CSC-Siquijor is set for Civil Service month

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug. 25 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission, Siquijor Field Office (CSC-SFO) is all set for the celebration of 112th Philippine Civil Service anniversary. 

CSC provincial director Atty. Gina Crucio said a series of capacity-building activities in various agencies on Strategic Performance Management System will be conducted from September 4 to 6 with the CSC Regional Director Atty. Judith Chicano as resource speaker. 

On September 7, there will be mass renewal of Panunumpa ng Lingkod Kawani by government officials and employees in the province during the opening of the “Araw ng Siquijor” at Enrique Villanueva LGU grounds. 

On September 21, bringing services of government agencies to the people and tree planting activity spearheaded by the Siquijor Council of Personnel Officers (SICAPO) and CSC, Crucio added. 

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Kawani, Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayani.” 

Activities at the national level also include Essay Writing Contest, Photography contest R.A.C.E. to Service II Fun Run on September 8 at 5 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand Luneta, Manila. 

Government Choral Competition on September 17 at the UP Theater, plus the giving of special discounts for government employees and free MRT/LRT Rides. 

For more information, visit www.celebratepcsa.wordpress.com or www.csc.gov.ph. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor)

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Rotary club donates computers to Siquijor elem schools

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, August 25 (PIA)-- The Rotary Club of Siquijor Island Incorporated (RCSI) donated half a million worth of computers to some 24 elementary schools in the province, says a report by Al Lagasse, the chairman of the committee for the project. 

Lagasse said the RCSI has sourced out funds from England following the proposal for the project that aims to provide computers to all elementary schools. 

The club received the financial assistance in June this year, out of which P50,000 is allocated for the repair and maintenance of the computers for one year, he said. 

A training that included hands-on session to all teachers of the beneficiary schools was also conducted at the Department of Education (DepEd) Training Center and Solangon, San Juan, Siquijor for three consecutive weeks. 

It is designed to prepare, familiarize and equip the teachers with knowledge on the basics of computerization, he said. 

He said the RCSI has also conducted other projects in the island like water and sanitation amounting to P600,000 for some identified elementary schools provincewide. 

There is also the “meals on wheels” program given to some 70 indigents in the San Juan town. Under the program, the beneficiaries are given free lunch meals three times a week. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor) 

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Capitol launches signature drive for fuel price reduction in Siquijor prov

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 25 (PIA)-- Siquijor Governor Orlando Fua, Jr. launched a signature campaign for the reduction of gasoline prices in Siquijor at the Provincial Capitol recently. 

Fua presented a power point graph that detailed the price differences between Manila, Cebu and Siquijor. 

“Between 745 kilometers spanning Manila and Cebu, the difference in gasoline prices is only .91 centavos as of August 2, with Cebu enjoying the cheaper price. However with Siquijor only 179 kilometers away from Cebu, the price difference is P4.25,” Fua reported. 

He attributed this to cartelization between Petron and its dealers here, Mr. Zaldy Villa and ex Mayor Danny Villa who have carved out a virtual monopoly of gasoline in Siquijor. 

Gov. Fua also attributed the cheaper prices of gasoline in Cebu to a case filed by Governor Gwyn Garcia against Petron, Shell, and Caltex in 2009. The case he said, forced the big three refining giants to lower their prices in Cebu. He said that if Siquijodnons need to file a case to lower gasoline prices in Siquijor, they will file it too. 

The governor added that even if gasoline prices in Dumaguete are higher than in Siquijor by 10 centavos, this doesn’t argue in Petron’s and the Villa’s favor. This is because Dumaguete is nearer to Cebu than Siquijor is. 

By being nearer, freight is cheaper and hence should pull prices down in Dumaguete than what is prevailing in Siquijor, he said. In terms of volume of demand, gasoline consumption in Dumaguete is at least ten times more than in Siquijor. 

By economies scale, Dumaguete should have cheaper gasoline than in Siqujor by reason of a wider consumer base. Without any cogent factor to justify the price difference, it proves the arbitrary pricing scheme of Petron in selling its gasoline in the region, he also said. 

The governor said that if Dumaguete consumers refuse to protest this inequity and opt to keep silent, this should not be the reason why Siquijodnons should follow suit and keep silent too. He quoted a saying that the “only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. 

Gov. Fua pleaded for support from various organizations in attendance; the local and barangay officials, transport and business groups, officers from national government agencies as well as private citizens and all who are commonly affected by high prices of gasoline in the island to join cause with him as this is an issue that cuts across all sectors of society. 

He also asked the assistance of the National Anti- Poverty Commission, thru its Secretary Joel Rocamora and coordinator, Dr. Jose Pernes to help in the campaign, because the high prices of gasoline is directly related to poverty alleviation. 

Fua said that a petition has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures. After reaching a critical number, he will submit it to the Joint Task Force of the Department of Justice and the Depatment of Energy for investigation for possible violation of RA 8479 otherwise known as the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998. He is also considering bringing the suit to local courts. (mbcn/PIA-7 Siquijor/PGO)

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PRC launches Pledge 25 program, calls support for blood donation

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 25 (PIA) --The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) launched the 'Pledge 25' program to support its call for blood donation, says PRC administrator Rowena Maputi in an earlier report. 

Maputi said the program that was launched in July during the celebration of blood donor month is a program of the Red Cross Youth that encourages individuals ages 18 to 25 to donate blood regularly to augment the blood availability in the Siquijor. 

It’s a social responsibility and there is nothing to be afraid of in donating blood as she enumerates the benefits a donor can also gain from it. 

One of the benefits she said, is the change oil mechanism which means that the blood circulating in the body will replenish immediately with new blood cells. 

Through the chronological tests done to the blood donated, diseases like Hepatitis B. C HIV, Malaria and syphilis can be detected, she also said. 

Donors will receive a donor card that he can use during emergencies. 

“Red Cross bridges the gap between the needy and the giver. It is about people helping people. Without people to help, Red Cross services are futile,” Maputi said as she calls for support to the Red Cross programs. 

Donors are advised to get enough rest of at least five to six hours, avoid alcohol intake for 24 hours prior to donation and fatty acids from the previous meal. 

Interested donors are welcome to visit its office daily from Mondays to Fridays during office hours at the Caridad Street, Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor in between the Rural Health Unit and the Commission on Election (COMELEC) office. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor)