one mindanao - april 11, 2013

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)Ground Floor Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur Twitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Executive Editor …….. EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI

Managing Editor …….. ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern & Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director - PIA Caraga Region OIC Regional Director - PIA Region X

Associate Editors …… NOEMI B. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII ELAINE O. RATUNIL Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X

Regional Desk Editors Franklin P. Gumapon, PIA Region IX Jorie C. Valcorza, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editor ............... Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Layout Artists ……… Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Retchie Tolinero, PIA Region X

Senior Layout Artists : Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region

Editorial Advisers :

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Philippine Information Agency

Director General

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

Cover Story

Ozamiz ICT-SCALA Center, now accredited by

DSWD for OSY/YWD Program implementationRutchie Cabahug-AguhobNorthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Thursday, April 11, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 162

page 4

Palace says government closely watching developments in Korea Peninsula 8

DOE, PIA to conduct nationwide consulta-tion on renewable energy code of practice15

Lanao del Norte joins nation-wide ‘Operation Baklas’

LGRRC-9 personnel undergo library management training

DOT9 conducts training on tour operations, packaging in Dipolog 13

2426

Mary May A. Abellon, Western Mindanao

DSWD 12 lauds partners in helping reduce poverty30Danilo E. Doguiles, Southern Mindanao

Noel B. Najaro, Caraga Region

Thousands of children in Caraga region are still unschooled, also hundreds of women are less-schooled 18

Marie-Zil Malinao , Northern Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

DA urges farmers, fishers, institutions to join Gawad Saka search31Danilo E. Doguiles, Southern Mindanao

6 10 12 16 21 28

Thursday, April 11, 20134

The Center is intended for young men and women, from 15-24 years old but are financially hard up, dropped-out from school, have turned to exploitation work just to earn a living and involved in addictive vices, such as smoking and taking illegal substances. Included in the package of services of the center are life skills training for the OSY/YWD, who are members of the Pag -Asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) to enhance their employable skills and enable them to become productive and contributing members of society. Lodged at the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Office and handled, particularly, by the Ozamiz

City Youth ICT Training Center for OSY/YWD, the SCALA project is implemented in partnership with the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) of Canada and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Ozamiz. Meanwhile, 30 more PYAP members from the 28th and 29th batches of the

Ozamiz ICT-SCALA Center, now accredited by DSWD for OSY/YWD Program implementation

The Ozamiz City Information Communication Technology-

Sharing Computer Access Locally and Abroad (ICT-SCALA) Center, has just been accredited to implement community-based social welfare programs and services for the Out-of-School Youths and Youths with Disability (OSY/YWD) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

CoVer StoRy

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Thursday, April 11, 2013 5

SCALA classes are set to graduate, on April 11, this year, which brings to 424, the total number of the SCALA beneficiaries, of whom 164 were males and 260 were females, while of the eight (8) YWD’s, two (2) were males and six (6) were females. Under the SCALA Project, an OSY/YWD beneficiary undergoes a 10-month training program in computer operations that would prepare him/her for job opportunities, not only for domestic employment, but also abroad. To qualify, the OSY needs a referral from the barangay officials, health workers, day care workers, Purok Presidents and other local government employees, CSWD Officer Ludie Salud A. Raras said. She said the SCALA Project receives an annual budget of Php320,000 from the LGU of Ozamiz for the operations of the training center, and links up with other government offices (GO’s) for the on-the-job training (OJT) phase.

Some of these GO’s are the City Health Office (CHO), Parole and Probation Administration-Department of Justice (PPA-DOJ), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Commission on Population (PopCom), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), among others, Raras said.

Ozamiz ICT-SCALA Center, now accredited by DSWD for OSY/YWD Program implementation

6Thursday, April 11, 2013

ACROSS THE NATIONAquino: Roxas Airport rehabilitation to bring regional development

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking Wednesday of the Roxas Airport Development Project in Roxas City underscoring the importance of the project for the development of the tourism and trade in

the region.In his message during the event, the

President said the government allocated P215 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the airport.

Among the program of works include asphalt overlaying and runway extension, installation of night-landing facilities, fire truck acquisition and rehabilitation of the

airport’s passenger terminal building.Once the project is completed, the

President said the facility could accommodate 797 passengers a day, a dramatic increase from today’s 419 passengers per day.

“Malinaw po ang layon natin: ang higit pang patatagin ang turismo ng Capiz; ang bigyang lakas ang iba’t


Aquino: Roxas Airport rehabilitation to bring regional development

ibang negosyo’t industriya; at ang itulak ang inyong probinsya sa landas ng pag-asenso’t kaunlaran,” the President said.

“Sa pagdagsa ng mas maraming bisita sa Capiz, dumadagsa rin ang mas maraming pagkakataon para sa mga Capizeño na itimon ang kanilang buhay at para makiambag sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya.”

