one mindanao - december 5, 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.com Facebook: PIA Region-IX

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] [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

OUR COVER

features

Lake Apo in Valencia City,

Bukidnon

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

In ThisIssue...

Monday, Vol. 1 No. 113

Cover StoryLake Apo — An oasis in the city

15 Mis. Occ. solons put up 30 college scholarship slots under SSGP

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

DSWD solicits support from civil society on 4Ps

South Cotabato mulls creation of sports council

Pacquiao nais isalang sa House inquiry ang pagtapon ng patay na tuna sa Sarangani Bay

PIA Central Visayas chief cites the need to communicate the Phl Dev’t Plan

Caraga GADCC dialogues with survivors

Robert E. Roperos Caraga Region

Gervacio Dauz, Jr. Caraga Region

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Region X

Mai Gevera Macapagat Region XI

Dani Doguiles, Region XII

AC Agad, Region XII

21

25

27

30

page 14

page 18

page 24

page 28

page 33

Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

Nat

iona

l

Aquino vows to be unrelenting and tireless in pursuit of justice........................... 11

page 4

17CES Farmers Field Day on its 10th Year

Sonia V. Adecer, Region X

Turkish business group opens first-ever satellite office in the city; aims to promote PHL as investment hub

Region IX35

Dipolog hits 94% conflict resolution rateFranklin P. Gumapon, Region IX36

No labor inspection during Christmas and New Year – Secretary Baldoz...................... 12

Flooded towns spared of disease outbreak, PHO chief says

Jeanevive Abangan Region XI20

32

4 Monday, December 5, 2011ONE MINDANAO

Lake Apo — An oasis in the city

Cover Story

by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

Surrounded with lush greeneries, myrtles, huge ferns and wildflowers, the mirror-like Lake Apo is one per-fect place to go when the hassles of everyday life start to overwhelm.

5 Monday, December 5, 2011 ONE MINDANAO

Lake Apo — An oasis in the city

T h e lake’s pristine waters allow you to relax and be alone in an ambi-ance of natural beauty and seren-ity. The lakeside towering trees beckon outdoor buffs to tramp and rest. Perched on a mountain floor in Barangay Guinoyoran, about 12 kilometers west of Valencia City, Lake Apo has been a legend-ary place of privacy and peace. This 18-hectare lake atop a mountain deck has a depth rang-ing from 17 to 26 meters. Dr. Almer Alfonso, a well respected leader of the locality, who owns a scenic private vaca-tion house along the unspoiled shoreline, said Lake Apo is ideal

for retreat and reflection as it of-fers cool and peaceful space for renewing strength of mind and body. He added that for the past few years, he could rarely notice sightseers in the lake. It maybe due to the lake’s unpaved and craggy trails.

Facilities and amenities

It is accessible through a mo-torcycle-for-hire or a public util-ity vehicle at a reasonable price. As you get to the place, you don’t


have to pay anything--such as en-

trance fees --except for a park-ing fee of five (5) pesos for mo-torcycle and ten (10) pesos for a car. If you want to cruise the lake, large bamboo raft cottages are available for rent at 200 pesos. Its proceeds serve as livelihood and additional source of income of the friendly lakeside dwellers and neighborhood. The raft cottages are anchored from one end of the lake to the other. It can be moved by pull-ing it to where you want to have a picnic. Some small cottages are also made to stay afloat on the water. Alfonso said, their facilities include kayak, canoe, pedal boat and Jet

Ski, “but it’s not open to public,” he stressed. “Demand-driven, how-ever, with the objective of preserving the lake and mountain heritage, I am planning to build classroom size confer-ence hall, coffee shop and cottages for rent--which conform to the international house-

keeping standards-- as well as renting out water fun facilities very soon, such as Jet Ski, pedal boat, kayak, canoe, banana boat and water trampoline,” he said. “Knowing the lake’s ca-pacity of 15 persons at a given time, visitors could really maxi-mize the pleasure and fun while in Lake Apo, therefore, no mess and overcrowding,” he confident-ly said.


The legend

Folklore tells that an el-derly man living in the mountain committed earthly sin. He was punished by the mountain dei-ties for his disrespectful act by flooding the area--forming the Lake Apo. The name of the lake comes from the Filipino term

“Apo,” which means el-der or grandparent. Geologists, how-ever, said the circu-lar-shaped rift lake was formed due to the movement of the earth’s crust.

Clean and calm waters The lake’s limno-logical profile showed that water coming from the springs near

Lake Apo and from the mid-dle portion of the lake is pota-ble. It was graded Class AA that requires only disinfection treat-ment. Class A water requires complete treatment to meet Na-tional Standards for Drinking Water, while Class B water is for recreational purposes only.


Research results show that Lake Apo waters were clean. But since it was ranked as an olig-otrophic lake, which means “with little plant life but rich in dissolved oxygen,” only few species of fish flourish. Hence the lake is best for bathing, swimming and other rec-reational activities.

