Sixteen-year old Adith V. Mangaron, a first-year Bachelor in Secondary Education student of Siquijor State College (SSC) of Larena, Siquijor ruled this year's edition of the Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) Siquijor Provincial Finals. She won by hairline point over the second placer also from the same school.

This year's "battle of statistical whizzes" which was held at the BIT International College, Siquijor, Siquijor on November 7, 2008 was participated by nine (9) freshmen college students in the province.

SSC-Main Campus swept the first two places of the said contest while the third place was won by a BS in Information Technology student of SSC Lazi Campus. Clinching a total of five (5) points during the final round of the two round series, Mangaron was only a point ahead over Ms. Flerry Vic D. Jumawan, also a first-year Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) student of SSC who won second place. Clinching the third place is Ms. Michelle B. Yu, a BSIT student also of SSC Lazi.

The PSQ is annual contest designed to test the knowledge of statistics among college freshmen. The National Statistics Office (NSO) along with the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) and other partner agencies from the government and private sector have been organizing the yearly contest since 1992 to promote public awareness and appreciation of statistics.

The winners received cash prizes and tokens from valued sponsors and donors as well as PSQ certificates of recognition and participation given by PSQ Regional and Provincial Steering Committee.

The top three winners will also carry the honor of representing the province to the 17th PSQ Central Visayas Regional Finals to be held on November 13, 2008 at Audio-Visual Hall of University of Cebu in Cebu City. The winner in the regional finals will represent the region to the National Finals on December where regional champion has to compete with 17 other regional champions throughout the country.

This year's Provincial PSQ Board of Judges is composed of Engr. Mario Dela Peña, Provincial Director of DOST as chairman, Mrs. Myrna Ocao, Mathematics Supervisor of DepEd-Siquijor, Mr. Fernando Jose Pescante., Municipal Civil Registrar of Siquijor, representing the Civil Registrar Association of Siquijor Province (CRASP) and Mr. Antonio Achay, OIC PASO of Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. Mr. Ritchell B. Lim, Director of BIT International Collage-Siquijor graced the activity and welcome the participants.

Source: PIA

Just as President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo reiterated her administration's determination to create more jobs throughout the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)here has released another financial grant to four more organizations of Maria and Siquijor towns.

Organization-beneficiaries are the Licoan Rural Improvement Club and Parents and Youth Association of Maria getting some P153,000 and the Luyang Fisherfolks Association (LUFA) and Pasihagon PAG-ASA Youth of Siquijor town getting P205,000.

The checks were released through Municipal Mayor Rebecca Padayhag for Maria town and SB Member Pat Cortes and PESO Manager Susan Siao for Siquijor town by DOLE-7 Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga.

Last month seven organizations from the towns of Enrique Villanueva, Larena, San Juan and Siquijor were also beneficiaries of the more than P500 thousand financial grant to finance the livelihood projects of each organization.

The grant, DOLE officials said, will pave the way for the economic upliftment of the rural folks particularly those under the informal sectors.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has said she will stir efforts towards livelihood creation and skills enhancement so that the Filipino people are given the right tools to fight poverty and feed their family.

"It is essential to create good, jobs here at home so that going abroad is a career choice, not the only option," the President said.

She said the government is firmly focused on economic reforms to break the offshore employment cycle for Filipinos "to keep working here at home."

The Chief Executive acknowledged that breaking the overseas employment cycle that has been part of the country's profile economic for several generations is a tall order but it can be done.

"It will take another 10 to 15 years to clearly break this cycle, but it is happening and I am pleased at the progress," she said.

The President said her administration is vigorously pursuing the creation of more appealing employment opportunities through the development of priority sectors.

Source: PIA

Close to 100 agricultural technicians (ATs) and farmers in Siquijor province have availed the Farmers Field School (FFS) in banana production conducted by the provincial government of Siquijor through the office of the provincial agriculturist (OPA) here.

Started last November 6, the hands-on training include actual planting of some 600 banana seedlings in the identified demo farm in barangay Catulayan, San Juan, Siquijor.

