CONTENTS NATIONAL
OUR COVER
Today’s cover features
Tagum City:
Sustaining its feat in literacy
• Aquino declares last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October 2011 and every year after thereafter as Barangay Assembly Days • OFW thank President Aquino for allowing them to continue working in Afghanistan • Palace assures there was no attempt to withhold information on accident involving vehicle of presidential political adviser • Aquino orders Singson to study existing protocol on dam management • Aquino declares October 31, 2011 as special non-working day throughout the country
CNEX An Electronic News Magazine
published daily by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Mindanao Clusters
EDITORIAL STAFF Executive Editor …….........
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Managing Editor …….........
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
Regional Desk Editors …...
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
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SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
• Volunteer kindergarten teachers to receive honoraria soon —Luistro • “Most typhoon affected schools have already recovered”--DepEd • Debate olympics to boost PHL tourism
Northern Mindanao
• Iligan City celebrates October as Business Month • DOH urges motorists to use helmets and seatbelts at all times • NHTS-PR gives human face behind the statistics – DSWD • DSWD’s database generates reports, statistics on poor households • NPA rebels release 4 jail officers
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
• DSWD XI to launch database on poverty reduction • IPs go on tour for a cause • IP leaders ratify landmark resolution as Dayaw Festival ends • Comval’s 5th BSP Jamborette—a success • Bag-ong Scholarship Program ni Governor Uy aprobado sa Comval SP
Central Mindanao (SOCSKSARGEN)
• Alcala promises P15-M machineries, equipment to irrigators in SK • Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) kinilala ang kakayahan ni Pangulong Aquino na mamuno • P2.5M pondo para sa relief operations sa ARMM inilabas ng DSWD Central Office • Sahod ng mga pre-school teachers sa Maguindanao Division 1 ibibigay na
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
• BFAR celebrates fish conservation week • Caraga region is second stopover for nationwide microinsurance campaign • Lingig Mayor, 2 military escorts released after 2 months, 3 days abduction • Released Lingig Mayor, 2 others grateful to Surigao Sur Gov. • Feature: HMC-TNP, DepEd’s ALS program fulfills aspiration of the mining communities in Surigao Norte
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula) • • • • •
DepED bats for child friendly public schools DOT, City, launch Food Fest - “Barrio Fiesta de Comidas” DSWD-IX disburses P282-M for ZamboSur’s 1st district 4Ps Zambo. Norte cops undergo PSJLC course Zanorte to host 2012 ATOP National Convention
Monday, October 10, 2011
Cover Story:
Tagum City: Sustaining its feat in literacy By Jean Duron-Abangan
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here’s no other way to take, but up. Tagum City now eyes to become the Center of Literacy Excellence in three years time, after having stepped into the Hall of Fame illumed with a spotlight of glory and honor.
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 3
It had grabbed the National Literacy Awards in 2001, 2008 and 2010. It finally entered into the Hall of Fame officially on September 29, 2011 when it received during this year’s National Literacy Conference, the most coveted trophy and cash of P100,000 from the National Literacy Coordinating Council (NLCC). But Tagum City local government
won’t just be sitting down, caressing its laurel of success having earned the recognition as the country’s famed and honored LGU which excelled in the field of literacy. “We will continue to do our best to be worthy of this very prestigious title,” Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy said during the awarding ceremony in his speech deliv-
ered by Department of Education (DepEd) Tagum City Schools Division Supt. Nenita Lumaad. Tickets to Hall of Fame Tagum City through its City Literacy Coordinating Council (CLCC) endorsed to the National Literacy Evaluators during the field validation last August, three major literacy programs as 5
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 4
its tickets to the Hall of Fame. CLCC secretariat head Anwar E. Maadel believes that the programs on Palengskwelahan; Reaching the Unreached: Locate, Evaluate, Assess/ Assist and Develop Skills (RTU LEADS); and the Housing Resettlement Progam, have given Tagum City an edge over other LGUs in the field of literacy. The Palengsk-
welahan establishes a school inside Tagum City Public Market to reach out to out-ofschool (OSYs) who prefer to earn a living through vending goods in the market over attending classes. Sustained over the years of implementation, Palengskwelahan has led a total of 92 students to pass the National Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E). The Housing and Resettlement Pro-
gram is a literacy cum social development program aimed at providing thecity’s urban poor residents with decent abode, and access to basic social services and education. The RTU LEADS ensures that Tagum City gets in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of ensuring access to education for all. An initiative of DepEd Tagum City Schools Division, RTU LEADS
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 5
is adopted by CLCC and sufficiently funded by the city government, to “bring the school near to where the learners are.” It seeks to improve students participation and completion rates. RTU LEADS initially catered to high school students in its first year of implementation in 2009 when it was pilottested in Barangay Pandapan located more than two kilometers away from city center. A total of 714 high school students have benefitted from the program which DepEd Tagum City along with the CLCC, has expanded to cover high school students in Canocotan and Liboganon. They have been saved from risk of dropping out of school if they wouldn’t be able to sustain the expenses for fare and baon.
Having noted the success of RTU LEADS with high school students, DepEd Tagum now brings it to barangays with a number of grades one to three pupils found to be at risk of dropping out. It also caters to those who are outof-school, due to
the prohibitive distance of elementary schools from their community. Since 2010, the Mobile RTU LEADS for Elementary has been able to reach out to a total of 210 pupils of grades I to III. They are attending multigrade classes 7
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 6
held either in a waitingshed, a makeshift or a vacant facility identified by the barangay. “Since they are still little, they find it hard to cross the highways . What if they have no one to take them to school? So, they would not
Monday, October 10, 2011
be attending classes,” Lumaad said. What else can Tagum do? Having staked all its best for this year’s Hall of Fame evaluation, what else does Tagum City have to offer to sustain the luster of its fame,
and to finally claim as the Center of Literacy Excellence in three years time? “It doesnt mean nga mohinay hinay ug moundang na ta kay daghan pa tag himoon (It doesn’t mean that we have to go slow or stop because there are still a lot to be done) for our constituents to become literates,” Mayor Uy said in a separate interview. Uy takes particular concern for OSY whom he wants to equip with skills through a skills training program designed to reinforce basic and functional literacy. “To me dili pwede , nga dili jud sila maedukar. (I won’t allow them to go uneducated.),” he said. “Mag-introduce ta ug mga skills training nga haum sa ilang mga kagustuhan (We will introduce skills
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 7
training that would fit their inclination), he added. More than ensuring access to basic education to all children, Uy also wants to prepare them to become self-sufficient as he foresees the possibility that not all of them can proceed to college or
can land a white collar job. He bares of having built a much modern version of Home Economics building where high school students of La Filipina are being taught on baking and cooking. “Bahala na di sila mag college (If they may not go to college) at
least may knowhow sila (they would have know-how) on how to bake and how to cook purposely for negosyo (business). If they would become employees, still they would know how to cook and bake,� Uy said. He plans to expand such kind of en9
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 8
trepreneurial training for high school students in other public high school campuses in the city once he gets a good result of pilot-testing it in La Filipina. Financial Literacy Meanwhile, Lumaad sees the importance of integrating financial literacy in grades IV to VI education aside from arming pupils them with skills that they can bank on to earn a living in case they fall out of school, and may not be able to get higher education. She would like education to take a shift from honing students to become mere employees but employers as well. She wants students to become adaptable to situations and to carry themselves well in both worlds either
as employees or employers. “What if a teaching graduate would have no place to get employed, he should think of how to support himself . Dili pwede nga mahimo tang kapwa. Dapat ang Tagumenyo, walay kapwa (We should not become dependent of others. There should be no dependent Tagumenyo), she said. Lumaad views financial literacy to spell the difference in educating students . She considers such type of literacy as an initial step towards preparing them to handle their future. She bares of having introduced FLY (Financial Literacy for the Youth) to seven public elementary schools in Tagum City through working with Tagum Cooperative which
provides the learning materials and training for teachers to integrate financial literacy in English, Math and in Technology and Livelihood Education subjects. FLY deals with basic numeracy skills, and instills among grades IV to VI pupils the importance of budgetting and saving. “If we’ve taught them how to budget at an early age, they would know how to manage their money. They should know how to save money for future use,” she said. Lumaad said that DepEd will soon be bringing the city government into the network of supporting agencies to FLY, but she still has to see good results of such financial literacy education to convince the LGU of its relevance. 10
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Cover Story:Tagum City.....from page 9
Pay back time Whatever initiative the CLCC may take to sustain and improve the city’s literacy status, Tagum City Vice Mayor Alan Rellon assures that the City Council will always be supportive especially in terms of appropriating sufficient budget to run the city’s various literacy programs. Aside from the budget appropriation, Rellon is looking forward to crafting an ordinance to raise the honorarium of mobile teachers who are reaching out to out-of-school youths and adult learners in far flung-areas, but are measly paid. Now that tagum city has raised its literacy level, and has eventually gained 10
fame, Rellon finds it high time to pay back the sacrifices of those who have served well to bring the literacy programs of the city government to where these are needed. For Mayor Uy, he welcomes anyone who would opt to spend their formal education in Tagum City. He is open to share the standards of literacy that the city has earned. “It is our moral responsibility to help the neighboring LGUs ,” he said. Whoever may come next his term, he hopes that the aspiration to educate every child will live on until Tagum City takes the Center of Literacy Excellence.
Monday, October 10, 2011
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Aquino declares last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October 2011 and every year after thereafter as Barangay Assembly Days
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resident Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the last Saturday of March and the second Sunday of October 2011, and every year thereafter as Barangay Assembly Days.
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Monday, October 10, 2011
Aquino delclares.....from page 12
The Chief Executive issued Proclamation No. 260 on September 30, 2011, amending Proclamation No. 342 issued in 2003 entitled “Declaring the last Saturday of March 2003 and third Saturday of October 2003 and every year thereafter as Barangay Assembly Days.” Sections 397 and 398 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) require the barangay assembly to meet twice a year, to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sanguniang Barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay. Section 1 of Republic Act (R.A.) 9340 provides that “the Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elec-
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tions shall be held on the last Monday of October and every three years thereafter. In amending Proclamation 342 the President underscored the need to ensure that the barangay assembly day for the second semester of each year does not fall under the campaign period for the Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections under Batas Pambansa (BP) Bilang 881 or the “Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines. “The institutionalization of barangay assembly day nationwide is one of the major component programs of the Biyaheng Pinoy: Tapat na Palakad, Bayang Maunlad launched on October 10, 2010 by the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” according to the new proclamation which was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., on behalf of the President. The new proclamation also noted the need to conduct Barangay Assembly Days nationwide to drumbeat the celebration of the 20th year of the local autonomy in the Philippines and to institutionalize the norms of transparency, responsiveness, accountability and participation at the barangay level. The President enjoined all City/Municipal Mayors to ensure compliance and maximum participation of all barangays in the said undertaking by conducting barangay assemblies in their respective jurisdiction. (JS)
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OFW thank President Aquino for allowing them to continue working in Afghanistan housands of Overseas Filipino Workers have expressed their deepest gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III for allowing them to continue working for their respective employers in Afghanistan. In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive, Filipino Carlo Echano, a US government contractor working in Afghanistan who represents more than four thousand OFWs, thanked the President profusely for his “guided decision on allowing us to continue our professions and labor in Afghanistan.” He said that despite the concerns aired on their safety, they still feel secure working for “our American and NATO (North America Treaty Organization)-
member employers. “We thank you for appreciating the efforts of our American and NATO-member employers to keep us safe and secure in our work in an environment that aims to build peace in this part of the world,” the letter read. “We thank you for recognizing our hard work and acknowledging that our efforts are not only to support our families but also to build the economy of our country,” it added. A deployment ban has been issued
by the Philippines disallowing Filipinos from traveling to Afghanistan due to security risks. But Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa announced last August that Filipinos already working in the country are not covered by the ban. “After making an assessment of the conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq based on input from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), we have recommended that Filipino workers who are already employed in US military bases 15
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OFW thanks.....from page 14
and installations in these countries be allowed to remain there to continue their employment,” Ochoa said.
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The Executive Secretary said however, that the overall deployment ban to Afghanistan as well as Iraq still remains.
A majority of the 6,000 OFWs are working inside two US bases in Afghanistan - Bagram and Kandahar Airfields. (RCK)
Palace assures there was no attempt to withhold information on accident involving vehicle of presidential political adviser he Aquino government said that there were no efforts to withhold any information regarding a vehicular accident involving one of its officials, where a high-powered firearm was recovered, as it assured full cooperation on the ongoing investigations to ferret out the truth and sanction those who will be proven guilty of crime commission. In his official statement during a press briefing at the Palace, Monday, Presidential Political Adviser Ronaldo Llamas stressed that there has been no attempts by anyone to hide what really transpired in the ac-
cident involving his Mitsubishi Montero Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a closed van in Quezon City, before dawn of Friday. “I would like to emphasize and reiterate that there has been no attempt by
anyone to withhold information about the incident, either from the police, media or the public, or to allow those found responsible to escape culpability for their actions,” Llamas said. “Neither I, nor my office, will ask 16
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Palace assures....from page 15
for ‘special treatment’ in this regard… we remain committed to the principles of transparency and public accountability that the President (Aquino) has defined his administration by,” he added. Llamas said that from the event of the accident, his staff was fully cooperative with the law enforcers. “All throughout the course of this incident, my staff has extended full cooperation and support to the police,” Llamas noted. He said that on the day of the incident, his staff accompanied his driver to the police station where he was turned over. The driver, indentified as a certain Joey Tecson, Llamas said, gave his voluntary statement to the police.
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“It is my understanding that Mr. Tecson gave a voluntary statement to the police and was provisionally released subject to the final outcome of the police investigation. It goes without saying that Office of the Political Adviser (OPA) will continue to extend full cooperation and support to any legal and judicial processes that may arise as a result of the police investigation,” Llamas said. Recent reports claimed that an assault rifle and several bulletproof vests were found in Llamas’ SUV when it figured in an accident near the Technohub along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the
Mitsubishi Montero (with a 6*OPA protocol license plate) of Secretary Llamas hit the passenger side of an Isuzu closed van (YUJ-961) driven by Jonel Tenorio at around 2:10 a.m. Traffic investigators said the SUV’s front bumper sustained major damage and the vehicle had to be towed by a private towing company to its impounding area in Regalado Avenue. Llamas said that the rifle was “duly licensed” and issued to him. Llamas was in Geneva, Switzerland when the accident occurred to attend a United Nations High Commission for Refugees conference. The Secretary arrived early Monday and from the airport went straight to meet with the Malacanang Press Corps. (JCL)
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Aquino orders Singson to study existing protocol on dam management resident Benigno S. Aquino III has directed Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson to undertake a study on the existing protocol on dam management amid massive floodings in Central Luzon brought by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel,” a Palace official said on Monday. The Chief Executive also directed Singson to come out with methods to ensure that the waters coming from the highlands do not flow directly to the lowlands, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press briefing in Malacanang on Monday. “For instance, the construction of catch basins with respect to dredging, that’s also part of the study that’s going to be made by Secre-
tary Singson as water czar,” Lacierda said. “Secretary Singson is coordinating with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and all dam operators to discuss the existing protocol on the release of water from the dams,” he added. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje agreed with the Aquino government’s position to review the protocol on dam
management. He directed the NWRB, an attached agency of the DENR, to come up with new measures in the face of changing patterns of natural phenomena. “The new dam management protocol should fill up all loopholes in implementing emergency measures during typhoons and weather disturbances,” he said. With respect to the people living near the dams and danger zones, Lacierda stressed that those 18
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Aquino orders....from page 17
in the danger zones have to be moved out. Following the warning of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that another tropical depression Ramon may enter
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the country, Lacierda appealed to the public to remain vigilant and prepared. “The PAGASA has given us warning on the coming storm so we’ve asked the local government officials to be vigilant in making sure that their residents will be am-
ply safeguarded. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should immediately go into prepositioning relief goods. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council alerting its provincial counterparts,” he said. (JS)
Aquino declares October 31, 2011 as special non-working day throughout the country resident Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Monday, October 31 as a special nonworking day throughout the country.
