Siquijor towns complete barangay officials’ training
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor province, April 11 (PIA-7)—At least four municipalities in the province of Siquijor have completed the Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) training of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here, says the report of the Local Government Operations Officer II and Information Officer, Sheryl E. Sabolboro.

These are the towns of San Juan, Enrique Villanueva, Lazi and Maria.
Sabolboro said, San Juan town initiated the first batch of the two-day BNEO Training on February 24-25, 2011 at the Department of Education Training Center in Barangay Solangon of the municipality. The second batch was held on March 10-11, 2011.

  
The activity was supported by Municipal Mayor Edwin M. Quimno who delivered the rationale and outline of the training, she said.

In Enrique Villanueva town, 136 newly elected and appointed barangay officials attended the Orientation-Seminar at Salagdoong Beach, Olang, Maria, Siquijor.

The first and second batches were conducted on March 3-4 and on March 8-9, respectively. Also in attendance were Mayor Melojean B. Orquillas and Vice-Mayor Earl Stanley O. Matas who both gave inspirational messages.

For Lazi town, three batches of barangay officials of the eighteen barangays of the Municipality of Lazi have completed the same training at Café Le Shayne, Nagerong, Lazi, Siquijor on March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29, respectively, while the Municipality of Maria had on March 17-18, 24-25 and 30-31, 2011, respectively.

The two remaining towns will have the same training this month.
Provincial Director Dominica K. Lacuesta of DILG Siquijor led the pool of resource speakers from the DILG Provincial Staff and the Local Municipal Operations Officers who took turns in discussing their assigned topics on their designated time and schedule. 

Likewise, invited speakers were the respective Municipal Budget Officers, Municipal Accountants and Bids and Awards        Committee (BAC) Chairmen of different municipalities.

 
Common issues and concerns raised were : (1) 20% Component of IRA, (2) where to charge honorarium of tanods, (3) lupon filing fee, (4) sanctions on non-appearance of respondent and (5) conversion of leave credits.

The conduct of orientation training to newly-elected barangay officials is under Component 2 of the BNEO Program, which is Laying the Foundation.

This component aims to enhance the newly-elected officials on barangay governance and administration.

Barangay officials will also be oriented on their duties, powers and functions as mandated by law.

The outputs for this component will be: (1) Statement of Barangay Vision, Mission and Objectives; (2) List of priority projects/programs of the barangay; and (3) Barangay Agenda for Governance and Development (AGAD). (RACalibo/PIA-7/Siquijor with DILG report)

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Siquijor sets up for “Salagdoong Escapade” 

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor Province, April 11 (PIA-7)—With summmer’s gentle breeze already in the air, Siquijor is expecting foreign and local tourists and balikbayans from different parts of the world to come to the island.

The Provincial Government of Siquijor, with its aim of boosting tourism has lined up several activities at Salagdoong Beach Resort in Olang, Maria, Siquijor tagged as “Salagdoong Escapade.”

These include Bikini Fashion Galore featuring Ramp Models if Cebu that was held last April 2, Hip Hop Dance Craze and open “Modern” Dance Competition on April 9, Cultural Show on April 16, Battleof Bands on April 30, Dancesports  Exhibition and Competition on May 7,Fire Dance Showdown on May 21, and Back to back band explosion on May 28.

Tickets are available at the Office of the Provincial Governor. (PIA-7/Siquijor)

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Siquijor Knights finally create  K of C Assembly 
by Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor Province, April 11 (PIA-7)-- A Knight of Columbus Assembly No. 3269 under District VIII of Central Visayas was installed recently at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

 
This was learned from Sir Knight Mario de la Peña earlier who said that the activity was a joint installation of the new assembly and presentation of officers and members of Pedro Fabugais Assembly 3269. 

It was attended and facilitated by the District Marshall from the Visayas State Sir Knight Mauricio Padawan who was very happy of the establishment of their own assembly in the province.

The exact beginning of this assembly is very hard to pinpoint. No one has a clear recollection of when the idea of an assembly is established in the Province of Siquijor considering increasing in number of 4rth degree knights, he said.

“For a clearer picture, one should know the rules governing the members of the Fourth Degree, as set down by the Supreme Council,” he said. The number one rule, he said is that a member upon receiving the Honours of the Fourth Degree must join an assembly.

In the Province of Siquijor, he said, there was no established Assembly. This means that all Fourth degree members in the province were required to belong to Assemblies in Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental or Cebu. Their meetings were always held in their respective jurisdiction, necessitating considerable travel for members to attend meetings. This, naturally, caused much resentment to those members who wanted to become active.

It led to many comments about forming an Assembly in the Province of Siquijor, Sir Knight Mario shared.

The District and Provincial Deputy, Grand Knights and 4rth degree knights from the six Councils in the Province became involved and enthusiastic about the idea of having an assembly in the area.

They discussed the plan for an Assembly with many Fourth Degree Members, some of whom wished to join the crusade.

A meeting was organized on July 18, 2010 and a very good attendance was on hand to discuss regarding forming an Assembly in the Province, he said.

The meeting produced the cooperation and support that was hoped for and was termed a great success. This group was extremely interested in forming a new Assembly in the area and was certain we could obtain the approval of the 95% of their Fourth Degree Members to meet the requirements, he also said.

Its was also agreed during the meeting to name the assembly in honour of Sir Knight Pedro Fabugais who was considered a model during his time as Grand Knight of Council 6129.

A spontaneous approval was given by those in attendance and somebody was tasked to research about the accomplishments of SK Fabugais and with instructions to report back with their write up on the next meeting.

   
“We are grateful and thank the Almighty God for giving us those dedicated members who stood the tremendous challenge and worked diligently for the formation of the Assembly.

Also, we ask your prayers for the continued guidance of our Assembly to achieve better and more “good works” for God, Our Church, Our Country and Our Fellow Man,” Sir Knight Mario finally said (RACalibo from the reports of SK Mario de la Peña)