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==Iloilo-Guimaras Ferry Terminal construction to start soon==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=529792
*Friday, May 31, 2013
:(PNA), PDS/AJO/MGCAOYONAN/VLO
ILOILO CITY, May 31 (PNA) -- After a long delay, the construction of the P260-million proposed Iloilo-Guimaras Ferry Terminal on the 1.2-hectare property in Parola, City Proper will soon to start as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) building is about to be finished by next month.
It was City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who ordered last year to set aside the project after it faced several delays due to legal matters.
Mabilog, however, said the construction of the project which is through Public Private Partnership (PPP) venture between the Iloilo City Government, DoubleDragon Properties Inc. and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will push through as soon as the PCG-Iloilo District building is already finished and their private partner -DoubleDragon Properties Inc. could already submit their master plan and financial analysis.
Mabilog said the property, where the Rotary Park once stood, is now owned by the government after President Benigno Simeon Aquino III issued a presidential proclamation for such.
He said the land is now shared by the city government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and PCG.
City Administrator Norlito Bautista said the PPP project was already reviewed by the technical experts from Manila-based Public Private Partnership Center of the Philippines (PPPCP) that arrived in the city late last year.
During the visit, Bautista said the team had a consultative meeting with DoubleDragon Properties Inc., DOTC and Iloilo City Government to re-assess their PPP venture and work out a reduction in the project’s cost.
Bautista added there were some changes in their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Part of the MOA, the DOTC will allot P125 million for the construction of the slope protection embankment and other site developments while a private company will provide P135 million for the construction of the terminal building.
==LTO-6 enforcers go after tint-covered plates==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=529469
*Thursday, May 30, 2013
:(PNA), JBP/AJP/ELT/VLO
ILOILO CITY (PNA)-- Tint-covered number plates sported by a number of private vehicles here have not escaped the eye of the public, and its continued practice are raising eyebrows of other motorists who believe that dark-colored plates are unauthorized and as such, should be banned from the road.
In response to mounting queries by citizens, the Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) has come out with a statement explaining that darkened plates are indeed not sanctioned, and moreover, its origin is not the LTO.
In a clarificatory statement, Anuel Bonite, director of LTO-6, said intentionally-darkened plates are a violation of the agency's guidelines as their identification numbers cannot be immediately seen by the naked eye in urgent situations.
The LTO executive reassured, nonetheless that his men on the field have began to accost owners and with instructions to replace them in accordance with existing LTO rules.
==Iloilo includes senior citizens in supplemental feeding program==
*Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/local-news/2013/05/29/iloilo-includes-senior-citizens-supplemental-feeding-program-284770
*Wednesday, May 29, 2013
:By Lydia C. Pendon
ILOILO City has the most number of daycare children with 9,819 to avail of the supplemental feeding program with an allocation of P15,371,640 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
But Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog assured a counterpart from the City Government for the program to include supplemental feeding to indigent and sickly senior citizens in time for the feeding program of daycare children in the city.
Mabilog said he is aware of the problem of senior citizens, thus he instructed the City Welfare Office to augment and include them in the supplemental feeding program, especially those who are neglected by their own families.
The DSWD allocation for cities in Western Visayas include Bacolod City with 4,556 beneficiaries and allocation of P7,107,360, and Roxas City with 2,415 beneficiaries and total allocation of P3,767,400.
At least 180,335 daycare children in Western Visayas will benefit from this year’s Supplementary Feeding Program of DSWD which targets to release P281,322,600 for the implementation of the program at the 5,557 daycare centers in the region for 120 days.
The biggest share of the budget will be spent in Negros Occidental, which has the highest number of beneficiaries with 65,353 daycare children and with a total allocation of P101,950,680. The province of Iloilo follows, with 46,791 and an allocation of P72,993,960, and Antique with 19,848 and allocation of P30,962,880.
Capiz has 14,578 daycare children with an allocation of P22,741,680, Aklan with 12,749 and allocation of P19,888,440, and Guimaras with 4,226 beneficiaries and total allocation of P6,592,560.
