Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. gives a token to His Excellency Zhang Weiguo, Consul General of China, during his courtesy call on Feb. 23 in the presence of businessman Felipe Uygongco and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias (extreme left).

The ordinance sponsored by Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas, chair of the Committee on Aquatic Resources, aims to help protect and conserve the declining stock and sustain the production level of blue crabs in the province.

The Committee on Aquatic Resources conducted two public hearings last year prior to the passage of the ordinance.

It was learned that fisher folks catch volumes of blue crabs, including gravid and undersized ones, using very efficient gears resulting to declining catch and destruction of the species’ habitat like sea grasses.

The ordinance, known as Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-093, prohibits the catching or gathering of berried and undersized blue crabs with a carapace less than 11 centimeters or 4.6 inches and to use gill nets below 0.30 mm twine size, 4 knots, with 50 mesh depth and below.

Violation of the ordinance shall subject the offender to imprisonment from six months to one year and fine of P5,000 or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

The ordinance also states that the provincial government, the municipality, peoples organizations and other certified NGOs/FARMCs shall formulate monitoring and evaluation guidelines and mechanism to carry out the provisions of the ordinance, provided, that these guidelines and mechanism shall be subject to review as may be deemed necessary by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. lauded the passage of the ordinance, which, he said, is a bold move in the protection of aquatic resources. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

Barangay captains of nine barangays in Bingawan that are beneficiaries of Kalahi-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon Program in a posterity pose with Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr., Mayor Matt Palabrica, Iloilo Provincial Police Office chief S/Supt. Gil Lebin, DSWD-VI regional director Minda Brigoli and PSWDO chief Dr. Neneth Pador.

Iloilo Governor Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. turned over yesterday checks worth P450,000 for nine barangays in Bingawan, Iloilo as counterpart of the provincial government for the Kalahi-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon Program.

The counterpart funds amounting P50,000 each were intended for: Brgy. Poblacion – Construction of Day Care Center; Brgy. Tapacon – Construction of Health Station; Brgy. Inamyungan – Construction of one-unit, two-classroom school building; Brgy. Alabidhan – Construction of one unit, two-classroom building; Brgy. Guinhulacan – Road concreting of 0.2 km with grouted riprap side ditches farm to market road; Brgy. Cairohan – Road concreting of 0.12 km farm to market road; Brgy. Malitbog Ilawod – Road construction of 1.26 km farm to market road; Brgy. Agbao – Road improvement of 0.543 km farm to market road; and Brgy. Tubod – Road improvement of 1.25 km farm to market road.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) VI regional director Minda Brigoli said excluding the provincial government counterpart, the nine projects have a total cost of P8,545,205 composed of P7 million grant from the national government and P1,545,205 from the municipal government of Bingawan.

Brigoli said the nine projects are expected to be finished by June 30 this year.

Defensor, on the other hand, reiterated his full support to the Kalahi CIDSS Makamasang Tugon Program.

He said the program is a big help in uplifting the lives of people in the barangays especially in the far-flung areas.

The provincial counterpart funds were received by the barangay captains themselves in the presence of Brigoli, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) chief Dr. Neneth Pador and Bingawan Mayor Matt Palabrica.

On the other hand, Defensor also turned over checks worth P50,000 each for the regravelling of barangay roads in Brgy. Malitbog and Brgy. Guinhulacan also in Bingawan. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

Dingle Vice Mayor Jessie Alecto and Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. cut the ribbon to officially open the multi-purpose teen center in Rufino J. Palabrica Sr. Memorial National High School in Dingle, Iloilo. Witnessing the ribbon cutting are Provincial Population Office chief Ramon Yee and the school officials.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. led the inauguration and opening of the multi-purpose teen center in Rufino J. Palabrica Sr. Memorial National High School in Dingle, Iloilo on February 22.

Defensor who gave a message in front of high school students before the ribbon cutting ceremonies underscored the importance of the teen center in the education of the youth.

Dingle Vice Mayor Jessie Alecto receives the symbolic key for the multi-purpose teen center from Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. in the presence of other town officials.

“Let us support this project because this is part of our holistic approach to education… the multi-purpose teen center is an indispensable component of our desire to give quality education to the school children,” said Defensor.

Defensor also assured continued support to the project as he vowed to put up five more multi-purpose teen centers this year.

Defensor along with Provincial Population Office (PPO) chief Ramon Yee turned over the symbolic key for the multi-purpose teen center to Dingle Vice Mayor Jessie Alecto and Mrs. Marlene Celo, principal of Rufino J. Palabrica Sr. Memorial National High School.

The multi-purpose teen center in Dingle, known as Dihon Multi-Purpose Center, is one of the five teen centers established with funding from the provincial government worth P200,000 each.

The schedule of inauguration of the four other teen centers will be on: Feb. 29, 9 a.m. – Pavia National High School; March 1, 10 a.m. – Nicomedes Tubar, Sr. Memorial National High School in San Dionisio; March 6, 2 p.m. – Lambunao National High School; and March 7, 2 p.m. Oton National High School.

The multi-purpose teen centers will serve as a venue and facility where the adolescents, students and out-of-school youths can develop their potentials as individuals.

It will be equipped with reading materials and other educational and recreation facilities.

The center will be manned by the respective guidance counselors of the schools with the assistance of trained student peer helpers. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. welcomes the medical team from Orbis International and officials of FedEx Corp. during the opening program at the Iloilo Airport terminal. Also in photo are (from left): Mr. Rhicke Jennings, Managing Director of FedEx Philippines; Dr. Josefina Salazar-Yap, President of Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology – Western Visayas; Dr. Jose Mari Fermin, Medical Center Chief of Western Visayas Medical Center; Dr. Carlos Solarte, Medical Director of Flying Eye Hospital.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. welcomed the Flying Eye Hospital of Orbis International which landed at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo on February 21.

Orbis will conduct a three-week medical program to increase the clinical and surgical abilities of local eye care in the Western Visayas Region.

The Flying Eye Hospital of Orbis International at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

The Flying Eye Hospital – a converted DC-10 aircraft and the world’s only ophthalmic surgical and training hospital with wings – will stay in Iloilo for two weeks and then transfer to Bacolod City on the third week.

The Orbis medical team will conduct an intensive skills exchange program for eye care professionals and deliver sight-saving surgeries to pre-screened patients suffering from visual impairment in partnership with the Western Visayas Medical Center.

Governor Defensor lauded the men and women behind Orbis International and FedEx Corp. for bringing the Flying Eye Hospital program to Iloilo which is expected to benefit many Ilonggos with eye problems especially the poor.

The Orbis International medical team at work inside the Flying Eye Hospital.

“I am sure your visit to Iloilo will long be remembered and treasured by our people,” Defensor said.

Mr. Rhicke Jennings, Managing Director of FedEx Philippines; Dr. Carlos Solarte, Medical Director of Flying Eye Hospital; Dr. Josefina Salazar-Yap, President of Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology – Western Visayas; Dr. Jose Mari Fermin, Medical Center Chief of Western Visayas Medical Center, and other officials of FedEx and Orbis International graced the opening program.

After the opening program the guests including the members of the media were allowed to have a tour of the Flying Eye Hospital.

Orbis International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to saving sight worldwide. FedEx has been the leading aviation sponsor of Orbis for 30 years, providing millions of dollars of support in cash and in-kind contributions. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias (right) turns over a check worth P580,000 donated by the Iloilo Provincial Government for the repair of multi-purpose building and construction of toilet and bath at the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Iloilo Council in Camp Pasica, Dingle, Iloilo. Receiving the donation are (from left) Council Director Judge Nelida Medina, Council Treasurer Shirley Reyes, Council President Gaudelia Coo, and Council Executive Endelyn Ortega.

Provincial Administrator Raul N. Banias and the Officer-in-Charge of the Hospital Management Office (HMO) speaks before the participants during the opening program yesterday, February 21, 2012 of a Seminar-Workshop for Hospital Management Office’s Hospital Operations Division (HOD) and Technical Support and Services Division (TSSD) dubbed "Charting the Course of HMO for Hospital Efficiency Assurance through Reform and Transformation (HEART)". Participants come from 12 district hospitals of the Iloilo Provincial Government and HMO’s Technical Support and Services Division. Resources persons are Prof. Lorenza B. Padojinog, Dr. Aurora Fe C. Bautista and Dr. Blanquita S. Garcia. This activity is being held at the 5/F Conference Room of the IPG and will last until February 23, 2010.

PPO chief Ramon Yee said the multi-purpose teen centers funded by Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. with P200,000 each had already been completed and are now ready to serve the youth.

Yee said the schedules for the inauguration of the multi-purpose teen centers are the following: Feb. 22, 9 a.m. – Rufino J. Palabrica Sr. Memorial National High School in Dingle; Feb. 29, 9 a.m. – Pavia National High School; March 1, 10 a.m. – Nicomedes Tubar, Sr. Memorial National High School in San Dionisio; March 6, 2 p.m. – Lambunao National High School; and March 7, 2 p.m. Oton National High School.

Yee said invited to grace the inauguration is Governor Defensor, the provincial board members, Department of Education (DepEd) officials, and Population Commission (Popcom) regional director Vicente Molejona.

The multi-purpose teen centers will serve as a venue and facility where the adolescents, students and out-of-school youths can develop their potentials as individuals.

It will be equipped with reading materials and other educational and recreation facilities.