“As the Department of Tour-ism (DOT) in region 10, identified Lake Apo as one of the eco-tourism destinations in Northern Mindanao, I think I can help boost tourism in the city, which is also in line with the government’s call for more public-private partnership (PPP) program,” Dr. Alfonso said.


Aquino underscores importance of improving PHL criminal justice system

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of improving the country’s criminal justice system to be up to date and in tune with the rigors and necessities of solving crime in this day and age.


In his speech keynoting the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit on Monday at the Manila Hotel, the President said this gathering of stakeholders of the justice system was an opportune time to re-examine institutional criminal justice issues and forge strategies towards the enhanced delivery of justice. “Ang pagtitipon natin ngayong umaga ay isang pagkakataon

para higit na masuri ang lakas at kahinaan ng ating kasalukuy-ang criminal justice system, at makalikom ng mga makabago at napapanahong ini-syatibang pangkatar-ungan,” the President said. The President cited the timeliness of holding the Summit as it brings to fore the important role clerks of court, lawyers and judges play in our de-mocracy.

“Masasabi nating napapanahon ito: da-hil sa mga araw-araw na headline sa diyaryo at telebisyon, nasa-saksihan din ngayon ng buong bansa kung gaano kasalimuot ang trabaho ng mga clerk of court, abugado, at huwes. Walang duda sa halaga ng inyong trabaho: ang inyong mga desisyon at hak-bang ay may makabu-luhang implikasyon sa ating demokrasya,” the President said.(RCK)

Aquino vows to be unrelenting and tireless in pursuit of justice

Saying the will of the people was behind him, President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to be unrelenting and tireless in his and his administration’s pursuit of justice, saying he

had no intentions of backing off from his mandate to protect and uphold the Constitution.


In his speech at the 1st Nation-al Criminal Justice Summit on Monday at the Manila Hotel, the President said it was his sworn duty as President of the Philippines to ensure that the injustices that occurred dur-ing the Martial Law years as well as the alleged corruption practiced by his pre-decessor are never repeated again. “Ngayon, bilang inyong Pangulo, may sinumpaan akong tungkulin—ang pan-gangalagaan at ip-agtatanggol ang konstitusyon, ipatu-pad ang mga batas nito, maging maka-tarungan sa bawat tao, at italaga ang aking sarili sa pa-glilingkod sa bansa,” the President said. “At bahagi ng aking mandato ang tiyaking hindi na maulit ang mga kadilimang nangyari noong panahon ng Martial law, at kung may gumawa man nito, ang siguruhing

managot sila sa ka-nilang kasalanan,” he added. He reminded the participants that the power to govern was not a title be-stowed on anyone but bestowed by the people and thus it was incumbent upon those who took of-fice to serve in the interest of the peo-ple. “… ang na-kasaad sa Artiku-lo 2, Seksyon 1 ng ating Saligang ba-tas: ang ganap na kapangyarihan ay nasa sambayanan, at ang lahat ng ka-pangyarihang pam-pamahalaan ay nag-mumula sa kanila,” the President said. “Kami pong mga nanumpa sa tung-kulin ay iisa lamang ang pinagkakautan-gan ng loob—kayong mga Boss namin, ang sambayanang Pilipino. Narito kami para maglingkod sa ating bansa; at para may manilbihan nang buong kata-patan at sigasig sa

mga Pilipino,” he stressed. The President enjoined all Filipi-nos to fight and end the decades-long problem of corrup-tion. “ O b l i g a s yo n ko, at obligasyon nating lahat na ma-natiling tumahak sa iisang direksyon, sa ilalim ng nagkakai-sa nating adhikain: ang paglingkuran at pangalagaan ang in-teres ng sambayan-an,” the President said. “Sa lahat ng nakikibalikat sa atin sa tuwid na daan, manalig kayo: Hangga’t nasa tama tayo, wala tayong laban na aatrasan. Hang-gang nasa likod natin ang taum-bayan, mag-ta tagumpay tayo. Huwag natin silang b ib igu in ,” he said.(RCK)


No labor inspection during Christmasand New Year – Secretary Baldoz

The suspension is contained in Ad-ministrative Order No. 490, Series of 2011 which

Baldoz issued on 17 No-

vember. “ W e

have

to affirm the integrity of the DOLE’s labor in-spection process un-der the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, hence, this moratorium,” said Baldoz. The suspension willbe in full effect for

a twomonth period starting 01 December 2011 and ending on 31 January 2012. The regular/routine inspec-tion will commence on 01 February 2012. In her order, the labor and employment chief specifically di-

To ensure that labor inspectors will have no opportunity for bribery, gift solicitation, or other forms of graft and corruption, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has suspended all labor inspection activities during the

Christmas and New Year holidays.