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The President issued Proclamation No. 265 on October 10, 2011 “to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe the day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions of the country.” In issuing Proclamation No. 265, the President said “Monday, October 31 and Tuesday, November 1 (All Saints Day), has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day.” (JS) Monday, October 10, 2011
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Volunteer kindergarten teachers to receive honoraria soon —Luistro By Lanie Bolina-Ronquillo ducation Secretary Armin Luistro announced this morning that the Department of Budget and Management(DBM) has already released the funds for the honoraria of the teacher-volunteers for public kindergarten classes. Starting June this year, The Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented the universal public kindergarten program. The program is part of the department’s Education For All campaign to meet the country’s Millennium Development Goal on Education. However, the influx of more than two million kindergarten enrollees last June cannot be ac-
commodated by the two thousand kindergarten teachers who have regular items. Most teacher-volunteers with regular teaching loads from other grade levels have agreed to handle the kindergarten classes. As volunteers, they are entitled to receive honoraria. Earlier reports said that the teacher-volunteers have not received their honoraria
since June. “My good news is… DBM has just released the funding for the honoraria of volunteer- teachers of kindergarten,” Luistro said at the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum held at the Philippine Information Agency. “I think that we have limitations, not on budget availability but on the item in the budget called Maintenenance and Other 20
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Volunteer kindergarten....from page 19
Operating Expense (MOOE), where we charge the honoraria,” Luistro said. According to Luistro, MOOE funds are released quarterly or every six months, depending on the nature of the expenses. “We have found a way to solve that. We are now in the course of discussing the matter
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with DBM, and we are proposing to transfer the item from MOOE to the salary item, so that it can be regularly released monthly,” he said. This month, DepEd targets to pay all the volunteer teachers who have rendered their services since June this year. This is already
an improvement because last year, DepEd paid the honoraria in December, Luistro said. DepEd hopes the passing of the “Kindergarten Education Act” will institutionalize the program and eventually provide regular funds for the salaries of the kindergarten teachers.
“Most typhoon affected schools have already recovered”--DepEd By Andrea Renevera-Bancud epartment of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro today explained that most of typhoon affected schools in the country have already recovered. He made the statement during today’s edition of Communication and News Exchange Forum (CNEX), held at Philippine Information Agency (PIA). “We are not affected much, although (the effect was more widespread; we were really able to handle this,” he said. “These past two typhoons were different 20
compared to typhoons in the past years, when the schools sustained mostly structural damages (like roofs or buildings were destroyed),” Luistro said in Filipino. “(This time)
what was critical were the rains. There were a lot of flooded buildings; there were less structures affected.” But Luistro said that they need to look into the possibility of 21 Monday, October 10, 2011
“Most typhoon....from page 20
widespread flooding occuring yet again. “Kailangan naming makipag-ugnayan sa Local Government Units (LGU) at tingnan talaga yung drainage system. Ito ay mas long term(We need to work with Local Government Units and as-
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sess drainage system in these areas. But this will be for the longterm),” Luistro said. But in terms of reopening the schools, most of our schools have recovered already and have started their classes.” CNEX is a weekly
PIA-produced TV program in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office, People’s Television Network (PTV) and Philippine Broadcasting System (PBS). CNEX is aired live over PTV-4.
Debate olympics to boost PHL tourism By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan
he holding of the 32nd World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC)in Manila will attract more tourists worldwide as the event promotes the country as a cultural and recreational destination. The WUDC, dubbed “the Olympics of debate,” is one of the largest student events in the world. It will be held on December 27, 2011 to January 4, 2012 at the De La Salle campus and the Philippine International Convention Center. During the Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) Forum held at the Philippine Information Agency, DoT Assistant Secretary Domingo Monday, October 10, 2011
Ramon Enerio III said the said international event can bring additional investments and other business opportunities to the country. Based on agency figures, an estimated P400 million income can be generated during the nine-day stay of at least 1,400 participants from all over the world. Aside from the opportunity to visit choice tourism destinations in the country,
participants will also be treated to a Filipino and Barrio Fiesta Night which will feature the country’s best foods, cultural presentations and performers, he said. Enerio said this endeavor will also give the country a chance to “promote the good name of the Philippines” in line with the tourism efforts of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III. 21
Iligan City celebrates October as Business Month By Lorry V. Gabule
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte—The whole month of October is declared Business Month, here, per Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution Number 11-715, passed during its regular session dated August 8, 2011. This is enviably one of the city’s strategies to perk up economic activities by holding business activities and festivities that increased the sales of products and services of the local stakeholders, explained SP Kagawad Ruderic C. Marzo, one of the main authors of the resolution. While SP Kagawad Frederick W. Siao, comain author, said this will
be celebrated every year thereafter, to provide the local stakeholders, such as, the local business sectors and the educational institutions, among others, with a concrete venue to craft their own vision, mission, plans, and strategies to advance the business climate in the city. Thus, during this month, we need to institutionalize the holding
of business conferences/ conventions, regularize trade exhibits, and strengthen the opportunity of the small players to showcase their products, Siao added. We have lined up activities which started with a kick-off/launching last Oct. 3, during the flag ceremony at the city hall amphitheatre, with the support of the city officials led by Mayor 23
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Iligan City....from page 22 Lawrence Ll. Cruz, said Siao. This was followed by a motorcade around the city’s main thoroughfare, and a short program on the launching of the One Barangay, One Product (OBOP) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the partner agency of this program at the 3rdfloor of the Gaisano Mall-Iligan, courtesy of the mall’s management, witnessed by the mall shoppers.
By Lorry V. Gabule
Other activities include the conduct of the following seminars: Intellectual Property Rights, Accounting for Non-Accountants, Business Forum, Small Business Matters and Trade Fair, Business Networking Event for Young Entrepreneurs, Great City Wide Sale, Iligan Business Night, the Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit, and the Business Processing Outsourcing-Information Technology (BPO-IT) So-
lutions Exhibits. This year, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan, Inc.(CCFII) leads the month-long activities, with support from the Lanao Filipino Chinese Chamber Industry, Inc. (LFCCI), the Office of the Congressional District of Iligan, the academe, the Association of Barangay Councils, national government agencies and other stakeholders.
DOH urges motorists to use helmets and seatbelts at all times
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte —The Department of Health (DOH) strongly advises everyone, especially motorcycle riders, to always take safety precautions seriously and follow the law. M o t o r c y c l e riders should wear helmets to protect themselves from the fatal injuries, H e a l t h Undersecretary Teodoro J. Herbosa
explained, adding that t h o s e riding in tandem s h o u l d w e a r helmets, as well. The 2011
first quarter data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) reveals that of the total 3,901 cases of transport/ vehicular crashes, only 8.5 percent of the injured motorcycle 17
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DOH urges....from page 23
riders were wearing helmets, while 14.4 percent of the injured car occupants were wearing seatbelts. Around 47 percent of recorded vehicular injuries involved motorcycles while 6.6 percent were occupants of tricycles, 3.3 percent were riding bicycles, and 14.7 percent of vehicular injuries involved pedestrians. Usec. Herbosa bemoaned the low utilization of seatbelts and helmets among the injured and emphasized the need to employ all safety precautions that would reduce the
risk of injuries like defensive driving and observance of traffic rules and regulations. Almost half or 48.5 percent of the t ra n s p o r t / ve h i c u l a r accidents were noncollision. Nearly twothirds or 59 percent of the cases occurred from 8:00 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. with the highest occurrence between 4:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. at 25.1 percent. There were also more males, 72.4 percent, than females, 27.6 percent, involved in t ra n s p o r t / ve h i c u l a r accidents. Central Luzon had the highest, 22.4 percent, of the
reported incidence of t ra n s p o r t / ve h i c u l a r accident, followed by the Davao region, 21.6 percent, and the Mindoro-MarinduqueRomblon-Palawan region (MIMAROPA), 10.6 percent. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and CARAGA regions registered the lowest vehicular accident cases at 0.4 percent each. It was reported that the number one risk factor for transport/vehicularrelated injury cases was alcohol/liquor intake at 13.6 percent.
