Iloilo City News January 2018

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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.

Chinese investor finds monorail feasible in Iloilo City

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Iloilo City is capable of hosting a monorail project according to a pre-feasibility study conducted by the BYD Auto Co. Inc., an automaker and new energy technology based in China.

Ritchel Gavan, head of the Iloilo City Local Economic Investment and Promotions Office (LEIPO), said the Chinese firm first visited this city last June.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) and non-disclosure agreement for the conduct of the pre-feasibility study (FS) was held in October, and they came back with the result on January 15.

“Based on the data, it is really feasible that they put up a monorail system in the city,” she said.

Gavan said the first of the three-phase project will cover three Iloilo City routes. These are the Iloilo City Hall to Ungka in Jaro district for Line 1; Jaro to the city center for Line 2 and from Mohon, Areval to City Proper for Line 3.

If this investment pushes through, then Iloilo City will serve as their “pilot” in the Philippines and in Asia. BYD has also signed deals with Yinchuan, Shantou, Shenzhen, Guang’an, Jining all in China and Alexandria in Egypt and Morocco, Gavan said quoting an article that appeared in Chinese newspaper.

Gavan said the investment is very much welcomed in Iloilo considering that the city government will not shell out funds.

Also, nobody will be displaced because it will offer “another option for the riding public.”

It is also acceptable to the business sector because it provides easy and faster access, especially when they would like to transact at the city hall, she added.

“Our business sector is very receptive because this is another sign of progress and development in Iloilo City,” she said.

With the positive result of the pre-FS, Gavan said the company will now proceed with the conduct of a feasibility study.

Dinagyang food fest boosts income of small vendors

By Perla Lena (With reports from Elaine Solano-OJT/PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The food festival held every Dinagyang celebration provides opportunity for small vendors.

Jeffrey Agilles, chairperson of the kiosks committee of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc (IDFI), said that as of Wednesday around 940 kiosks have been rented out while close to 50 kiosks are still available.

These remaining kiosks are located in Bonifacio Drive, Ledesma and some parts of Aldeguer and JM Basa streets.

Agilles said most of those who will participate are already engaged in a “carinderia” business or locals of Iloilo who are interested to earn during the Dinagyang. There are also vendors from as far as Cebu and Aklan.

Dinda R. Tamayo of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the festival “gives instant opportunity to them (vendors) to double-up their income compared to their regular days of selling.”

“It also provides employment opportunities for people,” she said.

Agilles assured the consumers of the hygienic practices observed in the food preparations and also of the cleanliness of the kiosks.

Permits will also be provided to ambulant vendors although they will be regulated to make sure that they do not encroach areas where kiosks are located.

He said a monitoring team has been formed to regulate ambulant peddlers.

Establishments offering tattoo services are limited only on Iznart Street, from the Chinese Friendship Arc to the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

The IDFI looks forward to earning around PHP2 million this year from the kiosks.

The food festival will start in the morning of January 26 until evening of January 28.

DPWH to implement P32-B projects in W.Visayas this year

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allotted PHP31.956 billion for the implementation of various infrastructure projects in Western Visayas.

In an interview Wednesday, DPWH-Western Visayas regional director Wenceslao M. Leaño Jr. said that this year’s budget increased by approximately 37 percent when compared with the PHP23.310 billion budget in 2017.

Leaño said that the Negros Occidental First District Engineering Office got the highest budget this year with PHP5 billion while the 1st District Engineering Office of Capiz suffered a huge cut in their budget from PHP1.6 billion in 2017 to less than PHP100 million this year.

Leaño said that the projects would still focus on road and bridge widening, flood control projects, improvement of the roads to provide accessibility to ports and airports and roads leading to tourism destinations.

Aside from these, he added that there would be also road projects leading to trade and industries and economic zones in the region.

“We hope that these projects will all be implemented and will be completed this year,” he said.

Last year, the department has completed 727 of the 1,084 infrastructure projects intended for the region.

Meanwhile, 342 are still ongoing while 15 projects are yet to be started.

But Leaño assured that they were already taking all the necessary actions to fast-track the implementation and completion of these projects.

W. Visayas gets P1.1–B for farm-to-market roads

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Western Visayas got the biggest budget share for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects this 2018, according to the top executive of the Department of Agriculture (DA) here.

Engr. Remelyn Recoter, DA regional executive director, on Monday said that Western Visayas was allotted PHP1.1 billion the biggest among all regions in the country.

The huge chunk goes to Antique, particularly in Lauan town, which has more or less PHP200 million.

The province of Negros Occidental also got a bigger share of the pie. The rest are for FMR projects in the other provinces of Western Visayas.

