one mindanao - march 24, 2015

EDITORIAL ADVISERS

SEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information Agency

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western and Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

MANAGING EDITOR ABNER M. CAGACluster Head, Northern & Northeastern MindanaoRegional Director - PIA Caraga Region

REGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IX

ALMA L. TINGCANG, PIA Region IX ELAINE O. RATUNIL, PIA Region X RUDOLPH IAN G. ALAMA, PIA Region XI DANNY E. DOGUILES, PIA Region XII FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region

COPY EDITORS

FRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga Region

Western 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 BlizTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIAIX

SOCCSKSARGEN Region

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]

Northern Mindanao

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

Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)

J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTelephone no. (085) 341-5285Telefax no. (085) 341-2370Cellphone no. 0917-7188834Email: [email protected] , [email protected],phWebsite: www.piacaraga.comFacebook: PIA Caraga Updates, PIA Agusan del Norte, Pia Agusan del Sur, Pia Surigao del Norte, Pia Surigao del Sur, Pia Dinagat Islands Power FM - CaragaTwitter: https://twitter.com/PIACaraga

Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)

Ground Floor 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]

LAYOUT ARTISTS

MARY MAY A. ABELLON, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region X

ZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region X

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XII

EDITORIAL BOARD

PIA REGIONAL OFFICESOne Mindanao

CONTENTS

NorthCot villages get over P9M worth of infra projects

BIR Caraga announces tax collection goal for 2015

FSCAP-9 officers sworn in

13

25

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18

NGO develops “Big Books” for indigenous children

PH winning its battle against TB

Japan Supports Seven Projects for Peace and Development in Mindanao

CESB confers CESO III rank to DILG 13 chief

Panaon Municipal Police arrests member of terrorist Marwan group

Peace council adopts Kalabugao peace, devt convergence plan

By: Malou Pizarro-Apego

By: Bryan F. Edulzura

11

By: Shahana Joy Duerme

By: Danilo E.Doguiles

17

3537 Preparations for SK elections continue

By: Gideon C. Corgue

By: Embassy of Japan in the Philippines

By: Danilo E. Doguiles

By: Elaine O. Ratunil

By: JAT Garcia

Cover Story

CARAGA

WESTERN

NORTHERN

INFOCUS

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOUTHERN

NATIONAL

33 ComVal to distribute free fertilizers to banana farmersBy: James Labrigas

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4 MARCH 24, 2015One MindanaoTeacher Zurayda Dumatu Grade 1 teacher at Mamali Elementary School takes pride of a new teaching material, that she

described as an effective tool for helping Maguindanaon children learn lessons.

NGO develops “Big Books” for indigenous children By: Danilo E. Doguiles

5MARCH 24, 2015 One MindanaoTeacher Zurayda Dumatu Grade 1 teacher at Mamali Elementary School takes pride of a new teaching material, that she

described as an effective tool for helping Maguindanaon children learn lessons.

6 MARCH 24, 2015One Mindanao

Mamali is a Muslim village located near the Buluan Lake in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat.

“These are called ‘Big Books’” Dumatu told Philippine Information Agency as she showed a large book made out of ‘cartolina’ paper stapled together to form a book. Each book contains a highly illustrated short story written in Maguindanawn language.

The books, though, seem crudely done as the texts are handwritten using only marking pens and the illustrations are hand-drawn.

“These are not real books,” she admitted. “These are outputs of Maguindanaon teachers trained by Save the Children,”

adding that although these are still prototypes of the actual things she and other basic education teachers at her school use the books for instructional purposes.

Save the Children is a global nongovernment organization committed to promote the rights and welfare of children.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Mildred Bacho of Bayasong Elementary School, a few kilometers from Mamali also uses similar books for her Grade 2 class.

“Big Books are very effective to attract the attention of my students. I also use these especially in values education because the stories with lessons they can apply in their lives as

7MARCH 24, 2015 One Mindanao

children,” Mrs. Bacho said.

Fanny Divino, program manager of Save the Children South Central Mindanao Program Office based in Koronadal City clarified “what are being used by Mrs. Dumatu and Mrs. Bacho are physical outputs from workshops on materials development.”

“The books are currently undergoing editing and revisions for eventual mass production before these will be distributed for actual use for specific lessons they are intended.

