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. 5| NO. 1 DJanuary 1-08, 2016
Siquijor PNP chief lauds cops’ support to anti-drug campaign
SIQUIJOR, January 3 (PIA) — Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) Director Erson Digal lauded his men for their strong support in the government’s war against illegal drugs. In a fun-filled “Pasko sa Kampo” last December 28, Digal reported a total of 896 drug personalities who personally appeared/surrendered in all six police stations provincewide from July to December 2016. He said 779 of those are drug users while 117 are drug pushers. A total of 6,225 houses have been visited in the same period through Oplan Tokhang wherein police personnel knocked on the houses of suspected drug personalities and asked them to mend their ways. He especially mentioned and awarded the top three police stations that were strong in the anti-drug operations. These are the Lazi Police Station headed by its Chief of Police PSInsp. Al J. Pascual, Larena Police Station, by PSInsp. Edgar C.Labe and the Maria Police Station by PSInsp. Antonio R. Detuya. Also lauded are the personnel of the
three other police stations of San Juan with PSInsp Daniel C. Tarucan as the chief of police (COP), Siquijor Police Station with the COP PSInsp. Mark Edward B. Barrios, and Enrique Villanueva with its Officer In-Charge, SPO2
Aidene Lloyd L. Paculba. Meanwhile, a press release from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) reported that the number of drug surrenderers nationwide has breached the one million mark. This figure alone makes the President’s anti-drug war a “success,” says Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. “It is evident we are hitting the mark in our campaign against illegal drugs. But more than the statistics, the real score in the government’s intensified anti-drug operations is that it has pulled down the country’s crime rate by 32%,” Secretary Andanar pointed out, citing the latest report from the PNP. (rmn/rac/PIA7Siquijor)
Members of the Siquijor Council of Personnel and Administrative Officers (SICAPO) and heads of national government agencies welcoming the newly installed Director II of the Civil Service Commission - Siquijor Field Office, Director Alice May S. Parcon (inset).
CEBUANO NEWS
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DSWD, modawat og mga reklamo kalabot sa disaster response services pinaagi sa e-Reklamo
(PIA)- - Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) bukas sa pagdawat og bisan unsang reklamo kalabot sa ilang disaster response services pinaagi sa Disaster Response
Assistance and Management Bureau’s (DReAMB’s) e-Reklamo nga platform. Ang e-Reklamo usa ka web-based complaints management ticket system nga gi-disenyo aron modawat og mga reklamo sa
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) services sa departamento. Kini ma-access pinaagi sa mga mosunod nga ICT channels: Una ang ereklamo.dswd.gov.ph website diin matag reklamo gi-assign sa usa ka unique ticket number nga magamit sa pagsubay sa progreso ug tubag online. Usa ka valid email address ang kinahanglanon aron makagamit niining sistema. Ikaduha, ang SMS gamit a n g m o s u n o d n g a s y n t a x : Te x t DSWD<space>ereklamo<space> “Pangalan sa Complainant”<space>lok asyon<space>”Complaint Message” ug ipadala sa 3456 (bisan unsang network).Ang matag text message nagkantidad og P1.00. Ug ang ikatulo mao ang pag email ngadto sa ereklamo@dswd.gov.ph. Ang departamento hingpit nga mag-monitor sa response efforts sa mga local government units aron ang relief assistance moabot gayud ngadto sa mga naapektuhan sa bagyong Nina, dili lamang pinaagi sa FFPs apan pinaagi usab sa ubang food ug non-food items (FNIs). Ang mga issues pinaagi sa relief distribution, kinahanglan ang hingpit nga koordinasyon sa mga LGUs sa departamento pinaagi sa ilang nagkadaiyang Field Offices (FOs). (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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iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS BLOGSFEATURESPHOTOS REFLECTIONS Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meetings and activation of Operation Centers inv iew of the Tropical Depression “AURING” that placed Siquijor provine under Signal No. 1. For assistance, (035) 344-2057 / 0926-171-4403 / 0935-344-2057 / 0947-695-2563.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meetings and activation of Operation Centers inv iew of the Tropical Depression “AURING” that placed Siquijor provine under Signal No. 1. For assistance, (035) 344-2057 / 0926-171-4403 / 0935-344-2057 / 0947-695-2563.
