BFAD invites applicants for Botika program in NegOr, Siquijor
The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) here are urging drug store owners and pharmacists in Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces to sign up for the half-priced medicines program of the government.
Dubbed as the Botika ng Bayan or Botika ng Barangay, the five-year program aims to reduce the prices of medicines by half.
As of January 2006, a total of 1,016 Botika ng Bayan has been established in addition to the 3,600 Botika ng Barangay across the country.
However, since it was started in 2005, there are yet no applicants for the program in the said provinces. There are more than 100 drugstores operating in Negros Oriental and around 12 in Siquijor.
Local BFAD Officer Manon Iglesia said the requirements for the program are same as when applying for a retail drug store, such as a licensed pharmacist with the necessary documents, DTI business permit, etc.
Accreditation fee is set at P5,000, says Iglesia.
"Even owners of existing drug stores may apply as Botika ng Bayan," adds Iglesia.
Interested applicants must go to the Department of Health Provincial Health Team Office on Mondays and Fridays only as Iglesia, who is the lone BFAD officer in the province, is on field on Tuesdays to Thursdays.
The DOH office here is located at the Cimafranca Subdivision (near Little Children of the Philippines), Daro, this city.
The National Development Corporation (NDC) has earlier approved the allocation of additional P500 million for the expansion of the program.
Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) chairman and president Roberto Pagdanganan said the NDC board unanimously approved the allocation of fresh funds to augment the present financial capabilities of the ongoing half-priced medicines program of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"The goal is to make funds available to expand the Botika ng Bayan all over the country so that the medicines commonly bought, including antibiotic, hypertension, antihistamine, anti-diabetic shall be made available, accessible and affordable tot the poor, especially to the poor," Pagdanganan said.
The new fund for the program shall be used for importing branded off-patent medicines and to hasten the implementation of the half-priced medicines to be distributed in all Botika ng Bayan and Botika ng Barangay outlets.
"With this Botika ng Bayan network, we hope to be able to reach the target places especially in Metro Manila and far-flung areas in the provinces," Pagdanganan added. (RMN)
BUHI: A good example of government support to start-up business
By: Jennifer Catan-Tilos
BUHI has started to gain grounds in the international business with government's support after winning the 1st Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation Innovation Awards.
BUHI is now working its patent in different countries to use its technology commercially.
This technology allows transporting of live fish from one place to another by putting them to sleep without the use of water. This new method discovered by local inventor, Bonifacio Comandante of Silliman University guarantees 100 percent fish survival for 12 hours without water.
The invention of Boni Comandante won a top prize in the "Best International Business Plan Competition." His work has been cited for its convenience and economy in transporting live fish as it eliminates the need for equipment such as oxygen tanks, breeding tanks and containers, among others. It also means less shipping cost because there is no need for water which adds weight to the cargo.
Right now, BUHI sells live fishes and oysters at the Provincial Nursery compound every Wednesday and Saturday during its "Tabo sa PAO." This is also expanded to local and national supermarkets, thereby increasing its sales.
BUHI Live Seafood Market will also be highlighted during the inauguration of Asia SM Mall in Manila on February 24 and on February 18, BUHI will open at SM Makati and Sta. Rosa.
With its success, BUHI acknowledges the provincial government of Oriental Negros for providing the P50-thousand cash award and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her support by personally participating in the Sleeping Fish demonstration.
NORECO 1 implements rate reduction
The Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO 1) based in Bindoy town has reduced its electric rates by P1.039 per kilowatt-hour for the month of January 2006.
This developed after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 1165 appropriating more than P2M to NORECO 1 as its share of the royalty tax paid by NAPOCOR and PNOC to the provincial government for the year 2004.
NORECO 1 received approximately P2,736,000, says NORECO 1 Public Relations Officer Joie Dagonton.
Dagonton said the electric cooperative is one of the recipients of the royalty tax incentives being a purchaser of power from the National Power Corporation/Philippine National Oil Company. "Eight percent of the royalty tax paid to the province are to be applied for the reduction of cost of power to all consumers of NPC supplied power," she said.
Using the consumers' consumption in January 2006, the rate reduction is reflected in the January 2006 power bill of NORECO 1 consumers.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Information Agency will hold a Kapihan sa PIA forum in Bais City on January 8, 2006 in connection with the upcoming NORECO 1 district elections.
The forum will serve not only as a venue to discuss issues related to the conduct of the district elections but also an awareness drive on energy conservation. (RMN)
FU Army ROTC gains highest score in RAAPE
The Foundation University Army ROTC stood out from among the different university Army ROTC units in the province after achieving the highest points during the recent Regional Annual Administrative Performance Test (RAAPE).
Tactical inspectors from the 7th RCDG based in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City led by the chairman of the inspecting team and 7th RCDG Commander Col. Guillermo C. Luyao conducted the test in the Army ROTC units of Negros Oriental State University, Foundation University, Silliman University, St. Paul University and the NORSU-Bais Campus.
The Army ROTC unit of Foundation University snapped up 88.44 points and took the glory from long-time champion Silliman University which only garnered 86.89 points.
The fight for second place was fiercely fought between Silliman University and Negros Oriental State University, which garnered 86.23.
NORSU achieved perfect scores for small unit tactics, theoretical examination, first aid and almost perfected the Ceremonial Parade. However, NORSU cannot cope with the established and fully equipped administrative capability of Silliman University.
RAAPE is an annual test conducted to assure the sustainability of the visions of the Reserve Component of the Philippine Army and to keep up with the standards in promoting discipline, military preparedness and patriotic fervor among college students nationwide.
Fil-Am doctors to conduct medical mission in OrNeg
The Philippine American Medical Society of Western Pennsylvania Inc. (PAMS) will conduct a free medical-surgical mission here to serve the poorest of the poor in Oriental NEgros.
This year's first medical mission is scheduled on Feb. 6-10, 2006 at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and the Bayawan District Hospital.
PAMS President, Dr. Rudy Furigay, said the Filipino-Americans will be composed of 40 doctors with expertise in surgery, internal medicines, ob-gynecologists, pediatricians, uroligists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, a plastic surgeon and eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) specialists.
"These doctors will be performing free surgical operations and medical consultations," Dr. Furigay stressed.
He disclosed that a group of opthalmologists from the UERM Memorial Hospital in Quezon City will also do free cataract operations for indigent patients.
The medical mission is being supported by Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo B. Yanson, Sr., owner of Ceres Liner, Gov. George P. Arnaiz, City Mayor Agustin Perdices and the Rotary Clubs of Dumaguete.
Last year, the provincial government conducted 31 medical missions supported by local, national and foreign medical groups. The medical missions served 10,000 indigent patients provincewide.
GSIS invests P17M to update service records of public school teachers
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) here is now in the thick of updating the GSIS records of public school teachers here.
According to local GSIS Information Officer Jaydon Villaverde, GSIS is working overtime with officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) in gathering, collating and encoding the individual service records of DepEd employees while removing inaccurate data such as bloated salaries and non-existent members.
Earlier, GSIS Executive Vide President for Operations Enriqueta Disuanco has assured that the state pension fund and DepEd are implementing a "one and for all" solution that will correct discrepancies in the service records of DepEd employees.
The project, which costs P17.2 million courtesy of GSIS, is being done at the DepEd division level. Disuanco said this will pave the way for reliable and accurate data to be uploaded in the GSIS's database.
GSIS will train DepEd personnel on the GSIS-preferred format of data encoding, this on top of the state pension fund shouldering the cost of acquiring computers and equipment as well as the hiring of contractual employees.
Disuanco said P17 million is a small investment compared to its long-term benefits. "Once we are through with this, we are positive that the GSIS will collect from the DepEd at least P2 billion in arrearages. The DepEd committed to seek allocation once we finalize the correct amount that is due," she said.
She added that a reliable and accurate record will give teachers a correct record of creditable service, which is the basis for benefits and privileges such as loans, claims and dividends.
Villaverde said GSIS gave this statement in light of a proposal for some DepEd employees union officials that teachers put up their own insurance fund, apparently as a way out of the unreliable records they have with the GSIS.
But Disuanco said the GSIS should not be readily faulted for this, because the state-pension fund only based its membership data from the service records submitted by DepEd personnel.
Campaign vs. trafficking in persons to be launched; NegOr identified as trafficking 'hotspot'
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in persons will spearhead a massive information campaign dubbed as the "Filipino Initiative Against Trafficking," here in Oriental Negros on February 19 to 24, 2006 in cooperation by the Rule of Law Effectiveness (ROLE) Program of the USAID.
The week-long campaign will seek to focus national attention to the problem and to mobilize support from the public and key institutions in combating trafficking.
Oriental Negros is identified as one of the trafficking "hotspots" or one of the major recruitment grounds for victims and potential trafficking of victims, thus, in Central Visayas, the province occupies a strategic position in the anti-trafficking initiatives of the Philippines.
The anti-trafficking in persons roadshow campaign here will start with a Mass and reading of a pastoral letter condemning trafficking as the central point for the celebrations on Sunday, February 19.
On the 20th, dignitaries from Manila will arrive for the launching of anti-trafficking programs and presentation of regional and provincial commitment against trafficking. Guests-representatives include Secretary Luwalhati Pablo of the Department of Social Welfare & Development, Sr. State Council Paras of the Department of Justice, USAID Director from Washington, Provincial Governor George Arnaiz and DSWD7 Regional Director Teodulo R. Romo Jr. will highlight existing initiatives and planned programs. This is followed by Press Conference.
Following days are intended for radio guesting, training for law enforcers and prosecutors, cultural festival, school orientations and film showing, training for recruitment agencies, consultation and dialogue among national and local agency-partners, among others.
Trafficking is a modern slavery, and victims are spotted daily in key transit and destinations areas such as ports and bus terminals, and hundreds or more were rescued from exploitative work such as prostitution and bonded labor.
The campaign for the Filipino Initiative Against Trafficking was launched in Malacanang with Prsident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo calling trafficking as a "curse on the poor." She pledged to put trafficking "near the top list where we should put our resources" and "increase efforts to convict traffickers."
Five more bridges rise in NegOr under national bridge fund-building program
Five more bridges in various local government units have been put up in Negros Oriental last year as a result of the President's Bridge Program.
According to Engr. Pedro Tuble, chief of the DPWH maintenance division here, the bridges are, namely: Amio Bridge and Inobongan Bridge in Sta. Catalina; Tinago Bridge in Dumaguete City; Kalabnugan Bridge in Sibulan; and Tabuc-tubig Bridge in Tanjay City.
Tuble said construction of Kalabnugan, Tabuc-Tubig and Tinago bridges are still ongoing. The two bridges in Sta. Catalina have already been completed.
Based on records from the Provincial Engineer's Office, the total provincial counterpart for the said bridges is approximately P33.5 million.
Two more bridges under the program are still to start construction - the Balugo-Banwagi Bridge in Guihulngan and Lacaon-Mahanlod Bridge in Jimalalud.
The President's Bridge Program is a major national infrastructure initiative which is part of the national infrastructure program of road networks designed to spur trade and economic progress in the most remote and poorest areas of the country.
One of the resounding success stories under the President's Bridge Program has been the three bridges constructed in Valencia, Negros Oriental.
According to Des Tilos, Valencia Information Officer, the Arroyo administration has poured in P5M for the repair and construction of three bridges in Valencia.
The old bridges - namely Balogo Bridge, Guinsayao Bridge and Isugan Bridge- have either collapsed or in a dilapidated state and were all made of wood.
Funds from the national government coursed through the bridge program have paved the way for the repair and construction of these bridges. Tilos said the new Balogo bridge is now a one-lane bridge connecting the Palinpinon-Balogo road, while Guinsayao and Isugan bridges- used to be one-lane wooden bridges- are now two-lane bridges connecting the Valencia-Bacong road.
No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was on hand to witness the inauguration of Balogo bridge in 2003.
Tilos said the number of motor vehicles passing through the said areas have increased since the bridges were constructed. It has also been good for local trade as vegetable products and other crops are now easily transported to and from Valencia because of the bridges, adds Tilos.
And due to the increased accessibility, residents in these areas have grown in number.
Tilos said Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzalez Jr. have expressed his appreciation to the President as the mayor have noted that the economic activities in the town has flourished following the repair and construction of the bridges.
The nationwide bridge fund-building program capped 2005 with the completion of 299 new bridges nationwide, the most in a single year since the program was first conceived 11 years ago.
Over 1,500 bridges have been completed under the PBP since it first started under the Office of the President. Its implementation was later transferred to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which saw the quick completion of 1,128 bridges from then up to December 15, 2005.
DPWH records show that in the period between 2001-2005 under President Arroyo was when 945 of these bridges were completed.
DPWH statistics likewise show that as of December 15, 2005 there were 110 more bridges nearing completion.
