SP member bats for Cha-Cha
A Sangguniang Panlalawigan member of Siquijor province said the country all the more needs a new kind of governance contrary to what Cha-Cha critics believe is an untimely move since the country is now “in chaos.”
Board Member and Committee Chair on Municipal Affairs Earl Stanley O. Matas said it is about time to amend the Constitution so the country can move forward.
“Based on the urgency of the situation this is the right time. If not now, then when?” asks Matas, adding “The more we need to change then, to attain economic and political stability.”
He stressed that there are provisions in the 6constitution that need to be amended to “keep up with the challenges of the times.”
“We don’t enjoy the luxury of time,” says Matas who branded the claims of the supposed “critics” of the proposed constitutional reform as “fake situations” created by a few individuals who are opposed to the administration.
However, Larena Municipal Mayor Gold L. Calibo, although not totally opposed to it, said that constitutional reform is not a solution to the present problem.
While he is open to the possibility of amending the constitution, he believes it is more important for the government to address the pressing needs of the people and put more focus on uplifting the lives of the poor now.
Calibo’s stance on charter change is on the same footing with that of Vice Governor Carl Mark Ganhinhin who dismissed the idea of outright changing the charter now.
The vice governor is amenable to charter change but only if after the people have been adequately informed on the proposed amendments to the constitution.
He says that although he believes that amending the constitution is one of the solutions to the country’s ills, however now is not the right time. “People do not know yet the implications of changing the Constitution,” Vice-Guv said, adding that the people needs to be properly informed first before implementing any constitutional amendment.
The issue on whether to change the present form of government in the country is the hottest talk of the town with ongoing debates heating up not only within the political circles but also down to the grassroots level.
The Constitutional Commission (ConCom) created by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been conducting a traveling forum in key cities around the country to raise public awareness on the pro’s and con’s of charter change.
ConCom through its Advocacy Commission (AdCom) recently conducted a forum in Dumaguete City wherein ConCom Chairman Dr. Jose Abueva and member, former Senator Vicente Paterno, explained the advantages and disadvantages of shifting the present presidential government into a parliamentary.
Abueva said the country has a better shot at effective governance, progress and realization of our goals as a nation with a parliamentary system compared to the current presidential form of government.
He also stressed that the current system of government has caused intense rivalry and competition of power among the President and the legislative power of the Senate and House of Representatives due to the separation of executive powers. “Constant conflict and gridlock between the President and the House and the Senate and too many congressional investigations delay and obstruct legislations and reforms,” said Abueva.
Aside from this, he said that candidates for President and Senate are increasingly being elected for their personal popularity or “win-ability” and wealth rather than political leadership.
He said that all these and other aberrances of the present form of government hindering the nation’s growth would be addressed and corrected should the shift to a parliamentary government push through.
Economic stagnation will arise if we go on with present charter- Guv Fua
Siquijor Governor Orlando B. Fua feels the urgency to reform the current charter as he fears that economic stagnation will ensue if the present Constitution remains unchanged.
Reacting to claims that the people were made to sign the people’s initiative petition without their full knowledge of what it is all about, Fua has this to say: “That’s baloney, just a product of imagination of those who said it.”
Fua joins a host of local government officials who believe that amending the charter and shifting into a parliamentary form of government would serve as the country’s springboard to development.
But critics have lambasted the move to amend the charter, particularly the people’s initiative petition which they claim was a sham as the people who signed it were not fully aware of what they were signing for.
But the petition proved to be valid as majority of the 9 million signatures in the petition have already been verified, says Dr. Jose A. Abueva, chairman of the Constitutional Commission.
Abueva heads the team of commissioners who are going around the country educating people on the pro’s and con’s of charter change.
Recent Social Weather Station surveys have indicated that very few Filipinos actually understand the present Constitution, the system of government and the various proposals for amendments to the Charter.
In their nationwide sorties, the BBC commissioners tackle proposals for or against charter change and at the same time collate opinions and recommendations on charter change which will later be presented to key legislators and policy makers.
Abueva, along with ConCom member, former Senator Vicente Paterno, was recently in Dumaguete City to conduct a Charter Change forum.
In Siquijor, a charter change advocacy-orientation-cum-training and consultation have already been conducted May 9 at the SP Session Hall, Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor.
Sponsored by the Union of the Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) with the provincial government here, the orientation was attended by local elected officials and representatives of non-government organizations and people’s organizations.
The six municipalities have also scheduled a similar consultation and information drive in their respective towns and barangays.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Dominica K. Lacuesta said the activities are being handled by government officials and private sector representatives who attended the earlier orientation sponsored by ULAP.
PAO sets natural fermented solution (NFS) production training
The Provincial Agriculturist Office will conduct a training on the production of fertilizer and other methods of keeping vegetation and livestock healthy on May 31 to June 2, 2006 at the YMCA Conference Hall, this city.
The training on the production of natural fermented solution (NFS) will be attended by technicians from the Provincial Agriculturist Office. It is also open to other interested participants for a registration fee of P360 to cover the training costs as well as snacks and meals for the 3-day training, says PAO Information Officer Nitz Bangay.
Tristan Nacua, consultant of the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation, Inc. (NISARD), will be the training’s resource person. The focus of NISARD’s agriculture development shares that of the provincial government which is on organic farming technology, adds Bangay.
Interested participants will be accommodated on a first-come first-serve basis. Confirmation of attendance should be done on or before May 29, 2006 through either Merlissa or Chonie at 422-4468.
Critics told to stop myopic view on cha-cha; AdCom notes majority favors cha-cha
The Charter Change Advocacy Commission recently concluded a traveling forum on Cha-Cha in Dumaguete City and a quick response survey conducted among the forum’s participants showed that majority believe it is now time to amend the constitution.
The reasons given by the respondents favoring constitution reform ranged from economic advantages to the need to “update” the charter.
On the other hand, respondents who disagreed say that they doubt the motives behind the cha-cha movement and cited the need for more discussion.
The survey results here also reflect the groundswell of Filipinos who approve charter change based on the results of a Pulse Asia survey released in March 2006.
While Filipinos remain divided on whether the constitution should be revised now, those who approve of Charter change now has been increasing steadily since March 2005, said the survey, which was conducted from February 18 to March 4.
Forty three percent of the respondents said “yes” when asked whether it was right to amend the Constitution now, compared to 36 percent in October 2005, and 29 percent in March 2005.
The number of those who oppose an amendment to the Constitution in March is down from 55 percent in October 2005, the survey said.
The survey covered 1,800 respondents, 18 years old and above, had a margin of error of 3 percent, and a confidence level of 95 percent.
Proponents of charter changed have appealed to critics, particularly the senators, to stop regarding cha-cha with a myopic view and instead keep their doors open for debates and healthy dialogues on constitutional reforms.
Charter Change AdCom chairman Lito Monico Lorenzana in a recent forum said that charter amendments is a “high stakes” political exercise that cannot tolerate “a myopic, inflexible reverence to a political system that is not responsive and in sync to the needs of the people.”
The AdCom team, which has been conducting dialogue sorties nationwide, recently expressed their satisfaction that its aim of spurring public discussions on constitutional reforms not only has taken off but also elicited an unexpected discovery: that majority is for charter change after all.
Lorenzana notes “debates are on the upswing. But not only that, it also appears from our talks with various sectors, including some seeming opponents, that they want some form of constitutional amending or large-scale revision.”
Cha-cha debate heats up
“We’re a nation bitterly divided on (the issue of) charter change.”
This was the remark made by Consultative Commission Chairman Jose Abueva in his presentation during the Multi-sectoral Forum on Cha-Cha held at St. Paul’s University, this city.
Abueva observed that the people have likened the issue of constitutional reform to that of “the forces of good versus evil.”
Abueva said the charter change should be made urgently before our country’s situation worsens.
He said the present government system have failed to resolve the problem of ineffectivity in the government unlike in parliamentary form of government where the legislative and executive are one, thus accountability is assumed.
Furthermore, the former University of the Philippines (UP) President said electing the head of our Republican state is largely based on popularity, whereas in parliamentary, the head of the government is chosen for his leadership and experience in the party and efficiency in public service.
Abueva noted that regional and local government units, parliamentary government in federal structure will enable local leaders to give immediate response to the needs of their constituents and capability to improve their local economy without having to rely on the central government’s funding but their own.
On the other hand, former Senator Vicente Paterno said people lack adequate information on issues involved in charter change.
He opined that trainors on cha-cha is necessary for the people to better understand the issues thus form their own opinion and make the right decision. “People just say yes to something they don’t know”, Paterno said.
Paterno said what is necessary is not in a change of the form of government but in the hearts of the people running the system. He further said major issues must be threshed out before jumping radically to change the constitution. He continued by posing a question, “Will Cha-Cha ensure the future of the Philippines?”
Rev. Father Gamaliel Tulabing, who was one of the reactors during the forum, echoed Paterno’s thoughts, saying cha-cha should be thoroughly studied, analyzed and discussed.
On the other hand, Alex Sy from the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce said a change to parliamentary government should not be done abruptly since the country is still facing major issues that need to be resolved.
Oriental Negros Governor George Arnaiz, pointed out that charter change should be made to adapt to the changes of the times.
PNP strengthens security in Siquijor seaports
The Siquijor Police Provincial Office is trying to strengthen security of the province’s seaports as it deploys uniformed personnel to Siquijor seaports to provide necessary security during arrival and departure of sea vessels.
Police Community Relation-Police Non-Commissioned Officer Lyn Desiree B. Lagudas reported during the forum with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), DILG, and Provincial Management Coordinating Council (PMCC) held May 26, 2006 at DILG Provincial Office here.
Lagudas said the move came after the local government officials complained of poor implementation of security measures in different seaports which they said could be a “soft target for terrorist attack.”
The issue was raised during the recent Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting where local officials also noted that only the seaport of Larena is provided with the necessary physical and personnel security and that not a single personnel from the maritime police is assigned in the province.
Police Senior Superintendent Orlando Domingo Ualat in his report rendered by Lagudas said that since Siquijor is one of the tourist destinations in the country, the police cannot just rely on its present peace and order condition. He said Siquijor police provincial office needs to upgrade it manpower resources which have been outnumbered by the growing population.
Ualat, however, still boasts of the effectiveness and efficiency of the police in the province “as evidenced by the minimal number of crimes committed, and with the absence of organized and syndicated crime groups, communist terrorists and other threat groups in the province.”
Siquijor island is still the safest and ideal tourist destination in the region, he said.
Unicef conducts child participation training for Visayas youth leaders
Identified youth leaders in the Visayas region will attend a four-day Island-Wide Trainor’s Training on Child and Youth Participation entitled “Hand-in-Hand: Enhancing Child Participation in the Child Friendly Movement.”
The training conducted by Unicef will be from June 1 to 4, 2006 at Golden Peak Hotel and Suites, Cebu City.
The Child-Friendly Movement has been actively building child-friendly communities across the country where children survive and develop their fullest potential as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which states that children have the right to voice out their views and opinions on matters that affect their lives.
The youth leaders will be accompanied by one to two members of the Provincial Technical Working of the Sixth Country Programme for Children of each province.
The training is spearheaded by the Unicef Communication Section which has been building awareness on CRC and helping partners put its principles into practice. It sees child participation as a major component towards the realization of children’s rights.
The Island-wide Trainor’s Training hopes to bring together children and adults from Unicef CPC-6 areas to learn how children’s participation can be effectively promoted in their respective areas.
During the training, children and adult participants will learn important concepts on child participation, such as why it is important and beneficial.
Children and adults will also look at factors that will either hinder or facilitate meaningful children participation in their areas.
5/26/2006
PHOTO RELEASES MAY 24, 2006
TRAVELING FORUM ON CHARTER CHANGE
May 24, 2006, 1:00 p.m., Fleur de Lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete
(L-R) Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing, ConCom Chair Dr. Jose Abueva, ConCom member former Senator Vicente Paterno, Negros Oriental Governor George P. Arnaiz and local Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. President Alex Sy during the Traveling Forum on Charter Change held May 24, 2006 at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete.
May 24, 2006, 1:00 p.m., Fleur de Lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete
(L-R) Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing, ConCom Chair Dr. Jose Abueva, ConCom member former Senator Vicente Paterno, Negros Oriental Governor George P. Arnaiz and local Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. President Alex Sy during the Traveling Forum on Charter Change held May 24, 2006 at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete.
ConCom AdCom Chair Dr. Jose Abueva presenting the highlights of the proposed constitutional reforms during the Traveling Forumo on Charter Changed held May 24, 2006 at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete.PHOTO RELEASE FROM VALENCIA
SEDIP (Please refer to news items posted below)
MDC Meeting (Pls. refer to news items posted below)5/25/2006
ISSUE NO. 21 MAY 24, 2006
Don’t underestimate the Filipinos, says Guv to ChaCha critics
Do not underestimate the Filipino people because they are capable of understanding the Constitution.
This was the point stressed by Governor George P. Arnaiz during the Traveling Forum on Charter Change held May 23, 2006 at St. Paul University, this city.
Arnaiz raised his point in view of the assertion of critics of Cha-Cha that the people were made to blindly sign the People’s Initiative petition without adequate knowledge of what the proposed constitutional amendments is all about.
“We should not underestimate our people…they are capable of understanding the constitution if we feed them with the right information,” says Arnaiz.
The governor, a staunch advocate of charter change, believes that legislation under a parliamentary form of government would be faster.
He argues that under the General Appropriations Act in the present system, the release of funds for the local government units have always been delayed. “This has affected local governance,” laments Arnaiz.
