FOR CACAO PRODUCTION Europe-based company seeks deals with Southern farmers by: Bong Pedalino A Dutch company is linking with farmers’ or- ganization in the province to produce quality cacao fruits that will be used as raw materials in making sweet chocolates. This was disclosed by Mike Nunez, provin- cial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), whose office was used as a October 1 - 15, 2013 Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg. Vol. I, No. 7 conduit in reaching out to interested individ- uals and groups. Cong. Mian bares 2014 outlay by department In fact, a farmer’s group in Sogod and Bon- by: Bong Pedalino toc had actually started planting seedlings, as well as a group under the Social Action Center Despite the abolition of the coursed through some depart- partment of Education (DepEd) (SAC) of the Diocese of , which plant- Priority Development Assis- ments, all for the benefit of his he was able to bag commitments ed the pre-supplied seedlings in the diocese’s tance Fund (PDAF) for next constituents. for the construction of several lot at Panan-awan, this city, said year’s budget, this province’s Cong. Damian Mercado, in a school buildings, and hiring for Nunez during the DYSL Kapihan sa PIA on lone district representative still press conference held at his res- teachers. (to page 3) managed to secure projects idence, disclosed that in the De- (to page 3) There is money in agriculture, organic farming - Gov. RGM by: Erna Sy Gorne The local government of thru the leadership of Provincial Governor Roger Mercado urged the constituents to embrace agriculture even as its provincial agriculture office promotes organic farming, among other agricultural modern technologies. The Governor aired the impassioned appeal for people to engage BE A FARMER: In a recent Action Center cable TV Kapihan in farming during the action center cable TV Kapihan sa PIA held at sa PIA, Gov. Roger Mercado appeals to people to go farming, (to page 2) saying the province will help provide the inputs. To his right is Provincial Agriculturist Marina Gador, with hosts Erna Sy Malampaya Fund boosts Electrification Gorne (left), and Bong Pedalino (right). for Limasawa, says Cong. Mian Final Public Hearing on Health by: Bong Pedalino & Sanitation Code held A permanent solution for a reliable Mercado disclosed he personally by: Rebecca S. Cadavos 24/7 power service for the historic talked with DOE Secretary Jericho The last and final hearing on the Health and Sanitation Code in the prov- island-town of Limasawa, this prov- Petilla during one of his meetings ince of Southern Leyte was conducted recently at Maasin city gymnasium, ince, looms in the horizon as the De- with cabinet officials, and the former after a series of such activities in the different Inter-Local Health Zones (ILHZ) partment of Energy (DOE) included Leyte Governor assured him for Li- throughout the province. it as one of the energy projects fund- masawa’s inclusion in the listing of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Health and Sanitation Committee member ed by the Malampaya Fund. energy-related projects whose fund- Alan Aroy, in his overview of the health and sanitation program disclosed Energization of the island will be ing will be sourced from the Malam- that it needs an urgent approval since all the articles and sections of the carried out by a submersible cable line, paya Fund. codes are all health-related, saying that “all items stated in the code are according to Rep. Damian Mercado. In a related development, the lone based on the mandate of the Local Government Code of the .” In an interaction with local journal- Southern Leyteno lawmaker also “There are at least 26 articles and 209 sections that comprise the health ists Monday at his residence, Cong. said the DOE has reserved 86 more and sanitation code of the province and all related health ordinances com- Mercado said the project was already sitios in the province to be lighted in piled are very significant, while others are already implemented at the local programmed by the DOE for imple- 2014 under the Rural Electrification level,” Aroy said. mentation either in 2014 or 2015. Program of the National Electrifica- Some programs presented are the Functions of Health Offices; School It will have a cost of more than P tion Administration (NEA). 100 million, he added. (to page 3) (to page 2) Vol. I, No.7 PNC adopts “Sustansya There is money in agriculture.... from page 1 the lobby of the provincial capitol recently. Kini” Kitchen Garden “There is money in agriculture if one is only persistent, industrious, and creative food production enough,” Mercado said. He called on those interested to have a decent living in agriculture to coordinate with by: Erna Sy Gorne the provincial agriculture’s office so they can be properly guided, adding that the provin- The Provincial Nutrition Council – Technical cial government is willing to extend inputs and other necessary materials. Working Group (PNC-TWG) Southern Leyte Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Marina Gador reported during the same will officially adopt a kitchen garden “Sustansya activity that organic farming has slowly been imbibed by the local farmers after Kini” program as pushed by the provincial gov- years of transferring modern technology thru painstaking lectures in close coordi- ernment in order to provide a mechanism for its nation with the local government units. constituents to produce safe and nutritious food. She was elated to report that the absence of labeled inorganic fertilizers in rice Provincial Nutrition Action Officer (PNAO) fields is a strong indicator that local palay farmers are adopting organic farming. Dr Noel Lumen in a meeting together with the stakeholders to include the local municipal She also discussed that the province is set to implement an intensified food health officers, municipal agriculture officers production program, “Sustansya Kini “ which promotes the