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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. 38 November 9-16, 2015

NFA urges LCEs to campaign against rice wastage

(PIA) – The National Food Authority (NFA-7) in the region called on local chief executives to step up campaign to minimize rice wastage.

In a Kapihan sa PIA recently, NFA-7 information officer Agnes Militante said Filipinos as a whole wastes around P10B worth of rice every year. Every individual she added wastes an average of two tablespoons of rice daily and it could add up to 3.3 kilogram a year.

“If we compute it with the 100 million population, it is P27M daily and rice wastage could go up to 330,000 metric tons every year,” Militante said.

In terms of production, Cheryl de la Victoria, information officer of the Department of Agriculture (DA-7) said Central Visayas is 32 percent r i c e s u ff i c i e n t , e x c e p t f o r B o h o l Province which is 102 percent rice sufficient, the rest of the Provinces Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor are more than 50 percent short, she added.

For this month both DA and NFA officials are encouraging the City and Municipal Mayors to come up with their own initiatives in becoming a “Food Guardian” which is a program of the agriculture sector launched three years ago with the tagline “Be Riceponsible Campaign.”

“We cannot do anything if we

Another development is on-going in the port of Larena through the efforts of Larena town Mayor Dean S. Villa. The expansion project costs some P157, 022, 007.61 (Larena Review photo) don’t have the support of the Local Chief Executives, or they can also come up with their own legislation,” Militante said.

Cebu City accordingly came up with a Resolution mandating food outlets to serve half cup of rice.

Other activities in the National Rice Campaign include Zumba and Run for Rice and bringing the campaign to the educators and schools.

An average Filipino eats around 4 ½ cups of rice daily. (mbcn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

DSWD7 warns swindlers collecting membership fees to Pantawid Pamilya recipients

(PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) warned individuals who are taking advantage of the program by asking membership fees to become beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Philippine government’s version of conditional cash transfer.

“We do not collect membership fees to become Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries,” stressed (DSWD) Field Office VII regional director Mercedita Jabagat after receiving fraudulent reports.

“Beneficiaries are selected through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan, which identifies who and where the poor are in the country,” said Jabagat.

The DSWD is the lead government agency implementing the program with over four million household beneficiaries nationwide. Of the total household-beneficiaries about 250,000 are from Central Visayas.

She pointed out that there are criteria to become beneficiaries of the program and these include the following: Residents of the poorest municipalities, based on 2003 Small Area Estimates (SAE) of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), Households whose economic condition is equal to or below the provincial poverty threshold, Households that have children 0-18 years old and/ or have a pregnant woman at the time of

assessment and Households that agree to meet conditions specified in the program.

“We encourage the public to be vigilant and not to fall prey to these hustlers.

We urge you to immediately report to the nearest DSWD office if you know of irregularities regarding the implementation of the program. You can also reach our Municipal/City Links for inquiries regarding Pantawid Pamilya,” Jabagat added.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18.(mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

iNFOBYTES

El Nino in the Philippines

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is closely monitoring the oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific, where El Niño is prevalent.

What is El Niño?

It is the unusual warming in the Central and Eastern Equatorial Pacific.

Characteristics of El Niño

It occurs in the Pacific basin every 2-9 years

It usually starts between December to February

Once established, it lasts until the first half of the following year; however, at times it may last longer

It exhibits phase-locking in annual cycles, which means rainfall fluctuations associated with it tend to recur at the same time of the year

It usually has a biennial cycle or is often preceded and/or followed by La Niña Climatic indicators of El Niño in the Philippines

Delayed onset of the rainy season

Early termination of the rainy season

Weak monsoon activity (i.e. isolated short, heavy downpours) Weak tropical cyclone activity, i.e.:

Far tropical cyclone tracks

Fewer tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility

Less intense tropical cyclones How is El Niño different from La Niña?

El Niño is associated with warmer surface waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific region, while La Niña is characterized by unusually cold surface temperatures of the ocean.

In the Philippines, La Niña is associated with anomalies in rainfall, temperature, and tropical cyclone activities. La Niña conditions, on the other hand, favor the formation of tropical cyclones over the western Pacific, thus increasing the number of tropical cyclones.

Who declares if there is El Niño?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It is the United Nation’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.

PAGASA also gathers information from the US National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its funded agencies like the Climate Prediction Center (CPC). The NOAA, CPC, and the International Research Institute regularly provide information on the development of ENSO event, we follow their announcement. The US has observing stations over the Nino region, so they monitor these oceanic areas in real time.

