WRITERS WANTED

60 join The Capiz Times' journ workshop

BLOCKS OF HOPE

Giving inmates a new lease on life

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Maayon church undergoes facelift, installs new priest

The Use of Force

SAF in Capiz to augment gov’t forces

Monday, November 26, 2012

Nov. 19 - 25, 2012 Issue

All About My Mother

Sinadya sa Halaran 2012 celebrates Blessed Virgin Mary

By Gerry Pagharion

Capiz's and Roxas City's yearly extravaganza will be observed in a simple manner on Dec. 6- this year with more focus on the role of Virgin Mary on the life of Capizeños.

"After all, December, the culminating day of the three-day festival, is the Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception," declared Rommel Lastimoso, the festival spokesperson.

Lastimoso, who is also community affairs officer IV of the Roxas City government, said the Church welcomes this development as this would further strengthen the devotion of Capizeños towards their patroness, Mama Mary.

Through the Virgin Mary's intercession, a number of Capiz folk claimed to have been healed of their sickness or recipients of her blessings.

This year's parish theme is "Maria Ganhaan sang Pagtuo," and festival theme "Magkinasadya sa Paghalad kag Pagtuo Upod kay Birhen Maria."

Lastimoso, invites guests to witness Capiz's and Roxas City's festival and feel the unique brand of Capizeños. He urged Capizeños from other places to come home and participate in the celebration by paying tribute to Mama Mary.

Through the leadership of Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr.; Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino and Capiz 1st district Rep. Antonio del Rosario, the festival, aside from its religious component, renews ties between the city and the provincial governments with its running advocacy of unity and solidarity.

Celino and Tanco appeal to all Capizeños to imbibe the spirit of cooperation and unity not only during the festival's duration but in the years ahead.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II and his mother, Judy Araneta Roxas, have been instrumental in inviting dignitaries and famous personalities that graced the festival every year.

The festival will still feature various merrymaking activities like the sadsad or street dancing, trade fairs and Mutya sang Sinadya sa Halaran, among others. Its highlight will be the Fluvial Procession on the night of Dec. .

The Christmas Village at the Roxas City Plaza will open on Dec. 6 to coincide with the festival opening while the province will present the Damgo sa Tag-init, a Shakespeare play translated into local version. It will be mounted by the Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and the Arts.



CapSU Roxas City freshman Tops 21st PSQ provincial elimination

Roxas City - Kim Hilbert Antatico, a 16-year-old first year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student of the Capiz State University Roxas City Campus won the 21st Philippine Statistics Quiz Provincial elimination Championship beating 17 other contestants from Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Filamer Christian University, College of St. John-Roxas, Capiz State University Roxas City and CapSU Pontevedra Campus.

The contest was held at the Hall of Governors, Provincial Capitol, Roxas City on October 25, .

Antatico, a resident of Linampongan, Pontevedra, Capiz, graduated Valedictorian at the Pontevedra National High School.

Other winners of the contest are Mr. John Mark Borbon of CapSU Pontevedra and Ms. April Aiken Guzman of Filamer Christian University who placed second and third, respectively.

The Provincial champion received a trophy and a cash of Php 3,000.00; the second placer received a medal and a cash of Php 2,000.00; and the third placer, a medal and Php 1,000.00.

The Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) is an annual contest designed to test freshman college students' knowledge of statistics. It is conducted in line with the celebration of the national Statistics Month by the National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) since 1992.



Bombo Radyo announcers top KBP accreditation exam

By Ralph John Mijares

Of the 40 passers in the recently released results of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) announcers' accreditation examination, Kearl Banquillo and Donnie Degala topped the list with the scores of .

Both announcers work for Bombo Radyo Roxas DYOW.

Some  who took the test at the Provincial Capitol here Oct. 27 came from radio stations based in Roxas City and in Antique.

Other passers from the Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc.'s (CBS) local AM station were Rolando Abeto, Jr., Ronnie Bulacan, Joele Melvin Estorninos, Don Anthony Falsis, and Alistair Panes while making the grade from sister station DYRX (Star FM Roxas) were Anna Denosta, Joel Diaz, and Sherwin Gepanga.

