Issue No. 27, Sept. 29, 2005

Don't go near migratory birds, DA warns
As the seasonal migration of birds to the Philippines draws near, the Department of Agriculture (DA) have laid down measures to protect local shores from the threat of a bird flu pandemic in the country.

Oriental Negros Chief Quarantine Officer Dr. Alfonso Tundag of the DA here disclosed that they have intensified inspection of incoming shipment of animals and animal products for permits.

Quarantine officers have been deployed to keep check on incoming shipments at the Dumaguete and Sibulan ports.

"There have been instances when we confiscated shipments of smuggled goods like processed meat because there were no permits," says Tundag who added that confiscated goods are burned right away.

DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban has earlier issued an order strictly banning the importation of live chickens and other poultry products from avian-influenza or bird flu infected countries, like Malaysia.

The DA here is also keeping an eye on identified areas in the province where migratory birds tend to congregate, namely Tanay City, Bais City, parts of Amlan and Manjuyod.

Residents in the said areas are warned not to go near the migratory birds. Tundag said that in other countries with bird flu cases, most of the affected humans were poultry workers who come in contact with the animals.

He explained that migratory birds that are virus carriers do not exhibit noticeable symptoms. "But they shed the virus and quickly infect local birds," Tundag stressed.

He also advised residents in the said areas to fence in their chickens so it will not come in contact with droppings of the migratory birds, where the avian influenza virus may be transmitted, for the duration of the migratory season.

"Also, clean and disinfect poultry farms and surrounding areas," Tundag added.

Poultry owners are urged to immediately report to the DA or the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian if they spot unusual symptoms in their poultry.

Bird flu or the avian influenza is considered a zoonotic disease, or an animal disease that's transmissible to humans.

Migratory birds are expected to arrive in the country during the last quarter of each year. "This is the time when winter starts in the home countries of the migratory birds and they fly here to seek warmer climate, and go back when winter starts to clear up," explains Tundag.

Philippines, which Tundag said is now the only bird-flu free country in Southeast Asia, is particularly at risk to a real threat of a bird flu outbreak because of its location. According to Agriculture Secretary Panganiban, the country has close borders with avian influenza infected countries and it is in the path of migratory birds traveling from northern countries to escape the severe winter season.

Just recently, bird flu has claimed six lives in Indonesia, bringing to 65 the number of deaths caused by avian influenza in Southeast Asia since 2003.
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Ablong urges parents to inculcate values in kids
A high-ranking government official in Dumaguete City is reminding families to go back to the basics of values and spirituality in the midst of overwhelming "social realities that not only threaten the family bond but even shatter it."

City Vice Mayor William Ablong in yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA forum stressed that parents, now more than ever, should inculcate the values of self-discipline, self-sacrifice and abstinence among their children.

Ablong, who was one of the guests during the forum held to mark Family Week this month, cited global aging, massive poverty, global corruption, abortion, gambling and population as the realities that put the family at risk.

Because of poverty, parents are compelled to work abroad. Statistics show that 8 million Filipinos are currently working abroad and about 2,000 Filipinos are leaving the country daily. "And this exodus continues," warns Ablong.

He said the social cost of absentee parents is enormous, among which are neglected children and infidelity leading to broken families.

Ablong, a former provincial area coordinator of the Couples for Christ (CFC) and currently the CFC's Pro-Life Ministry Provincial Coordinator, also lamented the innovations in information technology, which although he admits has made information available "at the click of a finger," yet spawned opportunities for pornography, pedophilia and trafficking of women and children.

With the Internet readily accessible to young people, Ablong linked pornography to the commission of sexual offenses and child sex abuse. "This is a family issue because it destroys relationship and family values."

The vice mayor also downplayed reports of an overpopulation crisis in the country. "Contrary to the population explosion scare we warned of decades ago, the problem regarding population we face today is not of overpopulation but depopulation," he said.

He however urged the government to bring economic development to rural areas where the families tend to have more children.

Ablong has authored several "pro-life" ordinances in the city, including Ordinance No. 65 or the Anti-Indecency Ordinance and Ordinance No. 49 or the Anti-Tigbakay Ordinance.

In the same forum, Dr. Ma. Ava Vios, officer-in-charge at the City Health Office (CHO), said the CHO continues to provide health care services that will contribute to the family's well-being like safe motherhood, child care, prevention and control of infectious diseases, promotion of healthy lifestyle and basic curative services.
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Fishing operators, recruiters, gov't agencies ink MOA to stamp out child labor in OrNeg
Some 50 fishing operators, recruiters of paaling and kubkub, representatives of concerned government agencies and barangay officials in the province have forged to implement the labor laws effectively to eliminate child labor in the fishing industry.

The signing of memorandum of agreement was achieved as the Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7), Rodolfo Sabulao, made an appeal to the fishing sectors to reassess the condition of children working in hazardous situation during the Forum on Labor Inspection with Special Focus on Child Labor this week.

With this, Sabulao said the collaboration among the sectors has to put into action through the Time Bound Program of the government the enhanced labor inspection against child labor.

Recognizing the incidence of child labor even in the small-scale fishing industry in the province, Director Sabulao called on the group to assist the labor agency and give full support in the elimination if not reduction of the worst form of child labor in the fishing industry.

However, Jess Macasil, field coordination of ILO-IPEC, said Oriental Negros has already reduced to 132 households its number of children working in deep sea fishing from more than a thousand households before the anti-child labor program of ILO-IPEC implemented in year 2000.

Nevertheless, Macasil said this data is not conclusive since there are still parents who push their children below 18 years old to work and tamper their birth certificates.
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Join forces, Guv urges tourism stakeholders in OrNeg
Provincial Governor George P. Arnaiz has called on those in the private sector that engage in tourism to organize and help strengthen the tourism industry in the province.

Speaking before a gathering of some tourism stakeholders, the governors encouraged them to join forces not only to accelerate tourism development of the tourism industry but also give economic benefits in the province.

Arnaiz said the provincial government has allotted a big amount for tourism development and promotion and the stakeholders here would complement and not to compete.

As tourism in the province is gaining prominence in the national level, the governor is initiating many activities to sustain the momentum.

Likewise, Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Mae Abellana is also inviting all travel agencies; tour guides; sea, air and land transportation operators; hoteliers, porters, divers, masseurs, restaurants, beauty parlors, souvenir shops and others directly or indirectly involved in the industry to actively participate in the development efforts of the province to make the tourism industry stronger and more professional.

Governor Arnaiz said the provincial government is planning to pass a tourism ordinance setting up a tourism governing board which will be represented by sectoral tourism associations and tourism councils in the province. He then encouraged the tourism investors to give inputs for the finalization of the ordinance.
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TLDC holds training on pizza pie, sopao, buko pie making
The provincial government of Oriental Negros through the Technology and Livelihood Development Center will hold a training on how to make pizza pie, siopao and buko pie.

The training will be on September 30, 2005 (Friday), 8:00 a.m. at the TLDC Training Hall, Provincial Nursery Compound, Piapi, this city.

Registration fee is set at P150.00.

For more details, contact 422 9278.
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FOR ALL REPORTERS:

In view of the upcoming Southeast Asian Games on November 20 to December 5, 2005, the Bacolod SEA Games Organizing Committee (BaSOC) is inviting the Dumaguete media to cover the 9 SEAG events, which Bacolod City will host.

According to BaSOC Media Group Chairman Allen V. Del Carmen, the said events are men's football, men and women's boxing, men and women's indoor volleyball, men and women's beach volleyball, and men and women's weightlifting.

Del Carmen said that BaSOC will operate the SEAG Media Center at the Business Inn which will accommodate 350 international, national, regional and local sports journalists.

Ten accreditation forms are currently available at the PIA office for interested media practitioners. Reporters who wish to cover the said events are requested to fill out the forms and mail them immediately to BaSOC, Bacolod BAYS Center, San Juan Street, Bacolod City.

Del Carmen said the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, which will process and approve the applications, have set the deadline on October 10.
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Women, PWDs receive DOLE grants
Self-help groups from the towns of Enrique Villanueva and San Juan, Siquijor received grants from the government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Funded under the DOLE and Promotion for Rural Employment thru Self Employment and Entrepreneurship Development (PRESSED) program and the Tulong Alalay Alang sa Taong may Kapansanan (TULAY 2000), the Matinabangon Women's Association (MWA) of Enrique Villanueva and the Timbaon, Catulayan and Cangmunag Association of Differently-Abled Persons (TICCADAP) received one hundred thousand pesos (P100T) each for their livelihood projects.