Arnaiz, together with Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing and Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Negros Oriental Chapter President Alex Sy, composed the panel of reactors during the forum wherein Consultative Commission (ConCom) Chairman Dr. Jose Abueva and Concom member and former Senator Vicente T. Paterno presented the pro’s and con’s of the proposed constitutional reforms, respectively.
Arnaiz said that compared to a Constitutional Convention and Constitutional Assemble, the People’s Initiative is the most democratic procedure because “it’s the people themselves who are given a change to propose the changes directly.”
According to Dr. Abueva, as many as 9 million people across the country have already signed the petition for a People’s Initiative.
Majority of these signatures have already been verified, adds Abueva.
Both Abueva and Paterno are among representatives of national, regional and sectoral constituencies who make up the Consultative Commission created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to conduct consultations with various sectors of society nationwide.
The forum in Dumaguete is the 8th stop for the AdCom which has been conducting sorties around the country to raise public awareness on the proposed amendments to the Constituton by way of intellectual debates and discussion with local sectors.
Arnaiz encouraged Negrenses to hold intelligent discussions on charter change in their households to better educate family members about ChaCha.
He also proposed that more fora also be conducted down to the sitio levels to raise people’s awareness and participation on the ongoing debate on ChaCha.
Country has a better chance under parliamentary gov’t
In the midst of what he calls is the most extensive discussion on Charter Change in Philippine history, Consultative Commission (ConCom) Chairman Dr. Jose Abueva said that the country has a better shot at effective governance, progress and realization of our goals as a nation with a parliamentary system compared to the current presidential form of government.
Abueva was speaking during the traveling forum on Charter Change held May 24, 2006 at St. Paul University-Dumaguete wherein he presented the proposed constitutional amendments.
With Abueva was former Sen. Vicente Paterno who in turn presented the argument against charter change.
Paterno, who sits as director of a slew of corporations including the First Philippine Holdings Corporation, said that he agrees “in principle” to a constitutional reform but he questioned why there’s a rush to change the charter when it can be done later at the proper time.
But Abueva, a social scientist who is the Founding President and Chairman of the Kalayaan College and also University Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration, disagrees.
He said there is an urgency to reform the charter because the country is in deep political and economic crisis, threatening the survival of the country’s constitutional democracy. “Largely because our leaders are unwilling and unable to raise taxes, our government has limited funding. It is now heavily in debt from too much borrowing with up to 40% of our national going to debt service,” says Abueva.
When asked during the open forum if he can assure that a shift to parlimantary government would assure an improvement in the economic status of the country, Abueva asks this in return: “Has the present presidential system of government done anything to uplift the living condition of the masses or put a stop to poverty?”
He also stressed that the current system of government has caused intense rivalry and competition of power among the President and the legislative power of the Senate and House of Representatives due to the separation of executive powers. “Constant conflict and gridlock between the President and the House and the Senate and too many congressional investigations delay and obstruct legislations and reforms,” said Abueva.
Aside from this, he said that candidates for President and Senate are increasingly being elected for their personal popularity or “win-ability” and wealth rather than political leadership.
He said that all these and other aberrances of the present form of government hindering the nation’s growth would be addressed and corrected should the shift to a parliamentary government push through.
It’s high time for Cha-Cha – SSC prexy
There is really a need for Charter change and the time is now, says Siquijor State College President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan on the issue of whether to change or not to change the Constitution.
Dr. Cabanganan said the present structure of government is defective an vey that it has to be ironed out, realigned and strengthened according to the changing needs of our times. “There are people in the government who are not attuned to the changing needs, but for me constitutional change is as urgent as it is necessary,” stressed Cabanganan.
He likened the Cha-Cha issue to a house in need of repair. “Kumbaga sa bahay, it needs to be repaired although I prefer a new construction…but if we lack the resources, then the repair will suffice and new construction will follow,” Cabanganan said.
In reaction to some views that the government has to solve first the series of economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Cabanganan said that a problem cannot be solved by adding another problem.
Cabanganan’s view echoes that of the Administration as it hopes that the on-going dialogues between the Senate and House leaderships would yield positive results at the soonest possible time to proceed with the overhaul of the political system.
The Administration has earlier stressed the need to explore avenues for executive-legislative cooperation in the spirit of civic duty and statesmanship in order to cure what it calls is our “degenerated political system.”
Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Engr. Judy Booc, for her part, said the Constitution may need to be changed but what is more pressing is the need to address the critical issues at hand and for the government to stabilize first.
Council member, businessman agree on ChaCha
It’s now or never, says a prominent businessman who favors changing the Constitution the soonest possible time in order to put a stop to the “agony of the masses.”
Local businessman and hotelier Roy Cang said that a change into a parliamentary government will give the country’s economy that much needed boost in the arm.
This is the advantage of a parliamentary system- lesser number of people equals reduced cost and faster action, says Cang.
Cang, who runs a major hotel and department stores in the city, pointed out the many deadlocks in the current government system, which are the stumbling blocks to the country’s growth and a change in the political system would address this.
But, he quickly adds that he is hoping that a change in government would also result to a change of hearts of the people governing it. “People in the government should set aside their political agendas which is destroying the country,” he said.
Another local public figure who believes that amending the constitution would do the country a lot of good is City Councilor Manuel Patrimonio who believes that it’s time for a change because the 1987 Constitution was not studied well.
Patrimonio said the 1987 Constitution was then amended “to legalize Cory’s revolutionary government” but now it needs to be changed.
The councilor adds that charter change would cut down the country’s expenses said that under the present government system, election is done almost yearly. He cited the elections which took place between 1992 to 1998 – the 1992 national election, 1993 ARMM and Cordilleras Autonomous Region, 1994 barangay elections, 1995 mid-year election, 1996 SK election, 1997 barangay election and 1998 national election.
He said the elections cost billions of pesos at the expense of government coffers as the funding comes from the public treasury.
Patrimonio said that the money poured into the conduct of elections could have been used to fund the implementation of more government projects and thus save public funds.
However, the issue on constitutional amendment is still being hotly debated and the Administration hopes that the on-going dialogues between the Senate and House leaderships would yield positive results soon.
The Administration is confident that in the end, the will of the people will prevail in tearing down the walls of resistance and opening the road to Constitutional reform.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council Executive Rosario Rosales here would like to inform the District Girl Scout commissioners, Headquarter Principals, District Field Advisors and PESS Coordinators that 54th Council Anniversary Raffle Draw has been reset to June 28, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the GSP Conference Hall, Dumaguete City.
Panlautan farm-to-market road inaugurated
Neither the scorching heat nor the steep mountain trails hampered the inauguration of the Panlautan farm-to-market road at barangay Panlautan, Siquijor, last May 16, 2006.
The residents’ long-time dream for an accessible farm-to-market road was answered in April 20 this year through the DSWD’s Kapit Bigis Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB).
This KKB project aims to empower local communities or barangays and improve their governance by providing fund support for basic infrastructure, training programs and other capability-building activities.
Situated above barangay Candanay Sur, the Panlautan farm-to-market road which started in October 31, 2005 has been 100 percent completed at a total project cost of P2,103,939.00, the bulk of which came from the KALAHI-CIDSS, worth P1M, 935, 571.60. The rest of the fund came from the local government unit of Siquijor and the barangay itself, either in cash or in kind.
Youth encouraged to be entrepreneurs
Youth leaders in the Municipality of Valencia were taught to be entrepreneurs to help their families and improve their economic plight during one-day youth livelihood development seminar held May 23 at the municipal session hall in Valencia town.
Local Operations Officer Ruby Noblefranca said the seminar was aimed at enriching the youth’s knowledge and capabilities in practical livelihood undertakings and to be more competitive in their entrepreneurial skills.
The seminar also supports the thrusts of the Gonzalez administration to have a pool of skilled individuals that can be tapped for employment.
The 72 participants were trained on mushroom, culture, tilapia breeding, banana and papaya production, livestock raising, and banana tissue culture.
Noblefranca said it is high time the youth, through its Sangguniang Kabataan, organize into a strong and potent group that would focus on livelihood. “ Developing their attitude to have a sense of industry must be pushed to promote livelihood entrepreneur among the youth,” she said.
Valencia town gets P24-M SEDIP program
Students in Valencia town may enjoy better school facilities this school year with the local government sourcing money to counterpart the P24-million SEDIP (Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project) to implement constructions of new secondary school buildings.
Fredo Anqui, municipal planning officer, said P4-million savings of the town’s 1-centavo per kilowatt-hour from the Department of Energy may be used to fund part of the program.
The municipality already put up an initital amount of P1-million to counterpart the P3.5 two- storey four classrooms school building construction in Valencia National High School, undertaken by JOAN Constrruction.
Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr wants to avail of the entire amount of P24-million from SEDIP for Valencia by giving a counterpart of P8-million or 25 percent to the program, being funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Asian Development Bank.
Barangay captains and various leaders from the civil society groups expressed full support to the effort of the Gonzalez administration during the municipal development council meeting held Wednesday, to approved the P6.4-million for various proposed projects. The amount comes from the 20 percent development fund surplus of the administration.
Local Council for Women to mark Int’l Women’s Health Day
The Valencia Local Council for Women will hold a health fair to celebrate the International Day for Women’s Health on Sunday, May 28.
The health fair, exclusively for women, will start from 8 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the afternoon at the Valencia Rural Health Center.
Screening test for cholesterol, ECG, papsmear, and fasting blood sugar will be conducted for free by volunteer doctors.
Rowena Giangan, municipal social welfare officer, encouraged women in Valencia town to avail of the opportunity as only first 50 clients will be accommodated for each screening test. Women above 40 years old will be priority for papsmear.
Do not underestimate the Filipino people because they are capable of understanding the Constitution.
This was the point stressed by Governor George P. Arnaiz during the Traveling Forum on Charter Change held May 23, 2006 at St. Paul University, this city.
Arnaiz raised his point in view of the assertion of critics of Cha-Cha that the people were made to blindly sign the People’s Initiative petition without adequate knowledge of what the proposed constitutional amendments is all about.
“We should not underestimate our people…they are capable of understanding the constitution if we feed them with the right information,” says Arnaiz.
The governor, a staunch advocate of charter change, believes that legislation under a parliamentary form of government would be faster.
He argues that under the General Appropriations Act in the present system, the release of funds for the local government units have always been delayed. “This has affected local governance,” laments Arnaiz.
Arnaiz, together with Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing and Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Negros Oriental Chapter President Alex Sy, composed the panel of reactors during the forum wherein Consultative Commission (ConCom) Chairman Dr. Jose Abueva and Concom member and former Senator Vicente T. Paterno presented the pro’s and con’s of the proposed constitutional reforms, respectively.
Arnaiz said that compared to a Constitutional Convention and Constitutional Assemble, the People’s Initiative is the most democratic procedure because “it’s the people themselves who are given a change to propose the changes directly.”
According to Dr. Abueva, as many as 9 million people across the country have already signed the petition for a People’s Initiative.
Majority of these signatures have already been verified, adds Abueva.
Both Abueva and Paterno are among representatives of national, regional and sectoral constituencies who make up the Consultative Commission created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to conduct consultations with various sectors of society nationwide.
The forum in Dumaguete is the 8th stop for the AdCom which has been conducting sorties around the country to raise public awareness on the proposed amendments to the Constituton by way of intellectual debates and discussion with local sectors.
Arnaiz encouraged Negrenses to hold intelligent discussions on charter change in their households to better educate family members about ChaCha.
He also proposed that more fora also be conducted down to the sitio levels to raise people’s awareness and participation on the ongoing debate on ChaCha.
Country has a better chance under parliamentary gov’t
In the midst of what he calls is the most extensive discussion on Charter Change in Philippine history, Consultative Commission (ConCom) Chairman Dr. Jose Abueva said that the country has a better shot at effective governance, progress and realization of our goals as a nation with a parliamentary system compared to the current presidential form of government.
Abueva was speaking during the traveling forum on Charter Change held May 24, 2006 at St. Paul University-Dumaguete wherein he presented the proposed constitutional amendments.
With Abueva was former Sen. Vicente Paterno who in turn presented the argument against charter change.
Paterno, who sits as director of a slew of corporations including the First Philippine Holdings Corporation, said that he agrees “in principle” to a constitutional reform but he questioned why there’s a rush to change the charter when it can be done later at the proper time.
But Abueva, a social scientist who is the Founding President and Chairman of the Kalayaan College and also University Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration, disagrees.
He said there is an urgency to reform the charter because the country is in deep political and economic crisis, threatening the survival of the country’s constitutional democracy. “Largely because our leaders are unwilling and unable to raise taxes, our government has limited funding. It is now heavily in debt from too much borrowing with up to 40% of our national going to debt service,” says Abueva.
When asked during the open forum if he can assure that a shift to parlimantary government would assure an improvement in the economic status of the country, Abueva asks this in return: “Has the present presidential system of government done anything to uplift the living condition of the masses or put a stop to poverty?”
He also stressed that the current system of government has caused intense rivalry and competition of power among the President and the legislative power of the Senate and House of Representatives due to the separation of executive powers. “Constant conflict and gridlock between the President and the House and the Senate and too many congressional investigations delay and obstruct legislations and reforms,” said Abueva.
Aside from this, he said that candidates for President and Senate are increasingly being elected for their personal popularity or “win-ability” and wealth rather than political leadership.
He said that all these and other aberrances of the present form of government hindering the nation’s growth would be addressed and corrected should the shift to a parliamentary government push through.
It’s high time for Cha-Cha – SSC prexy
There is really a need for Charter change and the time is now, says Siquijor State College President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan on the issue of whether to change or not to change the Constitution.
Dr. Cabanganan said the present structure of government is defective an vey that it has to be ironed out, realigned and strengthened according to the changing needs of our times. “There are people in the government who are not attuned to the changing needs, but for me constitutional change is as urgent as it is necessary,” stressed Cabanganan.
