41 vol 4 isiquijor 12 01 to 09 2016

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. 4| NO. 41 December 1-9, 2016

PIA DG urges govt info officers in CV to write good news

CENTRAL VISAYAS(PIA) -Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Harold Clavite appealed to national government agencies’ information officers here to write good news.

In a recent gathering of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7), Clavite encouraged the

info officers to write good stories that will highlight good and inspirational developments in the communities and barangays.

“I think as communicators of the government we have the responsibility to change the taste of news and make it more meaningful for the public,” Clavite stressed.

He then called each and every Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Harold Clavite.

information officer to do extra effort in highlighting good news as part of information dissemination to the public to counter the negative views of the people in government.

“It is important to write success stories, and even simple things that are much needed to change the negative views of the public,” Clavite said. “Being the communicators of the government it is our responsibility to counter the negative view of the people in the government.”

Clavite continued that information officers have the power to write and share information that does not allow negativity to excel.

“We can’t allow the negativity to flourish, let’s talk about good stories, take pictures of beautiful happenings, beautiful faces and views,” he said.

He encouraged information officers from the national government agencies and local government units to gather and write news that would be meaningful to the people.

Clavite was in Cebu as special guest during the year-end assembly and training– workshop of AGIO-7 where PIA-7 stands as secretariat and facilitator of the activity. (rmn/ ays/PIA7)

Pag-IBIG Fund bares good news for members

CEBU CITY (PIA) – Pagibig Fund has announced several good news for their housing loan clientele.

In the recently held Kapihan sa PIA to mark the celebration of the 36 years Founding Anniversary of Pagibig Fund, several positive developments were divulged to those who had or who are planning to avail of housing loans.

Fermin Sta. Teresa, vice president for Home Lending Visayas and Mindanao, said they were able to grant 6858 borrowers in the Visayas for housing loans equivalent to P5.8 billion.

This is 82 percent accomplishment of this year’s target of granting 7,955 units with a loan value of P5.7 billion.

Sta. Teresa said they are seeing the numbers to increase as they lay out the updates favorable to their members.

He said the loanable amount for Housing Availment is now increased from P3 million to P6 million.

A member can also avail of more than one unit as long as it does not go beyond P6 million.

The interest rate for End User Financing was already decreased to 5.5 percent annually instead of the 11 percent.

“We had also improved insurance for the Housing Loan borrowers giving them a feeling of security and assurance,” Sta. Teresa said.

These include the reduction of premium rates from 0.41% for every P1,000 to only .23 now.

They also gave a burial benefit of P20,000 and the extension of full payment of housing loan extends not only upon the occurrence of death of borrower but also upon Total Permanent Disability

(TPD).

“For the insured, there is also an Amortization Support up to P500,000 in case of terminal illness,” Sta. Maria said.

There is also an Experience Refund equivalent to 20 percent of the Insurer’s Profit refunded the insured and all claims processing within 24 hours.

Furthermore, there is an additional number of Accredited Developers from 15 to 63 for this year.

Pagibig is also offering full decentralization of service delivery thru creation of more member services branches and creation of Business Development Services Department for more personalized services to Institution Clients.

It is also a means to strengthen the Fund’s dealings with its partner developers. (rmn/fcc/ PIA7-Cebu)

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS BLOGSFEATURESPHOTOS REFLECTIONS

Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa and Vice-Governor Mei Ling Quezon vowed to give full support to the senior citizens during the Self Enhancement Program for Citizens at the Capita Square, Siquijor, Siquijor. (Mercy Jay Ocso)

CEBUANO NEWS

Mga angay bantayang ‘security features’ sa mga bag-ong salaping papel

Daghang mga security features nga angay nga bantayan sa publiko sa mga New Generation Currency (NGC) series o mga bag-ong salaping papel.

Una na niini ang gitawag nga Embossed Prints o mas tataw ang mga letra nga mabasa ilabi na ang marka nga ‘Republika ng Pilipinas’ ug ang letra sa kantidad sa salapi.

Mahikap usab ang larawan sa tawo nga napatik sa salapi, mga lagda sa Presidente sa Pilipinas ug Gobernador sa BSP ug ilabi na ang mga numerikong nakasulat sa upat nga suok sa salaping papel.

Pasaka usab ang pagka-imprenta sa mga numero sa Serial Number sa matag salaping papel.

