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. 06| No. 17 May 19-27 , 2018
PIA chief hails Siquijor, “an amazing piece of heaven” Salagdoong, Maria, SIQUIJOR (PIA) - - Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General Harold Clavite hailed Siquijor Island as an ‘amazing piece of heaven.’ When you come to Siquijor,
you will realize that it is more than mysterious and magical,” said Clavite at the Fellowship Dinner hosted by the Provincial Government of Siquijor for the PIA staff and regional directors nationwide.
PIA Director General Harold Clavite (center) with his staff and regional directors during the Management Conference at the Cocogrove Resort, San Juan, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
The Dinner was held at the Salagdoong Beach Resort Pavilion, Olang Maria, Siquijor, home of the one of the finest beaches in the island and the biggest Molave Man-Made Forest in SouthEast Asia, according to the report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Along with his claim for the Island, Clavite committed full support in the promotion of Siquijor which he said he started by personally inviting all his families, colleagues and friends to come and enjoy the island. Part of his commitment as head of PIA, the communication arm, of the government is to continue writing good news, good things and stories that will help boost the island. He assured that PIA national, regional and provincial offices will be there to amplify good news and success stories of Siquijor. Clavite cited the recent visit of the Like Pinas Team, to feature the island during its Healing Festival. Like Pinas is one of the PIA’s flagship projects created to highlight and showcase the positive practices crafted and done to page 3
Siquijor PNP director lauds advisory council for ‘Sagip-Buhay’ initiative
SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) lauded the Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its initiative to help solve criminality in Siquijor province. Police Senior Superintendent Clarito C. Baja expressed his gratitude to the PAC members as well as barangay officials and the participants during the joint Seminar/Workshop on Safety Driving, Oath-Taking Ceremony of the PAC members and Sagip-Buhay Project Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing conducted at the GAD Building, Siquijor, Siquijor. Baja said a functional Provincial Advisory Council is necessary to achieve its goal for a long and lasting transformation to page 3
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#EmpoweringCommunities
The worst affected by corruption are the ordinary citizens because it robs us all. Let’s combat corruption and help build C. a Rinen better society for all. by Fayette The national Anti-graft and Corruption Awareness Month is observed every May to fight and raise consciousness on corruption per Presidential Proclamation No. 591 s. 2004.
SSS Charter Amendment bill advances in Senate floor QUEZON CITY, May 27 -- The state-run Social Security System (SSS) on Friday expressed its pleasure that the proposed bill to amend Republic Act 8282 or Social Security Law of 1997 has advanced in the Senate following Sen. Richard Gordon’s sponsorship speech on the Senate floor last May 22. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said he was grateful that Senate Bill 1753 that aims to amend the 21-year old SS Law has finally gathered the attention of the Senators after the Committee of Government Corporations and Public Enterprises (GCPE) and Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development led by Gordon presented Committee Report No. 300. “We are grateful to Sen. Richard Gordon in pushing the amendment of some provisions of the SS Charter. This is a long-term solution to maintain the viability of SSS in order to continuously provide meaningful benefits,” said Dooc. Gordon presented the bill citing the need to amend the existing law for the benefit of the pension fund, its members, its pensioners and its stake holders. The bill, if enacted into law, according to Gordon, will expand, protect, and grow the fund so there will be pension for all when the time of their retirement comes. “This is a wonderful bill for the benefit and welfare of our people. Its very title alone, speaks of lengthening or for that matter making sure that the viability, long term viability of the SSS is ensured. When the retirees’ pension was increased by P1,000 last year, the fund life of SSS immediately decreased by ten years… That’s why it has become imperative for us to
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iSIQUIJOR
is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information AgencySiquijor Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology Center. It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government. THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY.
