Iloilo City News April 2017

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

ASEAN youth leaders meet in Iloilo City

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

ILOILO CITY, 28 April (PIA)—The Council of Presidents of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSYEAP) held its meeting at the Iloilo City Hall, April 26.

The Council is composed of SSYEAP alumni presidents from all member ASEAN countries.

Ariel Castañeda, chairman, SSYEAP-Region 6, said this is the first time Iloilo City is hosting the meeting, as some 200 delegates are also here attending the SSYEAP International Assembly or SIGA 2017.

Castañeda said among the things discussed were the programs and activities and the contribution of the youth to ASEAN countries.

“Japan, as the organizer, said that ASEAN member countries should have a multi-lateral program that will gather all the youth leaders for cultural exchange activities,” Castañeda said.

Meanwhile, the SSYEAP delegates, which are meeting at the Iloilo convention Center until April 30, have been going around the city, its malls and tourist spots.

“This way they have already helped us promote our tourism and businesses, “ Junel Ann Divinagracia, City Tourism Officer said.

Other than promoting the city, Divinagracia said the delegates have conducted community service, participating in tree planting activity, vegetable farming, storytelling and a project with the Ari community.

Western Visayas-OCD holds back-to-back training on disaster preparations

By Perla G. Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) goes full-blast in its series of seminars to prepare stakeholders in case of any eventuality.

OCD 6 Regional Director Rosario Cabrera said the three-day incident command system (ICS) seminar for members of the newly-formed Rapid Emergency Telecommunications Team (RETT) and select members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) would end this weekend.

“ICS is our language in relation to disaster response so that we will understand each other during disaster operation. They have to be familiar with the ICS because this is the mechanism that we are using right now in disaster response,” she said.

ICS is an on-scene response mechanism that was introduced during the ASEAN-US Cooperation on Disaster Management, Cabrera said.

Republic Act 10121 of the Philippine Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 seeks for the institutionalization of ICS, utilized during planned events involving huge crowds and human-induced hazards.

Cabrera said that Western Visayas ICS received commendation when it hosted several meetings of the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

“It is in this region that they were able to see how we run the activity. The practices that we have here are being replicated in other regions. The structure here will be followed by other regions hosting ASEAN meetings,” she said.

The ICS was also activated during the Holy Week, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, Capiztahan of Capiz and the ongoing Palarong Pambansa in Antique.

Apart from the RETT, 100 percent of the provincial DRRMCs in Western Visayas have already undergone the ICS training while it is ongoing for municipal DRRMCs.

ICS is a ladderized training. Thereafter, trainees may opt to avail of the next training on integrated planning. The next level is position process and the last is the all hazard incident management team (AHIMT).

On the other hand, Iloilo City has embarked on a contingency planning and formulation workshop for earthquake that was also facilitated by the OCD.

Cabrera said that the workshop was significant since Western Visayas has five earthquake generators that make the region prone to tremors. These generators include the West Panay fault, Negros trench, zone of collision between island of Palawan and Mindoro, Tablas fault and central Negros fault.

The key members of the Iloilo City DRRMC were invited as participants and were guided by experts in coming up with an earthquake contingency plan.

The workshop concluded late Thursday afternoon.

More than 14,000 vacancies in W. Visayas job fair on Labor Day

By Perla G. Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY, April 27 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is calling on interested jobseekers to have themselves pre-registered for the Labor Day job fair to be held at the Atria activity center, in this city.

DOLE 6 assistant regional director Salome O. Siaton said that as of Thursday, 45 companies have already signified to join the one-day event on May 1 with 14,261 job openings.

Top vacancies for local employment are composed of workers in business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, billing and collection, teachers, customer service associates, travel associates, technical support associates, nurses, salesperson and supervisors.

Nurses and skilled workers are the most sough-after for overseas placement.

Siaton said that amid the exclusion of Negros Occidental, this year’s figure is higher when compared with the more or less 10,000 openings in last year’s similar activity.

The pre-registration is ongoing on at the Atria activity center and at the DOLE Iloilo Field Office. This will allow jobseekers to avoid the long queue during the day of the activity, Siaton said.

The job fair, while it highlights the Labor Day celebration, was also held in tandem with the “Weekend Tienda,” which on the other hand is a venue to allow micro, small and medium entrepreneurs to also find market for their products.

Now on its third run, the Weekend Tienda has already caught the interest of 70 exhibitors who signified to join the event. It will open on Friday with 100 kilos of vegetables to be cooked in four big bowls to be offered free to the public.

“The message is that there are farmers who are growing naturally-grown vegetables,” said Reynaldo T. Ambao, director of the Taytay sa Kauswagan-MSI Business and Development Services, one of the organizers of the Weekend Tienda.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will purchase the vegetables to provide income to farmers while the ingredients will be provided by Atria’s Metro Supermarket.

