REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROVINCE OF SIQUIJOR
MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI

I. Introduction and Background

A. Economic Profile

Before the Spaniards came to Siquijor, the area where the present municipality of Lazi now stands was
called Tigbawan due to the preponderance of “Tigbaw” in the place especially along the bay. Tigbaw is a kind of reed
belonging to the grass family. Tigbaw bears white and golden brown silky flowers. The plant is an excellent fodder for
cows, carabaos, horses, goats, or sheep.

When the Spaniards came to Lazi, they saw the beautiful bay Shaped like “C”. The Spaniards named the
place “LA C”. But Maria, an adjacent town and a more pronounced C shaped bay and therefore a better candidate
than Lazi for such a name.

From the research findings of Jean – Paul Dumont, a more convincing conclusion about the origin of Lazi
has been disclosed.

The town of Lazi was name in honor of the mother of a Governor-General of the Philippines (February 2,
1854 – October 28, 1854) whose full name was Manuel Pavia Y Lacy.

In 1857, it was spelled Lacy, until it was changed to LACI; until in turn it was then changed LAZI.

Lazi, a municipality on the south coast of Siquijor Island, part of Negros Oriental Province before is 25 miles
southeast of Dumaguete City and has a good harbor.

Lazi became a pueblo or a separate administrative unit on May 31, 1857. In commemoration of this
significant event in history of the place which is the founding of Lazi as a town, One Hundred Fifty Two (152) years
ago, the Sangguniang Bayan of this Municipality enacted an Ordinance Proclaiming May 31, 2009 as first celebration
of the Charter Day of Lazi and every 31 st of May thereafter as Lazi Charter Day. Thus on May 31, 2010 the Local
Government Unit of Lazi commemorated the Charter Day Anniversary Celebration with more significance and
meaning.

Income classification:  4th class

Population: 23,013 (2010 Philippine National Census)
Number of Barangays:  18
Location: 200 kilometers south of Cebu City
Boundaries: Municipalities of Siquijor and Larena on the North, San Juan on the East, Maria
on the West, and the Mindanao Sea on the South.
Coastline: 16 kilometers spanning on 5 coastal barangays
Land Area:  8,461.00 (in has.)

Existing General Land Use

Agricultural areas are predominant in the existing land use as these covered 68(%) percent of the total land
area, based on the generalized land use/vegetation of 1992, the agricultural areas were composed of paddy rice-
irrigated, corn and coconuts.

Grasslands covered 29 (%) percent of the total land area of the municipality with an area of 2,453.69
hectares. Whereas the woodland has an area of 42.305 hectares which is .50 (%) percent of the total land area of the
municipality, so do with the wetlands has the same number of hectares as well.

The residential areas. Or built-up areas and miscellaneous over only 2 (%) percent or 169.22 hectares.
Residential/ or built-up areas includes barangay Tigbawan and portion of barangay Catamboan area as town’s urban
area and barangay center, public market surrounded with 54 market stalls and clusters of (15) households or more
outside of the outside of the barangay center.

Existing Urban Land Use

Based on the “Existing Area Characteristics Map”, residential buildings are predominant in most of the
blocks in the municipality’s urban area road/ street system. Commercial establishments are concentrated within and
around the vicinity of the public market. Institution establishments like the municipal hall; government offices, church,
convent, bank and schools are concentrated in the barangays Tigbawan and a portion of barangay Catamboan
called Poblacion. These sections are predominantly composed of residential areas as these covers 17.81 (%)
percent, followed by commercial areas within 15.19 (%) percent. Institutional area within the urban area covers 9.00
hectares or 12.43 (%) percent of the urban area. Parks and open spaces covers 0.060 (%) percent which includes
parks and open space in the Poblacion, basement along the coastal and creeks, and the cemeteries within the urban
area. Light industrial zone within the urban area comprised 14.50 (%) percent of the total urban area.

The urban area in Lazi, unlike other municipalities, still contained agricultural lands as these areas are
irrigated rice lands considered con-negotiable for conversion. Aside from its being utilized for production purposes,
these urban agricultural lands serve as open, greenbelt and breathing space of the urban core.

Land Use Categories Area in (Hectares) Percent to Total

*Urban Use Areas
****Residential 169.22 2.00%
****Commercial 32.00 0.37%
****Infrastructure/ Utilities 5.00 0.05%
****Institutional 9.00 0.10%
****Parks/Playgrounds and other recreational spaces 4.00 0.04%
****Industrial/ Agro-Industrial

*Agriculture 5,753.48 68%

*Forest and forest use categories 1,089.79 12.87%
*Mining/Quarrying 150.00 1.77%
*Grasslands/Pastures 742.52 8.77%
*Tourism 0.78 0.009%
*Other uses/categories
****Cemeteries 5.00 0.05%
****Dumpsites/Sanitary Landfills 2.00 0.02%
****Buffer zones/greenbelts 25.00 0.30%
****Idle/vacant lands 460.22 5.74%
****Reclamation
*Water Uses
****Nipa Swamps 5.00 0.05%
****Mangrove Forests 5.00 0.05%
****Tourism (Recreation/resorts) 3.00 0.02%
****Settlements on Stilts
****Infrastructure (e.g ports, fish landing)
****Aquaculture and marine culture (e.g. fish cages/fish pens
Others,
seaweedspecify
culture,(e.g. river sand/gravel quarrying, coral reef,
etc..)
seagrass beds…)
Total 8,461.00 100%

B. LED Vision and Mission of the Municipality

VISION: An Environmentally Sound Premier Center of Tourism, Trade and Industry in Central Visayas

MISSION: To uplift the Quality of Life of the LAZIHANONs through a well-balanced Socio-Economic Growth
and Development

C. KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS

c.1 TOURISM

The town of Lazi in the Island of Siquijor is popular as a tourist destination in Central Visayas. Both the
huge, antique, Hispanic-designed convent and church of St. Isidore The Farmer Parish located in the heart of
Lazi town and declared by the National Historical Commission as national historical landmark draw hundreds of
foreign and local tourists every year. The wooden floors of both edifices made of seasoned narra and molave
lumber that were arranged artistically in diagonal shapes amaze those tourists of our forefathers’ ingenuity and
creativity. About a kilometer from the heart of the town lies a natural swimming pool with fresh cool water coming
from the cascading Cambugahay Falls with such a natural beauty to behold. Adventurous tourists reach the
natural swimming pool by descending several steps down the steep ravine. The beautiful Cambugahay Falls
 completes the triad spots that the town of Lazi has to offer to tourists. Drawing many more tourists to our place
gives much opportunity for the tourism industry to progress.

ESTABLISHMENTS

Shops/Malls Banks and Financial Institutions

FCB
M. Lhulier, Palawan Pera Padal, Cebuana
Lhulier
Private Lending Institutions
Cooperatives
Tour & Travel Operations Tourist Information Offices
Local Destination Municipal Tourism and Information Office

Restaurants & Other Food Establishments

Kuya’s Resto Bar Rubee’s
Noynoy’s Eatery
El Monte Café

c.2 Trade and Commerce

The local government has identified the construction, operation and management of a Tourism Center as an
investment opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of the local industry. The facility shall showcase the town’s
tourism destinations and address the needs of visitors for information, assistance as well as amenities foe meals,
souvenirs, supplies and massage services.

Another opportunity lies in the field of enriching the historical, cultural and educational interest of visitors with a
Lazi Heritage Museum and Café. The facility shall be one-stop-shop to learn about the history of Siquijor and her
churches as well as the unique cultural heritage of healing, potion and amulets. This eandevor needs coordination
with the National Historic Commission of the Philippines.

c.3 Agri-business

Agri-business is an area that could be looked into by anyone with even a minimal capital but with big aptitude
and work ethic. Hog and Cattle raising on a commercial scale, by the way, is an economic endeavor quiet impervious
to the economic tides of the countries of the world.

c.4 Telecommunication and ICT facilities

Existing LGU Policies and Programs for Workforce Development

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

For reasons cited in the foregoing, Bogo never stopped growing. Using the principles of spatial
development, the local government leadership, has consciously directed its expansion goals in ways that
tended to maximize the growth potentials of strategically-located places. Recently the leadership made a
bold expansion move again. Believing it is much easier and more economical to carve a new business
district out of vast sugar cane fields, than to do patchwork development in the presently congested business
areas, the local government deemed it wiser to implement its expansion goals in the vast flatlands of
 barangay Cayang – one of the four contiguous barangays with a combined total of around 1000 hectares of
non-CARP covered lands. This is the site of the new City Hall and the area envisioned to be the new
government, entertainment and business district.

Because of the decision to create a new business district and of investors showing serious interest in
acquiring properties in such a practically virgin territory, the City harnessed the expertise of PGAA Creative
Design – a Manila-based professional design firm with 30 years of extensive experience both locally and
internationally in site planning, urban design and landscape architecture. With this rising, the employment
rate will increase due establishments that will sprout soon in the City.

The City established Bogo Livelihood and Technical Skills Training (BogoLites Center) approved through
Ordinance No. 002 Series of 2008 on April 2008, once a dream and now leadingly help the Bogohanons
gain access in skills training and finding jobs. It is also a job placement center, for some industries conduct
Special Recruitment Activity (SRA) in the area.

D. EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AND ASSESSMENT OF CAUSES AND EFFECTS

1. Lack of Skilled Workers

The lack of skilled workers threatens economic growth. More coordination and support with our schools,
colleges, and training and placement programs will build a highly, skilled and highly adaptable workforce.
Our education, training, and job placement system should be a priority to develop skilled and adaptable
workforce.

