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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. 3 | NO.17 May 11 - 17, 2015
PPDO says Siquijor island tourist arrival soars
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
SIQUIJOR (PIA) - - With Siquijor island becoming a haven for tourists, foreign and domestic arrivals continue to soar with France, USA, Germany, United Kingdom and China nationals topped the list of staying foreign tourists. Siquijor Provincial Planning and Development O ff i c e r G l a d y s E s t r e l l a d a r e p o r t e d t h i s d u r i n g t h e Green Economic Development Sensitization and Business Matching for Tourism Enterprises in the island. Estrellada presented the island’s tourism trend showing a good leap in the last six years. Staying and walk-in tourists soared in 2014 with 209,819 from 71,178 in 2008; 104,474 in 2009; 112,658 in 2010; 123,864 in 2011; 126,172 in 2012 and 150,889 in 2013. Domestic and foreign staying tourists were registered at 23,345 and 17,140, respectively or a total of 40,485 in 2014 from 33,431 in 2013. Tourism data also shows 88% of the tourists come to the island for pleasure and vacation; 8% come to visit friends and relatives while 4% come for business professional work and other activities. Thirty five percent of those tourists indulged in marine activities such as diving, snorkelling and paddle boating; 31% mainly come for relaxation and resting; 22% went to mountains and nature activities like biking, trekking, spelunking and swimming; while 11% of the tourists wanted to experience Siquijor culture with visits to the old churches and convent, folk healing and festivals. Siquijor island has now a total of 108 accommodations establishments with 678 rooms including resorts, inns, hotels and homestay. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Gladys Estrellada giving updates on Facts and Figures of Siquijor Tourism. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Central Visayas gears up for POPCEN 2015 (PIA) -- Key government offices in Region 7 recently met to plan preliminary measures in a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the new round of Census of Population (POPCEN) this year. National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7) Regional Director Efren Carreon convened on May 7 the members of the 2015 Census of Population Regional Census Coordinating Board (RCCB) led by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). During the meeting, Carreon said the new data that will be collected during the census is vital in policy-making measures. “We need the exact figures that are reflective of what is happening at the local levels,” he said. The last population census in the country was done in 2010, which placed the Philippine population at more than
92 million, or specifically 92,337,852. Held every five years, this year’s census of population will be done for 25 days from August 1 to 30 in the total 42,029 barangays across the country. This year’s census will include new information to be collected, such as deaths among family members, religious affiliation, and basic literacy, among others. For Region 7 alone, around 8,000 enumerators will be hired to carry out the complete enumeration of households in the four provinces under Central Visayas, namely Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. PSA-7 Interim Regional Director Ariel Florendo said the training and orientation for the enumerators is set in June. Florendo, during the RCCB meeting, pointed to the lack of qualified
enumerators in the barangays as one of the issues they will have to address. “We prefer the enumerators to come from the areas where they will be assigned because they are familiar with the terrain and the people. This is important as the census will be done down to the barangay level,” he said. He also appealed to the local government units (LGUs) and the community for their full support to make this year’s census of population successful. “Since the census will be done house to house, we need the support of the LGUs and the public, from the municipalities and cities and those in the remote barangays,” said Florendo. The 2015 POPCEN will be the 14th census to be carried out in the country since 1903, and the 3rd population census to be conducted in between two decennial censuses. (rmn/PIA-7 Cebu)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Scihi school, LGU Maria get DOST’s STARBOOKS
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing
SIQUIJOR, (PIA) --Two additional Science and Technology Academic Research-based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (STARBOOKS) were turned over recently to Siquijor Provincial Science High School (SPSHS) and Local Government Unit of Maria by the Department of Science and Technology in two separate events. The turnover was held at the Office of the Municipal Mayor in Maria and witnessed by DOST Siquijor personnel and LGU Maria employees. It is expected to benefit the students from Maria Central Elementary School and Candaping National High School.
