one mindanao - february 18, 2012

Cover Story

“Suman” sa Clarin: Our Culture, Our Future

Raymund E. ButalidNorthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 188

page 4

Police gears up for 1-M trees in NorMin 13 Elaine O. Ratunil, Northern Mindanao

Cotabato City LGU assures financial assistance to fire victims19Perlita Changco, Central Mindanao

Wetland management program, inilunsad sa Lebak, Sultan Kudarat20Central Mindanao

SBAT Task Force rescues human trafficking victims 23Jocelyn P. Alvarez , Western Mindanao

Dumingag to host MINSOFS First Mindanao Sustainable Organic Agriculture, Agro-Eco Tourism Fair24 Western Mindanao

Gov receives 24 Million for PAMANA projects 28David M. Suyao, Caraga Region

LTO manual aims for more responsible drivers29Jennifer P. Gaitano, Caraga Region

Organizations can use social me-dia to connect with people, says Coloma

9

CSC campaigns for public servants to be servant-heroes14Apipa P. Bagumbaran, Northern Mindanao

7 11 15

PIA REGIONAL OFFICES

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 ……………... Victoriano B. Villacruz, Jr., PIA Region IX Zener R. Dumaguing, PIA Region X

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

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ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

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Cover Story


17 21 26

4 Saturday, February 18, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

Without hesitation, we could say that “SUMAN” sa CLARIN is our culture, our

future!

Cover Story


by Raymund E. Butalid

Saturday, February 18, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

Such claim is made by the SUMAN-makers, here, who said SUMAN-making has been their means of livelihood and has been synonymous to the place through time, making SUMAN as one of the top 10 most popular Pasalubong Ng Bayan throughout the Philippines. “SUMAN”hasbeenidentifiedasthe local government unit’s (LGU), One-Town, One- Product (OTOP) and part of its development and promotion efforts was the creation of the Clarin Suman Task Force (CLASTAF) that mandated the establishment of the House of Suman and Pasalubong Center (HSPC). The HSPC was built to position the municipality as the SUMAN capital of the province, gaining additional market for the SUMAN-makers and improving marketing capability though increase in production volume, quality assurance, market information and promotion and institutional development. Mayor David M. Navarro said in

2008, the LGU decided to purchase a lot for the HSPC, which was

realized on Jan. 5, of the following year, when it

was constructed out of the LGU’s 20%

Development Fund.

Collaboration with the other government agencies had also been made to augment its capital for business operation,



wi th the LGU providing

livelihood assistance to the town’s SUMAN-makers. The Mayor said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) improved the labeling and packaging techniques while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was concerned more of the Suman’s shelf life. The Department of Tourism (DOT) took charge of its promotion

while the Department of Agriculture (DA)

provided funds for the establishment of

the SUMAN P roduc t i on

Center.

R u n entirely by the SUMAN-Makers of Clarin under the supervision of the Suman Development Council (SDC), HSPC has surely captured new markets and access to alternative markets, outside Clarin. “The conduct of the Annual Suman Festival enables to increase in average sales per enterprise and even enhance the organization capability that fulfills the claim bythe SUMAN-makers that indeed ‘SUMAN’ sa Clarin is our culture and our future,” Mayor Navarro added.


ACROSS THE NATIONColoma lauds formal opening of MV Logos Hope Community library

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. expressed the Aquino government’s commitment to attain the United Nation’s (UN) Millennium Development Goal (MDG) as part

of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s all-out efforts to uplift the lives of the Filipinos, especially the underprivileged members of the society.

Speaking before the officers, crewmembers,other government officialsandguestsduringtheofficialopening ceremony of the Library Onboard MV Logos Hope at the Pier 15, South Harbor in Manila, Friday, Coloma acknowledged the Logos Hope Community’s perseverance and vision

to spread the word of God and the spirit of bringing knowledge, health and hope to the people of the world as he assured that the government is in unison with them in pursuing such goals.

“Our government is doing its best to u p l i f t t h e l ives o f

our people particularly those who are poor, disadvantaged and marginalized, we have launched a massive campaign to upgrade the quality of life for our people pursuant to our country’s commitment to attain the Millennium Development Goals, especially in the salient aspects of poverty reduction

8 Saturday, February 18, 2012ONE MINDANAO

and reducing infant mortality,” Coloma said.He cited the Filipino’s sense of authentic

volunteerism that was very evident in the historic Edsa People Power Revolution, 26 years ago.

