DILG-Siquijor family offers mass for Sec Robredo

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 24 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) family in Siquijor offers a Holy Mass yesterday for the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Siquijor, Siquijor. 

The mass was celebrated by Monsignor Candelario Catubig, parish priest of Siquijor who, in his homily said that Robredo’s death brings to all lessons to live by and that is, “How do we want to be remembered when we’re gone.” 

He said Robredo’s life is a good example of readiness as recounted by his family. 

He is now very ready. He has build up his reputation by serving the people well but sees to it that he has time for God and for his family despite his busy schedule, he said. 

After the mass, Provincial Director Kenneth S. Kilat echoed Robredo’s favorite line for reforms in the government that says: 

“Lagi ko pong sinasabi na itinaas na natin ang antas o sukat ng paglilingkod. Hindi na sapat na tayo ay matino lamang. Hindi rin sapat na tayo ay mahusay lamang. Hindi lahat ng matino ay mahusay at lalo namang hindi lahat ng mahusay ay matino. Ang dapat ay matino at mahusay upang karapat dapat tayong pagkatiwalaan ng pera ng bayan (I always say, let us improve our standard of service. It's not enough that we are only sensible. It is not also enough that we are only capable. Not all sensible are capable and most especially, not all capable are sensible. We must be both sensible and capable in order for us to be trustworthy of the country's funds).” 

“In my 20 years of service, it is in him that I recognize the secretary's giving attention to the department’s mandate and vision." Kilat said and added that Sec. Robredo is a great loss not only to the DILG family but to the whole government. 

“I hope that the good programs the good secretary has initiated to promote transparency and accountability in local governance will be carried on despite his absence,” Kilat added. 

Aside from the personnel and staff of the DILG, the mass is also attended by the municipal mayors of Lazi and Maria, Mayors Orpheus Fua and Rebecca Padayhag; the Philippine National Police, headed by Police Senior Superintendent Ernesto F. Agas; the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, headed by Inspector Angelito Almodiel Jr. and the Bureau of Fire Protection, headed by Provincial Fire Marshall Insp. Jesus Susaña. 

Meanwhile, Kilat calls on all offices to observe the national days of mourning over the passing of Sec. Robredo. 

Citing Presidential Proclamation No. 460, Kilat echoed that flags in all offices and installations of the DILG are to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset from August 21 until the date of the interment. 

The remains of Sec. Jesse M. Robredo will be brought to Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang Palace today, August 24, Malacañang announced Tuesday. 

An advisory from the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial said the wake will be held there for two days before the remains are returned to Naga City. (MBCN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

=============

DOST-SETUP approves P.925-M ICT project in Siquijor

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 23 (PIA)— A P.925 million-worth Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project under the new sector of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) was approved and funded recently by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region 7. 

The project called “Upgrading the Information, Communication and Transmission Technology to Develop the Internet Service Capability of Siquijor Island Cable TV Network Systems Corporation (SICVNC)" is the first project in the province approved for the new sector on ICT that aims to upgrade the Information, Communication, and Transmission Technology of SICVNC for enhanced data transmission and to develop internet service capability. 

The project, according to DOST-Siquijor Provincial Director Mario de la Pena, aims to introduce fiber optics for efficient data transmission and improve bandwidth management and affordable Internet services. 

It also aims to enhance product imaging and company services, increase the number of subscribers by 50% based on the 2011 operations, improve the technical skills of the workers, and generate additional employment, he said. 

Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corporation is located at Pangi, Siquijor, Siquijor. It is managed by Raul Villaver with Elvie R. Villaver as the President. 

Phase I of the project includes Equipment acquisition and Installation from July 2012-January 2013 and Phase II, refund period and SME Expansion/Operation from February 2013 to January 2016. (RACalibo/PIA-7 Siquijor)