What's Up in Oriental Negros

RP-US friendship photo caravan at Main Lib

2006-12-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

December 17-23, 2006 issue - Dumaguete MetroPost

Silliman University is one of only two universities in the Visayas tapped by the United States Embassy to host the “Partnership at 60: Photo Caravan on 60 Years of RP-US Friendship”.

The exhibit was launched on December 7, with guests coming from different schools in Dumaguete City and other sectors. It is open for public viewing until December 20.

Partnership at 60: Photo Caravan on 60 Years of RP-US Friendship is a six month traveling photo exhibit that showcases a unique collection of photos and memorabilia (facsimile) items depicting dynamic bilateral relations and people-to-people exchanges for the last 60 years between the Philippines and the US. It seeks to give students and the public at large an opportunity to understand the evolution of the Philippine-American relations.

The photos and key memorabilia items in the exhibit have been carefully selected by the Creative Committee of the Task Force on the Office of the American Affairs, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Historical Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs Foreign Service Institute, and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. This committee was established through Administrative Order No. 152, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 26, 2006, “Designating the Department of Foreign Affairs to Take the Lead in the Planning, Coordination, Implementation and Conduct of Programs and Activities in Commemoration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day”.

Dumaguete's OTOP

2006-12-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

FROM THE STANDS By Domini M. Torrevillas
Publication Date: [Thursday, September 14, 2006]

I must confess I felt surprised that 1) the Department of Trade’s One Town, One Product-Philippines program does not only mean delicacies, garments, leather shoes, baskets and furniture and shellcraft, but also information technology; that 2) Dumaguete City’s OTOP is educational institutions that serve the needs of business process outsourcing, and that 3) Dumaguete does not only mean Silliman University but has other learning facilities that offer quality education.

Perhaps it was sheer loyalty that made me think only Silliman made Dumaguete a university town. A recent visit to Dumaguete opened my eyes to the presence of other educational institutions that could boost the possibility of the city’s becoming the technological center in Region 8.

OTOP-Philippines is a priority program of President Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, local executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage. OTOP supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer, and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.

Carissa Cruz, undersecretary for regional operations of the Department of Trade, has been actively working on the implementation of OTOP, traveling to many parts of the country to meet with local executives and look at their product offerings. A trade fair held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong recently displayed the OTOP products of Luzon.

DTI Provincial (Neg. Or.) Director Javier Fortunato Jr. and two assistants, Araceli Maypa and Tammy Sevilla, took me to heads of four institutions in Dumaguete on whose grounds I had never stepped before. First stop was the 4.9 hectare main campus of Negros Oriental State University in Bajumpandan within the city. (The other 5-7 hectare campus is in Pamplona, a few kilometers away from the city.)

Henry A, Sojor, Ph.D., university president, traced the history of the institution, from its opening by the Philippine Legislature in 1927, to its conversion into the East Visayas School of Arts and Trades (EVSAT) in 1956, then to the Central Visayas Polytechnic College in 1983, and finally to the Negros Oriental State University in 2004.

The biggest in Negros Oriental with an 18,000 college student population, Sojor slowly phased out the elementary and high school levels to focus on higher education. He said the big enrolment is in account of new courses such as geothermal engineering, its graduates topping engineering board exams, the university’s being a pioneer as an internet service provider in the province, and its status as SUC Level 4. It is no secret that NORSU’s tuition fees are very low compared with those of other institutions.

NORSU offers the only bachelor’s degree in geology in the province, and has just opened degrees in accounting, nursing, and law. It has colleges for agriculture and fishery, arts and sciences, business and accountancy, engineering and architecture, industrial technology, maritime education, and technical education. It offers doctoral and master’s degrees as well as evening vocational opportunity classes and a continuing education extension program.

NORSU’s graduates easily find employment after graduation, many of them in Manila and at Cebu’s export processing zone because of lack of job opportunities in Dumaguete which has a few hotels and banks. Fortunato of DTI expressed excitement over the coming of multinational information technology companies to the city that will be hiring globally competitive graduates.

Already, SPI, a business process outsourcing company, has established its offices at the outskirts of Dumaguete, employing 700 copy editors to go over technical/scientific journals of foreign-based publishing companies. Fortunato said 99 per cent of SPI copy editors are graduates of the city’s schools. The DTI executive was able to draw SPI to the city two years ago and he is likely to attract more investors, among them possibly call centers.

A rich source of employees for the multinational outsourcing companies is Foundation University, which offers over 60 specialized higher education areas of study, including information and computer science. It was established in 1949 by its founder and first president, Dr. Vicente Guzman Sinco, a former president of the University of the Philippines, one time Philippine commissioner of foreign affairs, and a signer of the United Nations Charter.

The university received a national award from the Commission on Higher Education in the 2006 Best Student Services Competition as the Best in Student Development for Academic Year 2006-2007. In addition to 20 undergraduate courses, four graduate offerings, four postgraduate courses and non-degree courses, it has retained its kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools.

Foundation University has a competitive advantage with its Cisco Networking Academy Program. From the worldwide leader in networking for the internet, Cisco Systems teaches designing, building and maintaining computer networks to the university’s high school, college students and professionals. It uses the latest methods in information technology and virtual classroom of the future.

Still another feather in the university’s cap is its strategic partnership with Entheos IT, Inc., which provides exhaustive training for medical transcriptionists.