Recoter said that the huge budget is “beneficial to the region” considering that their initial request was only PHP351 million. This means that more or less 100 kilometers of farm-to-market roads to be established from the original 35 kilometers only, she said.

The fund will be downloaded directly to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The DA will be in-charge of the initial activities such as validation and geo-tagging. It will also handle the monitoring of the progress of the project. Recoter said there are new road sections identified to be funded by the additional budget.

This month and early February, DA’s engineering division will have to sit down with the district offices of the DPWH to work on the validation of the projects.

Recoter said that they just have to request for an increase in their budget as they need to also hire additional people to cope with the number of projects needed to be monitored.

Ilonggos re-enact Sto. Niño arrival in Iloilo

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Devotees gathered Monday afternoon for the reenactment of the arrival of the image of Señor Sto. Niño here 50 years ago, which also marked the start of the celebration of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival.

The image, which was sent to Cebu City last week for a change in wardrobe, arrived in Iloilo Monday morning and motored back to the city passing the parishes of Sta. Barabara and Pavia, and campuses of the University of San Agustin in Sambag and General Luna Street.

At 3 p.m., the image was brought to the San Jose de Placer Parish where hundreds of pupils of the San Jose Catholic School and devotees lined up in front of the church waving to the Sto. Niño.

While the image was mounted in front of the church, a short play depicted how Catholicism started in Cebu and how the image was brought to Iloilo by the Cofradia del Santo Nino de Cebu.

It was followed by merry-making around Plaza Libertad, showing how Ilonggos welcomed the image 50 years ago.

Dominador Rivera, Jr, one of the members of the Cofradia said that before the dances had no choreography. They just danced to the tune of any available musical instrument, mostly made of bamboos.

The merry-making was followed by a Triibute Mass to Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Galindez, dubbed as the Father of the Dinagyang.

According to history, it was Galindez, parish priest of the San Jose Parish joined by Iloilo City officials, who welcomed the image way back in 1968.

Aside from the two events, a medical mission and feeding program was held over the weekend. It was held in partnership with St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo and the parish youth. May Espinosa, who spearhead the activity, said the medical and dental mission started 30 years ago.

As founder of this mission, Espinosa wanted the program sustained as a sign of gratefulness to Sr. Sto Niño and to prove that her devotion can touch lives.

"The essence of this program is to give and provide the needs of others and not wanting anything in return, I want to help those who are in need especially the sick and the children," she said.

Meanwhile, 500 children from Barangays Concepcion, Ortiz, Zamora, Arsenal, Monica, Molye, Legazpi, Sto. Rosario, Veterans Village, and General Hughes of this city benefited from the feeding program.

“One thing that I look forward to on this program is their connection to the church and to the Sto. Nino. They are able to experience events and programs like this,” said Rev. Fr Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, San Jose parish priest.

Dinagyang Committee fosters garbage consciousness

(JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Sponsors Mardi Gras Committee of the Dinagyang Festival 2018 is encouraging participating groups to do away with promotional materials that may add to the volume of garbage during the festivities.

“We are encouraging participating groups to divert their expenses to other more tangible things and not on flyers or other promotional items that make our city dirty,” said August Andong, Chairperson of the Sponsors Mardi Gras Committee.

Some 150 tons of garbage are expected to be generated during the three-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival on top of the 300 tons of garbage collected every day.

Participating groups from business corporations and companies, local government units, tertiary schools, civic clubs and associations, civil society organizations and fraternities and sororities, all wearing festive costumes or t-shirts with company logo and name, perform rhythmic dances accompanied by a marching band or by tape recorded music played back on audio system perform on the parade route and two judging areas during the Sponsors Mardi Gras.

The judging areas are at the Freedom Grandstand and at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

Groups were allowed to give away promotional items to the crowd along the parade route provided this will not result to commotion or disturbance or cause any physical harm to the public.

As of January 13, Andong said some 50 groups have registered to join the event this year slated on January 27 starting at 2 P.M.

Unlike in the previous years where colorful floats are part of the attractions of this lively and exciting street parade, revelers will now witness the floats in the Festival of Lights Parade which will be held later in the evening.

Andong said a Best Mardi Grass Headdress award will be given this year aside from the awards that were previously given such as Best Festival Music, Best Overall Costume, Best Choreography and the Grand Winner which will go to the group with the highest average score in the four categories.

Winners will receive their Dinagyang trophies during the awarding ceremonies on January 28.

Female inmates turn entrepreneurs in Iloilo

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Boredom never sets in inside the cramped female dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) - Iloilo City District Jail as they keep themselves busy with various income generating activities.

Chief Inspector Imee S. Lopera, jail warden, on Friday said they were equipped with skills, which they could use to make a living, once they get out of jail.

