'CV's Biggest Gov't Center'

Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 Status of Major Infrastructure1 Projects in CV (As of 4th Quarter 2018)

Page 9

The Ofﬁ cial Publication of the Regional Development Council Region VII • January-March 2019 • Volume XXIV, No. 1

‘CV’s biggest gov’t center’

Bohol’s new provincial capitol building, which headed by Gov. Edgar Chatto, is a “colossal” that was spent to build this structure comes was inaugurated in February, is now the accomplishment of the administration. from your taxes.” biggest government building the Department “Allow me to inspire you to use this new of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has Sturdiness, resiliency capitol building to build up more people’s trust constructed in Central Visayas. “It represents not only the sturdiness in the government. How? By supporting the With a classical architectural look of the resolve of the Boholanos in climbing government’s effort for inclusive growth and integrated into its modern design, the greater heights, but also the resiliency and development. And one of that is the ‘Build, new capitol building is powered by solar tenacity in standing up after being beaten Build, Build’ program of the administration,” panels, connected to Wi-Fi, and will be by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013,” Montejo added. environment-friendly as it has its own Montejo told capitol ofﬁ cials and employees, Chatto thanked President Rodrigo R. sewage treatment facility. who attended the turnover ceremony held at Duterte and the legislature for providing DPWH 7 Assistant Director Mario the new building’s Ceremonial Hall. funds for the construction of the new Montejo said the four-story reinforced Montejo reminded Boholanos that the building, after the old capitol building was concrete building that the agency turned new capitol building “is a fruit of your own over to the Bohol Provincial Government, sweat because the almost PHP700 million Continued on Page 2 2 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1

destroyed by the 7.2 tremor that struck the province in 2013. In 2014, the Regional Development Council 7 passed Resolution No. 14 endorsing the construction of the building to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for funding support. The old building will be turned over to the National Museum and will be converted as its Bohol branch offi ce. Chatto acknowledged the help of Bohol’s former governor and now 1st District Rep. Rene Relampagos in securing national funds for the new building. “With this new building, no Boholano, no client should leave the capitol unattended. We are responsible for giving the best service that we can give to the people of Bohol,” said Chatto. National Economic and Development Authority 7 Regional Director Efren Carreon urged the offi cials and employees to use the new capitol building to “inspire others to experience good governance.” The new building is a product of a series of consultations with DPWH 7 project engineers and its contractors, Specifi ed Contractors and Development, Inc. and Tacloban-based BM Marketing. (PNA)

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia (center) with Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto (left) and NEDA 7 Regional Director Efren Carreon during a visit to the New Provincial Capitol.

8.1M tourists visit CV in 2018: DOT 7

The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 has and the other two are from Muan, South three tourist water transport. It has also recorded 8,099,346 tourist arrivals in Korea and Taipei, Taiwan. conducted 47 trainings for 3,543 tourism Central Visayas in 2018, exceeding the Additional trips to Getafe and Talibon, stakeholders. initial 7.4M target. Bohol and Poro, Camotes Island also A total of P3.154 billion pesos was This was disclosed during DOT’s increased inter-island connectivity. allocated to 110 tourism road projects to Tourism Situationer Report for 2018 on Feb. Despite setbacks such as the UK ease travelling to and from seaports and 19, 2019 and as reported to the Economic travel ban to southern Cebu, the region airports. Development Committee of the Regional has a “bright future ahead,” said Carlo For 2019, the tourism plan is geared Development Council 7 last Feb. 20, 2019. Suarez, president of Hotel and Resorts and towards preparing for the 500th year of Of the the 8.1 million arrivals, Cebu Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC). Christianity in 2021. had the highest share of foreign and To ensure that tourists enjoy DOT 7 Regional Director Shalimar domestic tourist arrivals of 2,805,115 and quality services, DOT has accredited 232 Tamano said they will focus more on sports 2,770,781, respectively. accommodations, 154 tour operators, 272 and faith tourism, sustainable tourism as Koreans still top the tourist market with tour guides, 184 tourist land transport, and well as the tightening of security. (PIA) 1,344,154 arrivals, a 50.05 percent increase from last year’s 895,776. The opening of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 and Bohol Panglao International Airport helped boost international flight frequencies to up to 24.5 percent. Ten new international flights were also inaugurated in 2018, of which eight are from China (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Macau, Changsa) Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 3 RDC, RPOC in Region 7 hold joint meeting

