Iloilo City News May 2014

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Iloilo City - Archived News
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Molo Church, Iloilo City
Iloilo dinagyang festival.jpg
The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Iloilo bags Canadian support for economic programs

(PIDS/PIA-6)

ILOILO – This province has been included in the Local Government Support Program – Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED), a joint project of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Canadian government.

According to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., Iloilo will be embarking on economic and development programs and initiatives with the support of the Canadian government through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

This will specifically benefit the towns of Banate, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Estancia and Carles, he revealed.

The identified areas were chosen based on the inputs of the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

The Canadian government will extend technical support to programs that could boost the economy of these areas, said Defensor.

A total of 11 provinces qualified for the LGSP-LED. Four are from Western Visayas. Aside from Iloilo, the three others are Aklan, Antique and Negros Occidental.

Defensor said one of programs that CIDA will be supporting in Iloilo is on tourism development.

For instance, the community will be provided with capability-building, trainings and strategies to improve their livelihood – as in souvenir-making for tourists.

In Negros Occidental, their focus will be on the development of their heritage sites.

Mayor eyes MIGEDC review on transport privilege

By Lydia C. Pendon

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has instructed city planning and development officer Jose Roni Peñalosa to review the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by members of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) to determine if transport privilege is incorporated into the deal.

Mabilog said the City Government is currently implementing the amended Comprehensive Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (CPBO) and there is currently a contention from the City Council to grant special privilege to first town MIGEDC members for them to enter the city.

He said the city mayor is the MIGEDC chairman and the other members are the local government units of the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia and Leganes. The municipality of Sta. Barbara, next town of Pavia, is also a member of MIGEDC.

The CPBO full implementation is slated on Monday, June 2, and only four car passes to public utilities from each town in the province will be allowed to enter the city.

MIGEDC first towns are exempted in the four car pass allowance and have the privilege to have many car passes from 30 to 40 percent of the total number of their PUJs to enter the city.

Mabilog said the Transport Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMTRO) is currently recalling the issued old car passes and to issue four car pass plates only to each town regardless of their transport organizations.

He also admitted that he is studying the several petitions submitted by different transport organizations from southern, central and northern Iloilo. However, the CPBO must be implemented first to determine the traffic regulations, Mabilog added.

Biz sector helps promote local tourism, products

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

ILOILO CITY, May 29 (PIA) --- The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)- Iloilo Chapter said they are set to visit different municipalities in Iloilo and Panay this year to help in the promotion of local tourism and products.

Grace Donna Ratilla, President of PCCI-Iloilo, said that they are revitalizing their project dubbed “Lagaw-Lagaw” in which they are slated to visit 10 municipalities here to assist in the promotion of each of the town’s tourism industry, products, packaging, landscape, among others.

“This is in support of the One Town, One Product (OTOP-Philippines) which is a priority program of the government to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs,” she said.

Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

She said that one major accomplishment of the “Lagaw-Lagaw” program was the showcase of the local textile “hablon” in Italy, one of the world’s fashion capital, in November last year.

“The world was able to see creations made from hablon and patadyong in a fashion showcase featuring the works of Ilonggo designer Jaki Peñalosa,” she said.

Ratilla said that the hablon handloom-weaving is a major industry in a number of towns in Iloilo particularly in Miagao. The fabric has emerged into a versatile and unique textile, making waves in the Philippine and international fashion and garment industry.

She also said that hablon will be used in the gowns of the 40 sagalas who will take part in the Santacruzan Ciudad de Iloilo slated on May 31, 2014.

1.5-M WV students back to school on June 2

(PIA-Iloilo/PN)

ILOILO City – Over 4,000 public elementary and high schools across Western Visayas are opening their doors to an estimated 1.5 million students Monday next week when school year 2014-2015 officially starts.

There are some 1.1 million enrollees in the elementary level and 400,000 in the secondary level, said Assistant Regional Director John Arnold Siena of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6.

Siena urged parents, especially those who have not enrolled their children yet, to visit schools and ensure that their children are listed.

DepEd is observing the “no collection” policy, he added.

“This opening of classes, let not the nonpayment of voluntary contributions last year be a basis for non-admission of students,” said Siena.

Regional Director Corazon Brown, meanwhile, stressed there are enough public elementary and high teachers in Western Visayas.

She, however, admitted some kinks in the allocation of teaching loads among teachers.

Some teachers do not have teaching loads. They instead serve either as liaison officers of their schools, librarians or managers of school canteens.

Others taking up master’s degrees are given lighter teaching loads.

Brown said school supervisors, principals and school heads have the responsibility to make sure that teaching loads are maximized among teachers.

DepEd Region 6 has reactivated its Oplan Balik Eskwela Information and Action Center Task Force to address queries and complaints.

“The task force will see to it that students are properly enrolled and attend the first day of classes,” said Dr. Eden Deriada, task force chairperson.

Assisting Deriada in the task force’s action center are five personnel and a support staff, all from DepEd Region 6.

The action center is situated at the DepEd Regional Office, Duran St., this city.

“Students, parents and other concerned sectors can also bring their queries to the nearest DepEd division offices as they were also directed to set up their own task forces,” said Deriada.

283 WV farmers avail ‘Sikat-Saka’ program

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

ILOILO CITY, May 27 (PIA6) --- Some 283 small palay farmers in Western Visayas have availed of the government’s Sikat Saka program since it was launched here in 2012 and other farmers are encouraged to also avail of the said credit assistance.

The government’s Sikat Saka, under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), is an agricultural lending program available to small palay farmers giving them access to credit, through their respective irrigators' associations.

This program is in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines to help target beneficiaries come up with bigger production to sustain rice sufficiency in the country.

“Under this scheme, farmers will enjoy a lower interest rate of 15 percent per annum for the first two loan cycles,” said Jett Anthony Wong, Account Assistant of Land Bank Iloilo Lending Center.

