one mindanao - december 11, 2015

PIA Regional Offices

One Mindanao

Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Telefax no. (08822) 72-66-83Cellphone 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]

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

LAYOUT ARTISTSMARY MAY A. ABELLON, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

18

NORTHERN

HIV, AIDS cases getting younger – DOH

16

19 PIA, NNC, Unicef campaign for “Saktong Iodine sa Asin” in Iligan City

14

22

PHL inept situation bounces back towardspositive economic growth

PH hosts ASEAN agri engineers conference

President Aquino renews call for BBL bill approval

12

Cover Story

SOUTHERN

INFOCUS NATIONAL

PNP warns police and civilian motorists against using POLICE plates

14 8

Contents

21

By: Claro A. Lanipa

OUR COVER

150 tribal leaders hold ‘Kahimunan’ gatherinG25By: Cpt. Jasper Gacayan

CARAGA

40 23

27 126 ARBOs undergo maturity assessment in Surigao Norte, Dinagat IslandsBy: Daryll M. Tumbaga

WESTERN

3331AIMCOOP bags 2 national awards in CDA’s Gawad ParangalBy: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Jonathan Macas

4 December 10, 2015One Mindanao

PHL inept situation bounces back towards positive economic growth

By Claro A. Lanipa

Z In the past, the Philippines was called the “Basket Cage of Asia,” the most highly indebted country in the world and

the biggest and longest user of International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources.

5December 10, 2015 One Mindanao

“Sa madaling sabi, tayo ang pinakamatagal na may utang sa IMF,” says Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundoin his message during the 2015 Information Center Managers Conference held at BSP conference hall, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on December 1-3, 2015.

“People described us as hopeless,”he said.

Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yu even made a statement before about the status of the communication industry in the Philippines. He said,“in the Philippines only 5 percent of the population have telephone lines, out of the 5 percent, only about 10 percent are able to use the telephone lines and the other 90 percent are waiting for dial tone.”This was how they described the Philippines – a very unfavorable soft state.

Things have changed

But things have changed from 1993 during the term of former President Fidel V. Ramos up to today. “Things have changed. The Philippines has changed. In fact, the Philippines was able to

record positive economic growth from 1999 to third quarter of 2015 which means that for more than 60 consecutive quarters, we were able to record positive economic growth even through the global financial crisis of 2007-2009.

Positive balance of payments

On top of this, various indicators have shown very favorable results both in internal and external positions. The country have been able to achieve positive balance of payments since 2005 up to present (more than ten years), the BSP official said.

On public finance

Governor Guinigundo disclosed that,“in the past, we have a very big fiscal deficit to Growth Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, we have been always in the red indicator for so many years – 5 percent of GDP to 6 percent of GDP, today our deficit GDP ratio is less than 1 percent.”

External debt versus GDP ratio

According to the bank chief,

6 December 10, 2015One Mindanao

the government has been able to reduce this ratio from more than 80-90 percent, 15-20 years back to just about 25 percent today, which means we have more resources to use to fund infrastructure, social protection and other services.

“These are the

things that we have extended, because unlike in the past we have more resources to spend on these very important social projects,” he added.

There are two things behind these significant improvements in our economic history: since 1993 up to today, significant structural and policy reforms have

been put in place. “In other words we have


unleashed the potential of the market, the potential of investment competition, greater consumption, a free-flow of merchandise goods and capital across borders from our perspective,” the governor explained.“We have liberalized our trade, we have liberalized the payments and investment flows in the country and as a result we have been able to benefit from these very important deregulation and liberalization efforts of both

our government and other government in

the ASEAN r e g i o n , ” Guinigundo

underscored.

As a result of these, our potential capacities or our potential to grow has gone up.

“The potential capacity of an economy is somewhat akin to a balloon. In the past our balloon is very

small so when we blow air into the balloon at a certain point it will burst. Today, our balloon is bigger, so even if you blow more and more air, it will not burst because the potential capacity has gone up precisely because of the positive impact of those policies and structural reforms that we have put in place since 1993,” Guinigundo underlined.

