ISSUE NO. 51, December 21, 2006

Around 500 GK homes now in NegOr

As 2006 comes to a close, around 500 brightly-painted crayola-colored homes now stand in some eight Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages in the province, according to the latest data posted on the organization’s website.

Local government units hosting GK communities here are Dumaguete City with four villages and one village each in Bayawan City, Bais City, Tanjay City, Mabinay and Sta. Catalina.

According to Oliver Lemence, Couples for Christ (CFC) designated media liaison officer, said the villages in the province are the result of local multi-sectoral partnership among CFC, LGUs, government agencies, non-government organizations and the community.

Gawad Kalinga started barely five years ago as a daring initiative by the Couples for Christ, a movement intended for the renewal and strengthening of Christian family life.

Lemence said more GK villages are needed in the province. “The CFC here cannot cope with the demand. We need the formation of more GK teams, as well as partners to finance the villages,” he said.

A financial donation to the GK village is tax deductible, said Lemence.

The construction of houses is by “bayanihan” among the beneficiaries, GK members, professional volunteers and other groups who find fulfillment in sharing their time and resources to help the poor.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues to release funds from the President’s Social Fund (PSF) to build decent shelter for poor families and create model communities nationwide.

The President allocated in March 2002 the amount of P30 million from the PSF to the Gawad Kalinga for the construction of housing units for poor families nationwide.

A total of 1,000 housing units costing P300,000 per unit have already been completed and awarded to the beneficiaries nationwide.

GSIS to issue new, more improved eCard to members

Government employees in Oriental Negros can look forward to a more advanced GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) eCard next year after the agency launched its GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-W@PS).

With the pioneering e-government program comes the second generation GSIS eCard called the eCard Plus which will replace the old GSIS eCard issued in 2004.

Local GSIS Acting Technical Assistant Larry Lee Alcaide said the schedule of enrollment of government employees here for the eCard Plus is set between January to March 2007.

Enrollment will be via clustering of towns and cities here, he said.

A team from GSIS will go to each cluster to accept and process the enrollment of GSIS members in the area.

Clustering as well as the schedules for enrollment will be announced later, said Alcaide.

There are more than 17,800 active GSIS members in the province, he added.

The new eCard Plus is all that a GSIS members needs to access and make use of the G-W@PS kiosk technology, a 55-inch high, ATM-like machine with a 28-inch by 16-inch touch screen monitor.

The kiosk can identify a GSIS member, display all of the member’s records and process loan applications of members without any documentary requirement.

The kiosks will be installed in strategic government office locations nationwide.

Along with this innovative technology, GSIS is also offering another cash advance to its members called the eCard Plus Cash Advance Program (eCAP) worth P10,000.

The eCAP is among the first loan or financial assistance programs to make use of the G-W@PS technology.

The eCAP is payable in three years with a low interest rate of 12% per annum based on diminishing balance.

Once the GSIS member has the eCard Plus, he or she can transact the eCAP thru the G-W@PS kiosk electronically and online. Once approved, the proceeds of the eCAP will be immediately credited to the member’s Union Bank account.

Meanwhile, the tough economic reforms introduced by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are now paying off in terms of increasing investment, creation of more jobs and expanding small and medium enterprises and broadening opportunities for productivity and excellence of the people.

No power disturbances during Xmas season, assured NORECO 2

The Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative 2 (NORECO 2) assured that there will be no power disturbances during the holiday celebration here.

Demand for power is expected to increase during the holiday revelry.

The two power stations in Dumaguete City, from which NORECO 2 gets its power supply, are more than enough to cover the power requirements of NORECO 2 consumers, said Stephen Salgado, NORECO 2 Information Officer.

The two sources of electricity of NORECO 2 are Pulantubig Sub Station I which has a 10 megawatt power and Bagacay power station which has a 20 megawatt power.

Consumers in the NORECO 2 coverage area have a total requirement of 5.2 megawatts only.

“As far as supply is concerned, there is no cause for power disturbance here during the holiday season,” said Salgado.

He added that TRANSCO has likewise assured that there will be no power outages from their end.

“Our only problem is vegetation along power lines, which causes brownouts, line fault and short circuits,” he said.

In connection with this, Malacañang recently assured that it is the Administration’s duty to ensure that no power outages will happen in the future and the Government is doing this, among other measures, by making Napocor ready and attractive to investors.

The Administration is determined to rehabilitate Napocor through means that are economical and sustainable, and do not impose unreasonable burdens on other people.

Larena police station hailed as region's best

The Larena Police Station in Larena, Siquijor was recently adjudged as the Best Municipal Police Station throughout Region 7 for the year 2006.

The police station was recognized for its accomplishments particularly in implementing the anti-criminality campaign and in pursuing a better community for the Larena people in line with the national government’s thrust of making a progressive and peaceful Philippines. It also paved the way for its inclusion to the prestigious nationwide search against all regional winners which will be done on January next year.

In an interview, Chief of Police Enrique Belcina attributed the feat to the deep concern of the local government in making the best of its available, though limited resources for the full swing implementation of their programs for the benefit of the people.

“It is the first time in the history of Larena that we received such kind of award. We are very grateful for this award and humbled by it at the same time”, Chief Belcina said in response to the recognition.

Belcina also disclosed that some personnel from Camp Crame will be coming over in Larena one of these days to evaluate/assess the police station being a national entrant.

The local PNP’s gained honor is evident in their relentless efforts on anti-criminality campaign, crime prevention program, operational activities like the implementation of traffic rules and regulations and local ordinances, strengthened intelligence monitoring, police community relations and logistical accomplishments, he said.

Putting in place all the essentials that propel the sustainability of the program, Belcina expressed high hopes that Larena will cap the highest award in the national competition.

Meanwhile, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently ordered authorities to “redouble their efforts” to solve the murder of Abra Representative Luis Bersamin Jr. and to prevent similar “brazen acts of lawlessness.”

BFP holds medical, dental mission

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Siquijor Province held recently a one-day medical/dental mission in San Juan , Siquijor recently.

Dubbed Padayon ang Serbisyo “PGMA’s Medical and Dental Mission, the activity provided free dental and medical services to the locals, especially the needy and the underprivileged. It was closely coordinated with the local government unit and the Municipal Health Office of San Juan.

Fire Officer II Jenefer Balugan said the activity was an opportune time for the people, to be at least relieved from financial difficulties in shouldering medical bills/expenses that hospitals and clinics are currently charging.

Complementary to the medical/dental mission was the giving out of leaflets on fire safety tips to the people. A related development, FO Balugan said that there will be an earthquake drill to be conducted by their office in one of the elementary schools of San Juan sometime in December.

The BFP, he said, is living to its vision of preventing and suppressing destructive fires, enforcing fire-related laws; & providing emergency medical and rescue service to the people.

LGU Lazi steps up coastal resource management

In an effort to step up the Coastal Resource Management Program of the municipality of Lazi , Jean L. Villahermosa and Alreich P. Duran – both agricultural technologists of the LGU, attended the 1st National Marine Protected Area Summit recently at the Crown Regency Hotel, Mactan, Cebu .

The summit was aimed to identify the rationale, trends, and future challenges in the local government’s management of MPAs and highlight best practices and champions on MPA management, especially among local governments. The municipalities of Cordova, Cebu of Mabini, Batangas and of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, hosted the activity.

The coastal barangays of Talayong and Lower Cabangcalan of Lazi have been established as marine protected areas (MPAs). Mayor Orville A. Fua has been actively supporting the implementation of the CRM by allocating municipal funds yearly.

In a related development, the members of the Coastal Resource Management Technical Working Group had been conducting meetings recently to draft an “integrated coastal and upland ordinance”. The proposed ordinance is intended to codify all existing CRM and fishery ordinances in the municipality in order to strengthen it’s law enforcement.

In attendance during the meetings were Rey G. Bendejo and Rizallier G. Amolo who were invited as consultants from the Coastal Conservation Education foundation Inc. (C L E F I), and Ryd D. Banguis, Officer-in-Charge of the Coastal and Marine Management Section and Jose G. Ando, planning officer of the DENR.

President Gloria M. Arroyo has issued Executive Order 553, dated January 6, 2006, adopting Integrated Coastal Management as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources and establishing supporting mechanisms for its implementation.