The PBP fast tracks the Philippine Government's bridge building requirement that totals over 150,000 nationwide as stated in the country's medium term development program.
Province asks DENR to extend time for R.A. compliance
LARENA, Siquijor-- Due to lack of financial resources, the Provincial Government in Siquijor recently asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to lengthen the time frame set forth by the Office for the compliance and full implementation of the R.A. 9003 or The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Earlier in a meeting conducted by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), the local DENR here reiterated the Regional Executive Order addressing all mayors in Region 7 to take initial moves of establishing sanitary landfills not later than January 26, 2006.
Likewise, Dr. Desiree Narvaez, director of the Environment and Occupational Health Office of the Department of Health recently expressed concern over the improper disposal of hospital wastes in the country and its impact on the health of the people, particularly the rise of respiratory diseases as well as skin diseases.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, no more open or controlled dumpsites are acceptable as they are just mere disposal areas where solid wastes are indiscriminately thrown or disposed of without due planning and consideration for environmental and health standards. An ideal solid waste management is one that is accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics and other environmental considerations. A sanitary landfill, on the other hand, refers to a waste disposal site designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that exerts engineering control over significant potential environmental impacts.
In Siquijor, the open dumpsite is located in barangay Can-asagan, San Juan town. Although wastes here are still manageable, the DENR said the local government is left with no choice but to comply since the law is mandatory. Failure to comply means facing administrative charges.
Earl Stanley Matas of the Germany's Gesselscahft feur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) said a sanitary landfill is built and based on population and waste generation of a locality. Based on the Ateneo De Manila School of Governance's assessment, he said only one sanitary landfill is necessary here in Siquijor because it is impractical for every municipality to have its own because it is costly. A one-hectare sanitary landfill, he said, costs P15 M including all equipment needed for the construction.
However, Matas said, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is willing to extend a P3.5 M loan to initially put up a sanitary landfill here. But we have to consult the technical help of the GTZ first, he said. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said some amount from the 20% Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the province can also be utilized for it since the IRA this year will be focused on social, environmental and economic.
Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua, meanwhile, urged all local government units to do their own roles in waste characterization of segregating, recycling and composting their wastes through their Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) while waiting for the appropriate budget. MRF is a solid waste transfer station or sorting station, drop-off center or composting/recycling facility provided to every barangay.
LTO heightens more law enforcement
LARENA, Siquijor-- Spurred by their last year's achievement in terms of high collection efficiency and law enforcement, the Land Transportation Office-Siquijor Province is back in business of strictly enforcing the law in the name of public interest.
Supervising Transportation Regulation Officer Gerald Dominguez said in an interview their office is upbeat of ensuring public safety on the roads, streets and highways for all users, even if it means affecting those who misunderstand them.
"We will do our best to accommodate everybody as long as it is within the bounds of law", Dominguez said. "I want to see smooth highways here in Siquijor in a span of three years", he added.
He said vehicular accidents are already alarming in the province and that because of this they have to strictly impose discipline to all drivers and continue to launch public safety awareness campaign up to the barangay level. Dominguez made clear that all motorists and four-wheeler owners/drivers must comply all complete accessories such as headlights (high and low), signal and tail lights, whipers, seatbelts, plate numbers, etc.
He also warned the riding public to broaden their vigilance against abusive drivers who overcharge them with excessive rates. "We shall go after those who trample consumer rights and interests", he stressed.
The LTO here has also taken a new turn for the better as it is expecting some amount from the recently released P100 million for LTO mobile and patrol cars to intensify more law enforcement in the streets and highways nationwide. Another visible development in the office this year is the hassle-free, 15-minute instant lamination in the renewal of licenses.
Meanwhile, in its effort to beef up drive against erring emission testing centers, three smoke emission test centers had their accreditations from the Department of Transportation and Communications canceled, while 16 others were suspended by the Land Transportation Office.
DOST 7 chemical lab meets ISO standards
Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas wants national economic development planners to further build up Cebu as a global business process outsourcing hub, saying a lot more could be done to help promote the province's qualities as an ideal location for information technology-enabled service industries.
Along with this, CEBU's food and chemical manufacturing firms may now find relief from issues related to meeting food safety standards of the global market.
This, as the Department of Science and Technology - Regional Standards and Testing Center (DOST7-RSTC) Chemical Laboratory has been validated to conform to the requirements of the Philippine National Standard International Standardization Organization/International Electrotechnical Commission (PNS ISO/IEC) 17025:2000.
The Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and the Department of Trade and Industry issued the certificate of accreditation to DOST7-RSTC recently.
BPS evaluates a laboratory's capabilities, in both management and technical aspects based on international standards through a rigorous laboratory accreditation scheme.
The DOST7-RSTC Chemical Laboratory, which is located in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, has been servicing food and chemical manufacturing companies by providing laboratory analyses on meat, poultry and derived products.
Services
It also provides analyses on fish, crustaceans, mollusks and derived products; fruits, jams and other fruit products; as well as on water for drinking and domestic purposes.
Chemical manufacturing firms, including local government units and non-government organizations, also availed themselves of the DOST7-RSTC's services for chemical testing on wastewater, industrial and fine chemicals, fertilizers, lime, cement and other related products.
There has been global demand from clients for laboratories to comply with internationally accepted standards of quality, performance, technical expertise and competence.
Operating in the past 20 years, the DOST7-RSTC is also internationally accredited for microbiological tests on food and beverage products and raw materials.
It also provides services, like calibration on force, pressure, mass, volume, or temperature of equipment and formula of manufacture for export-import companies and physical analysis for textiles, fabrics and other related products.
With the international accreditation, companies availing themselves of the laboratory's services are reassuring their customers that the products they purchase meet their expectations or conform to specific requirements in the world market.
Search for outstanding teachers on
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) opens anew its annual search for outstanding teachers. It is also widely supported by heads of various educational institutions, who see it as an excellent way to motivate and honor teachers.
The Search honors the teaching profession by recognizing teachers who devote their lives to the development of the youth with exemplary competence and dedication, and who best serve as models of excellence.
It is open to all full-time teachers in the elementary, high school and college levels, who have been actively teaching in the Philippines for the last 10 years (inclusive of leaves not exceeding two years, provided this is not during the nomination period).
The following are also eligible: deans, vice-deans, chairpersons of departments, subject area coordinators, teacher-librarians, head teachers, and guidance counselors, who meet the above requirement and carry a teaching load of at least 50% of the total load required by the nominating school for full-time faculty; elementary and high school teachers, who have at least a bachelor's degree; college level nominees, including those from the fields of Medicine or Law, who have at least a master's degree; and college teachers who are teaching part-time in the Graduate School level, provided they carry at least 50% of the teaching load in the undergraduate level.
Each awardee receives P200,000 cash prize, part of which is for the faculty development program of his/her school. The awardee also receives a medal and trophy, and the school, a plaque of recognition. Finalists not chosen as winners receive P10,000 cash prize and a certificate of recognition. Semifinalists get a P5,000 cash prize and a certificate of recognition.
About the Program. The Search for Outstanding Teachers represents the Foundation's commitment to promote a culture of excellence in education by recognizing the country's best mentors who can be upheld as models not only for educators but for other community members as well. More than 200 exemplary elementary, high school, and college teachers from all over the country have so far been awarded since its launching in 1985.
Behind Every Success is a Teacher
Success begins with a dream. With a vision of a future that welcomes every talent, every skill, every ideal of the dreamer.
The teacher helps plant the seed of the dream. Waters it with enthusiasm. Nurtures it with encouragement. Cultivates it through the teacher's own fine example of fiery determination. Enhances it with knowledge. Coaxes it to grow to become reality through the teacher's own unbending faith in the dreamer.
So when yesterday's dreams become today's reality and yesterday's determination becomes today's success, it is only fitting that tribute be given to the mentor who lighted the way.
Meanwhile, the Arroyo administration has allotted more funds for the improvement of quality education programs, particularly to ease the shortage of public school buildings and classrooms in the elementary and high school levels..
Arnaiz supports "Bright Mind, Bright Child Project"
Oriental Negros Governor George P. Arnaiz supports the Bright Mind, Bright Child Project in line with the administration's thrust to strengthen the public education system in the province.
This comes as 180 to 200 teachers from the Department of Education-Oriental Negros Schools Division will be trained on the Bright Mind, Bright Child Project starting February 4 to 5, 2006 at the Negros Oriental High School.
Gov. Arnaiz said the training aims to upgrade their teaching competencies and improving the reading skills of pupils under the said project.
The Bright Mind Bright Child Project is a brainchild of the McDonald Charities.
Research shows that 40% of pupils at the Grade 1 level in the while country do not know how to read.
By the age of 8, the non-readers' intellectual and psycho-emotional growth remains hampered, thus, affecting their self-esteem and production capacity when they grow up. To prevent and minimize this problem, McDonald Charities cam out with the project, says Capitol Information Officer Oliver Lemence.
Lemence said the province has allotted P400,000 to purchase the training kit and educational materials for the said project.
Meanwhile, the Bright Mind Bright Child project is linked to the province through Education Vice-Committee Chair Mariant Escaño-Villegas.
A memorandum of agreement will be signed by the Provincial Government, DepEd and McDonald's Charities on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006 at a local restaurant in the city.
Soundbytes:
DA to set up direct market program
In a bid to intensify its food access program, the Department of Agriculture will be setting up a direct market linkage program in retail wet markets and alternative distribution outlets in Metro Manila.
VAT hike conditions met
Two conditions set by law to trigger the increase in the value-added tax or VAT rate have been met with yesterday's release of official economic data, allowing the Finance department to recommend to the President that the sales tax rate be raised to 12% from 10% effective February 1.
23 roads for nautical highway
The Department of Public Works and Highways has built 23 major roads in support of President Arroyo's Strong Republic Nautical Highway Program.
Palace: Parliament polls in '07
Malacañang pushed for parliamentary elections in 2007, effectively dropping the no-election proposal of the consultative commission that was opposed by former President Fidel Ramos, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, government officials and various sectors.
CBCP: GMA deserves chance to redeem self
Pres. Arroyo should be given a chance to redeem herself and win back public trust, according to the head of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines, which declared that the electoral fraud allegations hounding Ms. Arroyo should be "relentlessly pursued" through legal means
Drivers' initiatives
The Land Transportation Office is considering giving incentives to public and private vehicle drivers who have not committed a single traffic violation for one year.
1/26/2006
Snapshots of Kapihan forum on Avian Flu
(L-R) City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro,Dr .Socrates Villamor of DOH and
PIA Infocen Manager Jenny Tilos during the forum.
Dr. Rodney Pangilinan of the Provincial Vet Office explainingwhat his office has been doing to prevent
the entry of bird flu in the province.
Mr. Alex Pal of Metro Post, NBN and Phil. Daily Inquirerasking a question during the open forum.
PENRO ANtonio Cabrido explaining why birds migrate.
A DOH staff "warming" up the LCD projector. Issue No. 2, Vol. No. 4 JANUARY 26, 2006
NegOr, Dgte to host biggest regional football tournament
Football teams from Cebu and Negros Occidental will be coming to Dumaguete City as Negros Oriental hosts the 2006 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Men's Senior Championship-Qualifying Rounds.
Teams from Cebu Football Association and Negros Occidental Football Association will compete at the Silliman University Ballfield, this city, from January 27 to 29, 2006.
NORFA President Pastor Merced in a letter said the activity is touted to be the biggest regional football tournament in this category.
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TESDA awaits results of youth career profiling exams
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Manila is currently evaluating the results of the career profiling examination conducted on graduating high school students from various public schools in Negros Oriental last year.
More than 600 graduating high school students from selected public schools in the province underwent a career assessment test conducted by TESDA and the Department of Education last year, reveals Beth Tubog, administrative officer V of TESDA here.
The examination is in line TESDA's YP4SC or the Youth Profile for Starring Careers program that aims to equip high school students and out-of-school youth, as future job seekers, with technical skills and competencies thereby increasing their chances for speedy employment.
Tubog explains said the exam was assessment was developed for career guidance and will provide the students with information on the careers that they are most suited with. "They are not academic tests, only for career matching," she said.
The assessment focused on the students' verbal ability, arithmetic reasoning, spatial ability, computation ability, clerical and form perception.
The students who took the exam came from identified schools in the three districts in the province.
The administrative officer said they are currently waiting for the examination results, which have been submitted to TESDA central office in Manila for assessment and evaluation.
YP4SC is a strategy implemented by TESDA to carry out TVET career guidance interventions, including the profiling of identified target groups in collaboration with collaboration with DepEd, CHED, SUCs, DOST and NSO, and afterwards, conduct career awareness, career exploration and counseling services.
Under the program, students will be provided with support services from TESDA to assist them in making occupational choices and career decisions. Appropriate trainings will be held to make them best fit the specific skills requirements in the employment market, either in wage or self-employment.
