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. 34 October 10-17, 2016
Siquijor gov steers province’s growth Siquijor Governor Zaldy S. Villa in a speech during the Araw ng Siquijor celebration where he bared the projects and accomplishments of his administration. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
DILG awards outstanding brgys, officials
SIQUIJOR (PIA)-- Governor Zaldy Villa has steered Siquijor province’s growth and development with the projects and accomplishments during his first term of service. Villa said his first term was focused on the construction of infrastructure to boost the province’s income and promote entrepeneurship. One major infrastructure is the rehabilitation of the Cang-alwang airport with ready funding for the runway extension. He said he will secure additional funds for the improvement of the terminal and its facilities. Villa also promised to invite Cebu Pacific to operate and have a regular CebuSiquijor trip next year. The governor added that 17 units of commercial stalls around the Larena Tennis Court fronting the Siquijor State College (SSC) are now occupied and rented. Another on-going pproject is the three-story building near St. Francis of Assissi High school in Siquijor town which will be finished within this month, he said. The building will house business establishments like the Development Bank
of the Philippines (DBP), Philhealth, Social Security System (SSS), among others. Its third floor is said to house the biggest convention center in the province. The government-owned Salagdoong Beach Resort is also up for additional five cottages and other improvements with a budget of P50 million. This, he said, will improve income which already went up by P1 million this year from last year’s P2 million. Likewise, road cementing and concreting are ongoing province wide. Another project is the construction of the new hospital at Caipilan, Siquijor. Bidding for its access road will be done soonest, the governor said. The new hospital has an area of 7,000 square meters compared to the previous with only 2.950 square meters. Department of Health (DOH), he said, has allocated funds for the acquisition of the state of the art medical equipment and hospital facilities like MRI, CT scan, and dialysis. Other projects include electrification and the improvement of the water system for Siquijor. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from I.AAbatayo)
SIQUIJOR, October 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded barangays and the outstanding barangay officials of the year (TOBOY) during the Araw ng Siquijor celebration recently. Aw a r d e e s w e r e B a r a n g a y Cangmangki of Enrique Villanueva as third placer, Solangon of San Juan, second and Poblacion of Siquijor as the first. The first placer was also the winner at the regional level. DILG Provincial Director Kenneth Kilat said that TOBOY is an awards program designed to recognize the barangay officials who have shown exemplary performance in the discharge of their functions. He said provincial qualified TOBOY nominees have undergone a series of screening, assessment and evaluation conducted by the Selection Committee of the DILG. Common criterion per category is the nominees’ leadership qualities. Additional skills required are delivery of basic services, responsiveness to community problems, relationship with other barangay officials, attendance in meetings and programs/ projects implemented, among others. The search started in 1991 and is jointly undertaken by the Local Administration and Development Program Alumni Association of the Philippines (LADPAAP) Region VII, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Liga ng mga Barangay and the local government units (LGUs). (rmn/rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from IAAbatayo)
REFLECTIONS/OPINIONS
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Miss Siquijor Tourism beauties emerge as police partners in illegal drugs fight By Rizalie Calibo, PIA7-Siquijor It takes a police officer, a provincial director at that, to spearhead the Miss Siquijor Tourism and make it really relevant to the signs of the time. For the first time ever in the history of Siquijor province, the Miss Siquijor Tourism 2016 was pursued through the initiative of the Siquijor Police Provincial Director, Erson Udal Digal, who during the initial meeting for the 45th Araw ng Siquijor celebration, opposed the abolition of the Search. “We can’t just take away the Miss Siquijor Tourism, it should always be part of the celebration if we want to make the day meaningful and promote Siquijor tourism,” Digal said as he volunteered to spearhead the activity. Later did we know that he has found the event significant and instrumental in helping solve the country’s serious problem on illegal drugs. Indeed, the show was a success, a “one of a kind” local beauty pageant that featured the beauties in their “shooting” wear and poses which signify their strong will to join the fight against criminality and illegal drugs. This of course, was apart from the
Production Number, Swim Wear, Long Gown, Question and Answer, and other usual competitions they had to go through as part of the pageant. Thanks also to the pageant directors, production and technical staff from the Siquijor State College (SSC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Family where the Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) belongs, and the provincial government of Siquijor. And unlike most of the local search, this year’s Miss Siquijor Tourism did not just end during the Coronation Night. “Beyond their crowns, sashes and titles are their responsibility to the province and the community – to be the Ambassadress of Goodwill, to be the advocates for change, ‘real change,’ in line with the government’s battlecry and