SOUNDBYTES:

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re: Prayer Rally

President Arroyo joins the Church in pushing for a complete moral transformation of our nation.

Good values are the foundation of a stable democratic society and we hope that the Church will continue to take the lead on this advocacy as we vow our full cooperation in laying the ground of political, social and economic reforms that President Arroyo has upheld under her watch.

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PGMA one with church in moral transformation - Bunye

Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said today that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is one with the Church in pushing for a complete moral transformation of the country, pointing out that good values are the foundation of a stable democratic society.

In a statement, Bunye expressed the hope that the Church will continue to take the lead in the advocacy and vowed Malacañang’s full cooperation in laying the ground of political social and economic reforms that, he said, President Arroyo has upheld under her watch.

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PGMA leads grand airport 'salubong' for OFWs returning home for holidays

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led today the red carpet "salubong" (welcome) for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning home for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The President personally greeted the estimated 300 OFWs, dubbed as the country’s modern day heroes, who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal l from Bahrain on board a Gulf Air jetliner this afternoon.

It was a festival of a welcome for returning Filipino expatriate workers like no other in the past. Although the "Pamaskong Handog Sa OFWs" is held every year under the sponsorship of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), this time the returning OFWs were treated to a welcome worthy of visiting heads of state.

Aside from the "red carpet treatment," the returning workers were serenaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) rondalla with Filipino Christmas carols.

As an ati-atihan contingent in their colorful costumes pranced and performed native dance numbers to the beat of cymbals and drums, other welcomers gave away ice cream to the OFWs at the carousel while they waited for their luggage.

The Pasalubong, which has been celebrated since 1982, is a tribute to the versatility and dauntless spirit of the common Filipinos who brave the challenges of working overseas in search for a better future for their families.

The returning OFWs were all smiles as they shook hands with the President, who handed out to them favorite native food such as suman and bibingka wrapped in sinamay.

As part of the program, the President awarded Roderick de Guzman and Armando Sales livelihood packages -- a passenger jeepney and tricycle, respectively.

De Guzman and Sales were also awarded a P1-million accident insurance package and Wow Magic Sing microphones each.

Joining the President during the launch of Pamaskong Pasalubong program launch were Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi, OWWA Administrator Marianito Roque, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, acting Labor Secretary Danilo Cruz, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos and Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Robert Dean Barbers.

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PGMA opens new Barangay Food Terminal in Baseco

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened today another outlet of the Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) inside the Baseco Compound in Tondo as part of her administration’s effort to make prime goods more accessible and affordable to low-income families especially in poor Metro Manila barangays.

The Baseco Food Terminal at Barangay 649 is the fourth outlet of BFT. Other BFT outlets are found in Batasan Hills and Pansol, both in Quezon City, and Signal Village in Taguig City

ISSUE NO. 50, DEC. 14, 2006

GSIS to launch G-W@PS in Siquijor

GSIS will launch G-W@PS or GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System, a new facility that uses different technologies to revolutionize government transactions, in Siquijor, Siquijor on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at 2:00 p.m.

Siquijor is the fourth island-province to host the G-W@PS Home to Kiosk in the Philippines.

G-W@PS is seen to effectively cut through bureaucratic red tape.

GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia and other GSIS executive officials are expected to formally lead the launching.

GSIS has earlier launched G-W@PS in the remote-island of Camiguin, which was chosen as the testing ground for the program.

By choosing this volcanic island in northern Mindanao, the GSIS demonstrates its capability of delivering on its promise of leaving no stones unturned and using all available technologies at its disposal to ease the lives of its members—if only in terms of transacting their loan applications.

The G-W@PS, looking like an ATM kiosk, combines different technologies including radio frequency identification (RFID), biometrics, general packet radio service (GPRS), short message service (SMS), and virtual private network (VPN) to process the loan applications of members in a completely paperless environment.

Garcia said the G-W@PS provides members with the necessary tool to practically bring the GSIS to the members themselves instead of the members going to the GSIS premises.

"They don't need to go to the GSIS anymore to transact their loan applications, the G-W@PS will do that for them," he said. "The G-W@ PS strings the multi-level connectivity among four independent users—the member, the GSIS, the government agency, and the bank—to produce a secure system that processes transactions off-site in a 100-percent paperless environment."