He said that the interest can go as low as nine percent per annum on the eighth loan cycle if the farmer consistently pays the full amount of the amortization on time.

Under the project, a maximum amount of P42,000 per hectare per cropping shall be made available to individual farmers planting hybrid rice seeds, while P37,000 shall be available for those planting inbred rice varieties.

Among the requirements for farmers to be eligible include: a member of an eligible irrigators’ association (IA) as certified by the National Irrigation Administration; has no loan with Land Bank and its conduits for palay production for the past six months at the time of loan application as certified by the endorsing IA.

The farmer must also own or till at least one half (1/2) hectare of irrigated land but not to exceed five hectares.

The program also requires a farmer to have a purchase order or market contract with the National Food Authority (NFA) or the Iloilo Rice Processing Complex in Pototan, Iloilo or other reliable buyers.

The farmer must have attended a briefing and/or extension and training service on the program on organizational strengthening including financial management and other relevant subjects conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), other DA agencies or local government units.

The Sikat Saka was pilot-tested in 2012 in major rice-producing provinces like Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Iloilo and North Cotabato.

In 2013, the program coverage expanded to 25 other provinces in the country including Antique, Capiz, and Negros Occidental, all in Western Visayas.

DFA 6 processes 400 passports daily

(PNA), JBP/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 26 (PNA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office 6 is now processing about 400 passports a day since its transfer to the Lingkod Bayan Center at the Robinsons Mall here in Iloilo city.

The DFA has transferred its office to the Lingkod Bayan Center about a year ago to be nearer with the other government offices providing services to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) like the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Since it has transferred, the DFA services have been made more accessible to passport applicants, thus, the increase in number of applications daily.

DFA Director Shiela Marie Tu said that for regular passports (PHP 950 fee) it usually takes 20 days processing while for express, the processing only takes 10 days for a fee of PHP1,200.

She said that she could not, however, say if most of the passports applied for are by tourists or work related since it is not indicated in the application form.

She said that the DFA is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. up to 6 in the evening.

IS workers, OSYs undergo free training on Digital Arts (News Feature)

(PNA), CTB/AJP’/DOLE-6/PR/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 25 (PNA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 6 has joined forces with STI-Iloilo and ABS-CBN in providing informal sector (IS) workers as well as in-school and out-of-school youths (OSYs) with free training on Digital Arts/Information Technology (IT) Plus this whole month of May as part of the 2014 Labor Month celebration.

A total of 76 IS workers and OSYs have already availed of this skills training which started last May 5, 2014.

The 3-day training, which will be conducted in seven batches, aims to provide the participants with the necessary skills on digital arts. It covers photo-editing and lay-outing using Photoshop CS-6. It focuses on exploring the applications of the program from the very basic such as downloading of photos, enhancing the color and contrast, cropping, etc. up to the more high-end ones.

DOLE Region 6 director Ponciano M. Ligutom was happy to note that the training was realized with the help of partners who are instrumental in making this year’s Labor Day celebration a huge success.

According to Ms. Ray Ann Agrete of STI-Iloilo, one of the facilitators of the training, the participants are mostly IS workers and OSYs who are into photo editing and photography.

One of them is Eliezer Tupino, 27 years old of Masonic Compound, Plaza Libertad, J. M. Basa St., Iloilo City.

Ely got the idea about the training through his friend who gave him an application form. He filled up the form and immediately submitted the same to ABS-CBN, the one screening the applicants.

“Since I’m into a networking home-based business, the learning I’ve acquired from this training enhances my skills in photo-editing and lay-outing of promotional materials for my business,” he said when asked why he decided to participate in the training.

On the other hand, Ariane Arjane Mutias, 17, an incoming first year college student joined the training to learn the skills that would somehow turn her dreams into reality. Ariane, who loves travelling, said that through photo-editing she can be in places that she has yet to visit.

While some joined the training to enhance their skills and fulfill their dreams, some considered it valuable in case they could not find a job that would fit their educational attainment such as in the case of 17 year-old AJ Flores.

AJ is an incoming second year Bachelor in Special Education student. He availed of the training so that she can use the skills she acquired in putting up a business in case his dream of becoming a teacher will not be realized.

“We never know what will become of me in the future. Through this training, I think I’ll be able to put up a printing business if teaching will not be my destiny,” he said.

The Digital Arts (IT Plus) Training, which is being held at STI Iloilo, Mission Road, Jaro, Iloilo City is expected to benefit about 175 IS workers and OSYs.

To date, five batches of trainees have already been covered on May 5-7; May 8, 9 and 12; May 13-15; May 16, 19-20; and May 21-23. The last two batches will be held on May 26-28, and May 29-30 and June 2.

Actions to protect, save mangrove areas sought

By Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, May 24 (PIA6) - - The Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 is calling for actions to save and protect the existing mangrove areas in the region amidst the trends of destruction and conversion.

Western Visayas has a total mangrove area of about 7, 277.52 hectares that is being protected and maintained in coordination with the local government units and other concerned partners.

“Given its ecological and economic value, there is a need to protect and manage our mangroves as well as maintain its current state against destruction and conversion into fish ponds and other uses,” said Mary Rose Manglinong, Forester I of the Coastal and Marine Management Division of DENR 6 PAWCZMS.

Manglinong said that for every hectare of mangrove destroyed 1.08 tons of fish per year are lost. This is because a hectare of mangrove produces up to 3.6 tons of litterfall per year that provides a lot of food for marine life.

Aside from food and sanctuary for some fishes and other marine life, according to Manglinong, mangroves also protect shorelines, roads and other infrastructure from strong waves and winds and storm surges.

