VOL. 2 l NO. 22 l August 1, 2012
Negornet to assist in disaster preparedness By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, (PIA) -- The Negros Oriental Network of non-government organizations and people’s organizations (Negornet) linked up with the provincial government of Negros Oriental to support the latter's disaster risk reduction activities. In a press conference for Negornet's 9th Annual NegOr NGO & PO Week from August 1 to 6, Negornet President Msgr. Merlin Logronio said NGOs can provide skills and material resources to assist the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) during calamities. During a recent workshop, Negornet has identified service
areas for training and educational campaign in the barangay level where civil society organizations can assist the local government units (LGUs) in disaster preparedness. Logronio said Negornet’s seminar-workshop expected to raise awareness among member-NGOs and the public, understanding and knowledgeable participation on the various programs on disaster risk reduction and management that the provincial government puts in place. Negornet executive director Greg Fernandez Jr. said the memberNGOs can provide volunteers during evacuation, relief and rehabilitation, and as resource persons during predisaster training.
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Logronio said barangays will be taught how to reduce risks of natural hazards by employing important measures to predict, plan, prepare, and practice, focusing on its own community-based early warning and communication systems. With 27-member NGOs and POs, Negornet is involved in various collaborations with the provincial government in promoting good and effective governance and development, said Fernandez. Negornet serves as a mechanism in consolidating the NGOs and POs along local development and in facilitating meaningful participation in local governance. (mbcn/JCT/PIANegros Oriental)
CEBU
INFOBYTES TOPSTORIES
Smart growth for mega Cebu program By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY (PIA) -- In line with the Mega Cebu Program, the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI), with the support of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), has conducted a learning session on smart growth at the RAFI-EADSC building. The two-part event, entitled, “Smart Growth 102: From Theory to Practice” discussed the applicability and practicability of the concept in the local context. Smart growth is a theory on new urbanism that promotes economically, environmentally and socially responsible growth by looking at connections between development and the quality of life. It advocates for the concentration of grown in compact, “walkable” urban communities to avoid urban sprawl. Members of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB), representatives from the local government units (LGUs), government & non-government offices (GOs & NGOs), urban planners, engineers, architects, academe, religious and senior citizens tackled possible challenges and solutions in applying smart growth in Metro Cebu. US-based architect Senen M.A. Antonio of the Duany-Plater Zyberk (DPZ) was the resource speaker during the one day session. Antonio first introduced the smart growth concept during the Sustainable City Dialogues in Cebu in February 2012. (F C R/JSM E/R AFI/P IA -
AGIO (Association of Governmentment Information Officers) Forum with PhilHealth
PhilHealth defers premium increase By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has moved the implementation of the increase in premium rate for individually paying members (IPM) from July to October this year. PhilHealth announced late last year that its IPM premium will increase from P1,200 per year to P2,400. However, to provide more opportunity for consultation with different sectors and to give members additional time to prepare for the increase, PhilHealth deferred the July 1 increase to October 1. As such, individually paying members who are currently paying premium at a rate of P1,200 per year or P300 per quarter, these are persons who are not considered high income professionals doing private practice or individuals doing business, will be computed the same premium rate for payments covering the third and fourth quarter 2012 if they pay before October. A similar discounted premium will be computed if they choose to pay in advance the premium covering the whole of 2013 before October 2012. High income earning professionals doing private practice or individuals engaged in business, those whose average monthly income is more than P25,000, are already paying an annual premium of P3,600. On the other hand, low income earning IPMs who are covered by the current premium increase are those whose average monthly income is P25,000 or below. Among which are members of the informal sector, like ambulant vendors, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, farmers and fisher folks. Premium of sponsored members has also been pegged at P2,400 per family per year beginning this year. But a 50 percent discount on the premium is granted to sponsors who will commit to subsidize the premium of poor families until 2013. Members of the Overseas Workers Program, however, will still pay an annual premium of P1,200. But effective January 2013, their premium will also be computed at P2,400 per year. Premiums of employed members for next year will be computed at a rate of three percent of their basic monthly salary, except those earning P7,000 and below who will be paying a monthly premium of P210 and those earning P50,000 and above who will be paying a monthly premium of P1,500. Half of this amount will be shouldered by the employer. (MBCN/HFG/PIA7, PhilHealth)
NEGROS ORIENTAL
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
Lawmakers urged to prioritize bill seeking changes in anti-terror law By Jennifer C. Tilos
CEBU CITY (PIA) -Malacañang is pushing Congress to prioritize measures that seek to amend the Human Security Act of 2007, to boost the government’s drive against terrorism, During the 7th ASEANJapan Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in Cebu City on Wednesday, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. told participants that the Executive Branch has asked lawmakers to prioritize a proposed bill that seeks to amend the antiterror law as part of its global commitment to counter terrorism. “The goal of these amendments is to strengthen the law so that it can be used as a tool by law enforcement agencies to thwart terrorism,” Ochoa said. He stressed the need for continued vigilance worldwide because the threats of terrorism remain real despite the waning capability of terror organizations