Makita ang mga Serial Number

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.

FOLLOW US online! /Pia Siquijor /PIA Siquijor /rizalie.andingcalibo @PiaSiquijor

sa tuo nga bahin sa ibabaw ug wala nga bahin sa ubos nga parte sa salaping papel.

Ang Serial Number gilangkoban sa duha ka managlahing letra ug lima ka numero.

May gibutang usab nga Security Fibers sa NGC series nga dili dayon mabantayan sa simpleng pagta-aw lamang niini gawas na lamang kun ipatungod kini sa ultra violet lights.

Kolor pula ug asul nga magbaylo-baylo og posisyon ang kolor niini kun ipatungod sa ultra violet lights.

Mao kini ang murag mga lugas nga gikatag sa puting parte sa salaping papel.

Sa tuo nga bahin sa ibabaw sa ulo sa tawo nga naka-imprenta sa salaping

papel, makita ang Watermark o anino sa imahe sa tawo nga naka-imprenta niini.

Kun tan-awon ang salaping papel sa mas hayag nga lugar o di kaha ipatungod sa sidlak sa adlaw, mogawas ang kantidad sa salapi nga nakasulat nga nagtakilid paubos.

Samtang gitataw sa BSP nga parehong dawaton sa sirkulasyon ang NGC nga salaping papel nga P100 nga medyo lasaw ang pagka-kolor ube ug ang bag-ong P100 nga maube ang kolor.

Gipagawas niadtong Pebrero 2016 ang mas maubeng P100 isip tubag sa giingong kanunay masaypang P1,000 nga unang gipagawas nga NGC banknote. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Libreng buhis sa balikbayan boxes sugod Disyembre 25

(PIA)--Maayong balita alang sa mga balikbayan ug overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) nga magpadala og mga balikbayan boxes karong panahon sa Pasko.

Kini human gilagdaan sa Bureau of Customs (BoC) ug Department of Finance (DOF) ang Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016, nga nitumbok kalabot sa consolidated shipment sa mga balikbayan boxes.

Sugod sa Disyembre 25 ning kasamtangang tuig, mahimong libre na sa buhis ang mga balikbayan boxes nga adunay sulod nga mga gamit nga nagkantidad og hangtud P150,000.

Matud pa ni Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, ang CAO 05-2016 magsilbing implementing rules and regulations sa Section 800 (g) sa Customs and Modernization

and Tariff Act (CMTA) diin nahisulod ang balikbayan boxes sa mga OFWs.

Samtang gitin-aw usab ni Faeldon nga ang mga balikbayan boxes nga dili mo-agi sa consolidated shipments dili apil sa CAO 05-2016.

Ubos sa CMTA, ang mga QFWA angay adunay valid passports nga gi-isyu sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ug gisirtipikahan sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) o Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Apil na usab ang mga non-resident Filipinos nga permanente nang residente sa ubang nasod apan nagpabiling Filipino citizens.

Nanawagan ang BoC sa tanang international ug local forwarders, foreign consolidators ug local deconsolidators nga ipatuman ang sumbanan sa CAO. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

To my 5th year and more at the Philippine “Inspiration” Agency

By Ferliza C. Contratista, PIA-Cebu

Working in the government did not in any way fall in my list of “wanna be’s”.

Remember that question, “Where do you see yourself 5, 10 years from now?” My answer was certainly not in the government.

But fate and faith just dropped me here 15 years after I had my rounds of breathless, vigorous, sometimes sleepless, glamorous, risky, dirty, tearful, challenging media works.

It was 2012 that I signed my Oath of Office as Information Officer 1 of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). At that time, my batch mates were already supervisors, managers, chief executive officers (CEOs), presidents in their respective or owned companies and organizations.

I had quite a huge deposit of memories and connections though I say, is indirectly proportional to my bank accounts hehe.

El Nuevo Ferliza

PIA was a NEW YEAR for me.

First, I had to force myself to fall in love with the PUNCH CARD. Yeah, journalists are freedom-loving people. You don’t contain them in an office in a specific time if you don’t want your paper or radio to go bankrupt.

I was used to waking up (if not for my boys) at the time of my convenience or keep my eyes open until I got all loops closed to complete a story or when I satisfy a critically (barking) editor. I own my time. I satisfy my itch to know ahead stories that the public ought to know.

I have to admit, I am not proud to show my Daily Time Record (DTR). Even filling it up and submitting it remains a challenge (and a headache to my mates, ask my IO2 and ICM and they’d give you a litany of instances).

A s a r e p o r t e r, I g o p l a c e s t o satisfy the itch for information and news.

Second, I embraced “everything on record”. Practicing on it, especially now that we are vying for ISO accreditation. It means, there has to be documentation from the invite to boarding a taxi, jeep or our PIA “batmobile” (trip tickets), to proof that I was there (Certificate of Appearance), to service feedback whether they like my hosting, coordinating or not (CUSAT or Customer Satisfaction Feedback Form) and to results (news releases, features, after meeting, reports). By the way all these forms had to be downloaded from the Document Control System to be OFFICIAL.

Even text or chat messages for any form of technical assistance, like numbers of municipalities, fire stations, city mayor’s office, health office, had to be logged. Excluding those asking for Grab Taxi, Home Spa and Jollibee, ah uh… PIA doesn’t have those numbers.

PIA boring. NOT.

Believe me. I only knew of PIA because of presidential visits. I know PIA first because of Assistant Regional Director Fayette Rinen, who was then head of PIA Cebu Infocen. I know her because she contains us when then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was in

BLOGSFEATURESPHOTOS REFLECTIONS

Cebu (well, she was here most of the time then).

She is allergic to “ambush interviews” –a skill mastered by my then The Freeman colleague Mitchelle Palaubsanon. And then, of the bubbly Regional Director Minerva BC Newman. I met her first time during PGMA’s Christmas party for the media in Malacanang sa Sugbo.

My first impression? Coverage of PIA is always low or no budget at all.

Ha-ha (Peace!) Therefore, I had to pack a sandwich or chips and lots of candies coz there are meals only when available from other agencies. So don’t expect anything.

This is quite true until now. That’s why I always tell my media friends, don’t expect anything when you’re with me. I used to stuff their mouths with food when I was doing Public Relations. The only order is to get news and get fat ha ha. Well you don’t expect to tell them much actually. They know which beats have food and which one doesn’t. And they don’t really mind.

Media are always guided by the principle “We take care of ourselves.” It keeps us unbiased.

But if there is food and it’s free… better =)

But I’ll tell you the good stuff of my stint and why boring is glaringly what PIA is not.

At PIA I met lovely people, so lovable they keep my brain cells sparkling!

Topping the list are our information officers from Cebu’s towns and cities. Yep almost all of them (our mayors are set to appoint information officers in 54 local government units.) They compose the Cebu Association of City and Municipal Public Information Officers (CAOCAMPIO). And I must say, I am with them most of my online time.

I love listening to their stories. It makes me feel like I am going around Cebu every single day even when I am not on duty. Oh well, an information officer I must say, is just like the media, always on call.

Our information officers are the first line of defense (yep) from any miscommunication and fallacious, disturbing news.

Every day, I get to assume the role of our day editor back in Freeman (Lucky Malicay) when I shout “Stories…stories everyone!” And they chat and text one-liners and two-liner news. Topics include salient points discussed during weekly meeting; “storified” biddings; controversial resolutions filed at the Sangguniang Bayans; traffic solutions; Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing and many others.

These information officers are people of a mixed mindset and they are also multi-taskers. Imagine, some of them are local registrars/councilors/administrators/ d i s a s t e r o ff i c e r s / m u n i c i p a l p l a n n e r s / SLASHERS! They have wonderful stories.

And during typhoons and other calamities, you see them wide awake and on fire with updates in our Facebook chat group.

I am so attached to these people, my first hello in the morning and my last good night. Char!

Then I meet the “BLAAGERS.” These are bloggers in Cebu who are also yearning to be

partners of change. They have good news and they can help your advocacy, your campaign. We go places with them. We went to Bantayan and Siquijor Islands, met fisher folks, danced in the baylehan, jet ski in group, ate dukots (what is the English of dukot?). Then we do charity work, we fed children and tell stories. Got even kidnapped for a surprise “Will you marry me” thingy after.

I still meet and feel one of the media. Yep, we still see each other in press conferences, parties, coverages. They asked me how to go through terror mayors and regional directors, rude information officers (Not CAOCAMPIO). And then I also make parayeg to them for favors on certain announcements that need to be disseminated.

