one mindanao - april 19, 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

EMPOWERED WOMEN

Jeanevive Duron AbanganSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Friday, April 19, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 168

page 4

President Aquino calls on the electorate to support administration candidates in coming midterm elections 11

17 villages in Soccsksargen region to receive aid from PAMANA20

DA, SMC urge farmers to plant cassava

BPI is accredited collecting agent for employed sector members only - PhilHealth

Freedom Run slated in Butuan1924

Eldie N. David, Caraga Region

Public to brace for longer brownout next month, says ZAMCELCO Michael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

NUJP reminds journalists to be responsible in doing election coverage23

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Danilo E. Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Lorry V. Gabule, Northern Mindanao

DOLE awards P387,993 YES Project to SCCAlma L. Tingcang, Western Mindanao

31

27

9 14 17 22 25 29

Friday, April 19, 20134

Some women entered into the labor force in the last decade but in terms of quality work, 64 percent of those in higher wage-and-salary jobs and 67 percent of own-account workers were still men. The still persistent inequality of Filipino women and men appears glaring in civil and in political sector. UNDP has

noted that the Philippines is among the few countries with a women President, and that only four out of 24 senators are women. At the judicial branch of the government, women occupy only 20 percent of the total positions. While women reportedly dominate the civil service at the technical level (74 percent), they are outnumbered by men in the decision-making positions (35 percent). However, as women in the country are moving their way to higher status and roles, two among the valiant women in the Davao Region have attained considerably high status that commands respect and admiration of not only women but also men. Gov. Cora Malanyaon Davao Oriental Provincial Governor

EMPOWERED WOMEN

The Philippines may have rated well in terms of access to education in its bid

to attain the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Number 3 which is Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. However, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) MDG assessment of the Philippine performance, reveals that the gender empowerment gains of the country have yet to fully realize the end goal of improving the status and roles of women in the society.

CoVer StoRy

By Jeanevive Duron Abangan

Friday, April 19, 2013 5

Corazon Malanyaon has been in politics for more than a decade but her resolve to serve the public was put to toughest test when super Typhoon Pablo (with an international name Bopha) swept through the east coast towns of her province on Dec. 04, 2012, bringing a maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometer per hour and gustiness of up to 210 per hour. Typhoon Pablo made a landfall in Baganga but it made a wide-scale devastation that spread through the hillsides and hidden places in the municipalities of Boston and Cateel, rendering the three towns to 95 percent helpless state of devastation. To feel grief with the situation is normal for any human being but Malanyaon has exuded beyond normal spirit of courage to squarely face the challenge of building back even better the three devastated towns. Such courage to face the unknown fate after Pablo’s visit was noted a day before the super-typhoon came when she personally handled the incident command post at the Provincial Capitol to mobilize her staff and response teams. Few hours after the typhoon slowed down, she took courage in her attempt to cross the destroyed Manurigao Bridge despite the raging floodwaters to inspect the plight of her constituents. Frequent helicopter rides from Mati City to one devastated town to the other, had taken

out her fear of flight just to see how services were served at the affected areas. Malanyaon took the frontline of appealing for aid, of pooling together government resources, of establishing coordinated delivery of relief goods and services. Her efforts, however, failed to satisfy some quarters as she became a subject of media criticism which came as an added blow to her. She was accused of tolerating illegal logging leading to the devastation. She also had parried accusation regarding uneven distribution of relief goods. To each accusation she had delivered well supported answers which later caused the issues to die down. She took a silence while remaining steadfast in addressing the needs of rebuilding her devastated towns. Behind the issues, she brought forth faith in God through rolling out Dedication Ceremonies which started at the fortieth day after Typhoon Pablo. Spiritual and Moral Recovery has since then become a distinct component of Bringing Back Better Movement of


Davao Oriental. The support she has gained from the national government, humanitarian agencies, the non-government organizations and private organizations have paid off her effort to gain positive results of pushing BBB movement for the welfare of the typhoon victims. She also has earned the appreciation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines whose 601st Infantry Brigade has become instrumental in delivering services specially at the height of Typhoon Pablo devastation. Having closely worked with the AFP for quite some time even before the typhoon came, Malanyaon was given recognition by the Philippine Army on

