Negros Oriental economy remains strong amid global economic recession
by Rachelle M. Nessia
This was noted by Msgr. Merlin Logronio, president of the Negros Oriental Network of NGOs (non-government organizations) in a recent press conference as he pointed out that there are now more developments mushrooming in the province compared to the past.
“We can see more infrastructures and I can see changes and improvements even in the services in the province,” said Msgr. Logronio.
Bert Aquino, Negornet Board Member, speaking in the same forum, explained that the global financial crisis has mostly affected economies that are export-led or import-dependent. “In Negros Oriental, you seldom see industries that are dependent on importation. Duna’y ginagmay pero dili kayo,” he said.
Aquino said that the province’s economy is very local and is anchored heavily on agricultural, establishments and the local government which is the biggest employer in the province.
Despite the province being seemingly impervious to the global financial crisis, there is still more that needs to be done, said Msgr. Logronio. “We still have a tremendous lack of resources. For example, I believe there are many schools being put up pero dili ra gyud ta kaapas,” he explained.
In terms of employment or lack of it, he urged Negrenses to be resourceful and invent for themselves what they can do and be positive about it.
“Our population is growing rapidly that no good government can really keep up with it,” he lamented.
He stressed that the government has been responsive and trying their best and “we give them credit for that but they cannot do everything.”
He said that it is now up to the private sector to respond midway and organize themselves to respond to the global demands and changes affecting everyone. “I see so many opportunities for the local sector to continue improving our situation,” he explained.
This was echoed by Aquino, who added that this is now the challenge of the local government officials – how to further strengthen the local economy “so we won’t be vulnerable with whatever happens to the global economy.”
Said press conference was held to announce Negornet’s 17th anniversary and its 6th Annual NegOr NGO & PO (people’s organizations) Week from August 3 to 8.
Negornet is composed of 25 NGOs and POs and was formed to serve as a mechanism in consolidating the NGOs and POs along local development and in facilitating meaningful participation in local governance.
Reports of higher government spending and continued resiliency of remittances are among the things that would prop-up the Philippine economy in the second quarter of this year.
Philippine Equity Partners Inc. (PEP) analyst Jojo Gonzales considers the 0.4 percent output of the domestic economy in the first quarter this year as the “worst quarter in terms of growth.”
“Increased government spending, sustained bank lending, the bottoming out of trade, stable remittance flows, all suggest mildly better growth in (the) second quarter,” he said. (PIA/RMN)
Opening of new call center seen to boost Negros Oriental economy
by Rachelle M. Nessia
Sy said that new businesses such as call centers are a big boost to local businesses. “Dako ug katabang ni sila sa atong negosyo because these are employment-generating companies. They will hire workers, and this will increase the buying power of local consumers,” he said in an interview.
ePLDT Ventus, the newest call center soon to open in Dumaguete City, has earlier announced that they are eyeing to hire 500 workers initially with plans to increase its workforce to up to 10,000 when it expands its customer base to include foreign companies.
Sy also expects an increase in sales in the province with the opening of Robinson’s Department Store which is expected to open its doors before the year-end.
He however reminded businessmen to always issue receipts. “I always campaign with businessmen that the government needs money from the taxes we pay. If we don’t help them, what incentives can they give back to the people?” he stressed.
Meanwhile, local government officials and business leaders from Mindanao have hailed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the successful implementation of her State-of-the- Nation Address (SONA) projects in the region.
Reports reaching Malacañang said Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente Lao lauded the present administration for an impressive performance, especially on putting in place various infrastructure facilities in Mindanao.
“President Arroyo’s SONA infrastructure program is impressive. It is only during this administration that we’ve seen a very focused, one-track mind leadership in connecting areas in Mindanao,” Lao said in a statement. (PIA/RMN)
Kalibo slates 2009 Ati-atihan Products Showcase
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena, Aklan’s unique indigenous fibers such as abaca, pina, and raffia cloths and crafts, gifts and house wares, furnishings as well as the newly developed products and labeling designs on processed food will be showcased in the yearly activity.
Started since 1989, the yearly activity is one of the attractions of the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival.
The product showcase is organized and coordinated by the Municipal Government of Kalibo, through the Kalibo Ati-atihan Management Board, the Provincial Government of Aklan, Department of Trade and Industry, and Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. (DTI/PIA)
Regional Cave Committee classifies caves in Region 8
This was disclosed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Regidor M. De Leon who said that the purpose of the classification of each cave in the Region is to ascertain its ecological, archeological, historical, cultural and socio-economic values.