Aside from these two major events, DOLE will also offer employment coaching and advocacy on entrepreneurship with 100 millennials expected to attend.

A one-stop-shop will also be established to assist applicants in their documentary requirements.

Their will also be awarding of outstanding workers and employees in the private sector and signing of the Voluntary Code of Good Practices of the Information and Communications Technology in the IT Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

W. Visayas hosts launch of nat'l plan of action for nutrition

By Cindy B. Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY, April 26 (PNA) -- The National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Western Visayas is hosting this year’s launching of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022 on May 2 in this city.

NNC-6 Regional Director Nona Tad-y said the national event would gather NNC-organized regional media groups to strengthen the information dissemination of the health and nutrition programs of the government.

She said they aimed to gather around 100 media practitioners from the different parts of the region who are active partners of NNC.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial already confirmed attendance to lead the launching of PPAN. NNC Executive Director IV Assistant Health secretary Maria-Bernardita T. Flores is expected to attend the event.

Tad-y said that hand-in-hand with the launching woulx be the NNC governing board meeting to be presided by Ubial, the chairperson of the board.

PPAN 2017-2022 is a results-based plan designed to stem the stagnating and worsening wasting, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity in the Philippines.

It is an integral part of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2017-2022, with goals to address the inequities in opportunities and outcomes particularly for the poor and improving human development outcomes in health, nutrition and education provides anchor to the PPAN.

30 Chinese investors to visit Iloilo for return mission

By Perla G. Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY, April 25 (PNA) -- An initial 30 Chinese investors from Hong Kong will be in Iloilo May 18-20, 2017 for a return mission following the successful two-day investment mission of the city and province of Iloilo on April 21-22.

Ritchel Gavan, head of the Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO), who arrived in the city Tuesday morning, said that initially, the Chinese showed interest in Iloilo’s service sector as they queried about internet connectivity and power supply.

“We showed them that we have the capacity with the number of BPOs (business process outsourcing) that we have here and we have more than enough power supply,” Gavan said.

Iloilo has registered 52 contact centers and BPO companies as of end of February, according to the Iloilo Federation for Information Technology (I-FIT). The industry employs more than 21,000 regular workers.

She added that the investors also consider manufacturing, thus they are coming over “to see for themselves” the potential of Iloilo.

They were also amazed by the city’s peace and order, especially upon knowing that this part of the country has kidnap-for-ransom incidents, Gavan said.

The presentation done by Mayor Jed Patrick showcasing the strong partnership between the Ilonggo and Chinese communities also captured their interest.

The “Business Bridge Project: Iloilo Investment Roadshow” organized by the Philippine Association of Hong Kong (PAHK) and the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong served as venue for Iloilo City to present its "SMART" investment priority areas composed of services; manufacturing; agribusiness, arts and culture; research and technology.

“We were the first LGU (Local government unit) for an investment mission,” she said.

On the other hand, the mission also met with migrant domestic workers from the province and city of Iloilo at the Hong Kong Consulate for a dialogue on how the local government units can extend help to their sector.

“We informed them that the city government is coming up with an MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) program focused on the migrant workers so that when they come home they will have an opportunity to work here,” she explained.

The program is now on its planning stage and the dialogue sought to know their interest and capacity to invest, among others.

Most importantly, Gavan said that Mayor Mabilog would like to educate and train families who are left behind to sustain whatever entrepreneurial activity the OFWs may engage in.

Iloilo hospitals mull facility upgrading, salary increase for contract workers

(PNA), CBFerrer

ILOILO CITY -- The huge income generated by 12 hospitals managed by the provincial government here will be used to increase the salary of job orders and contractual workers apart from facility upgrading.

Provincial administrator and concurrent chief of the hospital management office Raul Banias said the hospitals incurred a PHP281 million surplus income in 2016. The amount was already turned over to Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. on Thursday.

The total income generated by the hospitals last year was PHP546 million. The bulk or 85 percent came from reimbursements of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).

In a follow up interview on Friday, Banias said they have asked PHP186 million from the surplus to be utilized for the upgrading of hospital facilities and salary increase.

The operation of hospitals has been placed under the local economic enterprise.

In 2015, Banias said that hospitals also turned over to the provincial government about PHP200 million from its income in the preceding year and PHP236 million from its earnings in 2015.

The PHP236 income in 2016 was also utilized to improve health facilities and in the hiring of 596 additional hospital personnel.

P50-million Red Cross disaster management center opens in Iloilo

By Tara Yap

Iloilo City — The P50-million disaster management center of the Red Cross opened recently in Passi City, Iloilo.