Qualifiers from DYVR of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN)-Roxas were Julius Abela of the The Capiz Times' Police Files writer PO3 Donna Borro-Asmod, Hervill Bonifacio, ALTO Cable's Dolores "Dolly" Buday, Tara Tania Dairo, Rolly Delfin, Melvin de Andres, Capiz Provincial Health Office Information Officer Joeffrey Espiritu, Reinero Frondozo, Roger Garcia, Jackie Lou Ilisan, Romeo Loveuzo, Elias Olapane, Roxas City Press Bureau Head, Jonathan Palomar, Noel Tocong, Jr. and Diana Clare Valentino.

Other passers were Maynard Aurelio, Myrthel Baguyo, Capiz Chronicles' Mihara Bulquerin and Ernesto Voluntarioso, Amy Berondo-Dasas, FO2 Marlon Garbo, Philippine Information Agency Capiz's Alex Lumaque; and Estrella Villaruz of DYJJ (IBC-Radyo Budyong Roxas).

Others who successfully hurdled the said exams were Beah Jane Bonusing, Anmie Denosta, Suzinette Habagat, Christine Day Mones, Nestor Napalinga, Jr., and Jeheil Zerrudo, all of DYRP's Radyo Natin Patnongon based in Antique.




Monday, November 19, 2012

Nov. 12 - 18, 2012 Issue

Law and Order

Capiz cops briefed on election rules


By Alex Lumaque

ROXAS CITY - To provide the police advance information on election rules, the Regional Legal Service of Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 in Capiz hosted a lecture on election-related laws on Nov. 13 at the Governor's Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.

Participants consisted of all chiefs of police, police investigators and Special Action Force (SAF) members.

Led by PRO 6 Regional Legal Services Chief Supt. Ehdel Pereira, the activity was coordinated with Roxas City Police Station Chief Supt. Salvador Dagoon, Jr.

The activity featured Atty. Wil Arceño, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Provincial Election Supervisor; PRO 6 Regional Legal Services Chief Supt. Ehdel Pereira; and Senior Insp. Dennis Gabihan of the PRO 6 Regional Legal Services office.

Arceño shared to the cops the duties and responsibilities of police officers before, during and after the May  national and local elections while Pereira and Gabihan tackled election gun ban, checkpoints and related laws, rules and regulations.

Recently, PRO 6 Director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr. said that the gun ban for the upcoming elections will begin on Jan. 13 and will end on June 12, 2013.

To ensure peaceful and orderly elections, bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by Comelec, will be prohibited.

According to Cruz, only uniformed members of the police, the military and other law enforcement agencies including the Presidential Security Group performing actual duties are authorized to bear their weapons during the gun ban period. Cruz said that a PRO 6 directive will be issued to all police stations in the region to fully observe the gun ban.



Capiceños displaced by calamity given temporary jobs

By Jemin Guillermo

Some  1,596 internally displaced Capiceños have already started to get temporary employment from the national government.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Capiz Field Office Head Josephine Degala said that beneficiaries of the agency's Cash for Work program kicked off their work as planned by the identified local government units.

An assistance for the internally displaced persons (IDP) in Capiz, the Cash for Work Program covers 11 local government units in Capiz, namely Panitan, Pilar, Maayon, Mambusao, Dumarao, Panay, Dao, Jamindan, Pontevedra, Sigma and Roxas City.

This means some 2,715 IDPs have been identified after said towns were affected by the recent calamities such as flood and fire, among others.

The first six towns, however, with 1,596 beneficiaries, will be released with funds for the cash for Work program implementation, after they have submitted their proposal as required by the DSWD Regional Office 6.

"The budget for the remaining five towns is ready and will be immediately released if they can comply with the requirements, such as the program proposal," she said.

Degala added that the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will be given priority.

Wenna Berondo of DSWD Regional Office revealed that their Regional Office is set to release P3.625 million for the said program for the seven towns in Western Visayas.

Berondo said that the amount will benefit 1,726 internally displaced persons in the region who were affected by calamities such as flooding, typhoon and landslides, among others.

She added that under the program, each program beneficiary is required to render 10 days of work and will receive P208 per day as their salary or a total of P2,080.

The cash-for-work is a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to distressed/displaced individuals by participating in or undertaking preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities or in evacuation centers.



Capiz PNP greening initiative plants 40,000 trees


By Alex Lumaque

ROXAS CITY - About 40,000 trees have been planted by Capiz policemen since the Philippine National Police's (PNP) greening initiative was launched in the province early this year.

This is based on the Capiz Police Provincial Office's Tree Planting Monitoring Report which monitors PNP's "Pulis Makakalikasan: 10 Milyong Puno, Pamana sa Kinabukasan."

