one mindanao - april 16, 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

PIA-XI’s Candidates’ Forum

Rudolph AlamaSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 165

page 4

Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei arrives for two-day state visit 9

SSS urges members to avail of educational aid 19

DOLE holds consultation on Batas Kasambahay

Govt. to spend P14.11B for classroom shortage in the country

58IB New Commanding Officer assumes post 14

238IB/4ID/PA, Northern Mindanao

Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery set on Apr. 26-271LT Stephen Basco, Caraga Region

Shahana Joy Duerme, Central Mindanao

North Cotabato’ Kalivungan rank 2nd in Aliwan Festival 2013 21

Claro A. Lanipa, Western Mindanao

Danilo Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Davao Oriental wins peace, opens half-way housePIO Davao Oriental, Southern Mindanao

322724

7 10 13 17 22 26

Tuesday, April 16, 20134

The Forum gives the candidates to talk about their platforms and answer pressing issues in the presence of the members of the Davao media, it is also broadcasted live on DXRP- Radyo ng Bayan. “Candidates Forum is a PIA’s production in support of Comelec Resolution 598 which deputizes government agencies particularly the PIA to assist the Commission on Elections

in the conduct of the 2013 elections,” says PIA-XI Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena. According to Dir. Elbanbuena, the forum will be thematic in nature, with the first forum titled “Women in Politics” which featured lady candidates in the city’s elective positions. The flow of the forum is similar to a regular press conference. The moderator and the guests who are members of the media will field in questions to their candidates who will give their answers for a maximum of three minutes, the candidates are prohibited to answer or rebut their fellow panellists answers, ruckus from the supporters is also not tolerated. Dir. Elbanbuena said that the forum gives a venue for intelligent discussions particularly as it will allow them to share their insights into their platforms of governance and their opinion on several


Starting last April 5, the Philippine Information Agency

has started its Candidates Forum series.

CoVer StoRy

By Rudolph Alama

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 5

pressing issues and concerns. For example during the first candidates forum, the guests were ask on their opinion regarding K+12 curriculum and Reproductive Health Law. The second forum the politicians were asked about their side on political dynasties. The April 5 Candidates Forum had Joji Ilagan Bian, an independent candidate who is running for the congressional seat of the second district of Davao City and Maria Belen Acosta, a candidate under the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod political party vying for one of the eight seats in the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) allocated to the City’s first district. Bian talked about providing more Human Development Services to constituents in the second district of Davao City and if elected into office as a congresswoman she will push for the increase of government budget for college education. She said that the woman’s candidate ability to multi-task and her preference for consensus leadership is one of the advantages of a

female leader. While Mabel Acosta vowed to pursue the continuing improvement of education in the City as part of her advocacy, she is also planning to draft a localized Freedom of Information bill which can be used by the local media. Among her platform is to direct government support to micro-financing that could help spur enterprise development creating jobs and livelihood among the residents in the city. Bian is a businesswoman, among her businesses is an education institution known for its tourism-related and technical vocational courses while Acosta, was a local television personality before she joined politics serving the City Council for three consecutive terms. They were among the two who responded to the PIA invitation with the rest being busy campaigning around their various districts in the campaign. The second Candidates Forum tackled multiple family members serving and running for public service positions which saw the attendance of first district congressional candidate Luis Bonguyan and reelectionist Vice-Mayor James



Gamao. Luis Bonguyan’s son Louie John is the reelectionist councilor for the second district of Davao City while James Gamao’s sister Janet is a board member of the second district of Davao del Norte. “I don’t see anything wrong, as long as you serve the community truthfully and honestly.” Said Vice- Mayor Gamao when asked about multiple family members seeking elective positions. Gamao said that he will abide with the provisions of an anti-dynasty law just in case the law will “Dadaan yan sa elections.” (It will pass through elections) says former Davao City Vice- Mayor Luis Bonguyan when asked about political dynasties.Prior to winning a City council seat in 2007, Louie John Bonguyan was appointed by his father then serving as the city vice mayor as his chief-of-staff to represent the youth. “He wanted to run because he has ideas of his own.” The former Vice-Mayor said. He added that his track record in honest public service contributed to his

