We can never compare Cebu or Bohol to Negros Oriental because 60 percent of the tourism initiatives in Cebu and Bohol are driven by the private sector, 40 percent by government. It’s the other way around here in Negros Oriental: 70 percent of the initiatves are done by government; 30 percent by the private sector, maybe because they haven’t quite realized the potential. Although it’s undeniable that when you go downtown, you will see that hotel owners seem to be in a race to build, so tourism is booming. Since our destinations here are natural, our tagline here is The fun starts here, naturally. We still have many things to work on. We just launched the activity zipline in Balanan in Siaton. We have prepared our brochures in seven languages. WE continue to join trade fairs, tourism summits, seminars, etc. We’re trying our best to develop, level up, enhance, and be at par with world-class standards. — Christopher Don Catacutan, Tourism Office
It’s not about expecting the President to say what he has accomplished so far, but rather asking yourself, “What have you done this year for your country?” We have always known the key to growth is putting the interest of others beyond one’s own. This, for me, is very true; after listening to the President’s SONA, it has strengthened my resolve first, to do what is RIGHT in the Student Government; to be transparent with how we deal with our programs and activities. We plan to do this by releasing statements of the resolutions passed in the assembly, the budget that has been used for its programs, and having a college-to-college caravan where we make the SG available to students with any questions or concerns. Second, to address the students’ needs and concerns we have identified. Last, to continue and improve what the SG had [been doing] the previous years, and explore any other areas that may need improvement, or areas that are new that have not yet been discovered. After all, at the end of the day, it will always be about the students, service for them, and a service that is always above one’s self. — Marian Vanslembrouck, president, Silliman University Student Government
There will be a lot of problems, and there will be a lot of challenges, but if we are united, we can certainly succeed. There are some strategic goals that must be met. What we can do at our level here in the City so that we can move on, is to do everything we could, to accomplish our strategic goals as much as we could, and to do whatever we can for the City. That’s the best we can do. Hopefully, with the proper leadership, we hope and pray that the good things we deserve as a nation can be achieved. — City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova
I don’t think there’s anything that needs us to risk here… yes, there’s this thing about preparing for K+12, preparing for a re-landscaping of the curriculum in the college level as a result of the K+12… we are in the process of always anticipating and preparing how we’re going to position the University. We are no longer talking about 11 and 12 in Silliman, we’re talking of 11 and 12 and its implication to college, and how we’re going to prepare and re-design our college courses, if necessary, because for example, they want college to be all content, technical content, and less basic preparations, basic preparations will go to high school, then so be it… we are embarking on a process to be able to rethink, we call that “curricular re-landscaping”. To Silliman, it’s not just about K+12, it’s total education. —Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, president, Silliman University
As media practitioners, we will continue what is expected of us — as the watchdog, the fourth estate — and continue to reflect the hopes and dreams of a freedom-loving people. Being in this endeavor, we will maintain the respect for the rights and sensitivities of all people, and continue to promote national unity even though this sector is not one of the priorities of this government. We will move on, and continue shaping the country through responsible broadcasting. —Roy Bustillo, president, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Dumaguete Chapter
We will continue to implement the agricultural plans for Negros Oriental. We will go into the 2nd phase of the organization and training of farmer scouts, what we call bantay peste who are expected to watch out for the build-up of any signs of outbreak of pests and diseases in agriculture lands. This is 70 percent funded by the Provincial Disaster & Risk-Reduction Management Council. — Nenita B. Bangay, information officer, Provincial Agricultural Office
Our group is so diverse, and we have varying ideas [about how to go about our plans]. But after listening to President Noynoy’s SONA, we have been inspired to be a cohesive group. We would like to build a sense of unity and cooperation among the members. If the City needs our help, we will cooperate and provide better service to our passengers. — Jefry V. Deguit, corporate secretary, Dumaguete City Integrated Transport Services Inc.
If you noticed, it was only Negros Oriental that covered the SONA live on air. The provincial government offered the Lamberto Macias Sports Center for free public viewing [of the SONA]. In the rntire Visayas, I could say that it was only Governor Degamo who was able to do this. PTV Network Inc./Channel 10 in fact wrote thanking the provincial leadership for supporting the SONA. The President’s programs on health, education, peace and development are clear towards one direction. For our health initiatives, we were given funding. For education, we were given land for schools, we were given teachers, we have not been left out by the national government. — Jose Arnel V. Francisco, provincial administrator, Negros Oriental
We usually don’t have problems with [the number of] classrooms here in Dumaguete City, but if we want [to go by the] standard, I would say we are in need of classrooms conducive for learning. We also need more toilets. As for teachers, we are dependent on the Special Education Fund [that provides for teachers’ salaries]. Right now, we have 46 teachers in the City paid for by the SEF. In terms of textbooks, my co-chairman of the local school board, Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria, is also looking into the provision of additional instrumental materials. Last year, we allotted an amount for our pre-school textbooks; also, textbooks in HELE, MAPE have been allotted an additional budget. The President’s aim by 2015 is that all children must be in school by then. In Dumaguete, we have been taking steps [in that direction] like, before the school year begins, we coordinate with the barangay captains, the PTA to really invite parents to send their children to school. In fact, the Alternative Learning System has been active in accommodating the out-of-school youth. This prepares them for the Accreditation & Equivalency Test. If elementary drop-outs pass the test, they get a diploma for the elementary level; same for high school drop-outs; until they are able to enter college. We also take care of SARDOs (Students at Risk of Dropping Out). — Dr. Ramir B. Uytico, OIC City Schools Division superintendent, Department of Education