St. Paul University, founded in 1904, is the first of 36 educational institutions owned and administered by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres in the country. A co-educational institution offering doctoral, masteral and undergraduate courses, its biggest enrolment, understandably because of the big demand for nurses, is in its nursing department. More students are now taking up computer science and information technology.

The head of the university, Sister Maria Nilda Masirag, said emphasis is being given to students’ competency in English, and tutorial classes are held towards that end. That’s a good move, as outsourcing companies require mastery of the English language.

Our fourth stop, the Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria, was opened in 1959 by the Most Reverend Epifanio B. Surban, D.D., the first bishop of Dumaguete. It was named after the patron saint of the Diocese of the city. Today the Colegio, popularly called COSCA, is wrapped around the back of the Roman Catholic cathedral, offering 15 courses, and strong in midwifery, hotel and restaurant management, criminology, education, and management.

The president, Father Enrique N. Balongag, told us of the school’s strict entrance requirements. Applicants must pass a qualifying exam and English proficiency test (an enrolled student who fails in his English course must take English-0), and accepted students must take a test in religion (failure means taking a remedial course).

Assuming office only last month, Father Balongag and the new management team have noted a "mismatch between what the institution truly is and what the institution is actually doing." Courses and training for instance, did not address the core purpose for which the institution was established i.e. service to the local community.

The institution’s new direction covers evangelization through catechesis, as well as technical assistance through technological training of its technical formation and human resource formation.

COSCA will not be left behind in the frenzied educational institutions’ race towards preparing their students for employment in five-star establishments. Right now, its hotel and restaurant management majors are taking their practicum in Malaysia and Hongkong.

I did not have to be taken to Silliman to experience the excellence of its IT systems. (My loyalty to my alma mater remains.) But together, Silliman University, Foundation University, Negros Oriental State University, St. Paul University, and the Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria are honing their students’ thinking, writing and oral skills to contribute to the completion of the city’s One Town, One Project image.

Arnaiz is top RP Gov

2006-12-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

By JCC
December 3-9 2006 issue – Dumaguete MetroPost

Gov. George P. Arnaiz on Wednesday received the prestigious “Most Outstanding Governor” award during the 2006 Local Government Leadership Awards (LGLA) ceremony held at the Philippine Senate. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. handed the award.

The Award rites coincided with the anniversary of the enactment of the 1991 Local Government Code. The other awardees are Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casuiarra as “Most Outstanding City Mayor” and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn as “Most Outstanding Municipal Mayor.”

The LFLA recognizes deserving local elected officials who have shown exemplary leadership traits, innovativeness, good governance practices and made substantial contributions in improving the quality of lives of their constituents. There are three categories: Most Outstanding Governor, Most Outstanding City Mayor, and Most Outstanding Municipal Mayor. Awardees receive a plaque of appreciation and Php1000,000.00 cash grant.

Instituted in 2002, through the efforts of Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Father of the Local Government Code of 1991, the awards are given by a consortium of government agencies and the Philippines’ top academic institutions. At the forefront of this prestigious award-giving body is the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) of the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance. This year’s expanded National Selection Committee (NSC) includes distinguished members from the academe, government, business, media and civil society.

The partner institutions forming the awards consortium include De La Salle University-Manila, Development Academy of the Philippines, and the DILG’s Local Government Academy.

In receiving his award, Gov. Arnaiz said he “humbly accepts this award on behalf of the 1.2 Million Oriental Negrenses whose abiding faith in our leadership has inspired us to explore new pathways of development and to move forward with confidence and a firm determination to make a difference in their lives.”

He added that the field of local governance has never failed to excite him. “Everyday offers new challenges and endless opportunities to better the lives of our people. We are fortunate to have been given this privilege to serve and in the process recognized for our efforts,” Arnaiz said.

Among the LGLA’s roster of previous awardees were Bulacan Governor Josefine Dela Caruz, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Iligan City Mayor Franklin Quijano, Conception-Iloilo Mayor Raul Banias (2002); Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and Pamgil-Laguna Mayor Sergio Manzana (2003).

Negros Oriental cookbook eyed

2006-12-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

By Victor L. Camion
November 5, 2006 issue- Sun Star Dumaguete

GOVERNOR George Arnaiz said he looks forward to Negros Oriental having its own cookbook containing local and native menus.

Arnaiz issued this statement after the success of the two-day 1st Grand Cookfest dubbed "Lutong Garbo sa Oriental Negros" at the height of the Buglasan Festival on October 26 and 27.

On opening day, the governor encouraged local cooks to prepare local and native dishes that are

Unique to the province.

Sylvia Uy, vice chairman of the Oriental Negros Tourism Council (ONTA), said the winners of the cookfest could now start their own food business.

Uy said right after the contest, participants had started receiving orders.

Due to the success of the contest, ONTA plans to organize another competition, this time on Negros Oriental beverages in the next Buglasan Festival.

The Spicy Cardisoma of the municipality of Sibulan lorded over the 15 menu-entries in the cook fest held at Negros Oriental High School gymnasium.

Ginataang Steamed Chicken of Bacong won second prize followed by Ginataang Pasayan of Amlan.

First placer cook, Angelita Licerio of Sibulan, received P10,000. Ma. Victoria Morallo of Bacong, P5, 000, and Lucena Sedillo of Amlan, P3, 000.

The winners also received gift pack and a trophy each.

The Board of Judges was composed of culinary experts Michaela "Micky Fenix" Macabenta, Pinoy food columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Patricia T. Chiong Sr., vice president for administration of the Philippine Air Lines; and Jessica Avila, proprietor of Chika-an Restaurant in Cebu City.

Or Neg allots P22M, for track oval

2006-12-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

October 29, 2006 issue – MetroPost Dumaguete

SAY GOODBYE to dust and dirt at the Perdices Coliseum soon. The provincial government has scheduled bidding on November 7 for the installation of rubberized track oval.

This major upgrade, estimated to cost around P22 million, will put the facility at oar with world-class track ovals in Bacolod, Cebu, Manila, Cabanatuan, and Iligan, to name a few.

The amount for the rubberized track oval will be taken from a loan made by the provincial government with the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Gov. George Arnaiz said the improvement of the track oval is in line with the construction of the Provincial Convention Center. “This is for the people. It’s a multi-purpose structure. We also want to address the shortage of hotel rooms and convention facilities with the construction of this Convention Center,” he said in a telephone interview.

The pre-bidding for the rubberized track oval was held last Thursday, October 27, 2006, which was attended by three prospective bidders.

But one bidder was reported to have complained that the specifications for the project favored and particular suppliers and excluded suppliers of pre-fabricated track ovals.

Lawyer Ismael Martinez, provincial general services officer, said the specifications set by Bids and Awards Committee are justifiable and above-board.

He said the BAC has decided to use the “wet-poured” material instead of the pre-fabricated material, whose supplier quoted a price that was much higher than the approved budget of P22 million.

Provincial Engineer Susano Ruperto, who is also a member of the BAC, said that there was nothing irregular with their decision to select the “wet-poured” material. “Anyone, even the supplier of the pre-fabricated material, is free to quote a price for the wet-poured technology for the rubberized track.”

“In the end, it is the choice and prerogative of the end-user that will prevail,” Martinez said. “We decided that while the pre-fabricated rubberized track oval may offer the best technology, it is not within our price range, so we chose the technology that will fit our budget,” headed.

SU dance troupe represents country in Macau

2006-07-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

By Nonito Antonio Cuizon
July 16-22, 2006 issue – Metro Post

The Silliman University Kahayag Dance Troupe was the country’s sole representative to the X International Youth Dance Festival last week in Macau, China.

The dance fest is organized every two years by the Education & Youth Affairs Bureau in Macau, China every two years.

The SU dance troupe, founded in 1961, was the brainchild of Luz Jumawan which first focused on ballet and interpretative movements.

From 1979 to 1982, the late Liwayway Serion-Arabe continued its legacy, and applied their teachings to folk dancing. Then through the efforts of Prof. Joseph Basa, acting dean of the College of Performing Arts, the troupe is now called Kahayag, led by Ronnie Mirabuena from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and assisted by Swyline de Jesus, both trained at the Philippine High School for the Arts of the National Arts Center in Makiling, Los Banos. The dance troupe is in Macao with tour manager Prof. Jocelyn Somoza-dela Cruz

PAO awards 12 schools for GPAK program

2006-07-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

By Rachel M. Nessia
July 2, 2006 issue – Sun Star Dumaguete

TWELVE schools that have successfully implemented the province's Galing Pook awardee, Gulayan at Palaisdaan Alay sa Kabataan (GPAK), were awarded by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) Tuesday morning.

The schools were chosen after an evaluation of participating schools in the three congressional districts of Negros Oriental.

Prizes in the form of projects were given to the three top schools in each district under two categories, namely Gulayan and Palaisdaan.

The winners in the Gulayan category were: First District: Tinaogan Elementary School (Bindoy), First Prize; Pinocauan Elementary School, (Vallehermoso), Second Prize; and Bindoy Central School (Bindoy), Third Prize.

In the Second District, the winners were: Azagra Elementary School (Tanjay City), First Prize; Don Loreto Ledesma Memorial School (Tanjay City), Second Prize; and Bagtic Elementary School (Mabinay), Third Prize.

The Third District winners were: Amres Elementary School (Sta. Catalina), First Prize; Minaba Elementary School (Bayawan City) Second Prize; and Caniogan Valley Elementary School (Sta. Catalina) Third Prize.

In the Palaisdaan category, the winning schools were Maayongtubig Elementary School in Dauin, First Prize; Baslay Elementary School in Dauin, Second Prize; and Liptong Elementary School in Valencia, Third Prize.

The winners received prizes in the form of projects. First Prize winners under the Gulayan category received projects worth P100,000, second prize, P75,000, and third prize, P50,000. The prizes undr the Palaisdaan category were P50,000, P30,000, and P20,000 for first, second, and third prizes, respectively.

GPAK is now on its fourth year of implementation in all public schools in Negros Oriental.

Negrenses capture Muaythai gold

2006-07-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

By Rachel M. Nessia
July 2, 2006 issue – Sun Star Dumaguete

THREE members of the Dumaguete-Negros Oriental Muaythai Team took the gold at the three-day Olympic Day Festival-Philippine Muaythai League 2006 on June 23 to 26 at SM Manila.

The league was part of the weeklong Olympic Day Festival play-offs to select the national contenders for the Asian Games in 2006.

Walter Zaldarriaga, 17, of Dumaguete City, punched and kicked his way to the 54-57 kgs championship title, defeating Narciso Arcibar of Makati City.

Referee Billy Alumno stepped in 45 seconds into the first round to stop the fight after Narciso looked like he could not defend himself from Zakdarriaga's attacks.

