one mindanao - march 9, 2016

Palace tells public not to be swayed by propaganda that might threaten Mindanao peace

SurSur DOLE: 2016 plans, programs in place16FSUU prepares for this year’s Bugsay Mindanao Dragon Boat Race III17

Greg Tataro Jr., CARAGA

Strict implementation of CCTV law sought26Eriberto A. Taban-ud, Jr., Northern Mindanao

Aspire for a government job, Baldoz bids graduates10

Mother’s work is world’s most difficult task, says US study22

Prices of selected commodities in Bukidnon remain stable27

Claro A. Lanipa,Western Mindanao

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ARMM provides Andriod tablets to LGUs to promote efficient health info30 ARMM

PH’s oldest mosque to receive P77.6 million for tourism infra support31

DOLE 12 releases schedule of job fairs37

RG Alama ,Southern Mindanao

today’s news

Former child refugee with electrophobia turns certified electrician

Cover Story

By Perlita B Changco

812 14

24 2820

Jennifer P. Gaitano., CARAGA

Danilo E.Doguiles, SOCCSKSARGEN

35

Northern Mindanao

ARMM

Environmentalist’s widow takes City Council seat34

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 ARTISTSGIDEON CORGUE, 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 9, 2016One Mindanao

“Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala hanggang ngayon na ako ay isang electrician na, una dahil sa ako ay ipinanganak at lumaki sa isang malayo at dating magulong bayan at pangalawa sobra ang takot ko na humawak ng kableng kuryente (Until now I can hardly believe that one like me born and raised in a conflict-affected area can become a practicing electrician considering my extreme fear of electricity),” said former child refugee turned certified electrician Daud Bura.

Daud Bura who is fondly called Abud by friends and relatives was born in Palembang, Sultan Kudarat

p r o v i n c e in 1982 at the height of the armed conflict between government forces and MILF rebels then. Abud in Maguindanaon means leader.

The only child of Maguindanaon couple Mariam Bura and Abiden Tuansi whose only source of livelihood was farming, Daud, is a timid young man full of zest and positivity in life.

Now 34 years of age and still single, Daud vividly recalls the horrors of growing up in the middle of sporadic exchange of gun fires between government troops and rebels in his early years in the

COVER STORY

T former child refugee who used to be fearful of electricity has now turned certified electrician.

Former child refugee with electrophobia turns certified electricianBy Perlita B. Changco

5March 9, 2016 One Mindanao 5

conflict-torn town of Palembang, Sultan Kudarat Province.

The Bura family was just one of thousands of villagers in many areas in the region displaced by the war between government and rebels in the 80s.

“Pag may putukan, lahat ng bahay walangtao, nag-evacuate kasama kami dahil satakot baka mahuli kami sa gitna ng giyera ng naglalabanang pwersa,” he said in Filipino.

Daud sadly recalled that during an evacuation then the whole family had no choice but to sleep in a carabao-driven cart or locally known as “guyudan” with no food to eat for the whole week.

But he said the presence of his mother and father

made him felt safer and protected because he knew they were going to take care and protect him from harm no matter what. Their unconditional love, he said helped him cope with life’s challenges at a very young age.

Concerned over his education and unable to farm, the Bura family decided to move and live with relatives in Cotabato City when he was 7 years old.

While having escaped and survived the brunt of war, Daud said, life for them in the city remained very difficult with no alternative source of income coupled with stiff competition for job opportunities.

“Wala naman kaming lupa dito na mataniman ng aking tatay, at napakahirap makahanap ng trabaho ang tulad ko at kailangan ko


magsimulang mag-aral na kasi sobra na ako sa edad,” he said.

Determined to enroll in school, Daud said, he engaged in various odd jobs with the help of relatives. “Nagtrabaho ako bilang all around boy sa MINTEX (Mindanao Textile Company) siguro inabot din ng tatlong taon bago ito nagsara noong 2006, pero nakatulong iyon sa aking pagaaral, tiyaga at sakripisyo ang aking nagging gabay (I worked as an all around boy at MINTEX for about 3 years that helped me through high school),” said Daud.

In mid 1990, his father died followed by his mother six years later. Being orphan at this time challenged him to pursue his studies until he graduated from high school.

In 2014, Daud was one of the beneficiaries of the scholarship on various vocational courses and skills training program of TESDA under the Sajahatra for MILF combatants and dependents launched as part the government’s confidence building initiative with the ongoing GPH-MILF peace negotiations.President Benigno S. Aquino III personally led the Sajahatra program launching ceremonies in February 2014 held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) at Crossing Simuay,

Sultan Kudarat town.

