Calibrate water, pisonet

vending machines -BSP 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 4 (PIA)—Have you tried inserting the new generation currency coins in vending machings slots and getting nothing in return? 

Well, if you had, the coins you inserted had nothing to do with it. 

In fact, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), that could be because the owner and operator of that vending machine did not calibrate their equipment according to the new kinds of coins that are starting to flood the markets today. 

Prior to the release of the Philippine New Generation Currency Coin Series, BSP Visayas Information Officer Hazel Cultura said they met with the association of vending machine manufacturers of the Philippines to inform them of the possible calibration they have to make, to make their machines work with the new coins. 

During the recent special meeting of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO) of Bohol at the Jjs Seafoods Village Agosto 2, Cultura said these vending machines may need to be calibrated so these can accept the new coins. 

Majority of those who campaigned about this problem are those who put in P1, P5 and P10 in coin slots of these vending machines dispensing bagged water, 4 minute water sprayers for car was and P10 in coin slotted cellphone loading stations. 

There is a noted difference in thickness and diameter between the older New Design Series (NDS) which came out from the BSP from 1997 to 2017 and the New Generation Currency (NGC) Coin Series especially for P1.00, P5.00 and P10.00. 

The NDS for the P1.00 is 24 millimeters in diameter and 1.85 mm thickness while the NGC is smaller at 23 mm and yet thicker at 2.05 mm, according to the BSP. 

For the P5.00, the NDS is 27 mm in diameter while the NGC is a millimeter thin at 26 mm. 

In their thicknesses, the 1997-2017 coin is 1.9 mm thick while the newly minted coins are 2.2 mm thick or roughly 3 mm thicker. This may have problems with the vending machine slot sensors. 

For the P10.00, the NDS has 26.5 mm diameter while the new 2018 coins are 27 mm diameter. As to the thickness, the older coins are thicker at 2.10 mm while the new mints are 2.05 mm, BSP advised. 

BSP added that the vending machines in the markets which are already calibrated all come from the registered association of manufacturers, that when the vendo machines that are near you still refuse to accept the new coins, these could come from the manufacturers who did not know of the BSP guidance. 

In Bohol, with the vending machines just appearing almost everywhere, there have been few complaints about these vending machines issues with the new coins but considering the attitude of Boholanos not predisposed to complain for smaller amounts, the issue might even be more pronounced. 

But with potential losses from the poor people, government authorities have advised consumers who may have experiences of failed deliver by these vending machines to immediately inform the store outlets and the franchise owners so the calibration issues could addressed. 

Other than that, consumers can also call on the local officials, as these operations of vending machines in the towns are regulated by the Office of the Business Permits and Licensing of the office of the Mayor. 

The Department of Trade and Industry can also help in facilitating these complaints to the proper agencies, so a visit to the local DTI may help. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

BSP information officer Hazel Cultura responds to queries from information officers during the recent AUDIO meeting held at the JJs Seafoods Village here in Tagbilaran. BSP has been informing communities of the new generation series coins being circulated in the markets. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Bohol gets new modern

Rosenbauer fire trucks 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 4 (PIA)—Tagbilaran City and Dauis town now each have their own state of the art fire-fighting engines, the country’s top of the class as yet, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). 

BFP information Officer Fire Officer 1 Chase Ray Siao bared during an interview at the recent Association of United Development Information Officers meeting that the new fire engines came from the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) and forms part of the last administration’s procurement that have allegedly been controversial due to overprice. 

Now to be tagged as Tagbilaran City’s fire engine No 12, the new Rosenbauer fire engine owns a capacity of 4,000 liters of water and fire suppressants that can combat even the hardest to put out chemical fires, according to the BFP. 

Rosenbauer is among the world’s top manufacturers of fire engines and fire-fighting equipment, and with Bohol getting two more, it becomes a great asset that ups the fire suppression capacity of the BFP here, according to Siao. 

These two water engines each have already two very power fire cannons that can fire a stream of water 60 meters horizontally, so firefighters do not need to get close to where the fire is, and het hurt. 

Vertically, while the recent upsurge of medium rise buildings are posing huge challenge to fire fighters, the Rosenbauer’s stream from its water cannons can already breach the 24 meters mark, or approximately the 8ths storey of a building, Siao shared. 

Other than the powerful water cannons which can breach concrete walls, these new fire trucks have rapid intervention hoses for quicker deployment of the hoses and faster fire suppression. 

For older fire engines, the hoses they carry need to be rolled out by a team so it can be attached to the fire engine pumps to supply water. This is different, Siao pointed out. 

From these two rapid deployment hoses, fire fighters can also mix chemical compound fire retardants to quickly get chemical fires under control. 

When in the older fire trucks, its hoses cater to 1 and ½, this new engines can accommodate a 2 1\2 hose which can be split into two 1 ½ for more pressurized water from its pumps. 

And for quicker filling, the new fire trucks have fiberglass lined water tanks to solve the previous issues of corrosion when the fire truck suctions water from sources which have high salinity levels. 

To be an all-around rescue base, the new fire trucks also have provisions for other kinds of emergency rescue. 

In the lockers are power generators, rescue boards, ropes, carabineers and lashings for high altitude rescue and medical emergency equipment, the BFP fire fighter said. 

For safety concerns while the trucks are in transit, the Rosenbauer forward cabins can accommodate 7 fully geared fire-fighting personnel. 

As to the engine power, the new fire equipment uses a 240 horsepower motors that could empty the 4,000 liter tanks in a little over three minutes. 

T that fighting capacity, the Rosenbauer fire engines can be the engine on standby while other water trucks would just have to snap their hoses into the Rosenbauer tanks to replenish the water supply for sustained fire suppression capability. 

As this equipment came, the BFP in Bohol has increased its operational fire stations in the towns to 38 of the 47 towns. 

Two new fire stations were recently operationalized under the help of FCSupt Sheila Andrade the Provincial Fire Marshal. 

These are the firs stations in Guindulman and in Dagohoy town, Siao shared at the AUDIO. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

The new Rosenbauer fire truck now in Tagbilaran City and in Dauis Fire Station increases the BFP fire suppression capability in Bohol. These state of the art fire engines are from the DILG and are coursed through the BFP. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

PIA journalism seminar 

gets to Ubay Sci High 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 1 (PIA)—Over four years after its last journalism training workshop, Ubay National Science High School (UNSHS) opened again for the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) School Campus Organ Operation and Production Seminar (SCOOPS), a two-day activity held at Casa Nipa, Bood Ubay. 

Already a regular school client for the PIA journalism workshops, UNSHS and its trainings temporarily stopped after the 2013 earthquake. 

It was also on October 12-13 in 2013 that the PIA conducted its SCOOPS at the UNSHS Robotics Building when the magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol. 

The first session for the seminar’s second day was about to start then when the tremor shook the building and PIA managed to guide the student writers to duck, cover, hold and regroup at the school’s open grounds. 

The PIA had to cut the training then. 

Four years later, UNSHS requested again for two-day training, which was set July 24-25. 

For Ubay, they intended a School-based Campus Journalism Training Seminar that ignites the mind of the young journalists in rowing the boat of journalism, as theme. 

46 student writers and three teacher advisers attended the writing workshop, the first which the PIA did through an online interactive writing via the social media platform. 

By online, student writers had to write their compositions and post them on their personal social media accounts and with a common training hashtag. 

Anyone who taps on the hashtag can see and read all the articles, photos and photo captions. 

That way, it was easier and the writers tend to be more formal in their articles and compositions, as it would be posted online. 

Topics included in the writeshop were Basic News writing, Basic Photojournalism including and practicum, Feature Writing and Practicum, and Junior Broadcasting and practicum with critiquing sessions. 

