one mindanao - june 7, 2012

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESEDITORIAL BOARDWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0908-8843404E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ Building, Antonio Luna StreetCagayan de Oro City 9000Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]: www.pia-10.blogspot.com

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)2/F Kanto Motors Bldg.,Quimpo Blvd., New MatinaDavao City 8000Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950E-mail: [email protected]

Central Mindanao (SOCCSKSARGEN) Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St.Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506Telephone no. (083) 520-0249Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg.,J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phBlogspot: www.piacaraga.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur

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

Editorial Advisers :

ATTY. JOSE A. FABIADirector-General

Philippine Information Agency

SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMAPresidentialCommunicationsOperationsOffice

Cover Story

Fun way of teaching leadership, entrepreneurship

Southern Mindanao

Today’s issue...

Thursday, June 7, 2012 Vol. 1 No. 274

page 4

Robert E. Roperos, Caraga Region

Aquino’s working visit to U.S. to further strengthen country’s bilateral relations 8Applicants for CHED scholarship increases in Caraga14Eric Gallego, Caraga Region15 DENR, LGU seize illegal logs at Agusan River

18Jocelyn P. Alvarez, Western Mindanao

DILG Sec Robredo, ZC dad lead turnover of 60 computer units to DEPED

Honey Analou E. Doña, Northern Mindanao

DILG awards the Seal of Good Housekeeping/PCF of P3M to Ozamiz City 21Galing Mason Training set on June 11-17 22

24 Carina Cayon, Southern MindanaoCRS to launch marketing project for Mindanao

T’boli miners suspend operation for World Environment Day 27

Rutchie C. Aguhob, Northern Mindanao

Dani Doguiles, Central Mindanao

Mga mamamayan sa Cotabato City sinanay sa paghahanda sa baha28 Central Mindanao

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4 Thursday, June 7, 2012ONE MINDANAO

Teaching leadership and instilling entrepreneurship

among young savers was made enjoyable and less serious through the Summer Saya that Tagum Cooperative

Cover StoryFun way of teaching leadership, entrepreneurship

Bannering the theme, “Enhancing the Cooperative Movement through Youth Involvement,” the 2012 sixth Summer Saya of Tagum Cooperative opened three sessions on art workshop for five to seven years of age, building youth leaders for eight years old to 12 years of age, and building entrepreneurial skills for 13 to 17 years of age coop members.The Summer Saya also engaged participants in various games and dance workshop.It drew 252 young savers who were among the combined 24,199 members of Tagum Coop Youth Laboratory, Power Teens, Youth Savers and Aflatoun Program.

Those in the youngest

age group got smirched in painting subjects of their likings while the eight to 12 years of age listened to stories and talks about the values of “cooperativism” and leadership. Loren-Jane Remeisca D. Abangan realized that cooperative means “cooperation”. “So we have to cooperate for the cooperative to succeed,” she said. Impressed on her mind was a message she got in one of the lectures. “Pareho lang pala ang mga tao sa mata ng Diyos. (People are the same before the eyes of God.),” she said.

by Jeanevive Duron-Abangan

Thursday, June 7, 2012 ONE MINDANAO 5

In her talks about

entrepreneurship, resource person Necitas Lazaga of the Department of Trade and Industry Davao del Norte Provincial Office, taught participants of 13 to 17 years of age, the need to conquer fear and to examine oneself. She encouraged them to draw their own ambitions in life, to believe in oneself, to get in the company with positive people, and to dream and act on realizing their ambitions. Lazaga opened up their minds to the possibilities of becoming entrepreneurs, and not just end up as employees after completing academic studies to gain a much financially secure status. “It would be much better that you have a job, and at the same time, you run a business,” she said. Syvel Condor who was once a Tagum Coop youth saver but now a roving teller, appreciated the learning she got from previous Summer Saya sessions as the experience made her

understand the relevance of engaging in business. “No matter how small our business may be, but if we have a positive mindset, this can do good to improve our lives,” she said Syvel CondorDuring her college days, Condor used to sell beads accessories that she did herself, earning her income she put into her savings account. “As youth savers,

we learn entrepreneurship; we know the importance of saving money, of raising money,” she said. Tagum Cooperative Chairperson of the Board of Directors Norma Pereyras explained that Summer Saya was not just mere fun-fare but it was a way of developing leadership and entrepreneurship. Tagum Cooperative had embraced, as part of its mission, to develop financially secured leaders who can take on the principles and values through the cooperative run its operation. Pereyras said that the cooperative now takes a paradigm shift of instilling savings consciousness so the young members can stay away from getting into so much debts with loans. “We are encouraging them to save and if they have enough savings, they can go into business. W e are also teaching them financial literacy along with leadership,” she said.


