iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
#EmpoweringCommunities
35 farmers in Siquijor undergo new normal SSC-STC4iD training
by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- At least 35 farmers from Enrique Villanueva town in Siquijor province underwent a training on Botanical Concoctions and Vermicomposting Production conducted by the Science and Technology Community-based for Inclusive Development (STC4iD) project team of the Siquijor State College (SSC) in the province. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the STC4iD Project Team pursued the training as they adopted the new normal through face-to-face discussions, video-digital presentations, and practicum, said Project leader Philna Palongpalong of SSC. “We compromised to limit the number of our participants in the training,” Palongpalong said. She explained that the 35 famer beneficiaries and the facilitators were divided into three batches. The first batch was on June 27 to 29, second on July 9 to 11; and third on July 13 to 15, 2020. She said there were only 15 maximum number of participants per day to ensure that the guidelines and protocol imposed by the Department of Health (DOH) and the local governments units (LGUs) are strictly observed and imposed during the training. The training was held at the EggLaying Chicken Shed of the Bitaug Small Coconut Farmers Association (BISMACOFA) at Brgy. Bitaug, Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor with outstanding Siquijodnon farmer awardee Elnard Ympal as the resource person for the Botanical Concoctions Discussions and Practicum, and another resource person, Richineil Anghag, for the Vermicomposting Production Discussions and Practicum. During the face-to-face discussions/ practicum, the resource persons were present to administer the modules and the whole activity, the training output of which was re-echoed to the next participants during the video-digital presentations/practicum. She said the zero COVID-19 case status of Siquijor Province gave the team more reasons to capacitate the farmer beneficiaries while observing the safety guidelines under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Capacity development, she added, is needed to meet the program objectives. “This way, we can meet our objectives of ensuring food security among others, to our partner communities. This is very important as we are now seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to communities,” Palongpalong said. The training was aimed at giving farmers the opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills on the methods/ procedures of preparing the fermented fertilizers/concoctions and production and processing of vermicast, absorb insights about the use and benefits of the organic bio-fertilizers and insect/pesticides, and learn through hands-on application how to prepare/produce the vermicast and fermented concoctions. In its report, the STC4iD Project
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. 08| No. 25 August 4 - 11, 2020
Siquijor steps up implementation of health protocols Farmer participants doing the proper mixing of 85% vermicast and 15% carbonized rice hulls to be used as organic fertilizer for vegetables. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor with SSC-STC4iD report)
STC4iD Project leader Philna Palongpalong of SSC giving her Welcome Address during the Training on Botanical Concoctions and Vermicomposting on July 9-11 and July 13-15, 2020. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor with SSC-STC4iD report) Team said vermicasting and botanical concoctions are among the technologies that farmers can easily adopt. If made commercially available, it will help more farmers increase their production and income at the same time promote health to both the producers and consumers, and environmental protection in response to the issues of deteriorating agroecological balance. Government support in such undertakings, the team said, can help a long way in pushing this system of production so that agriculture can regain the loss of virginity of the soil and purity of the environment. “We, in the STC4iD Project, aim to establish sustainable aquatic and natural resources (AANR) based communities through science and technology (S&T) Community Livelihood and promote inclusive development for the selected farmers community in the low-income barangay in the Municipality of Enrique Villanueva, Province of Siquijor. This include technical trainings to enhance or develop their skills and knowledge in farming,” the team said. STC4iD is the technology modality developed by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department
of Science and Technology (DOSTPCAARRD) that aims to demonstrate an extension modality for the geographically, economically, and socially disadvantaged (GESDA) communities and social groups in the AANR sector. This is to help them establish sustainable and resilient community-based livelihoods through inclusive development as it specifically aims to empower and capacitate disadvantaged AANR-dependent communities and social groups, especially from the poorest provinces, to establish sustainable and resilient community-based livelihoods. For Siquijor province, the SSCSTC4iD Project Team is headed by the State University College President, Maria Imogen Quilicot, Ed.D., Ph.D, with Philna Palongpalong, Ph.D. as the Project Leader; Jonah Lynn Juguilon, DBA as the Economic Expert; Ferilyn Maraño, Ph.D., Social Expert; Lowel Salve, Technical Expert; Edgardo Anhao, Community Organizer and Science Research Specialist; Bernadette Camilo, Science Research Analyst; Limuel Salindo as Extension Expert; and Noel Anding of the LGU Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor. (RAC/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ reports from SSC-STC4iD Project Team)