rected all DOLE region-al directors to suspend all labor inspection ac-tivities in their respec-tive regions, including the conduct of Training and Advisory Visits and Self-Assessment Ac-tivities. The order also suspends implementa-tion of Project LEAP, or Labor Enforcement Ac-tion Program. However, Baldoz exempted the following activities from the sus-pension: (1) investiga-tion of labor standards complaints which shall in all cases be speedily disposed of; (2) Tech-nical Safety inspections (mechanical equipment and electrical wiring in-stallation; and (3) ur-gent inspections/TAVs that may be called for because of compel-ling circumstances, “in which case, the re-gional office concerned shall seek the approval of the Secretary of La-bor and Employment

before any such inspec-tion/TAV activity may be conducted.” During the sus-pension, the labor chief emphasized the period of suspension will be utilized for the disposi-tion of all pending labor standards (LS) cases and the preparation of the Labor Standards Enforcement Program (LSEP) for CY 2012, which shall primarily en-sure the effective con-tinuation of the Depart-ment’s LS compliance monitoring program. The LSEP shall in-clude the following in-formation necessary in determining the Depart-ment’s projected 2012 inspection targets: (1) total number of estab-lishments targeted for regular/routine inspec-tion; (2) total number of orientation courses to be conducted under TAV, with target par-

ticipants/establish-ments; (3) total number of estab-lishments for Self-Assessment; (4) targets for Techni-cal Safety Inspec-tion (TSI), including number of estab-lishments/units to be inspected; (5) names of labor in-spectors, hearing officers, provincial/district heads and SEAD (Single En-try Approach Desk) officers, including their plantilla posi-tion, designation, and their areas of assignment; and (6) master list of establishments for the three approaches. (DOLE)


BFAR 10, RFTC equip FTDs on post harvest techniquesby Noel M. Saldajeno

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Regional Fisheries

Training Center (RFTC) conducted a five (5)-day training on post harvest techniques to Fisheries Technician Designates (FTDs).

The training program is designed to upgrade FTDs and coordinators in the provincial and municipal levels in enhancing their capabilities on sustainable fisheries technology, said Remerio de Gracia, Fisheries Extension and Communications Division (FexCD) of BFAR in Northern Mindanao. Dr. Andrew Ventura, RFTC Director, disclosed on his opening remarks, that 25 to 30% losses are attributed to poor post harvest practices. With proper fish handling, transportation and post harvest and value-adding methods, the loss may be lowered to 10%. Module I focused on lectures on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP),

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Sanitary Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), principle of spoilage, preservation of the catch, packaging and labeling; hands-on demonstration; field trip to Mariculture Park. Dr. Lorna Pimentel, Post Harvest Division Chief of BFAR Central Office, on the other hand, discussed the common preservation methods and their products and types of packaging materials for a quality and safe processed products. On personal hygiene, Pimentel stressed that the workers are the


biggest possible contributors of contaminants in food. Good personal hygiene can be practiced through daily baths, keeping nails clean and trimmed and wearing of proper clean working clothes. Seaweeds can also be processed into crispy crackers and nutritious noodles, said Charmaine Buitre of BFAR Central Office. For demonstration purposes, Buitre presented the materials and procedures of processing seaweeds yema and seaweeds crackers. Likewise, Aundio Clarito of BFAR Central Office, demonstrated techniques on bangus deboning and smoking of bangus and tilapia. Alicia delos Santos spearheaded the demonstration on processing of minched bangus for siomai, lumpia, quekiam, embutido, fish nuggets and kroepeck. On marketing and economic analysis, Lea Lastima-Bucog of BFAR-10 Processing Section shared the

computations on costing and pricing of products. “It is important to know the direct and indirect costs of each recipe in order to come up with right mark up percentage,” she said. More than just providing the FTDs with this technology, BFAR also considers their capacity to transfer the technology to other interested fisherfolk. “We believe that these 24 trainers will transfer the technology to their respective areas of course to practice fully at home until technology is mastered,” said Judito Baidiango, RFTC-Panabo City and Regional Coordinator for Region 10. After this training, Module II will follow wherein FTDs and coordinators will facilitate all fisheries livelihood technology request in the local level to empower the LGU to provide direct extension services to fisherfolk, farmers and other stakeholders in order to enhance their profitability.(BFAR-10)

Mis. Occ. solons put up 30 college scholarship slots under SSGPby Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental – Some 30 scholarship slots, under the Special Study Grant Program (SSGP) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), were put up by the two (2) congressional districts of the province, during the School Year 2010-2011.

Of this number, 15 slots each, were sourced from the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) of Congressmen Jorge T. Almonte and Leo Loretos S. Ocampos of

Mis. Occ.’s 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, respectively. These new slots bring to 160, the total number of SSGP scholarships of the province, as the


former Congresswomen Marina P. Clarete of the 1st District had put up 85 slots and Herminia M. Ramiro of the 2nd District, 45 slots, during their incumbency. “Every congressional district has allocated SSGP slots since 1999 and SSGP scholarship grantees are assured of their grants for four (4) years, even if their Congressman/woman who endorsed them are no longer holding office, as such,” said Zenaida G. Gersana, Ph.D, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), region 10. Meanwhile, Gersana said CHED-10 took charge of the administration of a total of 3,577 slots of the SSGP scholarships for the school year. Of these,150 slots are new, while 2,427 slots were put up by the former congressmen of their districts. The highest number of these scholarships were from the 1st and 2nd Districts of Bukidnon, 750 slots, from Congressmen Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras and Florencio T. Flores, Jr., and former Congressmen Candido P. Pancrudo, Jr., and Teofisto Guingona III, respectively.

This was followed by 2nd District of Misamis Oriental, 696 slots, from Congressman Yevgeny B. Emano, and the Lone District of Camiguin, 200 slots, from Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo. The other congressional districts and their number of SSGP slots are as follows: 3rd District of Bukidnon, 115 slots, from the PDAF of former Congressmen Juan Miguel Zubiri and Jose Maria Zubiri III. 1st District of Cagayan de Oro, 106 slots, from Congressman Jose Benjamin A. Benaldo and former Congressman Rolando A. Uy, and 2nd District, 85 slots from Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez. 2nd District of Lanao del Norte, 100 slots from Congresswoman Fatima Aliah Q. Dimaporo and former Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Lone District of Lanao del Norte, 100 slots, from Congressman Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr. 1st District of Misamis Oriental, 45 slots, from the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas. Aside from the congressional districts of Northern Mindanao, CHED-10, also takes charge of the SSGP grantees of Lanao del Sur, which is a province under the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Gersana said. The 2st District of Lanao del Sur has 100 slots from the PDAF of Congressman Pangalian M. Balindong and the 1stDistrict, 45 slots, from Congresswoman Faysah Dumarpa.


CES Farmers Field Day on its 10th Yearby Sonia V. Adecer

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - With the theme ”Haum nga Teknolohiya Kalambuan sa Pagpanguma,“ the Claveria Experiment Station (CES) held its 10th farmers field day and techno forum.

Now named as Agribusiness Development Station, CES is responsible in conducting research and development activities with major emphasis on technology commercialization of various commodities. The field day is one of the strategies in disseminating mature technologies for upland/hilly land farmers and likewise strengthens partnership with the Local government units (LGUs), state colleges and universities (SCUs), private companies and other agriculture-related institution in implementing various agricultural programs. The event is an annual activity with rounds of field tours showcasing 15 technologies which will help farmers carry on with the challenges of time. Farmers, local government units and other stakeholders alike witnessed the technologies showcased in the field that include studies on upland rice, corn, coffee, sweet potatoes, adaptability trials on various Japanese crops and other value adding crops. In his message, Claveria Municipal Mayor Redentor N. Salvaleon said the technologies and knowledge gained will encourage the farmers to be more responsive in producing the crops to help uplift their means of living.

“If we are together in small and big things and work as a team with commitment, transparency and honesty we will surely attain our aspirations,” said Salvaleon. Regional Executive Director Lealyn A. Ramos of the Department of Agriculture, region 10, on the other hand, emphasized that the main purpose of the field day is to show to the farmers new technologies in agriculture. She hopes that farmers go home with a basket-full of technologies that can be shared and replicated by other farmers. With this technologies at hand, production of crops is expected to increase that will sustain the needed food requirements and ensure food security. The one day field day was also graced by Laguindingan Mayor Oliver Ubaub, Villanueva Vice Mayor Windelindo Nalagon, MOSCAT Vice President Dr. Eleazar Elmundo, Mr. Edmundo Pacamalan, Chief of Staff of the Office of Congressman Emano. Other guests are DA station managers, Mis. Or. PAFC Chair Mario Jamis, MAOs, ATs, LGU officials and employees and farmers from the different municipalities of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. (DA-10)


DILG warns public against fake INTERPOLby Jeanevive Abangan

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has

called on the public against ap-plying for membership to the so-called International Police Com-mission (INTERPOLCOM) which is a scam. In an interview, DILG Provincial Director Alex Roldan called on the public to “immediately call the at-tention of government authorities” in case anyone would be recruited to

join INTERPOL which Roldan said is operating nationwide. “Bogus siya, wala siya labot sa police (It is bogus; it has nothing to do with the police) or any attached agency of the national government,” he said. Roldan released a copy of the memorandum circular (MC) No. 2011-169 signed on Nov. 15, 2011 by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo , setting the guidelines to “address the illegal activities of the International Police Commission.” In giving a brief background, Ro-bredo revealed that INTERPOL sub-mitted sometime in 1987 a request to then Executive Secretary Catalino Macaraig for the Office of the Presi-dent to recognize the organization. INTERPOL also requested an authority to be given to “two of its members to negotiate with the Unit-ed Nations for any possible financial assistance or budgetary assistance.”


Such letter of request of IN-TERPOL was referred to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which conducted an investigation , and it found out that INTERPOL “is recruit-ing members from various sectors of the society enticing them with sala-ries and benefits and privileges such as free transportation rides, issuance of badges, identification cards and a grant of military rank upon payment of P500.00 as membership fee.” Based on the memorandum, DILG reveals that INTERPOL is a non-stock, non-profit organization allegedly “engaged in organized ille-gal activities under disguise and with a scheme of assisting the duly con-stituted authorities in the attainment of peace and order and enforcement of law.” According to DILG, Napolcom has also found out that INTERPOL has been “sending letters and other correspondence to different orga-nizations which impress upon the minds of their recruits and the Se-curities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that INTERPOL is accredited by the Philippine government and the United Nations. Robredo enjoined all heads of line bureaus to inform their respective divisions, units or offices and person-nel of the presence of INTERPOL and its “illegal activities.” He also directed the chief of the Philippine National Police to issue an order to its regional offices to conduct

a “thorough investigation against the illegal activity of this organization in their respective regions” and submit a report to DILG. In line with his memo, Robredo enjoined all line bureaus of DILG to refrain from accrediting or endorsing any “force-multiplier or organization to assist in gathering of intelligence information without the proper rec-ommendation of the Department of National Defense.” Meanwhile, Roldan had yet to receive reports regarding the pres-ence and operation of INTERPOL in Davao del Norte but members of such group were already arrested in Cebu on Sept. 07, 2011. Sec. Robredo revealed that six alleged members of INTERPOL were apprehended by the composite team from the Philippine Center for Trans-national Crime Visayas Field Office, Military Intelligence Group 7, Airport Police and Regional Intelligence Unit 7 at Mactan-Cebu International Air-port. The group allegedly attempted to apply for temporary pass at the airport allegedly to assist airport au-thorities in gathering of intelligence information. DILG revealed that the arresting team confiscated five caliber .45 pis-tols with magazines and ammunitions with fictitious documents to support their carrying of firearms.


Flooded towns spared of disease outbreak, PHO chief says

DAVAO DEL NORTE- Despite the recurring flood, Davao del Norte Provincial Health chief Dr. Agapito Hornido has observed no unusual rise in the cases of water-borne illnesses nor noted emerging dis-eases . In an interview, Dr. Hornido, how-ever, said that pneumonia and gastro-enteritis are common diseases that usually occur after flooding but he has not received reports regarding the sudden rise in cases of such. He has not even received reports on prevalence of leptospirosis in any of the areas which recently suffered from flooding. Dr. Hornido attributed the effec-tive control in spread of disease to quick response rendered by munici-

pal governments through their Rural Health Units (RHUs) “Ang Rural Health Units abtik kaayo. Aduna usay mga mitigating measures nga gihimo ang local gov-ernments ug dali ang pagtan-aw sa mga apektado, kininaka prevent sa pagdagsang sa sakit. (The Rural Health Units were quick. There were mitigating measures done by the local government units and that there was quick response given to those affect-ed. These have prevented the spread of disease.),” he said. Dr. Hornido also noted that the immediate evacuation of affected fam-ilies and quick provision of relief as-sistance, not only in terms of food but also of shelter, had also done well in suppressing the rise in number of indi-viduals getting seriously sick. The consolidated data collected from Nov. 9 to Nov. 14, showed that Carmen had 7,462 flood-affected fam-ilies in 14 barangays while B.E. Dujali had 1,148 in three barangays. PDRRMD reported a total infra-structure damages of P6, 450,000 all monitored in Carmen where the flood-waters have destroyed dikes, drainage and roads. PDRRMD had not moni-tored infra damage in B.E. Dujali. The recent flood occurrence in


Carmen also took a toll on agriculture, incurring a damage to rice, banana and fisheries worth P1.3 million. In a separate interview, Carmen Municipal Mayor Marcelino Perandos confirmed the observation of Dr. Horni-do while also saying that he immedi-ately mobilized the Municipal Health Office (MHO) to affected areas. Perandos revealed that he brought to flood-affected areas the “Klinika sa Purok”, a convergence of services of municipal government offices. “We invited residents to avail of the services. We gave them medicine

and offered free medical consultation and check up,” he said. Since its launching early No-vember after the occurrence of mas-sive flooding in Carmen, the Klinika sa Purok has visited eight flood-af-fected barangays. Perandos said the Klinika sa Purok will resume its rounds to other less affected baran-gays in January next year. “So far, we have not re-ceived reports of large numbers of persons who are getting sick,” he said. (jean duron-abangan)

DSWD solicits support from civil society on 4Ps by Mai Gevera Macapagat

DAVAO CITY- Civil Society Organi-zation (CSOs) are currently being heard in a consultation forum held at the Waterfront Hotel as their recommendations are found vital in the continuation of the Pan-tawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT). The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) solicits the support and CSOs to improve the poli-cies to be followed in the implementa-tion of the project. Partnership with the CSOs is one aspect highlighted by the department as the CCT Program is by nature a pub-lic-private partnership. DSWD currently partners with

about 275 CSOs which assist the office in the entire operation of the program. During the forum, resource per-sons shared information and insights to the participants on various topics about CCT implementation. Incite Gov executive director Tan-ya Hamada discussed how CSOs can help in the empowerment of the CCTs target population. Former DSWD Secretary Espe-ranza Cabral discussed the design of the CCT Program and the possible roles and potential areas of involvement of the CSOs. Earlier, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad also spoke with the CSOs and informed them on the reforms of the national budget to


make way for an expanded CCT. Secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission Joel Rocamora also discussed the framework for im-proving the voice, effectiveness and pro-activeness of the CCT target popu-lation. The consultation being held here is but one of the series of consultations

undertaken by the DSWD as it prepares for the expansion of the CCT in the year 2012. The 4Ps or CCT Program has al-ready benefited 2.3 million households nationwide and it further targets to cover more than 700,000 households to reach the 3 million target households by the end of 2012.

did you know...

That last 2010 Davao City was named as the country’s Next Wave City by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), together with the Business Processing Association of the Philip-pines (BPAP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Being the top Next Wave City means that Davao is among the most at-tractive sites for BPO and other IT related induststries.

The City currently hosts 20 outsourcing companies with 6,500 workers.

Davao ranked the highest for availability of graduates and talented workers and also had good scores in terms infrastructure and cost.

Photo release


MAASIM, Sarangani Liza Lintang (2nd left) and Cherry May Palihan, 15, with her mother (center) are both recipients of wheelchairs from Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered Thurs-day, on December 1, by Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (left seated) . Liza was diag-nosed with schizophrenia and hypokalemia while Cherry May has congenital hyperthyroidism. Based on Cherry May’s social case study, she was born normal and healthy. When she was 6 months old her mother noticed that she was not growing, thus, prompted them to consult a phy-sician and was given medication but the family cannot afford to sustain her medicines. (Dennis Plecerda)

Wheelchairs from Vice Pres. Binay

Photo release


KORONADAL CITY – Three cooperatives recently received P1.15 million financial assistance from the city government of Koronadal under the LGU’s Cooperative Loan Assistance Program.

Koronadal grants P1.15 -M assistance to coopsby Caroline Mariano

Far East Hybrid Cooperative and DECS South Cotabato Multi-Purpose Cooperative re-ceived P500,000 each for continuous production of glutinous white corn and additional capitalization, respectively. Topland Farmers Cooperative was also granted P150,000, for its loan program for its members. These cooperatives comprised the fourth

batch that were granted financial assistance since the program’s launching by former city mayor Fer-nando Q. Miguel in 2008. The assistance is a soft loan that bears an annual interest rate of 4 percent payable in two years. During the awarding of grants, Mayor Peter B. Miguel, son of the former mayor, challenged all cooperatives to propagate and improve

their livelihood activities. He assured them that the city government supports the expansion of the number of legitimate and active cooperatives in the city. “Our programs for cooperatives are very strong and it would not be that productive without our financial support,” he said He emphasized that this is a challenging venture and it wouldn’t be sustainable if there is no sense of cooperation among the cooperatives, its members and the local government. On their part, rep-resentatives of the co-operative beneficiaries thanked the city LGU for the financial assistance granted and promised to make use of the funds for livelihood activities in


Koronadal grants P1.15 -M assistance to coops their intended purposes. Four cooperatives were granted a total of P650,000 loan in Janu-ary to April 2008. In

November and Decem-ber of the same year, three more cooperatives availed of P1.15 million loans.

In 2009, the city government released P830,000 financial assis-tance to four cooperatives.

South Cotabato mulls creation of sports councilby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- South Cotabato is considering the creation of a council that will oversee the development of sports in the province, an official of the local government unit said.

Provincial sports coordinator Florentino Perez Jr. said he has already received ad-vise from Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. to convene multi-sectoral represen-tatives for the creation

of the South Cotabato physical fitness and sports development council. Among those he plans to invite to the meeting are represen-tatives from the De-

partment of Education, local government unit, Sangguniang Kabataan, private sector, athletes, and coaches purposely to organize the council. Once organized, one of the primary con-cerns of the council, besides setting the di-rection of the province’s sports development, is the establishment of a pool of athletes who represent the province in sports events. “We have cham-pion athletes from De-partment of Education and the LGUs but the provincial government


does not have a pool of athletes which can be tapped when there are invitations for national games,” he explained. Perez believes creation of a sports development coun-cil could also address the province’s perenni-al problem of excellent athletes leaving the province for scholar-ship grants as varsity players being offered by universities in Met-ro Manila. “We can solve this problem if we can get sponsors and linkages from the private sec-tor to give them sup-

port as in equipment, uniforms,” he said. “The provincial government could give them edu-cational assistance and training program.” “Most probably, these athletes would not leave the province if we can technical persons who could pro-vide them with equip-ment and training as competitive players.” Among the sports events that the provin-cial government plans to develop athletes for include arnis, swim-ming, basketball, table tennis, softball, athlet-ics, soccer, chess, and

volleyball. Perez added, one of the very first order of business of the physi-cal fitness and sports development council is to plot South Cota-bato’s short-term and long-term development plan. Gov. Pingoy, while serving as representa-tive of the 2nd District of South Cotabato, au-thored House Bill 6516, which was instrumen-tal in the passage in December 2009 of Re-public Act 9850 declar-ing arnis as national martial art and sport.