School paper adviser Glenda Acido, a new adviser said they are happy they availed of the workshops that they could help equip their student writers the right skills to run the school paper. 

Former writer and now UNSHS school teacher Ariel Rosales also shared how the PIA SCOOPS training helped him as a writer. 

The Ubay writeshop came after a similar writing orientation given to Garcia Hernandez high schools and in Santa Fe Bantayan Island, Cebu in June. 

This month too, the PIA SCOOPS team gets to Arbasto Foundation Inc in Panglao, and in Tolang National High School in Getafe by the last week. 

The same workshop has been tested and conducted for student writers and Department of Education school organ advisers in Siquijor District. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

The student writers of Ubay National Science High School completed a 2-day training writeshop called School Campus Organization Operation and Production Seminar for campus journalists with PIA and Ric Obedencio. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

BSP Bohol to sustain fiscal 

activity, economic growth 

TINAGO, Dauis, Bohol, July 30 (PIA)—Already streaking a growth rate of 9.1% which according to bank authorities, is higher than the national growth rate, Bohol would tend to greatly benefit from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which will soon supply Bohol with world class currency. 

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., revealed this during the short program after the ground breaking and capsule laying ceremonies for the new home of the BSP in Barangay Tinago Dauis, Bohol July 30. 

Espenilla, along with Gov. Edgar Chatto, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo, BSP Asst. Gov. Dahlia Luna, Provincial Administrator Ae Damalerio and Bohol Bankers Association President Elena Deligero officiated the groundbreaking rites for their branch in Bohol which is set to rise from an already cleared lot in Barangay Tinago, along the main highway to the tourism resorts in Panglao. 

Seeing the robust inflow of capital, the magnitude of economic activity, widespread development activity, and in anticipation of the operation as the major infrastructure that are soon expected to serve Bohol’s connectivity with the islands and the whole world, the BSP steps in to spur and sustain financial activity and economic growth here. 

By such, the BSP strengthens its commitment to serve the banking community, while their presence here means easy access for communities to get inputs on cash management, financial inclusion, as well as financial and economic awareness, Espenilla said. 

BSP information Officer Hazel Cultura shared that the new structure, which would be built according to established design and standards adopted by all BSP branches in the country would cost them P170 million, based on the BSP Project Development and management Officer Warren Coberes. 

The BSP is committed to immediately start the construction as soon as we can finish the paperworks, Espenilla said. 

Himself enthused by what he learned about the long term planning and the vision of Bohol which he admits, are essential to sustained development, Espenilla, who also happened to sit with Chatto as an economy student in their college days, said the leadership [in Bohol] is so enlightened, covering all bases to assure Bohol growth. 

Earlier, Governor Edgar Chatto, in his welcome remarks, said it was in 1995 that Bohol started crafting its vision and mission. 

The Bohol governor who keeps 36 years of public service and two Civil Service Commission distinctions in his belt, said Bohol has opted for industries that are not extractive, but complements its vision. 

Through the years, the governor also highlighted the role of Bohol bankers even as he rallied everyone to row together so the vision becomes sustained in time. 

At 9.1% growth rate, which is faster than the national economic growth, Espenilla said this reflects the bright future for Bohol. 

Early last year, the BSP revealed its plans to put up a Bohol Branch even as the central bank has long recognized the vital role of Central Visayas as an engine for financial growth in the region. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Income from lowly camote… 

INREMP farmers supply 

chips for Bohol tourists 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 31 (PIA)—“If we bring our camote (sweet potatoes) to Getafe, it sells at P25.00 a kilo. Sometimes, when there is over harvesting, we could only shake our heads and surrender to fate for the loss.” 

Sadly, the chairperson of San Carlos (Danao) Association for the Rehabilitation of Environmental Denudation (SCARED) shared this, and similar woes of his member farmers who cultivate the patches of farms near the forests and the Wahig River water. 