Other reasons are to determine its appropriate sustainable use; and to determine the appropriate strategies for conservation and use of the caves.
Like Palawan and other provinces in the country, Region 8 boasts of over a hundred beautiful and pristine caves. Some of these caves are already popular ecotourism destinations while some caves maybe subjected to some activities like guano extraction, bio prospecting or even treasure hunting, RED De Leon.
“While we promote the caves for ecotourism, we should also look at the other appropriate and sustainable use and management of the other caves in the region. Cave assessment and classification activity is necessary to determine appropriate sustainable use and conservation of caves, with due consideration to biodiversity, archeological, historical and socio-economic values,” RED De Leon stressed.
RED De Leon informed that the Regional Cave Committee was created in October 2008 pursuant to RA 9072. It is composed of the Regional Technical Director of the DENR’s Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service as Chairman, with the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau as Co-Chairman.
The members are the representatives of the local government units where the caves are located; Department of Tourism; Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Education; National Museum; National Historical Institute; the DENR; the Philippine National Police and a non-government organization which in the case of Region 8, is Bukid Outdoor Club.
R.A. 9072 defines caves as natural subterranean runway void or chamber or, series of chambers commonly produced by solution activity in limestone or dolomite formations. Underground openings in volcanic areas caused by lava flows are also classified as caves. In sedimentary rock areas, natural tunnels produced by pounding and washing away of waves in coastal areas or enlarged cracks brought by movements in rock masses are categorized as caves.
The RCC formed a special team, for an efficient classification activity, for carrying out the procedures in cave identification and assessment, Ms. Purificacion Daloos, the DENR Information Officer said.
The findings of the special team shall be reviewed by the RCC in determining the proper classes of caves. Class I includes caves with delicate and fragile geological and paleontological values and extremely hazardous conditions. Allowable use or activity for this class includes mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.
Class II includes areas or portions which have sections that are under hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, biological, archeological, cultural values.
Class III includes generally safe to inexperienced visitor. This cave has no known threatened species, archeological, geological, natural historical and cultural values. This cave may also be utilized for economic purposes.
The Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service conducted rapid assessment of the Candonicot Cave in Isabel, Leyte; RM Tan Cave in Ormoc City; Mag-aso Cave in Palompon, Leyte and the Cathedral Cave in Hindang, Leyte.
Meanwhile, a detailed assessment was made on the Gahoy Cave in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Management Plan is being made for the Mag-aso Cave in Palompon, Leyte. Classification of these caves will be determined by the RCC. (PIA 8/DENR 
DOST building, S&T library in Siquijor to operate soon
by Rizalie Anding Calibo
With a project cost of P2 million, construction of the DOST building was started in June this year and is expected to finish in the middle part of October also this year, says Provincial Director Engr. Mario E. de la Peña of the DOST here.
De la Peña said he is very thankful to the local government of Siquijor for the support and the donation of a 150-sq.m. lot for the building.
He said the LGU-Siquijor has been very supportive in its effort to give better services to the people. Aside from the donation of lot, the provincial director said, Siquijor LGU is also one of the DOST’s strong partner in the development of Science and Technology (S & T) in the region through implementation of various S&T programs.
Recently, he said, the DOST approved the establishment of a public library in the town to cater to the information needs of its constituents, especially students.
Entitled “Science and Technology Support to the Establishment of Public Library Services,” the project has a total cost of some P444,115; P200, 000 of which will be funded out of the DOST’s grant-in-aid (GIA) and P244, 115 as the LGU counterpart, de la Peña said.
A memorandum of agreement was signed earlier by the DOST and the LGU-Siquijor jointly “pledging to extend their full cooperation for the effective and efficient implementation of a project to diffuse scientific and technical knowledge through the library system.”
Both projects are part of the government initiatives to pump-prime the economy which are also attributed to the tough economic reforms instituted by the Arroyo administration several years ago.
Among the notable economic reforms implemented by President Arroyo include the expanded value added tax (EVAT) law which increased the amount of VAT from 10 to 12 percent. It has been heralded as the single biggest act that led to the surge in revenue collection.
The national attrition law which pushed revenue collecting agencies to work double time to reach revenue targets or face consequences and the tobacco excise tax according to her, have also greatly contributed to the record breaking tax collections recorded by the government.
The EVAT and the National Attrition Law were both enacted by President Arroyo in 2005 while the tobacco excise tax under Republic Act No. 7171 was implemented in 1992.