The training is strongly supported by the provincial government which shoulders most of the expenses to include fertilizers and other farm inputs. Technical assistance was provided both by the local agriculturist office and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit in region 7 (DA-RFU-7).

In the FFS Bananana, ATs and farmers will undergo 6 weeks training at Catulayan barangay hall. The farmer-trainees will be taught theories and practical application of new techniques and modern technologies of planting banana that will be conducted right at the demo farm.

Participants were divided into 6 groups, each given a 500 sq.m. demo farm to apply, organic, inorganic, cultivated or uncultivated way of farming from which they will learn which method would yield good production.

The training supports the government's effort to promote food sufficiency to ensure that we will no longer have to rely on expensive imports to meet our country's needs for important commodity.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the government is investing heavily in bringing up the productivity of our farmers.

"And it is paying off with increased productivity this year," the President said.

She said the government has taken decisive steps to attain food sufficiency by allocating massive funding for a wide range of agriculture-related projects, including irrigation, farm-to-market roads, dryers, cold storage plants, and the development of hybrid seeds.

"Now, we are investing in FIELDS so that, hopefully, we reduce our import dependency," the Chief Executive said, stressing that it is the government's commitment to make food available to all Filipinos.

The President acknowledged that the global spike in rice, food and fuel prices has placed a tremendous strain on ordinary Filipinos, but stressed that government responded to this challenge in a swift, measured and targeted manner.

Source: PIA

The province of Siquijor is set to finish the crafting of environment code (E code) in six months.

This came out as the e code framers vow to speed up crafting during the orientation on the formulation of the E code conducted recently at the La Costa Cafe, Larena, Siquijor.

In July this year, Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. is heard rushing the crafting of the province's E code to properly address some environmental challenges besetting the province particularly on the issues of allowing mining industry and "sand quarrying".

A Provincial Steering Committee for the E code Formulation has been created through an executive order signed by the governor. In such, the committee is tasked to initiate and prepare activities necessary for the formulation of the E code at the provincial and municipal levels; provide technical assistance to the local government units as necessary; and disseminate information to create awareness and encourage involvement of all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the activities.

A steering committee meeting was initially conducted with the governor urging on officials from concerned agencies and offices to work on the code. It was then followed by an orientation spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) where relevant data for the formulation of the province's E code were initially gathered.

The participants came up with several issues and concerns as well as measures to be incorporated in the formulation. "We will be conducting an environment summit later to gather more inputs and polish them in order to come up with a workable environment code," Provincial Director Dominica Lacuesta of the DILG here said.

During the orientation, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Oscar M. Magallones presented the environmental situation of the province.

He said Siquijor represents a rich diversity of biological resources yet limited economic options that is common among all small islands.

He, however cited the province's edge in eco-tourism based on its environmental and cultural characteristics and the people's way of life that calls for an environmental code to blend with the people's dream for development along with a healthy environment.

"The serenity of the province makes it ripe for perfect gateway," Magallones said while boasting of the island's highest speak, the Mount Bandilaan, colorful coral reefs, stretches of whiter sandy beaches surrounding the island and the number of beach resorts that matches in beauty with the country's best. The PENRO's statement echoes that of President Arroyo's during the meeting with the Filipino-American elected officials and community leaders at the Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A last November 11.

The President said, "the reason why we are so strong in tourism is not only because we have so many beautiful beaches, so many beautiful reefs, so many beautiful mountain vistas but also because aside from our beautiful beaches, we have the beautiful smiles of our people, and you bring those beautiful smiles here also to the Midwest United States."

But the PENRO said, "We can never protect our environment and conserve our natural resources unless we know what we still have and where they are. Our policies, plans and programs will all be guessing game unless we know where we are starting from and from there, where we want to go."

He asked everyone to cooperate as the Code is envisioned to provide a wholistic answer to environmental problems.

Under the scope of the proposed environment code is the preservation and conservation of forest resources, mineral resources, water resources, coastal resources.

It also covers integrated waste management, air and noise pollution management, and promotion of eco-tourism.

Source: PIA

Siquijor (13 November) -- The six local government units (LGUs) in Siquijor province will each launch Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers before the year ends, says Provincial Director Mario E. de la Peña, of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here.

