ISSUE NO. 11, MARCH 16, 2006

Pag-IBIG posts record-high net income in 2005
Pag-IBIG Fund has posted new record-high figures as it topped its accomplishments in 2005.

The Fund registered a net income of P7.38 billion last year which is 14 percent more than their total income of 6.47 billion in 2004, making their 2005 accomplishment the highest income made by Pag-IBIG in its history, says Pag-IBIG President and CEO Atty. Romero F. S. Quimbo.

In Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces, a total of P144,807,420.19 was collected in 2005, a 14% increase from its P127,447,736.60 total collection in 2004, says Julio Carmel Alfarero who heads the Pag-IBIG office in the province.
Alfarero said the collection came from housing loan amortization, contributions and multi-purpose loan amortizations.

There are 26,978 Pag-IBIG members in Negros Oriental and Siquijor based on 2004 data.

Alfarero said that to enhance its collection measures, letters or reminders are frequently sent to Pag-IBIG members with loan arrearages. "We also do positive billing to encourage updated accounts," he said.

The continuing uptrend in the Fund's performance is a result of synchronized institution-wide efforts. "With our intensive collection campaign, supported by an improved IT system, we recorded in 2005 the biggest collection level in the Fund's 25-year history," says Quimbo.

Collections for the year stood at P37.27 billion, 14 percent higher than the Fund's collection of P32.57 billion in 2004. Contributions from Pag-IBIG's 6.04 million members, amounted to P13.04 billion, while those from short-term loans are 20 percent higher than the 2004 level, totaling P11.89 billion. On the other hand, collections from end-user housing loans were recorded at P12.34 billion, and for institutional loans, P1.45 billion. "We expect to generate more revenues in 2006 with our tie-up with private and public banks for the use of their electronic payment facilities," Atty. Quimbo added.

As a result of the efficient administration of members' contributions, the Fund set two all-time record highs under its housing and short-term loan programs. Quimbo said, "we granted P14.40 billion worth of individual housing loans and lent out P18.51 billion in short-term loans." Nearly one third of Pag-IBIG members or more than 1.3 million individuals benefited from this short-term loan program.

The vigorous performance of the Fund in the past year means greater benefits for its members nationwide. "We expect to declare at least P5.54 billion in dividends to our members, or an increase of 14.23 percent over the P4.85 billion we gave in 2004," Quimbo explained.

Under the law, the Pag-IBIG Fund is required to set aside an amount equivalent to no less than 70 percent of its annual net income and declare this as dividends, later credited proportionately to the members' total savings.

Dog population in Dumaguete declines in 2005- CVO
Dumaguete City is now nearer to reaching its target dog population as the dog populace here decreased in 2005 compared to previous years.

In a survey on livestock population, including dogs, cats and poultry done by the City Veterinary Office (CVO) on October 2005, there are now only 10,000 dogs in Dumaguete, a drop from the 12,000 dogs surveyed in the previous years.

The ideal dog population in Dumaguete is 5,000, says City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro during the Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency recently.

To further boost the city's aim of reaching the ideal dog population, Dr. Socorro said her office will campaign massively in the barangays for dog castration from April to June this year. "So hopefully, in the next year, we will further decrease our dog population," she said.

Mardonio Nadela of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in the same forum lamented that despite the rabies eradication program in the province, there are still human deaths here while dog bite incidents occur every month.

Nadela disclosed that based on records from PVO, seven people in Negros Oriental died from rabies in 2005, as well as in 2004.

A total of 787 dog bite cases have been recorded provincewide in 2005, of which 105 occurred in Dumaguete with one human rabies case.

Rabies is a highly fatal disease, which remains to be an endemic in the Philippines, causing approximately 300 to 600 deaths every year.

The local government units in the province have exerted efforts to reduce rabies incidence here, particularly human deaths.

Dr. Socorro is urging residents to think "many times" before raising a dog as it entails a lot of cost and responsibility. "Don't raise a dog if you don't have a purpose for it," she said.