The Regional Development Council (RDC) growth in visitor arrivals, saying it is an and the Regional Peace and Order Council indicator of the positive peace and order in Central Visayas held a joint meeting last situation in the region. 11 March 2019 to identify priority issues RD Carreon also enumerated the and concerns that need to be elevated to issues that the RDC wanted elevated to the Cabinet level, and recommend actions the Cabinet. The RDC seeks improved for their solution. implementation of the school building The joint meeting was presided by and health facilities enhancement RDC Chairperson Kenneth Cobonpue and programs, improved coordination with the RPOC Chairperson and Cebu Gov. Hilario Department of Transportation through a Davide III. new regional offi ce, ease of doing business Regional line agency members of Cobonpue, in his opening message, for MSMEs, funding facility for small-scale the RDC and RPOC were also urged to said that aside from identifying regional tourism properties, and support/incentives embrace the whole-of-nation approach issues, the joint meeting was important as for agricultural education and training. in eradicating peace and security threats it signifi es the collaborative work that both The RPOC meeting proper began with and sustaining gains by responding to the councils are undertaking. the RPOC conferring the nomination of two public services needs of sectoral groups “Development and peace and order private sector representatives—Engr. Albert through their agency programs. should work hand-in-hand so Central M. Uy, president of the Bohol Chamber of DILG Assistant Secretary RJ Echiverri Visayas maintains its position as one of the Commerce and Industry; and Fernando J. made a presentation on how member leading regions in the country in terms of Martinez, action offi cer of the Negros Oriental agencies of both the RDC and the RPOC economic performance,” Cobonpue added. drug abuse council—as RPOC members. can help in strengthening and reorganizing Police Regional Offi ce (PRO) 7 anti-drug abuse councils to ensure the Director Debold Sinas, in his opening as Crime rate drops participation of all local government units RPOC vice chairperson and on behalf Brigadier General Sinas then updated (LGUs). LGUs can handle the demand of Governor Davide, welcomed the RDC and RPOC members of the peace and reduction aspect of the administration’s opportunity to solicit inputs—concerns order situation in the region. Sinas said war on drugs through community-based and best practices—from the different crime situation in the region has dropped in rehabilitation centers, to complement the agencies which he reported during a the fi rst two months of 2019. He also gave supply reduction programs of the police meeting with President Duterte in Davao. a rundown of the PRO 7’s accomplishments and PDEA. in the fi ght against illegal drugs. The RPOC then identifi ed issues Updates Aside from Sinas, other organizations and concerns that it wanted elevated NEDA Regional Offi ce 7 Director Efren and agencies that gave updates during to the Cabinet level. The issues were Carreon presented during the meeting the the joint meetings were the National Task mostly related to the government’s fi ght situation of Central Visayas’s economy for Force to End Local Communist Armed against drugs and how rehabilitation and 2018, naming the sectors in agriculture, Conflict, the AFP on the terrorism and treatment programs can be successfully transportation, construction, and BPM as insurgency situation in the region, and implemented. Both issues and concerns among those that have posted growth last PDEA on the status of barangay drug from the RDC and RPOC were jointly year. RPOC offi cers lauded the 16 percent clearing operations. endorsed for Cabinet consideration. 4 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 Regions need champions to push STI agenda for FIRe preparedness: Sec. Pernia

