DOLE urges employers to hire PWDs
Business owners in the province are missing out on tax incentives offered by the government because they are not employing differently-abled but highly skilled persons or persons with disabilities (PWDs).
This was the concern raised by local officials from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) during a Kapihan forum held August 17 by the Philippine Information Agency.
In the forum, Kenrick Villaluz, labor and employment officer II of DOLE here said the lukewarm attitude of employers when it comes to hiring PWDs mainly stems from unawareness.
About 40 local employers were recently invited by DOLE here to discuss about employment opportunities for local differently-abled persons. "But sadly, no one showed up," laments Villaluz.
The labor officer said the negative mind-set prevalent among business owners towards employing PWDs mainly stems from unawareness. They do not know the benefits that await them if they hire PWDs nor are they aware that there are highly capable PWDs who are qualified to work, said Villaluz.
Employers who hire PWDs can avail of tax deductions like 25% of the total amount paid as salaries and wages of differently-abled persons and 50% of the direct cost on the improvement or modification of facilities as required by BP 344 or Accessibility Law, which naturally follows if an establishment has a PWD employee.
Aside from this, the employment of PWDs is mandated by the law under RA 7277 or the Magna Carta which pushes for equal protection for employment in the differently-abled sector.
Villaluz said his office is set to conduct a series of dialogues with business owners, managers and employers about the said benefits, starting with the members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.
DOLE has been soliciting jobs for PWDs under a program dubbed Tulay Alalay Para Sa Mga Taong May Kapansanan (TULAY) which is a special program aimed at bringing differently-abled persons into mainstream society.
With the country's unemployment rate currently at 11.4%, differently-abled people have a tough time competing for jobs with able-bodied individuals, said Atty. Jose Ogang, provincial director of DOLE here.
Ogang admitted that they find it hard to find jobs for PWDs.
To compensate for this, Ogang said grants are available for organizations of PWDs through the TULAY program, under which DOLE conducts trainings and provides opportunities for employment and livelihood to skilled PWDs.
Villaluz explained that first, DOLE registers the capabilities of the PWDs and then they are counseled. "After this, we refer them to establishments where their skill might be of use," he said.
DOLE also provides grants to qualified PWD organizations to jumpstart livelihood activities for the differently-abled sector.
Ogang said the TULAY program is different from other livelihood programs because it offers grants, not loans, and therefore it is not repaid.
The Dumaguete City Handicapped Association was among the first beneficiaries of the said grant as DOLE conducted a training on food processing for the association's members. "Now they have an oven, freezer and kitchen utensils," said Villaluz.
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36 gov't workers avail of gov't housing program in NegOr, Siquijor
Around 36 state workers in Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces have already turned their dream of a decent and affordable house into concrete through the housing program offered by the Government Service Insurance System to its members.
"Bahay Ko" is a direct lending program which aims to provide decent and affordable homes to qualified GSIS members, said Jaydon Villaverde, information officer of GSIS here.
Members who are eligible to apply for the loan are employees in active government service with a permanent status and a holder of a regular GSIS Policy Contract; not have been previously granted a housing loan by GSIS; below the compulsory retirement age; not a co-maker of an outstanding GSIS housing loan; and up-to-date in the payment of his or her social insurance premiums.
Contractual and casual employees with at least five (5) years of continuous service are also qualified to borrow.
The maximum loanable amount is P500,000 per qualified member and this can only be used for the construction of a house on a lot either owned by the borrower or on a lot purchased and/or mortgaged by the member but still with an outstanding balance and the purchase of a residential house and lot.
The loan is payable up to 25 years for loan packages of P181,000 to P500,000 and 30 years for P180,000 and below.
Borrowers also have the option to choose from several GSIS house designs, of which he will be provided with free building plans and specifications, bill of materials and labor cost estimates based on the chosen house design.
Aside from this, house construction is economical since the material requirements are evaluated for minimal wastage.
Interested applicants may call up the GSIS for further details through tel. no. 2255476.
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Dauin's tourism earnings in 2005 soar to P2.3 M
Tourism is fast becoming a booming industry in the coastal town of Dauin as the town reported a big jump to more than P2 million in earnings from tourist ticket sales from January to August this year.
The fee ticketing system installed within the nine marine protected areas (MPAs) in Dauin generated a total of P2.3 million for the first eight months this year compared to the P264,064 posted from January to December 2004, revealed Marife Tenido, Dauin's public information officer.
The ticketing system generates its sales from diving and ecotourism activities within the MPAs located in eight barangays of Dauin, one of which is Apo Island, the province's major tourist attraction and a premier diving spot in the country.
The other barangays are Bulak, Lipayo, District I, District II, Masaplod Norte, Masaplod Sur, and Maayongtubig.
The Fisherman's Association with support from the barangay and the municipal government manages the MPAs.
Tenido said this year's initial income also partially resulted from fines collected from erring local and foreign tourists who violated the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Plan and Ordinance, which bans, among others, spear fishing and scuba diving inside the marine sanctuary.
The CRMP is a five-year ordinance that is now implemented and enforced in Dauin's MPAs. It has become a big success that it has attracted several study tours from other provinces and municipalities, says Tenido.
Dauin was earlier awarded as best implementer of the Coastal Resource Management in both the province and Region 7 in 2003.
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Save energy, gov't urges Filipinos
In the face of relentless upsurge on prices of oil and other domestic products in the world market, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of the Communications Director to initiate a nationwide awareness campaign on energy conservation.
The president has called on the public to "close ranks" in conserving energy following the jump in the price of oil per barrel which already hit $67 in the world market.
According to DOE's Kuryentipid Tips, electricity conservation does not mean doing without electricity but rather doing it wisely.
"Electricity conservation means using the least amount of electricity without reduction in standards of basic goods and services," states the energy department's website (www.doe.gov.ph).
All households are urged to use fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs as a 40-watt fluorescent lamp produces more light than a 100-watt incandescent bulb at half the cost.
When cooking, use flat-bottom pans with light covers to lessen heat transfer loss while frozen foods should be thawed thoroughly before cooking. The electric stove should also be turned off at the last minutes of cooking since the remaining heat will make the food simmer.
Ironing clothes should be done when it is cooler and more comfortable as this lessens the demand for electricity during peak hours. DOE also advises against excessively dampening clothes, as these would take longer to iron.
Pres. Arroyo recently signed Administrative Order No. 126 directing all government offices to implement a mandatory 10 percent reduction of their average monthly fuel consumption for the first semester of this year.
The president has earlier assured the public that the government is "working round the clock" in implementing measures to cushion the harsh impact of skyrocketing oil prices on basic commodities and services.
Under AO 26, all government agencies and offices are prohibited from using vehicles, aircraft and watercraft for "purposes other than official business." Exempted from this are vehicles used by intelligence and investigative agencies of the government.
Government offices with adequate ventilation are also told to avoid using air-conditioning facilities especially during the cooler months from August to February.
To ensure government offices' strict compliance with the directive, state offices will submit a monthly report of their energy consumption to DOE.
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Teves, clarifies palace's stand on E-VAT
Finance Sec. Margarito Teves clarified that Malacañang is firm on its stand on the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).
This was Teves's response to the opinion of Albay Cong. Joey Salceda that the Arroyo administration should stop the EVAT implementation amidst the continuing oil price increases to avoid an economic meltdown.
Teves said that the Palace does not intend to follow the advice of Salceda as the non-implementation of EVAT will just put the country at greater risk of economic disaster.
He added that it is important to strengthen the fiscal position of the country to avoid a financial crisis that will surely hamper the delivery of basic services especially those for the poor.
EVAT is expected to generate additional revenue for the government at about P60 to P80 billion.
The government is hoping that with the impending economic crisis in the country, conflicts among Filipinos will be pushed aside to give way to a better solution to the economic woes of the country.
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Info officers in Central Visayas to meet for annual consultative conference
Recognizing the crucial role of effective information delivery in good governance, the public information officers in Negros Oriental will participate in a regional consultative conference of information officers in Panglao Island, Bohol on August 24 to 26, this year.
Bannering the theme "Enhancing Skills of Information Officers for Effective Communication," the conference is hosted by Philippine Information Agency (PIA), which annually convenes all public information officers regionwide.
Close to 60 information officers composing the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7) in Central Visayas are expected to attend the three-day conference.
The conference aims to enhance the basic communication skills of government information officers as well as educating them on libel and media ethics.
PIA Director-General Sec. Renato Velasco will deliver the keynote message during the conference while Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, 1st District of Bohol Cong. Edgar Chato and Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos will likewise give their respective messages.
For three days, the participants will have the opportunity to confer with local experts in the information business in Bohol.
RADIO-7 is federation of all government information officers in the towns, cities and provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Oriental Negros and Siquijor
The Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers' president, Bayawan City Information Officer Eliseo Manlangit, sits in the RADIO-7 Board of Directors.
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LNAS gets P200T-soybean processing equipment
With foods processing as its distinctive area of competence among the institutes of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS) has acquired a P200,000-worth set of equipment for milling soybeans for processing into various food preparations like soya milk, taho, tokwa, and others.
Contracted to perform the fabrication of the equipment was Kwikway Engineering of Dumaguete City. The equipment will significantly lessen the milling time of soybeands due to its bigger capacity compared to the earlier machines procured by the school.
Along with this, the school has been offering free training on soybeans production, processing and utilization to various groups in the province since the times the technology was acquired from the Institute of Food Science at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna.
A versatile crop, soybeans contains high levels of protein, a fact for the zero prevalence of malnutrition even in populous mainland China due to the heavy consumption of the beans and its various food products among the Chinese.
In the farms, soybeans is a good intercrop for corn, because of its nitrogenous nature. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, particularly rhizobium brady, residing in its root nodules enhance nitrogen levels in the soil thereby aiding growth and development of the crops grown in the field.
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Dengue suspect crisis on the rise in Siquijor
Siquijor remains in the grip of a dengue threat as the deadly disease have already affected about 170 people with 7 deaths reported this year.
Based on records from the Siquijor Integrated Provincial Health Office, suspect cases admitted to the Siquijor Provincial Hospital totaled 143, with 53 cases and 1 death from Siquijor town; 33 cases and 22 deaths, Larena; 23 cases and 1 death in San Juan; 20 cases in Lazi; and 14 in Maria.
On the other hand, Siquijorians going to Dumaguete City and admitted in any of the three hospitals there totaled 27 cases with 3 deaths.
IPHO's records show that 13 cases have been reported in the first quarter of this year, 24 for the second quarter, 29 cases for July and 11 cases as of August. This year's cases increased compared to last year's 5 cases in the first quarter, 1 case in the second quarter, 6 in the third quarter and 17 during the last quarter with no human deaths reported.
In view of this, the Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public to draw defense actions against dengue.
The community is urged to observe cleanliness in their surroundings, dispose possible containers which may serve as breeding places of mosquitoes, cover water storage, use mosquito nets and observe good environmental sanitation.
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8/11/2005
INFOBYTES, Issue No. 20, August 11, 2005
Rabies still a public health concern
3 human deaths reported this year
Rabies continues to take a foothold in Oriental Negros as top health officials in the province urged the local mayors to put more teeth into rabies eradication programs at the municipal and city levels.
Three persons have already died from rabid dog bites in Dumaguete City, Bindoy and Mabinay from January to June 2005, according to statistics presented during the mid-year evaluation and planning workshop on the province’s rabies eradication program held August 9.
Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia disclosed that his office has been submitting dog heads to Cebu for examination almost every month this year. Of the total 26 heads examined since January, five were tested positive for rabies.
Provincewide statistics from Provincial Veterinary Office also show a total of 136 dog bite cases recorded for the first six months of this year.
To help put a stop to the spread of the deadly disease, Mutia appealed to local chief executives to integrate rabies eradication in their public health programs.
Governor George Arnaiz, speaking during the said workshop, stressed that the “solution to rabies lies at the municipal level.”
The governor disclosed that on average, almost everyday people go to him asking for assistance for dog bite victims.
He said he has witnessed human rabies cases on several occasions and described them as “painful” experiences.
The provincial government is currently continuing the Rabies Action Program-Visayas, a five-year rabies eradication program initiated by the national government in 2000 under which assistance was given for anti-rabies programs in the provinces.
Since RAP-V ended last year, Mutia said the provincial government is implementing the program this year on its own.
So far, some 22,686 dogs of the total 106,604-strong dog population in the province have been immunized. This represents a 26% accomplishment based on the PVO’s target to immunize 80% of the dog population.
The dog population in the province remained steady at 106,604 since 2003. Guihulngan is the most dog populated town with 12,900 followed by Dumaguete City with 11,483.
Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bernarda Cortez in the same workshop said the ideal dog population should only be 10% of the total human population in an area.
Cortez explained that rabies is a highly fatal disease and is one of the oldest known and most feared of human illnesses.
Rabies remains to be an endemic in the Philippines, causing approximately 300 to 600 deaths every year.
Cortez said that based on research findings, 88% of the admitted dog bite cases were by pet dogs and only 10% from stray dogs.
Pet owners are urged to help stamp out rabies from the province by being responsible. Keep your dogs leashed and regularly vaccinated with anti-rabies shots, stressed Arnaiz.
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PRO-7 urges LGUs to activate community public safety plans
The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) in Cebu has made an appeal to local government units to activate their Integrated Area Community Public Safety Plan (IACPSP).
PRO-7 Deputy Director for Operations S/Supt. Ronald Roderos said the plan aims to encourage each resident to contribute to the safety of their area as terrorist attacks remain a possible threat in the country.
According to Chico Pastor, local government operations V of the Department of Interior and Local Government here, IACPSP is implemented each in cities and towns in Oriental Negros. “All LGUs are required to submit their plan at the start of the year,” said Pastor.
He said all LGUs in the province have already activated their plan.
He explained that the IACPSP is a program that focuses mainly on peace and order while also giving attention to disaster management and environmental protection.
Barangays also formulate their own IACPSP.
Meanwhile, Pastor in an interview said that his office is currently re-organizing the barangay intelligence network (BIN) in the total 557 barangays in the province.
BIN is an expansion network program that aims to strengthen intelligence gathering particularly in the barangay level .
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NEGORNET holds prov’l consultation on governance concerns
Civil society leaders and various representatives of basic sectors in the province will convene for the Provincial Consultation on Governance Concerns on August 11, 9:00 a.m. at the YMCA Hall, this city.
According to Greg Fernandez Jr., executive director of the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs, the consultation will be highlighted by a message from former Department of Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad who has been invited as the guest speaker.
NEGORNET President Msgr. Merlin Logronio will welcome the participants and present the consultation’s rationale and background. .
Registration will start at 8:00 a.m.
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Tabo sa PAO enforces zero-plastic bag shopping
From now on, consumers who regularly buy from the “Tabo sa PAO” at the Provincial Nursery Compound here will have to bring their own containers or shopping bags as Tabo vendors will start implementing its “zero-plastic bag policy.”
