NegOr bet in Ms Philippines-Earth is Ms SU
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) --- Miss Silliman 2009 Glenna Christina Ortiz Duch is among the 48 official candidates in the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant, representing the whole province of Negros Oriental.
A consistent honor student and an academic scholar, Duch is an incoming third year student in Silliman majoring in Management. She graduated salutatorian from the High School Department of the School of Basic Education.
It was when she was in her senior year in High School that she was crowned 63rd Miss Silliman.
Duch, who was only 15 years old that time, also won five other awards: Miss Professionalism, Best Speaker, Best in One-on-One Interview, Best in Casual Wear and Best in Sportswear.
This year’s Miss Philippines-Earth takes on the theme “Celebrating the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All”. It concludes with the grand coronation night on May 27 at the SM Mall of Asia.
An online voting for Miss Philippines Earth 2012- Miss Photogenic is ongoing. (JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
===============
Justice and peace center holds “Faith + Environment” forum
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Justice and Peace Center in Silliman University holds a forum dubbed “Faith + Environment” today at the Instructional Media and Technology Center.
The forum tackles the question in their theme: “Why should people of faith care about the environment?”
The theme takes inspiration from two scriptures: Psalm 24:1 (“All of creations belong to God, not to human beings”) and Genesis 1:28-29 (“We are part of the created order and our first calling by God is to be stewards of the Earth and the rest of the creation.”)
Guest speakers are Canadian social and environmental justice activist David Dranchuck on “Earth Care: Environmental and Spiritual Crisis” and Friends of the Environment of Negros Oriental President Mr. Leo Mamicpic on “Biodiversity: Overview and Threats.” (JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)
===============
7,551 job applicants needed for DSWD’s GIP
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 7 is in need of 7,551 summer job applicants for its expanded Government Internship Program (GIP).
"Interested students and college and vocational courses graduates who are unemployed may apply for available summer jobs this year," said DSWD Information Officer Jaybee Binghay.
Applicants from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, aged 18 to 30 years old, can submit their application letter and resume with photocopy of their birth certificates to the DSWD, Field Office-7 in Cebu City.
The workers will receive a minimum regional wage rate per day for 52 days.
Qualified applicants will be assigned in the DSWD Field Office, centers and institutions, and communities covered by this welfare agency all over the region.
The applicants will not only perform office works but also assist in the implementation of the numerous programs and projects of the agency.
Binghay said some of them will be assigned to do direct service through field work in communities where the projects are being implemented in partnership with the local government units.
This expanded GIP is part of the Aquino Administration’s efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation building, expose them to government service, train them on life skills and contribute to their economic well-being. (rmn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
==============
DSWD recruits youths for GIP this summer
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas is currently recruiting youths for its Government Internship Program (GIP) which is expected to start on May 16.
DSWD-7 Information Officer Jaybee Binghay said DSWD Regional Office in Cebu had pre-identified and prioritized the recruitment from 10 local government units (LGUs), mostly cities and provinces which have organized Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) groups.
The hired youths will assist the LGUs in their implementation of social protection programs as well as youth-initiated activities in their municipalities, said Binghay.
Under GIP, the hired youths, preferably between 18 to 25 years old, either an officer or a member of the PYAP in their locality, will start to work from May 16 to June 14 covering 22 days.
They are expected to receive P250 per day.
GIP aims to immerse the youth in public service by acquainting and involving them with the new programs and projects of the government and consequently drawing support and understanding towards them.
The program also serves as a recruitment mechanism for potential public employees.
Participants shall be posted into a manpower reservoir from which DSWD7 can draw regular workforce by the time they qualify for public employment.
Binghay said while doing this, DSWD can also help provide financial assistance for the youths especially during school enrolment.
Meanwhile, the DSWD-7 will be hiring more youths, 18 to 30 years old next week for the widened coverage of its Expanded Government Internship Program which covers students, college graduates and graduates of vocational courses including community youths who are unemployed, to apply for summer jobs.
Under this expanded program, applicants may start work immediately and has to complete 52 days of work.
The hired applicants will be deployed to the different centers and institutions, project sites and various field and team offices in the region to assist in the implementation of the numerous DSWD programs and projects.
The interns who will be admitted to the program shall be provided with stipend commensurate to the region’s applicable minimum wage.
GIP is part of the Aquino Administration’s efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation building, expose them to government service, train them on life skills and contribute to their economic well-being. (rmn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
==============
SU profs join EducationUSA gathering
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The Office of Information and Publication of Silliman University (OIP-SU) announced the learning trip of two history professors of SU who participated in the EducationUSA East Asian and Pacific (EAP) Triennial Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from March 29 to April 3.
OIP Director Mark Raygan Garcia said the professors who take charge of programs that promote study in the United States include Dr. Earl Jude Cleope and Prof. Regan Jomao-as.
"The university professsors were among seven Philippine delegates to the conference that hosted over 70 EducationUSA advisers from 25 countries and more than 100 US representatives of partner institutions," said Garcia.
Philippine American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Advising Coordinator Eileen Consuelo Valdecañas headed the Philippine delegation.
Both Dr. Cleope, who is concurrently Dean of the College of Education, and Prof. Jomao-as are EducationUSA advisers.
They manage the PAEF Satellite Advising Center located on the ground floor of the Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library.
One of the Center’s functions is to facilitate applications for scholarship programs, such as Fulbright.
The conference revolved around the theme “From Mongolia to Tonga: Many Paths to EducationUSA” and served as a venue where EducationUSA advisers and partners are able to update their advising skills, learn best practices from each other, and explore opportunities of collaboration.