Senator Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman, said the facility is for training, logistical hub and management that covers Western Visayas region, which was hit by super-typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013.

The facility is built in partnership with Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) and the local government of Passi, which donated the 1.5 hectare land.

The facility serves as operations center, which will manage efforts of PRC chapters in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo provinces when a disaster strikes.

It has an office space, mess hall, training hall, two dormitories, and two warehouses.

It also has equipment such as ambulance, rescue truck, water tankers, sleeping kits, and hygiene kits.

KNRC Secretary General Gunn-Joong Kim, Chief of Relief Division Dong Kee Kim Deputy Chief of Relief Division Jae Ryul Kim, and Communications Officer Kyung Hwa Kim were present at the April 21 inauguration.

Also present were Iloilo Vice Governor Christine Garin, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares, PRC Secretary General Oscar Palabyab, and PRC-Iloilo PRC-Iloilo Administrator Gilbert Valderrama.

Iloilo, Guimaras host study visit of ASEAN anti-poverty teams

(PNA), PGLENA

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- Thirty delegates from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are here for a side visit and training of trainers, hosted by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

The study visit in Guimaras brought delegates to areas in Sibunag town that were recipients of projects under the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

The two-day study visit which started Wednesday provided a venue for delegates to interact with local officials and people in the community. They were also oriented about the community-driven development (CDD) process, a strategy adopted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in implementing the KALAHI-CIDSS.

KALAHI-CIDSS, on the other hand, is one of the anti-poverty programs of the government.

The team also visited Taklong Island in Guimaras.

“They want to know what the groups in Guimaras are doing and what is the status of their anti-poverty initiatives. They also would like to benchmark on best practices of the city because they heard that our city is booming," said Junel Ann P. Divinagracia, executive director of the Local Organizing Committee of the 2017 ASEAN and this city’s tourism officer on Thursday.

The delegates will convene at the Richmonde Hotel in this city starting Friday for a “Training on CDD in the Context of ASEAN Social Protection Framework.” The training will wrap-up on Thursday next week.

Prior to the hosting of the NAPC-led event, Iloilo city also hosted the 22nd Senior Officials Meeting for the ASCC (SOCA) back-to-back with the 17th Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council meeting on March 6-9 and the 3rd ASEAN OECD Good Regulatory Practice Network meeting on March 14-15.

Philippines assumed chairmanship of the 2017 ASEAN Summit, which coincides with its 50th year anniversary. It carries the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”

Weaving industry gains from Iloilo’s positioning as MICE destination

(PNA), PGLENA

ILOILO CITY, April 21 -- The influx of visitors coming to Iloilo as a result of the massive campaign for this part of the country to be considered as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibits (MICE) destination has helped revived the once rich weaving industry of this place.

Iloilo City tourism officer Junel Ann P. Divinagracia said that the weaving industry suffered a setback due to the entrance of cheap cloth from China and the low appreciation of woven products.

“We used to be a textile capital,” she said in an interview on Friday.

However, these products locally known as “hablon” became prominent when introduced to delegates in several meetings hosted by Iloilo during the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and other conventions held here.

Hablon products are sourced from weavers in Arevalo and towns of Oton, Miagao and Dingle in Iloilo.

Iloilo City’s tourism receipts last year amounted to around PHP18 billion, which already included the purchase of various "hablon" products.

"Hablon" is now being used not only for clothing or shawls but already as materials for household decors.

“We are very thankful that the weaving industry is alive again. We are promoting them as souvenir items,” she said.

She added that currently a convention in Manila has ordered 500 pieces of shawls for their delegates.

“I almost run short of supplies for 'hablon',” she said.

On Monday, a textile firm from Manila will arrive in Iloilo City to give out cotton materials to Iloilo weavers.

Meanwhile, as a convention destination, Iloilo City is now 98 percent ready to host the 29th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) International General Assembly (SIGA) slated April 26-30.

Their assembly in Iloilo will be highlighted by several social contribution activities with the Ati community in Barangay Lanit of this city as recipients.

Divinagracia said that a water catchment project will be installed in the community that will address the scarcity of water supply in the area. The visitors will also do tree planting activity in the barangay and engage children in a story-telling event on April 27.

The 200 delegates from ASEAN countries and Japan who used to be youth leaders are now holding prominent personalities back in their respective countries, she said.

From Iloilo they will proceed to Boracay Island on April 30.

P10.9 million for 109 centenarians in Iloilo

By Tara Yap 10:00 pm

Iloilo City — Living a long life has its perks, 109 centenarians in the city and province of Iloilo have found out.

Each of the Ilonggos received P100,000 under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) incentive program for centenarians in Western Visayas.

The DSWD launched the program Wednesday.