I met a lot of interesting people --- men in uniform, women fighters, street lovers, tree huggers, advocates, cyclists, mountaineers, fire starters, broom makers, and the lists goes on and on and on.. I see people in the government who are actually there and not in the cold air-conditioned rooms just warming their butts and waiting for 5 pm (well, there are still some of them).

I rub elbows with typhoon heroes in the persons of those at Department of Social Welfare and Development, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers, Rescue Groups, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health and many others.

A n d m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, I found myself in a family ---- all weird and unique but generally lovable.

These people are the first to criticize, sometimes up front or at my back, but then we still manage to keep ourselves informed hehehe chismis or not. We play and play harder (you should see our team building photos) work hardest too (with the ISO thingy). We also shout at each other but managed to cry and be close and open and close again after.

I say PIA showcased everything that is my burning heart’s desire. Here I am a mother, a teacher, a director, a stage actress, a host, a writer, a student, the president. But most of all, it made me do things I know, not only my family can be proud or my country can be satisfied of, but I can humbly say, doing these little things every day is making my God smiling.

I may still have a long way to go but I enjoy the daily packets of joy while keeping my brain cells blooming!

ple need good news. It inspires them, makes them want to be agents of change too.

And I am an agent in filling them that need.

`So for how long will I be contained at PIA? It’s PIA’s 30th year and I am on my 5th year. Maybe until there are no more lovely stories to tell or when I’ll be able to live my Kapitana Dream. But empowering people thru information will always be my ultimate passion.

This is Ferliza Calizar Contratista f r o m t h e P h i l i p p i n e I N S P I R AT I O N Agency Year4! Live to inspire! (PIA)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

Watchdog warns consumers against fake MAC lipsticks laced with toxic lead

QUEZON CITY - A watch group a maximum of 20 ppm as limit for lead in Protect. on toxic chemicals, products and wastes cautioned the public, particularly women, against using imitation MAC lipsticks that may be laden with toxic lead.

The EcoWaste Coalition issued the warning after detecting lead up to 3,780 parts per million (ppm) in 11 bogus MAC lipsticks that the group bought recently for P45 to P65 per piece from cheap cosmetic vendors in Davao and Manila Cities.

Lead and its compounds are among the substances that must not form part of the composition of a cosmetic as per the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive, which also sets

cosmetics.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2013-24 also prohibits the use of lead and lead compounds in the manufacturing of cosmetics.

“Some consumers knowingly pick branded counterfeits like ‘MAC’ because these are cheaper than the real ones, and also because these are supposedly closer to the original products in terms of quality. But, as our investigation shows, branded fakes can be notoriously toxic,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition’s Project

Pantawid Pammilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) partners validating and judging the provincial nominees for the Search for Modelong Ama 2016 at The Sylvia, San Juan, Siquijor. (PIA7Siquijor)

Siquijor inmates join correctional consciousness week observation

SIQUIJOR, (PIA) -- Ninety-five inmates of the Siquijor Provincial Jail attended the Information Dissemination Campaign aimed at promoting awareness about the plight of prisoners and detainees conducted recently by the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) office here.

y is in line with the observance of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW) of the Parole and Probation Administration.

It is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 551, series of 1995 that NACOCO is celebrated every last week of October.

During the information campaign, Senior Probation and Parole Officer (SPPO)

Antonette Baldonado discussed topics on the existence and various services of PPASiquijor.

VPA Eduardo Abatayo shared his insights on God’s love and life purpose to inspire the inmates and detainees that there still awaits a bright future for them.

SPPO Baldonado together with the Volunteer Probation Assistants (VPAs) conducted the activity.

Meanwhile, Provincial Jail Warden Neal Rosaroso said that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has also prepared activities for the NACOCOW observance like Macho Gay, Sportsfest and awarding for the outstanding service providers of BJMP. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor/with reports from I.Acabo-Abatayo)

“These lipsticks, sold by unauthorized retailers at bargain prices, are obviously falsified and substandard,” he added.

According to the company’s official website, “MAC Cosmetics does not offer its products through individuals, street vendors, flea markets, internet auctions, independent boutiques or unauthorized online retailers.

MAC does not sell its products at wholesale over the internet.”

Using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, the group detected lead above the 20 ppm limit in 11 MAC imitation lipsticks.

Except for two (“MAC Charlotte Olympia” and “MAC Vivaglam”), the leadtainted lip cosmetics all belong to the “MAC Zac Posen” lipstick collection.

The fake “MAC Zac Posen’” variant “Girl About Town” (No. 08) had 3,780 ppm total lead; “Embrace Me” (No. 05) had 2,719 ppm; “Rudy Woo” (No. 12) had 2,443 ppm and “Kinda Sexy” (No. 14) had 923 ppm.

The US-based Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) has stated that “the recent science indicates there is no safe level of lead exposure” and that “lead is a neurotoxin and can be dangerous at small doses.” ` As a cumulative toxicant, “lead builds up in the body over time so low exposures repeated daily can add up to a significant exposure,” the CSC said.

Lead exposure has been linked to learning, language and behavioral problems, decreased fertility in both women and men, hormonal changes and abnormal menstrual cycles, and delayed onset of puberty in girls and deferred development of testes in boys, the EcoWaste Coalition reiterated.

The group also said that a pregnant woman’s exposure to lead may put her at risk for miscarriage, prematurebirth and reduced fetal growth, as well as harm her baby’s brain and central nervous system.

To prevent human exposure to lead in lipstick, the EcoWaste Coalition advised consumers to consider the following tips:

--- Check first through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (www. fda.gov.ph) if the desired lipstick has the required cosmetic product notification.

--- Buy your lipstick from a legitimate retail establishment and demand for official receipt.

--- Have doubts about the authenticity of the product if it is sold by an unauthorized dealer and if the price is unbelievably cheap.

--- Cut back on your use of lipstick, especially if the product is not guaranteed as lead-free.

----Don’t allow children to play with lipstick. (EcoWaste Coalition)

SPIRITUALITY

iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR iSIQUIJOR

from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation

Image credit: Le Bateau-atelier (detail), 1874, by Claude Monet (1840-1926), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands

Everything Belongs:

Healthy Boundaries

God is always bigger than the boxes we build for God, so we should not waste too much time protecting our always too small boxes. It is very hard for people to enjoy their objective, pre-existing union with God until they have an adequate sense of identity, boundaries, and at least the first beginnings of a sense of awe and humility. Basically, they need a container to hold such precious contents. The Ark of the Covenant is a metaphor for the sacred seat of God’s presence; the Israelites went to great lengths to construct it perfectly and carry it wherever they went (Exodus 25:10ff).

Those who rush to artificially concoct their identity often end up with hardened and overly defended edges. They are easily offended and may become racists, overly patriotic, or remain entirely tribal—afraid of the “other.” Often they become codependent and counter-dependent, living only in reaction to someone or something else. Being over and against is a lot easier than being in love. If your prayer is not enticing you outside your comfort zones, if your Christ is not an occasional “threat,” you probably need to do some growing in the ways of love.

Many others give up their boundaries before they have them, seeking their identity in another group, experience, possession, or person. Beliefs like “She will make me happy,” “He will take away my loneliness,” or “This group will make me feel important” become a substitute for doing the hard work of growing up ourselves.

Those who firm up their own edges and identity too glibly without finding their center in God and in themselves will normally be the enemies of real community, all ecumenism, forgiveness, vulnerability, or basic dialogue. You have to develop an ego before you can let go of it. Maybe that is why Jesus just lived thirty years before he started teaching.

Others let go of their edges too easily in the name of being tolerant and open-minded, but even here “discernment of spirits” is necessary. There is indeed a tolerance in true contemplatives because they have experienced the One Absolute, their own finite minds, and the passing character of all things. This is the virtue of humility or maybe even patience. But there is another tolerance today which is simply a refusal to stand up for anything, an actual lack of proper boundaries.

Traveling the road of healthy religion and true contemplation will lead to calmly held boundaries, which need neither to be defended constantly nor abdicated in the name of “friendship.” This road is a “narrow road that few travel upon” (Matthew 7:14). It is the “Third Way” or tertium quid that emerges only when you hold the tension of opposites. Note that holding does not usually mean completely reconciling the differences.

The gift that true contemplatives offer to themselves and society is that they know themselves as a part of a much larger Story, a much larger Self. In that sense, centered people are profoundly conservative, knowing that they stand on the shoulders of their ancestors and the Perennial Tradition.

