41 isiquijor 11 30 15

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. 41 November 24-30, 2015

​La Salle Bacolod’s BLT program supports Siquijor to help reduce schoolchildren hunger SIQUIJOR, Nov 24 (PIA) -- The University of St. La Salle-Bacolod through its Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) School Feeding Program is extending support to the province of Siquijor to help reduce hunger especially among schoolchildren.

I n a press release, Center for Negros Development ( C N D ) representative Irene Gargaceran said BLT Siquijor on its first year is piloted in 11 schools

CND representatives Glenn D. Burgos, Leonardo O. Ceballos and Irene C. Gargaceran with Siquijor Provincial Zaldy S. Villa and the school heads of BLT schools, ASDS and DepEd Nurse during their visit to Siquijor province to officicially introduce Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) program.

that officially kicked off in September 1.

She said the program aims to help alleviate hunger, improve the nutritional status and attendance of the pupils, train the teachers in implementing a more systematic school feeding program, mentor the parents in cooking low-cost but nutritious meals, help establish a vegetable garden in school as well as promote local collaboration.

Five of these schools are in San Juan municipality namely, San Juan Central Elementary School, Tambisan,

Solangon, Can-asagan, and Catulayan Elementary Schools, respectively.

Siquijor town school beneficiaries are Siquijor Central Elementary School and Cang-alwang Elementary School while Lazi town are Campalanas and Simacolong Elementary Schools.

The two other pilot school beneficiaries are Bogo Elementary School of the municipality of Maria, and Ponong Elementary School of Larena municipality.

The program is implemented through the University of St. La Salle’s

Hinumdomi: Dec. 9 ang deadline sa reactivation sa overseas voters records.

Institute for Negros Development (IND) office recently renamed as CND that has been managing and co-implementing t h e B LT S c h o o l Feeding Program in Negros since 2009 as the Area Implementing Partner of Jollibee Group Foundation and also in partnership with the Department of Education.

Mentoring

and monitoring in the identified schools were made to effectively implement the program, Gargaceran said as she hopes for financial support from the local government units (LGUs) to sustain the program.

To further sustain the endeavors of the program CND representatives Glenn Burgos, Leonardo Ceballos and Irene Gargaceran met with officials from the Province of Siquijor together with the heads of BLT schools, ASDS and DepEd Nurse to officially introduce the program and discuss what they can do to help BLT improve the nutrition of the children, their parents and the community.

“So far the governor and all the mayors expressed interest and gratitude for JGF, La Salle Bacolod, and CND for extending the support to the province that helps improve malnutrition of students in respective elementarty schools identified,” said Gargaceran.

With their positive response to support Academic Year 2016-2017, the program will surely be sustainable, also said the CND representatives.

The team also took a quick stop at the office of the Tourism Department who also shared a relative response to be in partnership with the university for BLT and tourism. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

DBM warns vs online reports of extra P10K bonus

T A G B I L A R A N C I T Y, November 27 (PIA) -- Government employees are cautioned against believing circularing online reports of additional bonus for government workers this 2015.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has recently issued an advice against this online information of the reported P10,000 additional holiday bonus to government workers.

The information alludes to an alleged announcement by President Benigno Aquino III, falsely claiming that the national government would give P10,000 additional holiday bonus to government personnel.

There is no more additional holiday bonus that is due to be released to government workers by December 15, DBM in its website said.

“Please be informed that government employees have received the last half of their yearend bonus/13th month pay and cash gift in the amount of P5,000 by the middle of this month pursuant to DBM Circular 2015-1,” the DBM said.

The circular provides that the remaining half of the yearend bonus and the cash gift for 2015 shall be released not earlier than Nov. 15.

It may be recalled that on December 2, 2011, or four years ago, a news story by the Philippine Daily Inquirer talked about the granting of P10,000 productivity enhancement i n c e n t i v e ( P E I ) o n t h a t y e a r.

In the article, President Benigno Aquino III “announced that the national government would give P10,000 in additional holiday bonus” on top of the 13th month pay and the P5,000 cash gift.

