one mindanao - march 3, 2016

MILF, MNLF jointly call on Bangsamoro for unity and solidarity

SOCCSKSARGEN to implement P7.3 M worth of BuB tourism projects18SurSur vet office set for Rabies Aware-ness Month celebration21Greg Tataro Jr, CARAGA

ISAWAD’s drilling of new water well to benefit 7 barangays29Rene V. Carbayas, Western Mindanao

DBM releases P12-B for irrigation expansion11

LGU AgSur bares sched for scholarship screening for SY 2016-201723

Stakeholders’ support cited for the success of gift-giving activity31Gideon C. Corgue,Western Mindanao

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2nd leg Barangay Job Fair continues in Iligan35Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega, Northern Mindanao

DOLE forms council of pharmacies in Bukidnon36Tagum City to inaugurate new City Hall during Cityhood fete38Richi D. Gulle ,Southern Mindanao

today’s news

Legal education in Davao gets boost with new law school

Cover Story

By Rudolph Alama

913 16

27 3420

Jennifer P. Gaitano., CARAGA

Reyna L. Tagailo, Northern Mindanao

AMOGayao, SOCCSKSARGEN

EDITORIAL BOARDEDITORIAL ADVISERSSEC. SONNY B. COLOMAPresidential Communications Operations Office

JOSE MARI M. OQUIÑENA Director General Philippine Information AgencyEXECUTIVE EDITOR EFREN F. ELBANBUENACluster Head, Southern, Western &Central MindanaoRegional Director, PIA Region XI

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

ASSOCIATE EDITORS NOEMI B. EDAGARegional Director, PIA Region IX

THELMA B. OLIVERRegional Director, PIA Region X

OLIVIA T. SUDARIARegional Director, PIA Region XIIREGIONAL DESK EDITORS FRANKLIN P. GUMAPON, PIA Region IXALMA 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 EDITORSFRYAN E. ABKILAN, PIA Caraga Region NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE, PIA Caraga RegionVENUS L. GARCIA, PIA Caraga Region

SENIOR GRAPHICS LAYOUT ARTIST

GERIE MAE G. COCO, PIA Caraga RegionLAYOUT ARTISTSDOMINIC SANCHEZ, PIA Region IX RETCHIE TOLINERO, PIA Region XZENER DUMAGUING, PIA Region XDAISY JANE M. APIT, PIA Region XIII

PIA Regional OfficesWestern Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)P. Urro Street, San Francisco DistrictPagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038Cellphone no. 0919-9994516E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]: www.piazampen.blogspot.comFacebook: PIA WesMin Info Bliz

Northern MindanaoGraces’ 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

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]

SOCCSKSARGEN RegionBautista 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)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

One Mindanao

4 March 3, 2016One Mindanao

Jose Maria College of Law is now officially the third law school in Davao City after University of Mindanao

College of Law which was established in 1948 and the Ateneo de Davao College of Law set-up in 1961.


A collaboration project between the United Nations’ World Food Program, USAID, and the Provincial Government, this new facility will serve as a command center for proper coordination and efficient

response in times of disaster situations.

This facility, which will serve as a central coordinating body for various stakeholders on disaster response and

preparedness, said the PRRMO, is very crucial in sharing information, communication and monitoring.

Aside from serving its role during disaster, the operation center will also serve as the

housing of rescue equipment, venue for disaster response trainings, and

By Rudolph Alama

5March 3, 2016 One Mindanao



convergence area of Emergency

Response Teams and Action Officers.

According to the PDRRMO, the establishment of the operation center is part of the WFP’s drive to

intensify Disaster Preparedness and Response Capacity

through DRRM Planning and logistics support.

WFP Deputy

Country Director Martin Betteley vowed the WFP’s unwavering support to the province, especially now that the organization is focusing more on emergency and preparedness. “We all know that the more we spend on preparedness and mitigation measures we are going have to spend a lot less time in the response and I think that is now globally what WFP is looking at,” he said.

He also lauded the concerted

7March 3, 2016 One Mindanao 7

efforts of all stakeholders in preparing the communities for disasters. “We are honored and proud to be your partners,” he told the Provincial Government Department Heads and representatives of different organizations here in the province, highlighting WFP’s partnership with Davao Oriental during the Typhoon Pablo response in 2012. “The WFP is very small compared to the contribution of the people here that made this possible,” he added.

Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Yvette T. Sunga highlighted the relevance of the operation center in light with the present climate change phenomenon. “Disaster comes in many forms. Climate change is here to stay and it is the mandate of the DILG to ensure the preparedness of each LGU in the province,” she said, noting the upcoming Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment, wherein one of the indicators of the province’s preparedness for disasters is a functional, effective, and efficient Emergency Operation Center.

She lauded the Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon for seriously addressing the preparedness and resiliency aspect of governance.“Through the convergent efforts of all stakeholders we can sustain and exceed with whatever performance we are currently showing right now through the different


support mechanisms that the different partner agencies are showing.” Governor Malanyaon, who was represented by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Freddie C. Bendulo during the inaugural ceremony, conveyed her gratitude to the WFP, USAID, as well as other stakeholders in helping Davao Oriental become a resilient and well-prepared province. “We consider this project so much reason to be upbeat about the future with the unremitting positive developments in our province, to the dynamic beauty of complementation of our efforts – our very own take in the convergence approach in the commitment of stakeholders, such as your organization, is helping us gain a more secure footing towards the socio-economic development of the Province, as a whole,” she said in the message. (Davao Oriental P I O / P h o t o by Eden Jhan Licayan)


BOI positions PH as retirement haven

MAKATI CITY-- The Board of Investments (BOI) and retirement industry stakeholders envision the Philippines as a viable retirement destination for foreign and Filipino retirees. DTI Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo described the Philippines as an “emerging” retirement destination. “With our compassionate and competent pool of healthcare professionals and world class wellness facilities, the Philippines is fast becoming an attractive country for foreign and Filipino retirees from around the world,” he said.

The Board of Investments said that the Retirement Industry Roadmap will be finalized within

the first half of 2016. The roadmap was crafted by stakeholders in the retirement industry in collaboration with BOI and other government agencies.

The Retirement Industry Roadmap outlines the course of action needed for the industry to be globally-competitive. The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), current chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Retirement Sector’s Roadmapping Activity, is currently reviewing the draft roadmap.

One Mindanao10 March 3, 2016

In the Annual Global Retirement Index 2016, the International Living Magazine ranked the Philippines as 17th out of the 23 best countries to retire in. The Annual Global Retirement Index bases its rating on a number of composite factors, namely, real estate costs, special benefits for retirees, cost of living, leisure amenities, healthcare services, infrastructure, and climate.

The retirement industry has made considerable contributions to the economy, reflected largely in revenues from visa deposits of Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) holders. Introduced by PRA in 1987 to entice foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens to retire in the country, retirees can either apply for multiple entry privileges and rights to stay permanently or indefinitely in the country by way of visa deposits ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 50,000 and USD 1,500 for former diplomatic corps workers. In 2014, PRA enrolled 4,781 new retirees. Total visa deposits of SRRV holders as of December 31, 2014 amounted to USD 452 million or about P19 billion.

Although not yet comprehensively documented, significant economic contributions are known to also come from local retirees and pensioners from the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System (of about 1.3 million individuals combined), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and the Retirement and Separation Benefits System (AFP-RSBS) for the uniformed services.

Meanwhile, Retirement & Healthcare Coalition, International, a non-profit, non-stock private organization affiliated with the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, is doing its share in making the country more viable as a retirement destination. The organization recently conducted a certification and training program for a Quality Management System based on DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 to participating nursing homes under the Public Private Partnership Project “Human Touch.” The activities under the program were tailor-made for the institutional framework of the Philippines. (BOI)


MANILA -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced yesterday the release of P11.8 billion to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the expansion of irrigation across the country, as well as the P500 million for the Quick Response Fund.

DBM releases P12-B for irrigation expansion

“ This latest release, which is part of NIA’s budget this year, will go towards Irrigation Network Services and Locally-funded Projects,” Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said. “The remaining portion of NIA’s P32.7 billion budget for 2016 will follow once the agency submits

the necessary documentary requirements.”

Irrigation Network Services, part of NIA’s mandate, consists of the extension and expansion of existing irrigation systems, repair, operation, and maintenance of pumping systems, repair of

One Mindanao12 March 3, 2016

groundwater systems, irrigation management support services, rehabilitation of irrigation works damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, and climate change adaptation works.

The P500 million corresponds to the appropriation for NIA’s Quick Response Fund under their budget. Abad said this release will cover the requirements of NIA towards addressing the impacts of El Niño. Abad added that proposed measures to address the impacts of El Niño may be funded by the regular budgets of agencies as long as these measures fall under programs, activities and projects inherent to the agency’s mandate. “We know that many communities are severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Since we are only in the first quarter of the year, we cannot identify yet the budgetary savings to be used for interventions for El Niño,” he said.