DSWD Regional Director Rebecca Geamala said the cash incentive is stipulated in the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10868).

Ninety of the centenarians were from 34 towns of Iloilo and the rest from Iloilo City.

When asked during the ceremony for the program her secret for longevity, 103-year-old Bonifacio Lumawag of San Dionisio town said it was eating a lot of vegetables.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and Provincial Welfare Officer Neneth Pador pledged an additional P30,000 for each centenarian.

The DSWD will also distribute cash incentives to centenarians in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras provinces.

Iloilo City creates Information Systems Office

By MADE LOS SANTOS(PNA)

ILOILO CITY, April 18 (PNA) -- The Iloilo City Government is strengthening its computerization program through the creation of an Information Systems Office (ISO).

The Iloilo City Council approved Tuesday the “Ordinance institutionalizing the Information Systems Department of the City of Iloilo, thereby establishing the Information Systems Office.”

Councilors Lady Julie Grace Baronda and R Leone Gerochi authored and co-authored the ordinance, respectively.

Baronda, in her ordinance, said the institutionalization of an IT office in the City Hall is in line with the national government’s Government Information System Plan (GISP), which provides framework and guide for all computerization efforts in government.

She said the GISP asserts that government information systems would reduce the processing and approval time of government transactions with the public, electronically organize and store vital data information for easy retrieval or updating, processing and sharing with government monitoring or statistical agencies, and ensure greater transparency, accountability and integrity of government operations and transactions.

“The automation of the office operations of the Local Government of Iloilo City has been rapidly growing in the past few years and the need for an office responsible for maintaining and sustaining these automation systems has been realized,” she said.

The ISO’s functions include storing, collection and transmission of records and files which have been converted into electronic data; perform update and software improvement and development on the hardware and software of the city; and ensure confidentiality and real time distribution of electronic data services to constituents of the City of Iloilo.

The creation of ISO also provides for the creation of additional positions to ensure the office is well-manned.

Volkswagen opens new Iloilo dealership

By Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Volkswagen, the country’s bestselling European car brand in 2016, has opened a new dealership in Iloilo in partnership with Grand Canyon Multi-Holdings Inc. (GCMI).

The Iloilo dealership is Volkswagen’s second in central Philippines, after Volkswagen Bacolod.

Volkswagen Iloilo is a partnership between Volkswagen Philippines and GCMI, an automotive and car parts dealer established in 2005 with seven dealerships in the city and in Panay Island.

“Volkswagen Iloilo is expected to push the Volkswagen brand more aggressively in central Philippines, particularly in the Iloilo, Capiz, Antique and Aklan provinces of Panay Island—areas where the demand for premium European brands such as Volkswagen has grown strong, especially among professionals like doctors, lawyers, businessmen, overseas Filipinos and seafarers,” Volkswagen Philippines said.

The Volkswagen brand was launched in the country in 2013 under conglomerate Ayala Corp.

Ayala spearheaded the first five dealerships in the country located in BGC in Taguig City, Quezon Ave. in Quezon City, Greenfield District Service Center at Sheridan in Mandaluyong City, Molito in Alabang, Muntinlupa and North Reclamation Area in Cebu City. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Volkswagen Pampanga was the sixth dealership in Volkswagen Philippines’ nationwide network when it opened in 2016.

Volkswagen Philippines was able to break through the 1,000-unit sales mark last year after registering 1,060 units, 76 percent higher from the previous year.

The firm seeks to double its sales this year to a little over 2,000 units as it expects a continued expansion of the Philippine economy.

GCMI, for its part, was founded by a family of Filipino businessmen who are all based in Iloilo and are supporting the development of the area’s automotive industry.

Iloilo in top 3 real estate hubs

By Tara Yap

Iloilo City—This city has made it to the Top 10 Cities to Watch 2017 list.

Lamudi Philippines, an online portal for real estate sector, ranked Iloilo City third in its annual listing.

Iloilo is just behind La Piñas in Metro Manila and Cebu. Lamudi noted that “Iloilo City has grown to rival the two in overall livability.”

For Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the citation from Lamudi is a sign of Iloilo’s continuing growth and development.

Over the past five years, property developers such as Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. have poured billions pesos in Iloilo City to build live-and-work play communities. There has been an array of spaces for new hotels, restaurants and offices catering to business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

“Its well-educated workforce has contributed in the city jumping four spots to 91 in Tholons’ survey of best outsourcing destinations in the world,” Lamudi added.

Iloilo City’s anti-rabies program vaccinates 9,881 dogs

(PNA), ALYSSA A. ILANO – CPU OJT

ILOILO CITY (PNA) -- This city government’s drive to sustain its rabies-free status continues with 9,881 dogs already vaccinated to date.

