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THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY-7 | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH VOL. 2 | NO. 27 | SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

TOPSTORIES

CEBU

CSC 7 urges gov't workers to revive the spirit of heroism 'in line with PH Civil Service Month celeb'

By Amorganda A. Saludar

CEBU CITY September 5 (PIA) -- Civil Service Commission (CSC) 7 Regional Director Atty. Judith D. Chicano called on government employees to revive the spirit of heroism through public service as the country celebrates September as the 112th Philippine Civil Service Month.

Chicano said that as public servants, one must posses the character of being a hero in their field of serving the public and the country which is the main commitment of every civil servant.

“There is something in a public servant that describes him or her as a hero,” said Chicano as she reiterated the crucial role of civil servants to promote the welfare of the people in general through public service.

She also urged every public servant to feel happy, enjoy and always be positive in doing their work as well as sustain the value of being a good public civil servant for the country and for the people.

“Buhayin natin ang pagiging bayani bilang mga lingkod bayang civil,” (Let us revive the spirit of heroism as public servants) Chicano said during the recent joint kick-off activity of the Philippine Civil Service Month and the 18th National Crime Prevention Week as well as the opening of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) -7 Sports Fest.

This year’s Philippine Civil Service anniversary bannered the theme “Kawani Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayan while the National Crime Prevention Week carries the theme“Sa Crime Prevention May Magagawa Ako.” (FCR/ AYS/PIA-7, CEBU)

The Siquijor Council of Administrative and Personnel Officers (SICAPO) sharing knowledge to enhance competencies and renew bonds in a meeting and development session at San Juan Siquijor, Siquijor on August 29, 2012. The meeting was facilitated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Siquijor province. (RACalibo.PIA-Siquijor w/CSC foto)

Over 70 barangays in Cebu to undergo geohazard mapping

By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, Sept 4 (PIA) -- Around 74 barangays in Cebu covering one city and a municipality are up for a four-week geohazard assessment and mapping using a scale of 1:10,000 from September 10 to October 5.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Regional Director Loreto Alburo said the scale will indicate more details of the area covered by the map which may include the specific physical characteristics or environment.

A team of senior geologists composed of Maria Elena Lupo and Josephine Aleta will determine the vulnerability of each sitio or purok in a barangay to landslides and flooding.

Among the important information that can be revealed in a 1:10,000-scale geohazard map include parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides or flooding that can possibly occur in the area.

The two-member team will also identify sites in a barangay where relocation or evacuation areas may be possible when disasters occur.

Alburo said priority in the projects includes 20 barangays in San Fernando and 54 remaining barangays in Cebu City.

The 1:10,000-scale geohazard map is expected to be completed in 2014.

“We are heightening our information campaign on these barangays as our geologists will discuss with the local government units (LGUs) on the findings and recommendations immediately after the assessment,” he added.

“The assessment team will then be issuing appropriate warnings and geohazards advisories to be received by any barangay official so that they can begin with initiating measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of these geological hazards,” Alburo explained.

Alburo said that geohazard maps, which has become an important tool in disaster risk reduction and management.

“We are now embracing a 'new normal' when it comes to the volume of rains being dumped and we would like to respond to that by providing our local communities with a rain-induced geohazards map,” Alburo concluded. (RMN/HFG-PIA-7, DENR-7)

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BOHOL

Panglao invests P15M infra to spur economic dev't

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept.

5 (PIA) -- Panglao has allocated over P15M and is expected to gradually put in more to complete a major facelift in the town’s economic landscape with its priority vertical infrastructure it funded in the last two years.

Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala and its local officials have consistently allocated millions annually for the continued work of the town market renovation.

In 2010, Panglao put in P3 million for the construction of the public market block tiendas that was included in the Annual

Joe Ng (left), Chairman of the 'Adopt-A-Police Station" Program of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) expresses the business sector's commitment to help the police in maintaining peace and order as plans to construct two more police stations in Cebu City are in the offing. Since 2005,five police stations have been constructed worth P20M in Cebu City through the efforts of the CCCI. At his left is Elias Fernandez, assistant regional director of DILG 7 and Atty Risky Sibay of NAPOLCOM during the recent KAPIHAN SA PIA on National Crime Prevention Week (FCR/JSME/PIA-Cebu)

Investment Plan, according to Planning and D e v e l o p m e n t O ff i c e r

News Feature: Karomata Fest, Trinidad's bold moves to street dancing

By Rey Anthony H. Chiu

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- Amid the rising trend of “streetdancing festivals” , Trinidad comes out with the bold move for its "Karomata festival".

