VOL. 2 l NO. 4 l January 26, 2012
'Suroy-suroy program boosts Cebu's tourism economy By Amor Ganda Saludar CEBU CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Cebu’s tourism economy rose 13 percent higher in 2011 compared to 2010, the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) reported. Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale attributed this positive development to the intensified efforts of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “Suroy- Suroy sa Sugbo.” “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” is a program of the Cebu Provincial Government, where foreign and domestic tourists are treated to the various local tourism and heritage sites, as well as the unique culture of the Cebuanos by visiting the towns and cities of the province. Tourists are joined by the governor herself to personally conduct the tour and show off the various tourist destinations to the group of visitors. The same NSCB report stated that 75 percent of the tourists’ pocket money was really spent in Cebu during their vacation stay in the various tourist destinations of the province. Magpale said the program has tremendously contributed in uplifting the economic status of the province due to the increasing volume of tourists that also boosted the income of Cebu. (FCR/ AS/PIA-Cebu) Ground breaking.The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) formally breaks ground the 4,500-square meter land where "The House of the Lord", a home for 100 elders and persons with disabilities, will rise. Gracing the groundbreaking are (L-R) Brother Louima Israel of MOP Cebu; RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz; Jamaica-based MOP Founder Rev. Fr. Richard Ho Lung; Fr. Joseph Ssalli of MOP Cebu; MOP Regional Superior for the Philippines Rev. Fr. Kulandairaj Ambrose; and Msgr. Esteban Binghay of the Archdiocese of Cebu. (PIA-7 & RAFI)
DENR to donate confiscated products to DepEd
CEBU CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR7) is set to donate and turn over confiscated forest products without court cases to the Department of Education (DepEd7). With an estimated value of P613,944.24, a total of 36,593.76 board feet of Mahogany, Gmelina, Bagalunga, Makaasim, Molave, Narra, Teak, Sangilo and Acacia lumber pieces, were found to be free from all liens and encumbrances with no cases filed in court, according to the DENR. DENR-7 regional director Maximo Dichoso said DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje instructed them to exhaust all means possible to hasten adjudication of cases of illegally sourced and transported forest products in line with the present direction to donate them to the DepEd. “Secretary Paje has ordered that all confiscated logs by the DENR without court cases will now be turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) as one of his priority or flagship programs,” Dichoso added. Most of these forest products were seized due to lack of necessary documents and requirements during transport, Dichoso explained. The logs were deposited at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, in Pamplona and in Ayungon, Negros Oriental. The DepEd will use these donated lumber for the construction of various public school buildings or the manufacture of office fixtures, desks and tables. According to the Deed of Donation, a certificate of completion of any DepEd project, signed by the Project Engineer supported with photographs and an itemization of forest products used in the project will be submitted to DENR. A Commission on Audit (COA) auditor will be invited to witness the turnover for documentation and proper accounting purposes. “A continuous inventory of seized forest products has been conducted to determine which are up for donation so that these could be used as construction materials for school buildings, desks and tables,” Dichoso concluded. (mbcn/hfg/DENR/PIA7)
FOR MORE REGIONAL STORIES, LOG ON TO: http://pia-7newsservice.blogspot.com
NEGROS ORIENTAL
Urban forestry program improves Dumaguete City forest cover up by 30% By Rachelle M. Nessia
Policemen from the Dumaguete City Police Office planting trees in an area in Brgy. Camanjac as part of the city government's ongoing campaign to mitigate climate change. (RMN/PIA/CPIO)
DSWD-7 distributes P8.4-M SEAK funds to NegOr 1st district graduating 'Pantawid' bebeficiaries By Minerva B.C. Newman
NEGROS ORIENTAL, Jan 23 (PIA) -– Some P8.4 million budget allocation from the DSWD’s Self Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEAK) Program was distributed recently to the1,224 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of the first district in Negros Oriental that are to graduate from the program in 2013. DSWD-7 regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre explained that the SEAK funds are interest-free loans that give each beneficiary a chance to engage in small business venture such as hog and livestock’s raising, additional capital for existing sari-sari stores, a barbecue stand, and the like. According to DSWD-7 Pantawid Pamilya program coordinator and information officer Aileen Lariba, these 1,224 Pantawid beneficiaries were enrolled in 2008 and are to bow out of the program in 2013. Lariba said, these families have been consistent in complying with the conditions of the program that included pre-natal and post natal care, immunization, weighing and attendance to family development sessions for them to continually receive the P500/month cash grant for health and P300/month/child allocation for education for a maximum of three children only. Lariba noted that while they are still enrolled in the program, these beneficiaries were given various training and capability building workshops. “Seminars include making business proposals, basic bookkeeping, financial management and most of all saving strategies were given to them as a pre-requisite