Majority of the inmates are into beads-making while others are sewers, manicurist, and masseurs. The beads-making project is introduced by the Micro Ensure Financing. This has taken the interest of the majority of the inmates.

Every week, they order some 35 kilos of beads from Manila to be made into bags, coin purse, ID holders and headbands. Their earnings range from PHP17,000 to PHP35,000 per month.

While their main markets are visitors and schools, their products are regularly displayed at the Tinukib Showroom and during trade fairs in the city.

Some products are also being sold abroad.

Lopera said they are coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for assistance on how to further package their products.

These are sold at a cheaper price, yet their design and craftsmanship are competitive.

Dulce Zamora has been making bead craft for five years. She said that her earning was enough to sustain her needs because no one was visiting her in jail.

At the age of 30, she has been in jail for 10 years for illegal drugs case.

Zamora said she would never put to waste her learning should she be out of the jail; instead pursue it as means to earn a living.

“I will never engage in anything illegal. I will do this for myself. Life here inside is difficult,” she said in the dialect.

In addition to beads-making, 25 of the inmates have passed the assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as masseuse.

They were just waiting for their certificates from TESDA, Lopera said.

Leda Layson, 39 years old, was proud that she passed both the practical and written examination given by TESDA.

She said she could at least find work even in a spa because of her skills once she gets out.

She has been in jail for six years due to an illegal drugs case.

For those who love going to salon, the jail also has inmates who are into nail art, waxing and threading.

Forty-seven year old Elena Padrones has been in jail for more than a year.Teary-eyed she relayed that she has been working as a manicurist even before she got imprisoned.

She was thankful that even inside jail, she was able to earn a living; her fellow inmates were her clients.

The money she earned was used for her needs inside the jail while she sent the rest to her children.

She has seven children and the youngest is only two years old.

Lopera said that it would be difficult to form them into a cooperative since they were on trial.

But they are members of the Social Security System (SSS) through the AlkanSSSya program.

She said that some of the released inmates were able to avail of loans from SSS.

The dormitory is situated inside the compound of the Camp Achilles Plagata along General Luna Street of this city.

It caters to more than 200 inmates, 91 percent are facing drug-related cases.

Others are charged with theft, estafa, illegal recruitment and accessory to murder, among others.

‘Arroz Caldo ni Niño’ for devotees in Iloilo City

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Thousands of devotees and street children enjoyed the free “Arroz Caldo ni Niño” on Wednesday afternoon after the completion of the first of the nine-day 5:30 Novena mass at the San Jose de Placer Parish Church this city.

The "arroz caldo" feast will be repeated leading to the Feast of Señor Santo Niño on January 26.

Originally, the free feeding program was initiated for the devotees but it has already included street children who are staying just within the vicinity of the church, said Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga, parish priest.

There are five masses held each day to be capped by a 10-minute “mini-sadsad” or merrymaking after the 5:30 p.m. mass. Part of the merrymaking will be the dance of one of the Dinagyang Festival tribes.

One of the tribes will perform daily during the "mini-sadsad" for nine days.

Alcayaga said the afternoon feeding is on top of the feeding program called "Fun Day" this coming weekend.

Fifty children from each of the 10 barangays covered by the parish were chosen to participate in the "Fun Day" to mark the 50th year of the celebration of the Feast of Señor Santo Niño.

A fast-food chain with its mascot will entertain the children aside from the donated food.

The children will also undergo a 30-minute catechism.

At the end of the one-day event, they will receive "gifts" provided by Atty. and Mrs. Jobert Peñaflorida, who once served as hermano and hermana mayores of the Cofradia del Santo Niño, Iloilo chapter.

“They still come back,” Alcayaga said referring to the past hermano and hermana de mayores of the Cofradia.

The hermano and hermana mayor serve as “elders” of the Cofradia.

Their support ranges from providing monetary support, leading devotees to join the daily masses for Señor Santo Niño and see to it that the activities lined up to mark the Feast of the Niño are successfully realized.

On Wednesday evening Don Rito Carlo L. Peña and his wife Doña Sarah O. Peña were installed as the 2018 Hermano and Hermana Mayor succeeding Don Eduardo Aguillon and Doña Filamie Aguillon.

This year's Feast of Santo Niño anchors on the theme “Señor Santo Niño: Chaste, Poor and Obedient Son of God.”

15 schools vie for Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika tilt honors

By Leonard T. Pineda I (JSC/LTP/PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- Fifteen schools from the city and province of Iloilo will take part in the 2018 Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika in this year’s Dinagyang Festival.