The vaccination under the Anti-Rabies Program implemented by the City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) kicked off in February 2017 in Arevalo district and is expected to end in the first week of June in the City Proper district.

“We are taking a pause right now because of the Holy Week but we will resume our work on Monday in Jaro,” said City Veterinarian Dr. Tomas Forteza Jr. on Wednesday. For several weeks, the vaccination was put on hold after the CVO ran out of vaccines.

Last April 4, the CVO received another batch of vaccines coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

DA provided 3,255 vials with 10 doses enough to vaccinate 32,550 dogs. The city government also allotted Php1 million for the vaccines.

“Since 2013, we had no cases of rabies in Iloilo City. Our goal is to sustain being a rabies-free city. And the national goal is to completely eliminate rabies in the Philippines by year 2020,” Dr. Forteza said.

As of today, CVO served 81 out of the 180 barangays in Iloilo City. They are hoping to reach the target of vaccinating 70 percent of the total 44,000 dog population before the year ends.

The City Veterinarian’s Office also accepts walk-in rabies vaccinations and free spaying and neutering from 8 am until 5 pm.

EMB: Waste management starts in households, LGUs

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA)— Households are among those generating huge amount of solid waste, hence, waste management should begin there, according to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a radio interview, EMB-6 Director Ariel Gloria said the barangays and the households should begin to manage solid waste with the establishment of the material recovery facilities.

“These facilities are supposed to receive, sort out and process the solid wastes,” Gloria said, adding that the municipalities are just receiving the residuals.

“But what happens is that, mixed garbage go to the dumpsite, as the city or municipality do not also segregate,” Gloria added.

He said that Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act, provides that waste management should begin at source, under the management of the LGUs. Gloria also said that the DENR-EMB has not been remiss in reminding local chief executives about their responsibility under the law and they were given technical assistance on the establishment of the MRF and the sanitary landfill.

On the concern that establishing and managing MRFs are expensive, Gloria said the law was enacted in 2000 yet and the LGUs could have already put into effect their land use plan and have allocated funds.

“I have learned from some local chief executives that environment is the last priority in their development land,” Gloria said.

“These LGUs are warned that non-compliance of the Solid Waste Management Law will hold them criminally liable, especially in operating open dumpsites,” Gloria added.

The EMB chief said the bureau is willing to render technical assistance to LGUs in establishing MRFs and sanitary landfills.

PCG’s ‘Oplan Ligtas Biyahe’ now activated in Iloilo for Lent

(PNA), CBFERRER

ILOILO CITY, April 10 (PNA) -- “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” is now in place in anticipation for the influx of traveling passengers for the Lenten season, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) here.

PCG-Iloilo Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica said proper coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Department of Transportation (DOTr)and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to ensure peace and order in ports and terminals and safety of the travellers has already been done.

Tight inspection of baggage of passengers is observed in ports and terminals thus, carrying of illegal drugs and deadly weapons are strictly prohibited.

Palabrica said they have deployed five canine dogs, composed of three narcotics detector dogs and two explosive detector groups that will roam around ports and terminals.

Passengers assistance desks are now present in all ports and terminals in Iloilo to assist queries, complaints and other concerns of passengers especially tourists.

Palabrica said last year, they mostly responded to parents who lost their children.

Medical teams and groups of responders were also deployed to respond to any untoward incidents that may happen in the seas of Iloilo and Guimaras island.

Palabrica mentioned that they are expecting an influx of people at the Iloilo Ferry Terminal at Parola,Iloilo City Proper on Wednesday, as more people will travel to Guimaras island for the well-known Lenten attraction "Ang Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid."

He assured that floating assets composed of two aluminum boats will be on standby in the seas of Iloilo and Guimaras to look after traveling motor bancas from Iloilo bound for Guimaras and vice versa.

He noted that the new terminal has a scanner so passengers carrying illegal drugs, deadly weapons and other prohibited things will be easily detected.

Meanwhile, two other aluminum boats will be on standby at the Villa Arevalo Beach. Palabrica said that annually, many people go to the beach resorts in Villa to swim as way to spend their Holy Week.

PCG here advises the public who will travel via seas this Holy Week to be vigilant and maintain safety.

Palabrica said public should buy their tickets early to avoid heavy line in ticketing booths that sometimes lead to commotion of passengers.

The Oplan Ligtas Biyahe of PCG here will be in effect until April 20.

City gov’t to revive Local Housing Board

(Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – The city government is reviving the Local Housing Board (LHB), the policy-making body of all housing projects being implemented.

Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) chief Jeck Conlu said it is expected to operate either third or fourth week of April.

“We have already identified the members of the Board and we will just wait for an executive order to be issued by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. It was him who suggested to bring it back. It will be the one to watch closely the operations of ICUPAO,” said Conlu.

