INFOBYTES

Unigames: a segue to Buglasan Festival celebration

2010-10-15T10:48:00.000+08:00

By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
Dumaguete City, October 14, 2010) This year's Philippine University Games Unigames) will be a continuation to Buglasan Festival celebration in Negros Oriental as slated on October 24-30.

As lead host, Silliman University is expecting more than 2,000 athlete-participants representing 45 schools and universities from various parts of the country to compete in the 15th Unigames in Dumaguete City.

With a number of visitors for this activity, Unigames co-convenor Earl Jude Cleope of Silliman University said sports tourism and local livelihood are foreseen to boost with an expected budget of P3Million so far from Silliman University and Negros Oriental government for this event.

The public and sports enthusiasts are free to watch all the games in different playing venues such as in Mariano Perdices Coliseum for track & field, Aqua Center for swimming, SU Ballfield for football and archery, Praxivilla Tennis Court for tennis, and the rest of the sports will be done in the municipalities of Valencia and Zamboanguita, Cleope said.

Meantime, as the colorful spectacle of Negros Oriental’s unique BUGLASAN festival of festivals will culminates on October 24 it will also welcomes the Unigames delegates with a big rave of ‘Kasikas sa Kalye” and fireworks competition.

The organizers are expecting the participating schools to join the Buglasan revelry to give them chance to discover the beauty of Dumaguete City at the boulevard where ‘Kumbira sa Boulevard” or food fest will be held. (PIA/JCT)

Press Releases 4/16/09

2009-04-16T14:56:00.003+08:00

Pamplona to host Halad sa

Katawhan on April 24

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- National and local government agencies will once again converge for the 23^rd Halad sa Katawhan ni PGMA on April 24, 2009 at the municipality of Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The Halad sa Katawhan ni PGMA is part of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program of bringing government services closer to the people.

At least 30 national agencies are expected to join and provide free services such as medical and dental mission, passport processing, distribution of kits for livelihood, seedlings and other agricultural services.

Some of the sought-after agencies that regularly join the Halad include the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Statistics Office, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, among others.

The Halad was created in May 2002 by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas headed by Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon with at least ten national government agencies with the first Halad conducted in Brgy. Tinago, Cebu City as a birthday present to the President.

Seeing the positive results, Guanzon and the Department of Interior and Local Government decided to continue the program which now has around 30 participating agencies. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

NegOr to host int’l dance festival

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- Dance enthusiasts from eight countries are expected to show off their skills on the dancefloor in a week-long international dance workshop and festival to be hosted by Negros Oriental.

The Dance Xchange: 1st International Dance Workshops and Festival with the theme “Cultural Exchange and Connectivity through Dance” will roll out in Negros Oriental on April 26 to May 1, 2009.

The international dance festival and workshop is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

As of this writing, dance teams from Singapore, Macau, Spain, Korea and

Malaysia

have already confirmed their participation to the festival, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

He said that Gov. Emilio C. Macias II believes the festival is an opportunity for the province to showcase local facilities that can host international events. “The workshops will make use of the Negros Oriental Convention Center, Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center and the Sidlakang Negros Village,” said Sedillo.

The Dance Xchange will hold activities such as artists forum, dance workshops, concerts, festival of dance performances and outreach programs which Sedillo said, will be held in Bais City, Tanjay City, Bayawan City, La Libertad, San Jose, Sta. Catalina and Zamboanguita.

Prior to the event in Dumaguete City, a performance at Concert at the Park, Manila will be done on April 26, after which the festival will officially kick off here on April 28.

According to Shirley Halili-Cruz, head of the National Committee on Dance and Festival Director of Dance Xchange, the event will provide a venue for interaction and facilitate learning between dancers, directors, dance teachers, choreographers from the other countries and the dance groups, choreographers, dancers and dance directors, teachers, tourism and cultural officers and students from the

Philippines

“It will also provide new ideas and inspiration that will stimulate the creativity of the dance educators, directors and choreographers, showcase the unique dances of each country to facilitate cultural understanding, and strengthen network among dance organizations and diplomatic relations among the participating countries,” she added. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

Two human deaths due to

rabies recorded in 1^st qtr

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- As early as the first quarter of this year, two human deaths due to rabies have already been recorded in Negros Oriental.

This was disclosed during the recent Provincial Rabies Consultative Conference held at the Legislative Building, this city.

The victims came from Tanjay City and San Jose town, revealed Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

With a population of 1.3 million in the province, Sedillo said that the two human deaths this year is alarming as there is a risk that there will be more rabies-related deaths within the next eight months.

Records show that three persons died from rabies in 2008 and four in 2007.

In line with this, Gov. Emilio C. Macias II is urging local government units to focus more on the preventive side of the anti-rabies campaign rather than vaccination.

The campaign aims to make Negros Oriental rabies-free by 2010.

The governor, during the conference attended by municipal health officers, provincial health officials, veterinarians and agriculturists, described rabies as preventable and that it is a crime to neglect the preventive aspects of the disease.

He is also pushing to expand the campaign and make it island-wide due to the accessibility between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

In the same conference, Department of Agriculture-7 Research and Regulatory Regional Technical Director Dr. Eduardo B. Alama admitted that the implementation of the anti-rabies campaign in region is very low, in view of the country’s aim to be rabies-free by 2020.

Alama disclosed that Region 7 is among the top 10 regions in the country with high cases of rabies-related deaths.

Around 70% of dog bite victims in the country are below 15 years old and mostly male.

He also said that 50% of the rabies cases recorded worldwide comes from Asia.

Alama also proposed that for Negros Oriental to be rabies-free, its islets like Apo Island should become pilot areas for a massive anti-rabies campaign. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

Ordinance protecting

NegOr watersheds passed

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed the Negros Oriental Integrated Water Resources Management Ordinance which aims to rehabilitate, protect and develop the watersheds and water basins in the province.

The ordinance stemmed from the previous water program of the provincial government anchored on an executive order passed by then Governor and now Congressman George Arnaiz that created the Provincial Water and Sanitation Development Council.

In line with this, the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), whose water program the provincial government has an existing partnership with, has invited the Bantay Kalikasan Movement to help the province come up with an effective watershed management plan.

Bantay Kalikasan is a non-government organization supported by the ABS-CBN foundation.

Valerio Mendoza, project manager of Bantay Kalikasan, has submitted to Gov. Macias a proposed management plan based on the NGO’s experience on its La Mesa Dam Movement.

The province’s watershed management plan will focus on the biggest watershed areas in the following locations, namely Tanjay River, Kawitan in Sta. Catalina, Okoy in Sibulan, Siaton River and Banica River in Dumaguete City. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

School bldg project to be completed in June

120 new teacher items expected in each LGU

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- The school building construction project under the Basta NegOr Education 104 program of the provincial government here is expected to see completion in June this year.

This was disclosed by Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo, who disclosed that of the 52 two-classroom school building targeted to be built under said program, only nine have yet to be constructed.

“But we expect a one hundred percent completion by the month of June,” he said.

In line with this, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has instructed Department of Education Region 7 Director Dr. Recaredo Borgonia to look for 120 new teacher items to be assigned throughout the province.

Lapus, in 2007, in a challenge to Macias, said that DepEd will provide a counterpart of one teach item for every classroom that the provincial government will build.

“This is why the program Education 104 was formed, in partnership with the local government units,” said Sedillo.

He said that each LGU here is expected to have four new teacher items at the opening of the school year this June as each school building built in each LGU have four classrooms each.

Meanwhile, DepED has denied allegations that noodles used in its food-for-school program last year were overpriced.

DepED pointed out that the price of noodles was relatively high then due to the high cost of flour.

The department also explained that the total cost was high because they have widened the scope of the program at the time and had other expenses such as delivery.

Furthermore, the noodles used in the program met the requirements of the Bureau of Food and Drugs. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

Maximize private rooms

in gov’t hospital- Guv

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- Gov. Emilio C. Macias II has is seeking ways to maximize the use of private rooms at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH)

This developed after the governor observed that the ten private rooms at NOPH are seldom used when he was admitted at said hospital for viral infection sometime in March this year, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

Macias noted that the private rooms at the provincial hospital are at par with those in private hospitals, spacious and equipped with amenities.

“The cost is also cheaper by 30% compared to the private rooms in private hospitals,” said Sedillo.

The private rooms were earlier renovated and furnished using funds from private donations.

In line with this, Macias appointed Board Member Marcelo Adanza as chair of the Committee on Health to lead the efforts in seeking ways how to maximize the private rooms at NOPH. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

RAFI awardees, finalists

share success stories

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- Awardees and finalists of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Triennial Awards for Exemplary Individual and Outstanding Institution in the Visayas and Mindanao recently came together to share their success stories and recommendations to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis.

The Triennial Xchange Series Forum held April 15 at Plaza Ma. Luisa Forum is the the 5^th of its kind but a first to be held in Dumaguete City.

The winner for the Exemplary Individual category, Dr. Chelsea Cacaldo, discussed how wellness and health services are being promoted in the community hospitals.

Cacaldo currently oversees operations of six community hospitals in hinterland areas in the province where she initiated the Neighborhood Family Health Care and Wellness Program wherein community hospitals train groups of volunteers on primary health care.

Cacaldo’s award is significant being the first winner to come from Visayas since the Triennial Awards, conferred every three years, was first conducted by RAFI in 1996.

In the same forum, other finalists Dr. Gerardo Maxino, Eddie Lantaca of the Perpetual Help Credit Cooperative, Inc. and representatives from St. Catherine Family Helper Project were on hand to share their inspiring stories as well.

RAFI Program Officer Alfred Domingo said that finalists chosen for said award are all equally outstanding in their respective fields with a track record for selfless commitment to serving the less privileged.

Domingo is hopeful that through the Triennial Xchange Series Forum, more people will be inspired to “rekindle hope for the future, nurture idealism and service and cultivate genuine citizenship” even in the midst of a global economic crisis.

He also hopes that more deserving individuals and non-government organizations from Negros Oriental will be nominated for the Triennial Awards. “We acknowledge that there are more NGOs and individuals out who are working unselfishly to bring about change and improvement to the lives of the less privileged and yet they do not seek the spotlight. Those are the people we want to recognize,” he said.

RAFI is currently accepting nominations until the middle of next year for the next Triennial Awards on 2012. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

WOFEX invites food makers in Negros Oriental

Dumaguete City (16 April) -- The World Food Expo (WOFEX) has called on local food producers, hotels and restaurants here to participate in the 3^rd Food Processing, Packaging and Foodservice Expo on April 22-25, 2009 at Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Mandaue City, Cebu.

This international food exhibition brings together different types of food, beverages, and other related products from all around the world in one venue.

WOFEX Visayas, according to Chari Zarcal, Trade Officer of Premier Events Plus Group, brings opportunities, new trends and new products direct to the market in the most effective marketing strategy in keeping economies robust.

Zarcal said the expo is set to help propel the food & beverage industry amidst the dim economic prospects of 2009 and this is just the venue for suppliers to effectively reach the F & B stakeholders in the acknowledged food basket of the Philippines.

This four-day event is free admission with seminars and workshops for participants who will attend. The trade show is a comprehensive line-up of exhibitors from Manila showcasing their products, services and technology for sourcing participants’ requirements.

The Wofex is on its sixth year. This will be the second time the event is held outside Metro Manila.
The event is co-organized by the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc., the Association of Food Manufacturers and Exporters and the European Chamber of Commerce Cebu. (PIA/jct)

2009-04-16T14:47:00.000+08:00

Members of the Forever Young and Parish Youth Council teams up for the re-enactment of Christ's Passion at the St. Augustine of Hippo Parish of Bacong, Negros Oriental during the Good Friday observance. The cast and crew of 80 persons were organized by Emma Montejo and directed by Carol Aurea. The re-enactment at the Parish of Bacong was started during the time of then Bishop Julito Cortez and has been running for 10 years now. Most of the cast are children aged 18 below with the youngest at 7 and oldest at 35. (PIA)

Community hospital receives donated medical supplies

2009-03-06T10:29:00.001+08:00

DSCN2453: (L-R) Roland Heimann and Araceli Bejar-Heimann of the German NGO Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippinischer e.V., Dr. Emmanuel Galor, Community Primary Hospitals Chief Dr. Chelsa Cacaldo and Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippinischer e.V Supporting Officer and PPDO staff Nanette Tindoc.

The German non-government organization Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippinischer e.V. turns over boxes of much-needed medical supplies and hospital equipment to Inapoy Community Primary Hospital in Mabinay, Negros Oriental. The NGO led by a Filipina, Araceli Bejar Heimann, was instrumental in securing donations which will help improve the capability of rural hospitals in the province

This is the second donation that the NGO has secured for Negros Oriental from German Ministry of Defense, with the first granted to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital on Sept. 18, 2006. Thanks to Heimann’s organization, Negros Oriental is, so far, the first and only province that have been lucky enough to twice receive precious donations from Deutschland consisting of German-made superior quality medical equipment such as Aesculap opthalmoscopes and othoscopes.

“My only wish now is for the government procedures in our country regulating donated items from abroad be made easier and less burdensome,” said Heimann, referring to what she described as her ordeal in making sure that the intended beneficiaries receive the donations. “This second donation took 18 months before we finally got hold of the boxes. With that amount of time we could have been able to secure two more shipments of donations for the province but instead we spent it on the paperwork,” she said.

She, however, remains undaunted and assured that she will continue to solicit more needed donations in response to the critical need to equip the community hospitals for better delivery of health services in far-flung areas.

Press Releases March 6 2009

2009-03-06T09:59:00.000+08:00

Sta. Catalina hosts Halad

sa Katawhan on Mar 12

National and local government agencies will converge in Sta. Catalina town on March 12 (Thursday) for the 22^nd Halad sa Katawhan ni PGMA as part of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ‘s program of bringing government services closer to the people.

At least 30 national agencies are expected to join and provide free services such as medical dental mission, passport processing, distribution of kits for livelihood, seedlings and other agricultural services, etc.

Some of the sought-after agencies that regularly join the Halad include the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Statistics Office, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Coconut Authority, among others.

In a coordination meeting held in February, Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon has requested the municipal health offices here to do a pre-listing of patients in their respective areas to identify what medicines need to be purchased.

The Halad was created in May 2002 by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Central Visayas headed by PA Guanzon with at least ten national agencies with the first Halad conducted in Brgy. Tinago, Cebu City as a birthday present to the President.

Seeing the positive results, Guanzon and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) decided to continue the program which now has around 30 participating agencies. (PIA)

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DPWH seeks workers

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

March 4, 2009

The Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 7 is opening its doors to the unemployed as it will hold a series of jobs fairs in Central Visayas provinces in March.

Applicants who are foremen, heavy equipment operators, steelmen, piyon, kaminero, masons o latero or other class of construction workers are qualified to register at the DPWH jobs fairs at the following venues and dates:

Negros Negros 2^nd District Engineering Office March 9, 2009

Dumaguete City

Cebu DPWH-Regional Office March 11, 2009

Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City

Bohol Bohol 1^st District Engineering Office March 17, 2009

New Capitol Site, Tagbilaran City

Siquijor Siquijor District Engineering Office March 19, 2009

Larena, Siquijor

According to Josefino N. Rigor, DPWH-7 Regional Director, applicants who will be registered will be included in the DPWH workers database for possible employment with the department’s contractors implementing the DPWH 2009 infrastructure program in Region 7.

The jobs fairs are held in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment in Region 7 and local contractors.

DPWH continues to call for applicants because the recent job fair in its offices netted only 2,000.

The department is in need of engineers, carpenters and plumbers who are on the lookout for temporary jobs for the 1,260 projects nationwide.

Police stations and military camps are likewise looking for warm bodies.

The Philippine National Police recruitment is part of the executive directive to recruit 15,000 police officers in five years which started in 2006.

These new bloods, totaling 7,000 will replace the retiring, dead an dismissed police officers in the last semester of 2008 and for the first semester of 2009.

On the other hand, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque is pushing for jobs interviews via the Internet as this will reduce the cost of job hunting for the unemployed.

Roque said Internet facilities, which can be set up in DOLE regional offices, will bridge the distance between applicants and their prospective employers who are based abroad.

TESDA reported Filipinos are preferred workers in Canada, Australia and in the Middle East in sectors of health care and construction. (Rachelle Nessia/PIA)

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Dumaguete Airport benefits from

PGMA's Super Regions project

By Rachelle M. Nessia

March 5, 2009

Local tourism industry in Negros Oriental is seen to get a boost from the infrastructure improvements undertaken at the Dumaguete Airport under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Central Philippines Super Region project.

Almost all rehabilitation and construction work under said project are already completed except for the rehabilitation of airfield lightings of which phase II costing more than P21M is still ongoing.

Target completion date is on May 15, 2008, according to the private construction company working on said project.

Local Air Transportation Office Manager Veronica Chuang said that phase I of the airfield lighting rehabilitation, worth more than P75M, was completed on Dec. 30, 2008.

The construction of access road and installation of a perimeter fence of the P299.63-million Dumaguete Airport was also completed on March 16, 2007.

The airport's runway, by December 2008, was widened from 36 to 45 meters while phase I and II of the runway asphalt overlay has already been completed last year together with the rehabilitation of the runway lights and installation of taxiway lights.

Phase I of the the airport's departure building has also been completed.

Primary lines from the old electric posts inside the airport were likewise relocated to make way for said improvements.

The President earlier announced that the Central Philippines Super Regions Project will pour funds to upgrade the local airport to attract electronics and semi-conductor companies to locate in Valencia town as well as boosting tourism traffic in the province.

Since the town of Valencia plays host to a geothermal power plant, it enjoys royalties that make its power costs lower, making it viable for investors seeking cost-effective locations for its companies.

The Central Philippines Super Region, composed of the entire Bicol Region, Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas, the provinces of Romblon, Palawan, and Camiguin, and the island of Siargao, is touted to become the country's premier tourist detinations due to its lush natural wonders as well as the warm hospitality of the people.

The Super Region's tourism potentials were enhanced by increasing infrastructure investments that will make inter- and intra-regional travel faster and more comfortable.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has stressed that even in the midst of the global economic crisis, the tourism industry remains a key sector in generating jobs and various opportunities across the nation.

“Tourism is one of the sectors we have to strengthen as our response to the global meltdown. We have done it today. We should continue to push it to provide jobs and vast opportunities to our people,” she said. (Rachelle Nessia/PIA)

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Random drug test for NegOr high

schools start in June 2009

By: Jennifer C. Tilos

March 5, 2009

The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division in Negros Oriental will conduct its random drug testing in the 133 private and public high schools in the province starting this June 2009.

According to Ma Joy Catacutan, Coordinator of the National Drug Education Program (NDEP) in the province that some 10 students per school will be randomly selected for drug testing.

While some parents argue that random drug testing in schools bears certain ethical issue such as the child rights to privacy during the Federation of Parents-Teachers-Community Association (PTCA) meeting this week, Catacutan assured the parents that the results of the test will be strictly confidential and no school would publish or post results whether positive or negative.

The purpose for this is not to expose and punish students for drug use but to deter use and intervene early wit h those who have just begun to use and to provide counseling or professional help to those who become dependent, Catacutan said.

According to the DepEd order, “drug test results shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and shall not be used in any criminal proceedings” against those found positive for drug use.

All parents concerned will be informed through a notification letter on the conduct of random drug testing for students from a school principal. It is noted that the cost of the drug test is free of charged.

For Negros Oriental, the schools division official said that the test will run for seven days for 10 teams (4 persons each team) from Manila composed of personnel from Department of Health with the Dangerous Drug Board and local selection board will assist the drug testing.

Under RA 9165 states that students refuse to undergo random drug test will be dealt with in accordance with the rules and regulations of the school as provided for in Student Handbook so with the school is liable if refuse to implement.

As President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gathered all government drug enforcement agencies to review and institutionalize the components and details that form the enforcement pillar in the campaign for a drug-free

Philippines

The conference on “Effective Prosecution of Drug Cases” held this morning at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall was attended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the military and police.

“The events of the past couple of months have highlighted the need for offices in the law enforcement pillar against illegal drugs to share vision and harmonize their operations so that the syndicates and peddlers of illegal drugs are brought to justice and penalized in accordance with law and the procedures of the law,” Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Vicente Sotto III said.

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Disaster needs assess to mitigate

extensive damage - PDCC

by: Jennifer C. Tilos

March 5, 2009

The lack of functional disaster operation center created confusion among members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) when a considerable worst flashfloods hit Negros Oriental on February 7, this year.

This was raised during the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Planning-Workshop held last week by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Engr. Dexter Patrocinio of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) express dismayed that during the calamity there has no coordination among agencies concerned but was ‘to each his own.’ “The province needs to have a disaster operation center where members of the PDCC converge for coordination and do the reporting in times of calamities,” Patrocinio cited.

The OCD Region7 has facilitated the PDCC here in assessing its capabilities, knowledge and skills again to establish a clear line of defense against any disasters.

According to Minda Morante, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), there are problems as regards the process of acquiring aid for disaster areas. “This planning-workshop should establish a clear line of defense against disasters and disaster councils in the provincial and municipal level should be functional and operational when it comes to disaster response,” she said.

Based on early warning, PDCC is expected to prepare a comprehensive disaster management plan to react promptly in saving lives and prevent or minimize damage to properties and agriculture, the OCD official cited.

However, during the workshop the local council has observed that there is a need to review and strengthen its organizational structure to identify each government agencies’ delineation for prompt coordination and to effectively prioritize activities on disaster management.

It was also noted that there is a need for the Provincial Governor to issue an executive order on standing agreement for standard operation procedures (SASOP) so that the PDCC would effectively functional and operational on its respective task units during calamities.

As the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) called on schools and local government units (LGUs) to hold exercises to prepare for disasters

Schools and local governments should prepare for disasters by holding exercises such as earthquake drills.

Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council Chair Gilbert Teodoro said earthquakes drills in schools are necessary because of the large concentration of people. “The potential for injuries is great,” he said.

Teodoro, along with Office of Civil Defense Administrator Glenn Rabonza, Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and representatives from the Quezon City Government and Department of Education, led the kick off ceremony of the simultaneous earthquake drill in San Francisco National High School in Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

West City Elementary School here hailed the earthquake drill as a great learning experience for public schools.

Six schools here in Dumaguete City have participated in the nationwide drill.

Hundreds of students, teachers and school personnel performed the duck, cover and hold procedures during the drill.

Duck and cover means shielding body from debris and other falling objects or structures; hold simply refers to holding on to the available cover or shield until the shaking is over.

The earthquake is represented by sound of sirens; once the siren stops, it means the shaking is over and people will move on to safer grounds such as quadrangles or any open space that are free from falling structures.

The

Philippines

is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire where volcanic activity is high and regularly hit by earthquakes.

The last destructive earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, occurred in July 16, 1990 that killed more than 2,000 in Northern and Central Luzon. (Jennifer Tilos/PIA)

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Four applicants qualify for PSHS scholars

By Rizalie a. Calibo

At least four applicants from this province qualifies in the PSHS search for scholars for 2009. This was revealed recently by Provincial Driector Mario E. de la Pena of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here.

He said that out of 108 applicants who took the entrance examination last November 15, 2008 at Siquijor Sate College , only four examinees successfully qualified the exam. They are Bebviet Franz R. Bulagao and Christian Manuel C. de la Cruz, both of of Lazi Central School , Chenee Clea E. Gumalo of Enrique Villanueva Central School and Axl A. Sister of Larena Central Elementary School . The qualified pupils are advised to contact the Campus Director of the PSHS Campus in Central Visayas, Talaytay, Argao, Cebu , tel. no. (032) 367742 or (032) 5161543.

PSHS scholars will get a monthly stipend in addition to free tuition fee and free loan of textbooks. Uniform, transportation and living allowances are also given according to financial need. Scholars are expected to meet the highest standard of scholastic achievement and behavior.

DOST Secretary and Chair of the Philippine Science High School System Board of Trustees Estrella F. Allabastro announces the successful qualifiers to the PSHS Search for Scholars for 2009 recently.

She said that out of 21,303 applicants nationwide, 1,119 successfully hurdled the one-step screening administered on November 15, 2008.

The PSHS system has 11 campuses all over the country.

Qualifiers have to immediately contact the REgistrar or the campus director of the PSHS campus where they qualified, or visit the following websites: www.pshs.edu.ph or www.dost.gov.ph for more information on early enrolment.

For principal qualifiers of region 3 and CAR, contact the PSHS System Admission Office for the schedule and venue for distribtuion of enrolment forms. Last day for pre-enrolment of principal qualifiers is on March 31, 2009. Specific schedule of other enrolment activities shall be announced by the respective campuses.

Another eye surgical mission comes to Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

There will be an eye surgical mission on March 12-13 at the Siquijor Provincial Hospital .

This was announced by Dr. Redempta A. Cortes, head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office here in her letter to the municipal mayors and municipal health offices in the province.

Eye specialists from Cebu and other parts of Region 7 will conduct this Surgical Mission which is sponsored by the Resources for the Blind. Priority is given to our indigents with eye problems, she said.

NSO holds refresher training for MCRs, clerks

By Rizalyn T. Gaviola

In line with the celebration of the Civil Registration Month in February each year, the National Statistics Office (NSO) Siquijor Provincial Office conducted a one-day Refreshers Training on Civil Registration and Briefing on the Use of the Civil Registration Information System (CRIS). The training was held at the SB Session Hall of the municipality of Siquijor on February 18, 2009.

The training reorients Municipal Civil Registrars (MCRs) on the implementation of RA 9-048 or the Clerical Error Law and RA 9255 or the Act Authorizing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of their Father as well as the procedures on late and out of town registration and the registration of court orders and legal instruments (CDLI). It was participated by the MCRs of the six towns of the province with their clerks.

The attending civil registration officers were briefed again on the use of the Civil Registration Information System . CRIS is a database computer information system which was designed for the use of local civil registry (LCROs) in the storage, retrieval and reporting of information of civil registry documents. It was aimed at computerizing the services of LCROs nationwide.

In Siquijor province, only the towns of Siquijor, San Juan , Lazi and Larena has signed a MOA adopting the use of the computer system.. CRIS is now on its third version. By May this year, it will be updated for its third version, says the NSO here.

NSO Siquijor Provincial Statistics Officer Ronie C. Taghap conducted and facilitated the training. Director Matilde L. Alejandro, the new REgional Director of NSO Region VII also graced the activity to provide additional input for MCRs.

Meanwhile, the local association of MCRs in the province has recently elected its new set of officers. Elected as the new president is MCR Nandy Pescante of the town of Siquijor . MCR Jay B. Tayros of Maria was elected as Vice-President, MCR Veronica L. Calibo of Larena as secretary and MCR Nonito J. Manginsay of San Juan as Treasurer while MCR Momot Lapinig of Enrique Villanueva and MCR Lee Hines Largo of Lazi as PROs.

This year's Civil Registration Month celebration focuses on the theme "Civil Registration: Key to Global Opportunities" to higlight the importance of civil registry documents in the global community. (RTSGaviola/IO-NSO)

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Super region projects boost tourism in Siquijor

By Rizalie Calibo

Super regions projects in Siquijor province helped boost the island’s tourism industry.

Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. said in one of his speeches that with the ports development in Siquijor a dramatic increase of tourist arrivals to the province in the past years has been noted.

“In 2006, we had 20,421 walk in tourists coming to Siquijor. In 2007, we had 74, 192 or a 363 per cent increase. For the past six months between January to June of this year (2008), we had 37,918 tourists coming over. Very easily our projections for this year will surpass the number of arrivals in the past year. These figures exclude the arrivals by boat that dock in the municipality of Larena, or the diving safaris that are packaged by tour operators in the region who make are trooping to the various diving spots of our seas", Fua once cited in his state of the Province last year.

Fua also stressed that ports development helps perk up economic activity of the island and is seen to open up windows for investment opportunities.

He attributed this development to the super region projects, particularly the ports development that with its complete facilities, are now ready to cater more tourists and investors.

Siquijor was a recipient of a P65 million package from the Philippine Ports Authority to rehabilitate the Siquijor port as part of the super region projects spelled out by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address (SONA). The project had already been completed in 2007.

Siquijor town, as Mayor Richard Quezon reported in his State of the Town Address (SOTA), also successfully completed last year the partial construction of their Baywalk funded by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in the amount of 5 million pesos and allocated P3,300,000 for the construction of the permanent bleacher in Siquijor port.

The mayor said the completion of these projects would augur well for the economy of the local communities in their municipality. With tourism as its highest potential, Quezon said the project would serve as a good foundation for a better and more revitalized tourism and travel program.

The Arroyo administration’s Medium Term Development Plan (2004-2010) stated that the tourism sector’s primary importance in poverty alleviation lies in its potential to generate millions of jobs for various groups of people.

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Siquijor all set for One Visayas Expo

By Rizalie A. Calibo

The province of Siqujor is all set for the One Visayas exhibit in Cebu come March 1 to 8, 2009 at the Cebu International Convention Center .

This was bared by no less than the provincial governor himself, Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. who has been inviting offices to witness the first-ever tourism expo in Cebu and for those who cannot come to Cebu, at least witness the rehearsal of the Solili dance at the Provincial Capitol.

Guv. Fua will lead Siquijor delegation cocmposed of key provincial officials, tourism officers, artists and craftsmen, furniture makers, food entrepreneurs and some operators of tourism establishments.

The exposition will bring together the Visayas provinces in a week-long series of exhibits and exhibitions dubbed ONE VISAYAS, an event that hopes to foster ties that binds the three regions (6, 7 & 8).

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on the private sector to help the government insulate the

Philippines

from the global economic crisis by continuing their investments and taking advantage of the country’s stable and secure fiscal and economic position.

In her address before the gathering of top local and international investors during the “Philippine Economic Briefing” at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President said that the economic and fiscal reforms instituted by her administration have shielded the country from the wave of challenges since last year, such as the huge spike in food, fuel and rice prices, and now, global financial crisis.

Because of these reforms, the President said the

Philippines

registered an 8 percent GNP (gross national product) growth rate in 2007.

With the country’s sound fiscal management and prudent monetary policies, the President said she remains hopeful that the continued partnership with the private sector and the resiliency of the Filipino people would help insulate the country from the continuing global financial crisis.

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KBP project: A show window of government’s sincerity, says Sta. Catalina Mayor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

Most of us can wash our clothes, boil vegetables, clean ourselves or have a drink of fresh water just by turning on a tap…but many people across the country are not so fortunate.

Local folks of barangay Talalac of Sta. Catalina town in Negros Oriental are just few of them. A small village with more than 2,000 inhabitants, barangay Talalac has no direct access to water. Water had to be drawn from a nearby stream that was not reliable enough for drinking which can even cause the outbreak of diseases.

Poor people, poor road

The state of development of the barangay was in fact appalling – inadequate health and education services, sterile economic activities, long and treacherous roads, rendered worse by the village’s insurgency problem.

“These barangays (Talalac and the other town’s four rebel-infested barangays) was the center of the left movement before. Rebels were as near as a kilometer from the town proper,” says Sta. Catalina Mayor Ruben Melodia in an interview with the PIA here. “They have established factions but when the CAFGU’s were adopted, they were driven out slowly… but remnants of them remain,” he added.

Road to rehabilitation

Many of us may have asked what the government is doing to resolve the problems. Efforts have been made in the past but impacts must not be that real to be felt by many. A concrete step was needed -- an example which could give people hope.

Wanting to give that hope and sow progress to the community, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo brings the Kalayaan Barangay’s Project (KBP) right to Brgy. Talalac to reaffirm her administration’s strong commitment and resolve to put an end to social unrest.

The farthest and yet with biggest allocation of all four barangays in Sta. Catalina, Talalac is a recipient of a P3-M farm to market road project and another P979,200 for the construction of water system, totaling some P3,979,200, a good start enough to let people feel that the government is really doing something for them.

“I believe these projects will have a big impact, “ the Mayor said adding that the project is a show window of the government’s sincerity in recognizing the people up there in the mountains. “We hope these people will also adopt the system that the government is doing and will cooperate,” he said.

“If there is no peace, there will be no progress at all,” he stressed.

The projects, he said, will pave the way for the municipal government to easily reach those in the hinterlands. “It is easier for us to reach them if we bring projects,” he said.

Other recipients are barangays San Jose, San Miguel and Nagbinlod, with P2,233,171, P1,914,957, and P1,976,263 respectively for the construction of access roads and school buildings. These projects which ultimately aims to bring peace and development to the recipient barangays are undertaken by the Philippine Army 542 Engineering Battallion who, as Lt. Ronald Allan V. Ole claimed, are working double time to finish the projects.

“We are very happy and thankful to the President we became recipients of these projects,” Talalac Brgy. Captain Glicerio T. Bigay said. “Naa na gyud ta’y ikapakita nga sincero gyud ang gobyerno sa pagtabang kanamo.” (We have something to show that the government is really sincere in helping us), he said.

“Once the project is finished, life will become easier for our people,” he said referring to the more than 800 households who will turn to benefit from the water system and the easy transport of the folks’ produce with the farm to market road to be constructed from Sitio Tamlang to Avocado of his barangay.

“Mahayahay na unya ang mag-uuma,” (Our farmers will soon have smoother lives) he mused.

Rightly so for indeed, it is the overarching goal of the KBP project: to ease what would be an otherwise dramatic situation of poverty.

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PGMA asks government agencies,

private sectors to preserve jobs, industries

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged government and private labor sectors to work together to preserve employment and aid industries to survive the global recession.

During the Jobs Forum on Overseas Employment at the Malacanang, the President said both sectors must join hands to prevent global crisis become a Philippine Crisis.

She also underscored the role of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in job matching by helping displaced workers learn new trades and skills that land them with new jobs or gain alternate livelihood.

The President also took note of the 500,000 jobs abroad as reported by the Department of Labor and Employment.

Meanwhile, the Board of Investments is looking into incentives for distressed companies in selected industries in exchange for keeping laborers in payroll or avoiding reduced working hours.

All they have to do is to prove that they are losing money because of bad market conditions.

That is the gist of the first classification of the new section in the drafted 2009 Investment Priority Plan that will be submitted to the President.

Industries that could be eligible in the proposed tax incentive would include Business Process Outsourcing, logistics and tourism.

The rest of the classifications are as follows: (1) those that will retain investment and increase jobs; (2) those that will increase investments and retain jobs; and (3) those that will increase investment and increase jobs. (PIA)

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Government emergency

program produce jobs, livelihood

Investments in irrigation and farm-to-market road programs generate employment in the countryside.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) reported that more than 43,000 workers and 580 households found jobs and livelihood opportunities last January through Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

CLEEP, NAPC Secretary Domingo Panganiban explained, aimed at securing food supply while improving irrigation, farm-to-market roads and other agricultural infrastructures.

Funding for the projects comes from savings in the 2008 national budget and local government resources.

With the success of the CLEEP, government is encouraged to sink in Php 9 – billion into the program that will not only triplicate the employment generation but to encourage private investments come in as well.

NAPC estimated that more than 220,000 workers nationwide would benefit from the new investment. (PIA)

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Filipino vets in the US thank PGMA for standing

by them in “long quest for justice and equity”

Filipino World War II (WWII) veterans all over the United States have expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “for standing by them in their long quest for justice and equity.”

The WWII veterans in the Washington DC area in the eastern seaboard were seconded in their expression of gratitude to President Arroyo by those in the Los Angeles area in the western seaboard, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in its latest website news.

“Speaking on behalf of the veterans, Celestino Almeda conveyed his deep appreciation to President Arroyo at a reception hosted by the Philippine Embassy to honor Filipino World War II veterans and to celebrate the signing into law of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),” the DFA said.

The DFA said the 92-year-old Almeda “is one of the most active lobbyists in Congress,” adding that the latter “also thanked all those who helped make this victory possible namely, members of the Filipino community, officials in the Philippine government, and the advocates and supporters of the bill in both Houses of the U.S. Congress.”

“One cannot truly appreciate the light if one has not been subjected to the darkness,” the DFA quoted Almeda as saying when the WWII veteran rejoiced at the signing of the ARRA which contains provisions that finally recognize the military service of Filipino World War II veterans and provides them with lump-sum benefits.

Recounting the suffering and ordeal that he and his fellow veterans experienced and witnessed during the war, Mr. Almeda expressed the joy that he felt on this momentous occasion and stated that he was happy with the outcome, the DFA added.

Almeda’s sentiments were echoed by WWII veterans in the West. “Mr. Franco Arcebal of the American Coalition of Filipino American Veterans, in a celebration held in Lake Street Park in Los Angeles, California, expressed his appreciation for President Arroyo…” related the DFA.

To celebrate the victory of Filipino WWII veterans in their fight for recognition and benefits, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa recently hosted at the Philippine Embassy a reception that also served as “an occasion to render thanks and appreciation to all those who have supported the cause of the veterans.”

“The reception was attended by Filipino veterans, leaders and members of the Filipino American community in the Metro D.C. area, the media, and staffers of key supporters of the bill in the U.S. Congress such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Bob Filner,” the DFA said

Primary hospital receives medical supplies, equipment from Germany

2009-03-04T14:56:00.000+08:00

A day after the turn-over of medical supplies and hospital equipment to the Community Primary Hospitals in Negros Oriental from the German government, Araceli Bejar Heimann (6th from left) together with her husband Roland Heimann (2nd from left, back row) and Nanette Tindoc (in front of Roland) trooped to the farthest community hospital in the province, the Community Primary Hospital in Luz, Guihulngan.

Ms. Heimann was instrumental in facilitating the much-awaited turn-over of the much-needed medical supplies and hospital equipment as president of the German non-government organization Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippinischer, assisted by Ms. Tindoc who is the supporting officer of the organization.

Photo also shows Dr. Chelsa Cacaldo (5th from left) who is the chief of the Community Primary Hospitals in the province together with the nurses and staff of the Luz Sikatuna Primary Hospital.

Infobytes Issue No. 8 Feb. 26/09

2009-03-04T14:35:00.000+08:00

German gov’t donates medical

supplies to NegOr rural hospitals

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

Rural hospitals in Negros Oriental got a boost from the German Ministry of Defense after the latter donated medical supplies and hospital equipment for the community primary hospitals in the province.

The donation was turned over to Community Primary Hospitals Chief Dr. Chelsa Cacaldo on February 25 by the Sampaguita Deutsch-Philippinischer e.V., a German non-government organization led by a Filipina, Araceli Bejar Heimann.

Heimann, whose organization has facilitated and organized the turn over of the donation, said the medical supplies and equipment from the German government aims to help improve the capability of the rural hospitals in the province.

Some of the donated supplies, numbering a total of 114 items, include otoscope with opthalmoloscope, blood sugar test devices, surgical wound retractors, scalpels, surgical needles and endotracheal tubes.

This is the second time that the German Ministry of Defense in Bonn, Germany has extended assistance for local hospitals here. The first time was on September 18, 2006 during which similar medical materials were turned over to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital. (Rachelle M. Nessia/PIA)

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In-person appearance not required

for eligible WW2 veterans claiming benefits

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

The US Embassy in Manila has disclosed that World War II veterans qualified to receive benefits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 need not appear in-person to claim their benefits.

In a statement, the US Embassy said that the application process no longer requires an in-person appearance of the eligible veterans in order to best serve the Filipino veteran community.

There is no fee to apply for this new benefit. Application forms are available at the US Embassy, the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City and the 13 Philippine Veterans Affairs Offices located nationwide.

For details on these locations and dates when the U.S. Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office staff will be on duty to assist veterans applying for the new benefit, go to: http://manila.usembassy.gov.

Applications are now being accepted and will continue to be accepted for one year, until February 16, 2010. Those applications being mailed from within the Philippines may be mailed with required supporting documents, and should be sent to: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1131 Roxas Blvd., 0930 Manila, Philippines.

Veterans needing assistance with their application may request an appointment with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Manila Regional Office by calling (2) 528-2500 within Metro Manila or 1 800 1888 5252 toll free, or via e-mail at https://iris.va.gov.

“In many instances, any assistance you may need to complete the application can be provided by calling these numbers and you will not need to appear in- person,” according to the statement from the US Embassy.

For additional information including eligibility requirements and required supporting documents for application, go to “Frequently Asked Questions” located at the U.S. Embassy website at: http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwhs581.html.

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After infra project, students will lug

water gallons to school no more

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

ZAMBOANGUITA, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- It is a familiar sight in this remote and windy village of Calango, tucked about 5 kilometers uphill from the poblacion of Zamboanguita town, to see students lugging along a gallon of water to school.

For the 210 students attending Calango Elementary School, that gallon of water is their “lifeline” when nature calls because the school has no water supply due to its distant location.

Twelve-year old Arjay Elumbra, now in Grade 5, said that if he was not able to bring along a gallon of water, he goes to the nearby river. “We fetch water there and then haul it back to the school,” he said.

But the water gallons will soon be a thing of the past for the Calango Elementary School students. Before the year is over, the school will have a water supply plus an additional one-classroom school building to boot, courtesy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Kalayaan Barangay’s Program (KBP) Project in Negros Oriental.

Brgy. Calango is one of the 11 barangays in Negros Oriental that has been identified to benefit from the President’s KBP project, an initiative of the government to solve the insurgency problem hounding far-flung areas in the countryside.

Under the KBP project, more than P35 million worth of infrastructure will be created in Negros Oriental in the following villages: Brgy. Enrique Villanueva in Sibulan, Brgy. Casala-an in Siaton, Brgy. Calango and Najandig in Zamboanguita, Brgy. San Jose, San Miguel, Talalak and Nagbinlod in Sta. Catalina, and Brgy. Banawe, Sta. Agueda and Abante in Pamplona.

The project addresses the plight of said villages that have long suffered from destitution in its various forms such as lack of classrooms, impassable roads and absence of water supply, health centers or electrification are making the areas conducive to the proliferation of insurgency.

No one can be happier than Calango village chief, Lester Hulk Baldivinio, that his village is one of the chosen few to benefit from the project that will bring a total of P4.5 million worth of infrastructure into his barangay. “Dako kaayo ang among pasalamat kang Presidente Gloria kay dako gyud ang ikatabang namo kining mga proyekto (We thank the President, for these projects can bring a lot of good to us),” said Baldivinio.

Baldivinio’s village is set to benefit from a road project, water project, health center, a school building and electrification under said program.

Had they been left to their own devices, Baldivinio said it would have taken the barangay council years before they could even start to implement a fraction of the projects they are getting from KBP. “We allot P200,000 annually for the concreting of just a 50-meter road. Just imagine how many years it will take for us to finish what this program will bring to us before the year is over,” he stressed.

As a gesture of the village’s gratitude and support to said program, Baldivinio has mobilized the Parents and Teachers Association of Calango Elementary School to assist the soldiers of the 542 Engineer Battalion that has been working 24/7 on the construction of the school building. “The parents helped in the backfilling of soil and gravel. This is good too because it will give the community a sense of ownership,” he said.

Baldivinio is also elated over the support the project is getting from Zamboanguita Mayor Kit Mark Adanza, who he said has offered construction materials as the municipal government’s counterpart.

As the school building starts to shape up under the shared labor of soldiers and citizens, Calango Elementary School Principal Jose Alan Acupanda can’t help but grin widely as he shares his plans for the newest addition to his four-classroom school. “We will turn this into a room for Industrial Arts because the Grades 5 and 6 students badly need a room for their carpentry and electrical subjects. This is such a big help to us,” Acupanda gushed.

It will be a big help to the students too who wouldn’t have to bring a gallon of water to school each day anymore. “We have built a rain collector so that during the rainy months, we can amass enough water for the students,” the principal explained.

He said that each student drinks about half of each gallon of water. By the end of the school day, the students pour their remaining water into a large plastic container that has been placed inside each classroom. “This water is reserved for during an ‘emergency’, when a student has to use the restroom,” said Acupanda.

Arjay, too, is grinning. “Thank you to President Arroyo for the water,” he shyly said, who, without a doubt is eagerly looking forward to the day when he need not bring a gallon of water to school anymore.

Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pledged to match the Binalonan School Board’s budget for school improvement projects this year with an equal amount to demonstrate her appreciation of this town’s efforts to provide quality education for its children,

The President made the commitment during the inauguration of the newly constructed 2-storey 4-classroom school building of the Binalonan

German gov’t donates medical

supplies to NegOr rural hospitals

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

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In-person appearance not required

for eligible WW2 veterans claiming benefits

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

In a statement, the US Embassy said that the application process no longer requires an in-person appearance of the eligible veterans in order to best serve the Filipino veteran community.

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After infra project, students will lug

water gallons to school no more

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

For the 210 students attending Calango Elementary School, that gallon of water is their “lifeline” when nature calls because the school has no water supply due to its distant location.

Baldivinio’s village is set to benefit from a road project, water project, health center, a school building and electrification under said program.

Baldivinio is also elated over the support the project is getting from Zamboanguita Mayor Kit Mark Adanza, who he said has offered construction materials as the municipal government’s counterpart.

The President made the commitment during the inauguration of the newly constructed 2-storey 4-classroom school building of the Binalonan

German gov’t donates medical

supplies to NegOr rural hospitals

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

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In-person appearance not required

for eligible WW2 veterans claiming benefits

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

In a statement, the US Embassy said that the application process no longer requires an in-person appearance of the eligible veterans in order to best serve the Filipino veteran community.

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After infra project, students will lug

water gallons to school no more

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

For the 210 students attending Calango Elementary School, that gallon of water is their “lifeline” when nature calls because the school has no water supply due to its distant location.

Baldivinio’s village is set to benefit from a road project, water project, health center, a school building and electrification under said program.

Baldivinio is also elated over the support the project is getting from Zamboanguita Mayor Kit Mark Adanza, who he said has offered construction materials as the municipal government’s counterpart.

The President made the commitment during the inauguration of the newly constructed 2-storey 4-classroom school building of the Binalonan South Central School in Pangasinan.

Under the Local Government Code, local School Boards are allotted a Special Education Fund share from one percent of real property tax revenue which is primarily intended for the improvement and development of school facilities. (Rachelle Nessia/PIA)

PIA DAILY DISPATCH

February 24, 2009

PGMA matches Pangasinan town’s school board’s outlay for school improvement projects

-30-

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Eldery in Sibulan to receive

P500 ‘Katas ng Vat’ cash gift

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

Lolos and lolas in Sibulan town have something good coming their way – a P500 cash gift from the “Katas ng VAT, Tulong Para Kay Lolo at Lola Project” of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Sibulan in its recent session has given the green light for the implementation of the one-time cash benefit of P500 each for qualified senior citizens in the country.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Sibulan have started the validation of senior citizens in said town as beneficiaries of the Katas ng VAT program requires senior citizens aged 70 and above who are not receiving a pension.

The financial assistance from the Katas ng VAT program for the elderly is funded through revenues generated from the expanded value added tax or EVAT collection.

In support of the program, the Sibulan municipal government has taken the initiative of allocating P2,000 annually as medical financial assistance for its elderly residents.

Qualified to benefit from said assistance are the elderly who are 60 years old and above, poor and deserving and registered voters in Sibulan.

The amount of P2,000 which is seen as a pension plan and financial assistance will be distributed quarterly in the months of March, June, September and December. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)

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NegOr joins ONE VISAYAS Expo

By: Rachelle M. Nessia

February 26, 2009

The province of Negros Oriental is set to join the first-ever comprehensive exposition of tourism products, arts and crafts products, delicacies and specialties and cultural events to be held in the Cebu International Convention Center on March 1 to 8, 2009.

The exposition will bring together the Visayas provinces in a week-long series of exhibits and exhibitions dubbed ONE VISAYAS, said Myla Mae B. Abellana, Senior Tourism Operations Officer.

Abellana said Negros Oriental will install a tourism showcase booth in the pavilion of the provinces and special settings in the art gallery, crafts showroom and culinary basement level.

The Negros Oriental delegation to be led by Gov. Emilio C. Macias II will be composed of key provincial officials, tourism officers, artists and craftsmen and operators of tourism establishments.

Abellana said the Pakol Festival of Sta. Catalina, Buglasan 2008 Festival of Festivals champion, will perform during the exposition.

ONE VISAYAS is timed to coincide with the Creative Cities Project that will be attended by delegates from Great Britain and the ASEAN region, added Abellana.

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ISSUE NO. 40 Sept. 27, 2007

2007-09-27T20:06:00.000+08:00

Guv bats for lower power
rate under Special Economic Zone
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
September 27, 2007

In the heels of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s declaration of special economic zone areas of which Negros Oriental has been included, Governor Emilio C. Macias II is batting for a separate power rate for Negros Oriental.

Gov. Macias, who welcomed the province’s inclusion in the country’s special economic zones, is pushing for a separate preferential rate for Negros Oriental power consumers, according to Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.

Negros Oriental is currently covered by the One Grid, One Rate policy under an interconnected island grid in Visayas. Power rates for provinces sharing a unified grid were adjusted to uniform levels.

But as a geothermal host, the governor believes that Negros Oriental should have its own power-rating scheme. “There is a disparity in the uniform power rate because the other provinces in the Visayas Grid, like Cebu and Negros Occidental, have more power consumers than Negros Oriental. In short, we are sharing the same portions of the pie but gamay ra sila ug mabayran because daghan man silang magbahin. Kita dire, gamay ra ang power consumers so mas dako ta ug mabayran kay gamay ra tang magbahin,” explained Sedillo.

He added that power consumers are not just paying for the electric consumption to NPC but also for the facilities used in power distribution like power lines, etc.

Negros Oriental used to have its own power rate until the province was included in the unified grid and the One Grid, One Rate policy.

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently signed an executive order declaring certain geothermal sites in the country as special economic zones to attract power-intensive industries to relocate into provinces covered by the said zone wherein industries will enjoy a special power rate.

The President has been an advocate of the development of clean alternative energy sources like geothermal power so as to lessen and eventually eliminate the country’s dependence on imported crude oil for power as well as contribute to the lessening of gas emission that contributes to climate change.

This is so because the Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world next to the United States.
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Negrense clinch 2 gold medals
in int’l Muaythai competition
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
September 27, 2007

A native of Mabinay came home bedecked with two gold medals in the Muaythai martial art from two international competitions held in India.

Romnick Ghie Pabalate, 19, clinched the two gold medals in two separate events during the Pre-Asian Indoor Games and the Federation of Muay Thai Amateur Asian Muaythai Championship both held in Bangalore, India.

Pabalate is a member of the 28-strong Philippine Muay Team. He is the only member of the national team who hails from Negros Oriental.

He is currently enrolled in STI Manila on a scholarship, taking up Computer Science.
The 19-year old Muaythai champ leads the pack of promising local Muaythai fighters who have shown much potential in this martial art.

Recently, six Muay Thai fighters from the Dumaguete-Negros Oriental Muaythai Team emerged victorious after they brought home six medals at the conclusion of the 2nd Philippine Olympic Festival held in Iloilo City on Sept. 10 to 16.

Two of the six clinched gold medals, namely: Dexter Melon, 16, in the 54 to 57 kg. category and Junjun Sinco, 18, in the 45 to 48 kg. category.

The silver medallists are Cris Lingcong, 16, in the 51 to 54 kg. category and Crisna Limbaga, 18, in the 45 to 48 kg. category while the bronze medallists are John Rey Bendijo in the 42 to 45 kg. category and Romnick Carbellido.

Paul Paras, public relations officer of the Dumaguete Muaythai Association, said they are eyeing to hold the Philippine Olympic Festival in Dumaguete next year.
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Weak La Niña now in RP- PAGASA
Flashfloods, landslides likely
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
September 27, 2007

ABOVE NORMAL rainfall conditions are expected to occur in Visayas and some parts of Luzon and Mindanao towards the end of September now that the early phase of a weak La Niña has been noted by PAGASA in the country.

Martin F. Rellin, Jr., acting director of PAGASA, in a statement said that wetter than normal conditions are likewise expected over Visayas and some areas of Luzon, including Metro Manila, from October through December.

PAGASA’s weather forecasts have reportedly shown that La Niña conditions will strengthen and persist through the end of the year and early months of 2008.

Below normal rainfall is likely over most areas of northern Luzon in November, Rellin said.
The abnormal weather phenomenon is expected to affect climate conditions and rainfall patterns in the coming season.

Rellin warned that the weak La Niña over the equatorial Pacific will further develop and possibly strengthen and may adversely impact the country’s domestic water supply, agriculture and health sector. “This may cause floods, flashfloods and rain-induced landslides in hazard-prone areas,” he stressed.

A statement from PAGASA said that recent oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the central and eastern equatorial regions signify the arrival of the early phase of a weak La Niña event here.

PAGASA urged the public to take the necessary and appropriate measures to mitigate the potential destructive effects of La Niña.

Meanwhile, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underscored that the preservation and protection of the environment for the Philippine must be alongside economic growth.

The Chief Executive said while other developing and developed nations believe that the environment must be sacrificed for economic development, the Arroyo administration “believes otherwise.”
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MEDIA ADVISORY

The Bayawan City government is inviting the media to a forum on the launching of the LAMP 2-ISF CLAIMS Project on October 5, 2007, 9:00 AM at the Function Hall, Annex Building of the Bayawan City Hall.

Please confirm your attendance not later than October 3 with PIA thru 225-1388 or 422-8062. Transportation and meals will be provided.

The Bayawan LGU was earlier chosen as one of the project sites and awarded an AusAID grant from the Innovation Support Fund (ISF) of the Land Administration Project Phase 2 (LAMP 2). Under this project, the LGU with partner government agencies will establish a streamlined computer-aided land administration and information management system (CLAIMS) to improve clients’ service access, land appraisals, and investment opportunities.

The forum on October 5 will also be attended by heads of offices and representatives of the stakeholder agencies (DENR, LRA-Registry of Deeds, DAR and BIR).
# # #

Consumer advocates intensify
campaign vs fake sales
by: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
September 27, 2007

The National Consumer Affairs Council has warned major retailers, local government units and other concerned consumer groups in Negros Oriental to be more vigilant and aware against any deceptive and unfair sales practices.

The Council in coordination with local Consumer Advocates, Incorporated (CAI) and the Department of Trade and Industry has conducted a consumer empowerment campaign here last week in an effort to continue to provide information on consumer welfare protection as well as effective linkages in information network system.

CAI President Deo Salem said, the activity is needed to empower consumers in the province so that consumer rights and responsibilities would be practiced. Salem cited, that people should not always be dependent to government agencies but be responsible to seek redress on grievances directly to any seller or supplier of a certain products and services who take advantage through fraudulent manipulation.

However, going to the right agency speeds up the process and helps resolve issues effectively. The proper agency will have the authority and can immediately act on complaints.

Problems relating to manufactured product quality and safety, warranties, service and repair shops must be referred to the Department of Trade and Industry. For complaints on processed food and drugs, contact the Department of Health’s Bureau of Food and Drugs.

For fraudulent weights and measures, as well as foods in restaurants and eateries, go to the City/municipal Health Office; non-issuance of receipts, BIR; on telephone rates, cellular, TV and radio to National Telecommunication Company and other government agencies responsible to specific products and services.

With the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, in the same gathering, Food and Drug Regulation Officer, Therese Antoniette Cuyos of BFAD Region7, cautioned the participants of fake medicines and counterfeit drugs sold in the market which can cause-fatal results. Some medicines and counterfeit drugs do not contain the desired dose while, others are illegally manufactured as can be noticed in the label.

Counterfeit or fake drugs can be detected by its container and label without authorization trademark that is registered in the Bureau of Patent, unregistered imported product, and no active ingredients. BFAD officer said, these are prohibited acts of which the possession of such counterfeit drugs, the party/seller is liable for the crime and can be penalized.

True to her commitment to provide the people with greater access to quality and affordable health services, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now pushing for the “half-priced” medicine program.

The President also emphasized that the “half-priced” medicine program is not a monopoly of the Philippine International Trading Center (PITC) saying “anybody who wants to buy half-priced medicine from India can do so even without going through the PITC. “But the PTIC is there should a local government unit, national government agency or any entity need seed capital, technical assistance, marketing assistance and supplying assistance,” the President said.

“The PTIC only gets into all this because it is the pioneer of this program,” Arroyo explained, adding that “the local government units and private drugstores that want to get into this business are welcomed even without the PTIC.”

The cheaper medicine bill, which congress is going to pass, is expected to bring down the cost of medicines and give the people better access to health services.
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Rice Race 2007: Search for all-Pinoy rice beverage
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
September 27, 2007
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will hold a contest in search of an all-Filipino rice beverage in November 2007 at the Central Experiment Station, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The nationwide search for the best rice-based beverages is open to participants from women’s groups, college and high school students, Hotel and Restaurant Management/Home Economics graduates and others.

The lack of an all-rice Filipino beverage has been noted amidst the proliferation of Filipino rice dishes and delicacies and the market for beverages.

Recipe entries should be original and 25% rice-based. Criteria for judging are the following: taste and appearance, 30%; product stability, 25%; originality, 25%; nutritional value, 10%; economy (cost and ease of preparation), 5%; and safety, 5%.

The contest’s Visayas wide competition (Regions 6, 7 and 8) will be held at PhilRice Negros in Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Prizes await regional winners, who will then be qualified to join the national competition level. Selected runners-up may also move on to the national competition.

The PhilRice Negros Branch Station in Negros Occidental will receive entries together with recipes and photos from October 1 to 12, 2007.

For more information, interested participants can visit or contact the Provincial Agriculture Office or the Provincial Nursery in Piapi, Dumaguete City with telephone nos. 225-2855 or 422-3658 and look for Nitz Bangay.

In a related development, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has committed to promote and develop the planting of the lowly malunggay as a revenue-generating industry under its biotechnology program, considering its myriad health and medicinal benefits.

Malunggay, dubbed as the “miracle vegetable,” is among the many indigenous plants in the country that has promising health benefits, which could be developed as an export crop and primary income source for farmers, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).
###

Food for school prog mitigate
hunger among school kids
September 27, 2007

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has recently increased the budget for the Food-for-School (FSP) program in 2008 to P3.3 billion to bolster the government’s hunger and poverty mitigation measures.

In Negros Oriental, the fifth-class towns of Amlan and San Jose were earlier chosen as the recipients of the Food-for-School program, according to Farrah Gentuya of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here.

The distribution of rice and milk feeding and hot meals under the said program the province was extended last April and May of this year.

Gentuya said one kilo of rice was distributed to each preschool or grade 1 child from April to May 2007 for a total of 40 kilograms of rice in forty days. Each child likewise received five kilograms of rice daily.

Under the said program, DILG is tasked to monitor the program’s implementation as well as conduct hunger mitigation complementary activities such as community food production, livelihood trainings and parent effectiveness and home care sessions.

Gil Ibarra, NFA provincial manager, said that their distribution of rice is ongoing. “We started distributing rice to the recipients in Amlan and San Jose last Sept. 10,” said Ibarra.
He said NFA’s role under the program is solely to supply and deliver the rice to the target beneficiaries.

He explained that DepEd identified Amlan and San Jose as the beneficiaries of the said program, with a total of 1,489 pupils ranging from primary school to Grade one as target beneficiaries .

The Food for School Program is one of the government’s hunger mitigation measures, including the Tindahan Natin outlets and the Barangay Food Terminals (BFTs), all of which have contributed much to the drop of hunger incidence rate in the country.

Hunger incidence in the country dropped considerably in the second quarter to 14.7 percent from the 19 percent recorded in the first quarter of this year. (PIA)
###

Japanese grant open for
gov’t employees
by: Jennifer C. Tilos
September 27, 2007

The Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) is now accepting 25 Filipino applicants who want to obtain master’s degree for scholarship at Japanese higher education institutions for Japanese fiscal year 2008-2009.

Qualified applicants must be a government employee, below 40 years old with permanent status, has 2 years of work experience in the public sector at the time of application; and has a performance rating of at least “very satisfactory.”

Thus, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA7) has urged qualified candidates from Negros Oriental to submit their application on October 19, 2007 at JICE JDS Project Office, Unit 2-F1, Island Plaza Salcedo, 105 LP Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Applicants are required to submit the official Forms with pictures (4cmx3cm), questionnaires to be filled out, registration form, NBI clearance, authenticated birth certificate from NSO, and some other requirements and information will be acquired or downloaded through the official website of JDS at: http://sv2.jice.org/jds/.

Target young government employee-applicants will be accepted on the following fields of study: Public Administration (8), Economics (8), Information Communication Technology (3), Industrial Development (2), and Business Administration (4). All courses are conducted in English.

JDS fellows will receive one round trip airfare between Manila and Narita; monthly living allowance in Japan, tuition at Japanese higher educational institutions, and designated allowances.

The JDS project is a long-term scholarship program of the Philippine Government through the assistance of Japan Government in order to support the human resource development policies here, and eventually to extend and strengthen the bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the President welcomes and congratulates Mr. Yasuo Fukuda on his election as Prime Minister of Japan.

Mr. Fukuda brings to his high office a wealth of experience that auspiciously began with him serving as secretary to his late father Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, whose "Fukuda Doctrine" --- announced in Manila in 1977 - - defined Japan's relations with Asia.

The President is confident that under the leadership of Mr. Fukuda, the close and friendly ties between the Philippines and Japan will further prosper, and that the principles and values embodied in the Fukuda Doctrine will continue to foster stability and prosperity in East Asia. (PIA)
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ISSUE NO. 25, JUNE 21, 2007

2007-06-21T15:57:00.000+08:00

Climate change a foregone conclusion,

environment experts warn

by: Rachelle M. Nessia

Scientific data has proven that the world is warming but there is no reason to “wallow in despair”, said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido.

Cabrido, in a recent Kapihan forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency here, said that climate change has already occurred. “Theres still hope… let’s plant trees and lets do structural reform. How can you reform others if you don’t start it with yourself?” he stressed.

Cabrido was one of the guest panelists composed of Silliman University President Dr. Ben Malayang and PAGASA’s Chief Meteorological Officer in the province, Mr. Edsin Culi. The panel tackled the issue of climate change in line with the Environment Month observation this June.

In the forum, Culi disclosed that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has confirmed in its fourth assessment report released early this month that the changes in the atmosphere, the oceans and glaciers and ice caps “show unequivocally that the world is warming.

The said panel’s conclusion is based on observation of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global mean sea level.

Historical records likewise show that eleven of the last twelve years, from 1995 to 2006, rank among the 12 warmest years since 1850.

In the Philippines, climate change has already made itself known from the significant increases in the frequency of hot days and warm nights in the country from 1960 to 2003.

Cool days and cold nights have been noted to be generally decreasing, a trend that have also been observed in other countries in the Southeast Asia Pacific Region.

Climate change is alteration of some of the fundamental atmospheric chemistry and physics that changes the usual pattern that matter and energy have been distributed over wide areas of the planet, explained Dr. Malayang.

He lamented that people focus on climate change as an additional problem to humankind. “We tend to forget that climate change is really the result of how we behave towards the environment, a result of our irresponsibility and manner by which we consume goods in our society and how we have been uncaring, thinking that everything has no limits and we can just consumer as much as we could,” he said.

In the midst of the growing public concern over the damaging effects of climate change, DENR is drawing on current environmental laws to further its campaign for the environment.

Cabrido noted the various laws working for the welfare of the generation such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Bio Fuel Act.

Under RA 9637 or the Bio Fuel Act, Cabrido disclosed that DENR is setting aside one million hectares for jathropa plantation as part of the campaign to fight fossil fuels, which has so much carbon dioxide in it.

Aside from this, Cabrido said that DENR aims to produce 1.2 million seedlings throughout the region. “And we have produced 320,000 seedlings in Negros Oriental,” he said.

Also, through the eco-governance program, the Bayawan City government has made advances with its GIS system, showing realistic data that deals with the environment, soil and situation of the municipalities in the province. “This data will be used as reference for decision-making process,” said Cabrido.

Moreover, the country recently welcomed the 18 megawatt waste heat recovery power generation project developed by the Philippine Sinter Corporation (PSC) in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental which will supply power to its plant facility.

PSC is a stand-alone iron-ore sintering plant. The plant takes inputs of iron-ore, coal and limestone, and processes them ready for use in blast furnaces.

PSC President Shinichiro Yamana, on the other hand said its heat recovery power generation project is a fulfillment of PSC’s commitment to make contribution to the society by stabilizing power in the grid and to the most important mankind concern today of mitigating global warming.

This Project will enable the displacement of some of the power from the fossil fuel plant, thus contributing to a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gas from the Mindanao grid. The Mindanao grid is supplied by a number of fossil-fuel based power generation plants. (PIA/RMN)

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NFA’s IFAD benefits 12

farmers-cooperatives in NegOr

by: Rachelle Nessia

Some 12 farmers-cooperatives in the province were the recipients of the Institutionalized Farmers As Distributors (IFAD) of National Food Authority’s Rice Program with a total allocation of 9,747 bags.

IFAD is in line with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) giving the farmers authority to undertake rice importation.

This would also generate added income for the farmers thereby uplifting their economic and social well-being, said Rolando Lazalita, NFA Information Officer here.

The approved accredited farmers-cooperatives are: Canlaon City Multi-Purpose Development Cooperative; Calambu-an Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative; Guihulngan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative, Inc.; San Jose Multi-Purpose Agriculture Cooperative-Manjuyod; Bais Multi-Purpose Multi- Agricultural Cooperative; San Jose Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative; Zamboanguita Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative, Inc.; Amlan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative; Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative, Inc.; Bayawan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Kilusang Bayan; Bayawan Community Cooperative; and Basay Veterans Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

NFA Provincial Manager Gil Ibarra encouraged the said farmers-cooperatives to continue selling their palay harvests so they can also avail of a bigger share of rice under the program.

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160 Tindahan Natin outlets

now in NegOr

by: Rachelle Nessia

June 21, 2007

A total of 160 Tindahan Natin outlets are now operating in different barangays in the province, providing underprivileged families with access to low-priced rice.

The National Food Authority (NFA) here in a statement reported that since January to May 31, 2007, a total of 42,218 bags of rice at 50 kg/bag or 2,260,900 kg have been distributed to the different Tindahan Natin operators in the three districts in the province.

Of the total, 17,284 bags have been provided to the 55 operators in District 1, 17,712 bags for the 63 operators in District 2 and 10,222 bags for the 42 operators in District 3.

On the other hand, six individual retailers from District 2 and four from District 3 have also been accredited by NFA to operate under the Handog Ng Parokya, Bilhing Abot-Kaya Project.

The said project is initiated by the Diocesan Parish Council of Dumaguete in collaboration with NFA here to provide parishioners and other constituents with affordable rice at P18 per kilogram.

Under the project, a total of 446 bags or 22,380 kilograms have been distributed from January to May 2007.

