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INFOBYTES THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 21 September 13, 2013
TOPSTORIES
CSC-7 awards gov't employees, groups in Central Visayas By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto CEBU CITY (PIA) --- The Civil Service Commission (CSC-7) regional office recently awarded three government employees and three groups of government employees in the region as semi-finalists to the nationwide search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees of the Honor Awards Program (HAP). The Regional Awarding Ceremony
held Sept. 10 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol aimed to recognize and promote the outstanding achievement of public servants in Region 7. The awarding was also in line with 113th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary this September with the theme “Tatak Lingkod Bayani: Isabuhay, Ipagmalaki at Ipagbunyi." The Dangal ng Bayan Awards went to Engr. Expedizitas S. Lenares, head of the Municipal Agricultural and Natural Resources
P17M from DSWD for job assistance to oil spill victims CEBU CITY (PIA) --- A P17-million fund for oil spill affected areas here was recently approved by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In a press release by DSWD Regional Field Unit 7, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman approved the P17 million fund requested by the office to assist those affected by the oil spill brought about by the sunken M/V St. Thomas Aquinas. The fund will be used as a cash-for-work program for those affected under the 13 identified costal barangays whose main livelihood is fishing. According to DSWD, a total of 2,996 affected families in Cordova will be employed to clean oil-spill affected coastal areas and will be given P245 per day for a period of ten days. “They will be involved in the rehabilitation activities wherein one of its family members will help in the cleaning of the shoreline including dredging of the barangay canals and other greening activities” according to the press release. Jenifer Abastillas, focal person of Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Unit (DRRMU) of DSWD-7, said the town of Cordova and Talisay City already submitted the official list of affected families. There were also another 1,600 families in the affected coastal area of Talisay City. Aside from this project, DSWD-7 had also distributed family food packs consisting of canned goods and rice during the first and second weeks of the sea tragedy. Cordova received 9,561 food packs while Talisay City received 1,700. (rmn/FCC/PIACEBU)
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Office of Dalaguete local government unit (LGU), and Marietta T. Orion, principal of San Isidto Elementary School in Calape, Bohol and of the District Alternative Learning System Center of the Department of Education, Bohol Division. The Dangal ng Bayan Award is conferred to any government official or employee who has exemplified the eight norms of conduct of public servants as mandated by Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. On the other hand, CSC Pagasa Awardees were, namely: Kulafu Seballos, Administrative Aide of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental; Pag-ibig Fund Cebu South Branch corporate social responsibility team members Rio Teves, Gloria Llenos, Anthony Maglunsod, Maria Carla De Pio and Catherine Damole; and Alternative Learning System (ALS) implementors of Danao City Division with Teodulo Alvaro as team leaders and members Darwin Almagros, Gaudencia Capute, Roselyn Traigo, Emalinda Gonzalwa, Teresita Cola, Catherine Enriquez, and Marilou Casas. CSC Pagasa Awards is given to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government. The Bayawan Integrated Waste Management team of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental led by Antonio Aguilar Jr. with members Marchita Tuale, Corazon Lizaran, Alma Crisostomo, Eric Torres, Ion Joseph Bollos, Joemar Crisostomo, Wilfredo Tuale, and Vitaliano Cosep were awarded the Lingkod Bayan Award. The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had a nationwide impact. Other awardees were: Portia Bacalso, Chief of the Division Marketing and Enforcement Division of the Pagibig Fund South Branch for the Best Bilis Aksyon Partner; Cebu Normal University for the Brigada Ahensiya Partner category B; and Bayawan City, Negros Oriental for the Brigada Ahensiya Partner, category D. Two government agencies were awarded the CSC Seal of Excellence, namely: Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) Dumaguete City Branch and the Pagibig Fund Cebu South Branch. CSC Commissioner Nieves Osorio, who was the honored guest during the awarding ceremony, said that she has already attended two awards rites of HAP but it is here in Cebu that she was happy because it was her first time to be an honored guest. Osorio is a Cebuana who hails from Dalaguete town in Cebu. She told government employees to "continue to be our partners and allies in upholding honesty, integrity and excellence." (rmn/JSME/PIA-Cebu)
INFOBYTESTOPSTORIES
NEGROS ORIENTAL
Army offers free health services Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA)-Some 1,400 residents of Siquijor province availed of the free Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) today served by army’s 302nd Brigade and 79th Infantry Battalion with the reservists from 703rd and 704th
Community Defense Centers. In coordination with local government of Siquijor, the health services offered in celebration of its 41st Araw Ng Bayan 2013 with the theme “Siquijor Atong Lungsod, Atong Panggaon” at the provincial gymnasium. The medical services include
A soldier from the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army giving a lecture to students of Jantianon National High School in Amlan, Negros Oriental during a peace symposium there. The peace symposium is one of the activities of the 302nd in celebration of the Peace Month this September. (PIANEGOR/302nd Infantry Brigade)
consultation and dental services, circumcision, eye examination, blood examination and blood pressure examination. According to information officer of the army Capt Cresencio Gargar the military reservists also offered free haircut and massage to the patients while waiting for their turn. For BGen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Brigade Commander said that the involvement of different stakeholders consistent with the spirit of “Bayanihan” to address the health concerns of the Siquijodnons was a manifestation of commitment and dedication by peace loving citizens in order to serve the needy Filipino people. “The military’s participation in the MEDCAP in partnership with various stakeholders was part of our continuing efforts in delivering basic health services to the less privileged residents in the Brigade’s area of responsibility” said Patrimonio. The brigade contingents and civilian volunteers were ferried from Tandayag Port, Amlan to Siquijor and vice versa via Philippine Navy vessel, Gargar said. Other organizations involved in the MEDCAP include Siquijor Municipal Health Unit, civil society organization and civilian volunteers in the province. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Negrenses invited to join Peace Month activities By Roi A. Lomotan
DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) --- The Negros Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) invited Negrenses to participate in their month-long activities in celebration of Peace Month this September. PPOC activities for Peace Month starts on Sept. 16 with nongovernment organization Oriental Negros Advocacy Network (ONCAN) holding a Peace Exhibit at Robinson’s Place. The exhibit will feature photos peace initiatives from law enforcement agencies like the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) and the Philippine Army brigade based in the province. National government agencies like the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will also participate in the exhibit together with other NGOs in Negros Oriental. The Peace Exhibit will run
until Sept. 22, 2013. On September 19, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will hold a tree planting activity at 7:00 am in Tayak, Siaton. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Oscar Magallones said that planting materials including seedlings will be distributed at the site. Meanwhile, the Negros Oriental Bikers Association will hold its “Bike for Peace” event on Sept. 21. Dondee Señeris, one of the event organizers said the activity aims to promote goodwill, unity, and peace awareness among law enforcers and civilians through biking. Señeris said the “Bike for Peace” will start at 4:00 a.m. with two major biking groups, namely, one coming from Guihulngan City in the northern part of the province and the other from Bayawan City in the south, and will converge at Freedom Park later in the morning. At Freedom Park, the bikers
will sign the wall of commitment for peace. On Sept. 22 there will be a “Run for Peace” activity headed by the Negros Oriental Sports Development Program (NOSDEP). Culminating activity for Peace Month will be on Sept. 27 during which a Peace Forum will be done in the morning and a Peace Parade in the afternoon starting from Rizal Boulevard going to Freedom Park. The Peace Parade will be led by the members of the PPOC and is open to all sectors. The PPOC believes that the activities in line with the Peace Month will help people understand the peace process and would make them more conscious of the peace movements initiated by the government. The council also believes that these events are relevant especially in line with the crisis in Zamboanga City where a rebel group took scores of civilians hostage and engaged government troops in a series of firefights. (rmn/RAL/PIANEGOR)
BOHOL
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
US Ambassador wishes Bohol to send peace volunteers to Mindanao By ReY Anthony h. Chiu
TA G B I L A R A N C I T Y ( P I A ) – Unites States (US) Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr., wished one day, Bohol could also send peace corps to Mindanao, as the US sent in its peace corps volunteers to the Philippines since 1946. Amb. Thomas Jr., who is in his few remaining days as ambassador said his coming to Bohol is in celebration of the US Government’s strong partnership with through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), as well as to honor the American volunteers in the peace corps in Bohol. Coming in to Bohol a few days before getting pulled out for another assignment, Amb Thomas Jr. cited how the US government considers Bohol as one of their success stories for the US development assistance. Boholanos largely consider the US development assistance as largely contributive to bring Bohol out from a highly troubled conflict area which discouraged peace and development into one of the region’s hubs for economic development. Officially coming to Bohol this time, following an in cognito visit to tour the island, Amb. Thomas also met with the US Peace Corps who have been volunteering to build a better future to Boholanos since 1950s.