He likened the Cha-Cha issue to a house in need of repair. “Kumbaga sa bahay, it needs to be repaired although I prefer a new construction…but if we lack the resources, then the repair will suffice and new construction will follow,” Cabanganan said.
In reaction to some views that the government has to solve first the series of economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Cabanganan said that a problem cannot be solved by adding another problem.
Cabanganan’s view echoes that of the Administration as it hopes that the on-going dialogues between the Senate and House leaderships would yield positive results at the soonest possible time to proceed with the overhaul of the political system.
The Administration has earlier stressed the need to explore avenues for executive-legislative cooperation in the spirit of civic duty and statesmanship in order to cure what it calls is our “degenerated political system.”
Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Engr. Judy Booc, for her part, said the Constitution may need to be changed but what is more pressing is the need to address the critical issues at hand and for the government to stabilize first.
Council member, businessman agree on ChaCha
It’s now or never, says a prominent businessman who favors changing the Constitution the soonest possible time in order to put a stop to the “agony of the masses.”
Local businessman and hotelier Roy Cang said that a change into a parliamentary government will give the country’s economy that much needed boost in the arm.
This is the advantage of a parliamentary system- lesser number of people equals reduced cost and faster action, says Cang.
Cang, who runs a major hotel and department stores in the city, pointed out the many deadlocks in the current government system, which are the stumbling blocks to the country’s growth and a change in the political system would address this.
But, he quickly adds that he is hoping that a change in government would also result to a change of hearts of the people governing it. “People in the government should set aside their political agendas which is destroying the country,” he said.
Another local public figure who believes that amending the constitution would do the country a lot of good is City Councilor Manuel Patrimonio who believes that it’s time for a change because the 1987 Constitution was not studied well.
Patrimonio said the 1987 Constitution was then amended “to legalize Cory’s revolutionary government” but now it needs to be changed.
The councilor adds that charter change would cut down the country’s expenses said that under the present government system, election is done almost yearly. He cited the elections which took place between 1992 to 1998 – the 1992 national election, 1993 ARMM and Cordilleras Autonomous Region, 1994 barangay elections, 1995 mid-year election, 1996 SK election, 1997 barangay election and 1998 national election.
He said the elections cost billions of pesos at the expense of government coffers as the funding comes from the public treasury.
Patrimonio said that the money poured into the conduct of elections could have been used to fund the implementation of more government projects and thus save public funds.
However, the issue on constitutional amendment is still being hotly debated and the Administration hopes that the on-going dialogues between the Senate and House leaderships would yield positive results soon.
The Administration is confident that in the end, the will of the people will prevail in tearing down the walls of resistance and opening the road to Constitutional reform.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council Executive Rosario Rosales here would like to inform the District Girl Scout commissioners, Headquarter Principals, District Field Advisors and PESS Coordinators that 54th Council Anniversary Raffle Draw has been reset to June 28, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the GSP Conference Hall, Dumaguete City.
Panlautan farm-to-market road inaugurated
Neither the scorching heat nor the steep mountain trails hampered the inauguration of the Panlautan farm-to-market road at barangay Panlautan, Siquijor, last May 16, 2006.
The residents’ long-time dream for an accessible farm-to-market road was answered in April 20 this year through the DSWD’s Kapit Bigis Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB).
This KKB project aims to empower local communities or barangays and improve their governance by providing fund support for basic infrastructure, training programs and other capability-building activities.
Situated above barangay Candanay Sur, the Panlautan farm-to-market road which started in October 31, 2005 has been 100 percent completed at a total project cost of P2,103,939.00, the bulk of which came from the KALAHI-CIDSS, worth P1M, 935, 571.60. The rest of the fund came from the local government unit of Siquijor and the barangay itself, either in cash or in kind.
Youth encouraged to be entrepreneurs
Youth leaders in the Municipality of Valencia were taught to be entrepreneurs to help their families and improve their economic plight during one-day youth livelihood development seminar held May 23 at the municipal session hall in Valencia town.
Local Operations Officer Ruby Noblefranca said the seminar was aimed at enriching the youth’s knowledge and capabilities in practical livelihood undertakings and to be more competitive in their entrepreneurial skills.
The seminar also supports the thrusts of the Gonzalez administration to have a pool of skilled individuals that can be tapped for employment.
The 72 participants were trained on mushroom, culture, tilapia breeding, banana and papaya production, livestock raising, and banana tissue culture.
Noblefranca said it is high time the youth, through its Sangguniang Kabataan, organize into a strong and potent group that would focus on livelihood. “ Developing their attitude to have a sense of industry must be pushed to promote livelihood entrepreneur among the youth,” she said.
Valencia town gets P24-M SEDIP program
Students in Valencia town may enjoy better school facilities this school year with the local government sourcing money to counterpart the P24-million SEDIP (Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project) to implement constructions of new secondary school buildings.
Fredo Anqui, municipal planning officer, said P4-million savings of the town’s 1-centavo per kilowatt-hour from the Department of Energy may be used to fund part of the program.
The municipality already put up an initital amount of P1-million to counterpart the P3.5 two- storey four classrooms school building construction in Valencia National High School, undertaken by JOAN Constrruction.
Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr wants to avail of the entire amount of P24-million from SEDIP for Valencia by giving a counterpart of P8-million or 25 percent to the program, being funded by Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Asian Development Bank.
Barangay captains and various leaders from the civil society groups expressed full support to the effort of the Gonzalez administration during the municipal development council meeting held Wednesday, to approved the P6.4-million for various proposed projects. The amount comes from the 20 percent development fund surplus of the administration.
Local Council for Women to mark Int’l Women’s Health Day
The Valencia Local Council for Women will hold a health fair to celebrate the International Day for Women’s Health on Sunday, May 28.
The health fair, exclusively for women, will start from 8 o’clock in the morning to 5 o’clock in the afternoon at the Valencia Rural Health Center.
Screening test for cholesterol, ECG, papsmear, and fasting blood sugar will be conducted for free by volunteer doctors.
Rowena Giangan, municipal social welfare officer, encouraged women in Valencia town to avail of the opportunity as only first 50 clients will be accommodated for each screening test. Women above 40 years old will be priority for papsmear.
5/24/2006
Council member, businessman agree on ChaCha
by: Rachelle Nessia
“The 1987 Constitution was not fully studied well,” reasons Dumaguete City Councilor Manuel Patrimonio when asked why he favors changing the constitution.
Patrimonio said the 1987 Constitution was then amended “to legalize Cory’s revolutionary government” but now it needs to be changed.
Changing the constitution will also save people’s money, he adds.
The councilor said that under the present government system, election is done almost yearly. He cited the elections which took place between 1992 to 1998 – the 1992 national election, 1993 ARMM and Cordilleras Autonomous Region, 1994 barangay elections, 1995 mid-year election, 1996 SK election, 1997 barangay election and 1998 national election.
He said the elections cost billions of pesos at the expense of government coffers as the funding comes from the public treasury.
Patrimonio said that the money poured into the conduct of elections could have been used to fund the implementation of more government projects and thus save public funds.
On the other hand, Roy Cang, a prominent businessman in the city, said the Charter Change should be made “now or never” or else continue to “agonize the masses.”
Cang said that under the current government system, there are many deadlocks which are hindering growth in the country and this would be addressed when there is a change in the constitution.
He cited the advantage of a parliamentary system – lesser number of people equals reduced cost and faster action.
The businessman, who owns a major hotel and department stores in the city, believes that a change to parliamentary government will boost the country’s economy.
But, he quickly adds that he hopes that a change in government would also result to a change of hearts of the people governing it. “People in the government should set aside their political agendas which is destroying the country,” he said.
It’s high time for Cha-Cha – SSX prexy
by: Rizalie Calibo
There is really a need for Charter change and the time is now, says Siquijor State College President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan on the issue of whether to change or not to change the Constitution.
Dr. Cabanganan said the present structure of government is defective an vey that it has to be ironed out, realigned and strengthened according to the changing needs of our times. “There are people in the government who are not attuned to the changing needs, but for me constitutional change is as urgent as it is necessary,” stressed Cabanganan.
He likened the Cha-Cha issue to a house in need of repair. “Kumbaga sa bahay, it needs to be repaired although I prefer a new construction…but if we lack the resources, then the repair will suffice and new construction will follow,” Cabanganan said.
In reaction to some views that the government has to solve first the series of economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Cabanganan said that a problem cannot be solved by adding another problem.
Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Engr. Judy Booc said the Constitution may need change but what is more pressing is the need to address the critical issues at hand and for the government to stabilize first.
by: Rachelle Nessia
“The 1987 Constitution was not fully studied well,” reasons Dumaguete City Councilor Manuel Patrimonio when asked why he favors changing the constitution.
Patrimonio said the 1987 Constitution was then amended “to legalize Cory’s revolutionary government” but now it needs to be changed.
Changing the constitution will also save people’s money, he adds.
The councilor said that under the present government system, election is done almost yearly. He cited the elections which took place between 1992 to 1998 – the 1992 national election, 1993 ARMM and Cordilleras Autonomous Region, 1994 barangay elections, 1995 mid-year election, 1996 SK election, 1997 barangay election and 1998 national election.
He said the elections cost billions of pesos at the expense of government coffers as the funding comes from the public treasury.
Patrimonio said that the money poured into the conduct of elections could have been used to fund the implementation of more government projects and thus save public funds.
On the other hand, Roy Cang, a prominent businessman in the city, said the Charter Change should be made “now or never” or else continue to “agonize the masses.”
Cang said that under the current government system, there are many deadlocks which are hindering growth in the country and this would be addressed when there is a change in the constitution.
He cited the advantage of a parliamentary system – lesser number of people equals reduced cost and faster action.
The businessman, who owns a major hotel and department stores in the city, believes that a change to parliamentary government will boost the country’s economy.
But, he quickly adds that he hopes that a change in government would also result to a change of hearts of the people governing it. “People in the government should set aside their political agendas which is destroying the country,” he said.
It’s high time for Cha-Cha – SSX prexy
by: Rizalie Calibo
There is really a need for Charter change and the time is now, says Siquijor State College President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan on the issue of whether to change or not to change the Constitution.
Dr. Cabanganan said the present structure of government is defective an vey that it has to be ironed out, realigned and strengthened according to the changing needs of our times. “There are people in the government who are not attuned to the changing needs, but for me constitutional change is as urgent as it is necessary,” stressed Cabanganan.
He likened the Cha-Cha issue to a house in need of repair. “Kumbaga sa bahay, it needs to be repaired although I prefer a new construction…but if we lack the resources, then the repair will suffice and new construction will follow,” Cabanganan said.
In reaction to some views that the government has to solve first the series of economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Cabanganan said that a problem cannot be solved by adding another problem.
Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Engr. Judy Booc said the Constitution may need change but what is more pressing is the need to address the critical issues at hand and for the government to stabilize first.
5/18/2006
ISSUE NO. 20 MAY 18, 2006
BBC, AdCom hold Cha-Cha forum in Dumaguete
Dumaguete City is the next stop for the Charter Change Travelling Forum this month as a team from the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC) and the Advocacy Commission (AdCom) are set to hold a multi-sectoral forum here on May 24 (Wednesday) at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete.
The forum, held in coordination with the Diocese of Dumaguete and the Philippine Information Agency, is designed to inform and dialogue with people on Constitutional reform. This also aims to tackle proposals for and against Charter Change.
Invited reactors during the forum are: Gov. George Arnaiz; Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. President Alex Sy; Silliman University President Dr. Agustin Pulido; Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing; and Atty. Teodoro Cortez of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen in the Philippines.
No less than AdCom Chairman Dr. Jose A. Abueva will present the proposed Charter Change before a multi-sectoral audience of 150 participants from the academe, non government and people’s organizations, local government units, students, businessmen, farmers groups and other sectors during the forum on May 24.
On the other hand, the presentation on the opposition to the proposed ChaCha will be done by AdCom Member Vicente Paterno.
Abueva and Paterno are part of the 55-member Constitutional Commission that was commissioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to study the needed amendments in the 1987 Constitution.
The President issued Executive Order No. 453 creating the ConCom to conduct consultations and studies and propose amendments and revisions to the 1987 Constitution, principally the proposal to shift from the presidential-unitary system to a parliamentary-federal system of government.
The Arroyo administration has earlier stressed the need for an enlightened debate on political renewal and not filibustering or impasse-building.
In line with this, AdCom is conducting a traveling multi-advocacy tour wherein advocacy sorties are done in key areas nationwide to address the apparent lack of public awareness on the proposed constitutional reform.
Recent Social Weather Station surveys have indicated that very few Filipinos actually understand the present Constitution, the system of government and the various proposals for amendments to the Charter.
In their nationwide sorties, the BBC commissioners tackle proposals for or against charter change and at the same time collate opinions and recommendations on charter change which will later be presented to key legislators and policy makers.
Local government units here, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the province, have also scheduled their own orientation-trainings on Charter Change in their respective areas.
The orientation-trainings will be conducted in the following LGUs: Canlaon City (May 26), Bais City (May 25), Tanjay City (May 23), Dumaguete City (May 22), Bayawan City (May 26), Vallehermoso (May 26), Guihulngan (May 25), La Libertad (May 26), Jimalalud (May 24), Tayasan (May 17), Ayungon (May 26), Bindoy (May 25), Manjuyod (May 26), Mabinay (May 26), Pamplona (May 26), Amlan (May 25), San Jose (May 25), Sibulan (May 26), Valencia (MAy 16), Bacong (MAy 26), Dauin (May 26), Zamboanguita (May 26), Siaton (May 25), Sta. Catalina (May 26), and Basay (May 25).