They further protect seagrass beds and coral reefs from sedimentation and a potential ecotourism site. Femme Penafiel, Project Assistant IV of DENR 6 PAWCZMS said that many people regard mangroves as nothing more than source of firewoods and construction materials but mangroves have also a contribution to the fight against climate change.

“Mangroves have that ability to trap carbon from atmosphere that will help protect us from climate change. Global warming is caused by too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Penafiel.

Mangroves are plants highly adapted to sea water and have unique characteristics and growing habits that allow them to survive in harsh environments.

Based on studies, there are 50 to 60 species of mangroves in the world and about 35 species are found in the Philippines. Manglinong said the government has put in place policies to protect, conserve and rehabilitate mangrove areas and on management of coasts. She cited among others the National Greening Program of President Benigno Aquino III that aims to rehabilitate or grow 1.5 billion trees covering 1.5 million hectares within 6 years including mangrove areas.

DENR record showed that from 2011 to 2014, a total of 579.6 hectares of open/denuded mangroves in the region has been rehabilitated under the NGP.

This year’s Month of the Ocean celebration in the country also focuses on the protection of mangrove forests and its vital role in maintaining the stability of coasts especially in combating the effects of climate change with its theme “Mangroves Protect. Protect Mangroves”.

‘Do-day’ for Iloilo Central Market

BY CHRISTY PALMA (PN)

ILOILO City – The city government and the central market vendors have agreed to do general cleaning every Saturday.

During a dialogue with Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, the central market vendors brought out their concerns in cleanliness and proper waste management inside the market.

They were complaining about the smelly and messy central market, the drainage system, the improper disposal of waste and the defective comfort rooms inside.

After hearing the current situation of the market, Mayor Mabilog proposed to have a general cleaning every Saturday at 2 p.m., to which most of the vendors agreed.

Mayor Mabilog also asked the cooperation of market vendors to be responsible in cleaning their respective area everyday to maintain order inside the market.

‘Bongga Bella’ to spruce up plazas, roads


(Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – Bougainvilleas will soon be beautifying all public plazas, the city’s road networks and neighboring municipalities.

The City Tourism and Development Office officially launched the ubiquitous shrub as the “Bulak sang Iloilo” thru its “Bongga Bella” project.

“Bongga Bella!” meaning “grand and beautiful,” aptly describes Iloilo City today, said City Tourism Officer Benito Jimena.

The project aims to make use of the bougainvillea as the principal ornamental plant for all road beautification projects for city streets as the flower is noted for its various colors.

The shrub is also an ideal fencing alternative when planted along the streets.

“Bongga Bella!” also wants to create public awareness for the beautification project and sense of community ownership of bougainvillea as the official local flower of Iloilo, said Jimena.

The initiative also became a collaborative project with the rest of Metro Iloilo and Guimaras, he added.

The Beautification Task Force (BTF) is responsible for the planting and maintaining bougainvillea plants along public roads.

The City Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for implementing the project in all city plazas.

Likewise, member towns of Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic and Development Council adopted the project with the support of the Association of Plant Growers and Iloilo Tourism Officers Association.

Pine trees, rice terraces, veggies in Iloilo’s Baguio

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. (Inquirer Visayas)

LEON, ILOILO—Vacationists in the Visayas or Mindanao seeking refuge from the sweltering summer heat need not travel all the way to Baguio City far up in the north for their great escape.

Bucari village in Leon town, about 28 kilometers northwest of Iloilo City, has long been considered Iloilo’s “Little Baguio”for its cool climate, pine trees, rice terraces and fresh vegetables, but without the hordes of tourists and other pitfalls of rapid urbanization.

The temperature in the village, 600 meters above sea level, drops to 9 degrees Celsius during December and about 18 to 20 degrees in other months.

The pine tree-covered campsite in Sitio (subvillage) Tabionan has become a favorite site for spiritual retreats, meditation, team-building workshops and recreational activities because of its nippy weather and relaxing and quiet ambiance, according to municipal tourism officer Rose Lea Kilayko.

The campsite is part of a 5,500-hectare reforestation area of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Aganan Watershed.

The pine trees are now 30 to 50 years old, said Evan Calaor, former village chief of Bucari who is also the camp administrator. Levi Duran, DENR regional technical director for forest management service, added that the pines were chosen for its adaptability to the cool climate and elevated areas.

Bucari is ideal for mountain-trekking and mountain-bike riding because of its steep terrain that criss-crosses rivers and creeks and unpaved and winding roads.

Mt. Agua Colognia

For experienced climbers and trekkers, going up Mt. Agua Colognia—the highest peak in Bucari at 1,200 meters above sea level—is an attractive challenge.

The Tabionan campsite, 30 km from the town proper, borders Antique province and is accessible by passenger jeepney or motorcycle from the town center. But almost half of the road network from Leon town proper to Bucari is unpaved, which can make travel difficult especially during the rainy season.

Trekking for 30 minutes from the campsite to the viewing area 700 meters above sea level can be backbreaking, but the reward—a glorious view from the summit—is priceless. At the top and facing the east, one can see lush mountains and rice terraces as the sun rises.

From the same spot and on a clear day, Iloilo City, Guimaras Island and Mt. Kanlaon in neighboring Negros Island can be seen from the viewing area.

Rent a tent

Travelers can also hike for about an hour to the Imoy Waterfalls in the neighboring village of Camandag and take a dip or dive into its 2-meter-deep waters or rappel down. The falls is surrounded by wild flowers and trees and is about 200 meters from the village center.

There are no sleeping accommodations in the campsite, but if you love to sleep outdoors, you can rent a tent that can accommodate up to four persons for P250. Three cottages are open for day trips and dining. Communal toilets and showers are available at the camp.

Travelers can also rent cottages at Talon Inn on the grounds of Buracari National High School about a kilometer from the campsite. The inn, which is operated by the school’s parent-teacher association, rents out a room that can accommodate eight to 10 guests for P1,600 a night. There is also the privately owned Pineridge Bucari Mountain Resort about 2 km from the camp, which charges P1,000 per person nightly for a minimum of five guests.