Abad said the DBM has advised NIA, as well as concerned agencies, to maximize their

appropriations and to charge their funding requirements for said interventions to existing programs, activities and projects under their budget.

“Agencies may also use the QRF to serve as stand-by fund to normalize the condition of peoples and communities in areas under state of calamity,” he said.

Abad said that if the regular budget and QRF are insufficient to fund El Niño-related interventions, agencies may request for the release of additional funds to be charged against the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF). (DBM)

One Mindanao March 3, 2016


MILF, MNLF jointly call on Bangsamoro for unity and solidarity

COTABATO CITY- As most Filipinos celebrated the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution last February 25, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) addressed in a joint assembly the Bangsamoro issue and called for unity and solidarity amidst the uncertainty brought by the non-passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

14 One Mindanao March 3, 2016

“The joint effort of the two Moro revolutionary fronts to assemble and unite is reflective of MNLF’s commitment to the agreed convergence of the two peace tracks of the MNLF and MILF into a single roadmap, said MNLF Chairman Muslimin Sema, adding that the event was also part of the MILF’s program of unification and reconciliation for Moro leaders.

The assembly, held in Carmen, North Cotabato, was headed by the MNLF’s Bukidnon State Revolutionary Committee and the MILF’s Kapalawan Provincial Committee.

During the 5th Ministerial Level Meeting of the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) between the Philippine government and the MNLF, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Iyad bin Amin Madani

highlighted their intention and understanding to combine the two peace processes of the MNLF and MILF into a single roadmap.

Madani said at that time that ‘there [was] a need for the two Moro fronts to find a common understanding since they share the same political clamor and aspirations as expressed in the [BBL].”

The review process that concluded last January 25 maintained that the MNLF would participate in the 60-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) – the transition government that would have bridged the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the proposed Bangsamoro parliamentary government as determined in the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) -- together with the leadership of the MILF and

other stakeholders which would o p e r a t i o n a l i z e the convergence efforts of the MILF and the MNLF through a political exercise.

However, the BTA didn’t come into fruition due to the 16th Congress’

FILE PHOTO OF RAPPLER.COM


collective failure to pass the BBL. “[T]he division among the Bangsamoro people into different groups may have triggered the non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the House of Representatives,” commented MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jafaar.

Jafaar, noting that the Bangsamoro people have been engaged in the peace talks for over 30 years going back to the leadership of MNLF, commented that they “will continue a peaceful peace process until Mindanao achieves an equally lasting peace”. In a separate statement, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Atty. Jose Lorena said that with the completion of the TRP and in the incorporation of the MNLF agenda with the CAB under a single framework, “the CAB and correspondingly the BBL will become the inclusive framework for all the Bangsamoro in addressing the legitimate and validated Bangsamoro aspiration for genuine political autonomy and the right to self-determination. It is now clear that there will be a single framework through the BBL which will preserve the gains of the 1996 FPA and the CAB.”

Bangsamoro youth key to unity, self-determination

In an earlier event held in Davao City, Jaafar commented that the Bangsamoro youth would be instrumental in realizing the Bangsamoro aspiration for genuine autonomy and self-determination as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. “The goal of the Bangsamoro youth now should be to unite and to be at the forefront in realizing the aspiration of the Bangsamoro people to self-determination.”

Speaking directly to the youth, the MILF vice chairman said that they “should exhaust all means of diplomacy in fighting for the Bangsamoro struggle before thinking of engaging ideas of war.”

The MILF leadership has earlier confirmed the inclination of some Bangsamoro youth toward extremism as well as the ongoing recruitment of young people in organizations that have declared allegiance with global terror group ISIS operating within the ARMM especially in the cities of Cotabato and Marawi.

Nevertheless, Jaafar expressed “high hopes for the Bangsamoro youth to serve their people someday and to become good Bangsamoro leaders.” (PPMB)

FILE PHOTO OF RAPPLER.COM


Only 1,000 allowed to climb Mt. Apo during Holy Week By: Danilo E.Doguiles

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato Mar. 3 — Mt. Apo, the coun-try’s highest peak, will be open for the Holy Week climb but only for a limited number of climbers, an official here an-nounced.

Joey Recimilla, city tourism officer, told Philippine Informa-

tion Agency 12 that the Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected


Area Management Board’s (MANP-PAMB) Eco-Tourism Committee in its meeting on February 26 decided to regu-late entry to Mt. Apo because of the prevailing El Nino phe-nomenon.

