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Koronadal City to represent PHL in international folklore fest

Palace ‘strongly’ condemns beheading of Canadian hostage

Duterte administration to deal with lawless elements, ASG

No insurmountable problems during school opening – Luistro

Palace confident to hurdle initial flaws encountered in K-12 full implementation

Isabela City observes 118th Philippine Independence Day

DOH urges good nutrition for baby’s first 1,000 days

Davao City celebrates PH independence day

Poverty, food thresholds in Region 12 rise in 1st sem of 2015

Abducted chief of police is no drug user- PNP

CCC beefs up technical support to local gov’t

DepEd 12 expects 64K enrollees in senior high school

New Bataan declared conflict manageable, dev’t ready area

Makabayan Bloc welcomes FOI policy of Duterte administration

118th Independence Day: A story of our noble ancestors’ courage, struggles and sacrifices

Red Orchid Award conferred on 3 ARMM line agencies

CDO disaster preparedness module

Koronadal Mayor rallies support for Duterte admininstration

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NationalNews

MindanaoRound Up

OLIVIA T. SUDARIAREGIONAL DIRECTORPIA SOCCSKSARGEN

Blaan culture to go global

ForthefirsttimeinPhilippinehistory,theFilipinoculture–specificallytheBlaanculture-willtakeaspotinaglobalnon-competitiveOlympicsofintangibleheritage.

OnJuly30toAugust14,theCityofKoronadalinSOCCSKSARGENregionwilltakepartintheCIOFFWorldFolkloriadainZacatecas,Mexicowhereindigenousdances,songs,playsandotherartformswillbeshowcased.Inthistwo-weekevent,MayorPeterMiguelwiththeHinugyawCulturalDanceTroupewillbetravelingtoseveralcitiesandmunicipalitiesinMexicotoshowoffthedances,songsandotherartformsofthePhilippines,specificallythatoftheBlaanindigenouspeople.

DefinitelyanexceptionalmomentforKoronadalCityandthePhilippines,theinvitationtotheWorldFolkloriada–whichonlyhappenseveryfouryears--cameaftertheKoronadalCityanditsPyestaKolonDatalbecameanassociatememberoftheInternationalCouncilofOrganizationsofFolkloreFestivalsandFolkArts(CIOFF)in2014anditssubsequenthostingofthe2015CIOFFInternationalFolkloreFestivalonAugust9to18,2015.

Dubbed“PyestaKolonDatal”thefirstinternationalculturalfestivalinCityofKoronadal(infact,inthePhilippines,saysMayorMiguel)gatheredover300performersfromSlovenia,Russia,Mexico,Turkey,Poland,Japan,Indonesia,India,SriLankaandChineseTaipeiandnearly200culturalperformersfromotherpartsofthePhilippines.Intheirtestimonies,leadersoftheforeigncontingentsdeclaredthefestivalhereasoneofthemostjubilantandmemorable.ForthousandsofFilipinosinSouthCotabatoandneighboringprovincesthatmobbedeveryvenue,thefestivalwasanopportunitytolearntheintangibleculturesaroundworld.

Thus,theFolkloriadawillbeanopportunityforthePhilippinestoenlightentheworld.TherelativelyobscureBlaanculturewillbeoncenterstageandwillbeintroducedtotheawarenessofotherculturesaroundtheworld.

TheworldwillknowthatsomewhereinthesoutherntipofthePhilippinearchipelagoisagroupofindigenouspeoplewithapeculiarlyfascinationcustoms,traditions,ritualsandartforms.

ThatisdefinitelysomethingweFilipinosshouldbeproudof.

