ISSUE NO. 46, NOVEMBER 16, 2006

Mild El Niño not felt in OrNeg

A mild dry spell brought on by a developing El Niño is not being felt in Oriental Negros as some 10,966 hectares of corn had brought good harvest of 27,264 metric tons early last month.

While some 6,494 hectares planted with hybrid, certified and good seeds of palay had also produced 23,113 metric tons of rice early in the second cropping, Provincial Agriculturist Gregorio Paltingca reported.

According to Paltingca, the province has experienced normal weather condition as of this third quarter of this year of which the agriculture products especially in southern part of the province have not affected yet of the heat wave.

However, a mild El Niño is being experienced in the southern part of Cebu province and western part of Bohol, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

With this advisory, Department of Agriculture Region 7 director, Eduardo Lecciones, said his office had started implementing mitigating measures to help farmers deal with the effects of the dry spell.

PAGASA officer-in-charge Prisco Nilo said a mild dry spell brought on by a developing El Niño had been recorded in some areas in the country since August.

With the coming of the El Niño, Nilo said below normal rainfall had been experienced in affected areas that included northern and western Luzon, most parts of northern Panay Island including Iloilo, southern Cebu, the western parts of Bohol and Zamboanga provinces, most parts of the Caraga provinces, Davao Oriental, eastern part of Davao del Norte and the southern tip of Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato.

The full adverse effect of El Niño will be experienced in the early part of next year and it will affect agriculture, hydropower generation, and domestic water supply, he warned.

Nilo advised the different government agencies to take appropriate actions to mitigate the adverse effects of El Niño on the different sectors.

Lecciones said the DA had directed its field offices through out Central Visayas to begin implementing mitigating measures, including the planting of early maturing varieties of vegetables, beans, monggo, leafy vegetables and corn and palay.

In Manila, the distribution of "quick turnaround seeds" will form part of the DA's plans to mitigate the rainless effects of the El Niño on the country's food supply, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

Outside the budget hearing of the DA at the Senate, Yap told reporters that seeds of palay and corn allowed for harvests within shorter periods.

"We're distributing them out now when there is still water and it is still possible to harvest them before the dry season arrives," he said.

Dec. 1, 26 declared non-working days

Malacañang has declared December 26, 2006 as a special non-working day while pronouncing Bonifacio Day on November 30 as a working day and Dec. 1 as a non-working holiday.

In Proclamation No. 1169 issued by Malacañang, December 26 has been declared a non-working day in consideration of the Filipino tradition of visiting relatives and spending time with family on Christmas Day (December 25) which falls on a Monday this year.

“… and to give an opportunity for travel to those who have to return home or to their workplaces after their Christmas visits,” the Proclamation adds.

November 30, which is Bonifacio Day, shall be a working day while the following day, December 1, 2006, which is a Friday, shall be non-working holiday throughout the country.

However, all activities and celebrations in observance of Bonifacio Day shall remain to be observed on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006.

NBI Dumaguete office, senior agent ranked as top performers nationwide

The National Bureau of Investigation Dumaguete (NBI) Field Office has been ranked as the third top performing field office in the country this year for its commendable performance in filing cases against suspects in illegal activities here.

According to NBI Senior Agent Miguel Dungog, himself a NBI Achiever Awardee this year, NBI Dumaguete is the lone field office from Visayas and Mindanao to be recognized as a top field office.

Dungog said the field office here has filed more than 100 cases for the period of October to September 2006 alone, of which he was responsible for around 80 cases filed.

The senior agent explained that this is the first time the NBI field office here was recognized as a top performing office.

Dumaguete ranked a low no. 23 in the past two years out of the total 27 field offices nationwide.

Dungog attributes the improvement in NBI Dumaguete’s efficiency to the strong support from the provincial government, Task Force 24 and the private sector. “Although we have a small manpower here, we work hand-in-hand with other agencies. Plus, we have a good working relationship with PDEA and PNP here,” he added.

Dungog received his top achiever award during the awarding ceremony held at NBI Central Office on November 13, 2006 with no less than Secretary Raul Gonzales of the Department of Justice as the guest of honor.

Dungog is one of the eight agents nationwide to receive the NBI Achiever of the Year Award.

He is confident that the NBI office here will continue to rank high in the following years. “With the same support we have been getting from the public, the provincial government and the private sector, I think we can maintain the recognition and the level of efficiency,” he said.

