one mindanao - december 28, 2011

Western 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 Blitz

Northern Mindanao

Graces’ 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)

2/F 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

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESIN MINDANAO

Cover Story

DOH turns over new

P10-million hospital to

PNP

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 and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region Officer-in-charge,PIARegionX

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

OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII

Regional Desk Editors …... Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region

Copy Editors ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora C. Lanuza Molde, PIA Caraga Region

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

Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA PresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

An Electronic News Magazineof the Phliippine Information Agency

Mindanao Clusters

EDITORIAL BOARD

Noel B. NajarroCaraga Region page 4

Photo credits: marlon awitan & michael licup

Today’s issue...Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011 Vol. 1 No. 136

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, Northern Mindanao

Apipa Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

Floods hit 12 Valencia barangays, leave 500 families homeless

Melrose, Southern Mindanao

Water from all COWD sources safe for drinking – COWD

City-island pitches one million pesos to Sendong victims

DEDoguiles, Central MindanaoMga lokal na pamahalaan hiniling na bumuo ng sariling geohazard map

DOH-CHD Caraga rates No. 1 in performance in the countryNoel B. Najarro, Caraga Region

ABAMIN Rep advocates “Power Mindanao” Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

‘Sendong’ victims receive “Noche Buena” packageMichael Vincent D. Cajulao, Western Mindanao

Across the Nation:

Regional News:

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Olive Sudaria, Central MindanaoOWWA XII extends scholarship program to OFW dependents23

We will do better next year – Malacanang11Permanent relocation of residents within geohazard areas pushed 12

DSWD releases social pension to 258 indigent senior citizens Gideon C. Corgue, Western Mindanao

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4 Wednesday, December 28, 2011ONE MINDANAO

DOH turns over new P10-million hospital to PNP

Cover Story

Ten months and twenty-two days after its cornerstone was laid on January 10, 2011, the Caraga Center of Health and Development, Department of Health Regional Office (CHD-DOH) turned over the new P10-million hospital to the

management of the Philippine National Police, recently.

by Noel B. Najarro

5Wednesday, December 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

DOH turns over new P10-million hospital to PNP

by Noel B. Najarro

The new Police Regional Office 13 Hos-pital, a ten-bed capacity fa-cility with a floor area of 810 square meters is located with-in the 1,800 square meters lot area owned by the Philippine National Police, at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez Compound, Brgy. Libertad this City. The hospital has an emer-gency room, a conference room, an administrative sec-tion, business office, dental

room, laboratory section, out-patient department, storage area, nurses station, male and female ward, isolation room, delivery room, utility room and a kitchen, which will function as an emergency obstetric and a newborn care or birthing fa-cility. PNP chief Gen. Nicanor Bar-tolome did the honors of receiv-ing the keys of the new health facility. With General Barto-lome were also top officials from Camp Crame led by PDir. Victorino Panganiban, Jr., chief of the Directorate for Integrat-ed Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao. Top police regional officials were also present led by Caraga PNP chief PCSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal. In his welcome message, CSupt. Rafal said that the new PNP Hospital “is a realization of a dream.” He said that the new health facility will provide better access to quality hospi-tal facilities and health care to police personnel and their de-pendents, as well as, the com-munity. PNP Chief Bartolome dur-ing his acceptance message thanked the Department of


Health for including the police among the beneficiaries of the Aquino Health Agenda through the health department’s pro-gram of “DOH Kalusugang Pangkalahatan.” He added a five-storey hos-pital is also under construction at Camp Crame also with the help of the DOH. This will be completed in six months, he said. Director General Joven-cio Ordona, the guest of honor and speaker (who represented Health Secretary Enrique Ona) said that the health secretary

gave him three marching or-ders: 1)To do the proper turn over of the new heath facility, 2) To make sure that the fa-cility should be fully functional within the first quarter of next year, and 3) To make the ser-vices of the facility available to


the Philippine National Police and their dependents as well as to the general public. Present during the bless-ings and turn-over rites were top health officials from DOH Central Office, Manila, led by Director General Jovencio Or-

dona, Assistant for Special Projects from the Office of the Health Secretary and Director Jaime Lagahit, Head Executive Assistant of the same office. Top regional health officials were also present led by CHD-DOH Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon and ARD Cesar Ca-sion. Also seen during the cer-emonies were Dr. Noemia Bar-tolome (wife of the PNP Chief), Mrs. Rosalinda Pimentel, (wife of Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel) and Mrs. Rona Rafal.