“We are also mobilizing citizen volunteers, in fact we will celebrate next week our historic Edsa People Power Revolution that in 1986 became our country’s unique contribution to the global movement toward more open and truly democratic societies,” Coloma said.

“The spirit of Edsa, as we call it, is the spirit of authentic volunteerism of citizens willingly taking it upon themselves to become community builders and enablers,” he added.

The PCOO chief warmly welcomed the MV Logos Hope and the 56 different nationalities onboard thanking them for the opportunity of new knowledge and exciting discoveries for the Filipino people.

“This is the spirit that animates MV Logos Hope, the spirit of bringing knowledge, health and hope to the people of the world… in behalf of our President Benigno S. Aquino III and our Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., I wish to bring to you the warm greetings of a grateful Filipino people,” Coloma noted.

“We thank Good Books for All (GBA) ships. As you open your book fair, you open doors of new knowledge and exciting discovery, as you commence your community service you offer a new world of opportunities and possibilities,” he said as he commend the crewmen for their noble mission, “I wish to commended the volunteer crewmembers of MV Logos Hope, indeed, you are messengers of God’s word and carriers of hope”.

During the event, Secretary Coloma, assisted by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim,

led in cutting the ribbon to formally open the onboard library. He also signed in the MV LogosHope’sofficialguestbook.

The Logos Hope Community is regarded as a genuine expression of international goodwill and understanding. The crew and staff are all non-salaried volunteers – including many serving in their professional capacity, such as seafarers, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cook.

Sponsorship from friends, family members and civic groups enables crewmembers to serve on board. The community is being headed by Managing Director Gian Walser.

With the principle of “bringing knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world,” the ship has a library onboard with over 5,000 different book titles to choose from.OnlyonitsfirstvisitinManila,LogosHope

is now berthed at Pier 15, South Harbor. It will be open to the public from February 15 to March 13.

The opening hours are as follows: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and is closed during Mondays.

Tickets cost 20 pesos for adults while children 12 years and below are free of charge.

Following her call in Manila, MV Logos Hope will also visit Subic Bay.Constructedin1973,MVLogosHope(first

named Gustav Vasa) was originally built as a passenger car ferry sailing the North Atlantic routes.

“Good Books for All” (GBA) Ships purchased it in 2004 from the Smyril Line Company. The

ship and its crew are being headed by Captain Pat Tracy. (JCL)


Organizations can use social media to connect with people, says Coloma

Organizations wanting to get their message across could harness the immense power of social media through the Internet like what the Office of the President has been doing, Presidential Communications Operations Office

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Thursday.

Speaking before the members and officers of the Institute of ManagementConsultants of the Philippines (Imphil), Coloma said communication between people has changed dramatically

and organizations must adapt to the modern way of communicating.

Coloma was the guest speaker Thursday during Imphil’s membership meeting andinductionofofficersfor2012

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. inducts the officers of the Institute of Management Consultants of the Philippines (Imphil) for 2012 at the Metropolitan Club in Makati City. Coloma was also the guest speaker during Imphil’s meeting on Thursday. (NIB Photo/ BERT Canilang)


held at Metropolitan Club in Makati City.The organization invited the PCOO head

to get some inputs as Imphil focuses on increasing public awareness about its mission as well as to be recognized as the most reputable organization of management consultants in the country.

In a presentation, Coloma explained that in the old communication model, the message is being addressed to a targeted audience. This is a one-way channel since the invention of the printing press, he said.

In the new communication model on the other hand, the communication process has become multidimensional interaction between people through social media.

“Since the invention of the Internet, the way we communicate has been transformed dramatically. We now live in a dialogue world where everyone has his own channel of communication and information in real time,” he said.

Coloma shared the use of the social mediabythePCOOandtheOfficeofthePresident in performing their mission as communicators for the President. He said that they organized a new media team that works to empower the people with information and technology.Heclarifiedhoweverthatsocialmediais

not about tools and technologies but about people, and organizations must bear this in mind.

Among the social media tools being used byhisoffice includeGoogle,Twitter,Youtube, Facebook, and blogs

among others, he said. Social media can be a good and effective feedback mechanism, he added.