“We have seen this article being shared in social media for the past several weeks. Some people did not notice that this article is four years old and may have been led to believe that there is an additional P10,000 holiday bonus to be had,” the DBM warned.

Today, it has come to our attention that the contents of that article is being rehashed on a public blog which presents it as fresh news, dated Nov. 5, 2015, DBM noted.

This blog entry has no byline, and the blog itself appears to be owned by an anonymous author using an alias.

“We take exception to this calculated spreading of misinformation,” the government budget agency said. (rmn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)

PNP-Siquijor’s Poster Making Contest

Congratulations to the 23rd National Children’s Month (NCM) Poster Making Contest winners: 1st- Janetriz Duhaylungsod -Siquijor Prov’l Science HS 2nd- Junfranz Rock Calibo- Siquijor State College 3rd- Regle Gomez-Candaping Natl High School

The constest is conducted by the Siquijor Police Provincial Office in observance of the 23rd National Children’s Month (NCM) with the theme: “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan Na.

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) beneficiaries enjoying the free foot spa & body massage offered

by TESDA graduates at the Interagency Convergence Caravan in Lazi, Siquijor.

iNFOBYTES & BLOGS anywhere Siquijor: Exploring all of the Island in one day (from Nona Marielle Reyes’ Blog: Utopian Dream Afterthoughts)

I know it has already been weeks since this trip happened, but what still baffles me in happiness is how clean all forms of water in Siquijor Island are. Everything is just unbelievably clean and clear. The moment we stepped foot on the port, I was already amazed at how blue green, not brown, the water was, to think that we were on the port. And this condition, I think, is not merely because the locals are taking utmost care of their falls and beaches but simply because these gems have not yet been ransacked or abused by outsiders knowing that the place has not yet been fully commercialized.

Diamond De Siquijor Beach Resort

We were prepped for a day of touring around the island, never on pause. We would either be in transit from town to town in our ever so comfortable multicab, catching our breaths after an uphill and downhill trekking, whisking water here and there while soaked in some naturally flowing water or taking photographs at whatever we would turn our heads to because everything was just photogenic.

Even when we didn’t go swimming at Lugnason Falls since it was a bit crowded with locals on the day of our visit, I have to say it was still great seeing this beautiful piece of nature. The area is just small enough that the moment you step in front of it, you can already see its entirety. It radiates calm from every angle, the kind of calm you only get when around nature, so I bet it would’ve been really nice to hang out there if not for the number of people that time.

Cambugahay Falls, on the other hand, was where we had more fun. Aside from swimming along two layers of cold flowing water while being blanketed by shady trees, it was really the long and thick baging (vine/creeper) that won us over. We would swing with it like kids in the wild, let go and end up swimming in the water. Then we’d do it over again. And again. This is how they spell out playtime in the province.

In between water activities were visits at some of the island’s architectural landmarks like that of St. Isidore The Farmer Catholic Church which is said to be the oldest church on the island and, just right across from it, an old convent which, though not functional anymore, still exudes historical value.

A quick stop at the old Enchanted Balete Tree was something of a break considering all the travelling we were doing around Siquijor. Instead of scaring us out, this huge tree which was said to have been there since hundreds of years ago was a rather marvelous sight. The natural fish spa by the area was another treat for us.

Different kinds of fish nibbled on our toes, and none of us could endure such sensation for long because it was very, very ticklish. Well, except Joson. She had too much fun there.

Love potions on sale!

Truth be told, I didn’t know Siquijor has quite an assemblage of scenic beaches. We were lucky enough to enjoy two of them. The best spots were saved for last.

Kagusuan Beach was where we chilled out and talked the longest that late afternoon. As told by our tour guide, the beautiful Kagusuan Beach once catered to a commercial resort. There was very little left of the previous establishment, but the few remaining relics added drama to the feel of the beach.

Kagusuan is like the cotton candy of beaches. It has the softness of pastel colors everywhere – the water, the foam, the sky. Yummy seas!

