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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. 2 | NO. 38 November 8-14, 2014
Larena opens tourism center by Rizalie A. Calibo LARENA, Siquijor, Nov 17 (PIA)--The local government of Larena, Siquijor opens its Tourism Center recently, the first in the province that will house the Tourist Police office and serves as the Pasalubong Center. According to Larena mayor Deans Villa, this is a “dream come true” not just for Larenians but for all Siquijodnons. Villa added the dream though went through a long, winding journey until it became a reality now. Renovated from an old dull deserted engineering building at the Pier area in Larena, Siquijor, it now stands fully restored, alive and “enticing” with vibrant colors and designs applied in the makeover. “I color it bright to signify our bright future,” noted Villa in his opening statement as he recalled how he dreamed and worked hard for the building. He said it was being conceptualized long before his first stint as a mayor and tried to request the previous provincial administrations to let the local government of Larena to use the old building that has been vacated so many times. This building had been occupied by a number of local and national government agencies in the province -- DPWH, provincial engineering office, DENR, DAR, just to name a few. T h e r e q u e s t s h o w e v e r, were turned down but that it never stopped him from dreaming more and praying all the more, he added. What he wanted after all is for not for himself but for the town of Larena, for the whole province, to provide security and preserve peace and prosperity, Larena town being the gateway of Siquijor island. “The whole structure was never changed at all,” Villa said of the building. “We just put in some innovations to make it enticing and colorful as how it went through and what we want for Larena and the whole island to be,” he quipped. Villa thanked the provincial governor for keeping the fire burning with the turnover of the old engineering
Larena Mayor Dean S. Villa (center) in a pose with some local officials and personnel fro national government agencies in the province after the blessing/opening of the Tourism center. (PIA-Siquijor)
building to the LGU-Larena, and the PNP, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the support and to the constituents for the “change of heart” and prayers, otherwise it will never happen. Villa then presented the Larena Tourism Center in a blessing and opening officiated by Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Ronaldo Ablong of the St. Vincent Parish. Gracing the event were the regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP-7) PCSupt Prudencio Tom Bañas; Siquijor provincial governor
Zaldy Villa; local chief executives and heads of some national agencies. Bañas in his short message said, the center indeed is enticing and lauded Villa for his dynamic leadership. “Napakaganda po. As we look around the region, one of the assets of the Central Visayas is on tourism and we see that the future of Siquijor is also on tourism. The bright colors signify a very bright future for Siquijor,” he said. Sabi nga nila, “we do not dream to fail, sometimes we just fail to dream,” Bañas said. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Documentation on folk healing practices launched in Siquijor Island
by Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing & Engr. Mario E. de la Pena
Island: Documentation of Philippine Traditional Knowledge and Practices on Health and Development of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library on Health at
SIQUIJOR (PIA)—Researchers, academicians and other stakeholders officially launched a research/documentation entitled, “Folk Healing Practices of Siquijor
(L-R) Atty Gilbert Arbon (DOST Negros Or), Dr. Ma. Imogen Quilicot (SSC President), Dr. Evelyn Lacuesta (NORSU), Mayor Mei Ling Quezon (Mun Mayor of Siquijor), Gov. Zaldy Villa, Dr. Isidro Sia (UP Manila) Mr. Rey Galang (UP Manila) with DOST-Siquijor’s Engr. Mario E. de la Peña (standing) in his Closing Remarks.