The President said that aside from shielding the country from the adverse effects of the global meltdown, the economic reforms have also propped up the image of the Philippines as a very viable investment site.
“These (economic reforms) have created a firewall that eases the pressures of the global economic crisis and also, they position us well to have a good environment for more investments and business in the Philippines,” the President said.
She noted, however, that the Philippine economy has had it share of downtime too.
“Of course there are challenges. While our growth has been positive, it’s been slower,” the President said.
To address this, the President pointed out that the country has embarked on a “spending spree” on vital human and physical infrastructures.
“So, we are working tirelessly to secure our food, fuel and rice needs. We are investing in energy and rice self-sufficiency. We’re investing in education. We are investing in human and physical infrastructure and this will also position and accelerate growth when the world economy rebounds,” the President said. (PIA)
Success of 2010 election depends on people’s active participation and vigilance, says Comelec
by PS Mabaquiao
San Jose, Antique (6 August) — “The success of 2010 automated election don’t lie on the hands of the Commission on Election (Comelec) alone but also to people’s active participation and vigilance,” said Atty. Dennis Ausan, Regional Election Supervisor, COMELEC Region 6 during the Multi-Sectoral Symposium held at San Jose, Antique on Monday.
Automated election, Ausan emphasized, will ensure accuracy of results and on-time transmission however, there are portion in the election process that needs active participation and vigilance of the people especially during campaign period.
Director Ausan discussed the mechanics of 2010 automated election based on COMELEC Resolution 8646 set the deadline of Registration of new voters on October 31, 2009 thus, COMELEC is encouraging first time voters to register early to avoid the rush beating the deadline.
To provide COMELEC and the winning bidder Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) enough time to print the name of the candidates in the official ballots, the filing of certificate of candidacies for local and national posts is on November 20-30, 2009.
Campaign period for national election will start on February 9 until May 8, 2010 except for Holy Thursday and Good Friday while for local election campaign period will start on March 26 next year and ends on midnight of May 8.
On May 10, 2010, Election Day, voting time will start at 7:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening, then transmission of result to municipal, provincial and national centers will immediately follow.
Smartmatic-TIM according to Ausan has signed a P7.2 billion contract with COMELEC for automated election in 2010. The said company will provide more than 80 thousand voting machines to be used in more than 80,000 polling precincts in the country.
In the same forum, Fr. Edionne Febrero, Director, Antique Social Action Center emphasized in his opening statement that election is everybody’s concern and the very essence of democracy, thus everybody has the right to speak and be heard and at the same time the responsibility to ensure that the election is honest orderly and peaceful.
The symposium was conducted in coordination with Social Action Center of the Diocese of San Jose de Antique which gave orientation to more than hundreds of election stakeholders in the province. (PIA)
Goat production project up in Eastern Samar villages
By Alice Nicart
Borongan, Eastern Samar (6 August) — In his eagerness to uplift the living condition of the poorest of the poor amongst his constituents and likewise dovetail President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s agenda, Governor Ben P. Evardone has recently released some P400,000.00 for goat production.
In an interview with veterinarian Imelda Ylanan, it was gathered that some 110 goats, four of which are bucks are expected to be delivered soon by the winning bidder from Catarman, Northern Samar.
Ylanan said, 50 does will be released to the 50 farmer-graduates of the “School on the Air Program” which is aired over Radyo ng Bayan DYES on early morning programs, 20 will be divided to three barangays, one each from Salcedo, Matarinao and Sulat towns and 20 to San Vicente, Sulat and another 20 to San Julian.
“The four bucks however, while they are not yet reproductively matured will be held by the breeding center of their office, the Provincial Veterinarian’s, until they are ripe for mating,” Imelda said. “When they are ready to reproduce, they can be borrowed by the farmers and let them board with their female goats for a month time,” she added.
In a separate interview, Gov. Evardone said that, he is highly expectant that the farmer-beneficiaries will give value to this another government investment.
“It is actually a form of loan, which the beneficiaries will pay back not in cash but in kind,” he said. “I believe it will not be a burden to them, because for only one production of a goat, the beneficiaries will be paid up already because they will be giving back one goat in payment for their loan. But otherwise, they will have to pay their loaned doe in cash,” Gov. Evardone cautioned the farmers.
He warned the farmers though, that goats are susceptible to pneumonia as they are sensitive to wet surroundings which means that the beneficiaries should not go sloppy in caring for their goats.