OLIVIA T. SUDARIAREGIONAL DIRECTORPIA SOCCSKSARGENPHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY

SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)Baustista Bldg., Zulueta Street, Koronadal City, South CotabatoContact no. (083)520-0249

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Koronadal Mayor Dr. Peter Miguel told Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that he will attend the CIOFF World Folkloriada 2016 in Zacatecas, Mexico on July 30 to August 14 where he will be accompanied by the Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe performers and where the Blaan culture will be on the spotlight. World Folkloriada is a flagship event of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore

Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) that gather cultural heritage performers from all over the world for an non-competitive olympics of intangible heritage. Held every four years, World Folkloriada highlights folks arts such as dancing, singing, playing and other art forms. According to a briefer on the said the festival, it showcases the whole world’s traditional heritage, provides a participatory rather than

Koronadal City to represent PHL in international folklore festKORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - The Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe will represent the Philippines in an international folklore festival in July.

a consumer model of for intangible cultural heritage, promotes the aims of CIOFF and UNESCO in the dissemination and protection of traditional cultures, and promotes mutual understanding and peace all over the world. Philippines as represented by Koronadal City is an associate member of the CIOFF. “Our participation to the Folkloriada is a reciprocation to the support we got from CIOFF members,” Mayor Miguel said, referring to the participation of folk arts performers from Slovenia, Russia, Mexico,

Turkey, Poland, Japan, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei in Koronadal City’s CIOFF International Festival Pyesta Kolon Datal on August 9 to 18, 2015. Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Troupe was the primary Philippine contingent to the Pyesta Kolon Datal. It was joined by other Filipino performers, including UP Filipiniana Dance Group, PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, Philippine Barangay Folk Dance Group, ECD Dance Company of the Philippines, Zamboanga National High School Dance Troupe and the Bukidnon State University

Dance Troupe. “We will be the face of the Philippine at the World Folkloriada,” Mayor Miguel said, adding “the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe will spotlight the culture, dances, and songs of the Blaan indigenous people.” The city government will disburse the expenses of the performers who will be joining the international folklore festivals. Initially, the city government has earmarked Php2.3 million for the trip, but the local executive expects to allocate additional funds for the purpose. In Mexico, the

Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe will be traveling to the different cities for their performances, the local chief executive stressed. M e a n w h i l e , in line with the city government’s bid to be elevated from being an associate member to a national section status of the CIOFF, Mayor Miguel disclosed that the city government is planning to host the second CIOFF International Folklore Festival Pyesta Kolon Datal in 2018. CIOFF is an international cultural non-government organization related to UNESCO and devoted to safeguarding, promotion and diffusion of traditional culture and folk arts. Its membership covers 118 countries. As an associate member, Koronadal City is obliged to host international folklore festivals and organize a national collaboration for the promotion of intangible culture. “We have been coordinating other performing groups in the Philippines. We may be able to call for a national convention in July and conduct an election in August,” Mayor Miguel said. (DEDoguiles)

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“We strongly condemn the brutal and senseless murder of Mr. Robert Hall,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press statement. The Palace also extended its deepest sympathy and condolences

to the bereaved family of Hall. The Western Mindanao Command on Tuesday confirmed that the ASG bandits have beheaded Hall after his family reportedly failed to pay the PHP600 million ransom. Last April 25, the ASG beheaded the first Canadian hostage John Ridsel

Palace ‘strongly’ condemnsbeheading of Canadian hostage

Malacanang on Tuesday (June 14) strongly condemned the beheading of the last Canadian hostage Robert Hall held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu for the past nine months.

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National NEWS I 13-15 JUNE 2016

This was emphasized by incoming Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo when sought for the stand of Duterte with regard to the ASG. ”President-elect Duterte will

solve problem on criminality and illegality - that is his commitment, to suppress all these,” Panelo said, adding that he is sure Duterte will solve that kind of problem.

after the Philippine and Canadian governments refused to pay PHP300 million ransom. “We thank the Canadian government and people for their steadfast support and understanding which has been extremely helpful in our determined efforts to end this decades-old problem,” Coloma said. Hall and Ridsel along with Norwegian KjartanSekkingtad and Filipina companion MaritesFlor were snatched by the ASG in an exclusive resort in Samal Island onSept. 21 last year. “We truly regret that our people’s cherished tradition of extending gracious hospitality toward

foreign nationals has been marred by a small band of criminals whose despicable actions have been abetted by the extortion of ransom from their previous victims,” Coloma said. He said for the past two months, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have waged continuing military and law enforcement operations “that have degraded the capability of our enemies and limited their movements.” “This latest heinous crime serves to strengthen our government’s resolve to put an end to this reign of terror and banditry,” Coloma said. (PNA)

Duterte administration to dealwith lawless elements, ASG

Photo courtesy of www.peopleschoice.com

The incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte will deal with all lawless elements including the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu Province but will clearly uphold a “no ransom policy” of the government on kidnapping.