Also, he mentioned the government 2.0 concept or the use of web 2.0 technology to solve collective problems across government city, province, country and even at the international level.

One example he said is the business registry system recently launched by the Aquino government that will speed up business name registration in the country.“We have our office, message, the

citizenry, the bureaucracy and the tools. These are the cornerstones of our online presence,” Coloma said referring to the communicationsinitiativesofhisoffice.

“We also want to build citizen, community and stakeholder relationships engaged in mobilized community support and get immediate review and actionable feedback.”“In the final analysis it’s all about

people, people that participate well. If you want to succeed in the social media the key word is ‘people’,” Coloma said.

Imphil is a professional association of firmsandindividualsengagedprincipallyin management consulting. Established in 1985, the organization seeks to advance the professional standards of the practice of management consulting in the Philippines.

A fully Filipino initiative, Imphil also aims to promote the global capability

and competiveness of Filipino consultants. (AS)


Iligan, Kapuso Foundation ink MOA on resettlement housing siteby Boy Decena

City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz and Executive Vice President Mel Tiangco of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Incorporated, led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and groundbreaking

ceremony on Kapuso Village, in resettlement housing site, barangay Mandulog, this city.


This is for the 200 housing units to be constructed in the said area for families left homeless brought by typhoon Sendong last December 2011. The said activity was witnessed by Iligan City Vice Mayor Henry Dy, City Councilor Joe Zalsos, City Council’s Chairman on Committee on Housing and Resettlement, and other members of the council and officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and National Housing Authority (NHA). For her part, Tiangco expressed to the survivors the benefits they can avail of and the

blessings they will enjoy from the assistance of the different sectors that unite among themselves to help the survivors. These sectors are composed of the government, private sector and non-government organizations (NGOs) where GMA Kapuso Foundation was made an instrument in achieving the construction of Kapuso Village. Tiangco clarified that the Kapuso Village in Iligan is the second project on housing. The first one was constructed in Ginsaugon, Southern Leyte. (CIO)


Police gears up for 1-M trees in NorMinby Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The police forces in Northern Mindanao embarked on planting one million trees within one year, from Feb. 2012 to Feb. 2013.

D u b b e d as “Pulis Makakalikasan: Sampung Milyon Puno, Pamana sa Kinabukasan,” the tree planting activity of Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 is in consonance with the campaign of Police Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome, chief of the P h i l i p p i n e National Police (PNP) to plant 10 million trees for the same period. PDG Bartolome, in his message, cited the importance of the tree planting activity and its significance to the area of PRO-10 particularly in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan which were recently devastated by enormous flashfloods that resulted in the loss of more than 3,000 lives and destruction of more than P2-billion worth of personal properties and infrastructures brought about by tropical storm Sendong. This project, which will greatly benefit and impact on the lives of

present and future generations, took off with some 6,000 tree seedlings of different species planted along Camaman-an-Indahag Diversion Road, Barangay Upper Macasandig, this city, by more than 1,500 PNP and civilian supporters. For his part, Police Chief Superintendent Jufel C. Adriatico, PRO-10 Director, emphasized the need to plant trees for the sake of future generations in Northern Mindanao, as an unequivocal support to the program of PNP Chief to plant 10 million trees nationwide.


CSC campaigns for public servants to be servant-heroesby Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is actively campaigning to make a servant-hero (lingkod bayani) out of every civil servant.

As part of the campaign, CSC is asking all government agencies and instrumentalities to adopt the “Gawing Lingkod Bayani ang Bawat Kawani” slogan to imbibe among state workers the proper work ethics and

to build their capacity to be heroes in their own right. This is in line with the CSC Memorandum Circular No. 22, S. 2011, which was issued by the Commission to instill in each public servant the ideals of being a servant-hero, said Atty. Lourdes Clavite-Vidal, regional director of CSC in Region 10. The CSC believes that heroism is powerful and an engaging theme that effectively projects a positive image of the country’s bureaucracy. Moreover, all government offices are also encouraged to produce “Lingkod Bayani” button pin as part of their employees’ uniform. The button pin should be made of metal plate or plastic, in full color, and with a size of 2.25” in diameter. Vidal said a soft copy of the button pin template, in jpeg format, is available upon request from the CSC-10 Regional Office or by sending an email at [email protected]. The design of the button pin may likewise be downloaded via the CSC’s website www.csc.gov.ph.


