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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.19 May 24-31, 2015
‘Champion green agenda,’ say DTI, GIZ to MSMEs, local authorities
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
SIQUIJOR (PIA) - - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is encouraging micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to go green and champion green agenda in their localities amidst environmental challenges the country is facing. “The production processes and business practices of MSMEs, which make up 99 percent of Philippine companies, are often harmful to both the environment and the climate,” notes the GIZ in its Promotion of green economic development (ProGED) handouts. GIZ in its handouts stated that the Philippines is witnessing significant economic growth but poverty persists and the growth has negative impacts on the environment and climate. The country thus faces the challenge of steering its economic development towards sustainable, inclusive growth which will also benefit socially disadvantaged groups, it added. Through its ProGED program, GIZ has worked closely with DTI in the promotion of green economy starting with a series of value chain workshop, orientations, Greening Tourism Enterprises and Business Matching, and Learning Visits, among other activities. A two-day learning visit was conducted last week in Bohol with parti ci p a n ts fro m th e provinces of Regions 4B 5, 6, 7 and 13 composing the business, tourism and government sectors. The visit encourages MSMEs and relevant institutions involved on MSME development to respectively implement environment friendly and climate smart practices in their operations and integrate these in their programs, says GIZ’s Nanda Ristma of ProGED program. Specifically, it provides opportunities for participants to observe and experience existing environment friendly and climate smart practices of the businesses and interact with and directly hear from the green champions the inspiration, motivation, opportunities and challenges of going green. It also allows participants to interact with each other and share each other’s experiences on going green that enhances their knowledge to apply in their respective businesses and champion the green agenda in their locations.
MARIBOJOC ECO/ORGANIC FARM: One of the evironment-friendly sites in Bohol visited by replication provinces (Siquijor, being one) during the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Learning Visit. The farm is supplying hotels and resorts in Tagbilaran City and Panglao for their vegetables and other farm produce needs. Workers at the farm are folks within the locality. Women organization is taking care of catering services because the farm is part of the new tour circuit being developed by JICA. It produces its own natural food mix that are fed to the animals. The farm showcases the use of vermicomposting processes that decomposes the organic waste to convert it into compost soil and fertilizer.
Among the green businesses and sites visited in Bohol on the first day were the Bellevue Resort, South Palms Resort, Bohol Bee Farm, and Amarela Resort in Panglao Island, and the Aproniana Gift Shop in Baclayon. On the second day, the group went to the country’s first Fabrication Laboratory located inside Bohol Island State University Main Campus in Tagbilaran City, the Wiki House in Balilihan, Bohol, Maribojoc Eco/Organic Farm and Solar Panel Water Pump in Maribojoc and in Dong Juan Restaurant in Tagbilaran City. The sites are known for its environment-friendly and climate smart solutions such as energy reduction practices, waste segregation system and recycling, production and use of organic agriculture, rain water collection and water conservation and other tourism development practices that can be replicated in the province of Siquijor. ProGED project provides MSMEs with information about technologies that facilitate environmentally friendly and climate smart activities and help them to recognise their own potential. Information is also provided on green financial products and funding instruments that enable MSMEs to implement their own improvements.
M o r e o v e r, t h e p r o j e c t supports MSMEs that are especially environmentally friendly and climate smart to participate in competitions. The project began in 2013 in the two pilot provinces of Cebu and Bohol. Since mid-2014, the experiences gained to date have been shared in a further seven provinces, in cooperation with the partner organisation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Another seven provinces were added this year. The work focuses on the tourism industry, which also involves the transport, souvenir and food sectors. Tourism is important for the Philippines due to its growth potential and its close links with other upstream and downstream economic sectors. However, the high consumption of water and energy, the inadequate solid waste and wastewater management systems and high greenhouse gas emissions all play a part in exacerbating environmental pressures and reducing the competitiveness of enterprises. Government authorities and the private sector must recognise the challenges, and learn more expertise to identify and implement solutions, the GIZ said. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
DOST Siquijor now accepts 2015 PSHSS NCE application
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing
SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Science and TechnologyPhilippine Science High School S y s t e m ( D O S T- P S H S S ) i s n o w
accepting applications for the 2015 DOST-PSHSS National Competitive Examination on October 3, 2015. The Provincial Science a n d Te c h n o l o g y C e n t e r ( P S T C ) h e r e a n n o u n c e d t h i s t o d a y.