“Only 1,000 climbers will be permitted to climb Mt. Apo during the Holy Week. This is allocated as follows 200 via Kidapawan City, 100 via Mag-pet, 100 in Makilala, 300 in Sta. Cruz, and 200 in Digos City,” Recimilla said.

Kidapawan, Magpet and Makilala are in North Cotabato; Digos and Sta.Cruz are in Davao del Sur.

“The main concerns for the regulation are drought and fire prevention,” he added. “Water shortage is also a prob-lem in most trails, except those in Kidapawan and Magpet.”

Based on the MANP-PAMB’s monitoring, grass fires have recently been reported in Sitio Garok along the Sibulan trail in Sta. Cruz and Barangay Bi-naton in Digos.

Besides keeping tabs on the number of climbers, he said, the PAMB “will also strictly enforce mountaineering law and forest prevention measures.”

MANP-PAMB’s Forest Fire

Prevention Rules prohibits fire-works, burning of debris and building of campfires. Wood sticks, logs and charcoals are not allowed for cooking.

Also, all flaming substances, including but not limited to lighted cigarettes, cigars, ashes, and matches, must be extin-guished before being discarded.

Smoking is allowed only at areas free of flammable or com-bustible material.

In 2015, MANP-PAMB also regulated climb during Holy Week setting the number of climbers to only 200 persons taking the Kidapawan trail. Only 184 trekkers actually reg-istered.

“Mt. Apo is likely to be closed after the Holy Week if there will be no rain in sight,” Recimilla said.

Rising 2,956 meters above sea level, Mt. Apo is the high-est mountain peak in the Philip-pines.

In the past when trek-king here was still unregu-lated, climbers going up the peak during the Holy Week could exceed 5,000. Of these, over 2,000 passed through Kidapawan City, Recimilla said. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


SOCCSKSARGEN to implement P7.3 M worth of BuB tourism projects

These projects, according to DOT 12 Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera, will be implement-ed this year under the gov-ernment’s Bottom-up Budget-ing (BuB) program.

Director Dillera said she and tourism development area managers have started meet-ing with local chief executives to assess specific areas, final-ize the projects, discuss direc-tions and gather documents necessary for the release of the funds.

Tourism BUB funds for 2016 are for Sto. Nino, Tupi, Banga and Koronadal City in South Cotabato, Malapatan in Saran-gani, Lebak in Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.

The tourism development project for Cotabato City in-clude tourism or marketing plan, front office training, prod-uct development for the Grand Mosque, rehabilitation of the old city hall, and set of promo col-

laterals.Sto Niño will use its funds for

further upgrading of Bugtong Bukid, a local government oper-ated tourism resort while Lebak is set to construct a walkway in its 700-hectare mangrove area in Taguisa.

Meanwhile, Koronadal City is embarking on a waitering and bartending, housekeeping, and product development project for it Blaan tribal villages.

Other tourism projects in-clude the Tarsier tourism proj-ect in Tupi, database set up and corn village establishment in Banga and formulation of a tourism development plan for Malapatan.

Critical to these proposals are plans that would set the direction of the tourism indus-try development in these areas. Thus, Dillera requested all mu-nicipalities with BUB funds to first allocate funds for tourism plans as basis of developing po

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar. 3— Seven more tourism projects amounting to P7.3M were approved recently, a tourism official announced.


tential tourism sites. South Cotabato’s provincial

government funded the formu-lation of tourism plans for all its municipalities.

At present, 24 tourism and site plans are already completed and are undergoing respective product development as indicat-ed in the plan, Dillera added.

In 2015, 27 tourism projects under the BUB program of the DOT 12 were approved amount-ing to P22.8 Million.

Already completed are pro-duction of promotional materials in Maasim; tourism promotional collateral and capability building for tourism front liners in Glan; tourism development plan in Al-abel, all in Sarangani province; Capability building for homestay in Makilala, North Cotabato; skills training in cave guiding in Senator Ninoy Aquino and es-tablishment of visitor’s center in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat; and production of promotional collat-erals in Lake Sebu.

To apply for the BUB grants, DOT requires the LGUs to sub-mit certification technical capac-ity to implement their project; a seal of good housekeeping awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Govern-ment; substantial progress in

Public Financial Management Improvement Plan as deter-mined by the Department of Budget and Management; de-sign, and program of works; Sangguniang resolution autho-rizing local executive officer to enter MOA with DOT on BUB projects; MOA between LGU and DOT; and funding counterpart sourced from LGU and annual budget.

