METROPOST


RT-PCR still needed in LGUS -


MARCH 14 - MARCH 20, 2021


NEWS and UPDATES 3 CAMPUS NEWS


Romulo-Puyat said the practice of Dumaguete City to require negative RT-PCR test results is similar to the requirements of most local government units in the country.


Tourism Sec. Tourism Sec. Bernadette


MPost columnist gets intl Social Impact award


The Belgium-based Marie Curie Alumni Association -- a community of the best scientific minds from all over the world -- has recognized a Dumagueteña with the Social Impact Award. Dr. Jenny Lind Elmaco was given the Social Impact


Puyat made the announcement in the wake of reports that some destinations that have reopened continue to impose a test-before-travel policy.


Award “for going beyond your ‘excellence in research’ fellowship, and using your skills for societal impact”. She was recognized for her work in science diplomacy, peace & security, and gender equality. Elmaco had initiated the Girls Congress, spearheaded


Cong. Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria discusses with Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade about infrastructure projects for the 2nd District of Negros Oriental, as Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque listens. (DOTr photo)


CoViD cases drop in Neg Oriental


The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in Negros Oriental is declining, as the provincial government gears up for the massive inoculation of residents. Assistant Provincial


Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion, health committee chair of the province’s Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, in a virtual press briefing last week, however, appealed to the public to not let their guard down against the dreaded disease. Latest data showed more recoveries and a decline in the number of new cases in Negros Oriental. Estacion said there are


38 recoveries and 15 new positive cases of Covid-19 in the Province. The new cases are from San Jose (four); Bayawan City (three); Dumaguete City and Sibulan (two each); Canlaon City, Sta. Catalina, Tayasan, and Guihulngan


City (one each). The 38 new recoveries are from Tanjay City (19); Guihulngan City (six); Dumaguete City (five); Basay (four); Bayawan City (two); Canlaon City and Tayasan (one each). As of March 8, the Province’s total caseload is 1,783 broken down into 1,631 recoveries, 97 active positive cases, and 55 mortalities, Estacion said. She appealed to the


arrival in the Province. Meanwhile, an initial batch of 5,000 doses of Sinovac’ s CoronaVac vaccines arrived at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport on Monday morning, intended for Negros Oriental and Siquijor. Health authorities


people to continue adhering to the basic, minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields, observing safe physical distancing, and hand disinfection with the use of alcohol or soap and water.


Meanwhile, Estacion said two cases of the Covid-19 variant/mutation were reported in Negros Oriental, involving children from Guihulngan City and Bais City.


Bacong airport plan to go on: Sec. Tugade


They tested negative in the RT PCR test upon


are still conducting an inventory and allocation of the vaccines as the rollout is expected to start on Tuesday. The five hospitals in this capital of Negros Oriental, and one in Siquijor will receive the vaccines. These are the provincial government-owned Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, and four private hospitals: Silliman University Medical Center, Holy Child Hospital, Ace Dumaguete Doctors Hospital, all in Dumaguete, and the Negros Polymedic Hospital in nearby Sibulan town; and the Siquijor provincial hospital, Estacion said. (PNA)


“Siargao requires also, Siquijor will require, Dumaguete and Negros Oriental will also require; Iloilo also requires. Actually, halos lahat they require test before travel (nearly all destinations require test before travel). Even Cebu City requires,” she said. T he requirement removing the requirement for a Negative RT-PCR test for those entering the Province was mandated by Gov. Roel Degamo through Executive Order No. 5, Series of 2021, released on Thursday. Degamo said Negros


Oriental is adopting the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 101 that calls for uniformed travel protocols, but with additional provisions from the provincial level. The EO states that


on the ground efforts (including a webinar) on CoViD response while locked down here in Dumaguete, and continues to write a series of opinion columns in the MetroPost, including one on The Virus versus Science Diplomacy where she argued how integrating science into foreign policy to tackle shared global challenges could be an appropriate response to the pandemic. Elmaco is Regional representative of the European


Research Action Service (EURAXESS), an initiative of the European Union. She is based in Vietnam, and shuttles across the ASEAN where her programs and events are conducted. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions is Europe’s most


competitive and prestigious research and innovation fellowships. Skłodowska-Curie (born in 1867) was a Polish- French physicist and chemist who discovered radium and polonium, and conducted pioneering research in radioactivity. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the only woman to win the Nobel twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.


