Orientation on conduct of earthquake drill for LGU employees

Orientation on Conduct of Earthquake Drill for San Jose LGU Employees (March 14, 2014). 
Topics discussed were: (1) what are hazards associated with earthquake; (2) what to do before, during and after an earthquake; (3) and earthquake evacuation plan of the LGU.

National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill will be on March 19, 2014 (Wednesday). 

Take note of earthquake safety: When shaking starts go to safe spots. Duck. Cover. Hold. After the earthquake, calmly evacuate the building and proceed to designated evacuation area (for March 19: Gov. Villavert St. at the back of RHU).

Food Heritage of Antique Project: Advocating Use of Local Produce in F&B Industry

It was my first time to experience a five-star hotel chef cooking gourmet food using local produce right in front of me . It was like those "Wolfgang-Puck-cooking-show" on TV where a celebrity cooks for the audience.

The event dubbed as Food Heritage of Antique Project, held at the Advance Central College (ACC) Annex, was by invitation only and had this exclusive ambiance.

Mr. Rani Rodriguez, President of ACC in San Jose, Antique, organized the said event to increase knowledge of his students on various techniques of food preparation using local produce and also to promote use of local produce among local restaurateurs.

He has invited over Chef Aurora "Babes" Austria for the Project. 

According to this article,  Chef Babes is a former Malacañang Palace Executive Chef. She was  a budget and finance expert, a CPA with a degree in law, she held the post as Finance Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development under the leadership of then Vice President Gloria Arroyo. She is also a retired executive chef of Taal Vista Hotel and is now a food consultant for the SM Hotel group.

Chef Babes emphasized that the local restaurateurs could help the local economy by buying local produce (such as the moscovado, coconut vinegar, fish and vegetable produce, tableya) for their menu.

As Chef Babes shared her techniques while cooking, she said that aside from helping the local economy it is also a social responsibility to serve healthy food to your clients by removing unwanted fats (beef fats in broth) or avoiding artificial additives in ingredients (citric acid in commercial vinegar).

After the cooking demonstrations, guests, selected students and ACC faculties sampled the Chef's masterpieces for lunch which includes: Tanguige ceviche using local coconut vinegar and malunggay flowers; Fresh shredded sayote salad with dried salted shrimp (locally known as kalkag) and passion fruit - honey vinaigrette; Antique batwan lechon; Baked chicken with alupidan (vine which serves as host of rafflessia) leaves; Ensaladang talong using local coconut vinegar; Gaway-gaway (katuray) salad; Seafood paella; Deep-fried pinindang, Gourmet KBL (kadyos, baboy, langka); Baked fish (dorado) with bell pepper and native tomatoes; Garlic bread with fried dilis with olives, katuray and native tomato; Fried dilis and ray (locally known as pagi).

Thank you Sir Rani and congratulations for the successful conduct of the Food Heritage of Antique Project with Chef Babes Austria.

It was an awesome experience!

Baked Chicken with Alupidan Leaves

Fried Dilis and Pagi garnished with native tomatoes

Garlic bread topped with anchovies (dilis), olive, slice of native tomato and gaway-gaway

Deep Fried Pinindang

Fifth from left is Chef Babes Austria.

Fish (Dorado) with native tomatoes and bell peppers

Gaway-Gaway Salad

Tanguige Civiche

Antique Batwan Lechon

Seafood Paella

Suman Using Local Tableya

Sayote Salad with Dried Fish (Kalkag)

Ensaladang Talong

*Some bits of wisdom picked up from Chef Babes (translated and/or paraphrased):

"From the soil to the plate." 

"When mixing with acid, such as vinegar, do not use metal mixing bowl. Use plastic, ceramic or glass. If you use metal, the food will taste metallic. This is a basic in culinary school. "

"

Radio geusting at PIA radio program

To promote emergency medical service (EMS) of San Jose de Buenavista, Municipal Information Officer designate opted for a radio guesting at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) radio program - Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 10:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. at station DYKA.

DRRM orientation for key barangay officials held

San Jose de Buenvista Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office held a one-day DRRM orientation for re-elected and newly elected punong barangays and barangay DRRM focal person.

