Isiquijor 2013 5

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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. 5 July 12, 2013

Siquijor's new leaders want to hasten socio-economic dev't of the island

By Rizalie a. calibo

SIQUIJOR (PIA) --The new leaders of Siquijor outlined their programs and legislative agenda to hasten the process of transformation and fast-tracking socio-economic development in the island province.

Siquijor vice-governor Fernando “Dingdong” Avanzado presented to the Liberal party’s legislative a g e n d a f o r S i q u i j o r d u r i n g i t s o a t h - t a k i n g c e r e m o n y a t t h e C a p i t a l S q u a r e , S i q u i j o r, S i q u i j o r.

“Today we officially begin the task of transforming our beloved Siquijor into a vibrant , progressive and sustainable province," he said while admitting that “the role ahead is not easy and there Tourism‬ benefits should be are many challenges along the way.” reinvested for ecology protection

He believes that if all work says DTI provincial director Nimfa together and set aside personal politics Virtucio in a ‎TourismSummit‬ at Coco and focus on doing the job required, Grove, San Juan,Siquijor.

Siquijodnons can get to where they want to go and achieve great success in no time.

“We have made campaign promises to you our constituents, let me tell you now.

We intend to fulfill these promises,” he said.

A priority legislation, he said, is to commission the development of a master plan by local, national or international master planners and approve the same so as to have an orderly and sustainable development of the island province and to make sure that the meager funds are spent wisely for the benefit and welfare of the people.

Another legislation is the conversion of the provincial roads into national highways to remove the burden from the provincial government in its construction and maintenance thereby creating much needed savings for the local government and at the same time hastening socio-economic development.

“As we all know we are a beautiful island, we just need to let the world know PNoy approves P2.2 proposed budget for 2014 that there exist a paradise known as

President Benigno Aquino III has approved the P2.2-trillion proposed Siquijor,” the singer-actor vice-governor said.

He said Siquijor officials should pay budget for next year after a meeting with his Cabinet on Wednesday night, a special attention to the multi-trillion dollar Palace official confirmed. wellness medical tourism industry to promote

Communications Strategy Secretary Ricky Carandang said Aquino Siquijor as the healing island in Asia and green-lighted the 2014 spending plan subject to some minor adjustments. adapt a progressive health care program.

Carandang did not specify these adjustments.

"We must modernize and computerize

The Palace official added that the P2.2-trillion proposed budget for the hospitals because the hospital is one very next year primarily aims to promote inclusive growth and create jobs in the important factor that tourist take special notice country. and consideration in deciding whether to visit,

The President is expected to submit the national budget proposal to stay or invest in Siquijor," Avanzado noted.

Congress after his third State of the Nation Address on July 22.

Finally, he said they will pass ordinances or resolutions that shall strengthen IMF raises 2013, 2014 growth forecasts for PHL the provincial health board, the provincial

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the Philippine economy is tourism councils and put more teeth into the expected to grow 7% this year and 6% in 2014, better than previous forecasts, tourism and development services including the public information services and the civil on strong private and public consumption.

The Philippines was the only country among the five big economies defense administration because these are vital of Southeast Asia whose growth forecast was upgraded this year, Shanaka tourism concern including peace and order.

“From now on, you expect a Jayanath Peiris, IMF resident representative in the Philippines said.

101% total commitment on our part to

In an update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF lowered its growth ensure that we will deliver these and other forecast for the ASEAN 5 economies by 0.3% points to 5.6% this year. Apart campaign promises that would lead to the from the Philippines, the ASEAN 5 includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand betterment of the lives of each and every and Vietnam.

Siquijodnon,” Avanzado concluded.

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PIA News Digest

iSIQUIJOR SCIENCETECHNOLOGY

DOST PAGE

DOST releases over P1.8-M to six SMEs in Siquijor

By Rizalie a. calibo

SIQUIJOR (PIA) – In response to the government’s effort to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurs, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here has released over P1.8 million to six small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Siquijor province as technology assistance and innovation support under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Deleto Cuevas of Candanay Norte, Siquijor has received P350,000 for the machinery and equipment ugrading of Dodge Welding Shop in Candanay Norte, Siquijor.