The MWA is a Basic Ecclesial Community pilot organization registered thru the DOLE which has availed of the PRESSED Program in a form of a common facility grant for its Restaurant and Catering Services. It will be assisted and closely monitored by its Accredited Co-Partner (ACP), the Sta. Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative of the municipality.

The TICCADAP, on the other hand, is an organization of physically-challenged persons of the Poverty Free Zone (PFZ) in San Juan, also registered thru the DOLE and will be assisted and closely monitored by its ACP, the Timbaon Rural Improvement Club. The group has availed of the training grant and will be undertaking Comprehensive Training Cum-Production on Handmade Paper Development in September 2005.

The program is part of the government's effort to empower women and physically-challenged persons to make them socially and economically independent.

"These two rural workers associations hve gone a thorough evaluation of the provincial and regional staff of our office through project proposals and the capability of each member thru meetings and regular activities conducted by the organization based on their annual plans of action", DOLE Provincial Extension Officer Ma. Theresa Tanquiamco said.
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DOT holds Korean language training
In view of a big number of Korean tourists visiting the region, the Department of Tourism Region 7 in Cebu will hold a Korean language training starting October for workers in resorts, hotels, souvenir shops and other establishments catering to tourists.

The training aims to equip the workforce in the hospitality industry with the opportunity to understand and thus better serve Korean tourists, says DOT-7 Administrative Officer Red Gonzales.

Gonzales said that DOT will also hold a tourist handling training for transport and taxi drivers in the region. He explained that DOT has received various complaints on overcharging drivers and of misunderstanding between drivers and tourists due to the language barrier.
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DFA Cebu conducts two-day mobile passport service on Oct.8&9
Those who are interested to apply or renew their passport can avail of the two-day mobile passport service conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs Regional Consular Office VII during the International Immigration and Education Exposition on October 8 and 9, 2005 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

Applicants are advised to bring the following requirements:
1) For first time applicants:
* duly accomplished passport application form
* original birth certificate (BC) in Security Paper issued by the National
Statistics Office (NSO) or certified true copy and photocopy of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by the NSO
* any two documents (original and photocopies) indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship (i.e office ID, voter's affidavit, & NBI clearance)
* three copies of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm new photos (colored with plain white background) while photo should show applicant in decent attire
* personal appearance except when the applicant is eight years old and below, 65 years old and above and mentally or physically incapacitated.
* or married women, submit marriage contract in Security Paper issued by the NSO or certified true copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.

2) For passport Renewal
* duly accomplished passport application
* old passport to be submitted for cancellation
* photocopy of old passport
* three copies of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm new photos (colored with plain background)
* For minors - below 18 years old: personal appearance by either parent (NOTE: If minor is not traveling with parent, submit an original and photocopy of DSWD clearance and affidavit of support and consent. If both parents are abroad, such affidavit must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General) and original passport and photocopy of the passport of person traveling with the minor.
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Application forms are available at the DFA-7 booth provided by the Exposition or it can be obtained at the DFA-7 Office or via the DFA website: www.dfa.gov.ph. The two-day Exposition will start from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For regular processing which takes six working days, passport with 32 pages costs P500 and P600 for 64 pages while an expedited processing that takes two days only will entail an additional cost of P250 on top of the regular fee.

Fee for amendment of passport is P100 while replacement of lost valid passport is P700 for 32 pages and P800 for 64 pages.

For further inquiries, one may contact Ms. Merle Puruganan or Ms. Rutchel Canama of DFA-Regional Consular Office VII at tel. nos. 253-6798 or 256-3193. (PIA-7)

ISSUE NO. 26, SEPT. 22, 2005

Tamlang Valley chosen as beneficiary of hybrid corn program in Central Visayas
Among the corn producing areas in the 4 provinces of Central Visayas, the Department of Agriculture (DA) -Region 7 has chosen Tamlang Valley in Oriental Negros as the recipient of a subsidy program in line with the agriculture department's hybrid corn program.

Under the DA's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn Program, farmers in Tamlang Valley who plant corn, particularly hybrid corn, are given a subsidy worth P1,200.00 from the national government.

This started in the 1st cropping period of this year from April to June, wherein the corn farmers were also provided organic fertilizers aside from the subsidy, disclosed DA's Provincial Corn Coordinator Medardo Villalon.

For the second cropping period this year ranging from September to November , Villalon said the farmers will continue to receive the subsidy but instead of the fertilizer, corn farmers will be provided with the inoculant BIO-N. "Research shows that this inoculant can save from 30% to 80% of nitrogen requirement in one hectare of corn crop," says Villalon.

Tamlang Valley is a vast stretch of 10,000 hectares that was considered a no-man's land in the 1980's due to active rebel activities in the area.

Now a proposed zone of peace, the valley that is a common boundary of the municipalities of Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Valencia and Sibulan, is under the control and supervision of the provincial government.

The provincial government has already poured in more than P20M worth of socio-economic development projects in the area, says Provincial Information Officer Oliver Lemence.

He said projects such as infrastructure, road rehabilitation, opening of roads, energization, irrigation and agro-forestry are currently being implemented in Tamlang Valley "with the aim of developing this area as the food basket of Oriental Negros."

According to Francisco L. Sopsop of DA-7 in Cebu, the department is eyeing Tamlang Valley to become a major commercial corn production in the province.

Oriental Negros has a total of 51,414 hectares of corn plantation producing traditional and hybrid corn varieties.

Areas where hybrid corn is being planted in addition to the traditional corn variety are in Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, parts of Siaton, Mabinay and Bindoy, says Villalon.

The provincial corn coordinator added that majority of the corn farmers in the province are subsistence farmers (those who plant for their own consumption) rather than market-oriented farmers.

The national government has been encouraging farmers nationwide to plant high-yielding variety of corn, which has been reported to be a better source of ethanol.

The substance ethanol can be burned as fuel and is used in industries and medicines. It is also the intoxicating agent in whiskey, wine, beer and other fermented or distilled liquors.

Unlike sugar cane that produces only 22.14 gallons of ethanol per metric ton, corn produces the highest yield pegged at 109 gallons of ethanol per metric ton.
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New events added to this year's Rodeo competition
It's going to be three days packed with fun, danger and excitement during the Buglasan Rodeo and Horseshow Competition from October 14 to 16, 2005 at the Perdices Coliseum, Dumaguete City.

Now on its third year to be held simultaneously with the Buglasan Festival of Festivals celebration, this year's Rodeo, however is uniquely different from the previous years.

According to Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia in yesterday's Kapihan forum, a Kiddie Carambola has been added in this year's Rodeo.

"Children from 10 to 12 years old will show off their cowboy skills like pagpatumba sa baka during the 4-person and 2-person kiddie carambolas," says Mutia.

For an entrance fee of P5.00 each day, the audience can watch rodeo events and get the chance to win special items to be raffled for the audience while children can ride horses especially hired for the three-day affair.

Bronco riding is also an added event this year, wherein participants will restrain wild, untamed horses. "This is similar to bull riding only that in this event, the horses haven't been ridden yet, fresh from the ranch," says Mutia.

The provincial veterinary officer is, however, quick to assure the safety of the participating cowboy teams as all measures have been implemented to minimize the risks during the competition. "We only allow certified players who are already skilled in rodeo events. There is also a standby medical team in case of emergencies," he said.

A total of 15 teams coming from Visayas and Mindanao will participate in this year's rodeo competition, with teams coming from as far as Marawi City.

Oriental Negros is the only province in Central Visayas that holds a rodeo event each year and because of this, cowboy teams from other provinces come in droves. "I had to turn down five teams this year because we can only accommodate 15 teams. I had a hard time turning down teams interested in joining our competitions," Mutia relates.

He adds that Oriental Negros is also the only province in the country with a considerable number of ranches.

In the same forum, City Veterinary Officer Dr. Lourdes Socorro disclosed that the events in the rodeo competitions are conducted in accordance with animal safety provisions under the Animal Welfare Act.

"In these events, the animals are not hurt. We only show how to restrain the animals," she said.

The Buglasan Rodeo & Horseshow Competition will open on Oct. 14 with a Street Parade at 7:30 a.m.

Events during the competition include lassoing on foot, whip cracking, calf wrestling, casting down of large animals, Ms. Buglasan Rodeo 2005, tartanilla and carabao race, cowboys songs singing and square dance contest, lassoing on horseback, load carrying relay and cock carambola.
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Dumaguete City as Motorocycle Capital of the Philippines
Here in Dumaguete City, you will see motorcycles everywhere.