BM Saycon predicts pro-ChaCha landslide in NegOr if referendum pushes through
It’s a fearless forecast from Board Member Melimore Saycon who sees a landslide vote of “yes” to Charter Change in Negros Oriental should the referendum on the proposed constitutional reforms push through.
Negros Oriental has around 606,000 total registered voters and Saycon predicts that not less than 400,000 of them would vote in favor of Charter Change.
“This is my forecast, if the referendum pushes through, not less than 70 percent of the total registered voters in Negros Oriental would vote yes,” states Saycon.
Saycon’s prediction is largely based on the overwhelming support from majority of the chief executives in the local government units in the province.
“Ang local government officials dire gikan ni Governor Arnaiz, mga board members paingon sa mga mayor sa lima ka syudad ug beinte ka munisipalidad sa Negros are all supporting Charter Change,” says Saycon.
He stressed that the country needs a radical economic change and now is the right time for it. “In fact, ulahi na kita ug kinse ka tu-ig in changing our system. Hinog na ang panahon to shift into parliamentary system,” adds Saycon.
This was echoed by Commissioner Ronald Adamat of the Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom) who observed during a multi-sectoral forum held in Oroquieta City that a shift to parliamentary –unicameral form of government will give more autonomy for local government units and empower them to chart their own destiny.
Adamat said that the proposed constitutional revisions would benefit governance at the local levels as the current presidential-bicameral system is marginalizing the LGUs.
In the midst of ongoing heated debate over the proposed constitutional reforms, the Administration’s main concern is to lay down a solid political springboard for nation-building that would liberate the people from poisoned politics and build stability and shared prosperity into the long future.
NOPH holds medical-surgical mission for cataract patients
Provincial Health Officer Ely Villapando announced that there will be a medical-surgical mission for cataract patients on May 22 to 24, 2006 at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH).
Those who are interested to avail of the services are requested to register with the Medical Social Service Officer (MSSO) at NOPH. Registration started last May 11, 2006.
The medical-surgical mission is a project of the Negros Oriental provincial government in cooperation with the Philippine Rotary Association for Blindness Prevention and the Rotary Club of Dumaguete Foundation Inc.
PPOC seeks talks with gambling operators
SIQUIJOR -- The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) here invited gambling operators, particularly “suertres” financiers to a dialogue recently.
Suertres is illegally derived from the last three-digit lotto draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The meeting was aimed to discuss gambling as a live issue to resolve and to look into its implications to the Siquijorian community.
“We are all together in this effort to curb illegal gambling in our province, said Lazi Mayor Orville Fua who temporarily presided over the meeting.
Mayor Rebecca Padayhag of Maria disclosed knowledge that an influential person is behind it but she declined to elaborate.
“Whoever is behind it must be toppled down,” she said.
Padayhag however didn’t dismiss the fact that if it be cracked down, some people’s means of livelihood would be compromised.
The four suertres operators/financiers facing the council said they’re not just for the sake of raking in money out of it but helping the small people like bet collectors get through day by day from the little income they earned from it.
Disgusted, however, by one financier’s statement that he will only stop if other financiers stop, DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Vertucio said it’s plain absurd because she said illegal gambling is illegal per se and that it can’t be justified with whatever reasons or conditions.
“Our law enforcers and officials should have a stronger backbone in asserting the law,” she said.
Philippine National Police Provincial Director Orlando Ualat in response said that the law is the law, which excuses no one.
“If financiers continue to sustain their illegal operation, you can readily assume we will be forced to carry out the duties and obligations mandated to us,” Ualata said. We will continue to fine-tune our responsibilities of keeping peace and order and address needs and imperatives that may arise, he stressed.
Financiers, however, were given with option to make their activity lawful.
Mayor Richard Quezon of the municipality of Siquijor suggested to them putting up lotto outlets which is the best legal way of maintaining their operations.
On top of this burning local issue, the Catholic Church which is anti-gambling crusader disclosed that what is likewise more urgent is the giving out of dignified employment to the poor.
“Unless they have them, we can’t expect our province to be gambling-free,” one priest said.
City gov’t officials call for changes in the Constitution
To change or not to change the Constitution is the question that remains unanswered for now, setting off fiery debates in political circles in the country.
The 55-member Advocacy Commission (AdCom) is bringing the debate down to the grassroots level as it hops around the country holding multi-sectoral fora to raise public awareness and spur intelligent discussions on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
For his part, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices is not fully sold out to the government’s move to totally change the Constitution but admits that it needs to be “upgraded.”
He said that there are certain provisions in the Constitution that are no longer applicable today and thus an “upgrade” is needed.
On the other hand, Dumaguete City Councilor Dr. Noel de Jesus said that the Philippines is already 15 years late in changing its system of government.
Had we done this years ago, Philippines would not have been behind its Asian counterparts now, he stressed.
The councilor admits though that this might not be the right time to change Constitution in view of the country’s current state of economic affairs. “But , better late than never,” he quips.
De Jesus appealed to politicians and the different sectors of society to lay aside their differences and stop their political bickering to quicken the much-needed constitutional amendments and hence, speeding up the development of the country.
Malacañang has recently called on the Senate to support the Charter Change, particularly moves to shift to a parliamentary form of government even if this would mean the abolition of the chamber.
Speaker Jose de Venecia said that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s statement and the “quiet and constructive efforts” of El Shaddai leader Brother Mike Velarde have created a “significant breakthrough” in efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Over 8.9 million people have signed up to signify their support for the people’s initiative mode to amend the 1987 Constitution during the information drive initiated by the Union of Local Government of the Philippines.
De Jesus also lauded the government’s move to bring the political discussion down to the people by launching a national campaign to raise public awareness on constitutional reforms.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier issued Executive Order No. 453 creating the 55-member Constitutional Commission to conduct consultations and studies and propose amendments and revisions to the 1987 Constitution.
A consultation will be done in Dumaguete City on May 24 at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul’s University wherein discussions will be led by a team from the Advocacy Commission (AdCom) headed by its Chairman Dr. Jose A. Abueva.
Bayawan City gov’t conducts Halad sa Brgy
In order to bring the government closer to the people, the city government of Bayawan has initiated a “Halad sa Barangay” project in at least 15 barangays in Bayawan City from May 15 to June 2, 2006.
The activity is a brainchild of Bayawan City Mayor German P. Saraña Jr. and the City Public Safety Officer, Retired Col. Nicolas S. Noble in coordination with the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Among the services given to the people in the 15 barangays are medical and dental check-up and distribution of medicines, services from the Local Civil Registrar, Assessor’s Office, Land Reform, City Treasurer, Legal Office, among others.
According to Jun Euraoba of the Bayawan City Public Safety Office, the city experienced an insurgency alarm in five barangays identified to be slowly being corrupted by leftist ideologies.
The barangays are namely, Dawis, Kalamtukan, Narra, Nangka and Maninihon. Indications of recruitment is again apparent in the said barangays formerly infiltrated by the leftist group.
The city government has foreseen the would be effects of this problem which is counter productive to the ongoing efforts of the government to uplift the living condition of the people, says Euraoba.
In view of this, he said the city government has started conducting counter-propaganda activity through the initiative of the City Public Safety Office.
One of the activities done under the city’s counter insurgency program is the conduct of Halad sa Barangay or the Community Assistance on Rural Empowerment through Social Services (CARESS).
Mayor Saraña believes the war against insurgency cannot be won by guns and bullets but by bringing the government closer to the people by providing them with the much needed services and livelihood.
Meanwhile, a job fair and Halad sa Katawhan will also be conducted at Bayawan City on May 26, 2006.
Among the government agencies who are expected to offer their services to the public during the said activity are TESDA, BIR, PRC, Postal Office, LTO, DSWD, GSIS, DTI, DOST, DA and DOH.
TESDA will offer free competency assessment for occupational titles/trade areas (test of knowledge only) on a first come-first served basis.
Those who are interested to avail of the services during the job fair and Halad sa Katawhan are required to register with the City Cooperative and Manpower Development Office, Annex Building, Bayawan City Hall.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Dumaguete City is the next stop for the Charter Change Travelling Forum this month as a team from the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC) and the Advocacy Commission (AdCom) are set to hold a multi-sectoral forum here on May 24 (Wednesday) at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul University-Dumaguete.
The forum, held in coordination with the Diocese of Dumaguete and the Philippine Information Agency, is designed to inform and dialogue with people on Constitutional reform. This also aims to tackle proposals for and against Charter Change.
Invited reactors during the forum are: Gov. George Arnaiz; Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. President Alex Sy; Silliman University President Dr. Agustin Pulido; Rev. Fr. Gamaliel Tulabing; and Atty. Teodoro Cortez of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen in the Philippines.
No less than AdCom Chairman Dr. Jose A. Abueva will present the proposed Charter Change before a multi-sectoral audience of 150 participants from the academe, non government and people’s organizations, local government units, students, businessmen, farmers groups and other sectors during the forum on May 24.
On the other hand, the presentation on the opposition to the proposed ChaCha will be done by AdCom Member Vicente Paterno.
Abueva and Paterno are part of the 55-member Constitutional Commission that was commissioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to study the needed amendments in the 1987 Constitution.
The President issued Executive Order No. 453 creating the ConCom to conduct consultations and studies and propose amendments and revisions to the 1987 Constitution, principally the proposal to shift from the presidential-unitary system to a parliamentary-federal system of government.
The Arroyo administration has earlier stressed the need for an enlightened debate on political renewal and not filibustering or impasse-building.
In line with this, AdCom is conducting a traveling multi-advocacy tour wherein advocacy sorties are done in key areas nationwide to address the apparent lack of public awareness on the proposed constitutional reform.
Recent Social Weather Station surveys have indicated that very few Filipinos actually understand the present Constitution, the system of government and the various proposals for amendments to the Charter.
In their nationwide sorties, the BBC commissioners tackle proposals for or against charter change and at the same time collate opinions and recommendations on charter change which will later be presented to key legislators and policy makers.
Local government units here, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the province, have also scheduled their own orientation-trainings on Charter Change in their respective areas.
The orientation-trainings will be conducted in the following LGUs: Canlaon City (May 26), Bais City (May 25), Tanjay City (May 23), Dumaguete City (May 22), Bayawan City (May 26), Vallehermoso (May 26), Guihulngan (May 25), La Libertad (May 26), Jimalalud (May 24), Tayasan (May 17), Ayungon (May 26), Bindoy (May 25), Manjuyod (May 26), Mabinay (May 26), Pamplona (May 26), Amlan (May 25), San Jose (May 25), Sibulan (May 26), Valencia (MAy 16), Bacong (MAy 26), Dauin (May 26), Zamboanguita (May 26), Siaton (May 25), Sta. Catalina (May 26), and Basay (May 25).
BM Saycon predicts pro-ChaCha landslide in NegOr if referendum pushes through
It’s a fearless forecast from Board Member Melimore Saycon who sees a landslide vote of “yes” to Charter Change in Negros Oriental should the referendum on the proposed constitutional reforms push through.
Negros Oriental has around 606,000 total registered voters and Saycon predicts that not less than 400,000 of them would vote in favor of Charter Change.
“This is my forecast, if the referendum pushes through, not less than 70 percent of the total registered voters in Negros Oriental would vote yes,” states Saycon.
Saycon’s prediction is largely based on the overwhelming support from majority of the chief executives in the local government units in the province.
“Ang local government officials dire gikan ni Governor Arnaiz, mga board members paingon sa mga mayor sa lima ka syudad ug beinte ka munisipalidad sa Negros are all supporting Charter Change,” says Saycon.
He stressed that the country needs a radical economic change and now is the right time for it. “In fact, ulahi na kita ug kinse ka tu-ig in changing our system. Hinog na ang panahon to shift into parliamentary system,” adds Saycon.
This was echoed by Commissioner Ronald Adamat of the Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom) who observed during a multi-sectoral forum held in Oroquieta City that a shift to parliamentary –unicameral form of government will give more autonomy for local government units and empower them to chart their own destiny.
Adamat said that the proposed constitutional revisions would benefit governance at the local levels as the current presidential-bicameral system is marginalizing the LGUs.
In the midst of ongoing heated debate over the proposed constitutional reforms, the Administration’s main concern is to lay down a solid political springboard for nation-building that would liberate the people from poisoned politics and build stability and shared prosperity into the long future.
NOPH holds medical-surgical mission for cataract patients
Provincial Health Officer Ely Villapando announced that there will be a medical-surgical mission for cataract patients on May 22 to 24, 2006 at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH).
Those who are interested to avail of the services are requested to register with the Medical Social Service Officer (MSSO) at NOPH. Registration started last May 11, 2006.
The medical-surgical mission is a project of the Negros Oriental provincial government in cooperation with the Philippine Rotary Association for Blindness Prevention and the Rotary Club of Dumaguete Foundation Inc.
PPOC seeks talks with gambling operators
SIQUIJOR -- The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) here invited gambling operators, particularly “suertres” financiers to a dialogue recently.
Suertres is illegally derived from the last three-digit lotto draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The meeting was aimed to discuss gambling as a live issue to resolve and to look into its implications to the Siquijorian community.
“We are all together in this effort to curb illegal gambling in our province, said Lazi Mayor Orville Fua who temporarily presided over the meeting.
Mayor Rebecca Padayhag of Maria disclosed knowledge that an influential person is behind it but she declined to elaborate.
“Whoever is behind it must be toppled down,” she said.
Padayhag however didn’t dismiss the fact that if it be cracked down, some people’s means of livelihood would be compromised.
The four suertres operators/financiers facing the council said they’re not just for the sake of raking in money out of it but helping the small people like bet collectors get through day by day from the little income they earned from it.