production of vegeta- and members of the PNC-TWG facilitated for bles at home even those residing at urban areas, by transporting soils in plastics an orientation on “Sustansya Kini” food produc- as planting materials to make the program adaptable in every household. (with a tion program last October 4, 2013 at Southern report from Bong Pedalino) Leyte Research and Extension Center in Maa- sin City. As presented by Provincial Planning and De- Malampaya Fund... (from page 1) velopment Officer Eda Monson during the same The energization of remote and far-flung barangays in the country is a continuing priority meeting, the said kitchen-garden food produc- project of the national government aggressively pursued by President Benigno Aquino III, tion program shall be owned by the provincial it was learned. nutrition council prioritizing the 4Ps house- holds and to those families having malnourished Provincial DepEd names 8 HS children, among others. Monson said the provincial government thru the fresh leadership of Governor Roger Merca- for early K to 12 implementation do has allocated funds for the food production by: Bong Pedalino program like free distribution of seeds, among The Department of Educa- Kapihan sa PIA Thursday. School, both in ; others. The program entails planting of vegeta- tion (DepEd) schools division “We are ready for the K to 12 Bontoc National High School, bles at the backyards hence making it easier for the parents to prepare nutritious and safe food in this province is determined here in the province, in joint Sogod National High School, for the children at any given time. to set into motion the new ba- venture with stakeholders in Vocational School, With the technical knowledge of the munici- sic education curriculum two the private and public sector,” National High School, pal agriculturists on urban gardening, they are years ahead of its mandatory Isip declared when asked for National High expected to assist the targetted households to schedule come 2016. updates on the new system of School, and San Juan National establish kitchen gardens like transporting soils This will be carried out, ini- learning that added two more High School. in plastic bags, bottles, among other improvised tially, in 8 out of 40 public sec- years to the conventional four Students in these schools who materials where they can grow tomatoes, lemon ondary schools pre-selected years in high school. will graduate in March next year grass, kalamunggay, atsal, gingers, etc , Monson for this effort, said Arturo Isip, He said the eight national were already aware of this set up, said. OIC-Provincial Schools Divi- high schools and vocation- and many had in fact volunteered While the municipal health officers and the sion Superintendent. al, technical schools chosen to take up the two additional Se- representative of the 4Ps were requested to But the early implementation as pilot sites were picked for nior Years in High School rather provide for the listing of families with malnour- of the K to 12 program in the their readiness in terms of than proceed directly to college, ished children, as well, she added. province for next school year, classrooms availability and the Isip disclosed. PPDO Monson also recommended to priori- 2014-2015, even in carefully faculty that will handle the ex- The two main objectives for the tize the municipalities of Malitbog, Tomas Op- screened eight model schools, tended schooling. pro-active implementation are to pus, and Limasawa in the “Sustan- will depend much on the final These early implementers study the problems encountered sya Kini” program as the mentioned areas have evaluation and validation of the were identified as Ichon Na- in actual situations, and to take high prevalence of poverty coupled with short- DepEd regional and central of- tional High School, Villa Ja- note of the best practices that age of food at household level as reported in the fices, Isip said during the DYSL cinta Vocational-Technical may arise, Isip also said. CBMS 2008-2010 survey. Page 2 October 1 - 15, 2013 Vol. I, No.7 Cong. Mian bares.... (from page 1) At the Department of Public Works and rangay Dongon, Maasin city, Mercado Highways (DPWH), several infrastruc- said the DOH was willing to extend fi- ture projects worth P 25 million were al- nancial assistance for its completion and ready intended for the province on top of overall site development in the amount the regular budget of the agency. of more than P 150 million. Some P 55 million was also earmarked All that was required for the DOH fund for farm-to-market roads (FMR) through to be poured at the new Dongon hospital the Department of Agriculture (DA), and was the program of work, Mercado added. from the Department of Health (DOH), P Every lawmaker used to get P 70 million 25 million for renovation of Sogod District of PDAF allocation, also called pork bar- Hospital. rel, but since the controversy in its alleged Mercado said details in the listing of these abuse grabbed the current headlines the various projects underwent proper con- PDAF was added to the regular budgets of sultation with the respective Mayors of the the frontline agencies in 2014. province, adding that the list was based on However, the total initiative Cong. Mian their requests. was able to commit by department, when For the new provincial hospital in ba- realized, far exceeded the P70 million. FRIDAY EXERCISE: (Topmost Photo) Bird’s eyeview of the employees as Final Public Hearing.... (from page 1) they sweat it out. (Above) Elements of Philippine National Police join the Sanitation and Health Services; Proper The public hearing was participat- fun complete with picture-taking. (Below) Gov. Roger Mercado leads pro- Disposal and Sewerage System; San- ed in by the members of the Sang- vincial officials and employees in an aerobics or physical fitness, a regular itation at dancing schools, night clubs guniang Panlalawigan, particularly activity every Friday afternoon, in front of the