The project targets to reforest about 125 hectares of Capiz timberlands.

Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Public Information Officer SPO1 Donna Asmod said that the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) has provided each of the 6 municipal police stations with five hectares of planting area while CPPO, Roxas City Police Station (RCPS) and Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) were given 15 hectares each.

Under the Pulis Makakalikasan project, about 800 police officers simultaneously conducted a tree planting activity on Nov. 6 and 8 in various upland areas in the towns of Capiz's second congressional district

Planting sites included barangays Agnaga in Cuartero; Roxas in Tapaz; Aglalana in Dumarao and Dolores in Dumalag.

Calling for each PNP member to plant six tree every month or 72 trees per year starting Feb. 1, 2012, the project aims to plant 10 million trees in a year to help the government in resource conservation, protection and most specifically in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The compliance of each PNP member is monitored in a Pulis Individual Tree Planting Scorecard and Unit Tree Planting Compliance Report submitted every month to the PNP's Central Headquarters.



GSIS, hospitals insurance coverage until Dec. 31,  2012

ILOILO CITY - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has given notice to all its members that it will terminate the implementation of the Hospital Insurance Plan (HIP) and the Family Hospitalization Plus Plan (FHPP) by Dec. 31, 2012.

According to Mrs. Eleanor D. Gregorio, Manager of GSIS Iloilo Branch, they have sent out notices to inform GSIS members about the termination date. These were the different agency heads and executives of the local government units in Iloilo, Aklan and Antique covered by the Iloilo branch.

Gregorio said the GSIS will no longer renew the existing policies after Dec. 31 and will no longer accept premium payment due on the HIP and FHPP.

The GSIS will accept and process claims as long as they have been filed within 60 days from the last day of confinement in 2012. The policy remains in force up to the end of 2012.

The Hospital Insurance Plan grants medical care benefits to the policyholder in case of hospitalization due to sickness or injury; the Family Hospitalization Plus Plan covers expenses fro room and board and fees for doctors, medicines and laboratory.

According to GSIS, the decision to terminate the HIP and FHPP came after the Board of Trustees found that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) offers better benefits than those offered by GSIS under both plans. As per GSIS figures, only 7,316 accounts nationwide remain in force until the end of the year from the total 63,000 accounts.

Members who wish to be clarified regarding the termination may contact the Iloilo branch which covers Iloilo, Aklan and Antique thru (033) 337 4308 local 3; the Capiz branch which covers the province of Capiz at (036) 621 3127; and the Negros Occidental Branch which covers Negros Occidental and Dumaguete at (034) 444 0603 to 06.

Members may also contact the Globe Toll Free 1-800-8-847-4747 (free landline and mobile phone) or through PLDT Smart Toll Free 1-800-10-847-747 (free landline; flat rate of P8.00 per call from mobile phone).


 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Nov. 5 - 11, 2012 Issue

One for the Road

Govt. collaborations open 3.5-km FMR in President Roxas, Capiz


By Ralph John Mijares and Edalyn Acta

PRESIDENT ROSA, CAPIZ - To provide accessibility to the residents of selcted barangays in this municipality, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Provincial Government of Capiz and the Municipality of Presaident Roxas teamed up for the repair the farm-to-market road (FMR) at Crossing-Bayuyan, Sto. Niño and Carmencita.

Funded under the (Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program) ARISP Phase III, assisted by Japan International CooperationAgency (JICA).

Benefiting from the newly concreted .5 km road are the barangays of Bayuyan, Goce, Manoling, Badiangon, Ibacca, Cabugcabug, and Cubay, all of President Roxas town and barangays Yating and Tabunacan, both of Pilar , Capiz.

Contracted by Kirskat Ventures Corporation, the project was started on January 2, 2012 and was completed on July 27, 2012.

Also launched on Nov. 6 was the 2.681-km road improvement from Brgy. Agraca to Poblacion Dumalag town totaling 20.9 million pesos. Funded under DAR's ARISP Phase III, the project contracted by Kirskat Ventures, Corp. is set to be finished within 210 calendar days.

According to Engr. Juluis Abela, Project Engineer III, the impact of project will provide opportunities for more efficient flow of people and goods in said areas. The VMR rehabilitation will also provide better accessibility and mobility between the principal production and potential development areas.