2. Lack of Job Opportunities

Lack of decent jobs could impose great problems. Because there is no means of earning a living, problems
like homelessness, illness, malnutrition and mental stress may arise. Unemployment is also a cause on the
increase of crime rates. The lack of job opportunities causes individuals to take up work that doesn’t fit their
career profile and/or skills. The lack of investors and businesses that could provide good jobs is one key
factor in the unemployment.

E. WORKFORCE PROFILE OF THE LGU-Lazi

Inventory Date: October 31, 2015

I. Career Positions
a. 1st Level
i. Male – 25
ii. Female - 32
b. 2nd Level
i. Male – 14
ii. Female - 33
II. Non – Career Positions
a. Elective Officials
i. Male – 8
ii. Female-1
III. Others
a. Job Orders
i. Male – 15
ii. Female – 8
b. Contract of Service
 i. Male – 3
ii. Female – 2

II. LGU Plan to Address the Unemployment Problem (through the priority economic sector)

A. RATIONALE:

The Municipality of Lazi is identified as one of the LGUs that is located in the main category in the Tourism
Development Circuit of the province of Siquijor. With it being an investment strategic location soon rising a
new economic, tourism and business district, it is expected that there will be a need for more establishment
workers in the next 10 years. Consequently, there will be a need for 5000 additional crews for the soon
rising establishments in the municipality.

Specific target beneficiaries:

There are_____ beneficiaries of DSWD’s 4Ps program from poblacion barangays, where the new business
district is accessible, who are looking for entry level positions in small to medium enterprises such as
Welding, Cookery, Dressmaking and Housekeeping, but they don’t possessed skills training yet.

B. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

GENERAL
 To increase the employment rate of the Municipality of Lazi
 To develop more skilled and competitive workforce in the locality
 To enable social and environmental support
SPECIFIC

 To find employment for 500 beneficiaries of DSWDs 4Ps in economic related micro small medium
enterprises by 2025.

C. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

III. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

To bridge the gap, the municipality plans to:

1. Identify training providers and partners

2. Establish and formalize strategies with identified training providers
3. Purchase equipment used for training
4. Identify target beneficiaries
5. Comply administrative requirements for enrollment
6. Implementation of training
7. Assessment of trainees
 IV. ACTION PLAN

Proposed Action/Activities Target Beneficiaries Timelines Budget

(Sub-sectors of Tourism) Amount (PhP)

LGU Counterpart DILG

Purchase of laptop computer, printer, AVR,
LCD projector (for SRS) February 2016 300, 000.00
Hiring of Job Order for SRS 2 February 2016 200,000.00
Conduct of Industry Forum 100 Habal-Habal, tricycle
drivers, Second Quarter of 150,000.00
50 tour guides, 2016
tourism establishment
owners,
100 workforce

Tourism and Culture Awareness 100 Habal-Habal, tricycle

drivers, Second Quarter of 500, 000.00
50 tour guides, tourism 2016
100 establishment owners

Specialized Trainings for Tour Guides 100 Habal-Habal, tricycle Second Quarter of
drivers, tour guides 2016 200, 000.00
Institutionalization and Trainings of LEIPO, 20 LEIPO, PESO, TO, Second Quarter of 210, 000.00
PESO, TO Department Heads 2016
Skills Training in Partnership with 50 OSY, Students Whole Year 500, 000.00
TESDA/SSC
Cash for Trainings 50 Workforce Whole Year 690, 000.00
Training on Tourism Influx Survey and 50 Customer Service Third Quarter of 80, 000.00
Analysis Reception Staff, Managers 2016
Hospitality Training for Dining and Homestay 30 Homestay Owners Third Quarter of 130, 000.00
2016
Workers Monitoring and Evaluation System 20 Tourism Establishments Third Quarter of 40, 000.00
and Homestay Owners 2016

TOTAL 3, 000, 000.00

Prepared by: Approved by:

FRANKLYN V. SUMALPONG ORPHEUS A. FUA

PESO MANAGER Municipal Mayor

EARL A. ALJAS
LEIPO / SB Member
 V. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

VI. COMMUNICATION PLAN

Description Type Target Audience Delivery Method Delivery Responsible

Frequency

Status reports Mandatory Partners Paper / Email Monthly LEIPO

Recruitment Informational Locals Quadmedia Weekly PESO Manager /

IO

Training proper Mandatory Beneficiaries Stand-up Tourism Officer

presentations & LGSP-LED
and fieldwork

Assessment Mandatory Beneficiaries Exit Conference Tourism Officer,

PESO, LGSP-
LED Focal,
LEIPO

Prepared by: Approved by:

FRANKLYN V. SUMALPONG ORPHEUS A. FUA

PESO MANAGER Municipal Mayor

EARL A. ALJAS
LEIPO / SB Member

MUNICIPALITY OF LAZI

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN