one mindanao - february 14, 2014

DSWD beneficiaries’ stories featured in “Pagbangon”Dominic I. SanchezWestern Mindanao

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 120

President Aquino: Phl-US framework pact still being worked out to adhere to Phl, US laws

NATIONAL

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Page 4

CARAGA REGION

WESTERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

CENTRAL MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

DOST installs 6 Automated Rain Gauge in Zamboanga Sibugay

DevAdCom endorses 2015 investment programs to RDC-9

DSWD completes P24.7M peace projects in Pikit, N. Cotabato

OPAPP, DILG to mainstream peace, dev’t

COWD, PPF inks MOU for watershed protection project

PRC Agusan Sur Chapter exceeds 2013 target on Disaster Management Program

Coal power plant in Lanao Norte soon to rise

PHIC 12 thanks members for 19 years of support

DOE, MinDA set IEC public consultations

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Alma L. Tingcang

Franklin P. Gumapon

Danilo E. Doguiles

Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

COWD

Vincent N. Labial

SJDuerme

David M. Suyao

Information to Empower Filipinos

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DSWD beneficiaries’ stories featured in “Pagbangon”

What may seem like a humble piece of literature is actually a collection

of human experiences with themes centered on difficulties, strengths, struggles, and successes.

Pagbangon, which means “to rise” is the second book of the Paglaom series produced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here. It contains stories of beneficiaries of the “Tatsulo” Convergence Program. The book was launched last week. Some of the beneficiaries were brought from their municipalities to Zamboanga City to personally share with stakeholders how they were able to rise above their difficulties to achieve something great for themselves, their community and their society. Rea Lyka Bacang, 13, a high school student from Malangas town, and one of the featured people in the book told the media that had it not been for Pantawid Pamilya, she would not have achieved honors in school.

By Dominic I. Sanchez

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“It was really difficult for me to join school activities before. We had very little money, but all this changed when we became beneficiaries of Pantawid,” she explained. Lyka said that she wouldn’t have gotten the Best in Math, English and Journalism awards, in addition to being a school leadership awardee and the athlete of the year, had it not been for the support of the Pantawid. She dreams of becoming a flight attendant someday, and hopes to emancipate her family from poverty. Last year, Lyka represented the region in the National Search for the Pantawid Exemplary Child held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Pagbangon contains eight other similarly-themed stories. Narrabelle Bue, DSWD-9 Regional Information Officer said

that “while the first book centered on how the featured subjects find hope and inspiration to endure and fight the wickedness of poverty, Pagbangon, on the other hand, pivots around how the subjects find strength to rise and fight back against life’s adversities.” “While data and statistics satisfy the programs’ developers and implementers, these stories would reach out to the general public in a way that would inspire them in their own lives,” she added. Pagbangon hard copy distribution is limited; however, it will be uploaded online soon for free browsing by the general public. Tatsulo, the DSWD’s three-pronged convergent approach in reaching out to poor families and communities is a combination of the Pantawid Pamilya conditional cash transfer, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), and the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). The programs are so-called since they are believed to be metaphorical torches that would eventually take millions of poor Filipinos out from poverty.

6FEBRUARY 2014 | PAGE

President Aquino challenges tourism stakeholders: Go extra mile, cement Phl position as tourism hotspot

Even as he stressed his administration’s support for tourism, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday challenged

stakeholders in the industry to go the extra mile to ensure the Philippines cements its position as a tourism hotspot.

Across the Nation

Speaking at the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s 21st TravelTour Expo 2014 at the SMX Asia, the President said Filipinos cannot be satisfied with what they have achieved so far.

“Of course, we cannot be satisfied with what we have achieved so far. The

goal now is not merely to maintain our growth, but to cement our position as one of the world’s vacation hot spots,” he said.

He said his administration has been working hard to ensure visitors find their travels smooth and worry-free.


Across the Nation So far, he said the government has implemented reforms in civil aviation, by liberalizing airspace through the Pocket Open Skies Policy, and by rationalizing taxes on foreign carriers.

With added opportunities for both local and foreign airlines to expand operations in and out of the Philippines, he said consumers now have more options when planning their trips.

Government also continues to make massive investments in infrastructure—from construction and rehabilitation of roads leading to tourism clusters, to upgrading airports and ports in key areas, he added.

However, the President also threw a challenge to stakeholders in the industry “to go beyond what you have already done.”