Camote do not sell as much and only these kinds of root crops and some tubers grow in these patches, that farmers are sometimes forced to get into the forests to gather more resources and harvest trees in unsustainable use of resources. 

There have been times when the rivers overflow as erosion and indiscriminate kaingin and clearing of forest patches increase the threats of climate change in these areas, notes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bohol. 

While sweet potatoes are great for multiple cropping and could harmoniously survive with the trees, selling them as raw could only make enough for farmers here. 

That, however provides a perfect entry point for Integrated Natural Resource and Environmental Management Projects (INREMP) to get in, with its bag of community self-help menu. 

Implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), INREMP gets to SCARED, with its 293 member farmers, and started to is now among the DENR beneficiaries of its (INREMP). 

INREMP is a 7 year project that aims to manage the watersheds to support poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation and climate change effects mitigation and focuses on empowering local governments and communities as partners for the goal of recovering the lost forest cover. 

And for this, INREMP enrolled the pilot community members in Farmers’ Business Schools (FBS) to train them the basics of business skills which include marketing concepts, identifying and prioritizing market opportunities, product development and business planning through its nine modules comprised in the 31 sessions after two years of organizing. 

With the partnership of Food Resilience through Root and Tuber Crops in upland and coastal communities of the Asia-Pacific (FOODSTART+), the government piloted SCARED and five other people’s organization of farmers cultivating lands in the fringes of forests and within the four watersheds, 17 towns and 151 barangays of the INREMP sites in the FBS. 

In the pilot FBS are the 25-farmer members of Lundag Eskaya Tribe Multipurpose Cooperative (LETMULCO) under German Busano; 25-member San Miguel Association Resource Team (SMART) under Samuel Ayenza; 63 household members of Concepcion Livelihood and Environmental Association Project (CLEAP) under Paul Gumanoy. 

The 74 member Ilaya Sustainable Farmers’ Association of Inabanga, Bohol Inc (ISFA)under Gilberto Socorin; the 293 member San Carlos Association for Rehabilitation of Environmental Denudation (SCARED) under Apolonio Avelino and the 71-households member of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa San Vicente Association (NMSVA) with Nicomedes Lusica. 

The FBS is an approach developed by International Potato Center (CIP) and involved 8 module course featuring participatory learning action process that had farmer POs joining farming value chains, explains Arma Bertuso of CIP-FOODSTART+ during a Business Launching held at the Island City Mall recently. 

Now, the government trained our members how to add value to camote, including business planning and marketing, SCARED’s Avelino said. 

From sweet potatoes, they now pack sweet potato chips at P30.00 per 100 grams, largely increasing camote’s market value ten times. 

“Our products from the FBS now include sweet potato beverage, sweet potato jam and sweet potato ketchup,” he enumerated. 

On the other side of town, Samuel Ayenza, SMART chairperson said “equipped with knowledge and skills learned from the FBS modules, we process our available root crops: sweet potatoes, taro, gabi and cassava into chips, muffins and cake.” 

At the headwaters of Wahig, in Pilar town, NMSV chairperson Nicomedes Lusica shared a different product. 

Aside from the root crops, residents looked at cacao-based enterprises, “because it has been customarily grown in the community as traditional source f food and income for farmers,” he shared during a post launch press conference held at Reynas Garden, in Tagbilaran City, July 28. 

Tableya da San Vicente is made from the finest cacao beans grown in our barangay san Vicente, the mixture of Brazilian and native varieties are slowly hand-roasted to give you that perfect chocolate blend Bohol is famous of, he explained. 

Here, in previously idle patches of abandoned kaingin farms, the community grown cacao trees while under them, they grow sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, ubi and palau, which again can be processed for increased market value and shelf life. 

