4 vol 5 isiquijor 01 24 to 2 03 2017

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. 5| NO.4 January 25 - February 3, 2017

DENR conducts critical habitat assessment at Mount Bandilaan

SIQUIJOR(PIA) - - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is taking steps to ensure conservation and protection of significant endemic flora and fauna that thrive in Mount Bandilaan.

In an Infosharing with the Siquijor Association of Information Disseminators (SAID), DENR Information Officer Karen Vano shared that among these initiatives are DENR’s strict and close monitoring of the area and the conduct of critical habitat assessment, one vital prerequisite for the establishment of Critical Habitat (CH) in Mount Bandilaan.

Critical Habitat, she said, are areas outside protected areas (PA) under Republic Act No. 7586 that are known habitats of threatened species and designated as such based on scientific data taking into consideration species endemicity and/or richness, presence of man-made pressure/ threats to the survival of wildlife living in the area, among others.

(DENR) DAO 2007-02 specifies the procedures in Critical Habitat Establishment, which include identification and validation Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Moreno Tagra, tackling of threatened species, population estimate environmental issues and concerns in one of the provincial planning workshop and rapid habitat assessment, community at Salagdoong Beach Resort in Maria, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor) consultation, review and recommendation by DENR, declaration of areas as CH by DENR and/or local government units (LGU) and Duterte eyes creation of central water agency

President Rodrigo Duterte bared on added. ground truthing.

He likewise told the national organization

At present, Vano said DENR is Thursday, February 2, a plan to establish a central not to ask money from contractors and hasten the working to comply with all the necessary water agency in the country. documents and procedures needed for the Duterte broached the idea as he processing of papers and permits for key public delivered his keynote speech at the 38th National services. approval of CH establishment.

“The central government that is Manila,

M e a n w h i l e , D E N R a n d t h e Convention of Philippine Association of Water provincial government are collaborating Districts (PAWD) at the SMX Convention Center. they only have one month to process papers. The directors are only given 15 days sa bureau nila,” for the construction of six log cabins, trails It was attended by representatives of more than he said.

500 local water districts nationwide. and pathways in order to augment funds in The President stressed the need “We will establish a central water agency ensuring the monitoring and guarding of the under which all water related functions will be to rationalize and streamline government place. Estimated cost of the said project is addressed. Tama ‘yan. It’s coming during my structures citing “overlapping” procedures and three million. term,” the President told PAWD, which primary jurisdictions.

Mount Bandilaan, the highest peak function is to provide sustainable, affordable and “Who gives to authority to what and of Siquijor Island, stands 1,394 feet and rises safe water to all Filipinos especially those in the whose final judgment is it that we follow?” he 557 feet above sea level. asked. countryside.

It is home to thousands of endemic The Chief Executive underscored that “I’d like to remind all, when I say all flora and fauna and is considered one of the it is all: Do not be a hindrance sa pag-propagate Davao City was the first in the country to pass a treasures of the island. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor pati cultivate and make use of the surface water. water code to localize the National Water Code Huwag ninyong pahirapan ang local utilities,” he to ensure protection and management of its water w/ reports from I.A.Abatayo) resources.

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Science & Technology

DOST bares 2017 plans for the regions

Speaking during the Awarding Ceremony for the most outstanding provincial director, the DOST Secretary Fortunato T. Dela Peña reiterated the agency’s goal to expand programs and research and development in the regions.

“Probably all of my predecessors will agree with me that one of the most rewarding tasks of the secretary is to visit the regions,” said Dela Peña.

“There, you see the dedication of the

regional workers, the impact that their work has made on the lives of our constituents as well as the enterprises that we have assisted,” he added.

Dela Peña also noted the plans he has for the regions. Recognizing the impact on the lives of the people and enterprises, he mentioned the expansion of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program or SETUP. The program provides assistance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

DOST Sec. Fortunato T. Dela Peña reminds RDs and PSTDs of the huge role they have in making science & technology accessible for more people.

to improve their operations and boost productivity.

“I’m referring to an expanded SETUP not only in the financial aspect, but also in terms of the coverage, sectors that we are serving, and also in the nature of assistance that we are giving,” he said.

He also wanted to strengthen every region’s capabilities through the Balik Scientist Program. The program seeks to encourage overseas Filipino scientists and experts to return and share their expertise here in the Philippines instead.

“As much as possible, gusto ko yung kukunin na sa program ay mai-aasign sa regions particularly doon sa mga areas na meron silang magandang potential, tulungan na mag set-up ng facilities, ng research programs, and train people at the same time,” Dela Peña said.

More SUCs are also expected to become partners of the Science Education Institute. Research Centers are also planned to be improved and developed according to the strengths of every region.

Apart from that, he also reminded the provincial directors to think of more innovative ways in helping the communities through the CEST Program (Community Empowerment through Science and Technology).

Source: http://region11.dost.gov.ph/276-dostbares-2017-plans-for-the-regions

Palace welcomes Philippines’ favorable economic landscape

The Palace has taken notice of the current economic landscape in the country with the Philippine Stock Exchange ranking among the best performers in Asia for January.

In a press briefing in Malacañan on Thursday, February 2, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella mentioned the observation of Nisha Alicer, Chief Equity Strategist at DA Market Securities, that Philippine shares had been outperforming much of Asia in January.

Looking forward to February, Alicer is optimistic that events such as the first Federal Reserve Monetary Policy Meeting for 2017 and the BSP Monetary Policy Meeting would bring positive feedback.

Abella likewise noted the observation of one of the biggest auditing firms in the country that the Philippines is “Asia’s new investment hub.”