March 22 during its 116th Anniversary. She was recognized as the only local chief executive who had shown exceptional involvement in implementing the Peace and Development Program (PDOP), the Internal Peace and Security Program (IPSP) Bayanihan of the Philippine Army. Norma PereyrasMeanwhile, a woman in the Davao Region comes out as a leader in cooperative movement. She is a Tagum City home-grown cooperator Norma Pereyras, fondly called publicly as “Normskie”. The immediate past president of hometown billionaire Tagum Cooperative, Pereyras still holds key position as the concurrent chairperson


of the Philippine Cooperative Center and the National Cooperative Development Council. She’s a rolled-in-one dynamic woman whose passion for community service stretches far, encompassing Girls Scout of the Philippines with which she is a member of the Central Board; she’s a Rotarian, mentor, lector, resource speaker, mediator aside from being a dedicated cooperator. Looking back 18 years ago, Pereyras emerged as the first lady chairperson of Tagum Cooperative for three consecutive years from 1995 to 1997. She took the courage to institute reforms and put Tagum Cooperative back on track of good governance. That paved way to its transformation, leading its way toward becoming a billionaire cooperative waging the motto, “Where People Invest Their Trust.”Taking the scepter as a cooperative leader does not come in a silver platter.

She has worked her way through opposition and resistance to changes, of fellow cooperators. “It’s hard work, sacrifices, pain, but at the end of the day, God gives us due rewards. I have had my Good Fridays but I certainly have Easter Sundays,” she said. Indeed she had blissful moments when she was adjudged as the “Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader” National Winner conferred by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) at the Gawad Parangal Awarding Ceremony held in October, 2012 during the 11th National Coop Congress in Cagayan de Oro City. Her drive for women to excel in a field once dominated by men, has been fueled by her dedication for Gender Equality advocacy that she has embraced since 1990’s. Integrating such concern into Tagum Cooperative’s menu of related services does not come


easy. “I had to bang my hands on the conference table in my effort to convince fellow Board of Directors that gender equality can do well for Tagum Cooperative,” she said recalling her intense passion for such advocacy. Starting with Women and Development, her advocacy evolved into Gender and Development. Tagum cooperative eventually further develops it into Family Enrichment Program which now has a comprehensive module on sharing of family responsibilities of men and women; that women and men are partners in development. The Family Enrichment Program also tackles responsible parenthood, teenage pregnancy, violence against women, drug addiction, family togetherness and community involvement. “Gender and Development has been very close to my heart,” she said.

Some may not have seen the importance of such advocacy in running a cooperative but Tagum Cooperative feels the benefits of such program because it plays a crucial role in checking delinquency rates, and in giving women active role in productive endeavor. “It’s not only men that should take a significant role and achieve elevated status in the community. Women have equal rights to do so. It takes a man and a woman to achieve development,” she said. The Philippines may still have quite a long way to go to elevate the status of women but some Filipino women at the local level, have moved quite far towards the arena previously dominated by men


ACROSS THE NATIONPresident Aquino leads groundbreaking ceremony of P335 million road upgrading project in Dipolog City

President Benigno S. Aquino III will visit on Thursday the city of Dipolog to lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the improvement of a 14-kilometer road as part of his commitment to further develop the commercial and

tourism industries in the province.The Chief Executive was joined by Interior and Local Government

10Friday, April 19, 2013

Secretary Manuel Roxas, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo, and other local officials at Barangay Cogon here in Dipolog where he led the capsule laying rite that paves the way for the start of the improvement of the 14-kilometer national road.

The 14 km road upgrading project started at the Junction Barangay Cogon along Punta-Dansullan-Sergio Osmeña Road of the East-West Lateral National Road.

The improvement and ugrade works for the Phase 1 of the road project started this April with an estimated cost of P69,083,864.50 million. The first phase involves the concreting of 2.887-km road that traverses from Junction Barangay Cogon to OISCA Park (Japanese Park) in Barangay Diwan in Dipolog City.

The government initially allocated P80 million for the concreting of 2.887 kms. which is included in the Fiscal Year 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The Vicente T. Lao Construction, which won the bidding, will only charge the government of some P69 million for the road project’s Phase I, thus resulting to over P11 million savings for the

government.The first phase of the project is

expected to be completed on April 10, 2014.

The P335-M project is a Tourism Road Project prioritized under the Department of Tourism-Department of Public Works and Highways (DOT-DPWH) Convergence Program.

The DOT-DPWH joint program aims to provide tourists fast, safe, and convenient travel to their destinations during their stay in the country.

According to the DPWH, the first phase of the project involves the upgrading of the road with a pavement width of 6.10 meters and thickness of 0.23 meters. The said road traverses from rolling to mountainous terrain.

The P225 million balance needed to fully pave the remaining 11.113 kms. will be considered in the proposed DPWH 2014 budget and succeeding budgets will be sourced from available funds.

Shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony, President Aquino proceeded to the Dipolog City Sports Complex in Barangay Olingan, where he met with local leaders and the community.


President Aquino calls on the electorate to support administration candidates in coming midterm elections

President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the Filipino people to vote wisely and choose the candidates who

would affirm his administration’s commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation.

12Friday, April 19, 2013

In his speech during a meeting with the local leaders and the community at the Dipolog City Sports Complex in Barangay Olingan here on Thursday, the Chief Executive said he needs good local officials to help his administration in pushing for programs and initiatives that will provide the Filipino citizenry with better lives.

“Ngayong papalapit na ang eleksyon, lalong lumilinaw ang pagkakataon nating tuluyang umarangkada sa tuwid na daan. Kaya naman diretso akong humaharap sa inyo, upang hingin ang inyong suporta: Palakasin p natin ang ating puwersa sa mabuting pamamahala, dagdagan pa natin ang mga tunay na kasangga na maghahatid sa Dipolog, sa Zamboanga del Norte, at sa buong bansa sa tunay na ginhawa,” he said.

The President thanked the people of Dipolog and other towns of Zamboanga del Norte for their overwhelming trust, confidence, and support to his administration and assured them that he would continue

to undertake development programs that would uplift the lives of the people.

“Hindi natin puwedeng palampasin ang pambihirang pagkakataong ito, lalo pa’t laging nandiyan ang suporta at tiwala ninyo— mula pa nang kumandidato tayong Senador hanggang sa pagka-Pangulo. Muli, maraming, maraming salamat sa aking mga Boss na Dipolognon, na patuloy na nagsisilbing lakas sa pagtahak sa tuwid na landas,” he said.

The President also called on the citizens to take an active part in his administration’s efforts towards progress by choosing the right local leaders this coming May elections.

“Habang pinapalawak natin ang mga oportunidad sa bansa, lalo nating kailangan ng mga kasangga sa lokal na pamamahala. Tiyak na mas mararamdaman ng marami ang pagtaas ng dalawandaan at animnapu’t walong porsyento sa budget ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), kung kaisa natin ang mga lokal na


pinuno sa paghahatid ng benepisyo ng ating Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” the President noted.

“Siguradong mararamdaman ng publiko ang pag-angat ng budget sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) ng dalawampu’t tatlong porsyento, kung may kabalikat tayo sa lungsod na tinatapos ang mga kalsada’t tulay nang mas mabilis, mas mura at mataas ang kalidad,” the President stressed.

The Chief Executive said that the institutionalization of educational reforms remain his administration’s top priority in order to improve the country’s educational system.

He said the government has also started implementing health programs aimed at improving the health of all Filipinos.

“Pihadong hindi mababalewala ang apatnapu’t apat na porsyentong pagtaas sa budget ng DepEd (Department of Education) at pitumpu’t walong porsyento sa DOH (Department of Health,) kung maaasahan natin ang nasa Kapitolyo

sa pagpapagawa ng mga silid-aralan at ospital sa mga lalawigan,” he said.

President Aquino, likewise, assured the people that the government is crafting a mechanism that will boost the power sources in Mindanao.

“Mulat din tayo sa problemang hinaharap ninyo dito sa Mindanao ukol sa madalas na pag-brownout. Bunsod po ito ng kakulangan sa planta na mag-susupply sa lumalagong demand ng kuryente sa inyong rehiyon,” he said.

“Para matugunan ang agarang pangangailangan, gumawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang tulungan ang inyong electric cooperatives na makapagpasok ng generator sets. Sa pamamagitan nito, tataas ang produksyon at mababawasan ang mga brownout. Magtutuloy-tuloy ito sa susunod na dalawang taon, kung kailan magiging sapat na ang mga plantang tutugon sa pangangailangan ng isang umuunlad na Mindanao,” the President noted. PND (js)


President Aquino vows to allocate funds for infrastructure projects in Zamboanga del Norte and other parts of the country to attract more tourists

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Thursday that the government intends to allocate more funds on infrastructure projects in the province and other parts of the country to achieve

the target of 56.1 million tourists by 2016.


President Aquino vows to allocate funds for infrastructure projects in Zamboanga del Norte and other parts of the country to attract more tourists

In his keynote speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the P335 million road upgrading project at Barangay Cogon here on Thursday, the Chief Executive said his administration plans to allocate funds for year 2014 to boost the country’s tourism.

“Mula 2011 hanggang 2013, 21 billion pesos nga ang inilaan nating pondo para sa pagpapaayos ng ating tourism roads, at balak pa nating maglaan ng karagdagang 13 bilyong piso sa 2014 upang mas mapabilis ang pagdaloy ng turismo’t pagkakataon sa bawat sulok ng bansa,” the President said.

He expressed confidence that local tourism in Zamboanga del Norte will continue to grow and play a key role in the country’s economic growth.

“Oras na matapos ang road upgrading dito sa Dipolog, mas mabilis at mas maginhawa nang makararating ang mga turista sa Sungkilaw Falls, Cogon Eco-Tourism Park, o sa Oisca Park; mas sariwang mga orkidias at isda rin mula sa Dipolog ang madadala sa iba’t ibang merkado; at pihadong mas marami pa ang ma-eengganyong dumayo rito sa inyo,” the President said.

“Ibig-sabihin, lalong

makakaambag ang Dipolog sa pag-abot sa ating target na 56.1 million domestic tourists pagdating ng 2016,” he added.

The President pointed out that the tourism industry serves as a vehicle for job creation and development in the countryside.

“Ngayong papalakas nang palalakas nga ang turismo sa bansa, mas pursigido tayong itulak ang mga reporma at proyektong maghahatid ng malawakang kaunlaran at pag-asa sa mga Pilipino. Ang plano nga natin ay mapatag ang 7,256 na kilometro ng ating national road network,” he stressed.

According to the President, the P335 million road upgrading project also aims to boost the agricultural and commercial industries in Zamboanga del Norte.

“Ang proyektong ito ay bahagi ng ating malawakang estratehiya na paunlarin ang imprastruktura sa buong bansa, na siya namang susi sa mas matibay na agrikultura at turismo,” the President said.

“Habang pinapatag natin ang landas na tatahakin ng mga Dipolognon, nasisiguro rin natin ang mas mabilis na pag-usad ng mga bagong pagkakataon para sa negosyo at kabuhayan sa inyong


lungsod. Ang bunga nito ay mga oportunidad na lalong magbibigay-lakas sa buong Zamboanga para makiambag sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya,” he said.

The President assured the people that the government will continue to undertake pro-people projects to improve their economic conditions.