Besides Mrs. Dumatu, Mrs. Bacho and other Maguindanaon teachers, some teachers in South Central Mindanao are also using ‘Big Books’ in Hiligaynon and in Tboli where these languages is predominantly spoken.

‘Big Books’ are being produced by Save the Children’s project “Promoting Quality and Equality in Education for Children Communities in South Central Mindanao” funded by IKEA Foundation, thus, the project’s short name, IKEA Project.

IKEA Foundation is an independent charitable

foundation that oversees the global philanthropy work of the IKEA, a multinational group of companies that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances, small motor vehicles and home accessories.

Big Books form part of the materials development approach as one of the strategies in strengthening mother tongue based multi-lingual education (MTBMLE).

The project’s briefer indicates that the IKEA Project is anchored on the statement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that children from indigenous and ethnic minority group have the right to their own language and culture and that education should respect the child’s cultural identity.

The same briefer noted that despite commitments, marginalization of ethnic minorities and indigenous communities has persisted. “In South Central Mindanao, which is home to about 18 different ethnic groups, more than half of the school-age children are still not in school.” Those in school are in danger of dropping out


because they are unable to catch up because the educational system has not yet adopted to the specific needs and cultural contexts of these children.

“Once produced these ‘Big Books’ will complement another initiative in the strengthening of the MTBMLE, that is, the development of curriculum and lesson plans.

These ‘Big Books’ are aligned with the domains and competencies that should be developed by schoolchildren at specific periods in the curriculum. Thus, a specific “Big Book’ will be used by the teacher for specific lessons.

Big Books are literally large-format reading materials with dimension of 16.5 by 11.7 inches when folded.

In final production, these books will be made out of sturdy board paper so that these will withstand years of use.

The text will be large enough so that children on the farthest rows are still able to read clearly. Illustrations are also being improved. Big Books are intended for read-aloud

sessions.

Big Books contain stories written in by teachers, tribal leaders and individuals who are familiar with folklore and stories told in Maguindanaon and Tboli communities. Many stories in Hiligaynon Big Books are original stories developed by the writers.

With help from books development experts, advisors and managers from the Department of Education and the Summer Institute of Linguistics Philippines, the books are scrutinized, improved and revised such that items that are deemed violent, unfit for children and not age-appropriate are culled.


Revisions are with consent from the authors.

“Besides being produced for specific lessons in the curriculum, these reading materials are developed factoring in age appropriateness, development stage of the target children,” Divino further pointed out.

“More significantly, these books are culture sensitive. The characters, locations and situation in each story are akin to the target children’s culture. Even the illustrations, colors, attires and looks are familiar to the culture these are intended.”

Big Books are intended for 6- to 8-year old children (Grades 1 to 3)

“Under the MTBMLE, the educational process transitions the schoolchildren from their native language or the language they know best or uses most. Gradually, they are introduced to a second language which is the language of their community until they are able to adapt to Filipino and later English,” Divino said.

Currently, 55 books (33 titles) are being developed in three ethnic languages: Maguindanawn, Tboli and Hiligaynon.

Mass production is expected before the IKEA Project ends in June this year.

Meantime, while the actual Big Books are still being prepared for mass production and distribution, Mrs. Dumatu and Mrs. Bacho are using available prototypes in their school.

“Although these are still not the actual books, these have been very useful. I look forward to the time when we will be using the real Big Books,” Mrs. Bacho said.


MANILA - The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will set up a multi-sectoral advisory council that will make recommendations on the implementation of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s two executive orders regarding the planned privatization of coco levy assets, the Palace said on Monday.

Philippine Coconut Authority to create multi-sectoral advisory council to tackle coco levy assets

Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said he got a statement from Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan, who said that the PCA will respond to the farmers’ concerns. It has been reported that several coconut farmer organizations are questioning President Aquino’s recent

executive orders, saying that the orders do not conform to what had been discussed during previous consultations and that they have questions on the planned privatization of coco levy assets.

“On the issue of consultations, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is now drafting a resolution on the creation of


a multi-sectoral stakeholders consultative and advisory council, which shall provide inputs and recommendations

in the implementation of the executive orders. This shall be approved by the PCA board in its April meeting,” Coloma said, quoting Secretary Pangilinan.