DPWH starts pavement upgrading project in Davao by Mai Gevera Macapagat

The Davao City Engineering Dis-trict of the Department of Pub-

lic Works and Highways (DPWH) has now started the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and upgrading of damaged pave in the national road along Quezon Boulevard and R. Castillo Street .

District Engineer De Lorna T. Ricardo announced that commuters could experience heavy traffic starting today as DWPH equipment and workers will temporarily use a portion of the road for the rehabilitation. The project in Quezon Boulevard has a total cost of P36 million


while the R. Castillo project amounts to almost P40 million. These projects are declared top priority by the DPWH following frequent flooding incidences in most areas of downtown Davao . The official explained that the project will finally address the problem on Davao ’s drainage system as it was believed to be the cause of flooding in these areas every time the city experiences heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, during the Kapihan sa Dabaw last Monday (Feb 13), the City Engineering Office bared the need for engineering interventions like the construction of flood gates and pumping stations and rehabilitation of Davao ’s drainage to mitigate flooding problem in the city. Engineer Alan Tibor bared in Monday’s Club 888 that these are the immediate needs in the city given that are plenty of low-lying areas that suffer severe flooding. “Big part of the city are now below sea level”, Tibor said. City consultant Danny Dayanghirang cited the Candaba flood project as a potential solution

for Davao ‘s case. “We would definitely be needing billions but this is what we really need. A flood gate that we can close during high tide and we can turn open when water volume is low.”, Dayanghirang said. The city, as observed by experts, often experience heavy rainfall with heavy water volume that usually results to flooding in most parts of the city. Tibor explained that Davao has total of 25 outlets like creeks, natural water ways, canals and rivers. However, most of the rivers are no longer functioning normally. Instead of directing the water from canals to the sea, water often goes back to the source as they get blocked along the way. Consultants now push the city to require industries to put up their own water impounding system. This way, high volume of water are temporarily impounded when there’s too much of it and use it later by the industry instead of having it flow down the streets and cause massive flooding.(FMGM/PIA 11)

facts and figures11th staging of Tagum City’s annual music

festival; Musikahan sa Tagum


Tampakan LGU revives law enforcement boardby Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- The local government unit of Tampakan town recently revived its People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), a local body where residents could file complaints against officers and members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Tampakan Mayor Leonardo Escobillo, has appointed councillor Atty. Theresa Penera, chairperson of the committee on legal matters of the Sangguniang Bayan, as chairperson of the reconstituted PLEB.

Other members who were sworn into office last week were Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Cesar Ureta Jr.; municipal chaplain Director Jonie

Sumagaysay, legal services assistant Minihaha Escobillo,

and DepEd Tampakan District supervisor Ramona Bangoc.

Escobillo said he decided to revive the municipality’s PLEB to achieve a unified approach to deal with complaints against police personnel.

PLEB is mandated under Republic Act 6975 (An Act Establishing the. Philippine National Police Under a Reorganized Department of the Interior and Local


Government) and Republic Act 8551 (Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998) as a central receiving entity for any citizen’s complaint against officers and members of the PNP.

It is empowered to conduct hearings, resolve and decide on cases.

It is also mandated to establish linkages with other government agencies and initiate contacts will non-g o v e r n m e n t a l

organizations in the community for a wider network of alliance in the flight to restore order and discipline among the members of the PNP and maintain goodwill towards the church and church oriented groups for moral advantage of the PLEB; campaign for public awareness and citizen’s participation to the PLEB through information dissemination by incorporating in the barangay seminars/dialogue subject matters pertaining to PLEB; and

conduct seminars for the PLEB assist in improving the professionalism, restore discipline and credibility among the members of the police force, among others.

Escobillo explained, the PLEB through its chairman may call on witnesses and subpeona documents and other records deemed necessary in the hearing and resolution of cases.

The present board will serve until end of 2013. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Cotabato City LGU assures financial assistance to fire victimsBy Perlita Changco

COTABATO CITY-- The local government of Cotabato City will extend financial assistance to the homeless families of Barangay Mother Bagua and Bagua I who lost their homes during Monday’s (Feb 13) fire that gutted more than 300 houses.

Cotabato City administrator Cynthia Sayadi assured this even as the city social welfare office, city health and the city disaster and risk reduction management council (CDRRMC)

undertake evaluation and assessment of the list of victims and their needs and provide continuous relief assistance in the form of food items, malong, tarpaulin and cooking utensils.

