one mindanao - june 4, 2014

Miss Earth beauties visit Iligan: “Plant for the Planet, Trees For Life”Lorry V. GabuleNORTHERN MINDANAO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 192

Global power company CEO Andres Gluski calls on President Aquino

NATIONAL

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WESTERN REGION

CENTRAL MINDANAO

CARAGA REGION

DA info officers set communications direction for rural dev’t program

Paje bats for increased upland productivity, not just palm oil

June 6 is special non-working holiday in Zambo. Norte

Save the Children vows long-term help for cholera, diarrhea-affected villages in N. Cotabato

Bamboo is platform for green industry, says PBFI prexy

RDRRMC 12 lays down actions for rainy season

Medical mission serves hundreds of Agusanons

PopCom meets with partners

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Information to Empower Filipinos

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NORTHERN MINDANAO

May Ann O. Escobal

Alfonso T. Ruda

Danilo E. Doguiles

Jay M. Rosas

DENR

Mary May A. Abellon

Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Boyette B. Lopez

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 192

Miss Earth beauties visit Iligan: “Plant for the Planet, Trees For Life”

Four Miss Earth titlists were in town to promote conservation of Mother Earth.

M i s s E a r t h

N e p a l 2013 also said this is her second time in coming to the Philippines and this is a total amazing learning

experience, because she learned so much from the people, to share different eco system, and a wonderful experience to be with people during the sharing in the ‘Environment Talk’ from the students and the teachers as well as the working people from the plant industry.

by Lorry V. Gabule

COVER STORY

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Miss E a r t h Philippines 2014 said she is absolutely delighted with the communities working together to plant for the planet. Going back to the history of Bayug which was severely affected of Typhoon Sendong, a lot of people died, and it’s good thing to see the community- the people plant trees, making the country more eco-friendly. She

reiterated by saying, ‘Plant for the Planet and Save a Tree.’

Over 4,000 mangrove seedlings/propagules were planted in the Bayug area, in collaboration with the Science Teachers Association of the Philippines, Iligan Chapter of

the Department of Education (DepEd). Several groups, more

than a thousand, joined too the mangrove/tree planting.Meanwhile, ENO Asia coordinator SupramaniamKalaimanisaid Environment Online- ENO is a global virtual school and network for sustainable development. Our approach in learning has

two dimensions: local and global. Learning is student and

problem-centred with both online and offline activities. Over 10,000 schools from 150 countries have taken part the tree planting since 2000. The ENO programme is coordinated and maintained by ENO Programme Association based in the city of Joensuu, Finland. Schools have made concrete deeds for the environment like planted 15 million trees so far, aiming to plan 100 million trees by 2017. 15 million trees have been

p l a n t e d s i n c e

2004, aiming to plant 100 million trees by 2017. This commitment was highlighted in the overall summary of 700 commitments made for Rio+20 Summit. So far, official governmental support is from Albania, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lithuania and The Philippines. On regional level, campaign is supported by ENO Green Cities Network in 43 cities from 22 countries. Dr.Sherlita L. Daguisonan,

ENO Philippines Coordinator, who escorted the ‘Beauties for a Cause’ all throughout their three-day stay in Iligan, expressed their gratitude by the response of the Iliganons especially the young generation who pledged to plant trees in ENO’s Plant A Tree program.

Daguisonan explained that ‘Trees’ play a vital role in

rural and urban populations. They are needed to enrich and anchor soil, to maximize water supplies, to beautify and humanise

townships and urban areas and to provide shade and

shelter. They are also crucial for biodiversity conservation. Products and services from trees include food, timber, fibre, medicines and energy. The impact of planting trees is one of the ways of offsetting our carbon emissions Environmental themes are studied throughout the school year and campaigns arranged simultaneously around the world. Shela Marie Daguisonan, a student of MSU-IIT, and the global youth board member of the Plant for the Planet, and aims to make people especially the young

