iSIQUIJOR
infobits The Provincial Tourism and Environment Office conducted the Capability-Building on the Determination of Tourism Carrying Capacity for the Province of Siquijor Tourism Sites Training/ Workshop from July 13 -15, 2022 at SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol. -oo0oo--oo0ooThe training aims to provide knowledge and capability to the six LGUs, the provincial government, concerned agencies, and stakeholders on the principles, concepts, and methodologies of tourism carrying capacity determination, so that after this capacity development intervention they will be able to determine the carrying capacity of their respective tourism destinations. -oo0oo--oo0ooThe Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the Province of Siquijor recorded an increase of 7.9 percent in June 2022. This is the highest recorded inflation for the province since January of 2019. This was 1.1 percent higher in May 2022 with an inflation of 6.8 percent. -oo0oo--oo0ooThe PSA in its report said, the inflation in June of the prior year was lower at 3.4 percent. The province’s average inflation for the first six months of the year registered at 5.7 percent. -oo0oo--oo0ooPSA Siquijor has registered 83,111 Siquijodnons as of 12 July 2022 of the target population aged 5 years old and over. Registrants completed their Step 2 Registration or capturing of biometric information such as iris scan, fingerprints, and front-facing photograph. -oo0oo--oo0ooPHLPost will deliver the National ID for free to the address provided by the registrant during the registration process. As of 27 May 2022, 5,873 PhilID cards had been successfully delivered by PHLPost. An increase in the PhilID cards are expected to be delivered as PSA ramps up its operations. -oo0oo--oo0ooAs part of PSA’s colocation strategy, registrants can avail Landbank ATM card for free as part of the agency’s financial inclusion efforts. Based on the monitoring of Landbank Siquijor as of 11 July 2022, 8,186 individuals had already opened their LBP savings account following successful registration during Step 2 Registration (biometric capture). -oo0oo--oo0oo-
#Empowering Communities
Province taps ERDZB-CRERDEC for sustainable tourism The Provincial Tourism Office of Siquijor Province tapped the technical assistance of the Coastal Resources and Ecotourism Research Development and Extension Center (CRERDEC) of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) relative to the provincial loal goverment unit’s (LGU) plan to determine and implement the carrying capacity towards sustainable tourism in the island. The three-day capability building exercise took place in Siquijor, Siquijor, at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall from July 13 to July 15, 2022. Thirty-five tourism stakeholders and municipal/provincial LGU representatives from the relevant planning and development offices, tourism offices, and tourist police unit participated in the activity. Attorney Dale Louis Tudtud, Chief of Staff to the Governor, attended the opening ceremony and spoke with assurance that the province’s tourism industry will rebound and surpass prepandemic visitor numbers. To secure the viability of tourism in Siquijor, Atty. Tudtud advocated the implementation of carrying capacity. He further stated that one of the province’s main economic drivers is tourism. CRERDEC Science Researchers Chona M. Tura and Joselito T. Sumabat discussed the fundamental ideas and principles of CarCap; physical evaluation of soil, water, structures, and transportation; assessment of terrestrial biodiversity; socio-economic survey; and CarCap computations. The ideas for integrating classroom learning with field experience were also put into practice by the participants. They applied their new knowledge into practice by doing oneon-one interviews and practical field exercises involving vegetation surveys in order to collect first-hand information.
CRERDEC Center Head Jose Isidro Michael T. Padin also provided an overview of the coastal vulnerability assessment and subjects connected to the assessment of marine biodiversity. Cle Bern Paglinawan, the Provincial Tourism Officer of Siquijor, led the formulation of an action plan on the third day of the training. It was decided that the attendees at the training would serve as the CarCap Technical Working Group (TWG) and be in charge of launching the project’s relevant activities. The promotion of CarCap technology is essentiall and timely given that tourist destinations are gradually reopening under the new normal. Many tourists have started to visit Siquijor as a result of the introduction of stricter regulations to control visitor arrivals and activities on Boracay island. As a result, authorities and training participants believed that a coordinated effort is needed to maintain and protect the natural resources on Siquijor Island. Given that tourist attractions are gradually reopening under the new normal, the promotion of CarCap technology is essential and timely. Following the implementation of stricter regulations to control visitor arrivals and activities on Boracay island, many tourists have turned their attention to Siquijor. As a result, officials and training participants believed that coordinated action is required to preserve and protect Siquijor Island’s natural resources. The participants chanted in unison, “Let us work hand in hand to sustain Siquijor’s beauty and wealth. Let us do CarCap,” expressing their common goal. (ARASagarino, CRERDECERDB-DENR)
Participants of the Capability-Building on the Determination of Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Tourism at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall.
