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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
Feature: Water scarcity in Siquijor: Is there a way out?
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
SIQUIJOR, June 15 (PIA) -“No life without water. Even more than food we need it to survive,” said one Franciscan priest, Andreas Müller of the Order Friars Minor (OFM) in one of his writings on Sustainable use of water, oceans and marine resources. That is why access to water is a basic human right. Yet, some 663 million people do not have access to clean water. About a third of the world’s population lacks basic sanitary services. Polluted water and lack of hygiene are the causes of many sicknesses, he said, citing that the oceans, too, are polluted by plastic materials and industrial and agricultural toxic wastes which harm fish populations and destroy coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Climate change means for many regions less rainfall, lower ground water levels and lack of drinking water. The struggle for diminishing water supplies is likely to cause major conflicts in the future, the priest added as he calls for the conservation and fair and effective management of all water resources. This is apparently true for the island province of Siquijor. The issue, however, is not on the lack of sanitation or on pollution but on the scarcity of water and probably, ineffective management of water resources. Water scarcity has been a haunting issue, a “century-old problem”, so they say, in most parts of the small island province of Siquijor, particularly in its smallest town of Enrique Villanueva or Talingting. Some would even quip that “if there is forever in the town, it’s the water problem.” This worsens during summer especially in the recently experienced longer drought. Water shortage in this town is highly felt so that locals have to spend P10 to P12
SAD REALITY: In some hinter barangays in Talingting where locals lined up with their containers for water distribution initiated by a non-Talingtinganon. Thanks for the generosity of some few who have taken by heart the people’s hardships and made efforts to make a difference. (photo from Justice Hugo’s page) per gallon of water or P100 to P120 a day for ordinary households that consume at least ten gallons of water a day. The situation is becoming worse, it almost prevent people from buying adequate amount of food everyday. “Mosamot ta ka-ut-ot kay imbis ipalit
ug sud-an ug bugas, ipalit na lang ug tubig,” (You’ll end up suffering more because instead of spending the money for our food, we spend it on water) is a line usually heard from the local folks. Lucky for those who have cars
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iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DepEd provides 184 SHS with IT equipment to support K to 12 implementation
The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to deliver information technology (IT) equipment to stand-alone Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide to support the implementation of the K to12 Program. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said, “What we need is to bring technology into the classroom and not be fully dependent on a textbook or the teacher. Computers will never replace teachers. Technology should allow teachers to spend more time to those who need it more.” Each Senior High School will receive an IT equipment package which consists of 7 host personal computers (PCs), 42 terminals, 2 laptops, 2 projectors, 7 uninterruptible power supplies, 7 automatic voltage regulators and other network accessories. In line with this, DepEd has conducted a demonstration on installation and configuration of the actual IT equipment at Pateros National High School. The event was attended by Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro and UNDP Country Director Titon Mitra. “What you are seeing are digitized modules for grade 11. I’ve always dreamt that our schools should not be textbook dependent,” Luistro added. DepEd partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the IT equipment package for the schools. With its global experience and track record in co-implementing programs with governments, including implementation of Government projects using Government funds, UNDP delivers the highest standards of transparency and achieves cost efficiency and timely delivery of project outputs through more flexible procurement procedures. “What you’re seeing now is the fastest procurement of IT packages in a government agency. UNDP came to us as an answer to our prayer,” Luistro said. This partnership enables DepEd to have access to its global network of service providers and experts and use available corporate and regional long-term framework agreements, which can facilitate and shorten the procurement process. With just 3 months of procurement, UNDP was able to award contracts for the provision of 184 ICT packages to SHS standalone schools within the budget provided by DepEd. DepEd has started the roll out of SHS nationwide beginning with Grade 11 this school year and Grade 12 next year to complete the 12-year basic education cycle under the K to 12 Program. Some 11,000 public and private senior high schools nationwide opened their doors to the pioneering batch of Grade 11 students. (DepEd)
Public schools in CV urged to join nationwide quake drill on June 22 CEBU, June 14 (PIA) – Public schools in the region are directed to participate in the upcoming 2nd Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) set on June 22. Dr. Victor Yntig, disaster focal person of Department of Education (DepEd-7) said the exercise drill can better prepare and equip the students on what to do in case of an actual earthquake. “Since 2007, we have been conducting quarterly earthquake drills and there is also a memorandum that requires the conduct of the exercise,” said Yntig during the weekly forum of the Association of Government Information Officers-Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7). Yntig advised students to take the earthquake drills seriously and carry out the task well because participation in these exercises promotes confidence gaining the knowledge on what to do in an actual situation. According to Yntig, DepEd 7 is conducting an ongoing assessment of public school buildings to check their structural stability and integrity requiring all 13 school divisions of Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor to submit the list by the third quarter. The hazard mapping is part of our disaster risk reduction and management programs to ensure the security of school children especially now that classes have opened, said Yntig. In case a school building or classroom is declared unsafe, Yntig said this will immediately be cordoned off with a sign to children not to go beyond the specific area. Yntig further said new schools that have been built are now typhoon and earthquake proof as one of its thrusts is to focus on the emergency exit of classrooms. “Ideally, a classroom should have two doors, one for entrance and the other for an emergency exit,” said the DepEd-7 disaster focal person. Hanging wires or other loose objects that can place the children at harm are also being looked into not only inside the classroom but within the school premises and even beyond the school gates, said Yntig. Yntig said disaster preparedness is being included in the school curriculum and that children should be involved in disaster risk reduction and management activities. “The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 stipulates the need to educate the youth and the pupils on the risks of disaster,” said Yntig. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