Last week, President Aquino issued Executive Orders 179 and 180 concerning the inventory and privatization of coco levy assets. The President’s executive orders also set guidelines for the reconveyance and use of coco levy assets. (PCOO/PND (as)

PH winning its battle against TB

MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the Philippines is now one of the seven among the 22 high-burdened countries that have achieved its 2015 Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in fighting tuberculosis (TB) as early as 2012. The other six countries were Brazil, Cambodia, China, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, and Vietnam.


Secretary of Health Janette P. Loreto-Garin disclosed that there has been a marked decline in TB burden since the launching of the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course) strategy in 1996. She added that as of 2013, cases and deaths due to TB was reduced by more than 50% from the 1990 baseline.

“Vigilance and eradication of stigma will help us in winning the battle against TB,” Garin said, adding that the Philippines has already developed a 2010-2016 Philippine Plan of Action to Control TB.

The health chief explained that in 2011, rapid diagnostic tools such as Line Probe Assay, Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube and GeneXpert were introduced to improve and lessen turnaround time of Multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB diagnosis. There is also a continuous expansion of services for drug

resistant TB cases to at least one treatment center/satellite treatment center per province and highly urbanized city.

The success of the national TB program can be attributed to past efforts like the implementation of the DOTS Strategy or “Tutok-Gamutan”, management of the multi-drug resistant TB, initiation of public-private mix DOTS, implementation of TB in children program, and the enhancements of DOTS through the adoption of the WHO-endorsed STOP TB strategy and expansion of services to the vulnerable groups like the inmates and people living with HIV.

Tuberculosis ranked as the 8th leading cause of sickness in the country (based on 2010 data) and the 6th leading cause of death (based on the 2009 Philippine Health Statistics) Currently, the Philippines is 8th among the 22 TB high-burdened countries in the world in terms of TB cases.

“We are on the right track. We are winning our battle against TB. Let us continue to be vigilant, let us do our part. May papel ka.” Garin concluded. (doh.gov.ph)


Japan Supports Seven Projects for Peace and Development in Mindanao

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa signed on Tuesday seven (7) grant contracts with respective recipient organizations for various social development projects in conflict - affected areas in Mindanao at Astoria Plaza Hotel. These projects are funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) implemented by the Embassy of Japan as part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD).

The signing ceremony was attended by the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, Executive

Director of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) Mohammad Shuaib Yacob, and Member of Government Peace Negotiating Panel for Talks with


the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) Secretary Senen Bacani and so on.

The new package of assistance, amounting to 645,879 US dollars

(approximately 27 million pesos), will form part of Japan’s commitment to peace and development efforts in Mindanao. The package includes 3 projects in education, 2 projects in agriculture and 2 projects in health.

These projects are part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD), the Japanese government’s package of assistance in support of peace and development in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Since the launch of J-BIRD in 2006, Japan has supported 82 GGP projects in the total amount of 7.19 million US dollars through J-BIRD as of March 2015.

In addition to the GGP support, the Government of

Japan has continued to send two senior advisors under the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to assist the reconstruction and development of conflict-affected areas in Mindanao since October 2006. Moreover, since October 2009, Japan has been a member of the International Contact Group (ICG), which performs such roles as giving advice to the parties concerned on the Mindanao Peace Process and participating in peace talks as observers. (Embassy of Japan in the Philippines)

1. “The Project for the Construction of an Outpatient Building of Rural Health Unit of Vincenzo Sagun” 2. “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Dumadalig Integrated School in Tantangan, South Cotabato” 3. “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Manglicmot High School in Alamada, North Cotabato” 4. “The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Patadon Elementary School in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato” 5. “The Project for Providing Medical Equipment and Fixtures for the Delivery Room of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center” 6. “The Project for the Acquisition of Two (2) Units of Light Hauling Vehicles” 7. “The Project for the Provision of Pre and Postharvest Facilities for the Farmers of the Municipality of Bagumbayan in Sultan Kudarat”