“Ngayon, inilalatag natin ang

pundasyon para sa isang bansa kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon para sa bawat Pilipino, nasa Luzon ka man, Visayas, o Mindanao. Ipagpatuloy lang natin ang pagdilig sa mga ipinunla nating reporma, at tiyak na sa lalong madaling panahon, mapipitas na natin ang katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” he concluded. PND (js)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The new regional director of the De-partment of Labor and Employment in Soccsksargen region has set her sight on firming up the DOLE’s field offices in the region.

New DOLE 12 director fixes eyes on strengthening field officesBy Danilo E. Doguiles


Ofelia B. Domingo assumed office as the regional director of the DOLE 12 Wednesday. She replaced director Chona Mantilla, who has been transferred to head DOLE 7 (Central Visayas).

The turn-over ceremony was held at Cinco Niñas in Barangay Morales, this city.

In her inaugural speech, Domingo pointed out strengthening the field offices is necessary “because they are on the frontline” in providing public service.

“Before I left CARAGA Region, I made sure that all the field offices are strengthened,” she said, “I hope to replicate that here.”

In terms of equipment, she explained, every staff is provided with computer and 98 percent have net books. Every field office is also equipped with air-conditioning units, photocopiers, DSLR camera and provided with motorcycle and multicab.

Director Domingo

also vowed to improve on the ISO certification of the regional office through continual process improvement and working on customer satisfaction.

DOLE 12 is the regional office of the DOLE system that received ISO 9001:2008 certification. It was awarded on October 3, 2011, a proof that DOLE 12 is aligned with international standards on Quality Management System.

Before her assignment to Region 12, Domingo was regional director of DOLE in Caraga Region from 2010 and assistant regional director of DOLE 11 (Davao Region) from 2008 until 2010.

She said she has been with DOLE for 34 years and started as a clerk at the Institute of the Management Studies, which she added could be the reason why she is meticulous and hands-on as a manager.

At one point in her inaugural speech she told the DOLE 12 employees: “It has been

said respect is earned not demanded. I see this differently. For me, respect is a virtue. You may not like me, but respect my position (as regional director).”

She added that she is wants her employees to be happy with the work but requires professionalism and results.

“What is important to me are results,” she said, “but that you are happy is also important to me. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it is self-gratification on top, which money cannot buy.”

Chairmain Dawn Ladot-Sonsona, labor communications officer of DOLE 12, said the assignment of Domingo to Region 12 is part of the movement of managers brought about by the promotion of DOLE – 7 (Central Visayas) director Ma. Gloria Tango who is now assistant secretary.

Tango was director of DOLE 12 before she was re-assigned to Central Visayas. (DEDoguiles- PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Food, beverage , and packaging com-pany San Miguel Corporation and the Department of Agriculture 12 are urg-ing farmers in South Cotabato and nearby provinces to plant cassava.

DA, SMC urge farmers to plant cassavaBy Danilo E. Doguiles

In a recent training on cassava production, post-harvest facilities and processing technologies, Edgar Labor, regional cassava focal person, said the government agency and SMC are jointly pushing for increased cassava production in the area as well as in the entire Region 12.

He added that

the initiative was also geared toward tapping the local market potential the commodity, including signing contract SMC.

Ben Brasales, area coordinator of SMC said, they buy cassava for manufacture of feeds, alcohol, and food.

“The very reason why SMC prefers cassava as

substitute is because it’s low cost. It can’t be imported and farmers have enough capacity to produce the said staple crop,” Brasales pointed out.

Studies also proved that cassava is a resilient crop, able to withstand changing weather conditions.

It is also not affected by price fluctuations.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- At least 17 indigent and conflict-af-fected barangays across Soccsksargen Region are set to benefit from the national government’s PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Pro-gram.

At current rates, fresh cassava is sold at P2.50 per kilo while dried-chips in granulated form are sold at P 8.50 per kilo.

“This is the best opportunity for individual farmers and farmers’ groups to become businessman-assemblers by setting arrangements with the San Miguel Corporation Inc.,” Brasales said.

He said, SMC annually requires at least P5 million worth of cassava for its feeds production alone.

He also assured the sustainability of the crop’s price, demand and the volume of production.

