Siquijor PNP launches ‘Coco Trees in All Idle Lots’ within camp, neighboring barangays 

SIQUIJOR, Oct 20 (PIA) – The Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SPPO) launched the “Coco Trees in All Idle Lots” program on October 17 with nearly 500 coconut trees planting within the camp at Caipilan, Siquijor. 

SPPO provincial director, Police Senior Superintendent Ernesto Fuentes Agas said the project is in line with the PNP Green Police Program and in connection with the 19th Children’s Month Celebration in October. 

Siquijor Provincial Coconut Development Manager Medel Panzo was the guest of honor and speaker during the activity. Panzo stressed on the importance of the coconut tree as it is called “tree of life.” 

The SPPO invited elementary, secondary and college students, teachers and barangay officials of the neighboring barangays to participate in the coco tree planting as a way to establish camaraderie among them. 

Agas said, the project shall be done in four phases. The target is to plant about 400-500 coconut trees around the Camp in idle lots along the peripheral fence. 

According to Agas, under Phase I they have planted 100 coco seedlings. This will be replicated in all Municipal Police Stations in close coordination with the barangay captains thru the PNP personnel assigned as conduits in each barangay. 

All idle lots, private or public with the consent of owner/occupants shall be planted with trees, Agas concluded. (PIA-7 & SPPO) 

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Ordinary farmer, first to produce coco sugar in Siquijor 

By Engr. Jinky P. Wenceslao 

SIQUIJOR, October 20 (PIA) – Siquijodnon farmer Antoine Cyrus Garzo 33, single, living in 45 Bliss, Caipilan, Siquijor, Siquijor, is the first to produce coco sugar in Siquijor province. 

Garzo said he waited for the right time to release his product and that was during the Ruby Jubilee celebration of “Araw ng Siquijor”. 

Coco sugar production assures a promising future compared to copra production. 

Garzo claimed that the best thing of the product is that it is 100% natural and health-friendly. 

Recent studies showed that the glycemic index of coco sugar is only 35 compared to 64 for table sugar, making it ideal for diabetics. 

Philippine Coconut Association, likewise, found that coco sugar can reduce cholesterol levels, rich in potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sulfur, calcium and vitamin C, making it as an immune system booster. 

Related studies reveal that inositol has been found also in coco sugar which is helpful in the treatment of liver problems, depression, panic disorder and prostate cancer prevention. 

Municipal Agriculturist of Siquijor Chita Maglinte, testified that the local product from Siquijor can compete with the commercial coco sugar. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC/JPW/OPA) 

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Official publication launch highlights Siquijor’s Red Cross month celebration 

SIQUIJOR, October 20 (PIA)— Highlighting its celebration of Red Cross’month is the launching of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Siquijor Chapter’s official publication recently at its office in Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor. 

Humanitarian Light is circulated and distributed in all public elementary, secondary schools and tertiary levels in the province with Red Cross Youth Councils, municipal mayor’s offices, national agencies, all PRC Visayas chapters, and National Headquarters Manila Communication Office. 

Sub-Chapter Administrator Rowena Maputi said the publication serves as their medium in interacting with the community. 

She said that literally, ‘Humanitarian Light’ is derived from the idea ‘light of the people.” 

It embodies the society disseminating its services and activities, hence, “humanitarian” and “light” since local literature says Siquijor province is also known as the “Isla de Fuego” or island of fire, she said. 

Through Humanitarian Light we encourage more people to become doors and volunteer, she said citing the publication is also a fund campaign for services of their chapter. 

It is released every two weeks at P20 per copy. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC/RAresgado) 

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DTI invites Exporters, Importers to Info Drive 

CEBU CITY, October 20 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) invites exporters, importers, distributors, traders, customs brokers, freight forwarders, business support groups, members of the academe, media, and other government agencies to the Info Session on “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas – The Market Approach” on October 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Parklane Hotel, Cebu City.

This is part of the DTI’s national awareness campaign to improve access of Philippine products and services to international markets, and increase availment of trade benefits from the gradual removal or reduction of barriers to trade and investments – thus, creating a freer flow of goods, services and people within these free trade areas. 

The information session on Oct. 26 will cover discussions on market opportunities with focus on products with zero or reduced tariffs under existing free trade agreements as well as the procedures on how to access or apply for these benefits. 

Businesses that import are also advised to attend this Info Session and consider the possible benefits of FTAs as reduced tariffs under an FTA can result in better margins on inputs for manufacturers or those importing for the retail market. 

The Oct. 26 Info Drive will discuss salient parts of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA), ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and a number of ASEAN Regional FTAs namely ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTAs, which have already entered into force and are now being implemented. 

These FTAs bring a number of trade benefits, such as the elimination or reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on goods & services, the protection and promotion of investments, the harmonization of regulations and standards, and promoting ease of travel for business people.

Registration is free but accommodation will be on a first come, first served basis, and confirmation is required on or before 21 October 2011. 

Those interested to attend the Info Session are advised to confirm their participation by contacting the DTI-Cebu at tel. nos. 253-2631 local 18; 412-1863; fax: 254-0840; 412-1856 (look for Ms. Tessie Emphasis) or email dti.dbfta.cebu@gmail.com.(PIA-7/HFG/DTI-Cebu) 

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Generic drugs free for Siquijor poor families 

by Rizalie A. Calibo 

SIQUIJOR, October 20 (PIA)— Free generic medicines will be given to the poor families in Siquijor along with those in other provinces like Tawi-tawi, Oriental Mindoro, and Surigao del Norte. 

According to a report, the Department of Health (DOH) was set to give free generic medicines to the poor families who are also beneficiaries of the government’s cash program. 

Some P200M has been earmarked initially by the agency for the campaign dubbed “DOH Complete Treatment Pack Program (DOH ComPack), the report said. 

The program, that was launched recently was initially available in these provinces and will be rolled out to 1,021 municipalities this month. 

Families under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program of the government will be receiving free supplies of medicine from the DOH for their chronic illnesses and other infections, aside from the P1,400 monthly allowance they get from the CCT program. 

The beneficiaries would be given complete packs of generic medicine good for one month and even beyond, provided they are still under the program, the report also said. 

The package will contain tablets and capsules for diabetes, hypertension, diarrhea, pneumonia and other common infections. 

It is a free drug access program targeting the poor—no buying, no selling but an outright subsidy for the indigents,” Health Secretary Enrique T.Ona said. 

It is the government’s way of promoting the need to fight “non-communicable diseases,” he added. 

Beneficiaries, however, are required to consult with local health units before they can claim their medicines. 

They must first go to the health centers, get themselves checked and adhere to the treatment prescribed by the doctor,” Ona also said. (PIA-Siquijor/RAC)