Hazard map in place- PENRO

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) here has set in place a hazard mapping data pinpointing the different areas in the province vulnerable to natural disasters.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Antonio Cabrido in an interview said the hazard map identifies the areas here that are prone to natural hazards, such as floods, landslides and earthquakes.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has recently ordered DENR to fast track the setting up of a national hazard mapping program that could warn communities and local government against potential hazard.

In fact, we have already submitted to NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating Council) the province’s hazard map, said Cabrido.

Mapping of hazard areas in the province is done every year, he said.

Cabrido said the province is “blessed” to be surrounded by other island provinces that serve as buffers against the deadly destruction posed by natural calamities such as strong typhoons.

The President ordered for the national hazard mapping program after landslides triggered by Typhoon Reming killed hundreds of people living in villages at the foot of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

“I am directing the DENR to step up the national hazard mapping program to forewarn vulnerable communities and help increase the capability of local government for early warning and action,” the President said.

A caravan of 200 trucks and other vehicles loaded with relief goods and medical supplies recently left Manila for the Bicol region to distribute the relief items to the victims of super Typhoon "Reming."

Press Secretary and concurrent Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said the caravan dubbed "Malacanan to Mayon Mercy Mission," rolled out of the Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. in Pasay City at 10 a.m. Other vehicles are expected to join the convoy along the route to Bicol.

El Niño to continue until Sept 07

The abnormal heat wave El Niño phenomenon is seen to continue until September 2007, said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido.

He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently issued a bulletin warning of the possible extension of El Niño in the country.

DENR is currently keeping an eye on the water level in the province. “We’re watching closely the water level here, as well as the quality,” said Cabrido.

The water quality monitoring is particularly done on the effluents in waterways near local industries such as Central Azucarera de Bais, Tolong Sugar Mills and URSUMCO.

The weather bureau PAGASA in its El Niño Advisory No. 3 has reported that the heat wave will stretch until the first half of 2007 after El Niño conditions gained strength following the increasing sea surface temperature along the equatorial Pacific.

The advisory warned that initial impacts of the current El Niño event may be felt in the following areas that have been experiencing rainfall deficiencies in the past three months, namely: Benguet, Aklan, Capiz, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

Likewise, Masbate, Antique, Bohol, and most parts of eastern Visayas experienced rainfall deficiencies for the past two months.

Rainfall conditions in November indicate that approximately 70% of the country were below normal, particularly over northeastern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Camarines Norte, Masbate, the whole of Visayas and most parts of Mindanao.

Above normal rainfall conditions were however detected over western sections of Luzon, most parts of Bicol Region, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque and Romblon due to the passage of two tropical cyclones.

Tropical cyclones Queenie and Reming recently ripped through the country, its strong winds and heavy rains triggering mudslides in Albay and caused casualties and damages to properties.

The 24-hour rainfall recorded in Legazpi City on November 30 in the midst of typhoon Reming was 466 millimeters, which is the highest in 40 years, according to PAGASA.

The national government has been on its feet ever since the first disaster of the season and President Gloria Arroyo’s close attention to the typhoon victims has been relentless and undivided.

The President is grateful to all those who have devoted energies and resources to alleviate the sufferings of the people and get communities back on their feet.

The Government beholds with gratitude the outpouring assistance from the Filipino citizens and the rest of the world.

Rotary Club of Dumaguete puts up Dialysis-Aid program

The Rotary club of Dumaguete has approved a program to help kidney patients at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital Dialysis Center by reducing the cost of dialysis treatment.

The program, Dialysis-Aid Project, will subsidize the cost of a dialyzer by more than half by selling it at P500 each to a patient. The dialyzer is a machine equipped with semipermeable membrane and used for performing dialysis. It normally costs P1,300 in the market.

Club President and Valencia Mayor Jun Gonzalez Jr said Rotary Club of Dumaguete will continue to implement programs that will truly matter to the lives of people, especially the less fortunate sector of society.

RC-Dumaguete formally launched the program last November 13 during the club visit of District Gov. Fernando “Jun” Almeda, who visited club projects, including the dialysis center at the Negros Oriental Provncial Hospital and distributed free dialyzers to patients..