son’s winning in the electoral

campaign. Gamao in the other hand said his sister first ran as Mayor to succeed her husband then Panabo City Mayor Rey Gavina, she eventually ran for board member in the provincial board and won. As for their platforms of governance, Bonguyan said he will be pushing for coordination with the City Mayor’s office in terms of projects. He said the lack of coordination in some infrastructure projects has resulted in wastage of public funds. Bonguyan said he will be lobbying funds from the national government particularly in flood-control and seawall projects since the funds needed for these projects is too big for the city government to bear alone. As for legislation, he will be pushing for the creation of two more legislative districts for Davao City particularly setting up the city’s downtown area as a separate district. Currently the city’s poblacion is shared under the first and second districts of the city. Gamao meanwhile said he will be focusing on Panabo City’s economic enterprises with the construction of a new public cemetery to decongest the old overcrowded city cemetery; they are also planning to build a new two-storey public market to replace the dilapidated public market.The third Candidates Forum which is usually held during the regular Kapihan sa PIA every Fridays will be themed Media in Politics and will feature media personalities who have thrown their hat into the political ring.


ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino wants ride quality of DOST’s automated guideway transit system improved

President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed the Department of Science and Technology to look into improving the ride quality of its automated guideway transit (AGT) system in order provide the utmost comfort and

security for its passengers.The President issued his instructions after

taking the AGT, the Philippines’ first locally developed and fully automated transport system located within the University of the

Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City, on a demo run.

In an interview, DOST Secretary Mario Montejos said the President, upon

8Tuesday, April 16, 2013

completing the 465-meter concrete elevated track run of the AGT, immediately called his attention to the bumpy ride due to uneven tracks and suspension system.

“Napansin namin na napansin din ni (President Aquino) na medyo makalog ang aming ride (sa AGT). Napansin din niya na medyo maalon yung track na napansin din namin. Napansin din niya na baka matakot ang mga pasahero (dahil dito),” Montejo said.

He assured the President that his agency would expeditiously act on his concerns and would be addressed by the time the third prototype of the AGT would be made available.

“The third prototype will be

more comfortable and (its ride quality will be) less harsh,” Montejo said.

A flagship project of the DOST in collaboration with UP, the prototype AGT is an elevated train capable of transporting passengers from station to station. The train is emission-free and is electrically driven, similar to AGTs and other elevated carriers in other countries and the rail transit systems in Metro Manila.

Montejo said that the total project cost for the 465-meter elevated concrete track, coaches or cars, rolling stocks or main mechanical frameworks and power system and controls amounted to P55-million. PND (rck)


Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei arrives for two-day state visit

The Sultan of Brunei, His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, arrived on Monday in Manila

for a two-day state visit upon the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

10Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sultan Bolkiah arrived at 3:30 p.m Monday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 in Pasay City on board the Royal Brunei Airlines Airbus (340-212).

He was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and local officials of Pasay City.

At 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday, President Aquino will lead the welcome ceremony for the Sultan of Brunei at the Malacanang Palace. The visiting Sultan will be accorded with arrival honors upon his arrival at the Palace grounds.

Sultan Bolkiah will be ushered to the Reception Hall for the signing of the guestbook. The Sultan will then proceed to the Music Room to pay a courtesy call on the President.

The President will host a state luncheon in honor of His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah.

Sultan Bolkiah’s visit to the country is the first since 2009, and the first

under the administration of President Aquino. The visit was scheduled two weeks ahead of Brunei’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial and leaders’ summit.

During the State Visit, the President and the Sultan will discuss, among others, Brunei’s Chairmanship of the ASEAN as well as the strengthening of Philippines-Brunei bilateral relations. The Philippines and Brunei enjoy close relations.

Brunei is the government’s partner to the promotion of just and lasting peace in Southern Philippines as a member of the International Monitoring Team. It is also a host to some 21,000 Filipinos working mostly as skilled workers.

The President undertook a State Visit to Brunei on June 1-2, 2011. He visited Brunei again on September 23, 2012 to attend the Royal Wedding and Banquet of Her Royal Highness Hajah Hafizah Surunul Bolkiah. PND (js)


Malacañang says President Aquino wants peace agreement with MILF that is doable, has solid foundation

President Benigno S. Aquino III wants a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that would be doable and has solid foundation that will withstand scrutiny, a Palace

official said on Monday.


Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the holding of the 37th GPH-MILF Formal Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week.

“He (President) wants something that is doable and something that can be operationalized as soon as the Basic Law is drafted and passed by Congress; consistent with the framework agreement, consistent with the annexes,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said the government acknowledges its commitment to exert all efforts towards realizing the full implementation of the Framework Agreement.

“We are looking into the three annexes. The President also wants the annexes to be doable. We’re going through the language. We’re also going through the substance of the annexes. So, right now, we’re going to study the remaining annexes carefully.” Lacierda said.

“We have the power sharing, the normalization, and also the wealth sharing. We’re going to go through each of these annexes. And then we have also expressed, and the [MILF] panel have also agreed with our concerns, and so there was a joint statement that was made,” he added.

Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Thursday said that the peace process with the MILF is taking on a “new phase” never reached before by both sides.

“We are where the process has never been before. Never before had the negotiations

between the government and the MILF come to the stage of actually defining and listing down powers; of actually identifying sources of funds and revenues for the new political entity that we are creating. Never before has the transformation of an armed group been discussed let alone imagined in detail,” Ferrer said in her speech during the closing ceremony of the 37th GPH-MILF Formal Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur.

The GPH and MILF panels concluded their three-day talks with the signing of the Terms of Reference for Sajahatra Bangsamoro, which is a development program jointly undertaken by the GPH and the MILF to deliver basic socio-economic services to target communities in the south.

In December last year, the President issued Executive Order No. 120 creating a Transition Commission that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law provided for in the Framework Agreement signed by the government and the MILF on October 15.

The EO will provide a mechanism for authentic democratic collaboration in the crafting of a proposed law where the affected people themselves are actively involved.

Among the commission’s major work is to coordinate with Congress and other government agencies to craft the basic law that will pave the way for a Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

According to the Executive Order, the Transition Commission may also recommend to Congress and the people, when necessary, proposed amendments to the Constitution. PND (js)


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Sheila Covarrubias, City Information Officer, said the SPES beneficiaries had their orientation and oath taking last week where

Mayor Celso Lobregat called on the beneficiaries “to put to heart the oath of office they swore to follow as City Government employees

Close to 2000 students hired for 1st batch of SPES program in Zamboanga CityBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Close to 2,000 college students were recently hired by the City Government for the first batch for 2013 summer job program or the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).


DOLE holds consultation on Batas KasambahayBy Claro A. Lanipa

specifically on the aspect of working hours and the delivery of quality public service.” Covarrubias said Lobregat appealed to the students “to utilize the program to help their parents confront the financial challenges as well as to learn about the value of work and money.” The active lady information officer informed that the first batch of SPES beneficiaries will work for 20 days (April 10 to May 8) and will receive a salary of P200 per day while the second batch will be reporting to work the from May 8 to May 31. “The hired students were mobilized to the different barangays and various offices to help in the clean and green program, beautification and cleanliness activities and in various offices to do clerical works,” Covarrubias said. She revealed that the program

is a 60-40 percent sharing in wages for the student-beneficiaries by the City Government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), respectively. “The City has allocated P9 million while the DOLE has earmarked P5.8 million for the program in the city,” Covarrubias confirmed. She, however, clarified that SPES is not a scholarship program but rather a 20-day work period intended to help students earn money for their educational needs in the coming school year. SPES is jointly undertaken by the city government and DOLE pursuant to Republic Act 7323, otherwise known as an Act to help poor but deserving students pursue their studies by providing them employment during summer vacation.

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Zamboanga del Sur Field Office conducted a multi-stakeholders consultation on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No 10361, otherwise known as “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay” yesterday at Chandler Suites this city.


