Iloilo City News September 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Campaign for sustained dev'ts in Iloilo starts Sept. 30

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The business sector here will launch a campaign on September 30 to sustain developments in the city and province of Iloilo after it was earlier tagged as “most shabulized” and “bedrock of illegal drugs.”

The event will be spearheaded by the Iloilo Economic and Development Foundation Inc. (ILED), a non-profit, private sector-led organization.

Dubbed as “Proud to be Ilonggo,” people here from various sectors particularly business, professional, civil society, youth, academe, women, religious groups, and the media will gather during the event.

Executive Director Ma. Lea Lara of the Iloilo business club on Friday said the campaign will focus on two important pillars: economic development and tourism.

“The campaign is the first of the many that we will do to highlight the achievements, the advantages, the gains that we have been enjoying in the economic and tourism side,” she said.

Specifically, the economic development will be highlighted by preparing an investment forum in Manila to be held tentatively in March 2018 and tourism so that the increasing number of tourists visiting Iloilo, especially for conferences and meetings, continues to grow.

In a press release previously released by ILED, Chairman Narzalina Lim stressed that the campaign was conceived due to the recent disturbing events, which attempted to tarnish the good image of Iloilo.

“We need to craft our own destiny and work together as self-reliant private citizens; to continue the upward trajectory that the city and province have been experiencing these past 10 years,” Lim said.

Iloilo has been chosen by various groups as one of the most liveable places in the Philippines, one of the best places to invest in; and as a model of good governance.

Police Regional Office (PRO-6) regional director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag was also invited to discuss peace and order concerns in Iloilo.

The event will be launched at The Mansion (formerly Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center) in this city.

NGO to open ‘after-5 clinic’ for adolescents in Iloilo

By Perla Lena

ILOILO CITY -- An alternative adolescent service provider will be made available by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) in a mall here to capture clients that could not be served by the 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. operations of rural health units (RHUs).

Monalisa Diones, chapter program manager of FPOP Iloilo, on Tuesday afternoon said they are hoping to open their mall-based alternative adolescent service delivery this October 1 at Robinsons Mall. It will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

“We will be providing DOH-standard services,” Diones said.

The services will include maternal and child health; family planning that will cover information and education, counseling and service provision; medical checkup, immunization, education , among others, focusing on adolescents; testing, counseling and service provision for patients with sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and support to victims of gender-based violence.

Diones said they will be signing an agreement with the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) in cases of referral, especially for minors, for the program on gender-based violence.

“This initiative will be going hand-in-hand with the MOP (manual of operations) of the DOH since this is also one of the pilot regions in the Philippines,” she added.

FPOP will also provide technical assistance on how to build an adolescent-friendly clinic in provinces of the region, she said.

On Tuesday, the DOH launched its first ever manual of operations for adolescent health and development program (AHDP) in this city.

An orientation for health implementers in the provinces and cities kicked off today while the municipal level service providers will be briefed of the manual in 2018.

The manual has eight sections to include discussions on the context of an adolescent, adolescent health and development program, program development and management, strategies in improving ADHP, standard for quality adolescent-friendly health services, building service delivery network, monitoring, and evaluation and the last section that contains annexes and resources. (PNA)

'It Has To Be Iloilo' tagline to promote province

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo has adopted “It Has To Be Iloilo” as the official tagline of the province during its regular session held Tuesday afternoon here.

The tagline shall be used in all its fliers and all its promotional materials as mandated under Provincial Ordinance No. ‎‎2017-148. This ordinance states that it is already a practice to use a tagline as “tool in the promotion or marketing to spur investments and attract local and international tourists to a destination.

Board member Marcelo Valentine Serag, vice-chair of the Committee on Culture, Arts, History and Tourism and one of the sponsors of the ordinance, said that the tagline will make it easier for the province to be recognized.