GOVERNMENTNEWS
RDRRMC-7: Adopt ‘duck, cover, hold’ strategy in case of EQ by Fayette C. Rinen
CEBU, June 15 (PIA) -- When an earthquake strikes, one should adopt the ‘duck, cover and hold’ strategy to protect oneself from harm until the shaking stops. OliviaLuces, chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-7) gave this advice so that people would know what to do during an actual earthquake. The ‘duck, cover and hold’ strategy should be an automatic reaction to ensure one’s safety when inside a building, said Luces during the weekly forum of the Association of Government Information Officers - Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7). Luces said when shaking is visibly felt, one should instantly drop down to the floor then take cover under a sturdy table or furniture and hold on to it until the ground stops shaking. “It is very important that you protect your head and your neck with your arms when you seek cover,” added Luces. Aftershocks are expected right after an earthquake but these will be lesser in intensity as Luces said one should not immediately go out from the cover but wait after some time when it is safe to move. After the aftershocks have slightly subsided, Luces said one should proceed to an open area or ground away from trees, posts or buildings. The RDRRMC-7 chair also gave out other tips such as keeping calm “as a cool mind produces logical action,” stocking supplies good for three days, family preparedness and know who your leaders are in your area to assist you in times of emergency. Luces also called out to the public to report to their office in the event of an emergency in order to provide timely and appropriate assistance. “Our aim is to achieve a disaster resilient region,” said Luces. O n J u n e 2 2 , th e 2 n d Qu a r te r Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill will be conducted spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) as a way to gauge the response on the level of preparedness when an actual earthquake occurs, said Luces. Luces also said the upcoming earthquake drill is also aimed for the people to understand the impact of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Metro Manila and how the RDRRMC-7 can immediately organize to provide the needed assistance. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)
Randomly picked photos showing the Local Government Units’ (LGUs) celebration of the 118th Independence Day in the province of Siquijor: Some started with the Holy Mass, others with a parade, amidst drizzling rain, while other LGUs went on with the simple celebration with flag raising, wreath-laying ceremonies and short messages on the theme: “KALAYAAN 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong.”
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Feature: Water scarcity...
and money to gas up, they can get water anywhere there is abundance. But for those who cannot afford? They just fetch by themselves, spending most of their wee hours queuing and walking through the longest path for one or two gallons of water. And yet what concrete initiatives have been made so far? “There may be a lot, but only for a few and only for short period of time. Nothing sustainable, otherwise locals
would have long stopped grumbling and suffering,” said one seemingly impatient local folk who refused to be named. Wa t e r r a t i o n i n g t h r o u g h fire trucks were occasionally made but for a selected few, he said. But is there really a way out? Hope flickered when this writer, in a casual chat with an incoming Provincial Board, listened to him talking about his priority agenda that puts water on top of his list followed by environment and tourism.
Cebuano News: Bag-ong weather forecasting app alang sa mga android user, gilusad sa PAGASA MANILA, June 14 (PIA) -- Gilusad kagahapon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ang ilang weather forecasting application alang sa mga android user. Makita sa maong app ang light version sa website sa PAGASA diin makakuha og impormasyon kalabot sa kahimtang sa panahon ug flood warnings. Ang maong app mag-display sa weather information nga pinakaduol sa nahimutangan sa android user, magpindot sa notification warnings, ug magpakita og map visualizations sa nagkalain-laing weather phenomena.
Kining maong weather app naka-integrate usab sa social networking sites sama sa Facebook ug Twitter. Samtang ang PAGASA nakig-alayon usab sa United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Be Secure Project alang sa pagmugna og simplikadong information materials kalabot sa panghitabo sa panahon. Inapilan sa mascot nga gitawag nga “Ella the Umbrella”, ang Payong Pagasa motuki sa nagkalain-laing konsepto sama sa El Niño, La Niña ug Tropical Warning Systems sa serye sa information materials. (ecb/PIA7-
from page 1
Water, Noel Monte said, is a primary need so that much attention should be given. A retired captain from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and once a Naval Aviator, Monte, a native of Lazi, won in the recent election as a Provincial Board member for the province of Siquijor. “I come home to serve and help the province and the people improve their lives. I don’t want to be remembered in the Board to be wasting time, just sitting down and receiving remunerations,” Monte said with a conviction that there are international financing institutions all over the world the province can tap. “All we need is to tap them. We don’t even have to make feasibility studies because they have their own study to see the technical requirements and the viability of the project,” he added. When asked about initial concrete actions he would take as a Provincial Board, he said he will first invite possible foreign financing institutions, let them see what they can do to address the water problem and ask the governor to endorse whatever project or recommendations they will have. And to give impetus to the name Isla de Fuego for Siquijor as the Island of Fire, he said he would propose for the planting of fire trees all around the island’s circumferential roads. “In five years it will start to bloom and you will see people will come to the island during summer to see the fire trees. It will attract more tourists,” he said. It may be too early yet, but who knows? And when that time comes, we’ll have no regrets giving him the task. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
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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