ACROSS THE NATION

President Aquino extended the invitation during his meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday here as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In the joint statement of President Aquino and Prime Minister Cameron, the two leaders agreed to further expand economic cooperation to pave the way for increased trade and investment flows between the Philippines and UK.

During the meeting, the Philippine leader also briefed Prime Minister Cameron on the Philippines’ Public-Private Partnership program and invited the UK government and the business sector “to continue sharing its vast expertise in this area,

Aquino invites British investors to participate in government’s Public-Private Patnership projects

President Benigno S. Aquino III has urged British investors to participate in the Philippine government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.


a n d encouraged B r i t i s h investors to participate in the projects.”

The UK leader, in

turn, assured President Aquino that the UK government had provided and would continue to provide expertise to the Philippines in shaping its PPP program and looked forward to British companies participating in projects.

The Philippines and the United Kingdom have enjoyed a robust economic partnership over the years. The United Kingdom is the Philippines’ top European investor, and the largest Philippine tourism market in Europe.

President Aquino also emphasized that the Philippines offered exciting investment opportunities for British business, especially in the sectors of

energy, infrastructure, business-process outsourcing, information technology and tourism.

After his meeting with the UK Prime Minister, President Aquino attended

the luncheon offered by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and presided by Minister Jeremy Browne and the Lord Mayor of London Alderman David Wootton at the Lancaster House. (CO)


Aquino’s working visit to U.S. to further strengthen country’s bilateral relations

President Benigno S. Aquino III’s

three-day official working visit to the United States from June 6 to 8 will further help strengthen the country’s bilateral relations with it’s Western ally.

“Well, it will certainly strengthen the bilateral relations of the Philip-pines and the United States because there’s no better way of strengthen-ing the relationship than by a person-to-person meet between the two leaders,” Philippine Am-bassador to the United States Jose Cuisia said in an interview at his office at the Philippine Embas-sy here.

“This is why we’re very

pleased that President Aquino accepted the in-vitation of President (Ba-rack) Obama to come to Washington D.C.,” Cui-sia said as he expressed confidence that the Phil-ippines will even see a greater engagement with the United States.

Cuisia stressed that the President’s important engagement during his visit is his meeting with President Barack Obama at the Oval office in the

White House.“You may be aware that

this is the fourth meeting of President Aquino (with President Obama) but this is the first one in the Oval office. He met President Obama twice, I think in New York during the first year of his administration and last year he met him also in Bali, Indonesia for the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN regional forum,” Cuisia stressed.

Earlier, the Department


Aquino’s working visit to U.S. to further strengthen country’s bilateral relations

of Foreign Af-fairs said that this will be the

fourth meeting of the two Presi-dents in a span

of two years following their

meetings in September 2010 at the Association of Southeast Asian Na-tions-United States (US-ASEAN) Leaders Meeting in New York; in Septem-ber 2011 at the launch-ing of the Open Govern-ment Partnership (OGP) also in New York; and on November 18, 2011 dur-ing the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting in Bali, Indone-sia.

Cuisia also said that during the two leaders meeting at the Oval of-fice, President Aquino and President Obama are expected to discuss about global, regional is-sues, including domestic issues particularly those that affect our bilateral relations.

“They will also be cov-ering more specifically military and security co-

operation, economic co-operation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, people-to-people exchanges or people-to-people ties. So, those are just some of the, I guess broad topics that they will be covering. But they will be talking, I’m sure, about the West Philip-pine sea as part of the maritime security discus-sions that we would be having,” he said.

Cuisia de-scribed Presi-dent Aquino’s schedule as very tight, saying that aside from his meeting with the U.S. P r e s i d e n t , he will be meeting with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who will be host-ing a lunch in his honor, the Senate l eade r sh ip , b u s i n e s s

leaders and investors as well as his attendance at the formal launch of the U.S-Philippine Society as the guest of honor and speaker.

The President is sched-uled to arrive in Wash-ington D.C on Wednes-day (June 6, Washington D.C time) from a suc-cessful visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (RSDA)


Aquino welcomes Great Britain’s continued support for Mindanao Peace Process

Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom of Great Brit-ain and Northern Ireland issued the statement during his meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was in an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North-ern Ireland.