These BUB projects help sus-tain standard and provide con-tinuous development to the tourism sites, facilities, and key players.

DOT 12 ensures that these projects, when implemented, will have a lasting multiplier ef-fect on the stakeholders and the community.

Dilleras said she is mak-ing sure that these projects are appropriated to deserving recipients by engaging in their planning, inspection, and train-ings. (AMOGayao-DOT 12/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


RDC-Caraga urges gov’t agencies to allocate budget for youth By: Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) – Cara-ga on Wednesday approved a council resolution which enjoins the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) and State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) to disaggregate youth development from their list of Pro-grams, Projects, Assistance (PPAs) during its 86th RDC full council meeting last March 2, held this city.


RDC Resolution No. 4, Series 2016 is “encouraging RLAs and SUCs in the region to earmark at least 1% of their budget for youth development-related PPAs.” The list for PPAs related to youth development shall be

submitted to RDC Secretariat for consolidation and shall also be presented to the National Youth Commission (NYC). The full council meeting was held at NEDA-Caraga Building, J. Rosales Avenue, this city.

SurSur vet office set for Rabies Awareness Month celebration By: Greg Tataro Jr

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here headed by Dr. Gervacio Yparraguirre is all set to spearhead the month-long Rabies Awareness Month celebration in March.


Dr. Margarito Latore, PVO senior veterinarian, said that the initial schedule for anti-rabies vaccination had already been disseminated for the information of all concerned. Medicines dedicated to this undertaking were already taken care of, it was learned. With the theme “End Rabies, Now Na!” the PVO had long wished that Surigao del Sur would be finally declared rabies-free. However, records from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) under Dr. Eric Montesclaros here had continued to show otherwise. Incidence of animal bites had remained high due to problems on stray dogs, in particular, sources said. Dr. Helen Caño, chief, Provincial Health Team (PHT) of the Department of Health (DOH) here agreed with the data, recalling a patient diagnosed with rabies at Adela Serra-Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) some years back. In 2015, cases of dog bites alone were posted at 2,339 province-wide. Meanwhile, Dr. Zeny Gambe, Tandag City veterinarian, confirmed that this city had the most number of cases—at 543—as far as dog bites was concerned

during the said year. But, on top of that, Tandag City had led the list among the local government units (LGUs) even on “cat and other animal bites,” tallied at 135 and 12, respectively, in the same period. The city chief vet upheld that the LGU had not been remiss in addressing the mounting problem, admitting, on the other hand, that it needed utmost and continued cooperation from the general public. “This year, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel is bent on building an impounding facility for stray dogs,” she stressed. Mass vaccination, being part of the on-going Barangay Visitation, would be their major activity for this year’s Rabies Awareness Month celebration, Dr. Gambe added.


LGU AgSur bares sched for scholarship screening for SY 2016-2017By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY- The provincial government of Agusan Del Sur, through the Provincial Scholarship Screening Committee will be administering the 2016 Provincial Scholarship Examination on April 13, 2016, 8am to applicants for the various scholarship programs of said province for School Year 2016-2017.

file photo of www.choosephilippines.com

Acceptance of applications will be from March 1 to April 8, 2016 only. Applications submitted after the said dates will not be accepted. Applications will be pre-screened & examination permits will be issued to qualified applications only. No permit, no examination. Walk-in applicants will not be entertained, it was learned.

25March 3, 2016 One Mindanao 25


RDC urges SUCs to conduct student consultation before collecting feesBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – State universities and colleges (SUCs) must first make consultations with stakeholders and seek approval from RDC before collecting any fees from the students.

This was stressed by the Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC)-9 during its first quarter

meeting on Friday, February 26, 2016 at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City.


Among the agenda during the said meeting was the review of the Annual Investments Program (AIP) of regional line agencies and SUCs to ensure that these are consistent with the region’s development priorities which will serve as a guide during the regional budget review and consultation. “You have to inform your students about your collection fees and for what purpose it is intended,” RSDC-9 Chairperson and Private Sector Representative (PSR) Nestor R. Carbonera emphasized.“The collection of fees to students must be acceptable by the community and must be within the paying capacity of stakeholders,” NYC-9 Director Raymond B. Domingo suggested.Meanwhile, the management of Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) said that they have removed the developmental fee of Php 2, 000 due to the clamor of society but is now collecting only Php 1, 000 for physical and equipment fee.

Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy answered that the collection of developmental fee by the university is technically illegal, they just changed its name and reduced the fee but still it’s illegal.Moreover, during the said meeting, the Commission on Higher Education 9 said that with the enactment of RA 10687 on the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act (UniFAST), it will allow scholars to have more than one scholarship to finish their studies. Hopefully, they can also be provided everything, not only tuition fees but also uniform and book allowances.It was also announced by Department of Education 9 Regional Director Isabelita M. Borres that the salary of senior high school teachers will be one grade higher than regular teachers. Thus, they will have a salary grade of 12 instead of 11.


ISAWAD’s drilling of new water well to benefit 7 barangaysBy Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – Potable water will soon be made available to the seven barangays in the island of Malamawi in Isabela City, Basilan with the ongoing drilling operations of the Isabela City Water District (ISAWAD) in search of fresh water supply. “We have an ongoing ground well project in Malamawi aimed at providing water supply to the seven barangays within the island,” Isabela Water District (ISAWAD) Engineering and Construction Division head Engineer Aniceto Evardo said in an interview over PIA Basilan

radio program. “We’ve finished drilling one well and it yielded positive potable water. Another ground well is still being drilled in the island,” Ms. Carla Shane Patega, ISAWAD division manager for Administrative and General Services disclosed.


Both ground wells are located in a private property in Lukbuton, Malamawi. “We have to ensure first the presence of water source in the area before making any lot purchases. Presently, we are in agreement with the owner.”Patega stressed that one thing with exploration of source is, “it cannot be done in one instant. It took us two years to bring in all the drilling machineries in the island because we cannot support such an expensive cost. The project costs millions of pesos.” In addition, the water district found it difficult to look for contractors that would undertake because of the huge work and amount involved, thus, the need for foreign aid.The said project, which is a joint venture with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will benefit the residents of Baragays Lukbuton, Sta. Barbara, Diki, Carbon, Marang-Marang, Panigayan, and Tampalan at Malamawi Island.The USAID, through the BeSecure

Project, also supports the water district’s Source Development Project, a mitigation and adaptation measures for the coming 10-year period and the vulnerability assessment in preparation for a severe drought by 2020 and 2050.Water consumers at Malamawi Island will be paying the same rates as those in the mainland and a slight addition for the pumping cost. To solve this problem, Evardo revealed that they are planning to put up a solar-run generator for water extraction to bring down the cost.On the other hand, the water district made a feasibility study three years ago with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LUWA) and it sought assistance last year from the Zamboanga City Water District to conduct the Geologist’s Utility to help them determine the water table to explore in the main land.In a separate interview, Patega said that they are also set to open ground wells in Tabiawan and Sumagdang in the forthcoming


years. “The contractors of the Malamawi project are from Cebu. They will be the same people who will work with our mainland project.”When asked about the possibility of forging agreements between cities and municipalities to share

water sources, ISAWAD said It is unlikely for them considering that the neighboring municipalities are also experiencing the scorching heat of El Nino.They are expected to open the ground well within this year.

Stakeholders’ support cited for the success of gift-giving activity By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army and 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army acknowledged the support of stakeholders for the success of the gift-giving activity dubbed “Bundles of Joy” and feeding program on Monday held at Upper Pulacan Elementary School, this municipality.


At least 50 indigent schoolchildren of Upper Pulacan Elementary School were given bags of canned goods and personal hygiene kits from GMA Kapuso Foundation. A hundred pairs of slippers from the Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC) were distributed to the pupils. Following the gift-giving activity, a feeding program was also conducted by the 1FAB.1CAV commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlemagne Batayola, Jr. in his message said it was a great joy and privilege for the 1CAV and 1FAB to partner with the stakeholders in the activity.Batayola underscored the importance of stakeholders’ engagement in the implementation of their programs and projects.“I thank all those who have contributed in one way or the other to make the “Bundles of Joy” and feeding program a resounding success,” Batayola proudly said. “Without the cooperation of key

stakeholders, I am certain that this activity would never be possible,” Batayola added.“Kini among pangandoy nga sa among gamay nga pamaagi makahatag kami ug kalipay ug paglaum sa mga kabataan dinhi sa Upper Pulacan Elementary School (It is our dream that in our own little way, we can give a little joy and hope to the children here in Upper Pulacan Elementary School),” Batayola said.Meanwhile, Captain Clarence Bautista, operations officer of 1FAB said the civil-military operations (CMO) activities that they are conducting is designed to bring basic services to the people.He was very happy to visit and serve the school where he completed his elementary education.“Masaya po ako na bumalik at makapagsilbi sa paaralan na aking pinanggagalingan. Dito po ako nag-aral ng aking elementary education noong 1993. Nagagalak at natutuwa po ako na nakita ko ang aking mga


guro,” Bautista, who hails from Nueva Ecija proudly announced.He encouraged the schoolchildren

to strive hard to be the best that they can be since poverty is not a hindrance to success.