Meantime, to further improve the efficiency at the national level, NBI has been pushing an aggressive recruitment policy for lawyers to professionalize its ranks.

Its search for more “experts in the law” has been yielding positive results for the agency as this year’s batch of applicants is composed of lawyers- a first after 15 years, according to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring.

Mantaring said the bureau’s representatives had been visible at the oathtaking of recent bar passers, distributing flyers and leaflets about NBI and its manpower needs.

“As law enforcers, it is an advantage for us to have completed law degrees,” Mantaring stressed.

BIR, LGUs to link databases

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) upped its campaign against tax evasion as it is set to link its database electronically with local government units to enhance its ability to detect and run after businesses that evade paying national taxes.

According to Jose Senador, Chief of BIR Taxpayers Assistance Section here, the bureau is fast tracking its campaign against tax evasion thru the electronic linkup with the LGUs and national government offices.

BIR Assistant Commissioner Pio de Rada in an interview said that the linkup forms part of the BIR’s effort to tap information from several government entities that could help enhance its tax audit capability.

De Rada said the first linkup would be with the government of Quezon City.

However, Senador said the electronic linkup would not be implemented in Negros Oriental as of now since the BIR office here is not yet fully equipped for an electronic linkup with LGUs.

“Some LGUs are also not yet ready for the linkup since they have yet to computerize their records,” explained Senador.

He hopes though that the linkup would gain ground in the province next year.

As of now, we continue to rely on the usual traditional methods in our tax collection such as information dissemination thru the media and calling up and setting meetings with agencies concerned, he added.

BIR also intends to tap the assistance of barangay council heads in running after tax cheats among their constituents.

The bureau recently launched the Tax Enhancement Vehicle for Economic Stability (TEVES), which calls for cooperation with LGUs to boost tax collection.

Under the National Internal Revenue Code, 40% of the national government’s annual revenue collection should be set aside for LGUs and 20% of the annual increase in value-added tax collection by a BIR’s revenue region should go to the LGU in the area.

TESDA holds 2-day career caravan in Cebu

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will hold a Career Caravan Road Show in Cebu on Nov. 19-20, 2006 to showcase and popularize the various technical vocational education and trainings (tech-voc) of TESDA.

According to Beth Tubog of TESDA here, among the programs that will be showcased during the caravan are the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship, Ladderized Education Program, and the Private Education for Students Financial Assistance (PESFAP) program.

Certificates of scholarships under the PGMA Training for Work program will be awarded during the caravan. “One of the recipients is the Negros Maritime College Foundation here,” said Tubog.

TESDA Negros Oriental will display during the caravan the products created by the trainees of various trainings conducted by TESDA in the province.

Tubog said they will showcase jewelries made from recycled paper. “We conducted two trainings on paper bead making for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) and we will display their products such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets, during the caravan,” she said.

Decorative items made by the trainees such as curtains, refrigerator cover and place mats made from recycled paper will also be displayed.

Tubog explained that the training on recycled paper is in line with TESDA’s Dangal ng Barangay program, a skills training for the community which has been sustained until now.

Also up for display are native bags made of abaca material from Guihulngan town. “Negros Oriental is known for its native bags and we will also be showing this,” Tubog said.

TESDA here has earlier conducted a training on native bag making for a community of more than 50 residents in Guihulngan in year 2000.

Meanwhile, 2nd District Congressman Emilio Macias II will hand over a check worth P3 million to TESDA Director General Augusto “Bobby” Syjuco during the caravan.

Tubog said the congressman is donating the amount to the I-CARE program of TESDA in the province.

She said TESDA is grateful for the congressman’s strong support to the said program.

TESDA’s efforts in promoting tech-voc jobs trainings is in line with the President Gloria Arroyo’s focus to sustain the momentum of the country’s improving economy.

The strength of the Philippine economy reflects faith in the political leadership from the Filipino people and the world and is due for a full swing towards economic takeoff.

Malacañang said tough economic reforms and revenue measures are reaping the tide of confidence and the social payback would soon be flowing down in terms of better paying jobs, improved infrastructure and enhanced social services—cutting across the alleviation of poverty and hunger.

Renminbi, won now convertible with BSP

The Chinese renminbi and Korean won are now convertible into pesos as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved their inclusion in the list of currencies convertible with the central bank.

Although the BSP in Negros Oriental has yet to receive an advice from its central office regarding the inclusion of the new currencies, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. has announced recently that the Monetary Board (MB) had approved the inclusion of these two currencies, a move that would allow local banks to buy and sell them to the BSP.