NHTS-PR gives human face behind the statistics – DSWD By Apipa Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental-- The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTSPR) basically gives human face behind the statistics. This unique fea- was stressed by Glofe- focal person of the ture of the NHTS-PR lia J. Uayan, NHTS-PR Department of Social 25 24
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NHTS-PR gives.....from page 24
Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, during the recent launching of the NHTS-PR database in the region. She said the NHTS-PR is a data management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country in response to the need to guarantee that the poor are able to avail of social protection programs. The data system, she said, aims to improve coordination among social protection agencies to have unified criteria for the selection of the poorest population. It would enable the government to efficiently distribute its limited resources and services to the poor, she emphasized. Uayan said that the NHTS-PR seeks to reduce leakage or inclusion of the nonpoor and under-coverage or exclusion of the poor in social
Monday, October 10, 2011
protection programs. This targeting system, she further said, used a paper and pencil approach for its data gathering through household assessment survey that collected socioeconomic information using a two-page questionnaire. Meanwhile, she said the system was implemented nationwide and involved geographic targeting where the locationof the poorest areas in the country are identified. For municipalities where poverty incidence is greater than 50 percent, all barangays are surveyed, however, if it’s lower than 50 percent, only selected areas are surveyed. A process of On Demand Applications (ODA) was also conducted in areas not completely saturated wherein households who think they should be included are given
a chance to apply. Applicants will go through the same process of data collection and will be subject to Proxy Means Testing, she added. The Proxy Means Test is a statistical model that estimates the income of households based on observable and verifiable variables, such as, housing conditions, household composition, access to basic services and education of household members. Using this model, the government can predict the income of a household and compare it with the poverty threshold of the province and classify whether the household is poor or non-poor. Lastly, the list of poor households was validated by posting it at the local level and forming a Local Verification Committee.
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DSWD’s database generates reports, statistics on poor households CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental --- The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can generate reports and statistics on poor households.
This was underscored by Ian Z. Putong, Regional Field Coordinator of the NHTS-PR in Northern Mindanao, during the recent regional launching of the NHTS-PR database. The NHTS-PR shows that poor households in region 10 reaches 338,749, sharing 6.44 percent of the identified poor households in the country. The province of Bukidnon got the highest number of poor households with 98,107 while Camiguin has the lowest with 7,470 poor households. Aside from the magnitude of poor households by province, Putong said, the regional database also 26
shows that 277,066 of the poor households or 82 percent are living in the rural areas. Six (6) out of 10 poor households in the region or 60 percent of them do not have electricity in their homes, while majority of them, 110,316 poor households, use shared faucet community water system as their main water source, he further said. The database, further, shows that four (4) out of 10 poor households or40 percent use water-sealed as toilet facility while still two (2) out of 10 poor households or 20 percent has no toilet facility, he added. Putong cited that the regional database
also reveals that majority of poor individuals were not attending health centers and three (3) out of 10 or 30 percent poor individuals were attending schools. Likewise, the database yields that majority of the poor households had experienced an armed conflict as the type of displacement, while around 15.49 percent of the poor households or 52,475 were indigenous people (IPs), and 70 percent of them are found in the province of Bukidnon. These are just few examples of statistics and reports that can be generated from the NHTS-PR, Putong concluded.(Apipa Bagumbaran) Monday, October 10, 2011
NPA rebels release 4 jail officers By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – After nearly three (3) months in captivity, the New People’s Army freed at 5:15 pm, Oct. 8, the four (4) officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) they abducted in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, last July. Military reports said the National Democratic Front-Southern Mindanao Regional Command (NDF-SMRC) thru the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), released the captives in ‘good condition’ with no payoffs. Reports, further, said the release of the victims was on humanitarian reasons in respect to the appeals of the captives’ families, including various groups. Col. Romeo L. Gapuz, Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade (403Bde), Philippine Army, said this is a gesture of multilateral good will in the name of peace as the appeals made by various groups to free the captives were heeded by the Communist Party of the Phil-
Monday, October 10, 2011
ippines, New People’s Army, and National Democratic Front (CNN). “The safe release of the captives was also the result of the coordinated efforts of the government, the victims’ families, church leaders, and civil society groups,” Gapuz, further said. Meanwhile, 403Bde Spokesperson, Capt. Eduardo Meclat, said the four BJMP officers were released in Barangay Balite, Magpet town, North Cotabato and then brought to the Bishop’s Palace in Balindog, Kidapawan City. They were welcomed by Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Vice Gov. Gregorio Ipong, BJMP Director Rosendo Dial, PNP Provincial Director Cornelio Salinas and 602Bde Commander
Col. Cesar Sedillo. Released were Jail Inspector Erico Llamazares, 26, Warden of Ozamiz City Jail, a member of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 2007, Jail Inspector Murphy Tudyog, 27, PNPA Class 2008, Senior Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes and Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo Jr. The four were abducted in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, before dawn of July 21 as the NPA staged a plucky rescue operation on inmate Dennis Rodenas, allegedly, a rebel explosives expert sentenced to life imprisonment, who was being transported to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Davao del Norte via BukidnonDavao route, along with eight (8) other inmates.
27
E
DSWD XI to launch database on poverty reduction by Mai Gevera-Macapagat
nd-user like local government units and other organizations aiming to tap the poor in certain programs may now easily track who and where people living below poverty threshold with the soon to be released National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). To be launched on Friday (October 14), the NHTS-PR provides easy identification of the poorest of the poor. It reduces leakage on non-poor and under coverage or exclusion of poor in social protection services. It guaranteed that the poor receive and enjoy the benefits of social protection program. National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA XI) Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim bared that this system is put up to support the efforts of the present administration in addressing the first goal in the Millennium Development Goal which is all anchored to eradication of poverty and hunger. With government projects now aiming
to benefit the less privileged, Lim explained that the government also makes sure that these projects really reach the poor sector. To come up with a reliable database, the DSWD used a methodology through interviews using Proxy Means Variables. This method assessed the household through observable and verifiable 29
28
Monday, October 10, 2011
DSWD XI ....from page 28 variables rather than asking about income or expenditure. These socioeconomic variables then predict household income and result to objective ranking, classification and prioritization of households. DSWD clarifies that this system is different from the existing survey and studies conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB). The household
targeting system identifies who and where the poor are nationwide while the NSO provides estimates of national and regional averages of income and expenditures of families. The NSCB, on the other hand, determines the poverty and food thresholds and provides data on the poverty subsistence incidence. Lim added that the government aims to bring down poverty incidence in the region from last year’s 26 percent of the total household to 20
percent by 2016. This targeting system is believed to be one needed tool to ensure poverty reduction. Region XI has the lowest poverty incidence amongst all regions in Mindanao and it is the only region that experienced a reduction, Lim added. Nevertheless, the NEDA regional director reiterates the importance of coming up with an official database of the poor so that social services providers would highly focus on the poor sector.