Additional cottages, including facilities for overnight stay, will be built to accommodate the growing number of guests, according to Calaor.

Kilayko said there were plans to construct a 400-m zip line from the campsite to the forest and a canopy walk at the pine tree groove.

The food at the Tabionan campsite is provided by residents of the community who also serve as guides. Campers are treated to specialty dishes of native chicken “adobo” (chicken simmered in marinade) or spangled chicken (grilled chicken cooked in broth with spices).

HOW TO GO THERE

Visitors should not leave the camp without taking home fresh vegetables (lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber and celery), which can be purchased directly from the villagers dirt cheap. A kilo of sayote (chayote) that costs from P40 to P50 in Iloilo City can be bought at P12 a kilo from the villagers.

Bucari can be reached from Iloilo City in less than an hour by passenger van (P50 per passenger) or passenger jeepney (P40 per passenger) from their terminals in Jaro District.

From the Leon town proper, tourists can take a jeepney (P50 per passenger) or a motorcycle (from P200 per passenger) to the Tabionan campsite.

Motorcycle rides to the Tabionan campsite and Barangay Camandag (where Imoy Falls is located) are offered at P100 and up for one person. The tour guide’s fee starts at P350.


Fiestas in the City showcase food, pasalubongs

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

ILOILO CITY, May 20 (PIA) --- Food specialty and “pasalubong” treats from each province in Western Visayas are showcased in the ongoing Fiestas in the City which officially kicked off Monday at SM City Events Center.

Department of Tourism (DOT)-6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas said that Western Visayas is known for its excellent food in terms of preparation, nutrition, and presentation so it should be highlighted.

“Each province has its own food specialty and pasalubong treats including Aklan’s ampao, the mango and mango products of Guimaras, the seafood of Capiz, the bandi of Antique, the original piaya of Negros Occidental, and the batchoy of Iloilo,” she said.

She stressed that food has become an important component of the tourism industry which today plays a significant part in a destination's product offering.

“When host organizations are bidding, one of the items that they are presenting to attract convention participants is the food,” she said.

The following are the schedules of cultural presentations and food tasting activity for each province: May 19, Iloilo; May 20; Negros Occidental with Bacolod City; May 21, Aklan and Capiz; May 22, Antique; and May 23, Guimaras.

The 12th Fiestas in the City has the theme “Experience Western Visayas First” which is the flagship program of DOT-6.

The event will culminate on May 24 with the parade of sagalas featuring festival queens from the different provinces in Region 6.

Iloilo City hopes to bag 2014 Red Orchid Award

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

ILOILO CITY, May 19 (PIA) --- The Iloilo City government is all set for the 2014 Red Orchid Award of the Department of Health (DOH) as it vies for the Hall of Fame title this year after bagging the distinction of being 100 percent tobacco-free for 2012 and 2013.

In a radio interview, Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) executive director Iñigo Garingalao said that the city government is prepared for the two validation teams that will arrive on May 23 for the Red Orchid Award.

The DOH Red Orchid Awards is the search for 100 percent tobacco-free provinces, municipalities, cities, government offices, government hospitals and DOH Centers for Health Development.

The Red Orchid Awards follows the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 8 that recommends adoption of measures to provide protection from exposure to smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor places, and other public places.

The search also follows Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 that provides protection from exposure to tobacco smoke.

Garingalao said that said the city will also celebrate the Smoking Avoidance Emphasis Week slated from May 19 to 30 which is expected to drum-up the validation for the Red Orchid Day.

He said the activity is part of a series of activities in the celebration of World No-Tobacco Day set on May 30, 2014.

The City Council enacted Amended Regulation Ordinance 2013-348 that provided the expansion of the coverage of a comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance aimed to secure a 100 percent smoke-free highly urbanized city in the Visayas.

He said more than 2,000 establishments were already issued with compliance tickets of the amended anti-smoking ordinance, which bans smoking in public places and public transport.

Thousands apply for gov’t scholarships in Region 6

(PNA)

ILOILO City – Over 3,000 high school graduates from all over Western Visayas are in the list of hopefuls vying for college scholarships.

However, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 6 assistant director Rex Casiple said scholars who will make up the final list for school year 2014-15 are largely dependent on the results of the ranking system and review by the CHED central office.

Casiple said choosing from among deserving students is no picnic, the difficulty compounded even more by applicants from state colleges and universities who are certainly out to give the rest of the pack a run for their money.

Meantime, some of the 25 schools based in the region which have bared their intention to raise tuition fees may decide to forgo the plan in deference to CHED’s appeal, albeit Casiple declined to name the schools.

Casiple made special mention of those situated in typhoon-ravaged areas, explaining that a tuition hike may not work well in the interest of everyone, especially to families which have yet to attain full recovery status.

Last year, CHED approved an eight percent hike on tuition fees in Western Visayas.

Discrimination against PLHIVs unlawful

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

ILOILO CITY, May 17 (PIA6) --- The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas said that it is unlawful to discriminate persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or PLHIVs according to Republic Act (RA) 8504, otherwise known as the Philippine AIDS Prevention Control Act of 1998.

RA 8504 promulgates policies and prescribing measures for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines, instituting a nationwide HIV/AIDS information and educational program, establishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS monitoring system, strengthening the Philippine National AIDS Council and for other purposes.

The DOH said that Article VII of the Philippine AIDS Law prohibits discriminatory acts and policies including discrimination in the workplace, school, hospital and health institution, restrictions on travel and habitation, inhibition from public service, and exclusion from credit and insurance services.

All discriminatory acts and policies against PLHIVs shall be punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for six months to four years and a fine not exceeding P10,000.

