one mindanao - february 23, 2012

Cover Story

Music lives on ...Sustaining Tagum City’s Musikahan

Jeanevive Duron-AbanganSouthern Mindanao

Today’s issue...Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 193

page 4

GSIS vows improved service for membersCaraga REgion

Foods corporation donates 22 classrooms in Iligan 16 Melvin T. Anggot, Northern Mindanao

Police to turn over seized lumbers to Iligan CityNorthern Mindanao

Davao eyed as area for Papyrus paper plant18Southern Mindanao

Mayor orders Health Office to keep tight watch on flood-prone barangays21CT Apelacio, Central Mindanao

DOLE-9 hikes Zambo’s SPES allocation to P5-M25Vic Larato , Western Mindanao

Aquino leads 26th Edsa People Power Revolution Anniversary Celebration Saturday 8Criminality decreases by 28.4% in Surigao Norte - PNP12 FEAbkilan, Caraga Region

Medical-dental outreach benefits hundreds of poor residents in Rajah Buayan22Perlta Changco, Central Mindanao

Zambo Norte nutrition officers eye fortified foods to combat malnutrition26Franklin P. Gumapon, Western Mindanao

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Photo Credit:City Information Office- Tagum

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

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4 Thursday, February 23, 2012 ONE MINDANAO

It is this universal rhythm of music that pushes the Tagum City Tourism Council and the City government of Tagum

to continue holding the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival which now runs for

11 years. This year’s Musikahan

sa Tagum Festival seeks global audience

as it banners the theme,

“Harvest

of Creativity, Celebrating Global Harmony.” It brings in Asian music artists to share their time, talent and skills they’ve dedicated to music. Its merriment is beamed to the world while it prepares to host another international music competition next year after the International Rondalla Festival it accommodated last year. The 11th year of the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival opened on February 21 at the atrium of the new City Hall of Tagum, kindling a spirit of excitement, not only

Music notes run the same around the world, and so music becomes a universal language. It brings a

feeling of harmony to people regardless of color and race.

Cover StoryMusic lives on …

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

Sustaining Tagum City’s Musikahan

Thursday, February 23, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

among Tagumenyos but people in nearby places in Region 11. Musikahan is tagged to usher in a string of grand celebrations and festivities in Southern Mindanao. After the opening rites, the firstcelebratory concert was held, featuring Asian music artists such as Korean Soprano Eun Ha Choi, Indonesian Kulintang Player Symon Adare, pianist Gabriel Paguirigan, violinist Jimmy Tagala, Soprani Myramae T. Meneses, and Miss Rochelle Venuti. Local groups also performed in the concert. Among them were the Maco Children’s Rondalla, La Filipina National High School Folk Dance Troupe, and the Tagum City National High School (TCNHS) Alumni Rondalla. To go global

In a bid to go global, the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival 2012 grand opening also turned on its livestreaming in the worldwide web, serenading people around the world through a log on at www.musikahansatagum.com. Competitions on various IT applications featuring the Musikahan, will go side by side with the Musikahan main events particularly the competitions on choral, rondalla and marching brass band. Participating IT schools in Davao del Norte

and Tagum City will go racing with each other in terms of number

of Facebook fan page “likes”. They will also be competing

on “livestreaming”, web page designs,

m o b i l e

applications and ringtone composition using contents featuring the Musikahan Festival. The Musikahan sa Tagum Festival 2012 is also staged to prepare for next year’s hosting of the AsiaPacificChoralCompetition.Participantsof this year’s choral competition are expected to elevate their performances at parwiththestandardsoftheAsiaPacificChoral which guidelines will be used in picking the winning group. A panel of seven (7) international adjudicators will judge the Champions’ performances and the best competing choirs will be awarded with either a “Gold Nomination” or a “Platinum Nomination”. Sustaining the festival

As Musikahan is seen to move forward and to establish a global network, Tagum City Tourism Council (TCTC) President Alma Uy is seeking partners to set up the Musikahan sa Tagum Festival Foundation aimed to sustain the music festival. “After a decade of asking for support, it’s high time to make it self-sustaining,” she told media practitioners during the Musikahan opening rites. The city government of Tagum is pitching in P3 million for Musikahan Festival while TCTC seeks support from sponsors to meet the needs of staging the event in a grand but fruitful way. She hopes to concretize support during the Musikahan partners forum on Feb. 26, during the Musikahan finale.