She stressed that dogs need proper nutrition, shelter and grooming to protect them from diseases that can be transmitted to humans. "Rabies is not the only infection disease of dogs to humans. Dogs' ordinary skin diseases like scabies can also be transmitted to humans," Dr. Socorro adds.

She also warned dog owners that if they won't be responsible enough to submit their dogs for vaccination, the city government has the right to confiscate their dogs. "Because that dog will become a risk to public health," she said.

Dogs should also be leashed or caged to prevent to reduce the possibility of dog bite incidents.

City Health Officer Dr. Ava Vios said that medical expenses for treatment of each dog bite incident will cost from P25,000 to P30,000.

Dr. Vios appealed to dog bite victims not to panic right away as not all dog bite incidents are rabid.

The city health officer explained that dog bites as a result of provocation such as after the victim happened to step on the dogs' tail, rarely turn out to be rabid. But if it's a stray dog that bit the victim for no reason at all, that case is suspect for rabies, says Vios.

Sibulan conducts medical mission
The municipal government of Sibulan conducted a Medical Mission at Boloc-Boloc Elementary School on March 12 for patients from Barangays Bolocboloc, Magatas, Calabnugan, Tubtubon and Agan-an.

Medical services offered during the mission included free consultation, medicines, blood typing, ECG, dental services, etc.

The mission was conducted in coordination with the Office of the President through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, Rotary Club of Dumaguete-South, Local Council for Women, Philippine National Red Cross, Department of Education and Philippine Army.

GSIS emergency loan upped to 20,000 for members in calamity areas
Members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) who are living or working in calamity-stricken areas can avail of a P20,000 emergency loan from GSIS.

GSIS has recently increased its emergency loan to P20,000 with an interest of eight percent payable in three years.

According to Ma. Erlinda P. Roma, department manager of GSIS here, active members who wish to avail of the emergency loan are required to submit, together with the duly accomplished application form, a certification from the barangay chairman that the applicant is a resident or working in an area which has been declared by the local government unit to be under a state of calamity.

Applicants must also be in active government service and not be on leave of absence without pay, not have any pending administrative or criminal c harges and have no arrearages in the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions.

Applicants must also have no salary loans or housing loans with GSIS that have been declared in default.

Meanwhile, GSIS has started releasing on March 15, 2006 the E-cards for GSIS members who are old-age (regular) pensioners who have applied earlier for an Ecard.

Roma said members/pensioners who will claim their Ecards at the GSIS Dumaguete Field Office must bring two valid ID's.

CSC to give award to government's best
Catch somebody...doing something good today! Thus called the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in its search for the bureaucracy's best this year.

In its ardent desire to strengthen the integrity of the civil service and restoring pride in working for the government, the CSC commences its 2006 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

This was announced during the Siquijor Council of Administrative and Personnel Officers (SICAPO) meeting held recently at the Siquijor State College.

Former CSC-Siquijor Field Director Melinda F. Quillano and the new OIC Field Director Phoebe Tupaz urged all SICAPO members to participate in recognizing exemplars of public service - "women and men who quietly carry out their day-to-day tasks with fervor; they who have significantly made a difference in the lives of others and kept their integrity facing all forms of difficulties and discouragement in government service," they said.

Dir. Quillano said there has never been nomination from Siquijor province in the previous years. "This year, I expect you to send your nominations and get at least one of the awards," she said.

Nominations for the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan Award, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan and the CSC or Pagasa Award are now being accepted by the Commission through its central, regional and field offices nationwide which must be received by a CSC unit on or before March 31, 2006.

Lingkod ng Bayan Award is a performance award given to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony. The contribution may be a suggestion, innovation, invention or superior accomplishment.

Dangal ng Bayan is an award for exemplary conduct and ethical behavior conferred on an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior.