The NOPH Dialysis Center, established in 1997 , is also a project of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete and is getting equipment support from the Rotary Club of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

RCD established the center following numerous demand for such facility from dialysis patients. Dr. Kenneth Coo, nephrologists and dialysis center consultant, said there is an increasing number of people in the province in need of dialysis treatment. The center now caters to not less than 50 patients a month.

DG. Almeda, who also visited the Talay Mental Rehabilitation Center during the day, lauded Rotary Club of Dumaguete for undertaking both projects.

“It speaks volume of your commitment to help others. You give hope where others see it a hopeless situation…where others thrown their back, you are there to make their life better,” Almeda said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has fielded out medical teams with ambulances together with 20 trucks with personnel and relief goods contributed by the Armed Forces of the Philipinnes for the 200-vehicle Mayon Mercy Mission.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the organization of a 200-vehicle convoy to bring much-needed relief and medical aid to the victims of typhoon "Reming," especially in the Bicol area. It will be known as the Malacañang to Mayon Mercy Mission.

Valencia produces organic strawberry

Aside from sweet lanzones, rambutan and durian, the town of Valencia has a new addition to its growing crop of agricultural produce that it is widely known for- organic strawberry.

The Valencia LGU has begun producing organic strawberry, one of the high value crops in the country grown only in Baguio in Luzon and Bukidnon in Mindanao.

The establishment of the strawberry farm in Valencia was made possible through the support of KOICA ( Korea International Cooperation Agency) with its volunteer Allu Kim who introduces modern farming methods of growing the fruit.

The local government of Valencia supported the project as its local officials are convinced this could be another major source of livelihood for Valencianons. Strawberry is sold at farm price of P200 and P250 at the market. The strawberry farm in Valencia has an area of 1,000 sq.m. and is located in the barangays of Pulangbato, Caidiocan , and Bongbong.

The Korean volunteer Kim said he introduced strawberry farming in Valencia considering that no such fruit is grown in the Visayas region and Valencia has suitable sites for this kind of fruit.

He further said farmers don’t need to spend a lot of money to buy seeds since they can produce seedling with ease from its mother plant which is used as planting materials.

“The best characteristic of our harvest is that they are grown organically using the natural farming system (NFS). NFS is one of the most famous organic farming techniques in the Philippines now”, Kim said.

Growing strawberry organically is known to be quite difficult among agriculturist and farmers that is why most of the strawberries in other parts of the country are grown chemically.

Meanwhile, the Arroyo administration continues to work on providing more social impact programs for the people.

The government is working with the backdrop of sustained improving economic indicators i.e. the strong peso now pegged at P49.425:1$ low inflation rate, heightened market and business confidence – the 42% jump of PNOC-EDC shares in the stock market, and the roll back in jeepney fares.

Dauin declared Pinaskuhan, Sayawit Festival champ

The municipality of Dauin walked away victorious from this year’s Pinaskuhan Parol and Sayawit Festival after bagging the championship crown in the two competitions held simultaneously on December 9 at the Cong. Lamberto L. Macias Sports and Cultural Center (CLLMSCC).

The coastal town, famous for its world-renowned Apo Island marine sanctuary, bested other local government units as it claimed the championship crown for both the Parol and Sayawit Festival contests.

Dauin Mayor Rodrigo Alanano accepted the awards in behalf of his people and thanked everyone, including the judges and the Provincial Government, for the honor given to his municipality.

For the Parol Competition, second place went to La Libertad, third place to Bayawan City and the fourth to Dumaguete City.

Meanwhile, for the Sayawit Competition, Bayawan City got the second place and Dumaguete City won the third place, respectively.

For Special Categories, the winners are as follows: Best in Choreography, Dumaguete City; Best in Costume, Basay; Best in Musicality, Bayawan City; Most Entertaining, La Libertad; Best in Props and Sets, Sibulan; and Dauin, Best in Accompaniment with a prize of P10,000.

Prizes won by the LGUs for the Sayawit Competitions include P50,000 cash prize for the emerging 2006 Provincial Sayawit Champion, P40,000 for the Second Placer; P30,000 for the Third Prize and P10,000 for consolation prizes.