Daud said, he took advantage of the opportunity and enrolled in the program. He eventually completed the 51-day training skills program in Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) conducted at the TESDA-ARMM Regional Manpower and Training Center at Barangay Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

According to him, his first big challenge so far as a new certified EIM

7March 9, 2016 One Mindanao

came when he was commissioned to undertake complete electrical and lighting installation of a newly constructed mosque in Sultan Kudarat town for a fee of P5,000.

He also took pride of being part of the team that was responsible in the electrical and lighting installation work of the Sultan Kudarat gymnasium where Pres. Aquino was the guest during the June 2015 ceremonial decommissioning of some MILF combatants and turn-over of firearms.

“Sobrang proud ako namaging isang certified electrician. Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa TESDA sa tulong nila sa akin na may kasamang pang libreng starter kit. Di lang ito nakatulong ng malaki para tumaas at tumibay ang tiwalako sa aking sarili kundi sa paghikayat ko pa sa ibang mga kabataan sa aming barangay na mag-enroll din dahil libre naman ang training para magkaroon sila ng hanapbuhay tulad ko,” he told PIA Cotabato City, saying further that he was able to conquer his fear of electricity now that he is an accomplished EIM.

Daud also said: “Unti-unti ko rin naintindihan ang mgai pinaglalaban ng MILF at sumusuporta ako sa pagkilos para sa kapayapaan ditto

sa atin na matagal nating hinangad. Mga ilang taon din ang giyera, maraming buhay ang nawala, mga nasirang kabuhayan at mga taong na-displaced lalo na mga kabataan.”

Meanwhile, TESDA-ARMM Executive Director Omar ShariffJaafar said, it is heartwarming for a graduate of the agency’s skills training program to acknowledge and appreciate government’s effort to empower people and communities towards improvement of quality of life.

Jaafar cited that such appreciation is a sense of fulfillment in the accomplishment of TESDA’s mandates, attaining its goals and objectives, with the assurance of better quality service to their clients.

“Masaya ako dahil sa testimony ang isang graduate na kumikilala sa tulong sa kanya para magkaroon ng kakayahang magagamit sa paghahanapbuhay o livelihood. Iyon naman talaga ang misyonng TESDA ang makapagbigay ng libreng skills training sa mas maraming mamamayan, at tayo ay naka-contribute sa pagsusulong ng peace process at ang ating libreng skills training na bukas para sa lahat ay magpapatuloy,“ Jaafar said.

One Mindanao8 March 9, 2016One Mindanao8 March 10, 2016March 10, 2016

Government has not wavered in fight against corruption — Palace

MANILA -- The Palace said it remains committed to fighting corruption and helping reform the country’s judiciary to punish those who have committed wrongdoings.

“Hindi natitinag ang determinasyon ng pamahalaan na supilin ang katiwalian at korupsyon. Ang paglilitis ng mga sinampahan ng kaso ay nasa kamay ng hudikatura,” Communications Secretary

Sonny Coloma, Jr. said during a media briefing held in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

“Hinggil dito, batid natin na patuloy na nagsasagawa ng reporma ang Korte

9March 9, One Mindanao 9March One Mindanao

Suprema upang pabilisin ang resolusyon ng mga nakabinbing usapin sa mga hukuman,” he said when asked to comment on the issue that the Aquino administration is about to end in the next few months without seeing the conviction of high-profile personalities accused of corruption, among them former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and legislators involved in the pork barrel scam.

Attaining justice cannot be fully accomplished if those accountable could not be punished under the law,

Secretary Coloma said. When asked if the Palace is worried about statements made by politicians running for office that, if elected, they would free those who are detained for corruption, the Communications secretary said certain processes have to be followed. “May proseso ang batas hinggil sa pagpapalaya ng mga detenido o detainees at dapat sundin ang batas sa lahat ng

pagkakataon,” Coloma said. (PCOO/PND)

One Mindanao10 March 9, 2016One Mindanao10 March 10, 2016March 10, 2016

Aspire for a government job, Baldoz bids graduates

MANILA -- New graduates this year, or even those who are already in the job market, may consider working for the government, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said as she bared that there are a good number of unfilled, thus vacant, jobs in the national bureaucracy, 173,366 positions as of the latest count of the Department of Budget and Management. “New graduates and young professionals can all play more active roles in public leadership and service, and there’s no better place to kick-start positive change than in government itself,” said Baldoz.

“But of course, the

Civil Service Commission, which oversees the government bureaucracy, has its separate qualification standards and rules and regulations for civil servants. An aspirant for any government

position must pass first the stringent CSC requirements and its

FILE PHOTO

11March 9, One Mindanao 11March One Mindanao

rules and regulations before he or she qualifies,” she added.