SU pledges support for renewable energy Code


Covid-19 testing is not mandatory for a traveler unless it is required by the destination LGU. The EO has also lifted quarantine for travelers unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at the LGU of their destination. A travel authority and


health certificate are no longer required as well. Other stipulations found in Resolution No. 101 are also adopted such as adhering to the minimum basic health protocols of masking, hand sanitization, safe physical distancing, the use of information and


TO PAGE 9 Duterte warns


Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade on Thursday said the proposed airport project in Bacong, Negros Oriental would push through as planned.


paliparan, ginagawa at tinatapos (The feasibility study and plan for that airport are now being finalized),” he said in response to queries on whether the proposed new airport project has been shelved. Tugade, however, did not give a definite timeline for the project. He said other concerns, such as the right of way, are being addressed, adding that Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director Gen. Jim Sydiongco wants to break ground for the project by next year.


“Yung sinasabing feasibility study at plano upang magkaroon ng


Luzon lang, presidente siya ng pangkalahatan at pangkabuohang Pilipinas (President Duterte is not just the president of Central Luzon but the entire Philippines),” he said. He cited the Philippine Ports Authority as an example, under which more than 300 projects are being implemented nationwide. “Malaking bahagi diyan ay sa Visayas (A big portion of that is in the Visayas),” he said. The President led the inauguration of the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport rehabilitation project that includes the re-blocking of the apron, construction of two taxiways, expansion of the existing passenger terminal building, runway asphalt overlay and shoulder grade correction, and expansion of the CAAP administrative building.


Build, Build” projects in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and does not favor any particular area. “Si Presidente Duterte, hindi siya presidente sa Central


Tugade also said the administration is implementing “Build,


These improvements have upgraded the airport’s capability to accommodate heavier aircraft and have increased the terminal’s TO PAGE 8


Tugade spoke to reporters at the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport hours before the arrival of President Duterte here to lead the inauguration of two projects backed by the Department of Transportation.


Pinoys to go hungry if quarantined


President Duterte admitted on Thursday that Filipinos would go hungry in case he extends further the implementation of strict quarantine protocols in the country.


country could not afford to be on strict mode “forever”. “Now, this is the


During the inauguration of the newly-constructed Port Operations building at the Port of Dumaguete in Dumaguete City, Duterte said he has to make a tough decision to help Filipinos cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. He said he has no choice


but to reopen the Philippine economy, stressing that the


devil and the deep blue sea tayo (we are between the devil and the deep blue sea). But I have to reopen the economy. I’ve given a timetable of just weeks, we cannot forever be in the strict protocols because we have to open the economy. People are hungry, people have to work, to eat to survive,” Duterte said. The government’s plans to further reopen the country’s economy and


TO PAGE 6


Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos lauded the efforts of Negros Orient to accelerate the promotion, development, and use of its indigenous renewable energy resources, as he also urged the Province to adopt “more concrete and time-bound” provisions in the proposed Negros Oriental Renewable Energy Code. “We need firm policies that would finally end the use of fossil fuels in Negros Island, and remove barriers to the development and use of renewable energy,” said Bishop Alminaza, co-convener of the Withdraw from Coal campaign.


from the REpower Negros study published by the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development in September 2020 which said that 95 percent of the Negros Island’s installed capacity mix comes from renewable energy sources. He lamented, however, that around 70 percent of electricity in Negros Island is still sourced from neighboring coal and diesel-powered plants. “The phaseout of unnecessary coal consumption must be pursued...the phase out of coal will not diminish energy security in Negros since renewable resources can sufficiently supply energy. However, renewable energy must be maximized and further integrated into the grid,” he added.


proposed Negros Oriental Renewable Energy Code authored by Board Member Jose Baldado, during the celebration of Renewable Energy Day led by the Provincial government.


Silliman University has pledged its support for the


“Silliman fully supports the move to institutionalize the Ordinance declaring Negros Oriental as an environment- friendly and a ‘clean energy’ Province, believing that it fully conveys environmental concerns, promotes responsible utilization and development of energy resources that would allow a dynamic growth for our communities in Negros Oriental,” said Information & Publications Director Melita Aguilar.


BM Baldado said the ordinance was crafted as a way to address climate change issues, and the need to develop the Province economically. Representatives of the Department of Energy Region VII, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Region VII, the Energy Development Corp., St. Paul University Dumaguete, Negros Oriental State University, and other government offices and civil society organizations in the Province also pledged their support for the proposed Ordinance. “Today’s celebration of Renewable Energy Day will surely seal our efforts not just for now but for the future; for after all, the Provincial government’s efforts also complement the advocacy of Silliman in protecting and conserving the environment,” Aguilar said. Since 2016, Silliman has been maximizing the use of


solar panels on campus, installed at the CBA building, the main library, and the Luce Auditorium. During the Renewal Energy Day in 2019, Silliman


presented its best practices in using solar energy. Electrical and Mechanical Engineering students from the College of Engineering & Design also presented their RE projects. Silliman has been a long-time partner of the Energy Development Corp., the world’s second largest producer of geothermal energy, and other alternative energy projects using hydroelectricity and wind energy. (With reports from SU OIP)


The Bishop from the Diocese of San Carlos cited data


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