ISSUE NO. 31, August 3, 2006

DENR Sec. Angelo Reyes to launch Green Phil. Highway Project in OrNeg
Secretary Angelo T. Reyes of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is spearheading the launching of the Green Philippine Highway Project on August 15, 2006 at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center, Dumaguete City.

The project calls on all sectors to collaborate and work on collective efforts towards environmental protection and rehabilitation.

On August 25, 2006, DENR will lead in the nationwide simultaneous tree planting dubbed as “Green Philippine Highways” along the West Nautical Highway from the boundary of Mabinay, Oriental Negros and Kabankalan, Negros Occidental to Tambubo Bay, Siaton via Dumaguete.

DENR will provide technical support on the identification and preparation of planting sites, provision of planting materials, ensuring suitable plant species, preferably indigenous tree species and coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways in the transport of seedlings and participants.

Participating agencies include DepEd, DILG, PNP, AFP, LGUs, DPWH and other government agencies. Other groups such as NGOs, civic organizations, the business sector as well as other religious organizations will also join in this activity.

A certificate of tree stewardship shall be awarded to the adopters of the identified segments of the highway (ex. Km. 101 or Km. 103 or a 2 Km stretch for planting, care and maintenance for a minimum period of three years.

A standard placard/billboard showing the name of the adopter shall also be put up to reflect sponsorship of project areas of the highways.

DENR’s Green Philippine Highway Project is in line with the country’s development plan which is right on target after the President designated point persons who will coordinate projects in consultation with local government units.

Around 92 big-ticket projects with a combined value of P372 billion in the four super region will be implemented under the government’s development plan. (PIA/JCTilos)

Bayawan City launches rubber tree plantation
To sustain the city’s program in agriculture, Bayawan City recently launched its rubber tree plantation program at Sitio Palompong in Brgy. Narra.

Bayawan City Vice Mayor Rene Gaudiel in his message reiterated Bayawan City’s quest to become the agriculture capital in Oriental Negros by opening its doors to all opportunities that could propel the city’s agriculture program to the fore.

Rubber Tree Project Technical Consultant Dr. Reynaldo S. Callano lauded the efforts of Bayawan City Mayor German Saraña, Jr. to develop projects that will benefit the city’s agriculture sector and the rest of the constituents who now have a growing interest on rubber tree planting.

Mayor Saraña, during the program, disclosed that seedlings are now up for sale at the City Agriculture Office for those who are interested to plant rubber trees.

The mayor believes that the rubber tree project should not only be limited to river bank dwellers affected by the riverbank rehabilitation project of the Forest Land Use Plan.

Bayawan City to go biofuels soon
The Bayawan city government is eyeing to put up a biofuel equipment to in view of the rising cost of oil in the world market.

The wave of oil price increases in the country and the impending threat of another oil price hike in the world market prompted the Bayawan City government to turn to alternative sources of fuels.

Bayawan City Mayor German P. Saraña recently announced that the city government’s vehicle which previously ran on diesel will be converted to 50 percent biodiesel.

The mayor made the announcement following the 1st Biofuels Lecture and Demonstration recently conducted in Bayawan City.

According to Bayawan City Information Officer Eli Manlangit, the lecture and demonstration came about after a chance meeting between Saraña and the internationally-renowned Biofuels researcher and developer Dr. Rico O. Cruz.

In his discussion during the lecture and demonstration, Cruz showed how to “concoct” biofuel from coconut crude oil, ethanol and a catalyst.

Cruz said that used cooking oil and oil derived from jatropha curcas or tuba-tuba or any other oil-producing plant can be used as substitute for coconut crude oil.

The mayor urged Bayawanons and constituents of neighboring municipalities to use biofuels. He also welcomed the idea of “spreading the sunshine” on the benefits of biofuels not only in Bayawan City but provincewide.

The lecture and demo was attended by key officials of the neighboring towns of Sta. Catalina and Siaton aside from businessmen, students and professors of Negros Oriental State University-Bayawan City-Sta. Catalina campus.

The threat of another oil price increase in the world market looms in view of the continued conflict between Hezbollah guerillas and Israel forces.

However, the Arroyo administration is relentless in its pursuit for economic reforms as more investors are invited to cash in on the vibrant business climate in the country.

Malacañang says the growing recognition of the international community affirms that the government is on the right track towards economic takeoff.


25 scholars to receive PGMA training for work prog vouchers
They were once jobless, but because of the government’s unique scholarship program, 25 “near hires” in Negros Oriental will soon find themselves working in the call center industry in the province.

The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to award training vouchers for the first batch of scholars who have qualified for the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program.

Beth Tubog, TESDA administrative officer here, said the 25 scholars were chosen upon the recommendation of the call center company Teletech, which screened the applicants.
The awarding ceremony will be conducted next week as soon as the scholars have completed their requirements, Tubog said.

After receiving their vouchers, the scholars will undergo a 100-hour finishing course for contact center with the Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT) here.

Each voucher is valued at P5,000, the cost of the training course which will be paid by TESDA under the scholarship program, says Tubog.

Tubog said the applicants who have qualified for the scholarship come from the cities of Tanjay, Bais, Dumaguete, Manjuyod, Sibulan, Bindoy, Mabinay and Siaton towns.

The PGMA training for work scholarship program was offered to “near hires” or job seekers who were not able to fully meet the skills requirements of the BPO sector and other industries experiencing skills shortage.

The scholarship program is available to job applicants who wish to work in the following industries: business process outsourcing, aviation, agriculture, medical tourism, health and medical services, hotel and restaurant, metals and services.

The said industries have been identified as priority sectors/subsectors experiencing a critical shortage of skills.