Meanwhile, the emerging Parol 2006 Champion received P10,000 in cash; P5,000 and P3,000 for the Second and Third Prizes, respectively, and consolation prizes of P1,000 for each non-winning contingent.

The Pinaskuhan Festival is part of the promotion of cultural tourism by the consolidation of Christmas festivities in the province that “foster fellowship, community and cooperation.”

It aims to unify cultural and artistic endeavors and preserve folk traditions by focusing on indigenous creative pursuits such as the crafting of parols and rendition of Philippine carols.

ISSUE NO. 49, Dec. 7, 2006

DOH welcomes more Botika ng Barangay applicants in NegOr

The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 is welcoming more applicants for Botika ng Barangay (BnB) in Oriental Negros as two more local government units here have signified their interest to put up BnBs in their communities.

According to Dr. Thelma Fernandez, BnB Regional Coordinator at the DOH-7 Local Health Assistance office in Cebu, said the local government units in the province have been responsive to the government’s call for the provision of low-cost, but high quality medicines.

“But of course, we welcome more applicants for this program,” said Fernandez.

Around 45 BnBs are now operating in the province within the Sta. Catalina-Bayawan-Basay (Sta. Bayabas) health district, Amlan and Bindoy.

Fernandez disclosed that the Amlan LGU is eyeing to put up BnBs in five more barangays sometime next year.

Valencia town is also scheduled for a training next year.

According to Valencia Information Officer Des Tilos, the municipal government plans to put up a counterpart fund of half a million which will be used to finance the putting up of BnBs.

Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jr. is receptive to the program, which aims to ensure accessibility of low-priced generic over-the-counter drugs in the communities.

“The mayor believes that this program poses livelihood opportunities for barangay residents here. This also part of his administration’s thrust to provide livelihood support and assistance,” Tilos explained.

From the P500,000 counterpart fund, interested BnB operators in Valencia, one in each barangay, will be provided with an interest-free loan to help set up the BnB.

Valencia has a total of 24 barangays.

Tilos said the municipal health board prefers to prioritize applicants who already own stores in the barangay.

It is up to the barangay captains to identify who would avail of the botika program.

The botika program is in line with the Generic Act of 1988 or AO 63 which prescribes to “ensure the adequate supply of drugs with generic names at the lowest possible cost.

Recently, the government’s half-priced medicines program got a big boost with the signing of an agreement between Interphil Laboratories and the government on the manufacture and distribution of selected generic drugs in the country at the lowest possible costs.

Under the agreement, Interphil, the Zuellig Group’s publicly traded contract pharmaceutical arm in the Philippines, will manufacture some 20 off-patent drugs as part of the President’s commitment to cut the costs of selected drugs for the poor by some 50 percent.

The agreement covers an initial three-year period.

Functional council for children in all CPC-6 focus areas eyed

The Children in Need of Special Protection (CNSP) of the Country Program for Children (CPC)-6 expects to encourage the setting up of barangay councils for the protection of children (BCPC) before the program ends in 2010.

According to Jennifer Catan-Tilos, Focal Officer of the communications component of the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) program, at present only half of CPC-6’s ten focus areas or barangays have functional councils to protect children.

The CPC-6 focus barangays are in Bayawan City, Siaton, Dauin, Bacong, Valencia, Dumaguete City, Sibulan, Tanjay City, Manjuyod, and Guihulngan.

Catan-Tilos, provincial manager of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Negros Oriental, said that based on the program implementation report of CNSP parents in the focus areas have increased their knowledge and have been empowered to respond to child abuse cases.

She said CPC activities conducted have raised awareness in terms of children laws and in responding to protective issues and concerns of CNSP.

The CPC communications officer said that in meetings conducted, participants from different agencies and Barangay officials have realized their different roles to prevent children from abuses especially during disasters.

New housing project to open in Sibulan

Estanzia South Housing Project, another housing project of Firm Builders Realty Development Corp. is set to open its doors in Brgy. Maslog, Sibulan, this province.

Mrs. Aleli Villacorte, project manager, said the land development and selling of the house and lot units are now ongoing.

The official launching of the project and site blessing is slated on February 2, 2007.