In Inabanga, a community within the Wahig watershed, ISFA chairperson Gilberto Socorin agreed: more than the project’s objectives, INREMP to us means the development of our areas, and a promise of a quality of life we never thought we could get in this lifetime.” (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

Camote farmers in the INREMP areas in Bohol now find that processing the root crop adds value to the lowly product. Here, farmers display the value added camote products after they complete the 9 module Farmers Business School, which taught them products development and marketing. (rahc/PIA/-7Bohol ) 

Sidlak Kasilak hands Napo its 

3rd Sandugo streetdance win 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 30 (PIA)—In whirl and swirl of five minutes, Tribu Napo-anon of Loon depicted over 13 Bohol traditions and zoomed in on their own Birhen sa Kasilak and Sidlakasilak festival of lights to convince the judges to grant them this year’s Sandugo Streetdancing and Bangga sa Kabilin ug Kulturang Bol-anon championship crown; their third consecutive win in the last three years. 

Napo opened up with timed number with a dawn church scene, which opened to introduce the community devotion to the Birhen sa Kasilak, a mass, the prayerful devotion of luhod paingon sa altar which peaks at the fiesta sa Kasilak. 

Then the contingent breaks out for the dances, the community games of tug of war, sack race, palosebo, bunong braso, to pacifying a brawl and then the festival of lights procession ending in the feast, complete with original music and interspaced with brilliant choreography, flawless blocking and use of fitting props. 

And for the third year too, Julie Murcia and Jojo Lugo of Napo Loon contingent claimed their title as King and Queen of Boholano Kuradang, aided by a well-executed role as aging kuradang couple complete with a cane and hints of arthritic movements and an exit via two wheel chairs. 

This year, both also contributed largely to heap on their street dancing contingent the points they would need to defend their street dancing crown, which had students, and the old folks of Sitio Napo, Loon. 

Over all, for winning as grand champions this year, Napo bagged the P300,000 prize, plus another P30,000 for best in street-dancing, P10,000 for Production design and P5,000 for the kuradang pair to bring home at least P345,000 in prizes. 

First runner up this year is Tubigon, which focused on the kuradang even as they tried depicting a loosely sewn storyline for the lambay sa Tubigon, tabo, pista and the devotional prayer, to pagan dancing and kuradang offered to San Isidro Labrador and the procession. 

Tubigon, which employed a wide age range of participants had elementary kids to old students and young professionals in their dancing contingent kept a lively kuradang choreography, went home with the P250,000 prize. 

On the other hand, Dauis, which highlighted on their Panagat Festival came home with the second runner up and a minor award: best in Music. 

Dauis worked on the tales of the virgin of the Assumption, the piratical raids, a wedding traditions and the panagat in a well-choreographed routine to bag a total of P210,000 in prizes. 

This year is the third year that the Sandugo Foundation, now Isang Dugo Foundation decided to swing away from the usual Caribbean themed street dancing festivals which offer no significant hint of local culture, while enriching choreographers, commercial instrumentalists and training support by copying common and often non-indigenous culture rooted dance and music routines. 

While getting many critics for the allegedly less enticing kuradang, the foundation continued with the Kuradang routines as Sandugo theme and took off from the Subli: the Sandugo reenactment recently. 

This year, apart from the Holy Name University Diwanag dancers who did the Subli and was not among the competing contingents, 12 other groups joined the street dancing and Bagga sa Kabilin ug Kultura revelry. 

These were contingents from Balilihan, Baclayon, Bilar, Catigbian, Loboc, Garcia-Hernandez, Jagna, Sikatuna and Sierra Bullones. 

The streetdancing remains to be the most colorful and explosive highlight of the historic blood compact between Spanish captain Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Boholano chieftain Sikatuna in 1565. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

Jose Lugo and Juliet Murcia led Lumad napo-anon to its third consecutive crown as the Sandugo Kuradang Streetdancing champions. Lugo and Murcia played the roles of aging Kuradang dancers, and exited their performances by way of wheel chairs. (rahc/PAI-7/Bohol)