“As long as we eat chicken meat, eggs,

and processed food products as well as drink beer, there will always have a high demand for cassava,” he emphasized.

DA and SMC are jointly promoting production of fresh yellow cassava which is ideal for human consumption and is also used as ingredient for bio-ethanol-alcohol formulations.

Abdulkadil Ango of DA12’s Agri-business and Marketing Assistance Division, cited that in 2011 Soccsksargen Region produced over 60,000 metric tons (MT). This went up to over 80,000 MT last year.

Besides South Cotabato, Soccksargen

Region (Region 12) also includes the provinces of Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato as well as the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos.

Ango added that Region 12’s production of cassava remains insufficient to supply the demands of SMC.

At the said training, farmers were also trained to prepare cassava-based food items such as rolls, sticks, and others from which farm families could earn extra income. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/IBaundi-DA 12)

17 villages in Soccsksargen region to receive aid from PAMANABy Danilo E. Doguiles


Amalia Jayag-Datukan, regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture 12, said the target communities were named in a recent consultative meeting in Davao City to identify programs for the priority areas for 2014 to 2016 outside of the ARMM MNLF areas.

Target barangays are located in the municipalities of Arakan, Banisilan, Carmen, Kabacan, Matalam, Midsayap and Pikit in North Cotabato; Glan, Maasim and Malapatan in Sarangani; Lake Sebu and T’boli in South Cotabato and; Bagumbayan, Isulan, Kalamansig, Lebak and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat.

Datukan said the program will be implemented in villages considered as conflict areas but have received less program interventions.

“It will be implemented in identified local government units (LGUs) in the region where each area will

receive development programs according to the residents’ specific needs,” she said.

Projects that will be carried out include farm-to-market roads, post-harvest facilities, livestock dispersal, warehouses, multi-purpose buildings, water systems, livelihood projects, health centers, school building, evacuation or peace centers, other community infrastructure and other social services.

“The program will allocate funds for these projects through national government agencies like the DA, DPWH, DILG, DSWD DOH, AFP, and other involved agencies and LGUs,” Datukan added.

PAMANA is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development which is implemented among conflict-affected communities covered by the existing peace agreements.

It intends to reduce poverty and vulnerability in conflict-affected areas

through sustainable rural development, c o m m u n i t y infrastructure and focused delivery of social services.

Also, it aims to improve governance through partnerships with national and local institutions, building capacities for governance, and enhancement of transparency and accountability mechanisms.

A complementary track to peace negotiations, the program’s main strategy is to bring back government to PAMANA areas, ensuring that the communities benefit from improved delivery of basic social services and are served by responsive, transparent and accountable government units thru the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and in coordination with its partner government agencies. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12/EAPasaol-DA 12)


CSC conducts seminar to retiring employeesby Mark Anthony Dedoyco

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Here’s what every government Human Resource Division should be doing for its retiring empoyess.

The Civil Service Commission - Region 10 (CSC-10) has initiated today, here in the city, the conduct of a two-day seminar for retirees. This is part of CSC’s pre-retirement program which targets

retirees, or those planning to retire within five years. Human Resource Management Officers (HRMOs), administrative officers, and other interested government employees were likewise

http://www.prp.asia/


CSC conducts seminar to retiring employees

enjoined by the CSC to attend the seminar. CSC-10 regional director, Attorney Lourdes Clavite-Vidal said the discussions focused on retirement benefits, processes, procedures, gratuity, and terminal leave computations from other government sectors.

Vidal explained that neglect in retirement planning or preparation may lead retirees to a hard life, in some, nothing is left out of their benefits. “Retirees’ experiences tell us that in retirement years, not all good things happen,” she added.

NUJP reminds journalists to be responsible in doing election coverageCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) reminded journalists to be responsible in covering the 2013 national and local elections.