YP4SC is TESDA's response in support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's goal of creating 6 to 10 million jobs in the next six years.
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TESDA to seek Congressmen's support for ICARE program
In the hopes of bridging labor market gaps, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Negros Oriental is set to seek the support of the local Congressmen of the three districts in the province to TESDA's ICARE program.
ICARE or the Invigorating Constituent Assistance in Reinforcing Employment program is a financial sharing scheme initiated by TESDA in which the Congressmen will finance a chosen program that is matched with TESDA counterpart assistance.
According to Beth Tubog, administrative officer V of TESDA here, they tried to negotiate with the local congressmen last year, but it was already impossible for the government officials to include ICARE in their budget, as it was almost year-end when TESDA met with them.
However, we will meet with them again this year to try to get their commitment for financial support, says Tubog.
ICARE is designed as an anti-poverty program in response to the President's thrust of creating more jobs through strategic partnerships with legislators, local government units and other TVET stakeholders.
So far, the program has been met with ardent support from some officials across the nation. Congressman Del De Guzman of the lone district of Marikina City, according to the TESDA website, has extended P17M from his Priority Development Assistance Fund to finance the ICARE program in his district.
The Congressmen from Region IV-B have also pledged their support to the program, after seeing the need for resource augmentation in meeting the skills requirements in their region.
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No known link among NegOr troops with Oakwood mutineers
With the Philippine National Police (PNP) on a nationwide manhunt to capture the five escaped Oakwood mutineers, a high-ranking intelligence officer in the provincial police office here assured that there is no known linkage among troops of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the Magdalo group that staged a short-lived mutiny in 2003.
SPO4 Hilbert Arinaza, chief intelligence police non-commissioned officer at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, said that there are no reported links among PNP and AFP ranks with the Oakwood mutineers.
President Arroyo has earlier tapped PNP in hunting down and recapturing the five escapees who broke out of a high-security detention center in Fort Bonifacio.
The breakout set off rumblings of another coup de etat but Malacañang expressed confidence that the military was solidly behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a statement discounts the possibility of another people power as he believes the people has already dismissed this as a way to initiate reforms.
The military in Negros island have earlier expressed their loyalty to the Arroyo administration.
Arinaza assured that the PNP here would not follow any move to overthrow the current administration nor obey any unlawful orders. "We are for the preservation of democratic order. We don't favor the use of force in attaining reforms," he said.
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Poultry raisers, public urged to observe anti-bird flu
In the midst of the avian flu crisis that continue to strike several Asian countries, the public, particularly the poultry raisers in the province, are urged to observe the necessary mitigating measures to protect local poultry farms from the deadly avian flu.
City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro in a recent forum, urged poultry raisers and handlers of chicken and other birds here to keep their poultry caged. Filipinos like to raise chickens and let them roam around free and this increases the chances of their getting in contact with any infected bird, she said.
Poultry caretakers are also warned not to raise poultry and pigs together. "We are educating poultry raisers to separate poultry like ducks and chickens from pigs. It is not advisable to raise them together," says Socorro.
Socorro was speaking as one of the guest speakers composed of members of the Provincial Avian Flu Task Force during the forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency here.
She also discouraged the selling of live chickens and other birds in the market while there is a bird flu threat.
The provincial task force- like its counterpart in the national level, the National Avian Flu Task Force- is girding up the country's defense system by intensifying public information drive on avian flu.
The provincial government here is not letting its guard down that easily although Philippines have so far been spared from the highly pathogenic and fatal avian influenza that had caused a number of deaths in several Asian countries.
According to Dr. Socrates Villamor, who heads the Department of Health (DOH) here, a national priority watch list has been generated to pinpoint provinces that host migratory birds.
The most popular areas in the watch list include Olango Island Wetland Sanctuary in Cebu, Candaba Swamp in Pampanga and the Liguasan Marsh in Mindanao.
In Negros Oriental, the identified areas where migratory birds have been observed to converge are Tanjay City, Bais City, parts of Amlan and Manjuyod town.
But the only area from Negros Island that made it to the watch list is Himamaylan in Negros Occidental.
Dr. Rodney Pangilinan of the Provincial Veterinary Office however assured that their office here is prioritizing these areas, adding that blood samplings have already been collected from some of these areas as well as information drive. This is one way of getting data on these birds, by way of surveillance and monitoring, he said.
On the other hand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here is initiating a census of migratory birds in the province starting the first quarter of this year.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido said they hope to submit the results of the census at the end of the February.
He explains that they will be looking at the leg bandings of the migratory birds in the province. "In every bird, there is a leg banding that indicates what country they come from," Cabrido said.
He explains that birds migrate during winter and fly to other countries in search for food.
To date, the World Health Organization confirms 82 people have died since the avian, or bird, flu emerged in late 2003.
----------------------------------------------
Ceres to reduce bus fare in February
Despite the scheduled hike on the Expanded Value Added Tax in February, passengers of Ceres buses in the province would surprisingly find, not an increased fare but instead a lesser rate on their bus ticket.
Samson C. Gargaritano, manager of the Vallacar Transit-owned Ceres bus liner here, said they are cutting down their current fare by 10 centavos per kilometer effective February 1.
The 10-centavo per kilometer reduction is for the benefit of the riding public here in view of repeated price increases last year and now, the impending hike on EVAT. "We want to lessen the burden of the local passengers," says Gargaritano.
The rate reduction is also geared at boosting the local transportation industry, which Gargaritano admits, has not been doing well recently. Traveling activities in Negros Oriental have reduced as a result of increasing gasoline prices, which led to inflation and resulted to the reduced purchasing power of the peso, says Gargaritano.
For how long the reduced fare will last will depend on the behavior of the price of diesel fuel in the world market, the bus manager said.
Gargaritano also disclosed that he is studying the possibility of trimming down the number of trips and bus units they have in the province.
To date, the Ceres bus liner here operates 110 buses from what used to be a total of 120. "But I plan to return six units back to our central office in Bacolod by next week because I can't afford the amortization anymore," says Gargaritano.
He added that some trips might also be cancelled.
The liner currently maintains 160 trips a day to all destinations in Negros, including Cebu.
Transport and labor groups across the country have earlier announced that they have no plan to ask for a new fare and wage hike so as not to give additional burden to average wage earners and their families.
The expected full implementation of EVAT next month is seen to further program the government's fiscal stabilization in 2006.
The initial implementation of the enhanced VAT last year resulted to many beneficial effects for theeconomy, including the strengthening of the peso, reduction of the fiscal deficit and grater investor confidence in the country.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves has been spearheading an information campaign to prepare consumers for the implementation of a two-percentage-point increase (from 10% to 12%) in VAT by next month.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SMEDC to focus on OTOP, tourism
Bristling with renewed enthusiasm, the Siquijor Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC), in its effort to help keep the local economy afloat, is taking its steps to revitalize the province's small and medium enterprises.
In a meeting earlier, Siquijor SMEDC discussed this year's plans and programs to position the province into its rightful place in the business industry.
"We have to focus more on OTOP development", chairperson Judy U. Booc said, and give our local manufacturers foresight in shaping trends that provide them the means to optimize their products and resources.
The SMEDC's major undertaking this first quarter of the year is the submission of training proposals and recommendations that set criteria for monitoring and evaluation of our thriving SMEs.
A local study mission geared towards capability training and OTOP development is set this first week of February in Cebu City. Local participants for this three-day seminar are the CPJ and Pajermo's Furnitures, Duran's Banana Chips, Kababayehan Alang sa pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPINIG), and the Licoan Women's Cooperative (LIWOMCO), among others.
DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio said this focus on OTOPs will put Siquijor on the map of the country's top tourist destinations.
-------------------------------------------------------
Siquijor draws defense plan vs. bird flu
"The danger is imminent! In the immediate term, the province of Siquijor must create a task force to prepare itself for possible entry of the pandemic Avian influenza, better known as bird flu."
This was the statement made by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO)-Siquijor Province during a contingency planning session held this week at the Provincial Capitol.
"Let us equip ourselves with a defense plan through a multi-sectoral response to the threat of this emerging disease", Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada said. "The only way to keep the province free from the bird flu virus is strictly enforcing quarantine rules and safeguards conducted in ports and wetlands where migratory bids believed to be carriers of the deadly virus flock during the months of November to March", she said.
The PVO, along with the DA7 highlighted the key points of the bird flu virus, its transmission and the government's present protection program, among others.
To date, the Philippines and Singapore are the only countries in Southeast Asia not affected by the H5N1 virus that causes bird flu. Today there's no cure seen yet and that it has suffered a setback because the virus already mutated into a stronger strain (it was reported to have infected swine).
"If one fowl here is infected with this disease, it is already considered a calamity or disaster. That's why this early we have to formulate prevention strategies through control measures that work - public awareness and preparedness", Dra. Tabada said.
In support to the plan, Governor Orlando B. Fua of Siquijor requested the Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO) to allocate a budget for it and asked the different local government units to make a thorough review on when and how to use their calamity funds. He said everybody shares responsibility to fight the spread of the disease and put human and financial resources behind the effort.
With the Provincial Governor as the overall coordinator, the Provincial Bird Flu Task Force is composed both by the government and private sectors. On the other hand, a municipal task force in every municipality will also be organized to help launch public awareness program and strengthen outbreak detection and response.
In the national level, health officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were placed on 24-hour monitoring of incoming passengers following reports of more deaths caused by the deadly bird flu virus in Europe and some parts of Asia.
------------------------------------------
MySiquijor.com brings more medical supplies to Siquijor
A year after MySiquijor.com's phase I of its medical mission to Siquijor province, another sets of medical equipments, under Phase II were donated last January 18, 2005. They were presented to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) by Gary Harrison, administrator of the website, MySiquijor.com with one of the biggest donor, Des Quinn from Australia and his wife Ester.
Donated medical supplies consist of assorted forceps, scissors, vaginal speculums, percussion hammer and medical books.
Held at the IPHO conference hall, the turned-over ceremony was attended by Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Nell A. Alcoran and a few of her staff with some representatives of the Provincial Tourism Office and the Philippine Information Agency.
"Great Gary" - Fua
That's how Siquijor Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua describes Gary whose sympathy for Siquijodnons is "beyond compare."
"Gary Harison has all the sympathies for Siquijodnons," Gov. Fua said in his speech during the turn-over ceremony.
"From the moment he got to my office, I knew Gary's heart has been for the province," Fua said recalling that on several occasions he has met a number of well-meaning individuals who talked good of Siquijor and yet never has been anything done for the island," he said.
"While others professed to love Siquijor, talks about insufficiencies, - poverty, unemployment, poor infra, and the like abound. These same people find fault in government officials without offering help on how to run the province in an insufficient funds," he said.
"Gary is quite different. He followed out his words with deeds," he added.
The governor said that when the assistance was confirmed to him personally by Gary, he couldn't hide his excitement for Siquijodnons. "Our gratitude to you especially the subscribers/generous people for all we have been able to accomplish for the people," he said.
Likewise, Dra. Alcoran said she is extremely grateful for all the help. "I say this on behalf of everyone in Siquijor," she said
"It's your smile!"
When asked what inspires him to help Siquijodnons, Gary quickly said "it's your smile that moves me!" "It takes a lot to make some people smile but for Siquijodnons, simple things, simple gifts make them smile!" Gary said.
Through his website, Gary brought in enormous amount of goodwill- from promotions to donations - for the people of Siquijor.
"In 2002, I searched for a way to help the provincial and I thought the best way is to open up a website,"Gary confided. Initially, he said, MySiquijor.com was primarily a tourist site but in an effort to be of better service, he expanded the focus to not only appeal to international and domestic tourists, but also to include Siquijodnons that are living in foreign countries. Along with it is the idea of soliciting donations from visitors, thus the launching of MySiquijor.com Medical Campaign in 2004. Since then Gary was concerned about raising money for medical equipment that somehow improves the level of health care available to Siquijor folks. He searched out for resources from generous visitors and once he has collected a considerable figure, he begun his work.
"I hope these help the hospital and our patients," Gary Harison said.
MySiquijor.com also supports the St. Francis of Assisi Church Restoration Project in Siquijor parish. With P25,000 generated from the website, Gary is set to meet Siquijor Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Casiano Salac for the turn-over this Sunday, January 22, 2005.
----------------------------------
SOUNDBYTES:
Balanced budget for 2009
The Arroyo government's vision of a balanced budget for 2009 is not far behind. This, as the 1-2 punch of tight fiscal controls and aggressive measures continue to reap economic gains for the country. Pres. Arroyo's economic plan is rolling forward over the hump of political turmoil, riding on board the sacrifices and enterprising spirit of the people.