"In other words, these currencies will now be easier for the public to convert with local banks," Tetangco explained.

According to Tetangco, the inclusion of the renminbi and the won in the list of convertible currencies has become necessary because of close and even strengthening economic ties with China and South Korea.

"The MB also took into consideration the government’s thrust to increase trade with these countries and promote the country’s tourism industry," he added.

Once the renminbi and won become easily convertible into local currency, officials said the convertibility of currencies would be one less inconvenience for visiting Chinese and Korean tourists.

At present, only 12 foreign currencies are convertible with the BSP. These include the US dollar, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Bahrain dinar, Kuwait dinar, Saudi Arabian rial, Brunei dollar, Indonesia rupiah, Thai baht, the United Arab Emirates dirham and the European Union’s euro.

Siquijor population to reach 93T by 2010, 127T by 2040; NSO cites implications

Based on the 2000 Census-Based Population Projections of the National Statistics Office (NSO), the province of Siquijor population is projected to rise to 93,000 on 2010, and increasing to 127,000 by 2040. The 2000 Statistics shows the province’s population at 82,000, which means that Siquijor grows 10,000-13,000 higher per decade.

The record was bared during a provincial data dissemination forum and symposium conducted by the NSO Provincial Office on the results of the 2005 family planning survey and other NSO census and surveys. The activity was taken as one of the highlights of the celebration of statistics month in October with the theme “Empowering Consumers Through Reponsive Energy Statistics.”

Discussions also include other highlights of the census 2000-based population projections and 2005 survey on overseas Filipinos; and the results of 2004 household energy consumption survey (HECS) and 2003 family income and expenditures survey.

Provincial Statistics Officer Ronaldo C. Taghap stressed the need to disseminate these data particularly to provincial planners and implementers as they can be the basis for their planning and development strategies at the provincial level.

Taghap also explained possible implications of the burgeoning population to health, education and security services in the country.

Data shows that the country consumes 30,000 tons of rice everyday, with each Filipino eating 115 kilograms, or more than two sacks a year.

With the 85.3 million projected population in the country in 2005, the rice consumed for that year could have been 219 million sacks or 10.95 million tons.

In 2005, the country produced 233.6 million sacks of rice, hence a possible surplus of 14.6 million sacks

Meanwhile, the improving economy is proof of people’s “faith in the political leadership” of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her spokesman said Friday, amid predictions of an administration debacle in 2007 similar to that which befell the Republicans in the US midterm elections.

"The strength of the Philippine economy reflects faith in the political leadership,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement. “The Filipino people and the world are witness to how the tough economic reforms and revenue measures are now bearing fruit."

Boasting that the country was in “full swing towards economic takeoff,” Bunye said “the social payback would soon be flowing down in terms of better paying jobs, improved infrastructure, enhanced social services and alleviation of poverty and hunger.”

SSC stude bags 15th PSQ provincial plum

Seventeen-year old Elmer Anthony V. Docejo, a first-year Bachelor in Secondary Education student of Siquijor State College (SSC) of Larena, Siquijor won in a sweeping fashion over the second placer also from the same school in this year’s 15th edition of the Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) Siquijor Provincial Finals.

This year’s “battle of statistical whizzes” which was held at the Legislative Building of the Municipality of Siquijor last November 9, 2006 was participated by four freshmen college students in the province.

SSC sweep the top three places of the contest. Clinching a total of six points during the final round of the two round series, Docejo was only two point ahead over Ms. Patricia Louise O. Maglangit, also a first-year Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) student of SSC who won second place. Clinching the third place is Ms. Ellen Rose Y. Magsanay, a BS Information Technology also student of SSC.

The PSQ is annual contest designed to test the knowledge of statistics among college freshmen. The National Statistics Office (NSO) along with the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) and other partner agencies from the government and private sector has been organizing the yearly contest since 1992 to promote public awareness and appreciation of statistics.

The winners received modest cash prizes and tokens from valued sponsors and donors, and PSQ certificates of recognition and participation given by PSQ Regional and Provincial Steering Committee.

The top three winners will also carry the honor of representing the province to the 15th PSQ Central Visayas Regional Finals to be held on November 14, 2005 at Audio-Visual Hall of Ubniversity of Cebu . The winner in the regional finals will represent the region to the National Finals on December where regional champion has to compete with 17 other regional champions throughout the country.