The President also said the government allotted P7.69 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of airports in the country this year.

These developments will be enhanced by the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns warning by the International Civil Aviation Organization issued previously to the Philippines, the chief executive said.

To ensure that every flight is safe, the country is using the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System as database of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Airlines are also now mandated to undergo Minimum Required Annual Inspection in addition to CAAP’s Certificate Management Department. This will ensure that all local carriers flying overseas follow safety regulations.

With the passage of the Common Carriers Tax Act, the President said the

removal of the 3 percent tax on airlines and shipping will encourage more tourists to come to the Philippines, thus bringing more development to industries tied with the tourism sector.

The efficient use of P17 million for the rehabilitation of airports, ports, roads and tourism promotion are all geared towards opening the country to more tourists and foreign investors, according to the chief executive.

The President also reported that with the intense competition among local airlines the country would need additional 119 aircrafts to fill the need for more planes connecting major foreign cities and the Philippines.

“Walang ibang hangarin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon kundi ang pagbuksan ng pinto ang mundo para dumagsa ang mga negosyo, turismo, at, pinakaimportante po, kabuhayan na pakikinabangan ng mga Pilipino,” he said.

“Kung dati, nasanay tayo sa siklo ng pagsadsad at pagkakadapa, ngayon, bumabangon na tayo at naghahandang umalpas. Ngayon, humaharap na tayo sa isang maaliwalas na bukas. Huwag na po tayong hihinto pa; tayo na po at iarangkada sa kaunlaran ang ating bansa,” the President added. PND (as)

8Thursday, April 11, 2013

Palace says government closely watching developments in Korea Peninsula

The Philippine government continues to monitor the developments in the Korean Peninsula particularly

North Korea’s plan for a missile test, Malacanang said on Thursday.

In a press conference in Malacanang, Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) said the Palace is alarmed by North Korea’s planned missile launch.

“We are certainly disturbed by the provocative actions being taken by North Korea but, of course, our number one priority is to make sure that the Filipinos, who might number as much as 40,000 if I’m not mistaken, that we’re doing what we can to keep


them out of harm’s way,” he said.“We’re closely monitoring the

situation. The DFA is in touch with our allies and the governments that are involved in this, like Japan and South Korea,” Carandang added.

The Philippine government is also following closely the multi-state discussions on how to resolve the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Carandang said.

But the Palace official also said that the Philippines, being a small country, is not in a position to largely influence the outcome of the discussions.

“The best we can do at this point is to support our allies who are trying to deescalate the situation and to make sure that the Filipinos living there will be provided all the necessary assistance that they need should the situation deteriorate,” he said.

Carandang also assured that the readiness of the government’s contingency measures in case hostilities break out in the region as

he declined to discuss the specifics of the measures to be taken because of certain sensitivities.

Last week, President Aquino said the government is ready for any emergency and the Department of Foreign Affairs is in touch with Filipino community organizations in South Korea to make sure that they are prepared to evacuate if there’s a need.

The chief executive also said the Philippine government has a much improved logistical capability to move out Filipinos out of South Korea if a shooting war starts.

The American military is watching closely the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, where North Korea is believed to have prepared mobile ballistic missiles for launch at any time.

Japan said it has deployed missile defense systems around Tokyo to protect its population from any missile launch by North Korea. PND (as)


DOE Chief assures there is no power crisis but lack of power capacity in Mindanao

The rotating brownouts, particularly in Mindanao, has caused

additional concerns for some sectors given the upcoming mid-term elections this May.

However, the Department of Energy (DOE) has, time and again, assured the public that the government is not remiss in looking for solutions to address the problem.

Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the power problem all over the country has been on-going for some years now but most people do not know this because it does not come out in the news.

“This is the reason why we keep on ensuring not only enough capacity but better contracting to arrest the problem,” he said stressing that there is no power crisis in the country to date.

Petilla admits that there is current lack

of power capacity in Mindanao but the situation will be fully addressed by 2015.

“So what we’re looking at now is for a solution between now and 2015,” he said.

Department of Energy (DOE) data shows that Mindanao’s capacity has been in deficit for some time now.

For last March alone, average capacity in the country’s second largest island group totalled to 1,124 MW while demand and curtailed load totalled to 1,311 MW, thus, a deficit of 187 MW.

For this month, the Energy Department projects an available capacity, from the Iligan Diesel Power Plant (IDPP), of about 1,226MW while demand is projected at


DOE Chief assures there is no power crisis but lack of power capacity in Mindanao

1,299MW, thus, a deficit of 73MW.During the election month, the projected

capacity is about 1,195MW while forecast demand is 1,377MW or a -182MW system gross reserve.

Petilla earlier traced the lack of power supply in Mindanao alone to the limited hydro capability due partly to the summer months, the planned outages of large power plan unit, non-operation of power plant, and unexpected or forced outages.

DOE is looking at interruptible load program (ILP) as among the immediate solutions to the problem.

Petilla said 12 entities have received Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approval, and these are projected to provide 160MW capacity.

He said nine other ILP participants have pending ERC approval.

“Hopefully, they will get the approval before the elections,” he said.

Under ILP, private companies that have power generators need not tap electric DUs for their need but instead use their own facilities.

In turn, they will be paid by the DUs based on the fuel and oil used in running their entities’ generators and on the depreciation of the equipment.

Another solution being eyed to address power shortage in Mindanao is the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM), which is targeted to start commercial operation September this year.

Under this system, big entities that own generators can be tapped to provide electricity to power cooperatives.

Petilla said the funds for the IMEM program is already with the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) but PEMC cannot start the program due to lack of ERC approval.

“I’m quite sure they’re (ERC) also aware of the problem of Mindanao and they are

even assuring PEMC that they will prioritize the approval of the budget. The money is already there, what we’re asking is a go signal to touch it,” he said.

Another immediate solution is the use of modular generation sets.

The DOE has three options in the use of generation sets namely renting out generation sets to electric cooperatives (ECs), for the ECs to purchase their own units through commercial financing, and for the ECs to purchase the units through National Electrification Administration (NEA) financing.

For long-term solutions, the DOE vows to ensure that the 588MW committed projects will operate on schedule.

For this year, the committed projects is targeted to provide 38MW for the capacity is 150MW for 2014, 300MW for 2015 and 100MW for 1016.

Aside from the lack of power sources another problem in the country is high power cost, which is due to inefficient contracting, Petilla said.

And because of this, the Energy department plans to come up with a website that will list cost of power.

Petilla said pricing is based on capacity, thus, more power projects translates to cheaper price.

“Even if there is enough power we’d like investors to come in and compete against expensive power plant so that eventually the expensive power plants will disappear. And that will make our electricity cheaper,” he said.

The Energy Chief pointed out that if the government is not able to address the issue of capacity and pricing more problems will prop up and “the government might end up taking all the liabilities.”

“Hopefully, this will not happen. But in the end if nothing is done we have no other choice but accept it,” he added. (PNA)


JCIP, UHI launch Tofarm 2013 search in Mindanaoby Francis Jane M. Lumacang

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCIP) and Universal Harvester Inc. (UHI) are reviving and institutionalizing the Search for The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines (Tofarm).

Tofarm , a search and award program to honor the outstanding Filipino farmers of the year, was started last year by the JCIP and UHI to highlight the potential of the country’s agriculture sector. The program aims to honor

the efforts and sacrifice of Filipino farmers, as well as to recognize the viability of agriculture as an industry and vocation. It also seeks to push a paradigm shift from the lowly concept of farmers to becoming recognized figures in


Lanao del Norte joins nation-wide ‘Operation Baklas’by Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - All municipal election offices under the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Lanao del Norte Provincial Office

joined the country in the simultaneous Operation Baklas held on April 8, Monday.

Atty. Joseph Hamilton Cuevas, provincial election supervisor of Lanao del Norte, said the activity was pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 9615, otherwise known as the ‘Fair Election Act.’ Under this regulation is the strict compliance of posting of lawful election campaign or propaganda at authorized/designated common poster

society. “Kami ay naniniwala na sa sama-samang pagkilos lamang natin makakamit ang food security at sustainability,” (We believe we can only achieve food security and sustainability if move together as one) Milagros Ong-How, Executive Vice President of UHI said during their launch here on Monday. “Tofarm reminds me of the valuable opportunities in the agricultural sector. Mayaman ang mga

bukid natin. Mayaman sa potentials. Mayaman sa mga possibilities. (Our land is rich, with so much potentials and possibilities to explore.)” Ong-How added. The launch was highlighted with the turn over of Tofarm plate from 2012 Tofarm finalist Renante Inocando. “..garbo nato nga tawagon mag-uuma [kay] kita nakabuhi sa ekonomiya (we are proud to be called farmers as we are the ones sustaining the economy)” Inocando said.


areas only as provided for by the Commission. During the Operation Baklas, all election propaganda posted in the prohibited areas were removed. Given due notice of the operation were the candidates aspiring for political posts-party list/local post, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), non-government organizations (NGOs), and all concerned citizens and enjoined them to participate in the said activity. The PNP and the AFP as counterparts of Comelec escorted the group in removing those election propaganda posted against what the law provides. The operation started at 8 a.m. in the morning until 5 p.m. The Comelec has designated common poster areas in the city/municipal levels such as city/municipal plaza, waiting shed, barangay auditorium, basketball court, public market, back of tennis court, but never to post on trees, electrical posts. COMELEC Resolution No. 9615 also stipulates that it is unlawful for candidates to post, display or exhibit election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places or in private properties without the consent of the owner. Lawful election propaganda includes:Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals,