IPs go on tour for a cause by Harley Aglosolos
TAGUM CITY----What seemed normal for Tagumenos has become unusual and remarkable for the Dayaw Festival 2011 participants, as they were impressed by Tagum City during the running tour last October 7, 2011. All eyes were gazing at the city’s façade as the tour buses made its way through the bustling streets leading to the
city’s center without the participants’ failure to notice the green tricycles as one of the city’s trademarks. Passing through
the public market and terminal, the tour brought them to the city’s motorpool for which the tour guide described as “one of a 30
Monday, October 10, 2011
29
IPs fo on....from page 29
kind” in the region if not in the country. Piles of various sizes of logs seemed to have discouraged the Mangyans of Mindoro as a welcome scenario but upon knowing that these were confiscated logs donated by the different municipalities and provinces, life filled their eyes which made Mangyan Judy Ann Banaag, 13, exclaimed that nature is still alive in the city. Mayor Rey T. Uy warmly welcomed them and encouraged them to take part in furnishing and the painting the classroom chairs and desks which will be distributed to the neighboring towns of the city. Not minding the sweat, the smell of the paint and the dust floating in the air, the Mangyans and Hiligaynons were so engrossed with their job for twenty minutes 30
occasionally chucking jokes as well as taking pictures. Asked about the experience, Irene Macabebe of Hiligaynon Cluster said that it was all worth the labor. “It’s quite tiresome and it’s unsual from our daily chores but we enjoyed it all knowing that it’s for a cause,” Macabebe said. N o r m a l l y supervising the production of chairs religiously throughout the day, the mayor said that this activity contributed to saving maximally for the labor cost of the project, which could average to production of 800 chairs per week for which a total of 3,000 chairs were already distributed since August this year. “This is to make the Indigenous People realize how it feels to be able to contribute
for the benefit of the Indigenous People’s (IP’s) in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley Province,” Uy stressed. Most participants were inspired by how Tagum City envisioned the good future of the next generation having mentioned that since every successful person is a product of good education, the task is no longer tedious. “I was impressed by the law-abiding, friendly and hospitable people of Tagum City and especially with the furnishing and painting we did, it is fulfilling to help in this simple way,” remarked Missa Aisa Angas, a princess of Sulu. With the New City Hall as the last stop, the impression has finally reached its peak as the visitors exclaimed “wow” saying that the structure is monumental and impressive. Monday, October 10, 2011
IP leaders ratify landmark resolution as Dayaw Festival ends by Louie Lapat
CITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE — Leaders of the different clusters of indigenous peoples in the country are one in hoping in seeing a new day full of hope and change as they unanimously approved a resolution pursuing a cultural and development agenda for the national government to take upon, highlighting the finale of this year’s three-day Dayaw Festival. The so-called Dayaw Tagum Declaration aims to pursue an active role of the indigenous peoples in community resource management, uphold their rights to self-determination expand and sustain the School of Living Traditions and reinvigorate cultural identities of the younger generation.
The group will endorse the said document during the National IP Summit convened by Sen. Loren Legarda in Manila come October 13, 2011, raising expectations of an issuance of a sound cultural and development agenda for the IPs under the Aquino Administration.
Considered to be a landmark piece of document, the Dayaw Tagum Declaration came into existence as series of forum were being held during the holding of the Dayaw Festival in Tagum which gained support from concerned agencies such as the National Commission for the 32
Monday, October 10, 2011
31
Another 1st....from page 24
Indigenous Peoples, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic Development Authority. “This forum serves as a milestone for our wishes to be heard,” stressed Commissioner Joycie D. Alegre, head of the NCCA’s Subcommission for Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts. The document also pursues effec-
tive interventions on peace and development including the urgent resumption of “peace process” with the participation and engagement of IPs; immediate enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; effective engagement of IP councils in local development councils; and provides a bold stance in opposing the establishment or continuing presence of massive extractive industries in their respective territories such as ille-
gal mining, logging and fishing activities. Meanwhile, during the closing ceremony, City of Tagum Tourism Council President Alma L. Uy expressed in behalf of the City Government of Tagum her profound gratitude to the people who took part in ensuring the success of the festival despite the short time of preparation. The Ifugao of Kalinga, Apayao gave three ritual jars to the City of Tagum as their way of saying thanks to the city for hosting the event.
Comval’s 5th BSP Jamborette—a success by Rodielyn A. Manugas Compostela Valley – Dubbed with the theme ‘” SCOUTING BUILDS A COMMUNITY,” the 3 day BSP Jamborette and Kab O Rama culminated last October 9 at the Nabunturan National Comprehensive Highschool, Poblacion Nabunturan. 33 32
Monday, October 10, 2011
Comval’s 5th....from page 32
Participated by schools for preparation, has man-
the active participation of
of the eleven municipali-
aged to set everything ac-
all scouters. “I am hope-
ties in Compostela Valley
cordingly. “I am very thank-
ful that through this scout-
province,
the
jamborette ful to God that the 3 day BSP ing, scouters will learn a lot
has more than 1,000 scout-
jamborette is a success. This
of lesson and will acquire
ers
accommodat-
is made possible because of
a lot of skills specially time
ed at the camp site locat-
the support of the provin-
management and surviving
ed at the NNCHS ground.
cial government headed by skills because we all know
joyfully
The Boy Scout of the Governor Uy. The personnel that we are always facing
Philippines
was
created from the Provincial Engineer-
different calamities. Hope-
through Philippine Common-
ing Office had been doing
fully, the value of pagka-
wealth Act No. 111 last Oc-
its best in the site prepara-
makabayan,makatao,maka-
tober 31, 1936. It is a na-
tion. Thank you also to all
Diyos and maka-kalikasan
tional scout organization of the scouters who joined,”
be in the heart and mind of
the Philippines whose mis-
said Mayor Romeo C. Clarin. each scouters so that the next
sion is to imbue in the youth
Various
events
and BSP generation will be much
the love of God, country and competitions like the liter-
better than us and we will
fellowmen and to train young
ary and musical events, out-
have a better community”.
people to become responsi-
door games, water games,
ble leaders and to contribute
learn-a-trade, Laro ng Lahi cil
Comval BSP CounOIC Scout Executive
in nation building. There are as well as mini-zipline and Roberto
U.
Padilla
also
Kid Scout for 5-6 years old,
a lot more help enhance thanked the executive com-
Cub Scout for 7-10 years old,
and develop the scouters’ mittee headed by Gov. Uy,
Boy Scout for 10-17 years
value of sportsmanship, in-
the working staff and to all
old and Rover Scout for 17- still in them the spirit of ca-
participants and wish that
23 years old which can also
maraderie, strengthen and the activity will have posi-
bejoined by female scouts.
form their positive values.
Nabunturan, being the
Schools Division SuG.
ery scouts, that of “having a
host town and despite the
perintendent
rain and very limited time
Gomez, CESO V commends country and to our people.”
Monday, October 10, 2011
Alfonso
tive effect to the lives of evloving heart to God, to our
33
Bag-ong Scholarship Program ni Governor Uy aprobado sa Comval SP by Gilbert M. Cabahug
COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE----- Lipay gayud ang mokabat 554 ka mga Eskolar sa Probinsiya, human nga gipaboran sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang Ordinansa nga giduso ni SP Member Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga nga nag aproba sa Revised Compostela Valley Scholarship Program (CVSP) of 2011 ni Governor Arturo “Chiongkee� Uy.
Atol sa 54th Regular Session niadtong Septyembre 28, ang bag-ong Scholarship Program ni Gov. Uy ilalom sa Revised 2011 CVSP giaprobahan sa mga SP Members pinaagi sa paghatag niini ug usa ka mayoryang boto.