Of the 29,000 motorcycles registered at the Land Transportation Office, a big percentage can be found in the city, the Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines!

As reported by Zapphire Zamudio of the Kabataan News Network-Dumaguete Bureau, teens are into motorcycles as well; three out of 10 teenagers in Dumaguete ride motorcycles.

Most teens say, they are using motorcycles because it provides a faster and easier way of transportation, and some use it in going to school because it's more convenient and saves time and money.

Unfortunately, many of them meet accidents. From 2002 to 2004, it is estimated that an average of three teenagers per month get into motorcycle accidents here in Dumaguete.

Zamudio warns young people to be extra careful in order to avoid accidents. "They should follow traffic rules, use mufflers, headlights and helmets for their safety."

Being known as Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines, the Provincial Tourism Council will establish the longest and largest motorcycle parade as an entry for the Guiness Book of World Records.

The Motorada is one of the significant events of the Buglasan Festival celebration slated on Oct. 16.

Owner-driven motorcycles in the province are encouraged to join the Buglasan Motorada and register their motorcycles at all PNP stations.
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CFO launches stamp design competition
In line with the Centennial Celebration of Filipino Migration to Hawaii this year, all students and professionals are encouraged to join in the Hawaii Centennial Commemorative Stamps Design Competition.

The competition marks a series of activities from December 2005 to December 2006 celebrating 100 years of friendship with the island-state of Hawaii.

With the theme "100 Years: The Filipino Legacy in Hawaii," the competition is open to students and professionals and hopes to bring together the best and brightest Filipino artists, designers, illustrators and students in interpreting 100 years of fruitful Philippine engagement with the United States' 50th state.

The entries or artwork design must interpret the theme using any one of the following: crayons, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, charcoal pen and ink or oil. Computer-generated artworks will not be allowed.

Winners have a chance to win P25,000, P20,000 and P15,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively, under the Professional Category.

Winner under the Student Category will receive P10,000, P7,000 and P5,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively.

Winning designs from both categories will be used for the Hawaii centennial commemorative stamps to be issued and circulated by the Philpost in 2006.

For inquiries, please contact Atty. Golda Myra Roma and Mr. Rino Paez at tel. nos. 5618321 locals 600 and 604 or browse online at www.cfo.gov.ph, www.ncca.gov.ph, and www.philpost.gov.ph.

The said competition is launched nationwide by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost).
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Manpower spells mediocrity and excellence in business, says TESDA
The Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here is urging local government units and the private sector co-manage the TESDA training center for a competitive and skilled workforce.

Mr. Ulpianito Atienza Jr. of TESDA here said that businesses and LGUs should be able to identify their manpower skills priorities as a first step in developing their workforce.
By co-managing the TESDA training center, a pool of manpower based on the employer's sector needs will be produced. "The output of the training center will be utilized by the private or the LGU sector," says Atienza.

According to TESDA Region 7 Director Ernesto Beltran, a company's manpower or work force is still the "critical factor that spells the difference between mediocrity and excellence in business."

Beltran was speaking during the opening ceremonies of the 4th Pursuit of Excellence Sharing Rally 2005 held in Lapulapu City recently.

In his message, Beltran said, even with the rapid growth and development of technology today, "people are still our best bet for excellence."

He added that manpower development must include continuing education and skills training program whose methods of education and apprenticeship must be designed to address the holistic development of skills, personality and character as well as preparing the individual for lifelong learning through building the necessary mental tools, technical and entrepreneurial skills.

With globalization, trade and commerce pose vast opportunities and countless challenges. Local business cannot afford to be complacent. The landscape of business in the country today has changed tremendously that the pursuit of excellence is no longer an individual effort but more of a collaborative act between management and manpower, Beltran went on.

According to him, with borderless commerce, companies would have to innovate to excel to keep their competitive advantage, or they would stagnate and perish. Betran concluded that TESDA recognizes the urgency of being attuned to the developments in the global and local business environment, however, the issues of poverty and improving the quality of life of Filipinos are always the end-results of business and economic growth.
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Oriental Negros hosts 23rd provincial Girl Scouts encampment
Nearly 1,000 Girl Scouts delegates from the provinces Oriental Negros and Siquijor are expected to join in the 23rd Provincial Junior, Senior, Cadet Encampment at Camp Lily Gamo, Sibulan, Oriental Negros.

According to local Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Executive Officer Rosario Rosales, the encampment will start from September 23 until September 25 with the theme: "GSP at 65: Responding to the Needs of the Times."

During the three-day encampment, delegates will take part in several activities geared towards responding to the challenge of economic self-sufficiency, family life, environment and emergency preparedness.

Rosales said the Opening Ceremonies on Sept. 23 will be graced by Negros Oriental State University President Dr. Henry A. Sojor, Provincial Governor George P. Arnaiz, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices, Sibulan Mayor Antonio D. Renacia, Lo-oc Brgy. Captain Cerefino Gravador in Sibulan and GSP Oriental Negros-Siquijor Council President Atty. Luisa Villegas.

The ceremonies will be highlighted by the lighting of the urn by City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Carmelita T. Dulangon and Dr. Ma. Milagros Velez.

Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Aleli Abne, on the other hand, will declare the opening of the encampment.
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TLDC holds training session on banana, tomato catsup and dish sauces
The Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) is offering another training course, this time on "Banana, Tomato Catsup and Dish Sauces" on Sept. 23, 2005.

According to TLDC Manager Dr. Rodrigo T. Labe, the training will include how to make banana and tomato catsups, remolad or tartar dressing, thousand island dressing and siomai sauce.

The training will start 8:00 a.m. at the TLDC Training Hall, Provincial Nursery Compound, Piapi, this city.

Registration is set at P150 per participant.

For reservations and inquiries, interested participants can call 422-9278.
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2005 Visayas Invention Contest is on

The Department of Science and Technology 7 - Technology Application Promotion Institute (DOST 7-TAPI) and the Visayas Inventors Association are pleased to announce that the CY 2005 Visayas Invention Contest is on.

The contest has five different categories namely: Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Model, Outstanding Industrial Design, Outstanding Creative Research (Likha Award) and the Outstanding Student Creative Research (Sibol Award).

The Visayas Invention Contest is part of this year's Visayas Island Invention Exhibit (Fair) Festival that will be held from October 21-23, 2005 at SM City Cebu, Atrium BC, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.

The contest is a pre-qualifying phase, as winners will compete in the National Invention Contest in Manila during the celebration of the Inventors Week from November 17-21, 2005 at the Philippine Trade and Training Center.

Forms for the Visayas Invention Contest on the different categories and the rules and criteria are available at DOST-7 Regional Office. These contest papers may also be downloaded at (http//:www.ro7.dost.gov.ph) or reproduced as needed.

Deadline for duly accomplished entry forms and other requirements must be submitted to the DOST-7 on or before October 7, 2005. For further details and other information, please call DOST-7 and look for Sam or Bebe at tel. nos. 232-8632 or 232-8634. (PIA-7)
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DOH keeps tight dengue watch
LGUs pool efforts to combat the disease

Health authorities and medical personnel in Siquijor are, up to now, implementing tough measures against dengue as cases still continue to soar.

The virus that has killed lives has also been the focus of the different local government units in the province for it to put into a halt.

Massive information drives and clean-ups, school-to-school campaigns and purchasing of medicines and larvicides through calamity funds and medical allowances were done by the different towns headed by the local chief executives.

In Larena, having the most number of cases and with three deaths reported, an epidemiological and entomological investigation to barangays hard hit with the disease was done while a resource person from Dumagute City is, on the other hand, invited to talk on dengue this month of September.

Siquijor town which comes close second by number of cases has meanwhile sought IPHO's technical assistance in the impregnation of mosquito nests and curtains to the different schools.

The activity has been made available to teachers, school children and to the different communities. Fogging machine and chemicals were procured for fogging activities.

In light to these continuous efforts, the Provincial Government through Governor Orlando Fua has released funds to purchase larvicides such as Resigen for impregnation and Abate for treating swamps, ponds, lakes and any breeding places of mosquitoes. Also it purchased medicines, fluids and laboratory supplies for platelet and hematocrit counts.

The IPHO, on the other hand, provides technical assistance to the different LGUs in impregnation activities, information drives and fogging activities.
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Larena is green banner awardee
The local government unit of Larena is one of the recipients of the 2004 Municipal Nutrition Green Banner Award.

The award was given during the 2005 Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony at the Casino Espanol de Cebu, Cebu recently. Mayor Gold Calibo and Mr. George Arcaya, Nutrition Action Officer attended the ceremony.

