ISSUE NO. 36, Sept. 7, 2006

City police chief calls for community help in stopping vigilante killings
The police force in Dumaguete is calling for the active participation of residents in the city’s crime prevention efforts in order to crack down on the spate of “vigilante” killings in the city.

City Police Chief Col. Dionardo Carlos stressed that any information related to the vigilante killings, however minute, will help.

“We appreciate any information from the community that will help us solve these killings,” says Carlos in a forum sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here.

Police investigators are currently worried that copycat killings might occur. “We’re hoping that there will be no copycats, who will follow the same modus operandi and try to hit other victims,” the police chief said.

He said that from the modus operandi of the vigilante killings, the victims were people known to be involved in illegal drugs activities or other criminal activities.

Carlos is appealing for vigilance among community members, saying that that information from the community will help investigators take hold of evidence against suspects and bring them to court, he said.

“If you see new faces in the area, or suspicious movements in your area, please report them to us so we can check them and prevent crime from happening,” adds Carlos.

The police chief likewise requested citizens to reduce ‘drinking sessions’ in public areas in an effort to minimize crime incidence.

Carlos, who stepped in as chief of police six months ago, noted that residents in Dumaguete prefer to enjoy their alcoholic beverages in public areas and not within the business establishment where they bought the alcohol.

He said that when he makes his customary patrol in the city at night, he has spotted groups of people in drinking sessions in public places, particularly in the along the promenade and on the breakwater of Rizal Boulevard

“People are not allowed to drink in parks, or on the boulevard promenade and the breakwater,” Carlos said.

The city police office has recently stepped up its drive to educate the local community as Carlos believes the community has a key role to play in putting a stop to crime incidents.

By educating the community on how to protect themselves, the police chief is confident that this will make up for the lack of policemen in the city.

The city police force is currently seriously undermanned.

Statistics show that there are only 85 cops policing a daytime population of 400,000 in Dumaguete. “This is a ratio of one policeman to 4,705 citizens at daytime. How can a cop cover 4,705 community members?” laments Carlos.

He disclosed that they have finished conducting crime prevention trainings in business establishments and offices and are now focused on the schools.

He has also proposed to the City Peace and Order Council for the production of posters showing what he calls as the triangle of public safety – police, fire, medical and rescue support – and their corresponding telephone numbers.

Meanwhile, the national government has been working double time with its international partners against terrorism to shore up measures that will combat this growing global threat, said Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye.

"We are working side by side with the American military to improve our military capability in terrorist response, and in real time, are working to eliminate the JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) and the Abu Sayyaf who stubbornly cling to their remote outposts," he said.

Sibulan LGU promotes road safety consciousness
The local government unit of Sibulan is spearheading a campaign promoting road safety consciousness through the use of protective helmet by motorists.

In line with this effort, a motorcade by owners of motorcycles and municipal personnel was held on September 6 in Sibulan.

According to Sibulan Mayor Antonio Renacia, the use of protective helmets will lessen the risk to life faced by motorists. “Road mishaps that happen almost anywhere and anytime have prompted the use of protective helmets. Motorists are very much exposed to danger.”

This is true not only with the driver but the rider as well, so both should be wearing helmets, adds Renacia.

Hon. Genaro Gil Concepcion has been at the forefront of the drive to promote the use of protective helmets.

Sibulan Municipal Information Officer Concepcion Rosales said that employees who will be caught riding their motorcycles without helmets will be penalized.

Three LGUs in OrNeg nominated for Most Child-Friendly City, Municipality
Three local government units in Oriental Negros are vying for the 2006 Presidential Awards for Most Child-Friendly Municipality and City in different categories at the national level.

From Region 7, Dumaguete City with Cebu City have been nominated for the highly urbanized city and component city categories while Sibulan in Oriental Negros, Inabanga of Bohol and Dalaguete of Cebu have been nominated for the 1st to 3rd class municipality category.

Dauin town in OrNeg, Catigbian in Bohol and Pilar in Cebu are vying in the 4th to 6th class municipality category.

Regional Director Teodulo Romo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, said the Regional Awards Committee (RAC) had submitted the list of the provincial nominees to the members of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) for review and to recommend them for the national awards.

The Presidential Awards for the Most-Friendly Municipality and City was launched on November 13, 1999 under Executive Order No. 184 but had a moratorium in 2004 and 2005 for the review and study of the evaluation tools and guidelines.

However, this year the Presidential Awards was revived to institutionalize “child-friendly” governance and environment and give national recognition to cities and municipalities that able to provide “child-friendly” governance and environment.

The awards also seek to increase the level of awareness and stakeholders on the rights of children, encourage local government units to prioritize and address issues and concerns affecting the full realization of children’s rights and monitor and evaluate the “child-friendliness” of LGUs in the country.

According to Romo, all cities and municipalities have been encouraged to join the awards.

43 Tindahan Natin operators accredited in OrNeg
A total of 43 Tindahan Natin outlets are now operating in Oriental Negros.
The operators of Tindahan Natin stores in the province are located in 56 barangays serving 9,608 family beneficiaries across Oriental Negros, says Information Officer Rolando Lazalita of the National Food Authority (NFA).

