32 vol 4 isiquijo09 18 to 25 2016

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. 4| NO. 31 September 10-17, 2016

Cabinet chief Evasco dares Siquijodnons to get involved in local governance

by Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Sept 28 (PIA) - Speaking at the 45th Araw ng Siquijor celebration, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. has urged Siquijodnons to help bring a real good governance citing the country’s top glitches: illegal drugs, corruption and criminality.

Evasco added, as you celebrate your milestone, I challenged you to get involved. If not, the culture of corruption and sluggish kind of service linger.

Evasco, while congratulating the province for having reached its milestone or what he aptly termed as kilometerstone, said the province’s celebration is a time

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. as the Keynote Speaker during the 45th Araw ng Siquijor celbration. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

PRO-7 director cites Siquijor policemen

The Philippine National Police in Region 7 has awarded 14 police personnel in Siquijor for their exemplary accomplishments in the massive campaign against illegal drugs.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, director of the PNP Regional Office-7, awarded the Medalya ng Papuri to Police Officer 2 Cary Grant Grencio, PO2 Roberto Anulacion, PO1 Julius Tampus, SPO1 Alou Siangco, PO3 Eric Ponce, PO2 Rena Gold Gumahad, PO2 Jingle Omandam, PO1 Bener Cordova and PO1 Artchie Sumalpong.

The Medalya ng Kagitingan was awarded to PO1s Joseph Baroro, Jesus Macasaol, Pedrito Vios Jr., and Janwel Calunsag. The ceremony was held during Taliño’s first command visit to the Siquijor Police Provincial Office yesterday.

Siquijor PPO director, Senior Supt.

Erson Digal, assisted Taliño in the awarding of the medals.

Taliño congratulated them for a job well done, noting that the islandprovince is among the safest provinces in the Philippines, with a low crime rate. It

for locals, officials or not, to stop, ask and ponder on how Siquijor have fared over the years as a province.

“Higayon kini pagpangutana kon ang pamunuan nakahatag ba ug kahigayonan nga ang serbisyo sa gobyerno natumpok ba ngadto sa panginahanglan sa katawhan.

Nakahatag ba kini ug kahigayonan sa paguswag sa panginabuhi.” (This is the time to ask if the government’s kind of service has answered the people’s needs? or has it given way to uplift the lives of the poor?) he said.

He said it is the government’s utmost responsibility to be fair and just in its service to the people - “Walay gipili, walay gidapigan, labi na ngadto sa mga kabos.” (the kind of service that chooses no one, but most importantly for the poor)

The government will only become responsive to their needs if the people intervene and participate in any government activities.

“Kon dili kamo maglabot-labot, ang mga yabag maoy maanaa sa sulod, puerteng delikadoha kay ang mga pobre dili gayud matagad,” (if you do not get involved, anomalous people will flourish while the poor suffers) he said.

Evasco pointed out that good governance only happens if the people will it. (mbcn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor). is also one of the smallest provinces in the country, he added.

He noted that among the areas covered by the PRO-7, Siquijor has the lowest number of drug personalities who have surrendered since the start of the administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign on July 1.

The province of Cebu has the highest number of surrenderees at around 32,000, followed by Bohol with an estimated 30,000 and Cebu City with almost 5,000, and Siquijor at the bottom of the list, he said. (Judy F. Partlow)

REFLECTIONS/OPINIONS

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

My personal thoughts on why Duterte is exceptional

By Mae Cimafranca, Blogger from Cebu

Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the 5th President in my lifetime and the 3rd President since I got my right to vote. It is true that every President has a different way of leading the people and building the country but Duterte is simply exceptional. Let me enumerate the ways on how Duterte became exceptional among the Presidents I encountered in my lifetime.

How He Rose To Power

When Ramos was elected President, he was already considered a hero of EDSA Revolution by breaking away from the Marcos administration. He was AFP’s Chief of Staff and later became the country’s Secretary of National Defense before he rose to power.

Joseph Estrada was a famous action star. He rose to power right after his term as the country’s Vice President ended. Unfortunately for him, he was not able to finish his term because he was ousted due to a graft and corruption case.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has somewhat experienced the same fate as his predecessor. She was Estrada’s Vice President. She replaced the former after he was impeached and sent to jail. The next term, she ran for presidency and won. Although Arroyo was not impeached, she was sent to jail after her term ended.

Benigno Aquino III has quite an emotional entrance in the Malacanang Palace. Being the son of the declared EDSA Revolution heroes, he became an epitome of change to some Filipinos after the country was thought to have fallen into the hands of corrupt presidents in two consecutive terms.