He said the government is only as strong or as weak as the general population. If the general population is not with the government, there is no ownership of public programs, not even the development plans of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). If the public cannot identify themselves or associate themselves with the plan of the government, no amount of funding, no amount of exhortation and no amount of those efforts will be useful.

He called for the cooperation and support of everyone so the government can efficiently and effectively implement all its projects and programs. (ALT/CAL/PIA-9/Zamboanga del Sur)

One Mindanao8 December 10, 2015

MANILA— The country’s labor market continued to record positive gains in October 2015 as unemployment rate fell to its lowest in a decade and both employment and underemployment figures further improved, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Unemployment rate drops to new record low in 10 Years

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported today that the country’s unemployment rate

dropped further to 5.7 percent in October 2015 from 6.0 percent in the same month last year, making

filephoto: philstar.com

9December10, 2015 One Mindanao

it the new lowest unemployment rate recorded in the past decade.

“This is also the first time that unemployment rate dropped below 6.0 percent. In fact, for the full year 2015, the country did better than the Philippine Development Plan target of 6.6-6.8 percent for unemployment. This is due tofaster employment growth in the services and industry sectors,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. The latest round of the Labor Force Survey also revealed that labor force participation rate dipped to 63.4 percent in October 2015, mainly coming from the young working age population (15-24 years old).

“The decision amoung the 15- to 24-year-old population not to look for work during the period could be because they chose to pursue higher education or undergo training, as indicated by

the increase in tertiary education enrolment rate, as well as the increase in technical vocational engagements among the youth,” Balisacan said.

The latest LFS also showed lower underemployment rate and improvement in employment rate during the period.The underemployment rate in October 2015 went down to 17.6 percent relative to the 18.7 percent in October 2014. This reflects an estimated 413,000 reduction in the number of employed persons who wanted more work during the period.

“The largest decline in the number of underemployment was among wage and salary workers who worked in private establishments and those who are self-employed without any paid employee,” Balisacan said. The Cabinet official also noted that the number of part-time workers seeking additional hours of work decreased by 7.9 percent,


which is equivalent to 334,000 less underemployed workers who work less than 40 hours per week. Similarly, employment rate grew by 0.4 percent to reach 39 million in October 2015, owing to stronger employment growth in both services and industry

sectors. The number of workers in the services sector grew by 2.1 percent, or an additional 440,000 workers employed; while workers in the industry sector grew by 2.8 percent, or an additional 169,000 Filipinos workers employed during the period.


“This positive trend in the labor market is also reinforced by an improvement in the quality of jobs generated, as majority of the labor force found remunerative work and full-time employment,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

Wage and salary workers increased by 573,000. In terms of hours of work, the share of full-time employment to total employment increased to 65.2 percent from 63.7 percent. Meanwhile, part-time employment went down to 34.2 percent from 35.4 percent in October 2014.

“For these to continue, the government must ensure that the gains and efforts to focus on quality employment are further sustained. We need to sustain public investments in education and training to improve labor productivity and capacities. At the same time, we need to sustain the momentum of fiscal spending, particularly

in infrastructure development, to boost economic growth and employment in agiculture and industry sectors,” said Balisacan However, as employment growth in the agriculture sector was dampened by weather disturbances, he stressed the importance of proper implementation of the Roadmap for Addressing the Impact of El Niño (RAIN) to prepare affected workers in the sector. Balisacan said that strategies under the RAIN include production support to encourage the planting of high-yielding, multi-stress resistant varieties. Crop shifting and even work shifting, depending on the likely effect of the El Nino, are also part of the RAIN strategies, he said. (NEDA)


QUEZON CITY -- Filipino agricultural engineers and their counterparts from South East Asia recently convened in Manila for the third ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ACABE - 3). The Philippines will host this is in conjunction with the 3rd Regional Forum on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Asia and the Pacific (RFSAM-AP) and the 11th Session of the Technical Committee of the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM).