In the 32 kgs junior championship title, John Rey Bendijo, 13, from Bacong faced off against Efren Lopez of Caloocan City to win the gold.

At 30 seconds into the second round, Lopez surrendered from a direct punch in the face.
Romnick Pabalate, former Dumaguete Muaythai student from Mabinay and recently drafted to the Philippine Muaythai Team, scored a gold after beating Jayson Basa of Quezon City in their 45-48 kg championship fight.

Bernabe Bustillo coached the team.

Meanwhile, the Dumaguete NegOr Muaythai Team is set for kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts Fight dubbed "Ground and Pound" on July 8 at the New Cebu Coliseum Complex.
PAO awards 12 schools for GPAK programBy Rachel M. NessiaJuly 2, 2006 issue – Sun Star Dumaguete

More tilapia fingerlings to enter Negros Oriental waters

2006-04-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

PIA
Metro Post
April 23-29, 2006 issue

To boost the tilapia production in the fish farms and fish pods in Negros Oriental, some 550,000 genetically enhanced tilapias for excellence (GET-EXCEL) fingerlings were turned to the province today by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The said fingerlings, which came from Clarin Freshwater Fishfarm, Caluwasan, Clarin, Bohol is the biggest dispersal done by BFAR this year.

The fingerlings will be distributed to the fish farms in East Balabag, Valencia, Tanjay City, Maslog, Sibulan and Bayawan City along with the Barangay Agricultural Development Centers (BADC’s) in the province and will be utilized by the Farmers Field School on Tilapia.

The fingerlings were turned over by Mr. Andres M. Bojos, BFAR Assitant Regional Director and Mrs. Anecita L. de la Peña, chief of the Fisheries Extension Training and Communication in BFAR-7.

Marathon Clinic opens

2006-04-18T01:29:00.000-07:00

By Syril G. Repe
Sun Star Dumaguete - www.sunstar.com.ph
April 13, 2006 issue

THE Dumaguete City Tourism Office and The Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club launched on April 9 their joint Marathon Clinic at Rizal Boulevard.

The clinic is patterned after the world famous Honolulu Marathon clinic in Hawaii, which trained thousands of people to run their first 42.195-kilometer marathon and founded by world-renowned cardiologist, Dr. Jack Scaff, Jr.

It aims to train runners who would attempt to complete 21-K half-marathon in November to give them the chance to participate in an activity that would improve the physical fitness of the participants.

Regular participation in the one-hour run regimen of the clinic would also serve as a preventive measure to arrest the growing incidence of lifestyle diseases like heart disease, which is now the number killer in the city.

Cecilio D. Tayko, president of the Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, said that the marathon clinic is free of charge and open to everybody interested to join. He said Mayor Agustin Perdices has issued a memorandum urging all city government employees to join the program.

Dr. Perry Mequi of Foundation University is the training consultant of the program.

The sponsors of the clinic are Ramas Uypitching Sons, Paramount Life and General Insurance, Dumaguete Muythai Association, Foundation University, and CTO among others.

Negros Oriental receives 2 additional honors

2006-04-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

By Adrian Sedillo
Sun Star Dumaguete - www.sunstar.com.ph
April 6, 2006 issue

THE Provincial Government of Negros Oriental got two more honors for its agricultural programs.

Provincial veterinarian Antonio Mutia presented the two awards to Governor George Arnaiz in the presence of all provincial department heads and members of the Provincial Board.

The awards received were for Best Local Government Unit in the Implementation of the Artificial Insemination Program and the Loan Breeding Program.

The artificial insemination program has been implemented in the province for the last 20 years and has been expanded to other provinces like Negros Occidental, Cebu, Siquijor, and Zamboanga del Sur.

Mutia told Arnaiz that the provincial program has been acknowledged as the best nationwide.

The loan breeding program gives farmers the means to improve their livelihood through the livestock breeding program involving carabaos and cattle.

The Provincial Government buys the carabao and the cattle and distributes them to farmers through a loan program.

Mutia said the Department of Agriculture noted that the program's management had high collection efficiency.

Lawn chess showdown

2006-04-06T22:26:00.000-07:00

By Syril G. Repe
Sun Star Dumaguete - www.sunstar.com.ph
April 6, 2006 issue

NEGROS Club 64 continues its mind skills battle for the youth this summer, the April Edition for the Open Youth Lawn Chess Tournament, which will reel off on April 22 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lawn Chess Park at the Capitol Area.

Florendo Zamora, tournament director, said the club and its sponsors would award prizes to the top finishers of the tournament.

He said the summer event is part of the club's activities for the youth to engage in sports.

The club's regular patrons, Mart Olendo of Land Bank of the Philippines, Dr. Andres Junco, Jr., and Police Chief Mario Ponce de Leon will sponsor the event.

In the municipality of Valencia, Barangay South Poblacion headed by barangay captain Rene Solamillo together with SK chairman Pipo Sy will launch the 2006 Valencia Summer Inter-barangay Chessfest at the end of this month.

Oriental Negrenses await PBA showdown

2006-04-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

By Syril G. Repe
Sun Star Dumaguete - www.sunstar.com.ph
April 6, 2006 issue

A WARM welcome awaits the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) when it brings its act to the province of Negros Oriental on April 8 at 4:30 in the afternoon at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center at Capitol Area.

Thousands of basketball enthusiasts in the province eagerly await the arrival of Red Bull and Talk "N" Text players who will clash in the out-of-town game, which is part of the Grand Matador Brandy-PBA Philippine Cup.