Cantabon Barangay Social Center. University of the Philippines Manila and project consultant Dr. Isidro Sia, also a professor of pharmacology in his rationale of the research said the endeavor will assist the communities in documenting and upholding their healing traditions. Provincial science and technology director Engr. Mario de la Peña also stressed the need for the protection of the island’s traditional health practices against piracy through the Intellectual Property Rights (IPO) with the help of Atty. Gilbert Arbon of DOST Negros Oriental. He said that the program would succeed with the support of all cooperating institutions such as Siquijor State College headed by its president, Dr. Ma. Imogen Quilicot; Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) with Dr. Virginia Lacuesta; the DOST and the local government units that committed to support the program. Siquijor town mayor Mei Ling Quezon and Siquijor provincial governor Zaldy Villa were happy that such undertaking was initiated. Both leaders gave their commitment and full support to the project. Barangay captains of San Antonio, Ibabao, Cantabon and Cangmatnog also gave their consent and support in the conduct of the research. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7Siquijor/with reports from Engr. Reinhold Jek Abing & Engr. Mario E. de la Peña/DOSTSiquijor)
DOST conducts candle making training
by Engr. Roland M. Padayhag
Engr. Roland M. Padayhag of PSTC-Siquijor demonstrates candle making before the training participants Macbeth Dal also of DOST-Siquijor, shared various types of candle making technology such as decorative, votive, gel, container, cylindrical, vigil, hand-formed, classical/ aroma or scented and personalized candles. After learning the candle making technology, acquiring the required skills and techniques, participants found candle making really interesting and rewarding,
SIQUIJOR (PIA)-- The Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor Province and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted recently a Science and Technology Training on Candle Making at DAR-Siquijor Conference Hall. It was a two-day hands-on training designed for both men and women of the POs. The training is part of the DOST and DAR’s initiative to empower the people’s organizations (POs) in the island. DOST-Siquijor trainer, Engr. Roland Padayhag said this is a Gender and Development (GAD) responsive initiative geared towards boosting capabilities of human resources to create additional livelihood in local communities. DAR-Siquijor GAD project implementers and representatives of various people’s associations from barangays Caipilan, Timbaon, Sabang and Tagmanocan, SSILAMPCO, Triple M and interested individuals got the chance to make candles personally during the training’s hands-on sessions. Padayhag with his training buddy
Padayhag said. “Now, candle making is seemingly not just a way of lighting but through this technology training, it has a new entwined meaning, an innovative sort of livelihood for Siquijodnons,” added Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Provincial Officer for Operations Lalaine Toralde. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from RMPadayhag/DOST-Siquijor)
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This early, Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz is urging all the country’s private sector employers to pay their workers the 13th month pay, pursuant to the Labor Code of the Philippines and its implementing rules and regulations, saying that the 13th month pay is a general labor standard that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) does not compromise as to its payment. Ye s t e r d a y, t h e S e c r e t a r y s i g n e d a n d i s s u e d a l a b o r a d v i s o r y t o t h i s e f f e c t , e x p l a i n i n g that private sector employers are duty-bound under the law to report their compliance with this worker benefit. “All employers are required to pay their rank-and-file employees the 13th month pay, regardless of the nature of their employment, and irrespective of the methods by which their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one month during a calendar year,” Baldoz said. “Good labor-management relations, increased workers’ and enterprises’ productivity and competitiveness result from workers being paid what is due them,” she added. Reminding employers to pay their workers their 13th month benefit has been one of Baldoz’s staunchest advocacies since she assumed the position as Secretary of Labor and Employment in 2010.