To be a government employee, an applicant should pass the CSC-set qualification standards, or the minimum and basic requirements for positions in government. The qualification standards serve as the basic guide in the selection of personnel and evaluation of appointments to all positions in government service.

“Jobseekers aiming for a career in government must meet all four basic requirements: education, training, experience, and eligibility,” she said.

She said, however, that non-career positions, such as casual, contractual, and co-terminus employees do not require CSC eligibility. “Appointees to these positions should meet only the education, training, and experience requirements,” she said. She further explained that positions whose duties involve practice of profession will require the corresponding valid professional license and or certificate of registration from the Professional

Regulation Commission, while positions that are primarily confidential in nature are exempted from the qualification standards requirements. These include chiefs of staff, executive assistants, private secretaries, chauffeurs, and other confidential/personal staff of government executives.

The labor and employment chief said the 173, 366 vacancies are part of the 1,205,605 authorized positions in government.

Easily, the national government agency with the most number of unfilled position is the Department of Education, with 54,442 vacancies, mostly for teachers and non-teaching personnel. (DOLE)

12 One Mindanao March 9, 2016

Palace tells public not to be swayed by propaganda that might threaten Mindanao peace

MANILA -- Assuring that the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue to pursue peace in Mindanao, a Palace official on Tuesday called on the people not to believe propaganda that might spark the resurgence of violence in the region.

file photo: http://www.plataporma.com/

Chairman of the MILF, Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, has said that Moro rebels are being recruited

by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to establish a stronghold in the region, as the


passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law remains uncertain.

Commenting on Murad’s statement, Communication Secretary Sonny Coloma, Jr. said the MILF leader is airing his views about the non-passage of the BBL, which might result in restiveness among MILF combatants. “Kaya’t sinabi niya (Murad) na mainam na patuloy na itaguyod natin ang prosesong pang-kapayapaan dahil ang ligalig, agam-agam, o ang alinlangan — ay nabubuhay sa isang sitwasyon ng walang kasiguruhan o uncertainty na siyang tinutukoy ng pagkakaroon ng batas. Sa ngayon, ang atin lang sandigan sa prosesong pangkapayapaan ay ang Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” Secretary Coloma said during a media

briefing in Malacañang. Representatives of the Philippine government and the MILF met in Malaysia and agreed to observe all the major agreements to ensure peace and stability in Mindanao until 2017, including the ceasefire mechanism and the Ad Hoc

Joint Action Group, he said. Coloma said that despite the Congress’ failure to pass the BBL, both sides remain committed to pushing peace in Mindanao. “Nakikita naman natin na buo ang pagtitiwala sa isa’t isa ng magkabilang panig, buo ang pagsisikap na ipagpatuloy ang prosesong pangkapayapaan, kaya’t siguro mas mainam na ‘yon ang pagtuunan natin ng pansin at huwag tayong padadala sa propaganda ng mga nais lumikha ng ligalig,” he said. He also maintained that there is no operational link between the Maute group in Lanao del Sur and the ISIS. (PCOO/PND)


Agnor holds validation activity, DRRM planning seminar By: Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY– The province of Agusan del Norte through the Pro-vincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office together with the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) is hold-ing a four-day Validation Activity and DRRM Planning Seminar, which started Tuesday, March 8 and will run until Friday, March 11 at the Provincial Training Center, here. The activity is part of the series of activities and capacity development initiatives of the

province to ensure that both the DRRM-CCAM or Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation are


adapted to the unique characteristics of the province. It also aims to enable the provincial and city/municipal-level representatives/participants to validate analysis of the 2015 Training Needs Assessment (DRRM-CCAM) results; explain participatory and inclusive (community) risk assessment tools; illustrate the value of Community Risk Assessment (CRA) as input to provincial-level planning; describe the DRRM planning process; and prepare an action plan with tasking and persons/offices in charge for risk assessment data gathering. It can be recalled that last December 2015, the Provincial DRRM Office in partnership with the CDP conducted the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) and Scoping Activity, as the first setp of the process and was attended by the PDRRMC core members and the city/municipal DRRM officers. Through the TNA, data was gathered to support an analysis of competency gaps in DRRM and CCAM with emphasis on planning and environment. With reference to the TNA results, initial capacity building recommendations have been determined which will be validated to the local government unit partners.


SurSur DOLE: 2016 plans, programs in place By: Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assured that all plans and programs of their agency here were already worked out for implementation.