The activity aims to enhance the understanding of the punong barangays and their barangay DRRM focal person on basic DRRM concepts, laws and policies.

Acting Municipal DRRM Officer Engr. Alex Crespo, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Janeth Norella, and Municipal Information Officer Designate Ms. Chin Tacogdoy discussed (1) Basic DRRM terminologies, (2) Top Hazards of San Jose de Buenavista, (3) Republic Act 10121 (DRRM Act of 2010), (4) Reorganization of the Barangay Development Council and the Barangay DRRM Committee, (5) Guidelines re the Utilization of the Local DRRM Fund, and (6) Guideline re Declaration of State of Calamity.

Also discussed in the orientation were plans for the the 3rd Municipal Rescue Olympics on July and participation to Gawad Kalasag Award 2014 (rural barangay category).

San Jose dB to push for gender responsive land administration and management

San Jose de Buenavista was chosen as one of the two pilot local government unit in the Philippines to implement the Strengthening Capacities for Gender Responsive Land Administration and Management, Land Tenure Improvement and Tax Administration Project.

In line with the project, a training workshop on integrating gender and development (GAD) in land administration and management (LAM) was conducted.

A gender assessment of the existing land administration policies, systems and procedures, and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of San Jose de Buenavista was conducted which resulted to the development of short-term action plan for integrating gender in land administration and management.

The training-workshop was attended by key land administration personnel of the LGU (such as the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Municipal Assessor, Municipal Treasurer, Municipal Environment and ) and national government agencies (Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Environment and Natural Resources), GAD focal person of the LGU and NGAs, and representatives of relevant organizations.

Partners from the provincial government (Provincial Assessor's Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office) also attended the training.

The GAD project is a grant funded by the Asian Development Bank and hopes to promote equal rights of women and men to access, use and own land.

The other pilot LGU is Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

San Jose dB, DOT train site guides for town's main attractions

The local government of San Jose de Buenavista in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) conducted a tourist reception and basic tour guiding techniques seminar.

According to DOT, The seminar was designed to develop and improve the performance of front-liners in rendering first rate professional service in the tourism industry.

Moreover, the LGU hopes to improve the service in its main tourist attractions - Farmville and the Marine Protected Area especially the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Mini Galley.

Farmville is an LGU-owned demo farm for integrated organic farming, which offers tour, lectures and training on organic farming techniques.

The CRM Mini Galley offers discovery tour of the marine ecosystem and environmental protection and conservation while the Marine Protected Area is open for snorkeling activities thru the CRM Mini Galley.

Participants from allied services such as accommodation establishments and souvenir/ craft shop also attended the training.

On the last day of the training, a mock tour was conducted to assess the compentency of the participants.

Mayor Rony Molina hopes to conduct tourist reception training to tricycle and jeepney drivers in the Municipality. 

San Jose dB to receive eHealth tablets

San Jose de Buenavista has been chosen to be one of the recipients of the eHealth TABLET (Technology Assisted Boards for LGU Efficiency and Transparency) in Western Visayas.

The  provision of tablets is a component of the "Developing eHealth TABLET Prototype: A Bottom Up Approach to the Development of an Electronic-based Health Information System Integration Application" which aims to design and develop a mobile patient record system (a software application) with dashboard output and a doctor-mayor communication system.

Hoping to provide an innovative solution to the Philippine's health information management problem and to improve the health decision-making process of local government units, the Philippines Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), and Ateneo Java Wireless Competence Center (AJWCC) of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) partnered with and the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) to select 12 pilot sites across the country.

A signing of Memorandum of Agreement and turn over ceremony will be held on August 23, 2013 at the Municipal Hall.

San Jose excellent in ARTA compliance

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) rated the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) initiatives of San Jose de Buenavista Excellent.

According to the ARTA Report Card DILG furnished the LGU, San Jose de Buenavista scored 94.15% with an equivalent descriptive rating of Excellent, for the survey period of October 3-5, 2012.

To track the compliance of local government units to RA 9485 or the Anti Red Tape Act of 2007, the Civil service Commission developed the ARTA Report Card Survey and the DILG conducted the assessment.

