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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. 21 June 18-26, 2016
Siquijor should brace for La Nina, says agri officials by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) – Agriculture authorities here sees the need for Siqujor to prepare for La Niña following a warning issued earlier by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). “We are thinking of having another workshop for La Niña to avoid the relapse of necessary measures and mitigation for the agriculture sector,” Provincial Veterinarian Bernardita Tabada said after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting recently while citing that other provinces have already made their disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) plans following the pronouncement. Agriculture remains the leading industry in the province in terms of income generation. Approximately 18,514 hectares or constituting 53.9% of its total land area are agricultural. The remaining 46.1% are grassland, woodland, wetland, among others. The ex pec ted s t ro n g e r typhoon that may follow after the El Niño phenomenon may further threaten crop production capacity and livestock health, not to mention the other economic and health threats and possible damages to infrastructure and other irrigation facilities, added Gay Therese Bucol of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) while quoting the 2016 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report. She said project implementers and policy-makers should work hand in hand to have a more meaningful delivery of services to Siquijodnons. Provincial food security should be prepared on the basis
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The Search and Rescue Team of the Larena Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) rescuing a school child during the simulation exercise at yesterday’s nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Palace recognizes role of Filipino seafarers in global economy
MANILA, June 26 -- Malacanang recognized the contributions of Filipino seafarers as the world celebrates ‘International Seafarers’ Day’ on June 25. “Kaisa tayo ng sambayanan sa pagbibigay-pugay sa mga Pilipinong mandaragat o seafarers. Sa buong daigdig, kinikilala at tinatanghal natin sila bilang pinakamahusay, pinakamasipag at may kakayahang maghatid ng mataas na kalidad ng paglilingkod,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a radio interview on Saturday. “Dahil dito, ang mga Pilipino seafarers ang pinakamarami sa buong pandaigdigang industriya maritima.“ Filipinos are highly regarded in the global maritime industry because of their competence, skill and high level of professionalism, he told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. The secretary-general of the International Maritime Office (IMO), Kitack Lim of South Korea, was supposed to lead the gathering Saturday of thousands of seafarers for the International Seafarers’ Day at the SM Convention Center (SMX) in Pasay City. The chief of the IMO was expected to talk about his insights and plans for the estimated 1.5 million seafarers all over the world. IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. It was organized in 1948 with 171 member states and three associate members. The main role of the IMO is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. The International Seafarers’ Day is an official United Nations event under the auspices of the IMO, which aims to increase public awareness on the world’s 1.5 million seafarers and their contribution to the world economy. This year’s theme for the Seafarer’s Day is “At Sea For All.” (PCOO)
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Find better ways to address Climate Change, rainforest problems, students urged in ASEAN SCIENCE TILT High school students competing in the 5th ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APTJSO) in UP Los Baños took on the challenge from leaders of the local science communityto study how scientists can better assess the effects of climate change on the world’s rainforests. The APTJSO, now on its 5th year, is an annual science competition among gifted students in the ASEAN region plus those in Sweden, Korea, and China. The Philippines is hosting the science tilt for the first time this year with the theme “Climate Change and the Rainforest.” It is organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) in
cooperation with UP Los Baños. “Our rainforests in the country are among the richest in biodiversity in the whole world. Explore the scientific arena in search for better ways to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change,” said DOST Sec. Mario G. Montejo in his keynote message. “We look forward to paving the way for the gifted youth in the ASEAN Plus Three region.” His message was delivered by DOST Undersecretary for Science and Technology Services Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara. The Philippines is among the nations most at risk of climate change hazards. However, rainforests play a key role in curbing the negative effects
of climate change by producing oxygen, helping recycle and clean the water, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and absorbing rainwater to prevent floods and landslides, among others. Guevara earlier urged the participants to know the issues in the science community and start studying them as early as now. “Our future will be determined by the efforts you are making right now,” she said in her opening remarks.“Since you are the ones who will, in the future, address the environmental issues challenging our world today, you might as well start taking interest in such issues and studying them earnestly now. I hope your endeavorstoday
will result in original, innovative ideas that no one else has come up with so far.” Meanwhile, World Agroforestry Center Country Coordinator Dr.Rodel D. Lasco said that there is a lot of uncertainty on how climate change affects the forests. “We do not know how our ecosystems can change. And that is the challenge for you – the next generation scientists,” he told the APTJSO competitors. Lasco made these statements after showing computer simulations of the world’s forest cover or vegetative cover in the year 2100 given the present effects of climate change. The simulations painted differing scenarios, indicating the uncertainty of what the future may hold as far as the globe’s vegetative cover is concerned. Some forest types will increase and some may decline in number, he added. Global warming should not reach more than two degrees in the next 100 years, he said. However, it has been projected that within that time frame, the planet will be 5-6°C warmer than it is now.