Feature: DSWD’s involvement in anti-drug campaign focuses on communities, families
“A message of hope, support, and recovery for all drug surrenderers.” This is what Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Jose Antonio Hernandez said as he spoke to a mass gathering of urban and rural poor residents organized by the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP). The PCUP on January 9, launched its program, “Urban Poor Kontra Droga: Urban Poor Initiative towards a Drug-Free Community”, in Legazpi City in the Bicol Region. Based on the records of the Legazpi City Police Station, as of October 18, some 2,467 drug dependents voluntarily surrendered to local authorities of which 2,326 are male and 141 female. Some 62 surrenderers are minors. In the meantime, among all the drug surrenderers, 271 are pushers and 2,196 are drug users. The drug pushers will be under the disposition of the Philippine National Police (PNP), but the rest will be encouraged to enter the programs of other government agencies such as the DSWD, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The PCUP’s Urban Poor Kontra Droga Program will strengthen the capacities of urban poor communities in the fight against illegal drugs and drug abuse by empowering community leaders and offering alternatives to community members, particularly to those who belong to age groups that are vulnerable to drug abuse. The program also aims to reduce the factors in communities that increase the risk of drug abuse and promote the factors that minimize the risks. The goal is to build the capacities of leaders and people’s organizations so they can act as positive agents in their communities. Asec. Hernandez has been officially designated as the DSWD’s focal person when it comes to the anti-drug campaign. Specifically, he is the lead official in implementing the DSWD’s role in the Duterte administration’s campaign to rehabilitate surrenderers and former users/pushers. DSWD has a role in the administration program’s Pillar III:Aftercare, Reintegration and Transformation Support for Recovering Drug Dependents. As such, the DSWD will work together with the PCUPin pursuing the same goals. Under the Pillar III, the Cash for Work (CFW), the Assistance to Communities in Need of Protective Services, Assistance to
Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) are recommended to be funded to provide assistance to the recovering drug dependents along with other psychosocial programs of the Department and other programs of other agencies. Asec. Hernandez said that the Philippines’ drug problem has to be addressed through interventions that go to the root causes: poverty caused by lack of social support for many Filipinos, corruption in various levels in the various agencies of government, and lack of sustainable, productive employment for the poor. “But we need to start at the beginning – in the communities, in the very areas where the drug problem takes root and endangers the lives and security of Filipinos,” said Asec. Hernandez. “The DSWD’s involvement in the anti-drug campaign is focused on strengthening families and communities to help them resist and fight against the scourge of illegal drugs. We have to help surrenderers and former users and pushers to return to the fold of society and work towards their own full recovery. We want them not only to be of full use to themselves and to their families, but to their communities as well. The DSWD fully extends all its programs to assist surrenderers who have declared their willingness to become part of the government’s efforts to help them,” he said. “Ang gusto natin ay tulungan ang mga surrenderers na maitaguyod muli ang mga sarili at sariling dignidad. Napakalaki pa ng kanilang potensyal na magbagong-buhay at makatulong sa kanilang mga pamilya at komunidad. Madalas kasi, alam ko, na hindi makabangon ang marami nating mga kababayan dahil kulang o walang natatanggap na suporta mula sa pamilya at sa gobyerno. Ito ang pinagtatangkaan nating baguhin ngayon,” he said. “Gusto nating bigyan ng pag-asa ang mga kababayan nating nalulong sa bawal na gamot o sa pagtutulak nito na pwede pa silang tanggapin muli ng komunidad at maging mga kapaki-pakinabang na miyembro ng lipunan. Tutulong ang gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte at ang DSWD sa pamamagitan ng mga programang pangkalusugan at pangkabuhayan para palakasin ang loob ng mga surrenderers na kaya pa nilang magsimula muli at magkaroon ng kinabukasang hindi nilason o sinira ng bawal na gamot,” he said. (DSWD)
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS Join the ASEAN Youth Workshop on Social Entrepreneurs. @NYCPilipinas #EmpoweringCommunities #Youth #ASEAN2017
iNFOBYTES
TESDA-LAZI TECHNICAL INSTITUTE NOW OFFERS TRAINERS METHODOLOGY 1 (TM 1) Standard Requirements: 1 . M U S T H AV E A N AT I O N A L CERTIFICATE LEVEL II OR UP; 2. MUST BE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE HOLDER.. TRAINING COST: 8,300.00 PESOS ASSESSMENT FEE: 1,400.00 PESOS Be an aspiring TVET TRAINER/ ASSESSOR TRAINING WILL START IF THE NUMBER OF ENROLLEES REACH 15 OR MORE. TAKE THE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.