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia is urging the different regions in the country to work together in identifying regional champions that can help communities prepare for the challenges and opportunities coming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe). “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is real and it is here and now. We need to work together to overcome the challenges that this phenomenon will bring and, at the same time, create new opportunities for sustained economic prosperity. The government cannot develop a science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem alone. For this to work, we need a buy-in from local industries and universities,” Pernia added. Pernia was the keynote speaker during the policy forum entitled “Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe): Creating NEDA Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia (seated, 2nd from left) with NRO 7 and PIDS offi cials, and Central Visayas’ Future Today” organized speakers of the day-long forum by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the National Economic a consuming subject – and a global Tamayo, and Justine Raagas of Philippine and Development Authority Regional Offi ce phenomenon that we cannot resist… But, at Business for Education as speakers. The (NRO) 7, in collaboration with the Bohol the same time, it is an opportunity that we last session discussed sustaining the future Island State University (BISU). It was held last can harness to our advantage. Certainly, like through government-academe-industry 06 March 2019 at the Bohol Tropics Resort in the other revolutions, it will bring change, collaboration, with Dr. Josefi no Ronquillo Tagbilaran City, Bohol. either favorable or adverse. Whatever change of CHED 7, Wilfredo Sa-a, Jr. of Cebu IT/ Pernia also said that the stakeholders it will be will depend on our actions today or BPM Organization, and Marietta Gasatan of may anchor on the strategies laid out in the how we prepare for it,” Pernia said, adding Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 in that he hopes the forum would result in speakers. advancing STI. Specifi cally, he cited the need actionable plans and programs. The following day, the organizers went to ensure that new knowledge translates to the BISU to visit the school’s Fabrication to commercial application, and directing Impact of technology revolution Laboratory (FabLab), the fi rst in the country investments to both physical and human PIDS president Dr. Celia Reyes, in her and on its way to become a Lab Parent of the capital formation. welcome remarks, said they are hoping Philippines. “FIRe is such a burning issue – that the forum will highlight the impact of The FabLab is capable of 3D printing, technology revolution in the Philippines and CNC milling, circuit production, laser, how to make it grow to push for sustainable precision milling, and vinyl cutting. development in the country. The PIDS-NEDA forum is part of a This is why, she added, it is important series of awareness-raising activities, for the government, academe, and industry policy dialogues, and seminars initiated to collaborate to harness the FIRe. by PIDS to promote deep and broad-based The forum was divided into three understanding of the socioeconomic sessions that featured different resource implications of the FIRe. The forum is persons. Session 1 was entitled Mapping the intended to serve as a venue where the Future, with Dr. Jose Ramon Albert and Dr. government, business sector, and civil Ramonette Serafi ca of PIDS, NRO 7 Director society of Central Visayas can engage in an Efren Carreon, and DTI 7 Assistant Regional open and evidence-based discussion on the Director Nannette Arbon as speakers. prospects of the region in the era of FIRe Session 2 discussed how to secure the future and how it can take advantage of emerging through education and training, and had technologies to further develop its economic Filipino physicists Dr. Ma. Victoria Bernido, potential and contribute to the attainment of TESDA 7 Regional Director Tonie June AmBisyon Natin 2040. Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 5 Make disruptive technologies work to advance STI, R&D: NEDA 7 director

National Economic and Development Center of the USC Talamban Campus in AmBisyon Natin 2040. Authority 7 Regional Director Efren Cebu City. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Carreon is urging stakeholders in science, In his keynote address, Carreon cited Ernesto Pernia recently underscored the technology and innovation (STI) to welcome as examples current initiatives of Regional need to invest in human development to the challenges that disruptive technologies Development Council 7 members to address promote STI, saying it “is vital in vigorously bring and identify ways on how, if harnessed, concerns of SMEs on ease of doing business promoting an STI ecosystem.” could speed up our everyday transactions and of the tourism industry on seamless PIDS organized the event to provide and processes. travel through ICT-based solutions. a venue for exchange of ideas that will Carreon made this call to students, “We saw some degrees of successes, propel more engagements toward the members of the academe, and STI but admittedly, the pace is still quite slow. socioeconomic development not only in stakeholders both in the public and So we need dialogues like this (forum) to the region, but the whole Philippines, as private sectors during the regional move us,” he added. mapped out in the Philippine Development symposium titled “Disruptive Technologies: Despite this, Carreon said he is Plan 2017-2022. Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks.” The optimistic that STI stakeholders are still forum was co-organized by the University in a good position to steer Central Visayas To know more about Industry 4.0, of San Carlos (USC), the Philippine Institute to boldly address the challenges that you may visit https://www.weforum. for Development Studies, and the Philippine disruptive technologies will cause, while at org/centre-for-the-fourth-industri- APEC Study Center Network. It was held last the same time, harness the opportunities al-revolution 23 January 2019 at the Michael Richartz they bring to move the region closer to the 6 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 CV-RDRC holds 1st Research Application and Utilization Forum

NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Science, Technology and Innovation at government units from all over Central Development Adoracion Navarro rallied the Forefront of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Visayas came to Cebu City to attend regional stakeholders in the Central Tourism for Inclusive Economic Growth in the forum that had plenary and parallel Visayas research and academic community Central Visayas.” sessions featuring research papers on to strive to be creative in come up with In his welcome remarks, CIT-U science, technology and innovation innovations as a strategy to achieve the president Engr. Nicolas Villamor challenged (STI), agriculture, and tourism; exhibit of development goals in the 2017-2022 participants to contribute to improving the research and innovation, and application Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and development landscape though their work, and utilization projects of some RDRC Regional Development Plan (RDP). so that visible change can be seen in the member-agencies; and sharing of private Navarro made this call in her keynote next 10 years. sector experiences in a technology message during the 1st Central Visayas Commission on Higher Education business incubator program. Research Application and Utilization (CHED) 7 Regional Director Maximo The forum emphasized collaboration Forum (RAUF) organized by members Aljibe expressed gratitude to the National of research endeavors in a multidisciplinary of the Regional Development Council’s Economic and Development Authority manner. Moreover, the forum showed that Regional Development Research (NEDA) 7 for working on connecting innovations support by funding agencies is vital Committee (RDRC). It was held last 24- higher education institutions (HEI)/state to the full realization of the research projects. 25 January 2019 at the Cebu Institute of colleges and universities (SUC) research Thirteen papers presented, which Technology-University (CIT-U). with application and utilization for discussed the Blue Economy sector, The two-day forum was organized development. He also took the occasion tourism, agriculture, and ICT, by to exchange knowledge that are relevant, to exhort his HEI/SUC constituents to researcher-presentors RDRC members applicable to the regional context, and perform such mandate excellently. like the University of San Carlos (USC), provide the evidence base to create University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), new or improved products, processes, Collaboration Cebu Technological University (CTU), and and services. It went with the theme Hundreds of members of the Philippine Science High School-Central “Sustainable Development Goals: Putting academe, regional line agencies, and local Visayas Campus. Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 7

