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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. 3 | NO. 36 October 17-24, 2015

Siquijor LGUs receive Seal of Good Local Governance Award

by Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, October 12 (PIA) – The province and the towns of Maria and Siquijor were recently awarded with the Seal of Good Local Governance during the awarding ceremony held at Bohol Tropics Resort Club.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gave the award to the province along with the provinces of Bohol and Negros Oriental, nine towns in Bohol, and four towns and two cities in Negros Oriental.

The towns and cities each received P3 million, while the provincial government awardees received P7 million each.

The awards were personally received by Governor Zaldy S. Villa, municipal mayors Mei Ling Quezon of Siquijor and Meynard Asok of Maria with other officials and personnel.

SGLG was the brainchild of the late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The award measures how LGUs manage and address financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order, environmental management, and business-friendliness and competitiveness. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Siquijor Governor Zaldy S. Villa (standing left), SP member Cyrus S. Olpoc (right) and Provincial Administrator Peter Samson (seated) showing the Seal of Good Local Governance and the P7 million-check awarded by the DILG to the province of Siquijor.

Cebu bloggers join info, tourism officers in “Sensational Siquijor”

At least ten bloggers affiliated with the Cebu Blogging Community will join the annual convention of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO-7), and tourism officers in region 7 on October 28-30 at the Cocogrove Beach Resort in San Juan, Siquijor.

Dubbed “Sensational Siquijor” the convention is about bridging information and tourism through social media that will feature the natural beauty of Siquijor with its participants doing eco adventure race around the island.

T h e f i r s t - e v e r #InfoTourismAdventureRace will start from the Coco Grove Beach Resort to various places around Siquijor to

highlight the island’s unique tourism spots.

Participants of the race are tasked to complete various challenges and to gather information about the island, and post about them in social media sites or write about them in blogs.

The bloggers from Cebu Blogging Community will mentor the participants to teach them the ropes of blogging, especially in the technical setup of a blog. This gives them the opprtunity to experience Siquijor up close and visit some of its waterfalls, caves, beaches, and other natural attractions.

The CBC blogger mentors are Thadz, Jeanne Louise Mainit of Lakambini Viajera, Channel Marie Imperial of Channel Marie, Melanie Dianne Manso

of Fueled by Caffeine, Carlo Andrew Olano of Kalami Cebu and Why Cebu, Mae Cimafranco of the Apple Daily, Richard Abad of Bisaya Short Films, Romeo Nicolas Bonsocan of Zuprome, Eleanor Valeros of Eleanor New Media, and Bjornson Bernales of Bjorn Bernales.

The Cebu Blogging Community is the largest and most active bloggers’ organization in the Visayas and Mindanao Area.

The 22nd Radio 7 Convention is hosted by the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID) in cooperation with the Provincial Tourism Office and the Philippine Information AgencySiquijor Information Center(PIA-Siquijor).

iNFOBYTES & BLOGS anywhere (picked from “fueledbycaffeine” @ http://fueledbycaffeine.net/siquijor/)

SIQUIJOR

fueledbycaffeine

Are you a fan of all kinds of mystical (and scary) stuff? I’m talking about ghosts, witch doctors and all sorts of supernatural beings. While growing up, you may have heard of the many hair-raising stories from the island of Siquijor. Siquijor may be infamous for all these scary stuff, but that’s not all there is about this small island. There are so many surprising things about it that you can discover if you look past the sinister stories.

Quick Facts:

Siquijor is located between the Cebu, Negros and Bohol islands in Central Visayas.

Siquijor is the third smallest island in the Philippines.

Siquijor was formerly called “Isla de Fuego” / Island of Fire during the early Spanish era.

How to get there from Cebu:

From Cebu, flag a taxi to take you to Pier 1 and purchase a ticket bound for Dumaguete.

This boat ride will sail for around 6 hours.

From Dumaguete, you can choose to ride a fast craft or the RoRo ferry to either the town of Siquijor or Larena. If you take a fast craft, the travel time is about an hour whereas if you take the ferry, that travel time is doubled.

