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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. 4| NO. 19 June 2-9, 2016
Siquijor agri authorities call for quick response to El Nino hit sectors by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, June 8 (PIA) – Agriculture authorities here led by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) and Department of AgricultureProvincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) are calling for a speedy resolution of the province’s declaration of a state of calamity due to the El Niño phenomenon. Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada and PATCO director Bernadith Bunado said they have presented to the Provincial Governor their assessment of the El Nino damage to crops and livestock as well as their Response Plan that would push him and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to make a resolution for the declaration. Siquijor has been affected by El Nino that recently hit the country and that agriculture sector suffers the most, affecting the farmers’ livelihood and income and threatening the province’s food security. Immediate interventions should be made to restore food production and income generation, the agriculture authorities said in its comprehensive report to the governor. I n t h e a b s e n c e o f t i m e l y, appropriate and adequate assistance, the already dire situation will worsen in the communities as the availability of and access to food and their capacity to address their basic household needs are reduced. The same report added that if the response is insufficient or delayed, the recovery will remain difficult as it is expected that stronger typhoons will hit the province in the following months. Tabada said local government units (LGUs) should likewise do their part
Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada (speaking) and PATCO Director Bernadith S. Bunado (seated left) expressed the urgency to address the needs of the El Nino hit sectors in the province and calls for a speedy resolution for the declaration of a State of Calamity during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting held at the SP Session Hall at the Provincial Capitol. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor) in addressing the problem and should always make a part of their governance the concern for farmers through proper allocation of budget and quick response programs to whoever affected constituents. As far as livestock is concerned, Tabada said the OPV for their part, has conducted ambulatory clinics to affected barangays while damage assessment was on-going. She said that following their one-week assessment of the El Nino damage, she has called for the realignment of PVO budget for the emergency purchase of livestock and poultry vaccines, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals, and antibiotic as their
immediate response to the situation. Request for funding from the national government through the Department of Agriculture was likewise made, she said. Meanwhile, Provincial Governor and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) Chair Zaldy Villa has approved the El Nino Response Plan and recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the passing of a resolution for the declaration. But PDDRMC Coordinator Blezel Mae Omictin said that as of press time, the council is waiting for the confirmation of the minutes prior to the resolution and final declaration. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DOST Siquijor rolls out RxBox Project
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing SIQUIJOR, May 30 (PIA) -- Siquijor is yet to receive another innovation on eHealth from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). DOST regional office in Central Visayas and provincial office here recently conducted the RxBox Forum to identified RxBox volunteer sites in the province. RxBox is a multi-component program designed to provide better access to life saving healthcare services in isolated and disadvantaged communities nationwide. In his message, Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña congratulated the local government units (LGUs) of San Juan, Lazi, and Maria as volunteer RxBox sites that passed the selection committee based on certain criteria. He expressed optimism on the implementation of the RxBox and envisions improvement on the quality of healthcare in the rural health units (RHUs). The DOST-7 team composed of Assistant Regional Director Engr. Jesus Zamora, Jr., Ronya Mae Bayan, and
PSTD Engr. Mario E. de la Peña welcomes the initial attendees while waiting for the remaining participants to arrive during the RxBox Forum held at DOST Siquijor PSTC conference room. Inset, ARD Engr. Jesus of Zamora, Jr. of DOST 7 (upper right) presents the terms of reference to the volunteer sites while Ms. Krisette Grace Campilan of CVCHRD (top) discuss the benefits of the RxBox. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ DOST-Siquijor photos)
Krissette Campilan oriented the representatives from the three LGUs. In his presentation, Zamora discussed the terms of reference of the rural health centers as volunteer RxBox sites. He reminded the LGUs to observe the ethical use of the components of Telemed, Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS), and the RxBox, all of which are components of the integration of devices to the National Telehealth Service Program. Campilan discussed the benefits of being an RxBox volunteer site and how RxBox could deliver quality healthcare. Baya, RxBox coordinator, discussed the recent developments regarding the identification of RxBox sites in Central Visayas and where do Siquijor stand from that perspective. Municipal Health Officer Dr. Ruel Quisel, Municipal Planning and Development Officer (MPDO) Engr. Letty Mamhot, and PHN Hazel Mae Manginsay represented San Juan while LGU Lazi was represented by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Iremaeus Selgas, Midwife Raquel Inguito and MPDO Joannes Paulus Jumadla, and LGU Maria was represented by PHN Raul Ruiz. RxBox has built-in medical sensors for monitoring the health of the patient. These include blood pressure monitor, pulse oxymeter, electrocardiogram (ECG), fetal heart monitor, maternal tocometer, and temperature sensor. To note, RxBox is among DOST’s efforts for a “Smarter Philippines”. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST-Siquijor)
GOVERNMENTNEWS
10,000 new police recruits to take oath in July; 11,200 more cops to be hired With the 10,000 new policemen and women anticipated to take oath in July, police visibility is expected to improve nationwide according to Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, the outgoing Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and concurrent Chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).“Peace and order are vital in the country’s economic development. The DILG and NAPOLCOM are committed in increasing police manpower strength, improve police-to-population ratio, and enhance police visibility program and anti-insurgency operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP),” he said. The regular recruitment quota is intended to strengthen the Public Safety Forces (PSFs) in identified Police Regional Offices (PROs) which operate in insurgency-affected areas and to support the personnel build-up of other PROS and some of the National Operational Support Units of the PNP such as the Special Action Force (SAF), Maritime Group (MG) and Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP). The distribution of the said quota is based on prevailing peace and order condition and actual personnel demands in the operational area covered by the respective PROs. “These new youngbloods went through rigorous screening including drug test, face to face interview, psychological and psychiatric examination, complete background investigation, and committee deliberation, among others,” Sarmiento assured.