The establishment of a FITS center in each town is done in coordination with the Provincial Government of Siquijor through the Provincial FITS Consortium, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the Central Visayas Consortium for Integrated Regional Research and Development (CVCIRRD).

The FITS consortium recently visited the six LGUs to win the support of the local chief executives and encourage them to open up their own FITS centers to give their constituents access to agricultural technologies. All six towns have pledged support to the project, de la Peña said.

He said each FITS center is established in the respective Municipal Agriculturist Office using the existing the manpower support of the office and other funding support from the LGUs. It utilizes information communication technology to achieve the Techno Pinoy Program's service-oriented goals.

A funding support is also available from CVCIRRD and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to put up and maintain the FITS centers in the LGUs, he also said.

Another benefit for FITS is a project-based funding for farmer-scientists that the local government will choose to implement farming system in their localities, de la Peña added.

FITS also aims to serve as a viable tool to facilitate faster access to information to fast track the delivery of services to clients in agriculture, forestry and natural resources.

The activation of FITS centers in all municipalities is one of the farm productivity programs supportive of President Arroyo's centerpiece food security agenda dubbed FIELDS.

Launched by President Arroyo during the DA-hosted National Food Summit last April, FIELDS stands for Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Education and extension work, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds.

Source: PIA

Siquijor (13 November) -- Local government Operation Officers (LGOOs) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here have been in full swing conducting Integrated Sangguniang Kabataan Organizational Leadership Re-Orientation Program-Basic Organization Program (ISKOLAR-BOS) to all members of Sangguniang Kabataan provincewide.

The first to be conducted was in Lazi and Siquijor towns last October 25, followed by the town of Maria on October 27, Enrique Villanueva and San Juan on October 30 and in Larena town on November 15.

The ISKOLAR-BOS training aims to provide SK officials with skills and knowledge necessary to become effective, efficient and responsive leaders.

It also seeks to transform the present political landscape by inculcating in the SK leaders the tenets of new politics, genuine public service and youth empowerment.

Topics include Barangay Governanace and Development, Meeting the Challenges of Creating and Effective Team, Righteous Leadership and the Medium Term Youth Development Plan (2005-2010) all aimed in developing an entire generation of empowered Sangguniang Kabataan leaders who would actively act as catalysts of change and development in Philippine Society.

These were all handled by the provincial and municipal LGOOs of the DILG Siquijor.

Meanwhile, Malacañang officials said the government is doing everything possible to protect the people and build up their capabilities for growth and prosperity.

In 2009 proposed national budget, the DILG gets huge allocations of P61.9 billion along with other agencies such the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Finance (DOF) and the Judiciary.

Malacañang has said that next year's outlay was "shaped by food and fuel prices, as it erects ramparts to protect the people while at the same time building up their capabilities for growth and prosperity."

The 2009 proposed budget of P1.415-trillion is about 15 percent higher than the 2008 budget of P1.227-trillion.

The President has said that the proposed budget would address the world food and fuel crises and give appropriate funding to the government's priority programs -- environment, education and economy.

Siquijor (4 November) -- Delegates from the local government units (LGUs), academe and production sectors from Siquijor province joined the series of Science and Technology (S&T) conference in Tagbilaran City recently.

There were three S&T conferences during the VST Fair conducted by the Department of Science and Technologhy (DOST) institutes and councils. One of these is Veggie-based noodle and bread technologies which intends to respond to the current problem of global rising cost of wheat flour in line with the President's effort to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis, rising food and fuel prices on the ordinary Filipino.

The conference presented the potentials of vegetables as possible partial substitutes for wheat flour including their nutritional and economic benefits. The DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) presented during the conference the commercializable technologies on veggie-based noodle and bread. In addition, a technology clinic was conducted to provide an opportunity for potential technology adoptors to have a one-on-one discussion with the FNRI experts. It was well attended by participants from region 7 to include the five participants from the Siquijor province (1-LGU Larena, 2-TESDA-LNAS and Dr. Baldomero Martinez and Mr. Estrellado of SSC).