I n t h e F u r n i t u r e S e c t o r, Feliciano Cabiara of Tubod San Juan has received 600,000 for the upgrading production equipment of Naning’s Furniture Shop, Charito Jumadla of Lambojon, Siquijor got P115,200 for the upgrading of his furniture processing facility, and Douglas Balwit got P127,700 for his DMB Wood Pecker Shop in Napo, San Juan, Siquijor.

In the food processing sector, Porferia Tangcay of the Peryang’s Food Products in Barangay Tongo, S i q u i j o r, S i q u i j o r h a s r e c e i v e d P179,000 to improve its "peanut turon" processing technology and Honeybeh Meatshop owned by Domingo Sacabin

of Poblacion, Maria, Siquijor got P450,300.

Provincial Science and Technology (PSTC) Director Engr.

Mario de la Pena, in an interview with PIA said, the assistance is the DOST’s continuing support to SMEs through DOST-SETUP to make sure that the department's priority sectors are assisted.

We are assisting particularly the SMEs because they are considered the engine for job creation and wealth distribution, said de la Pena.

S E T- U P, h e s a i d , i s a nationwide strategy that encourages and assists micro, small, and medium scale enterprises to adopt technological

2014 Scholarship program for HS students now available

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)Undergraduate Scholarship Program under Science Education Institute invites qualified high school graduating students in Siquijor who wish to pursue a degree on Science and Technology (S&T) courses for 2014.

Applicants must be at the top five percent (5%) of the regular high school graduating class or graduating of a DOST-SEI identified/DepEd- recognized science high school, with good moral character, good health and a natural-born Filipino citizen.

He/she must be a resident of the municipality for the last four years as attested by the barangay and passes the 2014 S&T Scholarship Examination.

Two slots in every municipality are available for the talented and deserving student. The examination will be held on September 22, 2013 at Siquijor State College, Larena, Siquijor.

DOST offers two scholarship programs: Republic Act 7687 S&T Scholarships for qualified applicants who belong to the low socio-economic status families or an annual income below 156,000 and the DOST-SEI Scholarships for qualified applicants regardless of their families’ socio-economic status and to pay a non-refundable test fee of P200.00.

Examinees who successfully qualified will be receiving tuition and other school fees, monthly living allowance, book allowance, one economy roundtrip transportation allowance, MS/PE uniform allowance for 1st semester of First year student only and Post-graduation clothing allowance.

Application forms are available at the Provincial Science and Technology Center- Baluarte St., Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor and can also be downloaded at the websites, www.sei.dost.gov.ph and www.science-scholarships.ph.

Deadline for filling of application will be on August 23, 2013(Friday) (mbcn/ rac/PIA7-Siquijor & with reports from PCL-DOST/PSTC-Siquijor)

innovations that improve their operations and boost their productivity and competitiveness.

The program enables firms to address their technical problems through technology transfer and technological interventions to improve productivity through better product quality, human resources development, cost minimization and waste management, and other operation related activities. (mbcn/RACalibo/ PIA7-Siquijor & MEP/DOST)

DOST announces opening of Nat'l competitive exam

SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in Siquijor province is now accepting applicants for the 2014 Philippine Science High School (PSHS) National Competitive Examination (NCE) which will be conducted on September 28, at Siquijor State College, Larena, Siquijor.

The Criteria for Eligibility is a Grade 6 elementary student who belongs to the top 10 percent of graduating class and does not have a grade below 80 or he/she has special aptitude in science and math as evidenced by the report card.

He/she must be a Filipino Citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country, born on or after June 1, 1999, with good moral character, in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program and have not taken the PSHS NCE previously.

Requirements are fully accomplished application form in two copies, two 1x1 ID pictures, a copy of (SY 2012-2013) report card and nonrefundable test fee of P100 for private school students and free for public school students.

Scholarship Privileges will be free tuition fee, free loan of textbooks, monthly stipend and the uniform, transportation and living allowances for low income groups.