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SPIRITUALITY
iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR
from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
Image credit: Le Bateau-atelier (detail), 1874, by Claude Monet (1840-1926), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands
Transmitting Love
Love is not love until you stop expecting something back. The moment you want something in return for your giving, love is weakened and prostituted. This is the nature of the divine energy that transforms: love is always flowing outward, it is inherently contagious, and it is holiness itself. The contemplative, non-dual mind inherently creates a great “communion of saints,” which is so scattered, hidden, and amorphous that no one can say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” but instead it is always “among you” (Luke 17:21)—invisible and uninteresting to most, but obvious and ecstatic to the few who seek (Matthew 22:14). From the Trinity to Jesus, the energetic movement begins; from Jesus this communion continues visibly in time through people like Francis and Clare, Bonaventure and Scotus, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, and Pope Francis. But the vast majority of unified souls are unknown to history books. We ourselves are part of this one great parade, “partners in God’s triumphal procession,” as Paul calls it, “spreading the knowledge of God like a sweet smell everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14). It is much more a transmission of authentic life and love than of correct ideas or doctrines. This is my understanding of “apostolic succession,” much more than bishops laying their hands on one another. I think the genius of the Dalai Lama and Buddhism is that they do not get lost in metaphysics and argumentation about dogmas and doctrines. As the Dalai Lama writes, “The essence of all religions is love, compassion, and tolerance. Kindness is my true religion.” [1] We could dismiss that as mere lightweight thinking, until we remember that Jesus said the same: “This is my commandment: You must love one another” (John 13:34; 15:12). It is our religion, too, or at least it should have been. The Dalai Lama is not saying anything we do not already know on some level. Mother Teresa offered simple wisdom; people would go away quoting her, adding that their lives had been changed. Contemplation leads you to have simple, clear eyes, common-sense faith, and loving energy that makes whatever you say quite compelling. Ironically, it also allows you to deal with complex issues with the same simplicity and forthrightness, as we now see in Pope Francis. It seems we all need to encounter people who are able to operate as an example, a model. The East has always recognized that transmission of spirituality takes place through living models, whom they call gurus, sanyasis, pandits, or avatars. This is why the Catholic and Orthodox traditions honor saints. Love is caught more than it is taught. You cannot learn how to love through concepts, ideas, and commandments. You need to see and feel a living, loving incarnation. “She is doing it. He exemplifies it. It is therefore possible for me, too.” It is almost more a taste, a smell, or a touch than an idea. Recent Christianity has relied far too much on ideas instead of living models. Sincere believers can smell holiness, even when the words might seem unorthodox. They can also smell unholiness from people who seem to do religion perfectly. Gateway to Silence: Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Suffering for Love
Authentic love is of one piece. How you love anything is how you love everything. Love is a quality of relationship more than a statement about the worthiness or deservedness of the object loved. (Read that twice!) Jesus commands us to “Love our neighbors as we love ourselves,” and he connects the two great commandments of love of God and love of neighbor, saying they are “like” one another (Matthew 22:40). So often, we think this means to love our neighbor with the same amount of love—as much as we love ourselves. We love others from the same Source, with the same Love, that allows us to love ourselves, others, and God at the same time! That is, unfortunately, not the way most people understand love, compassion, and forgiveness, but it is the only way loving truly will ever work. How you love is how you have accessed Love, just as it is between the three Persons of the Trinity. You cannot sincerely love or forgive someone inside of dualistic consciousness. Try it, and you’ll see it can’t be done. We have done the people of God a great disservice by preaching the Gospel to them but not giving them the tools whereby they can obey that very Gospel. As Jesus put it, “Cut off from the vine, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The “vine and the branches” are one of the greatest Christian mystical images of the nonduality between God and the soul. In and with God, I can love everything and everyone—even my enemies. Alone and by myself, with only my will power