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DTI sets new guidelines on recognition of consumer organisations SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) releases the new guidelines on its recognition of Consumer Organaizations.
by the local government units all over the country and its impact to the lives of the people. It will be aired through GMA News International which can be seen in more than 53 countries and the People’s Television Network (PTV) as the government television network owned by the Philippine government under the helm of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). This, he said, is aside from the series of advocacies that the PIA has initiated for the province. The PIA, at present, pushes on media and information literacy for the country folks in order to promote responsible sharing and information and prevent the spread of fake news. The PIA also conducted a series of talks, dialogues, and engagements with the public with the establishment of the government information centres nationwide, Clavite said. (rac/PIA7Siquijor reports from IAAbatayo/SAID)
This is to provide the buying public with effective and efficient representation in the development of policies and programs that cater to them, says the DTI here. “The DTI truly values the role of consumer organizations in educating themselves and the buying public in general about their rights and responsibilities and other matters that greatly affect them,” also says DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo. As defined in the Department Administrative Order No. 17-07 Series of 2017, a Consumer Organization (CO) is “an organized and independent group that represents a substantial number of consumers whose membership is voluntary and whose primary objective is to protect the rights of consumers and to promote their welfare.” The DAO 17-07 classifies consumer organizations (COs) as either Local or National depending on the number of members in the area. It specifies that National Capital Region (NCR)-based COs may file their application and submit their documentary requirements for recognition with the DTI’s Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) and with the DTI provincial offices, on the other hand, for those province-based COs. Upon assessment, the DTI-CPAB or DTI-RO will approve an application and issue a system-generated Certificate of Recognition (COR), which bears the electronic signature of he DTI Secretary. The certificate is valid for three (3) years unless cancelled or suspended. As stated also in the DAO, one of the responsibilities of a recognized CO is to participate in government consultation programs and activities in formulating policies regarding consumer welfare and protection.
DTI-CPAB Director Ronnel O. Abrenica underscores, “The DTI expects well thoughtoff and more articulate draft policies that will result from the active participation of DTIrecognized COs. It is their responsibility then that the consumers’ voice is constantly present and is listened to.” In addition, the DAO states that COs will submit their price monitoring reports for basic necessities and prime commodities to assist in the DTI’s checking on the compliance of business establishments with the provisions of the Fair Trade Laws (FTLs). Furthermore, the DAO says that a recognized CO must also participate actively in the annual celebration of the World Consumer Rights Day every 15th day of March and of the Consumer Welfare Month every October. The new guidelines include benefits for recognized COs such as being a legal personality to represent “the sector of segment of society it purports to represent”, being featured through an article in the DTI website or the Consumers’ Portal, once available, and will be given priority to participate in trainings/workshops on consumer related-laws or policies and other Fair Trade Laws (FTLs) among others. A DTI-recognized CO, by nomination, can also be a Philippine Delegate to the International Consumer Protection Related Forums. “We believe that through the establishments of COs, we are a step closer to our goal of heightening consumer awareness and educating them,” says Castelo. The new guidelines on the recognition of COs took effect on 02 March 2018. (rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ DTI reports)
and he is thankful to have a very active and supportive council in the province. Siquijor PNP-PAC is chaired by Dr. Expedita Duran of the Siquijor State College (SSC) with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and religious, private and youth sector representatives as members. “Infact the seminar/workshop on safety driving is authored by them, and they actually call this “Sagip-Buhay” Project, a year-round activity to be conducted in all municipalities to address the prevailing traffic-related and other crime incidents in the province,” said
Baja. He asked the young driverparticipants to avoid recklessness in driving so as not to ruin their lives and those of the others. “When you go back to your respective barangays, be a model, share to your friends what you learned and encourage them to become responsible motorists,” Baja said. Deputy Provincial Director for Operations Enrique Belcina attributed the rise of vehicular accidents to the drivers’ failure to follow safe driving particularly on wearing of protective helmets and other safety practices.
He urged all motorists to practice safety driving to lessen traffic related incidents as he reminded drivers on traffic rules and regulations and some safety driving tips. Precautionary Measures in Driving, Do’s and Don’ts, and How to Get Driver’s License were also tackled by the Land Transportation Office led by LTO District Officer Gerald Dominguez. Police Senior Inspector Eugenio Raganas Jr., police Chief of Lazi Police station gave Demonstration on Safety Driving. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
PIA chief hails Siquijor from p. 1
Siquijor PNP lauds advisory council...fr p. 1
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Cebuano News
Miscellaneous fee sa SUCs libre na usab – Malakanyang (PIA) -- Gipahinumdoman sa Malakanyang ang mga ginikanan nga may mga anak nga motungha sa mga state universities and colleges (SUCs) nga gawas sa libreng tuition fee, wala na usab bayrang miscellaneous fee ang mga estudyante.