DOLE holds consultation on Batas Kasambahay

RA 10361 is a new law instituting policies for the protection and welfare of domestic workers which was signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III on January 18, 2013. The law is a landmark piece of labor and social legislation that recognizes for the first time domestic workers as similar to those in the formal sector. It strengthens respect, protection, and promotion of the rights and welfare of domestic workers or kasambahay. Lourdes B. Amores, DOLE-Zamboanga del Sur chief said the stakeholders’ consultation was designed to raise public awareness and knowledge on the salient provisions of the law aimed at providing adequate welfare and social protection to domestic helpers. “It also aims to solicit comments or inputs for the finalization in the crafting of the IRR, because up to this time there is no final IRR for the said law,” Amores added. The salient provisions of RA 10361 was presented and thoroughly discussed by Atty. Verna Kate Santos, Med Arbiter, MALSU, DOLE-9 In attendance were head of offices and representatives from the PNP, DILG, SSS, PSWDO, Pag-Ibig Fund, PIA, academe, chamber of commerce and non-government organizations.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Local power distributor, South Cota-bato I Electric Cooperative (Socoteco 1) is considering rental of a mod-ular generator to avoid much longer rotating brownout in August.

Local electric coop mulls rental of genset to avert 7-hour rotating brownoutBy Danilo Doguiles

Santiago Tudio, general manager of Socoteco 1, said the cooperative’s contract with the National Power Corporation (Napocor) will end on August 31.

He said the cooperative is already set to extend its contract with Napocor but even with the renewal, the state-run power producer has already informed them that

Socoteco 1’s allocation will be reduced.

“This translates to at least 10 megawatt reduction in the power

supply, which could light at least two municipalities,” Tudio said.

“If we could not find an alternative source, our rotating brownout could extend to as much as 7 hours per day,” he emphasized.

For this purpose, he said, Socoteco 1 management is now in talks with at least three suppliers of modular power


generators that the cooperative could rent.

Even with the Napocor contract renewed, “we still need at least 10 to 15 MW of electricity,” he added.

Rental of diesel-fueled gensets could mean additional 40 to 70 centavos per kilowatt hour in consumer’s electricity bill, he said further.

Tudio said, the initiative to rent a modular generator is a better alternative than buying a unit since, power supply in SocSarGen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos) area

is expected to improve in 2015 with the operation of a power plant in Sarangani.

Tudio was referring to the Alcantara-led coal-fired power project in Maasim, Sarangani.

The plant, being developed by the Sarangani Energy Corporation, is intended to be a part of the long-term solution to the power shortage in the Mindanao grid.

It is targeted to begin commercial operation in September in September 2015. When completed, the coal-fired power plant could supply 210 MW of electricity.

Currently, Socoteco 1 carries out up to 1 hour and 30 minutes of rotating power curtailment in its area of coverage.

This is shorter than the 7-hour rotating brownout in the Socoteco II area and up to 4 hours of curtailment in North Cotabato.

In a press statement last week, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which leads the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), announced that the national government through the Department of Energy (DOE) will be fast-tracking


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Officials of the Social Security Sys-tem (SSS) are encouraging members to avail of financial assistance for college or vocational technical education.

the procurement of generator sets intended to address the power crisis in Mindanao.

On Tuesday (April 9), members of the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) met in

Cagayan de Oro to determine the most viable rental options and the indicative rates.

Meanwhile NEA administrator Edita Bueno said, the DOE is drafting the final project proposal. It will also set the guidelines

for the procurement of the generators, lease arrangements with the electric cooperatives, and deployment of these to the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) areas of the Napocor. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

SSS urges members to avail of educational aidBy Danilo Doguiles

Redentor Viola, manager of the SSS Koronadal Branch, said that through the SSS Educational Assistance (Educ-Assist) Loan Program, they could provide matriculation assistance to at least 1,000 students per semester.

Sadly, however, only over 300 individuals in the area have availed of the Educ-Assist aid.

“We are encouraging more members to avail of the educational assistance being provided by the government,” he said, assuring further that they have enough funds for

the program. Recently, SSS announced

that the agency has expanded the financial assistance and further liberalized the Educ-Assist loan program.

In a statement, SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. announced that members with monthly income of Php25,000 or less are now legible for the Educ Assist loan.

Previous income limit was set at Php 15,000 per month.

“Members can now borrow up to Php20,000

per semester or trimester, up from the previous limit of P15,000 for college degrees,” De Quiros noted.

“For voc-tech courses, we likewise increased the maximum loanable amount to P10,000 from the previous cap of P7,500 per semester or trimester.”

A total of Php 7 billion has been allotted for the program. Of this, Php 3.5 billion is subsidized by the national government; the other half is being funded by the SSS.

