ISSUE NO. 31 OCTOBER 27, 2005

Sibulan to inaugurate mini-health laboratory
The local government unit of Sibulan is set to inaugurate a mini-health laboratory in response to the health needs of Sibulan residents.

Sibulan Mayor Antonio D. Renacia said that the project is part of his five-point agenda which aims to provide efficient and free delivery of basic health services to his people.

According to Connie Zamora-Rosales, Sibulan Public Information Officer, the free laboratory services that will be offered are the following: sputum examination, urinalysis, blood typing, complete blood count, blood platelet count and pregnancy test.

Rosales said the funds for the laboratory's construction was taken from Philhealth's capitation fund.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has recently also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine International Trading Corp. to provide a more accessible and affordable health care insurance to its members.

The move is hoped to improve the healthcare services in the country, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have earlier cited the Philippines' potential of becoming one of Asia's leading destinations for healthcare services in Asia.

The laboratory, which is nearly completed, is also an extension of the Sibulan Municipal Health Center and its construction is being undertaken by the LGU's General Services Office, says Rosales.
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100 kids to join Children, Youth Convention
Around 100 children from eight local government units (LGUs) in the province will participate in this year's Children and Youth Convention at Bethel Guesthouse, Dumaguete City on October 28, 2005.

According to Jennifer Catan-Tilos, Information Center Manager of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, the convention is held to celebrate Children's Month this October and will focus on the Child and Youth Participation Rights, which is simultaneously undertaken with other partner agencies in the province.

The children-participants are composed of Grade 5 and Grade 6 students from the elementary schools in Amlan, Sibulan, Pamplona, Ayungon, Tayasan, Sta. Catalina, Dauin and Dumaguete City.

The said LGUs are among the areas identified under the continuing program of the Country Programme for Children (CPC), which is now in its 6th phase of implementation.

The Child-Friendly Movement in Oriental Negros first started in 1999 when it was chosen by the Unicef as one of the provinces nationwide to benefit from the 5th Country Program for Children (CPC-5).

Since its implementation, the PIA together with the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros has been conducting an annual Children and Youth Convention.

Meanwhile, around 160 kids will also be participating in a different kind of Children's Sports Fest on October 28, 2005 at the grounds near the Silliman University Gym.

A first of its kind in Oriental Negros, the Sports Fest, which is also in celebration of Children's Month, will be participated in by 'children at risk', says Ms. Anna Lou Suan, project director of the Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation Inc.

"These are the street kids, orphans, disadvantaged children, children from indigenous communities, and children with disabilities from the GP Rehab Foundation," Suan said.

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

The Sports Fest will feature games for both regular children and children with disabilities. "Around 80 percent of the games are inclusive for children in wheelchairs and those with intellectual impairment," adds Suan.

The said activity is being undertaken by GP Rehab Foundation together with the Negros Oriental Children's Network, a non-government organization in Oriental Negros working for children.
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PNP to conduct Operation Kaluluwa for peaceful All Saints' Day celeb
In view of the upcoming All Saints' Day celebration in the city, the City Police Station will deploy police personnel in all cemeteries in the city on Nov. 1 and 2, 2005.

SPO3 Felomino T. Laure of the City Police Office disclosed that policemen will man the Dangpanan Centers which will be put up inside the cemeteries to immediately address concerns from the public.

Laure said mobile patrol cars will also be roving around commercial centers, bus terminals, airport and port area in the city. "We cannot deploy personnel in all areas in the city due to lack of manpower, but we are trying our best," assures Laure.

Laure said that their operations will focus heavily on the cemeteries as a huge turnout of crowds is expected on Nov. 1 and 2.

The National Capital Region Police Office announced that they will be on high alert against terrorist attacks on Nov. 1 but would also intensify its anti-crime operations.

Laure cautioned the public who will go to the cemeteries to avoid bringing considerable amount of cash and valuables as well as keeping an eye on their cellphones.

He also urged the public to immediately report to the Dangpanan Center if they see persons bringing dangerous weapons to the cemeteries.
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Parliamentary-federal system gains ground in Cebu ConCom consultation

The proposal to change the structural form of government from the existing presidential-unitary to a parliamentary-federal system is gaining grounds as majority of the sector-participants agreed to the latter during the regional consultations this week in Cebu City.