of their loans,” Lariba said. To mark this challenging phase, DSWD-7 conducted a ceremonial turnover of checks at the Municipality of La Libertad where the recipient municipalities led by their respective Mayors and Municipal Social Welfare Officers attended the event. At the program, Macapobre pointed out the importance of transparency as she acknowledged the presence of the mayors from the recipient municipalities. “Ang presensya sa kadagkoan sa inyong lugar nagpamatuod sa ilang suporta sa mga nagkalain-laing proyekto nga gihatag diha sa inyo aron mutabok mo sa kalisod sa dihang mahuman na mo sa programa sa Pantawid Pamilya,” Macapobre noted. (The presence of your leaders shows their support to the various programs given to all of you so you would be able to cross poverty threshold by the time you graduate from the Pantawid Pamilya program). The SEAK allocation was distributed to the following towns: Municipality of Ayungo received approximately P1.6M for 240 beneficiaries; Bindoy with P1.5M for its 230 beneficiaries. Some P588T was also given for Jimalalud for its 85 beneficiaries; P1.7M for La Libertad that had the biggest number of recipients at 269. Tayasan also received P954T for its140 beneficiaries and Vallehermoso that received the biggest number of loan at P2M for its 260 beneficiaries. By 2013 these families may not be millionaires but they are definitely the start of a better generation, Macapobre concluded. (PIA-7/Minerva BC Newman)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) --Dumaguete City now has more forest cover than it had ten years ago, thanks to the Urban Forestry Management and Development (UFMD) program that the city government started in 2002. The city government reported that its forest cover increased from only 28 percent in 2009 to 30% this year, or an equivalent of 1,100 hectares more of land area planted with trees. O ff i c i a l s f r o m t h e c i t y ’s Environment and Natural Resource Office (ENRO) attribute the increased greenery to UFMD, that the LGU continues to undertake to address the sustainability issues besetting D u m a g u e t e C i t y ’s a q u i f e r a n d groundwater resources. The Dumaguete City Information Office, in a report, explained that UFMD is an “innovative” city government program designed to rehabilitate, conserve, preserve, develop and manage the city’s urban forest resources. It is implemented pursuant to City Resolution No. 130, Ordinance No. 20 enacted in 2002. “The big challenge of the UFMD program today is global warming of which the only total remedy is by planting more trees,” said UFMD Coordinator Arestio Encabo. Encabo said more trees in the city will help sustain the local water supply. “By implementing the UFMD program, we are improving the city’s water yield, absorption of toxic gases, improving windbreaks and indirectly reducing pressure on the extraction of natural resources,” he added. Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria is also regulating the cutting of trees in the city, a move that saved more than ten century-old Acacia trees from being cut down. The mayor has been appealing to residents with trees in their areas to avoid cutting their trees. “We all must be part of the solution to the problem of global warming and climate change,” the mayor said. This year, the City Information Office reported that more than 3,000 forest tree seedlings were planted in the city’s different barangays under the UFMD program. (mbcn/RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
BOHOL
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
LTO Bohol erring buses By Rey Anthony Chiu TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The Land Transportation Office in Bohol said bus companies may face sanctions such as cancellation of their franchise if they continue to ignore the law against overspeeding. A concerned citizen has recently
filed a complaint against overspeeding drivers to the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) PPOC member and Land Transportation Officer Joel Maloloy-on said that the complaints have sufficient basis based on the investigation that the agency has conducted. Bus units found to be overspeeding have been tagged,
Bohol blood council elects exec board members By Rey Anthony Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan 25 (PIA) -- The Bohol Blood Coordinating Council in its first organizational meeting recently elected its executive board members to strengthen and ensure adequate safe accessible blood for Boholanos. Led by Council President Governor Edgar Chatto, the council’s executive board was tasked to decide on the details of the upcoming Provincial Blood Coordinating Council Planning Workshop which Governor Chatto has delegated his authority so as not to hold the activities of the council at the mercy of his overloaded schedule. Also included in the 11-member executive Board’s tasks is to report to the governor any council developments and updates. T h e c o u n c i l p i c k e d D r. Cesar Tomas Lopez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan health committee as
he said. Among the bus companies that have been warned by the LTO were the City Transport and Super Five plying the Tagbilaran City-Tubigon-Tagbilaran City route. Its bus units have been found to be overspeeding along narrow highways, thus putting the lives of their passengers in peril. At the PPOC meeting during the HEAT Caravan in Antequera the LTO said that it has already warned operators and threatened to suspend their franchises if they are found to have violated the speed limits. LTO added that they have also issued similar warnings to Clynn and St. Jude Trans operators whose franchise areas are in other parts of Bohol. Although it is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) that has direct authority to suspend or cancel land transportation franchises, the LTO has the recommending power that compels the LTFRB to act, sources said. (mbcn/rahc/PIA-Bohol)