Clarissa G. Zamora, Officer-in-Charge Iloilo City Schools Division, said that 12 elementary schools and three secondary schools will join in this year’s drum and bugle/lyre contest slated on January 26, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand here.

The elementary schools are San Joaquin Central Elementary School, Banate Central Elementary School, Sambag Elementary School, Jaro I Elementary School, Arevalo Elementary School, Feleciana Java Kelly Elementary School, La Paz I Elementary School, Iloilo Central Elementary School, Mandurriao Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, A. Montes I Elementary School, and Dingle Central Elementary School.

For the secondary level, the participating schools are Ramon Avancena National High School, Ajuy National High School, and Dingle National High School.

Zamora said that innovation is introduced in this year’s competition in terms of add-on instruments – the use of tambourine for the elementary level and trumpet for the secondary schools category.

She added that the public can also look forward to a production number prepared by the participating schools in line with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Dinagyang Festival.

The elementary champion will receive P25,000 cash prize; P20,000 for first runner up; P15,000 for second runner up; P10,000 for third runner up; and P8,000 for fourth runner up.

The secondary champion will receive P30,000; P25,000 for first runner up and P20,000 for second runner up. Winners in both categories will also be given trophies.

Special awards include Best in Performance, Best in Costume, Best in Music, and Best in Discipline.

Parade of the participating groups will start at 7 a.m. from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, going to the Freedom Grandstand where the contest proper will begin at 8 a.m.

Indigent families enjoy free treats from Iloilo town

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Going to a mall and visiting interesting spots in Iloilo City are just usual leisure activities for some. But for those who have less in life, it is an opportunity that they will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Two indigent families from the town of Lambunao in Iloilo province were chosen on Tuesday for the “Lambunao Cares! Moment to Treasure” that was conceived when the town celebrated its foundation anniversary last December 13.

Families from Barangays Alugmawa and Daanbanwa were chosen as the latest beneficiaries. To date, five indigent families have received the one of a kind treat.

During the foundation day, employees of the municipal government, teachers and other donors contributed an amount for the gift-giving and feeding of selected poorest families from the town’s 73 villages, said Jennifer Osorio, tourism officer and project officer of the program.

The extra money was used to treat the poorest among the 73 poor families. They were brought to the city and treated to free lunch and snacks, movie, carnival ride for kids, character appearance of Jollibee, mall tour, landmark visits and photo shoot.

Before going home, they received a photo album, food to share and family shirts.

That’s how the program started, said Osorio. For a budget of PHP7,500 a family of seven can already avail of the said privileges.

“(Lambunao) Mayor (Jason Gonzales) wanted to have this institutionalized,” Osorio said.

The poorest of the poor was chosen with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Also, priorities were given to those who haven’t been to the city, yet.

Renato and Jane Tabilla from Barangay Daanbanwa said they were very happy to be chosen as recipients of the program. Their eldest is now 23 years old but none of their seven children have been to Iloilo City.

Another recipient is the family of Felix and Mary Aduan from Brgy. Alugmawa.

“Thank you very much for this opportunity to bond with our children,” Mary said in the vernacular.

As farm workers, bringing members of their families to the city will impact on their meager income.

Lambunao is an hour away from Iloilo City by van, bus or public utility jeepney (PUJ). However, the municipal government provided them a vehicle that picked them up from their homes and brought them back after the one day trip.

The activity is held in collaboration with the municipal social welfare office headed by Imelda Lopez, business process licensing office head Arabellaflor Losbañes, information center head Gina Aris, engineering staff Ian Serafica and Executive Assistant Emz Cabarles.

Osorio said they always welcome interested sponsors even if they are not from Lambunao.

W. Visayas’ upgrades 1st conservation park

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The first conservation park in Western Visayas, located in the town of Lambunao, Iloilo, is undergoing rehabilitation.

The Mari-it Conservation Park, located inside the West Visayas State University-College of Agriculture and Forestry in Barangay Jayobo, Lambunao, operates as a rescue and captive breeding center for species on the brink of extinction, said Lambunao’s tourism officer Jennifer Osorio.

Two years ago, the park encountered a problem when an international donor who helped in its maintenance died.

With the recent entry of donors, the park has again begun to pick up.

Osorio said Lambunao’s local government unit (LGU) had been an active partner in maintaining the park, which was established in 1993. The LGU’s contribution for the park’s development increased from PHP600,000 in 2017, to PHP1 million this year.

The 1,000 square-meter conservation park is inside the 1,000- hectare Mariit Agri-Eco Tourism Park, which boasts of two waterfalls – the Matillano and Inas Falls - and fruit-bearing trees.

The conservation park hosts the Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Spotted Dear, Visayan Writhed Hornbill (Dulongan), and Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Tirik), among others.