Habitat beneficiaries plant hundreds of trees in 2 SurSur villagesBy: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - Beneficiaries of Butuan Habitat for Humanity (BHFH) Incorporated together with student-volunteers and residents of Barangays Upper Talisay and Loyola, both in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur planted on Monday assorted tree seedlings to beautify and create a more environmental-friendly atmosphere in their respective areas. Despite the scorching heat of the sun, the officials of BHFH and residents of barangay


Talisay conducted a tree planting activity in the morning while barangay Loyola in the afternoon of the same day. The group aimed also to increase the number of trees in the area. The residents of Brgy. Talisay aimed to plant a total of 300 assorted tree seedlings while 200 in Loyola. BHFHI immediate past president and now treasurer Nora Rama, who personally joined the group expressed that Butuan Habitat is very happy to see the willingness and interest of the beneficiaries to plant trees in their area that will not only cause good result to their community but will also help them in their livelihood. “May the beneficiaries give value to what they have started planting and continue to do the same regularly. They will soon harvest what they have planted,” added Rama. Atty. Abdussabor Sawadjaan Jr, regional head of Habitat for Humanity Philippines – Davao and Caraga regions also graced said activity and assessed the condition of the households in the two barangays. “I’m happy to see you all again especially the children getting involved in our tree planting today. Thank you also

to our volunteers from Butuan City who came here early just to join us in this endeavor,” said Sawadjaan. According to Brgy. Captain Celso Tambasacan in Upper Talisay, he intended to increase the number of trees in their barangay and promote healthy environment. “I personally planted a total of 36 Talisay trees. All of these planted trees will give us shed and will help prevent landslide in our area. This is the first time that we conducted the tree planting here in Upper Talisay. In order to sustain the growth of the trees, we will be assigning households to their area of responsibility where they will ensure its growth,” disclosed Tambasacan. Also, Edilberto Cacho, chairman of the Loyola Dream Housing Cooperative in Brgy. Loyola said that the 200 tree seedlings planted by the residents


BIR Caraga announces tax collection goal for 2015

BUTUAN CITY - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Caraga region announced it has been tasked to collect a total of P4.954, 691,000.00 tax collection goal for year 2015.

By: Malou Pizarro-Apego

During the launching of the “Angat Pa Pinas” tax campaign

for this year’s filing of Income Tax Returns, BIR Caraga regional

will serve as wind breakers especially during disaster. “Thank you very much for giving us your time and effort in visiting us here in our place and we are very fortunate that you were able to join us in our

tree planting. The Habitat for Humanity Philippines has been our partner ever since and we are very lucky,” shared Cacho.


BUTUAN CITY - The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region (DILG) 13 director Lilibeth A. Famacion is now Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) III. The Career Executive Service Board (CESB) published the list last March 17, 2015 in the CESB website.

CESB confers CESO III rank to DILG 13 chiefBy: Bryan F. Edulzura

director Norberto Vitug said this year’s goal is higher by 16.6 percent over last year. Vitug further revealed that BIR Caraga region posted a total tax collection of P4.019 billion or P4,019,690,000.00 from a total goal of P3.8 billion or P3, 806,532,369.00 last year. Vitug also said that the actual tax collection of Caraga region could have reached P4.3 billion or P4, 364,952,473.00 had the tax collections from mining companies not been remitted to the national government. In effect, Vitug said, Caraga

region actually has an excess tax collection in 2014 amounting to P172, 262,473.00 M or 4.11 percent. For this year’s campaign, the BIR intends to achieve the collection goal through the withholding taxes of the national government agencies (NGA’s), local government units (LGU’s), Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC’s), private individuals and corporations as well as from voluntary compliance and enforcements.


“We are very proud of our regional director because CES eligibility is very difficult to obtain. Not everyone in the government service is qualified to take this eligibility, much more in passing it. The battery of tests is similar to passing through a needle’s eye,” said Lolita Savaria Go, DILG union president. “It only shows the caliber and capacity of the Regional Director in managing the Department,” she added. “With this recent development, we believe that we truly live up to the expectation of our clients (Local Government Units) and significantly contribute to the goals of the National Government,” said OIC assistant regional director Donald A. Seronay. The CESB, the governing

body of the CES was created through Presidential Decree No. 1 dated September 24, 1972. CES eligibility is conferred to government employees (career and non-career) who are appointed as Division Chief position (SG) 24 or higher and has at least two (2) years of managerial experience (as pre-requisite) and passed the CESO eligibility four-stage tests. DILG Region 13 (Caraga) has three other CESOs namely: Pedrito P. Alacaba, provincial director of Surigao del Sur with CESO V ranking; and Romeo A. Solis, provincial director of Agusan del Norte and concurrent city director of Butuan City with CESO V ranking. Meanwhile, LGOO VII Charissa T. Guerta, chief of Local Government Capacity Development Division (LGCDD) of the DILG 13 Regional Office is also CES Eligible.