Raymond Fel Sajor, DOLE provincial chief, pointed out that everything to this effect had been discussed during the conduct of 1st Quarter Meeting of the Surigao del Sur Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Managers Federation on January 27, 2016. Atty. Johnson Cañete, regional director, DOLE Caraga, stressed that all that were in store for Surigao del Sur had already been in place, citing job fair, career guidance, and other labor-related activities, among others, Sajor said. Among the significant ones that the DOLE provincial chief underscored were the Special

Project Fund (SPF) amounting to P6.5 million—P3.5 million of which would be for District II while the P3 million was intended for District I—and the 2016 Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) with a total funding of P7.9 million. “BUB creates employment opportunities and augments income of marginalized workers in the informal economy and of the vulnerable sector workers,” said Sajor. As announced by Atty. Cañete, some 14 projects would be funded out of the BUB for five local government units (LGUs) including Bislig City, Barobo, Cagwait, Madrid, and Carrascal, Sajor added.

FILE PHOTO


FSUU prepares for this year’s Bugsay Mindanao Dragon Boat Race III

BUTUAN CITY– As part of the activities set for the 2016 Balangay Festival here, the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) is once again preparing for this year’s Bugsay (row) Mindanao Fragon Boat Race III on April 29-30. According to FSUU Publicity in-charge Rochelle Valencia, the race/competition for this year is anchored on the theme “Paddle for Peace, using the waterways of Mindanao as spaces of peace.” “The race will take place in our very own Agusan River with dragon boat teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. This is one of the highlights of the activities set for our celebration of the Balangay Festival, in coordination

with the local government unit and other government agencies,” shared Valencia. Also, the FSUU will be holding a press conference on April 29, 2016 at the University’s CBE Function Hall, this city. “We hoped to bring the mighty Agusan River back to life through th Bugsay Mindanao Dragon Boat Race 2016 in Butuan City, home to ancient balangays,” Valencia remarked.

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

19March 9, 2016 One Mindanao 19


Dipolog police station gets ‘best practice’ markBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) – The Compliance Evaluation Process Team (CEPT) for the second stage in the implementation of the Performance Governance System (PGS) in the Philippine National Police (PNP) has given the city police station here the “best practice” mark in an assessment conducted recently.


Receiving an overall grade of 4.24, the police station was audited on the six elements of the compliance stage, namely, the formalization of the advisory council, cascading of the strategy to the individual personnel, alignment of budget and human resource to strategy, presentation of scorecard accomplishments, implementation plan to communication plan and collation of emerging best practices. DCPS adopted the PGS through the implementation of the PNP Peace and order Agenda for Transformation

and upholding the Rule-Of-Law (P.A.T.R.O.L.) Plan 2030, aimed at making the institution highly capable, effective and credible in public service. It could be recalled that when the city government adopted the PGS in 2009, the city police station is one of the offices tapped to help in realizing the city’s vision as Center for Outdoor Sports of the South by 2020. After the said evaluation, the city police station will again undergo a revalida for the third stage of PGS-the proficiency stage on March 11, 2016.


Meanwhile, PSupt. Rockie C. Laungayan, one of the evaluators expressed his gratitude to the city police chief, PSupt. Lito L. Andaya, and the rest of the members of the City Advisory Council (CAC) comprising the academe, Dipolog Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Council (DDRMC),Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Muslim and indigenous people sector, city legal office, city information office and the business and youth sectors for their support in the implementation of PGS.

Mother’s work is world’s most difficult task, says US studyPAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – The most difficult task in the world is the work of mothers,a study conducted in the United States regarding the work of a full-time mother revealed.

By Claro A. Lanipa


Thus shared Ms. Irma Astilla Balulot, governor of the Philippine Council of Women (PCW) in her keynote speech yesterday during the International Women’s Day celebration held at the city gymnasium here. “That is why I would not say to myself that I am only a housewife. The work of a full-time housewife is equivalent to a chief executive officer (CEO) of a medium-sized company dealing with 300 to 500 employees,” she said.The study further showed that a full-time housewife does the budgeting and she sees to it that the budget for herfamily for the week or month is sufficient. “Her time is budgeted, starting when she wakes up early in the morning until she goes to rest and sleep at night,” Balulot said. “She monitors her children including her husband, does the marketing and buys nutritious food for her family.”

“The work of a housewife is complete, it involves financial management, human resources management, cooperation management and many more.That is why the role of a full-time mother belongs to a CEO category,” Balulot emphasized. “Let us congratulate ourselves,” she said as she addressed more than 500 women representing the 20 women’s groups in the citywho gathered to celebrate women’s day. “We are not weak, we are strong, she underscored,saying that a mother bearsand carries a child in her womb for nine months and can overcome the agonizing pain during delivery,” she cited.“Using thisstrength, let us unite and bring our voices to the national level and get involved in nation-building,” Balulot challenged the women.


SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services - National Community Driven Development (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), conducted a joint Site Validation and Risk Assessment for the construction of a three-classroom school building in Sitio Kiranggol, Barangay Dao, San Fernando, Bukidnon on February 23-26.