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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. 10| No. 25 July 14-21, 2022
DA7 suppor ts poultr y meat production in Siquijor By Mary Jane Banglos
At least 28 farmer associations in the Province of Siquijor received 2,800 broiler chicks from the Department of Agriculture (DA). Each association received 100 broiler chicks packaged with five sacks of feeds (one asack of chick booster crumble, three sacks of broiler starter crumble, one broiler finisher crumble), one kilo water soluble vitamins, one sakolin roll, and one roll of range net. This intervention is under the Quick Response Fund (QRF) which aims to help the poultry industry in the province recover from the damage brought by Typhoon Odette in 2021. Dr. Zeam Voltaire E. Amper, DA7 Livestock and Poultry focal person, said the intervention also aims to support the overall poultry meat production in the island given the current limitations in the inter-island transport of poultry products due to the threat of avian influenza. Currently, Siquijor and Central Visayas remain free of the virus. “We are hopeful that you will sustain the project, or if not, you will invest whatever income you may generate in another business enterprise, basta naa ra mo’y (as long as you have an) income generating livelihood,” said Amper. He said the intervention is given as a start-up capital to the association to kick-start their enterprise. He also encouraged the recipients to sustain the livelihood of poultry meat production. Dr. Jhea Manginsay, OICprovincial veterinarian, also encouraged the recipients to sustain the project and help ensure food security in the province. Provincial Board Member and Committee Chair in Agriculture Leonardo Lingcay encouraged the associations to sustain the project as he promised to assist in the financial needs of the association if they decide to expand their poultry venture. Lodie Maghinay, president of the Purok Sudlon Vegetable Growers Association, said they are thankful to DA for trusting them.
At least 28 farmer groups in the province received broiler chicks from the Department of Agriculture, which was represented by the provincial veterinarian officer-in-charge Jhea Marie Manginsay (left)
Members of the Siquijor FAs who receives the broiler chicks and other benefits from the Department of Agriculture led by Dr. Zeam Voltaire E. Amper. The association has 34 members and has received 50 broiler chicks in 2020 but was not able to sustain the project due to the plummeting prices of poultry meat brought by the pandemic, but was able to earn P8,000 from the sales. Campalanas Women’s Association and Bolos Farmers’ Association, both newbies in poultry production, said they will try to sustain and take care of the project. “Among kat-onon and pagpamuhi ani nga manok aron makadugang ug income sa among
association, ug makatabang pud para aduna tay igong supply sa karneng manok sa probinsya (We will do our best to learn how to take care of broiler chickens to increase the income of our association and ensure poultry meat supply in the province),” vowed Joseph Teves, president of Bolos Farmers’ Association. As of December 2021, data from the Provincial Veterinary Office shows that there is enough supply of poultry meat in Siquijor at 915.54 metric tons vs. demand at 538.12 metric tons. (PR)
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENT NEWS #EmpoweringCommunities
Expanded Negros island Region possible this year via EO
By Nanette Guadalquiver
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez here said that the establishment of the expanded Negros Island Region (NIR) through an executive order (EO) is expected to be realized within the year. “I had the chance to talk to (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary (Benjamin) Abalos Jr. for the resumption of the NIR plus, it has been expanded in what we have proposed,” he said in a press briefing. Benitez, the prime mover of the Visayan bloc, said lawmakers from the Visayas have agreed to include Siquijor in the proposed new region, which originally included only Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Bacolod, the lone highly-urbanized city in the island. He noted that Siquijor is nearer to Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, than Cebu City, the