Pacquiao nais isalang sa House inquiry ang pagtapon ng patay na tuna sa Sarangani BayKORONADAL CITY – Dadalhin ni Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao sa Kamara ang pag-imbestiga sa ginawang pagtapon ng mga tone-toneladang patay na isdang “tuna” sa Sarangani Bay. Sa isang panayam, sinabi ni Pacquiao na kanyang ipipresenta sa mga miyembro ng House Committee on Fisheries ang resulta ng ginagawang imbesti-gasyon ng mga lokal na pamahalaan ng Maasim at Sarangani hinggil sa insidente. Ani Pacquiao, ang

ginawang pagtapon ng mga patay na tuna ay isang seryosong isyu na makakaapekto sa in-dustriya ng palaisdaan lalo na ng tuna industry, kung ito ay patuloy na ipagsawalang-bahala. Bilang vice chair-man ng Fisheries Com-mittee sa Kamara, nais ni Pacquiao na magpasa

ng panukala na tutulong sa problema ng local tuna industry sa Saran-gani. Hiniling din ni Pac-quiao sa mga lokal na opisyales ng bayan ng Maitum na lalo pang paigtingin ang kanilang coastal monitoring o ang Bantay Dagat Operation. (AC Agad)


www.piacaraga.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484

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Butuanons join “Million Volunteer Run”by Jennifer P. Gaitano

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter spearheaded today’s Million Volunteer Run with the theme “Run for Humanity.” Students, government employ-ees and partner stakeholders assembled at the Agusan del

Norte Covered Court around 5:30 a.m. for a short program.


Some 350 par-ticipants from differ-ent sectors joined in the Million Volunteer Run. The route fol-lowed during the run was Agusan del Norte Covered Court-City Hall-Ochoa Avenue-Guingona Street-Cap-itol Covered Court. Participants re-ceived certificates of appreciation. PRC Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter Administrator Mr. Teddy Cairo said that the formula to alleviate human suf-fering in the buffet of disasters is the mobi-lization of millions of

Red cross volunteers supported by robust technological capabili-ties. “With this, the Philippine Red Cross has organized the Red Cross 143 Program wherein 44 volunteers (1 leader and 443 members) in each of the 42,000 barangays

of the archipelago are highly trained to cope with and reduce the risks of disasters, enabling them to re-spond accordingly to any catastrophic event that will strike the Phil-ippines,” Cairo said. Cairo further said that PRC’s vision is to increase number of first aiders, blood donors, and health and welfare volun-teers in every home, school, business and community in every corner of the Philip-pines. “Thus, today will mark a culture of volunteerism that de-fines the Filipino na-tion before the whole world,” he added.


Dir. Newman said basic technical con-cepts in the plan need to be explained in ways that make reading ef-fortless and entertain-ing.

She added the audience is better to retain the information being disseminated in easy-to-comprehend style. Newman said

“technical” stories tend to turn people off. Thus, the need to popularize the PDP to enhance au-dience comprehension, enjoyment and interest in the material.

PIA Central Visayas chief cites the need to communicate the Phl Dev’t Planby Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Central Visayas Regional Director Minerva Newman emphasized the need to popularize the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), country’s blue-print for progress and poverty alleviation, during a workshop early this week on communicating PDP, held at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines in Diliman.


Foremost in the mind of the commu-nicators, she said, it the audience being ad-dressed by an article or message about PDP. Further, Newman said that the most impor-tant quality of message presentation is accura-cy. “Thus, it is im-portant to have manu-scripts verified for tech-nical accuracy before finalizing the presenta-tion,” Newman said. To make the mes-

sage more understand-able, a communicator may use practical or “down-to-earth” ex-amples, she added. The Philippine De-velopment Plan 2011-2016 was formulated in accordance with the Constitutional provi-sion of Section 9, Ar-ticle VII, directing the Government’s econom-ic and planning agency to “implement a con-tinuing integrated and coordinated programs

and policies for nation-al development.” Upon the assump-tion of President Be-nigno S. Aquino III of the country’s leader-ship, he embarked on his program of gov-ernment that is based on his “Social Contract with the Filipino People” wherein he articulated a commitment to trans-formational leadership, institutional reform, economic stability and inclusive growth.


AGUSAN DEL NORTE – A government official here said that it is ready to provide support to survivors of violence against women and children.

Caraga GADCC dialogues with survivorsby Gervacio Dauz, Jr.

Atty. Marylin M. Pintor, regional direc-tor of the Commission of Human Rights for Caraga and chair of the Regional Development Council’s the Gender and Development Co-ordinating Committee (GADCC), led a dia-logue with the Sisters of Jesus’ Disciples in the Eucharist (SJDE) at Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. The members of the GADCC also dia-logued with the survi-vors, including seven

girls who are under the care of the religious or-der. Pintor said that the dialogue aimed to hear first-hand from the survivors and the Sisters the situation of the survivors, and how government can help. “We want to hear from you,” she said, “in or-der for us in govern-ment to improve and tailor-fit our services for you.” She also assured the Sisters and the seven survivors of sus-

tained partnership. The GADCC’s ini-tiative is part of its an-nual observance of the “18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women” on November 18 up to December 12. This year’s theme is “Unite: Stop Violence Against Women, Now.” The GADCC of-fers the following ser-vices to its clients such as skills training, legal services, planning, and even agricultural sup-port.