“If the board finds out that they are not doing their job correctly, it will call their attention and tackle what is wrong,” he said.

LHB was created through Regulation Ordinance 2003-367 or the “Iloilo City Local Housing Board Ordinance of 2003.” However, Conlu said that when he was appointed chairman of ICUPAO last year, he found out there was no LHB.

LHB is mandated to formulate, develop, and ensure the implementation of policies on the provision for housing and resettlement area, and on the observance of the right of the underprivileged and homeless to a just and humane eviction and demolition.

It is chaired by the city mayor, co-chaired by the vice mayor and is composed of two representatives each of People Organizations (POs) and accredited Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) devoted to housing program and those that may be recommended by the screening committee created by the mayor; representative from private sector; head of City Planning and Development Office; two city council members; ICUPAO chairman; representatives of National Housing Authority, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP); and City Federation President of Association of Barangay Captains.

ICUPAO is tasked to formulate and adopt policies to ensure the effective implementation of a comprehensive shelter and relocation program for the city.

3,000 jobs up for Iloilo job fair

By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

ABOUT 1,200 local job vacancies and 1,000 job orders abroad are up for grabs during a one-day job fair on April 6 in Robinsons Galleria Jaro, Iloilo City.

Human resource officers from 55 companies, six of which are overseas manpower agencies, will accept job applications and interview prospect employees starting 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Available jobs consist of nurses, health care workers, construction workers, engineers in all fields, electronic technicians, drivers, and skilled workers (e.g. electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, masons, mechanics, steel fixers, engine technicians).

There are also jobs open for human resource managers, hotel workers, cashiers, sales representatives, office staff, fast food crew, merchandisers, IT staff and call center agents.

The job fair is organized by the Public Employment Service Office of the Province of Iloilo in partnership with ABS-CBN in relation to the 30th anniversary celebration of their long-running Filipino newscast – TV Patrol.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said the job fair is an opportune time for fresh graduates to explore career opportunities either here or abroad as well as to those wanted to start anew.

He added that job facilitation activities such as this will help address unemployment not only in the province but in the whole region.

Based on the Comprehensive Population Data Banking Survey of the Provincial Population Office, 32 percent or 274,244 Ilonggos aged 15 and above were unemployed in 2011.

Since then, special recruitment activities and biannual job fairs are held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to provide employment opportunities to skilled and qualified jobseekers.

Iloilo invests PHP16.4M in rainwater harvesting facilities

(PNA), PR

ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PNA) -- The provincial government here will embark on a massive construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in water constraint villages here this year to avoid wastage of rainwater.

The PHP16.4 million project involves the construction of 25 rainwater harvesting systems in special areas and 42 ferrocement tanks in public schools, according to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

The rainwater harvesting systems will be placed near the evacuation sites of Tubungan, Miagao, Lambunao, Calinog, Ajuy, Dumangas, San Miguel, Banate, Alimodian, Badiangan, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan and Carles.

PENRO will also give priority to the evacuation centers of Dueñas, Janiuay, Leganes, Pavia, Passi City, Pototan, San Enrique, Zarraga, Tigbuan, Oton, San Rafael and New Lucena.

The ferrocement tanks, on the other hand, will be built in 29 public elementary and secondary schools located in mountainous areas and near the coastline where access to water remains difficult.

Each tank has the capacity to store 4,000 liters of rainwater which can be used to maintain the cleanliness of the school’s restrooms, classrooms, hand washing areas, and even their gardens.

In Ilog-Ilog Elementary School in Miagao, the recently completed ferrocement tank is serving not only the teachers and pupils but as well as the households near the school.

“This project benefits the pupils the most because they will no longer get water from the river,” wrote Head Teacher III Arlem Aranza in her thank you letter to Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.

The same project in San Rafael National High School in Miagao is making major improvement in the way the students and faculty members use and conserve water, according to Head Teacher 1 Nora Frigillano.

Iloilo City, DOST empower micro, small and medium entrepreneurs

(PNA), MADE LOS SANTOS

ILOILO CITY, April 6 (PNA) -- The Iloilo City Government through the Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO) trained Thursday 30 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owners in product labeling and packaging.

Ritchel Gavan, LEIPO head, said in an interview that the training is an initiative of the city government, with the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

"It is in line with LEIPO's mandate of empowering entrepreneurs in the city," Gavan said.

The workshop is part of the series of product labeling and packaging workshops that will run until July.

Participants, guided by consultants and layout artists, are expected to come up with the best product label and design by the end of the workshop series.

Gavan said LEIPO chose product labeling and workshop to complement the good products of Iloilo City MSMEs.

"Our local products have big potential, especially food products. Quality-wise, they taste good. But then, if we look at them, they are wrapped in plastics or cellophane," Gavan said.