Licenses or permits of schools, hospitals and other institutions found guilty of committing discriminatory acts and policies described in RA 8504 shall be revoked.

DOH-6 Regional STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Nurse Coordinator Charity Perea also clarified that HIV cannot be transmitted through casual social contact.

“There is no reason why we should fear and discriminate people with HIV. They are not a threat to the family or community. They have the right to live and are productive members of society if given due treatment, care and support,” she said.

DOH also urged the members of the media to assist in disseminating appropriate information on RA 8504 in order to help stop the fear, stigma, and discrimination against PLHIVs.

Meanwhile, DOH will commemorate the 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

This year’s event with the theme “Let’s keep the light on HIV” will begin with a foot parade at Smallville and will proceed to Plazuela de Iloilo for the program and candlelight ceremony.

Seminar to tackle water-related issues, climate resiliency

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

ILOILO CITY, May 16 (PIA) – Small water service providers and stakeholders are slated for a seminar where they will discuss ways and means to accelerate water security and achieve climate resiliency.

Susan Calaor, project coordinator of Be Secure, said some 130 small water providers from all over the province of Iloilo, are expected to attend the three-day seminar starting May 20 to 22, at Hotel del Rio.

Calaor said the participants include water districts, cooperative-run facilities, barangay water associations, LGU-run system, rural water associations, and private water operators, servicing less than a thousand consumers.

She added that these small water providers will be engaged in understanding common challenges related to their operations, such as registration and regulation, designing appropriate systems, sustainability and maintenance, accessing financial options, and knowledge sharing on some innovative solutions and principles for water services.

The opening session will be at 1:00 in the afternoon with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor and Ms. Dani Newcomb, Contracting Officer, USAID Philippines.

Resource persons, representing various stakeholders will tackle success stories, community-driver water systems, climate resiliency for water service systems and technologies, maintenance and financing.

Iloilo is a partner in the implementation of Be Secure, or Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability Project of the USAID-Philippines, under its initiatives on Environment, Energy and Climate Change.

“The seminar is by invitation and free for participants, their only counterpart being their transport to and back the venue,” Calaor said.

Be Secure works with local government units and water service providers to improve their capacities for integrating climate change into local planning and provision of water and sanitation services.

Innovations up for permits system, mobile money

By Lydia C. Pendon

THE City of Iloilo is set to implement the Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money (Simm) to improve the Business Permits Licensing System (BPLS) and mobile money process.

The projected was created by the City Government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) through the Cities Development Initiative in Asia (CDIA).

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has issued Executive Order No. 38 Series of 2014 that will organize a project management organization responsible for the implementation.

An oversight committee was also created to provide executive and policy directions to ensure the successful implementation of the upgraded BPLS.

Other PMO members are Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, City Councilor Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Wilhelm Malones, Department of Interior and Local Government City Director Ferdinand Panes, and private sector representatives Felicito Tiu of the Iloilo City Trade and Investment Promotions Board, Ma. Lea Lara of the Iloilo Business Club, UP Visayas College of Management Dean Mary Ann Gumban, Simm- USAid Chief of Party Mamerto Tangonan and Invest- USAID Chief of Party Ofelia Templo.

National Museum to conduct tourism workshop on natural heritage

(PNA), LAP/AJPETINGLAY/VLO

ILOILO CITY, May 14 (PNA) -– The National Museum will be conducting a workshop training in Iloilo and Guimaras provinces on May 20-24 to promote the natural heritage of Western Visayas as a tourism attraction.

Dr. Luisito T. Evangelista, curator of the National Museum Botany Division said that the workshop training has the purpose to inform tourism officers on the preservation and conservation of the natural heritage and the endemic or endangered species found in Western Visayas.

”This will be a combination of lecture and field activity,” Dr. Evangelista said. He said that participants, for their first stop, will be brought to Sta. Barbara church in Iloilo province which is a national treasure and then to Lambunao, another town in Iloilo, for field botanical collection and zoological collection.

Participants are the tourism officers from Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Guimaras and Negros Occidental in Region 6 to be joined by those from Mindanao State University and Manila.

They will also go to Taklong Island Marine Reserve in Guimaras as part of the promotion of the protected areas management.

Dr. Evangelista said they are also promoting rafflesia in Antique, considered to be the biggest flower in the world.

10 Ilonggo studes eyed for Agrostudies in Israel

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

ILOILO CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Menashe Bar-On said that ten students from Iloilo will be invited to study in Israel for free.

During his courtesy visit at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Monday, Bar-On said that the embassy has allotted ten scholarship slots for qualified Ilonggo students to take part in the Agrostudies Apprenticeship Program in Israel.

He said qualified tertiary level students will attend one year of studies on agricultural methods and technology in selected universities in Israel.

“The students will learn new techniques to make agriculture more modern. They will learn how we use technology in agriculture including fishery, livestock, among others,” he said.

He said that students must be in their last year of studies in order to qualify and be invited to continue studying in Israel.

In 2013, some 450 Filipino students were sent to Israel to take part in the Agrostudies program. The same number of scholarship slots will be offered this year.

Bar-On said that the program will start on September 2014 so they will have ample time to screen and interview possible applicants from universities here in Iloilo.

He said that the Agrostudies program, which is now on its fifth year, is in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

72 OWWA scholarship slots still open

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PIA6) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 6 is still looking for 72 scholars under its OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP).

Qualified to the scholarship are incoming college freshmen of OFW parents who have a monthly salary of not more than US$400.

“We would like to give opportunity to the children of our OFWs whose salary is within the bracket to pursue their college education through this scholarship,” said Director Ron Lionel Bartolome of OWWA 6.

Successful applicants to the program are entitled to a maximum of P20,000.00 financial assistance per school year for a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university.