“What we intend is augment the farmers’ income, and we hope that the beneficiaries will do their part,” Evardone concluded.
It was learned from VetMed Ylanan that a goat today costs as much as P2,800.00 and it only takes about five months for a doe to lay his offspring. (PIA-Eastern Samar)
Maasin readies requests for submission during PGMA visit
by Bong Pedalino
Maasin City (August 6) — In spite of the busy schedules and preparations for the two celebrations here this month — charter day and fiesta — city officials still have time set to welcome President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday, August 9, for her much-awaited presidential visit.
As of today, there was no definite itinerary yet, but the purpose of Ms. Arroyo’s arrival was the inauguration of the new wet market and groundbreaking of a dry market that can house a mall, probably Gaisano or any other interested locators.
In his radio program the other day, City Mayor Maloney Samaco said he had called to a meeting all city department heads to refresh their readiness and familiarity with the tasks assigned them.
The city local government unit (LGU) itself has been ready, and preparations were in high-gear, including allowance for last-minute alterations, which were common for presidential visits, it was learned.
Samaco said that once the President will be around, at least five requests for fund assistance will be personally submitted to her.
Among these are financial support for the upcoming construction of the new dry market section, request for the delivery or release of the P 500.00 “Katas ng VAT” funds for senior citizens in the city, a request for completion of the alternate seaport at barangay Guadalupe, request for additional runway and terminal building for the Panan-awan airport, and more “Tulay ng Pangulo” bridges.
Samaco said the Guadalupe seaport and the improvement of the Panan-awan airport were part of the super-regions program, a pet project of the President.
At least two Cebu-bound ferries have signified interest to ply the Maasin-Cebu route once the Guadalupe port shall have been operational, and an airline company was also eyeing the Panan-awan airport for inclusion to its flying routes once the needed amenities are in order, Samaco disclosed.
President Arroyo’s last visit in the city was in the year 2005, during the inauguration of the terminal building. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
Spanish NGO gives funds for Pontevedra ambulance
Bacolod City (4 August) — A check for 13,456 euros, or P920,121, for the purchase of an ambulance for Pontevedra town in Negros Occ. was turned over by Marami Pro Asia (MPA), in international non-government organization, recently.
The NGO, based in Valencia, Spain, has been conducting medical missions in Pontevedra in the last few years, in cooperation with Kusang Loob Foundation, a private foundation handling the charities of Gretchen Cojuangco.
Sec. Santi Tapia of the MPA presented the check to Pontevedra Mayor Jomar Alonso and Mun. health Officer Dr. Johnson Zuluaga, Jackie Yusay, represented Gretchen Cojuangco at the turnover.
The Spanish organization composed of doctors and students, is presently conducting a medical mission in Pontevedra, supported by Para el Desarollo and Ajuntament se Valencia. (PIA/cad)
Feature: So many things to see and learn at DOST 5th Visayas Cluster S&T Fair
Tacloban City (August 4) — There are so many things to see and learn at the 5th Visayas Cluster Science and Technology Fair which is now ongoing until August 7, at the People’s Center and Library in Tacloban City.
This was learned from DOST 8 Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla at the most recent Harampang Ha PIA.
The Fair shows the products of the SME producers who were assisted by and which are using the technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology.
Aside from the product booths, the organizers, DOST Regions 6, 7 and 8 have lined up other activities which will be beneficial to young and old alike.
Among these activities, is the S&T Career Orientation on August 4 which presented the various careers in Science and Technology.
On August 5, a technical session on Renewable Energy and S&T Roadmap for the Energy Sector, will be conducted at the Eastern Visayas State University from 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 12:00 o’clock noontime.
Another technical session on Gifts and Holiday Decors Sector and Furniture Sector will be conducted at EVSU from 1:00 o’clock to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon.
A technical session on Solid Waste Management and DOST SET-UP Program will be conducted at EVSU in the morning of August 6 while in the afternoon of the same day, Climate Change will be the issue of the technical session in the afternoon.
Day Five of the S&T Fair will see the conduct of the technical session on Food Safety and S&T Roadmap for Food Sector.
In the afternoon of the fifth day, Coconut Sugar Production Technology will be presented for people who wish to engage in this more lucrative and less capital business undertaking.
Director Esperancilla called on the public to avail of these services which shows what DOST has been doing to improve the technological capability of the small and medium enterprises.
Available to the visitors from Central and Western Visayas, is a Nature Trip to Sohoton Cave. (PIA
