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iSIQUIJOR 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. 4 January 25-31, 2014
PNP eyes tourist assistance center, desks in Siquijor
SIQUIJOR, Feb 3 (PIA) –- The Philippine National Police (PNP) here is eyeing the establishment of a Tourist Assistance Center (TAC) and Tourist Assistance Desks (TAD) in the province. This after the conduct of Tourism Awareness Seminar for Tourist-Oriented Police
for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) Phase 1 on January 28 to 29, this year. Police Superintendent Teofilo C. Siclot Jr. of the Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) said the TOPCOP center has been proposed in the previous years but it was not materialized because the
National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Joel Rocamora spelled out his plans, strategies and support for Siquijor development in his Keynbote Address at the 1st Provincewide Development Summit last January 30 at the Salagdoong Convention Center in Maria, Siquijor.
PNP personnel that were sent to Bohol for the TOPCOP training were not accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). This time, we have screened more than 30 police officers to undergo the underground so we can hopefully establish the center and put up tourist assistance desks, said Siclot. According to Rowena Lopez of the Department of Tourism in Region 7, Siquijor province is one of the country’s tourist destinations and that part of the functions of the PNP is to oversee the area to make it secure and attractive to tourists. The establishment of TOPCOP centers is one of the measures seen by the government not only to protect tourists and other foreign visitors in the country but to enhance the general peace and order situation of the country’s tourist destination, as well as improve its overall travel and investment climate. “The incidence of crimes committed against tourists, investors and foreign visitors is projecting a negative image for our country abroad, hence it is imperative that appropriate and stringent measures be taken,” the PNP has stated. At least 30 police officers will complete today the Tourism Awareness Seminar for TOPCOP conducted by the DOT 7, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Provincial Government of Siquijor. The Training include discussions and presentations on the Role and Mission of the Tourist Police by P/SUPT. Elemer Cabreros of the PNP Central Office and Overview of the Philippine Tourism, DOT Mandate and Attached Agencies, Tourism Basics and Tourism Trends by Lopez. Provincial Senior Tourism Officer Jossette Armirola gave her presentation on the Local Tourist Product and Services while Marianito Luspo of the Holu Name University on the Philipp in e Hi story, Filipino People and Culture and Tradition. Police First Responder that includes basic Investigation Procedures, Ways in Handling Tourist Related Cases, Principles of Tourist Safety, and Tourist Security Protocol is handled by P/Suipt. Julian Ceballos Entoma while Child Wise Tourism and Child Protection Laws by Atty. Julse BACOLOD OF THE Children’s Legal Bureau. P/Supt. Siclot said after the Phase I, II and II series of training, the graduates will then be deployed to tourist tourist police assistance center to provide protection and respond to the needs of the tourists and other touristrelated incidents. (rmn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor).
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DOST celebrates “Juan Direction” Day
CENTRAL VISAYAS, (PIA) --Offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) nationwide simultaneously hold a flag ceremony in their respective field offices to celebrate DOST Commitment Day tagged as “Juan Direction.” DOST Sec. Mario Montejo initiated the “Juan Direction” on as DOST’s starter activity in which all level office heads and
personnel were briefed on DOST’s priority areas to include: agriculture, MSMEs, industry, IT-BPM, government service, healthcare, human resources, and weather and geologic hazards. Office heads and personnel were also briefed on the department’s direction of each outcome that covered the period of 2013 – 2016. D O S T- 7 O I C - r e g i o n a l d i r e c t o r
E n g r. E d i l b e r t o P a r a d e l a h e a d e d the Commitment Day celebration. In his message Paradela said “We are a team built for Central Visayas. We must look into ways on how science and technology can be of help to our community and address local issues. We’re here to provide possible means of intervention and create opportunities for the region to improve the quality of life. (mbcn/AYS/PIA-7 with report from DOST-7)
FOCUS: Small & medium enterprises
Provincial Science and Technology Director Mario de la Pena giving his opening remarks during the training on Maximizing Social Networking for SMEs/Tourism Development last January 23 at Dapdap, Sunset Grill, Siquijor, Siquijor.
Phl medical tourism needs a boost The Philippines needs to boost its medical tourism industry to get a bigger share in the regional medical tourism market Oscar Picazo, senior research consultant for health of state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), underscores in a policy note that the Philippine medical tourism continues to get a miniscule share of the medical tourism market even if it offers better prices in surgical procedures than its Asian competitors. According to Picazo, the Philippines is among the top 15 medical tourism destinations in 2010. The country is ranked 11th on medical tourism which has 80,000 medical tourists but tails behind Thailand (1st), Singapore (2nd), and Malaysia (5th). Thailand has the topnotch position among the medical tourism destinations, with a total of 1.2 million medical tourists in 2010. Other ASEAN countries have shown exemplary performance, with Singapore having 600,000 and Malaysia with 350,000 medical tourists in the same year. To improve the country’s status, Picazo recommends the establishment of a coordinating body (council or board) among offices and agencies involved in the medical tourism industry. A marketing campaign for the 21 premier hospitals included under the Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP) must also be crafted and implemented. Attractive websites should also be developed to promote medical tourism instead of relying on less enticing news items and blogs. Medical facilities should also work toward international affiliations for quality assurance and vibrant medical campaign. Although Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (good for 36 months) has been introduced, Picazo urges local carriers (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific) to develop medical airline packages so that more tourists will be enticed to visit the country. Strong ties between hospitals and international health insurance companies will also build a responsive and transparent pricing of medical services. Inasmuch as there are many Filipino physicians who have foreign credentials, Picazo adds that Philippine hospitals should get accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) as the country is still lagging behind in terms of JCI-accredited hospitals among its Asian competitors.
The Philippines is a nation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). More than 99 percent of the total number of establishments in the country are MSMEs. In terms of employment, small firms also dominate, accounting for more than 60 percent or 3.4 million jobs. Despite its size, the sector has yet to provide a significant boost to the domestic economy. The economic performance of MSMEs, according to PIDS industrial sector expert Rafaelita Aldaba, has been subdued as shown by low levels of labor productivity and value-added contribution to manufacturing. Various challenges have hobbled the growth of small enterprises, resulting in a “hollow middle” characterized by weak backward linkages between large firms and small suppliers. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have also failed to penetrate the lucrative export markets. SMEs can be a potent force for economic development if the right policies are in place to increase their competitiveness and thus allow them to “latch on” to regional production networks that have been a source of tremendous growth for East Asian economies in recent years. Research by PIDS has pointed the way forward for SME development, which hinges on a new industrial policy that will rebuild the capacity of the sector and deepen the linkages between large and small firms. In 2013, PIDS was tapped by the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments to lead in the formulation of a comprehensive industrial roadmap that will facilitate the integration of different industries, including SMEs, and transform manufacturing into a major source of growth and employment. The experience of countries that have been successful in SME development could also prove useful. PIDS President Gilbert Llanto cites policies and practical programs to enhance entrepreneurship and SMEs in Taiwan and Korea, with a common strategy of providing a nurturing environment for start-ups and existing SMEs and to make it easy for small and medium entrepreneurs to conduct their businesses. The best way to go, he says, is by providing support to SMEs to enable them to become innovative and competitive and commercialize new ideas, innovations, and new technologies.
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
CHED 7 offers assistance to students affected by Yolanda CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED-7) here offers any form of assistance to the typhoon affected students in order to alleviate their conditions to pursue their education. CHED 7 Education Supervisor II, Dr. Josefino Ronquillo said in a press conference that CHED with the guidance counselors of the various school colleges conducted psychosocial services to the students affected by the super- typhoon Yolanda in the Northern part of Cebu. The commission also reached out to the victims by holding relief operations in the typhoon-hit areas. Ronquillo bared that a memorandum from CHED chairperson was issued urging the colleges to extend assistance to the students affected by the said calamity. These include admission of student transferees unable to provide proper academic records due to suspension of college operations, full support and appropriate assistance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and stakeholders, depending on the circumstance of the student and the
