3vol 4 isiquijor 1 26 16

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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. 4| NO. 3January 19-26 , 2014

Catholic faithfuls in Siquijor urged to screen candidates before voting

SIQUIJOR, Jan. 19 (PIA) – An official from the Pilipino Movement for Transformational Leadership (PTML) has urged Catholic faithfuls in the province to screen the electoral candidates well before deciding on whom to vote for this 2016 elections.

Speaking before one of the biggest crowds in the province during the Vicarial Feast of St. Paul on January 16, Ricky Javier of PTML shared the movement’s vision “to establish the reign of God in the country by electing into office God-centered and competent servant leaders committed to the empowerment of the Filipino people.”

He said this while noting that 51% of the Filipino people are poor and 12 million has to work abroad, a situation that is linked to political dynasties and corruption. “

Seventy-nine to 80% of our elected leaders belong to political dynasties and many tainted with corruption issues,” Javier said.

Javier said voters should look closely at the competence and sincerity of candidates following the set of criteria bas e d o n C h r i s t i an values.

He spelled out the four major qualities any candidate or leader should possess: character and integrity, leadership integrity, leadership ability, and sincerity to God and country.

Launched in September last year, PTMLis composed of Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals coming together for “a truly democratic elections and good governance.” (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Ricky Javier above photo) of the Pilipino Movement for Transformational Leadership (PTML) talking about Good Governance before one of the biggest crowds in the province during the Vicarial Feast of St. Paul on January 16 as he urged Catholic faithfuls here to screen the electoral candidates well before deciding on whom to vote for this 2016 elections.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Energy security needed to sustain high growth—NEDA

MANILA, Jan. 21 -- The Philippines must continuously invest in improving the country’s energy capacity to attain energy security that will allow the country to sustain its rapid growth and make it more inclusive, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“As we continue to strengthen and improve the nation’s institutions, develop the country’s infrastructure, promote technological innovation, and pursue regulatory and structural reforms, we also have to carry out policies and programs that will improve the competitiveness and productivity of our industries,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said at the 2016 Energy Policy and Development Program (EPDP) Conference.

“This cannot be attained without an efficient, secure and sustainable energy sector,” he added.

He underscored that energy remains a crucial element in economic growth and development, stating the potential of the Philippines of reaching high income status by 2040 provided the economy grows consistently by 7.0 percent annually.

“While there have been improvements in infrastructure, we still lag behind our neighbors. In particular, investments in energy capacity need to be sustained, where the desired outcome is energy security,” Balisacan said. “This means ensuring the availability, quality, and affordability of electricity.”

Balisacan cited the World Economic Forum report, which showed that the Philippines scored only 4.2 out of seven in terms of sufficiency and reliability of power supply. Also, almost 20 percent of households in the Philippines do not have electricity, and those who do—households, commercial establishments and industries—have to pay a high price for electricity, which is almost twice the average price in Southeast Asia.

“This means that we are losing out in competitiveness, thereby limiting our export orientation. Additionally, our energy and electricity consumption per capita is the lowest among eight countries. If we equate convenience as having access to more automated gadgets, then this means that we are the most deprived in terms of convenience,” the Cabinet official said.

The EPDP currently assists the Philippine government in research, capacitybuilding, and in developing policies and strategies that will make cost-effective use of resources, promote sustainable energy development, and make electricity accessible and affordable to Filipinos. It was launched by the UPEcon Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development in 2014.

Balisacan currently chairs the EPDP Steering Committee.

The two-day EPDP Conference 2016 convened policymakers, practitioners, experts and academics to discuss policy and research issues in energy such as forecasting energy demand, optimal fuel mix, market testing of power supply agreements, and power plant approvals. (NEDA)

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Jerome G Brillantes as the Guest of Honor during the Provincial Joint Security Control Meeting (PJSCC) last January 13, 2016 at the Siquijor Provincial Police Office (SPPO) Conference Room. (PCR SPPO)

IEC seen to inculcate values useful in Philippine issues

CEBU CITY, January 26 (PIA) – Catholic church officials are hopeful that the holding of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu translates into applied values in the Philippine society.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in yesterday’s press briefing at the IEC Pavilion, said they remain positive that the learnings and realizations that will be shared from the congress

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will eventually be made visible in the various issues faced by the Filipinos.

Understanding the Eucharist means the intent to transform, he said.

“It is transformative, so this would mean values such as equality, peace and honesty, patience will be practiced by public, leaders and the people,” Palma said.

Citing the Mamasapano incident which happened exactly a year ago, Palma said they continue to hope for justice and healing for the families.