The CSC Pag-asa Award is also a performance award conferred on government officials and employees or government teams/groups for outstanding work performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.

For more details, contact the CSC-Siquijor Field Office in Larena, Siquijor or visit the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph.

DA GETS P 1B IN ADDITIONAL BUDGET FOR '06
The government will infuse additional P1 billion into the farm sector to increase rice production by at least 300,000 metric tons, the Department of Agriculture said.

The additional funds were deemed necessary by the country's economic managers to accelerate the growth of the economy this year, Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban said recently.

Panganiban said this would form part of the pump-priming efforts that were intended to jack up the country's rice production to 14.9 million metric tons and cut down imports this year. The production target is higher than the 14.6 million metric tons of rice produced last year.

He said the additional budget would be used to repair irrigation dams and build additional catch basins in preparation for the excess rainfalls arising from the La Nina weather phenomenon.

The La Nina which may shorten the summer months this year, may also help improve rice production this year.

"However, this will entail more farm support access to credit, seeds and other inputs for about 3.5 million farmers in the countryside" Panganiban added.

The additional amount will increase the DA's budget to P4 billion.

The Inter-Agency Development Budget Coordinating Council earlier approved the release of some P3 billion for the repair of existing irrigation facilities and construction of new ones to cover 1.2 million hectares of farmlands nationwide. Some P500 million would be earmarked for the purchase and distribution of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers

ROVI fast craft now operates Sibulan-Liloan route
Sea travel is now made easier and less expensive with the advent of Rovi Navigation Lines, Inc., a fast craft plying the Poblacion, Sibulan Port-Liloan Santander route. The one unit fast craft travels to and from its approved destination in 15 minutes and a minimal fare of P35 per passenger.

Rovi Navigation Lines Management was given authority to operate for one-month period from March 14, 2006 to April 14, 2006 by the Maritime Industry Authority. This authority is renewable.

The Philippine Ports Authority Regional Office gave the go signal to put up the necessary construction at the docking area upon prior consultation with the local government unit of Sibulan and the pumpboat operators.
Rovi fast craft can accommodate 72 passengers per travel. Ceres buses (non-aircon and air-conditioned) wait for the passengers at Liloan docking area.

Temporary schedule is as follows: Monday to Thursday and Saturday - 5:00 am to 9:00 pm; Friday and Sunday - 7:30 am to 9:00 p.m.

Interval per travel is hourly.

PGMA ORDERS RELEASE OF P500 M FOR MORE CLASSROOMS
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recently to release immediately P500 million for the construction of more classrooms.

In a roundtable discussion with the government's economic team aired over national television NBN 4, the President ordered the release of the allocation after she announced that the budget deficit for January was at P15.4 billion or lower than the P20.9 billion target due to increased revenue collection.

"This means we can have more funds for infrastructure and education. I have ordered Budget Secretary Nonoy Andaya to release P500 million to close the classroom gap," the President said.

The government plans to build 6,000 classrooms a year until 2010.

The President expressed hopes that the revenue collections would continue to increase so the government would have more funds for basic services such as education, health, infrastructure, housing and food for the poorest of the poor.

She noted that increased revenue collection was due to the economic reforms she introduced and the proper implementation of the reforms by the revenue collecting agencies-the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs and with the proper handling of the National Treasury.

She said that with the support and cooperation of every Filipino, more investments would flow into the country, thus result in more jobs for Filipinos.

Bayawan mayor to deliver state of the city address
The Sangguniang Panlungsod this city has scheduled the State of the City address to be delivered by City Mayor German P. Saraña Jr. on Tuesday, March 21, 2:00 p.m. at the Bayawan City Sports Complex Annex.

The State of the City Address will be delivered during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod presided by the city Vice Mayor Rene Gaudiel.

Mayor Saraña is expected to report to the public the accomplishments of the local administration for the year 2005, as well as the plans of the city government for the current year.