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Gawas sa mga maayong rason nga nagpaluyo sa bag-ong Scholarship Program, ilalom usab niini gipatas-an ang mga benepisyo nga madawat sa mamahimong eskolar sa probinsiya. Gikaingon nga ubos sa daang Scholar-
ship program, ang mga Scholars modawat lang ug P5,000.00 pesos matag semester. Apan sa naaprobahan nga Revised CVSP of 2011 ni Gov. Uy, pagahatagan ang mga Scholars ug P10,000.00 pesos matag s e m e s t e r. Monday, October 10, 2011
Alcala promises P15-M machineries, equipment to irrigators in SK by Angelica Laurilla
KORONADAL CITY – Five irrigators associations in Sultan Kudarat province are set to receive P15-million worth of farm machineries and equipment from the Department of Agriculture. During his recent meeting with Ala Dam 2 Federation of Irrigators Association, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, committed machination support to five associations named as best performing irrigators associations, namely: Pumaka Irrigators Association, Maremco Irriga-
tors Association, LD 1C Irrigators Association , Masbacas Irrigators Association, and Roxas Silang Irrigators Association. Alcala promised the department will give four handtractors with trailers, two hermetic cocoon storage, and two dryers promised to give Pumaka IA. He also com-
mitted two handtractors with trailers, two hermetic cocoon storage, and two dryers for Maremco IA. LD 1C, Masbacas and Roxas Silang IAs will also receive one handtractor with trailer, one hermetic cocoon storage, and one dryer each. Besides these, six mobile solar dryers, ten 36
Monday, October 10, 2011
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Alcala promises.....from page 35 5-metric ton capacity hermetic cocoon storage, ten solar dryers, ten flatbed dryers, ten rice threshers, ten handtractors with trailers, and ten carabaos with implements were also raffled off to irrigator’s associations covered by Ala Dam 2 federation. Agri Pinoy Rice Program also distributed two kilograms of registered seeds to each farmermember present during the activity. The seed distribution was in support to community seed
banking of the irrigators. Alcala said his visit and meeting with farmers is a means to keep up with his management strategy which he termed as “management by going around.” By touching base with farmers and fisherfolk, he said he gains personal insight on the latter’s actual needs, concerns and activities necessary to make appropriate actions and interventions for each situation and area of the farming sector .
He added every concern from the farmers, local officials and peoples’ organization is vital to come up with a more responsive and realistic approach towards agricultural development to attain President Benigno Aquino III’s twin goal of food sufficiency in 2013 and zero rice importation. “I hope you become our helpers and partners in achieving these goals of the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) kinilala ang kakayahan ni Pangulong Aquino na mamuno by pbhchangco COTABATO CITY - Isang international grupo ng peace advocate ang nagpahayag ng paniniwala sa kakayahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III bilang lider partikular na sa aspeto ng pagsusulong ng usapang pangkapayapaan. Ang pagkilala ay ipinaabot ni David Foreman ng Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) sa isinagawang forum kamakaiian sa lungsod ng Cotabato
katuwang ang Mindanao Think Tank na dinaluhan ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan. “ I believe in the ability of the President to pursue with
the peace process. His power to govern given the high approval rating and has a lot of support from Congress,” pahayag ni Foreman (Naniniwala ako sa ka37
36
Monday, October 10, 2011
Center for humanitarian....from page 36
kayahan ng Panguo na isulong ang prosesong pangkapayaan sa kanyang poder para mamuno, mataas ang kanyang approval rating at suportado ng Kongreso.) Ayon kay Foreman, layunin ng nasabing forum na ibahagi ang kanilang mga karanasan at obserbasyon sa prosesong pangkapayapaan sa bansang Northern Ireland at South Sudan na maaaring gawing gabay ng mga negosyador at taga-
pamagitan o mediator. Ayon kay Foreman, tulad sa karanasan ng Northern Ireland at South Sudan.humarap at dumanas sa maraming paghihirap at krisis ang prosesong pangkapayapaan sa loob ng maraming taon bago nagtagumpay at ang pagkakaroon ng suspension o lull sa usapang pangkayapaan ay normal lamang. Nakikita ang pagpupursige, katapatan at determinasyon ni Pangulong Aquino at ng
kabilang panig na mahalaga para sa pagpapatuloy at pagtatagumpay ng isinuusulong na usapang pangkapayapaan, ani Foreman Sumang-ayon naman si Mindanao think Tank Coordinator Atty. Anwar Malang sa pahayag ni Foreman at nagpahayag ng tiwalang magkakaroon ng positibong resulta ang usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GPH at Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
P2.5M pondo para sa relief operations sa ARMM inilabas ng DSWD Central Office COTABATO CITY, Okt 10 (PIA) - Nagpalabas ng pondo ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office na gagamitin para sa relief operations sa libu-libong pamilyang apektado ng pagbaha dahil sa mga pagulan dala ng bagyong Pedring at Quiel. Ipinahayag ni acting regional secretary Pombaen Kader ng DSWDARMM ang pagtanggap ng kanyang tanggapan ng abiso mula DSWD-Central Office ang pagpapalabas
ng P2.5 milyun para sa relief operations. Ayon kay Kader umaabot sa 60,000 ang pamilyang biktima ng pagbaha sa lalawigan ng Maguindanao nitong mga naka-
lipas na linggo. Sa bilang na ito, ayon kay Kader karamihan ay mga binaha na nanatili sa kani-kanilang tahanan samantalang mahigit lamang sa isang libong pamilya ang nagsi-
38 Monday, October 10, 2011
37
P2.5M pondo....from page 37 likas sa iba’t ibang evacuation center. Sinabi ni Kader na patuloy ang paghahatid ng tulong sa biktimang pamilyang katuwang ang pamahalaang panlalawigan kasabay ng ginagawang assessment sa kalagayan sa mga binahang lugar na ayon sa opisyal ay nasa manageable level. Bagamat may kahirapan at may kabagalan,tulong-tulongtulong at nagbabayanihan ang mga residente ng
Northern Kabuntalan sa mano-manong pagtanggal sa mga water hyacinth sa inisiyatibo ng pamahalaang bayan. Labumpito sa tatlumpu at anim na bayan sa Maguindanao ang lumubog sa tubig pinamalala sa mga bayan ng Kabuntalan na bahagya lang humupa ang baha mula noong June ng taong kasalukuyan dahil sa nakabaon nang kumpulkumpol na water hyacinth na patuloy na naanod mula Liguasan marsh , ayon sa
ulat ng DSWD-ARMM. Kaugnay rito, nauna nang ipinahayag ni Maguindanao Gov. Toto Mangundadatu ang paglalaan ng prubinsiya ng humigitkumulang P70 milyung halaga para pambili ng dredger upang magamit sa clearing operation sa nagpapatuloy na pagtambak ng water hyacinth sa iiang bayan ng lalawigan na bumabara sa pagdaloy na tubig-baha sa Rio Grande de Mindanao. (pbchangco)
Sahod ng mga pre-school teachers sa Maguindanao Division 1 ibibigay na COTABATO CITY - Nagpalabas ng pondo ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office na gagamitin para sa relief operations sa libu-libong pamilyang apektado ng pagbaha dahil sa mga pagulan dala ng bagyong Pedring at Quiel. Ipinaliwanag ni Maguindanao Division 1 Schools Supt. Bai Meriam Kawit na nadiskubreng may mga maling entry sa mga papeles kabilang ang kontrata ng mga preschool teachers na hindi napansin bago isinisumite ang mga ito sa DepEdManila. “Nagpulong na kami at ipinaliwanag ko
38
sa kanila ang dahilan at naintindihan naman nila na dahil sa hindi maayos ang information sa kanilang papeles at kontrata na forwarded to DepEdManila, ibinabalik ang mga ito para ayusin,� ayon kay Kawit. Tiniyak ni Kawit sa mga apektadong guro na may kaukulang pon-
do ang DepEd laan sa pre-school teachers at kanilang matatanggap ang kanilang apat na buwang sahod sa lalong medaling panahon. Ang preschool teacher at may buwanang sahod na P6,000 bawat isa at P1,500 para sa teacher aide, ayon kay Kawit.
Monday, October 10, 2011
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BFAR celebrates fish conservation week by Nora CL Molde
hird week of October each year is declared as Fish Conservation Week. In view of this, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will be celebrating the 48th Fish Conservation Week this October 16 to 22 with the theme “Karagatan, Pagyamanin, Isda Paramihin, Buong Mundo Pasiglahin�.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
Monday, October 10, 2011
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
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BFAR celebrates.....from page 39 In line with the celebration, different activities on fisheries endeavors will be conducted like fingerlings dispersal, coastal clean-up, mangrove planting and other related fishery and aquatic ac-
tivities, said BFAR Caraga regional director Nerio G. Casil. Also, the weeklong activities aims to recognize the role of every Filipinos in conserving, protecting, and sustaining our coastal
and marine resources, director Casil added. The celebration is declared by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 176 signed by the late President Diosdado Macapagal.