Guided by the theme “Human Resource Development for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization,” the RFSAM-AP and ACABE-3 support the implementation of the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law, Philippine Agricultural

PH hosts ASEAN agri engineers conference


Engineering Competitiveness Road Map 2013-2020. The conference specifically upholds the international alignment of the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Profession in Asia and the Pacific as well as the ASEAN Cooperation Agreement on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Framework in support of ASEAN Integrated Food Security Framework and Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security 2015-2020.

One of the highlights of the RFSAM-AP and ACABE-3 is the Country Report of the 20 Asia Pacific nations on the respective updates/status of their Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization and Engineering Program in their locality.

According to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, the events, will serve as an opportune time for the Agricultural Engineering Units

and Agricultural Engineers of the Department of Agriculture to meet and forge collaboration with their counterparts in ASEAN and in Asia and the Pacific.

The events are organized by the UNESCAP-CSAM, ASEAN Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Coordinating Committee, Board of Agricultural Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology of the University of the Philippines – Los Banos, Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries – Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Committee, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, Central Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering Division and the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers. (DA)

14 One Mindanao December 10, 2015

President Aquino renews call for BBL bill approval

MANILA-- President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday met with lawmakers headed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to reiterate the importance of the immediate passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The Chief Executive met with the lawmakers around lunchtime to urge the latter to “...seize the historic opportunity...” of enacting the measure and ensure long-

term peace in Mindanao, said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a statement.

filephoto: philstar.com


Among those who were present during the meeting are House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II and Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

The PCOO chief said President Aquino stressed the need for the immediate passage of the measure given higher threats from global terrorism and radicalization.

“The President urged the members of Congress to rise to the challenge of being able to “change the narrative”, referring to the cycle of violence and poverty that has stalled peace and progress in Mindanao,” he said.

Coloma said the President cited the projected gains of the measure and one of these include giving the people the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

“He cited the gains achieved by the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) in attracting new investments amounting to PhP9.8 billion in the period from 2011 to 2014,”

he said.

The PCOO chief said the President, during his recent trip to Vatican and Italy, was asked by European leaders about the BBL “and he pointed out that the BBL provides a template for peace building that may be considered by the international community.”

The proposed BBL was submitted to Congress in September 2014 after representatives of the government’s peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in March of the same year.

It received flak after the “misencounter” between members of the police’s elite force and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members on January 25, 2015, which led to the death of 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF).

However, the Aquino administration maintains that passage of the BBL is necessary to ensure a long-term peace and growth in Mindanao. (PNA)


DOH launches anti-firecracker campaign

T he Department of Health (DOH) teams up with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department

of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and EcoWaste Coalition as it officially launches the 2015 anti-firecracker campaign which carries the theme,“Sa Ingay Walang Sablay, sa Paputok Goodbye Kamay.”


In the past, DOH conveyed its messages through both scare tactics and positive approaches. This year’s campaign focuses on encouraging the public to use alternative ways in celebrating Christmas and welcoming New Year and avoid the use of firecrackers. “For this year, instead of firecrackers, the public is encouraged to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers such as ‘torotot,’ car horns, or by playing loud music. Also, the local government units (LGUs) are urged to foster community firework display,” Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin said. In 2014, the DOH final report on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance recorded zero death and 860 cases nationwide which is 16% lower compared to 2013 (1,018 injuries). Of the 860 reported injuries, 840 were due to fireworks, 13 from stray bullet, while 7 were cases of firecracker ingestion.Most injuries were caused by piccolo (32%), followed by kwitis (15%), unknown firecrackers (11%), luces (7%) and fountain (5%). Most fireworks-related injuries came from the National Capital Region (57%), followed by Ilocos Region (8%), Western Visayas (7%), and CALABARZON (6%). In NCR, most cases were from Manila (37%), Quezon City