“One of the reasons why we have to come up with this is because we have a lot of tourist spots in Iloilo, so it has to be Iloilo. If you are looking for beaches, there are a lot here in the Southern and Northern part of Iloilo and even historical sites, it has to be Iloilo because there are a lot of historical sites here,” he added.

Iloilo Province has also been using various taglines, the most recent include “Its Got to Be Iloilo” and “It’s Got to Be Iloilo,” which were adopted by municipal tourism officers.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo city government has “The Next Big Thing” and “I am Iloilo, Proud to be Filipino” as taglines.

Dinagyang tribe to perform in South Korea

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Tribu Salognon, the champion of this year’s Dinagyang Festival Ati-ati competition, will perform in South Korea’s Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival slated this week.

The contingent and members of the Dinagyang Foundation Inc. led by its president Ramon Cua Locsin will leave Tuesday night for South Korea to join the popular annual festival.

In exchange, the dance troupe of Anseong-i is expected to grace the 50th year of the Dinagyang Festival in January 2018. It was in 2016 when the dance troupe also performed during the Dinagyang Festival after the latter graced the Anseong-si festival in 2015.

The cultural exchange was brought about by the friendship relation signed between Iloilo City and the Anseong-si.

Locsin announced on Friday following the launching of the 2018 Dinagyang Festival that one of the highlights of the celebration is an international cultural show.

This will include the participation of Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi Festival and Kapa haka or the traditional Maori performing arts of New Zealand.

The Miss Hawaii-Philippines will perform the traditional Hawaiian dance while other dances from China and Spain will be featured.

Locsin said he will also write to the United States Embassy to invite their dance troupe.

This November, a Dinagyang tribe will join the Farmer’s Parade in Auckland, New Zealand.

“Dinagyang prides itself in evolving innovative ideas but keeping faith with traditional values. The challenge for committees is to come up with events with extraordinary presentations,” he said during the Dinagyang launching program. (PNA)

More returning OFWs invited to avail of livelihood program

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas are invited to avail of the livelihood program dubbed “Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH).

BPBH is a livelihood assistance provided by the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) to start a business.

James Mendiola, officer-in-charge of the OWWA-6, on Saturday said the program specifically targets those OFWs who have returned under distress conditions.

They are specifically those who are active or non-active OWWA members displaced by hostilities or wars/political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments; victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking or other distressful situations.

It could also cover distressed wards at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers who are due for repatriation; and OWWA-members with foreign employers beset with financial difficultures due to economic conditions such as the construction and maintenance companies in Saudi Arabia.

Mendiola announced that under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the package of livelihood assistance was converted to cash instead of a starter kit.

The package was also increased from PHP10,000 to PHP20,000.

“Instead of starter kit, we can give out the cash directly so that the OFW can start his micro-business immediately,” Mendiola said.

Since July this year, OWWA-6 already assisted around 100 returning OFWs in the region.

Aside from the cash aid, OWWA also provides entrepreneurship development training to jumpstart the returning OFWS’ business ventures.

OWWA also offers additional assistance to its member-beneficiaries by referring potential marketing linkages, and partnering with other government institutions such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, among others.

OFWs are also assisted in learning the ropes in technical aspects as well as techniques in marketing strategies to sustain livelihood project.

‘Parade of Lights’ to add color to 50th year of Dinagyang fest

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The parade of floats bedecked with flowers and lights has been added as among the highlights of the 2018 Dinagyang Festival, which also marks the golden year of its annual celebration.

Lawyer Raul Anlocotan, who spearheads the event, on Friday said that the parade of lighted floats is open to business corporations and companies, local government units (LGUs), civic clubs and associations, civil society organizations, higher education institutions and school organizations.

Anlocotan said that gold must serve as the prominent color to depict the 50th year of the festival. The float, decorated with flowers, balloons and ribbons aside from lights shall bear the company name and logo and the “50th Anniversary of Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.”

The parade slated for the evening of January 27, 2018 will start at 7:00 p.m. from Infante Street (beside the University of the Philippines-Visayas) moving towards Benigno Aquino Avenue to Megaworld and the Iloilo Convention Center.