Barangay folks pledge to support to anti-illegal drugs program of the Philippine National Police during the launching of Alsa Droga or Alyansa Laban sa Droga. (rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)
direction,” Digal said. Baptism of Fire Just a couple of weeks after she was crowned Miss Siquijor Tourism 2016 on September 16, Mary Ann Monda of Lazi, Siquijor was set on fire when she was made to speak about the PNP’s advocacy during the PNP’s grand launching of “Alsa Droga”, short for Alyansa Laban Sa Droga at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium where local officials and residents from all over the province joined. In her aggressive yet passionate tone, Monda astounded everyone with her looks and talks on illegal drugs, drug addiction and its ill effects as she called on the participants to “collaborate and see the urgency to educate people on the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.” “There is an urgent need to educate people, and for those who are already addicted, members of the community, especially leaders should find these people and help them find clarity within themselves and their lives. Kinahanglan tabangan sila para makagawas sila sa pagka-addicted sa droga (they should be helped so they will be freed from getting addicted to drugs),” Monda noted. Monda, and the other winners will also assist the police in all its anti-drug information and education campaign at the barangay level to help maintain the island’s peace and order. Alsa Droga with officers and volunteers from the barangays, is an intensified campaign and a complementary force to make locals more involved in the efforts to curb the spread of drugs in the barangays. (PIA)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
CEBUANO NEWS
Agrikultura, edukasyon ug kahimsog, bag-ong prayoridad sa Presidente
MANILA (PIA) -- Mauna sa makapahimos sa mga pondo gikan sa mga kasabotang naumol sa pagbisita ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa China ang sektor sa agrikultura. Matud pa ni Presidente Duterte, mahimong prayoridad sa iyang administrasyon ang agrikultura, edukasyon ug kahimsog. Kini nagpasabot nga dakong parte sa naule niyang gibanabanang
$24 bilyong kantidad sa kasabotan ang maadto sa tulo ka nahisgotang sektor. Gibutyag usab sa Presidente sa iyang mensahe sa Isabela nga gimanduan na niya ang Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) nga idirekta ang ilang kita sa pagtabang sa pagpatambal sa mga adunay sakit sa nasod. Gitataw usab sa Presidente nga bisan nagbaton na og mga kabag-ohan sa iyang mga prayoridad, nagpabilin
pa gihapon ang hugot nga kampanya sa gobyerno batok sa ilegal nga droga. Matud pa nga dili mahunong ang ingon niining sitwasyon hangtud dili mapatay ang katapusang drug lord sa nasod. (rmn/ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Kamanduan alang sa pagmugna og TF vs media killings, gipagawas na ni Duterte MANILA (PIA) -- Nagpagawas na og kamanduan si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte alang sa pagmugna og Presidential Task Force on the Violation of the Rights of the Media nga nahisulod sa Administrative Order (AO) 1. Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Kalihim Martin Andanar, tuyo niining protektahan ang katungod sa mga mamahayag agi og pagsunod sa probisyon sa Batakang Balaod kalabot sa Freedom of the Press. Dugang pa ni Andanar, seryoso gayud ang Presidente nga sulbaron ang problema sa media killing. Kini usab aron masiguro ang seguridad sa mga mamamahayag sa nasod. Gipahayag ni Andanar nga tungod sa mga nahitabong media killings, napalinya ang Pilipinas nga usa sa mga nasod sa kalibotan nga giingong delikado alang sa pagpatuman sa katungdanan sa mga mamamahayag. Gitudlong chairman sa task force si Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre samtang moalagad isip co-chairman si Andanar. Gilagdaan sa Presidente ang AO niadtong Oktubre 11. Gitataw usab ni Andanar nga online man o ‘on ground ang harrassment’, mahimong motaho sa presidential task force tungod kay tataw nga pagpanglapas kini sa life security ug kagawasan sa usa ka mamamahayag. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DOST Siquijor organizes tech’l session on packaging, labeling for food processors
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing, DOST staff
PSTD Engr. Mario de la Peña (center, sitting) is joined with (left to right, sitting) Mr. Zyriel Abejero, Mr. Gideon Ostrea, Ms. Josie Ellie of DOST 7 and the author. Also present in the pictures are the participants of the Technical Session on Product Packaging and Labeling. SIQUIJOR, Oct 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here conducted a one-day Technical Session on Product Packaging and Labeling at the SP Session Hall of the Provincial Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor. Participants were the food processors of peanut brittles, lubiscuit, banana chips, breads, vegetable noodles, squash sticks, kolo chips and other food pasalubong items. Representatives from the Isalnd Packaging (iPak) of Treasure Island Corporation served as resource persons. Senior SRS Josie F. Elli of DOST 7 also gave a presentation on labeling requirements. The event served as a venue to communicate and coordinate with iPak as possible supplier of quality packaging and labeling materials like stand out pouches, laminated labels, product seals, shrinkable seals, and shrinkable labels, among others. During the technical session, Mr.