Bartolome said 19 incoming first year college dependents of OFWs in the region also passed the examination given by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute last year and qualified as scholars under the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) this school year 2014 – 2015.

The new EDSP scholars will receive a maximum education assistance of P60,000.00 per school year for a four-to-five year baccalaureate course in any college or university of their choice.

Interested dependents who want to avail of the scholarship may visit the OWWA 6 Office at Robinsons Place Iloilo City or call telephone number (033) 509-1075 for more details.

New saints’ relics to visit Iloilo

By Fr. Mickey Cardenas

ILOILO City, May 11, 2014 — The relics of newly canonized Popes, St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII, will visit the faithful of Iloilo from May 20-22, 2014 in what seems to be a “re-visit” by the former who made his papal visit to the city in 1981.

“It was a very rare privilege for us in Iloilo to have been visited by a Saint” Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said, remembering the first ever papal visit to the city from February 20 – 21 in 1981.

The Catholic faithful welcomed the new saints, St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII during a ceremony attended by millions at St. Peter's Square on April 27, 2014 (Photo: CNA/Lauren Cater)

The relics of the St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII are scheduled to arrive in Iloilo on May 20 at 5:20 a.m. and will be brought by motorcade to the University of San Agustin.

At 11 a.m., Archbishop Lagdameo will celebrate a holy mass at the University chapel to welcome the relics of the newly canonized Saints.

St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII’s relics will be enshrined at the said University of San Agustin chapel for the entire duration of the visit.

The holy mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. on the first day and second days of the visit and at 7 a.m. on the second and third days.

The public are also invited to attend the Catechesis on the Veneration of the Saints and their Relics that will be given at the same venue with the following schedule:

May 20, 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
May 21, 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
May 22, 7:30 a.m.

At 6:30 p.m. Vespers with the Saints will be prayed in the chapel on the first and second days of the visit.

The relics will be available for public veneration the whole day until 9 p.m. on May 20 and 21. On May 22, a closing mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. before the relics are brought to the Iloilo airport at 10:30 a.m.

The relics of Saints John Paul II and John XXIII are brought to Iloilo courtesy of the Office of the Vice Postulation for the cause for canonization of Blessed Ivan Merz which, on the occasion of Pope John Paul II’s canonization, has organized the Public Exposition and Veneration of the Pope’s relics.

DOH to hold Int’l AIDS Candlelight Memorial

By CHRISTY PALMA and KRISTINE GARCIA (PN)

ILOILO City — The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 will hold its 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial on May 18 at Plazuela de Iloilo here.

The event is an annual DOH activity that aims to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), support people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and move communities to act against the disease.

The program, which started in the United States in 1983, also aims to reduce stigma, ensure access, increase resources and promote public involvement about AIDS.

“The candlelight memorial is as necessary today as it was three decades ago,” DOH regional director Marlyn Convocar said.

“With 34.2 million people living with HIV and a new generation of youth emerging every day, we must continue to create public space to learn from the past and motivate actions to improve our approach to HIV and other global health challenge in the future. That’s what this memorial offers us,” Convocar said.

The candlelight program will start with a foot parade from Smallville at 5:30 p.m. A program will be held after the parade.

The program will include challenging messages, video clips, inspirational talks, heart-warming testimonies, special numbers and the candle-lighting ceremony.

This year’s theme is “Let’s Keep the Light on HIV.”

DOH Region 6 is spearheading this year’s candlelight memorial with assistance from other government agencies in Western Visayas.

All government agencies, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), local government units, and civic and people’s organizations are invited to participate.

Memorials — ranging from small gatherings beneath a tree to multi-day local events — will also be done simultaneously region-wide.

They will be led by AIDS advocates and volunteers.

The memorials will be participated in by local government units, community-based local organizations and NGOs.

Students targets of financial literacy drive

(Leonard T. Pineda I, PIA-Iloilo/PN)

ILOILO City — Secondary and tertiary students are among the major targets of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for its financial literacy program–public information campaign.

Lowen Andrew Ligad, BSP–Iloilo senior research specialist, said it is vital for students to learn the value of money and help them make wise financial decisions.

“Financial literacy, or awareness of basic financial concepts, is one of the advocacies of (BSP),” he said.

At present, BSP–Iloilo conducts a series of activities under its Economic and Financial Learning Program (BSP–EFLP).

BSP–EFLP brings together the outreach educational activities of BSP under one flagship program.

It consists of a series of learning sessions and activities promoting greater awareness and understanding of essential economic and financial issues.

Ligad said the public information campaign covers topics on recent economic developments and the role of BSP in the economy.

It also “discusses topics on the New Generation Philippine Currency, color of money, security features and design of Philippine peso banknotes, BSP clean note policy, and the coin recirculation program,” he said.

He also said the campaign includes a lecture on Presidential Decree No. 247, which prohibits and penalizes defacement, mutilation, tearing, burning or destruction of Central Bank notes and coins.

He said they have already conducted 15 public information campaigns in Iloilo, which have benefitted various stakeholders, including the academe.

WV tourist arrivals show increasing trend

BY KRISTINE S. GARCIA (With reports from Glenda Sologastoa and the Philippine Information Agency – Iloilo/PN)

ILOILO City – Tourist arrivals in Western Visayas have been increasing for the past two years.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 records showed the region having been visited by 3.5 million tourists last year, up from the 2012 figure of three million.

The 2012 figure was also higher than 2011’s 2.3 million visitors.

DOT regional director Helen Catalbas said her office has been working hard to promote and market Western Visayas with the help of local government units and the private sector.

But while the region appears to be getting “competitive” now in terms of tourist arrivals, Catalbas admitted her office and all stakeholders need to do more.

DOT Region 6 targets 4.6 million tourist arrivals by 2016.

Its more ambitious target, however, is to achieve a 1:1 tourist to resident ratio by 2020.