Negros Oriental Sports and Cultural Facilities Management Board Co-Chair Glynda Descuatan said the PBA game is one of the activities this summer that aims to promote tourism via sports.

Red Bull's key player Enrico Villanueva, Fiesta Conference best player, and number 14th overall pick Larry Fonancier will lead the team of Coach Yeng Guiao.

While Coach Derrick Pumarin of Talk "N" Text will depend on mean tower Asi Taulava, with the support of Jimmy Alapag and Willie Miller.

Rotarians reach out to Siquijor

2006-04-06T22:14:00.000-07:00

By Victor L. Camion
Sun Star Dumaguete - www.sunstar.com.ph
April 6, 2006 issue

ROTARY Clubs Zone D3 in Negros Oriental served thousands of residents in the island province of Siquijor through their free medical, dental, and legal services on April 1 and 2.

Zone D3 is composed of Rotarian members from the cities of Dumaguete, Tanjay, Bais, and Bayawan.

Lawyer Raymund Mercado, president of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete East and public relations officer of Rotary Clubs Zone D3 headed by Assistant Governor Youman Uymatiao, said the medical, dental and legal missions were held in barangays Campalanas in the town of Lazi and Candaping in Maria and Siquijor Provincial Hospital.

The medical mission included circumcision and minor surgeries.

Dr. Danny Olegario headed the medical mission, Dr. Alice Reyes the dental mission and Mercado, the legal mission.

Mercado said volunteers, including undergraduate doctors and nurses, have always been a part of the Rotary's mission to answer the call of "service above self."

Negrenses reap awards in National Trade Fair

2006-04-03T01:48:00.000-07:00

DTI/Tammy Sevilla

Metro Post, April 2-8, 2006 issue

Two local manufacturers from Negros Oriental reaped the top three awards during the recently- concluded National Trade Fair 2006 at the SM Mega Trade Hall in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

The Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage (NOAH), OWNED BY Engr. and Mrs. Dodong Yee, garnered the Top Seller Award and the Top Selling Prototype Award while Orient Gifts, owned by Stella Lezama, garnered the Top Seller Award for the Fashion Accessories Sector.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, the NTF is a market promotion for countryside entrepreneurs that have potential to serve both the domestic and international markets.

The other entrepreneurs from Negros Oriental which attended the NTF were the Brown Hands Industries, Babing’s Native Products and La Libertad Weaver’s Association.

The highlight of trade fair participation was the generation of cash sales and booked orders from exporters, export traders, institutional buyers and importers who visited the show. For this year Oriental Negrenses got the show’s top three awards, based on volume of cash sales and booked orders.

NOAH got two highest awards-the top seller award and top selling prototype award, and a consistent winner for four consecutive years. Orient Gifts won the top seller award in the fashion accessories sector. As a result, Region 7 won as the top selling region (on the national level), getting the highest amount of booked sales.

Digital Dumaguete winds up exhibits, job fair

2006-03-29T22:07:00.000-08:00

Metro Post
March 26 - April 1, 2006 issue

The Foundation University Computer Studies department, in cooperation with the Department if Science & Technology recently concluded a three-day annual exposition dubbed “Digital Dumaguete”. This year’s theme was “The future is at your fingertips”.

The activity kicked off with a web cast with Rex Maxiillan, an ArchiCad expert based in Hawaii. This was followed by the opening of the carious booths that joined the expo: Canon Marketing Philippines, AAC Tech, DGTech, Algorithm, Emcor, CAL Philippines, Mozcom Eide Format, Odlanoid, Octagon/IT Outlook, ASTI, CVISNet, Geoplan, TAPI, and DOST.

A series of lectures and product demonstrations were also conducted by the participating companies and government agencies. Student from all over Oriental Negros got the chance to listen to personalities who are experts in the field as they discussed about the latest in the world of technology.

During the Digital Dumaguete, the FU College of Nursing also took part in the event by conducting a Health Fair.

The highlight of the “Digital Dumaguete” was a job fair conducted in the cooperation with the Guidance & Counseling office. The international companies who participated in the job fair were SPI Technologies based in Bacong, Teletech based in Dumaguete, Entheos IT Inc., iCom International, and Island Merchants Corp.

Negros Oriental tops MDG program

2006-03-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

By Victor L. Camion
Sun Star Dumaguete
March 26, 2006 issue

NEGROS Oriental topped all provinces in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations, said a screener of the Galing Pook Foundation who visited Dumaguete City recently.

Luz Lopez Rodriguez was in the province to monitor if the province sustained its program that adapted the MDG.

MDG is a global commitment to address the concerns of the world's poor.

The millennium goals include ensuring that every boy and girl gets a primary education, reducing child and maternal mortality, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and reducing by half the number of people living in extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.

The Millennium Declaration adopted five years ago, committed world leaders to "spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty."

Rodriguez said Negros Oriental has successfully reduced its child and maternal mortality rate and empowered the women population. Governor George Arnaiz said the gains were made through the inter-LGU-NGO partnership in health care delivery. "If we make the women strong, the men become stronger," the governor told Rodriguez. The Galing Pook evaluator also noted that the Provincial Board, through Board Member Mariant Escaño-Villegas passed an ordinance to support the programs strengthening women's right. Moreover, she said, the Provincial Government had allotted millions of pesos for scholarship grants to the poor but deserving children to ensure that everybody gets primary education. The United Nations International Children's Education Fund, through the sixth Country Program for Children, has helped the province continue its program to open day care centers in the hinterland areas to bring education closer to the children.

