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Why Siquijor ‘Healing Island’ stays COVID-19 free (from page 1)
were also made to ensure that proper assistance is given to responders or any affected individuals, and concerns are properly addressed. All Siquijodnons, especially those who are engaged in the tourism industry, were requested to give their full cooperation and to remain calm and follow the recommended preventive actions set b y t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO) and DOH. Recoredas, public announcements, and other information dissemination activities A designated vehicle to transport returning LSIs and OFWs are constantly conducted to to the quarantine/Isolation facilities. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ remind the public of their PDRRMC photo) responsibilities while appealing to them to refrain from sharing, posting or spreading incorrect and unverified information to avoid causing panic. But while the national government is starting to ease its guidelines and protocols and start the transition to the new normal, and amid the recent surge of the infections in Central Visayas, Siquijor stands firm on its protocols for returning LSIs, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs). The governor said that Siquijor has to continue its strict implementation of local health protocols which has been seen as one of the factors why the province remains COVIDfree. Responding to the Regional Inter-agency Task Force (IATF-7) resolution that enjoined all local chief executives (LCEs) in Central Visayas to allow entry of government officials and employees authorized to physically work in their respective local government units without subjecting them to a 14-day quarantine health measure, Villa sent a letter on behalf of the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force stating the province’s firm stand that all the returning APOR have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine except for the doctors, medical frontliners, and other APOR whose services are considered essential to the province. “As much as the province would like to adhere to your guidelines, we also cater to the needs of the Siquijodnons, which is to protect them by observing and strictly implementing all the preventive measures against COVID-19,” Villa said in a letter to the RIATF-7. The same applies to LSIs and OFWs regardless of where they come from. All the public health protocols since March this year up to the present have been followed in the province and its strict implementation has been seen as one of the factors why the province remains free from COVID-19. Firm on its decision to subject all LSIs, OFWS, and APOR to the same protocols, the province task force will only give exemption to doctors, medical frontliners, and other APOR whose services are essential to the province. This means they are exempted from undergoing the 14-day mandatory quarantine but they shall still undergo RDT and should test negative before proceeding to work or appointment. They should also refrain from associating closely with the locals for 14 days and observe other health protocols like wearing face masks at all times. They shall be monitored closely by the Integrated Provinchial Health Office (IPHO), the governor said. “As chairman of the task force and Governor of this province, I do not have anything in mind but always the safety of the Siquijodnons,” he said as he asks for the RIATF’s consideration. “We are with you in the pursuit of normal life conditions within the new normal where our health and welfare remain our priority,” Villa said. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Frontliners conducting medical check-up and tests on the incoming passengers before they are taken to the designated quarantine/isolation facilities. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ PDRRMO
infobits
Medical Officer III, Dr. Mylene M. Infante of the Siquijor Provincial DOH Office reported on July 8 during the PIADICT Straight from the Source Interview that as of July 7 Siquijor has conducted 900 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and 155 swab tests since February. All confirmatory results of the swab test turned out negative except for the pending results of those sent on July 7. Infante said she is happy and constantly praying that Siquijor maintains its zero COVID-19 status calling everyone’s support to stop the entry of the virus in the island as she said “we are all frontliners in facing the pandemic. -------ooo-------ooo------ At least two Siquidnons from NCR have registered to the #HatidTulong initiative grand send-off for LSIs on July 4, a government-wide effort led by the Office of the President that seeks to provide transportation assistance to LSIs including, stranded students, workers, and tourists, reported SKPF President Brylle Deeiah Tumarong at the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force meeting. -------ooo-------ooo------ The Provincial COVID-19 Task Force approved on its July 5 meeting a resolution “Requesting the Shipping Companies to Provide A Copy of the Passenger Manifest Containing the List of Incoming LSIs, OFWs and APORs to the Task Force. -------ooo-------ooo------ Another resolution, “Setting Fixed Schedules of Sea Trips for Returning LSIs, APORs and OFWs from various points of Origin to the Different Entry Points in the Province of Siquijor was also approved on July 5 by the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force. -------ooo-------ooo------ Governor Zaldy S Villa signed and executed the Executive Order No. 029, Series of 2020 : An Order Placing the Entire Province of Siquijor under Modified General Community Quarantine from 01 July 2020 and shall remain to be effective until lifted, repealed or replaced. -------ooo-------ooo------ The Provincial COVID-19 Task Force was convened today on June 29, for the Public Hearing of the Proposed Ordinance entitled “An ordinance requiring all persons to wear face mask At all times in public places within the province of Siquijor to abate the spread of COVID-19.”