9 Wednesday, December 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Aquino government allocates funds for livelihood assistance to displaced workers in Northern Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. said that the government has allocated necessary funds to help the affected workers here to recover from the

ill-effects of the devastation wrought by tropical storm “Sendong” that hit the Northern Mindanao region over the past weeks.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Sonny Coloma and Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno plan the Rehabilitation Program for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

10 Wednesday, December 28, 2011

In an interview with local media at the City Central School here, on Tues-day, Coloma said that the Department of La-bor and Employment (DOLE) led by Sec-retary Rosalinda Bal-doz will be releasing at least three million pesos for livelihood assistance to the dis-placed workers in the area. “Within this week, for some 327 affect-ed workers dito sa

area na ito ay magre-release ang DOLE ng three million pesos na livelihood starter kit para matulungan sila na magbagong tatag ng kani-kanilang mga buhay,” Coloma said. Apart from the starter kit, the locals will also be given food and salaries as they rebuild their houses in authorized, strate-gic areas under the “Food-for-Work” pro-gram. “Dadagdagan pa

rin po ito ng food-for-work program kung saan bibigyan po sila ng pagkain at suweldo habang itinatayo nila ang kanilang bagong tahanan siyempre sa mga otorisadong lu-gar lamang,” Coloma said. Also with Co-loma who flew in to the typhoon-affect-ed areas were Social Welfare and Develop-ment Secretary Cora-zon “Dinky” Soliman, Health Secretary En-rique Ona and Secre-tary Baldoz. The typhoon hit northern Mindanao the past week leaving enormous devasta-tion to the lives and properties of people living in the area. (JCL)

11 Wednesday, December 28, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

P r e s i d e n t i a l Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacañang that President Benigno S. Aquino III’s advo-cacy to provide a just and fruitful life for ev-ery Filipino remains the main thrust of his

government next year. “”We will march on and continue with our reforms on pov-erty reduction and the eradication of graft and corruption,” Lacierda said. He added that de-spite the strides taken to

improve the country’s abil-ity to provide for its citizens through reforms in govern-ment, Lacierda said, the President expects more to be done. “Our marching or-ders are the same. We will do better next year,” Laci-erda said. (RCK)

We will do better next year – Malacanang

The alleviation of poverty and the complete eradication of

graft and corruption in government will still remain the top priorities of the Aquino Administration in 2012, a Malacañang official said on Tuesday.


Permanent relocation of residents within geohazard areas pushed

As the death toll from Tropical Storm “Sendong” continues to rise, the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is pushing for the permanent relocation of residents living in areas identified as disaster-prone sites, an

official from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday.

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan


During the CNEX forum held at the Phil-ippine Information Agency, OCD Opera-tions Division chief Cdr. Edgardo J. Ollet said this move will be a long term solution to gov-ernment’s risk reduc-tion efforts. He also said that this would be particu-larly effective in avert-ing loss of life in times of impending natural calamities and weather disturbances that could bring heavy rains, floods and landslides to danger-prone areas. Ollet, however, ex-plained that local gov-ernment units (LGUS)

are the ones tasked to relocate the residents and property owners to “safe areas” as deter-mined by the authori-ties and through geo-hazard mapping. Geohazard maps that help increase the LGUs’ competence on hazards, vulnerability and risk assessment ac-tivities were earlier pre-pared and distributed by the Department of Environment and Natu-ral Resources (DENR) nationwide. “Kabilin-bilinan po ng Presidente na hu-wag nang pababalikin doon sa hazard-prone (areas) yung mga taong survivor (ng Cagayan de