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“He will solve the problem and other problems of equal magnitude and I don’t see any problem knowing him..maramisiyang style hindinatinalam (he has many style we do not know) but very effective,” he said. But Panelo said the beheading of Robert Hall, the second Canadian killed by the ASG reportedly to taunt Duterte, must be addressed to the current administration of President Benigno Aquino because Duterte is not yet president. “If they do that during the administration of Duterte, then that could be a challenge to him but not now,” he said. Panelo said he has not discussed with Duterte his stand on Hall’s beheading and if the incoming president is willing to help to save the remaining hostages in view of

the recent appeal from the family of Hall’s girlfriend MaritesFlor. Hall was beheaded after the deadline to pay the ransom demand of P300 million lapsed on Monday. The ASG beheaded Canadian national John Ridsdel on April 25 after government refused to pay the P300-million ransom. Ridsdel and Hall were two of the four people abducted from Holiday Ocean View Samal Resort in Camudmud, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal around 11:30 p.m. on September 21, 2015. Still held hostage by the ASG are Norwegian KjartanSekkingstad, and Flor. According to Panelo, in incidents like kidnapping, Duterte’s style is always backdoor negotiation. “I am sure he will discuss this when he assumes,” he said. (PNA)

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National NEWS I 13-15 JUNE 2016

Secretary Luistro said there were no “insurmountable” problems reported, noting that the general assessment is based on the media reports and complaints monitored at the Department of Education (DepEd) central office. “This year is the best school opening thus far kahit meron tayong bagong programa (even though we have a new program),” Luistro said. The DepEd chief said most of the glitches encountered are “very solvable” and easy to address. For instance, he said, one school had a systemic problem wherein most of the parents were queued outside in hopes of accompanying their children to their

classrooms. “Some of those problems solve themselves without doing much.” Luistro said the total enrolment in public and private schools nationwide hit about 25 million. Elementary has the most number of enrollees at 14,347,076, followed by secondary with 7,350,147 and kindergarten at 2,119,325. Over a million students form the first batch of Grade 11 students. Luistro, together with incoming Education chief Leonor Briones, visited Commonwealth High School to ensure a smooth school opening and the historic nationwide implementation of SHS. (PNA)

No insurmountable problemsduring school opening – LuistroEven with the historic rollout of the Senior High School (SHS) program, this school year lands another milestone as having the “best school opening thus far”, said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

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”Bagama’t batid din naman natin hindi naman flawless, marami paring mga dapat na plantsahing mga problema, malakas naman ang kumpiyansa ng ating pamahalaan sa pangunguna nila Brother Armin (Luistro) at DepEd na malalaktawan ang mga panimulang suliraning nararanasan sa kasakuyan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said. Accompanied by incoming DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, outgoing Secretary Luistro visited several public schools to monitor the Monday’s opening of the school year 2016-2017. The DepEd has launched the Bridgada Eskuwela and Oplan Ligtas Eskuwela to ensure the orderly and smooth opening of the school year 2016-2017. Earlier, Luistro reportedly said

that although some 5,000 school buildings have been constructed for senior high school, another 66,463 remains under construction in preparation for Grade 12 in 2017-2018 school year. Coloma said has been trying to make the successful launching of the Senor High School wherein the students can choose not only the traditional curriculum but science and technology track. Coloma said the Senior High School Program would make the students qualify for the high-quality and highly-enumerated jobs. ”Lalung-lalona kung ang tinutukoy natin ay iyong magpapatala doon sa Tech-Voc o Vocational Technical Program, kahalintulad nung pagsasanay nabinibigay ng TESDA sakanila ng iba’t-ibang programa,” he added. (PNA)

Palace confident to hurdle initial flaws encountered in K-12 full implementationMalacanang on Tuesday (June 14) expressed optimism that the Department of Education (DepEd) will be able to hurdle all the problems initially encountered in the full implementation of the K-12 or 12-year basic education program in the country.