The project also serves as a convenient service roadway providing better access leading to identified industrial and tourism growth centers, particularly Hinulugan Falls in Tabun-acan, Pilar town - which is one of the priority development opportunities for tourism industry.

Furthermore, the Iloilo East Coast-Capiz Road is one of the priority road network systems being upgraded by the DPWH to enhance further the progress and development of the Province of Capiz and adjacent provinces.

Some 2.5 km away from Poblacion and 38.6 km away from Roxas City. The repaired road serves as major entrance and exit from the Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) to Poblacion and vice versa - which can be found in barangays Cabugcabug and Ibacca.

The turnover ceremony and unveiling of permanent marker held at Sto. Niño-Carmencita ARC Nov.  was attended by the national representatives including DPWH Central Office Representative and Project Coordinator Manny Bulusan and Project Consultant Engr. Yukihiro Kawahara from JICA (Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program).

It was supported by a number of local officials including Vice-Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras II; President Roxas Vice-Mayer Alfonso Golero; Ms. Melanie Arancillo representing Cong. Antonio Del Rosarion; DAR Regional Director Alexis Arsenal; DPWH Capiz Chief Sanny Boy Oropel; Capiz Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Ma. Teresa Valencia, Ma. Celerina Afable, NPM-ARISP III; Carmencita Brgy. Capt. Asher De Lugar, and Sto. Niño Brgy. Capt. Mario Celino.

For his part, Kawahara said the h hopes that the next project costing around P  million be completed next year. For this, Oropel said that the bridge was redesigned from one to two lanes to facilitate traffic in the middle of the bridge - particularly trucks carrying sugarcanes.

For Oropel, the project was done "through the cooperation of the residents and the local and provincial government."

Contreras thanked JICA, the LGU and all partners while Arancillo relayed Cong. Del Rosario's promise to implement more projects in President Roxas particularly the P160-million irrigation project in Brgy. Bayuyan.

For their part, barangay captains expressed gratitude and optimism for the said projects. Celino said that the project is "dream" come true" while De Lugar siad in Hiligaynon that "This road will take care of our children and the future generations."



Roxas City HS studes vie in Rotary's impromptu speech tilt


By Edalyn Acta

High school student speakers in Roxas City high schools wowed and impressed audiences during the Voice of the Youth Impromptu Speaking (English) Contest on Nov. 6 at the MVW Hotel and Restaurant in Roxas City.

Marynil Villagracia of Our Lady of Grace Academy placed first; Bernadette Deslate of St. Mary's Academy of Capiz ranked second and Mary Dominique Gaston of the College of St. John-Roxas won third.

For the competition, contestants were asked on the relevance of the youth on the Philippines' claim over the Scarbourough Shoal and Spratly Islands.

The winners were not first timers in this competition. Previously, Villagracia won first place in the local Rd Cross Youth Impromptu Speaking Contest and ranked third in the regionals; while Deslate and Gaston topped the speech contests in CAPRISA this year.

Winners got a certificate and cash prize donated by First District Cong. Antonio Del Rosario; Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr.; and Vice-Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras II.

The event was made possible by the Rotary Club of Metro Roxas Central District 3850 led by Ms. Mila Daliva-Dela Peña, RCMRC president and Ms. Margarita M. Oquendo, charter president and Voice of the Youth coordinator.

When asked to share on their winning styles, Villagracia said she uses metaphors in her speech because they are effective. Deslate said she does research and also gets support from her parents while Gaston does an unconventional way of putting a band on her arm - perhaps as a lucky charm.

All the girls said that keeping calm before the audience, praying helps a lot. They also encouraged fellow students to join the contest.



Capiz-born officer named ID asst div commander


By Enrico Gil Ileto

CAMP GEN. MACARIO PERALTA, JR., Jamindan, Capiz - An Army General who formerly headed one of the battalions of the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division (3ID) recently became the new Assistant Division Commander (ADC) in a change-of-office ceremony here.

Brig. Gen. Lysander Suerte, a member of Philippine Military Academy Sandigan Class of 1982 who holds a degree of Master of Arts in Melbourne, Australia and a Master's in Business Administration at the National College of Business and Arts; succeeded Brig. Gen. Jonas Sumagaysay who is projected to hold a position of higher responsibility in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Suerte, a native of Dumarao, Capiz, is a versatile officer who rose through the chain of command from being a platoon leader in the 3ID's 11th Infantry Battalion to a commanding officer of the 6th Light Armor Company and later as the commander of 3ID's th Infantry Battalion.