regional center of Central Visayas. “The mechanics and the process of how the EO will be drafted for the signature of the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) are now being discussed. We need to submit resolutions to Secretary Abalos and we hope to see the resumption of the NIR soon. The target is within the year,” Benitez said. On May 29, 2015, the NIR was first created through EO 183 signed by then-President Benigno Aquino III, separating Negros Occidental from Western Visayas and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas. However, on Aug. 7, 2017, former President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 38 abolishing the NIR, stressing the need to ensure that priority government programs and projects are sufficiently funded. Under the 19th Congress, Benitez’s brother, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco
Benitez, led a group of Negrense lawmakers in filing House Bill 1146, seeking to create a separate region for Negros Island and Siquijor to be known as Region 6-B. “The challenge is to transform the economy of Negros Island to ensure that economic growth redounds to the benefit of the people. Here, the close economic coordination of the two Negros provinces is most crucial. Re-unifying the two Negros provinces under one administrative region therefore becomes necessary,” the bill’s explanatory note said. It added that “in view of its proximity and cultural similarities, the inclusion of Siquijor Province to the proposed Region 6-B is logical and practical”. Under the current setup, Western Visayas includes the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras as well as the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo. (PNA)
PSA Siquijor holds BIR Tax orientation for COSWs
The Philippine Statistics Authority following the prescribed schedule. Ms. remarks, expressed her gratitude to (PSA), Siquijor Provincial Statistical Office Cortes provided brief background on the Janine Cortes for gracing the invitation to holds tax orientation for its Contract of provisions of Tax Reform for Inclusion and orient PSA COSWs about tax and basic Acceleration Act of 2017 (TRAIN Law), tax laws. She also thanked all the COSWs Service Workers (COSWs). Revenue Collection Officer which lowered personal income tax rates who participated in the said activity and Janine J. Cortes of the Bureau of Internal but increased taxes on certain goods, imparting in them an excerpt from the Revenue (BIR), Revenue District Office leading to a net increase in revenue. famous quote by Benjamin Franklin Before the activity ends, SS II saying “In this world nothing is certain (RDO) of Dumaguete City, served as the Jill Bernadette C. Abing in her closing except death and taxes”. (RSSO07 PSA) resource person of the activity. The orientation aimed to enlighten COSWs on the concept of income tax returns and BIR annual registration fee to ensure tax compliance and avoid future tax problems. Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Aurelia M. Canda highlighted during her opening message, the importance of being aware of one’s possible tax liability as paying the right tax is an obligation of all income earners. She warmly welcomed the resource person and convey her gratefulness for granting PSA her time for the said activity despite her hectic schedule. CSS Canda also welcomed both regular employees and COSWs attending the orientation. Cortes reiterated and discussed various BIR Forms such as Certificate of Registration, BIR Form 0605, BIR Form 1701, BIR Form 1704 and BIR Form COSW participants during the tax orientation with Acct.I Lolyn O. Angot, SS II Jill 1701Q. She discussed the quarterly Bernadette C. Abing, Revenue Collectio Officer Janine Cortes and CSS Aurelia M. deadline for filing BIR Form 1701Q Canda. and the importance of filing this form
iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS
CEBUANO NEWS
DA7 subsub ang programa kabahin sa urban farming By Robinson Cabardo Jr
Padayon ang Department of Agriculture Region 7 (DA7) sa pagpatuman sa ilang mga nagkadaiyang programa kabahin sa pagpalambo sa urban farming ug community gardening dinhi sa Central Visayas, kini dungan usab sa mahingusganon nga pag-awhag sa mga Sugbunaon nga modangat sa maong proseso sa pagpananom. Ang urban farming mao ang naila nga proseso sa pagpananom ug mga utanon ug uban pang matang sa mga crops kung diin kini pagabuhaton ngadto sa mga kalungsuran o mga urban areas. Ug aron mapalig-on ang pagpaduol niini nga aktibidad ilabi na ngadto sa mga urban households dinhi sa Rehiyon 7, gipatuman sa ahensya sa agrikultura ang Plant, Plant, Plant program nga ang tumong mao ang pagpanghatag ug mga lainlaing vegetables seedlings, seeds, ug organic fertilizers nga magamit sa mga benepisyaryo niini sa pagsugod nila ug urban farming ngadto sa ilang mga matag-tugkaran.