Loan proceeds must be used to pay for tuition


and miscellaneous fees. Viola explained that

checks are paid directly to the school where the loan beneficiary is enrolled.

Per guidelines, loan beneficiaries can be the SSS members themselves or their children. Unmarried members can designate their siblings, including their half-brother or sister. No substitution of beneficiary is allowed.

Under the new guidelines, a married SSS member can now designate up to two loan beneficiaries, who can be the member himself or herself, his or her spouse or legitimate or illegitimate children. Unmarried members remain entitled to one loan beneficiary.

“It is now possible for a married couple, who are both qualified borrowers, to support the education of up to four children through Educ-Assist loans,” de Quiros said.

“Meanwhile, unmarried members can use the loan to help their siblings pursue their studies and lighten their parents’ financial burden at the same time.”

Another significant change is the relaxed contribution requirement,

under which SSS members with a minimum of 12 posted contributions, including at least one paid contribution within the past three months prior to the date of application, are now allowed to borrow.

Members without any contribution for the past three months can pay and present the proof of payment to SSS.

In the past, a member must have at least 36 monthly contributions, three of which should be within the 12-month period before the application date, to qualify.

De Quiros added that they have disbursed P195 million in Educ-Assist loans to thousands of student-beneficiaries all over the country.

“We have already earmarked about P590 million, or 11 percent of the total fund allocation, for these students so that they can complete their chosen course, and we expect availment to increase further as a result of the revised guidelines,” he said.

Moreover, loan repayment is also not burdensome, he added, because it will only start one year after the

beneficary’s graduation or the date of last loan release.

Borrowers for college degree programs have five years to repay the loan while those who borrowed for voc-tech courses are given three years.

Half of the loan amount will be taken from the government share and the other half from SSS. The SSS portion carries an interest rate of six percent per annum based on diminishing principal balance until full payment while the national government share has zero interest, for a “blended” annual interest rate of about three percent.

The college must be accredited by the Commission on Higher Education while the voc-tech course must be at least a two-year program recognized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Application forms for the Educ-Assist loan program are available at the nearest SS branches. These may also be downloaded from the SSS website at www.sss.gov.ph. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato—North Cotabato’s Kalivungan festival delegates bagged 2nd place during the recently concluded Aliwan Festival 2013 held at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City in Manila.

North Cotabato’ Kalivungan rank 2nd in Aliwan Festival 2013By Shahana Joy Duerme

Provincial Tourism Focal Person Ralph Ryan Rafael said that the award signifies that the province can compete nationally.

North Cotabato’s festival was represented by the Ragsak dancers of Salunayan, Midsayap who showed what they’ve got when it comes to dancing and instrumental playing.

On the other hand, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo was declared champion for the fourth time in the said festival competition while Meguyaya Fetival of Upi, Maguindanao ranked 3rd.

The competition was participated by 17 contingents from different regions of the country.

Ragsak dancers’ participation was supported by the

provincial government of North Cotabato particularly by the tourism office.

Meanwhile, Rafael said that they will strive hard in preparation for the same competition next year as the provincial government is eager to become the champion.

Aliwan Festival is an annual event which is

participated by different cultural festivals of the Philippines.

Tagged as the ‘Mother of all Fiestas’, the festival aims to showcase the diverse Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the Philippines but also to the rest of the world. ( S J D u e r m e - P I A 1 2 /RBeñez-DXVL)


DOH Nutritionist Dietician Beryl Lorraine G. Go said mothers noted positive change on their children’s weight, health and skin after introducing the micronutrient powder mix on their meal. It comes in single-served sachet

or packages that can be mixed in home prepared food. Each sachet is packed with 15 vitamins and minerals designed for children 6-23 months old. “These packs are inexpensive, easy to store and use, and will surely help improve the quality of food. Children will only need ten sachets per month to meet the

necessary nutritional requirement,” she explained. According to Go, MNP was first introduce here in the region when typhoon Sendong ravaged Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City in 2011. To date, it is now available and

DOH reports positive feedback on micronutrient powder useby Yvonne A. Jimenez

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) for Northern Mindanao reports favorable feedback in micronutrient powder (MNP) use among children.


Govt. to spend P14.11B for classroom shortage in the countryby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The amount of P14,110,400,000 will be used for the construction, replacement, and completion of kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school buildings in areas with acute classroom shortage.