The writhed hornbill, considered as critically endangered, hatched three eggs in 2005 after more than 20 years of dormancy. “They were first in the world to breed in captivity. It was bred successfully,” said Osorio.

The hornbills were rescued from the mountainous areas of Barangays Cabatangan and Jayobo. Osorio said that aside from those that were rescued, there could still be a lot more hornbills in the wild, especially in the virgin forests of these two barangays.

They are currently being quarantined because it’s their breeding season. Osorio said the ongoing restoration program needed sponsors. Also, needing rehabilitation is the road leading to the Inas Falls.

DepEd 6 gears up for early registration starting Jan. 27

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

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) here in Western Visayas is gearing up for the early registration to help ensure that all school age children are in school this incoming academic year.

DepEd VI Education Program Supervisor Dr. Lea Belleza said the Early Registration for School Year 2018-2019 will be conducted from January 27 to February 28 in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

During the month-long registration period, parents are encouraged to register their learners from Kindergarten up to Grade 10 in the schools where they intend to study.

School personnel are also urged to conduct a massive advocacy campaign and various activities that will find children and youth not enrolled and bring them back to school with the support of local officials, civic organizations, people’s organizations and the community.

Belleza said the initiative seeks to ensure that all five-year old children are enrolled in Kindergarten and learners who are in school continue their schooling.

It also aims to map households in all barangays and record information for potential enrollees of Alternative Learning System and to locate, identify and enroll out-of-school children and youth who are in remote/geographically isolated areas, those with difficulty in learning and the Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

“Through the initiative, we would like also to know the barriers why these children are not in school and identify interventions to help them go to school and ensure that they do not drop out,” said Belleza.

Registration is for free. Parents or guardians are advised to bring their learner’s birth certificate if available. If not, this could be submitted during the enrollment period or within the school year.

The month-long registration also forms part of the early preparations of DepEd to address possible gaps such as on enrollment and overcrowding before the opening of the school year.

410 centenarians in west Visayas get P41-M cash incentive

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Cash incentive amounting to PHP41 million was released to 410 centenarians in Western Visayas as of last year, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6).

Judith Tanate, DSWD-6 focal person for Persons with Disabilities and Older Persons, said all target centenarians in the region is covered by the release. Each of the centenarian received PHP100,000.

Tanate said PHP36 million of the budget was released to 360 centenarians included in the 2016 master list of beneficiaries while PHP5 million was released to 50 centenarians included in the 2017 master list.

Tanate said the cash incentives were fully distributed on December 27- 28, 2017.

She added that the cash incentive provided to centenarians was really a big help.

“It really helped them especially when they are hospitalized or when they have medical needs, particularly their medicines,” she said.

The cash incentives given to all centenarians in the country was realized through Section 2 of the Republic Act 10868 or the "Centenarians Act of 2016.” The cash incentive came with a letter of felicitation from the President Rodrigo Duterte, congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity.

In 2016, DSWD has identified the 2,992 centenarian-beneficiaries nationwide.

Tanate said Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, which has 360 centenarians, has highest number of beneficiaries in the country.

Iloilo province has the highest number of beneficiaries with 116 while Negros Occidental has 82; Capiz, 65; Aklan, 42; Antique, 27; Iloilo City,19 and Guimaras with nine.

She said that the oldest centenarian-beneficiary is a 117 year-old male centenarian in Kalibo, Aklan.

Meantime, DSWD is targeting 183 centenarians to receive the incentive this 2018.

She said that they have already requested budget from their central office.

She said the number of centenarians may further increase as they are still validating more would-be centenarians.

She encouraged would-be centenarians this year to already comply with the needed requirements this early so they could already release their incentives once the budget is ready.

Requirements to avail of the cash incentive include birth certificate and any valid government-issued identification card.

Dinagyang season kicks off in Iloilo

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Dinagyang season has officially begun.

This was declared by Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III as the sounds of drums filled the city’s streets during the opening salvo of the golden year of the Dinagyang Festival here Friday.

In his message, Espinosa underscored that Ilonggos should not forget that this annual festivity is being held to honor the Señor Santo Niño.

The celebration dates back to 1968 when the replica of the image of the Señor Santo Niño de Cebu was brought to Iloilo City by Fr. Sulpicio Enderes, OSA and the Cofradia de Cebu.

That same year, the “Ati-atihan” was introduced to Iloilo by the Cofradia del Sto. Niño, Iloilo Chapter, led by then Parish Priest of San Jose Parish, Fr. Ambrocio Galindez, OSA.

In 1976, the city government took over the management of the celebration as it became a big tourist attraction.