The IEC is also seen to influence the lay positively which

Every Christian Family is a missionary family, echoes Bishop Julito B. Cortes during the Vicarial Feast of St Paul held Saturday and hosted by the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Enrique Talingting Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor with the theme: “Year of the Eucharist and Family”.

He challenged every Christian to renew and strengthen his recognition of the vocation and mission of a family as the cradle of love, sanctuary of life and as the domestic church where love, respect and prayer should be spread.

will extend into the conduct and participation of the May elections.

“I believe in the grace of the event. Walking towards the direction of hope means doing something and not just sitting down,” Palma said.

Italian Archbishop Peirro Marini said the Eucharist is the identity of Christ.

“In the Congress, the participants are hoped to have inculcated what they learn from the liturgy or it will be nothing,” Marini said.

The second day of the IEC centered on being hopeful and the pastoral role of women in the Church.

The Papal Envoy led by Papal Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo will be treated today to a performance by the world renowned dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

There are 72 participating countries in the EIC with over 200 bishops present.

It was in 1937 when the Philippines first hosted the IEC. (rmn/fcc/PIA7-Cebu)

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Bill reforming ‘Sangguniang Kabataan’ signed

Jan. 21 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III signed last January 15 Republic Act 10742, which reforms the Sangguniang Kabataan for meaningful youth participation in nation-building.

The Act, known as the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015,” calls for the creation of the Katipunan ng Kabataan in every barangay, to be composed of all citizens residing in that barangay for at least six months, who are at least 15 years old but not more than 30 years old, and who are duly registered in the list of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

The Katipunan ng Kabataan shall elect the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson and members; and serve as the highest policymaking body to

decide on matters affecting t h e y o u t h i n t h e b a r a n g a y.

The law also provides for the creation of the Sangguniang Kabataan in every barangay, to be composed of a chairperson and seven members who will be elected by the registered voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.

The Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, with the concurrence of the majority of the Sangguniang Kabataan members, shall appoint from among the members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, a secretary and a treasurer.

The functions of the Sangguniang Kabataan include the crafting of a Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan, which shall serve as basis in the preparation of the Annual Barangay Youth Investment

Cebuano News: Balikbayan Box Law, pasado na sa Senado

MANILA, Jan. 20 (PIA)--Pasado na sa senado ang Customs Modernization and Tariff Act o CMTA nga maglibre sa taripa sa mga pasalubong nga cargo o sa mga Balikbayan Box nga ginapadala sa mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ug nagkantidad lamang og dili molapas sa P150,000. ang sulod.

Ang maong balaodnon nagsaka sa ceiling sa kantidad sa Balikbayan Box nga libre sa taripa gikan sa kanhi P10,000.

Matud pa ni Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, ang pagpasar sa CMTA nga gitawag niyang Balikbayan Box Law o BBL maghatag og pribilehiyo sa mga OFWs nga mag-ule o magpadala sa Pilipinas og mga butang nga ilang gihaguan nga dili buhisan.

Sa Section 800 sa maong balaodnon, nakalatid nga mahimong magpadala og duha ka boxes ang usa ka OFW nga iphon isip usa ka shipment lamang kun dili molapas ang kantidad niini sa P150,000.

Gipasabot ni Recto nga ang maong pribilehiyo mahimo lamang gamiton katulo sulod sa usa ka tuig sa mga OFWs.

Kinahanglan usab nga ang sulod sa mga Balikbayan Boxes mga personal ug gamit sa panimalay lamang ug dili angay dinaghan nga mahimong gamitong pang-negosyo.

Kung hingpit na kining mahimong balaod, mahimong libre na usab sa buhis ang mga donasyon ug mga relief goods kun adunay kalamidad.

Malikayan na usab ang “human intervention” o pagpangabri sa mga Balikbayan Boxes tungod kay himuon nang electronic ang pamaagi sa Customs ug isaka ang silot sa mga magtinguhang gamiton ang mga Balikbaybayan Boxes sa smuggling. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Program; approve the annual budget; promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the youth in accordance with the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan; and coordinate efforts with the national government and private entities.

Also under the law, the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) will be created in every province, city and municipality to ensure wide and multi-sectoral youth participation in local governance.

The LYDC will be composed of representatives of youth and youth-serving organizations in the provincial, city, and municipal levels. It will assist the planning and execution of projects and programs of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

The LYDC will be funded by their respective Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

There will also be in every province, city and municipality a Youth Development Office, to be headed by a youth development officer with the rank of at least a division chief.

Republic Act 10742, a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2401 and House of Representatives Bill No. 6043, was passed by the Senate and the House on November 4, 2015 and November 11, 2015, respectively. (PCOO/PND)

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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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