“We will extend financial assistance especially needed for the construction of new homes, but the amnount would depend on the extent ng losses and damages that famil ies incurred,”


Sayadi said.Liga ng mga

Barangay president Abdillah Lim and CDRRMC focal person Sam Mundas are in the process of identifying and negotiating for an area that would serve as the relocation site for the fire victims.

Abdillah said to avoid congestion, the area

for the relocation site shall be proportionately divided among the victims so as to be able to construct access roads, sewage canals to ensure cleanliness and sanitation, light and water connection, among others.

Since fire investigators have determined that

overloading due to rampant illegal wire tapping has caused the fire, Abdillah said, barangay officials in the city agreed to coordinate with power provider Cotabato Light and Power Co., (COLIGHT) for the conduct of regular inspection of electrical connections to avoid similar incident in the future.

Personnel of the city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) and city health office conduct regular visit and monitoring of fire victims who are housed at the Tanmiah Hospital including those are staying with relatives, Abdillah said. (pbchangco/PIA Cotabato City)

Photo by Dennis Arcon

Wetland management program, inilunsad sa Lebak, Sultan KudaratKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Inilunsad kamakailan ng bayan ng Lebak sa lalawigan Sultan Kudarat ang Wetland Man-agement Program sa naturang bayan.

Ayon kay William Saratao Jr., head executive assistant

ng mayor, pumirma ng kasunduan si Mayor Dionesio

Besana kasama ang mga kinatawan ng Department of


T o u r i s m , Department of Environment and Natural Resources at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources sa Rehiyon Dose para sa pagpapatupad ng Wetland Management Program.

Layon ng kasunduan ang itaguyod ang pagtutulungan sa pagbalangkas ng mga polisiya at pagpapatupad ng mga programang p a n g k a b u h a ya n , pangangalaga ng kapaligiran at eko-turismo sa naturang bayan.

Kasabay ng n a t u r a n g

s e r e m o n y a s , pumirma din ng kasunduan si Mayor Besana at Kalamansig – Lebak Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation president Rogelio Dizon para sa pangangalaga at pagpapaunlad ng mga bakawan at pagsusulong ng eko-turismo sa lugar.

Tampok din sa naturang aktibidad ang pagbibigay ng isang sasakyang pandagat sa First Marine Landing Team. Ang katawan ng sasakyang pandagat ay bigay ng lokal na pamahalaan habang ang makina nito ay

donasyon ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 12.

Tinanggap ang naturang sasakyang pandagat nina First Marine Brigade Commander Col. Alexander Balutan at Lt. Col. Adolfo Albalate, commander ng Eighth Marine Battalion Landing Team.

Gagamitin ang naturang sasakyang pandagat sa p a g p a p a t r o l y a sa karagatan ng lalawigan ng Sultan Kudarat at karatig na lugar. (MCalungsod/D E N R - 1 2 /DEDoguiles)


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

By Franklin P. Gomapon

A total of 729 women have availed themselves of livelihood trainings conducted by the city government’s Livelihood Skills Development

Enhancement Center (LSDEC) last year.

729 women benefit from LSDEC’s livelihood


LSDEC Manager Angelita Collyer told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that in 2011 the LSDEC has conducted a total of 37 livelihood trainings for the women’s groups in the city in support of the government’s gender and development (GAD) program. The women, who were composed of housewives, out-of-school youth and others, were trained on cassava chips making, sardines making, mango preservation, meat longganisa making, dressmaking and handicraft, mango and calamansi nip processing, dried fish processing, fish ball and squid ball making, mango jam, puree and peanut butter making, fish sillage/fish meal making, bottled bagoong making and many others. These women were also taught household services, basic

business management and good manufacturing practices. Collyer also expressed gratitude to partner agencies for their assistance extended to the LSDEC such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia or RFLP-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and TVI Resource Development (Phils). Aside from training its female clients, LSDEC also offers training for male clients on shielded metal arc welding, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, heavy equipment operation and others. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)


ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking (SBAT) Task Force rescued Wednesday night five women believed to be victims of human trafficking.

