ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The tree planting dubbed "Piyesta sa Kakahuyan" spearheaded on Saturday by the provincial government of Iloilo at the Maasin, Iloilo watershed area is meant to be a symbolic activity of a bigger project undertaken in the province.

This was emphasized by Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. who called on Ilonggos to support the provincial government's overall reforestation program and its response to maintain water supply amid the threat of climate change and global warming.

Defensor, who initiated the project 16 years ago during his first stint as provincial governor, said the provincial government will sustain the tree planting activity to cover other watershed and forest areas in the province.

He said the efforts of the past 16 years have substantial results. Still, he said, the recurring problem of water insufficiency requires sustained and massive tree planting activities in critical areas.

The tree planting in Maasin on Saturday was participated in by national government offices, schools, civil society groups, the business community, and other sectors.

EPS-KLT Set September 20-23
CEBU CITY (PIA) – The Human Resource Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea), in cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will conduct another Employment Permit System-Korean Language Test (EPS-KLT) now called Employment Permit System-Test of Proficiency in Korean (EPS-TOPIK) is set from September 20 to 23, 2010.

Registration venues will be announced or posted at the POEA and DoLE websites. Only those who are registered with the POEA E-Registration System and included in the POEA Manpower Registry are qualified to register for the EPS-KLT (EPS-TOPIK).

Interested applicants for employment in Korea who are not registered with the POEA E-Registration System are advised to register online via www.poea.gov.ph.

Those who are presently registered and who have not yet taken or passed the EPS-KLT (EPS-TOPIK) and who are interested to pursue employment in Korea must have an active registration status in order to be included in the manpower pool for Korea.

Only those with active registration status as of September 19, 2010 are qualified to register for the EPS-KLT (EPS-TOPIK) which will be conducted on November 14, 2010.

Qualifications for EPS-KLT Registration for Korea must be between 18 years of age and not more than 38 years old on November 14, 2010 (those born between November 15, 1972 and November 15, 1992); must be physically and mentally fit; must not have any record of conviction or imprisonment for a heinous crime; must have no record of deportation or departure orders from the Republic of Korea; must not be restricted from departure from the Philippines and must be e-Registered with active status in the POEA Manpower Registry.

ESPH Emergency Patients to get Free Drugs
Borongan City (PIA) – Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital (ESPH) is now admitting patients to the emergency rooms with free medical needs.
Launched recently at the ESPH, the program "Go Aklan Para sa Kalusugan" aims to alleviate poor patients of their financial burdens as they submit for medical treatment.

Vice Mayor Gil Norman Germino, Provincial Focal Person for Health said that unlike in the past when emergency patients had to buy cotton balls, plasters, needles, gauze and even paracetamols, today, the program of Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr., will have the ESPH shouldering these basic needs. Nicart stressed however that patients will only get free drugs in the emergency rooms.