Sustaining Tagum City’s Musikahan


Beyond stage, competitions Tagum City Mayo Rey Uy looks at Musikahan as a legacy for the children whomhewantstobenefitmostfromsuchmusical event. “Instead of tambay inom inom makat-on na sila various musical instrument. Dili na latagaw ang ilang huna huna kay focus sila sa music. (Instead of engaging in a drinking spree, they would learn to play various musical instrument. Their mind

won’t go wandering but be focused on music),” he said in an interview.

The aspiration to bring music into the lives of

children and youth gives birth to the

creation of the

RTU Music M a k e r s which is enlisting 8 years old to 21 years of old workshop participants trained to ably play guitar, piano, trombone, saxophone, trumpet, drum, clarinet, cello, viola and violin. Launched in 2005, the RTU Music Makers has been crafting skills of playing musical instruments among 4,995 children and youth who have joined the free workshops sponsored by the city government of Tagum. Beyond the competitions and stage performances, the Musikahan sa Tagum touches the lives of Tagumenyos in the barangays, the mall-goers and the men on the streets. Organizers have scheduled Musikahan sa Barangays and community outreach music performances. Choral and rondalla groups will be serenading and performing at the malls and other public places where people usually converge, just “to let them feel that music is healing to the spirit.” (with reports from Rudolph Ian Alama and Tagum City Info Office)


ACROSS THE NATIONEducation system must produce patriotic, pro-reform Filipinos – Coloma says

Arelevant educational system should produce Filipinos who have willingness to become part of the country’s march towards reform and progress, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.

said in a message during a book launching ceremony in Makati City.

Coloma was one of the attendees to the book launching of former Education Secretary Mona Valisno on Wednesday at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

Valisno’s book, which assesses the country’s educational system in the past several decades, is entitled: “The Nation’s

Journey to Greatness: Looking Beyond Five Decades of Philippine Education.”

“As we celebrate the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in a few days it may be good to remind ourselves that we all have a stake i n

the future of our country. If the education system is truly relevant it should produce Filipinos who are not only talented or gifted but are willing to participate and contribute to the progress of our country,” Coloma said.

“Kailangan po nating tumaya sa kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan.

8 Thursday, February 23, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Kailangan po nating tumaya sa Pilipinas Natin,” he said.

Valisno’s book has shared a wealth of knowledge and experience on the significantdevelopments that shaped and gave substance to Philippine education, the PCOO Chief.

He acknowledged that the country hasn’t achieved its goal of making the Philippines globally competitive because of the weaknesses in the educational system.

This is the reason why the Department of Education (DepEd) has been vigorously implementing the educational reforms highlighted by the K+12 program noting that aside from Myanmar, the Philippines is the only Asean country that hasn’t implemented the 12-year basic education program.

Coloma however stressed that despite the weaknesses of the education system in the country, the Philippines can still be proud of the global Filipinos who are truly world-class, earning

compensations more than the country’s national per capita average.

He likewise said that President Aquino is proud of the local products of the Philippines, for instance the Coach production facility in his home province of Tarlac, even inviting investors to put their money in the province.

The President also boasts of the modular production facility of the AG&P in Batangas that supplies assembled parts intended for oil rigs and refineries,Coloma said adding that it manifests the ingenuity, professionalism and dedication of the Filipino work force.

“This just goes to show that if we implement honest to goodness educational reforms such as those proposed by Dr. Valisno in her book, then our country and people can attain even greater heights, excellence and economic prosperity,” he said.

A s i d e from all

these, Coloma said that Filipinos also have to have faith in themselves to achieve greatness in the future.

The book written by Valisno is a comprehensive assessment on the reforms, successes and weaknesses of the Philippine education through five decadesand five presidents; fromPresident Ferdinand Marcos to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It also offers recommendation and action plans to be carried out to reform the education system.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the scholarship fund of poor but deserving students to be managed by the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE).

Valisno, a seasoned and multi-awarded educator, started as a classroom teacher and rose from the ranks to become the secretary of education. Her contributions and experienceinthefieldhadbeen recognized locally and abroad. (AS)


Aquino leads 26th Edsa People Power Revolution Anniversary Celebration Saturday

President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead Saturday morning the 26th

Anniversary Celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument in Edsa that will include flag-raising ceremony and Salubungan.

Representatives from different sectors of society will offer their commitments during the program.

