13 vol 4 isiquijor 04 18 16

iSIQUIJOR Information is our business.

THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH and the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.DOST.GOV.PH VOL. 4| NO. 13 April 11-18, 2016

Siquijor Island Electoral Board meeting attended by heads and representatives of the Comelec, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Education, PROSIELCO (Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative), priests from the different parishes, the Philippine Information Agency, students, volunteers, and the Diocesan Electoral Board of the Diocese of Dumaguete, led by its convenor, Msgr. Julius Heruela.

SIQUIJOR, April 11 (PIA) — Clergies in the Siquijor Electoral Board vowed to go massive and strong in educating voters for the May 2016 elections, after noting reports of alleged vote buying in the province.

This was announced by Episcopal Vicar Candelario Catubig of the Vicariate of St. Paul here during the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) Assembly and launching of the Siquijor Electoral Board (SEB) Monday at the Carmelite College in Tinago, Siquijor, Siquijor.

The Episcopal Vicar admitted that voters’ education campaigns were never successful in the province particularly that vote buying is continuously practiced by politicians in a bid to win the electoral race.

“We will be strong in our voters’ education even inside the church,” Catubig said.

DEB Lead Convenor Msgr. Julius Heruela of the Diocese of Dumaguete also said the voters’ education would be part of its advocacy to ensure a clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

“We have to make a “One Good Vote,” Heruela said of its campaign

Siquijor clergies to go strong on voters’ education

as he urged the youth not to sell their votes and not be swayed by political leaders who would try to pay them in the guise of hiring them as encoders or runners in exchange for votes.

“This is indirect vote buying,” he said, stressing that it is not true that politicians need encoders or runners.

Also part of the modules to educate voters is the KKK criteria in choosing leaders, which stands for Ka ra kte r (ch a ra cte r), Ka ka ya h a n (competence) and Katapatan (sincerity).

“By gathering our strengths together, we are certain we can achieve greater things in helping rebuild our

nation,” said Siquijor Electoral Board C o n v e n o r R e v. F r. L e o n a r d Ta n .

The Electoral Board was convened to plan a massive campaign in preparation for the May 2016 polls.

“It seeks to get all sectors’ support and cooperation to ensure that the coming election will be truly reflective of the people’s will and sentiments,” Tan said.

Included in the discussion were security plans and measures and other preparation made by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Department of Education, and Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO). (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Public, LGUs urged to avail of DENR tenure program

SIQUIJO (PIA)—Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Moreno Tagra is enjoining residents, including the local government units, to take advantage and avail of the tenure reform as part of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) program on Climate Change and poverty reduction.

In a Kapihan sa PIA Forum held recently at DENR office in Larena, Siquijor, Tagra said the provision of security of tenure through the issuance of land titles is made easy with its

processing almost free, yet only a few are availing of the services.

He attributes this to the lack of understanding and appreciation among residents and the LGUs on the benefits of the service.

“The issuance of patents will not only legalize the private land rights of qualified Filipinos without appropriate land titles but will also spur economic growth and productivity of the place,” said Tagra as he called LGUs to cooperate in the efforts.

LGUs play a significant role

in the implementation of the national programs and projects as provided in the Local Government Code, he said.

Through the Land Management Section, a total of 303 agricultural free patent have been transmitted to the Registry of Deeds (ROD) as of last year, including 104 for Residential Free Patent and 23 school sites.

Land titling is among the government’s programs aimed to fast track processing and issuance of land titles over alienable and disposable lands. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

PPA joins info drive on fire prevention, women protection

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) office has joined the information drive on fire prevention and women protection with parolees and probationers as its clients .

In its monthly gathering with the Volunteer Parole Aide (VPA) and the clients, the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Larena were invited to share important measures on fire prevention and discussion on Republic Act (RA) 9262, or otherwise known as the Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC), respectively.

Police Officer Suzette Munoz said RA 9262 gives emphasis on the protection of women and their children.

She said the law covers not only couples but also those in a dating relationship.

Women and children who are suffering from physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuses can file a case under this law, she said.

According to Munoz, the warrant of arrest for RA 9262 can easily be granted by the court and advised all the parolees and probationers to give love and care to their wives and children.

Edith Tumulak, an active Volunteer Probation Aide (VPA) shared that couple’s love and understanding is vital in the rearing and molding of happy children who will later become responsible members in the community.

She also said that the environment of the children’s home greatly determine and affect their character and their values and added that most cases of juvenile delinquencies are attributed to broken families.

Senior Fire Officer Rhodoric Jamarolin also shared information on how to prevent fire at home.

Fire prevention skills and measures are important to save one’s life and property, Jamarolin said, as he shared some important points to remember before, during, and after fire.

First, he said, is to remember EDITH or Exit Drills in the House at home.

Another is R.E.A.C.T. or Remove persons in immediate danger, Ensure that doors are closed, Activate the fire alarm located in the barangay, Call the local fire department, and Treat all fire as dangerous.

The third is when using fire extinguisher, remember PASS - Pull the pin, Aim the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever slowly, and Sweep from side to side.

The fourth is to fight fire using “FIRE” that means Find or call local authority, Inform them immediately that there is a fire incident nearby, Relax and be calm but be alert, and Exit quickly but in orderly manner.

Jamorilin advised that after the fire, everyone should do the following measures: avoid the area unless it is declared safe; ensure that the fire department inspects the home or the fire site; remove things that may cause additional harm, like broken glasses, shattered pieces of wood, and others. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/I.Acabo-Abatayo)

Peace Covenant signing at Enrique Villanueva and San Juan, Siquijor

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

CSC, Comelec reminds civil servants on political neutrality

CENTRAL VISAYAS (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued Joint Circular No. 001 series of 2016 to remind public servants of their sworn duty to uphold this constitutional provision.

In a press release, CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala noted that “no officer or employee in the civil service, as well as any member of the military, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political activity, except to vote,” as quoted in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“Civil servants are mandated by law to uphold political neutrality in the conduct of our duties even during election season,” Bala added.

The provision, however, does not preclude a civil servant from expressing his or her views on current political problems or issues, or from mentioning the names of candidates whom he or she supports, according to the Administrative Code of 1987.

The circular also clarified that “social media functions such as liking, commenting, sharing, re-posting, or following a candidate’s or party’s account,” unless meant to solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period is allowed.

The prohibition covers all members of the civil service in all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Philippine Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and state universities and colleges.

Uniform and active members of

the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are also covered by the prohibition.

An official or employee on leave of absence is still covered by the prohibition on electioneering or partisan political activity.

Meanwhile, officials or employees holding political offices such as the president, vice president, cabinet members, elective local officials except barangay officials, the staff of the abovementioned officials, and members of the reserve corps of the AFP are excluded from the prohibition.

Engaging in partisan political activity refers to an act designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates to a public office.

Existing laws and rules identified the following as partisan political activities:

Forming organizations, associations, clubs, committees, or other groups of persons for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate; Holding political caucuses, conferences, meetings, rallies, parades or other similar assemblies, for the purpose of soliciting votes and/or undertaking any campaign or propaganda for or against a candidate; Making speeches, announcements or commentaries, or holding interviews for or against the election of any candidate for public office; Publishing or distributing campaign literature or materials designed to support or oppose the election of any candidate; or

Cebuano News: 2-adlaw nga liquor ban sa eleksyon, hugot nga ipatuman sa Comelec MANILA (PIA) -- Nipasidaan ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) nga hugot gayud nilang ipatuman ang liquor ban kalabot sa nagsingabot nga eleksyon.

Sa gipagawas nga Comelec Resolution 10095, nakalatid nga sugod Mayo 8 hangtud 9, bawal ang bisan kinsa nga mo-inom, magbaligya o modalit og bino sa tibuok nasod.

Ang bisan kinsang molapas sa liquor ban mahimong mabilanggo og unom ka buwan hangtud usa ka tuig, kuhaan na usab kini og katungod nga makabotar sa tibuok niyang kinabuhi ug kun empleyado sa gobyerno, bawalan na kining makagunit og bisang unsang posisyon sa gobyerno.

Ang mga langyaw lamang ang dili sakop sa liquor ban.

Apan mahimo usab nga mo-apply og exemption ang mga establisimyentong adunay certification gikan sa Department of Tourism (DoT) nga tourist-oriented sila o ginabisita sa mga langyaw. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Directly or indirectly soliciting votes, pledges, or support for or against a candidate.

CSC Memorandum Circular No. 9, series of 1992 identifies the following as prohibited acts:

Wearing of t-shirts, pins, caps, or any other similar election paraphernalia bearing the names of candidates and/or political parties; Being a watcher for a political party or candidate during the election; Consistent presence in political rallies, caucuses of, and continuous companionship with certain political candidates and/or political party, making one closely identified with such candidates or party; Giving, soliciting, or receiving financial or monetary contributions, supplies, equipment, and materials for the benefit of a candidate and/or political party; and Utilizing government resources such as personnel, including job order or contract of service hirees, time, and properties for political purposes.

Those who will be found guilty of engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities will be meted with the penalty of one month and one day suspension to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense in accordance with the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (CSC Resolution No. 1101502 dated November 18, 2011).

CSC Chair Bala and COMELEC Chairperson J. Andres Bautista signed the Joint Circular No. 001, series of 2016 on March 29, 2016 at COMELEC office in Intramuros. (rmn/ays/PIA7/Myra C. Fortuna, CSC7)

iSIQUIJOR

is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology Center.

It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.

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