stickers or other written or printed materials the size of which does not exceed eight and one-half inches (8 ½”) in width and fourteen inches (14”) in length; Handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against any particular political party or candidate for public office; Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any other material, whether framed or posted, with an area not exceeding two feet (2’) by three feet (3’); Streamers not exceeding three feet (3’) by eight feet (8’) in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally. Said streamers may be displayed five (5) days before the date of the meeting or rally and shall be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after said meeting or rally; Mobile units, vehicles motorcades of all types, whether engine or manpower driven or animal drawn, with or without sound systems or loud speakers and with or without lights. On the other hand, Comelec Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. appeals for stringent compliance to all rules, regulations and laws relating to the conduct of free and fair elections, as candidates strongly campaign to win the vote of the electorate. “Altogether, I am confident that the COMELEC, with the usual support and trust coming from various sectors of the society especially from the general public, will bring about another historic and successful elections,” Brillantes disclosed.


DOE, PIA to conduct nationwide consultation on renewable energy code of practice

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - A series of public consultations for the formulation of a Renewable Energy Code of Practice in the country will be held in April and May.

by Rutchie C. Aguhob

Initiated by the Renewable Energy Management Bureau of the Department of Energy (REMB-DOE) in partnership with the Philippine I n f o r m a t i o n Agency (PIA), the consultations will be conducted in regions 3, 7, 10 and 4A (Calabarzon). To be participated in by the several stakeholders of the country’s Renewable Energy (RE) sector development, the activity is pursuant to Rule 2, Section 8 of DOE Circular DC2012-11-0009, also known as the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (RESHERR). REMB Director IV Mario C. Marasigan said REMB will formulate the Code of Practice of each technology under RE which will serve as the safety, health and environment policy guidelines of the RE operations. Meanwhile, Dr. Emelyn Q. Libunao, staff director of the Project

Management Division (PMD) of PIA said the consultations will be on the following: The Luzon consultation will be on April 23 in Clark City, Pampanga; the Visayas consultation will be on May 21 in Cebu City and the Mindanao consultation will be on May 23 in Cagayan de Oro City. Other activities of the project include the writeshop or consolidation of inputs on June 5-7 in the province of Rizal and the final consultation on June 20 in Metro Manila.


Agusan Sur’s Naliyagan Cultural Center, two others inaugurated

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur -- With much anticipation, the long-wait for a modern cultural center in the province is finally over with the unveiling of the sprawling edifice right at the heart of the D.O. Plaza Government Center here.

www.piacaraga.blogspot.com h t t p : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k .

by Icey Mondejar Mercado


Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, with other provincial officials led the inauguration of the P55 million worth project last week, which serves as the venue for almost all provincial cultural activities like the annual Naliyagan Festival and Pasko sa Kapitolyo.

For years, foreign and domestic tourists who flocked to have a glimpse of the province’s rich cultural and historical heritage highlighted in the six-day Naliyagan festivities have to endure getting wet and muddy grounds specially when it rains hard during the celebration of the Naliyagan Festival from June 12-17 of every year.

Also unveiled by the local chief

executive on the same day were the capitol food court amounting to P5 million and the power house project with three generator sets worth P1.7 million whose funds were taken out from last year’s 20% Provincial Development Fund surplus. Both buildings are located at the back of the main provincial capitol buildings.

These two projects will provide convenience to capitol clients and employees where they can have a comfortable place to dine while transacting business and at the same time, be assured of uninterrupted government services especially that power outages are occurring on a daily basis lately.


Thousands of children in Caraga region are still unschooled, also hundreds of women are less-schooled

BUTUAN CITY -- There are 124,294 children all over Caraga region who are unschooled, according to the regional profile of the poor released recently by the state welfare agency.

The regional profile of the poor released recently by the Department of Social Welfare and Development XIII mentioned that this comprised 25.1% of the poor children in the region which was listed to be at 648, 987 figure. The province which has the most number of children who are not in-school is Agusan del Sur with(39,490). Accordingly, 3 out of every 10 school age children

in the province are not able to attend school. This is followed by Surigao del Sur (31,614), Agusan del Norte (27,597) and Surigao del Norte(20,749). Dinagat Island Province has fewer number of unschooled children with (4,844) compared to the other provinces.

The women which comprised about 48% of the total poor individuals in the region, 2.9 percent for women aged 21 and

by Noel B. Najarro


Thousands of children in Caraga region are still unschooled, also hundreds of women are less-schooled

above had no grade completed. Most of these women are found in Agusan del Sur (2,896), followed by Surigao del Sur (1,890), Agusan del Norte (1,194) Surigao del Norte (1,126) and Dinagat Islands with (389). The women who finished elementary grade based on the said profile is 23.3 percent.

Of the total number of women aged 21 and above in the region, 71.5 percent have no occupation.