Vendors at the Tabo will no longer sell or provide free plastic bags for customers following a special forum held August 6 between the Provincial Agriculturist Office and Tabo vendors.
During the forum, the vendors agreed to slowly stop using plastic bags in wrapping their produce, disclosed PAO Information Officer Nitz Bangay.
Bangay said this will be the practice at the Tabo from now on until consumers start getting used to a plastic-free shopping at Tabo.
The move is a bid to boost the plastic bag eradication campaign in the province, as Bangay said plastic has been reported to contribute to garbage woes because it is non-biodegradable.
She said Tabo customers are encouraged to use the bayong, a bag crafted from the local material known as buli, which will be made by local farmers here to augment their income.
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CFO to hold awareness campaign on international migration, intermarriages in Dumaguete
A team from the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) will be in Dumaguete City on August 22 to 25, 2005 to conduct its annual Community Education Program dubbed as “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-Abroad? Ano Ba Ang Dapat Mong Alamin?”
Representatives of other government offices will join CFO officers in this inter-agency effort seeking to raise public awareness on various issues concerning migration and intermarriages.
The program will also tackle existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud, and human trafficking.
The team is expected to conduct school symposia, meetings/dialogues with NGOs, GOs, religious leaders and members, pulong-pulong with local government units as well as community leaders and members, press briefings and radio interviews.
The CFO team’s visit in Dumaguete City is the third leg of the commission’s national awareness campaign.
From Dumaguete, the team will proceed to Tagbilaran City, Bohol on August 25 to 27.
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PNP holds recognition day on Aug 12
The Police Provincial Office here will hold a Police Constabulary/Integrated National Police Recognition Day on August 12 (Friday) at 2:00 p.m. at Camp Francisco Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan, this province.
The activity will honor deserving active uniformed personnel and retired uniformed personnel as well as other special awardees.
The awarding will be graced by P/Deputy Director General Ricardo F. De Leon who now sits as the Deputy Chief PNP for Administration.
Gen. De Leon was the provincial police director in Oriental Negros from 1987 to 1989.
A testimonial program and thanksgiving dinner in honor of Gen. De Leon will follow.
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Dairy coop receives P1M loan grant; inaugurates processing center
The Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG), the only dairy-producing cooperative in Siquijor, received a 1 million loan grant from the “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Peso” program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the provincial government of Siquijor.
The loan is in line with Pres. Arroyo’s poverty alleviation program under the BEAT THE ODDS agenda and the One Town One Product (OTOP) program conceptualized to develop businesses in the locality.
Nanette Arbon, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, said the project aims to develop local brands aside from boosting the small and medium enterprises in the province.
Arbon said the move jibes with the province’s aim to boost local tourism which can be achieved by the means of creating “pasalubong” products.
“It is the small and medium enterprise development council’s (SMEDC) and the DTI’s long-term goal to develop SMEs as we promote convergence and focus efforts on certain projects that will generate stable and viable jobs for more people,” says Arbon.
She urged the public to patronize local products as away of giving market support for budding businesses.
Instead of using branded products, our locally-produced fresh milk can be utilized for our children’s supplemental feeding which is part of the government’s nutrition program, stressed Arbon.
Adding significance to the occasion was inauguration of the milk processing center in Cangmunag, San Juan, Siquijor.
In his message, Governor Orlando Fua gave credit to the members’ achievements for taking the path to progress and development through self-reliance.
Citing factors for possible downfall, Fua urged the women of KAPANIG to wisely make use and maximize resources given to them.
The governor pledged to continue giving his full support to the program as he again committed to allocate a P200,000 budget for the repair of a road near the center to ensure a smooth delivery of products and for people’s convenience.
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NFA sets up more rice outlets
In its desire to ensure that good quality government rice is always available and accessible in public markets and far-flung areas, the local National Food Authority is increasing the number of accredited outlets in the province.
A rolling store is also deployed daily to serve the areas not reached by the Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGPs) outlets.
The following are the strategic locations of BGPs that are operated by licensed retailers who have grouped themselves to serve their areas and neighboring barangays:
Larena- Poblacion and Basac
Siquijor – Public Market, Cang-alwang and Cangasa
San Juan – Public Market and Cangmonag
Lazi- Poblacion and Campalanas
Maria- Poblacion, Liloan and Candapanig
Enrique Villanueva- Poblacion and Libo
NFA Provincial Manager Clyde S. Omictin assures the public that the agency has laid in place measures to ensure ample rice supply and to stabilize rice prices especially during the traditional lean months of July to September.
He disclosed that the local office is now revalidating the passbooks of accredited retailers.
NFA rice remains priced at P16/kilogram for regular milled rice and P18/kilogram for well-milled varieties even with the rising cost of fuel.
To ensure strict implementation of set prices and other NFA rules and regulations, monitoring teams are keeping close watch over these outlets.
The public is also urged to report irregularities that may be committed by grains businessmen.
As of press time, NFA Siquijor has a total of 32,466 bags stored in its 30,000-bag capacity warehouse. At any given time, it has to maintain its food security stock of 8,220 bags to prepare for any calamity that may strike the province.
Results of an NFA survey show that Siquijor’s daily rice consumption requirement is 274 bags while that of corn is 459 bags or 50 kilograms.
Based on daily consumption requirements, stocks available will last for 118 days.
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KNN goes to Siem Reap, Cambodia
This week, the Kabataan News Network takes you to Cambodia to present the recent 7th East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultation on Children which tackled, among others, vital issues affecting the world’s young population.
A sub-conference called Children and Young People’s Forum discussed such relevant topics such as education, HIV/AIDS, child participation, culture change and the role of media, and employment of young people. The episode will be aired this Saturday, August 13, at 4 p.m. over ABC 5.
The forum, which was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia and participated in by children from countries in East Asia and the Pacific, is aimed at strengthening the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is a signatory to.
According to Unicef former Executive Director Carol Bellamy, there have been improvements in the implementation of agreements upholding children’s rights but much remains to be done.
In the Philippines, KNN fosters to the Filipino youth’s right to participate by staunchly advocating their freedom to express their views and sentiments on issues affecting them. In fact, KNN is the only television program in the Philippines which gives its writers, producers and directors (all aged 15-18 years old) the freehand in conceptualizing and producing their segments.
In the same episode, KNN takes a side trip to the various tourist sites in Siem Reap, the most progressive city in Cambodia, and touches on the country’s rich history and culture, which is one of the most colorful in Asia.
Join KNN’s young reporters as they go around the city to take shots of its big hotels, motorcycles that rule the roads, Buddhist temples, and of course the world-famous Angkor temples. Siem Reap also has its own version of tuktuk, one of the most common means of transportation in the city.
KNN is a project of the Probe Media Foundation and Unicef Philippines. It is also aired on NBN 4 at 11 a.m. on Sundays and daily on Nickelodeon as short segments. If you have your own story idea, tell KNN about it by sending an email to knn@hotmail.com and receive special gifts from KNN.
3 human deaths reported this year
Rabies continues to take a foothold in Oriental Negros as top health officials in the province urged the local mayors to put more teeth into rabies eradication programs at the municipal and city levels.
Three persons have already died from rabid dog bites in Dumaguete City, Bindoy and Mabinay from January to June 2005, according to statistics presented during the mid-year evaluation and planning workshop on the province’s rabies eradication program held August 9.
Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia disclosed that his office has been submitting dog heads to Cebu for examination almost every month this year. Of the total 26 heads examined since January, five were tested positive for rabies.
Provincewide statistics from Provincial Veterinary Office also show a total of 136 dog bite cases recorded for the first six months of this year.
To help put a stop to the spread of the deadly disease, Mutia appealed to local chief executives to integrate rabies eradication in their public health programs.
Governor George Arnaiz, speaking during the said workshop, stressed that the “solution to rabies lies at the municipal level.”
The governor disclosed that on average, almost everyday people go to him asking for assistance for dog bite victims.
He said he has witnessed human rabies cases on several occasions and described them as “painful” experiences.
The provincial government is currently continuing the Rabies Action Program-Visayas, a five-year rabies eradication program initiated by the national government in 2000 under which assistance was given for anti-rabies programs in the provinces.
Since RAP-V ended last year, Mutia said the provincial government is implementing the program this year on its own.
So far, some 22,686 dogs of the total 106,604-strong dog population in the province have been immunized. This represents a 26% accomplishment based on the PVO’s target to immunize 80% of the dog population.
The dog population in the province remained steady at 106,604 since 2003. Guihulngan is the most dog populated town with 12,900 followed by Dumaguete City with 11,483.
Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bernarda Cortez in the same workshop said the ideal dog population should only be 10% of the total human population in an area.
Cortez explained that rabies is a highly fatal disease and is one of the oldest known and most feared of human illnesses.
Rabies remains to be an endemic in the Philippines, causing approximately 300 to 600 deaths every year.
Cortez said that based on research findings, 88% of the admitted dog bite cases were by pet dogs and only 10% from stray dogs.
Pet owners are urged to help stamp out rabies from the province by being responsible. Keep your dogs leashed and regularly vaccinated with anti-rabies shots, stressed Arnaiz.
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PRO-7 urges LGUs to activate community public safety plans
The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) in Cebu has made an appeal to local government units to activate their Integrated Area Community Public Safety Plan (IACPSP).
PRO-7 Deputy Director for Operations S/Supt. Ronald Roderos said the plan aims to encourage each resident to contribute to the safety of their area as terrorist attacks remain a possible threat in the country.
According to Chico Pastor, local government operations V of the Department of Interior and Local Government here, IACPSP is implemented each in cities and towns in Oriental Negros. “All LGUs are required to submit their plan at the start of the year,” said Pastor.
He said all LGUs in the province have already activated their plan.
He explained that the IACPSP is a program that focuses mainly on peace and order while also giving attention to disaster management and environmental protection.
Barangays also formulate their own IACPSP.
Meanwhile, Pastor in an interview said that his office is currently re-organizing the barangay intelligence network (BIN) in the total 557 barangays in the province.
BIN is an expansion network program that aims to strengthen intelligence gathering particularly in the barangay level .
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NEGORNET holds prov’l consultation on governance concerns
Civil society leaders and various representatives of basic sectors in the province will convene for the Provincial Consultation on Governance Concerns on August 11, 9:00 a.m. at the YMCA Hall, this city.
According to Greg Fernandez Jr., executive director of the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs, the consultation will be highlighted by a message from former Department of Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad who has been invited as the guest speaker.
NEGORNET President Msgr. Merlin Logronio will welcome the participants and present the consultation’s rationale and background. .
Registration will start at 8:00 a.m.
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Tabo sa PAO enforces zero-plastic bag shopping
From now on, consumers who regularly buy from the “Tabo sa PAO” at the Provincial Nursery Compound here will have to bring their own containers or shopping bags as Tabo vendors will start implementing its “zero-plastic bag policy.”
Vendors at the Tabo will no longer sell or provide free plastic bags for customers following a special forum held August 6 between the Provincial Agriculturist Office and Tabo vendors.
During the forum, the vendors agreed to slowly stop using plastic bags in wrapping their produce, disclosed PAO Information Officer Nitz Bangay.
Bangay said this will be the practice at the Tabo from now on until consumers start getting used to a plastic-free shopping at Tabo.
The move is a bid to boost the plastic bag eradication campaign in the province, as Bangay said plastic has been reported to contribute to garbage woes because it is non-biodegradable.
She said Tabo customers are encouraged to use the bayong, a bag crafted from the local material known as buli, which will be made by local farmers here to augment their income.
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CFO to hold awareness campaign on international migration, intermarriages in Dumaguete
A team from the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) will be in Dumaguete City on August 22 to 25, 2005 to conduct its annual Community Education Program dubbed as “Handa Ka Na Bang Mag-Abroad? Ano Ba Ang Dapat Mong Alamin?”
Representatives of other government offices will join CFO officers in this inter-agency effort seeking to raise public awareness on various issues concerning migration and intermarriages.
The program will also tackle existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud, and human trafficking.
The team is expected to conduct school symposia, meetings/dialogues with NGOs, GOs, religious leaders and members, pulong-pulong with local government units as well as community leaders and members, press briefings and radio interviews.
The CFO team’s visit in Dumaguete City is the third leg of the commission’s national awareness campaign.
From Dumaguete, the team will proceed to Tagbilaran City, Bohol on August 25 to 27.
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PNP holds recognition day on Aug 12
The Police Provincial Office here will hold a Police Constabulary/Integrated National Police Recognition Day on August 12 (Friday) at 2:00 p.m. at Camp Francisco Fernandez in Agan-an, Sibulan, this province.
The activity will honor deserving active uniformed personnel and retired uniformed personnel as well as other special awardees.
The awarding will be graced by P/Deputy Director General Ricardo F. De Leon who now sits as the Deputy Chief PNP for Administration.
Gen. De Leon was the provincial police director in Oriental Negros from 1987 to 1989.
A testimonial program and thanksgiving dinner in honor of Gen. De Leon will follow.
-30-
Dairy coop receives P1M loan grant; inaugurates processing center
The Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG), the only dairy-producing cooperative in Siquijor, received a 1 million loan grant from the “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Peso” program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through the provincial government of Siquijor.
The loan is in line with Pres. Arroyo’s poverty alleviation program under the BEAT THE ODDS agenda and the One Town One Product (OTOP) program conceptualized to develop businesses in the locality.
Nanette Arbon, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, said the project aims to develop local brands aside from boosting the small and medium enterprises in the province.
Arbon said the move jibes with the province’s aim to boost local tourism which can be achieved by the means of creating “pasalubong” products.
“It is the small and medium enterprise development council’s (SMEDC) and the DTI’s long-term goal to develop SMEs as we promote convergence and focus efforts on certain projects that will generate stable and viable jobs for more people,” says Arbon.
She urged the public to patronize local products as away of giving market support for budding businesses.
Instead of using branded products, our locally-produced fresh milk can be utilized for our children’s supplemental feeding which is part of the government’s nutrition program, stressed Arbon.
Adding significance to the occasion was inauguration of the milk processing center in Cangmunag, San Juan, Siquijor.
In his message, Governor Orlando Fua gave credit to the members’ achievements for taking the path to progress and development through self-reliance.
Citing factors for possible downfall, Fua urged the women of KAPANIG to wisely make use and maximize resources given to them.
The governor pledged to continue giving his full support to the program as he again committed to allocate a P200,000 budget for the repair of a road near the center to ensure a smooth delivery of products and for people’s convenience.
-30-
NFA sets up more rice outlets
In its desire to ensure that good quality government rice is always available and accessible in public markets and far-flung areas, the local National Food Authority is increasing the number of accredited outlets in the province.
A rolling store is also deployed daily to serve the areas not reached by the Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGPs) outlets.
The following are the strategic locations of BGPs that are operated by licensed retailers who have grouped themselves to serve their areas and neighboring barangays:
Larena- Poblacion and Basac
Siquijor – Public Market, Cang-alwang and Cangasa
San Juan – Public Market and Cangmonag
Lazi- Poblacion and Campalanas
Maria- Poblacion, Liloan and Candapanig
Enrique Villanueva- Poblacion and Libo
NFA Provincial Manager Clyde S. Omictin assures the public that the agency has laid in place measures to ensure ample rice supply and to stabilize rice prices especially during the traditional lean months of July to September.