The rescue came at around 8 in the evening after a concerned citizen called the Social Welfare Department here and reported that a group of five young ladies were being (suspiciously) sheltered in one of the houses in her neighborhood in Barangay Baliwasan, this city. Socci Roxas of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said, after the office received such report, member-agencies of the SBAT Task Force such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), PHL Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), Dept. of Justice (DOJ), DSWD, Visayan Forum and other member-agencies immediately proceeded to the area for the rescue operation. All of the 5 victims who were 20 years old and above were from the Visayas region. “They were brought

here in Zamboanga City as their “stop off” point before finally proceeding to Malaysia,” Roxas informed.“They were without proper travel documents or working contract or permit,” she said. “Malaysia is being used as the jump off point, but most of them (victims) goes to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, these are countries where our people are banned to work because of the unstable peace and order and there is high risk of maltreatment and exploitation,’ she explained. Four of the five rescued victims were brought to DSWD and one to Visayan Forum for temporary shelter, psychological intervention and counseling before sending them back to their places of origin. (JPA/ PIA- ZBST)

SBAT Task Force rescues human trafficking victimsby Jocelyn P. Alvarez


The congress offer platforms and build bridges between organic agriculture practitioners in Mindanao, promote the interests of organic producers while emphazising sustainability and consumer welfare and essentially to provide public consciousness on the positive impacts of sustainable agriculture principles and practices. The conference speakers are from Magsasaka at Siyantipiko para sa Pag-Unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG). Organic Fertilizer Production project (OFPP), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), Social Enhancing Restoring Values for Integral Community Empowerment (SERVICE), Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT) Southeast Asia Regional Initiative for Community Empowerment (SEARICE) to discuss organic programs, organic governance and policy, organic practices, participatory guaranteed

system and community seed banking. Moreover, there will also be an organic trade fair as parallel event to be seamlessly weaved together. This event will be participated in by the local government and non government organization practicing organic farming but wide open for those who are interested. To date, the MINSOFTS Inception Workshop was held on April 27 to 28, 2011 at the SEARSOLIN, College of Agriculture, Xavier University Manresa Campus, Cagayan de Oro City. The IMNSOFTS core group is chaired by Director Vic Tagupa of Sustainable Agriculture Center, Xavier University College of Agriculture and co-chaired by Deputy Director Sansen Maglinte of SIBAT. Members are MASIPAG, SEARICE, SERVICE, LGU Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit X and BSWM serves as the network secretariat. (JPA/CAL/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

Dumingag to host MINSOFS First Mindanao Sustainable Organic Agriculture, Agro-Eco Tourism Fair By Claro A. Lanipa

DUMINGAG, Zamboanga del Sur – As part of the promotion of sustainable organic farming, the Mindanao Network for Sustainable Organic Farming Systems (MINSOFS) organized its First Mindanao Sustainable Organic Agriculture Congress and Agro-Eco Tourism Fair to be hosted by the local government unit of Dumingag headed by Mayor Nacianceno Pacalioga, Jr. on February 19-22, 2012 with a theme “Towards Building a Sustainable Organic Agriculture in Mindanao.”


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Butuan Mayor takes oath as new RPOC chair in Caraga by Robert E. Roperos

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. on Friday took his oath as the new chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Caraga, before Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse

Robredo who administered the oath-taking, during the council’s meeting held in one of the local convention centers here.


In his speech, Amante said he accepted the appointment of Sec. Robredo believing that peace and order could never be attained in the locality without a resolution of the peace and order situation. “In deference to Gov. Johnny Pimentel of the province of Surigao del Sur, I also would like to concentrateButuanCityfirstbefore going regionwide… But then I realized, that we as a people, we could never attain peace and order in our respective places and local government units without a resolution of the peace and order in the region,” Amante said. The official added hetook the challenge after the national government assured of a backup support in all efforts just to attain peace. “… so I took the challenge but only after I was assured by the national government through Sec. Jesse Robredo that we will be backed-up in all our efforts in the attainment of peace,” Amante said. Amante further said peace is not merely the absence of war and hatred but it is also the presence of cooperation, compassion and justice.