President Aquino and Cameron held a meeting Wednesday and had

“a broad exchange of views on bilat-eral, regional and international issues of common interest, as well as on re-vitalizing and sustaining the relation-ship towards a prosperous and secure future for both countries.”

In their joint statement, President Aquino informed Prime Minister Cam-eron of the latest developments in the peace negotiations between the

The UK government on Wednesday here reiterated its continued support and commitment to assisting the Philippine

government in the Mindanao Peace Process.


Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The United Kingdom is an active member of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the peace process between the MILF and the Philippine government.

President Aquino recognized the United Kingdom’s continuing role as a founding and active member of the ICG.

In turn, Prime Minister Cameron re-iterated the UK’s commitment “to con-tinue assisting in the Mindanao peace process, including through the shar-ing of lessons learned in the Northern Ireland peace process.”

During the meeting, the two lead-ers noted the importance of contin-ued interaction between officials at the highest levels of government.

President Aquino and Prime Minis-ter Cameron agreed to hold the third round of Philippines-United Kingdom High-Level Talks in London later this year to review the state of the rela-tionship and identify practical coop-eration measures towards enhancing the relationship, which will be reflect-ed in the Philippines-United Kingdom Joint Plan of Action to be adopted at the meeting.

The two leaders also welcomed the entry into force of the Philippines-Unit-ed Kingdom Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).

The MLAT facili-tates information-sharing and co-operation in law

enforcement and judicial matters to address transnational crime, includ-ing money laundering, trafficking of women and children, and illicit drug trafficking. It was signed in London in 2009.

President Aquino and Prime Minis-ter also expressed the hope that the Philippines-United Kingdom Extradi-tion Treaty would also enter into force soon.

The two leaders also discussed re-gional and international issues of mu-tual interest. They both affirmed the need to collaborate in addressing cli-mate change, combating transnation-al crime and terrorism, preventing hu-man trafficking and child exploitation, promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and maintaining international peace and security.

The United Kingdom, meanwhile, welcomed the Philippines’ leading role in ASEAN (Association of South-east Asian Nations). They both agreed that ASEAN “had a crucial role to play in promoting prosperity and develop-ment in Asia, including by working with its partners to resolve regional disputes peacefully.” (CO)


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Agusan del Sur Nutrition Council convenes for a month-long celebrationby David M. Suyao

The Provincial Nutrition Council has convened today in preparation for a month-long celebration of the nutrition

month celebration on July. This is to insure that nutrition programs and activities will gain support for its full implementation from all sectors and benefit those on the grassroots level.


Provincial nutrition service officer Laniebelle Angchangco said the celebration will remind the people that nutrition is one of the main factors why people should be well nourished in order to have healthy and productive life. The messages and the activities hope to convey that good nutrition must become part of every Agusanons. “Last year, we challenged all the barangay nutrition scholars to encourage all the purok leaders to establish communal gardens in their respective puroks. These meant easy and sufficient supply of vegetables and other planted food products within their reach. This year, we will start the evaluation and will give rewards to those who had religiously implemented the challenge we posted. They will be recognized for their meaningful contribution in producing food for the community

and their share in making the community conscious of good nutrition,” Angchangco said. According to Angchangco, the provincial evaluation team have identified 11 barangays from nine municipalities who became automatic entries to the monitoring and evaluation of local plan implementation 2012, regional level. Among the activities lined up for this year’s celebration of the nutrition month in the municipal are: hanging of streamers before the month of July starts; the kick-off of the 2012 nutrition month celebration during the

municipal and lone city of Bayugan during flag raising ceremony; demo kitchen in a garden; evaluation of the communal garden, hot lunch for kindergarten and grade II pupils; simultaneous nutrition month celebration and conduct of special events per municipality and; barangay nutrition scholars summit. For the provincial level, during the flag raising ceremony on July 2, “Oh my Gulay” program will be launched and planting materials will be distributed to the government employees in order to encourage them to have backyard gardens.