Matud pa ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, mokabat sa P40,000 matag tuig ang gigahing budget sa gobyerno sa matag estudyante nga makatungha sa mga SUCs. Pahinumdom pa sa Malakanyang sa
Fast drive could be your last drive so be cautions, life is precious. Today is #SafeDrivingDay per Proclamation No. 28, s. 1966. This observance emphasizes the importance of safe driving and pay tributes to victims of unsafe driving.
mga ginikanan, dili motuo sa ilang mga anak kun mangayo og salapi aron ipangbayad sa tuition o sa miscellaneous fees. Si Roque nagkanayon nga ikaduhang tuig na karon nga libre na ang matrikula, ang kalahian lamang niadtong unang tuig mao nga dili pa libre ang miscellaneous fees. “So ngayon po libre na po ang tuitionat miscellaneous sa lahat ng state universities and colleges at ito po ay sa buong Pilipinas. Wala pong dapat bayaran ang ating mga estudyante. Kung hihingi pa po ng pera iyong mga anak natin, pang date na lang po iyon, matud pa ni Roque. Sa Hunyo 4 na magbukas ang klase sa mga pampublikong tunghaan. (ecb/PIA7Bohol)
SSS charter from p. 1
Pundo alang sa nasudnong dalan, ilegal gamiton sa ubang agi-anan (PIA) -- Karong nagsingabot na ang piniliay sa Barangay ug Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), may pasidaan ang Civil Service Commission (CSC) sa tanang mga opisyal ug kawani sa gobyerno nga mosalmot sa partisan politics. Pahinumdom pa ni CSC Chairperson Alicia Bala, adunay mandato ang mga taga-gobyerno nga magpabiling ‘politically-neutral’ sa pagpatuman sa iyang mga katungdanan ilabi na matag nagkaduol ang eleksyon sa nasod. Dugang pa sa opisyal sa CSC nga may gipagawas silang abiso kalabot sa electioneering ug partisan political activity niadtong Marso 2016, nga angay dili nila pasagdang mamantsahan og politika ang ilang paghatag og serbisyo
sa publiko. Gidili usab ang dayag nga pagsuporta sa usa ka kandidato pinaagi sa pagkuyog-kuyog sa kampanya, paghatag og pahayag og pagsuporta ug pangumbinsir sa mga botante nga ibotar ang gisuportaan niniing kandidato. Dili usab mahimong mo-alagad isip poll watcher sa bisan unsang partido o bisan kinsang kandidato, bisan ang pagsuot og campaign materials, pagdawat og donasyon sa pagpangampanya ug paggamit sa mga propedad sa gobyerno pabor sa usa ka kandidato o partido. Ang mga masakpang molapas niini mahimong pahamtangan og silot nga usa ka buwan nga suspensyon taman sa pagkatangtang sa serbisyo. (ecb/PIA7Bohol)
see to it that this bill is approved,” he added. The proposed amendments to the pension fund’s charter will expand the power of the Social Security Commission (SSC), enabling it to enhance SSS’ benefit system and to condone penalties of delinquent employers without prior approval from the President of the Philippines. In addition, the bill will allow the SSC to diversify SSS investments to generate and boost earnings of the pension fund, to determine monthly salary credit and contribution tables based on actuarial studies, and to further improve the benefits being disbursed to its members. It will also institutionalize the mandatory coverage of overseas Filipino workers to protect them in times of contingencies. Dooc added that the proposed amendments will be beneficial not only to the 2.3 million pensioners of the SSS, but also to the 15.3 million actively paying members and some 700,000 registered employers. The SS Law amendment is also one of the options eyed to answer the clamor to grant the second tranche of the P2,000 additional benefit for SSS pensioners. “As you can see, up to this point, we do not have the power to grant additional benefits. This proposed amendment, if passed into law, will give us the power at the SSC level, to enhance the benefit system of the pension fund,” Dooc said. Dooc added that the SSS hopes that the amendment of its charter will be approved this year. (SSS)