After the events in Edsa, the President will proceed to Rizal Park in Manila to attend the unveiling of the statue of Jaime Cardinal Sin,oneofthemajorfiguresduring the Edsa Revolution in February 1986.

The Edsa anniversary celebration will be capped with a concert in Iligan City featuring original Pilipino music (OPM) artists who volunteered to perform for thebenefitofthevictimsofthe Typhoon Sendong.

They will also honor volunteers coming from different parts of the country who assisted communities affected by the typhoon.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the Aquinogovernment wants to strengthen the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos, the driving force in the peaceful revolt in 1986.

The Edsa People Power Commission has lined up several activities in 26

different venues all over the country for the celebration that will focus on volunteerism, unity and concern in achieving national progress.

The theme for this year’s celebration will be “Ano ang iyong Taya Para sa Pilipinas Natin.”

The Filipino nation celebrates Saturday, February 25, the 26th year of the bloodless revolt known as the Edsa People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship for former strongman president Ferdinand Marcos. (AS)


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RDC fetes author of Caraga Region Billby Robert E. Roperos

The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Caraga Region honored former Congresswoman and now Brigadier General Charito B. Plaza during the celebration of the 17th anniversary of the Caraga Administrative Region in separate

fitting ceremonies held at the covered court of the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol this morning, and in Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here during a luncheon tribute.

Caraga Region’s 17th anniversary


In her speech during the opening program this morning, Surigao del Norte Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) chair Sol F. Matugas pointed outthatofficialsandpeopleof Caraga Region today has reaped what the previous officials have sown whenthey fought for the approval of Republic Act 7901, an act creating Region XIII known as the Caraga Administrative Region. Gov. Matugas said the Caraganons today have gained the opportunities and good results of what BGen Plaza, who is the primary author of the bill, has done 17 years ago. The RDC chair said this is a manifestation that

what BGen Plaza and the rest of the co-authors of thebilldidisforthebenefitof the future generations of the Agusan and Surigao provinces. “We have already reaped what Gen Plaza and therestoftheofficialshavemade 17 years ago,” Gov. Matugas said. Matugas further admitted she is one of thosewhohavebenefittedthe creation of the Caraga Region. She added because of the creation of the country’s new region, she was able to go back in her hometown in Surigao del Norte, after she was promoted as Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Caraga. She was then

the Assistant Regional Director of DepEd Region 10-Northern Mindanao, until she was transferred to her new assignment. The official also saidit is but fitting that thoseprime movers in the creation of Caraga Region must be given recognition as they are the key players of what this region has achieved at present. For her part, BGen Plaza said this is the firsttime that she was invited to grace the celebration of the creation of Caraga Region. She added she understands the plight of those officialsandheadsofoffices in theregion why she was not invited to grace the previous celebrations. However, Plaza said those are considered history that needs to forget. Instead, she urged the local officials of the region to join hands towards achieving the common goal and that is, the development in Caraga Region. With this, Plaza acknowledged the efforts of the RDC through Gov. Matugas for the recognition given to her, touted as the “Mother of Caraga Region”. RA 7901 was signed on February 23, 1995 by then President Fidel V. Ramos.


SURIGAO CITY – The incidence of crime for the month of January 2012 in the entire province of Surigao del Norte declined by 28.4 percent compared to the same period last year, a police official said Monday. P/Supt. Rainier Diaz, of the Philippine National Police Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office(PNP SDN-PPO), said last month, a total of 126 crime incidents occurred in the province. This was lower compared to last year with the total of 176 incidents. He said out of 126 crime incidents, 85 were index crimes and 41 were non-index crimes. Index crimes are crimes committed against persons or property while non-index crimes are crimes

or offenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Laws such as illegal fishing,illegal logging and illegal drugs. Diaz said the average monthly crime decreased by 10 or 24 percent. He cited that in index crimes, theft incidents have the biggest number with the total of 49, followed by robbery with the total of 18, physical injury at nine, murder at five, carnapping at threeand rape with only one

incident. He said SDN-PPO has a crime solution efficiencyfor January 2012 of 35.71 percent, showing an increase of 55.47 percent compared to last year’s 15.90 percent. Diaz said the decrease in crime rate last month was complemented with the enhanced community engagement, intensifiedpolice operations, and the strengthened intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.

