Israel to hire more OFWs
The department of labor and employment (DOLE) said that Israel's decision to allow their senior citizens to hire foreign workers would have a positive effect on the potential opportunities and employment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas indicated that Israel had also issued new regulations to protect OFWs and other migrant workers from any contract violations by their employers.
Labor Attaché to Tel Aviv Teresita R. Manzala told Sto. Tomas that the new decision of the Israeli government allows Israelis 85 years old and above to hire foreign workers. "This will have a positive impact on Filipino care workers in terms of more job opportunities," the Labor Attaché said.

Manzala said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tel-Aviv had clarified with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare regarding the country's new employment service law, and as to which industries or companies would be allowed, or given the permit to hire foreign workers, relative to the opening of the Israeli labor market. She added that Israel's ministry of the interior's permit department had already issued new regulations to protect foreign workers from hiring violations.

Figures furnished by the DOLE's Philippine overseas employment administration show that israel became the 15th top destination of OFWs globally in the first semester of 2005 after it hired/rehired some 3,509 documented OFWs, or an increase of 25 percent compared to 2,807 for the same period in 2004.
-30-

DOLE eyes more new jobs for OFWs in ME
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the middle east is seen to remain the biggest source of employment for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the next three years with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Israel, Libya, and Jordan generating the most number of new job opportunities.

Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia A. Sto. Tomas said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the middle east would pursue various marketing strategies to ensure the OFWs' access to the new job opportunities that are projected to be generated in the region starting 2006 until 2008.

DOLE projected a total of 258,950 new jobs that would be generated in the middle east in the next three years - some 173,600 new jobs in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs) of KSA, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman; and another 85,350 new jobs in non-GCC countries of Lebanon, Israel, Libya and Jordan.

OFWs deployed in these countries totaled 347,311 0r 98.56 percent of the total number of land-based OFWs, deployed in the Middle East in 2004. They constituted almost half (49.3 percent) of the total land-based OFWs deployed globally last year.

In the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs), the most number of new jobs are expected to be generated by the sustained construction activities and expansion in the medical, tourism, retail, and ICT sectors. Exploration of oil and gas will also be expanded and, thus, expected to generate new jobs.

The non-GCC countries, on the other hand, are projected to need more foreign household workers and caregivers.
-30-

Male forum on reproductive health slated on Dec 2
More than 60 men from various sectors in the province will attend a Male Forum on Reproductive Health on December 2, 2005 at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn, this city.

According to Provincial Population Officer Jeanette Villarubia, the one-day forum is in line with the observation of Population Development Month this year.

The forum's keynote speaker is Dr. Jonathan David Flavier who will discuss non-scalpel vasectomy. Villarubia said Dr. Flavier is from CMEN, a movement that aims to capacitate men on Reproductive Health.

Second District Congressman Hon. Emilio Macias II, who is also a medical practitioner, will also be one of the guest speakers to discuss reproductive health and family planning.

Villarubia said the male participants are composed of twenty police personnel from the local Philippine National Police (PNP), Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) presidents and Sagguniang Bayan (SB) on Health chairpersons in 20 municipalities and some people's organizations representatives.

Some of these participants have already undergone previous trainings on reproductive health. "This is just to orient them and make them move on as allies and partners on reproductive health," says Villarubia.

The population officer said that although male participation on reproductive health in Oriental Negros is still far from being ideal, at least more men have become aware of their role in RH, particularly men from the 7 pilot areas on the Reproductive Health program in the province, namely: La Libertad, Ayugon, Manjuyod, Zamboanguita, Dauin, Siaton, Bayawan City and Tanjay City.

"The men from these areas now know that they have to be empowered," says Villarubia.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Population recently appealed to leaders of faith-based organizations to be tolerant of other people's views and opinions that run counter to their own on the issue of reproductive health and allow their members access to all medically safe, legal and ethical options in family planning.
-30-

PNP Siquijor gets seminar on arrest, search and seizure
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province of Siquijor is undergoing a seminar lecture on Arrest, Search and Seizure.

Conducted by the Provincial Prosecution Office, the seminar is held by batch at the Caipilan PNP Provincial Headquarters for a series of weeks.

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Ulysses Andora said there is a need to update our policemen in these critical aspects of the police work. He said they should be all the time familiarized with the properly detailed procedures of arrest, search and seizure and the appropriate way to execute their power in the handling of crimes.

"Most often, technicality is a problem that plagues in the police force. This is the main reason why some police's evidences are inadmissible in the court or why court dockets get clogged with manufactured cases," Andora said.