Oro City),” he said. (The President has already ordered authorities to prevent displaced resi-dents from returning to areas declared as dan-ger zones.) At least six danger areas have been iden-tified, which include Si-tio Kala-Kala and Sitio Tambo both in Bgry. Makasandig, Isla de Oro in Bgry. 13, Isla Bugnaw in Brgy. Con-solacion and Isla Kupa located in Bgry. Conso-lation. While reports in-dicate that there are at least 1,000 houses earmarked for Cagayan de Oro by the Nation-al Housing Authority (NHA). Moreover, in order to speed up the deliv-ery of relief services to provinces affected by Sendong in Mind-anao, President Aquino on Tuesday declared a state of national calam-ity.


Sec. Coloma of PCOO underscores need to integrate relief efforts for ‘Sendong’ victimsby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob Secretary

Sonny Coloma of

the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) emphasized the need for an integrated government and volunteers’ efforts in helping the Typhoon Sendong flashflood victims.

The PCOO Secretary gave this recommendation to ease the problem of the management of resources and relief goods at the command posts and coordination centers of the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMC). Secretary Coloma visited the flashflood victims today in the different evacuation centers of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, two of the hardest hit areas of ‘Sendong, in the region.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Ana Caňeda of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, said there is a need for an established and improved relief distribution system. Caňeda said due to the influx of so much relief goods from donor agencies and companies, the LDRRMC’s, both of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, are having difficulties in storing the goods, as well, as in the logistical runs for the goods to reach the victims in


Sec. Coloma of PCOO underscores need to integrate relief efforts for ‘Sendong’ victims

the remote areas. Last week, President Benigno S. Aquino III thanked Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro for heading and establishing a multi-sectoral operations and relief center by a group of civil society organizations and non-government organizations (CSO/NGO’s) and academe, particularly, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. Meanwhile, OCD-10 said about 80 percent of the power supply in the flood-affected areas of Cagayan de Oro was restored but are not yet fully operational. While the water rationing schedule by the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) in some areas of CDO is not yet fully operational, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), region 10, through their fire trucks, has delivered and distributed non-drinking water to the residents, particularly, in areas heavily affected by flash floods.

As of Dec. 26, BFP-10 has delivered a total of 2,858,360 liters of water, of which 1,870,360 liters, was brought to the flashflood victims of Cagayan de Oro and 988,000 liters to those in Iligan City. Regarding the problem on the scarcity of drinking water, the RDRRMC has requested for water purifiers and for portable tents to solve the problem on the scarcity of shelter for the flashflood victims. The RDRRMC also recommended the need to immediately identify an area suitable for temporary shelter for the victims and their families to decongest the evacuation centers where these internally displaced persons are temporarily housed. It will also help prepare the schools used as evacuation centers, so they can be ready for the resumption of classes on January 3, next year, Caňeda added.


Floods hit 12 Valencia barangays, leave 500 families homelessby Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon - Floodwaters hit this city again due to heavy rains Monday evening, submerging 13 of its barangays just a week after another flood hit the area during the onslaught of tropical storm “Sendong.”

As of last count, houses of 568 families were s u b m e r g e d floodwaters, but the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management C o u n c i l ( C D R R M C ) has no figures yet as to how many were not totally damaged nor how many left their homes. In an interview, Gov. Alex Calingasan said, CDRRMC flash report as of 9 a.m. Tuesday showed the location of the flood in nine barangays — Kahaponan, Batangan, San Isidro, Lumbo, Pinatilan, Catumbalon, Maapag, Lumbayao and barangay Poblacion. As of 12 noon, however, CDRRMC Executive Officer Alejandro Larosa Jr. said three other barangays were flooded too, namely, Sugod,

Bagontaas, and Sinabuagan. Most of the village centers were flooded. Water entered houses, flooding them up high near the ceiling pushing them to stay on rooftops.The Pulangui River, the major tributary of Rio Grande in Cotabato, overflowed as early as 6a.m. From the data, there were more than 300 persons saved by rescuers from Karancho Bukidnon, Kabalikat, Malaybalay City


Floods hit 12 Valencia barangays, leave 500 families homeless

Disaster Emergency Rescue Volunteers, Philippine Red Cross, 8th Infantry Battalion, 403rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, Provincial DRRMC, and Valencia CDRRMC, among other Municipal DRRMCs in the province, which, without delay, sent water rescuers with rubber boats. Likewise, using three army choppers, about 104 people trapped by floodwaters were airlifted and moved to safer grounds by the Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG) Northern Mindanao. At the height of flooding, evacuation centers in Batangan Barangay Hall and in Valencia City gymnasium were being utilized.