Aklan province where Borcay Island is located remains the top tourist draw in the region. It had 1,492,328 tourist arrivals last year.

Iloilo City had 627,870 followed by Bacolod City (580,815), Negros Occidental (545,768), Capiz (120,216), Iloilo province (117,225), Guimaras (63,921) and Antique (17,786).

With the right promotion and marketing, Catalbas said, Boracay alone can easily triple its tourist arrivals in six years.

But she urged tourists and travelers to explore other tourist spots of Western Visayas and not just the world-famous island resort of Boracay.

Region 6 is a haven of must-see tourism destinations, she stressed.

Boracay is getting crowded with visitors especially this summer season. Catalbas said tourists have the option to see less-traveled tourist areas of Region 6

But here’s the catch: Before these areas are promoted and marketed “full-blast,” facilities in them must be developed, she stressed.

There is still a need to put up adequate infrastructure and amenities so marketing these tourism areas may take some time, Catalbas said.

“We don’t want to weave disappointed travelers and tourists who would visit these places,” she stressed.

Farmers train on indigenous vegetables production

(DA 6 Information and Public Affairs Section / PN)

ILOILO City — More than 300 farmers from 19 municipalities of the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras completed the five-month Agri Pinoy School On the Air (SOA) on indigenous vegetables production at Promenade Hall of Central Philippine University.

“Indigenous vegetables can withstand the ill-effects of climate change,” Department of Agriculture (DA) regional technical director Joyce Wendam told the farmers.

DA Region 6 has been encouraging farmers to help increase the production volume of vegetables all over Western Visayas.

“We are promoting the production of healthy, safe and nutritious foods,” said Wendam.

She also stressed the importance of SOA in disseminating information on agricultural technologies and farming tips to farmers, fisherfolk and livestock raisers.

As the regional focal person on organic agriculture, she will tap the SOA for the promotion and advocacy of organic farming practices.

The SOA classes on indigenous vegetables production started December last year. Its goal was to provide concrete planting procedures, sustainability and nutritional facts of indigenous vegetables to the rural farmers.

Gilson Yap of Brgy. Santa Clara, Oton, Iloilo has been cited as most outstanding graduate of the SOA on indigenous vegetables.

Noted for his red lady papaya and dragon fruit plantation, Yap is also the regional nominee to this year’s Gawad Saka for the high value crops farmer category.

The farmer graduates were given farm tools, vegetables seeds, seedlings and farmers record books.

Aired over 774 kHz DyRI RMN-Iloilo every 4 a.m. to 4:30am from Monday to Friday, the SOA is being hosted by DA regional information officer Juvy Gaton and technical staff Edgar Oyson.

City seeks three-peat win in Red Orchid Award

BY FREDA MAE SORSANO (PN)

ILOILO City – This city hopes to receive the Red Orchid Award for the third consecutive time.

“Should we win the Red Orchid Award again, Iloilo City will officially be a Red Orchid Hall of Famer,” said Inigo Garingalao, head of Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Taskforce (ICAST).

The Red Orchid Award is given to cities with outstanding anti-smoking policies and initiatives. Iloilo has been a recipient of the award in the last two years.

Garingalao said being recognized as a Red Orchid Hall of Famer would be beneficial to the city, tourism-wise.

“If we can achieve the Hall of Famer status, Iloilo City will be considered a Lakbay-Aral destination of people from other places.

Folks from other parts of the country – or outside, even – would want to visit Iloilo and see for themselves how our anti-smoking policies are being implemented,” he said.

He added that should the city achieve the status, more serious programs in promoting its anti-smoking policies will be done.

“By next year, our policies against tobacco will have inspired others so that they would adopt them,” he said.

The validation for the award will be conducted on May 23. Garingalao encouraged Ilonggos to be cooperative with the government’s anti-smoking thrusts as the day nears.

The validating team will be composed of the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, World Health Organization, Civil Service Commission and two large nongovernment organizations.

Garingalao said it is crucial for the city to receive the award this year because should we fail, the last two wins would be null and we have to start from scratch once again.

One of the major thrusts of ICAST is moving for the strict adherence of establishments to their anti-smoking rules.

“We visited establishments, gave them a copy of the anti-smoking ordinance and highly encouraged them to heed what’s in the paper,” he said.

So far, ICAST has given copies of the ordinance to approximately 2,000 establishments.

Although the number of establishments they have given copies is still 80 percent short of their 10,000 target.

Garingalao expects 100 percent compliance among the establishments they have visited.

“We expect them to follow the rules stipulated in the ordinance. Our rules are simple. Their establishments should have “no smoking” signages. Smoking areas inside are not allowed, ashtrays are a no-no inside no-smoking establishments, and so on,” said Garingalao.

“Aside from handing out copies of the ordinance, we are using the media to educate people of our anti-tobacco campaigns,” he added.

Tech grads receive tool kits from DOLE

(LMS, Iloilo City PIO/PN)

ILOILO City – Graduates and National Certificate (NC) II holders of Technical Institute of Iloilo City-Molo campus are lucky recipients of tool kits from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog led the recent ceremonial turnover of the tool kits together with TIIC administrator Maria Mathilde Octavio.

The DOLE regional office was represented by Assistant Regional Director Salome Siaton.

“We are thankful to DOLE for providing our TIIC graduates with these tools which they can use to start their business or livelihood,” the mayor said.

The tool kits were distributed as follows:

plumbing NC II, 30
carpentry, 35
masonry, 35
automotive diesel mechanic, 25
basic electricity, 25
shielded arcs welding, 25
computer hardware servicing, 45
therapeutic massage, one set

Octavio said the City Government presented the project proposal to the agency for 221 tool kits.

DOLE awards over P4-M worth of livelihood checks

By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF-PIA6)

ILOILO CITY, May 4 (PIA6) - - As the country pays tribute to its workers on Labor Day on Thursday, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 also continues to find means to provide jobs and livelihood opportunities to Ilonggos.