In Region 7, there are only three winners of the 2004 Green Banner Award namely: Larena in Siquijor Province and Trinidad in Bohol as Provincial Winners while Pamplona in Negros Orinetal as Regional Winner.

The evaluation was anchored on the performance implementation of nutrition program/projects including budget; monthly monitoring of weights of pre-school children by barangay Nutrition Scholars and then presence of Municipal Plan of Action for Nutrition.

In 2004, total malnourished pre-school totaled 223 with 48 being rehabilitated.

As of June 30, 2005 the Municipal Nutrition Council has identified 173 malnourished children has rehabilitated 14. These malnourished children were given supplemental dry feeding (milk) and their parents were distributed vegetable seeds for backyard gardening.

Meanwhile, in observance of the Municipal Nutrition Month, the municipality of Larena Nutrition Council has conducted information campaign to 23 barangays. It culminated its Nutrition Month celebration in Bintangan on July 27.

The activities highlighting the celebration were: physical examination of malnourished children in Basac, Bintangan, Calunasan and Canlasog conducted by Dr. Susan Jojie O. Villa and distribution of Certificate of Appreciation to parents of 14 rehabilitated children coming from barangays Nonoc., Basac, Canlasog, Canlambo, South Poblacion, North Poblacion, Cang-apa and Catamboan.

Dental examination was, on the other hand, done to all preschoolers in the municipality.
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INFOBYTES, Issue No. 25, Sept. 15, 2005

Cerebral palsy is a human rights issue, not a welfare issue
The may walk, talk and act differently, but children stricken with cerebral palsy have rights just like everybody else.

In yesterday’s Kapihan forum held to mark the National Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week, Anna Lou Suan, project director of the Great Physician (GP) Rehabilitation Foundation Inc., urged the community to treat cerebral palsy not as a welfare issue but a human rights issue.

They have the right to go to school, play with other children and later on find employment, says Suan.

Cerebral palsy, a movement and posture disorder usually acquired during birth or childhood, develops as the child fails to get sufficient oxygen to the brain minutes after birth, explains Dr. Elminda Oracion, a pediatrist at the Holy Child Hospital.

The cause of cerebral palsy among newborns has not yet been determined but Dr. Oracion said the condition is closely associated with premature births, low birth weight, severe asphyxia during birth and alcohol use or smoking during pregnancy, among others.

Cerebral palsy is also acquired as a result of head injury during the child’s first two months to five years.

The Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines (CPAP) estimates around 3.5 per 1,000 live births in the country are affected with cerebral palsy.

Worldwide incidence of the said disorder started to increase in the 1970’s and by 1979, global incidence has been reported ranging from 1 to 5.9 per 1,000 live births, according to CPAP’s website.

Suan said cerebral palsy requires lifetime rehabilitation services, but most children with the said disability are unable to go through with their rehabilitation due to financial constraints. “Disability is relative to poverty and most cerebral palsy patients are poor,” she said.

Currently 40 children coming from Bacong, Sibulan, Valencia and Tayasan are under the care of the GP Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. “Of the 40, 50 percent of our kids have cerebral palsy,” said Suan.

Suan said the Department of Health’s survey has earlier recorded around 148 children with disabilities in Dumaguete City but Suan said there are still more out there.

GP Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. is a children’s rehabilitation project in Dumaguete City offering free services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and special education for children with intellectual and physical disabilities.

“We also send them to school and place them in inclusive settings such as regular schools,” says Suan who stressed that children with the said disorder should not turn out as dependents of government and society.

“The community needs to focus on their strengths and not on their weaknesses,” Suan added.

According to Dr. Lynn Larena-Olegario, a physiatrist at the Silliman University Medical Center, not all cerebral palsy-afflicted people are mentally retarded contrary to popular belief. “This is a bad impression as only a small percentage of them are mentally retarded. Most of them are educable and trainable.”

However Dr. Olegario noted a significant improvement in the local community’s attitude towards cerebral palsy.

Whereas parents used to be ashamed of their child’s condition and hide them, Dr. Olegario pointed out that most parents now are aware that cerebral palsy is not something to be embarrassed about.

“Parents who notice abnormal symptoms in their kids now consult a doctor right away,” she said.

Dr. Oracion advised parents to seek professional health care soon as they detect cerebral palsy symptoms in newborn infants.

Physical symptoms include poor head control, stiff or rigid arms or legs, pushing away or aching the back or floppy or limp posture and inability to sit up without support while behavioral problems may appear as extreme irritability, failure to smile by three months, feeding difficulties, persistent gagging or choking when fed after six months of age.

Pres. Arroyo has signed in 2004 Proclamation N0. 588 declaring Sept. 16 to 22 as Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week to raise public awareness on the causes, early detection and prompt and appropriate intervention on the cerebral palsy.
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Province’s campaign vs. illegal cutting of trees 80% successful
A top environment official in the province rates the campaign against illegal cutting of trees in Oriental Negros as 80 percent successful.

Mr. Chamberlain Babiera, Protected Areas Superintendent at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, said he has noticed a reduction on illegal cutting activities in the province.

He disclosed that reporting from citizens on illegal cutting activities has increased, leading to apprehensions of perpetrators.

“Although I can’t quantify it because DENR as of now lacks a monitoring system but based on the feedback I received, our campaign has created an impact and taken effect,” says Babiera.

Cutting of trees in Oriental Negros is not rampant within natural forest areas as the natural forest cover in the province is dwindling, but instead it occurs within planted areas.

From January to Agust this year, a total of 112.7822 cubic meters of lumber/slitshes, keel, banka and charcoal were confiscated while 9 units of illegal conveyance or transporting of logs without permit were apprehended by Task Force Oriente, disclosed Forester Sabina Silva of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO 2).

Task Force Oriente was created this year following a directive from Environment Secretary Mike Defensor to intensify anti-illegal logging activities.
The Angat Watershed Area Team last recently scored a minor victory in the campaign against illegal timber poaching within the 63,000-hectare Angat Dam protected area by confiscating about P500,000 worth of illegally-cut lumber.

Babiera said in Oriental Negros,the task force is composed of members from the Maritime Police, PENRO and CENRO 1 and 2.

Mobile checkpoints, which have earlier been established in Sibulan, Mabinay and Vallehermoso, are ongoing right now provincewide to monitor illegal cutting activities.

The task force is also exerting efforts to stop the illegal trade of marine products such as turtles. “We have received reports that this exists here, particularly in the coastal areas of Siaton, and we are now coordinating with the Maritime Police for this,” says Babiera.

The environment officers are urging the citizens to immediately report any illegal trade or capture of marine products such as turtles or pawikan.
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GTZ holds 1st ecosan training in Bohol
The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) will conduct the 1st ecosan Training on Low-Cost Sanitation for Rural Areas in the Philippines on Sept. 14 to 16, 2005 at Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Ecological sanitation or ecosan is a sustainable and alternative approach to conventional wastewater treatment that utilizes low cost technologies, which aims to protect the country’s limited ground water resources as well as improve sanitation and health of the population.

Invited participants to the training are local chief executives and identified local implementers on ecosan such as agriculture officers, community organizers, sanitary inspectors and health officers.

Local partners to the project include the Bohol Provincial Government and Feed the Children Philippines, Inc.

The training, conducted through the Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Management Program, aims to provide participants an overview of the ecosan philosophy, promote ecosan on the household level and formulate strategies and solutions needed for its sustainable implementation.

Ecosan is one of the major components of the GTZ Water program which is now being implemented in two pilot sites in Bohol showcasing urine diversion toilets as a new low cost sanitation technology.

A similar activity is also being planned in Bayawan City, this province.
GTZ Rural Water Supply and Wastewater Management Program was established in 1998 with the aim to develop and implement strategies for sustainable water supply and sanitation as well as to protect and manage water resources in selected areas in the Philippines.
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TLDC holds training on Squash Based Recipe
The Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) in the province will hold a one-day training on Squash Based Recipe- Module 2 on Sept. 16, 2005 at the TLDC Training Hall, Provincial Nursery Compound, Piapi, this city.

This is a follow-up activity on the earlier training on Squash-Based Recipe Module 1 held Sept. 9.

Dr. Rodrigo T. Labe, TLDC manager, is inviting the community to participate in the training which aims to teach participants how to prepare Squash Bukayo, Squash Cutchinta, Squash Flan and Squash Maja.

Registration fee is set at P150.00 per participant.