“It is not just about sustaining the appeal of already favored destinations; it is also about discovering and marketing hidden destinations. It is not just about getting tourists to visit the Philippines once, but getting them to return. The possibilities ahead are limitless now that the world knows that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines!—and each one of us is asked to do his part to realize these possibilities,” he said.

“Thus, I pose a question to all of you today: have we, as a nation, gone the extra mile to make our tourists the happiest visitors to the Philippines—the most fun place on earth?” he added.

He reminded them as well that the success of any business balances profit with customer satisfaction, and that the collective goal goes beyond making sales and booking trips.

“What we want is for both domestic

and international tourists to become advocates of the Philippines—visitors who will return again and again to explore every corner, every peak, every shoreline of our archipelago, and encourage their friends and family to do the same. To achieve this, we need all of you to become advocates of our country—first, to go above and beyond your normal responsibilities, to do everything you can towards the resounding success of each and every trip, even as we in government continue to do our part,” he said.

The President also said the administration remains on track for meeting and even exceeding its targets.

He said it has already surpassed its initial target of 35.5 million domestic travelers five years ahead of schedule, with 37.5 million travelers in 2011 alone.

“Now, Secretary Mon Jimenez has the fun task of meeting, or better yet, surpassing our new 2016 target of just 56.1 million domestic travelers,” he said.

The President added that in 2012, the country reached another milestone by surpassing the four-million international arrival mark.

In 2013, despite the calamities that befell the country, the figure still grew by 10 percent to 4.7 million international arrivals.

“The good news is that, while the growth of international arrivals was affected last year, we found that international tourists have been spending more money on their visits here—with average daily expenditures among them increasing by 8.7 percent,” he added. PND


President Aquino: Phl-US framework pact still being worked out to adhere to Phl, US laws

Work is still ongoing for a prospective Philippine-US framework agreement that would allow increased

rotational presence of US troops in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III said Friday.

The President, in an interview with media in Pasay City, said both sides want to make sure the pact does not violate Philippine and US laws.

“Mula naman noong simulan ang usapan na ito talagang ang focus ay mapamadali, na magkaayos na tayo’t magkasundo dito. Iyong principles that we want to uphold... dapat klaro ang details. Sabi nga nila, the devil is in the details. Iyong details ang medyo kailangan pang plantsahin (Since the negotiations started, the goal was to reach an agreement soonest. But we must make sure the result does not violate the rules of both countries. We still have to iron out the details),” he said.

The President made the clarification amid speculations that the pact is being readied for signing in time for US President Barack Obama’s visit to the Philippines in April.

But for now, President Aquino said there are still meetings being held to iron out the details of the pact that would allow a US rotational presence that will meet both the needs of the Philippines and the US.

The added presence of US forces is seen to boost the Philippines’ position in its territorial row with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). PND

9FEBRUARY 2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

BIMP-EAGA country-members want private sector for greater participation in trade association, says MinDA officialAn official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) revealed

on Friday that countries under the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) want greater participation of the private sector in the trade association.

Romeo Montenegro, Director III of the Investment Promotion and Public Affairs of the MinDA said

based on the BIMP-EAGA Strategic Planning Meeting held February 11 in Davao City, member countries


welcome the involvement of the private sector to increase the trade.

He recalled that in the previous years, it was the government that laid down the necessary environment like the policies, infrastructure projects, ports and airport facilities.

Montenegro said the private sector has to come in and take part in the opportunities offered by the BIMP-EAGA.

“We are looking forward for the opening of the General Santos-Bitung roll-on-roll-off route. There is already a direct connectivity for cargoes between Mindanao and Indonesia,” he said.

Montenegro clarified that the transport sector of the BIMP-EAGA wants to realize the accessibility of countries within the year.

He enumerated the setbacks like the readiness of the infrastructure.

M o n t e n e g r o said the port in Bitung, Indonesia is still up for r e h a b i l i t a t i o n before it can be declared as international port.

He said the ports

of Brook’s Point, Palawan and Podat in Sabah, Malaysia are still in the process of developing their respective RORO (roll on, roll off) ramps.

“So far only the ports of General Santos, Davao and Palawan are ready, at par with international standards,” Montenegro said.

He said that with all systems in place, the BIMP-EAGA will be ready for the entry of the traders and investors.