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generation to be aware, not just say but act that is to plant tree, Trees For Life - 10 years of tree planting in the ENO Program. Students eventually become ambassadors for the environment of their respective local communities and regions. Regular themes and have been forests, climate change, ecological footprint and different cultural themes. At the end of each theme there is a campaign

week during which the results of learning are raised in local communities and on the web.ENO’s objectives is to deepen environmental themes at schools; to add global awareness and internationality; to educate for active citizenship; to get schools from developing

countries as active participants; to learn basic skills in ICT; and to make a change together. The success of the ENO Programme is apparently because of the contents and the grassroot level coordination: it is run by teachers. It was officially recognised in Rio+20 Summit because of its 100 Million Trees campaign. Participants to ENO’s Program are over7,000 ENO schools in 147 countries,and students who are 12 - 18 years ( from pre-school in tree planting events). In their stay in Iligan, Miss Earth beauties have gone through Environment Talk with different groups, in the public schools, academe and plant industry. They even joined the BrigadaEskwela in one of the far-flung areas in Iligan.

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Across the NationU.S. Commerce Secretary Pritzker pays courtesy call on President Aquino

Pritzker arrived in Manila on Tuesday, along with a high-level business delegation, to meet with government officials and several business leaders as part of Washington’s efforts to strengthen trading partnerships with the Philippines.

Present during the meeting, which

was held at 10:20 a.m., were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, and Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr.

On the US side, Pritzker was joined by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip

United States Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III at the

President’s Hall of Malacanang Palace on Wednesday.

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Goldberg and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets Arun Kumar.

US President Barack Obama, during his visit in Manila last April, announced that Pritzker and a delegation of American business leaders would visit the region to help strengthen business ties between the US and the Association

of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Pritzker began the first leg of her

Southeast Asian trip in Vietnam on Monday. From Manila, she is scheduled to proceed to Myanmar to meet with government officials, Burmese businessmen and civil society leaders. PND

Gluski was joined by AES Vice President Scott Kicker during the courtesy call.

Also present at the meeting were Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia, Jr.

Gluski was part of the high-level business delegation led by US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, who arrived in Manila on Tuesday along with members of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

Gluski has an extensive experience in the global electricity business. He has been recognized as an industry leader on international finance and infrastructure issues.

In September 2013, he was appointed by US President Barack Obama as member of the President’s Export Council.

The AES Corporation owns and operates a diverse portfolio of electricity generation and distribution businesses, which provide energy to 21 countries across five continents. PND

Global power company CEO Andres Gluski calls on President Aquino

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with Chief Executive Officer and President of global power company AES Corporation,

Andres Gluski, during a courtesy call at Malacanang’s Music Room on Wednesday.

10JUNE2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

United States, other countries want to invest in Mindanao, Palace says

The United States and other

countries are eyeing Mindanao for their next investment ventures, Malacanang said Wednesday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquinio III on Wednesday and brought with her a delegation of businessmen who wanted to see where they could invest.

“They are looking at potential areas of investment, like car manufacturing, energy, infrastructure in Mindanao, infrastructure on mass transit, and also tourism,” said Lacierda.

When US President Barack Obama made a state visit last April, he announced that Pritzker and a delegation of American businessmen will come to Manila to look into the possibility of investing in the country.

Lacierda said the business climate

in the country has become more favorable following the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro by representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine government.

“Now that we have come to a peaceful agreement with the MILF, many countries have been looking at Mindanao as a potential area for investment. We’ve seen other countries—ASEAN nations looking into Mindanao. And so, the United States is also one of the countries interested in looking into investments in Mindanao,” said Lacierda.

The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, signed last March 27, ended the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. PND


The summit was launched by the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army,under the leadership of commanding officer LTC Danilo G. Ibon.

LTC Ibon said the summit gears toward strengthening the participants’ faith; build their character; develop their social and leadership skills; and to aware them in matters thatwould help them become good citizen of our country. Further he said, with the assistance of the Civil Military Office of the 2ndMechB r i gade Battalion, under

brigade commander Co. Demy Tejares, Ditucalan, this city, and the vast support of different stakeholders in the area, we have organized

Iligan’sYouth Leadership Summit gears toward attaining peace by Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY - Capping with the theme ‘Youth for Peace,’ the 5-day Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) in Iliganheld in April this yearaims to develop young generation to be peace advocates.