There is no anomalous spending from recovered Marcos wealth
Malacañang stressed that every centavo spent from the recovered Marcos wealth was in accordance with its intended purpose as defined by law. Hence, tagging allegations of anomalous spending of this fund is baseless. The government also assured all martial law victims who have rightful claims to the fund that their interest will be fully protected as the Palace calls on Congress to expedite the legislation needed for the release of their share.
Pacquiao KOs opponent- and Metro cime rate
Metro Manila enjoyed a crime-free day Sunday as neighborhood thugs, snatchers and other assorted felons stayed home to watch the big fight on TV between Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and Mexican foe Erik Morales, police said.
Business process outsourcing companies check out Bacolod
Two business process-outsourcing companies recently sent separate teams to evaluate the capability of this city to host their operations.
PGMA nipasar na isip dinaliang lakang ang paghatag umento sa suhulan sa emplayado sa gobyerno
Gipasar na ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo isip gikinahanglan og dinaliang lakang ang tresen bilyones ka pesos nga budget alang sa omento sa suhulan sa mga trabahante sa gobyerno. Giawhag sa Presidente ang Kongreso sa pag-aprobar gilayon ang panukala aron mahatag ang maong omento sa suhulan agig gasa sa mga namunuan ngadto sa mga trabahante sa dili pa moabot ang Valentine's Day.
Football teams from Cebu and Negros Occidental will be coming to Dumaguete City as Negros Oriental hosts the 2006 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Men's Senior Championship-Qualifying Rounds.
Teams from Cebu Football Association and Negros Occidental Football Association will compete at the Silliman University Ballfield, this city, from January 27 to 29, 2006.
NORFA President Pastor Merced in a letter said the activity is touted to be the biggest regional football tournament in this category.
------------------------------------------
TESDA awaits results of youth career profiling exams
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Manila is currently evaluating the results of the career profiling examination conducted on graduating high school students from various public schools in Negros Oriental last year.
More than 600 graduating high school students from selected public schools in the province underwent a career assessment test conducted by TESDA and the Department of Education last year, reveals Beth Tubog, administrative officer V of TESDA here.
The examination is in line TESDA's YP4SC or the Youth Profile for Starring Careers program that aims to equip high school students and out-of-school youth, as future job seekers, with technical skills and competencies thereby increasing their chances for speedy employment.
Tubog explains said the exam was assessment was developed for career guidance and will provide the students with information on the careers that they are most suited with. "They are not academic tests, only for career matching," she said.
The assessment focused on the students' verbal ability, arithmetic reasoning, spatial ability, computation ability, clerical and form perception.
The students who took the exam came from identified schools in the three districts in the province.
The administrative officer said they are currently waiting for the examination results, which have been submitted to TESDA central office in Manila for assessment and evaluation.
YP4SC is a strategy implemented by TESDA to carry out TVET career guidance interventions, including the profiling of identified target groups in collaboration with collaboration with DepEd, CHED, SUCs, DOST and NSO, and afterwards, conduct career awareness, career exploration and counseling services.
Under the program, students will be provided with support services from TESDA to assist them in making occupational choices and career decisions. Appropriate trainings will be held to make them best fit the specific skills requirements in the employment market, either in wage or self-employment.
YP4SC is TESDA's response in support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's goal of creating 6 to 10 million jobs in the next six years.
------------------------------------------------------------
TESDA to seek Congressmen's support for ICARE program
In the hopes of bridging labor market gaps, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Negros Oriental is set to seek the support of the local Congressmen of the three districts in the province to TESDA's ICARE program.
ICARE or the Invigorating Constituent Assistance in Reinforcing Employment program is a financial sharing scheme initiated by TESDA in which the Congressmen will finance a chosen program that is matched with TESDA counterpart assistance.
According to Beth Tubog, administrative officer V of TESDA here, they tried to negotiate with the local congressmen last year, but it was already impossible for the government officials to include ICARE in their budget, as it was almost year-end when TESDA met with them.
However, we will meet with them again this year to try to get their commitment for financial support, says Tubog.
ICARE is designed as an anti-poverty program in response to the President's thrust of creating more jobs through strategic partnerships with legislators, local government units and other TVET stakeholders.
So far, the program has been met with ardent support from some officials across the nation. Congressman Del De Guzman of the lone district of Marikina City, according to the TESDA website, has extended P17M from his Priority Development Assistance Fund to finance the ICARE program in his district.
The Congressmen from Region IV-B have also pledged their support to the program, after seeing the need for resource augmentation in meeting the skills requirements in their region.
-------------------------------------------------
No known link among NegOr troops with Oakwood mutineers
With the Philippine National Police (PNP) on a nationwide manhunt to capture the five escaped Oakwood mutineers, a high-ranking intelligence officer in the provincial police office here assured that there is no known linkage among troops of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the Magdalo group that staged a short-lived mutiny in 2003.
SPO4 Hilbert Arinaza, chief intelligence police non-commissioned officer at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, said that there are no reported links among PNP and AFP ranks with the Oakwood mutineers.
President Arroyo has earlier tapped PNP in hunting down and recapturing the five escapees who broke out of a high-security detention center in Fort Bonifacio.
The breakout set off rumblings of another coup de etat but Malacañang expressed confidence that the military was solidly behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye in a statement discounts the possibility of another people power as he believes the people has already dismissed this as a way to initiate reforms.
The military in Negros island have earlier expressed their loyalty to the Arroyo administration.
Arinaza assured that the PNP here would not follow any move to overthrow the current administration nor obey any unlawful orders. "We are for the preservation of democratic order. We don't favor the use of force in attaining reforms," he said.
-------------------------------------------------
Poultry raisers, public urged to observe anti-bird flu
In the midst of the avian flu crisis that continue to strike several Asian countries, the public, particularly the poultry raisers in the province, are urged to observe the necessary mitigating measures to protect local poultry farms from the deadly avian flu.
City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro in a recent forum, urged poultry raisers and handlers of chicken and other birds here to keep their poultry caged. Filipinos like to raise chickens and let them roam around free and this increases the chances of their getting in contact with any infected bird, she said.
Poultry caretakers are also warned not to raise poultry and pigs together. "We are educating poultry raisers to separate poultry like ducks and chickens from pigs. It is not advisable to raise them together," says Socorro.
Socorro was speaking as one of the guest speakers composed of members of the Provincial Avian Flu Task Force during the forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency here.
She also discouraged the selling of live chickens and other birds in the market while there is a bird flu threat.
The provincial task force- like its counterpart in the national level, the National Avian Flu Task Force- is girding up the country's defense system by intensifying public information drive on avian flu.
The provincial government here is not letting its guard down that easily although Philippines have so far been spared from the highly pathogenic and fatal avian influenza that had caused a number of deaths in several Asian countries.
According to Dr. Socrates Villamor, who heads the Department of Health (DOH) here, a national priority watch list has been generated to pinpoint provinces that host migratory birds.
The most popular areas in the watch list include Olango Island Wetland Sanctuary in Cebu, Candaba Swamp in Pampanga and the Liguasan Marsh in Mindanao.
In Negros Oriental, the identified areas where migratory birds have been observed to converge are Tanjay City, Bais City, parts of Amlan and Manjuyod town.
But the only area from Negros Island that made it to the watch list is Himamaylan in Negros Occidental.
Dr. Rodney Pangilinan of the Provincial Veterinary Office however assured that their office here is prioritizing these areas, adding that blood samplings have already been collected from some of these areas as well as information drive. This is one way of getting data on these birds, by way of surveillance and monitoring, he said.
On the other hand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here is initiating a census of migratory birds in the province starting the first quarter of this year.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Antonio Cabrido said they hope to submit the results of the census at the end of the February.
He explains that they will be looking at the leg bandings of the migratory birds in the province. "In every bird, there is a leg banding that indicates what country they come from," Cabrido said.
He explains that birds migrate during winter and fly to other countries in search for food.
To date, the World Health Organization confirms 82 people have died since the avian, or bird, flu emerged in late 2003.
----------------------------------------------
Ceres to reduce bus fare in February
Despite the scheduled hike on the Expanded Value Added Tax in February, passengers of Ceres buses in the province would surprisingly find, not an increased fare but instead a lesser rate on their bus ticket.
Samson C. Gargaritano, manager of the Vallacar Transit-owned Ceres bus liner here, said they are cutting down their current fare by 10 centavos per kilometer effective February 1.
The 10-centavo per kilometer reduction is for the benefit of the riding public here in view of repeated price increases last year and now, the impending hike on EVAT. "We want to lessen the burden of the local passengers," says Gargaritano.
The rate reduction is also geared at boosting the local transportation industry, which Gargaritano admits, has not been doing well recently. Traveling activities in Negros Oriental have reduced as a result of increasing gasoline prices, which led to inflation and resulted to the reduced purchasing power of the peso, says Gargaritano.
For how long the reduced fare will last will depend on the behavior of the price of diesel fuel in the world market, the bus manager said.
Gargaritano also disclosed that he is studying the possibility of trimming down the number of trips and bus units they have in the province.
To date, the Ceres bus liner here operates 110 buses from what used to be a total of 120. "But I plan to return six units back to our central office in Bacolod by next week because I can't afford the amortization anymore," says Gargaritano.
He added that some trips might also be cancelled.
The liner currently maintains 160 trips a day to all destinations in Negros, including Cebu.
Transport and labor groups across the country have earlier announced that they have no plan to ask for a new fare and wage hike so as not to give additional burden to average wage earners and their families.
The expected full implementation of EVAT next month is seen to further program the government's fiscal stabilization in 2006.
The initial implementation of the enhanced VAT last year resulted to many beneficial effects for theeconomy, including the strengthening of the peso, reduction of the fiscal deficit and grater investor confidence in the country.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves has been spearheading an information campaign to prepare consumers for the implementation of a two-percentage-point increase (from 10% to 12%) in VAT by next month.
--------------------------------------------------------------
SMEDC to focus on OTOP, tourism
Bristling with renewed enthusiasm, the Siquijor Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC), in its effort to help keep the local economy afloat, is taking its steps to revitalize the province's small and medium enterprises.
In a meeting earlier, Siquijor SMEDC discussed this year's plans and programs to position the province into its rightful place in the business industry.
"We have to focus more on OTOP development", chairperson Judy U. Booc said, and give our local manufacturers foresight in shaping trends that provide them the means to optimize their products and resources.
The SMEDC's major undertaking this first quarter of the year is the submission of training proposals and recommendations that set criteria for monitoring and evaluation of our thriving SMEs.
A local study mission geared towards capability training and OTOP development is set this first week of February in Cebu City. Local participants for this three-day seminar are the CPJ and Pajermo's Furnitures, Duran's Banana Chips, Kababayehan Alang sa pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPINIG), and the Licoan Women's Cooperative (LIWOMCO), among others.
DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio said this focus on OTOPs will put Siquijor on the map of the country's top tourist destinations.
-------------------------------------------------------
Siquijor draws defense plan vs. bird flu
"The danger is imminent! In the immediate term, the province of Siquijor must create a task force to prepare itself for possible entry of the pandemic Avian influenza, better known as bird flu."
This was the statement made by the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO)-Siquijor Province during a contingency planning session held this week at the Provincial Capitol.
"Let us equip ourselves with a defense plan through a multi-sectoral response to the threat of this emerging disease", Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada said. "The only way to keep the province free from the bird flu virus is strictly enforcing quarantine rules and safeguards conducted in ports and wetlands where migratory bids believed to be carriers of the deadly virus flock during the months of November to March", she said.
The PVO, along with the DA7 highlighted the key points of the bird flu virus, its transmission and the government's present protection program, among others.
To date, the Philippines and Singapore are the only countries in Southeast Asia not affected by the H5N1 virus that causes bird flu. Today there's no cure seen yet and that it has suffered a setback because the virus already mutated into a stronger strain (it was reported to have infected swine).
"If one fowl here is infected with this disease, it is already considered a calamity or disaster. That's why this early we have to formulate prevention strategies through control measures that work - public awareness and preparedness", Dra. Tabada said.
In support to the plan, Governor Orlando B. Fua of Siquijor requested the Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO) to allocate a budget for it and asked the different local government units to make a thorough review on when and how to use their calamity funds. He said everybody shares responsibility to fight the spread of the disease and put human and financial resources behind the effort.
With the Provincial Governor as the overall coordinator, the Provincial Bird Flu Task Force is composed both by the government and private sectors. On the other hand, a municipal task force in every municipality will also be organized to help launch public awareness program and strengthen outbreak detection and response.
In the national level, health officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were placed on 24-hour monitoring of incoming passengers following reports of more deaths caused by the deadly bird flu virus in Europe and some parts of Asia.
------------------------------------------
MySiquijor.com brings more medical supplies to Siquijor
A year after MySiquijor.com's phase I of its medical mission to Siquijor province, another sets of medical equipments, under Phase II were donated last January 18, 2005. They were presented to the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) by Gary Harrison, administrator of the website, MySiquijor.com with one of the biggest donor, Des Quinn from Australia and his wife Ester.
