32 10 713 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. will attend the Senate inquiry on the power blackouts on Wednesday, Jan. 10, and the House inquiry on Jan. 11. The hearings will focus on gathering data necessary for legal action and reviewing relevant energy laws. ILOILO – The provincial government is contemplating a class action lawsuit against those responsible for the recent power blackouts affecting Panay Island, neighboring Guimaras Island, and parts of Negros. “We are examining this option because it has caused significant harm to our people, including damage to households, businesses, and more,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. Defensor plans to attend the Senate inquiry on the blackout on Jan. 10 and the House inquiry on Jan. 11. These hearings will focus on gathering data necessary for legal action and reviewing relevant energy laws, such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), other related statutes, and the franchise of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). “A class action suit is being considered because of the widespread damage. While the power laws are relevant, we’re also looking into the Civil Code provisions. However, we’ll first attend the congressional hearings to gain more insights,” said Defensor. When asked if the NGCP would be the sole defendant in a potential lawsuit, Defensor said the outcome of the congressional hearings would guide this decision. “We’ll see how things develop. Currently, the NGCP, as the operator of the grid, is at the center of our investigation. However, this could change depending on the findings from the Congress,” he said. The governor emphasized the need to vindicate the damages suffered by our people, the province, the city, and the entirety of Panay, and to hold those responsible accountable.” Defensor is scheduled to participate as a resource person in the Senate Committee on Energy’s hearing on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Senator Pecson Room, Senate Building, Pasay City, and in the House Committee on Energy’s inquiry on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Rooms 3 and 4 of the Ramon V. Mitra Building at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Earlier, Defensor, along with Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, appealed to the Department of Energy (DOE) and Congress to use their authority to address the blackout issue in Panay Island, which is impeding economic growth and development in the region. “We’ve requested the executive branch to hold the power sector accountable to prevent future occurrences. This issue is hindering the development of Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and the entire Region 6, which affects the country’s overall development,” Defensor said at a press conference on Jan. 4. The economic impact of the blackout on the province is still being assessed, but the governor noted that a formula is being developed to quantify its effect on businesses. The prolonged blackouts in Panay Island last week affected the livelihood and daily lives of people. Photo shows residents of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo, Iloilo City playing by the seaside while waiting for their electricity supply to resume. Defensor also called for a review of power utilities’ compliance with their franchise mandates, as well as NGCP’s adherence to five directives issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following similar outages in April 2023. These directives include updating stakeholders on the Visayas Grid status, synchronizing protection relays, expediting the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement, ensuring grid stability, and completing the third phase of the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) backbone project by March 2024. The governor urged lawmakers to use their authority to enhance the energy sector, defining police power as the ability to prevent or stop societal harm, including power outages. “Legislative action might be necessary to improve the power sector,” he added. Defensor also implored the power sector to cooperate in preventing future crises. An emergency conference with the DOE, ERC, NGCP, Western Visayas governors, Iloilo mayors, and other stakeholders was convened on Thursday morning to address the blackout issues affecting Panay Island and other parts of Region 6 since Jan. 2. During the meeting, the NGCP committed to completing the CNP3 project by March 2024. This project involves connecting Negros and Cebu with an overhead line from Bacolod City to San Carlos City, and then to Toledo City, Cebu, via a submarine cable. The entire CNP project includes constructing a 238km, 230kV capacity transmission line linking Cebu, Negros, and Panay, along with the expansion of several substations. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, January 9). Blackout class suit: Iloilo prov’l gov’t considers legal action vs responsible parties. Panay New, 15. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Blackout class suit: Iloilo prov’l gov’t considers legal action vs responsible parties Description An account of the resource ILOILO – The provincial government is contemplating a class action lawsuit against those responsible for the recent power blackouts affecting Panay Island, neighboring Guimaras Island, and parts of Negros. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/blackout-class-suit-iloilo-provl-govt-considers-legal-action-vs-responsible-parties/?amp=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 9, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Electric power failures Arthur R. Defensor Jr. Iloilo Provincial Government Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document 26 towns receive financial aid for disaster response upgrades By Ime Sornito -Monday, March 4, 2024 ILOILO – To enhance the disaster risk response and management capabilities of local government units (LGUs), the Iloilo provincial government released financial assistance to 26 municipalities for the procurement of essential equipment. A total of P46 million in checks was distributed. The aid distribution took place on Friday morning, March 1, at Casa Real de Iloilo. Municipal mayors, disaster risk reduction officers, and treasurers were present to receive the aid. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. spearheaded the event, with support from Cornelio Salinas, the chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and Raul Banias, the provincial administrator. The occasion also featured the signing of Memoranda of Agreement, which formalized partnerships and underscored a shared commitment to the safety and resilience of the communities. “This reflects our collective commitment to building resilience and preparedness against potential challenges in our communities,” said Salinas. Governor Defensor said the assistance is intended to bridge the gap in disaster risk reduction and management systems and assets across municipalities. “The assets of one are the assets of everyone,” said Defensor. The assistance came in varied amounts depending upon the request of municipalities. The recipients were: FIRST DISTRICT * Guimbal – P1 million * Tigbauan – P1 million * Tubungan – P1 million * Igbaras – P1 million SECOND DISTRICT * Leon – P2 million * Sta. Barbara – P3 million * Leganes – P1 million * Zarraga – P1 million THIRD DISTRICT * Maasin – P3 million * Lambunao – P1 million * Pototan – P1.5 million * Mina – P1 million * Badiangan – P2 million * Bingawan – P1.5 million FOURTH DISTRICT * Dingle – P1.8 million * Anilao – P2 million * Banate – P1 million FIFTH DISTRICT * Barotac Viejo – P3.5 million * Ajuy – P6 million * Sara – P1.5 million * Concepcion – P1.5 million * San Dionisio – P1 million * Batad – P1.5 million * Carles – P3.2 million * San Rafael – P1 million * Balasan – P1 million Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 4). 26 towns receive financial aid for disaster response upgrades. Panay News, 3. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 26 towns receive financial aid for disaster response upgrades. Description An account of the resource ILOILO – To enhance the disaster risk response and management capabilities of local government units (LGUs), the Iloilo provincial government released financial assistance to 26 municipalities for the procurement of essential equipment. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/26-towns-receive-financial-aid-for-disaster-response-upgrades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 4, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Emergency management Iloilo Provincial Government Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Only 37% of 550K Iloilo households have access to potable water By Ime Sornito -Friday, March 15, 2024 Provincial Administrator Raul Banias convenes department heads of the Iloilo provincial government on Wednesday to discuss the lack of access to safe drinking water. Photos from Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias ILOILO – The provincial government is walking through possible solutions to the lack of access to safe drinking water for households this dry season. Of the province’s 43 local government units (LGUs), including Passi City, only 37 percent of the total 550,000 households have access to potable water, lower than the national average of 48 percent, according to the 2023 annual report of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Services collected by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO). Provincial Administrator Raul Banias presented to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. the province’s state of access to safe drinking water on March 13. Two municipalities have the lowest percentages of access to safe drinking water: Concepcion with only seven percent and Ajuy with only one percent. “Kada banwa makita naton kon ano ang sitwasyon and medyo alarming gid,” Banias said in a Bombo Radyo Iloilo interview. In compliance with the governor’s directive to address the issue, he convened the concerned provincial government department offices, such as the IPHO, Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Agriculture Office, Provincial Engineering Office, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. In their discussion, among the proposed steps to take is how they can hasten the rain harvesting and water impounding programs as Iloilo is facing the adverse effects of El Niño, which is expected to be a recurring weather and climate event. The provincial government will hold a Water Planning Workshop next month with expert resource persons and will also put in investments and funding in Iloilo’s Annual Investment Plan, Banias disclosed. “Ma-invite kami sang experts to further educate us on how to address this situation sang probinsya sang Iloilo,” he added. Banias explained that the provincial government annually allocates funds for the potable water system for the barangays. In 2024 alone, the fund for the project reached P30 million. But with this problem of access to safe drinking water, there is a likelihood that the fund will increase, the provincial administrator said. “Siguro i-increase ang aton allocation sa program sang provision sang potable water system para mapataas ang manubo nga percentage,” he also said. Banias noted that the provincial government wants to involve the water districts so that more consumers will be served. “Amo ni ang sitwasyon sa probinsya, and I think nabal-naman naton nga access to safe water is basic right sang tawo,” Banias noted. The provincial administrator is aware of the importance of access to safe drinking water because women in the household suffered the worst, especially the wives doing daily chores. And since March is National Women’s Month, Banias wants to pay close attention and come up with solutions as soon as possible. The provincial administrator is confident that addressing this is not far-fetched, citing that in 2022, the Iloilo provincial government focused on its campaign on zero open defecation (ZOD), which has been a success and has been named a Galing Pook Awardee. Under the ZOD campaign, all households in the province have a sanitary toilet. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 15). Only 37% of 550K Iloilo households have access to potable water. Panay News, 1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Only 37% of 550K Iloilo households have access to potable water Description An account of the resource ILOILO – The provincial government is walking through possible solutions to the lack of access to safe drinking water for households this dry season. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/only-37-of-550k-iloilo-households-have-access-to-potable-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 15, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Water-supply Drinking water Iloilo Provincial Government Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Looting, water scarcity feared as El Niño worsens in Iloilo By Ime Sornito -Friday, March 15, 2024 ILOILO – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has issued a warning of potential extreme events, including looting and conflicts over water scarcity, as the El Niño phenomenon continues to impact Western Visayas. The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has been directed to prepare for these eventualities. During a recent special meeting of the PDRRMC, concerns were raised regarding the possibility of crimes and conflicts over water shortages. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), El Niño could last until April or May, leading to water shortages for household and drinking purposes, as well as famine due to the inability to cultivate crops over prolonged periods. The situation could result in violent conflicts and looting, said Provincial Board member Rolanda Distura, chairman of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. He stressed the importance of continuous monitoring by police stations, especially in areas with water resources. Reflecting on past experiences as the local chief executive of Dumangas town, Distura remarked that such scenarios are not new and emphasized the need for vigilance and preparedness. He urged disaster managers and PDRRMC members to look beyond immediate concerns and assess the capabilities and capacities for managing such extreme events. The PDRRMC and the Iloilo provincial government, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., have pledged support for all action plans of the IPPO to ensure peace and order during the El Niño period. The IPPO has been designated as the lead office for Public Safety, one of the five key sectors focused by the newly created Provincial El Niño Task Force. Other key sectors include Food Security, Water Security, Energy Security, and Health Security. The taskforce aims to concentrate on mitigation efforts and implementation of actions and plans to combat the effects of El Niño, and to develop comprehensive strategies for managing and responding to El Niño events across all sectors. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 15). Looting, water scarcity feared as El Niño worsens in Iloilo. Panay News, 2. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Looting, water scarcity feared as El Niño worsens in Iloilo Description An account of the resource ILOILO – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has issued a warning of potential extreme events, including looting and conflicts over water scarcity, as the El Niño phenomenon continues to impact Western Visayas. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/looting-water-scarcity-feared-as-el-nino-worsens-in-iloilo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 15, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Water-supply El Niño Current El Niño Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Prov’l El Niño Task Force focuses on 5 key sectors By Ime Sornito -Thursday, March 14, 2024 ILOILO – To cushion the impacts of El Niño, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) passed a resolution creating a taskforce. The formulation of the team, in reference to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum Circular No. 05, Series of 2023, was made during a special meeting of the PDRRMC led by executive officer Colonel Cornelio Salinas and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, on Tuesday afternoon at Casa Real de Iloilo. “The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils as well as the local government units may adopt the National El Niño team structure, however, they may accordingly adjust the composition as deemed necessary,” read part of the memo. The Provincial El Niño Task Force shall be led by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), with the PDRRMC being the implementing arm of the PDRRMC. Further, the PDRRMO shall also serve as co-presider during the Provincial El Niño Task Force meetings. Task force El Niño shall focus on five key sectors composed of the following: food security, water security, energy security, health security, and public safety. “These key sectors are tasked with carrying out the mitigation effects and implementation of actions and plans focused on their respective sectors while guided by the four DRRM Thematic Areas/Pillars. Likewise, these sectors are required to develop their respective sector plans, which, subsequently, shall be part of the provincial action plan,” said Salinas. For food security, the lead agency or office is the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgRO), and members are the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Iloilo, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Iloilo, National Food Authority (NFA)-Iloilo, National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Iloilo and Guimaras, and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Iloilo. For water security, the lead office is