport has an average of 20 domestic flights and one international flight daily.

“During December, it might have an additional of two to three (local) flights daily,” she said.

Meanwhile, an improvement at the airport is expected under the current administration.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in Western Visayas earlier said the PHP30.4 billion improvement of the Iloilo International Airport is among the big-ticket projects included in the "Build, Build, Build" program of the current administration.

Reyes said the proposed improvement of the airport is still with the NEDA.

She said that the extension of the airport runway and expansion of the terminal building to accommodate more passengers are just among their priorities for the improvement.

Iloilo City’s heritage tourism gets priority

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo City Festival Committee (ICFC) is promoting heritage tourism by getting the services of its former city tourism and development officer Benito Jimena.

Fresh from his trip to Vietnam, Jimena on Wednesday underscored the need to promote the heritage tourism in the city like what our Southeast Asian neighbor is doing.

He said the Vietnamese are “very keen on promoting the heritage tourism of Vietnam.”

“We only take it for granted. In fact we only look at old houses as infrastructures but we don’t appreciate. We have not linked it with what we have done before as a way of life,” he said.

Iloilo City’s Calle Real or the J.M. Basa Street, where array of restored heritage buildings can be found, was declared in 2014 as a heritage zone by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, this year’s celebration of the Bonifacio Day and succeeding years thereafter will have the involvement of various sectors and not just a gathering of residents of Barangay Tanza Bonifacio every 30th of November.

"There will be a celebration, although we are still wanting of time, what we can do is look at the activities that we can muster but probably next year we can include it in our calendar of activities,” he said.

Jimena said that activities of the city should be treated as “community collaboration.”

“Without the cooperation of everybody, it will not be successful" he said.

As special assistant for festivals, he said that he would “be looking at the events of Iloilo City and make sure that there are people who will be doing the important things.”

The council was created by the city government to plan and coordinate with all sectors for the successful conduct of festivals and other significant events.

Reg’l trade fair highlights west Visayas heritage products

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- This year’s week-long regional trade fair of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has showcased heritage products of Western Visayas.

The event gathered close to 100 exhibitors from the six provinces of Western Visayas, bringing with them “heritage items,” according to DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena Jr. during Monday afternoon’s opening program at the SM City activity center here.

“It emphasized on heritage products, traditional products, traditional industries or traditional economic activities that contributed and continue to contribute to our economic development,” he said of the event dubbed as “Panublion.”

In an interview, Cadena added that while the products speak of the heritage of each province there are also innovations that respond to the market.

He likewise underscored the need to “look at existing resources” as they would also become heritage products in the future.

He said they decided to bring back to Iloilo the regional trade fair, which was used to be held in a mall in Makati.

However, aside from being too expensive, the exhibit only occupied a small space hence, it made “no impact.”

When in Iloilo, he said Ilonggos would be able to appreciate the products especially now that Iloilo and the region had “developed and grew tremendously.”

“There is a lot of money coming in to Iloilo and there’s a lot of money with the region. That is affirmed by the presence of big names in infrastructure,” he said.

The trade fair that runs from November 13 to 19 will also have a high-end fashion show using traditionally produced hablons (hand-woven textiles) in the region on Saturday.

Cadena said they hope to generate some PHP10 million sales from the event.

P6-B for free tuition vital for poor students' education

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Ilonggo students lauded the plan of the Duterte administration to use the PHP6-billion fund settlement of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the free college tuition in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

Nicole Almodiente, senior high school student of University of Iloilo, said that it will help students, especially those who cannot afford to study in college due to financial problem.

“They will have the assurance of free tuition in government-run colleges and universities once the budget will be utilized. Through it, many of my fellow students will be able to reach their dreams in life,” she added.

Era Mariz Murillo, 4th Mass Communication student of Central Philippine University (CPU), described the fund settlement as a “huge” amount that can really help the underprivileged youth dedicated to study but cannot afford to enter college.

“In this way, they can gain a degree, get a good and stable job and especially help their families overcome poverty,” she said.

Meanwhile, Leonora Estanque, 4th year journalism student of West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo City., said that it is really “better” if the fund will be utilized for education.

Though Estanque assumed that she can no longer benefit from the free tuition since she will be graduating from college in 2018, she expressed gladness and optimism for the younger students.

“The amount would be a very huge benefit especially to students who cannot afford tertiary education,” she said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in August.

Under the Act, a total of 11 SUCs in Western Visayas are expected to benefit.

These are Aklan State University, Capiz State University, Carlos C. Hilado Memorial State College, Guimaras State College, Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Central Philippines State University, Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, University of Antique, Iloilo Science and Technology University, and West Visayas State University.