Since 1991, the US Government has partnered with Bohol through the Local Development Assistance Program which helped Bohol set up an umbrella system for Non Government Organizations, in line with the government’s decentralization reforms through local revenue enhancement, environmental protection and strengthening LGUs and NGOS capabilities to attain accelerated growth and investments, summed up Governor Edgar Chatto in his opening message during the Ambassador’s luncheon with local officials at the Bohol Tropics Thursday.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. arrives at the Grand Ballroom of Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City, Bohol for a meeting with the provincial government officials, congressmen, mayors, project �implementers, peace corps volunteers and members of the American community. (PIABohol) inclusive growth,” Amb. Thomas said. Environment Code; the first in the country. But even before these newer From then, Bohol has been a partnerships could work its magic, Bohol consistent recipient of a steady stream of has patted away insurgency by presenting USAid from the American people in the better options for poverty alleviation. form of partnerships for growth like the On this, Thomas wished “one day Advancing Philippine Competitiveness we can send peaceful volunteers from Project (Compete) which deals Bohol to Mindanao,” which generated on accelerating and sustaining avid applause from Boholanos during broad-based and inclusive growth. the luncheon with the ambassador. Bohol also gets US assistance through private sector mobilization INFOBYTES is a weekly for family health in delivering familyelectronic newsletter produced by the planning, maternal and child care Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial services while it also helps Bohol in its Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Coastal Climate Change Adaptation Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Project which helps build communities that are socially, ecologically and socially resilient to climate change.
By 1996, the US Government put in Bohol the Governance on Local Democracy and it played the pivotal role in Bohol’s development and environmental resource management leading to the institutionalization of the Bohol
“We are proud to be a part of Bohol’s achievements as an emerging growth center and we look forward to further advancing productive partnership as we work towards our shared goal of achieving broad-based and
The history of Bohol transformation however took a long and tedious process of involving multi-stakeholders and making them accountable for the crafting of the local development.
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INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
SIQUIJOR
News Feature:
Siquijor congresswoman appeals leaders' support to uplift Siquijodnons' lives
By Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA)—Siquijor lone district representative Dr. Marie Anne Pernes made an appeal to all local leaders and all working in the government to work together and do what they can, positively, to uplift the lives of the people of Siquijor. Speaking at the Araw ng Siquijor Agro, Trade and Food Fair Friday (September 13), Pernes said government should strive to make sure that there is enabling environment where entrepreneurs, regardless of size, can thrive. The congresswoman said government support is needed to ensure that healthy competition exists, public safety is assured and that technology and financial resources are made available. This she also said amidst personal observation on the seemingly lack of support from some political leaders in the island. She said that in the series of consultative meetings she and her staff made throughout the island, she found out that employment is one of the most needs aside from water and electricity. “Ngunit ako po ay talagang disappointed at dismayado sa ibang mga tinatawag nating mga political leaders,” says Pernes. Instead of focusing all their efforts and energy in finding ways to help their fellow Siquijodnons, political and personal interest still prevailed, she said. “Hindi po nakakatulong sa Siquijor kung pagbabawalan o gigipitin ang kahit sino na lumapit sa kahit sinong puwedeng makatulong at makapagbigay ng kahit kunting proyekto. Hindi po nakakatulong sa Siquijor na patuloy ang pagkakalat ng tsismis at intriga sa halip na magtrabaho sa ikauunlad ng isa’t-isa. Hindi po nakakatulong na pagsabihan ang mga community leaders na hindi i-entertain ang pupunta sa lugar kahit na ang pakay lamang ay tumulong at mag-identify ng proyekto. At lalong hindi nakakatulong ang pagiging inggit sa pinag-gagawa ng iba. Inggit po ang nakasisira sa pagsasama ng isang samahan,” she said. Instead of competing , let us all try to complement…. instead of dividing, let us strive to cooperate, the Congresswoman said. After expressing this, Pernes also urged entrepreneurs to avolid one of the deadly social sins that Mahatma Gandhi referred to: “Business of commerce without morality of ethics” as she urged entrepreneurs to earn profit in clean, just and legal ways by giving quality products
Siquijor Congresswoman Marie Anne Pernes (right) and Governor Zaldy Villa (left wearing hat) cutting the ribbon to open the Siquijjor Agro, Trade and Food Fair at the St. Francis of Assisi Grounds in Siquijor, Siquijor. (PIA-Siquijor)
with fair prices, and paying exact taxes. At the end of the day hindi naman tayo huhusgahan kung magkano ang pera nating naipon kung hindi paano natin ito kinita at paano ginamit ang ating kinikita, she said. As member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development committee in the Congress, Pernes said Siquijor can expect programs towards business and industry development. She also assured Siquijodnons
that she will find ways to answer the needs of the province, as also a member of the Committee on Appropriation. She said she also worked with the office of Senator Bam Aquino to bring to Siquijor the “Hapinoy” program that gives training to those who would want to engage into business. ”We have so many plans and programs to help you, entrepreneurs. Let us help work together for you to prosper in your respective businesses,” she said. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7-Siquijor)