"A person who is in fact guilty of crime may get a lighter sentence or even an acquittal if he proves that his arrest was illegal or taken by force," he added.

Andora attributed this problem to the policemen's insufficient knowledge on the procedures that tend them to take short cuts to justice to combat crimes and criminals. Combining the efforts of the police and the lawmakers as pillars of justice, he said, will significantly reduce and eventually prevent criminals from proliferating .

Giving highlight to the seminar lecture are demonstration exercises done in every session.
-30-

Investors tilt on
The Department of Science and Technology 7-Technology Application Promotion Institute (DOST 7-TAPI) and the Visayas Inventors Association has recently sponsored the CY 2005 Visayas Invention Contest, Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Officer Engr. Mario de la Peña said.

Engr. De la Peña said this is part of the Visayas Invention Exhibit (Fair) Festival, which was held last Oct. 21 - 23 at the SM City Cebu Atrium BC.

Contest categories are Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Model, Outstanding Industrial Design, Outstanding Creative Research (Likha Award), and Outstanding Student Creative Research (Sibol Award).
An entry from Siquijor by Engr. Bonifacio Comandante, Jr. qualified for the National Competition which will be held at the Philippine Trade Center in Manila as part of the Inventors Week from November 17-21, 2005.

The winners will receive a cash prize and a plaque of appreciation from the organizer and possible financial assistance from the government for the proponent to start in the technology transfer and commercialization of his invention/study.
-30-

BFAR starts P 1 M milkfish cage project
A first of its kind, the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), this province, is underway of putting up a P1 million milkfish project before the year ends.

The project was earmarked through the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Congressman Orlando A. Fua, Jr. of the province of Siquijor.

Acting Provincial Fishery Officer Warren Inao said, after a thorough study of the framework of the project, a stock of 28,000 bangus fingerlings is now ready for distribution in a roll-over scheme approach to some identified members of the fisherfolks associations of Lazi, Maria and Siquijor. This after they are done with the technical training for them to jumpstart the culture project this middle part of December.

According to Inao the project targets to harvest 5.2 tons or 5, 200 kilos from all 4 cages or 8 modules of milkfish at P70/kg.on April next year.

The project, he said, forms part of the government efforts to accelerate local production and food security program.

"This is a timely project and will eventually be an advantage for all as more economic activities and business interest grow in the province", Inao said.

Inao lauded the efforts of the Provincial Government in its support projects geared towards agricultural production which are beneficial to all fisher farmers in the province.
-30-

Philippine Science HS to open in Argao
The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) will open next year in Argao town, according to Cebu second district Rep. Simeon Kintanar.

Kintanar said Argao was chosen to host the science high school in the region since it is the premier municipality in his district, which is composed of 15 towns. Kintanar, who made the announcement in a dinner during the double fiesta celebration of Argao and the town of Samboan this year. Thirty qualified applicants from the entire region will receive free high school scholarship and some allowances from Rep Kintanar.

Kintanar said classes would be held temporarily in an existing building in the town since the school building which includes a dormitory, will only be built late next year. The lawmaker said each of the 16 regions in the country is only allowed to have one PSHS campus. The PSHS is under direct supervision of the Department of Science and Technology, (DOST).

According to Engr. Mario E. de la Peña, Provincial S & T Officer of DOST Siquijor this development is a good news to PSHS qualifiers from Siquijor, Negros, Cebu and Bohol because they have to enroll at PSHS Cebu Campus not PSHS Iloilo campus anymore which is the nearest campus prior to the opening of PSHS Cebu Campus next year.

He further said that PSHS scholars from Siquijor enrolled at PSHS Iloilo campus put Siquijor Province on the Philippine map because most of them are Directors List, equivalent to Deans List in college. Siquijor is proud of the first PSHS graduate in the person of Ms Christine Suamen who was a consistent Director's Lists from first to fourth year. She finished BS Chemistry and BS Chemical Engineering. Just recently, she passed the board examination for Chemical Engineers. Ms. Suamen is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Felix Suamen, a Supply Officer of IPHO.
-30-

Energy conservation must start at home- NORECO 2
Officials from the local electric cooperative are urging residents to wisely conserve their electricity use in the face of an economic crunch in the country.

According to Engr. Dominador Tragico who heads the transmission and distribution department of the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2) here, energy conservation is important not only to cut down costs but also to save on energy sources such as LPG and gasoline.

