iSIQUIJOR Vol. 09 #09 03/17/21

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

#EmpoweringCommunities

Vaccines arrive in Siquijor; Vice Guv hails new heroes from page 1

after the shot.

“Actually, I am asthmatic. Naa ko’y allergy sa food pero wala ra ko nahadlok nga mabakunahan tungod kay mas dako ang benepisyo sa magpabakuna kaysa dili magpabakuna (I have food allergies but I was never afraid to get vaccinated because I am thinking of the greater benefits of the vaccine than having none),” Yap said.

“Gikapoy na kaayo ko nining COVID maong gusto na gyud ko nga mahuman na ni, mao na nga medicide gyud ko nga magabakuna na (I am really tired of COVID-19 and wanted to put an end to this. That’s why I really decided to get vaccinated),” she added.

Another vacinee, Ford Vincent Patay, a nursing attendant also of the provincial hospital, admitted he was at first scared and undecided but when the vaccine came, he was more excited to be vaccinated. (rac/PIA7/ Siquijor)

iiSIQUIJOR SIQUIJOR Information is our business.

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. 09| No. 09 MARCH 10 - 17, 2021

Vaccines arrive in Siquijor; Vice Guv hails new heroes

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Provincial Health Officer Jemma M. Fortich. (PIA Siquijor)

Governor Zaldy S. Villa and Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown welcoming the arrival of the first batch of Sinovac vaccine at the Larena Port, Larena, Siquijor. (rac/ PIA7-Siquijor)

Medical Officer Dr. Lorbie Yap of the Provincial Health Office was the first to be vaccinated among the 100 vaccinees of the Sinovac vaccine on March 12 at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo, Siquijor, Siquijor. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard transporting and the Department of Health (DOH) during the shipment of the the vaccines to the Siquijor Provincial Hospital storage facility. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor)

SIQUIJOR, March 15 (PIA) -Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines recently arrived in the province of Siquijor.

The first batch of 200 doses of Sinovac allocated to 100 healthcare personnel of the provincial hospital arrived on March 8 at the Larena Port, Larena, Siquijor while another batch of 520 doses equivalent to 52 vials of AstraZeneca vaccine for the Siquijor Provincial Hospital and Lazi Medicare Community Hospital arrived on March 14 at the Siquijor Port, Siquijor, Siquijor via the Philippine Coast Guard.

The first dose for the first batch of Sinovac vaccine for 100 health personnel was done on March 12 at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo, Siquijor, Siquijor.

Vice Gov. Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, in her inspirational message during the vaccination, lauded the medical frontliners whom she called as the “new heroes” in

Siquijor led by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Jemma Fortich.

She particularly hailed the courage of those who volunteered to be part of the first batch of the vaccination.

“I understand that some have fears but courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to act inspite of your fear,” she said, stressing that with their courage, they set good examples and inspiration to their colleagues and the people of Siquijor.

“Karong panahona, dili puede nga magpabilin tang magpadaug sa atong kahadlok sa (This time, we cannot afford to give in to our fears of the) COVID-19,” Brown said.

She said every frontliner has to take the lead in showing the people of Siquijor that the COVID-19 pandemic will soon end.

The vaccine may not be a cure-all or long-term solution of the pandemic but it is a weapon to cope, manage, and face the fears

and challenges that the COVID-19 brings, Brown said as she urged everyone to “move on from fear and move on to life.”

Fortich likewise thanked the vaccinees for deciding to get the vaccines and for all the support of the frontliners in handling the situation.

Some personnel who signed up for the vaccination expressed their mixed emotions, saying they are apprehensive over the possible side effects but they are generally excited and thankful that the vaccines have arrived and that they would be the first to get them.

Medical Officer Dr. Lorbie Yap of the Provincial Health Office, who was the first to receive a jab of the Sinovac vaccine, said she volunteered to be the first.

When asked how she felt after getting vaccine, she said she felt fine a few minutes

to page 4

#Empowering Communities

iSIQUIJOR

DOST-7 turns over check to Maria for women’s project

By Engr. Joelline Ann D. Ates SRA&IO-designate/DOST Siquijor PSTC

SIQUIJOR, March 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology in Region 7 (DOST-7) through the Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) turned over a check to the local government unit (LGU) for the project entitled “Science & Technology Innovation for the Cantugbas Women’s Association in Brgy. Cantugbas, Maria, Siquijor, for their Chicken Processing Project” under the Grants-In-Aid (GIA) program fund of DOST-7.