During the Philippine Information Agency-10’s (PIA-10) radio program, Lambo Dyes, Mark Anthony Viernes of the DSWD said that as of January 19, the field office already has 19 children subject for adoption who are looking for parents to hug and seeking for a permanent home or family. According to Viernes, “Ang adoption usa ka socio-legal nga

proseso diin ang proseso mag-una diha sa DSWD ug ang legal diha sa hukmanan o korte; naghatag ug permanenteng pamilya sa mga kabatan-ononan nga anaa sa atoang mga center nga gi-abandona, gipangbyaan ug nangakit-an diha sa atong mga simbahan kun ginatawag nato’g foundling child. Ang foster care temporaryo lamang nga paghatag ug parental care o

pagpuyo sa usa ka pamilya.” (Adoption is a socio-legal process that starts at the DSWD while the legal aspect is handled by the court; this allows the abandoned, neglected or foundling children in our centers to have a permanent family. Foster care on the other hand is the act of providing temporary parental care or

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To provide a better life, promising future and real identity to children who are abandoned or neglected, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 encourages couples or individuals to legally adopt a child or become foster parents.

By: Recthie T. PaculbaDSWD espouses legal adoption, foster care


ILIGAN CITY – Through the Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), the 2nd leg of Iligan City Barangay Job Fair series continued to provide employment opportunities for job seekers.

2nd leg Barangay Job Fair continues in IliganBy: Joseph Nathan J. Fabrega

shelter from a family) Jan Rey Flores from the foster care program added that only the licensed foster parents are allowed to take care of a child and the latter will stay in their care for at most one year while the short term duration will permit them to have the child for at most six months. He also said that the foster parents may eventually adopt the child but stressed that the program should not be used as an opportunity in “shopping” for a child. With this possibility, the DSWD always checks on the parents’ motivation in providing foster care. As an adoptive parent, Mae Singganon shared that she and her husband didn’t have a child after being married for 11 years and adopting a child, whom they now consider their own, has dramatically changed their lives. She further elaborated that prior to being foster parents they didn’t care on going home early or allotting a big amount of money for savings. “Sa wala mi’y baby kung

magsweldo sauna bisag asa maglaag karon sa bata na, sa gatas ug savings. Mag-contest pa mi sa akong bana mag-uli pra makaatiman pa sa bata. Dili kumpleto ang pamilya kung wala’y bata, (Before adoption, we usually went anywhere but now we allot the money for the baby, milk and savings. My husband and I would even race on coming home early so we can still take care of the child. A family will never be complete without a child.),” Singganon expressed. To make sure that every child is properly taken care of, Viernes added that the DSWD continuously conducts parenting skills enhancement activities to adoptive parents even if the child is already legally adopted. As a celebration the of Adoption Consciousness Month, the department has put up adoption desks in SM Cagayan de Oro and Ayala Centrio Mall, conducted an Alternative Care Forum, and will hold a consultation dialogue with a parent support group on March.


DOLE-10, through its Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial Field Office (PFO) together with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Iligan City and its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) conducted the 2nd leg of the series on 19 February 2016 at Barangay Gymnasium, Sto. Rosario, Iligan City. DOLE-10 LDN PFO Head Remegio Cabañog reported that as of 17 February 2016, some six local and 11 overseas companies already confirmed its attendance. Cabañog said there were 1,000 job vacancies from the confirmed overseas

agencies and local companies particularly Computer Programmers, Foreman, Engineers, Supervisors, Managerial Positions, Quality Control Analysts, Safety Officers, Service Crew, Clerks, Teachers, Accountants, Collectors, Inspectors, Call Center Representatives, Factory Workers, Medical and Paramedical Workers, Construction Workers (skilled and semi- skilled), Hotel and Restaurant workers, Teachers, Shop Assistants, Massage Therapists, Tailors, Mechanics, Technicians, Domestic Helpers, Ductman, Cleaners, Front Desk Officers, Chef, and Systems Analysts.

DOLE forms council of pharmacies in BukidnonVALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), through its Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (BPFO) organized and created a council for drugstores and pharmacies in the province on 29 January 2016 at Taipan Restaurant, Valencia City.

