ISSUE NO. 8, February 23, 2006

NegOr allocates P500,000 for landslide victims in St. Bernard
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here has allocated P500,000 as assistance to the families of victims of the recent massive landslide in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte.

This developed after Governor George P. Arnaiz requested the provincial board to set aside P500,000 to be taken from the calamity fund to help about 200,000 families who were affected by the tragedy that struck St. Bernard town, which the governor described as a "disaster of such magnitude that requires all out support."

In his letter, Gov. Arnaiz said the landslide have "caused untold miseries not only to families of those buried under mud and debris but to the rest of humankind."

The governor is set to convene the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) here next week following PAG-ASA's recent report that above average rainfall conditions caused by La Niña could possibly last until May this year.

Gov. Arnaiz is calling on all local chief executives and residents to particularly those who live in low-lying and flash flood prone areas in the province to beware and be prepared for heavy rainfall brought about by the La Niña Phenomenon.

The PDCC has earlier identified several areas in the province that are prone to landslide, typhoon and flash floods.
Typhoon-prone areas are Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Vaellhermoso, while the flood-prone areas are Vallehermoso, Guihulngnan, Bindoy, Manjuyod, Bais City, Tanjay, Pamplona, Amlan, Sibulan Dumaguete City, Bacong, Siaton, Bayawan City and Sta. Catalina.

Areas tagged as landslide-prone are Canlaon City, Manjuyod-Himampangon, Bais-Mabinay, Dauis-Mabinay, Mabinay-Bayawan and Sta Catalina.

In 2003, seven people died in a landslide that occurred in the mountain area of Sta. Catalina and several families were evacuated, according to Capitol Information Officer Oliver Lemence.

Several flashfloods also occurred in Bayawan City, Basay and Sta. Catalina in 2004, which denuded forested areas and destroyed roads, prompting the PDCC to provide medical, food and clothing assistance.

Lemence said in the wake of the flash floods, the governor spearheaded re-greening activities in the hinterland areas in the province to prevent tragedies such as those that hit Ormoc and St. Bernard.

PGMA allots P500M for provinces struck by flashfloods
With the onset of heavier-than-normal rainfall brought about by La Niña Phenomenon, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently allotted P500 million to fund the construction of water-impounding structures in the various provinces affected by the recent floods across the country.

Pres. Arroyo during the recent Regional Development Council 2 meeting in Tugeugarao City announced that the P500M will serve as the government's counterpart fund for water-impounding projects and small irrigation systems.
She pointed out that a water-impounding structure would act like a catch basin "saving" floodwaters rampaging down the Cagayan River from damaging crops, infrastructure and lives. It would be then used to irrigate farm lands once the summer months set in.

Cagayan Valley is one of the regions in the country identified to have a high incidence of flooding.

In Negros Oriental, there are two existing water-impounding projects, all of which are irrigating a total of 1,680 hectares of farmlands in Barangays Mayabon and Nasig-it in Zamboanguita town, according to Engr. Calixto Elvinia, senior engineer B at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here.

Engr. Elvinia said a small river-impounding project is currently undergoing construction in Boloc-boloc, Dauin town, which after completion would irrigate about 1,000 hectares of vegetable, rice and corn crops.

On the other hand, NIA has proposed construction of other water-impounding structures in the province, one of which is eyed to irrigate around 3,000 hectares of farmlands in Tanjay City and Bais City. "But we are still looking for funds for this," says Engr. Elvinia.

Meanwhile, in light of the massive landslide that struck Brgy. Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, Pres. Arroyo has recently announced that all resources of government "will continue to be mobilized without let up as we pin hope against hope on the search for survivors."

She acknowledged the efforts of the search and relief workers and said that the country is gratified with the continuous pouring of compassionate assistance from international allies.

First Child Minding Center in NegOr now open
Governor George P. Arnaiz celebrated his 51st birthday recently by launching the first ever Child Minding Center in the province, his gift to mothers working in the provincial government.
Gov. Arnaiz led the launching of the Child Minding Center on February 21 which is equipped with P200,000 worth of educational tools and materials, including child-care equipment.

For only P30 a day, mothers who are provincial government employees can leave their children aged 3 years and below at the center, where the children can enjoy various toys and educational materials.

There are currently two social workers and a child caregiver supervising the toddlers while a professional teacher facilitates the pre-school activities, says Capitol Information Officer Oliver Lemence.

The center is open from 8 AM to 5 PM on Mondays to Fridays and caters to kids aged three years old and below.

Parents who wish to leave their children are required to pay the fee at the Provincial Treasurer's Office and present the receipt at the center.

Lemence said top priority is given to children of provincial government staff although also welcome are kids of employees of national government agencies within the Capitol Area since the center can only accommodate a maximum of 40 children.