"We are fortunate to have Brig. Gen. Suerte joining us as we endeavor to win the peace in this part of the country. His (Suerte) role as the new ADC of this Division will surely help us in sustaining our gains in the implementation of our Internal Peace and Security Plan " Bayanihan" and the Army Transformation Roadmap", said Maj. General Jose Mabanta Jr. 3ID Commander.

"The assignment of our new ADC here is actually a homecoming at 3ID, having been assigned here during his Lieutenant years and as the Battalion Commander of the 12IB under this Division, at the same time a rare opportunity for him to serve his "kababayans", added Mabanta.

In addition to his duty as the ADC, Suerte will also hold the position as the Chief of 3ID'd Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability, an anti-graft office that has an exclusive investigative jurisdiction over active military personnel and regular civilian employees.

ADC position carries with it the function as Human Rights Officer of the 3ID, whose responsibility is to see to it that respect for human rights is being observed by all soldiers within the area of responsibility of the division.



New airline's flights seen to boost Capiz tourism


By Alex Lumaque

ROXAS CITY - A tourism operators' group in Capiz expressed optimism for a more vibrant local tourism industry with the inclusion of the city in the service route of another airline.

The group said maiden flight for the Manila-Roxas City flight of Airphil Express, which replaced the Philippine Airline (PAL) Bus 320 200 on Oct.  also solicited positive reactions from the government and private groups in the province.

Another aircaft flying to the city from Manila on a daily basis is Cebu Pacific.

"This is good news for Capiceños as we will still have the same type of aircraft with light snacks and a hot cup of coffee but now with lower air fares, said Capiz Tour Operators Association (CTOA) president Donnel San Antonio.

The only significant change that happened aside from the change of airline was the change of terminals as passengers from Roxas City will disembark at the NAIA Airport Terminal  3 (Across Resorts World Manila) from the previous NAIA Airport Terminal, San Antonio said.

The new carrier's maiden flight was almost full with  passengers aside from the 2,298 kilos of inbound cargo from Manila.

At the Roxas Airport, arriving passengers were greeted by Airphil Express (APX) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) personnel led by PAL Roxas Branch Manager Orty Liscano, PAL Roxas Branch Airport Supervisor Alex Sy; CTOA President San Antonio, who is also Tickets n' More Travel Agency general manager; and other PAL and APX airport personnel.

San Antonio noted that the initial flight of the new aircraft from the city registered  passengers with 678 kilos of  outbound cargo.

Roxas City and the province of Capiz can also be reached through sea and land-based transportation.


Monday, November 5, 2012

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4, 2012 Anniversary Issue

WRITERS WANTED


60 join The Capiz Times' journ workshop


By Edalyn Acta

IN RESPONSE to the campaign launched to gather more writers across Capiz, some 60 students writers and school paper advisers representing high schools and college from across Capiz joined the Journalism Workshop hosted by The Capiz Times on Oct. ,  at the Lake House 1 in San Antonio Resort in Brgy. Baybay in Roxas City.

Participants came from both high school and college school papers, namely: the school paper advisers of the Cuartero District led by Supervisor Eduardo Quevedo; students and teachers of the Candelaria National High School in Tapaz and Capiz State University (CapSU) Tapaz Campus; and the editorial team of The Quest, the college paper of the CapSU Roxas City Campus led by their adviser Mr. Joey Balatayo.

Designed to teach participants to appreciate and practice the craft of journalism, the one-day workshop taught participants the ethical rules in journalism practice; skills in news writing, feature writing and opinion writing from local practitioners.

Among others, the workshop presented Prof. Fe Villaruz, who lectured on editorial writing and Mr. Gerry Pagharion, who lectured on news writing. Both Villaruz and Pagharion were former editors-in-chief of The Capiz Times.

The workshop featured a number of resource speakers, namely: Atty. Mateo Hachuela, Sangguniang Bayan member of Dumarao, Capiz, who lectured on ethical journalism; Mr. Niño Manaog of the Capiz State University, who gave pointers on feature writing; Mr. Rovelson Diego, who presented useful layouting principles and techniques; Mr. Eric Piansay, editor of BCBP Roxas City Chapter's Fishers of Men, who gave tips on column writing.