According to NFA Provincial Manager Gil B. Ibarra, the Tindahan Natin outlets are helping families living below the food threshold to access affordable rice priced at P18 per kilogram as part of the hunger mitigation program under the Arroyo administration.

Meanwhile, positive attitude, enthusiasm, and perseverance are the driving factors that made Domingo Mondragon, a "Tindahan Natin" outlet owner, Angel Narito, proprietor of Argie’s Bakery and Mini Grocery, and Rodolfa Tongco, a buy-and-sell agent, succeed in building their own businesses through the National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) microfinance assistance.

NAPC’s officer-in-charge, Assistant Secretary Dolores de Quiros-Castillo, joined the three successful entrepreneurs share their success stories at "The PMS Forum: Cerge for Truth," hosted by Secretary and Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge M. Remonde.

Remonde said the successful ventures of these budding entrepreneurs were featured on national television in the hope that they will give inspiration to the audience and encourage more people to go into entrepreneurship. He added that NAPC serves as the frontline agency in the total work against poverty and hunger and is very much involved in the government’s microfinancing program.

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TeleTech grants 5M for Call Center Training

By Rizalie A. Calibo

June 21, 2007

SIQUIJOR -- The PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program (PGMA-TWSP), has beefed up its financial resources by five million (Php 5M) pesos through a substantial donation from a leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company and a pioneer in the call center business.

Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco, Director General of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), said the P5 million pesos donation for the scholarship grants was made by the TeleTech.,

Spread over a three-year period, TeleTech’s financial grant will benefit some 1,000 scholars from the areas of Batangas, Cebu , Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental where TeleTech work stations are located.

Specifically, the TeleTech donation will finance TESDA’s program on enhancing English proficiency, a critical competency required of call center agents.

In addition to the scholarship grant, the grantees upon completion of training will also be given employment preference in TeleTech work stations.

The PGMA scholarship project provides training vouchers to qualified trainees in high demand skills. One such skill is that of call center agents and other BPO workers.

Applicants from Siquijor province will also be accommodated by the TeleTech Dumaguete through the Siquijor Training-Cum Employment Project (STEP), a program initiated by the local office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Siquijor Association of PESO (Public Employment Service Office) Managers and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority with strong support of the office of the Congressman and the provincial government of Siquijor.

DOLE Provincial Extension Officer Ma. Theresa Tanquiamco said STEP was conceived out of the fact that many of jobseekers from Siquijor lack the skills that most employers need. She said Telectech has been considering applicants from this province but that their poor English communication skills, low self-confidence and lack of technical skills hamper them from getting hired.

She said through STEP, scholars from all towns of the province can avail of a free training from the Teletech. She said the program is open to unlimited number of applicants for screening but is only less than a hundred trainees to go with the number of computers that Siquijor State College provides. Students with at least 2 years of college for part-time jobs; fresh college graduates; underemployed or unemployed people with at least two years in college, professionals seeking a second career can apply as long as they have basic computer knowledge. (RACaliboPIA)

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Siquijor set for Green Philippines

world record quest

After a series of meetings and coordination, Siquijor province is now ready for the nationwide simultaneous tree planting on June 29 this year.

About 25,000 seedlings of hardwood species (mahogany and langin) and furniture/firewood trees (aure) are set aside by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here for tree the planting activity to address continuous degradation of the environment and to fulfill the government’s vision of greening the country.

The 90-minute simultaneous tree planting also aims to qualify the Philippines in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of seedlings planted within one and a half hour.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to grace the activity as guest speaker during an opening program at Fort Bonifacio, while in the local scene, Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua will grace the affair.

The seedlings provided by DENR-Siquijor will be planted at Bintangan, Larena, Siquijor as identified by the DENR needing rehabilitation.

A series of coordination meeting were conducted by the concerned government agencies to finalize preparations and come up with a Memorandum of Agreement for the program. The municipality of Larena also calls for another meeting on June 22 to come up with a well-planned tree planting activity," Larena Municipal Mayor Gold L. Calibo says in his letter to the different schools and offices in the municipality.

“Basically, we are ready for the activity,” DENR Forester III/Planning Officer Jose Ando said as he calls for all government personnel and participants to come to the planting site before 8:00 o’clock in the morning.

The Philippine Army represented by the 704th Community Defense Center is the lead agency throughout the duration of the project in the province.

Earlier, DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes launched the "Trees for Life: 20 Million Seedlings for Planting Project" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), last June 5, to restore the country's forest cover.

The project aims to plant 20 million trees all over the country during the period between July and November this year. The upcoming tree planting and the launching of the "Trees for Life" project are part of President Arroyo's Green Philippines Program that has been included in the government's eight point agenda dubbed 8 by '08. (PIA)

-30-

DepEd, DENR’s plant-to-graduate

program continues

The school year has just started, yet, the Department of Education (DepED) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the people’s organization is in motion to pursue “Gawad Kalikasan Plant to Graduate Program.”

DENR Coastal Marine Management Section Project in Charge, Ryd B. Bangis said they received positive results in last year’s pilot mangrove planting and that they are more eager to continue the program.

Last year’s implementation were in three municipalities; Talingting, Larena and Siquijor.

The “Plant to Graduate Program” focuses on the coastal Elementary and High School Institutions.

Bangis reported “that prior to the actual mangrove planting is a series of lectures for the participating graduating students which will tackle on the importance of mangroves and the correct way to plant mangrove seedlings and propagules”.

He stated that all graduating elementary and high school students need to participate in the said mangrove planting as one of the requirements to graduate.

The program is in line with the government’s effort to rehabilitate the environment which is one of the priority agenda of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

-30-

2007-05-10T15:29:00.000+08:00

Group of non-communicable disease patients formed

The rural health unity of Valencia town has bonded all hypertensive and diabetic patients so they can receive continuous education and proper monitoring of their ailments.

Dr. Fe Tagimacruz, municipal health officer, said the Valencia Non-Communicable Disease Clients can avail of a discounted charge on laboratory examination such a blood profile tests at the health center.

The group was organized during the healthy lifestyle seminar conducted recently that hopes to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases like cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Dr. Tagimacruz encouraged other possible clients to become a member of the group so they too can receive continuous education of their ailments and proper administration can be done.

Health care is one of the priority thrusts in the President’s social payback agenda under the President’s “8 by 2008” program, a new economic strategy to achieve the eight blessings of a strong economy until 2009.

The eight blessings, according to the President, are: job creation; better cost of living; a strong peso; more investments; pro-poor education; pro-poor health care, housing, food; green Philippines; and anti-terrorism.

The healthy lifestyle program is an initiative of DOH and is strongly promoted by the Metropolitan Local Health Zone mayors from Valencia, Amlan, San Jose, Bacong, Dauin, Sibulan and the city of Dumaguete.

DepEd approves new school construction in Valencia town

The Department of Education has approved the construction of a new high school in the Municipality of Valencia to be implemented under the Secondary Education Development Improvement Program (SEDIP) and will convert the extension classes of Valencia National High School (VNHS) into a complete high school.

The P24-million school project will comprise a two-storey building with 8 classrooms, science laboratory, home economics and industrial arts, guidance and faculty buildings. This will be constructed beside the existing elementary school in Barangay Balugo, Valencia. The local government of Valencia counterparted P8-million to the project.

Valencia town also enjoyed other school building construction project from SEDIP in Pulangbato and Valencia National high schools with funding sources from Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Asian Development Bank.

Likewise, according to Secretary Domingo Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) that for education, the administration’s anti-poverty and hunger thrusts identified several major programs "that will improve sector-specific outcomes, such as school participation rate, enrolment, cohort survival rate, completion rate, and functional literacy rate.

The pro-poor education program also covers construction of school buildings, sustaining the 1:1 textbook-to-pupil ratio, and provisions of scholarships, both at the basic and tertiary-vocational levels."For school building, the Department of Education (DepEd) has already achieved its target of zero backlog one year in advance.

It will further reduce classroom-to-student ratio which they target to be 1:45 and 1:40 in 2007 and 2008, respectively," Panganiban said. "In compliance with the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) targets, 6,000 classrooms will be built for both 2007 and 2008 at a cost of P8 billion per year," he added.

Two years ago, VNHS opened an extension classes in Brgy. Balugo following requests from students and parents living in the feeder barangays of Balugo to open a high school. Virgie Pinili, VHNS principal, said the construction will soon resume as biddings and necessary papers have been accomplished. (PIA/JCT)

Fun Run marks World Red Cross Red Crescent Day

As a tribute to the millions of volunteers who provide universal assistance to people in need worldwide, the Philippine National Red Cross Negros Oriental Chapter (PNRC) and Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club (MDRC) and its partners marked the World Red Cross Red Crescent Day with various activities over the weekend.

PNRC and MDRC spearheaded the a three-kilometer Clean-up Drive, Power of Humanity Poster Making on May 5, 2007 and the 2nd World Red Cross Red Crescent 3-kilometer Finisher’s Run on May 6, 2007.

The three-kilometer route “Power of Humanity Clean-up Drive” kicked off at the Red Cross Office and ended at the Rizal Boulevard where seven XXL-sized bags of non-biodegradable waste was turned-over to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

On the other hand, the 23 participants of the “Power of Humanity” poster making activity were awarded with food coupons. Participants included six children with disabilities and 17 children aged 12 years old and below.

The children’s artworks are displayed at the local Red Cross Office.

For the Fun Walk and Run, a total of 64 runners took part in the three-kilometer walk and run, including 12 children with disabilities, 17 children aged 12 years old and below, a couple aged 71 and 72 and 33 route guide runners composed of the 3-K participant’s families and volunteers.

The 29 children who participated at the 3-k fun run were awarded with 29 food coupons and the six top winners were awarded with a total of 24 kilos of milled rice.

According to Paultom Paras of MDRCI, the prizes and Supplemental feeding “Porridge for the Children” that took place after the fun run were sponsored by private individuals who believe in the MDRC’s goal in promoting the culture of volunteerism and multi-sectoral cooperation.

Meanwhile, another organization that has been working for the improvement of the lives of the Filipino youth was recently awarded a Presidential Citation by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, an internationally subsidized orphaned community, was recognized in rited held in Malacañang for what the President described as its faithful and steadfast pursuit of its goals and development in the last 40 years, benefiting Filipino children in various villages and supporting youth facilities located in Calbayog, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Lipa, Manila and Tacloban. (PIA/RMN)

SU conducts waters tests on Shaw Memorial Pool

Silliman University is now taking the necessary steps to look into a recent incident wherein some children taking summer swimming lessons at the Silliman Shaw Memorial Pool had reportedly fallen ill with diarrhea-like symptoms.

After the reports came out, the university immediately closed the pool and water tests were conducted by three separate laboratories.

Silliman will seriously look into the matter, said Silliman University President Ben S. Malayang III in a statement.

He said it may take days for test results to come, but the university is taking the necessary precautionary measures for the meantime.

In a statement, Malayang said the university has tapped the voluntary services of senior experts to review the tests and their results, pool maintenance procedures and records and any data or information relevant to determining if the pool is safe and to what extent the children’s illnesses can be materially linked to the pool.

The said experts included Dr. Angel Alcala, a biologist; Dr. Samuel Gregorio, a microbiologist and former Microbiology Laboratory Director of the State of Kentucky; and Dr. Betty Flores, a pediatrician.

Other doctors such as epidemiologists and infectious disease experts are also being consulted, said Malayang.

The university president stressed that although a link between the children’s illness and the water in the pool has yet to be established, the university is doing a serious evaluation of how the pool may have something to do with their illness.

“We seek the truth about the children’s illness- for their sake and to ensure that we do all we can to prevent any threat to their health,” he said.

The pool will continue to be closed until it is clearly shown to be safe.

Silliman had been offering summer swimming lessons at its pool for several years now and Malayang said this is the only time that questions about its safety have been raised.

LGUs to fortify avian flu preparedness programs

Local government units in the province are expected to beef up their avian flu preparedness and response efforts following a series of planning workshops conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO).

The PVO conducted from April 24 to 27 an Integrated Veterinary and Human Health Planning for avian influenza preparedness and response for the LGUs in the province.

A total of 313 participants from all over the province took part in the workshops.

According to Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Antonio B. Mutia , LGU representatives during the workshops were urged to pass and approve a local ordinance to make the LGU’s avian flu preparedness and response plans effective.

LGUs are also expected to create local avian influenza task forces.

During the planning workshops, participants were trained on how to respond to cases of suspected avian flu outbreaks both in chicken and human cases including those who are exposed.

Participants also familiarized themselves with the different strategies needed to prevent and control avian influenza from stages 1 to 3. (PIA/RMN)

PNOC to hold biofuels, feedstocks conference for LGUs

The PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) in cooperation with a Singapore-based Centre for Management Technology is inviting local investors or local government units to a conference on Biofuels & Feedstocks Philippines on May 23-24 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Manila.

This conference aimed to promote the use of biofuels in order to reduce air pollution and the reliance on imported fossil fuels, as well as to promote their agricultural industry.

The growth of the global biofuels market has been driven by government incentives and volatile fossil fuel prices.

With the enforcement of the one-percent coco methyl ester diesel blend beginning last Sunday, May 6, the Department of Energy (DOE) said it expects to have a smooth transition of the Biofuels Act of 2006.

The Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates a minimum one-percent blend of biodiesel into all diesel engine fuels within three months from the effectivity of the Act. President Arroyo signed the Biofuels Act last January 12, 2007 which became effective February 2007.

Negros Orienal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido said that as a feasible substitute, the bio-fuel can compete with gasoline. “It is more efficient, plus it’s an environmentally effective fuel source,” he stressed.

Various countries around the world are stepping up efforts to use biofuels. In the Philippines, the Biofuels Act of 2006 was signed into law in January 2007 – the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The Biofuels Act mandates the blending of 1% locally-sourced bioethanol blend in all gasoline products in 2009 and a 10% bioethanol in 2011.

The highlights of the conference are: Biofuels framework and fiscal incentives in the Philippines; Global biofuels markets – policies, markets, challenges and barriers; Rice, supply, economics and quality analysis of various biofuels feedstocks; Biofuels supply chain – blending, storage and handling; Ethanol and its feedstock options and supply; and Round table discussion by oil companies on their strategies in Biofuels.

Also, there will be a half-day focus on Jatropha Cultivation and Processing. Jatropha experts from India, Myanmar and the Philippines will highlight important issues concerning this non-edible oil. (PIA/JCT)

Public school teachers in NegOr set to do their poll duties

Public school teachers in the country are set to take on their respective mandated tasks come May 14 for the local and national elections, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported.

In Oriental Negros, a rough estimate of 3,200 employees of DepEd here - including teachers, principals and supervisors – are expected to do their poll duties, said Lida Sarmiento, local DepEd Administrative Officer 5.

There are a total of 3, 188 clustered voting precincts in the 653 voting centers across the province.

Sarmiento said that majority of the DepEd employees in the 23 school districts here have already been briefed on their poll duties by DepEd and Comelec, although briefings in some areas are still ongoing until May 11.

DepEd Undersecretary Francis Sunga disclosed in a recent interview that DepEd and Comelec had conducted trainings since February this year for DepEd’s some 464,000 public school teachers, principals, supervisors and DepEd lawyers and administrative officers in line with their role in next week’s polls.

The trainings included classroom preparations, counting of votes, handling and preventing problems and other measures aimed at strengthening their capabilities as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and Board of Canvassers (BOCs).

BEI members, said Sunga, are entitled to a total of P3,000 per diem and P300 transportation allowance each, 50 % of which will be given when they get the election paraphernalia and the other half when they submit the election returns to the BOC.

Another benefit for teachers is the setting up of a P5-M fund to cover medical expenses or death claims in the amount of P200,000 by the heirs of a BEI member in case of death in the performance of election duties. (PIA/RMN)

Agri to put up P2-B national grains highway

The Department of Agriculture, through the National Food Authority, will link farm production areas directly to major consumption centers with its P2-billion “national grains highway” project to be implemented this year.

“We commend this project of the Department of Agriculture so that farmers can easily transport their products to the consumers,” said local NFA Information Officer Rolando V. Lazalita.

He said that agricultural areas in the province need road development, and through the national grains highway project, the gap between farmgate costs and retail prices of basic food items will be bridged.

“This will be good for farmers in areas like Basay, Bayawan and Mabinay who have to cross to the areas in the Occidental side,” said Lazalita.

“Agricultural areas in Negros Oriental that need road development are those crossing to the Occidental areas like Basay, Bayawan and Mabinay,” added Lazalita.

Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer of the local Department of Agriculture (DA) Constancio T. Hisona said that if there were no roads for efficient transportation of farm products, farmers would have to lessen their production, resulting in a weak agricultural sector.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has earlier announced the grains highway project to do away with what he calls the inefficient, costly and slow transport system in moving agricultural products from production areas to selling centers.

“This will resolve the problem of unstable food supply and prices in ‘uncharted’ areas and food-deficient communities,” said Yap.

The “grains highway” will also directly link the isolated areas especially those prone to natural calamities to rice and corn producing areas in the country.

Aside form infrastructure problems; farmers are also facing post-harvest loss due to the lack of sufficient drying and storage facilities.

According to Yap, under the project, NFA will upgrade it warehouses, putting up grains silos and related post-harvest facilities and marketing support systems designed to reduce crop wastages and losses.

These facilities will be set up in the 37 rice-producing and 33 corn-producing provinces in the country, which Negros Oriental is part of.

In Negros Oriental, NFA’s drying and storage facilities are currently located in Dumaguete City and Guihulngan.

A proposed new storage site is being eyed in Bayawan, said Lazalita.

NFA continues to encourage farmers here to use their drying and storage facilities as safe keeping for products, especially in areas near the Guihulngan storage site.

Rosalie M. Ellasus, president of Philippine Maize Federation Inc., said that the grains highway is really “needed by farmers as it would dramatically improve quality of corn and significantly reduce post-harvest losses.

With the grains highway in place, Yap said that NFA would be able to handle other commodities besides rice and corn, like high-valued crops, meat and poultry products that would generate more revenues.

Furthermore, Yap described the grains highway as a logistic artery aimed to efficiently store, process and transport food from farmers to the consumers.

BAS NegOr nominated for Model Operation Center

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in Negros Oriental is a nominee for the bureau’s nationwide search for BAS Model Provincial Operations Center.

The operations center of BAS in Negros Oriental headed by Officer-In-Charge Ricarda Diamano is the only nominee in Central Visayas for the search’s provincial category.

The BAS regional office in Cebu has also been nominated for the regional category.

Mrs. Evelyn Tidon, Provincial Agricultural Statistics Officer of Metro Manila BAS Operations Center, was in the city recently to evaluate the BAS office here.

Tidon is among the team of evaluators currently going around the country evaluating the nominated BAS operations centers during the two-week evaluation period.

Tidon in an interview said the evaluation is based on a set of criteria to determine the efficiency and competence of a provincial operation center.

Aside from this, each of the 81 provincial and 18 regional offices of BAS nationwide are rated every month based on the reports submitted to the bureau’s central office.

Tidon said the awarding ceremony is set on June 22, shortly before the bureau’s celebration of its 44th anniversary.

The chosen Model provincial and regional operation centers will each receive a plaque of appreciation and a cash award of P6,000.

Diamano said the bureau’s annual search poses a challenge for each operation center to perform better every year. (PIA/RMN)

Mayor Odol approves renaming of building to Cong. Herminio Teves

Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr has approved the renaming of a school building in his town to Cong. Herminio Teves as a tribute to the outgoing lawmaker who, at 84, is said to be retiring from public service.

Mayor Gonzalez said as a Valencianon who has done numerous contributions for Valencia, it is fitting to rename Gabaldon building as Cong. Herminio Teves building. Located at Valencia Central Elementary School, Gabaldon building is undergoing renovations through the help of Cong. Teves.

The local school board of Valencia already passed a resolution supporting the renaming of the Gabaldon building to Cong. Herminio Teves.

ISSUE NO. 16, April 19, 2007

2007-04-19T22:02:00.000+08:00

First district candidates sign
peace covenant with Comelec, PNP
April 19, 2007

A peace covenant was recently signed between candidates of the first district in Negros Oriental and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region 7.

The move is in line with President Gloria-Macapagal’s call for “an intensified cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the citizenry and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in stemming the increasing incidence of poll-related violence in the country.”

Provincial Elections Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula together with PNP Region 7 Director General Alarcio and Provincial Police Director Col. Melvin Ramon Buenafe met with electoral candidates in the first district on April 12 to intervene in what is seen to be a tense race for electoral positions in the district.

Violent incidents alleged to be election-related that left a total of 8 people dead have been reported in La Libertad and Canlaon City on April 1 and March 9, respectively.

La Libertad and Canlaon City are among the eight areas that belong to the first district.

Advincula said there is no concrete evidence yet that the incidents are politically related.

Earlier reports indicate that the New People’s Army has owned up to the ambush in La Libertad.

But whether the killings were election-related or not, Advincula said he nonetheless intervened to dampen the intense political rivalry in the area before things got out of hand. “The entire island is under my supervision…I don’t want to wait for something else to happen that may result to loss of lives or other atrocities,” he said.

Advincula disclosed that during the said dialogue, the candidates were willing to cooperate and adhere to the peace covenant.

He believes that the situation is now “under control.”

The elections supervisor also describes the current peace and order situation in the province as “80 percent commendable”.

Advincula said the local police command is keeping him up to date on any election-related incidents in the province.

According to PNP’s National Election Monitoring and Action Center (NEMAC), a total of 46 election-related violent incidences and 1,479 arrests of persons found violating the Comelec-imposed gun ban has been recorded nationwide since the campaign period started on Jan. 14. (PIA)

Voter’s list in NegOr now 99% cleansed
April 19, 2007

“The voter’s list of Oriental Negros is now 98 to 99 percent cleansed,” said Atty. Manuel Advicula, provincial supervisor of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) here.

The Comelec office here through the action of the election registration board have de-listed voters who were ether convicted by court, considered incompetent due to insanity, failed to vote in two successive regular elections, lost Filipino citizens, excluded from voting through court order, already dead or registered twice for the election.

Due to this, two municipalities of the 2nd district in the province showed a drop in its number of voters despite the continued registration of Comelec.

Comelec records show the number of registered voters of Amlan has decreased to 11, 717 from the 11, 818 in the 2004 election.

Registered voters in the municipality of Mabinay have also reduced, resulting to now 32, 139 voters from 33, 013 in the 2004 election.

At the national level, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that a total of 1.13 million “unscrupulous” voters were de-listed, bringing down to 45.5 million number of qualified voters for the May poll. (PIA)

Cancer cases in the Phils on the rise
Public invited to witness free lecture
on cancer prevention
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
April 19, 2007

A high ranking officer of the American Cancer Society is set to deliver a talk on “Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cancer” on Friday, April 20, 4:00 p.m. at the St. Paul University-Dumaguete School of Nursing.

The provincial government has invited Dr. Hugh F. Stallworth, vice president of the American Cancer Society (ACS), in an effort to raise awareness on cancer prevention in the province.

A rare opportunity for Negrenses, the said lecture is free for the public. Interested attendees can contact Sr. Rosamund Abadesco of the SPU Nursing Department for reservations.

Another reason for the ACS official’s visit is to explore the possibility of a partnership with the provincial government for the delivery of health care system in the province, said Assistant Provincial Administrator Josefina Columna.

A malady of massive proportions, cancer ranks third in the leading causes of deaths and illnesses in the Philippines, according to statistics published by the Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates in 1997.

The same report said that for every 1,800 Filipinos, one will develop cancer annually.

A report posted on the Department of Health’s website puts cancer as the third leading cause of mortality in the country next to infectious and cardiovascular diseases.

The health department estimates that about 53 cancer cases per 100,000 population arises every year in the country.

Breast and gynecological cancer are the most common types of cancer to strike Filipino women while lung cancer for Filipino men.

According to Dr. Cathering Lisondra-Krings of the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc., some 60 percent of cancer patients are “unfortunate enough not to avail of cure and instead suffer through the illness painfully.”

In 1999, DOH announced its acquisition of an anti-cancer machine – high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy machine- for the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC), making JRRMMC as the only government hospital with a modern facility that can provide quality treatment for underprivileged cancer patients in the country.

It has been noted that the list of patients awaiting schedule to begin radiotherapy at JRRMMC has been on the rise.

The hospital has long been providing therapeutic services to cancer patients from all over the country, treating up to 120 patients a day.

The cost of treatment in JRRMMC is only about a third of the fee in private hospitals for those who can afford, partial for those are classified as service and completely free for indigents. (PIA)

RP Economy up due to E-VAT
Local businessman points out EVAT’s pro’s and con’s
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
April 19, 2007

The country has recently received glowing economic forecasts from international finance agencies as a result of the “tough decisions” employed by the national government.

The International Monetary Fund in its recent forecast said that the Philippines’ economic growth would be “higher than average” among its neighboring countries.

The World Bank in its twice-a-year Philippine economic monitor report had predicted three consecutive years of economic growth, a first for the country and the region since 1970.

Malacañang attributes the flourish of fresh and favorable economic outlooks to the radical fiscal reforms that have been implemented in the country, most notable of which is the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law.

According to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through the E-VAT Law the government raised important cash resources that were used to fund vital infrastructure, health and education projects without the need of external borrowing from financial institutions.

Good and bad
Local businessman Alex Sy, who heads the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce here, agrees with the forecasts, saying that E-VAT has played a large role in increasing the country’s income from tax collection.

He estimates the increase at about 12 percent.

Sy also credits the diminishing government debt to EVAT. “Makabayad naman ang Pilipinas sa utang tungod sa koleksyon sa EVAT,” he said.

He said that before, almost 70 percent of the government’s revenue goes to paying off the country’s debt.

However, Sy noted that if there’s a good side to EVAT, there is also a flip side to it.

He pointed out the downside of E-VAT which is its impact on the ordinary working Filipino. “Nagkamahal ang consumer goods, fuel and the other basic goods that we buy everyday and this have had a big effect on the consumers. The employees and hard-earning workers have been greatly affected,” he said.

Although Sy lauds the gains brought about by E-VAT, he hopes though that the government can think of another way to continue the pro’s that E-VAT has brought but minus the con’s.

He also suggested that the government trim down its expenditures. “The national and local governments can try cutting down more on its expenses. They can do it if they want to,” he added. (PIA)

First DEB candidates’ forum held
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
April 19, 2007

The Diocesan Electoral Board recently concluded its first of a series of candidates forums in the province last April 18, 2007 at Quezon Park, this city.

The forum featured candidates for second district congressman, board members, governor and vice-governor.

The open forum opened with the Voters’ Prayer led by Fr. Julius Heruela, Convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board.

The candidates then delivered a five-minute speech on their platforms of government which was followed by an open forum.

In the open forum, the candidates alternately answered questions raised by a panel of reactors composed of Alex Sy, president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Alex Pal, editor of Metro Post; and Fr. Burton Villarmente of the Social Action Center.

The audience was also given a chance to ask their questions that they wrote down and submitted to the Diocesan Electoral Board for screening.

Questions raised during the forum touched various topics, such as environmental issues, power rate reduction, corruption and priority projects.

The candidates likewise declared and signed their commitment to honest and peaceful elections through a candidates’ manifesto read by Provincial Elections Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula.

The forum concluded with the lighting of candles and the singing of One Little Candle.

Fr. Ramonito Maata, station manager of DYWC-AM, moderated the forum, which will be aired over the said radio station over the weekend.

The second forum is scheduled on April 23 (Monday), 7:00 p.m. at Quezon Park, this time featuring the six candidates vying for the mayoral and vice-mayoral spots in Dumaguete City.

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier called for the collective effort of government and non-government agencies for the conduct of peaceful polls. "Let us protect suffrage, freedom of choice and democracy with the full collective will and resources we can muster," she added.

The Diocesan Electoral Board is composed of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
The Board is also set to conduct similar forums in Guihulngan and Bayawan City featuring the respective congressional and board member candidates in the first and third districts. (PIA/RMN)

Siquijor FITS one of RP’s best - DOST
By Rizalie A. Calibo

(Larena, Siquijor)--The Siquijor Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium gains a good reputation as one of the active, best performing FITS in the country, says Provincial Science and Technology Coordinator, Engr. Mario de la Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here.

This, he attributed to the provincial government’s support and the members full cooperation in all FITS endeavor. “Imagine, there are 169 FITS nationwide and we are lucky be named one of the country’s best,” de la Peña said as he echoed to the group results of the workshop he attended at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) in Los Baños recently. Regular meetings are also seen to further improve the performance of the consortium, he said.

DOST-PCARRD is one of the national government agencies that assist FITS in its effort to help develop the farmers.

FITS serves as a one-stop information facility that caters to the information and technology need of the local populations in the agricultural, fisheries and natural resources sectors.

Malacanang said that while it would take some time to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos, constant effort by the government to increase social dividends on the back of a growing economy would eventually boost optimism and hope among the common folk.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye said that economic activities such as the boom in portfolio investments and the repayment of debts amounting to $175 million can be sustained and move forward programs to breach hunger and poverty.

The Press Secretary said that while the government never promised instant results from the economic surge, the reality, according to him, "is that we have more jobs today, lower inflation, and lesser debt."

"Our detractors may insist in seeing a cup half empty, but we would rather see it half full and filling up as we move forward in our programs to breach hunger and poverty," he pointed out.

Bunye, however, acknowledged that there is still much to be done.

"That is why we are rolling up our sleeves, which more and more Filipinos are doing," he said. "We have rising global confidence in the Philippines and we have the tools of excellence to use to our advantage."

Meanwhile, to strengthen more the FITS members’ commitment to service and motivate them to maximize their potentials, a team building session was conducted last April 4 at Dapdap Sunset Grill, Pangi, Siquijor.

There, Team Building games were played that aims to improve communications, break-down barriers and reduce conflicts as well as improve critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The games also enabled the members to recognize and appreciate everyone’s contributions, help them get to know each other better and capitalize on team members’ strengths, commonalities and diversity to just let them have some fun.

Team Building was introduced by the regional director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Engr. Burt Llanto who believes that the members will learn to work together more effectively by learning to play and do common activities together outside of their normal work environment. Participants were presented with challenges which are best overcome as a team.
It emphasizes on developing excellence, right attitude and goal setting in a lighter way.

“I hope that this will be the start of the many training/seminars that will be conducted by DOST for the FITS Consortium,” de la Peña said. (RAC/PIA)

Sitio Pilapil in San Juan qualifies for solar power project

Sitio Pilapil in Barangay Napo, San Juan , a remote rural area in Siquijor province which has not yet been reached by electric power services qualifies for Solar Power Technology Support (SPOTS).

This was bared by the local office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) following the result of a survey conducted by DAR Central Office and the Department of Energy (DOE) recently.

DAR personnel headed by Chief AR Program Officer Elmer C. Bontia and General Manager Laureen Malolot of the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO), Inc. recently conducted a consultation with the residents of Sitio Pilapil. San Juan town Mayor Edwin Quimno also attended the forum which aimed to obtain the residents’ feedback or approval of putting up a solar electrification project in their area.

SPOTS is an integrated social and agricultural project to compliment DAR’s existing efforts in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in remote areas with the use of photovoltaic energy systems.

The project aims to address rural poverty in the un-energized and off-grid Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs), increase rural productivity and promote livelihood, empower local ARCs and farmer organizations, and apply solar energy technology as the enabling technology for sustainable development.

The project package includes solar electrification (home lighting system), agri-business/agri-development (agri and potable water systems), and social support to community facilities (health center, school, barangay hall and communal lighting package).

In her Easter message, the President said the government through the “8 by 08” national agenda, would bring the people the benefits of a growing economy that include the availability of food, pro-poor education, healthcare and housing; more investments, strong peso, better cost of living, more new jobs created, a green Philippines and a safer and secured community now that funds are available for socio-economic projects.

As noted various progress-oriented and pro-poor projects has been fast-tracked over the past years that resulted to lower incidence of poverty in the country.
Over three million Filipinos have so far risen from extreme poverty since 2000, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said in a statement, citing a report by the World Bank, the world’s leading institution for development.

The WB estimates that by the end of this year, only some 8.4 percent of Filipinos would be living on a dollar a day – the standard by which the said institution measures extreme poverty.

Saludo said the WB forecast is buoyed up by the continuous improvement in the Philippine economy, which is projected to grow by as much as 5.7 percent this year.

"Now that the government has increased its fund sources and earnings, public infrastructure and public service will surely follow, thus providing employment opportunities and expanding education, health, housing and other services for the people," Saludo said.

Meanwhile, residents of Sitio Pilapil per consultation, were enthusiastic and receptive of the proposed project. “However, DAR has yet to receive the endorsement by the local electric supplier (PROSIELCO) before the project can be further submitted to the Department of Energy, the cooperating agency for the identification and approval of the site,” DAR officials said. (RTLeduna-DAR/RACalibo –PIA)

Budget hearing calls for tax code revision
The local finance committee of the local government unit of Larena in Siquijor province pushed for the revision of the Local Tax Code to generate more income for maintenance and other operating expenditures (MOOE) for Calendar Year 2007.

The average annual collection of income from local sources for the past three years is only P5M and the Internal Revenue Allotment share is P19,145,252.

During the budget hearing recently, the department heads defended the increases in their budget proposals for their respective offices. These proposals were strongly endorsed to the local chief executive for consideration.

The municipal Budget officer aired that for CY 2007, the municipality is only operating on a P26.5 million budget. This amount is allocated for the following expenditures: Personal Services – P15.9 million; MOOE, P5.3 million; 20% development fund, 5% calamity fund; and capital outlay, P5.3 million.

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that inorder to raise important cash resources to fund vital infrastructure, health and education projects, “tough decisions” that implement radical fiscal reforms, most notably the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law has to be pursued.

The E-VAT Law increased the rate of VAT imposed on goods and services from the previous 10 percenty to 12 percent.

It also imposed VAT on other high impact luxury and previously VAT-exempt goods such as fuel and Sport Utility Vehicles, more commonly known as SUVs.
Because of the E-VAT Law, the President said, the government was able to raise important cash resources that were used to fund development projects without the need of external borrowing from financial institutions.

The government was also able to provide "soft loans" to Filipino entrepreneurs who availed themselves of the grants given to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to put up their own businesses.

All these activities did not go unnoticed as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast recently that the Philippines ' economic growth would be "higher than average" among its neighboring countries.

Even the World Bank, in its twice-a-year Philippine economic monitor report, had predicted three consecutive years of economic growth, a first for the country and the region since 1970.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Romulo Neri,pointed out that because of these positive indicators, investor confidence on the country had picked up.

He reported that for the first quarter of 2007, the Board of Investments had recorded a 51 percent increase in foreign investments, resulting in a P28-billion influx of fresh investments.

He said these investments were mainly concentrated in the areas of the electronics sector, call centers and hotels and resorts.

He added that the lending activities of banks have increased by 10 percent due to the low interest rates on their loans, making it palatable to the prospective borrowers and investors.

Furthermore, inflation is at its lowest in 10 years at 2.2 percent, making borrowing from banks more appealing, according to Neri.

This trend in borrowing, he said, will translate to more jobs as more entrepreneurs put up their own businesses.

The President thanked the SMEs and encouraged those planning to put up their own business to partake of the flourishing economy. (CAQ-LArena LGU/RAC-PIA)

ISSUE NO. 15, APRIL 12, 2006

2007-04-12T21:26:00.000+08:00

Stay alive, WW2 Filipino veterans told
“Just stay alive,” was the advice given by a local war veteran leader in Negros Oriental to his fellow Filipino veterans who fought alongside American soldiers in fending off Japanese invasion during the World War II.

Former Judge Venancio Aldecoa, who saw action in World War II as a 17-year old soldier, gave the advice in view of the long and drawn-out ordeal of Filipino war veterans for the passage of the Veterans’ Equity Bill in United States.

The bill seeks to amend the Rescission Act, now Section 107 of the United States Code, which stopped the pension of all Filipino World War II nonservice-connected veterans in 1946 and limited the disability compensation, health and burial benefits to those with service-connected or combat-related injury.

Should the Veterans’ Equity Bill be passed into law, monthly pension to all Filipino WWII veterans for their war services will be restored.

Aldecoa lamented that the passage of the bill is already long-delayed. “Time is very precious to us veterans,” he said.

At 81 years old, Aldecoa - who heads the second district federation of war veterans in the province- said he is one of the youngest of the group that has diminished over the years.

Current records from the local Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) here show there are a total of 2,041 veterans and surviving spouses in Negros Oriental (1,789) and Siquijor (252) provinces.

Figures released by Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Carlos D. Sorreta place the total number of surviving non-service veterans at 20,000 with 13,000 in the Philippines and around 7,000 in the US.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has earlier expressed hope that US lawmakers would support the possible passage of the bill that would grant Filipino war veterans equal benefits with their American counterparts.

“We hope that all the US officials will support this effort to pass legislation that would allow our Filipino veterans to obtain the benefits they have long sought and truly deserve,” the President said.

Aldecoa said the additional pension that veterans would get from the passage of the said bill is much needed by the veterans who most, if not all, are in want.

He said WWII veterans in the Philippines are receiving a monthly pension of P5,000. But with the high cost of prices and medicines today, this is not enough to cover our needs, stressed Aldecoa.

But in the meantime that the Filipino Equity Bill is going through the eye of the needle in the US, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the release of P1.8 billion to cover government arrears in the pension payments of Filipino war veterans.

The President issued the directive in her speech read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during the 65th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites on Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan.
Since 2006, the government has already released a total of P19.57 billion for the regular pension and P1.6 billion in pension arrears of the war veterans for the remaining months of this year.

The government expects to settle all pension arrears by next year. (PIA/RMN)

PGMA orders release of 1.8B for pension arrears of war veterans
War veteran pensioners in Negros Oriental have reason to celebrate after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P1.8 billion to cover the government arrears in the pension payments of Filipino war veterans.

The President issued the directive in her speech read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during the 65th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites on Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan.

Local war veteran pensioners welcome the President’s move as “we have been waiting for this a long time,” said Venancio Aldecoa, a former judge in the province who, at 17 years old, was one of the courageous men who took up arms during the World War 2.

The recent announcement of the President is akin to a breath of fresh air for war veteran pensioners who, Aldecoa said most, if not all, are in want.

The former judge currently sits as president of the federation of war veterans in the second district.

He said war veteran pensioners receive a monthly regular pension of P5,000. “But this is not enough to cover a pensioner’s needs,” said Aldeco, particularly when it comes to healthcare.

Records from the local Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) here show there are a total of 2,041 veterans and surviving spouses in Negros Oriental (1,789) and Siquijor (252) provinces.

Annabel Moga, head of the PVAO here, explained that the amount of arrears owed by the government varies with each pensioner depending on the date the pensioner filed his application with PVAO and the date of approval.

Moga said it usually takes around three months after the President’s formal announcement of fund release before the pensioners can receive their arrears.

Philippine Veterans Bank here said the PVAO Manila Office provides the central of Philippine Veterans Bank in Manila with the list of qualified pensioners to receive the arrears.

According to Maritess Cabahug, accountant of the Philippine Veterans Bank here, there are 2,500 pensioner accountholders with their bank from Negros Oriental, Siquijor and some parts of Cebu.

Some pensioners are also holding accounts with other banks such as Land Bank, she said.
Since 2006, the government has already released a total of P19.57 billion for the regular pension and P1.6 billion in pension arrears of the war veterans for the remaining months of this year.

With the latest instruction, the government expects to settle all pension arrears by next year. “By 2008, we will be up-to-date in our pension payments,” the President said. (PIA/RMN)

Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities is now on
Calling all local government units in Negros Oriental: the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children in Central Visayas (RSCWC-7) is now accepting entries for the 2007 Presidential Award for the Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities in line with the Child-Friendly Movement.

Teodulo Romo, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 7, enjoined all cities and municipalities in the province and other areas in Central Visayas to submit their entries to the Search which aims to recognize the role of the local government units in the country in promoting and protecting children’s rights.

To qualify for the search, LGUs must have the following: (a) Local Development and Investment Plan for Children (separate or integrated in the Local development Plan); (b) Local Ordinances that promote and protect children’s rights (e.g. Provincial, City or Municipal Children’s Code); (c) Updated data or data bank on children.

These items form part of the supporting documents that will be submitted with the required documents that are enumerated in the entry form, said Romo, who also sits as chairman of the RSCWC.

Entry forms are available at the respective LGUs through the DILG and also at the local sub-committees for the welfare of children.

The entries are evaluated from the provincial to the regional levels using the following indicators or criteria: (a) Planning and Policy Formulation-15%; (b) Resource Allocation-15%; (c) Service Delivery on health & Nutrition-20%; Education-10%; Social Protection-10%; (d) Institution & Capability Building-10%; (e) Child Participation-10%; (f) Community Participation-10%.

Evaluation tools have been developed for both the municipality and barangay level. Regional Awards shall be given every year while the National Awards shall be given every three (3) years.

For this year, Romo said that the Search shall have four categories (4) based on the classification of municipalities and cities—1st-3rd class municipalities; 4th-6th class municipalities; highly-urbanized cities and component cities.

The RSCWC-7 has scheduled the timelines of the Search. April-June 30 is the submission of municipal entries to the province; July-August 15 will the provincial screening and submission of provincial nominees to the RSCWC; August 30 is the deadline of entries from the provincial level to the RSCWC.

By September-October, the RSCWC will conduct regional level screening, validation and declaration of winners and the awarding of winners will take place in November 2007.

The Search was launched in November 1998 in a bid to support the movement and also in recognition of the role of the local government units in the country in promoting and protecting the rights of the child to survival, development, protection and participation.

Candidates forum in Negor set
A series of candidates forum will be conducted in the three districts of Oriental Negros from April 18 to May 9, 2007 by the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB). The forum aims to provide a non-partisan and free venue for candidates to present their qualifications/ platforms/ programs of government and give local candidates and residents a chance to discuss the various issues affecting their communities.

On April 18, Wednesday at 7 o’clock in the evening, the 2nd district candidates for congressman (3), governor (2), vice-governor (1), and provincial board members (4) will present themselves to the public/voters at Quezon Park, this city.

Dumaguete City mayoral (3) and vice-mayoral (3) candidates will be on the 20th of April to make themselves available and take the opportunity to speak on their programs.

DEB Convenor Rev. Fr. Julius Heruela said the candidates’ forum will also provide local residents ample opportunity to know their candidates better and raise the level of consciousness of voters towards a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections (CHAMP).

For his part, Sec. Ignacio Bunye said the start of the local campaigns is a signal of Philippine democracy in full bloom, as all parties, persuasions and ideas come into play to crystallize a vibrant nation moving forward to a brighter future.

The Executive Department through the Philippine National Police will continue to stand beside the Commission on Elections to ensure that law and order will prevail before, during and after the electoral process.

On the 27th and 25th of April, this year, the 3rd and 1st districts candidates are expected to show up in Bayawan City and Guihulngan, respectively. The fora will be highlighted by the covenant signing of the candidates’ manifesto, which will be witnessed by the public.

The Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) is composed of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

The candidates are expected to deliver a five-minute speech about their qualifications/ platform/ program of government after which an open forum will immediately follow through a multi-sectoral panel of reactors. The forum will be covered live over radio station DYWC-AM.

Moreover, Press Sec. Bunye urge all candidates to keep the issues at a high level and focus on the interest of the people in a platform-led campaign—and employ the media as a means of enlightenment rather than insidious attack.

This country is on the verge of an economic takeoff that can be accelerated by a collective show of force for Philippine democracy in all its positive aspects, untainted by guns, goons and gold. We urge political leaders from all sides at all levels to adhere to the democratic process and follow the road of sobriety, prudence and restraint. (PIA/JCTilos)

Int’l leadership camp set in Dumaguete
With the theme “Reuniting the World’s Youth of Today for a Safer and Better Tomorrow,” the Saceda Youth Lead together with the National Youth Commission under the Office of the President will hold the 3rd International Leadership Camp on April 18-28 at Mt. Carmel, Avila Kiosk, Balugo, Dumaguete City.

Participating student leaders will come from different schools in Southeast Asia. After the training, 25 student leaders from the Philippines will represent the country as youth ambassadors of goodwill to the 2007 World Leadership Congress in the United States of American and the 2007 Saceda Youth Lead International in Asia.

Dave Saceda, chair and founder of the Saceda Youth Lead, hopes to gather the youth in the region in an event which will hone their leadership skills, strengthen their values and make new friends- all for a stronger nation with a responsible citizenry.

Invited speakers of the said event include the following: Hon. Johannes Adrianus Vander Zane, First Secretary of the Embassy of Netherlands to Israel; Negros Oriental Governor George P. Arnaiz; Negros Oriental State University President Dr. Henry A. Sojor; and Atty. Mikhail Maxino, director of Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development.

The event is made possible with the help of the provincial government of Negros Oriental, City Government of Dumaguete, Department of Educat6ion, Commission on Higher Education, World Association of NGOs, Foundation University and Silliman University.

For inquiries, interested participants may contact Rechanel Gallano, managing officer of the Saceda Youth Lead at tel. no. (035) 225-9756, mobile no. 0917-314-2890, email at sacedaleadership@yahoo.com or visit www.sacedaleaders.org.

Media bureaus are invited to join the opening ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on April 18 at Mt. Carmel, Avila Kiosk in Balugo, after which a press conference will be held.

Belgian envoy visits Siquijor
Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Gregoire Vardakis visited the province of Siquijor recently and toured various Belgian Integrated Agrarian Reform Program (BIARSP)-funded projects of the Department of Agriarian Reform (DAR).

Now on its third and last phase, BIARSP has provided the province with development assistance of more than P14 million since 1998 that has funded infrastructure projects, basic social and health services and various skills enhancement training to Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) here, Information Officer Richard Leduna reported.

Over and above costs of development assistance BIARSP has also provided direct interventions like vehicles and office equipment to the DAR office and selected cooperatives to ensure that development programs and projects are effectively and efficiently delivered to the beneficiaries, Leduna also said.

DAR is a member of the Anti-Hunger Task Force that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has created to work closely with faith-based organizations to widen the reach of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) among the poor in the identified provinces in the country.

Under Executive Order 616 she signed last Tuesday, Apr. 3, the President ordered the National Nutrition Council of the Department of Health to lead the Task Force which will also be composed of national government agencies implementing the component programs of the AHMP.

Ambassador Vardakis was accompanied by BIARSP Programme Coordinator Peter D’huys with representatives from BIARSP Technical Support and Coordination Office (TSCO) in Dumaguete City .

The party first visited the 2.9-kilometer Pili-Canghunoghunog farm-to-market road, then the construction of two-classroom building in Cang-asa Elementary School where the party was met by Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua. The Ambassador took time to visit the classrooms in Cang-asa Day Care Center and one primary grade school class.

The convoy proceeded to Tagmanocan Elementary School in Lazi for the turnover of the newly rehabilitated three-classroom building which is also BIARSP-funded with counterparts from the LGU and PTCA.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Governor Orlando Fua, Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi, Dr. Antonio Del Socorro of DAR Regional Office, PARO Teresita E. Depeñoso, Mrs. Carmencita Omictin of DepEd, Brgy. Captain Romeo Lumingkit of Tagmanocan and Tagmanocan PTCA President Charles Malhin.

The Belgian ambassador was warmly received by the local officials, teachers and school children in every recipient school and by beneficiaries of infrastructure projects, with children waving the Belgian and Philippine flags.

He was also met by Mayor Edwin Quimno of San Juan at Catulayan Elementary School where the construction of a two-classroom school building is still on-going. Another BIARSP project in San Juan visited by the envoy was the potable water supply system in Timbaon, San Juan .

Ambassador Vardakis’s first trip to Siquijor was in 2005, visiting BIARSP funded projects and for the turn-over of the rehabilitated three-classroom building in Bogo Elementary School in Maria. (DAR-T. Richard T. Leduna/RACalibo - PIA)

ECCD improves Day Care Centers’ operation
Since the implementation of the government’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project in 2000 [now Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)], the Day Care Centers’ operation, as well as the performance and skills of the teachers in Larena town, province of Siquijor have greatly improved.

Result of the evaluation conducted by the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently showed 20 barangays in the municipality having earned stars for proper maintenance and upkeep of their Day Care Centers.

Accredited with a high four-star rating (the highest being, five star) were barangays Basac, Bintangan, Canlambo, Cangmalalag, Helen, North Poblacion , and Sabang. Thirteen others earned the three-star accreditation according to the DSWD rating.

These are the mountain barangays of Balolang, Cabulihan, Canlasog, Calunasan, Cang-apa, Cang-allas, Catamboan, and Ponong and the coastal barangays of Cangbagsa, Bontod, Sandugan, South Poblacion and Taculing.

Only barangays Nonoc, Candigum and Bagacay remain for accreditation but their Day Care Centers have already been accredited, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Rosalie D. Balongag said.

It can be recalled, the all centers showed a poor rating during the 1997 evaluation and assessment of Day Center in the municipality. “The result is really a big leap for the barangays,” Balongag also said.

In October last year, a total of P5,0367,770.40 was released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children October last year for the expansion of existing ECCD program and establishment of ECCD system in Siquijor province based on the 2006 work and financial plan.

The initial release was part of the P20,625,000 budget for the province’s ECCD program that calls for 80-20 percent sharing from the council and the local government.

Larena LGU has put up a counterpart of P120 thousand.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye earlier stated that the decline in the country’s debt brings the administration a wider elbow room for more resources which will provide the people with basic social services and infrastructure programs aimed at lifting them from poverty like that of ECCD.

And the marked improvement in the economy the country is experiencing right now is due to the radical fiscal reforms implemented by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the first six years of her administration, he said.

"The President’s fiscal reforms have resulted in a stronger peso, reduced budget deficit and public debt and increased foreign investments," Bunye also said in his weekly column "The View From the Palace".

These fiscal reforms include the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) Law which increases the rate of VAT imposed on goods and services from 10 to 12 percent and the National Attrition Law which pushes revenue generating agencies to meet their collection targets or face stiff penalties. (RDB-Larena LGU/RACalilbo-PIA)

Infobytes April 4, 2007

2007-04-04T15:06:00.000+08:00

PNP implements Oplan Bantay
Lakbay Pito in NegOr
At the advent of the Lenten season, the Provincial Police Office here is advising the public to be alert and vigilant in keeping themselves safe and their belongings secure when they observe the Holy Week activities.

This after law enforcers across the country have assured that security measures are now in place to ensure public safety for the Semana Santa.

Police regional offices have been directed to field men and work closely with their partners in the barangays to prevent criminals, rebels and even terrorists to disrupt the Lenten holiday.

P/Insp. Rosalinda Abellon, Police Community Relations Chief of the Provincial Police Office here, said that the riding public, as well as the motorists, should follow the necessary precautionary measures not only during Holy Week but also during fiestas and other local celebrations.

Abellona advised the citizens to refrain from wearing expensive jewelries when they go to the church. “Secure your cash, bags and other valuables especially in places where there’s a big crowd of people. As much as possible, don’t bring large amounts of cash when you attend mass,” she said.

She likewise urged parents to keep a close eye on their kids inside churches. “The usual incident during the Lenten season are missing children,” Abellon said.

She disclosed that parents with a missing child can report the incident immediately to the Public Assistance Center which will be set up in major churches all over the province.

Two police personnel, who will respond to complaints and other incidents during the Holy Week observation, will man the Center.

“Likewise, if someone finds an unattended child, he or she can bring the child to the Center,” Abellon added.

The establishment of Public Assistance Centers is in line with Oplan Bantay Lakbay Pito, which the Provincial Police Office will implement across the province in line with the Lenten season.

Under the said program, Abellon said police personnel will be assigned to man strategic points in the province, especially in Churches where people are expected to converge. (PIA/RMN)

April 7 declared a special non-working day
Malacañang has declared April 7, 2007 (Saturday) as a special non-working day through Proclamation No. 1211 in view of the Holy Week celebration in the country.

April 7, which falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday was declared a special non-working day to give the public the “full uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to probably observe its traditions with religious fervor,” stated Proclamation No. 1211.

The same proclamation likewise declared November 2 (Friday) and December 24 (Monday) as special (non-working) days in the country.

In line with the Independence Day celebration, Proc. No. 1211 also declared June 12 (Tuesday) as a working day while June 11 (Monday) will be a non-working holiday.

All activities and celebrations in observance of Independence Day shall remain to be observed on June 12, 2007.

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo heeded the call of the Catholic Church for all candidates to spare the Lenten season from political noise.

"Let us all respect and preserve the solemnity of the Lenten season and use it as a time for moral rearmament, healing and solidarity," the President said. (PIA/RMN)

‘Be impartial’, Comelec urge brgy officials
The Provincial Elections Supervisor in Oriental Negros warned barangay captains here to avoid campaigning for any electoral candidate as he reminded them to remain impartial for an honest, clean and orderly election in May.

He discouraged the village chieftains from using their influence to sway the votes of their constituents in favor of their candidates of choice.

He told barangay captains and officials to avoid loitering around the polling precincts during the election day. “After you vote, leave the precinct immediately,” stressed Advincula.

He likewise reminded barangay officials of their responsibility to ensure that election campaign materials in their areas are posted in the designated common poster areas. “It is your responsibility to take down posters and other campaign materials that are posted on trees and electric posts,” he told the officials during a recent Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency.

The Comelec official stressed that electric and other communication posts should not be posted or hung with any kind of campaign materials. “It is strictly prohibited not only by Comelec but also by DENR for posters to be placed on or hung from trees…this can also become a nuisance to traffic,” he said.

Campaign materials displayed as buntings are also strictly prohibited by the Fair Election Act or RA 9006.

Advincula warned that although violation of the said law only carries with it a small penalty, there is, however, a catch. “Anyone caught violating will face perpetual absolute disqualification from holding public office,” he said.

RA 9006 also frowns on the putting up of campaign billboards and streamers in private properties, even if the owner has given consent. “Campaign streamers are only allowed during campaign rallies. Five days before the rally, pwede na ma-display. But after the rally, within 48 hours, the streamers should be removed,” said Advincula.

Billboards, he added, are only allowed in the headquarters of a candidate or political party.
The provincial election supervisor also urged barangay officials to discourage their constituents from selling their votes.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye earlier called for a higher level campaign based on the issues of economic security and political stability. (PIA/RMN)

PNP gears up for elections
with Task Force HOPE
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province have already set in motion its security and operational measures with the creation of Task Force H.O.P.E. or ‘Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections’ in the province.

P/Insp. Rosalinda Abellon said Task Force HOPE will be created in all municipalities and cities in the province, as well as the putting up of election monitoring and assistance centers in the local levels.

The efforts of the local police force to ensure a fair and orderly elections is in line with the call of Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye who assured the public of the support of non-partisan law enforcement agencies.

Bunye has earlier said he believes the people themselves will guard the ballot and fight fraud to protect their votes.

The provincial police office is also set to conduct a peace covenant with local political parties during the election period.

Threat groups will also be identified, such as partisan armed groups and cessationist terrorist movements in the province that might disrupt the peace and order situation during the election period.

“We will also identify election areas of concern or areas where there are intense political rivalry and areas where there are internal security operations affectations,” said Abellon.

Checkpoints will likewise be set up in compliance with Comelec Resolution No 7707. “We are now organizing two teams for the Comelec and PNP checkpoint operations,” she said.

Abellon said the provincial police force is also set to strictly enforce the ban on firearms and deadly weapons in the province, as well as the use of unauthorized bodyguards in line with the election period.

Women voters to hold dialogue
with local political candidates
Women voters in Oriental Negros are now taking steps to make their voices heard in the elections as women representatives of different organizations in the province will hold a dialogue with political candidates here on April 12, Thursday, 2:00 pm. at Bethel Guesthouse, this city.

The dialogue will serve as a venue for women voters to discuss with the local candidates the various issues facing women in the province, said Cecilia Hoffman, executive director of the Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation.

Earlier, more than 100 women representing various organizations in Oriental Negros converged on February 16 during which women’s priority concerns, situation and their need for gender-responsive governance were identified.

The women participants in the said forum represented a range of sectors and groups from urban poor, peasants, students, women with disabilities, barangay health workers, academics and women from local government units and church organizations.

Hoffman said a shortlist of issues faced by women here were drawn up during the forum which the women will tackle in the dialogue with political candidates seeking public offices.

The dialogue will center on the six identified areas of concern for women, namely: women’s economic situation, violence against women, reproductive and women’s health and family planning services, councils for women, sexual exploitation especially of young girls, and environment and infrastructure. (PIA/RMN)

PNOC-AFC signs MOU
with DOST on alternative fuels
The PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to be able to strengthen themselves as strategic partners in research and development activities on alternative fuels and support the advancement of biofuels in the country.

The mounting prices of imported oil wherein the Philippines is almost 100% dependent prompted the government to prepare measures that will help the country move away from utilizing imported oil towards greater use of indigenous energy resources, renewable energy and other alternative fuels, thus pursuing a strategy of energy dependence. With the increasing cost of energy, various countries are now exploring alternative sources, thus the need for research and development (R&D) to support the needs of emerging renewable alternative fuel industry in the Philippines is acknowledged.

PNOC-AFC and DOST, which has been in the forefront of R&D in renewable energy, have agreed to focus their cooperation on collaborative R&D activities on biofuels, technical assistance and capacity building. Based on the MOU, PNOC-AFC and DOST will coordinate in the assessment and identification of R&D requirements of alternative fuels, prepare a comprehensive R&D program for alternative fuels based on the assessment conducted by the parties and pursue a continuing capacity-building of technical staff to enhance knowledge and skills.

“We chose DOST as our partner in research and development on alternative fuels because of its expertise in providing central direction for scientific and technological activities. In line with PNOC-AFC’s mandate to explore, develop and accelerate the utilization and commercialization of existing and emerging alternative sources of energy, we are confident that we would be able to bring the country to the forefront of global alternative fuels industry,” said Peter Anthony A. Abaya, president and CEO of PNOC-AFC during the signing of the MOU with DOST, represented by Undersecretary for Research and Development Graciano P. Yumul, Jr.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of state-owned Philippine National Oil Company, PNOC-AFC has the primary purpose to explore, develop and accelerate the utilization and commercialization of existing and emerging alternative sources of energy and technologies and carry on the business of alternative fuels and other related activities. PNOC-AFC has been directed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to have the primary responsibility over the Biofuel Project and to be the one to coordinate with the concerned agencies.

Reiterating her declaration in her first State-of-the-Nation Address in 2001 that "Technology is the foundation of the future economic development" of the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed support to the proposal of seven universities in the country to develop capability in generating knowledge in science and technology.

Among the key thrusts in science and technology contained in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) are to: make S&T policies supportive of national development goals and policies; enhance competitiveness of the human capability; speed up knowledge creation and dissemination for greater productivity and jobs creation especially in rural areas; and, improve mechanisms and programs to promote and encourage technology-based entrepreneurship.

On the other hand, DOST is mandated to provide central direction for scientific and technological activities. The Biofuels Act of 2006 which was signed into law in January 2007 mandated DOST to identify and develop viable feedstock for the production of biofuels and implement a research and development program supporting a sustainable improvement in biofuel production and utilization technology.

The current status of alternative fuels, particularly biofuels, requires a comprehensive research and development program, therefore PNOC-AFC and DOST pledged to cooperate and contribute their respective resources and know-how for this.

Gov’t SPES to help 281 students
in Siquijor as it vows to cut hunger
At least 281 indigent students in Siquijor province will benefit from the government’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this summer vacation.

This was learned from Provincial Extension Officer Ma. Theresa Tanquiamco who said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has approved the budget of P450 thousand to cover the 40% wages of the 150 beneficiaries from the provincial government and 100% wages of another 131 students not covered by the local government units here.

Municipal local government units (LGUs) that committed to support SPES are Siquijor town having allotted P100T for 48 beneficiaries: Larena, P70T for 35 students; and Maria, P30 T for 20 students. These hiring LGUs will shoulder 60 percent of the students’ wages.

The 60 percent will be paid by the employers which will be computed based on the income classification of the municipality.

SPES is a regular annual job creation program of the national government for poor but deserving students to augment their school fees for the coming school year 2007-2008 by providing them work during summer vacation.

SPES program is open to all qualified high school, college, technology or vocational students and drop-outs who intend to continue their education. The applicants should be 15-25 years old and the parents' combined annual income including his own, if any, does not exceed P36,000. They should also have passing grades.

Also, in line with the administration’s bid to fight poverty, the P1 billion allocated for anti-hunger program will continue to be beefed up to make sure children are up on their feet and fit for school every morning.

Skills training and other micro-enterprise campaigns would also be implemented alongside the government’s Hunger Mitigation Program (HMP) to ensure its sustainability, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said today.

“The drive to cut hunger is a centerpiece of the social payback on economic growth, and will be implemented side by side with a strong skills training and micro-enterprise campaign to get at the root of poverty in a comprehensive manner,” he pointed out in a statement.

President Gloria Macpagal-Arroyo has also called on various sectors to help with the government’s hunger mitigation program. She said the local churches, religious organizations and other religious groups are in the forefront of the first line of offense against hunger, particularly during the summer vacation.

“The fight against hunger should be a vehicle for national unity and platform of good citizenship for all Filipinos here and abroad,” the President said. (RACalibo/PIA)

Province supports FITS
as key to fight poverty
The Provincial Government of Siquijor shows support to the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Consortium in Siquijor province with the approval of a P200 thousand budget for the consortium’s operation and activities for this year. This was revealed by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Gladys Estrellada in a FITS meeting held earlier at the local office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Siquijor,
Siquijor.

The proposed 2007 FITS activities are FITS center Enhancement Program that includes production of IEC materials for the farmers in a form of brochures and flyers; Technology Upgrading on Banana and Peanut Production; Search for Farmer Scientist; and Technology Assistance on the Establishment of Agro-Forestry Related Project in Manan-ao, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor..

FITS services include among others, provision of technology and information to agricultural workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and other clients; technical assistance through technology training programs, scientists' visits and lectures on specific concerns requested by the clientele; clinic for networking clients and technical experts for the solution of production and post-production problems.

FITS, also dubbed as Techno Pinoy program of the Department of Science and Technology, was found effective to improve the lives of farmers by increasing their productivity.

Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri is recalled saying that the successful implementation of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) has greatly improved the lives of the farmers through their high yielding crops' net
profit.

With farmers' increased productivity, the Techno Pinoy program is seen as one of the key farm strategies of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration in addressing the problem on poverty.

Likewise, in its’ effort to sustain the fight against hunger, President Arroyo has ordered recently the release of an additional P4B for Food-for-school program.

Under the program, rice and basic food items are given daily to schoolchildren. This will be modified to a weekly trek by the schoolchildren to their nearest churches or church organizations who will distribute a week’s supply of the basic food items, thereby feeding not only the children but their parents as well. Also included in the hunger mitigation program is the Food-for-Work scheme where the poor and unemployed are given community-centered jobs.

President Arroyo has given instructions to ensure transparency in the use of funds against hunger. (rac/pia)

PHOTO RELEASE

2007-04-02T16:00:00.000+08:00

The Oriental Negros Provincial Tourism Council with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano (3rd from L) during the 3rd Vismin Travel, Leisure and Lifestyle Exposition at SM Cebu City recently. Photo shows (L-R): Al Elvinia, head of marketing and promotions; Dir. Dawnie Roa of DOT-Region 7; Bambi Yap, Secretary; Sylvia Uy, Vice-Chair; and Joy Sojor, Member.