a core group who served as YLS facilitators composed of competent personalities from the academe, religious group, local government unit, national government agencies, non-government organizations and our personnel from this unit. All 96 participants come from the 10 barangays namely: Del Carmen, Pala-O, San Roque, StaFelomina, Hinaplanon, Kiwalan, Tubod, Acmac, Puga-an, and Dalipuga, all of Iligan. Activities were done at the headquarter of 41stMechInfantry Company, SitioKalubihon, Barangay Dalipuga, this City, with Capt.Rolito S. Sorila (CAV), as company commander. A motorcade utilizing military vehicles this unit along the streets of Iligan City towards the venue in Barangay Dalipuga, highlighted the opening of the Summit, followed by a holy mass officiated by Father Ronald G Supla-ag. City Mayor Celso G Regencia of Iligan graced the opening salvo, with words of inspiration addressing the participants. Some speakers include LTC Armando F. Rico, Ex-O of 2Mech Brigade, Bishop GoeofreySaniel, City Director Emilio Ranaof the Department of Interior Local Government,Iligan City. Ten Barangay Chairmen of Iligan City witnessed the opening along with representative from the Youth Affairs Office, this City. On the first day, a lecture on ‘Knowing the Youth Today’ was handled by Kris MikkoHoncada, followed by Information drive on Philhealth by PhilHealthIligan Head Christine Mae Garcia-Magno. Other topics for the day include

Environmental Care by Forester Maminta D Papaladin, chief, Forest Management Sector of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office-Department of Environment and Natural Resource (CENRO-DENR), Iligan City and Spiritual Enlightenment by Bishop Geoffrey Saniel. The participants also experienced on their first day the Tae-Bo session led by personnel, this unit, joined by the facilitators of the day. YLS participants experienced a motorcade utilizing military trucks toward headquarter of 4thMech IB, Camp Pintoy, Barangay Suarez, Iligan City, for an Open Camp. LTC Ibon, commanding officer, this unit, welcomed them and delivered an inspirational messagein a short program prepared for the participants. Static Display of armor assets and Mechanized Infantry Squad Capability Demonstration, and pictorial of the participants with the armored facilities in the camp. Moreover, the participants couldn’t forget the boodlefight-lunch prepared for them by the 4thMech IB. Part of the week’s activity was a lecture on IEC Drug Awareness campaign (Information Education Communication) coupled withadvocacy on Human Rights Laws concerning Youth & Women. Other activitiesalso includeArticle and News Writing, Public Speaking and Human Rights presented by a competent resource person. The week-long activity was highlighted with a Tree Planting at SitioAnahawon, Dalipuga, Iligan City,


with a total of 300narra and mangium tree seedlings planted. Participants experienced also a ride utilizing the Armored Vehicle of the 41stMech Coy going to the Centennial Park, Dalipuga, after which a lecture on Disaster Preparedness and First Aid Training was conducted by resource speaker Amable S. Estollo II, head of operation, Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (ICDRRMO). The last day of the summit was a presentation on theIPSP Bayanihan byLTC Rico,with an audio visual presentation, followed by an open forum.Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’ -is a campaign for winning the peace. The day was highlighted with the creation of Youth Organization and Formulation of Youth Action Plan. This was facilitated by RemegioCabañog, Provincial Head, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Iligan City/Lanao del Norte. The closing program was attended by no less than the Brigade Commanderr of 2ndMech Brigade, Col

Demy T. Tejares (CAV) PA, as guest of honor and speaker. “The activity earned lasting and positive impressions from the youth sector and to other stakeholders,” ColTejares said. Likewise, it was also attended by different stakeholders, all resource persons during the summit, the facilitators and the barangay chairmen of the 10 barangays in Iligan City who sent participants and provided steadfast support in the conduct of YLS. LTC Ibon on the other hand said, their unit played a significant role in terms of community relations within their area of operation. ‘This is one of the many opportunities that our unit was able to work hand in hand with other stakeholders showing generous concern over the civilian populace particularly the youth sector’ expressed Ibon. Indeed, the participants learned the knowledge that would somehow make them become a tremendous force in nation and peace building.

DA info officers set communications direction for rural dev’t programby Jay M. Rosas

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Information officers from various regions recently gathered in Manila to craft a communications plan that would help the new national rural development program.