For reservations, interested participants can call up 422-9278.
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DOLE-7: Unemployment rate in CV decreases
Central Visayas' local economy still faces an optimistic future in spite of the economic and political situation as the unemployment rate in the region decreases from 14 percent in the first quarter to 8.3 percent in the second quarter, this year.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) regional director Atty. Rodolfo Sabulao attributed the decline in the unemployment rate to their office's aggressive efforts in initiating jobs fair in partnership with local government units and the business sector.

A total of 25 local and overseas jobs fair have been conducted this year.

Of the 2.5M labor force in Central Visayas, only 209, 000 are unemployed in the second quarter or about 8.3 percent while the first quarter witnessed 350,000 jobless representing 14 percent, this was said.

Sabulao said that they are planning to hold another local jobs fair next week in the municipality of Tuburan, Cebu. We are trying to see what skills the folks of Tuburan have to offer so we can match these with the appropriate recruitment agencies that will be present for the on-the-job interviews with prospective applicants, Sabulao added.

The series of job fairs are concluded to accomplish the target set by the national administration to generate employment of 10M until the year 2010.

Another determining factor to the decreasing number of unemployed in the region is the continuing pour of investments with the electronics sector recruiting the highest number of workforce followed by call centers. Electronic products on the other hand, led the expansion in merchandise exports earnings with a 14.2 percent growth after a 4.7 percent decline last month, according to the data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The DOLE-7 official said that with the relatively stable industrial peace, the region's business climate is more attractive to investors making it an ideal investment haven.

Sabulao meanwhile announced that their office has a special project that offers livelihood assistance to depressed barangays that can be availed through a group of at least 25 people. Through this special project, women's organizations from three depressed barangays in San Juan, Siquijor involved in cow fattening have benefited from the financial aid. The DOLE-7 has granted around P1.2M to these women's groups since 2002. (PIA-7)
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PRC accepts registration from teachers without exam

The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) is now accepting applications for registration without examination from teachers previously granted eligibility by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) pursuant to RA No. 9293.

Under the new law which amended certain sections of RA 7836 otherwise known as The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994 sponsored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan paved the way for the reopening of teachers registration under the exempt category.

The exempt category is now limited to a qualified applicant who is: a) a holder of a certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by the CSC and the Dep Ed b) a registered professional teacher with the National Board for Teachers under the Dep Ed pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1006.

Interested teachers are advised to file their application at the PRC regional Offices while application form is free. In Central Visayas, the PRC-7 Office is located at V. Rama St., Guadalupe, Cebu City with tel. no. 255-7396. (PIA-7)
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PSTC announces 6th PCIERD reg’l, nat’l S&T fora and competitions
The Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development Council (PCIERD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announces the 6th PCIERD Regional and National Science and Technology Fora and Competitions in Industry and Energy Research and Development.

The competition is open to all Filipino citizens who are researchers, engineers and scientists from the universities and colleges, government and private R&D institutions and private industries involved in R&D work in the industry and energy sectors.

Patented, transferred/commercialized R&D projects are eligible. R&D projects that are recipients of earlier awards/recognition from DOST and its agencies are not eligible. Results of R&D shall remain the property of the principal investigators and/or the funding agency/ies.

Only R&D projects completed during the past five years are eligible for submission as entries by the principal researcher should be provided. Also, the principal researcher must acknowledge his/her co-researcher, if there is any.

The principal researcher of the R&D project must directly submit to PCIERD using the prescribe format. Submission of entries is limited to two per researcher. Entries should be endorsed by his/her agency or the funding agency and should be duly notarized.

PCIED will conduct the preliminary screening to select the qualifying entries in each cluster. Luzon NCR and Visayas-Mindanao. PCIERD decision is unappealable.

Qualifying entries will be presented to the Board of Judges by the principal researcher, or in their absence, by their co-researcher.

The industry and energy research should fall under any of the following sectoral areas: Chemicals; Construction; Disaster Mitigation; Energy; Environment; Food and Feed; Metals and Engineering; Mining and Minerals; Textile and Transportation.

Criteria for judging are Socio-economic opportunities, 35%; Adaptibility/utilization and replicability, 30%; contribution to the Advancement of S&T, 25%; and presentation and documentation, 10%.

Prizes at stake for regional level are 125,000 plus plaque for first prize; 100,000 plus plaque for second prize; and 75,000 plus plaque for third prize. For national level, first prize is 250,000 plus trophy; second, 200,000 plus trophy; and third, 150,000 plus trophy.

All qualified entries will be given a certificate of recognition and a cash incentive of P5,000 each on top of the chance to win any of the above-mentioned prizes. Those coming from the outside the National Capital Region will also be given transportation allowance.

Transportation and accommodation expenses of the qualifiers outside National Capital Region will be provided by PCIERD.

Winners in the National S&T competition will be awarded on the PCIERD 24th anniversary on March 16, 2006.

Deadline for submission of entries is on November 30, 2005. Entries should be submitted to the: Chair, PCIERD Steering, Committee, 6th Regional and National Competitions in Industry and Energy Research, 3rd Floor, DOST Main Bldg., Science Community Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.

For on-line submission, please visit www.pcierd.dost.gov.ph

Inquiries can be made through telephone numbers (02) 8372926, (02) 8372935, (02)8376154 (trunk lines) (02) 8372071-82, local nos. 2120 & 2121, and Fax. No. (02) 8372925 or e-mail address. pcierd@dost.gov.ph
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A Glimpse of Pajermo's Furniture Shop
Wooden furniture manufacturing in Siquijor province started many years ago with a conventional chair made of molave as the major product line. So whenever one sees molave chair or other furniture products made of this hard, heavy premium specie lumber – the molave, the usual connotation that would likely come to the mind is the “Siquijor made” furniture which naturally lasts for lifetime because of its durability and craftsmanship.

Furniture manufacturing Industry in Siquijor has actually developed as time goes on. The wooden furniture sector is considered as one of the leaders in manufacturing industry and continues to be one up to the present. From simple and ordinary furniture items, intricately-designed, internationally designed and/or custom-built furniture items are being produced and exhibited in selected strategically located furniture show centers in the municipalities of Larena and Siquijor.

However, it is unfortunate enough to note that these kinds of furniture products are made by the very few furniture makers from within the island. Still majority of the furniture shops remain to be traditional with outdated equipment and tools, and giving the workers little space for skills development. Maybe because of the same reason, skilled furniture makers are taking their chances of getting greater income in other places outside the province.

Constraints and weaknesses are always present in the furniture industry. In the firm level perspective, Pajermo Furniture Shop is confronting the same, but addressing them one at a time will surely make Pajermo a fine-tuned business enterprise so to say. This is what Pajermo Furniture believes.

Mr. Roberto S. Pajermo, owner and proprietor of Pajermo Furniture Shop in Cang-bagsa, Larena, Siquijor faces the various challenges in running his furniture manufacturing business. Unlike others, he accepts criticisms and never left them behind.

On the aspect of manpower, Pajermo makes it a point to attend any technology trainings or sent any from his workers when he’s not available. FPRDI-DOST (Forest Product Research and Development Institute – Department of Science and Technology) initiated technology trainings, seminars and forum conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC) in cooperation with the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor are some of these activities he attended. In his effort to learn and get some information purposively intended for the development of his own firm, he was rewarded indeed.

At the start, he came across information about the different developmental programs of the DOST. The Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) was one he’s interested most and makes some inquiries. PSTC-Siquijor provided him all information regarding the SETUP program. DOST 7 thru PSTC-Siquijor and the Pajermo Furniture finally arrived at common understanding – the development of the furniture and handicraft industry in Siquijor.

A project proposal entitled “ Upgrading of Furniture Finishing Capabilities of Pajermo Furniture” was prepared and endorsed to DOST-SETUP for financial assistance.

In September 25, 2004, Pajermo Furniture received the SETUP financial assistance for the purchase of technology needed particularly for purpose of upgrading.

Now, it is almost a year since Pajermo received the DOST-SETUP assistance – the financial and technical interventions which translated its efforts into something that he can be proud of. How is Pajermo Furniture at present?

On the production volume, Pajermo Furniture has almost doubled its production volume on wooden furniture items of various designs and sizes.

Aside from this, Pajermo has been producing novelty items from out of woodcuts and wastes from furniture processing.

All of these furniture items are of good quality and durability being handcrafted and finished by well-trained furniture makers.

On the measure of how many workers does Pajermo already employ in his shop, aside from the regular, direct shop workers of 10, for the month of July 2005, Pajermo Furniture hired three (3) furniture makers and four (4) polishers on contractual bases for a period of two weeks (14 days); or generated an additional employment of 5 man-months.

With regards to sales performance, Pajermo Furniture Shop has attained total gross sales of Ph P 165,180.00 and Ph P 172,500.00 for the first and second quarters of this year, respectively; and for the month of July 2005, Pajermo reached an increase of more than 25% on its gross sales (Ph P 216,817.00).

Before SETUP Interventions, Pajermo’s quarterly gross sale was Ph P 122,140.00.

On product promotion, Pajermo has been a constant participant to trade fairs. In fact, Pajermo was one of the major product exhibitors from the Visayas regions to the national Trade Fair in Manila last March of this year.

This year, again, Pajermo will be joining the “ Halad Siquijodnon Fair 2005” in September 15-17 and not to miss, the DOST-SETUP Market-Market in Manila and Cebu City in November and December, respectively.

Pajermo Furniture, being considerably more efficient in its furniture production using the newly acquired power tools and other furniture finishing equipment, and adopting most appropriate furniture processing technologies, manufactures different kinds of quality furniture items, increases its regular production volume and sales, expands its market, continues to go up high but never forgets the Department of Science and Technology - instrumental to all its achievements.

INFOBYTES, Issue No. 24, Sept. 8, 2005

Oriental Negros holds one of the lowest crime rates in Region 7

Oriental Negrenses are basking in what a top police official describes as an "atmosphere of peace and tranquility" in the province that has been identified to hold the second to the lowest crime rate in the region this year.

With an average monthly crime rate of 8.27%, Oriental Negros has been cited in a recent Regional Peace and Order Council meeting as one of the localities enjoying the low crime rate, disclosed P/Supt. Orlando Walat, deputy provincial director of the Provincial Police Office here, in a Kapihan forum yesterday.

Statistics presented during the Region 7 Peace and Order Council meeting held August 19 in Dumaguete City show that Cebu City holds the highest recorded incidents, followed by Cebu province and Bohol.

Based on records from the Provincial Police Office here, a total of 745 crimes were recorded in Oriental Negros from January to August this year, of which 479 are classified as index crimes and 266 as non-index crimes.

Crimes against person ranked highest among crime incidents reported with 163, followed by murder, 108; homicide, 52; and rape, 31.

Some 40 street crimes were reported in the same period of which 43% were theft or snatching incidents and 35% were illegal drug activities.

The provincial police force has been persistent with the conduct of its anti-crime activities from January to August this year, during which Police Community Precincts were put up in various strategic barangays in the province.

Walat added that a Community Police Action Center (COMPACT) was also established. "This allows the policeman to stay outside of the police station and take post in places accessible to people to attend to petty crimes and serve the public most hours of the day and night," he said.

The national government has also come up with a strategy to firm up anti-crime efforts in the barangay level with the creation of the expanded barangay peace and order council (EBPOC).

Jofralito Lorico, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here, in the same forum said the EBPOC will consolidate the various anti-crime bodies in the barangay such as the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Brgy. Intelligence Network and Brgy. Against Narcotics Abusers and Traffickers.

Meanwhile, speaking in the same forum held in celebration of National Crime Prevention and Control Week, Dumaguete City Police Chief Insp. Manuel Hidalgo urged residents in the city to be cautious against making themselves vulnerable to crime.

"Sometimes we give snatchers the opportunity, like using our cellphones while walking on the street or counting money out in the open," says Hidalgo.

The city police chief however assured that Dumaguete City is safe with "no organized crimes or syndicated crime groups."

Records show that Dumaguete City ranks fifth in the top ten crime-prone localities in the province with an average monthly crime rate of 15.88%.

The full list of the top ten crime-prone areas here based on the average monthly crime for the first eight months this year are Jimalalud (24.89%), Valencia (20.67%), Bacong (17.81%), Zamboanguita (16.73%), Dumaguete City (15.88%), Amlan (13.94%), La Libertad (10.24%), Ayungon (9.99%), San Jose (9.71%) and Basay (9.69%).
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CSC exam on October 16 will be held in Dumaguete

Civil service examinees in Oriental Negros and Siquijor no longer need to travel to Cebu to take the Career Service Examinations.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Negros Oriental Field Office recently announced that they will conduct the Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional tests in Dumaguete City on October 16, 2005 for examinees from Oriental Negros and Siquijor provinces.

This developed following numerous requests from examinees in Oriental Negros and Siquijor provinces, said local CSC OIC-Supervising Personnel Specialist Prolaine de la Calzada.

For the past years, examinees from Bohol, Siquijor and Oriental Negros had to travel to Cebu City where the CSC testing center for the Career Service Examinations is located.

The conduct of the said exam in Dumaguete City is still at a "testing" stage, and if everything goes well, then "hopefully we can make it permanent," says De la Calzada.

Deadline for examination applications is set on September 16, 2005.

De la Calzada is urging prospective applicants to grab the chance to maximize the opportunity of taking the career service examination in the city "because the next scheduled examination may not be here in our locality."

Meanwhile, a house bill has been filed seeking to criminalize cheating in civil service examinations.

House Bill 4435, authored principally by Rep. Henedina Abad of the lone district in Batanes seeks to impose six (6) to twelve (12) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than P50,000 to violators.

Abad said cheating refers to any act of omission before, during, or after examinations that will directly or indirectly undermine the sanctity of the process.

"These forms of cheating include impersonation, the use of crib sheets or "codigo", employing a "poste" or a person who disguises as an examinee during examination, tampering with examination records," Abad said.

According to Ms. Prolaine de la Calzada, the house bill, if approved, will enhance the CSC's jurisdiction over civil service examination irregularities.

The CSC imposes administrative and civil penalties on examinees caught cheating in the civil service tests.

The highest penalty is dismissal from government service for examinees who are already state employees and for others, disbarment from entering government service and taking any future civil service examinations.

According to De la Calzada, exam irregularities in Region 7 are not rampant. "The usual case is impersonation, wherein a person would take the exam in behalf of another person who took the test previously and failed," she added.
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Prov'l gov't creates Bird Flu Task Force
Prompted by the possibility of a bird flu outbreak in Oriental Negros, the provincial government here recently created the Bird (Avian) Flu Task Force.

According to Executive Order 05-05 issued by Governor George P. Arnaiz, the bird flu outbreak in the neighboring Asian countries have affected a total of 109 persons of which 55 died as of July 29, 2005.

Arnaiz stated in the said executive order that there is a strong possibility that the province will be infected by the said disease following reports from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the presence of migratory birds in Tanjay-Bais area and Olango Island in Cebu.

The creation of the said task force came in the heels of a recommendation from the Avian Flu Protection Program created by the national government, which called for the "establishment of linkages between and among local government units, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health to respond to whatever emergency may arise."

Chaired by the governor, the provincial Avian Flu Task Force is composed of teams on surveillance/vaccination evaluation, poultry/bird movement and control, public information, data/GIS and legal support.
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Siquijor to celebrate 34th day

This year's 34th Araw ng Siquijor will put the province on center stage, and rightly so.

The island, now a byword among tourists for its natural and cultural sites, will come full circle this September in fiesta and celebratory mood.

Exciting events that spice up this year's Araw ng Siquijor have been lined up and finalized recently at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall.

Larena will play host to the opening sportsfest program simultaneous to the Philippine Civil Service Commission's 105th celebration.

Highlighting the occasion are the four-day Agro/Trade Fair and Exhibits, which run from September 14-17 at the St. Francis of Assisi Church grounds. A joint undertaking of the Provincial Government and the different agencies composing the Siquijor Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC), it is meeting of maturity and experience of seasoned entrepreneurs on one hand and the creative fresh air and enthusiasm of beginners on the other. More so, it will offer a taste of everything from processed food products to woodcraft and arts. It will also be an opportune time to give honor to our island's bests and agri/trade achievers.

Sure presence will be the Solili dance festival, a "Lumad Siquijodnon" showdown on the day of September 17 that will no doubt gather people into a biggest crowd.

There may be rains in September and upheaval in the national political arena; however, Siquijor people are ready to brave hell and high water to push through with the celebration. This month promises to be a showcase and a reminder of everything that makes us truly Siquijodnon.
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PGMA calls for peace and understanding for unity and progress

LAPU-LAPU CITY-- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked last night the leaders of various religious groups and organizations in the country who have made a clear call in promoting a culture of peace and fostering of understanding not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.

The President sounded her expression of gratitude when she addressed Wednesday night the closing of the National Summit of Religious Leaders Towards a Culture of Peace attended by some 180 leaders of various religious and ethnic denominations at the Crown Regency Suites here.