San Jose de Buenavista was assessed on the areas of (1) Compliance with ARTA Provisions, (2) Frontline Service Provider, (3) Service Quality, (4) Physical Working Condition, and (5) Overall Satisfaction.

Specifically, Compliance with ARTA Provisions assessed details on Citizen’s Charter, Anti-Fixer Campaign, ID/Nameplates, No Hidden Costs, Public Assistance/ Complaints Desk, and No Lunch Break; while Physical Working Condition covers Physical Set-up/ Layout and Basic Facilities.

The LGU score was based on questionnaire and inspection checklist. Questionnaire comprised 80% of the total score while 20% was from the checklist. 

Republic Act 948 promotes transparency, integrity, and accountability in government transactions.

Mayor Molina to speak on National DRRM Summit for LCEs

Mayor Rony L. Molina of San Jose de Buenvista, Antique will share the town’s best practices on disaster risk reduction and management in national summit for local chief executives.

The event was organized in response to the President's directive to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that calls for the strengthening of LCE roles and responsibilities in DRRM for effective and efficient delivery of government services.

According to the NDRRMC Executive Director Eduardo del Rosario, the President as well as other high ranking government officials are expected to grace this event along with Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Regional DRRM Councils (RDRRMCs), provincial, city and municipal Chief Executives, NDRRMC member agencies and directors of National Government Agencies (NGAs), and members of the Congress, the academe, religious sector, civil society organizations and the UN Humanitarian Country Team.

The activity is divided into two events – a four-day Pre-Summit on March 12-15, and the National Summit on March 20.

Mayor Molina will speak in both occasions to discuss the various disaster risk reduction and management initiatives in San Jose according to the mandates of Republic Act 10121 or the DRRM Act; showcase the best practices of San Jose in DRRM; and identify pathways to carry local safety and resiliency agenda forward.

San Jose de Buenvista was a National Gawad Kalasag Best Municipal DRRM Council, for first to third class municipality category, from 2010-2012 and is now a Gawad Kalasag Hall of Famer.

Other invited speaker from Western Visayas is Mayor Christine Garin of Guimbal, Iloilo.

Farmville hosts training on food processing for women

San Jose LGU's Farmville hosted a three-day training on food processing and fishery product development.

The training was organized by the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Jose de Buenavista,  under the helm of OIC-Municipal Agriculture Officer Florante Q. Moscoso, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Regional Fisheries Training Center.

Participants of the training were from barangays San Pedro and Mojon. They were women who are already into cooking and food processing and were identified through their punong barangays.

San Pedro and Mojon were chosen for there is no existing Rural Improvement Club (RIC) organized in the area.

The technology transfer training aims to increase productivity of the agri-fishery sector and encourage self-sustained growth. At the same time, aims to organize the women into an RIC.

Aside from learning different methods and principles of preservation and processing of various farm products, the participants were taught gender and development concepts and issues and were introduced to basic entrepreneurship.

Farmville is a one-hectare demo farm of the municipal government, located in Sitio Lugutan of San Pedro, using the Integrated Framing Approach and focused on organic farming. It is a venue for learning and center of technology transfer for farmers and students.

San Jose dB to open emeregency medical service this 2013

Emergency medical training.

The Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista will open a 24/7 emergency medical service (EMS) under the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office this first quarter of 2013.

One of the top hazards in San Jose de Buenavista is vehicular accidents.

This initiative was planned to respond to this perennial incident which claims many lives.

Emergency medical service unit aims to provide treatment to those in need of urgent medical care and/or arranging for timely transport of patients to the next point of definitive care such as the rural health center or the hospital.

An EMS ambulance was purchased for this purpose and a team of healthcare providers are trained for this purpose.

A 24/7 hotline will be introduced to the public once equipment and manpower requirements are completed.

The 24/7 EMS is an addition to the 24/7 birthing services of the LGU.

Poverty reduction team meet for bottom-up budgeting

San Jose de Buenavista Municipal Poverty Reduction Team (MPRAT) held an bottom-up budgeting workshop.

Top-left: MPRAT Chair Mayor Rony Molina giving a message on poverty alleviation.  Bottom-left: MLGOO Janeth Norella facilitating the activity. Right: MPRAT shortlisting projects for San Jose de Buenavista.