From “Ati-athan”, its name was changed to Dinagyang in 1977 to create its own identity and not to duplicate the festival of Kalibo, Aklan.

Dinagyang, Hiligaynon for “merrymaking”, was coined by the late radio newscaster Pacifico Sudario.

Rev. Fr. Raymund Edsel Alcayaga said the Sto. Niño image will be brought to the Basilica in Cebu for the change of vestment. The new clothes will be provided by the heirs of Vicente Gullas who also donated the replica.

It will be brought back to Iloilo on Jan. 22 by air, in remembrance of how the original image came to Iloilo half a century ago, he said.

A caravan from the Iloilo International Airport passing by several towns of Iloilo will follow after its arrival at 6:30 a.m.

In the afternoon of the same day, a reenactment of the arrival of the image and history of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines will be held at the San Jose Parish Church.

“It will be followed by the reenactment of the original merrymaking in Iloilo 50 years ago,” he said.

This year’s celebration will be grander than the previous years to mark its golden anniversary.

Ma. Luisa Segovia, vice-chairperson of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), said there will be a night of international cultural shows where delegations from New Zealand and South Korea will showcase their festivals.

Also for the first time, there will be a parade of lighted floats in the evening of Jan. 27 that will depict the Dinagyang milestone.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, "Dinagyang@50: Timeless Tradition, Culture and Devotion".

The annual celebration is managed by the triumvirate of the Iloilo City government, IDFI and the San Jose Parish Church.

Iloilo City to automate tax payments

By Minerva BC Newman

Iloilo City – The city’s tax payment system will be fully automated in the first or second quarter of this year.

Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office (LEIPO) head Ritchell Gavan said the digital transformation of the city’s tax payment system has been its goal and “hopefully by the first or 2nd quarter of 2018 the platform for online payment of taxes will take effect.”

Gavan said that once the system is operational, taxpayers can go to any bank or 7/11 convenience store to pay.

Gavan said the recognition of Iloilo City by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in 2016 as one of the country’s digital cities encouraged the city government to launch its automation program.

Gavan said the city’s digital transformation opened the door for partnerships to boost its various programs. For one, Iloilo has teamed with Microsoft Southeast Asia that committed its support to the city’s digital initiatives, she said.

Last December, Iloilo launched ILOVation (Iloilo and Innovation), a program that aims to create a sustainable society through technology.

“We partnered with schools to come up with technologies or applications for disaster reduction management and other areas,” Gavan said.

ILOVation involves two categories – the barangay-based and for businesses. “We need to establish resiliencyfor both. We want something that helps the barangays during disasters and calamities and for business and investment efficiency for the city,” Gavan said.

Glimpse of Dinagyang performances on Friday’s opening salvo

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Ilonggo community will have a glimpse of what to expect during the 50th year of the Dinagyang Festival as the Ati tribes perform during Friday’s opening salvo.

Ten tribes would present their dances in a carousel type in all five stages, said tribes committee chair Robert Alor during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference. Each tribe would perform for five minutes, which was already a preview of their final performance on January 27.

The tribes are the Salognon of Jaro National High School, Paghidaet of Lapaz National High School, Ilonganon of the Jalandoni Memorial National High School, Panay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Panayano from Iloilo City National High School, Dagatnon of Ramon Avanceña National High School, Obreros from Bo. Obrero National High School, Amihan of the Mandurriao National High School, Buntatalanit from the villages of Buntatala and Lanit in Jaro district, and Tapaznon from Tapaz, Capiz.

“This is a free-flowing presentation,” he said.

He said that this year, it was emphasized that tribes should focus on their choreography and not on props.

Alor said that despite the curfew imposed by the city government that had affected their practice hours, the student participants were doing their best to come up with a good presentation.

In the meantime, Ma. Luisa Segovia, vice-chairman of the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), said the tribes had each been given a PHP750,000 subsidy out of the PHP1 million committed for every tribe.

Segovia said they hope to release the last tranche days before January 27. The IDFI decided to double the subsidy this year to cover the expenses of tribes. Last year, the subsidy was only PHP500,000.

The subsidy came from the city government, which this year had allotted PHP18 million for the IDFI.

Winners of the competition will bring home PHP250,000 for the champion; PHP200,000 for the first runner-up; PHP175,000 for the second runner-up; PHP150,0000 for the third runner-up; and PHP125,000 for the fourth runner-up.

Iloilo explores potentials for eco-zones; perks up investments

By Elsa S. Subong (JSC/ESS/PIA6 Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Iloilo provincial government is exploring the establishment of economic zones as an approach to keep investments upbeat.

“Right now we are conducting Geographic Information System (GIS) of areas where we will develop these economic zones,” Velma Jane Lao of the provincial Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office said in a radio interview.