Dr. Celia M. Reyes, president of the Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies, opened the parallel sessions by discussing strategies to harness inclusive opportunities brought about by Industry 4.0 and how research and innovations in the region can potentially help in embracing our digital future. She also mentioned the essential role of the education sector to develop critical thinking skills and creativity in our students who will soon man and supply the labor sector. After the forum, the RAUF technical working group, together with the rest of the members of the RDRC processing the Localize the SDGs Talk to people who will commercialize, output of the forum, will come up with plans In line with the theme’s forum, Usec. scale and use the research. Know where and recommendations to improve the state Navarro also stressed the need to localize it is headed. Make it more directive, of research application and utilization in the sustainable development goals and functional. Find your role in this whole STI the region. advocate the use of STI and the strategies ecosystem and how you become a better NEDA 7, as RDRC chair, tapped a laid out in both the PDP and RDP to player,” said Abendan, who was one of the CHED 7- and Department of Science and increase the country’s growth potential plenary speakers. Technology (DOST) 7-led TWG to organize and to improve the performance of the NEDA 7 Regional Director and RDRC the RAUF. The preparation team was region’s key economic indicators. chairperson Efren Carreon, in his opening headed by CIT-U, through Dr. Rachel Chong, “This forum is a concrete manifestation remarks, lauded the RDRC members for in coordination with the RDRC Secretariat. of a tripartite collaboration to promote STI coming together to bring to the agenda RDRC members USJ-R, CTU, USC, CIT-U, and to continue researching on innovation table of government and business sectors Cebu Normal University, Negros Oriental and competitiveness,” she added. the researches that have been conducted State University, Silliman University, and Dr. Richard Abendan, chief of party by HEIs, SUCs, and regional agencies. DOST their faculty, ofﬁ cers and staff to be of USAID’s Science, Technology, Research He cited two initiatives conducted by RAUF programme players; Siquijor State and Innovation for Development program, the RDRC—the formulation of the Regional College designed the RDRC logo while UP for his part, stressed that the STI and Development Research Agenda in support Cebu designed the logo for the ﬁ rst RAUF. research and development environment in of the RDP 2017-2022 and the staging the country should be such that scientists of the RAUF. He shared the objectives of and researchers who have opted to work the RAUF and the work of the RDRC to To view the keynote, plenary and re- elsewhere have a reason to come back. have research applied and utilized for the search presentations, you may visit “Innovation is about applying and purposes of more effective development bit.ly/CVRAUF2019 utilizing… Provide a place for us to innovate. plan implementation. 8 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 CV monitoring Secretary Pernia visits Tagbilaran– committee Panglao Bridge Project site inspects project sites

The Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT) of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council Regional Project Monitoring Committee conducted a three- day fi eld validation of projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Health (DOH) in various locations in Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu cities and Southern Cebu last 6-8 February 2019. Comprising the team were personnel from the NEDA Regional Office 7, Department of Budget and Management 7, Department of the Interior and Local Government 7, and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Among the DOH projects visited were Socioeconomic Planning Secretary the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital Building; Ernesto Pernia visited the site of the Eversley Child Sanitarium in Jagobiao, New Offshore Bridge Connector between Mandaue City; and the Mandaue City New Offshore Bridge Connector Between Hospital Building. Panglao Island Airport and Tagbilaran City Ongoing DPWH projects inspected by Port Project on March 7. the team include the N. Bacalso Avenue-F. Secretary Pernia was joined by Bohol Llamas Depressed Structure, which is Gov. Edgar Chatto and NEDA 7 Regional about 86.94 percent completed. Director Efren Carreon. Concreting of segment three of the The New Offshore Bridge Project aims 73.75-kilometer Metro Cebu Expressway to connect two major transport modes, started last September 2018 in the City namely the Bohol-Panglao International DPWH 7 Planning Chief Nonato Paylado (4th of Naga. Portions of the project are Airport in Panglao Island and the fast from left) briefs Socioeconomic Planning undergoing road right-of-way negotiations. craft terminal at the Port of Tagbilaran. Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Bohol Gov. Edgar This road serves as a bypass from the City It is an integral part of the convergence Chatto and NEDA 7 Regional Director Efren of Naga to Danao City and is expected to program of the Department of Public Carreon about the New Offshore Bridge Connector between Panglao island Airport decongest the Metro Cebu urban center. Works and Highways (DPWH) and the and Tagbilaran City Port project. Other DPWH projects visited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). It is also RPMT include Ouano Avenue in Mandaue included in the Central Visayas Regional City, Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan Road Development Council’s (RDC) list of stretch. This was started last August 2018 in Consolacion, Cebu, and access road priority infrastructure projects. and expected to be completed by the fi rst leading to the Mactan-Cebu International DPWH 7 Planning Division Chief quarter of 2020. Airport New Passenger Terminal Building Nonato Paylado said the project has a total Engr. Paylado further informed in Lapu-Lapu City. estimated cost of P4.4 billion. Secretary Pernia that the project feasibility The team also inspected flood control An initial project allocation of study fi nal report will be submitted to the projects in southern Cebu particularly P500 million is included in the FY 2018 NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee in Dalaguete, Samboan and Santander, General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the (ICC) for approval within March of this year. including Tapon and Santander bridges in construction of the Panglao Island side of DPWH is hoping to complete the Santander, Cebu. the project consisting of three bridges with entire project within the term of the Recommendations by the RPMT on total length of 162.7 meters, a four-lane present administration. It is expected to the projects inspected will be forwarded to road of 643.6 meters and a two-lane road further boost the tourism industry not the respective implementing agencies for of 514 meters, as well as the acquisition of only in Bohol but also in the entire Central their appropriate action. the road-right-of-way in the entire project Visayas Region. Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 9