The Supplementary Feeding Program is the provision of food, in addition to the regular meals, to currently enrolled day care center children. This is in the form of hot meals recommended by Food and Nutrition Research Institute and served during break time to children in day care centers.
Beneficiaries of the program are three- to five-year-old children who are enrolled in day care centers.
DSWD reported that a total allocation of P277,797,000 was released last year for program implementation that benefited 185,198 children enrolled in 5,557 daycare centers in Western Visayas.
==P500-M convention center soon to rise in Iloilo==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=528595
*Tuesday, May 28, 2013
:(PNA), LAP/AJP/LCPENDON/VLO
ILOILO CITY, May 28 (PNA) -- The much awaited Iloilo Convention Center with world class amenities will soon rise at the 1.7-hectare lot donated by Megaworld Corp. within the more than 25-hectare site of the old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao district here.
Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon said recently the project will kick off July 2013 and is expected to be finished by the end of 2014 in time for the city's hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) Ministerial Conference here.
Drilon said the amount of P500 million is allotted for the construction of the convention center taken from his own priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of P200 million, another P200 million from the Department of Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (DOT-TIEZA) and P100 million from the Office of the President.
The Ilonggo senator said the convention center is expected to become a catalyst of the tourism industry in Western Visayas, create more jobs for the Ilonggos and spur the growth of hotels and related industries in the region.
The convention center will raise the capability of the city and province of Iloilo to host big international conferences and conventions and push the city's target of becoming the conference hub of the region.
Designed by Ilonggo world class architect William Coscoluella, the convention center will feature the sail of the Iloilo Paraw Regatta and the world-famous Dinagyang Festival as trademarks of Iloilo.
The project was launched in November 2012 by Drilon, with Iloilo city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Rep. Jerry P. Treñas, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and Megaworld Corp. president Andrew Tan.
The Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office will conduct a public bidding for the project by June 2013.
==DSWD targets 180,335 day care children to benefit from feeding program==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=528106
*Monday, May 27, 2013
:(PNA), FFC/JMC/AJP/VLO
ILOILO CITY, May 27 (PNA) –- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office 6 is targeting 180,335 day care children to benefit from its Supplemental Feeding Program (SFP) this school year.
Sally Gayoma of DSWD Regional Office 6 said they would implement the program in 133 local government units (LGUs) throughout the region where there are 5,557 day care centers (DCCs).
She said the supplemental feeding program-cycle 3 will run for 120 days with children receiving rice cereal and viand to mitigate hunger while they are in school.
The number of beneficiaries in Aklan province are 12,749 from the 441 DCCs; Antique with 19,848 beneficiaries from the 633 DCCs; Capiz, 14,578 beneficiaries from the 540 DCCs; Guimaras, 4,226 beneficiaries from the 150 DCCs; Iloilo, 46,791 beneficiaries from the 1,743 DCCs; and Negros Occidental, 65,353 beneficiaries from the 1,690 DCCs.
From Roxas City 2,415 beneficiaries from 48 DCCs; Iloilo City, 9,819 beneficiaries from 200 DCCs; and Bacolod City, 4,556 beneficiaries from 112 DCCs.
==Sky lanterns light up Iloilo sky, set world record==
*Source:http://globalnation.inquirer.net/75693/sky-lanterns-light-up-iloilo-sky-set-world-record
*Sunday, May 26, 2013 2:43 am
:By Nestor P. Burgos Jr. (Inquirer Visayas)
MIAG-AO, ILOILO—Thousands of lanterns brightened the evening sky in this town on Friday as the Philippines lit its way to a Guinness world record for the most number of sky lanterns flown simultaneously.
The event held at the University of the Philippines Visayas here was also a call for “World Peace through Inner Peace” and was organized by Filipino and Thai participants from various religious faiths.
