iSIQUIJOR
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The three-year S&T Community-based Program for Inclusive Development (STC4iD) project of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) with the Bitaug Small Coconut Farmers Association (BISMACOFA) in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, came to an end last December of 2021. (RAC) -------ooo-------ooo------The Rural Health Unit of Larena reported 75 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the municipality as of January 23, 2022. It likewise recorded 7 recoveries since the start of the surge last January 06, 2022 which brings the total number of active COVID-19 cases in Larena to 68. -------ooo-------ooo------The Local Government Unit of Larena calls its constituents to stay home and isolate if experiencing symptoms like cough, cold, headache, body pains, and fever, and immediately call the Larena RHU Hotline at 0975-268-1913 or 0946-979-1260 to get themselves tested for early detection. -------ooo-------ooo------As of January 25, Siquijor province recorded a total of 252 COVID-19 cases, 191 of which were fully vaccinated, 7 partial and 54 unvaccinated. Of these, 51 are asymptomatic, 158 mild, 42 moderate, and 1 with severe effect. -------ooo-------ooo------: The Provincial Government of Siquijor with the support of Mendero Medical Center, Inc., conducted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA signing) for the Dialysis Center of Siquijor Provincial New Hospital at Provincial Governor’s Office, today January 31, 2022. -------ooo------ooo------The MOA for the establishment of a Dialysis Center was signed by Provincial Governor Zaldy S. Villa and Dr. Samuel Mendero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mendero Medical Center. Also, in attendance are Congressman Jake Vincent S. Villa, Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon-Brown, Dr. George Walthrode Opay, Engr. Jason Manos of PPDI, Romel Diate of GSO, and Nida Saplot of PSWDO. -------ooo-------ooo------The MOA Signing for Dialysis center is of great help to sustain effccient health services because it provides free services to Siquijodnons needing dialysis treatment , Vice Governor Mei Ling Quezon Brown said in her official FB page. -------ooo-------ooo------Following extension of Alert Level 3 system for Siijor Province until Feb. 15, the Provincial IATF recommended in its meeting last Jan. 31 to lift negative rapid antigen test reqquirements for all fully vaccinated travelers, and to allow home quarantine/isolation for asymptomatic and mild confirmed COVID-19 individuals subject to the respective municipal health office’s approval and following Department Circular No. 20220002 Advisory on COVID-19 protocols for Home Quarantine and Isolation. . -------ooo-------ooo------: The first “Book Nook Project” in the island of Siquijor is now open to public. Managed by the local government unit of Larena, the project aims to provide free access to fiction, non-fiction, as well as History, Arts, Culture, Values, and Environment, among other reference books. It is located at the Old Spanish Building in Larena, Siquijor.
#Empowering Communities
DOST 7 and 4 - one in ‘nutribunship’ for TY Odette victims by Jose Aldous Arbon II, DOST Siquijor PSTC-IO
DOST Siquijor PSTC through E n g r. M a r i o de la Peña distributing Enhanced Nutribun from D O S T I V- A to the officers and staff of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and to the community of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the province o f S i q u i j o r. (DOST Siquijor photo)
As part of the government’s relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Odette, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON donated 1,000 pieces of Enhanced Nutribun to DOST-Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC). Siquijor PSTC’s beneficiaries are those projects which have availed of DOST’s intervention under Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), GrantsIn-Aid (GIA), and the Community Empowerment Thru Science And Technology (CEST) programs. Its Good Samaritan spirit, however, extended to small communities outside of the said projects. “I am very grateful to this initiative from DOST IV-A CALABARZON. I thank the leadership of its Regional Director Emelita Bagsit, and the conscientious support of OIC-Regional Director-DOST 7 Engr. Jesus Zamora, Jr. It’s heartwarming to know that we are pooling our resources together to give victims of Odette an assurance, more than what we share, that they are not left alone in their struggle,” Engr. Mario de la Peña of DOST Siquijor said. Enhanced nutribun is a product of DOST-FNRI food technology which primarily serves as a food supplement especially for young children. According to Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, DOST-FNRI Director IV and Scientist II, this nutribun is nutritionally adequate in terms of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. In the context of the province of Siquijor, beneficiaries also include not only children but also those deemed members of a