The floats will be judged based on splendor/grandiosity at 30 percent; uniqueness and originality; lighting effects, workmanship, and creativity at 20 percent each; and originality at 10 percent. Runners-up and best float will also be recognized. They will receive cash prizes and trophies.

In addition to the parade of lights, other highlights are the Ati-ati tribe competition, Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Presentation, fluvial procession and the “Tambor, Trumpa, Martsa, Musika.”

The 2018 Dinagyang Festival will be officially launched Friday evening at the SM City event center in this city.

Koreans feel safe in Iloilo City

By Cindy Ferrer

ILOILO CITY-- The Korean community here feels safe even as the city was tagged as being the “most shabulized” and the “bedrock of illegal drugs.”

Moon Dae Jin, president of the Iloilo Korean Association, said there are around 2,000 of his countrymen in this city, mostly students in different universities while others are doing business.

“The Koreans feel Iloilo is very safe compared to other cities in the Philippines,” he said in an interview Thursday night.

According to Moon, many Koreans chose Iloilo City because it is safe, peaceful and clean.

He said that they do not even feel the drug problem in the city.

Moon has been staying here for 17 years. He said that he has been to many cities in the country but decided to reside here.

He also said that he has no plans of moving to other places. He will just visit other cities when he feels like traveling.

Meantime, he said they are still pushing for a direct flight from Incheon, South Korea to Iloilo City and vice versa. (PNA)

Iloilo elderly persons, PWDs get P6-M aid from gov't

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- Some 5,000 indigent active senior citizens and 2,000 persons with disability (PWDs) here received a total of PHP6 million local social pension under the social welfare program of the local government here.

The distribution kicked off at the Molo gymnasium Monday -- with 500 elderly persons from Mandurriao district, 350 from Arevalo, 1,250 from the City Proper, and 700 from Molo receiving social pension.

On Tuesday, the city social welfare office will accommodate 1,150 senior citizens from Jaro district, 700 from La Paz, and 350 from Lapuz district. The venue will be at the Jaro gymnasium.

Cherry Lyn S. Bermejo, Social Welfare Officer III and focal person for senior citizens and PWDs said the pension is given twice a year with each recipient getting PHP500 per distribution. Monday’s release covers the first semester of 2017.

The qualified recipients are not beneficiaries of the national social pension program. They were chosen in partnership with the federation of senior citizens affairs office.

One of the recipients was 82-year old Maria A. Fuentes from Brgy. Tanza Timawa. According to her daughter, Teresita Fuentes, her mother always forgets about the social pension, which she uses to buy some fruits and milk or shares it with her grandchildren.

Bermejo, meantime, said the fund for national pension has already been downloaded to the local level. She added that they still have to set the distribution for the national pension of 12, 419 recipients covering second quarter of 2017. They are entitled to Php1,500 each.

Iloilo City has close to 50,000 senior citizens.

On the other hand, the distribution for indigent PWDs will commence on Wednesday.

Bermejo said that 2,000 from out of the 6,000 registered PWDs in the city have qualified to the program. They are composed of 375 recipients from Molo; 361 each from Arevalo and Jaro; 230 from Mandurriao; 307 from City Proper; 241, La Paz and 125 from Lapuz district.

Iloilo celebrates 'Fiesta sa Kakahuyan' with 6k trees planted

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- About 6,000 different species of tree seedlings were planted early Saturday as Iloilo province celebrates its annual “Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” festival.

“Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” is a yearly festival where Ilonggos promote the importance of forest preservation through a massive tree-planting activity. The province is currently celebrating its 18th year anniversary.

The tree planting was held Saturday at the river bank in Barangay Bongol and Balanac in Janiuay town.

Leading the activity are Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6.

Around 1,000 employees of the provincial capitol, volunteers from other government agencies, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), non-government organizations, business sectors and other stakeholders, joined the activity.