Disgusted, however, by one financier’s statement that he will only stop if other financiers stop, DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Vertucio said it’s plain absurd because she said illegal gambling is illegal per se and that it can’t be justified with whatever reasons or conditions.
“Our law enforcers and officials should have a stronger backbone in asserting the law,” she said.
Philippine National Police Provincial Director Orlando Ualat in response said that the law is the law, which excuses no one.
“If financiers continue to sustain their illegal operation, you can readily assume we will be forced to carry out the duties and obligations mandated to us,” Ualata said. We will continue to fine-tune our responsibilities of keeping peace and order and address needs and imperatives that may arise, he stressed.
Financiers, however, were given with option to make their activity lawful.
Mayor Richard Quezon of the municipality of Siquijor suggested to them putting up lotto outlets which is the best legal way of maintaining their operations.
On top of this burning local issue, the Catholic Church which is anti-gambling crusader disclosed that what is likewise more urgent is the giving out of dignified employment to the poor.
“Unless they have them, we can’t expect our province to be gambling-free,” one priest said.
City gov’t officials call for changes in the Constitution
To change or not to change the Constitution is the question that remains unanswered for now, setting off fiery debates in political circles in the country.
The 55-member Advocacy Commission (AdCom) is bringing the debate down to the grassroots level as it hops around the country holding multi-sectoral fora to raise public awareness and spur intelligent discussions on the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
For his part, Dumaguete City Mayor Agustin Perdices is not fully sold out to the government’s move to totally change the Constitution but admits that it needs to be “upgraded.”
He said that there are certain provisions in the Constitution that are no longer applicable today and thus an “upgrade” is needed.
On the other hand, Dumaguete City Councilor Dr. Noel de Jesus said that the Philippines is already 15 years late in changing its system of government.
Had we done this years ago, Philippines would not have been behind its Asian counterparts now, he stressed.
The councilor admits though that this might not be the right time to change Constitution in view of the country’s current state of economic affairs. “But , better late than never,” he quips.
De Jesus appealed to politicians and the different sectors of society to lay aside their differences and stop their political bickering to quicken the much-needed constitutional amendments and hence, speeding up the development of the country.
Malacañang has recently called on the Senate to support the Charter Change, particularly moves to shift to a parliamentary form of government even if this would mean the abolition of the chamber.
Speaker Jose de Venecia said that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s statement and the “quiet and constructive efforts” of El Shaddai leader Brother Mike Velarde have created a “significant breakthrough” in efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Over 8.9 million people have signed up to signify their support for the people’s initiative mode to amend the 1987 Constitution during the information drive initiated by the Union of Local Government of the Philippines.
De Jesus also lauded the government’s move to bring the political discussion down to the people by launching a national campaign to raise public awareness on constitutional reforms.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier issued Executive Order No. 453 creating the 55-member Constitutional Commission to conduct consultations and studies and propose amendments and revisions to the 1987 Constitution.
A consultation will be done in Dumaguete City on May 24 at the Fleur de lis Hall, St. Paul’s University wherein discussions will be led by a team from the Advocacy Commission (AdCom) headed by its Chairman Dr. Jose A. Abueva.
Bayawan City gov’t conducts Halad sa Brgy
In order to bring the government closer to the people, the city government of Bayawan has initiated a “Halad sa Barangay” project in at least 15 barangays in Bayawan City from May 15 to June 2, 2006.
The activity is a brainchild of Bayawan City Mayor German P. Saraña Jr. and the City Public Safety Officer, Retired Col. Nicolas S. Noble in coordination with the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.
Among the services given to the people in the 15 barangays are medical and dental check-up and distribution of medicines, services from the Local Civil Registrar, Assessor’s Office, Land Reform, City Treasurer, Legal Office, among others.
According to Jun Euraoba of the Bayawan City Public Safety Office, the city experienced an insurgency alarm in five barangays identified to be slowly being corrupted by leftist ideologies.
The barangays are namely, Dawis, Kalamtukan, Narra, Nangka and Maninihon. Indications of recruitment is again apparent in the said barangays formerly infiltrated by the leftist group.
The city government has foreseen the would be effects of this problem which is counter productive to the ongoing efforts of the government to uplift the living condition of the people, says Euraoba.
In view of this, he said the city government has started conducting counter-propaganda activity through the initiative of the City Public Safety Office.
One of the activities done under the city’s counter insurgency program is the conduct of Halad sa Barangay or the Community Assistance on Rural Empowerment through Social Services (CARESS).
Mayor Saraña believes the war against insurgency cannot be won by guns and bullets but by bringing the government closer to the people by providing them with the much needed services and livelihood.
Meanwhile, a job fair and Halad sa Katawhan will also be conducted at Bayawan City on May 26, 2006.
Among the government agencies who are expected to offer their services to the public during the said activity are TESDA, BIR, PRC, Postal Office, LTO, DSWD, GSIS, DTI, DOST, DA and DOH.
TESDA will offer free competency assessment for occupational titles/trade areas (test of knowledge only) on a first come-first served basis.
Those who are interested to avail of the services during the job fair and Halad sa Katawhan are required to register with the City Cooperative and Manpower Development Office, Annex Building, Bayawan City Hall.
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference of the Philippines (BBC) is conducting a nationwide traveling forum to initiate discussions with the people on constitutional reform in response to the urgent need to raise people’s awareness in the midst of social and political unrest in the country.
A team from the Charter Change Advocacy Commission (AdCom) and the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC) will conduct a multi-sectoral forum in Dumaguete City on May 24, 2006 at the Fleur Delis Gymnasium, St. Paul University-Dumaguete from 1:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.
Invited local reactors during the forum are: Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. President Alex Sy; Silliman University President Dr. Agustin Pulido; Rev. Fr. Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing; Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce Inc. President Ernesto Quiamco; Atty. Teodoro Cortez and Governor George P. Arnaiz.
The forum will also be participated in by a multi-sectoral audience composed of representatives from the marginal sector, farmers groups, academe, students and NGOs.
The forum is conducted by BBC in coordination with NAMFREL Negros Oriental Chapter and the Philippine Information Agency.
5/11/2006
ISSUE NO. 19, MAY 11, 2006
NegOr to develop Watershed
To give Negrenses full capability to protect and rehabilitate the province’s water resources, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and GtZ (Duetsche Geselleschaft fur Technishe Zusammenarbeit) is holding a training workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at Bethel Guesthouse.
IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water with the involvement of all the sectors of society in maximizing water equitably while sustaining the ecosystem.
According to Bernardo Agawin, GtZ Local Technical Expert, the big difference of IWRM from traditional water projects is that it takes into consideration all sectors of society thus the project can be carried-out efficiently.
IWRM program has been proven effective since its implementation in Laguna De Bay, which was rehabilitated completely.
With this, the provincial government here is hoping this will likewise be a success in the province with the cooperation of the citizens.
Oriental Negros has two developed watersheds where the project can be implemented to its full potential.
On the other hand, Vice Governor Jose Baldado lauded the project, which he says puts the province at a big advantage.
President Arroyo has allocated 500 million each year for water projects.
The main purpose of this allocation are to: provide potable water for the entire country by 2015, clean water resources for the entire country, reverse loss of environmental by 2015 and by 2015 water can be accessed by everyone.
Education and motivation campaigns at all levels of the community will be made by the Provincial Water and Sanitation Development Council (PWSDC) to promote IWRM. (PIA/Mamigo)
GSP troop in NegOr to receive achievement award
One of the senior troops of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council has been chosen as one of the awardees of the Pilar Hidalgo Lim Troop Achievement Award.
Senior Troop No. 1193 of Valencia National High School headed by Troop Leader Miss Flordeliza I. Banquerigo has been cited due to their award-winning banana livelihood project focusing on banana “lakatan” production.
According to Rosario B. Rosales, GSP Council Executive here, only two troops in the Visayas Region has been chosen as recipients of the coveted award following the final evaluation and screening conducted by the Executive Committee.
Iloilo GSP Council’s Senior Troop No. 156 was also awarded for its livelihood project on medicinal plants and vegetable gardening.
Rosales said the awards ceremony is scheduled on May 24, 2006 at the GSP National Headquarters in Manila.
PGMA training for work scholarship now open in Dgte
Job seekers in the province who have fallen short of the requirements set by business process outsourcing companies and other critical industries are now encouraged to apply for the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship program.
Qualified to avail of the program are the “near hires” or job seekers who were not able to fully meet the skills requirements of the BPO sector and other industries experiencing skills shortage, says Engr. Samuel Jordan of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here.
The call center company Teletech, which now employs more than 100 call center agents in Dumaguete City, is the identified BPO partner here.
Call center applicants who wish to avail of the scholarship program will be endorsed to Teletech which will determine if the applicant is qualified as a “near hire” and thus avail of the scholarship.
Qualified job seekers will then be given a scholarship certificate and endorsed to a TESDA-registered training institution where they will undergo a finishing course for free.
The scholarship certificates are valued at P5,000 each for call center and medical/legal transcription and P10,000 each for software development and animation.
The scholarship program is available to job applicants who wish to work in the following industries: business process outsourcing, aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health and medical services, hotel and restaurant, metals and services.
The BPO industry covers call center, medical and legal transcription, animation and software development.
The said industries have been identified as priority sectors/subsectors experiencing a critical shortage of skills after the National Manpower Summit revealed that structural unemployment exists in the Philippines where available jobs could not be filled-up by existing manpower.
This prompted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to initiate the scholarship program that aims to assist 100,000 target beneficiaries nationwide land jobs in the said sectors.
“Scholarship beneficiaries are 100% assured of employment upon completion of the finishing courses as long as they achieve a rating level of 3.5 to 4,” says Beth Tubog, TESDA administrative officer here.
So far, TESDA is eyeing Teletech as the training provider for call center applicants and ACSAT for medical/legal transcriptionist although the latter’s registration with TESDA is still under negotiation.
Other education and training institutions here are welcome to apply as one of the training providers under the program, adds Jordan.
Tubog encourages interested applicants are encouraged to visit TESDA or Teletech for more details.
Online registration is also possible thru the TESDA website www.tesda.gov.ph or PHIL-Jobnet www.phil-job.net.
Dumaguete City has earlier been chosen as one of the eleven areas nationwide due to its reputation as a University Town and hotspot for BPO companies, explains Jordan.
Some P500 million from the government’s pump priming fund has been allocated to finance the
scholarship program.
NIA poised to repair 15 irrigation projects in NegOr
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here is eyeing to repair some 15 communal irrigation systems (CIS) in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor as part of the P1 billion allocation for repair and rehabilitation of irrigation projects nationwide.
The local NIA is proposing the repair and rehabilitation of CIS covering a total of 282 hectares in the following areas in Negros Oriental, namely: Sta. Catalina, Mabinay, Siaton, Zamboanguita, Tanjay City, Amlan and Bayawan City, while identified for repair in Siquijor province is Datag CIS covering 17 hectares in Larena town.
Records from NIA Provincial Irrigation Officer Engr. Dexter Patrocinio show that the proposed restoration works include the repair and improvement of canal and intake structures, diversion works/protection dikes and construction of mini intake.
Total cost of the proposed rehabilitation projects is pegged at P20,000.
According to Engr. Helen Lactao of NIA here, the restoration works on the proposed CIS are expected to start next month as they are still waiting for the funds to arrive.
NIA has initially released in a record of one week some P499 million project funds to 115 field irrigation offices nationwide to fast track restoration works.
The amount is part of the P2 billion earmarked for CY 2006.
NIA’s version of Pump Priming Project is in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency by 2009 as well as generating 151,600 jobs mostly in terms of contract works with Irrigators Associations.
The project hopes to restore the productiveness of some 12,475 hectares of presently unserved agricultural lands benefiting about 21, 500 farmers across the country.
With the completion of the rehabilitation works of national and communal irrigation systems, efficient delivery and distribution of irrigation water is expected, thus contributing to the high possibility of increased production in these areas.
Bayawan hosts the 16th Family Farm Congress
The Provincial Agricultural Office here and the city government of Bayawan is hosting the 16th Family Farm Congress to honor the farmfolks’ contribution to the agricultural productivity of Region 7 from May 10 to 12, 2006.
Registered members of rural-based organizations which includes farmers, fishermen, rural improvement clubs (4H) from Dumaguete, Bayawan and Toledo City are expected to be recognized during the event.
The theme of this year’s congress is “Strengthening Private/Public Partnership for Agri-Tourism Through Rural-Based Organizations.”
In line with this, AGRI-KALIKASAN was launched on the first day of the congress that was graced by DA Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lecciones.
Various activities have been slated to showcase the talents and skills of the participants, namely: project demo contest, poster-making, extemporaneous speech, quiz bee, balak, natural farming and organic contest, net-making and net-mending contest, handicraft skills, dance and minus-one singing contests.
A Farmer King and RIC Queen and Mr. and Miss 4H 2006 will also be chosen to put more color to the occasion.
Culmination and awarding of prizes will highlight the last night of the activity to be followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and ballroom and disco fantasy. (PIA/CMamigo)
Bishops shun anti-Cha-Cha moves
The head of the Nueva Vizcaya Roman Catholic diocese has reiterated that Catholic bishops will not pursue political activities against constitutional reforms because they are not against Charter Change per se.
Bishop Ramon B. Villena of the diocese of Bayombong echoed the call made by CBCP vice president Archbishop Antonio Ledesma that it is lay Christians, not the clergy, who should be at the forefront of good political activities.
"They must first discern what is moral in every situation, then move to do concrete action," Villena explained the bishops' expectations of lay participation in political affairs, like advocating or opposing changes in the 1987 Constitution.
