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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. 21 June 24-30

TESDA to launch community-based training, mobile centers for Siquijor

by Rizalie Anding-Calibo

SIQUIJOR (PIA) --Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general Joel Villanueva earlier vowed to launch community-based program and bring mobile centers within 2014 to bring progress to the province of Siquijor.

In his visit to the island recently, Villanueva said TESDA and the local government officials are partners in giving quality services and ensuring the future of the local folks.

“We will tap schools, assess and help them get certified so they can help us bring quality training to the communities,” Villanueva said.

He added that TESDA is the first in education sector that is ISO certified so that their graduates of technical-vocational (TechVoc) are assured of better job.

“Dahil ISO certified, ipapakita mo lang ang ‘yong ‘national certificate’, hired ka kaagad,” (Just show your certificate and you’ll get hired right away). He cited the dramatic increase in Tech-Voc graduates absorption rate and the number of graduates landing a high-paying job here and abroad.

Before the Aquino administration, absorption rate was only 28% or 28 out of every 100 graduates get hired. Now it’s 65.3%

TESDA director-general Joel Villanueva took time posing with Siquijor folks during his visit to the island recently. (rac/PIA-Siquijor) or nearly 70 of every 100 tech-voc graduates get jobs, he said.

Villanueva pleaded to the Siquijodnons to erase the stigma of TechVoc and believe that there are lots of opportunities in it.

“Hindi totoo and ‘tech-voc ka lang?’ dahil marami ang umasenso sa tech-voc, marami ang college graduate na pumupunta sa tech-voc,” he said.

He further explained that in TESDA, you have choice: a choice get a college degree or tech-voch courses; be wage-employed or self-employed; get jobs abroad or stay in Siquijor.

“And in that choices, I believe that there is bright future that awaits you,” he concluded. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)

PRO7 intensifies anti-drug campaign Siquijor forms provl anti-drug abuse council

CEBU CITY(PIA) --- The Police Regional Office (PRO-7) has maintained that the illegal drugs problem in the region is still manageable in the wake of their intensified anti-drug operations.

Records from the Regional Operations Division showed that from January to June this year all units under the region were able to file 1,229 drug-related cases in court.

Said number is 93 percent higher than last year’s accomplishment which was only 636.

PRO-7 was also able to arrest 1,143 persons this year while last year’s figure was only 710.

“Let us not mistake the recent arrest and operations as an indication of alarming drug problem but instead it means that your police is working double time,” Radoc said.

In the entire Province of Cebu, PSSupt Noel Gillamac said that other than increasing accomplishments in conducting operations, they are also doing demand reduction at the sides.

Gillamac said there is no other way to kill a business than to reduce or eradicate the demand.

“Thats why we closely coordinate with the schools and the parents, let them also closely watch their children,” Gillamac said.

Overall, police officials urged the public to continue coordinating with the police in solving the drug problem.

Meanwhile, Siquijor province, through an Executive Order signed and issued by provincial governor Zaldy S. Villa has created the Provincial Anti-Drur Abuse Council (PADAC).

The PADAC is composed of the governor as the chairman and Philippine National Police (PNP) orovincial director Primitivop T. Tabujara Jr. as the vice-chairman with members from the DILG, DepEd, IPHO, PIA, NGO/CSO, and the religios sector.

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DOST-7 to empower EVillanueva town with CEST

by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing

SIQUIJOR (PIA)—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) in Central Visayas will empower the municipality of Enrique Villanueva with the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST).

DOST-7 OIC-assistant regional director Engr. Jesus Zamora, Jr. handed Php 410,000-worth check to municipal mayor Gerold Pal-ing of Enrique Villanueva town as Grant-in-Aid thru CEST.

The fund will be used as counterpart salaries and wages of LGU staff, honoraria of team members, maintenance and operating expenses, and as capital outlay to purchase necessary equipments for disaster preparedness.

CEST aims to organize the cooperation between DOST-7 and the local government unit of Enrique Villanueva in the identification, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and activities intended to reduce the incidence of poverty in the municipality.

One area which DOST-7 and FNRI target to address is malnutrition through feeding programs particularly through distribution of complimentary foods to children ages 0-3 years old, the time when malnutrition starts in many infants and contributes significantly to the high prevalence of malnutrition in children, Engr.

Zamora said.

The municipality, he said, would also have the chance to receive OL (Ovicidal/ Larvicidal) traps and water filters and its ‘Pan Bisaya’ (native bread) could be harnessed thru SETUP’s technology transfer thru acquisition of efficient machineries.

Since Enrique Villanueva is the first recipient of CEST in Siquijor, it will become the center of complimentary foods in the province should there be a 2nd phase of the project to cover all remaining 5 municipalities, he said.

According to Mayor Gerold Pal-ing, Enrique Villanueva has the lowest incidence of malnutrition in the province. “However, E.V. is not contented with the number and envisions achieving zero incidence of malnutrition”, he added.

As part of development of agenda for S&T intervention, the program will conduct Rural Rapid Appraisal and Planning Workshop to develop a roadmap and framework. For instance, a possible roadmap for livelihood and education will be

formulated.

E n g r. Z a m o r a r e m i n d e d t h e beneficiaries to keep all the receipts of purchased equipment. He added that the money should not be used to buy any other equipment except the ones stipulated in the approved proposal.

Should the LGU plan to purchase other equipment not stated in the approved proposal, the LGU should coordinate with DOST-PSTC Siquijor and write a letter of request for possible realignment.

The purchased equipment will remain DOST property for the period of one year, placed with inventory tags. After which, these equipment will be donated to said

LGU.

Pal-ing, in behalf of the municipality of Enrique Villanueva expressed his gratitude for the assistance DOST has extended to the municipality.

DOST-Siquijor provincial director Engr. Mario de la Peña expressed his positive outlook in the implementation of the project.

The turnover of check took place at the conference room of the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) of DOST-Siquijor. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/ with reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/ DOST-Siquijor)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

DENR-7 calls for more actions in saving environment amid climate change threat

CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) called on the public to take more proactive measures to preserve and protect the environment amid the growing serious threat of climate change.

Montejo said in the last few years, the country experienced eight summer months and four rainy months which was quite normal.

But due to climate change, weather conditions became unpredictable which today is called the “new normal,” he added during the recent culminating activity of Environment Month.

The Philippines on the other hand, is an archipelagic country with 7,100 islands and islets which are vulnerable to sea level rise due to the effects of climate change, said Montejo.

The DENR-7 chief said the consequence of global warming brought about by climate change could go rampant and worst occurrences are bound to happen such as the decreasing of islands and islets because of the rising sea level.

“Islands and islets may decrease in the coming years.

Because of climate change we are now experiencing unpredictable weather changes,” warned Montejo.

Montejo said the country should prepare and institute measures to become disaster resilient as the changing climate is an alarming global threat.

DENR-Environment and Management Bureau 7 Regional Technical Director William Cunado said its agency is tripling its efforts to enhance the environment through massive reforestation and rehabilitation.

“DENR is frequently leading activities in tree and mangrove planting among other activities as part of sustaining environmental development,” said Cunanan.

Cunanan said DENR programs are also successfully carried out because of the support of partners from various organizations.

“Partnerships with various companies and institutions hasten the implementation of our mandated programs in mitigating the effects

of climate change”, said Cunado.

Cunado said any small amount of investment in taking care of our environment is already a big help in battling climate change.

The DENR-7 awarded some 13 companies and non-government organizations including four mining firms and local government units for actively implementing proenvironment programs and activities.

Montejo ended that saving the environment for the next generation i s n o t t h e D E N R ’s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y alone but is the obligation of every citizen. (fcr/Mary Jane G. Conciliado & Kristal A. Eduyan, PIA-7 interns)

TESDA grants P40.5M scholarship vouchers for CV

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently distributed scholarship vouchers to the 16 municipalities in northern Cebu that were hit by typhoon Yolanda.

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva visited Cebu recently to lead the distribution of the scholarship grants to the mayors and their constituents of these towns which got the bulk of the P40.5 million allocated for Central Visayas.

“The free trainings to typhoon survivors will allow them to start their own small bsusiness to sustain them”, Villanueva said as livelihood starter kits will be given to beneficiaries as well.

Villanueva urged the residents to use the training to learn skills they could use in rebuilding their communities and start their own small business.

Vocational trainings for the recipients included on carpentry, welding, commercial cooking and massage therapy among other special trainings that could open opportunities for the survivors.