Caraga region is second stopover for nationwide microinsurance campaign by Ritchelle Encabo BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga region is slated to be the second stop of a 16region roadshow on microinsurance advocacy campaign spearheaded by the Insurance Commission and the Department of Finance – National Credit Council. From October 11 to 13, the Training on Microinsurance Advocacy (TOMA) will be held at the Almont Inland Hotel, Butuan City, to be attended by representatives of the local government, national public agencies, insurance companies and intermediaries, civil society, support organizations and donors/development partners. On October 14, the culminating event billed as “Mag-
paseguro para Protektado: Advocacy Seminar on Microinsurance” will educate representatives of both the public and the private sector about the framework and status of microinsurance in the Philippines, emphasizing the respective roles each one can take in the advocacy of microinsurance. As an important social protection measure, microinsurance is integral to the overall pover-
ty alleviation strategy of the Filipino government. To put this strategy into action, the government has forged a partnership with the German International Cooperation – Microinsurance Innovations Program for Social Security (GIZ-MIPSS) and the Asian Development Bank-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (ADB-JFPR) to enhance financial literacy on microinsurance, especially of the low-income sec41
40
Monday, October 10, 2011
Caraga region...from page 40 tor. Microinsurance has the potential to buffer Caraga from sinking further into poverty by protecting its residents from the sudden financial burdens of accidents, illness, deaths or home fires. With support from all insurance associations and other private sector institutions, the microinsurance roadshow is anticipated to further push for the increased awareness of and appreciation for microinsurance and risk protection. Through this campaign, it is envisioned that future microinsurance advocates from Caraga will help address the two causes of low insurance coverage among the low-income sector the lack of awareness of insurance and low financial literacy level. In forming a corps of microinsurance advocates, the roadshow training will teach about the importance of risk protection and how microinsurance can help
in mitigating the effects of these risks in a lowincome person’s life. Basic presentation skills will likewise be taught to enable the participants - future advocates - to effectively deliver key messages for the promotion of microinsurance to the general public. Access to appropriate and affordable risk protection instruments for the low-income sector faces obstacles: unaffordable and inadequate insurance products, persistence of informal insurance schemes and low appreciation of the importance of microinsurance. The government, through the initiatives of the Insurance Comission and its partners, continues the momentum of opportunities opened by the National Strategy for Microinsurance and the Regulatory Framework for Microinsurance launched in 2010. Through enabling microinsurance policies and regulations, there is now greater availability of life and non-life insur-
ance products provided by commercial insurance companies, mutual benefit associations and cooperative insurance societies. It will be widely distributed through such delivery channels as microfinance institutions, pawnshops, cooperatives, and communitybased organizations, among others. In line with the Roadmap for Financial Literacy endorsed by the Philippine government in February 2011, this roadshow conducted by the public and private sectors is unique in that it seeks to get widespread support from all sectors of society - legislators, government regulatory agencies, national agencies, local government units, insurance providers, intermediaries, support institutions, donors/other development partners and existing and potential clients. Ultimately, the roadshow strives for behavior change through its banner message of cooperation towards building an 42
Monday, October 10, 2011
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Caraga region...from page 41 insurance market for the low-income sector. The nationwide microinsurance roadshow is scheduled to grace seven cities in Luzon,
three in Visayas and six in Mindanao from 20112012. The first stop was in Tacloban City in September. By the end of this caravan, expect the
slogan, “Peligrong laging nakaamba, sa Microinsurance walang pangamba” to echo across the country. (MIPSS/PIACaraga)
Lingig Mayor, 2 military escorts released after 2 months, 3 days abduction by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
SURIGAO DEL SUR – Lingig Mayor Henry Dano and his two army escorts were finally released Sunday after they were abducted by the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN) at his residence in the said municipality on August 6, 2011. Exactly 2 months and 3 days in the hands of their abductors, the official and his bodyguards were met by Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel, chairperson of the “Task Force Dano” team negotiator, together with their families at Sitio
42
New Visayas, Brgy. Pulang Lupa, Trento, Agusan del Sur at around 2:00 pm according to report from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Report said Mayor Dano and the two soldiers Alan Saban and Alfrey Desamparado
are in good physical condition when turnedover by their abductors. After the release, they were brought in Mongkayo, Compostella Valley province for debriefing and medical check-up.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Released Lingig Mayor, 2 others grateful to Surigao Sur Gov. by Robert E. Roperos BUTUAN CITY, – Lingig Mayor Henry Dano and his two military escorts acknowledged the effort extended by Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel for their safe release on Sunday after they were abducted on August 6 in his residence in Lingig, Surigao del Sur. In an interview with a local radio reporter here who is witnessing the release, Mayor Dano said the efforts made by the good governor of the province is remarkable as he leads the provincial task force dubbed “Task Force Dano” created by the local management crisis committee. “Me and my two escorts are so thank-
T
ful to Gov. Pimentel for everything he has done for our safe release,” Dano said in Cebuano dialect. Meanwhile, his escorts Pfc. Al Rey Desamparado and Pfc. Alan Saban are also thankful for those who have made significant contributions for their safe release. The abducted official and military person-
nel are also thankful to their abductors for giving them the chance to live and be back to their respective families. At around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, the victims were released and turned-over to Gov. Pimentel and their families in Sitio New Visayas, Brgy. Pulang Lupa, Trento Agusan del Sur.
Feature: HMC-TNP, DepEd’s ALS program fulfills aspiration of the mining communities in Surigao Norte he Alternative Learning System Accreditation & Equivalency (ALS A&E) System is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Education open to all Filipino youths and adults who dropped out of elementary and high school.
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Feature: HMC-TNP...from page 43 eral areas of the country. Confronted with a limited funding for this program, ALS could not be realized in areas which is found to be geographically remote and accessibility difficult as in the case of the mining communities of Hinatuan Mining Corporation-Taganaan Nickel Project (HMCTNP) -- the Barangay The ALS provides an Talavera and 2 Sitios, opportunity to complete SitioCampandan and high school education, SitioBagongSilang in albeit in an informal Taganaan, Surigaodel setting. Handled by Norte. trained facilitators, the Barangay Talavera students learning sys- can be reached from tem are module-based. Surigao City through After several analmost 2-hour ride months, the students of a motorized banca will take the Accredi- and an additional fortytation and Equivalen- five minutes going to cy Test (AET). Having SitioCampandan andpassed the test, a stu- BagongSilang from Badent receives a high rangay Talavera. Travschool diploma and can els at sea going to these thus enroll in college. areas are convenient But the ALS pro- during summer but the gram itself of the De- rough seas make acpartment of Education cessibility tough most requires a huge budget of the time. for its implementation A National High in order for this pro- School was established gram to spread to sev- in the year 2010 with
the help of HMC-TNP. Buildings and teachers were assisted by the company under their Social Development and Management Program. Since high school was offered in the Barangay only last year, not many of the residents were able to finish high-school and the high school diploma is the proof of the residents so they can take advantage of the employment opportunities being offered by HMCTNP which is operating adjacent to their barangay. Hinatuan Mining Corporation –Taganaan Nickel Project needed skilled manpower to boost their operation and to beef-up employees, skills training that will equip the residents with the neces45
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Feature: HMC-TNP...from page 44
sary skills needed by the company were conducted in partnership with TESDA. Minimum requirement to avail of the trainingsshould be a high school graduate. The ALS program bridged the gap between demand and supply of workers in the mining communities. Residents who for lack of money,time and access to high school education can have the chance to graduate in high school and pursue their aspirations in life. Under the Social and Development and Management Program of the company, the implementation of the ALS A&E system for the mining communities will be a yearly project of HMC-TNP in partnership with the DepEd starting this year January 2011.