S&T Conference on Energy Management, conservation and audit measures was also conducted. This conference hopes to address the current global crisis on energy that the industrial sector is facing through presenting measures on energy management and conservation. The first component of the conference provided an overview of the Philippine National Program on Energy Management and conservations. The second component presented the energy auditing as tool for energy management and conservation. This activity was attended mostly by LGU's and firms from the SME's in the region. The three participants from the province were LGU Maria, Dr. Baldomero Martinez and Mr. Estrellado of SSC.

Another S&T conference on solid waste management was conducted which aimed to promote cleaner production technologies to address problems on solid waste management. The bulk of the participants came from the LGU's, academe, production sectors (both food and non-food). Hon. Richard C. Quezon of LGU Siquijor himself attended this seminar. He was praised by the speakers from Manila because of his interest in attending this very important S&T conference in order to fully implement and support the national program on ecological solid waste management as presented by RA 9003. Other participants from the province were Mrs. Quirante of TESDA-LNAS, Mr. Estrellado and Dr. Baldomero Martinez of SSC.

Source: PIA

Siquijor (4 November) -- Local products from this province were displayed again at the 4th Visayas Science and Technology (BST) Fair in Tagbilaran City at the Island City Mall that highlights the DOST 50th Anniversary Celebration. The fair is anchored on the theme: "Making Science Work For You".

The exhibits during the Fair present the latest Science and Technology (S&T) trends, developments, breakthroughs, products and services from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) institutes, councils and regional offices.

An array of affordable and distinctive products ranging from food to furniture were exhibited and can be purchased from private enterprises who are recipients of the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The products from Siquijor are Renie's and Ever's peanut products, Duran's banana crackers and small furniture products of CJP Furniture Shop.

The very first S&T Fair in the Visayas, organized by DOST 6, 7 and 8, was held in Bacolod City in 1997. The 2nd and 3rd VST Fair were conducted in Cebu in 2000 and in Ormoc City in 2002, respectively. This time, Tagbilaran City played host to the 4th VST Fair held at Island City Mall from October 22-26, 2008.

Through the years, the fair has been a stellar avenue for generating investment opportunities in the Visayas as well as forging closer ties among the neighboring regions.

The S&T Fair is one major highlight in the annual S & T week celebration. It brings DOST agencies and assisted companies, investors, NGOs, scientists, researchers, government agencies, educational institutions and community organizations in one concerted effort to promote S&T and to highlight its contribution to national development.

The S&T Fair officially took off as a strategy to accelerate the transfer and the commercialization of innovative technologies. As such, it provided the venue for the exchange of information on the investment potential of promising technologies while also featuring Filipino artistry, skill and ingenuity at their best.

To further boost business enterprises President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law today the Credit Information System (CIS) or Republic Act (RA) 9510 that broadens the credit access of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs and at the same time reduce the risk of defaults, thus creating a healthier and more transparent financial system.

In her statement before the enactment of RA 9510, the President described the Credit Information System Law (CISL) as a "very welcome addition to the legislation to strengthen our financial system by improving its regulatory environment."

Source: PIA

Province of Siquijor (24 October) -- Here's a good news for the Siquijor taxpayers.

With less hassles and headaches, we can now transact business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) at the New Provincial Capitol, Siquijor, Siquijor.

This means we will no longer have to feel the difficulty of going to and from Dumaguete to get in touch with the BIR, assures BIR Regional Director Rodita B. Galanto in a forum at the Provincial Session Hall following the launching/opening of its satellite office Thursday at the Provincial Session Hall, Siquijor, Siquijor.

The office, now housed at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol, formerly the SIRMAP office, will serve as logistics to reach out to all areas of revenue collection in line with President Arroyo's campaign to help the national government achieve its goal of keeping the country financially strong.

Although not insulated from the world economic slowdown and the financial meltdown in the US, the President, have projected the Philippines as in a better position to respond to such external pressures due to its strong macroeconomic policies which President Arroyo launched two years ago.

These policies include the implementation of tax reforms that resulted in bigger revenue collections that were subsequently invested to infrastructures, better education, health and other social services to strengthen the country's competitiveness.