WMSU law dean urges women to report men’s abuses

By Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) College of Law dean, Atty. Eduardo Sanson, has encouraged women who are or have been abused by their husbands or male partners to seek help and protection from authorities to avoid being “battered.”

In Dateline Tel-eradyo on Saturday, Atty. Sanson explained that women are giv-en protection by the anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) law (Repub-

lic Act 9262) from all forms of abuses. “There are three classifications of vi-olence and abuses against women: physi-cal, psychological, and financial,” he said. Atty.


Sanson explained that physi-cal abuses include battering the woman, or inflicting physical harm. Psychological abuses in-clude verbal cruelty towards the woman and financial abuses in-clude not providing for the finan-cial needs of the woman or wife. He added that the law not only applies to married couples, but even to common-law (live-in) partners and boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. “Abuses are a crime and the perpetrators are criminally li-able,” he emphasized citing that a man can go to prison if found guilty of violating the law.In such cases, the women may report abuses to the barangay officials or the police. “The ba-rangays can give a protection or-der,” Atty. Sanson pointed out.Moreover, in the event a man

is caught in the act beating or abusing his wife, police and ba-rangay officials can immediately intervene. The main problem, said Atty. Sanson is that many women in spite of being constantly abused refuse to report the incidents be-cause of “love”. “Many of them remain silent because of a said ‘lovers’ pact’.” The Philippines is a signa-tory to the international conven-tion that protects women from all forms of violence. “As such, it has enacted laws particularly for the protection of women,” added Atty. Sanson. “Women are given special protection by the law because it recognizes her special needs, es-pecially because men should take care of them instead of abusing them,” he said.


FSCAP-9 officers sworn in By Gideon C. CorgueDAPITAN CITY – Newly elected officers of the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP)-Regional 9 Chapter took their oath office Friday before Dapitan Mayor Rosalina G. Jalosjos at the Amphitheater, City Hall Compound in this city.

Sworn into office were Sun-nyboy Maghinay – President, Corazon Herico -Vice Presi-dent, Avelino Sulit – Secretary, Rita Chavez-Treasurer, Moises Lagare,-Auditor, and Serafin Ra-

mos and Margarita Mayormita-Public Information Officers. The board of directors were Agapito Picardal, Fernando Car-iaga, Leo Marzan, Dr. Proceso Benlot, Emercino Fullo, and Flo


rentina Reambonza. Jalosjos encouraged them to “continue being an integral part of the community and to perform duties and responsibilities faith-fully.” In his message, the lady mayor Jalosjos said “our gov-ernment needs the collabora-tion among other sectors in our society particularly the elderly because through our concerted action, we can deal with various issues such as energy, environ-ment, unemployment, health, poverty, and peace and order. The role of senior citizens be-comes more important in tack-ling these issues.”

Jalosjos said her administra-tion vowed to protect and pro-mote the health and well being of senior adults while keeping their dignity. “We want them to be in-dependent by providing them with social support and recre-ational activities, programs, and support services,” she added. “We need to be concerned and to formulate measures for the enhancement and enrich-ment of quality lives for senior citizens,” Jalosjos stressed. Immediately after the induc-tion ceremony, the FSCAP officers conducted its first regional mobile meeting to plan out their programs and activities for this calendar year.

DA to award outstanding rice producers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - To give recognition to highly performing provinces, municipalities/cities, irrigators’ associations (IAs), Small Water Impounding Systems Associations (SWISAs) and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in their significant contribution towards achieving the country’s rice self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will honor the 2014 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers including the province of Bukidnon, the municipality of Lala, Lanao del Norte and 17 AEWs from Northern Mindanao.