He disclosed that the local office is now revalidating the passbooks of accredited retailers.
NFA rice remains priced at P16/kilogram for regular milled rice and P18/kilogram for well-milled varieties even with the rising cost of fuel.
To ensure strict implementation of set prices and other NFA rules and regulations, monitoring teams are keeping close watch over these outlets.
The public is also urged to report irregularities that may be committed by grains businessmen.
As of press time, NFA Siquijor has a total of 32,466 bags stored in its 30,000-bag capacity warehouse. At any given time, it has to maintain its food security stock of 8,220 bags to prepare for any calamity that may strike the province.
Results of an NFA survey show that Siquijor’s daily rice consumption requirement is 274 bags while that of corn is 459 bags or 50 kilograms.
Based on daily consumption requirements, stocks available will last for 118 days.
-30-
KNN goes to Siem Reap, Cambodia
This week, the Kabataan News Network takes you to Cambodia to present the recent 7th East Asia and Pacific Ministerial Consultation on Children which tackled, among others, vital issues affecting the world’s young population.
A sub-conference called Children and Young People’s Forum discussed such relevant topics such as education, HIV/AIDS, child participation, culture change and the role of media, and employment of young people. The episode will be aired this Saturday, August 13, at 4 p.m. over ABC 5.
The forum, which was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia and participated in by children from countries in East Asia and the Pacific, is aimed at strengthening the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Philippines is a signatory to.
According to Unicef former Executive Director Carol Bellamy, there have been improvements in the implementation of agreements upholding children’s rights but much remains to be done.
In the Philippines, KNN fosters to the Filipino youth’s right to participate by staunchly advocating their freedom to express their views and sentiments on issues affecting them. In fact, KNN is the only television program in the Philippines which gives its writers, producers and directors (all aged 15-18 years old) the freehand in conceptualizing and producing their segments.
In the same episode, KNN takes a side trip to the various tourist sites in Siem Reap, the most progressive city in Cambodia, and touches on the country’s rich history and culture, which is one of the most colorful in Asia.
Join KNN’s young reporters as they go around the city to take shots of its big hotels, motorcycles that rule the roads, Buddhist temples, and of course the world-famous Angkor temples. Siem Reap also has its own version of tuktuk, one of the most common means of transportation in the city.
KNN is a project of the Probe Media Foundation and Unicef Philippines. It is also aired on NBN 4 at 11 a.m. on Sundays and daily on Nickelodeon as short segments. If you have your own story idea, tell KNN about it by sending an email to knn@hotmail.com and receive special gifts from KNN.
8/04/2005
INFOBYTES, Issue No. 19, Vol. 1
Dengue kills four; cases seen to rise
Four people have already died resulting from dengue fever in the province as of July this year and local health officials warn that dengue cases will still go up in the following months.
Latest records from the Department of Health (DOH) here show that 81 cases have been reported in July this year, bringing to 294 the total cases reported provincewide since January 2005.
These are cases which have been admitted in the three hospitals in Dumaguete City, says Dr. Socrates Villamor, DOH provincial health team leader, in an interview with Philippine Information Agency.
The four fatalities each come from Valencia, Mabinay, Tanjay City and Dumaguete City.
Dumaguete has the highest number of dengue fever cases with 106, followed by Amlan with 37, Sibulan and Tanjay City with 21 each, Bais City, 16, Sta. Catalina, 14 and Valencia, 10.
Dengue cases reported for the first seven months this year are markedly lower compared to the same period last year.
A total of 350 cases have been recorded from January to July 2004.
But cases are still expected to increase, according to Noel Ferrero, sanitary inspector at the Integrated Provincial Health Office, who warned that August to September are considered the peak months of the dengue months zone period based on the trend of past years.
"The period from June to September is seen as the 'dengue months zone' as these mark the onset of rainy season in the country," says Ferrero.
The sanitary inspector said they are intensifying their health education campaign during regular barangay assemblies, student gatherings and even tapping priests to include in their homily the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites at home.
"Instead of fogging, we are pushing for the elimination of breeding sites as this is cost-effective, environment-friendly and very effective," says Ferrero.
He stressed that aside from constantly changing water in flower vases, the inner surface of water containers should also be thoroughly scrubbed since mosquito larvae cling to the surface and survive without water for up to one year.
The mosquito-borne diseases control service of DOH here is also conducting bednet impregnation wherein curtains and mosquito nets are soaked in chemicals as a preventive measure against dengue.
Villamor disclosed that DOH personnel here have also been recently deployed to conduct bednet impregnation in Larena, Siquijor following an increase in dengue cases in the said municipality.
The local DOH chief said around two dengue-related deaths have been reported in Siquijor.
DOH records show a 41 % increase in cases nationwide from January to June 2005 compared to the same period last year.
In a press release from the Media Relations Office of DOH, it was disclosed that from January to June 15 this year, some 5,396 dengue cases have been admitted to different sentinel hospitals across the country. From these cases, 77 deaths were reported.
Central Visayas (579 cases) is number six in the roll of regions with the highest number of dengue cases. The most number of cases reported was in Northern Mindanao (1,242), followed by National Capital Region (965), CARAGA (603), and Central Luzon (603).
-30-
Working moms result to lesser breastfed babies in OrNeg
As more mothers are out working to help supplement the family income, more infants in the province are now being formula-fed and thus missing out on the healthy benefits of breastfeeding.
The number of breastfeeding mothers in Oriental Negros slightly dropped from 66 percent in 2004 to 65 percent this year due to economic factors.
An average of 23,000 to 24,000 live births occur in the province every year, says Dr. Bernarda Cortez, assistant provincial health officer at the Integrated Provincial Health Office.
Cortez said more mothers are now working and do not have the luxury of time to exclusively breastfeed their babies. "Aside from this, most of them also do not know that they can store their breast milk and keep it refrigerated," laments Dr. Cortez.
Dr. Cortez also blames what she calls the "media influence" as she points to commercials of milk formulas enticing mothers to buy formulas as breast milk substitute. "But all those elements that milk formulas claim to have are present in mother's milk and so much more," says Cortez.
In a recent forum re-launching the Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, it was disclosed that Filipinos spend an estimated P21.5 billion each year to formula-feed their infants and about P430 million go to infant hospitalization, health consultations and medicines for ailments resulting from formula feeding.
According to Dr. Michael Boñates, a World Health Organization representative who spoke during the said forum, breast milk is free food that is nutritionally superior to any other and yet Filipino families pay for breast milk substitutes at a greater cost to their pocket and to the country's economy.
The 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey shows that only 16 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed up to five months, way below the estimated global exclusive breastfeeding rate of 35 percent.
The said survey shows that infants suffer from not being exclusively breastfed 30 minutes after birth and up to their first six months: some 16,000 children below five years old die every year, 1.2 million episodes of illness and 36,000 hospitalization admissions.
The survey added that around P21.5 billion are spent every year to buy infant formula; P430 million on hospitalization, health facility visits and medicines; P1 billion in wages lost to parents missing work to attend to sick children; and P320 million for funeral costs.
In view of this, Cortez said the 3,000 total barangay health workers in the province have been trained to educate and promote among new mothers the importance of breastfeeding.
Various trainings have been conducted under the Family and Community Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses while ongoing sessions are also being done in line with the Female Functional Literacy program, says Cortez.
-30-
LGUs urged to allocate funds for family planning methods
With an annual growth rate of 2.11%, the population of Oriental Negros is at the risk of increasing rapidly in the next years following the recent pullout of USAID's contraceptive support in the Philippines.
Latest data from the National Statistics Office, which is based on the 1995 to 2000 census, shows that the annual growth rate of the province is pegged at 2.11%, a hike from the 1.94% growth rate recorded in the 1990 to 1995 census. The same data pegs the province's population at 1,130,000 in year 2000.
Based on the 2.11% growth rate, Engr. Ariel Fortuito of NSO here said that the projected population in the province for this year is 1,254,292.
According to Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bernarda Cortez, an average of 23,000 to 24,000 live births occur in the province every year.
The increasing growth rate in the province has caused some concern among local reproductive health advocates in light of the phaseout of the contraceptive support from USAID.
USAID has been supplying the Philippines with contraceptives for more than 30 years and contributed about 80% of the total contraceptive requirements of the country.
According to USAID's 2002-2006 Population, Health and Nutrition Results Framework report, if the country's current national growth rate of 2.36% were to continue, the country's population will double in just over 30 years.
In view of this, Engr. Trelly Marigza, president of the Negros Oriental Family Planning and Reproductive Health Advocates Network (NEOFPRHAN) called on local chief executives to put up a separate budget for family planning and reproductive health programs.
Marigza, speaking during yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA forum, disclosed that due to USAID's phase down of contraceptive support, there is no more condom supply this year while the provision of birth control pills have been cut by 50%.
Cortez confirmed that the Integrated Provincial Health Office has not received supplies of condoms, but they were still able to receive pills and injectible DMPA. "But these will soon be phased out too in 2007," she said.
Cortez said there are currently more than 30,000 family planning contraceptive users in the province, and majority of them are pill users. Most of these users cannot afford to buy contraception on their own, she said.
According to Provincial Population Officer Jeanette Villarubia, the family planning program is largely ignored by local governments and there is a low acceptance to the concept of family planning among the public.
NEOFPRHAN has intensified its lobbying for local governments to allocate funds for contraceptives and so far around six LGUs have responded positively.
Marigza said Bayawan City, Manjuyod, La Libertad, Ayungon, Siaton and Zamboanguita have allocated funds for family planning programs and purchase of contraceptives.
Support from the private sector is also needed, says Marigza.
Friendly Care, a non-government organization catering to family planning services, is holding clinic at the Little Children of the Philippines (LCP) orphanage in Daro, this city. "But their capacity for now is just for non-scalpel vasectomy, as they still bring ligation cases to the hospital," says Marigza.
Marigza says they are trying to convince the Friendly Care officials to extend their services to the public and not just to LCP beneficiaries.
-30-
DFA's mobile passport services in Dgte moved to Aug. 12-13
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Cebu has moved its scheduled Aug. 11 to 12 mobile passport services in Dumaguete City to August 12 to 13, 2005.
The said activity will be held at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex in Dumaguete City.
According to DFA-7 Regional Director Angel D. Espiritu, the change in schedule is due to the request of the Office of the ASEAN and China Cooperation in DFA Manila for DFA Cebu to assist in the upcoming Drug Demand Reduction Pillar Task Force Meeting of the Dangerous Drugs Board on August 4 to 5.
Among the passport services that will be processed during the two-day activity here are change of citizenship, fiancées and spouses of foreign nationals, minors (below 18 years old), adopted children, etc.
The public is advised to have their requirements ready such as authenticated birth certificate, three copies of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. new photo (colored with plain white background) showing the applicant in decent attire with collar.
For more information on the required documents, applicants may visit the DFA website at www.dfa.gov.ph.
-30-
Rubber plantation, a promising industry in Oriental Negros
Rubber plantation may soon become a thriving industry in the province following a tie-up "business/program scheme" between the provincial governments of Oriental Negros and North Cotabato that is aimed at strengthening the agro-reforestation program in the province.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanel F. Piñol was in the province recently to attend the Consultative Orientation forum on Agro-Reforestation Program held July 30 and to show his support to Gov. Arnaiz's plan of setting up a rubber tree plantation in the province.
According to Arnaiz, the said industry is hoped to boost the farmers' income as profits are guaranteed every fifteen days.
The program scheme also includes a tie-up with Mindanao Rubber Development Industries Inc., a marketing arm for rubber produce that exports all the rubber produce in Mindanao to Europe, USA and some Asian countries.
Under the said scheme, Arnaiz said that North Cotabato will provide good quality planting materials and experts for the technology transfer while Oriental Negros will provide seedlings thru a plant-now-pay-later (PNPL) system and facilitate and fund technology transfers thru trainings, etc.
On the other hand, MRDI will act as collection agent of the provincial and municipal governments for PNPL as Land Bank will provide windows for rubber plantation development, soft loans to local government units for their PNPL and rubber nursery development.
-30-
TESDA Siquijor observes TVET month
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Siquijor Provincial Office spearheads the observance of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) month in August in the province.
Together with its partners and stakeholders, the TESDA provincial office has lined up the activities for the month: August 1-15 will be youth profiling for starring career; August 9-12 "free" assessment and certification in data encoder, electricity, electronics, cookery, bartending, automotive mechanic, baking, dressmaking and welding at the Siquijor State College (SSC), Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS), Lazi Skills Development Center (LSDC) Balite Institute of Technology (BIT) and Quezon Memorial Institute of Siquijor (QMIS).
There will also be a provincial selection of contestant in the five trade areas on August 23-24, who will represent the province during the 2005 regional skills competition in Bayawan, Negros Oriental.
August 25 marks the celebration of the 11th TESDA anniversary which will feature sports activities at Camogao, Enrique Villanueva Beach Resort with LNAS & LSDC staff together with the members of the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (PTESDC), Provincial Competency Assessment and Certification Committee (PCACC), Community Training and Employment Coordinators (CTECs) and LNAS School Board.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed on August 30 between SSC, TESDA-LNASand TESDA-PO regarding the ladderization program of ATC, HRST and TAT and on August 31 the TVET forum.
One of the highlights of the month-long celebration is the conduct of a "free" assessment and certification in selected trade areas which are open to all technical-vocational students, industry workers and walk-in participants who wanted to acquire a Certificate of Competency (COC) or "license" in blue collar occupations. COC of a particular trade area will serve as their "passport" for employment either for domestic or for overseas employment.
-30-
LNAS backs PGMA's food security prog
SIQUIJOR-- The Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS) has distributed close to 2,000 "lakatan" plantlets (suckers, corns, propagules) to various farmers associations and individuals in Siquijor. Many of these plantlets were given free to indigent farmer-groups.
Recipients included the Calunasan Scavengers Association, Basak Women's Association of Larena and the Balolong Lakatan Growers Association of Enrique Villanueva.
Part of the dispersal package included a three-day seminar workshop on banana production practices facilitated by the school in coordination with the local government units of the respective organization.
One of the outstanding traits of "lakatan" being a close progeny of "Gross Michel," is its superior eating and handling qualities particularly to transporting because of its thick peelings compared to "latundan." "Gross Michel" composed the bulk of bananas first exported from South America to the US and Canada in the 1950's.
The government has identified the food sector a priority area for development. It has noted the relevance of food that goes beyond health and nutrition but also as a significant factor in the country's development.
-30-
Four people have already died resulting from dengue fever in the province as of July this year and local health officials warn that dengue cases will still go up in the following months.
Latest records from the Department of Health (DOH) here show that 81 cases have been reported in July this year, bringing to 294 the total cases reported provincewide since January 2005.