Seyda Subasi-Gemici, adjudicator and official representative of Guinness World Records, said thousands of participants launched 15,185 sky lanterns at the football pitch of UP-Visayas (UPV). This bested the previous record set in June 2012 by Romania at 12,740 lanterns to promote a shopping mall opening.
“I’m happy to announce a new Guinness World Record. You all were officially amazing,” Gemici told the crowd of around 15,000 who broke into cheers and chanted “Philippines! Philippines!”
A certificate from the world record body was awarded to the organizers for the feat.
The event dubbed “Inaugural Light of Peace Event in the Philippines: World Peace through Inner Peace,” was organized by the Middle Way Meditation Institute (MMI)-Philippines and its Thailand-based main organization which promotes meditation.
Venerable Burin Thitakusalo, MMI director, said flying sky lanterns, a traditional form of prayer for Thais, was a way to encourage harmony and cultivate inner peace toward attaining world peace.
“We need more than material things. We need a sense of calmness, a sense of direction amid the challenges in our lives,” he told the Inquirer.
He said that similar activities were held in Thailand but the number of lanterns flown was less than 10,000.
The activity was joined by leaders of various religions, including Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Imam Abdulnasser Langco and Babaji Karmjit Singh.
“World peace starts from inner peace,” Lagdameo said in his prayer.
He said that world peace would come from “within our hearts, within our own persons.”
The participants mostly came from Miag-ao, other parts of Panay Island and other provinces. They were joined by around 100 MMI partners and volunteers from Thailand.
Participants of all ages and from all walks of life arrived as early as 2:30 p.m. on the 1,200-hectare UPV campus in Miag-ao, about 42 km south of Iloilo City.
The campus was chosen as the venue because of its extensive open space bounded by trees and mountains on one side and the sea on the other.
The event organizers asked for a P350 donation from each participant to cover the cost of the activity and they were given priority passes, but those who did not make a donation were still allowed to join.
The release of the sky lanterns was preceded by a 15-minute guided meditation with the participants sitting on the football pitch.
The participants first lit 10,000 ground lanterns to illuminate the football field. A short orientation video and live demonstration were shown.
The Thai-manufactured sky lanterns were made of rice paper with bamboo frames. They had a diameter of 50 cm and a height of 150 cm, according to Dr. Emiliano Bernardo III, the event organizer.
The participants were instructed to light the lanterns for two minutes and 45 seconds to allow the air inside to heat up before releasing them.
The lanterns were released in three waves within 10 minutes starting at 6:45 p.m. by 5,000 pairs of participants.
The cheers of excitement grew as more of the lanterns were released.
Around 15,687 lanterns were prepared and displayed but some were flown outside the 10-minute limit. Others burned up before they could be released.
Organizers said the environmental impact of the event was “much less than that of fireworks and rubber balloons.”
Bernardo said the lanterns did not use fuel oil but tissue paper dipped in wax. The only metal material was the 1-mm wire used to secure the heat source.
==WV tops carabao prod’n in PH==
*Source:http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo/4055-wv-tops-carabao-prodn-in-ph.html
*Saturday, May 25, 2013
:By Lilibeth French (PIA–Iloilo/PN)
ILOILO City — Western Visayas has remained the top producer of carabao in the Philippines despite the decreasing volume in production.
It accounts for 14 percent of the country’s total annual carabao production, the National Statistical Coordination Board 6 (NSCB–6) data as of May 20 revealed.
It was also the top carabao producer from 2010 to 2012.
Last year, the region was able to produce 19,919 metric tons of carabao.
It was followed by Region 12 (Soccskargen), with 12,308 metric tons; Region 11 (Davao), with 12,213; Region II (Cagayan Valley), with 11,549; and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), with 11,210.
However, there was a decrease in carabao production in Region 6 for the past three years, the NSCB–6 data, sourced from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, noted.
From 21,267 metric tons in 2010, carabao production dropped to 20,524 metric tons in 2011 and 19,919 metric tons in 2012.
One of the factors causing the production drop was the increasing demand for carabao for consumption, said Manuel Porque, officer-in-charge of the Department of Agriculture 6’s Livestock Division.