Donated medical supplies consist of assorted forceps, scissors, vaginal speculums, percussion hammer and medical books.
Held at the IPHO conference hall, the turned-over ceremony was attended by Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua, Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Nell A. Alcoran and a few of her staff with some representatives of the Provincial Tourism Office and the Philippine Information Agency.
"Great Gary" - Fua
That's how Siquijor Provincial Governor Orlando B. Fua describes Gary whose sympathy for Siquijodnons is "beyond compare."
"Gary Harison has all the sympathies for Siquijodnons," Gov. Fua said in his speech during the turn-over ceremony.
"From the moment he got to my office, I knew Gary's heart has been for the province," Fua said recalling that on several occasions he has met a number of well-meaning individuals who talked good of Siquijor and yet never has been anything done for the island," he said.
"While others professed to love Siquijor, talks about insufficiencies, - poverty, unemployment, poor infra, and the like abound. These same people find fault in government officials without offering help on how to run the province in an insufficient funds," he said.
"Gary is quite different. He followed out his words with deeds," he added.
The governor said that when the assistance was confirmed to him personally by Gary, he couldn't hide his excitement for Siquijodnons. "Our gratitude to you especially the subscribers/generous people for all we have been able to accomplish for the people," he said.
Likewise, Dra. Alcoran said she is extremely grateful for all the help. "I say this on behalf of everyone in Siquijor," she said
"It's your smile!"
When asked what inspires him to help Siquijodnons, Gary quickly said "it's your smile that moves me!" "It takes a lot to make some people smile but for Siquijodnons, simple things, simple gifts make them smile!" Gary said.
Through his website, Gary brought in enormous amount of goodwill- from promotions to donations - for the people of Siquijor.
"In 2002, I searched for a way to help the provincial and I thought the best way is to open up a website,"Gary confided. Initially, he said, MySiquijor.com was primarily a tourist site but in an effort to be of better service, he expanded the focus to not only appeal to international and domestic tourists, but also to include Siquijodnons that are living in foreign countries. Along with it is the idea of soliciting donations from visitors, thus the launching of MySiquijor.com Medical Campaign in 2004. Since then Gary was concerned about raising money for medical equipment that somehow improves the level of health care available to Siquijor folks. He searched out for resources from generous visitors and once he has collected a considerable figure, he begun his work.
"I hope these help the hospital and our patients," Gary Harison said.
MySiquijor.com also supports the St. Francis of Assisi Church Restoration Project in Siquijor parish. With P25,000 generated from the website, Gary is set to meet Siquijor Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Casiano Salac for the turn-over this Sunday, January 22, 2005.
----------------------------------
SOUNDBYTES:
Balanced budget for 2009
The Arroyo government's vision of a balanced budget for 2009 is not far behind. This, as the 1-2 punch of tight fiscal controls and aggressive measures continue to reap economic gains for the country. Pres. Arroyo's economic plan is rolling forward over the hump of political turmoil, riding on board the sacrifices and enterprising spirit of the people.
There is no anomalous spending from recovered Marcos wealth
Malacañang stressed that every centavo spent from the recovered Marcos wealth was in accordance with its intended purpose as defined by law. Hence, tagging allegations of anomalous spending of this fund is baseless. The government also assured all martial law victims who have rightful claims to the fund that their interest will be fully protected as the Palace calls on Congress to expedite the legislation needed for the release of their share.
Pacquiao KOs opponent- and Metro cime rate
Metro Manila enjoyed a crime-free day Sunday as neighborhood thugs, snatchers and other assorted felons stayed home to watch the big fight on TV between Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and Mexican foe Erik Morales, police said.
Business process outsourcing companies check out Bacolod
Two business process-outsourcing companies recently sent separate teams to evaluate the capability of this city to host their operations.
PGMA nipasar na isip dinaliang lakang ang paghatag umento sa suhulan sa emplayado sa gobyerno
Gipasar na ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo isip gikinahanglan og dinaliang lakang ang tresen bilyones ka pesos nga budget alang sa omento sa suhulan sa mga trabahante sa gobyerno. Giawhag sa Presidente ang Kongreso sa pag-aprobar gilayon ang panukala aron mahatag ang maong omento sa suhulan agig gasa sa mga namunuan ngadto sa mga trabahante sa dili pa moabot ang Valentine's Day.
1/20/2006
PHOTOS RE: KAPIHAN FORUM ON "IT INVESTMENTS"
Suzanne Lu Bascara, general manager of SPI in Bacong, presenting the various global services offered by their company.
DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato Jr (left) withPIA Provincial Infocen Manager Jenny Tilos during the Kapihan forum.
Fortunato said there are already a good number of local and multi-national companies
who have set up businesses in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.
Rolo Ceno, general manager of Entheos IT at Foundation University,announces that their company will be needing more employees this year
as the company sets to expand its medical transcription services to venture into
animation and later on, legal and accounting transcription.
1/19/2006
VOLUME NO. 2, ISSUE NO. 2, JAN. 18, 2006
Job growth in NegOr seen to pick up; IT companies to hire more workers
More job opportunities will open up in the province this year as local and multi-national information technology (IT) companies with businesses in the province are set to hire more employees before the year ends.
Representatives of local IT companies have announced in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum held by the Philippine Information Agency that they will be hiring more employees in the following months to meet the rapid increase in the global demand for IT services.
Javier Fortunato Jr, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, said that with this development, NegOr might just reach the 1,000-mark this year.
IT companies that have already set up businesses here span the varied stretch of technology services, from business process outsourcing, medical transcription, and - just recently - call center, web development, software services and broadband services.
Suzanne Lu Bascara, general manager of SPI Publishing Services located at Brgy. Sacsac, Bacong town, said SPI plans to increase its current 339 employees to 600 by the end of this year.
Often mistaken for a call center, SPI is a leading global provider of business outsourcing services and solutions that help advance science and technology, explains Bascara. “SPI in Bacong supports content production of scientific, technical and medical journals. We help create academic journals,” she said.
Another IT company, Entheos IT located at Foundation University, is eyeing to double its current number of workers as it expands its services from medical transcription to include animation and architecture and later on, legal, finance and accounting transcription. “We will hire more employees for IT CAD, more animators and medical transcriptionists not later than middle of this year,” says Rolo Ceno, Entheos General Manager.
Efforts from the local government along with DTI have been wielded to prime Negros Oriental, particularly Dumaguete City with its reputation as a University Town, to become an IT capital in the country in response to the growing need in the IT industry.
The call center industry alone has started the year with a need for 7,500 agents, and this demand can be expected to pick up as the year progresses, notes Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas in a statement.
Fortunato said Dumaguete continues to attract more IT investors despite being what he calls a second tier city. “Most companies, when they open up new businesses, often set up in Manila or Cebu. But because of our promotion, we have been able to convince them to give a second look at Dumaguete, at the talented human resources here,” he stressed.
Majority of establishments in NegOr follow fire-safety precautions
Almost all of the establishments in Oriental Negros are following the fire-safety regulations required by law, says SFO1 Gerardo Gonzales, chief fire prevention non-commissioned officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection in the province.
Gonzales says majority of the total 13,497 establishments inspected here last year are equipped with the fire-safety requirements such as fire exits, fire extinguishers and emergency lighters stipulated by PD 1185 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.
The establishments inspected include mercantile, residential occupancy (dormitories, boarding houses, hotels), business occupancy (clinics, government buildings, schools, hospitals) and public assembly (restaurants, bars, beerhouses, department stores).
Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes has earlier ordered BFP to step up the inspection of public buildings, dormitories and boarding houses following a fire that left eight students injured in Manila.
The BFP here conducts an annual inspection of all establishments under their jurisdiction, which covers 13 municipalities, namely: Basay, Zamboanguita, Dauin, Bacong, Sibulan, Amlan, Pamplona, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Vallehermoso.
These are areas that do not have a fire station managed by BFP, says Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also warned single family dwelling residential homeowners to immediately inform BFP of any change in their occupancy status, like if they start accepting boarders. “They need to secure an occupancy permit from us first, then we have to inspect their residence again,” he said.
-30-
Prov’l agriculture personnel undergo waste conversion training
About 50 agricultural personnel in the province will undergo a five-day training on integrated waste conversion and farming bio-system from January 16 to 20, 2006.
Provincial Agriculturist Office Information Officer Nitz Bangay said the training aims to familiarize local agriculturists with the technology to convert various organic farm wastes to an improved bio-organic fertilizer.
The training will serve as a venue for a technology transfer from two trainer-scientist and technicians from the ECO-LOGIC Ventures, Inc. (ELVI) with the use of four modules including lectures, discussions, workshops and hands-on processes, says Bangay.
The information officer said the participants are expected to learn improved bio-organic fertilizer production and utilization using different organic waste materials and microbial inoculants to increase farm production, including the use of probiotic for highly productive aquaculture ventures.
The training will be held at the Technology and Livelihood Development Center, Provincial Agriculturist Office compound, this city and will be attended by BADC coordinators, agricultural technologists and other technical staff from the provincial agriculturist office, says Bangay.
Meanwhile, a recent study of the University of the Philippines Los Baños revealed that bacillus thuringiensis corn - or corn infused with the genetically modified Bt bacterium used as organic pesticide – is potentially more lucrative than other corn varieties.
-30-
PWDs can now access computers at SU-KDC
Sight-impaired people in Dumaguete City can now see and experience for themselves the world of electronic technology with the launching of the Accessible Center for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the Silliman University-World Bank Knowledge for Development Center.
World Bank has furnished the Knowledge for Development Center (KDC) located inside the SU Main Library, with two sets of computers that are installed with assistive technology, thereby enabling visually impaired users to use the computer and navigate their way into the electronic information highway.
Tony Llanes, president of the Adaptive Technology for the Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), during the launching held January 19, demonstrated how blind people can learn to type and read scanned documents.
Llanes presented the use of the technology before an audience made up of representatives from different sectors like the church, media, government, academe, health and the local PWD association.
Llanes, himself a blind person, began exploring the use of technology to ‘bridge the opportunity gap between the sighted and the blind’ in the early 90s, and now that gap is fast closing in. Since ATRIEV was instituted in 1999, some 200 persons with sight impairment have been trained, most of whom were able to pursue further education and training while some have done internships or been employed.
According to Leonora Gonzales, external relations officer of World Bank-Manila, disability affects a huge number of people globally, majority of whom are living in developing countries. “They are often excluded from the schools and workplace, and this is one of the major reasons why many kids are not in school in the Philippines,” says Gonzales.
In the Philippines, close to one million PWDs have been recorded, but Gonzales suspects there’s still more who haven’t been counted.
With World Bank’s initiative to further augment the services of KDCs nationwide to become also as a center for PWDs, access to information and technology is now open to the disabled, thereby including them in development efforts. “We should make them contributors to and not just beneficiaries of development,” Gonzales stressed.
However, it turned out that World Bank’s efforts did not just stop at offering assistive technology to PWDs, as it has triggered another change geared towards making Silliman University more accessible to PWDs.
Apparently, SU President Agustin Pulido has realized that most of the university buildings are not PWD-friendly. “The new buildings that were constructed in recent years have ramps but I found out that the older buildings are not,” relates Pulido during his message at the launching.
The university president said that plans are now in motion to install ramps and retro-fit the building designs to make them more accessible.
Meanwhile, Engr. Dominador Dumalag, city administrator in Dumaguete, during the launching applauded the said program, calling it “a miracle” that PWDs, particularly the blind, can see through their hands and communicate better.
-30-
IAE trainee trains 3 nominees for Japan
At the start Arnel Ongue did not like farming at all. He wanted to venture into some other businesses. He was then an active member of the Pangi 4-H club. For many years, he led the club. But having seen his potential, extension workers from the municipality of Siquijor and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist were persistent in assisting and encouraging him to embark in agricultural projects.
It was in year 2000 when Arnel was nominated as one of the trainees in Japan for one year sponsored by the International Agricultural Exchange Association. Of all the pioneering nominees, Arnel was chosen as president.
Arnel was assigned at the vegetable nursery of his foster parents. During his training, he learned that Japanese farmers are hard working and time-conscious. Not a single minute is wasted doing nothing. Farming in Japan is modern, systematic, and using the recent technologies. For the Japanese, farming is a business.
His foster parents liked Arnel’s attitude towards them and at work. In fact, he has been to Japan for six times already after his training. When queried what was his unforgettable learning while in Japan, he said that he learned to love agriculture and that he acquired Japanese traits (hard work and time consciousness). These are the things that became part of his life.
In year 2003 the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC)l provided Ongue financial assistance (in a form of loan without interest) amounting to P62, 000 for swine breeding which he engages at present and hopes to pay it in two years.