By: DA-10


Surfacing as the laudable AEWs from the province of Bukidnon are: Ma. Lilith Turan, Lucell Carpentero, Cresencia Taguic, Floredel Tinoy, Sherwin Blanco, Jenalyn Avergozado, Ranilo Gallano, Shyrine Agustin, Anna Marie Vender; and Romulo Andot, Antipas Padilla, Jr., Rosevito Pogoy, Fedelina Cuaresma, Fe Eriquez, Ma. Luisa Gabutin, and Josefina Sabillo from the province of Lanao del Norte. The winning province and municipality will respectively receive P4 million and P1 million worth of project grants while the AEWs will receive cash incentive amounting to P20,000 each. Another awardee, the Patag-Coroña Irrigators Association, Inc. of Purok 5, South Poblacion,

Maramag, Bukidnon is also hailed as one of the outstanding rice achiever under the IA category. Llikewise, they will also receive a project grant worth P1M which will be shouldered by the National Irrigation Administration. Now on its fourth year of implementation, the search aimed to commend the hard work and support extended by farmers, agricultural technicians and local leaders in increasing productivity and income among rice farmers. Awarding rites for the province and municipality is set on March 26, 2014 at the Resorts World, Manila, where representatives from the said province and town will be attending while the AEWs will be honored in a ceremony to be spearheaded by DA-RFO 10.

Panaon Municipal Police arrests member of terrorist Marwan group

PANAON, Misamis Occidental - A Joint Team Checkpoint Operation conducted by the Municipal Police Station (MPS), here, successfully arrested one Abdul Malik Serapica Sali, a most wanted person in the national level, at about 7:30 a.m., last March 21.

By: JAT Garcia


Also known as (a.k.a) as Dindo, 30 years old, married, a resident of Purok 3, barangay Villalin, this town, Malik is an alleged member of the Alkhobar Terrorist Group under the umbrella of ZulkipFli Bin Hir a.k.a. Marwan. He was arrested along the national highway of Barangay Sumasap, Panaon, this Province by virtue of a warrant of arrest (WOA) docketed under CC# 282(08) for the crime of Multiple Murder with Multiple Frustrated Murder and Multiple Attempted Murder.

The WOA was issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) 11th Judicial Region Branch 19, Digos City, Davao del Sur, duly signed by Judge Carmelita Sarno-Davin, last December 12, 2008, with no bail bond recommended. Malik is the suspect of the Kidapawan and Digos City bombing incidents last 2006 and 2007 wherein numerous lives were lost, police senior. superintendent Archial Diokno Macala, provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Misamis Occidental said.

This is to include the amendments proposed, such as integration of programs, projects, and activities for San Luis, Malitbog in Bukidnon; and

addition of “monitoring and evaluation” as one vital section of the plan. In response to the urgent call for instituting sustainable peace

Peace council adopts Kalabugao peace, devt convergence planCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in region 10 adopted the Kalabugao Plain-Peace and Development Convergence Plan for Calendar Year 2015-2106.

By: Elaine O. Ratunil


and inclusive development in the remote areas, the formulation of Kalabugao Plain-Peace and Development Convergence Plan (KP-PDCP) was initiated by RPOC-10. The Kalabugao Plain-Peace and Development Convergence Plan captures multi-stakeholders’ commitment to support various initiatives targeting a cluster of barangays in the area. It is envisioned that the implementation of this plan shall transform Kalabugao Plain into an

economically, environmentally, and culturally-developed community. Kalabugao Plain, traversing triple provincial boundaries of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao region; and Agusan del Sur in Caraga region, has prevailing issues of poverty, land disputes, weak governance, and armed hostilities between the government troops and rebel groups.