This is among the guidelines set in the Joint Circular No. 2013-1, issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education (DBM-DPWH-DepEd) relative to the implementation of Special Provision (SP) No. 4 of the Basic Educational Facilities Funds (BEF) under the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget. The circular was jointly signed by DBM Secretary Florencio B. Abad, DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and DepEd Secretary Armin A. Luistro, on Feb. 18, 2013. Joint Circular No. 2013-1 specifies, “Areas Experiencing Acute Classroom Shortage” refers to “areas where the number of students divided by the existing number of classrooms

shall result in a student-classroom ratio of 50:1 or worse, those where classrooms are temporary in nature or are makeshift structures and those without classrooms at all.” Meanwhile, the same circular has set the following responsibilities of each department: DPWH will use the DepEd School building design following its Minimum Performance Standards and Specifications (MPSS) and detailed costing in the implementation of the project and ensure the construction of the “complete” school building. The release of funds will be made to the respective DPWH District Engineering Office (DPWH-DEO), following the allocation per congressional district with the corresponding list of schools, target number of projects, and the types of

distributed in all provinces here, through the provincial health offices, rural health units and barangay health stations. Micronutrient supplementation alongside with diet diversification and

food fortification comprise the three-pronged strategy identified by the government to improve the nutritional status of Filipinos and to support the achievement of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Targets.


buildings to be constructed, prepared by DepEd and submitted to DBM. DepEd will provide the DPWH central office with a detailed list of priority projects for the construction of the new classrooms, including the name of the school, address, classroom building type, toilet type, projects costs and other pertinent information and submit a joint DepEd-DPWH special budget request to DBM for the

special allotment release order/notice of cash allocation (SARO/NCA). DBM will approve the special budget request submitted by DepEd and DPWH and facilitate the SARO/NCA corresponding to the construction of schools buildings and DepEd and DPWH to submit the budget execution documents and budget accountability reports.

58IB New Commanding Officer assumes post

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - A simple turn-over ceremony of the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion of 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division was held at the Battalion Headquarters, Migbanday, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, April 12.

by 8IB/4ID/PA

Lieutenant Colonel George L Banzon, Commanding Officer of the unit relinquished his leadership of 58IB to Lieutenant Colonel Evan M Bermudo as the new Battalion Commander of the unit. Lieutenant Colonel Bermudo, prior to this new designation, held various positions in the Philippine Army such as: the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, G8; Operation Officer of Task Force PANAY; Chief Management Fiscal Office, Executive Officer of 47IB and Executive Officer of 301st Brigade all of 3rd Infantry “Spearhead” Division based at Camp General Macario Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz. His most

recent assignment was with 402nd Infantry “Stringers” Brigade as the unit’s Executive Officer. He replaced Lieutenant Colonel George L Banzon, who is set to assume his new post as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division. In his message, Ltc Banzon, extended his thanks and gratitude to the officers and enlisted personnel of the unit for their untiring support and dedication to service rendered during his incumbency as battalion commander. He encouraged all officers and personnel to offer their sincere dedication and support to his successor


58IB New Commanding Officer assumes post

since the success of a Commander and the unit he is leading is on the hands of all the members of the unit - officers and enlisted personnel. Lieutenant Colonel Bermudo in his assumption speech vowed to give his best in order to lead the unit to greater successes. He also urged the personnel to help him sustain the successes of the unit in the past and helped him accomplish the given mission for the unit. Major General Nestor A Añonuevo, Commander, 4ID, extended his congratulations to Ltc Banzon as the outgoing Commanding Officer of 58IB and to Ltc Bermudo as the incoming

Commanding Officer of 58IB. “I’m very thankful to Ltc Banzon for his dedication of service as Battalion Commander and for his contributions in our internal peace and security operations in the province of Misamis Oriental which has been very helpful in improving the peace and security development in the province and the neighbouring municipalities of Agusan del Norte. To Ltc Bermudo, you have my confidence that you are the right person to lead this unit and I believed that you can equal or even surpass what Ltc Banzon had accomplished,” Major General Añonuevo said.


DILG confers award of excellence to Butuan City government

BUTUAN CITY -- The city government of Butuan City received this year’s Local Legislative Award in the highly urbanized cities category, besting other cities in the Caraga Region, the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Region 13 said Monday.