Records from the NFA here show that the outlets are in Bindoy Vallehermoso, Amlan, Pamplona, San Jose, Tanjay, Bacong and Bayawan City.

Handog sa Parokya Tindahan Natin outlets are also in operation in Dumaguete City and Dauin.
The Tindahan Natin project was launched in the province on June 20, 2006 at the Tindahan Natin of Mrs. Nanette de la Cruz at Poblacion, Amlan.

Undersecretary Celia C. Yangco, Dir. Teodulo R. Romo, Jr., NFA Provincial Manager Marianito B. Behemino, Amlan Mayor Bentham de la Cruz of Amlan, other mayors of the province and guests graced the affair.

The Tindahan Natin Project is a national government initiative for job generation, livelihood and food security.

The project will provide low-priced but good quality rice and noodles through a store identified and endorsed by the DSWD, City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of the local government units (LGUs), Barangay Council and subsequently accredited by NFA.

NFA Provincial Manager Marianito Bejemino reminds the Tindahan Natin Operators that the burden of maintaining rice prices at P18.00/kg naturally rest on NFA.

They must ensure that families below food threshold get access to low-priced basic food items, specifically rice.

Bejemino also reiterated that the accredited Tindahan Natin operators/outlets will follow all rules and regulations promulgated by NFA with regard to the retailing of rice.

The Tindahan Natin endeavor is an offshoot of the government’s job generation program, which has recently been fueled by the momentum of gains from the continuous strengthening of the peso, and the surpluses incurred during the past months.

Malacañang recently reported that the 6.4% inflation rate, strong peso now at P50.73 to a dollar, 5.5% GDP growth in the Q2 of 2006, 14% increase in OFW remittances, and the improving outlook of credit rating agencies and reputable international institutions such as the Development Bank of Singapore that forecasts a stronger peso to breach the P50:1$ rate will continue to take the country to the promised land of economic progress.

The country’s exit from the IMF, the improving revenue generation, and the massive pump priming into the economy through the super regions will pace the economic takeoff.

The local financial markets have surged, buoyed by an upbeat economic outlook and falling oil prices, with the peso climbing to a fresh four-year high of 50.48 against the US dollar at the close of trading.

Country’s first constructed wetland brings clean water to fisher folk
Polluted ground water will not be a problem for fisher folks in a resettlement village in Bayawan City with the construction of the first LGU-managed artificial wetland in the country.
Bayawan City holds the distinction of being the first local government unit in the country to construct and manage an artificial wetland that will rid domestic water of organic and toxic pollutants.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant is intended for the fishermen and their families living in the Gawad Kalinga Housing Project in Barangay Villareal, Bayawan City.

There are 700 households in the housing project known as Fishermen’s Village.

During the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the project on September 4, Bayawan City Mayor German P. Sarana, Jr. noted that water pollution is one of the biggest problems in the country which resulted to the deaths of many Filipinos.

He hopes that the project will be replicated in other local government units in the province.

Saraña’s sentiment was echoed by Hon. Austere A. Panadero, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who said that the country is wracked by a liquid waste problem yet only few recognize it.

He said that there are only a few liquid treatment facilities in the country as it is very costly.
He lauded Governor George P. Arnaiz for the province’s innovative projects especially in the agricultural and health sectors. “If you want a solution to your problem, go to the smart province, Negros Oriental,” he quips.

Gov. Arnaiz in his message also urged other local chief executives in the province to acquire their own wetlands similar to that of Bayawan.

He congratulated the Bayawan local government unit and challenged the fishermen beneficiaries of the project to help maintain its cleanliness and safety as well.

The Bayawan city government poured in P10M for the project, which broke ground in June 2005, with the technical assistance provided by the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ).

The constructed wetland covers an area approximately 3,000 square meters.

Andreas Kanzler, Country Director of the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) described the wetlands as a perfect solution to treat the sewage ofa small community since it is cost effective, easy to maintain and very efficient in the cleaning process.

Director Kanzler said that the technology of constructed wetlands proved to be very successful and reliable in several countries in Asia.

“This technology can address the very serious situation of contamination of the water bodies by untreated waste water in many regions in the Philippines,” he said.

The wetland wastewater treatment plant is in line with the government’s environmental protection efforts, which are currently geared towards containing the environmental calamity caused by the oil spill from Motor Tanker Solar I off the coast of Guimaras Island.

The Government is relentlessly pushing the continuing clean up, attending to the victims of illness and moving the communities in gathering biodegradable absorbents to soak up the remaining pollutants.

Some 120 people from 60 families living along the contaminated shorelines of Guimaras have been evacuated to safer ground, National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) executive director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Glenn Rabonza said.
President Gloria Arroyo already has in hand her blueprint to prevent future oil spills and this is part of the overall program of environmental protection for the country, which will always remain a top national priority.

The Administration expects oil companies and other firms engaged in the transport of oil and chemicals to start coordinating with the Government agencies concerned for the institution of the necessary preventive measures.

DTI-Siquijor conducts search for "Pamilihan ng Lalawigan"
Siquijor - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cooperation with other government line agencies composing the Provincial Search Team (PST) recently inspected the six public markets in Siquijor Province for its for “Pamilihan ng Panlalawigan”.

The contest aims to ensure that public market places in the country adhere to fair trade laws with the basic aim of protecting the rights of consumers.

Criteria include the use of price tags, price board, common weighing scale (Timbangan ng Bayan), consumer welfare desks, clean market surroundings (clean toilets with adequate water) and the existence of a vendor's association and market administrator.

Out of the six public markers, only two will likely qualify for the program, DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio said.

Virtucio said DTI embarks on the project hoping that this will motivate local government units, public market masters and vendors to follow market standards while giving importance to the rights of.

Consumer rights mentioned include the right to information, the right to choose (by having price tags and price board), the right to redress (by placing consumer welfare desks to address complaints) and the right to safety (safe meat, rice & products sold) for public health concerns.

Members of the Provincial Search Team are the DTI, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Representative from the Consumer’s Group and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Announcement of the provincial winner be done on September 17 as one of the highlights of the Araw ng Siquijor celebration.. The winner in will compete in the regional level and likewise, the top contender in Central Visayas will represent the region in the national contest.

The national winner will be announced in time for the celebration of Consumer Month in October, it was said.

Province to celebrate 35th day
Siquijor - With this year's theme "Isla sa Siquijor: Pinalangga Ka, Palamboon Ka," the province of Siquijor will celebrate on September 17 its 35th day.
A yearly activity, the provincial government has lined up activities to highlight the occasion.

Activities include the sportsfest, which is opened today (September 5), presentations of the different towns festivals, the Solili Dance and the Miss Siquijor Tourism 2006.

Also an indispensable highlight will be the Halad Siquijodnon, now on its 18th year. It is a joint undertaking of the Provincial Government and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC).

The Araw ng Siquijor is anticipated to be a feast to the eye and the senses as visitors and locals alike will have a taste of everything from processed food products to woodcraft, arts, music and dances.

Siquijor congressman pours in P8.8M to KALAHI
Siquijor Congressman Orlando Shane Fua shows his all-out support to the government’s anti-poverty project KALAHI-CIDSS:KKB by pouring in P8,874901.97 of his PDAF to fund community development projects in the Municipality of Siquijor, Siquijor where KALAHI is implemented.

Siquijor Province is one of the 42 poorest provinces nationwide covered by KALAHI-CIDSS (KC) in January 2003. The Municipality of Siquijor is one of the 14 municipalities in Central Visayas which is benefiting the poverty project.

KC is implemented only in every target municipality for a maximum of three years. In December this year, KALAHI will already be localized to the Local Government Unit of Siquijor.
In the initial year of the project, Cong. Fua shelved P4M to fund nine sub-projects that were prioritized during the Municipal Inter-Barangay Forum (MIBF). The MIBF is a localized decision-making process where sub-project concepts are not only ranked but are also prioritized for funding under KALAHI-CIDSS.

Five of these sub-projects involved water system, two were farm-to-market road, a day care center and an electrification. P1.6 M of his initial contribution went to CATITOBO water system, which is the biggest and most expensive sub-project implemented under KC nationwide. CATITOBO is coined after the first syllable of the names of the eight clustered barangays benefiting the water system.

This year, Cong. Fua pledged another P4,874,901.97 for the implementation of the 14 prioritized sub-projects in the municipality that are expected to be completed before the Project phases out in December.

Total project costs of these community projects are not solely shouldered by KALAHI. The These projects were also realized through the local counterpart contribution from the provincial, municipal and barangay local government units (LGU), the district’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), and the finances and efforts from the community people.

Almost 4,000 household in Siquijor are able to directly benefit from all the projects implemented in the area.

KALAHI-CIDSS, which stands for Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay, is a community-driven development project that aims to empower communities through their enhanced participation in community projects that reduce poverty.

This project is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the World Bank providing financial support to the project.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive picture of the country’s economy undoubtedly shows a nation on a roll, and an enterprising people reaching for the limit in period of rapid political stability and consolidation.

International visitor arrivals grew 6.6 percent year-on-year in July, faster than the 3.9 percent growth registered in June, on the back of double-digit increase in tourists from Korea, China and other Asian countries. Data from the Department of Tourism shows that foreign visitors in July totaled 251,884, up from 236,233 in the year-earlier month.

Phase I of the economic plan of the Government has been achieved as evidenced by the sustained growth of the economy. The gains in Phase I will propel the country in achieving the same result in Phase II or the restructuring of the Philippines into five Super Regions.

Pres. Arroyo in Forbes’ list of 100 Most Powerful Women
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been named by Forbes Magazine as one of the world’s “100 Most Powerful Women,” ranking her the 45th most powerful ahead of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, who came in at 46th and 47th respectively.

President Arroyo is thankful of this recognition from Forbes Magazine, which she considers more an acknowledgement of the gains being made by the Filipino people on the road to political stability and economic progress.

The President is but an instrument of the sovereign people and any accolade extended to her is an accolade for the entire Philippines.