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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. 2 | NO. 18 June 1-8 , 2014

No PAGASA pronouncement on El Nino yet but preparations must take place - DA

LARENA, Siquijor (PIA) --- Although the state-run weather agency PAGASA has not yet released an official announcement on the onset of El Nino in the country, preparations are already under-taken in the farming sector to brace the farmers from the possible effects of the current heat wave.

Department of Agriculture (DA-7) Regional Technical Director for research and regulatory Joel Elumba in a Kapihan sa PIA held Monday said the El Niño occurrence is still not clear

.

Clockwise: DA-7 RTD Joel for now, whether it is slow, mild, or severe or when and for Elumba, Provincial Governor how long it will occur.

Z a l d y S . V i l l a , PAT C O

Elumba said DA has already implemented the Bernadith Bunado, PIA’s necessary prepara-tions since since the last quarter of last year with a series of Infor-mation, Education and Rizalie A. Calibo and and a Communication (IEC) campaigns region wide, buffer 4Ps parent leader beneficiary stocking, monitoring and validation of agricultural facilities during the Kapinhan sa PIA and even allocation of standby funds for cloud seeding. that tackles DA’s Climate

He said the agriculture sector is the most affected Change preparation. (RAC/

by El Niño and the climate change so that so the government PIA-Siquijor) and the public should come up with some adaptation measures to counter their effects.

These would include the use of adaptive crops and cropping SIQUIJOR (PIA)—The Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) consortium in Siquijor province sys-tem, indigenous forage, and good plans anew advocacy campaigns and some mitigating measures to prepare locals for El Nino effects. animal husbandry practices, among

This amid fear on the damage the drought possibly brings to Siquijor province. others.

Previous reports from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist’s (OPA) said that drought damage to rice, corn

E l u m b a a l s o s t r o n g l y and other crops, livestock and fisheries in the past years of El Nino in the province was remarkable.

With the staggering threats it incurred on environment like soil degradation, domestic water supply shortage that campaigned for the conservation of water and called for the strong support cause significant reduction in farm productivity and even health problems, said another report.

With these, local El Nino Task Force is reactivated and planning workshop made Monday (May 19) that identified to the government’s Natioal Greening series of activities in relation to El Nino and Climate Change.

Program (NGP).

Farmers should already nformation caravans to local government units and farmers are scheduled in June including the conduct of a start preparing with or without El Niño, he said, as he urged them to plant Kapihan sa PIA on forum on “Climate Change Preparedness Program on Agriculture” on May 26.

Mitigating measures to counter El Nino effects on rice, corn, High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), crops suitable to their lands and make livestock and poultry and on human health were identified. sure that they are taking good care of These include, among others, identification and validation of areas vulnerable to El Nino, inventory of existing water their livestock. resources, rehabilitation of agri-infra facilities such as irrigation and drainage systems and promotion and provision of

He said that if climate change drought tolerant seeds and other alternative crops. becomes severe, production volume

According to the Provincial Agricultural Coordinating Officer Bernadith Bunado, Siquijor province is allocated and quality are greatly affected. some P4 million for the rehabilitation of agri-infra facilities like communal irrigation system and Small Water Impounding

Surface water dries up, Projects (SWIP). significantly affecting production

She said conservative measures to address water supply shortage should be put in place so that establishment volume and quality that consequently of rainwater catchments in every household is strongly encouraged. reduces farmers’ income, he said.

FITS chair and Provincial Veterinarian Bernadita Tabada said their office is intensifying measures to counter El

Elumba however said he Nino through infodrive and other services.

rovincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Moreno Tagra also gave perspective of their is confident that Siquijor farmers are intel-ligent and resilient as seen by activities in relation to El Nino and Climate Change.

He said the people’s organizations in the province under its National Greening Program (NGP) have intensified how they produce good crops, raise and export good amount of quality growing of trees both in forest and mangrove areas.

Eco-tourism activities, biodiversity program and sustainable coral reef ecosystem program are also pushed with livestock given the size of the island and the limited resources. (rmn/rac/ Maria and Lazi as its priority although all six towns are included, he said.

The DENR, he also said, is encouraging projects that would augment the livelihood of the fisherfolks and PIA7-Siquijor)

Siquijor FITS plans to mitigate El Nino

eventually make it their business enterprise. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS CENTRAL VISAYAS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DOST-FNRI warns public on unhealthy foods causing cancer, heart disease

CEBU CITY, June 5 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology -Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) warned the public against unhealthy foods that could lead to heart disease and even cancer due to the presence of too much preservative.

Marilou Galang, senior science and research specialist of DOST-FNRI in a recent NUTRICOMNET media forum said the use of nitrates and nitrites in processed foods as preservatives is linked to cancer and increased heart disease.