P205M irrigation projects up in Capiz


By Alex Lumaque

ROXAS CITY - About P205 million worth of irrigation projects that will generate an estimated 1,000 hectares of rice fields is being implemented in Capiz this year.

According to Engr. Julieta Gallardo, Natinal Irrigation Administration (NIA) Capiz public information officer, these projects include the ongoing construction of the Communal Irrigation Projects (CIP) in Maayon town and Badbaran in Dumarao, Capiz.

Gallardo said that Badbaran CIP's P34.5 million budget will be spent for canal structures and canalization while the Maayon CIP budget of P127. million will facilitate the construction of dam, irrigation structures and some post harvest facilities.

Included in this year's irrigation projects are the P43 million worth of new pump irrigation projects in barangays Tabuc Norte, Salocon and Poblacion Ilawod, all in Panit-an, Capiz.

The multi million irrigation projects aim to increase rice production in the locality from 60 to  cavans per hectare.

Gallardo added that more new irrigation projects are up for the various towns in Capiz next year. These include the gravity-type irrigation, pump irrigation, dissiltation of dam, repair of existing irrigation facilities and continuation of unfinished projects.

Recipient towns of the 2013 irrigation projects are Maayon, Panit-an, Panay, Sigma, Jamindan, Pilar, Pontevedra and Dumarao. About 530 farmers are expected to benefit from the projects in 2013.



Army's info workshop ups peace campaign


By Enrico Gill Ileto and Jemin Guillermo

CAMP GEN. MACARIO PERALTA, JR., JAMINDAN, CAPIZ - To strengthen its resolve for transparency, accountability and advocacy for peace, the 3ID based here hosted a two-day information workshop for the information officers of government agencies and the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units in Western Visayas and Negros Oriental.

"With the breakthrough in the peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), we hope to equip soldiers in sending out the message of the government's sincerity to peace with the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and the National Democratic Front", said Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, Jr., commander of the Army's 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division.

"The right of the people to information will always be at the forefront. With the talks with the MILF as an example, our continued call for peace hopes to inspire those from the NPA on the government's faithfulness in working for a peaceful agreement", Mabanta said.

Promoting an invigorated and responsive public affairs in support of IPSP Bayanihan, the workshop was attended by some  information officers and NCOs of major army and Air Force units within ID's area of responsibility.

Memebers of the media from Bacolod, Iloilo and Roxas City were invited to gather insights on how to further strengthen the Army's messaging capability.

Further, mabanta thanked the inputs of media practitioners, particularly on topics on broadcast, print and television that could help the civil military operations officers in enhancing their capabilities in delivering the right information to the public.

Mabanta said that information work for the Philippine Army is a challenging and fulfilling work. He also urge media practitioners to help the government spread the words toward achieving peace in the countryside.



NSO launches crime victimization,  2 other surveys

THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) CAPIZ, is undertaking for the first time the 2012 Crime Victimization Survey (CVS) simultaneously with the October 2012 Labor Force Survey (LFS) and the 2012 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF).

CVS aims to provide information on victimization risks, safety measures being adopted by the household and the community and attitude of the people in crime reporting. It will provide data on the nature of crimes that are not reported to the police and reasons for non reporting. The results will also identify regions with high crime incidence and will serve as bases in the formulation of policies to improve crime prevention, protection of victims and police services. The survey promotes the achievement  of the Millennium Development Goals through enhancement of capabilities to produce crime statistics for the use of development-planners and policy makers.

This survey is a rider to the Quarterly Labor Force Survey which involves interviewing member of the households aged 5 years old and over who had been a victim of crime in the past five years. This is in collaboration with other government agencies such as the Department of National Defense, National Police Commission, and National Statistical Coordination Board. Technical assistance was also provided by the Consultants from the United Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The Labor Force Survey, conducted by the NSO nationwide every quarter, is geared towards the estimation of the level of employment, unemployment and under-employment of the country while the Survey on Overseas Filipino seeks to gather information on Filipino citizens who left for abroad during the last five years in order to obtain national estimates on the number of overseas Filipinos, their socio economic characteristics, and the amount of cash and in kind transfer received by their families.

Mr. Frankie D. Dordas, Provincial Statistics Officer of Capiz Provincial Office, is appealing to the almost  households in  sample barangays province wide to cooperate by giving accurate information to the NSO Enumerators. He also stressed that all information furnished to the Office will be held in utmost confidentiality as provided for by Section  of Commonwealth Act 5.