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


DILG confers award of excellence to Butuan City government

DILG also conferred the P300,000 cash award to Barangay San Vicente in Butuan City as this year’s regional winner for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA).

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. received the award at City Hall Grounds on Thursday last week while Punong Barangay Raul C. Carampatana of Barangay San Vicente received the plaque and a cash prize on the same day.

Lilibeth A. Famacion, DILG regional director, also disclosed that Barangay Tungao also received P4.8 million as recipient of Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat

(SALINTUBIG) program this year.She said that the Local Legislative

Award accords official recognition to a Sangguniang Panlungsod or to a Sangguniang Bayan that excels in the enactment of ordinance or resolutions that ultimately contribute to the attainment of desirable socioeconomic and environmental outcomes.

Famacion said that the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards was established in 1997 as a system of granting economic benefits and other incentives to the Lupong Tagapamayapa that demonstrates exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots level.

Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery set on Apr. 26-27SURIGAO DEL NORTE -- The Philippine Army Recruitment Office for Mindanao, Army Personnel Management Center (APMC) is set to conduct an Aptitude Test Battery examinations (PAATB) and other Pre-Written Examinations for Officer Candidate Course (OCC), Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) Probationary Officer Training Course and Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) on April 26, 2013 at the Surigao State College of College, Surigao City and April 27, 2013 at the Kalayaan Hall, 15th RCDG, Butuan City.

by 1LT Stephen Basco


Qualifications for OCC are: he/she must be 21-24 years old, single, Filipino, physically and mentally fit, at least 5 feet tall, and baccalaureate degree holder.

For OPC qualifications are: he/she must be a graduate of Probationary Officers Training Course, baccalaureate degree holder, 21-31 years old, single, minimum height is 5 feet, Filipino and mentally and physically fit.

Qualifications for POTC are: he/she is at least 21 years old, college graduate and ROTC advance graduate and must be physically and mentally fit.

And for CSC, he/she is 18-26 years

old, single w/ no child, minimum height at least 5 feet tall, Filipino, at least had 72 units in college, if applicant is high school graduate, he/she must possess a certified skill needed in the military service and physically and mentally fit.

Interested applicants must prepare the needed requirements such as; NSO Birth Certificate, Transcript of Records and Diploma, Form 137-A for High School Graduate, and any Valid Identification Card.

For additional information you may contact Philippine Army Technical Sergeant Darwin F. Doble at 0947-7149299.


DavSur Comelec sets election schedules

DIGOS CITY– With less than a month toward elections, the Office of the Provincial Election Supervi-sor here has set its final instruc-tions for the Election Officers and schedules of activities, including the delivery of election parapher-nalia. Atty. Gay Asuncion Enumerables, Davao del Sur provincial election supervisor, laid down the work plan for the province before the EOs together with the officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Department of Education in a Command Conference

on April 10 in Digos City. Enumerables gave emphasis on the delivery of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines set on April 26-30, which she said need security complements from PNP and AFP.She bared that a total of 723 PCOS machines together with the same number of ballot boxes will be transported by the official forwarder Air21 from safety warehouses to

373 polling centers across Davao del Sur.She said the election paraphernalia will first be delivered to far-flung municipalities such as Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Malita on April 26. The delivery to Sarangani, an island town of the province, will have a special arrangement with the forwarder because the PCOS machines and ballot boxes will be coursed through General Santos City or Glan, Sarangani Province which is nearer to said municipality.


Aside from needing assistance from the PNP and Army to secure the PCOS machines and ballot boxes, Enumerables urged watchers and political parties to deploy their personnel to help keep safe the election paraphernalia. She emphasized that the delivery should be completed before May 6 which is the schedule for the PCOS Final Testing and Sealing (FTS).She said the EOs and the Board of Inspectors (BEIs) should be present during the delivery and in conduct of the FTS which should be made open to the public for transparency.Enumerables also raised the need for the EOs to check the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List EDCVL with the Computerized Voters’ List (CVL), saying “So that the BEIs will not have a hard time on election day.” The EOs were further instructed to distribute the Voters’ Information and Instruction Sheet (VIIS) starting April 15 onwards. The provincial election supervisor has also asked the assistance of the