Garcia said the gathering also sought to enhance the quality and portfolio of services provided to prospective international students and the US higher education community. (rmn/JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)
==============
Environmental advocates appeal to SC to stop GMO test
By Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- Some environmental advocates here filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) recently for issuance of a Writ of Kalikasan to immediately stop the genetically modified organism (GMO) field testing in the country.
Silliman University President Dr. Ben Malayang III is among those calling on the SC to stop the GMO testing, as four provinces in the Philippines are to carry out field trials on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) talong (eggplants), a GMO variety.
These eggplants, which are pest-resistant, are alleged to be harmful to humans.
"Any attempt to develop this technology, or apply it for use in the Philippines, shall need to undergo exhaustive environmental safety assessment,” Dr. Malayang, a renowned environmentalist and former Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said,
A Writ of Kalikasan is a legal remedy for environmental issues, based on Article II, Section 16 of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the 1987 Constitution, which states “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
Malayang said the Philippines is “highly genetically rich and fragile” and the use of GMO without the necessary assessment “could put the country into high and undue risk.”
Global environmental group Greenpeace, also one of the petitioners, earlier released on its website a report describing GMOs as highly regulated and even banned in many countries.
Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Daniel Ocampo, said that GMO crops “should not be cultivated outdoors anywhere in the world.”
“In the case of Bt talong, with its built-in insect-resistance gene, this poses risks of creating aggressive weeds that may wreak havoc to local agriculture and natural habitats,” Ocampo said.
He added that GMOs have never been proven safe, which is why they are highly regulated and even banned in many countries and regions.
The 68-page petition was also signed by Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teodoro Casino, Dr. Charito Medina of Magsasaka at Siyentipiko sa Pagpapaunlad ng Agrikultura, lawyers Harry Roque and Maria Paz Luna, scientist Dr. Romeo Quijano of University of the Philippines Manila, Catherine Untalan of Miss Earth Foundation, Leo Avila of the City Government of Davao, and activist-musician Noel Cabangon. (rmn/JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)
==============
Emergency maternal and newborn care facility breaks ground in Bayawan
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- Provincial and Bayawan City government officials gathered last April 21 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the future site of the Comprehensive Emergency Maternal and Newborn Care (CEMONC) facility at the Bayawan District Hospital.
The provincial government has allotted nearly P12.5 million for construction of said facility.
The establishment of CEMONCs in district hospitals province wide is in line with the provincial government’s aim of reducing and eventually stamping out the maternal and neonatal mortality incidence in the province.
“The governor is serious about achieving the goals set out by the Millennium Development Goals, one of which is putting an end to maternal and child deaths by 2015,” explained Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.
CEMONC is seen to provide the best possible care for emergency obstetric and newborn cases in the district, as well as regular maternal services for pregnant women.
A similar facility is also being constructed at the Guihulngan District Hospital with a funding of P21 million, with a counterpart from the Department of Health. (RMN-PIA Negros Oriental)
===============
National games to showcase NegOr’s sports facilities
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- The upcoming Philippine National Games (PNG) is an opportunity for Negros Oriental to showcase its modern sports facilities.
Gov. Roel Degamo said the this after Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City agreed to host this year’s PNG from May 26 to June 3.
Some of the province’s modern and upgraded sports venues expected to be used during the PNG are the Perdices Coliseum’s state-of-the-art rubberized oval track, the Olympics-standard swimming pool at the Aqua Center, and the Lamberto Macias Sports Center.
The sports center was recently modernized by the provincial government, such as installing cushioned flooring, which costed around P6 million.
“That flooring is similar to the ones in the basketball courts used by the National Basketball Association in America,” said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo in an interview.
“Coaches of the Philippine Basketball Association, whenever they hold their out-of-town games here, told us that our center is one of the best outside of Metro Manila,” he added.
PNG is also seen to spruce up the economy in the city, as more than 5,000 athletes, officials, and coaches nationwide are expected to gather in Dumaguete City for the 25 different games. (RMN-PIA Negros Oriental)
================
NegOr pours P500K for Dumaguete village road, drainage rehab
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 28 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental funded almost P500,000 worth of infrastructure projects in Brgy. Pulantubig, this city.
Said projects are the cementing of a destroyed portion of a road in the village and installation of a drainage system.
According to Pulantubig village chief Ramil Cornelia, the barangay residents have long been complaining over the deplorable state of a portion of their road which becomes muddy and nearly impassable during rainy days.
“When I was given the opportunity to identify a project in my barangay for funding by the provincial government, I immediately pushed for the cementing of this road,” said Cornelia.
Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo said the Provincial Engineer’s Office, which carried out the road repair work, also included the installation of a drainage system.
“According to our provincial engineers, what good would a cemented road do if there are no canals beside it?” said Sedillo.
The completed infra project in Brgy. Pulantubig is only one of the various infrastructure projects the provincial government is implementing in barangays across the province.
The governor earlier announced the construction of infrastructure and development projects totaling P11 million in the barangays of Guihulngan City.
The projects, which are ongoing, include construction of roads, water systems, classrooms, multi-purpose pavement and electricity installation.
The province of Negros Oriental has completed the “Kilos Asenso” program of the Department of Agriculture, aimed at improving the sector through infrastructure development on a counter-parting scheme.
Early this month, Degamo also led the inauguration of a 200-meter newly-concreted farm-to-market road in Brgy. Cabcaban, and another 200 meter-stretch in Brgy. Nalundan, all in Bindoy town.
The province allotted P2 million for said road projects, with a counterpart fund of P4 million from the Department of Agriculture.
Gov. Roel Degamo said he aims to implement more needed infrastructure projects in the barangays. (RMN-PIA 7, Negros Oriental)