Invited to attend are the employees and heads of the departments of the local government, barangay officials and representatives from Bayawan City's religious, business and education sectors.

The State of the City Address will be aired on the same day at 8:00 in the evening over Channel 6 of Fil Products Cable Television. Replays will be aired on Wednesday, March 22 at 6:00 p.m, March 25 at 8:00 p.m. and March 26 at 1:30 p.m.

The delivery of the state of the city address is a provision of the Local Government Code of the Philippines under Rule 24 of Article 189 stating that on or before March 31 of each year, every local chief executive shall submit an annual report to the Sanggunian concerned on the socioeconomic, political and peace and order conditions, and other matters concerning the local government unit.

Siquijor celebrates fire prevention month
The province of Siquijor celebrates this March the fire prevention month with the theme:"pamayanan sama-sama laban sa sunog".

A program of activities is now lined up by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) provincial Office to carry out the celebration.

FO2 Jennifer Calubag of the BFP here said a Fire Olympics will be at Pulangyuta grounds on March 31. This will be participated by all BFP personnel and volunteer fire brigades from Larena, Lazi San Juan and Siquijor. The games include bucket relay, fire extinguishment, hose relay, busted hose and tug of war.

Another highlight of the occasion is the poster making contest depicting the theme which will participated by all interested by all interested high school students in the province.

Although fire incidents rarely happen here, Calubag underscored the importance of these activities as they will equip the students with information and fire safety tips this summer- the best time of the year when fire occurrences abound.

At present the BFP provincial Office is manned by 22 personnel and is waiting for more who are undergoing training at Fire National Training Institute at Camp Vicente Lom, Calamba City, Laguna.

DILG head stresses women's role in nation building
The Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Dominica K. Lacuesta calls women to actively participate and be men's equal partner in nation building.

Speaking before some 400 members-officers of the Larena Municipal Federation of women's organization at the Larena Queengate, Siquijor, Lacuesta said the government recognizes women and has been trying to provide them equal rights anda opportunities to that of men in the development process through the passage of laws such as Republic Act 7192, otherwise known as the "Women in Development and Nation Building Act" and RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act.

She said women are equal to men and deserve the same love, respect and privileges as she urged them to use their rights and privileges provided for in the Implementing rules and Regulations of RA 7192. The law provides, among others, that "a substantial pportion of the official development assistance (ODA) funds shall be set aside and utilized to support programs and activities for women", and that "all government departments shall ensure that women benefit equally and participate directly these programs to ensure full participation of women in the development process."

Facilitated by Larena Sangguniang Member Pacita Cuaresma as chair of the Committee on women and the Municipal Local Government Operation Officer, Kenneth S. Kilat, the general assembly also marked the celebration of National Women's month in March. Aaaalso highlighted the gathering was the federation's election of its new set of officers. Elected as President was Gladys F. Estrellado; vice-President - Edith V. Malanog; Secretary - Dinah Palacio; Assistant Secretary - Liliosa Coritico; Treasurer - Leticia W. Cuevas; Assistant Treasurer - Serafina Enriquez, Auditor I - Meldy Malolot; auditor II - Rosie Lagaunsad; auditor III - Erlinda Abilay; PRO I - Mejie Vergara; PRO II - Alile Paculba; PRO III - Blenda Malolot; Sgt.at Arms I - Merideth Pal-ing; Sgt. At Arms II - Bernadeth Erojo; Sgt. At Arms III - Loreta Yurong; and Bookeeper - Emy Bongbong.

The Board of directors are PO1 Alou S. Siangco, Roslinda A. Enrera, Rosalie Balongag, Araceli Larot, Lydith D. Tan, Rizalie A. Calibo, Rejane W. Abapo, and Hon. Pacita T. Cuaresma.

Induction of Officers will be held in time with the municipal celebration the 2006 National Women's Month on March 28, 2006 to observe the theme "CEDAW ng Bayan, Karapatan ng Kababaihan."