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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. 08| No. 22 JULY 09-16, 2020
Why Siquijor ‘Healing Island’ stays COVID-19 free
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
A lot has been said about Siquijor Island. Some inspiring while some evoke both positive and negative connotations. But Siquijor Island’s claim of being a Healing Island has proved true these days when COVID-19 pandemic hits the world. While most of the regions in the Philippines have recorded cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Siquijor is the only province in Central Visayas to have maintained its status of zero cases for COVID-19 up to this time since the country recorded its first case in January this year. As of July 6, 2020, Central Visayas has a total of 10,506 confirmed cases. Siquijor is the only province to log zero cases based on the data from the Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas Center for Health Development. Undoubtedly, Siquijor, which has been promoted for the island’s healing attributes, is blessed with natural divine beauty - alluring white sand beaches, caves, lush forests, natural springs, not to mention the herbs and herbalists and the island itself that is said to bring healing to one’s body and spirit. But beyond all these, it’s all about the people - the officials, frontliners, the Siquijodnons (native and adopted) in general and the way they handle the COVID-19 crisis with collective effort and resilient spirit. It’s all about working together and healing as one. This refers to the province’s strict implementation of health measures and protocols to protect the island and its people from the spread of COVID-19. This was manifested when Siquijodnon locally stranded individual (LSI) and a Dumaguete-based journalist, Cindy Bonachita, shared on her July 3 Facebook post how she was denied entry to her “beloved hometown” because her medical certificate already exceeded its validity date, she said. She shared that she was sent back to Dumaguete on July 3, just less than an hour after arriving in Siquijor because her medical certificate has already exceeded the required 24-hour timeframe which she received on June 27 yet. Despite the negative result of her rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and other required documents that prove she is not a person under investigation (PUI), she was sent back
Personnel of the PDRRMO, BFP, DOH, PCG, PNP, PPA and the Philippine Army in Siquijor continuously conduct procedural safety protocols at the seaport to ensure the health and safety of every Siquijodnon during the arrival of another batch of LSIs and OFWs. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor w/ PDRRMC photo) to Dumaguete to secure an updated medical certificate. “Although I really don’t understand the rationale behind this but then again, it’s their job to protect the island from possible contamination. And they’re just following what they were told to do,” she said although she also expressed her frustrations over the process and the not-so-clear instructions from different offices. “I have nothing against their ardent adherence to their protocols. In fact, I am more than willing to comply as directed, but I can’t help but express how frustrating this can be, especially when processes such as this were not clearly communicated (I got different instructions from different offices) to begin with,” Bonachita added. She also shared that another inbound passenger was also denied entry into the province because she lacked a coordination permit. “They’re so strict,” she noted, but added “Siquijor, now I understand why you’re the only province in Central Visayas that remains CoVid-free. Despite what happened to me today, you make me proud. Keep it up.” Strict implementation started on