by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR, Aug. 5 (PIA) -- The Provincial Government of Siquijor will be stricter in its implementation of health protocols following the entry of two locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Manila who tested positive for COVID-19. Alarmed over the turn of events despite the provincial government’s efforts and stringent implementation of health protocols since the start of the pandemic, Gov. Zaldy Villa in his official statement called for understanding as he made it clear that they are not local transmission. Siquijor province has been known to be free of the virus for the first seven months. He assured that the medical personnel and other frontliners are doing their best in implementing the necessary measures to contain the virus and stop its spread to other Siquijodnons while asking for concerted efforts, prayers, and understanding to the affected individuals, as well as the medical and other frontliners. “Among gikasubo nga naay nakasulod nga COVID-19 positive sa atong isla, bisan pa man sa atong paningkamot sa hugot nga pagpatuman sa health protocols (We are saddened that we have two COVID-19 positive Siquijodnons who have entered the province despite our efforts and strict implementation of our health protocols),” the governor said. The two LSIs from the towns of Larena and Lazi arrived from Manila using only the negative results of their Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDT). The two positive cases and the six other passengers known to be in contact with them were in the provincial isolation and under close monitoring with swab tests conducted of which the results were negative, said Provincial Health Officer Jemma Masillones Fortich. In an emergency meeting on Aug. 3, the Provincial COVID-19 Task Force agreed to make a resolution requesting for a moratorium from the national/regional Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the management of LSIs following the Provincial IATF’s plan to suspend for at least two weeks the acceptance of returning LSIs while managing the current
COVID-19 positive cases. As of Aug. 3, the Provincial Task Force thru the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recorded a total of 1,268 arrivals in the province, of whom 693 are LSIs, 292 are medical personnel, 167 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and 116 Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).
The province also recorded 886 more Siquijodnons from different parts of the country wanting to return to Siquijor amid this pandemic, the PDRRMO report said. Of this number, 95 are from Negros, 447 from Cebu, 49 from Bohol, 151 from Manila, 20 from other parts of Luzon, 17 from other parts of Visayas, and 107 from Mindanao. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
iSIQUIJOR
#Empowering Communities
DOST Siquijor turns over funds to Caitican metals, engineering firm SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST Siquijor) led by Engr. Mario de la Peña, Provincial S&T Director, turned over on July 14, 2020 a check to Roger Machine Repair Services through its proprietor, Roger Buac, for the project entitled “Upgrading the Metalworking Technology of Roger Machine Repair Services to improve metalworking efficiency, productivity, product quality and competitiveness.” Turned over at DOST Siquijor Provincial S&T Center under the agency’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the project is expected to improve the metalworking efficiency, productivity, product quality and competitiveness of Roger Machine Repair Services by technology upgrading through capacitating the firm in processes that need technological intervention such as turning and lathe machine and milling operations. The firm currently offers a wide range of products and services from vulcanization of bicycle and motorcycle tire to repair and conversion of heavy vehicles and fabrication of equipment. With the funds from DOST, the firm will be able to improve its metalworking efficiency and offer more fabrication services and products. For years, DOST’s SETUP has been helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) not only in the metals and engineering sector but also in food processing, furniture, gifts, decors and handicrafts, agriculture, aquaculture and forestry, ICT, health and wellness, Halal products
and services, energy and environment, creative industry, and other regional priority sectors. This is by providing them with financial assistance with zero interest for the acquisition of S&T intervention to upgrade their existing technology. Roger Machine Repair Services is the newest beneficiary of the program in the province
