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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. 26 July August 2-9, 2018
47th Araw ng Lalawigan ng Siquijor preps, in full swing
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
SIQUIJOR (PIA)—With barely two months to go before the big day celebration for Siquijor province, the provincial government here is going full swing in its preparations to make the 47th Araw ng Siquijor a day to remember and look forward to. Now on its 4th Coordination Meeting, several committees were created while proposed activities and budget were deliberated and are set to be finalized at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Session Hall, Provincial Capitol. Provincial officials led by Provincial Governor Zaldy S. Villa and other from government line agencies and municipal government pushed for the said activities. Among the proposed activities are the Sportsfest that is set to open on September 5 and Agri-Tourism, Food (dubbed Salu-Salo sa Kapitolyo) and Trade Fair, Native Cattle and Native Chicken Technical and Investment Summit, and Hudyaka sa Kapitolyo on September 13.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) women beneficiaries get hands on experience during the Skills Training for Bee Farming and Honey Production at Lilo-an, Maria, Siquijor as one of the projects under the over P14 millionsustainable livelihood projects for Siquijor. (PIA/Siquijor)
Cultural Exchange and Show with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and San Augustine Performing Arts is scheduled on September 14. This is to raise public awareness and develop a deep
AFP commits to safeguard tourist destinations in CV (PIA)--The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) commits in doing their best to ensure security protection of tourists that will be coming in and out in the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor. AFP 302nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Ignacio Madriaga said in all aspects they are in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs) to ensure the safety of tourists. “In coordination with LGUs, we are trying our best to ensure the security protection of tourists,” Col. Madriaga said. He added that they also tied up with relevant agencies and the police as this effort requires convergence and the resources of
other agencies are needed. Col. Madriaga stressed that they are considering tourist destinations as vulnerable areas amid the closure of Boracay Island that forced tourists to change route entering the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor. “Areas of tourist destination would always be at risk,” he said. The official clarified that there is no imminent threat in the provinces covered by the Infantry the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor, but nevertheless, their security assessment continues. Col. Madriaga revealed that although there is no obvious threat, on their part it is better to be always suspicious and alert. (ays/ PIA-7)
appreciation for Siquijor cultural heritage, as well as give opportunities to showcase local talents. September 15 is slated for Drumbeat Competition, “Bugsay” (Dragon Boat Competition), and The Voice. September 16 has the Holy Mass, after which is the Halad sa Katawhan and the Miss Siquijor Tourism in the evening. The Araw ng Siquijor itself on September 17 calls for a Parade, Anniversary Program, State of the Province Address (SOPA), Festival of Festivals and Handulantaw. September 17, 1971 was the day when Siquijor was created as a province by virtue of Republic Act 6396 with Larena town as the Capital. A year later, the capital was transferred to Siquijor town by Proclamation 1075. History also tells that the province used to be administered under the politicomilitar province of Bohol from 1854 to 1892 and became part of the Negros-Oriental in 1892 which eventually made it as a subprovince in 1901. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
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#EmpoweringCommunities
PIA: Communicating change, empowering communities by Harold E. Clavite
“Change is coming.” This was our President’s slogan when he ran for office in the 2016 elections. This was his message to the millions of Filipinos who have grown tired and mistrusting of the government. It’s his response to the disunity he saw among our countrymen. The Philippines, when Duterte sat at its helm, was craving for changes—against the dishonesty of their leaders, the systemic corruption of public officials, the scourge of illegal drugs. It was a gargantuan task, a task he made sure all his allies and appointees knew the gravity of. I was one of these lucky people whom he chose to share this task with, when he gave me the reins to one of the most important agencies in government; an agency mandated to deal directly with a segment of the citizenry who are left uninformed, overlooked and perpetually kept in the dark such. on opportunities they can take advantage of. My extensive experience as a The Philippine Information Agency, community worker has taught me that bringing the government’s official public information information down to the