Initially identified are the towns of Dumangas for logistics or light industries, Leganes for agri-industrial economies, Passi City and Concepcion for the manufacturing industry.

“Within this January, we hope to present the results of the GIS and then we prepare investment packages to prospective investors,” Lao said.

With this, the provincial government has continuously provided its 43 municipalities with enabling environment for investors, like the implementation of electronic business permits and licensing system.

“We were able to reduce processing from three days to 15 minutes,” Lao said.

The provincial government has also provided financial access to 1,200 micro small and medium enterprises.

Lao said that microfinance development is among the strongest programs of the provincial government generating about P1.5 million for capital expansion and loans, and P1.7 million during trade fairs.

Iloilo City gets P1.1-M as top performing health office

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) is extending PHP1.1 million incentive to Iloilo City which is cited as most outstanding local government unit for the 2017 Local Health Systems (LHS) award and as top performing City Health Office (CHO) for tuberculosis program implementation in Western Visayas.

DOH-6 Regional Director Marlyn W. Convocar, in a letter addressed to Mayor Jose Espinosa III, said Iloilo City was entitled to a PHP500,000 cash award that would be used to finance health-related programs and projects supportive to the Local Investment Plan for Health and the annual operational plan.

In its menu of projects, the fund shall be utilized for improvement plans and activities to create a functional service delivery network, health researches or innovative practices, capacity building activities, promotional activities, and other government-related activities.

On the other hand, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of this city on Tuesday authorized Mayor Jose Espinosa III to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DOH for the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP).

The MOA was in line with the PHP600,000 grant it was entitled to receive in recognition of its outstanding performance and contribution in the delivery of basic tuberculosis (TB) Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) program.

The fund is provided under the NTP performance-based grant to augment the logistics, drugs and supplies for the use of TB DOTS facilities.

The winners were chosen based on the review of their TB program implementation from 2014 until 2016.

They were rated according to their DOTS compliance assessment tool, case detection rate, defaulter rate, treatment success rate, national awards and timelines in the submission of reports.

SEAFDEC/AQD scientists to boost shrimp farming

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

ILOILO CITY (PIA)-- Scientists of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department have a new challenge – to perk up shrimp farming and boost the industry which has been a “risky” business for decades.

“The many constraints and problems besetting the industry for years, have made the industry so,” Dan Baliao, SEAFDEC/AQD chief said.

“We are launching our banner program ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ to revive the shrimp industry in the Philippines,” Baliao added.

To pave the way for this, scientists at the Fish Health Section of the department has developed technologies to improve protocols to immediately spot any sign of disease in prawns.

Baliao said that the scientists are now developing a culture technique that will consider factors like temperature, photo period, bird migration and season.

“These factors can enhance growth of pathogens so the scientists are developing efficient and effective use of probiotics as priorities,” Baliao said.

On the other hand, the Shrimp Brood stock Development Team is now implementing an improved scheme of brood stock selection, by thorough screening in the different stages of fry growth.

The scientists said they are also establishing and refining quarantine and biosecurity measure and protocol.

Meanwhile, the Nutrition and Feed Development Team is set to test the development of low cost diet to reduce production cost with more alternative local feed ingredients.

The scientists said that finding an ideal diet for shrimp is a recurring concern of farmers and pond operators.

SEAFDEC/AQD said that despite high production cost for shrimp farming, the promise of high rofit can be tempting, as the local market can command a price ranging from P400 to P600 per kilogram.

The department has vowed that along with its revival of the industry is the foal to make it globally competitive in the world market.

7-day Dinagyang gun ban starts January 23

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) will impose a seven-day gun ban starting January 23 for the celebration of the 50th Dinagyang Festival this month.

The request of the city government to suspend PTCFOR (permit to carry firearms outside of residence) from January 23-29 has been approved by Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa, Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6), confirmed Friday.

He clarified that the gun ban only covers the area Iloilo City.

“Only members of PNP, AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), and other law enforcement agencies who are performing official duties will be allowed to carry firearms,” he stressed.

Violators will face criminal charges and imprisonment, he said.

Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Commission is yet to approve the request for a signal jam of telecommunication network within the three-kilometer radius during the two-day highlights slated January 27-28, said Gorero.

Gorero assured that they are “almost prepared” in terms of security preparations to achieve zero incidents during the festival.

“For security reasons, we cannot divulge the number of police forces that will be deployed to augment the security in the city but we assure that there will be enough,” he said.

While PRO-6 is using “whole of government approach,” Gorero said that some concerned government agencies like the Armed Forces of Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection are tapped to help in the preparations.