"While Mother Nature is providing the raw materials, the supply is not really abundant and will not last long," says Tragico during the Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency recently.

He stressed that energy conservation must start at the home. "The most effective and efficient energy-saving device is you, or us the consumers," he said.

Some of the energy conservation tips spelled out by NORECO 2 in their Enercon Tips handouts are to turn off unnecessary lights, reduce the volume of the TV set as a loud volume consumes higher electricity and iron clothes when it is cooler and more comfortable as this lessens the demand for electricity during peak hours.

Consumers are also advised to choose gas range or ovens with an automatic ignition system, which can save about 40% to 50% on gas for the top burners.

Fluorescent lights should be used instead of incandescent bulbs because a 40-watt fluorescent lamp produces more light than a 100-watt incandescent bulb at half the cost.

Also, driving sensibly saves gas as aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. Drivers are urged to avoid excessive idling as idling gets 0 km per liter. If possible, do not keep vehicle idle for more than 3 minutes since 2 liters of gasoline per hour is consumed at this condition.

Following the wave of oil price increases in the world market, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Administrative Order No. 126 ordering the implementation of the government's energy conservation program in all government agencies.

Under AO 126, government agencies and offices are mandated to adopt and implement a program that will reduce their fuel consumption for transport by 10% of their average monthly consumption for the 1st semester of 2005.

One of the agencies that have noted a significant reduction in its energy consumption as a result of the government's energy conservation program is the National Power Corporation. According to Engr. Gonzalo
Abellana of NAPOCOR, their plant has improved its savings by 19.75% on electricity, 21.82% on fuel both diesel and gasoline and 3.5% on water consumption. "On the average per month, our plant in Valencia saves between 8 to 15% on electricity and 10% to 15% on fuel and 3% to 8% on water," he said during the forum.

NAPOCOR has long been implementing its energy conservation program with the aim of delivering more power to the grid.

Engr. Noel Tan of NAPOCOR in the same forum disclosed that NAPOCOR is supplying the Negros to Panay grid with a total of 192.5 megawatts of power.

This will soon be uprated with the addition of a new interconnection project wherein the existing power cable will be uprated with another 200 megawatts from the geothermal field in Leyte. "So that's another 200 megawatts of power added to the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid," says Tan.

He assured that this will result to a more stable power situation in Negros Oriental.
-30-

Siqujor kids grab awards in reg'l contest
Preschoolers coming from the province of Siquijor wowed an appreciative audience that packed Ayala Center Cebu with their talents in singing, draw and tell, creative drama and folkdance last November 8, 2005.

These day care children who got the chance to represent in the region were the winners in the Provincial Children's Contest in celebration of the National Children's Month last October.

Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Thomas Villarubia said there were 13 Drama - Pili Day Care Center, 2nd placer; and Folk Dance - Solangon Day Care Center, 6th placer.

These winner kids were accompanied in Cebu with their respective parents and day care workers.
-30-


INFOBITS:
ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS

1. Lighting
- Turn off unnecessary lights.
- Clean lamps, bulbs and diffusers regularly. Dirt lessens illumination by as much as 50%.
- Replace immediately flourescent tubes that show signs of busting out.

2. Cooking
- Have all ingredients ready when cooking to avoid infrequent switching on and off of the electric stove.
- Avoid using a big burner for a small pan.
- Use flat-bottom pans with light covers to lessen heat transfer loss.
- Use pressure cooker to cook meat faster.
- Bring out frozen foods from the refrigerator at least one hour before cooking to allow it to thaw thoroughly. Do not use microwave oven to thaw the frozen food as it requires higher electricity consumption.

3. TV Viewing
- Switch off the set when no one is watching. Unplug it when a transformer is used. Do not let it stay on stand-by mode since it also consumes additional electricity.
- Reduce the volume of the TV set as loud volume consumes higher electricity.

4. Electric Fan
- Lock the oscillator when the fan is needed in one direction only.
- Clean and oil the electric fan regularly to enable it to work efficiently.

5. Refrigerator
- Defrost the refrigerator regularly. Do not allow the frost to thicken to more than 1/4 inch.
- Replace loose refrigerator gaskets. To test, close the door on a peso bill. The seal is tight if the peso bill is hard to pull out.
- Place the refrigerator away from the stove and the sun.
- Do not overstuff the refrigerator. Internal air circulation is important.
- Place the refrigerator at least 4 inches away from the wall to allow air circulation.
- If the refrigerator is almost empty, put in a few bottles of water to help store the cold.