Application forms are available at the Provincial Science and Technology Center- Baluarte St., Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor and can also be downloaded from the PSHS website www.pshs.edu.ph. The deadline for filling of application will be on August 2, 2013. ( PCL/DOST/PSTCSiquijor & PIA7-Siquijor )

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

Siquijor new guv calls business sectors' support for economic progress

By Rizalie a. calibo

SIQUIJOR, July 8 (PIA)—Admitting firsthand that he and his party cannot do it alone, Siquijor's new provincial governor Zaldy “Jecoy” Villa calls on the support of province folks, especially the business sector, to bring economic progress to the island province of Siquijor.

“Tabangi kami sa paghatag ug trabaho pinaagi sa pag-abre ug dugang negosyo, pagpatong ug reasonable nga ginansya para kayang mopalit ang mga timawa natong kaigsuonan, pagbayad ug

Brgy. Tulapos launches Market Day, Halad sa Katawhan

SIQUIJOR, (PIA) --The Barangay Development Council (BDC) of barangay Tulapos in Enrique Villanueva Siquijor launched on July 12 the Farmers and Fishermen’s Friday Market Day and Halad sa katawhan dubbed “Tabo sa Tulapos.”

The activity is in response to the government’s call through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government units (LGUs) to create market day in a barangay to promote community participation, and economic activities.

The event also gives opportunities for farmers and fisherfolks to showcase and sell their local products.

This is part of the celebration of the town fiesta in honor of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on June 16, Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinator Bernadith Bunado, one of the organizers who herself is a resident of the barangay said.

In the “Tabo sa Tulapos”, each of the four Puroks in the barangay have two display booths where agri and non-agri products in barangay Tulapos and some neighboring barangays are displayed.

Among these local products are, fish kinilaw, ornamentals, organic veggies and rootcrops, eggs, bingka (rice cake), bukayo (coco bread), pan bisaya (Native bread), banana chips, fiesta needs, bodbod (suman), putong kamoteng kahoy (cassava cake), and marine products such as salwaki and tuyom (sea urchins), lato, ambalang or guso (seaweeds).

Held on July 12 to 14 at the Tulapos Basketball Court, the Tabo also highlighted local skills talents through various presentations, games and skills contests such as Fish Descaling, Maria Went to Town, coconut Grating/Nilupak Preparation Contest and more dances and parlor games.

Opening program is at 8 a.m

saktong buhis aron madugangan ang atong pondo,” Villa said during his inaugural speech at the Sunken Garden, New Provincial Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor recently.

(Please help us give job to our people by opening more businesses, putting on reasonable profit for our poor people to afford.., and pay exact taxes for additional government funding.)

He also called on all Siquijodnons to work all the more and live a life with dignity so us not to solely depend on the government for their personal needs.

“Kon may bakante nga yuta tisuki ug mga tanom nga kapahimuslan sama sa mga utanon ug mga prutas…, tangtanga ang mga bisyo nga maoy nakapalisod sa kahimtang sa inyong pamilya,” the governor said as

he also urged everyone to work together to speed up the delivery of the needed services for the people and bring Siquijor to the path of economic developments.

(If you have vacant place, plant fruits and vegetables, take away all your vices that causes hardships to your family.)

His top agenda include the improvement of the provincial hospital, water and electricity for all, tourism, more jobs and corrupt-free governance.

The new governor said he and his party are one in its vision for Siquijor: “Ang limpyo, matarung ug tul-id nga pagdumala sa atong gobyerno (clean, honest and straight governance) which is based on President Aquino’s battlecry for “Tuwid na Daan.” (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7-Siquijor)

PUBLIC ADVISORY JULY is....

Nutrition Month

Theme: "Gutom at malnutrisyon, sama-sama nating wakasan!"

National Disaster Consciousness Month

Theme: "Ligtas na Bayan, Maunlad na Pamayanan.”

(July 17-23) National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week

Theme: "Building an Inclusive and Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities.”

(July 23 - 27) National Science and Technology Week

Science and Technology Innovation : The Road to Smarter Philippines with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by a ribbon cutting and opening of the market stalls.

A Halad sa katawhan/ Technoklinik was also done that started in the afternoon of July 12 to bring services of the different government agencies to the barangfay.

Services include distribution of planting materials, registration of rural organizations, free clinic, sugar testing and other services from the Department of Social welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health and other agencies. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7Siquijor).

