by admin | Feb 15, 2015 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Effective Development Communications Unit
BOHOL HOLDS DAY OF PEACE
“The dream of peace is a continuing dream; it is something that we are all working on”. –Gov. Chatto
“With disturbances to our peace existing, there is all the more reason to continue to advocate and work harder to achieve genuine and lasting peace,”
Gov. Edgar Chatto made this message clear during the activities held in observance of the Bohol Provincial Day of Peace on February 11.
Chatto also urged government and private sector to strengthen ties and continue to work together to face the challenges of keeping the peace.
Approved through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2014-55, the Provincial Day of Peace marks the end of insurgency, as Bohol was declared by the AFP an “insurgency-free” province on February 11, 2010.
To commemorate the gains of peace, this year, peace advocates attended a Holy Mass at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral in honor of the Fallen 44, the 44 Special Action Force men slain during the Mamasapano encounter, including Boholano PO1 Romeo Cempron, whose family attended the Holy Mass.
Chatto and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Tagbilaran City officials, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), the private sector, civil society organizations, and peace advocates renewed commitments to sustain the gains of peace in the province in a symbolic flying of balloons and doves after the Eucharistic Celebration.
A workshop followed at the Bohol Cultural Center, where representatives of the agriculture, youth, the military and the police, health, media, tourism, IT and business, education, local government, and women sector identified threats to peace in respective sectors and recognized possible positive actions to address the threats.
Former University of the Philippines (UP) President and peace advocate Professor Emeritus Jose Abueva also provided insights on the advocacy for a non-killing Boholano society. (LEAH/EDCOM)
by admin | Feb 15, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Effective Development Communications Unit
INVESTORS EYE SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR BOHOL
Chatto during Forum stressed on providing access to quality and adequate water as an essential component of the social aspect of development.
Stakeholders and investors affirmed viability of the Bohol Bulk Water and Sanitation Project.
This was revealed in an interim report to Gov. Edgar Chatto on the feasibility study being conducted by project consultant Engineering and Development Corporation of the Philippines (EDCOP).
A two-day market sounding activity was held here in the province, EDCOP and the Provincial Planning Office sat with local chief executives, municipal planning officers and engineers of a total of 18 municipalities, as well as major water system developers in a stakeholders forum and an investors forum, respectively, as a component of the feasibility study.
Presented during both market sounding activities were demand and market scenarios, development schemes, and possible modalities for the long-term supply project for bulk water, in which EDCOP said stakeholders and investors expressed positive interest for the realization of the project, where EDCOP said discussions and interactions focusing more on actual scenarios for implementation and operation.
A total of 18 local government units, including the initial 15 towns of Albur, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, Dauis, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, San Isidro, Sevilla, and 3 additional LGUs of Corella, Sikatuna, and Tagbilaran will be serviced in the development schemes presented.
Balibago Waterworks System, Filinvest Countrywide Services Inc, Manila Water Company Inc, Maynilad Water Services Inc, Pilipinas Water, Prime Water Infrastructure, Salcon Construction, and JV Angeles Construction Corporation were among major players in bulk water system who attended the investors’ forum.
In an initial market survey conducted by the study team, 93% of responders were in favor of the project and are willing to cooperate should the project push through.
Addressing local leaders and heads of offices during the stakeholders’ forum, Chatto stated the bulk water and sanitation project is one of foundations being laid out for Bohol’s development.
The governor stressed the importance of providing access to quality and adequate water as an essential component of the social aspect of development.
Earlier this week, an investors’ forum was also held for the power sector. Ultimately, Chatto said Bohol’s development will be defined by the quality of life and improved standards of living of Boholanos, laying in place government interventions for roads, telecommunications, and access through sea and air ports to facilitate economic development not only through tourism but also investment.
The conduct of the bulk water and sanitation project feasibility study is under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project.
by admin | Feb 14, 2015 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Information Agency-Bohol Information Center
LMP Bldg, K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City
(038) 501-8554 / 412-2292 * email: piabohol171@yahoo.com blog: piabohol.blogspot.com
Different flowers for families
of two Bohol media men
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 14, (PIA) – On love day, when the beloved get cards, chocolates and flowers, it’s a different set of flower families of two media practitioners get.
This as Bohol lost two media personalities in a day, today.
One succumbed to death after doctors tried to recuperate him from a fatal gunshot wound, and the other, after battling from a debilitating disease.
Engr. Maurito Lim, who goes by the radio air name “Chairman Mao” was on his way to board his radio program, February 14, personally driving his maroon Isuzu Crosswind, like he would every Saturday.
But, this day, before he could get off the car, at about 10:45 this morning, in front of DyRD, a gunman, who accordingly parked his motorcycle behind Lim’s car, casually walked to the driver’s side and pumped a bullet through the window and into the broadcaster’s head.
Lim was immediately rushed to the nearby Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him.
The victim sustained a through-and-through gunshot wound from his cheek and through his right ear.
Lim expired at around 1:15 PM, doctors at Gallares Hospital declared.
Lim anchors “Chairman Mao on board” over radio station DYRD, and newspaper reports said Lim has been known to criticizing local officials allegedly involved in the drug trade.
According to the Inquirer, “Lim was the 34th journalist killed under President Benigno Aquino III,” citing Dabet Panelo, NUJP media safety coordinator’s statement.
Police are now looking at the identity of the gunman, who was caught on a closed circuit television camera installed outside the radio station.
A few hours later, news on the social media spread about the death of Loreto Palapos, a local newspaper columnist, broadcaster and former president of Bohol Tri-Media Association.
Palapos holds a regular daily radio program, “Nangutana Lang” with another media aide, and anchors a program of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Palapos, 72, has been suffering from complications brought about by a long struggle with diabetes.