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran

NUJP Chairperson Rowena Paraan said journalists play a crucial role during elections and how they do their coverage have implications to the public. “Journalists are active participants in the election process as they inform voters about what type of persons are asking for their votes and what they stand for,” she said. She said if journalists will not be sensible and responsible in their coverage, it will reflect on how the community responds to the issues. If the public is not actively responding to the relevance of the issues, it means ‘nagkulang ang media’, she further. Paraan, who was resource

speaker of the one-day training on election reporting for Lanao media, also told journalists to look behind the campaign finance issues. She said campaign finance is largely ignored and under reported because most of the election coverage ends after the proclamation of winners. Republic Act 9476, which limits the expenditure of candidates for every voter, requires candidates to file a sworn statement of election contributions and expenditures not later than 30 days after the day of election. Other topics discussed during the training include the basics on Philippine elections, COMELEC guidelines in


BPI is accredited collecting agent for employed sector members only - PhilHealth by Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), an accredited collecting agent (ACA) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for online collection through Express Link, accepts premium payments from the Employed Sector Members only.

PhilHealth Advisory 03-02-2013 signed by Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona states that PhilHealth members, other than the employed sector, are advised to pay their premiums to the nearest PhilHealth offices or ACAs. Workers in the government

and private sectors who have established employee-employer relations are considered Employed Sector Members. PhilHealth members may log on to www.philhealth.gov.ph for the full list of ACAs.

covering elections, looking beyond the campaign slogans of politicians, ethical concerns and media safety during election coverage. The training, held yesterday at Tabe’s Place in Iligan City, was participated by more than 30 print and broadcast journalists and volunteer election reporters in the two Lanao provinces. It is part of NUJP’s series of

election coverage workshops being held in the different parts of the country to help journalists conduct professional coverage of the coming 2013 national and local elections. Aside from the training, Paraan said the NUJP will also monitor if there are incidents of harassments and intimidation to any member of the media the elections.


BPI is accredited collecting agent for employed sector members only - PhilHealth

Typhoon Pablo victims in Agusan Sur get P1M aid from Cebu City

AGUSAN DEL SUR -- The province of Agusan del Sur has received financial assistance worth P1 million from Cebu City for the victims of typhoon Pablo that hit the province last December 4, 2012.

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

\by David M. Suyao


Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza made the announcement during the provincial regular flag raising ceremony at the provincial capitol grounds here in Patin-ay, Prosperidad.

The governor said the help from the city government of Cebu will go a long way in helping the victims recover from the devastations of the super storm especially those living in Bunawan, Trento, Veruela, Sta. Josefa and Loreto towns where many houses were totally destroyed.

Many also lost their source of livelihood as crops were heavily damaged.

Earlier this year, the provincial officials wrote a letter to Cebu City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod to ask for assistance.

The Cebu City government sourced the donation from the Quick Respond Fund of its Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for this year.

The governor gave assurance that all the donations will go to the victims as they working out for the rehabilitation of the worst-affected areas in the province.

He added that Mandaue City, also in the province of Cebu, is on its way of giving in help to the Agusanons.


The run aims to draw attention and participation of government leaders and employees, the civil society and the youth, in order to raise awareness and ultimately inculcate the value of environmental protection, clean election and freedom from corruption.

More than 1,000 runners are expected to participate in the activity which will start and end at

Guingona Park. Since the registration is free, a

pre-registration is currently being done at the Office of the Vice Mayor which will give the first 800 registrants free singlets.

Actual registration will start at 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. after which the run will start at 6 a.m. The activity will culminate with a short program and awarding ceremony.

Freedom Run slated in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY -- The People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga, Inc. and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FnF) is set to stage the first 5K Freedom Run on April 20 this city.

by Eldie N. David


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The resolution is realized with 26 RDC members from the Zamboanga

Peninsula (ZamPen) coming to Iloilo City to attend the 2-day executive

RDC-IX takes DRRM briefing to one notch higherBy Noemi B. Edaga

ILOILO CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region-IX passed a resolution during the 143rd RDC meeting on March 7, 2013 in Dipolog City supporting the move to pursue capacity building and appreciation for the members of the Council members on disaster risk reduction and climate change.


briefing on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) on April 18-19. Speakers who are experts on DRRM were on hand to share invaluable information and inputs to disaster preparedness. Risk profile and state of DRRM in the Philippines, hydro-met hazards and project Noah, climate change adaptation, geo-hazards such as earthquake, tsunami, volcanic eruption, landslides and floods; building and equipment emergency plan and earthquake drill, were among the topics lined-up for the RDC-9 executives. Apart from the briefings mentioned, RDC-9 vice chair and NEDA-9 regional director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos said, this DRRM briefing is brought to a notch higher as participants got the chance to hear the Iloilo experience in DRRM and see Guimbal municipality flood control and other DRR projects for appreciation in leveling-up its planning and preparation for DRRM in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Dir. Adriano D. Fuego said Guimbal is known for its best practice in DRRM and it is worthy to emulate features applicable to ZamPen.

During the briefings, Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering shared with the group the importance of land use planning and climate change preparedness relative to the growth and to our economy. On the other hand, Engr. Oscar C. Tabada of the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-Physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said typhoons are not to be feared of; rather the water and flood that come and bring disaster to communities having insufficient mitigating measures. Corollary to this, Dir. Renato Solidum, Jr. of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVocs) who lectured on understanding natural hazards said, the Philippines is the 3rd country most exposed to common hazards. The participants were encouraged by the speakers to integrate building code implementation with determination of vulnerability areas and equate it with exacting family and community disaster preparedness. The DRRM executive briefing is sponsored by RDC-9 and OCD-9 with NEDA-9 and the Region-6 counterparts of the participants.


In a presentation made during the first quarter meeting of ConsumerNET-9 last week, it showed that Mindanao grid will experience the biggest shortfall next month against the average consumer demand. “Unless ZAMCELCO’s power supply is augmented, a longer power interruption will be experienced in the city,” said the presentation. The power woes in the city have worsened particularly this month with an average brownout of 6-8 hours per day, affecting all sectors. The business sector, for one, is asking the local government to help ZAMCELCO look for other power supplier to at least lessen the power interruption in the city. The Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCCII), thru its President Mr. Cholo Soliven, also asked President Noynoy Aquino

to declare a “state of emergency” in Mindanao with the worsening power crisis. Zamboanga City has experienced the worst power interruption in 2010 and early part of 2011 where brownouts reached an average of eight to 10 hours per day. In ZAMCELCO’s presentation, this may happen again next month if no alternative power source is found. ZAMCELCO, however, assured that the current power situation will be stable by 2015 when more power plants, now under construction, become operational. “Hopefully, by 2016, our problems in the city will have been solved after the completion and commissioning of the 100 MW San Ramon coal-fired power plant,” ZAMCELCO official said.

Public to brace for longer brownout next month, says ZAMCELCO By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Residents of the city should brace for longer brownouts next month according to Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO).

DOLE awards P387,993 YES Project to SCCBy Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment recently awarded Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) projects to Saint Columban College worth P387,993.00 consisting of a photocopier with encoding and bookbinding services.


DOLE provincial head Lourdes Amores turned-over the check to SCC President Rev. Fr. Gilbert M. Hingone and witnessed by Rev. Fr. Belstar Ediang - Vice-President for Finance, Atty. Beverly O. Travero - school accountant, and Zamboanga del Sur Guidance Counselors Network President Mary Jane Omandam together with the 30 YES beneficiaries. Ms. Amores in her speech emphasized the importance of the project and their responsibility to sustain it so that other students may also enjoy and benefit through financial assistance derived from the YES program. Fr. Hingone expressed his gratitude to DOLE for the trust

and strong partnership with the school through the years, and for making SCC the pilot site of the YES program. Meanwhile, Fr. Ediang promised to support and help the students until they can stand on their own, and appreciate the privilege of being YES beneficiaries. Along with the YES turnover was the distribution of checks to 14 beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) amounting to P45,390.00. The DOLE YES Program provides assistance to the youth for them to start a livelihood undertaking and mold them to become young entrepreneurs.

one mindanao - april 19, 2013

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