Galanto said that the establishment of the satellite office in Siquijor is necessary for future economic growth adding that with the province's tourism potential, "economy will be at its best, businesses are expected to boom and so increase in collection follows," she said.

"We hope that the office will open the door for more possibilities that may generate the must needed revenues," Galanto said citing that 80% of the national budget comes from the revenues that the BIR collects.

Galanto stressed that the taxes paid by the people will return to them a "hundredfold" in the form of programs and services.

The BIR director thanked the governor for responding to the needs and hope that with the support, the agency will soar higher in pursuing President Arroyo's thrusts of keeping the country afloat and capable of meeting its financial obligations and sustaining development through tough revenue collection.

Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua, too, is pledging support saying that it has been his advocacy that a BIR office be established in Siquijor to ease their burden of paying taxes. "It is already hard to pay taxes…harder still if we have to cross oceans to go through the process of paying them," he said.

He also expressed optimism that the province, no matter how small, can contribute to the government's tax collection campaign.

Galanto lauded the governor's move as very timely with the BIR's computerization program where everyone can have access to the database from the national office, update their records and eventually increase our revenue collection."

The provincial government provides logistics support to assure fast and efficient operation of the office. It will cater to the needs of the taxpayers like processing of business permits, registration and other revenue related transactions.

He said the provincial government is doing everything it can to make it easier for the taxpayers being the "builders and the real power behind the survival and growth of the nation."

"Tax is the lifeblood of any government. Out of it we can derive our own existence," he said.

Source: PIA

Province of Siquijor (23 October) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here released Tuesday a total of P580,789 in livelihood grants to seven associations under the informal sectors in Siquijor province.

The checks, released through the four Accredited Co-Partners (ACPs), forms part of the DOLE's program that seeks to provide financial and technical assistance to livelihood organizations to improve the income of the members which would redound to their family's development.

A check amounting to P248,000 was released to Larena LGU for the four associations namely Candle Makers Association of Ponong and Candigum, P29 T each, Basac Women's Association, P100 T for its squash pancit canton project, and Cang-Allas Women's Association, P90 T for its Banana Catsup project.

Another check of P182,789 was released through the the Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG) Multi-Purpose Cooperative, P162,789 of which is for packaging of additional milk products and P20 T for the handmade paper production of the Timabon, Catulayan, Cangmaonag Association of Differently-Abled Persons (TICCADAP).

The Siquijor Women's Association for A Better Environment (SWABE) also got a share of P50T for the packaging of its Siquijor Mystique Tea product while the Matinabangon Women's Association through ACP - Santa Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative (SBKCC) got P100T for the enhancement of catering/restaurant services.

The turnover of checks was done by DOLE-Siquijor Provincial Officer Tess Tanquiamco with partner from DOLE Dumaguete, Vivencio Lagahid. It was made following the Orientation on Rationalized DOLE Livelihood Programs to Assisted ACPs at the Guiwanon Spring Park Resort, Luyang, Siquijor, Siquijor with the presence Municipal Mayors Richard Quezon of Siquijor town, Gold Calibo of Larena, Rebecca Padayhag of Maria, Edwin Quimno of San Juan, and Ellery Clint Orquillas of Enrique Villanueva.

The municipal mayors expressed elation for the assistance as they asked the beneficiaries to use the amount to really improve their project.

Mayor Quezon, in his message said he is very thankful of the project and other government interventions that hopefully turn people to be self-reliant.

The DOLE's projects, centered mostly on livelihood enhancement are geared towards empowering those in the informal sector by providing them gainful employment.

Lagahid also said the department has created the Unlad Kabuhayan Program Laban sa Kahirapan or DOLE Worktrep Program to support the Macapagal-Arroyo Administration's thrust of alleviating poverty through micro-entrepreneurial activity. He said the program is intended to bring about improved income and socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal sector through viable and sustainable businesses or micro-enterprises.

Workers employed in the informal economy includes those from the urban poor, youths, differently-abled persons, indigenous people, and displaced workers, among others.

Source: PIA