grassroots—from arm, is not one of those government institutions the ordinary people in the urban jungle to you see frequently on the news. We do most our citizens in the remote and rural areas—is of our work behind the scenes. Our mission? essential to nation-building and policymaking. “To assist people in decision making and Communicating to the masa, so to speak, identification of opportunities to improve bringing out their grievances and suggestions, quality of life,” and “to enable citizens to will help lawmakers and fellow agencies craft participate meaningfully in the democratic better programs to better these people’s lives. process,” as outlined in the first paragraph This is the primary reason why of Executive Order 100, signed by the late PIA has been doggedly focused on just President Corazon Aquino on December 26, that—communicating to those who have 1986 to establish this agency. been overlooked, especially in an age where Therefore, it is our agency’s task to breaking geographical barriers had been made communicate the fulfillment of this promised as easy as a mouse-click. Social media has “change.” PIA has always been designed to offered us new avenues to thrive in delivering be a far-reaching agency—able to disseminate information in real-time to the widest possible information down to the grassroots, assisting audience, and, coupled with maintaining huge them in accessing the government’s services, presence on traditional media, government especially in communities badly in need of communicators are working at their peak. One of our ongoing endeavors in this regard is the Bangon Marawi campaign. PIA co-leads the Information Management and is the Strategic Communications Support Group Island of Siquijor’s first electronic (StratComm) of Task Force Bangon Marawi— newsletter produced by the and we have been tasked to disseminate Philippine Information Agencyinformation on the government’s efforts in the Siquijor Information Center and reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery of the DOST - Provincial Science and Marawi City and its residents. Right at the beginning of the Technology Center. siege, our team, alongside the Presidential C o m m u n i c a t i o n s O p e r a t i o n s O ff i c e It contains snippets of information (PCOO), established the Iligan-Marawi about Siquijor, Central Visayas and Communications Command Center, where we provided the latest updates on the conflict and THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY. our countrymen’s lives. We set it up at Iligan City, mere minutes away from the ongoing crisis, to ensure we only provide the most accurate information to everyone tuning in. Currently, the Bangon Marawi campaign now has its own website /Pia Siquijor (bangonmarawi.com), as well as Facebook /PIA Siquijor and Twitter pages (@bangonmarawiph), for @PiaSiquijor the continuing coverage of the city’s recovery
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and what the government is doing to expedite this. Tr u l y, b e i n g g o v e r n m e n t communicators requires not just the skills, but also an enormous sense of responsibility and the will to be of service to every Filipino. This is why we continue to educate information officers of all agencies across the country to aid us in communicating to the grassroots. This year, we conducted the National Information Convention in Davao City, where more than 1,800 representatives from the information desks of national and local government units learned more about new strategies and responsibilities in the realm of communication. Secretary Martin Andanar and PCOO-attached agencies, i.e. PNA, PTV, PBS, BCS and PIA joined forces in staging this national gathering of information officers and advocates, a first in the Philippines. Beyond training our colleagues in the field, we do not fail in engaging the communities directly in captivating ways. So far, we have conducted 104 information caravans in cooperation with government agencies, local government units and sociocivic organizations, for programs including the Philippine Development Plan—covering topics such as AmBisyon Natin 2040, federalism, Freedom of Information, ASEAN integration, among others. Our regional and provincial offices also lead a monthly “Kapihan” or “Talakayan,” a panel discussion that has become a staple source of information, for the local media and the public, on government programs, policies, and clarifications on local concerns. We understand that for such campaigns and visions to thrive in the generations to come, we must engage the youth every step of the way. In 2017 alone, we have provided 70 entertaining yet informative puppet shows all over the country for younger audiences. The success of our country in hosting ASEAN’s 50th Anniversary and
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BSP Dumaguete honors outstanding partners, stakeholders in NegOr, Siquijor