Ralf Groening of Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) talking about Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Project. German and Philippine Government’s Response to Promote GED during the Green Economic Development Sensitization and Business Matching for Tourism Enterprises in Siquijor Island at Coco Grove Beach Resort, San Juan, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Applicants from Siquijor can submit their application forms and other relevant documents at the DOST Siquijor PSTC on or before August 24, 2015. Application forms with information kits are available at the PSTC to all interested graduating elementary pupils, school heads or principals and/or science and math teachers. Application forms may be photocopied. The scholarship is open to all elementary students, both public and private who belong to the upper 10% of their graduating class. For private school applicants, a non-refundable processing fee/ testing fee worth P100.00 is collected. Public school applicants however, are not required to pay any testing fee. All entries in the application forms must be duly accomplished, in duplicate, with 2 latest identical 1x1 ID pictures and report card. To note, the age of the applicant must not be more than 15 years of age by 1 July 2016 or must be born on or after July 1, 2001. In addition, for applicants who do not have a final grade of 85 or higher in Science and Math, and a minimum final grade of 80 in all other subjects, a certification that the applicant belongs to the upper 10% of the batch is required. Successful applicants can enjoy the following privileges: free tuition fee, free loan of books, monthly stipend and uniform, transportation and living allowances for low income group. (mbcn/ rac/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from Reinhold Jek Y. Abing/DOST-Siquijor)
The Flag Days: May 28 to June 12 On May 28, 1898, the Philippine flag was first unfurled after the Philippine Revolutionary Army defeated Spanish forces in the Battle at Alapan, Imus, Cavite. The national flag was yet to be formally announced on the day of that
battle. It was formally presented to the people on June 12, 1898. From 1919, when the Philippine flag was once more legalized, until 1940, Flag Day was observed in October, the date the Philippine Legislature had restored the
flag. From 1941 to 1964, Flag Day was commemorated on the date the national flag was unfurled in Kawit: June 12. However, in 1965, since Flag Day coincided with Independence Day, in order to commemorate the date the
Fly the Philippine flag with pride from May 28 to June 12, 2015
national emblem was first unfurled in battle, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Proclamation No. 374, 1965, which moved National Flag Day to May 28. On May 23, 1994, P r e s i d e n t F i d e l V. R a m o s issued Executive Order No. 179, stretching National Flag Day into an extended period, from May 28 to June 12, culminating in the celebration of Independence Day. All Filipinos are encouraged to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies, and instruments of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes throughout this period.
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
DOLE teams up with CHED on employment facilitation, deployment of new JSKs Fresh graduates and other first time jobseekers who are about to join the labor market are sure to find job hunting a lot easier and exciting as the DOLE has teamed up with the Commission on Higher Education in the deployment of additional job search kiosks (JSKs) across the country’s 16 regions. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this yesterday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the higher education agency to promote access to employment for jobseekers. The MOU signing, held at the CHED Conference Room, Higher Education Development Center Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City, on 22 May, was attended by Baldoz, and other officials from DOLE, Undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido, DOLE Assistant Secretary Katherine Brimon, DOLENCR Director Alex Avila, Bureau of Local Employment Director Dominique Tutay, and Labor Communications Office Director Nicon Fameronag. CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan also graced the event, together with other CHED Officials, namely: Executive Director Julito D. Vitriolo; Office of Planning, Research and Knowledge Management (OPRKM) Director Napoleon Juanillo Jr.; CHED Regional Office 4-B Director Virginia Akiate; and Office of Student Development and Services Director (OSDS) Cesar Medina. “ We h a v e f o u n d a s t r o n g ally in CHED which, as part of the government’s Human Development