Chinese investor eyes Iloilo City as port hub

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- A Chinese investor wants to turn Iloilo City into port hub for direct cargo shipment from mainland China.

Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Friday welcomed the new investment, citing the city’s potential.

He said the investor probably saw the volume of business in this city and how it is becoming a “business hub of the country”.

On Tuesday, executives of the SITC Container Lines Philippines Inc., and the Cebu Chinese consulate met with the mayor to discuss the proposed investment.

SITC Container Lines Philippines is the representative of SITC Container Lines Co. based in Shanghai China and is engaged in the operation of its own and chartered vessels carrying container cargoes within major ports in Asia, according to the city government’s public information office (PIO).

Espinosa said that according to some brokers, the investment will result in the reduction in prices of goods sold in this city “by a big percentage”.

The mayor cited that most of the equipment in the city, even the most basic needs, are mostly made in China.

The cost of freight paid by businessmen and direct importers will be reduced, he said.

Currently, goods from China are downloaded to other major ports and shipped to Iloilo via local cargo vessels, incurring a pass-on cost.

The company has already appointed a manager to oversee their operations and hopefully they could start first quarter of 2018, he said.

Espinosa added that Iloilo City’s infrastructure could accommodate them. The company has already checked available facilities at the Iloilo International Container Port and has coordinated with the Bureau of Customs if it is capable of checking containerized cargoes.

He expressed hope that the Chinese consulate would put up an office in this city.

“We’ll make a way to provide them an office,” said Espinosa.

Iloilo City to give free whistles to kids for protection

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Some 300 children-at-risk (CAR) in Iloilo City have been identified as initial recipients of free whistles under the “Pito Para sa Bata” of the Iloilo City Council for the Protection of Children (ICCPC).

Social welfare officer Merlyn Gizon and focal person on child and youth welfare program said in an interview on Thursday that they have decided to “mainstream” in their advocacy program the provision of protection whistles.

It is a campaign to ensure children’s safety against illegal drugs, abuse and exploitation, calamities and disasters, under the “Comprehensive Program for Children At-risk in the Street.”

Together with a free whistle they will also be provided with PVC bag tags with emergency hotline numbers that they can call, Gizon said.

The initial recipients are beneficiaries of the task force on street children because they are “more vulnerable.”

She assured that they hope to expand the project next year to probably include children in day-care center, and elementary and secondary students.

The whistles will be released on December 11 to mark the culmination of the National Children’s Month in the city. It will be held simultaneous with the awarding of the 2017 Most Child-Friendly Barangay in Iloilo City.

Iloilo province receives 3rd consecutive good governance award

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY – The province of Iloilo will be receiving for the third consecutive year the “Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG)," an award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Iloilo will receive the award together with the provinces of Aklan and Negros Occidental.

As a three-time awardee, the province is now a grand slam winner, according to Governor Arthur Defensor in an interview on Thursday.

Iloilo received the similar award in 2015 and 2016.

A local government unit can qualify for the SGLG if it has good financial housekeeping, programs for disaster preparedness and social protection.

Aside from the provincial government, the local government units of Anilao, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan, Carles, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas, Estancia, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Pavia, Tubungan and Zarraga and the component city of Passi are also awardees.

“There are a lot of benefits that the province will receive by winning the seal of good local governance,” Defensor said.

He specifically said that the province, as well as the recipient towns and city, would again be entitled to avail of projects for the improvement of roads through the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces for Road Repair, Rehabilitation and Improvement (CMGP) and Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) program of DILG.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled on November 27 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Metro Manila.

DSWD-6 bats for stronger protection for kids

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas is aiming to strengthen Local Councils for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) in the region.

Raji Alvarado, secretariat of the Regional Sub-committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) 6, in a media interview on Monday afternoon, said that based on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) data, there are only 89 out of 101 local government units in the region which have functional LCPCs.

She added that based on their field observations, some barangay officials are even unaware of what an LCPC is.

Alvarado said that they want to capacitate LGUs so their respective LCPCs could function and serve the need of children in their communities.

For Iloilo City, Alvarado said that the city’s council for the protection of children is working on enabling all barangay councils for the protection of children to become functional. Based on DILG’s data, more than 70 percent of the city’s councils are functional.

A council is functional when they conduct meetings, have elected officers, programs and services for children and ordinances for children, she said.

She said that each LCPC should look into the welfare of children in their communities, as well as their affairs. These include intervention and diversion program, monitoring of children facing criminal cases and street children.

The local chief executive of the town should serve as head of the LCPC while the village chief should serve as chairperson at the barangay level.

