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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. 1 | NO. 13 September 6, 2013
Provincial Tourism Council strengthened to boost tourism Siquijor vice-governor Diingdong Avanzado in his opening remarks during the recent Tourism Summit that he initiated at the Cocogrove Beach Resort as he tries to set Siquijor within the perspective of the National Tourism Development . (PIA-Siquijor)
By Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- In its effort to boost tourism in Siquijor province, the provincial government strenthens Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) with a new set of officers elected recently. The PTC is said to contribute to tourism development and network with the provincial government for infrastructure and support to tourism oriented projects in this Island Province. The Council is a multi-sectoral body which is seen as the policy-making, advisory and recommendatory body to the local government in matters relating to the development, regulation and promotion of tourism in the province. Based on the recommendation of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the council is composed of 60% from the private sector and 40% from the government sector. The new chairman is Ma. Arlene Mack, also the president of the Siquijor Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Agencies Association (SHORRETAS). She is co-chaired by the Provincial Planning and Development C o o r d i n a t o r, G l a d y s E s t r e l l a d a . The treasurer is Joy “Bambi” Uy Chan from AFOS Foundation and the secretary is Senior Tourism Officer Josette Almirola. The Board of Directors (BODs) from the government sector are Earl Aljas of the local government unit of Lazi, Nimfa Virtucio of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Mario de la Pena of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Another BOD members from the private sector are Lydio Ligutom, Gisella Butler-Colot and Billy Hanson M u n i c i p a l To u r i s m C o u n c i l Coordinators are Laureen Malolot for Larena, Aurea Luginbuhl for Siquijor, Helen Gerdin for San Juan, Gladys Octal for Lazi, Francis Helogo for Maria, and Elgin Atay for Enrique Villanueva. Different committees under the council were also formed. These are the Tourism Marketing, Promotion and Information Committee, Human Resource Development Committee, Tourism Planning and Product Development Committee, Tourism Services Committee, Environment and Culture Preservation Committee,
and Tourism Council Organization. These committees are chaired by the Board members with the rest of the council and those not elected as members. Each group will focus on building tourism activities and programs designed to encourage tourism in the province. Meanwhile, the Environment and Culture Preservation Committee has formulated plans and programs for presentation to the Council. Chaired by Mario de la Pena and co-chaired by Laureen Malolot, its members are Siquijor State College instructors Catalino Macaron, Cyd Sarmiento and Grace Lubguban, Rizalie Calibo of the Philippine Information agency, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Redempta Cortes, and Dr. Peck Cortes of the Mar & Peck Souvenir Shoppe. Among other functions, the committee will formulate programs for the sustainable conservation and management of environmental resources and promote and preserve Siquijor’s culture, arts, festivals and traditions. It shall also assist in the formulation, adoption and implementation of Siquijor provincial Environment Code, including the establishment of an environment and cultural preservation office. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7-Siquijor)
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PIA News Digest COMELEC starts ballot printing for barangay polls The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has started printing of the official ballots for the barangay elections amid calls to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this coming October. Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia said the National Printing Office (NPO) has already printed about 2.5 million ballots in the past three days. The Comelec expects the printing of 52 million ballots to be completed within 28 days or in a month’s time. She said the early completion of the printing would prevent any delay in the delivery of election materials like what happened during the 2010 barangay elections. The official ballots will be thicker than the traditional barangay and SK ballots since the paper used for the ballots is similar to that used in the May 13 midterm elections, she said. However, the ballots being printed do not include those to be used for the SK polls since Congress has yet to decide whether to postpone the SK elections. Guia said the Comelec would be waiting until the end of the month before they decide on printing more than three million SK ballots.