Pinaagi sa maong programa, ang mga indibidwal o pamilya nga nagpuyo sa mga urban households mamahimu usab nga makadawat ug mga agricultural tools ug makapahimus sa libre nga mga trainings kabahin sa saktong pagpatubo sa ilang mga tanom ug sa pagpalambo usab sa ilang abilidad pagbuhat sa tukmang proseso sa urban gardening. Subay sa pagpahingusog sa ilang kampanya pagpaila sa urban farming ngadto sa katawhan, gipaambit usab sa DA7 ang mga tabang ug benepisyo nga matanyag sa urban farming sama sa pag produce og luwas ug himsog nga mga pagkaon ug pag edukar sa mga kabatanonan kabahin sa proseso sa produksyon sa pagkaon. “Ang focus karon kay ma food secure ta, even households lang kay maka produce og pagkaon kung gustoon natu kini pinaagi sa urban farming, another benefit is naay local source of food, maka bonding usab ang mga pamilya sa pagpananom, ma educate ang atong mga youth kung asa gikan ang pagkaon, ug makakita na sila og value kabahin sa proseso sa pagproduce sa
pagkaon,” matod ni Nimfa Davis, Senior Science Research Specialist sa DA7. Apan labaw niini gipadayag sa ahensya nga ang labing dakong benepisyo sa urban farming mao ang paghatag ug suporta sa pagpalambo sa food sustainability ug food security sa nasud. Padayun usab karon nga nag-awhag ang DA7 sa publiko ilabi na sa katung mga urban households nga buhaton ang urban farming ug community gardening aron sa pagtabang sa pagpalambo sa suplay sa pagkaon. “Among gina encourage ang tanan especially katung mga urban households nga mananom gyud kay naa pud tay responsibility nga maka contribute ta sa atong pagkaon especially these times na pandemic. Kay dili lang ang farmers ang nay moral obligation when it comes to food security kung dili apil napud ang publiko. Kung naa ta sa urban areas, yes limited ang spaces pero pwede ra gihapon kita makapananom using containers,” kini saysay ni Ana Luz Mislos ang Urban Farming Focal Person sa DA7. (RGC/PIA7)
Press Secretary nga maoy nagdumala sa kasayuran ug pagpadagan sa komunikasyon sa Buhatan sa Presidente o Office of the President (OP). Ug pinaagi sa Executive Order No 4, series of 2010, gimugna ang PCOO ug giorganisa ang mga ahensya nga nauban niini. Niadtong 2020, pinaagi sa Executive Order No 111, gipahibalik ang Office of the Presidential Spokesperson samtang hingpit nang gipapas ang Presidental Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. Kini ang nakita sa bag-ong Administrasyon nga kinahanglan hipnoon ug tipo-tipuon ang mga communications arms sa Administratsiyon alang sa mas dali ug epektibong paghan-ay sa mga polisiya nga pang publiko ngadto sa katawhan, butang nga anaa usab sa mga gahum sa Presidente. Tungod niini, matud sa Presidente, ang PCOO kaniadto, gibungkag na og mahimo na nga Office of the Press Secretary, nga pangulohan sa Press Secretary. Dala na usab niini, naa na sa ilawom sa OPS ang Apo Production Unit, Bureau of Broadcast services, Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, National Printing Office, News and
Information Bureau ug ang Peoples Television Network Inc. Ang Radio TV Malacanang, direkta nga nga ubos sa Office of the President (OP) samtang ang Philippine Information Agency, ubos na sa direktang superbisyon sa OP. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
PCOO hinganlan na’g OPS; PIA palig-onon ubos sa OP
By Rey Anthony Chiu
Wala nay Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) ug ang iyang nasukip nga mga ahensya. Kini human gireorganisa ug gihinganlan og lain ang nasampit nga buhatan ug gibalik na ngadto sa Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). Gani, bisan ang Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, papas na usab. Apan bisan pa, padayun pa gihapon ang paslisiya sa Administrasyon ni Presidente Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sa pag-amoma sa mga katawhang nasayud ug nalamdagan, napanalipdan ug naduso ang labing taas nga batakan sa pagpahayag sa ilang hunahuna ug pagtamud sa kagawasan sa prensa. Polisiya pa gihapon sa Administrasyon ang paghatag sa matuod, tumbok, gikinahanglan ug magamit nga kasayuran pinaagi sa epektibo nga paggamit sa mga himan ug kagamitan sa komunikasyon nga iyaha sa kagamhanan, saysay sa Executive Order No. 2, series of 2022. Matud pa sa nasampit nga EO, pinaagi sa Memorandum No. 32 series of 1986, namugna ang Office of the
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.
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