More than 200 technical officials and representatives from the private sector from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines East ASEAN Growth area attended a two-day strategic meeting to evaluate ongoing programs under 2012-2016 plan in Davao City, focusing on connectivity, agriculture, environment and tourism. (PNA)


Zambo City is not included in the proposed Bangsamoro area-Commissioner Jajurie By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Bangsamoro Transition Commissioner (BTC) Atty. Raissa Jajurie quashed all apprehensions on the inclusion of the city in the proposed Bangsamoro area.


“Zamboanga City is excluded from the proposed Bangsamoro area as agreed in the peace talks,” Jajurie directly addressing the question from over 500 participants during a public forum held Wednesday by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. She said they are aware of the city’s stand on the issue and that they respect the position of the Zamboangueños. MILF chief negotiator and one of the BTC Mohaqer Iqbal echoed Atty.

Jajurie’s statement on the issue. “We are clear on this issue. Zamboanga City is not part of the proposed Bangsamoro area. We know your sentiments and we respect your decision... We are here to humbly ask Mayor Beng Climaco for advice on how best they can move forward with the peace process,” Iqbal said. Jajurie also explained that the “10% provision” in the framework agreement, which has caused confusion and apprehension among Zamboangueños,

does not mean immediate inclusion in the Bangsamoro area. “The 10% population provision in our ongoing peace talks does not mean the immediate inclusion of the city in the proposed area. It is just the required number for us to consider the inclusion of the city in the proposed Bangsamoro area. In the end, it is still the majority that will decide if they want to be included or not through a plebiscite. This is all through a democratic process,” Jajurie stressed. On her part, Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar


DOST installs 6 Automated Rain Gauge in Zamboanga Sibugay By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently installed six Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) in different municipalities of the province with one Automated Weather Station (AWS) yet to be installed within the premises of the Provincial Capitol. Provincial Science & Technology Coordinator Francis Melanie T. Temonio said the ARGs were installed in the towns of Titay, Tungawan, Kabasalan, Siay, Imelda and Diplahan. The AWS, on the other hand, will be installed in the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol after PAGASA has assessed the area for possible obstacles in data gathering and upon completion of its perimeter fence, said Temonio. “This is in line with the agency’s priorities and thrusts in harnessing the country’s scientific and technological capabilities for sustained economic growth and development in the province,” he added. The AWS are monitoring stations equipped with different sensors capable of measuring the following weather parameters: temperature,

pressure, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, rain amount, duration and intensity. Temonio explained that the AWS has only a minimal coverage of 50 km radius, so the ARGs installed in the municipalities would be ideal for data comparison to identify the amount of rainfall in an area. Further, she said the devices are vital for scientific data gathering for flood early warning so that people will be warned and shall have enough time to prepare before the actual occurrence of floods. All weather data from the remote stations are collected on a central database server and further analyzed. The processed data are readily available and easily accessible to local authorities, especially the disaster response unit over the Internet, on a real-time basis.

reiterated the city government’s full support to the peace process but asked the commission to again exclude the city from the proposed area. “We fully support President Benigno Aquino III’s peace initiatives to have a meaningful peace in Mindanao. But we again ask the

commission not to include us in the proposed Bangsamoro area directly or indirectly. We are a united city with a united 98 component barangays and we again say to you that we do not want to be included in the proposed Bangsamoro area,” Climaco-Salazar emphatically declared.


DevAdCom endorses 2015 investment programs to RDC-9 By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – Member-agencies of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9’s Development Administration Committee (DevAdCom) have converged here Tuesday for their first quarter regular meeting presided by Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9. The group tackled the 2015 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) of the regional line agencies (RLA) and local government units (LGUs) belonging to the DevAdCom to be endorsed to the RDC. To ensure a smooth conduct of the committee’s subsequent meetings, the member-agencies were also requested to submit their respective agenda for inclusion in the meeting’s order of business. The DevAdCom member-agencies that have already prepared their 2015 investment programs are DILG with an appropriation of P4,575,000, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) – P23,750, Police Regional Office (PRO) – P7,980,000 and Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) – P1,721,500. The LGUs of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Ipil municipality and Pagadian City have also submitted their 2015 investment programs amounting to P2,997,395,944 broken down as follows: Zamboanga del Norte – P2,969,662,794; Zamboanga del Sur – P417,900; Ipil – P13,000,000; and Pagadian City – P15,000.