Enough water sources for Holy Week Mt. Apo trek- Di-gos LGU

DAVAO CITY- Environ-ment and Tourism of-ficials of Digos City, Davao del Sur assured mountain climbers that there are enough water sources en route Mt. Apo via Barangay Kapa-tagan. Edgardo Elera, tour-ism officer of Digos City said based on the as-sessment survey con-ducted from March 16 to 20 on the Kapatagan trail, water sources can be found in Sitio Upper Sabuag, Baroring River,

Camp Gudi-gu-di and even in the main camp on the peak of Mt. Apo. He said that the grass on the peak has gradually turned from green to brown due to the cli-mate change. “That is why we are regulat-

ing the climb because of the problem of possible forest fire. But we have enough water sources as far as last week’s assess-ment,” Elera said. He said climbers are also encourage to bring their own water and to refill their containers if necessary. Elera also revealed that all tourism offices in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato in a meeting conducted February 26 by the Protected Areas Management Board


agreed a resolution, approving an in-crease of P1,500 for the climbing fee and another P1,500 for the exit fee during peak season only, Holy Week in particular. “An exit fee of P1,500 is charged only if a climber goes out of the mountain via another trail,” he said. Elera said that on regular sea-son, climbing and exit fees are charged at P1,000 per climber. He said pending publication of the resolution, the new rate will take effect in May, 2015. “So climber now can still avail of the old rate based on the status quo even during Holy Week, with North Cotabato side charging P1,000 as exit fee,” Elera said. He said the local government unit of Digos City charges currently climbing fees at P720 for local climb-ers, P1,080 for foreigners and P432 for students, with an exit fee of P288. Elera said using the same trail back and forth does not require exit fee any longer. “As of now, Digos City has reg-ulated the entry of 400 climbers dur-ing this year’s climbing season,” he said. Eduardo Ragasa, operations su-perintendent of the Mt. Apo National Park of the Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resources (DENR) said climbers will be oriented prop-erly before trekking Mt. Apo through the trained guides and the porters. He assured that the tour guides

and porters have been trained about environmental management and pro-tection. Ragasa underscored that with the El Nino phenomenon, forest fire is a threat to Mt. Apo. Currently, there are six trails going to Mt. Apo via Sta. Cruz, Digos City and Bansalan in Davao del Sur and Makilala, Kidapawan City and Magpet in North Cotabato. Davao City trail via Barangay Tamugan has been closed indefinitely since the trail has to pass Mt. Talomo which is a recharge zone of the aqui-fer, the city’s water source. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


ComVal to distribute free fertilizers to banana farmers

COMPOSTELA VALLEY----As part of its continued efforts for the recovery of the province’s agri-cultural industry, the provincial government of Compostela Valley, through the Department of Agri-culture (DA), will be distributing free fertilizers to banana farmers in Typhoon Pablo hard-hit areas. This was confirmed by ComVal Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PA-GRO) Chief Dr. Rolando Simene on March 16 during the public hearing of the proposed Banana Industry Or-dinance of the province which seeks to provide initiatives for the develop-ment of banana industry in the prov-ince. Simene said the provincial gov-ernment purchased a total of 31,000 sacks of fertilizers which will be dis-tributed to banana farmers in the municipality of Laak, Mawab, Nabun-

turan, Maragusan, Compostela, New Bataan, Monkayo, and Montevista. Meanwhile, PAGRO High Value Commercial Crops Development Di-vision Chief Minda Agarano added that only banana farmers who grow their own crops will be given free fertilizers. While the distribution of fertil-izers will be limited to at most five hectares per farmer, two sacks of fertilizers will be provided for ev-ery hectare of banana farm. (James Labrigas / IDS ComVal)

Koronadal City gears up for Earth HourBy: Danilo E.Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar, 24 -- Once again, the City of Koronadal will join over 7,000 locations worldwide in the celebration of the Earth Hour 2015.

Mayor Peter Miguel confirmed that as in the previous years the city government will lead local activity as part of the world-wide celebration to promote unity to fight climate change switching off elec-tricity from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 28, Saturday. Mayor Miguel said, participants will con-verge at the Gaisano Grand Mall before 7:00 p.m. on March 27. They will then march the Gensan Drive, the city’s main road, toward the Old City Hall area for the one-hour switch off and participant lighting candles instead.Several personalities will be invited to de-liver messages on the importance of envi-ronmental protection and the importance of the Earth Hour.Earth Hour 2015’s tagline is “Use Your Power to Change Climate Change.Mayor Miguel also appealed to residents and local businesses to join the switch off event.Meanwhile, the local power distributor, South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (SO


NorthCot villages get over P9M worth of infra projectsBy: Shahana Joy Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Mar. 24—Five villages in the province recently received infrastructure projects from the provin

COTECO 1) has confirmed participation in the Earth Hour celebration.SOCOTECO 1 General Manager Santiago Tudio said they are considering switching pow-er off for at least 30 minutes during the event.“During the meeting of the upcoming meeting of the board of directors, I will pro-pose for 30 minutes to 1 hour power interruption for the Earth Hour,” Tudio said.