Traveling around Siquijor:

Siquijor’s total land area is only 343.5 square kilometers. You can tour the entire island by renting a motorbike or van for 4 hours.

What to do in Siquijor: Church hopping Siquijor has a couple of old churches which are great heritage sites. If you want to learn about culture and history, visit St. Francis de Assisi Church and San Isidro Labrador Parish Church.

Beach hopping A trip to a tropical island wouldn’t be complete without going to the beach.

Fortunately, Siquijor has quite some good ones. Check out Salagdoong Beach, Coral Cay Resort, Siquijor Beach, Lazi Beach Club and San Juan Beach.

Trek to Cambugahay Falls

One of Siquijor’s main attractions. Aside from history-filled churches and pristine beaches, Siquijor also has this beautiful and majestic waterfall. Don’t miss this one out.

Be enchanted at the centuries-old Balete Tree Siquijor’s infamous Balete Trees have stood tall for centuries. They are believed by the locals to be enchanted, and where countless rituals are performed. They are probably one of the reasons why a lot of creepy stories originate from the island.

R e l a x a t C a p i l a y S p r i n g P a r k One of the more well-known cold spring parks in Siquijor. If you’re going in the summer, this is a really great place to relax and refresh from the hot sun. It’s also very accessible.

Take a look at the Larena Bell Tower Another great heritage site, add this to your itinerary alongside the St. Francis de Assisi and San Isidro Labrador churches.

Sip a cup of coffee at the Larena Triad Coffee Shop If you’re a coffee lover (like me!), then you should not miss this one. It sits atop a mountain, and is said to be the best place to watch the sunset.

Why I’m going to Siquijor:

I’m going as part of the Cebu Blogging Community for the 22nd RADIO7 Convention. There will be an #InfoTourismAdventureRace that will be held on October 28-30 at the Coco Grove Beach Resort in San Juan, Siquijor. The race is about “Bridging Information and Tourism Through Social Media.” and will start from the resort to various places around Siquijor to highlight the island’s unique tourism spots. The participants of the race are tasked to complete various challenges and to gather information about the island, and post about them in social media sites or write about them in blogs. Our (Cebu Blogging Community) task is to mentor the participants on how to promote the tourism features through their posts/blogs.

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

Feature: ASEAN on Consumer Protection: “One Vision, One Mission, One Community”

(This is written by Michael Angelo Conui, student of the Siquijor Provincial Science High School, who won the 2015 Consumer Welfare Month’s Feature Writing Contest conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Siquijor based on the theme: “Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community.”)

In any economy across the globe, consumer protection and promotion of consumer rights are some important functions of every nation or state.

Consumer rights awareness is a necessity for the better progression of a country. And since the environment that we live in keeps changing, especially in business and in the global markets, expectations of people keep rising, hence, the chains of choices, goods, and availability increase.

ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) is a major global hub of marketing and trade, as well as one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.

As this region seeks to deepen its ties and capture an even greater share of global trade, its economic profile is rising.

ASEAN’S objectives tend to accelerate its economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region and its member states, and to promote regional stability and mutual assistance on matters of social, technical, cultural, and administrative to attend to consumer complaints taking necessary actions, addressing methods and redress mechanisms in cases of complaints. and forwarding to concerned authorities.

Meeting these needs could be facilitated by effective and

G e n e r a l l y , C o n s u m e r P r o t e c t i o n A c t operational consumer protection laws and mechanisms.

(CPA) aims to ensure accessible, transparent and The focus of the ASEAN Committee on Consumer efficient redress for consumers who are subjected to Protection or ACCP’s work has been on ensuring that abuse or exploitations in the marketplace.

consumer legislation in ASEAN Member States (AMS) is

T h i s a c t i s c r e a t e d b e c a u s e a t p r e s e n t , in place; that enhancing consumer access to information is not all countries in this region have created their own attainable through developing a notification and information principal consumer protection law on this matter. mechanism for recalled and banned products; that developing