Feb. 6, 2020 when the provincial government of Siquijor activated the Siquijor Incident Command System (SICS) and deployed personnel to monitor inbound and outbound passengers in Siquijor and Larena Ports and Tambisan Wharf to take temperature readings and have incoming passengers and tourists in the island fill out information sheets. These have been carried out and made even stricter with more tightened measures and protocols following the spike of the COVID-19 cases in Luzon and in Central Visayas. These were also made stronger with Gov. Zaldy Villa and the municipal mayors’ issuance of a series of Executive Orders (EO) directing its people and the institutions of the precautionary as well as emergency measures against COVID-19 in the province. Part of the measures were the set up of quarantine facilities both in the province and in municipalities, activation and regular convergence of both the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force and the Provincial IATF composed of six local government units (LGUs) and health units. National government agencies
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Workers infected with covid-19 to get aid from gov’t thru ECC
Cebu City, Philippines. For as long as the reason for contracting the virus or covid-19 is work-related, affected workers both in private and public sectors will get aid from government. This is an assurance made by the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) under its Employees’ Compensation Program (ECP). The ECC, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), ensures assistance for all the frontline
workers who suffered from covid-19 by reason of their employment. Frontline workers would include the healthcare workers; workers in government; protective service workers like the uniformed personnel of the AFP and the PNP; cashiers and crews in groceries or stores providing essential good and products; production and food processing workers; janitors and maintenance workers; and truck drivers involved in the transport of essential goods; among others. Ms. Ingrid Z. Yumang of the ECCRegional Extension Unit-7 said that under
What are the misconceptions about the reopening of classes come August 24, 2020? Check photo below for the Department of Education’s responses:
the ECP, there is a package of benefits for public and private sector employees and their families in the event of workconnected sickness or injury which has resulted to disability or death. The ECP benefits provided to workers, who contracted the virus by reason of their employment or working environment, she explained, would include loss of income benefits; medical benefits; and cash assistance. In case of death due to the virus, the funeral benefit would amount to Pnp30,000.00 plus death benefits, which will be given to the family of the affected employee. “As for medical reimbursement, we cannot estimate how much it will be since it is the SSS for the private sector and the GSIS for the government sector that will be doing or processing that being the ECC’s administering agencies,” added Yumang. For approved sickness or injuries, she continued, affected workers will receive Php10,000.00 cash assistance and Php15,000.00 for those who died. The application for EC Benefits, she said further, will be done at the SSS for private sector employees and at the GSIS for those working in government including uniformed personnel. “The frontliners are our silent modern day heroes who deserved to be served. Hence, we commit to reach those workers afflicted with covid-19 or their survivors and extend them assistance. Although on flexible work arrangements, our ECC officers nationwide are open to serve the public,” said Stella ZipaganBanawis, Executive Director of ECC. DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome O. Siaton, for her part, lauded the ECC REU-7 for its continuous advocacy of its programs especially on the assistance that could be extended to workers infected with the virus. “This is proof that government is doing everything it can in order to help address the needs of the people particularly that of the workers. We encourage everyone to be familiar with the ECC and all its programs. What is important especially for the private sector workers is for one to be able to avail of the EC Benefits, he or she must have been enrolled at the SSS and their remittances or contributions are in place,” said the Regional Director. Queries on the EC Benefits could be sent thru private message at the ECC Cebu Facebook account. The ECC REU-7 could be also be reached at (032)266-7230 or at its website at ecc.gov.ph. | DOLE Region VII
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Cebuano News
DILG: Gitugotan na ang mga magtiayon sa motorsiklo sugod HuLyo 10 July 10 (PIA)--Gikumpirmar ni Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Kalihim Eduardo Año nga mahimo nang mo-angkas sa mga motorsiklo ang mga magtiayon o live-in partners sugod karong adlawa, Hulyo 10. Kinahanglan lamang nga butangan og protective shield sa taliwa sa duha ka nagsakay base sa mga sumbanan nga gitakda sa Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID). “Simula July 10, papayagan na natin ang back-riding ngunit sa couples lang muna. Alam naman natin ang sitwasyon ngayon, tumataas ang bilang ng mga positive cases. At least ang couple ay nakatira sa iisang bahay lang ‘yan,” matud pa sa pahayag ni Año. Matud pa sa kalihim July 8 (PIA) -- Nangita karon ang Government nga bisan gitugotan na ang Service Insurance System (GSIS) og 10,000 ka pag-angkas, angay pa gihapong estudyante sa kolehiyo nga interesadong mohuna-hunaon sa publiko ang avail sa ilang GSIS Educational Subsidy Program mga protocol nga gitakda (GESP). sa IATF diin kauban na ang Ang 10,000 ka estudyante nga madawat pagbutang og protective barrier niining programa makadawat og P10,000 subsidy sa motorsiklo. gikan sa GSIS. Giingong ang pagsuot Gibuksan na ang application period sa og face mask, hugot pa gihapong GESP ug molanat kini taman sa Setyembre 15, gipatuman sa mga otoridad. 2020. Gibutyag ni Año Kining scholarship program bukas nga ang prototype design nga sa tanang aktibong miyembro sa GSIS nga gisumiter ni Bohol Gob. Arthur permanente ang employment status, adunay Salary Yap ang gitugotan sa National Grade 24 paubos, o kapareho niini, ug walay Task Force for COVID-19 ug unpaid o underpaid nga utang nga kapin sa 3 ka kini ang sundogon. buwan. Mahimo usab e-nominar isip GESP Kahinumdoman nga grantee ang dependent sa kwalipikadong miyembro niadtong tunga-tunga sa Hunyo, nga naa sa bisan unsang tuig sa kolehiyo, nagkuha giduso ni Yap ang pagbutang og 4 o 5 ka tuig nga kurso, naka-enroll sa og protective barrier taliwala sa eskwelahan nga gi-ila sa Commission on Higher duha ka pasahero sa motorsiklo Education (CHED), ug kasamtangang wala aron madayon ang pag-angkas nagdawat og laing scholarship o subsidy gikan sa nga dili igsapayan ang kahimsog pribado o pampublikong ahensiya. ug kahilwasan. Ang mga interesadong miyembro sa Gipahinumdoman ni GSIS nga mo-avail niining GESP, kinahanglang Año ang publiko nga tungod moduso sa GESP application form ug service kay nabag-o ang disenyo sa record o certificate of employment. motorsiklo, angay mag-amping Samtang ang mga dependent sa ang mga mosakay. kwalipikadong miyembro sa GSIS kinahanglang Kinahanglang moduso sa kopya sa ilang birth certificate ug magpakita og kamatuoran ang certificate of registration of grades sa 1st semester mga nag-angkas nga magtiayon 2019-2020. o mag-live-in partners sila. Kinahanglang ipadala pinaagi sa email Angay nga pareho ang apelyido ang application form sa gesp@gsis.gov.ph o sa magtiayon ug pareho og ihulog sa mga drop box alang sa mga lugar nga gilibkas na ang general community quarantine address ang mga live-in partners. (GCQ). (ecb/PIA7-Bohol) (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
GSIS,may P10K scholarship subsidy sa 10T estudyante
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is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology Center. It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.
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GSIS, may tanyag nga computer loan program
TAGBILARAN CITY, July 9 (PIA) -- Ilusad sa Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ang computer loan program sa umaabot nga buwan sa Agosto. Kini alang sa tinguhang makadungan sa new normal o blended learning sa Department of Education (DepEd) alang sa nagkaduol nga school year 2020-2021 ang mga estudyante. Atol sa gipahigayong Pre-SONA forum, gibutyag ni Department of Finance (DOF) Kalihim Carlos Dominguez nga P30,000 loan program ang tanyag sa GSIS alang sa mga magtutudlo ug ginikanan aron makapalit og computer o laptop nga maoy gamiton usab sa ilang mga anak sa online learning. Matud pa ni Dominguez, mahimong bayran ang maong loan sulod sa tulo ka tuig nga may 6 porsiyentong interest. Samtang sa Setyembre usab ilusad sa GSIS ang education loan program diin ang mga kwalipikadong miyembro mahimong makahulam og hangtod P100,000sa matag academic school year alang sa ilang nominated student-beneficiaries. Sigun pa sa kalihim nga mahimo kining bayaran sulod sa lima ka tuig. (ecb/ PIA7-Bohol)