Q & A sa RA 10645: Awtomatikong benepisyo ng PhilHealth sa mga Senior Citizen Nitong ika-5 ng Nobyembre 2014, pinirmahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Republic Act No. 10645, na nag-amyenda sa Republic Act No. 7432, upang magbigay ng higit na kalinga sa mga nakatatandang Filipino. Magkakabisa ito 15 araw matapos mailathala ang batas sa diyaryo o sa Official Gazette (print). Ano ang Republic Act (RA) 10645? Ang RA 10645 o ay batas na ginagawang awtomatikong miyembro ng PhilHealth ang lahat ng Filipino pagtungtong nila ng edad na 60. Matatamasa ng lahat ng senior citizens ang lahat benepisyong pangkalusugan ng PhilHealth. Kailangan ba ng mga Senior Citizen na kumuha ng ID mula sa PhilHealth? Hindi. Ayon mismo kay Sen. Ralph Recto, “Magpakita lang sila ng ID bilang patunay na sila’y senior citizen at matatanggap na nila mula sa ospital ang karampatang benepisyong laan sa mga miyembro ng PhilHealth.” Ngayon lang ba nagkabatas para sa segurong pangkalusugan ng mga Senior Citizen? Hindi. Noon pang 1992, ipinasa na ang Republic Act 7432 o Senior Citizens Act. Inamyemdahan ito at ipinasa ang Republic Act 9994 o Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. At ngayong 2014, muli itong inamyemdahan at higit na pinalawak ang saklaw ng naunang batas. Ano ang pinagkaiba ng RA 9994 sa RA 10645? Nakasaad sa RA 9994 na ang mabibigyan lamang ng awtomatikong benepisyo ng PhilHealth ay mga indigent o mahihirap na Filipino. Ito ang mga Filipinong walang sapat na kita upang magbigay ng kontribusyon at maging miyembro ng PhilHealth. Inalis ito sa RA 10645 at ginawang awtomatiko ang benepisyo sa LAHAT ng senior citizens, indigent man o hindi. Ayon kay Sen. Recto, sa oras na hipan nila ang kandila sa kanilang ika-60 kaarawan, hanggang sa huli nilang hininga, miyembro silang lahat ng PhilHealth. Gaano pa karaming Senior Citizen ang hindi sakop ng PhilHealth? May 2.16 milyon pang senior citizen ang hindi nakaenrol sa PhilHealth sa kasalukuyan. Mayroong 3.94 milyong naka-enrol na, at may kabuuang 6.1 milyong senior citizen sa bansa. Saan kukunin ng pamahalaan ang pondo para sa programang ito? Kukunin ang pondo mula sa National Health Insurance Fund ng PhilHealth, na kita mula sa RA 10351 o Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012. Ilang mga Filipino ang nakikinabang sa PhilHealth sa kasalukuyan? Noong Disyembre 2013, mayroong 31.27 na nakarehistrong miyembro, at 45.63 milyong dependent. Ngayong 2014, punterya ng PhilHealth na masakop ng segurong pangkalusugan ang higit 90% ng mga Filipino.
The 13th month pay is defined to mean one-twelfth (1/12) of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year. The basic salary includes all remunerations or earnings paid by an employer to an employee for services rendered, but may not include cost-ofliving allowances (COLA), profit-sharing payments, cash equivalents of unused vacation and sick leave credits, overtime pay, premium pay, night shift differential pay, holiday pay, and all allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered, or integrated as part of the regular or basic salary of the employee. “The 13th month pay must be paid on or before December 24 of every year. This year, the 24th of December falls on a Wednesday, so employers may pay their workers the 13th month benefit on this day, but I urge them to pay earlier to avoid the rush,” said Baldoz. S h e a d d e d , h o w e v e r, t h a t employers may pay their employees one-half of their 13th month benefit before the opening of the regular school year—May or June—and the remaining one-half on or before December 24. If not paid after this date, the 13th month pay becomes due and demandable. To enable workers and employers to appreciate better the formula and computation of the 13th month pay, Baldoz issued a sample illustration, as follows: 13th month pay = Total basic salary earned during the year / 12 months Baldoz said employers who fail to pay the 13th month benefit are liable to money claim cases that aggrieved employees can file with any DOLE regional office.Under the Labor Code, every covered employer is required to make a report of compliance with the law to the nearest DOLE regional office not later than January 15 of each year. “Once the DOLE receives a r e q u e s t f o r a s s i s t a n c e ( R FA ) t o resolve a non-payment of 13th month benefit, the RFA will be acted upon using the single entry approach (SEnA) mechanism of conciliation-mediation which is a very accessible, fair, nonlitigious, and inexpensive dispute settlement system,” said Baldoz. Any question about this release? Please call DOLE Hotline at 527-8000 or the Bureau of Working Conditions at 527-3000 loc. 307-308. (dole.gov.ph)
DOLE to private sector employers: Pay your workers the 13th month pay on or before Dec 24
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iNFOBYTES
(Last of two parts)
4. The RIGHT TO CHOOSE
5. The RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION
The fifth consumer right is THE RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION which is the right to express consumer interests in the making and execution of government policies. WHAT TO DO: Be aware of how the consumer laws and regulations are being implemented in your locality. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED: Write a letter to your barangay chairman, especially if the issue concerns your locality. The barangay chairman is in the best position to recommend your proposal to the council. Be a member of a consumer group because there is strength in number and your collective voices will be heard loud and clear.