These are cases which have been admitted in the three hospitals in Dumaguete City, says Dr. Socrates Villamor, DOH provincial health team leader, in an interview with Philippine Information Agency.
The four fatalities each come from Valencia, Mabinay, Tanjay City and Dumaguete City.
Dumaguete has the highest number of dengue fever cases with 106, followed by Amlan with 37, Sibulan and Tanjay City with 21 each, Bais City, 16, Sta. Catalina, 14 and Valencia, 10.
Dengue cases reported for the first seven months this year are markedly lower compared to the same period last year.
A total of 350 cases have been recorded from January to July 2004.
But cases are still expected to increase, according to Noel Ferrero, sanitary inspector at the Integrated Provincial Health Office, who warned that August to September are considered the peak months of the dengue months zone period based on the trend of past years.
"The period from June to September is seen as the 'dengue months zone' as these mark the onset of rainy season in the country," says Ferrero.
The sanitary inspector said they are intensifying their health education campaign during regular barangay assemblies, student gatherings and even tapping priests to include in their homily the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites at home.
"Instead of fogging, we are pushing for the elimination of breeding sites as this is cost-effective, environment-friendly and very effective," says Ferrero.
He stressed that aside from constantly changing water in flower vases, the inner surface of water containers should also be thoroughly scrubbed since mosquito larvae cling to the surface and survive without water for up to one year.
The mosquito-borne diseases control service of DOH here is also conducting bednet impregnation wherein curtains and mosquito nets are soaked in chemicals as a preventive measure against dengue.
Villamor disclosed that DOH personnel here have also been recently deployed to conduct bednet impregnation in Larena, Siquijor following an increase in dengue cases in the said municipality.
The local DOH chief said around two dengue-related deaths have been reported in Siquijor.
DOH records show a 41 % increase in cases nationwide from January to June 2005 compared to the same period last year.
In a press release from the Media Relations Office of DOH, it was disclosed that from January to June 15 this year, some 5,396 dengue cases have been admitted to different sentinel hospitals across the country. From these cases, 77 deaths were reported.
Central Visayas (579 cases) is number six in the roll of regions with the highest number of dengue cases. The most number of cases reported was in Northern Mindanao (1,242), followed by National Capital Region (965), CARAGA (603), and Central Luzon (603).
-30-
Working moms result to lesser breastfed babies in OrNeg
As more mothers are out working to help supplement the family income, more infants in the province are now being formula-fed and thus missing out on the healthy benefits of breastfeeding.
The number of breastfeeding mothers in Oriental Negros slightly dropped from 66 percent in 2004 to 65 percent this year due to economic factors.
An average of 23,000 to 24,000 live births occur in the province every year, says Dr. Bernarda Cortez, assistant provincial health officer at the Integrated Provincial Health Office.
Cortez said more mothers are now working and do not have the luxury of time to exclusively breastfeed their babies. "Aside from this, most of them also do not know that they can store their breast milk and keep it refrigerated," laments Dr. Cortez.
Dr. Cortez also blames what she calls the "media influence" as she points to commercials of milk formulas enticing mothers to buy formulas as breast milk substitute. "But all those elements that milk formulas claim to have are present in mother's milk and so much more," says Cortez.
In a recent forum re-launching the Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, it was disclosed that Filipinos spend an estimated P21.5 billion each year to formula-feed their infants and about P430 million go to infant hospitalization, health consultations and medicines for ailments resulting from formula feeding.
According to Dr. Michael Boñates, a World Health Organization representative who spoke during the said forum, breast milk is free food that is nutritionally superior to any other and yet Filipino families pay for breast milk substitutes at a greater cost to their pocket and to the country's economy.
The 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey shows that only 16 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed up to five months, way below the estimated global exclusive breastfeeding rate of 35 percent.
The said survey shows that infants suffer from not being exclusively breastfed 30 minutes after birth and up to their first six months: some 16,000 children below five years old die every year, 1.2 million episodes of illness and 36,000 hospitalization admissions.
The survey added that around P21.5 billion are spent every year to buy infant formula; P430 million on hospitalization, health facility visits and medicines; P1 billion in wages lost to parents missing work to attend to sick children; and P320 million for funeral costs.
In view of this, Cortez said the 3,000 total barangay health workers in the province have been trained to educate and promote among new mothers the importance of breastfeeding.
Various trainings have been conducted under the Family and Community Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses while ongoing sessions are also being done in line with the Female Functional Literacy program, says Cortez.
-30-
LGUs urged to allocate funds for family planning methods
With an annual growth rate of 2.11%, the population of Oriental Negros is at the risk of increasing rapidly in the next years following the recent pullout of USAID's contraceptive support in the Philippines.
Latest data from the National Statistics Office, which is based on the 1995 to 2000 census, shows that the annual growth rate of the province is pegged at 2.11%, a hike from the 1.94% growth rate recorded in the 1990 to 1995 census. The same data pegs the province's population at 1,130,000 in year 2000.
Based on the 2.11% growth rate, Engr. Ariel Fortuito of NSO here said that the projected population in the province for this year is 1,254,292.
According to Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bernarda Cortez, an average of 23,000 to 24,000 live births occur in the province every year.
The increasing growth rate in the province has caused some concern among local reproductive health advocates in light of the phaseout of the contraceptive support from USAID.
USAID has been supplying the Philippines with contraceptives for more than 30 years and contributed about 80% of the total contraceptive requirements of the country.
According to USAID's 2002-2006 Population, Health and Nutrition Results Framework report, if the country's current national growth rate of 2.36% were to continue, the country's population will double in just over 30 years.
In view of this, Engr. Trelly Marigza, president of the Negros Oriental Family Planning and Reproductive Health Advocates Network (NEOFPRHAN) called on local chief executives to put up a separate budget for family planning and reproductive health programs.
Marigza, speaking during yesterday's Kapihan sa PIA forum, disclosed that due to USAID's phase down of contraceptive support, there is no more condom supply this year while the provision of birth control pills have been cut by 50%.
Cortez confirmed that the Integrated Provincial Health Office has not received supplies of condoms, but they were still able to receive pills and injectible DMPA. "But these will soon be phased out too in 2007," she said.
Cortez said there are currently more than 30,000 family planning contraceptive users in the province, and majority of them are pill users. Most of these users cannot afford to buy contraception on their own, she said.
According to Provincial Population Officer Jeanette Villarubia, the family planning program is largely ignored by local governments and there is a low acceptance to the concept of family planning among the public.
NEOFPRHAN has intensified its lobbying for local governments to allocate funds for contraceptives and so far around six LGUs have responded positively.
Marigza said Bayawan City, Manjuyod, La Libertad, Ayungon, Siaton and Zamboanguita have allocated funds for family planning programs and purchase of contraceptives.
Support from the private sector is also needed, says Marigza.
Friendly Care, a non-government organization catering to family planning services, is holding clinic at the Little Children of the Philippines (LCP) orphanage in Daro, this city. "But their capacity for now is just for non-scalpel vasectomy, as they still bring ligation cases to the hospital," says Marigza.
Marigza says they are trying to convince the Friendly Care officials to extend their services to the public and not just to LCP beneficiaries.
-30-
DFA's mobile passport services in Dgte moved to Aug. 12-13
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Cebu has moved its scheduled Aug. 11 to 12 mobile passport services in Dumaguete City to August 12 to 13, 2005.
The said activity will be held at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex in Dumaguete City.
According to DFA-7 Regional Director Angel D. Espiritu, the change in schedule is due to the request of the Office of the ASEAN and China Cooperation in DFA Manila for DFA Cebu to assist in the upcoming Drug Demand Reduction Pillar Task Force Meeting of the Dangerous Drugs Board on August 4 to 5.
Among the passport services that will be processed during the two-day activity here are change of citizenship, fiancées and spouses of foreign nationals, minors (below 18 years old), adopted children, etc.
The public is advised to have their requirements ready such as authenticated birth certificate, three copies of 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm. new photo (colored with plain white background) showing the applicant in decent attire with collar.
For more information on the required documents, applicants may visit the DFA website at www.dfa.gov.ph.
-30-
Rubber plantation, a promising industry in Oriental Negros
Rubber plantation may soon become a thriving industry in the province following a tie-up "business/program scheme" between the provincial governments of Oriental Negros and North Cotabato that is aimed at strengthening the agro-reforestation program in the province.
North Cotabato Governor Emmanel F. Piñol was in the province recently to attend the Consultative Orientation forum on Agro-Reforestation Program held July 30 and to show his support to Gov. Arnaiz's plan of setting up a rubber tree plantation in the province.
According to Arnaiz, the said industry is hoped to boost the farmers' income as profits are guaranteed every fifteen days.
The program scheme also includes a tie-up with Mindanao Rubber Development Industries Inc., a marketing arm for rubber produce that exports all the rubber produce in Mindanao to Europe, USA and some Asian countries.
Under the said scheme, Arnaiz said that North Cotabato will provide good quality planting materials and experts for the technology transfer while Oriental Negros will provide seedlings thru a plant-now-pay-later (PNPL) system and facilitate and fund technology transfers thru trainings, etc.
On the other hand, MRDI will act as collection agent of the provincial and municipal governments for PNPL as Land Bank will provide windows for rubber plantation development, soft loans to local government units for their PNPL and rubber nursery development.
-30-
TESDA Siquijor observes TVET month
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Siquijor Provincial Office spearheads the observance of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) month in August in the province.
Together with its partners and stakeholders, the TESDA provincial office has lined up the activities for the month: August 1-15 will be youth profiling for starring career; August 9-12 "free" assessment and certification in data encoder, electricity, electronics, cookery, bartending, automotive mechanic, baking, dressmaking and welding at the Siquijor State College (SSC), Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS), Lazi Skills Development Center (LSDC) Balite Institute of Technology (BIT) and Quezon Memorial Institute of Siquijor (QMIS).
There will also be a provincial selection of contestant in the five trade areas on August 23-24, who will represent the province during the 2005 regional skills competition in Bayawan, Negros Oriental.
August 25 marks the celebration of the 11th TESDA anniversary which will feature sports activities at Camogao, Enrique Villanueva Beach Resort with LNAS & LSDC staff together with the members of the Provincial Technical Education and Skills Development Committee (PTESDC), Provincial Competency Assessment and Certification Committee (PCACC), Community Training and Employment Coordinators (CTECs) and LNAS School Board.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed on August 30 between SSC, TESDA-LNASand TESDA-PO regarding the ladderization program of ATC, HRST and TAT and on August 31 the TVET forum.
One of the highlights of the month-long celebration is the conduct of a "free" assessment and certification in selected trade areas which are open to all technical-vocational students, industry workers and walk-in participants who wanted to acquire a Certificate of Competency (COC) or "license" in blue collar occupations. COC of a particular trade area will serve as their "passport" for employment either for domestic or for overseas employment.
-30-
LNAS backs PGMA's food security prog
SIQUIJOR-- The Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS) has distributed close to 2,000 "lakatan" plantlets (suckers, corns, propagules) to various farmers associations and individuals in Siquijor. Many of these plantlets were given free to indigent farmer-groups.
Recipients included the Calunasan Scavengers Association, Basak Women's Association of Larena and the Balolong Lakatan Growers Association of Enrique Villanueva.
Part of the dispersal package included a three-day seminar workshop on banana production practices facilitated by the school in coordination with the local government units of the respective organization.
One of the outstanding traits of "lakatan" being a close progeny of "Gross Michel," is its superior eating and handling qualities particularly to transporting because of its thick peelings compared to "latundan." "Gross Michel" composed the bulk of bananas first exported from South America to the US and Canada in the 1950's.
The government has identified the food sector a priority area for development. It has noted the relevance of food that goes beyond health and nutrition but also as a significant factor in the country's development.
-30-
7/29/2005
INFOBYTES, Issue No. 18 Vol. 1 (July 28, 2005)
Secure permits, foreign nationals urged
The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) here is urging foreign nationals staying in Oriental Negros to secure proper business permits if they wish to set up businesses in the province.
Local Acting Alien Control Officer Peter Bueno said foreign nationals should apply for permits from the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local Treasurer’s office before putting up a business.
For foreigners living outside Dumaguete City, Bueno urged them to go to their local treasurer’s office for more details.
Agent Arnaldo Fineza of the National Bureau of Investigation said they are closely monitoring the activities of foreign nationals in the province.
Authorities from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) teamed up with NBI agents to monitor foreigners linked to the retail business in the country.
So far we haven’t received reports of foreigners going into business without the proper documents in Oriental Negros, reports Fineza.
Records from BID’s office show that Americans top the number of foreign nationals staying in Oriental Negros with 184, followed by Chinese, 107,and Koreans, 73.
Other nationalities in the top ten list of foreigners here are Germans, Indians, British, Australians, Swiss, Japanese and Dutch.
The immigration bureau is urging the public to report cases of foreigners engaging in the retail business without the proper documents.
-30-
Dumaguete peaceful on SONA day- PNP
Peace and order prevailed in Dumaguete City during the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 25, 2005.
City Police Chief Manuel S. Hidalgo said the city was generally peaceful, despite one protest rally staged that day.
Hidalgo estimates around 700 protester gathered in Quezon Park, but no untoward incidents occurred.
The city police force has been on a heightened alert since Sunday morning in preparation for Pres. Arroyo’s second State of the Nation Address.
The city police chief said around 70 policemen from the city and provincial police stations were deployed with security forces surrounding Quezon Park where the protest rally took place.
A civil disturbance management group was also stationed at City Hall.
Aside from Oriental Negros, Siquijor was equally peaceful during the SONA as no protest rallies against the administration were held in the said province.
All six (6) mayors of Siquijor province are reportedly contented with the Arroyo administration.
The rest of Central Visayas was also declared generally peaceful during the SONA according to PNP Police Regional Office 7 Public Information Officer P/Supt. Carmelo Valmoria.
Valmoria said elements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines has augmented the civil disturbance group to make sure that protest rallies for and against the President will be done peacefully.
-30-
Water springs eternal in 335 households in Siquijor province
At the crack of dawn till sundown, Lamberto Angot and the men folks of Brgy. Pasihagon in Siquijor, Siquijor travel around one-kilometer away from home just to fetch water from a distant source. This has been a daily chore as far as these men could remember.
The women, with their young children and a “head-ful load” of laundry would go to San Juan, a neighboring town where water is gloriously abundant, to wash clothes and take a dip at the town’s popular spring that is situated in front of the municipal hall and is maintained by the local government unit of San Juan. This has been a weekend kind of family “picnic.”
“Mogasto gyud mi ug P60 kada adlaw sa tag P20 kada lima ka galon nga tubig sa akong balay, mga tulo ka tag-lima ka galon among mahurot. Dinaginot na gyud na gani,” says Lamberto. (We spend P60 a day at P20 per 5-gallon of water and in my house, we consumed about 3 containers. And this is already being economical.)