capitol building. and dance halls; Proper Disposal of Health committee members, health dead Persons; Proper Sanitation at professionals from the province and camps, picnic grounds, industrial es- Municipal health Officers, owners of tablishments, water refilling stations, food establishments, bakeries, and food establishments, bakeries, to name water refilling stations, among others. a few . Maasin City was the final ILHZ where “All of the items included in the health the Health and Sanitation code was pre- and sanitation code are suggestions sented, while Panaon, Pacific and Sogod from the health personnel throughout Bay Inter-Local Health Zones were done, the province,” one of the presenters SP the source said. Member Albert Esclamado said. It was learned that Southern Leyte is It is patterned from the National one of the provinces nationwide with its Health and Sanitation Code, he added. own Sanitation code. FOR CACAO.... (from page 1) September 26. as a coordinating arm to reach out “The seedlings will bear fruit after with various groups, then he was one and a half years since actual involved, Nunez said. planting with proper care and main- The deal also jibed with the co- tenance,” he added. conut rehabilitation program of the The company will be the one to province, a roadmap that the DTI buy the ripened fruits for eight years helped crafted, in which it was stat- under a contract growing scheme, ed that cacao planting should be the price per kilo set at 70% of the intercropped under coconut trees. prevailing price in the world market, Nunez urged interested persons Nunez informed. and groups to contact his office so He said he found it a bit awkward a technical training or seminar can that his office has entered into the be scheduled as soon as possible. scene when everything is still in the Those interested may contact the primary planting stage, DTI being DTI provincial office at telephone more on food processing, labelling, number (053) 381-4099 or they and marketing concerns. may contact Mr. Nunez through But since his office was tapped cell number 0917-705-1504.

October 1 - 15, 2013 Page 3 Vol. I, No.7 Maasin CDRRMC on continues evaluation for quake damage

by: Bong Pedalino

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) is doing a round-the-clock inspection on buildings within the city proper to look for damage caused by an earth- quake that shook the city around 8:20 in the morning of Octo- ber 15, lasting almost 60 seconds. Police Officer 3 Eric Villafuerte, head of Operations at the City Police Station who accompanied the CDRRMC team, said that among the buildings found out having cracks due to the quake were Servacio Building occupied Window-glasses were broken at Cal- by Novo Superstore has two apre Building at Abgao, Maasin City, Candy’s Supermart, where a section of a brick wall in its staircase cracks noted at the walls. house owner secured the area with crashed, Novo Supermart, J and F Supermart, and the Mercury ropes to avoid by-standers below the building. damage windows. The walling of a Mosque of a Muslim community also got cracks, Villafuerte told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) by phone. Earlier, less than an hour after the quake hit, City Mayor Maloney Samaco spoke over a city-paid block time program over radio sta- tion dydm, calling on barangay officials to report immediately to him any unusual side effects of the tremor. Samaco said he had tasked the CDDRMC to conduct an assess- ment on the structures around the city so that appropriate action can be undertaken. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) declared that the epicentre of the earthquake was located some- where in Carmen, Bohol, registering a strength of 7.2 magnitude, its intensity highest in Cebu and other nearby areas. Phivolcs head Renato Solidum said the quake was tectonic in nature, or due to a movement in the Earth’s plates, as differentiated Novo Superstore damaged goods J and F Superstore damaged by volcanic, or caused by a volcano. thrown at the floor. goods at the height of earthquake. (Photos and caption by ESG) BJMP conducts first boarders Random drug test for sportsfest by: Erna Sy Gorne city employees The Bureau of Jail Management He further noted that the games by: Rebecca Cadavos and Penelogy (BJMP) in Maasin among the two jail- boarders and The city government of Maasin initiated a random City, in collaboration with the personnel will in a way enhance drug test for the city hall employees, that started Sep- Maasin City Jail and Southern self -control and discipline among tember 30 to October 1, 2013 and henceforth “ until Leyte Provincial Jail (SLPJ) per- themselves as they participate in the city hall will be free from illegal drugs,” Mayor Ma- sonnel and boarders (prisoners) the different games throughout loney Samaco disclosed in a phone interview over a is undertaking activities that the competitions. will enhance self-control and Meanwhile, Maasin City Jail local radio station. discipline among themselves Wardress J/SINSP Arlene Bar- The drug testing was facilitated by the Scene of the thru sports. raca noted during the opening Crime Operatives (SOCO) personnel headed by Police According to BJMP Assistant ceremony at Southern Leyte Inspector Robbie Charles P. Villagen with the Philip- Regional Director Edwin Riel, Provincial Jail, Maasin City that pine National Police held at the city gymnasium. who graced the first BJMP friend- the activity which entails for the It was reported that the drug test for employees pri- ship games in the province, “bad transport of 16 boarders from oritized first those offices who have suspected drug behavior is like a flat tire, you have Maasin City Jail to the playing users, and all other offices and employees will follow to change it or you have nowhere venue at SLPJ was approved by thereafter, “referring to a report that listed who these t o g o.” the Honorable Courts. drug users are.” Page 4 October 1 - 15, 2013