NEDA 7, UP PLANADES hold Status of Major Infrastructure kickoff meeting Projects in CV on Metro Cebu (As of 4th Quarter 2018) Pedestrianization Study PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENT STATUS BOHOL

The NEDA Regional Offi ce 7 and the the Malinao Dam Improvement Project BAC currently preparing to award the package for University of the Philippines Planning and (NIA) dam modifi cation Development Research Foundation, Inc. New Bohol Airport Construction Operational as of 27 November 2018 (UP PLANADES) recently met to kickoff and Sustainable Environment a study that will determine the probable Protection Project (Panglao, Bohol) economic impact of making downtown Cebu City walkable. Bohol Northeast Basin Awaiting approval of feasibility study by NIA-CO With funding from the NEDA Multipurpose Dam Project Research and Development Funds, NEDA New Offshore Bridge Connector 0.15% / RROW negotiations ongoing 7 sought the services of UP PLANADES to Between Panglao Island and determine the probable economic impact Tagbilaran City of pedestrianization on stakeholders based JICA-assisted Road Upgrading 96.25% / Reconstruction of Anislag, Hinawanan and on identifi ed parameters such as local Preservation Project (DPWH) Palo Bridge (UPMO-Package 1) in Bohol revenues, business activities, environment, and foot traffi c pattern. The fi ndings will 100% / Reconstruction of Dimiao, Hunan and Bateria be used to recommend policies, programs Bridge (UPMO-Package 2) in Bohol and projects to enhance pedestrianization CEBU within the study area. The study area is located inside Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project, Cebu City the cultural, historical and commercial Target date of completion: June 30, Detailed engineering design Under evaluation district of Cebu City. This space covers 2021 0.35 square kilometer, and consists of 16 street sections. Land acquisition team mobilized Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Project (Cebu City, Cordova)

Target date of completion: August 13.31% completion as of November 2018 2021

Mactan-Cebu International Airport 59.54% Terminal 1 Building Lapu-Lapu City

Target date of completion: June 2019

New Cebu International Container Procurement of civil Scheduled for 4Q 2019 Port Project (Consolacion, Cebu) works and cargo handling equipment SIQUIJOR Siquijor Airport Development Construction of runway and 100% Project (Siquijor, Siquijor ) shoulder grade correction

Construction of new passenger terminal 16% accomplishment building, power house, rate and concreting of, and construction of vehicular parking area 10 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 Biz groups unite to mitigate Bayawan City ﬁ shery crisis in Negros develops alternative ﬁ sh production

