iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
#EmpoweringCommunities
Congratulations to the following winners of the 2019 Provincial Search for Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children: 1st Place - Kathleen Chen Pastrana of Maria, Siquijor 2nd Place - Aloha G. Balwit of San Juan, Siquijor; and 3rd Place - Mairyll Loraine M. Arapoc of Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor. They received P5,000, P4,000 and P3,000, respectively plus P1,000 each transportation allowance from the DSWD during the Awarding Ceremony today, August 16 at Bellview, Siquijor, Siquijor.
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. 07| No. 28 August 13 - 20, 2019
Impr oving Siquijor tourism performance Siquijor Provincial Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, speaking before the participants of the Orientation-Workshop on Local Tourism Development Plan held recently at The Sylvia’s Restaurant, San Juan, Siquijor (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
Improving Siquijor tourism will also define the province’s tourism destinations, products and services to be improved; strategies to deploy for growth, environment sustainability, and inclusive impact; and programs and funding, and institutional and human resources needed. The CV master plan will identify the carrying capacity of places including Siquijor, where tourist destinations or products are located, as well as the kind of tourism a certain place offers. It will also identify the products that need to be developed and the action plan on sustaining them for the next 10 years. The workshop included sessions on Tourism Situation Trends and Regional Tourism, Plans and Programs handled by DOT-7; Provincial Development and Physical Framework, as well as Plan, Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Local Tourism Plan in relation to the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 by Gay Therese Bucol of the Siquijor Provincial Planning and Development Office; Presentation on Provincial Development that includes, Vision, Plans and Programs by Ralph Lubguban od the Provincial Tourism Office;
and Orientation on Local Tourism Planning Guidebook-Formulating the Local Tourism Development Plan; and Profiling the Local Tourism, Industry by the DOT-Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management (OTDPRIM). Rich in natural and human resources and has a share of the existing ready markets like the other provinces in Central Visayas, Siquijor can be an attractive island for tourism. No less than a DOT top official, then Assistant Secretary Rolando Cañizal, in one of the previous tourism fora in the province, noted that with the island’s unspoiled environment and cultural assets, charm and mysticism, and its friendly and hospitable people, Siquijor will no doubt become one of the country’s premier tourist destinations. He encouraged the LGUs, being the main drivers for destination development, to harness the island’s natural and cultural resources for tourism growth. LGUs should formulate tourism development plans, vision, strategic directions and programs; create or strengthen local tourism council with
from page 1
greater private sector participation; develop new products to attract tourists and invest in marketing and promotion, Cañizal said. “Siquijor is heading in the right direction,” he also said, noting the province’s tourism management system, with the cooperation of the private sector and the local government, and the strong support of the DOT. With a remarkable increase in tourism arrivals, Siquijor is tagged as the emerging favorite tourist destination in Central Visayas. A report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the province having the highest increase in tourist arrivals in 2018, with a 48.8 percent growth. Cañizal, however, reminded the officials that if they intend to protect Siquijor’s lucrative market, they need to reassess how they want to position Siquijor when targeting leisure travellers. His call for Siquijor officials to be more aggressive and innovative in the way they package and promote them applies more today. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- For Siquijor ViceGovernor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, she hopes that the tourism development plan they are presently undertaking will bring the province’s tourism performance to greater heights. She has all the reason to be hopeful. During the investment and the two-day orientation workshop on local tourism development planning for Local Government Units (LGUs) conducted recently by the Provincial Government of Siquijor, the province has shown that it is serious in boosting local tourism. Held in coordination with the Department of Tourism-Office of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the
Department of Tourism Region 7 (DOT7), the activity aims to enable the LGUs to develop and enhance their respective municipal tourism development plans that will also serve as input in the formulation of the provincial plan. Quezon said it is best to consolidate plans and programs from the six municipalities, harmonize them and complement efforts to strengthen Siquijor tourism, believing that whatever the province would do should emanate from the ground. The orientation-workshop is an offshoot of the Regional Development Full Council Meeting held in June this year at San Juan, Siquijor that approved and endorsed the resolution for the formulation of the 2020-2030 Central Visayas Tourism Master Plan project. Being one of the tourist
destinations in the country, Central Visayas needs to strategize for sustainable growth, environmental sustainability, and inclusive feedback of tourism in the whole region, the resolution stated. “There is an imperative need to come up with with the tourism master plan considering the growing demands of the industry as a result of new developments in the region,” the resolution added. The local tourism development plan seeks to localize the National and Regional Tourism Development Plan and provide action plans, programs, and projects for 2020-2030. It will craft a unified vision and direction for the tourism industry and to page 4
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS #Empowering Communities By virtue of Proclamation No. 789 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, August 12, 2019 is declared a regular holiday in view of the nationwide observance of Eid’l Adha.