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National NEWS I 13-15 JUNE 201613

Mayor Akbar headed the marching entrance together with Isabela PNP Capt. Arnold Espares, 54th SAF PSInp. Victoriano Paac Jr., Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Cirilo Thomas P. Donato Jr. and 8th FAB Capt. Christian Agonos, who also led the oath of allegiance to the Philippine flag.

The local chief executive, who anchored her speech on this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong,” underscored that everyone is duty-bound to contribute to nation-building and in peace and development.

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos Akbar led the hoisting of the Philippine Flag and the singing of the Philippine Nation Anthem during the celebration of the 118th Araw ng Kalayaan at the Isabela City Hall, Sunday.

Isabela City observes 118th Philippine Independence Day

“What is important is we have shared something. We have done something for peace and prosperity of our nation,” she said. Furthermore, Akbar also encouraged the attendees not to forget each and everyone’s sacrifices, big or small, and continue to push forward. The attendees comprised of personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Isabela Schools Division, Barangay Council of Sunrise, Philippine Information Agency, Isabela Water District (ISAWAD), Sangguniang Panlungsod officials and Isabela City employees. Akbar likewise addressed the city employees, being the frontliners in delivering public services, never to forget their sworn duty and to work with all their hearts and might for the attainment of a truly free, peaceful and prosperous city. Meanwhile, Isabela City Councilor James Abner Rodriguez reminded the audience of the value of remembering the proclamation of the Philippine Independence. “We stood for our right as a nation who spilled its blood in the name freedom for the Philippines with its own flag equal to all others. Together, we pay tribute to the heroes who fought for our freedom—the freedom that we are all enjoying today,” Rodriguez said. According to RA No. 8491, better known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, reverence and respect shall at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions and expresses the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity. (Rene V. Carbayas/Angela Corazon B. Lazaro-Ledda)

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These agencies were the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a two-time awardee, and the Regional Planning and Development Office, a hall of famer after receiving such award for three consecutive years. The Red Orchid Award is an annual search for 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment in government offices, hospitals and local government units (LGUs). To qualify, the agency, hospital, or LGUs must first submit their self-assessment forms to the regional DOH-Center for Health Development for screening and validation. Upon checking, the DOH will provide technical assistance including orientation and environment checking. When nominated, the DOH national office will conduct a validation and then award the identified office based on the standards provided by the agency. The DOH Red Orchid Award winners are judged based on the strength of the

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has conferred the Red Orchid Award on the three line agencies in ARMM.

Red Orchid Award conferred on 3 ARMM line agencies

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comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment using the World Health Organization MPOWER initiative. MPOWER is an acronym that denotes the six proven tobacco control policies, namely: Monitor tobacco control policies; Protect people from tobacco smoke; Offer help to quit tobacco use; Warn against the dangers of tobacco; Enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and, Raise taxes on tobacco. Awardees will receive trophies and certificates of recognition. For LGUs which attained hall-of-famer status, or those awarded for three consecutive years, an additional P500,000 would be granted to be utilized for their anti-smoking programs and campaigns. Also awarded in the ARMM were

the towns of Taraka and Wao in Lanao del Sur and the Tamparan District Hospital also in the same province. The awarding was held last June 1 in Cotabato City. Joery Delumpia Amad, assistant nurse coordinator of the health department’s tobacco prevention and control program, said cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general. She said smoking leads to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and is the primary cause of lung cancer. Amad said the agency is targeting a 100 percent tobacco-free ARMM. She also encouraged government offices to apply for the Red Orchid Award. (BPI/APB)

The annual independence day celebration began at around 7:00 a.m. with the raising of the Philippine flag at Quezon Park in front of the City Hall. The raising was led by guest of honor Commodore Ellson Aguilar, commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and City Administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain representing the City Government of Davao. Commodore Aguilar and City Administrator Quitain also led the wreath-taking rites at the city’s Rizal monument. They were joined by the representatives of the different consulates in the city, government officials, civic groups, and private organizations. In his speech at the Rizal Park