The RSCWC-6 will gather LCPCs in the region in a summit on December 12.

Alvarado said that the summit would be a venue for the LCPCs to be re-oriented of their functions and clarify issues on their roles.

DILG gives P470-M projects to performing LGUs in west Visayas

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has funded PHP470 million worth of projects to best performing local government units (LGUs) in the Western Visayas since the implementation of the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) in 2010.

In a press conference on Monday, DILG-6 regional director Anthony Nuyda said the amount has specifically funded 202 sub-projects in the region, already completed as of October 30.

He said that bulk of the projects are in the province of Negros Occidental worth PHP140 million and in Iloilo province at PHP130 million.

PCF is an incentive provided to LGUs in the form of financial grant for local development projects. The grant is specifically given to LGUs which qualified for the Seal of Good Housekeeping or Seal of Good Local Governance.

“There are areas that we are looking in particular with the LGUs like good financial housekeeping, no adverse opinion of COA (Commission on Audit), they are following the policy of full disclosure, they have programs on disaster management and they are business-friendly and competitive LGUs,” he said.

One particular recipient of the PCF is the town of Concepcion in Iloilo province.

Mayor Millard Villanueva said that their town has been a recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping since 2011. DILG granted them PHP1 million for the drainage system project in 2011.

Another PHP1 million fund was provided to them in 2012 to continue the drainage system project.

In 2016, they again received another Seal of Good Local Governance. DILG granted Concepcion town with PHP3 million for the construction of one-storey building for Senior Citizens Federation and Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The building at Barangay Poblacion in Concepcion now benefits around 3,000 members of the two organizations of the senior citizens and PWDs.

Villanueva stressed the building served as reward to the two civil society organizations, which have “contributed a in the development of the town by actively participating in municipal planning and implementation of programs and projects.”

“To give them recognition, we decided to build a facility for them through the Php3 million grant. This is how significant of DILG is because it has created a great impact to the people in Concepcion,” he added.

Nuyda expressed hope that they will be able to fund more projects of performing LGUs this year.

He disclosed that based on their initial and unofficial assessment, more LGUs in Iloilo are expected to receive the Seal of Good Local Governance.

50 fisherfolk get fiberglass boats

(Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – Fifty fisherfolk screened by the City Agriculturist’s Office underwent training in three batches at the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex in Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper.

The recent training hoped to uplift the socio-economic status of the fisherfolk through the provision of disaster-resilient fishing boats and also to empower them to become responsible resource users, said City Agriculturist Romulo Pangantihon.

The disaster-resilient fishing boats were fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats. These were provided by the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the program called “F/B Pagbabago.”

The program’s goal was to ensure resiliency and safety of fishermen at sea through training and capacity-building. The training helped the beneficiaries apply proper handling techniques of fish catching to maintain quality and increase value of their harvest.

The fiberglass boats were distributed on Oct. 16 to 15 to the fisherfolk from Arevalo; 13 from Molo; seven from La Paz; six from the City Proper; five from Lapuz; and two each from Mandurriao and Jaro.

Iloilo breaks ground for P118.6-M road project

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo’s provincial government on Friday launched a PHP118.6-million project to improve roads in the towns of Mina and Pototan.

The improvement, which is expected to be completed in July next year, covers 8.3 km. of the Mina-Talibong-Yugot-Nabitasan-Naslo Road and involves concreting the road, constructing drainage and slope protection structures, and installing road signs and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.

The provincial government is implementing the program through its Provincial Engineering Office, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under its Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces for Road Repair, Rehabilitation and Improvement (CMGP).

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., together with DILG provincial director Teodora Sumagaysay, Mina Mayor Rey Grabato, Pototan Mayor Tomas Peñaflorida and provincial administrator Raul Banias led the ground-breaking ceremony at the Mina National High School.

In his speech, Defensor said the improvement of the road will not only make travel easy but will eventually spur development in the municipalities of Mina and Pototan.

He cited the significant help of the DILG and other agencies in the rehabilitation of provincial roads, noting that with more than 600 km. of roads, the provincial government alone could not afford to have them all rehabilitated.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the different agencies that are helping us in our quest to improve our provincial roads,” Defensor said.

The governor said that more provincial roads are lined up for rehabilitation next year also under the CMGP and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture and World Bank.

Iloilo received a PHP413-million grant from DILG this year for the CMGP for consistently winning the Seal of Good Local Governance and for being compliant with the requirements set by the agency.

The newly launched road project is one of four projects implemented in the province under the CMGP. The other three are being carried out in Calinog (12.4 km.), Batad (2.5 km.) and Carles (5.9 km.).

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