Brgy. Pasihagon could only dream of water from their faucets; a lifetime vision and perennial politicians’ promises until the barangay folks were called to a meeting. “Gi-meeting mi sa barangay kabahin sa proyekto sa tubig. Wala gyud dayon mi mutuo. Kalabanan sige lang na saad,” some of the men said. (We were called to a meeting at the barangay regarding a waterwork project. We didn’t believe it right away. We thought it was just the same promises).
KALAHI-CIDSS organizers recalled that they had a difficult start due to the residents’ pessimistic attitude. Despite the wait-and-see attitude of the community, KALAHI persisted until Lamberto decided to give it another try and convinced the men folks to join and participate in the planning and countless consultations which is the “KALAHI way” of implementing projects.
As the project evolved, more local folks shared and offered food, cash and hardworking volunteers as they began the strenuous drilling process that required at least 90 feet down ground level to be able to tap the abundant water source.
From then, the rest was a joyful celebration.
On January 27, 2005, the Pasihagon Waterworks System was inaugurated with a lavish celebration with the imposing stainless water tank as the visible and concrete manifestation of the community’s “labor of love” as the 191 household families there proudly described the water project.
Truly, water transforms lives and springs eternal in the other 23 more barangays in Siquijor. With the success of the Pasihagon Waterworks System, the other barangays buckled down to work and started their respective waterworks project using the KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB formula.
To date, Siquijor province is a recipient of seven (7) waterworks projects in 24 barangys benefiting 335 household families. All these cost more than P21.8 million with counterparts from the national government through the KALAHI at more than P13.8 million and local funding at a little more than P9 million.
The highlight of the projects it seems is the “all-out” support from the barangay residents themselves, young and old and without political color.
“Karon pa ko ani nga nagtinabangay gyud ang tanan aron makab-ot ang gipangandoy nga tubig,” Lamberto happily expressed his sentiments as he looked up to the huge stainless steel tank that reflected the morning sun. (PIA-Cebu)
-30-
NFA beats rice distribution target due to good rice quality
The National Food Authority (NFA) here has exceeded its target rice distribution in Oriental Negros by 23.18% due to a high clamor from the consuming public here.
Records from NFA show that from January to June 2005, NFA has distributed a total of 109,630 bags of rice provincewide, far beyond its target of 89,000 bags for the same period.
NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita said the public demand for NFA rice stems from the good quality of rice coming from the food agency.
“Maayo ang quality of rice sa NFA, because it has been upgraded and it is well-milled,” says Lazalita, adding that the Vietnam rice his office is selling is 25% broken.
Aside from this, Lazalita said NFA increased its rice supply in retail outlets during the lean months of April to June to offset the reduced supply of commercial rice in the market.
NFA rice is available in 60 Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke outlets, 101 outside-the-market-outlets and 14 accredited farmers’ cooperatives in the province.
Beneficiaries of indigent programs in some 14 local government units have also availed of the NFA rice this year.
Lazalita said two Tindahan ni Gloria Rolling Stores are also going around the barangays in the province selling repacked NFA rice at 2 kilos per pack.
Each rolling store unit is packed with 100 bags of rice everyday.
The NFA here has earlier assured the public of sufficient rice supply in the province as the food agency reports that it has surpassed its target rice inflow.
-30-
GSIS members’ relatives can now avail of accident insurance
Relatives of government employees can now avail of a personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) after the latter expanded its accident insurance services to cover the family members of civil workers as well.
According to local GSIS Information Officer Jaydon Villaverde, GSIS is offering public servants the rare opportunity of insuring their family members for up to P5 million through the Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance.
Under this enhanced insurance program, the active GSIS member and any of his or her insured relative who incur medical expenses as a result of an accident will be reimbursed of their medical costs.
Also offered are bereavement and death or disability assistance ranging from P50,000 to P5 million, depending on the premium the GSIS member has chosen to avail of.
GSIS members need only to pay a one-time annual payment for a minimum of P52.50 in order to be covered and this is renewable each year, says Villaverde.
Non-GSIS members who are qualified to sign up for the personal accident insurance are the active GSIS member’s legitimate spouse, parents not more than 70 years old and legitimate children not less than seven years old.
Interested applicants can call up GSIS at 2255476 for more details.
-30-
Four more KALAHI projects completed in Siquijor
Many factors can spell the success or failure of a project.
But perhaps, it can be safe to say that most projects attain success if the beneficiaries themselves unite and readily lend a helping hand in its implementation.
Such was the case of the KALAHI-CIDSS projects in Enrique Villanueva (Talingting), Siquijor, or the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan: Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services.
“The Enrique Villanueva experience is one of the best practices for poverty reduction in the country having the highest participation rate so far,” says Regional Director Todulo R. Romo Jr. of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 7.
Romo recounted the huge success in the implementation of the electrification project in Brgy. Olave which was named the national winner in the Best in Project Category from a pool of KALAHI projects all over the Philippines last year.
Four more projects under the second cycle of the program were completed this month in the municipality.
An inauguration, blessing and turn-over ceremony was conducted yesterday (July 27) at Enrique Villanueva Social Center attended by Dir. Romo, local officials, project coordinators/faciliators and beneficiaries.
“Totaling some P4.79 million with P4,191,852 coming from the KALAHI-CIDSS grant and P596,799.50 from the local government counterparts, the newly completed projects are Balolong Farm to Market Road with a total project cost of P1,017,064; Tulapos Day Care Center, P680,700; Bolot electrification, P1,646.359; and Olave Farm to Market Road with a total funding of P1,444,528.
Local government counterparts include funds from the provincial, municipal and barangay government units aside from the villagers’ participation in terms of manpower, operations and maintenance of the project.
“Dako gyud ug ikatabang kanato ang maong dalan (This farm to market road is really a big help to us,” says Operation and Management Chairperson Joel Sayre of Brgy. Balolong, while accepting the responsibility and giving his commitment for the maintenance of the project. “Pero, kinahanglan ko sa inyong tabang (But I need your support),” Sayre told the barangay folks.
“Pulo na ka tuig kong pinuyo diri, karon pa gyud mi nakasuga, makapahayahay na mi ug tan-aw ug TV…maayo gani kay naay KALAHI (I have been staying here for more than 10 years, it is only now that we get to taste the comfort of having electricity…thanks to KALAHI!),” exclaims 34 year-old Myrna Sabanatic, another beneficiary of the electrification project in Sitio Pondol, Brgy. Bolot.
In Brgy. Tulapos, Brgy. Captain Ceasario O. Alcala, with his infectious smile, also said “At last naa na gyud mi tinuod nga Day Care Center kay sa una magklase ra ang among kabataan sa barangay hall ra man…mora pud ug mag-session. (At last we have now a real day care center! Our kids used to attend classes in our barangay hall…as if attending a session).”
KALAHI-CIDSS has been adopted as one of the government’s poverty reduction program that tries to pursue the following goals: reduced poverty, improved governance and empowered communities.
The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) here is urging foreign nationals staying in Oriental Negros to secure proper business permits if they wish to set up businesses in the province.
Local Acting Alien Control Officer Peter Bueno said foreign nationals should apply for permits from the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue and the local Treasurer’s office before putting up a business.
For foreigners living outside Dumaguete City, Bueno urged them to go to their local treasurer’s office for more details.
Agent Arnaldo Fineza of the National Bureau of Investigation said they are closely monitoring the activities of foreign nationals in the province.
Authorities from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) teamed up with NBI agents to monitor foreigners linked to the retail business in the country.
So far we haven’t received reports of foreigners going into business without the proper documents in Oriental Negros, reports Fineza.
Records from BID’s office show that Americans top the number of foreign nationals staying in Oriental Negros with 184, followed by Chinese, 107,and Koreans, 73.
Other nationalities in the top ten list of foreigners here are Germans, Indians, British, Australians, Swiss, Japanese and Dutch.
The immigration bureau is urging the public to report cases of foreigners engaging in the retail business without the proper documents.
-30-
Dumaguete peaceful on SONA day- PNP
Peace and order prevailed in Dumaguete City during the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 25, 2005.
City Police Chief Manuel S. Hidalgo said the city was generally peaceful, despite one protest rally staged that day.
Hidalgo estimates around 700 protester gathered in Quezon Park, but no untoward incidents occurred.
The city police force has been on a heightened alert since Sunday morning in preparation for Pres. Arroyo’s second State of the Nation Address.
The city police chief said around 70 policemen from the city and provincial police stations were deployed with security forces surrounding Quezon Park where the protest rally took place.
A civil disturbance management group was also stationed at City Hall.
Aside from Oriental Negros, Siquijor was equally peaceful during the SONA as no protest rallies against the administration were held in the said province.
All six (6) mayors of Siquijor province are reportedly contented with the Arroyo administration.
The rest of Central Visayas was also declared generally peaceful during the SONA according to PNP Police Regional Office 7 Public Information Officer P/Supt. Carmelo Valmoria.
Valmoria said elements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines has augmented the civil disturbance group to make sure that protest rallies for and against the President will be done peacefully.
-30-
Water springs eternal in 335 households in Siquijor province
At the crack of dawn till sundown, Lamberto Angot and the men folks of Brgy. Pasihagon in Siquijor, Siquijor travel around one-kilometer away from home just to fetch water from a distant source. This has been a daily chore as far as these men could remember.
The women, with their young children and a “head-ful load” of laundry would go to San Juan, a neighboring town where water is gloriously abundant, to wash clothes and take a dip at the town’s popular spring that is situated in front of the municipal hall and is maintained by the local government unit of San Juan. This has been a weekend kind of family “picnic.”
“Mogasto gyud mi ug P60 kada adlaw sa tag P20 kada lima ka galon nga tubig sa akong balay, mga tulo ka tag-lima ka galon among mahurot. Dinaginot na gyud na gani,” says Lamberto. (We spend P60 a day at P20 per 5-gallon of water and in my house, we consumed about 3 containers. And this is already being economical.)
Brgy. Pasihagon could only dream of water from their faucets; a lifetime vision and perennial politicians’ promises until the barangay folks were called to a meeting. “Gi-meeting mi sa barangay kabahin sa proyekto sa tubig. Wala gyud dayon mi mutuo. Kalabanan sige lang na saad,” some of the men said. (We were called to a meeting at the barangay regarding a waterwork project. We didn’t believe it right away. We thought it was just the same promises).
KALAHI-CIDSS organizers recalled that they had a difficult start due to the residents’ pessimistic attitude. Despite the wait-and-see attitude of the community, KALAHI persisted until Lamberto decided to give it another try and convinced the men folks to join and participate in the planning and countless consultations which is the “KALAHI way” of implementing projects.
As the project evolved, more local folks shared and offered food, cash and hardworking volunteers as they began the strenuous drilling process that required at least 90 feet down ground level to be able to tap the abundant water source.
From then, the rest was a joyful celebration.
On January 27, 2005, the Pasihagon Waterworks System was inaugurated with a lavish celebration with the imposing stainless water tank as the visible and concrete manifestation of the community’s “labor of love” as the 191 household families there proudly described the water project.
Truly, water transforms lives and springs eternal in the other 23 more barangays in Siquijor. With the success of the Pasihagon Waterworks System, the other barangays buckled down to work and started their respective waterworks project using the KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB formula.
To date, Siquijor province is a recipient of seven (7) waterworks projects in 24 barangys benefiting 335 household families. All these cost more than P21.8 million with counterparts from the national government through the KALAHI at more than P13.8 million and local funding at a little more than P9 million.
The highlight of the projects it seems is the “all-out” support from the barangay residents themselves, young and old and without political color.
“Karon pa ko ani nga nagtinabangay gyud ang tanan aron makab-ot ang gipangandoy nga tubig,” Lamberto happily expressed his sentiments as he looked up to the huge stainless steel tank that reflected the morning sun. (PIA-Cebu)
-30-
NFA beats rice distribution target due to good rice quality
The National Food Authority (NFA) here has exceeded its target rice distribution in Oriental Negros by 23.18% due to a high clamor from the consuming public here.
Records from NFA show that from January to June 2005, NFA has distributed a total of 109,630 bags of rice provincewide, far beyond its target of 89,000 bags for the same period.
NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita said the public demand for NFA rice stems from the good quality of rice coming from the food agency.
“Maayo ang quality of rice sa NFA, because it has been upgraded and it is well-milled,” says Lazalita, adding that the Vietnam rice his office is selling is 25% broken.
Aside from this, Lazalita said NFA increased its rice supply in retail outlets during the lean months of April to June to offset the reduced supply of commercial rice in the market.
NFA rice is available in 60 Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke outlets, 101 outside-the-market-outlets and 14 accredited farmers’ cooperatives in the province.
Beneficiaries of indigent programs in some 14 local government units have also availed of the NFA rice this year.
Lazalita said two Tindahan ni Gloria Rolling Stores are also going around the barangays in the province selling repacked NFA rice at 2 kilos per pack.
Each rolling store unit is packed with 100 bags of rice everyday.
The NFA here has earlier assured the public of sufficient rice supply in the province as the food agency reports that it has surpassed its target rice inflow.
-30-
GSIS members’ relatives can now avail of accident insurance
Relatives of government employees can now avail of a personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) after the latter expanded its accident insurance services to cover the family members of civil workers as well.
According to local GSIS Information Officer Jaydon Villaverde, GSIS is offering public servants the rare opportunity of insuring their family members for up to P5 million through the Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance.
Under this enhanced insurance program, the active GSIS member and any of his or her insured relative who incur medical expenses as a result of an accident will be reimbursed of their medical costs.
Also offered are bereavement and death or disability assistance ranging from P50,000 to P5 million, depending on the premium the GSIS member has chosen to avail of.
GSIS members need only to pay a one-time annual payment for a minimum of P52.50 in order to be covered and this is renewable each year, says Villaverde.
Non-GSIS members who are qualified to sign up for the personal accident insurance are the active GSIS member’s legitimate spouse, parents not more than 70 years old and legitimate children not less than seven years old.
Interested applicants can call up GSIS at 2255476 for more details.
-30-
Four more KALAHI projects completed in Siquijor
Many factors can spell the success or failure of a project.
But perhaps, it can be safe to say that most projects attain success if the beneficiaries themselves unite and readily lend a helping hand in its implementation.
Such was the case of the KALAHI-CIDSS projects in Enrique Villanueva (Talingting), Siquijor, or the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan: Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services.
“The Enrique Villanueva experience is one of the best practices for poverty reduction in the country having the highest participation rate so far,” says Regional Director Todulo R. Romo Jr. of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 7.
Romo recounted the huge success in the implementation of the electrification project in Brgy. Olave which was named the national winner in the Best in Project Category from a pool of KALAHI projects all over the Philippines last year.
Four more projects under the second cycle of the program were completed this month in the municipality.
An inauguration, blessing and turn-over ceremony was conducted yesterday (July 27) at Enrique Villanueva Social Center attended by Dir. Romo, local officials, project coordinators/faciliators and beneficiaries.
