ISSUE NO. 43, OCTOBER 26, 2006

New DevInfo software boosts Knowledge Center
Planning of programs for children and women in Oriental Negros is now made easier with a more improved Knowledge Center for Children under the Child Friendly Movement in the province.

According to Kurt Zion Pala, Economic Development Specialist of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-7 in Cebu, a new and more sophisticated software has been developed for the Knowledge Centers for Children in the country.

Pala, as focal person for Development Information, was in Dumaguete City to train members of the Knowledge Network Committee in the province on the Development Information Version 5.0 software which will be used to pool evidence-based data to be used for planning, budgeting and mobilizing resources for programs focused on children and women.

With the DevInfo v5.0, committee members can regularly submit updated data for collection and analysis of policy makers. “This data will be used by policy makers in their planning for children and the public as well,” said Jennifer Catan-Tilos, Infocen Manager of the Philippine Information Agency here.

PIA, together with the provincial government of Oriental Negros and Unicef, spearheaded the three-day training from October 23 to 25 at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn.

Tilos said the Knowledge Center will serve as a resource center of accurate and current data and information on projects and activities for children’s concerns; statistics on children and women; books, laws and ordinances on children and women.

It will also package date into factsheets, charts, tables, maps and State of the Province Reports and analyze date and produce IEC materials using evidence-based information.

The Knowledge Center in the province is managed by Engr. Frederick Flores of the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is pushing for the inclusion of “newborn screening” into the government’s national action plan for infants.
Newborn screening is a process by which infants are tested for possible inherited diseases.

“We should include newborn screening in the national action plan for infants,” Arroyo said during a roundtable discussion in Malacañang on Monday.

Her statement was made in time for the observation of national newborn screening week, which was created last year through Presidential Proclamation 640.
Dr. Carmencita Padilla of the Department of Health explained that the program would not only help save babies from future mental retardation but also save parents the cost of hospitalization.

“Taking care of a child is so expensive,” Padilla said. “The expenses a parent may incur for a sick child can reach P70,000.”

Two children were presented to Arroyo during the roundtable --9-year-old Janelle Barrameda, who benefited from the newborn screening process, and a 17-year-old who was not screened and began suffering mental health problem three years ago.

80 kids join Child and Youth Convention
Around 80 children from ten elementary schools in identified barangays under the Sixth Country Programme for Children in the province gathered in Dumaguete City today (October 26) for the annual Child and Youth Convention.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency together with the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros, the convention is in line with the province’s celebration of Children’s Month this October.

According to local PIA Infocen Manager Jennifer Catan-Tilos, this year’s convention was simultaneously undertaken by partner agencies and will focus on Child and Youth Participation Rights.

Participants are Grade 6 students with their teacher-chaperones from Malongcay Elementary School, Dauin; Calinawan Elementary School, Sibulan; Luka Elementary School, Tanjay City; Salag Elementary School, Siaton; Cadawinonan Elementary School, Dumaguete City; Sacsac Elementary School, Bacong; Banawe Elementary School, Pamplona; East Balabag Elementary School, Valencia; Kalamtukan Elementary School, Bayawan City; and Bios Elementary School, Amlan.

During the convention, the participants explored the various avenues in their respective schools and communities where they can participate.

The participants will present their output during the Provincial State of the Children Address, which will be delivered by Governor George P. Arnaiz at 2:00 p.m. at the same day at Negros Oriental State University Main Campus Gym and witnessed by around one thousand children.

Workers get pay on Muslim Day
For the guidance of employers of the private sector in the province of Oriental Negros, the local Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here has confirmed that workers are entitled to compensation on October 24, a regular holiday in observance of Eid'l Fitr regardless of whether they report for duty or not.

Based on the guidelines, Lilian Mondarte of DOLE here said, an employee will receive regular compensation even if he or she does not report for work on that day, and even on Tuesday (Oct. 24) was his or her work day or rest day.

DOLE guidelines stated that if the day is a regular workday and the employee reports for duty, he or she is entitled to 200 percent of his or her regular wage. If he works over eight hours, he should receive the hourly rate for that day, which is 200 percent of his regular wage divided by eight, plus 30 percent of that hourly rate.

But if the holiday falls on the worker's rest day and he still reports for duty, he should receive 260 percent of his regular wage. For overtime work, he should get the hourly rate, which is 260 percent of his regular wage divided by eight, plus 30 percent of that rate.

President Macapagal Arroyo declared October 24 a holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid'l Fitr, which is celebrated by the Muslim World at the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan.

Eid'l Fitr has been declared a regular holiday to promote cultural understanding and integration, and to give the Filipino nation the chance to join Muslims in the celebration.