Yet true contemplatives are paradoxically risk-takers and reformists, precisely because they have no private agendas to protect. Their security and identity are founded in God. These people can move beyond self-interest and fear in order to do the Big Work and to cooperate with others who are doing the Big Work. Because they have learned to live from their center in God, they know which boundaries are worth maintaining and which can be surrendered, although it is this very struggle that often constitutes their deepest “dark nights.”

Gateway to Silence: All things work together for good. —Romans 8:28

The Weeds and the Wheat

Can true humility and compassion exist in our words and in our eyes unless we know we too are capable of any act? —St. Francis of Assisi [1]

Jesus uses a number of images that illustrate the tension between good and evil. They seem to say this world is a mixture of different things, and unless you learn how to see deeply, you don’t know which is which, and you don’t notice that God allows both good and bad to grow in the same field (Matthew 13:24-30). When a student asks Jesus if he should pull out the weeds, Jesus says to “let them both grow together until the harvest” (13:30). Then, at the end of time, God will decide what is wheat and what is a weed. In a certain way, he is saying it is none of our business to fully figure it out. This is really quite risky of God—and it takes tremendous courage on our part to trust God and ourselves here.

We are all a mixture of weeds and wheat and we always will be. As Martin Luther put it, we are simul justus et peccator. We are simultaneously saint and sinner. That’s the mystery of holding weeds and wheat together in our one field of life. It takes a lot more patience, compassion, forgiveness, and love than aiming for some illusory perfection that is usually blind to its own faults. Acknowledging both the wheat and weeds in us keeps us from thinking too highly of ourselves and also from dismissing ourselves as terrible.

To avoid cynicism and negativity, you have to learn to accept and forgive this mixed bag of reality that you are—and everyone else is, too. If you don’t, you’ll likely become a very angry person. To accept the weeds doesn’t mean that you say, “It’s okay to be ignorant and evil.” It means you have some real wisdom about yourself. You can see your weeds and acknowledge when you are not compassionate or caring. You have to name the weed as a weed. I’m not perfect; you’re not perfect; the church is not perfect; America is not perfect.

If we must have perfection to be happy with ourselves, we have only two choices: We can blind ourselves to our own evil (and deny the weeds), or we can give up in discouragement (and deny the wheat). It takes uncommon humility to carry both the dark and the light side of things. The only true perfection available to humans is the honest acceptance of our imperfection. This is precisely what Divine Perfection can help us do; only God in us can love imperfect and broken things. By ourselves, we largely fail.

Learning how to love—which is our life’s project—is quite simply learning to accept our messy reality. If you love anyone, then you have learned to accept them despite their faults. You see a few things you’d like to change in your partner, your children, yourself.

By the Largeness of God within you, you are able to trust that the good is deeper than the bad, and usually well hidden. This is probably why so many of Jesus’ parables are about hiddenness, seeking, and finding.

Gateway to Silence: All things work together for good. —Romans 8:28

ISLAND VIEWS

The Magic of Siquijor An island guide to Siquijor // Brunette Blogging

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS Repost: http://brunetteblogging.com/2016/05/the-magic-of-siquijor/

(3rd of a series) Stay at the Kiwi Dive resort (p.s. everything is basically called a resort here – don’t expect too much luxury) when you’re looking for the perfect budget meets quality place. This is a bit out of the way of the usual “touristy” places to be in San Juan, but it’s well worth it. It’s calm, beautiful, and you have a bit of a private beach feeling going on. The coral reef in front of the resort is also nice, so you can snorkel or try diving for the first time (which is what I did, eek). We did get lucky by getting one of the cheaper bungalows right by the patio and the beach downstairs – this is definitely the one I would recommend getting if you intend to book (for reference: it’s just above the kitchen). Another place that got great reviews and looked lovely is Villa Marmarine. Due to circumstances, we never made it there to try it out for lunch – I was pretty bummed about that!

Don’t miss a trip to the Old Balete tree, and get your feet cleaned in the natural fish spa (so funny to feel them munching at your feet).

Take some time to visit the Cambugahay and Lugnason falls.

Also, plan a trip to Apo island if this isn’t on your itinerary later – from Siquijor, it’s easiest to do so via Coco Grove Beach resort.

My final tip would be to make sure you have enough cash on you before you get to the island. Siquijor only has a few cash machines, and sometimes they all decide not to work (which happened in our case). Luckily we had some Euros left that could be exchanged for Pesos in a pawn shop (don’t count on the Western Union things for that – they only exchange dollars), but we did lose a couple of hours and some drops of sweat figuring that out.