'Mission accomplished!' -- Guv

2006-03-02T22:14:00.000-08:00

by Edmund Sestoso
Metro Post
February 19-24, 2006

“A lot has changed since I gave my first address in 1999.”

That was how Gov. George P. Arnaiz opened his twice-cancelled eight State-of-the-Province Address Thursday that underscored the gained of his administration since he assumed the governorship in 1999 and his optimism for more accomplishments in the future.

“Today, Oriental Negrenses are getting more productive and optimistic of the future,” declared the governor before Capitol and line government officers, business and civic sectors representatives, and member of the Provincial Board that packed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall.

Titled Now is Not the Time to Stop, the 45-minute SOPA underscored five major points the Arnaiz administration accomplished in the past eight years namely: major awards for excellence in local governance, the Buglasan Festival, exposure trips, the accomplishments of his 2005 11-point development agenda, and sectoral achievements.

For the provincial government’s three successive Galing Pook Awards, the Province received the Award for Continuing Excellence in local governance from the Galing Pook Foundation.

The ACE award is the highest recognition given to a local government unit for successive wins in the Galing Pook Awards and sustaining the programs.

Under Arnaiz’s administration alone, Negros Oriental won the Inter-LGU-NGO Partnership in Health Care Delivery in 2003, the Barangay Agricultural Development Center in 2004, and the Gulayan at Palaisdaan Alay sa Kabataan Program last year.

Previous to the three awards, Negros Oriental received two others-Community-Based Resource Management Program in 1994 and Community-Based Primary Hospital Project in 1995 under then Gov. Emilio Macias II.

The other awards the province received last year were the 2005 Crown Award for its nutrition program, the governor’s selection as Most Outstanding Silliman Award in Public Service and the 2005 Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence, recognition as Best Province in Project Implementation, Financial Management, & Monitoring by the European Union, and plaques of recognition from the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, the Bureau of Customs, and the provincial governors’ League of the Philippines.

Last year’s Buglasan Festival was the biggest in terms of events and participation and the most attended provincial event of the year that gained the province international exposure through ABS-CBN’s the Filipino Channel, print media, and international television network Living Asia.

“As a result of our Oriental Negros is now included as the official travel destination of the Cebu and Bohol tour operators, agents, and travel agencies.

Exposure trips

On international exposure, Sibulan’s Yagyag Festival, through the Department of Tourism joined the World Exposition in Aishi, Nagoya Japan in September last year.

A week later, Vice Gov. Jose Baldado headed a delegation composed of Provincial Board Members Henry Pryde Teves and Erwin Macias and officials from Negros Occidental to an international congress in Australia on organic farming systems and observed the cattle industry there.

The trip was in line with the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development that aims to make the island an organic center For agriculture and livestock industry in Asia.

The following month, on invitation of 3rd District Cong. Herminio G. Teves, the Governor, along with BM Henry Teves went on an exposure trip to China to observe the latest sugar farming and ethanol manufacturing technologies.

“These foreign travels enabled the administration to forge ties and gain insights,” Arnaiz said.

11-point agenda

The 11-point development agenda he outlines in his 2005 SOPA were accomplished almost all in record time and surpassed the targets set for that year, the governor said.

The agenda covered the construction of the 100-seater Provincial Convention Center which us ongoing non-stop, tourism development, increased farm productivity and family income through GPAK and BADC, road network, hospital building renovation, funds for the welfare of children, the elderly, and physically-handicapped through the 6th Country Program for Children of UNICEF, a child-minding center and drug store for senior citizens; funds for the Third Elementary Education 7 Secondary Education Programs, additional high schools in San Jose and Pamplona, improved provincial water and sanitation project with the help of the German Development Service, skills training program through the creation of the Provincial Integrated Skills Training Center, and more BADC sites.

Sectoral highlights

In agriculture, rice yield last year went up to 61,353 metric tons compared to 59,798 in 22004 while corn harvest rose to 73,062 metric tons compared to 70,252 metric tons in 2004.

Likewise, vegetable production increased by 10 percent from 7,184 in 2004 to 7,952 metric tons last year.

In three more areas of development, Negros Oriental signed an agreement with Negros Occidental to set up NISARD, a project that aims to transform Negros Island into an export processing zone of organic produce and an organic food basket of Asia; successfully grew garlic in Vallehermoso that exceeded the national target; and introduced vermiculture in BADC areas.

Plans for 2006

For 2006, Governor Arnaiz committed his administration to a 13-point agenda on continuing and sustaining the delivery of health services that includes the implementation of a P93 million European Union Grant to improve hospital and rural health unit facilities, the nutritional status of children, the supplementation for Grade 1 pupils in 10 pilot municipalities, agricultural productivity, existing livelihood programs, and the Solar Home System province-wide.

Likewise, the Provicne will help provide a more efficient transport system in Dumaguete by building a bus terminal for northbound buses, complete the Provincial Convention Center by September in time for its hosting of the first International Convention of Tour Operators.

He also plans to speed up the mobility of products and people by extending Highway 2000 or the Provincial Trans-Central Highway linking Mabinay, Tayasan to Himamaylan road, La Libertad, Guihulngan, and open more roads and bridges.