"I am grateful to you, our religious leaders, and to the many well-meaning Filipinos who have made a clear call of prudence, sobriety, dialogue, understanding, and peace in these trying times. Because you have called for and conducted dialogue, you have tempered the onslaught of hate and manned the perimeters of prudence, understanding, sobriety and the rule of law, the President said.

The two-day summit which envisions to unite and galvanize peoples of diverse religions and beliefs towards addressing peace and order issues was spearheaded by the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) -- Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month 2005.

The summit participants came from various religious groups/organizations such as Islam, Roman Catholic, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches 9PCEC), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Greek Orthodox, Brahma Kumaris, Hindu, Bahai, Sikhs, Buddhist, Seventh Day Adventist, and the indigenous peoples.

The President said what the country needs now is "less talk but more dialogue and more action on jobs, high prices especially coming from the world oil upsurge, hunger, law and order, and corruption, which, she noted, is "the very sentiment mentioned in the summaries and statement presented to her by the summit participants.

"Yesterday Congress spoke with the mighty voice of the people they represent and I thank all of them. Their voice is clear -- let us work for peace not conflict. Let us get back to work not in the streets but in our offices and industrial centers, in our farms and communities. Let's bury the conflict of the past and gather around a brighter, peaceful tomorrow, the President said.

The President said she has instructed her entire Cabinet to "get down to brass tacks and let the people feel in their bones, and in their hearts, in their spirit the power of honest and efficient service. "These are things that you our religious leaders can fully help internalize in your public servants, the President added.

According to the President, her personal pain or political triumph is of no moment to the task of building this nation and putting the economy in order. "I offer the olive branch of peace to all my critics and detractors for a principled partnership for the people, driven by responsible governance and responsible fiscalization, she said

The President asked for the guidance and support of the summit participants to help save the Philippines from the "rapidly degenerating political system that breeds not only the compartmentalization of ideas and the misunderstanding among religions, ethnicity and culture, but also compartmentalization of work, "a system that foments division not only across the institutions of our national government, but also along the axis of national and local governance and also across different religions and ethnic cultures.

"Now is the time to begin to change the system. You in this dialogue, in this promotion of peace is part of the changing of the system and I thank you for that, she said.

Extending the hand of peace to her detractors, the President invited the citizenry, including her critics and supporters, to an earnest and sincere debate to amend the Constitution, "which many of you want, to bring power back to the people and to cast the demons that have haunted our politics.

The President said the National Summit of Religious Leaders Towards a Culture of Peace "transcends all politics and partisan concerns, and I thank you for your statement and I look forward to the follow up that we will be making.

The President also tasked Ma. Isabel Tobias, Secretary General of the Presidential Council for Values Formation, to study the possibility of integrating the summit's recommendation to create an Interfaith Commission, together with the recommendation of evangelical bishops to organize a Council on Moral Values.
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PGMA calls for peace and unity for development

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo chose Cebu for her first public appearance and public statement as she reached out a hand of peace to her critics and detractors alike after the recent controversial foiled impeachment rap against her in Congress.

Mrs. Arroyo was briefly in Cebu yesterday afternoon to grace the first-ever "National Summit of Religious Leaders Towards a Culture of Peace" in Lapulapu City attended by 180 leaders of 11 faiths throughout the country. Those in attendance were from different religions such as the predominant Roman Catholic, Buddhism, Hindu, Islam, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Indigenous people, Orthodox, Brahma Kumaris, Bahais, Sikhism, and 7th Day Advenstist.

Pres. Arroyo in her message stressed that "we need development to sustain peace and we need peace for development to flourish" as both are inter-related to fight the common enemy which is poverty.

Mrs. Arroyo called on the opposition and her critics to bury the past and transform the weariness of our people into a fresh dynamism for action, enterprise and reform. She further said that in these trying times of world oil price upsurge, hunger and corruption, what are needed are less talk and more action on jobs.

Arroyo described to the delegates that the Philippine seemed to live in two countries: one that is poised for economic takeoff, and the other that is held back by discord sired by a degenerating political system.

Instead of going to the streets for demonstrations, the President appealed to the people to get back to work in the offices and industrial centers, in the farms and communities for a brighter tomorrow.

As the President is set to leave for the United States next week to preside over the United Nations (UN) Security Council, she wished to deliver the same message that she is working for One Philippines and One God.

For her part, the President ended that she would continue to open all doors towards keeping our nation together in achieving One Philippines.
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INFOBYTES, Issue No. 23, September 1, 2005

CSC clarifies government's rationalization plan
The Civil Service Commission yesterday dispelled apprehensions of government executives in the province on the government's rationalization plan during a Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency here in celebration of CSC's 105th anniversary.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier signed Executive Order No. 366 which underlines the government's rationalization plan and calls for the elimination of duplication of government functions and excess people in the government.

CSC Commissioner Cesar Buenaflor, speaking in yesterday's forum attended by heads of national government agencies in the province, stressed the need to trim down bureaucracy so that the government can become "an effective instrument to attain a just and humane society."

Buenaflor said allegations of a bloated government abound in the face of statistics that show the entire bureaucracy has ballooned to 1.4 million. "Dumami ang tao sa gobyerno, kaakibat nito ang economic problems at ang bulging increase in the population, which is now around 87 to 90 million Filipinos," says Buenaflor.

With the government being the biggest employment agency in the country, Buenaflor lamented that almost 80% of its budget goes to personnel services, leaving only a small amount for development projects.

So we need to make the government lean and mean but without abandoning its services and giving incentives for those who have to leave, and this is what the rationalization plan is all about, says Buenaflor.

The CSC Commissioner explained that EO 366 affects only national government agencies, especially executive departments, and employees holding plantilla positions. "This provides an opportunity for the national departments and agencies to look into their organization, prioritize important functions and do away with redundant positions in the government," Buenaflor said.

He said that the savings generated from the rationalization plan could justify a salary increase for government workers "and also more money for development projects for the public."

Affected personnel will be offered a silver parachute or an incentive package on top of the regular retirement pay they will receive from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

Buenaflor revealed that a total of P30 billion have been allocated for the cash incentives offered by the government for affected employees. Half of the total amount is from the World Bank and the other half is the government's counterpart.

For affected employees who have been in government service for 31 years and up, they are entitled to an incentive bonus equivalent to 100 % of their basic salary, while those between 20 to 30 years of service will receive 75%. Employees with below 20 years but over 3 years service will be entitled to 50%.

Employees who avail of the EO 366 cannot return to government service for a period of five years, except those in the medical and educational services.

Buenaflor is in the province to attend an executive forum in Bayawan City with elected officials from Bayawan, Basay and Sta. Catalina in line with CSC's long-month anniversary celebration
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Bayawan City hosts 2005 Regional Skills Competition
Bayawan City will play host to this year's 2005 Regional Skills Competition on October 4 to 7, 2005 during which skilled workers aged 18 years and below from the different provinces in Central Visayas will pit their skills against each other on various trade areas.

According to Engr. Samuel A. Jordan, Officer-in-Charge of the Technical Skills Development Authority here, the Regional Skills Competition is a venue to recognize the skills excellence of young skilled workers in Central Visayas.

"This activity hopes to develop competitive Filipino workers who possess world-skills, work values and attitudes," said Jordan.

A total of 2.5 million will be turned over to the Skills Olympic Foundation Inc. for the conduct of the said competition, of which P1M is from the Bayawan City government as its counterpart fund and P1.5M is from the Technical Education and Sills Development Authority (TESDA) in Region 7.

Participants in the competition are winners of the provincial skills competitions from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Oriental Negros.

The winners in the regional competition will represent Central Visayas in the National Skills Competition.

The trade areas of the regional skills competition are automotive mechanic, computer aided design and drafting, cookery, electrical technology, electronics technology, information technology, hotel and restaurant service, dressmaking and wielding.

Jordan said there will also be an open-category for 19 years old and above on the following trade areas: masonry, carpentry, bulldozer operation, plumbing (NC1), motor grader operation and wheel loader operation.
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Public info officers told to report national government's achievements 'to counter disinformation campaign by anti-Arroyo groups'
League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) president Bohol Gov. Erico B. Aumentado issued a challenge to government information officers in the region to report the more positive component of the administration's achievements and performance as purveyors of information.

Gov. Aumentado was speaking during the recent regional consultative conference of information officers in Region 7 in Panglao Island, Bohol.

Aumentado made the challenge amid the slanted reports of media particularly in Manila that caps political scandals like the jueteng issue, 'Garci' tape and the impeachment complaint as daily headline stories rather than focus on the policy direction of government to enhance the country's economy and well-being of the people.