All these programs are subject to RDC review and deliberation. In the same meeting, Engr. Leoncito S. Manuel, branch manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) – Pagadian City, has given some updates of GSIS programs and services. He disclosed that beginning July 2013, the GSIS had lifted the suspension of loan privileges of government employees working in agencies that are delayed or deficient in their premium payments. “The GSIS under the new administration is now more consultative, more transparent and more member-focused,” he said. Survivorship benefit for gainfully employed beneficiaries has also been restored by the GSIS on the belief that a “pension is an earned right and not a privilege.” Finally, DevAdCom members also endorsed to the RDC the Family Development Session Guidelines (FDSG) as proposed by the Commission on Population (POPCOM)-9. DevAdCom’s next meeting will be on the second week of May in Dipolog City.


DOLE 10 launches Project Rayby Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched on Feb. 12, its convergence with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), dubbed DOLE-DOST Convergence or the Project Ray.


Project Ray, which will be implemented from 2014 to 2016, is a technology driven, resource-based and sustainable livelihood undertaking between DOLE, DOST and with the support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). During the launching, Labor Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunsad III said this convergence program shall benefit the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers, workers displaced by natural and man-made calamities, and returning/displaced overseas foreign workers (OFWs) and their families. “This is the DOLE’s and the DOST’s contribution to the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) Project, the government’s strategic plan for the rehabilitation of typhoon Yolanda-affected areas,” added Usec. Lagunsad. Further, it envisions creating resilient and sustainable communities, with decent employment/livelihood, under a livable and happy environment, through technology and innovation. Under the convergence program, the DOLE as the national government agency mandated to promote gainful employment opportunities and develop the country’s human resource, shall identify target beneficiaries of the program; identify in-demand skills vis-à-vis available skilled individuals in the communities; enroll projects

to the program; and provide funds. It shall also coordinate with the DA and DTI to be able to provide information on raw materials and current market demand. The DOST, on the other hand, as the premiere science and technology body in the country, will provide scientific and technological skills, strategies, and assistance that beneficiaries can use; tap the Technology Resource Center (TRC), DOST’s corporate arm, to work on the business and livelihood programs interventions. For other technical requirements of the convergent program, the DOST shall tap its regional offices, councils, research and development institutes (RDIs). More importantly, the DOST shall provide the necessary technologies for people or group of people for potential technology transfer or adoption for business, as well as counterpart funding, in the form of technologies and innovations, technical assistance, experts’ man-hours, and the like.


CAGAYAAN DE ORO - Environment protection and conservation is a shared responsibility of everybody.

by COWD

COWD, PPF inks MOU for watershed protection project

Such is the basis by which the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and Phoenix Philippines Foundation (PPF) forged a commitment to protect and conserve the environment towards sustainable development through its “Adopt A Site Project.” As the city’s water provider, COWD ensures the sustainability of water supply through watershed preservation. COWD was granted a 25-year stewardship of an area within the Malasag Reforestation Project at Mahuganao Watershed. The designed site development focuses on forest enhancement through planting of forest trees, specifically rattan, bamboo and fruit-bearing trees such as rambutan, lanzones, pomelo, santol and mangosteen. PPF is aware that management and preservation of the watershed in

Malasag is a huge responsibility and for this reason, it signified its willingness and availability to help COWD in this avowed purpose. Of the 10.5 hectares of the Malasag watershed where COWD has its rehabilitation project, PPF adopts an area equivalent to five hectares, at P6,000.00 per hectare per year for a period of five years. Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place last January 30, 2014 at the COWD Boardroom. Incidentally, personnel from COWD, PPF and Malasag Cooperative will conduct a tree planting activity in the area on February 27, 2014. As the journey towards watershed protection starts with a single step through this “Adopt-a-Site Project,” both parties hope that this will pave the way to a more fruitful partnership in the future.


Coal power plant in Lanao Norte soon to riseby Vincent N. Labial

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – The GNpower plant project received a highest acceptability score from different stakeholders in the community during its conduct of public consultations on the anticipated coal power plant in the province.