The turnover was done on Jan. 29, 2021 by DOST Siquijor Provincial Director Engr. Mario de la Peña with Mayor Meynard Asok and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager and Project Leader Roselyn Asok, at the Mayor’s Office, Maria Municipal Hall, Maria, Siquijor.

The fund is intended for the acquisition of chicken processing equipment for the direct beneficiary of the project in the municipality which is the Cantugbas Women’s Association.

Once successful, the project is expected to produce trained women in chicken processing technologies such as chorizo, longanisa, and chicharon processing.

It also introduced income-generating activities for the barangay community and provide employment to members and immediate family of the association’s members.

The DOST’s GIA program aims to harness the country’s scientific and technological capabilities to contribute to productivity improvement and quality of life of Filipinos and to spur and attain sustainable economic growth and development. (rac/PIA7-Siquijor/Engr. Joelline Ann D. Ates/SRA&IO-designate/DOST Siquijor PSTC S&T Media Service).

(L-R) PESO Manager and Project leader Sangguniang Bayan Member Roselyn Asok, Mayor Meynard Asok and DOST Siquijor Provincial S&T Director Engr.

Mario de la Peña during the turnover of check for the lvielihood project of the Cantugbas Women’s Association in Maria, Siquijor. (Photo by Lito Looc, DOST

Farm sector in Visayas to sustain growth in 2021

Agriculture in the three Visayas regions is projected to sustain their growth in 2020 for the year 2021 as the prevailing pandemic drives demand for farm products.

The regional heads of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shared an optimistic view on the prospects for the agriculture sector this year.

Engr. Remelyn Recoter, regional executive director of DA in Region 6, noted that agriculture was one of the performing industries in the region last year.

Recoter cited as example the 8.7 percent increase in palay production in 2020, when compared to that of 2019.

“We want to sustain our gains that we have posted in 2020,” she said during the Mugstoria Ta, an online conversation hosted

by Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

Crucial to the sector’s sustained growth is the funding support from the national government to Filipino farmers and fisherfolk, Recoter said.

The DA official also pointed out the need to ”reboot” the sector to adapt to the changing times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the strict community quarantines last year, one of crucial measures done in the sector was to link agriculture producers to the consumers.

The DA’s “Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita” program has helped bring farm produce to the consuming public.

At the height of the lockdowns last year, demand for farm products skyrocketed as more people are forced to stay home and cook their own food.

Atty. Salvador Diputado, regional executive director of DA in Region 7,

attributed the sector’s growth to the increased involvement of local government units (LGUs) in agriculture-related initiatives.

“Last year, we have provided farm inputs and equipment to our farmers. Our convergence with the LGUs is important in identifying the needs of the farmers in the different localities,” he said.

Angel Enriquez, regional executive director of DA in Region 8, said the government’s increased investment in the agriculture sector has contributed to its growth performance.

The rice and corn production in Region 8 reached 96 percent and 94 percent, respectively, of the target set for the year 2020.

Moving forward, Enriquez expressed hope that they will be able to launch more high-value commodities from Eastern Visayas known for their good quality like jackfruit.

“We have high-value commodities that we want to be renowned just like the mango of Cebu. In Eastern Visayas, we have good varieties of abaca and coconut,” she said. (PR)

iSIQUIJOR GOVERNMENTNEWS

infobits

Provincial Governor Zaldy S. Villa, in consultation with the Provincial Task Force COVID-19 on March 3, announced his intention to open Siquijor Tourism on March 8 while setting in place local health protocols and travel guidelines in accordance with the National Interagency Task Force (IATF-MEID) Resolution No. 101 dated February 26 that approves the uniform travel protocols for land, air, and sea.

-------ooo-------ooo------Siquijor Gov. Zaldy Villa said he is committed to bring economic recovery and safety of the people and asked the support and cooperation of the stakeholders.

-------ooo-------ooo------Another meeting is set with the Tourism Office and selected members of the Provincial IATF COVID-19 to compose the Port Management Group who will look into the guidelines and standards for the reopening of Siquijor tourism scheduled on March 8.