PHOTO RELEASES

2007-04-02T15:49:00.000+08:00

KAPIHAN SA PIA
"Responsibile Voting for Good Governance"
March 28, 2007 Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn, Dumaguete City

ISSUE NO. 13, MARCH 29, 2007

2007-03-29T20:53:00.000+08:00

NFA procurement program eases farmers' burden
By: Rachelle M. Nessia
March 28, 2007

The government's crop procurement program under the National Food Authority (NFA) has lightened the burden of farmers across Oriental Negros especially with the onset of the lean months.
A common burden among rice and corn farmers during the dry season is shortage of crop production, but with NFA's procurement program, farmers in the province have a lot to be thankful for.
Mrs. Ladiver Yllaña, who sits as manager of the Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose Agricultural Cooperative (SCAMPACO), said that crop production of their farmer-members has dropped sharply due to the start of the hot season.
"Our production before is at 80 bags per hectare, but now it's only around 18," said Yllaña.
She said that thanks to NFA, the food agency's procurement program directly addresses this, with SCAMPACO's weekly procurement of 50 bags per week.
"In fact, our supply of 50 bags per week is not enough to address the demand here," added Yllaña.
The cooperative manager has already requested NFA to increase SCAMPACO's procurement to 100 bags per week.
The food agency's procurement program has been instrumental in the government's efforts to bring more basic goods within the reach of the masses,
According to Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo, under the Arroyo administration, the inflation rate average is the lowest in 20 years among four administrations.
Economic growth, he said is at its highest at 4.4 percent average while job creation is also a high water mark among four administrations at 900,000 annually.
Which is why more farmers are feeling the relief of a lesser burden, as the procurement program has also acted as a stabilizer of palay price, as attested by Rene Caballero, manager of the Bayawan Multi-Purpose Agricultural Kilusang Bayan (BEMAKB).
Caballero said that the procurement program has upped the procurement price, which has benefited the local farmers.
"Aside from this, if not for NFA's program, the commercial price of palay would be high. This program has stabilized the price of palay," he said.
Yllaña also recalls how it was for them before the program was implemented. "Back in 1998, we had to buy rice in Hinuba-an in Negros Occidental with a buying price of P20 to P22 per kilo. But now with NFA's procurement program, we were able to save because the price is much lower, only P18 per kilo," she said. (PIA/RMN)
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NFA procures more palay from farmers
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
March 28, 2007

The National Food Authority (NFA) here has been buying the palay produce of farmer cooperatives or individual farmers at P10.50/kilogram in line with NFA's Palay Procurement Program.
This support price, according to NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita has assisted more than 10,000 rice and corn farmers in the province with additional incentives under the Cooperative Development Incentive Funds (CDIF) of P.25/kg, P.15/kg for drying and P.10 for delivery fee.
Lazalita, however, said that the P.25 CDIF is held in trust to NFA to be used for post harvest facilities such as buying solar dryer, weighing scales, tarpaulins and even construction of bodegas that each 12 accredited farmer cooperatives here have saved.
With this, Lazalita said, NFA's support price have improved farmer cooperatives business condition, however private traders for a time have also contributed the farmers by buying higher price.
Meantime, Information Officer Lazalita, said they would intensify its palay and corn procurement during the next harvest season that is expected to begin later this month.
Lazalita said they have allocated sufficient funds for their procurement program in preparation for the foreseen lean months during the second quarter of the year.
As part of government's anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program, the Arroyo administration has been implementing the food-for-school program which provides rice to poor families through their children in Grade 1, pre-schools and day care centers.
The government is also expanding the implementation of the "Tindahan Natin" program along with the establishment of more barangay food terminals where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities.
"While the economy surges ahead, the President is determined to see to it that no one is left behind; and that every Filipino in dire need will receive a dividend from growth," Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
"We are aware that there are no quick-fixes to the challenges of hunger and poverty but we shall follow the fastest and shortest path to bring relief to the most affected. The Cabinet has been put on notice by the Chief Executive and the train of programs is already rolling at good speed," he stressed.
Bunye had said earlier that "the President's signing into law of this year's budget (of P1.126 trillion) will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services." (PIA/JCT)
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Diocesan Electoral Board seeks poll watch volunteers
By: Rachelle Nessia
March 29, 2007

The Diocesan Electoral Board is calling on vigilant, non-partisan individuals in the province to pitch in their share towards a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful election by volunteering to become an electoral board poll watcher.
Fr. Julius Heruela, convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board here, said they are currently in need of poll watchers and encoders who will volunteer during the election period.
Fr. Heruela, in a recent Kapihan forum of the Philippine Information Agency here, said that the electoral board’s parish and municipal coordinators have started scouting for possible poll watchers in the voting center level in the barangays.
Training for poll watchers will start after the observation of Holy Week, he said.
The board will likewise hold a separate training for poll watchers hired by political candidates.
In the past elections, “poll watcher-snatching” has been a common problem for the electoral board as politicians tend to hire the poll watchers trained by the Diocesan.
To solve this, Fr. Heruela said they intend to hold a separate seminar for the poll watchers recruited by the politicians.
This way, the diocesan electoral board is assured that they will have trained poll watchers in each of the voting precinct in the province.
“We really need encoders and poll watchers at this time. We hope that barangay captains can help us sign up poll watchers,” he said.
“Mga sakop ninyo diha sa barangay nga wala’y politico nga gidapigan, we hope they can volunteer as poll watchers,” Fr. Heruela told the barangay captains in the Kapihan forum.
Interested volunteers can sign up with their local parish coordinator and get their assignments. “Our advise for poll watchers is to poll watch the precinct where they will cast their vote,” said Heruela.
The Dioecesan Electoral Board is composed of Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Social Action, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, Comelec and inter-faith groups with the aim of working for a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful polls.
Fr. Heruela explained that the electoral board’s aim will be carried out through what they call the Philippine Voters’ Academy covering three topics, dubbed as Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba, Kababayan Laban o Bawi and Halalan Idol.
The topics will touch on the current economic and political situation of the country, the Church’s role in the coming elections and the qualifications of an ideal candidate.
“We hope to educate the voters and make them aware of their role and their responsibilities, and guide them in voting for the ideal candidates in the elections,” said Fr. Heruela.
The board will hold two vote countings in the coming elections. “PPCRV will be holding its own counting during the elections called parallel counting. But this will not be released to the local media as we are not allowed. Only NAMFREL’s Operation Quick Count has been authorized to release their counting to the media,” he said.
Malacañang has earlier stressed that all government institutions, with Comelec at the lead, are working closely together to ensure clean and peaceful elections.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said lawlessness or fraud will not be allowed to disrupt the government’s heard earned political stability and the gains of the economy.
With this, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula, in the same forum, urged barangay captains to exhort their constituents to vote wisely and not to sell their votes.
“Please advise the constituents in your barangays not to sell their votes, which is akin to selling the country’s future,” said Advincula in vernacular during the forum.
He also warned barangay chieftains to stay non-partisan and refrain from openly campaigning for any political candidate, which is prohibited by Comelec.
He discouraged the barangay captains and officials as well from loitering around the precincts during election day. (PIA/RMN)
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NegOr avian flu task force set on conducting bird flu awareness drive
By: Rachelle Nessia
March 29, 2007

Despite the bird flu-free status of the province and as well as the Philippines, there still is a need to inform the public on the preventive measures against bird flu, said Dr. Antonio Mutia, provincial veterinary officer here.
Mutia’s concern is shared by national agriculture and health officials who believe that although the Philippines remains free from the deadly avian flu virus, the threat of infection, however, continues to loom over the country.
Based on a report from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the Philippines is literally surrounded by countries already infected by the virus that has already left in its trail a total of 273 human deaths while poultry losses is pegged at $95.754M as of February 2007.
In the Asian region, only Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines remain free from the clutches of the deadly virus, according to Dr. Rose Antegro of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Manila.
Antegro said it is no mere luck that the Philippines is bird flu-free as the concerted efforts of government agencies and various stakeholders to prevent the incursion of the disease here have played a key role in keeping the killer virus H5N1- the most dangerous strain of influenza A virus – off the Philippine shores.
On February 5, 2004, Executive Order 280 was issued, creating the Avian Influenza Protection Program (AIPP) and the National Avian Influenza Task Force (NAITF) that paved the way for the implementation of stringent anti-bird flu measures in the country.
Under the AIPP, a ban on importation of all poultry products from infected countries have been imposed while laboratory equipment for AI diagnosis has been upgraded and all technical staff have been trained on routine AI diagnosis.
A total of 14,046 blood samples and 2,514 cloacal swabs from native/game fowls, chickens, ducks from 16 regions, 54 provinces, 158 towns, 19 cities and 286 barangays across the country have been collected as of December 31, 2006.
All samples were tested and results showed that they were negative for AI.

Staggering
The Bureau of Animal Industry said a bird flu outbreak in the country would cause a huge financial dent to the poultry industry with losses pegged to reach a staggering P116B.
The ensuing consumer panic will lead to a sharp drop in consumption of chicken and eggs and a loss of growing export market, added BAI in a report.
This scenario is simply unacceptable, just when the country is enjoying the longest period of uninterrupted GDP growth in a quarter-century as a result of more than six years of government programs, infrastructure projects and economic expansion under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Thus, the government’s safety net has not relaxed as constant monitoring and blood sampling is being done particularly in the 20 identified hotspots in the country or areas where there transient migratory birds exist or with highly concentrated domestic duck/chicken population.
The areas are, namely: Zamboanga del Norte; Zamboanga del Sur; Zamboanga City; Zambonga Sibugay; Palawan near Quezon and Narra towns; Pampanga-Candaba swamp; Ilocos Norte-Pagudpud; Cagayan-Aparri; Cebu-Olanggo Island; Negros Occidental-Himamaylan; Isabela-Magat Dam; Agusan del Sur; Agusan del Norte; Surigao del Norte-Lake Mainit; Surigao del Sur; Panay Island-Roxas, Capiz; Sorsogon-Bulan and Matnog; General Santos City; Mindoro Oriental-Naujan; and Cotabato-Liguasan Marsh.

Bird flu campaign in OrNeg
Even though Oriental Negros is not identified as a bird flu hotspot, Mutia nevertheless is determined to pull the net a bit tighter, as he plans to conduct a stepped up avian flu information drive in the three districts in the province in the following months.
“The campaign will be done by district and our target audience will be our key players in the towns and cities, who will be responsible for disseminating the information down to the barangay levels,” he said.
Mutia disclosed that he has initially conducted an information campaign in selected areas in the province such as Tanjay City and Bais City.
The said cities are among the areas in the province where there are wetlands, which attract migratory birds and thus, put them at risk of an avian flu infection.
Trained fieldmen of the Provincial Veterinary Office also continue to conduct blood sampling here, he added.
As a preventive measure, Mutia urged homeowners not to place chicken, ducks and pigs together in one area, cage or pen, which is a common practice among local residents.
He also advised the public to immediately report to their local agriculture officer if they notice unusual symptoms among their chickens and other birds.
The national government is resolute in its efforts to pull out all stops to keep the country bird flu-free since once the infection invades the country, the consequences on human health and the country’s economy can be staggering, according to authorities. (PIA/RMN)
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GK Bayani Summit slated
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
March 29, 2007

Gawad Kalinga partners who donated decent houses to some 342 poor families in seven (7) Gawad Kalinga in Oriental Negros will be awarded during the GK Bayani Summit on April 1, 2007 at Bethel Guesthouse, this city.
The awarding is in recognition to GK partners from government, non-government organizations, and private individuals who have been instrumental in establishing the seven GK villages in Dumaguete City, Bayawan City, Mabinay and Bais City and Sta. Catalina in Oriental Negros.
During the summit, GK Ambassador Tony Meloto and GK executive director Luis Oquiñena will also award to more than 20 donors who willingly give out wholeheartedly their talents, time and resources which include one house, road right of way, NOreco electric meters, and some construction materials.
For this year, according to Carlo Borromeo, Oriental Negros GK Head, another 277 families will be granted homes under it GK program.
GK is an alternative solution to poverty problem in the Philippines which provide land and homes, dignity and peace for the poor. While there are about 1,000 GK sites all over the country, GK is more than about building houses for the poor but provide a decent home with values formation in the community, Borromeo said.
At the same time, the administration remains committed to pursue projects aimed at alleviating hunger and poverty and providing Filipinos with the social payback of the economic gains. This, as the government steps up its drive for more revenues, mount a crackdown on tax cheats and maintain the integrity of the management of tax collections.
With the spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan efforts from GK partners, GK will acknowledge their heroism who are actively participating in the work of helping the poor rebuild their lives.
In the same occasion, all mayors and congressmen of the province are invited to witness the awarding and see for themselves how GK partnership can accelerate LGU’s on their poverty alleviation in their respective areas.
The government and business community also foster closer cooperation to meet vital issues such as infrastructure development, labor-related concerns and drumming up the optimistic outlook of economic zones. (PIA/JCT)
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SIQUIJOR NEWS

ENTREPINOY Feature

'It's no longer a man's world,' says Siquijor Gawad Saka nominee
March 29, 2007

The Filipino people have more than enough reasons to be optimistic as the administration continues to improve incomes through jobs and enterprises and bring more basic goods within the reach of the poor.
Fedelita Dagumo of Barangay Tagmanokan, Lazi of the province of Siquijor , a provincial nominee for Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Corn Farmer in Region 7, is a testimony.
She and her husband Domeng started farming in 2002. Corn is grown in her 1.25 has. farm as primary crop. She believes that gone are the days when only man could farm and run the plow on the field.
Because of the high cost of living, she believes that a wife's role does not end on domestic work like rearing children, but more than ever, to become a partner in pursuing livelihood for the family and assuring food in the table everyday.
Fedelita has always worked full time in the farm together with her children during weekends. Afterall farming has always been the family's source of income. Her interest in farming had stirred her desire to learn more skills and technologies to improve her farming system and to avail of technical assistance and farm from the government institutions.
This desire led her to attend various seminars and training's on crops, livestock, vegetables, capability building, records keeping, cooperatives, and other leadership training that would enhance her knowledge to become a successful farmer entrepreneur.
In 2004, she was the recipient of the Outstanding Farmer Scientist adopting the FSTP (Farmer-Scientist Technology Program) methodology on Corn given by the Provincial Government of Siquijor during its Celebration of the Araw Ng Siquijor. She adopted the new technology she learned from Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) and FSTP Corn training in her own farm by growing monocorn using the hybrid corn seed in the first cropping and intercrop corn with peanut, cassava, ubi and legumes during the second cropping. With her 1 hectare area she was able to harvest 8 tons of corn.
In 2005 the Department of Science and Technology also declared her as "Magsasaka Siyentista" as she teaches other farmers the technology and shares in the community her skills of doing things such as vermiculture.
With full government backing, she learned about Lakatan banana, which is a high market outside the province. All other varieties of banana grown in the island thrive well. Knowing the market potential of lakatan she convert most of her other banana to lakatan after she had a training on Banana Lakatan culture.
Extension workers from the local government unit of Lazi and from the Provincial Agriculturist Office works hand in hand with Fedelita and has been grooming her to excel in corn farming, that kept her updated on the latest technologies, which she really adopts.
She has also been an active participant in the Ceramics making sponsored by the Department of Agrarian Reform and an active member of LA VEGA (Lazi Vegetable Growers Association) which is a pet project of Congressman Orlando "Shane" Fua. The solon has initiated vegetable production in his Bangkoro Farm to showcase the technology and to form into vegetable association in unity and in strength.
The lady farmer sees to it that no space in her farm ever goes to waste. She has cultured vermi so that its wastes can be use for compost to fertilize her corn and for her cut flowers. She has cows used in the farm since she can't afford the cost of hand tractor. She also raised native chicken, kaber and goats to supply the organic fertilizer requirements of her farm with their manure.
Fedelita sees to it that her farm is well maintained. She also practices crop rotation and intercropping so as not to deplete the soil's nutrients. She keeps proper recording of her harvests and earnings.
Her record in 2005 and in 2006 from all her produce including livestock, crops and high value commercial crops reveals that she has an earnings of Php310,630.00. Out of these earnings it is no longer hard for the couple to send their children to school and meet their daily needs.
A very enterprising and hardworking lady, Mrs. Fedelita Dagumo when asked if she doesn't mind being the bread winner, she just smile and leaps a shoulder and said, it's not anymore a man's world where men dominate and say that they are the only one's that could till the soil. Farming is for everyone! Women could prove that it is not just for men. Fedelita's farm becomes a showcase of how a farmland can be maximized in order to increase one's income. For her, being gender sensitive advocate, it is an act of women empowerment.
It is good to note that while the economy surges ahead, the President is determined to remain focused on improving the lives of the poor and meeting the "challenges of hunger and poverty".
"She is determined to see to it that no one is left behind; and that every Filipino in dire need will receive a dividend from growth," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in his weekly column, "The View from the Palace," which comes out Monday.
" President Arroyo is keenly focused on bearing down on the incidence of poverty and hunger through a multi-pronged campaign that cuts deeply into vulnerable areas and sectors," Bunye said. (Pilar P. Macalino with reports from PIA/Rizalie A. Calibo)
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Siquijor PNAO hopes anti-hunger fund to reach real recipients
March 27, 2007

Following President Macapagal-Arroyo's order to release P1 billion for the government's hunger mitigation program, Siquijor Provincial Nutrition Action Officer earlier expressed hope for the fund to get to its real beneficiaries to ensure the success of the program.
Alcoran, who is also the Provincial Health Officer, said this amidst issues on the allegedly failure of the Administration to bring down the effects of the government's economic recovery to the poor and the hungry.
"Athough Siquijor is not one of those priority provinces, we still hope that it will really reach the real recipients," Dr. Alcoran said.
The province still continues with its nutrition improvement efforts citing among others, Operation Timbang with emphasis on rehabilitation of malnourished children, supplemental feeding, micronutrient supplementation, deworming and other nutrition-related activities as revealed during the Provincial Nutrition Committees meeting yesterday at the Siquijor Provincial Hospital Conference Room.
As part of its anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program, the Arroyo administration has been implementing the food-for-school program, which provides rice to poor families through their children in Grade 1, pre-schools and day care centers.
The government is also expanding the implementation of the "Tindahan Natin" program along with the establishment of more barangay food terminals where the poor can buy cheap food and basic commodities.
"The government is doing this under the stewardship of President Arroyo and we are already making a dent on poverty although we realize that a long road lies ahead," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.
"There are no quick fixes for poverty and hunger," Bunye said stressing that the Administration would follow the fastest and shortest path to bring relief to the most affected.
He explained that the President's signing into law of this year's budget will increase the flow of social returns to the people in terms of adequate food on the table, decent jobs and broader access to basic social services.
Bunye pointed out that the approved budget would shore up confidence and investments and give the government the wherewithal to modernize the economy through broader digital and physical infrastructure "that will open more jobs and windows of opportunity to leverage the spirit of enterprise, excellence and productivity of the Filipino."
President Arroyo signed yesterday Republic Act No. 9401, or the 2007 National Budget allocating P1.126-trillion "as social payback to the people for the fiscal turnaround of their government." (PIA/RAC)
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ISSUE NO. 6, VOL. 2

2007-02-08T18:50:00.000+08:00

Immigration Bureau posts 12.92% increase in ’06 collection

The Bureau of immigration here posted a 12.92 percent increase in its fees collected from tourists in 2006 from the total collection in 2005.

Peter Bueno, Acting Alien Control Officer of the immigration bureau here, disclosed that his office collected P15,116,529 last year and in 2005, P13,387,150.

“Since we started collecting in 1999, our collection has been increasing by around two to three million each year,” he said.

The bulk of the fees collected are from tourists who visit the province, which has increased steadily, said Bueno.

Koreans comprise the highest number of tourists in Oriental Negros.

Records show that in January 2007, some 716 tourists have visited the province. Of the total, 277 are Koreans.

Malacañang recently lauded the entire bureau for recording its highest collection of immigration fees totaling P1.468 billion last year.

The 2006 figure, which was 31 percent over the previous year’s P1.22 billion collection, was the highest so far in the 66-year history of the bureau.

The Bureau of Immigration is an attached agency of the Department of Justice.

“The immigration bureau, headed by Commissioner Al Fernandez, deserves commendation for posting the highest collection record last year,” said Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye. (PIA/RMN)

Valencia earmarked P10M for livelihood assistance

The local government unit of Valencia has earmarked P10 million as financing assistance to award to different farmer organizations in the municipality.

This is to provide Valencianons the opportunity to improve economically through livelihood support program.

Recently, a committee that was created to oversee this project, started screening applications from more than 20 farmer organizations that submitted project proposals.

Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jr. of Valencia believes that through livelihood coupled with the right attitude, farmers will have a greater chance of improving financially.

The local government of Valencia currently supports several livelihood projects, including the virgin coconut oil production of Barangay Liptong Small Coconut Farmers Association (BLISCOFA), tilapia upland fishing, papaya and banana contract growing and ornamental plant production.

Following the success of the papaya and banana contract growing program, farmers in Valencia are set to venture into supplying the world market with moringa, locally known as kalamunggay.

The Valencia Contract Growers Association recently signed a contract growing agreement of papaya, malunggay (moringa) and pomegranate with SECURA International Corporation.

The agreement covers an initial 60 hectares of agricultural land.

Under the agreement, the company will build an Integrated Bio-processing plant in barangay Palinpinon, Valencia for the said products.

SECURA is supplying bio-enzymes and natural ingredients to Belgium and other developed countries.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently assured the public that the supply and prices of highland vegetables remained stable in Metro Manila, despite a brief cold spell that hit Benguet last week.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed that prices of highland vegetables such as Baguio pechay (bok choi), Baguio beans, carrots, cabbage, chayote and potato have remained stable based on surveys done in 24 wet markets across Metro Manila.

From January 9 until February 3 this year, the price of carrots remained at P30 a kilogram.

Cabbage, meanwhile, retailed at P25 a kilogram on February 3 or P5 lower than sales prices two days earlier.

The price of Baguio pechay rose to P40 a kilogram last Thursday but returned to its January price level of P30 last Saturday.

The price of potatoes slid to P40 a kilogram from P45 on January 30.

Baguio beans remained unchanged at P40 since January 30, while sayote (chayote) was priced at P20 a kilogram since January 11.

BAS data also showed that the price of broccoli remained at P35 a kilogram, while cauliflower at was sold at P15 a kilogram.

"There should be ample supply of highland vegetables and their prices should remain stable in Metro Manila considering that data gathered by our regional director in the Cordilllera Administrative Region showed that the cold spell which hit Benguet has had a very minimal impact on production," Yap said.

Producers from Benguet and Mt. Province transport up to 2.5 million kilograms of highland vegetables to Metro Manila everyday, representing 65 percent of its daily requirements.

Yap said the effect on prices of the cold spell that hit Benguet was mitigated by swift transport of produce from Mindanao through the ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) ferry system. (PIA/JCTILOS)

DOLE, NOAPESOM to conduct job fair on March 31

The doors to employment and better jobs will once again open for job seekers in Oriental Negros as a Jobs Fair is scheduled on March 31, 2007 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Dumaguete City.

Around 25 local and overseas recruitment agencies have been invited to participate in the March 31 jobs fair, which is the first in a series of job hiring events this year to be conducted by the Negros Oriental Association of PESO Manager (NOAPESOM) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment.

Marez Ramirez, who sits as Capitol’s Provincial Employment Services Officer and president of NOAPESOM, said they are eyeing a turnout of between 4,000 to 5,000 applicants during the upcoming jobs fair.

The jobs fair’s schedule has been a strategic move. “We scheduled it in time after graduation, so the event would attract fresh graduates as well,” said Ramirez.

He said that they are also targeting TESDA trained beneficiaries, skilled and unskilled workers and professionals.

Ramirez said a job fair has been proven to be the most appropriate and effective way of bringing job seekers and job providers together in one place.

With jobs fairs in the province, job seekers here will be spared from the costly expenses of traveling to other provinces in their search for better, commensurate and profitable job opportunities.

Job seekers will likewise be protected from ‘fly-by-night’ recruiters, assured Ramirez.

The recruitment agencies and employers invited to the jobs fair are only those that are legitimate and recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Assistance (POEA).

NOAPESOM held its first job fair in December last year, an event that Ramirez said was successful as it drew a crowd of around 3,000 applicants.

NOAPESOM is an association of a total of 32 Public Employment Service Officers (PESO) managers in local government units and schools in the province.

Malacañang recently reported that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is confident that the government will be able to realize its dream of providing more decent and high-paying jobs to the Filipino people now that international businessmen have recognized the capability of the Philippines to become a developed country in the near future.

The President made the assessment after the chairmen and executive officers of the top 1,000 corporations of the world recognized the strong talent and capability of her administration to lead the economic progress of the country during her visit in Davos, Switzerland where she attended the annual World Economic Forum.(PIA/RMN)

KNN is now Kabataan X-Press

With its much fought-for comeback, "ang programang gawa ng kabataan para sa kabataan" brings you more than just a fresh look and a new title.

Now, you get to see more exciting stories that are truly the work of Filipino youth. From globally debated issues like child labor in Batang Kargador to the "no pain, no gain" expressions in Tattoo, see how the Filipino youth views the world through the lenses of a camera.

Plus, you easily get a taste of the whole archipelago from its 12 bureaus across the country. Watch Kabataan X-Press and catch stories made in Baguio, Mountain Province, Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Dumaguete, Cebu, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur, Sarangani, Davao and Metro Manila.

There's nothing like it! The only program in Philippine television that allows ordinary kids and teenagers maximum freedom in shooting, writing, and reporting stories of their choice.