“We are very pleased with the outcome we got so far from a host community,” expressed GNPower’s Project Engineer Neil Carlo Francisco. The coal-power plant of GNPower will soon start to rise in the coastal town of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, sometime in the third quarter of this year, revealed Engr. Francisco to the media men when asked during the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) meeting on February 6, 2014 at the Macapagal Training Center, Tubod, this province. Upon its full operation, the plant will help solve the power crisis in Mindanao and allow for expansion of local industries with the stable supply of power now readily available, said Francisco. We have a signed contract with AMRECO (Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives) composed of about 20 electric cooperatives from all over Mindanao for a total of 300 megawatts, Francisco added. GNPower already operates two coal-power plants in Luzon, the Mauban Plant in Quezon province

and Mariveles plant in Bataan. “What’s good about GNPower is that they meet the international standards in environmental and work safety. DENR is also on board to ensure that there is minimal impact to the environment”, Governor Khalid Dimaporo said. GNPower’s investment here in Lanao del Norte not only addresses the Mindanao power crisis but it also shows that it’s easy to invest here in the province. From the municipal level, provincial even up to the congressional level, we all work hard together for development. This is our style of leadership, Dimaporo stressed. While on their part, Project Engineer Francisco assured the people of Kauswagan and the province’ constituents that they will comply with all the requirements for this vital project as they continue to partner with the local community. More than P22-million pesos are also earmarked annually as GNPower’s livelihood assistance to local residents and nearby communities. This fund will also help in the electrification of remote barangays in the province.


Coal power plant in Lanao Norte soon to rise

DPWH pours P1.4 B infra funds for Pablo-hit DavOr,Comval

DAVAO CITY-- Typhoon Pablo-hit provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley received al-most P1.4 billion worth of national roads, bridges and school build-ing projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as of December, 2013. DPWH spread the amount for national road projects which

had total allocation of P108.3 million; nation-al bridges, P755.051 million; and school buildings, P519.583 million. DPWH 11 data re-vealed that 134 such projects were funded from the P1.4 billion allocation for infra-structure rehabilitation and construction in ty-

phoon Pablo-hit areas of the two provinces. Of the 134 projects, 26 were completed while 97 are still on-going. Compostela Valley received P211.964 million share from the P1.4 billion pie of rehab/recon-struction funds while Davao Ori-ental got P1.171 billion share. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)

byJeanevive Abangan


DAVAO CITY--- The Office of the Presidential Assistance on the Peace Process (OPAPP)and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) have joined forces to mainstream peace and development in local governance. They conducted two-day Local Peace and Development Assessment and Planning Workshop for each of the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental aimed at updating the status of the peace process with the CPP/NPA/NDF and revisiting the existing conflict analysis of the PAMANA province. Running from Feb. 10 to 14, the planning workshop was also aimed at identifying the gaps and peace building needs based on the conflict analysis as well as resources to address these gaps and proposing of enhancements to the existing PAMANA implementing structures and processes. The activity is designed to integrate the peace and development agenda within the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC)’s Integrated Area

Community and Public Safety Plan or Peace and Order Public Safety Plan. During the on-going planning-workshop for Davao del Norte conducted from Feb. 11 to 12 at the Garden Oases in DavaoCity, seven modules are being discussed. The modules deal on Local Governance and Peacebuilding, Orientation on Government Peace-building Programs, the Local Peace and Development Situation, Revisiting the Conflict Analysis of the Province of Davao del Norte; Identifying Gaps in Responding to Identified Conflict Issues; Assessment on Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan; and Discussion on the PAMANA Operational Arrangements. Aside from local government executives, participants to the planning workshop also include officials from the Philippine Army, national line agencies which are identified members of the Provincial Peace and Order Councils (PPOC)s and civil society organizations. (PIA 11 Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

OPAPP, DILG to mainstream peace, dev’t


DOLE programs and services in YBLKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Promotional videaos promoting programs and services of the Department of Labor and Employment 12 are now shown in air-conditioned buses of the Yellow Bus Line Inc. plying Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, General Santos City, and Davao City routes. Same video plugs will soon be seen inside KCC malls as well as the departure lounge of the General Santos City airport.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The Department of Labor and Em-ployment and the eight congressional representatives of SOCCSKSAR-GEN Region are currently setting up plans for the implementation of programs and activities for funds coursed through the agency.