and intellect, I won’t be able to love in difficult situations or over the long haul. Trying to be compassionate and loving through our own efforts will eventually lead to cynicism and disillusionment. “One always learns one’s mystery at the price of one’s innocence,” as Robertson Davies wrote. [1] The original meaning of “innocent” is unwounded, so apparently we all need to suffer what I call a “sacred wound.” Today’s feast, strangely named “The Holy Innocents,” shows us that even the innocent and good ones will often be wounded by society, culture, and even family. Somehow wounding is part of the human journey. We are all “holy innocents,” each carrying our unique woundedness. Sarah Fields says that “Hate is just a bodyguard for grief. When people lose the hate, they are forced to deal with the pain beneath.” [2] I guess we could say that King Herod and the poor soldiers who massacred the Jewish children (Matthew 2:16-18) were just not ready to deal with the pain underneath, which made them incapable of compassion—for that is where compassion comes from—holding the pain of the world. Until we love and until we suffer, we all try to figure out life and death with our minds. Love, I believe, is the only way to initially and safely open the door of awareness and aliveness, and then suffering for that love keeps the door open and available for ever greater growth. We dare not refuse love or suffering or we close the door to life itself. By honoring God’s image in our own deep capacity to love, and then extending it to both the innocent and the non-innocent, we achieve the triumph of love—for we also are wounded. Gateway to Silence: Be the change you wish to see in the world. —Gandhi
ISLAND VIEWS
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7 Breathtaking Spots in Siquijor Few People Have Seen Repost from: http://ellry.com/blog/siquijor-island-breathtaking-spots By Claire Marie Algarme
(last of two parts)
3. Tubod Marine Sanctuary, San Juan
Near the area of Coco Grove in the town of San Juan is the Tubod Marine Sanctuary. Its seabed is beautiful, with seagrass and corals that provide a place for fish species, starfishes, seahorses, and other marine creatures to thrive. 4. Cambugahay Falls, Lazi Swing from a rope tied to a tree and jump straight into the pool of water at the lower level of Cambugahay Falls for a rush of excitement. The waterfalls have three levels, all of which are not high enough, that makes bathing under the cascading water relaxing and safe. Families with their children love to swim in the clear shallow waters of the second and third levels. 5. Kagusuan Beach, Maria Located on the south western tip of the island, Kagusuan Beach is another sight to behold. This beach has the combination of white sand and giant rocks dotting the coastal area. The beach is a bit secluded and is often unoccupied, to the delight of those who love to have this bit of paradise all to themselves.
6. Salagdoong Beach, Maria This is probably the most famous beach on the island. Travelers come here for a taste of adventure and relaxation that Salagdoong offers. One has to go through the tree-lined pathway of the Salagdoong Forest before arriving at the beach. There are two beautiful coves with a huge boulder in between where the bravest of hearts jump and dive into the sea.
How to get to Siquijor: From Manila, fly to Dumaguete. At the Dumaguete port near Silliman University, take a ferry to Siquijor Island. For ferry schedule, click here. From Cebu, take the ferry to Siquijor via Tagbilaran. For ferry schedule, click here.
7. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary, Enrique Villanueva Considered as the largest and oldest marine sanctuary in the island, Tulapos is covered widely by mangrove trees, and a mangrove tree house is found somewhere in this lush environment. At the end of the mangrove forest is a white sand beach where visitors can take a dip and swim. But off the coast is where the real beauty lies. As you snorkel in the marine sanctuary, you can find various species of underwater life, like colorful fishes and corals.
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Malacañang NEWS
PRRD’s micro fund program to pilot-run this month—DTI
Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to replace the “5-6” money lending system and provide an affordable micro-financing for the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the government’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program pilots this month in Mindoro, Sarangani and Leyte, among the top 30 poorest provinces, to represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the country’s trade chief said.
the interest rate at which micro-finance is made available to micro enterprises,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez.
Helping the poorest
“The P3 is designed to bring down
The 2017 General Appropriations Act has included an initial funding of P1 billion for financial assistance, a part of the planned P19 billion financing initiative for micro and small businesses in the next five years.