According to Dr. Julius Sol Jamero, Chief Administrative Officer of CHED-Caraga, the entire region has a total of 878 applicants for the scholarship programs offered by CHED, however, only 140 slots were given to the region. Dr. Jamero added the problem was solved, however, through the initiatives of Agusan del Norte 1st District Congressman Jose Aquino III who have extended his Priority Development Assistance Fund for this purpose. The official said the assistance

given by Cong. Aquino will be of great help to accommodate more number of scholarship applicants, who wish to finish college education. Under the CHED Student Financial Assistance Programs, qualified applicants must be a Filipino citizen of good moral character. It is also emphasized that the combined annual gross income of parents or guardians must not exceed P300,000. They must also be a high school graduate or a candidate for graduation from high school.

Applicants for CHED scholarship increases in Caragaby Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY -- The number of scholarship applicants in Caraga Region increased this year, an official of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Caraga today said.


DENR, LGU seize illegal logs at Agusan Riverby Eric Gallego

BUTUAN CITY -- Joint operatives from the city government of Butuan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO), Environment Law Enforcement Team and the police on Monday intercepted about 3,000 pieces of illegally-cut logs being towed down the Agusan River at Barangay Maguinda, this city possibly to conceal them through the tributaries to evade confiscation and sell them at opportune time.

Applicants must also have an 80 percent minimum general weighted average (GWA) based on Form 138 or high school card. Applicants to full merit scholarship must have 90 percent and above, half merit scholars must have 85-89 percent GWA, and 80-84 percent for applicants to grant-in-aid and students loans. Also, they (applicants) must not be over 30 years of age at the time of application, except for applicants to OPAPP-CHED-SGRR, entering freshmen and/or college students in any year level, and has not availed of

any government scholarship and/or grant. Full merit scholars will receive P15,000 benefits per semester, as well as the One-Town One-Scholar, while half-merit scholars will receive P7,500 per semester. CHED priority courses for the scholarship program are as follows: Agriculture and related fields, Engineering, Information Technology, Teacher Education, Science and Mathematics, Health Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Atmospheric Sciences, and Environmental Science.

photo Credit: PIO


“This could be the largest volume of illegal logs of lauan species intercepted by the government operatives on Agusan River over the past five months of intensive operations by the DENR this year,” DENR Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca. He said these illegally-cut logs have reportedly came from the forest areas of San Luis and La Paz towns in Agusan del Sur. “We are still looking into unverified information that the undocumented logs are owned by several people who are trying to find means to raise money for the enrolment of their children.” He said that the DENR likewise is checking reports that these illegal logs were bought at cheap price from individual indigenous people by the log smugglers in that area. Nevertheless, Sibbaluca said the DENR operatives, following a tip from a concerned individual, have made a two-

week surveillance operations in that river towns until the “hot logs” were seized at the Agusan River. He said that the moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forest under Executive Order No. 23 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino II on February 2, 2011 is still very much in effect. The DENR top official commended City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. for extending his all-out support to the operations. Sibbaluca said that this was the result of a previous arrangement made between the local executive and the DENR top officials that they will join hands to stop the illegal logging activities in the region. OIC PENR Officer Belo Udarbe and CENR Officer Vicente S. Sembrano of CENRO Nasipit, Agusan del Norte have supervised the scaling of the confiscated logs to determine the volume.


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Carved out from the defunct Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga del Norte

became a thriving province in the northwestern part of Mindanao. In his homily during a mass

Zambo. Norte turns 60, glories in past achievements by Franklin P. Gumapon

Ecumenical prayers and thanksgiving mass have been held yesterday in commemoration of the 60th founding anniversary of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.


ZAMBOANGA CITY - Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo joined City Mayor Celso Lobregat in the turnover of 60 computer units to the Department of Education (DepEd), held on Tuesday, June 5 at the City hall.

DILG Sec Robredo, ZC dad lead turnover of 60 computer units to DEPEDBy Jocelyn P. Alvarez

at the Capitol Plaza, Monsignor Edgar M. Agura said the past governors of the province had greatly contributed to its growth and development with their major programs and projects such as the “Palayan ng Bayan” in Kalawit town by former governor Virginio Lacaya, the establishment of an agro-technical science high school in Dipolog City by governor Alberto Q. Ubay and many others. He also mentioned that the first governor of the province was the late Felipe B. Azcuna who had also once served as governor of the Zamboanga province. Provincial Governor Rolando E. Yebes also took pride of the awards he received from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and others in recognition of his sterling performance as the province’s 13th governor. He is now in his last term as provincial governor. Zamboanga del Norte’s 60th founding anniversary was capped by the Hudyaka Festival which was opened last May 30. Colorful booths

