Visayas Newsbits for November 18, 2013.

SILLIMAN DONATES: DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) — Silliman University in this city has sent its first batch of donations of 13 tons of relief goods for typhoon-hit areas in Leyte and Samar to the Philippine Navy for shipment yesterday. It was brought to Cebu and endorsed with the Philippine Navy last Friday and was set to leave yesterday for Leyte and Samar for distribution to typhoon victims there. The first batch includes boxes and sacks of assorted food items including sardines, used clothing, and bottles of mineral water. Donations for the second batch for shipment Nov. 25 are urged.

MONITORING INTENSIFIED: MAASIN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Southern Leyte provincial government has intensified its peace and order monitoring in line with reports mentioned of a looting incident at Gaisano department store and an armed robbery incident in Sogod which prompted the provincial government to stay alert. Long queues at ATM outlets and gasoline stations have also been observed here due to the effects of typhoon Yolanda that spilled over the province. Governor Roger Mercado said daily meetings are conducted by the Provincial Incident Command System members since the typhoon struck to monitor the situation in the province.

RELIEF DISTRIBUTION: TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started distributing non-food items with Tacloban City initially last Saturday, Nov. 16. Secretary Corazon Soliman said 5,000 hygiene kits were distributed to evacuees at the Tacloban City Convention Center, the biggest of the 27 evacuation sites in the city. Tents and tarps are also being distributed with evacuation centers as first recipients to be followed soon by villages. As of 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 430, 435 food and rice packs, 46, 646 one-liter water and 84, 878 high-energy biscuits were distributed to typhoon-affected affected areas.

ESTANCIA AIDED: ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 6 (BFAR-6) has given aid to typhoon-affected fisherfolks in Estancia town here with BFAR-6 personnel delivering 10 sacks of relief goods for distribution to registered fisherfolks there. BFAR-6 has conducted damage assessment to island barangays in the town and also in Isla de Gigantes and Sicogon Island in Carles, another northern Iloilo town badly hit by typhoon Yolanda. Two generator sets for Isla de Gigantes and Sicogon Island have been turned over by BFAR-6 for use by fishermen associations there.

PRICE FREEZE: CEBU (PIA) — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) regional director Asteria Caberte said basic, prime goods in Bohol and Cebu provinces are still under price freeze status. These provinces were placed under a state of calamity due to the extent of damage from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda. Caberte said the price control is in effect for 60 days or until the state of calamity is lifted. A price freeze is automatically implemented as a preventive measure to thwart overpricing of basic goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread during times of calamities.