Tagged as the Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) unit of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), the InfoACE is composed of information officers coming from the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional offices. The team agreed to come up with a communications plan that would set directions for various communication and advocacy initiatives under the PRDP. PRDP is a six-year program designed to establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector. The Program is being implemented by the DA with funding assistance from the World Bank, national and local government units. The program will partner with local government units (LGUs) and the private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities and technology to raise incomes, productivity and competitiveness in the countryside. “The role of information and communication is critical at the inception of PRDP,” said PRDP Deputy Program Director Arnel De Mesa, citing the positive outcome of strategic InfoACE activities of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) that helped in planning for the creation of PRDP. “We need to get the word out there about the Program to generate stakeholder support particularly with our target clients, the local government units and private sector,” he said. De Mesa added that one of the key

information that LGUs need to know is the lower counterpart equity of 10 percent in various rural infrastructure projects like farm-to-market roads. Relevant information on policies and project specifications should also be communicated to adhere to quality standards as previously practiced in MRDP, he added. An important part of the workshop the communications audit, which allowed the participants to evaluate communication skills and expertise, programs and technology, which are crucial in the implementation of communication and advocacy activities. Noel Provido, MRDP InfoACE unit head also presented the communication needs research for PRDP conducted by the unit in cooperation with the DA information officers. “The study presents media preferences and exposure of the program’s intended audience and should help the information officers in anticipating and responding to communication challenges that will arise during the course of the implementation of the program,” he said. He cited that among the information needs that arose during the MRDP implementation was to come up with a unified checklist of requirements in easy-to-digest format that LGUs and people’s organization (PO) beneficiaries would understand. He also said that the unit is finalizing short video documentaries that highlight success stories and best practices of the Program


Paje bats for increased upland productivity, not just palm oil by DENRCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is pushing for increasing the productivity of degraded upland areas, but such should be done in an “ecologically sustainable manner” using various crops not just palm oil.

“We need to develop and make our lands productive. But we will only allow this if this is in accordance with our needs and it is ecologically sustainable,” DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said. According to Paje, there are around 8 million hectares of denuded and degraded areas in the country, but said his agency’s proposal is to utilize these to establish ecologically-sustainable plantations using native forest species and other high value crops that would strategically address not only the food needs of the Filipino people but also should have high economic value, like rubber and palm oil. Contrary to news reports, Paje stressed that there is no plan to convert the entire 8 million open and degraded areas to palm plantations.

“While we have big opportunity to learn from the lessons of other countries, both best and worst practices, we are not recommending the massive monoculture of palm and rubber,” Paje stressed. In the same manner, Paje stressed that the whole 8 million hectares could not be converted into food production such as rice and vegetables as this will engender soil erosion and floods. “As I have cited in Cagayan de Oro City during the launching of the Mindanao Barangay Strategic Forest Project (BSFP) and the Payment for Ecosystem Service (PES) Project, we are recommending upland perennial crops that will improve the water holding capacity of uplands and generate revenues that improve the level of living of upland communities,” he said.

implementation, which he said could serve as benchmark for implementing projects under PRDP. PRDP is a P27.5 billion program where the bulk of the program will go into infrastructure and enterprise

development components. It will also adopt value chain analysis of priority commodities identified by the province or region and make use of business development plans as bases for investments.


DENR leads mangrove tree planting on Environment DayBy Nora L. MoldeBUTUAN CITY - In celebration of the World Environment Day on Thursday, June 5, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office headed by its regional director Nonito Tamayo will lead in planting mangrove in barangay Caloc-an, Magallanes in the province of Agusan del Norte.


According to Regional Public Affairs Office chief Eric Herzon Gallego, a caravan going to the area where a mangrove tree caring and beach front tree planting activity will be held on the said day.

Also, Gallego said, the month of June is celebrated in the country as Philippine Environment Month per proclamation no. 237, series of 1998. DENR prepared some 500 Talisay seedlings and mangrove propagules to be planted at the beach of barangay Caloc-an to be participated by more than 200

individuals to include personnel from DENR, non-government organizations, local government units, youth, national government agencies and environmentalists of the region, Gallego said.

This year’s celebration’s theme will focus on Small Islands and Climate Change with the official slogan, “Raise Your Voice Not the Sea Level.”