The CBCP has rejected calls from Charter Change opponents to lead street demonstrations even as it encouraged the Catholic faithful to get involved.
Ledesma attended the Stop Cha-Cha launching last week at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila. He, however, rejected a proposal for the Church to lead in the protests, saying that the Church could not be involved in a purely political exercise.
Villena said the process of Charter Change should be undertaken with "widespread participation, total transparency and relative serenity that allows for national discussion and debate."
The Charter Change Advocacy Commissioned welcomed the statement as it continued to call for sedate debates on the need for constitutional reforms, instead of insults and name-calling.
"We are hopeful that the intensifying efforts of both Cha-Cha advocates and opponents to bring their views across the nation will help our people make their decisions according to the dictates of their formed and informed consciences," Villena said.
He added that equally crucial for a truly democratic resolution to the issue are long-overdue electoral reforms, including the appointment to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) persons of integrity and competence.
In its pastoral statement last month, the CBCP clarified that it is not against Charter change per se but only the seemingly hasty manner. Thus, it called for a thorough information, discussion and education.
Siquijor braces for natural disaster
Natural calamities occurring unexpectedly worldwide is somewhat perpetual, leaving countless lives and damaging properties worth billions in monetary values.
Siquijor may not be a disaster-prone area but calamities just come unexpectedly. To prepare itself for any disaster, the provincial government of Siquijor through the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council is holding a seminar-workshop on Disaster Management and Contingency Planning from May 8 to 10, 2006 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Pulangyuta, Siquijor, Siquijor.
This is conducted by the officers of the Office of Civil Defense Regional Office 7 headed by its Regional Director Angel Gaviola.
Modules 1 to 4 will be tackled on the first day, which covers the topics on Philippine Disaster Management, Effective Governance and Disaster Management and PDCC Team Action Planning. During this phase, participative discussion on the contingency planning will also be conducted.
The workshop will include formulation workshops, funding disaster management/projects and sectoral planning, group discussions on coordination, activation, endorsement and presentation of contingency plans.
To give Negrenses full capability to protect and rehabilitate the province’s water resources, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and GtZ (Duetsche Geselleschaft fur Technishe Zusammenarbeit) is holding a training workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at Bethel Guesthouse.
IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water with the involvement of all the sectors of society in maximizing water equitably while sustaining the ecosystem.
According to Bernardo Agawin, GtZ Local Technical Expert, the big difference of IWRM from traditional water projects is that it takes into consideration all sectors of society thus the project can be carried-out efficiently.
IWRM program has been proven effective since its implementation in Laguna De Bay, which was rehabilitated completely.
With this, the provincial government here is hoping this will likewise be a success in the province with the cooperation of the citizens.
Oriental Negros has two developed watersheds where the project can be implemented to its full potential.
On the other hand, Vice Governor Jose Baldado lauded the project, which he says puts the province at a big advantage.
President Arroyo has allocated 500 million each year for water projects.
The main purpose of this allocation are to: provide potable water for the entire country by 2015, clean water resources for the entire country, reverse loss of environmental by 2015 and by 2015 water can be accessed by everyone.
Education and motivation campaigns at all levels of the community will be made by the Provincial Water and Sanitation Development Council (PWSDC) to promote IWRM. (PIA/Mamigo)
GSP troop in NegOr to receive achievement award
One of the senior troops of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council has been chosen as one of the awardees of the Pilar Hidalgo Lim Troop Achievement Award.
Senior Troop No. 1193 of Valencia National High School headed by Troop Leader Miss Flordeliza I. Banquerigo has been cited due to their award-winning banana livelihood project focusing on banana “lakatan” production.
According to Rosario B. Rosales, GSP Council Executive here, only two troops in the Visayas Region has been chosen as recipients of the coveted award following the final evaluation and screening conducted by the Executive Committee.
Iloilo GSP Council’s Senior Troop No. 156 was also awarded for its livelihood project on medicinal plants and vegetable gardening.
Rosales said the awards ceremony is scheduled on May 24, 2006 at the GSP National Headquarters in Manila.
PGMA training for work scholarship now open in Dgte
Job seekers in the province who have fallen short of the requirements set by business process outsourcing companies and other critical industries are now encouraged to apply for the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship program.
Qualified to avail of the program are the “near hires” or job seekers who were not able to fully meet the skills requirements of the BPO sector and other industries experiencing skills shortage, says Engr. Samuel Jordan of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here.
The call center company Teletech, which now employs more than 100 call center agents in Dumaguete City, is the identified BPO partner here.
Call center applicants who wish to avail of the scholarship program will be endorsed to Teletech which will determine if the applicant is qualified as a “near hire” and thus avail of the scholarship.
Qualified job seekers will then be given a scholarship certificate and endorsed to a TESDA-registered training institution where they will undergo a finishing course for free.
The scholarship certificates are valued at P5,000 each for call center and medical/legal transcription and P10,000 each for software development and animation.
The scholarship program is available to job applicants who wish to work in the following industries: business process outsourcing, aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health and medical services, hotel and restaurant, metals and services.
The BPO industry covers call center, medical and legal transcription, animation and software development.
The said industries have been identified as priority sectors/subsectors experiencing a critical shortage of skills after the National Manpower Summit revealed that structural unemployment exists in the Philippines where available jobs could not be filled-up by existing manpower.
This prompted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to initiate the scholarship program that aims to assist 100,000 target beneficiaries nationwide land jobs in the said sectors.
“Scholarship beneficiaries are 100% assured of employment upon completion of the finishing courses as long as they achieve a rating level of 3.5 to 4,” says Beth Tubog, TESDA administrative officer here.
So far, TESDA is eyeing Teletech as the training provider for call center applicants and ACSAT for medical/legal transcriptionist although the latter’s registration with TESDA is still under negotiation.
Other education and training institutions here are welcome to apply as one of the training providers under the program, adds Jordan.
Tubog encourages interested applicants are encouraged to visit TESDA or Teletech for more details.
Online registration is also possible thru the TESDA website www.tesda.gov.ph or PHIL-Jobnet www.phil-job.net.
Dumaguete City has earlier been chosen as one of the eleven areas nationwide due to its reputation as a University Town and hotspot for BPO companies, explains Jordan.
Some P500 million from the government’s pump priming fund has been allocated to finance the
scholarship program.
NIA poised to repair 15 irrigation projects in NegOr
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here is eyeing to repair some 15 communal irrigation systems (CIS) in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor as part of the P1 billion allocation for repair and rehabilitation of irrigation projects nationwide.
The local NIA is proposing the repair and rehabilitation of CIS covering a total of 282 hectares in the following areas in Negros Oriental, namely: Sta. Catalina, Mabinay, Siaton, Zamboanguita, Tanjay City, Amlan and Bayawan City, while identified for repair in Siquijor province is Datag CIS covering 17 hectares in Larena town.
Records from NIA Provincial Irrigation Officer Engr. Dexter Patrocinio show that the proposed restoration works include the repair and improvement of canal and intake structures, diversion works/protection dikes and construction of mini intake.
Total cost of the proposed rehabilitation projects is pegged at P20,000.
According to Engr. Helen Lactao of NIA here, the restoration works on the proposed CIS are expected to start next month as they are still waiting for the funds to arrive.
NIA has initially released in a record of one week some P499 million project funds to 115 field irrigation offices nationwide to fast track restoration works.
The amount is part of the P2 billion earmarked for CY 2006.
NIA’s version of Pump Priming Project is in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s goal of attaining rice self-sufficiency by 2009 as well as generating 151,600 jobs mostly in terms of contract works with Irrigators Associations.
The project hopes to restore the productiveness of some 12,475 hectares of presently unserved agricultural lands benefiting about 21, 500 farmers across the country.
With the completion of the rehabilitation works of national and communal irrigation systems, efficient delivery and distribution of irrigation water is expected, thus contributing to the high possibility of increased production in these areas.
Bayawan hosts the 16th Family Farm Congress
The Provincial Agricultural Office here and the city government of Bayawan is hosting the 16th Family Farm Congress to honor the farmfolks’ contribution to the agricultural productivity of Region 7 from May 10 to 12, 2006.
Registered members of rural-based organizations which includes farmers, fishermen, rural improvement clubs (4H) from Dumaguete, Bayawan and Toledo City are expected to be recognized during the event.
The theme of this year’s congress is “Strengthening Private/Public Partnership for Agri-Tourism Through Rural-Based Organizations.”
In line with this, AGRI-KALIKASAN was launched on the first day of the congress that was graced by DA Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lecciones.
Various activities have been slated to showcase the talents and skills of the participants, namely: project demo contest, poster-making, extemporaneous speech, quiz bee, balak, natural farming and organic contest, net-making and net-mending contest, handicraft skills, dance and minus-one singing contests.
A Farmer King and RIC Queen and Mr. and Miss 4H 2006 will also be chosen to put more color to the occasion.
Culmination and awarding of prizes will highlight the last night of the activity to be followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and ballroom and disco fantasy. (PIA/CMamigo)
Bishops shun anti-Cha-Cha moves
The head of the Nueva Vizcaya Roman Catholic diocese has reiterated that Catholic bishops will not pursue political activities against constitutional reforms because they are not against Charter Change per se.
Bishop Ramon B. Villena of the diocese of Bayombong echoed the call made by CBCP vice president Archbishop Antonio Ledesma that it is lay Christians, not the clergy, who should be at the forefront of good political activities.
"They must first discern what is moral in every situation, then move to do concrete action," Villena explained the bishops' expectations of lay participation in political affairs, like advocating or opposing changes in the 1987 Constitution.
The CBCP has rejected calls from Charter Change opponents to lead street demonstrations even as it encouraged the Catholic faithful to get involved.
Ledesma attended the Stop Cha-Cha launching last week at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila. He, however, rejected a proposal for the Church to lead in the protests, saying that the Church could not be involved in a purely political exercise.
Villena said the process of Charter Change should be undertaken with "widespread participation, total transparency and relative serenity that allows for national discussion and debate."
The Charter Change Advocacy Commissioned welcomed the statement as it continued to call for sedate debates on the need for constitutional reforms, instead of insults and name-calling.
"We are hopeful that the intensifying efforts of both Cha-Cha advocates and opponents to bring their views across the nation will help our people make their decisions according to the dictates of their formed and informed consciences," Villena said.
He added that equally crucial for a truly democratic resolution to the issue are long-overdue electoral reforms, including the appointment to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) persons of integrity and competence.
In its pastoral statement last month, the CBCP clarified that it is not against Charter change per se but only the seemingly hasty manner. Thus, it called for a thorough information, discussion and education.
Siquijor braces for natural disaster
Natural calamities occurring unexpectedly worldwide is somewhat perpetual, leaving countless lives and damaging properties worth billions in monetary values.
Siquijor may not be a disaster-prone area but calamities just come unexpectedly. To prepare itself for any disaster, the provincial government of Siquijor through the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council is holding a seminar-workshop on Disaster Management and Contingency Planning from May 8 to 10, 2006 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Pulangyuta, Siquijor, Siquijor.
This is conducted by the officers of the Office of Civil Defense Regional Office 7 headed by its Regional Director Angel Gaviola.
Modules 1 to 4 will be tackled on the first day, which covers the topics on Philippine Disaster Management, Effective Governance and Disaster Management and PDCC Team Action Planning. During this phase, participative discussion on the contingency planning will also be conducted.
The workshop will include formulation workshops, funding disaster management/projects and sectoral planning, group discussions on coordination, activation, endorsement and presentation of contingency plans.
5/04/2006
ISSUE NO. 18, MAY 4, 2006
First adult leukemia foundation in the Phils kicks off with free clinic in Dgte
The first adult leukemia foundation in the Philippines is kicking off in Dumaguete City with a free clinic on May 14 at the Silliman University Medical Center.
The clinic, which aims to accommodate around 500 patients, will start from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.
According to Dr. Walden Ursos, internal medicine consultant at the SUMC, the clinic is in line with the foundation's aim to raise awareness in the community about leukemia and its symptoms.
Although we will entertain people who manifest symptoms of high blood, diabetes and other diseases, our focus is primarily on those suspected to have leukemia, says Ursos.
Some of the symptoms of leukemia, according to Dr. Milagros Uy, a hematologist at the Holy Child Hospital, include pallor (paleness), repeated fever for no reason and easy bruising on the skin (violet in color that turns greenish) that may appear either large or pinpoint in size.
Ursos and Uy were the guest speakers in the recent Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency to publicize the birth of the first adult leukemia foundation in the country that will be established in Dumaguete City.
The free clinic will be an annual activity held every May to commemorate the death of Erwin P. Cabanag, a former City Prosecutor in Dumaguete who died on May 12, 2005, just three days before he was scheduled to leave for treatment in USA.
The foundation, dubbed as Erwin P. Cabanag Adult Leukemia Memorial (EPCALM), is spearheaded by Cabanag's sister, Dr. Erlyn Cabanag-Demerre, a cardiologist at St. Luke's Hospital in Manila.
Demerre said that after her brother's death, she felt the need for an adult leukemia foundation. There is currently no organized foundation in the Philippines dedicated solely for adult leukemia victims and their families, says Demerre.
She relates that her brother's death has paved the way for the formation of the foundation that will guide leukemia victims in the country to the proper care as well as "seek God in the midst of suffering and find Him as the hope, healer and the provider."
The foundation will also help patients explore treatment options in the country and abroad.
Eligible patients will be recommended to the National Institute of Health in Manila or National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, says Demerre.
Bone marrow transplant is the recommended modality of treatment for cure of leukemia but the cost of treatment and case fatality rate is high, laments Demerre.
She said that in the Philippines, a bone marrow transplant costs as much as P5 million for uncomplicated cases and P8 million for complicated cases
However, Demerre laments that the success rate of a bone marrow transplant in the Philippines is only 40% while in America, success rate have already reached 90% to 95%.