extension of resources and services by CHED’s Office of Student Services, including financial assistance, counseling services and accommodations in appropriate cases. This is in accordance with relevant provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1994 (RA 7722) and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), and adoption of urgent measures to facilitate relief and rehabilitation operations in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Records from the commission, 10 out of 162 public and private HEIs in Central Visayas were affected by the typhoon which devastated the Visayas on November 8. Three were public schools and seven were private schools. Roquillo said, 15 students from region 8 are now transferred in region 7 excluding those students who went directly to some universities and colleges in Cebu. He urged the students to be honest in telling their educational status upon transferring to another schools since they don’t have any documents to show so that they will not encounter problems when they take board exams. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7)
PSA celebrates Civil Registration Month
C E B C I T Y, F e b r u a r y 8 ( P I A ) --- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with the Local Civil Registrar ’s Offices nationwide celebrate yearly the Civil Registration Month in February. This year’s theme is “Ikaw at Ako Tungo sa Wastong Pagrerehistro” which is to highlight the significance of civil registration in our lives. It will remind the public especially the parents, records clerk, midwives and traditional “hilot or mananabang” who are in attendance at birth that registration of such event is compulsory and it is their primary responsibilities to enter the correct data in the document such as the Certificate of Live Birth. Ensuring the proper and correct registration is an obligation so that it will not create problems to the child in the near future using his/her Birth Certificate for any personal transaction. In the region, the lined-up activities for the whole month celebration are the following: free mobile registration, information dissemination and fora among others. In partnership with the Local Civil Registrars, series of seminars and trainings are also being scheduled in various venues in the Local Government Units (LGUs) regarding laws and procedures on civil registration as well as updates and special laws. There are also scheduled Mass Weddings sponsored by the LGUs, other national government agencies (NGAs) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) considering the month of February is also Love Month. The public is hereby advised to visit their respective LGUs thru the Local Civil Registrar’s Office in the City or Municipal Hall to check out such activities mentioned. This is in line with the Executive Order 326 signed by the late Pres. Corazon Aquino designating February of each year as the Civil Registration Month.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7/NSO)
CEBUANO NEWS: PNP mipasidaan batok sa baratong broadband nga gibaligya online
MANILA (PIA) --- Nipasidaan ang P h i l i p p i n e N a ti o n a l P o l i c e ( P N P ) s a p u b l i k o b a t o k sa mga gibaligya nga baratong broadband sa internet. Matud pa sa PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group, daku ang posibilidad nga mga na-hack na ang maong mga wireless broadband nga gibaligya online. G i i n g o n g k u n i k o n e k t a r k i n i s a c o m p u t e r, mahimong makuha ang mga mahinungdanong i m p o r m a s y o n s a n a g g a m i t s a m a o n g c o m p u t e r. Tambag sa PNP, magbinantayon gayud ug adto lamang mopalit sa mga otorisadong wireless broadband provider aron makalikay niining bag-ong cam. (PIA7-Bohol/ECB)
Siquijor Police Provincial Office’s P/Supt Teofilo C. Siclot Jr. (left below) discusses with PIA the PNP-Siquijor’s plan to establish a tourist assistance center (TAC) and tourist assistance desks (TAD) in municipalities as its next move following the conduct of DOT accredited Tourism Awareness Seminar for Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP). The center and desks will be manned by police officers (above) who will soon complete the Phases I & II training. (PIA-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS
Cebuano news: ‘Register, File and Pay’ campaign gilusad sa BIR MANILA (PIA) -- Aron makab-ot ang target nga P1.46 trilyon nga tax collection, gilusad sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) ang ilang bag-ong kampanya pinaagi sa music video alang sa saktong pagbayad sa buhis. Gamit ang bag-ong logo nga “Register, File and Pay” (RFP), tuyo sa ahensya nga makab-ot ang target tax collection pinaagi sa pagpagawas sa maong music video sa telebisyon ug sa online media. Matud pa ni BIR Commissioner Kim Henares nga sa paglusad sa 2014 national tax campaign, gilauman nila ang kooperasyon sa publiko ug sa mga regional offices sa ahensya alang sa unified campaign program. Sa Abril 15 ang deadline sa pagsumiter sa income tax returns. Kaabag sa BIR ang pipila ka pribadong sektor sa ilang kampanya. Giingong mahinungdanon ang pagbayad sa buhis ilabi na sa pagpalambo sa ekonomiya ug alang sa mga proyektong ipatuman sa gobyerno. Giseguro ni Henares nga magpadayon ang implementasyon nila sa mga reform projects aron maka-kolekta og dugang buhis. Gitumbok usab sa BIR ang kamahinungdanon sa public awareness program mao nga sa mga mosunod nga semana, makita na sa telebisyon ug bisan sa online media ang ilang campaign advertisement. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)
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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Regional Director Angel Enriquez of the Department of Agriculture, Region 7, declaring support to Siquijor province’s agriculture and fishery development during the 1st Provincewide Development Summit held on January 30 at the Salagdoong Convention Center in Maria, Siquijor.