(26%) and Las Pinas City (6%). Notably, no cases were reported from the cities of San Juan and Muntinlupa. The health chief emphasizes the earnest cooperation of the LGUs and the public to achieve zero casualty as we welcome 2016. The DOH reminds all Filipinos, both young and old, to have fun yet be vigilant at the same time. In case of an injury due to firecrackers, Garin reminded that the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed. The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention. The DOH ensures that all DOH Hospitals are prepared to attend to injuries related to fireworks. “Serious injuries and amputation caused by firecracker explosions have life-changing consequences. It is an extreme gamble on one’s future. Every time a firecracker is ignited, a person’s life is at risk, hence, let us do all our part. Hindi dapat laging nasa huli ang pagisisi; sa ingay walang sablay, sa paputok goodbye kamay.” Garin stressed. (DOH/PIA)


HIV, AIDS cases getting younger – DOH

During a press conference hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) region 10 on World AIDS day on 3 December 2015 in Cagayan de Oro City, statistics showed that cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the country are increasing in younger age groups.

According to DOH Epidemiology Bureau, there is an increase of cases of HIV and AIDS from 2007 to 2015 in the age group of 15 to 24 years old. They comprise almost 30% of the total cases in the country. Meanwhile other age groups include 25-34 years old which comprise the big chunk of

cases with more than 50% and age group 35 to 44 years old with more than 10% of the total cases. According to Ian Jose Banaag of DOH region 10, of these cases 90% are male. Predominant modes of transmission include Males having sex with Males (MSM), blood transfusion and Injection Drug User


(IDU), among others. In region10, more than half of the cases recorded belong to Misamis Oriental where Cagayan de Oro City is located. Top five municipalities of HIV cases include Misamis Oriental, followed by Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin. From January to September 2015, there had already been 65 recorded cases of HIV in Cagayan de Oro City compared to 58 cases in 2014. Meanwhile, a total of 47 cases are recorded for the rest of region 10. However, the region is also ready with its testing facilities for people who want to get tested.

These facilities include Cagayan de Oro Social Hygienic Clinic (SHC), Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), Polymedic Medical Plaza, RITM Satellite Clinic (Malate), Cagayan de Oro Medical Center, Medisense Lab Center Inc., PDS PEME System International and Cagayan de Oro Polymedic General Hospital. According to Banaag, DOH aims for a multi-sectoral coordination to provide a harmonized HIV response. There must be awareness and understanding on MSM and HIV, HIV testing and free treatment for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. (JMOR/PIA10)

PIA, NNC, Unicef campaign for “Saktong Iodine sa Asin” in Iligan City

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Department of Health (DOH) – National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 10 conducted the fifth in the series of advocacy campaign on a “Multi-Sectoral Forum on ASIN Law” on 24 November 2015 in Iligan City.

Different representatives from the municipality have attended the forum, these includes the municipal health officer, health committee chair, market administrator, head of the vendors’ association and president of the association of

barangay captains.The campaign put emphasis in supporting the salt iodization advocacy and mobilization campaign to combat iodine deficiency, shifting its focus this time, to adequately iodized salt or “Saktong Iodine sa


Asin.” IIigan City Mayor Ruderic C. Marzo welcomed the participants and other visitors in the forum. Mayor Marzo also vowed to support the advocacy campaign to combat iodine deficiency in Iligan City.UNICEF has strengthened the campaign by producing a video presentation and advertisement materials to show facts about deficiency of iodine in salt and health benefits that right content of iodine in salt can give to the consumers. Shiella Rose D. Cuñada, Nutrition Officer from National Nutrition Council (NNC) of Region 10 has reported about the 8th National Nutrition Survey Finding. She said that provinces in Northern

Mindanao where there is low iodine intake are Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental.Although Lanao del Norte is qualified for the standard Iodine levels in the Household salt, there is still a need to campaign for better understanding of the importance of Iodized Salt. She also answered questions from the participants in the open forum and clarified some concerns. The forum was capped with the closing and summation of the Regional Director of PIA-10 Thelma B. Oliver and was then followed by showing the results of the salt testing of the given samples salt samples by the participants. (Jonathan Macas/JMOR/PIA10)


Police identify areas of concern in Davao Region for the 2016 electionsDAVAO CITY-The police bared the areas which might be placed under close watch during the elections next year.