Defensor stressed a united effort to help protect the environment. Earlier, the governor said the activity also continuously supported the Action for Re-greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) program of the provincial government.

The province aims to plant 1.5 million trees annually, including fruit trees, in the different areas in the province, under the ART for CCA program.

Defensor added the province is now also gearing to shift to the massive planting of cacao and coffee species.

The province has allotted PHP10-million supplemental budget for this planned program.

Iloilo Peso grand slam winner in Western Visayas

(PR)

THE Public Employment Service Office (Peso) of the Iloilo Provincial Government was adjudged as the regional grand winner in the Search for Best Peso in Western Visayas on Tuesday, September 12.

Peso Iloilo, headed by Francisco Heler Jr., has been recognized as the region's best for three consecutive years -- 2014, 2015 and 2016.

On behalf of Governor Arthur Defensor Sr., Provincial Administrator Raul Banias received the coveted award from Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Regional Director Johnson Cañete during the 6th Regional Career Advocacy, Employment and Human Resource Congress in Grand Xing Imperial Hotel, Iloilo City.

Banias hailed Heler and his hardworking staff for the award. He said Peso Iloilo will be the region's nominee in the 2016 National Search for Best Peso in first-class provincial category.

Peso Iloilo took the national award for fiscal year 2015 and Heler hoped to bring home the same for 2016.

Being in the forefront of employment facilitation in the province, Peso Iloilo is currently hosting the implementation of Dole's JobStart Philippines, a youth employment facilitation program in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and Government of Canada, in Western Visayas.

It qualified after it was rated 88.57 percent, attaining high level of readiness for the program during the assessment of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) in March 2017.

The office has been institutionalized in 2015 and has been responding to the growing demand of the labor market here and abroad. Its creation made networking and accessibility to government’s employment programs and advocacies, including migration and development initiatives for overseas workers, easier.

Peso Iloilo is responsible for the province’s mega job fairs, special recruitment activities, establishment of 655 barangay public employment service office coordinators in 12 municipalities, and implementation of Electronic Manpower and Skills Registry System (e-MSRS).

e-MSRS provides readily available local manpower database for companies addressing the growing problem on talents mismatch and unemployment.

Exemplary gov’t workers feted

(PIA-Iloilo/PN)

ILOILO City – Through the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) recognized government workers in Western Visayas who have shown acts of heroism.

The search formed part of CSC’s Honors Awards Program (HAP).

On Sept. 7, 11 out of 29 nominees in this year’s search were chosen as regional winners. Among them were teachers, local government workers, administrative officer and a social welfare officer.

For the Presidential Lingkod Bayan category, the regional winners were Professor Lucia Lastimoza of the West Visayas State University and Ma. Lina Sanogal, department head of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

This year’s Dangal ng Bayan regional awardees were Delia Cornel, master teacher I of the Department of Education (DepEd) –Division of Bago City; Jose Kennedy, administrative aide IV (driver II) of the local government of Altavas, Aklan; Rosalina Lorque, social welfare officer II of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6; and Vilma Limates, chief administrative officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Guimaras.

Winners for the CSC Pagasa included Lynette Aggabao, head teacher I of DepEd – Division of Capiz; Corazon Aloro, education program specialist II of DepEd – Division of La Carlota; Marilyn Galvez, principal III of DepEd – Division of Negros Occidental; Eleanor Isada, municipal government department head of the local government of Kalibo, Aklan; and Leydee, public school district supervisor of DepEd – Guimaras.

For this year’s batch of regional winners, three were chosen by the HAP National Committee on Awards as semi-finalists in the national level search. They were Lastimoza and Sanogal in the Presidential Lingkod Bayan category and Aloro in the Pagasa Category.

Regional winners received certificates of recognition from CSC Commissioner Robert Martinez during a recognition program highlighting the 117th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service in the region.

Aside from the certificates, each of the semi-finalists took home a cash prize of P20,000.