How to conserve water during El Niño

The government is making sure that the general population is shielded from the adverse repercussions of the weather phenomenon, particularly the severe dry spell.

Likewise, the public is also urged to do its share in mitigating the effects of El Niño on water supply.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) offers these water conservation tips:

Turn the faucet off firmly to prevent leakage. Installing low volume/high pressure (LV/HP) nozzles or flow constrictors helps reduce water usage by up to 50 percent.

Use the water dipper (tabo) and pail (timba) instead of the shower while taking a bath.

Instead of running water, use a glass of water while brushing your teeth.

Buy new, water-efficient toilet bowls that consume only 2.6 – 4 liters of water for every flush. Old models use up to 14 liters of water per flush.

Discard leftover food before washing dishes. As much as possible, use a basin (palanggana) to save water as well as dishwashing soap.

Wash all your clothes at once. Don’t allow the water in your washbasin (batya) to overflow.

Reuse water from your laundry to flush your toilet, clean your car, or water your garden plants.

Instead of a water hose, use only a pail and a towel in washing your car.

Water your plants only before sunrise or after sunset to prevent water loss due to vaporization.

Collect rainwater with pails and basins, and store it for future use (e.g., watering the plants, cleaning the house).

In restaurants and hotels, serve water to guests only when they ask for it. Collect leftover drinking water, and use it to water your garden plants.

Switch off the water valve in buildings that are not operational at night. Turn off the gate valve in the evening, and turn it on again the following morning.

Report broken pipelines and illegal water connections to proper authorities. Dial the Maynilad and Manila Water hotline numbers (1626 and 1627, respectively), or contact the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) office nearest you.

Share these water saving tips to your family, neighbors, students, and co-workers.

iNFOBYTES & Siquijor blogs Siquijor and BEYOND

This blog was conceptualized as an end product of the #InfoTourismAdventureRace, the very first in the Philippines. Bored of the usual convention style of gathering information officers, the Philippine Information Agency – Region VII felt the need to come up with a different approach in the annual gathering of the Regional Association of Development Information Officers (RADIO).

The concept then came from the experienced communicator of Cebu, Vince Escario, who has had a proven record of interesting events organized. For the second time this year, it was decided that the tourism officers will be involved for obvious reason that as a sector, effective communication is the key to its further boom. Besides most information officers are also tourism officers at the same time. We call them “slashers”. The idea was to marry a hands-on training of journalism skills and promotion of tourism features and usage of social media— thus the birth of #InfoTourismRace. And again the end product is a blog—but Team Kahinam calls it — with all our efforts and laughter, our masterpiece.

WHY SIQUIJOR? No other place can put up a great challenge for those on information and tourism but the Province of Siquijor. Mystic Island, Isla del Fuego these are the popular titles of the island yet, only a bit is being heard of or read about because of limited availability of communication signals, both internet and cellular phone. The Island has a lot to offer and has a huge potential in improving its economy thru the promotion of its tourism assets.

WHY KAHINAM? This is a Cebuano term for eagerness and the great interest to indulge into an activity, or discover new heights in a place or be with your significant other. Team Kahinam is composed of varied individuals bounded by the intense desire to live, explore, and experience the best of what Siquijor will give. It will always gravitate to the one goal of exploring #SensationalSiquijor one breathtaking place at a time.