The world Environment Day aims to raise awareness on the importance of protecting and conserving our natural resources.

PopCom meets with partnersBUTUAN CITY -- The Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga Regional Office will hold the Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) meeting and the Regional Population Management Conference (RPMC) on June 4-5 here.

by May Ann O. Escobal

Both RPEB and RPMC will deal principally on the updates of Republic Act 10354, otherwise known as Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012, Population and Development (POPDEV) Mentoring Approach, PPMP Monitoring and Evaluation System, and DOH on Wheels: Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (KP) Roadshow.

RPEB and RPMC are conducted quarterly to discuss issues, concerns and updates regarding the implementation of the Philippine Population Management Program

(PPMP) at the local government units’ level.

PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano stressed the importance of these activities which aim to develop and set local policies and directions relevant to the population program.

This activity will be facilitated by the staff of the Regional Population Office – Caraga and to be attended by the Provincial/City Population Officers, Deputy/District Population Officers and Partner Agencies of Caraga Region.



BUTUAN CITY- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte has successfully conducted the Medical/Dental and “Operation Tuli” recently in Barangay Jagupit and Barangay Curva in the Municipality of Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

by Boyette B. Lopez

More than 300 estimated indigent patients in Barangay Curva, while in barangay Jagupit there are more than 400 patients benefitted of the said services. This includes our brothers/sisters from the Mamanwa and Manobo Tribes that have been served and given the free medical check-up and appropriate medicines.

While the “Operation Tuli” has served an estimated of 100 young children who are being successfully circumcised for free.

Punong Barangay Jerry Mambras of Barangay Curva, extended his gratitude to Gov. Maria Angelica Rosedell M. Amante Matba and the rest of the officials of the

province for conducting Medical/Dental Outreach Program and “Operation Tuli” in his barangay.

The Medical/Dental and “Operation Tuli” is one of the priority programs of the governor in order that the indigent constituents in the far-flung communities within the province can now be served and can access free Medical programs.

The Medical Outreach program is collaboratively conducted by Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office and Provincial Social Welfare, Population and Nutrition Services (PSWPNSO) Office.

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


PAGADIAN CITY –The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC)-IX recently held a meeting to assess the actions taken by its member-agencies after the September 2013 Zamboanga siege at the Four Queens Resort this city.

RDRRMC-IX convenes in PagadianBy Claro A. Lanipa


RDRRMC-IX convenes in Pagadian June 6 is special non-working holiday in Zambo. Norte By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - Malacanang has declared June 6, 2014 as a special non-working holiday in the province of Zamboanga del Norte in commemoration of the province’s 62nd founding anniversary. The palace has issued Proclamation No. 778, series of 2014, dated May 28, 2014, declaring June 6, 2014 as a Special (Non-Working) Day in the province of Zamboanga del Norte to give its people of ample opportunity to celebrate and participate in all activities to be

undertaken during the celebration. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reminded employers to observe the appropriate salary to be given to their employees who will be reporting during the said date. It could be recalled that

Dr. Emilia Vasquez-Julhajan, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-IX regional director and RDDRRMC chair said the meeting was called in preparation for the visit of Secretary Voltaire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense to Zamboanga City this week. Gazmin is also the chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).D irector Julhajan said the NDRRMC officials would assess the actions undertaken by RDDRMC during and after the Zamboanga City siege in September 2013. Julhajan further disclosed that Secretary Gazmin had observed that the local council was “quite slow in responding to the situation and seen some lapses in its actions.” Each member-agency was also given time to present its activities undertaken during and after the siege as well as the gaps and ongoing

activities. Present during the meeting were the representatives from DOST, DILG, DSWD, NEDA, DPWH, NHA, DOH, DA, DOLE, DepEd, BFP, OCD and PIA Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga.