This prompted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to initiate the scholarship program that aims to assist 100,000 target beneficiaries nationwide land jobs in the said sectors.

Tubog said the number of trainees nationwide has not yet reached the 100,000 mark. “So it’s possible that there will be a second batch of scholars,” she said.

She also hopes that finishing courses for medical transcriptionists, animators and software developers will open in Negros Oriental.

“We have prospects here of training institutions that can train scholars in these fields, so we’re hoping finishing courses on these areas will soon be offered here,” adds Tubog.

TESDA recently linked with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to hammer out an integrated blueprint that would match skills to jobs and enable the youth to take advantage of opportunities sprouting out of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic plan.


Commodity prices in Siquijor stable despite oil price hike, says DTI
Despite reported increase in prices of fuel and oil, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here assured the consumers that prices of prime and basic commodities remain stable and supplies sufficient.

DTI’s regular market monitoring report showed stability and sufficiency of supplies except for a minimal increase on a few items, mostly construction materials, says Trade and Industry Development Specialist Nestor Bation of DTI-Siquijor.

Bation said Apo Portland cement increased by .83% from P183 last month to a P190 recently. From P240 to P245 corrugated G.I. sheets increased by 2.08%.

Further, soft and hard flour increased by .83% and .97% from the last month’s price of 600 to 605 and 515 to 520, respectively.

Prices of other basic and prime commodities such as processed milk (Nestle products), canned fish, laundry soap, detergent bars and salt remain the same since last month, Bation said.

He said, the minimal increase is due to acquisition and freight cost from the company/suppliers and should not be completely blamed on oil price hike.

In line with the government’s call to help improve the economy, DTI is urging LGUs to implement Fair Trade Laws particularly in public markets.

DTI Provincial Director Nimfa M. Virtucio said LGUs should put in place ordinances and resolutions urging vendors to comply with the Fair Trade Laws particularly on price tag, price board and the use of calibrated weighing scale.

DTI also urged the public to be vigilant against unscrupulous businessmen and report violations to concerned agencies and local government units to ensure they conscientiously remit the share of the government to improve our economy.

Meanwhile, in the recent State of the Nation Address of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, she unveiled the plan to maintain the momentum of a strong economy and commended the revenue measures undertaken by Congress and strong support of the people which has earned money to fund the vital programs for the development of the country.

The government reported that its January-May VAT collection exceeded target by 24% as it collected P29.7B in additional taxes during that time, exceeding its revenue target for the period on account of the VAT Reform Law.

The Administration is relentlessly pursuing political and economic reforms as more investors are invited to cash in on the vibrant business climate and the excellence of the Filipino worker.

Siquijor chess elementary team champs palarong pambansa '06
The province of Siquijor notched another win as chess elementary team of Luzong Elementary School brought home the bacon from the recent Palarong Pambansa held at Metro Naga Sports Complex, Pacol, Naga City, Bicol Region .

This Siquijor Chess Elementary Team delegation which championed in its event was headed by Dr. Fernando Po, Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd-Division of Siquijor and was composed of Mr. Enrico Zerna, Teacher In-Charge as coach and his pupil-chess player Adelyn Ogdol of Luzong Elementary School, in Siquijor, Siquijor.

Coach Zerna said they have been competing chess elementary team championship regional level for two (2) consecutive years. “We were so much desirous to, at least, get a medal, and thank God, we were fortunate this time. With these excellent pupils we successfully emerged as Gold Medalist in the competition this year”, he enthused.

Though their school lacked the resources, Mr. Zerna said it is not a hindrance at all for them to gain such award and even said he is hopeful they could get more medals in the next coming competitions.


San Juan to hold Bugwas festival
In its bid to have its own town festival, the municipality of San Juan in Siquijor province, whose vision-filled residents want to call it as the province’s Tourism Capital, is slated to hold a Festival on August 26 as one of the highlights of the celebration of its Annual Town Fiesta in honor of its beloved patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo.

The festival’s name passed through an intensive search and selection which was mainly based on the premise that San Juan municipality was once known to have its former name Capilay, a name derived from the natural body of water coming from within the fenced town plaza located at a stone’s throw distance from both the Roman Catholic Church, Convent, Municipal Building and Rizal Monument, among other landmarks.

In a sort of brainstorming session, several proposed names emerged, among them were Bugahanay, Bugwasan, Bugwas, Buhagay, Bugahay and Capilay. In the process of screening out the less appropriate names, the Body trimmed down the selection to only three, Buylo, Buhagay, and Bugwas. The Fiesta Officers deliberately excluded the name Bugahanay since there were opinions that it somehow sounded as festival of festivals, and there is possibility that it could be reserved for a district or provincial level, or even a bigger festival. When the proponent for the name Buylo withdrew his proposed name, the number was further reduced into only 2, namely Buhagay and Bugwas.

In the final selection, majority of the attending personalities settled in on the name Bugwas which literally means a strong and continuous flow of water coming from an abundant source, and this would point to the idea that this town is naturally blessed with sources of livelihood and life by our Creator and Divine Providence. This name also denotes that the town is abundant in natural and other forms of resources which are mainly derived from its bodies of water, both fresh (potable) and marine, that lies within its territory.

Presently, there are already five identified festival contingents, three coming from the fifteen barangays, one from DePEd and the Municipal Government. Having a sixth contestant is not far-fetched as the San Juan Senior Citizens and the St. John High School had been requested to study on the possibility that they will field their own contingents.

A Festival Committee was also organized to finalize the concepts and criteria for the contest once the Bugwas Festival showcases the talents and culture of our people, fondly called San Juanians.