Of these individuals, 32.1 percent are coming from Surigao del Sur. This is followed by Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigo del Norte and the Province of Dinagat islands. Of those who are working, about 14,852 women are engaged in the farm or forestry work or in fishing. Others are classified as laborers and unskilled workers or are engaged as service workers, shop and market sales workers.(PNA)


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Pagadian domestic flights are back By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – After the six-day cancellation of flights by airline operators, domestic flights here finally resumed Wednesday morning.


The resumption of flight operations was the outcome of the negotiation made by the city government with the heirs of Datu Lucas Taug Boto on Tuesday afternoon at the city mayor’s office. The heirs, who set up a barricade on the airport runway to press their demand for their lot’s payment, agreed to temporarily put on hold their barricade within 30 days pending negotiation between the heirs, represented by Suminal Taug, with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in

Manila. “In the event that the negotiation fails, we are here to pursue our intention by exercising our rights to property by just compensation from the above agency and to re-install our barricade/picket to manifest our demand,” part of the agreement said. The Boto heirs removed the barricade from the runway on Tuesday afternoon with the presence of city officials, law enforcers and media.


Meanwhile, the country’s largest airline company, Cebu Pacific, had its flight 5J771 leave Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 7:00 a.m, and arrived at Pagadian City Airport 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning with 158 passengers. After half an hour, the same plane flew back to Manila with 119 passengers. Dr. Jose Armin Virata, one of the passengers of flight 5J711 said in an interview with a staff of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) the cancellation of domestic flights had affected local tourists, businessmen, government officials, and other who are the regular passengers of the commercial planes. He also thanked all the parties involved for helping solve the dispute. Another passenger Andrey Nadela, an employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-IX, said the resumption of the flight had

given him some ease “of not going to Ozamis or Dipolog” to take a plane for Manila and back. Nadela said “domestic flights are badly needed because Pagadian is the regional center and numerous transactions are done by government officials and employees here.” Personal Collection manager Lady Lou Ignacio said she was happy to learn that the flights had resumed saying that going to nearby Ozamis or Dipolog would incur her additional expenses and more time in commuting. Seaman Romnick Fundal of Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay was also happy to have read the information posted on PIA9’s facebook account about the resumption of domestic flights in the city. Fundal who is scheduled to arrive today from Dubai said landing at Pagadian airport is the cheapest and the most convenient and accessible route to reach his home.


Aimed at making the LGRRC systematically organized, the participants were trained on basic library operations such as acknowledging and accessioning of library materials, cataloguing, shelving, uploading of available materials to ILMS database and many others. DILG-9 information officer

Lemuel Mejares told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the training was conducted singlehandedly by Local Government National Resource Center (LGNRC) librarian Arturo O. Morales III. Morales said “making the LGRRC-9 systematically organized from the physical set-up to management assistance is not far

LGRRC-9 personnel undergo library management training By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY - Four personnel assigned at the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 have attended the two-day coaching on Integrated Library Resource Management System (ILMS) held here on April 4-5 at the DILG-9 conference room.


closer than the value proposition to improve local governance in the knowledge sharing and utilization.” He also inspected and assessed the physical features and management of the LGRRC library to enhance its operations and services. For his part, DILG-9 Assistant Regional Director and LGRRC Manager Pedro G. Cuevas Jr. has been grateful for the initiative in helping improve the operations and services of the center. Attending the workshop were librarian-designate Dihsie Lauron, ITO/multi-media focal person Ard C. Catalino, linkage focal person Anang Lia I. Sahi and multi-media and linkage member Lemuel C. Mejares. The center has acquired three copies of the Local Government Code Annotated authored by Miriam Defensor Santiago and other related books which are now accessible for its clients.

Morales emphasized that as a special library, it is crucial to have copies of these books as they are “the most widely read references for local governance.” A tour to the city library was also made to acquaint the trainees with its features and operations that can be adopted at the LGRRC. Both the city library and LGRRC agreed for information/knowledge sharing especially on local governance. “With this knowledge sharing, we will recommend to our readers to also visit your library,” City Librarian Samuela Oceña said. Morales assured that once accessioning of all resource materials is done, these can be accessed and browsed at the LGRRC website, http://lgrc.lga.gov.ph. Initial list of books available can also be seen through this link: http://122.49.213.26/cgi-bin/koha/opac-search.pl.