the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources (PGENRO), and the members are DILG, DOST, PAGASA, NIA, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and the Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO). For energy sector, the lead office is the PPDO, and the members are the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Telecommunication Office (NTC), and Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ILECO) I to III. For health security, the lead officer is the Provincial Health Office (PHO), and the members are the Hospital Management Office (HMO), Department of Education (DepEd), PSWDO, PPDO, PICAO, PGENRO, DOST, and DILG. FUNCTIONS AND TASKING * Tasked with carrying out mitigation efforts and implementing actions and plans focused on their respective sectors while guided by the DRRM Thematic Areas and Pillars. * Required to develop their respective plan, which subsequently shall be part of the Provincial Action Plan. * Develop comprehension strategies and plans for managing and responding to El Niño events, covering all sectors. * Assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with El Niño in different municipalities, including evaluating the impact on agriculture, water availability, infrastructure, and public health. * Allocated resources effectively to implement strategies and plans. Ensure that funds, personnel, and equipment are available to respond to El Niño-related challenges promptly. * Coordinated efforts among various government agencies, non-government organizations, and international partners involved in El Niño management * Facilitate collaboration and information sharing to ensure a unified response. Another resolution passed by the PDRRMC is to organize the Provincial Rapid/Post-Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Team (R/PDANA) to enhance the province’s capacity to assess and respond to the impacts of disasters in a systematic manner. The team will be headed by the PDRRMO. The members are the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, PAgRO, PEO, PSWDO, HMO, PGENRO, and any PDRRMC member or accredited civil society organization. Salinas said they received reports, especially from the media, on the slow release of calamity damage reports, which is why there should be a team focusing on this. As of March 4, based on a partial report from the PAgRO, El Niño caused at least P487.828 million in damage, wherein damage to rice reached P422,610,445, for corn – P63,000,201, and high-value crops – P2,218,350. Here are the 16 towns that submitted reports of damages to rice: Tigbauan (P17,591,834), Oton (P32,475,326), Tubungan (P22,122,120), Anilao (P52,223,800), San Enrique (P2,956,879), Cabatuan (P42,881,524), Barotac Nuevo (P67,919,610), Miag-ao (P2,872,117.86), Mina (P7,962,403), Dingle (P7,338,811), Dumangas (P121,045,130), Igbaras (P1,529,505), Banate (P21,553,300), Zarraga (P913,008), San Miguel (P5,839,222), and Carles (15,385,850). About 8,504 rice farmers have been affected so far from the following towns: Tigbauan (424), Oton (631), Tubungan (780), Anilao (1,176), San Enrique (181), Cabatuan (1,023), Barotac Nuevo (937), Miag-ao (87), Mina (353), Dingle (110), Dumangas (1,489), Igbaras (42), Banate (504), Zarraga (12), San Miguel (125), and Carles (630). Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 14). Prov’l El Niño Task Force focuses on 5 key sectors. Panay News, 2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prov’l El Niño Task Force focuses on 5 key sectors Description An account of the resource ILOILO – To cushion the impacts of El Niño, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) passed a resolution creating a taskforce. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="ILOILO%20%E2%80%93%20To%20cushion%20the%20impacts%20of%20El%20Ni%C3%B1o,%20the%20Provincial%20Disaster%20Risk%20Reduction%20and%20Management%20Council%20(PDRRMC)%20passed%20a%20resolution%20creating%20a%20taskforce." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 14, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource El Niño Current El Niño Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Iloilo water levels show signs of dropping amid El Niño concerns By Ime Sornito -Wednesday, March 13, 2024 ILOILO – The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) is gathering reports from 43 local government units (LGUs) regarding the status of water sources across the province in light of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. These reports from Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENROs) cover the status of dams, wells, rivers, and other water sources. PGENRO head, Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., said, “Our water sources have indeed experienced a decrease in levels.” He expressed the urgency of determining the water levels, especially those affecting the Maasin Watershed in Maasin town, which is a primary source for water districts. Buyco explained that obtaining the actual status of the water sources is crucial for the provincial government, led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., to implement mitigating measures and prevent a scenario where there is a lack of water supply, particularly for household use. He emphasized the collaborative effort required to address water supply issues, noting that Gov. Defensor has involved all provincial government offices in the initiative. The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), for instance, is actively searching for potential water sources using equipment capable of detecting water presence. Despite the decrease in water levels reported by the MENROs, Buyco assured that, as of now, there has been no complete loss of water sources. PGENRO recently convened to discuss plans for better management of the Maasin Watershed to ensure its ability to continue supplying water, especially in the face of calamities such as El Niño. Cornelio Salinas, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), reported that some towns distant from water sources, like dams and water districts, were gradually experiencing a reduction in water supply for household use. “This situation is expected to persist until May,” Salinas said, predicting that the 1st District, which includes Oton, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Igbaras, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin, will be most affected by water scarcity in the upcoming weeks. Salinas believed that the central and northern towns would be less affected due to their proximity to water district lines, such as those of Dumangas-Barotac Nuevo Water District (DBNWD) and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW). “For household water distribution, it should be okay from Maasin going to Iloilo City due to the dam and Metro Pacific’s line. The most affected will likely be the 1st District. Analytically, those towns far from our private and public water concessionaires will feel the impact,” said Salinas. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 13). Iloilo water levels show signs of dropping amid El Niño concerns. Panay News, 2. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo water levels show signs of dropping amid El Niño concerns Description An account of the resource ILOILO – The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) is gathering reports from 43 local government units (LGUs) regarding the status of water sources across the province in light of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-water-levels-show-signs-of-dropping-amid-el-nino-concerns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 13, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Water levels El Niño Current El Niño Iloilo Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Prov’l gov’t seeks health hazard mitigation strategies for Pan De Azucar mining By Ime Sornito -Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr. (inset, Photo courtesy AJ PALCULLO/PN), head of the Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, says mineral exploration activities on Pan De Azucar Island in Concepcion town could resume only after the two mining companies’ mitigating measures are approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Environmental Management Bureau. ILOILO – Following the issuance of cease and desist orders (CDOs) for mineral exploration activities on Pan De Azucar Island in Concepcion town, two mining companies have been directed to submit comprehensive mitigation measures. These measures aim to protect the island’s marine life and prevent the potential contamination of groundwater with arsenic. Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr., head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), said mineral exploration activities could resume only after the presentation and approval of mitigating measures by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). The companies served with CDOs last week, TVI Resource Development (PHILS) Inc. from Makati City, and Mindoro Resources Ltd. from Canada, have not been given a specific timeline to submit the required plans. They will be barred from resuming exploration activities until they can present a detailed strategy addressing potential environmental impacts. According to Buyco, although the companies have environmental plans, these were found to be too general and lacked specific actions for scenarios such as water contamination or measures to control drilling operations to avoid affecting groundwater and other environmental components. He further noted that not specifying the exact exploration area raises concerns about the companies’ environmental commitment and planning. “Pag-review namon sang ila plan, daw ka general sang ila mitigating measures. Waay gani naistoryahan kon paano nila control-on ang tubig nga nagasulod halin sa bay area pakadto sa ila to kay nakaabot gali to ang tubig dagat. Kon naga-drill sila to may matandog sila sudlan sila sang tubig dagat, ano na lang. So, kami sa PGENRO daw indi kami satisfied sa na-lay down nila nga mitigating measures,” Buyco told Panay News yesterday morning. He added: “Ang mitigation (measure) siguro is to conduct sang ila nga drilling without risking exposure sa groundwaters that are being used sang residents didto.” The serving of CDOs came after the detection of arsenic compounds in the groundwater of Barangay Taloto-an, one of the three barangays in Pan de Azucar. The other two barangays are Macatunao and Tambaliza. “Ang akon concern sini is may presence sang arsenic. Ang arsenic nga daan is ginatawag the perfect poison, kay indi ka kabalo kon ginalason ka, indi mo mabal-an nga ginalason ka na gali,” Buyco explained. He also said that, upon study, the inhalation or consumption of anything contaminated by the arsenic compounds poses health hazards, especially to the residents. Apart from this, Buyco also worries about the domino effect, which will lead to the destruction of the island’s ecosystem once the groundwater is contaminated. Pan De Azucar Island has been recognized for its ecological significance, being declared an eco-tourism site and a crucial island ecosystem. To recall, a field investigation conducted by PGENRO on January 10, 2024, confirmed the presence of arsenic in the groundwater, highlighting the risk to the residents, particularly of Barangay Taloto-an from arsenic exposure. Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a significant problem in many parts of the world, leading to poisoning when people consume water with high levels of arsenic over long periods. Chronic exposure to arsenic can cause serious health issues, including skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also emphasized the potential widespread ecological impact on the island’s closed ecosystem from such mineral exploration activities. The report from the PGENRO investigation has been forwarded to the Environment Management Bureau’s Pollution Adjudication Board for a comprehensive evaluation and necessary action. Defensor underscored the responsibility of the provincial government to steward the environment and natural resources, aiming to ensure public health and safety, maintain a balanced ecology, and protect the well-being of its citizens. The cessation of exploration activities will continue until protective measures for marine life and mitigation strategies for arsenic contamination are established, and the conditions from the investigation are met. Defensor highlighted the role of the national government, through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in issuing mining permits. However, he argued for the necessity of involving and informing the local government units (LGUs) concerned, underscoring the LGUs’ role in environmental management. The controversy surrounding mining exploration on Pan De Azucar Island emerged following opposition from residents and officials of the three barangays, signaling a broader dialogue on the management and oversight of natural resources within the region. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 12). Prov’l gov’t seeks health hazard mitigation strategies for Pan De Azucar mining. Panay News, 1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prov’l gov’t seeks health hazard mitigation strategies for Pan De Azucar mining Description An account of the resource ILOILO – Following the issuance of cease and desist orders (CDOs) for mineral exploration activities on Pan De Azucar Island in Concepcion town, two mining companies have been directed to submit comprehensive mitigation measures. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/provl-govt-seeks-health-hazard-mitigation-strategies-for-pan-de-azucar-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 12, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Mineral industries Pan de Azucar Island Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document P30-M abattoir to rise in Concepcion By Ime Sornito -Tuesday, March 12, 2024 Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. leads the groundbreaking and time capsule laying for the Double A abattoir in Concepcion, Iloilo on March 8. ILOILO – To provide consumers with premium meat products, the Iloilo provincial government, through the assistance of World Bank, is establishing a Double A abattoir in Sitio Anak Bukid, Barangay Lo-ong, Concepcion town. The abattoir, situated on a 4,407-square meter lot, has the capacity to cater to 50 heads per day for swine and eight heads per day for cattle, and adheres to the standards of the National Meat Inspection Service. It features a slaughterhouse, holding pen, boiler and generator set room, water treatment facilities, and decomposting chambers which ensure compliance to animal welfare, food safety, and environmental standards. Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony together with Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) deputy project director Engr. Jose Albert Barrogo, Mayor Milliard Villanueva, municipal officials, and Punong Barangay Rizalino Panes Jr. on March 8. They were also joined by Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada, Provincial Planning and Development Officer Mario Nillos, and Executive Assistant to the Gov. Niel Tupas III. Engr. Andig said that upon its completion in November this year, cheaper butcher fee for cattle is expected from P2,000 to P800 and from P600 to P405 for swine. Defensor, for his part, said the facility could also contribute to local economy by providing additional source of revenue through job opportunities and marketable high quality meat. The governor added that the abattoir could also aid the province in recovering from African swine fever (ASF) by venturing into the pork processing industry. “We export 8,000 swine heads to Luzon every month but we don’t process pork products. With a high standard slaughterhouse, we can have a processsed pork industry. Instead of exporting heads, we should export processed meat. It will give us additional source of revenue,” Defensor said. The P29.950-million facility is funded through the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) PRDP. The World Bank is shouldering 80 percent of the project cost with a counterpart of 10 percent each from the DA and the provincial government. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 12). P30-M abattoir to rise in Concepcion. Panay News, 3. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource P30-M abattoir to rise in Concepcion Description An account of the resource ILOILO – To provide consumers with premium meat products, the Iloilo provincial government, through the assistance of World Bank, is establishing a Double A abattoir in Sitio Anak Bukid, Barangay Lo-ong, Concepcion town. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/p30-m-abattoir-to-rise-in-concepcion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 12, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Slaughtering and slaughter-houses Concepcion Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document HFMD cases in Iloilo down By Ime Sornito -Monday, March 11, 2024 ILOILO – Cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in this province decreased. From January 1 to February 24, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recorded 112 cases – a 96 percent dropped from the 2,782 cases recorded during the same period in 2023. HFMD is a contagious viral infection most commonly found in young children. It is characterized by mouth sores and rashes on the hands and feet. The municipalities reporting the highest number of cases so far this year were Lambunao with 24 cases, followed by Banate and Barotac Viejo with 11 cases each, Igbaras with 10 cases, Oton with eight, San Dionisio with seven, Lemery with six, Badiangan with five, Zarraga with four, and Leon with three. Other towns reporting cases were San Joaquin, Mina, Passi City, and Calinog, each with two cases; Bingawan, Sara, Tubungan, Leganes, Santa Barbara, and Cabatuan, also with two cases each; and Ajuy, Janiuay, Miag-ao, Tigbauan, Guimbal, San Rafael, and Maasin, each with one case. Fifteen towns have reported no cases: Alimodian, Anilao, Barotac Nuevo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, Estancia, New Lucena, Pavia, Pototan, San Enrique, and San Miguel. The province of Iloilo is comprised of 42 towns and one component city, Passi. The IPHO attributed the decrease in cases to heightened public awareness about HFMD, particularly regarding preventive measures such as maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, especially among children, and isolating children or keeping them home from school if they exhibit signs and symptoms of HFMD. Other signs and symptoms of HFMD include fever, sore throat, feeling unwell; painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks; a red rash without itching but sometimes with blistering on the palms, soles, and sometimes the buttocks; irritability in infants and toddlers; and loss of appetite. Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, the IPHO chief, noted that most HFMD cases occur in children, especially those at the Day Care and Grade School level. She explained that the virus spreads when children touch surfaces that have also been touched by an infected child. Quiñon advised parents to seek permission from teachers to excuse their child from classes for seven to 10 days upon noticing early symptoms of HFMD to prevent spreading the infection. Teachers in daycare centers are reminded to practice frequent sanitation and disinfect commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, and chairs, to help prevent the spread of the disease. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 11). HFMD cases in Iloilo down. Panay News, 2. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource HFMD cases in Iloilo down Description An account of the resource ILOILO – Cases of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) in this province decreased. From January 1 to February 24, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recorded 112 cases – a 96 percent dropped from the 2,782 cases recorded during the same period in 2023. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/hfmd-cases-in-iloilo-down/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 11, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Foot-and-mouth disease Iloilo Provincial Health Office Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Iloilo News Archive Description An account of the resource News, old and new, about Iloilo Province Subject The topic of the resource Iloilo Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Reading, Math proficiency of Iloilo learners improves By Ime Sornito -Monday, March 11, 2024 ILOILO – The Iloilo Schools Division reported a notable decline in the number of students unable to read or perform basic mathematical calculations, thanks to the implementation of the “Tib-ong Bumulutho” program. Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr., superintendent of Iloilo Schools Division, highlighted the success in addressing the educational challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a drop in reading and numeracy skills due to the suspension of in-person classes. With the resumption of face-to-face learning, the Schools Division Office (SDO) conducted thorough pre- and post-assessments for the 2022-2023 School Year, utilizing the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil IRI) and the Enhanced Regional Unified Numeracy Test (ERUNT) to evaluate student progress. These assessments covered Grade 3 to Grade 11 students for reading and Grade 1 to Grade 11 for numeracy. The pre-assessments were carried out at the start of the 2022-2023 school year, while the post-assessments took place in December 2023. The results were promising: of the 225,766 learners tested (out of 245,645 enrollees) from Grade 3 to Grade 11 in reading, 168,083 (74.45 percent) were below the standard reading level during the pre-assessment. This number dropped to 105,320 learners (46.65 percent) in the post-assessment, marking a 27.80 percent improvement. Similarly, numeracy skills have seen notable enhancements. The “Tib-ong Bumulutho” program, a comprehensive initiative focused on remediation in reading and numeracy, is credited for this improvement. It included capacity building for teachers, the hiring of remedial instructors, and targeted district/municipal efforts. Following the success of the December 2023 assessments, the program reported that 52 schools now have no non-readers, and 59 schools have eradicated numeracy issues among students. Dr. Servillon remains optimistic about further progress by the end of the current school year, attributing the positive outcomes to the collaborative efforts between the Department of Education, local government units, the Synergia Foundation, private organizations, and the commitment of the provincial government under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to support the initiative. Citation Citation of the article Sornito, I. (2024, March 11). Reading, Math proficiency of Iloilo learners improves. Panay News, 2. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Reading, math proficiency of Iloilo learners improves Description An account of the resource ILOILO – The Iloilo Schools Division reported a notable decline in the number of students unable to read or perform basic mathematical calculations, thanks to the implementation of the “Tib-ong Bumulutho” program. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sornito, Ime Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://www.panaynews.net/reading-math-proficiency-of-iloilo-learners-improves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Panay News</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Panay News Incorporated Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 11, 2024 Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Subject The topic of the resource Reading--Ability testing Mathematical ability