Villacorte said 419 units shall be constructed. Potential homeowners can choose from two types of house models, namely the Rowhouse Core Type (lot area of 50 sq.m., floor area 32.4 sq.m.) and the Single Attached Complete Type (lot area 70 sq.m., floor area 32.4 sq.m.).

Estanzia South is about 300 meters off the National Highway and is linked by an existing barangay road, of which a portion of the road will be widened to 10 meters by the developer, said Concepcion Rosales, Sibulan Information Officer.

Some of the project’s amenities include a water treatment facility, basketball court and open spaces for a park and playground.

Villacorte said their primary market targets PAG-IBIG Fund members, government employees, teachers and businessmen who will qualify for housing loans under the PAG-IBIG housing loan program.

PAG-IBIG has recently announced that it has cut the interest rates on its housing loans packages to as low as 6% to low-income members for the second time this year.

Pag-IBIG cuts interest rates on new housing loans

The Home Development Mutual Fund, known as the Pag-IBIG Fund has cut interest rates on its housing loans packages to as low as 6% to low-income members for the second time this year.

However, the PAG-IBIG office in Oriental Negros has yet to wait for the implementation of the cut-down rates.

“We are still adapting the same rates and guidelines at present,” said Julio Carmel Alfarero, Pag-IBIG Fund Provincial Officer-in-Charge.

Alfarero said that they have learned of the new housing loans but they still have to get the official communication for the set of guidelines He added that their office would receive the policies by next week.

Vice President Noli De Castro, chairman of Pag-IBIG Fund Board approved the rate deduction. De Castro, also the chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said that loan packages up to P300, 000 will have a an interest of 6% from the previous 9%.

“This is our early Christmas gift to the minimum wage earners and government workers,” De Castro said, emphasizing that the new interest rates would have the biggest effects on housing loan packages valued up to P500, 000.

All housing loan packages will now have a maximum term of 30 years. Under the old guidelines, loans over P750, 000 up to P2 million had a maximum payment period of only 20 years. He added that the new rates would apply to new loan applicants, and not on existing loans.

“This is the best time to translate these gains into services that would give our members the best opportunity to become homeowners, “De Castro said. He further credited the Pag-IBIG Fund’s strong financial performance in recent years for the cuts in interest rates.

The new rates for loans of up to P300, 000 would greatly benefit minimum wage earners, or those earning P7, 700 a month, as well as government employees classified under Clerk III and Utility Worker.

Meanwhile, the target-beneficiaries for loans of P500, 000 are employees classified as Teacher I, Police Officer I, and security guards.

Intensity 2 quake felt in Dumaguete

An earthquake measuring 4.9 in magnitude was felt in large parts of Regions 6 and 7 yesterday, Dec. 6, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here.

Phivolcs recorded the quake at 11:26 in the morning and its epicenter was 123 kms. North, 79 degrees west of Dumaguete or 140 kms south southwest of Iloilo City, according to Henry Villaflores, sience research analyst of Phivolcs here.

The tremor registered intensity 2 in the cities of Dumaguete, Cebu, Tanjay and Ayungon town.

La Carlota, San Jose in Antique, Kabankalan and Bacolod felt the quake at intensity 3 while the strongest tremor hit Iloilo City at intensity 4.

He said the intensity levels were identified based on the description of residents who called up Phivolcs to report the tremors felt in their areas.

No injuries or damages to property have been reported.

The tectonic quake originated from Negros Trench, an active earthquake generator between Negros and Palawan, said Villaflores.

Philippines is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.

An average of 15 quakes a day occur in the country, said Villaflores.

He recalled that the last time the Negros Trench sent out tremors was in 2002. “We felt a quake in one week and another six days after,” he said.

He added that Phivolcs has tied up with the Department of Education here in the conduct of earthquakes drills in public as well as private school every quarter.

Should strong earthquakes occur, he advised to “duck and cover.” “If you are inside an office, duck or drop down to the floor and hide under a desk, table or other furniture. Make sure it is sturdy enough,” he said.

If outdoors, and the quake is too strong for you to remain standing, lie down on the ground. “But be aware of your surroundings,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, although hopes of finding survivors continue to dim, authorities have decided to prolong by 10 days their rescue efforts for victims of the mudslide from Mayon Volcano.

