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Siquijodnons told to be vigilant vs dengue SIQUIJOR, Aug. 30 (PIA) -Dengue cases in Siquijor province have not reached an alarming level but people should remain vigilant. This was emphasized by Integrated Provincial Health Officer (IPHO) Dr. Josephine Bucol in an interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here. Bucol said there is not a big number of dengue cases in the province compared to last year and “we pray that
it will never reach an alarming level.” Bucol advised parents to immediately report to the hospital any suspected cases of dengue, but clarified that it is also the right of the parents to choose the best hospitals for their children. “Although we are trained on the management of dengue, but in cases when the platelet is already lowered to less than 100, we cannot stop them from being alarmed and seek hospitals with better services and facilties. It is their choice,”
A fire officer of the Maria Fire Station cleaning a used tire to keep it from being a possiblle breeding ground for dengue-causing mosquitoes. (rac/ PIA7-Siquijor w/ Zylbeth Cortes photo/BFP)
Bucol said as she admitted that Siquijor provincial hospital is under level one facility with only 15 doctors to cater to the population of around 94,000. Following the national dengue alert warning raised by the Department of Health (DOH), the IPHO together with the rural health units (RHUs) in the six municipalities have intensified its call to all the provincial, municipal, and barangay leaders and the public to support the cleanup drive. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged local officials down to the barangay level “to raise awareness among the public, and more importantly in communities where signs of early dengue increases are evident.” A clean-up drive is conducted in the province every Friday starting Aug. 23, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in line with the implementation of the Search and Destroy Mosquitoes’ Breeding Places or the “Sabayang 4 O’clock Habit para DengGet Out”. Massive search and destroy is conducted in all breeding sites. As reported earlier, DOH records show 106,630 dengue cases, including 456 deaths, throughout the country from Jan. 1 to June 29. This is 85 percent higher than the 57,564 cases reported during the same period in 2018. DOH has called on LGUs and the public for their support to ensure that discarded materials, especially those that can hold water, are properly disposed of to prevent the disease from becoming an outbreak. Zero Waste, an advocacy group, stated: “Reckless disposal of anything that can store water such as discarded tires, cans, bottles, plastic bags, and snack packs can serve as a breeding ground for Aedes Aegypti.” “If not kept dry and properly maintained, mosquitoes can also breed in recyclable materials that we sort and collect at home, store at school, market, and barangay material recovery facilities, and even those we send to junk shops,” the group added. `Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes can also breed in water containers such as tanks, drums and pails without covers, flower vases, in plates under potted plants, rain gutters, and in other artificial or natural water containers, the group said. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
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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. 07| No. 31 September 6 - 13 , 2019
Siquijodnons told to ‘think big’ for tourism development
by Rizalie Anding Calibo SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- With Siquijor province fast becoming a major tourist destination in the Philippines and tourism as its main economic driver for development, it is now getting more attention and assistance from the national government. “Let us think big because Siquijor is in the map now,” says Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCII) President Judy U. Booc. Although admitting that Siquijor is small compared to the big provinces in the region that she could not help but feel like “ants facing the elephants,” Booc says that even ants can topple elephants. “Siquijor province was the first to finish the geo-information infosytem map of all the regions under the CRID or Coordinating Road Investments for Development project that led to the P3.5 billion in roads and infrastructure with 109 projects including airports, sea ports and the concreted roads now visible in the islan. It was Siquijor who made it first.” “Who would think that the little ants of the country’s homestay associations would get the ASEAN standards awards for two consecutive periods for 20162019 and 2019-2021? It was Siquijor Isla Mystica Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SCCII) Homestay Association (SIMHA), who made it to that Chairperson Judy Booc urged Siquijor to think big for tourism prestigious awards. Therefore, do not think like ants. Do not be restricted by the limitations,” says Booc, as her way development at the TEZ Investment Forum conducted recently of pushing the Siquijodnons to grab opportunities open for for Siquijor province. (PIA7-Siquijor) Siquijor while recalling and enumerating those who are interested. the province’s previous breakthroughs in among others. Any geographic area may be The event is part of TIEZA’s terms of tourism, infrastructure, and other designated as a TEZ, provided it is in developments for the province undertaken p r o g r a m t o p r o m o t e i n v e s t m e n t a contiguous and strategic location of opportunities within Tourism Enterprise in partnership with the private sector. at least five hectares with at least $5M She also said this as SCCII Zones (TEZs) and offer various fiscal and USD in investment and has historical is again partnering with the Tourism non-fiscal incentives to tourism investors and cultural significance with existing Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone around the area. TEZ aims to bring development or potential integrated leisure facilities, Authority (TIEZA) in introducing to the TIEZA explained in a press release. “It local tourism stakeholders the concept of in order to improve and sustain these is TIEZA’s goal to sustainably transform Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ), a new zones that will generate investment and and develop areas with viable tourism tourism model in the country envisioned ultimately contribute to the growth of the potential by generating more jobs, to be the instrument to help the economy Philippine economy. While Siquijor province is still encouraging more investments, and attain inclusive growth through tourism. promoting inclusive growths.” It aims to create sustainable TEZ starting to identify areas for TEZ, TIEZA- Additionally, Tourism Enterprises TEZ Regulation Department Manager and maintain ecological harmony. may be registered within TEZs, or outside TIEZA, in partnership with the Atty. Niño Ruperto F. Aquino said the local a TEZ if an existing accommodation SCCII, conducted on Sept. 11 its first government or any private institutions can establishment will be undertaking roadshow in Visayas for 2019 in the apply for TEZ if they think their area has substantial expansion or upgrade of its province at Coco Grove Resort, San Juan, the potential. “You just have to make a Siquijor that discussed TEZ incentives and development plan for us to assess,” he to page 2 offered some investment opportunities, says, noting that TIEZA is willing to assist