Abella cited the statement of Vice Chairman Emmanuel Bonoan of KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. that the growing economy

helped boost consumer spending especially among millennials and tax reforms are needed to achieve economic growth.

The Palace official also noted the 30th anniversary commemoration of the Constitution Day, encouraging the nation to pay tribute to the hard work of the men and women who took the nation to new heights of growth, prosperity, and inclusivity.

“May this occasion remind us to strengthen the rule of law in light of our fight to rid society of drugs and crimes and stamp out corruption in government,” he said.

“Together, we will continue to reap the fruits of independence that shall benefit our people today and the generations to come,” he added.

Joining Abella Thursday was Francis Kong, a businessman and inspirational speaker, who said the administration is on the right track in solving the country’s pressing concerns.

Kong talked about millennials and concerns such as values and leadership

gaps, and the need for today’s youth to have appropriate skills.

In tackling illegal drugs, Kong said as a businessman, he understands that to get a good result, there should be a process which he said usually takes time.

In addressing corruption, he said every head of organization, whether private or public, must have untainted character and should maintain consistency in truthfulness.

“Therefore, I’ll take a look carefully at very leaders of the institutions and I would say that they need to walk their talk, preach what they teach, and they need to be the embodiment of what this administration is supposed to represent,” Kong said.

Describing the President as “unconventional”, Kong said President Duterte is a “rare breed of his own in terms of leadership style.”

Kong said the West may not look at Duterte favorably but he enjoys huge popularity among his counterparts in Asia.###PND

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N FA p a d a yo n Cebuano News: nga mamalit Total log ban sa nasod, tun-an ug bugas mais sa tripartite convergence committee

Ang buhatan sa National Food Authority (NFA) padayon nga mamalit ug mais sa presyong P12.30 matag kilo, P13.00 sa yellow ug white variety ug dugang nga P0.20 matag kilo alang sa pagpa-uga, P0.30 sa delivery ug laing P0.30 alang sa cooperative development incentive fund (CIDF) sa mga mag-uuma ug grupo sa kooperatiba.

Matud ni Adminsitrator Jason Laureano Aquino ang NFA field offices,nagsugod na ug pangdawat sa mga deliveries gikan sa mga katawhan ug famers’ cooperative sa mga “corn producing areas.”

Gipahibalo usab ni Aquino nga andam ang pondo nga ipamalit niining mga lugara.

Namahayag si Aquino nga ang ilang buhatan nakapalit ug 5,281 ka sako nga yellow corn sugod sa bulan sa Enero gikan sa “corn producing areas” sa Bukidnon ug Davao del Norte. Ang uban nga field offices sa Luzon ug Visayas modawat na usab ug deliveries gikan sa mga mag-uuma.

Base sa datos sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) ang “average farm-gate” nga presyo sa yellow corn diha lamang sa P11.09 ang kilo ug P11.28 ang white corn sa unang semana sa Enero.

Mi kunhod kini sa ikaduhang semana sa Enero ngadto sa P10.94 ug P11.03.

Ang NFA ga plano nga mupalit ug dugang 213,100 ka sako nga mais karong tuiga. (lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)

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Gimando na ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa gimugnang Tripartite Convergence Committee nga tun-an kun unsaon pagpatuman sa total log ban sa tibuok nasod.

Matud pa ni Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, partikular nga tun-an sa komite ang mga permit ug paghimo og mapa diin mahimong ipatuman ang total log ban.

Pasabot pa niAbella, mahinongdanong mahibaw-an kun asa tugotan ang logging ilabi na sa mga industrial farms diin cultured ang mga punuan sa kahoy alang sa mga furnitures ug uban pang wood-based industries.

Giingong nabalaka si Presidente Duterte sa mga indigenous farmers nga tiggamit og kahoy sa ilang mga balay o pang-adlaw-adlaw nga panginabuhian.

“The Tripartite Convergence Committee will study the permits and create a map to indicate where logging may be totally banned; and where logging may be allowed, for example, industrial farms where trees are cultured for use as furniture, and other woodbased industries. Furthermore, the President also raised his concern for indigenous farmers who used wood for their domestic use,” matud pa ni Abella. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Mga ahensya sa gobyerno gi awhag mangulo sa pag konserbar sa enerhiya

Si Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi nag-awhag sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga mag-una isip modelo ngadto sa pribadong sektor pag konserbar sa pag gamit sa enerhiya.

Giklaro ni Cusi nga ubos sa Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) ang Department of Energy (DOE) nag awhag sa 140 ka ahensya sa gobyerno nga mu sumiti sa ilang kunsumo sa elelektrisidad gikan sa tuig 2015 hangtud sa 2016 aron ma susi ang ilang pag gamit niini.

KIni gihimo aron masubay ug makita ang gidak-on sa ilang kunsumo ug mahatagan ug pamaagi nga mahimong mas “energy-efficient” ang ilang matag

adlaw nga pag gamit sa kuryente.

Namahayag si Cusi base sa GEMP survey, moabot sa 100 ka government buildings ang nasuta nag gamit sa “operational generation sets” nga dunay 85 megawatts power supply capacity.

Gi awhag gihapon sa DOE ang mga buhatan sa gobyerno lakip na ang 70 ka malls sa tibook nasud nga ibutang ang thermostat setting system temperature sa ilang air conditioners dili mo ubos sa 25degrees centigrade, mas labing maayo nga mogamit ug inverter-type aircon unit ug fluorescent lamps nga dunay Light-emitting diode (LED). (lpp/PIA7/Negros Oriental)