There were no reports of casualties or injuries, as of press time, but Larosa said damage to houses and crops is huge, which may prompt them to push for the city council to declare Valencia under a “state of calamity”. The city also experienced water and power outages since early morning. The city and provincial government here, is now mobilizing all resources for the relief operations in all flood-affected barangays. On the other hand, City Councilor Glen Peduche said they will work for the declaration of ‘state of calamity’ to free mandatory relief funds for at least P4 million.


Water from all COWD sources safe for drinking – COWDby Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) announced that water from all their sources is safe for drinking.

According to COWD management, the Swiss government has sent Dr. Claudio Valsangiacomo and Dr. Thomas Rosenberg of Schweizeriche Eidgenossenschaft, to assist COWD in gathering water samples from the different COWD sources and conducting bacteriological analysis to determine its potability and safety. Based from the water samples taken during the period December 22-24, 2011, results showed that the samples yielded negative for E.Coli, the COWD management said. Also, water samples collected in the East and West districts which are served by our Bugo and Balulang Pumping Stations still had residual chlorine, the management added. The COWD management, however, said the possibility of contamination in the handling and storage process could not be totally discounted. Thus, they are still advising the public to boil the water first before drinking unless consumers would properly handle their water containers. Meanwhile, the COWD

management appealed to the public to help them in the immediate restoration of normal water supply operations by reporting looting incidents to COWD and the authorities. Recently, the COWD discovered that three units of 50 KVA Transformer and 150 meters power cable were stolen from their Production Well No. 24 located in Balulang. Another 150 meters power cable and 50-ft submersible cable were also stolen from their Production Well No. 19. The COWD disclosed there was also an unsuccessful attempt to steal the power cable of Production Well No. 7.


Devolving basic care key to decongesting tertiary hospitals

The key to decongesting over-crowded tertiary hospitals is

if they just focused on specialized cases. This according to Carlito Pillerin administrator of the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) in Tagum City said that devolving basic and primary health care to other smaller medical facilities can help declog tertiary hospitals. He cites emergency rooms in tertiary hospitals where some pa-tients have already been staying for 72 hours or three days already.

“In an emergency room patients can only stay there for three to six hours.” Pillerin said. The hospital administra-tor said that if patients stay for more than 24 hours in the room then it can be considered a ward, no longer an emergency room. He voiced alarm that tertiary hospitals are fast losing their emer-gency rooms as many of them become wards with overstaying patients. Pillerin cited that 30% of births are considered as normal deliveries which can be handled by lying-in clin-ics. He said that if Southern Philippine Medical Center or SPMC which has a 1,200 bed capacity and 30% of these admitted patients are women giving birth through normal delivery; they can be referred to lying-in facilities. He said that there are lying-in facilities in the barangays but they are rarely visited since women would prefer to tertiary hospitals. Also devolving normal deliver-ies to lying-ins could create economic opportunities for these facilities aside from decongesting hospitals. (RG Alama)


City-island pitches one million pesos to Sendong victims

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL- The small city island of Samal has extended P1-million donation to victims hit by tropical storm Send-ong. Mayor Aniano P. Antalan of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) led the joint meeting of City Peace and Order Council and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC)which approved the dona-tion of the local government amount-ing to one million pesos (P 1M) to victims hit by storm Sendong. Jemelita Q. Camaso, IGaCoS Budget Officer, presented during the meeting, the source of funds which would be used by the CDRRMC as aid to other local government hit by the calamity. The councils’ member unanimously approved the proposal.

The City Mayor said he was grate-ful and felt blessed that Island Gar-den City of Samal was spared from the devastation of Storm Sendong. He considers it a miracle since IGa-Cos was declared covered under sig-nal no. 2 and was experiencing heavy rain at that time. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-

physical and Astronomical Services Administration(PAGASA) gave an ad-visory prohibiting sea vessels to navi-gate around Davao gulf, Resulting in the stranding of many passengers in Davao City and those in the island at that time. Also in the meeting City Mayor has ordered a stoppage of tree-cut-ting activities in the island. He also ordered an intensified tree-planting program on IGACOS mountains and riversides. Meanwhile , discussed in the meeting Mayor Antalan asked the co-operation of the national and local agencies to help maintain peace and order in the city in order to attract more tourists in the island. (Mel-rose/Samal PIO)


N. Cotabato children celebrate Christmas with govby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY-- Thousands of children in North Cotabato have celebrated Christmas with their provincial governor.


Through this annual ac-tivity dubbed “Pamaskong Pambata Handog ni Gob. Lala,” the provincial gov-ernment led by Gov. Em-mylou “Lala” Taliño- Men-doza goes to remote and underserved barangays specifically to give gifts to children as well as their families.

One barangay from each of the 17 municipali-ties and 1 city were cho-sen as venue of the activ-ity. Primary recipients in each venue are at least 300 children, ages 3 to 8 years old.

Gift packs from the provincial government contain toys and slippers. Children are also treated to fun games and food. Their families were also given packages con-taining rice.

Pamaskong Handong took off on Novem-ber 30 in one of the poorest villages in the province, Ba-rangay Kula-man, Arakan.

Similar gift-giving activi-

ties were also held in the following barangays: Po-blacion in Pikit (Decem-ber 3), Agriculture in Mid-sayap and San Mateo in Aleosan (December 4), Raradangan in Alamada and Cabaruyan in Libun-gan (December 8), New Pandan in Matalam and Bannawag in Kabacan (December 10).

Saguing in Makilala (De-cember 13), Macabenban in Carmen (December 17), Gastav in Banisilan (December 19), Canaan in Antipas and Camasi in President Roxas ( Decem-ber 21), Doles in Magpet and Lanao in Kidapawan City. (December 22)

Yesterday, December

27, the Gov. Mendoza and provincial staff are in Sib-sib in Tulunan and Libo-o in M’lang.

This year’s Pamaskong Handog culminates in Ba-rangay New Panay in Pig-cawayan, today.

Other partners such as troops from the Philippine Army also joined the OPG in the Pamasko Handog to conduct medical-den-tal mission and give free haircut.

Gov. Mendoza, said it has been her advocacy to reach out to less fortu-nate residents, especially children, during the Yule-tide season so that they too could feel loved and cared for.


OWWA XII extends scholarship program to OFW dependentsby Olive Sudaria

KORONADAL CITY -- Some 93 dependents of Overseas Filipino workers from region 12 are beneficiaries of the development scholarship program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration of the region.

OWWA XII director Abdulgani Umag said 89 of the 93 avail of the OFW Dependents Schol-arship Program (OF-WDSP). This program, according to Umag, of-fers financial assistance of P20,000 per school year to qualified depen-dents of OFWs who are earning a monthly sal-ary of not more than US$ 400. The depen-dents shall enroll in any four-year or five-year baccalaureate course or associate course lead-ing to a baccalaureate degree or associate de-gree in a state college or university.

The other four (4) dependents, continued Umag, are recipients of the Education for De-velopment Scholarship Program (EDSP). He said this is granted to

qualified dependents/beneficiaries of active member-OFWs for a four to five years col-lege degree in the form of financial assistance of P60,000 per school year.

Director Umag dis-closed there are other scholarship programs that are offered to OFW dependents. One of these is the Skill for-Employment Scholar-

ship Program (SESP) which is a scholarship granted to qualified de-pendents in the form of financial assistance in the maximum amount of P14,500.