Arnaiz also pushed for the creation of a Negros Island Ports Authority, the privatization of the Buglasan Festival, the implementation of the Blood Donation Program, and the continuation of the Province’s support to the Gawad Kalinga Housing Project in the municipalities.

CAVEAT

2005-09-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

CAVEAT
Editorial - Metro Post
September 18-24, 2005 - Page 04

Would you ask a doctor to kill his own patient? Or would you ask a policeman not to arrest a criminal?

In these two instances, one would be asking both the doctor and the policeman not to do the jobs that hey were supposed to do. A doctor's job is to treat patients and policeman cannot just let a criminal go scot-free.

In the same manner, asking a local government unit not to approve the business permit of a competitor may be like luring our city officials into a trap which could land them jail terms and fines. The LGU does not have the power to grant a business exclusivity just because the business gives jobs to people. They can ask for tax incentives, better infrastructure and other benefits, but they can never put Dumaguete in their pocket. Providing jobs is an inherent responsibility of the business -- no ifs. Providing a level playing field for business, and creating a competitive atmosphere where only the best would thrive is the responsibility of the LGU.

Lest we forget, Vice Mayor William Ablong and City Legal Officer Neil Ray Lagahit were fined P30,000 each for confiscating a lotto machine which they believed was operating illegally. What then would be the penalty for people who did something they knew was patently illegal to begin with?

The request of a multinational call center for the City to bend the law in its favor by giving them a three-year exclusive contract, renewable at the call center's option, does not augur well for a healthy business climate. Doing so would be closing the door for bigger and better call centers who may want to invest in Dumaguete City.

We may be pushing this argument too far, but if granting exclusively to first-movers to this University Town was thought to be advantageous to one's business, we wouldn't have had St. Paul University, or Foundation University, or NORSU, or COSCA which all followed Silliman?

WELCOME HOME

2005-09-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

WELCOME HOME!
Editorial - Page 04
Metro Post
August 28-September 03, 2005

We extend a warm welcome to thousands of alumni of Silliman University who have come home to talk part in the annual tradition that is the SU Founder's Day.

There is something magical about homecomings and Founders' Day celebrations. They all make us look back to the time we were students, and wish that we could relive those days. Happy days of school and college, gliding swiftly like a dream. And the things of life and beauty are more nearly what they seem.

For many younger alumni who have returned to celebrate this happy occasion, it is not whether you have made your first, second, or third million. It isn't going to be whether you have been moved up to the top of your company of office. Rather, it will be how you look or behave now in relation to how your classmates remember you that would matter.

That will be the case for the first few reunions until they get tired of doing the same thing year in and year out that they start looking for more noble projects.

"Whenever I attend a graduation at Silliman, I know it would not be the last time I would hear of that batch. I know that someday, they will be back to help their alma mater." Dumaguete Vice Mayor William Ablong said that during the SUHS '51 awarding ceremonies of Sillimanian and Negrense Generals last Thursday.

"Tonight," he continued, "I am again proven right."

The awarding ceremony was how HS Batch '51 demonstrated their appreciation to the deeds of their classmates, fellow Sillimanians, and Negrenses who've helped shape what Dumaguete and Oriental Negros are today.

Such a simple idea had caught on like wildfire, and the response to their appreciation to the deeds of their classmates, fellow Sillimanians, and Negrenses who've helped shape what Dumaguete and Oriental Negros are today.

Such a simple idea had caught on like wildfire, and the response to their call for support has been tremendous -- the trophies even outnumbering the awardees.

And that laudable project had brought smiles to the hundreds of awardees, and their families. Everybody went home happy.

which isn't such a bad idea for other alumni classes to emulate. In this world where we are constantly greeted with bad news, let's make it a point to make other people happy.

And we do that by sharing our blessings with our fellowmen, and working together as a cohesive group to transform our dreams to reality.

Hopefully, this is not the last time that alumni do something good for their alma mater, for Dumaguete, and for Oriental Negros.

Happy 104th founders Day to Silliman University!

NAA CONDUCTS FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL TOURNEYS

2005-09-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

NAA CONDUCTS FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL TOURNEYS
Metro Post - Page 02
Issues & Updates
September 11-17, 2005

The Foundation University football varsity teams bagged the championship in the recently-concluded Negros Athletic Association (NAA) Football Tournament.

The games, which run for four weekends, were held at the FU North Campus football field.

The Women's Varsity Team A, and the Men's Varsity Team B of Foundation dominated over their contenders in both divisions. FU vice president for student life & external affairs and Sports director, said the NAA aims to provide continuous trainings to prepare local athletes for upcoming national or international competitions. The games also include volleyball and basketball.

The NAA was conceived three years ago by FU BOT Chair Victor Vicente G. Sinco, himself a multi-awarded football athlete in the US.

Depositario said they plan to invite athletic clubs from outside the Province to compete with local athletes to give them exposure. (Kristine Joy Feril).

SIATON RIVERS THREATEN POBLACION

2005-09-15T00:36:00.000-07:00

SIATON RIVERS THREATEN POBLACION
Metro Post - Page 08
September 04-09, 2005

Siaton, Negros Oriental - The town of Siaton could be submerged by waters from the Siaton and Canauay rivers-the two big rivers that encircle the poblacion - unless dikes are built to create a strong wall against future water overflows.

Mayor Vicente Arbolado said the town is threatened by floods, especially during monsoon months. He made the comment after the Pag-asa raised the possibility of more rains between now and February, which are considered the "wet season" in the Philippines.