Zyriel Abejero presented the company profile while Mr. Gideon Ostrea focused his discussion on the company’s product which is quality packaging. He further emphasized the advantages of having quality food packaging and stated that processed foods with quality packaging last longer compared to others which use generic packaging. He also emphasized that quality packaging is a factor in prolonging the shelf life of the product which is essential to avoid market recalls. On the other hand, Ms. Josie F. Elli of DOST 7 presented slideshows on the required and optional labeling standards. She stressed that having appropriate labeling in the packaging of food products is essential nowadays because customers are now constantly checking on the labels. In the province, DOST Siquijor advocates improved product packaging and labeling as means to upgrade quality of the products and to prolong the shelf life
of the products. During the event, participants were showed different varieties of product packaging and labeling which were produced by iPak and which were used by some of the big food processors in the country. During the event, Vice-governor of the Province of Siquijor Mei Ling Quezon thanked the agency for organizing such event aimed at upgrading the knowledge of the participants in terms of product packaging and labeling. Prov’l S&T Director Engr. Mario E. de la Peña also urged the participants to grab this opportunity to converse directly with the representatives of iPak. He also stressed the DOST Siquijor organized the event in line with the Halad sa Katawhan 2016. At the end of the event, the participants were given a new perspective of how product packaging and labeling should be. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing/DOST Siquijor)
SPIRITUALITY
iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR
Enoughness Simplicity & Contentment
from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
When you live in pure consciousness, letting the naked being of all of reality touch your own naked being. . . . We live in a society that places great importance upon external signs of success. We have to assure ourselves and others that we are valuable and important—because we inherently doubt that we are! Thus we are often preoccupied with “one-upping” others. I am afraid that most lose inside of such a “winner-takesall” society. We have great difficulty finding our inherent value with such a world view. Few have deep conviction about their own soul or the Indwelling Holy Spirit. People living under capitalism find it almost unnatural to know their own center. Dignity must always be “acquired” and earned. We live in an affluent society that’s always expecting more, wanting more, and believes it even deserves more. But the more we own, ironically enough, the less we enjoy. This is the paradox of materialism. The more we project our soul’s longing onto things, the more things disappoint us. Happiness is an inside job. When we expect to find happiness outside of ourselves, we are always disappointed. We then seek a “higher” or more stimulating experience and the spiral of addiction and consumption continues. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we celebrate in October 4, experienced radical participation in God’s very life. Such practical knowing of his value and identity allowed Francis to let go of status, privilege, and wealth. Francis knew he was part of God’s plan, connected to creation and other beings, inherently in communion and in love. Francis taught his followers to own nothing so they would not be owned by their possessions. If you don’t live from within your own center of connection and communion, you’ll go spinning around things. The true goal of all religion is to lead you back to the place where everything is one, to the experience of radical unity with all of humanity, and hence to the experience of unity with God. When you live in pure consciousness, letting the naked being of all reality touch your own naked being, you experience foundational participation. Out of that plentitude—a sense of satisfaction and inner enoughness, a worldview of abundance—you find it much easier to live simply. You realize you don’t “need” as much. You’ve found your satisfaction at an inner place, at a deeper level inside you. You’re able to draw from this abundance and share it freely with others. And you stop trying to decide who is worthy of it, because you now know that you are not “worthy” either. It is one hundred percent pure gift! Gateway to Silence: Live simply so that others may simply live.