“In Caraga, we may not have the kind of war we see on television, happening in many parts of the Middle East or Africa, but we have drug trafficking, all formsof gambling, crimes against life, and property in our locality,” he said. Furthermore, the newly-installed peace and order chair of the region stressed that what affects the region most is the problem on insurgency which threatens foreign investors and businessmen. Amante also cited poverty as one of the factors of the insurgency problem that is threatening the region. Also, he said rapid progress and development has to happen to attain peace

and development. “There can never be peace without progress and development,” Amante said. With all these, Amante urged the officialsof the region as well as the stakeholders to continue working together for peace while also working together for progress. Amante said peace can never be attained through waging a war but it can be best attained through understanding. The city’s chief executive also vowed to Sec. Robredo that with the national government’s support, he will accept the challenge to lead the people in Caraga Region in the attainment of peace and order.


Gov receives 24 Million for PAMANA projects by David M. Suyao

BUTUAN CITY -- Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza today received from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) Sec. Teresita Deles P24 million fund for the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program for two municipalities in Agusan del Sur.

According to provincial public information officerAlfredoPlaza,thefirstcheckworth P20 million is the 80 percent counterpart of OPAPP for the rehabilitation of the national road junction of Sta. Cruz in Bayugan City that will connect Barangays Osmena, Magkiangkang, Villa Undayon, New Salem, Mount Carmel, Pinagalaan and Sta. Teresita. The remaining 20 percent or P5 million will be shouldered by the provincial government. On the other hand, according to Plaza, the P4 million check will be for the municipality of San Luis where some P3.4 million willbeusedtofinancethe

repair of the provincial road connecting Barangay Don Alejandro, Mahayahay, and Binicalan. The remaining P500,000 is intended for the construction of the tribal house while the P100,000 will be spent for medicines. This is not the firsttime that Agusan del Sur received funds from OPAPP for the PAMANA projects. In August last year, the governor received two checks amounting to P14,216,000 as part of the P18 million intended for the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in San Francisco, Bayugan and Prosperidad, rehabilitation

of Andanan Baily bridge in Sibagat, livelihood projects like rubber-based farming (rubber plus banana plus fruit trees), abaca production, cacao production, handicraft production, and the part of the water supply system particularly in Sibagat town. According to ASEC Howard Cafugauan, the PAMANA, a flagshipprogram of Pres. Noy Aquino, is different from other usual development projects undertaken by other national line agencies. It deals with challenges, especially with peace and order issue, in order to get

Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza


BUTUAN CITY -- In support of the transparency and good governance agenda of the government, the National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Gio Tingson and EDSA People Power Commission Project Officer Justin Arnold Gunnaccao graced Thursday Pilipinas Natin Balangayan Forum as guest speakers.

P r e s i d e n t i a l Communications Operations Office (PCOO) – Officefor Special Concerns sent the two guest speakers to discuss the significanceof EDSA Revolution to the lives of Filipinos especially the youth, who are now enjoying the freedom which our good leaders

fought during the dictatorial presidency of Ferdinand Marcos. Students from the San Vicente National High School and Sunrise Christian College in Butuan participated in the forum and asked several questions not only on the events during the EDSA Revolution

but also how they can better contribute in nation-building. The said conduct of the Balangayan Forum here was also initiated by Rex Ybañez, CEO of the Caraga Youth Leaders’ Network, Incorporated. According to Tingson, this year marks the 26th

Pilipinas Natin Balangayan forum held in Butuan by Jennifer P. Gaitano


anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in the country. “EDSA reminds us how Filipinos from different walks of life got united and fulfilled its onecommon goal, and that is to have democracy over the dictatorship of the late

former president Marcos. This is because we want to do the things which we think can be good to ourselves and to others without someone controlling us,” he said. Tingson added that the government and citizens must work side

by side to genuinely pursue change and development. Also, Gunnaccao shared that Filipinos should not forget EDSA Revolution for the following reasons: 1) Filipinos share the same past, present, and future; 2) it is already part of our being Filipinos; and 3) EDSA signifies hope and courage of the Filipino people. Pilipinas Natin is a campaign to build a volunteerism movement that thrives on the peoples’ continuing response to the call for change. It is a call for active involvement of the citizens, empowering a nation that imbibes, and cultivates the Filipino culture of caring, sharing and bayanihan. With this, the NYC, EDSA People Power Commission and CYLN encourages the youths from different schools in the city to get involved in the activities in the community and of the government as part of their contribution to nation-building. This is also one way that their voices will be heard.

one mindanao - february 18, 2012

Documents

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pia caraga region richard

pia caraga region officer

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pia region x rudolph

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sudaria regional director