15 menus compete for Lutong Garbo sa Oriental Negros
A total of 15 menus from each town and city in the province will be competed in the 1st grand cook fest dubbed as “Lutong Garbo sa Oriental Negros” on October 26-27, 2006 at Negros Oriental High School Gymnasium, this city.

From the set of choices of Nilabog na Isda of San Jose; Ginataang Steamed Chicken of Bacong; Ginataang Binuro, Basay; Tugnos Delight, Dauin; Chicken Coco Cream, La Libertad; Ginataang Pabong Con Mais, Canlaon City; Ticoco of Ayungon;
Layered Solanium Melongina with tokwa of Dumaguete City; Buco Pancit Guisado, Sta. Catalina; Spicy Cardisona, Sibulan; Chicken Halang-Halang, Bayawan City; Ginataang Pasayan, Amlan; Steamed Chicken in Vege-Mushroom of Valencia; Tilapia with Adobong Kangkong of Tanjay City; and Malunggay na Puso sa Saging Roll of Mabinay.

All participants of the cooking contest must wear appropriate cooking attire and provide his/her own cooking utensils and equipment.

This two-day Lutong Garbo competition is open to all residents from the municipalities and cities of the province, however, the contestants must be duly endorsed by the Mayor as the official representative of the locality.

The main dish or recipe entry must feature ingredients indigenous to the area represented as part of the criteria of the contest; and the use of ingredients such as monosodium glutamate, canned goods, imported products, and artificial seasonings are disallowed.

Vice-Chair Sylvia Uy of ONTC said, this activity is designed to encourage households to cook palatable and nutritious food with the use of their native recipe. This is also to find out food available everyday in the areas that could be promoted and identified as Oriental Negros’ fine cuisine.

The competition banners the theme,: “Discovering Developing and Promoting Oriental Negros Culinary Heritage.”

The contestants are given 45 minutes to cook per main dish, nevertheless, one point will be deducted from the final rating of the participant for every minute exceeded.

Food preparation will be judged according to the following criteria: palatability, 50 percent; 30 percent for originality; and 20 percent for presentation.

Those who got the highest points will receive P10,000, gift pack and a trophy as the first prize winner; while for the 2nd placer will accept P5,000, gift pack plus trophy; and P3,000 plus gift pack and a trophy for the 3rd placer. For non –winners, consolation prize of P1,000, gift pack plus certificates of participation will be awarded by the Lutong Garbo Competition committee.

After the competition, all recipes will become the property of the Lutong Garbo sa Oriental Negros Organizing Committee. (Jennifer C. Tilos/PIA)

DILG NAGPATABANG SA MGA BARANGAY
(DILG seeks assistance from the barangays)
Sa tinguha nga malampusong mapuhag ang terorismo sa nasod, ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) nagpatabang na karon sa kabarangayan sa nasod alang sa maong katuyuan.

Ang nasod adunay 41 mil ka mga barangay nga moabag sa mga militar og kapolisan sa pagsuta, pagpaniid og pagsumpo sa mga kalihukan sa mga terorista sa nasod.

Base sa impormasyon gikan sa DILG, ang 37,534 ka mga barangay sa nasod aduna nay kaugalingong peace and order committees.

Si DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno nagkanayon nga ang terorismo nihimo na og kalihukang local og nga tungod niini gikinahanglan ang pagpakabana sa matag lumulupyo aron magpabiling luwas ang nasod sa terorismo nga naghulga karon sa tibuok kalibutan.

Dinhi sa tunga-tungang Kabisay-an, ang DILG nihimo og 1096 nga mga barangay sa tibuok rehiyon.

Gipaabot ang dakong suporta niini sa chairman sa Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) nga si Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia nga nideklarar sayo ning tuiga sa way pagduha-duhang hiniusang pagpakigbatok sa terorismo.

Baruganan nga gihangop usab sa mga ahensiya sa kagamhanan, militar, kapolisan, magpapatigayon, mga local nga opisyales, og pribadong sektor sa Central Visayas.
Kung mahinumduman, si Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa iyang State of the Nation Address nideklarar sa kalampusan sa pagpuhag sa mga terorista sa Kabisay-an nga nagbase sa isla sa Bohol.

Ang maong kalampusan gilauman nga magpabilin og sundon usab sa uban pinaagi sa hiniusang paningkamot sa tanang sector sa katilingban.

Sa Sugbo, ang nasuta nga adunay mga rebeldeng komunistang terorista naglihok sa norte nga bahin sa isla.

Ang kapolisan sa Siquijor og Oriental Negros, way nahitabo nga operasyon sa mga terorsitang pundok sa nakalabay nga mga bulan.