The DepEd provided the modules and teachers who will be the facilitators while the company allotted funds from their SDMP to finance the salary of the facilitators and other logistics of the ALS system in the Barangay. Through this program, the out-of-school -youth, housewives, workers of HMC-TNP who have not finished high school and who are residents of Barangay Talavera and SitiosCampandan and BagongSilang attend informal classes held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00-9:00
in the evening ; Saturday and Sunday 1:004:00,7:00-9:00 pm. Registration to this program is free and the learners are provided with all the necessary learning materials and facilitators by the company’s SDMP. HMC-TNP likewise committed to finance all of the expenses that will be incurred by the learners during the National Exam this coming November 6, 2011. There were a total of One Hundred Seventy (170) learners enrolled for the period of three (3) to Four (4) months and is set to graduate
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Feature: HMC-TNP...from page 45
on October 2011 prior to the National Exam. May Ann Laranjan, 30 years of age is a plain housewife with 6 kids, stopped schooling after second year high school and is proud to be back in school. She hoped to proceed to college and become a policewoman. Helen Ejandra, 35 years old and finished 3rd year highschool. She enrolled in the ALS program so she can make her kids proud of her. She finds the English subject as difficult. Sheila Dublusi 34, 6-months pregnant hopes to graduate and
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avail of the TESDA program after high school so she and her husband can find better jobs. Her husband who works with HMC-TNP as checker is also enrolled with the ALS A&E System who has high hopes of becoming a heavy equipment operator. This October 2011, the enrollees of the ALS A&E in the HMC-TNP mining communities are set to take the national ALS A&E test. The passers of either the Elementary or Secondary Level will receive a certificate from the Secretary of the Depart-
ment of Education and allows the passer to mainstream in the educational system of the country. It offers them wide opportunities to enroll in post- secondary courses like technical, vocational, two to five-year course and TESDA skills training programs and can join the government service if they pass the Civil Service eligibility for government employment. The opportunities are unlimited for the ALS A&E learners. It would be up for them to pursue that desire to change their quality of life. The HMC-TNP and DepEd through the ALS A&E system could only be a vehicle for them to reach the potential they hope to achieve in their personal and family life. This rare opportunity should not be wasted but grabbed for a good future. (MGB-13/PIASurigao del Norte)
Monday, October 10, 2011
DepED bats for child friendly public schools
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by Franklin P. Gumapon
arents and students can now expect more child-friendly public schools.
Public school heads of Zamboanga del Norte have recently completed a training on Child Friendly School System (CFSS) aimed at bringing down the dropout rate in the elementary and secondary schools in the area. The school heads were trained on the strategies in identifying students-at-risk of
dropping out (SARDO) using the Family, Individual, Community and School (FICS) analysis tool. Studies have shown that the reasons why some students left school are varied. “Students coming from broken homes are likely to stop schooling as nobody would take care for their needs,” said a school head who asked
not to be named. Students with special needs are also prone to dropping out of school according to special education teacher Ma. Theresa F. Dayrit at the Dipolog SPED center. “So, children with physical disabilities should not be mixed with able-bodied ones,” she said. Conflict communities are another factor 48
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DepED bats....from page 47
affecting the studies of the schoolchildren especially in the farlung barangays. Students from these areas would rather leave school than risking their lives. Training participants, on the other hand, were reminded that some students quit schooling because
of the school itself. “The schools with very strict school heads and teachers drive the students away,” said Education Supervisor Ismael Yusop during the training. In support of the DepED’s thrust of making the schools more child friendly, the school heads and
teachers are to create a friendly learning environment but not compromising quality instruction. In Zamboanga del Norte, the average dropout rate for the elementary level is less than one percent and 5.86 percent for the high school level.
DOT, City, launch Food Fest - “Barrio Fiesta de Comidas” by Jocelyn P. Alvarez ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the city government of Zamboanga will launch tonight at the Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca, a food festival that will cater the craves for “fiesta” foods of the public. The event dubbed as “Barrio Fiesta de Comidas” will bring in various restaurants of the city for a two-day food festival set on October 10-11. In a press statement from DOT, Marilou Silorio, Senior Tourism Officer said, the food fest is a showcase of choice menus from the best chefs in town at an af-
fordable price. “October for Zamboanga City is a month packed with activities in celebration of Fiesta Hermosa. The Barrio Fiesta de Comidas is in consonance with the Fiesta Pilar festivity.” Silorio said in the press statement. The senior tourism officer said the event is an evening full of enter-
tainment featuring the Jambangan Dance Ensemble who just gained international acclaim during their cultural performance in Malaysia. She added, “High Hatters Chorale will serenade the dining visitors with a repertoire of Chabacano songs to set a Zamboangueño mood.” “To perk up late eve49
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DOT, City....from page 48 ning diners, a local band will regale the night with genres of selected songs,” Silorio said. “Just for a night, fun awaits those who come,” she assured.
A ribbon cutting ceremony to be led by Mayor Celso Lobregat and DOT Regional Director Mary June Bugante declares the food festival open.
Guests coming from different offices are expected to grace the affair. The event is open to the public, 6pm to 10pm.
DSWD-IX disburses P282-M for ZamboSur’s 1st district 4Ps by Claro A. Lanipa PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWDIX) has disbursed a total amount of P281,932,900.00 for the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries covering 11 municipalities of the first congressional district of Zamboanga del Sur. In her report during the Convergence Caravan held in Molave gymnasium, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday (Sept. 15, 2011), Evangeline Poquita, 4Ps Provincial Link in the province reported, that from May 2009 to June 2011 DSWD has released the sum of P281,932,900.00 million intended for the 30,625 identified beneficiaries of the Monday, October 10, 2011
program. The number of beneficiaries as of September 2011 are as follows: Dumingag (4,228); Sominot (1,370); Midsalip (2,959); Tambulig (2,916); Tukuran (2,869); Mahayag (3,800); Labangan (2,966); Ramon Magsaysay (2,067); Josefina (832); Aurora (3,355) and Molave (3,263), totaling to 30,625 beneficiaries.
Last month, during the same activity held in Dumalinao for the second congressional district of the province, DSWD has also reported that a total amount of P499, 974 million was disbursed for the district with some 33,965 program beneficiaries. To date, the province has a beneficiary base of approximately 63,275. 49
Zambo. Norte cops undergo PSJLC course DIPOLOG CITY - - Fifty five policemen from the two cities of Dipolog and Dapitan and the 25 municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte have recently completed the Public Safety Junior Leadership Course (PSJLC) conducted by the Philippine Public Safety College Regional Training Center 9-Annex of the Philippine National Police (PNP). A news release issued by the City Information Office (CIO) said the training was held at the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (ZNPPO) at Camp Hamac, Sicayab this city. It was also learned that the participants to the PSJLC were police of-
ficers with the rank of Police Officer 3 (PO3). The training ran for four and a half months. A simple graduation ceremony was held at the function hall of the Top Pensionne along Quezon ave., this city with Regional Training Director PSupt. Redentor Retusto,
Assistant Regional Training Director PSI Alejandro Trabdillo and Mayor Evelyn T. Uy in attendance. Special awards like leadership award, academic award and firearm proficiency award were also given to deserving trainees during the closing rites.(JPA)
Zanorte to host 2012 ATOP National by Jocelyn P. Alvarez Convention
DIPOLOG CITY-- Zamboanga del Norte will be the host of the 2012 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP)National Convention scheduled to held in Dipolog City next year. Zamboanga del Norte won over Butuan City, in the bidding conducted during the recent-
ly-concluded 12th ATOP National Convention of ATOP held at Roxas City, Capiz
The province was represented by Atty. Patrick Ang, together with Zamboanga del Norte 51
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Zanorte to host....from page 50 Second District Board Member Atty. Allan Ranillo; Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Tourism Council Chairman Atty. Flint Concha; La Libertad Mayor Anja Sulit-Manglag; Roxas Vice-Mayor Leonor Alberto, councilors and Tourism Officers and Department of Tourism-9 Monday, October 10, 2011
Regional Director June Bugante. Atty. Ang, who is also the concurrent ATOP Executive Vice-President said the 2012 ATOP National Convention will serve as an opportune time for the Zamboanga del Norte to promote among the Tourism Of-
ficers of the country the tourist attractions in the province. More than 1,000 tourism officers and municipal and councilors who are chairmen of the Committee on Tourism from all over the country are expected to attend the said ATOP gathering. 51
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