The construction of the center came after the governor was inspired by a similar center in TESDA Manila and he envisioned replicating the project in the province.

A total of P600,000 from the 20% economic development fund was poured into the repair of the building formerly occupied by the Provincial Planning and Development Office and turning it into the Child Minding Center that it is now.

Lemence said an executive order was issued during the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos calling on local government units and national line agencies to provide child-minding centers for their employees.

The center is aimed at improving the productivity of government employees, particularly the mothers.

ONTA elects co-chairmen
The all-private Oriental Negros Tourism Association recently elected its co-chairmen during the ONTA Tourism Summit held recently.

The five elected co-chairmen are Fr. Enrque Balongag, president of COSCA as chairman 1; Tour Guides Association of Negroes Oriental President Janine Flores-Lawas, chairman 2; Dumaguete Press Club Founding President and as print media group president Ely Dejaresco, chairman 3; Artist Guild AION President Pamela Galvez, chairman 3; Dive Guides and Rescue Group President Jonathan Alerre, chairman 4; and Dive Operators President Joey Varela, chairman 5.

The elected chairmen were immediately inducted to office by Gov. George Arnaiz.

Five co-chairs were elected so that in case the top vote getter fails to perform satisfactorily within his term, the entire ONTA board will convene and choose a grievance committee who will decide on the fate of the first chairman.

ONTA is the umbrella organization of all tourism stakeholders who comprise about 45 other stakeholders groups who contribute their share in promoting the tourism industry in the province.

The stakeholders followed the semi-parliamentary procedural election wherein all 47 stakeholder presidents were candidates. They chose among themselves the first five majority vote getters who became the five co-chairmen.

Aside from the 5 co-chairs, the ONTA stakeholders presidents are themselves members of the board who will elect among themselves those who are willing to accept the needed positions.

ONTA is the private sector counterpart of the Tourism Board, which is composed of government policy makers. The government and private sector will join hands in realizing the overall objective of putting Oriental Negros in the tourism map domestically and globally.

MySiquijor.Com supports church restoration project
In an effort to create a positive impact on Siquijor's roots and culture, MySiquijor.com supports anew the St. Francis of Assisi Church restoration project in Siquijor, Siquijor. Following the series of donations in the previous years, Gary Harrison, administrator of the My.Siquijor.com gave another P25,000 to Siquijor parish priest Rev. Fr. Casiano Salac for the repair/rehabilitation of the church. The presentation was made during its Sunday afternoon Holy Mass in January 22.

"I scheduled it on that day so parishioners would know about this guy with great heart," Fr. Salac said.

The priest said Harrison has been a frequent donor of the church - starting from the restoration of the bell tower to the repair of the altar. "He should serve as our inspiration because seldom can we meet a person like him, non-catholic yet doing something for the catholic church," Fr. Salac said.

Gary confessed the money is actually his and his mother's personal donations to the church. "But one thing that is particularly pleasing to me is that through this humble act I have been informed that it made a positive effect on other individuals and groups who now plan to donate through other channels in the future," he said. "At least the effort pays," Gary added. (RAC)

Siquijor celebrates National Civil Registration Month
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 682 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino on January 19, 1991, the National Statistics Office (NSO) along with all Municipal Civil Registry Offices (MCROs) in the all the cities and towns in the country celebrates the whole month of February 2006 as the National Civil Registration Month (NCRM).
The said celebration was conducted to promote and advance public awareness and consciousness on the importance of civil registration on the life of every Filipino. This year's celebration adopted the theme, "Talaang Sibil: Pananagutan Nation" (Civil Registration: Our Responsibility). The said theme was adopted throughout the country to drum up support and highlight the efforts and initiative of the Office of the Civil Registrar-General (OCRG/National Statistics Office (NSO) and all local civil registry office in embracing new technology to speed up transactions and service in the said office.

To highlight the celebration here in the province, various activities were undertaken by the offices concerned. On the first week of February 2006, a consultative meeting and conference of the Municipal Civil Registrars (MCRs) and MCRO personnel from all six (6) municipalities of the province were held at NSO Siquijor Provincial Office.
The said conference was held to discuss issues and concerns pertaining to the civil registration operations and services of every municipalities in the province.

Steamers bannering the celebration were also displayed at each office while lectures and symposium on the "Civil Registration System of the Philippines" was conducted in selected barangays and schools and also during the scheduled Pre-Marriage counseling Seminar (PMC) conducted by the municipality for couples scheduled for marriage.

During the lecture and seminar, brochure and leaflets highlighting questions on the registration of births, marriages and deaths as well as information and salient provisions of RA 9048, the laws which authorizes the MCRs to correct clerical errors in the civil registry documents and change of first name in the birth certificate were also distributed and presented and RA 9255, the law which allow illegitimate children to use the surname of their father. (RAC)

ECCD program starts in 2006
The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) project starts this year with funding from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Council for the Welfare of Children and the local government units.