Quitain said that that change and cooperation is important in achieving progress, and that change must come from the Filipinos themselves. Handa na ba tayo sa pagbabago? Ako handa na. (Are we ready for change? Me, I am ready.) Quitain said. Meanwhile Commodore Aguilar reiterated that the celebration is an opportunity to look back at the past and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the forefathers in securing the country’s freedom. “I encourage every Dabawenyo to prove themselves worthy of the sacrifice paid by our forefathers.” Aguilar said. (RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY- The City of Davao celebrated the 118th anniversary of Philippine Independence at Quezon and Rizal Parks of this City last June 12.

Davao City celebrates PH independence day

Boy and Girl Scouts attend the Independence Day ceremonies in Davao City.

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KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - In his message during the celebration of the 118th Independence Day Sunday, Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel appealed for public support to the administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Koronadal Mayor rallies support for Duterte admininstration

Addressing local government employees, teachers, students, police officers and national government agency employees at the Rizal Park for the Kalayaan 2016 program here, Mayor Miguel said that although Filipinos have been liberated from foreign oppressors, the nation is beset by criminality. “Just as our ancestors and our heroes fought together for a single goal - our independence - we should also be united for one goal to join President-elect Duterte’s advocacy against illegal drugs and other crimes. We must unite together behind our new President,” Miguel emphasized. Residents could help the police

authorities and local government officials in their efforts to quash criminal activities. “Just report to us the drug pushers and drug users in your communities. Secondly, be vigilant even in your households as drug problem may have already infiltrated you own households,” he said, stressing further that the current number of police officers assigned in the area is insufficient to serve the city’s over 120,000 population, thus, the need for involvement of the residents. Mayor Miguel believes that Duterte’s advocacy to quash criminality is well timed considering the growing economy with the

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Philippines “recording the highest GDP, surpassing that of China and Singapore.” “What is necessary at the moment is to break criminality,” he stressed. “If we are able to address this issue, we are assured of attaining progress and being at par with other advanced nations in the world.” Also in his Independence Day message, Mayor Miguel pointed out that the colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, Americans and the Japanese was not entirely negative, saying the oppression had led Filipino heroes like Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo, and many others to be united in a single mission, that is, to attain independence. “Although we are an archipelagic nation, composed of 1,700 islands,

our heroes have shown that we are in one accord in seeking independence that we achieved in that fateful day on June 12, 1998,” Mayor Miguel said.The observance of the 118th Independence Day in Koronadal City started with the raising of the Philippine Flag, 21-gun salute, and wreath-laying and floral offering at the Rizal monument. It was highlighted by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe’s presentation retelling the Philippine’s struggle for freedom from the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese colonizers. This year’s Independence Day celebration is anchored on the theme: “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong.” (DEDoguiles)

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A stunted child is one who is undernourished, and as a result does not exhibit normal growth in terms of height and weight. This incidence poses a major health concern for children, in which its effects, when left uncured are irreversible.

DOH urges good nutrition for baby’s first 1,000 days

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) noted that 3.4 million children are stunted. About 38 percent of this number is reported in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. “The Philippines is one of ten countries in the world with the highest rate of undernourished children,” said DOH nutritionist Evelyn Capistrano. Capistrano added that long-term effects of undernutrition include

mental and physical defects, the patient being more prone to diseases and early death, and low IQ. “The damage is permanent and irreversible,” she stressed. Capistrano explained that this is why the DOH has come up with the 1,000 Days advocacy, which seeks to inform the different sectors on the importance of good nutrition for the child for 1,000 days, starting from the

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child’s conception. “The first 1,000 days are the window of opportunity for proper growth and development of the child,” she said. “In the first years of life an infant’s brain forms 700-1,000 new neural connections per second. This pace is never repeated again,” she added. The DOH urges everyone to practice good nutrition by following the “10 Kumainments,” or the 10 commandments for nutrition, as follows: 1) Eat a variety of foods; 2)