Chief Inspector Grace de la Cer-na, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11 said areas are classified as categories I and II. She said areas are placed under category I when there is high probability of politically-motivated election-related vio-lent incident. De la Cerna said that often these areas already had a share of election-related violent inci-dent in the last two elections but without the participation of do-mestic terror groups. She said areas under cate-gory II are classified according to the seriousness of armed threat or groups with previous reports regarding the presence of terror groups. “We have the list but valida-tion and monitoring are going on once we classify a certain area,” De la Cerna said.

She said cited under catego-ry I are Malita, Malalag and Di-gos City in Davao del Sur while named in category II in Davao City are the districts of Paqui-bato and Marilog, Bansalan, Pa-dada, Hagonoy, Kiblawan, Digos City and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur. New Corella, Kapalong, San Isidro and Talaingod in Davao del Norte and Lupon, Banaybanay and Mati City in Davao Oriental are classified under category II. In Compostela Valley, Maco, Mabini, Pantukan are classified under category II while other places like Laak, Monkayo and Montevista are being monitored closely to ascertain their catego-ry. De la Cerna said the classi-fication of areas will be the basis for troop deployment prior, dur-ing and after the elections.


Captain Batchar, spokesper-son of the 10th Infantry Division said the New People’s Army re-

mains a threat to peace in both Regions II and XII. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

PNP warns police and civilian motorists against using POLICE platesDAVAO CITY-The Police Regional Office 11 warns civilian and police motorists against using plates emblazoned with the word “POLICE,” for personal gains or they will be dealt with accordingly. Chief Inspector Grace De la Cerna said this issue has been raised in the latest command con-ference by the heads and staff of the PRO 11. She warned that civilian or police personnel who is proven to have violated this policy carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison. De la Cerna said the police personnel must take the lead act-ing as models in this policy which is abused by criminals who elude arrests by authorities. She said only the Police Civil Relations Group has the authority to determine those who are ac-credited to use commemorative plates. De la Cerna said the local po-lice is uncertain of the scope of the commemorative plates circulat-ing in the city which are allegedly recognized in a memorandum of agreement with the Station III of the Manila Police District Office.

“Based on the report issued by the PNP-PIO in 2012, the use of T-shirts with bold POLICE is not accredited by the Directorate for Police Community Relations,” she said. De la Cerna said that gener-ally, the police is accredited espe-cially when in uniform. She explained that it cannot be used by the police solely for personal gains. “We can only use it when the police is in uniform,” De la Cerna said. She said the police strictly follows the PNP-Tamang Bihis. However, she explained that under the Article 179 of the Re-vised Penal Code, the penalty of this policy is six years in prison. Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned that police plates have been used by criminals by put-ting them on the front bumper of their vehicles to prevent authori-ties from accosting them while on the road. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


50 municipalities in Caraga to receive Patrol Jeeps from DILG

BUTUAN CITY -- Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mel Senen S. Sarmiento will distribute Patrol Jeeps to 50) municipalities in the region, particularly in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur on December 10 at PNP Regional Office 13 (Caraga), Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.

By: Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa


These patrol jeeps are included in the 1,490 vehicles distributed to all local government units (LGUs) nationwide as part of the PNP’s Capability Enhancement Program which is geared towards lowering crime incidents and empowering the police force and LGUs nationwide. DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the patrol jeeps will also help LGUs for disaster preparedness and response. She also said that this will help lower criminality rates in the LGUs.

Earlier this year, 10 Patrol Jeeps were distributed to the municipalities of the province of Agusan del Norte by former SILG Mar Roxas on June 10, 2015 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds. It was followed by the turn-over of another seven Patrol Jeeps by former Sec. Roxas to the municipalities of the province of Dinagat Islands during the State of the District Address (SODA) of Congresswoman Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao on July 3, 2015.