Dumaguete City Vice-Mayor William Ablong takes the same side even if he's not present during the consultation, as he said in federal system, the local government will be empowered and strived more to generate resources. However, Vice-Mayor Ablong said, "bisag unsaon nato pag-usob pero ang tawo or the individuals wala mausab morally walay kausaban sa systema". The Filipino leaders should be morally and socially responsible, has principle and transparent to any transactions, Ablong added.

Form of government, structure of republic and liberalization of policies regarding patrimony and foreign participation in the economy are some of the preliminary consensus agreement that the Consultative Commission presented on the proposed of the 1987 Constitution.

Of the 70 sector-participants belonging to the structure of government group, 58 favored federal system as they deliberately said, it increased local powers, improved delivery of basic services, might limit corrupt and political debts, better enforcement of laws mobilization of resources, effective and efficient governance.

While, 7 for retention of the present system because it just need to improve quality of leadership and enforce laws strictly, and need to change people not the system; the remaining 5 did not state their preference but said, solve current political crises before discussing charter change, and address land distribution problems.

Jose Abueva, Chairman, Consultative Commission summed up the highlights in the on-going debate in the consultative commission on the form of government and why do we have to change the existing presidential form.

Abueva said, the separation of executive power of the President and legislative power of Congress causes intense rivalry and competition for power among them, especially because like the President, the senators are also elected nationwide. Constant conflict and gridlock among the President, the house and the Senate with too many congressional investigations, delay and obstruct legislation and reforms.

Con Com Chair also explained, that the Constitutional Commission is a study group that was created through Executive Order 453 that would assist the present government in the conduct of consultations and studies and propose amendment and revisions to the 1987 Consitution.
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GRECON celebrates 25th year, World Food Day

AT LEAST 50 beneficiaries of Enrique Villanueva received bags of rice from the Confederation of Grains Retailers Association (GRECON)-Siquijor chapter this week.

The giving out was part of and in line with the simultaneous celebration of the Silver Anniversary of Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines, Inc. and the World Food Day.

It is a conceptualized and initiated program that can help the government address one of its major issues and concerns brought about by poverty like malnutrition.

Gracing the activity were Enrique Villanueva Mayor Clint Elery Orquillas, DSWD representatives and the local GRECON officials.

To note, GRECON has institutionalized a nationwide feeding program, starting this year, that will not only feed the young and indigent adults but will also feed educate them on the proper processing, handling and learning the nutritional values of foods.

A partner of the National Food Authority, GRECON recognizes the fact that the government alone cannot minimize or eradicate malnutrition. Part of its plan is to feed the nation every 16th of October, which coincides with its anniversary and the World Food Day.

The feeding activity aims to open an avenue for LGUs to continue the feeding programs initiated by GRECON for at least once a week, to instill among the members the value of sharing and charity to the less fortunate; to create awareness to the community the existence of GRECON which does not only distribute rice at prescribed NFA prices but also assist the government in their programs geared towards a healthier Philippines.
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Community volunteers show off talents in regional KALAHI CIDSS conference

Some of the region's top legislators, local government executives, civil society groups as well as representatives from local funding donor organizations and volunteers from the poorest communities in the island provinces of Bohol and Siquijor gathered at the Siquijor Multi-Purpose Center in a landmark conference organized by the Deparment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In line with the flagship poverty alleviating program known as KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB, the whole-day conference dubbed "Vision, Voices, Verses, Bagong Kwento, Kwentong Pagbabago (KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Stakeholders Conference) focused on knowledge sharing of inspiring experiences and success stories through creative expressions.

The conference aimed at energizing the communities and harnessing the creative potentials of the people by encouraging them to express their problems, dreams and aspirations.

This year's regional conference was inspired by the success of the first conference held in March last year, which resulted to the generation of funding support from the donor communities, a more empowered community who know how to voice out their ideas, insights and opinions the creative way.

Highlighting last year's conference were exhibits which showcased the best KALAHI-CIDSS community projects, songwriting competitions, visual arts presentations, community theater and local poem writing.

The participants were community volunteers in Phases I and II of the project covering the town of EV in Siquijor for Phase I and the towns of Siuijor and Danao in Bohol for Phase II.

The delegation from EV bagged the highest honors in the songwriting and visual arts categories, while Siquijor took home first place in the people's theater and poem-writing categories.

KALAHI-CIDSS:KKB or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan: Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kaunlaaran sa Kapangyarihan sa Barangay is a community-driven development project where decision-making resides in the community.
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