Galang cited foods such as hotdogs,

Orientation and signing of DOST scholarship contracts at the Provincial Science and Technology Center, Siquijor, Siquijor.

DOST Siquijor holds orientation, signing of scholarship contracts

bacons and other processed meat which have “carcinogenic nitrosamines” which, when exposed to high temperature can cause cancer.

According to Galang, a study conducted by the FNRI showed that among the food products in the supermarkets found to have the highest nitrite concentration are tocino products manufactured in Las Pinas which yielded 339.3 mg/kg and longganisa in Southern Leyte with 328.8 mg/kg nitrate concentration.

Likewise, processed meats are high in sodium and saturated fats which makes one susceptible to developing heart ailment.

Galang further warned consumers about “botcha,” a double-dead meat from an animal that has died of a disease. Those who consumed double-dead meat can contract all sorts of illnesses while even when cooked have no assurance that all the bacteria are eliminated.

A provision under the Consumer act of the Philippines stated a penalty of P100, 000 to one million plus imprisonment if caught selling illegal and unsafe products like “botcha.” “Such unsafe food when consumed can cause diarrhea or seizures which could lead to death,” said Galang.

Another thing she cautioned was the plumping of chicken which is also unsafe. Some inject raw chicken with salt water to make the meat bigger in size making the original weight like from 0.75 kilo to 1.25 kilos for bigger profit.

“This is unhealthy because for every serving of chicken that contains 200500 mg of sodium compared to only around 45-70 mg sodium in an unenhanced chicken increases the risks of hypertension and worse, a heart attack,” said Galang.

Galang urged media to help them disseminate to the public some unhealthy foods that people should be wary of. (mbcn/ FCR/ PIA7-Cebu with reports from Mary Jane G. Conciliado, intern)

SIQUIJOR, May 25 (PIA)--The Department of Science and Techology (DOST) in Siquijor province recently conducted an orientation seminar and signing of scholarship contracts for the new batch of scholars at the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC).

The orientation program aims to inform the scholars of their existing responsibilities alongside their privileges.

The new batch of scholars was accompanied by their proud parents during the momentous event.

Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing who was a DOST SEI scholar under RA 7687 and now a project assistant at the DOST-PSTC Siquijor facilitated the event.

Topics like nature of the scholarship, scholarship duration, scholarship privileges, scholarship obligations and obligations of the parent/ legal guardian, among other things, were tackled during orientation.

He also shared insights, tips and words of advice in overcoming problems and obstacles along the way and stressed out that parents should give their unyielding support and trust to their son/daughter while pursuing their chosen field.

In a message during the orientation seminar given by Engr. Mario de la Pena, Provincial Science and Technology Director (PSTD), he expressed his sincerest congratulations to both the scholars and their parents for a job well done.

He lauded the students for passing the DOST-SEI scholarship exam and calling it a feat to be proud of knowing that not all intellectuals who took the said exam made it to the list.

He further said that by passing the DOST SEI scholarship exam, they are given the chance to fulfill their dream of becoming scientist or engineer in the future.

As per memorandum order from Prof. Fortunato de la Pena, Science and Technology Institute (SEI) Director, the rates of some financial assistance of the S&T undergraduate scholars shall increase effective first semester of AY 2014-2015.

Scholars can now enjoy as much as Php10, 000 per semester subsidy in tuition and other school fees from Php8, 000.00 last AY. In addition, their book allowance was increased from Php5, 000/AY to Php10, 000/AY. While there are increases in the rates of the tuition and other school fees and the book allowance, all other financial benefits remains the same.

The orientation seminar was followed immediately by the signing of the 2014 Scholarship Agreement between DOST and the party of the scholar. Of the total 10 passers in the province, only one passer willfully abandoned DOST scholarship. mbcn/(RAC/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports Engr. Reinhold Jek Y. Abing, DOST-Siquijor)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

DENR-7 urges public to protect env’t, help mitigate impact of climate change

CEBU CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- Top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) urged the public to take care of the environment in order to mitigate the impact of climate change as the country celebrates June as Environment Month.

DENR-7 regional director Dr. Isabelo Montejo during the forum of

the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7) said it is imperative that the environment be preserved to ease the effects if not prevent the occurrence of disasters.

Montejo cited the illegal cutting of trees which further expose the risks to landslides and flashfloods in the environment.

“We are now intensifying the detailed

DBM releases P1.97-B for out-of-school youth educ and employment program

MANILA, June 6 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced the release of P1.97 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the implementation of the Abot-Alam program, designed to provide various opportunities for education and possible career and employment for the country’s out-of-school youth (OSY).

According to Secretary of Budget Florencio “Butch” Abad, the P1.97 million release—charged against DepEd’s budget under the FY 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA)—will provide necessary and appropriate interventions to one million OSY within the year.

