one mindanao - april 3, 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

Peace: In the eyes of a child

Michael Vincent D. CajulaoWestern Mindanao

Today’s issue... Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 157

page 4

Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of Filipinos are satisfied with their lives 9

Lorry V. Gabule, Northern Mindanao

Observance of Lenten season generally peaceful - PNP Iligan15

4th Infantry recognizes exemplar units, promotes officers

Phl Biz Industry Census user’s forum set in Bislig City

GSIS reopens Educational Assistance Program

4CMO/4ID/PA, Northern Mindanao141923

Caraga Refion

Alma L. Tingcang , Western Mindanao

North Cotabato’s 2013 Kids Peace Summer Camp kicks off 27Perlita D. Changco, Central lMindanao

7 11 13 16 21 25

Wednesday, April 3, 20134

One sunny afternoon last month, world renowned visual artist Rameer Tawasil staged a peaceful but

moving protest on the worsening situation in Sabah between the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate and the Malaysian government forces - a solemn declaration of his dissent on the armed conflict where victims are

once again the civilians - through art. Over 200 youth participated in the activity calling for the immediate halt of the war in Sabah. Amid the peaceful but intense protest, two participants stood out the most. And they did it silently in a corner trying to express what peace is for them. What’s so special about them is that, no, they are not youth, nor celebrities, nor famous

artists; they are little girls, no more than seven years old. Soon, the public took notice of them. Not used to the attention from a sea of people, the shy kids were overwhelmed and struggled


It is said that our eyes are the windows to our soul. It is

through our eyes others can discern our inner-most emotions. It never lies.

CoVer StoRy

By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 5

for a few minutes to get back their strokes with the guidance of their father. Regaining their composure, they started to paint on their canvass trying to express what’s on their minds. Both are painting the same idea: an angel. One onlooker asked the elder kid why an angel? And the kid sheepishly replied, “It’s because angel is a picture of peace and meekness.” The child’s eyes lighten every time she completes a stroke. Timid as she is, the kid tries to hide her excitement of seeing her work come to fruition, but her eyes betray her. After finishing her work, the girl just looked around trying to see what the older participants are drawing. Being learned people, the youth wrote messages calling a stop to the crisis in Sabah. Messages of love and respect written in colorful

chalks mainly covered the canvass and the sidewalks in Normal Road, just outside a local university. The kids’ works may have drowned in the momentous activity, but kid’s reply to one of the onlookers has made a dent on the many opinions expressed by the participants. If only we are meek and peaceful enough to sit and try to solve the problem in Sabah, there could have been no blood spilt, no death, and no families torn because of the war. In a child’s eyes everything may all be just very simple. Adults would discard whatever idea comes from kids. After all, they would always say, “They are just innocent of what is going on” or that “They are too young to know the magnitude of the events.” Perhaps all the conflicting ideas a person acquires in his lifetime has made things complicated. The meaning of the word “peace” may



now vary depending on the person’s interpretation and biases. The word peace has become so political that peace has just become a “word” and not an ideal and state of being. Grown men’s interpretation of peace has become so complicated and technical. In today’s standard, there can only be peace by flexing muscles and showing who’s stronger. Peace means trying to be allies with the stronger group, effectively accepting one’s superiority over the other.

However, peace, in the eyes of a child is a million miles away from what “adults” say it is. In a child’s eyes, peace is about respect, love and being meek. Where there is this child-like attitude, there is peace. A story in the bible would tell us that kids may just be oblivious and innocent, but Jesus Christ Himself said that unless we become like child, we will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. Sometimes, it takes adult to look into the eyes of a child and see the meekness and peace from within. Children are pictures of meekness and peace, just like an angel.


ACROSS THE NATIONPalace: Enough measures in place to fight oil products smuggling

Malacanang made an assurance on Tuesday that there are sufficient measures to curb oil smuggling in the country.

In a press conference in Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential spokesman

Edwin Lacierda said that among the measures in place include a

8Wednesday, April 3, 2013

tax regulation that ensures ecozone locators get the tax exemption.