Info Tourism Adventure Race Challenges: Sack Race: This race is the starting point in our challenges. It defines how the team will be able to keep up with the right cadence and attitude for the entire time. Having to keep up with the challenge of pushing yourself to the limits within the confines of the sack, the time limit and the pressure build up from your team and the others, this dictates the rhythm of the adventure race. Each member has his/ her own sack and will make sure to perform the task with the least violations and zero casualty involved. — JL, CBC blogger Capilay Swim Race: The swim race was definitely a game changer after the sack race. From the golden sands of Coco Grove to the emerald waters of Capilay, it had measured every team’s physical and mental endurance. Capilay Spring is a sight that seemed odd considering it was in the middle of a cross road. It was very public and yet not all people wanted to swim in its vast pool. The water is not visible and it had an upward growth of moss, a seemingly weird characteristic of the pool. — Ferliza, PIA Cebu Lana Making : People around the world, regardless of culture, language, race and religion, have considered coconut as “miracle” tree, being a very valuable source of both food and medicine. Moreover, oil from coconut is of special interest because it possesses amazing off and break it half, with your option to eat it Siquijor Island located in Tagmanocan located healing powers. While science explains the raw or grilled. This sea urchin specie is just as 2 kilometers from the town proper of Lazi. hundreds of health benefits derived from delicious as the black ones and you need to During the early days, it was not known or coconut oil, in Siquijor, the “mananambal” (folk scoop out its gonads [yellow flesh] inside the had been popular because it was believed healer) intertwines religious and folk beliefs and shells making sure not to touch your lips on by the locals to have an Octopus living with practices in using coconut oil to treat maladies. its juice or else you will suffer a hyper allergic only one arm and will devour anyone who Very much common is the oil extracted from reaction of swollen lips. Triad Restaurant dared enter the water and swim. It was also the coconut, but for it to be effective, it has was owned by a couple who are dentists and believed that it has a cave connected directly to come from the coconut facing the east, as who wanted to relax in an awesome view. Mr to the sea, making it somewhat dangerous the east symbolizes the dawn of the new day, and Mrs Masayon had built this restaurant when you swim if the temporary stone lock a rebirth or physical rejuvenation. “Lana”, the for their eldest kid who got married and then will move and trap you inside. The falls itself local term for coconut oil, is produced after later on decided to open it for the public. was discovered by a foreigner more than Lilibeth’s Pan Bisaya Bread Making: a decade ago. Recently, the falls was very squeezing the mixture of the grated coconut and coconut water, placed in the vat, subjecting Pan Bisaya has been one of the salient points popular to the tourists, both local and not, and it to controlled heat while stirring, and making in the formulation of Sensational Siquijor. The your stay in Siquijor is not the same without sure that the oil is separated from the “lunok” secret to nailing it? The right mix of ingredients the visiting this as part of the Itinerary. Only (residue). After cooking, the coconut oil is then properly measured with Passion and Love. few had known that the falls had 5 layers, placed in a container, until it is used to treat The mixing might require extra effort but the having the first 3 in close succession than the illnesses. Indeed, many personal testimonies feeling of satisfaction when your loved one last 2. One good point of the falls is that it had have attested to the healing powers of the had already taken their fill is just as fulfilling varying depths making tourist from all ages to coconut oil, especially when the folk healer and heart warming. — Gines, Ubay Bohol enjoy its pristine clear waters. It had 135 stone Tree Planting at Salagdoong Beach: piled steps and is quiet a challenge during the performs “yamyam”, similar to soft chants or prayers, to intercede the healing of the Rattan saplings are a vital source of durable ascent from the falls. — Eduard, DAR Siquijor person being treated. Nevertheless, most poles used in furniture or ornaments. It may Graduation Pic in Centuries Old people still believe that the potency or cure have a very spiky and rough interior skin Balete: The centuries old Balete Tree in depends on how deep a person’s faith is. — but the innermost core of the plant is just the town of Lazi reminded me of the ethereal Fiel, City Information Officer of Tagbilaran as durable as diamond. In this part of the beings that roam the world during Hollow’s Grill Your Own Lunch: So we then race, we need to plant at least 2 saplings Eve and All Souls Day. Anyway, this pond has decided to have our very early lunch in Larena but due to changes on the race, we just took the biggest fishes that feed on dead human Triad Restaurant, after finishing four control our selfies in Salagdoong, one of the most skin cells on our feet thereby increasing points in 1 hour of the race, and we kinda got sought after beaches in Siquijor. It has a circulation to our extremities. We had the hungry. We then prepared the food and so certain “lumay” effect on the travelers since chance to take a group photo in the spring far, the Salawaki or sea urchin was late. They this is just one place in Maria, Siquijor that you with all of us immersing our feet in the pool. weren’t advised that there will be groups who should not miss. — Jotham, Argao Tourism We only paid a minimal fee of 10.00 to help Cambugahay Falls Selfie: Cambugahay out the community maintain the cleanliness will arrive early. Anyhow, the Salawaki was the highlight of the lunch. You need to wash it Falls is known as the enchanting falls in of the pool. — Carlo, CAOCAMPIO Cebu

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

PNoy declares Nov 25 as ‘National day for youth in climate change’ youth to engage in activities that promote the adoption of a climatesmart lifestyle,” said Usec Gio Ti n g s o n , N Y C Chairperson.

It may be recalled that in the 2014 World Risk Report that was published by the United

The National Youth Commission scores a major breakthrough in its advocacy campaign on #NowPH ( Not on Our Watch ) with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1160 signed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino declaring November 25 and every year thereafter as National Day for Youth in Climate Action.

This unprecedented move is envisioned to boost further the #NowPH advocacy campaign that seeks to cushion the impact of disasters brought about by climate change by promoting environmentfriendly lifestyles and through proper utilization of resources among the youth.