TESDA is advancing its special training for the recipients so they could benefit from employment opportunities. This way, Villanueva said the agency can contribute in effectively addressing underemployment and unemployment in the regions. (mbcn/FCR/PIA7 with reports from Kristal A. Eduyan, PIT intern)

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Cebuano News

PDEA: “fly-high” makamatay

iNFOBYTES

Palace releases midterm update of Philippine Development Plan

The Palace released on Sunday the midterm update of the Philippine Development Plan for 2011 to 2016 from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

“Maaari itong ituring na report card ng gobyerno kung hanggang saan na humantong ang mga reporma at programa hinggil sa pagpapahusay ng serbisyo publiko,” said Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“According to the President: We have witnessed the gradual transformation of our country from an economic laggard to one of the fastestgrowing economies in the world,” said Coloma quoting the President.

“Through sound management of economic fundamentals, we have climbed out of severe financial and economic deficits, and achieved a healthy cash position to financing priority development projects; and from being regarded as the ‘sick man of Asia’ to earning an investment grade rating that reflects the confidence of the local and international communities,” he continued.

Coloma said the country has made a significant headway in the campaign against corruption, prosecuted government officials and eliminated leakages in government procurement.

He added that due to the government’s trustworthiness it resulted to attracting bigticket investments in manufacturing, tourism, agri-business, logistics and other productive sectors that resulted to higher employment and more remunerative jobs for Filipinos.

He encouraged the public to visit the NEDA website to see the so called report card.

More overseas Filipino voters register for 2016 national elections, DFA

The number of overseas Filipino workers who have registered for the 2016 national elections is at a “record breaking pace,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

As of June 23, the DFA reported that the number of overseas voter registrants have reached 27,811. The Overseas Absentee Voter (OAV) registration,

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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BOHOL (PIA) – Wala pa gani mabuntog ang illegal nga drugas ilabi na sa labing sikat nga shabu, may lain na usab nga giabusuhan nga drugas ang naglibot ug nagpatuskig sa party circles.

Ang nakaparat pa, matud sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, ang bag-ong drugas nga gihinganlan og fly-high, superman o party, gisagolsagol nga shabu, mga sekswal nga tambal pagpa-lagsik sama sa Viagra, Cialis ug ecstasy.

Ang Viagra, Cialis ug ecstasy maoy kasagarang tambal sa kinataw nga dili na magamit, aron makahimo pa gihapon, samtang ang shabu magtanyag sa us aka tawo sa posibleng maayong byahe, mga maghatay ug walay kakapoy, walay kagutom ug walay eksaktong panghunahuna.

Matud sa PDEA pinaagi ni Director Esperidion Javier atul sa labing bag-ong Regional Peace and Order Council meeting dinhi sa Bohol, delikado ang fly high, tungod kay bisan pa kon ikahatag niini ang upat nagdto sa lima kaa adlaw nga walay sekswal nga katagbawan, ang kawalay kaon ug pagkatulog mahimong mahinayon na nagdto sa ulcer ug oagkaliso sa tornilyo.

Gihinganlan og “superman” o “fly high,” tungod sa nagsapong nga kaulag nga tanyag niini, ang gidili nga tambal mahimo usab nga hinungdan sa atake sa kasingkasing o pagka-bu-ang.

Gibaligya sa labing menos P3,000 pataas, ang us aka tableta mahimong sawhan sa unom ngadto sa walo ka tawo, butyag ni Javier. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

in preparation for the 2016 Presidential elections, began last May 6.

“The preparations by the Department and the Commission on Elections led to a successful start for the registration process,” F o r e i g n A f f a i r s S e c r e t a r y A l b e r t d e l R o s a r i o s a i d i n a l e t t e r.

“ T h e c h a l l e n g e f o r O AV r e g i s t r a t i o n i s t o m a i n t a i n t h e momentum by keeping the overseas Filipinos interested and engaged in this democratic process,” del Rosario further said.

By region, the DFA reported that the number of registrants from the Middle East and Africa reached 11,421, theAmericas 7,277, the European Union 5,117, andAsia Pacific 3,996.

The top ten performers were Dubai (1,889), Los Angeles (1,794), Jeddah (1,746), Abu Dhabi (1,647), San Francisco (1,437), Riyadh (1,434), Kuwait (1,268), New York (1,198), Singapore (1,160), and London (1,010).

Under Republic Act 10590, known as The Overseas Voting Act of 2013, overseas Filipino voters, who are not disqualified by law and at least 18 years of age on the day of elections, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List Representatives, as well as in all national referenda and plebiscites. PND