PNP’s strong partnership with the community exercised during the Brigada Eskwela 2016 at the different schools in the province. (SPPO photos)
Attrition Recruitment “Another 11,200 police officers will be hired in the second cycle of recruitment of PO1 called attrition. It will start in June 2016 and the oath taking is scheduled not later than November 15, 2016,” said Sarmiento. The attrition recruitment quota, he said, is aggregated from 2013 to this year. It is aimed at replacing the PNP uniformed personnel who were attrited for reasons of retirement, death, dropping from the rolls, separation, dismissal and resignation from the police service. “I am calling out our brave Filipino fellowmen and women who aspire to join PNP: Now is the time for you to realize your dream of contributing to nation-building by keeping our communities and streets safe. Check the PNP website or go to the nearest police station near you to inquire about the application process,” said Sarmiento. Distribution of New Recruits The 10,000 regular quota recruitment is distributed per region as follows: PRO1450; PRO2- 500; PRO3- 450; PRO4A- 700; PRO4B- 450; PRO5- 800; PRO6- 375; PRO7375; PRO8- 800; PRO9- 500; PRO10- 600; PRO11- 500; PRO12- 500; PRO13- 800; PRO COR- 800; PRO ARMM- 300; NCRPO- 400; PRO18- 300; MG- 200; AVSEGROUP – 200. The SAF is not allocated a quota for this recruitment program. Meanwhile, the 11,200 attrition quota is distributed as follows: PRO1- 500; PRO2- 600; PRO3- 1,100; PRO4A- 1,000; PRO4B- 500 PRO5- 450; PRO6- 600; PRO7700; PRO8- 450; PRO9- 500; PRO10- 600; PRO11- 600; PRO12- 500; PRO13- 300; PRO COR- 300; PRO ARMM- 500; NCRPO-
1,000; PRO18- 300; SAF – 200; MG- 200; AVSEGROUP – 300. New recruits will undergo Public Safety Basic Recruit Course for six months, and a Field Training Program for another six months. After these trainings, they will take a mandatory special training of PNP Special Counter-Insurgency Unit Training (SCOUT) Course for 45 days to 5 months to enhance them in militaristic tactics for future assignment in the field whether in the Striking Force or in
the Police Station. In the 2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the PNP commits to improve community safety in three areas: (1) 66 in every 100 Filipinos should feel safe based on the National Safety Index; (2) The National Index Crime Rate should decrease to 37.11 percent from 39.06 percent; and (3) 30 in every 100 crimes should have been solved, based on the Crime Solution Efficiency Rate. (DILG)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
CFO to hold info campaign on migration, human trafficking in NegOr, Siquijor
N E G R O S O R I E N TA L , June 6 (PIA) – The Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) is scheduled to conduct a community education program on migration and human
trafficking in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor on June 17 to 23. Sec. Imelda Nicolas of CFO said this campaign seeks to assist prospective migrants in making
Cebuano News: LTFRB, nipahinumdom sa student discount MANILA, June 7 (PIA) -- Subling nipahinumdom ug nihatag og pasidaan sa mga public transportation drivers ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) kalabot sa pagbukas sa klase karong buwan sa Hunyo. Matud pa ni LTFRB Board Member Ariel Inton, mobalik na sa pagtungha ang mga kabataan karong Hunyo 13 mao nga gipahinumdoman nila ang mga drivers sa jeep ug bus nga kasagarang sakyan sa mga estudyante nga ihatag ang saktong 20% discount sa ilang pletehan. Sa higayong may pagduda ang kundoktor o driver, giingong mahimong ipakita sa estudyante ang iyang school ID o Certificate of Registration. Dungan niini, gipahinumdoman usab ni Inton ang mga tinun-an nga ang paghatag og diskuwento sa mga aldaw
lamang nga adunay klase. “Students are entitled to the fare discount only during school days, and not during holidays and weekends when there are no classes. But we should also consider that there are some students who have Saturday classes, and even Sundays for some, especially those like ROTC, NSTP that are being conducted on a Sunday,” matud pa ni Inton. Nakalatid sa memorandum circular sa LTFRB nga ang bisan kinsang molapas o mapamatud-ang wala nihatag og diskuwento mapahamtangan og multa nga P2,000.00 alang sa first offense; multang P3,000.00, 60-days suspension sa Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) ug pagkumpiska usab sa “for hire” plates sa second offense; ug multang P5,000 ug kanselasyon sa CPC sa third offense. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
informed decisions regarding settling abroad as well as generate community involvement on migrations concerns. This activity is designed to raise public awareness about various issues on migration, intermarriages and existing policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, h u m a n t r a ff i c k i n g a m o n g o t h e r s . Nicolas said the information campaign has set to reach out to the residents of Guihulngan City and Bais City on June 17 and 18, respectively, through the conduct of school symposia, public assemblies, radio interviews and interaction with community members. CFO is a government agency under the Office of the President which tasked to promote and uphold the interest of all overseas Filipinos. The 1343 action line, the CFO official said, is operating on a 24/7 basis and it has conducted national and regional information campaigns under its Community Education Program (CEP) in the provinces. The CFO’s government partners in this project are the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Philippine Information Agency(PIA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration(POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Council for the Welfare of Children. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
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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