6. The RIGHT TO REDRESS
The sixth consumer right is THE RIGHT TO REDRESS which is the right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services. YOU MAY LOOK FORWARD TO: Manufacturers/Storeowners would replace defective goods pursuant to the provision on “No Return, No Exchange” provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. WHAT TO DO: In case you bought a defective product, try going back to the store where you bought the item and look for the Consumer Welfare Desk.
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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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You may request a replacement, refund or if needed, have the defective item repaired If the manager or store representative does not act on your complaint, proceed to the agency which has jurisdiction over your case. Bring the necessary documents like complaint letter and a copy of your receipt and other documents you deem vital for the mediation. Be sure to attend the mediation. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED:
If mediation fails, arbitration follows. The process is similar to the process being implemented by the regular courts. You will be duly informed of the developments of your case.
7. The RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION
The seventh consumer right is THE RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION which is the right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed consumer. YOU MAY LOOK FORWARD TO: The three sectors of society: business, government and consumer would embark on an information campaign through tri-media on consumer related issues. A series of seminars, conferences, for a, trainings, and public hearing for the welfare of consumers. Consumer Education being integrated in the school curriculum from elementary, secondary and tertiary level as mandated by RA 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines. WHAT TO DO: Scan newspapers, magazines and other reading materials for articles or newsbits which educate consumers on how to get the best value for their peso. Involve yourself in public hearings or even meetings conducted in your area wherein consumer-related issues such as access to basic goods and services, product quality and safety, sustainable consumption and the like are being discussed. Participate in seminars, conferences and fora conducted by government agencies, consumer groups and business/industry sector regarding new laws and regulations for consumer welfare.
The fourth consumer right is THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE which is the right to choose products at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality. YOU MAY LOOK FORWARD TO: A wide array of goods and services which are offered in the market with diverse brands, sizes, shapes and colors and with differences in the price, quality and use. WHAT TO DO: Specify what you really want. The biggest size may be cheaper but it may not be what you need. Canvass price before purchasing a product or signing a contract. Read the manuals or instructions carefully to be able to compare one product with another because in this way, you will not miss the fine prints which might contain the information you need to determine which product would serve you better. If product testers are available, be sure to try one. Be wary of special offers like free items or buy 2 take 1 free. Compare them with the regular priced items to be sure that you are not paying for the said free items. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED: Get in touch with the store owner/manufacturer in case you have a query regarding the product. As regards services rendered, you may write the manager of the company and suggest ways in which to improve their service.
8. The RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
The eighth consumer right is THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT which is the right to live and work in an environment which is neither threatening nor dangerous and which permits a life of dignity and well-being. YOU MAY LOOK FORWARD TO: The government exerting an iron hand regarding the alarming increase in the degradation of the environment especially our forests, dying wildlife, depleted landfill space and environmental contamination to prevent further damage. Constant monitoring of our seas, coral reefs, forests and waste disposal being committed by factories to check if there is a violation of the laws on environmental protection. WHAT TO DO: Be aware of the kind and extent of pollution occuring in your locality like air pollution, noise/odor, etc. so that you would be able to address the problem. Do your share in caring for our environment by practicing the 3Rs of environmental protection: REDUCE – the source of solid wastes by buying earth friendly products. These are products that could be disposed properly without harming our environment. REUSE – products and containers as much as possible. RECYCLE – because using recycled products and recycling per se, will prolong the life of our landfills. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED: Write to the local officials and to consumer organizations if you are aware of dynamite fishing or illegal logging being committed in your area. Organize an earth-friendly group in your area. The main task of which is to ensure that your surroundings have clean air and clean water. Also, encourage the people in your neighborhood to practice proper waste disposal, use of recycled and recyclable materials and the use of environmentally safe materials.
“A WELL INFORMED AND VIGILANT CONSUMER IS THE BEST PROTECTED CONSUMER.”