community, organization, or association. This donation from DOST 4-A was distributed on Jan. 12. The first group to receive was the community of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology together with those Persons Deprived of Liberty; second was the Siquijor Women’s Association for a Better Environment (SWABE); third was Youth Front Liners/Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation; and finally, the Siquijor Sewers Association. With a bite of the nutribun, Arlita Ferolin of SWABE shared: “Lami kaayo. Imong mabati nga gitarong gyud ni og luto (This is very delicious. One can tell that this is carefully baked.)” Jean Clair Hibaya of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said: “Ang nutribun bus-ok, lami, milky, humot, og dili hasol usapon (The nutribun is stuffed, healthy, delicious, milky, smells perfect, and is soft to the tongue.” “Well, I thought that this nutribun would be just like those which appear good on the outside but nothing really inside. But after I have taken my first bite, my presumption changed. This is really a good, creamy bread. I thank the donor DOST Calabarzon for extending its sympathy with us here in the island of Siquijor, and as a leader of the young people in the province, I know this would serve as energy-giver to the youth,” also said Brylle Deeiah Tumarong, SK Federation chair/board member of the Province of Siquijor. Finally, Mila Abne of Siquijor Sewers Association said: “Lami (It’s delicious.)” A taste of nutribun would probably not last a lifetime to answer man’s health needs, and one would not wish to have another Odette to taste it again. What is important is that this nutribun is a gesture of humanity. It does make it more valuable than its cost. As one, the beneficiaries echoed: “Thank you, DOST 4-A and 6.” (PR/Engr. Mario de
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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. 04
January 24-31, 2022
Towar ds a Zero-Waste Island: Siquijor awards best barangays by Rizalie Anding Calibo
After a series of postponements and restrictions due to the past surge of COVID-19 cases and the occurrence of typhoon Odette in the province of Siquijor last year, the Provincial Government has finally awarded the best barangays for their efforts in the effective implementation of Zero-Waste programs. Dubbed Search for Best Zero Waste Barangay 2021, the activity has three categories, namely: Best Zero Waste Upland, Urban, and Coastal Barangay categories as well as other special and minor awards. The awarding ceremony was held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Provincial Capitol on Jan. 26, 2022 in line with the celebration of the Anniversary of RA 9003, an act providing for an ecological solid waste management program that was enacted on Jan. 26, 2001, and Zero Waste Month in January which was also declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 760. How Zero-Waste project works The Search for Best Zero Waste Barangay 2021 is not just about giving or getting the awards, it is about seeing how the program works in Siquijor after around three years of implementation and enforcement following the approval of the “Plastic Use Regulation Ordinance for a Plastic Free Siquijor” on Oct. 30, 2018, along with the creation of the Solid Waste Management Task Force (SWMTF) led by a retired police officer, Enrique Belcina, that is tasked to implement the “Zero Plastic-Waste Siquijor” program and in partnership with the Provincial Tourism and Environment Officer headed by Paglinawan and the Mother Earth Foundation (MEF). It is beyond seeing how the
local goverment units (LGUs) and the barangay folks responded given the series of environmental challenges especially on waste accumulation not just those generated by the locals but from the influx of tourists (before the COVID-19 pandemic). This also includes the waste generated during the pandemic itself and by the typhoon Odette which, a few days after it hit, dead animals, debris, woods and waste of any kind that may have come from similarly typhoon-stricken provinces drifted ashore, reaching some beaches of Siquijor Island, spoiling and burying stretches of white sand and posing health threats to locals. It was also aimed to recognize the efforts of deserving and hardworking barangay officials and supportive communities in making their barangays attractive, clean, green, orderly, and
regligiously implementing zero waste practices, said Provincial Tourism and Environment Officer Cle Bern Paglinawan. As part of its criteria, it also recognizes tha barangays’ compliance to RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and other environmental ordinances of the province, especially the “No Single Use Plastic Ordinance and the No Open Burning Policy.” The search was realized with the Provincial Solid Waste Management Council (PSWMC) forming a team of evaluators composed mainly by Paglinawan, Senior Ecosystem Management P/Col. Enrique Belcina, Specialist Paul Tomogsoc of the Department of Environment and
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