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA)--Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dumaguete Branch bestowed more than 20 awards to outstanding local partners and stakeholders in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor in recognition of their invaluable support and contribution of its advocacy programs. Now on its 5th year tradition, BSP honored organizations, institutions and individuals who have provided exemplary support to its statistical undertakings, information needs, and advocacy programs in its Stakeholders’ Recognition Ceremony at BSP Hall, Dumaguete City. Newly installed Deputy Director Joseph Norbert David of BSP together with his predecessor Nicasio Parco, former deputy director of BSP Dumaguete who is assigned to another branch, presented the awards to local partners and stakeholders during the event. Awardees for outstanding partner in implementing BSP advocacy programs include Negros Chronicle, Fil-Products Service Cable Televisions, City Government of Dumaguete City, Lee Super Plaza, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Department of EducationDivision of Siquijor which provided support to the promotion of clean note policy, NGC public security features, the role of BSP in the economy, NDS demonetization program and
BSP presented its awardees during the 5th Local Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Dumaguete Branch iStakeholders’ Recognition Program. (PIA7-NegOr)
the coin re-circulation program, respectively. Outstanding media personalities were also cited as partner include newspaper category including to Judy Partlow, Maritoni Salvoro for television, Juancho Gallarde for radio, and Syril Repe for social media. Philippine National Bank and RUSI & Luzon Ram Cycle, Inc. were also cited for being outstanding respondents for customer satisfaction and business expectation surveys which provides prompt reply to the studies. Award was also given to Metrobank for the least number of discrepancies in cash deposits, RCBC for consistently segregated fit and unfit notes in bank’s cash deposits, PNB for having strictly complied with BSP policy on the sourcing of unverified fir deposit for
PIA: Communicating Change... from page 1
annual summits proved to be advantageous in empowering the youth. After our rigorous information campaign for the events last year, we launched the ASEAN-Japan Media and Information Literacy Forum on Cyber Wellness for the Youth, in cooperation with the InfoComm Media Development Authority of Singapore and funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund. Through this endeavor, we provided young delegates from the 10 ASEAN Member States with information on the importance and responsibilities that come with media and information literacy, especially in keeping social media safe from cyberbullying and other threats. These are all to ensure that the changes our government has committed to execute in this country will endure beyond
our leadership and will be sustained by every Filipino. To this end, we encourage everyone to shun divisiveness as we move forward, and instead focus on how we can contribute to the progress of this nation. From the grassroots to the policymakers, we all have the democratic responsibility of deciding the future of our country—PIA is only here to provide you the means you need to make informed choices. After all, the PIA Citizen’s Charter, the very fabric that makes us a government institution, sums up in five words who the final judge of our work would be: “Ultimate Beneficiary: The Filipino People.” In PIA, we believe that a wellinformed Filipino is an empowered Filipino. (HEC)
bank withdrawals, and other six banks DBP, LBP, AUB, UnionBank and UCPB for zero fit-note deposit. Negros Oriental Bankers’ Club President Elmer Teves of East West Bank received Leadership Award being actively engaged in club projects that have impact to the entire banking community, and Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) for outstanding Knowledge Resource Network. BSP also cited the following institutions for providing support to the promotion of various advocacy programs as well as its mandate: Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, Dumaguete City’s Police Station, Fire Station, Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office, Negros Oriental PhilVoc-DOST, Provicnial and City Divisions of DepEd, Agri-Support Corporation, Uymatiao Construction,Inc., Dynamic Develoopment Corporation, St. Paul University, Carmelite College, RUSCO, and Provincial Government of Siquijor. David, in his message to the awardees, said “We are very grateful for the support extended all this years to BSP, and it is but fitting to recognize these valuable contributions which significantly help us deliver our deliverables.” The BSP continues to believe that it can effectively implement and undertake advocacies through positive collaboration and cooperation with stakeholders, David added. Other local awardees will also be recipient of Outstanding Regional Partner to be honored during the this year’s Award Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch on August 7 at Banking Hall, BSP Regional Office, Cebu City. (jct/PIA7-
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Cebuano News
Paghatag universal health care, giseguro ni Duterte sa iyang SONA