The enactment of the Consumer Protection Act is a clear models for consumer redress mechanism can be assisted; indication that the region has taken note of the international and that strengthening the capacity of consumer protection trends in the consumer protection field, and that it endeavours officials and enhancing advocacy of consumer protection must to bring law in line with international consumer laws and be employed. As part of the ASEAN Economic Community practices. The act also introduces dedicated administrative (AEC), the ACCP is now intensifying its efforts on initiatives for institutions and legal procedures to protect both individuals consumer protection. However, as AEC 2016 approaches, there and class rights and to supplement traditional legal institutions. is a need to undertake a study to assess the current progress

Consumer protection in the ASEAN region is important of the action plans in terms of advancing the focus areas and for smooth functioning of an integrated market. Consumer core elements, and draw up a new Strategic ASEAN Action protection is seen to benefit consumer by ensuring that Plan on Consumer Protection ( SAAPCP) covering the next they have the right of access to adequate information to 10 years. ASEAN is working on AEC Vision that envisages a enable them to make national choices about the products ten-year framework that promotes an integrated and highly and fields. The objectives and working principles of ASEAN cohesive economy that is competitive, innovative and dynamic. have remained unchanged throughout the years. The An indication of this more is that the ASEAN Committee “ASEAN Way” of implementing laws and policies has been on Consumer Protection (ACCP) members met in Makati City effective in creating a cohesive and economically successful last August 12, 2015 to continue the discussions on measures community, especially in the field of consumer protection. that will assist consumers in coping with the effects of the AEC

Over the last four decades, ASEAN has certainly in 2015. The committee targets and aims to integrate all member achieved plentiful in all areas of stability and in promoting regional states to have consumer protection law. To date, eight (8) ASEAN cooperation and economic camaraderie and development. members have consumer protection acts and policies, and these

As the umbrella community of South East Asian are the following: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, countries and states, and to ensure and advance economic Laos, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, and Vietnam. The two welfare of consumers of every member state, ASEAN countries, Myanmar and Cambodia are now working on this area. created a committee called ASEAN Committee on Consumer To further hasten consumer protection, ACCP is now working Protection (ACCP) that will implement and approve laws and on advocacies and crafting policies which will be “ quick and policies for the security and protection of all the consumers. easy to understand” tools for consumers like us. The committee

This committee intends to create on act that also pushes for harmonization of consumer protection law. will regulate the marketing of goods and services to Therefore, ASEAN has proven its commitment consumers, as well as the relationships, transactions a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s t o a l l i t s m e m b e r s t a t e s a n d and agreements between consumers and producers, subjects, and it has played a power – balancing role suppliers and intermediaries of those goods and services. i n i m p l e m e n t i n g a c t s , e s p e c i a l l y t o c o n s u m e r s .

This act also aims to improve access to information The role of ASEAN is indeed central and that is necessary for consumers to make informed outstanding to the region’s well-being. Truly, ASEAN has choices and services that they procure. There are efficient brought all its members and colleagues in its remarkable mechanisms in place that promote product safety, effective aim, “ One Vision, One Mission, One Community.”

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Siquijodnons urged to prepare for El Niño, practice “edible landscaping”

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture in Region 7 (DA-7) called on all Siquijodnons to prepare for El Niño which started since October 2014 and will continue to affect the country until the first quarter of next year.

Regional Technical Director for research and regulatory Joel T. Elumba said the Philippines has experienced El Niño before, but based on historical data, this year’s episode is said to be the worst since 1998 so that the government has coordinated efforts of the different agencies to acquire technology and extend support to affected sectors as mitigation and adaptation measures.

El Niño, he said, has great implications on food security so that everyone

has to take part in the preparation, mitigation, and adaptation efforts of the government.

Elumba said possible water shortage in the coming months due to El Niño is possible as it significantly affects the vegetables and crops production.

Food security is highly dependent on climate, he said.

“Ang pagpangandam, pagpananom, pagpamuhi ug hayop dili lamang katungdanan sa mag-uuma (preparation, planting and livestock raising is not just the farmers’ responsibility),” said Elumba as he urged Siquijodnons to practice “edible landscaping” and “diversified farming” to prepare for El Niño.