AFP lauds peace advocates for successful torch parade

he Philippine mili-tary is elated over the massive sup-

port that the people of Zamboanga has given to the culmination of the Mindanao Week of Peace 2011.

T

The military’s 4th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines lauds the different peace advocates for a success-ful conduct of torch parade which was one of the high-lights of Mindanao Week of Peace held last December.


The military’s 4th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Phil-ippines lauds the differ-ent peace advocates for a successful conduct of torch parade which was one of the highlights of Mindanao Week of Peace held last December 1Lt. Colonel Gamal S Hayudini PAF, Com-mander of the 4th CRG, CRSAFP said that the participation of the dif-ferent stakeholders dur-ing the activity that was initiated by the Peace Advocate of Zamboan-ga and Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace were indications that the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Baya-nihan” is fully comple-mented. IPSP Bayanihan is the current thrust of the government that entails

collaborative efforts of the different sectors of the society since they play vital roles to finally win the peace. “The support shown by the participants dur-ing the parade was also a strong call for oneness and cooperation to the entire populace of Zam-boanga Peninsula and other nearby provinces to achieve lasting peace especially here in Mind-anao,” says Hayudini. Meanwhile, thou-sands of assorted posters and pamphlets on Impro-vised Explosive Device (IED) and Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan were also dis-tributed during the torch parade to further create awareness and pre-empt the same occurrence of bombing which took place in a lodging house in Zamboanga.

Among the orga-nizations that support-ed the week of peace are the following: Fa-timah Islamic Mission; Madrasatu Ahlil-Bayt (A.S); National Sama-badjao Movement; Ah-lul-Bayt (A.S) Philip-pine Islamic Assembly, Inc.; Commission on Human Rights; 3rd Air Wing Division; Colum-bus Seafoods Corpora-tion; Western Mindanao State university; ZABI-DA; Department of Ag-riculture Regional Field Unit – IX; Philippine Na-tional Red Cross; ZION Youth Peace Corpora-tion; DOLE; National Irrigation Administra-tion Region IX; Zam-boanga East Central School; and Western Mindanao Command. (JPA/6CRGAFP/RV)


Turkish business group opens first-ever satellite office in the city; aims to promote PHL as investment hub

TCCP President Irfan Karabulut point-ed that their aim is to foster closer relations, understanding and co-operation between and among Turkish and Fili-pino businessmen and entities, and promote investment in the Phil-ippines through part-nerships. The Zamboanga City Satellite Office will be manned by Execu-tive Director Coskun Urfan, with Filipino-Turkish Tolerance High School Administrator Mehmet Cetin as hon-

orary president. The school is located at the city’s west coast in Ba-rangay Maasin. According TCCP of-ficials, the Zamboanga City office will provide beneficial information and assistance to local businessmen in the re-gion, and Mindanao as a whole. This will also

help establish local and international business opportunities for Min-danao businessmen. The Chamber will also have close contact with the Turkish embassy in the country.

TCCP is the offi-cial representative of the Confederation of

Businessmen and In-dustrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) in the Phil-ippines. It was founded just three years ago in 2008 by a group of Turkish and Filipino businessmen in Manila with their headquarters based in Greenhills, San Juan City. Their satellite office here is located at Suterville, west of the city. (JPA/MVC/PR)

The city now hosts the first-ever satellite office of the Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (TCCP) all over the country with its inaugu-ration today.

http://www.tccp.com.ph


Mr. Arvin L. Bon-bon, who represented Mayor Evelyn T. Uy during the BJPP-End of Project Congress (EPC)held in Davao City last week, disclosed that the 21 barangays of the city had attained an overall conflict res-olution rate of 94 per-cent. Bonbon attribut-ed such a feat to the Gerry Roxas Founda-tion’s (GRF) Justice and Peace Program, which mobilizes and trains citizen volun-teers called Baran-gay Justice Advocates (BJAs) on mediation, peace counseling and various aspects of the

law. With a grant from the US Agency for In-ternational Develop-ment (USAID), the GRF’s justice and peace program promotes governance and rule of law through commu-nity participation and citizen empowerment at the local level. It was learned that the BJPP had been im-plemented in six prov-inces, two cities and a municipality of Min-danao. These are the provinces of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Saranggani, Zamboanga Sibugay and Maguindanao, the cities of Dipolog and

Pagadian, and the mu-nicipality of Pagalun-gan in Maguindanao. Local Government Secretary Jesse Ro-bredo, who served as the keynote speaker at the BJPP-EPC in Davao City, has encouraged the local government units (LGUs) to find ways for a just and speedy resolution of conflicts at the local level. “It is the respon-sibility of each LGU to handle, settle and re-solve conflicts between and among barangay folks especially petty conflicts,” he stressed. (JPA/FPG)

Dipolog hits 94% conflict resolution rateby Franklin P. Gumapon

ith the implementation of the Barangay Justice for Peace Proj-ect (BJPP) here, the city has now achieved a 94 percent resolu-

tion rate of the cases brought before the barangay courts.W

one mindanao - december 5, 2011

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