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.

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iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

Over 1,300 LGUs to receive subsidy for local dev't projects

QUEZON CITY, July 11 (PIA) – The Department of Interior and Local Government has requested the Department of Budget and Management for the release of P1 billion to 1,365 local government units that passed the agency’s Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH).

Local governments that passed the SGH are entitled to receive financial subsidy from the DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund (PCF). The DILG had assessed 1,590 LGUs for this year’s batch of SGH awardees.

The PCF aims to encourage local governments to put premium on transparency and accountability in governance. The funds shall be used to jumpstart and sustain local socio-economic development initiatives supportive of national government goals and priorities.

The fund also seeks to encourage convergence of local development projects with the government’s priority programs for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), tourism and local economic development thru road network maintenance, and compliance to the objectives of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The maximum PCF subsidy for provincial, city and municipal government unit are P7 million, P3 million and P1 million, respectively.

Government has allocated P1 billion for PCF in 2013.

In 2010, PCF was initially implemented in 4th to 6th class municipalities providing financial subsidy to 30 municipalities.

In 2011, the national government allocated P500 million, which was given to eligible LGUs belonging to the lower income class LGUs (Round 1 assessment for 4th to 6th class provinces, cities and municipalities).

For 2012, the budget allocation was P750 million, which was prioritized for the eligible higher income class LGUs (Round 2 assessment covering 1st to 3rd class provinces, cities and municipalities). However, this amount was not enough to cover 515 eligible LGUs at the time. To be able to provide the subsidy to all the second round SGH passers, an augmentation fund of P253 million was released.

Among the target recipients in 2012 were the remaining 1st to 3rd class LGUs that did not avail themselves of the PCF subsidy in 2011. The original budget allotment then, however, could only cover 468 LGUs belonging to 2nd and 3rd class provinces, cities and municipalities and 1st class municipalities, leaving 47 eligible LGUs without PCF subsidy. (PIA Newsdesk)

Department of Tourism in Region 7 will launch on August 17, 2013 the ChildWise Tourism program in key Metro Cebu cities. The program aims to stop the commercial sexual exploitation of children and also women in the tourism industry.

The public and tourism industry frontliners - hotel and resort workers, drivers, tourist guides - can help a lot in reporting incidents of child sex trafficking to the authorities.

Our children and women are not for sale.

Pls. help spread the word.

BRIDGE PROVINCES

DENR-7 strictly monitors traders of wildlife species

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) strictly monitors establishments that are selling wildlife species without permits.

DENR-7 regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo in a press statement said, “I have issued instructions to our field officials and the newly deputized wildlife enforcement officers to conduct a thorough intelligence gathering so that we would be able to know if there are certain establishments, pet shops or other similar places that are selling or trading wildlife species without permits from the DENR.”

Under RA-9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, illegal trade of endangered species is penalized by a fine of P200,000 and a jail term of two years while the killing of endangered animals carries the penalty of imprisonment of six years and a fine of P500,000.

“We will not hesitate to implement the full force of the law against those who engage in illegal trading, collection and possession of wildlife species,” Montejo added.

He warned against poachers who try to smuggle wildlife species as the wildlife monitoring units in airports and seaports are now being alerted 24 hours a day.

In a related development, Montejo urged the public not to remove or take away wildlife species from their natural habitat or else it would threaten their ability to survive in a new environment.

The instructions of DENR-7 came after authorities seized a large number of protected animals during a raid in a home in Tondo, Manila last June 3.

During the raid, the team found dead animals apparently dumped outside the house, emitting a strong foul odor.

The raiding team, headed by DENR Undersecretary and Philippine Operations Group on Ivory and Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI) head Ernesto Adobo Jr., recovered 78 Palawan hill mynas, 12 blue-naped parrots and five juvenile Indo-Pacific or saltwater crocodiles which were all dead.

Only 14 Philippine forest and pond turtles were retrieved alive.

It can be recalled that on June 21, the DENR destroyed five tons of smuggled elephant tusks using a road roller, making the Philippines the first country in Asia to conduct physical destruction of massive ivory stockpiles in support of global efforts to stamp out illegal wildlife trade. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & DENR-7)