Sa ilang bahin, ang mga director sa kapolisan sa lalawigan sa Bohol, Sugbo, og Oriental Negros nagkahiusa sab nga ang lakang sa DILG dako og ikatabang tungod kay alang kanila ang kalampusan sa pagbatok sa terorismo nagkinahanglan sa kooperasyon sa katilingban.

DOST's SETUP boosts Siquijor SMEs
Siquijor businesses now get a boost as the Department of Science and Technology began pouring in its package of support for local entrepreneurs here.

“I’m talking about the DOST’s SETUP (Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program) that aims to boost their productivity and ultimately create stable employment for our rural folks”, Engr. Mario de la Pena, Provincial Science and Technology Officer said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

As the DOST’s response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s call to strengthen the country’s entrepreneur that are seen as the engine for job creation and wealth distribution, SETUP provides a package of intervention in the form of technology upgrading and acquisition, packaging and labeling, technical consultancy services, product standards development, and identification, training and networking assistance.

Four manufacturers/producers from this province are up for funding this year totaling some P843,000 and five more are prepared for 2007 funding.

Approved for this year’s release are mostly for the food sector namely Jainen’s Cakes and Pastries, P251,000, Ever’s Special Peanut Processing, P178,000, R&J Homemade Meat Products, P134,000 and the Naning’s Furniture, P280T.

For 2007, proposed projects are the establishment of Accelerated Vinegar Making Facility, P150T, Upgrading of Island Fresh Milk Facility, P180T, Technology, Upgrading of Vi’s Special Torta Production Facility, P150T and Establishment of Wrought Iron Forming Facility, P180T.

“Our local entrepreneurs from the food; furniture; gift; houseware and
decors; marine and metals who are in need of technology upgrading increase productivity are our top priority”, Engr. De la Pena said.

In 2005, SETUP has also released some P863,000 in project fund for CJP Furniture, P150T; Duran’s Banana Crackers, P207, 500 and Renie’s Peanut Processing, P155,500.

“Our support even includes proposal preparation and MOA signing aside from the equipment acquisition, laboratory analysis, shelf-life testing, trainings and consultancy services”, de la Pena said.

To cite the local DOST has initiated the development of packaging and labeling design of Siquijor products which were showcased in the Halad Siquijodnon 2006 Trade Fair and Exhibits last month that higlighted the Araw ng Siquijor celebration.

“This assistance of DOST is very helpful to SMEs and I only wish that there will be more SETUP funding in the future”, de la Pena said, stressing that the main factors for beneficiaries to succeed are the positive attitude to the assistance and their commitment to the project coupled with good linkages with the government sector.

The continuous economic gains clearly show that the Administration is aggressively bent on turning the Philippines around through tough decisions and proactive diplomacy.

With President Gloria Arroyo heading to China, the Philippines can cement its good relations with the economic superpower and an additional benefit for the country is China’s funding support for the Government’s infrastructure programs aimed at further boosting economic growth and poverty alleviation.

The DSWD is starting its drive to assist families in building businesses through the PCFC Micro-Financing Program, which will bolster hopes of eliminating the roots of poverty. The Government will continue to seek to obtain broader participation from larger private financial institutions in bankrolling the social projects.

Maria RHU is sentrong sigla phase 2 certified
After being accredited and awarded Sentrong Sigla Phase I last August 2003, the local government and rural health unit of Maria made it again recently for another round of accreditation.

This year, the phase 2 accreditation team was composed of Dra. Cora-Lou Kintanar, OIC-LAHAD, Ms. Fe Quijano of the licensing department and Ms. Lourdes Maratas of CHD 7 – Cebu City .

Information Officer of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Lady Esperanza Patay said the certification was a realization of the local government’s vision of gaining quality health services to all Mariajanons and the Siquijodnons as a whole.

She said the success of Maria Rural Health Unit was pooled efforts of then municipal mayor Encarnacion Sunogan (during phase I) and the present administration of Mayor Rebecca Padayhag.

Credit is also given to the Technical Assistance of CHD 7 in the person of Ms. Mila Tan, the LAMAR coordinators who likewise provided comprehensive technical assistance to the RHU personnel and Dra. Susan Jojie O. Villa, municipal Health Officer of Larena and a millionaire beneficiary of Sentrong Sigla, who was so generous enough to share her experience and documents in the process of certification.

The SS II certification was also made successful through the support of the community volunteer health workers who, in so many ways, assisted the RHU personnel in cleaning, arranging, beautifying and housekeeping in preparations for the evaluation and assessment, Ms. Patay said. “The clients/mothers in the community who were the beneficiaries of the delivered services also helped a lot by supporting the RHU personnel in the question-and-answer portion.”

The support of the local government to its rural health unit is a response to their task of providing health services as required under the Local Government Code of 1991. The RHU personnel, in return, took the challenge of providing quality health care services to their constituents, she said.