“Totaling some P4.79 million with P4,191,852 coming from the KALAHI-CIDSS grant and P596,799.50 from the local government counterparts, the newly completed projects are Balolong Farm to Market Road with a total project cost of P1,017,064; Tulapos Day Care Center, P680,700; Bolot electrification, P1,646.359; and Olave Farm to Market Road with a total funding of P1,444,528.
Local government counterparts include funds from the provincial, municipal and barangay government units aside from the villagers’ participation in terms of manpower, operations and maintenance of the project.
“Dako gyud ug ikatabang kanato ang maong dalan (This farm to market road is really a big help to us,” says Operation and Management Chairperson Joel Sayre of Brgy. Balolong, while accepting the responsibility and giving his commitment for the maintenance of the project. “Pero, kinahanglan ko sa inyong tabang (But I need your support),” Sayre told the barangay folks.
“Pulo na ka tuig kong pinuyo diri, karon pa gyud mi nakasuga, makapahayahay na mi ug tan-aw ug TV…maayo gani kay naay KALAHI (I have been staying here for more than 10 years, it is only now that we get to taste the comfort of having electricity…thanks to KALAHI!),” exclaims 34 year-old Myrna Sabanatic, another beneficiary of the electrification project in Sitio Pondol, Brgy. Bolot.
In Brgy. Tulapos, Brgy. Captain Ceasario O. Alcala, with his infectious smile, also said “At last naa na gyud mi tinuod nga Day Care Center kay sa una magklase ra ang among kabataan sa barangay hall ra man…mora pud ug mag-session. (At last we have now a real day care center! Our kids used to attend classes in our barangay hall…as if attending a session).”
KALAHI-CIDSS has been adopted as one of the government’s poverty reduction program that tries to pursue the following goals: reduced poverty, improved governance and empowered communities.
7/21/2005
INFOBYTES, Issue No. 17, Vol. 1 (July 21, 2005)
DBM released P1M for Apo Island environment workers’ pay
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has recently released the salary of the 50 residents in Apo Island, Negros Oriental who were hired to protect and manage the tiny island’s rich marine reserve.
This was disclosed by Chamberlain Babiera of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) who said that around P1 million was released for the workers’ contractual pay for the first half of this year.
Babiera said that he expects the said workers to receive their salaries before the end of this month.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) hired local people in Apo Island to strictly enforce fishery laws and patrol the coastal area to preserve the tiny island’s pristine reefs, which have been declared a marine and fish sanctuary.
In 1996, through Proclamation No. 438, the island was declared a “protected landscape and seascape” and placed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
The diverse and impressive coral reefs surrounding the golf course-sized island off the coast of Dauin town has been drawing local and international tourists, earning Apo Island the worldwide recognition of being an excellent location for scuba diving.
Babiera explained that the Apo Island community has a 75% share from the various fees collected from the island’s local and foreign visitors to manage the island.
The environment official said the delay in the release of the workers’ pay has been due to the extensive and time-consuming processing of the paperwork involved.
-30-
Indigenous students in Bais find hope in PGMA’s scholarship program
There was a time when 17 year-old Rosemarie Cabanag was the butt of jokes, sneers and jeers at her school. Being a member of the indigenous Aeta tribe in Sitio Canlimokon, Bais City, Rosemarie’s kinky hair and dark complexion made her an easy target for her peers’ taunts.
But in spite of the tough time she went through at school, Rosemarie stubbornly refused to be held down and worked her way to the top of her class since first grade.
Now on her final year in high school, and still at the top of her class, Rosemarie has a dream- to become a nurse and work abroad.
This bright Aeta girl would soon realize this dream, with a little help from the government, for Rosemarie is one of the eight recipients in Bais City of the PGMA Educational Assistance Program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas for 2002-2006.
According to May Silva, focal person of the program at DSWD-7, the program is offered to areas with high poverty incidence, presence of Indigenous People, street dwellers and in insurgency-affected barangays.
The program aims to lower delinquency and insurgency rates in these areas from 15% to 10%.
Like Rosemarie, Vicente Eborda, 20, another Aeta living in one of the remotest barangays in Bais City, also had a tough time growing up. He used to sell siakoy in the streets of Bais, enduring society’s racial bias and prejudices just to help his family while all the time dreaming of the day when he can go to school and find a job.
Thanks to the government’s education assistance program, Vicente’s dream is within his reach. He is now a third year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) student at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU).
Silva said there are more students like Rosemarie and Vicente in Central Visayas
As of press time, there are 406 out of 439 total recipients of the education assistance program who continue to attend high school and college.
There 343 beneficiaries in Danao and Dagohoy towns in Bohol, 50 in Cebu, 5 in Siquijor and 8 in Bais City.
The educational assistance in Central Visayas totaled to more than P5.1 million, inclusive of tuition fees, monthly allowance of P700 for high schools and P1,000 for college and an additional P1,500 for miscellaneous expenses.
Due to the program’s success, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reports that the PGMA Educational Assistance Program will be expanded to include more out-of-school youths and working children who, like Rosemarie and Vicente, dream of a better future.
The scholars reveal that the assistance they get is more than just for education, as it has also helped augment family expenses. “Dako kaayo’g natabang ang among allowance sa among pamilya kay magamit gyud ni namo sa uban pang panginahanglan sa balay,” they said.
Rosemarie and Vicente said they don’t know where they would be now if not for the said program. “We owe everything to this program- what we have achieved, and will still achieve,” says the scholars.
-30-
DOLE grants P300,000 livelihood assistance under poverty-free zone program
The Department of Labor and Employment has already awarded P300,000 as livelihood grant to three people’s organizations in Oriental Negros.
A grant of P100,000 was each given to Nagbinlod Farm Family Association in Sta. Catalina, Valencia Fibers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Bantolinao Farmers Association in Manjuyod, says Lilian Mondarte of the DOLE office here.
Mondarte said the livelihood grant is in line with DOLE’s Poverty Free Zone Program, which started only last year.
She said they are still accepting proposals from people’s organizations under the PFZP.
DOLE Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz said that as a livelihood convergence project, various agencies assist in the implementation of PFZP, namely: the Product Design Center of the Philippines for the provision of competitive product and packaging designs; the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the loam weaving technology; Philippine Textile Research Institute for the material selection; DTI for securing international markets in the future; and TESDA for skills training.
Meanwhile, Mondarte disclosed that two local rural women’s organizations benefited from DOLE’s Women’s Employment Entrepreneurship Development (WEED) program last year.
A P44,000 livelihood assistance was granted on August 2004 to HTCCI, a group composed of the wives of workers in the Herminio Teves & Co. while a P48,540 grant was given to Dauin Loom Weavers Association on November 2004 for a skills training on sinamay weaving.
-30-
PhilRice develops new disease-resistant and Vit. A-rich rice variety
A new disease-resistant and nutritionally enriched rice variety will be introduced by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) before 2010.
According to Dr. Antonio Alfonso, head of PhilRice’s plant breeding and biotechnology division, the aim is to produce after about three years a rice variety rich in beta-carotene or Vit. A and resistant to “tungro” disease and bacterial blight.
NFA Assistant Provincial Manager Francisco Lorico Jr. explained that tungro is a disease of palay that strikes in the early stage, resulting to a reduced palay production.
“This disease is a common problem among farmers in Visayas & Mindanao because we plant and harvest year-round due to our irrigation,” says Lorico.
PhilRice already began growing in its screened nursery last month F1 or first generation seeds of this new variety to assess the characteristics and performance of the resulting plants.
Should PhilRice’s experiments prove successful, authorities are optimistic that the new micronutrient-packed rice variety will help lessen incidence of Vit. A deficiency, particularly among Filipino children and pregnant women.
The rice institute is seeking to develop such variety since available rice varieties in the country are no longer capable of producing beta-carotene through the natural process.
Beta-carotene is the most important of the carotenoids, an affective antioxidant that helps reduce cellular damage in the body.
Lorico said what is available in the country right now is the iron-fortified rice, of which about 3 million bags are expected to arrive soon in the Philippines from Vietnam.
Of the total, 16,000 bags have been allocated for Oriental Negros.
Lorico explained that the allocation of each province was based on the population of malnourished children in the area.
According to NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita, last year’s records from the Integrated Provincial Health Office show that Oriental Negros is ranked 46th in the country with 209,549 malnourished children.
Lazalita encouraged local chief executives to coordinate with NFA for the purchase of iron-fortified rice. “Our priority is the local government units who have malnourished children. We will be inviting them and allocate bags for them if they have a budget for this,” says Lazalita.
-30-
Bishop Du reiterates CBCP’s stand
Bishop John F. Du of the Diocese of Dumaguete has called on the people to pray more amid uncertainties brought about by economic and political crisis during the first profession of vows of two novice nuns recently.
Sisters Joan Peter Castillo and Michelle Carcarona took their vows of chastity, obedience and poverty in a concelebrated mass at the Sister Carmelite Chapel in Barangay Bantayan during the weekend.
Bishop Du cautioned the two nuns from joining street demonstrations as a form of sacrifice for the country.
In his homily, the bishop reiterated the stand of the Council of Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to demand or impose the resignation of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and instead provide moral guidance for accountability, constitutionality or follow the rule of law, seek non-violent solutions and have the capability to govern the country.
For those who demand the President to do the “supreme sacrifice,” Bishop Du has this to say: ”I hope they understand the true meaning of that word. Supreme sacrifice is for every Filipino to do by following the rule of law and due process, by being non-violent and by admitting accountability to any undesirable actions.”
The Bishop’s call came after the mass actions held by anti and pro-PGMA forces over the week.
Two more Cabinet officials, namely Victoria Garchitorena and Cora Guidote, followed the route taken by the “Hyatt 10” as they announced their irrevocable resignation, citing the cliché that “it is for the good of the Filipino people.”
But Malacañang said that all the Cabinet members have submitted their resignation, and it is the President’s call who’s to be and not to be retained.
Palace officials say that the move of the Hyatt 10 will neither distract nor threaten Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s vision of improving the lives of the poor and in moving the country forward.
-30-
238 students avail of summer job program
SIQUIJOR- - Around 238 students in the province joined the summer programs offered annually by the Provincial Labor and Employment OFfice and the provincial government of Siquijor.
According to Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Lina Medel, the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) aims to give students the opportunity to work and earn during summer for the next school year’s expenses.
“Nalipay gyud mi kay nakatigum mi ug dako-dako para sa mga galastuhan sa eskwelahan,” says the students assigned at the local office of the Philippine Information Agency and other neighboring office in Larena town.
Medel said these students were assigned in the different offices of local government units nearest to their residence to spare them from transportation and other expenses.
Prior to their assignment, an orientation-briefing on the program and value formation was conducted by Medel and Provincial Extension Officer Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco.
The provincial government has been allocating P500,000 yearly for the said program, covering the expenses for supplies and the SPES grantees’ salaries pegged at P196.36 a day.
Under the SPES co-sharing arrangement, the provincial government pays them 60% of the salary while DOLE shoulders the 40%.
With the salary co-sharing agreement, each SPES grantee receives P2,945.40 for 15 days’ work, P1,767.24 of which comes from the provincial government and P1,178.16 from DOLE.
-30-
DA-7 eyes new jobs thru agri programs
SIQUIJOR--The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked for agri development this year around 34,420 hectares of “new lands” in Central Visayas, which is expected to increase food productionand generate about 39,388 jobs in the region.
In Siquijor province, around 500 has. is targeted for the first batch this year, of which 150 has. is for livestock (goat) raising. “We expect this to generate about 1,140 jobs,” says Medel Panzo, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Cocounut Authority (PCA).
Panzo said the target site for cocoplanting has been fully validated in May this year.
“This is part of the agriculture sector’s contribution to the ‘Beat the Odds’ agenda of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under the 2005 to 2010 of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan or MTPDP,” explains Panzo.
Goal 1 of the MTPDP, Panzo said, is developing at least two million hectares of new land for agribusiness in order to contribute two million jobs out of the 10 million jobs targeted in 2010.
Goal 2 on the other hand is making food plentiful at competitive prices where the cost of priority “wage goods” such as rice, sugar, vegetables, poultry, pork and fish and other important non-wage goods like corn must be reduced.
This also means that the government will continue to fight for self-sufficiency in rice production by increasing price and production efficiency and competitiveness.
-30-
Illegal drug problem far from over; community urged to get involved
Top ranking government officials in Oriental Negros admitted that the fight against illegal drugs in the province is far from over and stressed the community’s vast role in leading a successful anti-drug campaign.
During the recent Kapihan sa PIA forum, Board Member Arturo Umbac said that the steps being taken by the government to address the illegal drugs problem are just “mere palliatives” as the root of the problem lies in what he described as the failure of the family, church and the school.
Youths turn to drugs because of what they see in the homes and in their school, where they are not given the attention they seek, says Umbac. “Let’s go back to the school, church and home,” he said.
In the same forum, Dr. Henry A. Sojor, president of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) suggested that the policemen should be trained by government lawyers on the technical side of filing cases to help the police secure a conviction during the hearing of drug cases.
Records from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 (PDEA) show that there have been 50 drug operations conducted in Oriental Negros, but a conviction is yet to be scored, according to Ret. Police Gen. Rubilito R. Comilang who now sits as consultant of PDEA.
Sojor said that drug-related cases filed in court usually don’t end with a conviction because the policemen are not properly trained on the technical side of legal proceedings.
He added that barangay officials should also be trained how to make lawful arrests.
Comilang likewise urged barangay captains to activate and mobilize their anti-drug abuse councils and tap the help of students and the Parent-Teachers
Association in anti-drug activities in the barangays.
According to Comilang, illegal drugs activities have recently been slow due to an increase on the prices of illegal drugs, particularly shabu which he said is now priced at P3,800 per gram while marijuana, P800/kilo.
-30-
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has recently released the salary of the 50 residents in Apo Island, Negros Oriental who were hired to protect and manage the tiny island’s rich marine reserve.
This was disclosed by Chamberlain Babiera of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) who said that around P1 million was released for the workers’ contractual pay for the first half of this year.
Babiera said that he expects the said workers to receive their salaries before the end of this month.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) hired local people in Apo Island to strictly enforce fishery laws and patrol the coastal area to preserve the tiny island’s pristine reefs, which have been declared a marine and fish sanctuary.
In 1996, through Proclamation No. 438, the island was declared a “protected landscape and seascape” and placed under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
The diverse and impressive coral reefs surrounding the golf course-sized island off the coast of Dauin town has been drawing local and international tourists, earning Apo Island the worldwide recognition of being an excellent location for scuba diving.
Babiera explained that the Apo Island community has a 75% share from the various fees collected from the island’s local and foreign visitors to manage the island.
The environment official said the delay in the release of the workers’ pay has been due to the extensive and time-consuming processing of the paperwork involved.
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Indigenous students in Bais find hope in PGMA’s scholarship program
There was a time when 17 year-old Rosemarie Cabanag was the butt of jokes, sneers and jeers at her school. Being a member of the indigenous Aeta tribe in Sitio Canlimokon, Bais City, Rosemarie’s kinky hair and dark complexion made her an easy target for her peers’ taunts.