DOLE 12, solons partner for employment, government internship projectsBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

“Each congressional district has been allotted P3.5 million, which [the legislators] could use to implement either emergency employment or the Government Internship Program,” Ofelia Domingo, regional director of DOLE 12, told Philippine Information Agency in an interview

Said funds, Director Domingo explained, are only a portion of the congressional allocation coursed through national government agencies, such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways and others, after the Congress scrapped the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Two weeks ago, Domingo called for a meeting with the eight legislators in SOCCKSARGEN or their representatives to inform the latter of the availability of the said budget and set the initial steps for the required work plan.

SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s congressional representatives are: Pedro Acharon Jr. of the 1st District of South Cotabato, Ferdinand Hernandez of the 2nd District of South Cotabato, Jesus Sacdalan of the 1st District of North Cotabato, Nancy Catamco of

the 2nd District of North Cotabato, Jose Tejada of the 3rd District of North Cotabato.

Raden Sakaluran of the 1st District of Sultan Kudarat, Arnulfo Go of the 2nd Distric t of Sultan Kudarat, and Emmanuel Pacquiao of the lone District of Sarangani.

“The decision as to how much the legislators would allocate for emergency funds and the Government Internship Program (GIP) depends on the congressional representative,” Domingo explained, which was the reason why DOLE required the representatives to prepare their respective work plans.

Rep. Hernandez, who was the first to transmit his work plan to Director Domingo, has set funds for government internship of 56 individuals while the remaining amount are allotted for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).

“Per guidelines,” Domingo said, “GIP has to be implemented for six months. This is open to new graduates who will be deployed to government offices as interns where they could learn the value of work.”

Under the program, each government intern is paid 75 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in SOCCSKSARGEN Region has completed a total of P24.7 mil-lion of various community peace projects in Pikit, North Cotabato, an agency official said Thursday.

the region.Per Wage Order No. RB XII –

17 the minimum wage for non-agriculture sector in SOCCSKSARGEN Region is P270 per day, meaning a GIP beneficiary will be entitled to P202.50 daily wage.

She explained further that for emergency employment, beneficiaries may be employed for up to 30

days at the prevailing minimum wage rate.

“The program is ready for implementation. We are only waiting for our legislators to submit their work plan because DOLE Central Office requires a basis for the release of funds,” Director Domingo added. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

DSWD completes P24.7M peace projects in Pikit, N. CotabatoBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

Gemma N. Rivera, DSWD-12 assistant regional director said these project are already benefiting at least 17,319 households in the said town, which is often disturbed by conflicts between rebel groups and government troops.

Completed projects include community and peace learning centers, water systems, pre- and post-harvest facilities including solar dryer, off-hand tractor with trailer, rice thresher and miller, corn sheller and others.

“These community projects were identified and considered as the most pressing needs of different villages of the town,” Rivera said.

The projects, according to Rivera, go beyond infrastructures since the process itself fosters peaceful relations

between and among communities and addresses the root of conflict.

The projects were realized in partnership of DSWD through one of the agency’s poverty-reduction programs, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-A Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) through Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities (PAMANA) Program, and the local government unit of Pikit

PAMANA is the government’s flagship peace and development framework to strengthen peacebuilding, reconstruction and development in conflict affected and vulnerable areas that is in line with the goal of putting a


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato —The Philippine Health Insurance Cor-poration (PHIC 12), through OIC-regional vice-president Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag in a press conference held recently, extended gratefulness to members for their continuous support that have lasted 19 years.

permanent and just closure to internal armed conflicts of the country.

Known as Kalahi-CIDSS-PAMANA project, it employs the community-

driven development strategy, where peace and development priorities are addressed in a participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making process. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12

PHIC 12 thanks members for 19 years of supportBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

“We are thankful to our mem-bers for supporting PhilHealth. With your support, our services, especially to the poor are strength-ened,” Pamonag stated.She is also grateful that even though the PhilHealth has adjusted its premium contribution to P2,400, many members still believe that it’s worth it. Moreover, official lauded the media for disseminating the pro-grams of the corporation as this will help them in promoting transpar-ency and in bringing to the public what the PhilHealth offers. On the other hand, area vice-president and chief operating offi-cer Ramon F. Aristoza, Jr. assured members that with the PhilHealth, they can get the health security they need. Aristoza also emphasized that the amount the members are pay-ing in the corporation does not only

covers the members but also their qualified dependents and that upon reaching 60 years, one can become a lifetime member wherein benefits are offered for free. Anchored with the mission of achieving universal health care, he added that efficient and timely ser-vices are among the corporation’s initiatives. “Aside from the universal health care, we are also strength-ening our contribution to poverty reduction which is a salient part of the PDP-RDP,” Aristoza noted. Meanwhile, both Aristoza and Pamonag are hopeful that for the next years more and more peo-ple will become members of the PhilHealth as they envision that ev-ery Filipino family is protected with such health insurance. (SJDuerme-PIA12)


Surigaonon PBA player to grace 17th CRAMBy Nida Grace P. BarcenaSURIGAO DEL SUR - The pride of Surigaonons, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Joseph Evans “JVee” Durano Casio of the Alaska Aces team will light the urn during the opening of the 17th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) on February 23 in Tandag City.