DOH7: Dengue cases up by 118% in CV (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 7 recorded a 118 percent increase in dengue cases this year for the period January to July 20 compared to the same period last year. DOH earlier declared a national dengue epidemic following the 146,062 dengue cases recorded since January to July 20 of this year, which is 98 percent higher than the cases recorded in the same period last year. But, during the week, DOH CV authorities noted a decrease. The national epidemic declaration will enable local government units to localize strategies and responses as needed to address the epidemic situation, says Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. As of the declaration, there are seven out of 17 regions that have exceeded the epidemic threshold of dengue in their regions for the past three consecutive weeks. Leading the list of regions is the Region 6, Western Visayas, with 23,330 cases. In Central Visayas, there are
a total of 11,085 cases and 74 deaths recorded as of August 3. This is a 118% increase in cases compared to the same period last year. Most of those affected are between ages 6-10 years old. Majority of cases in the region are from Cebu City with 1,486 cases and 11 deaths; Lapu-lapu City with 661 cases and two deaths; and Mandaue City with 451 cases and three deaths. As of this writing, DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas said the region hasn not reached the epidemic level as of now. He said the incidence of dengue in the region has not significantly gone up, and as of the recent week, has gone down. Despite the decrease in cases, the DOH still urges everyone to be alert and clean up their surroundings of possible breeding grounds of the mosquitoes. As the Aedes Aegypti are commonly affecting kids, the health department has taken precautionary measures in schools around the region
through the distribution of insecticidetreated screens used in windows and openings for classrooms to combat mosquitoes that find their way in classrooms. More than 50% of schools around the region have been given the treated screens and the DOH targets 100% distribution in all schools across the provinces in the region. Aside from the 4s Kontra Dengue measures that the health department is promoting, starting August 6, DOH and other government agencies, LGUs, schools, offices, and communities will conduct the Sabayang 4’oclock Habit para DengGet-Out, focusing on search and destruction of mosquito breeding sites. DOH-7’s Dr. Bernadas urges public that if one has a fever for three consecutive days already, one should get checked in nearest hospitals. There are fast lanes for dengue cases in different hospitals across the region, he added. Besides, consultation and treatment is free in public hospitals nationwide. (smb/PIA7)
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
Cebuano News
Community Service Act, gilagdaan na ni Duterte (PIA)--Gilagdaan na ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte ang usa ka balaod nga dili na kinahanglang mabilanggo pa ang kinsa mang makalapas og minor offenses, segun pa sa mga taho. Ubos sa Republic Act No. 11362 o Community Service Act nga
gilagdaan sa Presidente niadto lamang Agosto 8, gitugutan na ang mga korte nga himuong community service lang ang silot nga arresto menor o pagkabilanggo og usa ka adlaw hangtod 30 ka adlaw ug arresto mayor o pagkabilanggo nga mahimong moabot og hangtod unom ka buwan.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) - Siquijor Provincial Office will conduct a free National Competency Assessment under the Scholarship Program in Competency Assessment and Certification (CACW) for the qualification of Lifeguard Services NC II on August 22-23, 2019 at Philippine Life Saving (PLS) TVET Academy Corporation, Lazi, Siquijor. Interested candidates are advised to prepare and submit the following: Duly accomplished Application Form; 3pcs Passport size picture (white background and with collar); Employment certification or endorsement letter from industry/ Institution or Group (for employed); Barangay Certification indicating as lifeguard practitioner (for selfemployed); and Health or Medical Certificate indicating that you're well fit to take the national assessment. Deadline for submission is on August 16, 2019. For more details, kindly contact 09173140185 and look for Jessalyn B. Co, or visit TESDA Provincial Office - Siquijor at Catamboan, Lazi, Siquijor.
DFA, mag-upgrade sa PH ePassport system (PIA)--Nipagawas og public advisory ang Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) kalabot sa ipahigayon nilang upgrade sa Philippine ePassport system. Gipasabot sa DFA nga tumong sa system upgrade nga mapaayo pa ang seguridad ug integridad sa ePassport system. Gipahibalo usab sa buhatan nga tungod sa ipahigayon nilang upgrade, magresulta kini sa pagbaton og adjustment sa passport delivery ug release schedules. Matud pa nga gikan sa 12 working days, mahimo nang 15 working days ang kinahanglang hulaton alang sa pagproseso sa pasaporte sa tanang consular office sa nasod.
Samtang ang expedited processing mokabat na og 8 working days sa DFA ASEANA ug COs sa National Capital Region (NCR). Mahimo na usab nga 10 working days ang COs sa mga nahimutang gawas sa NCR. Gipaabot nga makumpleto ang system upgrade sa Setyembre 2019. Sa higayong makumpleto na ang system upgrade, gipasalig sa DFA nga mabalik na sa normal ang operasyon niini. Tungod niining abiso sa mga adjustment, nangayo og pasaylo ug pagsabot ang DFA sa publiko. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
Kasagarang mapahamtangan og silot nga arresto menor ug arresto mayor ang mga makonsiderar nga light offenses sama sa alarm ug scandal, malicious mischief o ang tuyo nga pagguba sa gamit sa uban, paggubot sa usa ka religious activity ug uban pa. Base sa bag-ong balaod, angay ipahigayon ang community service sa lugar diin gihimo ang krimen ug ang korte ang maoy motumbok sa gitason sa community service depende sa gibug-aton sa sala. Kinahanglan usab ipaubos ang nakasala sa rehabilitative counseling nga pangunahan sa social welfare and development officer sa lugar nga nasakopan niini. Apan sa dili pa tugotan .ang community service, angay i-konsiderar sa korte ang komunidad ug ang posibilidad nga mopaule ug balik ang usa ka nakasala. Nahisulod usab sa bag-ong balaod nga kun mogawas sa terms sa community service ang usa ka defendant, may gahom pa gihapon ang korte nga imando og balik ang pagkaaresto sa nakasala. Gimanduan ang Department of Justice (DOJ) ug ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa pagmugna og implementing rules and regulations, 90 ka adlaw human ang effective date sa balaod. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
iSIQUIJOR
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.
THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY.
FOLLOW US online! /Pia Siquijor /PIA Siquijor @PiaSiquijor