PNP in the implementation of the “Operation Baklas” or removal of illegally posted campaign materials which started second week of April in the province. Atty. Allan Kadon, Digos City election officer, reported that the first day of execution of the “Operation Baklas” on April 10 was successful and substantial, though it did not yield a ton of campaign materials.Kadon vowed to continue monitoring campaign violations in the city, during the Command Conference held on April 10 at the SP Session Hall at Davao del Sur provincial capitol compound in Matti, Digos City. Meanwhile, officials of the PNP and the 39th Infantry Battalion and 73rd IB under the 10th Infantry Division of the AFP in the province have geared up for the May 13 midterm elections, assuring of sufficient forces to ensure a secure and fair election (SAFE). They have also set their respective security measures and deployment plans in preparation for the election. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

did you know...

The town of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur is the oldest town in the province founded in 1884. It got its name from the cross planted by Spanish missionaries after being frustrated by their failure to convert the natives to Christianity.


Davao Oriental wins peace, opens halfway house

CITY OF MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL —Pushing for the total rehabilita-tion and development of former rebels, the provincial government in joint partnership with the Of-fice of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Philippine Army formally launched on Wednesday (April 10) the newly constructed halfway house which will serve as temporary shelter for rebel returnees. The facility will serve as a transition shelter that will provide an environment for total healing and preparation of rebel returnees for complete integration in mainstream society, says Governor Corazon N.

Malanyaon.

Situated in the City of Mati, the funds for the one- storey, residential type building was sourced out from the OPAPP’s PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) program. Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon thanked the OPAPP for providing such assistance to her province as her administration is bent in pursuing its peace and development

agenda. This rehab facility,

says the governor, is equipped with essential amenities and facilities along with services such as counseling sessions, psychological/psychiatric, spiritual enrichment, educational, health, skills training program, employment services, sports development and therapy

sessions and workshops. Beyond the facility, the halfway house will facilitate development of livelihood projects and related skills which will tap the involvement of different national and provincial line agencies for the trainings in agriculture-based livelihoods, skills development, and entrepreneurship development, among many others.

by PIO Davao Oriental


Meanwhile, said to be the first in the entire country, the halfway house was launched in time with the Philippine Army’s official declaration of the Davao Oriental province as totally insurgency-free in all of its ten municipalities and one city. This was the fruit of the Philippine Army’s intensive campaign for peace through an area clearing which was completed on January of this year. “The grim chapter in the history of Davao Oriental officially ends today as we declare completion of our ‘clearing program’ through our genuine peace and development campaign,” said Major General Jorge Segovia, Commanding General of Eastern Mindanao Command of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines. Theprogram is implemented by the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division and implemented on the ground by the 701st Brigade and two of its battalion—the 28th and

67th IB. PDOP is a people-centered approach to win the hearts and minds of the people through non-violent means. “This strategy involves disciplined soldiers doing community work, peace building through enlightened dialogues, capacity building through skills training by providing communities with access to services by serving as catalysts for effective governance, and effective security operations intended to protect the people,” said Lt. Colonel Leonardo Rey Guerrero,

701st Brigade Commander. Governor Malanyaon said that

the PDOP provided an effective framework for the Philippine Army, the provincial government and all its LGU’s to work together in achieving genuine peace and development. “I personally believe that there can be no better strategy to win the hearts and minds of our people but what

PDOP advocates,” she said. In the pursuit of peace under the Sustainment and Development program, the Philippine Army bared that livelihood projects were implemented for the 156 rebel returnees and completed at least twelve infrastructure projects spread

across the different barangays. Governor Malanyaon said that there were fundamental conditions involved as keys in achieving peace. First is the clear development direction of the provincial government that was fully embraced by the Philippine Army. Second is the strong collaboration forged among the stakeholders manifested by the active participation down to the barangay levels and sharing of resources, skills and expertise and time, and third is the mutual trust which paved way to

quick responses. In an attempt to reinforce the attained peace, the provincial government and the Philippine Army have inked a Joint Declaration of Commitment during the area clearing completion ceremony, vowing to further strengthen the achievement so far achieved in the area of peace and development.

(PIO DAVOR)

one mindanao - april 16, 2013

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