This was confirmed by Manuel Acosta, chief of staff of the 1st Congressional District and official negotiator for JVees’s visit recently.

Acosta said JVee’s both parents are Tandaganons. “They were residing in Bongtud, Tandag City before,” he said.

Acosta recalled that JVee started his sports career in the

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Juniors as a player of San Beda Red Clubs in San Beda College (SBC) in 2002 “and the NCAA Juniors Championship Crown went to the SBC Red Clubs, with JVee’s being named the MVP.”

Acosta said, in 2010 JVee did not immediately join the PBA because he directly opted to join the Philippine Basketball Squad in the FIBA Asia and in 2010 Asian Games Basketball Tournament.

In 2011, he joined the Smart Gilas in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup that competed in FIBA Asia Champions Cup, as one of the team’s standout.

“Recently, JVee has been traded to Alaska Aces where he stands to his name as the hard-hitting and shooting

guard mainstay. Playing usually the whole four quarters, JVee is always in the first five players of Alaska,” said Acosta.

The 17th CRAM 2014 on February 23-27 is hosted by the provincial government of Surigao del Sur and the Department of Education Surigao del Sur Division.


PRC Agusan Sur Chapter exceeds 2013 target on Disaster Management Program

AGUSAN DEL SUR -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Sur Chapter exceeded its 2013 target on Disaster Management Training (DMT) Program for its staff and active volunteers registering an average of 390.4 percent in 20 activities.

Thanking the Board of Directors for their assistance extended, PRC Chapter administrator Darwina Ligan proudly presented that the chapter registered a 700 percent accomplishment in its Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA) facilitators trained while registering 1,400 percent for facilitators’ training

conducted. The same percentage of accomplishment was registered on Disaster Management Instructors trained and Disaster Management Instructors’ training Course.

On Community Based Disaster Risk Management Program (CBDRMP) with Red Cross 143 in Barangays, four activities namely

By David M. Suyao


DOE, MinDA set IEC public consultationsBUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is set to conduct a series of information, education, and Communication (IEC) campaign through public consultation activities in the different areas in Mindanao.

In Butuan City, the IEC campaign is scheduled on February 19 in one of the convention centers of the city.

According to DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, the event is pursuant to the overall thrust and direction of ensuring energy security, achieving optimal energy pricing and developing a sustainable energy system in

Mindanao.During the event, the government’s

efforts in addressing pertinent issues and challenges on energy development in Mindanao will be presented.

Also, the DOE officials will present the Mindanao Energy Plan, the Mindanao Power Supply and Demand Outlook.

CBDR training on Communities with organised and trained 143 DMT, VCA Sessions Conducted (Number of Barangays) on communities that conducted VCA, Planning Sessions Conducted on Communities with developed Barangay Development Action Program and Flood Drill were targeted registering100 percent accomplishment. On CBDRMP with RC 143 in schools, CBDMT Training Conducted (Brgy. and Pax) also registered 100.

For CBDRMP with Red Cross 143 in workplace, all three activities namely companies with organised RC 143 DMT, Company conducted VCA and Company developed SDAP also registered 100 percent.

For the Emergency Response

Unit (ERU), two targets were also met namely Emergency Response Teams Organized and Daily ERU Duty Submitted to Operation Center also registered 100 percent each.

With five activities conducted for the Disaster Response and Recovery Program, the chapter registered 100 percent on persons provided with rescue services, 202 percent for families served with food items during disaster, 1, 917 percent for families served with non-food items and another 100 percent for livelihood assistance.

According to administrator Ligan, they have also accomplished with flying colors other activities mandated by the Red Cross, including specials projects.

DOE, MinDA set IEC public consultations

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph

one mindanao - february 14, 2014

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