In the first six months, the baby must be breastfed, and when the baby reaches six months, other food must also be introduced; 3) Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; 4) Eat fish, meat and other foods rich in protein; 5) Drink milk and eat foods rich in calcium; 6) Make sure that food and water are safe; 7) Use iodized salt; 8) Don’t eat a lot of salty, oily and sweet foods; 9) Maintain normal weight; and 10) Exercise and stop drinking and smoking. (Dominic I. Sanchez)

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Disaster preparedness is among the priorities of the schools in the city before the opening of classes. With this, the CDRRMO, led by Allan Porcadilla, recently visited Regional Science High School to provide information and knowledge to parents including the faculty members on the proper things to do during calamities. Porcadilla said the module, which is one of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (CDRRMC) projects, was made by the

DepEd focal person on disaster who is also a member of the said council. The project was patterned after Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 for the curriculum integration of Disaster Risk Reduction on Climate Change Adaptation (DRRCCA). Porcadilla disclosed that Cagayan de Oro would be the pilot area for the project of the CCC to be fully implemented in 2016. (ACM-CIO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) of Cagayan de Oro is the first in the country to come up with a module for disaster preparedness that will be used by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the K-12 curriculum.

CDO develops disaster preparedness module

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PSA-12 Regional Director Maqtahar Manulon said that the poverty threshold went up by 13.5 percent while the food threshold rose to 13.1 percent. “From P9,243 in 2012, poverty threshold in Region 12 rose to P10,488. In the case of the food threshold, from P6,446 in 2012, it went up to P7,291,” Manulon noted. Among the four provinces in the region, South Cotabato posted the highest poverty and food thresholds with P11,041 and P7,681, respectively.Sultan Kudarat, on the other hand has the lowest poverty and food thresholds with P10,234 and P7,140, respectively. Meanwhile, improvements on the poverty incidence among families were recorded in the provinces of South and North Cotabato with 28.0% and 43.9% in 2012 to 24.9% and 41.8% in the first sem of 2015, respectively.

Both provinces also posted improvements in the subsistence incidence or the proportion of Filipinos whose income falls below the food threshold with 29.3% in 2012 to 25.0% in 2015 in North Cotabato and 14.5% in 2012 to 12.4% in 2015 in South Cotabato. The regional director also stated that a family of five in the region needed a minimum monthly income of P8,740 to meet their food and non- food basic needs. “The average income of a poor individual must increase by 36.5% of the poverty threshold for him not to be considered poor,” Manulon noted. The PSA official, on the other hand emphasized that they will bare the complete data for 2015 on October this year. (SJDuerme)

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-12 revealed that poverty and food thresholds in SOCCSKSARGEN region increased in the first semester last year.

Poverty, food thresholds in Region 12 rise in 1st sem of 2015

“As far as Region 12 is concerned, 90 percent of our anticipated senior high school enrollees have already

enrolled. We are hoping that the remaining 10 percent will enroll on Monday,” DepEd-12 Regional Director

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Department of Education in SOCCSKSARGEN Region (DepEd-12) expects more than 64,000 students to enroll in Grade 11 this school year.

DepEd 12 expects 64K enrollees in senior high school

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Arturo Bayocot told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in an interview after the Kalayaan 2016 on Sunday. Director Bayocot also assured that all schools in SOCCSKSARGEN Region were prepared for the opening of classes last June 13. “We have given enough in terms of providing the resources required especially those needed for the start of Grade 11 or senior high school. There was no reason for any school not to begin classes last Monday,” he said. To ensure compliance to this directive, the regional office and the school divisions are closely monitoring the opening of classes, including adherence to “Lesson 1 on Day 1” policy. SOCCSKSARGEN is comprised of nine divisions: South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

With regard to senior high school, data from DepEd-12 indicated that 506 schools in SOCCSKSARGEN region are offering senior high school for school year 2016-2017. Of these, 342 are being run by the DepEd and 134 are managed by private schools. Estimates also showed that of the 64,000 entering Grade 11, 53 percent are taking academic tracks including Science & Technology, Engineering & Mathematics ( STEM); Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM); Humanities & Social Sciences (HUMSS); and General Academic Strand (GAS). Some 46 percent plan to take Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track and the remaining 1 percent are joining either arts, design or sports track. DepEd is hiring 1,542 new teachers for the offering of Grade 11 this year. (DEDoguiles)