"Because of poor product label and packaging, the potential of our local products diminishes," Gavan added.

Meanwhile, LEIPO is eyeing another set of training on food safety this year. It also mulls partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for another training on food processing.

Two-day Iloilo Ferry Terminal dry run starts

(PNA), MADE LOS SANTOS

ILOILO CITY, April 5 (PNA) -- Officials of the Province of Guimaras and City of Iloilo, with the Philippine Coast Guard-Iloilo City, spearhead Wednesday the start of the dry run operations of Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola, City Proper here.

Guimaras acting governor, Vice Governor John Edward Gando and Buenavista Mayor Eugene Reyes, and Iloilo City Administrator Hernando Galvez, ICUPAO head Jeck Conlu, TMTRO head Bob Foerster, among other City Hall officials observed the initial operations in the multi-million facility - from the dispensing of tickets, screening of luggage, signing manifesto of passengers to departure of pump boats plying the Iloilo City-Buenavista and vice-versa route.

The team also inspected the facilities, including the waiting area and the CR, berthing area, among others.

Gando said the dry run is intended to address problems in the operations like the berthing and docking during low tide, the queuing of passengers, among others.

"We'll see what will happen, and what we can do if there will be problems in the operations," Gando said.

The ferry terminal operation was stalled following a legal battle between the operator, DoubleDragon Properties, Inc. and the Province of Guimaras sometime in 2016.

Not consulted, the Province questioned in court the legality of the terminal, as well as some terms of the agreement like imposition of Php11 terminal fee, closure of Ortiz Wharf, safety of pumpboats and passengers, among others.

But the two parties came to an agreement just recently: passengers can use the ferry terminal for free for a period of 10 years and pumpboats plying Ortiz Wharf in Barangay Ortiz here to Jordan Wharf in Barangay Rizal, Jordan will not cease operations and will not be obliged to use the facility.

"We were not consulted before the project was implemented; but now, DoubleDragon seemed to have addressed our concerns," Gando said.

Gando said the use of ferry terminal for free is good only for 10 years. "DoubleDragon may or may not impose terminal fee after 10 years, but we assure Guimarasnons that the Provincial Government is always ready to back their cause," Gando stressed.

He clarified that the Province's decision will not prevent itself from filing a case against DD in case it imposes "exorbitant" terminal fee in the future.

Meanwhile, Galvez welcomed the decision of Guimaras to use the ferry terminal.

"We are happy and we appreciate the efforts of Guimaras for taking this opportunity to try the terminal, and see why the City Government built it in the first place. We are also thankful to the persons who were instrumental in the realization of the dry run," said Galvez.

Galvez said commuters, not only Guimarasnons are now assured of a facility that is safe, clean, and convenient.

"During rainy season, passengers will not be inconvenienced," Galvez added.

Reyes, on his part, welcomed the opening of ferry terminal as advantageous for Buenavista, one of the gateways to Guimaras.

"It will greatly impact the tourism of Buenavista and the whole of Guimaras. We are proud that tourists who will visit Buenavista and Guimaras experience convenient entry point, we can be proud of it, it's beautiful," Reyes said.

The PCG-Iloilo City led by Commander Ramil Palabrica initiated a meeting between the ferry terminal stakeholders last March 27.

In an interview, Palabrica enumerated the advantages of the facility like spacious waiting area, clean comfort rooms, x-ray scanners for safety and security, among others.

"With the dry run, we can see what needs to be improved in the ferry terminal operations and the facility itself," Palabrica said.

Palabrica said that per agreement, Jordan will stay in Ortiz but they can use the ferry terminal during bad weather.

The terminal is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. In case of typhoon and the trips are suspended, the passengers can use the facility to stay overnight.

DICT to launch fiber optic cabling project in Iloilo this April

(PNA), PERLA G. LENA

ILOILO CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- A total of 55 government agencies based in Iloilo City will be the first recipients of the Fiber Optic Cabling (FOC) project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that is tentatively set to be launched on April 18, 2017.

The FOC project aims to interconnect government offices. Iloilo City was chosen as pilot area for the Visayas Cluster 1 that covers Western Visayas, Negros Island Region (NIR) and Siquijor.

Engineer Elmer D. Prudente, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Director said the installation of the fiber optic has been completed. They are just waiting for the contractor from Manila to install the switches for the project to operate.

The project covers government agencies from the Parola area going to the University of the Philippines (UP) in Molo district and back to West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Lapaz district, according to Engineer Derrick Rodriguez, focal person for the FOC project.

Rodriguez said the agencies were identified by DICT central office. They are qualified to avail if they own the building or on a long-term lease.