Although there are no available data on the number of leukemia cases in Dgte, Uy said that it is now a common disease in the city.
Although the cause is unknown, Uy said that the number one factor for leukemia is genetic as there are some families who are susceptible to the disease.
There are also people who have chromosomal abnormalities, making them predisposed to certain types of leukemia. "Like children with Down's syndrome, they may possibly develop leukemia later," she said.
Exposure to chemicals may also lead to leukemia, for example workers in rubber factories.
It is hard to prevent leukemia because we cannot pinpoint the exact cause, that's why early detection is important to treat the disease, says Uy.
Leukemia or cancer of the blood ranks fifth in the overall killer disease in the country, fourth among males and sixth among females, according to the DOH 2005 Health Advisory.
In the same forum, Uy explained that leukemia is a malignancy involving the bone marrow wherein there is an uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells.
"The bone marrow serves as the "factory" of the blood, producing red and white blood platelets. A healthy bone marrow produces just enough white blood cells needed by the human body each day but if there is a leukemic transformation, a cell grows at an uncontrollable rate, producing too much white blood cells," she said.
The normal white blood cell count ranges between 4,000 to 10,000 but for people with leukemia, the white blood cell count may either be lower or higher the normal range.
Dgte youth reporters to attend nat'l trg on human rights advocacy
Three TV youth reporters of the Kabatan News Network-Dumaguete Bureau will be sent to Manila for a national training on human rights advocacy on May 8 to 13, 2006.
The reporters include Lou Joseph Mapue of Silliman University High School; Alvin Roy Gaudan of Foundation University; and Weim Marie Bonganciso, Science High School, both are in 15 years of age.
KNN is a 30-minute tele-magazine show that brings to the forefront the issues that young people feel strongly about. It is the only television show in the country that is entirely shot and written by young people from all over the Philippines. It is a television show and a training ground for young aspiring journalists.
The national training will bring together all twelve bureaus of KNN to one venue where they can interact and exchange ideas. The theme for the national training is human rights advocacy. It will take place in Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Manila
The training will be conducted by the Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) and UNICEF Philippines as partners in the implementation of the Kabataan News Network (KNN) Project.
PMFI is a non-stock and non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of media in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific. As part of its mission, is to train media practitioners and young people on responsible and ethical journalism.
KNN program is on the air weekly on both commercial network ABC5 every Saturday at 3:00PM; and on the government television station National Broadcasting Network (NBN4) every Sunday at 9:00AM; and everyday on cable channel Nickelodeon.
The Probe has lined up KNN Dumaguete Bureau's stories on Twin Lakes and Fried Ice Cream to be aired on May 13; Centrop and Hibbard Overpass on May 27.
KNN also airs short segments every Monday at 6PM on Sentro Ng Balita over ABC5.
Government and labor sectors jointly celebrated Labor Day
The Labor Day celebration in the province was marked by the gathering of employees from the government and labor sector, proof that the government and labor leaders could come together and work together, says Board Member Melimor Saycon who sits as Executive National Vice President of ALU-TUCP for Visayas and Mindanao.
Employees of the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC), ALU-TUCP members and officials from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other government-line agencies in the province attended the events lined up by DOLE to celebrate Labor Day here.
To further strengthen this budding tie the provincial government will also hold a symposium this month that will be the venue for employees to air their concerns and complains and in the same manner employers can voice out their side.
Government officials, labor sector leaders, and businessmen from the province are expected to attend the said symposium.
Also in line with the month-long Labor Day celebration, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) is conducting seminars for fresh graduates who are hunting for jobs.
Saycon recognized that the government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) is doing its best to provide jobs to the Negrenses.
PESO has been making programs, giving livelihood projects and financial grants to impoverished mountain folks in the province. (PIA/CMamigo)
Learning to fight drug traffickers: A US-Philippine Training Partnership
With the goal of more successful investigations and arrests of drug traffickers, more than 40 Filipino police officers, counter-drug agents and military personnel are set to attend a four-week intensive law enforcement training course sponsored by the US Government in Davao City beginning May 8.
Philippine agencies represented in the exercise are the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The training course, called "Baker Piston," is an Asia-wide program that helps improve the effectiveness of counter-drug agencies by training their law enforcement agents in ground operations - such as investigation and raids - that will lead to successful prosecutions of drug traffickers. It also gives participants a rare opportunity to participate in multi-agency exercises and develop contacts in other agencies.
The Baker Piston course in Davao City will include sessions on human rights awareness, cordon and search techniques, special reconnaissance, land navigation, medical procedures, advanced marksmanship, small unit tactics in urban terrain, mission planning, trail interdiction and movement techniques.
There will also be small group sessions for managers and leaders on instructor training and training management, and international drug situation briefings for all attendees.
The program is sponsored by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Joint Inter-Agency Task Force (JIATF) West. The sessions are being taught by the US counter-drug experts and military trainers and will all be held at the classroom and shooting range of Public Safety College Regional Training Center 11.
"Our Philippine counter-drug professionals appreciate intensive training such as this in order to strengthen the effectiveness of our anti-drug operations and enhance our ability to work jointly with other law enforcement and security agencies," says Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Wilkins Villanueva. "We hope it will lead to increased arrests and prosecutions of the drug dealers who threaten our children, families and barangays throughout the country."
According to Tim Teal, Country Attaché of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, this program has proven extremely successful over the past few years. "This is the second Baker program we have sponsored in Davao, and the fourth that has been conducted in the Philippines."
PNOC concludes third Energy Camp
The Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) recently wrapped its third Energy Camp with graduation rites held at the PNOC geothermal plant in Puhagan, Valencia.
Around 48 PNOC scholars that mostly came from Kidapawan, Cotabato and Valencia joined the camp. Most of the scholars came from depressed areas in the country located within the corporation's post community.
The PNOC EDC Energy Camp, now on its third year, is part of PNOC's corporate responsibility and aims to make the kids aware of their social and environmental responsibility and at the same time give them ultimate summer fun.
The graduation ceremony was graced by PNOC President Paul Aquino together with four Board of Trustees.
During the ceremony, Aquino asked the campers to apply responsibly the lessons they learned during the 9-day camping activity. He was pleased to note that 15 of the campers had a grade of 90 and above.
Meanwhile, PNOC will hold its first Teachers Camp on May 11at their geothermal plant in Kidapawan. This camp aims to bridge the gap between student and teachers.
PNOC has also committed to pour in millions of pesos to put up physical facilities in two public schools in far-flung barrios of Leyte, namely Brgy. Tongonan Ormoc Elementary School and Brgy. Tongonan Kanang-ga Elementary School.
"We want to make an ideal public elementary school...that will compete with La Salle and Ateneo in Math, English and Science," Aquino said. (PIA/CMamigo)
Finisher's Marathon to highlight World Red Cross Red Crescent Day in Dgte
A five-kilometer Finisher's Marathon for a Cause will be held in the city to mark World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on May 8, 2006.
According to Philippine National Red Cross-Negros Oriental Chapter Administrator Louella Bael, the marathon will start at 6:00 in the morning in front of Bethel Guest House and finishing at the Rizal Boulevard.
"The marathon is a fund-raising activity to help generate funds for the PNRC to cover all the operational expenses for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation, health care, first-aid and safety-works, disaster preparedness, prevention and management, blood service and other welfare assistance," says Bael.
The marathon is jointly conducted by the PNRC and the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, Inc (MDRCI).
The finisher's fun run is also part of the training of the trainees of the 9-month Free Marathon Clinic launched on April 9, 2006 by the MDRCI which is set to culminate in an International Half- Marathon Clinic on November in line with the city's fiesta celebration.
Bael said interested participants are required to register with the PNRC local chapter office starting May 4.
The registration fee will be the annual Red Cross membership with Accident Assistance Benefits Program at P35.00.
This membership fee will cover the participant's accident insurance 24 hours a day for one year including hospitalization benefits, says Bael.
Boholanos think GMA should finish her term
Even with the way things are astir at the national scene, 65% of Boholanos still think it is appropriate for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to continue her term of office as President of the Philippines until 2010.
The revealing data floated during the recent survey conducted by the Holy Name University Research Center.
This is also in support of the fact that the GMA leadership still enjoys a relatively soaring awareness rating at 98% in Bohol province.
While GMA's performance rating has dipped from +26 last year to +12 this year, only about 13% of Boholanos agree that GMA should be made to vacate her post. Net performance rating is taken after subtracting the number of people dissatisfied from those satisfied of the President's performance.
From the districts, Bohol District III gave the President a -12 performance rating while district II gave her a +27 and District I, +24.
In Bohol, Government Erico Aumentado improved his performance ration from +62 to +71 this year with his home district giving him a +81, District I at +68 and II at +66.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera also upped his performance ratings from +41 in 2005 to +54.
These performance ratings however fails to translate to a level of ease in the daily lives of 60% Boholanos who still think they are poor as against 54% in 2005.
The survey also revealed that life in the next 12 months is dipping as 33% are going pessimistic to easily cover the 17% pessimists.
Biggest of the Boholano concerns are economic in nature with 67% thinking so. Lack of livelihood opportunities still rate at 28% and unemployment at 16% topping Boholano concerns.
This, even with the provincial government scoring high at +9 last year to +19 this year in its program for provision of livelihood opportunities and employment.
Investment promotion however curved down this year compared to +8 from +13 during the previous year.
3 major Statistical projects set in April - NSO
The National Statistics Office (NSO) will simultaneously undertake three important statistical surveys this month, April 2006.
This was bared following the completion of the field operations training in Cebu City this month of NSO field personnel and hired Statistical Researchers who will conduct the actual interview and collection of data from sample households and business establishments in the province, says NSO Information Officer Rizalyn Teodora Gaviola.
These statistical surveys were the 2006 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industries (ASPBI), THE April 2006 Labor Force Survey (LFS) and the 2006 Family Planning Survey (FPS).
The 2006 Family Planning Survey which is the tenth of the series of annual family planning survey conducted nationwide starting 1995 together with the April round of Labor Force Survey (LFS) involves interviewing women 15-49 years of age and was aimed at collecting information on contraceptive use, source of family planning methods, unmet need for family planning and high-risk fertility behavior. It will also gather data on some maternal and child health concerns like assistance and place of delivery of birth, immunizations, breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation of children and other health related concerns in the country.
Meanwhile, the 2006 ASPBI aims to provide data on the structure and level of economic activity in the country. Information being gathered from the same statistical inquiry will be used in the construction the national and regional accounts of the Philippine economy and in formulating and monitoring of the plans and policies relative to the attainment of national and regional economic goals. The data is also used in determining and comparing economic structures and performances of each region in the country as well as in market research and feasibility studies.
Training for field operations of said surveys were conducted separately last March 21-24, 2006 for ASPBI and last April 3-8, 2006 for LFS/FPS in Cebu City. NSO Siquijor Provincial Office is enjoining every selected samples units of the survey to cooperate and answer honestly all questions to be asked by NSO field personnel.
For more details and information about the said survey, the public is advised to visit or call the provincial or regional offices of National Statistics Office (NSO). NSO Siquijor Provincial Office is located at National Highway, Poblacion, Siquijor and can be reached thru telephone nos. 344-2002 and 480-9003 or at its e-mail address: nsosiq@globelines.com.ph.
PNRC Siquijor holds 1st youth congress
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Siquijor Sub-Chapter held its First Youth Congress in Siquijor province recently. Along with this was an election for new junior officers among the nine participating high schools here this year.
Provincial Administrator Rowena Lapinig said the activity aimed to inculcate young students moral values and character building; protection of life and promotion of community health; service and solidarity as these youngsters can spread to other uninformed youth the spirit of RED CROSS.
"This is designed for the enhancement of characters of the youth whom we believe to be not just leaders in the future, but also of the present times", she said.
At present, there are 342 full-fledged Red Cross youth in Siquijor.
Meanwhile, the PNRC office in Siquijor was able to serve 61 units (bags) of blood or 30, 500 cc. last year.
However, Lapinig said half of the blood processing fees of it were not paid causing some deficits in the operation.
The blood processing fee is imposed in order to sustain the program since the reagent is used in determining the following blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, malaria, HIV, and syphilis which are very much expensive aside from the operational costs, she said.
Other activities done by the Office last year were free blood typing, mass blood and voluntary donations, Pledge 25, voluntary blood donation dissemination, disaster relief operations, Standard First Aid Training in one of the municipal disaster response teams of Siquijor, First Aid Stationing and dengue dissemination/infodrive.
The first adult leukemia foundation in the Philippines is kicking off in Dumaguete City with a free clinic on May 14 at the Silliman University Medical Center.
The clinic, which aims to accommodate around 500 patients, will start from 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon.
According to Dr. Walden Ursos, internal medicine consultant at the SUMC, the clinic is in line with the foundation's aim to raise awareness in the community about leukemia and its symptoms.
Although we will entertain people who manifest symptoms of high blood, diabetes and other diseases, our focus is primarily on those suspected to have leukemia, says Ursos.
Some of the symptoms of leukemia, according to Dr. Milagros Uy, a hematologist at the Holy Child Hospital, include pallor (paleness), repeated fever for no reason and easy bruising on the skin (violet in color that turns greenish) that may appear either large or pinpoint in size.
Ursos and Uy were the guest speakers in the recent Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency to publicize the birth of the first adult leukemia foundation in the country that will be established in Dumaguete City.
The free clinic will be an annual activity held every May to commemorate the death of Erwin P. Cabanag, a former City Prosecutor in Dumaguete who died on May 12, 2005, just three days before he was scheduled to leave for treatment in USA.
