Siquijor declared as Red Cross ‘emblem misuse-free’ province

By: Rizalie A. Calibo & Richard Aresgado

SIQUIJOR, July 1 (PIA)--- The declaration of Siquijor as emblem misuse-free province signifies its full commitment and dedication to the Red Cross movement and its recognition on the importance of the role of Red Cross as an appellate of the government and as an independent humanitarian organization.

The province of Siquijor is finally declared as Red Cross ‘emblem misuse-free’ through a signing of a Joint Declaration of "Emblem Misuse-Free" held at the provincial capitol recently.

Signatories of the declaration are the heads  of the six municipalities of Siquijor, Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. and Chairperson Art Pacatang.

The declaration was done after the Philippine Red Cross Siquijor Chapter successfully firmed up measures and intensified its campaign against the misuse of the Red Cross emblem.

Red Cross chapter administrator Rowena Maputi said she spearheaded the movement that aims to eradicate  the misuse of Red Cross emblem in the province through a motorcade recently.

Maputi said she personally led in replacing the Red Cross logo on ambulances and PNP cars with a white cross on a green background.

 A Red Cross set against a white background indicates that help or medical aid is nearby, Maputi explained.

But the red cross symbol, so distinctive in times of conflict, has become a common logo in everyday use, heralding a nearby hospital, a private doctor’s practice, a commercial pharmacy or even brands of pharmaceutical drugs, she noted.

Maputi cited that the use of the emblem of the red Greek cross on a white background by business entities and other parties not related to PRC is clearly against Section 9 of Republic Act 10072.

The Act states  that the use of the name Red Cross is reserved  exclusively to the PRC, medical services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and such other medical facilities or other institutions authorized by the Philippine Red Cross.

The misuse of the emblem, she said is considered a criminal offense under national law, and violations can lead to fines of not less than P1,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than one year.(PIA-Siqujor/mbcn/rac/ra)

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Siquijor NGO holds community-based rehab training for parents of children with special needs

By: Joselito Maghanoy & Inacher A. Abatayo

SAN JUAN, Siquijor, July 1 (PIA)--- The 'Gihiusang Ginikanan naMay Kapansanang Anak' (GUGMA) organization of Siquijor province, in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of San Juan recently initiated a community-based rehabilitation training to 27 parents of children with special needs  now enrolled with the Special Education (SPED) class in San Juan Elementary School.

The training aims to enhance the parents’ ability to take care of their children with special needs and do basic rehabilitation at home especially that physical theraphy (PT) and OT are seldom available in the province.

The Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), the LGU-San Juan  and the Liliane Foundation Philippines facilitated the two-day training held at the Department of Education (DepEd) Family Retreat House in Solangon, San Juan. 

Liliane Foundation Regional Coordinator Tess de la Cruz served as speaker and trainer.

De la Cruz said, the training is one of the outreach activities that Liliane Foundation Phils regularly conducts around the country.

The foundation also supports medical, rehabilitation and educational needs of 'special children' who are members of the GUGMA organization in the province, she added.

Tess Vargas of Options Incorporated in Cebu City was responsible in bringing Liliane Foundation to Siquijor back in 2005. 

The two foundations share the same objectives of reaching out to children with special needs.

Both NGOs are instrumental in organizing the province’s group of parents with children with special needs.

At present, GUGMA is chaired by Joselito Maghanoy and has 92 members within the province. (PIA-Siquijor/mbcn/rac/jm-GUGMA&iaa)

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Pre-school children in Siquijor receive Splendours’ gift

By: Rizalie A. Calibo & Edalou T. Manigo

LARENA, Siquijor, July 1 (PIA)--- Over 20 pre-school children in barangay Sabang, Larena, Siquijor province recently received school supplies from Splendours Society, a group of mostly Siquijor educators who are instrumental in distributing donated educational materials and school supplies from various sponsors and donors for the children in the province. 

The children received each a pad paper, pencil, sharpener, eraser, crayons and notebooks and snacks. 

Barangay Captain Clebern Paglinawan, the pre-school teacher and parents received the gift packs with the children. 

“To these children who rarely receive nice gestures, simply knowing that someone, somewhere cares to help them attend this school year is sufficient enough,” Paglinawan said as he thanked the Splendours for making the children happier with the little kismet in their hands.

John Jimenez, the society’s president, conveyed his thanks to the increasing sponsors and donors who helped make the event possible.

He said the generous donations gave a lot of the poor children a wonderful start this school year.

Since most of the members of Splendours are educators, John said the organization is putting a priority to education because “without it there is only little hope for the country to escape poverty,” he said.

“Education is an effective route out of poverty and having the opportunity to help children from disadvantaged background is a gift,” he said.

Education is crucial to these disadvantaged children because without it they would remain illiterate and will continue their life of poverty without any hope of change, Jimenez added.

He also said that through simple acts of service and kindness, “we are changing our social landscape- one life at a time.”

"All it requires is a little bit of our time and compassion. Let us help give these children a future, a sense of pride and dignity. Let us save as many as we can,” Jimenez concluded. (PIA-Siquijor/mbcn/RACalibo & ETM)

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BFAR funds seaweed culture in Siquijor

By: Rizalie A. Calibo & Jinky P. Wenceslao

SIQUIJOR, July 1 (PIA) ---The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has initiated and funded a Seaweed (Gozo) Culture Project for the two associations in Siquijor town namely: Marine Management Council (MMC) and Caticugan Fisherfolks Association (CATIFA). 

BFAR reports said, the project cost amounted to some P177,829 and  was implemented  in partnership with the Provincial Government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist led by Engr. Chito Trangia, program coordinator; and Chuchie Cherry  Gamo, Seaweedscommodity coordinator and the Municipal Government of Siquijor through the Municipal Agriculturist Office.

Provincial Fishery Officer Warren Inao is in charge of its overall supervision.

The Provincial Government and the municipal government units of Siquijor extended their full support by providing input assistance such as pump boat, rope, buoys, tarpaulins, bamboos, plywood and more to ensure the success of the project.

The project, Inao said, was primarily introduced to fully utilize the potential area for seaweed culture  in the province, at the same time increase the meager income of the marginal fisherfolksthrough increased production to cope with the increasing demand for seaweeds. 

It was also meant to encourage entrepreneurial skills among the fisherfolk beneficiaries and make them appreciate that Gozo cultures is a profitable business in the island.  

Ninety days from  the day of culture, the two associations were able to  harvest a total of 3 MT which they sold to Cebu at P50.00/kg (dried) and P15/kg (fresh), the BFAR report said.

An expansion of the same project worth P480 thousand will also be put up this year for the four qualified fisherfolk associations at P120T  each. 

The Provincial and municipal governments of Siquijor are also expected to give the same assistance  as their counterparts for the project, the report said. (PIA-Siquijor/mbcn/rac & OPA-JPW)