-------ooo-------ooo------Some 200 doses of Sinovac vaccine arrive today at the Larena Port, Larena, Siquijor. The initial supplies are allocated to some 100 healthcare personnel in the province.

-------ooo-------ooo------Provincial Health Officer Dr. Jemma M. Fortich said vaccination will be done on March 12, Friday, at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo, Siquijor, (Siquijor.

-------ooo-------ooo------Governor Zaldy S. Villa signed and issued Executive Order No. 2021ZSV-016, Series of 2021: “An Order Easing the Travel Restrictions for Persons Travelling to the Province of Siquijor in accordance to Resolution No. 101, Series of 2021 of National IATF-MEID and Prescribing Strict Implementation of Measures against COVID-19.”

-------ooo-------ooo------In line with the observance of Rabies Awareness Month in March, the Provincial Veterinary, PIA-Siquijor and Beach Watch Siquijor, in cooperation with the barangay LGUs conducted an information campaign/orientation on responsible pet ownership dubbed, “Binuhi Mo, Ampingan Mo” to the barangay officials of Maite, San Juan, Siquijor as the pilot barangay of the project.

-------ooo-------ooo------First dose vaccination of the first batch of sinovac vaccine to some 100 health personnel is made today, March 12, at the Dugokanan sa Kapitolyo, Siquijor, Siquijor.

CEBUANO NEWS

Pagpabakuna, moral obligation sa Pinoy – Galvez

PIA -- “Ito po ay moral obligation ng lahat ng mga tao.”

Subling gi-awhag ni Vaccine Czar Kaihim Carlito Galvez Jr. ang tanan nga magpabakuna aron mahimong luwas ang tanan batok sa COVID-19. (PIA)

Mao kini ang tratar ni National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementer ug vaccine czar Kalihim Carlito Galvez Jr., nga mensahe na usab niya sa publiko dungan sa pagsugod sa vaccination program sa gobyerno niadtong Lunes, Marso 1, taliwala sa ubos nga kumpyansa kalabot sa Sinovac vaccine sa China.

“Hindi tayo pupunta sa new normal, hindi makaka-recover ang ating economy, hindi natin maibabalik ang ating dating normal na buhay, kung hindi tayo magpakuna. Ito po ay moral obligation ng lahat ng tao,” matud pa ni Galvez atol sa gipahigayong press briefing sa vaccination roll out sa gobyerno.

Niadtong Lunes gipahigayon ang makasaysayanong unang legal nga pagbakuna sa nasod diin unang nabakunahan si Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gap Legaspi, nga gisundan sa ubang mga doktor ug health workers sa nagkalain-laing ospital sa kaulohan.

“Huwag nating hintayin iyong tinatawag na is the best vaccine. There is no such thing as best vaccine Island of Siquijor’s first electronic dahil ang pinaka-best vaccine iyong effective at newsletter produced by the Philippine efficient na dumarating ng mas maaga,” pang-awhag Information Agency-Siquijor pa sa kalihim ngadto sa publiko.

Bisan ang kalihim nagpabakuna na usab Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology diin ang bakuna nga gigamit apil sa 600,000 dose nga donasyon gikan sa China.

Center.

Giseguro usab ni Galvez ang pag-abot sa usa ka milyong dosage sa Sinovac vaccine sa nasod It contains snippets of information karong buwan sa Marso, lakip na usab ang 3.5 about Siquijor, Central Visayas and milyong COVID-19 shots sa AstraZeneca gikan sa the Philippine Government.

COVAX facility.

Sa kinatibuk-an, may 5.1 milyong doses sa katapusan sa Marso, pagsiguro pa sa kalihim.

THERE IS GOOD NEWS EVERYDAY.

Nagpabilin ang medical frontliners ang prayoridad sa pagbakuna apan kun may mobalibad niini, dili pugson.

Maadto ang gigahin nga bakuna kanila /Pia Siquijor ngadto sa secondary list sama sa mga essential government workers nga barangay emergency /PIA Siquijor response teams, ug “influencers” sama sa mga mayor aron mapasaka ang kumpyansa sa publiko, matud pa @PiaSiquijor ni Galvez. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

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