By: Reyna L. Tagailo

DOLE-10 BPFO Head, Mr. Raul L. Valmores appreciated the response of the 59 participants who attended. On tripartism, Valmores said, “A tripartite body aims to work closely with our provincial stakeholders to ensure industrial peace and harmony based on social justice.” “One way for us to safeguard industrial peace in our area is through the Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS),” Valmores added. “This new system aims to foster a culture of voluntary compliance with the Labor Laws in all establishments,” he said. LLCS is a mix of developmental and regulatory approaches to benefit micro,

small, and medium enterprises and address existing rigidities while ensuring decent and productive work. “We support this move of the DOLE-10 in organizing us to voluntarily comply with the said Labor Laws and to have a healthy, free of danger working environment which will lead to compliance during the departments’ assessments,” said the newly elected President of the council, Mr. Roderick Batusin of RS Drugstore. After this meeting we guarantee the Department for us to ratify our own Constitution and By-Laws.


Mindanao gets bulk of PRDP infra projectsDAVAO CITY- Mindanao received the biggest bulk of infrastructure projects under the Philippine Rural Development Project for 2016.

The region got P11.261-billion worth of projects un-der PRDP’s I-BUILD (Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development). According to Sherwin Manu-al, information officer who guest-ed at the weekly Wednesdays at Abreeza’s Habi and Kape media forum, there were about 205 in-frastructure projects for Mind-anao of which 122 are approved and 83 are in the pipeline.PRDP’s I-BUILD allocation na-tionwide is P18.6 billion. These projects include farm-to-market roads, bridges, com-munal irrigation system, potable water supply, post-harvest facili-ties and other rural infrastruc-tures. Region X had P2.5 billion of projects (approved and in the pipeline) followed by Region XII with P2.14 billion, Region IX with P2.09-billion, Region XI with

P1.9-billion, Caraga allocated P1.5 billion and the Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao re-ceiving P1.099-billion. The PRDP is a six-year na-tional project under the De-partment of Agriculture jointly funded by the World Bank, the National Government and the Lo-cal Government Units, it aims to establish a modern, value-chain oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector. Manual said that the 26 prov-inces in Mindanao had submitted their Provincial Commodity In-vestment Plan which will serve as their bible in the proposal of infrastructure projects under the PRDP. (PIA/RG Alama)


Tagum City to inaugurate new City Hall during Cityhood feteTAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte - The City Government of Tagum will finally have a new address on the occasion of the formal and official transfer of the seat of government on Monday, March 7, 2016.

The Inauguration and Bless-ing of the New City Hall will be held at 8:30 in the morning of the Araw ng Tagum immediately af-ter the Civic and Military Parade, and is part of the 5-in-1 Celebra-tion of the Musikahan Festival, Tagumenyo Bisa’g Asa, the State of the City Address of Mayor Al-lan L. Rellon, and the 18th Araw ng Tagum. Mayor Allan L. Rellon will lead the Tagumenyos in the cele-bration of the city’s so-called de-but which was declared a special non-working holiday by Malaca-ñang through a presidential proc-lamation signed by President Be-nigno S. Aquino III. “I share your excitement. It is with great pride and honor to lead you as your City Mayor on this defining moment in our city’s history,” Mayor Rellon told Tagumenyos during his speech at

the opening ceremonies of 5-in-1 celebration last February 28, 2016. The said transfer, which will concurrently fall on the 18th an-niversary of its conversion into a component city, is provided for in City Ordinance No. 281, Se-ries of 2008 enacted by the 4th City Council of the City of Tagum, stating that the local government unit shall specify the seat of gov-ernment from where the govern-mental and corporate services shall be delivered.Sections 2, 3 and 4 of aforesaid city enactment state that with the development of the city into a progressive LGU, the facilities of the Old City Hall located at Rizal Street can hardly meet the requirements considered necessary to provide services to its constituents, and that the structure has become dilapidat-


ed and undersized, which ren-ders it hazardous and unsafe for keeping public documents, for its employees and the transacting public. The completion of the rough-ly 8-year old state of the art New City Hall, which sits on a sprawl-ing 14.5- hectare property do-nated by the Ayala Family in Ba-rangay Apokon, has become one of the most waited and widely anticipated events in the City of Tagum. Meanwhile, Mayor Rellon bared that the Old City Hall will be converted into a museum which will be under the care of the City Historical and Cultural Commission. (Richi D. Gulle/ CIO-Tagum)

one mindanao - march 3, 2016

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