We spent five nights on Siquijor, but I could have easily added more!

If you have more questions about this beautiful island, just drop me a comment.

iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS

NATIONAL NEWS

Two days before Christmas, PWDs can start enjoying VAT-free purchases, other benefits under RA 10754

QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 - Following the publication of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10754, also known as An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons With Disability (PWDs), on December 8 in two major national newspapers and its submission to the Office of the National Administrative Register, PWDs can start enjoying the expanded benefits and privileges that they are entitled to under the law on December 23, two days before Christmas.

The IRR of R.A. 10754, which was signed last December 1 by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, and National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Director Carmen Zubiaga, grants PWD’s with exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) on the purchase of certain goods and services from all establishments subject to VAT for their exclusive use, enjoyment, or availment. This is on top of

the 20 percent discount they are already entitled to under Republic Act 9442, also known as An Act Amending R.A. No. 7277, Otherwise Known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and for Other Purposes.”

The act covers restaurants; recreation centers, such as theaters, cinema houses, and concert halls; and lodging establishments; such as inns, motorists hotels, and dormitories. It also applies to the purchase of medicines and foods for special medical purposes; medical and dental services, including laboratory fees and professional fees of attending doctors; domestic air, sea, and land transportation travel; and funeral and burial services.

For this purpose, the law requires all establishments to place signages of the benefits and privileges of persons with disability within their premises so PWDs will know what they are entitled to. It also declares that subsequent purchases made by the PWDs on the same day from the same establishment are still subject to VAT-

exemption and 20 percent discount.

Other salient features of the IRR include the reiteration of the rights of PWDs to social insurance (thru the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, PAG-IBIG), educational assistance, special discounts in the purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities, and express lanes in all commercial and government establishments. It also includes the provision of tax incentives for those caring for and living with persons with disabilities up to the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity.

Its unique features include the inclusion of certain vitamins, minerals and herbs in the definition of drug or medicine as long as these are in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s cut off as well as foods for special medical purposes, and making the benefits and privileges available to Filipinos who hold foreign passports but are registered as dual citizens and those who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship thru Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.

It is important to note, however, that double discounts are not allowed. This means that if a person with disability is a senior citizen, who is also entitled to a 20% discount under his/her valid senior citizen identification card (ID), the PWD shall use either his/her Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID card to avail of the 20% discount.

Persons with disability will need to present a proof of entitlement to enjoy their expanded benefits and privileges. This may be an identification card (ID) issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the City/Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (C/MSWDO) of the place where the PWD resides, the passport of the concerned person with apparent disability, or an ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

RA 10754 ensures that PWDs enjoy the privileges of other vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, which shall enable them to live a fuller, more productive life.

Those with inquiries or complaints may call the National Council on Disability Affairs at 9516033 or 9522809. (DSWD)

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

CV police showcases “surrenderers” talents

CEBU CITY, December 15 (PIA) --- Police Regional Office (PRO-7) initiated the first ever “Surrenders Got Talent Also” to tell the public that there is life after drugs.

There were six entries, all from police stations in Cebu Province that performed at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.

There would have been more if not for bad weather, according to PRO-7 Deputy Regional Director PSSupt Rey Lyndon Lawas.

Lawas said this is the first time in the country that a regional police office held activities showcasing the talents of the

surrenderers of Project Double Barrel and Oplan “Toktok Hangyo” (Tokhang).

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, in his welcome remarks, said activities such as “Surrenderers Got Talent Also” are seen to boost the morale of those who are struggling to be free from the illegal drugs problem.

The top three performers were from Lapulapu Police Station (LLCPO) while the champions were from Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

Second place was given P4,000; first with P6,000 and the Champion with P8,000.

PRO7 Regional Director Noli Taliño

said the fight against drugs is serious but they want to assure those who surrendered that the police and the community are ready to take them back.

Since the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, there were already over 30,000 drug surrenderees in Cebu province alone.

“Showcasing their talents, songs and dances, will show them that life has more to offer if they continue and sustain quitting drug use or drug peddling,” Taliño said.

PRO7 also initiated “Tokhang” Jingle Making Contest, Personality Look Alike, Zumba and dance contests. (fcc/PIA7-Cebu)