TAGBILARAN CITY, July 24 (PIA)--Giseguro ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa katawhan ilabi na sa mga kabos nga pamilyang Pilipino ang pagbag-o sa health care system sa nasod. Matud ni Duterte sa iyang ikatulong State of the Nation Address (SONA), panahon na aron mabag-o ang sistema nga mga kabos nga pamilya nga nahikawan og katungod nga makapatambal. Health Care System alang sa tanan, kini gisaad ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte atul sa iyang katapusang SONA. (PIA/ Bohol) Giingong kini ang hinungdan mao nga gimugna nila ang paghimo og unified implementation sa “no balance billing policy”. Samtang nanawagan si Duterte sa Kongreso nga paspasan ang pagpalabang sa Universal Health Care Bill. “To this end, I urge the speedy passage of the Universal Health Care Bill authored by Former Representative Harry Roque. Strong political determination, not political ambition, is the guiding light,” matud pa ni Duterte. Kahinumdoman nga gitatakan ning bag-o lang nga ‘urgent bill’ sa Presidente ang balaodnong maghatag og universal
Health Care System alang sa tanan, kini gisaad ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte atul sa iyang SONA. (PIA/Bohol)
healthcare sa mga Pilipino aron masiguro ang paspas nga pagpalabang sa Kongreso. Sa laraw nga giduso sa Kamara, ang matag Pilipino aduna’y katungod nga makapahimos sa National Health Security Program, apil ang inpatient, outpatient, ug emergency care services nga naglangkob sa preventive, promotive, curative,
rehabilitative, ug palliative medical, dental, ug mental health services. Tuyo sa maong balaodnon nga e-reconstitute ang PhilHealth ug himuong Philippine Health Security Corporation (PHSC) samtang ang National Health Insurance Fund alisdan og pangalan ug himuong National Health Security Fund. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Sa 4% binuwan nga hulogan, sakop sa SSS may benepisyo na
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 31 (PIA)—Sa paggahin og dul-an sa Php300 matag buwan, ang usa ka trabahante sa pribado nga sektor mahimong makapundo alang sa mas segurado nga kaugmaon, makahuwam ug matabangan pa sa mga benepisyo sa panahon nga dili pa sila makatrabaho. Gani, ang dul-an sa Php300 nga binuwan nga hulugan kon masakop na sa Social Security System (SSS), 3.33% lamang kini sa kinatibuk-an nga matigum sa usa ka trabahante samtang, subay sa mandu sa balaod, ang iyang amo mao’y magpundo sa 7.37 porsyento aron makompleto ang 11 porsyento nga bahin sa binuwan nga sweldo sa mamumuo segu sa balaod. Si Social Security System (SSS) Bohol OIC Aleta Basubas misaysay sa mga benepisyo sa usa ka trabahante nga masakop sa SSS, didto sa labing bag-o nga Kapihan sa PIA sa Bohol. (PIABohol) Segun pa sa Officer in Charge (OIC) sa SSS Bohol nga si Aleta Basubas, bisan kon makahatag na og bali og tulo ka buwan ang bag-ong sakop sa SSS, matabangan na kini pinaagi sa inadlaw nga cash allowance nga katumbas sa 90 porsyento sa inadlaw nga kita, kon masakit og dili pa makatrabaho. Buot ipasabut niini, nga sa kasamtangan nga Php343 inadlaw nga suholan
nga gipatuman sa Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) sa Bohol, mahimong makadawat og Php308 nga cash allowance matag adlaw ang trabahante nga nasakit og napalta sa pagtungha sa trabaho-an. Hinuon, gipasabot ni Basubas, nga kini alang lamang sa nakapalta og labing menos upat na ka adlaw nga naa sa ospital o nagpahuway sa balay, nga nahutdan sa sa leave nga gitugot sa kompanya’ng gitrabaho-an ug makakuha og makapakita sa SSS sa doctor’s certification. Ug, alang sa mga sakop sa SSS nga nanganak ug dili pa makatrabaho, o sa kadtong babaye nga trabahante nga nakuhaan (miscarriage), basta nakahulog na og bali og tulo ka buwan sa kontribusyon sa SSS sulod sa katapusan nga 12 ka buwan sa pagpanganak, may makuha nga katumbas sa inadlaw nga salary credit sulod sa duha ka buwan o 60 ka adlaw. Sa SSS, ang inadlaw nga sweldo sa usa ka trabahante, may katumbas nga salary credit nga mahimong molabaw o mo-ubos og dyutay sa inadlaw nga suholan. Kon nanganak pinaagi sa operasyon sa caesarean, inadlaw nga cash allowance nga katumbas sa 78 ka adlaw nga salary credits ang makuha agi og tabang, segun pa sa SSS
Gawas pa niana, sa pagpasakop sa SSS, bisan pa og usa pa lamang ka buwan nga hulogan ang napasulod, ang sakop nga kawadan sa swerte ug mamatay, kahatagan na sa SSS og benepisyo nga cash alang sa pagpalubong. Kadtong minggasto sa pagpalubong sa sakop sa SSS, hatagan sa SSS og hinabang nga mahimong moabot sa Php20,000 ngadto sa Php40,000 basi usab sa katas-on sa serbisyo nga gikatanyag sa sakop ug sa kadak-on sa iyang napundo sa binuwan nga hulogan, dugang sa SSS pinaagi ni Michael Ian Mission, information officer. Kini tungod kay subay sa lagda sa SSS, ang tanang trabahante nga napasakop, giisip na nga gipundohan usab sa ilang mga amo, o bisan na gani niadtong sakop nga miboluntaryo lang og pasakop o kadtong self employed. Gawas ning mga benepisyo nga nasaysay na, mahimo usab ang usa ka sakop sa SSS mga makakubra og hinabang kon mabaldado, may mapaabot nga pension sa pagretiro sa trabaho ug makahuwam pa gani sa iyang napundo nga hulogan. Alang sa dugang kasayuran, pagdali og pasakop sa SSS aron makapundo na’g makapaabot sa mas hamugaway nga kaugmaon ug may makuot sa panahon sa panginahanglan. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)