By: Shaun Alejandrae Yap- Uy

DSWD, DepEd, NCIP validate project site in Bukidnon


San Fernando, Bukidnon is a Priority 1 area for the Whole of Nation Initiative implementation of the delivery of social services and relief operations for Lumads in El Niño affected areas. Sitio Kiranggol is roughly an 8-kilometer mountain trek from Dao Elementary School that serves as an entry point to the said sitio. Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Community Infrastructure Specialist Engr. Roel Jumao-as said that the construction of a three-classroom building in Sitio Kiranggol is “challenging, medyo lisod ang paghatod sa mga materyales paingon sa Kiranggol kay dili accessible ug salakyan ang lugar, bisan kabayo dili makaagi (challenging, it’s quite difficult to move the construction materials to Kiranggol because the road is not accessible to vehicles, not even horses can pass through).” Jumao-as also said that since there are haulers in the area, “mag-hire gyud og haulers para magsaka paingon sa Kiranggol, ang ilang pangayo pag-alsa sa isa ka bag nga semento pasaka naa sa 400 paingon 500 pesos (there is a need to hire haulers to get to Kiranggol, the haulers are asking from 400 to 500 pesos per cement bag to be hauled to the sitio).” Kiranggol Sitio Chairman Lestino Likawan enthused addressing the crowd,“kitang tanan magpasalamat kay niabot sila diri sa atong Sitio Kiranggol bisan tuod ug layo, mao

na siguro kini ang tuman sa atong pangandoy nga edukasyon alang sa atong mga kabataan, kinahanglan kitang tanan magtinabangay ug maghiusa aron duna’y katumanan sa atong pangandoy (we all are grateful that they reached SitioKiranngol even if it is far, this is perhaps the answer to our dream of education for our children, we all need to work together and unite to accomplish this dream).” San Fernando will have a total construction of 22 classrooms distributed to 5 barangays to be completed by June 2016 while the rest of the priority 2 and 3 areas will commence with the social preparations within the first quarter and 2nd semester (after elections) respectively. While San Fernando will be of top priority, areas are also included in other parts of Bukidnon which include the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, Impasugong, Kabanglasan, Kadingilan, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Malitbog, and Quezon. Iligan City of Lanao del Norte, Claveria and Gingoog City are also identified as key areas for the implementation of the project. This translates into a total of 28 barangays and 82 classrooms for Region 10 alone. Regions 9, 11, 12, and 13 will also undertake this initiative and will give us an overview of a total of 605 classrooms in 251 sites.


Strict implementation of CCTV law soughtCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Cagayan de Oro City legislators, through the committee on police, fire and public safety, is looking into the compliance of business establishments in the city with the CCTV Installation Ordinance of 2008.

In line with this, the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) provided the committee with an updated list of establishments with CCTVs as monitored by the different police precincts. Ordinance No. 11075-2008, as amended by Ordinance No. 12135-2011, mandates the installation of Closed- Circuit Television (CCTV) or video surveillance system in the premises of private establishments and public places. Authored by Councilor Ramon Tabor, the ordinance was enacted to provide a deterrent against crimes and vandalism, to enable clear identification of miscreants within the range of the cameras, to provide continuous recording of all cameras in the system. CCTVs will be used as a tool for early solution in identifying perpetrators of crimes, according to the author. Based on the ordinance, the video surveillance systems shall be maintained in proper working order at all times and shall be in operation at least during office hours and at the option of the owner 24 hours, seven days a week, and shall meet

the minimum technological standards prescribed.SECURITY GUARDS The list provided by the COCPO Police Station 1 also indicates establishments with security guards. Ordinance No. 12841-2014, also authored by Councilor Tabor, mandates all high-risk business establishments to hire or engage the services of duly licensed security guards. Pursuant to the ordinance, high-risk establishments refers to banks, lending institutions, pawnshops, money changer shops, internet cafes, gasoline stations, lotto outlets, money couriers and remittance centers, convenience or grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, schools and entertainment bards, which are prone or susceptible to incidents of robbery and theft per documentation by the local police office. The legislation was approved after it was noted that robbery incidents in the city occurred more often to those establishments with no security guards. (CdeOSP)