This year’s PSQ Board of Judges is composed of Engr. Mario de la Peña of DOST, Mrs. Myrna Ocao, Education Supervisor of DepEd-Siquijor, Mr. Felicisimo Valios of Bureau of Agricultural Satistics (BAS), Ms. Marlyn dela Peñ, Municipal Civil Registrar of Larena, representing the civil Registrar Association of Siquijor Province (CRASP) and Mr. Ronaldo C. Taghap of NSO Siquijor Provincial Office who acted as Chairman. Hon. William Flores, Vice Mayor of Siquijor grade the activity and welcome the participants.

FSTP phase 3 to be culminated

The Farmer Scientist Training Program (FSTP) Phase III in the province of Siquijor will culminate on November 16-17, 2006.

Guests from the from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) College of Agriculture, and DA Regional Field Unit (RFU) and local officials will grace the two-day affair.

Dr. Candida B. Adalla, Dean of the College of Agriculture of UPLB and Dr. Romulo G. Davide, Program leader of FSTP UPLB-CA will serve as the honorary guests who will present and confirm the graduates and award the Certificates of Completion and Recognition.

The culmination program for the 5 municipalities namely: San Juan and Lazi; Larena and Enrique Villanueva and Siquijor is simultaneous with the launching of the phase II in some identified barangays of the province.

The FSTP is based on the assumption that there is no barren soil only barren mind, and that farming as an endeavor is business. This assumption is designed to liberate frmers from the bondage of poverty using the formula KKAA+FSTP=Merkado=Pugos Kadato as popularized by Dr. Davide. According to him the formula would bring farmers onward to prosperity.

It is notable that from the time FSTP was brought to Siquijor, results have been encouraging as farmers have increased their production and developed their scientific capabilities to grow corn and other crops using appropriate farming technologies.

Aside form the techniques, they became happy to work with the experts in doing research and extension activities, thus tightening the bond.

The FSTP theme “Empowering farmers for socio-economic progress” is a dream come true, as their motto also says” We gather knowledge to scatter.

Meanwhile, Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the predictions on the world economy can go up and down, but “we believe that the Philippines can beat the odds and keep the momentum we have already gained. “

He cited the increasing political and economic stability, the steady growth of trade and investment, aggressive and balanced diplomatic offensives and the country’s niche of excellence in the world as factors that will continue to come together to keep confidence and growth up amidst any bearish trends.

“We have a resilient and diverse economy. The momentum forward and up, created by the President’s economic reforms, is strong and cannot easily be reversed,” he said. -

ISSUE NO. 45, Nov. 8, 2006

Organic agriculture agenda launched

The Organic Agriculture Agenda will be launched in Dumaguete City on Friday, November 10, 2006 to draw the sustainability of organic agriculture in the entire Negros Island.

According to Eugene Quirante of Organic Negros Alliance of Oriental Negros (ONA), the activity will also set the guidelines in the implementation of some alternative agrarian livelihood projects in the sugar land plantation areas.

It will be recalled that last year, Governors George P. Arnaiz of Oriental Negros and Joseph Maranon of Negros Occidental jointly signed a memorandum of agreement declaring the Negros Island as the Organic Food Island ion Asia.

Both governors have accepted the challenge of achieving a unified sustainable agricultural rural development, especially for small-holder communities, centered upon diversified organic produce for the entire island.

Subsequently, the Kaisampalad- Philippine NGO Council for Food Security and Fair Trade facilitated the NGOs and Pos in the two provinces develop appropriate responses to the said initiative.

With this, Quirante expected the launching -workshop will recognize the importance of implementation of the program

Meantime, assessing the Philippine economy this year, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has described 2006 as a "very good year" for the country.

Ifzal Ali, ADB chief economist, projected that the Philippine economic growth, boosted by the agricultural sector, would hit 5.4 percent this year.

"Agriculture production was strong in the first half and industry performed better than expected. This dampened inflation pressures," the ADB economist said.

PNP intensifies anti-insurgency drive to fight poverty in OrNeg

The Philippine National Police (PNP) here has intensified its anti-insurgency campaign to address the poverty problem in the province.

Chief Intelligence Officer Hilbert Arinaza of the PNP Provincial Office said, the PNP is not only strengthening its internal security operations but also promote livelihood projects in the affected insurgency area-barangays in the province.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDSA7) reported that in Central Visayas, Oriental Negros and Siquijor registered the increase of poverty incidence. The number of poor in Oriental Negros increases to 6.3 percent from 37.1 percent in 2000 to 43.4 percent.