This in addition to the visits and inspections being done by the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), he said.

Lacierda was referring to the Revenue Regulation 2-2012 that would have made sure that the ecozone locators would get tax exemptions from the government.

Unfortunately, the court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) and it was only last February when an injunction was issued declaring it to be in error, Lacierda explained.

Following the Court of Appeals decision, the Bureau of Customs has begun full implementation of RR 2-2012, he added.

“As I mentioned, apart from this Revenue Regulation 2-2012, we have stepped up on major physical visitation on those ports—ports which are considered as the ports where the oil imports are being done,” Lacierda

said.“We’re making sure that all these

ports are visited and that efforts are made to curb smuggling.”

Curbing oil smuggling will improve the country’s tax collection, according to the Palace official.

One of the seven major ports already visited by the DOF, BOC, and the BIR last February include the Port of Limay, Lacierda said.

Beginning this month, the DOF, BOC and the BIR will be visiting the Manila International Container Port, the Port of Manila, Port of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the Port of Batangas, and other major oil importers.

Ramon Ang, the chair and chief executive officer of the Petron Corp. said at least a third of the total volume of oil products sold in the market came from smuggling based on studies from 2007 to 2011.

Ang said the government is losing P30 to P40 billion annually due to oil products smuggling. PND (as)


Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of Filipinos are satisfied with their lives

Malacañang expressed

elation over the latest Social Weather Stations’ survey showing that 4 out of 5 Filipinos or 81 percent are satisfied with their lives, a Palace official said on Tuesday.

10Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Aquino administration thanks the Filipinos for their overwhelming trust, confidence, and support in the government, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Ninety-five percent of those surveyed among the Class ABC on the income scale were satisfied with their lives, according to the survey. The survey also indicated that the rates of life satisfaction were quite high at 82 percent (Class D) and 74 percent (Class E).

The fourth quarter 2012 survey conducted among 1,200 adults nationwide on Dec. 8 to 11 showed that of the 81 percent, 33 percent were “very satisfied” and 48 percent “fairly satisfied,” the SWS said.

Lacierda assured the people that the government would continue to undertake reforms and anti-poverty initiatives to provide for better lives.

“As you know, we continue to improve our efforts in good governance as well as to serve our countrymen,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said the sound macroeconomic fundamentals could be one of the factors

for the survey’s positive outcome.“Kasama po rito ang pagganda ng

ekonomiya kahit paano, lumalago ang mga negosyo, nagkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyante at ang ating mga taumbayan na magkaroon ng livelihood. ‘Yun po ang ating nakikita —on a macro-situation,” he said.

Lacierda noted that the government has already taken significant steps to achieve its goal to further improve the country’s business climate.

The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from the Fitch Group, one of three major international credit rating agencies that assess the government’s ability to pay back its debt and the chance of non-payment.

“The recent investment grade upgrade was something that is very positive for us and we expect more in direct investments. With the formal announcement of the investment grade status, we expect more foreign direct investments, as well as for our local businessmen to take advantage of low interest rates,” he said. PND (js)


57 gun ban violators arrested in C. Mindanao

Five gun ban violators were arrested Tuesday as the police authorities in Central Mindanao region have intensified its campaign for Safe and Fair Elections 2013 in the region.

Chief Supt. Charles Calima, police regional director for Central Mindanao, said to date,

the PRO-12 Gun Ban Monitoring Team has arrested 57 persons and confiscated 58 assorted


unlicensed firearms, 352 assorted ammunition, 15 hand grenades and other types of explosives and have filed 37 cases.

The latest accomplishments PRO-12 have achieved was the arrest Tuesday of a farmer in President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat province who yielded an unlicensed cal. 45 pistol.

Calima identified the suspect as Armando Pipikin, 46 of Purok Buhay, Barangay Katiko, President Quirino.

The raiding team, who were armed with warrant of arrest surrounded the house of Pipikin, who voluntarily offered his firearms when police authorities

asked for it.Also on Tuesday, police

authorities in Saranggani province arrested four persons, identified as Rey Caweg Latot, Benjie Latot, Fernando Latot, and Armado de Arce, all residents of Purok Tampalasan, Barangay Baliton, Glan, Saranggani province.

Police recovered two unlicensed hand guns from the suspects.

As this developed, Chief Supt. Calima urged all operating units in the region to be more aggressive in its campaign against loose firearms in relation to election gun ban to help ensure SAFE May 2013 midterm balloting. (PNA)


DOLE-10 invites jobseekers to mega jobs fair on Labor Dayby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 is inviting new graduates and jobseekers to its mega jobs fair on May 1 and 2.

The two-day jobs fair, to be held at the SM City Carpark, is one of the activities lined-up for this year’s Labor Day celebration. Aside from the jobs, there will also be a one-stop shop where jobseekers may avail of pre-employment documentation services from other government agencies such as Bureau of Internal Revenue, Professional Regulations Commission, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Department of Foreign Affairs, among others. Those who wish to join are advised to pre-register at the DOLE Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Office or at the Public Employment Services Office to hasten skills matching and placement of qualified applicants. Pre-registration is also being conducted at the SM City every Saturday and Sunday.

Job seekers are also encouraged to register online through www.phil-job.net, the official job portal of the government. Records from the DOLE-10 show that 2,583 or 54.4 percent of the 4,743 applicants referred and interviewed during the Labor Day Jobs Fair last year were hired-on-the spot. Of these numbers, 1,220 were hired locally while 1,363 were for overseas employment.


4th Infantry recognizes exemplar units, promotes officers by 4CMO/4ID/PA

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City - The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division recognized the exemplary performance of units and pinned the ranks to newly promoted officers during the Monday flag-raising ceremony, here Monday.

Three officers were promoted from first lieutenant to captain after successfully complying with the requirements for the said promotion, while three units received plaques in recognition of their commendable performances in all aspect of Internal Peace and Security Operations. During the ceremony, Colonel Victor A Gealan, division adjutant, read the confirmation of promotion of 1st Lieutenant Aurelson P Coloma (Inf) PA; 1st Lieutenant Joe Ryan A Manalo (Inf) PA; and 1st Lieutenant Marlou C Daguio (Inf) PA based on the authority letter from the office of the president dated October 28, 2011.Major General Nestor A Añonuevo AFP, Commander 4ID, personally pinned the ranks insignias to the above mentioned officers. After the pinning of ranks, the Command presented plaques to the 401st Infantry “Unity Brigade and to the 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion for having been adjudged as the “Best Infantry Brigade” and “Best Infantry Battalion of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division during the annual performance evaluation of the field units for calendar year 2012 conducted by Headquarters Philippine

Army. Also presented during the awarding was the certificate of recognition to the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division by Clarissa C Rosales, President of Gender Advocates and Women in the Government Service in Region 10, for the most valuable assistance and support to all the endeavors of GA-WINGS 10 that inspired all the members in making the celebration of Women’s Month fruitful and successful. MGen Añonuevo said, “I congratulate the three officers for a well-deserved promotion and I urge you to continue your dedication to duty and be ready to face more challenges and responsibilities that may come in your way.” “I also extend my congratulations to 401Bde and 8IB for their exemplary performances that made them the best Infantry Brigade and Best Infantry Battalion of the Division, respectively. Let us continue our efforts in making our area peaceful to give way to development that in turn will make the lives of the people better. Again, congratulations and keep up the good work,” Añonuevo added.


Observance of Lenten season generally peaceful - PNP IliganILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Local police here has assured security measures were in place during the observance of Holy Week on March 24-31, 2013.

by Lorry V. Gabule

P/SSupt.Cristeto Rey D. Gonzalodo, City Director of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO)-Philippine National Police (PNP), said they providedpublic safety services and conducted pro-active police operations to suppress any act of lawlessness, particularly on terrorist attacks, kidnapping and other related crimes in places where devotees gathered. “It’s generally peaceful, the city was out of danger, per our assessment,” Gonzalodo declared. This was due to the police public assistance posts established in different strategic areas in the city, aside from the continuous police visibility and heightened beat patrol. ICPO has coordinated with other law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) and religious sectors to develop, formulate and maintain an effective security system to adequately prevent any acts of lawlessness in this year’s Lenten season. Gonzalodo said uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were deployed for visibility in the vicinity of churches, other ritual places, seaports and bus terminals in

their respective area of jurisdiction. “We intensified our intelligence operation to monitor the plans and activities of criminal elements and other threat groups,” Gonzalodo said. All PNP operating units have closely coordinated with concerned religious ministers/priests for the scheduled activities at St. Michael’s Cathedral and other churches which started on March 24, “Domingo sa Lukay” (Palm Sunday), he said. “We have tapped all Punong Barangays (village chieftain) for the utilization of their civilian volunteer organizations (CVO’s) and Barangay Tanods (Village Police) in providing security within their area,” added Gonzalodo. Also, ICPO have established Public Assistance Centers (PAC) manned by appropriate personnel and some force multipliers in major churches, tourist spots and other places of convergence in their respective area of responsibility. Meanwhile, the Police Traffic Section, along with other traffic auxiliaries, took charge of traffic direction, management/enforcement and motorist assistance along national highways and made sure of smooth flow of traffic along the city’s main thoroughfares during the week.


BCWD celebrates 39th anniversary, bares updates on its operations & accomplishments

BUTUAN CITY -- In line with its 39th anniversary celebration, the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) conducted a motorcade from the Libertad Sports Complex going to their office at J. Rosales Avenue on Monday, and followed with a press conference held at their training center to update the local tri-media on the BCWD’s operations and accomplishments

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

by Jennifer P. Gaitano


The 39th Anniversary celebration of BCWD is also in time with the 12th Water Consciousness Week celebration from April 1-6, 2013 with the theme “Water Cooperation”.

Engr. Anselmo Sangtian, BCWD General Manager bared that aside from performing their daily operations, the BCWD is also performing its social responsibility.

“School children benefited the various contests and school tours last year. A number of communities were recipients of the different outreach programs conducted during the 38th anniversary. We also constructed the Multi-Purpose Hall with comfort room and a water system of Anticala Watershed Farmers Association. Once completed, a forest nursery will also be put up in the vicinity of the building,” Sangtian said.

Sangtian also said that as their office turns 39 years of providing piped water supply to Butuanons, they are placing in the pipeline projects that are geared toward raising awareness, both on the potential

for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services.

“These include the following: 1) Expansion projects going to Ubod-Ubod and Basay Resettlement, Lemon and Malalag; 2) Upgrading of transmission lines in Sunrise, Ampayon, Tiniwisan and Mahay and Amakan Resettlement; 3) Deep well drilling in Taguibo; 4) Extension of the Pinamanculan Reservoir; 5) Construction of ground reservoir in Libertad; 6) Calibration of flow meters; 7) Procurement of leak detector; 8) Rehabilitation and re-alignment of water meter stand; and 9) Working for a partnership with private sector for treatment services under Public-Private-Partnership/Joint venture,” said Sangtian.

Sangtian further emphasized that BCWD will continue the Water Maintenance Program to improve efficiency of water meters. The program will include services such as withdrawal and replacement of water meters


installed for the past five years or more to ensure accurate reading of water consumption.

“There were already 35,726 active metered connections, including 1,619 new connections coming from 56 barangays. Of these 35,726 connections, estimated population served was 250,082 including the 320 senior citizens who enjoyed the five percent discount on their water consumption not exceeding 30 cu.m. per month as provided for in Republic Act 9994. Average monthly consumption per connection was 16.26 cu.m., increased by .08 cu.m. from 16.18 cu.m. in 2011,” stressed Sangtian.

Santian also ensured that BCWD will continue the development and protection of the Taguibo Watershed by being vigilant against illegal activities within the area and intensifying the agro-forestry project. “We will take the lead in the management, administration, operation and maintenance of the watershed,” he said.

Lastly, Sangtian said that

their 2012 accomplishments were made possible by the combined and unified efforts of the 167 personnel distributed to the different departments, consisting of 136 with permanent status, one with temporary status, and 30 with job order status.


Phl Biz Industry Census user’s forum set in Bislig City

BUTUAN CITY -- The National Statistics Office here has successfully conducted a User’s Forum in relation to the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CBPI) held Tuesday in Bislig City.

The activity participated by the representatives (owner/bookkeeper/employees) from the different establishments of the four municipalities of Barobo, Hinatuan, Tagbina, and Lingig, as well as the City of Bislig.

the forum is part of their massive Information Education Campaign (IEC) to directly inform the owners and employees of the different establishments operating in the area, According to Provincial Statistics Officer Ruel Dres. The activity also aimed to gain more support from the business industry in gathering information through accurately answering the questionnaires distributed to them.

Dres also assured the business owners that the data information gathered from the respondents is strictly confidential and only the authorized personnel can only look for it.

The 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry is the 15th in the series which aim to collect and generate information on the performance, levels structure and trends of economic activities of the formal sector in the entire country.

Same activity is also scheduled on April 4, 2013 for the 1st District of this province to be held at Shacene Pension House, Tandag City.


http:/ /www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

[email protected] piazampen.blogspot.comhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-WesMin-Info-Blitz/204864762911310 [email protected]

Want to publish your photo, news and feature release just email

NGCP supports DepED’s alternative learning program By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Complementing the implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) by the Department of Education (DepED), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)-Mindanao District I has adopted two barangays in the municipalities of Molave and Mahayag all in Zamboanga del Sur.


Literacy classes for adult learners will be conducted in these barangays with the NGCP and the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO)-I providing for the teachers’ pay and the learning modules. In his message during the recent project launch held at Aurora Substation in Cabilinan, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, NGCP’s Corporate Affairs Department head Nelson F. Cabangon bared that the ALS project for Barangay Alicia in Molave and Barangay San Isidro in Mahayag “is the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) undertaking” of the company in the area. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to help in a way of giving a project with lasting imprint among the recipients,” Cabangon said adding “our CSR program covers

four key areas: education, health, culture and environment.” The recipient barangays will each have 30 adult learners who are mostly indigenous people belonging to Subanen tribe. Acting Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Marcom F. Borongan of the Zamboanga del Sur Schools Division expressed his gratitude to the NGCP for “sharing its resources with the less fortunate ones.” With the NGCP paying for the teacher’s pay, Borongan considered it “a big contribution to the DepED in particular and to the government in general.” Borongan concluded his message with the saying: “Education makes people easy govern, but difficult to enslave.”


GSIS reopens Educational Assistance Program By Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has started to reopen its educational assistance window yesterday for all GSIS active members who did not avail of the 2012 GSIS Educational Assistance Program.

In a press statement, GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara said, “Parents are hard-pressed on schooling costs at this time of the year. Under the educational aid program, GSIS lends a helping hand to members by defraying their children’s education expenses.” Leoncito S. Manuel, GSIS branch head here, said the loan carries a 6% interest rate and does not require any approval from the employer. Active members, regardless of salary grade, may apply for the financial aid amounting to P4 thousand. He said a member will start paying a P20 monthly amortization three months after the loan is granted. It can be recalled that GSIS launched the new loan program last year, immediately after the Labor Day announcement of President Benigno C. Aquino III, directing both GSIS and SSS to establish an educational assistance fund for their

stakeholders. Under the program, GSIS has released over P2.45 billion to more than 600,000 state workers who availed themselves of the educational loan. The pension fund also recently opened 200 slots under the GSIS Scholarship Program for academic year 2013-2014. Government employees with salary grade 24 (earning approximately P50 thousand) or below may nominate their children to the program, if they are incoming freshmen in any university or college accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). A GSIS scholar is entitled to tuition and miscellaneous fees not exceeding P20,000 and a monthly stipend of P2,000. Loan application forms may be obtained from any GSIS office and/or downloaded from the GSIS website: www.gsis.gov.ph.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - After the recently concluded 2nd Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards, the Department of Agriculture (DA 12) is opening another country-wide search, this time recognizing LGUs and indi-viduals with outstanding performance in organic farming.

DA opens search for LGUs with outstanding organic agri programBy Danilo E. Doguiles


DA 12, announced today that the Department has allotted at least Php 26 million as prizes in the form of project grants and cash incentives for the winners of the Organic Agriculture-Local Government Unit Awards.

Information on the nationwide search indicates that top three performing provinces -- one each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao -- will receive Php 3 million worth of project grants and a plaque.

Top performing city or municipality in each region will also take home Php 1 million worth of project for their respective identified farmer group beneficiaries.

For the individual category, P30,000 worth of cash prize and plaque await each of the three provincial focal persons. The same prize awaits the best city or municipal organic agriculture focal person and top performing agricultural extension worker in each region.

In an earlier interview, Enriqueto Natividad, DA

12’s Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations and organic agriculture focal person, said the award is intended to encourage LGUs to convert 5 percent of their agricultural lands to organic farming.

It also aims to harness local level participation in ensuring effective implementation of National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP).

The search is being spearheaded by the the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) as the Administrative and Technical Secretariat of the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) pursuant to Republic Act 10068

otherwise known as the Philippine Organic Agriculture Act of 2010

The OA LGU Awards is a way to commend the involvement and to further encourage the local government unit (LGUs) as well as the agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in the promotion and spread of the organic agriculture in the country, he added.

For more information and guidelines, interested parties may contact the office of the Organic Agriculture Program at DA 12 through telephone numbers (083) 520-0622 or visit the DA 12 website, www.rfu12.da.gov.ph. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with LMSalvo/DA 12)


COTABATO CITY -- Hundreds of grade five pupils from various public schools in the town of Pikit, North Cotabato, are participating in the three-day Kids Peace Summer Camp at the poblacion from April 1-3.

North Cotabato’s 2013 Kids Peace Summer Camp kicks offBy Perlita D. Changco

The Kids Peace Summer Camp is an annual program being undertaken and funded by the North Cotabato provincial government under Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza for three years now with the cooperation and support of the provincial office of the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) in the area.

The program primarily aims to provide a venue for the social interaction among the Muslim, Christian and Lumad grade five pupils from the 18 municipalities in the province through fun games, sports, talent and skills competitions, informal values formation lectures and other

relevant activities as a foundation for the youth to be productive and responsible members of the community.

During the April 1st opening ceremony, Governor Talino-Mendoza expressed gratitude for the encouraging support and cooperation of the teachers and local officials to the program as she urged the participants to have fun, enjoy and relish the learning and sharing experiences during duration of the summer camp.

She said, the activity is being undertaken during the summer so as not to disrupt the classes of school children as she noted the excitement and enthusiasm of the participants during

the parade despite the scorching heat of the sun.

“Masaya and heartwarming to see and feel the atmosphere ng maayos na pagsasamahan ng mga estudyanteng Muslim, Kristiyano at Lumad to achieve cultural peace and development in the province, region and entire country,” she said.

She also urged the students to actively participate in community projects and undertakings and assured her a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’ s continued support for the welfare of the youth and development of localities in the province. (PBChangco/PIA Cotabato City)


Davao Light assures stable power during election day

DAVAO CITY- The power utility firm Davao Light and Power Com-pany assured that the supply of electricity in Davao City and other service areas like Panabo City and Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte will remain stable even beyond the election period, despite the power curtailment being observed in oth-er areas in Mindanao due to power shortage.

Speaking at the Club 888 business forum at the Marco Polo Hotel, Ross Luga, Assistant Vice-President of the Davao Light said they expect a low demand of electricity during the Election Day since it will be a holiday. He said many of-fices and big industrial companies are usually closed on holidays so

the demand for power on May 13 will reduce and will be enough to support the power needed in the conduct of the elections.Luga said that even with the rotat-ing brownouts imposed in other ar-eas in Mindanao, Davao Light will ensure that its service areas will have continued supply of electric-ity.

by Joey Dalumpines


He revealed the power sources of the Davao Light such as the run-off river power source of the Hed-cor Power Corporation in Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur which provides 45.2 megawatts, Therma-Marine Incorporated pow-er barge in Maco, Compostela Val-ley that gives 30 megawatts, and the standby diesel-powered plant in Bajada which can provide an av-erage of 40 megawatts. Luga said they also have col-laboration with large industrial companies under the interruptible load program. “Should there be a time that we lack power, we will request the large industrial companies to op-erate their power generators. In-stead of drawing power from the transmission lines, the power that they could have used can be dis-

tributed to the smaller customers,” he said. Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, re-gional director of the Commission on Elections XI said power outage is not much of a problem since the battery of a Precinct Count Optical Scan machine can last for 16 hours on Election Day. He said the poll body has also issued a resolution requesting pow-er providers to ensure the supply of electricity on Election Day. “The Comelec issued a resolu-tion to that effect requesting agen-cies concerned to provide stable supply of electricity during elec-tions. But if a power outage occurs even for one hour, there is no prob-lem because a PCOS machine can run for 16 hours,” Balisado said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Five young Dabawenyos off to Manila for Jr. NBA national training campDAVAO CITY-Five Dabawenyo kids will join five other young promis-ing southern cagers for the Jr. NBA national training camp in Manila. This April 26-28. Paolo Coquilla, Wynch Hart Montemayor, Mahloney Tarranza, Cornelio Reta and John Cañete will join, Jan Gabriel Sobrevega and Jose Antiporda from Bacolod City, John Lloyd Bernales and Lorenz Viajar from Bukidnon and Anthony

Sistoza from General Santos as representatives of the Mindanao region. The kids ages 10-14 were among the shortlisted participants during the regional selection camp held last April 1 and 2 at the new University of Southeastern Philippines gymnasium in Davao City. A total of 499 kids participated in the basketball selection camp.


The finalists were chosen by the Jr. NBA evaluation committee headed by Jr. NBA head coach Sefu Bernard, who is the Senior Director of Basketball Operations of NBA Asia and PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa of the Alaska Power Camp. The kids strutted their all-around basketball skills to impress the evaluators; another factor in the selection was how they exhibited the Jr. National Basketball Association’s core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, (a positive) Attitude and Respect were key factors in their selection. This was a very competitive group that made the job of the coaching staff to make a decision very difficult.. It’s great to see such a fantastic turnout and such a deep pool of future Pinoy basketball players to come,” said Coach Sefu Bernard who once served as the manager of players program at

the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. In Manila all the best players from each region will pit skills and the ways, in which they express the STAR values during the three-day boot camp, The ten best performers selected in the National Training Camp will be this year’s Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team. Mugsy Bogues, who

is known as the shortest guy to ever play in the NBA will be in Manila to join the Jr. NBA coaching staff. The Jr. NBA all-star team will also be rewarded with a trip abroad for an authentic NBA experience and the chance to play with a counterpart Jr. NBA team abroad. Brought to the Philippines in 2007 the Jr. NBA is a series of basketball clinics and camps for young ballers. By 2012 the program reached more than 500 schools and 60,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country. The program is presented by Alaska Powered Milk Drink which is linking it through its Alaska Power Camp sports program, one of the partners in the six-year old basketball activity is Davao-based fuel company Phoenix Petroleum. (PIA/RG Alama)

one mindanao - april 3, 2013

Documents

pia surigao

pia agusan

pia caraga region richard

pia region ximanaging

pia caraga updates

pia caraga regioncopy

pia region x rudolph

pia wesmin info bliztwitter