In Earth Hour 2014, SOCOTECO 1 switched off electricity along the stretch of Gensan Drive while the activities. Earth Hour is organizes by the World Wide Fund for Nature. This lights-off event started in Sydney Australia in 2007.Philippines started participat-ing in the Earth Hour event in 2008 and has contributed most participants from 2009 to 2013. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


cial government worth more than P9 million.

These include a multi-purpose building worth P500,000 located in Barangay Kayaga in Kaba-can, a two-storey multi-purpose building in Barangay San Roque worth P600,000 and a 500-me-ter road concreting project worth P5 million in Barangay Perez, both in Kidapawan City.

Also, a 200-meter road reha-bilitation project worth P2 mil-liom that connects Barangay Perez and Barangay Balabag was implemented.

Further, Barangay Perez of Kidapawan and Barangay Liber-tad of Makilala were both given water system and spring devel-opment project which has a total cost of P500,000. On the other hand, a multi-purpose building worth P600,000 was turned over in Biangan, Makilala.

With these infrastructure proj-ects, the villages’ officials ex-tended their gratefulness to the provincial government.

Barangay Kayaga chairman, Bong Bacana noted that the fa-cility erected in their area will be of great help to the villagers as it could become a venue for dif-ferent important activities.

Meanwhile, Allan Masibay, chairman of Barangay Perez was thankful of the road project

which according to him solves the difficulty encountered by many travelers especially the students and teachers who pass by the road every day.

He was also happy that a wa-ter system was put up in the village and can now be used by hundreds of families mak-ing them safe from possible in-fections or diseases through a source of potable water.

“These are concrete projects which answer our basic needs here in the village and I thank the provincial government for looking into our village and for providing what the people really need,” Masibay stated.

For her part, Governor Em-mylou Mendoza emphasized that the provincial government is steadfast in ensuring that major infrastructure projects are imple-mented to villages which are re-ally in need of assistance.

Together with the officials of the provincial government, Mendoza noted that other infra-structure projects will also be implemented in different villages of the province to answer the needs of the province’s constitu-ents. (SJDuerme-PIA12/JSta.Cruz-N. Cot. Provincial Govern-ment)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 24-- Preparations for the April 25 Sangguniang Kabataan elections has kept on de-spite reports of possible postponement, an official of the Com-mission on Elections (Comelec) here confirmed.

Preparations for SK elections continueBy: Danilo E.Doguiles

Atty. Jay Gerada, provincial election supervisor said that although there are reports that the proposed measure postpon-ing the SK polls will push through, “we have not yet re-ceived any official order on this, thus, arrangements for the SK elections will carry on.”

“Election period will start on March 26, 30 days prior to the election date,” Dr. Gerada. said.

Per Comelec Resolution No. 9930 approved on February 5 the election period will be from March 26 to May 10 this year.

Within these dates, gun ban and ban on appointments or movements of government personnel will be in effect.

The same resolution further stipulated the calendar of activi-ties pertaining to the SK elec-tions:

Filing of certificate of candi-dacy on April 11, 13, and 14; campaign perios on April 15 to 23, and the submission of state-ments of election contributions

and expenses (SOCE) on April 26 to May 25.

The SK election will be done manually.

Atty. Gerada added that they have completed most of the pre-liminary activities for the polls, except discussing details with the chiefs of police, election of-ficers and counterparts from the Department of Education.

South Cotabato including Gen-eral Santos City has 29,878 registered SK voters.

Acting Comelec Chair Chris-tian Robert Lim confirmed they have stopped all the bidding processes pertaining to the SK balloting since it is very likely to be postponed again.

He said Comelec has got-ten word that the Office of the President has received the SK Reform Bill on March 4.

If by April 4, it would remain unsigned by President Benigno Aquino III , the bill would auto-matically be passed into law.

(Doguiles-PIA 12)

one mindanao - march 24, 2015

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