The threat of insurgency perpetrated by NPA rebel terrorists is attributed as one of the possible factors that caused the increased of poverty incidence in Oriental Negros, while Siquijor has not affected the business spillover trend from Cebu unlike in some areas in the Visayas, NEDA7 reported.

Chief Social Development Division Rafael Tagalog of NEDA7 is not worried of the SWS survey result that 16.9 percent of Filipino people are suffering from hunger, since the poverty incidence in the Visayas is decreasing from 36.2 percent to 28.3 percent in 2003. Tagalog said the SWS should validate the programs and projects of the government.

Whereas, according to Arinaza, CPP-NPA is not only engaged in terrorist acts against facilities and installations of vital service to the people, it is also robbing communities of jobs and livelihood by scaring investments away and perpetuating abject poverty.

The government assures the investment community that security forces are focused on meeting this challenge alongside a strong effort to strike at the roots of insurgency through high impact social and development programs.

With that, NFA rolling stores will be repackaged, along with the strengthening of the extension services of DA to ensure that marginal farmers and fishermen are given assistance. The food for work program of the DSWD and the employment program using the road users’ tax under the DPWH are also being intensified to meet the Filipinos’ needs. The LGUs are also working to provide local funds to fight hunger among their most impoverished constituents. (JCTilos)

Typhoid fever claims six in Oriental Negros

Typhoid fever brought about six (6) fatalities in Oriental Negros from January to October this year compared to three casualties recorded last year.

Records from the Department of Health (DOH) here showed that the six victims of typhoid fever recorded as of October this year are from Guihulngan, Bais City, Mabinay, Tanjay City and Sibulan, which recorded two casualties.

A total of 347 typhoid fever cases have been reported in Oriental Negros as of October this year based on records from DOH.

Dumaguete City registered the most number of typhoid fever cases with 78, followed by Tanjay with 37 and Sibulan, 26

In 2005, Sibulan recorded the most number of cases following an outbreak that resulted to 319 typhoid fever cases in the municipality.

Last year’s figures pegged typhoid fever cases at 1,146 in the province with three (3) fatalities recorded from San Jose, Dumaguete City and Mabinay.

According to Mrs. Cristita Gloria of DOH here, the figures are based on hospital charts from the three sentinel hospitals in Dumaguete City.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edgardo Barredo said his office is persistent in their campaign on the prevention and control of typhoid fever which he says is part of the Provincial Health Office’s regular provincewide health and environmental sanitation campaign.

According to Barredo, typhoid fever is a result of eating food and water contaminated with human feces.

He urged local government units in the province to ensure that all barangays in their areas have access to safe drinking water.

“Food handlers in restaurants, food establishments and in homes should also make sure that proper hygiene is practiced in the preparation of food,” he stressed.

To ensure that drinking water is safe, the health official said that all that needs to be done is to boil it. “Just a few minutes of boiling will already kill the bacteria that causes typhoid fever,” Barredo said.

An advisory from DOH Central Office said that typhoid fever is caused by the salmonella typhi bacteria which is transmitted by ingestion of food and water contaminated with human waste.

Symptoms include sustained high fever, headache, malaise (weakness), loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation and abdominal discomfort.

The public is advised to boil water for 3 minutes, cook food well and make sure food is always covered to prevent flies from contaminating them, wash thoroughly all vegetables and fruits especially those that are eaten raw , avoid eating unsanitary street foods, wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating and keep surrounding clean to prevent breeding of flies.

DOH is upping its campaign against typhoid fever after around 480 residents of Brgy. Libertad, Bunasan, Agusan del Sur were rushed to the hospital due to the disease.

DOH sent representatives to investigate the said cases as the CARAGA Regional Health Office deployed more doctors to accommodate the patients.

P5,000 cash gift eyed for gov’t workers; Capitol to release bonus before Nov 30

Capitol is now starting to process the release of bonuses for around 1,350 regular employees of the provincial government.

According to Capitol Information Officer Oliver Lemence, provincial government employees are expected to receive their bonuses on or before November 30.

Capitol employees, along with other state workers, may soon also enjoy a cash gift after Malacañang announced that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plans to authorize a cash gift for all government employees this year.

This is in keeping with the state’s practice of augmenting the income of workers in the bureaucracy during Yuletide.