Martinez said the awardees were “servant heroes” for consistently exemplifying professionalism and responsiveness.

The theme of the 117th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary was “Tugon Sa Hamon ng Pagbabago: Malasakit ng Lingkod Bayani.”

“Your outstanding performance may impact not only the lives of your fellow civil servants but more importantly the general public,” said Martinez.

Weekend tienda to showcase Iloilo’s best cuisine, delicacies

(JCM/JSC/PIA6)

ILOILO CITY (PIA6) – The forthcoming 4th Weekend Tienda sa Iloilo on Sept. 15-17 at the Atria Park District here will serve as a venue to bring out the best in Ilonggo cuisine, delicacies, handicrafts and agri-aqua products for local and foreign visitors, according to organizers.

One of its highlights will be the showcase of natural and organic farm products, unique handcrafted items and furniture, and a wide variety of goods and services.

The weekend tienda will kick off on Sept. 15 with an opening program at 3:00 in the afternoon, followed by a Zumba activity at 4:00 P.M.

While tienda activities are going on, there will be entertainment performances courtesy of the “Hugpong Kawayan” and “Panganinaw Dance Troupe” of Iloilo Science and Technology University.

ISAT-U will be the hosts of the opening day activities together with the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry.

The Zumba activity will be done daily every afternoon at 5 P.M. on Saturday and 7 A.M. on Sunday.

As of press time, more than 50 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs have already registered to participate in the weekend tienda.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said that among the notable accomplishments of the weekend tienda since it was launched in December 2017, was the facilitation of market matching of locators or exhibitors with institutional buyers such as restaurants, hotels, and foreign distributor.

NEDA said the weekend market will strive to become a self-sustaining enterprise with year-round activities for aspiring food and farmer entrepreneurs, exporters looking to diversify and introduce their products, and local businessmen to showcase their products.

The initiative also highlights public and private partnership and cooperation, NEDA added.

Surge in tourists during ‘convention months’ seen

(PN)

ILOILO City – The City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) hopes that tourist arrivals will continue to increase this September until December, a period it considers as “convention months.”

CTDO head Junel Ann Divinagracia assured the public there would be no security issues during big conventions because the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and city government are closely working to ensure the safety of guests.

The city police recently revealed weekly crime incidents posted a significant decrease.

There were a total of 77 crime incidents from Aug. 28 to September 2017 compared to 132 crime incidents from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4, 2016. CTDO data showed domestic tourist arrivals in this city increased in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year. There were 263,865 domestic tourists in the first three months of the year, higher than the 238,865 arrivals from January to March last year.

There were 91,039 domestic visitors in January; 82,640 in February; and 90,186 in March this year – up from last year’s recorded 82,015 visitors in January; 74,637 in February; and 81,625 in March.

Divinagracia said most of the tourists witnessed festivities such as the Dinagyang Festival in January and Paraw Regatta in February. “Based on our record, there was a surge of domestic tourist arrivals. Most of them are fond of witnessing our cultural festivities,” said Divinagracia.

Meanwhile, ICPO data showed it conducted 12 anti-drug operations which resulted to the arrest of 18 persons and confiscation of 63 sachets of shabu from Aug. 28 to Sept. 3, 2017.

“This resulted to the variance of 55 or a drop in crime volume by 41 percent,” said ICPO operations chief Superintendent Jowel Saliba. “We can assure our community that Iloilo City is peaceful and very livable in terms of peace and order situation. We would like to appeal to the public to also help us in maintaining the peace and order situation because this is not only the concern of the police but also of everybody,” stressed Saliba.

The decrease in the crime incidents could be attributed to improved police visibility and putting in place crime prevention measures. “We have the enhance management police operations through managing the police patrol operations wherein our policemen are deployed in areas identified as crime-prone,” Saliba added.

Chinese firm to do study for Visayas bridge project

By Tara Yap

Iloilo City — A state-owned consultancy firm in China is in Western Visayas to do the pre-feasibility study for first phase of the proposed bridge system that will connect the Visayan islands.