150 tribal leaders hold ‘Kahimunan’ gathering

The activity started with a traditional ritual called the “Panawagtawag” to seek the guidance of the highest God called the “Mambabaya” which was jointly solemnized by the

different Baylans or Spiritual Leaders of the Tribe. 401st brigade commander Col. Alexander L. Macario, one of the speakers, discussed the security situation in the IP

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur -- Around 150 tribal leaders who are members of the different tribal councils in the province gath-ered in the capital town to participate in the two-day Provincial In-digenous Peoples (IP) Conference dubbed as “Kahimunan to Kon-seho to Manigaon” spearheaded by the Provincial Tribal Council of Agusan del Sur held at the Provincial Learning Center on December 8-9.

file photo

By: Cpt. Jasper Gacayan


Communities of the province. He emphasized on the current statistics based on the profile of former rebels that three out of four New People’s Army (NPA) members are lumads. He then cited the monetary expenses on counter-insurgency, which close to trillions of pesos annually that if only utilize for education can hire more than 300,000 teachers and can construct thousands of classrooms. “This is our challenge, we will convince our NPA victim lumad brothers and join us in our peace and development efforts for the Lumad communities,” he said. Provincial Tribal Chieftain Datu Makahinlo Gubat Marcos Gonzales was very emotional while delivering his remarks during the opening day. He relayed the result of their special meeting with President Benigno S Aquino III in Malacañang Palace on the midweek of November mentioning the proposed budget for the IPs in the province, which is close to 200 million pesos. “This is the vision of the late Datu Malampuson Mayor Dario Otaza, to improve the life of the lumad communities,” Datu Gubat said. “We will continue his fight; be not discouraged because the

whole government is helping us, especially our President,” he added. One of the highlights of the IP Conference was the ceremonial acceptance of Congressman Jose Panganiban Jr. of ANAC-IP Party List as an adopted son of the Higaunon Tribe on the second day - December 9, 2015. “I feel blessed on this opportunity, I’ll prove my worth and help them,” he said. The legislator discussed various programs for the IP communities such as scholarship grants for the IP children, free hospitalization, and livelihood projects.


126 ARBOs undergo maturity assessment in Surigao Norte, Dinagat Islands By: Daryll M. Tumbaga

The ARBOs were assessed under six major indicators, namely: 1) organizational management, 2) resource management, 3) social enterprise operations, 4) financial performance, 5) alliance building and sustainability, and 6) environmental and social responsibility. Four ITeMA Provincial Lead Enumerators of DAR-SDN were trained and tasked to spearhead the said assessment to the DAR-assisted ARBOs of which 67 were from the province of Surigao del Norte and 59 from the province of Dinagat Islands. The ITeMA for ARBOs seeks to come up with comprehensive and realistic results of assessing the levels of maturity of the DAR-

assisted ARBOs, to bring to fore the development gaps or the interventions yet to be provided, and to create a database of DAR-assisted ARBOs from which updated and comprehensive ARBO profiles can be readily generated. ITeMA is an enhancement of the Organizational Maturity Assessment portion of the Agrarian Reform Community Level of Development Assessment of which one of the key features is the utilization of smartphones with installed data entry applications that would facilitate the conduct of data gathering and verification of data gathered, and pinpoint the location where the data gathering was actually conducted.

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte- A total of 126 agrarian reform benefi-ciaries organizations (ARBOs) in both the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands recently under-went an Information Technology-en-abled Maturity Assessment (ITeMA) conducted by the provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN).


ZAMBOANGA CITY – The new integrated bus terminal in Divisoria is now fully operational after its blessing and opening rites held on Tuesday.