But in spite of the tough time she went through at school, Rosemarie stubbornly refused to be held down and worked her way to the top of her class since first grade.
Now on her final year in high school, and still at the top of her class, Rosemarie has a dream- to become a nurse and work abroad.
This bright Aeta girl would soon realize this dream, with a little help from the government, for Rosemarie is one of the eight recipients in Bais City of the PGMA Educational Assistance Program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas for 2002-2006.
According to May Silva, focal person of the program at DSWD-7, the program is offered to areas with high poverty incidence, presence of Indigenous People, street dwellers and in insurgency-affected barangays.
The program aims to lower delinquency and insurgency rates in these areas from 15% to 10%.
Like Rosemarie, Vicente Eborda, 20, another Aeta living in one of the remotest barangays in Bais City, also had a tough time growing up. He used to sell siakoy in the streets of Bais, enduring society’s racial bias and prejudices just to help his family while all the time dreaming of the day when he can go to school and find a job.
Thanks to the government’s education assistance program, Vicente’s dream is within his reach. He is now a third year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) student at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU).
Silva said there are more students like Rosemarie and Vicente in Central Visayas
As of press time, there are 406 out of 439 total recipients of the education assistance program who continue to attend high school and college.
There 343 beneficiaries in Danao and Dagohoy towns in Bohol, 50 in Cebu, 5 in Siquijor and 8 in Bais City.
The educational assistance in Central Visayas totaled to more than P5.1 million, inclusive of tuition fees, monthly allowance of P700 for high schools and P1,000 for college and an additional P1,500 for miscellaneous expenses.
Due to the program’s success, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reports that the PGMA Educational Assistance Program will be expanded to include more out-of-school youths and working children who, like Rosemarie and Vicente, dream of a better future.
The scholars reveal that the assistance they get is more than just for education, as it has also helped augment family expenses. “Dako kaayo’g natabang ang among allowance sa among pamilya kay magamit gyud ni namo sa uban pang panginahanglan sa balay,” they said.
Rosemarie and Vicente said they don’t know where they would be now if not for the said program. “We owe everything to this program- what we have achieved, and will still achieve,” says the scholars.
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DOLE grants P300,000 livelihood assistance under poverty-free zone program
The Department of Labor and Employment has already awarded P300,000 as livelihood grant to three people’s organizations in Oriental Negros.
A grant of P100,000 was each given to Nagbinlod Farm Family Association in Sta. Catalina, Valencia Fibers Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Bantolinao Farmers Association in Manjuyod, says Lilian Mondarte of the DOLE office here.
Mondarte said the livelihood grant is in line with DOLE’s Poverty Free Zone Program, which started only last year.
She said they are still accepting proposals from people’s organizations under the PFZP.
DOLE Undersecretary Danilo P. Cruz said that as a livelihood convergence project, various agencies assist in the implementation of PFZP, namely: the Product Design Center of the Philippines for the provision of competitive product and packaging designs; the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the loam weaving technology; Philippine Textile Research Institute for the material selection; DTI for securing international markets in the future; and TESDA for skills training.
Meanwhile, Mondarte disclosed that two local rural women’s organizations benefited from DOLE’s Women’s Employment Entrepreneurship Development (WEED) program last year.
A P44,000 livelihood assistance was granted on August 2004 to HTCCI, a group composed of the wives of workers in the Herminio Teves & Co. while a P48,540 grant was given to Dauin Loom Weavers Association on November 2004 for a skills training on sinamay weaving.
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PhilRice develops new disease-resistant and Vit. A-rich rice variety
A new disease-resistant and nutritionally enriched rice variety will be introduced by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) before 2010.
According to Dr. Antonio Alfonso, head of PhilRice’s plant breeding and biotechnology division, the aim is to produce after about three years a rice variety rich in beta-carotene or Vit. A and resistant to “tungro” disease and bacterial blight.
NFA Assistant Provincial Manager Francisco Lorico Jr. explained that tungro is a disease of palay that strikes in the early stage, resulting to a reduced palay production.
“This disease is a common problem among farmers in Visayas & Mindanao because we plant and harvest year-round due to our irrigation,” says Lorico.
PhilRice already began growing in its screened nursery last month F1 or first generation seeds of this new variety to assess the characteristics and performance of the resulting plants.
Should PhilRice’s experiments prove successful, authorities are optimistic that the new micronutrient-packed rice variety will help lessen incidence of Vit. A deficiency, particularly among Filipino children and pregnant women.
The rice institute is seeking to develop such variety since available rice varieties in the country are no longer capable of producing beta-carotene through the natural process.
Beta-carotene is the most important of the carotenoids, an affective antioxidant that helps reduce cellular damage in the body.
Lorico said what is available in the country right now is the iron-fortified rice, of which about 3 million bags are expected to arrive soon in the Philippines from Vietnam.
Of the total, 16,000 bags have been allocated for Oriental Negros.
Lorico explained that the allocation of each province was based on the population of malnourished children in the area.
According to NFA Information Officer Rolando Lazalita, last year’s records from the Integrated Provincial Health Office show that Oriental Negros is ranked 46th in the country with 209,549 malnourished children.
Lazalita encouraged local chief executives to coordinate with NFA for the purchase of iron-fortified rice. “Our priority is the local government units who have malnourished children. We will be inviting them and allocate bags for them if they have a budget for this,” says Lazalita.
-30-
Bishop Du reiterates CBCP’s stand
Bishop John F. Du of the Diocese of Dumaguete has called on the people to pray more amid uncertainties brought about by economic and political crisis during the first profession of vows of two novice nuns recently.
Sisters Joan Peter Castillo and Michelle Carcarona took their vows of chastity, obedience and poverty in a concelebrated mass at the Sister Carmelite Chapel in Barangay Bantayan during the weekend.
Bishop Du cautioned the two nuns from joining street demonstrations as a form of sacrifice for the country.
In his homily, the bishop reiterated the stand of the Council of Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to demand or impose the resignation of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and instead provide moral guidance for accountability, constitutionality or follow the rule of law, seek non-violent solutions and have the capability to govern the country.
For those who demand the President to do the “supreme sacrifice,” Bishop Du has this to say: ”I hope they understand the true meaning of that word. Supreme sacrifice is for every Filipino to do by following the rule of law and due process, by being non-violent and by admitting accountability to any undesirable actions.”
The Bishop’s call came after the mass actions held by anti and pro-PGMA forces over the week.
Two more Cabinet officials, namely Victoria Garchitorena and Cora Guidote, followed the route taken by the “Hyatt 10” as they announced their irrevocable resignation, citing the cliché that “it is for the good of the Filipino people.”
But Malacañang said that all the Cabinet members have submitted their resignation, and it is the President’s call who’s to be and not to be retained.
Palace officials say that the move of the Hyatt 10 will neither distract nor threaten Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s vision of improving the lives of the poor and in moving the country forward.
-30-
238 students avail of summer job program
SIQUIJOR- - Around 238 students in the province joined the summer programs offered annually by the Provincial Labor and Employment OFfice and the provincial government of Siquijor.
According to Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Lina Medel, the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) aims to give students the opportunity to work and earn during summer for the next school year’s expenses.
“Nalipay gyud mi kay nakatigum mi ug dako-dako para sa mga galastuhan sa eskwelahan,” says the students assigned at the local office of the Philippine Information Agency and other neighboring office in Larena town.
Medel said these students were assigned in the different offices of local government units nearest to their residence to spare them from transportation and other expenses.
Prior to their assignment, an orientation-briefing on the program and value formation was conducted by Medel and Provincial Extension Officer Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco.
The provincial government has been allocating P500,000 yearly for the said program, covering the expenses for supplies and the SPES grantees’ salaries pegged at P196.36 a day.
Under the SPES co-sharing arrangement, the provincial government pays them 60% of the salary while DOLE shoulders the 40%.
With the salary co-sharing agreement, each SPES grantee receives P2,945.40 for 15 days’ work, P1,767.24 of which comes from the provincial government and P1,178.16 from DOLE.
-30-
DA-7 eyes new jobs thru agri programs
SIQUIJOR--The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked for agri development this year around 34,420 hectares of “new lands” in Central Visayas, which is expected to increase food productionand generate about 39,388 jobs in the region.
In Siquijor province, around 500 has. is targeted for the first batch this year, of which 150 has. is for livestock (goat) raising. “We expect this to generate about 1,140 jobs,” says Medel Panzo, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Cocounut Authority (PCA).
Panzo said the target site for cocoplanting has been fully validated in May this year.
“This is part of the agriculture sector’s contribution to the ‘Beat the Odds’ agenda of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under the 2005 to 2010 of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan or MTPDP,” explains Panzo.
Goal 1 of the MTPDP, Panzo said, is developing at least two million hectares of new land for agribusiness in order to contribute two million jobs out of the 10 million jobs targeted in 2010.
Goal 2 on the other hand is making food plentiful at competitive prices where the cost of priority “wage goods” such as rice, sugar, vegetables, poultry, pork and fish and other important non-wage goods like corn must be reduced.
This also means that the government will continue to fight for self-sufficiency in rice production by increasing price and production efficiency and competitiveness.
-30-
Illegal drug problem far from over; community urged to get involved
Top ranking government officials in Oriental Negros admitted that the fight against illegal drugs in the province is far from over and stressed the community’s vast role in leading a successful anti-drug campaign.
During the recent Kapihan sa PIA forum, Board Member Arturo Umbac said that the steps being taken by the government to address the illegal drugs problem are just “mere palliatives” as the root of the problem lies in what he described as the failure of the family, church and the school.
Youths turn to drugs because of what they see in the homes and in their school, where they are not given the attention they seek, says Umbac. “Let’s go back to the school, church and home,” he said.
In the same forum, Dr. Henry A. Sojor, president of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) suggested that the policemen should be trained by government lawyers on the technical side of filing cases to help the police secure a conviction during the hearing of drug cases.
Records from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 (PDEA) show that there have been 50 drug operations conducted in Oriental Negros, but a conviction is yet to be scored, according to Ret. Police Gen. Rubilito R. Comilang who now sits as consultant of PDEA.
Sojor said that drug-related cases filed in court usually don’t end with a conviction because the policemen are not properly trained on the technical side of legal proceedings.
He added that barangay officials should also be trained how to make lawful arrests.
Comilang likewise urged barangay captains to activate and mobilize their anti-drug abuse councils and tap the help of students and the Parent-Teachers
Association in anti-drug activities in the barangays.
According to Comilang, illegal drugs activities have recently been slow due to an increase on the prices of illegal drugs, particularly shabu which he said is now priced at P3,800 per gram while marijuana, P800/kilo.
-30-
7/14/2005
INFOBYTES, Issue No. 16 Vol. 1, July 14, 2005
Gary Teves appointed new finance secretary
Land Bank President and chief executive officer Gary B. Teves has been appointed by Malacañan as the new secretary of the Department of Finance, replacing former finance chief Cesar Purisima.
This was announced by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during the pilot broadcast of the public affairs show "Dagundong" over NBN Channel 4.
Ermita said Teves is intelligent, reliable and competent to handle the job.
He added that Teves, who is the son of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Herminio Teves, has impressed Malacañang with his track record as LBP president and former congressman.
Teves joins the roster of newly appointed Cabinet members to take over the recently vacated posts of the Arroyo administration.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has also appointed Labor Assistant Secretary Benedicto Ernest R. Bitonio, Jr. as chairman of the National Labor Relations Commission.
The new Cabinet will be composed of people whose commitment to the nation and the democratic principles will be beyond doubt, says the president.
"This is a new team that will work with me to move away from political bickering to doing what the people of the Philippines expect their leaders to do and that is get our economy moving and ensure the delivery of essential services such as health care, education and security to all parts of the country," she said.
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Enough rice supply for lean months- NFA
With the onset of the lean months from July to September, rice supply is the least of the worries of Oriental Negrenses following the National Food Authority's assurance of rice sufficiency in the province.
NFA has been adopting a rice distribution scheme nationwide to cushion the country from the drastic drop of palay harvest during the lean months.
For July alone, NFA here aims to inject 30,000 bags of rice to its currently three well-stocked warehouses in the province.
NFA Assistant Provincial Manager Francisco Lorico Jr. said around 32,000 bags of NFA imported rice are expected to arrive here from Cebu this month, augmenting NFA's current stock of 100,000 rice bags.
Of the total current stock, 68,000 bags are reserve rice and the rest are operational stocks, says Lorico.
The food agency supplies each of the six retailer (6) outlets in the city public market with 15 bags per day everyday.
Lorico said there are more than 60 outlets within public markets outside of Dumaguete, which NFA provides with 10 sacks per outlet each week.
According to NFA National Administrator Gregoril Tan Jr., the agency strategically injects rice in areas where supply tends to be insufficient to prevent unnecessary increase in the commodity's rice.
NFA rice is currently priced at P16 per kilo at the Dumaguete City Public Market and P18 per kilo outside the city.
To ensure that consumers will continue to enjoy quality and affordable NFA rice, the agency's monitoring and enforcement task force across the country have been fielded to check on and apprehend erring grains businessmen.
Lorico however assured that the incidence of overpriced NFA rice is not rampant in the province, although the local monitoring and enforcement team have fined some erring outlet owners mostly for not following NFA regulations.
Penalty for violating NFA regulations range between P1,000 to P4,000, depending on the gravity of the violation, says Lorico.
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Compressed natural gas buses to hit roads soon
In the midst of the seemingly unending wave of soaring prices of imported fuel and fare hikes, compressed natural gases or CNG buses might just be the badly-needed relief bus operators and commuters are waiting for.
The government's natural gas vehicle program for public transport offers bus operators a more than 50% reduction in diesel price for the first 200 bus units that will be registered under the program.
The increased utilization of alternative transport fuel is seen to reduce the 50% dependence of the transport sector on imported fuel.
The CNG is pegged at P14.50 per diesel liter equivalent, against the prevailing price of diesel at P29.50.
According to Sammy Gargaritano, manager of Vallacar Transit here, the CNG program is viable, as it requires low maintenance and keeps the vehicle's engine clean.
Gargaritano said 35 CNG units have already been tested in Manila and Batangas.
Seven bus operators have already been accredited by the Department of Energy, all of who committed to acquire 185 units by the end of the year.
Gargaritano said Vallacar Transit is contemplating of acquiring CNG buses, but their main concern is the supply of gas.
He said this was also the concern of the members of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines during its recent meeting.
So far, the CNG mother-daughter refueling stations are currently being constructed only in Batangas and Laguna, which are set to be finished in August this year to hasten the commercial operation of the CNGs.
Several incentives are in store for those who apply for the CNG program, including a zero rate of duty on imported natural gas vehicle industry-related equipment, facilities, parts and components.
Vallacar Transit, which runs the Ceres bus liner, has 134 buses in its Dumaguete Branch and 28 units in its Bacolod branch.