and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) Cluster, has passionately shown interest and worked hard in addressing the issue of job-skills mismatch and high incidence of youth unemployment,” said Baldoz. “I thank CHED for believing in the JSKs as an effective employment strategy. The signed MOU further seals our advocacy to bring jobs closer to all,” she added. A Job Search Kiosk is an information portal housed in an ATMtype, stand-alone equipment, which provides information on local/overseas job opportunities and other employmentrelated information. It helps job seekers to fast-track access to relevant information on job openings, and employers’ hiring or upgrading requirements through TESDA programs and BLE career guides. As spelt out in the MOU, the DOLE will provide 17 JSKs to CHED, which will place these at the Labor Market Information (LMI) corners in identified state universities and colleges (SUCs). The JSKs deployed shall include in its software access to the CHED website and other related modules as follows: tuition fee per unit in the SUC to which it is located; Higher Education Institution (HEIs) master list; higher education enrollment statistics; and enrollment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agri-Fisheries, and Mathematics (STEAM) program. The labor and employment chief said that today’s young generation, known as “millennials,” are careerminded young people who grew up in an age of high-performance computers. “The JSK’s svelte appearance and touch-screen feature are intended to attract more young jobseekers. The DOLE
has tapped the power of ICT to address the job search need and guide the youth in building their career paths; and brought it down to the grassroots level,” Baldoz said. Dominique R. Tutay, Director of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), said that on top of the 17 JSKs transferred to CHED, the DOLE has completed the deployment of 183 other JSKs in various DOLE offices, bureaus, and attached agencies since March 2015. Of the 183 JSKs, 5 units are located in the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila; and one each in TESDA, PRC, and POEA. Others are deployed in the following DOLE Regional Offices: DOLE RO-9 with 15 units; DOLE RO-NCR with 6 units; DOLE ROs-2, 6, 7, 9, and 12 with 12 units each; DOLE ROs-5, 8, 11, CARAGA, and CAR with 11 units each; DOLE ROs-1, 4-A, and 4-B with 10 units each; and DOLE RO-3 with 9 units. On top of the new JSKs deployed, other 109 old-model JSKs remains functioning in various DOLE ROs, and Public Employment Service Offices. “The deployment of the kiosks is a boost to sustaining the progress of employment facilitation and in investing in the country’s human resource as pillars of decent work towards inclusive growth,” Baldoz said. “The task of facilitating job matching and placement of job seekers as one of DOLE’s strategies is enriched with the aid of information and communications technology. The JSK serves as a virtual jobs fair site which will regularly churn out employment opportunities in the job market,” she added.
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Unemployment rate in April 2015 declines
The country’s unemployment rate significantly decreased to 6.4 percent in April 2015 from 7.0 percent of the same month in 2014, the Philippine Statistics A u t h o r i t y ( P S A ) r e p o r t e d Tu e s d a y. This translates to 495,000 more employed Filipinos and reduced the total number of unemployed to 2.7 million, PSA said.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed the reduction in the country’s unemployment and underemployment rates in April 2015 to the continued strength of the economy. “The favorable market condition in April 2015 follows a similar trend in the January 2015 round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) where unemployment and underemployment also declined,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
Cebuano News Dugang English-speaking Filipino teachers gikinahanglan sa Japan
TOKYO, JAPAN (PIA)—Gilaoman nga sa dili madugay ang nasud sa Japan mokuha ug dugang mga trabahanteng English-speaking teachers ug mga Filipino professionals, matud pa sa Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Manuel Lopez. Namahayag si Lopez atol sa gihimong interbyo sa Radio TV Malacañang didto sa Philippine Embassy nga gisugdan na ang pagpangimpleyo ug dugang nurses ug caregivers ug sa dili madugay mosunod na ang mga maestra tungod kay ang Japan gakinhanglan ug mga English-speaking teachers. Matud pa nga naka-uyon ang mga Hapon sa mga Filipino teachers ug tungod niini dugang pa nga maestra ang ilang kuhaon. Gawas sa mga magtutudlo, nurses ug caregivers, daghang Filipino professionals usab diha sa Information Technology industry ang nagtrabaho sa mga multinationals sa Japan. Kasagaran niini dili kaayo bansay sa pinulongang Hapon gani wala sila gipugos nga mokat-on tungod kay kadaghanan sa ilang mga agalon gikan sa laing nasud nga bansay sa pinulongang ingles. Dugang ni Lopez nga ka daghanan usab sa mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa Japan mga seafarers nga anaa magtrabaho sa Japanese maritime industry ug 75 porsyento niini maoy nagdala sa mga Japanese vessels. Labing gikahimut-an sa mga Hapon ang mga Filipino seafarers, kay matud pa nila maayong motrabaho ug dekalidad sila nga nagdala sa Japanese maritime industry. Gawas sa mga seafarers, ubay-ubay usab ang mga nag trabaho sa construction industry sa Japan. Sa gitakdang upat ka adlawng pagbisita ni Presidente Aquino sugod karon adlawng Martes gi bana-bana nga 30 ngadto sa 40 porsyento sa mga registered nurses sa Japan ang dasig nga makighimamat sa Presidente. Miingon si Lopez nga sa pagkighimamat unya ni Presidente Aquino sa Filipino community ipaila-ila sa Presidente ang siyam ka Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets nga nagtungha sa Japan’s National Defense Academy ubos sa exchange program sa duha ka nasud. Gi bana-bana nga moabot sa 220,000 na ka Filipino ang anaa magpuyo sa Japan ug kadaghanan niini mga permanent residents mga naminyo ug Japanese nationals, panapos ni Lopez. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)