Criminality decreases by 28.4% in Surigao Norte - PNP by FEAbkilan


GSIS vows improved service for members

BUTUAN CITY – Vowing to carry out a pro-active responsive service, the leadership of the state pension fund, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) met with stakeholders here recently.

Daniel Lacson Jr., GSIS chairman of the Board of Trustees and Robert G. Vergara, president and general Manager, held a dialogue with more than 200 of its stakeholders who included localgovernmentofficials,government employees, pensioners, and retirees. The consultation forms part of the effort of the new GSIS leadership

to “be more consultative, transparent, and member-focused” in line with its new vision and mission. Lacson said that the current Board is focusing on three areas toward this goal. “First, we are revisiting previous policies deemed unfair by our stakeholders;second, we are reviewing programs that have gone sour in the past such as

our direct home lending program; and third,we are re-channeling our investments back to the local market as the opportunities in the country are more conducive and provide better prospects compared to the foreign markets,” he said. Robert G. Vergara on the other hand, outlined the initiatives launched


for the past year and a half by the new leadership to bring its services closer to its stakeholders. He cited the expanded partnership with the Land Bank to include pensioners and active members;the deployment of 500 additional GWAPS (GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System) kiosks in key cities, clusters of municipalities and big government agencies such as the Education Department. He also noted the cancellation of the annual renewal of active status for local pensioners; relaxing theentitlement qualificationsfor survivorship pension;empowering retirees to choose the repayment scheme for outstanding service loans under

the Choice of Loan Amortization Schedule for Pensioners. Likewise he also mentioned the initiatives in improving the terms of the emergency loan program by reducing the interest rate from 8% to 6%, removing the service fee of 1% and extending the grace period for payment of amortization by 3 months to make it more responsive to the needs of members at their greatest time of need;and partnership with the Pag-IBIG Fund for a more efficient implementationof the direct home lending program. Vergara admitted that even as the posting and reconciliation of members’ accounts is taking some time to fully address, “at the moment, 97 percent of members’

remittances are now being posted accurately”. He assured that the pension fund is doing everything to address the volume in inaccurate statements including the creation of nine separate task forces and the deployment of all resources to resolve this long-standing issue. In the next six months, the new GSIS will focus on the following: establishment of a 50-seater, 24/7 call center byMaythisyear;adoptionof a one-stop shop set-up inallfieldoffices;designof a new insurance policy with a bigger savings component;reviewofthepremium-based policy;and review of pre-need funeral and educational plans. Vergara pledged that the new GSIS commits to carry out a pro-active responsive service “without need for our members to come to our office to ask about their benefits… we will go to them instead, because that is their basic right.”


West City Central evacuees want to go home by Cheryl C. Moncay

Some of the remaining evacuees

billeted in West City Central School have voiced out their desire to go back to their homes in Acacia, Barangay Carmen, Cagayan De Oro City.

According to Maricelle Libarnes, staff of the Estate Management Division (EMD) who is assigned at the evacuation center, there are 165 families still occupying the temporary quarters in West City Central School. Some of them want to be relocated at the five-hectare relocation area of Xavier University in Lumbia while some just want to go back to their individual homes in Acacia, Carmen, which was flooded during the height of the typhoon Sendong. Some portions of Acacia, Carmen were not included in the

danger zones declared by President Benigno

Aquino III. The places in the city that was declared as danger zones and should not be inhabited are Calacala in Macasandig, Isla de Oro, and Isla Delta in Barangay Consolacion. Romeo Dalapo, chief of the Human Settlement Section of the EMD, confirms that the homes of those evacuees who want to go back to Acacia, Carmen were not included within the 20-meter danger zones from the bank of the Cagayan de Oro River.


Foods corporation donates 22 classrooms in Iligan by Melvin T. Anggot

The local government of Iligan has conferred with the Pilmico Foods

Corporation for the construction of 22 classrooms in the city.

The members of the local school board of Iligan, on the other hand, passed a resolution requesting Aboitiz through Pilmico Foods that will undertake the building

of the classrooms that this be constructed at the Bayanihan Village of Iligan. This is part of the facilities in the

site development in the relocation site for the Sendong survivors to be erected at Barangay Sta. Elena. (CIO)

Meanwhile, Libarnes clarified that the EMD is always monitoring the evacuees and are always ready to accommodate their transfer should

they eventually wish to be relocated to the temporary shelters in Calaanan. Presently, there are still 35 vacant tents in Tent City 4. (CIO)

Police to turn over seized lumbers to Iligan CityILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - P/Sr. Supt. Celso Regencia assured that the “round timber” that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has confiscated as it was hauled along the highway at Sta. Felomina will be turned over to Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz.