iSIQUIJOR SCIENCETECHNOLOGY
RAFI opens Triennial Awards Ferliza C. Contratista
CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Individuals and organizations that have done selfless and philanthropic acts that uplifts the socio-economic conditions of the poor in Visayas and Mindanao will now have a chance to be recognized. This as the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated (RAFI) recently announced the opening of nominations for the Triennial Awards next year. There will be two winners; one for the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual and another for Outstanding Institution. In a press release sent by RAFI Communications Manager Haidee Palapar, the search is open to all individuals and institutions that made significant contributions to the advancement and well-being of fellow Filipinos. For individuals, he or she has to at least 30 years old and is a natural born Filipino nominated by another person or a group. The individual has to have initiated or implemented programs for the benefit of the less privileged and created a lasting impact on their lives. “There should be a demonstration of integrity, industriousness, leadership,
and initiative by the individual and exhibits selfless commitment and dedication to uplift socio economic condition of the poor and the marginalized,” according to RAFI. For institutions such as foundations, groups, and non government organizations, there should be a display of leadership on responsible development and serves as a catalyst for change. Aside from that, the nominee should have developed strong partnerships with government organizations, NGO’s, civic and people’s organizations in bringing desired holistic and societal change. “And they should be able to have established self-reliant communities whose values are responsive to the well-being of their members through the process of participation, capacity building and institutional building, people empowerment and gender equity,” RAFI said. Those nominated will undergo an extensive screening process and submission of pertinent documents. The search committee is composed of representatives from the media, academe, business groups and PO/NGO. Deadline for nominations is on
December 15. RAFI Triennial Awards was launched on December 1996 during the foundation’s 30th anniversary commemorating Don Ramon Aboitiz and his son Don Eduardo Aboitiz whose efforts have expanded from traditional philanthropy into democracy-based and people oriented endeavors. It is given every three years to give ample time for the extensive screening and validation process. Among the past awardees of the Outstanding Institutions were cooperatives Lamac Multipurpose in barangay Lamac, Pinamungahan and Cebu CFI Community Cooperative and organizations Visayas Forum and Lihok Filipina. For individuals, past awardees include agriculturist Dr. Warlito Laquihon, innovator of the wold-famous Sloping Agricultural Land Technology from Davao Del Sur and the initiator of “Peso for Health” program in Dumaguete City and Mabinay Negros Oriental, Dr. Chelsa Cacaldo. The search is open only for individuals and institutions in Visayas and Mindanao. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www.rafi.org.ph/ triennialawards. (rmn/FCC/PIACebu)
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
Agro, Trade and Food Fair highlights 'Araw ng Siquijor' By Rizalie A. Calibo SIQUIJOR(PIA)--The Provincial Government of Siquijor and the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) conducts a 5-day Araw ng Siquijor with Agro, Trade & Food Fair at the St. Francis of Assisi Church Grounds, Siquijor, Siquijor on September 13-17, 2013.
Opening ceremony is on September 13, at 3:00 PM where furniture & other woodcraft items, bayong bags, processed food, paintings, handicraft items, t-shirts, fashion accessories, ornamental plants and agricultural products are for sale. The Food Fair area serves food and drinks daily. There are be live bands every night from 8:00PM to 12:00 Midnight.
Beneficiaries of the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilya Program in Camapalanas, Lazi, Siquijor in one of the Family Development Sessions (FDS) conducted by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM) and the PIA-Siquijor.
The activity is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry ( D T I ) , O ff i c e o f t h e P r o v i n c i a l Agriculturist (OPA) & the Siquijor Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants & Travel Agencies Society (SHORRETAS).
Over 250 join PNP-Siquijor Solidarity Run
S I Q U I J O R (PIA)—Over 250 students, teachers, private and government employees joined the Solidarity Run spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP)Siquijor recently. Also a fund raising activity, the Solidarity Run was made to support the advocacy efforts of the PNP and the Philippine Red Cross on the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Police Senior Superintendent Primitivo Tabujara Jr, in a briefing said, the activity hopes to raise the people’s consciousness and promote greater awareness on the principles of the IHL as stated in the executive Order No. 134. Executive Order No. 134 declares the month of August as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month. It principally provides that “The Philippines adheres to the principles of human rights and humanitarian laws enshrined in international human rights treaties and instruments to which it is a State Party. This years “International Humanitarian Law Month” is themed “Pagsunod sa IHL, Susi sa Kaunlaran at Katahimikan” which aims to increase awareness on the basic principles of IHL and promote its observance in times of armed conflict. International humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. (mbcn/RACalibo/ PIA7-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJOR
is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center with stories submitted by local and national government agencies and from other Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.