Through the program, DepEd expects to bring the number of Filipino OSY to zero by 2016.

“Abot-Alam is our way of reaching out to all out-of-school youth nationwide.

The Aquino administration developed this program so we can equip our youth with the skills they need for gainful employment,” Abad said.

“There is so much untapped potential among out-of-school youth, many of whom were not able to finish their studies because of financial constraints. Abot-Alam can give them fair opportunities to get back on track and become productive members of their respective communities,” he added.

Under the leadership of DepEd and the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Abot-Alam program will be carried out through the convergence of efforts between national government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs) and private institutions.

The program will focus on two objectives in its implementation. First, the initiative will identify OSY-beneficiaries nationwide, with specific attention on 1530 year-old-Filipinos who have not completed basic or higher education or are unemployed.

Second is to reintegrate OSYs within their respective communities through different programs and services offered by program partners. An example of such will be in the form of non-formal education, where the learning process is provided by partner implementers rather than the usual educational institutions.

“This latest release represents our continued investments in human capital through the delivery of focused social services. President Aquino remains committed to increasing the capacity of citizens and communities in promoting sustainable economic and inclusive growth in the country. This also coincides with the President’s recognition of the Filipino people as the country’s greatest resource,“ Abad added.(dbm.gov.ph)

geohazard mapping of 1:10,000 to serve as guide to local government units which are the areas in their localities that are vulnerable to landslides, flashfloods and flooding,” said Montejo.

Al Emil Berador, chief geologist of DENR-7 in the same forum said “LGUs should revisit the geohazard maps as a proactive stand before the onset of the rainy season.”

Berador said all the LGUs have already been furnished with the 1:50,000 geohazard maps to around 60,000 barangays in Central Visayas.

But the DENR is now coming up with a very detailed geohazard map that is 1:10,000 scale to really pinpoint even the smallest area in the barangay that is susceptible to disaster, said Berador.

The DENR stated it hopes to finish the conduct of the detailed geohazard mapping nationwide by the end of the year.

The DENR-7 meanwhile, also presented its other programs and activities such as the National Greening Program (NGP) which includes the importance of mangrove panting and beach forest rehabilitation as well as RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Under the NGP, Montejo said the program aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in at least 1.5 million hectares throughout the country.

In celebration of June as Environment Month, the DENR has underlined several activities punctuating its advocacy on environmental protection and preservation. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7 with reports from Kristal Eduyan, intern)

Register early, Comelec tells voters

CEBU CITY, June 5 (PIA) --- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC-7) here has appealed to Cebuano voters to register, validate, or update their registration as early as possible.

To date, 45,000 out of the 2.5 million total voters in Cebu City and Cebu province have applied for registration, validation or updating of their registration, according to Comelec-7 Election Assistant Ar-thur Patiga,

“We would like to request assistance from the media, stakeholders, and the church to inform the public to vote as early as now for us to be on-track,” Patiga said.

Comelec has earlier launched its campaign to encourage voters to register their biometrics so they can participate in the 2016 elec-tions.

The agency is expecting 2.3 million new registrants, and under the new law, biometrics are mandatory, said Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr.

Meanwhile, Comelec-7 Officer IV Atty. Ferdinand Gujilde said that the rules on campaign advertising in cyberspace remain the same, including spam regulation which does not prohibit sending cam-paign advertisements through e-mails. (rmn/PIA-Cebu with reports from Visame Arellano)

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Cebuano News

DepEd, nipahinumdom sa mga school canteen kalabot sa mga pagkaon nga angay ibaligya

MANILA, June 02 (PIA)--Subling gipahinumdoman sa Department of Education (DepEd) ang mga eskwelahan ug mga nanag-iya og school canteens kalabot sa mga pagkaong angay ibaligya ngadto sa mga estudyante.

Sa polisiya sa DepEd, gi-dili ang pagbaligya og mga junk foods ug mga ilimnong sama sa carbonated ug softdrinks.

Matud pa ni Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, regular ang gihimong monitoring niini sa DepEd ilabi na sa mga pampubli-kong tunghaan.

Gusto nilang masiguro nga ang mga gibaligyang pagkaon sa mga estudyante ilabi na ang naa sa elementarya, mga sustansyadong pagkaon lamang.

Nakigtambayayong usab ang DepEd sa mga lokal nga kagamha-nan ug sa Department of Health (DoH) kalabot sa pagpagawas og business ug sanitary permits sa mga canteens.

Gipahinumdoman usab sa DepEd ang mga ginikanan nga angay tagaan og importansya ang kahimsog sa ilang mga anak ug pabawnan lamang kini og mga sustansyadong pagkaon. (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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