Image credit: Claude Monet in Argentuil (detail), Édouard Manet, 1874.
Structural and Personal Freedom Francis and Clare of Assisi were not so much prophets by what they said as in the radical, system-critiquing way that they lived their lives. They found both their inner and outer freedom by structurally living on the edge of the inside of church and society. Too often people seek either inner freedom or mere outer freedom, but seldom—in my opinion—do people seek and find both. Francis and Clare did. Their agenda for justice was the most foundational and undercutting of all others: a very simple lifestyle outside the system of production and consumption (the real meaning of the vow of poverty), plus a conscious identification with the marginalized of society (the communion of saints pushed to its outer edge). In this position, you do not “do” acts of peace and justice as much as your life is itself peace and justice. You take your small and sufficient place in the great and grand scheme of God. By “living on the edge of the inside” I mean building on the solid Tradition (“from the inside”) from a new and creative stance where you cannot be co-opted for purposes of security, possessions, or the illusions of power (“on the edge”). Francis and Clare placed themselves outside the social and ecclesiastical system. Francis was not a priest, nor were Franciscan men to pursue priesthood in the early years of the order. Theirs was not a spirituality of earning or seeking worthiness, career, church status, moral one-upmanship, or divine favor (which they knew they already had). Within their chosen structural freedom, Francis and Clare also found personal, mental, and emotional freedom. They were free from negativity and ego. Such liberation is full Gospel freedom. Today, most of us try to find personal and individual freedom even as we remain inside of structural boxes and a system of consumption that we are then unable or unwilling to critique. Our mortgages, luxuries, and privileged lifestyles control our whole future. Whoever is paying our bills and giving us security and status determines what we can and cannot say or even think. Self-serving institutions that give us our security, status, or identity are considered “too big to fail” and are invariably beyond judgment from the vast majority of people. Evil can hide in systems much more readily than in individuals. [1] not mean the earth, creation, or civilization, which Jesus clearly came to love and save (see John 12:47). They were referring to idolatrous systems and institutions that are invariably self-referential and “always passing away” (see 1 Corinthians 7:31). Francis and Clare showed us it is possible to change the system not by negative attacks (which tend to inflate the ego), but simply by quietly moving to the side and doing it better!
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
iSIQUIJOR is
Cebuano News:
Drug test sa mga magtutudlo, estudyante gi-konsiderar sa DepEd
Ang pagpaubos sa drug test sa mga magtutudlo ug estudyante sa mga pampublikong tunghaan usa lamang sa mga seryosong gikonsiderar karon sa Department of Education (DepEd). Kini human gibutyag ni DepEd Kalihim Leonor Briones sa pag-atubang niini gahapon sa Senado kalabot sa pagdungog sa proposed budget sa ahensiya alang sa sunod tuig. Matud pa ni Briones, sa gihingosgang kampanya karon sa gobyerno
iNFOBYTES
batok sa ilegal nga droga, giingong dili mahimong ipadaplin ug ibalewala ang mga eskuwelahan gikan sa problema sa droga ilabi na nga dako silang sektor. “We can’t claim to be excluded and protected from the drug menace itself. We are a very, very large sector so we have to look into this issue,” matud pa ni Briones. Sa pagkakaron, may 722,000 ka magtutudlo ug 25 ka milyong estudyante sa tibuok nasod. Apan gitataw ni Briones nga ang
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
REGIONAL NEWS
Search for ‘16-’17 Bayaning Pilipino nominations open October (PIA) -- The search for the unsung modern Filipino heroes continue this year as the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr., Bayaning Pilipino Awards 2016-2017 open for nominations until November 15, 2016. A joint effort of the ABS CBN Broadcasting Corporation and the UGAT Foundation, Gawad Bayaning Pilipino is conceptualized to enhance Filipino values system and recognize those who are engaged in grassroots development. Nominations are for three categories, namely for individuals, youth and institutions, said Fr. Nilo Tanalega SJ, Gawad project director. Criteria for nomination of individuals (Bayaning Pilipino), and institutions or groups (Bayaning Samahang Pilipino) include the following: interpersonal relationships, diligence, patience and courage, service to the poor and underprivileged, loyalty and honor and manifests loving fear and hope in God. Under interpersonal relationships, nominees must show respect and camaraderie for others, openness to praise and criticism as well as others’ ideas, can accept criticisms, has kind disposition and promotes equality.