Some local government officials had practically given up hopes of finding more survivors as the death toll from super typhoon continued to rise until Wednesday morning.

In its advisory, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) the number of confirmed fatalities had risen to 543. Those missing or feared dead now numbered 740.

People injured during the typhoon rose to 1,861, the NDCC said.

Rape cases in NegOr up
Law is on your side, women victims told

Before this year is up, rape cases reported in the province could double from the figures recorded last year.

Records from the Provincial Police Office here show that 98 rape cases have already been reported to the Provincial Women’s and Children’s Desk Office from January to November this year.

Last year, a total of 57 rape cases were reported.

It’s possible that by the end of this year more rape cases would have been reported, said P/SInsp. Rosalinda Abellon, Provincial Women’s and Children’s Desk Officer at the Provincial Police Office in Agan-An-, Sibulan.

Abellon, who spoke during the Kapihan forum, said that although she’s sad that rape cases have been on the rise this year, there is also a reason to take it positively. “I’m also happy because this means more women and children victims are coming out. Probably because they know now that the police can help them,” she said.

Abellon believes that more women are now aware that the law will help and protect them under the RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.

The Anti-VAWC Act penalizes any act of violence against women and their children as a public crime.

Cecilia Hoffman of the Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), in the same forum said that times have now changed as violence against women, particularly domestic violence, which once was kept under wraps has now been criminalized.

“Before, gihilum ra ang women violence cases. Now, we are all obliged to put a stop to it,” said Hoffman.

“This law is an eye-opener…it criminalizes what was considered normal before, that is hurting a woman or a child,” she said.

She stressed that the country’s “wrong culture” when it comes to how the woman is treated has allowed misconceptions about violence on women to thrive.

But with RA 9262, “this is one way to correct this misconception.”

Since the law has been implemented, Abellon said her office has issued several warrants of arrests in the province.

The law also serves as a deterrent to abusive situations. A bail bond of P120,000 is more than enough to scare would-be perpetrators, said Abellon.

Both Abellon and Hoffman assured women and children victims of abuse and exploitation here that the law will work for them if only they come out and report the abuse.

CV economy up in 3rd quarter; agri sector below par

Central Visayas’ economic performance in the third quarter tip to a higher growth, which tourism, retail trade and construction showed a good performance. This was reported by the National Economic Development Authority during the full council meeting of the Regional Development Council last week here in Dumaguete City.

However, the agriculture sector continued to perform below par in the third quarter. Only palay continued to post positive growth throughout the year. Palay output of 26,612 metric tons was higher by 45.5 percent than last year.

The increase was a result of the expansion of the harvest area, which totaled 8,035 hectares. Many of the new areas harvested to palay were in Canlaon City, Sta. Catalina, Siaton and Basay in Oriental Negros.

The retail industry’s good performance in the third quarter has been attributed to the brisk tourism activities which raised the demand for souvenir items and increased consumption at hotels and restaurants, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Tourism and professional service industries are in for a windfall with the start of the Summit Dec. 10 and the preliminary meetings Dec. 6. The boost to the tourism sector, according to the report, will eventually benefit the retail trade industry.

The construction industry also posted a good performance with many projects in the implementation stage. Modest growth was also observed in the transportation industry

Domestic flights departing and arriving at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport have risen by almost six percent after local companies increased operations in Central Visayas.

Various events in Cebu have also increased the number of passenger arrivals at the airport with the 27th ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Organization General Assembly alone drawing 300 delegates.

The Special Senior Officials Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry also brought in 60 delegates.

Visitor arrivals in Central Visayas from January to September reached some 1.2 million, about 11 percent higher than last year’s, according to the (Regional Economic Situationer) RES.

Public Service Announcement

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, will hold a free movie showing on Thursday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the Freedom Park Stage, Capitol Area, Dumaguete City.

The public is invited to watch the movie “The Testaments of One Fold One Shepherd” which is inspired from the scripture found in John 10:16 of the New Testament: “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.”

Alipio T. Lomoljo, District President, in a statement said the movie produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, depicts the life of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem while dramatizing the event described in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ from approximately the same time period.

The movie’s climax occurs after Christ’s resurrection, when Jesus appears in America.