“The issuance of this landmark document is a clear manifestation of the government’s concerted efforts that will provide opportunities to the

Nations, the Philippines is now ranked second among the countries in the world with the highest degree of risk and vulnerability in times of disasters.

“The proclamation is very timely and significant because our country is hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, where discussion on the effects of climate change to the world’s economy is not a remote possibility. World leaders need to conduct a serious assessment on climate change to be able to draw unified plans of action to address vulnerabilities of stakeholders,” stressed Asec Jose Sixto Dantes III, NYC Commissioner and Chairman of the NYC Committee on Environment who is spearheading the multisector campaign.

The heads of state attending this year’s APEC Summit are expected to participate in the forthcoming

CEBUANO NEWS: PH ug US mopalapad sa “defense alliance”

(PIA)—Si US President Barack Obama ug Philippine President Benigno Aquino lll nagkahiusa nga palapdan ang “defense ties” sa duha ka nasud atol sa gihimong bilateral meeting sa Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit dinhi sa nasud.

Gitumbok ni President Aquino nga ang defense ug security alliance sa duha ka nasud milungtad na ug sobra sa 60 ka tuig gani nahimo kining usa ka lig-on nga pundasyon sa kahimtang sa kahusay ug kalinaw sa rehiyong Asia Pacific.

Mapasalamaton ang Pilipinas ngadto sa Estados Unidos sa suporta nga gihatag niini aron mapatigbabaw gayud ang “rule of law” sa isyu sa West Philippine Sea ug ilabi na sa suporta niini sa gihimo sa Pilipinas nga “friendly, durable and rulesbased settlement mechanism.”

Si President Aquino ug President Obama naghisgut-hisgut mahitungod sa maritime security lakip na ang maritime disputes sa rehiyon aron padayon nga mapatunhay ang respeto sa international law. Si Presidente Aquino namulong atol sa maong bilateral meeting nga padayong ipatigbabaw ang “freedom of navigation” diha sa South China Sea subay sa balaod nga gilatid sa international law.

Gitumbok nga “great allies” ang Pilipinas ug Estados Unidos ug matud pa ni Presidente Obama mapasalamton siya sa ilang panagtambayayong pagbantay sa seguridad sa duha ka nasud sa gihimong “balikatan exercise” ug pag respeto sa bililhong panaghigalaay niini.

Dugang ni Presidente Obama nga ang Estados Unidos mo palapad pa sa ilang maritime assistance sa Pilipinas ngadto na sa “record levels” lakip niini ang paghatag sa US ug duha ka bag-ong barko.

Sa ilang pagtuki sa gihimong reclamation ug construction diha sa gilalisan nga South China Sea, namahayag si Obama nga ang Estados Unidos andam kanunay nga mo suporta sa gihimo ni Presidente Aquino nga pagsang-at ngadto sa UN Convention on the Law of the Sea aron makab-ot ang malinawon nga sulbad sa kasamtangang pananbingkil sa duha ka nasud nga China ug Pilipinas. (mbcn/lpp/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

21st Conference of Parties in Paris, France that seeks to formulate a legally binding agreement to address the issue of global warming.

With the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1160, the NYC in partnership with the Climate Change Commission and other stakeholders is mandated to spearhead activities to drum up cooperation, participation, and support of everyone to the #Now PH advocacy.

On November 25, the NYC and the CCC, together with its international development partners such as the UNICEF, Friedrich Naumann for Freedom Foundation(FNF) and the USAID, among others, will hold a day-long activities starting at 7 in the morning at the Rizal High School in Pasig City to display a 1,100 strong human banner to depict the Filipino youth’s message to the world leaders set to meet in December for the scheduled 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France. In the afternoon, a Greeneration /NowPH summit will be held at the SMX Convention Center to present the summary results of the #NowPH campaign and thank its partners.

The UNICEF and the NYC will also launch the D-Quest E-Learning program that teaches students the concept of disaster risk reduction (DRR) at the SMX Convention Center.

The #NowPH campaign supports the Philippine government’s position calling for a world cap of not more than two degrees celcius to the global temperature that can be achieved through dramatic cuts to the world’s greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions.

“We are now more than inspired to continue the work that we started. Our hard work has initially paid off and we are up to the challenge in breathing life to what was once a huge task. Let us all move fast enough almost on double time before everything turns from bad to worst. We cannot wait. The time to act is NOW. Our dreams for us and our children will never be realized unless we collectively take the cudgel for a better future,” ended Dantes.

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.

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