Manda, former general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), sees the potential of bamboo industry in the country, as it can compete globally. He said that bamboo protects the environment, it reduces soil erosion by 75 percent and lessens air pollution, as it sequesters 400 percent more carbon dioxide (CO2) and generates up to 35 percent more oxygen than the trees. Bamboo can be used in making paper, clothings, skateboard, bicycle, curtains, mats, broom, biofuel, beverages, flavone products, food, medicine and many more. According to Manda, there is also an innovative invention of bamboo beer discovered by Vincent Cruz Villanis, the first Filipino-Canadian licensed brewer in North America. He added, that bamboo also

adds grace to architecture and interior design like in the international airport of Spain. Moreover, Manda explained that bamboo can also be processed to become wood substitute that he learned during his study tour in China. Bamboo will underg floor board processing, starting with splitting, trimming, sorting, glue application, hot press, double edge cutting, moulding, planing, coating to UV drying. Manda took the initiative of promoting the bamboo industry, as he organized a competition for sculpturists to carve on bamboo instead of wood to create a masterpiece. “This is a way to encourage them to use our very own bamboo and to give them an alternative medium instead of wood which becomes scarce,” Manda stressed.

Bamboo is platform for green industry, says PBFI prexy By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – “Bamboo is a platform for green industry and can be used in the rehabilitation or reforestation of mined and denuded areas,” Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc. (PBFI) President Edgardo Manda said during his visit in Dipolog last week for the Nego-Tour 2014.

Zamboanga del Norte was carved out of the defunct Zamboanga Province on June 6, 1952. The provincial government has also lined a number of activities

to give meaning and color to the province’s founding anniversary such as agro-trade fair, job fair, basketball tournament, volley tournament, rodeo and many others.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Department of Tourism (DOT) here conducted the first Basic and Advanced Tour Operations Course for about 30 tour operators from across SOCCSKSARGEN Region, an official of the agency said.

DOT 12 trains SOCCSKSARGEN Region’s tour operators By: Aida C. Agad

Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera of DOT 12, in a report to the Philippine Information Agency 12, said graduates of the said course have expressed commitment and willingness to be part of the tourism marketers of the 12th Paradise which DOT 12 is promoting.

The 12th Paradise is Region 12’s tourism brand.

The teach-in held on May 27-30 in General Santos City has empowered this new batch of tour operators develop and cost tour packages that can be sold during travel fairs or directly to tourists. This is so, to bring in more tourists to SOCCSKSARGEN, Dillera said.


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- International children’s welfare organization Save the Children has pledged continued support to the local government of Alamada in North Cotabato to prevent another outbreak of cholera and diarrhea in the area.

These new tour operators were given knowledge and techniques in lInking tour operators with tourist establishments like accommodation facilities, destinations, transportation, tour guides, pasalugong product producers and retailers, Dillera added.

Topics discussed by caliber tourism lecturers include, overview of travel industry; documentation requirements by the different government agencies; tourism products and services; world geograhy; planning, reservations, fares and ticketing, Philippine geography; tour packaging and costing; complex and advanced tour planning; packaging and costing, quality customer service and effective communication; financial

management and controls; sales and marketing Techniques; trends and new technology in travel.

Dillera also said, “this is a seminar with registration. This is not a regular program of the DOT because academic institutions or training entities do this in Manila - but with higher fees.”

“We subsidized this to conduct it here, so this is cheaper because participants don’t have to pay for plane fare, board and lodging in Manila,” she added.

\Tour operators who attended the training are from ARMM - 2; Upi, Maguindanao - 1; North Cotabato/Kidapawan City - 2; South Cotabato - 6; Tacurong - 1; and General Santos City with 14 being the gateway, the report said. (ACAgad PIA12)

Save the Children vows long-term help for cholera, diarrhea-affected villages in N. CotabatoBy: Danilo E. Doguiles

“Save the Children will closely coordinate with the local government unit to repair and rehabilitate the water sources,” Ned Olney, Save the Children in the Philippines Country director,

told Philippine Information Agency in a statement.

“Following the in-depth assessment in the affected sites, communal latrines will be set up to prevent open defecation and


support plans on water supply and sanitation,” he explained.

They will also conduct a massive hygiene promotion campaign and an Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) program in all the villages in Alamada.

For this, barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars have already been mobilized to raise the communities’ awareness and understanding on the importance of good hygiene practices like hand washing, proper toilet use, and boiling their water.

Through IYCF, pregnant and lactating mothers are educated on the importance of breastfeeding to boost the infants’ immune system.