The Bayawan City Government has gone into massive freshwater and cultured fi sh program in a bid to address the dwindling of fi sh stock in the area. Mayor Henry Pryde Teves of Bayawan City said under the freshwater project, the City has already constructed 114 of the targeted 400 fi sh ponds. “This is to make at least 200 tons a year of fresh fi sh and tuma [will allow Business organizations in Negros Island or multiply” said Dr. Malayang. us to have] continued supply of protein have joined forces to support the drive to Speaking before the business groups, the whole year round when the Habagat an equitable fi shing to address the critical Dr. Malayang challenged the groups season comes,” said Mayor Teves. decline of fi sh supply in the region. to support the project to recover fi sh The mayor, however, lamented that Both Negros Oriental Chamber of biodiversity and increase fi sh stock along neighbors who seem unconcerned about Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) and with it, the food supply so as to improve marine conservation and management Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and fi shers’ income. continue to contribute to environmental Industry (MBCCI) collaborated in a ‘Fish To deal with the situation, the project problem, Right’ (FR) project of the United States is initiating some approaches to improve With this, Teves reported that a lot Agency for International Development the marine eco-system to right fi shing of arrests have been made lately in some (USAID) and the Philippine’s Bureau of within sustainable level including “right- parts of the Bayawan coastline. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), sizing” when catching fi sh. Bayawan was a recipient of the along with other organizations to improve Dr. Malayang cited that “right sizing” USAID’s ECO Fish program, which the fi shery situation in Southern Negros can be achieved in Southern Negros through assisted the local government in its tuna coastal waters from Dumaguete City, the following interventions: better policies fi sh production. With the aid, the local Negros Oriental to Cauayan, Negros and better laws, more enforcement, better government harvested 1,100 tons a year Occidental. management, improve fi shing practices and was able to market it outside the city. Stakeholders later signed on 21 and income opportunities for fi shers and For this year, Bayawan is going into February 2019 a covenant of commitment traders, and public involvement on fi shery crab breeding too for its farmers so that to sustainable fi sheries management in issues and supplies. they don’t have to continue getting crablets the island. The FR project also intends to on the natural environment. In an executive briefi ng of the program strengthen the ability of the fi shery Part of its protein development in Bayawan City, USAID FR Team Leader ecosystem in Southern Negros to program, the Cty ventures into chicken for Southern Negros, Dr. Ben Malayang withstand shocks from typhoons and El industry business which should replace cited that the dwindling of fi sh stocks, Niño and La Niña, and boost gender equity fi sh as the cheapest source of protein increasing number of human population, in the fi shery sector. while the local government is trying to rising prices of fi sh products, illegal fi shing The Economic Development rehabilitate its marine resources. practices and less income from fi shers Committee (EDC) of the Regional “We are starting the construction have triggered the fi shery crisis. Development Council 7 noted from the work of our chicken industry, dressing BFAR 7 reports the fi shery supply defi cit in and production areas, ice plant, and cold PH among the ‘worst’ the region and the need to augment this by storage,” said Teves. (PIA) The Philippines is among the worst 379 metric tons daily to meet the region’s in capture marine fi sheries countries in fi sh demand. the world, even as fi sheries contribute BFAR targets to increase fi sh to around seven percent of the gross production by at least 5 percent in 2019, “...We are catching fi sh less domestic product. and is working with cooperatives for them than the ability of the fi shes to “We are capturing almost two million to consider availing themselves of loans produce or multiply.” metric tons of fi sh a year and about 100 from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council species of this, and we are catching fi sh for acquisition of equipment to reduce ~ Dr. Ben Malayang less than the ability of the fi shes to produce post-harvest losses. (PIA) Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1 11 RDC 7 Subcommittee on Migration and Development holds organizational meeting

The Subcommittee on Migration and recommendation by the NEDA Board - Social To get an idea on the available data Development (SCMD), created by the Development Committee for the regions to on overseas Filipinos and migrants, Central Visayas Regional Development organize their own subcommittees on the the Philippine Overseas Employment Council (RDC) under the Social Development heels of the creation by the former of a Administration 7 presented statistics on Committee, held an organizational meeting Subcommittee on International Migration overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while the on January 29, 2019. and Development and the Subcommittee Philippine Statistics Authority 7 gave an The meeting was presided by SCMD on Internal Migration at the national level. overview of the results of the fi rst national chairperson and DOLE 7 Regional Director SCMD coordinates, monitors, and migration survey. Johnson Caňete of the Department of ensures the complementation of initiatives, OWWA 7 presented migration Labor and Employment 7 (DOLE 7). plans, programs, and projects related to and migrant issues while the National Overseas Workers Welfare internal and international migration. Reintegration Center for OFWs 7 gave Administration (OWWA) 7 Regional Director To carry out this function, SCMD will updates on its programs and services for May Codilla, SCMD co-chairperson; NEDA also conduct regular consultations and documented and undocumented OFWs. 7 Regional Director Efren Carreon, SCMD dialogues with various stakeholders on To assist local government units vice chairperson; and representatives from migration and development issues and (LGUs) in mainstreaming migration the Public Employment Service Offi ces in concerns. and development in local development the provinces and highly urbanized cities in As it was SCMD’s fi rst meeting, planning and governance, the step- the region were also in attendance. the SCMD’s terms of reference and the by-step LGU guide on how this could Functions approved action plan on migration and be effectively done was likewise SCMD was created in response to the development were presented. presented.