Many have turned to carabao meat and cattle beef when the price of pork increased, he said.
“Our carabaos are being transported to Manila through the facilities of RORO (roll-on, roll-off). There are many viajeros who come to the region to buy carabaos and bring them to Manila for slaughtering,” said Porque.
The drop is also recorded in the other 11 regions last year.
Only four regions posted an improved production last year — Region 3 (Central Luzon), 7.3 percent; Region 8, 3.4 percent; Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), 2.5 percent; and Region 1 (Ilocos Region), 1.5 percent.
The NSCB data noted the same decreasing trend in the country over the last three years.
Only three regions increased their production consistently from 2010 to 2012 — Region 3, Region 10 and Region 8 — the NSCB data showed.
==Iloilo old capitol interior restoration to start soon==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=527510
*Friday, May 24, 2013
:(PNA), PDS/AJP/MGCAOYONAN/VLO
ILOILO CITY, May 24 (PNA) -- Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. has announced that the restoration of the interior of the old capitol building under Phase II will start few months from now after Phase I, exterior design restoration, has already reached 82 percent.
Defensor said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has approved a fund of P 15 million for the restoration of Phase II and P 20 million for Phase I.
Phase I of the project, which covers the exterior of the old Iloilo Provincial Capitol, includes the demolition of the front canopy and the side offices constructed during the 1960s.
Also for the Phase II includes interior designs, function room or ceremonial hall that could be rented for small-time occasions like weddings and birthday parties to generate additional fund for the provincial government and a bridge connecting from the new building of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol to old building.
Defensor stressed only few have been changed outside and even to be changed inside the building to preserve its heritage structures.
“We want to preserve the old capitol by its name for it’s a heritage and symbol for Iloilo. This will become a tourist attraction”, he stressed.
Defensor said that once the construction will be finished some provincial departments will be transferred there to hold regular offices.
The old capitol has been used as military garrison by the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War II in the 1940s.
==DTI brings ‘Doing Business in FTAs' campaign to Iloilo City==
*Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=527076
*Thursday, May 23, 2013
:(PNA), JBP/AJP/MADS/VLO
ILOILO CITY, May 23 (PNA) -- Recognizing Iloilo City as one of the next wave cities in the country, the Department of Trade and Industry conducted “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas” information campaign recently at the Hotel Del Rio here.
Stakeholders from both private and public sectors were briefed on how a business can take advantage of the seven existing FTA agreements the government has with ASEAN member-countries and with Japan, New Zealand, Australia, China and India.
Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Director Senen Perlada encouraged small businesses in the region to take advantage of these agreements maybe not as direct exporters but as indirect exporters supplying quality materials to established firms which are already global players.
“It is important for the big brothers and small brothers play its role,” he said.
“The SMEs have to really integrate because that’s the only way they can be integrated into the global economy,” he added.
He noted that the Philippines is already part of the global supply chain, thus, “the important thing for SMEs is to link to be part of that supply chain, maybe not as direct exporters but as indirect exporters supplying quality materials.”
“For local producers, network with those companies that are already in the global supply chain, introduce your product, otherwise, it’ll be difficult to do it by yourself. Eventually, when you are strong enough, you can do it on your own,” Perlada said.
Being an agricultural region, Perlada encouraged entrepreneurs to look into all possible product they can develop and improved from “buko” or young coconuts.
He said “buko” is faring well in the United States of America, Canada, European Union and Japan.
“The people here have to look in every opportunity for ‘buko’ – from water to ‘bunot’ to everything, that is a great product which has good opportunities in all aspects,” he said.
To date, the Philippines is a signatory to a number of Free Trade Agreements, namely: Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement; ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement; ASEAN-India Free Trade Area; ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area; ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement; ASEAN-China Free Trade Area; and ASEAN Free Trade Areas.
Products exported in these countries include agri- produce like bananas, mangoes and pineapples; aquamarine products like shrimps and prawns, yellow fin tunas and smoked fish; coconuts and by products; minerals; chemicals; machinery; metals; among others.