Governor Zaldy S.Villa with Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, and some board members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan attended the Fifth State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte via Zoom at the Governor’s office. -------ooo-------ooo------ On the President’s SONA, Siquijor Provincial Tourism Council chairperson Joy Dominie Uy Chan said she appreciates the President’s call on the public to travel to local tourist destinations to boost our economy. She said there is a need for financial assistance for the Tourism Sector because the priority of DTI’s COViD P3 loan program are prioritized for MSMEs that deal with essentials while the DOT under its Tourism Response & Recovery Program has included offering low or interest free loans by government-owned funding Institutions to DOT-accredited institutions. She said she hopes to see this implemented the soonest time. ------ooo-------ooo------ Siquijor Municipal Tourism Council Chair Rea Luginbuhl said that the President’s SONA is well said despite highlighting Sen. Drilon. She said the President is right in admitting some failure since no nation on earth was really prepared for COVID-19. She said she strongly approves the President’s SONA. -------ooo-------ooo------Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SCCII) President Arthur Chan thanks the President for instructing DOST and DTI to come up with e-commerce policy to protect businesses and consumers as we need to
adopt to new normal in business. Although it is not clear if the stimulus plan is extended to the business tourism aspect, he said he is glad the President supports local tourism especially in our fight against COVID-19. -------ooo-------ooo------ Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee Chair on Agriculture, Livelihood, Trade and Industry and Energy Noel Monte said that he likes what the President hinted in his SONA that school opening should be sometime in January, and that vaccine may be available by October.. -------ooo-------ooo------ The Department of Health and the Office of Civil Defense donated to the Provincial Government 4 thermometer, 200 pcs. of laboratory googles, 6,000 pcs of shoe cover, 5,000 pcs. of head cover, 2,000 pcs. of surgical mask, 1,000 pcs. of apron, 1,000 pcs. of islation gown, 2,000 pcs of coverall, 5,000 pcs. of faceshields, 3,000 pcs. of KN95 mask, other PPEs and 500 test kits. -------ooo-------ooo------ DepEd Information Officer Eden Bation said the 5th SONA of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte provides clear directions of the Philippines in the next two years of his incumbency. She said It is so inspiring to listen to a man full of conviction of all his brilliant and fantastic goals of this country so that despite the dreadfulness brought by COVID-19, we remain always hopeful with the President’s huge efforts to protect the people and provide a healthy living. -------ooo-------ooo------ Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SCCII) President Arthur Chan
DOST Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Mario de la Peña (2nd from right) turns over the check to representatives of Roger Machine Repair Services (L-R) Allan Draniel, Co-Maker, and Roger Buac, Proprietor, with Jerome Lomocso as witness. (DOST photo) of Siquijor. “Wala jud koy lahing ikasulti. Salamat jud,” said Allan Draniel, co-maker of the project and also Chief Technician of Roger Machine Repair Services who emphasized the importance of the acquisition of efficient equipment to his job. Also present in the turnover was Jerome Lomocso as witness. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr.
infobits/ReactionsonPres.Duterte’s SONA
thanks the President for instructing DOST and DTI to come up with e-commerce policy to protect businesses and consumers as we need to adopt to new normal in business. Although it is not clear if the stimulus plan is extended to the business tourism aspect, he said he is glad the President supports local tourism especially in our fight against COVID-19. -------ooo-------ooo------ Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SCCII) President Arthur Chan said he appreciates the President’s command to support MSMEs and come up with a stimulus plan to help businesses affected by the pandemic. He also said he was happy to hear Pres. Duterte’s instruction for local banks to help businesses by extending low interest loans thru bayanihan concept and the call for an agribusiness enterprise to be headed by DTI and DA with an initial appropriations. He hopes that the P1 billion for DTI’s P3 will be increased. -------ooo-------ooo------ Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) director PCol. Engelbert Z. Soriano lauded the local leadership for its firm stance against violators of existing Executive Orders and provincial IATF resolutions and the determined efforts of all the stakeholders to maintain a virus free island. He said that while Siquijor takes a break from the normal conduct of businesses, it is able to maintain its unique biodiversity which is the main tourist attraction, coupled with unique and genuine Filipino hospitality.
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
Cebuano News