Ins te a d o f g r o w i n g fl o w e r s and other ornamental plants, Elumba

encouraged planting of vegetables and other food crops especially during drought.

He also encouraged farmers to adopt diversified farming system to become resilient, citing studies that farmers who are into monocropping are not resilient to calamities.

LGUs are also told to prepare localized El Niño mitigation plans.

Elumba tackled the DA Programs/ Projects Implementing Guidelines 2016; Agri-Fishery Development Framework 2010-2016; and Municipal Agriculturual Development Plan during the El Niño Mitigation Information Campaign and Farmers’ Forum held recently at the Siquijor State College in Larena, S i q u i j o r. ( r m n / r a c / P I A 7 - S i q u i j o r )

2016 budget to support climate change projects worth P132B

October 18 - Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad bared that funds for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the proposed 2016 National Budget have reached P132 billion in order to build the resilience of vulnerable communities against the devastating impact of climate change.

“With the help of the World Bank, our ongoing audit of the P3.002-trillion budget for next year has tagged P132billion worth of projects that represent climate expenditures,” the budget chief said in response to calls by Finance Ministers of the ‘Vulnerable Twenty’ (V20) for a significant mobilization of funds for a global response to climate change.

The V20 group is led by the Philippines and represents a significant number of nations most vulnerable to

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climate change. It held its inaugural m e e t i n g d u r i n g t h e Wo r l d B a n k / International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Lima, Peru last week to push for greater investments in climate resiliency ahead of the COP21 talks in Paris.

“The amount of P132 billion for climate expenditures is a huge investment, but we have been working on increasing the budget to address climate change since 2011. More importantly, the 2016 budget builds on the lessons of Typhoon Yolanda as well as focusing on climate change adaptation. This prioritization reflects the National Government’s major support for enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable communities,” said Abad.

The tagging of climate expenditures in the 2016 budget was made possible through an ongoing

OFWs gi alerto batok sa “tanim-bala” scheme

MANILA (PIA) — Si Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapiliz-Baldoz namahayag nga adunay gikatahong “tanim-bala” nga ga panghitabo sa mga airports dinhi sa nasud.

Gi awhag ni Baldoz ilabi na ang mga pasahero sa eroplano nga OFWs nga angay silang magmatngon ug magmabinantayon sa ilang mga bagahe.

Kinahanglan nga dili sila magpalayo panahon sa inspeksyon ug kung adunay mamatikdan nga kadudahang lihok sa mga kawani sa airport I report gilayon sa mga nahitungdan nga opisyal.

Mas labing maayo nga mag inventory sa mga sulod sa bagahe sa dili pa moadto sa airport aron adunay ikapakita sa otoridad kung gikinahanglan

alang sa himoong nga screening ug checking , matud ni Baldoz.

Nasubo ang labor and employment chief sa mga nahimong biktima sa “tanim-bala” scheme nga mga OFWs. Matud ni Baldoz nga ang maong panghitabo makahatag ug kahadlok sa mg OFWs ilabi na kadtong mopauli ug mo bakasyon sa nasud alang sa umalabot nga holidays.

Tungod niini, gimando-an ni Baldoz ang mga Overseas Workers Welfare Administration nga naka pwesto sa nagkalain laing airports nga magmatngon usab sa ilang pag ayuda sa OFWs nga mosulod ug mogawas sa nasud. (lpp/ PIA7/Negros Oriental)

climate change expenditures tagging initiative supported by the World Bank.

By tracking expenditures associated with climate change, the National Government will have an easier time identifying them, ensuring their transparency, and enhancing their effectiveness.

Majority of the climate expenditure in the proposed 2016 budget was lodged under the budget of the DPWH, around 72.2 percent to account for the increase in funding of flood control protection.

The construction of flood control facilities covering 18 major river basins and principal rivers and watersheds by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amounts to P59.8 billion

Other projects that were tagged as climate expenditures were the reforestation of 1.5 million hectares under the six-year National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) amounting to P10.2 billion and farm-to-market roads amounting to P12.9 billion under the Department of Agriculture (DA). (DBM PR)

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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