Likewise, the OWWA XII director revealed, there are scholarship programs for the sea-farers such as the Sea-farers Upgrading Pro-gram (SUP) which is a training assistance to


member-seafarers in upgrading their skills and competencies to sustain their employ-ability on board foreign vessels in the financial assistance of P7,500.

Another continuing program is the OWWA Tulay Project which is a special project in part-nership with Microsoft Corporation which pro-vides information and

communication technol-ogy training granted to OFWs and their families to broaden their career opportunities, Umag added.

Mga lokal na pamahalaan hiniling na bumuo ng sariling geohazard mapKORONADAL CITY -- Mas makatutulong sa mga lokal na pamaha-laan na makaiwas sa sakunang idudulot sa mga kalamidad kung sila ay may sariling geohazard map.

Ipinanukala ni Of-fice of Civil Defense - 12 (OCD-12) Assistant Re-gional Director Jerome Barranco sa mga opisyal ng barangay mas main-am na may hinahawa-kang geohazard map o kung kapos sa budget kahit na manu-manong ginawa na mapa kung saan tinutukoy ang mga lugar na madaling ba-hain o pangyarihan ng landslide. Mahalaga aniya malaman ng mga opisy-al at mga residente kung aling mga lugar ang maaaring maapektuhan ng pag-uulan, baha at iba pang kalamidad. Makatutulong din

aniya kung may mga rain gauge ang mga barangay upang agad malaman kung gaano karaming ulan ang bu-mubuhos. Kung hindi man mapipigilan ang baha o ulan, mas madali na-mang maililikas ang mga residente at maiiwas sa sakuna kung may mga kagamitang ganito ang mga lokal na pamaha-laan. Sa kabilang dako, inihayag naman ng Mines and Geoscienc-es Bureau ng Depart-ment of Environment and Natural Resources – 12 (MGB-DENR 12) na naipaalam na nila sa

mga lokal na pamaha-laan, mula sa mga lala-wigan hanggang sa mga barangay ang listahan ng mga lugar na maar-ing malalagay sa peligro sa panahon ng malala-kas na pag-uulan. Maaring ma-down-load sa kanilang website na www.mgb12.net ang geohazard map. Ayon kay MGB-12 Regional Director Con-stancio Paye Jr., na-kumpleto na nila ang 1:60,000 geoharazard map. Binubuo na rin nila ang mas malaking geohazard map na may ratio na 1:10,000. (DE-Doguiles)


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PIA Caraga, NorMin on 24/7 operation due to calamities by Robert E. Roperos

T he Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Caraga and in Northern Mindanao have been on a 24-hour operation since tropical storm “Sendong” struck Region 10 on Dec. 17, and even when a low pressure area (LPA) hit the

Northeastern portion of Mindanao on Christmas Day.


This, after PIA North-ern and Northeastern Min-danao Cluster Head Abner Caga directed all personnel in the two regions to be al-ways available to respond to the information and com-munication needs of the public. “In times of disasters, the public must be informed of the latest news and in-formation round-the-clock… This must be undertaken because through providing information, we could be able to save lives and prop-erties,” Caga said. Caga further said, it is the primary duty of govern-

ment information officers to be of service to the public when needed. “… and dur-ing these times, the public needs these services,” he added. Furthermore, Caga said whenever calamities struck, PIA employees never stopped delivering news and information on the weather updates, situation reports of all the areas hit by the ca-lamity, and any other per-tinent information that will give the reader a scenario of what is happening in a certain area. In a related develop-ment, Dir. Caga underscored

the importance of the short messaging services (SMS) and other electronic com-munication channels that PIA is utilizing in informa-tion and communication dissemination. He said through SMS, news and information are sent and received by the re-cipients in a real-time basis. “This is actually the fastest means of disseminating in-formation to the public es-pecially in times of calami-ties,” Caga said. Aside from the SMS, the use of the web-based electronic communications such as the PIA website, blogspot and FaceBook of PIA-Caraga and Northern Mindanao allows people everywhere to know the latest news and develop-ments in the country, par-ticularly in the two regions of Mindanao. Moreover, Dir. Caga said the “One Mindanao” electronic news magazine is becoming more significant nowadays with thousands of recipients receiving cop-ies daily through their email accounts. Recipients are coming from the seven con-tinents of the world. With these electronic communications, Caga said PIA’s services have become more significant to the soci-ety especially during calami-ties. “Thus, PIA personnel is committed and dedicated to serve the people 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Caga said.