We capped off our tour at Salagdoong Man-made Forest and Beach Resort.

It is a favorite among tourists because it’s a great spot for cliff diving and sliding. The resort has two ramp levels for cliff diving, one 25-feet and one 30-feet high from the water, and a slide lower for less adventurous tourists. But for really boring people like Jusz, Katrina and me, we opted to just watch and support our brave friends. Tita Pabs, Faith and Joson accepted the challenge of jumping off the 25-feet high ramp. This didn’t happen quickly, though, as it took all three of them a total of another three hours, more or less, before being able to let go and jump which also earned Tita Pabs a bruise so huge that made people think she underwent some frat initiation rite. Funny! But still, good job, you guys!

Contrary to what one may initially think about the people of Siquijor Island, the locals we met had been nice and accommodating during our entire stay. I guess we just expected worse because of all the weird stories we heard about this place. Oh well, so much for myths and urban legends.

Big thanks to Kuya Joam for being the informative and accommodating guide who really took good care of us. He also made sure we get our money’s worth by giving us the total Siquijor experience. He would stop where he knew we could take pretty photographs even when it was in the middle of the road. Faith found out about him through a blog, so I’m also going to recommend him here if you want your trip to be just as fun as ours.

At the end of the day, beyond all the urban legends attached to its roots and people, Siquijor Island is but a virginal beauty that has so much to offer. I am just so blessed to have discovered and experienced this paradise firsthand.

I stepped foot on this island without a clue as to what would welcome us here and went home rich with memories and a newfound respect for this treasure. Siquijor simply blew me away.

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

Cebuano News: Karaang salapi,

dili na madawat sa 2016 - BSP

Mawad-an na ug “monetary value’ ang mga karaang salapi pagsulod sa 2016.

Sa official twitter account sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) gipahibalo niini nga and karaang kon old bank notes series nga gigamit sa tuig 1985 mahimo na lamang gamiton hangtod sa katapusang adlaw sa Disyembre ning tuiga ug kadto lamong bag-ong salapi nga gipagawas niadtong 2010 na lamang ang magamit pangbayad sa mga produkto ug serbisyo sa 2016.

Lakip niini, gilinaw sa BSP nga mahio pa gihapong pabayloan sa bangko

ang mga karaang salapi hangtud sa December 31 2016.

Sumala ni BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guiniguindo, ang demonetization process nagsunod sa Republic Act 7653 o New Central Bank Act diin gitugutan ang BSP nga moilis a mga salapi o banknotes nga labaw na sa lima ka tuig ang edad kon kadtong mga disensyo nga miabot na sa tulo ka dekada sa sirkulasyon .

Hinuon gisiguro sa BSP nga mopagawas kini ug regular nga mga pahimangno kon advisories samtang umalabot na ang demonetization process.

Applications for Gun Ban exemptions may be filed online

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced on Tuesday that applications for the issuance of Certificates of Authority to bear, carry, or transport Firearms and deadly weapons in connection with the 2016 Elections may be accomplished and submitted online.

Spokesman James Jimenez said a special link is already available in the poll body’s official website, for the purpose.

During the Election Period, from January 10, 2016 to June 8, 2016, it is prohibited to bear, carry or transport firearms and deadly weapons outside of residence or places of business, and in all public places, including any building, street, park and in private vehicles or public conveyances, even if a person is licensed or authorized to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Commission, through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBSFP).

For purposes of the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections, the CBSFP is headed by COMELEC Commissioner Al A. Parreño as Chairman and Senior Officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as Members.

In Resolution No. 10015, which outlined the “Rules and Regulations on the ban on the bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or body guards during the Election Period of the May 9, 2016 Synchronized National and Local Elections” promulgated 13 November 2016, the COMELEC En Banc ruled that “only the Commission, through the CBFSP, has the sole and exclusive power to issue Certificates of Authority (CA).”

For more information on the 2016 Gun Ban, the public is encouraged to visit the official COMELEC website www. comelec.gov.ph or call the COMELEC Hotline 525-9294. (COMELEC)

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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