Parolees and probationers in Siquijor province during the phase 1 of the Gender Responsive Therapeutic Community Modality Training conducted by the Siquijor Parole and Probation Office (SPPO). (rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)
PH fired up for competition Meanwhile, the Philippine delegation, composed of four teams from two Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campuses, have prepared hard for the competition. The Philippines grabbed the overall championship in the first four years of the APTJSO. Held from June 13-18, the APTJSOfeatures a variety of activities such as poster presentation, laboratory skills assessment, project pitching, field work, and tree planting. There will be parallel activities for coaches as well. DOST-SEI Director Dr.JosetteBiyo is confident with the Philippine teams’ chances, seeing how they prepared hard for the competition. Biyo also expressed her belief that the changes instituted in the PSHS curriculum have helped in the students’ training and preparation.
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. Olivia Luces, 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. On June 22, the 2nd Quarter 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
The school children of Larena, Siquijor who evacuated from their rooms to the designated evacuation area at the St. Vincent Parish during the simultaneous earthquake drill on June 22. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Siquijor should brace for La Nina...
of lessons learned, including budgets for province-wide and municipalwide up-scaling which calls for sustained local funding mechanisms through proper legislation, she said. In a recent report from Philippine Information Agency, PAGASA-Mactan Cebu Chief Al Quiblat said that many international prediction centers including their agency foresee the likely occurrence of La Niña on the later part of this year, but its intensity and timing are difficult to tell. Quiblat said La Niña is characterized by a cold phase bringing heavy rains, strong monsoon, and formation of more tropical cyclones. PAGASA officially declared the onset of the rainy season on May 25 basing upon persistent presence of the low pressure area in the last three weeks with the perseverance of the southwest monsoon as one of the criteria for the declaration of the rainy season. “ A f t e r J u l y, w e w i l l experience way above the normal rainfall level,” warned Quiblat. The PAGASA-Mactan official stressed on the importance of disaster preparedness especially communities living in danger zones at high risk to landslides, flooding, and flashfloods. The last recorded disaster for Siquijor was in 2012 when Typhoon Pablo struck the province, badly hitting its agriculture, livelihood, and communication tower with total cost of damage pegged at P50 million, said Siquijor PDRRMO Blezel Mae Omictin. Omictin said hazard maps are made available to its 134 barangays for disaster preparedness. (rmn/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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First Day of Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training, participated by the Phillipine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRMCs) personnel at the Capilay Spring, San Juan, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ MDRRMC San Juan photo)
Cebuano News: OFWs nga walay mga dokumento gihatagan ug ayudang pinansiyal CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Dili mo menos sa siyam ka mga Overseas FilipinoWorkers (OFWs) nga walay mga dokumento ang nakadawat ug livelihood assistance nga P10,000 gikan sa National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO-7), nalakip nga ahensiya sa Department of Labor and Employment, sumala sa DOLE-7 Labor Communication Officer nga si Luchel Taniza. Ang kantidad nga P10,000 nga dawaton matag-usa sa mga benepisaryo nga ubos sa NRCO’s Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP), maoy tabang pinansiyal alang sa himoon nilang ginagmay nga patigayon, dugang ni Taniza. Ang NRCO-7 Regional Coordinator, Dexter Paro miingon nga ang asistensiya gihatag sa mga benepisaryo niadtong 2016 Migrant Workers’ Day ug Regional Stakeholders’ Forum ug Tribute sa mga OFWs nga gihimo sayo ning bulan. Si Paro niingon nga mga benepisaryong gihatagan sa maong asistensiyang pinansiyal kay walay mga papeles o dokumento sa ilang pagpanarbaho sa gawas sa nasod. Dugang pa niya nga kadaghanan nila kay nagtrabaho sa Asya ug sa Middle East
Alang sa dugang nga kasayuran ug lawom nga pagsabot sa mga undocumented migrant workers, si Paro miingon nga sila mao kadtong nakakuha ug pasaporte pinaagi sa limbong o palsipikasyon; kadtong naghupot nga mga hupas nga visa o pagtugot nga magpadayon sa pagpuyo sa laing nasod; walay mga travel documents; kadtong may sayop nga mga visa; ug kadtong may mga kontrata sa pagpanarbaho apan wala gi-agi ug proseso sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) o gisunod sa pagsuta ug girehistro on-site sa Philippine Overseas Labor and Office(POLO) ug gikinahanglan sa balaod o reglamento. P a g p a m u h i u g b a b o y, karinderya, sari-sari store, parlor, laundry shop, dress shop, mao ang kasagaran nga negosyo ang gipangsudlan sa mga benepisaryo sa LDAP, dugang ni Paro. Gawas sa panginabuhian nga ayuda, si Paro miingon nga tagaan usab nila ang mga benepisaryo ug pinansiyal nga kahibaloan ug pagbansay-bansay sa pagdumala sa negosyo sa koordinasyon sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ug sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). (jsme/PIA7-Cebu)