The city police director said there were several people that tried to get logs placed at the office of the PNP-Traffic Division. Initial investigation by the police showed that the logs came from a private property at Bayug island that was carried by the flood in December 2011. However, nobody came to claim ownership of the

truck that hauled the logs. The confiscated logs including the six-wheeler wing van that carried the logs are being impounded at Camp Tomas Cabili at Tipanoy. Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz said that the city will get the confiscated logs to be used in shelter building for the resettlement sites for Sendong survivors. (Melvin T. Anggot)


First cruise ship to dock in Davao

This city will welcome the first cruise ship to dock on March 30, carrying 371

French nationals to visit Davao. Travel agency owner Wanda Teo announced in today’s Club 888 the coming of NDS Voyages Princess Danae ship from France after it will dock at Papua New Guinea. “In the past years, it’s just Manila and Cebu that cruise ships like this dock at. It took me some time to convince this group to try and take a look of Davao,” said Teo. French nationals as soon as

they arrive on the 30th of March will be toured in selected tourist destinations in the city. The Department of Tourism also allotted a budget to show them around. Visitors will then be brought to Davao’s newest and largest park, the People’s Park, and a personal encounter with the eagles at the Philippine Eagle. Finally, they will also be brought to SUL Orchids given that French people love orchids. Other areas where the visitors

are set to visit are Davao’s shopping havens like Aldevinco where they can buy authentic Davao goods, and the newest mall in the city, Abreeza. “This would be the start of more cruise ships to include Davao in their destinations. We also expect good sum of revenues we can get through this visit,” she added. Princess Danae passengers are given an entire day to tour around the city. They will also set foot in Cebu and Manila as part of the regular stop-overs (PIA-11/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)

by Mai Gevera Macapagat


Davao eyed as area for Papyrus paper plantDAVAO CITY – The chairman of the Australian papermaker Papyrus recently visited this city to check on the opportunity of doing business here making use of the banana tree trunks as source of paper. Investor John R. Doughty’s visit in Davao City was highlighted by the introduction of the Papyrus Technology using the waste banana tree trunk from plantations replacing fiber from wood. Doughty bared in Monday’s Kapihan sa Dabaw the economic impacts if a major paper manufacturer sets up a fully integrated kraft paper plant in Davao where banana plantations abound. Data showed that Davao Region which covers the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and the City of Davao, has an annual banana production of 3.5 million metric tons or forty percent of the country’s total production. Doughty explained that the technology would then put into good use the banana tree trunks which are often left to rot or converted into organic fertilizer. He also explained the environmental benefit of using these banana trunks. Study showed that each ton of banana plantation waste can result to greenhouse gas emissions of up to 1.3 tons of carbon dioxide

(CO2). The technology answers the concern of most banana plantation owners of getting rid of banana trunks as problematic waste products. Further, the technology turns the trunk’s outer layer into fiber for particle and panel board while the inner core into a high quality veneer suitable for the furniture industry. “With the substantial source materials, a well trained labor force, excellent infrastructure like shipping, Davao could be the center for the establishment of a paper industry,” said Doughty. He believed that with the support and interest of local banana plantations and the local government unit, Papyrus Australia would be convinced to put up a plant here to absorb banana trunks for paper. (PIA-11/Frances Mae Gevera-Macapagat)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- At least 34 job fairs have been scheduled by the Department of Labor and Employment-12 (DOLE-12) and its partners for calendar year 2012.

34 job fairs planned for Region 12 in 2012by Dani Doguiles


DOLE-12’s partners include private and public colleges and universities, Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), and local government units.

A schedule of job fair activity released by DOLE-12 yesterday noted that five are set this month while six will be held in March.

The remaining job fairs in February will be held on February 24 at Notre Dame of Kidapawan College in Kidapawan City; on February 27 at Notre Dame of Midsayap College; and on February 29 at South Christian College in Midsayap -- all in North Cotabato.