Mayor Meynard AsoK together with First Lady Roslyn Asok and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (MDRRMO) Joel Tingcang received the equipment from DOST Siquijor. Another turnover was made at the SPHS received by its School Principal Anita Dinolan and one of the instructors, Roland Tuangco from Provincial S&T Dir. Engr. Mario de la Peña and Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing of DOST Siquijor. W i t h S TA R B O O K S , i t i s expected that their S&T resources will be enhanced and more students will be inclined to take S&T related courses. STARBOOKs is a stand-alone, onsite research kiosk that provides
Provincial Science and Technology director Engr. Mario de la Peña (center in chequered polo) hands over the check worth P645,000 to Mayor Dean S. Villa of LGU Larena for the Grant-in-Aid Project entitled “Electronic – Services on Innovation, Government, Nature and Society (PROJECT e-SIGNS) for the Local Government of Larena”. Also present in the picture are Vice-mayor Gold Calibo (3rd from right), Municipal Budget Officer Quilicot (4th from right), Municipal Treasurer (3rd from left) and SB members. (DOST-Siquijor photo)
free access to S&T information for academic and livelihood use. It contains hundreds of thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and audio/video) placed in specialty design “pods” set in a user-friendly interface where students get easy access to a compendium of Science and Technology (S&T) information gathered from all over the world, said DOST-Siquijor provincial director Engr. Mario de la Pena. STARBOOKS, he said, aims to create interest in the field of science and technology which may increase the number of Filipinos enrolling in S&T courses. It encourages great and curious minds to develop newideas-inventions and innovations and inspire one’s capacity for entrepreneurship and research, he added. The new academic and livelihood resource differs from other library portals as it does not require Internet connectivity to deliver information to its users. The kiosk has a built-in server that provides instant access to S&T information, he also explained. Siquijor province now has a total number of eight units. One unit each is installed at DOST Siquijor PSTC, LGU Siquijor, LGU San Juan and LGU Enrique Villanueva while SSC has two units installed at its library. De la Pena hoped that every municipality in the province will adopt STARBOOKS kiosk to make S& T information available to every Siquijodnon. The Department also encourages public and private libraries/information c e n t e r s t o a d o p t S TA R B O O K S . D O S T- S T I I i s w i l l i n g t o p r o v i d e S TA R B O O K S c o n t e n t free-of-charge for educational and research purposes, he added. The equipment is a component of the S&T Social and Environmental Concerns which aims to promote and operate STARBOOKS in the municipality. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing)
DOST Siquijor, Lazi ink MOA on disaster grant project SIQUIJOR, (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST)Siquijor and the Local Government Unit of Lazi inked a Memorandum of Agreement recently on disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) Grant-in-Aid project. This sealed the assistance on the GIA Project of DOST to Lazi entitled Enhancing the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Capability of LGU-Lazi Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officew. The project aims to enable the MDRRM Office to more effectively perform its functions, especially those relating to disaster prevention and mitigation.
Specifically, the project will provide technology support for the establishment of an information system for the MDRRM office. It seeks to develop a computerized database on local hazards, vulnerabilities, risks, and other DRRM-related matters, and organize and facilitate the gathering of data needed for the proper identification, assessment, reduction, and management of disaster risks in the municipality. It also supports the orientation/ training of local DRRM officers and personnel on appropriate disaster prevention and mitigation strategies,
tools and techniques, and to develop the institutional linkages and mechanisms needed to reinforce the MDRRM Office’s role in designing, programming, and coordination. Lazi Mayor Orpheus Fua and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction M a n a g e m e n t O ff i c e r ( M D R R M O ) designate Earl Aljas MDRRMO signed the MOA in behalf of Lazi while Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña represented DOST Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
DTI, GIZ hold Greening Tourism Enterprises and Business Matching in Siquijor