This was announced during the orientation of the stakeholders earlier attended by the local executives, budget officers, planning and development coordinators and social welfare officers from the six towns of Siquijor. Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Teodulo Romo, Jr. graced the activity.

Just like the Early Childhood Development (ECD) project, ECCD is a joint undertaking of the national government and the local units. The cost sharing arrangement is 80 per cent PAGCOR funds and 20 per cent LGU equity for three years implementation. The flow of funds is from the funding institutions to the provincial government.

This project caters to mothers, caregivers, and children aging zero to 72 months. (RAC)

Siquijor, to be one of the wellness centers of the world
Siquijor was chosen to be one of the wellness centers of the world with the Siquijor State College Hostel as its international headquarter. This was planned earlier by the Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong (SCODA), a non-governmental people organization registered with the Security Exchange Commission (SEC).

SCODA is a member of the Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines (TRICOP) under the Global Indigenous Cultural Organization (GICO), a branch of the United Nation Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO. Ten (10) Datus came to SSC headed by Datu Mamatikan (Dr. Melchizedek Solis, DMin based in Salinas, California USA) last January 16, 2006.

It is a confederacy of the different tribal cultural communities with a membership of 2.8 million in the Visayas and Mindanao. It carries out the directive of government through the Office of Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC), presently the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) established by Republic Act 8371, otherwise called "Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997," whose mandate is to participate actively in the peace and order campaign for socioeconomic development program of the government. It also lays emphasis on recruiting and training of the youth for leadership roles through programs where kalis or young Alimaongs are provided opportunities for identifying with the movement and picking up their share of burdens and challenges.

During the meeting with the Datus Alimaong at the SSC Function Room, Dr. Cabanganan, the College President who was conferred as Datu Matatao emphasized that Siquijor State College is contemplating to become Commission on Higher Education (CHED) center of excellence and or center of development since all its programs are geared towards the modernization of Siquijor province focusing on wellness. Cabanganan proposed a prospective lot in Balolang to be the site of the University hood system, a portion of the lot in Salagdoong to be the center of Research and College of Fisheries and finally the Bandilaan Peak to be the center of Wellness "Nature's Park" whereby an artificial falls and a lagoon will be created. Cabangan also added that at the center will be a pyramid shed of the paramedics patterned in England. It will be the site for the aviary, botanical garden, insects, flora and fauna and a wall where visitors write their names as they arrive until such time it will appear similar to that of the Great Wall of China-the only infrastructure visible from the Moon, Cabanganan added.

"This is so timely since the school is busy preparing for the Final Survey for Level 1 accreditation of the Teacher Education, Business Management and Graduate School Programs by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP) anytime this calendar year 2006," he said.

PA tells farmers to brace for La Niña
In anticipation of the coming of La Niña Phenomenon, Siquijor Provincial Agriculturist Ramon A. Taroc calls farmers to prepare for heavy rains and consider planting crops suitable for the season.

During the monthly meeting of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium last February 17, Dr. Taroc also asks the group to include in its activities information campaign on La Niña phenomenon.
Presently, the FITS Consortium is undertaking a series information drive on Avian Influenza in schools and municipalities throughout the province.

Dr. Taroc said that although at present, La Niña is more of a benefit than causing damage to Siquijor's crops, it is still necessary to give farmers some mitigating measures in case heavy downpours persist. "Farmers should consider switching to crops suitable for the predicted high rainfall in the coming months," he said.

The Department of Agriculture has been tasked with immediately conducting an information campaign among the country's farmers to advise t hem to change the type of crop they would plant this season.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said government resources would be focused on minimizing the damage to agriculture by prodding farmers to switch to more rain-resilient crops and by controlling flooding through additional infrastructure.

Three flood control projects are now being fast-tracked by the government in a bid to prepare the country for the onslaught of a developing La Niña phenomenon.

La Niña features unusually cool surface temperatures in the Pacific resulting in storm surges and strong winds. The weather bureau said typhoons, floods and rains since November last year may be linked to the development of the pattern.

Heavy rains have triggered landslides, massive flooding and the evacuation of hundreds of families in the country.
The country's weather agency said damage across the country from continuous heavy rains was likely to rise. (RAC)

Olang fisherfolks, recipient of fishery projects
"At last our cherished dream of having a shallow fish coral project came true," says one of the fishermen from Barangay Olang, Maria, Siquijor.

Sometime in year 2000, these fishermen were organized into an association who longed to have a project that augments their limited fish catch. In support, the offices of the provincial and municipal agriculturists provided fish pots (bubo) which at present is still existing and maintained by the group.