In March, job fairs will be held at the Municipal Plaza of Banga, South Cotabato (March 1); at Notre Dame of Tacurong College in Tacurong City (March 12 – 13); STI College in Koronadal City (March 15); Golden State College, General Santos City (March 18); Notre Dame University in Cotabato City (March 21); and University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato

(March 21).In April, when the

bulk of new graduates join the job-seeking population, three job fairs are planned: at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City on April 4; St. Alexius College in Koronadal City on April 27; and at Kidapawan City Gymnasium on April 27.

Major job fairs are also planned for the Labor Day on May 1, namely: at Protech Center in Koronadal City, at Robinson’s Plaza in General Santos City, and South Seas Mall in Cotabato City.

Another fair will be held at the Municipal Hall of Pigcawayan, in North Cotabato on May 12.

Jobs available in these fairs are for local and overseas employment.

As in the previous job fairs, DOLE-12 advised applicants to bring several copies of their pertinent documents such transcript of records, training certificates, passports (for foreign employment),and others.

During the recent meeting of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) here, DOLE-12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla, advised job seekers as well as graduating students to register with the PESO in their LGU.

“Part of our employment facilitation thrust is skills registration program, which our field office heads are concentrating,” she said.

She added that one of the major uses of the job skills registry is to fit labor supply with the needs of companies

In this way, she said, more applicants may be hired on the spot because the companies that will be invited to specific job fairs are those that need workers that are available in the particular areas based on the skills registry.

Two job fairs each are planned for June and July, one in August, four in September, three in November, and three in December. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


GENERAL SANTOS CITY-- City Health Office (CHO) has warned residents here to be extra cautious in drinking water as this may be laden with contaminants following the continuous rains over the weekend.

Mayor orders Health Office to keep tight watch on flood-prone barangaysby CT Apelacio

City Health Officer Dr. Edgardo Sandig said people whose barangays are still soaked in floodwater were advised to first boil the water they would be drinking for at least 20 minutes.

Earlier City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio ordered the city health office to keep a tight watch on identified flood-prone barangays here as well as undertake massive information dissemination on how to boil water correctly to avoid the occurrence of floodwater-borne

illnesses.According to Dr.

Sandig, there has been no report of flood-related ailment or any severe sickness that is alarming. However, he said there is nothing wrong if the public will be extra careful and take into account the consequences that bad weather brings.

Report from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) took note of the occurrence of fever and minor skin diseases in few individuals affected by recent flood or residing

in flood-prone areas.Aside from undertaking

massive information dissemination through his office, Sandig also urged residents to seek immediate treatment from their respective health centers should they feel sick.

“Kung sakaling may mararamdamang di kanais nais sa katawan maaring lumapit at makipag ugnayan lamang sa mga Barangay Health Center,” the City Public Information Office quoted Sandig as saying.

Over the weekend, General Santos City and its neighboring provinces Sarangani and South Cotabato experienced continues light to heavy rainfall triggered by the s low pressure area (LPA) in southern Mindanao and the tail-end of a cold front affecting northern and central Luzon. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)


COTABATO CITY -- Immediately after the resolution of the land conflict between two warring groups in the town of Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao, a medical/dental outreach program was conducted to cater to the health and medical care needs of indigents in the area on February 20.

Medical-dental outreach benefits hundreds of poor residents in Rajah BuayanBy Perlta Changco

The activity was initiated by the Maguindanao Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) supported by the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion, provincial government and the municipal officials led by Rajah Buayan mayor Yacob Ampatuan.

IPHO-Maguindanao chief Dr. Tahir Sulaik said, more than 1,000 residents have availed of the free medical consultation, medicines, vitamins for adults and children, dental extraction and other health care services.

With the situation having been restored to normalcy, Sulaik said, the more than 1,700 IDPs start to return to their homes and were also served.

The group has likewise conducted dental brushing drill,

lectures on proper heart care as well as maternal and infant issues and concerns, Sulaik said.

“Very fulfilling ang ating medical mission dahil nakapagkaloob tayo ng serbisyong pangkalusugan sa ating mga kababayan na may kalayuan at may kahirapan na maabot kaya nagsagawa rin tayo ng dental brush drill. lecture sa tamang pangangalaga ng puso tamang-tama dahil sisi-celebrate natin ang

dental at heart month ngayon buwan ng Pebrero,” Sulaik said.

The regular conduct of the medical/dental outreach mission is continuous undertaking of the Maguindanao provincial government, IPHO-Magu indanao, the military, non-g o v e r n m e n t organization, civil-society groups and local government units, Sulaik added. ( p b c h a n g c o / P I A Cotabato City)


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Pagadian to host PBB’s teen edition season 4 audition

Another talent search is on in thelittle Hongkong of the South … Pagadian City.