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The New People’s Army (NPA) earlier released a statement saying it found a sachet of shabu in Ongachen’s possession when he was captured. Chief Inspector Ongachen was abducted last May 29 when 40 armed men believed to be communist rebels stormed the Governor Generoso Municipal Police Station. The policemen who put up a defense ran out of bullets, allowing the rebels to overrun the police station and seize the police chief. Gaerlan said during the recent Kapehan sa Dabaw Media Forum at SM- City Davao that based on internal investigation, “Ongachen is no drug user nor a pusher and a protector of the narcotics trade.” “We would appeal to the President-elect for him to reconsider hopefully yung pagtulong (to help), we made our internal investigation at hindi naman gumagamit, hindi naman nagbebenta (not using nor selling) at lalong hindi nagproprotekta (and most especially not protecting) si Chief Inspector Ongachen. Earlier, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said he is not helping in

securing the release of Ongachen citing the NPA statement where a sachet of shabu was found in his possession. Duterte has been known to help facilitate the release of captive soldiers and policemen from the custody of the NPA. Duterte, however, is also known for applying a nailed-fist policy against drugs. Gaerlan said that based on the investigation taken from his colleagues and immediate community, Ongachen has not been involved in drugs and also has shown accomplishments during his stint as chief-of-police of the town. The police director said that among Ongachen’s accomplishments were the arrest of suspected criminals and the filing of cases against them.“Efforts to rescue Ongachen is still ongoing,” Gaerlan said. Meanwhile, Gaerlan said that corrective measures are being put in place to prevent technical lapses which allowed the NPA to overrun the police station in Governor Generoso. (RG Alama)

DAVAO CITY - Police Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 director came to the defense of abducted chief of police of Governor Generoso town, Chief Inspector Arnold Ongachen, who was accused of being a drug user and protector by his captors.

Abducted chief of police is no drug user- PNP

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Mayor Lorenzo Balbin Jr together with the members of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and the officers of the 66th and 69th Infantry Battalions signed the Memorandum of Understanding to affirm such a declaration.Also highlighting the said celebration was an Army Show featuring the different army capabilities of the 66th IB.Captain Benedick Alfonso Cagatin, civil military operations officer of the 66th IB, bared that the municipality has been free of established satellite camps placed by the lawless armed

groups.“New Bataan was considered before a dwelling place ng mga (of the) lawless armed group; pero ngayon, highly mobile na sila tapos nakatira na lang sila sa mga bundok kung saan sila maabutan ng gabi o kailangan nila magpahinga (but now, they are highly mobile and only in the mountains wherever they will reach by nighttime or when they needed rest).”New Bataan is the last town being declared as such in Compostela Valley, which has been known as rebel-infested province. (PMichael Uy)

NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley – This town got a boost in celebrating the 118th Independence Day, as the whole municipality was declared a conflict manageable and development ready.

New Bataan declared conflict manageable, dev’t ready area

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Climate Change Commission is pushing to build resilience against weather-related disasters through the Communities for Resilience or CORE Convergence initiative.

CCC beefs up technical support to local gov’t

CCC is partnering with Aksyon Klima, a group composed of various civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-government organization (NGOs) dedicated to help reduce the ill effect of climate change, targeting the local government units (LGUs)

and stakeholders most vulnerable to disasters to cover the 18 major river basins identified by experts as pilot areas and models for the convergence of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and management programs of the