As monitored by DTI’s Trade and Industry Development Specialist Division (TIDS) in Bukidnon—as mandated under DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Administrative Order No. 13-1, Series of 2013—there were 18 sample basic and prime commodities that showed constant, decreasing, and slight increasing price trends. The sample basic and prime commodities monitored were Mega sardines (155 grams), 555 Sardines (155 grams), Alaska Instant (150 grams), Bear Brand (150 grams), Blend 45 coffee (25 & 50 grams), Nescafe Classic (25 & 50 grams), Surf bar (400 grams), Tide bar (400 grams), White Sugar (1 kg), Brown Sugar (1 kg), Argentina Corned Beef (150 grams), CDO Corned Beef (150 grams), 555 Beef Loaf (150 grams), Argentina Beef Loaf (150 grams), Lucky Me Noodles (55 grams), Datu Puti White Vinegar (350 ml), Datu Puti Soy Sauce (350 ml) and Safeguard toilet soap (60 grams). Six products with decreasing price trends for the period are the following: Bear Brand (150 grams), Nescafe Classic (25 grams), Nescafe Classic (50 grams, Argentina Beef Loaf (150 grams), Lucky Me

Noodles (55 grams) Tide bar (400 grams), and Datu Puti Vinegar (350 ml). Ten products with increasing price trends are Mega Sardines (155 grams), Blend 45 (50 grams), Surf Bar (400 grams), Tide Bar (400 grams), White Sugar (1kg), Brown Sugar (1 kg), Argentina Corned Beef (150 grams), CDO Corned Beef (150 grams), 555 Beef Loaf (150 grams), and Datu Puti Soy Sauce (350 ml). The top highest increases are 14.71% and 10.64% in Brown Sugar (1 kg) and White Sugar (1 kg) respectively. The lowest increase is 0.18% in Blend 45 (50 grams). Two product samples with constant prices are Blend 45 (25 grams) and Safeguard toilet soap (60 grams). It showed that of the eighteen sample products, prices of two of it remained constant; prices of 10 products showed slight increase, while prices of six of it decreased. Two products that have both increasing and decreasing trends are 555 Sardines (155 grams) and Alaska Instant (150 grams). Both products shared decreasing trend in prevailing prices and increasing trend in average prices. Noticeably, only Brown Sugar and White Sugar shared significant increase in prices but in the period of one year. The rest of the rest of the sample have slight changes in prices below 10% rate, wich Section 5.2 of the Price Act (Republic Act No. 7581) describe as stable.

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Prices of selected commodities in stores and markets in Bukidnon remained stable this January and December 2015, as shown in Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) monthly price monitoring system.

Prices of selected commodities in Bukidnon remain stableBy: Eriberto A. Taban-ud, Jr.


RCBW-ARMM moves to curb election-related violence against women

The Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW-ARMM) conducts today a forum on Gender and Election Related Violence (ERV) to help

encourage greater participation of women in the upcoming presidential elections and bring down election-related violence in the region.


Sittie Jehanne Mutin, chairperson of the RCBW-ARMM, said the forum aims to discuss the connection between gender and ERV cases in the country, and gather recommendations and best practices to combat ERVs, especially against women.” “Women’s political participation remains low in the Philippines,” Mutin said.The RCBW-ARMM said only 19 percent of the candidates in the national, local and regional level in the upcoming May 2016 elections are women. In the 2013 mid-term elections, 18 percent of the candidates who got elected to office are women. “Adding to the challenges on the stereotypes on the roles of women and lack of encouragement and support for women’s active participation in election, is the vulnerability of women as easy targets for ERVs,” Mutin

added. ERVs refer to “acts or threats of coercion, intimidation or physical harm committed to affect an electoral process.” The Philippine National Police (PNP) considers ERVs as violent incidents that happened within the election period. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 391 incidents of ERVs were recorded in the 2010 national elections, and 196 in 2013 midterm elections. Participants of the forum include stakeholders from the House of Representatives Committee on Women and Gender Equality, Directors of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), representatives from political


parties, national, regional and local candidates, the academe, women and religious groups. The RCBW-ARMM also enlisted the commitment and support of

participants in promoting better political participation for women and in ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election in the ARMM. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

ARMM provides Andriod tablets to LGUs to promote efficient health infoMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Science and Technology in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) distributed Android tablets with “eHATID” application to local government units (LGUs) to improve the efficiency and transparency of health information in the region.

Mon-Em Abangad, DOST-ARMM information officer, said the provision of the tablet falls under the agency’s eHATID LGU project (eHealth TABLET for Informed Decision-Making of LGUs). “The DOST-ARMM provides two Android tablets for each LGU, one of which will be used by the Local Rural Health Units. The project is free of

charge and we initially targeted a total of 70 LGUs in ARMM as beneficiaries,” said Abangad. The eHATID is a software application offering real-time access to health information among LGUs and medical doctors. The project provides health information system support through an online and offline Electronic Medical Record that

generates particular health reports for the Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. It aims at improving efficiency and transparency among stakeholders using an enhanced health information system model that promotes health information convergence and informed decision-making.


PH’s oldest mosque to receive P77.6 million for tourism infra supportMARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The country’s oldest mosque located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will receive tourism support funding worth P77.6 million.

Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, secretary of the region’s Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM), said the access road going to the Sheikh Karim-ul Makhdum Mosque will be improved even as several other infrastructure projects will be built within its periphery.

“We are investing on the roads leading to Sheikh Makdum as well as in its periphery because we believe in the tourism potential of southern Mindanao,” Sec. Loong said. The Sheikh Makhdum Mosque was erected in 1380 in the small fishing village of Tubig (Bohe), Indangan in

As of date, a total of 61 LGUs in the region already benefited from the project. Abangad encouraged other LGUs to avail of the project by submitting a letter of intent to the agency. “Once the LGU has submitted its letter of intent duly signed by the local chief executive, DOST-ARMM will assess application based on selection criteria,” said Abangad. To be eligible, the LGU must comply with the following: local chief executive support for innovations; presence of development-oriented projects in the LGU; responsive health sector; and internet connectivity and technical readiness. The eHATID LGU data are synced to a central database via cloud facilities of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of DOST.

The system has security protocols that are strictly implemented to comply with the policies and program requirements for data security, privacy and confidentiality. (BPI-ARMM/PIA-10)


Simunul town in Tawi-Tawi province. The mosque was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission and a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum. The infrastructure projects will be built by the local government unit of Simunul after a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed on Monday, February 22, at the ARMM governor’s office in Cotabato City. Sec. Loong said the project is targeted to be completed from three to six months. DPWH-ARMM is providing more assistance to the tourism industry with the construction of access roads to tourism sites in the region. In September 2015, it started the construction of projects and development of Bud Bongao, Tawi-Tawi’s famous peak, worth P56 million. The projects include multi-purpose hall, view deck, station point, concrete pathway, parking area, and billboard. Another P100 million was allotted for the improvement of the Lake Dapao C i r cumfe ren t i a l Road in Lanao del Sur. Five other MoAs for the construction of access roads and water systems worth P66.93 million were also inked between the ARMM government and three local government units

(LGUs) in Lanao del Sur. ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the infrastructure projects are a manifestation of trust and confidence of the regional government on the LGUs. “The basic requirement is the capacity of the LGUs to implement projects – their sufficiency of construction equipment, and availability of skilled and well-experienced engineers,” Gov. Hataman said. Several MoAs were inked between the ARMM government and more than 20 LGUs in the region covering infrastructure worth more than P1.9 billion on February 16, 2016. “Gusto nating palakasin yung capacity ng local government units. In fact, ito yung pinaka outcome na gusto natin (We want to strengthen the capacity of local government units. In fact, it is the ultimate outcome we want),” Gov. Hataman added. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)


Davao women and men commemorate the 106th International Women’s DayDAVAO CITY- A total of 2,000 women from the barangays, nation-al and local government and nongovernment sectors in Davao City went out to celebrate the 106th International Women’s Day. The activity started with a civic parade from the Freedom Park at the Roxas Avenue and ended with a short program at the People’s Park. Lorna Mandin, office-in-charge of the City Integrated Gender Development Division said the local theme of the ac-tivity plays within the context of the polls in May 2016.She stated this year’s theme as, “Eleksiyon 2016, kababaihan salmot aron kalambuan makab-ot.” (Electins 2016, women par-ticipate to achieve progress). Mandin stressed that they do not endorse any candidate given the sole purpose is to capacitate, engage and empower women to get involved in the political pro-cess not just to vote, but to as-sert that there decision is being followed.

She said the women are also en-courage to actively participate in the elections knowing that there only a few of them who are en-gaged in the politics. Mandin recognized that the number of women in the Sang-guniang Panglungsod has grown, standing at 37 percent, the high-est in the local city history. She stressed that currently, going out remains a challenge for most of the women due to stereotype roles. “Many might attended the celebration today but before com-ing here, they tended first their respective homes, and agreed with their husbands on the day’s events,” Mandin said. She said the women carry bigger responsibilities from the children, to tending the home. Mandin said that this situa-


tion prompts the government to come up with child-minding cen-ters where mothers can leave their children while they either

indulge in small-business enter-prise or attend to their classes without nothing to worry. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Environmentalist’s widow takes City Council seatDAVAO CITY- Lorie-Trinidad Avila the widow of City Councilor and staunch environmentalist Leonardo Avila III has been appointed by the President to take over her late husband’s seat in the City Council.

President Benigno Aquino III signed the appointment pa-pers of Lorie Avila last February 26, the appointment covers the remainder of the late Councilor’s term in Davao City’s Sangguni-ang Panglungsod. Councilor Leo Avila aside from being a long-time City Councilor was also known for his pro-environment advocacies and ordinances. Among his landmark green ordinances include the Banning of Aerial Spraying, the organic agriculture ordinance and a law which requires resi-dents to harvest, store and use rain-water. He suffered a stroke in Sep-tember and died last December 20. His loss mourned heavily by citizens and environmentalists alike.