This was announced by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya who added that the President had instructed him to draft an executive order for the release of the cash gift.

Andaya said the President would make a final decision on how much the cash gift this year would be after she gets a review on the status of government’s finances.

“But it’s safe to say it won’t go below that,” said Andaya when asked whether it would be near the average P5,000-peso cash gift given in previous years.

DOLE, NOAPESOM readies for job fair on Dec 2

Preparations are now underway for the first job fair to be conducted by the Negros Oriental Association of Public Employment Services Office Managers (NOAPESOM) set on December 2 at the City Central Elementary School, this city.

According to Kenric Villaluz of DOLE here, they plan to only invite recruitment agencies with good track record for overseas work during the job fair.

NOAPESOM is the association of PESO managers in the different local government units in the province with Provincial Peso Manager Mariz Ramirez as the association President.

PESO managers serve as front liners of DOLE in the local government unit level. “We implement the programs and services of DOLE down to the barangays,” said Amos Calidguid, Bais City PESO Manager.

DOLE has already conducted two job fairs in the province in 2006. “We held a job fair in Bais City and Bayawan City. This fair on December 2 will be our third,” said Villaluz.

Meanwhile, a total of 231 of the 652 overseas Filipino workers in Kazakhstan have decided to go home and flight arrangements for 11 of them have been made, a Philippine labor official based in Riyadh said.

Siquijor furniture maker gets govt’s SETUP assistance

A lot of “cool” Filipinos today have followed the footsteps of those pioneering entrepreneurs and are making it big in their own business ventures. These entrepreneurs sure have what it takes to go for it – determination, creativity, imagination, guts and skills that can translate their vision of a successful business enterprise into reality. Their success stories serve as inspiration especially to other aspiring entrepreneurs.

One of these successful entrepreneurs is Mr. Robert Pajermo, owner of Pajermos’ Furniture in the town of Larena , province of Siquijor . At the onset, his furniture business also underwent growing pains and was on the verge of failure. But despite of it all, the business continued its uphill climb until the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SET-UP came into the picture. SETUP is a government initiative designed to spur entrepreneurial and job generation activities in the province. It provides a package for micro, small and medium-scale business firms in the areas of productivity, product quality, manpower development, production cost, waste management and other operation related activities. It helps modernize the production line of SMEs.

Pajermo is well-equipped and ready to stand its ground against the big players in the market. Our country badly needs people like him because these business people keep the Philippine economy alive and kicking even if the global economy is in bad shape.

And he is also one with the business group’s call for unity and better service from politicians.

Earlier, the country’s businessmen aired concern that politicking would eventually destroy economic gains achieved by the country.

Francis Chua, president of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCCI) noted that with elections next year, it seems that some politicians are doing everything to pull down the administration. “Unfortunately, politics is destroying the economy,” he said.

He pointed out that instead of fighting the administration, all politicians should work together and focus on further beefing up the economy to ensure greater good for the people.

DOST scholars expected to give back to the country

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) has been supporting out hundreds of graduate scholars each year. These scholars are expected to help the country recover from what seemed to be an eternal commitment to underdevelopment. But there is no way of telling how many of these young achievers will stay and see this country develop, and how many of these will be lured to explore greater possibilities outside the country after they’ve paid up their dues to the government.

Among the scholar-recipients of the past year graduates, one graduated with a high honor distinction (Cum Laude) in the person of Mr. Barry Villahermosa from Catulayan, San Juan, Siquijor.

To qualify in the said scholarship, a student has to be “poor, talented and deserving whose socio-economic status does not exceed the set values of certain indicators (for instance, family gross income, electric consumption).”

According to Provincial Science and Technology Officer Engineer Mario de la Peña, the DOST Scholar graduates have a good chance of landing a good job because of the On the Job Training (OJT) Program in which they will be possibly hired after the training.

Most of the scholars had a chance of being hired with the companies within the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Mactan, Cebu because their course are in lined with science and technology.

To date, there are 21 DOST Scholars from the province enrolled at Silliman University and Negros Oriental State University in Dumaguete City and University of San Carlos in Cebu City. The benefits enjoyed by the scholars are monthly stipend ranging from P2,200 – P4,000.00, book allowance of P 1,500.00 per semester and a tuition fee of P 4,500.00 per semester. The DOST is allocating approximately P 52,000.00 per scholar per year or P 208,000.00 per scholar for a four year course or P 260,000.00 per scholar for a five year course.

Meanwhile, the government is focusing on microeconomic reforms to improve competitiveness, create more jobs, reduce poverty and hunger.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri said that microeconomic reforms will increase job-creating investments, improve productivity, reduce cost of doing business and enhance global competitiveness.

This is in line with the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address to improve the country's competitiveness. One is making food plentiful at reasonable prices to make our labor costs globally competitive. Second is reducing the cost of electricity to make the cost of running our mchines and manufacturing processes regionally competitive.

Children’s contest held in Siquijor province

Day Care children here once again showcased their talents as the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office held Monday a Children’s contest that highlights the Children’s month celebration in October.

Centered on the theme ‘Bright Child: Yaman ng Pamilya, Yaman ng Bansa,” the contest was held in three categories, namely: singing, draw and tell and folk dance.

Winners of the three categories are Angelo James Laure from Basac Day Care Center for Draw and Tell; Jay Mark Pajar of San Antonio Day Care Center for Singing and Day Care Children from Cang-agong Day Care Center for the Folk Dance contest. They will represent in the regional contest on November 8, 2006 at the Ayala Center , Cebu .

Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially launched today the National Year for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NYPCAN) in simple ceremonies held at the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul along United Nations (UN) Avenue in Manila.

The NYPCAN launch is embodied in Proclamation No. 1137 issued by the President last Sept. 8 which declares October 2006 to October 2007 as Child Abuse Prevention Year (CAPY).

This proclamation is part of the advocacy program of the Child Protection Unit (CPU Net) and the UP-Philippine General Hospital Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) to create public awareness about child abuse and neglect.

Joining the President during the occasion were representatives of different government and non-government groups behind the anti-child abuse advocacy.

They include Bernadette Madrid, CPU Net Director, Jean Marc Olive, World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the Philippines, Justice Amuerfina Herrera, representing the judiciary; Philippine National Police (PNP) Gen. Yolanda Tanigue (law enforcement), Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Alice Bala (social workers), and CPU Net legal consultant Atty. Katrina Legarda, (NGOs).

DOLE reg'l director is a Siquijodnon

The Region X Office that handles affairs of the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Camiguin Island of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has a leader coming from the flock of the Siquijudnons. Its Regional Director comes from a humble family in Talayong, Lazi, and is fondly called as “Nonoy” by his family, relatives, friends, and well-wishers. He has served for long in the DOLE, has previously been working in Cebu ’s regional office, and he rose from the ranks. Since his promotion to the third level career position however, Region X Regional Director Ponciano M. Ligutom has served several leading capacities mostly in the Mindanao regions.

Incidentally however, Director Ligutom has also been conferred as the 2006 Outstanding Career Executive Officer of the Philippines by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) last September 25, 2006 at Malacanang Palace , Manila graced by Her Excellency Gloria M. Arroyo. The Annual CESB Search was launched to honor Third Level Civil Servants for distinguished and exemplary leadership in their work.

While receiving a plaque of recognition, and a Php 50,000 cash award, Director Ligutom earned his nomination for the Honor Awards Program of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). He is scheduled to undergo a Scholarship Grant sponsored by the AusAID and the Philippine Government. Aldo part of the incentive, he is set to go to Australia on November 2, 2006 for a one-month short-term study/observation program planned, organized, and coordinated by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) through the Philippine-Australia Human Resource Development Facility program.

State of municipality reports will soon be ready

Following the LGU Users’ Enhancement Course on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Bureau of Local Government Supervision held at the Crown Regency Residences in Cebu city last October 17 and 18, all of the six Municipalities of the island-province are expected to produce their respective State of Local Governance Reports by the end of the year.

The course was attended by the designated LGPMS municipal focal persons and personnel from the respective municipalities. As advised during the two-day enhancement seminar, the LGU Users will have until the 17th of November for the web-based entry or update of the LGPMS data capture on-line where the system will be closed. After the data monitoring and data clean-up by the DILG and LGPMS Teams, municipal profiles and data may be viewed through the internet by the LGU focal persons and other users for information and whatever purpose/s the material would serve them best.

The LGU Users’ Enhancement Training was mainly designed on how LGUs can make the best use of the data available through the internet and how to effectively transmit it to the powers that be for resolve. Related topics discussed during the course include processes and techniques on problem identification, prioritizing problems, analysis and interpreting a problem and how to apply information towards a solution. The process involves a hierarchy in prioritizing a problem which delves a deeper analysis in the performance area gaps, to service area gaps until a specific indicator have been identified. It also treats the primary, secondary and tertiary causes that influences the problem. External factors such as the extent, severity, the administrative capacity of LGUs and other reinforcing factors are also considered.