Trinidad town under Mayor Roberto Cajes adopted the festival conceptualized in 2007 under then chief executive Judith Cajes.

Festival coordinator Aniceto Petarco said the Karomata Festival was a highlight of the town’s 65th Foundation Days Anniversary celebrated every August 30-September 1. Street-dancers from five high school contingents in the town depicted more of the mimes in a barter trade that led to the conceptualization of the festival.

Contingents in the street-dancing competition included Kinaoan High School (Tribu Sinangay); Tagum Sur National High School (Tribu Alili); Hinlayagan National High School (Tribu Tugbang); Kauswagan National high School (Tribu Tikang) and Saint Isidore Academy (Tribu Hangyo).

Petarco said that in his research Trinidad town used to be an informal settlement of migrants located along the river. These migrants, he said were trading buri fabrics and raw material for mosquito nets which abound in the area.

The buri fabric was known as Cabizon, thus the name was also used to refer to the place, an article at the town website showed.

When the Spanish friars arrived and established themselves in the area, Cabizon was renamed Ipil, in reference to the giant Ipil trees abundant along the riverbanks, the article reads.

With Ubay and interior parts of Talibon into cattle ranching, Ipil became a convenient stop-over and trading center engaged mostly in barter.

People from the islands bartered with produce from the highlands and traders from as far as Jagna and Guindulman got to Ipil on carabao drawn carts (karomata), carrying their produce.

The long journey force the traders to equip their 'karomatas' with roofs and provisions for sleeping and cooking while they hit the trails, Petarco said.

These two: barter movements and the karomata provide the spine of the festival from which most choreographs were inspired, also said Jojeline Buendia, festival committee vice chair and town information officer.

Known Boholano festival director and festival dance critic, Lutgardo Abad earlier uttered a mouthful over the propensity to copy the Sinulog steps in the newly emerging festivals.

In Trinidad however, Petarco assured that with their festival in for a formal registration and recognition from proper authorities, they have prepared for the eventual coming up of the issue.

On the other hand, Trinidad town administrator Judith Cajes hopes that the festival becomes a new source of pride among the young in the town. (mbcn/rahc/PIABohol)

Jovencia Asilo.

The fund was a part of the P7.9 million priority program development funded out of the accumulated 20% Internal Revenue Allotment fund for 2010, explains Alcala.

By 2011, the town investment council again allocated P2 million for the its market construction that is almost completed.

The town identified some nine priority projects to be funded from the 20% development fund with the public market still ranking high with 25% of the prioritized allocation getting into it, Alcala added.

Already an established trade center for goods and services catering to the beach communities where tourists converge, Panglao Public Market has finally had its most overdue rehabilitation.

While it is not yet certain if the town continues to pour in more funds for the full completion of the town trade center this year, the people who used to occupy the front stalls hope that they could reclaim their places as soon.

Also in the 2010 budget, Panglao allocated P2 million for the construction of a Multi-purpose Building that is said to be the hub of the town's health services, disaster response action center and fire department base.

Now a visible building located beside the town hall, the Multi-purpose building has allowed the local government to gain enough working spaces for its numerous tasks.

Two other multi-purpose buildings were also funded form the 2011 20% development fund, the mayor adds.

Barangays Tangnan and Bil-isan have each been apportioned half a million of funds for their respective barangay centers, Asilo shared.

Another big investment the town engaged into is this year’s P1M Municipal Health Center which now rises beside the Municipal Fire Station.

Maghuyop Construction has started to put up the massive posts and beams to support the construction of a health facility aptly called “Tambalanan” that would soon serve the health and medical service requirements of the Panglaoanons, Jairus Fuderanan, a staff at the mayor’s office said during an ocular inspection.

This year, the town also witnessed the concreting of Cloma Street, a Municipal Road, which was prioritized to enhance local accessibility. It is a tribute to a notable Panglaoanon who made it to international history as a respected seafarer. For that, the town apportioned P1 million.

Another P2 million was also spent in last year’s 20% development fund for a concreting of a Public Market Road.

Two smaller construction projects: a public restroom and shower at poblacion and a public terminal at the public market each got P.5 million from 2012 IRA Development funds.

This year too, the town ventured into a street lighting project that put up town’s main streets like any town blessed with the fruits of its economic activities.

Panglao had P7.9 M from its IRA share in 2011, a figure that increased to P8.1 million in 2012, according to Asilo. (mbcn/rahc/ PIA-Bohol)

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DOST trains tribal artists in handicraft making

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 5 (PIA) -- About 30 Bukidnon Tribe Association members tried their hands at transforming driftwood into creative and functional art pieces in a technology training conducted by experts from the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) at the Agrarian Reform Municipal Office in Barangay Kabulacan, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.

The ethnic group was trained in handicraft-making by using natural materials, organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in cooperation with the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Catalina.

The residents become instant eco-entrepreneurs by trading the decorative art works, flower vases, and lamp shades made of driftwood, DOST director Gilbert Arbon said.

The experts oriented and assisted the participants on the proper creation of handicrafts using driftwood plentiful in the area, said Arbon.

The DOST official said the group was taught to design, clean, finish and coat the unfinished handicrafts until the products were finished and displayed in the showroom.

The extensive training included sideline works such as: technical repairs, brief orientation and installation of new power tools and pertinent materials.

The tribes now know how to manually operate the power tools with the help of experts from the Institute.

Dionisio Valor, the tribe chieftain, expressed his gratitude to the three forest experts for their invaluable time and efforts in behalf of the entire association. (mbcn/JCTPIA7, Negros Oriental) FAN Day Launching in Dumaguete: Information officers from Negros Oriental, Geraldine de los Reyes (L) of Tesda and Gretchen Ybarrita (R) of San Jose LGU, showing their support for the campaign to increase the participation of persons with disabilities in the 2013 Philippine Midterm Elections during the Fully Abled Nation (FAN) National Roadshow which launched in Dumaguete City on Sept. 6, 2012 at the Silliman University Hall. Dumaguete City has been identified as one of the areas nationwide with a high PWD concentration. FAN's nationwide campaign is held in collaboration with the Foundation for Communication Initiatives, Inc. (FOCI), The Asia Foundation (TAF), and AusAID. (RMN/PIA)

Sibulan municipality to boost tourism activities at Twin Lakes

By Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 4 (PIA) -- The local government unit (LGU) of Sibulan will add more recreational activities at its premiere tourist spot, the Twin Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao.

Sibulan Mayor Marcela GramponBartoces instructed the municipality's Tourism Planning Team to draw up programs, projects and activities for tourists at the Twin Lakes.

The Twin Lakes is among the major tourist attractions in Negros Oriental. It is nestled in the mountains some 12 kilometers west of Sibulan's poblacion.

Rising 300 meters above sea level, the two lakes are small, deepcrated, and separated by a mountain

range that sits atop a caldera between four mountains.

Sibulan is eyeing to put up overnight cottages and a zip line in the vacant spaces or multiple-use zones around the lakes, said Municipal Information Officer Connie ZamoraRosales.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority earlier informed the Sibulan that the Twin Lakes Development project, estimated to reach P10 million, passed the criteria and guidelines in tourism development.

The project will be undertaken by Sibulan in coordination with 2nd District Cong. George P. Arnaiz and TIEZA.

Rosales said implementing the development project will not be

an easy process as the Twin Lakes is within the domain of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

"Introducing changes at the vicinity would require a ticklish process," she said.

Mayor Bartoces will seek the authority from the Sangguniang Bayan for her to sign the project's memorandum of agreement. (RMN-PIA7, Negros Oriental)

INFOBYTES

is a weekly electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Region 7 with stories submitted by its Provincial Information Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

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SIQUIJOR

CSC-Siquijor is set for Civil Service month

By Rizalie A. Calibo

41st Siquijor Day opens

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Sept 5 (PIA) -- Siquijor province will mark its 41st founding anniversary with a sports opening today at the Social Center in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor.