Mrs. Avila’s succession was made possible with the endorse-ment of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, her husband’s politi-cal party for her to succeed the late councilor, in late January the endorsement was transmitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which then forwarded it to Malacanang. Section 45 of the Local Gov-ernment Code, states that the appointee shall come from the same political party of the de-ceased Sangguniang member. (PIA/RG Alama)


Integrated Rice-Duck Farming System backs organic rice production in NorthCotBy:Shahana Joy E. Duerme

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Mar. 9- In a bid to fortify or-ganic rice production in its municipalities, the provincial govern-ment here is strengthening the Integrated Rice- Duck Farming System (IRDFS).

In line with this, 70 farmers in the villages of Mlang and


neighboring towns of Makilala, Tulunan, Magpet and Kidapawan City are benefiting from the IRDFS project.

The project which is worth P2 million lets the farmer benefi-ciaries take care of ducks which serve as natural pesticides.

“The ducks become natural pesticides here by eating all the weeds, worms, green leaf hop-pers, golden snails and other harmful insects that destroy rice plants,” Jose Apollo Paca-malan, a farm technician and a pioneer of rice- duck farming said.

He also noted that the innova-tion is helpful as manures of the ducks are good fertilizers.

Pacamalan also explained that practicing the IRDFS is eco-nomically rewarding for farm-ers because while ducks eat the insects and weeds and ensure a chemical-free rice production, the ducks and its eggs can be sold after harvesting rice.

The system involves releasing ducks into a rice paddy about one or two weeks after the seedlings have been planted. Ducks are released into every hectare of rice paddy, which is enclosed by a net to protect the ducks from predators.

Recipient farmers need

around 150 ducks per hectare and 100 ducks per half hect-are. The Makilala Multi- Pur-pose Cooperative, a partner of the provincial government in this endeavor, releases loans to qualified farmers to buy ducks, feeds, nets and ropes while the Rice- Duck Movement, another partner for this project, pro-vides technical assistance to ensure the system is working effectively.

For his part, Nelson Peroy, chairman of Barangay Lika in Mlang expressed his gratitude to the provincial government and to its partner agencies for extending assistance to small farmers.

The project is now on its sec-ond season and the provincial government hopes to proceed to another season of IRDFS to help more farmers in the province.

Governor Emmylou Mendoza emphasized that the provincial government and its partners will continue supporting the farm-ers as this will not only boost organic rice production in the province but would also con-tribute to the food security mea-sures of the provincial govern-ment. (SJDuerme-PIA12 with report from JSta.Cruz&RASotto- NorthCot Media Center)


DOLE 12 releases schedule of job fairs By: Danilo E.Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, Mar 9 — The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 12) here re-leased today the list of scheduled job fairs in SOCCSKSARGEN Region in the first semester of 2016.

The move to release the tentative schedule came after Labor and Em-ployment Secretary Rosalinda Dima-pilis-Baldoz statement that graduates this year could look up to DOLE to provide them assistance if and when they plan to enter the country’s labor market of 41.379 million.

“Our efforts continue to facilitate employment of our workers. Job fairs are one of the more tested and effec-tive strategies in employment facilita-tion,” Secretary Baldoz said in a press statement,

“Every year, we are strengthening our efforts to improve our employ-ment facilitation strategies and mech-anisms, as laid down by President Be-nigno Aquino III in his 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda, in order to address the country’s job-skills mis-match problem,” she added.

On Monday, DOLE 12 issued the list of completed and upcoming job fairs all over SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

Completed job facilitation events were conducted in the following ven-ues and dates: New City Hall, Koronadal City (Febru-

ary 26) Municipal Hall, Banga, South Cota-bato and Notre Dame University in Cotabato City (February 29)M’lang Municipal Gym, M’lang, North Cotabato (March 2) and Green Valley College Founda-tion Inc campus (March 4)

Job seekers may apply for jobs on upcoming fairs in the following locations and dates: Municipal Hall, T’boli, South Cotabato (March 11)Dr. P. Ocampo College, Cotabato City (March 12) Notre Dame University, Cotabato City (March 14)New City Hall, Koronadal City (March 25) University of Southern Mindanao Ka-bacan, North Cotabato (April 5)New City Hall, Koronadal City (April 29 and May 27) Municipal Hall Lobby, Tampakan, South Cotabato (June 17) Municipal Ground, Surallah, South Co-tabato (June 20) New City Hall, Koronadal City; (June 24) (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

one mindanao - march 9, 2016

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