He died at The Medical City, Ortigas, according to reports from a daughter, who also asked friends to say a prayer for the departed.
“As some of you know, he has been hospitalized and has been suffering from complications of diabetes for some time now,” the daughter said. (RAC/PIABohol)
by admin | Feb 14, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its annual general assembly on February 6, 2015 at 5PM at the Metro Centre Hotel. The general assembly was attended by at least 46 members.
Honoured guests City Mayor John Geesnell Yap, represented by City Administrator Edi Borja, Representative Rene Lopez Relampagos of the First District and Bohol Governor Atty. Edgar M. Chatto spoke to the members and the significance of the organization in the development of the province.
The BCCI is the long time private sector representative and partner of the many government agencies in implementing various development programs in the province.
BCCI also held the election of the new set of Board of Trustees for the year 2015 where the members selected through secret ballot 17 of the 21 nominees. The new BOT would then hold a meeting at a later time to vote for the new set of officers.
The chamber also introduced new members to the organization.
BCCI General Assembly attendees. Seated L-R: BCCI Vice President Al Uy, City Administrator Edi Borja, Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and 1st District Representative Congressman Rene Relampagos.
Gov. Edgar M. Chatto speaks before the BCCI members during the General Assembly on February 6, 2015.
by admin | Feb 14, 2015 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Information Agency-Bohol Information Center
LMP Bldg, K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City
(038) 501-8554 / 412-2292 * email: piabohol171@yahoo.com blog: piabohol.blogspot.com
PIA conducts communication skills
Training to Bohol eco tour guides
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 14, (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency in Bohol recently extended its training services to aspiring community tour guides preparing for the launching of the eco-tourism Bohol program which international partners are opening soon.
PIA Bohol shared Communication Skills and Effective Interaction to community tour guides of the 15 sites which Bohol Tourism Office of the Office of the Governor and Provincial Tourism Council are readying for Visit Bohol 2015.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) helped Bohol firm up Visit Bohol 2015, and launched it in Manila last January.
On the other hand, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in its Sustainable Environment for Panglao Project, pushed for support to eco-tourism, explains JICA’s Go Kimura.
JICA is helping communities with eco-tourism potentials to upgrade their sites through infrastructure in access roads, tourism support through rubber boots for tourists, signages, welcome banners, landmark markers, guide plates and information technology assistance that allows tourists to use a quick response(QR) information code scanner on their smartphones.
A QR code is a type of 2D bar code that is often used to provide access to information through a mobile phone.
And while information of the sites can be scanned by smartphone wielding tourists, a local tour guide in these eco-tourism sites would allow tourists to get a better feel of the sites and culture of the people through personal interaction.
“It may not be just ease in the use of the language, but in the ability to thread a good storyline that tells stories interestingly,” the PIA told over 30 tour guides during the training held at the mansion.
With language barriers expected when foreign tourists get to communities, PIA hinted the “use of verbal as well as non-verbal communication, while listening and adapting to the situation as the more appropriate means to get through the information.”
JICA and BTO has asked PIA Bohol to handle communication skills trainings for guides, even as BTO officer Josephine Cabarrus urged the guides to be serious with the training to be properly equipped. (RAC/PIABohol)
by admin | Feb 13, 2015 | Local News / Bohol Balita
PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Information Agency-Bohol Information Center
LMP Bldg, K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City
(038) 501-8554 / 412-2292 * email: piabohol171@yahoo.com blog: piabohol.blogspot.com
“SK polls” reset to pave
Synchronized ’16 polls?
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 11 (PIA)—The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc resolution which has pegged the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections this April 25, may not even nail the final date of the polls.
This too as many believe an election ins April would be too costly for the country.
At least, even Provincial COMELEC supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria was candid to hint that everything which takes effect after the Comelec en banc Resolution 9930 issued weeks ago, may have to step aside for a presidential action on House Bill 5203.
Atty Labaria means the Comelec en banc resolution which pegs the SK elections in April 25 of this year, could provide the necessary time for the president to sign another bill emanating from both houses which proposed for a synchronized SK and Barangay Elections in the last Monday of October 2016.
Both houses of the Senate and House of Representatives came up with separate bills proposing for SK reforms, and while both have still minor differences, what is common is for the synchronized SK and barangay polls in 2016.
On this, observers believe passing this at the bicameral screening committee may be a breeze as senate and lower house versions are now reflected in the bill.
Besides, at a Kapihan sa PIA forum, Atty. Labaria admitted that putting a separate SK elections would cost the Comelec handsomely.
Running separate SK elections from the barangay polls would be costly as the COMELEC would still be using the same machinery they would need to run ordinary elections, Atty. Labaria said.
That means, at a much lesser number of young voters, COMELEC could be disrupting classes for the teachers would be rendering election duties and classrooms could be used still. At least one precinct would be set up in 1107 barangays in Bohol, according to the Comelec.
Aside from teachers and classrooms possibly used for the polls, the COMELEC would be printing ballots for the elections, which it could again be doing in the barangay elections.
COMELEC has earlier pegged government savings of up to P900 million, if the SK polls could be simultaneously held with barangay polls.
The postponement of the SK polls to be synchronized with the Barangay elections in 2016 would be to give time for the Congress or the president to enact a law that will correct the inherent administrative, fiscal, and political defects in the implementation of the SK program.
While Boholanos have pushed for the abolition of the SK owing to its apparent failure to be a good training ground for effective future leaders.
Even COMELEC Bohol clued that the SK has been muddled because parents and politicians dip their hands into the sectoral election processes. (RAC/PIABohol)