SIQUIJOR (PIA) - - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) recently held Greening Tourism Enterprises and Business Matching through the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) program. ProGED is a joint project of the DTI and the GIZ that supports enterprises in various sectors in selected areas of the country in order to enhance their competitiveness through the adoption of climate smart and environment friendly strategies. In v i te d r e s o u r c e s p e r s o n s elaborated the topics on tourism, environment, climate change and enterprises development. Updates on previous Value Chain Workshop was presented by DTI provincial director Nimfa Virutcio while tourism facts and figures of Siquijor was given by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Gladys Estrellada. Climate Change and its impact, and Green Economic DevelopmentAlternative way of doing business were discussed by provincial environment and natural resources officer Moreno Tagra and GIZ’s Agnes Schneidt, respectively. How to go green topics that include discussion on ProGED project: German and Philippine Government’s Response to promote GED; Greening strategies for SMEs; and Green Finance were also given by GIZ’s Ralf Groening and Raquel Capio, and by the representatives of financing institutions like Landbank and Metrobank. Processing of greening strategies and business matching with green business development service providers were also made. The even was made at Coco Grove Beach Resort in San Juan, Siquijor, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Nimfa Virtucio giving updates on the previous Value Chain Workshop in relation to the Green Economic Development Sensitization and Business Matching for Tourism Enterprises in Siquijor Island. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
One of the resort owners in Siquijor province sharing his experiences on his use of solar energy as his contribution to the promotion of green economy at the same time keeping his business going amidst frequent brownouts and high electricity rates on the island. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan set
SIQUIJOR, May 20 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Siquijor province hold a Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan” on May 22-23 at the Capital Square, Siquijor, Siquijor. The Diskwento Caravan is one of the banner programs of the DTI that aims to help consumers stretch their budget through price discounts offered by participating manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan is made specifically to help and prepare parents and students for the coming school
opening in June. It offers discounted school supplies and items such as bags, uniforms and shoes and prime commodities like bread, sardines, cooking oils, processed meat, and detergent bars. It is made possible with the participation and cooperation of Local Government Units (LGUs), Consumer Welfare Associations, as well as retailers and manufacturers in the province. With the Diskwento Caravans, consumers can avail of discounts on school supplies and other products. In order to take advantage of
the influx of buyers to the Diskwento Caravans, consumer education is often conducted through parlor games, raffles and other fun-filled activities. The DTI’s Diskwento Caravan started in 2008 and it envisioned to improve consumer access to basic and prime commodities. For more information on the Diskwento Caravans, interested parties may contact the nearest DTI provincial offices. (mbcn/rac/PIA7Siquijor w/reports from DTI-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
DOH-7 offers ‘quit smoking’ program
(PIA)—Department of Health ( D O H - 7 ) o ff e r s ‘ S m o k i n g C e s s a t i o n Services’ to those who want to quit smoking. For only P100, a person who wants to quit smoking can avail of various services that will enable him to finally break free. Smoking Cessation Coordinator
Cebuano News
D r. C h r i s t o p h e r S a m s o n s a i d t h e y are already catering almost a hundred patients each week who undergo treatment and counseling in breaking the habit. “Consultation fee for the Smoking Cessation costs P100 but the counseling, interventions and treatment in helping smokers to quit their dangerous habit are free of charge,” Samson said. He said the age range of those addicted
Sa piskat, kanunay manghunaw, ayaw ihikap sa mata ang kamot