Duterte urges govt officials to serve with honesty, dedication
President Rodrigo Duterte led on Monday the oathtaking of newly appointed government officials in Malacanan urging them to serve the people with integrity and dedication. Duterte congratulated the officials who took their oath particularly those returning to government service. “Six years from now, I do not think that you’d be in a position to work some more. So this is the last call para may magawa tayo sa kababayan natin. Just give it to them,” the President said during a speech after leading the oathtaking ceremony. “It’s your last call to serve your nation and because I am pleading to you and I hope that we can work together, trust each other and I said give it to the people this time,” he added. He reiterated that there will be no corruption in his government and also promised to fight red tape in the bureaucracy. In his entire career as public servant, he said, he never favored anyone especially businessmen applying for permits. The President also highlighted the necessity of solving the Mindanao problem noting failure to address the concerns of the Moro people will give rise to uncertainties in the future. At the same time, he renewed his campaign pledge to get rid of illegal drugs promising that the ongoing war on drugs will continue until the last drug pusher or drug lord is out of the street. Among the appointees who took their oath were Michael Dalumpines, chairman, Asian Productivity organization (APO) Production Unit Inc.; Emmanuel Diwa Pineda, chairman and administrator, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan; Angelo Verdan, general manager, Cebu Port Commission; Vicente Pelagio Achacoso Angala, COO, Duty Free Philippines Corp.; and Reynaldo Berroya, administrator, Lightrail Transit Authority. Other appointees were Steve Dicdican,
general manager, Mactan-Cebu International Airport; Eddie Monreal, general manager, Manila International Airport Authority; Edgardo Rama Masongsong, administrator, National Electrification Administration; Jason Laureno Yazar Aquino, administrator, National Food Authority; Andrea Domingo, chairman and CEO, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.; Alfredo Lim, president and COO, PAGCOR; and Avelino Andal, administrator-CEO, Philippine Coconut Authority. Also sworn in were Reuben Simon Lista, president and CEO, Philippine National Oil Co.; Joel Otarra, postmaster general, Philippine Postal Corp.; Alberto Agra, chairman, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Janilo Espesor Rubiato, general manager, Philippine Reclamation Authority; Sherwin Smith Rigor, chairman, Poro Management Corp.; and Emmanuel Dooc, president and CEO, Social Security System. Also appointed were Wilma Eisma, administrator, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; Allan Cayao Guisihan, executive director, Philippine Center on Transnational Crime; William Ramirez, Philippine Sports Commission; Benjamin Panganiban Reyes, chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board; Terry Ridon, chairperson, Presidential Commission for Urban Poor; Wifredo Campasas Roldan, executive director, Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, Jose Miranda Layug Jr., chairman, National Renewal Energy; Alfegar Menchavez Triambolo, inspector general, International Affairs Service, PNP-DILG; Joel Egco, executive director, Committee on Media Killings, DOJ; Luisito Clavano, executive director, Road Board, DPWH; Penelope Belmonte, executive director, National Parks Development Committee; Cesar Montano, COO, Tourism Promotions Board, DOT; Jim Sydiongco, director general, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; Jose Alvarez, chairperson, Regional Development Council, Region IV-B, NEDA; Marilou Mendoza, chairperson, Tariff Commission, NEDA; and Bernelito Fernandez, associate justice, Sandiganbayan. PND
The program’s fund will be lent out in the business centers of the poorest provinces (based on poverty incidence), where the participating microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) can operate. An attached agency of DTI, SB Corp. shall administer the P3 Program, including the creation of a Program Management Office (PMO), which will open a separate back account for the P3 Program, to oversee the management and monitoring of fund. “Fund delivery to microenterprises shall be carried out in either by wholesale lending to non-bank financial institutions like MFI-NGOs, and cooperatives which shall on-lend the fund to beneficiaries or by direct lending by SB Corp,” Sec. Lopez said. Beneficiaries Priority beneficiaries include microenterprises and entrepreneurs that do not have easy access to credit, or are accessing credit at very high cost, such as, micro-entrepreneurs, market vendors, agribusinessmen and members of cooperatives, industry associations and co-operators. Loanable amount per end-borrower can range from P5,000.00 for start-ups to P300,000.00, with maximum interest rate of 26% per annum with no collateral requirement. This rate is significantly below the 20% per day/ week/ month charged by “5-6” lenders. It is also lower than what is charged by most MFIs. MFIs may opt for portfolio guarantee cover of up to 15% of their P3 loan portfolio from SB Corp at a guarantee fee of 0.4%. The guarantee feature is seen to help MFIs address the P3 Program’s inherent risk. The guarantee fund will be sourced from the P3 fund. P3 allocates PhP 100 million for direct lending by SB Corp. Target loan beneficiaries are the small enterprises in priority and emerging industries, start-up businesses and technology innovators. Minimum loan amount will be Php 300,000.00 with interest rate capped at 10% p.a., with or without collateral cover. “This alternative funding dedicated for micro and small enterprises is meant to discourage the 5-6 money lending system in our country,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that through the established MFIs, the government will reach even the smallest of entrepreneurs in the country. (DTI)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
CENTRAL VISAYAS
TESDA-LTI invites enrolees for 2017 training program The Technical Education and Skills Development AuthorityLazi Technical Institute (TESDA-LTI) is inviting interested applicants to enrol in any of the following program (see training calendar below) These trainings, according to TESDALTI instructor Adelon Yabo, offer free supplies with only assessment fees to be collected from the applicants. He said, this is the best time for Siquijodnons to take advantage of the opportunity and get the chance to be a certified skilled worker and work abroad. For more information, visit TESDA-LTI in LAzi, Siquijor.