Engr. Al Fruto, assistant regional director of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) told Manila Bulletin that representatives from the CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd. are making initial visits to areas for the bridge that will link the city and province of Iloilo to the island province of Guimaras.

The bridge “will formalize the project partnership between China and the Philippines,” Fruto said.

In between inspections, the Chinese met with Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Provincial Planning Officer Mario Nillos, and Provincial Engineer Gracianito Lucero. They also met Mayor Adolf Jaen of Leganes town, where the bridge from the Iloilo side will most likely originate.

Fruto said the Chinese representatives are also inspecting sites in Guimaras and Negros Island.

In a visit to Iloilo City late last month, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the first phase of the project will start during the Duterte administration.

Bridges will also connect Guimaras and Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Cebu, and Cebu and Bohol.

Iloilo to host farm-tourism conference

(BusinessMirror)

THE country’s emerging farm-tourism sector gets another major push as a driver of inclusive economic growth at the fifth Farm Tourism Conference and Festival set from October 2 to 4 at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City.

Themed “Improving Farm Tourism through Enrichment of Local Products and Culture”, the gathering will be attended by farmer-entrepreneurs, local government executives, tourism and agricultural officers and community stakeholders.

The event is organized by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), the Department of Tourism (DOT) the Tourism Promotions Board, the province of Iloilo, the city of Iloilo and the Department of Agriculture.

ISST President and Event Director Mina Gabor said the conference will focus on the unique fusion of farming and tourism that will empower local communities, provide diversified income for farmers and encourage sustainable practices for food security.

“Farm tourism attracts visitors and travelers to farm areas, generally for educational and recreational purposes that encourage economic activity to provide farm and community income. It is one of the country’s sunshine industries that can be developed because of the agricultural nature of the economy,” she said.

There will also a farmers’ market where fresh and locally grown agricultural produce will be on sale.

Delivering the keynote addresses are guests of honor Tourism Undersecretary Silvino Q. Tejada and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Undersecretary Eduardo B. Gongona. Tejada heads the DOT’s newly created ecotourism, farm tourism and faith tourism advocacy portfolio which puts emphasis on the new industry sectors.

Major topics in the confab include climate change and agriculture by International Institute of Rural Reconstruction Country Director Emilyn Monville Oro, preserving natural and cultural heritage by Lucia Catanes of the Winaca Eco-Cultural Village, opportunities in farm tourism by Damires Hills Tierra Verde manager Paolo Lorenzo Tirador, marketing and trading by Jonathan Canuto of the Ephrathah Farmers Union, product innovation by “Dragonfruit Lady” Edith Dacuycuy and food security by Food and Agriculture Organization Philippine Representative Jose Luis Fernandez.

Other themes are urban-farm technology by Sibat Deputy Director Shen Maglinte, Perfect Go-To Mushroom by Perfect Mushroom founder John Regie Jimanal and Instant Grow Kits by MNL Growkits CEO Arsenio Sumaoang.

Pandurag Taware, India’s father of agri-tourism, and Jemy See, managing director of Taiwan’s Global Travel Management and Consultancy, will share best practices in farm tourism in their countries.

Gabor said this year’s conference will put the spotlight on coffee, the world’s second-most-traded commodity. Topics include the seven steps in coffee planting by Philippine Coffee Board Director Dr. Andy Mojica, coffee cloning and demonstration by Albert Tabanggay of Pavia Orchard Valley, coffee roasting by La Roasteria proprietor Bodi Mijares and coffee trade by Biscocho Haus owner Genevieve Bionat.

There will also be talks on the Sulu Royal Coffee by Kumalah Elardo and Coffee Bag by Steep Coffee Bags CEO Justin Bereber.

Iloilo City supporting nearly 10T micro-entrepreneurs

By Perla Lena (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- The Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO) is strengthening the businesses of around 9,720 entrepreneurs who have availed of assistance from the city government here.