Each agency will have an allocation of one gigabyte. The consumption will be monitored on a monthly basis. If it could not be fully utilized, then the agency will be given allocation depending on their need.

He added that agencies can still use their existing internet connection as back up in case the FOC bogs down.

Prudente, meanwhile, stated that recipient agencies will have to secure the equipment that will be provided to them. “We will also be transferring the accountability to them,” he said.

He added that later on the budget for internet connections of government offices will no longer be provided and they have to use solely the government provided internet, which is also reliable.

The ring of the FOC is installed underground so it will not be affected during typhoons. However, they also have aerial installation, which when damaged needs technical expertise to get repaired.

Rodriguez added that proper coordination with the City Engineers Office (CEO) was done to ensure that it will not be affected by drillings in case there are future projects.

Meantime, they look forward to connect additional 45 government offices in the second phase of the project. If the second phase will not be pursued, then they can wait for the National Broadband Project that aims to provide internet even down to the barangay level.

Last month President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave his go signal for the project.

Capitol to save P1.3M using IP telephony

TAKING advantage of the latest technology, the Iloilo Provincial Government will subscribe to a system that will help reduce the telephone cost of offices situated in the Provincial Capitol.

The project refers to the internet protocol (IP) telephony communication system which the Information Communication Technology Management Office (ICTMO) procured from the PLDT Inc. to a tune of P1.7 million.

By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

ICTMO chief Salvacion Sibonga said the adoption of this telephone system known as private branch exchange (PBX) is a cost-cutting measure that maximizes the use of Capitol’s fiber optic structured cabling system.

“In other words, we will forgo of some of our direct telephone lines and use the internet to exchange calls instead. This is an ICT best practice and it will become the future of telephony in Capitol,” said Sibonga.

PBX is a telephone system within an enterprise that switches calls between enterprise uses on local lines while allowing all users to share a certain number of external phone lines.

Capitol has 83 direct telephone lines and it is paying an average monthly telephone bill of P145, 000 or P1.7 million a year.

Switching to PBX will allow Capitol to maintain a maximum of 300 lines with a subscription fee of P30,000 per month or only P360,000 per year.

The use of IP telephony then will result to savings of about P1.3-million a year.

Capitol’s trunkline numbers and new local directory will be made public on May after the equipment and software are completely delivered and installed by the service provider.

The IP-PBX system has call forwarding, extension dialing and conferencing calling features. It is also capable of auto dialing, call blocking, call park, call pick-up, direct inward dialing, shared message boxes, and voice mail.

ICTMO will manage the telephone system as operator and the General Service Office will be responsible to subscribe to Integrated Services Digital Network to replace the existing analog phones.

But depending on the need of each office, one or two direct lines will be retained.

AIEL to bring esports to Ilonggo high schools

By Adrienne Barrientos (Rappler.com)

The Acclaim Interschool ELeague features 16 high schools in 'League of Legends' and 32 contestants in 'Super Smash Bros' for Wii U

ILOILO, Philippines – The Iloilo Smash (ISC) Events team is hyped and ready to commence Western Visayas’ first inter-high school esports event, the Acclaim Interschool ELeague.

The Acclaim Interschool ELeague features 16 high schools in League of Legends and 32 contestants in Super Smash Bros for Wii U. This event will be held from May 13 to 14, 2017 at the Acclaim Esports Arena in Jaro, Iloilo City, which is currently under construction.

A 32 member all-student team will run this event that aims to promote esports to Iloilo’s high school gaming community.

“We want to bring a professional production level event to high school esports fans. They deserve it.” says Justin Popi Banusing, the director of this event.

Exciting prizes await the winners. For League of Legends, Acclaim merchandise will be given to the top 8, medals for the top 3 and a glass trophy for the 1st placer. Riot Points will also be given to the top 4 (1000 per person for 1st place, 500 per person for 2nd place and 250 per person for 3rd and 4th place). The winner of the League of Legends tournament becomes the Acclaim Youth Team.

For Smash Bros, allocated to the prize pool will be 50% of the registrations. If the event reaches 32 entrants, a P3000 bonus will be added to the prize pool. The 1st placer will get 60% of prize pool while 2nd and 3rd placers will get 30% and 10% of the prize pool, respectively. The top 3 will also receive medals.

There will also be side events to look forward to: The Artists’ Alley, Cosplay@ ELeague and more.

Registration starts on the 26th of March and ends on the 10th of April 2017. Visit the following link to register: smash.gg/aiel

For more information regarding the event please visit and like the official Acclaim Interschool ELeague page on Facebook (https://facebook.com/ISELGames).

See you there and let’s play our wits out, Summoners and Smashers!

Retrieved from "http://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Iloilo_City_News_April_2017&oldid=1000788"