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OFW deployment exceeds 1st semester mark
More than half a million overseas Filipino workers have been deployed even before the 1st semester of the year ended.
Acting Labor and Employment Secretary Danilo Cruz is confident that the target deployment of one million for this year is on a firm and stable track.
Kenric Villaluz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here said more overseas recruitment agencies are participating in job fairs in the province compared to previous years.
Around 20 overseas recruitment agencies joined in the recent job fair conducted by DOLE in Sibulan on May 28 and 29.
Before, only around 10 agencies recruiting for overseas jobs joined in job fairs, says Villaluz.
From only one overseas recruitment agency last year, Villaluz said about five agencies have now started conducting recruitment at the local DOLE office almost every month this year.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier reported that the January to April 2004 OFW remittances rose from 2.6 to 3 billion dollars for the same period this year.
An international labor organization-standard based labor force survey as of April this year showed that OFWs continue to enjoy the preference of traditional and emerging labor market overseas.
Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas reported in a recent business forum that local employment grew by almost 700,000 nationwide and that as of April, the unemployment rate stood at 8.3%.
Land-based OFWs worldwide are also appreciated as more Filipino professionals like accounts, architects, engineers, medical and health professionals and others continue to make it overseas.
Philippines accounts for some 20% to 25% of the world's supply of maritime workers.
-30-
Minimum wage earners to get additional COLA
Minimum wage earners could now regain their eroding purchasing power and cope with the rising cost of basic commodities and services after the Labor department reported the recent decision of giving the workers nationwide an additional cost of living allowance.
Provincial Extension Officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco in Siquijor bared that wage-setting process in Region 7 is already accomplished.
The regional wage board in its Wage Order No. ROVII-11 granted workers in the region a minimum wage hike in the form of additional P15 cost-of-living-allowance per day for class A areas and P12 per day for classes B, C and D.
Class A are cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao and Talisay and municipalities of Menglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova (or expanded Metro Cebu).
Class B comprises the city of Toledo and the rest of the municipalities in Cebu province except Bantayan and Camotes islands.
Cities and municipalities in the provinces of Bohol and Oriental Negros belong to Class C while Class D are municipalities of Siquijor, Bantayan and Camotes island.
"Establishments who registered as Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with certificates of authority are exempted from granting increases," Tanquiamco said.
Wage Order No. VII-11 provides that the adjustments apply to all covered workers and employees in private sector in the region, regardless of the position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which they are paid.
The wage order states that not covered from the wage increase are household or domestic helpers, persons in the personal service of another (including drivers), and workers of registered BMBEs with certificate of authority.
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DOST announces PSHS system search for scholar
The local of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Siquijor announces the search for scholars of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
Provincial Science and Technology Coordinator Mario de la Peña said the PSHS systems consists of schools which offer scholarship to deserving students who are trained under a curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in the field of science and technology.
It is one of the agencies of DOST contributing to the expansion and development of the country's scientific and technological manpower.
"To date, we have three scholars from Larena and Siquijor enrolled at the Philippine Science High School in Iloilo," says de la Peña.
Qualified elementary students who are interested to apply for the said scholarship will undergo a two-step screening process, first of which is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) to be held on Oct. 15 at Siquijor State College in Larena, Siquijor.
The second step is the Science Math Aptitude Test (SMAT) consisting of tests in science and mathematics.
Students who pass the first screening will undergo the second screening on Dec. 10 at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
Application forms are now distributed to all elementary schools provincewide.
Deadline for submission of application forms is on Aug. 25.
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San Juan PNP receives CDF grant for new office construction
The Philippine National Police in the fifth class municipality of San Juan is a beneficiary of a P300,000 CDF grant from CIBAC Representative Hon. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva.
The new PNP office is established at the northern side bleacher of the San Juan Cultural Center at the Poblacion area.
With its new office now in a relatively more accessible location, the local PNP's zeal to serve and protect the people is given a boost, especially with the support of the current set of municipal officers headed by Hon. Edwin Quimno.
-30-
Province's disaster plans already in place
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) here has already put in place various disaster management plans in preparation for any man-made or natural disasters that might strike the province.
This was disclosed by Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Officer Joy P. Gongob in the recent Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency in observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July which banners the theme: "Safe Ka Ba? Programa Laban sa Kalamidad Tungo sa Pag-Unlad."
Gongob, who heads the plans and operations of PDCC, said the council has already set its plans to counter disasters such as La Niña, El Niño, and anti-terrorism on bomb threats.
PDCC has integrated the plans of its three management units to come up with a counter disaster management plan.
Engr. Ricardo Baculad of the Provincial Engineer's Office, which spearheads the transportation committee of PDCC, said the three district engineers in the province are prepared to carry out transportation assistance in case disaster strikes.
A disaster relief plan is also in place, says Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Alice Lagarde, who heads the relief and rehabilitation committee of the council.
The provincial government also has a stockpile of food commodities and used clothing from DSWD-7 in preparation for any calamity.
Identified disaster-prone areas in the province by the Office of the Civil Defense are Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Guihulngan, hinterlands of Pamplona, Bais City and Tanjay City.
Allen Cabaron of OCD here said the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is stepping up its information campaign on disasters preparedness particularly focusing on four natural disasters, namely: typhoon, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions.
A volcanic eruption plan is currently in the works in the province, says Gongob, although the plan still needs to be polished and pending approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Cabaron also urged local government units here to strengthen their disaster coordinating councils and to involve non-government and civic organizations in their relief and rehabilitation plans.
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Land Bank President and chief executive officer Gary B. Teves has been appointed by Malacañan as the new secretary of the Department of Finance, replacing former finance chief Cesar Purisima.
This was announced by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita during the pilot broadcast of the public affairs show "Dagundong" over NBN Channel 4.
Ermita said Teves is intelligent, reliable and competent to handle the job.
He added that Teves, who is the son of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Herminio Teves, has impressed Malacañang with his track record as LBP president and former congressman.
Teves joins the roster of newly appointed Cabinet members to take over the recently vacated posts of the Arroyo administration.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has also appointed Labor Assistant Secretary Benedicto Ernest R. Bitonio, Jr. as chairman of the National Labor Relations Commission.
The new Cabinet will be composed of people whose commitment to the nation and the democratic principles will be beyond doubt, says the president.
"This is a new team that will work with me to move away from political bickering to doing what the people of the Philippines expect their leaders to do and that is get our economy moving and ensure the delivery of essential services such as health care, education and security to all parts of the country," she said.
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Enough rice supply for lean months- NFA
With the onset of the lean months from July to September, rice supply is the least of the worries of Oriental Negrenses following the National Food Authority's assurance of rice sufficiency in the province.
NFA has been adopting a rice distribution scheme nationwide to cushion the country from the drastic drop of palay harvest during the lean months.
For July alone, NFA here aims to inject 30,000 bags of rice to its currently three well-stocked warehouses in the province.
NFA Assistant Provincial Manager Francisco Lorico Jr. said around 32,000 bags of NFA imported rice are expected to arrive here from Cebu this month, augmenting NFA's current stock of 100,000 rice bags.
Of the total current stock, 68,000 bags are reserve rice and the rest are operational stocks, says Lorico.
The food agency supplies each of the six retailer (6) outlets in the city public market with 15 bags per day everyday.
Lorico said there are more than 60 outlets within public markets outside of Dumaguete, which NFA provides with 10 sacks per outlet each week.
According to NFA National Administrator Gregoril Tan Jr., the agency strategically injects rice in areas where supply tends to be insufficient to prevent unnecessary increase in the commodity's rice.
NFA rice is currently priced at P16 per kilo at the Dumaguete City Public Market and P18 per kilo outside the city.
To ensure that consumers will continue to enjoy quality and affordable NFA rice, the agency's monitoring and enforcement task force across the country have been fielded to check on and apprehend erring grains businessmen.
Lorico however assured that the incidence of overpriced NFA rice is not rampant in the province, although the local monitoring and enforcement team have fined some erring outlet owners mostly for not following NFA regulations.
Penalty for violating NFA regulations range between P1,000 to P4,000, depending on the gravity of the violation, says Lorico.
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Compressed natural gas buses to hit roads soon
In the midst of the seemingly unending wave of soaring prices of imported fuel and fare hikes, compressed natural gases or CNG buses might just be the badly-needed relief bus operators and commuters are waiting for.
The government's natural gas vehicle program for public transport offers bus operators a more than 50% reduction in diesel price for the first 200 bus units that will be registered under the program.
The increased utilization of alternative transport fuel is seen to reduce the 50% dependence of the transport sector on imported fuel.
The CNG is pegged at P14.50 per diesel liter equivalent, against the prevailing price of diesel at P29.50.
According to Sammy Gargaritano, manager of Vallacar Transit here, the CNG program is viable, as it requires low maintenance and keeps the vehicle's engine clean.
Gargaritano said 35 CNG units have already been tested in Manila and Batangas.
Seven bus operators have already been accredited by the Department of Energy, all of who committed to acquire 185 units by the end of the year.
Gargaritano said Vallacar Transit is contemplating of acquiring CNG buses, but their main concern is the supply of gas.
He said this was also the concern of the members of the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines during its recent meeting.
So far, the CNG mother-daughter refueling stations are currently being constructed only in Batangas and Laguna, which are set to be finished in August this year to hasten the commercial operation of the CNGs.
Several incentives are in store for those who apply for the CNG program, including a zero rate of duty on imported natural gas vehicle industry-related equipment, facilities, parts and components.
Vallacar Transit, which runs the Ceres bus liner, has 134 buses in its Dumaguete Branch and 28 units in its Bacolod branch.
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OFW deployment exceeds 1st semester mark
More than half a million overseas Filipino workers have been deployed even before the 1st semester of the year ended.
Acting Labor and Employment Secretary Danilo Cruz is confident that the target deployment of one million for this year is on a firm and stable track.
Kenric Villaluz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here said more overseas recruitment agencies are participating in job fairs in the province compared to previous years.
Around 20 overseas recruitment agencies joined in the recent job fair conducted by DOLE in Sibulan on May 28 and 29.
Before, only around 10 agencies recruiting for overseas jobs joined in job fairs, says Villaluz.
From only one overseas recruitment agency last year, Villaluz said about five agencies have now started conducting recruitment at the local DOLE office almost every month this year.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier reported that the January to April 2004 OFW remittances rose from 2.6 to 3 billion dollars for the same period this year.
An international labor organization-standard based labor force survey as of April this year showed that OFWs continue to enjoy the preference of traditional and emerging labor market overseas.
Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas reported in a recent business forum that local employment grew by almost 700,000 nationwide and that as of April, the unemployment rate stood at 8.3%.
Land-based OFWs worldwide are also appreciated as more Filipino professionals like accounts, architects, engineers, medical and health professionals and others continue to make it overseas.
Philippines accounts for some 20% to 25% of the world's supply of maritime workers.
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Minimum wage earners to get additional COLA
Minimum wage earners could now regain their eroding purchasing power and cope with the rising cost of basic commodities and services after the Labor department reported the recent decision of giving the workers nationwide an additional cost of living allowance.
Provincial Extension Officer of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco in Siquijor bared that wage-setting process in Region 7 is already accomplished.
The regional wage board in its Wage Order No. ROVII-11 granted workers in the region a minimum wage hike in the form of additional P15 cost-of-living-allowance per day for class A areas and P12 per day for classes B, C and D.
Class A are cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao and Talisay and municipalities of Menglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Cordova (or expanded Metro Cebu).
Class B comprises the city of Toledo and the rest of the municipalities in Cebu province except Bantayan and Camotes islands.
Cities and municipalities in the provinces of Bohol and Oriental Negros belong to Class C while Class D are municipalities of Siquijor, Bantayan and Camotes island.
"Establishments who registered as Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with certificates of authority are exempted from granting increases," Tanquiamco said.
Wage Order No. VII-11 provides that the adjustments apply to all covered workers and employees in private sector in the region, regardless of the position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which they are paid.
The wage order states that not covered from the wage increase are household or domestic helpers, persons in the personal service of another (including drivers), and workers of registered BMBEs with certificate of authority.
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DOST announces PSHS system search for scholar
The local of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Siquijor announces the search for scholars of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
Provincial Science and Technology Coordinator Mario de la Peña said the PSHS systems consists of schools which offer scholarship to deserving students who are trained under a curriculum designed to prepare them for careers in the field of science and technology.
It is one of the agencies of DOST contributing to the expansion and development of the country's scientific and technological manpower.
"To date, we have three scholars from Larena and Siquijor enrolled at the Philippine Science High School in Iloilo," says de la Peña.
Qualified elementary students who are interested to apply for the said scholarship will undergo a two-step screening process, first of which is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) to be held on Oct. 15 at Siquijor State College in Larena, Siquijor.
The second step is the Science Math Aptitude Test (SMAT) consisting of tests in science and mathematics.
Students who pass the first screening will undergo the second screening on Dec. 10 at Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
Application forms are now distributed to all elementary schools provincewide.
Deadline for submission of application forms is on Aug. 25.
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San Juan PNP receives CDF grant for new office construction
The Philippine National Police in the fifth class municipality of San Juan is a beneficiary of a P300,000 CDF grant from CIBAC Representative Hon. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva.
The new PNP office is established at the northern side bleacher of the San Juan Cultural Center at the Poblacion area.
With its new office now in a relatively more accessible location, the local PNP's zeal to serve and protect the people is given a boost, especially with the support of the current set of municipal officers headed by Hon. Edwin Quimno.
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Province's disaster plans already in place
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) here has already put in place various disaster management plans in preparation for any man-made or natural disasters that might strike the province.
This was disclosed by Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Officer Joy P. Gongob in the recent Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency in observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July which banners the theme: "Safe Ka Ba? Programa Laban sa Kalamidad Tungo sa Pag-Unlad."
Gongob, who heads the plans and operations of PDCC, said the council has already set its plans to counter disasters such as La Niña, El Niño, and anti-terrorism on bomb threats.
PDCC has integrated the plans of its three management units to come up with a counter disaster management plan.
Engr. Ricardo Baculad of the Provincial Engineer's Office, which spearheads the transportation committee of PDCC, said the three district engineers in the province are prepared to carry out transportation assistance in case disaster strikes.
A disaster relief plan is also in place, says Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Alice Lagarde, who heads the relief and rehabilitation committee of the council.
The provincial government also has a stockpile of food commodities and used clothing from DSWD-7 in preparation for any calamity.
Identified disaster-prone areas in the province by the Office of the Civil Defense are Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, Siaton, Guihulngan, hinterlands of Pamplona, Bais City and Tanjay City.
Allen Cabaron of OCD here said the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is stepping up its information campaign on disasters preparedness particularly focusing on four natural disasters, namely: typhoon, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruptions.
A volcanic eruption plan is currently in the works in the province, says Gongob, although the plan still needs to be polished and pending approval from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Cabaron also urged local government units here to strengthen their disaster coordinating councils and to involve non-government and civic organizations in their relief and rehabilitation plans.
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