For diligence, nominees must have offered self for service for others, shows determination amidst difficulties and shows courage under fire. Nominees must also show responsibility in the community, believes in the common good and is trusted and respected for his contributions to the community while he professes a disposition to continue projects that have been started with consistency. Nominees should also be free from getting involved in scandals and anomalies, performs the duties and responsibilities of a good citizen and promotes self worth. Finally, nominees must be humble, admits shortcomings, has a positive outlook in life and remains hopeful even in distressful times. For youth (Bayaning Kabataang Pilipino), the criteria is the same and seeks to see respect for co-teens and the aged, shows determination for work, keeps and sturdy vision and strives to attain it, is always ready, keeps a sense of volunteerism, commitment, has a concrete project or activity for youth or community. Nominees should also serve as
models or inspirations for the youth and the community and keeps a positive vision of life and has a deep trust in God. Youth nominees must be between 15 to 30 years old, serving the community during nomination period. For more details, check the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards on Facebook or visit their website at www. bayaningpilipinoawards.com. (rmn/rac/PIA7Bohol)
Police war on illegal drugs ups shabu prices
CEBU, October 13 (PIA) -- Prices of shabu in Central Visayas soared due to its dwindling supply as police continues its war against illegal drugs. The deputy chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) P/Supt Arnel Banzon reported recently during the forum of the Association of Government Information Officers - Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that tackled the topic on the ‘War Against Illegal Drugs.” Banzon in his presentation of the Project Double Barrel said shabu is now priced at P300/deck or sachet and P16,000 to P18,000 per bulk or about five grams. In Bohol and Siquijor, the prices are even more expensive at P500/deck and P20,000 per bulk, said Banzon. “The street value is based on the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) report as of September 26,” bared Banzon. In the latest Tokhang Report of the PRO-7, Banzon said that from July 1 to September 30, there are now 75,454 surrenderees in Central Visayas; 69,816 of which are drug users and 5,368 drug pushers. The continuing police operations against high-value drug targets netted 2,331 people broken down into 1,184 drug users and 1,147 drug pushers. As of October 11, 116 drug suspects were killed in legitimate police operations while 138 people were killed by unknown assailants, the report stated. Banzon earlier said there are three big drug syndicates operating in the country and these are the Filipino-Chinese, African ring and the Mexican cartel associated with a Chinese group to penetrate the Philippine market. Our mission in PRO-7 is to clear all drug affected barangays in the region and to conduct no let-up operations against drug syndicates and dismantle them, said Banzon. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
LOCAL SCENE
SAN JUAN PS: Conduct of Oplan Taphang, DARE and distribution of flyers to the pupils of Tag-ibo Elementary School. LARENA POLICE STATION: Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign to grades four and six pupils of Ponong Elementary School.
SIQUJOR PS: Weekly inspection and Police Information, and Continuing Education to the personnel of the Siquijor Police Station led byO fficer-in-Charge PSI Mark Edward Barrios station on October 11, 2016.
LAZI PS: PO2 Alvin Paglinawan of Lazi Police Station attended the Synchronized Barangay Assmbly at Nagerong, Lazi,Siquijor where he also shared information on anti-illegal drugs campaign , crime prevention tips and accomplishments of the the station.
The theme for the #ASEANPH2017 to be held in the Philippines
ENRIQUE VILLANUEVA PS: Distribution of storm survival tips to the parents of Enrique Villanueva Central School.