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government. Just this week, Cagayan de Oro City hosted the second convergence forum attended by local government unit (LGUs) around the Buayan-Malungon, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Tagoloan River Basins. CCC Secretary Emmanuel M. De Guzman, in his message during the forum, said this initiative is dedicated to help the LGUs in preparing their respective local climate change action plans (LCCAP). “We have 1,700 LGUs in the country, including provinces, but we only have 160 plans at hand. We have a big backlog and we would like to accelerate the development of these plans so that the LGUs can access the peoples survival fund which is now at P2 billion and this grows by a billion every year,” he said. De Guzman stressed that this is a

climate funding for local communities and they would like to disburse this to LGUs in real need and with good justification of adaptation and mitigation measures that they would like to undertake. “We are in a state of haste. LGUs should come up with adaptation plans and build resilience against the impact of climate change. Non-action on climate change and disaster risk is a social sin, an injustice to the poor and most vulnerable,” De Guzman said, as she cited a report from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 stating that the Philippines ranked sixth among 10 countries hardest hit by natural disasters worldwide, sustaining US$1.9 billion in economic damage and affecting an estimated 3.83 million people. (JCV)

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DAVAO CITY - Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Karlos Zarate of the Bayan-Muna Partylist welcomed the plan of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive order that aims to ensure transparency and accountability in governance like the Freedom of Information (FOI) policy.

Makabayan Bloc welcomes FOI policy of Duterte administration

He said Duterte could temporarily implement this policy to the line agencies directly under the executive department. Zarate stressed that the President-elect must certify as urgent the passage of the Freedom of Information bill to ensure that the anti-corruption campaign covers all branches of government. “Duterte must go beyond imposing an executive order, which is only binding to the executive department. The freedom of information measure must be encompassing in all branches of government including the legislative and judicial departments,” he said. Zarate said Duterte’s move

against corruption is “highly relevant and a good start in the campaign against graft and corruption in government, especially in the situation in which most of the agencies with traces of corruption belong to the executive department.” He assured that effective July 1, the Makabayan bloc will refile the FOI bill, Whistle Blower’s Act, Human Rights Defenders’ Bill, and other major bills like the Agrarian Reform Bill, People’s Mining Bill, National Industrialization Bill, Vat Removal Bill, Anti-Privatization of Government Hospitals Bill. (Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

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Thus disclosed Mayor Romeo Pulmones during the 118th Independence Day celebration held at the City Hall complex. “May we truly learn the values of our heroes and use them for the well-being of the nation in the context of this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong,” Pulmones said. “We remember the ultimate price that our patriotic and idealistic forefathers paid for the freedom that we enjoy today,” he added. SSupt. Michael Nicolas, PNP provincial director said, “Today, is a special day to all of us Filipinos because we do not only remember

the success that we achieved but the sacrifices of our ancestors who fought and died to regain our freedom from 333 years of Spanish colonization.” “Hayaan ang kanilang dakilang sakripisyo na maging inspirasyon natin habang tayo ay nagsusumikap ngayon na palakasin ang ating minamahal na Republika bilang isang makapangyarihang ekonomiya at isang buhay na may dignidad at kapayapaan,” Nicolas said. (Let us allow their great sacrifices to be our inspiration while we exert efforts to strengthen our beloved Republic to be a powerful economy and to live with dignity and peace.)

PAGADIAN CITY – Independence Day is always a significant event for a nation brought about by centuries of struggles against powerful nations.

118th Independence Day: A story of our noble ancestors’ courage, struggles and sacrifices

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Meanwhile, MGen. Gerardo F. Barrientos, Jr., 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division commander in his message delivered by acting chief of staff, Colonel Jacinto Bareng said the martyrdom and legacy of our heroes had freed the nation from the bonds of the colonizers. Barrientos said notwithstanding the freedom that we enjoy now, our country is bombarded with economic, political and social dilemmas that hinder positive and progressive reforms initiated by the government. Despite these challenges, Barrientos urged everyone to have unity of action and common vision for our country saying that no one else

will act for the betterment and future of our country, and no one else would push for the protection of our freedom except we, Filipinos. He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has expanded its horizon of service. “We engage in both combat and non-combat activities to promote peace, security and development,” Barrientos announced. The army chief said our greatest challenge today is to achieve a just and lasting peace. “Our collective effort to pursue this objective is a manifestation of our gratitude to our forebears and of our hope for the future generations,” Barrientos concluded. (Gideon C. Corgue)

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