In television's competitive world of ratings and revenues, KX carves a spot for the uninhibited voices of children and young people.

Kabataan X-Press premieres February 10 Saturdays . 7:50am . ABS-CBN Channel 2.

Meantime, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo feted in Malacañang recently the winners in the 2006 Search for the Most Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines based on their adherence to promoting and protecting children’s rights to survival, protection, development and participation in governance.

The awards have three categories, namely: the highly-urbanized and chartered cities; the first- to third-class municipalities and component cities; and the fourth- to sixth-class municipalities.

Each winner gets a Presidential trophy and P350,000 cash prize.

The municipalities which were chosen to represent their respective categories were: Bauko, Mountain Province; Malitbog, Bukidnon; and New Lucena, Iloilo for the 4th to 6th Class Municipalities. Bangued, Abra; Jordan, Guimaras; Maitum, Saranggani; and Dumaguete City were picked to represent the 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities and Component Cities.

For the Highly-Urbanized and Independent or Chartered City category, the representatives were the cities of Bacolod, Makati, and Naga.

New Lucena, Iloilo; Jordan, Guimaras and Naga City emerged as the winners in their respective categories. (PIA/JCT)

PAO to hold singing contest to mark Organic Farmers’ Fest

The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) will hold a “Doble Cara” minus-one singing contest on the first night of the Organic Farmers’ Festival on February 8, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. at the Freedom Park, this city.

The contest is open for all Negrenses who are interested to participate, said Nitz Bangay, PAO information officer.

Contestants are required to bring their own tape or CD, multiplex is not allowed, the chosen song may be in English, Tagalog, Bisaya/Cebuano or Ilonggo and the contestant’s costume must be appropriate to the performance.

Up for grabs is P3,000 for the first prize winner; P2,000 for the second prize winner and P1,000 for the third prize winner.

Contestants will be judged based on the following criteria: musicality (voice quality, timing and diction), 50%; costume, 25%; and audience impact, 25%.

Those who wish to join can register with Ms. Grace Dizon at the Provincial Agriculture Office on or before February 5, 2007. (PIA/RMN)

Valencia Farmers Market now open

Fresh and affordable farm products are now made more accessible to consumers in Dumaguete City following the opening of the Valencia Farmers’ Market in Barangay Bagacay, Dumaguete City.

The Valencia Farmers Market is located in the proposed south-bound terminal in the Peregua property in Barangay Bagacay.

The market is open every Saturday from 5 p.m. until Sunday morning, with a variety of farm produce sold at very low prices.

Valencia Mayor Rodolfo V. Gonzalez, Jr. negotiated with city officials and lot owner to establish the farmers market that is accessible for both farmers and the buying public amid complaints over low sales in their new site in Barangay Bajumpandan.

Municipal Agriculturist Rescil Vincoy is encouraging the public to visit and patronize the Valencia Farmers Market where most organic vegetables and ornamental plants are sold.

For now, the farmers market in Bagacay is soley for Valencia farmers and it is up for the city government and the lot owner to allow other farmers from nearby municipalities to sell their products in the future.

Earlier, farmers in Valencia were also allowed by the provincial government to sell at the Tabo Sa PAO after Mayor Gozalez made negotiations with Provincial Agriculturist Greg Paltingca considering that Valencia plays host to several Provincial Agriculture and Development Centers (BADC).

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said Philippine markets are not only benefiting from so-called hot money but also from capital funds that are here to stay for the long term.

“This is a solid signal of investments that will generate stable and well-paying jobs for our people,” he said.

He added that sustained economic and political stability are here, buoyed by the Filipino people’s unity and resolve to put the Philippines in the world map.

NegOr eyed as Asia’s hub of organic food basket

The goal to establish Negros Island as the hub of organic food basket of Asia has been intensified by the two provinces of Occidental and Oriental Negros with seed money of P15million to promote organic farming.

Oriental Negros Provincial Governor George Arnaiz said, the province is hosting the 2^nd Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival on February 8-10, this year to advance and strengthen the common efforts from both provinces.

Governor Arnaiz is optimistic the Organic Festival here will spur interest of farmers and growers to replace to organic farming and discourage them to use chemicals and pesticides to their agricultural products.

In the initial joint effort in displaying the 1^st Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival last year in Negros Occidental, Vice-Governor Isidro Zayco said, the great success of it gains more awareness and encourage farmers to go organic.

Negros Occidental Vice-Governor Zayco explained, in a press conference, the organic farming has proven its benefits not only to increase food production including increase business income project but also promote good health.

The Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival was established with memorandum of agreement between tow islands which lead the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (NISARD) program.

This year’s festival banners the theme, “Save the Earth: Negros, Go Organic!” which encourage all Negrense to put forth their hands and take part in the implementation of the program.

However, the Philippines’ principal vegetable growing areas are under constant monitoring and relief will be provided to the affected farmers.

The DTI will conduct spot-checking in the marketplaces to monitor the effects of the frostbite in the prices of vegetables.

The DA assures the public that there will be enough vegetables for the country despite the crop damages brought about by the cold weather.

Nevertheless, twenty-two businessmen from China's eastern region led by Shanghai Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hui Wing Mau called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang today and expressed their group's intention to invest in the Philippines.

The businessmen are engaged in various fields of manufacturing, information technology, outdoor lighting, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism. They are in the country to attend the Philippines-China Investment Forum which will be held tomorrow.

Special Envoy to the People's Republic of China Carlos Chan said the members of the group have signified their interest to expand their investments from China to the Philippines in the field of tourism, mining, property development and infrastructure.

"They (Chinese businessmen) want to develop and invest heavily in the construction of several industrial parks here in the Philippines," Chan said.

The group cited the hospitality, friendliness and world-renowned hard- working trait of the Filipino people for their decision to invest in the Philippines. They also mentioned the favorable weather conditions in the country as another factor in their decision to invest here. (PIA/JCT)

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Philippines is host to the 10^th East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars which will be held starting February 22 to 23, 2007, which will take place at Silliman University.

Guests during the forum are: Governor George P. Arnaiz; City City Mayor Agustin Perdices; Dr. Hiroko Minami, president of the International Council of Nurses (ICN); Dr. Betsy Joy Tan, Vice President for Academic Affairs Silliman University

In line with this, the media is invited to a press conference on February 12, 2007, 10:00 a.m. at the College of Nursing, Roble Hall, Silliman University.

Candle Making another prospect for Siquijor island, says DOST head

Candle making works well in Siquijor island and is another prospect for more economic activities, says Engr. Mario de la Pena of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here following the Technology Training on Scented Candle Making held recently at Siquijor Parish, Siquijor, Siquijor.

“Again, this is another pro poor training program where a number of people benefited and thereby created additional economic activities in the province,” de la Pena added.

The DOST 7 thru the Science and Technology Experts Volunteer Pool Program (STEVPP) recently deployed two (2) experts from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) for the conduct of the training.

The two-day training activity was made through convergence the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Larena. DOLE provided financial assistance needed to purchase equipment and materials while DTI and LGU-Larena shared the logistics and some of the training materials.

“This was aimed at providing additional livelihood undertakings as another source of income for these considerably poor people in the province,” De la Pena said.

He added that the participants learned a lot from this training activity as they were trained on the different techniques in candle making starting from material preparation, formulation and forming methods

He also noted that as the trainers were generous enough to transfer the desired technology, both trained groups of individuals are already capable of producing high end candles for sale.

The program forms part of the government’s will to invest more in small and medium scale enterprises to narrow unemployment gap and move to improve the quality of Philippine products as the country prepares itself for open trade with Asian neighbors by 2015.

As noted the Philippine economy grew by 5.4% in 2006 from the previous year, boosted by strong exports, dollar inflows from OFWs, and higher farm production.

Meanwhile, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) have remitted P16.25 billion to the national treasury last year or three times the P5.66 billion recorded in 2005, a finance department official said Wednesday.

The government attributed the increase to reforms in the operations of GOCCs.

According to Bureau of Treasury (BTr) data, the treasury collected a record monthly level of P9.55 billion in December alone, compared to P88 million collected in the same month in 2005.

“It only means that GOCCs and GFIs (government financial institutions) and more efficiently run compared to previous years," Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said. (with reports from DOST-Siquijor)

Cong. Fua sees hope in P3M bangus project

The P3-million Bangus Fish Cage Culture project now on-going in Siquijor province is seen to boost economic activities in the island.

Congressman Orlando ‘Shane’ Fua of the lone district of Siquijor said he is very optimistic the project will spell a lot of difference on the lives of the ordinary fisherfolks.

The project is in line with the government’s foremost policy to achieve food security and push for economic upliftment.

Earlier, the government calls for all agencies to work systematically with the local government units (LGUs) to effectively address the long-time problem of poverty. Malacanang officials said the Administration remains aware that its sights must be focused on the resolution of poverty as the end goal of economic strength stressing that the anti-poverty campaign must be continuously sustained until the lingering social disease is finally wiped out.

With an initial fund of P1 million from Siquijor Congressman Orlando ‘Shane’ Fua’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the project was piloted in the towns of Lazi, San Juan and Siquijor, particularly in barangays Tigbawan, Tubod, and Cang-alwang, respectively.

Project Supervisor Lee Dimagnaong of the Provincial Agriculturist Office said each fish cage contained 7800 bangus fingerlings cultured to grow in four months until it reached its harvestable sizes which was estimated to be 3-4 bangus per kilo and to harvest 1.4 tons.

After seeing its profitability, Congressman Fua later on initiated for the expansion of the project in Catamboan and Gabayan in Lazi; Cang-alwang and Dumanjog in Siquijor; Candaping B, Olang and Poblacion Sur in Maria; and Tulapos in Enrique Villanueva pouring in another P1M out of his congressional fund and a 1 million complementary fund from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7, amounting the total project cost to P3M.

According to the Congressman this livelihood project was conceptualized out of his ardent desire to augment the income of the marginal fisherfolk sand to provide a continuous supply of quality milkfish in the island.

The project is a roll over scheme that is meant to expand in other barangays of the province. Portion of the sales from the harvested bangus will be set aside to procure feeds and bangus fingerlings for the second cropping. The remaining amount will be divided among the members of the fisherfolks organization.

Earlier, the fish cages harvested 1.4 tons of bangus in Tigbawan, 1.3 tons in Cang-alwang while only 800 kilos in Tubod, San Juan because of the strong winds on some nets.

Meanwhile, the fisherfolks organizations in the province trained on Bangus Fish Cage Culture and equipped with technical expertise were tasked to manage the project.

The BFAR region 7 in coordination with BFAR Siquijor and LGU personnel trained the fisherfolks wherein a skill on proper handling of the bangus fry and feeding as well as maintenance.Becoming responsible members was emphasized to sustain the project.

Supervising the overall project implementation are Lee Dimagnaong, he being skillfully trained on Bangus Fish Cage Culture Project at the National Brackish Water Research Center in Pagbilao, Quezon Province and Fishery Technologis Alvin Lapinig.

Meanwhile, share prices closed higher Monday, extending their rally for the sixth straight session to hit a new high in nearly 10 years, buoyed by expectations of strong corporate earnings, dealers said.

At the close, the 30-company composite index was up 12.72 points or 0.39 percent to settle at 3,281.90, after moving between 3,266.45 and 3,282.34 .

It was the index's best finish since March 10, 1997, when it settled at 3,289.34.

The broader all-share index rose 13.78 points to 2,064.01.

Gainers led losers 69 to 35, while 56 stocks ended unchanged.

Volume was 2.3 billion shares worth P3.7 billion. (with reports from Pilar P. Macalino/IO-OPA)

DA, DENR intensify measures vs. bird flu

BY: Donna Christine T. Ucang

The Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources are heading the measures in preventing bird flu to enter the country.

They are tightening the security in seaports and airports to block the disease and to prevent the local poultry to be infected with the avian disease.

Aside from tightening the security in various entry points, they are also conducting surveillance on migratory birds. These migratory birds are found mostly on swamps or other big bodies of water.

According to Dr. Antonio Mutia, Provincial Veterinarian, the whole country is at risk of bird flu.

There were no records of bird flu in the province and also of the country and as of the moment there are no reported cases.

To raise this concern to the public, the Provincial Veterinary’s Office through the Provincial Avian Task Force (PATF) conducts a massive education and information campaign to make people aware of what to do if there is a bird flu outbreak.

Aside from the awareness campaign, the PATF monitors the migratory birds in Bais, Tanjay, Siaton, Bayawan, Sta. Catalina, and Canlaon and conducts blood sampling every six months from local fowl stocks.

The results are then forwarded to the Bureau of Animal Industry Laboratory, which confirms or declares if a particular area is positive with the avian disease.

DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya assured that the 2007 national budget has an allocation for the surveillance and quarantine operations of DA and DENR to prepare and protect the country from avian influenza.

ISSUE NO. 4, January 25, 2007

2007-01-25T16:02:00.000+08:00

Dengue cases dip in 2006

The Department of Health (DOH) here reported a decrease in the number of dengue cases recorded in Oriental Negros in 2006.

Data collected by the DOH here shows that dengue cases in the province dipped to 978 last year from 1,203 cases recorded in 2005.

The mosquito-borne disease, however, left a more deadly trail in 2006 with 8 deaths recorded compared to six victims who died in 2005.

According to Suzy Sayre, Provincial Mosquit-Borne Disease Program Coordinator of DOH here, the casualties in 2006 were from Bacong, Bais City, Dumaguete City, La Libertad, Mabinay and Tanjay City.

The dengue victims who died in 2005 were from Dumaguete City (2), Mabinay (2), Tanjay City and Valencia.

Sayre said the areas most affected by the killer disease are mostly urban areas such as the cities of Tanjay, Bais and Dumaguete. “Dengue is known as an urban disease,” said Sayre.

The DOH surveillance team here is now monitoring dengue cases as of January 2007.

Sayre said she is unable to divulge just yet the exact number of dengue cases for January this year as surveillance work is still being done.

She said the DOH here continues to conduct intervention measures such as regular health information drive, environmental sanitation and container management in all areas and Rural Health Units in the province.

DOH National Epidemiology Center Director Dr. Eric Tayag has recently assured that DOH is at the forefront of the dengue outbreak in Lagusan and Agusan del Sur.

Local officials of San Pedro, Laguna have earlier declared a dengue outbreak in their municipality following the death of a person and the hospitalization of some 20 persons.

The DOH is seriously monitoring the condition of the victims while the Laguna Health Office is currently conducting fogging operations to contain the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Dengue outbreak has also been declared in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur where three persons died and 18 persons were hospitalized.

DOH said that the numbers of dengue victims in Bayugan continues to rise but assures the public that the DOH remains at the forefront in making sure that all the victims receive immediate medical attention. (PIA/RMN)

E-Campaigning approved by Comelec

The Comelec has given its nod to electronic campaigning or E-campaigning that would allow candidates to campaign through the Internet and short messaging service (SMS).

This move is to adjust with the evolving trend in electronic and communication.

With the use of the Internet and SMS, it is expected that it will help ensure a peaceful and orderly campaign process during the upcoming polls.

Candidates, voters and the electronic and communication industry are seen to benefit from E-campaigning.

Candidates will be spared from the cost of printing and travel expenses usually incurred during the campaign period.

Voters, on the other hand, will no longer have to endure the sight of posters on public walls after which there’s no worry over who will clean up after election.

Meanwhile, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Manuel Advincula sees E-campaigning as not as effective a tool as rallies wherein the public can see and personally listen to the candidates.

Aside from its economical advantages, Advincula does not see any more benefits from the e-campaign compared to posters and flyers where the public can always see the face of the candidate.

“People use the Internet mostly for chats and text messages sent containing campaign agenda are more likely irritating to the subscriber,” he said.

So far, the Provincial Comelec has not received any memorandum or notice from its national office pertaining to E-campaigning.

The administration has earlier urged all Filipinos to join hands to temper the heat of partisanship and strengthen democracy, as this is part of the Government’s grand vision for the future and a legacy to the generations to come.

The Administration has already fielded initiatives to bring the poll summit to fruition.

The summit will involve all concerned agencies, institutions and sectors as President Gloria Arroyo wants that the youth, millions of whom are coming into the voting stream, to play an active role in clean and peaceful polls.

The Comelec is ready for the poll summit called for by the President. Aside from the Comelec, the PNP, the CBCP, and other election watchdogs will also attend the summit which will be held after the last day of filing of certificate of candidacies.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo has been designated by the President to lead the poll summit.Unity behind clean and peaceful polls must be done to complement the country’s political and economic stability. (PIA/Donna Christine T. Ucang)

OFW remittances hit an all time high of $11.44B

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are urged to transact with the the more reliable banking system when sending money back home.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is currently conducting an information drive discouraging OFWs from sending remittances through informal channels.

The move follows the result of a recent survey that showed that 20% of OFW money remittances in 2005 were done outside of the banking system and flowing instead through informal channels.

OFWs have been reported to send money through friends, acquaintances or other travelers, which is very risky, according to local BSP Manager Paulita C. Enrile.

She said these informal channels are unlicensed or unregulated operations.

She urged OFWs to send remittances through the banking system even if they have to pay for additional charges. “Using banks is safer than sending it to friends who might “lose” the money along the way,” said Enrile.

Central Bank has recently noted an increase of 17.6% on the remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the 11-month period compared to 2005.

It reported that the 11-month remittance hit an all time high of $11.4B.

According to Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, this overwhelming increase in the remittances posed a strong possibility that the year 2006 will exceed the Central Bank’s estimated $12.3B.

Tetangco added, “The strength of remittances during the 11-month period may be attributed to the continued preference for Filipino workers by host countries and improved financial services made available by banks and other non-bank remittance channels.”

The remittances came mainly from the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Taiwan.

Presently there is an increase of 13.8% to 786,687 on land-based workers and 9.8% to 250,447 on sea-based workers citing the preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

The increase in employment, according to Atty. Jose Ogang of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the province, is part of the President’s program to employ locally and in abroad 1 million Filipinos by 2010.

Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye earlier said the administration will do whatever it takes to meet the projected 6% growth over the next three years and drive a new dawn for the Filipino people.

Bunye said the upcoming years of steady growth shall be matched with basic social services aimed at lifting up the threshold 50% of the population who still live below the poverty line. (PIA/Donna Christine T. Ucang)

NFA NegOr welcomes new manager

The National Food Authority in Oriental Negros recently welcomes its new provincial manager, Engr. Gil B. Ibarra who assumed office recently.

Ibarra replaced the former provincial manager, Engr. Marianito Bejemino, who is transferred to NFA in Bacolod City, which also happens to be Ibarra’s last assignment.

Ibarra has been with NFA for almost 34 years, starting as milling supervisor in 1973 then as Sr. Cereal Classifier, Sr. Operations Officer and Regional Operations Officer.

By 1984 to 1988, he became Assistant Provincial Manager and from 1989 to 1992 as acting provincial manager.

From 1993 to present, he has been a full-pledged provincial manager assigned in different NFA provincial offices of the country.

Ibarra, 55, was born in Camiling, Tarlac where he spent his elementary and high school years.

In 1968, he finished his Diesel Mechanic degree at Central Luzon Polytechnic College and in 1973 he obtained his bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and became a registered ME in 1977.

While working with NFA, he never stopped his schooling since he believed that “education is a continuing process.”

He took up law at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos and in 1992 finished his Bachelor of Laws.

Currently, he has earned 39 units in Masters of Public Administration from Queozn colleges in Southern Philippines.

He is also a holder of career service executive eligibility.

His wife, Fe Gallera Ibarra, sat as Administrative Officer of NFA in Bacolod City after his transfer to Oriental Negros.

They have two children, Raymond Gil and Merry Jo.

As manager of the NFA in the province, Ibarra said he will see to it that agency’s programs will continue to be carried out.

He likewise assured the consuming public of the availability of NFA rice at P18.00/kg in different accredited market outlets. (PIA/RMN)

Grain retailers urged to renew license

The National Food Authority (NFA) here has urged all the grain retailers in the province to renew their license starting January 2007.

With this, the retailers will be issued a metal plate as license or registration to be used effectively all throughout and a 10 percent increase of RL fees.

The renewal is due to the approved revision of NFA rules and regulations on grains businessmen by NFA Council on November 23 last year.

Grains businessmen include also operators of rice and corn mills, warehouses or storages of rice and corn/feeds and palay/ corn brans (tahop), palay thresher and corn shellers, mechanical dryers for palay and corn, truck operators or any kind of vehicles hauling rice and corn, restaurants, carinderias, hotels and other business establishments who serve rice and corn.

According to newly installed NFA Provincial Manager Gil Ibarra, all grains businessmen have to renew their licenses to avoid fines and penalties. PM Ibarra warned, those who have no license yet may do so since our enforcement teams are conducting inspections every now and then. He reminded also other grains retailers and operators that what they have paid at their respective city and municipality are just permits.

Moreover, PM Ibarra said, it is necessary that businessmen have to pay their grains license at the office of NFA and those who want to renew their licenses in advance may do so now.

Grain retailers and operators may not start their business without NFA license metal plate even if they have mayor’s permit, Ibarra said. Thus, NFA continuous its inspection and information drive on the renewal of licenses so that businessmen can be guided accordingly.

To give ample time and preparation for the renewal or application of licenses and give access to grain businessmen, the following areas are scheduled and visited by NFA:

For February, Ayungon, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Canlaon City and Sta. Catalina; March, Bacong, La Libertad, Valencia and Dauin; April, Bais City, Mabinay, Vallehermoso and Siaton; May, Basay, Manjuyod, and Zamboanguita; and June, Dumaguete City, Bayawan City and Pamplona,

Meanwhile, the Government recognizes the contribution of the business and labor sectors as vital in keeping the economy ahead of the curve.

The Administration urges broader consultations to ensure reasonable profits for enterprise and enable workers to make both ends meet and enjoy the just returns of the day, as industrial peace reinforces productivity and enterprise in an environment of sharing and caring.

The Government will continue to up the tempo of the pro-poor programs and provide non-wage benefits acceptable to the employers and welcomed by the workers.

Economic analysts expect the peso to breach the 46-peso level against the US dollar if the country would maintain its current fiscal trend and expand further its macroeconomics.

The country is in the final relay of the economic homerun and the Administration urges all stakeholders of the economy to stay on the course and work together in the solidarity of one nation facing a common future. (PIA/JCTilos)