and decreasing number of militants. In line with the Aquino government’s contribution to the global response to the terror threats, Ochoa said Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III signed two laws last week, namely: An Act to Further Strengthen the Anti-Money Law and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. Said laws are seen to intensify domestic capability in identifying and preventing financial transactions related to illegal activities, including those that undermine global security. To c o m p l e m e n t t h e s e initiatives, the government put in place a three-pronged strategy to combat terrorism within Philippine borders, namely: a)effective law enforcement by strengthening the regulatory regimes for firearms and explosives and financing terrorism, and the arrest and neutralization of the human tools or perpetrators behind terrorist acts; b) stronger
Deaf twins Jose Elvis Alaton (3rd from left) and Jose Elgen Alaton (extreme right), with the help of an interpreter (far left), share their sentiments over their struggle to land regular jobs being persons with disabilities (PWDs) during an interview with PIA's Information Officer 2 Rachelle Nessia (2nd from left). Currently jobless, Elvis and Elgen, both 22 years old, are graduates of a two-year computer course. (LJD/PIA)
institutional mechanisms and enhanced capabilities of law enforcement agencies and security agencies, and active participation in international cooperation against terrorism; and c) de-radicalization or counter-radicalization of the intent to commit terror acts by addressing poverty and poor education, which are considered roots of the problem. “In these initiatives, you are guaranteed of the support of our President who recognizes the importance of addressing the threat of terrorism and is aware that a holistic approach to the problem will produce positive results,” Ochoa said. He also lauded Japan and the ASEAN member-states for taking the lead in organizing the dialogue on counter-terrorism, which he said is crucial to improving counter terrorism capacity. “Without a doubt, all of the nation-states here possess the political will to defeat terrorism; all of us want to secure borders and ensure the safety of our people, ” Ochoa said. (PIA-7/CEBU)
INFOBYTES COMMUNITYNEWS
SIQUIJOR
300 farmer scientists graduate from training program in Siquijor By Rizalie A. Calibo
SIQUIJOR, Aug 7 (PIA) -- Nearly 300 local farmers from five towns in Siquijor province were recognized in last week’s joint graduation barangay level phases I, II and III
and launching of Farmer-Scientists Training Program in corn-based production system for sustainable agricultural development. San Juan town has a total of 84 graduates with 19 farmers completing the
NEWSMANSBLOG (printed with blogger's permission)
SIQUIJOR, a shimmering Island
I always love to come back to Siquijor Island because there's something eerie, healthy, fresh and healing about the island. According to stories of old, when the Spaniards came to the island they saw it glowing & so they called it "Isla del Fuego" or Island of Fire. Some though believed that the island glowed with fireflies that swarmed the place because of its mangrove trees all over the island. Siquijor is composed of six towns, Siquijor, Larena, San Juan, Enrique Villanueva, Maria & Lazi with Siquijor town as the capital. It has white sandy beaches in San Juan, Maria & in Enrique Villanueva. It's flora changes in color as seasons change. During summer, it's trees turn gold, red, greenest green and golden brown and Its cloudless skies are so blue. In 1994-1996, I spent my time there as manager of a provincial information center. I took every opportunity to explore the island. I've done spelunking of about 15 caves. There are over 48 caves in Siquijor. Spent time swimming, listlessly walking, & scouring the beaches and shorelines of the island looking for seashells and finding myself. I have captured the sunrise, sunset, seasons, people, and lifestyle of Siquijor in my canvass and through my lenses. I had stared for hours end the glittering night skies of Larena when the stars came out from dusk to wee hours of morning. I caught fireflies swirling in my room at the Siquijor State College campus where I used to stay. Slept through the lulling sound of the ocean and the fishermen's shrill as they caught fish at late dusk. The underwater world of the Island is equally a wonder! Colorful fishes, corals, seaweeds and shells abound in Siquijor. I remember dolphins, baby dolphins swimming with the banca that brought me to Dumaguete early dawn . My memories of Siquijor were vivid and it was in this Island that I found my peace, my life, my serendipity. I will always call Siquijor, a shimmering Island!
Phase III, 46 for phase II and 19 for phase I while Larena town, 43 graduates with 32 for phases I and 11 for phase II. Siquijor has 68 graduates, five of which completed phase III; 38 for phase II; and 25 for phase I. Lazi town has 72 graduates, 9 completed phase III; eight for phase II and 55 for phase I while and Maria town has 25 graduates with nine completing phase III, two for phase ll and 14 for phase I. Phases I, II and III graduates receive certificates of completion, achievement and recognition, respectively. Phase I focuses on value formation, research exposure and technical empowerment; phase II on on-farm experimentation and technology adoption; and phase III on farmer-to-farmer technology transfer and adoption. In phase I, farmers and scientists set up experimental plots of corn to compare the effects of organic from inorganic fertilizers, varietal trials, intercropping and other methods. Cultivation of the farmer’s minds for love of God, country and people are also emphasized, Dr. Romulo G. Davide, FSTP program leader said. Phase II is when farmers replicate their research experiences from Phase I in their own farms. They set up experiments with the assistance of scientists or experts and agricultural technicians to determine which production technologies are adoptable in their farms. Finally in phase III, the farmerscientists share their expertise by teaching untrained fellow farmers how to generate and develop farming technologies based on their Phase I and Phase II experiences. They use either the Adopt-AFarmer model or Adopt-A-Barangay model with support from the local government units. They are backed up by the municipal agricultural officers, agricultural technicians and experts, and scientists from other agencies when needed. The program emphasizes intercropping system, together with livestock to increase farmer’s income, Davide also said. FSTP is first introduced in Siquijor in 2002 by Davide, known as the father of FSTP. His vision was to make Siquijor an FSTP country. With several farmers embracing the program and graduating every year, his vision is very near if not already realized, he said. FSTP is based on the assumption that “there is no barren soil, only barren mind,” and that “farming is business.” It is designed to liberate poor farmers from the bondage of poverty and hunger, he said. The activity was held at the San Juan Social Center, San Juan, Siquijor attended by Dr. Davide himself, provincial and municipal agriculturists and technicians, provincial governor Orlando A. Fua Jr., mayors of the five municipalities, and heads of partner agencies. (mbcn/RACalibo/PIA7Siquijor)