The center will be manned by the respective guidance counselors of the schools with the assistance of trained student peer helpers.

Yee added, five more multi-purpose teen centers will be established in the province this year. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

The scholarship program established in 1996 aims to assist poor but deserving students in the province by providing them the opportunity to pursue college education.

The courses covered by the scholarship are Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Cooperative Development, Education, Information Technology, Accounting, Management and other related social sciences.

To qualify, applicants should be: 1) Graduating high school students belonging to the upper 10% of the graduating class; 2) Applicant’s annual gross family income is not more than P120,000; 3) Bona fide residents of the Province of Iloilo; and 4) Applicants must have good moral standing in the community.

Applicants should properly fill out the Scholarship Application Form then secure the following documents: a) Certification signed by the School Principal that the applicant belongs to the upper 10% of the graduating class; b) Certification signed by the Punong Barangay that the applicant is a bona fide resident of the barangay, of good moral character and belongs to economically disadvantaged family; c) Recent Parent/s Income Tax Return or Certificate of Tax Exemption issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; d) Photocopy of the applicant’s school identification card; e) One 1×1 recent photo of the applicant.

Moreover, applicants must take or must have taken the college entrance examination from any state universities/ colleges in Iloilo.

Applicants should submit the above listed documents to: The Secretariat, Human Resource Management and Development Office, 3rd Floor, Iloilo Provincial Capitol, Tel. Nos. 3377730, 5095079.

Qualified applicants will take the Scholarship Evaluation Examination on the following schedules: March 10, 2012 (Saturday) and March 11, 2012 (Sunday) from 8 a.m. – 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fifth Floor Conference Room, Iloilo Provincial Capitol.

There will examination fee of P200.00 payable on the day of the exam.

The results of Written Scholarship Evaluation Examination will released after 15 days, wherein the Secretariat will notify those who passed the examination for the schedule of interview.

The deadline for submission of Application Forms is March 7, 2012. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)

BANTAY DAGAT HONORED. SPO1 Gilbert Piedad (extreme right), team leader of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, shakes hands with Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon after receiving his Certificate of Appreciation for his relentless and uncompromising campaign against illegal fishing. Waiting for their turn to shake Piedad's hands are (from left) Governors Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete of Masbate and Arthur Defensor of Iloilo. Also honored were supervising officer Insp. Joven Arevalo, and members PO3 Fernando Escoban, PO3 Ricky Fausto, PO1 James Gencianeo, and PO1 Bernand Tanoy.

The governors of the provinces surrounding the Visayan Sea cited the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force for its relentless and uncompromising campaign against illegal fishing in Northern Iloilo.

Honored were Bantay Dagat supervising officer Insp. Joven Arevalo, team leader SPO1 Gilbert Piedad, and members PO3 Fernando Escoban, PO3 Ricky Fausto, PO1 James Gencianeo, and PO1 Bernand Tanoy.

Also cited was Senior Supt. Gil Lebin, Iloilo Provincial Police Office director, for his sterling leadership in the drive against illegal fishing.

They all received Certificates of Appreciations signed by Governors Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, Arthur Defensor of Iloilo, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete of Masbate and Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental.

The awarding was one of the sidelights of the 4th 4th Governors’ Meeting on the Visayan Sea Protection and Coastal Law Enforcement Program, otherwise known as the Visayas Sea Summit, held on Friday at Hotel del Rio, Iloilo City.

The Bantay Dagat has made not only inroads in its campaign against illegal fishing but raised P2.6 million in compromise fines from the various apprehensions made in 2011.

In its year-end report, the Bantay Dagat observed “that the intrusion of commercial fishing and the use of active gears tremendously declined in the municipal waters of Northern Iloilo.”

“Such illegal activities have been greatly impaired by the decisive seaborne operations of the Task Force,” it added.

Dynamite fishing, according to the Bantay Dagat, has been minimized but it remained a serious concern considering that the ingredients in the manufacture of explosives are very much available in the towns of Estancia and Carles as well as in the neighboring town of Pilar, Capiz.

The Bantay Dagat ‘s relentless campaign has prompted sustenance hulbot-hulbot (fishing boats using Danish Seine fishing gear) operators in the towns of Ajuy, Concepcion and San Dionisio to voluntarily stop their illegal activities and support anti-illegal fishing drives.

For the period February to December 2011, the Bantay Dagat has apprehended 109 Trawls, 51 users of air compressors, 48 Danish Seines, 7 Round Haul Seines and two dynamite fishers. It also apprehended two boats that were illegally trading petroleum products.

The Bantay Dagat has also filed 13 criminal cases with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, 30 with the San Dionisio municipal court, and one each with the Balasan and Estancia municipal courts.

It has also recovered 29 bottles of homemade explosives, two cal. 45 pistols, and one cal. 357 revolver. (Capitol News)