Aside from the job fairs held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and SM City Iloilo, the celebration here in Iloilo City was marked by the distribution of P4,275,872.00 worth of checks to fund various livelihood projects of proponents that include a Multi-Purpose Cooperative and 6 local government units.

DOLE 6 Ponciano Ligutom personally handed the checks to local chief executives of the concerned LGUs and representatives of the cooperative during a program held before the opening of the 2014 Labor Day Jobs and Livelihood Fairs at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

Of the total amount, P999,664.00 was given to the local government unit of Miag-ao for the Miag-ao Garment Industry Development Project of its 159 unemployed men and women; P606, 775.00 to LGU Cabatuan for the Food Catering Services, Therapeutic Massage and Costemology project of its 91 graduates of the massage therapy and food and beverage service trainings; and P789,000.00 to LGU Banate for the Swine Fattening, Goat Raising and Marketing of its 126 indigents and ‘Yolanda’ survivors.

Also, P629,104.00 went to LGU Dumangas for the river cleaning and construction of river protection, parameter fence and road network of Food Terminal and Trading Complex involving 100 unemployed residents under DOLE’s Community Employment Program; P133,455.00 to LGU Balasan for the cleaning & greening of Brgy. Batuan Watershed involving 31 4Ps beneficiaries; and P129, 150.00 to LGU Estancia for the construction and repair of Totally Damaged Houses in Estancia involving 30 4Ps beneficiaries. Balasan and Estancia’s projects are funded through the Emergency Employment Program of DOLE.

Some P988, 724.00 were also received by the La Villa de Arevalo Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Iloilo City to enhance the existing income generating livelihood of its 148 members.

La Villa MPC President Teresita Sun said the livelihood assistance will be divided among their members where they will receive more than P6,000 each as additional capital to their existing livelihood.

Sun said the financial assistance will be a great help to their member-beneficiaries and she urged them to use the money properly for the sustainability and improvement of their income generating activities.

The 2014 Job and Livelihood Fairs featured the various products of the different projects of LGUs and institutions that received assistance from DOLE and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

DOH cites OFW for heeding MERS-CoV alert

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

ILOILO CITY, May 3(PIA) – The Department of Health-6 said the OFW from Jeddah Saudi Arabia who sought consultation here after feeling feverish is a model for others in heeding the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) alert.

Dr. Glen Alonsabe, DOH regional epidemiologist, said that the OFW, a female nurse, went to the Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital and later was placed on quarantine in government facility at the Western Visayas Medical Center for swab tests to be confirmed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, in two or three days.

Alonsabe said in a radio interview that the nurse was recently declared negative of the virus, as confirmed in the results of the swab test.

“The feverish feeling may be due to changes in the weather,” Alonsabe opined.

Earlier, Alonsabe appealed to the public to stop MERS-CoV scare through circulation of unverified text messages which followed news of the OFW’s seeking consultation.

He warned that rumors could harm a person’s reputation, so the DOH is working to verify all information, and is open to queries.

“So far, there is no confirmed positive case of MERS-CoV in Western Visayas, but this should not leave us complacent,” Alonsave said.

He added that all Ilonggo passengers of Etihad Airlines flight EY 0424 that arrived in the country on April 15, were negative for the virus.

MERS-CoV is a communicable disease which may be passed on to another through close contact with a person tested positive.

Other than fever, the symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, and runny nose after two weeks of exposure.

DOH still recommends personal hygiene, hand washing and covering of mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

DOT eyes promotional roadshows in Singapore, Malaysia

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

ILOILO CITY, May 2 (PIA) --- The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas will conduct tourism promotional road shows in Singapore and Malaysia slated on July 7-12, 2014.

Lawyer Helen Catalbas, DOT-6 Regional Director, said that there is a need to promote the region to these Southeast Asian countries in order to strengthen our inbound flights and increase visitor arrivals.

“We are already have flight services from Iloilo to Singapore (vice versa), and Kalibo to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (vice versa),” she said.

She said that the region’s tourism road show delegates are comprised of tourism officers, tour operators, representatives from hotels and resorts, local airlines, academic institutions, among others.

In the road show’s program seminar, all provincial and city tourism officers will be given 10 minutes each to present their respective tourist attractions and facilities including their connectivity to these countries and their provinces.

“The audience shall be composed of travel agency operators, travel writers, school authorities, airline representatives, filmmakers, and writers from Singapore and Malaysia,” she said.

“We might be able to convince some filmmakers and producers to produce movies here in Western Visayas,” she also said.

She added that there will also be tabletop negotiations where tourism officers can entertain questions, inquiries, and transactions from their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia.

Aksyon Radyo Iloilo wins in KBP awards

By Maricyn A. De los Santos

AKSYON Radyo-Iloilo made a grandslam win in the 22nd Golden Dove Awards of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) held Tuesday night at Star Theater, CCP Complex in Pasay City.

Aksyon Radyo Iloilo’s Aksyon Balita Numero Uno” aired every 6 am to 6:30 am daily bested five other finalists in the “Best Radio Newscast Provincial” category.

The station has won the award for three consecutive years now.

Aksyon Radyo Iloilo was also finalist in Best AM Station Provincial category while its reporter, Johnny Diaz was finalist in the “Best Field Reporter” category.

Station Manager John Paul Tia attributed the station’s success in delivering up-to-date and relevant news reports to the station’s dedication to keep the Ilonggos well-informed on issues affecting them.

Aksyon Radyo Iloilo has recently made noise when it fearlessly tackled the issue of drugs in the city and province of Iloilo.

The KBP is the foremost broadcast media organization in the country, composed of owners and operators of radio and television stations and the radio and television stations themselves.

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