DOT9 conducts training on tour operations, packaging in Dipolog By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Tourism (DOT)-IX conducted a two-day training on tour operations and packaging April 5-6 at Mibang Hotel this city. Around 40 participants from city/municipal tourism offices of Dipolog, Dapitan and Polanco as well as representatives from Liloy town, Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU), City Information Office

(CIO) of Dipolog, travel agencies, and private entities attended the training. “This activity aims to train, capacitate and enhance the capability of the community to handle tourists


and manage tourist sites,” DOT-IX Regional Director Mary June G. Bugante said. Paul L. So, Managing Director of Great Sights Travel and Tours Corporation, a DOT-accredited travel agency in Metro Manila was, served as resource speaker during the seminar. So specializes in seat-in-coach tours, local, inbound and outbound tours, adventure and incentive tours, cruises, scuba diving and travel insurance, ticketing and hotel reservations worldwide, air, sea, land and rail reservations worldwide, and many more. He lectured on tour packaging, planning, costing, operations and effective customer service. “Tourism means job and job for everyone,” Mr. So said. He also emphasized that “if tours are offered in package, tourists will not feel the price, provided they must be satisfied with the services given.” To him, tour guides are storytellers who know the stories and culture of the place. “In tour operations, it is strictly a big no to overloading of passengers. If something will happen you will never receive insurance,” Mr. So stressed.He further advised not to say “for free” but rather a “complimentary” because “there’s no free in this world.” Wenceslao Z. Galeza, training officer of DOT-IX, disclosed that there are no accredited tour guides in Zamboanga del Norte. Thus, he

encouraged interested applicants with at least two years in college and fluent in English to participate in the 25-day Tour Guiding Seminar-Workshop on May 2-31, 2013 in Zamboanga City. There will be pre-screening and interview of applicants and those who will qualify shall be accepted in the seminar-workshop. “Not everyone will be accredited as tour guide, only those who will be qualified,” Bugante explained. “This seminar-workshop is devised to give accreditation to individuals who want to pursue tour guiding as a career,” she added. Each participant shall only pay P3 thousand inclusive of training kits, lunch and two snacks during the duration of the workshop. “If there are no tour guides it is very difficult for us to invite groups of tourists,” Bugante concluded.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- In a bid to strengthen its police offi-cer’s capability to deal with abuses against women and children, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 has launched a specialized course for Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officers.

PRO 12 beefs up women, children protection deskBy Danilo E. Doguiles


P S I n s p . B e n j a m i n Mauricio Jr., PRO 12’s public i n f o r m a t i o n chief, said some 50 women police officers from across Soccsksargen Region are c u r r e n t l y u n d e r g o i n g the said training geared toward enhancing the level of competency of women PNP personnel in dealing with violence against women and children cases.

The ten-day specialized course began last April 8 at the Regional Special Training Unit of the PRO 12 headquarter in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City.

“As WCPD officers,” he explained, “it is part of their duty to learn more about the different approaches and skills in dealing with the different types of abuses against women and children.”

“This course will help the participants to realize that their duty does not stop in

filing cases to the violators. The more important thing to take into consideration is to protect the welfare of women and children,” he added.

WCPDs were created in every police station to address the increasing number of reported cases of abuses against women and children including rape, sexual violence, and other forms of violence.

Mauricio added that Soccsksargen Region recorded 1,573 VAWC cases in 2012. In 2010 and 2011, the region only recorded 670 and 1,200 such cases, respectively.

Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani and

Sultan Kudarat as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

At the course’s opening ceremony on Monday PSSupt Manolito Labador, deputy regional director for administration told participants: “As Women and Children Protection Desk Officers, it is your first duty to know and understand the plight of the women in our society for it is the only way to serve them better.”

“Let us make this training useful by learning from it, apply all the learning and share it to our fellow Police Officers,” Labador said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/WBVillalfores-RPIO 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office 12 praised its partner agencies in the poverty reduction efforts of the government particularly in the implementation of core programs, namely: Pantawid Pamilya, KALAHI-CIDSS and Sustainable Livelihood Program.

DSWD 12 lauds partners in helping reduce poverty

During the recent Regional Convergence Advisory Council (RCAC) meeting, DSWD assistant director Gemma Rivera thanked the efforts made by regional offices, local government units and civil society groups.

“Our campaign to encourage groups and institutions have finally paid off. We acknowledge the support of those who had untiringly seek areas for convergence, for synchronizing their programs with us and see where we can actually work together in bringing our poor families into self-reliance,” Rivera said.

Rivera named partners who are present in the RCAC meeting, and who have already started to work with DSWD including the Population Commission,

DILG, Department of Education, Department of Health, PASALI Foundation, St. Marcellin Foundation, provincial government of Sultan Kudarat, PhilHealth, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gensan City LGUs and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

She also announced that some partners are expected to take part in the poverty reduction programs. Among these are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philpost and Department of Labor and Employment.

“We are glad that we are beginning to accept the program as part of our mutual aspiration to help the poor,” she said.

The poor in Region 12 consist of 186,516 households as

determined by National Household Targetting System for Poverty Reduction or NHTS-PR and are now beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, according to Florentino Fiel, focal person on convergence.

Out of these, Fiel said, a 35% increase in the level of the poor’s well-being or socio-economic condition was recorded in March 2013, meaning, elevation from survival stage to subsistence stage.