Presidente Duterte miawhag: Ipalusot ang Bayanihan to Recover as One Act July 28 (PIA) -- Giawhag ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ang nagkahiusa nga pagtigum sa Ubos Balay Balaoranan ug sa Senado didto sa Batasan Complex, Julyo 27, ang paspas nga pagpalusot sa Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, nga maoy magpundo sa pagpahiuli ug sa pagtubag sa mga epekto nga gibilin sa pandemya sa coronavirus disease 19. Kini samtang gisaysay sa presidente atul sa iyang ika lima nga State of the Nation Address (SONA) ang panginahanglan nga agakon ang ekonomiya hangtud sa iyang pagbangon. “Sa maka usa pa, akong giusab ang pagpasalamat kaninyo, nga magbabalaod sa Kongreso, sa inyong paghago aron makalabang ang balaod sa Bayanihan to Heal as One. Manghinaot ako nga kining nag-ong-ong nga Bayanihan to Recover as One, makakuha usab sa susamang tin-aw nga pagsabut sa katuyuan aron kini mapasa ug madugangan ang atong pundo sa pagba-askil og balik ug pagtubag sa mga epekto sa pandemya,” bungat sa Presidente (I again reiterate my thanks to you, the men and women of Congress, for the effort you invested into passing that law. I hope that we can get some or the same treatment of clarity, purpose and the fastness to support the passage of the Bayanihan [to Recover as One Act], which will supplement funds for recovery and response against the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.) Gihinalanglan nato nga maagak ang pagpahibalik sa ekonomiya, aghat niya. (We must facilitate the country’s economic recovery.) Dugang niya, “pangusgan sa kagamhanan ang iyang paningkamot aron matabangan ang mga negosyo, ilabi na naidtong mga gagmay nga mamumuhunan, (MSME) pinaagi sa pahtanyag kanila sa serbisyo ug tabang pinansyal, capital, ug suporta sa pagpadagan ug pagdumala sa ilang mga negosyo aron sila makaapas sa mga panginahanglan sa bag-ong normal.” Gihangyo usab sa Presidente ngadto sa mga nagpa-abang nga unta ilang ipatunhay karon ang pagsabut ug pagtabang aron dili managan ang mga tigpangabang, kinsa maoy
gisaligan sa mga nagpa-abang sa normal pa ang panahon. “Pangita og makiangayan ug maloloyon nga kasabutan, ug ayaw sila abuga, tabangan nato sila nga makabangon,” sugyot sa Presidente. Gani, butyag niya, ato na nga gibombahan og tabang ang ekonomiya ug ang mga gagmayng mamumuhunan, pinaagi sa P1 bilyon nga pahuwam nga walay interest pinaagi sa SB Corporation ug sa DTI CARES. Matud niya, niadtong Hulyo 10, mikabat na sa 2,600 ka pahuwam nga katumbas sa P182 milyones ang naaprobahan na . “Nagtuo ug nagsalig kita nga kini makatabang sa atong MSME aron makabalik ug mahulipan na ang nawala sa mga buwan nga may COVID measures,” saysay sa Presidente “Samtang ato kining gibuhat nga mga lakang alang sa inclusive recovery, ato kanunay nga angkonon nga kawang lang ang tanan natong gibuhat kon ang mga bag-ong turok nga mga negosyo, malaya lang usab kay walay suporta gikan sa mga konsumidor. Kini na ang higayon nga suportahan ug paluyohan nato
FDA, nipasidaan kalabot sa mga gibaligyang bakuna batok COVID-19 sa internet
ang atong mga kaigsoonan nga n ag negosyo ug naghimo’g mga produkto nga atoa gayud,” aghat ni Duterte. Dugang niini, nanawagan usab si Presidente Duterte ngadto sa Congreso sa pagpadali sa pagpalusot sa gilaraw nga balaodnon sama sa Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises o CREATE Act. Pinaagi niini, makuha na ang gipatong nga corporate income tax gikan sa 30 nagdto sa 25 porsyento ug maghatag sa kagamhanan sa mas luag nga desisyon kon hain man sa mga nagkadaiya nga kombinasyon sa fiscal ug non fiscal incentive ang ihatag, pasabut sa Presidente. Dugang pa niya, mas maayo usab kon ikapagawas na ang Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer o FIST Act kay kini magpahimutang sa mga mekanismo nga magtugot sa mga bangko ug uban pang financial institutions sa pagpabaligya o pagbalhin sa ilang mga kabtangan nga wala na magamit ug mga nangatulog nga pundo pahuwam ngadto sa mga kompanya nga magdumala niini aron magamit ug mapahimuslan. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
iSIQUIJOR
is the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced TAGBILARAN CITY, July 28 (PIA) -- Nipasidaan ang Food and Drug by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Administration (FDA) sa publiko kalabot sa mga mapalit nga bakuna batok sa coronavirus Information Center and the DOST - Provincial disease 2019 (COVID-19) sa internet. Science and Technology Center. Sa gipagawas nga pahayag sa FDA, gipasabot sa buhatan nga wala pa sila’y giaprobahan nga bakuna batok sa virus tungod kay naa pa lamang kini sa ‘developing stage’ ug wala pa nakumpleto ang clinical trials aron mapamatud-ang luwas ug epektibo gayud kini. Tungod niini, gi-awhag sa FDA ang publiko, mga lokal nga kagamhanan ug mga tigpatuman sa balaod nga magbinantayon sa mga tawong nagbaligya sa mga giingong bakuna batok sa COVID-19 ilabi na ang mga gibaligya online. Samtang gitumbok usab sa ahensiya nga kun kinsa man ang madakpang nagbaligya og mga ilegal nga bakuna, manubag gayud sa balaod ubos sa Republic Act No. 9711 o mas gi-ila sa Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009. Karong panahon sa pandemya, gi-awhag ang publiko nga magpabiling magmatukawon sa pagpalit ug paggamit sa mga health products. Gi-awhag sa FDA ang publiko sa pagsumbong sa mga kadudahang pag-angkon, gibaligya o advertisement nga nag-angkon isip bakuna batok sa COVID-19 pinaagi sa pag-email sa covidresponse@fda.gov.ph o motawag sa (02) 88095596. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.
THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY.
FOLLOW US online! /Pia Siquijor /PIA Siquijor @PiaSiquijor