But some people think differently than everyone else. Some believed they haven’t experienced the change in the hands of a hero’s son. So the people chose their candidate, and that’s how Duterte rose to power.

Duterte was the people’s choice even before he declared his candidacy. The people campaigned for him; and although there have been doubts of his victory due to his Mindanaoan origin and his bluntness in speech, the people fought for him. Through the help of social media, he was brought to victory and rose to power.

His plans and promises to the Filipino people

Unlike his predecessors, Duterte did not focus his platforms on new investments and businesses. Instead, he focused on drugs, federalism, clean governance, agrarian reforms, salary increase on government officials and more that has a direct impact on the common Filipino people.

Being a Mayor who lived humbly in the city of Davao, he knows just what the people on and below the poverty line needs and he focused his platform on it. Not getting the support of businessmen nor most of the politicians didn’t stop him from endorsing his plans for the country. In fact, he was the only running President I’ve known in my lifetime who wasn’t bothered about losing the candidacy. As he said, he has nothing else to lose. Everything that he is doing is for the country and its people.

His Bravery and Genuine Compassion

His bluntness may be provoking and alarming to some, but I found them as a sign of bravery and authenticity. He was, by far, the man I’ve known who took the courage to expose the much-feared drug lords in the country. He also doesn’t show fear in commenting against the high-powered individuals who’s making the lives of the people inconvenient and miserable. He speaks for the people and that’s how everyone loved him.

It is not unknown to the people that every plan he is making was made out of his deep compassion for the less fortunate and the commoners. And though some people misunderstood his intents, he never let them stop him. Instead, he dealt with them right on their

faces and exposed their hypocrisies.

Even the media was not able to escape his displeasure. But instead of getting provoked, the media understood and has accepted his action as a sign of discipline.

His Meekness and Humility

I have never encountered a President who knows how to humble himself as Duterte does. He is now the President, and yet, he still acts like he is simply an ordinary Filipino citizen who is working for the country and the people. And he treats everyone else like his colleague at work.

I encountered one Presidential candidate before who acted like s/he was already the President of the country. Nagpapa-VIP treatment kumbaga. Sad but glad s/he didn’t win.

Duterte appears like a father you can always turn to when you need help. And though I do not want to abuse his kindness, he always makes me feel like he is always ready to be there for me when I need him. Parang “Just call my name and I’ll be there” lang ang peg.

You may not heard him say it but you can simply feel it by way of his treatment.

He is real, down-to-earth, and lives a frugal life even after he was declared the President of the Philippines.

His Willingness To Die For The Country

He knows the current state of the country; and he knows that, by doing the things he does, his life would be in danger. Despite it all, he kept pushing forward, implementing his plans just so the country will be cleaned and freed from all dirt - to give the people the muchneeded security and to improve the lives of everyone.

Think about it, what he is doing is not easy at all. It’s extremely difficult, in fact. Yet he is doing it, all for his love for the country and the people.

If only I can, I would like to declare him now a living hero. I have long been waiting for a man with his heart. Now that he is finally here, I can say that there is indeed hope for this country, and that we are finally truly experiencing some real #change.

But of course, we will not let him do all the work. As Filipinos, we will do our part. As John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Change may be happening in our country now, but if we want to feel that change, we need to do it in ourselves.

So let’s get involved and let us be brave enough to voice out whatever it is we think would be necessary to help make our country better. After all, a true Filipino wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity to be part of the refinement of his country.

We are all in this together, and through the leadership of His Excellency Rodrigo Duterte, we can rise up and make the Philippines a sublime and prosperous country once again.

God bless Duterte! God bless the Philippines! (PIA)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

Science & Technology

DA launches lending program for marginal farmers, fishers

by Ellalyn De Vera

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched a nationwide lending program that aims to address the financial needs of the marginal farmers and fishers, especially those in the 10 poorest provinces of the country.

DA Secretary Manny Piñol led the launching of the nationwide Program for Unified Lending to Agriculture (PUNLA) in Northern Samar (Catarman) last September 15, and Eastern Samar (Borongan) last September 16.

Together with Executive Director Jocelyn Alma Badiola of DA’s Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Piñol set in motion the lending facility which covers 10 of the poorest Philippine provinces.

“This is part of the government’s effort to provide trouble-free services to rural communities, as we want to make things easier for them,” Piñol said.