By Gideon C. Corgue


To discover fresh talents from adolescents in the city and from its neighboring cities and provinces, Pagadian City government will host the audition of ABS-CBN’s reality show dubbed “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition” season 4 on February 24 at the city commercial center (C3) here. In a press conference called by Mayor Samuel S. Co, he said Pagadian-LGU is very grateful that the city is given the chance to host the country’s’ biggest nationwide talent search. “Hosting such kind of an event is a very seldom opportunity for a small city like – Pagadian in comparison to favorite audition venues like Bacolod and Cebu. “ABS-CBN network has chosen Pagadian as the venue

of the audition because our local officials and our people are very supportive to the company’s’ projects such as the audition of X-factor’s first talent search conducted in December last year,” Co said quoting PBB’s director Reily Santaigo. Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition is a special edition of Pinoy Big Brother, which feature adolescents aged 13-17 years old, and are residing from the different cities in the Philippines. Co said since the search is open, he is inviting participants from the neighboring municipalities, cites, and provinces to come and participate; flaunt their talents on the audition day and grab the opportunity for a win. (NBE/GCC/PIA9)


DOLE-9 hikes Zambo’s SPES allocation to P5-M By Vic Larato

This was announced by DOLE-9 officer-in-charge Director Sisinio B. Cano when he paid Mayor Celso Lobregat a courtesy visit yesterday morning in City Hall. Director Cano, who was regional director of DOLE-10 in Cagayan de Oro City prior to his assignment in Zamboanga, said that the increase in DOLE’s SPES fund for Zamboanga City would also mean a substantial increase in the number of students from high school and college that the city government will hire for special jobs this coming summer. Meanwhile, City Social Welfare and Development Officer the same time Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Manager Francisco Barredo expressed elation over Cano’s announcement as he expects more and more students will be able to avail of the city’s annual summer job program this year. He said the city government last year hired a total of 2,900 high school, college and vocational students for summer jobs with an allocation of P9 million, while DOLE-9’s counterpart allocation was only

P4 million. The SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 otherwise known as “An Act To Help Poor But Deserving Students Pursue Their Education By Encouraging Their Employment During Summer and/or Christmas Vacations…” Under the program, the city government pays 60% of the students’ daily salary, while the remaining 40% will be paid by DOLE through the so-called education vouchers. As this developed, Director Cano said that Region 9 is enjoying a robust employment rate of 96% as of last year, which is higher than the national employment rate of 93%. “We will continue our advocacy on labor relations, social protection program and implementation of the new wage order,” Cano said when asked about his thrusts as OIC of DOLE-9. “What is worth noting is that Region 9 or Zamboanga City in particular remains labor strike-free,” he added. (JPA/VL/CIO/PIA- ZBST)

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office 9 has increased to P5 million its counterpart allocation for this year’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) also known as summer job program of the city government.


By Franklin P. Gumapon

Alarmed by the latest results of the national nutrition survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) showing that 32.4 percent of children aged 5-10 years old were underweight and 33.9 were under-height, the nutrition officers have recommended that the parents give their children foods fortified with iron, iodine and vitamin A. Dr. Domiciano Talaboc, municipal nutrition action officer of Polanco town, disclosed that “micronutrient deficiency is prevalent among children aged 5-10 years old.” “Children, who lack essential nutrients and vitamins such as iron, iodine, vitamin A and others, do not perform well in school,” Talaboc said. He explained that people who lack iron usually feel tired and

sleepy because of insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. Similarly, iodine plays a very important role in the human nervous system as it is responsible for bringing signals to the brain. Talaboc also urged the public to always look for “Sangkap Pinoy” seals when buying canned goods or processed foods. Food stuffs with “Sangkap Pinoy” seals indicate that they are fortified with essential nutrients and vitamins. The government agencies advocating for proper nutrition like the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Nutrition Council (NNC), DOST and others are one in saying that “nutrition plays a vital role in preventing diseases for poor nutrition limits the body’s ability to resist infection.” (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY – City and municipal nutrition officers of Zamboanga del Norte are now urging the parents to give their children fortified foods.

Zambo Norte nutrition officers eye fortified foods to combat malnutrition

one mindanao - february 23, 2012

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