The NGO is also looking into providing 10 cholera beds to Alamada Provincial Community Hospital and two cholera beds in each community health station in diarrhea-affected barangays.

Additionally, Save the Children continues to provide technical support to health staff in case management at the health facilities.

Save the Children is the first humanitarian group that launched an emergency response for cholera and diarrhea-affected children and their families in the area, following declaration of diarrhea outbreak by the Integrated Provincial Health Office on May 20, 2014.

As an immediate aid, the NGO

provided life-saving items such as potable water, clean containers, and water disinfectant hyposol (sodium hypochlorite solution to 1,150 households in Barangay Dado to make their drinking water safe for consumption.

“We need to take immediate action to prevent more loss of life and help provide the communities with much-needed health and sanitation support. Save the Children has distributed clean water containers andhyposol to all families in Barangay Dado and other barangays to make their drinking water potable,” Olney said.

“Children have the right to safe and clean drinking water which is necessary for their survival,” he added.

The village’s source of drinking water comes from springs that have hose or bamboo pipes connected to their houses or catchment points.

In order to increase the capacity of Alamada Provincial Community Hospital to provide immediate medical treatment to diarrhea-affected individuals, Save the Children provided one Interagency Diarrheal Disease Kit, which can treat 100 severe cholera cases plus 400 moderate cases.

Patients with severe dehydration need immediate medical attention to replace body fluids and address other symptoms. If left untreated, dehydration could lead to death.

According to the National


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato— To prepare communities in SOCCSK-SARGEN for the rainy season, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC 12) has laid down appropriate actions par-ticularly for flood-prone areas.

Epidemiology Center assessment results, the causes of the diarrhea outbreak were due to unmaintained intake boxes, leaking pipes at distribution sites (water source), improvised bamboo pipes and household activities near the water source.

Ten deaths have been confirmed by the health authorities, four of these are children.

Out of Alamada’s 17 barangays, Barangay Dado, with 2,412

households, is most affected. Records showed that 756 cases were reported in this barangay alone; four tested positive for cholera.

Initial assessment confirmed that residents of the barangay and other affected villages do not boil their water before drinking and many locals practice open defecation due to insufficient number of toilets. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

RDRRMC 12 lays down actions for rainy seasonBy: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Roy Dorado, focal person of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Services, said that since there are a lot of flood-prone and landslide prone areas in the region, it is necessary to get ready for possible occurrence of flood and landside.

With this, Dorado bared the corresponding course of actions for every flood warning system alert levels.

According to him, under Alert Level 1 or the Rainfall Flood Outlook, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) are advised to activate preparedness

activities and prepare for immediate mobilization.

“Also, LDRRMCs must prepare equipment and secure communications and transportations,” he stated adding that flood monitoring must be 24/7.

Since in Alert Level 1 there is an action to watch the condition of the rivers, Dorado said that RDRRMC 12 is tasked to process domestic bulletins, alert notices and directives to partner agencies and LGUs as well as to the media.

Under Alert Level 2 or the Rainfall Outlook and Flood Alert, Dorado explained that LDRMMCs must


process alert notices to lower DRMMCs and ensure mobilization of various units and continuous provision of warnings.

“Further, under this alert level, partial evacuation of the sick, children and olds is a must.

“RDRRMC on the other hand, shall be assisted with other agencies on

data interpretation which is important for issuance of notices to areas to be affected,” he emphasized.

Alert Level 2 means that a precautionary measure is advised.

Meanwhile, under Alert Level 3 or the Rainfall Outlook and Flood Warning, recommendation of typhoon-devastated areas to be declared under

state of calamity takes off and that Quick Response Fund is released.

“ I n f o r m a t i o n dissemination as well as monitoring under this alert level are strengthened. In addition, coordination with other agencies to maximize mobilization is effected,” Dorado noted.

He also explained that media’s role in all levels is significant because continuous provision of typhoon-related information will keep the public abreast of the situation.

With this course of actions this rainy season, RDRRMC 12 chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD 12) regional director Minda Morante is hopeful that partner agencies will actively cooperate to lessen if not avoid the effects of flood and landslide. (SJDuerme-PIA12)

one mindanao - june 4, 2014

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