The association composed of 11 active members proved that they are capable of maintaining fishery projects. With this, the two offices provided materials for the shallow fish corral last year. Labor is the fisherfolks' counterpart. Technical assistance is also provided by the local government unit of Maria thru the office of the municipal agriculturist.

According to Dalmacio Quezon, the association's president, the project will last about 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. He also said that harvesting is expected to be year since the project site is strategically located which is way from northwest and southwest monsoon winds. They had their fish harvest last February 2.

The association pays it back thru a roll-over scheme whereby payment will be used by another interested group within the municipality until it is fully paid in two years.

In an interview, the fisherfolks said they are very happy and indeed thankful to the people behind the realization of the project particularly the provincial government thru the leadership of Gov. Orlando B. Fua.

GOVERNMENT AGENCY SETS FUND FOR ENTREPRENEURS
The government is setting aside funds through the National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF) as total loanable amount to local entrepreneurs who want to start or expand their businesses.

Besides allocating P1.7 billion that will be loaned to entrepreneurs, the government lending agency, has also tied up with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) which will be conducting summit and exposition this month.

"The PCE was successful in bringing together stakeholders and leaders from the academe, the government, business, diplomatic and non-profit sectors. And through this summit and exposition, we hope that we will be able to help small and medium entrepreneur start and expand their businesses," said Jose Concepcion lll, the Presidential consultant for entrepreneurship, and also one of the event's organizers.

The NLSF said the applicants could avail themselves a maximum loan of P150,000. This is under a micro-financing scheme with a loanable amount ranging from P150,000 and below. However, the NLSF, which is also a conduit of other government financing institutions, said it is lending money to wholesalers not retailers.

According to Concepcion, the exposition will showcase many business ideas, entrepreneurship schools, NGO-led programs, micro-lending facilities, award-winning business plans, marketable inventions and free seminars for would be entrepreneurs.

"With these initiatives, we hope that small businesses would be able to market many other products aside from leading commodities such as food. The idea is to assist them explore other areas and move out of the "survival products' like foods, " he said.

NGO holds forum to mark International Women's Day
In observation of International Women's Day, the Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), a non-government organization offering legal assistance to abused women and girls, will hold a forum entitled "Men Speak Out On VAW".

The International Women's Day is observed on March 8, during which the forum will start at 1:00 in the afternoon at Bethel Guesthouse.

During the forum, men are expected to express their views on the issue of violence against women. The all-male panel will include personalities from the provincial government, academe, church, students sector and media.

The forum aims to provide a venue for men's insights to be heard on the problem of violence against women while promoting partnership between men and women in the struggle against gender-based violence.

According to Linda Resma, GWAVE Coordinator, the phenomenon of violence against women is at the forefront of gender concerns. As a result of decades of women's advocacy, laws have been passed, services established, research reports published and preventive education work conducted and yet violence against women continues unabated.

EDSA TV special aired to commemorate People Power 20th anniversary
The observance of the 20th anniversary of People Power at EDSA will be commemorated here and nationwide with a public showing of a television special entitled "EDSA 20: Tungo sa Tunay na Paglaya (Towards True Feedom)".

The one-hour TV special will be shown for four days starting Thursday, Feb. 23 until Sunday, Feb. 26 at all government TV stations namely NBN 4, RPN 9 and IBC 13 during prime time public affairs programs.

The television documentary which is produced by the Government Mass Media Group (GMMG) features images and videos of Philippine revolutions starting from the KKK of Andres Bonifacio, to EDSA People Power I of 1986 ousting the Marcos dictatorship and ushering the Cory Aquino administration, then to EDSA People Power II ousting Pres. Erap and installing the Arroyo presidency6, and the so-called EDSA III or May 1 siege of Malacañan Palace.

GMMG Secretary Serge Remonde said the ESDA TV special presents an analysis of the Philippine situation, the reasons behind problems besetting the country, and the government reforms instituted by Pres. Arroyo to solve such problems.

Remonde said the TV presentation hopes to rally the people to learn the lessons of EDSA and stir the spirit of nationalism and patriotism so that Filipinos can finally attain true freedom.

Statement of the President
February 19, 2006

Southern Leyte Tragedy

Even as the nation continues to griever over this tragedy, I would like to thank all Filipinos and our friends around the world for the outpouring of sympathy and aid. All resource of our government will continue to be mobilized without let up as we pin hope against hope on the search for survivors. I acknowledge our courageous search and relief workers- police, military, government workers, civic-minded citizens- who keep our faith high that all the victims of this tragedy will be accounted for. This nation is gratified with the continuous outpouring of compassionate assistance from our international allies. This tragedy has shifted national solidarity into high gear as rich and poor alike have pooled their resources and prayers. We should all join hands in the preservation of our environment and protect what if left behind for the sake of the generations to come.