The MPRAT, organized through local Executive Order No. 001, series of 2013, is composed of heads of the LGU offices and representatives from civil society organizations. It is chaired by the local chief executive and co-chaired by a civil society organization representative chosen by the CSOs in an assembly.


During the one-day workshop, the team have identified priority poverty reduction projects.

Projects identified includes capacity and skills enhancement and business start-up for the youth, women, senior citizens and persons with disability.

Provision of pre and post harvest facilities for farmers, and marine resource conservation and protection and support services for fisherfolks were also in the identified priority programs.

Buttom-up budgeting is an approach to budget preparation that takes into consideration the development needs of the cities and municipalities identified in their respective local poverty reduction plans formulated in strong participation of the basic sector organizations and other civil society organizations.

These are activity is part of the national government's effort to harmonize, coordinate and complement  the programs and projects of departments and other government instrumentalities to attain the national development goals and objectives.

Farm mechanization to boost San Jose dB agri productivity

Agrricultural Technicians, OIC Municipal Agriculturist Florante Moscoso, Mayor Rony Molina with the leaders of the beneficiary farmers associations.

Two farmers' organization in the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista received facilities for farm mechanization to boost rice production.

Pantao Farmers Association received a water pump and engine while Division A Irrigators Association received a rice drum seeder in a simple turn over ceremony in front of the town's hall.

These machines were issued as part of the Farm Mechanization Program (FMP) of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office.

Under the program, qualified farmers groups and cooperatives, and irrigators’ associations, and local government units receive equipment and machines under a fund counterparting agreement.

DA covers 85% of the cost of the farm machine while the recipient, for the case of San Jose is through the LGU, pays the remaining 15%. 

The program aims to increase the present farm mechanization level of the Philippines and facilitate the increase of agricultural productivity in the country.

Come one, come all to Tradetown 14th Anniv

Tradetown 14th Anniversary Schedule of Activities

San Jose dB honors town former SB

Necrological service for former Sangguniang Bayan Member Angel del Rosario in the Municipal Hall on October 25, 2012 before the church mass and interment.

San Jose dB is Gawad Kalasag Hall of Famer

(L-R): OCD USEC Benito Ramos, DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, Mayor Rony Molina, MDRRM Officer Engr. Alex Crespo, OCD Region VI Rose Cabrera and DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin.

(L-R): OCD USEC Benito Ramos, DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, Mayor Rony Molina, MDRRM Officer Engr. Alex Crespo, DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, OCD Region VI Rose Cabrera, MDRRMC Info Officer Fe Corazon Malaya Tacogdoy and MDRRMO Research and Planning Head Ma. Fe Salvani.

San Jose de Buenavista was adjudged as the Best Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for 1st to 3rd Class Municipality Category in the Philippines.

This is the third consecutive year that the Municipal Council earned the National Gawad Kalasag for the said category thus placing San Jose dB in the Hall of Fame.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council lauded San Jose de Buenavista for integrating DRRM into development and investment planning; adoption and implementation of Cluster Approach in DRRM; effective inter-local cooperation; notable coordination and partnership with national agencies related to DRRM; preference given to persons with disability in disaster management planning; and regular conduct of drills to ensure community preparedness.

Awarding of the National Gawad Kalasag was held at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on October 10, 2012.

Gawad Kalasag (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) is given to individuals, non-government organizations, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines.

Other National Gawad Kalasag 2012 awardees from Western Visayas were:

• Guimaras Province: 2nd PLACE PDRRM COUNCIL
• Bacolod City: 3rd PLACE CDRRM COUNCIL
• Balete, Aklan: 3rd PLACE 4th to 6th Class Municipality/MDRRMC
• Bgy Sipitan-Badiang, Guimbal, Iloilo: 1st PLACE Rural Barangay Category/BDRRMC
• Bacolod Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade: 1st Best Private Organization
• Iloilo Emergency Responders: 2nd Place Basic SAR; Best Govt Emergency Response Management (GEMS)
• Cabasi-Sta. Rosa Elementary School, Guimbal,Iloilo: 1st PLACE Best School (public-Rural)
• Guimaras Provincial Hospital: 2nd Place Best Hospital (Provincial & District Hospital)
• Abante Aklan (Civil Society Organization) : Heroic Act or Deed During Emergency Response & Rescue Operations (Special Citation)

San Jose de Buenavista targets to earn the Seal of Disaster Preparedness of the Department of Interior and Local Government after bagging the 2012 National Gawad Kalasag Best Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 1st - 3rd Class Municipality Category and 2012 Gawad Kalasag Hall of Fame Award.