At present Arnel Ongue has been conducting on-field trails on different vegetable seeds which he brought from Japan. His foster parent wanted these seeds planted in the Philippines since a Japanese company here plans to venture into vegetable production somewhere in Luzon where Arnel also hopes to work. Based on his field trials, he successfully grew veges.
With his experiences in farming as well as his fluency in Niponggo, Arnel was tasked in trining 3 nominees from Oriental Negros – Gregorio Tenel, 28; Romel Baranggan of Timbao, Bacong; and Denis Lozada, 25 of Magatas, Sibulan. These three 4-H members are qualified for their one-year training in Japan as International Agricultural Exchange trainees. The training, in preparation for their stay in Japan, was aimed to orient them the Japanese language and the Japanese work ethics.
The training started in November 15 and ended in December 15. They were evaluated by personnel of the Provincial Agriculturist Office and the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC).
-30-
LNAS stude wins gold at PNSC
Ernie King Magdalan, a student of Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS) and a winner in the Central Visayas Regional Skills Competition (RSC) 2005 in the filed of lectronics application held at Bayawan City, Oriental Negros last October 4-7, 2005 won again a Gold Medal in the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC) 2005 held at GBFT Training Center, Pasig City last December 6-8.
Magdalan was Fourth Placer of the said field but was given a gold for reaching the 500 point-requirement in the International Calculation Standards (ICS) for a Certificate of Excellence.
Other Region VII contestants Anthony C. Amistoso of Cebu also won Gold in Commercial Wiring while Abilympics contestants were also awarded Gold in the areas of Waste Reuse and Photography.
Philippine National Skills Competition is a yearly undertaking of TESDA to promote and uplift the technical vocational education training (TVET) in the country and also to recognize the skills, talents and abilities of our brothers and sisters with disabilities through Abilympics. (VCM/TESDA-Siquijor)
CENTRAL COMMAND ON RED ALERT
Following orders from its headquarters in Manila, the Central Command is on red alert amidst the reported escape of 4 Oakwood mutineers in Fort Bonifacio last night. Centcom Public Information Officer Jefferson Omanda, this morning, said that as of now the entire camp and satellite camps in the Visayas are on red alert and has intensified its information gathering activities as the manhunt for the escapees continues.
Omandam also said that although he doubts if the mutineers have a place to go in the Visayas, Centcom officials do not want to take that possibility for granted. He also shared that even if it may be true that like in any organization there are a few of their members who are disgruntled but Omandam believed it is not against the government but because they (members) have administrative problems (charges). “I think that (allegation of disgruntled officials in the military ranks against the government) is an exaggeration,” he said.
The Central Command is the major military unit in charge of Eastern, Western, and Central Visayas. The escapees are members of the Oakwood mutineers in 2003 most of whom are composed of junior military officers.
In a press conference in Fort Bonifacio aired on television this morning, Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Commanding General of the Phil. Army, considers the act of the four Oakwood mutineers as “pure escape” and not a destabilixation move against the government.
SMEDC to focus on OTOP, tourism
Bristling with renewed enthusiasm, the Siquijor Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC), in its effort to help keep the local economy afloat, is taking its steps to revitalize the province’s small and medium enterprises.
In a meeting earlier, Siquijor SMEDC discussed this year’s plans and programs to position the province into its rightful place in the business industry,
“We have to focus more on OTOP development”, chairperson Judy Booc said, and give our local manufacturers foresight in shaping trends that provide them the means to optimize their products and resources.
The SMEDC’s major undertaking this first quarter of the year is the submission of training proposals and recommendations that set criteria for monitoring and evaluation of our thriving SMEs.
A local study mission geared towards capability training and OTOP development is set this first week of February in Cebu City. Local participants for this three-day seminar are the CJP and Pajermo’s Furnitures, Duran’s Banana Chips, Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Indistriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG), and the Licoan Women’s Cooperative (LIWOMCO), among others.
DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio said this focus on OTOPs will put Siquijor on the map of the country’s top tourist destinations.
SOUNDBYTES
Economy will perk up
The Arroyo administration has expressed expectations that the economy will further perk up once the General Appropriations Act of 2006 is signed into law. Like3wise, the palace sees this as a signal to RP’s creditors that the government is serious in winning a gold medal in governance. Hence, more fresh investments, more jobs would flow in the country. Malacañang is confident our legislators will pass the 2006 national budget to uphold the people’s welfare.
After ending the discord on PGMA’s term of office, Malacañang remarked that the Lakas-CMD party has always upheld an agenda of unity and democracy, and resolve issues with statesmanship. Meanwhile, PGMA intends to lead the ruling party as a powerhouse in the parliamentary system. Accordingly, the party shall lead the nation to the pinnacle of democracy, the rule of law and equitable development and prosperity.
Palace welcomes deliberation on Cha-Cha
Malacañang welcomes Senate’s move to start the deliberations on Cha-Cha soon. While hopeful that the consensus will be the result of statesmanship of both houses of Congress, the palace believes that the national should allow first institutional process to work before jumping on contentious issues that divide the nation.
Though respectful of FVR’s opinion, PGMA should not cut her term unless under the face of constitutionally sanctioned process.
Davide eyed as country’s UN delegate
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. is reportedly being groomed to become the country’s next permanent representative to the United Nations, considered one of the most coveted posts in the foreign service.
DoTC, LTO beef up drive vs erring emission testing centers
Three smoke emission test centers had their accreditations from the Department of Transportation and Communications cancelled, while 18 others were suspended by the Land Transportation Office.
GSIS pensioners granted 3% increase
The Government Service Insurance System’s board of trustees has approved a 3-percent increase in the monthly pension of its regular pensioners.
More job opportunities will open up in the province this year as local and multi-national information technology (IT) companies with businesses in the province are set to hire more employees before the year ends.
Representatives of local IT companies have announced in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum held by the Philippine Information Agency that they will be hiring more employees in the following months to meet the rapid increase in the global demand for IT services.
Javier Fortunato Jr, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, said that with this development, NegOr might just reach the 1,000-mark this year.
IT companies that have already set up businesses here span the varied stretch of technology services, from business process outsourcing, medical transcription, and - just recently - call center, web development, software services and broadband services.
Suzanne Lu Bascara, general manager of SPI Publishing Services located at Brgy. Sacsac, Bacong town, said SPI plans to increase its current 339 employees to 600 by the end of this year.
Often mistaken for a call center, SPI is a leading global provider of business outsourcing services and solutions that help advance science and technology, explains Bascara. “SPI in Bacong supports content production of scientific, technical and medical journals. We help create academic journals,” she said.
Another IT company, Entheos IT located at Foundation University, is eyeing to double its current number of workers as it expands its services from medical transcription to include animation and architecture and later on, legal, finance and accounting transcription. “We will hire more employees for IT CAD, more animators and medical transcriptionists not later than middle of this year,” says Rolo Ceno, Entheos General Manager.
Efforts from the local government along with DTI have been wielded to prime Negros Oriental, particularly Dumaguete City with its reputation as a University Town, to become an IT capital in the country in response to the growing need in the IT industry.
The call center industry alone has started the year with a need for 7,500 agents, and this demand can be expected to pick up as the year progresses, notes Labor and Employment Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas in a statement.
Fortunato said Dumaguete continues to attract more IT investors despite being what he calls a second tier city. “Most companies, when they open up new businesses, often set up in Manila or Cebu. But because of our promotion, we have been able to convince them to give a second look at Dumaguete, at the talented human resources here,” he stressed.
Majority of establishments in NegOr follow fire-safety precautions
Almost all of the establishments in Oriental Negros are following the fire-safety regulations required by law, says SFO1 Gerardo Gonzales, chief fire prevention non-commissioned officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection in the province.
Gonzales says majority of the total 13,497 establishments inspected here last year are equipped with the fire-safety requirements such as fire exits, fire extinguishers and emergency lighters stipulated by PD 1185 or the Fire Code of the Philippines.
The establishments inspected include mercantile, residential occupancy (dormitories, boarding houses, hotels), business occupancy (clinics, government buildings, schools, hospitals) and public assembly (restaurants, bars, beerhouses, department stores).
Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes has earlier ordered BFP to step up the inspection of public buildings, dormitories and boarding houses following a fire that left eight students injured in Manila.
The BFP here conducts an annual inspection of all establishments under their jurisdiction, which covers 13 municipalities, namely: Basay, Zamboanguita, Dauin, Bacong, Sibulan, Amlan, Pamplona, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Jimalalud, La Libertad and Vallehermoso.
These are areas that do not have a fire station managed by BFP, says Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also warned single family dwelling residential homeowners to immediately inform BFP of any change in their occupancy status, like if they start accepting boarders. “They need to secure an occupancy permit from us first, then we have to inspect their residence again,” he said.
-30-
Prov’l agriculture personnel undergo waste conversion training
About 50 agricultural personnel in the province will undergo a five-day training on integrated waste conversion and farming bio-system from January 16 to 20, 2006.
Provincial Agriculturist Office Information Officer Nitz Bangay said the training aims to familiarize local agriculturists with the technology to convert various organic farm wastes to an improved bio-organic fertilizer.
The training will serve as a venue for a technology transfer from two trainer-scientist and technicians from the ECO-LOGIC Ventures, Inc. (ELVI) with the use of four modules including lectures, discussions, workshops and hands-on processes, says Bangay.
The information officer said the participants are expected to learn improved bio-organic fertilizer production and utilization using different organic waste materials and microbial inoculants to increase farm production, including the use of probiotic for highly productive aquaculture ventures.
The training will be held at the Technology and Livelihood Development Center, Provincial Agriculturist Office compound, this city and will be attended by BADC coordinators, agricultural technologists and other technical staff from the provincial agriculturist office, says Bangay.
Meanwhile, a recent study of the University of the Philippines Los Baños revealed that bacillus thuringiensis corn - or corn infused with the genetically modified Bt bacterium used as organic pesticide – is potentially more lucrative than other corn varieties.
-30-
PWDs can now access computers at SU-KDC
Sight-impaired people in Dumaguete City can now see and experience for themselves the world of electronic technology with the launching of the Accessible Center for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at the Silliman University-World Bank Knowledge for Development Center.
World Bank has furnished the Knowledge for Development Center (KDC) located inside the SU Main Library, with two sets of computers that are installed with assistive technology, thereby enabling visually impaired users to use the computer and navigate their way into the electronic information highway.
Tony Llanes, president of the Adaptive Technology for the Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), during the launching held January 19, demonstrated how blind people can learn to type and read scanned documents.
Llanes presented the use of the technology before an audience made up of representatives from different sectors like the church, media, government, academe, health and the local PWD association.
Llanes, himself a blind person, began exploring the use of technology to ‘bridge the opportunity gap between the sighted and the blind’ in the early 90s, and now that gap is fast closing in. Since ATRIEV was instituted in 1999, some 200 persons with sight impairment have been trained, most of whom were able to pursue further education and training while some have done internships or been employed.
According to Leonora Gonzales, external relations officer of World Bank-Manila, disability affects a huge number of people globally, majority of whom are living in developing countries. “They are often excluded from the schools and workplace, and this is one of the major reasons why many kids are not in school in the Philippines,” says Gonzales.
In the Philippines, close to one million PWDs have been recorded, but Gonzales suspects there’s still more who haven’t been counted.
With World Bank’s initiative to further augment the services of KDCs nationwide to become also as a center for PWDs, access to information and technology is now open to the disabled, thereby including them in development efforts. “We should make them contributors to and not just beneficiaries of development,” Gonzales stressed.
However, it turned out that World Bank’s efforts did not just stop at offering assistive technology to PWDs, as it has triggered another change geared towards making Silliman University more accessible to PWDs.
Apparently, SU President Agustin Pulido has realized that most of the university buildings are not PWD-friendly. “The new buildings that were constructed in recent years have ramps but I found out that the older buildings are not,” relates Pulido during his message at the launching.
The university president said that plans are now in motion to install ramps and retro-fit the building designs to make them more accessible.
Meanwhile, Engr. Dominador Dumalag, city administrator in Dumaguete, during the launching applauded the said program, calling it “a miracle” that PWDs, particularly the blind, can see through their hands and communicate better.
-30-
IAE trainee trains 3 nominees for Japan
At the start Arnel Ongue did not like farming at all. He wanted to venture into some other businesses. He was then an active member of the Pangi 4-H club. For many years, he led the club. But having seen his potential, extension workers from the municipality of Siquijor and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist were persistent in assisting and encouraging him to embark in agricultural projects.
It was in year 2000 when Arnel was nominated as one of the trainees in Japan for one year sponsored by the International Agricultural Exchange Association. Of all the pioneering nominees, Arnel was chosen as president.
Arnel was assigned at the vegetable nursery of his foster parents. During his training, he learned that Japanese farmers are hard working and time-conscious. Not a single minute is wasted doing nothing. Farming in Japan is modern, systematic, and using the recent technologies. For the Japanese, farming is a business.