Gorero recalled that coordination meetings were also previously conducted at the PRO-6 office mainly to realign the policies and guidelines of the government with other stakeholders like the hotel owners security guards and security officers of business establishments and volunteer groups, among others.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the Dinagyang Festival.

Gorero assured that they are also preparing necessary measures for the successful visit of the President in this city.

He said that they are expecting that security deployment will have minor changes once the Presidential Security Group (PSG) will come in.

“Inner security will be the responsibility of PSG while the outer security will be the responsibility of PRO6,” he said.

Capitol to honor towns' contribution in fight vs malnutrition

(PR)

THE Iloilo Provincial Government will honor local government units (LGUs) and key players in the fight against malnutrition in the province on Thursday, December 7.

Iloilo will hold the first "Pasidungog sa Nutrisyon 2017" to recognize the efforts of the towns, individuals and groups which contributed to the reduction of the province malnutrition rate, Leni Disin of the Provincial Health Office said.

“It will be a celebration of successful stories and achievements of (nutrition program) implementers,” Disin added.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., who chairs the Provincial Nutrition Council, will give the plaques, certificates and cash incentives to the lucky awardees.

There are 27 awardees under the following categories: Best in nutrition program; Most nutritionally improved municipalities; Top nutritionally improved municipalities based on OPT (2014-2016); Most functional nutrition committee; Top performing Municipal Nutrition Action Officer; Top performing Municipal Nutrition Coordinator; Top performing Punong Barangay and Best performing Barangay Nutrition Scholar.

Department of Health Western Visayas regional director Dr. Marlyn Convocar will give the keynote address during the program.

It will start at 9 a.m. and will be held at the Social Hall of Casa Real de Iloilo.

Iloilo province gives P400K for Dinagyang fest

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Iloilo provincial government is giving PHP400,000 financial assistance for the 50th anniversary of the Dinagyang Festival slated last week of January.

In his regular press conference Thursday, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said that the assistance would be coursed through the city government.

He said the assistance was supposedly given directly to the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) however, the Commission on Audit (COA) did not allow the province to do so.

“COA does not allow it. It needs to be presented first to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP),” he said.

The governor on Wednesday discussed with City Mayor Jose Espinosa III on how to fast track the release of the assistance. The provincial government is a co-sponsor of the Dinagyang Festival.

“The city government will just transfer the fund to the Dinagyang Foundation,” he said.

Last year, the province also provided the same amount directly to the IDFI.

Aside from the financial assistance, the provincial government is also responsible for the preparation of the Iloilo Capitol stage every year, which serves as one of the judging areas during festival competitions.

The Dinagyang Festival is slated January 21-28. Among the highlights of the festival is the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang pageant, the Kasadyahan Regional Festivals Competition and the Ati Tribe Competition.

Espinosa previously said that President Rodrigo Duterte is 90 percent sure to grace the Dinagyang Festival.

In a previous interview with Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6), said that they are closely coordinating with the commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to prepare the necessary measures for the successful visit of the President in this city.

He also said that they would adopt the major security framework used during the region’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation last year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City last October to ensure the peaceful Dinagyang Festival.

950 Dinagyang food fest kiosks available

By Merianne Grace Ereñeta (Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – In line with the 50th Dinagyang Festival, the city government, in partnership with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), will start selling Dinagyang kiosks on Jan. 8.

IDFI kiosk in-charge Joeffrey Agilles said some 950 kiosks would be erected for the Diangyang food festival on Jan. 26 to 28.

“We are now in the process of marking the kiosks. For those who will be applying, they should bring with them their payment on Jan. 8 because we will not accept reservations,” said Agilles.

One kiosk, which measures 2.5 meters by 3 meters, costs P2,000.

The amount is good for the three-day event including the electricity and payment for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Agilles added.

Kiosks will be located along Iznart Street from Arroyo Fountain to Plazoleta Gay, Valeria Street, Delgado Street, and Solis Street.

Kiosks located inside the provincial capitol is not covered by the IDFI.

The applicant is allowed to apply for a maximum of two kiosks only.

“They can pay at the IDFI lounge located at the back of the Freedom Grandstand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays,” said Agilles.

Kiosk owners will be given official receipts and permits upon payment.

Ambulant vendors will also be regulated and need to pay for permit.

Meanwhile, Agilles urged t kiosk owners to maintain the cleanliness of their area during the food festival.

“Before we issue their permit, there is an agreement form which states that one of their responsibilities is to maintain the cleanliness of their area and placing garbage cans. They should also ensure that the food they sell are fresh and are properly covered,” stressed Agilles.

An inspection team from IDFI will also conduct monitoring during the food festival to ensure that kiosk owners comply with their responsibilities.`

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