Last year, heavy rainfall caused the Canauay river to overflow, closing traffic along the national highway.

Arbolado said the rechanneling of Siaton river was not necessary because the threat is seasonal and the solution involved only the construction of boulder dikes. Some residents, however, are opposed to rechanneling the river as they are not convinced that the project would help secure poblacion from flooding.

The mayor, however, said that the threat was real and that unless something is done to address this, he could not assure protection for people who will be affected by future floodings. (Edmund Sestoso)

FR. EKING CHOSEN FOR ROTARY GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE TEAM

2005-09-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

FR. EKING CHOSEN FOR ROTARY GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE TEAM
Metro Post - Page 08
September 04-09, 2005

The Rotary District 3860 has chosen Dumaguete Diocesan priest Enrique "Eking" Balongag as one of the four-member Group Study Exchange (GSE) team to New Orleans in Louisiana.

Father Eking, a columnist of the Metro Post and vice president for Academic Affairs of Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria, will be with three other professionals, chosen from 54 aspirants from Rotary Clubs in the Rotary district covering Central and Eastern Visayas, northeastern and southern Mindanao.

Gerry Baroy, president of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete and secretary of the Council of Presidents of the Rotary clubs of Negros Oriental & Siquijor, said the other members of the GSE team are Jason C. Magnaye and Roberto Alabado of Davao City, and Lanitesa Gascon of Cebu City.

As a GSE team member, Father Eking is an Ambassador of Goodwill of Rotary District 3860, particularly his nominating club, the Rotary Club of Dumaguete Central headed by Richmond Galon.

The GSE program of the Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40, and who are in the early years of their professional lives.

For four weeks, the four team members and their leader will experience Louisiana's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas with their counterparts there.

Father Eking holds a doctoral degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Sto. Tomas. He is chairperson of the Commission on Catholic education of the diocese of Dumaguete, superintendent of the Diocesan Catholic Schools in the diocese of Dumaguete, and HR consultant of the 1st Multi Industrial Development Corp. e-Scribe Global Data.

Former GSE team members from Oriental Negros include Raymundo Dto Jr. (Kansas), Metro Post publisher Alex Pal (Washington and Vancouver, Canada), and Councilor Myrish Cadapan-Antonio (Australia). (Edmund Sestoso)

SMOKE HAZE

2005-09-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

SMOKE HAZE
Metro Post - Page 05
September 03-09, 2005

As 5pm draws near everyday, I hurry to leave the office to go home to Sam who'll be waiting by the gate for his afternoon walk. but it's getting harder to decide in which direction to walk at that hour in Valencia.

When Sam and I went out to the street yesterday, there was a huge cloud of smoke coming from the south of our street, and a low-lying thick haze coming from the church compound if we headed north. Not much choice, so I held a handkerchief to my nose and walked on.

Virtually every house in Valencia sweeps their yard, sidewalk, and canal, and then strikes a match to the pile of leaves, fresh cut grass, and bits of plastic and paper trash.

Between 4 and 6 pm, hundreds, if not thousands of Valencianons, very many children among them, cannot avoid breathing in the smoke that is the by product of this daily clean-up ritual.

If it is a wind-free day, the smoke continues to hover for a long time. Last night, I sat on my porch at 7pm, and still had to contend with the strong smell of smoke.

Theoretically, burning shouldn't be necessary if people would compost garden refuse, but apparently, no one wants to bother. Sadly, some nice young Manila friends who had settled in Jawa have just decided to pack up and leave again, out of concern for their two year-old's health.

In fact, the burning happens everywhere. Smoke haze hovered over parts of Batinguel, Junob, and Talay several times last week as I drove home.

Maybe it's the fear of dengue that has everybody burning, even though the Department of Health advisories clearly say that smoke does not kill mosquitoes, but merely drives them away for a while.

It could also be that after periods of rain, grass and plants are overgrown, so people cut, trim and burn.

The information does not seem to be disseminated by health authorities that breathing in smoke, suspended particulates, and the carcinogenic chemicals released by burning plastics and rubber causes serious harm to health. children are at most at risk. It's getting so bad, we'll have to put up signs that say "Warning: Breathing is dangerous to your health!"

The Paradox

2005-09-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Paradox
Metro Post - Page 04
September 04-09. 2005

The Sibulan Water District is neck-deep in hot water over reports that the water from their main source has a very small amount of arsenic, a chemical which, when taken repeatedly over a long period of time, could cause cancer of the lungs, skin, or liver.

The problem of the Siwad started in February after residents of barangay Agan-an in Sibulan opposed the replacement of their water pipes from the Dumaguete City Water District for the Siwad. Why? Because of a study by the University of the Philippines which found that the arsenic content in the water from Siwad's Magatas pumping station was .022 mcg/liter -- higher than the World Health Organization's standard of .01 mcg/liter.

Now, tests conducted by three other laboratories accredited by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources have revealed that the arsenic levels have decreased to a level that is considered safe.

The Siwad now wants the trust of the Sibulan water consumers so they would patronize their services and, most important, pay their water bills.

But how do you earn trust? The officers of Siwad themselves can convince to the public how safe their water truly is by conducting regular water-drinking sessions directly from Siwad faucets in Sibulan's various barangays.

This suggestion, though, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

As it turns out, many Siwad officers themselves do not seem convinced about the status of their water. They actually drink only mineral water.

This is the paradox the Siwad officials face: If they themselves are not convinced by their own product, how could they convince anyone else?