His foster parents liked Arnel’s attitude towards them and at work. In fact, he has been to Japan for six times already after his training. When queried what was his unforgettable learning while in Japan, he said that he learned to love agriculture and that he acquired Japanese traits (hard work and time consciousness). These are the things that became part of his life.
In year 2003 the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC)l provided Ongue financial assistance (in a form of loan without interest) amounting to P62, 000 for swine breeding which he engages at present and hopes to pay it in two years.
At present Arnel Ongue has been conducting on-field trails on different vegetable seeds which he brought from Japan. His foster parent wanted these seeds planted in the Philippines since a Japanese company here plans to venture into vegetable production somewhere in Luzon where Arnel also hopes to work. Based on his field trials, he successfully grew veges.
With his experiences in farming as well as his fluency in Niponggo, Arnel was tasked in trining 3 nominees from Oriental Negros – Gregorio Tenel, 28; Romel Baranggan of Timbao, Bacong; and Denis Lozada, 25 of Magatas, Sibulan. These three 4-H members are qualified for their one-year training in Japan as International Agricultural Exchange trainees. The training, in preparation for their stay in Japan, was aimed to orient them the Japanese language and the Japanese work ethics.
The training started in November 15 and ended in December 15. They were evaluated by personnel of the Provincial Agriculturist Office and the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC).
-30-
LNAS stude wins gold at PNSC
Ernie King Magdalan, a student of Lazi National Agricultural School (LNAS) and a winner in the Central Visayas Regional Skills Competition (RSC) 2005 in the filed of lectronics application held at Bayawan City, Oriental Negros last October 4-7, 2005 won again a Gold Medal in the Philippine National Skills Competition (PNSC) 2005 held at GBFT Training Center, Pasig City last December 6-8.
Magdalan was Fourth Placer of the said field but was given a gold for reaching the 500 point-requirement in the International Calculation Standards (ICS) for a Certificate of Excellence.
Other Region VII contestants Anthony C. Amistoso of Cebu also won Gold in Commercial Wiring while Abilympics contestants were also awarded Gold in the areas of Waste Reuse and Photography.
Philippine National Skills Competition is a yearly undertaking of TESDA to promote and uplift the technical vocational education training (TVET) in the country and also to recognize the skills, talents and abilities of our brothers and sisters with disabilities through Abilympics. (VCM/TESDA-Siquijor)
CENTRAL COMMAND ON RED ALERT
Following orders from its headquarters in Manila, the Central Command is on red alert amidst the reported escape of 4 Oakwood mutineers in Fort Bonifacio last night. Centcom Public Information Officer Jefferson Omanda, this morning, said that as of now the entire camp and satellite camps in the Visayas are on red alert and has intensified its information gathering activities as the manhunt for the escapees continues.
Omandam also said that although he doubts if the mutineers have a place to go in the Visayas, Centcom officials do not want to take that possibility for granted. He also shared that even if it may be true that like in any organization there are a few of their members who are disgruntled but Omandam believed it is not against the government but because they (members) have administrative problems (charges). “I think that (allegation of disgruntled officials in the military ranks against the government) is an exaggeration,” he said.
The Central Command is the major military unit in charge of Eastern, Western, and Central Visayas. The escapees are members of the Oakwood mutineers in 2003 most of whom are composed of junior military officers.
In a press conference in Fort Bonifacio aired on television this morning, Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Commanding General of the Phil. Army, considers the act of the four Oakwood mutineers as “pure escape” and not a destabilixation move against the government.
SMEDC to focus on OTOP, tourism
Bristling with renewed enthusiasm, the Siquijor Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council (SMEDC), in its effort to help keep the local economy afloat, is taking its steps to revitalize the province’s small and medium enterprises.
In a meeting earlier, Siquijor SMEDC discussed this year’s plans and programs to position the province into its rightful place in the business industry,
“We have to focus more on OTOP development”, chairperson Judy Booc said, and give our local manufacturers foresight in shaping trends that provide them the means to optimize their products and resources.
The SMEDC’s major undertaking this first quarter of the year is the submission of training proposals and recommendations that set criteria for monitoring and evaluation of our thriving SMEs.
A local study mission geared towards capability training and OTOP development is set this first week of February in Cebu City. Local participants for this three-day seminar are the CJP and Pajermo’s Furnitures, Duran’s Banana Chips, Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Indistriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG), and the Licoan Women’s Cooperative (LIWOMCO), among others.
DTI Provincial Director Nimfa Virtucio said this focus on OTOPs will put Siquijor on the map of the country’s top tourist destinations.
SOUNDBYTES
Economy will perk up
The Arroyo administration has expressed expectations that the economy will further perk up once the General Appropriations Act of 2006 is signed into law. Like3wise, the palace sees this as a signal to RP’s creditors that the government is serious in winning a gold medal in governance. Hence, more fresh investments, more jobs would flow in the country. Malacañang is confident our legislators will pass the 2006 national budget to uphold the people’s welfare.
After ending the discord on PGMA’s term of office, Malacañang remarked that the Lakas-CMD party has always upheld an agenda of unity and democracy, and resolve issues with statesmanship. Meanwhile, PGMA intends to lead the ruling party as a powerhouse in the parliamentary system. Accordingly, the party shall lead the nation to the pinnacle of democracy, the rule of law and equitable development and prosperity.
Palace welcomes deliberation on Cha-Cha
Malacañang welcomes Senate’s move to start the deliberations on Cha-Cha soon. While hopeful that the consensus will be the result of statesmanship of both houses of Congress, the palace believes that the national should allow first institutional process to work before jumping on contentious issues that divide the nation.
Though respectful of FVR’s opinion, PGMA should not cut her term unless under the face of constitutionally sanctioned process.
Davide eyed as country’s UN delegate
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. is reportedly being groomed to become the country’s next permanent representative to the United Nations, considered one of the most coveted posts in the foreign service.
DoTC, LTO beef up drive vs erring emission testing centers
Three smoke emission test centers had their accreditations from the Department of Transportation and Communications cancelled, while 18 others were suspended by the Land Transportation Office.
GSIS pensioners granted 3% increase
The Government Service Insurance System’s board of trustees has approved a 3-percent increase in the monthly pension of its regular pensioners.
1/13/2006
VOL. NO. 2, ISSUE NO. 1, January 13, 2006
TEEP improved elementary students' performance
The Third Elementary Education Project, which was implemented in Negros Oriental for 7 years, has made a difference in public elementary schools in the province as the over-all performance of elementary school students here have significantly improved.
Local officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) disclosed this during a Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency recently.
During the forum, local TEEP Coordinator Dr. Catalina Credo said public elementary students showed a marked improvement based on the results of two national academic assessment tests.
Per results of the National Sample-Based Assessment (NSBA), an overall gain of 4.08 in subject areas of English, Math, Science and Filipino was seen from 1999 to 2005.
On the other hand, the overall test scores in the National Achievement Test (NAT) increased from 43.90 in SY 2003-2004 to 55.83 in the following school year.
Credo also reports that the mean percentage scores (MPS) among the students upped from only one school that obtained a 75% MPS in SY 2003-2004 to 14 schools that obtained an MPS of 75% and above in SY 2004-2005. Likewise, more than half of the schools tested in this period scored an MPS of 50%.
Credo said they are happy with the results as they met the national target of 55%, but not too happy. "We were ambitious at the start and we wanted to achieve more," she said.
TEEP is also responsible for a drop in the number of non-readers among elementary school students. At the start of school year 2004-2005, non-readers were high, ranging from 28% among Grade 6 students to 75% among Grade 1 students.
But the number shrunk at the end of the school year, with only 6% in Grade 6 and 25% in Grade 1 who remain non-readers.
The same story is also true with non-numerate students as numeral literacy increased along with the decline of non-numerate students in Grades 1 to 3 levels for SY 2004-2005.
Improving the quality of elementary education is one of the aims of TEEP which is a 7-year project jointly funded by World Bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, says Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Aleli Abne in the same forum.
TEEP is implemented within 22 identified depressed provinces nationwide as well as areas that showed a poor performance in academics and Negros Oriental is the lone recipient of the project in Region 7, said Abne.
The said project is scheduled to end in June 2006 and with it, the withdrawal of the project's physical support.
In view of this, Credo said the provincial education division is concentrating its efforts in boosting disadvantaged, depressed and underserved schools.
In SY 2003-2004, schools that got a low 49.99% MPs numbered 283, and this was cut down to 153 in the following school year. "These are the schools that are now our concern, that we need to visit as these are the schools that have not met the national target," says Credo adding that in the 'last 2 minutes' of the project implementation, the project implementers will be devoting their time to helping these schools.
Amidst the impending termination of the project, education officials in the province are seeking the support of local government units, community and other stakeholders to sustain the gains they achieved under TEEP.
-30-
PRC sets licensure exam for teachers
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC-7) announced that this year's Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) will be held simultaneously in the city and regional testing centers nationwide on August 27, 2006.
Qualified applicants are enjoined by PRC-7 Officer in Charge Atty. Dan V. Malayang to file their application according to the following schedules: January 2 to April 28 for all repeaters and January 2 to May 31 for all new or first timers.
The following are the examination requirements:
1. Original and photocopy of Birth Certificate from NSO in security paper
2. Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate from NSO in security paper (for married female)
3. Original and photocopy of transcript of records with scanned picture (with remarks "FOR BOARD EXAMINATION PURPOSES ONLY") bearing the exact date of graduation and Special Order Number
indicated therein and the 18 units of credit in Professional education courses for non-education graduates
4. Original and photocopy of diploma if exact date of graduation is not indicated in the Transcript of
Records
5. Three (3) recent identical copies of passport size colored picture with complete name and complete name tag in white background
6. 2 pieces window envelope with metered stamp (for Notice of School)
7. Assignment and Report of Ratings
8. Examination fee of Php900.00
9. Current Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
LET Chairperson Leonor Tripon Rosero said applications with incomplete documentary requirements shall not be accepted. Likewise, applicants whose names are not the same with the names in the birth certificate and transcript of records shall not be accepted. However, they will be accepted upon submission of the amended birth certificate and transcript of records within the application period, says Rosero.
Application forms are free of charge and may be filed personally at PRC Cebu, V. Rama Guadalupe, Cebu City.
-30-
DLR launches ARC Larena
The Department of Land Reform (DLR) recently launched the 6th Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in the province of Siquijor in a simple ceremony at Dionaldo Building, Larena, Siquijor.
The new ARC is composed of 34 barangays: 19 of these are in the municipality of Larena, 12 in Enrique Villanueva and three in Maria, covering a total area of 7,300 hectares with a total population of 15.249.
This area will benefit from the 5-year Agrarian Reform Community Development Plan (ARCDP) formulated by the community leaders in coordination with the local government units, people's organizations (POs) and the DLR.
ARCDP pursues a long term community's economic, ecosystem and socio-political development which includes infrastructure projects and support facilities, health and sanitation services, agricultural productivity and agro-based rural industries.
DLR is assisting six people's organizations and cooperatives in the area: Canlambo Women's multi-purpose cooperative and Catamboan Farmers Association in Larena, Cangmangki Rural Improvement Club and Lomangcapan Fishermen and Farmers Association in E. Villanueva; and the Pisong A Farmers Association in Maria.
The launching ceremony was attended by the mayors and local officials of the three municipalities, officials from DLR headed by Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Grace B. Fua and Larena Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Hygeio Canaverla, representatives from DLR partner agencies and from POs within the ARC area.
-30-
Go for Chacha, parliamentary form of gov't- Gov. Fua
"I would go for a parliamentary form of government," says Siquijor Governor Orlando Fua in connection with the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for political reforms. "It's true that if we do not address the fundamental defects of our system through charter change, we will continue to lag behind our neighbors in terms of development," Fua adds.
Fua said he is pushing for charter change, particularly favoring the shift to a parliamentary form of government. "But there has to be elections," Fua stressed, in view of a proposal to impose a moratorium of elections in May 2007 to allow the smooth transition from a republic to a parliamentary-federal form of government.
"Our present form of government is only advantageous to a few senators who make Senate their springboard to achieve their political ambitions," he said.
The governor however insisted that the President should stay in spite of all the political bickering. "President Arroyo should not quit. It is the voice of the people clearly articulated in the last elections," he said.
Fua also said the chacha is not designed to benefit one person or a particular group as it is intended to overhaul the political economic system to address the demands of the 21st century "new world order."
Pres. Arroyo has pressed her drive for long-overdue political reforms through charter change this year, saying that "we will not achieve the rank of a modern first-world nation in 20 years until we address these issues" of economic and social needs, terrorism and destabilization and political reforms.
-30-
Kashmir Leyretana presides dialogue in Bais City
Department of Agrarian Reform Assistant Secretary for Special Projects ASEC Kashmir Balhaman Leyretana recently sat down with sugar planters in the province to discuss agrarian issues affecting sugar plantations in the province.
This developed after Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva invited the DAR official to preside the dialogue with Negros Oriental sugar planters, during which the discussion revolved around valuation problems and agrarian implementation guidelines particularly the policy on the installation of farmer-beneficiaries.
DAR Information Officer Aileen Alaban said Leyretana has disclosed that he is set to request the Supreme Court to make an Order to create a special agrarian court in Bais City to cater to the voluminous cases regarding land valuation.
Alaban said Leyretana was joined by Assistant Regional Director for Administration Nevino Cardiente, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Stephen Leonidas, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer 1 Paulino Tudlasan Jr. and Bais Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Lumel Chiu.
-30-
SOUNDBYTES:
P3.1-B released for public services; more CV workers left for jobs abroad in 2005
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has released a total of P3.1 billion in the first week of 2006 to be used in various programs and services for the poor such as housing, food, education, health and public works. The funding was sourced from the P35 billion earmarked for economic improvement.
Likewise, a total of 1.99 million jobs were generated from January to Sept 2005 through government intervention in agri-business land development, government funding for micro, small and medium enterprises as well as housing and public construction. The 2 million jobs created by the government is a realization of the Arroyo administration's goal of creating 6 to 10 million jobs by 2010.
Meanwhile, the number of workers from Central Visayas deployed abroad increased by 13 percent in the first 10 months of this year according to POEA-Visayas.
Evelia Durato, POEA-Visayas head, said the top three countries of destination were the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
She attributed the increase to POEA's efforts to look for employment opportunities for Filipino abroad.
PGMA urges critics to set aside partisanship
For the welfare of the nation, the Arroyo government has been reaching out to the opposition and critics to forge a common front against poverty, hunger and terrorism. This is the time for high statesmanship and patriotism as the nation awaits its leaders to set aside partisanship and stand united to address urgent concerns. The government has set the tone for RP's takeoff and is now looking at the Council of State as a good vehicle to promote national consensus, cooperation and progress.
Give E-Vat a chance, Palace insists
Malacañang appealed to the government's critics to allow the full implementation of the expanded value-added tax law this year, saying its initial implementation last year had many beneficial effects for the economy including the strengthening of the peso, reduction of the fiscal deficit and greater investor confidence in the country.
Civil service exam set
The Civil Service Commission announced that the schedule of written career examinations for professional and subprofessional will be held on April 2, July 30 and Oct. 22.
Non-wage perks
Two labor groups have expressed their support for Pres. Arroyo's initiative to provide non-wage benefits to salaried individuals, specially to restructure the income tax system.
Cha-cha conference
City mayors will gather in Iloilo City on Jan. 23 and 24 to discuss, among others, the proposed shift to a parliamentary form of government.
Davide eyed as country's UN delegate
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. is reportedly being groomed to become the country's next permanent representative to the United Nations, considered one of the most coveted posts in the foreign service.
GSIS pensioners granted 3% increase
The Government Service Insurance System's board of trustees has approved a 3% increase in the monthly pension of its regular pensioners.
RP nurses welcome in Hawaii
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle said the island state would open its door to more Filipino nurses due to a shortage of health care workers.
The Third Elementary Education Project, which was implemented in Negros Oriental for 7 years, has made a difference in public elementary schools in the province as the over-all performance of elementary school students here have significantly improved.
Local officials from the Department of Education (DepEd) disclosed this during a Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency recently.
During the forum, local TEEP Coordinator Dr. Catalina Credo said public elementary students showed a marked improvement based on the results of two national academic assessment tests.
Per results of the National Sample-Based Assessment (NSBA), an overall gain of 4.08 in subject areas of English, Math, Science and Filipino was seen from 1999 to 2005.
On the other hand, the overall test scores in the National Achievement Test (NAT) increased from 43.90 in SY 2003-2004 to 55.83 in the following school year.
Credo also reports that the mean percentage scores (MPS) among the students upped from only one school that obtained a 75% MPS in SY 2003-2004 to 14 schools that obtained an MPS of 75% and above in SY 2004-2005. Likewise, more than half of the schools tested in this period scored an MPS of 50%.
Credo said they are happy with the results as they met the national target of 55%, but not too happy. "We were ambitious at the start and we wanted to achieve more," she said.
TEEP is also responsible for a drop in the number of non-readers among elementary school students. At the start of school year 2004-2005, non-readers were high, ranging from 28% among Grade 6 students to 75% among Grade 1 students.
But the number shrunk at the end of the school year, with only 6% in Grade 6 and 25% in Grade 1 who remain non-readers.
The same story is also true with non-numerate students as numeral literacy increased along with the decline of non-numerate students in Grades 1 to 3 levels for SY 2004-2005.
Improving the quality of elementary education is one of the aims of TEEP which is a 7-year project jointly funded by World Bank and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, says Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Aleli Abne in the same forum.
TEEP is implemented within 22 identified depressed provinces nationwide as well as areas that showed a poor performance in academics and Negros Oriental is the lone recipient of the project in Region 7, said Abne.
The said project is scheduled to end in June 2006 and with it, the withdrawal of the project's physical support.
In view of this, Credo said the provincial education division is concentrating its efforts in boosting disadvantaged, depressed and underserved schools.
In SY 2003-2004, schools that got a low 49.99% MPs numbered 283, and this was cut down to 153 in the following school year. "These are the schools that are now our concern, that we need to visit as these are the schools that have not met the national target," says Credo adding that in the 'last 2 minutes' of the project implementation, the project implementers will be devoting their time to helping these schools.
Amidst the impending termination of the project, education officials in the province are seeking the support of local government units, community and other stakeholders to sustain the gains they achieved under TEEP.
-30-
PRC sets licensure exam for teachers
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC-7) announced that this year's Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) will be held simultaneously in the city and regional testing centers nationwide on August 27, 2006.
Qualified applicants are enjoined by PRC-7 Officer in Charge Atty. Dan V. Malayang to file their application according to the following schedules: January 2 to April 28 for all repeaters and January 2 to May 31 for all new or first timers.
The following are the examination requirements:
1. Original and photocopy of Birth Certificate from NSO in security paper
2. Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate from NSO in security paper (for married female)
3. Original and photocopy of transcript of records with scanned picture (with remarks "FOR BOARD EXAMINATION PURPOSES ONLY") bearing the exact date of graduation and Special Order Number
indicated therein and the 18 units of credit in Professional education courses for non-education graduates
4. Original and photocopy of diploma if exact date of graduation is not indicated in the Transcript of
Records
5. Three (3) recent identical copies of passport size colored picture with complete name and complete name tag in white background
6. 2 pieces window envelope with metered stamp (for Notice of School)
7. Assignment and Report of Ratings
8. Examination fee of Php900.00
9. Current Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)
LET Chairperson Leonor Tripon Rosero said applications with incomplete documentary requirements shall not be accepted. Likewise, applicants whose names are not the same with the names in the birth certificate and transcript of records shall not be accepted. However, they will be accepted upon submission of the amended birth certificate and transcript of records within the application period, says Rosero.
Application forms are free of charge and may be filed personally at PRC Cebu, V. Rama Guadalupe, Cebu City.
-30-
DLR launches ARC Larena
The Department of Land Reform (DLR) recently launched the 6th Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in the province of Siquijor in a simple ceremony at Dionaldo Building, Larena, Siquijor.
The new ARC is composed of 34 barangays: 19 of these are in the municipality of Larena, 12 in Enrique Villanueva and three in Maria, covering a total area of 7,300 hectares with a total population of 15.249.
This area will benefit from the 5-year Agrarian Reform Community Development Plan (ARCDP) formulated by the community leaders in coordination with the local government units, people's organizations (POs) and the DLR.
ARCDP pursues a long term community's economic, ecosystem and socio-political development which includes infrastructure projects and support facilities, health and sanitation services, agricultural productivity and agro-based rural industries.
DLR is assisting six people's organizations and cooperatives in the area: Canlambo Women's multi-purpose cooperative and Catamboan Farmers Association in Larena, Cangmangki Rural Improvement Club and Lomangcapan Fishermen and Farmers Association in E. Villanueva; and the Pisong A Farmers Association in Maria.
The launching ceremony was attended by the mayors and local officials of the three municipalities, officials from DLR headed by Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Grace B. Fua and Larena Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Hygeio Canaverla, representatives from DLR partner agencies and from POs within the ARC area.
-30-
Go for Chacha, parliamentary form of gov't- Gov. Fua
"I would go for a parliamentary form of government," says Siquijor Governor Orlando Fua in connection with the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for political reforms. "It's true that if we do not address the fundamental defects of our system through charter change, we will continue to lag behind our neighbors in terms of development," Fua adds.
Fua said he is pushing for charter change, particularly favoring the shift to a parliamentary form of government. "But there has to be elections," Fua stressed, in view of a proposal to impose a moratorium of elections in May 2007 to allow the smooth transition from a republic to a parliamentary-federal form of government.
"Our present form of government is only advantageous to a few senators who make Senate their springboard to achieve their political ambitions," he said.
The governor however insisted that the President should stay in spite of all the political bickering. "President Arroyo should not quit. It is the voice of the people clearly articulated in the last elections," he said.
Fua also said the chacha is not designed to benefit one person or a particular group as it is intended to overhaul the political economic system to address the demands of the 21st century "new world order."
Pres. Arroyo has pressed her drive for long-overdue political reforms through charter change this year, saying that "we will not achieve the rank of a modern first-world nation in 20 years until we address these issues" of economic and social needs, terrorism and destabilization and political reforms.
-30-
Kashmir Leyretana presides dialogue in Bais City
Department of Agrarian Reform Assistant Secretary for Special Projects ASEC Kashmir Balhaman Leyretana recently sat down with sugar planters in the province to discuss agrarian issues affecting sugar plantations in the province.
This developed after Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva invited the DAR official to preside the dialogue with Negros Oriental sugar planters, during which the discussion revolved around valuation problems and agrarian implementation guidelines particularly the policy on the installation of farmer-beneficiaries.
DAR Information Officer Aileen Alaban said Leyretana has disclosed that he is set to request the Supreme Court to make an Order to create a special agrarian court in Bais City to cater to the voluminous cases regarding land valuation.
Alaban said Leyretana was joined by Assistant Regional Director for Administration Nevino Cardiente, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Stephen Leonidas, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer 1 Paulino Tudlasan Jr. and Bais Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Lumel Chiu.
-30-
SOUNDBYTES:
P3.1-B released for public services; more CV workers left for jobs abroad in 2005
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has released a total of P3.1 billion in the first week of 2006 to be used in various programs and services for the poor such as housing, food, education, health and public works. The funding was sourced from the P35 billion earmarked for economic improvement.
Likewise, a total of 1.99 million jobs were generated from January to Sept 2005 through government intervention in agri-business land development, government funding for micro, small and medium enterprises as well as housing and public construction. The 2 million jobs created by the government is a realization of the Arroyo administration's goal of creating 6 to 10 million jobs by 2010.
Meanwhile, the number of workers from Central Visayas deployed abroad increased by 13 percent in the first 10 months of this year according to POEA-Visayas.
Evelia Durato, POEA-Visayas head, said the top three countries of destination were the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
She attributed the increase to POEA's efforts to look for employment opportunities for Filipino abroad.
PGMA urges critics to set aside partisanship
For the welfare of the nation, the Arroyo government has been reaching out to the opposition and critics to forge a common front against poverty, hunger and terrorism. This is the time for high statesmanship and patriotism as the nation awaits its leaders to set aside partisanship and stand united to address urgent concerns. The government has set the tone for RP's takeoff and is now looking at the Council of State as a good vehicle to promote national consensus, cooperation and progress.
Give E-Vat a chance, Palace insists
Malacañang appealed to the government's critics to allow the full implementation of the expanded value-added tax law this year, saying its initial implementation last year had many beneficial effects for the economy including the strengthening of the peso, reduction of the fiscal deficit and greater investor confidence in the country.
Civil service exam set
The Civil Service Commission announced that the schedule of written career examinations for professional and subprofessional will be held on April 2, July 30 and Oct. 22.
Non-wage perks
Two labor groups have expressed their support for Pres. Arroyo's initiative to provide non-wage benefits to salaried individuals, specially to restructure the income tax system.
Cha-cha conference
City mayors will gather in Iloilo City on Jan. 23 and 24 to discuss, among others, the proposed shift to a parliamentary form of government.
Davide eyed as country's UN delegate
Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. is reportedly being groomed to become the country's next permanent representative to the United Nations, considered one of the most coveted posts in the foreign service.
GSIS pensioners granted 3% increase
The Government Service Insurance System's board of trustees has approved a 3% increase in the monthly pension of its regular pensioners.
RP nurses welcome in Hawaii
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle said the island state would open its door to more Filipino nurses due to a shortage of health care workers.
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