The focus will be on micro-entrepreneurs whose capital ranges up to PHP 3 million.

LEIPO head Ritchel Gavan said that they rolled out "Negosyo 101" where the participants are provided with basic entrepreneurial training.

Through this, micro entrepreneurs were mentored on how to start and manage their business, she explained.

“We strengthen them by providing training,” she said. This month, processed meat vendors from three major markets in the city will undergo product development for food additives while another training on food handling and sanitation.

The city government has partnered with the private sector and other government agencies in extending support to the 9,720 entrepreneurs.

With the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo Chapter, the "In Business Program" where participants were taught on how to run their businesses and the "Exhilarate Program" where successful businesspersons share with participants on how to access available government financial assistance were held.

The campuses of Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) in Molo and Bo. Obrero are also offering livelihood programs.

Women's organizations Red Ladies and Blue Angels also assisted in helping develop entrepreneurs.

The City Agriculturist Office (CAO) and the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) were also tapped to assist.

The support ranges from training and livelihood, among others, initiated under the administration of Mayor Jed Mabilog, Gavan said.

UP High School modernization pushed

BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA (PN)

ILOILO City – Alumni of the University of the Philippines High School Iloilo (UPHSI) formed a brand and advocacy group called iAMUPHi to help their Alma mater restore its past glory.

On Aug. 26, iAMUPHi Board of Trustees, alumni and current students of the school launched iAMUPHi and its giant logo in front of the UP High School building here.

Guests of honor included Iloilo 3rd District congressman Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. (UP High School Class of ‘86), Iloilo City’s Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (Class of ‘82), Chancellor Rommel Espinosa (Class of ‘78), and current high school principal Lourdes C. Zamora, among others.

iAMUPHi seeks to establish a community or network of graduates all focused to achieving the goal of re-establishing their alma mater as an esteemed institution it was known to be.

Specifically, it aims to provide a legal vehicle in which funds, scholarship, grants, and donations are channeled to a proactive entity that will work closely with the high school and UPV administrations.

So far, iAMUPHi has donated 100 monobloc chairs with desks worth P66,000 as an initial assistance to the school.

Since the initial meetings of the 15-member board of trustees lead by Chairman Noel C. Litan in June this year, iAMUPHi has received commitments reaching about P1 million from various high school classes.

On the long-term, iAMUPHi aims to help build a P40-million alumni building for the Iskolar ng Bayan to replace old and decrepit structures which teachers and students alike complain as not anymore suitable for learning to take place.

To gradually modernize the high school department, promote learning and equip it with facilities at par with other secondary institutions, iAMUPHi aims to gradually help in fulfilling the following wish-list of the school:

• six furnished rooms to accommodate K-10 to K-12 students

• sound-proofed and furnished conference room

• students lounge

• complete set of Public Address system

•100 monobloc chairs with arms

• eight sets of modular panel boards

• furnished dance studio, and

• multimedia projector for the auditorium.

125 cleft lip, palate patients get free surgery

By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- A total of 125 cleft lip and cleft palate patients in Western Visayas availed of the free surgery by the Medical Mission Matters Philippines in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6.

Medical Mission Matters Philippines, a non-profit organization founded to help indigenous children, especially from the poorest of the poor families in the country, conduct free cleft lip and palate surgeries.

It aims to provide opportunity in the region especially Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries to be treated.

DSWD-6 regional program coordinator of 4Ps, Jonathan Anteza, said the patients availed of the free surgeries during two medical missions.

The first batch of 50 patients underwent cleft palate and lip repairs in March at Jesus M. Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan, Iloilo.

The second batch consisted of 75 patients at Ibajay District Hospital in Aklan province in August.

Anteza said these patients are a combination of Pantawid and non-Pantawid beneficiaries.

The free surgery is a big help to the indigent patients as they will have to spend PHP100,000 to PHP180,000 for the medical procedure in any hospital.

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