TESDA-NIR updates techvoc institutions on training regulations
(PIA) -- Some 33 of the total 97 registered Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) in Negros Island Region (NIR) have successfully participated in the recent zonal orientation of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Information Officer Georgette Malagar of TESDA said the orientation on Deployment of Promulgated Amended Training Regulations and Competency Assessment Tools is intended to TVIs offering such qualifications. Malagar has called on remaining registered TVIs under the Unified TVET Program Registration Accreditation System (UTPRAS) to join the orientation. Training Regulation serves as basis for which the competency – based curriculum, instructional materials and competency assessment tools are developed. This document represents a specific qualification. It defines the competency standards for a national qualification and how such qualification can be gained, assessed, and be given recognition. About nine qualifications with promulgated amended or modified training regulations and competency assessment tools were deployed as follows: Animal Production
(Swine) NC II, Animal Production (Poultry) NC II, Animal Production (Ruminants) NC II, Mechatronics NC II, Mechatronics NC III, Mechatronics NC IV, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC III, and Motorcycle / Small Engine Servicing NC II. Participants in the activity include registered TVIs from (Negros Occidental) North Negros College, Quality Education and Skills Training (QUEST), Capitol Institute of Technology (CIT), Sagay Computer Institute (SCI), Philippine Organized Workforce for Economic Recovery Foundation (POWER Foundation), RMD Agri-tourism Industries and Training Center, First Academy of Skills and Technology (FAST Academy); La Salle College Victorias, Universal School of Applied Technology of Sagay City(USAT), Kabankalan Catholic College, PTC – Cadiz, PTC – Kabankalan, RTC – Talisay, (Negros Oriental) Dumaguete Christian Technical Skills Inc. (DCTSI), Negros Island Training and Assessment Center (NITAC) Inc., Teamskills School for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (TSCAHM), La Consolation College of Bais City, STI College Dumaguete, Inc., Cuttin’ Loose Beauty Culture (CLBC) Inc., Fitz – Gibbon Academy of Skills and
Trades (FAST), Inc., Global Tech Manpower Institute (GTMI), Silliman University – SAITE, Professional Career Online Institute (PCOI), Foundation University (FU), Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT), Metro Dumaguete College (MDC), Provincial Integrated Skills Training Center (PISTC), Villaflores College, St. Pauls University Dumaguete (SPUD), Cebu Science of Welding and Skills Technology (CSWSTI), Global Driving School and Training Center Inc. (GDSTCI), Crispa Technical Training Center Inc. and Guihulngan Satellite Skills Development Center (GSSDC). Malagar said that in the deployment orientation, discussions emphasized the basis for prioritization of Qualifications as follows: priority needs of the industry sector; nationwide application in terms of public interest/welfare; employment generation and investment opportunities; and the need for standardization and certification. “The criteria for skills standardization lies on the long period of education and training, performance of the competency affecting and endangering people’s lives and limbs, as well as the competency involving the handling of complex equipment, tools, and supplies,” said Malagar. (rmn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)