San Jose dB receives Seal of Good Housekeeping

Mayor Rony L. Molina with Municipal Administrator Florante Moscoso presenting the seal of good housekeeping to the municipal employees of the LGU during the Monday flag raising ceremony.

San Jose de Buenavista received the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The Department conferred the seal to the Municipality in recognition of its efforts in advancing accountability and transparency in local governance for 2011.

A glass plaque and a financial aid of P950,000.00 through the Local Government Support Fund was given to the LGU. (sjdb_mio)

Recruitment for UP Manila Scholarship for Certificate in Community Health Work is On

The University of the Philippines Manila, School of Health Sciences (SHS) is partnering with San Jose de Buenavista LGU to provide education opportunity to deserving high school graduates for certificate course on Community Health Work.

In a letter to Mayor Rony L. Molina from Prof. Zenaida C. Varona, College Secretary and Chair of Recruitment and Admissions Committee, San Jose de Bueanvista was identified by the University as one of the target areas for recruitment of student for academic year 2013-2014and is provided with two slots for the certificate course.

The School of Health Science implements a step-ladder curriculum whose main objective is to provide a wide range of health professionals who are expected to serve Filipino Communities.

The step-ladder curriculum provides opportunity for individuals to pursue a career in midwifery upon passing the Midwifery Licensure Exam. This certificate course also serves as a stepping stone for a degree in nursing and medicine.

With this partnership, the University and the LGU shall provide financial support to cover for the educational expenses of the chosen scholar.

Target applicants are high-school graduate, preferably 16 to 25 years old upon admission.

He or she may not have more than one year college experience or preferably not more than three years out of school (for out of school youth).

According to Prof. Varona, upon graduation, the scholar will be obliged to do return service to the Municipality for two years in very year of training or a fraction thereof, increasing the health manpower to take care of the health needs of San Josenhons.

UP School of Health Sciences (SHS) main campus is in Palo, Leyte.

University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences Recruitment Primer (front).

University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences Recruitment Primer (back).

How to get a San Jose de Buenavista Mayor's Clearance

Issuance of the Mayor's Clearance is one of the frontline services being rendered by the Office of the Mayor. It is often required for local employment and board examinations for it is a form of  certification of good moral character for bonafide residents of the Municipality.

To apply for a Mayor's Clearance, the applicant must present the following documents:
A. Barangay Clearance
B. Court Clearance
C. Police Clearance
D. Official Receipt of Payment for Mayor's Clearance Fee of P75.00 (only).

The Barangay Clearance is the first document you need to secure. It is a very important document for it will also be used in the acquisition of the other clearances. The Barangay Clearance Fee differs from barangay to barangay.


Meanwhile, the Court Clearance is secured from the Hall of Justice, Binirayan Hills, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. Present your cedula or community tax certificate secured from the Municipal Hall (to date barangays are no longer deputized to collect fees or issue cedulas) and Barangay Clearance for the Court Clearance.

There is a Court Clearance Fee and another fee for the documentary stamp.These shall be paid at the Hall of Justice.

The Police Clearance is issued by the Municipal Police Station found along T.A. Fornier St., San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, upon presentation of Official Receipt of payment of Police Clearance Fee of P75.00 (paid at the Office of the Municipal Treasurer, Municipal Hall) and presentation of required documents such as the Barangay Clearance and Court Clearance.

Upon completion of the documentary requirements, submit these to the Office of the Municipal Mayor.

Processing time ranges from 30 minutes to 24 hours depending on the availability of Municipal Mayor or his OIC.

Reminder: Mayor's Clearance issued by the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista is applicable only to bonafide residents of the town.

Local employment requiring Mayor's Clearance includes Gaisano Grand Mall of Antique, Chowking and Jollibee.