In developed countries like the United States and Singapore, developmental journalism is given emphasis so their people will know what their government is doing, according to Aumentado.

"You should do your share in giving light to our people by being biased to developmental communication," Aumentado told the over 50 government information officers from regional line agencies and local government units during the 16th Consultative Conference of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol August 24-26, 2005.

Aumentado, who is also the president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), admitted that the government is losing in the propaganda war of the opposition and leftists combined. These few people in Metro Manila of which majority are from the left and the opposition who demand for Pres. Arroyo's ouster because they want her to step down are inflicting more damage by worsening the divisiveness among the Filipino people, Aumentado added.

The Bohol Governor said it is time to harness the public information officers in the rural areas to combat the disinformation campaign by anti-Arroyo groups.
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Public asked to brace selves as oil crisis expected to worsen in few months
A Malacañang official asked the public to brace for harsher times ahead since the possibility for gasoline to hit the P50/liter and diesel at P45-47/liter in the next few months is not far from reach.

Sec. Renato S. Velasco, Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), said world prices of fuel soaring to records high and currently pegged at US$70/barrel may increase by October or November due to the demand of countries like the US for their winter season needs. Countries enjoying four seasons use higher fuel consumption during the winter period for their heaters.

The Philippines on the other hand, is 90-95 percent dependent on imported oil so any increases in the prices of fuel in the global market will have adverse impact and domino effects to our national economy, Velasco told government information officers during its recent annual gathering in Bohol.

Velasco said the emerging oil crisis is far worse than the political crisis facing the nation. He then told the info officers from regional line agencies and local government units in Central Visayas to help the national government make the people understand that the oil crisis is not brought about by any government program or policy.

Velasco made the appeal amid fears that government may be blamed on the oil situation.

Velasco bared that President Arroyo's bold initiatives to address the oil crisis included AO 126 mandating all branches of government including LGUs to cut fuel consumption by 10 percent on top of the order to decrease fuel and power use by 10 percent under AO 103 or the austerity measures.

The austerity program has earned P300 M savings for the government in two months in April and May, this year during the implementation of the four-day workweek, Velasco stressed.

The long-term solution in addressing the aggravating oil problem is the development of alternative sources of energy.
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FEATURE STORY

Dream of a better life
It started with a dream to help his poor parishioners. For Fr. Susano Arbas, a sermon is not just enough. Words alone cannot satisfy empty stomachs nor raise the poor from their misery. He knew something has to be done and someone has to start. But where to begin?

Opportunity shopping
Fr. Arbas' hope of bringing help for the poor in his parish grew each day. Over the past years, since his assignment to Sta. Barbara Parish in Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor up to his transfer to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Enrique Villanueva (Talingting), Fr. Arbas has been trying to raise the social level of the local populace through his Sunday and daily homilies. He is convinced that a community can emancipate itself given the right opportunity, motivation and training.

Haunted by that strong desire, Fr. Arbas in 1998, began to knock the doors of several government agencies and saw what they have to offer for the people. He called it "opportunity shopping."

With a prospect already in mind coupled with his background in Management, Fr. Arbas introduced his idea of forming a credit cooperative, first to his lay ministers, then to the Parish Pastoral Council. That way, he could, at least help free his poor 'brothers' from the bondage of loan sharks. He knew any knowledge he could offer would be valuable if the project he was considering was to succeed.

Birth of a coop
Undeniably, banks and lending agencies charge very high interest rates and the people who are already poor are not in a position to earn and save at the same time.

These conditions and the realization of Fr. Arbas and some parishioners that if they do not act to help themselves and their community, no one would, gave birth to a community-based, grassroots credit cooperative known as the Sta. Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative (SBKCC), the first parish-initiated coop in the province of Siquijor.

It started with the priest and his seven lay ministers grouping themselves, putting up a little of their money and eventually pulling together an amount of P2,000 as their capital build ups (CBU) and savings. The first borrower had availed P800 with a very minimal interest. After a few months, the group was able to recruit more members allowing them to form a cooperative. In 1999, the group, with its 25 members, was registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). In 2001, the cooperative was accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as its co-partner to the different livelihood components of its Integrated Livelihood Program after which the office granted the cooperative some P100, 000 for the construction of its coop building in Campalana

"It was not easy to begin with," confesses Fr. Arbas, "but the commitment of a few parishioners and government agencies to support the project helped materialize the plan."

Slowly, membership along with the savings deposit and CBUs grew. The priest's transfer to Talingting in 2002 paved way to a branching out the coop in the same town.

From a mere 25 members in 1999, the present membership bloated to 505 full-fledged members coming from different barangays and towns in the province. Currently, it has generated a total CBU of 4,269,166.92 both from the main coop (2,760,770.30) and branch (1,508,396). "First time in the history of the province of Siquijor that the people were able to pool together this much of their resources as CBUs," the priest beams with joy.

Savings and time deposits reached 2,919,703.51 as of this date, 1,528,114.39 of which come from Talingting branch and 1,391,559.51 from Campalanas. The coop released some 6.4 million in loan (productive and providential) to 521 borrowers in 2004. In July this year alone, total loan released was P1,111,200.

Economic, social benefits
Today the coop is providing diversified credit facilities and allied services accessible and affordable to its members. It also provides trainings for self-help group where they are taught to earn and save. Money is loaned to the members at only 3% interest, half of which will be automatically added to the borrower's CBU. After a brief training, the members are able to set up a business which allow them to earn their living and save money so as to improve their social and economic position. They take part in project such as rearing of pigs, 'buy and sell', etc. This encourages personal initiative and offers the poor the means to uplift their lives.

Julien Torres, with the credit she received, was able to put up a small business. She smiles enthusiastically and shows us the ready-to-wear items she displays in her store. Her husband has no regular income. Before being a member, her family was barely able to make ends meet. Their wages were just enough to buy food, substantial for three meals a day. Now, with her business, she is able to contribute towards maintaining her family. The loan has changed her life forever.

Another hope has also been fulfilled to a mother of two. Emma Boncales started her small business with a capital of 5,000 she loaned from the coop. "I have to work to augment my husband's (a security guard) meager income," says Emma. After a year or two, Emma was able to acquire a Honda motorcycle which she now use in delivering goods to her costumers.

All this aside from the many testimonies we hear from members who have availed of the loan packages such as emergency loan, special loan, etc. that they use especially for their children's education.

Government development aid
The seeming success in SBCC went well beyond expectations simply because at the helm of the project there was the 'right person at the right time'.

Zero based management, that was it. There was no coop office. Financial transaction has to be done in the parochial office with the assistance of Celia Sonlit, then Parish Secretary, now the manager of its branch coop in Talingting.

The staff and regular volunteers made enormous efforts, but alone they could not cover all necessary functions. Fr. Arbas therefore decided to ask help from government offices in the province. Getting it was tedious. It took months, sometimes years, before it was granted. In the meantime he never became discouraged. He went on motivating the staff and Board of Directors to work hard.

Finally in 2004, the government through the DOLE granted P100,000 financial assistance for the construction of a coop building in Campalanas. In the same year, the coop has availed of a P600 thousand loan from the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF) under the Magniniyog Tungo sa Tunay na Pag-unlad (MATUTUPAD) program of the government for relending to coco farmers/coop members for livelihood activities.

The coop since then have been making great stride. This year, coop buildings can already be seen in both main and branch office.

True therefore, the coop envisions an empowered, improved community. By providing community services it aspires to help bring about a better quality of life not only for the members and their families but also for other people of the community. And this condition is not only for the present, but for all time. Of course, these are big ideals and aspirations. And the Sta. Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative can only be one of the forces of growth. But it is prepared to do its part to the best of its capabilities.
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PMHA awards F. Tayko Memorial School in Siaton as outstanding performance in mental health practice
The Philippine Mental Health Office (PMHA) has awarded the Felipe Tayko Memorial School in Siaton in recognition of its outstanding performance in mental health practice this week during a gathering of Department of Education supervisors at Plaza Ma. Luisa, this city.

School Principal Erlinda Cleope of the Felipe Tayko Memorial received the check worth P20,000 and a plaque as prizes from Dr. Betsy Joy Tan, board chair of PMHA, as winner in the "Search for the Best Mental Health Practice in Workplace."

In her message to the education manager, Joy Tan said that to earn the merits of recognition, the schools should have varied mental health programs on sports, psychological, social for the school children, community, parents as well as the faculty and staff as practiced and documented by the winner.

Mental health practice promotes the well-being of all personnel of the school, effective stress management and balance between work and play.

Felipe Tayko Memorial School, as provincial winner, will view for the national search in October, this year.