Fiel also reported that a total of 17 beneficiaries in region 12 were now named as “self-sufficient” or families who have socially and economically advanced themselves and are in need of minimal support from the government.

With the support


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA 12) here has announced the opening of the 2013 Gawad Saka Search.

of various partners, DSWD 12 director Zorahayda Taha urged them to continue to initiate programs and partnerships that aid in

uplifiting the lives of the poor.

Director Taha also announced that a poverty reduction program that caters to members of

the indigenous groups may begin anytime soon. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/Dennis Domingo-DSWD 12)

DA urges farmers, fishers, institutions to join Gawad Saka searchBy Danilo E. Doguiles

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA 12’s regional executive director said, Gawad Saka Search is an annual undertaking of DA in cooperation with the local government units, other government institutions, non-g o v e r n m e n t organizations and private sector.

It provides due recognition to farmers, fisherfolk and farming institutions whose exemplary contributions to the agricultural development of the country serve as an inspiration to others.

The Search is comprised of three main categories: institution, individual and commodity.

Under the institution category, awards await for the outstanding

farm /fisherfolk family, young farmer/fisherfolk organization, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC); Rural Improvement Club; Barangay Food

Terminal (non-LGU & LGU), small farmer/fisherfolk o r g a n i z a t i o n , Mun i c i p a l /C i t y Agricultural & Fishery Council ( M A F C / C A F C ) , and Provincial Agricultural & Fishery Council (PAFC).

I n d i v i d u a l winners will also be awarded in


the following sub-categories: young f a rme r s / f i s he r f o l k , agricultural entrepreneur (Micro, Small and Medium), Agricultural Scientist; and Agricultural Researcher.

DA will also awarded to exemplary rice farmer, rice farmer adopting integrated Rice-Rice Based Farming Systems, hybrid rice farmer, corn farmer, coconut farmer, sugarcane farmer; high value commercial crops (Vegetables) farmer, organic agriculture farmer, small animal raiser, large animal raiser,

fisherfolk (Fish Culture and Fish Capture); and cassava Farmer, will be among the Commodity categories.

Last year, Soccsksargen Region made it big by producing four national awardees, namely: Gregorio Saljay III (Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer), Jaime Sillador (Outstanding Sugarcane Farmer), Vicente Doletin (Outstanding Small Animal Raiser), and Alberto Panghulan (Outstanding Coconut Farmer).

As national winners,

each of them received Php 150,000 cash prize, plaque and a presidential citation at ceremonies held in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

For further inquiries, interested farmers, fisherfolks and institutions are encouraged to visit their respective municipal and provincial agricultural offices or call the Gawad Saka Regional Secretariat through these numbers: (083)520-0460; (083)381-0092; and (083)520-0628. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with LMSalvo DA 12)


Davao City ups IEC on strengthened smoking ban

DAVAO CITY-The Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City has dou-bled its effort in the information and education campaign (IEC) to keep the people aware of the new anti-smoking policy which will be fully implemented on May 31, 2013 in the city. Speaking at the I-Speak Forum, Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, co-chair of the Anti-Smoking Task Force said the IEC currently targets the barangays chairs who will deliver

the information down to their respective constituents. She said that the Ordinance No. 0367-12, Series of 2012 or the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao increases the coverage of the smoking ban and repels the Ordinance No. 043-02, series of 2002 with the objective to safeguard public health and to ensure the well being of all residents by protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco consumption. “The new law no longer allows enclosed smoking areas in all establishments. Business establishments are now required to designate smoking areas ten meters away from the building in an outdoor area and with the corresponding SMOKING AREA sign,” Villareiz said. She said that beginning May 31, the smoking ban will be strictly enforced in enclosed or partially enclosed public places, public


DavOr Guv cites success factors of internal peace, security program

transport including government cars, public outdoor spaces, public buildings and private establishments used a place of entertainment or lodging or rented houses. Villareiz said the smoking ban covers cigarette products and electronic nicotine device systems like shisha. “Surely, people can use these products only in the designated smoking area,” she said. Villareiz stressed that the new smoking ban excuses no one even persons in authority like the barangay chairs and law enforcers.She said the new law carries a maximum penalty of P5,000 and violations can be reported to 224-1313. Villareiz said violators who are members of the police and military can be reported through her office

which coordinates regularly with the Davao City Police Office which will take action like filing administrative and criminal charges against law enforcers who violate the law. She said that with the availability of the National Anti-Smoking Law and the local ordinance on the smoking ban, the police will now have two option of which law to be enforced.Villareiz said the police will be more convenient to enforce the new ordinance since he will directly issue a citation ticket to the violator who will have to settle his offense directly to the courts. “The new anti-smoking ordinance requires less paper work to the enforcer in running after violators,” she said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

MATI CITY- Provincial Gov. Cora-zon Malanyaon cited reasons be-hind the positive impact of the military’s Peace and Development Program (PDOP) implementation leading to the clearing of all 183 barangays in the province from New People’s Army influence. She enumerated reasons behind the gains during the Area Clearing Completion Ceremony and Joint Declaration of Commitment she signed with Armed Forces of the