PIA) --Niining panahon sa ting init, delikado ang impeksyon sa mata nga dala sa bilas o piskat. Kini ang pahimangno sa mga tinugyanan sa Bohol Provincial Health Office (PHO), dungan sa pagsugyot: ayaw ihikap sa mata ang kamot aron dili makadala sa kagaw ngadto sa bisan asa. Ang kagaw nga kina-ingnan sa bilas o piskat, naa sa mata ug mahimong mokuyog sa luha, nga mahikap ug magpabilin sa bisan asang magunitan nga butang. Kon dili matambalan, usahay ang piskat maoy maka-ingon sa pagkahanap sa pananaw nga hadlok kon moresulta ngadto na sa pagka buta. Dili usab magpataka og butang og bisan unsa sa mata kay mahimong mosamot na hinuon kini, pahimangno sa PHO. Kasagarang patuotuo miingon nga hugasan sa gatas sa inahan, ihi ug uban pa, apan bahad sa PHO, karon nga uso na ang HIV, bisan ang gatas delikado na usab nga maoy maka-ingon sa kagrabe sa sitwasyon na hinuon. Matud ni Polizena Rances, usa ka nurse sa PHO, ang piskat o bilas, usa ka sakit nga motakboy sa tawo tugod sa kagaw nga ikapasa-pasa pinaagi sa dili limpyong pamaagi. Magpuwa ang mata nga medyo lupog, sambow ug hapdos nga maoy maka-ingon sa pagluha-luha: kini maoy mga timailhan sa sakit nga piskat o bilas, apan matud sa PHO, sahi sa gituohan, dili kinahanglang malukop ang banay nga matakdan kon may pagsunod sa tukmang kalimpyo. Kanunay ug tukmang pamaagi sa pagpanghunaw, tungod kay ang kagaw sa piskat anha motakboy sa kamot ug mahimong manakod kon ang kamot ikalugod sa mata, butyag usab ni John Alexis Lofranco, usa usab ka nurse nga taga PHO. Sukwahi sa gituohan, dili makatakod ang bilas o piskat kon batasanon ang pagpanghunaw, dugang sa tinugyanan sa PHO. Gawas sa pagpanghunaw, ipatan-aw gikayon ang mata sa mga doktor aron kahatagan sa tukmang tambal. (rac/PIA-7Bohol/PR)
to smoking is becoming lower. “In fact, our youngest patient is five years old,” Samson added. Smoking becomes a habit when some parents let their young kids buy cigarettes and let them light it for them, Samson said. The establishment of the Smoking Cessation Centers is one government intervention, implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) pursuant to the Tobacco Regulations Act and DOH Administrative Order No. 122 s. 2003 titled The Smoking Cessation Program to support the National Tobacco Control and Healthy Lifestyle Program allowed the setting up of the National Smoking Cessation Program. Its vision is to reduce the prevalence of smoking and minimizing smoking-related health risks. DOH also encouraged the usage of graphic health warnings in cigarette packs. The Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2009 (DOH, Philippines GATS Country Report, March 16, 2010) revealed that 28.3% or 17.3 million of the population aged 15 years old and over currently smoke tobacco, 47.7% or 14.6 million are men, while 9.0% or 2.8 million are women. Eighty percent of these current smokers are daily smokers with men and women smoking an average of 11.3 and 7 sticks of cigarettes per day respectively. The survey also revealed that among every daily smokers, 21.5% have quit smoking. Among those who smoked in the last 12 months, 47.8% made a quit attempt, 12.3% stated they used counseling and or advise as their cessation method, but only 4.5% successfully quit. Among current cigarette smokers, 60.6% stated they are interested in quitting, translating to around 10 million Filipinos needing help to quit smoking as of the moment. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu/with reports
PAGASA, mogamit na og warning signal no. 5 sa pagtumbok og kusog nga bagyo
(PIA)--Sa paghatag og warning signal matag adunay bagyo, mogamit na ang Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) sa super typhoon ug signal number 5. Gipasabot ni Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, pangulo sa PAGASA Weather Bureau nga ang super typhoon ang ika-limang kategorya ug gamiton sa bagyo nga may gikosgon nga hangin nga kapin sa 220 kilometro matag oras. Samtang magpabilin sa kategorya ang tropical depression nga adunay maximum sustained winds o gikosgon nga hangin nga 61 kilometro matag oras o mas hinay pa. Tropical storm usab ang itawag sa bagyong may gikosgon nga 62 hangtud 88 kilometro matag oras samtang severe tropical storm alang sa bagyong adunay gikosgon nga hangin nga 89 hangtud 117 kilometro matag oras. Typhoon category usab ang bagyong adunay gikosgon nga 118 hangtud 200 kilometro matag oras. Samtang adunay dugang pasidaan usab sa bagyo ang PAGASA nga mao ang mosunod: Signal no. 1: Kung masinati ang gikosgon sa hanging 30 hangtud 60 kilometro matag oras sulod sa 36 oras ug posibleng magdala og gamay nga kadaot; Signal no. 2: Kun makasinati og gikosgon nga hangin nga naa sa 61 hangtud 120 kilometro matag oras sulod sa 24 oras; Signal no. 3: Kun makasinati og gikosgon sa hangin nga naa sa 121 hangtud 170 kilometro matag oras sulod sa 18 oras. Signal no. 4: Kun gipaabot ang pag-igo sa 171 hangtud 200 kilometro matag oras nga gikosgon sa hangin sulod sa 12 oras; Ug signal no. 5: Kun makasinati og gikosgon nga hanging adunay kusog nga kapin sa 220 kilometro matag oras sulod sa 12 oras ug magdala og grabeng kadaot. (mbcn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
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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