DOH-CHD Caraga rates No. 1 in performance in the countryby Noel B. Najarro

This was disclosed by DOH-CHD Caraga re-gional director Leonita P. Gorgolon, in a recently held press conference in her office. Gorgolon said their office bagged the P2-million peso prize as this year’s top performer. The criteria for choosing this year’s top

national performing re-gion includes: the dis-semination of their na-tional office health and program advocacy; the enabling of their staff as well as the local govern-ment unit health work-ers, and the thorough and proper documenta-tions of their programs,

projects, and activities. The documentation, she said, is the most crit-ical phase of the evalua-tion as their Manila office did not base their ratings only on written reports. Their national office re-ally validated what was contained in the reports. And as it came out,

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga regional office bested the other 16 regional offices in the implementation of DOH’s program and projects implementation this year.


ABAMIN Rep advocates “Power Mindanao”

BUTUAN CITY -- Following the power crisis that the entire island of Mindanao is experiencing since last year, Abante Mindanao (ABAMIN) Representative Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. is advocating “Power Mindanao.”

Caraga was rated as the number one in perfor-mance over 16 other re-gions (except ARMM). With this achieve-ment, the regional di-rector thanked the local media as well as the lo-

cal government units in the region for being their partner in achieving such accomplishment. The DOH-CHD Car-aga will also hold their annual giving of recog-nition and awards to the

local governments, the provincial and municipal health units as well as the barangays who had contributed so much in this year’s health pro-gram thrust.

Speaking before the local tri-media dur-ing the press conference held Thursday at the City Mayor’s conference room here, Rodriguez said he

is supporting the with-holding of the selling of Agus-Pulangi Plant. He also said con-gressmen in Mindanao are also supporting for

the suspension of selling the said 700-megawatt hydropower complex to the private sector. He added if this will be sold out, this will


ABAMIN Rep advocates “Power Mindanao”

drastically increase the price of electricity. “We don’t have to sell Agus-Pulangi,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez also em-phasized that he also considered talking with Aboitiz Corporation for the installation of small hydro-package mill. He said the current of the rivers is enough to oper-

ate the turbine. “We have Agusan River here and this may possibly be a good loca-tion for the installation of a turbine… there’s no need to have a dam any-more… the water current will allow the turbine to work,” he said. The official further said considering solar

power system is Mindan-ao is a good alternative for electricity. He said this is the only cheap-est power source. “We hope we can also bring in solar power in Mindanao because that is the only cheapest source of power we can have,” Rodriguez said. (Rob-ert E. Roperos)


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The city government of Lamitan in Basilan is recipient of an incentive as one of the best performing local government units in the Autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Lamitan city to receive incentive as one of best performing LGUs in ARMM

by Rene V. Carbayas


Lamitan city to receive incentive as one of best performing LGUs in ARMM

The ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) has officially revealed on Friday the top eight municipalities in the ARMM that will receive an additional P1.5 mil-lion funding support from the project fol-lowing a careful and stringent selection pro-cess. Aside from Lami-tan, the other towns include the municipali-ties of Upi and Datu Paglas in Maguindan-ao, Jolo and Indanan in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi, and Wao in Lanao del Sur. The Bureau of Public Information an-nounced that a total of 24 towns in the re-gion will be granted by the ASFP with a P1.5-million grant through its newly established municipal block grant (MBG) scheme. According to Irene Fernandez, head of ASFP’s Institution-al Strengthening and Governance (ISG) component, the towns were selected based on their performance on local governance, im-plementations of AS-

FP-supported projects and fiscal handling. The local govern-ments of these recipi-ent towns are required to provide a specified counterpart, bringing the total amount of the project that will be im-plemented to around P2-million, she said. ASFP Project Man-ager Nasser Sinarimbo said the MBG is ASFP’s way of “recognizing the support and per-formance of local gov-ernment units (LGUs) especially in the im-plementation of ASFP supported projects in their area.” He said the fund-ing support is an in-centive for local gov-ernments to undertake participatory and com-munity-driven devel-opment projects. The MBG aims to upscale the project’s engagement from the barangay to the mu-nicipal level adopting the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach as an incen-tive for good gover-nance. The ASFP ear-marked a total of P36 million for the MBG

out of the rolled-out P1.4 billion additional financing it secured from the World Bank. According to Si-narimbo, the top eight will be the first batch to receive the grant while funds for the re-maining 16 municipali-ties are scheduled for release next year. ASFP handles the largest and only for-eign loan assisted proj-ect that is being direct-ly supervised by the ARMM government. It has been cited by the World Bank for its sat-isfactory performance, giving way to the ap-proval of an additional financing. The additional loan would allow ASFP to cater to 596 more communities across ARMM that were not previously covered by the project. Close to a thousand communi-ties in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Magu-indanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi have al-ready benefitted from life-enhancing projects introduced by ASFP in its seven-year run. (NBE/BPI-ARMM/PIA9-ZBST)


DSWD IX Regional Director Teodulo Romo, Jr. said they have prepared 9,000 Noche Buena pack-ages worth P500.00 each as ordered by DSWD Sec-retary Dinky Soliman. The package consists of one can of fruit cocktail, spaghetti pasta, sauce, luncheon meat, corned beef and a pack of candies for kids.Romo said they hope to help, at least, lessen the

victims’ burden this Christ-mas. “We hope that this little pack will help lighten up their mood for Christ-mas and be comforted by the hope this season brings which is the essence of Christmas”, he said. Other DSWD re-gional offices, specifically, regions 11, and CARAGA were also tasked to do the same for the victims. As a sign of support

and sympathy for the flood victims, DSWD IX staff de-cided to forgo of their year-ly Christmas party and in-stead used their time and resources preparing assis-tance to be sent to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City. They also gave voluntary contributions to their col-leagues in region 10 affect-ed by the flood. (NBE/MVC/PIA9-ZBST/DSWD 9)

‘Sendong’ victims receive “Noche Buena” package by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Victims of tropical storm Sendong received Noche Buena packages with Department of Social Welfare and Development IX initially sending 5,000 packages to Iligan City.


DSWD releases social pension to 258 indigent senior citizens by Gideon C. Corgue

Social welfare offi-cer IV Teresita Roldan, senior citizens’ focal person said at least 258 beneficiaries are expected to receive the P1,500 social pension for the 4th quarter this year . “The 13 benefi-ciaries already got their pension last week,” Roldan explained. Roldan said a total of 1,084 senior citizens were the beneficiaries of the program this year, where releases done quarterly for ev-ery 271 beneficiaries. A total of P1.626-M was allocated by the agen-cy for the program. Releasing of pen-sion, Roldan said, will be from 8:00 am to

5:00pm. The imple-mentation of social pension for indigent se-nior citizens was made in accordance with the Administrative Order No. 15 series of 2010. For this year 2011, the government has appropriated more than P870 million so-cial pension fund for indigent elderly giving priority to those with aged 70 years and above identified under the National Household Targetting System. Antonia Dagubio-so of barangay San Pedro said she was very happy that she received the pension from the govern-ment.

“Dako kayo akong kalipay nga nakadawat ko ug pension. Ako nag-pasalaamt sa kag-amhanan sa kantidad nga akong nadawat panahon sa Pasko (I was very happy that I received the pension. I thanked the govern-ment for the amount that I’ve got in time of Christmas),” Dagu-bioso said. Dagubioso who suffered from poor vi-sion and numbness of her feet, said she can now buy medicines. The rest of the money will be used to buy gro-ceries for Christmas. (JPA/GCC/PIA9-Pa-gadian)

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-9) today releases the social pension of indigent senior citizens for the 4th quarter at the office of senior citizens association (OSCA) building here.

one mindanao - december 28, 2011

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