FTAs are economic blocs by which member countries remove tariffs on goods exported from signatory countries.
=="Fiestas in the City" depict colorful festivals in Western Visayas==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2421369200980
*Wednesday, May 22, 2013
:By Leonard T. Pineda I (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
ILOILO CITY, May 22 (PIA) -- The parade of festival sagala and fiesta queens will highlight the celebration of “Fiestas in the City”, a week-long event showcasing the colorful festivals in Western Visayas.
Lawyer Helen Catalbas, Department of Tourism-6 (DOT-6) Regional Director, said that DOT, in cooperation with SM City Iloilo, has lined-up daily special events from May 20-25 to promote the richness of West Visayan culture and the talent of the Ilonggos in one setting.
Catalbas said that foreign visitors and local tourists can catch a glimpse of the much-anticipated parade of maidens featuring local festival queens under floral arches in the Sagala of Festival Queens on May 25, 2:00 PM at the SM City Events Center.
Festival queens from Iloilo City and Passi City and from the municipalities of Badiangan, Cabatuan, Igbaras, Lambunao, Leganes, Oton, Pavia, San Miguel, Sta. Barbara, Tigbauan, and Tubungan will take part in this Santacruzan-inspired event.
The DOT said that aside from the Sagala of festival, other scheduled activities include Fiesta Cuisine on May 22, Moda Filipiniana, a fashion show of Filipiniana-inspired gowns and barongs on May 23, and the Mayflower Sagala on May 24.
“Fiestas in the City”, which started in 2002, is Iloilo’s oldest continuous tourism celebration held inside a mall. It has evolved into one of Iloilo’s premier tourism celebration.
The DOT said that the celebration of “Fiestas in the City” depicts the historical and religious significance of the rich and diverse heritage, culture, and the spirit of the Ilonggos.
==DepEd: There is more to Brigada than repair, clean-up==
*Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=931369035169
*Tuesday, May 21, 2013
:By Lilibeth A. French (JCM/LAF/PIA6)
ILOILO CITY, May 21 (PIA6) -- Education stakeholders in this city were urged to go beyond doing minor repairs and clean ups and help schools in jumpstarting their other projects such as Gulayan sa Paraalan and tree planting, among others as the five-day Brigada Eskwela started Monday, May 20.
The call was made by Division of Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent Nelly Valerio during the regional launching and kick-off program of the 2013 Brigada Eskwela held at the Jaro National High School (JNHS) in the district of Jaro.
Valerio said Brigada Eskwela is part of the desire to ensure that children will have access to clean classrooms and schools on June 3 unlike in the past years where children are the ones doing the cleaning and classes would formally start two weeks after.
She added that since the program was launched ten years ago, children return to a clean classroom and classes start right away that signals that students and pupils are now required to be in school.
Brigada Eskwela also symbolizes harmonious partnership between the public and the private sector, according to Valerio as she encouraged volunteers, organizations and other stakeholders to also register and take part in the Brigada Eskwela activities of other city schools.
She likewise thanked the regional office of the DepEd in Western Visayas for choosing the Division of Iloilo City, particularly the JNHS as the regional venue of the kick-off program for this year’s Brigada Eskwela.
In her message, JNHS Principal Belinda Dinopol expressed hope that the launching activities will radiate to each and every school campus in the division, in the province and in the region so that each classroom and each campus will be prepared to receive students come June 3.
She also emphasized that the focus of this year’s Brigada Eskwela is the greening of the campus and hoped that this will become a year-long activity for each administrator.
A caravan participated in by more than 50 vehicles which started at the Division of Iloilo City was held before the program at the JNHS followed quickly by a tree planting activity led by DepEd 6 Director Mildred Garay.
The participation of the Philippine National Police mascots added attraction during the caravan and program inside the JNHS.


==Iloilo media undergo entrepreneurial training==
==Iloilo media undergo entrepreneurial training==
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