selling farm products, novelty items and other wares have been put up at the Hudyaka site inside the Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) grounds here in Dipolog City. The booths set up by the municipalities also present their respective agri-tourism potentials. It could be recalled that Republic Act 711 caused the creation of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur from the Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952. The twin provinces had 11 municipalities each with Dipolog and Pagadian as provincial capitals of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, respectively. Zamboanga City does not belong to either Zamboanga del Norte or Zamboanga del Sur; it is a chartered city. The first municipalities composing Zamboanga del Norte were Dapitan, Rizal, Dipolog, Katipunan, Sindangan, Labason, Siocon, Polanco, Piñan, Liloy and Manukan. (ALT/FPG/PIA9)


In a press statement, City Information Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias said, the turnover of computer set is a result of the City Government’s feat as the Regional Winner in the Pamana ng Lahi Awards for exemplary performance in local governance. “The DILG-initiated Pamana ng Lahi Awards entitled the city government a P2 million cash prize which will be used for the implementation of local development projects in line with the priorities of the national government on the Millennium Development Goals,” Covarrubias said. The active lady IO informed that the computer units, will be donated and turned over to 12 public elementary and secondary schools through City Schools OIC Superintendent Pedro Natividad. Recipient public schools are

Labuan Central School, Talon-talon Elementary School, Talisayan Elementary School, Curuan Central School, Ayala Central School, Maasin Elementary School, Zamboanga East Central School and the national high schools located in Ayala, Sangali, Recodo, Talon-talon and Culianan. The Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award is in recognition of exemplary and noteworthy efforts of deserving LGUs through an award system. The award is conferred to LGUs for reasons of exemplary performance in administrative governance, social, economic and environmental governance drawn from the database of the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS), Seal of good Housekeeping, International organization or National Government Agency. (JPA/SC /CIO/PIA9-ZBST)


PRO-10 launches Balik Eskwela 2012by PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga

In line with the opening of classes and the end of summer vacation, PCSupt. Jufel C. Adriatico

reactivated Oplan Balik Eskwela 2012, which provides the guidelines and procedures of maintaining the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns, including threats from criminal elements.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 ensures that students have access to a safe environment conducive to learning, not only during the opening of classes but throughout the school year. He directed all provincial offices and city police offices to mobilize their resources, perform specific tasks, and coordinate instructions to implement security and public safety plans for the opening of classes. He further directed all police units to coordinate their activities closely with concerned school authorities, local government units and force multipliers such as

the B a r a n g a y

Peacekeeping Action Teams. Police assistance desks are established in major school campuses and clustered schools in Northern Mindanao. (PRO)


DILG awards the Seal of Good Housekeeping/PCF of P3M to Ozamiz Cityby Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) to the city government of Ozamiz.

Together with the award, Ozamiz will also be given P3 milion for the performance challenge fund, which Mayor Nova Prioncess E. Parojinog-Echavez will receive in Cagayan de Oro City, later this month. The DILG cited Ozamiz City for its excellent performance in local governance and for valuing performance management and other general impressions gathered like peace and order situation. The mayor said the city government was able to follow the guidelines set by DILG, regarding the

implementation of the open disclosure policy in tax collection and Sound Fiscal Management in the use of public funds, hence, the SGH Award. The DILG also cited the LGU for championing transparency and accountability in its government transactions based on the merits of a sound fiscal management as it actively mobilized its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), as strictly required under RA 9184, the New Government Procurement Act, mandating public bidding for government projects. In one of the PCF awardings in Malacaňang, President Benigno S. Aqino III cited the big role that LGUs play in reducing poverty, hunger and other social maladies, which is why the administration is bolstering the cooperation and partnership between local and national government agencies. He said the PCF is not intended as competition among LGUs but to reward them for helping the government attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of reducing poverty and hunger and improving the opportunities for poor households to rise above their current conditions. The president said the PCF is aimed at ensuring that LGUs will perform


their governance mandates with full transparency and without violating any national government auditing regulations, in the process ensuring that all funds go only to where they were intended. Following the guideline of the President, Mayor Echavez said the PCF

of Php3.0 million will all be spent for the improvement of the infrastructure projects, mostly roads, especially in the rural areas. This way, people in the remotest barangays will have better access to these projects and be able to improve their lives, the Mayor added.