“The problem with the current credit systems is that it has too many requirements, and so farmers are often intimidated to approach a bank officer especially when he is wearing his usual rubber slippers,” he added.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, speaks before officials and employees of the Agriculture Department, at their main office along Eliptical Road in Quezon City. (Mark Balmores) / mb.com.ph

119 years after last killer quake, people still lack preparedness - PHIVOLCS

(PIA) – About 119 years ago today, the peninsula was devastated by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake when the Sulu trench surrounding the area dramatically shifted.

Today, an earthquake expert laments the lack of preparedness in the region, especially among the barangays.

Engr. Allan Labayog of the Philippine

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that people in this age have not yet experienced the worst, like in September 21, 1897, when structures literally crumbled, and hundreds of people were killed in the aftermath.

“We have not yet experienced it, that is why we seem to not be serious about

preparing for the worst,” he told members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) yesterday (September 20).

Labayog shared an observation that many participants in disaster-preparedness trainings especially barangay officials are only in it for compliance. “They leave as soon as their attendance has been checked,” he said.

“The frontliners are always the barangay officials,” he added, “hence the importance for them to learn what needs to be done to be prepared and save lives.”

The risk of high magnitude earthquakes is high in the region, Labayog emphasized. In fact, since January, a total of 5 earthquakes, the strongest being in April, were recorded by PHIVOLCS.

“April’s earthquake could have triggered a tsunami had it recorded .5 more magnitude,” Labayog explained. Incidentally, that quake had a magnitude of 6, strong enough to cause considerable structural damage.

Another half magnitude and a tsunami would have occurred last April. “We were lucky,” he noted.

Labayog emphasized to RDRRMC members the importance of intensified information dissemination and advocacy campaigns especially in coastal barangays, as they are most vulnerable should a tsunami surface.

“The possibility is always there. But the question is: are we prepared as individuals, as parents, as civil servants?” Labayog said.

(ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Cebuano News: Malakanyang, walay gitago sa international community

MANILA, September 26 (PIA) -- Gitataw sa Malakanyang nga wala kini gitago gikan sa international community ilabi na sa kampanya batok sa ilegal nga droga ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte mao nga bukas sa pagbisita ang nasod sa United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) ug bisan si United States President Barack Obama.

Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Kalihim Martin Andanar, bukas ang Duterte administration sa pagbisita ug pag-imbestiga sa United Nations Rapporteur on Human Rights.

Dugang pa ni Andanar,.kini klaro nga manipestasyon nga walay bisan unsang butang nga gitago gikan sa international community ang nasod.

Kalabot niini, wala pa’y pormal nga imbitasyon alang sa mga UN rapporteurs nga moanhi sa Pilipinas aron mopahigayon og imbestigasyon sa giingong extrajudicial killings.

Kahinumdoman nga niadtong Huwebes, dayag nga gi-imbitar ni Presidente Duterte ang mga nahisgotan.

Matud pa sa taho, magpadala ang UN og 18-man team sa Pilipinas gikan Setyembre 28-29 aron mopahigayon og review sa nahimong compliance sa nasod kalabot sa human rights obligations ubos sa International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). (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.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY.

FOLLOW US online! /Pia Siquijor /PIA Siquijor @PiaSiquijor

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Philhealth, magtanyag og mas gipalapdan nga benefit package alang sa mga drug dependent

Gipalapdan pa sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) ang benefit package niini alang sa mga nagumon sa droga nga mopaubos sa rehabilitasyon.

Ang maong lakang sa Philhealth atubangan sa gihingosgang kampanya sa administrasyon ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte batok sa ilegal nga droga.

Matud pa ni PhilHealth acting president ug chief executive officer Ramon Aristoza Jr., usa ka ‘medical detoxification package’ ang target nilang itanyag sa mga drug dependent nga may sintomas og withdrawal.

Apil sa naa sa ubos sa Philhealth All Case Rate payment scheme ang mga withdrawal syndrome sama sa rhinorrhoea o running nose, lacrimation o excessive tear formation, aching muscles, chills, gooseflesh, ug muscle, abdominal cramps.

Giingong gitarung na lamang sa Philhealth ang guidelines alang sa maong benefit

package, sa pakigtambayayong sa Department of Health (DOH) ug uban pang stakeholders.

Naglaom si Aristoza nga sa labing daling panahon, mapahimoslan na ang package sa mga nagumon sa droga nga gustong magbag-o sa ilang kinabuhi.

Sa kasamtangan, ang hospital confinements tungod sa drug abuse gibayaran ubos sa existing benefit package sa Philhealth.

Mokabat sa P25 milyon ang benefit packages nga gibayran sa Philhealth alang sa drug-related disorders niining milabay nga duha ka tuig. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)