The activities will start with a parade at 8 a.m. to be participated in by local leaders, athletes and players and government employees from all over the province.

A program follows to highlight raising of flags for the six municipalities, including the province and presentation of athletes and

presentation of Miss Siquijor Tourism 2012 Candidates after which Congressman Orlando B. Fua will give his message.

During the program, Civil Service Commission (CSC) regional director, Judith Chicano, will also administer the mass renewal of the Panunumpa ng Lingkod Kawani as the country celebrates the Philippine Civil Service month.

The series of events from September 5 to 17 will also include agro-trade fair, sports tournaments, beauty pageant and several socio-civic events. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

Women group receives DOST-SETUP funds

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission, Siquijor Field Office (CSC-SFO) is all set for the celebration of 112th Philippine Civil Service anniversary.

CSC provincial director Atty. Gina Crucio said a series of capacity-building activities in various agencies on Strategic Performance Management System will be conducted from September 4 to 6 with the CSC Regional Director Atty. Judith Chicano as resource speaker.

On September 7, there will be mass renewal of Panunumpa ng Lingkod Kawani by government officials and employees in the province during the opening of the “Araw ng Siquijor” at Enrique Villanueva LGU grounds.

On September 21, bringing services of government agencies to the people and tree planting activity spearheaded by the Siquijor Council of Personnel Officers (SICAPO) and CSC, Crucio added.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Kawani, Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayani.”

Activities at the national level also include Essay Writing Contest, Photography contest R.A.C.E. to Service II Fun Run on September 8 at 5 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand Luneta, Manila.

Government Choral Competition on September 17 at the UP Theater, plus the giving of special discounts for government employees and free MRT/LRT Rides.

For more information, visit www. celebratepcsa.wordpress.com or www.csc. gov.ph. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor) Civil Service Commision Provincial Director Gina Crucio congratulates newlypromoted police non-commissioned officers of the PNPSiquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO). Oath taking ceremony and Conferment of Ranks were held at the PNPSPPO in Caipilan, Siquijor last August 10, 2012. (RACalibo/ PIA-Siquijor w/ CSC

SIQUIJOR, Aug 31 (PIA) -- The Women’s Organization Nurturing for Development and Economic Recovery (Wonder) received a P172,500-check for its Community-Based Project: Technology Upgrading and Diversification of the Processed Meat Products of People’s Organization in Cangmunag San Juan, Siquijor.

This is in line with a component project of DOST- Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup) of the Department of Science and Technology in Region 7.

Under the program, DOST-7 extends its intervention through the introduction of an efficient high capacity meat grinder, manpower training and skills enhancement on meat processing (chorizo), enhancement training on good manufacturing practices, packaging and labeling, training on equipment operations and preventive maintenance.

Through the intervention program of DOST, Wonder would be able to increase production volume and improve product quality, he said.

Specifically, the project aims to determine and increase shelf life of meat processed through laboratory analysis; maintain quality of meat products through the acquisition of low temperature storage equipment; enhance product packaging and labeling and improve the skills of the workers through food safety trainings and good manufacturing practices.

Finally, it aims to penetrate and supply new local markets for 50 percent increase in gross sales, based on 2011.

He said the DOST-7 has approved and released the amount for Wonder but ensures that funds received from DOST/ Setup will be used to acquire all equipment needed for the project.

They will also monitor and ensure that the implementation of the project is in accordance with the schedule of activities.

They will also evaluate and document project activities and identify alternative courses of action to address problems met, if any, during the implementation of the project.

Likewise, he said, Wonder must make sure the funds are not used in money market placement, time deposits and other forms of investments not related to the project, and be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the project and ensure that it progresses to a commercial scale in the shortest time possible.

These are some of the provisions stated in the memorandum of agreement signed between the women group and the DOST, he said.

Officials and employees of the province of Siquijor in yesterday’s

Wonder has a principal office in Cangmunag, San Juan, parade that marks the opening the sports fest for the 41st Araw Siquijor, chaired by Eutiquia C. Solicar, also of Cangmunag. ng Siquijor celebration. (RACalibo w/ fotos from EMOPaon & (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor) DMamhot)