P6.5M disbursed to 1,897 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Siquijor
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 11 (PIA)---Some P6.5 million was disbursed to at least 1,898 household beneficiaries  of the Pantawid Pamilya Program since its implementation in Siquijor province in September last year.

Provincial Link Officer Jocelyn Adalid in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency today said three municipalities in the province are identified for the program namely Enrique Villanueva with 206 household beneficiaries, Maria town, 585 and Lazi, 489 for the first batch and another 618 from the expansion-covered areas of the same town.

Adalid said Lazi town was the first to receive the first pay-out for January to December 2010 payroll totaling some P6,586,900. Out of the total disbursement, P3,263,000 was allocated for health and P3,243,900 for education.

Other beneficiaries from the municipalities of Maria, and Enrique Villanueva and some expansion areas in Lazi will receive their first pay-out probably in June as there is still no compliance verification yet  as of this date, she said.But the municipal link officers of the three municipalities conntinue giving assemblies and family development sessions even before the pay-out to update to orient the beficiaries and strengthen the program implementation.

Identified beneficiaries are to receive conditional cash grants of P6,000/year or P500/month per household for health and nutrition expenses; and P3,000 for   one school year or P300/month for ten months per child for education expenses.

Maximum number of children per household is three to a maximum period of five years to receive the conditional cash grant.

It should be noted that DSWD-7 Information Officer Aileen Lariba said during the Kapihan sa PIA forum here earlier that Pantawid Pamilya is not a dole-out as there are stringent conditions set for the beneficiaries prior to the giving of cash grants.

These conditions include: family development sessions and proper pre- and post-natal care for pregnant women; regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines for children 0-5 year-old while at least 85% attendance in day care classes for 3-5 year-old; enrollment in elementary and high school with at least 85% attendance and de-worming pills for  6-14 years old, among other conditions.

She said remiss of the above conditions can be a ground for the delisting of beneficiaries in the next pay-out period. (RAC/PIA-Siquijor)

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Siquijor Travel Guide Book Launching set May 16
By Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 11 (PIA)---The Provincial Government of Siquijor is set to launch its Travel Guide Book on May 16, 2011 at the Lazi, Social Secnter, Lazi, Siquijor.

Siquijor Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. said the travel guide book is published by the provincial government to serve as a directory for tourists, visitors and investors who need complete and updated information on the island’s tourism -- from accommodation facilities and services, to arts, history and culture.

It would soon be out in the bookstores, he said.

The Governor said he enlisted Balikbayans, national and local agencies, public officials and other tourism stakeholders to be his partner in making Siquijor a best tourism destination. 

“We ask you to pledge an order of at least one copy of the book which costs P1,000 each. This would be a nice gift to your friends and relatives abroad and anywhere in the country while helping us promote our island,” Gov.. Fua said as he invites the “important guests” to the Book Launching with a “promising night of cocktails, ballroom dancing, cultural show and socialization. (RAC/PIA-Siquijor)