The foundation, dubbed as Erwin P. Cabanag Adult Leukemia Memorial (EPCALM), is spearheaded by Cabanag's sister, Dr. Erlyn Cabanag-Demerre, a cardiologist at St. Luke's Hospital in Manila.
Demerre said that after her brother's death, she felt the need for an adult leukemia foundation. There is currently no organized foundation in the Philippines dedicated solely for adult leukemia victims and their families, says Demerre.
She relates that her brother's death has paved the way for the formation of the foundation that will guide leukemia victims in the country to the proper care as well as "seek God in the midst of suffering and find Him as the hope, healer and the provider."
The foundation will also help patients explore treatment options in the country and abroad.
Eligible patients will be recommended to the National Institute of Health in Manila or National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, says Demerre.
Bone marrow transplant is the recommended modality of treatment for cure of leukemia but the cost of treatment and case fatality rate is high, laments Demerre.
She said that in the Philippines, a bone marrow transplant costs as much as P5 million for uncomplicated cases and P8 million for complicated cases
However, Demerre laments that the success rate of a bone marrow transplant in the Philippines is only 40% while in America, success rate have already reached 90% to 95%.
Although there are no available data on the number of leukemia cases in Dgte, Uy said that it is now a common disease in the city.
Although the cause is unknown, Uy said that the number one factor for leukemia is genetic as there are some families who are susceptible to the disease.
There are also people who have chromosomal abnormalities, making them predisposed to certain types of leukemia. "Like children with Down's syndrome, they may possibly develop leukemia later," she said.
Exposure to chemicals may also lead to leukemia, for example workers in rubber factories.
It is hard to prevent leukemia because we cannot pinpoint the exact cause, that's why early detection is important to treat the disease, says Uy.
Leukemia or cancer of the blood ranks fifth in the overall killer disease in the country, fourth among males and sixth among females, according to the DOH 2005 Health Advisory.
In the same forum, Uy explained that leukemia is a malignancy involving the bone marrow wherein there is an uncontrolled proliferation of white blood cells.
"The bone marrow serves as the "factory" of the blood, producing red and white blood platelets. A healthy bone marrow produces just enough white blood cells needed by the human body each day but if there is a leukemic transformation, a cell grows at an uncontrollable rate, producing too much white blood cells," she said.
The normal white blood cell count ranges between 4,000 to 10,000 but for people with leukemia, the white blood cell count may either be lower or higher the normal range.
Dgte youth reporters to attend nat'l trg on human rights advocacy
Three TV youth reporters of the Kabatan News Network-Dumaguete Bureau will be sent to Manila for a national training on human rights advocacy on May 8 to 13, 2006.
The reporters include Lou Joseph Mapue of Silliman University High School; Alvin Roy Gaudan of Foundation University; and Weim Marie Bonganciso, Science High School, both are in 15 years of age.
KNN is a 30-minute tele-magazine show that brings to the forefront the issues that young people feel strongly about. It is the only television show in the country that is entirely shot and written by young people from all over the Philippines. It is a television show and a training ground for young aspiring journalists.
The national training will bring together all twelve bureaus of KNN to one venue where they can interact and exchange ideas. The theme for the national training is human rights advocacy. It will take place in Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Manila
The training will be conducted by the Probe Media Foundation Inc. (PMFI) and UNICEF Philippines as partners in the implementation of the Kabataan News Network (KNN) Project.
PMFI is a non-stock and non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of media in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific. As part of its mission, is to train media practitioners and young people on responsible and ethical journalism.
KNN program is on the air weekly on both commercial network ABC5 every Saturday at 3:00PM; and on the government television station National Broadcasting Network (NBN4) every Sunday at 9:00AM; and everyday on cable channel Nickelodeon.
The Probe has lined up KNN Dumaguete Bureau's stories on Twin Lakes and Fried Ice Cream to be aired on May 13; Centrop and Hibbard Overpass on May 27.
KNN also airs short segments every Monday at 6PM on Sentro Ng Balita over ABC5.
Government and labor sectors jointly celebrated Labor Day
The Labor Day celebration in the province was marked by the gathering of employees from the government and labor sector, proof that the government and labor leaders could come together and work together, says Board Member Melimor Saycon who sits as Executive National Vice President of ALU-TUCP for Visayas and Mindanao.
Employees of the Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC), ALU-TUCP members and officials from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other government-line agencies in the province attended the events lined up by DOLE to celebrate Labor Day here.
To further strengthen this budding tie the provincial government will also hold a symposium this month that will be the venue for employees to air their concerns and complains and in the same manner employers can voice out their side.
Government officials, labor sector leaders, and businessmen from the province are expected to attend the said symposium.
Also in line with the month-long Labor Day celebration, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) is conducting seminars for fresh graduates who are hunting for jobs.
Saycon recognized that the government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) is doing its best to provide jobs to the Negrenses.
PESO has been making programs, giving livelihood projects and financial grants to impoverished mountain folks in the province. (PIA/CMamigo)
Learning to fight drug traffickers: A US-Philippine Training Partnership
With the goal of more successful investigations and arrests of drug traffickers, more than 40 Filipino police officers, counter-drug agents and military personnel are set to attend a four-week intensive law enforcement training course sponsored by the US Government in Davao City beginning May 8.
Philippine agencies represented in the exercise are the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation.
The training course, called "Baker Piston," is an Asia-wide program that helps improve the effectiveness of counter-drug agencies by training their law enforcement agents in ground operations - such as investigation and raids - that will lead to successful prosecutions of drug traffickers. It also gives participants a rare opportunity to participate in multi-agency exercises and develop contacts in other agencies.
The Baker Piston course in Davao City will include sessions on human rights awareness, cordon and search techniques, special reconnaissance, land navigation, medical procedures, advanced marksmanship, small unit tactics in urban terrain, mission planning, trail interdiction and movement techniques.
There will also be small group sessions for managers and leaders on instructor training and training management, and international drug situation briefings for all attendees.
The program is sponsored by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Joint Inter-Agency Task Force (JIATF) West. The sessions are being taught by the US counter-drug experts and military trainers and will all be held at the classroom and shooting range of Public Safety College Regional Training Center 11.
"Our Philippine counter-drug professionals appreciate intensive training such as this in order to strengthen the effectiveness of our anti-drug operations and enhance our ability to work jointly with other law enforcement and security agencies," says Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Wilkins Villanueva. "We hope it will lead to increased arrests and prosecutions of the drug dealers who threaten our children, families and barangays throughout the country."
According to Tim Teal, Country Attaché of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, this program has proven extremely successful over the past few years. "This is the second Baker program we have sponsored in Davao, and the fourth that has been conducted in the Philippines."
PNOC concludes third Energy Camp
The Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC) recently wrapped its third Energy Camp with graduation rites held at the PNOC geothermal plant in Puhagan, Valencia.
Around 48 PNOC scholars that mostly came from Kidapawan, Cotabato and Valencia joined the camp. Most of the scholars came from depressed areas in the country located within the corporation's post community.
The PNOC EDC Energy Camp, now on its third year, is part of PNOC's corporate responsibility and aims to make the kids aware of their social and environmental responsibility and at the same time give them ultimate summer fun.
The graduation ceremony was graced by PNOC President Paul Aquino together with four Board of Trustees.
During the ceremony, Aquino asked the campers to apply responsibly the lessons they learned during the 9-day camping activity. He was pleased to note that 15 of the campers had a grade of 90 and above.
Meanwhile, PNOC will hold its first Teachers Camp on May 11at their geothermal plant in Kidapawan. This camp aims to bridge the gap between student and teachers.
PNOC has also committed to pour in millions of pesos to put up physical facilities in two public schools in far-flung barrios of Leyte, namely Brgy. Tongonan Ormoc Elementary School and Brgy. Tongonan Kanang-ga Elementary School.
"We want to make an ideal public elementary school...that will compete with La Salle and Ateneo in Math, English and Science," Aquino said. (PIA/CMamigo)
Finisher's Marathon to highlight World Red Cross Red Crescent Day in Dgte
A five-kilometer Finisher's Marathon for a Cause will be held in the city to mark World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on May 8, 2006.
According to Philippine National Red Cross-Negros Oriental Chapter Administrator Louella Bael, the marathon will start at 6:00 in the morning in front of Bethel Guest House and finishing at the Rizal Boulevard.
"The marathon is a fund-raising activity to help generate funds for the PNRC to cover all the operational expenses for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation, health care, first-aid and safety-works, disaster preparedness, prevention and management, blood service and other welfare assistance," says Bael.
The marathon is jointly conducted by the PNRC and the Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, Inc (MDRCI).
The finisher's fun run is also part of the training of the trainees of the 9-month Free Marathon Clinic launched on April 9, 2006 by the MDRCI which is set to culminate in an International Half- Marathon Clinic on November in line with the city's fiesta celebration.
Bael said interested participants are required to register with the PNRC local chapter office starting May 4.
The registration fee will be the annual Red Cross membership with Accident Assistance Benefits Program at P35.00.
This membership fee will cover the participant's accident insurance 24 hours a day for one year including hospitalization benefits, says Bael.
Boholanos think GMA should finish her term
Even with the way things are astir at the national scene, 65% of Boholanos still think it is appropriate for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to continue her term of office as President of the Philippines until 2010.
The revealing data floated during the recent survey conducted by the Holy Name University Research Center.
This is also in support of the fact that the GMA leadership still enjoys a relatively soaring awareness rating at 98% in Bohol province.
While GMA's performance rating has dipped from +26 last year to +12 this year, only about 13% of Boholanos agree that GMA should be made to vacate her post. Net performance rating is taken after subtracting the number of people dissatisfied from those satisfied of the President's performance.
From the districts, Bohol District III gave the President a -12 performance rating while district II gave her a +27 and District I, +24.
In Bohol, Government Erico Aumentado improved his performance ration from +62 to +71 this year with his home district giving him a +81, District I at +68 and II at +66.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera also upped his performance ratings from +41 in 2005 to +54.
These performance ratings however fails to translate to a level of ease in the daily lives of 60% Boholanos who still think they are poor as against 54% in 2005.
The survey also revealed that life in the next 12 months is dipping as 33% are going pessimistic to easily cover the 17% pessimists.
Biggest of the Boholano concerns are economic in nature with 67% thinking so. Lack of livelihood opportunities still rate at 28% and unemployment at 16% topping Boholano concerns.
This, even with the provincial government scoring high at +9 last year to +19 this year in its program for provision of livelihood opportunities and employment.
Investment promotion however curved down this year compared to +8 from +13 during the previous year.
3 major Statistical projects set in April - NSO
The National Statistics Office (NSO) will simultaneously undertake three important statistical surveys this month, April 2006.
This was bared following the completion of the field operations training in Cebu City this month of NSO field personnel and hired Statistical Researchers who will conduct the actual interview and collection of data from sample households and business establishments in the province, says NSO Information Officer Rizalyn Teodora Gaviola.
These statistical surveys were the 2006 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industries (ASPBI), THE April 2006 Labor Force Survey (LFS) and the 2006 Family Planning Survey (FPS).
The 2006 Family Planning Survey which is the tenth of the series of annual family planning survey conducted nationwide starting 1995 together with the April round of Labor Force Survey (LFS) involves interviewing women 15-49 years of age and was aimed at collecting information on contraceptive use, source of family planning methods, unmet need for family planning and high-risk fertility behavior. It will also gather data on some maternal and child health concerns like assistance and place of delivery of birth, immunizations, breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation of children and other health related concerns in the country.
Meanwhile, the 2006 ASPBI aims to provide data on the structure and level of economic activity in the country. Information being gathered from the same statistical inquiry will be used in the construction the national and regional accounts of the Philippine economy and in formulating and monitoring of the plans and policies relative to the attainment of national and regional economic goals. The data is also used in determining and comparing economic structures and performances of each region in the country as well as in market research and feasibility studies.
Training for field operations of said surveys were conducted separately last March 21-24, 2006 for ASPBI and last April 3-8, 2006 for LFS/FPS in Cebu City. NSO Siquijor Provincial Office is enjoining every selected samples units of the survey to cooperate and answer honestly all questions to be asked by NSO field personnel.
For more details and information about the said survey, the public is advised to visit or call the provincial or regional offices of National Statistics Office (NSO). NSO Siquijor Provincial Office is located at National Highway, Poblacion, Siquijor and can be reached thru telephone nos. 344-2002 and 480-9003 or at its e-mail address: nsosiq@globelines.com.ph.
PNRC Siquijor holds 1st youth congress
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Siquijor Sub-Chapter held its First Youth Congress in Siquijor province recently. Along with this was an election for new junior officers among the nine participating high schools here this year.
Provincial Administrator Rowena Lapinig said the activity aimed to inculcate young students moral values and character building; protection of life and promotion of community health; service and solidarity as these youngsters can spread to other uninformed youth the spirit of RED CROSS.
"This is designed for the enhancement of characters of the youth whom we believe to be not just leaders in the future, but also of the present times", she said.
At present, there are 342 full-fledged Red Cross youth in Siquijor.
Meanwhile, the PNRC office in Siquijor was able to serve 61 units (bags) of blood or 30, 500 cc. last year.
However, Lapinig said half of the blood processing fees of it were not paid causing some deficits in the operation.
The blood processing fee is imposed in order to sustain the program since the reagent is used in determining the following blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, malaria, HIV, and syphilis which are very much expensive aside from the operational costs, she said.
Other activities done by the Office last year were free blood typing, mass blood and voluntary donations, Pledge 25, voluntary blood donation dissemination, disaster relief operations, Standard First Aid Training in one of the municipal disaster response teams of Siquijor, First Aid Stationing and dengue dissemination/infodrive.
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