While the State of Municipality Report will be prepared mainly by the designate LGU focal persons and the municipal LGPMS Committee, the Report becomes a rich material for planners, policy and decision-makers and researchers, both from the public and private sector towards a guided program/project implementation or contribution. The report will be produced in hard copies, copies of which will be submitted to DILG Provincial Office as a reference document and for submission to higher offices of the Department when required.

The strategy departs from the previous one in which the MLGOOs are burdened to present the State of Local Governance Report that appeared as unsolicited advises to LGUs. A “sense of real ownership” is more apparent as the present LGPMS reporting strategy will now be made by the municipality, for the municipality and of the municipality.

Hopefully, this will be institutionalized and will provide the next batches of local government unit administrative, social services, economic services, and environmental protection services.

SOUNBYTES:

LPG dealers slash prices by P0.50/ kg anew

Dealers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) announced another P0.50 a kilogram reduction in product prices, the first installment in what is expected to be a staggered P1.50-price cut this month.

Arnel Ty, president of the LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA), said the P0.50 price adjustment will take effect midnight Tuesday.

With the new rates, an 11-kilogram regular LPG tank should now sell for about P454.

International congratulations for RP’s win in UN body polls

THE Philippines has been receiving congratulations from both developed and developing countries for its "impressive" and "massive" victory in elections for seats in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), said Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Saturday.

The Philippines topped the elections for 18 new members of the 54-member council, which is one of the six principal organs of the world body. It garnered 188 of 192 votes from member-states; there were three abstentions and one stray vote.

The Ecosoc win marks the first time that the Philippines came out as number one in an election to a major organ of the UN and follows a similar impressive win in the Security Council two years ago.

Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye: China Trip Gains

President Arroyo arrives home with great hopes for the Philippines in terms of the economic and security advances of the whole of East Asia.

The ASEAN-China summit has paved the way for an auspicious meeting of regional leaders in Cebu come December.

As Chair of the ASEAN and Co-Chair of the ASEAN-China summit, the President was able to bring into regional focus the aspirations of all Filipinos for shared stability and prosperity under a realm of freedom and democracy.

NBI execs arrive in US to get Atong Ang

Two officials of the National Bureau of Investigation arrived in Los Angeles, California Friday morning (Manila time) to escort businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang back to the country to face the plunder charges filed against him before the anti-graft court, ANC reported.

The report said Deputy Director for Regional Operations Service Reynaldo Esmeralda and Interpol Division chief Claro de Castro Jr. arrived at the Los Angeles airport around 11 a.m. Friday.

Both officials have confirmed that the alleged bagman of former president Joseph Estrada will be extradited next week after a United States district court in Nevada rejected Ang’s last attempt to remain under house arrest.

Cruz holds ‘no rancor, animosity,’ says DND official

DEFENSE Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. holds "no rancor" and "no animosity" against government, despite his resignation, which he had been considering even before he allegedly drew Malacañang's ire for opposing the administration-backed people's initiative, a close associate said Monday.

"It [resignation] is nothing personal. It's purely professional. No rancor, no animosity," defense undersecretary Rodel Cruz told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

When asked if the defense chief's resignation was linked to the reported rift in the Arroyo Cabinet between those for and against the people's initiative, the undersecretary said: "I don't think so. The resignation has been made. That's it."

PHOTO RELEASES

TRAINING COURSE ON DEVINFO v5.0
Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn, October 24-26,2006

PIA ICM Jenny Catan-Tilos giving the welcome remarks during the first day of training. Tilos is the focal person of the Communication Component of the CPC-6 PTWG in Oriental Negros.

The participants trying out the new program that aims to boost the data collection and analysis of the Knowledge Center. Standing behind them (with mic) is the trainor, Kurt Zion Pala, economic development specialist of NEDA-7.

Kurt Pala discussing the features of DevInfo v5.0.

CHILD AND YOUTH CONVENTION 2006
Topic: Child and Youth Participation Rights
October 27, 2006

More than 80 students from CPC-6 target areas attended this year's convention at the GSP COnference Hall, Capitol Area, Dumaguete City.

PIA ICM Jenny Tilos giving the Rationale during the convention.

ISSUE NO. 44, NOV. 2, 2006

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