Philippines Eastern Command on April 10 in Mati City during which PDOP was declared as the core factor of winning grassroots people support. Malanyaon placed on top of reasons behind PDOP’s success in Davao Oriental, the full support of the Philippine Army to the development direction set by the provincial government, creating a synergy “characterized by shared goals, shared values and levels of commitment, the same target, the


same timeline.”She also recognized the strong collaboration among stakeholders down to the barangay level and the sharing of resources between and among government agencies with the military, as factors paving way for PDOP to yield results in communities. Along with PDOP, Malanyaon too noted the contribution of the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan so people in far-flung communities would feel the presence of the national and local government, and for them to receive the government services they had long been waiting for. In 2011, the Serbisyo Caravan hauled pooled services of members of the Association of Regional Executives of National Line Agencies (ARENA) XI to Boston and Cateel

which became the launching areas of the convergence service delivery of national line agencies in Region XI. ARENA included the municipality of Governor Generoso and the City of Mati, both in Davao Oriental, in its sortie in 2012. “In effect, the complementation was practiced to the fullest,” she said.She also gave credit to the “mutual trust” that the provincial government and the military shared, resulting in quick responses to community needs that were made known through “the rapid assessment and recommendation of the Philippine Army.” “I want to emphasize that the level of trust was so high that I take their recommendations without questions. Kung ang kailangan ay road rehabilitation, binigay namin; if equipment, we provided,” she said to cite an example. Malanyaon also credited PDOP as the mechanism of helping the provincial government reach “effective implementation of existing programs and projects” such as provision of livelihood projects through the Pagkain at Kita Program, the Barangay Goat Enterprise Development Program and other agri-business related projects. PDOP had also done well in delivering medical, dental and surgical outreach projects, construction of school buildings, water systems, improvement of access roads, she said. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan, Governor Malanayon photo by Ken Nodalo)


COTABATO CITY -- A team from the Department of Health-Manila and Au-tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Dr. Kadil “Jojo” Sino-linding, Jr. is visiting Bongo Island, in Parang, Maguindanao particularly the cholera outbreak stricken barangay of Tukamarur today, April 10.

Hataman orders DPWH-ARMM to assess possible water project in sea-based Bongo Island, ParangBy Perlita D. Changco

Last April 2, DOH-ARMM has declared a cholera outbreak in barangay Tukamarur after 31 residents have been hospitalized due to the water-borne disease due to contamination following a heavy rain the day before.

As of April 4, a total of 67 victims have been reported of which two have been reported dead due to severe

dehydration including a three year old child and an adult male while several others remain hospitalized and some have been discharged and sent home.

Tukamarur barangay chair Tamano Aragasi said, Bongo Island has ten (10) wells as the main source of water in the area, and this is the first time that a cholera outbreak occurred in fifty years.

According to ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, he has released P 1 million as augmentation fund in the purchase of medical supplies and facility enhancement of rural health centers and clinics of DOH-ARMM.

In addition, Hataman said, he has directed DPWH-ARMM regional Secretary Emil Sadain to assign personnel


Hataman orders DPWH-ARMM to assess possible water project in sea-based Bongo Island, Parang

from his office to join the DOH team going to the area today to conduct survey and come up with a plan for possible safe and potable water project.

He assured that his office together with Secretary Sinolinding and local officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure early recovery of

the victims while intensifying mitigation efforts to contain and prevent spread of the killer disease to other areas. (PBChangco/PIA Cotabato City)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Public Works and Highway-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) has gen-erated Php 136.4-million of savings from its 2012 funds, officials disclosed Thursday.

DPWH-ARMM saves Php 136-M from 2012 budget

Emil Sadain, the region’s public works secretary, said the savings is due to their prudent fiscal handling and enforcement of transparent procurement and bidding process.

“It is part of the reforms we have put in place in the agency,” he said.

Sadain said their action follows on the reforms introduced by the present administration of ARMM OIC Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

“The reforms have allowed us to

maximize the agency’s annual allocation and provide funds for the procurement of heavy equipment and other expenditures,” he said.

Sadain said that for the first time in 22 years, DPWH-ARMM was able to acquire heavy equipment, all-purpose vehicles and survey instruments on its own initiative and without relying on national funding.

DPWH-ARMM has already earmarked part of the savings it generated for the procurement of

additional equipment this year, which is set to be delivered in two tranches.

Moreover, the agency intends to concentrate on building and improving provincial roads and leave the development of national roads to its national counterpart in order to make the most of its funding in the succeeding year.

More than half of ARMM’s infrastructure fund for 2013 is allocated for provincial roads, Sadain said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/ARMM Comm Group)

one mindanao - april 11, 2013

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