By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

New Zambo bus terminal to provide quality service, enhanced security for commuters


Initial operations cover departures of provincial bus lines. Bus arrivals will gradually be integrated into the operations before the end of December. Three areas in the city

proper were designated as official loading and unloading stations for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) shuttling passengers to and from the IBT. These are the former Pichay Studio (town proper) fronting Plaza Pershing from 5am to 6pm, Sta. Cruz Public Market from 6pm to 8pm and the Bagsakan Center from 8pm to 5am. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the IBT is equipped

with CCTV cameras and X-ray machines. Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar said the modern and improved facility is expected to provide quality and smoother service to passengers coming to and departing Zamboanga City. She emphasized security for all passengers is top priority in the operation of the bus terminal. “Our priority is the safety of all passengers. We have strengthened security and hired personnel that have been professionally trained for the security in our terminals,” said Mayor Salazar. Moreover, she lauded the efforts of District I Representative Celso Lobregat, under whose administration the IBT was conceived, Antonio Orendain of the City Legal Office, and all individuals who were involved in the realization of the establishment and operation of the IBT project.


By Gideon C. CorgueAURORA, Zamboanga del Sur– The Aurora Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AIMCOOP) was adjudged as national winner for Most Outstanding Cooperative (Best in Membership Growth and Expansion category) and the Coop General Manager, Pacenciano Tomarong received the Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader during tbe Gawad Parangal of the Cooperative Development Authority on October 31, 2015 in Manila.

AIMCOOP bags 2 national awards in CDA’s Gawad Parangal

The Gawad Parangal is an awards and recognition program for cooperatives, local government units, partner organizations and cooperative leaders in recognition

of exemplary performance, best practices and good governance and in bringing responsive services to the people and to the community.


Honored, appreciative

In an interview, Tomarong said the coop members were very honored and appreciative that AIMCOOP won the prestigious award. “We feel extremely honored and appreciative in receiving these significant awards, namely: the “Most Outstanding Cooperative (Membership Growth and Expansion category) and the Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader, Tomarong proudly announced. “Imagine, of the 24,000 registered cooperatives in the country, it was only AIMCOOP which was given the prestigious award by the CDA,” he added. “This speaks of the coop’s very remarkable performance. In its 48 years of dedicated service and existence, the coop

continues to serve and protect the investment of its members,” he added. Tomarong attributed the awards to the active support and cooperation of the coop’s personnel and members. “We attributed these awards to the personnel for doing an excellent job and help promote the image of the coop, as well as the members for their continued trust in us,” he said. “One of the milestones of the coop is to serve the community in a friendly manner,” Tomarong announced.

One million members

The AIMCOOP which was founded in 1967 has established 72 offices nationwide with almost 1 million members.


Protection of members’ investments

As mandated by law, the employees are most accountable and responsible persons to protect the investment of the cooperative. “Our employees are protecting members’ investment,” Tomarong said. Tomarong said last year, the coop received an award in the regional level. But this year, a national award was bestowed to the coop and the general manager, respectively. Tomarong said no less than CDA chair Orlando R. Ravanera personally bestowed the awards to AIMCOOP while a representative from Malacanang assisted him during the awarding ceremony held in Manila.

Products and services extended

Tomarong said the coop’s products and services, such as: loans, savings, cash express, funeral service were extended to all members. He said the coop innovated its products and services just to reach the satisfaction level of its clients and cited particularly the establishment of ATM machines in all their branches nationwide

to promote a cashless society. New programs

The general manager said a new program will be implemented next year for celebrants which provides free cakes and balloons to any youth and senior citizen members during their birthday celebration. The Eskwela Kooperatiba will also be implemented by organizing students in different schools to encourage cooperative participation, according to Tomarong. Social services providedTomarong said as part of AIMCOOP’s corporate social responsibility, social services were provided to the communities through bloodletting program where the officers and members donated blood to Philippine Red Cross during the coop’s anniversary celebration in August. The coop official expressed confidence that a bright future will be achieved if the harmonious relationship between the officers and members is sustained. He also believes that ‘leaders and members who speak together, stay together.’

one mindanao - december 11, 2015

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