Members of the Provincial Organic Agriculture Board (POAB) and Technical Working Committee in its joint meeting to evaluate status of organic agriculture projects implementation in the province and discuss advocacy and other plans for 2013. POAB/PTWC meeting is always started with the recitation of Rice Pledge as shown in the first photo above. (PIA-Siquijor)Thmem
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iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
In times of calamities, media should be anchors of stability By roi Lomotan
CEBU CITY (PIA) – “In times of calamities, media should be anchors of stability,” a speaker said in a 3-day seminar workshop on weather patterns, climate change, weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction management and other programs and services of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA-7) at the Sarrosa International Hotel, Cebu City recently. PAGASA information office chief, Venus Valdemoro said, the seminar-workshop is one of the key programs of the weather bureau in information dissemination of their services to the public and to strengthen ties with the local media. Some 25 Media practitioners in Central Visayas attended the workshop. “We recognize the partnership we have with the media because they are our link to the public,” Valdemoro added. She noted that it is important to inform the members of the media on the developments on their products and services
so that they can also share these to the public. Weather specialists from PAGASA, Sharon Arruejo discussed the agency’s services such as rainfall warning and decision support system program and the comprehensive flood mitigation management which are useful in disaster mitigation during calamities. Arruejo said the agency always announces thunderstorm advisories and rainfall alerts through the website, social media accounts and through media as part of its rainfall warning measures. Another Weather Specialist, Rosalie Pagulayan said PAGASA also creates flood hazard maps as part of its flood mitigation program. She said the agency closely monitors 18 major river basins throughout the country for possible overflow during typhoons. Most of these river basins are in Luzon and in Mindanao. H o w e v e r, C e n t r a l V i s a y a s , specifically Cebu is not inclined to experience severe flooding like in Metro Manila and other
Officials from Department of Health Region -7 led by Regional Director Dr. Jaime S. Bernadas (upper-left) answer questions from Cebu media during the press conference on the observance and awareness of Generics Law or Republic Act 6675 at the Narra Conference Hall, DOH, Cebu City on September 4, 2013. (vvv/PIA Cebu)
provinces in Luzon and Mindanao due to lack of river basins that could overflow during typhoons, Pagulayan added. Aside from PAGASA services, the seminarworkshop also stressed media’s role in disaster risk reduction management. Veteran broadcaster Mario Garcia, one of the speakers emphasized to the participants that media should be accurate and simple in reporting disaster incidents during calamities. He also said that the roles of media during disaster incidents are to give inspiration and motivation to people and challenge them especially the local leaders to do steps in preventing damages once another calamity strikes in their areas. Participants were also briefed on the services offered by the Project NOAH of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Project NOAH Officer Mary Joy Gonzales explained the features of the NOAH website which exhibits the topography and the natural hazard a certain part of the country may experience. These include flooding and landslides. NOAH website also displays actual typhoon track and the rainfall amount in the country. She also said that the data in the NOAH website comes from the data generated by the Doppler radars of PAGASA. Gonzales admitted that the NOAH Website is still undergoing developments but she hopes that once more weather sensors are installed in the different parts of the country they will be able to present more accurate data. She invited everyone to visit the Noah website at the www.noah.dost.gov.ph or download their NOAH and ARKO applications in googleplay and app store for those using smartphones. The ARKO app is more focused on flood hazards. Apart from these topics media practitioners were also taught on basic meteorology, weather forecasting and climate variability and climate change. There was also a consultation for the implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Standard Time Act and a lecture of R.A. 10344. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
DENR-7 urges LCEs to construct water catchments in their LGUs CEBU CITY (PIA) --- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo urged local chief executives (LCE) to construct water catchments in upstreams and or uplands within their area of responsibility (AOR). Montejo made this call amidst the devastating impacts of flooding in order to serve as one of the solution to contain and catch the rainwater moving downwards. “The establishment of additional catchments or small water impounding dams or SWIDs is part of the physical development plan which the Cabinet cluster on climate change is proposing, not only to guide physical expansions but also to help improve the country’s resilience to global warming and climate-related disasters,”
added Montejo. He said the mountain tops have gone bald due to indiscriminate cutting of trees so water rushes faster down the mountain slopes carrying mountain soil that chokes the rivers and streams with silt, while causing flashfloods in the plains. "Rainwater harvesting facilities like SWIDs are effective for managing rainwater, which can be used as a supplemental source of water for irrigation," said Montejo. “Trees moderate water flows by absorbing large amounts of water during heavy rainfall and releasing it gradually during dry season,” he added. He explained that trees provide a lasting solution to climate change as trees not only store carbon in their trunks and branches, but gives out oxygen from its leaves
to sustain life on earth during the process of photosynthesis. The DENR-7 official stressed that “this is actually the objective why the Aquino administration is embarking on a massive reforestation through the national greening program not just to address the poverty situation but at the same time mitigate the impacts of climate change.” At the same time, Montejo urged the public to help in protecting the region’s water bodies, as well as in planting trees which play an important role in sustaining the flow of our rivers and creeks. Montejo also urged the public to continue tree planting, saying that trees are important in cleaning the atmosphere, replenishing our water bodies, and in mitigating global warming. (rmn/ JSME/PIA-Cebu/DENR7)