CSC nag-awhag sa striktong pagpatuman sa “smoke-free policies”
MANILA (PIA)--Sa gipahigayong kasaulogan sa World No Tobacco Day niadtong Mayo 31, ang Civil Service Commission (CSC) mipahimangno pag-usab sa katawhang trabahante sa nasud nga ginadili ang pagpanigarilyo sulod sa palibot sa mga buhatan sa gobyerno ug gi dili usab ang pakiglambigit sa mga tobacco industry. Gitumbok ni CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez ang CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17 nga gipagawas niadtong Mayo 2009 ang “absolute smoking ban” nga ipahamtang sa tanang buhatan sa gobyerno nga nag hatag ug serbisyo alang sa maayong panglawas, edukasyon ug social welfare and development services sama sa hospitals, health centers, schools and universities. Striktong ginadili ang pagpanigarilyo niining mga lugara. Sa ubang buhatan sa gobyerno nga wala maghatag ug serbisyo nga nahisgtuan sa unahan, mahimong manigarilyo sa mga lugar nga “designated smoking areas” Dugang niini ang CSC ug Department of Health’s (DOH) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2010-01 nagdili usab sa mga opisyal ug trabahante sa gobyerno nga makiglambigit sa mga tobacco industry gawas kung gikinahanglan alang sa pagpatuman sa balaod ug sa gikinahanglan nga supervision and control. Ang JMC 2010-01 hugot nga ipatuman sa kagamhanan batok sa pakiglambigit sa mga tobacco industry, ilabi na kung makabalda kini sa pagpatuman sa tobacco control measures. Lakip sa ginadili mao ang paghatag ug preferential treatment sama sa incentives and exemptions sa mga tobacco industry ug ang pagpangayo ug pagdawat ug mga donasyon bugti sa pabor nga makiglambigit sila sa transaksyon sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno. Dugang ni commissioner Martinez nga ang maayong panglawas sa mga trabahante sa gobyerno ang gipanalipdan sa Commission: “As the central human resource institution of government, the CSC places premuim on health and wellness, primarily of civil servants and of the country’s human capital in general, as we believe that a person’s health directly correlates with his or her productivity,” matud ni Martinez. Samtang gi respeto usab ang kamatuoran nga dili malikayan ang pagpanigarilyo isip “personal choice” gi awhag gihapon ang mga publikong trabahante paghuna-huna ug mopatigbabaw ang maayong desisyon aron makab-ot ang “healthier lifestyle,” sumala pa ni Martinez. (mbcn/lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)
“It is noteworthy that the improvement in the employment situation appears to be broad-based. Thirteen out of seventeen regions, including the National Capital Region or NCR, exhibited a decline in unemployment during the survey period,” the Balisacan said. “NCR continued to post the highest unemployment rate at 9.3 percent, while ARMM recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 3.2 percent,” added Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. Underemployment also improved to 17.8 percent from the 18.2 percent registered in the same period in 2014. This accounts for the 44,000 Filipinos who are no longer underemployed, reducing the total number to 7.0 million employed persons who want more work for the period. “Looking at the characteristics of the underemployed, improvements were observed across all classes of workers, except for the self-employed without any paid employee, those who worked with pay in their own familyoperated farms, and workers in government or government corporations,” he said. Moreover, majority of the labor force who are employed in more remunerative and stable work increased by 1.9 percent, reaching 22.6 million in April 2015. They now comprise 57.8 percent of total workers, slightly higher than their 57.5 percent share from a year ago. “If these developments are sustained for the rest of the year, the full-year average will likely surpass the Philippine Development Plan target of 6.6 to 6.8 percent for the unemployment rate and 18.0 percent for the underemployment rate in 2015,” said Balisacan. Meanwhile, total employment also grew by 1.3 percent year-on-year in April 2015, which means that an additional 495,000 Filipinos were able to get jobs during the period. “While this period’s employment rate is slower than the posted growth in April 2014, the situation has generally improved as services and industry sectors continue to lead in jobs generation,” the NEDA official said.(NEDA)
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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