A mother in Dumaguete City is all smiles after receiving her hygiene kit, a bucket containing underwear, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, batteries and a malong that can be used as a blanket or bag during a distribution ceremony held Jan. 19, 2012 at the Dumaguete City Session Hall. The kits are donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for pregnant and lactating women who were affected by Typhoon Sendong that hit the province on Dec. 17, 2011. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
executive board president while Dr. Juanita Arcay the chief of the Gov Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Laboratory Department as the vice president of the board. The 26-member blood council also elected Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Administrator Nenita Briones as the secretary. The PNRC also sits as council secretariat based on the DOH Administrative Order # 002 series of 2010. The multi sectoral council also pushed private sector representative Marietta Gasatan of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry as treasurer while Anthony Chiu of the Philippine Information Agency was elected as its press relations officer as government’s sector representative. Elected Auditor was Dr. Portia Reyes, head of the Department of
Health in Bohol. Completing the list are five more Board Members, all chosen for their potential strategic sector representations that will bolster the council’s programs. Elected as Board members are League of Municipalities of the Philippine Bohol Chapter and Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes; Provincial pathologist and Provincial Health Office-based Dr. Jessica Socorro Yu; PSsupt Constantino Barot; Liga ng Mga Barangay President Board member Crspina Vergara and the Philippine Army represented by Col. John Bonafos. The Executive Board will now decide when to convene the full council for its strategic planning workshop in February, says Gov. Chatto. (mbcn/ rahc/PIA-Bohol)
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
SIQUIJOR
LRED San Juan, Siquijor attend session on strategies for investment promotion By Rizalie Anding Calibo
one from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will attend the second training module under the Capacity Development Program on January 3031 at Marriott Hotel, Cebu City. The training is part of the continued
support of the GTZ Private Sector Promotion Program and DTI to the SIQUIJOR, Jan 24 (PIA)-- At least five LGUs that have adopted the Local members of the Technical Working and Regional Economic Development Group from the local government unit (LRED)TWG Learning Session: of San Juan with two others from the Strategies for Investment Promotion. provincial government of Siquijor and The module primarily aims to assist the LGUs in formulating an investment promotion strategy that outlines specific interventions to support the development of the three target groups of locally based enterprises, potential business startups and external investors. It also seeks to enhance understanding of the types of enterprise and the difference among them and demonstrate strategies for expansion of locallybased enterprise, entrepreneurship development and promotion of external investors and to formulate action plans on all three. Finally, the seminar aims to assist the LRED LGUs in complying with DILG Memorandumm Circular 2010-113 on the designation of Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer, and discuss progress of implementation as well as results, indicators for measuring them and some methodologies for collecting and documenting them. Target participants for the activity are the members of the TWG, including the municipal planning and development officer (MPDO), provincial planning and development officer (PPDO), local economic investment promotion officer, municipal local government operation officer (MLGOO) and the provincial tourism officer. (mbcn/rac/ PIA-Siquijor) SHARING: The value of sharing and giving is manifested vibrantly by the Larena Woodcraft Makers Association. The group, headed by Robert Pajermo, also chair of the Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCII), gives its share of caring the environment through a tree planting activity at the hills of Bintangan, Larena, Siquijor to complete their celebration of Christmas. (PIA-Siquijor)
CSC hold to hold seminar on administratice justice By Rizalie A. Calibo LARENA, Siquijor, Jan 21 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC-7) in Central Visayas will conduct a seminar on administrative justice on February 21-22, 2012 at the Salagdoong Beach Resort, Maria, Siquijor. CSC-7 regional director Atty. Judith Chicano in her letter said that the course is fitting for public executives, managers, administrators, personnel officers/HRMOs, unit heads, government lawyers, legal chiefs and staff, grievance committees, union officers, hearing officers, designated investigators, and personnel involved in mediation or adjudication of administrative cases. It highlights the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (URACCS) and its amendments and settlement of administrative cases involving some light offenses. Course includes also expanded guidelines on immediate reinstatement and payment of back salaries; demotion as an alternative penalty and incorporation of the power of contempt. Other topics such as attention given to mediation and the importance of pre-hearing conference as an effective tool to expedite proceedings- in administrative cases. Registration fee is P1,800 per person to cover snacks, meals, hand-outs and related expenses. For more information, please visit the CSC Siquijor Field Office at the Old Capitol Building, Larena, Siquijor. (mbcn/rac/ PIA-Siquijor)