PURPLE FRIDAY. NEDA personnel in Central Visayas join the nationwide observance of the 2019 National Women’s Month by wearing purple, which symbolizes women and signiﬁ es justice and dignity, every Friday of March. NEDAns, being the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) secretariat, hope this small gesture would translate to more support in creating change in the lives of women everywhere. Aside from Purple Fridays, NEDAns also underwent an orientation on the Gender and Development Focal Point System last Jan. 14, 2019 as part of efforts to continually promote and utilize the Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines. 12 Central Visayas Journal • ISSUE 1

RPMC 7 partners with NGO in project monitoring

The Memorandum In his message, NEDA 7 Regional of Agreement for the Director Efren Carreon emphasized, partnership was signed “the importance of transparency in during BANGON’s government implemented projects” annual general and partnering with BANGON will assembly at Cafe Caloy, immensely improve feedback on project Tagbilaran City, Bohol implementation.” last Feb. 14, 2019. For his part, BANGON vice president PIMS is the Jun Salgados said they welcome this Regional Development initiative and are honored to be the ﬁ rst Council (RDC)- NGO chosen by NEDA 7 to pilot test PIMS. endorsed system Meanwhile, outgoing PROCESS that consolidates executive director and RDC private The Regional Project Monitoring information on projects implemented in sector representative for Bohol Ms Committee 7 and the Bohol Alliance Central Visayas. The system aims to have Emilia Roslinda said they will support the of Non-Government Organization a real-time updating of information that partnership and are excited for the task (BANGON) have partnered to can be viewed by the public. Agencies of helping in project monitoring in Bohol. monitor government projects enrolled in PIMS can enjoy paperless BANGON is a network of non- using the Project Information submission of otherwise voluminous government organizations operating Management System (PIMS). project status reports. in Bohol.

MCDCB, NEDA 7 brief Tuguegarao ofﬁ cials on Mega Cebu experience

The Metro Cebu Development and Evelyn Castro, who Coordinating Board (MCDCB) and NEDA presented the Mega Regional Offi ce 7 briefed offi cials from Cebu initiative and how Tuguegarao City who were in Cebu City last linkages with foreign January to learn about the MCDCB and the funding institutions Mega Cebu experience. has made some of its NEDA 7 Regional Director Efren projects possible. Carreon presented the development Tuguegarao initiatives and urbanization trends in Metro City Mayor Jefferson Cebu, and projects that were borne out of Soriano, who led the group, said the visit group were other city offi cials and NRO 2 public-private coordination. He also gave and learning from it were important to OIC Regional Director Dionisio Ledres, Jr., a background on the role of the RDC 7 and them because a big part of the success of formerly NEDA 7 assistant regional director. how its partnership with the private sector is the planned Metro Tuguegarao relies on its The Tuguegarao City offi cials visited making the MCDCB work. constituents. Cebu because they wanted to learn from RD Carreon was joined by RDC-Social “Metro Cebu will inspire us. Thank you Metro Cebu’s experience and how this could Development Committee chairperson for giving us the hope to have our own Metro be replicated in their bid to form a Metro and Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Vice Tuguegarao,” he added. Tuguegarao. They also visited the projects President for Governance and Linkages Aside from Soriano, comprising the that were initiated by the MCDCB.

EDITORIAL TEAM