Galing Mason Training set on June 11-17by Honey Analou E. Doña

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Eighty beneficiaries will acquire masonry skills from the Galing Mason Training that will be launched on June 7, 2012, by Holcim Philippines, Inc., a leading cement manufacturer in the country, together with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-X (TESDA-X), Association of Construction and Informal Workers (ACIW), and Cagayan de Oro District 2 Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez at Cugman Elementary School.

This partnership program was finalized when Holcim Officials Antonio P. Ragot and Marilyn C. Villaruz visited Regional Director Edgar A. Sales last June 1, 2012, at the TESDA Regional Office, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City. The Galing Mason Training will run for seven days. The lecture venue for District 2 participants will be in Cugman Elementary School and Bulua Elementary School for District 1. This training cum production aims to construct comfort rooms for the beneficiary schools. Training proper for the first batch composed of 40 trainees from District 2 will be on June 11-17, 2012. Training intended for District 1 will follow on a later date and will be graced by Congressman Maximo B. Rodriguez of ABAMIN

Partylist. The participants of this Galing Mason Training will be trained on CHB (concrete hollow block) laying, plastering, wall smooth finishing, and concrete slab construction. Holcim will provide the cement, and other materials for the whole training program will be provided by both Cong. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Cong. Maximo B. Rodriguez. The ACIW will serve as trainers while competency assessors will be from TESDA. This Galing Mason Training is part of the continuing and strong partnership between TESDA and Holcim in helping train and certify dignified Filipino masons, thus producing numbers of certified masons for our country. (TESDA)


A group of Dabawenyo inventors have pitched their local-de-

veloped pyro-clave technology to the Davao City local government where they are proposing to build an infectious medical waste pro-cessing facility in the New Carmen sanitary landfill. Pyro-clave is a non-burn waste processing technology where infectious wastes from hospitals and medical facilities are converted into charcoal.

The proponents named as RAD Green Solutions won acclaim when their pyro clave project was named as the top two Philippine finalists in the ON3 Pitching Competitions in 2011. Under their proposal they are planning to build a P8-million pyro-clave facility where they would handle hospital wastes and charge their clients P20 a kilo or P25-kilo if the wastes will be converted into charcoal. The proposal is currently

being deliberated by the Sannguniang Panglungsod (City Council) of Davao City as an ordinance which authorizes the City Mayor Sara Duterte to sign a Memorandum of Agreement which permits RAD Green to lease about 200 square meters in the landfill in which the facility will be built. Ricky Dayot co-founder of RAD Green solutions said that when they presented the proposal to the hospital owners they were excited as

Local inventors pitch pyro-clave for hospital wastes by Rudolph Alama


disposing hospital wastes has been a problem with the enactment of the Clean Air Act which prohibits the operation of incinerators. Also imported Auto-Clave technology would cost around P30-million to P50-million, an amount many hospitals could not afford or a budget they would opt to spend for medical equipment like X-Rays and CT

Scans that could generate additional profits. Auto-claves which would just entail additional operating expenses. According to Dayot the City produces 300 to 500 kilos per day of infectious pathological wastes. These hospital wastes if improperly disposed could pose serious health hazards Dayot said. (PIA/RG Alama)

CRS to launch marketing project forMindanao farmersby Carina CayonDAVAO CITY-The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) will be launching on Friday (June 8) a three-year resource strengthening and mar-keting project to benefit 32,000 farmers in seven provinces in Min-danao. The implementation of the “Farmer Alliances for Resource Strengthening and Marketing” or FARM project of CRS will have its formal start on the said date at the Apo View Hotel this city. With funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), FARM will assist its target farmer-beneficiaries in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Bukidnon. Ryan Russell, CRS head of office, said the project intends to increase agricultural production in rice, cacao, coffee and vegetables; enable access

to small rural infrastructures; and enhance linkages to greater market opportunities. CRS will implement the project with local NGO partners, academic institutions, micro-finance institutions, and government line agencies, Russell stated. At the launching, there will be a Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) signing involving CRS and eight sub-recipient agencies from the non-government organizations and academe that will serve as direct implementing partners for the FARM project. The expected guests at the event are the following: Rene Guarin, CRS program manager for operations; Joseph Curry, CRS country representative; Philip Shull, USDA agricultural counselor; and Pedro Terry Tuason III, CRS senior program manager.(PIAXI Carina Cayon)


South Cotabato launches “Palaro ng mga Kawani”by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY -- After the successful second-year run of the free sum-mer sports clinic for young people, South Cotabato kicks off another sports program, this time designed employees of the provincial government.


On Monday, June 4, the provincial government launched the “Palarong ng mga Kawani,” which according to Provincial Sports Coordinator Florentino Perez Jr. is in line with the governor’s advocacy to promote health and sports.

“The provincial government has given much focus on developing our youth for sports competitions such as CRAA (Cotabato Regional Athletic Association) meet, Palarong Pambansa, provincial meet,” he said.

“This time we are giving importance to the employees of the provincial government to promote healthy lifestyle,” Perez added.

This also intends to foster and camaraderie, sportsmanship, and friendship among the employees, he said.

Sports competitions will be held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center, the South Cotabato Sports Complex and the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium every Friday afternoon, beginning at around 3:00 p.m.

Basketball and

volleyball have been identified as sports where employees, divided into clusters, will initially compete in.

“We are also considering other games like swimming, running, badminton, chess, table tennis, dart, modified softball and other sports which could help develop their health consciousness and create camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship among the provincial government employees,” he said.

Cluster 1 (Red Team) includes Office of the Provincial Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Provincial Legal Office; Cluster 2 (Pink Team) whose members include the Integrated Provincial Health Office, Norala District Hospital, Lake Sebu Municipal Hospital and Polomolok Municipal Hospital; Cluster 3 (Blue Team) of the Provincial Engineer, Provincial Administrator and Provincial Population Office.

Cluster 4 (Lavender Team) is composed of employees in agriculture, veterinary

and planning and development office; Cluster 5 (Orange Team) includes those in the treasurer’s, accounting, budget and general services office; and Cluster 6 (Green Team) including social welfare and development, e n v i r o n m e n t management, and assessor’s offices.

The winning team will receive P5,000 cash prize while the three runners up will receive P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

Perez said, the “Palarong ng mga Kawani” will continue until the first week of July in time for the start of the province’s T’nalak Festival.

In May, some 468 young people aged between five and 18 joined this year’s Sports Aral Program of the provincial government.

These young people underwent free sports clinic on dart, arnis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer, table tennis, billiard, softball and boxing from May 2 until 21.


T’boli miners suspend operation for World Environment DayBy Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, June 7 -- Small-scale mine operators in T’Boli town in South Cotabato suspended its operations and declared on June 5, a mining holiday to join the celebration of the World Environment Day.

Besides enhancing their sports skills, the participants were also taught the value of

discipline, health, and nutrition; they also underwent lectures against drug abuse.

Pingoy started the Sport Aral Program last year. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Engr. Seigfred Flaviano, acting chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), said tunnel operators themselves had proposed the activity to promote environmental protection.

The activity began with opening ceremonies, attended by mining operators and

their employees, local government officials, PEMO employees, students in the area, and officials of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Also, almost 500 individuals planted trees in Barangays Desawu and Kematu, where

about five hectares of land were designated for the purpose.

Flaviano added that he has already assigned a PEMO personnel who would monitor and make sure that the mining operations continue the activity until they have complied with their commitment because yesterday’s tree-planting activity would not cover the five-hectare pledge.

Flaviano has urged other mining and quarry operators in other parts of the province to conduct similar activities in support of the Environment Month.

Besides the tree-planting activity, the PEMO also spearheads the clean-up drive of the processing plants in


Poblacion, T’boli.It has also scheduled

a massive re-vegetation of riparian zones, in partnership with several stakeholders including communities along riverbanks, n o n - g o v e r n m e n t organizations and civic associations. This involves planting of bamboo, vetiver grass

and trees to protect riverbanks from further erosion and strengthen these against flooding.

This year’s World Environment Day celebration centers on the theme, “Green Economy: Does it Include You?”

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines Green Economy as one that

results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

A green economy, it continues, can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. (DED-PIA12)

Mga mamamayan sa Cotabato City sinanay sa paghahanda sa bahaLUNGSOD NG KORONADAL -- Sumailalim sa isang pagsasanay ang mga ma-mamayan sa mga lugar na parating binabaha sa lungsod ng Cotabato mag-ing ang mga miyembro ng Cotabato City Risk Reduction and Management Council bilang paghahanda sa panahon ng kalamidad tulad ng pagbaha.

Sa naturang pagsasanay, tinuruan ang mga mamamayan ng mga survival tips at safety measures upang makaligtas sa baha at makaiwas sa epekto nito.

Ayon kay City Mayor Japal Guiani Jr., kasabay ng pagsasanay ay ang pagbili ng 20 motor boats na gagamitin sa mga rescue operations sakaling makaranas ng matinding pagbaha ang lungsod.

Layunin ng naturang

pagsasanay na maihanda ang mga mamamayan sa lungsod sa mga kalamidad katulad ng baha na parating nakaaapekto sa mga lugar sa Cotabato City at mga karatig na lugar ngayong tag-ulan.

Una rito, isinasaayos na ang mga bagay hinggil sa naantalang dredging operations sa Rio Grande de Mindanao bilang solusyon sa pagbaha na nararanasan sa Central Mindanao.

Ang Rio Grande

de Mindanao ay isa sa pinakamalaking ilog sa Mindanao na nakaaapekto nang lubos sa mga kalapit na lugar nito kapag malakas ang buhos ng ulan.

Matatandaang binayo ng malakas na pag-ulan ang ilang mga barangay sa bayan ng Magpet at President Roxas sa North Cotabato noong nakaraang buwan at pinangangambahang mararanasan din ito ng Cotabato City. (Shahana Joy Duerme-PIA12)


Speaking before the media during the turnover of command recently in Basilan, Ang said that he has plans to first teach the soldiers disaster

preparedness and emergency-rescue operations. “Dapat ang kasundaluan ay ready na mag rescue and magbigay ng first aid sa mga nangangailangan

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Newly installed 104th Brigade Commander Col. Arthur P. Ang in Basilan committed to institute security sector reform under his command hoping to elevate the military as the source of national pride.

Basilan Army Chief to institute security sector reformBy Rene V. Carbayas


ng tulong,” he said. Ang reveals that he will banner the training of soldiers in Disaster Relief Operations as one important aspect of the program. Commensurate to this, he said, is the promotion of human rights. “Since the soldiers are deployed in the communities, it is an opportunity already for our soldiers to be able to promote and teach people in the barangays about human rights,” he said. The new army chief said that the barangay machinery is an opportunity for the military to tell people that the armed forces are the number one advocate of human rights. And said he will first validate the capabilities of soldiers on human rights then intensive training will be done to capacitate the soldiers, and that this will be done in coordination with the human rights commission. When asked on how he would deal with rido (family feuds), Ang said that it is a police matter, pointing out,

however that the military will support the PNP on law enforcement. “Back-up lang kami, primarily it’s the police work,” he said. Ang also declared that all programs and activities of the military in Basilan is anchored on the peace talks, saying “we will not do anything that will jeopardize the on-going peace talks….but we will apply commensurate force if some groups would threaten the peace and security of the community.” Ang also dismissed the perception that most high-ranking military officials are assigned in Basilan for promotion, which leaves a bad impression from the public that war will be ensued in this conflict-prone province. “Promotion is not about bakbakan (battles), our mission is winning the peace, not based on body count…as long as peaceful ang lugar and has freedom of movement, cultural activities are undertaken,” he explained. “We are committed to support


development projects here,” he said as he cited the infrastructure projects in Basilan, like the concreting of the circumferential road, which he finds important to usher in development in the province. “Without them, it will take us a long time to attain the much needed development.” In maintaining security in the island, Ang said the military will also do “focus operation”, where commensurate force will be applied whenever there are threat groups “who will come in between us from attaining peace and development.” Moreover, Ang disclosed that the security sector reform to upgrade soldiers’ capabilities and acquire modern equipment is part of the national army transformation program, which has a vision that by year 2028, “we will have an army that is world class and source of national pride”. A major component of the said program is the acquisition of modern weaponry and equipment comparable with other modern armed forces

[in the world]. “And it takes time and needs money to procure such equipment,” he said. “At my level here, at tactical level of the brigade we cannot contribute much in acquiring these equipment at our level, however, as the Brigade Commander we can do many things by modernizing our thinking and attitude by making us professional soldiers through the conduct of in-house training, where we will instill discipline and good attitude. That is the best thing that we can contribute to security reform of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which will not cost us so much money,” he said. Ang further underscored that all of these plans will not be possible without the support of the friends of 104th Brigade, the different stakeholders in Basilan. “That is why I am pleading to you to support me as the 104th Brigade Commander. Help and assist me in achieving my mission here of winning the peace in the Province of Basilan.” (RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

one mindanao - june 7, 2012

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